Written by MickyDidIt89
Boxing Day and the visit of Chelsea marks the beginning of the second half of term, and I have some thoughts on the way that half may pan out. Should Utd win their game in hand, then in points speak, we would be as close to 1st as we are to 5th.
Every team is always open to criticism in some quarter or other. Knowledgeable supporters often agree on their teams’ weaker areas, however, with the 2010-11 Arsenal Vintage, this is far from the case. I think before a ball was kicked this season, most Gooners would have said the goalkeeper was the obvious area of weakness, that we had made good defensive signings and that surely one of them would be good enough to forge a strong CB partnership with TV. Song looked like he was developing into a real star last season, and along with Frimpong’s pre season displays, we had Denilson who I certainly believed was about to do a “Flamini”. After a solid World Cup, just maybe, RvP’s injury problems may have been behind him, on top of the fact that we had made a great looking signing in MC.
It is my belief that any team hoping to win top honours should be armed with three World class players. I would say that we do have three, in RvP, Cesc and Nasri. However two of them are very injury prone. Therein lies the first of two problems that I believe we have.
At the same stage of last season, we were gazing longingly into the transfer window in the belief that by adding a striker we could go the whole way in the league. This time one of my wishes would be for an injury free second half – term from Cesc and RvP.
It is very probable that the winners of the league will be the ones that keep their most influential players on the pitch. You only have to see how Chelsea have wobbled in the absence of Terry and Lampard, and the points dropped by Utd whilst Rooney was resting at The Nike Home For The Wayward, to see the importance of these players. The other factor will be how the managers operate in the transfer window.
Would I enter the transfer market? Yes, I would, but only for an established World Class Leader, if such a person was available. This is to resolve the second of my problems. Leadership. For which position? Here’s the odd bit. I don’t really mind. Perhaps an Adams, maybe a PV4, but whoever it may be, this man will be at the top of his career. That’s it, no resale value. This would be short termist. Or would it? The way I see it, is that no harm would be done to the development of JW, Ramsey, Frimpong, Gibbs, Theo, JD et al, to spend one or two seasons in a Trophy winning team developing the sweet taste of success. It does not appear that there will be much between 1st and 5th, so with one big heave ho, we can be at the happy end!
Some of you may be evacuating to a bloggless land for Christmas ( whilst I cannot make it to the village shop), but let me take this opportunity of thanking Rasp and Peaches for this wonderful platform, thanking fellow bloggers for their wit, charm and great company, and wishing you all a Very Happy Christmas.
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Xmas cheers to you too MDI89
I think the squad is good enough. Its up to the manager to get the best out of them, i.e maximum points in PL, but injuries are the achillies heel like you say.
I really think that if made Captain, TV would excell. I think we all feel that Cesc is not for “ever”, so TV may be the Tony Adams you/we crave 🙂
Morning Gnarley,
I was having a chat with a Gooner chum yesterday after scribbling this post, and we came around to which player (realistically) we would ink in on our wish list to head up the chimney to the Bid Red and White Santa in the sky. I wrote Gerrard.
I’d take Tevez. He would win The Arsenal the Title. & he is shaken & stirred @ Middle-Eastlands, so it wouldn’t take much to convince him to bail from there.
Incidently Gnarley,
I agree with you about TV. I just feel Gerrard driving the team from a berth alongside Song would add instant leadership and drive for a season or two.
Morning all
Thanks Micky for the post. Its interesting how you mention that this time last year we thought we only needed a striker to get us to the top and maybe that was true but now we’ve got the striker, 2 new CB’s and even Chesney being given a chance in goal but still the LEADER is missing.
Gerrard, yes Gerrard – plays with energy, heart and discipline. Can pick a game up by the scruff of its neck and win it for you.
Merry Xmas peachy poos
Very good upbeat Post Micky. 🙂
I agree with Gnarley’s comments too. 🙂
We have looked at Arsene’s “no buy ,,, might buy” comments and they are very understandable.
Apart from his desire to boost morale including Almunia’s) by making nice positive comments about the team/squad, he is acutely aware that the “youngsters” like JET, Lansbury, Bartley, Szcesney etc are all growing up fast and want to play …. “now please Guvner”.
On top of that, players like TV and Diaby are returning from injury and need to be accommodated into the team/squad.
In addition, January is a difficult month to buy. Are the right quality players available? Would he have to pay ransom prices? Are they still qualified for CL etc, etc, blah di blah?
Finally, having, hypothetically, bought a quality new player, the question arises about their fitness and how long they would need to adapt to the Wengerball style of play.
If anyone can juggle all these conundrums then Monsieur Wenger can! 🙂
Micky, the second half of the season could be dynamite!
I thought all Gooners in Blighty hated Stevie G 😉
Not gonna happen though 😦
I agree Micky that we should buy one to get us through a couple of years. Who shall we buy? Cos its not going to be Gerrard and the word is that Tevez doesn’t bother to train hard so Arsene would never play him on that basis.
Thanks for that Micky
I enjoy reading your posts.
I took a sharp breath of air when I read the first comment……..hhuuuhuuuhu….I agree with gnarley, this has never happend before. Seriously though, TV would have been Captain every time that Cesc has been injured and would have been well on his way to becoming the leader we all crave.
Red Arse
I hope you have a great Chrissy too. In fact to everyone who comments on here, even London 😆
Merry Christmas
Merry Xmas gnarley, you’re right, Gerrard is a scumbag and could never be a gooner – no class
Morning,
Thanks for the post Micky – I think your assessment is spot on. We’re second in the league and don’t really deserve to be. We’ve had significant injuries and only a couple of players could be described as being on top form. We can win the title if we have the resolve (balls)
The one player I’d like to see added to the squad would be a midfield general – but they are few and far between and I can’t think of anyone of the required calibre who is available.
Arsene will show his mental steel by his choice of keeper – will he stick with Szczesny as long as he mnaintains his level, or will he ‘play safe’ and bring back Fab2? Its Szczesny for me.
It’s been a pleasure having you on AA, you are part of the fabric of the site. Merry Christmas to you and all the little Mickys 😛
Morning London
We agree, yippee 😎
TV’s output would increase another 50% if made Captain IMO. For one thing, it would be an absolute honour for him to get the armband, & in return, he would give so much G & D, as well as good player skills, which, would bring out the best in the rest of the team.
I mean player management skills.
Morning Peaches and RA,
I realize that Gerrard is not going to happen, but he he is the “type” I was after. Experienced, leader, winner and would slot straight into both our style as well as the tempo of the English League.
Rasp
Just remember, Barca are going to get a belting as well, they just don’t know it yet 😈
I’m serious, I really think that being the underdog, The Arsenal will cause an upset. Then hopefully get Spuds & peel them.
Thanks Rasp,
The pleasure is all mine.
Oh and also. I appologise for using the term camel shaggers late on in the last post. City being beaten tickled my fancy.
Merry Xmas to you Micky. And of course to all my other cyber-buddies.
If there was one “fantasy” player I would sign to be a leader, it would be John Terry. Don’t like the fellow,don’t like his age, don’t like his team but he is a real Captain, the best since TA.
GG. Tell it as you see it 🙂
We expect a bit of rough from an Ocker!
Gnarley,
I do hope your fancy receives much tickling between now and May.
Hi gnarley,
I prefer underdog status. The pundits don’t give us a chance of winning the prem, Stan the woman basher reckons it’ll be manu, chavs, us and citeh with totnum a valiant 5th 😆
Right now, cabin fever has become too much. Its the old Land Rover and a large dose of “what the hell”.
Morning to you too BR.
Offski.
Gerrard? I thought we said realistic?
Does anyone else think Scott Parker would be a decent addition? Having said that, We’ve been without Ramsey for around a year and before his injury he was growing into a dominant, box to box midfielder so it would be a shame to buy someone to stand in his way. When he’s fit and back from Forest I think he’ll play a few games in the second half of the season.
Just popped in to wish you all a Very Merry Xmas and a Healthy and Happy new Year.
Hi kelsey,
Season’s Greetings to you too – what is your level of optimism for the New Year arsenalwise?
As long as Wenger is in charge, Arsenal won’t win the title. He refuses to pay for the quality central defender. Instead his purchase of the two French guys who have proved frankly not up to std.
That’s why Arsenal will continue to lag behind Mu and Chelsea. His kids will take too long to mature and to be honest his signing of one kid after another aint going to solve the flaws in the team. By the time these kids are ready,MU,Chelsea,Spurs,MC could be out of sight.
Let’s see whether can dispose of Barca. If he plays the same way I can guaratee Arsenal will suffer a humiliating defeat.
Kelsey. The same to you and your family.
Well, as everyone else seems to be offering Yuletide Greetings, can I add mine too. Merry Christmas everyone and a Happy New Year to you and Arsenal! 🙂
A man walked into a psychiatrists wearing only clingfilm for shorts. The shrink says, “Well I can clearly see you’re nuts!”
Two fat Gooners sitting in a pub. One says to the other, “Your round.” The other one said, “So are you, you fat git!”
The police arrested two kids yesterday, one was drinking battery acid, and the other was eating fireworks. They charged one and let the other off.
Gunnerwilliam
Why do you put the word gunner in front of your name when there is clearly no connection to supporting Arsenal?
My twelve year old has a greater grasp of football economics than you do.
Why doesn’t Wenger buy some top quality defenders? Do you think there is a shop with words “Quality Defenders” written above the entrance, a place where anyone can pop in and pick up a brace?
Any quality defender that comes onto the market would be bought immediately by a club like City who can afford to out bid us; no, not just us, they can afford to outbid every club in the world, just look at the ridiculous sum they paid for the average Lescott. If they are prepared to pay that for him how much do you think they would pay over the odds for Vidic; for example, if he were to come onto the market; that being the case, what’s the point of getting into a bidding war in the first place.
The result of City’s obsene spending has left us having to find alternative ways of doing things: enter Koscielny, Squilaci and oh, Vermaelen a player who I would describe as a quality defender. As to writing us off against Barcelona, your lot are just as likely to get thrashed by AC Milan.
Wise words London well said, If price is all William what happened to City last night.
Should Mr Wenger choose to leave us, the Sheik’s of Manchester would offer a kings ransom for his services and their fans delight at the prospect of Wengerball would be unbounded.
11 games ahead in 34 days weather permitting, squads will be tested, discipline will be paramount, suspensions will be doubly expensive in so intense a period, lets hope lady luck casts her spell on Gooners everywhere and an injury free run is our reward for the traumas of seasons past.
Merry Christmas one and all and Remember even Santa plays in Red and White.
It’s all a bit luvvie on here today so I’m going to be Scrooge.
First of all… I know it’s lovely to wish each other a merry Christmas etc but come on, it’s only December 21st. Is this site going to be fully consumed with seasonal well-wishing for the next four days?
And second of all… Stephen Gerrard? John Terry? What are you people thinking of? I don’t care even if it’s just a fantasy game please don’t bring either of those low-life, scumbag, morally-bankrupt, bottom-feeders anywhere near my club.
Bah humbug.
MIcky – I understand the sentiment of your post but I think if you get the first half of your wish (a fit Cesc and RvP for the rest of the season) then you won’t need the second half of your wish (bringing in a world class leader).
I can imagine a lot of Liverpool supporters wishing fervently for a dynamic player like Cesc Fabregas in their team.
I echo {Smith14 ?} whoever said Scott parker, he immediately came to my mind. Injust ridden but you cant dny his commitment. Ther may be better playrs but sometimes commitment is more important than skill.
OLD FART ALERT!!!!!!
In my time Mike England was arguably a much btter CB than Frank McLintock, but Frank was the leader of the double team, without him it wouldnt have happened. He was a very good CB too but his leadership skills were legendary. The TA of his day!!
Oh yeah and I used to walk 10 miles to school barefooted in the snow…blah bah bah.. you youngsters have no respect ….blah blah blah..
:>)
Damn laptop. the letter e doesnt work all the time!!! Sorry for that. My spelling isnt that bad.
All true Neamann – the best players aren’t necessarily the best leaders and vice versa.
Cesc is a great player – I’m on the fence as to whether he’s a great leader.
We all know that AW uses the captaincy as a bargaining tool to keep his star players happy (TH14 was never a true captain).
Bah Handbag!
Sorry. this damned laptop. It doesn’t always type what I thought.
Should have been: “Bah Humbug”. 🙂
Is it Merry Christmas already? I wouldn’t have that scouser anywhere near Arsenal or rooney for that matter. I hope TV can step up. Leaving Cesc as captian is a big mistake. Hello everyone BTW.
Hi Rocky, GM,
I think AW has a different view of the captain’s role than I do. There is no way that Almunia is captain material. Being the senior player is not the qualification, having the respect of the other players is paramount. I agree with GM, TV should be captain when Cesc is not on the pitch, but I wouldn’t take the captaincy away from Cesc during the season.
I’m sure Almunia will be gone soon. I don’t think Cesc’s heart is in it. Maybe he’ll really go for Barca and realise his place is with us. I think we can upset them.
Ten miles to school, only ten miles……luxury. When I were lad……
Hah bumbug!
I think Cesc should stay as captain. If he leaves then TV is the natural successor.
We’ll see the best of Captain Cesc when he gets his own form back.
London, when you were a lad I didn’t think they had schools?
When I were lad I used to have to sweep M1 motor way before going to school.
London,
Lucky bastard!
When I were a lad I bought some camouflage trousers. I’ve not been able to find them since!
When I were a bigger lad than I was last time, I took my Rottweiller to the vet. I told him, ‘My dog is cross-eyed, is there anything you can do for him?’
‘Well,’ said the vet, ‘let’s have a look at him’
So he picked up my dog and examined his eyes, then he checked his teeth. Finally, he said, ‘I’m going to have to put him down.’
I said, ‘What? Because he’s cross-eyed?’
‘No’, said the vet, ‘it’s because he’s really heavy’.
Them were the days, eh? 🙂
When I were a lad we used to dream of going to school…
RA. 😀
BR,
When I were a really little lad, our local ice cream man was found lying on the floor of his van covered with hundreds and thousands.
Police said he topped himself. 🙂
Everyone else is ignoring me Raddy, they’re saying “don’t encourage him BR!” 🙂
I cannot agree with GM’s assertion that Cesc heart isn’t in it. I think he has yet to recover from the WC.
No excuse for AA, Theo, or Rosicky!
I’ll always encourage the view from CC Land. keep ’em coming Redders – they bring a smile to my day even when I’m in Scrooge mode.
RA. You have given some top entertainment on a non news day and you only have to keep it going until Chelsea!
I love the cross eyed dog joke.
Rocky, BR,
I’m bored so before I go; 🙂
A Gooner walked into his Surgery and said, ‘Doc I can’t stop singing ‘The Green, Green Grass of Home’
The Doc said, ‘That sounds like Tom Jones syndrome.’
The man said,’Is that common?’
The Doc said, ‘It’s not unusual.’
London,
As it’s you;
I was getting into my car last night, and this bloke said to me ‘Can you give me a lift?’
I said ‘Of course, you are really handsome, the world’s your oyster, women love you, go for it..’
He gave me a lovely wave as I drove away. 🙂
I wonder if he is the same bloke who went to the doctor, with a strawberry growing out of his head.
The Doc said ‘I’ll give you some cream to put on that.’ 🙂
I’m off! Tomorrow, if you are unlucky! 🙂 (I noticed Rasp never said “Hi” to me!) 😦
I think it’s the same bloke who went into the surgery and said:
“Doctor, I’ve got a strange rash in the shape of a ‘W’ on each of my bum cheeks.”
The Doc said: “Drop your trousers and pants, bend over and let me take a look.”
The man obliged, the doctor took a look and said: “Wow”.
Oh dear, I think I’ve lowered the tone.
RA,
Been at the Christmas Bailey’s??
Come back immediately, the bread can wait.
Its all very Merry in here tonight.
Agree with London. Dog joke wins. Sorry Rocky, although you are at a huge disadvantage with the time difference in that you are not on the sauce yet!
Anyone got any spare black ink cartridges?
Hi Micky. Here’s a cartridge…
Time to start on the sauce now – it’s half past two after all.
Peaches, Rasp – have dropped a quick post into drafts (prompted by some of the discussion on here today in response to Micky’s post). You could add a poll to it too, possibly…
In response to mine…oh strewth! You were lucky you didn’t get “Recipe of the day”.
Well, even if it was a quick omelette of a post it was still pretty satisfying.
The whole Gerrard bit went down like a ton of bricks, although I later streamlined my position somewhat by referring to him as the “type” of player we need.
My feelings are that AW does refer to us as having leaders all over the pitch, whereas I think that is far from the truth.
Have just read that Mario Balotelli was named young player of the year by Europe’s sports journalists, with our Jack coming in second. Balotelli then had the good grace to say he had never heard of Wilshere, but that next time Man City played Arsenal he would show him the trophy to remind him who is number one.
What a classless twunt. Perfectly suited to Citeh, where the perennial losers, having won the lottery, have turned into some of the most obnoxious players, management and fans in the whole EPL.
And for the record, I watched Citeh’s loss to Everton yesterday and Balotelli was absolute pants. He reminded me of Emile Heskey.
Rocky,
Very true about the Citeh and Class. Sorry, must go. Was really in the mood for a football chat.
Enjoy the rest of your day.
Over and out.
Evening all and Merry Christmas.
Actually Scott Parker came to mind too when I was reading the post – bit of an ass, but has being great for West Ham this season and is well within our budget. Gerrard is past it.
Cheers Micky. Talk to you tomorrow.
Irish – I agree about Gerrard. One good game in five, is how my Scouse mate described him.
Not even that good now Rocky L – Liverpool have a LOT of rebuilding to do.
How’s Ireland? Bankrupt and frozen from what I’m reading…/
Morning all
Not a cloud in the sky here today. Which makes a change from the rain.
We’re not financially bankrupt here, but we do have a government that is morally bankrupt 😦
Blues skies in Toronto too Gnarley. We’ve had nothing like the snow you’ve had (you’re in London ON, right?).
No RL, I’m in Launceston, Australia.
I’m being dopey and confusing you with GN5. Which is daft given how much I enjoyed your restrained comments about the cricket this week!
No snow in Launceston, I’m guessing 🙂
No snow, but today it is warming up nicely 😎
RL, I think I must get more cred for being low key after a win, than saying after a humiliating loss that I come on here to talk footy. I get plenty of cricket talk from people I know back here.
As it stands, they are predicting over 90,000 for the “G” on Boxing Day. Then its the Gooners v chavs live on tele later that night & no workies for another week. Heaven, I’m in heaven 😀
Got a really good feeling about the chavs game. Dogpoos run of goals against us must come to an end soon.
Me too Gnarley. Mind you, I had a good feeling about the ManUre game too…
RL
RE: man utd loss
For the life of me, I couldn’t understand why a classy pass & move team like The Arsenal kept bombing the ball in so often from out wide, then I find out post match that that cheating old sweaty sock made sure the grass surface was too long for our style of game. Talk about a cow paddock 😆
The chavs are @ home, & I really don’t think The Arsenal are going to lose a 4th home game just yet.
Chavs are cannon fodder. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMM!!!!! BOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMM!!!
Love it Gnarley. Bring it on.
Well said Mickey.
For ten minutes after Partizan equalised our lack of a leader was really evident.
Agreed Mr Radders. There’s no better captain than John ‘King of the Scumbags’ Terry. I don’t even feel awful saying it!
New post ……
Agreed Gerrard. Has some of thegreatrst highlights you’ll ever see, but I’ve also forgotten he’s playing in the games that he doesn’t win singlehandedly
Hi mate, nice blog…really! I’m the admin of Stadio Goal, a blog of soccer similar to yours….i would like to make a link exchange….do you? Let me know if you are interested in it…have a good day and happy christmas