Just read that Pennant was picked up for drunk driving. When AW said that Pennant is in danger of wasting his God given talent, I had a feeling he was referring to much more than when he broke curfew with the national youth squad. Then came that flleeting link with Pennant and a rape allegation. Now this drunk driving charge. Does this spell the end of Pennant's Arsenal career?
I sincerely hope not- I think Pennant could end up being a great midfielder for Arsenal. He has great talent; let's hope he can get his personal life in order so he can focus on his career. gp
I'm thinking it might be time to cut our ties with Pennant. As talented as he is and as much potential as he has, he doesn't have his head on straight and obviously has failed to listen to what Arsene, Pat Rice, and Liam Brady have told him. This is a club of character right now, and I fear that young Jermaine's character just isn't a good fit. If he shows that he can act maturely and stay out of these situations, then I have no problem bringing him back. But I doubt that will happen. BTW, kudos for working the title to one of the funniest shows on television into the title of this thread. At least I'm assuming that's what you were going for!
Wow, what a shock. Young English player who put himself in a bad situation as the result of drinking too much alcohol. That hardly ever happens. The club should get him into counseling or a treatment program, wish him well, and sell him for 100 pounds or whatever we can get for him at this point. What an absolute waste.
I agree What is considered a record breaking transfer fee for José Antonio - a midfielder - it is quite clear that AW will not be considering Pennant in Arsenal's future. However, an allegation could be put on his defense that his new environment with that awful club hasn't been conducive to good behavior and AW could loan him to another club (but who would want him now??) Drinking takes a big toll on athletes - it's evident in Bakke and Viduka.
Jermaine Pennant will not play another game for Arsenal's first team, he has been given too many chances and has no respect for discipline. He may come back to sit in the reserves until his contrct is finished, but he won't play again, and really we don't need him. He is disruptive and is certainly not in the same class as Pires, Reyes or even Clichy who can all play on the left wing.
Re: I agree Well, Reyes and Pennant play on the opposite sides of the pitch, so I don't think Reyes' signing has much to do with Pennant especially as AW is deploying Reyes as a striker. Pennant has real talent, and I always thought that Arsenal viewed him as an eventual replacement for Bob. It's very difficult for Pennant to get regular playing time behind Fred and Bob. Anyways, I hope Arsenal doesn't throw JP on the scrap heap for what is a comon transgression among footballers.
Pennant will never play for Arsenal or at least not in the near future. Before recent events it wasn't clear he'd be up to making the Arsenal lineup. But I think this seals the deal. I just don't see Wenger bringing him back. Wenger isn't big on players making the club look bad with off-pitch problems.
until now, i supported pennant, and hoped he'd get his head on straight. now i just hope we can get a decent amount of cash for him. he's out. and reyes can play on the right, as he proved vs. real madrid earlier this season. all those reports of him ripping them to pieces were from him playing on the right. maybe le boss sees that he is versatile and can play in many positions. has anyone noticed that he favors players that aren't stuck to just one position? kolo, freddie, thierry, bob, clichy, kanu, gio, cygan played around on the left wing during man city, lauren, hell, even gilberto showed he can play right wing. although "play" might be too strong a word. "pretend to play" might be better...
Quite an unfortunate incident. I think Pennant got loaned out to just about the worst place possible, which hasn't helped things, but I don't think I can defend him anymore after this. He just doesn't seem to have the personality of a Gunner. I still think he'll end up being a pretty good footballer, but just not for us.
If Arsenal can be supportive of their captain, a GROWN ASS MAN going through the struggles of alcohol addiction, surely they can offer some understanding to a kid caught DWI. Why are you people so quick to write him off? He was absolutely wrong to get behind the wheel drunk, but would you have dismissed Tony Adams as well?
Hold on a minute! I am not suggesting that Pennant is an alcoholic. Rather, knowing that Wenger demands discipline off the pitch, and has commented on Pennant possibly wasting his God-given talent (when he missed a curfew), I'm wondering whether this latest incident will scare Wenger away from Pennant? Wenger has sent a strong hint that Pennant's problem lies with his 'attitude.' That could mean many things, but it's likely an issue of focus. If Wenger questions Pennant's ability to stay focused on becoming a great footballer, and avoid destructive distractions, surely this last incident could mean Wenger will lose his patience with him. Given his chance to impress and show Wenger that he belongs at Arsenal, Pennant has (1) been sent home in disgrace from representing Engalnd (2) been questioned about his possible involvment with an alleged rape, and (3) been charged with drunk driving. Wenger could look at that and figure either Pennant has bad luck in being in certain places at certain times, or he could look at it and say Pennant lacks a little self-discipline. That being said, I think Pennant is an incredible talent and could improve our team. I'm dissapointed with his well documented problems off the pitch, but would still like to see him in the team. HWR, I'm not Wenger and have not had the opportunity to evaluate Pennant's character up close. Given Wenger's comments, I'm wondering whether Pennant has fatally undermined his Arsenal career with this latest transgression. I'm not writing Pennant off, but I fear that Wenger might.
I think the worst thing Arsenal could have done for JP was to allow him to go to Leeds. Of course he must bear the brunt of responsibility for his childish behavior, but he was sent to a club in utter tormoil with a squad list littered with drunkards, whiners, and thugs (Viduka, Bakke, Smith, etc). I agree--JP's getting sent of in the U21 was utterly disgraceful, but bust-ups happen on the pitch all the time. I mean c'mon this is the Arsenal board, isn't it? As for the rape, he was never charged, never was a suspect, only questioned regarding the alleged incident. While he is certainly on thin ice, I think Arsenal owe it to JP and themselves to bring him back into the club for a reassessment--at least for 1 more season. Give him a chance to prove he is a true Arsenal player within the confines of the club surrounded by acceptable role models. What goes for passable behavior at Leeds certainly wouldn't stand up at Arsenal. To dismiss him now at the lowest point in his career would definitely be a disservice to him and it quite possibly could be a real mistake for Arsenal. JP obvious has skill and hunger as a player--I bet if he was brought back into the squad his behavior and game would improve immediately.