Автор: LiuHai
Дата сообщения: 15.08.2004 02:22
Сегодня вечером стартует Arsenal.
FA Premiership, Goodison Park
Sunday, August 15, 2004. Kick-off 2pm
Despite the timely boost of Patrick Vieira’s decision to stay at Arsenal, the captain is still sidelined for Sunday’s season’s opener at Everton.
The midfielder's thigh problem is expected to keep him out for another two weeks, which means he could return for the Middlesbrough game or, more probably, the trip to Norwich.
Sol Campbell is facing another month or so on the sidelines with an Achilles problem. But there is good news the availability of Freddie Ljungberg (rib), Thierry Henry (Achilles) and Robert Pires (thigh) though none are fully fit. New-signing Mathieu Flamini is set to travel with the squad now his eligibility has been finalised following his move this summer after 15 years at Marseille.
“I think Patrick should be in the squad next Thursday or Friday,” said Wenger at today’s pre-match press conference, “So it will take two more weeks.
“Sol Campbell is still injured as well. But we have the clearance for Mathieu Flamini while Freddie Ljungberg, Robert Pires and Thierry Henry are available but they are not 100 per cent match fit.”
The positive news emanating out of Highbury yesterday brought the curtain down on a sometimes difficult summer. Everton would surely love to come to a similar conclusion. After Wayne Rooney’s scintillating Euro 2004 it all seemed to go downhill for the Toffees. The England striker broke a bone in his foot during the Quarter-Final against Portugal and, as a consequence, will miss the start of the season.
Also manager David Moyes has been desperately trying to add new faces to a squad that finished one place above relegation last season. His plight has not been helped by the boardroom battle that has been carried out in the background.
Despite all this, Wenger is expecting nothing less than 100 per cent effort from Moyes’ men. They arguably had the better of the 1-1 draw there last January and, two seasons ago, Rooney announced his arrival with that stunning late winner. That goal ended a 30-game unbeaten run for Arsenal in the Premiership.
At the moment Arsenal’s sequence in the League stands at 40. The League record, 42 by Nottingham Forest in 1977/78, is within touching distance.
“Everton have had a disruptive break,” admitted Wenger. “But everywhere we go we know what to expect, especially at a place like Everton. There will be complete commitment and a big battle. Remember it is the first day of the season.”
Ждемс С Нетерпением. Вперед Arsenal!
