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Liverpool Down, Spurs To Go

By on October 30, 2009

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Personal commitments have gotten to Arsenal Station this week but as a busy week grinds to a close, we look back at the week that was and ahead to the match we’ve all been waiting for.

In Arsene’s 750th match in charge of the club, Arsenal advanced to the quarterfinals of the Carling Cup with another solid Carling Cup performance. And, while it wasn’t quite the all-youth lineup we’ve come to look forward to in recent years, the two players who really shined were youngsters, Aaron Ramsey and Fran Merida.

Fran MeridaMerida let loose  a rocket from just outside thSe box with that precious left foot to give Arsenal the lead early and, following an quality equalizer from Insua and some nifty footwork in a tight spot in the box, Bendtner gave Arsenal the lead for good just after the break.

Rumours abound about Merida now returning to Spain in the summer. He can leave on a free in the summer should he not be able to complete the current negotiations with the club to further his stay.The Sun valuates the youngster at £10m, which hardly matters should he leave on a free.

According to my friend, Jamie, and his always-reliable Young Guns, Merida’s agent has confirmed that they have so far turned down a 5-year deal from the club and that he is currently being monitored by both Atletico Madrid and Sevilla.

Wenger has claimed that he is close to breaking his way into the first team, and that is why he resisted loaning him out again this year despite an offer from Spanish club, Levante. Merida, himself, said he would rather stay with the club than go out on loan again.There is no doubt that the club needs to do whatever they have to to tie Merida down for the foreseeable future.

Both Bendtner and Eduardo had very good matches as supporters were treated to the kind of Carling Cup passing and movement we have come toNicklas Bendtner expect. Kerrea Gilbert showed alot of potential as did Craig Eastmond. Samir Nasri had a very encouraging return to the first team as well.

Of course, it’s not all good news. Fabianski is out again for three weeks with a thigh pull. Meanwhile, Wilshere, Walcott, Rosicky, and Denilson remain unavailable for the North London Derby on Saturday.

Spurs come into the match having won only two of their last six matches in the Premier League having beaten Burnley and Pompey but they also drew away to Bolton, and suffered successive defeats to Chelsea and United.

The clubs are level on 19 points but Arsenal hold third place with a game in hand on goal differential as Tottenham’s flying start seems to have been grounded for the moment. Arsenal will look to rebound from their disappointing 2-2 draw at West Ham last weekend, while both clubs are coming off victories midweek in the Carling Cup.

One Comment

  1. Ted Harwood

    October 30, 2009 at 11:14 am

    Did anybody ever figure out where Vela went?

    Also, I’m not sure how I feel about Gilbert’s performance. I think he improved in the second half, but in the first, he made a couple of back passes that just about gave me a coronary. I think he has a lot of potential; he was probably just nervous?

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