Now For the Real Thing!

It is indeed a hectic by all means. The Malaysia Cup has reached the semi-finals with my local team, Terengganu had to endure a penalty shoot-out against Perlis before coming out on top.

The football season is coming to its end in Malaysia, many are relishing the coming of the Barclays Premier League new season. Arsenal has completed its pre-season programme with fans looking forward to an improved results from last season. But before that, there is the short trip to Eschende to meet Steve McClaren's FC Twente in order to qualify to the lucrative Champions' League.

The current immediate concern of many Arsenal fans is the thin layer of midfielders at our disposal with the departure of Matt Flamini, Alex Hleb and Gilberto Silva. Abou Diaby who was touted as the next Patrick Vieira due to the physical similarities seems to be spending more time on the treatment table and when given the chance on the pitch, failed to grab the opportunity to really establish himself.

Thus, the match in the Netherlands would probably see Cesc Fabregas and Denilson being partnered together. Theo Walcott and Samir Nasri (if he overcomes his injury) would probably provide the thrust from the wings. If the Frenchman does not make it we would probably see Manu Eboue operating on the right though I think Carlos Vela, Jack Wilshere or Armand Traore could be deployed there.

One good thing coming from the Armsterdam Tournament was the performance of Lukasz Fabianski between the sticks. He commanded the box well against Sevilla with several good takes when dealing with crosses. He also reacted well on one to one situations and showed good agility when required. A stiff competition to Manuel Almunia is foreseen here.

With Arsene Wenger prefers to do his dealings behind closed doors it is a bit difficult to guess who are joining the ranks though the addition of Xabi Alonso certainly would see my optimism rises a bit. Hopefully Arsene will find the time soon.

Astro has been a good satellite TV provider with the match at Huddersfield being telecast 'live' here in Malaysia. It is always good to see a good comeback after falling behind. The youngsters certainly showed plenty of character with the winner by Nacer Barazite indicated that the boy is progressing well.

Another good comeback was at the Amsterdam ArenA against host Ajax. Who would have predicted the two Manus would combine so well to score the first one with Eboue finding the head of Adebayor. The Togolese is trying his best to win back the heart of Arsenal supporters and his determination opened the chance for Nicklas Bendtner to equalise.

Then a good one-two with Denilson led to the winner by Adebayor though he would have to improve his rate of conversion in order to climb the charts of legends that have donned the red and white of Arsenal in the past. During the match alone he had me tearing my hair on numerous occassions for failing to do things that are expected of an Arsenal player.

I am hoping that Fabianski will start the match on Wednesday but I believe it will be Almunia and William Gallas to partner Kolo Toure in defence. Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy will provide the support for Walcott and Nasri respectively. Fabregas and Denilson will provide the openings for Adebayor and Robin Van Persie and hopefully we will come back with one foot already in the pot.

Go Gooners!

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Emirates Cup Round Up

Thanks to astro, the premier (the only one in fact) satellite TV provider in Malaysia, I was able to watch Arsenal matches in the Emirates Cup Tournament which was won by another Emirates sponsored team, Hamburg SV.

It has been typically frustrating at times watching Arsenal when they are unable to finish the many chances created during a match, and this weekend is no exception. Against Juventus they could and should have at least achieved parity and they should have scored more against Real Madrid.

Of course result wise, these are not really important anyway but the way we keep on wasting chances perhaps is a matter of grave concern.

In Samir Nasri I believe we have a very exciting player that could contribute to our goals for tally a-la Robert Pires. I did not recall any shooting chances for the French international during the tournament, but of course against quality opponents such as Juventus and Real Madrid chances are bound to be at premium.

I am not really sure about Abou Diaby though. His tendency to be robbed off the ball has not yet been rectified though the performance of Denilson left me a bit warm inside with the hope that he could be the player to partner Cesc Fabregas in the middle.

Despite him trying very hard I just could not watch Manu Adebayor without some sort of negative feelings burning up inside me. He can say anything that he wants but it is very hard to just think of all the stories surfacing during the summer were mere miscommunications or the work of someone who has some bad intentions to the Togolese.

Just seeing him typically missing his chances during the matches against Juventus and Real Madrid really made me having some bad intentions towards him.

Anyway, other Arsenal players that took the pitch on Saturday and Sunday really made feel good and strengthened my belief that our position is not really that bad personnel wise. Aaron Ramsey, Carlos Vela and Jack Wilshere really impressed me and I would not be surprised if they would appear more frequently rather than just the odd cup matches.

Tonight was a good night for me, winning a bowling competition organised by our local football team Terengganu which just qualified for the last eight of the Malaysia Cup. Supporting Arsenal is one thing but this is where I get my 'live' football fix. Maybe more about this later.

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Short Trip Across the Channel

So the draw has been made and we are going to Enschede to face FC Twente in order to qualify for the group stages of the European Champions League this season. As highlighted by Arsene Wenger, the tie requires full concentration because the Dutch side now under the guidance from former England manager Steve McLaren could spring a few surprises as they did last season by finishing a credible fourth in the Dutch League.

The short trip should work to our advantage as it would mean that the travelling would be short and simple unlike last two seasons when we had to travel to the Balkans before qualifying to the group stage proper.

There were also comments from Manu Adebayor about him never has any intention to leave the Emirates and that he did not know the source that triggered all the quotes and speculations. Furthermore he stressed that 'his heart is with Arsenal'. At the moment. For me, it is more of a damage limitation exercise on the Togolese part rather to win back support from the fans.

He would completely win me over by scoring 43 goals this season.

Then there was this news about how Arsenal youth set-up is working well, especially if we manage to get something from the transfer proceed of David Bentley move from Blackburn to the Sp*ds next door. Nice piece of business there. Perhaps, if he had more patient he could have made the Pires/Ljungberg positions his own after the duo have left Arsenal. But we will never know.

The good news for us in Malaysia is that the Arsenal versus Juventus match in the Emirates Cup will be shown 'live' by the satellite TV provider.

At two in the morning.

But I am not complaning. Now. Hopefully I would not be complaning after the match too.

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