German Captain Moving Closer To Arsenal? Has Arsene Found His Form?

Morning all.

A few rumours:

The Mail report Spartak Moscow midfielder Romulo could be on his way in January, they claim Arsene Wenger tried to sign him last winter too, he’s been likened to Gilberto… Talking of Cdms, the same newspaper report that we have offered £1.6million for Legia Warsaw’s 16-year-old defensive midfielder Krystian Bielik and he’s to be offered a three-year contract.

Rumours are hotting up in relation to Benedikt “Benni” Höwedes – the links to us are in a few newspapers this morning. The German International plays Centre-back for both FC Schalke 04 and Germany. He’s the current captain of his club so clearly a leader and boy we lack one of those.

He’s 6′ 2″ and described as being “a true defensive all-rounder, as he can proficiently play anywhere across the back four of defence’.

Perfect……

As was yesterdays performance very nearly and here’s Scott’s view of the game….

In what was probably the most dominant performance of the season so far, we took on a side that has been on a fantastic run of performances and results, including help preserve Arsenals status as the one and only INVINCIBLES. Newcastle had conceded a mere 3 goals in 11 1/2 hours of PL football before yesterday, so they were no bunnies, that’s for sure.

In fact, I’d suggest not too many Gooners would possibly have predicted what was about to transpire, with the majority tipping and hoping for a narrow victory.

From kick off, we seemed up for this one, and it was asked for after Galatasaray, as we played that game with a similar mindset, why this was the case – why did our boys seemed pumped up for a big performance? I reiterate my personal belief is that the players have been stung by recent events and are making a stand for their under fire manager.

Whatever the reason, it’s working, so let’s all keep taking cracks at Wenger…. 🙂

We attacked with purpose and energy from the start, using our biggest asset – Speed. Both speed of legs and speed of passing and we had Newcastle on the back foot from the word go.

Our first goal came from a simply sublime cross from Alexis from wide on the right, landing it inch perfect for Giroud to barely check stride and nod home brilliantly, giving the keeper no chance. It’s good to have Giroud back and this finish went a small way to making up for the miss against Stoke last week.

Still, it was early and we new Newcastle would fire back.

Soon afterwards, Welbeck scored from a lovely dink over the keeper only to be pulled back for a foul, which was to be kind, very soft and to be harsh an absolute joke.

It was at this stage I’m sure we all started wondering if we had more goals in us, as no doubt we all suspected our new defensive unit were likely to concede at some point.

The first 45 was definitely ours, where we created the better chances, had the better of possession and probably should have led 2 or even 3-0.

The second half started in a similar pattern, and it wasn’t long before we were 2 up, thanks to Santi.

Some neat passing split the defence apart, and I was amazed Santi was able to finish, as the keeper seemingly had the angle closed down nicely.
A brilliant move was completed by a world class finish and apart from going 2-0 up, it was just as important for Santi to score again from open play, as it had been a while.

I doubt we’d stopped celebrating before a fantastic cross from Bellerin found Giroud on the near post, and with a flick of his left boot, we were suddenly 3-0 up and looking great. Another fantastic finish from a guy who I still think is sold short when opinions of him are offered up.

Newcastle, having nothing to lose, threw themselves forward and eventually won a free kick wide and just outside the box, which was whipped in to Perez who was not surprisingly, unmarked and his glancing header gave Szczesny no chance. It was the token goal that we all too often give up, though usually we pay a higher price.

Newcastle attacked some more, but we did look quote solid in defence from then on, creating some decent chances on the counter that easily could have resulted in goals and eventually we found the net once more.

A clumsy challenge on Welbeck offered up the chance for Santi to complete his brace from the spot and after taking a run up Brett Lee would have been proud of, calmly chipped one straight down the middle, leaving the keeper diving off to his right.

That completed 4-1 thrashing which was a fair result.

Some “pundits” suggested the score line was flattering, but I’m sure they meant it was to a dominated Newcastle. 🙂

Lee Mason did the job most referees do when officiating us. He managed to ignore some terrible tackles from our opponents, but found a soft yellow for us at the first chance, so hats off to him as we do love consistency. It happens weekly, so we are used to it, though that doesn’t make it right.

Debuchy at CB was a major talking point pre game and for obvious reasons. Is 24 hours enough training to convert a RB??

I must say the answer was a resounding yes, but I’d suggest that’s mainly due to the fact Debuchy is a very intelligent footballer and possibly even an under rated one… He was terrific and having Mertesacker alongside him actually helped the situation as the one things Merts is known for is his composure, which now doubt would have helped settle any nerves Debuchy may have suffered and apart from one or two lapses, we were fairly solid.

Flamini is a player who I think has done a terrific job of late, apart from the first 45 minutes at Stoke, although that goes for everyone.
No shouting or arm waving, he’s just getting about the job in hand and his performance is better for it.

Bellerin is a weapon in attack and his defence has most definitely improved in the short time since he made his first team debut. We have a good one there.

Gibbs was terrific, although I always think he is and our midfield worked. It worked together, and it worked hard. When we play with width, speed and movement, we play beautiful and effective football and we are capable of beating anyone, yet too often we play with a slow build up and most opposition teams know exactly how to shut us down.

I hate asking this, but is there a place in our midfield for Jack? I’m starting to question his relevance in our starting 11 more and more, as we simply play better without him. I know that sounds a knock on the kid, but it’s not, I just don’t think he’s suited to our most effective game plan, and though his quality should never be questioned, his contribution should be.

Newcastle came to the Emirates with confidence, yet our attack and pressing style blew that out of the water early on, in my opinion. We had them back pedalling from the start and apart from a 10-15 minute periodic the second half, that was the theme for the game.

Speed.

Quick passing.

Width and movement off the ball.

Forget tactics…..those things are what make Arsenal tick.

Written by Scott From Oz.

129 thoughts on “German Captain Moving Closer To Arsenal? Has Arsene Found His Form?

  1. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Good.

    It still isn’t the night before Christmas and everyone is still asleep. Even the doormouse isnt giving a peep.

    last 6 games we have seen 5 wins. And bar the first half against Stoke we have played well.

    So why do we grumble???? Are we never satisfied?? Me included.

    Yes you are right…..let’s continue taking pots at AW for the remainder of the season. If the players play on this level every week then we should continue barracking AW if it leads us to win something.

  2. Hell Raising Devil says:

    I did not see the game. I was busy enjoying myself at our capital taking in Christmas lights and shops and atmosphere with the family.

    However from what Pa told me we played well and it should have been 5 or 6.

    Someday, somewhere there will be someone who will take a beating of 7 or 8 goals. I hope its the dippers.

  3. rico says:

    Morning Devil and all again…

    Really good post Scott, enjoyed reading it, just as much as I enjoyed watching us yesterday. A welcome turn of form. Hope this is the start of something much better from Arsenal…

    However…. 😉

  4. ive says:

    I sang , proud of it . I am sick of the negativity and the suggestions that because they get headlines for making the most noise . I sang because I wanted my view heard

  5. Hell Raising Devil says:

    I saw the goals this morning. OF them all I enjoyed most the first goal…..the quality of the cross was high while the finish was reminiscent of the strikers of yesteryears gone by. Even Santi cannot hit the ball with such power as OG12’s head.

    Quality crosses is a part of the game which really used to put me on a high when I played.

  6. rogerbij says:

    Good write up Scott, I saw it pretty much the same way. Top performance, energy and skill. Happy days.

    When we get on a roll of good things I hope Wenger and the team take time to pore over those little details to improve defensively. Set pieces are still a problem, and like Rico says we need a real strong organiser in there. For the Newcastle goal I blame Bellerin who just watched his man stand a metre in front of him and then dart in for free. Bellerin was otherwise bloody good yesterday,especially going forward, so I hope he gets the right advice to improve defensively too.

    Why do I bother making this point at all? Because conceding goals like that is what turns draws into losses or wins into draws all too often over a season of PL.

  7. rico says:

    Roger, it was a sloppy goal to give away and that’s the only criticism from yesterday. A leader, organiser would certainly ensure most things were covered in a situation like that.

  8. eduardo says:

    so which of Anthony Taylor or Lee Mason is the most inept ref in the FAPL. The amount of awful knocks Alexis took yesterday without Mason giving yellows or Reds was a disgrace.
    by the way talking about Alexis, and Arsenal being a one man team, our last ten goals, Ramsey 3, Cazorla 3, Podolski 2, Giroud 2. Theo Walcott hopes to be back in the squad for the Liverpool game.

  9. rico says:

    Eduardo, I don’t think there’s much between the two, both are totally useless!

    I don’t buy into the headlines about us being a one man team, Alexis has been outstanding, that’s clear to see but someone has to provide his goals.

    He’s set the bar for the level of commitment we need from all our players and on days like yesterday, everyone did just that…

    Just need that week in week out and not just when they feel like it…

    Merts was so much better yesterday, did having Debuchy alongside him give him more confidence I wonder….

  10. scottfromoz says:

    Adam, I doubt anyone is suggesting that.
    If we produced this type of performance from day one, maybe, but it’s too far gone now.
    3rd at best, 4th at worst for mine.

  11. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Bonjour Adam. Was that the meaning of sarcasm?? 😉 lol

    In a way I do not agree whenever anyone says that a corner was turned. Life is a straight line forward. no corners. For every corner one turns there will be another corner one day. In life we talk about yesterday’s experience. But that is in the past.

    No one ever turns a corner. Only the road gets better and smoother.

  12. allezkev says:

    Morning All
    Morning again Rico…

    Nice post Scott…

    Yeah, credit to Flamini, he does a job that doesn’t really catch the eye.

    Bellerin wax really very good.
    I was talking to Adam yesterday evening and we discussed how full-backs learn their trade and usually, as is the modern trend, are better going forward and become more proficient at defending with experience…

    Adam cited A.Cole, who after a shaky start developed into one of the best full-backs in the World…

    Gibbs, Bellerin and even Jenkinson could all, hopefully, develop this way….

    Debuchy at centre-back, could, actually make the need for a new centre-back redundant, if he can repeat his performance from yesterday….

    A Def/Mid signing this January (probably on loan, initially) could be all we need, plus the return of our injured players…

  13. Adam says:

    Kev. That was from Amy Lawrence and an interview with Winterburn. Apparently he said that Cole was a hopeless defender but was coached to greatness by the best defensive coach in England, Tony Adams.

  14. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Morning habib.

    you seem to think that Bellerin will nail down that spot eventually????

    I agree with you. So I work it out this way then………CBs Per, Kos, Debuchy, Monreal.

    That leaves Gibbs and Bellerin as the full backs.

    So either AW buys another CB so that both Debuchy and Monreal can play as full backs. Or else AW must buy two new full backs.

    Whatever way it is, it seems that if AW keeps Jenkinson next season we will be well covered at the back. However another defender who can play everywhere across the back is needed.

    With regards the CDM role yes….we do need another. A good player who can destroy as well as create.

  15. scottfromoz says:

    Kev, feeling good is a good feeling 🙂 🙂
    That performance was frustrating, as it shows what we are capable of, so the question is why we don’t do it often enough, and how can we make sure it does in the future.

  16. allezkev says:

    You know what Adam, it never ceases to amaze me how Arsenal have patently failed to bring the likes of Keown, Adams, Dixon and Winterburn back into the fold in some coaching capacity…

  17. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Chmabers will eventually move to CDM methinks. But with him classified as a defender I guess he will fill in eventually.

    Being serious mate…….I had forgotten him. lol

    thanks for reminding me

  18. Adam says:

    Kev. If you have one of the best and most cynical defenders the PL has ever known sitting next to you on the bench and you shut his influence down, nothing is that surprising.

  19. scottfromoz says:

    When Dennis takes over, those club legends can come back to the fold.
    Devil, I guessed that was the case 🙂
    I’m off……enjoy the performance guys, and fingers crossed there are more to follow.

  20. Judge me in May says:

    Afternoon rico and all,,
    Excellent analysis of the game Scott,
    Good performance by the team full of energy and pressing.. and credit to Wenger he got it right on the night..
    I thought Newcastle missed their midfield engine sissoko and got it wrong the way they set up their game plan..
    They probably got carried away by their last few results especially the chelsea win.
    But who cares!? we won and won emphatically..
    I still have that feeling when it comes to big games we would bottle it big time.. Hope I am wrong but history tells me otherwise .
    Can Wenger keep the level of motivation and confidence to inspire and maintain such a performance!? Will have to see..
    Another horror show from the PGMOL in almost all games played yesterday.. No surprise there..
    COYGS..

  21. AndrewH says:

    Afternoon all, been away a week, catching up. Good report from both, and such good comments following, that’s what makes this site. Have we had a CF who can head the ball like that since Alan Smith? And (occasionally that Bent chap 🙂 )

  22. agirlagunner says:

    Adam has realized that Big Ollie will save our season. 😛 😛

    Scott, great job on the match summary. I’m happy that Giroud is getting more credit; just see how we’ve been winning with him starting. 😀

    Hello, all. 🙂 Hope all is good with you, rico.

  23. allezkev says:

    Yes Coach, Bellerin looks to have the potential to be a top top class full-back.
    Learning his trade, as Adam alluded to, will have twists and turns, but that boy has quality….

    Scott, it’s the positivity of your post, it’s infectious mate, I’m even warming to Ramsey… 😉

  24. allezkev says:

    Coach/Adam re: Bould and co, Arsene is without equal when it comes to cutting off your nose to spite your face it seems….

    To me, it’s a waste…
    Herbert Chapman would listen to anyone, as long as they had a useful idea/input…

    Chapman also filled his coaching staff with old Arsenal players who passed on the standards and ethics of the club…

    Those players weren’t idiots, they were good at their jobs, and it created a togetherness at the club. It made the youngsters, in particular, feel special to be a part of Arsenal FC…

    They brought that sense of pride into the First team, it was the kind of influence that the likes of Keown, Adams, Dixon and co passed onto the foreign lads, and they, in general, embraced it to such a degree that they, in the main, still feel a connection to the club…

  25. allezkev says:

    Hello Agag…

    What do you think of Giroud’s new hairstyle?
    Could that be the secret behind his recent goal scoring?

    It certainly makes him more aerodynamic, thus possibly quicker… 😀

  26. agirlagunner says:

    I think Keown would be an asset; I doubt the club has taken kindly to Adams’ and Wrighty’s less than kind comments about Arsenal and Arsene; I don’t see them coming in.

    Kev, I like it just fine. 😛 Big Ollie, after all is fiiiine. 😎

  27. Wavy says:

    Wenger’s reluctance to use past idols is because he thinks he will be outshone by them and therefore surrender his paternal influence and power base, imo. Adams? Coaching good practice? You’re havin a laugh! Wenger would just not have it, at his club!,
    Past players can create a dynasty, look at the dippers, from Shankly to Phil Thompson and Roy Evans. Boulder broke the ‘bottle’ the genie popped out and they really haven’t been the same since! Why not because there is no continuity, no commitment and not a lot of talent either.
    The Arsenal were the same until they employed Billy Wright and then it was famine with a bit of a feast in 71 and 79. The manager who revived the Arsenals fortunes was another ex player GG. Wenger’s success came from exploiting his legacy! So why during the recent drought has he not turned to more than Bould??

    Afternoon by the way.

  28. Wavy says:

    Why does this ipad think it knows better than me?
    Boulder should have read HOULLIER, where does this predictive text come from???

  29. potter says:

    Wenger take advice from any of the previous players ? How could they with their collective experience know enough to advise a man that played 56 games for Mullhouse.

  30. Wavy says:

    Very dole Adam, 3.20!
    And
    Devil I tried that and the bloody thing bounced!
    Will I never be rid of the smell chequer??
    Heh ho!

  31. Wavy says:

    Very dole Adam, 3.20!
    And
    Devil I tried that and the bloody thing bounced!
    Will I never be rid of the smell chequer??
    Heh ho!

  32. frednerk says:

    Evening All,
    Were we surprised at the performance last night,
    surely not,
    We always play well at home 9 times out of 10……Don’t we.

    The problem we have is the direction and set up for away games,
    wengers stupidity and lack of awareness,
    is what drives a lot of us around the twist.
    Still find it hard to accept this blase trite in the man.

  33. rico says:

    I was surprised Fred, I thought Newcastle would cause us many problems and to fair, this season we have hardly played that well at home in the league….

  34. eduardo says:

    A lot of nonsense being spouted about bringing in Adams, Keown, Dixon or Winterburn to help coach the defense, Steve Bould coaches the defense(confirmed by several ex Arsenal players in recent months such as Ray Parlour) and he has the same background as a player as those guys, and he has a successful career as a coach and youth manager too, where as Dixon has done no coaching, Keown has not been employed as a coach either, Winterburn had a failed stint as a defensive coach with (I think) Blackburn and while Adams has had a fair number of coaching/manager jobs, he has not actually done too well.

    It says a lot that Gooners see these guys as some sort of defensive coaching geniuses yet no clubs see fit to hire them. People need to ask themselves why that is.

    Its a bit like the stock some put in the twitter rants against Arsenal of that fitness “guru” who had a stint with Wales but has not been employed in football since, there is a reason why he has so much time on his hands to have a go at Arsenal on twitter, and its not cos he is an expert fitness coach wanted all over the world by football clubs.

  35. Hell Raising Devil says:

    In a way, Eduardo, your argument has a lot of sense in it. you are right except on one count.

    In 2006 Keown was employed by Arsenal to coach the defense. His appointment came exactly at the time that Arsenal went on the longest unbeaten run in the CL by any team….the best run of clean sheets. So with the exception of this fact your comment is a good pointer.

  36. rico says:

    Eduardo, not really sure what point you are trying to make, and certainly don’t think a few people having a view on things should be labelled nonsense….

    This place is like a pub where you sit around the table and throw ideas around, each listen and none suggest that any view is nonsense….

  37. frednerk says:

    Have to agree a little bit with eduado,
    Steve Bould knows the time of day,
    Tony was a great captain,but if you knew him now,
    not to sure you would want him around.

  38. eduardo says:

    Devil It is a major stretching of the facts to say Keown was hired by Arsenal to coach the defense in 2006,
    he was actually only there as part of doing his coaching badges. He was getting coached as a coach every bit as much if not more than him coaching the players.
    Many players have come to Arsenal, as they do with other clubs – in fact Sol Campbell is doing part of his coaching badges with Ajax at the moment (he has done some of it with AFC) – Jens Lehamann is another of the ex Arsenal players who came back to the club to do some of his coaching badges. there has been a fair few ex Arsenal players who have availed of this too.

  39. scottfromoz says:

    Morning all.
    I’ve always thought we defend well when we defend as a team, and when our forwards and midfielders have a day off, our back 4 look terrible.
    I said it in my post….movement on and off the ball, and that includes when the opposition has it.

  40. eduardo says:

    I agree scottfromoz, when all the team from the strikers back put in a shift to help the team defend from the front we look so much better at the back. Too often over the last few years too many of our players just do not work as a unit to close down and win the ball back up the field, and too many also fail to track runners, and this ends up with defenders moving out of position to try and cover the holes left by midfielders and strikers not doing their bit.
    We also have lacked a certain amount of speed in midfield when it comes to being able to track back in time, and our tactics of trying to overload in attack by having fullbacks and midfielders joining attacks as much as possible has left us exposed to breakaway goals, especially in many big games.

  41. rico says:

    Hi Scott..

    How long have we been saying that when we defend as a team we are good, just like when we attack as a team too but I still believe that when we get a set piece, too many defenders push forward and we are left totally exposed….

  42. eduardo says:

    Rico I’m sorry if I upset anyone by using the term “nonsense”, it won’t happen again.

    Keown was with us most of the season, and that was because he done all his coaching badges, not just one level. If he did the UEFA Pro Licence it takes a full year. To do all the FA’s Coaching badges would take a full season too. Keown would have been very lucky to have been attached to Arsenal for the full time he was doing his badges.

  43. potter says:

    You can talk about defending as a team but that’s not just about tracking players and closing down up front. Take yesterday’s goal a proper organiser would have told Bellerin or the Ox to get goalside. That’s just basics and a lack of tactical nous.

  44. scottfromoz says:

    Rico, set pieces are still an issue, no question.
    When we get whacked 5 or 6-0, it’s down to laziness.
    When we lose 1-0 or 3-2, it’s often down to set pieces.
    Improvement still required, but yes, defend as an eleven, and in general, we are harder to break down.
    Eduardo, you will soon see Highbury House is the best bunch of Gooners around.
    Some even know a bit about football 🙂 🙂 🙂
    I’m just here for the comedy value, but enjoy mate……

  45. rico says:

    Eduardo, no big deal honest – we just respect all views on here, even mine and like Scott’s, mine are shocking… 😉 😉

    X factor is boring…… Lol

  46. Micko says:

    eduardo, word of advice, go with woolly nonsense, works for me everytime, rico never see’s it coming !

    As for Newcastle we always beat them comfortably at home, dare I say it’s a gimme !!!

    Kev, happy belated birthday, hope you had a great weekend matey, won’t ask you ya age presume your over 18 !

  47. scottfromoz says:

    Rico, we are starting to work out this just a random nutcase.
    He’s let a few slip out the front door, so is certainly not well prepared for this.
    Now, I believe that’s a positive as I doubt he’s a true radical, ready to kill for his cause, but if he’s threatened he may panic and that’s when the trouble could start.
    Let’s all hope its sorted peacefully.

  48. scottfromoz says:

    Though if there is to be one casualty, there’s a certain Individual i can think of as a decent target…….

  49. scottfromoz says:

    He must be.
    Bloody Spuds 🙂
    Sorry, say humour but if you don’t laugh you’d cry.
    Australia is changing forever in one day.

  50. Lee says:

    Kev, why is it disrespectful for Santi to take that penalty the way he did? Well according to Richard Keys (the hairy fucktard!)

  51. allezkev says:

    As a great mate of mine is keen to retort from time to time Lee, Keyes is a waste of internal organs…

    Tbh Lee, why is it even newsworthy what that fat slug has said…?

    Who cares???

    He really is an irrelevance, but a mouthy, self opinionated irrelevance who his mates in the media think is a font of knowledge…

    Looking forward to later mate…

  52. allezkev says:

    Scott, I hear that people are standing nearby the hostage situation, taking selfies of the standoff, and then posting them on Twitter/Facebook etc….

    You couldn’t make it up….

  53. Adam says:

    Kev. I saw a load of idiots doing that in front of the sea of poppies at the Tower. When I read recently that about 60% of kids think that Jesus plays for Chelsea I found it less than surprising.

  54. allezkev says:

    Scott, Richard Keyes is a fat, ugly tosspot who used to present SkySports football…

    He thinks, in his tiny world, that he has things to say that the general public are interested in.

    But he’s a fat wanker

  55. scottfromoz says:

    So you guys don’t like Keyes then Hahahaha
    Yes, sadly or sickly, people are taking selfies.
    It’s truly a world that’s changing for the worse every day.

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