Arsenal News 24/7Writer: Brice Coffer 
Date:Tuesday July 21 2009
Time: 5:25PM
UK time is: 03:47:22
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Team News: SC Columbia v. Arsenal
Considering the somber news of Nasri's injury earlier this afternoon, tonight's match against amateur Austrian side Columbia is hardly newsworthy. Regardless, this game is an important step in regaining fitness for the players. Most of the squad that played against Barnet has been left in North London to play against Lincoln City last night, where the kids won 3-2 over their League 2 opponents. This means we will see much more of the first team squad in tonight's game.
Starting Lineup: Almunia, Eboue, Djourou, Vermaelen, Silvestre, Wilshere, Denilson, Ramsey, Diaby, Arshavin, Bendtner
Bench: Mannone, Toure, Gallas, Sagna, Senderos, Song, Traore, van Persie, Szczesny
Obviously with Samir's absence for the next three months, there will be an added pressure to have Rosicky fit by the start of the season. This might have detrimental effects on the Czech Republic player. He has not be included in the team tonight. Jack Wilshere is another player being mentioned to help fill the role of Nasri, and he has been handed a start by Wenger. For several of these players, this is their first match action since early June, so let's all pray they come through unscathed.
The game is being shown live from the Columbiaplatz in Austria on Arsenal TV Online right now.
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Your Comments
Big game for Wilshere and Bendtner.
Tom14
Arsahavin and Bendtner linked up well then.
Tom14
Can Stewart Robson bash Denilson anymore in 4 mins? Good start for Arsenal
gunnerkid107
He did say he did well sweeping up, haven't heard him complain.
Tom14
Saying that, he does think that Diaby is a great player.
Tom14
Ramsey is having a good match so far. Oh dear. Almunia scores against Arsenal.
gunnerkid107
that was funny lol
Tom14
Almunia needs to change his hairstyle, it's clearly not helping.
ArsenalRob
1-1. Columbia was ahead for 10 seconds haha
gunnerkid107
And then Bendtner scores lol
Tom14
good goal Ramsey. He has been one of the better players today.
Tom14
RAMBO!!!
gunner24
The kids will come good this year and that is now factual after this performance against a 4th division Austrian team...
Tom14
I lived the way the commentator said "Here is Silvestre!" with an emphasis that you would associate with Ronaldo, Kaka and Arshavin, and he then played it through to nobody! :D
Tom14
Nicky B!
ArsenalRob
Almunia knew what he was doing all the way. He just wanted to give the game life
gunner24
Will be interesting to see who stays on. Only seven outfield players on the bench. i think Wilshere, Bendtner/Ramsey and Arshavin will stay on.
Tom14
yeah gunner24, if it wasn't for us conceeding, I don't think any of our players would have realised that they needed to score to win. I really hope Bendtner can keep his good pre-season form going into the start of the season. If he starts well, and gets the convidence, he could become an important player for us.
ArsenalRob
I know it's hard to guage against this opposition, but Ramsey really looks like he's ready to step it up a bit.
navydave
I think the whole backline will be changed, with Eboue going to RM, Traore for Arshavin and RvP for Wilshere.
ArsenalRob
Wilshere should play on the right next season. I know this is a pre-season game, but the lad looks much more suited than Walcott, and he defends pretty well, much more than Theo. He would allow Rosicky to play on the left with Arshavin off van Persie or Bendtner. But maybe Wenger will go with a 442 because I firmly believe that Arshavin is better on the left with Rosicky on the right and van Persie up top with Bendtner? There are options.
Tom14
Ramsey has always looked like he has a bit about him. It'll be good to have a decent alternative to Cesc in lesser games and if he keeps doing well, he'll be that player.
Keplaz
I agree navydave - the problem is who drops out. I suppose he can give Fabregas some rest occaisionally.
ArsenalRob
Wilshere looks quality but he still needs to grow a bit more physically, I think Tom. He's at that age were he'll go through patches of inconsistency but he's another good option to have.
Keplaz
More inconsistent that Walcott? He is the best option in my opinion, unless we play Rosicky and Arshavin in a 442.
Tom14
It would certainly cuase a stir - dropping an full England international for an U19.
ArsenalRob
Szczesny; Sagna, Gallas, Toure, Traore; Eboue, Senderos, Denilson, Arshavin; Song; van Persie - I think Song's best position is attacking midfield, maybe Wenger agrees?
Tom14
But Wilshere is better than Walcott, and should be in the under 21's at least, where Walcott looked out of his depth.
Tom14
He isn't ready yet. Theo has more experience than Wilshere and when on form is lethal. It would be unfair on Wilshere to throw him in like that. He needs to be eased in. Premiership football is miles above the reserve league and the U18's. Playing well against Liverpool Youth and SC Columbia doesn't make you ready for Everton. He'll be a fantastic player, but the key words are he WILL be, not he already is. Not that he's bad for his age.
Keplaz
Traore will possibly stay at the club now and go on loan until January I guess. He can play on the left wing.
Tom14
And Walcott is ready I suppose? I honestly would trust Wilshere in any game above Walcott.
Tom14
I agree with Keplaz, it's a year too soon. Also, it would really leave him vulnerable to a bad injury.
ArsenalRob
Walcott out of his depth in the U21's? If you are judging by the U21 tournament then the whole England team were out their depth. No one stood out and good Premier League players like Wilshere and Micah Richards looked really ordinary. Theo was also lost in the way the team played. You don't come from Wengerball to hoof tactics and still look the same player.
Keplaz
Meant Agbonlahor, not Wilshere, in the post above.
Keplaz
Poor keeper. I'd be scared *****less if I saw arguably the best penalty kick taker in Europe standing 12 yards away lol
gunnerkid107
is the game finished?
Dan_83
Just started watching the Columbia game online. Warning - totally gratuitous snarky female fashion comment: wtf are those orange box-shaped things in the groin area of the Columbia kits??? Geez! And I didn't care for the idea of the blue away kits but our players look pretty cool in them.
jaelle
Theo needs to stand out in the Under 21's, not look like the worst player. And Walcott's main problem is that he cannot play Wengerball, he is more adept at kick and rush, as long as it is done well enough I suppose.
Tom14
Not yet, Dan_83. Van Persie's penalty taking is ridiculous, no chance to the goalkeeper ever. Do you remember him ever missing one?
Keplaz
Haha jaelle! I think Columbia has a groin sponsor lol
gunnerkid107
how long left - are you back line having to do anything? what does Verhmalen look like - our defence need to be strong this season to stand a chance against the hoof up field balls
Dan_83
senderos...the new defensive midfield enforcer
fran merida
Dan, Vermaelen's not playing in the 2nd half. As I type, we're in the 70th minute. Now that's strange, Ramsey and Wilshere are coming back on after being subbed off. Arsene's playing around, isn't he? gk, now would you as a person of the male gender WILLINGLY run around with something like that? I mean, really! :-)
jaelle
Keplaz the only one I remember was vs Man City at home two seasons ago. I think it was kasper schmeical who saved it.
ArsenalRob
RVP!! I do love that boy! Traore's been very positive and adventurous.
jaelle
Sagna can't corss I hear.
Tom14
I guess if I was an amateur footballer like these men, and some company, Viagra I suppose, wanted to pay me and my team to sponsor our manliness then I would probably do it lol
gunnerkid107
Nice to see Toure congratulating Gallas there.
ArsenalRob
Does anyone else want Senderos to stay? I get a bit sentimental about transfers sometimes. He really isn't that bad...
Keplaz
gk, lol, I guess in those circumstances you would. Wouldn't blame you. And our frustrated striker, Wm. Gallas, scores again. Good play by Senderos. Am I the only one glad to see Sendy back? Always had a soft spot for him.
jaelle
A cross is a cross, it has nothing to do with players around you really.
Tom14
They seem to have arse sponsers as well. Just saw that goalie running back. What a weird kit!
Keplaz
Yeah, ARob, I caught that too. I wonder if Ade's absence will help the atmosphere in the dressing room at all.
jaelle
Keplaz I definately want Senderos to stay, and I think Arsene does, too. The problem is that he may want to start afresh abroad with some fans who show him more respect than some of ours.
ArsenalRob
Ramsey has been class today. He could replace Nasri I suppose? Maybe we will be able to rely on him a bit more this year.
Tom14
OMG, that was a funny ricochet action between Rambo and Song, resulting in a nice Rambo goal.
jaelle
It's probably hard being an Arsenal player, us Arsenal supporters can be really fickle sometimes, Rob. Senderos could do really well for us. The press was going on about a possible swap for Hangeland, don't know how true that is.
Keplaz
Senderos would be a great long term partner for Vermaelen imo. Another loan could be in the offing, but I see Toure going.
Tom14
With Senderos it's never been about ability. I think he's always had that. It's more his mental focus and confidence. If could get that sorted, he'd be top class.
jaelle
I certainly would've thought so jaelle. Good to see Ramsey's got a good left peg on him. I really like his calm, cultured style; he doesn't play like an 18 year old. The way he moves around the pitch, and the calmness he has when he has the ball reminds me of Zidane...No pressure then!
ArsenalRob
Arsene's being crowded by kids.
jaelle
can some one give me the score details please - and goal scorers :-)
Dan_83
Senderos-Vermaelen has the potential to be a great partnership IMO. Probably not this season though.
ArsenalRob
"The way he moves around the pitch, and the calmness he has when he has the ball reminds me of Zidane...No pressure then!" -- LOL! I agree, tho, something very cool about the way he moves. Just caught Almunia's new haircut. His wife/girlfriend needs to have a serious talk with him.
jaelle
Ramsey put in a viable case to be played in place of Nasri. His play on the right to set up Bendtner and Sagna's cross for the RvP header was class. He should play a lot more this year.
Tom14
It's the way that you don't notice him until the ball's at his feet, but nomatter how subtle his runs are, he's always looking to get the ball. Also, all the passes he make look so easy and controlled, but he can also lash out to strike it, as he showed today. I'm not saying he's a worthy Ballon D'Or winner just yet, but you get what I mean.
ArsenalRob
Dan, final score was 7-1. Goal scorers: 35th min., Lehner scored for Columbia (due to a mistake by Almunia). Bendtner scored in the 36th and 44th mins. Ramsey scored in the 39th and 83rd mins. Gallas scored a great header in the 77th. RVP scored a penalty in the 56th. RVP also scored a 2nd goal--a terrific header too--in the 73rd. Amazingly, he scored that header from an unusually excellent cross from Sagna -- hope he's working on those crosses. Curious as to why an Austrian team is called "Columbia".
jaelle
AW was just interviewed. He was asked about Senderos. Interesting reply from him. He said that Senderos has "many opportunities" and that he "has to decide his future."
jaelle
Sendoros cdm? Seems different lol
Mr_Arsenal23
Arsene Wenger gave an update on the horrific news of Samir Nasri’s injury moments ago in his post-match interview following the preseason encounter with SC Columbia.
The French youngster was the bearer of bad news on a day Arsenal’s first team cruised 7-1 in Austria.
Wenger has revealed the extent of damage to Nasri’s leg may not be as bad as what was initially presumed and the 22-year-old could be back in as early as six weeks time.
“He was training well but was mistakenly kicked. His injury is a simple fracture of the fibula and not too serious. Nasri should be out for six weeks” He told Arsenal TV
luckys_10
dis is great news tat Sam isnt out for long and his injury ain't serious. and btw did any1 read Hleb's interview, he regrets leaving Arsenal and says but nothing can be done about it now. his comments make me think he wants to come back and maybe there is a way he by which he could be back. instead od buying a striker, we can get him as we have enough players who can play as strikers. i know he is a ***** but what the hell, if it is for the good of Arsenal, i really dun care. just a few months ago most of us were willing to forgive Anelka and have him back. Hleb hasnt been so bad as le sulk..
luckys_10
Arsene doesn't re-sign players. I don't see it happening, and I don't particuarly want it to. Hleb was one of my favourite players before he left, but after our struggles during the first half of last season, we've finally moved on. Let's not go back. I'd expect Nasri to be out for closer to 8 weeks than 6.
ArsenalRob
Bet it was Bendtner that kicked Nasri, big useless dollop!
Frosty B
Apparently it was Diaby Frosty B - far more of a big useless dollop than Nicky B.
ArsenalRob
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1200952/Alexander-Hlebs-Arsenal-regret-I-left-Gunners--Id-die-Wenger.html?ITO=1490
luckys_10
yes shud be 8 weeks. but im glad it aint as serious as first thought, so that is good news. and i know we dun resign players, but if we can get Hleb back, it would only be a good thing for the team. wud make our captain certainly very happy..
luckys_10
Bendtner, Eboue, Diaby, Denilson, Senderos...SIGH!....can't believe I've paid over a grand to watch this dross next year...and please don't mention Rosicky, he never did it before he got injured so he'll be a waste of space as well.
Frosty B
Oh and Silvestre and Fabianski too, blimey, thank god for the cricket!
Frosty B
Frosty the aussies gonna whup yu in the last 3 tests and retain the ashes. and if yu dun like these players, dun renew ur season ticket next time..
luckys_10
Yeah thank god for that Frosty B. In fact maybe you should stick to the cricket eh? In a way I'd like Hleb back, and yes it would make Cesc happy, but I just don't like the idea of Arsene making that kind of an exception in his principles. Not for Hleb anyway.
ArsenalRob
Hleb would be wonderful, but we have enough players. Wilshere will be better than him in time, as will Nasri.
Tom14
Frosty B ..... Oh I wonder which recently banned member you could be.
Rocky7
The Arsenal had a good run out last night, and it was what they needed, after the injury to Samir. You could tell by the way they under celebrated the goals that they were upset by what had happen earlier.
hackneyval
I'm wondering if Frosty is the idiotic (so called) gooner I end up argueing with at every home match!
navydave
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