| . |
p38
 Arsenal World Cup winners and losers. The
biggest success was Ashley Cole. Opponents, especially Argentina, clearly thought the
England left back was suspect defensively. But Cole stayed on his feet, showed great
discipline and tackled hard when he had to. Ariel Ortega ran into a wall against him. Cole
- that modern rarity, an Arsenal youth product - came of age in international football.
Sol Campbell clearly enhanced his reputation alongside Rio Ferdinand. David Seaman made
crucial saves against Sweden and Argentina, but Ronaldinho's magnificent winner will come
back to haunt him like Nayim's goal from the halfway line for Zaragoza.
Biggest loser was Thierry Henry, who failed to score and was sent off against Uruguay,
making his TV commercial for a French car maker looked somewhat embarrassing. Patrick
Vieira was immense against Uruguay. But France's attitude was wrong. Luck deserted them,
especially against Denmark, and the absence of Robert Pires was probably more crucial than
even Zinedine Zidane's injury. Without Pires on the left, the French looked unbalanced and
very predictable.
Injury prevented Freddie Ljungberg repeating his club form. The Swede will miss the start
of the new season after tearing a hip joint. He missed his country's last two matches and
had surgery at the start of July. The loss of Ljungberg, added to the long-term absences
of Pires and Gio van Bronckhorst, is a setback for the opening weeks of Arsenal's title
defence.
Wenger wants Seaman to stay on. So does Sven-Goran Eriksson. Wenger believes that no
keeper in the tournament would have saved Ronaldinho's goal against England. The Arsenal
boss said: 'I understand why Sven wants to keep David on. It's the same reason why I
want him to stay at Arsenal. It's because he's the best goalkeeper in England.'
Those comments may make ominous reading for Richard Wright. How long is the ex-Ipswich
keeper prepared to wait if Seaman continues as number one?
A centre back partner has been Wenger's top target, as Martin Keown edges closer to
hanging up his boots. Names in the frame included PSV Eindhoven's Holland centre half
Kevin Hofland but Pascal Cygan of Lille has recently joined the club. Arsenal have also
been linked with influential PSV skipper Mark van Bommel. The Holland midfielder could
fill the gap if Real Madrid make a move for Vieira.
Matthew Upson also has a point to prove after missing the end of last season with a broken
leg. He also missed most of the action in 2000 because of a cruciate ligament injury. He
said: 'It's an advantage that I'm a left-sided defender. There are not a great number of
them in the country. If I can get into the Arsenal side on a regular basis, the chances
are that England will look at me at some stage.'
Which competition will be Arsenal's priority in 2002-3? My guess is the Champions League.
The Gunners' best performance under Wenger was quarter-final defeat by Valencia in 2001.
For all his success in France, Japan and England, Wenger has only taken one team to a
European final, when his Monaco side lost 2-0 to Werder Bremen in 1992.
|
. |
FOR ADVICE ON:
Moving Home, Remortgages, 'Right To Buy'
Transactions - Business Tenancies, Commercial Leases - Liquor Licensing - Wills and
Inheritances, Probate and Intestacy
Call 020 7249 7271 at 139 Stoke Newington High Street, London N16 0PA
Family Matters, Emergency Family Injunctions, Domestic Disputes, Divorce and Children -
All Types of Criminal Defence Work
Call 020 7249 9980 at 189 Stoke Newington High Street, London N16 0LH
Housing Problems, Homelessness and Disrepair Claims, Housing Benefit Problems,
Landlord and Tenant Matters - Court Actions against the Police and Other Professionals -
Accident and Injury Claims - Immigration and Nationality Problems,
UK Visa Applications, Work Permits
Call 020 7249 9000 at 167 Stoke Newington Church Street, London N16 0UL
Traymans holds Legal Service Commission Franchises for Crime, Housing,
Immigration and Nationality and Actions against the Police
ALL
CRIMINAL DEFENCE WORK
24 HOUR POLICE STATION VISITS
EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBER: 07860 594 909 |
|
|
