Monday, May 31, 2010

Cunt



The England squad is announced tomorrow - who gives a fuck. I have more interest in Lindsay Lohan's social life.

Mourinho has been unveiled as Real Madrid boss. So now Real Madrid have a Galatico coach. What we are witnessing here is the rule of Conservative coaching in the football world. Brazil have Dunga who is the George Bush of Brazilian coaches. He has picked more defensive midfielders than any other Brazilian World Cup squad. We have Fabio Cappello who was fired by Real Madrid - even after winning La Liga - for being too defense minded. England under Capello will win games 1-0 from corners and having 33% possession. Rafa Benitez is wanted by Inter Milan even though his teams have never played with flair. Giovanni Trapatonni has made Ireland tactically better but as a consequence boring to watch. Then we have Mourinho at Madrid - a man who delivers trophies but whose teams play with the style of Walmart and the swagger of ESPN. Efficiency will rule unless men like Wenger and Pep Guardilola gain control.

Tanzania paying $2.5 to play Brazil in a friendly. The cheapest ticket is $25 for a country where the average worker earns less than $1 a day. The Brazilian football federation should hang their head in shame. Cunts.

Glazers refusing to sell and Red Knights drop "Man United bid." I really don't care about Man United. For all I care, if they end up in the same situation as Crystal Palace - liquidation/extinction - I really wouldn't give a toss. They bought success and became more successful. Their owners then got greedy and sold out to make a fortune. The new owners looked at Man United as a cash cow and borrowed money to buy they club - knowing that mugs like Red Knights will buy a club heavily in debt in order to save it. The Glazers want to make money out of Man United. I hope that Stan Kroenke intentions with regard to Arsenal are different.

UEFA President Michel Platini has passed rules which will mean that football clubs - such as Portsmouth - will have to operate within their means. Clubs will only be able to spend what they generate. Big cash injections from sugar daddy cunts like the pimp owners of Chelsea and Manchester City will be restricted by UEFA's Fair Play Plan. The system will come into full force in 2014 after being phased in. Clubs are required to restructure themselves over the next three seasons so they are financially solvent.

Clubs owning money to their rival clubs, players and staff or the tax authorities at the end of season will be punished. 50% of football clubs in Europe are making losses, while 20% are in financial peril.

There is a downside:

Money invested in stadiums and youth development will not be included in the number crunching. Big transfer fees can still be paid but clubs will need to generate sufficient funds through ticket sales, TV money and commercial revenue.

Joe Cole
If he signs for us great. He is very skillful. He is from Islington/Camden. He has experience. Does his arrival mean the end for Arshavin or Walcott? We need a goalkeeper. Let's stay focused on that position first.

Keep it Arsenal

Sunday, May 30, 2010

1886 Salutes The Bermuda Gooners



I've been fortunate enough to visit the beautiful island called Bermuda. Equally fortunate was my chance to meet some Bermuda Gooners. I'm proud to say that the Arsenal brand is in good hands down there.

Yes Poopah, we are well represented in Bermie.

Safe!

Friday, May 28, 2010

Reviewing the Attack

- Robin van Persie - The picture above indicates exactly when our season began to go awry. That's not to say that we were in sterling form before the injury. We dropped points in games we should have closed out (West Ham) and lost games we shouldn't have (Sunderland). It's all too clear now that the 4-3-3 system was installed to bring the best out of Cesc, but the player that made it all work was Robin van Persie. One of the best False Nine's in the game, Holland, with all of their prodigious attacking talent, is now effectively built around Robin van Persie. He didn't score for the first few games, but when he got going, he banged in goals and created them as well. Even after missing a substantial chunk of the season, van Persie finished with 9 goals and 7 assists in 16 appearances. He was becoming one of the best strikers in the world. When he got injured, we literally lost the one person that we had no cover for. Not really. Bendtner can play as a target man, but he doesn't link play as well, doesn't terrify defenders when dribbling forward, and lacks the Dutchman's technique. Our scoring ratio dipped massively after his injury, where once people were writing about how we might break a century of goals in the Premier League, Chelsea actually went out and achieved that. The lack of cover is one of Wenger's crucial mistakes. I believe that he wanted to bring in Chamakh before the season started, but refused to be held ransom by Bordeaux, a team we had difficulty with before (the signing of Sylvain Wiltord). Clearly, he has the talent to be one of the finest players in the world, but can he stay healthy enough. It's a real question that needs to be answered. Before this season, he made 28 appearances in the Premier League. That was a career high for him. I love Robin, but going forward, we need a true contingency plan.

- Nicklas Bendtner - When Robin van Persie went down, Nicklas Bendtner was given his opportunity to shine. However, he quickly got injured as well. That is what you call a terrible stroke of luck. After people clamored for Wenger to splash the cash in January, Bendtner's recovery from his injury is what people had to settle for. Bendtner is a player people love to hate. He's confident to the point of arrogance. He doesn't possess a great first touch. He occasionally misses sitters. However, if Wenger had signed a forward that scored 9 goals in 12 appearances, I'm sure people would have been more than pleased with his signing. Because that's what Bendtner did for us when he came back from his injury. That doesn't include his hat trick of missed chances against Burnley. Say what you will about the man. Say that he only scored against teams like Wolves (I don't recall anybody else for us scoring on that day). Say that he isn't as good as he thinks he is. The bottom line is, he's 22 years old and going to the World Cup as his country's No. 1 striker. I don't know what Chamakh's arrival does for Bendtner, but this is not a player you give up on.

- Eduardo - I don't want to bring back bad memories, but to me, it's clear that Martin Taylor effectively ended Eduardo's days of elite form. When he came back, he scored an outrageous goal with his ankle. That could only have given us Gooners hope that he would come back as strong as ever. But do you know what I see? I see a player who doesn't have the confidence he once had, and a player who is afraid when he is on the pitch. He doesn't strike through the ball when he knows an opposition player is near. I'm not saying it's actively on his brain, but it's playing a part regardless. I feel for Eduardo. I want him to come back and be the marksman he was with Zagreb. But being cutthroat, I think his days may be numbered. Between the "new" Eduardo and the frustrating Carlos Vela, I'd have to choose the latter if given a choice for the future.

- Carlos Vela - That's not to suggest that I'm pleased with Vela at all. This boy has talent in abundance. That is clear to anybody who watched the U-17 Championships that he participated in and won the Golden Boot in. It's clear to anybody who's seen all the beautiful goals he scored in the Carling Cup. But take that out of the equation and examine his performances in the Premier League and what do you see? He's missed a few sitters. He's hardly made an impact. He's not been what Wenger thought he would be. This is a player who terrorized Real Madrid when he played for Osasuna. Instead, he missed the biggest game of his life because he misplaced his passport. He's scored more beautiful chips than sitters. I thought he could provide an impact, but maybe it's our formation that's not bringing out the best in him. But, I need to see something before I can judge that. When he plays for Mexico, he is an influential player. He needs to show something next year, or he'll be sold for a nice fee to a La Liga club very soon.

- Andrey Arshavin - Labelled by a disappointment this year by many, he's had the odd distinction of being better immediately on arrival than after the crucial six month adaptation process. I think most people are disappointed because they expect world class performances from Arshavin in every game. That's a legitimate thing to ask since he is world class when he wants to be. When going against a defender like Jonathan Spector, Arshavin should shred him at every opportunity. It just doesn't happen as frequently as we'd like. But, he had 10 goals and 2 assists in the Premier League this year, along with 7 assists in Europe, so he wasn't exactly worthless. His performance against Porto in the second leg was one of the best by any Arsenal player this year. I also have the suspicion that he was injured for most of the year, not in a crucial way, but enough to make a difference. Like his openness or not, he revealed things about the Arsenal medical staff that must be addressed. We've lost two crucial medical members to Fabio Capello and England. It's too early to label him a permanent disappointment, and if Cesc leaves, he'll be one of the player we need to rely on the most.

- One thing needs to be pointed out about this review. Notice how there are only five players listed. Yes, Theo, Nasri, and Rosicky have all played on the wings. I think it's clear though that we need wingers and forwards, especially considering that two of the five are injury risks. People used to chastise Wenger for stockpiling strikers. All of a sudden, on paper, we don't have enough. That needs to be addressed.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

If You Spend Too Much Time in Bolton, You Start to Look Like the Locals

Jack Wilshire wants regular first team football next season with a Premiership club.

Bolton are offering him such a wish.

Arsenal are looking for a centre-back - preferably an English one due to UEFA's home grown player rule, which only affects clubs playing in the Champions or Europa Leagues.

Bolton have Gary Cahill - an Aston Villa cast-off who failed to make the England World Cup squad. This lowers his price in the transfer market.

But what's the going rate?

Chris Smalling, who has only played 13 times for Fulham and four times for the England Under-21's, cost Manchester United 8 million pounds plus a further 2 million depending on appearances for United and England.

Smalling is 20, while Cahill is 24 and only has one England Under 21 cap but over 80 Premiership appearances.

Understandably, Bolton do not want to lose their best defender, just like Arsenal don't want to sell Cesc Fabregas. Sometimes you just have accept defeat and try to get the best compensation package from the resulting transfer.

The possible key to the Cahill transfer is if Arsenal loan Jack Wilshire to Bolton for another season.

The Gunners are in danger of losing their creative midfielders with Fran Merida signing for Athletico Madrid, Fabregas wanting to sign for Barcelona and Aaron Ramsey eight months away from a possible first team action.

If Fabregas leaves then his departure will leave Arsenal with only three attacking central midfielders:

Nasri, Rosicky and Diaby.

Arshavin could play in that role but his tracking back and marking-up are weak, while Rosicky is too injury prone and lightweight, especially in away games.

The other two players whom I failed to mention are Henri Lansbury - who has just spent a season on loan in the Championship with Watford - and Jay Emmanuel Thomas (JET). However, even though Arsenal rate both players highly, they're both inexperienced at the Premiership level and will probably only be used as Carling/FA Cup players or sent out on loan again.

Wilshire is seen as a better fit for the attacking central midfield role. He has an eye for a through ball, he likes to "get stuck in" and has shown with Bolton that he can take the physical demands of the Premiership.

If Fabregas stays at Arsenal, then the Cahill deal looks likely with Wilshire heading off to the Reebok Stadium. If he leaves, then Wilshire will probably stay and fight for his first team place. But Wilshire will demand to be loaned out - Newcastle also want him - unless Wenger can give him first team guarantees.

The centre-back position is now a game of poker. Four senior centre-backs are out of contract in a month. Silvestre and Senderos have not been offered new contracts. Campbell and Gallas have, although the latter will probably reject it. This leaves Vermaelen and Djourou as Arsenal's two most experienced centre-backs. This helps Gallas and Campbell's hand with both players wanting better contracts.

Campbell is now considering a move to Celtic who have offered him a two year contract. However, Campbell would rather stay another year at Arsenal but wants guarantees of more playing time and better bonuses. If Campbell and Gallas both leave then Bolton have the upper hand at the negotiating table regarding Cahill. Wenger, therefore, might decide to go abroad in order to obtain his centre-backs and thus retain Wilshire. It's interesting that Newcastle are offering Stuart Taylor as bait for Wilshire.

The signing of Chamakh has helped Wenger's hand in the strikers department. Wenger tried to sign the Moroccan last summer to replace Adebayor. Both players have a lot of similarities in playing style but Chamakh is a cross between Bendtner and Adebayor. Bendtner showed against Barcelona that he's not world class - even though he thinks that he is. His ego is big and it's not just due to the young Dane wearing pink boots or insisting on having the No. 52 shirt.

In Denmark, Bendtner is a huge celebrity due to his romance with multi millionaire Danish Princess, Caroline Fleming who is 13 years his senior. She has two children aged six and three from her previous marriage which netted her 400 million pounds. Bendtner often stays at her Valdemars Castle, which has four museums and 21 art galleries within its walls. The Danish striker is madly in love and will not be happy unless he starts as Arsenal's central striker. Being a sub and sleeping in Valdemars Castle don't quite match up.

What doesn't help Arsenal with regards to Bendtner is that his dad is his agent, plus he's Denmark's only goal threat in Group E where they will face Japan, Holland and Cameroon. If Bendtner has a good World Cup, his ego will grow, thus hiding weaknesses in his game. His first touch is poor - not as good as Chamakh's - and his chances to goals ratio is average.

The truth is that Chamakh is a better more experienced player than Bendtner and also has less of an ego. The fact that he has played six seasons in Le Championnat and is fluent in French will help him fit in faster. He is currently looking to buy a house in the Hampstead area, and with Morocco not involved in the World Cup, he has nothing to distract his move.

Bendtner is useful. He scored vital goals when Van Persie was injured. He's also getting better but I see danger signs. It wouldn't surprise me if he demands a move next summer. However, I can only see Aston Villa or Everton coming in for him unless he improves dramatically. If he does improve than a club like Bayern Munich would fit his style and suit his ego.

But dating a Princess doesn't make you a King, while scoring against Stoke, Wolves and Hull doesn't suddenly turn you into Michael Laudrup.

Keep it real, Niklas.

Keep it Arsenal

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Reviewing the Midfield

- Cesc Fabregas - Our captain. He apparently wants out of Arsenal, and the last month of the season is probably the reason why. The 4-3-3 formation was installed to get the best out of our Catalan. That's precisely what it did. Cesc delivered with goals and assists. His injury situation meant that he missed crucial stretches, but nobody can forget his thrilling cameo against Aston Villa and inspirational 2nd half against pompous Barcelona. I can understand why he wants out. In all of his years, he's only won an FA Cup and a Community Shield. Meanwhile, everybody whispering in his ear are winning trophies. I think he should stay, but if he really wants out and Barcelona are willing to pay more than they're willing to, then he'll depart. He'll be fondly remembered by me when he does, but his Arsenal career will remain slightly lacking (even if that's not his fault).

- Aaron Ramsey - It seemed as though whenever Ramsey was gifted an appearance with the first choice XI, he failed to impress. He was alright in patches, but he failed to impose himself in any way. He started to deliver on his promise in Carling Cup matches and international appearances with Wales. With Denilson regressing, he was given the opportunity to start alongside Cesc and started to come into his own. He remains very young and is one of the most promising prospects in British football. It's a great tragedy that Shawcross broke his leg and derailed his career for six to eight months. If Cesc leaves, I could see Ramsey becoming an important player for Arsenal in the next two to three years.

- Abou Diaby - This guy is an enigma to me. At times, he's a dominating midfielder who has silky control of the ball. Other times, he's injured, ineffective, or absent. He's made the France World Cup squad though, so this season will be seen as a positive one by some. I would strongly suggest that he faded during the close of the season in a way that was extremely disconcerting. I thought that he could make a vital difference against Barcelona. I was dead wrong. We know all about Diaby's strengths; I'm not sure we know anything about his heart. He should punish the opposition by dribbling forward with power and tackling with precision. I have the distinct feeling that he can only do that against weaker opposition. He has the talent; does he have the willpower?

- Samir Nasri - He missed the early part of the season through injury and has just missed out on a spot in the France national team. Does he belong on the squad more than Diaby does? If you start from scratch, yes. If you look at the needs of the France team, maybe not. Regardless, if the decision was made before the Barcelona match, he would have made the squad. Again, another player who came up short in the period that mattered the most. Often shunted to the wing, his play there has often suggested that we may actually need to sign more offensive players, namely strikers and wingers. He plays better centrally (as every gifted player does due to a wider space to play in), but when he was handed the keys after Cesc's injury, the machine did not run smoothly enough. He may be given that role permanently if Cesc departs, but he's more of a foil player. To be fair, he hasn't been played in a central midfield role alongside a player like Cesc, and that is where he might perform best. On the wing, I'm not certain he provides anything more than good link-up play.

- Theo Walcott - On the plus side, it looks like he'll make a nice living as a writer of children's books. On the negative, he hasn't improved at all. He's brittle, doesn't cross particularly well, and fades during matches. Despite all this, I still feel as though we could fetch 15 million pounds for him if we sold him. I might be delusional, but if he's effective in the World Cup, somebody may take that chance. That would result in a 6 million pound profit. He still retains electric pace and can make decent enough runs. The problem is, there are large stretches where you don't see him on the pitch at all. He's not like Ivica Olic, where he doesn't have to touch the ball as much to be effective. He needs to learn how to stay in games, be alert, distribute efficiently, and be spontaneous. A good World Cup can only help, but he has a long way to go before doing the number on his back any justice.

- Alex Song - He's a favorite of ours and a reminder that you should never completely write off a player that Wenger has faith in. Before the season, Wenger suggested he didn't have the stamina to play in central midfield. Clearly, that was just a motivational jab at Song. Alex Song never backs down, either from Craig Bellamy or Adebayor. He is one of the few players, alongside Nasri, who will stand up for players on our team. He was just as good after the ACN as well. He's one of the first names on Wenger's starting XI. He's two more consistent seasons away from being legitimately world class.

- Denilson - Unlike Song, Denilson has regressed. He was one of the most underrated players two seasons ago; he never looked comfortable during this season. For one, he was playing in a 4-3-3 system in which his old self might have been better suited to. He should have had the opportunity to be creative and tidy. What it resulted in was goals from distance and a lot of sideways passing. For Denilson to play alongside Song and Cesc effectively, he needs to be more of an offensive threat. If he's not doing that, he'll just be embarrassed when trying to track back against Wayne Rooney. Like the others, he is still young, but his star no longer burns as bright. He can be an intelligent distributor, but with his back being a problem as well, he's a question mark.

- Tomas Rosicky - The fact that he played as much as he did should be considered a victory. That being said, he approached nowhere near his old form. When dribbling forward with the ball, Rosicky is a thing of beauty. His willingness to take shots from outside is a plus. Despite the fact that we don't shoot from outside of the box too often, we've actually scored the most goals from distance. Does that mean we take an appropriate amount or that we should take more? Rosicky was earmarked as a No. 10 type player. Because of his frequent injuries, teams should not be built around him. He can pass, he has a decent shot, and he's intelligent. But too often, he's also a non-factor. To be fair, he's just come off from a lengthy injury, so anything we get out of him is a bonus.

- Jack Wilshere - He didn't get many games for the Arsenal First Team. When playing with us, he still seemed a bit frail, but he has some bite to him. A loan move to Bolton under Owen Coyle was probably the best thing for his development. After a few games, Bolton bloggers wondered whether he was actually any good. Now, Coyle is begging us to let him stay. I'm not certain that he'll be ready for the first team, so if a loan gives us a discount on Gary Cahill, then I think another year with Bolton might get him very close to earning a spot near the First Team.

- Fran Merida - He's officially off the Atletico Madrid. The new "Cesc" leaves just as the real Cesc looks to leave. He's had flashes here and there, but we can't make any definitive judgments about this guy. He has a good left foot and is a good signing for Atletico Madrid. Wenger wanted to tie him down to a five year contract. That means he rated him very highly.

- Craig Eastmond - A surprise addition to our midfield this year. It's interesting that he's usurped Coquelin in the queue (Francis is being groomed at RB now), and he's shown promise. For now though, he's not strong enough and can't really last a full 90. His hard work has resulted in Premier League and Champions League appearances. He's being brought up in the right way.

Monday, May 24, 2010

Get Your Tits Out For the Lads


So I come home from work and turn on the TV to Fox Soccer Channel. On the screen is Sky Sports Andy Gray sitting on a bar stool with Eric Wynalda and that bald, fat, know-nothing, ex-pat Nick Webster. All three are sitting inside the New York bar Nevada Smiths.

Five minutes of watching them talk about a variety of topics, the camera switches to a brunette bimbo with a microphone called Temris Lane. She's standing next to a white mid 30's English woman who has seen better days.

Her name is Miss Manc from Manchester.

Miss Manc question is related to Manchester United. It was a redundantly boring question.

Miss Manc is a Nevada Smiths regular. She's been a regular there for nearly 10 years. I first saw Miss Manc when she was standing on top of the bar showing her small breasts to all and sundry. She was notorious for downing pints and acting like a "lad". It seems she hasn't changed - except that she's well past her sell by date.

More questions came from the Nevada Smiths crowd. Stale, English ex-pats who thought they were Lord of the Manor asked cloying questions about Chelsea and England to Andy Gray. As questions were being answered by Andy and his crew, the Nevada crowd tried to sing lame football chants or shove club scarves and shirts into view of the camera. It was pathetic.

Nevada's has gone down in my estimation. It's now a bar riding on it's reputation.

While some of Nevada's patrons need to grow up, Fox Soccer Channel needs show a bit more class by hosting a soccer show in a better establishment. They're equally as embarrassing as drunks like Miss Manc. They will never gain kudos until they change tact.

Cunts of the Season - Stoke City Fans

After the sickening Aaron Ramsey injury back in March, some Stoke fans chanted:

"He's Only Got One Leg."

This was chanted both in the Brittania Stadium and outside with some Stoke fans shouting "Buy Him a Parrot," "Peg Leg Ramsey" and "I Hope he Never Plays Again."

On the football phone-ins that same night, some Stoke fans called into BBC Radio 5 Live and said that the sooner Arsenal "get lost from the Premiership and have a game of tickling with Barcelona the better." Another caller from Stoke was more forward calling the huddle by the Arsenal players at the end of the match "gay" and claimed that Arsenal were "Kings of being the victims."

I hope that Stoke City get relegated next season.

England 3-1 Mexico

This game confirmed what we already know:

1) England will not win the World Cup but the hype surrounding them will make you think that they will.

2) England are still a set piece team. That's how they will score in South Africa.

3) England are efficient but very dull.

4) Theo Walcott can't cross. Look at Wayne Rooney's body language after another cross by Theo goes nowhere. You can tell Rooney doesn't rate him.

5) James Milner is over-hyped and out of his depth when it comes to England.

Keep it Arsenal

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Post Match View - F.C. Bayern München v F.C. Internazionale Milano UEFA Champions League Final


First, Jose Mourinho is the dog's balls. Many people have expressed their dislike for the man without acknowledging his prowess. The man gets it done. End of!

I salute Jose Mourinho. I hate Inter but I can salute Jose Mourinho. He will probably remind the entire world that he is "the special one" but he has the right to do so. He is amongst those with special abilities, those with license to be boastful if they wish to be.

A few notes on the match:

Samuel Eto'o deferred to the clinical Milito. Milito won Inter the cup. Take that Ibra!
Wesley Sneijder is a fantastic player. If Mr. Arsenal leaves...
Julio Cesar is the kind of keeper Arsenal MUST sign. Class!
Maicon was pretty quiet.
Van Buyten is rubbish.
Walter Samuel has been born again. He was quietly effective.
Demichelis and Samuel could be Diego's answer at the back.
Bayern could have used Franck. Robben huffed and puffed but was not enough.
Possession was in Bayern's favor by quite a bit but Inter play a very sound tactical game.
Zanetti deserves the medal more than anyone else.
Mark van Bommel is a dirty cunt.

I hate Real Madrid so much I almost wish Barcelona had reached the final and won at the Bernabeu. Too bad Marco Materazzi didn't catch a rare disease days before the final. What a despicable human being!

It was nice to see Balotelli and Mourinho hug after the match. It was good to see Lucio win the cup. The pre-match program was well choreographed.

I want Arsenal to win something so baldy that it hurts to think about it.

Keep the Faith.

Friday, May 21, 2010

Three C's

- Chamakh. He's now officially an Arsenal player. He'll provided needed depth in our forward line. Chamakh was one of the best players in Ligue 1, and that's not a backhanded compliment. From what I've seen, he's a bit of a link player as well. Granted, his strength is his post play and his leap, but he can play a passing game as well. That may end up being very important for us. I thought one of our crucial flaws last season was the fact that we had nobody who could replace Robin van Persie in our system. I'm not suggesting that Chamakh is a false nine, but he's probably a better fit for it than Arshavin was.

- Cesc. If Cesc wants to leave, fine. He can go. But as one of the biggest clubs in the world, we cannot settle for less than 45 million pounds in a summer where James Milner may be sold for 30 million pounds. I don't know what kind of position Barcelona think they have, but it's very weak. All they have is Cesc's desire. It's a good starting point, but they have nothing else. Xavi and Laporta can whine all they want to the press. They have no power. Cesc has four more years, and that's really the bottom line. Barcelona are 400 million euros in debt. They spent nearly a fifth of that money on Zlatan Ibrahimovic, jettisoning Eto'o (a true warrior and winner) in the process, and Dimytro Chrygrynsky. Not very wise moves, you can conclude. They want to include Hleb as part of a swap deal? Are these jokers kidding?

This whole situation kinda reminds me of when Kobe demanded to be traded from the Lakers. Kobe had only a few teams he wanted to be traded to, and he could veto any trade. On the other hand, the Lakers were only going to trade him if they got a king's ransom for him. Eventually, the Lakers front office held firm, a young player developed into a key player (Bynum), the team stepped up, and then traded for Pau Gasol. After a run to the NBA Finals, the trade demand was rescinded and it looks like Kobe will finish his career as a Laker. Looking at that, we can view Cesc's desire in another way. It's a wake up call. It's time to see more consistency from our players. It's time to see Wenger splash the cash he now says he has. Cesc will not take it as far as sulking on a bench if he doesn't get his transfer to Barcelona. Wenger will have the opportunity to show Cesc that we will win trophies. But let's make it clear, no player is bigger than the club.

- Champions League Final. I predicted that Inter would knock out Chelsea and Barcelona. I cannot confidently say that they'll beat Bayern. In fact, I think Bayern will edge it on penalties after they finish 1-1. I just feel as though there's not much between the two sides, and as Wenger has pointed out, Bayern is "scoring goals for fun". Keep in mind that Howard Webb is the referee. That means English style refereeing, and that probably favors Mourinho.

Master vs. Pupil. Sneijder and Robben, the Real Madrid rejects. Eto'o's redemption. The underrated Olic. The Black Italian. Wingers. This game is well worth watching.

There are 2 Sides to Barca - When it Comes to Transfers, They're Cheap and Ugly

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Should I Stay or Should I Go?


I've seen this before. Patrick Vieira was rumoured to be leaving for Real Madrid each summer of his peak years at Arsenal. It used to bother me to no end. I had to learn to cope with it.

After Patrick left, it was Thierrence's turn. The rumour machine works overtime. I have dealt with it.

Once Henry had left for Barcelona, the (ever imminent) return of Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona became the new bane for the Arsenal faithful. This week has seen headline after headline claim everything from Cesc showdown talks with the manager to mention of Mr. Arsenal in the past tense. The machine has activated the turbo booster. I can deal with it.

There is something that I haven't done in a while. "Five Things" to be exact! It is most appropriate today.

Five Things I Would Never Do:

1 - Worry about links and rumours
2 - Fear that a player cannot be replaced
3 - Keep a player who wants out
4 - Lose sleep over things I don't control
5 - Read a fucking Spurs blog

If Cesc does leave for Barcelona, we will make a hefty profit. I would imagine that there might be a player or two in return as well. An Eto'o/Ibrahimovich/large sum of money type deal would be the minimum requirement. Nonetheless, even if he stays we need to bring in more than just a few new faces in my opinion.

I no longer trust certain players at Arsenal to deliver. They've had time. We cannot afford to wait any longer.

I said five years ago that we were on a four year rebuilding plan. Last summer I called the season just passed the most important in the careers of many players. It has also been the most important for the club since 2006, when we nearly missed out on CL qualification.

Cesc was key to that four year plan. Perhaps more than anybody else. Another four years could see him finally help us win something but let's be clear, the plan has not been successful. Vieira, as hated a figure as he'd become for some fans toward the end of his Arsenal years, and Henry, as resented as he was by some fans, both won things. I would prefer if Cesc stayed and gave it another go. He might be in the best position to force Arsene to buy the players "we think we need".

Keep the Faith.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

If Cesc Goes, it's Robin

If the reports circulating today are true (and that's a big if), Cesc will leave Arsenal for Barcelona. I would like to put emphasis on the word "leave". It needs to be used in place of "sold".

Cesc has stepped up to the plate this year and has actually led like a fine captain. If he leaves, I expect Robin van Persie to be the next captain of Arsenal.

Monday, May 17, 2010

Only the Top Players Can Hang


Theo Walcott has two assists and three goals this season. Not good enough for a man that played 23 times as an attacking midfielder and cost Arsenal 12 million pounds. For that amount of money, Arsenal could have bought a top keeper.

Then we have Harvard Nordtveit. He cost Arsenal over two million pounds back in January 2007 and was meant to be the best young centre-back in Europe. Well he's not.

Nordtveit has just spent a season on loan at German Bundesliga side Nurnberg - the German equivalent to Burnley. For the past three months he has failed to get into their first team and has only started 14 games out of 34.

Before his loan spell at Nurnberg, Nordtveit played at U.D. Salamanca in Spain's Segunda Division. After three appearances they released him.

Nordtveit did have a successful loan spell last summer playing for Lillestrom in the Norwegian Tippeligaen, which indicates that he's more comfortable playing in his home country than abroad.

Apparently, Nordtveit started well at Nurnberg. Under then head coach Michael Oenning he started every game. However, Oenning was fired last Christmas and his replacement Dieter Hecking has not played Nordtveit except for the odd appearance as a substitute.

According to reports from Germany, Nordtveit has been poor. This could be due to the fact that he's been played out of position while at Nurnberg. Instead of playing as a centre-back, the young Norweigan has been used as a defensive midfielder a position that he's struggled with. Nordtveit doesn't read the game well as a defensive midfielder, his positioning is also poor and he fails to break up attacks by the opposition.

Nordveit was also voted one of the 10 worst players in the Bundesliga in the first half of the German season. I watched him play against FC Freiburg a game that Nurnberg lost 1-0 and he was really poor. His passing was off, he looked lightweight and he didn't seem to want the ball.

I will be very surprised if Havard Nordtveit plays for Arsenal next season.

Then there's the left-back Pedro Botelho who was signed by Arsenal at the same time as Nordtveit. Due to work permit restrictions, Botelho was immediately loaned out to Spanish side U.D. Salamanca where he enjoyed a relatively successful season making 37 appearances. He was due to play another season for the Segunda Division side when he was caught having sex with the Chairman's daughter so instead he was loaned out to Celta Vigo.

Arsenal had high hopes for the Brazilian Botelho. The attacking full-back was seen as the next Roberto Carlos. However, recent reports from Spain say that he has fallen out with head coach Eusebio Sacristan after he was substituted and acted in a very petulant manner. Celta Vigo don't want him back next season and Arsenal cannot obtain a work permit for him until he has completed three seasons on loan in Spain. Besides his poor attitude, his form seems to have dipped as his party lifestyle takes a front seat. His defending has been average to poor and scouts say that he's not as good as Gibbs or Traore.

So much for potential.

Keep it Arsenal

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Buy a Keeper To Keep the Faithful Happy

Where Are We Going?


The worst part about being where we are today is that our aura has vanished. It has eroded to the point where teams no longer fear playing against us. We used to go into matches with an advantage because they knew that they would struggle to keep up with us.

Teams knew we could score goals early and shorten the game. Our most recent profile has shown a squad with no more than three or four top level players. Cesc is all-world. Alex Song will have to repeat what we've seen this past season but he is a very, very good player. Robin is arguably as good as the Drogbas and the Rooneys but only if/when he stays injury free.

Andrei Arshavin is a world-class player in under-achieving mode. What has he done of major significance since saving us from dropping out of the top four a couple seasons ago? I am very disappointed in him. It's fair to have expected loads more.

Thomas Vermaelen is another player I rate and who could probably walk straight into most teams, in any league, in any country. The problem there is that we will likely lose his under-appreciated, much maligned partner William Gallas. In a world where top quality CBs are few, we need a player of Gallas's ability. And for the record, I don't see any good reason for Samir Nasri to report that he and others don't speak to Gallas. What is the point?

Sadly, our current squad is comprised of too many players who have either proven nothing, or are running out of time to do so. Some might argue that they've had enough time, no matter what their age. The fact remains that we risk being left behind by the clubs above us and one or two below us with designs on moving into the top tier of English football.

That fucking Spurs have got as close to us as they have should be enough to send Arsene on a major shopping spree. We need reinforcements if not replacements, 8:25 rule notwithstanding. I know we have come close, within a few weeks and maybe a player or two from winning but let's be clear, our players' abilities in aggregate do not match our ambition or our stature.

It's time to fix that. Remove the dead weight. I call for players good enough to push or replace the under-achievers and those who are not up to it. When the player behind you is just above average or a teen who has proved nothing, it doesn't make you better. Fabianski cannot make the current no. 1 better. We've lacked proper competition for places. I know it's been a struggle financially but I am reading regularly that we have money to buy the players "we think we need".

We are a world class football club. The team is a mainstay in the Champions League. We have an A1 stadium that Brazil calls its home away from home. Our global reach and influence is surpassed by few. These are remarkable achivements that signal a commitment to excellence. We have an exceptional if not legendary manager. We are one of the most valued sports organizations in the world.

That excellence must be transferred to the quality of players who make up Arsenal Football Club. The nursery phase is over. Men must separate themselves from boys.

Another trophyless season will be the result if we do not address all of our weaknesses, not to mention the calls for Wenger to be replaced. We are well and truly at a crossroads. How we respond this close season and in the year to follow will shape not just an era but the club's future.

Keep the Faith.

Friday, May 14, 2010

Reviewing the Defence

- Manuel Almunia - I remember vividly after we had gone up 1-0 against Chelsea two years ago. Bacary Sagna had just scored his first goal for us off a corner. Then, a frequent visitor to the pub I go to said these words, "I feel safe with Almunia." I've never felt safe with Manuel. Ever. At the start of the second half of the Barcelona first leg, he looked like he was going to vomit. Why did he look that way? He had just pulled off a string of saves and the score was incredibly 0-0. Well, soon after, he proved exactly what he is, a shot-stopper and nothing more. He looked the same way before the Roma penalty shootout from last year. Almunia didn't save any penalties, they just missed. It would be foolish to suggest that Jens was flawless as the Arsenal No. 1, but at least he had the demeanor of a No. 1. Almunia was a project, one with very little hype or potential. Imagine if Amaury Bischoff ended up a member of our first choice XI and that's essentially what Almunia is. A nightmare, and one that must be terminated soon.

- Lukasz Fabianski - It is easy to call him a clown. That is easily justifiable. You might call him a bargain basement keeper as well, but here's where I disagree a bit. I've documented before that Wenger thinks highly of Fabianski. He's committed enough errors for Wenger to wave goodbye to him, but something tells me that's not going to happen. The summer we signed Fabianski, we were linked to many keepers and Wenger chose him. He was signed for 3 million euros and a friendly match to be arranged later. At this point, if he turned it around, it would be amongst the most incredible turnarounds in Wenger's history. I don't want to see it even attempted next year. If we had a decent goalkeeper, and I stress the word "decent", we would have won the Premier League. Unfortunately, that is on Arsene nearly as much as it is on Almunia and Fabianski.

- Vito Mannone - He delivered a brilliant performance against Fulham and then showed his years in the subsequent performances. He's raw. He signed a long-term extension, but he doesn't impress me much. I give him credit for having the hunger, but he's the most un-Italian goalkeeper I've seen. I've yet to make a definitive judgment on him.

- Bacary Sagna - He's steady. He's never tipped as the man of the match. He's rarely burned by players. He's an adequate player who hasn't reached the heights of his first year with us. I thought he might have been our player of the year that first season, but for whatever reason, he's failed to find that form.

- Emmanuel Eboue - Once a figure of hate, now he's a lovable fixture. Let's not mistake what he is though, he's a useful squad player. He can be used to solidify a defense or as a blunt, direct weapon. On his day, he's very effective at attacking teams with his forward momentum. When he's left to think about what he should do with the ball though, he struggles. He's a good guy to have around because the players love being around this guy. He's a joy. Not essential to the team, but very useful.

- Gael Clichy - I think he may be sold over the summer. Arsenal have three left backs waiting in the wings. He's coming back from a back injury, and those types of injuries never really heal properly. When he came back, he was torched so often that Martin O'Neill called him a joke. Slowly though, he's steadied out and he has been one of our best performers in the last month (which is not really much of a compliment). I can remember at least a handful of goals where he was the direct contributor to. I used to love this guy, but he no longer looks likely to eclipse Ashley Cole as a player. If we could get 10 million euros for him, that would be a good price.

- Kieran Gibbs - Some are unsure of his ability to be our starting left-back. I need to see more, but when he was on the pitch this year, he seemed to neutralize the opposition's right wing quite frequently. He's a better crosser of the ball than Clichy. He has mental strength, seeing how the United Champions League fixture could have severely damaged his career. I like this kid.

- Armand Traore - I admire his professionalism, but that doesn't seem to translate to the football pitch. We can deal with errors, as long as we see real improvement and an attempt to get better. He has speed, a strong left foot, and not much else at this point. He's flimsy and unless he watches some defensive tapes, he's not going to make it with Arsenal. He could be sold to a French club and turn into the D-grade version of Marcelo.

- Mikael Silvestre - I'm sure he's a positive influence in that locker room. But that is as far as it goes. Every time he scores a goal, something disastrous seems to happen (look at the Tottenham 4-4 draw last year and the Wigan match this year). He needs a string of games to approach anything near his best form, and he doesn't get that, so when he does play, he's often exposed. The fact that every back pass he makes is lightly weighted frightens me. This was a gamble that truly did not pay off. He's gone.

- Sol Campbell - I was not a big fan of Sol Campbell after he walked out of our club. He has restored his legacy at Arsenal, but let's be clear, he cannot be anything more than a 4th choice defender for this club. His mountain frame and surprisingly fast pace helps him out, but near the end of his run this term, I saw the chinks in his armor. One of these days, one of his last ditch tackles is going to result in a red card and a penalty. That's a sign that a defender is desperate. He'll be an awesome influence on our squad, and as a 4th choice defender, he'll be of more value than Silvestre was.

- Thomas Vermaelen - Tony Adams was wrong. Vermaelen was in every pundit's team of the season list. Along with his defensive prowess, he chipped in with some beautiful goals. He's angry when we concede. He's professional when a ref approaches him. This is what you get when you pay 10 million euros for a player. This is what you get when you buy a defender who was the captain for Ajax at a young age. This is what you get when you scout a player for two years. Vermaelen could be a future captain for Arsenal.

- Johan Djourou - An incomplete grade. It was revealed recently that Wenger told him that he let Kolo go so that Djourou could play. It's been written that Djourou was a player who was supposed to be kept secret from the entire world, that's how much Wenger rates him. He has the physical tools (not necessarily the strength), but it's yet to be seen if Wenger's faith is justified. He looks like he'll get an opportunity though. One can only hope he's not like his Swiss compatriot, Swiss Tony. Senderos looked the part, but he lacked the heart and the intelligence to be an elite defender.

- William Gallas - It looks like he'll no longer be an Arsenal player. That's a shame because he produced some of his best form this year. At this point though, he is also an injury prone player (the same can easily be said of Robin van Persie though). He does not have any special attachment to Arsenal, and that's not meant to sound like an insult. I mean this in the best possible way, William Gallas is a professional footballer. That may make it sound like I'm calling him a mercenary, but that's not what he is. He truly did care about winning more than anything else. For those that suggest he didn't play because he didn't want to mess up a potential contract, look no further than the Barcelona first leg. He crocked himself because he wanted to play on the grand stage so badly. His loss was as big a reason in our failure as anybody else. I will miss him, but the team may not miss him. Nasri revealed today that five players at Arsenal don't talk to Gallas. He didn't mean to suggest that they hate him, it's just a generational difference. Whether they know it or not, Gallas was one of the finest defenders to suit up for Arsenal during Wenger's regime. It's too bad that too often injuries and petty squabbles came to define much of his spell. I hope he recovers in time to make the World Cup squad and play well for France. I wish him well.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

The 60 Million Pound Final


This weekend is the FA Cup final. The final is already being promoted as a fairytale clash between the Premiership champions and last placed Portsmouth - who are 135 million pounds in debt. For me the FA Cup final is a foregone conclusion. Chelsea will win it and claim their first domestic double. Portsmouth will start next season in the Championship and will inevitably struggle not to get relegated again.

The more interesting game that will take place at Wembley is the Championship Play-Off final between Cardiff City and Blackpool. Neither club has ever played Premiership football and at the start of the season no-one would have predicted that either club would be on the verge of doing so.

Blackpool is England's equivalent to the New Jersey shore - but a lot worse. It has terrible hotels and guest houses. The restaurants are dank, the clubs are crass, the weather is dreary and the food is awful. It's where the northern Chavs of Britain go to get laid or have their Stag Night. Add the Blackpool Tower, an old roller-coaster, a Ferris Wheel and a sandy beach and you've got the Holiday Hellhole of England.

Blackpool used to be a powerhouse in English football. Back in the late 1940's and early 1950's - when Britain still considered itself a world power - Blackpool appeared in six FA Cup finals - winners in 1953 - and came close to being League Champions on several occasions. They also supplied the England national team with several players during that time including Stanley Matthews. However, Blackpool haven't played in England's top division since 1971 and until today have never looked likely to.

Blackpool playing in the Premiership is still unthinkable. Back in 2007 they were playing in Division One where they won automatic promotion to the Championship with current Leeds boss Simon Grayson. The 2007/08 season was the first time Blackpool had played in the second tier of English football for 29 years.

Blackpool has been run by the Oyston family since 1987 when property tycoon Owen Oyston bought a majority share in the club after selling his real estate business for 37 million pounds. In May 1996, Oyston was convicted of rape and given a six year sentence. In his absence, his son Karl was appointed Chairman and still holds that position today.

Blackpool have an average attendance of 8,000 with a ground capacity of 12,555 but they are redeveloping their Bloomfield Road ground to 16,000. Rumors persist that their redevelopment will not be ready in time for the start of the new Premiership season and that Blackpool will have to play their home games at Bolton's Reebok stadium. This is also due to problems with their floodlights and small press facilities.

Cardiff City have no such problems with their new stadium. Opened in July 2009 at a cost of 48 million pounds and with a capacity of nearly 27,000 it is regarded as one of the best stadiums in the Championship. The downside about their stadium is that they share it with Cardiff Rugby League Club, making the pitch bumpy in the latter stages of the season.

Cardiff will be favorites going into the Play-Off Final. Last season, they only just missed out on the play-offs and played in the 2008 FA Cup final losing 1-0 to Portsmouth. Cardiff were last in the top flight back in 1962.

Earlier this year, Cardiff faced a winding up order at the High Court for an unpaid 2.7 million pounds tax bill. The club are still in debt and badly need the 60 million pounds gained from winning the Play-Off final.

That's what is at stake in this final - 60 million pounds.

It's all or nothing, do or die and makes you grateful that Arsenal never have to worry about this kind of headache.

Keep it Arsenal

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Post Season View - Arsenal F.C. 2009-10 Pt. 2


Some have asked if Arsene Wenger is a miracle worker or just a stubborn fool. Considering his ability to reap financial rewards from top four finishes and to manage CL qualification year after year, he might be the former because he spends so little in the transfer market. Considering his general unwillingness to invest in proven players - in a proper goalkeeper in particular - he might be guilty of the latter. It depends on your perspective.

Regardless of your (or my) opinion of Arsene, it's quite clear that we have players at Arsenal who have not cut it. As my colleague has pointed out, transfers will be greatly affected by the UEFA squad requirements that go into effect next term. Nonetheless, if we are to finally win something, a frank and candid statement must be made about current personnel.

Last summer I detailed what I wanted from certain players this past season. I felt that those particular players owed us. Below are those requirements. Let's see who has met them. Let's see who has paid their debt.

Summer 2009: Cesc - Be the player you've shown you can be.
2009-10 season: Jackpot! Enter the new Mr. Arsenal.

Gael Clichy - Stop the mental lapses.
It wasn't until the final few matches of the season that our LB began to show signs of the player we once knew.

Johan Djourou - Make Kolo, Gallas, and Vermaelen fight it out.
You weren't even ready. The swelling in your knee was far more serious than first thought.

Vassiriki Abou Diaby - Dominate the center of the park.
Improved but still prone to frustrating performances, leaving questions about his true ability.

Theo Walcott - Justify the fee please. Decision making must improve.
I'm still waiting. I am not convinced that we've invested wisely in this kid. Christopher Eagles outplayed Theo at Turf Moor.WTF!

Niklas Bendtner - Finish your chances. Make me forget about Luis Fabiano.
Not as prolific as I would like but certainly did his share when he was fit.

Bakary Sagna - Be the best RB in the EPL again.
Not back to the standards of his first season but certainly better than his second.

Denilson - Add more goals and assists to your nice stats.
The stats weren't going to save him this season. He has regressed, despite a few shining moments and some fine long range goals.

The first choice keeper - Be unbeatable.
Begone.

Robin van Persie - World player of the year.
Injured again. Robin has not played an injury free season as a first choice player at Arsenal.

The expectations were high in many cases but we must strive for excellence if we are to win trophies. I have lost faith in some players. Others still have not done enough. I need to see Alex Song type leaps and improvement next season from the team as a whole.

The Invincibles are watching. Make them proud. Make Arsene proud.

Keep the Faith.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

25+8

Before going into discussions about who we need to buy and who we will sell, we need to first examine how next year's new Premier League squad limit and homegrown quotas will affect our team.

All teams will be limited to 25 first team players, and 8 of those players must be homegrown. The definition of a homegrown player is someone who has been trained for three years under the age of 21 by somebody in the English or Welsh professional system.

Arsene talked about how ludicrous this limit is, but we're set up well enough to cover this.

Homegrown Players:

Cesc Fabregas
Theo Walcott
Denilson
Aaron Ramsey
Alex Song
Johan Djourou
Kieran Gibbs
Sol Campbell
Nicklas Bendtner
Vito Mannone

If need be, we can use a plethora of Reserve squad players to fill out the homegrown quota, but that's not going to be a problem.

I expect the above 10 players to be in the Arsenal First Team Squad next year. If that's the case, we have slots for 15 more players.

Definites:

Abou Diaby
Bacary Sagna
Thomas Vermaelen
Samir Nasri
Robin van Persie
Andrey Arshavin
Emmanuel Eboue
Marouane Chamakh
Tomas Rosicky

Most Likely:

Eduardo
Gael Clichy

Maybes:

Carlos Vela
Armand Traore
Lukasz Fabianski

Discounting the Maybes, we only have four open slots for a First Team place. And that doesn't include a No. 1 Goalkeeper, a position we definitely need to strengthen.

My point is, unless we ship out some players, we will not be able to sign as many players as people would like. It's a balancing act. I could definitely see Vela, Traore, and/or Fabianski being shipped out, but I didn't even factor that into my thinking in terms of the overall squad.

I'm unsure if Eduardo is going to stay, while Gael Clichy's name is being bandied about with Barcelona. If they leave, we have more players to juggle.

That's not to mention the possibility that Jack Wilshere being promoted to the First Team, William Gallas (hopefully) staying, and Szczesny returning to fight for the third choice keeper position.

In other words, people expecting major surgery should temper their expectations. This new rule is going to require a balancing act.

Monday, May 10, 2010

There's A Time For Everything

I don't use Twitter. Myspace is out. I rarely use Facebook. The social networking thing is just not me. I find it rather silly to be honest.

That won't stop me sharing the link below.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/I-hate-Tottenham/6784684181

Fuck Spurs!

Happy St. Totteringham's Day

The season is over. Arsenal will not play again until three months time. Until then we have a World Cup to help fill the void. However, the World Cup only lasts a month, so transfer speculation will eventually take hold and consequently bore you to tears.

Most Arsenal die hards will be trying to work out which players will be leaving and which players will be joining. The former is easier to work out than the latter. So let's start with current players returning from a loan spell.

Philippe Senderos
Out of contract at the end of June. Failed to break into the Everton team during his recent loan spell there. Wenger has stated that he will not be offering Senderos a new contract. OUT

Wojciech Szczesny
Just turned 20. His loan spell at Division One side Brentford was deemed a success. Voted Brentford's player of the Year. Touted by many to be Arsenal's future Number One. However, I think Wenger will loan him out to a Championship club next season and see how he progresses and develops. Still too young and inexperienced to be Arsenal's Number One. IN but on Loan.

Jack Wilshire
Bolton manager Owen Coyle thinks that Wilshire should be in England's World Cup squad. He wants Wilshire back at Bolton for next season. Wilshire, however, wants to return to Arsenal and be guaranteed more playing time. There's no doubt that Wilshire has improved and impressed everyone during his four months at Bolton. With Ramsey out injured until November, Wilshire could be recalled by Wenger and given the opportunity to stake his place in the Arsenal first team. IN

Kerrea Gilbert
He's made 10 first team appearances for relegated Championship team Peterborough United since his loan move there in January. His contract at Arsenal ends in June. It will not be renewed. Expect him to be playing for Leeds, Millwall or Charlton next season. OUT

Gavin Hoyte
Plays right back or center-back. Six feet tall and will be 20 in June. Was made Reserve team captain until he was loaned out to Brighton and Hove Albion in October, 2009, where he has made 21 appearances. Also made 10 appearances for Watford in the Championship and played three 90 minute games in the Carling Cup this season for Arsenal. Came on as sub for Aaron Ramsey in the 3-0 Premiership defeat to Manchester City back in November 2008. Represented England at U.16, U.17, U.18, U.19 and U.20 levels and played in the 2007 U.17 World cup. Recently signed a long term contract with Arsenal. IN but on loan.

Luke Ayling
Aged 18. Signed his first professional contract last July. Spent the past month on loan at Division one side Yeovil Town where he has made four appearances and one start. IN but on loan.

Jay Emmanuel Thomas
Central midfielder, aged 19. Height: six feet two and built like a tank. Enjoyed successful loan spells at Championship sides Blackpool and Doncaster Rovers making 25 appearances and scoring six goals. Helped both teams in their play-off bids. Started for Arsenal against Stoke in the FA Cup 4th round. Is seen as the next big thing. IN but on loan but to another Premiership team.

Sanchez Watt
Striker aged 19. Spent 2010 on loan at Southend United and Leeds United. Played mostly as a winger by both Division One clubs. Earned rave reviews by Leeds fans. IN but on loan.

Gilles Sunu
Striker aged 19. Made his Champions League debut against Olympiacos back in November. Recently returned from a loan spell with Derby County where he made 9 appearances and scored one goal. Joined Arsenal at 15 and was seen as one Europe's hottest prospects. Seems to have failed to live up to the hype. IN but out on loan.

Jay Simpson
Striker aged 21. Has been out on loan to QPR where he's made 39 appearances and scored 12 goals. Many Arsenal fans were raving about him after he scored two goals against Wigan Athletic in the Carling Cup 4th Round. He enjoyed a successful loan spell at Millwall during the 2007-2008 season where he was voted their Player of the Season. However, his loan spell at Premiership struggler's West Brom in 2009 didn't go so well. He rarely started games and only scored two goals. OUT I expect him to be sold to a Championship team this summer.

Mark Randall
Central Midfielder, aged 20. Played 10 games for Burnley last season and helped them gain promotion to the Premiership. Has made substitute appearances for Arsenal in the Champions League and started three Carling Cup games. Randall has just finished a loan spell at Division One side MK Dons where he scored one goal and made 17 appearances. OUT: He will be sold to a Championship team or a high flying Division One outfit.

Henri Lansbury
Central Midfielder, aged 19. Lansbury has just completed a season in the Championship with Watford. Described by ex-Arsenal striker, Alan Smith as having "huge potential." Arsenal pinched him from Norwich City back in 1999. He enjoyed a successful loan for a month at Championship side Scunthorpe last season and was rewarded with a new long-term contract last Christmas. Wenger said of him: "Lansbury will be a big player for Arsenal." He came on as a substitute in yesterday's 4-0 win against Fulham. IN

Rhys Murphy
Striker, aged 19. Recently signed a new long-term contract in January. Suffered a bad ankle injury while on loan at Brentford. Expected to be loaned out again once he recovers from injury. IN but out on loan.

Havard Nordtveit
Central Defender, aged 19. Height: 6 feet 2. Spent the past season on loan in the Budesliga with Nurnberg where he made 19 appearances primarily as a defensive midfielder. Signed for Arsenal in the summer of 2007 and was seen as the brightest defensive talent in the whole of Europe. However, his loan spell at Spanish club Salamanca was a failure, so Arsenal loaned him out to Lillestrom of the Norwegian Premier League. He played 17 times mainly as a right-back before joining Nurnburg. Expected to return to Arsenal and fight for a first team place. IN

Kyle Bartley
Central Defender, aged 18. Height: 6 feet 3. Arsenal took him from Bolton back in 2007. Captained Arsenal's reserves and has spent the last three months on loan at Sheffield United, where he was mainly used as defensive cover. United wanted to sign Bartley on a permanent basis and Bartley was tempted to sign. However, he returned to Arsenal last week and is expected to go out on loan again next season. IN but out on loan.

Pedro Boelho
Left-back aged 20. This man is meant to be the real deal and will probably be challenging Clichy for the left back spot. Armand Traore can start looking for another club once this young Brazilian returns from his loan spell with Celta Vigo, where he has played 27 times and scored 1 goal. This came after a successful loan spell at Salamanca where Pedro made 37 appearances. IN

Nacer Barazite
Striker aged 19. Enjoyed a successful loan spell at Derby County during the 2008-09 season. However, this past season he has played only reserve team football. His days at Arsenal are numbered. OUT

Keep it Arsenal

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Post Season View - Arsenal F.C. 2009-10 Pt. 1


We have finished in third place. The big question is whether we have improved or not. By looking at the table - and they say that table doesn't lie - we have improved by finishing one place higher than last term.

Table aside, my feeling is that Liverpool have regressed and United and Chelsea have been better than us, again. We have not improved. I've looked at things as fairly as I think I could have. Injuries have not entered the equation because big clubs are big clubs because they have big squads capable of coping with injuries. Yes, we have suffered an abundance of injuries but I refuse to use that excuse.

My season's analysis is based on what I've seen, not what could have been if we had all our players. It is based on what was required in August and what has been delivered in May. Consider the following comparison to last season:

Goals conceded:
2008/09 - 37
2009/10 - 41

Clean sheets:
2008/09 -16
2009/10 - 14

Points from Big Four matches:
(fuck Spurs, they are not a Big Four club, Liverpool have been ill)
2008/09 - 10
2009/10 - 6

We've done worse than last season in each category. I grant you that it hasn't been much worse (in terms of numbers alone) but the margins are very thin when you are trying to compete at the highest level. Two clean sheets when it mattered most could have made a big difference.

I was impressed by Cesc's return to form this season. He has been the player Arsene hoped he'd become. Alex Song has made us proud at 1886. We always knew he was special.

There's been a lot of talk about Wojciech Szczesny becoming the No. 1 at Arsenal. Let's be clear, the boy has proved nothing. He has not played in any meaningful run of matches. He is the latest young player to show promise. That is all. His case is not different from any of the others - I'm honestly not even sure Kieran Gibbs will be the player we hope for.

I hope they both and all the others prove me wrong because it is well and truly time for a few of these young players to do a Cesc and make a first team place their own. We run the risk of being left even further behind Chelsea and United. The future is now.

I have struggled to find a turning point in the season. Then I realized that there really was none. When we were beaten by United and Chelsea, that's really all there was to know. There were moments when we fought and made things interesting but it has turned out to be a false dawn. I thank the boys for trying but we were never going any where with those two clowns between the sticks.

The worst thing about this season has been that our aura as a dangerous side has faded. Teams no longer fear us. That needs fixing. It really, really does. We've seen our status improve off the pitch but as a football team we've stood still and may have regressed a bit. I trust Arsene to get the balance right though. The man is determined to do so. He will not rest until he does, such is the belief he has in his project. He has learned however, that certain components must be replaced if we are going to see a trophy from this group.

I wonder if Steve Bould isn't a resource we should be making better use of. I love what he's done with the U18s but making fewer defensive mistakes and better organization at the back are areas he can fix. That is certain.

With the added pressure from Spurs (if you want to call it that) Arsene will want to improve even more. I doubt he is looking over his shoulder with fear, just with added purpose. It was a fantastic run that must be restarted. As a great man once said, "It's the hope that gets you." Long suffering Spurs fans will feel that they've got over the hump. No more just hoping. Well, see below:

Burnley 4 Spurs 2. Fuck off Spurs!

Keep the faith.

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Theo the Author - Get Your Priorities Straight Son!

Let's give a man a book deal, even though he's won fuck all and is injured most of the time.

His best accolade is Super Sub.

I fucking pray he comes good.

Arsene is sure he will.

Keep it Arsenal

Friday, May 7, 2010

The Finish Line

- We're finally at the finish line. Even though the team has surpassed most expectations, there is a twinge of disappointment in the air. We cannot feel warm about the past few weeks, but let's not wipe away all of the earlier moments from this year.

- When I wrote that the draw against Barcelona at the Emirates might be the high point of the year, I was right. In the second half of that match, Cesc stood up and played for our shirt. That is something to treasure forever. He deserves a warm round of applause tomorrow when he will presumably take a lap of honor with the first team after the match.

- Suggestions that there should be a mass walkout at the 80 minute mark should be ridiculed on the spot. Nobody deserves that kind of treatment, not even our goalkeepers. Imagine if such a stupid thing did occur, do you think Cesc would want to stay? Would any players want to come to play for a club with such bitter and deluded fans?

- Whether or not Gallas appears tomorrow, it seems as though the next week will tell us whether or not he'll stay with us. I maintain that it would be easier to give into his contract demands than find a player of his ilk, but his mind is his mind. If he leaves, that's another player we would definitely have to replace.

- Mikael Silvestre brief stint looks to be at a close. I was baffled when I heard we had signed him, because it came out of the blue. Regardless of his spotty play on the pitch, he has probably provided wise words for some of our younger players.

- I could say many things right now, but I just want to watch the game tomorrow before I delve into the problems of our team.

- We need a point against Fulham tomorrow, and with that, we would finally celebrate St. Totteringham's Day. It has taken far too long.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Who Looks Stupid Now?

Manchester City blew it and I am glad.

Back in September, City fans went nuts when their team beat Arsenal 4-2. At the start of the season they viewed Arsenal and not Liverpool as the team they were confident of replacing for 4th place in the Premiership.

Arsenal's only purchase last summer was Thomas Vermaelen for 10 million pounds. Manchester City on the other hand spent 118 million on new players. Their fans became cocky and arrogant, confident that money will buy them success.

City's belief, was that once they had secured a Champions League spot, the superstars would follow. Kaka, Ronaldo, Ribery, Fabregas, and Torres.

This dream will have to wait another season and City will have to make do playing in the Europa League with the likes of Burnley.

I'm not happy that Spurs have a chance of making the Champions League group stages. However, they deserve to finish fourth and have done so without the crass spending power of Manchester City.

If City had qualified for the Champions League qualifiers, there is no doubt that they would go on an aggressive spending spree, using the highest wages and Europe's premier competition as bait. Now all they can offer is the world's highest wages.

A mercenary culture will prevail at City, where players with the same attitude as Adebayor will join, with money their only motivation.

Players such as Stephen Ireland will leave and prove City wrong by prospering at another club, where their talents will be utilized more effectively and where they will feel wanted because they will be an important component in that clubs progression for honours.

City are the Paris Hilton of football - a Paris Hilton that has fallen in love with Prince William, who would never consider dating such a materialistic woman of abundant wealth because she has no class. That's how the likes of Torres and Kaka view City. A club who last won a major trophy back in 1976 and who last played in a final back in 1981.

No doubt City will spend big again this summer, but not making the top four is a massive blow to signing the likes of Ribery et al.

It's also a massive blow to football in the northwest. London now has three clubs in the Champions League next season. Fulham are in the Europa League final. A power shift has occurred. It may only be temporary but with Spurs about to build a new 60,000 seater stadium, it could eventually be permanent.

Spurs need to say a big thank you to Damien Comolli. After all, he only signed 7 of the players that beat City 1-0. Sure, Harry Redknapp has added resilience to those players, but he joined a club that had very good players.

The plus side to Spurs making the Champions League qualifiers is that it will force Wenger to act regarding transfers because he knows that Spurs can now offer Champions League football and a life in the capital.

Keep it Arsenal

The New _pur_


_omeone told me that _pur_ have clinched a CL place for next term. I couldn't be more apathetic. Yet I am happy that Man City have not. We don't need another Chel_ea.


Yeah, _ome of my key_ broke. I need a new laptop.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

No Mas

- The Blackburn match was supposed to be televised on ESPN2. Instead, the match ended up not being televised in the US. Somebody at the pub had a laptop, so we used it to stream the match. Fifteen men huddled around a 15 inch computer monitor whose wallpaper was of the owner's Hebrew tattoos. The stream was solid, but I couldn't see much of what was going on. I knew when we scored, I knew when we conceded, and I knew when we lost. And that was that. Usually, I'll try to watch the match in full later in cases like this, so I can get a full impression of the game. But this time around, I chose not to. Can this season please end?

- What more is there to say? Fabianski was fouled by Jason Roberts, who bragged about Blackburn's tactics to The Sun today, on the first goal, but our defense was completely all over the place. Our players don't know when to track players; they only know how to follow the ball. And for the second goal, all I can hope is that Wenger sees that we have to buy a goalkeeper. That unfortunately isn't the public face of Wenger though, but let's hope he's playing poker.

- Fabianski being a lights out goalkeeper in training tells me something else about our team. It means that nobody is giving him a hard time in training. Nobody is challenging him. Nobody is putting their body in the way in the manner these grafting teams will do. We don't want to emulate these teams, but we have to prepare for them. What Blackburn did yesterday was no surprise.

- Vela did nothing. Walcott did close to nothing. It's bad that we have a ton of injuries; it's worse when most of our players who fight back are amongst those injuries. But where is the fight in Samir Nasri that he showed earlier in the season? What happened to these guys?

- As for the picture on the top of this post, you might as well enjoy something right now. Because in terms of Arsenal, it's terrible. Even the almighty ladies lost to Everton yesterday. And now, we get to watch Sp*rs attempt to join us in the Champions League. Lovely. Wake me up when the transfer window opens.

Monday, May 3, 2010

Deja Fucking Vu


Blackburn are a horrible team with a manger who makes them play disgusting football. If football has a cancer, then Sam Allardyce is it. His tactics are simple. Kick high balls into the Arsenal box and put the Arsenal goalkeeper under pressure. Foul the Arsenal players at any given opportunity and score from set pieces, especially corners by putting your two biggest players on the toes of Lukasz Fabianski.

Fabianski is shit. Once again he has lost Arsenal a game. I'm not blaming him for Cuntburn's first goal because I believe he was fouled by Jason Roberts.

Every time the ball went into the Arsenal box, the Cuntburn players looked to elbow or barge Arsenal players out of the way. It was constant, consistent, cynical little fouls by Cuntburn. Eventually, the referee is going to let one go and he did with Cuntburn's first goal. True, there was no-one marking David Dunne at the far post but the foul should have been called beforehand.

Critics of Fabianski will say that his punch from the corner was poor but Roberts had unbalanced him by deliberately barging him when he went for the ball. Sportsmanship and players coached by Sam Allardyce are like oil and water. This was summed up by Cuntburn's Australian midfielder Vince Grella. He was was booked in the first half for pulling at Eboue's shirt when the Ivorian went on a run into Cuntburn's half. Then late in the first half he looked to see where Van Persie was before giving him a nasty elbow in the head. The referee did nothing.

Allardyce has a lot of nerve in his pre-match press conference saying that Blackburn are not a long ball team. It's like the Taliban saying that they're not Muslim.

An example of Cuntburn playing the long-ball was their goalkeeper Paul Robinson taking a free-kick close to the half-way line in the 82nd minute. They played long balls all day, looking to cause Arsenal panic in their penalty area so that they could win a corner and crowd Fabianski out of his own penalty box.

This tactic worked.

Blackburn's winner was scored by Samba who had a free header standing on the goal line. That can't be allowed to happen. Fabianski looks like a woman goalkeeper finding herself playing against physically imposing men. He was feeble. I don't care what Wenger says about Fabianski, the fact is that he's shit and has the presence of a mosquito. He's not strong enough for top flight football.

Arsenal have now only won one Premiership game with Fabianski starting in goal.

But the Polish clown wasn't the only non-performer today. Carlos Vela did zero. Theo Walcont was his usual frustrating self. His final ball into the Cuntburn box was sloppy and he couldn't get past Gael Givet. I know that he's only 20 but then Mike Tyson was only 19 when he was Heavyweight Champion of the world and Pele was only 17 when he scored two goals in the 1958 World Cup final.

This is Arsenal we are talking about. A club where the finished article is required not some young English sprinter who has bags of potential but can't past Gael fucking Givet.

Chris Eagles of Burnley would have been more of a threat than Theo Walcott today.

The only good that Walcott can give you is winning a corner. But the Arsenal players failed to stand in front of the Cuntburn keeper and put him under any kind of pressure. That said, Arsenal did score from a corner in the first half.

Last word: Cuntburn fans are fucking inbreds. They have one chant: "Same Old Arsenal, Always Cheating." And they boo. At the end of the game they celebrated Cuntburn's win as if they had reached the Champions League Final. So did the Cuntburn players.

It was depressing to say the least.

Keep it Arsenal