The fallout from Saturday’s win has been continuing over the past few days, with Kevin Nolan talking about how Arsenal ‘whinge’ whenever they lose, and then after they lost he….er….complained. Bitterly.
His target was everyone’s favourite young Spaniard, Francesc Fabregas, who finally opened his league account for the season in the 2-1 win before unleashing every bit of pressure he’s clearly been feeling build up. How refreshing to see a genuine show of passion.
Nolan, of course, decided to have a pop, saying that he has a overly passionate temperament and needs to calm down. Erm, Kevin, he’s a Catalan teenager charged with having the midfield of one of the biggest sides in Europe built around him. He feels a personal responsibility for Arsenal’s poor form partially because of his lack of goals, and partly because he hasn’t been reproducing the stunning form he showed all season up to February.
Personally, I’d be worried if he was shrugging it off and not getting stuck in, and quite frankly, I doubt he cares one jot about what Nolan thinks. As far as picking his enemies go, Lampard, Bolton, Blackburn and Ashley Cole aren’t bad choices in his fledgling career.
A good few days for the boy from Barcelona were completed when he was nominated in both the Player of the Year and Young Player of the Area awards. Whilst no surprise to see him in the young mix, to be nominated (by fellow professionals, remember) ahead of Lampard, Essien (especially) and Rooney is quite something.
He won’t win it though, and nor should he. It’s clearly a toss up between Drogba and Ronaldo, but the latter wins it comfortably for me. As for the young player accolade, I’m not sure what the done thing is when a young nominee wins the main award – can they win the young one too? If so, Ronaldo should walk that, but I have a feeling they won’t give him both, so Cesc has a chance there.
Another game tonight, and it’s Man City at the Emirates, looking to be the second side in as many weeks to complete the league double at the new home. What price an Arsenal dominated 15 minutes, before City score with their first shot? We’ve seen it so often now you can’t help but wonder.
Onward. I have more thoughts on the midfield but that can wait for a quieter day.
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.