I Been Illin

After a triumphant return to the blog, I caught a nasty bug and have been a bit under the weather for the last few days. I’m still not 100%, but, what are you gonna do? The blog must go on.

The Arsenal nearly froze to death and didn’t gather any points in Moscow (lost 1-0), though it should have been a draw no thanks to the ref’s crap “handball” call on Henry and subsequent booking. Late in the match, Henry played a great long ball and put the ball in to level the match. But the ref, for some unknown reason, declared that Henry handled the ball. After watching the match and the replays, there is no way Henry used his hand. Oh well, that is how it goes in football sometimes. The Gunners didn’t play very well, but deserved the draw.

Now it is time to focus on the trip to Reading on Sunday. There are no new injuries to the squad, plus Big Phil, Flamini, and Clichy are back in the squad. Baptista, Eboue, and Ljungberg are also still out. One of these days Lauren will be back too. But of concern to the Gunners should be Reading’s ability to take the Keepers out of the game. Literally. They sent Cech and Cudicini to the hospital last week and it will be 6 to 12 months before Cech is able to play again. I doubt there were any hostile intentions by the Reading players, but I hope they take it a bit easier on the GK’s in the box this week. Of course, if anyone touches Mad Jens on Sunday, there will be hell to pay!! Jens isn’t one to suffer foolish behavior in his territory as we all know.

In other Gunner news, wonderboy Cesc Fabregas signed an 8 year deal with the club, which I believe is one of the longest contracts in Prem history. It is great that he has committed to the club and he will be a cornerstone to the Arsenal for many years to come.

Plymouth Argyle slipped a bit in the table this week to 6th place as they drew 2-2 with Barnsley on Tuesday. The Argyle are at home tomorrow against Burnley. Doumbe will be back in the lineup for the Pilgrims after serving a 1 match ban. Also, it is hopeful that Nick Chadwick will be available as Barry Hayles (who has scored 5 goals this season) is out. Come on Argyle!!!

I was going to continue the stories from my trip to NYC this week, but in reality, there wasn’t too much to tell. My crazy party days are pretty much over and it was mostly early nights for yours truly. I did have a great time seeing the fellas and got to see some neat sights. Sailed past the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island on the Staten Island Ferry. Went to the top of the Empire State Building (man is that up there!!) and strolled through Rockefeller Plaza on the way to Central Park. All in all I had a good time in the Big Apple and hope to go back soon.

Also, during my trip I read the book “Flags of Our Fathers” which was turned into a movie by Clint Eastwood, and I think opens this weekend. Anyway, the book was a good read and is about the 6 flagraisers who fought on Iwo Jima. The book is written by one of the flagraisers’ son and it gives a good account of who they were and how they lived, both before and after the battle. If you are a history buff like I am, it is a good read. Give it a go, especially if you are on a long trip like I was.

Adios.