Domination that would put Mubarak to shame, a day for heroes

I'm hitting Political Satire too now.... anyhoo.... So we welcomed Wolves to the Grove with an ounce of trepidation considering their win against ManYoo. However that trepidation was unfounded with a performance that put down a marker for the rest of our season.

Arsene went against form by picking the likes of Cesc, RvP, Song and Djourou to ensure we had a solid team and the result made the decision worthwhile with a great game that the scoreline barely flattered.

Wayne Hennessey, Wolves goalkeeper will have done his stock a world of good with a all action performance that saw him tip, flick and scramble his way through 90 minutes but saved Wolves a real battering.

In terms of us however, it was an assured performance and just what the doctor ordered before the Barca game. It really could have been a battering so I'm glad we were able to get the result and then take off the likes of RvP to rest them for Wednesday.

Theo is really looking good at the moment and Cesc's ball for RvP's first time volley was as sublime as you will see this season, as was the volley that finished it off. Its fair to say, International Man of Cheese, Robin Van Persie is in great form and we will need to keep him fit for the rest of the season to win silverware.

I was explaining to 'er indoors last night about how massive the game on Wednesday is, how the performance will tell us how far we have moved on since last year, about how Barcelona is the benchmark at the moment. Yes Inter won the Champions League last year, but Football fans wanted Barcelona to win, Mourinho's anti-football got the cup but Barca will always hold the glory with this current crop of players.

I'm stupidly optimistic for Wednesday, I think we have a good chance. I honestly think if we get the ball down and settle we have the game to cause them problems too. I'd prefer to have the likes of the Verminator and Super Samir fit and playing but fortune favors the brave and I cannot wait to see our boys have a go.

Its a day for heroes lads, make your fans proud.

WG

Technorati : Arsenal, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Mourinho, Nasri, Vermaelen, Wenger, Wolves
Del.icio.us : Arsenal, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Mourinho, Nasri, Vermaelen, Wenger, Wolves
Zooomr : Arsenal, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Mourinho, Nasri, Vermaelen, Wenger, Wolves
Flickr : Arsenal, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Mourinho, Nasri, Vermaelen, Wenger, Wolves

Fortunate to escape a replay - Squillaci is a goon.

All teams need luck to be successful. Yesterday we were very lucky. Huddersfield pressed well and deserved their goal.

To Sebastien Squillaci, what an absolute Goon. I can't tell you how frustrating that decision by Squillaci was. He was always going to get carded for that and 8 times out of 10 it will be a red. It was arguably the most cynical, blatant professional foul I've seen in ages.

The positive, he's suspended for 3 games. Lets hope Djourou and Koscielny can keep up their good form.

Wenger's gamble on Nasri got found out and now we are without the mercurial French wizard for at least 3 weeks, with the possibility of him missing the first leg of Barca a strong one. Arsene has said that he wanted to play Rosicky in his place but he was still too week following illness. A reasonable gamble and not one to be blamed (unless there was prior indications that his hamstring was fatigued and at risk). I feel for Nasri and hope that his recovery is speedy and he can make it back for Barca.

The important thing to remember is that we avoided a replay that we couldn't afford. Now we need to focus on our next game and work on getting our key players fit. I wonder how far off Vermaelen is?

WG

Technorati : Arsenal, Djourou, Huddersfield., Koscielny, Nasri, Squillaci, Wenger
Del.icio.us : Arsenal, Djourou, Huddersfield., Koscielny, Nasri, Squillaci, Wenger
Zooomr : Arsenal, Djourou, Huddersfield., Koscielny, Nasri, Squillaci, Wenger
Flickr : Arsenal, Djourou, Huddersfield., Koscielny, Nasri, Squillaci, Wenger

Good result, lets keep up this momentum

Football games are all about momentum. If you win a game well you take that confidence into the next game. In-form players feel everything is going to come off for them so they try to be a little bit more spontaneous and creative. Look at Nasri as an example of this.

Our first eleven in the Premier league is playing well, they've confident and extravagant. They're a joy to watch and a nightmare to play against.

This is the first eleven that should start against Ipswich. We need a result and this is the way to guarantee it. After the game tomorrow night they have 4 days to recover and it should easily be enough.

It was a great game against the Latics and we deserved the result. Everyone put in a good shift. Another clean sheet is good for the confidence at the back and I was confident pre-match and I'm glad to see it rewarded. Too often this season we've looked lightweight in games we should dominate. I hope that chapter is well and truly closed!

For now, its full steam to Ipswich - More demons to banish following the ironing out of Leeds at Elland road. I think its time for Wenger to gamble, if he wants the silverware he has to play a team that he knows is on form. It should be the same players who played against Wigan....but I think he'll throw in Bendtner, Denilson and perhaps even Diaby who has returned to fitness.

WG

Technorati : Arsenal, Ipswich, Leeds, Wenger, Wigan
Del.icio.us : Arsenal, Ipswich, Leeds, Wenger, Wigan
Zooomr : Arsenal, Ipswich, Leeds, Wenger, Wigan
Flickr : Arsenal, Ipswich, Leeds, Wenger, Wigan

Turning the lights on at Elland Road

With the visit of Arsenal, Ken Bates was forced into investing an extra 50p in the meter to keep the floodlights on in what was a thrilling game of football.

Nasri tormented, Song battled and our defence was excellent last night. Koscielny and Djourou's job was made easier by Leeds playing tubby Billy Paynter who's as mobile as a bus, but they handled the threat well and neither of them put a foot wrong in 90mins. Both of them are seeing their stock rise at the moment with their consistent, reliable performances.

Nasri's goal was typical of him at late, everything is working for him at the moment, superlatives escape me as I search for originality, perhaps simply everything he touches turns to goals. This in stark contrast to poor Arshavin. I actually feel so sorry for him right now, we've all been there when everything you try just doesnt come off...you have to play through it and get out of the other side but its a killer. He worked so hard last night, he was even trying to win a defensive header, HIM!! ... he's only 3ft tall! (slight exaggeration).

Sagna's goal was exactly what he needed and he should do it more, a few minutes earlier he chose to put the ball across the box and Bendtner failed to get on the end of it when I think he really should have put something on it. It was an excellent, swerving powerful shot that Schmeichel should have saved, but the power beat him.

A point of frustration to me is Nik Bendtner. He's not a right winger, he never will be. He's not got the pace or the tricks in the locker to beat the left back. I know last night with the rotation Wenger didn't feel he had anyone else to put there but I would put Vela out there (he's not gone out on loan yet has he?) because he has pace and tricks to burn. In fairness to Bendtner, it was a frustrating night but he redeemed his performance somewhat with the cross for Van Persie, it was a peach and made Robins job very easy indeed.

Lets hope this is the first of many cups we continue to progress in, we need to thrash Ipswich. I didn't want to preview last nights game because I didn't want to jinx it. I'm glad I didn't. Bring on the Latics at the grove on Saturday, I can't wait!

WG

Technorati : Arsenal, Arshavin, Bendtner, Billy Paynter, Ken Bates, Leeds, Nasri, Van Persie, Vela, Wenger
Del.icio.us : Arsenal, Arshavin, Bendtner, Billy Paynter, Ken Bates, Leeds, Nasri, Van Persie, Vela, Wenger
Zooomr : Arsenal, Arshavin, Bendtner, Billy Paynter, Ken Bates, Leeds, Nasri, Van Persie, Vela, Wenger
Flickr : Arsenal, Arshavin, Bendtner, Billy Paynter, Ken Bates, Leeds, Nasri, Van Persie, Vela, Wenger

Possibility of signing a centre-back ?

Media reports are flowing with the news that Wenger "might" be delving into the transfer market in search of defensive cover should Squillaci not recover from his hamstring injury swiftly.

There are plenty of names being banded about and I cannot be bothered talking about them all. Needless to say I wouldn't want Samba if someone gave him to me for free, Mertesacker has been trying to get himself transferred for ages and noone has taken a punt on him which begs the question why? There must be something behind it and I really can't see us taking the SolMan back again.

My gut feeling is Squillaci will make a miracle recovery.

WG

Technorati : Arsenal, Mertesacker, Samba, Squillaci, Transfer News, Wenger
Del.icio.us : Arsenal, Mertesacker, Samba, Squillaci, Transfer News, Wenger
Zooomr : Arsenal, Mertesacker, Samba, Squillaci, Transfer News, Wenger
Flickr : Arsenal, Mertesacker, Samba, Squillaci, Transfer News, Wenger

'e deserved it, Taking on the Citeh

Happy New Year Readers!!

Arsene Wenger has been out in force in the media over the last few days about Bowyer's suspension, he's a angry little monster and deserved the ban.

There is also much speculation about the possible arrivals of Ronaldinho and Beckham to the PL. Personnally, my recent recollections of the form and attitude of Ronaldinho do not cover him with gold, but if he comes it will generate a significant media and public interest and that can't be a bad thing. Might stop the media battering on about potential transfers to us.

On that note Wenger has been reasonably resolute, the only signing will be a central defender and thats only if the Verminator breaks down again. Might be worth hedging your bets Mr Wenger.

Its all good news on the squad front with Wenger saying its the fittest squad in years. Its about time!! Its almost nice to see other teams crippled with injuries for once, touch wood that habit doesn't return to us.

Tonight we take on Citeh at the Emirates, a game that I think we should win. Man City will come to play in our back yard and I expect us to teach them another lesson. The likes of Nasri and Arshavin will get room to play and the Citeh defence will not be able to cope with Van Persie.

I expect a similar line-up to the Birmingham line-up, I see no reason to change a winning side and there are no injuries to speak of from the game. However, I've been proved wrong by Arsene's interesting teamsheets.

I'm looking for a 3-1 tonight, Nasri to score so get your bets on Nasri

WG

Technorati : Arsenal, Citeh, Nasri, Wenger, van Persie
Del.icio.us : Arsenal, Citeh, Nasri, Wenger, van Persie
Zooomr : Arsenal, Citeh, Nasri, Wenger, van Persie
Flickr : Arsenal, Citeh, Nasri, Wenger, van Persie

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

Its a critical yet Merry Christmas

The Christmas period is one unique to the Premier League and the UK football leagues. Where other leagues and football associations see fit to allow players to enjoy this festive period the English FA are happy to watch our boys running about on Boxing day...and so am I to be honest.

Its a period where games are won and lost, shock results DO happen and below-par performances are a certainity.

Its a period where Arsenal have generally done well under Arsene and I'm hoping for more of the same. We're not top for Christmas, but the real prize is at the end of the season, our Santa Claus is to deliver consistency, big performances and a return to fitness and form for our squad.

I have no doubt we are able to win the league, noone is running away with it and there is no clear favourite. I think we have what it takes, using the argument of young Jack Wilshire, the Carling Cup could well be the catalyst that spurs us on to some big performances in the league.

Me, I'm just looking forward to drinking too much, eating too much and watching some good football. Everything after that is next year and I don't care too much for that right now.

If I run out of time with all this Crimbo shopping malarky, Have a fantastic Christmas gooners, one and all. Thank you for your great feedback and I look forward to spending even more time talking to you guys in the new year.

WiganGooner.

Technorati : Arsenal, English Football Association, Premier League, Wenger, Wilshire
Del.icio.us : Arsenal, English Football Association, Premier League, Wenger, Wilshire
Zooomr : Arsenal, English Football Association, Premier League, Wenger, Wilshire
Flickr : Arsenal, English Football Association, Premier League, Wenger, Wilshire

Nordtveit on his way back to Germany - slow news week

You can always tell when there is a lack of real Arsenal news about. Everyone's getting all hot uner the collar about Havard Nordtveit.

Nordtveit, a Norwegian CB by trade is a decent player and was bought in for development and has spent a few years with us spending 3 loan spells away with Salamanca, Lillestrom and Nurenberg.

Technically adept, he's a footballing centre-back in the mould of Rio Ferdinand, but his slight frame has led to him being deployed as a right-back or defensive midfield as he lacks the physical attributes to be a top level CB.

However, he can bulk up in the Gym and I hope he gets the opportunity to show his qualities at Borussia Munchengladbach..where he is rumoured to be heading. He is out of contract in the summer and by all accounts Ivan Gazidis has been trying to tie him down to a 3yr deal for some time.

In the fresh light of day, if he doesn't want to commit to us, then lets get rid and get some money back for him. I think thats what Wenger is thinking. Havard might turn out to be world-class, but if he doesn't want to stay then what choice have we got? He'll go for a free in the summer if we don't sell him now.

Wengers caught colds before on players running down their contracts, he's not naive enough to let it happen to a player he doesn't really need. He needed to keep Flamini and hope that over time he would change his mind. Nordtveit can go, we don't need another rookie defender, especially when he's not exactly studded his arsehole with diamonds whilst out on loan.

Crude terminology, but football is a performance related game. If you don't perform, the requirement to keep you drops.

WG

Technorati : Arsenal, Havard Nordtveit, Lillestrom, Nurenberg, Salamanca, Wenger
Del.icio.us : Arsenal, Havard Nordtveit, Lillestrom, Nurenberg, Salamanca, Wenger
Zooomr : Arsenal, Havard Nordtveit, Lillestrom, Nurenberg, Salamanca, Wenger
Flickr : Arsenal, Havard Nordtveit, Lillestrom, Nurenberg, Salamanca, Wenger

Why Wenger will never spend 20million on a defender, or a keeper

This post is really born from some comments on my posts so I thought I'd create a whole post from my responses to it.

Fans are getting frustrated because they don't see us competing in the transfer market with the likes of Madrid, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Man Citeh. They want a marquee signing and I can understand why. People look at the signings of Squillaci and Koscielny in the summer and pound their fists together and ask why didn't we spend real hard cash and replace Gallas, Senderos and Toure?

Wenger doesn't buy ready-made players, with a few rare exceptions he wants to make them.

I don't think Squillaci and Koscielny are bad defenders. Its their first season in the premier league and its only Koscielny's 2nd season in top flight football. Koscielny wasn't bought to start every game, he and Squillaci were bought to supplement Vermaelen and Djourou and both be brought into the Premier League slowly, circumstances however have seen them play a lot more than expected. I can tell you now, Wenger never meant for them to be the first choice pairing for this season.

Koscielny is one of the best 1v1 defenders in the premiership, yes their partnership is vulnerable but it is still young in terms of games.

Now I WISH Wenger would spend twenty million on a Goalkeeper, or a defender, or sod it both!! But he will never do that. He's a coach first and a manager second. He wants to make talent, not buy it.

Thats why Henry was a great player, thats why he helped an aging Arsenal defence play on for year after year.

I certainly feel your frustrations, but we're building a great side and I'd rather be positive than negative, that just leads to the dark side.

Hang on in there gooners, we're on the cusp of greatness.

WG

Technorati : Arsenal, Barcelona, Henry, Koscielny, Madrid, Manchester City, Squillaci, Wenger
Del.icio.us : Arsenal, Barcelona, Henry, Koscielny, Madrid, Manchester City, Squillaci, Wenger
Zooomr : Arsenal, Barcelona, Henry, Koscielny, Madrid, Manchester City, Squillaci, Wenger
Flickr : Arsenal, Barcelona, Henry, Koscielny, Madrid, Manchester City, Squillaci, Wenger

Technorati : Arsenal, Barcelona, Henry, Koscielny, Madrid, Manchester City, Squillaci, Wenger
Del.icio.us : Arsenal, Barcelona, Henry, Koscielny, Madrid, Manchester City, Squillaci, Wenger
Zooomr : Arsenal, Barcelona, Henry, Koscielny, Madrid, Manchester City, Squillaci, Wenger
Flickr : Arsenal, Barcelona, Henry, Koscielny, Madrid, Manchester City, Squillaci, Wenger

Shoot the messenger, stop the press!

I find myself bemused at the constant rattling of people's cages about Wenger not being up for the job. These are the people who called him god 5 years ago.

He has kept us competitive, admittedly without silverware but noone has a god-given right to that. We're not an awful side and we are still in the title race. When did reason forsake many in our society? I'm a passionate fan and I hate losing to anyone, but it happens. Especially this season where its seems the top twelve in the league seem more than capable of beating each other, albeit sometimes in a fortunate manner.

I'm not going to sweep the loss under the rug, its still very much hanging over me, but I'm dealing with it and I see no reason to start shouting at the management. We needed to gamble but the players need to shoulder the burden, they are on the pitch, they need to take the initiative to gamble and get players in the box at any given time.

Direct your constructive criticism at Arshavin for example who was very wasteful, but remember he is hot and cold and we needed him there for a spot of genius, it just didnt happen for him.

WG

Technorati : Arsenal, Arshavin, Wenger
Del.icio.us : Arsenal, Arshavin, Wenger
Zooomr : Arsenal, Arshavin, Wenger
Flickr : Arsenal, Arshavin, Wenger

A Gamblers Fortune.

It was a game that was massively winnable. For all of our busy performances and battling we missed the urgency that West Brom showed at ManYoo.

For me thats worrying.

I'm not a doom and gloom merchant, the league isnt finished and we're still in the race. I'll also not be fooled by Wenger's rant about the pitch, it was atrocious, but its the same for both teams and they looked a lot more dangerous than we did.

ManYoo did what a lot of teams did last season, defended their box and let us play outside. We should have got wise to how to deal with that, get a lot of bodies in there and pump balls in. Magic and fortune go hand in hand with the brave.

As I said last night, we weren't prepared to gamble on that and thats why we lost. We lost to a header in our box from a midfielder that gambled and got in there.

Thats the lesson, gamble, make a few runs ahead of the ball. It pays off sometimes, especially when other avenues are being blocked.

WG

Technorati : Arsenal, Manchester United, Wenger, West Brom
Del.icio.us : Arsenal, Manchester United, Wenger, West Brom
Zooomr : Arsenal, Manchester United, Wenger, West Brom
Flickr : Arsenal, Manchester United, Wenger, West Brom

Tear into Partizan as if our lives depended on it.

Thats the attitude our players need tonight. We need to set down a marker tonight. Another performance of lackadaisical football will not be enough.

Arsenal set records this season for the most goals scored in the first three games of the group stage. We need that form back. Noone will fear us if we nick a 1:0 result at home.

If we annihalate them 7:0 however, that might make people stand up and think.

Thats what I want to see tonight, I want Nasri, Wilshire, Song and RvP to rip them apart. I want Chamakh to hit a hattrick and the rest to weigh in too. As fans we deserve a performance after the last two Champions League games.

This should be our line up tonight, I'll leave it to Mr Arsene to make his own modifications as is his wont..

Fabianski
Sagna	Squillaci Koscielny			Clichy
	Song Wilshire
Nasri		Robin Van Persie		Walcott
		Chamakh

That teamsheet should, on paper, destroy Partizan and thats what we need.

WG

Technorati : Arsenal, Champions League, Nasri, Partizan, Song, Van Persie, Wenger, Wilshire
Del.icio.us : Arsenal, Champions League, Nasri, Partizan, Song, Van Persie, Wenger, Wilshire
Zooomr : Arsenal, Champions League, Nasri, Partizan, Song, Van Persie, Wenger, Wilshire
Flickr : Arsenal, Champions League, Nasri, Partizan, Song, Van Persie, Wenger, 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