A lot has been said and written recently about Arsenal’s next manager despite the fact that Arsene Wenger’s contract does not expire for 2 more years. On the other hand nobody seems to be worried about the fact that our current captain’s contract ends this summer and given Arteta’s age it is unlikely that he will be offered a new deal.

So why isn’t anybody even slightly bothered? Is it because the role of the captaincy has been diminished to the point that they only act as a go between the team and the referees on match days? Long gone are the days when a captain was an inspirational figure, rather than merely performing ceremonial duties. And often not even that – our previous captain Thomas Vermaelen who by default should be at the very heart of the team, instead sat on the bench when the team fought for the long awaited trophy last season.

We all had a good laugh at the despicable John Terry dressing up for trophy presentations or at pikey Roy Keane and simple minded Stevie Me, but correct me if I am wrong those 3 are true captains representing their team, taking responsibility on the pitch and leading others by example.

Looking back at our greatest captains, I wonder how much influence did they have on the team, the way we played and behaved? Eddie Hapgood led his team to 3 league and 2 FA cup wins. Joe Mercer delivered 2 League and one FA cup trophies. Frank McLintock 3 cups including European Fairs Cup in 1970 and finally the Great Tony Adams with 9 trophies in 3 competitions!!

None of us need reminding that we sold 5 of our captains in the last 8 years and we only won 1 trophy in those years. The same players, except for Patrick Vieira, were talismatic  characters rather than true leaders. It might be even true that Thiery Henry, Cesc Fabregas and van Persie were only offered the armband in an attempt to stop them from defecting. Who knows?

Was PV4 our last great true skipper? Are our current problems spinning directly from the lack of true leader amongst the players?

Written by Eddie

Three wins on the bounce, three clean sheets, yet we never make it easy on ourselves.

I will leave the tactical formation to others to discuss, but to be honest I had hoped that we would be more authoritative from the kick off and despite their recent defeat, that Southampton would pose more of a threat.

In all honesty it was a pretty lack lustre first half as our lads just seemed to have no real intent to press on from the win at The Hawthorns. A couple of half chances and just one from the visitors. Of course three games in a week with an injury plagued squad didn’t help yet, not for the first time this season our best passage of play was in the last fifteen minutes.

No doubt Forster in goal had a marvellous game but one got the feeling that endless high balls into the box or corners were always going to be dealt with quite easily, and so it turned out to be. Though he had little to do, the more I see of Martinez, the more impressive he gets, and perhaps he will be the one to make our Polish keeper be on his toes. Competition even as a keeper, isn’t a bad thing.

I wouldn’t say that anyone had a stand out game, though Flamini not always noticed, had one of his best games this season, and though not fully fit, Koscielny is vital in marshaling our defence but the introduction of Giroud and the persistence of Sanchez finally paid off. Even though The Saints went down to ten men, Wenger got the substitutions right, but it was noticeable that The Ox looked extremely distressed as he walked off.

The reliance on Sanchez to get us out of a hole though great, has to be addressed and hopefully Giroud,Welbeck,Ramsey and The Ox will find the net so as to spread the load more evenly.

I still feel that the boss is experimenting, and that takes time for the team to have more fluidity and pace, especially at the start of a match, but wayward passing is something that seems to have crept into our game.

It is very tight from third to eighth in the table and no doubt the pressure is on to keep the momentum.

All in all a vital three points but yet another stern tests awaits us this weekend

kelsey

My first thoughts about this game are based upon Mr Wenger’s vs Mr Koeman’s football philosophies.

Both played as central  defenders, though Koeman’s was more a defensive shield type player with the ability to score. However the Dutchman was by far the better player and during his long career played in the Barcelona Dream Team managed by Cruyff which went on to win 4 La Liga’s in a row. Koeman still holds the record for penalty goals in LA Liga. He spent much of his Dutch International career playing alongside DB10.  In other words – this bloke has gravitas.

Mr Wenger is probably the most attack minded manager in PL history, his philosophy has always been to play entertaining football with less focus upon the defence (though this is open to argument). Koeman seems to have a more pragmatic approach and this brings me to my point … why are Wanyama and Schneiderlin at Southampton and not at Arsenal? How can it be that a small South coast club has a better pair of DM’s than the 7th richest club in the world? It is a matter of opinion but I believe Wanyama is more effective than Flamini and Schneiderlin a better DM than Arteta.  Do you disagree?

Tottenham lost one big player and fell to pieces the following season, Southampton lost a host of important players and are doing better. Why? Who cares 😀

The Saints have already beaten us once this season and tonight will be a stern test of our fragile but burgeoning confidence. Injuries abound; how can it be that suddenly Left Back has become a problem area? Or midfield? Or GK’s? We have two fine LB’s, we have a mass of excellent MF’s, we have two quality International GK’s yet we are down to the bare bones!

The win at WBA suggests a more pragmatic approach with Flamini sitting back and allowing Ramsey his customary freedom; it worked. As did the OG/Welbz combo (to a certain extent). The much criticised advances of our CB’s seemed to be more measured. More of the same tonight please.

The potential loss of The Ox who has been our Player of the Month is unfortunate, let us hope reports are exaggerated. If not Campbell has to start – assuming Theo is still out.

Martinez has done well so far but he has hardly been under any pressure, tonight could see him tested to a greater extent. He appears to have what it takes to become an excellent GK. Time will tell though perhaps, given the signing of Ospina and the youth of TPIG, he will not have to patience to stay at Arsenal.

On non-football issues.

Let me tell you a bit about King Edward VII. Son of the austere Queen Victoria, he became known as the Playboy Prince. A big fellow he enjoyed a drink,a gamble, a smoke and attracted a posse of lady friends wherever he went. His mother was embarrassed by her  pleasure seeking son and regularly sent him overseas to try and halt the scandal which followed his behaviour. Forced to marry, he chose the attractive but innocent Princess Alexandra of Denmark (and I can tell you a thing or two about her!!) however he continued to enjoy himself, in fact he was a regular at Paris brothels, one of which had a special bath made for him which was filled with champagne and was set up so he could have enjoy more than one lady at a time.

He eventually became King in 1901 and was a hard working conscientious monarch. In 1909 King Edward V11 dissolved the British Govt and suspended all taxation on alcohol and tobacco (there were extenuating circumstances). Clearly a man of the people he was hugely popular. He died of “bronchitis” (probably lung-cancer) caused by a 20 cigarette and 12 cigar a day habit. Top Bloke.

So….. will we win tonight? Who will start for a diminished Arsenal? Will we continue to be more defensively organised? Can we beat a Top 4 side? Let’s hope so.

COYRRG

written by Big Raddy