Eager for City test after unwanted break

JUST as I’m getting back into the swing of things, we’re lumbered with another international interruption.

Considering the Arsenal’s entertaining early season displays, I would’ve much preferred to have got the Old Trafford disappointment out of our system, by getting straight back on the horse against Man City.

With a fortnight to dwell on our first defeat, the pleasing performance becomes increasingly overshadowed by the frustration of having gifted United three points.

Every genuine fan of the beautiful game will have been eagerly anticipating last weekend’s clash of the South American titans. Argentina v Brazil is invariably a mouth-watering prospect, but there was added spice to Saturday’s late-night encounter, with Brazil playing to guarantee their ticket to South Africa. While Maradona’s side look like they are going to need the aid of a minor miracle if they are going to get there. It will indeed be a much poorer World Cup without the presence of Lionel Messi. Although I was praying for the Argies to score, if only to put a sock in the mouth of Gary Birtles and his inane punditry.

It was not hard for Brazil to better the deplorably naïve defending of Diego’s team, but Birtles wouldn’t stop singing the praises of the Brazil backline and their superior positional sense. The ex-Forest journeyman appears to have forgotten that up until a few years back, the word “defence” did not exist in the Brazilian dictionary. Moreover it was patently obvious that it was the protection afforded by the likes of Gilberto and Melo in midfield, which was principally responsible for snuffing out the Argies.

I can’t watch Dunga’s Brazil without cursing the Gunners ineptitude and the flagrant false economy of our inflexible wage policy towards players over 30. William Gallas aside, our current squad is almost totally devoid of characters of Gilberto’s “been there, done that” pedigree, who have the experience and the stature to provide our young side with more authority, merely by their presence alone.

With only a one-year contract extension on offer to the over 30s at the Arsenal and with the Brazilian having spent a frustrating season confined to the bench by Flamini’s fine form, you can’t blame Gilberto for accepting the guarantee of three more years of financial security, playing in Greece. However I don’t imagine it would have taken too much to persuade him to stay and I’m certain it would’ve worked out a lot cheaper than the cost of trying to replace him.

I suppose at the time, the club didn’t expect to lose Flamini. Yet ultimately, until such time as the Arsenal adopt a less rigid approach to the over 30s and are prepared to reward our senior statesman, by at least matching the sort of offer they can achieve elsewhere, the club will continue to struggle to cling on to our most experienced players and we are destined to remain a relatively inexperienced side.

With Arsenal players disappearing off to all four corners of the planet, just as one was beginning to sense a burgeoning team spirit, I can’t help but fret about the disruptive consequences. For example is Vermaelen going to suffer a hangover, when he comes up against any of the Spanish stars who battered his Belgian team 5-0? Will Van Persie perhaps benefit from finding the back of the net for Holland?

Or will Fabregas return from the Spanish camp, having had his head turned, by tales of greener grass, more moolah and an easier life on home soil? Hopefully we’ll start where we left off, with the sort of commanding performance at Eastlands on Saturday which might just demonstrate to some that the love of money won’t always suffice. ! After several seasons where all my Spurs mates have been up for Chelsea, relying on the Blues to get one over on the Gunners, it’s most amusing that the shoe is temporarily on the other foot.

Myself, I envisage Abramovich’s legal dogs demolishing any grounds for enforcing Chelsea’s punishment, quicker than a can of Pedigree Chum. Nevertheless, based on Chelsea’s impressive early form, this sort of handicap could be the best means of ensuring there’s something to play for come Christmas.