A Game of Two Halves….. Again

January 21, 2013

The same line-up as for the Swansea replay, saw Francis Coquelin keep his place also meaning Jack would be able to play a little further forward and Santi able to drop back into midfield to supplement the three.

chavs1

  • Subs  Mannone, Koscielny, Jenkinson, Santos, Frimpong, Ramsey, Arshavin

 

The first half began with Arsenal creating the first decent chance with Giroud set up by Walcott. Unfortunately the big Frenchman dragged his effort wide of the post. This was to be the highlight of the Gunners’ first forty five.

Mata scored on 6 minutes after Martin Atkinson decided to ignore Ramires’ challenge which came crunching down on the top of Coquelin’s foot. Sagna was asleep and allowed Mata the freedom of Stamford Bridge. The midfield was sluggish to say the least and Arsenal seemed to be playing zonal marking in every area of the pitch. There was little closing down except for Francis Coquelin who must have run at least three times as far as Abou Diaby. Diaby did not have the required level of match fitness for three games in a week and, in hindsight perhaps it should have been Ramsey who started.

A succession of Chelsea chances eventually led to their second goal with Ramires again given acres of space in the penalty area by Sagna. Szczesny’s challenge resulted in a penalty and booking. The goalkeeper wasn’t sent off because Ramires was going sideways to the goal with Arsenal cover arriving. Lampard sent the big Pole the wrong way and Arsenal had a mountain to climb.

Chelsea continued to press forward but couldn’t quite find the third goal which would have put them out of sight. The few Arsenal chances were ruined by Theo running behind the line and being flagged offside.

The Arsenal team was out early for the second 45, hopefully with a blast from Wenger and Bould still ringing in their ears. I expected to see Jenkinson on for Sagna who appeared to wish he could still be indoors with the lovely Ludivine.

The change in attitude was immediately obvious. The tempo was treble that of the first, closing down all over the pitch, teammates making themselves available and pressing Chelsea back into their own half. Mertesacker had a limp effort with his left foot straight at Cech after the ball had dropped to him on the penalty spot. Walcott hit a low drive straight at the keeper from a narrower angle and Giroud had a chance from a header from a cross by the excellent Gibbs.

The Arsenal goal came on 58 minutes and was well deserved. A fine interception from Vermaelen was carried forward by Cazorla who delivered a great through ball to Theo, standing in an onside position for a change. Theo took his chance well, opening his body up and giving Cech no chance.

 chavs2

Coquelin was replaced by Ramsey in the aftermath of the goal. The Frenchman had been well worth his starting berth. Arsenal continued to press for the equaliser and started to leave gaps at the back. Ba rounded a walkabout Szczesny on 83 minutes but Vermaelen managed to block his goalbound shot. The final 5 minutes of injury time saw a succession of Arsenal corners, but the finishing touch could not quite be found.

As predicted by BR, it was a game of two very different Arsenal performances, as good in the second half as we were poor in the first. How is it possible for the same eleven players to produce such different performances with only 15 minutes separating them? It has to be a lesson learnt that we have to come out guns blazing not just after the half time cuppa.    

Ratings

Szczesny– Couldn’t do much about either goal. His Almunia-esque rush of blood in the second half was worrying……7

Mertesacker – Made a few good interceptions in the first half. It was the mobility of the Chelsea attack from the flanks that he could do nothing about ……7

Vermaelen – Much better in the second half, pressing the ball and showing some signs of setting a captain’s example ……7

Sagna – Really poor in the first half and his attacking delivery was awful all game. Give Jenkinson a chance….5

Gibbs – Struggled a little against Oscar and Hazard first half. His second half display going forward was excellent. Gibbs is an excellent footballer  …..8

Wilshere – Jack couldn’t influence the game in the first half and seemed content to allow Coquelin to do his spadework. Again, his second 45 was much improved as he took the fight to Chelsea …..7

Coquelin – My MOTM. Never stopped running for his team. A lone plus from the first half and was perhaps starting to tire in the second perhaps causing his injury …….8

Diaby – Lazy and slack in the first half. Better in the second when those around him could make up for his lack of match fitness …..6

Giroud – Didn’t really get much change out of Ivanonvic and Cahill the whole game. A real shame that first effort didn’t go in, it would have given the whole team a lift…..6

Walcott – No idea how to break the offside trap in the first 45. Much better when more direct in the second. Took his goal well…..7

Cazorla – Santi’s passing was off in the first half but he started to buzz in the second as him and Jack took control of the midfield…..7

B.R. – A super pre-match…..10

Subs

Ramsey – Looked lively and added some drive when he came on. Still tends to dwell on the ball when he needs to shift it quickly……7

Arshavin – Andrey didn’t really add much at all unfortunately…..6

Written by chas

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Posted by Rasp

If Arsène goes …… who should replace him?

January 19, 2013

Let’s cut straight to the chase, and leaving aside all the arguments, regarding whether or not Arsène Wenger should be replaced or not, and beg the question, “if he leaves Arsenal, for whatever reason, who should replace him?”

There is a lot of talk about Mourhino being given the heave ho at Real Madrid this summer, and he is looking for a berth in the Premier League, so we are told.

Now I cannot stand the guy on a personal basis, with his cheap shots, stupid and unpleasant mind games and his general sneeringly dismissive manner. BUT – he is a good manager, possessing a very creditable curriculum vitae!

The subordinate question I would have to ask is “can he work his magic without a huge treasure chest to work with in order to buy marquee players, which has always been his signature method?”

I guess only time will tell, but I would be inclined to give him a shot, simply because it would be a win/win for me. If he succeeds, we would all be thrilled potatoes, and clacking our maracas, if he fails it would be only a short-term thing because he does not tend to stick around.

Then there is Sir Alex Ferguson. We all know how desperate he was to join us 20 odd years ago, and was near suicidal when old Dennis Hilly-Wood told him to sod off and stop wasting our time.
No – I am only pulling your string theory!

What about Pulis? OK, OK, but for those keen to get rid of Arsene, perhaps an Orc team might appeal. No?

I won’t let you choose Benitez, so you can forget him. Fact!!

This isn’t easy, because I do not really know anyone whom I can easily recommend, because like most of you, I do not take much notice of other managers, and have no real knowledge of their ability.

OK then, so what about Capello? Ancelotti, Klopp, Hiddink, Rijkaard or Lowe?

My problem is that I know these managers by reputation only, and I am sure many or even all of them are first class managers, in their own right, but haven’t they all made their names, in part, by having big money available to buy top, top quality players? Now where have I heard that phrase previously?

Now I know there are rumours that Arsenal have between £50 million and £70 million available for transfers, but there is a huge caveat here. First, if we do not clinch a 4th place in the Premiership, and therefore we fail to qualify for the Champions League in the new managers initial ‘break in’ season, we will add another possible £35 million shortfall onto the likely £35 million shortfall this season if, as seems likely, we do not qualify this season.

Well as a self funding, break even football club, the transfer treasure chest would be needed to plug the hole in the profit line.

This is becoming a tad tricky for your correspondent.

There is only one thing for it, and that is to throw this open to the glitterati of the AA blogsite, and ask you to help me with your greater knowledge. Who would you want to manage Arsenal, or do you think Arsène Wenger should soldier on, and just heap scorn and ridicule on a decent man and a great manager?

Don’t be shy. Let’s have your views and your reasons to support your selection.

Written by Red Arse

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Posted by Rasp

Arsène Wenger – The grooming of England’s future Super Stars.

January 18, 2013

Much has been written about Arsène Wenger’s penchant for foreign players – French players in particular. Over the years he has been ridiculed for playing teams full of foreigners and for his seeming adversity to English youth. This culminated in a league match against Crystal Palace on 14 February 2005 when Arsenal named a 16-man squad that featured no British players for the first time in the club’s history.

PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor felt that this was the beginning of a worrying time for English football”. In March 2006, Alan Pardew chimed in with – “Arsenal’s Champions League success was not necessarily a triumph for British football” Arsène disagreed and said that he saw the issue of nationality as irrelevant and stated, “When you represent a club, it’s about values and qualities, not about passports”

Other pundits including Trevor Brooking director of football development at The Football Association defended Arsene, he felt that a lack of English players in “one of England’s most successful clubs” was more of a reflection on England’s limited talent pool rather than on Arsene.

Arsène preferred players that were nimble, adept at passing and those that displayed a high level of technical ability. Using his uncanny knowledge of worldwide players he brought in players like Petit, Vieira, Henry, Pires, Van Bronckhorst, Overmars, Toure, Gilberto, Wiltord, Anelka, Ljungberg, Silvinho, Lauren, and Edu, these players formed winning teams the likes of which had not been seen at Highbury since Herbert Chapman’s teams of the 30’s.

His explanation for not buying British players has always been that few “local” players displayed the attributes that he was looking for and those that did were overpriced in comparison to European players. More recently, with the riches of Chelsea and the Manchester teams Arsene was not able to compete on a level playing field for the British players he admired or for the better foreign players so he was forced to turn his attention to youth players, both foreign and British.

Today, in his youth and under 21sides he has a squad of 30 English and 19 foreign players many of whom already have international experience at various levels.

In Theo Walcott, Carl Jenkinson, Alex Oxlaide Chamberlain, Kieran Gibbs and Jack Wilshere he has five full England internationals, these players might well form the core of the English team for years to come. With another 25 English youth players in his care who can say just how many more will make the international team?

Who would have thought that Arsène Wenger might be the man to turn around England’s fortune by developing the nucleus of the English team?

He is a multi faceted man that should not be counted out.

GunnerN5

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Posted by peachesgÖÖner

Hansen Should Hang His Head

January 15, 2013

Late on in Arsenal’s dispiriting defeat by Manchester City on Sunday, referee Mike Dean sent off Vincent Kompany for a dangerous tackle.

It was a straight red and evened up the on-pitch personnel to10 a side, although far too late in proceedings to offer any real hope to the men in red and white.

Kompany had dived in with both feet off the ground and his studs showing as he went for a fifty-fifty ball. Coming rapidly – but fairly – in the opposite direction was the ever-committed Jack Wilshere.

It was an easy decision for Dean to make – a strait red card any day of the week.

And bear in mind this was Dean, under whom Arsenal have an appalling record and who couldn’t stop himself from doing a little jump for joy when the Spuds scored against us last season.

You suspect that if Dean had felt there was even a sliver of opportunity to avoid sending off the City man he would have grabbed it with both hands. But it was so blatant an offence that he had no option.

(Incidentally, I have no quibble with Dean’s earlier red carding of the hapless “Stan” Laurel Koscielny for clinging onto Edin Dzeko’s waist like a drunk tart in a pub trying to hang on to a want-away lover).

Kompany is a defender for whom I have the greatest respect. He is a world class player and, for a centre back, generally conducts himself fairly.

But on this occasion he lunged in in a dangerous manner. The replays clearly showed both feet off the ground and studs showing. We can consider ourselves fortunate that Wilshere was not badly hurt.

I’m not saying Kompany jumped into the tackle intending to injure. But it was reckless and, as we Arsenal fans know only too well, recklessness in the tackle can leave young men’s shins bent mightily out of shape.

You might wish to protest that the City man got the ball, but that’s not the point, either morally or as far as the laws of the game are concerned. The inherent dangers posed by the two-footed dagger jump have rightly led to its being considered a sending-off offence.

So it was disappointing, if not exactly surprising, to hear talk of an appeal against the red card emanating from Middle Eastlands.

But far more shameful, to my mind, were the comments from Alan Hansen. He said that if Kompany’s red card was upheld, the decision would be tantamount to banning tackles from football.

This is such a specious argument I hardly know where to begin. Quite aside from the clear evidence of the replays and the fact that referees are instructed to send off players for diving in with their studs up, Kompany’s actions were not a “tackle” within the laws of the game. They were an example of serious foul play.

I doubt Hansen will be aware of the connection, but when Arsene Wenger spoke with passion after the Eduardo and Ramsey leg breaks about ridding the game of such dangerous challenges, the response of the ignorant was to say “he wants to ban all tackling.”

Wenger very specifically made clear that he believed tackling was a vital part of football. Jumping into players shins and shattering their bones was not.

Hansen should know better than most that a fair, hard tackle can be made without showing the studs or making a two-footed jump.

As an ex centre half you might expect him to look for ways to defend Kompany – but he could have done so by suggesting the lunge was a split second error of judgement and not an act of malice. He did not need to try to whitewash the whole thing. If the tackle had been against Manchester United – against Wayne Rooney perhaps – I doubt we would have heard these comments from Hansen.

Maybe the Scot is feeling his age in the BBC Sports department and is worried about being nudged out by younger pundits who have played the game more recently. A few column inches and a bit of extra coverage probably wouldn’t go amiss for him right now.

But it’s comments like Hansen’s that continue to foster the myth that reckless play is just committed play; comments that more or less ensure that some other professional will end up lying on the pitch with a shattered limb before too long.

To quote Hansen himself: (insert Scottish accent here) “Shocking Alan. That’s simply shocking.”

RockyLives

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Posted by RockyLives

A day spoilt ………….

January 14, 2013

Last week we were accused of not being even-handed and not allowing all views to be expressed without attack. The following was a comment that Spectrum posted this morning that I have reproduced for discussion. 

This is a worrying time for many supporters and as such we have witnessed some in fighting, please blog with each other with respect and remember that we are all Gunners.

peachesgooner

As my catchphrase cuts too close to the bone for many on here and upsets them so, I’ll make a concession and dispense with it. But only for this site.

I see my posts caused a bit of angst and controversy. I regret upsetting the equilibrium that you like to admirably maintain, but do understand this – I have firm opinions on our club because I feel passionately about it. And of course you know by now that I am a fierce critic of Wenger, whilst nevertheless still acknowledging and appreciating what he HAS done for us in the PAST.

Some of you say I have only negative things to say, but that is because looking at our long time and continuing decline,( which only gets worse ), leads me to no other conclusion. In that tomstoned and I are of similar mindset. We don’t believe in sugar coating those negatives, being in denial about them, or blaming the press, bad referees, or other influences whenever the fault lies with us.

Tomstoned made some sensible comments, but I see the same type of abuse and put downs were thrown at him as well, simply for being candid in his assessments and observations. Or for having an opinion which deviates from the norm * – *( you have to admit that this is mostly a Wenger sympathetic blog, after all ).

As he also said, being truthful, however much it hurts for some to hear, doesn’t mean you love the club any less. I’d go further than that. It shows you love the club even MORE. Because anyone who really cares, would feel a sense of duty to highlight where and how we’re going so wrong. This is my perspective. And so many of you confuse criticism with disloyalty.

You want me to be positive ? Okay. Jack Wilshere is by far our most consistent and hardworking player. He has the right attitude and will one day make a terrific captain. We have Arteta who is Mr. Reliable. And Cazorla, though a proven cheat* ( *being honest again ) has been one of our better signings. We have a new stadium, manageable debt, first class training facilities,and on the surface APPEAR to be well managed financially.

So why then, are we consistently failing on and off the pitch YEAR AFTER YEAR ?

Why is Gazidis rewarded with a bonus for overseeing an operating loss ? I thought only bankers were rewarded for incompetence !

Why do we not invest in the team ? Why do we sell our best player to our ( former ) rivals, who then goes on to help them establish a now 21 point lead over us and is AGAIN the league’s top scorer ?

Why is the board tolerating a man who is on the highest footballing salary in Europe ( or the world ), just to achieve the bare minimum – which is to qualify for the champions league ? Who is responsible for our lopsided wages policy ?

How come we sign dozens of kids, most of which don’t fulfill their potentia,l and many of which we end up sending out on loan whilst we STILL pay their ridiculously inflated salaries ?

Explain why our defence has progressively shipped more goals each season for the last five years, yet Wenger refused to bring in a specialist defensive coach. There are many more examples, but time doesn’t permit me to list them all.

We see the same pattern of failure and underachievement each season, yet many of you still act as his apologist. Blaming everything from bad luck to poor pitches to lack of funds or the colour of the match day programme. It’s time we reclaimed our Arsenal from the control of a greedy unambitious board, and a manager who if he had any self respect left, would have admitted he can do no more for the club despite “doing his best “. Because there are occasions when your best just isn’t enough.

Written by Spectrum

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Posted by peachesgÖÖner

27 and Counting: Man City preview

January 13, 2013

My initial thoughts about today’s game revolve about whether previous season’s games have any relevance to results. It is 27 games since Man City beat us at home – , can this really influence the match? Of course not, though it does give cause for optimism in a weird way for a supporter looking for comfort.

We like City fans (hopefully a couple will join us today) they combine humour with passion, and they really get behind their club. How would we respond if unlimited funds were poured into our club? Would  we despair and wish for “the old Arsenal back?” I think not  – to be able to have a choice of strike force of Balotelli, Tevez, Dzeko, Aguerro and Tevez must give enormous pleasure, and that is without the genius of Silva and Toure. Plus they happen to be the Champions which is fine by me – if it isn’t us let it be MC; better than the Chavs or the Surrey Reds.

Unknown

Don’t leave it so late this time, Mikel

But before I’m overcome by the wonder of City I should recall that we almost beat them in the away leg and did beat them at the Emirates last season. And we are on a long unbeaten run.

I expect a tight game today but City have some absentees (if only we had such a squad!). The Pine Rider is suspended following his pathetic assault  the other week, Toure is at the ACN, Richards, Maicon and Rodwell are injured but MC will still put out a €200m+ team.

For those with a statistical bent this is very interesting …

http://www.london24.com/sport/arsenal/arsenal_v_manchester_city_in_numbers_1_1790584

I have checked a few MC websites and almost to a man they swallow the AW out narrative. Sad but inevitable, especially when some of our own do the same. They are very confident of a win citing our inconsistency and in particular, last week’s away draw.

And what of our form? Questionable is my estimate. We should have won every game in December, instead we dropped relatively easy points – though S’ton’s improved form shows it was not such a disaster.

We have to sort out the midfield – not the personnel but the tactics; asking Arteta to play the defensive screen is not working particularly well, and Podolski looks far better playing further forward . Lukas was poor at St Mary’s – we need more from him.

My Team:

arse v city

I wouldn’t be surprised to see The Ox in place of OG and TW playing centrally but this smacks of negativity. We are at home, OG causes defences problems, Theo is better out wide.

I am looking forward to the Dzeko/BfG match-up. Two fine players.

Onto today’s explorer: Enough of the ice-boys, let’s get horticultural. One of our greatest unsung collectors and explorers came from the sunny climes of Cornwall: William Lobb (1809 – 1864).

Lobb spent his life collecting in South and North America walking thousands of miles through jungle, desert and mountains. His collection of seeds changed the face of the British (and European) countryside we see today. Lobb brought back: The Monkey Puzzle tree, The Wellington Sequioa, Delphiniums, the Douglas Fir  (plus lots of other fir and pine trees), countless flowers, the myrtle tree, some cedars and the barberis shrub.. He died in San Francisco from syphilis (hey, it happens!!).

images

Mr Lobb. Ozzy Ardilles Dad??

Today’s game has been written up as vital. Perhaps, but given our inconsistency who is to say that after beating the Champions we will not drop points to QPR? My point being that all the games are “vital” – they all offer the same number of points and let’s be brutally honest, how many of you expect us to challenge Man City for the title?

My hope is for an attacking, entertaining game and one in which we “play with the hand break off,” Oh, and no injuries or red cards and a loony (goal-less) cameo from the wonderful Balotelli.

Written by Big Raddy

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Posted by Erik the Red

Arsenal managers – a walk down memory lane

January 12, 2013

A few days back GIE, our new AA Daddy, asked a question about the records of our previous managers, so I thought I would take him on a trip down memory lane.

Starting with –

Sam Hollis 1894-1897

From a background as a pub landlord he became our first “secretary manager” there is some doubt as to whether he was the “manager” or just a trainer. Prior to his appointment the team was managed by a committee of players and club members.

P118, W53, D18, L47, GF253, GA225, Pts%52.5

# Trophies zero

Thomas Brown Mitchell 1897-1898

Our first “professional manager” he was a Scotsman from the Dumfries area and he took the club from tenth place in the league to fifth before resigning in March 1898.

P30, W16, D5, L9, GF69, GA49, Pts%61.7

# Trophies zero

George Elcoat 1898-1899

From Stockton on Tees, he was our first “Exile”, and he showed a strong preference for Scottish players having eight in his first team.

P34, W18, D5, L11, GF72, GA41, Pts%60.3

# Trophies zero

Harry Bradshaw 1899-1904

Regarded as Arsenal’s first successful manager a clever tactician who guided us to a second place finish in 1903/4 gaining us promotion to the First Division.

P170, W90, D31, L49, GF307, GA156, Pts%62.1

# Trophies zero

Phil Kelso 1904-1908

A hard rugged Scot he managed the newly promoted Woolwich Arsenal to two consecutive FA Cup Semi Finals.

P148, W59, D32, L57, GF215, GA226, Pts%50.7

# Trophies zero

George Morrell 1908-1915

When Sir Henry Norris purchased Highbury it was George Morell who oversaw the club’s move from Plumstead. He holds the unenviable record of being the only Arsenal manager to have experienced relegation with the club.

P266, W95, D65, L106 GF334, GA377, Pts%47.9

# Trophies zero

Leslie Knighton 1919-1925

Under his management we never finished higher than tenth, coming twentieth in 1924/25, He was sacked at the end of the season and replaced by the legendary Herbert Chapman, apparently Sir Henry always regretted sacking Leslie and left him 100 pounds in his will.

P252, W87, D57, L108, GF309, GA360, Pts%45.8

# Trophies zero

Herbert Chapman 1925-1934

He established Arsenal as English footballs dominate force and his football concepts and ideas served as a template for teams and managers all over the globe. He won the first trophy for the club winning the FA Cup in 1930. His 1930/31 team scored an incredible 127 goals – still a club record. He championed innovations such as floodlighting, European competitions and numbered shirts. Tragically he passed away from pneumonia in 1934 aged 55 years. A bronze bust of Chapman stood inside Highbury as a tribute to this outstanding manager.

P336, W157, D84, L95, GF736, GA541, Pts%59.3

# Trophies 3

George Allison 1934-1947

He started off as a journalist and became Arsenal’s programme editor – later in 1927 he commentated on the first FA Cup Final to be broadcast. He won three League titles and the FA Cup before retiring in 1947. In 1937 he had a role, as himself, in the movie The Arsenal Stadium Mystery – one of the lines that he uttered at half time was “It’s one-nil to the Arsenal. That’s the way we like it”

P294, W137, D80, L77, GF552, GA345, Pts%60.2

# Trophies 4

Tom Whittaker 1947-1956

He was the club’s first team trainer under Herbert Chapman and took over the reigns from George Allison in 1947; he won the League in both 1947 and 1953 plus the FA Cup in 1950. During WW11 be became an RAF pilot reaching the level of Squadron Leader, he received the MBE for his distinguished service. Sadly he passed away from a heart attack in 1956, aged 58.

P378, W171, L101, GF688, GA509, Pts%58.6

# Trophies 3

Jack Crayston 1956-1958

A former player with 187 appearances for us his football career was cut short due to a serious knee injury incurred in WW11 while serving in the RAF. In his first season he took us from eleventh in the league to third place before ending up in fifth position.

P84, W37, D15, L32, GF158, GA154, Pts%52.9

# Trophies zero

George Swindon 1958-1962

He was a former Arsenal goalkeeper with 297 first team appearances he was replaced in goal by Welsh international Jack Kelsey in 1952/3. His best finish as a manager was third in his first season.

P168, W67, D39, L62, GF304, GA305, Pts%51.5

# Trophies zero

Billy Wright 1962-1966

The first player to win 100 caps for England and was captain more than 90 times. His Arsenal teams never finished any higher than seventh. He was an inaugural inductee into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2002. Football writer Brian Glanville discussing Billy Wright’s time at Arsenal, wrote: “he had neither the guile nor the authority to make things work and he reacted almost childishly to criticism”

P168, W64, D41, L63, GF307, GA309, Pts%50.3

#Trophies zero

Bertie Mee 1966-1976

Under his tutorship we won our first trophy of any kind in 17 seasons beating Anderlecht and winning the Inter-Cities Cup. The next season we won our first “Double” winning the league at White Heart Lane, on the last day of the season, and seeing Charlie George score the winning goal in the FA Cup final against Liverpool

P420, W181, D115, L124, GF554, GA444. Pts%56.8

# Trophies 3

Terry Neil 1976-1983

Prior to becoming Arsenal’s manager he managed Tottenham for two seasons – nearly getting them relegated in the process. He became the youngest manager in our history and took us to three successive FA Cup Finals – 1978 to 1980 winning only one when we beat Manchester United 3-2 in 1979. In 1979, he came close, but was unsuccessful in pulling off a major transfer coup when he attempted to sign Diego Maradona.

P294, W127, D87, L80, GF404, GA318, Pts%56.1

# Trophies 1

Don Howe 1983-1986

Billy Wright signed him in 1964 and made him club captain; in 1966 he broke his leg playing against Blackpool and never played first team football again. During his time as manager he brought through players the likes of Tony Adams, David Rocastle and Niall Quinn.

P126, W57, D27, L42, GF184, GA156, Pts%52.4

# Trophies zero

George Graham 1986-1995

He played 227 games for Arsenal and was the leading scorer in 1966/67 and 1967/68. As our manager he was renowned for building his teams around defence, perfecting the offside trap along the way. He purchased Ian Wright from Crystal Palace and Ian went on to become our leading goal scorer. George made Arsenal one of the dominant forces in English football but unfortunately in 1995 he was forced to resign after he admitted to receiving an “unsolicited gift”

P364, W167, D108, L89, GF543, GA327, Pts%55.6

# Trophies 6

Bruce Rioch 1995-1996

He replaced George Graham in 1995 and stayed for just one season, he guided Arsenal to a UEFA Cup place securing qualification on the last day of the season. His enduring legacy at Arsenal will be the signing of Denis Bergkamp.

P46, W22, D13, L11, GF66, GA38, Pts%57.3

# Trophies zero

Arsene Wenger 1996 – Present

In his first full season in charge he guided us to our second double. He also guided us to

the UEFA Cup Final in 2000 and the UEFA Champions League Final in 2006, we lost on both occasions. Arsene is the most successful manager in our history having won two doubles and four FA Cups. The club have also qualified for the Champions League in the past sixteen seasons. Under his stewardship the club have signed such players as Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, Marc Overmars, Nicolas Anelka, Robert Pires, Frederick Ljunberg, Robin Van Persie, and Cesc Fabregas. He is the only manager to have an unbeaten season in the English Premier League going a total of 49 games unbeaten including the entire season of 2002/3.

P620, W356, D158, L106, GF 1174, GA586, Pts%66.0

#Trophies 7

GunnerN5

managers - trophies

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Posted by peachesgÖÖner

Arsenal To Athletico Bilbao (ize)

January 11, 2013

It is said in some quarters that Arsenal need three expensive footballers to add to the First Team Squad for us to be able to compete at the highest level. It is also said by some that our Youth Academy is a waste of time as it produces too few players who make it at the highest level. Finally, these Sayers also think that we employ too many people, both in terms of Admin as well as a bloated playing staff. Streamlining may well sharpen our cutting edge, as well as freeing up sufficient cash to afford these expensive additions. Problem is, during this cull we need to retain elements that matter.

What I say is that only a Youth Policy can produce an Adams, a Jack or a Mickey Thomas.

What these players have in common is Arsenal DNA, and in my view this really counts. These are players that go the extra mile because they are Arsenal. To produce these types of men is what the Youth System should be all about, in my opinion.

Enter Ahtletico Bilbao.

This is a relatively small club that regularly punches above its weight. They are one of only three Clubs in La Liga never to have been relegated.

They only employ Basque players, although in recent years they have widened the net to include players who can prove Basque ancestry.

So, gather round lads, here’s the plan. We slash the Admin/Player staff by, I don’t know, about 40. We retain a new sleeker Youth/Under 21 side/academy, and this part of the Club employs only those with proven Arsenal DNA.

We can, however, embellish the First Team Squad with the cream of International Stars, but our bedrock and foundations will be all Arsenal.

Can you imagine the fun in coming up with the “Prove your DNA” during the selection process, and “No”, having Arsenal posters all over the bedroom wall of your Amsterdam suburb does not qualify!

Written by MickyDidIt89

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Posted by peachesgÖÖner

Is Defence Our Best Form Of Attack

January 10, 2013

We have been a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde team over the last number of weeks, sometimes looking like the most prolific attacking team on the planet and at other times looking like we don’t have the foggiest idea how to open up the opposition.

To make matters more confusing the vast contrast in performances often happen when very similar teams have been fielded in two separate games, and have often included combinations of Arteta, Wilshere, Cazorla, Podolski, Giroud, and Walcott or the OX all in the same team. This is not an insignificant attacking line up especially when combined with our traditional overlapping full-backs. This combination of players should really give any top side in the world a headache in defence, but have at times even struggled to make mid to lower table teams look at all uncomfortable.

When you look at the above names on paper it is difficult to understand how they can, at times, offer very little attacking threat. To try and explain it to myself I have considered the contradictory possibility that maybe we are fielding too many attack minded players to make our attack effective. I would obviously like to open this up for debate, but before I do I will explain a bit more what I mean by this statement.

In recent discussions on AA regarding what types of players Arsenal need to bring in, one type of player frequently mentioned is a more powerful defensive midfielder. This is usually mentioned in reference to a need to solidify the defensive aspect of our team, and therefore make us harder to breach, and is a sentiment that I am in full agreement with. Could a more pure defensive midfielder, however, actually make us more effective in our attack as well?

Conventional thinking would state that the more defensive players you play the more defensive you will be, but I would suggest that there are times when too many natural attacking players in the one team can leave us imbalanced, and upsets our shape so that players that should be supporting the attack more are pulled into positions of defence too often. Conversely the right defensive midfield screen can provide a better platform and reduce the need for other players to have to drop back as often.

Our current first choice defensive midfielder seems to be Arteta who more often plays that role in the midfield three with Wilshere and Cazorla. I like Arteta and think he is an excellent and very important member of our squad and am not in any way suggesting he is replaced and pushed to one side. I think he is and should remain a regular and important first team player. He did however come from Everton not as a pure defensive midfielder, and he has obvious offensive qualities to his game also. In many games he plays the deeper defensive midfield role very well and certainly never lacks heart and effort, and is not afraid of getting stuck in.

I have questioned, however, whether in some games he gets slightly exposed because he is not really a specialist in this role. At these times he seems to require more help in protecting the back four and breaking up attacks, and my observation has been that this more often than not drags Wilshere deeper to help cover in these areas.

Some will disagree and see the deeper role as Wilshere’s role anyway, and I would agree that all players need to perform some defensive duties, but for me Wilshere has far too much ability on the ball to be kept too often in a deeper role. He is not the finished article yet but those bursts of pace and ability to surge past people should be utilised in attack as much as possible, and this is where I personally see his long term future.

I remember, as one example, in the Southampton game thinking that we needed to release Wilshere further forwards to support Cazorla and try and get some attacking intent back into our game. It was not Arteta’s fault, but I felt he was a bit under the cosh in that game and he was struggling to screen and protect the back four effectively on his own. If we had been playing a more specialist defensive midfielder out there, who could have more effectively covered the defensive midfield area on their own, would that have released Wilshere from having to help out so often in defence and, if he could have played higher up the pitch more often, would that have seen us start to take more attacking control of the game?

You could argue that it may not have worked out that way and how can anyone really know, and I would agree that no-one can say for certain. It is more an observation and opinion that potentially a more specialised midfield destroyer to break up the opposition attacks would have given the platform for our attacking players to get into more dangerous areas more often. Once we turn the momentum of a game in our favour sometimes it becomes difficult for a team such as Southampton to get a foothold back in it.

For me a top defensive midfielder should obviously be a good tackler with a good physical presence. He also needs to be able to distribute the ball well, but for me he doesn’t need to be a “Bergkampesue” defence splitting passer of the ball, but more a decent passer who can redistribute possession once we win the ball back. I have always felt, though, that maybe an even more important characteristic for a central defensive midfielder is pace. I feel it is possibly even more important than for the attacking central midfielder where good positioning, awareness, quick thinking and the ability to play a killer pass are potentially more important characteristics. The defensive midfielder obviously needs to break up play but also needs to try and intercept and cut out threats from the opposition. The ability to cover ground quickly with pace is for me an important feature to defending well in front of the back four, and it is the one thing that Arteta unfortunately is not blessed with.

Many players are mentioned as being suitable players to bring in and play the defensive midfield role but some of you will be aware that I have championed Vermaelen for the role. Some would argue that he is not a good enough passer of the ball, but again I would question how important that is. He is a more than adequate passer of the ball for me and would have no problem in effectively redistributing the ball when we have won back posession. The plus side of his extra physical presence, good biting tackles and pace over the ground would far outweigh anything else for me. He could be considered as a defensive midfielder or even as part of a back three where he plays as an advanced sweeper.

As a pure defensive screen Vermaelen could likely provide 1 ½ times the protection that Arteta can in games where it may be more necessary, and if it allows us to play the other two central midfielders to take up more advanced positions then we may actually end up with a more potent attack by playing a more defence minded player in that deeper role.

I am not actually suggesting that Arteta is permanently pushed aside in this role. Far from it, I believe there will always be games where we can play him with Wilshere and Cazorla, as we do in our current first choice midfield three. These three for me do seem to be somewhat overplayed currently anyway, and I feel need a bit more rotation. Arteta could even revert to his slightly more traditional, pre-Arsenal, more advanced midfield role at times if TV is played in the deeper role and Wilshere or Cazorla need a rest or are carrying a minor knock. It is all about having alternative options for me and all of these players would still get plenty of playing time but hopefully with the added bonus of avoiding burn out and possible injury.

So what do AA’ers think. Do we need a more specialist defensive midfielder at times and if so who would be your choice? Would the addition of this player only be to make us better defensively, or could it actually have the additional effect of making us better offensively as well by way of freeing up other players?

Written by GoonerB

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Posted by peachesgÖÖner

The Rise, Decline, And Fall — or Rise of Arsene’s Empire?

January 9, 2013

The Roman Empire was perhaps the most famous in history, but as we all know, its rise decline and fall saw a city state expand to conquer what was then the whole of the known world, before its rulers allowed the barbarians to infiltrate the Empire, emulate its own tactics and finally destroy it.

Are we now seeing a similar fate befalling Arsene’s Footballing Empire?

Arsene Wenger became manager of Arsenal in 1996 with a revolutionary philosophy of building teams that were to become famous for their desire to entertain, not just Gooners, but every other football fan throughout the world with an over-riding emphasis on attack.

Wenger’s purist style of management saw him buy and develop only players with absolutely sublime technical ability, allied to speed of thought and an athletic speed and grace to match. His immediate acquisition of the relatively unknown Patrick Viera to join the already established genius, Denis Bergkamp, marked his intention to mould his first Arsenal team into one of the best and most stunningly graceful attacking teams of all times.

The advent of this brilliant managerial philosophy, together with equally gifted players, soon saw the explosive rise of Arsene’s Empire, as his attack minded vision saw him quickly acquire other players such as Titti Henry, Mark Overmars and Robert Pires, who all had the requisite specialist, technical skills which enabled Arsenal to strive for, and reach, the very zenith of footballing achievement in England.

League and FA Cup Doubles in 1997/98 and 2001/02, and other League and Cup trophies, heralded the success of his policy, and with his ‘Invincibles’ team also redefining defensive cohesiveness he seemed to have set the seal on many triumphant years of success stretching into the future, with Wenger being raised to the apotheosis of his profession.

This fabulous attacking style was in absolute contrast to the dour and pragmatic philosophy of other English clubs, with their reliance on clod hopping defenders and resolute ‘defend until the last man’ attitude, and this only served to underline the extent and influence of his coaching, dietary and man management skills, and Arsenal rapidly became the ‘second favourite team’ for fans of other clubs worldwide.

Then came what many have seen as the beginning of the decline of Arsene’s great footballing empire, caused initially by the pressing need to move from the old, much loved Highbury stadium to the newly built Emirates stadium, still oddly lacking in atmosphere and which has yet to carve its own chunk of history, while the attendant astronomical costs of that venture are still hanging heavily over the club’s ability to fully compete with the other top clubs in financial parity.

Substantial monies needed to continue Arsene’s philosophy of acquiring top quality players for his grand team rebuilding designs dried up, and this, together with the arrival of Abramovich, and the other no mark oligarchs who then proceeded to lavish obscene and apparently unlimited amounts of money on their own clubs’ transfer targets, and in upgrading

their training facilities and scouting systems, saw Arsenal lose ground against them, slowly at first, and then at an ever increasing rate, which saw our club incrementally drop from being a ‘top 2’ team, to a ‘top 3’ team, to a struggling ‘top 4’ team, and this year – who knows?

This astronomical rise and subsequent slow decline in the fortunes of Arsene’s empire was compounded by changes in the attitudes of some of our most gifted Arsenal players who began to question the vision and desire of the manager, and opted, instead, to leave and pursue their careers elsewhere by joining our closest competitors, driven by both a lust for money, unbounded by well meaning ‘socialistic’ limits, and also for the trophies that have persistently evaded Arsene for many years.

So, you might ask, was that all it took to bring about the reversal in the fortunes of our club?

No, that is not quite right!

A change in absolute, mutually agreeable, shared ownership, occasioned by a savage internecine bout of warfare, between previous friends David Dein and Danny Fizman, eventually saw the equally fractious acquisition of the majority shareholding in the club by ‘Silent Stan’ Kroenke, who swiftly lived up to his name by becoming an absentee landlord/owner, who immediately delegated the running of the club to his appointed managers, with Arsene Wenger quickly asserting himself as the real power behind the throne.

The ability of absolute power to ‘corrupt’ absolutely, is evident in Arsene’s apparent reluctance to delegate material control of first team coaching, or the acquiring or firing of youth team players to either Pat Rice, or Steve Bould when he was Youth team coach, as has been reported by a number of Arsenal ‘sources’ naturally reluctant to be named.

Be that as it may, Arsene has also proudly spoken of his own direct involvement in every aspect and stage of the new stadium’s design and building plans, not as an auxiliary adviser, but as a principal and administrator.

In addition, and of particular concern to many fans, frustrated by Arsenal’s transfer policy and salary structure, is the admission by Mr Wenger that he is personally responsible for Arsenal’s ‘socialist’ salary structure, as well as the enforcement of the transfer budget; the calculation of the transfer value of potential recruits; the salaries to be offered to them; and the final, often fatally protracted, decision as to whether or not to buy and when that should be, which has apparently caused failure in acquiring certain players.

In effect, if all these observations turn out to be true, Arsene has effectively, and primarily, subverted the authority of the Chief Executive who is powerless to retaliate, and Gazidis has probably calculated, correctly, that Kroenke, in any dispute between himself and Wenger, will take the view that it is easier to replace Gazidis than Wenger. Incidentally, this may explain some of the vague and conflicting quotes attributed to Gazidis.

Whatever the cause, your correspondent believes that a tipping point is rapidly nearing, where the future of our great manager will be decided, either by the rapid fall of his Empire, with the concomitant premature ending of a visionary manager’s career, accompanied by a

quickening descent of our club into mid-table mediocrity or a near miraculous change in policy will be needed to save the day.

Any student of management would surely agree that Arsene needs to relinquish his ancillary control of the club, however competently an economics graduate might feel he is doing, and allow others to oversee and manage club finances, and to delegate coaching and day to day footballing matters to those such as Steve Bould, and entrust the minutiae of transfer dealings to Gazidis and Laws, and single-mindedly focus, exclusively, on his footballing vision for the club he has done so much for, and almost singlehandedly transformed, over the years.

All the intellectual power, sheer brilliance and force of personality of Arsene Wenger will be needed to stabilise the current decline in our footballing fortunes. He will need to regroup and reassess the club’s footballing needs and the resources necessary for the building of yet another legendary, trophy winning team, and just leave finding the funding wherewithal for this latest project to others, and he will then undoubtedly succeed in leaving a fitting legacy for a truly exceptional man.

There is a clear choice to be made by both Arsene Wenger and the club management, as outlined above, and, depending on which option is taken, could decide the future footballing and financial success of our club, or result in a huge setback from which it might take a lifetime to recover from.

Emotions are already running high amongst many fans, and a growing number are beginning to mutter about the merits of the forced retirement of Arsene Wenger, but I am confident, that the right decision will be made for the benefit of the club, and this will soon herald the dawn of a new era in the club’s rich history.

The Rise, Decline and RISE of Arsene Wenger’s Empire, is within reach, he must grasp it!

Written by Red Arse

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Posted by peachesgÖÖner

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