I really think he's made of cheese!!!

Robin Van persie is a football genius, within him I think he has the potential to be one of the worlds best. Fit he's one of he best strikers in the world, two footed, strong, creative and a great finisher. He has all of the ingredients required to be a legend. Plus one extra one that he wishes he didnt, THE GUY IS MADE OF CHEESE!!! ... Perhaps an explanation is required. The guy's ankles, legs, feet all have that unmistakable ingredient which is ruining his career. They're made of cheese, a soft one at that. A Camembert, or a Brie..Whenever he gets a knock, trips and falls or has any kind of collision and his body (similar to Elijah Price from Unbreakable) shatters forcing him to miss large parts of the season. It seems his injury fairy has struck again as he's got a knock ahead of the world cup thats making people twich with regards to his availaility for the Group games.. Thank god for Chamakh...already I think we will be relying in him, Bendtner and Eduardo to begin our next attack on the Prem....though if reports are to be believed....and I never do....Hugo Rodallega from Wigan could be on his way...though it seems he hasn't read the brief...if Arsenal want you and are making moves to make it happen you keep your gob shut to stop other potential suitors. Arsenal don't do transfers in public. Meanwhile, elsewhere in World Cup Land, old Billy Gallas appears to have his neck put out by not getting the French Captaincy. I'm not surprised, He didnt exactly cover himself in fairy lights and inspire Arsenal fans, plus I can't see how floor-sitting is a c.v. boosting entry. Still, unlike Gallas, I'm feeling optimistic...got a great day planned in Manchester ending with a "fabulous" gig (Westlife...gawd help me, its the Mrs's choice)...but we're staying over so a nice hotel so a fair bit of beer is on the cards.... Keep em peeled gang, til tomorrow!!

Arsene knows best....twoddle. Supporters know best...also twoddle

Blind faith is often misleading and misplaced. Vigilante, knee-jerk reactions are also largely out of scale with the initial offence and without sensible thought or control.

I believe in a healthy middle ground. That is to say that I trust Arsene Wenger has Arsenal's best interests at heart and is not driven by money or fame but ambition. A driving force within him to prove to everyone that football, in its purest artistic form can win titles.

I think that theory is flawed, beautiful but flawed. Football matches involve two teams trying to win the game, or at least, one team trying to win and the other trying not to lose. Which is at the heart of the problem. Not every team is interested in Football as a product, being more focussed on the points at the end of each game and what thats worth to them.

As you can see, I don't agree with Wenger, but its the way we play football that I love. I remember the dreary days of George Graham and don't remember enjoying the games in the same way that I do now. Naturally I don't enjoy it when we lose, who does!! but when we pass the ball around and control possession there isn't many teams that can touch us.

I can see the potential, I don't need it to be sold to me as justification for our under-performance. I want success and trophies. I want to see the best players in the world at Arsenal. Project Yoof has had its day and its refreshing to hear the rumour mill linking us with a million different players, none of which I'm sure will grace Ashburton Grove, but I can dream. The latest of which is Papa Diakhate, a Senegalese mountain man standing tall at 6ft dead. According to Sagna he's pretty good, aggressive and good at set pieces...its about time we got a nasty monster at the back and perhaps this guy is it...if it gets listed on that daft "Transfer Linked" feature on arsenal.com then don't expect it to happen..

Also, the want away Gallas still hasn't confirmed where he's orf to...long may he sit on the pitch at someone else's stadium...maybe grow a backbone.

I think thats it for today..just a question for my readers.....Am I the only one who thinks the Transfer Linked feature is so bloody stupid it cheapens everything else Arsenal try to do. "We don't talk to the media about transfers.." but we now re-post the media's rubbish on our website...

Hmm...onwards and upwards..

Keep em peeled!

G

Cesc, Walcott, England and hopeful things..

Fab4 - A hero in red and white.

I don't know about you guys, but I'm getting fed up with the whole Cesc situation. Radical I know, but if he wants to go, I'd rather get a decent chunk of money for him and get someone in who wants to play for us.

I'm not talking about accepting peanuts(or any of the nut family..including Peter Hill-Wood), the 30mil being bandied about is not worth scratching my nuts over, if Ronaldo is worth 80 million, Berbatov 27-odd then certainly Fabregas, a young yet extremely experienced central playmaker with 19 goals in all competitions and 15 assists. Certainly balancing that against Berba's 12 goal super-haul in 2009-2010 I think Fab comes out very favourably indeed, in the ball park of 50-60 million I reckon.

So for me, play hardball, tell them you dont want to sell but might start talking at 55 million pounds (not euros) and a player. A decent stand to negotiate from.

However, I'm also yet to be convinced this isn't all just Media-spin. I await a call from Cesc to my personal mobile to confirm or deny, you'll hear it here first. Similar to the Merida thing...I don't want him to go. I think he'll be ace. I saw him in his first game for us at Borehamwood a few years back and he rifled in a 30yarder. He looks composed, one-paced (unfortunately) but very creative and he's got a great shot on him. I'll be sad to see him drop off the Arsenal Website. Thats the only time I'll believe it.

England - a few musings

I struggle generally to get as excited about England as I do about Arsenal, I'm sure this is mainly to do with certain players that play for England that I dislike for various reasons and I'm clearly very passionate about Arsenal and there ain't room in my heart for two teams and the missus...somethings got to give.

I watched the game against Mexico with a healthy detached view. A few things struck me naturally I'm sure these were just experimentations by Capello - a manager I admire for his tenacity and his tactical nounce.

1) Milner in central midfield? - It seemed that this really killed his game, a wasted 80 or so minutes (you'll note I'm not very exact) for a tenacious, talented Winger.

2) Walcott - Another game for him where it was "Unlucky Theo"...So many things were "almost" there, the through ball for Rooney (should have kept himself onside, he was in acres of space) after his dinking run and his layoff for Glen Johnson's run and then finish was an excellent piece of under-pressure passing. I think the press have been a bit harsh, indeed everything I've read about it has suggested that he under-performed, as a 21yr old still learning his trade (bearing in mind he's always been a striker until he got to Arsenal) I think he did ok. An assist is a good day out for a Winger, especially when you consider what a Winger is supposed to do - 1) Create goal scoring opportunities for the team. 2) Attack the full-back and stop him from attacking. 3) Track the full back and try and help defend when required.

I think he did the above OK, he didnt perform to his potential but he wasn't anonymous and was a threat.

3) Defoe - he's an 18yrd box player and hasn't got the strength or height to effectively challenge in the air. He lacks the pace to be able to run behind a high defence and he cant link effectively with Rooney. Should Rooney get injured however he would be able to work alongside Crouch or Heskey providing they work for all the high balls and he can collect the Knock downs so I'd take him to be that backup player, or an impact player - not the Shoo in that everyone thinks he is.

4) Capello - I 'm still impressed by him, he does have an aura of "Don't mess with me" and I like it. It has killed off the pampering of England stars and I think England will do well at the World Cup...luck willing. In Rob Green we have a good keeper and I think he could win games on his own.

Thats all folks, have fun, play safe and don't play on the rails.

WiganGooner.

Pick up sticks

Hi all,

Firstly thank you for visiting my first blog. There will be semi-regular updates following Arsenal Matches, with my own match reports, views on whats going on in the tabloid toilet paper press and general Arsenal views with the odd bit of England commentary during the World cup and Euro qualifying.

I'm going to post a fresh article in an hour or so today. A brief synopsis of which would be all this Cesc rumour rubbish, Chamakh, England et al.

So thanks guys and gals, blog at you soon.

WiganGooner.