The Arsenal Defense Cornered

August 29, 2012

After watching our first two matches, I have some thoughts and observations I’d like to share. This may be (hopefully) a busy week, so as you read this some personnel may have changed.

I have been keeping up with the blogs, and there is an unusual amount of agreement among fans about the defense, and the team in general. It seems Steve Bould’s influence is apparent. The discipline and cohesiveness are plain to see. Tommy Vermaelen only bombed forward a bit – late in the match vs Sunderland, when we were chasing a win at home against the bus, and in those circumstances, I was happy to see it. Much better than being in the opponents box when we are nursing a lead, like last season. Mertesacker has been his normal, under-rated, steady self. But effective as usual. Hopefully we will have our best defender Kozscielny back soon. I have said before, I would stack up our first 3 CB’s against any team’s.

A lot of us have noticed how well Gibbs has played – for me it’s obvious why he has defended so well. It’s FOCUS. I don’t mean that in an abstract, cliche way – I mean.. he has been told to be a defender first. He needed this, because in the past he didn’t excel in any facet, now he has shown he can be a very good defender at least, which is more than before. The same for Jenkinson, he has so far avoided being caught out of position as he was in the pre-season friendlies, which had us all worried. So our boy Sagna, with Jenks, Coquelin and Yennaris, might leave us well covered at RB. But these defensive improvements come at a cost. As you know, a big part of our attack has always included our full backs participating, and I do feel like I’ve noticed that has been curtailed so far in the two matches. I’m not saying that it’s the problem, but we all knew in the back of our minds, that the discipline we were asking for would make for a slightly less exciting attack. I do believe, that when our coaches see enough defensive discipline, the fullbacks will be encouraged to help a little more -but hopefully in a responsible way.

In the comments section after the Stoke match, our friend LB made a great point, which I had been pondering during the match, and that is – if our defense is looking so tight, maybe we don’t need a killer defensive midfielder. But I will disagree, because, even though I considered it, I remembered how I felt watching some of our future opponents offensive squads in the past two weeks. Chelsea with Torrez, Hazard, Mata, Oscar, Marin, Sturridge ( and probably another top striker to come). City with Aguero, Tevez, Dzeko, Balotelli, Silva, and Nasri. United is the weakest of the top teams with Rooney,VP, Chicharrito, Berbatov (?) Kagawa, but the worst midfield behind them. And the next tier of teams including an improved Everton, Newcastle, and Spurs are all more dangerous than the teams we just held scoreless. At Liverpool, Suarez alone has more talent than anyone we have faced so far. By the way, looking at that list, I really think we need one more striker, I like our crew, but if we really want to challenge in all competitions, Giroud and Podolski will be way overworked. But we will have the best midfield in the league, talented and deep, for sure.

I am amazed at the divergence of opinion about Diaby, everyone watching the same performances can have such disagreement. I see it this way: I’ve watched some older matches over this summer from 2009,10.. and obviously so far this season. I think he is talented, but in a subtle way, he is not as slow as he appears, very fluid, with a nice shot in him, uses his upper body very well to keep players at bay, but I don’t see him as a DM. Arteta does everything and anything asked of him, and very well, including excellent tackling, but I think we are a little better if he is free to go forward more, especially since we didn’t add Sahin, and we don’t want to rush or pressure Wilshere. By the way, even though I defended Song alot last season, he was a clown, and WE are better without him. He can be coached into playing well as CB/DM for Barca, I will admit. Thy do know how to recognize physical talent.

So, I think, particularly in those big matches, I would feel more secure having an aggressively defensive midfielder, who is also a very good passer, if only to protect our new organized, effective back four, which I think we will all be proud of this season.

Written by JNYC

MJC has submitted the chart below that compares the corners won against those conceded after the first two games, this data adds weight to some of the points made in JNYC’s post today………..

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Posted by peachesgÖÖner

Time To Get Tough With The “Already On The Way Down” Brigade?

August 28, 2012

I watched a lot of football over the weekend: Manchester United versus Fulham, in which some Dutch bloke scuffed the ball over the line; Chelsea v Newcastle, a mid table clash between the fifth and sixth best teams in England; Stoke v Arsenal, in which a party of brave adventurers including at least one dwarf travelled to Mordor, failed to slay some Orcs and came home again; and, finally, a mugging in Liverpool (I know that’s not news, but this one was a footballing mugging, with the away team stealing an undeserved point).

There were many talking points from those games (including Wayne Rooney experiencing a nasty old gash; the usual bovine booing of Aaron Ramsey by the Stoke herd and Martin Skrtel demonstrating why you can never afford to be sloppy with an exposed rear).

But the incident that really caught my eye was Chelsea’s first goal in their 2-0 victory over Newcastle United.

It was scored by Eden Hazard from the penalty spot after Torres was deemed to have been tripped in the box by Newcastle’s sweetly named midfielder Anita.

The problem is that to me, at least, it was not a penalty. Torres jinked into the box and pushed the ball past Anita who looked as if she (sorry, he) was going to stick out a leg.

Anticipating the contact, Torres instantly tipped into the two-footed “Sniper*” fall and went down.

The only trouble was that Rita, after starting to dangle out a foot, quickly pulled it back again. There may have been slight contact, but only because Torres’ legs were spread out to the sides in the first stages of the “Sniper”.

Certainly the contact would not have been sufficient to upend the Spaniard if he had carried on running instead of playing for the penalty.

The referee was Phil Dowd and all Arsenal fans will remember from a certain 4-4 draw at St James’s Park that he is perfectly capable of awarding a penalty for nothing.

But I am not going to lay the blame on Fat Phil for this one. The fact is that many in the game today would argue strongly that the incident was a foul and deserved a penalty. They would point to the fact that there was some contact, however little, and that Juanita stuck her leg out, even though she quickly withdrew it.

In my book it’s a form of cheating and bad sportsmanship, although some pundits would describe Torres’ behavior as “clever” for having won the penalty; and certain players would no doubt say that they go down in anticipation of the challenge to avoid injury (I wonder what their domestic lives are like: Wife: “What ARE you doing?” Player: “Er… going down in case of injury?” Wife: “That’s funny, that’s exactly what John Terry said yesterday… Oops”).

Newcastle manager Punchy Pardew was being restrained when he said afterwards that Torres “made a meal” of it.

As it happens, in this game I don’t think it made any difference. Chelsea, I’m afraid to say, were on top for the whole game and would certainly have won it with or without the penalty. Their new creative signings have made them a force to be reckoned with. We can only hope that, as the older “stars” like Lampard and Terry start to get edged out, the usual discord will follow and will act like dry rot in the London Oilers’ edifice.

To go back to my point, I believe Torres expected to be fouled and started to fall before the foul happened, rather than falling as a result of being fouled. It’s a subtle but crucial difference. Across the season we will see many, many more such penalties, some of which will help decide the destination of silverware

Some of the shocking dives last season by the likes of Ashley Young and Gareth Bale were defended on the grounds that they were “anticipating” the fall.

Simple sportsmanship dictates that you don’t go down without being forced to. The Titanic did not “anticipate” the iceberg and plunge head first into the icy Atlantic seas before making any contact with the ‘berg.

Effects need causes otherwise they become causes in themselves.

The only solution to this cheating is – as with so many problem areas in modern football – the use of retrospective video evidence to punish offenders. At the moment this can’t happen because of the ludicrous rule that if the referee witnessed the incident his decision cannot be second guessed. Because referees, like the Pope, are infallible.

I would suggest a panel of ex players and referees should sit in judgement of such incidents. Their decision would not affect the result of the game, but they could award a ban to anyone found to be cheating. If they are not unanimous, the benefit of the doubt would go to the striker.

Of course to an Arsenal supporter this is mostly academic (no penalties awarded to us at home during all of last season, remember). But even if referees are allergic to awarding spot kicks for us, we know they’ll be happy enough to dish them out to our opponents.

Clamping down on the “already on his way down-ers” would benefit not just us, but the game as a whole.

RockyLives

*The Sniper is so called because it looks as if the player has been shot in the back from behind, sending his upper body forward while his legs fly out to the sides. The Sniper is believed to have been the subject of a Trademark dispute between Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard, both of whom claim they invented it. The dive is now sold under licence in several countries including Spain, where Dani Alves holds the rights.

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Posted by RockyLives

Nil – Nil to the Arsenal, Nil – Nil to the Arsenal…. Match Report.

August 27, 2012

Having just returned from a holiday in the South of France; a country with a wonderful climate and a farming industry that provides its people with more or less everything that one could wish for – French supermarkets are the closest earthlings can get to heaven, if you are, like me, one of those who lives to eat rather than eats to live – I cannot help but wonder what the likes of Giroud (French, born in Chambery, situated in the wonderful French Alps), and Cazorla (Spanish, born in Llanera, North-West Spain) made of their trip to the Country of Wrath – The Land of the Orcs.

Just imagine our new signings pronouncing the word(s): ‘Stoke (on Trent)’: I reckon it would sound like somebody choking on a lump of baguette. Compare that to the poetic sounds of ‘Chambery’ and ‘Montpellier’, or ‘Llanera’ and ‘Malaga’, and I think you know where I am coming from.

Going to the North-West/East has seldom or never been easy for Arsenal, and Sunday’s trip to Stoke was the first big physical and mental test for both Arsenal as a ‘new’ team and for our new arrivals in particular.

Luckily, in quick succession, the Northern ‘B-teams’ – Blackburn, Bolton, Blackpool, Burnley – have dropped out of the Premier League in the last few years, resulting in fewer visits to that doomed corner of the country this season. And long may it continue.

Whatever Santi and Oliver made of the place, and its physically/intellectually/emotionally challenged people (booing Aaron Ramsey sums it all up), they showed no signs of weakness or need to adjust to their new surroundings.

That, combined with another fine performance by our defence, are the main positives we can take away from Sunday’s game.

First Half

From the start, it became clear Stoke expected us to dominate play and a row of 4 defenders and five midfielders were positioned in front of their goalie, in order to make life difficult for us. Arsenal combined well and was able to pin Stoke back from the first minute. The ball was being passed round the way we have become so used to over the last few years, and we were able to breach their bus-shaped defensive walls on a number of occasions. If, now and again, we lost the ball in Stoke’s half – especially Diaby and Gervinho had a few moments of weakness at the start of the game – our defenders pressed the opposition quickly and forcefully, resulting in us regaining possession almost instantly. On Sunday, we owned the area between their box and the mid-circle once again, and long may it continue.

We were bullying the Orcs and it felt fecking brilliant!

There were a number of opportunities in the first half. As early as the eight’s minute, Giroud combined with Podolksi in the box and the latter had a decent opportunity to score. The Stoke defender Wilkinson lost his balance as a result of Giroud’s and the Pod’s quick movement, and whilst falling over, the former, serendipitously, ended up in the path of Pod’s attempt on goal. He handled the ball but I don’t think it was a penalty, and we are not Chelsea of course; so nothing given.

The excellent Prince Poldi, who often could be found away from his left wing position, made a mazy run through the middle and was cynically fouled by Huth. The subsequent free-kick, from a promising position, just outside the box, was wasted by Cazorla. Unfortunately, it would not be the last free-kick to be wasted by Arsenal during the game.

Another good move led to a cross from the left which Giroud just could not reach with his head. On top of that, Cazorla had a number of shots at goal from distance, and all in all we deserved a goal from our efforts.

However, it is fair to say, that although we created a number of chances in the first half, we still looked quite rusty in our attacking efforts.

This should not come as a big surprise to us, as except for Gervinho, all our attack-minded players are new. On top of that, Diaby has not played regular football for a long, long time and Arteta has only just returned from a long-term injury as well. They will need time to gel so they can become more instinctive and effective, and the only way to do this is by training hard, and especially by playing more and more competitive games together.

Stoke were only able to get a few set-pieces against us and our defence, including our stand-in goalie Mannone, remained calm and organised – never allowing the crowd any satisfaction. Once again, we were the ones who controlled the game.

Second Half

I can be short about the second half. It was disappointing to see we could not move a gear up with regards to our attacking efforts after the break. I have seldom seen Arsenal so risk averse. The FB’s did not offer as much support to our wingers as we’ve got used to over the years, and the CB’s stayed continuously behind. I felt Cazorla got more and more isolated and tired as both Diaby and, the once again excellent, Arteta sat back more and more. Diaby and Arteta helped out our defence when it really mattered though in the second half, which was great to see, as well as crucial.

The substitutions of our ‘wingers’ Gervinho and Podolski, by Theo and The Ox, made sense, but they also could not make a significant difference. There were still a few half-chances for Giroud, but a combination of tiredness and over-eagerness, meant he was not able to turn them into goals – although he almost clinched the three points for us with a beautifully imagined, and subsequently executed diagonal lob over the goalie from 25 yards or so. But, it was not to be.

Conclusions

I watched the game in a busy and loud pub, which made it difficult to analyse the game with a bit more depth. I would love to watch the game again with just one objective: to check out how much support both Arteta and Diaby gave to our attackers.

Having watched a couple of Chelsea games and also the game between Dortmund and Bremen in the last few days, I came to realise once again how important it is for one of the two deeper laying midfielders to support the attacking midfielder as much as possible, in order to dominate the opposition in front of their box and add creative thrust (without losing positional discipline of course). Chelsea’s Mereiles really impressed me on Saturday against NU. Every time he came forward to support the attacking players, the Barcodes were put under severe pressure.

In our game, I felt that Diaby and Arteta were not always effective enough in their support of our attackers/AM, but I would need to see the game again to see whether this was indeed so. Dare I say it; I thought we missed Song yesterday, although I also believe that both Arteta and Diaby will get better at supporting the sole AM as the season develops: they are both well-rounded, quality midfielders.

However, I thought both Arteta and Diaby supported our defence really well when it mattered, and I was pleasantly surprised by Diaby’s physical/aerial presence; especially in the second half.

I thought our defence played with discipline and focus and, on the few occasions they were called into action: they were a joy to watch.

Unfortunately, the departures of brave sir robin and Song means we will have to go through another year of transition. But I have no doubt that Cazorla, Giroud and Podolski are quality additions to our team, and whilst they are gelling together with our other players, they will get better and better.

The most important thing, though, is the back-to-basics approach with regards to our defence. We will not win anything anymore until we have a mean, lean, defensive machine again, and the first two games have been very encouraging with regards to establishing just that.

With Liverpool away, Southampton at home, City away and Chelsea at home, between now and 29 September, our defensive will face tougher tests ahead, but like many others, I am getting more and more confident that Steve Bould has been making real progress in making us defensively sound, this summer.

Add to that, that Giroud and Cazorla have come through the ‘Northern Test’ very successfully (and I expected nothing else from the Pod – the man is simply indestructible), and that Wenger keeps hinting there will be one or two more signings in the coming week, and there are plenty of reasons for us to be positive, despite the somewhat dull second half today.

After all, only the Southern Oilers have been able to win all their games and, as unlikely as it may sound after two draws, we are above the Spuds and Pool, just two points behind the Northern Oilers, and only one point behind the Mancs and the Barcodes. It looks like Lady Luck is helping us to settle this new team in this time!

Player ratings

Mannone and defence: 7.5 – all solid, disciplined and focussed – a real unit: 7.5.

Arteta: 7.5 – quickly getting back to his very best.

Diaby: 7 – better second half, despite tiring at the end. If he can stay fit for a while, he will become better and better. Fingers and all other body-parts crossed!

Cazorla: 8 – real quality: our new dynamo and a natural strings-puller. MOTM.

Gervinho: 5 – worked very hard, but this was not his best day.

Podolski: 7.5 – loved his energy, physicality and thrust. Really happy to see he can play effectively for us on the left wing. Goals and assists are just a matter of time.

Giroud: 7.5 – loved his energy, physicality, thrust and link-up play. Obviously, he is very eager to score goals and they will come. He just needs to settle in a bit.

Total Arsenal.

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Posted by peachesgÖÖner

Let’s Talk Orc …

August 26, 2012

Firstly, congratulations to Stoke for improving upon their average goal tally at Reading. They scored one whereas last season they managed less than one goal a game, scoring 36 goals in 38 games. And guess what – the majority were from set plays (58% !!)

I must confess to liking Tony Pulis as a man, he is passionate, committed and honest (though deluded!) but I hate his tactics; I realise he has limited resources but that is no excuse to play the worst type of anti-football. Norwich, Swansea, Wigan etc show it is possible to stay in the PL on a limited budget without resorting to Route One physical football. Hopefully, the signing of Fatboy Huddlestone indicates a change of direction.

Ryan & Robert

Some have expressed an opinion that we should be more accommodating and friendly towards Stoke and in a logical world I can empathise with this – but – addiction to Arsenal is totally illogical, as is the amount of time we spend discussing it! Fact: Football is tribal. Fact: One of my tribe was hurt by one of Stoke’s and there was no apology forthcoming. Fact: Stoke play a physical game designed to curtail the skills, pace, cohesion and equanimity of my warriors. Fact: Stoke fans hate us and Ramsey in particular. Fact: Rivalry in sport is what makes it so damned compulsive.

So, I make no apology when calling Stoke “The Orcs,” nor when belittling their admittedly well run club. Yes, Stoke play with heart and commitment and generally within the rules of the game but “so what”. I don’t like them – not since we went down 5-0 in the first Double season (the pain was worse than MU last year). Bury the hatchet? Why? Why now? Should we reflect kindly upon our miscreant, cave-dwelling, knuckle-dragging neighbours? Of course not. No, the Stoke game has an emotional element which did not exist a few seasons ago when a trip to Stoke was just another hurdle on the way to the title; long may the rivalry continue.

Right …. off the soapbox and onto the game. Stoke have a superb home record against the top clubs (losing only to Newcastle of the top 6 last season). We came away with an admirable draw despite wearing last season’s awful away kit. Today, we premier our lovely purple outfit – not sure it is proper Arsenal but at least our players no longer look as if they are in Cirque du Soleil (though I suspect Bob Wilson would not be impressed by Chesney’s pink ensemble).

We know all about the excellence of Stoke’s twin Orcs at CB. I wonder if Pod and Giroud will have ever come across two such “committed” players. Thankfully, the little scrote Whitehead was sent off last week and will be absent. Mr Crouch has a penchant for goals against The Mighty Arsenal and our best bet has to be to stop his supply, but can Corporal Jenks or Young Gibbsy control a wily and pacy player like Etherington – we shall see. And please Mr Wenger put a player in front of Crouch at set plays with  BFG marking him.

Will we play O-C or continue with the fit Diaby? Gerv or Theo or both? Pod or OG? Gibbs or Santos?

My team:

I really worry about our right side because Diaby has never shown himself to be strong defensively and Jenks will need cover. The connection between him and Theo needs much work. However, we will need Diaby’s height at set plays – an area where Sagna will be much missed. For this reason I would also play Giroud. Podolski may not be fully match fit but 70 mins pitch time will sharpen him plus playing The Orcs will give the new boys an important lesson in the leniency of EPL refereeing. Lee Mason has the whistle today.

Rocky’s excellent post about the forced expansion of Stoke’s pitch and it’s effect upon the long throw tactic will be highlighted today. Will a referee ever add extra time for the “towel”?

Expect to see the Orc fans doing the Wenger Wave which passes for humour in a town where there is very little to laugh about – let’s face it, if you were forced to live in Mordor  wouldn’t you want to take the rise out of a multi-millionaire, successful, intelligent foreigner?

Can we win? It will be difficult, as Stoke’s home record suggests. With the wind at our backs, a little luck, a secure defence and potency upfront – why not?

Some facial graffiti  …… a world record beard measured at 18* 6″ (5.65m) owned by a Norwegian.

COYRRG

Written by Big Raddy

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Posted by Erik the Red

Not another early season crisis ……..

August 25, 2012

……… Don’t worry! We survived it once and we can do it again, and this time, oh how we are in a better position!

Think back to this god awful time last year. Bye-bye Fabregas and Nasri. Now think about the situation we are in now. Bye-bye Van Persie and Song. Ask yourself, which two players would you prefer to have? Don’t just go ‘Rvp scored 30 goals, Song set them up, obviously them’, because think about the last seven years of Rvp’s and Song’s careers at Arsenal. Song booed off at Fulham, Rvp continually injured! Cesc, a real servant to the club and I am happy about his success at his boyhood club, played on against Barcelona with a broken leg as he knew we had no subs left so would be one man down. Rvp would be crying about it!

I would rather have Fabregas and Nasri in my team. One good season and a player we have nursed through his pathetic injuries shows his disloyalty. Nasri left, we were furious but he was only at us for three years, we hate him though.

Song has left us now and I don’t think any fans know why he left us, I personally can not see him getting a lot of first team action at Barcelona. We can’t be too angry at him, good luck to him. Some fans believe that he isn’t good enough for Arsenal and should leave, well your wish has come true. Apparently his attitude was a disgrace, oh well.

Cazorla played amazingly well against Sunderland, a mid table team. He should be able to play like this against top teams. Stoke may be a challenge as they are tall and tough. We didn’t get anyone like him last season, and he is a mix between Nasri and Fabregas, a quality player.

We also have Podolski, a player who has started slowly. He was started upfront on his own, a place that he can play although his preferred and possibly best position, is too play behind the striker. Why he and Giroud weren’t played together I don’t know.

Oh so Giroud missed that chance against Sunderland. His debut, first proper shot, on his right foot, not the easiest shot!

The position Arsenal are in now, is potentially a strong one. We have lost one injury prone player who has had one good season in eight years, who has now gone to a team that will not be based around his qualities like we were last year. He will just be another player at Man United. We have lost a defensive midfielder who is not the best defender and attacker, but can occasionally provide some assists. Personally I believe that Song, isn’t the biggest loss. We have signed three players, one who really have shown his quality, Cazorla. He has been tipped as the signing of the season by Wenger, and if he plays with the same quality against Stoke in which he did against Sunderland, people may start to notice him and agree.

We have been bombarded with different news regarding Sahin, it has taken more twists and turns than a horror, it isn’t ‘Who is the killer?’ but more like ‘Who will he sign for?!’. We brought him into the light with the proposed loan deal, but it wasn’t finalised because of the option to purchase him after the loan deal ended. Then news was announced that Liverpool hijacked the deal and he was going to be loaned to them, as Liverpool were more flexible on the option to buy him at the end of the season. Then we hijacked Liverpool’s deal to loan him, as Wenger phoned Sahin up directly and discussed the matter to him in Turkish, and the promise of Champions League football ultimately attracted him to join Arsenal instead of Liverpool. Sky Sports and BBC ‘understood’ that Sahin was due to have a medical today. A few hours ago sporting websites reported that Sahin’s deal with Arsenal had fallen through and he is now joining Liverpool, the same websites that reported that Sahin has passed his medical at us! Why is every single Arsenal transfer so painstakingly long? Until there is the headline on the Arsenal website reading ‘Nuri Sahin Join’s On Loan For 2012 / 2013 Season’, I am ignoring any reports on even Sky and BBC, unless they have a picture of him arriving at Arsenal (And not a fake one, there are already a few out there!).

We have already been linked with Tiote to replace Song, with the money acquired from the purchase of Song. We were linked with him a few months ago, as well as Chelsea and Manchester United. I would link to see Tiote join us, as he can be a real midfield general, something Song wasn’t. Walcott has also been linked with a move away from Arsenal, and we have already been linked with dozens of replacements. Jesus Navas most notably and recently. I did a quick little internet search on Jesus Navas on Google. On the right is an extract from Wikipedia, showing a picture of him, his age, place of birth, and a small paragraph about him. It told me that he played for English Premier League Club Arsenal FC. I immediately went onto our website, nothing. Today Navas has claimed he knows nothing regarding him being linked to Arsenal.

The major downside of being an Arsenal fan is that we can’t have a nice clean buy, for example Rodwell’s transfer to Manchester City. One story came out that Rodwell was being approached by City, a day and a bit later, conformation Rodwell had joined them subject to a medical. We were linked with Arteta before last years deadline day, but we made an approach for him on deadline day and even then we were told that we had dropped interest in him, then a few hours later made another offer. Another example is M’Villa. He has had about three medicals at Arsenal according to some website.

But this all proves something. Wenger may have learned his lesson. He has already bought three players, all arguably world class, but he has said on the Arsenal website that the amount of players coming in depends on those that are going out. Well Cazorla joined after that, and then Song left as well, as we already knew Van Persie was going. M’Villa, Navas, Tiote? Yes please to them all. We are in a much better position compared to last year. We signed Arteta and Chamberlain, the only ones that worked really, Mertesaker Park didn’t really, and we have split opinions over Gervinho. The same with Santos. I liked Santos a lot, although not Gervinho as much. But this year maybe different, if we sign two out of those three players, we would have a really good team, with a lot of potential, although they would have to have a few games to all gel together. We have never had that really, and it is something I am looking forward too. Last transfer deadline day, I was worried that we wouldn’t sign Arteta and / or lose someone as important as Vermaelen or even Song! All I can say, is that I am really excited for this deadline day, as that is when Wenger seems to attack the market, as no clubs can steal the transfer, the club selling the player has too say yes or no, and quickly, so the Sahin transfer situation couldn’t happen (Well it wouldn’t take so many twists and turns).

Under a week left too go before the end of this awful yet great, and possibly going to be an amazing, summer transfer window. What will happen before it closes I do not know, although if I was asked if I would like to know what will happen, I would say no, I love the drama of seeing all of the news headlines, and watching the sports news at ten o’clock, a few hours before the windows closes, and hearing about all of the possible transfers that have to be finalised for the window closes.

I have said it before, and I will say it again, it isn’t over until it is over, and anything could happen, lets just hope that we get the signings we have been linked too, and possibly need. Good luck Arsenal fans, it is going to be a bumpy, bumpy ride to deadline day…

Written by Miles

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Posted by peachesgÖÖner

Defensive midfielder ….going once, going twice …. SOLD

August 24, 2012

I’ve had a seriously topical and brilliant idea, and it concerns the transfer window.

While there has been talk about it being open too long, there are also specific concerns over certain aspects of the system, chief among these is the influence of Agents.

Two things popped into my mind. Auctions and Cattle Markets.

Rome is pretty much geographically central to the footballing world. Also, the sun shines and the food is good. In short, a very pleasant place for buyers to congregate for one day a year. Central to The Eternal City is the Flavian Ampitheatre, otherwise known as The Colosseum.

This is how my auction will work. The World’s Media and Buyers are assembled. So too are Rent-a-Mob. Booing and soft fruit throwing are allowed.

The “Products” for sale are valued, and this figure will simply represent the order in which they enter the Sales Arena. Cheap stuff first. This way we add an element of risk to the buyers, as well as building to a crescendo of excitement for the mob, as our auction moves to its climax where we see the Crème entering the arena last.

To add to the brilliance of my system is a dramatic simplification of the wage structure in one hit. A Product will be paid a flat 20% pa of its sales figure. Tidy.

Tell you what, as a player, you wouldn’t half think twice before becoming disillusioned about your prospects of winning trophies! Firstly, there’s the potential humiliation of only realizing a pitifully low price, then there’s the fact that you could end up in Siberia. Or worse, absolutely any Northern Town.

I cannot see a fault in this system, although perhaps you have a marginally less brilliant idea how to streamline this terrible, drawn out, fiasco.

Written by MickyDidIt89

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Posted by peachesgÖÖner

The revolving door – Where’s the legacy?

August 23, 2012
“…let us sit upon the ground
And tell sad stories of the death of kings”
                                    ~King Richard, Richard II

What a start to the season last weekend. It started with the heir apparent running off before his coronation, continued through a war of attrition in our first game, and ended with us Songless. It’s the two men who’ve left I’d like to address as one word has been bothering me with regards to the way players seem to leave us these days…

Legacy.

I go to games with my dad, who drives 300 miles to games and has been going to the Arsenal for 50 years. I learned a lot about the history of the club, the players who’ve passed through and the managers who’ve overseen it all from him. My dad always…ALWAYS… speaks well of the players of the ‘60s, ‘70s, early ‘80s even…and the late ‘80s, ‘90s and early 2000s he gets misty eyed about them. Players like McLintock, Radford, George, Graham, Rix, Brady, Nicholas, Merson (responsible for a haircut my dad made me have that I’ve never lived down) and more are remembered very fondly……but time moved on and so did they.

Over the last few years we’ve seen a procession of players sold by Wenger. This is nothing new, he did it before the oil barons started throwing their cash at him. Shockingly, even Rioch, Graham, Howe and Neill sold players. The managers before them sold players, too. Were we angry? Rarely. Why do we get so angry now? It’s how they leave.

Brady left us way too early…my dad was gutted, not angry (even though he’d named my brother after him in ‘78!). McLintock went off to ply his trade in west London just two years after captaining us to the Double. George…Derby….Graham? Manchester United. Were people angry? No…disappointed. When Frank Stapleton went to Manchester United, though…that’s recalled with some resentment as he forced through a move to Old Trafford, with the fee having to be set by a tribunal…he was top scorer for three years, part of a team that went to Wembley three seasons on the spin, scoring in game against Man Utd…but now? Persona non grata as far my old man is concerned.

More recently, in the Wenger era, we’ve become Barcelona’s favourite shop. Hleb and Song have left in acrimonious circumstances…Henry and Fabregas only slightly less so, with their moves to Catalonia seen as inevitable by most, although neither move was welcomed. But what about the first two they bought? Overmars and Petit left us in 2000 for the Nou Camp. It was dealt with quietly – we got a pile of cash (by 2000 standards) for two of our best players – and it was very much in the traditional manner of moves, nothing but a sense of disappointment and a shout of “good luck” from Arsenal fans.

Then there’s the moves of Adebayor, Nasri, Flamini and most of all Ashley Cole to make my point. Cole…who admitted to nearly crashing when heard of a derisory £3m a year contract offer from Arsenal is now busy revising history to suit his new, 2012 version of events…it’s no longer about the money, y’see, he left to “win the European Cup”. So what if it’s 6 years later? From his armchair made of cash he laughs and shouts “F*** you, Cole don’t care…whatever…you’ll believe any old crap”. The other three, too, have been portrayed as mercenaries. Adebayor seems all set to fill Bogarde’s place in the record books as most expensive reserve team player ever.

Nasri…same as Cole. Bleats about leaving to win things when everybody knows the truth…otherwise why does he feel the need to go on? Two others have made the same move to Eastlands in the Wenger era…both are recalled fondly, neither encounter the boos and vitriol that the other three do. Clichy and Toure. Why? Because they were “good leavers”. When asked about our club, they’re always complementary. They didn’t force through moves publicly, didn’t badmouth the manager, the board, the fans and have acted with humility. See! It can be done!

RVP is a tough one…can see why he left (29, last big contract, wants trophies…*pukes*…), but not the ridiculous statement made on his website. Did he tarnish his legacy? Will it always be one of injuries and treachery or will we remember the glorious goal at Charlton, his magic 2011 and his decent captaincy?

If he went abroad…I’m sure it would be the latter. But Man Utd?! Sure we’ll find out at OT when 4,000 away fans get to vent their feelings…

As for Song – I remember (although I may be mistaken) early on in his Arsenal days, Wenger tried to sign one of the de Boers from Barca. Bid was turned down and he “threatened to go on strike” according to reports. Wenger refused to sign him after that…honourable. Is a player ever right to force through a move? Will Song’s legacy at Arsenal be one of a bad attitude, laziness and forcing his way out?

With all the transfers out of club over the years…which have left you with the worst memories? And which players do you think handled their exits in a way that didn’t tarnish your memory of them?

Written by Rhyle

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Rule Change Will Stymie Stoke in Arsenal’s Favour

August 22, 2012

Without much fanfare the Premier League has introduced a regulation change which might prove to be very helpful to Arsenal in certain away games this season.

Whereas previously clubs had discretion about the size of their pitch (within quite broad parameters), now they all have to comply with the UEFA standard of 105m by 68m (which, in old money, equates to more or less 115 yards by 74 yds).

No big deal?

Well, it’s going to make a significant difference to some clubs who have been taking the “barely legal” approach to pitch size for some time.

Chief among the culprits have been the Mighty Orcs, otherwise known as Stoke City.

Until forced to enlarge their pitch this year, Stoke have been using the absolute minimum dimensions for their playing surface.

The old rule (Rule I. 21) said: “In League Matches the length of the pitch shall be not more than 110 metres nor less than 
100 metres and its breadth not more than 75 metres nor less than 64 metres.”

Stoke opted for the minimum length (100m/109yds) and the minimum width (64m/70yds). If the laws allowed it, you suspect they would have shrunk their pitch to the size of a basketball court and swapped goals for hoops. Rory Delap to win the Golden Glove anyone?

Now you may be thinking that we’re only talking about a yard here or there, so what does it matter?

Well, what if I told you that Stoke’s approach means there are 800 fewer square yards to play on at their ground compared with a ground that follows the UEFA standard (which, by the way, is compulsory for both European cup competitions). For reference, the pitch at The Emirates complies with the UEFA standard.

EIGHT HUNDRED SQUARE YARDS!

The pitch area at the Emirates is 8,510 sq yds. At Stoke it’s 7,700.

Just imagine an area of turf 29 yards by 29 yards square. All that lovely green grass that our fine young players DON’T get to play on when we visit the Britannia.

Not that I really blame Stoke for doing this. If you are going to base your game on physicality, defensiveness and long throw-ins then why not exploit the rules to the maximum?

But – and not before time – the Premier League has decided to make sure that every team gets to play on a level playing field (pun intended). By insisting on larger pitches I suspect the EPL is also hoping to encourage more expansive, attacking play, which will help maintain the international appeal of our league.

As far as I can tell from some cursory internet research (if any of my facts are wrong, feel free to correct them in comments) the only other club in the EPL this year that previously had a minimum sized ground is West Ham.

However, several clubs were a good way below the new criteria. Both Liverpool and Everton had 8,140 sq yds of playing surface – 370 sq yds below what is now acceptable. Of course that could be because the locals pinched a few hundred yards of turf to sell off the back of a truck.

Interestingly, the Spuds – until recently – had a pitch only marginally bigger than Stoke’s, with an area of 8,030 sq yds. Given the way they try to play (with fast attacking wide men) it seems an odd approach. Maybe it’s just too much effort trying to get grass – or anything else wholesome – to grow in N17.

Fulham, QPR and Southampton have all also had to enlarge their playing surfaces as a result of the new rule (at least I assume they have – although there is a get-out for a club if “it is impossible for it to comply… due to the nature of construction of its ground”).

So what does this all mean for our trip to Mordor on Sunday?

One thing it doesn’t mean is that we’re sure to win. You only win tough games like this if your squad are fully committed and play close to the best of their ability.

But it takes a slight edge away from the home team (they have more ground to cover defensively, it will be harder for them to funnel everything into the crowded middle of the pitch and Towel Boy Delap will have to throw even further to reach the penalty spot). And it gives a slight edge to us: more room for our wide players to stretch the Orc defence and pull the home team out of shape; more room for our clever movement and passing to be effective.

The same should apply at the other grounds where the pitch has had to be enlarged this year.

For our boys, playing every game home and away on a pitch the same size can only be a good thing.

Last season Stoke punched (sometimes literally) above their weight in the EPL.

Their tiny pitch undoubtedly played a part (as did the consistent favourable bias they got from referees – check out the Untold Arsenal site if you don’t believe me).

This time round, with a full sized playing pitch and, hopefully, some extra scrutiny of the refereeing bias, I don’t expect them to be able to emulate their 14th place finish from last year and they could well be in for a relegation fight. Let’s hope we give them a shove in that direction on Sunday.

RockyLives

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Comeback Conor takes Arsenal Back to The Future

August 21, 2012

Barclays Under-21 Premier League

Arsenal 3 Bolton 1

Eisfeld 47 Blakeman 27 (Pen)

Henderson 61

Henderson 69

Emirates Stadium

ATTENDENCE: 4374

Let’s face it, we have all become sick of the story. Arsenal gradually and painstakingly bring through players from various avenues of the youth development programme only to find they have Barca DNA, a dodgy hamstring or are just plain unsuited to the Premier League.

So with the purchases of Arteta, Mertesacker, Cazorla, Podolski etc, quality professionals in the peak age bracket we should assume that project youth is dead.

Well not quite because behind the facade of a first team much changed in the last twelve months, young guns still fire in Terry Burton’s under 21’s.

It also gave a glimpse of a forgotten gem. When I first noticed Connor Henderson he was passing his way around Leyton Orient’s defence in an FA Cup reply. The likes of Fabregas, Nasri, Clichy and Van Persie were part of the club, Bendtner scored that night too. Much has changed.

Henderson is a cool headed, laid back passer with an eye for the dead ball. Eisfeld is a bustling young Ljungberg as he often showed for the first hour with great movement off the ball and superb diagonal runs. Gnabry is a dribbler with power.

Project youth Mk II, is alive and well.

The game itself was a quiet affair early on with only Gnabry going close when he tried to dink it over Bolton’s keeper only to see his effort drift wide.

Then after Arsenal gave away possession Bolton broke through one on one and Martinez was left stranded and had no option but to try and steal the ball. He caught the player, penalty and a red card to boot.

Bolton’s captain Adam Blakeman coolly finished from the spot on 25 minutes and you had to worry for a young ten man Arsenal.

Substitute keeper James Shea pulled off a worldy tipping over the bar. Moments later he made a great save at his near post. His handling was good all night.

Arsenal made it to half time at 0-1.

The second half began with Gnabry and Akpom causing mayhem before Eisfeld was in the right place at the right time for Arsenal to fire home for 1-1.

Moments later Bellerin smashed the ball into the North Bank after the tireless Gnabry had played him in.

Ten minutes later Arsenal won a free-kick outside the D.

Gnabry and Henderson lined it up and Gnabry’s half dummy run up, Henderson floated the free-kick in to the corner of the net.

Henderson, who had quietly bossed the game, was now playing with a swagger. He was helped in the second half with the help of Gnabry and Eisfeld who became more inside forwards than wingers.

The sending off seemed to remove a stage from Arsenal’s attacks, they became more directs. A lesson the first team might learn.

On 70 minutes, left back Jernade Meade burst threw only to be forced to the ground.

Henderson converted the penalty in to the roof of the net.

For a young man who 12 months ago damaged his cruciate knee ligament it must have been a nice moment.

It was a good night as well for Terry Burton. His team played with a lot of guts and style.

I have added a column below to show which of these I think you might see in the Carling Cup.

All in all there is a lot to be said for playing at the Emirates. A bumper crowd of over 4,000 gave support, a great pitch rather than the slope at Underhill which allowed two good halves of football and a better pace to the game.

The under 21 looks more fun than the reserves league. Roll on Blackburn on Saturday.

Carling Cup Player?

GK Damian Martinez Did fine until sent off in the penalty incident 5 No

RB Hector Bellerin (80) Few loose touches and passes, good start to second half, bad miss. 5 No

LB Jernade Meade<http://www.arsenal.com/reserves-youth/players/jernade-meade> Another converted winger who seems to lack concerntration, very quick. 5 No

LCB Ignasi Miquel (c)<http://www.arsenal.com/reserves-youth/players/ignasi-miquel> Started slow but stepped up as the game went on. Did well. 7 Yes

RCB Elton Monteiro A Djourou in the making 5 ?

CM Nico Yennaris<http://www.arsenal.com/reserves-youth/players/nicholas-yennaris> Ran and ran, very solid, just one of those players that doesn’t let you down. 7 Yes

DM Conor Henderson<http://www.arsenal.com/reserves-youth/players/conor-henderson>Started slow but brought the game to his pace, wonderful free kick and a good pen too. Never rushed. 9 Yes

RW Thomas Eisfeld (73) Great movement, quick feet and bottle. Reminds me of Freddie. 9 Yes

LW Serge Gnabry Very like the Ox on that performance, with Eisfeld, took the game to Bolton. 9 Yes

AM Kristoffer Olsson<http://www.arsenal.com/reserves-youth/players/kristoffer-olsson> (25) Taken off due to penalty incident, looked tidy. 6 No

CF Chuba Akpom<http://www.arsenal.com/reserves-youth/players/chuba-akpom> Involved in first goal but offered little. Tough job as a lone front runner. 5 No

Substitutes

James Shea<http://www.arsenal.com/reserves-youth/players/james-shea> (25) Two great saves, safe as houses. 8 No

Sead Hajrovic<http://www.arsenal.com/reserves-youth/players/sead-hajrovic>

Martin Angha<http://www.arsenal.com/reserves-youth/players/martin-angha> (80) Very bad haircut 5 No

Kyle Ebecilio (73) One nice run. 6 No

Written by Arsenalista

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Slotting in our new players

August 20, 2012

Three signings have already been confirmed in Podolski, Giroud and Cazorla, and a forth is possibly going to happen in Şahin from Madrid. But it is like when it is like the weather in England, we moan when it is too cold and then moan when it is too cold, we moan when we don’t sign anyone and now some fans are moaning that we have no where to play them! Some people are never happy!

Well, firstly let’s start with Podolski. If you were alive recently in June and the start of July, then you would have seen the Euro’s. You may have also seen the most entertaining team in it, Germany, where Podolski was a regular starter. If you did watch our first signing of the summer transfer window, then you would have noticed that he play played on the left wing. This is not actually Podolski’s natural position, even though he is left footed. He is more of a centre forward, a player that sits behind the striker, but he does naturally drag the ball towards the left so he can have a shot on his stronger foot. He can also do this upfront.

So that centre forward position, do we already have players that play there? Well I personally believe that we don’t have a player that is actually meant to play in that position, although we do have some players that can. We have players like Walcott, Gervinho and the Ox who can play behind whatever striker starts upfront next season, Giroud or even maybe a new striker we sign, although that would obviously mean they were replacing Van Persie. Arteta could probably even play behind the strikers if he was asked too.

But it all depends on the formation that Wenger plays the team in this season, Podolski may play on the winger or behind the strikers. In past seasons he has opted to have ‘copied’ Barcelona with the 4-3-3 formation with two defensive or holding midfields and one in front of them, and one central striker.

I think that the formation will be changed next season, we will have Giroud, so he may play a 4-2-2-2, although Podolski would have to play on the wing in that formation, and we would only have two midfielders in the centre, which we put us at an disadvantage against a team which plays a lot of midfielders, for example in a 4-5-1 formation, even a 4-4-2.

I think that to accommodate all of the fresh talent brought in to the club, we would have to play a 4-2-1-1-2 formation, with Arteta and ?Diaby at defensive midfield, Cazorla in the centre attacking position, and Podolski sitting behind Giroud. This would mean Cazorla and Podolski are free to drift over to the wings.

Our second signing of the transfer window is French international striker Olivier Giroud, who is twenty five years old, he has been a professional football player for only three years, so his football mental age is younger than twenty five. He is tall, although he isn’t actually just a central striker. He is deployed upfront, although he does run onto the wing and crosses to the other striker. He finished the 2011 / 2012 season off with twenty five goals and eleven assists in the league , one more assist in other competitions. This proves he can create goals as well as score them, something Van Persie did do as well, almost the same stats between the two. A big difference between those two is that Giroud isn’t injury prone.

Our third signing is Cazorla, his signing was almost as painstakingly long as Podolski’s was this year. We knew we had signed him, so did all the players, he had flown to Germany with the squad, all before the announcement of his arrival, Malaga’s financial problems preventing us from revealing his arrival. He is a player that operates on the wing, although can also play in the centre of the park. He can’t be deployed at high up the pitch as Podolski can, but he is a player that can attack on the wing, or help control the game with Song and Arteta in the centre of the pitch. He can score, nine goals in La Liga last season, and he provided vital assists.

We do actually have players that can play in his position, Arteta can if asked, the Ox is now being played in a central role, and possibly Diaby can, but once again, we don’t actually have a nippy little player who can attack quickly and can help in defence will waiting to begin a break. Cazorla is the type of player that top teams have, for example Man City with Nasri, Man United with possibly Carrick and Chelsea have Hazard who can play there. He may single handedly, along with the form we had towards the end of the season, make us a title contending team finally. He may be our new Ljungberg or Pires.

Fans are worried that we are going to have too many players, especially if we finally confirm the signing of Madrid’s Şahin, a central player, and some fans will want to see certain players and they aren’t played. I personally believe that we will have some nice competition between the players to get into that starting line up, especially for the Champions League, which Man City especially have, and it hardly did them any damage.

Wenger also stated while in Asia, before the news of Cazorla’s transfer was taken seriously, that any more players arriving depended on how many players left. Well not one left before Cazorla arrived, except six youth players not signing senior contracts and Almunia. Now Vela has left, and Bendtner may also be following him out, as well as Squillaci, who has been rumoured to have been bid for. Chamakh played in the Asian tour, so he may still have one last chance. Qpr are also contemplating whether or not to bid for Arshavin, a player who arrived all guns blazing, but just lost it after that. This all may suggest more signings, which every Arsenal fan wouldn’t mind, we have been deprived of signings in recent years, but now things may have changed, finally Wenger have dipped into that pocket of his, rumoured to have around forty million in. Has he learnt his lesson, youth may not always be the answer, Arteta, an experienced player, defiantly proved that.

I have said this before and I am sticking to it, the summer transfers are a long way from over, lets see what the next few days brings.

Written by Miles

 

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