"The Germans are a new team, I can't see them going too far." Quote from just about every "expert" (Hansen and Shearer in particular) leading in to this World Cup. It was an opinion that overlooked one thing - most German footballers are exceptionally good (with the obvious exceptions of Stefan Malz and Alberto Mendez). Bastian Schweinsteiger has, in the last two matches, put himself among the elite of World football. I can not praise his football highly enough. He destroyed England last week and dismantled the Argentinians this afternoon. There is no doubt that, along with Ozil, the Germans have the very best two players in this tournament. Given that Germany have been just about the only team to attack in every game of this World Cup it is absolutely right that they are in the semi-final - I hope they make the final, against Holland, and make it a classic of attacking football.
The closest to an Arsenal story today is that Robin Van Persie has been passed fit for Holland's semi-final following an injury scare to his arm. His scan showed no damage. There is, clearly, a first time for everything.
I have to offer my sympathy to Asamoah Gyan and Ghana. Gyan ran himself in to the ground last night, only to miss the last minute penalty that would have taken his side through. I thought he didn't looked too confident and clearly he felt he should just smash it. His frame of mind probably wasn't helped by his captain, Jon Mensah, doing something akin to a lap of honour when the penalty was awarded. It's a shame that they went out as I can't stand Uruguay's brand of cynical foul play when they do not have the ball. Hopefully Robin and his Oranje mates can do a proper number on them on Tuesday.
Finally, Arsenal are starting to be linked with one of the other, very few, real stars of this World Cup. Arsene Wenger was heard on French TV talking highly of Keisuki Honda of Japan, so obviously he will be at Arsenal imminently. Or perhaps not. Seriously though, I was impressed with Honda in Japan's matches and just think of the easy headlines he would afford newspapers and blog writers with a name like that! Massive commercial opportunities would also open up, so there's another reason why he won't be at Arsenal - despite the profits made from Junichi Inamoto's season at the club.
Might be a blog tomorrow evening if we sign somebody, but more likely not. Off to watch Spain v Paraguay now. Maybe Cesc will get on the pitch tonight for a change.
No comments:
Post a Comment