Nine Jimmy Rimmers – Arsenal and Football

What with the takeover and the tragic loss of Danny Fiszman, last weekend’s game seems a while ago now.  But it mattered a lot because we finally found our way to three points again.  Would’ve mattered a whole lot more if we’d done that the week before of course, but there we are.

This week we need to do it again against Liverpool who go about their business rather better than Blackpool.  They’re not at full strength: Gerrard, Agger and Johnson will all be missing, but with Carroll, Suarez and the industrious Dirk Kuyt they are definitely dangerous.

The injury news for Arsenal is quite good. Szczesny and Djourou may return and Song is definitely back.  Almunia’s knee or whatever still keeps him out so if Szczesny doesn’t make it then mad Uncle Jens will play again.

If it Lehman then I hope that Szczesny keeps his eyes and ears fixed on him to pick up how he takes charge.  Anyone in the wrong place, anyone who fails to pick up a runner, Jens makes sure they know about it.  But he also hands out praise as well.

Hopefully Djourou will make it, because asking Squillaci whether he wants to take Carroll or Suarez doesn’t sound like a question with a correct answer.  If it ends up having to be asked then it will have to be Carroll because Koscielny will need to take on the movement of Suarez.

The ninety minute threat of Dirk Kuyt, generally on the right, means that Clichy is going to need consistent help.  Which isn’t what you generally expect from Arshavin.  So, Nasri on the left?  Or even Gibbs, or is that too negative?

With Nasri, Arshavin, Walcott and Van Persie all available we’re probably not going to see Bendtner or Chamakh start.

There has been talk that both might leave the club this summer.  This is a tricky issue for Arsenal.  Playing the formation we do now, only one out and out striker will start.  But given the vulnerability of Van Persie to injury we need a good striker ready to step in.

Perhaps it has to be an older player like Berbatov at Man Utd?  Someone who isn’t worried that their future is being jeopardised by lack of time on the pitch.

Anyway, back to the Liverpool game.  Late fitness tests allowing I expect to see:

________ Szczesny ________
Eboue Djourou Koscielny Clichy
_______Song _ Wilshere ___
_________ Fabregas ______
Walcott _ Van Persie _ Nasri

What do you think?

Arsenal Football Club has announced the death of Danny Fiszman, who was a Director of Arsenal since 1992. Club Chairman Peter Hill-Wood led the tributes calling him a gentleman and a friend.

Danny Fiszman was clearly a big influence on the club and the main driver behind the move to the Emirates. The new stadium is central to Arsenal’s future and a lasting tribute to his vision.

The stadium was built on-time and on-budget. That shouldn’t be such a big deal but when you look at the fiasco of the new Wembley stadium and other big construction projects it is a great testament to the ability of Danny Fiszman and the others involved. Let’s hope we can decorate it with some silverware soon.

I think that it was typical of the man that he sorted out his shareholding before he died to avoid a period of great uncertainty for the club. Whatever you make of the current position, the prospect of a long battle over his significant shareholding would have been worse.

RIP Danny Fiszman – a great Gooner!

Arsenal’s widely spread shareholding structure was never going to last, despite the various manoeuvres of the board over the last few years.  Either Kroenke or Usmanov were bound to make a move sooner or later.  It seems clear from the statements this morning that Kroenke has secured the shares of Fiszman and Bracewell-Smith, taking his stake to just over 60%.

From what I know, I’m glad its Kroenke not Usmanov.  But in truth I only know what everyone else has read so I’m not going to get wildly enthusiastic yet.  The man who has made this move possible is Danny Fiszman and I’m hoping that he has picked the right person for Arsenal’s future.  The danger is that Kroenke needs to lever some debt out of the club for the last 38%.  That would worry me loads.

For now it’s wait and see!

UPDATE –

Encouraging new from the official statements -  Stan Kroenke’s company does not intend to buy shares by issuing any additional debt that would fall on the business of the club and Deutsche Bank certifies that the company have the cash to do it.

Others better informed on such things may have an opinion on how water-tight such a statement is, but the intent is encouraging.