If you had to find a punishment for Phillip Garrido, the sick fuck who kidnapped and repeatedly raped Jaycee Dugard an 11 year old girl who he'd kept prisoner for 18 years, you would be hard to find one. His crimes are too wicked and go beyond any deserving punishment.
Public humiliation would be one.
Why not make the rapist/pedophile stand in front of a packed 76,000 all seater stadium with his arms outstretched, and let people shout abuse at him and chant a song about him being a pedophile.
After all, public humiliation stays with you forever.
Or why not act like Mr. Dean, the referee of the Manchester United Arsenal game last Saturday. A man who seems to like power. A man who seems to want to try and humiliate Mr. Wenger as if he were Phillip Garrido.
If I had my way, I would kick the fuck out Phillip Garrido. I would probably do the same to Mr. Dean except I would want to do more. You see, Mr. Dean's poor officiating on Saturday go beyond any deserving punishment.
Keep it Arsenal
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Post Match View - Manchester United
The first thing that I would like to do is remind you that Ryan Giggs hates Arsenal as much as anybody you could meet. The look on his face when we play United reflects the anti Arsenal sentiments of every United fan in the stadium. Our players need to understand that when we play against Manchester United, it is very, very serious and personal.
Yesterday's match has served two very important purposes; the first being that we have shown which is the better team. The objective United fan will admit that a dodgy penalty and an own goal are not good enough. Yes, a win is a win but United were there for the taking yesterday. The second thing that I have taken from the match is confirmation that despite the large global and domestic fan base of passionate, loyal Arsenal fans, the club and Arsene Wenger are hated by even greater numbers, not least English commentators and match officials.
The match was entertaining. Granted the score is a downer but if you are an Arsenal supporter who watched the game yet still fears United or feels inferior to them, you are a hopeless pessimist.
I feel bad for Abou Diaby. It was not the best decision to even attempt to play that cross but I wonder if the keeper has told him to just let it go. The flight of the ball was the best defense against the cross. It looked to me that no United player would have been able to play it. It is the keeper's job to command his box and communicate with his players at all times. Further evidence that the communication must improve was in the second half when a ball was played in Sagna's direction. He played safe and headed it into touch because Nani was not very far away. Upon realizing that he could have made a better decision than to just turn over possession, he looked over his shoulder and gestured to Almunia to talk to him.
A shot once grazed the upper 0.025µm of the longest strand of hair on my head on its way into the net. The contact with the ball was so minimal that nobody watching could suggest that it was an own goal. Still, I felt like shit. I can only imagine how Diaby feels.
The image of Arsene Wenger above will stay with me forever. It is a symbol of the way people go out of their way to humiliate him. Well into the five minutes of injury time that were added (a surprise in itself, really) the man who issues more yellow cards than any other in the league, Mike Dean, sent Arsene Wenger to the stands. After realizing that Robin's equalizer was waved off, Wenger kicked a water bottle. It didn't strike or harm anyone. And with so little time left on the clock, why has fourth official Lee Probert found it necessary to report the action to Dean? Well, it's his job I suppose. Then the question is who is being more pedantic here, Dean or Probert? Dean has decided to send Wenger away with less than a minute left in the game for an act that did not provoke an opponent or the crowd. Wenger has every right to be frustrated.
It was a ridiculous move on the part of Mike Dean. The dismissal was academic at best. So much so that it seems an apology will be issued to Arsene from Premier League chief of referees Keith Hackett. I might find it hard to prove a conspiracy exists where Arsenal are concerned but if you try to tell me that there is no bias against Arsene Wenger and Arsenal in general, I will excuse myself from the discussion because I remain convinced that there is. The injury time dismissal is just one example. Moreover, if you listen to English match commentators you will hear the evidence yourself. Here are just two examples from yesterday's match commentary by Ian Darke and John Gregory:
1 -Nani falls from a non-existent foul by Bakary Sagna. Free kick is given. As the replay shows that there was absolutely no contact, suddenly the previously chatty Darke and Gregory go silent. Not a word was mentioned about the incident.
2 - The two commented on how a pitch-side reporter had sent them word of Wenger's "moaning" to the fourth official about Darren Fletcher. Fletcher was getting away with foul after foul without intervention from the referee. Well, shortly after the second half started, Fletcher fouled Clichy. As the referee talked to the United midfielder, the two, in a very 'oh, by the way manner', glossed over the foul.
Losing the way we have to United can't do anything but help strengthen us. Mocking and humiliating Wenger (at least they tried to) will only make him more determined to complete the mission.
The real losers yesterday were not the team in blue.
Finally, the aforementioned breakdown(s) in communication must be sorted out. The keeper must play a very big part in that. For all the shot-stopping heroics Manuel Almunia is capable of, he must control his box better than he has. Another big disappointment came in injury time - the boys were spent, little to no energy left. They tried to gain and maintain possession, to mount that final attack. Almunia throws the ball directly to an unmarked Wayne Rooney.
He still worries me.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
The Crucifixion of Eduardo/Old Trafford
I'm not going to rehash what everyone has already stated about Eduardo, but I will say two things.
1) UEFA, and the English media, has basically crucified Eduardo. When you think of the word "diver" and "cheat", most will immediately think of Eduardo. Wenger's press conference today was a thing of beauty. He brought up the fact that English divers (he didn't name names, but Gerrard and Ashley Young are two names that come to my mind) and the fact that they get off scott free. UEFA should understand that they're on the verge of setting a dangerous precedent, both undermining their own referees and their own laws. After Platini himself admitted that he dived during games, how can they honestly ban Eduardo for what is a yellow card offense?
2) To those Arsenal fans who are condemning Eduardo, stop deluding yourself. Imagine if Eduardo kicked the ball out of bounds because he knew that he dived to get a penalty. As unlikely as it would have been, had Celtic come back and we had been knocked out of the Champions League, would you have accepted that because it was good sportsmanship? No, you would be furious that Eduardo didn't put it away. Arshavin pleaded with the referee not to award Arsenal a penalty last year against Portsmouth, but we still took the penalty. Robbie Fowler did the same thing when he fell over Seaman's challenge. He was later awarded a sportsmanship award, but he still took and scored the goal. This is precisely the definition of what it means to be a professional footballer.
Now, on to United.
Alex Song says he remembers when Patrice Evra branded our team a bunch of babies. I have not forgotten it, and it's great to know that the players have not forgotten it as well.
We catch United at an odd time. We are without Cesc Fabregas, but they are without Rio Ferdinand. They have just come off a 5-0 victory against Wigan, which journalists have interpreted as United finding their groove once again. As silly as it sounds, that's not what it was. Wigan held out for over 65 minutes, and the game's final scoreline was not an accurate reflection. United are struggling to find a new gameplan that does not feature Cristiano Ronaldo. Rooney may be a menace, but the midfield lacks real cohesion. They have workmanlike players, but they lack the cunning they once had from younger versions of Scholes and Giggs.
That being said, you can never count out a United team. They did snap our 49 unbeaten streak (thanks to a Rooney dive, of course), and they also ended Chelsea's unbeaten streak before they could approach ours. Players like Darren Fletcher have a way of scoring in games like this.
People have predicted us to lose. People have predicted us to win. People have predicted it to be a draw.
All I can say is, I want revenge. And Alex Song wants revenge too.
1) UEFA, and the English media, has basically crucified Eduardo. When you think of the word "diver" and "cheat", most will immediately think of Eduardo. Wenger's press conference today was a thing of beauty. He brought up the fact that English divers (he didn't name names, but Gerrard and Ashley Young are two names that come to my mind) and the fact that they get off scott free. UEFA should understand that they're on the verge of setting a dangerous precedent, both undermining their own referees and their own laws. After Platini himself admitted that he dived during games, how can they honestly ban Eduardo for what is a yellow card offense?
2) To those Arsenal fans who are condemning Eduardo, stop deluding yourself. Imagine if Eduardo kicked the ball out of bounds because he knew that he dived to get a penalty. As unlikely as it would have been, had Celtic come back and we had been knocked out of the Champions League, would you have accepted that because it was good sportsmanship? No, you would be furious that Eduardo didn't put it away. Arshavin pleaded with the referee not to award Arsenal a penalty last year against Portsmouth, but we still took the penalty. Robbie Fowler did the same thing when he fell over Seaman's challenge. He was later awarded a sportsmanship award, but he still took and scored the goal. This is precisely the definition of what it means to be a professional footballer.
Now, on to United.
Alex Song says he remembers when Patrice Evra branded our team a bunch of babies. I have not forgotten it, and it's great to know that the players have not forgotten it as well.
We catch United at an odd time. We are without Cesc Fabregas, but they are without Rio Ferdinand. They have just come off a 5-0 victory against Wigan, which journalists have interpreted as United finding their groove once again. As silly as it sounds, that's not what it was. Wigan held out for over 65 minutes, and the game's final scoreline was not an accurate reflection. United are struggling to find a new gameplan that does not feature Cristiano Ronaldo. Rooney may be a menace, but the midfield lacks real cohesion. They have workmanlike players, but they lack the cunning they once had from younger versions of Scholes and Giggs.
That being said, you can never count out a United team. They did snap our 49 unbeaten streak (thanks to a Rooney dive, of course), and they also ended Chelsea's unbeaten streak before they could approach ours. Players like Darren Fletcher have a way of scoring in games like this.
People have predicted us to lose. People have predicted us to win. People have predicted it to be a draw.
All I can say is, I want revenge. And Alex Song wants revenge too.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Myles
So far this week we have discovered certain truths.
Billy Mays the King of Oxyclean, died of a drug overdose.
So did Michael Jackson, except the death of the King of Pop is being treated as murder.
Arsenal qualified for the Champions League group stages. This means that a large chunk of money will be coming their way, which could be spent on new players. According to some wank called Myles, Arsene Wenger can only buy players once qualification to the Champions League group stages had been secured.
According to my penis Myles, I am going to wank tonight. The missus is blowing up like a live volcano and lava is flowing from you know where. What would you do Myles, spend 8 million on Matuidi or just say fuck it and stick in the lava?
Matuidi could provide the defensive cover that my cock is looking for as it battles with Mother Nature to get three points. 8 million is a lot of money for an unknown condom from St Ettiene, who has never experienced Premiership rumps.
But why am I asking you Myles? You were never a player - either on the pitch or off it. Hanging up my boots when it came to women was hard. Not a day goes by when I wonder what its like to have Arsenal's Champions League money and to go back into the transfer market.
But Myles, that's another story. You see, I don't have your inside knowledge. I can't write books like you. I'm just another average Mother F who supports Arsenal passionately.
However, I find you Myles blasphemous to my club and religion: Arsenal Football Club.
In life, some of us have ambitions or goals. I didn't have any until I came across you. Meeting you one to one would be a lifetime goal. Bring your snotty, politically correct kids along to watch, because it will be more entertaining than watching your favorite teams Manchester United and Chelsea
You're not an Arsenal fan Myles.
You're a fraud.
My day with you will come.
Keep it Arsenal
Billy Mays the King of Oxyclean, died of a drug overdose.
So did Michael Jackson, except the death of the King of Pop is being treated as murder.
Arsenal qualified for the Champions League group stages. This means that a large chunk of money will be coming their way, which could be spent on new players. According to some wank called Myles, Arsene Wenger can only buy players once qualification to the Champions League group stages had been secured.
According to my penis Myles, I am going to wank tonight. The missus is blowing up like a live volcano and lava is flowing from you know where. What would you do Myles, spend 8 million on Matuidi or just say fuck it and stick in the lava?
Matuidi could provide the defensive cover that my cock is looking for as it battles with Mother Nature to get three points. 8 million is a lot of money for an unknown condom from St Ettiene, who has never experienced Premiership rumps.
But why am I asking you Myles? You were never a player - either on the pitch or off it. Hanging up my boots when it came to women was hard. Not a day goes by when I wonder what its like to have Arsenal's Champions League money and to go back into the transfer market.
But Myles, that's another story. You see, I don't have your inside knowledge. I can't write books like you. I'm just another average Mother F who supports Arsenal passionately.
However, I find you Myles blasphemous to my club and religion: Arsenal Football Club.
In life, some of us have ambitions or goals. I didn't have any until I came across you. Meeting you one to one would be a lifetime goal. Bring your snotty, politically correct kids along to watch, because it will be more entertaining than watching your favorite teams Manchester United and Chelsea
You're not an Arsenal fan Myles.
You're a fraud.
My day with you will come.
Keep it Arsenal
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Stop Leeching Off Our Club
What gives someone who hasn’t got a real vested interest in Arsenal Football Club the right to criticize it or its players? I struggle to understand what the guy who only recently started watching Arsenal has got to lose if we end up on the wrong end of a 3-0 score line later vs. Celtic. I wonder why it is important for people who have never tasted bitter, humiliating defeat to Man United or been taunted by Spurs fans, to express how much they dislike Arsene Wenger. Yet these people will wear Arsenal gear and in the case of a certain parasitic author/blogger, reap benefits from their “association” with the club.
A great man has told me that some websites may need libel insurance to help address the risk of being bullied by powerful parties with the means to kick them into touch. My knowledge of libel law is limited to knowing the definition of the word and that it is easy to claim but not always easy to prove. In other words I know Jack McShyte about libel but I do know that if someone with enough time and money on his/her hands wants to claim that eighteen86 has written something defamatory about them, they could be a major annoyance.
The topic was brought up on an otherwise decent website founded by the (much more palatable) colleague of the annoying, parasitic author/blogger. This author/blogger is like a flea living in the coat of your healthy, loveable dog. Were it not for the pompous scribe I would still frequent the site. Its founder has interesting insights when he finds time to post.
We, at eighteen86, feel that everyone deserves their professional respect but obviously there are those who must be called out from time to time. The parasitic author/blogger is one such character. I’ve heard from a very reliable source that he called Abou Diaby a cretin.
What exactly is as a cretin?
I wondered if I could possibly be one myself so I took the time to do a bit of research. The respected medical journal The Lancet was just one of my sources – I didn’t make up anything to suit my argument.
Insufficient iodine intake can lead to mental impairment and stunted physical growth. The condition is called cretinism. Cruelly, terms like retard, idjit, and spaz have been used to describe the unfortunate individuals who experience this debilitating, awful condition. To be in a state of limited mobility and mental stagnation is not something to trivialize.
What I’ve found through the research has made the parasitic author/blogger even more annoying. His actions are malicious. I’d laugh if a libel suit was thrown at him.
I wish he'd take six weeks off and then retire. You are not nearly as important as you think you are. Ben and all the other sycophants that praise you should sleep right through the season, or longer.
A great man has told me that some websites may need libel insurance to help address the risk of being bullied by powerful parties with the means to kick them into touch. My knowledge of libel law is limited to knowing the definition of the word and that it is easy to claim but not always easy to prove. In other words I know Jack McShyte about libel but I do know that if someone with enough time and money on his/her hands wants to claim that eighteen86 has written something defamatory about them, they could be a major annoyance.
The topic was brought up on an otherwise decent website founded by the (much more palatable) colleague of the annoying, parasitic author/blogger. This author/blogger is like a flea living in the coat of your healthy, loveable dog. Were it not for the pompous scribe I would still frequent the site. Its founder has interesting insights when he finds time to post.
We, at eighteen86, feel that everyone deserves their professional respect but obviously there are those who must be called out from time to time. The parasitic author/blogger is one such character. I’ve heard from a very reliable source that he called Abou Diaby a cretin.
What exactly is as a cretin?
I wondered if I could possibly be one myself so I took the time to do a bit of research. The respected medical journal The Lancet was just one of my sources – I didn’t make up anything to suit my argument.
Insufficient iodine intake can lead to mental impairment and stunted physical growth. The condition is called cretinism. Cruelly, terms like retard, idjit, and spaz have been used to describe the unfortunate individuals who experience this debilitating, awful condition. To be in a state of limited mobility and mental stagnation is not something to trivialize.
What I’ve found through the research has made the parasitic author/blogger even more annoying. His actions are malicious. I’d laugh if a libel suit was thrown at him.
I wish he'd take six weeks off and then retire. You are not nearly as important as you think you are. Ben and all the other sycophants that praise you should sleep right through the season, or longer.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Professional Arsenal
Everybody claimed that Arsenal won the first leg due to two lucky goals. Even Arsene and some of the players went on to posit this opinion. That being said, everybody quickly added that Arsenal clearly deserved to take a two goal advantage back to the Emirates.
There will be games where we struggle. Celtic was one of them. Credit Celtic for harassing us far more than either Everton or Portsmouth did. They were playing at home, and while they weren't impressive offensively, they did a decent job of disrupting our natural passing rhythm. Part of that disruption can be credited to the fact that we're still settling into our new formation. Andrey clearly approves of it, so we'll give it some more time before we make a judgment on it.
To me, this illustrates just how professional our squad is becoming. They're taking care of business and winning the games that Champion sides should win. It was a professional performance.
That hasn't prevented others from criticizing our team because our strikers aren't scoring goals. Such ridiculous tosh shouldn't be tolerated really. It would be one thing if the strikers weren't scoring and we were being shut out of games. But the fact is, we've scored 12 goals in 3 games and the goals have been flying in from everywhere else. People can talk about van Persie looking out of sorts and not effectively using Arshavin all they want, but this is something that was to be expected.
The bottom line is, we look more solid in possession and we're covering up our potential shortcomings.
There is much to look forward to.
Losing on Sunday may be a big disappointment, but it won't hide the fact that it has been a good month for Arsenal. That is, if we beat Celtic tomorrow and advance to the Champions League group stages as expected.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Liverpool Not Arsenal Will Struggle
In the race for 4th spot, Liverpool are the team that are most likely to drop out. They have history. Back in 2005, Everton claimed 4th spot at Liverpool's expense, only for the Reds to win the Champions League and claim a back door route back into the competition. Arsenal have no history. They have qualified for the Champions League in every season since 1998.
Rafa Benitez loves the Champions league. He uses his tactical acumen and works his magic to grind Liverpool into the latter stages of the competition. But he may have to start thinking about the Europa League.
This season, however, the Champions League may prove to be a distraction for Liverpool. A distraction in their fight to stay in the the top four. Two defeats in their first three Premiership games does not bode well. True, we can only judge teams after 10 games but Liverpool were a little bit fortunate last season and have showed cracks during pre-season.
Add the financial robbery by their owners of the club and you have a club on the verge of a crisis.
Selling Alonso and not having Steven Gerrard on their pre-season trip to Asia due to his court case has not helped. Yes, Liverpool will get better. Aquilani when fit will improve them but Voronin and Babel will not.
Teams like Stoke and Birmingham will identify Liverpool as weakness in the top four and play that extra harder when paired against them. Arsenal were that team last season but seem to have a new look about them. Gallas looks like a new player. Vermaelen looks very good so far and Denilson, Song, Ramsey and Diaby all look like Premiership players.
I've always said that Liverpool are the weak link out of the teams that finished in last seasons top four. The British media still think that Arsenal will be the team to drop out of the top four. In 2006, Arsenal came close to that prediction and ever since then we have always been the media's favorites.
Now the tide has turned. Arsenal have a steel look about them. Liverpool seem to lack confidence. On Saturday we shall see where Arsenal are at. The Champions League group stage qualification should be secured by then (netting Arsenal 2 million pounds in the process).
Defeating Manchester United will detonate the Premiership. Wenger knows this and this is what Arsenal will be aiming for. United do not have Ferdinand. It is a good time to play them. Arsenal always do well playing at Old Trafford this time of the season.
Fourth spot is not on Arsenal's agenda.
The Premiership title is.
The critics and pundits need to realize this.
Rafa Benitez loves the Champions league. He uses his tactical acumen and works his magic to grind Liverpool into the latter stages of the competition. But he may have to start thinking about the Europa League.
This season, however, the Champions League may prove to be a distraction for Liverpool. A distraction in their fight to stay in the the top four. Two defeats in their first three Premiership games does not bode well. True, we can only judge teams after 10 games but Liverpool were a little bit fortunate last season and have showed cracks during pre-season.
Add the financial robbery by their owners of the club and you have a club on the verge of a crisis.
Selling Alonso and not having Steven Gerrard on their pre-season trip to Asia due to his court case has not helped. Yes, Liverpool will get better. Aquilani when fit will improve them but Voronin and Babel will not.
Teams like Stoke and Birmingham will identify Liverpool as weakness in the top four and play that extra harder when paired against them. Arsenal were that team last season but seem to have a new look about them. Gallas looks like a new player. Vermaelen looks very good so far and Denilson, Song, Ramsey and Diaby all look like Premiership players.
I've always said that Liverpool are the weak link out of the teams that finished in last seasons top four. The British media still think that Arsenal will be the team to drop out of the top four. In 2006, Arsenal came close to that prediction and ever since then we have always been the media's favorites.
Now the tide has turned. Arsenal have a steel look about them. Liverpool seem to lack confidence. On Saturday we shall see where Arsenal are at. The Champions League group stage qualification should be secured by then (netting Arsenal 2 million pounds in the process).
Defeating Manchester United will detonate the Premiership. Wenger knows this and this is what Arsenal will be aiming for. United do not have Ferdinand. It is a good time to play them. Arsenal always do well playing at Old Trafford this time of the season.
Fourth spot is not on Arsenal's agenda.
The Premiership title is.
The critics and pundits need to realize this.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
It's About Time, Andrei Speaks, and Theo
I wonder how many people slagged off Abou Diaby when they realized that he'd start against Portsmouth yesterday. That some Gooners are only beginning to warm up to Alex Song should be an indication that there are many non-believers out there when it comes to Arsene Wenger's squad. Diaby has his critics but the manager has unwavering belief in his potential. Yesterday may not convince the non-believers but he's done well enough to keep them quiet.
Comparisons to Patrick Vieira have always been tempting. I haven't dared put that kind of expectation on him but it's understandable that he'd at least remind you of the legendary former captain. If Diaby stays fit and applies all the tools he has to work with, he may in fact come close to a Vieira-like player.
Almost instantly after coming on against Celtic on Tuesday he set up Gael Clichy's low cross that resulted in an own goal. He has scored a brace against Portsmouth. The non-believers will be doubting themselves but we've seen signs of what the gangly midfielder can do before, only for him to disappoint with inconsistency or with injury after injury.
After a disappointing 2008-09, Diaby added weight training to his close season activities. I don't imagine being in a gym instead of being on holiday is the most popular thing to do among well paid 23 year olds who have the means to travel the world. Diaby has recognized that he has to play like the special player that he'd been labeled to become. His hard work has been evident so far. Not just in his dynamic display yesterday but in the way he returned to finish the match after going off for treatment.
The most interesting thing about Diaby's performance however was that I cannot remember seeing him lose the ball. Please correct me if I'm wrong. I don't think he lost it once. We all have images from the past when he'd hold the ball too long or he'd make the wrong decision, causing attack after attack to lose momentum and timing.
Diaby's main strength is his ability to receive the ball, turn with it, and attack. He has the tools to be a Vieira-like player but as Arsene stated, he's not as defensive as Patrick. When Abou would get in trouble was when he'd try to play himself out of positions that a defensive-minded player would have made safer, quicker decisions to relieve pressure instead of taking unnecessary risks in his own defensive third. He's had to learn when to release and when to hold. That aspect of his game mattered far less in the U-19s where he was physically dominant.
Increased tactical awareness also needed addressing. No matter how many times a player is told to be here or to be there, or to be ready for this or for that, until he's actually had to respond in high pressure situations he hasn't really learned the lessons. That can be said of most of Wenger's squad - it has been about maturing and experiencing the high pressure moments.
On current evidence, it seems that the post Invincibles generation has learned many lessons. There are more questions to answer. Not least the crucial second leg vs. celtic on Wednesday and then the true Arsenal rival, the team I look forward to playing more than any other, Manchester United.
Slightly off topic but I want it to put it on record that Manuel Almunia has again proven that he still does not have adequate control of his box. Younes Kaboul deserves credit for the way he attacked the ball and planted it in the net. My first thought was to try not to judge the keeper harshly, but after seeing the replay I am convinced Almunia should have done better. Kaboul was well into his leap as Almunia was just preparing to rise.
A final point I wanted to make is that Andrei Arshavin has been been quoted that he feels we need to add to the squad. I also feel that we need to add another CB and a back up for Alex Song. Arshavin has been lauded as a player who isn't afraid to speak his mind. I will never stop reminding people that William Gallas was castigated for being the same type of player. Arshavin has also stated that it is Wenger who makes the final decision. I get the impression that forces beyond Wenger's final decision making influenced the Gallas affair last season. The example that comes to mind is his alleged "criticism" of Theo Walcott. He didn't point out anything that wasn't true. Theo needed to improve those aspects of his game that Gallas spoke about and he's become a better player for it.
More important, can Theo break into this team? It's a good problem to have I suppose. Mind, AA23 hasn't even got out of third gear yet, Eduardo looks good and ready, RvP isn't scoring but providing, Nik looked good as well.
I hope Theo gets his priorities right. Wenger has an unforgiving ruthless streak. It's an unlikely scenario but not unreasonable for Theo to continue his quest to be fit for England and keep Arsenal second priority, play well in S. Africa (assuming England get there, which they probably will), and find himself sold for maximum fee.
It's not what I want but if you stop to think about it, William Gallas is our leading scored and Theo has yet to play a minute so far this season for Arsenal Football Club.
It's all about Arsenal Football Club.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Arry
After winning the FA Cup, Harry Redknapp left Portsmouth in the middle of the season. They promoted Tony Adams as the gaffer, but he didn't have much of a chance after selling key players. Adams was soon sacked, and Paul Hart barely kept them in the Premier League.
This year, it doesn't seem like they have much of a chance. Relegation seems likely, and Harry Redknapp has proceeded to buy back every player that he acquired for Portsmouth. I suppose that's natural, but he's singlehandedly helping to relegate Portsmouth. A nice reward considering that he abandoned them just a few years ago, before coming back on a white horse as the savior.
Last year, we started the season against West Brom. We won 1-0 with a debut goal from Samir Nasri (get well soon!). The following game we lost 1-0 to Fulham courtesy of a solo goal from a set piece by Hangeland.
In other words, this should be the main motivational tool that our players need to use in order to pump them up. I don't think they need to resort to tactics like this though, since they seem both more mature and motivated enough.
But then again, Portsmouth are no Fulham.
Just like Harry Redknapp is no Arsene Wenger.
Harry Redknapp was born a Gooner and turned into a scum. Arsene Wenger was born a Frenchman and became an Arsenal legend.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Walcott
Theo Walcott seems more concerned playing for England than Arsenal.
England got him injured, over played him in June for both the senior and U-21's, which has left Walcott fatigued and behind in the start of the new season.
If England really want to win the World Cup, then they must rest players like Theo Walcott for pubescent tournaments like the European U-21 championships. But England will not win the World Cup and Walcott is in danger of losing his Arsenal place, all because of his fascination in representing his country.
Walcott wants to be fit for the England Croatia game. The Croatia game has enormous emotional attachment. The last time England played Croatia, Walcott scored a hat-trick and announced himself as an England player. He was finally accepted by players like Terry, Lampard and Gerrard. This was a major turnaround for Walcott who had been publicly criticized by players like Gerrard after the 2006 World Cup. Gerrard thought that Walcott had not earned his stripes.
Now Gerrard thinks that Walcott is an integral part of the England squad. So does Capello and Walcott feels the love.
Theo understands that to play for England, he must play for Arsenal. Without Arsenal, there is no England. But England is stopping Walcott from playing for Arsenal. Every time Walcott plays for England or trains with them, he comes back to Arsenal injured.
Wenger is no fool. I won't be surprised if he signs a player to play in Walcott's position. If he does I will be happy.
Walcott is injured every season and he still hasn't lost his "potential" tag.
He needs to lose the injury label and "potential" tag.
He may also have to start making Arsenal his priority rather than Englnd.
England got him injured, over played him in June for both the senior and U-21's, which has left Walcott fatigued and behind in the start of the new season.
If England really want to win the World Cup, then they must rest players like Theo Walcott for pubescent tournaments like the European U-21 championships. But England will not win the World Cup and Walcott is in danger of losing his Arsenal place, all because of his fascination in representing his country.
Walcott wants to be fit for the England Croatia game. The Croatia game has enormous emotional attachment. The last time England played Croatia, Walcott scored a hat-trick and announced himself as an England player. He was finally accepted by players like Terry, Lampard and Gerrard. This was a major turnaround for Walcott who had been publicly criticized by players like Gerrard after the 2006 World Cup. Gerrard thought that Walcott had not earned his stripes.
Now Gerrard thinks that Walcott is an integral part of the England squad. So does Capello and Walcott feels the love.
Theo understands that to play for England, he must play for Arsenal. Without Arsenal, there is no England. But England is stopping Walcott from playing for Arsenal. Every time Walcott plays for England or trains with them, he comes back to Arsenal injured.
Wenger is no fool. I won't be surprised if he signs a player to play in Walcott's position. If he does I will be happy.
Walcott is injured every season and he still hasn't lost his "potential" tag.
He needs to lose the injury label and "potential" tag.
He may also have to start making Arsenal his priority rather than Englnd.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Have Spine, Stand Firm
We’ve struggled for success since The Invincibles era. Much of that struggle has been due to do with the team’s spine. You can read that in its traditional football sense – keeper, central defence, ball winner, playmaker, and striker(s) – or, if you wish, in the figurative sense that we haven’t had enough consistency in the side at those positions.
Recent signs have suggested that the spine is healing.
Offensively we can compete against any team on the planet. That has meant little lately because of issues at the back and in midfield. The addition of Vermaelen will certainly make us stronger if he keeps up the form we’ve seen so far, and if Denilson continues to add goals (and assists) to his work rate, we’ll be far better for it. A strong argument can be made however that William Gallas and Alex Song are two players essential to ending the trophy drought.
Gallas has always been a warrior, a winner, even if maligned. That 28 year old Kolo Toure was the one sacrificed instead of 31 year old Gallas is all you really need to know. Of course Kolo could bring a better return financially but it is clear who is the better player.
I’ve told people more times than I can remember that Alex Song is an extremely under-rated player. He is versatile, has good technique, runs for days, has developed very good tactical awareness, and is as tough as leather. They’ve often looked at me like I have three eyes. It’s not my fault that they haven’t seen what’s been clear to me and at least three other people this side of Yaoundé.
Song is low profile and not the marquis name hard man that the media have suggested we should buy. Mind, I wouldn’t say no to a back up because we could use a bit more depth in that position. Our defensive midfielder (who by the way is also a front sweeper) has been deemed “not good enough”. Trust me, he is. What we’ve seen in this season’s first two matches is no surprise. Alex Song can play.
Is Celtic Park more intimidating than the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium in istanbul? I haven’t been to either stadium but similar things about entering “a cauldron” were said prior to our trip to Istanbul last October. We left with three points that day after putting five past Fenerbahçe. We’ve left Scotland with a two goal cushion despite those warnings - mission accomplished and the job is almost complete.
Games are played for a reason – anything can happen, nothing is won on paper or because some “expert” says A, B, or C. The manner in which we’ve handled our business in Glasgow puts a line under maturity and development. Celtic never threatened us. And although the manager has stated that we got lucky goals, we were where we needed to be when we needed to be there. Plus we were composed throughout.
It’s nice to see that the media are beginning to highlight the contributions of Gallas and Song to re-strengthening our spine. They were key yesterday.
Long may it last!
Recent signs have suggested that the spine is healing.
Offensively we can compete against any team on the planet. That has meant little lately because of issues at the back and in midfield. The addition of Vermaelen will certainly make us stronger if he keeps up the form we’ve seen so far, and if Denilson continues to add goals (and assists) to his work rate, we’ll be far better for it. A strong argument can be made however that William Gallas and Alex Song are two players essential to ending the trophy drought.
Gallas has always been a warrior, a winner, even if maligned. That 28 year old Kolo Toure was the one sacrificed instead of 31 year old Gallas is all you really need to know. Of course Kolo could bring a better return financially but it is clear who is the better player.
I’ve told people more times than I can remember that Alex Song is an extremely under-rated player. He is versatile, has good technique, runs for days, has developed very good tactical awareness, and is as tough as leather. They’ve often looked at me like I have three eyes. It’s not my fault that they haven’t seen what’s been clear to me and at least three other people this side of Yaoundé.
Song is low profile and not the marquis name hard man that the media have suggested we should buy. Mind, I wouldn’t say no to a back up because we could use a bit more depth in that position. Our defensive midfielder (who by the way is also a front sweeper) has been deemed “not good enough”. Trust me, he is. What we’ve seen in this season’s first two matches is no surprise. Alex Song can play.
Is Celtic Park more intimidating than the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium in istanbul? I haven’t been to either stadium but similar things about entering “a cauldron” were said prior to our trip to Istanbul last October. We left with three points that day after putting five past Fenerbahçe. We’ve left Scotland with a two goal cushion despite those warnings - mission accomplished and the job is almost complete.
Games are played for a reason – anything can happen, nothing is won on paper or because some “expert” says A, B, or C. The manner in which we’ve handled our business in Glasgow puts a line under maturity and development. Celtic never threatened us. And although the manager has stated that we got lucky goals, we were where we needed to be when we needed to be there. Plus we were composed throughout.
It’s nice to see that the media are beginning to highlight the contributions of Gallas and Song to re-strengthening our spine. They were key yesterday.
Long may it last!
Monday, August 17, 2009
Mowbray and Palmer
Today, we take on Celtic FC for a spot in the Champions League Group Stage. We have made the Group Stage in nine consecutive years, but this is the first year where finishing fourth resulted in playing stiffer opposition in order to progress. This is all part of Platini's master plan of having more "Champions" involved in the cash cow part of the Champions League. All it's really doing is diluting the competition and making the future group stage even more boring. As it stands, the Champions League doesn't start proper until the Round of 16 (when it genuinely gets exciting).
Conversely, it has made this knockout tie before the Group Stage far more interesting. There were genuinely tough opponents we could have drawn in Fiorentina and Atletico Madrid. In the end, we drew Celtic.
Tony Mowbray has the potential to be a great manager. He studies the right managers (notably Arsene Wenger), and he understands that survival by attrition alone is ultimately a fruitless path. I was wholeheartedly rooting for his West Brom team to survive relegation, something that was wholly thrown into doubt when they lost their best striker (Ishmael Miller) so early in the season. Mowbray refused to conform to relegation fodder teams, and he ordered his players to play football. Arsenal-lite was what they were dubbed, and personally, I enjoyed watching us play against them since it created open games.
During yesterday's press conference, Mowbray told reporters of a "cunning plan" that would potentially help Celtic stand a chance against us. Most are counting Celtic out, but with a home atmosphere that will be rocking, they have a good chance of getting a positive result in the first leg. What this cunning plan is, who knows? In the second leg of their Champions League qualifier against Dinamo Moscow, Mowbray played Scott Brown in the hole and they pulled off the shock of the tournament thus far.
Mowbray didn't out and out say he wasn't going to play football, but he also hinted that he wasn't about to play as open as he did against us when he managed West Brom. Simply put, the Champions League is more important than trying to pick up three points against a team that you're unlikely to beat anyway. Starting at home actually helps Celtic, because if it started at the Emirates, we could have ended it in one go.
Regardless, I expect the players to step up even with the raucous atmosphere. Great players are never daunted by negative vibes from opposition fans. If anything, they thrive on it. Kobe Bryant used to talk about how much he loved playing at the old Alamodome, because it was so spacious and there were a huge number of Spurs fans that would boo him mercilessly. If that's the kind of thing that throws you off, you're not a great player. Look at how David Beckham responded recently when some of his own fans heckled him.
Today will be an exciting match.
That brings me to the other man named in this post's title. That man is Myles Palmer.
Another colleague has already written about him before on this site. I pretty much agreed with everything he said, and I really have no desire to pimp ANR in any way.
But today, I felt as though he crossed a line. It may have been a throwaway pun to most, but it offended me deeply. After claiming that a 4-3-3 system would not work (even after we mauled a decent Everton side by 5 goals), he wrote this:
"Eboue came on and dribbled into a crowd of Everton players. You thought: Why is Wilshere not on the bench? Because, Wenger says, I can't play him because the team is too young. Jack's not too young but the team is too young, so he can't be in it. The manager would rather play an ignoramus like Eboue or a cretin like Diaby."
First off, Diaby didn't even feature in this game. Second, Jack Wilshere is 17 years old and had just played an Under 21 match for England. Wenger could not have expected us to have scored 6 goals against Everton. He probably expected a tight encounter, and that is not an ideal situation to throw him into.
Palmer has called players like Alex Song a clown in the past. He has called Thierry Henry a ballerina that would never win a European trophy with Arsenal. The fact that he ended up being right about that is nothing brave or praiseworthy, football is an unpredictable game.
But to call Diaby a "cretin" is something else. And frankly, it strikes me as a touch xenophobic. After a week of Wenger and almost all Arsenal blogs tempering expectations, Myles wanted Wilshere to play in a match against the team that finished fifth and FA Cup runners-up? And why bring Diaby into this at all? He didn't even play.
Call players worthless if you want, but don't call them cretins. For instance, does Myles Palmer recognize that Diaby was the captain of the Under-19 France squad that won the European U-19 Championship in 2005. That team featured names like Yoann Gourcuff and Younes Kaboul, but it was Diaby that dazzled observers. Diaby has never really played in his proper position for us since he had has ankle broken horrifically by a Sunderland player. Now that we've switched to this 4-3-3 system, perhaps he can play alongside Cesc in games. He's also bulked up significantly, and he understands that he needs to step up.
Take my word for it. Myles Palmer is a failed novelist who uses Arsenal like a leech so he can promote his biography about Arsene Wenger; he does it every chance he gets. And when he writes undignified garbage like today's article or completely false information like Nigel Reo-Coker coming to Arsenal, he lets himself off the hook by printing a letter from a fan who tells him he's doing a great job. It's a cowardly tactic. This man is not worth anybody's time.
Pundits
Arsenal destroyed Everton not because Joleon Lescott did not want to play for The Toffees and thus would rather be wearing a Manchester City shirt. No homos, we won because we got rid of bad wood, trained hard in pre-season on a new system that seems to have rejuvinated the way we play and in Thomas Vermaelen, Arsenal now have a very good center-back.
Senderos fuck-off.
Alan Hansen (ex-Liverpool player) and Alan Green (a fat Northern Irish cunt who secretly supports Liverpool but is paid by the BBC to give unbiased reporting) think otherwise. This is what that dour Scottish cunt Hansen had to say about Arsenal's stunning 6-1 win:
"I've watched a lot of Arsenal over the last five years or so and I think Celtic have as good a chance next week as they would have at any time during those five years."
Senderos fuck-off.
Alan Hansen (ex-Liverpool player) and Alan Green (a fat Northern Irish cunt who secretly supports Liverpool but is paid by the BBC to give unbiased reporting) think otherwise. This is what that dour Scottish cunt Hansen had to say about Arsenal's stunning 6-1 win:
"Lescott did not want to play, his team-mates probably knew that and there was a lack of communication and cohesion.
I am not saying for a single minute that the uncertainty over Lescott was the sole cause for Everton's defeat but it was definitely a factor."
Alan Green the BBC broadcaster wrote in the Belfast Examiner:
"So, forget about opening day results, Arsenal will again be a little adrift and Chelsea will heed Carlo Ancelotti and make the Champions League their priority leaving the Premiership title between Manchester United and Liverpool."
Green compared Arsenal's win on Saturday to Sheffield Wednesday's opening Premiership win of the 98/99 season. Adding that Wednesday got relegated that season.
Green had once described ex-Manchester City defender Sun Jihai as wearing shirt "Number 17...that'll be the Chicken Chow Mein, then" he announced during a live radio broadcast for BBC Radio Five Live. In January 2007, Green commented on Five Live, during the Everton v Reading match, when film star Sylvester Stallone was paraded on the pitch, that Stallone's limousine might not have wheels when he returns to it.
"I've watched a lot of Arsenal over the last five years or so and I think Celtic have as good a chance next week as they would have at any time during those five years."
"Arsenal are a terrific footballing team, but Celtic, with their movement and play that they had today (Celtic had just beaten his team 3-1), are capable of giving them a real game."
Have you ever heard of a team called FK Sigma Olomouc? No, don't worry, it's not a new STD that's been infecting your cock for the past few days. No, it's a team that Aberdeen lost to in a qualifying tie of the new Europa Cup. Aberdeen, were in fact smashed by this team. 5-1 at home and 3-0 away.
Mark McGhee, has no place to comment, so please fuck off.
Goal technology must to be introduced after the farcical refereeing in the Bristol City Crystal Palace match on Saturday. Crystal Palace scored a legitimate goal that was ruled out by the referee because he thought the ball had hit the post. Bristol City won the game 1-0 after scoring a last minute winner. Palace were refused a replay.
I feel sorry for Crystal Palace.
My last point is about Manchester City. If they are in the top five at Christmas, then you can bet your bottom dollar that they will spend millions of pounds to be in the top four.
My thoughts now though are on Celtic. An away goal and draw will do but a win will be what I want.
Arsenal
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Post Match View - Everton
The drunken, rude, smelly West Ham fans in attendance made overcoming a negative start to the day slightly more challenging. Some very negative vibes came my way through an early morning call from someone who felt it necessary to remind me that he doesn't like our manager, that the rings of Saturn disappeared two days after he'd predicted - costing him a large sum, and how life in general just isn't all it's advertised to be.
I was pumped for the first chapter of our great story. I didn't want to deal with his negative vibes. He annoyed me.
Later, I met a colleague and overall great man at the pub. He said that he didn't feel good about the match. His morning hadn't started well either. I've become an optimistic old bastid so I reassured him with what might have seemed like a ridiculous statement, " Everton 0 Arsenal 6".
I don't make predictions. They seem silly to me. How can someone tell me today that he/she knows what will happen in the future yet not be able to repeat the feat when I ask for the winning lottery numbers? I said 6 - 0 because I believe we're good enough to make it happen (against any team), not because I knew it would.
He probably chuckled inside nonetheless.
The West Ham fans made it difficult to watch the match. They wanted trouble but but we didn't back down. They wanted attention but we gave them little. They wanted space so they unleashed a highly offensive stream of rectal flatus. Full English breakfasts, umpteen pints, and extreme envy laced in vile, demonic sentiments for our great club and manager caused that section of the bar to suddenly have an olfactory displeasure that no Red and White wearing supporter of The World's Greatest Team should be subjected to.
The damn place was packed so we suffered through it but we would eventually have the last laugh. With each Arsenal goal, the decibel level of those in claret and blue lowered as that of those in Red and White increased. Watching the ring leader, the stupid, fat skinhead wannabe slink his way out of the bar felt almost as good as seeing the smile on Eduardo's after he scored the sixth.
The back four looked comfortable and reassuring in a way that gives me hope. Gallas and Vermaelen looked like they've played together before. The fullbacks were never troubled and took advantage of that to venture forward to good effect - something we sorely missed last season. Almunia had little to do but I'm watching you Mr. "I Want To Be England's no. 1". Your probationable offences are not easily forgotten.
Denilson - more than just good stats. I welcome the response.
Csec - 2 goals, 2 assists. And nice touch with the tribute to Dani as well.
Alex Song - the boy can play. Matthieu who?
I wonder how much the abuse that Robin will receive with his back to goal will affect him. Nik looked effervescent at times while making a very solid contribution. AA23 never felt the need to leave third gear, yet we've scored six and neither of the front three got a goal. I'd take note of that if I were the opposition.
It's only one game but it's a very positive start. Believe it or not, I knew we could put six past the would be gate crashers, the pretenders that so-called experts picked to finish ahead of us.
Celtic beware!
Saturday, August 15, 2009
The Season Starts with Everton
I'll probably write a full season preview after the transfer window closes. The truth is, it's hard to make definitive statements before knowing what we'll fully have at our disposal. I will state these three points though.
1) In Andrey Arshavin, we have one of the three best players in the Premier League (Essien and Rooney are the other two in my opinion). And sometimes, these players are the ones that decide who win the championship.
2) Never write off Arsenal when coming off a summer without a major international tournament. Sure, we had a few players in the Confederations Cup and the Gold Cup, but it's not similar to the effect that the World Cup or the Euros have on our team. If you look at all our league triumphs, you'll notice they come in these years. Take a look at the team that should have won the Premier League two years ago. Same deal there.
3) None of the other teams above us have improved considerably. In the case of Manchester United and Liverpool, it could be argued strongly that they have regressed. This year is wide open. Wide open.
And off to previewing the first match of the season.
Quite frankly, it is actually a difficult fixture. Everton are especially tough at Goodison, but at least they'll be deprived of Arteta and Jagielka. They still have players like Cahill, Fellaini, and Jo. It'll be interesting to see where they play Fellaini throughout the year. While decimated by injuries, they would play him up front, but he's a natural central midfielder. They'll definitely be pumping balls at his big afro throughout the whole match. We'll see whether or not Vermaelen will be able to deal with these aerial balls, a very interesting thing to keep an eye on.
For my money, David Moyes is a dead ringer for Moe Szyslak on The Simpsons. But anyway, he's a decent manager. He can pump out the maximum out of minimal conditions, but I don't think he has the tactical nous to ever manage a big club. Everton seems to be his level, and that's not an insult.
Our season starts with a brutal stretch of games. If we come through it, we'll show everybody that we're for real. The odds may be stacked against us, and it seems as though 50% of the pundits have predicted us to finish out of the top 4. But that's why they're pundits and not maangers. They don't have a fucking clue.
Believe.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
2009/10 Season Preview Part One
The new season starts on Saturday. Instead of looking at the current Arsenal squad, I am going to concentrate on the so-called Battle For 4th Spot. Starting with:
ASTON VILLA
Martin O'Neill is another Phil Brown but slightly tamer. Remember his gay celebrations when Villa scored against us. I do. What about when he fronted Wenger on the touchline at Villa Park. Acting hard and talking up his team is what Martin O'Neill is all about. He sounds just like Phil Brown.
Villa deserved to beat us at The Emirates 2-0 back in December, but the 2-2 draw at Villa Park was my lowest point of last season.
I want revenge.
I want James Milner and Ashley Young to suffer pain. Remember Villa were shocking in the second half of last season. So why believe the hype surrounding them? Afterall, they have a 40 year old keeper, lost their captain, signed an expensive crock and a teenager who has only played Division 1 football. Delph has been bought to replace Ashley Young who will join one of the big four next summer - and that big four does not include Villa.
Villa won't be the surprise that they were last season. Wankers.
EVERTON
Tough first game of the season. But Everton away is always a tough fixture. I would rather play Everton now, when the weather is still nice and the pitches are in good condition, than in the winter. Last season, van Persie scored a last minute equalizer in the January fog after that Aussie, Cunthill scored from a corner. Everton are another team tipped to take 4th spot from Arsenal. This is because they finished 5th in the Premiership and reached the FA cup final after knocking Man United's reserves out in a semi-final penalty shoot out.
I'm not a big Everton fan. They play long ball and rely on crosses and set pieces for goals. David Moyes seems like a drill Segeant and Phil Neville is scum. Jo is their only signing and Lescott looks as though he's off to Man City, only to be replaced by Senderos. Hardly an improvement. 4th spot - fuck off.
SPURS
Palacios is a good signing but Bassong will be another Dawson. After all, he played for Newcastle and helped them get relegated. Peter Crouch is awkward and a threat in the air, but he's not Luis Fabiano. The Scum also signed two unknows from Sheffield United who will turn out be the new Bale and Bostock - nobody's in other words. Spurs will not have the terrible start to the season that they had last year. However, they will never make the top four either.
Carling Cup finals provide The Scum with a false sense of superiority. Harry Redknapp is now expected to provide Scum fans with the 4th spot that they so badly crave. If he can't deliver, he will join his thicko son Jamie as a pundit and quit coaching. Last season, The Scum got a lucky 4-4 draw. That chav Bentley went mental. Clichy fucked up that day. I want revenge badly. Good to see Bentley get arrested for drink driving.
Cont.
MANCHESTER CITY
Spending money on big transfer fees has never guaranteed you anything. Teams need time to gel. City fans are expectant. A mediocre start and Mark Hughes will get the sack. And that's what will happen to City. 4th spot is still a pipe dream for them.
LIVERPOOL
Alonso is a big loss. Arbeloa will be too. Mascherano would love to join them. Carragher is getting on. Aquilani is injured and Glen Johnson is way overpriced.
Pundits believe Liverpool will be champions.
I think otherwise.
Liverpool are in the fight for fourth spot. They are too reliant on Torres and Gerrard. Kuyt and Benayoun are underated and more dangerous than people give them credit for but who else have they got?
Voronin? Lucas? Ngog? Babel?
Please!
People need to realize that Liverpool will not do the double over Man United and Chelsea, like they did last season. They will also lose to Arsenal at The Emirates.
Liverpool fans are in for a shock.
So are Arsenal fans.
Arsenal are going to surprise you.
ASTON VILLA
Martin O'Neill is another Phil Brown but slightly tamer. Remember his gay celebrations when Villa scored against us. I do. What about when he fronted Wenger on the touchline at Villa Park. Acting hard and talking up his team is what Martin O'Neill is all about. He sounds just like Phil Brown.
Villa deserved to beat us at The Emirates 2-0 back in December, but the 2-2 draw at Villa Park was my lowest point of last season.
I want revenge.
I want James Milner and Ashley Young to suffer pain. Remember Villa were shocking in the second half of last season. So why believe the hype surrounding them? Afterall, they have a 40 year old keeper, lost their captain, signed an expensive crock and a teenager who has only played Division 1 football. Delph has been bought to replace Ashley Young who will join one of the big four next summer - and that big four does not include Villa.
Villa won't be the surprise that they were last season. Wankers.
EVERTON
Tough first game of the season. But Everton away is always a tough fixture. I would rather play Everton now, when the weather is still nice and the pitches are in good condition, than in the winter. Last season, van Persie scored a last minute equalizer in the January fog after that Aussie, Cunthill scored from a corner. Everton are another team tipped to take 4th spot from Arsenal. This is because they finished 5th in the Premiership and reached the FA cup final after knocking Man United's reserves out in a semi-final penalty shoot out.
I'm not a big Everton fan. They play long ball and rely on crosses and set pieces for goals. David Moyes seems like a drill Segeant and Phil Neville is scum. Jo is their only signing and Lescott looks as though he's off to Man City, only to be replaced by Senderos. Hardly an improvement. 4th spot - fuck off.
SPURS
Palacios is a good signing but Bassong will be another Dawson. After all, he played for Newcastle and helped them get relegated. Peter Crouch is awkward and a threat in the air, but he's not Luis Fabiano. The Scum also signed two unknows from Sheffield United who will turn out be the new Bale and Bostock - nobody's in other words. Spurs will not have the terrible start to the season that they had last year. However, they will never make the top four either.
Carling Cup finals provide The Scum with a false sense of superiority. Harry Redknapp is now expected to provide Scum fans with the 4th spot that they so badly crave. If he can't deliver, he will join his thicko son Jamie as a pundit and quit coaching. Last season, The Scum got a lucky 4-4 draw. That chav Bentley went mental. Clichy fucked up that day. I want revenge badly. Good to see Bentley get arrested for drink driving.
Cont.
MANCHESTER CITY
Spending money on big transfer fees has never guaranteed you anything. Teams need time to gel. City fans are expectant. A mediocre start and Mark Hughes will get the sack. And that's what will happen to City. 4th spot is still a pipe dream for them.
LIVERPOOL
Alonso is a big loss. Arbeloa will be too. Mascherano would love to join them. Carragher is getting on. Aquilani is injured and Glen Johnson is way overpriced.
Pundits believe Liverpool will be champions.
I think otherwise.
Liverpool are in the fight for fourth spot. They are too reliant on Torres and Gerrard. Kuyt and Benayoun are underated and more dangerous than people give them credit for but who else have they got?
Voronin? Lucas? Ngog? Babel?
Please!
People need to realize that Liverpool will not do the double over Man United and Chelsea, like they did last season. They will also lose to Arsenal at The Emirates.
Liverpool fans are in for a shock.
So are Arsenal fans.
Arsenal are going to surprise you.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
A Season of High Expectation
“People say we are young players but we’ve had a lot of experience and we’ve had ups and downs…we can learn from that. Getting into Semi-Finals will spur us onto greater things and we know not to make the same mistakes again. We will certainly learn from last season.” Theo
Many other factors (not just lack of experience) have stopped us doing better but I feel this group can and is ready to produce. A lot rests on them of course but the experience Theo talks about is there.
Starting with the League Cup final defeat to Chelsea, they’ve endured disappointment after disappointment - the terrible refereeing decisions that helped Liverpool get by us in the CL (Kolo and Phil didn’t help matters), the Eduardo injury, the defection of key players (only to regret leaving), the Gallas witch hunt. We’ve seen changes at Board level. We’ve seen fans turn against their own players, fans call for Arsene’s dismissal, fans have shown their impatience and true colors. It’s been a traumatic recent past for Arsenal Football Club. Arsene doesn’t get enough credit for his thick skin or for his focus.
Despite the doom and gloom that lingers from recent seasons we have to be thankful. Unlike Chelsea we have an effective youth program. Unlike United we don’t pretend that our large debt is less important than winning. Imagine what that club’s fans would be like if Rooney had to miss an entire season, if Ferdinand was missing for the final third of the season, causing them to fall short of their targets. The debt would suddenly be important again.
There is obvious disappointment among everyone affiliated with Arsenal that we haven’t won a trophy since Patrick’s last kick for the club. That’s natural, especially as we’d just come from a period of “winning trophies for fun” as Robin has put it. But we’ve got to accept that a host of players in their prime were winning those trophies. Since that final, we’ve developed a group that will win many trophies before they reach their own prime.
Some blame Wenger and his spending habits/transfer policy for the trophy drought. Some believe allegations that the club puts on a face of having cash to spend on players when it really doesn’t. Whichever you believe it’s important to note that these players have reached the Champions League semi-final without their best performers – Gallas, Cesc, Eduardo, Clichy (even if he was a big disappointment last season), and the cup tied Arshavin would have at least made Manchester United work a little harder for the right to go to Rome.
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So the new season is upon us. At the time of writing, only ex-Ajax captain Thomas Vermaelen has been added to the squad. The well chronicled departures of Toure and Adebayor may or may not be addressed with replacements but as always, that is Arsene’s decision.
Our first match is a decent test against Everton, one of the clubs that many feel could finish above us – Manchester City, Aston Villa, and maybe another depending on form and who you believe are seen as capable (if not overdue) to crash the gates of The Big Four. As I’ve said before, don’t be surprised if the club that falls first is not Arsenal. Frankly, I find it wishful thinking if not spiteful that so many “experts” continually deem us as less equipped to maintain our standing than the pretenders, the would be gate crashers like Villa who barely won a match in their last 15 last season. Nor am I impressed by Manchester City’s millions. Everton don’t scare me. No team does.
It’s ironic that Everton could be the destination of the next player sold. Philippe Senderos has not lived up to expectation. At the time of writing, reports suggest that he is in talks with Everton and that a move is imminent. It’s been suggested that if Senderos is sold, we’ll be poised to bring in one or two additions. No matter what Arsene chooses to do, we’ll need to be more supportive of the team than we were last season.
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Defensively, we haven’t been as impressive as I’d like but I feel that we’re good enough, just. The back four haven’t got any weaker in my view. Of course I’m betting that Vermaelen can’t be worse than Kolo had been in his last two seasons with us. There were times when he was well below average. Clichy bottomed out last season. He was shockingly unlike himself. Gallas is under less pressure (at least for now) and if he can continue the form displayed before season ending injury, we’ll be fine. Djourou has expressed that he feels ready for a breakthrough season. I am looking closely at how that develops. He can become a key player for us if it happens. Sagna has shown stellar form in the past. He approached repeating that form last season but there was still room for improvement. Sylvestre has enough left in the tank to provide decent cover but to rely on him for more than that could be risky. Gibbs has a season of responsibility and heartache under his belt. The quality is there. If he plays well enough to push an in form Clichy, we’re sorted. Eboue at RB is not a terrible option if Sagna goes down. Almunia can make a difference but will he be the difference. Fabianski has to improve on that display in the FA Cup semi-final if he wants to be taken seriously.
In midfield is where we’ve missed replacements from The Invincibles era the most. No Patrick – nearly impossible to replace, mind – no Pires, Ljungberg, Edu, or Parlour. Cesc has been a wonderful player but regaining his proper form is obviously a key. I commented recently that perhaps he, Flamini, Hleb, and Rosicky will never be able to perform consistently at their best level without each other. I hope I am wrong but they haven’t proven otherwise. Denilson is a very useful player – OPTA proves it – but he’ll have to improve his final ball and his goals tally to complement his fantastic statistics. Alex Song is an under-rated player. His versatility and power make him one of the most important players in our team. I look forward to further improvement on what was a season that shut up a lot of people last term. Diaby is running out of time but if he can stay healthy, perhaps the 4-3-3 will suit him better. Nasri is a very good player from whom we saw flashes last season. Once healthy, he could do even better than just glimpses of his undoubted ability. A full season to build on will help. Ramsey and Wilshere will be used depending on the opponent, tactics, and whether or not Arsene sees a need. I won’t expect too much from either player but they are both capable of helping the cause, especially Lil’ Jack. The kid is special.
We don’t lack forwards. Robin has the most Arsenal appearances among the strikers but it is Andrei Arshavin whose name will probably be first on the team sheet. I get a rush when I think of how many goals can come from Eduardo, Robin, and Andrei. In Theo, Niklas Bendtner, and Carlos Vela we have effective options up front. The key will be quick transition going forward much like it was with the last Arsenal team that “won trophies for fun”.
Winning trophies for fun may look unlikely to most people and I understand that but I expect big things of many players this season. I suspect that they expect big things of themselves.
I expect silverware.
Many other factors (not just lack of experience) have stopped us doing better but I feel this group can and is ready to produce. A lot rests on them of course but the experience Theo talks about is there.
Starting with the League Cup final defeat to Chelsea, they’ve endured disappointment after disappointment - the terrible refereeing decisions that helped Liverpool get by us in the CL (Kolo and Phil didn’t help matters), the Eduardo injury, the defection of key players (only to regret leaving), the Gallas witch hunt. We’ve seen changes at Board level. We’ve seen fans turn against their own players, fans call for Arsene’s dismissal, fans have shown their impatience and true colors. It’s been a traumatic recent past for Arsenal Football Club. Arsene doesn’t get enough credit for his thick skin or for his focus.
Despite the doom and gloom that lingers from recent seasons we have to be thankful. Unlike Chelsea we have an effective youth program. Unlike United we don’t pretend that our large debt is less important than winning. Imagine what that club’s fans would be like if Rooney had to miss an entire season, if Ferdinand was missing for the final third of the season, causing them to fall short of their targets. The debt would suddenly be important again.
There is obvious disappointment among everyone affiliated with Arsenal that we haven’t won a trophy since Patrick’s last kick for the club. That’s natural, especially as we’d just come from a period of “winning trophies for fun” as Robin has put it. But we’ve got to accept that a host of players in their prime were winning those trophies. Since that final, we’ve developed a group that will win many trophies before they reach their own prime.
Some blame Wenger and his spending habits/transfer policy for the trophy drought. Some believe allegations that the club puts on a face of having cash to spend on players when it really doesn’t. Whichever you believe it’s important to note that these players have reached the Champions League semi-final without their best performers – Gallas, Cesc, Eduardo, Clichy (even if he was a big disappointment last season), and the cup tied Arshavin would have at least made Manchester United work a little harder for the right to go to Rome.
---
So the new season is upon us. At the time of writing, only ex-Ajax captain Thomas Vermaelen has been added to the squad. The well chronicled departures of Toure and Adebayor may or may not be addressed with replacements but as always, that is Arsene’s decision.
Our first match is a decent test against Everton, one of the clubs that many feel could finish above us – Manchester City, Aston Villa, and maybe another depending on form and who you believe are seen as capable (if not overdue) to crash the gates of The Big Four. As I’ve said before, don’t be surprised if the club that falls first is not Arsenal. Frankly, I find it wishful thinking if not spiteful that so many “experts” continually deem us as less equipped to maintain our standing than the pretenders, the would be gate crashers like Villa who barely won a match in their last 15 last season. Nor am I impressed by Manchester City’s millions. Everton don’t scare me. No team does.
It’s ironic that Everton could be the destination of the next player sold. Philippe Senderos has not lived up to expectation. At the time of writing, reports suggest that he is in talks with Everton and that a move is imminent. It’s been suggested that if Senderos is sold, we’ll be poised to bring in one or two additions. No matter what Arsene chooses to do, we’ll need to be more supportive of the team than we were last season.
---
Defensively, we haven’t been as impressive as I’d like but I feel that we’re good enough, just. The back four haven’t got any weaker in my view. Of course I’m betting that Vermaelen can’t be worse than Kolo had been in his last two seasons with us. There were times when he was well below average. Clichy bottomed out last season. He was shockingly unlike himself. Gallas is under less pressure (at least for now) and if he can continue the form displayed before season ending injury, we’ll be fine. Djourou has expressed that he feels ready for a breakthrough season. I am looking closely at how that develops. He can become a key player for us if it happens. Sagna has shown stellar form in the past. He approached repeating that form last season but there was still room for improvement. Sylvestre has enough left in the tank to provide decent cover but to rely on him for more than that could be risky. Gibbs has a season of responsibility and heartache under his belt. The quality is there. If he plays well enough to push an in form Clichy, we’re sorted. Eboue at RB is not a terrible option if Sagna goes down. Almunia can make a difference but will he be the difference. Fabianski has to improve on that display in the FA Cup semi-final if he wants to be taken seriously.
In midfield is where we’ve missed replacements from The Invincibles era the most. No Patrick – nearly impossible to replace, mind – no Pires, Ljungberg, Edu, or Parlour. Cesc has been a wonderful player but regaining his proper form is obviously a key. I commented recently that perhaps he, Flamini, Hleb, and Rosicky will never be able to perform consistently at their best level without each other. I hope I am wrong but they haven’t proven otherwise. Denilson is a very useful player – OPTA proves it – but he’ll have to improve his final ball and his goals tally to complement his fantastic statistics. Alex Song is an under-rated player. His versatility and power make him one of the most important players in our team. I look forward to further improvement on what was a season that shut up a lot of people last term. Diaby is running out of time but if he can stay healthy, perhaps the 4-3-3 will suit him better. Nasri is a very good player from whom we saw flashes last season. Once healthy, he could do even better than just glimpses of his undoubted ability. A full season to build on will help. Ramsey and Wilshere will be used depending on the opponent, tactics, and whether or not Arsene sees a need. I won’t expect too much from either player but they are both capable of helping the cause, especially Lil’ Jack. The kid is special.
We don’t lack forwards. Robin has the most Arsenal appearances among the strikers but it is Andrei Arshavin whose name will probably be first on the team sheet. I get a rush when I think of how many goals can come from Eduardo, Robin, and Andrei. In Theo, Niklas Bendtner, and Carlos Vela we have effective options up front. The key will be quick transition going forward much like it was with the last Arsenal team that “won trophies for fun”.
Winning trophies for fun may look unlikely to most people and I understand that but I expect big things of many players this season. I suspect that they expect big things of themselves.
I expect silverware.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
How to 4-3-3
In all our preseason matches, we've played in a 4-3-3 formation. Most journalists have suggested that this change has been inspired by Barcelona's conquering team from one year ago. In order to see if this formation could work out, I've decided to compare the players from the 08-09 Barcelona starting XI to one we could trot out to emulate their team.
Goalkeeper - Victor Valdes/Manuel Almunia
They are of equal calibre. Neither are extremely consistent. Both are capable of playing above their level and pulling out a string of spectacular saves. Both are also capable of conceding goals that world class goalkeepers just don't allow. This position is the least pivotal element of copying their side.
Left Back - Eric Abidal/Gael Clichy
Abidal is taller and stronger than Clichy. He is also probably a better attacker than Clichy as well. However, Clichy can defend better, has better recovery pace, and is a better individual defender. Gael had a terrible season last year, but he's capable of being a better player than Abidal.
Right Back - Dani Alves/Bacary Sagna
Sagna is a better defender than Alves, but Dani is an extremely dangerous attacking player. The right side is deadly for Barcelona as Alves and Messi can overlap runs to cause multiple threats to any team. Sagna is actually a better passer and crosser than people give him credit for, but he's nowhere near the threat that Alves is.
Centreback - William Gallas/Carles Puyol
William Gallas is better than Puyol in every respect.
Centreback - Thomas Vermaelen/Gerard Pique
I don't know enough about Vermaelen to comment, but Pique is a solid defender with a high upside. He could end up being a great defender, and he held his own during the CL final. But there are no guarantees. Frankly, defensively, Barcelona are vulnerable. And they know it too.
Defensive Midfielder - Alex Song/Yaya Toure
Toure is a big, muscular presence. Alex Song's reading of the game has greatly improved though, and his positional sense is similar to Toure's. Yaya has proven to be an effective attacking force, when it comes to shooting, but Song has a better passing range. Yaya is a better player, but Song is both younger and almost as reliable. He's coming on strong.
Central Midfielder - Samir Nasri or Denilson/Xavi
Xavi is a disciplined anchor man who can make passes that destroy defenses. I believe that Wenger was training Nasri to be a Xavi-type at the end of the year. Most interpreted it as Wenger trying him out as a holding midfielder, but it seems as though he was really trying to see how Nasri could play mopping up balls and making sharp passes. Denilson could do a similar job. Xavi is a current titan though, and he's played in a 4-3-3 all his life. It's a difficult ask for either Nasri or Denilson to become a Xavi overnight.
Central Midfielder - Cesc Fabregas/Andres Iniesta
Iniesta is a nimble player capable of winning matches on his own. He was arguably the most important player in the side apart from Messi. Cesc isn't as nimble nor does he score goals as frequently as Iniesta seems to. However, Cesc is as strong a passer as Iniesta is. Cesc has never played the same role as Iniesta does for Barca, but that's why Wenger played him up front for the latter half of last year.
Right Wing - Theo Walcott or Robin van Persie/Thierry Henry
This is the one alteration to the formation. They have Messi on the right wing, and we have Arshavin on the left wing. So, we flipped positions basically. Theo is capable of playing like Henry the winger (Henry the striker, forget about it). So can van Persie. But both lack something that Henry possess as one player. Theo has pace but not enough guile. Van Persie has enough trickery but not enough pace. Either way, both players can cut in and support the way Henry does for Barca.
Support Striker - Andrey Arshavin/Lionel Messi
These two are two of the top five players in the world. Messi though is in the top two bracket and it's hard to say where Andrey is on the list. Both players are deadly, and I believe the gap isn't as wide as people think it is. If you watch Messi as frequently as one watches Arsenal, nobody is that brilliant all of the time. Andrey can amaze, just look at his numbers from last year.
Striker - Eduardo or Nicklas Bendtner/Samuel Eto'o
Eto'o is one of the best strikers in the last 25 years. They will miss him dearly. It would be pretentious to say that either Eduardo or Bendtner is as good as Eto'o, but both can be effective men in the box if need be.
Conclusion:
I don't know if we'll play 4-3-3 all year. It's a valid way to accommodate such a huge array of attacking talent on our side, but it's not a system you just pick up off hand. Barcelona produces players to play in their formation. Wenger has never fielded a 4-3-3 in this form before. It could be brilliant, it could fail.
All I know is, in Andrey Arshavin and Cesc Fabregas, we have two of the best players in the world. That's crucial to our title hopes this year.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Chamakh
The first time I read the name Chamakh, I thought Arsenal were trying to sign a Jewish holiday. I immediately thought that Usmanov and David Dein were up to no good. That was over a month ago. Since then my wife has had her period, two American journalists have been freed from a North Korean prison and the price of sugar has reached a 28 year high.
You can see why I smoke Jamaican cigarettes, drink high gravity beer and subscribe to porn sites.
Marouane Chamakh is a hard name to pronounce. That's because of two things:
1. It's Moroccan and so is the player;
2. I am an ignorant Brit living in the deep south.
Let's deal with me living in the south. Whenever I tell someone that I live in the south, they give me this strange look, the same one you give to anyone who said they were a member of Branch Davidian religious sect - you know that nutty one in Waco, Texas that burnt to the ground after a siege by the FBI. It was headed by that nut job David Koresh. Tottenham tried to sign him.
Back in 2007, I attended a boring coaching course in Bloomsburg, PA. Most people were from New Jersey, New York, Massachuesetts or Ohio. Telling northerners that I lived in South Carolina, was on a par with saying that my sister was having my baby.
A housemate of mine was from Trinidad. We seemed to get along, until he asked where I lived.
South Carolina, I responded. He gave me that "Oh I see look..." Later that night I caught him checking my pillowcases for eye holes.
I'm sure if Arsenal sign Chamakh he won't suffer the same treatment, even though the player has stated that his on/off transfer to Arsenal is making him lose sleep.
To be honest, I don't care if we sign this guy. He's a striker and not a prolific one. We don't really need another striker. We need a center-back or a defensive midfielder. So why don't we buy one?
Because Wenger is playing a game of poker.
He tells fans that he is happy with his current squad. If you believe that, then you will believe that South Carolina has the best race relations on planet earth.
Deadline day is August 31st.
We await developments.
Arsenal
You can see why I smoke Jamaican cigarettes, drink high gravity beer and subscribe to porn sites.
Marouane Chamakh is a hard name to pronounce. That's because of two things:
1. It's Moroccan and so is the player;
2. I am an ignorant Brit living in the deep south.
Let's deal with me living in the south. Whenever I tell someone that I live in the south, they give me this strange look, the same one you give to anyone who said they were a member of Branch Davidian religious sect - you know that nutty one in Waco, Texas that burnt to the ground after a siege by the FBI. It was headed by that nut job David Koresh. Tottenham tried to sign him.
Back in 2007, I attended a boring coaching course in Bloomsburg, PA. Most people were from New Jersey, New York, Massachuesetts or Ohio. Telling northerners that I lived in South Carolina, was on a par with saying that my sister was having my baby.
A housemate of mine was from Trinidad. We seemed to get along, until he asked where I lived.
South Carolina, I responded. He gave me that "Oh I see look..." Later that night I caught him checking my pillowcases for eye holes.
I'm sure if Arsenal sign Chamakh he won't suffer the same treatment, even though the player has stated that his on/off transfer to Arsenal is making him lose sleep.
To be honest, I don't care if we sign this guy. He's a striker and not a prolific one. We don't really need another striker. We need a center-back or a defensive midfielder. So why don't we buy one?
Because Wenger is playing a game of poker.
He tells fans that he is happy with his current squad. If you believe that, then you will believe that South Carolina has the best race relations on planet earth.
Deadline day is August 31st.
We await developments.
Arsenal
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Valencia 2 - 0 Arsenal
Arsenal in crisis!
Wenger must go.
I saw a decent amount of the first half and then my stream froze. I can only say that we looked much better from the 15th minute forward - prior to that we'd been second best, never really finding our rhythm.
The result matters little but the panic button has already been pushed. Our fans look set to continue where they left off last season. I am a patient Gooner but more importantly I am confident that this group of players will get the boss the reward he deserves.
Also; R.I.P. Dani Jarque
Friday, August 7, 2009
A Few Thoughts
- Literally five hours before the CL draw, I predicted each tie correctly. I knew we were going to draw Celtic. Obviously, this was pure luck, but I sensed it in the air. Looking at the Champions path and the non-Champions path of this CL round, it makes me wonder what Platini is really reaching for. I get that he's trying to include smaller country champions to diversify the Champions League, but in reality he's just diluting it. As a result, finishing fourth (or third in slightly lower coefficient leagues) means that you're essentially playing a very tricky tie to get into the Champions League group stages. I'll speak more about the tie when we approach it, but to say that our fixtures are congested would be putting it lightly. The slight advantage that we have is that at least our players should be healthy, fit, and ready to go (whoops in Rosicky). This is why I'd prefer that Wenger brought in bodies now, but that is his call.
- Idiots are calling for Wenger's head again. They cite his refusal to buy as a signal that he's lost it. But what use is it paying for a player that you don't deem ideal? It is a braver action to gut it out. Buying players may earn you a reprieve from the critics and twitchy fans, but it does NOT guarantee success. Put it this way, if Wenger went out and bought all the players that the fans crave but lost the League anyway, would people be more willing to give Wenger a break? I don't think so. They'd find other reasons to blame Wenger. The bottom line is that we do not know what goes on behind closed doors. Someday, we may find out that Wenger was doing miracle work instead of just being "stubborn." People may not think this team is strong enough as constructed, but their opinions simply do not matter.
- It would be nice to see Tomas Rosicky have a nice season with us, but it's foolish to think that that's a likely scenario at the moment.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Made In England
What is it that prevents England from producing more players like Jack Wilshere?
When I think of how little impact Matt LeTissier made in an England shirt, it makes me wonder. And remembering how brilliant Glenn Hoddle was as a player, it baffles me that by all accounts the recently deceased Bobby Robson (R.I.P.) was not entirely willing to use his gifts as a supremely talented and very skillful midfielder.
Paul Gascoigne was the exception of recent times that proves the rule. That he possessed the “British bulldog” spirit and approach was surely a plus but it seems that flair players of greater technique than grit, greater finesse than steel, but of equal amounts of passion as their more industrious, powerful counterparts are generally not Made In England. And when they are, they are few and far between.
Joe Cole comes to mind as one who might also fit that category but for all his success at Chelsea and for all his England caps, I can argue that he’s not lived up to expectations. Paul Scholes is another player of high technical ability although he too had that “British bulldog” quality about him to partner the undoubted technical brilliance he possessed in his prime.
In recent times, players like Scott Parker have been glorified, even if only briefly. A cut above Parker in many respects, Gareth Barry too has been seen as perhaps a better player than he actually is. They work hard and they get stuck in. Great qualities! Indeed the same qualities that seem to be preferred to working smart and entertaining while still being effective. Sadly, finesse and flair are generally frowned upon. Power and industry are usually preferred.
In Jack Wilshere, Arsenal and eventually England will have a player who possesses all the flair and technique to become a fantastic, entertaining footballer. And as Wenger has stated, he’s got “power” now. He has been the finished article technique-wise for some time, as Arsene has mentioned as far back as two seasons ago. But the best thing about the boy’s development is that it is Arsene Wenger who will manage it. Fans are eager to see him if not just because they are turned off by using Eboue or Diaby or even Denilson (whose earned his stripes in my opinion) instead of the young prodigy. Never mind tactics eh?
England seems to have produced a player of genuine flair in Wilshere. A player of both style and substance and he’s been developed by none other than Arsene Wenger. Not long ago the criticism du jour was that Wenger is ruining England’s chances to compete on the international level. The criticism peaked when we fielded not a single English player in a league game against Crystal Palace.
It’s funny how things can turn around. Now we have England’s next great hope in our squad. Made by Wenger.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Predictions
The Guardian writers have predicted us to finish 5th, presumably behind Manchester City.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have sold Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid.
We'll see what happens at the end of the season.
The Media
Today's football news has deteriorated to an alarming rate. Apart from the usual transfer crap, we now have trivial stories that bore me rigid. Here is a sample:
David Beckham shakes hands with a fan who insulted his wife;
Bobby Robson dies of cancer. He died on Thursday today is Tuesday yet his death is still in the news;
Kolo Toure says Arsenal have no leadership even though they got to a Champions League semi-final;
William Gallas holds a cigarette.
In the future the news will get even worse. Here is a sample:
Christiano Ronaldo chokes on a raisin;
Ashley Cole successfully reads a book - The Tale of Peter Rabbit;
David Beckham's wife Posh and Sarah Pallin's daughter Bristol are the new talk show hosts to rival the Today Show called the Tomorrow Show;
David Beckham is the new judge on America's Got Talent;
Wayne Rooney is the new face for Rogaine;
Rio Ferdinand is taught rap on a reality TV show by Snoop Dog and releases an album with Rihanna called "Punch Me."
We have a lot to look forward to.
Arsenal
David Beckham shakes hands with a fan who insulted his wife;
Bobby Robson dies of cancer. He died on Thursday today is Tuesday yet his death is still in the news;
Kolo Toure says Arsenal have no leadership even though they got to a Champions League semi-final;
William Gallas holds a cigarette.
In the future the news will get even worse. Here is a sample:
Christiano Ronaldo chokes on a raisin;
Ashley Cole successfully reads a book - The Tale of Peter Rabbit;
David Beckham's wife Posh and Sarah Pallin's daughter Bristol are the new talk show hosts to rival the Today Show called the Tomorrow Show;
David Beckham is the new judge on America's Got Talent;
Wayne Rooney is the new face for Rogaine;
Rio Ferdinand is taught rap on a reality TV show by Snoop Dog and releases an album with Rihanna called "Punch Me."
We have a lot to look forward to.
Arsenal
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Andrei and Jack
We defeated Atletico Madrid Saturday with a dramatic finish highlighted by a fantastic brace from Andrei Arshavin. Yes, The Little Magician stole the show but the contribution of Lil' Jack was notable. He was a constant threat with his intelligent play and superb technique. I haven't seen his level of awareness in such a young player for a long time.
The two goals Andrei scored speak for themselves. The second looked the more difficult but when you watch replays of the first goal, take note of how he leans back while making contact with the ball. And what contact! He's steered the ball with the perfect weight to beat keeper, bar, and post.
How many times have you seen a similar chance not taken because the ball was hit either directly at the keeper, off the woodwork, or just struck off target? You're often left wondering how a professional goal scorer could miss from so close.
The Little Magician made it look simple but that was not a simple goal.
Lil' Jack has made quite an impression. This season we could see the emergence of our next playmaker. I see him as more of a central player than a winger. His influence on the game is used more effectively as a free role playmaker.
People go on about how we lack this or we lack that. In Andrei and Lil' Jack We have the best senior and the best young player in the EPL.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Thanks For The Memories
I just wanted to make sure I gave this man - this legend - his proper respect.
Kolo is gone! Long live Kolo!
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