As an Arsenal fan it is disheartening when you one of your players compare themselves to Barcelona as Denilson did this past week. I can't blame the Brazilian, as the magnanimity of Pep Gurdiola's side is difficult to deny, but it doesn't help when so openly admit to a rival's superiority.
For once maybe we should be like the Totts and throw punches even from a far even if we have no chance of hitting the desire target. That is what rivalry is all about.
You force the situation by making all the noise you can until your plant the seed of respect in the stronger competitor's mind. Convince Goliath that it is actually a contest and just like David did.
Once you accomplish this, you have a chance as you begin to win the battle even before the war cry is sounded. While the competition is still trying to figure out the source of your audacity to challenge them, you strike and run.
Sports psychologists will tell you that winning all about the mind. If the mind is at peak level, the body has no option but to comply.
Harry Rednapp must be getting evening tutorials from the self professed top student of sports psychology Sam Allardyce. Keeping true to the continuous annoying baseless banter from White Hart lane of a supposed narrowing of the gap between the two north London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham, good old Harry made a point to stress the similarity in the intensity of the season to both sides.
|If we weren't in Europe, I would have a real go to win the Carling Cup|
was Harry Rednapp's justification for choosing a side of largely unheard of names like Jake Livermore, Steven Caulker and third choice goalkeeper Stipe pletikosa. He reserved special mention for a Brazillian lad, Sandro, signed in from reigning Copa libertadores champions Internancional drawing heavy comparisons to Brazilian great Socrates.
Arsene Wenger, banned from the dug out for his protest at the debacle of referring at The Stadium of Light, was his usual self at least in the area of jibes. Speaking to the official site he stamped his earned right ' as the manger who can put out boys to face men” in what has been described as a pragmatic approach by admirers but disrespectful to the competition by critics.
I must say frankly I don’t worry too much about our opponents and speculation about who will play,” admitted Wenger. “I always look to bring a team that, no matter who we play, can win the game.
We want to do that because we feel we are on a very strong run. We have shown it again on Saturday. After what happened at Sunderland people don’t speak about it but we had a very strong performance. There were more chances for us to win the game than to draw the game and we want to keep that winning habit “
Things are a little different this year as injury once again robs us off choice. Expect to see rather old footballing brains but still young players make it to the team sheet. Carlos Vela, Lucas Fabianski have been handed a chance to turn potential into substance. Johann Djourou continues his rehabilitation from the year long career threatening knee injury. Gibbs will demonstrate if what a sections of fans are saying about his supposed superiority over the seasoned Gael Clichy holds any weight. Eboue is expected to feature too with Jay Emmanuel Thomas getting special mention from Wenger.
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