The squad for 2010/2011 are we stronger or weaker?

1 09 2010

So the transfer window has closed and we added Koscielny, Squillaci, Chamakh. But is the squad stronger or weaker as a result of the new signings and departures or are we weaker than last season?

The goalkeepers were an area that we needed strengthening, Arsene pretty much confirmed it with comments like “the number 1 is up in the air” and the resfusal to rule out Schwarzer. Perhaps it was all left too late, yes I think Arsene has to field much of the criticism for this but when Hughes joined Fulham I pretty much knew he wouldn’t sell to us – he hates Arsene. Couple that with the injury to Fulham’s second choice keeper and Schwarzer was going nowhere. So we are left with Almunia as number one, his confidence must be shot to pieces knowing that Arsene was looking to replace him right until the window closed. Fabianski has shown himself to be a very weak backup keeper as well. It is a massive worry for us this position, and might cost us silverware, but only one person will carry the can for this. Verdict – no change from last season

We had issues in defence last term, the reality of only having two centrebacks hurt us at times. Sylvestre was not Premier League quality and not Arsenal quality. Sol Campbell was a great signing for the second half of the season, which timed well with the routine Gallas injury so again we were back down to two centrebacks. But all three of those players have left the club. Two replacements have arrived, Sebastian Squillaci and Laurent Koscielny the former brings experience but has yet to feature so no further comment can be given and the latter looks promising but needs to adapt to the league. Johan Djourou also returns from long term injury, but there are concerns he will stay fit for the season so he will be fourth choice I feel. But we now start the season with what appears four decent central defenders, that gives more confidence than last year did. No change in the left/right back positions but I don’t think we had issues there and the return to fitness of Gibbs will provide some competition for the at times lacklustre Clichy. Verdict – stronger than last season

In midfield we have not added, however the emergence of Wilshere is a bonus. A year older and with half a season of loan experience with Bolton seems to have made him more of a player. The early season form of Rosicky is promising too. But in reality we were pretty strong in midfield anyway, and there have been no major changes so, Verdict – no change from last season

Our forward line was going strong, banging goals in until van Persie got injured. But no issues like that this seaso…oh hang on. Bendtner can cover, ahh but he is injured too. At least we have Chamakh, he looks promising and has a high work rate. A player who offers something different to what we saw from the dwindling Eduardo last season. Provided we can keep van Persie fit for most of the season and have Bendtner back at some point we will have competition for the front position. Walcott looks transformed too, he could even be given a shot in the middle if we fancied it. Goals were not a problem last season, and I doubt they will be this. Verdict – stronger than last season

So overall I think we have a stronger squad than last year, not more depth but certainly more quality in the depth we have. The 25 man squad rule wont hurt us too much either as we have a long list of under 21s we can add at any point in the season. As I said before goals being scored wont be an issue for us, it’s the conceding goals that will be the problem – just like it was las season. While Arsene has strengthened in the central defensive positions I do still worry about the keepers. Schwarzer would not have offered an improvement compared to Almunia, but he would have been a far more confident player and that is something that I think many gooners are worried about.





Arsenal 6 – 0 Blackpool, Trio Walcott

22 08 2010

Our first home game of the season, the Clock was unveiled, the stands re-named – it created a great atmosphere before kick-off. All it needed was a game with goals and a fine performance from one of our young players.

We got both. A 6-0 victory over newly promoted Blackpool might not completely impress the pundits, but the team needed this. Plenty of goals and the time to bed in to fast passing and free attacking football was the perfect tonic to allow the players to re-accquaint themselves with our style of play.

Theo, however, was fantastic. His first hat-trick for Arsenal, 3 fantastic goals. He looks a very different player to the one we saw last season. A summer of rest and no injuries have done him wonders. He looked much stronger yesterday, he made a few turns with defenders at his back which I expected him to go down or be muscled off the ball, but not yesterday, he rode each challenge out and kept running, kept making those passes and taking those shots. A brilliant performance and he deserved the match ball. I hope this is the first of many goals this season. Arshavin should be worried if both players form continues to be immeasurably different.

But Theo was not the only highlight of the day; Tomas Rosicky completed 90 minutes (which is very rare since his injury) but not only that, he also was outstanding too, his play was like the pre-injury Rosicky and was a welcome sight on the pitch again. I hope he too can continue in this form. Chamakh also looked good, he needed and wanted a goal so badly that we thought it wasn’t going to come off, but his headed goal was well taken and I suspect we will see many more of those as the season progresses, also his workrate was good to see.

Arshavin also played better, he put more effort in and took his penalty well. He looked fitter than last week, and looked to care more about the game. Song played at centre back, he did quite well but his best position is further up the park in the defensive midfield role – despite what some were calling for for him to be installed as a permanent centre back. Diaby also played a decent game, his goal a highlight, but again he was invisible for long periods of play.

Blackpool were unlucky to have the penalty awarded against them, the foul was outside the box, but it WAS a red card. Last man means red. To say it killed the game is unfair on Arsenal. Yes it meant Blackpool were less adventurous but we could still play. But you have to credit Ian Holloway for setting his team up to play football, not just sit back and defend, he must take credit for that but I worry that the way the league is he will have to change his tactics to a more negative style if they want to survive their first term in the Premier League. Their fans also deserve a mention, plenty of noise before during and after the game, even if their song of choice was the same the Phil Brown picks for karaoke.

A good result, some nice goals, a confidence boost. Cesc got a good reception when he came on, as did van Persie. But neither really looked completely sharp during their late cameo. Almunia did give a wave to the North Bank before he left the pitch, was that a goodbye? Next week we face Blackburn, a different prospect, but one we will no doubt clear with relative ease provided we ignore their neanderthal looks and tactics.





Liverpool 1 – 1 Arsenal, thanks for that Pepe!

16 08 2010

Well what can you say other than “that serves you right”. After his stunt putting the Barca shirt on Cesc, Pepe Reina gave us a gift as an apology yesterday as he scooped the ball into his own net in the 90th minute and we got a draw from the game. In fairness it was probably the correct result for both teams, and both teams avoided an opening day defeat which the press would have had a field day with. But I did laugh out loud when I saw the goal on MOTD.

The goal for Arsenal was one talking point in the game, but the other was the straight red card for Liverpool debutant Joe Cole. His tackle was not malicious, but it was reckless and I don’t think the ref had much choice. You can go on all you want about him not being that sort of player, but I’m sure my mum would say I’m not that sort of person if I was to commit a violent act in a moment of madness and injure someone. Koscielny  looked hurt and left the pitch on a stretcher, we were down to one centreback and for how long? Thankfully he came out for the second half, but a cruel twist of fate sees him banned for the next game anyway for picking up a second yellow for a weak handball.

We conceded from a poor pass by Arshavin that Wilshere, who didn’t look too great on the whole, failed to control. N’gog blasted a shot at the top corner and “first choice” keeper Almunia failed to stop it. Sky were quick to note that he should have saved it, and yes he should at least have got a hand to it. Poor defensive concentration and poor keeping cost us a goal – does that sound familiar? I hope it does to Arsene.

Arshavin got criticism for his performance, and he did look out of the game completely. I hope that he gets a boot up the arse and starts to try rather than just coasting around for the first few games as we need him on top form all year.

Overall I think I am happy with a draw, I didn’t see us winning and the worries I had about our defensive play were highlighted brilliantly with the goal and some other Liverpool opportunities. The potential serious injury to Koscielny would have left us desperately short at the back, I think 2 players need brining in in reality and I hope that served as a massive wake up call to Arsene. We cannot risk going into a season so lacking in depth in that area of the squad.

A mention must go to Rosciky, who made a substitute appearance but showed some glimpses of the player we had before his long term injury. Decent runs and some attempts on goal that on another day would have been in the back of the net. Chamakh and Koscielny both impressed on their league debuts, I think they will both grow as players as the season progresses and will become Arsenal favourites. But Arsene needs to strengthen the squad if we are to last the season in contention for the prizes, rather than being out of them come the early part of next year.





Season Preview

13 08 2010

Can this Arsenal team win the league? Possibly. Do I think they will? No.

We head into the new season that starts this weekend with much trepidation, despite assurances from Arsene that our defensive issues would be solved we are weaker in defence than we were this time last season. We only have three recognised centrebacks in Vermaelen, Djourou and Koscielny, an injury to Vermaelen and we are fucked. It’s not harsh on the other two but I don’t see them coping with Drgoba, Rooney etc. There is still time for a signing but looking at what we have there is real worry.

In midfield we are strong, even with the question marks that surround Cesc, we have Nasri showing some excellent pre-season form and Jack Wilshere looks like he could hit it big this season. Walcott, Rosicky and Arshavin need to impress this year compared to last season, I know they all had injuries but they just didn’t do it in the games they played last season.

Equally in attack we look good, the addition of Chamakh will add something we have perhaps missed since the departure of Adebayor. Goals this season, much like last in the main, won’t be an issue. The problem is will they outweigh the ones we conceed?

But goalkeeping is a major issue, we might have bid for a number of keepers (the Schwarzer rumours picked up again late last night) but nothing concrete has happened. Couple that with a pre-season selection policy and poor form means I don’t think even Arsene is confident who he will pick as number one. Personally it has to be Almunia, he is the best of a weak bunch. A club like Arsenal need a strong keeper if we are to challenge for trophies and currently that is one of our weak links.

We again will have squad depth problems, sheer numbers is not the issue, it’s having some quality rather than untested youth to step in during the inevitable injuries and dips in form. That is probably what worries me most.

Is a trophy possible? Yes, but it will take some big doses of luck to get one. I would like more attention paid to the FA Cup this season, but I’m not totally convinced that will happen. Maybe come May I will have to eat all these words when we are crowned Premier League or European champions, that hope isn’t totally missing. Come on you gunners!





Wigan v Arsenal preview

18 04 2010

So the title race threw up another twist yesterday. Following their World Cup win and North London Derby win Spurs also beat Chelsea – do they not realise this helps us out? But we need to win today, I doubt we can genuinely win the title but the hope is still there. Had Chelsea won yesterday it was impossible, but now who knows. A win today would pretty much ensure a top 4 finish, something that many in the media doubted would happen this season for us. A win would also keep us in it, 3 points behind Chelsea and 2 behind Utd. Can we do the improbable, I’m still not convinced – we need both of them to lose or draw twice with us winning every game. But, who knows.

Team news wise; it’s Sol and Sylvestre at centre back. Denilson is a doubt and Song is still out. Another makeshift midfield or perhaps Nasri – Diaby – Rosicky as the middle 3. Van Persie might start, I would say yes given what he displayed on Wednesday – a few goals and bring him off on the hour if he can’t complete the game. We need this put to bed earlier rather than later today. The collective gooner nerves can’t take much more I don’t think.

It should be 3 points for us today, a decent performance will ensure that. Lets hope that happens.





Barcelona 4 – 1 Arsenal, Messi stole the show

7 04 2010

There is no other way to put it, we were beaten by a better side. There isn’t any shame in getting beat by Barcelona at home. Yes the score perhaps is a little unfair on us, the performance we gave was much better than that at home. But Barcelona, and in particular Lionel Messi, were too strong for us.

We were given hope early on when Diaby won the ball well in the centre circle, made the pass to Theo and he made a run forward, Bendtner was with him but the pass he was given was terrible and it bobbled at his feet. He got a shot off but Valdes saved it. However Bendtner did very well to pounce on the rebound and toe-poke home a ball that was probably not the easiest thing he has done in football.

We were 1-0 up, at the Nou Camp. Perhaps, just perhaps it might happen. But then the brilliance of Messi shone through, a hat trick in just over 20 minutes pretty much put the tie to bed. In the first leg I didn’t see anything special from Messi to warrant “the best player in the world” label he has, but last night he showed that he is the best and best by a long way. His late goal I think was one too many for Arsenal hearts, 3-1 would have been a more comfortable loss.

In the midfield we battled better, Denilson and Nasri pressing more than happened in the first leg but we still stood off too much. Clichy was back at his best, it was good to see, but he did get exposed when no-one covered his forward runs and the left side was left open. Rosicky however was poor, if he wasn’t fully fit he should not have played. Eduardo should have started in his place I think, but it doesn’t matter now.

After the game Nic and Arsene did interviews and both said we were beaten by a better side. No question about that from me. It’s the simple reality. We now have to pick ourselves up for our next league game in a weeks time. Hopefully our walking wounded will have recovered and we might have a few more players to pick from, more on our injuries in the coming week but I looked last night (thanks to those who helped on twitter) and I am not sure we have any of our first team outfield players who has not been injured at least once this season. It has really hurt our push for trophies. Something needs to be done to fix our injury problems.





Barcelona v Arsenal, nothing to lose (except more players to injury)

6 04 2010

Tonight we play Barcelona. You all know about it, and if you don’t where the fuck have you been?

Yesterday it was announced Alex Dimitri Song Billong will not travel, he has a groin/leg problem. Massive blow. Sol Campbell is a bit of a doubt also, two games in a short space of time might be too much. Then just before bed, following a wine fuelled evening, I thought I would check twitter before I went to bed – I wish I hadn’t. Rosicky is now rated as 50:50 for the game. The footballing injury gods are not being kind.

But so what, we can’t get all upset about it. We have to go out there and play with the players we have. We do have nothing to lose. If Barca beat us 3 or 4 nil it is hardly unexpected, they are the best football team in the world at the moment, but I would rather we didn’t get a hiding. The pressure is on them. A goal down and their fans might turn on them. They are clearly worried about Theo and his pace after he ripped them apart last week, I hope he starts tonight. Kudos to the boss for taking him along to the press conference, build up his confidence and also knock Barca’s a bit.

But we can win this, if we play like we did later in the game on Wednesday we might pull that upset. We just might do it, everyone has written us off just like they did so many times in European competition in the past. We could do this. I know I don’t have the most positive feeling about tonight but they might surprise us. Can you imagine how good that would feel?

My beers are already in the fridge, I do not have to work today or tomorrow. But tonight will no doubt take an age to come. But I am looking forward to it. Every gooner should be, you have to love that we are playing against the best team in the world tonight, no matter what the outcome might be.

COME ON YOU REDS!!!!!!!!!!





Arsenal 4 – 2 Bolton, what a comeback!

21 01 2010

By comeback I don’t just mean last night, I also mean having been 11 points behind Chelsea after they beat us and now being level on points with them and top of the league. After that defeat pretty much everyone wrote us off, even I thought we had little chance of being in the mix with the leaders. But football this season is very open, we have had a great run of results that has seen us climb back up there to now and we are top of the table.

Last night though was not all fun as a fan. I arrived at the ground hoping that the two goal margin required to take us top of the league was a mere formality, given the way the players set out I think they had the same mindset. Bolton started pretty well and were closing us down and often first to the ball. We had a few chances but nothing that was really a goalscoring opportunity. Then a swipe at a clearance by the returning Clichy saw the ball end up in the middle of our box, a few headers and the ball fell to a Bolton player and it was in the back of the net. 1-0, this wasn’t meant to be happening.

The crowd were still behind our players and urged them on, but it didn’t seem to transmit onto the pitch. We were still coming off as the second best team and Bolton had plenty of attacks. One such attack was ended by a clumsy challenge from Denilson which gave away a penalty. From my seat on the opposite side of the goal it looked like a penalty and there was no surprise when the ref pointed to the spot. Almunia went the correct way but the ball still ended in the back of the net. We were 2-0 down to these cloggers and only 28 odd minutes had been played.

The first half continued with very poor play from us, many people sat around me were saying this was the worst they had seen us play in a long while, and I have to agree – we were awful. I recall Cesc stood at the restart after the second goal shouting and clapping his hands, but it hadn’t seemed to encourage the players that much. However on 44 minutes the team released the handbrake, dipped the clutch and selected first gear, we were playing at last! Rosicky was fed a ball on the right of their area, took a few paces then smashed it past Jaaskelainen, it looked a great goal live. It was 2-1 just before half time. Maybe, just maybe the comeback was on. The fans got back behind the team and the atmosphere really kicked up a gear.

The second half started much as the first had ended, we clearly had stepped up a gear and the players looked like they thought we could win this. Our passing was better and we began to break down the 5 man midfield that Bolton had brought. Then there was the controversial moment, Gallas challenged  Mark Davies and the Bolton player stayed down (more on this in a bit) and Arsenal played on. The ball broke to Cesc on the edge of the area and he shot into the net. 2-2. We went wild in block 6, I recall my shoulder (which has been sore for fucking ages) hurting even more after jumping around and hugging grown men stood near me. That goal was another for our captain fantastic in what has been a great season for him.

Davies had to be stretchered off the pitch, the crowd did antagonise the situation and with hindsight it probably wasn’t the best thing to do but we have been on the end of many a “hard challenge” in the past when teams like Bolton “get in our faces”. And remember Gallas is a good, honest pro who doesn’t usually go out to injure opposition players.

The impetus was clearly with us and the Bolton players looked dejected after throwing away a two goal lead. We pressed and pressed and I felt that we had plenty more goals in us, the win was on. It didn’t take too long, after a few corners the ball fell to Vermaelen and he got back to his scoring ways by hitting the ball into the net from about 12 yards out, had it not been for Cesc and Alex Song the Belgian would be our player of the season so far. 3-2 in front and more pandemonium in the stands. The crowd were really behind the team and hopefully that had a positive effect on their game.

But at 3-2 I was a bit nervous, whilst I wanted to be top of the league all that was important to me now was the win. Another goal was needed, but we looked to ease up a little and Bolton had a few chances that made it difficult for me to relax. But that goal was to come, Arshavin the scorer this time and it was 4-2, the goal was met with chants of “we are top of the league”.

Walcott and Vela were introduced late on to keep the attacking threat up, and we nearly got a fifth; Arshavin and Walcott broke, Theo was in the clear but Arshavin was very selfish and took a shot. Theo went ape shit at him, he was screaming at him during the ensuing corner, which is fair enough as that should have been a goal for Theo which would have really wrapped the night up for us. But no bother we won 4-2 and are top of the league!

Now going back to the Gallas challenge. It didn’t look too bad at full speed but these things often don’t when the players are close together. There were calls for Arsenal not to play on, but against Everton they played on, and more importantly later on in yesterday’s game a Bolton player went down and BOLTON played on – you have to play to the whistle, it is the ref who stops the game. Afterwards Arsene said this:

“I am sorry if the (Gallas) tackle was not good. I apologise.”

No doubt there will be a backlash against this, but I doubt Gallas meant to cause a severe injury, he doesn’t have that reputation. We have been on the receiving end of a number of hard challenges from physical sides like Bolton, Blackburn etc in the past, perhaps it is time we showed that we have that tough edge to our game.

Diaby limped off late on, it looks like he has a calf injury which was caused by a kick in the first Bolton game, but this is a worry as he has been a good player in our sparse midfield lineup.

But we can revel in being top of the league for a few days. We are well clear of 4th place at the moment and properly in the title hunt. It’s good to be a Gooner!





Bolton 0 – 2 Arsenal, three important points won

18 01 2010

Our 2-0 win yesterday was a vital one; firstly games up north against physical sides are not our forte – we usually struggle to get a draw or the game ends in defeat, secondly the “new manager” effect was not all it was cracked up to be for the cloggers from Bolton, lastly it meant we are still in the race for the title.

I was a bit nervous as I sat down to watch the game, we hadn’t played well against Everton and I was worried if Cesc was fully fit. Bolton did start brightly and we looked off the pace, second to tackles and shaky at the back. League debutant Eastmond looked ok, if a little nervous which is fair enough. But Traore at left back started poorly and was exploited a number of times, this continued for most of the game. Clichy made a substitute appearance and going by Traore’s recent form his return cannot come soon enough.

Bolton did have the ball in the net, only for it to be ruled offside, the linesman on that side did make some odd decisions – some offsides missed while others given incorrectly. We also had one good penalty shout – but to be fair to Phil Dowd from his angle I doubt he could be certain it WAS a penalty so he cannot give it in the circumstance.

The game had an edge to it, Bolton started to get chippy and foul us. Cesc came in for some rough treatment, the game did start to boil over and Rosicky was lucky to stay on after a petulant trip brought a yellow card – I am sure Dowd produced a red from his pocket before issuing yellow. Our goal though came from some intricate play, a crowded box would see many players struggle to find space, but Cesc did and played a ball to Eduardo who then returned it and the shot was rifled into the back of the net. To be leading 1-0 at half-time was not an injustice.

Cesc bossed the game. We so clearly miss him when he is gone. His skill and vision are incredible, even little Jamie managed to have something positive to say about him! He setup and scored our first, yes his work did make the goal before Eduardo’s layup. He needs to stay fit between now and the end of the season, if that means using him sparingly in some of the lesser games then so be it. The run of games coming up require him to be at the top of his game.

Our second goal, after halftime, came again from good work from Cesc. He made a turn whilst being challenged but managed to play the ball away before falling to the ground, unlike a few of our players – Arshavin and Vermaelen in particular who stay on the ground for a bit looking around when they feel they have been fouled, Cesc was up again and got the ball back and broke for space, the ball was passed to Eduardo (who Owen Coyle says was offside, it was a very close call) and the Crozillian lofted a ball into the 6 yard box. Arshavin missed it but Fran Merida was on hand to slot home his first Premier League goal. 2-0 and the game was ours.

The 3 points we gained were very important. Win our game in hand over Utd and we climb above them, win the game by more than 2 goals and we go top of the league (albeit having played one more than Chelsea). To be top at this stage puts pressure on the other two. We are clearly back in this fight, many may say it’s the other teams failings that have got us there. And yes it partly is, but our form has been great and in the past we have slipped up and let many in as well. If we can continue this form for another few months things will be looking very good come the season end.

However there are a few injury concerns. Nasri missed the game due to a late hamstring injury and Eduardo was rumoured to be seen limping getting onto the bus, I did notice Eduardo hold his ankle later in the game so perhaps he has a knock. More no doubt over the next few days. So we look to Wednesday, we face Bolton again, home advantage should help us even more. Come on Arsenal!!





Arsenal 2 – 2 Everton, most definitely a point gained rather than two lost

10 01 2010

The Arsenal and Everton teams that played yesterday were very different to those that met on the opening day of the season when we triumphed 6-1. Everton had players back from injury, we had players injured. But that is not to take away from the Everton performance. They came and brought the game to us and they must get massive credit for that. The first goal they scored was a defensive lapse from a set piece, again. Their shortest player was left with a free header from a corner, not great defending. The second goal was scored when we had no players other than Almunia in our own half and they broke on the counter.

Our two goals were somewhat fortuitous, both deflected efforts, but I will take them. Our equaliser, initially hit by Rosicky  came late in injury time and saved our blushes and cruelly robbed Everton of 3 points. We were lucky yesterday to come away with something from that game. Whilst no player can be singled out as being the reason we did not win the game; Manuel Almunia was very poor, his distribution was again sub standard, he rushed out a number of times and near the end of the game clattered Traore when there was no need to come to clear the ball. I really do wonder when Fabianski will get his chance this season.

Diaby on the other hand continued his recent good form, and hopefully this run of games he is getting will be the making of him. He has become a real asset of late, something we need with the absence of Fabregas and Song. Denilson would provide us with something but he worrying collapsed yesterday with no player around him, the fact that happened and play continued is not something any player or fan should wish to see give the recent tragedies that have hit young players in the game. I can’t yet find any news on what caused him to collapse or his condition.

The optimist inside me will argue this was a point gained rather than two lost, yes we didn’t capitalise on Chelsea not playing but Utd didn’t pull any further away from us either. We need Fabregas back, but only when he is fully ready as I don’t want him risked. Bendtner is due back in two weeks “probably” but the addition of a striker in the transfer window would not be a bad thing. However cover at centre back must be far more pressing, and perhaps getting a keeper should be on Arsene’s mind at the moment. We are by no means any worse off after yesterday, but it could have been better had we not performed poorly.