Fat Frank to lead with Theo and Jack propping him up

Fat Frank Lampard, allegedly sponsored by Ginsters pasties ltd, has been named as England Captain in the absense of Ferdinand and Gerrard. He certainly has the experience, but I'd suggest as he is more than able of being anonymous in an England shirt it might not be such an amazing choice, but these days being Captain doesn't mean much anymore. There isn't the respect for the armband that there used to be.

All that negativity aside, Super-Theo and Young Jacky are in the squad and both look ready to start tonight in Denmark. Jacky is to be given the midfield holding role, as previously held by Barry in another opportunity to show his talents in an England shirt. His link up play, already acknowledged and credited by Theo is already well known and his performances in our midfield have been excellent. His eye for the pass and the execution of his vision is going to be a great benefit tonight.

Theo should benefit from this and he's in good form. I expect Theo to to really put a stamp on the game tonight to show Fabio what a mistake he made by not taking him. Theo offers something entirely different to any other England player. He offers a more direct threat than any player and he will always make an opposition defence twitchy about their positioning as they worry about his pace breaking through just as he did against the Barcodes.

I'm looking at tonight with my usual lack of passion, but I'm looking forward to see how Jacky and Theo get on. I almost expect Jack to be awesome, so much I really think the papers will be full of him tomorrow.

Lets hope its for the right reasons!

WG

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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

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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Sensational journalism, 7up and a big guy with a beard called Pete.

The summer. A period of distractions, of transfers, of hope, anticipation and joy.

In the dearth of real, tangible information, its apparently newsworthy for the Express to make up something as simple as Beckham telling "Unlucky Theo" to "Keep his Chin up".

Sterling journalism guys....absolutely, nailed on, stone-wall brilliant news.

As part of a series I've been thinking about doing on here, I thought I'd share a few match day memories. To somewhat introduce me to you and in turn, if you choose to comment, me to you...(sounds like the most god-awful Chuckle brothers presentation). Plus, if anyone else has any stories I'd love to hear them and I'll post them up here too.

Hot summers and dizzy days - Part 1

As a Southern gooner, I always went to the Pre-season friendlies at Barnet and Borehamwood(to see the next gen of kids) .. These were my staples. I've seen every game for the last 6 seasons of these.

Its the only way to enjoy the summer. Those days at Barnet are bloody ace. The spirit, optimism and joy to be watching football again is only matched by the anticipation of watching the new signing strut his stuff.

I remember taking my Dad to his first ever Arsenal match. He'd always loved Arsenal, from his dad and his before him I guess, but he'd never been. I took him for his fathers day present, I gave him what he gave me, Arsenal. I can't tell you how it felt, suffice to say I felt a good son and I was excited.

On this particular day we'd just sold Viera and I got interviewed by Sky..."who would get the captaincy now?" hell I thought Sol would get it. So I said so, with my reasons being experience, influence and having the Captain at the back..it makes sense. Henry got it. I think we might have won more with the big man, but we'll never know.

I can't remember the result that day, not for a reason that you might expect..Though I do feel we won..invesigation required...

I remember the pub round the corner from the ground, the name escapes me right now. Every person in the pub was a gooner and it was a relatively new experience for me dad. He was in his element. He talked about me, my football career, how good he thought I could have been, Arsenal and his views. It was his soapbox and many listened. He had such a great day.

For me, it was the most organic, natural revolution starting. In that pub, we as gooners, were one, away from our home comforts of the gooner pub we talked about everything Arsenal and it was epic. That part of Barnet, for those few hours was Red and White and proud.

....Nevertheless...I don't remember much of the game. I remember Bendtner with his bloody ponytail jogging up and down the line and my dad deciding that Wenger smiled and waved directly at him when we were shouting "We're not worthy" at him. But everything else...think Hleb scored?...or was that the year after...*shrugs*.. because I got sunstroke and practically fainted from dehydration.....gotta giggle about it...thank god the snack shack were on the ball. I've never drank 7up so fast in my life. I did actually mail a thank you but got no reply :(

Anyhoo...I guess its a bit of my history..enjoy gooners!!

England World Cup Squad - a blessing in disguise

I'd like to say I was surprised when I heard on the radio..Radio 1 kept releasing the odd spoiler from Clubs reporting their players were or were not going to the World Cup. Dan Garrido the sports reporter on Greg James's show broke the news whilst I was driving back from Golbourne....

Walcott out, Adam Johnson out, Huddlestone out, Parker out, Dawson out, Baines out, Bent out.

I was aware of a few certainities before today. 1) Heskey would go to South Africa, Capello loves him upfront with Rooney, it worked well in Qualifying. 2) Out of the 7 above, I'd already singled out Bent (due to Heskey, Bent wouldnt fly), Huddlestone (because he's very one paced and one dimensional, we have better players than that), Parker (didn't even have a shot at it, which I felt he deserved) and Baines (I felt he'd had a torrid time against Mexico and Fabio lost faith in him). 3) I was really certain Walcott or Johnson would go...I felt Capello would want an ace up his sleeve, someone with pace, or a surprise package. I'm still quite shocked now to be honest.

As someone who's played a bit and knows a bit its sensible to me to have players with raw pace or that surprise factor. You know what you get from Heskey, he's a powderpuff powerhouse who will run at you or the ball and then fall over. Once you know that you can defend against it easily and he will just make a fool of himself. Walcott would scare the S#*t out of me, not for his final ball but for his pace...because if he got past me I wouldn't catch him and not many would. Adam Johnson has the ability to work the ball with both feet and he's pretty quick too, I think he showed that against Mexico.

So in summary, I mostly agree with Capello, though as above there were other options that I think we could have taken to make it different. However, only time will tell if Capello was right. I'd like to think he is.

Thats all folks..!

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.