Size does matter at our new home

PRE-OCCUPIED with war, cricket and athletics, I was asked for some Premiership predictions the other day. It suddenly dawned on me that I didn’t have a ‘scooby’ about any of the summer dealings.

Perhaps it’s a subconscious soccer safety valve to guard against overkill, as from the moment I tuned into Sunday’s Charity Shield, I was transfixed. It didn’t matter that this wasn’t the Arsenal; my eyes were glued to the screen like a greedy addict who’d been starved of his footballing fix.

It has been a strange summer for Gooner supporters. For us fans, it’s going to take some time and the acquisition of some history and a few good memories, before our new Emirates Stadium begins to feel like home. The only similarity with Highbury is the snooker baize-like turf at the new stadium’s heart. It remains to be seen whether this beats with the same regularity, without the palpitations of new stadium-itis that’s afflicted other sides subsequent to a move.

Consequently, the first couple of games could prove to be more crucial than ever. So long as Wenger’s youthful team can remain in contention until they begin to feel less like the visitors than our opponents, then we could be in for an exciting season ahead.

At least we’ve escaped the incredibly tight confines of Highbury, where it was so hard to break down opponents with limited ambitions. With all our pace and youthful vigour, hopefully we can take full advantage of the additional six metres in width and eight metres in length on our new pitch.

I might not have had my ear to the floor this past month but despite the fact that the competition has been splashing the cash, I very much doubt Wenger’s lack of transfer activity has resulted in any unrest. In all honesty, most Gooners are still basking in the glow of Thierry Henry’s contract renewal. Embittered Spurs fans aside, is there another player in this country whose decision to continue to grace the Premiership would’ve received such unanimous approval?

Personally, I won’t be unhappy if we should end up getting Gallas for Ashley Cole. Ever since some labelled Cole as “the best left-back in the world”, he was no longer the hungry youngster with everything to prove.

Considering the French man’s dissatisfaction with his utility role at Chelsea, it’d be ironic if he arrived at Arsenal only to be asked to fill in at left-back. But considering the level of animosity that exists between all parties and Chelsea’s peerless purchasing power, I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re toying with us, in the hope that Wenger ends up missing out on his targets.

I’m amazed Real are quite so keen to acquire Jose Reyes. Wenger’s supposed exclusive interest in Baptista last summer must’ve waned in the interim, as apparently he’s been offered his choice of either ‘The Beast’ or Robinho. Perhaps Madrid feel they can make better use of Jose’s ability, by getting him to hare down the wing and whip in crosses from the byeline as he does for the national team.

Reyes’ ineffectiveness in an Arsenal shirt has resulted from his dreadful decision making and his inability to raise his head while running.

Basically, the winger is woefully short on brainpower, but then a similar handicap didn’t prevent Robert Pires from picking out incisive passes. I was sad to see Pires go as, despite his advancing years and an apparent lack of motivation, players of his calibre, who can come off the bench and influence a match in a single move, are hard to find.

I will be pleasantly surprised if we recoup anywhere near the ridiculous fee (£10.5 million, possibly rising to £20m) we paid for Reyes. There’s a consensus of Gooner opinion that believes Wenger is only interested in the readies because they’ve already been earmarked for Franck Ribery.

Personally, I wonder whether the diminutive midfielder possesses the necessary strength and desire to be able to create the time and space necessary to produce all his trickery, in the frenetic and physical climate of the Premiership. However it’s begun to look less likely that we’re going to find out.

It would appear that Ribery seriously pissed off Marseille and their fans with a surprise, live TV statement about his imminent departure. Surely Marseille can’t be planning to keep the lad if he’s intent on leaving. Thus, on the face of it, it would seem as if it was a bizarre act of spite to bring Ribery off the bench for the last 20 minutes of their UEFA Cup qualification match against Berne, thereby ensuring the midfielder is cup tied.

As far as Marseille are concerned, it’s as if they’re prepared to wipe a few million euros off Ribery’s value, merely to impose their will and demonstrate their ultimate control over the player’s destiny.

Watching Sunday’s Charity Shield, I’d love to have a midfield enforcer of the calibre of Sissoko. As for more creative players, the ridiculously inflated cost of Michael Carrick is a succinct explanation of the dearth of British players in Wenger’s squad. It’s hard to believe that after a couple of seasons in which Carrick hasn’t exactly set the Premiership alight, Spurs have sold him for almost seven times the amount they paid to West Ham.

However, I’ve not stopped seething over the fact that we could’ve acquired Carrick for relative peanuts compared to the £18.6m paid by Utd. According to Harry Redknapp, Carrick was on his way from West Ham to Pompey until we supposedly scuppered the deal by expressing our interest. Arsène was desperate to plug the gaping hole that would be left in his midfield by Patrick Vieira’s imminent departure. But we made the mistake of persuading Paddy to stay for another season and within the space of 24 hours, Carrick was surplus to our requirements.

After having reigned supreme, at least in north London for the last 30 years, it’s been hard enough having to endure the fact that under Martin Jol, Spurs have finally managed to mount a serious challenge to our dominance, with the aid of Michael Carrick.

Personally, I’m inclined to agree with those who believe the Scousers are the team most likely to threaten Chelsea’s dominance over our domestic league this season.

However, I can’t imagine how galling it will feel, if a Carrick-inspired Man Utd make all the running and manage to snuff out our own threat.

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