Walcott has improved by 20%

Alan Hansen said on BBC Match of the Day that:

"Theo Walcott never makes the right decision when he has to think about it."

There's some truth in that statement.

Mark Lawrenson on Mikel Arteta playing for England

"It's not right Arteta playing for England."

This coming from a man who played many times for Ireland but was born and raised in England. Fuck off Lawro!

Tony Adams and Moldovian goalkeeper Levroji

So far Tony Adams has had a mediocre start for his new club Gabala FC: Played 4; lost 2; won 2.

He has also convinced Deon Burton and Terry Cooke to play for him in the Azerbaijan Premier League.

Below is an article about a goalkeeper Arsenal are rumored to be signing from Moldova:

(AP- MOLDOVA) THE Moldovan international goalkeeper Nilain Levroji has lashed Manuel Almunia, saying that the Arsenal keeper has “gotten worse” in terms of positioning since last season, adding that his father’s prize-winning pigeons are better than the Spanish international.
Levroji has played twice for the Moldovan national team but has been rated as one of the top young keepers in European football.
Levroji who is tipped to move to the Emirates from Moldovan club Iskra-Stal Ribnit is unlikely to endear himself to Almunia after his comments on his Facebook page last evening.
The page and the comments were removed this morning.
Levroji’s father Igor is the top pigeon racer in Moldova and recently won the European Grand Prix event in France — the celebrations of which forced his 23-year-old son to postpone his trial at Arsenal for two days.
However, Almunia and probably Arsenal will be unhappy with the manner in which the Moldovan stopper was outspoken about his potential squad colleague.
Posting on social networking site Facebook hours after Liverpool and Arsenal drew 1-1, Levroji blamed Almunia for the LIverpool goal, saying that it was poor positioning that allowed the the ball to get past him from a tight angle.
“The goal that he conceded is typical Almunia. He conceded a very similar one against Zlatan [Ibrahimovic] in the Champions League last season and if anything his positioning has got worse and not better.
“I know that I would offer much more stability to the Arsenal defence than he does. In fact, father’s pigeons flapping their wings wildly would offer more solidness (sic) than Manny Almunia.”
The comments were reported in Moldovan media on Monday afternoon and Levroji was refusing to make any statement about them. The deal to bring Levroji into the Arsenal squad in the light of the expected departure of at least two goalkeepers is believed to be almost finalised.

Premiership goalkeeper ratios from last season

Finally found the goalkeepers’ save ratios for last season. Almunia’s performance took a dive needless to say. Interestingly enough Shwarzer did better than Given:

1. Brad Friedel, Aston Villa – 80% of 157 Shots
2. Marcus Hahnemann, Wolverhampton Wanderers – 80% of 128
3. Edwin van der Sar, Man Utd – 80% of 61
4. Joe Hart, Birmingham City – 79% of 181
5. Huerelho Gomes, Tottenham Hotspur – 79% of 99
6. Thomas Sorenson, Stoke City – 78% of 141
7. Craig Gordon, Sunderland – 77% of 117
8. Mark Schwarzer, Fulham – 75% of 143
9. Jose Reina, Liverpool – 72% of 118
10. Tim Howard, Everton – 70% of 147

11. Shay Given, Man City – 70% of 135
12. Petr Cech, Chelsea – 70% of 81
13. Boaz Myhill, Hull – 69% of 177
14. Robert Green, West Ham – 68% of 176
15. Paul Robinson, Blackburn Rovers – 68% of 141
16. Jussi Jaaskelainen – 67% of 184
17. Manuel Almunia, Arsenal – 67% of 88
18. Brian Jensen, Burnley – 66% of 200
19. Chris Kirkland, Wigan Athletic – 65% of 144
20. David James, Portsmouth – 61% of 106

Source:

http://www.plainsoccer.com/2010/04/epl-rankings-gk-save-percentage.html

Spurs Lose. Prince Boateng's Strange Italian Transfer

Spurs claim that they were not used to playing on Young Boys artificial turf after losing 3-2. I think that they're not telling us the whole truth:

http://www.dessosports.com/en/sports/football/football-projects/tottenham-hotspur/

Prince Boateng who played for Portsmouth last season has been signed by Genoa who are loaning him to AC Milan who don't have the cash for his transfer fee as it would affect their balance sheet. However, they can afford his wages but Genoa can't. Portsmouth wanted cash upfront. Milan will pay Genoa back in installments.

Genoa admit that Prince Boateng will probably never play for them.

Strange deal.

Karma - It's a Bitch

EXCLUSIVE

Arsenal are in talks with Manchester City over 25 million pound double swap deal for Given and Kompany. The transfers may not happen before Sunday's away game to Liverpool due to the international break. You can read more at the link below:

http://www.givenco.com/

The Informer

Farewells

While a new season is about to start, I find myself having to make a decision I have put off at least once before. When I was asked to join forces to help create the charter for 1886, I was honored. I was equally honored when asked to be a regular contributor.

I can speak for my colleagues in saying that the most important achievement for any of our posts is that they support football in general and Arsenal in particular. That more than anything has been exciting and has made every post worthwhile. Let's be clear, some of my posts were, frankly speaking, shit. However, I hope I have contributed a few that were worth your time.

Nothing lasts forever though. Recent events at 1886 have convinced me that something different is needed. Perhaps a different personality, a different approach than what I bring is best for this blog.

I have taken the decision to part ways with 1886. I wish it nothing but the best. It was fun and a good experience. Thanks for the support, we all appreciate it. Keep the faith.

Chat later,

Agent 86

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Echoing my colleagues thoughts, it is time for me to move on from this blog as well. I've been blessed with having enough time to write about Arsenal freely. However, I'm about to embark on the first step towards my ultimate career ambition. That is going to take up more of my time than I can probably even imagine.

My goal with this blog was to provide objective analysis with a keen affinity towards Arsenal. I am an Arsenal fan until I die. I don't take that label lightly. I care deeply for our club, and don't necessarily care all that much about any other football club. I tried to provide a dose of reality for Gooners and fans of other clubs. Sometimes I was successful, other times I was flat out wrong, and a few times there were disagreements.

I tried to write with passion, because anything less would not be worth anybody's time. There are frankly many Arsenal blogs out there.

This blog will still continue, but El Cunto aka The Informer will be the main man. He's entertaining, scandalous, intelligent, and capable of carrying this site forward.

Thanks to everybody who read even one word I wrote for this blog. We didn't have a legion of fans, but I know there were a handful that was devoted to this blog.

I'll sign off as "The One Who Shall Not Be Named."

NYC North London Derby

Talks have been held today via e-mail with the chairman of the New York Spurs Supporters Club.

They are interested in playing in the first NYC North London Derby.

Discussions are still at the preliminary stage with nothing concrete having been decided.

However, the game looks as though it will be a 5-a-side match played at Chelsea Piers.

The age bracket will be over 25 years old.

It will be a charity match with teams wearing their clubs jerseys.

The referee will be neutral.

More details will appear soon.

Keep it Arsenal

New Season Countdown Continues/More Conversations With Dante

I couldn’t stand the sight of Clown No. 1 raising the Emirates Cup. I’m glad we won but the ceremony had an air of cheapness about it though. It felt like I was watching also-rans from a beauty contest bonding on a night of commiseration. The sad outing was led of course by the homeliest of them all, the unwelcomed poodle walker.

When I see that clown and his understudy, I think of the car bumper stickers that say ‘MY OTHER CAR IS A PORSCHE’. It wouldn’t be so bad if we had a world class no. 1 and those two clowns were just getting some air time to keep their voices fresh. My frustration mounts as we get closer to Liverpool away.

El Cunto asked why that guy is still at Arsenal. I wonder that everyday. Everyday!

He reminded me that my earliest disapproval of the clown didn’t come after failing to hold a lead with only 38 minutes remaining in the Champions League Final. I said he wasn’t good enough and had to go as far back as February 2005, after Man united went to Highbury and embarrassed us 4-2. In Barcelona, he could have made himself an Arsenal legend. He could have shown that being down a man doesn’t mean you have to lose the game. He could have shown some serious spine. He failed miserably.

Two near post goals does not make people remember you for anything but failure. Well, except those who argued with me that he was good enough for Arsenal and that we could win the league with him. And then there were those who said that the goals were not as bad as I was making them out to be. One prominent and very, very successful blogger argued that the goals were not scored at the near post.

That’s when I knew I’d better be more picky about whom I discuss matches with.

The season following the CL disaster, Clown No. 1 and Swiss Miss conspired to lose another final. Two in two seasons! I doubt many people have placed the level of blame on this guy that he deserves for stunting the growth and bashing the confidence of the young players. I state with no hesitation that had we won either or both of those finals – especially the League Cup Final vs. Chelsea because the kids got us there and many featured in the final – the level of belief and resulting thirst for more success could have made all the difference. Instead, we have a group still struggling for identity, a group short on focus and confidence, just like the most fraudulent of goalkeepers to ever wear the Arsenal top. As El Cunto so correctly pointed out, if your spine is weak, so is the rest of your team. We’ve had that mothefrucker at our club for too long.

I seethe when I write anything beyond a few sentences about him. I better move on to another topic. Arsene, PLEASE do something.

I caught up with Dante earlier this week. I could sense the excitement and eagerness in waiting for the new season to start. I could also sense a bit more bite this time from the man who always looks cool but can spew venom with the best (or worst) of ‘em. By mid November, I expect him to be fully lathered and spitting fire.

Dante: We are 11 days away from the start of the season and I cannot wait! One trophy down four more to go (League, UCL, Milk Cup, FA Cup)!

Agent 86: [Thinking; I used to be just as optimistic in past seasons. I want the new season as much as anybody but not with that set of keepers we have right now.]

Yeah, man! It’ll be a very interesting season.

Dante: This is how I saw the Emirates Cup:

Wilshere and Fimpong are BEASTS!!! I know I have said it before but they both keep on impressing me. Yes, Wilshere made a mistake when he was obstructed by Fortune but it came to nothing.

Agent 86: I’m glad you brought up Wilshere. El Cunto has tagged Wilshere as a showboat. I don’t see it. The kid has poise and focus way beyond his years. Our colleague (he who shall remain nameless) at 1886 made a good point, ‘what Wilshere did was not uncommon for a young player in the early stages of his career and certainly Arsenal players [young and old] have been criticized for not hoofing the ball and trying to play their way out of danger’.

I’m not worried about Wilshere being a showboat at all. I’d need to see more than just a questionable example of what might not even be showboating before indicting him.

Dante: [With almost uncontrolled enthusiasm] But that VOLLEY!!!!! And the kid has an attitude. Love it!!! We need attitude in the squad.

Agent 86: We used to have attitude. We used to have swagger. You can’t quantify them but they make a big difference. Imagine what teams felt like when they saw Henry and Pires with Bergkamp standing not far away. We need to get that back. We have a few players who can get us there but only time will tell. I have to say I really like what I see in Frimpong. I know he’s still a pup but…

Dante: Frimpong does not let anyone have time on the ball. He doesn't dribble much but hey, if he loses the ball he will get it back!

The first goal against AC Milan impressed me for a few reasons;
1. Gibbs shielded the ball extremely well while having a player draped over him then to send Arshavin off to the races, this was very good to see from the 20 year old left back.
2. Arshavin; what can I say? What a run! I don’t know what was better, watching that run and final ball to Chamakh or rewinding back to where Gattuso looks like he has been thrown out of a speeding Ferrari. PAAAAAHHH BOSS!!
3. Chamakh's finish; well taken! He did the right thing and looked calm in front of goal.

Agent 86: [My turn to emote.] YES! Gibbs showed tenacity. Arshavin showed strength. Chamakh showed a good finisher’s cool. It was the first really telling highlight of the (pre) season for me. It was all there – industry, strength, and skill.

Dante: Issues I had with the games against both Celtic and Milan; in both games we looked tired after about the 75th minute.

Agent 86: To be expected! They’ve been training really hard and some guys played in both Milan and Celtic matches back to back.

Dante: When Frimpong went off in the second half of the Milan game we lost our possession edge, similar to the way we do when Song is unable to play. Theo cannot cross to save his life! He is dangerous but anyone with that much speed is dangerous with or without the ball. Only positive I can take is that he must have got the same treatment about defending Arshavin did because I saw him next to the right back a few times when the ball was in our half.

Agent 86: On current evidence, I’m convinced Theo is not good enough. I don’t know if he’ll ever get there. He plays like a really good athlete who took up the game later than the other kids. He’s got some ability but like it or not, Chris Waddle made a good point about the football brain.

Some Blame Wenger for bad coaching where Theo is concerned. I don’t. I just feel he is what he is. Wenger coached Alex Song. He coached Robin. He coached Cesc. They haven’t turned out too badly. Theo does track back though. I’ve seen him do it regularly.

Dante: For Celtic's second goal I have two different gripes. Djourou is not ready yet. I have faith he will be later on, but not to start the season with. I know Koscielny will partner The Verminator but no one else has been bought so I shudder to think of Djourou being thrown in early on in the season.

Agent 86: On Djourou; I refer you to what El Cunto posted Monday.

Dante: This passive and active offside **** has to stop. There was a Celtic player off side, being played offside by the whole back line. The ball was played into his general area he ran for it becoming active in the play then stopped, turned around and walked back. Flag never went up another Celtic player ran on and then poor marking after that did us in. What's the point of playing offside when the passive player can pretend to go for the ball and stop, essentially dummying the defense????

The silly way to fix this is to make all passive offside players signal this by having to stop and re-tie their shoe lace on one shoe before joining the play. The easy way is to take this whole passive verbiage out!

My thoughts on Cesc are as follows:
I'm sick and tired of this!!

Agent 86: I have been for some time. I am disturbed by Barcelona’s latest that Wenger was ready to sign for them in 2001. Yeah, right! They’ve sunk to the depths of _pur_ with this almost signed bullshit.

Chat later,Agent 86

Més que un club: They're Assholes

- The picture above is from an event that Cesc Fabregas attended two days ago. It was in his hometown and he told his adoring Spanish fans that he hoped to see them "more often and closer."

- I've stated this as recently as a few days ago. I do not have a problem with Cesc Fabregas wanting to leave. Do I want him to leave? Of course not. Do I understand why he'd want to go home? Of course I do. A great man once said that Cesc's penalty kick against Barcelona cemented him as an Arsenal legend, even if it was his last kick in an Arsenal shirt. I'd agree with that. He helped keep the club stable and in the Champions League when we could not afford to be major players in the transfer window. That will become apparent in the years to come, when we'll be financially healthy and winning numerous trophies.

- What do I think happened? I think Barcelona has strung Cesc Fabregas out to dry. Read what Wenger said after the match against AC Milan in the Emirates Cup. "Barcelona gave up a long time ago." Their actions don't speak to that of course, with their daily regiment of unsettling Cesc and Arsenal now as routine as a roto-rooter inspection at Captain Caveman's house.

- Today, Andres Iniesta, World Cup hero himself, appeared on Barcelona television and made his views clear. Of course, this was just a week or two after he stated that Arsenal should be respected. It's as if they have nothing better to talk about, they only won the first World Cup for Spain.

- Captain Caveman wrote on his blog that he never said the quotes about Cesc and Arsenal, that an English paper fabricated it. Well, given their history of phone-paper sex they've conducted, why should I believe him? I'll never forget the Champions League Final where Thierry was systematically hacked by Captain Caveman, who looks like a deformed Bret Hart, and Rafael Marquez. If they got the yellow cards they deserved, the match could have been very different.

- Next up is the Lionel Messi aka The Fake Argentine aka Barry Bonds. "When a player wants to come, and a club want a player, a deal can always be reached. And I am still confident he will arrive this summer." Messi should ask his newly elected President how feverishly they're working to deliver Cesc this summer, cause like I pointed out above, Wenger said they've given up. "I think Barcelona have acted in the right way. Yes, of course Barca players have come out and said we want Cesc at the club, but what's the problem with that? Of course we want him to come home." Hey Lionel, I'd like to invent a time machine, go back to 1956 and make love to Brigitte Bardot for hours, it's not going to happen anytime soon. Barcelona are broke, they're desperate, and they've lost the battle. They're playing Real Madrid's game of using the media to pressure us into a sale. In other words, they're acting like scumbags. The only way we sell him is if they pay us what Cesc is worth. Because we know this, Cesc will not put in a transfer request and he will play football to his utmost capacity when the season starts. I am not one to think that Cesc will give it less than his all.

- Finally, the cherry on top of the BarcaShit Cake was from their former president Joan Gaspart. He claimed that Wenger wanted to come to Barcelona but Peter Hill-Wood refused to allow that. Well, if I believed this was true, which I don't, what is the purpose of saying this out loud? If you're a gentleman, you don't kiss and tell. Barcelona have a few gentlemen in their ranks, but it's mostly a pompous club filled with talented, pampered babies. They're an incredible footballing side, but this current crop have no class. But people always like winners, look how many bandwagon fans the New York Yankees have (I forgive you Emmanuel Eboue, but only you). I'm sure Wenger enjoyed listening to that.

- We've ripped Barcelona off before, and we'll rip them off again when we're ready. I guess they have a right to be upset at us, Overmars, Petit, Henry, and Hleb in recent memory. You know what those players have in common? They all love Arsenal more than Barcelona.

- Back to Messi for a moment, he also revealed this:

"Cesc told me about his recent chat with Arsene and the respect Cesc has for his current manager is huge. He says Arsene has the best footballing mind in the world, and that he owes the boss everything for the player he is today."

Do not underestimate what Arsene Wenger means to Cesc Fabregas. Do not take Arsene Wenger for granted. In the rambling pleas for Cesc to return to Barcelona, Messi revealed something that was private and illuminating. It was clearly not an easy decision for Cesc to declare to Arsene that he wanted to leave. He expected Barcelona to make it easy for him by agreeing a fee that he's worth. Instead, they've faxed two offers and conducted a public courtship of him while never seriously wanting to sign him. For his sake and ours, I hope they stump up the 50 million pounds that Cesc is worth and everything can be resolved.

- And if Barcelona can't come up with the money, what part of FUCK OFF do they not understand?

Why is Almunia still at Arsenal?

A sad sight yesterday was watching Manuel Almunia lift the Emirates Cup for Arsenal. Sad because another season beckons with this back-up keeper starting as Arsenal's number one.

To win anything, a team needs a strong spine. The goalkeeper is the starting point of that spine. If you have an average goalkeeper, you're defence will not be filled with confidence. A back four that lacks confidence will leak goals.

With Fabianski as Arsenal's number two, away games to Stoke City and Blackburn Rovers will turn into a crossing fest, leaving Arsenal with no points because they have goalkeepers who can't punch or catch a cross.

Fabianski is the worst goalkeeper in the Premiership. Almunia is not far behind. With less than two weeks away until Arsenal travel to Liverpool for the season opener, there is no sign of any goalkeeper being signed by Wenger.

That's disturbing.

Mark Schwarzer says he wants to play for Arsenal - well so do I and millions of other Gooners. The fact is Mark, you're not good enough. You're no better than what Arsenal already have. And at 38 you're the "cougar" of goalies.

A lot of Gooners are more concerned about Cesc Fabregas joining Barcelona than a world class goalkeeper joining Arsenal. When I mention Almunia being Arsenal's number one, they shrug their shoulders and say: "He'll do."

Having a goalkeeper who last season cost Arsenal 18 points, will not do. In fact both Fabianski and Almunia need to be sold or loaned out.

Neither one belongs at Arsenal.

Other pieces of deadwood should also leave - Johan Djourou and Theo Walcott in other words.

Walcott hasn't changed. He's fast but has no end product. Someone said that he got two assists yesterday. His first assist was a shot that was so crap that it turned into a cross - if Vela didn't have great instincts then Gooners would have been moaning about how shit Walcott is instead of celebrating a goal.

It's been four and a half years since Walcott joined Arsenal and the man still can't cross. He also has no moves to get past a player - other than speed - and his shots are off target most of the time.

Ryan Smith for Kansas City Wizards is just as good as Theo Walcott.

Johan Djourou is fast becoming Arsenal's Titus Bramble. He's been at Arsenal since 2002. Yet in eight years, he's only played 46 times. True, he's been on loan to Birmingham City and was injured for all of last season. So fans are willing to give him time. I, however, think that it's time to sell him. The man will become a liability.

Wenger says that he's looking for two more signings.

Let's hope that a goalkeeper is one of them.

Keep it Arsenal

El Cunto