Premiership clubs destroy England – Is Dyke right?

September 5, 2013

The new Chairman of the FA, Greg Dyke, has opened his account with a high profile critique of the current state of the game in England.  His fundamental point is that the pool of English talent continues to diminish and something needs to be done about that.

Looking at the last World Cup and the recent Under 21 Euros, you could say he has a point.  In both of those tournaments, England produced pretty lame and tame performances, and never looked to be in danger of troubling the silver polishers.

Personally, I think there are some very good young English players around right now, not least of all our own Theo, Jack, Gibbs, Corporal Jenks and the Ox. The likes of Daniel Sturridge, Joe Hart, Kyle Walker, Raheem Sterling, Ross Barkley, Ryan Bertrand, Jack Rodwell and Wilfried Zaha all look excellent.  And amongst the youngsters behind them, there are players who look to have real quality: for example, Spurs’ Tom Carroll looks very good.

It’s also worth bearing in mind that the English game is in fact the English and Welsh game, and right now there is something of a resurgence in the Welsh game, evidenced most obviously by Bale’s transformation into a Galactico, but also shown by the amazing success of Swansea and the return of Cardiff to the top division. And then there’s our own fantastic Welshman.

So, I’m not so sure the problem is as bad as it’s being made out to be.  It’s also worth remembering that, in recent years, the senior England squad has become more reliable about qualifying for major tournaments.  In the 1970s and 1980s, they made it a habit of missing out on qualification; that doesn’t much now.

Dyke’s focus seems to be on foreign players’ presence in the Premier League.  He cites figures suggesting that, in the last 20 years, the number of English players in the starting line-ups of top-flight clubs had gone from 69% to 32%.  He also said the proportion of new signings by PL clubs who are qualified to play for England had fallen from 37% to 25% in the past two years. “Last weekend only 65 English players started in the Premier League with another 14 coming on as substitutes,” he said. “Taking into account that some of these players are not international standard, I think it’s fair to say we already have a very small talent pool and it’s getting smaller.”

I won’t get into the basis of Dyke’s stats, save to make the general point that percentages can be calculated in many different ways, so I don’t necessarily take Dyke’s figures to be gospel.  For example, it isn’t clear to me where Scottish, Welsh, Northern Irish and Irish players fit into the analysis – players from those five footballing nations constituted the pre-PL pool from which players were drawn, so narrowly looking only at English players now would stunt the figures. Also, when you think of dual qualification, people like Carl Jenkinson for example, the truth behind the figures can become less clear.

But let’s assume that Dyke is right, that there is a diminishing pool of English PL players for the England coaches to recruit from.  Is that really a problem?  And if it is, why has it happened, and what could be done to rectify it?

Whenever I hear people complaining about the number of foreigners playing in the PL, my first reaction is always to point to the stubborn reluctance of young English players to make the same moves as their counterparts from other countries.  If they’re not getting enough pitch time in England, why not go to Holland, Sweden, France, Portugal, Belgium, or the US?  My guess is those youngsters are too scared to take on the challenge of moving country and/or prefer to take the easy, better money of being in an English PL squad.  Introducing quotas on foreign players (even if that were legally possible) wouldn’t answer those problems.  It would be better to give those young players some life-coaching, so that they make better decisions and broaden their horizons and their ambitions.

So, any thoughts?  Is Dyke right?  Do changes need to be made to the way the game is organised?  Does the strength of the national team even matter as compared with the ability of the clubs to recruit whatever players they want?

Written by 26may

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Posted by peachesgÖÖner

Are We Still 1 Player Short?

September 4, 2013

So after the excitement of the victory in the NLD, and the deadline day transfer of a truly world class player that smashed our record and the record for the transfer of any German player, it is maybe time to reflect on whether this current squad has the personnel and resources to win some major silverware.

I personally don’t think it is entirely necessary to have literally covered all areas of the squad, and is possibly not even realistic. There are plenty of examples of teams winning major silverware while still having question-marks about certain areas of the team either in terms of quality or strength in depth in certain departments. Sometimes that deficiency, and lack of cover, bites back at you and you fall short, and sometimes you ride it out and turn out winners anyway. Often the key is having adaptability in the squad where you have 4-5 players with the ability to cover other positions aside from their best one.

Looking at our squad I would break it down as follows :-

Goal-keepers :

I still have Chezzer (or TPIG to many) as our number 1 and am happy with this. I feel he is already a top class keeper and will only improve further. The addition of Viviano and the presence of an improved Fabianski, I personally think makes us strong in this department.

Verdict – Good number 1 and good cover in reserve.

Defence and defensive midfield :

I have paired the DM and defence together because of the potential adaptability factor in certain players. I actually think we are well covered in both these areas now largely due to the acquisition of Flamini. I look at it as having 2 very good right FB’s in Sagna and Jenkinson and 2 very good left FB’s in Gibbs and Monreal. We know Flamini is well capable of covering the left FB role and surely as a right footed player that should translate (if needed in an extreme situation) to being able to cover the right FB position. Central defence sees us with 3 senior and experienced centre backs to rotate in, Mertesacker, Koscielny, and Vermaelen. With Sagna also proving very able in this position how many more players can we accommodate or do we desperately need in the defensive areas?

Defensive midfield has been Arteta’s role in recent times and one he still performs to a high level. His most natural replacement is now Flamini whose acquisition has given us extra squad depth and more importantly added experience here. Beyond those 2, Ramsey and Wilshere playing as a deeper 2 don’t look easy to break down either, and even Rosicky can put in a shift in a deeper role if he is with the right partner.

Verdict – Quality FB’s, CD’s and DM’s as first choice and good adaptability with certain players to provide all round squad depth.

Attacking central midfield :

Probably our highest quality area with the greatest strength in depth. In our most attacking line up we have a maximum of 2 positions up for grabs here and have a choice of Cazorla, Ozil, Wilshere, Ramsey, and Rosicky before we even get to looking at some of the quality youngsters like Eisfeld and Zelalem.

Verdict – Well covered, if not the best in the league in this area.

Attacking wide players / inside forwards :

Having lost Gervinho we are left with 2 players who play mostly in these positions in Walcott and Podolski. At face value this looks like a slightly depleted position, especially considering Podolski’s lengthy lay off, but some of our quality and experienced ACM’s are well able to play in these positions, namely Cazorla, Rosicky, Ozil and Wilshere. I also feel that at least one of the young emerging players will get some increased playing time in this position this season, most likely Gnabry, so although another specialist attacking wide player may have been nice, we are still well covered and I don’t personally feel this will be the area that could potentially cost us this season.

Verdict – One more top attacking wide player would have been nice but we can still cover this area with high quality from within the squad.

Lead striker (number 9) :

This for me, and probably for many of you out there, is the one area that we may be caught short in. Worryingly reading between the lines with some reports that AW made last ditch bids for Rooney, Benteke, Djemba Ba, and Javier Pastore, it appears our esteemed manager recognised this as well. It is possibly the one area in this TW that I could find criticism with. We left it too late, and I think we possibly could have actually got a couple of those players if we had gone for them earlier. There are other potential missed opportunities. For instance how many of you would welcome the addition of David Villa to our squad right now and feel that we would be far more complete and have greater strength in depth up front, and be ready to challenge for the title if he were with us. He went for something around £5M I believe.

AW went big for a world class number 9 and I actually bear him no grudges on this, even if it has slightly backfired. The transfer window at the top end of the market is fraught with difficulties, especially with the addition of 2 new oil backed clubs in France snapping up quality players we may have normally had a chance with. This kind of situation and disappointment is not unique to Arsenal amongst the top clubs, and we just need to adapt and be strong until we have other options.

Ollie Giroud is now our only recognised regular number 9. Podolski had started to play this role a bit more recently, but is now out injured until Christmas. I have championed Walcott for the role in the past but am starting to prefer him as an attacking wide player. He could of course be an option for the role, but I feel it would depend on the type of opposition being faced. We have 2 youngsters that are more ready than some of the other young players to drop into the number 9 role in Sanogo and Akpom, but both have draw-backs with regard to age and experience at this level, and in Sanogo’s case also acclimatisation to the EPL.

The last option is one Mr Bendtner. Now many will laugh this one off but I have had pause for thought. For me NB is not the future of Arsenal or good enough to be a regular first team player, but also I don’t perceive him as a bad player either. He has far more big game experience than either Sanogo or Akpom and if fit he is the closest thing we have to Giroud in terms of a player who can hold the ball up and bring team-mates into play.

I think Ollie is a better goal-scorer and all round player, but if you look at the quality of our attacking midfielders behind the number 9 now, then it is maybe more important that our current number 9’s are players that can hold the ball up and bring advancing team-mates into play. I believe a fit NB can do this. His future is maybe not with us but it will not do him any harm to come into games with us and put on a good show and help us win games. We obviously benefit, and he would benefit where would be suitors will suddenly look at him differently. My hope is that if and when Bendtner is called upon, that the Arsenal faithful pay due respect and don’t start muttering. If he pulls on the Arsenal shirt and gives his all he deserves our support, even if his time with us is limited. It will not be too dissimilar to having a loan player in my mind.

Verdict on the number 9 – our weakest area, and needs addressing when we can, but I still feel we can overcome any deficiencies here for a while.

In summary and as I said earlier other teams have historically prevailed and won titles with slightly deficient areas in their squad and we just have to do the same. It is what it is now till the January transfer window and / or players are returning from injury. I actually believe we have a fantastic squad with great strength in depth maybe barring the one position, but I still feel that is a hurdle we can overcome.

Written by GoonerB

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Posted by peachesgÖÖner

Yes, Arsenal Can Win The Title

September 3, 2013

Dontcha just hate those last minute panic buys :-D?

Now I don’t want to seem parochial, but it’s impossible to separate the closing moments of the transfer window from the North London Derby that took place barely 24 hours earlier.

Before the game against the Shadow People, the cacophony of premature triumphalism from N17 was deafening.

The Spuds’ fans were eager to tell us how they had spent more than £100m on new players while our outlay made Scrooge look profligate. Inevitably (according to their logic) we would be drowned by a tsunami of banknotes when they pitched up at The Emirates.

But character is never eclipsed by cash, nor class outshone by gaudy trinkets: Arsenal 1, Totteringham 0.

Imagine being a Spud this morning.

It’s like you’ve spent the past week going round to your next door neighbour, giving it large:

Spud: “I’ve got a new bicycle. Let’s have a race.”

You: “No thanks.”

Spud, the next day: “I’ve got a new bicycle and now I’ve got a new horse. Let’s have a race.”

You: “No thanks.”

Spud, the next day: “I’ve got a new bicycle and a new horse and a new moped. Let’s have a race.”

You: “No thanks.”

Spud, the next day: “I’ve got a new bicycle and a new horse and a new moped and a new Ford Fiesta. Let’s have a race.”

You: “No thanks.”

Spud, the next day: “Er… hello.”

You: “I’ve got a Ferrari. Let’s do it.”

Answer me this: would you swap the £109m of New Potatoes that have arrived in N17 this summer for Mesut Ozil?

I wouldn’t.

Ozil is a world class player of a calibre that has not been signed by Arsenal since the arrival of a certain Dutch deity back in 1995 (yes, nearly 20 years ago).

Other Arsenal players have turned into superstars after joining us (Henry, Vieira, Fabregas, Brave Sir Robin) but Ozil is the first player to join as a bona fide genius since Dennis walked across the Caledonian Canal and into the Marble Halls, pausing only to distribute loaves and fishes to the masses.

So now we know the squad we have for the season ahead (notwithstanding the potential for reinforcements in January).

I would not say I’m 100% happy with it. I would have preferred an extra centre back and another centre forward to provide cover for Ollie G. But on balance I feel we’re in a good place.

Here are our main options:

Goalkeeper: Szczesny, Viviano, Fabianski.

Fullback: Sagna, Jenkinson, Gibbs, Monreal (Flamini).

Centre Back: Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen (Sagna).

Midfield: Wilshere, Rosicky, Arteta, Ramsey, Cazorla, Flamini.

Attack: Giroud, Podolski, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ozil, Walcott, (Sanogo/Bendtner).

Good enough to win the league?

You bet!

It doesn’t mean we WILL win the league: there are far too many variables for that to be said with any confidence. But I feel convinced that in this campaign, when it comes to the business end of things, we will be in the mix for top three, not for fourth/fifth.

Despite the angst of most Gunners, I would have been feeling modestly confident even if we had signed no-one yesterday.

Even before Ozil’s arrival our first 11 was becoming a match for anyone. The players are on an amazing run (only one defeat since March 3rd) and their belief is starting to become self-reinforcing: they work for one another and they trust one another. They have started to refuse the notion of being defeated. I’m sure our young British core (all re-upped in their contracts during last season) are central to this resurgence, supported by the experience and character of players like Arteta and Mertesacker (and now Flamini).

Of course, we can’t win the league if other teams are better than us. So how have our rivals fared in their summer transfer dealings and how are they shaping up for the challenge ahead?

Let’s consider them all, even the not-really-rivals like the Spuds and Liverpool.

Totteringham: they have lost their best player and replaced him with lots of half-decent players who will take a considerable time to adjust to the EPL and to playing alongside each other. I expect them to come good after Christmas, but by that time they will have dropped too many points to be anything other than outsiders for the Champions League positions. They are still crying out for a top creative central attacking midfielder or number 10.

Liverpuddle: whoop-de-doop! They have won their first three games of the season! This could be their year, right? Wrong. Their manager is a plank and their frailties will become apparent soon enough. Any team that thinks Kolo is the answer has clearly not been listening to the question.

ManUre: this could be a great year for the ManUre-haters (hello Chary). Their inept performance in the transfer window shows that the club has lost any remaining pull since the departure of the aubergine-hootered Jock. To be honest, United’s stock was already on the slide in Europe before Ferguson’s exit because, despite their domestic successes, it was obvious to everyone that they were no longer capable of competing with the top teams from Spain, Germany and Italy. There is nothing about Gollum that suggests he is any way suited to halting the slide. Fellaini is an OK signing – but he’s not what they need (indeed, as I said recently, he’s not as good as Ramsey). They needed Fabregas and he told them to eff off. They needed Ozil but he took a good look at the individuals alongside whom he would be playing and chose Arsenal instead. I expect United to fall out of the top four this year.

Chavski:  the Special Needs One is back and it would be a brave gambler who would bet against Chelsea having a decent season. They will definitely be in contention and will be one of our biggest rivals, even with Will-I-Am playing attacking midfield.

ManCiteh: they have a well respected coach, an embarrassment of riches on the playing side and gazillions of money. I happen to think that they will be neck and neck with Manchester United for the “who can fall out of the top four fastest” contest. As Arsenal showed against the Reprobates – money can’t buy you team spirit.

Conclusion: “It’s up for grabs now.”

And this is where the Mesut Ozil signing comes in: it’s not just about making a brilliant addition to our squad. It’s about providing a huge lift to those amazing Arsenal players who have been doing so well week in and week out for 15 matches.

Arsene Wenger has said to those players: “I trust you – but to enable you to reach the highest heights I am adding a true superstar.  I want to match the ambitions you have for yourselves and for our club.” Ozil will make the likes of Wilshere, Ramsey and Walcott even better.

I am glad there is no Cabaye. My faith is in Ramsey, Wilshere, Arteta, Flamini et al.

I am sort-of glad there is no Benzema, whose presence (and no doubt insistence on playing time in a World Cup year) would relegate the ever-improving Giroud to the bench.

Meanwhile, Ozil’s signing also makes a statement to our rivals: no defender will feel comfortable when they see him lining up against them in the EPL. After all, who wants to be next in the Nutmeg Hall of Shame that makes up any Ozil YouTube compilation?

So, has Arsene played the transfer window in a masterful way?

I doubt it. With the thin-ness of our squad and the swathe of early season injuries it doesn’t take too much of a leap of the imagination to think we could have failed to qualify for the Champions League (in which case, no Ozil) and might have struggled against Fulham and the Spuds.

Next season I would be much happier if the major business was done before the start of the season, not before the end of the window.

But somehow our professorial leader has ended up the winner in this summer of frenzied speculation and occasional action.

His late, emphatic move for Ozil makes Villas Boas look like a spendthrift hoarder of cheap tat and makes Moyes look like a boy trying to sit at the men’s table while secretly weeing himself with fear.

I’m not a great one for “I told you so”, but after the general gloom that followed our opening day defeat to Aston Villa I wrote a Post urging people to keep things in perspective. All teams – even the greatest – occasionally lose games that they shouldn’t. I just felt people were reading too much into one defeat that was largely down to dodgy refereeing, and unnecessarily writing off our season before it had begun.

However, I did add: “I am also confident that good players will be brought in (if they are not, I will be singing a different tune).”

Since then, Flamini, Viviano and Ozil have arrived.

For me, the song remains the same.

The title is there to be won. Let’s do it.

RockyLives

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Confounding the Critics : Arsenal 1 Tottenham Hotspur 0

September 2, 2013

This is not a match report, its a bunch of ramblings from a very happy Gooner with no real structure.

Lets start as we mean to go on, with a bloody good laugh. Laugh at the media, laugh at Levy’s £109m investment, laugh at AVB sprinting down the touch line to tell Kyle Walker to launch the ball in to the box because he was too thick to realise it was 30 seconds to go, laugh at all those who say Arsene Wenger doesn’t do tactics.

Yesterday our wily old Frenchman won the tactical battle, and the players executed it perfectly. Looking at the line ups it appeared that Spurs had been set up to create a solid defensive unit and to spring counter attacks using the pace of Townsend and Chadli feeding Soldado (I’m glad at this point the teamsheet is there as it indeed shows that they had a centre forward on the pitch £28m worth apparently).

Wenger had a trick up his sleeve, their midfield three lacked mobility, so Wenger set us up not to push too high, their attacking three were isolated and red and white shirts crowded them out and regained possession with relative ease. And when we won possession we had the pace and numbers to look threatening running at the heart of the Tottenham defence.

Wenger was rewarded by his players with a beautifully fashioned goal, at pace the ball was pinged around and players moved with intent, Theo was set free down the right with Spurs defenders not knowing who to mark, Giroud pulled Dawson this way and that before darting towards the near post to produce a deft finish to the bottom corner from Theo’s accurate cross.

giro goal

After the goal we were content to continue the game plan, sitting deep, defending strongly and maximising use of the football when we had it. We were so comfortable that AVB started to change his team pushing Paulinho further forward, which just gave us more room to play forward when we did have the ball.

Despite having very little possession we continued to look threatening on the break, a better pass or a better touch at the crucial moment and we could have had a second.

Just before half time Jack Wilshere was removed feeling unwell and was replaced by Flamini, it wasn’t long before we got to see why it was a “no brainer” for Arsene. Flamini slotted straight in, for the rest of the half and all of the second he was one of the first to press the ball, organising those around him not used to such a battle. Those around him responded, Ramsey, Santi, Rosicky and Theo all prepared to do the more unpleasant side of the game, winning the ball back, fighting for possession.

I haven’t even moved on to the defence yet, they were simply magnificent, Soldado did not get a touch from Koscielny, Chadli and Townsend were kept relatively quiet by Gibbs and Jenkinson and Mertesacker did what he does best, provides calm assurance to those around him and reading the game inside out. And when they did breach the defensive unit Szczesny produced an absolutely top class save.

With players tiring and Spurs throwing more bodies forward it did get a little tense in the last ten minutes. We struggled to clear our lines and hold onto possession further up the pitch, especially once Rosicky and Theo had been replaced by Monreal and Sagna respectively. Giroud had been able to rely on those two for most of the game to be his outlet when trying to hold the ball up, now off the pitch he was looking more isolated but what I think we are all beginning to love about Oli is his work rate, he does not stop competing for his mates. Anyone watch MotD on Saturday night? A certain Mr Berbatov (that player that Arsene should have signed last summer) was sulking around St James’s Park. I know which of the two I’d rather have in my team.

All in all a very good days work, this wasn’t our most fluent display, but it was the kind of performance many of us have been waiting for. So many of my Spurs supporting clients were quick to text me after our defeat by Villa, I’ve kept my powder dry, when should I text, first thing in the morning, or when we’ve announced three super super quality signings?

Ratings:

Szczesny : 9 comfortable handling all game, good distribution especially under pressure and two cracking saves.

Jenkinson : 8 disciplined at right back, considerably helped by Theo occupying Walker

Gibbs : 7 given a bit of a working over by Townsend early on but ordinary service was resumed for the next 70 minutes, not helped by no one occupying Rose.

Koscielny : 9 is he pleased to see us or is that a £28m striker in his pocket.

Mertesacker : 8 leads by example.

Wilshere : 7 not his normal effervescent self but considering illness unsurprising

Ramsey : 9 lead the team in tackles, touches and attempted passes.

Cazorla : 9 the boy is class

Walcott : 8 used his pace to worry Spurs when we had the ball and defended well when we didn’t

Giroud : 9 a great finish, constantly working for his team, goal line block.

Subs:

Flamini : 8 it was indeed a no brainer

Monreal : 7 did what he had to

Sagna : 7 ditto

Wenger : 10 out tacticted the young pretender

Enjoy transfer deadline Gooners bathing in the warm afterglow of a North London Derby win.

Gooner in Exile

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Posted by Gööner In Exile

NLD ….. You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear

September 1, 2013

Can Arsenal win this afternoon? Reading some of the rubbish written by various Arsenal websites it would appear not. Others say that even if we beat Spurs, it matters not, because it only papers over the cracks (sorry Rasp 😀 ).

Two 5-2’s say different because what have been the highlights of the last two season’s? Have they been to play in Munich or at home to Dortmund? Perhaps beating Man City at the Emirates in 2012? No, the highlight for almost every Gooner are the thrashings of the cave-dwelling, pond-life from down the road.

Those of a nervous disposition point to the hundred million spent by the N17 mugs, but as indicated in the post headline ….. put a slapper in a fur coat and she is still a slapper. Of course, there is the possibility of a monkey typing Hamlet and one must accept that one day we will fail to look down upon them, but first 11 against first 11, we remain better than them.

Credit where credit is due – selling an ape and buying a zoo with the proceeds is fine work. Even a top negotiator like David Dein would be proud, though it remains to be seen whether AVB can get in the circus trainers to create a functioning team. Carrots, a whip, dog treats and some apples will encourage the process.

images

AVB working with his new signings.

In the two previous home NLD’s we have given them at least a goal start and then started playing ; such generosity is unnecessary and we need to tighten up. Despite the gulf in class and quality, care must be taken.

Spurs: It will be interesting to see how many of the new signings start. I doubt AVB will make wholesale changes to a team which has won all it’s games this season. Lamela, Eriksen and the horrific looking CB they have brought in from the Gulags are probably not registered yet.

And what of Adebayor and Defoe ? We might despair at Bendtner but Spurs have more deadwood than the Mary Rose.

A short paragraph of my true thoughts about Spurs.  They will be a major threat to AFC this season. From the reputations of the players brought in, they have bought wisely – a mixture of experience and exciting youth. It must be an interesting time to be a Cave Dweller.

Their defence looks solid-. Lloris has improved and appears to be a top GK.  I was much impressed by Danny Rose last season and in Kyle Walker they have real pace at the back. Vertonghen should be playing in red and white, a poor, poor decision from AW not to sign him.  Dawson is their weak link – we must attack him.

In midfield the improvement is huge. Sandro, Dembele, Paulinho and Capoue are formidable opponents, add in the creativity of the soon to arrive Eriksen and Spurs look very strong.

Upfront, Soldado was very expensive but had a decent strike record at Valencia. And what do we make of Andros Townsend? Is he the new Apeboy or just another Lemon?

I stated at the beginning of last season that AVB would be Spurs best signing for decades. Let us hope I am wrong.

Arsenal:

The injury to Podolski could be costly as we have very little attacking bite on the bench. Sanogo, good as he will be, doesn’t excite. With Ox out as well, Mr Wenger is almost forced to play Cazorla out on the left or continue with Gibbs in front of Monreal.

We need a return to the defensive cohesion we saw at the end of last season and the return of Koscielny is good news. Sagna has been excellent at CB but I prefer him to Jenks at RB.

Midfield will be where the game is won. This game cries out of the discipline and experience of Arteta, but if our little fellows can run the legs off their more physical opponents we will find space for Theo to hurt them.

Giroud. IF Oliver can convert the chances he is sure to have we will win. In my opinion, OG and Theo are  the central figures in the game.

My team:

a1t

We are seriously lacking on the bench. Gnabry, Frimpong, Sanogo ?? We need bodies. The signing of Flamini in time for the NLD could be important.

The referee is Michael Oliver. His performance will be vital. We have seen young Jack get a right good kicking in almost every game he plays; rotational fouling has become the norm. There is little doubt that AVB will send out his midfield with orders to be very physical and it is up to Oliver to make sure they play within the rules. I doubt whether he will be up to the task but trust he is better than the idiot we had against Villa. There are sure to be controversial calls and let us hope he gets them right. As always, check out Untold Arsenal to get referee stats.

Today will be one of the most interesting and nerve-racking NLD’s of recent times. Are the new Spurs the real deal or just Johnny Come Lateleys?

So, referring back to the opening sentence of the post, of course we can.

Believe.

COYRRG

written by Big Raddy

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Posted by peachesgÖÖner

Spurs: You can’t make a Silk purse from a Pig’s ear

September 1, 2013

Can Arsenal win this afternoon? Reading some of the rubbish written by various Arsenal websites it would appear not. Others say that even if we beat Spurs, it matters not, because it only papers over the cracks (sorry Rasp 😀 ).

Two 5-2’s say different because what have been the highlights of the last two season’s? Have they been to play in Munich or at home to Dortmund? Perhaps beating Man City at the Emirates in 2012? No, the highlight for almost every Gooner are the thrashings of the cave-dwelling, pond-life from down the road.

Those of a nervous disposition point to the hundred million spent by the N17 mugs, but as indicated in the post headline ….. put a slapper in a fur coat and she is still a slapper. Of course, there is the possibility of a monkey typing Hamlet and one must accept that one day we will fail to look down upon them, but first 11 against first 11, we remain better than them.

Credit where credit is due – selling an ape and buying a zoo with the proceeds is fine work. Even a top negotiator like David Dein would be proud, though it remains to be seen whether AVB can get in the circus trainers to create a functioning team. Carrots, a whip, dog treats and some apples will encourage the process.

images

AVB working with his new signings.

In the two previous home NLD’s we have given them at least a goal start and then started playing ; such generosity is unnecessary and we need to tighten up. Despite the gulf in class and quality, care must be taken.

Spurs: It will be interesting to see how many of the new signings start. I doubt AVB will make wholesale changes to a team which has won all it’s games this season. Lamela, Eriksen and the horrific looking CB they have brought in from the Gulags are probably not registered yet.

And what of Adebayor and Defoe ? We might despair at Bendtner but Spurs have more deadwood than the Mary Rose.

A short paragraph of my true thoughts about Spurs.  They will be a major threat to AFC this season. From the reputations of the players brought in, they have bought wisely – a mixture of experience and exciting youth. It must be an interesting time to be a Cave Dweller.

Their defence looks solid-. Lloris has improved and appears to be a top GK.  I was much impressed by Danny Rose last season and in Kyle Walker they have real pace at the back. Vertonghen should be playing in red and white, a poor, poor decision from AW not to sign him.  Dawson is their weak link – we must attack him.

In midfield the improvement is huge. Sandro, Dembele, Paulinho and Capoue are formidable opponents, add in the creativity of the soon to arrive Eriksen and Spurs look very strong.

Upfront, Soldado was very expensive but had a decent strike record at Valencia. And what do we make of Andros Townsend? Is he the new Apeboy or just another Lemon?

I stated at the beginning of last season that AVB would be Spurs best signing for decades. Let us hope I am wrong.

Arsenal:

The injury to Podolski could be costly as we have very little attacking bite on the bench. Sanogo, good as he will be, doesn’t excite. With Ox out as well, Mr Wenger is almost forced to play Cazorla out on the left or continue with Gibbs in front of Monreal.

We need a return to the defensive cohesion we saw at the end of last season and the return of Koscielny is good news. Sagna has been excellent at CB but I prefer him to Jenks at RB.

Midfield will be where the game is won. This game cries out of the discipline and experience of Arteta, but if our little fellows can run the legs off their more physical opponents we will find space for Theo to hurt them.

Giroud. IF Oliver can convert the chances he is sure to have we will win. In my opinion, OG and Theo are  the central figures in the game.

My team:

a1t

We are seriously lacking on the bench. Gnabry, Frimpong, Sanogo ?? We need bodies. The signing of Flamini in time for the NLD could be important.

The referee is Michael Oliver. His performance will be vital. We have seen young Jack get a right good kicking in almost every game he plays; rotational fouling has become the norm. There is little doubt that AVB will send out his midfield with orders to be very physical and it is up to Oliver to make sure they play within the rules. I doubt whether he will be up to the task but trust he is better than the idiot we had against Villa. There are sure to be controversial calls and let us hope he gets them right. As always, check out Untold Arsenal to get referee stats.

Today will be one of the most interesting and nerve-racking NLD’s of recent times. Are the new Spurs the real deal or just Johnny Come Lateleys?

So, referring back to the opening sentence of the post, of course we can.

Believe.

COYRRG

written by Big Raddy

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Posted by Erik the Red

N17 Spending Highlights Arsenal’s Strength

August 31, 2013

There I said it….we all know the swamp dwellers that live just down the road (thankfully just far enough to be out of nose-shot) have always been prone to spending money on failures. This summer they have cut loose like never before with Levy going wherever he is sent by AVB and Baldini and throwing around the yet to be secured cash of ape boy’s transfer fee.

They have captured the signing of many a (never known to us before July) name. Arsenal fans have been left distraught at the amount of players entering the doors of the Lane with only Flamini and Sanogo appearing at London Colney in reply.

Should we be worried? In short no. This is their last chance to secure Champions League Football before spending on their shiny new stadium commences in anger, they know in reality without Champions League Football a brand new stadium will be as useful to them as the Duck House that sits on their swamp, an expensive ornament that glistens but is empty of anything useful. Sainsbury’s will see more punters during a quiet Sunday than their new stadium will see during another glorious Europa League night against another team with more consonants than vowels from deepest Transylvania.

If we are as poor in quality as everyone says and given the lack of significant activity from most of the other clubs around us you would have to question why Levy and his management team decided to spend quite so much money. Surely they would breeze CL qualification with only a couple of additions.

So why spend so much? Because they can see our strength when no one else can they have gone all out, spending all of their gains in one summer to try and finally make this the year. But have they really improved?

Our resident rotund red headed blogger (FGG) posted a comparison the other day (even included some unconfirmed Spuds), it was hard to see what all the fuss was about:

Goalkeepers
Lloris – Szscesny
Friedel – Fabianski

2-0 Spuds

Right Backs
Walker – Sagna
Naughton – Jenks

2-0 Arsenal

Centre Backs
Dawson – Mertersacker
Vertonghen – Koscielny
Kaboul – Vermaelen

2-1 Arsenal

Left Backs
Rose – Gibbs
Assou-Ekotto – Monreal

2-0 Arsenal

Midfield
Paulinho – Arteta
Dembele – Ramsey
Eriksen – Wilshere
Capoue – Diaby
Townsend – Oxlade-Chamberlain
Sandro – Flamini

5-1 Arsenal

Forward/Attacking Midfield
Lamela – Cazorla
Lennon – Walcott
Soldado – Giroud
Sigurdsson – Rosicky
Chadli – Podolski
Defoe – Sanogo

4-2 Arsenal

(For clarity my scoring is of the pairs listed above who is better, so Cazorla better than Lamela 1-0 Arsenal, Walcott better Lennon (otherwise known as a shit Theo Walcott) 2-0 and so on)

Admittedly it would be nice to have a few of the good guys fit for tomorrow but so be it we are where we are.

But come on now Gooners long term as the season plays out do we really have to worry that much? Add a couple of good players to the squad and we will be laughing for quite a while at how much this summer cost Levy, and how they pissed their deposit for the new home up the wall on a long shot, that they could actually for once do the unthinkable and finish above us. Forever in our shadow, and now Sainsbury’s too, bless keep dreaming Spudders and don’t forget to mind the gap….you never know how quickly it’ll disappear.

Gooner in Exile

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Posted by Gööner In Exile

Arsenal Players Demand Signings …. Fact

August 30, 2013

When it comes to publishing posts, this site can be as underhand as Darren Dein. Respected blogger chas, placed a comment during yesterday’s debate that we felt illustrated perfectly the way in which we are going to be tortured by the media in the next few days.

He wrote ……….

I’ve had a quick look and can’t see any of the current players “demanding” signings.

This from Giroud

“In my opinion, it’s necessary for the club to recruit another striker. Obviously, I think about it a little bit. It may change the play one day, especially if it’s a high profile signing. It’s useless lamenting this though. I know what I have to do and what I’m capable of. I’m focusing on me and my work. The coach is counting on me, so I don’t think too much.”

Obviously talking about his position as no 1 striker gets turned into this…..

“Arsenal striker Giroud broke cover to voice his concerns and Mirror Sport understands other players have been left bemused, unhappy and questioning whether Wenger really wants to make big signings.” by John Cross of the Mirror.

This from Arteta

“I’m convinced there will be signings this summer. We already have a very strong team – and if we get new faces they will be welcome.”

….. becomes this from EatSleepSport

“Arteta calls for new signings”

This from Wilshere

“You look at the type of players, like Higuain, we’re trying to bring in, and you’ve got to be encouraged. I think we need a few more – not to step right into the team but to add to the squad.”

……….becomes this from some other dick at the Mirror.

“Arsenal’s Gonzalo Higuain swoop is great but we need more like him says Jack Wilshere

chas’ observations are nothing new but should serve as a reminder to us all to just stop and think for a second before we rabidly stab our fingers into our keyboards and post vitriolic comments based on journalism that is calculated to mislead. We should avoid reacting in the way the authors of our discontent have envisaged. Let’s not give them the pleasure.

Rasp

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Posted by Rasp

Four centre backs at Arsenal is a thing of the past.

August 29, 2013

For years the accepted wisdom at most clubs and certainly at Arsenal has been that you should start a new season with four centre backs all ready and able to be called upon whenever needed.

As recently as last season, we started with Mertasacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen and Squillaci. The problem with this system becomes clearer as you move along the list; the drop in quality is substantial.

The practicalities have been to have two centre backs playing, one on the bench and one doing very little apart from losing match sharpness in the reserves and picking up a large pay cheque.

Now as tough as it sounds to have to pick up a large pay cheque for seemingly doing very little, there is an expensive trade off; the fourth choice CB will almost certainly lose his chance to play first team football, ok he will play one or two games here and there but that is it.

So it becomes a balancing act, clubs want the best player they can get while knowing that if the player is any good he will not want to give up the opportunity to play.

It is the same at all clubs, a forth choice CB trades his chance to play football for a wage that is higher than he would be getting at a lesser club and so it follows that the higher the wage a club is prepared to pay the better the quality of forth choice back up will be.

Man city had Kolo Toure on a huge wage for doing very little apart from putting on weight but even he got bored enough to take a pay cut and move to Liverpool in the hope of playing regular football. (Ok, the pay cut part is a punt)

It is a thankless task being a forth choice CB and even more so at Arsenal where the player is not getting a man city pay cheque and to make things worse he is constantly moaned about by the fans for not being good enough.

This is why I have always had a great deal of sympathy for our forth choice CB’s and defended them when ever I could. Take Squillaci, it was not his fault that his job was to simply be an insurance policy against disaster; that’s to say if illness befell the three other CB’s in front of him.

The point of this post is that I think the club may have changed its policy; they still know that we need the depth, hence Mertasacker, Koscielny and Vermaelen; but, now instead of having another in the reserves I think that AW views Djourou as the fourth. It’s the reason why he was never sold and there have been plenty of opportunities to do so.

It makes a lot of sense, far better to have a fourth choice playing week in and week out, keeping his match fitness than languishing in the reserves. The loan deal probably has a clause that says we can have him back in case of disaster.

Makes sense to me, why would someone like Williams of Swansea want to give up the opportunity to play first team football again; in fact, why would anyone half decent want to?

Written by LB

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Posted by LB

Arsenal 2 Fenerbahce 0

August 28, 2013

Another convincing win by the mighty Arsenal, that’s three on the trot, although this one was all the sweeter from having the pleasure of watching it from my own seat at the home of football.

Three nil up from the first leg meant that it was very unlikely that the good guys were ever going to bother getting out of second gear and indeed they didn’t, it was, in fact, a bit a cruise from start to finish.

The mystique that Fenerbahce might of held prior to the first leg was gone; the unfamiliarity of the Turkish team and its unknown strength, the hostile atmosphere, the ferocious fans; all this had evaporated, they were poor and we knew it, all that was required was the patient dissection of our inferior opponents.

But Wenger was not taking any chances; he could have gone for Carling Cup team in order to rest as many players as possible for the coming, more important, game at the weekend; indeed many supporters on this blog championed that view when the debate was in full flow a few days ago but there was one esteemed blogger who pointed out that if they were to score in the first fifteen minutes it would be game on.

If anyone ever wanted proof that Arsene reads this blog here you have it; he predictably swapped Wilshere for Rosicky, gave Gibbs a break, allowing Monreal a chance to get back up to speed and surprisingly kept Sagna at CB presumably to give Koscielny a bit more time to recover. This was a very strong team, belt and braces stuff, Arsene protecting his precious run in the Champions League, well it worked; we are through.

Rambo scores again

Ramsey’s confidence is soaring and important goals are coming at the right time, his first was a poke in after it fell kindly to him, his second was thing of beauty, opening his body and guiding the ball into the corner past the open mouthed, helpless Ferner keeper.

Szezceny stole the show in the first half pulling off wonder save after wonder save, the second half was only tainted by the loss of Podolski, a hamstring strain is always a minimum of three weeks; it possibly could have been avoided. He came out of the blocks at the beginning of the second half at break neck speed, tearing down the wing faster than he has done so in the last six months to add to an early attack, I am all for showing a bit of commitment Lucas but we were four goals up – relax.

Gibbs replaced Podolski and was interestingly moved into the middle, could he be our next DM? He can tackle, has a defensive mindset, although he can obviously play and add to the attack when needed; Arsene likes his players to be multi functional so who knows?

Sanogo then came on for what was I think his third appearance and got a big round of applause when he finally got his first touch. I now it is early days but I can’t see what he is good at: control, touch, movement, pace, speed, I don’t see any of those.

Theo went off to a massive applause from the fans who bothered turning up and had bothered to stay to this point; it really was heart felt stuff though. I am very pleased for him; the man is really learning how to make the most of his other abilities rather than just relying on his natural gift of speed.

Ryo came on and if some of us, like me, hoped that he might be able to fill in while Podolski recovers we quickly had to think again; there is still a lot of work to be done there.

By this time Fenerbahce were systematically kicking lumps out of Wilshere, I wish, as Slim said, that he wouldn’t roll around giving the impression that he is likely to be out for the season every time he goes down, we need to establish a secret signal, we need a sign Jack that you are alright, some of us with a nervous disposition can’t take it.

The final whistle came and all three of us who had stayed to the very end clapped the boys off.

Job done; now let the signings begin.

Written by LB

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Posted by LB

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