Arsenal News 24/7Writer: Rocky7 
Date:Wednesday November 21 2007
Time: 8:24AM
UK time is: 12:41:52
Choose your club
Other Sites
Network Navigation
Vital Partners
'If It's Football, It's Vital'
Wenger Resigned To Losing Duo
Arsene Wenger is resigned to the fact that he is going to lose Kolo Toure & Emmanuel Eboue for the entire length of the African Cup of Nations.
Last time around Wenger did try and negotiate with the Ivorian FA for a late release date for the players, only to met by a brick wall.
This time Le Boss says he won't even bother.
'They are so stubborn that there is no point in even speaking to them, They will go at the beginning of January. They have to be available for their country 15 days before the start of the tournament.' Said Wenger
'Before the last tournament we tried to negotiate a later release date with the Ivory Coast, but we had no success so we won't try this time.
'We were so disappointed with their attitude last time. We had to pull Manu and Kolo out of the FA Cup game against Cardiff [in 2006] an hour before kick-off.
'The Ivory Coast were adamant they had to join up, even though they were only going to be sitting in a hotel room in Paris doing nothing. It is not the players' fault at all, but the Ivory Coast management were very stubborn, and unnecessarily so because it would have been better for their preparation.'
'So this time I count them out from about January 5 until approximately the middle of February.'
Seconds Out! Vital Boxing is here!
Vital F1 Prediction League - Join now for Monaco
Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.
Join the Vital Fantasy Football League - its Free!
Your Comments
It's really a drag that all these players will be gone for such a long time, at least Ade's side hasn't qualified. We at Chelsea are going to have a REALLY tough time of it.
Westl
I've noticed the players you are losing West1, I didn't realise so many of them will be off. Fortunately for us we will only really miss Kolo. Your abscentee's could cost you the title!!
Rocky7
Calling the players 15 days before the tournament for a preparatory camp sounds reasonable. I guess Wenger was annoyed because the Ivorian FA was stubborn not to change it by a single day. Jan is going to be a good test for the back up defence, Djourou, Senderos and Gilberto.
prits
Loseing Toure is a massive blow for you scummers! Quality defender.
Real Deal
All I can say is it is a shame that the Old Trafford legends that are Fortune and Djemba-Djemba aren't still at United as losing two players of that calibre would derail even the greatest teams title hopes.
Ozi Gooner
No Rocky, their absentees could cost them an automatic CL place! In case you haven't noticed, we are rumoured to be in the title run!
Gaga
As much as it is ridiculous that they want them 2 weeks before the tournament, its really on Toure thats a loss and even with that we can still cope. With van persie back, hleb will be forced back onto the wing and we will have two up front again so eboue would of lost his spot anyway. In the absentee of Toure, we have senderos, gilberto and even song all dying for a game so yer, Toure is great but we can live.
MikeLebo
song might get a cameroon call up! it not certain, but it might happen. any think wenger might another central defender? hopefully gallas will stay fit during the tournment period!!
NeoGunner
Yeah hope Gallas stays fit and healthy and lucky and on top of his game and all that. Let's really count how many back-up options we have. Senderos and Djourou are proper CB's we got. Then there's midfielders Gilberto and Song who can slot in reasonably well, judging from past performances there. Then there're full-backs Hoyte and Sagna who can provide cover. And in turn, guys like Diarra and Flamini can cover them. Does that sound like a plan? If not, we need to buy someone. But the cliche is Arsene Knows. :)
Louisa
Real Deal, if Gallas stays fit, we will managed. Cannot say the same for you spuds since without King beside him, Dawson is useless most of the time and Kaboul seems crap. Time for you spuds to consider buying a really good CB, as King is really injury-prone, you can't deny it.
BMF
Have Your Say
Recent Articles
Wilshere - More Points Needed From Big Teams (Thursday May 23 2013)
Who Is Your Vital Arsenal Player of the Season? (Tuesday May 21 2013)
Newcastle United 0 Arsenal 1 (Monday May 20 2013)
VIDEO: Wenger Praises 'Exceptional' Attitude (Monday May 20 2013)
Arsene Wenger, Now Is The Time (Monday May 20 2013)
The Moment That Made It All Worthwhile (Sunday May 19 2013)
Happy St Totteringham's Day To Gooners Everwhere (Sunday May 19 2013)
Team News: Last Game Of The Season (Sunday May 19 2013)
The Squeaky Bum Preview (Friday May 17 2013)
Wenger Confirms Sanogo Deal Almost Done (Friday May 17 2013)
Archived Articles
Vital Members League (view all)
| 1. | nikolaijns | 60 |
| 2. | Rocky7 | 53 |
| 3. | Naijagunner | 48 |
| 4. | Wyn Mills | 34 |
| 5. | prits | 22 |
| 6. | flv | 21 |
| 7. | Nwankwo25 | 20 |
| 8. | gunnerkid107 | 19 |
| 9. | No 10 | 16 |
| 10. | julieloveshenry4ever | 16 |
League Results (view all)
| Latest Results | ||||
| Newcastle | 0 | - | 1 | Arsenal |
| Arsenal | 4 | - | 1 | Wigan |
| Q.P.R. | 0 | - | 1 | Arsenal |
| Arsenal | 1 | - | 1 | Man Utd |
| Fulham | 0 | - | 1 | Arsenal |
| Arsenal | 0 | - | 0 | Everton |
League Table (view table)
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
| 1. Man Utd | 38 | 28 | 5 | 5 | 43 | 89 |
| 2. Man City | 38 | 23 | 9 | 6 | 32 | 78 |
| 3. Chelsea | 38 | 22 | 9 | 7 | 36 | 75 |
| 4. Arsenal | 38 | 21 | 10 | 7 | 35 | 73 |
| 5. Spurs | 38 | 21 | 9 | 8 | 20 | 72 |
| 6. Everton | 38 | 16 | 15 | 7 | 15 | 63 |
| 7. Liverpool | 38 | 16 | 13 | 9 | 28 | 61 |
Breaking League News
| Things are looking good after all!
» Newcastle : 25/05/2013 12:00:00
|
| Liverpool: Reds Looking Atsu
» Liverpool : 25/05/2013 10:38:00
|
| Scout Report - Michael Hector
» Reading : 25/05/2013 10:00:00
|
| Wigan Athletic Season Review
» Wigan : 25/05/2013 07:00:00
|
| Stoke Man Of The Match
» Southampton : 24/05/2013 20:37:00
|
| Shaw This Can't Keep Happening To Luke
» Southampton : 24/05/2013 20:32:00
|
| Arsenal Close To £10m Williams Move?
» Swansea : 24/05/2013 20:04:00
|
Current Site Poll (view all polls)
|
|