I feel surprisingly optimistic about this season. 7 points out of 9 wouldn't automatically make me swell with pride but I think in honesty lies the future. After watching all three games I am a happy gooner.
We're still a million miles from full fitness and form but who would expect that in august? Mark my words, not every top side will escape ewood park with the points, I'm looking at liverpool, city, everton to lose there.
We mixed it physically, technically we were as sharp as a sharp thing and we were fluid at times that reminded me of the team we were a few years back. There seemed to be a bit less fear on saturday. A bit more belief.
Plus, I was pleased that we shut up ol hairy faced Big (fat) Sam. Perhaps stoke and the like will take note? Doubtful, but we can hope.
In other news - the transfer window slams shut at 6pm tonight. Let's hope we don't get our fingers trapped trying to sneak someone in thru the back bathroom window.
I'm not going to blog about the speculation today as no doubt we're signing everyone with the exception of me, I'm too busy to play twice a week.
I'll post on thurs once its all settled with my thoughts.
Til then gooners!!
WG
Tuesday 31 August 2010
Saturday 28 August 2010
Its a funny old game
Blackburn 12:45 kick-off
Football, for such a simple game can be mindbendingly complicated. Your team can have its own style, its own identity and its own verve.
Sacrifices are made here and there to create these styles and identities. Take Arsenal, the current arsenal style is based on pace, creativity and movement. The full backs breaking forwards at pace to back up the midfield which attacks as a unit when in possession. The strikers role is to create space for themselves and where possible others to open up further lines of attack through opposition defences.
This fluid, fast, intricate football is beautiful to watch, infuriating when it doesn't come off and a talking point of many. We've sacrificed defensive security for this, using one holding midfielder and adding two very attacking full-backs to create 6 wily, lightweight greyhounds designed to create havoc in the opposition half.
We've been called Barcelona-lite, a term I hate because I think we have our own identity, but in some ways the comparison is fair. Our 4-2-3-1 formation is identical to barca and the interchanging of the front three is also similar.
Some would argue that it gives Arsenal the flexibility to switch to a 4-5-1 if required, but in truth this is on in terms of numbers. You can't ask Arshavin to defend like Song, its not physically possible. It would allow us to pack a midfield, but we couldn't physically dominate it due to our small, fast-paced wingers. Square peg round hole. They're fit for purpose, driving at players and ducking past them to create opportunities.
Blackburn will play 4-5-1 today, rumours abound that they might start with Mame Diouf up front. As its a Big Sam side I expect them to try and physically intimidate us and I'm interested to see how we stand up to that. Its our first such test of the season.
I think we'll steam-roller them, I really do. I think Arshavin and Rosicky will be crucial today. Arsha, the spiky russian will take their battering and use it to hurt them. Rosicky will continue his good form in the centre and create 5-6 chances today. He's been one of my players of the season so far, if not THE player so far.
I'm off to watch the footy with me ole dad, stick it up em gooners!
WG
Thursday 26 August 2010
Goshdarnit!!! e's only bloody signed!!
Confirmation on the BBC website, with the following from Wenger.
Wenger said: "We needed a centre-back of quality and experience and at the right price - he was all of that."
Wenger added: "He is a real defender and is good in the one against one, good in the air, and can score goals on set-pieces as well. I believe he will be suited to the English game.
"He will train with us on Friday morning but will not be involved on Saturday. I made a bid on the day Sevilla played in the Champions League, so he did not play as he was waiting for the transfer."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/8928237.stm
I should have blogged yesterday and he would have been available for Blackburn...silly me!
(Not that I'm making the assumption that Arsenal complete their transfers in direct competition against my blog, that would be daft)
Til tomorrow Gooners!
WG
An abduction of grandiose proportions and will the real safe hands please stand up
So, I've been waiting all week to blog that Squillaci has joined and maybe give an idea into where I think he will fit in...but it appears that the guy's been abducted by aliens or something...there's probably a reasonable explanation...but where's the fun in that?
This goalkeeper shenanigans keeps rolling on. I really wish we had a few behind closed doors friendlies and we could give both Flappianski and The Spanish Waiter a few games and see how they fare. At the moment it appears we are no closer to agreeing a transfer for anyone.
Not that I have any inside information....just another bloghound.
Congratulations to me, I correctly predicted that we'd annihalate (shock horror lol) blackpool and I'm pleased to say it was a good performance all round. Song didn't look like a centre-back, so I'm rather disappointed Djourou didn't get a look in...I wonder if he was fit? But the Verminator and co looked the part and weren't really troubled despite Blackpool's efforts. All in all a good win. Bring on Big Fat Sam and his team of clodhoppers, we'll take you on and beat you up.
Its easy to dismiss the victory against Blackpool as an easy win and believe me it was but we made it easier by Theo and Tomas....Tomas was awesome on saturday, as he has been all pre-season. He was at the heart of everything we did. Along with Arshavin. Yes he can look lazy but his creativity is what we bought him for, not his work-rate.
Arshavin is what Myles Palmer would call a "Bang, Bang" player, he's all about any one given moment, he can see that pass and make it happen, that little darting run that opens up a defence. Genius is rarely measured in work-rate. He is a player that can play at the very top, but he's not a Flamini with the stamina of a cart-horse. Ronaldinho doesn't have a great work-rate, nor does Kaka, but they are special at what they do, individual even.
In summary, I think Arshavin attracts a lot of criticism, but judge him not, he's admitted he's not on top form and I've always believed his analysis, he's an honest player who calls it straight when looking at his and Arsenal's performances. I expect a lot from him, so sometimes I am disappointed, but he rarely delivers the mediocre.
Til the weekend guys, I'll knock up a preview of the Blackburn game with a formation and player review.
WG
Saturday 21 August 2010
Tangerine dreams and elusive frenchmen
So its saturday, its my 30th birthday, new arsenal shirt on and its off to a surprise trip for today.
With that in mind, I cast my mind to the visit of the tangerines to the emirates. Blackpool's dream start to premiership life against the pie-eating latics was something I'd predicted with a few mates (wigan's defence is all a bit new and untested and kirkland's a liability).
Ian Holloway's bristolian charm always makes me smile, his enthusiasm for the game is unquestionable. I think his 4-3-3 formation is fab, his 'we'll score more than them' attitude is fresh in a league where 12 teams play for points and don't play football.
His players love him and so do his fans because he's honest. He's an optimistic, enthusiastic guy and I hope the prem doesn't break him.
Today is going to be a big test. Do blackpool stick to what they're good at and go for a result? In truth I don't think it will matter. I believe arsenal will batter them today. I hope its a real end to end game that arsenal win 7:1 because with the spanish waiter we will surely concede.
In defence, I'd like to see djourou and vermaelen. As I've said before I think fans need to give djourou a fair crack of the whip.
So its MoTD for me, I'm looking forward to a very positive result and some cameo's from our summer wanderers.
To an injury free day and a great result for arsenal I raise my McDonald's still fanta and we travel off to my surprise. Make me proud gents and sing for the gooners!
On the issue of transfers I'll be brief, it seems offloading traore to benfica has fallen through due to his personal demands. Taking into consideration his age, will he be in the 25? I'm not sure.
Apparently we're after squillaci, I remember seeing him a few years back for bayern munich I think and I thought he was pretty tidy.
Oh and we've unsettled schwarzer, well we've put in bids so, at least we're trying to do it by the book.
Til tomorrow gooners
WG
With that in mind, I cast my mind to the visit of the tangerines to the emirates. Blackpool's dream start to premiership life against the pie-eating latics was something I'd predicted with a few mates (wigan's defence is all a bit new and untested and kirkland's a liability).
Ian Holloway's bristolian charm always makes me smile, his enthusiasm for the game is unquestionable. I think his 4-3-3 formation is fab, his 'we'll score more than them' attitude is fresh in a league where 12 teams play for points and don't play football.
His players love him and so do his fans because he's honest. He's an optimistic, enthusiastic guy and I hope the prem doesn't break him.
Today is going to be a big test. Do blackpool stick to what they're good at and go for a result? In truth I don't think it will matter. I believe arsenal will batter them today. I hope its a real end to end game that arsenal win 7:1 because with the spanish waiter we will surely concede.
In defence, I'd like to see djourou and vermaelen. As I've said before I think fans need to give djourou a fair crack of the whip.
So its MoTD for me, I'm looking forward to a very positive result and some cameo's from our summer wanderers.
To an injury free day and a great result for arsenal I raise my McDonald's still fanta and we travel off to my surprise. Make me proud gents and sing for the gooners!
On the issue of transfers I'll be brief, it seems offloading traore to benfica has fallen through due to his personal demands. Taking into consideration his age, will he be in the 25? I'm not sure.
Apparently we're after squillaci, I remember seeing him a few years back for bayern munich I think and I thought he was pretty tidy.
Oh and we've unsettled schwarzer, well we've put in bids so, at least we're trying to do it by the book.
Til tomorrow gooners
WG
Wednesday 18 August 2010
Jim Jiminy, Jim Jiminy, Jim Jim Djourou and a few Young Boys
Far be it for me to show a weakness in understanding, I like to consider myself as someone open to views and opinions, however odd and strange they may be to me.
Johan Djourou is someone who doesn't seem to divide much opinion in the blogosphere at the moment, Arsenal fans seem to dislike him or mark him as a perma-crock and I don't get it. Professional sportsmen and women suffer injuries all the time. Every footballer has been injured at some time or another. If we take a step back and consider that an extremely fit body requires all of its composite parts to be in tip-tip condition to prevent injury then that consideration itself heralds an admission that injury is bound to happen and the recovery from serious injury is difficult and time-consuming.
Johan Djourou is 23 years old. According to his wiki, to date he's played 92 competitive games, with 79 of those being for Arsenal and 13 appearances for Birmingham on a 5 month loan. I don't really recall him having a bad game during those appearances, I really cant think of any that really stand out.
I know he's had a rough couple of seasons with injury, but it happens. It happens a lot. When he's playing regularly he's a good defender. He's fast, good in the air and reads the game well. It says something when Wenger said he'd not sign another defender after selling Kolo because he thought Djourou could make the step up. I'm not daft enough to suggest that the three centre-backs we have is enough, but to write off Djourou altogether as some are is a mistake. If he can stay fit then he is and will continue to be a good player for Arsenal.
Onto other more humourous matters .. 31 mins in... Young Boys Berne 3 : 0 Spuds. Foolish, innapropriate and slanderous rival fans suggest Wenger is a paedophile....One might suggest that certain members of the Spud fraternity be a little bit more forgiving as they've just been caught on TV being whipped by Young Boys...
Three times no less.
I cannot wait for the second leg.
The glorious return of the "Up for Grabs" podcast with Alan Davies returned on the 16th, another fine example of what we are all about as Arsenal fans and I continue to enjoy it. You can find it on Fbook here and I recommend you go and have a listen..it is hilarious.
Til the next post Gooners!
WG
Monday 16 August 2010
Debut's delight - Liverpool 1:1 Arsenal
As predicted in my last post, I did get rather innebriated and therefore was unable to write this post yesterday. Mainly because I couldn't remain conscious for any real length of time.
However, I will muddle through this now.
Firstly, yesterday we saw Premier League debut's for Kozza and Chamakh...I think they played really well, Chamakh was a bit isolated but he worked really hard and forced the error from Reina, 100% effort from the first second til the last, I was impressed by him and I think we'll see a lot of good things from him this year. The Adebayor comparisons being made I think don't do him as much credit as I'd like as I can see there is much more to his game than being a tall striker..His workrate is excellent and his movement is very intelligent, always looking to pull the defenders about. I really think he will do well for us this year.
Our second debutant, Koscielny was awesome yesterday. I think he was swift across the ground, composed when required and fitted in well with the rest of the defence and even lost his composure when the rest of the defence did - what a team player!!
Humour aside, it was a good point to take home yesterday. Starting the season away from home against a top half side is harsh and we did well. Almunia did nothing to change my mind on his future, his performance perfectly summed up the best and worst of his game in equal measure. The best, his diving saves and bar-tipping action was all on display and he saved well. The worst, his positioning and handling of crosses was there for all to see..the Liverpool goal was bad positioning mixed with sloth-like reactions that I struggle to forgive.
If we haven't signed another 'keeper by next Saturday then I would hope Wenger sticks Fabianski in, Almunia looked lost at times and I think his head is elsewhere...probably in his "happy place". Fabianski whilst not showering himself in gold, I think is a greater prospect and I think Almunia knows it.
So, lets bring on the Tangerines on Saturday and give them a spanking to show them what life in the prem is all about...we need a result similar to Chelski's lesson to West Brom, we're at home and its my birthday..I want to see a cracker!
I'll put up a post midweek, previewing the game and mulling over the transfer guff.
Til then gooners!
WG
Friday 13 August 2010
2010-2011 Season - Please please please let me get what I want
Trepidation, Mark Schwarzer singing the fab Smiths classic, records et al.
I was asked last night by a friend if I was looking forward to the season starting. He was quite excited, there was a light in his eyes that showed hope, excitement and joy. Like me he loves his football.
Despite his enthusiasm, all I could do was look at him and say almost deadpan "Not if we don't sign another Centre-Back"..the words echoed in my head and in my eyes. I don't think I've ever felt so uninspired about a season, certainly not for the last fifteen years at least.
It would be wrong to say I don't think we have a chance, with a bit of luck on the injuries front (like that ever happens!) we could be challenging and thats good. We're a good team and we need to be fighting for the league. As previously mentioned, Chelsea are weaker this year, considerably so now they've just sold their best centre-back to Real Madrid. So I think we've got a shot at the top two.
I would like to see Nordveit given a shot at Centre-back in the Carling Cup as I think Wenger sees him as a backup player for that role. Given that he had a successful season in the Bundesliga last season (albeit in a defensive midfield role) perhaps Wenger is thinking he might be ready to take the next step? Perhaps he's thinking stick Nordveit in midfield and let Song play Centre-back..I'm not Arsene, its on his head if we become stuck for central defenders. We've had the opportunity to sign, but I guess its down to clubs wanting to sell and similar to our situation with Fab4, if he's a decent player and you don't have to sell, why would you?
On a lighter note, young Theo has equalled a 99yr old record for England, see below;
England can't stop winning with Theo Walcott in the team.
Arsenal's flying winger Theo Walcott, now 21, has now featured in 12 England matches…and England have won all 12.
He became his country's youngest player at 17 years 75 days when making his debut as a substitute for Michael Owen in an Old Trafford friendly against Hungary in 2006, a match that England won 3-1.
England's results in the eleven internationals in which Walcott has played since then have been: 3-0 v Trinidad & Tobago (away), 2-0 v Andorra (away), 4-1 v Croatia (away), 5-1 v Kazakhstan (home), 3-1 v Belarus (away), 4-0 v Kazakhstan (away), 6-0 v Andorra (home), 3-1 v Egypt (home), 3-1 v Mexico (home), 2-1 v Japan (in Austria) and 2-1 v Hungary (home).
Last night at Wembley he equalled a record that had stood for nearly a century. Derby County half-back Ben Warren won 12 consecutive matches with England between 1908 and 1911. England's results in a different age were even more spectacular: 6-1 v Austria, 11-1 v Austria, 7-0 v Hungary and 4-0 v Bohemia (all away), 4-0 v Ireland, 2-0 v Wales and 2-0 v Scotland (all at home), 4-2 v Hungary, 8-2 v England and 8-1 v Austria (all away), 2-1 v Ireland and 3-0 v Wales (both at home).
They weren't the first 12 appearances made by Warren, a player described as 'a touch slow but brave, splendid in ball control and crisp in tackling'. Certainly no-one would suggest that Walcott was 'a touch slow'...
Gawd bless Unlucky Theo!
In other news, Mark Schwarzer has issued a "Please, please, please let me get what I want" statement via the worlds media (I'm assuming he performed it in the unmistakable style of the Smiths) and let him transfer to Arsenal. To be honest I don't know if he is better than what we have, but he is an established international 'keeper and he's got a confident aura. He's not afraid of shouting at his defence and he's good at set pieces...something that I feel we've lacked.
As with all good blogs and some rubbish ones too, I'm feeling better about the season now I've worked it out in my head and in words...If we get Schwarzer and another Centre-back or even if we just have a good start to the season with Djourou or Kozza playing well I'm sure we'll be ok.
WG's Predo....Arsenal to win the league. You heard it here first.
I'm having a BBQ this weekend and will get rather drunk, so I'll hit you guys up Sunday night/Monday with a review of Arsenal/Liverpool.
Til then gooners - happy trails!!
WG
Monday 9 August 2010
People in glass houses..
Shouldn't throw large shit nuggets at tabloid hacks....they tend to smear them and make them count.
I'd love to start this post with a positive, but I can't. Sagna made some comments via the media about Emir Spahic and how he'd love him to be at Arsenal. IT WAS EVEN POSTED ON THE ARSENAL.COM WEBSITE!!!
So, who can shout at Barca now? With any conscience I can't.
Arsenal.com rightfully pulled the article from their website, although you can probably still find it in the Google cache.
So gooners, no more arm waving and shouting at Barca, they may do business in a very public, disrespectful manner, but with that one statement by Sagna our high horse is undermined, our bellhop left untipped and my disappointment is palpable.
If it had just been carried by the Currant Bun, I guess I would have ignored it as idle press tittle-tattle but to see it posted on Arsenal.com was a bit of a cock up by the web site team and battered any hope of Arsenal being able to complain to FIFA about anyone.
I'm too annoyed for words to be honest. Fair do's Sagna spouting off, but don't do it to the media and don't put it up on the Arsenal.com website. This further weakens our position in negotiations and makes us look unruly and unprofessional.
WG
Saturday 7 August 2010
A case for the defence - part deux
I'd like to start off by saying 'ha, I told you so' in reference to the Cesc situation. I'm super-chuffed that he's staying and I believe he will play better than ever as long as we show him we want him.
With the IBIWISI in full swing, full blown falacies and falsehoods are plastering the tabloid press. As we all know we are short a centre-back and despite what Wenger says I think we need two more. we shouldn't have to consider dropping Song back or putting in Nordveit. We are a top premier league club and we should be able to attract top talent.
Despite this however, there seems to be a lack of quality in central defenders full stop. Casting my mind-net I can only think of Vidic, Pique, Friedrich who really stand out as on top of their game at the moment and I think therein lies the problem.
Kozza may well be another unearthed gem, I think he's quick, seems to read the game well and generally seems to be fitting in too. But we're still a bit short and we're still lacking an imposing player at the back.
Opposition can't score if they haven't got the ball. That's a fact biscuit right there. Have a bite.
We're not the only ones without top quality at the back and I don't think it will cause us too many problems as long as we try to make opponents chase us about, if we keep the ball better and frustrate them our lack of height in defence should be moot.
Chelski will concede a lot of goals this year, Cech and Terry are shadows of their former selves. Cech is down to Stephen Hunt and Terry is just an old warhorse that's had one too many instances of putting his body where it hurts.
ManYoo haven't got a great defence either, Ferdinand won't play more than 30 games, that's if he's fortunate with the severity of his recurring back problem.
I think its going to be a very open league again and I'm excited by the prospect. Tomorrow is the charity shield -sic and that means its a week and its Liverpool v Arsenal :) woohoo!!
Next post monday I think!
Til then gooners!!
WG
With the IBIWISI in full swing, full blown falacies and falsehoods are plastering the tabloid press. As we all know we are short a centre-back and despite what Wenger says I think we need two more. we shouldn't have to consider dropping Song back or putting in Nordveit. We are a top premier league club and we should be able to attract top talent.
Despite this however, there seems to be a lack of quality in central defenders full stop. Casting my mind-net I can only think of Vidic, Pique, Friedrich who really stand out as on top of their game at the moment and I think therein lies the problem.
Kozza may well be another unearthed gem, I think he's quick, seems to read the game well and generally seems to be fitting in too. But we're still a bit short and we're still lacking an imposing player at the back.
Opposition can't score if they haven't got the ball. That's a fact biscuit right there. Have a bite.
We're not the only ones without top quality at the back and I don't think it will cause us too many problems as long as we try to make opponents chase us about, if we keep the ball better and frustrate them our lack of height in defence should be moot.
Chelski will concede a lot of goals this year, Cech and Terry are shadows of their former selves. Cech is down to Stephen Hunt and Terry is just an old warhorse that's had one too many instances of putting his body where it hurts.
ManYoo haven't got a great defence either, Ferdinand won't play more than 30 games, that's if he's fortunate with the severity of his recurring back problem.
I think its going to be a very open league again and I'm excited by the prospect. Tomorrow is the charity shield -sic and that means its a week and its Liverpool v Arsenal :) woohoo!!
Next post monday I think!
Til then gooners!!
WG
Monday 2 August 2010
A piece of silver and a cartful of gold!
This weekend saw the inaugural Emirates Cup at the Emirates stadium. Featuring Arsenal, Lyon, AC Milan and Celtic (of all teams) it would provide showstopping, half paced pre-season excitement.
The one thing I love about the Emirates cup is that it does give us a bit of an insight into how the likes of Wilshire, Frimpong et al might cope against world class players. Naturally the pace of the game makes it a bit easier, but teams like AC Meeeeeelan play at a slow, deliberate pace and Arsenal were more than a match for them. Wilshire has again been one of the stars of the Tournament and I can see him getting more involvement in the first team this year.
Frimpong for me, I'm struggling to see what the fuss is about. Yes he's strong, he puts himself about the midfield and harries and wins the ball. His passing is poor by Arsenal standards and his persistent harrying and kicking would be punished more severely in a Premier League or Champions League encounter. Yes he's a good talent, but he is miles from first team squad material.
That said however, I did enjoy his performances and along with the rest of the squad I believe the cup achieved what was required; 1) to bring in a full capacity crowd to watch the new players in action, 2) to acclimatise the new players to the Emirates, 3) to give a increased level of pre-season competition above and beyond whats been played so far and 4) to give the players a bit of a boost pre-season by winning a trophy - even if its practically meaningless.
Koscielny (Kozza) looked to be a good player over both games. I think he can be a bit eager, but he's fast, has good anticipation and he is indeed a fighter. I think Djourou is a better player, but time will tell on his fitness.
Chamakh did well also, I felt at times he needed someone to be closer to him to benefit from his knock-downs and flicks, take a note Theo, get near him and you will score goals, get back in the England fold and be a better, more confident player for it.
I intend to do a piece soon about centre-backs and the revelation by Arsene that we no longer need midfield reinforcements.
Til then, sleep tight Gooners!
WG
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
