Midfielder crocked at Arsenal members' day
Eduardo da Silva was first to greet the support as he was allowed to do some light jogging around the pitch, supervised by one of the Gunners' fitness coaches.
When the bulk of the first team did make an appearance, many of them instantly returned to the treatment room - William Gallas and Nicklas Bendtner being the most obvious of the senior players to sit out of training.
Tomas Rosicky also did some light training alongside Armand Traore, giving the impression that the French youngster must have picked up a knock to be at the same level of fitness as his Czech team mate, but those players missed out of the practise match that followed.
However, both Cesc Fabregas and Kolo Toure (who also trained together separately from the rest of the squad) did take place in the kickabout, although Samir Nasri dropped out of training shortly beforehand, while those Gooners present in the stadium saw another midfield regular writhing on the ground in agony following a challenge in the bounce game...
Don't worry too much though, as the player in question was Emmanuel Eboue, who proved to us all that even in a game where there is minimal contact, he can still manage to find himself rolling around on the pitch, clutching at his shin.
It was interesting to see the reaction of his team mates and the coaching staff. Referee Pat Rice allowed play to continue, Eboue was allowed to writhe away in the corner unattended and everyone basically ignored the Ivorian until he eventually struggled to his feet and after hobbling away for three or four paces, was quickly running around again.
The first half of the game saw the players only allowed two touches of the ball each, while the second half jumped up to a three-touch game, with Emmanuel Adebayor and Robin van Persie looking sharp and Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey looking as though they'd been playing as part of the first team for years. Carlos Vela also impressed and Theo Walcott looked eager to please the fans.
It's difficult to arrive at any real conclusions after watching such a training session in such an artificial atmosphere, but in terms of public relations and community spirit, the Members' Day is a hugely successful exercise and the players seem to enjoy it as much as the supporters.
Were you at Members' Day? If so, was there anyone who particularly impressed you? Were you as dismayed as your fellow Gooners to see that Eboue's histrionics spill over to the training pitch as well? Share your comments here
GM
Reader Comments (26)
Agree with your analysis of the players; Ade in particular looked sharp and dominant. I left there today starting to feel that we have a really good squad of players even if we don't add.
Really am fed up with Ebuseless although have to admit i was relieved to see it was him that was chopped down after initially fearing it may have been someone important Let's hope his appearances this year are limited - he is not a midfielder and am hoping that Walcott keeps him out for whole season. It goes without saying that Sagna will at right back
I was there. The obvious names impressed me such as Fabregas who you could instantly recognise as having superior technical skills to the majority of the first - team. His fast precise two touch football was something to behold close up.
It was a shame Nasri went off so early. I did see him point at his leg to a member of staff before jogging off to the treatment room to a huge applause.
I was there as well and the only one showing any real concern about Eboue was his mate Adebayor.
Eduardo & Rosicky got rapturous applause....was a joy to see them back in training.
So Eboue is not seriously injured then?
Damn!
My biggest worry for the season is not that we won't have sufficient good players but that Arsene might pick players who are hopeless i.e. Eboue and Diaby.
I was looking forward to see Nasri in action, sadly it wasnt to be. However the partnership of Ade and RVP looked very promising. I was very impressed by the full backs, however I wasnt too impressed with Fabregas, who lacked sharpness - understandably. I did however notice a few of his magic passes. Jack Wilshere looked good, and Denilson did alright in the middle and Kolo did well to after all that scare.
I nearly dislocated my fingers trying to catch one of the balls the were giving away (or kicking away rather) to the crowd.
I was there earlier too but i was really impressed by Ramsey as he looked good and sharp.I think he will be really good for us. i was a little bit concerned about toure's fitness as he looked very tired when him and cesc were doing their running reperately but hopefully he will get into full fitness b4 the start of the season.
The future is bright, the future is Arsenal
I'm pissed off because i didnt get up in time to go!!!!
thanks for the report - was at work today so its useful to read what happened. lets hope Nasri's is precautionary and not bad. good to hear Cesc and Kolo playing again.
I really have had it up to here with Eboue - I had reached that point a year ago, I am beyond exarcebated with him now.
AJ Wrote:
"So Eboue is not seriously injured then?
Damn!
My biggest worry for the season is not that we won't have sufficient good players but that Arsene might pick players who are hopeless i.e. Eboue and Diaby."
O.K i can agree with you about eboue, but Diaby? are you retarded or just blind?
I was there today as well thought RVP was brilliant his touch is sublime his first goal where he instantly controlled it and passed it into the net made the trip worth it. Anyone else hear Toure scream when Clichy (i think) tried to cut it back to him?
AJ, How can you say Diaby is useless - have you not watched him in pre-season???
Eboue's problems are, I suspect, more mental & attitudinal than physical. I find him deeply irritating, on so many levels. Perhaps Arsene should send him off to do some military training - not so much for the physical stuff, but, rather, to hopefully toughen him up mentally and to sort out his attitude. Either he gets his act together, once & for all, or he should be shown the Emirates door and told to have a nice life.
Diaby isnt crap but he definitely hasnt hit good form has he? I do not think he is ready to fill the void left by Flamini.....nor is Denilson. They are both class players that are lacking a little maturity. We NEED to sign Alonso, Veloso, Inler or De la Red!
And we definitely need a strong centre back and I am worried as there has been hardly any talk of us signing one. I really hope that Arsene is planning on playing Song ahead of Senderos!!!
I have watched every pre-season game and can safely say that diaby & denilson ARE NOT! good enough to play alongside Cesc next season.
They are good but not good enough - simple as that
Agree with all ref Diaby, he's good but he is no holding midfield player. He doesn't do enough to get the ball back (especially when HE loses it !). I think Denilson is more of a replacement for Cesc if he's out for some reason, but again, he is not a holding midfield player - We need a good one and need one quickly.
As for Eboue, can anyone on this planet tell me what qualities that Arsene sees in him, as it baffles the shit out of me ?
Sell Eboue!! he is useless to us and we have better player than him!!
he is a drogba wannabe so maybe chelsea will want him!
I was there, and I must confess to some disappointment is seeing Eboue recover from his "knock"!
am shock at how many negative comment ppls make about Eboue. Though he's no Cesc, there are some qualities that he bring to the team that I feel some gooners out there fail to aprreciate eg. the crosses that he made to Henry in CL vs Hamburg, another "that goal" RVP score where did the cross came from? its this kind of little things that he does which goes unnotice but are essential to over all play of the team. I admit that he doesnt do it consistently which do piss me off. But am glad to have him on the team because like Wenger said he balance our team once he's on the pitch. remember gunner we cant have too many chief in our team. sometime we need some indians...someone please dont take this the wrong way
Sell eboue? LOL. Nice try.....Sell to whom? Nobody sounds even mildly interested. I'm afraid we're stuck with the little tw*t.
I agree with AJ - Diaby is rubbish....utter rubbish.....and yes, I have watched him in pre-season. The team's flow/forward motion stops when he's in possession. He can't hold the ball, can't pass, can't dribble....occasionally he puts in a good tackle....occasionally....then he makes a bad pass and gives the ball away. He also gets caught in possession too often. Rubbish. I always gave him the benefit of a doubt because he played last season out of position but in pre-season, playing in his preferred central position, I still think he's shite. I'd love to eat my own words but at this point in time, after watching his pathetic lethargic displays, I'd much rather have Djorou in centre midfield.
For those who don't watch Ligue 1, google Lorik Cana. He's a tough guy, CDM.
has a habit of getting yellows, but I love his game. Hard, but not dirty.
Arsene Please please please sign Lorik Cana. the guy is just what we need. strong, works hard, puts his foot in and has got a bit of abillity about him. would go perfect along side Cesc.
Re: Eboue - two decent crosses doesn't make a good player. He has the qualities apart from his brain (or lack of) and mental fortitude.
Ron B & Bob,
I honestly think, although he lacks concentration at times, given the games Diaby will develop in to a solid player in the middle. Ron B - Gotta say I'm curious as to what made you suggest playing Djorouh in the middle (this isnt a dig, I've just never heard it suggested before).
Just checked out Lorik Cana on youtube - he looks like a solid player - who does he play for? I couldnt see any reference to his team (didnt recognise the kit).
Eboue is going to be AW best experiment with time. I know he his seriously working to turn him from nothing to something. I want you all to be patient with AW on him for i know he has got some good qualities example when he was playing RB and am sure he will improve where ever AW wants to play him and become a great player that most people will swallow thier abusive words abt him. We are going to have a good success this coming seaSON
Why not print out and show Eboue this page? Maybe he doesn't realise how much his own fans dislike his behaviour.
I'm happy to admit Wenger is smarter than me, especially when it comes to football, so I hope there is something in Eboue that I can't see at this moment but will reveal itself and He will do great things for Arsenal.
I'm not Diaby's biggest fan, but I'm willing to quietly wait and see what happens (as opposed to loudly wait in Eboue's case) because his problems seem to be ability based, which means Wenger needs to sort them out, while Eboue's problems are attitude/mentality based which he should be able to sort himself out.
Good luck Arsenal for the coming season!
eboue puts alot of effort when he is on the pitch he is an athlete its just his almost child like mentality whch has become a concern someone should get that MARS guy to come in a tank to the emirates hahahahha dun forget b4 sagna he was one of the best leftbacks in the league...