I have always been a staunch ‘sustainable model’ kind of guy, in keeping, you might say, with my career as a no-nonsense, think with your head and not with your heart accountant.

However, recent events have made me stop and reflect on that ‘sustainability’ stance.

The Chavs are now beginning to flex their obscene financial muscle, once again, in the transfer market to re-stock their ageing squad while Citeh continuously threaten to hoover up any footballing talent not securely nailed down after buying their first Premier League title, and even the Spuds are beginning to flex Joe Lewis’ chequebook.

Manyoo, for many years after the founding of the Premier League, plundered the top British talent, and continue to do so. They have been joined by a plethora of established clubs throughout Europe, together with the recent arrival of the latest bunch of artless financial pillagers.

Despite that, and the contiguous financial drain of building a new stadium, we have maintained our position as the second most successful Premiership team in terms of points earned, since the inception of the League, with 1,449 points, with only Manyoo above us on 1,663.

Those points, however, have not translated into a proportionate number of titles won, and this has caused a wave of unrest among many Gooners everywhere.

I have already mentioned two of the relatively new boys on the block, and bearing in mind our wish to be competitive in European football too, it might be worth having a look at a number of our wealthy competitors, including the oil nation or ‘rich boy toy’ clubs who have sprung up in recent years.

• Man City = Abu Dhabi Unt Group – bought 2008 — £1bn
• Chelsea = Abramovich – bought 2003 – £1bn
• Anzhi Makhachkala = S Kerimonov – Russia – bought 2011 — £200m
• Paris St Germain = Qatar Investment Authority – bought 2011 – £100m
• Malaga = Sheikh Abdullah (Qatar) – bought 2010 – £75m
• Real Madrid = ‘Socios’ members – Spanish government backed
• Barcelona owned by its supporters – Catalonia backed
• Man Utd = Malcolm Glazer and family, billionaires {landed debt for purchase of the club on its own balance sheet}.
• Spurs – Privately owned by Joe Lewis – billionaire – shows financial muscle in discrete way.
• Juventus and AC Milan from Italy
• Bayern from Germany

The list is not exhaustive!

There are, in addition, any number of other clubs who have powerful (secondary) financial backing, which will become evident in the near future, such as Liverpool, Villa and Newcastle, while other ‘poor’ clubs are begging to be taken over and elevated into the ‘financial mainstream’, such as Everton and a number of well known Spanish and French clubs.

Arsenal’s options within this mounting tide of footballing opulence, is to stay as we currently are, sensible, well run, self sustaining, but inevitably doomed to a cycle of a diminishing world fan base and a resultant decrease in commercial financial worth, caused by the lack of silverware; or to grasp the bullet, and accept the cornucopia of unbelievable wealth which is on offer from the likes of Usmanov, or some other oily benefactor, which may well bring many a trophy success, but might also be a poisoned chalice if we embrace mammon.

Look, I have no easy answers.

Although I love sport in general, there is no other club I love with the unreasoning passion that I have for Arsenal, so what is the best for my club is my only driver in this discussion.
As a point in question, I can tell you that second and third in my ‘love’ list are “The New York Yankees” and “The New York Giants” respectively. I watch them when I can, and always religiously look for their scores. I am infused with joy when they win and plunged into gloom when they lose.

What I don’t care about, and never give a tuppenny fig for, is who currently owns their franchises, or how much they bought them for, or where the money comes from to successfully the run the clubs.
These owner guys live in a world of wealth I can only dream about, and they would laugh their heads off if they thought I worried, for even a nano-second about their financial sustainability.

These guys are in it to win games and trophies and thereby to increase their commercial returns and make profits, while enjoying the ego trip.

Therein lays the rub.

You see, there is a very well known, extremely wealthy, American entrepreneur called Stan Kroenke, who owns a number of franchises in the US. And do you know what? I don’t care about his commercial franchises, or how profitable they are, anymore than I do those of the owners of the Yankees or the Giants. And frankly, I could care less for Mr Usmanov if it came to that.

The trouble is, here in the UK, it seems, I actually must worry myself, as part of the “committed fan” package, as to whether Stan’s financial model is running sustainably or not, (which basically means he does not run the club at a loss, while his shares continue to accrue in value) whilst sublimating my own quite justifiable desires for Premier League and European Champions League success and glory.

What is going on here?

I supported Arsenal, originally, as a boy, because of family influences, and then grew to love the chutzpah of the club, its football playing style and the sheer joyous exhilaration and exaltation of my fabulous team winning games and collecting trophies!!

I am quite sure I did not sign up to worry about the financial worth of the club’s wealthy shareholders!

Do you know what — writing this article has been catharctic, and I am beginning to come to my senses and realize that Arsenal are never going to go bust — ever — and my real and only sustainable love is for Arsenal my club, and the Arsenal team’s success — and as for Stan and his sustainable entrepreneurial investment – not so much!!

I know there is an understandable feeling among many loyal, long term supporters to continue with the “Arsenal” way of doing things, and they are entitled to think that way, and to eschew the introduction of ‘obscene’ wealth into the club. However, so too are the other equally loyal Arsenal fans who see the “Arsenal” way of doing things as an ephemeral and esoteric concept, and simply want to see their club competing and winning on a level financial playing field.

Now, stripped down to its basics, we are faced with answering the following question;

Do you want Arsenal to compete successfully with the ever expanding list of ‘rich’ clubs on a level playing field, or do you want to subscribe to a beautiful accounting concept that mainly benefits the incumbent shareholders and perhaps never win anything?

For me the jury is still out – but I am wavering, whereas in the past I was totally in the pro sustainable model camp.

What we, as fans think, is moot in truth, especially if the financial takeovers of more clubs carry on at the current rate, I think the decision will be taken by Stan to take his substantial profit and run — just like all the previous shareholders have done!

Written by Red Arse

A provocative headline designed to grab your attention? Yes, guilty but I believe there is a quite a lot of truth in it.

The change of direction that I am talking about is reflected in the kind of player that Podolski and Giroud are. These footballers are big powerful no nonsense types, they signal a change in style, perhaps even a return to the days when Arsenal fielded big strong powerful teams which included the likes of Vieira, Petit, Adams, Bould and Campbell; when those players took to the field the opposition were scared. What Podolski and Giroud are definitely not is a continuation of Arshavin, Nasri and Fàbregas; for example, the super skilful diminutive types which to me is vital clue that indicates the change in direction that I refer to above.

If you think you are upset about not winning a trophy in the last seven years I am prepared to bet it is only a fraction of the pain that Wenger feels about that statistic.

Personally I think we were unlucky, the Fàbregas era was worthy of a title or two but equally I can see the argument that the league title does not lie and the fact remains that that experiment did not work and a new way must be found. The reason I can see this side of the argument is that I do not believe that even the most accomplished proponents of the super quick passing game, no other than Barcelona would win the EPL year in and year out. The Catalans never seem to come up against teams in La Liga prepared to play with ten men behind the ball. I remember reading an interview with Cesc saying that that approach would not be tolerated by any team in Spain regardless of the relegation implications – Barcelona meet Sam Allardyce and there are plenty more, as we all know, of his ilk.

Passenal has not worked trophy wise, although, entertainment wise it has been a dream for a season ticket holder like myself but I accept it might be time for a bit of silverware to take up some space in the still bare Emirates trophy cabinet.

I am going to do something now that I have criticised many in the past for doing and that is sing the praises of manu so if you want to get your own back go ahead. The reason in my mind as to why manu kept on winning as much as they did with what seemed like an average team at times was because they had a good balance between power and skill. That’s enough praise, they are now on a down hill trajectory. The reasons are fairly obvious; they have an aging team and the manager does not know which way to turn. They are, in short, where we were a few years ago. There are a couple a key clues that back this up. If Rooney came on the market now do you think he would go to manu or City? When was the last time we could say at this point in the transfer window that we were happier with our signings than we would have been with manu’s? Would you prefer Kagawa and Powell or Podolski and Giroud?

We are coming out of that dip because Wenger has found a way to operate amongst the two obvious financial heavy weights: Chelsea and City. Ferguson on the other hand looks like a spent force; he doesn’t know which way to turn now that he no longer has the financial muscle to buy the top players in the EPL.

Manu we have you in our sights.

Next season’s Arsenal line up is going to be different: for the first time, in a long time we will be starting a new EPL season with power and strength as our main weapons.

————-Szczesny

Sagna, BFG, Koscielny, Vermaelen.

——-Song, Diaby, Arteta.

——The Ox, Giroud, Podolski.

This is not the team I expect to line up for the first game of the season but it could be.

And if it is, the message to any opposition will be – Be afraid, be very afraid.

Written by LB

Written by Sagar Tarkhadkar

The recent signings of Monsieur Giroud and Herr Podolski has excited Gooners all over the globe. Providing we keep our Captain Vantastic , we will have a fearsome attack consisting of 3 strikers who contributed to approximately 114 goals in the 2011-12 season. Add to that the pace and directness of Walcott, the dribbling, mesmerizing feet of Gervinho and the technique and youthful exuberance of the Ox, and we have a versatile front three providing an array of attacking options suitable for any kind of opposition on any given day.

However, a lot has been discussed about our midfield options ever since Fabregas and that ‘chinless guy who sits on the bench’ departed last season, in addition to the Wilshere injury. Honestly, Arteta, Song, Rosicky, Ramsey have done admirably well to steer our boat through the dark, muddy waters and get us to that 3^rd place finish. But it is a known fact that to compete for the title and CL, we need an additional midfielder in the middle of the park, and as such we have been linked to defensive as well as attacking midfielders in the past couple of months. I won’t certainly speculate as to which specific player we should sign and we shouldn’t, because I feel that Wenger has a better idea than all of us as far as benefit of the team is concerned. But I would certainly like to contribute an idea, which I feel Wenger might implement next season, given his affinity for versatility he likes in his midfielders. I give you the Arsenal-Milan hybrid:

Arsenal for the past few seasons have played with a 4-2-3-1 formation, which can double up into a 4-3-3 or a 4-5-1 whenever needed. Most of the attacking play goes through a central advanced playmaker, and two wingers who dash into the box, along with overlapping wingbacks. This attacking formation is generally supported by two central midfielders, one who is a box to box type, while the other who is more like a destroyer or a pivot as some like to call it. The main idea is to keep possession for as long as the playmaker finds a chink in the armor and provides a defense splitting pass to the strikers. The pivot shields the defence whenever the fullbacks bomb forward.  The evolution of Song, from a destroyer to a more complete rounded midfielder has opened up a plethora of possibilities that Wenger can exploit next season. Given the rumour that Wenger is in the market in search for a defensive midfielder so as to exploit Song’s attacking instincts, and the fact that Wilshere is well on his way to fitness next season, we certainly seem to have an embarrassment of riches in the middle as we have them upfront.

Ac Milan generally play with a 4-3-1-2 formation in which the advanced playmaker/centre forward is shielded by 3 defensive midfielders, one of which doubles up as a deep lying playmaker(regista or the Pirlo role). This provides more stability in the middle, but somehow it lacks the width which can be exploited more in the English game.

In case we do sign a proper defensive midfielder as rumored, we can see Song/Arteta , the new CDM and Wilshere/Arteta lined up in the middle next season, which can offer us more stability in the middle of the park and help us boss the midfield . This is also favorable for the defence which leaked in 49 goals, most of them on the counterattack, due to Song’s and Vermaelen’s adventurous forays forward. As far as the playmaking role goes, instead of playing a proper trequartista, we can play two deep lying box to box playmakers who will share duties of both attack and defence, while the pivot maintains balance in the middle. We already have 4 apt midfielders of that box-to-box quality in Jack, Song, Arteta and Coquelin. In addition, we are fortunate enough to have someone of RVP’s caliber, who can mostly double up as a false 9, fall back and provide assists for Podolski and Walcott who can cut in. Giroud’s addition on the bench allows us to switch to a more attacking 4-4-2 in case we need to chase a game, as well as it provides RVP some rest. It also allows us to switch to our original 4-2-3-1 with Giroud as a target man against a few lesser teams.

On the attack, both the box to box players can playmake, keeping possession with the pivot. The wingbacks can bomb forward and switch with the wingers who can cut inside. On defence, all three midfielders can clog the centre thus cutting off all channels of the opposition attack, and then on the counterattack, RVP can fall back, thus temporarily switching to the Milan formation and allowing Podolski/Walcott to be temporary strikers in the box. The main idea is to always keep the pivot available to shield the defence and gather possession, forcing the opposition to make turnovers and avoid any counterattacks. Also, I feel that if we have a single playmaker as we do now, opposition can crowd him out thus making our attack impotent(as they did with Fabregas).

What I am suggesting is that we do not need to change our formation altogether but just tweak it a bit. Wenger likes playing to our strengths and as I mentioned earlier, we are fortunate enough to have many players who are versatile enough to play in more than one position admirably (RVP,Song, Arteta,Wilshere,Oxlade) Our already fearsome attack, but with a sprinkling of the Milan solidity will certainly help us win a few titles and put a smile on all Gooners’ faces. This is my first attempt at writing a post about the team that I love and I hope you all will certainly share your views on it.

I have decided to write this piece in a bid to react to what really makes a good football player (Reactionary to “is this the time to sell Walcott?”) particularly when it comes to delivering in the required playing position. I believe the knowledge of the facts of an issue will result in better formulation of opinions.

The fundamentals of football relates to the following:

1. The Player

2. The Team

3. The Formation

4. The Positions

So we will consider the fundamentals of football within the spectrum of these four key aspects

1. The Player

There are basic requirements needed for an individual to qualify as a football player.

a. Ball Control: Ball control is primarily the ability to position a ball such that it favours the overall objective of getting a goal. In other words, to get a goal, a player must be able to receive a pass, make a pass and shoot at goal. Basic skills needed here are Foot Control of Ball, Chesting, Heading (Nodding), Kicking (Shooting), and Movement (Running, Jumping, and Sweeping)

b. Ball Possession: In the event where the opposition has the ball, a player is required to possess the basic ability:  technical or physical or both to dispossess the opponent of the ball for the purpose of gaining or regaining possession. For example Marking and Tackling

c. Team Play: when it is a game, it only means there is more than one. There is no such game with only one person involved. At least there must be the player and the coach, and in this discourse, there are more than one and thus the necessity for Team play.

d. Knowledge of the rules.

2. The Team

The Team that will play football and win will have the following basic requirements

a. Desire to win: Since football is a game, it is just thus a fact that if there is no desire to win, there is no need to play. Of course somebody will say you can play for pleasure, but I dare ask ‘is there any pleasure in Loosing?’ Desire to win or lose will be betrayed by Urgency, Grit, Determination, Believe etc.

b. Tactics: There must be the development of a tactic to overcome the opposition.

c. Tactical discipline: The ability to see out a game according to tactics must be present in a team

d. Knowledge of the rules.

3. The formation

The fundamental requirements of any formation are

a. Departments: Ranging from Defense, to Mid-field, to Attack, A formation must possess those three. Each of these three may be sub-divided to accommodate details (Positions).

b. Balance: To assist in the overall objective of overcoming the opposition, the team must be able to achieve result without any department faltering.

4. The Positions

Each Position in The Department, in The Formation and in The Team defines qualities that are fundamental to The Player. Therefore, taking the fundamentals required from a player and defined in the position the player must play are here listed

a. Defense: Stamina, Tackling, Vision, Swiftness, Link-up play, Game Reader

b. Mid-field: Stamina, Tackling, Vision, Swiftness, Link-up play, Hold-up play, Distribution, Dribbling, Game Reader.

c. Attack: Stamina, Tackling, Vision, Swiftness, Dribbling, Finishing,

Considering these fundamentals, to succeed at the top top level like Arsene will normally say, A player must possess all the afore mentioned qualities in degrees that qualifies him as a professional and additional qualities that distinguishes him for the position, for the formation, for the team and also not forgetting for the opposition. In reacting to if Theo Walcott is a necessity or a player Arsenal should do away with, I think we need to consider what Theo has that is peculiar to him. Speed, Penetrating run, Accurate pin-pointed cross-in (Grounder or Lofted), and lately superb finishing, I think he is a player suitable for teams playing Highline or generally lack tactical and positional awareness. Also, considering he is 23 years old, I think it is only logical to allow him develop other innate skills that a player can only get as he ages and hope he turns out the kind of player that can show up for any kind of opposition.

I believe with these submission, we can fairly assess a player and determine if he is suitable for Arsenal or not.

Thank you.

Written by Timmy