Fun in the Sun?

May 12, 2019

Final game of a”transitional” PL season. We expected there to be difficulties and there have been, yet win today and we finish 5th with a European Final to come. I would have certainly taken that at season’s start.

Should we draw and MU win … 6th. Is it important? Not if we win the Europa, otherwise I believe we have to play a qualifier in July for the EL.

Although Burnley are in 15th place they remain stern opposition at Turf Moor. Sean Wagner is a beast of a man and has created a team in his image – dogged :-D. Given our away malaise, this afternoon could be a struggle.

On a positive note, we have not lost our final game since 2005. Negative? Referee- Mike Dean.

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And what of Burnley? They have scored a record (for them) 44 goals but have conceded 65. They have improved considerably post-Xmas as relegation was a genuine concern. Peter Crouch could start,  Burnley  play as you would expect, long balls, scoring from set-plays, PTB and counter-attack when possible, we will not see ticky tacky from the Clarets.

Who starts for AFC? Iwobi is a cert, as is Leno.  Other than that? Douzi, Mavro, Mustafi, maybe Lichsteiner’s final game. Elneny? Will Nketiah finally get a start or will our superb front two continue?  I simply do not know.

BTW Danny Welbeck is back in full training and according to the Metro (I know, I know), he could ride the pine today and even feature in the coming Final. We are desperate for an experienced attacker on the bench.

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What is certain is the wonderful job done by our Aussie Women’s team manager, Joe Montemurro, obviously a man with a big future in football and hopefully at Arsenal.

The sun should be shining and we are always better in warm climes (Napoli,Valencia).  I hope for a good performance ending on a positive note prior to our journey to Baku

To be honest, although this is an important game for AFC my interest will be elsewhere in this excellent finale to the season. To have one team achieving 95+ points is impressive but to have two is astounding. Liverpool and City play superb attacking football and I would like to thank them both for showing that it is still possible to win the Wenger Way. Arsene would be proud.

Looking for two away victories this afternoon.

COYRRG

 

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Posted by Erik the Red

The Deadwood Stage

February 6, 2019

Whip-crack-away!!  You have to be seriously old or a Doris Day fan  (in which case you are gay) to get that reference.

We are desperate for a clean out.

No CGI here …

We were under Mr Wenger and I thought we had sorted out the problems with the departure of Gibbo, Little Jack, Santi, Perez, Chuka, Ospina, Campbell and Per, plus another couple of loan. It appeared that UE’s squad was packed with pure quality. I was wrong, we still have players who are simply not good enough.

We can all write our lists and I guess many will differ but there are some names which will feature for everyone

Mustafi, Elneny, Lichtenstein, Jenkinson are the most popular candidates for the Spanish Archer.. Welbz and Ramsey are already gone as is Petr. That makes 7. I would add Mhki and Ozil (it is criminal to waste his talent). So, 9 out, a massive reduction of our squad.

Some may add Xhaka but I think he is an excellent squad player and back up to a proper midfield lynchpin.

It will not be easy to sell players with long contracts and very high wages. Why should they leave and take a pay cut? Will AFC pay a percentage of their wages to get shot?

Or should Mr. Emery  allow for natural wastage through age and contract run-downs  moulding the remaining players to his masterplan? Given our financial situation this seems the most likely route. We have some potentially excellent players coming through the ranks – Nelson, AMN (Cons), Smith Rowe (Lab), Willock m Mavropanos (Young Greek Bloke henceforth known as YGB) etc and it is important to highlight just how young some of our regular starters are – Curly is 19, Terrier 22, Hector 23, Iwobi 22, Holding 23. These are the chaps to build the squad around.

I always thought that Mr Wenger was too loyal to his players, keeping them in the squad when they were past their best. By doing so he did not bring fresh blood into the club. As with Mr Emery, “he can only pick from the players he has available – get rid of the deadwood and they cannot be picked” (Homer Simpson)

I think we need an aggressive clearance sale. Then buy a proper CB, 2 LB’s, RB an attacking MF and a winger. Is this likely? Sadly not.

Make mine a Sasparilla.

written by BR

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Posted by Erik the Red

Ramsey Mishandled?

August 23, 2018

Both Danny Welbeck and Aaron Ramsey are in the final year of their contracts; neither of them has indicated a willingness to stay nor have they responded to the improved deals on offer. It is rumoured that Ramsey has said he will sign in AFC double his , already inflated, wages (this is a man who lives in the most expensive house in Wales!)

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We have been here before and not so long ago. Alexis Sanchez forced his way out of Arsenal by refusing to sign a massively improved contract. Sold in January, his agent managed to persuade MU to give Sanchez a purported ￡380k a week, plus ￡71k per game appearance, plus ￡1m a season signing-on fee!! No wonder he left AFC. Brilliant business for the player but not for either club.

And then there was Ozil. Great player but worth over ￡300k a week? He and his agent hung on until AFC where forced into a corner, especially after losing Sanchez.

What did AFC and our new negotiating team learn from this? Well, it seems sweet FA.

Had they been sold in summer, Ramsey would have attracted offers above €35m, Welbeck as an established International, around €20m. Can the club afford to let them run down their contracts and leave for free next summer or swapped for an inferior player in January? €50+m would allow us to buy the new, young CB we are crying out for. It would not have been Sokratis we signed but (perhaps) a player of Varane quality, maybe even Godin (though he is a bit old).

 

And while we are on strange (read incomprehensible) decisions, why did they give Elneny an improved contract? Is it worth paying him a few mill a year just to get a few games in the Europa? I like Elneny wish him well but he is limited in his ability whereas Xhaka (who also got a new contract) has clear potential to become a fine player.

So what do you think? Do AFC give in to player power or get tough and sell players who do not sign contracts which are running down?

Not a simple decision.

written by Big Raddy

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Posted by Erik the Red

Home Run to Continue?

November 29, 2017

Huddersfield Town F.C. was where Herbert Chapman won Div 1 twice before arriving at Arsenal. We owe them but the debt should be paid by allowing them a few minutes of parity before scoring a a hatful.

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One of GN5 mates

A hatful is possible but unlikely because, as H’field showed against City, they are a very good, well-organised team. Scoring is a problem, as far as I can see, they have scored only 3 goals away from home all season and all three were in the same game! But, they have beaten Man Utd so this is unlikely to be a walkover.

Much is made of Wagner (the manager not the composer), and he does seem to be more than just Jurgen Klopp’s best friend.

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Expect PTB and loads of possession, something we witness so often at The Emirates.

My Team (the one I expect to play, not the one I would pick)

Cech

Mustafi    Koscielny    Monreal

Bellerin    Ramsey   Xhaka   Kolasinac

Wilshire

Lacazette    Sanchez

If it were my choice we would play 4-3-3 with Welbeck starting and resting  Kolasinac. I don’t see the need for the extra defender when playing a side who are certain to defend in depth and play on the break.

What would be your chosen team?

We need these 3 points and to continue our wonderful home form (well results rather than form). With a hige game on the weekend we need to maitain confidence and drive.

So, welcome to the Emirates Huddersfield, it is excellent when such a small club proves money is not the only driver in football. I really hope you have the opportunity to play here next season and get beaten again 😀

COYRRG

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Posted by Erik the Red

Hull.A New Dawn?

February 11, 2017

Should be a fine day’s sport. Arsenal, a respite and then England/Wales in Cardiff.

The damage of the last two losses is in the past, the players have to show why they earn squillions and give us a reason to believe (sounds like a song). We are at home against a struggling team much the same as Watford (gold and black kit).

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Do you think Silva’s Hull have the courage to do a Watford and attack from the start? I certainly hope so but as Silva is known as “Clean Sheet Silva”, the chances are high that we will see Hull PTB early. “Clean Sheet Silva”, sounds like a porn star name but the man has certainly improved Hull. Clean sheets against both Liverpool and MU in his last two games is testimony to manager who can organise his team.

Our boys need a boost, an early goal would provide one. Anything will do, an OG, a wicked deflection, in off the woodwork, anything. My fear is that if Hull score first the whole ground will become a venomous environment. Arsenal have millions of fans but far less supporters.

My Team:

Cech

Bellerin     Squillaci    Koscielny    Gibbs

Ox    Coq   Ozil

Walcott    Perez    Sanchez

Why not? Perez at CF? A front three that can all pay at CF? Ideally I would like to see Danny start, he is so great to watch. This is a very small front 6 who will have to do do loads of running about (in a tactical way).

With BM midweek I can envisage a much changed side and this is just a punt.

There is a genuine threat that the Top 4 could escape us this season, it is time to get back  onto the winning horse.

COYRRG

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Posted by Erik the Red

Walcott & Welbeck?

April 2, 2016

Chickens ….. Count.

Arsenal did last time we played Watford at home and crashed out a Cup we could and should have won. We had the chance to take a Wembley revenge on WHU for the Trevor Brooking Never Scores With His Head moment which would have been satisfying, especially to those who attended 😦

Many blamed Mr Wenger for the home loss but given the last 15 minutes showed how much better we were than Watford I think the blame lies firmly at the feet of the players.

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I am not going to write about Watford, three times a season for them is excessive.

Interlull will affect the selection  – Alexis played twice and had to fly back from Venezuela where he assisted two of the 4 goals Chile scored. Some of the other chaps had midweek flights. Mr. Wenger will assess who has been affected by both the games and the travel.

I would like to see this team start:

Cech/Ospina

Bellerin    BFG     Koscielny     Monreal

Elneny    Coquelin

Ozil    Iwobi

Walcott    Welbeck

This team is selected with one aim – pace. Though I cannot see AW being so gung-ho my section should please the Purists.

Walcott should benefit from the tactical discipline of Elneny and concentrate purely on attack. Why make the man run back to defend – he cannot tackle, jockey or make a defensive header so why make him use his energy in our half?

Iwobi? He has been playing so well but is another who has travelled far, having made a sub appearance against Elneny’s Egypt midweek, nonetheless he makes my team.

To have a chance of the title Arsenal have to win all their remaining games, it can be done, we have done it before. The run starts this afternoon.

COYRRG

 

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Posted by Erik the Red

Loan Players.

November 19, 2010

At the weekend Danny Welbeck scored for Sunderland in the wonderful win at Stamford Bridge, not only did he score but he put in a fine performance that had Chelsea’s 2nd string CB’s running all over the pitch allowing others to attack. Fairplay one may say, good on him and good on Sunderland, but Welbeck is signed to Man Utd.

Sunderland first goal was one of the goals of the season scored by  full back Onouha. Onouha is on loan from Man City.

So Chelsea were undone (in part) by players from direct rivals, how can this be?

At Blackburn in our valiant 2-1 victory earlier in the season, Blackburn’s goalscorer was M. Diouf who gave our defence a torrid time. Diouf is on loan from Man Utd.

Last week we played a Wolves team who had Mancienne in their defence, an excellent young player on loan from Chelsea, and we face the prospect of playing Spurs at the weekend who may play Pletikosa in goal – another loanee.

Last season we loaned out young Jack to Bolton and this season we have gained the benefit of his experiences there. Had he scored in a win over MU we would have been delighted !

With the increasing gap between the wealth and quality of squads of the CL clubs and the lower PL clubs, it is inevitable that those players who have a value to the CL clubs but are not within their 25 player squad will be loaned out ( I realise this is simplistic due to the homegrown rules). Furthermore, we have some fantastic young players who will be too old for the youth/reserve teams and not good enough to replace an established player but need experience to develop. That player will go on loan, and he will go on loan to a club in the lower half of the table.

I assume there is an unwritten agreement that loan players do not play against their registered clubs, but why should that be? It weakens the team playing the loanee and therefore gives an added advantage to the loaning team.

I believe there should be an adjunct to the loan rules that stops clubs loaning to teams within the same division, thereby allowing the loanee to get experience  in a first team and does not advantage the loaning club. It did Chesney no harm 🙂

By the way, anyone know who was the last loan player who played in Arsenal’s first team?

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Posted by Erik the Red