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OUR MAN IN THE NORTH BANK. |
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* The saddest footballing news of last month was the death of David Rocastle, killed by cancer at the age of 33. Rocky was not only one of Arsenal’s best players of the last generation, he was also one of the most popular. He joined the Gunners from school and grew up at Highbury. The fans recognised him as Arsenal through and through - and he always had time for them. This magazine’s publisher well remembers the time Rocky made a special trip back to his car to fetch a photograph to sign for his young son. Everyone who saw him in his prime will have a favourite Rocky memory. Mine goes back to that night in March 1987 when he popped up in the closing minutes to score the winner in the League Cup semi-final play-off at Tottenham. It was the first time Arsenal had been ahead in three games of the tie. Skill combined with resilence; typical Rocky. * N16 magazine goes to press before the Champions League quarter-final second leg in Valencia. Fingers crossed... but what do Arsenal need to add to challenge Manchester United in the Premiership next season? Another quality centre back is a top priority as age finally catches up with the magnificent Tony Adams and Martin keown. Gilles Grimandi, lgors Stepanovs and Oleh Luzhny have all been found wanting as cover. Finding one is easier said than done. Maybe Arsene Wenger should look down Seven Sisters Road to Sol Campbell. Another candidate is Germany’s Jens Nowotny, who was linked with Arsenal last October. But he has a contract with Bayer Leverkusen until 2005 and said last week he sees no reason to move. * A striker with physical presence would be welcome too, someone who could win the ball in the air and head some goals. Oh for Alan Smith of 10 years ago. Arsenal desperately lack a forward who relentlessly attacks the box - and they rarely score tap-ins, knock-downs or rebounds because they don’t get enough bodies into the danger area. * Manu Petit and Marc Overmars (well, the Overmars of 1998) have yet to be replaced either. The jury is out on Robert Pires. The Frenchmen’s ability is unquestioned. But is he strong enough, physically and mentally, to play at the top of the Premiership? Meanwhile, Lauren has failed to establish himself, so Ray Parlour has had to come inside from his most effective position on the right. How much would it take to prise Barry Ferguson away from Rangers? * N16s goal of the season: Ray Parlour’s run and shot that beat Valencia at Highbury. Better even than Thierry Henry’s winner against Manchester United.
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