If anything, Nicklas Bendtner further proved his inconsistency last night, by being consistent in front of goal. Expect to see him clumsily hoofing a tap-in into his own face when his team travels to Hull on Saturday. Balance restored. Still, he had one of those nights that young players dream of, the whole thing only slightly overshadowed by a wonder goal from Nasri. Damn thunder-stealer.
The disturbing scenes which saw three members of Togo’s traveling party shot dead have obviously put the Africa Cup of Nations under serious scrutiny, begging that question as to whether other teams should follow Togo’s lead and pull out of the competition.
Reports from today’s Telegraph suggest that Didier Drogba spoke with Adebayor in the aftermath of the shooting, and does not feel that he is in the right mental state to play in the competition.
Arsene Wenger is not a happy bunny. Van Persie is out, probably for the rest of the season. He’s been having a pop at national coaches for buggering up his players during an important segment of the campaign.
So, what would cheer the Frenchman up? Spending big in January, that’s what!
The whisper slowly rising from the various Arsenal card playing clubs littered around North London is that Wenger will be looking for a decent striker in in the New Year. Names already in the mix include: the Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh, Inter’s Mario Balotelli, and the insightful former-Gunner, Ian Wright, told The Sun newspaper that Arsenal should seriously consider making friends with Ruud Van Nistelrooy at some point soon.
But who do YOU think Wenger should go for? That’s the real question. Let us know with a comment.
Enjoy some video clips of the current three contenders after the jump (WARNING: some clips may contain bad music)…
Is the Special One honing his act to replace Fergie?
Inter Milan will almost certainly win Serie A this season. Their two biggest rivals, Milan and Juve, are both managed by men who before August, had taken charge of a hefty zero matches in their managerial careers. The challenge should come from Sampdoria, Fiorentina and Genoa, none of whom are likely to have the staying power or experience for a long Serie A season.
Yet since Calciopoli, Inter always win the title. Its like being named the tallest dwarf. So Jose must do better to keep his job, and that means the Champions League, which Inter have started badly by drawing their first two matches. If Mourinho is fired at the end of the season, he will be casting his manly eyes to Old Trafford, where Sir Alex may soon be vacating the throne.
And what better way to ingratiate himself with the United faithful than having a pop at the bête noire of choice, Rafa Benitez, and the 2005 version, Arsene Wenger. Mourinho commented yesterday when asked if he feels pressure at San Siro:
“[Arsene] Wenger has been Arsenal’s coach for 15 years but he hasn’t won even a Carling Cup for six years. [Rafa] Benitez hasn’t won a league title in six years but they continue to keep him as Liverpool’s coach.
This is not the Italian mentality. To stay here I must continue winning and do well.”