How much do we really want the Carling Cup

I know we've been starved for silverware for years. I know that to create a "winning mentality" you need to win. I'm not daft.

Arsene Wenger is able to temper our expectations by selling us the future. A big part of this is showcasing the next big thing coming through the Arsenal ranks in the Carling Cup. Last year and the year previous we've seen such talents as Merida, Wilshire, Ramsey, Gibbs, Traore, Jay Emmanuel Thomas, Jay Simpson, Nacer Barazite, Mark Randall and Henri Lansbury to name but a few.

Allowing the youth to cut their teeth in the Carling Cup is a treble-pebble bonus for Arsene. It rests his top first-teamers and it gives much needed experience to players on the fringe of the first team and match fitness to those in the match-day benchwarmers club.

We've celebrated in the successes of our youth in this competition. We've revelled in their results against premier league opposition. We loved it. "Our kids are better than your first team" is a great chant.

So are we really that desperate to win the Carling Cup that we forget the youth this year? My opinion: Arsene Wenger will sacrifice the Carling Cup to try and succeed elsewhere. Of course he'll try to win the Carling Cup but he'll do it with youth and back it up with first teamers resting on the bench. If it doesn't happen then his targets will naturally revert to what he really wants, the Champions League and the Premier League.

Arsene Wenger isn't daft, he knows a Carling Cup win doesn't mean anything in the grand scheme. His targets are above and I'm with him. I'd rather us have a real shot at the Prem than get half our first teamers injured in a nothing game in the Carling Cup.

WG

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Being forceful, but are they really safe hands?

Morning all, in the daily toilet rags we can see Mark Schwarzer has stated that he is having to "grin and bear it" at the moment but in January he is willing to force the issue to have his ambition of playing in the Champions League fulfilled.

I'm in two minds about Schwarzer, in one mind I've never been massively impressed with him. He's been solid over the years but he's never set the world on fire and no big club has ever shown an interest before. He's a signing borne of frustration and desperation from Wenger and they rarely are a success.

In the other he's got experience and he had a good season last year and the one before. He's 38 which ties in well with the youth we have coming through. But will Szczesny put up with being dropped back down the order again? He's running towards the end of his contract and I haven't heard any news about him signing yet.

So, do we gamble on youth, put our faith in Szczesny and promote him up to No 2 and drop the chase for Schwarzer or do we continue to block Szczesny's path which will probably make him go for a free?

I think a tribunal will protect us in this and we'll get a nominal fee but even so, it just seems daft. Kill off a potential long term solution to install a potential short term solution. In the history of knee-jerks, this one could be a corker.

Til next time Gooners

WG

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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

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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

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Affirmation? A formation...? Meh.

...apologies, its an awful title for the article.

Onwards gentle reader, to the crux of the article. Namely Formations, the way Arsenal should line up next season. With regards to football, its formations, combinations, personalities and evil machinations that make up matches.

Everyone who plays Football Manager, or its bastard love-child Championship Manager (I know you people are out there....cross over from the dark side, its warm and we have cookies!!) will know their favourite formation. I tend to adjust my formation, tweak if you will, for each opponent. whilst taking into account squad availability and balance and its clear that Arsene does this to a point.

Arsenal, for the majority of last season played 4-3-2-1, with Song dropping off the two central midfielders to cover when we were under pressure. It provides 5 bodies across the middle of the park when we are without the ball and 5 to defend when attacking (leaving Song and our defence to cover).

I believe that the Striker absences (much mentioned by all) caused us serious problems last season. Not necessarily for the absent goals but the extra pressure it put on Arshavin and other players to step up and save us in games. I'm not convinced that the battering Arshavin took trying to play the lone front man didn't have an effect on him when the run in began, he looked exhaused in the last 5 games of the season.

The one problem with 4-3-2-1 is that you sacrifice a striker for a holding midfielder, so you lose a bit up front, you can't pressure as high up the pitch and you rely on your midfield stemming the tide. Against a mid-table side I think it worked well, against the top sides we didn't ask enough questions. We fought, we never surrendered but we certainly never played the Arsene way and didn't once stamp any authority on the games.

I don't argue at all with 4-3-2-1 when we are playing away against the top sides. To go all out would be foolish (although unexpected) and we would stand a chance of nicking a result on the counter. Playing away at Bolton, Blackburn and other places very close to my current home doesn't warrant this kind of security. We need to get our fear factor back. We need to go out and annihalate a few teams this season and I think we could achieve this by going 4-2-4. This would consist of Nasri and Arsha on the flanks, RVP and Chamakh in the middle, Fab4 and Song in the middle and a stern word with Clichy and Sagna to be a bit more disciplined to keep the home fires burning.

When teams park the bus and trying to get at us, we should not be afraid of them. We can't molly-coddle our defence in games like this. We always seem to lose to a crappy set piece...so don't give them the chance. Play 4-2-4, play for 80 mins in their half and make them make the mistakes. Trust me, a few teams will stop thinking about "Getting up them" if they're worried about getting smashed 4 or 5 to nil. Remember, the best form of defence is attack and with the versatility of players we have we could turn it into 4-2-3-1, 4-3-2-1 or even 4-5-1 if we wanted to defend a decent lead but we have to get one first.

Certainly modifying formations during a game will provide a tactical surprise if nothing else, if a player pops up where the opposition don't expect, that will give him at least a few seconds head start on anyone trying to mark him.

Just a few thoughts on a Wednesday.

WG

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Pre-season is such a tease!

I endure a love/hate relationship with pre-season. When I was playing, it would be hard work followed by tough games against better opposition to sharpen us up for the start of the season.

Arsene does it differently, as do most top managers. Even the much-celebrated Emirates Cup is little more than a training match which boosts revenue and showcases this seasons new talent. This raises up expectations and hopes as you see players like Wilshire that practically won the cup by himself last year.

It raises belief and arrogance and sometimes I think the players believe their own press a bit. You can see it in their faces, they expect to walk some games and it cannot ever be like that. You have to be hungry, you have to want it.

I guess we'll see in 5 games whether we have a shot at silverware this season. I still think we need a big mean ball winner although I do think song has the component parts for it should he become more focussed. By way of an explanation, I think Song's a bit easy going, with a bit more focus and intensity he could be a stunning player.

I want Arsenal to be back on top where we belong, we have some of the best support in the world. Let's have the best team.


WG

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Peter Hill Wood - The man, the myth, the LEGEND!

Peter Hill Wood

I have to say...I truly love this man, he's hilarious.

There is noone that can insert a size 11 into their gob with such alarming regularity and precision. Something he never gets enough credit for i think!

From the foot of Hill Wood, via his pillow talk partner appears to be the sad news that we're not after Joe Cole.

Firstly, if we were in for him I wouldn't expect Gazidis and Wenger to tell him. His capacity for opening and engaging gob without thought as mentioned above has caused plenty of problems in the past. Kroenke anyone?

Secondly, its Wenger and Gazidis who work on the transfers and contracts. Nuff said.

...needless to say, as its already been mentioned on the transfer linked section, I just don't think this will happen.

Further thoughts to come later as i need to go do some work.

Have a good day Gooners!

Wigangooner

The Business-end of the season?

Thursday, July 1 2010.

I don't know about other fans, but this day won't come quick enough. The Transfer Window will be open. Sounds a bit more impressive than cracking open the sash for a bit of breeze..

Sadly, in truth my analogy is probably closer to the truth, though perhaps an explanation is required.

Silly Season begins with more fervour and effort than ever before. Tabloid hacks will be leaning their necks out of Cars, Trains, Office windows and eavesdropping on conversations in public houses to get the "Fresh Transfer rumour of the day".."The transfer thats going to happen!!"...

God Help Us All.

I've learned not to get carried away, adopting a "believe it when I see it" attitude thats been a healthier way for me to spend my summers. Naturally with regards to Arsenal we are lacking in a few areas (well documented by many) so I believe this will be done in the usual Arsenal way with little fuss and media intervention, unlike some who prefer to do their Transfers in public and indeed their tapping-up "thats not tapping up out of respect"..

So, I guess all thats left is hold onto your underpants Arsenal fans, it could be a bumpy window so hold on to your beliefs, trust in Arsene and the right things for Arsenal will happen.

Hope you had a good Bank-Holiday weekend folks!!

G

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