Geordie would have shown them how.

November 10, 2011

George “Geordie” Armstrong died of a brain haemorrhage after collapsing on the training field 11 years ago on the first of this month. He was a year younger than me and joined the club as a 17-year-old, two years after I had first claimed my permanent place on the terraces as a 15-year-old. He was my first footballing idol and was to be associated with the club on and off for 39 years.

I mention this because a new young full back has been thrown in at the deep end for us in recent weeks just as Geordie was and by and large has risen to the challenge.  Carl Jenkinson is 19 years old and in his first year with the club having been transferred from Charlton Athletic in June.

AA boasts a number of good judges of a footballer and this young man has caught their attention. The strength of character he has shown after surviving that 8 goal pounding at the hands of the Mancs, his work rate, application and determination as he joined the fight to recover from our disastrous start, all bode well for the years ahead.

On the other side we have another new summer arrival, this one more senior and a Brazilian international to boot. Andre Santos arrived having, we are told, supplanted  Roberto Carlos, he of the 35 Metre free kick, as his Turkish clubs first choice full back, but wanting to play in England. He signed for us primarily, he said, as we played his kind of football.

Both Carl and Andre were elevated to the first team far quicker than anticipated as both Kieran Gibbs and Bacary Sagna our first team fullbacks, were as is the Arsenal way, to suffer long-term injuries.

So the squad now has 4 speedy  fullbacks ready, when fit, to combine with our Flying Wingers, Theo and Gervinho, to form an attacking force capable of getting behind the oppositions defence and crossing the ball into the right areas.

But this is where the similarity ends, Geordie played in his early days in heavy leather boots on muddy, waterlogged, energy sapping bogs of pitches, yet would still run up and down that wing for ninety minutes, virtually non stop. At the same time, evading, receiving and accepting as part of the game, sliding tackles that would see the offender banned Sine Die, if he did such a thing on today’s croquet lawns. On top of which he was using a leather ball that grew heavier as the game went on and the water soaked through the dubbined Tee panel monster with its leather lace that was, pre ‘the valve’ the premier ball of its day.

Yet, and here’s the strange thing, what with all these disadvantages was Geordies main claim to fame? He could hit that ball on the run or from a corner and put it straight into the danger zone and on the head of the likes of Joe Baker, Raddy, Kennedy and even in later years the elegant stroller Graham. Count the amount of headed goals that came from Geordies crosses, watch us win the league at WHL as Ray thumps a header past Big Pat Jennings from a Geordie cross. Pure magic created with skill and constant practice, and regularly displayed by the little man with a heart of a lion.

So what’s your point you may ask, well I have a question for the modern footballer. If Geordie could do all that, under conditions that would probably make you guys refuse play, why can’t you on our manicured pitches, with lightweight footwear and a ball my gran would have kicked straight out of the garden. Why do you lot struggle, not just on the run, but from corners and free kicks as well, to even clear the first man, for Christ sake!!!!!?

Written by dandan

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Arsene Wenger – The best there is, the best there was and the best there will ever be

November 9, 2011

Written by Double 98

Sir Alex Ferguson choked back the tears when the Manchester United people unveiled a stand in his name. It was a fitting tribute to a legend of the game and so much more pertinent to honour the man while he is still alive and running the club. Club allegiance aside, hats off to the man – 25 years at the helm of the biggest club in world football and enjoying unparalleled success in trophies and medals deserves mention and accolade.

Down the road in North London, Arsenal were beating a team that they should beat easily enough by 3 goals. That Arsenal beat West Brom 3-0, is not remarkable in a normal context but in November 2011 it is monumental. 12 – 18 weeks before in the close season, Arsène Wenger was confronted with a crisis in his club – in his own words half the dressing room wanted to leave. He moved quickly to clear some of the deader wood and tried desperately to get his world class players to stay.

To no avail, In Fabregas he lost a player that his third great team was entirely build around – an attacking quarterback with unbelievable passing ability, incredible panoramic vision and a ludicrously fast footballing brain. In Nasri he lost plan B, Nasri was spiky and mercurial, while not an exact match for Fabregas, he was a player that Arsene Wenger could have built a team around quite quickly. Over the summer along with the heart being ripped out of the club, and the replacement heart looted by the Dubai heart collectors we also had the periphery annihilated – among them Clichy – our one time class act at left back and Bendtner, precocious and arrogant, he always seem destined to be (in eddie vedder’s words) a “sun in somebody else’s sky..”.

So Wenger stood 2 days before the transfer deadline, with a half a team, 1 point from 3 games and having just taken a hiding from Manchester United the likes of which no Arsenal Manager has ever taken from anyone. The crowd had turned, the mumbling voice of the disaffected had grown to a howling, crescendo of hate and rejection. It would have been easy to do two things – leave or abandon his self sustainability model and buy some over priced class.

He did neither, he looked around the club and noticed the last diamond at his disposal – a diamond so fragile and unreliable that even in the form of his life had not attracted any serious interest from those that have plagued our club for the last 10 years – he ran a cloth over Robin van Persie and saw a resolve where others saw a fracture and thought – I can rebuild an empire around this fellow. From what I can tell he sent his team of negotiators out each with a players name, a bottomline value and a maximum weekly wage. Most of the people his team negotiated with laughed at the offers, or the agents laughed at the wages but the bottomline was hard.

At the close of the deadline, the news was confirmed that we had signed Arteta, Santos, Park,  the BFG and on loan Yossi Benayoun to go with the earlier captures of Gervinho and Jenkinson. Each of them had a point to prove, and a hunger to fill – each of them could have earned more money elsewhere or at their old club. Wenger looked at his gem cabinet and found Walcott, Koscielny and especially Rosicky, looking under used and brimming with unfulfilled potential. He shined them up and went to work binding them together into a cohesive unit. It wasn’t easy – he was two months behind in preparation and already 8 points off the lead.

Since deadline day (and the Old Trafford humiliation) Arsenal’s premier league results are W 6 D 0 L 2 while in all competitions it reads W 10 D 2 L 2. In amongst that statistic was the away wins in Marseille and a thumping of bogey team Chelsea. Whatever way you look at this form it is, if not title winning then title contending form. Have some of the wins been fortunate – yes, has some of the defending been shocking of course but you know what? It has been exponentially better week on week even the boo’s have stopped and it appears that the crisis is averted.

The media have stopped their feeding frenzy – even to the point where MOTD gave no analysis of our game against WBA. As little as a month before they had analysed every defensive mistake, gesture and position as forensically as a crime scene in an attempt to convince us all that Arsène Wenger had lost the plot, the crowd and his dressing room.

So where does this all bring us? Well as the accolades quite rightly come in for Sir Alex, all his achievement is, for me, second to the real world achievement of Arsène Wenger – in 12 weeks he has had his heart ripped from his chest, he has been humiliated and beaten to within a inch of his life by his biggest foe, he has had to sit and endure the cacophony of boos and jeers from his own supporters, he has had to endure former Arsenal players telling him on tv that his time is up, he has had to stay quiet while players that never had the talent to play for him (Savage) tell the world that he hasn’t a clue, former managers telling us that he needs a defensive coach, he has had to look Robin van Persie in the eye every day and tell him not to waver in his faith, he has had to take old dogs like Arteta and teach them new tricks (well in Arteta he just converted him back to the Pepe Guardiola defensive fulcrum type player that he started out as).

He has not veered from his philosophy and now in our traditional black month of November – we the supporters of the greatest and most rewarding club, while maybe not seeing the promised land, no longer see the threatened land and I for one can’t wait til Manchester United come to town in late January. We might not win by 6 but we will demonstrate that the circle is turned and I expect to win.

Ferguson has never, ever had to endure even half of what Wenger has this season. Sir Alex may be the Knight of Manchester but Arsene is the King of Arsenal – Long live the King – We should buy our way out of the naming rights and call the Grove the Arsène Wenger Stadium and ensure that his legacy is indelible with the future of the club.

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Posted by peachesgÖÖner

Arsène Wenger’s Got a Headache

November 8, 2011

The criticism of Arsène for trying to force square pegs into round holes has frequently been levelled over recent seasons. Bendtner, Eboue and Arshavin in particular have all been deployed in areas that would not be their first choice let alone the Championship Managers among us. The reason for this has generally been a lack of depth in the squad exacerbated by the perennial injury problems that have depleted us so cruelly at vital times.

Now it would appear that Arsène has a headache of a different kind. The summer purchases coupled with the progression of quality players through the youth system has created a problem, a good problem to have but a problem nonetheless. As far as Sagna and Wilshere are concerned the problem is months away but in light of the coming 2 weeks of nail biting over the potential for injuries playing in meaningless internationals, I thought it would be interesting to ponder the alternatives.

Who are our best players in every position?
Well I think the answer at the top and tail of the team is obvious – RvP and Szczesny give Arsenal about the best polar opposites in the league. But elsewhere it is not so simple.

Centreback Partnership
Some supporters had been crying out for a tall physical presence at the back and then along came Per Mertesacker the 6ft 5in answer to our vulnerability from set pieces. Don’t get me wrong, I think the BFG is an excellent addition to the squad and has helped us keep in touch through this early critical period, but I think most would agree that his height is not the main attribute he possesses. No, it’s his positional play, reading of the game, timing of the tackle cool head and experience – but I wouldn’t mind betting that Kozzer has won more headers in the box when playing alongside Mert. The return of Vermaelen has been a huge shot in the arm and has reminded us all that he is a world class defender and our captain of the defence. For me the best CB pairing is TV and Koz but have your say by placing your vote below.



Wingbacks
Now this is where it really does get difficult. Most Arsenal supporters would say that last season Sagna was the best right back in the league. He didn’t start this season so well and looked a yard or two off the pace, but a 90% Sagna is still better than most RBs and it seemed like an early hammer blow to our season when he was ruled out with a fractured leg.

But then there was the introduction of Carl Jenkinson to the first team. He was one of our early summer signings who at 19 was inexperienced to say the least having been on loan at a non league club previously. For me he has been a revelation. Like Jack, he’s an Arsenal supporter. He has amazing energy going forward and uncharacteristically for an Arsenal player, he can cross the ball. Don’t get me wrong, he’s not in the same class defensively as Sagna at this stage, but he is improving every game and has won the hearts of the supporters already. Sagna has to be my first choice RB for the big games, but Jenks is a real find and offers us more offensively so in a couple of years time who knows?


Gibbs or Santos? – now that is a much closer call. Gibbs has been threatening to become the new Cashley for a couple of seasons. His progress has been hampered by a worrying propensity to pick up injuries that hasn’t ever really let us see him have a decent run of games.

Santos is already dividing opinion. He’s all Brazillian, surging forward with gay abandon, super control spiced with clever tricks and finished with a sweet left foot and cool head in front of goal. He loves to go forward, its the gaping holes that he leaves behind that worry many. West Brom were poor on Saturday and Santos never really looked troubled but against stiffer opposition he may be undone. The hope is that he will adjust his game to put slightly more emphasis on the defensive side of his play, but I for one would not wish him to sacrifice his natural attacking game. Santos would be my first choice for LB.

The Midfield
Since The Boy Wonder’s place is not in question I shall consider the midfield to be the ‘5’ in a 4:5:1 formation – but you can call it 4:3:3 if it makes you happy. I have no hesitation on current form in saying that wide midfielders places are not in question, Theo and Gervinho have been excellent and are clearly Arsène’s first choice, but we still have very good options in Arshavin, the Ox and possibly Ryo in time.

The current best centre midfield 3 would appear to be Song, Ramsey and Arteta – but what happens when Jack is fit again?

It would appear that Song’s place in the side is safe so who would give way to accommodate our rising star? I actually think that Arteta has been more influential in the side recently than Song as he quietly gets on with his business and keeps the Wengerball machine running smoothly whereas Song is often noticed when he somehow magically manages to hold off multiple players and still emerge with the ball but I sometimes think he should not be in that position in the first place. Once again we are blessed with midfield options and squad rotation of the midfield 3 would help us stave off the customary end of season fatigue.

Which players would you prefer to see as our centre midfield three?

The Subs
I have made the presumption that everyone would agree that these are the only candidates for first choice in their positions but many would disagree. Is Arshavin more effective than Gervinho on the left? The Ox worth a try in place of Theo? Rosicky more reliable than Ramsey? Benny more attacking than Song? Diaby waiting in the wings to finally realise his potential? Coquelin worth a try for some games? – they may well all have to play their part in a typically long season. With the possible exception of strikers, we can now boast two quality players for every position on the pitch.

One thing is for sure, our new strength in depth makes us better equipped than for many years and the removal of large egos and homesick heroes from the dressing room should mean that rotation and competition for places makes us a stronger and more resilient squad this season.

You can see how opinion is divided in the polls by clicking on ‘View Results’ on the bottom left of each poll box.

Written by Rasp

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What Silent Stan REALLY Wants

November 7, 2011

Stan Kroenke is going to have to think about changing his nickname. He has been blabbing so much lately that the ‘Silent’ tag is starting to feel a tad ironic, a bit like ‘Little’ John (Robin Hood’s giant buddy) or ‘Curly’ from the Three Stooges (he was bald) or John ‘Not At All Racist’ Terry. After talking to the media in the States, then speaking at the Arsenal AGM, our majority shareholder spilled his guts again to a group of reporters recently.


It was a long interiew, filled with interesting observations about all sorts of things – from the way the Glazers run Manchester United (just fine and dandy according to Stan) to the astonishing fact that it is possible to have interesting discourse with Chelsea fans.But when I read the transcript of the interview, I noticed that a certain motif cropped up repeatedly. It gave me an insight into what Stan thinks about himself and, by extension, what he values in others.

The key concept is ‘intelligence’ (or ‘smartness’, in more colloquial terms).
Look at the examples:
Asked about how he defined success (and how long he felt it was reasonable to wait for trophies) our yakety Yank said: “We (meaning him and his team) have a broader experience than anybody in sports,” adding that he was “smart enough” to know that you can’t win silverware every year.

He was emphasising that the ‘smart’ approach was in taking the long view and not being a slave to instant gratification.

When the questions inevitably led on to whether Arsenal could compete financially with the likes of Manchester City, with their bottomless well of murky oil money, Stan was clear about the way he would like to achieve success: “I would be much more proud if all our leagues were developed with the idea that you are competing on the basis of intellect and work and effort instead of just simply, ‘I am going to throw dollars against the wall.’ Anybody who is a sportsman would rather compete on the basis of intellect, cleverness.”

On one level, the subtext here is that none of us should expect Stan to start splashing money like a chav in a chip shop. But also that he is ambitious – it’s just that his ambition is to win clever, not win broke. And when waxing lyrical about the success of the NFL (the professional organisation for American Football in the States) he pointed out that success was “all about how smart are you in selecting personnel.”

Moving on to baseball, he mentioned the new Brad Pitt movie Moneyball, which tells the story of Billy Beane, a baseball coach for an unfashionable and relatively poor team who achieved success through outsmarting his richer opponents: “Moneyball is all about being smart in sports, specifically baseball. There’s a wave in the US now of statistical evaluation – this whole science of sport goes a long way. There’s some very smart people – we employ some of them – who are analysing every stat and who are connecting every bit of data and trying to make sense of it. But that really started with Billy Beane, who is the guy in Moneyball. And Billy Beane’s hero truly is Arsene Wenger. He loves Arsene.”

Even on the subject of Samir Na$ri’s controversial move to Man City in the summer, Stan was at pains to focus on intelligence: “That’s where being smart and not being smart comes in. You’ve got one year left on a player’s contract. You’ve got a large sum of money being offered. Can you employ those resources better than you could had you not taken the money, taken a chance on losing the guy for nothing in a year or perhaps overpaying for him now and having less resources later?”

And on Manchester United under the Glazers: “I think it’s time maybe for everybody to think a little bit. They ought to think a little bit about who invests in these clubs.” In summary, in the course of just one interview, there are more than 10 examples of words like “smart”, “clever” and “intellect”. This is a man speaking off the cuff to journalists, not reading a prepared speech. A psychologist would suggest that these key words, used so liberally, are evidence of what’s really at the forefront of the speaker’s mind.

To me that means that Stan Kroenke is a man who values intelligence above all other qualities. Yes he likes courage and he likes the idea of making money and not spending it unnecessarily and he likes learning about football (there are references to all these in the interview), but his overriding obsession comes through loud and clear.

He sees himself, above all, as a SMART sports business owner. One who is not swayed by the daily rise and fall of fan disgruntlement or media muck-stirring, but who has a long-term vision and strategy. In that case it’s hardly surprising that he seems so comfortable with Arsene Wenger – the thinking man’s football coach if ever there was one. He clearly values Arsene’s analytical and professorial approach to the job over, say, the passion of a Ferguson or the duck-and-dive slipperyness of a Redknapp. I think it’s a good thing.

It should mean he will empower and enable Arsene to do his thing as well as he possibly can do it. And at a time when Arsene and Arsenal get far too little credit for the “smart” way in which the club has been run in recent years, it’s a refreshing vote of support for values that we supporters can also all be proud of. Man City may well win the league this year, but ask yourself: would you rather be a City fan or an Arsenal fan? You know the answer, and so do I.

Keep the faith Gunners: what we have is worth more than anything anyone else can possibly offer, however endless their supply of petro-dollars.

RockyLives
　

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Gun Powder kept Dry as Arsenal graft a win – and Player Ratings.

November 6, 2011

After getting the offer of some tickets late Friday, I went to the Emirates expecting a win, confidence in the team is getting stronger, especially with WBA not quite been the attacking enigma that they were last season when we managed to lose 2-3.

Robin “Assists from the lads were Insane”

Pre-match, Robin “One Man Team” Van Persie received his awards for a spectacular October, which was capped off in devastating fashion at the Bridge as Arsenal swept Chelsea aside. Midweek, Arsenal failed to reach the same heights against a stubborn and well drilled Marseille.

So against WBA, if this recovery was to be fully realised and help us rise up the table then, this confidence of expectation must be met with 3 points, especially ahead of the dreaded international break.

What sort of performance would we get? What team would the boss go with?

Sir Chez was between the sticks and the front six were the regulars, with Santos and Jenks as the full backs, TV was partnered by Kozzer………

“A minute’s silence was impeccably observed by all prior to the kick off in remembrance of those who have laid down their lives in the service of the Country, 90 years since the end of the World War 1”

Arsenal started in a positive mood which matched the atmosphere around the ground, which is good to see.

Ramsey was energetic as usual in the middle, constantly probing and pushing to attack. Song and Arteta were controlling and dominating the middle.

Walcott was keeping wide, holding his position and looking for the ball, looking more confident, Jenkinson was getting forward well. But the link play between the two is poor at best.

Vermaelen and Koscielny were looking imperious, I like BFG and he has helped settle our back line in the absence of the Verminator, but surely with Kozzer and Vermaelen we have the best CB pairing in the Premier League?

We were keeping possession and looking for the killer pass, but it’s the movement in the final 3rd that seems the only thing not clicking. The first real chance came from a free kick as Gervinho is up ended on the edge of the box. The moment is there for the Boy Wonder, but instead, Santos takes aim, looking to get an early present for the fans…………no such luck.

As Arsenal press with a strong dominance of the play, West Brom looked to catch us on the break. The surprising thing for me was that West Brom, were like a Vampire with dentures, just lacking bite, I expected so much more from them, although I think they didn’t get much chance from a dogged Arsenal midfield, which if they did get past they met Kozzer and Vermaelen who gave no quarter.

On 22, Walcott moved slightly more inside with a slide rule pass splitting the WBA defence, Walcott ran at goal and shot at Foster, who didn’t gather the ball as it went under him, but it came back out, to the one and only Boy Wonder, who gratefully slotted in the first goal. 1-0.

The pace picked up and a lot was going through Walcott, but yet again we are not utilising his pace to the right affect.

On 39, a great cross field raking lofted pass to Van Persie at the far post, who pulled it back across, Gervinho was ahead of the ball and missed his chance to turn it in, but ball broke to the edge, to a grateful Thomas Vermaelen, who left footed firmly put I past the keeper across his direction of movement. 2-0……

Going in at half time 2 up with a clean sheet was a good feeling, tight at the back steady play, knowing when to go through the gears. The team looked solid.

WBA started the 2nd half much brighter and intent on getting forward. Arsenal seemed to take 5-10 mins to getting going again.  Best chance since the break saw Gervinho find Ramsey on the left who lashed the ball across the goal but wide.

Then Song had a wicked shot parried away by foster, as Arsenal looked to kill the game off.

A flurry of subs on 72. Ramsey and Gervinho for Rosicky and Benayoun.

On 74, Vermaelen, played a firm pass through the middle to Van Persie, he moved forward and right, played in Rosicky, RVP carried his run on, but the return from Rosicky was just behind RVP, who somehow steadied himself and the ball and returned the ball to Arteta, who slotted the ball home with ease, pinpoint shot. 3-0 game over.

Arteta had another chance and WBA were unlucky when Tchoyi took an eternity to find his composure and that allowed TV to block the shot.

West Brom tried to exert some pressure in the last few minutes but they still really trouble us, as the ole’s rang around the ground.

Ratings:

Wenger 8 :- Got the rotation and line up just about right. Made the substitutions at the right time. Will be happy with the efficiency and the improvement in our play.

Sir Chez 7 :- Wasn’t troubled throughout, got his positioning spot on, good handling and distribution was much better today. Gives the team a platform to build on.

Jenkinson 7.5 :- Great going forward and some quite superb crosses, needs other players to try harder to get on the end of them. Some wayward short passing, his positioning still needs work, wasn’t really tested by any real pressure but he is growing on me. Doesn’t mix well with Theo.

Koscielny 8 :- Gets better and better, he has pace, tackles and defends so well. Nothing got past him. Gets forward as well to add impetus to our attacks…….. Recovery pace is very impressive. His reading of the game is superb.

Vermaelen 8 :- Great to have him back, Steve Claridge you’re a mug, if you think he cant defend. Got forward well, smashed his goal in for our 2nd, did I say its great to have him back. One of his block tackles was perfectly timed, which should have been a shot on target. Protects his keeper like his life depended on it.  His range of passing is fantastic, his pass to Van Persie to set the move for our 3rd was a midfield splitting gem.

Santos 7 :- Effective defensively, got forward and linked up play. Positionally could do better.

Song 7.5 :- Warrior, who gives his all constantly. Broke up play well and has an eye for a pass as he put Van Persie in which helped our 2nd goal come about. Unlucky not to score in 2nd half as foster kept it out.


Arteta, really settled and loving Arsenal

Arteta 8 :- Calm and assured, simply classy, his goal was well timed and expertly taken. He gets my MotM, quietly dictates play and is so effective. Still think there is more to come, cannot wait.

Ramsey 7.5: – Had a good game, probes and drives team forward. His pass for Walcott to get him free for starting the move for the opener was quite simply brilliant. Presses well and breaks play up.

Walcott 7 :- Pacy and energetic, confidence is on the up, his movement needs to improve in final 3rd, he got it right for the opener and was unlucky not to score.  Was a bit quieter in the 2nd half, but always involved on the edge, teams are wary of him and that opens up space.

Van Persie 8 :- Scored one, two assists, great movement. Leads like a true leader. Integral to our success but not a one man team.

Gervinho 7 :- Trickery and pace, with some good movement, wastes a lot of possession, trying to go past when a simple pass is on. Will have better games and will be more influential. Unlucky not to score in 2nd half.

Subs:

Rosicky 7: Little time, but pressed and kept the team moving. Involved in the 3rd goal.
Benayoun 7: Little time, but energetic, is such an asset in this squad.
Arshavin 5: Very Little time, nothing positive.

The performance was more about graft than the craft which has embodied our reputation for the last few years, and it was good to see, there were moments throughout the match that showed we still have much class and players of undoubted ability, but it was an efficient team performance where we just were not in any sort of trouble, took the chances when they come along.

The defence is now settled, the team has a strength and desire, they fight and put some real shifts in now. The calmness comes from Arteta in the middle, who does the simple things so well, keeps the ball and team moving, which is what we are doing now, as our early season flirtation with the bottom half is truly over.

Written by Harry

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Posted by peachesgÖÖner

November Rain: WBA preview

November 5, 2011

November: Trees are barren, early morning frosts, gloves and scarves, rain, the smell of gunpowder and Arsenal angst as we stutter –  not my favourite month. Last season  lived up to expectation with 4 losses from the 8 November games –  our record is not good – 2009 Pl 6 L2,  2008 Pl 8 L3 D 1. Should it continue our November form could see us out the CL and poorly positioned in the PL.

However, however, my good friends, this is the New Arsenal. A team with some cojones and I fully expect to wake up on Dec 1st looking back at a 100% win rate  (we can but hope 🙂 ).

Mr Hodgson brings his team to THOF for a 3.00 kick-off, a rarity in recent times, hoping for a similar result to last season. Like all who read this site, I was in a state of shock watching our boys go 3 down at home in what I thought would be an easy 3 points, and this after Manu had saved a first half penalty!

Our No.4 keeper makes a stunning penalty save

I like West Brom, I like Roy Hodgson, no idea why, but they both seem principled, hard working, good at what they do, but without flair, they seem Honest. I cannot see Roy playing mind games or telling his players to waste time at throw-ins. One cannot expect a limited team to play fast flowing attacking football and I anticipate WBA will play a defensive game using the pace of Odemwingie as their attacking outlet.

We are in good form taking 4 points from a fine OM team and playing with verve and enterprise.  Apart from the long term injured we have a healthy squad and Mr Wenger has choices in all positions, though 2 are nailed on today (GK + CF).

My Team:

I like the work Mozart has been doing this season and would give him 60+ minutes then bring on Benayoun.  A sub cameo from Arshavin today – he could turn the game should we be level after 70 mins.

Another interminable meaningless International break beckons and we must all hope our players survive. The team is settling and does not need this futile disruption with well over half the squad having the prospect of long distance travel and playing two Friendlies. Why? Oh yes …. money for the FA’s

Inventor from West Bromwich? Tough, though there is Major Albert Nichols who following WW2 developedt lightweight racing bicycles used in the Tour de France by British cyclists.

A proud Albert showing his metal

At this very moment Mr Wenger will be plotting how his merry Band of Brothers will explode this afternoon. I hope you enjoy the display. (sorry!)

COYRRG

Big Raddy

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Posted by Erik the Red

Has Theo Walcott finally come good this time?

November 4, 2011

January 20, 2006.

This is the day a fresh-faced (and he remains fresh-faced, and lovely, and the kind of guy my Mammy would love to see me bring home for dinner) Theo Walcott signed for Arsenal from Southampton for a then British record fee for a teenager. SIX YEARS ago, can you believe it’s six years ago?

Since then it seems we can’t make up our minds as to whether Theo is good or not.

We all like Theo, he’s such a nice boy. But that’s all well and good off the field, we want someone who doesn’t leave an inch on it.

Over the past six seasons, Theo has started 113 times for Arsenal, and made 76 substitute appearances. In this time he has scored 35 goals, and to be honest a lot of them have been impressive. Now the problem with Theo is that for every superb goal he has scored, he has missed two sitters. For every amazing run he has made that has had a end product (that run against Liverpool in the Champions League to set up Adebayor), there have been ten that have seen him run down dead alleys or over the endline. For every decent cross he has hit into the box, ten have ended up in row z.

One thing is for sure – Theo is fast, but its how he uses his speed that’s important. Has anyone else banged their fist off the table in anger as you watch Theo breeze past a defender only to keep his head down and not pick out a pass, or a decent cross? I know I often have, but not lately.

Not wishing to get carried away, but there has been a tad more maturity to Theo’s play this season. He seems to be getting his head up more after he makes himself some space, and his crossing has improved. He’s also putting in quite a shift in the defending side of things. What was most impressive was his performance against Chelsea. While RvP got the plaudits for his hat-trick, it was Theo that terrified the Chavs all afternoon. Think what you may of Ashley Cole as a person, but he has undoubtedly been one of the best left backs in world football over the past few years, and Theo ripped him apart last weekend.

Added to that his determination to get to his feet and score the goal that put us into the lead, and you’ll see Theo is beginning to use his head more.

Well, at least I hope he is, because I’ve said this a couple of times before “We’re seeing what Theo’s worth now” Hopefully this time Theo will make it stick.

Written by Irishgunner

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Posted by criochnaithe

Have we found our Park?

November 3, 2011

From the title, most people will think I’m going to big up our own Chu Young Park based on his impressive performance in the Carling Cup against Bolton, but actually, I want to take this opportunity to mention an unsung hero from the same game, Yossi Benayoun.

Man United have utilised Ji Sung Park as an attack based defender for the last few years now to great effect. It may seem harsh to class Park as a defender as he also had undoubted attacking ability, but let’s be honest, he would not have won these trophies with Man U had he not been able to use his immense fitness and attitude to such great effect. If he was at United for his attacking play alone he would have been moved on long ago.

Now, the reason I bring up this United workhorse is because, based on what I have seen of Yossi so far this season, I believe we could have our very own defending attacker. Yossi is an intelligent player with good movement and a great instinct for attacking the box, but it’s his workrate and defensive attitude that I have been impressed with so far this season. Something I didn’t know he possessed!

United’s Park is the first name on the team sheet when they play any big European or Domestic tie. This is due to his ability to harass the full backs and also the way he occupies the popular DM position with his strict attitude and positioning.

I believe we could have found a niche for our Israeli raider, and hopefully Wenger will see this too. With big games coming up without Sagna available, Yossi could be the man to protect our young Carl Jenkinson.

Fatgingergooner

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Posted by peachesgÖÖner

The Return Of The Verminator

November 2, 2011

Arsenal – Marseille: 0 – 0
Match Report

After THAT win against the Chavs, the big question for this match was: should we start with an unchanged team, or make a number of changes in order to keep our great momentum going?

This was a difficult call for Wenger: although a win would be great, it was not a necessity – after all, a draw would keep us top of the group tonight – and then there was to be considered the risk of fatigue/injury, as a result of potentially overplaying those players who pushed themselves to the very limit only 80 hours ago. Too many changes, though, would carry the risk of breaking up momentum. It needed a fine balancing act from Arsene which he did not get quite right on the day.

In the end, Wenger made only three changes: TV for Koz and Jenkinson for JD – nothing wrong with those, I am sure we all agree – and Park on for RvP. The task for Park could not have been harder: he had to make everybody forget the devastating Dutchman, who just scored a hattrick against the Chavs and who netted more than a goal per game for Arsenal this calendar year.

Unfortunately, but not unexpectedly, the game turned out to be quite the reverse of Arsenal’s heroic and scintillating performance on Sunday. The atmosphere at the Emirates appeared to be subdued (on tv at least), as the players seldom or never were able to light up the Emirates. This game clearly came too quickly for a number of the players Arsene decided to field tonight, and it comes as no surprise that Chelsea had a similar flat performance against Genk today. Park Chu-Young had a poor game: there is no way around it. However, he was surrounded by players who tried hard enough but often lacked a decent first touch, ability to pass the ball accurately, or finish one of the nine shots on target during the match. RvP was given 30 minutes to clinch the win, but also he looked a bit jaded and off-target when presented with a decent-enough chance. It was just not going to happen for Arsenal this evening.

First Half

Marseille started strongly, with 63% possession in the first five minutes. This resulted in a couple of chances for both of the Ayew brothers. Marseille were clearly targeting Santos’ left back area early on in the game, and as we have come accustomed to, with some success: he just seems to find it difficult to get going early on. Luckily, Jenkinson did not suffer from a need to warm up, as he hit the ground running from the start: he was alert, and just did enough to put off Ayew from a very decent scoring opportunity. Soon, though, Arsenal had its first chance. Gervinho, who seemed to play a lot more centrally in the first half (where was Ramsey in those first twenty minutes or so?), played a decent forward pass to Theo, who hits the ball well but Mandanda goes quickly to the ground and diverts it inches wide. In the 12th minute we could have had a penalty as a result of a handball in the box. The referee spotted the infringement but decided the ball was handled outside the box.

Bit by bit, Song and Arteta start to get more grip on the midfield in the first half, and on the 22nd minute another great chance was created: Arteta passes to Walcott, who cleverly diverts the ball to Santos, and the latter’s dinked cross into the box is met by the fully committed Ramsey, but unfortunately he cannot find the target with his effort. Remy, who again occasionally showed his great talents last night, creates his own chance in the 24th minute, producing a shot that only just goes wide, as Szczesny is beaten – a rare moment of quality during the match. Just for a second, Remy made me think of TH14 there and then!

Then, in the 29th and 30th minute, Arsenal created two very decent chances. Gervinho shoots at goal from just outside the box, but again Mandanda makes a half-decent safe. The ball ends up with Walcott who passes the ball to the better positioned Park, but unfortunately, his touch lets him down badly. Straight after that, the best opportunity of the game falls to Ramsey. Again, Gervinho meanders through the centre of midfield and feeds Ramsey just outside the box. The latter hesitates, as he is looking for the perfect shot on target, and this is just enough for the excellent Marseille defence to re-group and block his shot. Theo was in an even better position to score, but Ramsey seemed not to have spotted him. Ramsey is gutted and clearly annoyed with himself for his wasted efforts, which only showed what a true professional he is becoming.

It was becoming clear at the latter stages of the first half that Arsenal was well out of shape for this game: a large number of bad first touches, passes went astray regularly and we were not clinically enough in front of goal.

Second Half

During the second half there were hardly any chances, as both team cancelled each other out. Both teams started to look like each other more and more, with Arsenal’s and Marseille’s midfield players taking possession of the midfield for short periods of time by turn, and the teams’ defences not making any major mistakes. Cheyrou had a decent chance in the 61 minute, when he started his own attack by combining with Morel, and almost reaching his venomous cross into the box.

Wenger then made a number of positive, attacking changes after 60 minutes. RvP, Rosicky and Arshavin came on for the forlorn Park, and the tired Ramsey and Gervinho respectively. In the 77th minute, Song wins the ball and passes to Rosicky, who puts in a quick and brilliant pass to RvP: from just outside the box he tries to diagonally chip the keeper, but his effort is tame and Mandanda is able to catch the ball with ease. Just before the end, RvP shows his class one more time: he whips into the box a brilliant cross from the left, to the far post towards the BFG but Morel is just able to clear.

Marseille seemed the happier with the point and, it must be said, they did work very hard for it and deserved it in the end. The defensive, central pair of N’Koulou and Diawara has impressed me very much over the two games and together with the other defenders, goalkeeper and very hard working midfielders, they earned themselves a point at the Emirates. On another day, with a more rested team, we would have won this game, as one or two of our nine shots on target should/would have gone in. But a draw is not too bad for Arsenal either: we are still top of the group and we can finish it off at our next home game against Dortmund.

Once again, this was not a game for the purists, as there was very little ‘quality’ to be seen on the night, from an attacking point of view at least. But Arsenal kept a – much needed – clean sheet and the Verminator played 90 minutes and was great, Jenkinson played a faultless match and the BFG had a great game too. The players gave all they had and fought for each other, and what a welcome change it is from recent seasons.

The jury is still out for Park: he did not have a good game, but it is fair to say it will take him time to get used to our style of football, and fit in properly. Let’s not be too harsh on him, at least for the time being. Anybody wearing an Arsenal shirt and giving their all is one of ours.

Player Ratings:

Szczesny: 7 – safe pair of hands, and a strong personality. No mistakes.

Jenkinson: 8 – did nothing wrong defensively and just does not hide away. He is very often is in the right place, at the right time, and that at such a young age! WOW. Joint man of the match.

TV: 8 – great, energetic performance. Still trying to find his feet in this newly shaped and manned defence. How wonderful to see him back in our team though.

BFG: 8 – such a good reader of the game and excellent in positioning himself. He was a real rock in our defence tonight. Joint man of the match.

Santos: 7 – Rusty start, but he oozes quality once he gets going, and is a real powerhouse going forward.

Song & Arteta: 7.5 – both worked very hard and did a lot of the dirty work tonight. They were up against a strong and well-organised Marseille midfield and did very well. Not as fit and energetic, or creative, as usual but still very good given the circumstances.

Gervinho: 7.5 – made things happen for us, especially in first half. A bit rusty at times, but again understandable, given the circumstances.

Walcott: 7 – did well in the first half, but also missed a bit of sharpness at times.

Park: 5 – the game passed him by most of the time. A few unfortunate first touches and did not hold on to the ball enough to allow our midfielders to come forward and feed of him. Still a lot to learn – might take a while, based on this evidence.

Ramsey: 7.5 – he seemed to know quite quickly that this game came too soon for him, and he was up against some formidable players today, but he gave it his all and just kept trying, which I thought was brilliant.

TotalArsenal

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Posted by peachesgÖÖner

Close to the Edge: Marseilles preview

November 1, 2011

Still basking in the glory of a wonderful Saturday afternoon? Me too, but time to move on.

3 points tonight and the CL Group stage is almost put to bed, which would allow Mr Wenger to rest some of his players for the remaining fixtures. We all know the damage done when AW has not closed out group qualification, and we must hope he has learned from last season’s mistakes.

Marseilles arrive having started to turn their Ligue 1 season around, unbeaten in their last 6 games and fresh from a 2-3 away win at Dijon.

Let’s be honest, our win in Marseilles was surprising. Marseilles were shockingly defensive and hardly attacked for the whole second half; considering they have some fine forwards it was a puzzling tactic.

rai o’r eich bod yn anghyfreithlon Ffrengig  

(Welsh for Have some of that Frenchie ….)

I fullt expect Marseilles to attack tonight, though it would be understandable if they played for a draw which would be a very good result for them. For details of their major players please refer back to the away OM pre-match.

As to our lads – would it be unthinkable to start with Park and bring on RvP at 60 minutes?  A frontline of Gerv, Park and Theo should be enough to dent the OM defence.

Thinking of Boy Wonder, GIE gave some fine stats (which I can’t find!!) when writing of the supposed Arsenal reliance upon Van Persie. He pointed out how much Barca rely upon Messi – this season he has played 16 times scoring 19 with 11 assists (phenomenal), does this make Barca a one man team?  Or Real Madrid – Ronaldo; 15 apps 12 goals. Yes, RvP is in the form of his life and yes, without him we may not score as many BUT RVP is paid to be our main striker and he is performing his job. He doesn’t score the goals in isolation, it is a team effort. and we have seen with the loss of Cesc that it is the team not the individual which creates success. He is no more than a very important cog in a machine which is starting to purr.

I would like to see CJ return if fit, JD improved second half at the Bridge but he will never be a right back. CJ had a good game in Marseilles until forced off with injury and has the makings of a fine player (get well soon Bacary).

My team

I cannot see TV lasting a whole game but it would be great to see him start tonight, particularly as OM rely on pace upfront which is certainly not the BFG’s strong point.

Ideally we will attack from the whistle and get to halftime with a decent lead at which time Mr Wenger can ring the changes and rest players ahead of the weekend.

Been searching for an inventor from Marseilles and have found Bertrand Gascogne Duchoux who is said to have invented the famous seafood soup Bouillabaisse, recently perfected by our very own Mickydidit89.

It would be wonderful to win tonight and continue this excellent run.

I see no reason to expect anything less.

COYRRG

Big Raddy

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Posted by Erik the Red

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