The Royal Arsenal

As well as a layer of snow, we wake to the news that Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira is headed over to the millionaires club at the Eastlands Stadium, Manchester.

Likely to be a six month loan, it’ll no doubt prompt those inclined to complain to wail and gnash their teeth about how he could have improved our depth in Central Midfield with Song away at the African Nations Cup.  I think that’s missing the point.  Wenger has long since held the view that Vieira’s incredible energy levels were what help him stand out at his peak, he talked about him probably moving back to centre back later in his career if he’d have stayed.  We had his best years, we don’t need him now.  At this point Denilson, Diaby and Ramsey are far better options.

Reports suggest that Fran Merida is likely to head back to Spain having signed for Athletico Madrid.  Thats a shame if true, purely from the perspective that clearly the talent was there and we clearly wanted to keep him. Still, occasionally one gets away especially if he’s as far down the pecking order as he appears to be at the moment.  No doubt, every time he completes a pass for Madrid, there will be an element of the “supporter” base that uses it as a stick to beat the Manager with, but the reality is he’s not contributing to the first team currently and probably wouldn’t in the next three seasons at least either.

Both Nik Bendtner and Cesc Fabregas will be missing tomorrow night vs Bolton and probably vs Everton on Saturday as well but hopefully they will make it back in time for Bolton (again) on the 17th.

That’s all for now, match preview tomorrow.