So(u)l Power

Nearly four years after powering in a header to give a 10 man Arsenal a 1-0 advantage that took them within minutes of a Champions League win over Barcelona, Big Sol Campbell was back in an Arsenal shirt today playing for the reserves in what clearly is the Rayden meets Gorro, last round in the tournament level test for him. From reports, I understand he played and was subbed off after an uneventful half. Of course uneventful is always good for a defender.

If he has to be described in one word, one wouldn’t need a Webster’s to figure out temperamental. He left Arsenal in circumstances that can be described as baffling at best, unless of course the French came forth and laid claims to Portsmouth seeing that Big Sol cited wanting to move abroad as his reasons before signing up for the Blues. He lasted one game for Notts County before he walked out on them. In fact I don’t think Sol can leave anyplace without acrimony. He probably cusses his wife and boxes his kid’s ears before leaving for work every day just to maintain an air of normalcy.

Even if you were to forget his accomplishments on the pitch, if asked for the one thing that made him the instant legend that he was and is, the answer just has to be the way he screwed the Spuds over. He strung them along for a long time and finally Bosman-ed their lily white behinds before joining us on a free transfer. For that one thing alone, anything short of a Wenger, Cesc, Arshavin and Van Persie massacre, any transgression on Campbell’s part has and will yet be forgiven. Add to that the doubles he won and the unbeaten season records; he could probably take Arshavin too.

This though most certainly means the end of Senderos’ career as a gunner. For someone who was touted to be captain one day; oh! How the mighty fall! The center half situation is so much more reassuring now. Of course I could be terribly wrong. Think Sol and all I can think of is a crunching clean tackle and thunderous headers. He might just be as bad as Silvestre is right now. I certainly hope not. In any case Welcome back Big Sol. May you find the same success now as you did when you first joined us (after stringing the Spuds along for a long time and finally Bosman-ing their lily white behinds to join us on a free transfer)

So Everton came and went. The lesser that is said about that one, the better. They certainly weren’t the team that capitulated 6-1 to us on the opening day and we certainly weren’t the team that thrashed them 6-1 on the opening day either. Still, United are behaving like the drowning man who refuses to board a boat and a chopper saying God will save him. Hopefully they will drown too. Rosicky showed what he can do when he is relatively uninjured by scoring a very vital goal to equalize as against the icing on the cake goals he generally is known for when we are 3-1 up.

The best news I’ve received though is that Cesc’s hamstring is finally 100% and that he’s going to be fit for the rest of the season (if you say it enough number of times, maybe. You never know). So El Hadji Diouf is going to get some this weekend. That creepy eyed pisser. Apparently he’s left Bolton quite a while back. With all the clubs he’s moved, really, it’s very hard to keep track. So Mr. Elbows, Kevin Davies is going to get some.

That is pretty much everything Red and Londony over the past week. Hopefully things remain Red this weekend and don’t get all white. 3 points at the Reebok!