8 Personnel changes, disjointed performance - surely a coincidence?

Arsene Wenger said last night that the 8 changes he made to the first team after the game at Chelski had no effect on the game against Wigan. Its a shame for all of his money and brains he's not got a decent optician.

Diaby and Denilson had a shocker. Everyone in the stand heaved a sigh of relief when Diaby went off and Wilshire came on. We immediately looked a better side as Wilshire and Rosicky were on the same page immediately.

It was a very disjointed performance last night. It lacked pace, power, tenacity - everything that was in abundance against Chelski. When we were 2:1 up and N'Zog got himself sent off Wenger should have immediately put on Walcott and Nasri. Instead he procrastinated and thought we'd just try and see the game out only to watch Wigan equalise. I said just before they scored that if we didn't make a change soon we'd lose momentum, they'd score and then stick 10 men behind the ball. Exactly what happened. Everyone could see it coming and its disappointing to lose two points like that.

I'm not generally a fan of cheering for a player who's not on the pitch, but we all felt the same. We needed the dynamism and pace of Nasri and Walcott, so the chants began.

In terms of performances, several things were apparent last night; 1) Squillaci doesn't talk to anyone. 2) Diaby and Denilson should be sold. - Denilson isn't a central midfielder, he needs space to work and you don't get that in central midfield. Diaby is a conundrum in himself, I don't know what to do with him. He's so far away from being match fit its ridiculous he started. He was so far off the pace of the game he was practically static. When fit, he's powerful going forwards, but last night he had a shocker. 3) Bendtner isn't a right midfielder, at all, ever.

Rosicky was one of our best players last night, Chamakh was tireless in his running and fighting for the ball, Koscielny did well at times, extremely well at others and then made simple mistakes, but generally the back line defended ok...Squillaci really disappointed me last night. He's capable of much better.

Its such a mixed bag of emotions, decisions should have gone our way that didn't, but we got decisions we shouldn't have too, so I cannot complain about it. It all evens out. I just hope we don't look back at this game and realise its cost us a lot more than two points.

For now gooners, i bid you adieu.

WG

Technorati : Arsenal, Chelsea, Wigan, bendtner, nasri, rosicky, walcott, wenger
Del.icio.us : Arsenal, Chelsea, Wigan, bendtner, nasri, rosicky, walcott, wenger
Zooomr : Arsenal, Chelsea, Wigan, bendtner, nasri, rosicky, walcott, wenger
Flickr : Arsenal, Chelsea, Wigan, bendtner, nasri, rosicky, walcott, wenger

3:1 not enough. Not nearly enough

In truth its nothing to do with the scoreline, I wanted a better performance than that. We are so much better than they are. Yes they made it difficult, but we should have been more incisive.

We were all over them like an angry moss and I feel we lacked penetration at times. Denilson didn't really have a great game and I wish Rosicky was there or Wilshire instead. That way their midfield five would have been chasing back rather than closing us down.

Negativity aside however, we've qualified and thats all that matters for now. Performances will need to come later against the later teams.

I'm excited and mildly fearful of our next opposition on this form.

WG

Technorati : Arsenal, Denilson, Partizan, Rosicky, Wilshire
Del.icio.us : Arsenal, Denilson, Partizan, Rosicky, Wilshire
Zooomr : Arsenal, Denilson, Partizan, Rosicky, Wilshire
Flickr : Arsenal, Denilson, Partizan, Rosicky, Wilshire

The importance of being Samir - Part 2

See part 1 here

Samir Nasri's career has been meteoric. He began playing with Marseille when he was just 9 years old. He rose through the youth ranks and he started playing in Ligue 1 in the 2004/2005 season at the age of 17, where he started 13 games and came on as a substitute in 11 games, scoring one goal.

In the 2005-2006 season he saw European action in the form of the UEFA cup where he played 10 games and then the UEFA Intertoto Cup where he played one game and scored on his debut and only game in the competition.

I have nicked the below career stats from Wikipedia to highlight his career so far.

As of 4 December 2010 ^[19]

Club	Season	League			Cup [20] [21]			Europe			Total
		Apps	Goals	Assists	Apps	Goals	Assists	Apps	Goals	Assists	Apps	Goals	Assists
Marseille	2004-05	24	1	0	1	0	-	0	0	0	25	1	-
	2005-06	30	1	0	5	0	-	11	0	0	46	1	-
	2006-07	38	3	6	7	0	-	4	0	0	49	3	6
	2007-08	30	6	11	4	0	-	8	0	3	42	6	14
Total		122	11	17	17	0	-	23	0	3	162	11	20
Arsenal	2008-09	29	6	2	5	0	3	10	1	0	44	7	5
	2009-10	26	2	5	2	0	1	6	3	0	34	5	6
	2010-11	13	8	1	2	2	0	4	1	2	19	11	3
Total		68	16	8	9	2	4	20	5	2	97	23	14
Career Total		190	27	25	26	2	4	43	5	5	259	34	34

At 23 years old, he's played a considerable amount of football. For the purposes of this article I am not going to look at his international career as the games are infrequent and selection doesn't necessarily reflect form.

I'm sure its relevant that we are seeing the best of Samir now that Gallas is no longer at Arsenal. Bundle that with a settled home life and we are reaping the benefits. Deemed as something of a playboy in his final days at Marseille, it is refreshing to know he is still in a steady relationship with Tatiana Golovin - a french Tennis player who lives with him in Hampstead.

I remember watching him vs Porto where he danced through the defence and scored. I went practically mental at that and spent the next ten mins trying to convince the mrs to watch the replay. I said at the time I wished he would do that more often and its refreshing to see another of my wishes come true.

Samir has taken his best ability, the ability to control the ball at full pace and is applying it against the opposition far more regularly this season. I think this is more to do with his advanced position, starting farther up the pitch, closer to the opposition back line. At pace he's terrifying. You either foul him or let him through.

Long may it continue, because with him in the side, Arshavin, Fabregas and Rosicky have someone to play with, someone to read that stabbed first-time pass into space behind the opposition. Something that Samir is excellent at. Don't be fooled into thinking he is Fabregas-lite, Wenger doesn't want to replace Fabregas with Samir, Samir is something else altogether.

WG

Technorati : Arsenal, Arshavin, Fabregas, Marseille, Rosicky, Samir Nasri, Wenger
Del.icio.us : Arsenal, Arshavin, Fabregas, Marseille, Rosicky, Samir Nasri, Wenger
Zooomr : Arsenal, Arshavin, Fabregas, Marseille, Rosicky, Samir Nasri, Wenger
Flickr : Arsenal, Arshavin, Fabregas, Marseille, Rosicky, Samir Nasri, Wenger

One small step..one giant leap

Arsenal take on Braga tonight in a Champions league tie that should promise much for us Arsenal fans. It should see the return to the starting line up for Wilshire, perhaps a rest for Fabregas and Chamakh with Nasri taking up the Fabregas role and a rare start for Bendtner perhaps?

This should be a game where Walcott and Rosicky (both of whom I expect to start) attempt to stake their claim for a more regular starting berth. I really really like Rosicky and I see the benefit every time he is on the pitch. Walcott has been struggling to repeat his early season form since his injury but will want to prove himself again.

Tonights opponents, humbled at the Emirates promise to be a bit wiser this time. The manager and their supporters are happy to play for a draw and have said as much in the media and on Arsenal.com. Don't be fooled, Braga know a win against us would see them cement their 3rd place and put them level on points with us in the group, albeit being 3rd due to goal difference.

Partizan have nothing but pride to play for and I don't expect them to prove tough opposition to Shakhtar. Which turns the game tonight into a Must-win....another one...as they all are from here until may.

We can't afford to drop any points here, if we win at least we've qualified, job done, play the kids in the last group game. That should be the focus tonight. Get the result we should have got in Shakhtar.

WG

Technorati : Arsenal, Bendtner, Braga, Chamakh, Fabregas, Nasri, Rosicky, Shakhtar, Walcott, Wilshire
Del.icio.us : Arsenal, Bendtner, Braga, Chamakh, Fabregas, Nasri, Rosicky, Shakhtar, Walcott, Wilshire
Zooomr : Arsenal, Bendtner, Braga, Chamakh, Fabregas, Nasri, Rosicky, Shakhtar, Walcott, Wilshire
Flickr : Arsenal, Bendtner, Braga, Chamakh, Fabregas, Nasri, Rosicky, Shakhtar, Walcott, Wilshire

Thrown to the Wolves - Arsenal bite back.

Arsenal, on the back of two losses, face Wolves on Wednesday night. After the disappointment of losing to Newcastle in the Premier League we travel knowing that there can be no second chances this week. We will need to be vicious, efficient, powerful.

What can be taken from the last two games? Wilshire continues to grow in stature and performance. He was awesome at the weekend. Fabregas will feel he has something to prove after two lacklustre performances in the last two Premier League matches. RvP made his return, though he is a country mile off fitness and Chamakh proved that the run of constant games is taking its toll, he's exhausted and needs a rest.

So what is in store for tomorrow night? I hope that the boys take on board the obvious points from the weekend. We did not penetrate enough or convert our chances. This cannot happen tomorrow. We need to put down another marker and stamp on Wolves. I don't want it to be a war, I really don't want to see any of our players get injured. I want a fast, mobile, efficient performance. Its about time Rosicky got another game to be honest. Perhaps rest Fabregas and play Rosicky in that role?

I really think Fabianski will have a great game tomorrow night. He's shown character in the past when criticised and I see no reason why we won't see that again.

Come on you Gunners, go up there and give 'em a whoopin!

WG

Technorati : Arsenal, Chamakh, Fabregas, Newcastle, Premier League, Robin Van Persie, Rosicky, Wilshire, Wolves
Del.icio.us : Arsenal, Chamakh, Fabregas, Newcastle, Premier League, Robin Van Persie, Rosicky, Wilshire, Wolves
Zooomr : Arsenal, Chamakh, Fabregas, Newcastle, Premier League, Robin Van Persie, Rosicky, Wilshire, Wolves
Flickr : Arsenal, Chamakh, Fabregas, Newcastle, Premier League, Robin Van Persie, Rosicky, Wilshire, Wolves

Faster than lightening, his pace is frightening.

Master Wenger has been extolling the virtues of Theo in the press this week stating that he is very close to the central striker role he craves. Certainly this season we are seeing a very different Theo in an Arsenal shirt and I can't discount the impact of not being taken to the World Cup.

I was shocked when he wasn't included, his pace was missed and I think if Capello was asked whether he regrets not taking him he would say not, but if he was honest he would admit that his front options didnt perform and Theo's pace would have been an asset.

I like Theo a lot. He's an extremely sensible lad. In a game now where its harder to empathise with the players Theo is a shining light of nobility. He's an honest, comitted person and he's a great ambassador for Arsenal and England. I hope he can stay with us and find success and trophies with us.

Looking at tonight, Shakhtar will be looking to attack, they have to regain some pride in front of their fans. I think Wenger will play Denilson and Wilshire deep, with Rosicky or Nasri in front of them so the formation will look something like this..

Fabianski
Eboue	Squillaci Koscielny			Clichy
	Wilshire Denilson
Walcott		Nasri		Rosicky
		Chamakh

The personnel are important in this, we need to break with pace and contain in the midfield. Its not a must-win game, but Wenger wants to win and it would cement our position at the top of the group. Feel free to post your own ideal line-ups and why!

I really want Rosicky and Walcott to start. The little Mozart is excellent at picking out Theo's runs and that combination mixed with Nasri breaking through the centre would be devastating. The combinations between Rosicky and Wilshire is also excellent, its easy to see why Wenger would want to keep Tomas, he's the best role model Wilshire could have.

Here's hoping that we get 2:0 up and after 70 mins can bring on JET, Eastmond and maybe even gamble and give Sczcesny a few mins, though that would be most unlikely. I would expect Wenger to give Sczcesny the last two qualifying games instead.

I think people are finally seeing the fruit of Wenger's efforts, we have strength in depth, we have quality and this year we WILL have silverware to show for it. Of that I am certain.

WG
...Arsenal, don't prove me wrong!

Technorati : Arsenal, Nasri, Rosicky, Walcott, Wenger, Wilshire
Del.icio.us : Arsenal, Nasri, Rosicky, Walcott, Wenger, Wilshire
Zooomr : Arsenal, Nasri, Rosicky, Walcott, Wenger, Wilshire
Flickr : Arsenal, Nasri, Rosicky, Walcott, Wenger, Wilshire

Bring on the Citeh!

Confidence is flying high in the Arsenal camp and the stronger characters in the team are demanding more from us when we go to Citeh this weekend.

It is absolutely a must-win game and with that in mind, I think Wenger will attack this game a bit differently than Birmingham and Shakhtar. He knows Citeh are powerful and their ball winners in midfield are aggressive to the point of violence (De Jong anyone?). He needs to take that away from them and the only way to do that is to stop it being a midfield battle. If it becomes a battle I feel we might lose, or if we don't we might lose a few players to injury.

Without knowing really who's fit and who isn't anyone would struggle to guess the line up, but I think it would be something like this;

Fabianski
Eboue	Squillaci Djourou			Clichy
	Song Diaby
Rosicky		Fabregas		Nasri
		Chamakh

That is the way I'd love to see us lining up, with Diaby and Song holding and allowing Rosicky, Fabregas and Nasri to support Chamakh and collect his knock-downs. I know Diaby doesn't like sitting, but we will need his power to protect our back 4. He'll direct the midfield to play one-touch wherever possible, moving the ball faster than we can be tackled, therefore negating the midfield of Citeh whilst maintaining posession and continuing to attack.

Rosicky, Fabregas and Nasri will be essential to the success on sunday. God help them that they don't get injured.

More to follow when I get a bit of team news.

WG

Technorati : Arsenal, De Jong, Diaby, Fabregas, Manchester City, Nasri, Rosicky, Song
Del.icio.us : Arsenal, De Jong, Diaby, Fabregas, Manchester City, Nasri, Rosicky, Song
Zooomr : Arsenal, De Jong, Diaby, Fabregas, Manchester City, Nasri, Rosicky, Song
Flickr : Arsenal, De Jong, Diaby, Fabregas, Manchester City, Nasri, Rosicky, Song

Tomas Rosicky - Master of the one-touch game

Arsenal's forgotten man Tomas Rosicky was imperious last night. His game seemed to pass almost unnoticed by the commentators as he glided around the pitch making interceptions, creating chances and accelerating our attacks using his vision.

Without Rosicky we lack something different, his ability to control a ball at pace and ping it off one-touch to one of our players.

Last night he was awesome, his assist to Wilshire a testament to his skill and control. He displayed the best part of his game last night, his excellent workrate, determination, creativity and quality. No wonder we've missed him so much. I'd take him instead of Denilson and Diaby every game. He tackled back, he fought and created opportunities across the pitch.

Rosicky will win us games this season, I hear clammering for him to shoot, but I believe his best work is done outside the 18yrd box and I expect much from him this year.

WG

Technorati : Arsenal, Rosicky, Shakhtar
Del.icio.us : Arsenal, Rosicky, Shakhtar
Zooomr : Arsenal, Rosicky, Shakhtar
Flickr : Arsenal, Rosicky, Shakhtar

Ok...so 2:0 then...

My predo was off it seems, though not without its own merit. Taking the positives where we can, we should have been at least 1:0 up inside the first ten minutes. Chamakh had the beating of Chelsea across the ground and we should have used that more.

I was delighted in the way our midfield performed. I thought Wilshire and Nasri continued to impress and Song sat back for the most part and did a decent job of tidying up. Diaby was picked for his power but I wish Wenger had picked Rosicky instead, his guile would have made a difference over 90 mins. Diaby slowed us down going forwards with his dribbling where a quick pass would have benefitted.

Fabianski did well again yesterday, I am very pleased for him. Drogba's flick was at his near post but difficult to judge due to the pace it was hit at so I don't allocate blame there. I felt we were naive for the second goal to allow the Chelsea player such an easy time in the wall, rookie mistake to not put our own player behind him and push him forwards out of the wall. Again, Fabianski no chance.

Despite all of the positives, there are two big negatives. We controlled the game for 88 minutes and didn't score. We were practically toothless upfront for all of Chamakhs movement and workrate we just didn't create enough and we didn't put anything in the onion bag. The second negative is something we've all been driven crazy by, why didn't Wenger try changing it sooner. He could have started ringing the changes at the 70min mark and brought on Vela and gone 4-4-2. Or pushed Arshavin and Nasri further forward for 4-3-3 not the current 4-2-3-1.

Even so, I think we deserved something, in the end all we got was a kicking, but we will play worse and annihalate someone, so there is something to take from this.

Chin up gooners its getting better for Arsenal, least its party town in Wigan, Latics and the Warriors both won! Come on the Pie-Eaters...LOL

WG

Technorati : Arsenal, Arshavin, Chamaky, Chelsea, Diaby, Drogba, Rosicky, Wenger, Wilshire
Del.icio.us : Arsenal, Arshavin, Chamaky, Chelsea, Diaby, Drogba, Rosicky, Wenger, Wilshire
Zooomr : Arsenal, Arshavin, Chamaky, Chelsea, Diaby, Drogba, Rosicky, Wenger, Wilshire
Flickr : Arsenal, Arshavin, Chamaky, Chelsea, Diaby, Drogba, Rosicky, Wenger, Wilshire

Chelski preview - mobility is key

I'd like to start off this post with a predo....I believe Arsenal will win this game - providing Fabianski doesnt flap about and gift them a goal or two.

As the title suggests, mobility is key for us tomorrow. We need Nasri, Wilshire, Arshavin and Rosicky to be swarming about creating space, confusion and combining in attack to bamboozle. These four players are critical, if they are on form we will win.

Confident of me to suggest, but beliefs are rarely without base. The fab four listed above are on the same wavelength and provided Song does what he is good at and just defends and breaks down attacks then I think we can get a result.

Chelski aren't that good. Against Citeh they were woeful, Terry looks like he is running with UHU on the bottom of his football boots. Cashley is playing well but the rest are hardly showering themselves in gold. This is a good time for us to play them and I am confident.

I feel super-confident and last night in the pub my confidence was questioned. I've been hilariously wrong before so we'll see.

Til then gooners!

WG