First Ade – Well done fella

April 29, 2008

Considering he wasn’t intended to be the first choice striker for The Arsenal, but due to do Robin van Persie being made of glass, Emmanuel Adebayor has now clocked up 30 goals for The Arsenal this season. The big Togo man also writes himself into the records books due to his second half hat trick against Derby County in the 6-2 demolition, a bit like another ex Arsenal striker who seemed to be writing records every time he stepped onto the pitch, no prizes for guessing I’m referring to goal king Thierry Henry. The moment however is reserved for Adebayor who on scoring his second hat trick for The Arsenal against Derby County becoming the first player ever to score two hat tricks against the same team in the same season. Well done fella. It’s amazing to think that a striker who has cracked 30 goals this season and 24 of those coming in the league is still being criticised. I’m not going to pretend that all of a sudden I am on the ‘I haven’t knocked Adebayor this season’ party bus, because I have. Admittedly I don’t think Adebayor will score an easier hat trick. But we’ve seen it before. As much as Adebayor can score a cracker, think back to his goals against spurs and Newcastle, he can miss some sitters too – I wont even try to remember those as this piece is to congratulate not criticise. As much as this is a ‘well done’ piece I just hope Adebayor doesn’t give it large like he did when he was banging them in for fun a while back, as we all know what happened next – he went 10 games with a goal drought. 

I still can’t believe on some blogs that people want Adebayor offloaded, don’t get me wrong I don’t for one second think a 45 minute hat trick against the purest team ever to grace the Premier League makes him the best thing since sliced bread. As the saying goes one swallow doesn’t make a spring. But lets put it in perspective, the big fella has scored 30 goals this season. At the beginning of the season I think all Gooners would of been quite happy with 30 goals from Adebayor, so how comes some of the natives are restless? We have to remember that Adebayor is still only 23 years old and will get better. If he gets consistency into his shooting then he’ll come good. Also remember good people this is only Adebayor’s second season in the Premier League, it took Didier Drogba three seasons to become a feared striker after he couldn’t hit a cows arse with a very large banjo – so by my count Adebayor will be banging them in for fun next season, heaping more pressure on some of the leagues top defenders who consider him one of the hardest strikers to play against. So I all I can say is well done Emmanuel Adebayor – Good work Gooner. Oh and the dancing celebration were nearly as good as the hat trick!

 

Ram raid: It was nice to see the boys back to their best against northern monkeys Derby County, To be fair I don’t think anyone would of been surprised about the scoreline. The only surprise would be that County scored two goals. Fancy that. So a 6-2 win against a very poor excuse for a Premier League team, who did try to bring the game to The Arsenal so fair play to Paul Jewel and his players for that. They could of sat with that well worked formation of 1-10 but they didn’t so as I said fair play to them for that. But ultimately goals from Nicklas Bendtner, Robin van Persie, Theo Walcott with a peach and a second half hat trick from man of the moment Emmanuel Adebayor saw the Gunners spank the Rams. There were some misses as well, a couple of glaring ones, had those gone in I reckon we could of seen a Premier League record as that’s how poor Derby was. It was more to do with The Arsenal players contriving to miss than any heroics from Derby’s keeper. But I wont be greedy, 6-2 is a nice scoreline. 

With just two games to go we’re sitting on 77 points, another two wins and we’ll get to the 83 points Le Gaffer Arsène Wenger OBE has instructed his boys to aim for. If by some miracle CSKA Chelsea and Manchester USA draw or lose both their games, we’re still in with a shout to win the league – that’s right good people break out the voodoo dolls, pray to whatever god you believe in, cross your fingers, do whatever it takes. It would be some party if we did sneak it. Highly unlikely but it’s mathematically still possible, well it is until the Manc’s and CSKA Chelsea spank West Ham United and Newcastle united respectively.

Flamini watch: The midfield grafter and contract rebel has just one more day to make his mind up (if he hasn’t done that already) over his future. I for for one will be glad when this saga is all over. I will be very disappointed if Flamini does decide to go for the lure of the lira (er.. I mean Euro) by joining up with AC Milan, Inter or Juventus. However, I would be more annoyed with Arsène Wenger who at the start of the season had Gilberto, Diarra and Flamini on the books. Given that Diarra wanted a starring role and wanted to play every game, before he let him go Wenger should of sat Flamini down and made him sign a contract. But one things for sure if Flamini does decide to go – Wenger will need a first class replacement…

Flamini out Barry in: Which brings us nicely to the transfer rumour that should Flamini go Wenger has lined up Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry. I like Barry and would snap him up as a direct replacement for Flamini. He is a big strong player, already plays in the Premier League and would bring in some much needed experience to the team. However I am not sure the £15m price tag is realistic. More to the point I really don’t see Wenger shelling out that much cash on a player…