A clash of two footballing titans

I find it difficult to find words to describe the football euphoria that is taking over me today. Work is going to take so long when all I want to do is be sat ready to watch the game with beer in hand. A match where I'd kill to be at the Emirates and none of my friends are flogging me a ticket!

So onto the football, tonight sees us take on Barca in an epic game that will decide the season for many fans. Its a watershed game, if we play well and perhaps even get a result then fans will begin to believe that we are capable of winning the Champions League, the Premier league and to a lesser extent the Carling Cup to hit a fantastic treble.

A poor performance will bring down the doom and gloom and certain areas of the fanbase will be questioning Arsene, the playing squad, tactics, our style of play. The fickle nature of our fans irks me somewhat, try being a Toffees fan, or a Latics fan...

For me, whatever the result I'm looking forward to the football, if we can compete (and I believe we can) then it will be a great spectacle and we have a great chance of getting a result. What I'd give to be in the north bank when we score....we will score tonight, Barca are great going forwards, but defensively they aren't a rock, far from it and Pique is struggling without his perennial partner, Puyol. If we can keep Alves back and keep pressing at the central defensive partnership of Pique and Puyol I think we will get a result.

Come on you gunners, stand up, stand tall, fight with all your might and the winner will take home the spoils.

WG

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The muscle drain of African Players into Europe: Trade or Trafficking - by Jonas Scherren

I came across the above thesis when researching my Johan Djourou article, I'll quote a bit below and put a link to it. Its an awesome look into the way African footballers have taken football and moved it light years forward. A great read.

The below quote is from the introduction to his thesis, but its such a great read because it gives you an understanding of where your favourite players are from and what is in their heads. Think of Adebayor, a footballer from Togo, a tiny little country now playing for Real Madrid...all because he can kick a ball. Its mad.

" 1.1 Moving with the ball African football players have a long standing tradition in European football. It is no coincidence that the Old Continent introduced what is now sometimes called the Global Game in its African colonies. Nobody probably had expected how fast the popularity of the game would spread over the continent. Football quickly became the most significant pastime of young boys. It also became one of the few areas where countries could gradually aspire to achieve the same prestige as their Western or European counterparts.

International competitions provide indeed a stage to measure themselves with their former rulers. As a consequence, football does not only intrigue the mind of the young African boy in all levels of society but has also became a true political stake. There is only one key to succeed in Europe and that is hard working. The expectations that many African players cherish are somehow different from the reality however. The change of climate, the social aspect and sometimes blatant racism on and off the field does not reallymatch their initial prospects.

The style of football in Europe collides also with how most ofthe Africans see the game. They often distinguish themselves in making the ball their own even more so because, as foreign players, they need to prove their abilities more than home players. The first generation of Nigerian players for example, always talks about how to treat the ball. "Nigerians, they say, know how to handle it: they caress it with their feet; they sway it in their neck. They touch it personally, loving and tender, pitiless and harsh, like their feeling tells them. The ball is their long life. They grew up with it in the African streets where they not only dribbled their opponents but also the chickens, goats, motorcycles and cars along the road". The immigration of African football players, seeking employment in Europe has seen increasing interest over the past years. One particular element carries an important meaning however regarding statistical analysis. Indeed, a distinction has to be drawn between players who move with or without the ball."

Its an insightful read, very well thought out and produced. I hope Jonas doesn't mind me showcasing a bit of it here and linking to it here

WG

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Johan Djourou - the missing link?

I said earlier this season I wanted to see Djourou given a shot this season. The reason behind this is that Arsene allegedly told Djourou that when he sold Kolo (and bang on time it seems, another astute sale Mr Wenger) Djourou would be the player to step up into that first team role.

Looking at Djourou, he's an impressive 6'4", powerful, pacy guy, blessed with a great reading of the game. Born in the Ivory Coast, in Abidjan no less. Abidjan seems to have been a hot-bed of talent, with the likes of Drogba, Didier Zokora, Eboue to name but a few.

Johan's family moved to Geneva when he was only 17 months old which allowed him to begin his football education in Europe in Switzerland with the Payerne Training Centre and then joined Etoile-Carouge FC as a Midfielder in 2002. Only a few months later he signed scholarship forms for Arsenal, signing professional terms on the 1st August 2003.

As most of us are very much aware its 2011 so he's been with us for 8 years. He spent a season on loan with Birmingham in 2008 and I really hoped he would be able to kick on from that and start battling for a first team spot. I saw he had great raw talent, he's strong, powerful in the air and composed on the ball.

Unfortunately, similar to the on-form RvP, injuries curtailed his progress and route to the first team. However, like RvP, he is enjoying a renaissance this season and his good form is a testament to the quality that he has in abundance provided he can stay fit. We were all there, practically chewing our nails to the bone when we saw him go off injured, especially as it was one of his troublesome knees!

I wonder, when in one of those barely lucid moments where I think back about this season, whether we are destined to win the league this season, because with Djourou and RvP we are in a great place to do it. If Djourou can put his injury concerns behind him forever, I'd like to see him lift a trophy or two, after his career to date and what he's been through, the guy deserves a break.

WG

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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

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Gonna have some Wolves in our back yard..Injury news and lineup

This weekend we welcome the arrival of Wolves to the Emirates in the Premier league. With ManYoo and Citeh playing each other tomorrow and Chelski playing on monday its another important opportunity for us to get the three points and catch up on ManYoo.

Honestly I fancy Citeh for the game against ManYoo. ManYoo aren't invincible and Citeh should have enough in their locker now to snatch a result, with a draw or win for Citeh my preference.

Onto Arsenal, Karl Henry returns to the Emirates. Recently he has been very quiet so I expect him to return to full form and kick the hell out of Wilshire and Fabregas. Watch those reactions boys, he's not worth it.

After their shock, yet fully deserved win against ManYoo, I expect Wolves to be full of confidence and belief that they can take points off us too. We will need to come out of the changing rooms like our butts are on fire and blow them away in the first fifteen minutes. Ironically just like we did against Newcastle, but lets not then throw it away eh?

Wierdly, our strongest department where we have the most personnel is decimated his weekend with injuries and suspensions to Diaby, Song, Denilson and Nasri which leaves us rather light in central midfield. I think Arsene will look to the experience of Rosicky to help partner Jacky in the engine room, its a role he's played before and whilst its not really his game, he can perform there.

Sczcesny
Sagna	Koscielny Squillaci			Clichy
	Wilshire Rosicky
Walcott		Fabregas		Arshavin
		Chamakh

So above is what I think we will line up like. I believe Arsene will give Djourou the time to recover fully before Barcelona and therefore start Squillaci at the back. While you are watching the game ladies and gents.....see if Squillaci actually says anything to Koscielny, it will be interesting to see if he has learnt the art of communication, especially as they share a common language!

Theo will start as he is bang on form and I expect Chamakh to start up front with RvP on the bench being rested for Wednesday, though I expect Arsene will say he's not fit to start following his withdrawal from the international friendly.

Come on you Gooners...lets go get at them at get three points. There isn't anything better than giving someone a battering on the pitch and seeing your title rivals drop points...lets make this a magic weekend!!

WG

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Capello finally listening to Arsene?

England played a solid game last night against a determined and skillfull Denmark. The Danes played well and certainly a young Christian Eriksen, who currently plies his trade at Ajax.

Denis Bergkamp recommended this player to Arsene last year and its clear to see why. He would fit in immediately into our squad and style of play. His one touch passing and vision is excellent. He had a great game and if we aren't going to go for him then I fully expect someone else to do so very soon.

Returning my focus to England and our boys Walcott and Wilshire. Wilshire had an accomplished 45 minutes where he showcased the qualities of his game, he tackled well, moved the ball well and generally had a good performance. With that in mind, I was delighted that he only played 45 minutes. He's played a lot of football and it was good to rest him for the rest of the game.

Walcott had a stormer last night, his assist for the first goal was excellent considering the whack in the face he took as he bulldozed past the full back Jacobsen to put across an excellent ball for a waiting Bent to tap in. His efforts down the right created several chances and its a game the Danish full back will rue for some time I would think. Theo played to plan and stuck out wide and was rewarded with several opportunities with time and space to get at the full-back, exactly what he wants.

Harking back to the title of the article, did anyone else notice the likes of Glen Johnson, Milner, Terry, Bent playing the full 93odd minutes tonight? We got away with 45minutes for Wilshire and 68minutes for Theo. We've got some huge games coming up and we need our best players fit for Wolves then Barca.

Early guesses for the Squad against Wolves, I expect Squillaci to start as Wenger saves the recovering Djourou for Barcelona. Also I think he'll start Walcott and I have a niggling feeling that Chamakh will start, with Arsene wanting to rest RvP.

Personally, I can't wait and a full preview will follow soon

WG

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JD - I'll be fit for Saturday

Johan Djourou has said he'll be fit for Saturday in an interview for the BBC. This is absolutely awesome news. With the Verminator still coming back from injury and being wrapped in cotton wool and Squillaci suffering a bit of poor form and lack of confidence I find it difficult to express how critical how the in-form JD is to us right now.

I'm absolutely delighted, good job Arsenal Physio's!

WG

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