Over the last few years, we Arsenal fans have not had much incentive to watch England play football, possibly not since the days of David Seaman and Ian Wright. All our team players were scattered around world playing for other international sides.
Then in 2006, Arsene Wenger invested a lot of money on Theo Walcott – I was so excited. We had finally bought a player who was raved about all across the country and he was English. We had to fight off a few other clubs to secure his signing, including the club Theo supported but we got him, he was ours! What made it that little bit more special for me is that he and I went to the same secondary school, mind you, a good few years apart. 😉
Such was the hype about this sixteen year old kid, the then England manager, Sven-Göran Eriksson selected him for the World Cup squad that same year, ahead of players like Darren Bent, Jermaine Defoe, Andrew Johnston and Dean Ashton, all who were playing well for their club. Bent was the highest Englsih scoring striker that season in the Premier League at the time, so Walcott’s selection seemed somewhat strange.
What made it even stranger is that he travelled with the England squad and didn’t even get a minute playing time.
Anyway, I think his selection cheesed off a few and to this day, when he plays, not many of his team mates bring him into the game. Only Beckham was and is his ‘mate’ – he was one of few who would try and find him with a pass but he didn’t play that often.
Was that the teams fault, the managers fault or has this come from the Captain?? I don’t know the answer…
Next up we have Jack Wilshere – a London boy who has played through the ranks for both club and country and this season has been at the heart of all things Arsenal. He really cannot be praised highly enough. He has no fear, he plays like he has been playing at this level for years and not even all the ‘super stars’ at Barcelona could stop him playing his game. Incredible really…
After the horror show by England at the World Cup in South Africa, Capello made it clear he was going to look towards younger players in attempt to spruce up his side for the future. He has also admitted he made a dreadful error in leaving out Theo Walcott for that tournament, Theo’s perfomances this season more than justify Capellos recent admission!!
Rumour was that his reason for omitting Theo is because he didn’t play in the position that Capello told him. Theo was told to stay out wide and not to drift in but Theo didn’t listen!
In August Wilshere was called up by Capello to represent the big boys of England, he replaced Steven Gerrard on 83 minutes against Hungary. He became the 10th youngest player to represent England.
Capello has since given Wilshere his first start for England, another friendly but this time against Denmark and for some bizarre reason he told him to play in the ‘holding midfield’ role, something which was quite different to the role he plays for us.
This is where I get to the point about Frank Lampard, England captain on the night that Jack started against Denmark and for me it says a lot about the player and his natural leadership qualities.
Jack has said this:
I spoke to Frank Lampard before the Denmark game and he said – ‘don’t just sit, we’ve seen you can go forward, so if you want to go forward just tell me and I’ll sit’ – which is similar to my role with Arsenal really, when I have that licence too.
I wonder to this day, had Theo Walcott had a captain whisper the same thing in his ear, things could have been so different for him. Sadly it wasn’t the case for him but I have a feeling it might be from now on for Jack Wilshere…
Frank Lampard may not be your favourite player when it come to the Premier League but when it comes to the England team, maybe he deserves a bit of credit? He showed he is human and he showed he cares about those around him, unlike so many others in the England team.
Maybe Capello made an error in judgement when John Terry lost the armband, just maybe it should have gone to Frank Lampard because with players like him around Jack Wilshere, we know that our Little Jack won’t go have to endure what Theo possibly had to.
Psst: Have you seen the reports that Cesc won’t rule out staying with Arsenal??
Having said that the Barca game was ‘the best game I have experienced on the pitch’ he has also had this to say:
I’m showing I’m committed to this club and we want to do great things, I want to continue working to improve and help us win trophies. We are still fighting in all four competitions. We want to win everything and go the farthest possible in all competitions.
My future is the last thing on my mind.
Good!
On that note, thats it for today, have a good one…..l……
Morning….
Morning.
Great post , but sadly no. Frank lampard should be melted down and made into gum boots.
Morning Rocastle…
Size twenty?? 😉
I’d still rather a guy captain his country who is prepared to help get the best out of players, especially ours and at such a young age…
Stevie me me me is too full of himself and Rio is always crocked… I’d much rather Lampard than see Shrek be next in line 😉
Morning, size 9.5, the rest can be made into one of those salt skips you see by the side of the road, or fork handles……waiting for the punch line…..
Stevie G has lifted trophies….always a good start.
Come on Rico, fork handles….show us exactly how many years apart you and Theodore were at school.
I cannot stand Stevie me though Rocastle 😉
No chance 😉
I still think Lampard is smarmy; can’t take to him.
Its probably cos he hangs around Terry.
Hi Goonerman 🙂
I am putting the chav man to one side and thinking about the likes of Jack and Theo, I’d rather a captain who will look after our players rather than see what has gone on before with Theo….
Off for a while, laters all…
Morning all, nice post rico,
To be honest, you can’t be more patriotic than me, i love my country, but who cares at the moment, England games get in the way of us winning trophies, shit friendlys that mean absolutly nothing. Forget Englands team for the time being, and keep the fantastic victory we had at the Ems firmly in our minds. I personally couldn’t give a monkeys about what Lampard has said, Jacks there because Lampard an the DJ beater can’t cut the mustard. I worry that they will build Jack up so much that the enphasis will all be on a nineteen year old lad if and when they lose, they did the same to Theo, and we should protect Jack from the flak. The lad has played one game for England and did well and thats it for the time being, enough said.
I am really not into England. Not when I see how the English press slaughter us week in week out.
Just like to say, John Terry is scum and who if he were not a footballer, he would be in jail.
The replay of Wednesday’s game on now on, how sickening was Chiles and his penis sucking of Barca?
morning all…good post rico, although i don’t think we will actually know what the real reason was for theo’s omission from the england squad. i heard the coach felt he had not regained his form after the prolonged injury layoff, i head that senior players (i.e. rooney) had lobbied for theo’s omission, i heard that theo wouldn’t follow instructions during the pre-tournament friendlies he played in…who knows the real reason? i just know that theo benefited from the summer break, just like samir…and both players started the season untainted by the respective shambles the national teams produced in south africa…
the cesc to barcelona hype was muted at best…we’ll see what it is like in a few weeks time…cesc does, however, look like someone who is really enjoying his football at the moment. barcelona will be there when he is ready, it doesn’t have to be right this moment…
Afternoon all…
Hi Rico.
I can’t believe the crap these “pundits” are coming out with.
Sorry for highjacking this thread but it is the first time I have seen the game.
Jesus, how bad was this ref, did he even want Barca too be tackled?
afternoon Oliver and Will,
I picked up on your hospital visit will, hope everything is ok, you dont want to be checking out anytime soon mate, we need you to see all the silverware coming our way.
I dont get the impression that Cesc has commited his long term future to us,I hope i’m wrong but he has had many oppotunities to stop the speculation and has declined. Hopefully a win at the stadium of his dreams may change his mind. I personally wouldnt hold it against him if he jumped ship, as he has given his all for us and won very little, would be fitting if he was to leave, to go with the knowledge of lifting at least one cup. After reading about him, and his dream of running out at Nou Camp, and finnishing with a victory, may just quell that yearning for a move.
Hi Will,
Don’t you worry – I am a true believer of a post is there to start conversation and anything goes on here 😉
Have you all seen the so called reports about Nasri saying he will not leave us until he has won a trophy??
What utter rubbish that has to be, Nasri is playing the best football of his life and obviously he’s very happy, why on earth would he be even thinking about leaving….
Seems to be a few mischief makers out there in the press….
I’m glad you said that will, i mentioned that on the post the other night and was put in my place saying that the ref was ok, he gave us bugger all, apart of course the Messi attempt which he ruled in our favour thank you Mr Italian ref.
Welcome to a brand-new feature on Arsenal.com – our Press Conference Digest.
We’ll list the headlines from Arsène Wenger’s pre-match media briefing right here so you can ‘digest’ the main news before our pre-match stories appear on the homepage.
Friday, February 18: Wenger pre-Leyton Orient:
** No fresh injuries from Wednesday
** ‘It was a great night to be involved in’
** Wilshere taking everything in his stride, says boss
** ‘We have learnt from previous rounds’
** Wenger – We can win all four
** Boss: ‘We didn’t copy Barca style’
** Leyton Orient are a ‘dangerous’ side.
** Manager doesn’t want FA Cup changed
Didn’t Wenger say yesterday that JD has a bad back and will miss the weekend game and Theo is a doubt…
Someone needs to remind the commentators that we are the side they should be favouring or is it only Man Utd that gets that honour?
The press as always hate to see us ticking like a well oiled machine rico, a spanner in the works at every oppotunity, the thought of Arsenal beating the so called best team in the world at one of the best stadiums in the world, hasnt sunk in yet, and it wont be brought up to often either,normal press, i just smile and remember it all, made me smile that at the side of the report on the greatest game ever played in this country was a piece still going on about Shreks shinner, Gutter snipes.
Will, we have been saying that for years, not one of them can be honest and objective about us, its always about how bad etc the oppo was – i hope we win something to make them eat their words….
Hi steve, makes you cross though doesn’t it, they wouldn’t get away with saying the same about the mancs or dippers….
How great is this game, even though I know teh score, I can still get upset at it.
For you Rico, and it was BEFORE my time too ;D
Ronnie Corbett, master of deadpan.
😆 Rocastle, sadly i remember watching that at the time 🙂
Even though I know whats coming in that sketch, it still makes me laugh 🙂
Will, hope you don’t think that Nikki will score towards the end, it won’t change you know, he misses 😉
Remember it well, christ i must be old
I am still trying to work out why when we made a tackle, it is a foul yet when Barca do the same tackle, it isn’t a foul.
You and me both Steve…..
Will, its always the same with refs, one day we might get a fair one…
Got to pop off again, back in an hour or so….
Will,
What done my head in was the first tackle Song made was a booking not even a warning
Yes Steve, it seems that the Ref was trying to decide the outcome of the match, where have we seen that before?
Just reading about the size of our pitch to the size at Camp Nou Ours is 105mtx68mts and theirs is 105×72 this means there is an extra six and a half ft on either wing, i was just thinking if Barca was that tired the other night, its only gonna get worse
Yep. Who would you start with?
Hopefully the same team with the inclusion of Sagna i think Eboue needs a rest
I agree, watching Eboue, he just doesn’t give us the same stability as Sagna.
A nice way of saying it Will
Also, can someone tell Andy Townsend what handball is?
Thank you.
Hi Steve P , what that could be mean is that Barca will have more room to do their tricks.
But all the same they will be the one chasing the game and not us so another wonderful pass from Clichy , Fabregas, Nasri or Wilshere will land on RVP’s path and bam a GOAL!!! Game over.
i see we have loaned our current third-choice keeper to Southampton…
Two things I noticed watching the game.
Barca use their body far better than we do. They step across when tackling and shoulder to shoulder with far more conviction that us.
Barca close much quicker than us. When defending we seemed to get stuck in a should I shouldn’t I mindset of closing down or zonal marking.
I would prefer if we got much tighter so we can cut the passing avenues down and void their runners behind us.
Wao Coach WILL!
Hi all,
oliver, is that shea?
hi rico…correct, james shea. no time or tolerance for mancs (john o’shea) here…
Hi oliver, i have cheated and changed mine… you are spot on, no o’sheas on this site 😉
jj won’t like this one 😉
Robbie Savage claims Flamini is extremely fortunate to be playing for a club of AC Milan’s size, claiming the 26-year-old was a weak link for Arsenal during his four year spell at the club between 2004 and 2008.
Savage told the Daily Mirror: “I hope they throw the book at Mathieu Flamini, whose foul on Vedran Corluka was a disgrace and whose reaction to only being booked was a picture, too.
“He was a weak link whenever I played him at Arsenal and must be the luckiest footballer in the world to have got a move to a great club like Milan with such modest talents.
“I doubt he’ll play for another big club once his contract expires.”
Savage is a no mark thug.
I know Will but I never really rated Flamini that high, he had one great season when he was playing for a contract with AC and a few good games a LB …..
Maybe so but for Savage to come out with that is a bit rich seeing as he had no talent at all.
hahahahaha…and of course, robbie savage, that superlative talent with a glittering career of achievement and triumph at the very highest level, is uniquely qualified to put that clogger flamini in his place…
mind you, i have no great love for flamini either – who i consider a journeyman who translated a single excellent (contract) season to a massive payday…but mr. savage really has no room to talk…this is what happens when when washed-up (former) players land media gig based on potential headline content, rather than actual insight and articulate qualities.
rico, you just said what i think (re flam) in much more succint terms.
lest we forget, this is the same mr. savage who admitted that he stopped giving an effort for birmingham city in order to force a transfer to blackburn through….
I agree re Savage oliver/Will – he was a thug in a football kit, bit like Barton… Thats why the article made me smile, talk about people in glass houses……
That was one of the first times i have seen flamini play since he left us, he was dreadful….
Savage by name savage by nature, and we listen to this crap. As for Flamini, he may have had a rise but i bet a penny to a pinch of s–t he wishes like Hleb he’d never left. but what a result for us, we have moulded better players to take their place.
Will, I noticed that as well, the only player that uses his body that way is Song,and as for shutting them down, they have practiced that way for so long that the only way to defend against it is the way we did, someone yesterday said, they can make as many triangles as they like on the halfway line but that dosn’t score goals. They doubled our passing rate and scored one, i hope they treble our passes in the return and get none
Too right Steve, i bet he wishes he’d never left, we have far better than him now, same for hleb, nasri is a much more affective player…
song also has a bad habit of grabbing a players shoulder when he tracks back with them, thats why he picks up silly bookings…
Steve, I would be happy with tighter defending but if we are going to practise zonal defending, then mark zoes. We seem to half get tight, half mark space.
We need to be more phusical and no, not in a Stoke way but as I said and you noticed, by using the body more, stepping across the player as you make the tackle. USing your hip just to knock their centre of balance off slightly.
That is of course if any ref lets us tackle the great Barca.
Man U defenders hit us in the back everytime we get the ball and get away with it every time, what is happening with the FA monitering the officials of the day
Guys, who are your top ten defenders in football right now??
Steve, really?
We usually play the same system as Barca, but in all honesty they play it better, we usually have sixty to seventy% of possesion, and are not used to having to look for the ball, and i dont believe we should try and change to anything else overnight, what we did Wednesday paid off keep doing the same and it should see us through.
TV
JD
Vidic
And I have to say, the Barca back four as a unit are a bit tasty.
Hopefully the ref in the replay will be out of the
Pierluigi Collina book of referees….
maybe Massimo Busacca, he’s swiss so might look after Djourou 😉
Thanks Will…
Off to get dinner, back in a little while…
Alex Vidic Vermaelen, Cole, Sagna, And i like the Utd right back cant remember his name
Thanks Steve
Neville 😉 😉
Rafael??
Never Neville. Thug twat.
That was in jest Will 😉
Phew. I would never want that weasel faced numpty near our club or team.
I despise Neville with a passion and what he did to Reyes made me want to kick him one hundred yards.
You know, I will never forget what he did to Reyes either – he is one of not very many that i wish had stayed – he would have fulfilled his career with us – he reminded me a bit of Pires, not for his style of play but as a player who struggled in his first season to come to terms with the dirty, nasty players in the league..
Pires had the inner strength to beat them, sadly Reyes didn’t… I don’t think Henry helped though….
Oh yes, Henry did not help Reyes at all. I am not sure what Thierry’s problem was but it was obvious. Reyes could have been a world beater.
I think Henry thought Reyes was going to be as good as him and he didn’t warm to that, Henry liked to steal the show……
Henry was stupid, Reyes and him together would have worked and worked really really well… such shame….
and then, reyes came off the bench for real madrid, scored two goals to win them the league and then they sold him….
iriots…..
Do you think Thierry was jealous?
yes..
i love TH and always will but…..
Once they leave, their carisma leaves them, name me one who has benefited for the move.
I think so as well. Here was this kid coming in, the new fastest gun-slinger in the west if you will and Henry could not take the competition.
I don’t think I can Steve and doesn’t that just say a lot about Wenger?
I just hope Cesc looks at those who have left and have lived to regret it….
On the news tonight, The biggest game of the weekend is guess who Man u v Crawley do me a favour
I can forgive Reyes for leaving, not for the excuses he gave but then I guess he was hardly likely to come out and say Neville and Henry were the cause….
Sky have been touting that all day Steve, it’s just so stupid but I guess it’s really what the FA Cup is about so I can understand it to a degree – i just hope old red nose plays the reserves and get thrashed 😉
I have to sign off now, you all enjoy your evening and catch up tomorrow some time..
be good and stay safe….
nighty night….
Yeah the excuses were a bit weak.
guten morgan mon amigos….
Morning jj,
New post up