Firstly let’s look at what ‘versatile’ means:
“Capable of or adapted for turning easily from one to another of various tasks, fields of endeavour”
Arsène Wenger is a well-known for being a visionary and a game changer; we’ve all heard the stories about how he changed certain aspects of the team when he first arrived. But are we seeing a new change on the horizons?
Players have evolved over the years; they are bigger, faster, and stronger. The ‘New Breed’ is starting to come through and they can do it all. Koscielny is the complete defender; he simply has no flaws in his game. The ox has the world at his fingertips; striker, winger, attacking midfielder, central midfielder…it doesn’t matter really because he will excel anywhere, and be bloody world class whilst doing it. Song has adapted and become a complete midfielder. First a defensive midfielder, now an all-rounder that can now thread the needle with the best of them. Young Jack: first thought of as an attacking midfielder, now he can play defensive, central or attacking. The list goes on really but is this simply natural athleticism? Yeah that definitely has something to do with it! But the real person behind all this is Arsene.
He has made players become more versatile, they are not one dimensional, and this has brought with it countless positives:
- When injuries strike players can slip into the team seamlessly. Bugger Jack is down who is going to slip into the attacking midfielder role? That’s ok! Move ox there and chuck Podolski out on the wing, and bring Giroud on as the striker. This can happen in games also. Look how often Song has dropped into CB and we have not dropped an ounce of defensive quality.
- If a player is shut down it will not impact the team as much. For instance if someone sits on our attacking midfielder the weight can shift over to Arteta and Song to create chances. This is imperative because nullify a key player and teams often panic and shut down completely. Arsene says “not here, not in my town!”
- The team is more fluid like in nature. If Vermaelen surges forward, Song sits back. Santos moves forward Arteta slips to LB, and Song sits centrally protecting the back four. This leaves us with less chance of getting caught out on the counter.
This will give us a cutting edge in the game, we evolve, technology evolves, and now we have! Come to think of it Arsene might be a descendant from Charles Darwin!
Welcome to the New Breed of player, the COMPLETE Arsenal
Written by oz gunner
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
Good morning AAers 🙂
hi Richie. Bistros are just fine with me – we are on a budget anyway as the days of London salaries are well and truly over. We have been to Avignon before but that was exactly 20 years ago (when my now wife and I first met), and we are really looking forward to going there again. 🙂
Chas, what a cheeky video – poor Timmy hahahaha! 🙂
Oz, what a great picture – I like it that you gave me the gel-look! 😛
GiE, I watched Rambo very closely during the last two games. He was constantly ‘knitting’ the play, being absolutely everywhere (box to box) and trying to keep things simple. We still ain’t great at tackling which is a real shame, but other than that he was fantastic. I also thought that Allen and Cleverley were really good in midfield.
Dare I say it, the GB Team played better football than the England team at the Euros, and this is mainly due to the quality of the football of the Welsh players.
Oz, we should keep Ramsey within our squad. This could be his breakthrough year.
Now off to read super-Oz’s post.
Interesting post Oz Gunner……but, remember Darwin believed in the survival of the best adapted of the species. Would that mean that the following players will have to go ( Squillaci, Ramsey, Jenkinson, Park, Chamakh, Bendtner and Denilson)?
Great post OZ 🙂
It goes straight against the square pegs in round holes theory. Most if not anybody playing for Arsenal should be able to play in more than one position. That is what total football is all about. The absolute master of this was and is Louis van Gaal, but Arsene is not bad at it either! 🙂
You could have included Gibbs and Santos, but also Yennaris, Coquelin and Rosicky. All fine players who can play in various positions and will make us more versatile and able to adapt. No more survival of the shittest (Mancs, the Chavs) but survival of the versatiles! 🙂
Nice piece Le prof has great vision but we’ve not been lucky with injuries.
Fine theory Oz, but the phrase “Jack of all trades, but master of none” comes to mind. In the continued absence of Sagna we need to sign an experienced and dedicated “defensive” right back.
Hey Oz, that is really good! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I am yet to be convinced that defenders should attack and midfielders start defending, but what do I know ‘I’m a hairdresser’ 🙂
Evonne, as a hairdresser you wouldn’t be expected to excel as a bricklayer.
Hi Oz Gunner,
I think you have just written my mind out on this post.I have been trying to get a way to be able to post articles on the Arsenal news website.I am a die hard Arsenal fan who endures critisims from folks and friends who rue Wenger’s philosophy.I think you can help me with the issue above.My e-mail is emmanfalad1@yahoo.com.Lets believe that we are destined to go all the way this season,go gunners! Go!.Take it,it’s our time!.Thanks in advance,and do have nice day.
Maybe if we sign celtic’s mid Victor Wanyama Arsene ‘darwin’ Wenger will make him more versatile.
cheers for the comments everyone, sorry it’s not up to the quality this site always believers but it was done in 15mins while in the library.
Will respond to each and everyone once I get home. Enjoy your day everyone
Oz,
I thought you would like this Darwin quote, I took the liberty of changing the end!!
…………………………………………………………………………………………
Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge: it is those who know little, and not those who know much, who so positively assert that this or that problem will never be solved by Arsene Wenger..
Charles Darwin.
Good post Oz although I think because they are Arsenal players you may of overdone it a bit haha
“Kos has no flaws” as much as I rate him, I’m not sure about that 😉
But Arsenal are certainly elvolving & hopefully into winners &
dare-win I say it, think we may win something this year 🙂
Norfolk 🙂
As a half decent hairdresser you would not be expected to only be able to use scissors, or just be able to cut men’s hair. And as good bricklayer you would not be expected to just build straight walls, but also be able to do round walls; not just be able to build a garden shed but also a four-storey house. A good bricklayer can also mix cement and lay roof tiles, fit in window frames and build chimneys… 🙂
Those sort of footballers, with key strengths and yet versatile, are what we need.
Nice quote Gn5 🙂
‘Dare-win I say it’ – very funny Bryan 🙂
Total, I would prefer a brain surgeon to operate on my tumour than a gynaecologist. Both experts in their respective fields no doubt, but you can see my point.
Hi All.
Good post Oz,i think its the first AFC related post with NO transfer gossip/bullsh*te that iv’e read in two months….Nice!!
Is this rumour getting hot or is it just gaining “hot air” ?
…………………………………………………………………………………….
Arsenal hopeful of Santi Cazorla & Nuri Sahin deals.
By David Ornstein
BBC Sport
August 2nd, 2012
Arsenal are working on deals to sign Santi Cazorla from Malaga permanently and fellow midfielder Nuri Sahin on loan from Real Madrid.
The transfer of Cazorla, a 27-year-old Spain international, is complicated by Malaga’s financial problems but he will have a medical this week.
Turkey international Sahin, 23, will join on a season-long basis if the player and clubs reach an agreement.
Arsenal hope both deals can be sealed before the new campaign gets under way.
A medical has not yet been scheduled for Sahin.
The Gunners start at home to Sunderland on 18 August.
They have already signed Germany forward Lukas Podolski from Cologne and France striker Olivier Giroud from Montpellier.
But doubts remain over the future of captain Robin van Persie, who has said he will not extend his current contract which expires in 2013.
The pursuit of Cazorla and Sahin is unrelated to Van Persie but has been accelerated by news that Jack Wilshere will not play before October as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury.
Cazorla, who joined Malaga from Villarreal last summer, stands at 5ft 6ins and featured for Spain at the 2008 and 2012 European Championships.
Real Madrid signed Sahin from Borussia Dortmund on a six-year contract in May 2011 but he has struggled to establish himself at the Bernabeu and Real boss Jose Mourinho would let him leave on loan
Well done Oz for stepping into the breach and also coming up with some interesting thoughts.
Wenger does seem to have applied the versatility rule to the midfield already, with each of the three needing to be capable of the different roles.
Balance is the key. If players can interchange roles and the team still keep its balance, then I’m all for it.
Nice post, Oz, succinctly sums up a strength in our squad, the capacity for positional flexibility. I see that happening most in the attacking third, with Poldi, Gervinho, Walcott, the Ox, Rosicky, Diaby and (crossed fingers) Cazorla and Sahin all capable of performing multiple roles in attack, attacking midfield and central midfield.
Sometimes the desire for flexibility doesn’t work out (e.g., Bendtner on the wing, or Arshavin up front). But there’s no doubt you can’t have a squad of players tied to one position any more. Wenger just tries to make a virtue of that necessity.
GN5: Looks to me like Cazorla is a real deal (based admittedly on reading the tea-leaves of the now frequent, increasingly specific and unchallenged press rumour stories). Sahin? Sounds more speculative, but I’m hoping there’s truth in it, he’s a quality player who could give us security given Wilshere’s current injury situation and Diaby’s track-record.
GunnerN5, You’ve just spoilt Gunner-Mac’s day! How dare you! Lol.
Van should nt come
Dogs
Gunner-Mac,
Sorry for spoiling your day.
I happen to agree with your stance and I rarely bother with or further rumours but I hope the BBC has a little more creditability than to just repeat gossip.
GunnerN5,
BBC credibility, like Army intelligence, a perfect example of an oxymoron!
@ TA
I’m not so sure to be honest. If Santi and Sahin come in it might be best if he went out on loan, just to get continuous game time under his belt. Not to mention getting away from the haters that exist amongst Arsenal supporters. All really depends on the severity of Rosicky’s injury, whether or not Wilshere comes back on time, and if Diaby can stay fit though (all things out of our control really). But if Diaby stays fit, Jack comes back on time and Rosicky has no slips up I would send him out to a team like Fulham. They are without Murphy and need a CM and he’d fit in nicely.
@ Reddawn
That he did, but you are perhaps too quick to discard jenks and Ramsey. Throwing them away would be a waste of talent. Jenks is young and has a lot of development to do, as does Ramsey. However, i still feel Ramsey will be world class in a few seasons
Wow,if the rumours of Carzorla having medical are true i will be a very happy Gooner tonight!…pls be true!!
@ TA, Sly, Norfolk, Evonne, G5, Bryan, Emmanuel, Mac, Chas, 26
cheers, your comments are all greatly appreciated.
@ TA
Trust me I would have picked the whole squad if I could haha, but you are very right there are quite a number of players in the squad that are very versatile.
@ Norfolk
I don’t think that saying exists anymore, a decade or so ago maybe, but players have changed, they can play multiple positions. Sports Science, better facilities, greater technology, wiser coaching staff all mean the players now have the best foundation to develop. They know that they need to increase their skill set to make it in the harsh world of competitive football, and they have done.
Some positions lend themselves to versatility, some dont. Striker and Goalie immediately come to mind. I understand the thrust of the post [nice one btw] but I believe that specialization is required and we need a blend of specialization and versatility. In the great Arsenal teams..you wouldnt expect to see Keown and Viera interchange.. or Radford and Armstrong.
Make that SOME specialization is required.
@ Evonne
haha that comment will go down as one of the best that’s for sure. Definitely one for Sharkespeares ‘wall of fame’
We need Attacking fullbacks to drag the opposition apart. Teams sit back on us far to often, and without them the going would get a lot harder. For instance, Sagna running full tilt to get his head on the cross against the scum. If he sat back we would be all a hell of a lot grumpier this off season!
@ Emmanuel
Thanks for the kind words, stick around you’ll find a lot of great Arsenal fans on this site who share the same passion and love for Arsenal
@ G5
very well played, great quote and fits well
@ Brian
haha no bias here…sort of. I honestly think Kozzer is a legend in the making. Only thing I can fault him on (and that is if I’m being very picky) is he doesn’t assert himself more when we have attacking set pieces. But hey not everyone can be like Vermaelen! As far as defending go, he and Kompany are the best in the league. And well said, nice pun!
@ Mac
The site is great at coming up with new ideas instead of constantly linking us with every tom, dick, and harry (speaking of where has he disappeared to?). The constant talk on every other site about transfers (as a headline) does get a bit tiresome. Especially when all they do is feed off one anothers twitter comments. Journalists have gotten even lazier
@ 26
well said. The two that you mentioned were perhaps lazy types who would not work on there game in an attempt to fit in. Perhaps a bit harsh on Bendtner because he is a set striker, but he comes across as a player who does it his way or it’s the highway
@ Neamman
I completely agree specialization is needed in certain positions, and some are just that good at what they do that you wouldn’t dare move them. I’m not suggesting we adopt the Spain approach and play a team full of midfielders (never work in the premier league with the orc teams).
I just like how we find it harder to say ‘in AM we have x and y, DM we have z and q, and CM we have a+b.’ Now we have a host of players that can slip into any of the positions and not only fill it, but do a darn good job while they are at it. Song allows us to play an extra midfielder or forward on the bench because if a CB goes down he can fill the void. He does it very well also, just ask Ade, he pocketed him.
With such versatility it not only stifles the oppositions ability to implement a game plan, but it also gives them a lot more problems to deal with
@ RA
I hope the fortnightly visit hasn’t knocked to much stuffing out of you this time around. All the best
‘Barcelona Look to Complete Signing of Arsenal Midfielder Alex Song Within 48 Hours’
Speaking of lazy reporting, apparently all we have to do is ‘agree a fee’ and it’s done
@TA@10:35 I must beg to differ “G” 🙂 (I sound like a gangster raper) although Louis Van Gaal was left a much better team by the master (Cruijff) its was the Ajax team of Stefan Kovacs 72-73 that really had total football off to a “T” After being at the final against Liverpool when we sealed our 1st double in May my Grand Father took me back to Wembly in June to watch Ajax vs Panath’greekyakos’. There was history you see, the year before we’d beaten Ajax an the way to winning the Inter City Fairs Cup. 70-71 was really the beginings of Ajax’s total football under Rinus Michels.
I remember watching Ajax win in the CL in 71(live)72 & 73 it was really the team 72-73 of Krol Neeskens and Croyff that interchanged positions like no other. I virtually lived at my Grandmothers house in Avenell Rd just opposite Highbury Stadium that often had half our first double team camped out playing cards in her living room, (conveniently the bookie’s was just round the corner). When Ajax played in those finals I had a professional multiple running commentary, explaining what it was that was so different that they were doing. (I had inside info I didn’t know it myself)
Undoubtably the 85 Ajax team that Croyff built and was managed by LVG had much better players, (Rijkaard, the De Boer brothers, Edgar Davids, Finidi George, Reiziger, Kluivert, Overmars).The levels of athleticism had also moved on again in the intervening 12 years, but like both the Ajax and subsequent Barca fans I believe LVG gets far too much credit for taking over both of the Croyff’s teams. Somehow despite having a great team when he coached Holland they failed to qualify for the WC. Its not that I’m anti LVG (credit where its due) he did very well in his first season at Bayern. Winning a double, but he spent a lot € and got sacked in his second year when Bayern came in 3rd.
NG @1.26 🙂
Fair point, but you are now talking about an area that needs specialisation, unlike most areas in football. You would also hope that within the team that would operate on your brain tumour there would be at least another person who knows how to remove your tumour, just in case the specialist loses his/her concentration/confidence, or falls ill unexpectedly!
Hi Richie 🙂
You have had a very fine youth! 🙂
I cannot speak for the early seventies Ajax teams, as I was too young to understand football back then.
With regards to the mid-90 Ajax team build by LvG, I beg to differ that this was mainly due to Cruijff. The latter had left in 1988 and although he had left a legacy, LvG made his own stamp on total football for Ajax. You also should not forget that LvG’s Ajax had only one top-star: Frank Rijkaard. The rest were either good but not necessarily great players – the likes of Litman, Finidi George, De Boer brothers, Danny Blind, Reiziger – or were very young and inexperienced. Seedorf, Overmars and Davids would become great players, and the same goes for vdSar, but LvG had a lot to do with that: they were not Cruijff’s babies.
I have never seen a better manager in dealing with injuries or suspensions than LvG. He could swap players round and introduce players from the bench in such a way that no quality or style of play/shape to the team was lost. He made all players play in a system and made sure they all understood how it worked and they could play various roles in it.
Had LvG been as loyal to Ajax as Arsene has been to Arsenal, despite the devastating combined impact of the Bosman ruling and well familiar issues related to the build of Ajax’ new ground, they would have dominated Europe for a long time. That’s how good I think he is.
LvG is a typical club manager, who is ideally given time to develop a team around his vision of total football. What he did with AZ recently was seen as almost impossible in Holland; what he did with Bayern was impressive too: not so much in terms of results – although they too were impressive, as you mentioned in your comment – but in the way he forced the German team to play a totally different style of footie.
LvG is a very difficult person to get along with and that is his down fall. I am also a big fan of Cruijff but I reckon LvG is the better manager of the two. He is very, very underrated.
Both the Ajax and Barca fans believe LVG only did well because he had the well stocked by Johan Croyff “Toekomst” & “La Masia” academy’s to plunder. Haven’t we got a Dutch Gooner on AA? It would be fun if they could explain to AA readers why the Croyff supporting Ajax fans didn’t want LVG in the club at any level. Hence he was outed by Croyff’s maneuvering before he could even start. It all ended up in court recently and even the judges sided with the great man. 🙂
Hi all
Just popping in to say ………….
oz you are a lifesaver, thank you for coming up with a quickie this morning for us to publish.
Note to all – we’re nearly there ……. just two weeks to go and if you’d asked me at the start of the summer I would have said we would struggle to come up with a post every day but you have all been fantastic. So ………… just a few more musings needed until we get to the nitty gritty of being Arsenal supporters. If anyone has something they want to say to start the days debate then don’t be shy and email it through to us at arsenalnuts@live.co.uk we need posts for tomorrow and over the weekend for starters.
haha Richie, I am a Dutch Gooner on AA. Cruijff is a difficult, ego-centric piece of work; an Alpha male, just like Van Gaal. They just don’t get along and Cruijff has the most kudos, and plays his games better than van Gaal: that’s why he got the upper hand in the recent battle.
Norfolk – I am not even a hairdresser; it was one of our absent regulars GunnerMichael that said it, something like ‘What do I know about football management, I’m a hairdresser’. I think he is in Germany, has tickets for the Cologne game, lucky boy
Oz – yes, you are right. I am surprised you didn’t mention some TV classics, where would we be without them. Keep writing, I enjoy your articles
I agree he did exceptionally well with AZ but they didn’t play total football. LVG wasn’t an Ajax player raised in total football as say Guardiola was. The Ajax team of the 90’s was stuffed with great players from their academy, Cruyff during much of that time was still an adviser to the academy.
Hah Richie, yes he is a great adviser and visionary – that is his primary role, and he has been phenomenal/instrumental in changing the face of football in Holland and Europe.
LvG was at Ajax for six years, as Assistant Manager and Manager before Ajax reached its incredible heights. He coached and developed those players and made them as good as they were. He deserves all the credit for that. I still lived in Holland when all this was happening, and I believe strongly that Van Gaal was the main reason behind Ajax’ successes in the nineties.
“Godverdomma”!! “Zalig zijn de dommen” so your the engineer I’m only the oily rag 🙂 we all know Cruifff is difficult I stlll blame him for Holland not winning the WC. I know LvG doesn’t suffer fools gladly either I remember him having stand up rows with Spanish Journo’s. I’m probably biast in my views because I have Ajax supporting mates who aren’t big fans of LvG. Plus my Spanish nephew is a big Barca boy and he like my Ajax mates doesn’t rate LvG.
Evonne, in that case cancel my appointment for a quick short back and sides.
I hope I got that right? I’ve spent a lot of time in Holland but I never bothered to learn anymore than a few swear words, all my Dutch mates not matter where in Holland they are from Groeningen Vlaardingen Hoorn or the Dam speak such good English that I found it difficult to pick up. I’d try a phrase they’d laugh and then speak to me in perfect English.
God damn ignorance is bliss?
Hi Richie, you got that right indeed, although it is verdomme with an ‘e’ at the end. It is useless to try and speak Dutch in Holland, as indeed everybody just replies to you in English, as soon as they detach the slightest accent. According to Han van der Horst, writer of ‘The Low Sky – Understanding the Dutch’, this is due to old trade tactics during the Dutch Golden Age. The Dutch tradesmen would learn the basics of the local language quickly so they could speak to their clients/suppliers in the local language, whilst being able to talk openly about the negotiations with their fellow tradesmen in Dutch. My English wife had an American friend whose Dutch was impeccable but she would still get replies in English, but she never budged and kept speaking Dutch, to the bewilderment of many Dutchman hahaha.
I am shocked to hear that some of your friends would give Cruijff, who left in ’88 with reasonable but not fantastic successes at Ajax, the credit for their team’s achievement seven years, and four managers, later. I will check with a good mate of mine, who has been a STH at Ajax for many years, to get his views, but I would eat my hat if he agreed with your mates. That team had the smell of LvG all over them. This does not mean Cruijff had absolutely nothing to do with it though.
http://t.co/8prLPWp1
https://twitter.com/SCazorla12/status/231040804343390208
Thanks for the links Chas. I am still not counting on Santi until it is confirmed on the Arsenal site.
……………… still no post for tomorrow 😦 ……………..
Evening all, fine post oz.
Apologies for my lack of input, this is the first time I’ve been able to get to my computer all day.
I agree versatility is an asset in a player, but I’d sacrifice that for a player who is exceptional in their chosen position. Sometimes flexiblility can be confused with compromise, and that is not always good – but often unavoidable (especially considering our injury record).
Ideally all our players would be played in their best position and that involves acquiring players to fill gaps in the current squad.
It looks like we’re going to get Cazorla and that is fantastic. If Sahin comes as well I will conclude that Jack is a major worry and we’ll be lucky to see him before christmas if at all nexts season.
Come on guys and gals, peaches and I are working really hard at the moment and cannt spend as much time as we’d like beind the scenes ( no, we’re not off on holiday) and we need posts to keep the site going. Any offering however short would be appreciated 😉
Peaches/Rasp i’m working on something for you.
Like you guys crazy busy with work so can’t promise to be around to discuss it.
Oz fine post today sir, especially as it was a late request. For me versatility is ok, but that is a requirement for the bench/squad/reserves rather than the first choice. 10 dedicated roles and 1 utility player playing wherever needed will not cause too many problems, 4 utility players and the balance is lost. I think Arsenes biggest task this year is finding the best formation for the best players to start rather than trying to mould players into a formation that doesn’t suit (Bendtner on right wing). We have to be less regimented in our 4-3-3 this year and brave enough when times/injuries call for it to change our shape.
Rasp, I’ve just mailed something to you – but don’t worry, I won’t be offended if Exile’s fine work product gets the nod tomorrow!
Sadly the Cazorla tweet is a fake – he doesn’t have a Twitter account.
Nice Post Oz. I agree that AW loves players who can do any job. However – and maybe it has been down to the quality of our bench – some of the players who have moved into unfamiliar positions in the last season or two have looked lost.
Exile, is there really a distinction to be drawn between first choice players and bench/squad players? Players at the elite level obviously need a specialist position, but it does seem to me that the total football concept has won; most outfield players need to have more than one strong to their bow these days. That doesn’t make them utility players, it just means one-position players have become something of a luxury.
26 we were only discussing yesterday how we need a second choice right back to replace Bacary in the early weeks, but what was most apparent was that Bacary is a Right Back pure and simple, you simply wouldn’t play him anywhere else.
If you look at City’s side last season as much as it pains us to, you can see very much the 11 best players playing their specialist positions, i can’t think of any in their first choice eleven who would be considered a utility.
And even if you look at Barca you will see a team that struggled without a centre forward after Villa got injured. Every other player has a best position, and they are asked to play it a certain way.
So whilst I agree that players should have more than one string to their bow, and as Total said earlier should be educated in the idea of Total Football (DB10 was), I don’t necessarily believe that the specialist player is still preferable.
Total football does not necessarily mean one player can play in 11 different positions, DB10 said the Total Football coaching he received (being asked to play in all positions on the pitch) helped him understand what the right back was thinking, or what the centre back was thinking etc.
When i refer to bench/squad players i am more referring to the the youngsters like Coquelin, Yennaris and others who can fill in. Hopefully we won’t need as much of that going forward now we are starting to flesh out the squad.
Cheers rasp, peaches, GiE, and Rocky
@ GiE
I just think the prototype player going forward are players like Yaya Toure, Song, and so forth. These players are big and powerful which allow them to play in multiple positions. It’s all well and good being specialists, but to me that’s just an untapped resource. What made them special? Was it their natural abilities? Ability to learn things/skill sets quickly? I believe that if a player has gotten where he has today he has the right mix of learning capacity (with the right coaches of course), and natural/gifted talent.
Look at Song for instance, as untapped of a resource as you’ll find. When he came in he was as raw as they come, he needed to be smoothed around the edges by Arsene and the coaching staff. A one-dimensional defensive midfielder who would eventually fit into the CB position (Arsenes’ words a few seasons ago when he was filling in there due to injuries). A few seasons on and he leads all comers in assists! Who’d a thunk it? Once ago he added another string to his bow. It doesn’t mean by learning new skill sets that he is a ‘jack of all trades, master of none’, no not at all, he has just enhanced his game and become multifaceted.
I’m sure as this happens the players learn more about themselves if anything, and that confidence with the ball, along with a more well rounded game is very beneficial for us, Arsenal, Arsene, and themselves
Hi Oz, I don’t think I consider Song as a utility, he is a midfielder, and as a midfielder (especially one under Wenger) he should have all those aspects, one thing he could add is a shot.
I am more worried about players like Coquelin not getting a defined role to excel at.
Peaches and Rasp,
I’ll pop something in the post.
Morning all,
So the Cazorla tweet was fake. I don’t actually believe anything on twitter, so I shouldn’t really link to anything which isn’t a photo or a joke. More often than not I’ll post without making a comment so you can decide for yourself meaning etc.
I’ve both enjoyed and detested the whole transfer saga business this time around, but that’s an Arsenal summer for you, I suppose.
I tried to come up with a post yesterday but can’t think of anything original at all. Thank Dennis for GIE and 26,
Two things caught my attention. The first is this humorous take on the safe standing issue. Wouldn’t standing behind the goals at Arsenal improve the atmosphere so much.
The other thing was when watching Team GB at the Millennium against Uruguay and noticing how much space there was behind the goal. This was in the light of Micky’s comment about the Emirates pitch being so far from the stands compared to the Millennium. (I realise the comment was about the gradual elevation of the stands, too).
Anyway I thought I’d compare photos of the two stadia and use the width of the goal net as a measure. I was surprised at the result as I could have sworn the first row behind the goal was miles further back at the Emirates compared with the cosy feel of the Millennium.
http://twitpic.com/aeu7hc/full
Lastly away tickets are on sale for Stoke away today. Even if I don’t buy one, it still means you can almost smell the approaching season coming. 🙂
Testing!!!! Where’s my response to Oz post?
Thank Dennis for Micky, too.
Hi Oz,
Thinks provoking postage. Nice work. I’m no fan of the Total Football thing (blimey I hope TA is not around), as I’m a big fan of the specialist. I think Rocky/GiE pointed out, look at Sagna. In my eyes, our best player, and guess what.
I’m all for a couple of utility players like Song, but only a couple. I would happily have bought Vertonghen as a very versatile player, but you need a maximum of two of these.
Nice calcs there Chas,
We were equivalent of front row Club Level at the Millenium, and there was no comparison that we were closer then the Ems.
Chas,
Any thoughts on Song to Barca rumour?
Micky,
Were you on the side of the pitch at the Millennium?
Here’s the original photo. It’s such a beautiful stadium. We were 7 rows back directly behind the goal in the 2nd tier of Glanmor’s Gap for Razor and Freddie’s goals in 2002.
http://twitpic.com/aeugc6/full
I’d imagine the Song to Barca rumour is 100% bollix. But what do I know?
Yes, half way line’ish.
I do think The Emirates is a better looking stadium with its curvy lines, but I’m in no doubt that The Millenium is a superior design from a footballing arena standpoint.
Agree on the Song to Barca bollix thing, although, before the window opened, I said on here that I thought two from Rvp, Theo and Song would go as the team was crying out for two or three fresh high quality players, and the transfer book needs to balance.
I think the Emirates has an extra ten rows in the lower tier which pushes both the club level and upper tier further away from the pitch.
August 3, 2012 at 7:00 pm
Santi Cazorla @SCazorla1
I’m REAL fast fuker @Arsenal player. 13 is FAKE fuker Today I’m now Arsenal fast fuker @Arsenal 🙂
3 Aug 12 ReplyRetweetFavo
I was hoping our transfer budget was going to come from the ‘missing out on CL contingency money’, the PHW’s rainy day transfer fund plus any cash we could genearate from Bendy, Arsh etc.
Anyway off out. Laters.
Chas,
Ah ha. Well those ten rows, combined with the more gradual elevation, would explain everything.
ps Don’t mock Twister. That’s my job.
Cazorla, u is a funy fuker
Thanking you chas. funny fast fuker is good. Manyana
I have one mitigating thought on the Ems design.
Bearing in mind, we were at the Brasil Egypt game (first game of Olympics at the Millenium) I was staggered at how quickly/easily the pitch cut up. I then wondered whether the fact that the hole at the top (being much smaller than at the Ems) lets much less light in, and that affects the grass.
Blimey, that’s an anoraky thought 🙂
Micky the Ems was designed to allow maximum sun light I think even the Perspex backs to the upper tier allow this too.
But also the grass at the Ems has the artificial threads sewn through it which means there is an element of artificialness (is that a word) to the pitch. I don’t think either the Millenium or Wembley can use this as its not suited to Rugby.
Morning all
@ Micky,
You are right Sagna is a specialist, and by no means (like I mentioned) should all players be versatile. I like the idea of a settled defense, but I think a versatile forward and midfield is the way to go. Also Sagna is a veteran and I think it’s the younger players coming through that are more likely to be the multifaceted types. I think my message got lost in translation (in regards to Total Football), which I put down to my ability to get my message across (me fail English? that’s unpossible!). TA and Richie are the Total Football pro’s, I know bugger all about it
@ Micky
You are right about the less light thingy. A ground over here in Melbourne has had a lot of problems because it was positioned incorrectly, and has a closed roof. The ground has had to be relayed numerous times, and the soft pitch has resulted in numerous ankle,knee, and ligament injuries because the ground has shifted beneath them. People planning this stuff get payed a heap, you’d think they would do it right!
Morning all – wow that crack of the whip yielded amazing results 😉
Thank you to 26may, GiE, TA and to a promise from Mr DidIt 😀
You and your whip Peaches
Here’s the system we use
http://www.dessosports.com/sports/football/football-projects/arsenal-fc-emirates-stadium-uk
Helps to use cannabis grow lamps too 🙂
GiE,
Wow. Artificial threads sewn in. I didn’t know that.
Oz,
The things I think about when watching a game!
Just poped over to Sky for my morning Transfer Porn.
Apart from mentioning the Song to Barca story, this really made I titter: “The Daily Star is reporting Manchester City will turn to Marseille’s Nicolas N’Koulou after being priced out of a move for Daniel Agger”
City out priced for Agger!!!!! Mmmm, yeah right 🙂
The Song transfer is a joke, first I heard 13.5 million, now it’s ‘Barca will have to meet Arsenal’s valuation of 20 million’
It’s ridiculous, a defensive midfielder leaves Barca, Cesc left for Barca and knows Song so lets say they are in cahoots with each other. By all accounts they have a promising defensive midfielder in their youth setup that they are waiting to unleash.
Also that story of ‘Song is a loner and doesn’t fit in at Arsenal so he wants to leave’. Deary deary me you couldn’t make it up…then again you don’t need to because the journalists do it for us
Oz,
Know ye wheneth the Song and Theo contracts expire?
Morning all …..
…. New post …..