Vital Arsenal ed. Rocky7 gives us the inside track on the Gooners ahead of Saturday’s season-opener.
Hopes, fears & expectations for the forthcoming season?
I`m pretty hopeful as it happens. Despite the doom and gloom that surrounded our club last season, (coupled with our hideous start to the campaign) most people are feeling pretty chipper right now.
Even though one of our best players seems to be on his way out, Arsene and his board room pals have pulled out all the stops to ensure we didn`t have to endure another summer like that of 2001.
How did pre-season go?
It was pretty non-descript to be honest, but the really money came in our last friendly when we saw Giroud, Podolski and Cazorla for the first time.
The first half saw us field a side not too far from our starting XI and it looked pretty tasty.
Happy with the additions of Podolski, Giroud & Cazorla?
Oh yes. Wenger has been excused of scrimping and saving in the past, bringing in cheaper yet inferior players just to save a few quid, but these guys are all the real deal. Experienced, talented, explosive, and seemingly just the right fit for us.
Will RVP leave, and if yes, where would you put your money on him being headed?
I would think so, and can`t see him heading anywhere other than Old Trafford.
I`d been reminded of van Persie`s quotes from 2011 today, made me realise what a fickle bunch footballers are and why we shouldn`t make sporting heroes of them:
‘This is the best team for me to be in. The bottom line is that I want to win trophies with Arsenal, not with anybody else. I`m sure I could win things at another team in another country, but would it feel like our trophy, my trophy? I`m not sure it would.’
(As I write this it`s confirmed Arsenal and United have agreed term for van Judas).
Who’s the key man for the Gunners on Saturday?
Considering the timing of these bloody pointless internationals, I`m not even sure who`s going to be playing. Cazorla is at the other side of the world and is unlikely to feature, Podolski is apparently not match fit, Walcott, Chamberlain and Koscielny are all pretend injured. So I`m not sure.
I`ll go ahead and guess at Gervinho being our main man this weekend. He amazes and frustrates in equal measure most of the time, but he put in quite a shift on Sunday and looked very sharp.
I expect an assist or two from him.
If you could drive one player to his next club, who would it be?
Nicklas Bendtner. What a tool this boy is. But then again I`m sure you`re well aware of that. He`s undoubtedly talented, but nowhere near as good as he thinks he is.
He claims he wants to leave then tags on a load of crazy-arsed demands.
If you could sign one Sunderland player, who would it be?I will take any goalkeeper you can offer please. We`ve got Chesney who a great keeper, but after that, well, we`d be better with Pat Rice in goal.
Match prediction?
I`m going to go 4-0 to The Arsenal.
Cheers Rocky7!
