The long summer is winding down, training camp is about a month away and the Raptors have been quieter than a mouse pissing on cotton. EuroBasket 2007 is going on but it doesn’t do much for me, same for the FIBA tournament, I prefer club basketball, so much more meaningful and watchable. But it’s not all bad because Darko Milicic just made the summer a little more interesting. His thoughts on the officiating at EuroBasket 2007?

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I wasn’t even planning on making an Arsenal post today but this story from Sky Sports caught my eye which has a few Lehmann quotes:

First comes the egotistical maniac:

“I am without a doubt mentally the strongest player at Arsenal because I have more experience”

Next are the condescending remarks about fellow goalies:

“I know that I have an advantage at Arsenal and that I can keep it. I don’t see any young supermen keeping me out.”

Next we see his ability to apparently read Wenger’s mind:

“I know I will be playing again at Arsenal. The coach will let me play. He knows it, and I know it - it doesn’t matter if I have another week out.”

Then comes the direct hit at Almunia:

“I have read that Almunia said he deserves to be the No 1 but until now he has not won a single important game.”

The problem with all these quotes shooting out of his mouth is that they should be preceded with an acknowledgment of error on his two howlers. Right after that there should be some sign of remorse and maybe an open admission that he needs to step up his concentration on the pitch or the job will be up for grabs. Lehmann’s acting like the starting goalkeeper job was part of his contract which it isn’t, and nor should he be starting given how well Almunia has played so far. There’s also Lukas somewhere in there licking his chops.

Le Boss will more than likely give Lehmann another shot if for nothing else than because of his tenure at Arsenal. But in Lehmann’s crazy mind he’ll probably think Wenger’s giving him the job out of desperation because no one else on the team has “won a single important game”. Quotes that devalue teammates and stink of vanity are never good for team chemistry and despite what Lehmann’s done for the club in past years, this will not win him any friends.

There are no problems between Wenger and the board and he has always loved them. There’s an article in the Sunday Mirror which insinuates that Wenger’s at Arsenal for life, something we’ve all known since about five years ago. How about Eduardo scoring two Goal of The Month type goals against Estonia in Euro qualifying? Here’s hoping this gets him more playing time and more starts in the Premiership so he can do what he does best: score! And yes, they should be coming at the expense of Adebayor because Ade can’t hold a candle to Eduardo.

If you enjoy laughing at the scum you should probably check out Yogi’s Warrior post. Finally for all you European folk, remember Denilson? No, not our Denilson, this Denilson, he’s in the MLS now playing for FC Dallas. Scored one against my beloved Toronto FC on a cheeky penalty this weekend.

Thanks for reading, grab the feed.

What a big surprise, I almost had a cardiac arrest when I read Arsene Wenger actually signed a 3 year extension with his club of ten years which he also happens to love and has a free reign in managing. Almost every freaking day there’s a story which goes something like “Wenger contemplating future” or “Hill-Wood and Wenger take a piss in the same washroom” or “Dein and Wenger have lunch and order mashed potatoes”. Fuck! Seriously, it was getting out of hand, even the bloggers were analyzing Wenger’s future to death. I always thought Wenger’s here till he dies. Here’s a quote which finally puts this shit to bed:

My heart is tied to this football club so signing a new deal was always my intention. Arsenal is the club of my life. I have been entrusted with complete freedom to implement and execute my plans on what will make the team successful and that means I have a responsibility to the fans to deliver silverware and also a responsibility to the players to help turn our potential into prizes. This Club has deep-seated roots and a tremendous heritage and it is my aim to uphold these important values and help create new history for future generations to recount.

Valencia are set to offer around £10 million for Gilberto, something Arsenal can’t possibly let pass. Gilberto’s wanting to stay despite the captaincy snub and aim for Champions League glory, something he probably has a better shot at with Arsenal than Valencia so I’d be surprised if he would approve of the deal. From Arsenal’s perspective this might be a good time to cut ties with the long serving Brazilian and give Abou Diaby the minutes he’s shown he deserves.

Nicklas Bendtner plans on having a chat with Wenger about how he wasn’t involved in the 3-1 win over Portsmouth. Why can’t this lad just be happy that his team won, continue working hard in practice and let Wenger do what he does best: Manage. I imagine the chat will go something like this:

Bendtner: Sir, I was wondering why I didn’t play against Portsmouth.
Wenger: What?
Bendtner: Why did you not play me against Portsmouth?
Wenger: Because I felt it was a good matchup for Robin and Emmanuel, do I need to ask your permission before making the lineup?
Bendtner: Err, no but I was wondering why…err..I mean, will you start me against Tottenham?
Wenger: I don’t know, haven’t made the lineups yet, if I think it’s a good matchup for you, yes, if not, then no.
Bendtner: But I got playing time in preseason, how come I’m not getting any now?
Wenger: That was preseason, this is the real season. Continue working hard in training and things will work out.
Bendtner: (Wants to threaten leaving Arsenal but doesn’t have the balls to make such a demand knowing he’s not that good): Umm..OK
Wenger: Merci, now get the fuck outta here.

Seriously, as Yogi’s Warrior points out, Wenger doesn’t want youngsters getting exposed to the “rigours of the Premiership”. Bendtner couldn’t play two straight games in the league without getting the wind knocked out of him. Arsenal youngsters should just trust Wenger without asking questions. Look at it this way, he even gives Alexander Song playing time. If you’re ready, he’ll put you in.

Resident psychopath Jens Lehmann wants to play in the 2010 World Cup. Sure, I don’t care but it would speaks volumes if the entire German nation can’t find another goalie other than Lehmann and Kahn. He’s not going to be playing for Arsenal then, that’s for sure. There’s another Lehmann story out there where he claims he’s still Number One for Arsenal and Germany. For a guy on the bench, he sure makes a lot of news. His blunders have already cost us 2 points and could’ve been much more but the man has played some excellent football for us over the last two seasons and two stupid mistakes don’t change that. He’s probably a better goalie than Almunia but even then he doesn’t deserve the starting job simply because Almunia hasn’t done anything wrong yet.

The Gunnerblog correctly (and obviously) points out that Wenger is our best signing of the summer. I stumbled upon this blog dedicated to Arsenal Reserves, it’s a pretty good way to keep in touch with the youth movement. As always, grab the Arsenal Feed.

First up, this game was on Canadian TV via Setanta Sports, first time I’ve seen Arsenal on TV since April so it was already a victory before the match even started. I’m not much for indepth analysis and by nature I’m a pessimist so I have to get some shit off my chest. Adebayor really frustrates me, he hasn’t improved an iota since two years in terms of making the correct decision when the ball is played to him in a threatening position. When he has a chance to make a cross it’s usually crappy in quality and leaves so much to be desired. Why he chose to switch to his right foot when Sylvain Distin was on HIS RIGHT after a beautiful pass by RVP had him alone on the flank is mindboggingly inexplicable. Eduardo came into the game and looked rusty, and how do you fix rust? You give him playing time, and at whose expense? Adebayor.

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