Our Destiny Lies In The Hands Of One Man

May 8, 2013

Something very important for Arsenal takes place tonight. Coupled with our remaining two games, this is perhaps what our season comes down to. No trophies again (8 years!!), and fighting for a top 4 finish.

One man will have a huge level of influence in determining the outcome of this fight. Not Cazorla, not Walcott, not Bale. These players will be important, but will be less important than another man who takes the field.

01

By now, most of you probably know I am talking about Mike Dean, the referee who takes charge of the Chelsea-Spurs clash tonight, and then our game against Wigan next week. Mike Dean, under whom we have a relegation worthy record, who celebrates when we lose Carling cup finals, or go a goal down and effectively 13 points behind Spurs. Mike Dean, who is from Wirral, and under whom Wigan have a win percentage near that of a CL team. Mike Dean, who basically is a clone of Mike Riley, the current chief of the Pgmol, probably as a richly deserved reward for ending our glorious run of unbeaten games.

Click here to read how the Daily Mail assessed Dean’s anti Arsenal bias

Paranoid? Not really. Just cynical about there being a scenario where one man has an inordinate amount of influence towards determining who gets a 30m pound plus payoff next season. What was that thing about money and power?

A few days ago on this site, I ‘outed’ myself as a ‘conspiracy theorist’. I feel the analogy of being outed is fair because of the social pressure put on those that don’t take things at face value and ask questions as to what lies underneath. It is a subject close to my heart mainly because it destroys all that sport is, and not because Arsenal haven’t won a trophy for 8 years (yes..8.. Remember?) But I always feel I have to tread on eggshells when it comes to this. There’s this complete refusal among many, to examine issues that beg for closer inspection. Issues that the media should be bringing out rather than sweeping under the rug. Anyone challenging the might of this PR assault, is accused of being a conspiracy theorist. The term that brings images of people shutting themselves in the basement (or closets), wearing tin foil hats for fear of having their mind read etc etc.. Not reasonable people, with legitimate reasons for having legitimate doubts, about a system which operates so much like an old boys’ network, in such an opaque manner, with so much money swimming around, that actually, the onus should be on them to prove that they are not corrupt.

But how do I feel about this as an Arsenal fan, rather than just a sports fan? I feel we were cheated from winning the title in 2008. I didn’t feel this at the time. It was the ManU-Wigan game at the end of that season, when wanting ManU to win (so that Chelsea wouldn’t) I saw Steve Bennett help Manchester United win the title. Rafa Benitez, in his ‘rant’ also made mention of this game the following year. I am not sure whether Liverpool were cheated out of their title as well, but I don’t believe the narrative that his ‘rant’ was the reason for their capitulation. I feel over the years we’ve had so many inexplicably poor decisions go against us, we’ve been allowed (by referees, and the media)to be systematically assaulted on the field (as evidenced by the number of broken legs in a short space of time), and off the field, through the narrative of Arsenal. And that in the years 2009-10, and 2010-11, this too played a part in us falling short (Note the word ‘too’)

Now, I am told that all football fans feel their team is discriminated against. Both by refs and the media. Perhaps this is true, although a lot of Arsenal fans seem to be quite perverse in that sense. And I am always, even now, open to the possibility of me being wrong about this. In fact, I positively hope I am. I’d rather my team was completely to blame for their loss/failings rather than only partially.

But a system more geared for corruption, I don’t think I can think of. No one that I know ever disputes FIFA being corrupt. Nor Uefa. Nor the Italian League after Calciopoli. Nor the Germans since they uncovered their own refereeing scandal. England though, is special. It doesn’t matter how many stats pop up, such as ManU going 560 days without a red card or a penalty, or Rio Ferdinand only getting one yellow card in a season where he kungfu kicks Sagna. No matter that Rooney (and now even RVP) can elbow an opponent in the head without it getting called a red card (a yellow protects them from being banned) , doesn’t matter that referee appointments are made arbitrarily (but unfortunately, not without design it seems) This current example of Dean is hardly an isolated occurrence. Atkinson didn’t referee ManU again for 11 months after Chelsea beat them in a contentious game. Clattenburg didn’t referee ManU again for a similar period after refereeing excellently in their humiliating 6-1 home loss to City. All these facts are from memory. I don’t have time to do the research, but there are people out there who do this. They do it in the belief of something being wrong with the game they love, not the team they love (most of them aren’t Arsenal fans)

Why Arsenal? Why ManU? Why??? I don’t have the answers. Only theories and more questions, which, if I have time, I’d be happy to share. Giving voice to them might make me a conspiracy theorist in the eyes of some. I don’t care. At this point, all that matters to me is that wherever we end up, it is to do with the players on the field and not the referees. Or should I say referee??!

Written by Shard

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Was Theo re-signed for the wrong reasons?

May 7, 2013

Something has been worrying me lately, I take a look at our squad and I look at our formation and I scratch my head…..why the desperation to sign Theo earlier in the season.

theo runningTheo more than any other player divides opinion between fans, his goal tally this year of 20 in all competitions is a good return, assists of 17 equally impressive.

All this is good stuff…..but I’m still scratching my head. Arsene signed Podolski in January 2012 to arrive in summer.

It appears he knew BSR was two steps out the door already, so he signed Giroud in the summer transfer window as well, two centre forwards / strikers (whether Pod can actually play there for us is another issue) to replace one sold and one so devoid of confidence that he can’t be picked.

Then I look at our current formation, with everyone fit and available Wenger picks the following:

Theo Rosicky/Wilshere Cazorla

Giroud

Spot the odd one out (no not him LB), Theo cannot play anywhere across the midfield, as the others can, the more logical pick is Gervinho, and in the games where he started we carried much more attacking threat and won the ball back consistently higher up the pitch.

Now I’m not advocating Gervinho starts in place of Theo but I am wondering if Theo can actually contribute more than goals or assists, and if his inclusion in the side is preventing us from scoring more by the lack of variety it brings. Move the ball to Theo pass back to Bacary, back to Theo back to Bacary, and then a hopeful cross.

He is now our highest paid player, he and his agent engineered the situation perfectly, there was such a clamour around the club about the situation following the loss of more players through the summer that to let his contract run down would have been PR suicide.

Clearly he is never going to be big enough to play up front on his own in the PL, but is he actually good enough in all aspects of the game to play in midfield for this Arsenal side?

I don’t believe Wenger wants us to be so rigid across the front of midfield I think we have to be if Theo starts, and his new contract presents an obstacle to us moving forward with the likes of Oxlade-Chamberlain more suited to the midfield three role.

Yes his goals have been helpful this season, but can anyone see a future for Theo given our current formation? Is he going to become a luxury we can ill afford?

Gooner In Exile

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Man United Should Be Ashamed of Themselves

May 6, 2013

Well, hands up if you were surprised that Manchester United rolled over and gave up three points to Chelsea without so much as a squeak of opposition…

No hands

I thought not.

Of course United owe us nothing and if I was a United fan (eeeugh * gag *) I wouldn’t give a toss about whether or not the non-performance of my team was grossly insulting and unfair to others. I would just sit there stuffing more chips-with-curry-sauce into my fat northern face and quaff another Boddingtons or six.

But as an Arsenal supporter I am annoyed.

Just over a week ago United came to the Emirates, played their strongest possible team and put in a fully committed performance. Fortunately we played well and a draw was probably a fair result even though we gifted them their equaliser.

After that game the Purple Conked Gorbalian who runs Surry United talked about “honouring” the likes of us and Totteringham by promising to put in a similar effort against Chelsea.

I had my doubts, but Fergus the Bogeyman reiterated the point again during the week, saying: “There are three teams chasing those two positions… and I will play my strongest team out of respect for those two other teams. I said to Arsene Wenger after the game last week – don’t worry we’ll play our strongest team, we’ll play a team to win.”

What a lying piece of Glaswegian dog turd.

The “strongest team” he sent out meant dropping his first choice goalkeeper and his best central defender, as well as England’s golden boy, the granny shagger.

Even so, you might say, a United team with a bunch of second stringers should still be able to put in a good performance: and they did have the Premier League’s deadliest goal scorer in Robin van Wotsisname.

All true, but unfortunately this particular Manchester United eleven approached the game with all the enthusiasm of a stallion off to see the gelders.

Chelsea weren’t much cop, but it was obvious to me from early on that they were going to end up winning and they duly did.

You would have to go a long way back to find a United performance with as many misplaced challenges, half-hearted tackles, aimless boots into touch and woeful attempts at finishing.

In the first half I counted four clear chances on goal for Brave Sir Robin alone, including a one-on-one with the Chelsea ‘keeper. I have no doubt that against us one or more of those chances would have ended up in the back of the net. Yesterday the Dutch Skunk fluffed them all with an air of studied non-interest.

I had been harbouring a vague notion that BSR might put himself out a bit to do us a favour. Why a favour? Well, you know, there were all those years where we paid him millions of pounds to lie on a physio table and trot out for half a dozen games a season and still get brilliant support from the fans.

But the more I thought about it the more it dawned on me that it would suit BSR for us to fail to make the Champions League. I am pretty sure that the poor, abused little boy inside Sir Robin is wracked with guilt about the way he stabbed Arsenal and Arsene in the back. Sure, the mountains of cash and the new shiny medal will make up for it a bit, but he knows what he did and he can’t be happy with himself about it.

So anything that justifies his decision to crap on us will be clutched at eagerly. And if we don’t make top four this year he can say: “See, I knew I was right to leave. They are on a downward spiral.”

So I believe that even if the entire Chelsea team had suddenly collapsed to the ground mid-game from a strange Chav-borne illness (Coleosis? Macrotising Terryitis?), leaving BSR to run towards goal unopposed, he would still have put the ball wide.

Anyway, the Chelsea win means that Top Four is still not in our own hands.

I also watched the Totts against the Saints on Saturday. They were rubbish – the world’s first ever One Primate Team. And to be fair, when Gareth Bale popped up to score exactly the same type of goal he scores in most games, there was a bit of me that thought he deserves to play in the Chimps League next year.

But the wins for both our London rivals mean that we all need to become Chelsea fans on Wednesday (eeeugh * gag *).

If the Spuds make a monkey of the Chavs and get all three points, we can still finish fifth even if we win our final two games.

The best result is a Chav win, as Bayonne Jean explained very clearly in comments last night: “Many think that a draw is more desirable, but not if you look at the maths:
Baseline: Arsenal maximum points is 73.

“Chelsea win takes them to 71 with two fixtures left. Downside: they would then only need one win to pip Arsenal, and they are highly likely to do that. Even two draws might be enough for them, as they have current +3 gd on Gunners, which may be enough even if Arsenal win remaining two. But upside is that Spurs would stay at 65, with maximum of 71. This gives Arsenal chance to finish with a win and a draw, giving Arsenal 71 as well, and hold on to fourth based on current +13 gd vs. Spurs.

“On the other hand, draw between Spurs and Chavs doesn’t buy much. Draw takes Chavs to 69, where they would only need win and a draw to tie Arsenal at 73, and they would likely maintain gd tie breaker. Spurs at 66 after the Chelsea draw means that Arsenal would still need to win both remaining fixtures to ensure staying ahead of Spurs at the end.”

It is what it is. All we can do is win our games; we can’t influence what happens elsewhere as the can’t-be-arsed match-throwing antics by Manchester United yesterday demonstrated very clearly.

All I hope is that one day, very soon, the tables are turned and United are desperate for us to do them a favour in a game that means nothing to us.

When that happens I hope that Arsene and his players remember Buster McBloodvessel’s “promise” to field his strongest team and that we pay him back in kind.

Bitter? Me?

You bet!

RockyLives

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Slowly Slowly Catchy Monkey : QPR 0 – Arsenal 1

May 5, 2013

On Saturday morning this was a must win game, by the time Bale FC had finished it was a must must win game.

Redknapp it appeared had instructed the groundsman not to water the pitch it looked a bit bobbly to say the least.

Despite that we got off to a flying start, poor QPR defending gifted us possession, former Arsenal employee Traore who headed the ball inexplicably infield, Rosicky receiving Podolski’s knock down crossed to Ramsey who headed down to Arteta, Mikel found Theo in space he turned and finished past Green. 1-0 Arsenal nerves settled.

Theo Walcott

We had the ball for the next half hour but other than passing it around between players we didn’t try often enough to move after we had passed it. This is the difference between tika taka to win or tika taka to bore into submission. There has to be a centre forward to play off, and there has to be movement, preferably with pace. The only one trying to move for the return was Rosicky but more often than not the intended recipient was on a different wavelength.

We managed I think one more attempt on goal from Theo which Green managed to touch on to the post, it was a shame Rosicky had been blocked off after setting up the chance as the rebound waited to be touched home but he could not get close.

After the half hour mark QPR found their cojones and looked the better side up until half time and for half hour or so after it. We looked short of pace almost as if we had geared down when all was so comfortable and then couldn’t really pick it up again. That said QPR were restricted to long range pokes by the defence when they had too easily bypassed our midfield, but there was always a chance of one flying into the top corner and it created some nervy moments for the away fans and us watching at home.

For the last fifteen minutes it was mostly all us again, Cazorla made Green make a fine save but again no one had reacted in the box and the ball bounced harmlessly away.

There was still time for QPR to provide us one more scare the ball falling to Remy who tried to curl the ball into the far corner, Szczesny got a strong hand to it and pushed it wide, one of those that people think he should make regularly and thankfully for our CL qualification chances this time he did.

The pitch did not make the game easy, the players are limping over the line concerned with protecting the lead than going for the jugular but we have seen that kill us before chasing more goals when games are won and drawing or worse losing (Newcastle 4-4 anyone?). Some will call it a winning mentality when others do it, those that paid attention during the 2010-11 title run in will remember how we failed on too many occasions to get the job done.

The first point of football is to win, winning beautifully is a close second, losing beautifully third, losing ugly fourth.

I wondered yesterday as I watched whether there is a problem in the mindset of some of our players….ones I would call Big Time Charlie’s, players who believe they know where there better position is. Neither Walcott or Podolski can play centre forward for us in the PL currently, Theo is too small, Podolski doesn’t quite understand what is required of him in Wenger’s system. To me they are inside forwards from yesteryear, but maybe I’ll leave that for another post….at the moment lets just say their weaker foot does not allow them to be played on the best side of the pitch for the team.

Ratings:

Szczesny – 8 an important save to keep the clean sheet, struggled a bit under some high balls

Sagna – 6 solid at the back, although Park rarely threatened, not enough going forward

Monreal – 5.5 still adjusting to life in the PL, Loftus Road would have been a new experience for him.

Mertesacker – 7.5 reliable as ever, did what was necessary in his own way

Koscielny – 7.5 unflappable put another good performance in

Theo – 7 good finish

The Rest of the attack and midfield – 5 dull

Gooner in Exile

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Oops, I did it Again ….

May 4, 2013

Can Arsenal continue their fine run since that dark day somewhere in N17? 7 games unbeaten, 17 points. Since January, 11 played. Won 8 D2 L1. 26 points from 33 – that is League winning consistency and very different from the norm.

Different opinions abound about today’s game. Either it is good or bad to play a team already relegated. Will QPR play without restraint and freedom given they have no pressure? Will their players look to cement contracts or put on good performances in order to find a buyer? Or will they just have a dose of the Sod it’s and stroll through the afternoon? My guess is that this will be a tough game for Arsenal.

Those who have read my posts will know my opinion of Mr Redknapp.  I like QPR but when they took on this miscreant I looked forward greatly to watching him twitch his way to an ignominious end of the season. And this is why  ….. First off, Redknapp is ugly. Second, he has delusions of grandeur and a bizarre belief in his ability. Third, he destroys clubs. Fourth, he is a Spud. Fifth, he is a crook (allegedly). Sixth, he is as thick as a very thick person. Seventh, His son is a tool. Eighth, he thinks he is amusing and definitely not a wheeler-dealer. Ninth, his style of football is awful and based upon hard work and the love of a big man (Crouch). Tenth, he is a Spud and as such hates Arsenal. I could continue but you get the drift ……

Unknown

“So long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Goodnight”

Harry would never allow his team to lay down to Arsenal. Never. And QPR have some decent players – a fine GK, a quality CF, some battlers in midfield (Jenas loves a goal against us), Traore at FB and Bobby Zamora returns upfront.

For a tactical view of the game, may I recommend 7am Kickoff?

As always how Arsenal play this afternoon is tantamount; no fear, attack from the first, get an early goal and consolidate, stay tight at the back and organise at set-pieces, don’t make stupid individual errors and work hard. Simple really (can I have a job please, Mr Gazidis?)

We have almost a full squad to pick from. The loss of OG continues to highlight Mr Wenger’s curious decision to go into the season with just one Centre Forward. Doesn’t he recall the dark days of playing Arshavin at CF? We have to find someone in summer. But who knows – maybe Nik Bendtner will come back and fulfill his potential (as if!!).

My Team:

qpr v arse

I would love to see Ox start but it just ain’t gonna happen. Perhaps Wilshire will start ahead of Ramsey but Aaron has been great these past few weeks and so I expect JW to get 30 mins alongside Ox or Gerv. Monreal is back in the squad and could get some pitch time if we are well ahead on 70 mins.

Today’s English Explorer: Verney Lovett Cameron (1844-1894). Superb name and the full facial set. What more can we ask on this fine sunny Saturday afternoon? Vern’s continent was Africa. At a time when the English were wandering all over Africa discovering stuff, Vern was just walking, and walking distances.

Starting as an assistant to David Livingstone, Lovett made his first independent mission to Lake Tanganika where he followed the Congo-Zambezi watershed. This took him to the coast and Cameron thus became the first European to cross Africa from sea to sea (or is it ocean to ocean?). He later joined Richard Burton (one of our previous explorers) on an expedition through West Africa

230px-Verney_Lovett_Cameron_1878

Verney has a touch of the Aaron Ramsey about him, don’t you think?

Verney Cameron died falling off a horse in Leighton Buzzard, which, as we all know, is a treacherous and dangerous place. He was just 50 y.o.

Another vital 3 points on offer today. We are doing well and under normal circumstances should expect a victory today but as we know there is many a slip twix’t cup and lips.

p.s. Did I mention how happy I am that “Arry is Championship bound?

Big Raddy

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Posted by Erik the Red

ARSENAL FANS: “Look Down”

May 3, 2013

I am a bottom man, whereas My Uncle Earnest Didit was more interested in the top half, as the “allegations” testified. Happily, the Old Git was cleared after the Judge mysteriously ignored the overwhelming evidence, following the wonderful gift of the all-inclusive holiday for two in Barbados that he had just enjoyed. Interestingly, there ensued a scandal when it became public knowledge that The Judge had enjoyed said holiday, not with his Wife, but rather his twenty six year old Eastern European “Friend”. Some of you think The Premiership is corrupt. Piffle.

We have “looked up” and discussed the top four battle as played out through the fixtures of the protagonists themselves. I believe that by “looking down” we’ll see that results of the Villas and Wigans will play an equally important role.

At the top end, Utd play Chelsea, and then Chelsea take on Spurs. While these games will have a significant bearing on the outcome in the fight for top four places, let’s look downwards for a moment as I believe the “bottom” people are going to be having much of the fun.

Here’s the order of play, and it’s the order that could be the all-important and decisive aspect of the run-in.

mdi 2

Firstly, brilliant chart isn’t it? Yes, it is.

Secondly, you can immediately start making crazy scenario plans. Example, Wigan lose on Saturday and Tuesday while the others pick up a point or more, and it’s all over for them before they get to the FAC and The Emirates.

Looking ahead to the final day of the season, it’s very hard to imagine us (Toon) or Spuds (Sunderland) playing opposition with anything other than pride to play for.

To my mind, Villa and Wigan could play the starring roles. Wigan get a result at WBA, while Villa lose at Norwich, and oh boy, could Chelsea have a fight on their hands when they visit Villa three days after a battle at the Bridge against Spurs. Ooo, and that Villa came will be three days before The Europa Final. Our Chavvy chums are going to have one heck of a fight on their hands if they lose at Old Trafford.

For this weekend, and aside from the small matter of a game in Shepherd’s Bush, I’ll be gunning for a Utd win, a Wigan win and a Norwich win. From where I’m looking right now, if I were to re-enter The DidIt Competition, I’d have Chelsea missing out on the Top Three.

Written by MickyDidIt89

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The Emirates is to blame for moaning ‘Fans’

May 2, 2013

I think the root of the problem with ‘Underminers’ as described in a recent post by Rocky, lies with the stadium. This is a purely personal view but here goes.

When I started going to football I stood, whether on the North Bank or the Kids enclosure or the CE. I became educated into the Arsenal way by fans who had a lifetime of seeing us as a mid-table side. Then came success and with it bigger average attendance but in the later 70′s and the ’80′s it was possible to put out both arms and not touch anyone. Arsenal and football had become unpopular.

But following the Gazza tears at WC ’90 football became once again the peoples game but now the demographic was different; more middle class, more sanitised. Out went the passion and the fervour and in it’s place came the intellectualisation of football. If you don’t believe me just imagine how AW would have fared in the time of managers such as Shankly or Alf Ramsey or Clough – these men were real working class heroes. 5 languages? They could hardly speak one.

So, we started to become successful and fill the ground and with that came better players. Better players cost more but they attract more fans, and in the process Highbury became too small. Prices started to rise and with it expectation.

At first we were able to cope by having tens of thousands on the season ticket waiting list but which economist would not see the opportunities?

Suddenly we had an additional fanbase that was richer than the working class lads who stood on the North Bank, they were quieter but much better behaved and the Highbury Roar became The Highbury Library.

We became all-seater and built the new wonderful but not so homely North Bank. Now the fans could get into the ground far more easily, they didn’t have to queue whilst the anticipation increased the tension. They didn’t arrive 2 hours before the game and get “in the mood”. It was different.

And that different fanbase and atmosphere changed The Arsenal; we became a business. It was a business decision to move to the Emirates. The Directors may well have told us that the future of the club as being competitive internationally was at stake, but the real truth was their concerns were profit. We moved and in my opinion it ripped the heart out of the club. It will take years to make The Emirates our home, it has started and will continue but at what cost?

A shiny new ground needs to be filled and as long as football remains the drug of the masses Arsenal will play to a packed houses but the football experience has changed.

The new fans arrive in their seats 2 minutes before kick-off, they leave 10 minutes before the final whistle – why? It didn’t happen at Highbury, so I cannot see the logic in saying “we have to get a train/ bus/ tube etc etc”. Going to Arsenal should be the highlight of the week, not getting home faster!

It seems to me that those who grew up in the Wenger years expect so much and if those expectations are not realised then they will gripe. I don’t blame them, they haven’t been properly educated because when Arsenal became a Business we ceased to be fans and became customers. And if a customer has paid for something then he has the right to complain if he doesn’t get what he expects.

The Emirates (just the name says all you need to know) has in my opinion irrevocably changed The Arsenal. Sure, different times require different solutions and the new wealthier fan would not put up with the state of Highbury, why should they?

A state of the art stadium attracts state of the art new fans, and those fans will not accept anything but a 5 star performance. Hence they gripe.

As has been said some fans are not supporters.

Written by Big Raddy

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Posted by Erik the Red

Time For The Pod To Shine At Number 9?

May 1, 2013

This is a topic I have had on my mind for some time now and stems from Arsène Wengers apparent reluctance to try Podolski in the number 9 role. I believe he played this role once at the start of the season, (perhaps against Sunderland?), and since then, when he has played, he has been utilised from the attacking left, which often leaves him playing more like an orthodox winger. I personally feel that Podolski is “ok” from this position but I don’t feel he is what I would qualify as world class. He does, however, seem to have some excellent attributes that could see him progress into the world class bracket as a central striker.

The assertion by many that he is our most natural finisher is something that I would find hard to disagree with, and his statistics before coming to us at both club and international level seem to support this. I have questioned, like many, why Arsene has not played him in the number 9 role. One must assume that having tried him in that role earlier on this season, and then looking at him closer in training, that Arsene recognised certain deficiencies that would not allow him, at that point, to perform the number 9 role at the very highest level. I would certainly bow my head in this matter to the man that discovered Anelka, developed Robin Van Persie into a world class striker, and way and above everything else, gave us the great Thierry Henry. That is evidence enough that our esteemed manager knows a world class striker, or potential world class striker, when he sees one.

P2

When the ball lands at Podolski’s left foot in dangerous areas he looks as good a finisher as any other world class forward you could care to name at the moment, so what is stopping him from claiming this role as first choice for the club. Podolski’s shortcomings for this role we can maybe only hypothesise upon. Speculating, I would consider that maybe he is too one footed and needs to develop his finishing ability more with the right foot as we saw with a certain traitorous Dutchman over the last few years. Maybe Arsene doesn’t feel he yet has the instinct in the runs he makes and the positions he takes up in the box, so that rather than create the opportunity with a well timed run, he is still overly reliant on the ball arriving at his feet without having to move too much. It could be that in our system, that would see him lead the line without a recognised central number 10 partner, that Arsene doesn’t feel he yet has the ability to hold the ball up when required and therefore link his team-mates into the attacking play.

The recent reports, allegedly directly from Arsenes own mouth, that he is working hard with Podolski in training to convert him into that prolific number 9 seems to indicate that Arsene both sees and believes that Podolski can fulfil this role in the long run. The big problem in my mind is that I feel we are in a time sensitive situation with regard to our forward department. I don’t believe we can enter next season without a ready made world class forward line, and for me the number 9 position is a key area where we are behind our top club rivals at present.

I think that more than at any other time in our recent history this is the critical summer where we shouldn’t enter the campaign with such an important area of the team still being a work in progress. I personally like Giroud, who I think has had a decent first season and feel he will still improve further, but I don’t see him being able to become a world class number 9. In direct comparison to Cavani, Falcao, Lewandowski and the great TH14 can anyone actually hand on heart say that Giroud will achieve that level? I can’t, and I view Giroud’s long term future with us as a second choice number 9 or impact sub.

We are heavily linked with Jovetic. Now this is a player I like and hope we get. I feel he will bring an extra dimension to our attacking department, but once again I don’t see him as a number 9. He looks to me to be an attacking central or attacking wide player. If anything he is likely to take up the

attacking left sided role that Podolski currently plays, which would leave Lukas somewhat redundant with regard to this position. That leaves the question of whether we have the answer within our own squad for the world class number 9 role in Podolski, or is it an area where we need to dip into the transfer market for this summer.

Worryingly for me, and obviously also for Podolski, is that aside from Giroud AW seems to prefer Gervinho in the role. Despite scoring a couple of goals more recently I don’t see Gervinho as becoming a world class number 9. Podolski conversely, I feel, has the natural attributes that Gervinho doesn’t, that would allow him to be a 25 a season striker. I think Arsene’s deployment of Podolski over the last four games will tell us much. If he continues to use Giroud, and Gervinho in his absence, in that role rather than Podolski I feel the writing could be somewhat on the wall.

If we don’t see Podolski play the role before the end of the season I would surmise that it means Arsene doesn’t feel he is ready. If he is not ready now then I don’t see him being ready for the start of next season because I don’t personally feel that the pre-season period would see a seismic shift in his development. Securing players like Cavani, Falcao, and Lewandowski will neither be cheap nor easy. Many of the other top clubs seem to be circling for these 3. Maybe more realistic alternatives would be one of either Benzema or Higuain from Madrid. If Jovetic does arrive I can only really see it meaning one of two things for Lukas, and that is that he either becomes the clubs first choice number 9 or………

I can see one possible way that we could bring in Jovetic and still keep Podolski even if he is still a season away from being ready to be first choice number 9 on a permanent basis. That would be by bringing in an over 30 ready made world class forward that could still do the job at this level over the next couple of seasons. Only one name springs to mind for me and that is David Villa. If Arsene truly believes that Podolski has what it takes but just not quite yet, then this is an option that I would not turn my nose up at.

Written by GoonerB

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Posted by Rasp

Why I’m Loving Van Persie Now

April 30, 2013

So the melodrama is over.

Brave Sir Robin returned to the club that stood faithfully by his side in sickness and in, er, more sickness.

He walked on to the pitch through a guard of honour. He got booed by most of the home supporters. He took a few kicks and gave a few kicks. He scored.

bsr

That’s it folks… all over, nothing to see here.

I still have mixed feelings about BSR. I completely understand why many fans are angry that he chose to leave (and that the club sold him to Manchester United, of all people).

But I also appreciate the great memories I have from the one proper season he gave us during his Arsenal career: all those “did you see that?” goals; all those volleyed finishes from Alex Song golf chips. It’s just a shame it turned out to be his last season with us.

Anyway, the dust has now settled on his return to The Home Of Football and we can get back to worrying about the important business of winning our final three games.

The problem is, it’s not as simple as that, is it?

We don’t just have to worry about our own games, we also worry about those of the teams competing with us for third and fourth spots in the Premier League.

And this is why I have decided to become a Robin lover again. It won’t be with the passion that I once had for him and I can guarantee it won’t be a long-lasting affair. In fact, it will be all over by 6pm on Sunday.

Because shortly before then the referee will have blown the final whistle to end Manchester United’s home fixture against Chelsea. And I am sincerely hoping that Brave Sir Robin, who has been in superb scoring form for two full seasons, will have done us an immense favour by banging home a hat trick against the Chavs.

If United beat Chelsea, it will give us some additional margin for error in our run in. Hopefully we won’t need that margin and we will spank QPR, Wigan and Newcastle in turn to guarantee a top four finish, but even then, it might make the difference between third and fourth place.

I hope that United will put in a proper amount of commitment and effort against Chelsea.

The Purple Conked Gorbalian has said that they will. He talked of “honouring” Chelsea’s rivals for the Champions League places by competing properly, but I have my doubts.

They have won the league already at a canter and, psychologically, I just can’t see them being as committed as they should be.

In fact, the “Van Persie returns to Arsenal for the first time since joining United” sideshow probably worked against us at the weekend. It fired up the crowd and added spice to the occasion.

Arsene Wenger said that our players started with such energy and bite because of the way they had prepared. That may be part of it, but I have no doubt that the heightened passion of the crowd also played a part.

It encouraged our boys to snap into tackles, win the second balls and harass United all over the pitch.

But if you start bullying people, eventually you’re likely to provoke a response. The United players, being the competitive people they are, could not help but be roused into fighting back eventually.

But when they entertain the Chavs it will be a very different matter. It will be a game played in front of a complacent home crowd who don’t really care what the result is. Many will have consumed a fair few drinks on the way up from Surrey and – if it’s a nice afternoon – will probably doze through the match.

Let’s face it, the place is hardly a hotbed of atmosphere at the best of times. If the Emirates is a library, Old Toilet is a mausoleum. Without the fun.

In other words, I wouldn‘t be at all surprised if Chelsea come away with all three points.

My only hope is that Brave Sir Robin himself, despite the abuse he received from his former worshipers on Sunday, will feel he owes it to us to try and help us get a top four place.

I hope that his friends in the Arsenal dressing room – the ones he was so eager to pop in and see after scoring against them at the weekend – have urged him to do his bit.

How ironic would it be if goals from Robin van Persie played a part in keeping us in the Champions League next year?

RockyLives

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Posted by RockyLives

A Hard Fought Draw

April 29, 2013

This was on paper always going to be the most tricky game of our run in and chase for a Champions League spot. Added to the normal nerves of entertaining United was the return of Brave Sir Robin, and the indignity of having to give said Dutchman and his new teammates a guard of honour on to the pitch after winning the title last Monday. As a mark of my disgust I did not enter the living room until that silly business had been completed.

On to the match, Arsene had picked the side most of us would have expected before the game. Podolski in for the suspended Giroud and with a chance to prove that his future in the team rests in a central striking position.

I posted the following comment before kick off yesterday:

What do I want today? 3 points obviously…..but more importantly I want us to take the field showing a belief that we can win. Too often this season we have gone out in games against Top 4 competitors with a look of a team destined to lose and given a performance to match.

From the start the team set about United in a fashion we have not seen for quite some time. We pressed the ball, were quick to the tackle and competing for the second ball, so much so that within 1 and a half minutes we got our reward, Brave Sir Robin gifted possession to us in the centre circle, Cazorla picked out Podolski who moved it on to Rosicky who picked a lovely pass in to the feet of Theo, despite the tight angle he dispatched the ball past a static De Gea.

theo v united

Maybe this would be a good day after all, the best thing about this was that we did not stop or slow down for the next thirty minutes, continuing to press and fight for possession and being quick to block out United attacks.

Cazorla tried a curler to double the advantage but De Gea saved well (although a bit dramatically) and Ramsey breaking fed Podolski who shot from a tight angle when perhaps he should have squared it to where Theo was waiting, perhaps he was trying a little too hard to prove a point. Maybe young Aaron chose the wrong option with Theo looking better placed to shoot.

United started to get in to the game, but in the main were restricted to crosses and deep runners trying to get on the end of them, Szczesny saved well with his face from the Dutchman in the one clear chance they created.

The second goal of the game would be vital and it looked like it was only going to be ours but from half hour onwards we seemed to be paying the price for our frenetic start opportunities to counter attack were being slowed down, a few loose passes appeared when previously we had been precise and quick.

With the half time whistle approaching Bacary Sagna made a poor backpass to BFG, he has played in the same team long enough to know BSR would be looking for it, he picked up the ball and raced towards goal, Sagna worked hard to get back and the angle for any shot was tight but Sagna, red mist fully descended, lunged into a risky tackle, his outstretched studs made contact with the ball but from behind as he was the tackle would be a foul anywhere else on the pitch. In Sagna’s defence he must have been surprised to see BSR as he had been firmly tucked in Koscielny’s pocket up to that point. The Dutchman picked himself up and scored the penalty to level going in at half time.

The goal could not have come at a worse time. With legs starting to tire we needed to go in ahead and to be able to be lifted to push on, unfortunately we went in to the break heads down and regretting yet another individual mistake that have cost us too often this season.

From the restart it was clear United had been given a piece of the managers mind, it also looked like any rebuilding of confidence in the home dressing room in the second half had not worked. United were waiting to kill us on the counter attack, that they didn’t was testament to the defending of Koscielny and BFG and the keeping of Szczesny.

Mertesacker so often taking up positions to deny passes or make a large obstacle to surpass, Koscielny was his normal dynamic self quick into the tackle and clean interceptions, it is a shame that the appointment of Vermaelen as captain robbed Koscielny of so much game time this season. We have sorely missed his pace and power and it has been an important feature of our recent form.

Sagna had some more troublesome moments and most of United’s threat came from that side combined with midfielders struggling to match runs.

Going forward we were toothless, the ball got in the final third but there was no zip around the pitch either passing or running. Podolski appeared to have run out of steam after 55-60 minutes, he was failing to win any high ball or compete meaningfully. We missed Giroud’s workrate and ability to occupy defenders….he is an aerial threat that centre backs have to actively mark, which opens more space for the technicians in the team to use.

By the end it appeared that neither defence wanted to lose it and both attacks wanted to win it, there were large amounts of space from defence to defence and that gave us less chance to create a winner.

Wenger tried to force the issue bringing on Wilshere for Rosicky, Gervinho for Podolski and Ox for Ramsey. This did inject some more pace in to our play but we were restricted to more long shots, one from Cazorla just not carrying enough pace to beat De Gea.

Dowd brought the game to a close with a point acceptable to both. It was a shame that we could not get a winner, but as I have said before you get what you deserve in football and if you make mistakes like Sagna’s you do not deserve to win a game of football.

But the performance especially that in the first half was what I was looking for when I posted my early morning comment, we refused to be bullied, we stood up to the challenge, and we matched them physically man for man.

Only a fool would argue that BSR would not make our team better, but on yesterday’s performance not many of them impressed me enough to think they would make us better in other positions.

Ratings

Szczesny – 8 some good saves and a confident unflashy performance from the under fire young keeper

Sagna – 4 offensively poor, and cost us the equaliser

Mertesacker – 7.5 another solid performance from BFG, his experience and reading of the game makes him a far better defender than people give him credit for.

Koscielny – 8.5 (MotM) tucked BSR in his pocket where many other top strikers have sat before. Quality performance from the best Centre Half at the club

Gibbs – 7 not his attacking best but kept Valencia quiet most of the game

Arteta – 7 because of the way United play his defensive role was different today requiring him to track runs rather than intercept and clean up loose balls. He didn’t do this to the required standard too many late runners hitting the box untracked. With the ball he was his same reliable self.

Ramsey – 7 looked to tire early, some good passes and touches early on, was getting in good offensive positions all game without always being picked out.

Cazorla – 7 a relatively quiet game but forced De Gea into two good saves.

Rosicky – 7.5 good pass for the goal, lively about the pitch and unfortunate not to get a bit more curl on a well imagined shot.

Walcott – 8 great finish for the goal, and a constant threat to slower defenders. Needs to be much better without the ball. Did Evans a favour by keeping him at arms length when Evans appeared to want to come in and rub foreheads.

Podolski – 5.5 very poor in the centre forwards role, hope he improves over next two games, we will need him to help bring the midfielders into the game.

Subs
Wilshere – 6.5 very quiet didn’t really get into the pace of the game

Gervinho – 7 we became much more mobile with him on the pitch but with United defending deep there was little or no space to exploit.

Oxlade-Chamberlain – 7 looked to get hold of the ball and attempt to influence the game.

Written by Gooner in Exile

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Posted by Gööner In Exile

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