I'm fine thank you and you?

Serge Gnabry is only 16 but already looks a player of the richest promise. He marked his Under 18 debut for Arsenal with a fantastic goal against Crystal Palace. If his development continues at the rate it has the next twelve months could see him pushing for a Carling Cup place next season – at the very least.

See his goal against and the rest of the action from Crystal Palace U18 2 Arsenal U18 2 here:

http://www.dailymotion.com/embed/video/xlbygq
arsecrysyouth22 by arsenalist

‘via Blog this’

I once watched a Crystal Palace game sitting next to Gary Borrowdale. It was during the 2004-2005 season. I was a match day programme seller at the time, and as such was in possession of an access all areas stadium pass. Rather than watch the visit of West Brom from my designated seat behind the dirty Perspex of the dismal employees section at the back of the Main Stand, I ventured for more comfortable surroundings.

Somewhere in the bowels of the stand I took a wrong turn and emerged at the entrance to the players lounge. Fortune is said to favour the brave. A quick flash of the pass, a few swigs of some left over beer and I was in. I looked up to see Tom Soares sitting next to a pretty young lady and various tracksuited youth teamers. There were a bunch of empty seats in front of him. I nodded toward them and he nodded back. I took my seat. Five minutes of the first half had elapsed. Palace were already one goal up and playing well.

Within five minutes I was surrounded by various members of the Palace first team squad. Borrowdale sat to my left, Wayne Andrews to the right. Nicola Ventola sat alone on the row behind. Watching a game with players was interesting. Their conversation was informative, never straying far from the game itself. At one point Aki Riihilahti fell under an innocuous challenge. The subject of diving was discussed. “He (Aki) does dive though,” said Borrowdale. The players laughed.

Palace won the game 3-0, the crowd were in high spirits. Chants and celebrations did not affect the watching players though. As each goal went in the players would sometimes applaud or dissect its merits – but with little emotion. That is with the exception of Nicola Ventola.

Andy Johnson scored two goals and the Palace fans chanted his name incessantly. Ventola, being largely ignored by the rest of his teammates in the stands, practiced his English. “Daa daa daa daa,” he said quietly to himself, completely out of time with the fans. He cheered each goal and looked genuinely happy that Palace were winning. After an impressive piece of play by Ben Watson, Ventola muttered to himself, “Watson . . . What’s-on” – as if taking note for future reference.

Five minutes before half time the players agreed it was time to get refreshment. Borrowdale turned to Ventola and said in loud, glottal stopped English, “Come. Now. Get. Food.” Ventola looked puzzled for a second and then nodded and followed the rest of the gang downstairs.

About 15 minutes from the end of the game Borrowdale shouted over to Mark Hudson, “Huds, I’m considering doing one.” Hudson had difficulty hearing over the noise of the crowd, so Borrowdale, as if he were speaking to Nicola Ventola said, “I’m. Considering. Doing. One.” A debate ensued and with around ten minutes of the game remaining the majority of the watching players departed. Tom Soares stayed until the end and Nicola Ventola applauded at the final whistle. I shook his hand and left the players seats for the first and, thus far, only time.

Gary Borrowdale has since left Crystal Palace, joining Coventry City. Not big news. He was unloved by Palace fans and had often been the subject of boos and vitriol from his own supporters. Watching a game from the seat next to his it was clear though that he knew a lot about football, spoke slowly and loudly to non-English speakers, didn’t want to be the first player to leave and looked up to Mark Hudson.

I personally thought he was a good player and still believe he will eventually prove himself in or around the Premiership. He sometimes lacked confidence but was starting to mature. Maybe being sent to Coventry will do him good. As John Lennon told us, ‘All you need is love.’ Borrowdale found little of that at Selhurst Park – perhaps Palace fans prefer The Stones to The Beatles.