Football has changed, but history – history always repeats itself somewhere along the line and Arsenal will win titles and trophies again. It’s inevitable, but we just can’t say when.
The football historians talk of Leeds Utd being the “nearly team” of the 1964-74 period. One of the best if not the best team in England?
Look at Arsenal under Wenger. How many finals have we been to, how many runners-up’s, thirds and fourths have we had?
Then ask yourself how many fifths, sixths etc.? None.
The story of the stadium debt is boring, but it’s there.
After the FA Cup loss v’s Liverpool and the runners-up spot in the league the same season – the self-same season that Arsenal got spanked 1-6 against United and 0-3 v’s Middlesbrough, they – Arsenal invested in good top quality players for the following season.
Sol Campbell, Van Bronkhurst, Richard Wright, Francis Jeffers and Wiltord.
We were also supplemented by a fresh Edu (after passport problems and injury), who filled the hole left gaping after the departure of Petit, one that had inadequately filled by a mediocre midfielder in Gilles Grimandi – Denilson, Diaby, Song, anybody?
2001/2 was Arsenal’s year.
We had brought in what were considered top players and for once we had a top replacement goalkeeper and four quality centre backs in Adams, Keown, Campbell and Upson. You always need two top goalkeepers and four quality centre backs.
Some may scorn and turn their noses up at both Wright and Jeffers, but they were both bought as the future – They would both become England Internationals and they supplemented an already exceptional squad of players, and both did their part to earn the club a double that year. It was a case of good players joining a good side.
A couple of years later the new stadium was announced and Wenger started shipping the good squad players out one by one – Van Bronkhurst to Barcelona on loan was one that springs to mind. It appeared panic at first, but success and good individuals within the first eleven papered over the cracks that were appearing.
You don’t just need a good first eleven in the Premier League, you need a good twenty. The odd one – Cygan, can be carried but when its three or four they cannot.
A couple of seasons later we began bartering and bargaining our way to finals and Champions League spots. Where once was Edu and Gilberto was now Song, where once was Viera was now Denilson.
We fans always knew that the team was on a gradual downhill slide, but we were always in there, even though we were now persevering with mediocre playing staff who were being carried to some extent by the top players, such as Henry, Cesc, Reyes and Van Persie.
Enough of that for the moment!
If you’re not just a Wenger-fed glory boy/girl you can cast your mind back to between 1972 – 82. Back then Arsenal invested in some of the county’s best players.
Alan Ball cost £220,00 – that is around £2.6M in today’s money – A British transfer record
SuperMac cost £333,333 – that is around £2.3M in today’s money
Alan Hudson cost £200,000 – that is around £1.2M in today’s money
Brian Talbot cost £450,000 – that is around £2.2M in today’s money
Clive Allen/Kenny Sansom cost £1M – that is around £4.2M in today’s money
Tony Woodcock, Lee Chapman and Vladimir Petrovic cost around £1.2M – that is around £4.92M in today’s money
Charlie Nicholas cost £750,00 – that is around £2.2M in today’s money
All good players.
Ball was the World Cup winner and League winner a few years earlier. A totally world-class player in his time. Most pro’s at Arsenal said he was the wrong player for the team and that the team suffered due to the man. That was bollocks. Good players integrate with each other. He bossed the play a lot of the time through him, and in his first two seasons we made an FA Cup Final, a runners-up spot and semi-final, but after that – 73/74 to 75/76 – nothing apart from a relegation dogfight.
No real top players were signed in that period yet we let players such as Kennedy, George and McLintock go, all three of which had had success. There was no freedom of contract/Bosman etc back then, the club owned the registration and it was them who got shot and not the other way round.
The players of note we bought during that period were Alex Cropley and Brian Kidd.
Cropley was the archetypical Arsenal signing. Bought for £150,000 (that is around £1.5M in today’s money) – and then out injured. He managed 22 games.
Kidd was also an archetypical Arsenal signing and had been a European Cup Winner as an 18 year old, but was more recently playing in an ageing side which had just been relegated. Bought for £110,000 (that is around £1.1M in today’s money) he played two seasons before going back home to Manchester.
Then there was Terry Mancini – a £26,000 signing from QPR. Described by Stan Bowles as “rubbish” but described by Arsenal players at the time as a joker in the dressing room.
Injured? Diaby, Van Persie, Rosicky
Homesick? Reyes, Fabregas ?
Garbage but a joker? Eboue
History always repeats itself!
When the Alf Ramsey-eque Bertie Mee called it a day, a young, apparently dynamic manager took over in Terry Neill. He must have looked around and apart from Ball and Brady – nothing. The cheque book came out and in came Malcolm Macdonald. SuperMac was fast, powerful and direct and like Van Persie and Henry after him, all the play was dictated through him. A loss of form and Alan Ball being sold on culminated in a terrible run of games towards the back-end of his first season. He was the main man but looking around, with the exception of Brady and now Stapleton and O’Leary the team was poor.
The good were carrying the mediocre.
For all that is said about Pat Rice being an Arsenal man through and through – He was a very mediocre player, as was Sammy Nelson. (Watch third division Sheff Wednesday v’s Arsenal 3rd Round FA Cup 1979 for Rice, or Leeds v’s Arsenal in 1972 for Nelson – Dire both of them).
Ball’s eventual replacement was Alan Hudson.
Hudson was a fantastic player in his time. Described by Malcolm Allison in 1975 along with Trevor Francis as the only “Real World Class Players in England”. He bossed the free kicks and corners, and like Glenn Hoddle in his pomp he could dictate a game.
Terry Neill was young and according to some couldn’t handle some of the big names, that’s maybe why Ball was shipped out and solace and advice had been sought from Chelsea’s new pragmatic manager Eddie McCreadie.
That’s probably why Hudson was shuttled off to America after a couple of seasons to be replaced by the workman like Brian Talbot. A grafter – an English Edu.
Top players are what the fans want and top players are what the players themselves want. That is unless you’re Alex Song or Abou Diaby and they see the possibility of a M’Vila or a Gourcuff coming to the club!
The furore that surrounded the signings of Woodcock and Chapman was great. The arrival of Yugoslavia’s best player in Vladimir Petrovic was even better. The fans got a lift.
The signings would have been even better if we had managed to keep both Brady and Stapleton, both of who would have stayed if there had been better players around.
Remember the signing of Charlie Nicholas? A massive coup for the club.
Apart from the four finals, a third and fourth spot, and a few semi-finals, we were nowhere in the chase for honours as Terry Neill was no Arsene Wenger, but the summers were exciting because new players were arriving and at least we looked to be trying.
Back to now:
It’s admirable that the club look to purchase quality at the right price, however the loss of both Gary Cahill and Juan Mata through Arsenal’s financial frugality didn’t sit well when you saw Chelsea pick up both the FA Cup and Champions League with both those players in the team, both of whom could have been in red and white if the right deals would have been thrashed out for them at the right time.
Brinkmanship gone wrong maybe?
Arsene Wenger recently stated:
Just because an African has never won the Grand Prix doesn’t mean an African can’t.
Too true, but why try out that philosophy with Arsenal. Let Ferguson piss about with re-writing the history books at Silverstone or Monaco.
Last season we were all contemplating the arrival of a marquis signing from Lille. We thought it was the one they called Eden Hazard. I’m not sure how good this kid is but he was very high-profile and young. His name and face would have been on hundreds of thousands of shirts.
In the end we were lumbered with Gervais Lombe Yao Kouassi as this is real name, not the Brazilian alias he saddles us with. A flaccid step-over merchant who looks only to deceive, as after his party piece he flashes his choppers and does a Denilson, or runs into a blind alley.
Hazard – the Lille poster boy, this “marquee signing” has now, like Mata and Cahill gone to Chelsea after being a subject of interest to us. It’s soul destroying to the fan.
Usmanov stated the word “Marquee player”. He’s right.
Marquee players lift morale. They put bums on seats, sell shirts and give the fans an almighty buzz. You know when its a tight game the marquee player can do something to give you the advantage; the edge. Van Persie and Cesc were doing it over the past few years and Pires, Viera, Henry and Bergkamp before them.
There’s a few pieces re: Cesc and Van Persie looking around the dressing room at the other players pre-season etc. – Sol Campbell mentioned it. The most ardent Arsenal fan should know that the major trophies won’t be won with average players in the team, no matter what collective form of play Arsenal put together under Wenger. Cesc knew that, as does Van Persie.
Denilson was a cog in this collective machine producing fine stats both on paper and on par with the legendary sideways-backwards philosophy of Ray Wilkins whilst playing in a white three-lions shirt. You can only hide for so long until you get found out. Denilson got found out.
Song is part of this collective play philosophy marshalling the back four with a rod of iron until his brain tells him that its time to polish the alloys and go carousing out of position to try and get a goal or an assist, and in doing so concedes a free kick, booking, red card or just leaves his defence wide open for his troubles.
Even when we were a lesser team than we are now, we always went for the top players.
I cannot complain about the signing of Giroud and Podolski. I’m sure they’ll integrate well and they will sell thousands of shirts. But we need more top players to replace the dross and mediocre.
In 1982 the News of the World carried a story about Arsenal wanting Maradona for £6M on the front page – that is £17.37M in today’s money and back then apart from the gate money, a bit from the football pools, TV and sponsorship via the placards and programmes that was it. There was no Sky nor big sponsorship.
It never happened but it looked at least, as though we were trying.
Hugo Lloris, Phil Jagielka, Yann M’Villa and Gourcuff could fill the voids. It is an outlay that Arsenal can afford and could get, and can be partially offset by dumping the dross. A Wesley Snjeider type signing to supplement this would show major intent. It won’t happen, but it would show major intent and Intent is the key word.
At the moment we are said to be looking at an Egyptian defender called Milo and he is ready to make a move to us too.
I bet Man City, Man Utd and Chelsea are quivering in their boots!!
Written by South Yorkshire Gunner
Interesting article, I enjoyed the historical aspects of it.
and I agree with what you said;
you cannot sell your ferrari, buy a fiat, and think you will win the Grand Prix.
How about that Arsene? yeah?
Morning all – i’m off to read the post again:)
Really good read SYG, thank you…
We have certainly signed some good players over the years an as you rightly point out, we have sold a few good ones too.
Now is the time for that word ‘Intent’ to shown in this transfer window but I’m not overly optimistic.
Should Rvp suddenly do a u-turn, my hopes might raise though….
Nice article. Enjoyed the history. Remember the season before the unbeaten when we lost out to man utd many wanted new faces but wenger said no signings and we went unbeaten. Well times have changed. Unless van persie leaves i think we have a good squad. What we need is a change of formation and defensive discipline. Scrap entertaining football. Mourinho would win the league with our current set of players.
The real change is the salaries. How much did we pay Alan Ball to Charlie Nicholas era buys?
Good read SYG!!
I wonder, The general tenor seems to be summed up with:
“you cannot sell your ferrari, buy a fiat, and think you will win the Grand Prix.”
However, the history of Wenger and his buys is NOT one of buying fiats now is it? That he brings in prototypes (many of whom you list approvingly) directly from the designer’s global lab’s is precisely the point: as is your point that our record under these conditions is exemplary (and, apart from ManU, compares positively with any of our competitors!).
Podolski and Giroud are far from lesser models and I can’t help but feel that the perspecitive about our current approach is one of ‘the glass is half empty!’
Be positive
Agree re the squad joyswed, but for me it’s if RvP and Theo stay, still like to see a proper DM in at least though…
Not sure what to make of this recent RvP stuff, some suggest the only reason the announcement wasn’t made was so that AW could get Giroud for a fair price…
Andy – personally, I don’t know but I would imagine that info is somewhere.. SYG may know that answer when he comes on later
Wages are certainly an issue today though, we pay too many average players far too much, which is why we can’t offload them now..
“Cesc and Van Persie looking around the dressing room at the other players pre-season etc”. Those “marquee signings” Cesc and RVP will be upset because we haven’t made marquee signings? The one’s who were signed as youngsters for a combined total of <3m? You see the point here?
Who was the "marquee signing" of the invincibles? Players like Pires and Henry obviously worked out great, but can you really call them that? Surely they were no more well known than Podolski and Giroud? You could argue Gilberto because he'd just won the world cup, but we already had a good squad, and he was just seen as a smart signing, a bargain – not the game-changer someone like Hazard would be seen as.
And this bashing of Song is just ridiculous. He's been our most consistent player over the past 3-4 years and we would have dropped from the top 4 without him. He's NOT the holding midfielder, he helps protect the defence, but Arteta is the one who has been tied with the holding role, and he's been great. Diaby and Denilson also played more centrally, and deeper than Song, so this idea that Alex is the main holding/defensive midfielder of the side is fallacious.
http://www.eplindex.com/16366/premier-league-midfield-enforcers-statistical-comparison.html
Rico i would certainly keep theo but a part of me wants to see rvp gone only if the money will be invested in the squad. We desperately need a dm. Cmon gazidis do something
The difference between the Invincibles and the side now is the money other clubs had. If the climate had been the same, we’d most likely have a squad with players like Nasri, Cesc, Adebayor (maybe), RVP, Flamini, Clichy and Hleb. Not to mention the players we could have signed in the meantime if we weren’t being outbid by other sides. Wenger was able to keep the core of the Invincibles around for some time before that amazing season, and it’s because they knew eachother so well, and certain players had become so comfortable and influential in the squad, that we were able to perform so well.
Back then we made stars of good players, and kept them long enough to make a great squad. These days we’er still making stars, but then they’re being enticed away by big money, and unfortunately this has created a cycle of us no longer being able to win things, so there’s an extra incentive to leave Arsenal. The root of it is the money.
“”Marquee players lift morale. They put bums on seats, sell shirts and give the fans an almighty buzz.””
So true and so ignored by our club. To paraphrase Ashley Cole , I nearly crashed my car when they announced the signing of Dennis Bergkamp.
“To paraphrase Ashley Cole , I nearly crashed my car when they announced the signing of Dennis Bergkamp”.
I don’t think that could have been Ashley Cole, unless he was joyriding.
He said that when the the board ( Fiszman ) reneged on the deal that Dein had offered him.
But that is the role expected of Song davi – he is the main defensive player in our midfield but goes all songinho too often and Wenger has recently said that all our midfielders are too attack minded.
Agree potter..
davi – he probably was joyriding 😉
Hello all,
Why do when ever we want Wenger to be bashed, we go back to Denilson? I mean the lad wasn’t that bad before he got injured. He was doing really well for a young footballer. But then he got injured and once back from that he wasn’t anywhere near what he could have been.
rico – where is your evidence that he is the main defensive midfielder? Is it based purely on the fact that he’s the biggest?
Watching last year, Arteta stayed centrally and was rarely seen moving forward ahead of Song, and stayed in front of the defence most of the time. When Diaby played last year, he did the same thing, and when Denilson was here, he did the same thing. I don’t see why Song is seen as the main DM, when there’s almost always a midfielder who plays deeper than him.
One story thatdoesn’t seem to go away is the one linking us to the Rangers keeper…
Davi , I think you will find that Arteta drops back because he has the brains to see that it is necessary because Song has left the gap. It is detrimental to his game as he would be better employed using his passing further forward. Song has been consistent , consistently arriving late , giving away cheap free kicks , taking his time to get back and occasionally floating long diagonal balls over the top of defences. We could do better but he is a good squad player , but no star.
Satan (lol) – I think the problems started when it became clear Wenger wanted Denilson to play as a holding midfielder. His best moments have been when he’s moved forward, because he’s a talented attacker, but we’ve been trying to make him into makelele, but he doesn’t have the grit to do the job.
“I think you will find that Arteta drops back because he has the brains to see that it is necessary because Song has left the gap.”
He stands there from the start of the game. If he had a problem with it, shouldn’t he be screaming at Song to do his job?! Everyone is basing this critique of Song on their own assumption that he is a DM, but where’s the evidence?!
I know you wouldn’t believe it from some of dispalys davi but:
from the afc website….
In the past three seasons Alex has carved himself a niche as Arsenal’s No 1 defensive midfielder.
Strong in the tackle, positionally aware and a good distributor of the ball, he is becoming a master at protecting his back four, breaking up opposition forays and initiating attacks.
Rico
Did you see Diaby in training y’day. Abou is back. Hope he stays fit. If he does for whole season then we’d have our marquee signing. lol
Davi
The reason why Arteta, Diaby, Denilson stays back is they’re ‘media punta’. They’re the links that will take us forward. They’re calm on the ball and not easy to dispossess. If you see Song in our half near the CBs, he always struggles to keep the ball when under pressure and gives away. That is why we have more assured presence there.
And even Koz had mentioned that with Song in the team they get more protection after he had missed the game against United due to suspension.
“I think you will find that Arteta drops back because he has the brains to see that it is necessary because Song has left the gap.”
Do you credit Diaby and Denilson with the same brains and responsible natures? Considering they were both more attacking players when signed, don’t you think Wenger has been trying to develop a Leon Britton type of holding midfielder to sit in front of the defence?
@YG
We all want marquee signings but its not always possible. But what bothers us most is when our own marquee players decides that they want to be marquee players of some other team.
Satan – I agree completely except I don’t think Song always struggles much at all with keeping possession most of the time. He’s pretty nimble and does keep possession well (better than 90% of midfielders around), but Arteta is better.
And yes, Song does give more protection, but that doesn’t make him the defensive midfielder, certainly not a holding midfielder. He’s playing that duel role.
Personally no , I think Wenger makes the mistake of buying a number of players all capable of playing in the same position and then trying to fit them into a system. To me Diaby and Denilson would do the same job unfortunately it was the same job being done by Fabregas and so Denilson in particular had to change his game to accomplish this. Diaby of course was mainly unavailable so didn’t get tarred with the same brush. If Wenger felt that he needed a defensive midfielder he should have bit the bullet some time ago and gone out and bought one. However it doesn’t appear to be one of his priorities and tries to mould people to the job , mainly unsuccessfully. All the players we have discussed are good footballers but we have too many of the same and apart from Arteta that uses his brain to cover , none of the others really want to do the do the donkey work.
Davi:
C’mon man in our first playing eleven who’s the worst at keeping the ball, other than Theo? For me its Song. Don’t get me wrong, he’s immense. But I really wish that he stays behind and help out defense more often. For me he should for first 70mins stay back and see and defend. After that if he feels he needs to get forward, he should. I hope he does stay back for some period of game. At times I really feel for our defenders cause many times there is no one ahead of them to commit a foul or break up the play. And then they have to resort to last ditch tackles. If had we had that Garry Cahill, we’d have a lot of red cards for sure.
Hi Satan –
I did see Diaby, with the ‘girlie’ weights haha. I hope he stays fit too, and I hope h has a season to shut his critics up, me bing one of the biggest..
Nice post,spot on about song’s forward play, which made us lean at the back last season,comparing barca,the two cbs with busquets move together covering for the forward wingbacks,a signing like m’villa would do.in the game france vs spain especially in the 2nd half actually he was controlling the game acting as a deep playmaker, he pressed spain in their half and at the same time covering his defence.now song covers his passing handicap apart from the accassional lofted pass,by moving with the ball forward there by moving out of position.in games against norwich and QPR,draw and loss respectively,these teams placed attackers in song,s position hoping that he goes forward which he did,you know what it caused us,coquelin is similar in style to m’villa,if the m’villa signing doesnt happen hope the coq gets more games.
Morning all. Great post! Enjoyed the historical analysis. It is evident that we cannot compete on the marquee signing front but there are some great players out there that need not cost the earth. Songs biggest problem last season was our lack of creativity, he took it upon himself in many games to try and provide defence splitting passes(and didn’t do too badly). It was only when arteta got injured that this became a problem, as someone has already highlighted he has the noise to understand that if song attacks he sits in, our other midfielders it would seem are incapable of this thought process. Sign a DM please Arsene!
Potter
Jack played in the position of Denilson and did an admirable job. The way I see it he likes to have two play makers in the team. Of them one is very high on attacking side like Cesc was. And other may be little less on attacking side but should have higher Defending Quotient. That’s where Diaby, Denilson and Arteta come in. Diaby is the best deep lying play maker out there. Better than Arteta. But prob is, he’s injured, too often.
And tbh, that second playmaker role is very very important. It requires more brain than out and out play maker with little defensive quotient.
I remember the recent quote from the recently departed Stewart Robson , that the young imports are promoted in front of the Hale End kids despite not actually being the better prospect .You can’t help wondering if we have overlooked another Ray Parlour type player because they were not so silky on the ball but would have done the job required.
POTTER – In my opinion, I thing you are you are dead right re: Song. Spot on. It is an opinion. Both yours and my opinion.
DAVI – You thing Song is great. That’s ok. ‘Nothing up with that.
The difference is, is that I expect MORE.
One man’s fish eggs is another man’s caviar.
Song’s ill discipline did nothing to help the start of last season. A period of which we got spanked 2-8 v’s United and mugged 0-2 v’s Liverpool.
Make no mistake, Song’s ill discipline HAS cost us points. dress it up, turn it around, fold it inside and out – Any way you like – It doesn’t make any difference – he has.
Like Potter says, he’s a handy squad player, but in MY opinion, that’s about it.
As for Arteta, he is an exceptional player. We should have had him at the same time we had Fabregas.
ANDY mentioned Alan Ball’s wages in 1972-76.
I’ve no idea what they were, but he was by far the biggest earner at the club, something according to John Radford, that he wasn’t shy about telling everyone about.
Welcome Ray..
DM for me too, either Capoue or M’Vila ..
Hi Lewis
Satan – if Song is the worst at keeping the ball, it’s only by default. There are plenty who give the ball away cheaply in defence and midfield at times, but I don’t think Song is the worst.
Too much playing fantasy manager, selective memory or something..
Even if Arsenal bought Messi and Iniesta you’d find something to complain about, so I’m not sure why you bother watching or writing about the current team if it makes you so negative.
The reason Mvila was so coveted by us and others is that he’s basically a more powerfully built version of arteta, so personally I don’t think signing him would be bad news for Song, I’d expect him to be slowly brought in as Arteta’s replacement over the course of a season. It might also allow Mikel to take up a more attacking role.
@Rico
I hope he does stay fit and proves to critics. I am really hoping to see more of his runs where he dribbles past players as if they’re not even there. For a tall man he really has low center of gravity.
Hey Rico.
Afree Satan. Would love to see a fit diaby for a whole season. I think he’d be unplayable at times. Wishful thinking??!!
Satan – don’t you think Diaby is being converted to a defensive midfielder? He held his position a lot more in his games last season, and I thought he looked pretty good there. He started hitting longer cross-field passes as well, which could be a useful addition to the side? He’s a talented attacker, but the defensive role could help him to find a consistent spot in the team, whereas he seemed to drift in and out of games too much when given attacking roles.
Sadly I can’t see Diaby going on a long run without injury either….
“”don’t you think Diaby is being converted to a defensive midfielder?””
Another conversion ? Just go buy one. Decide which of the others is surplus to requirement and move them on.
Spot on imho potter – as you said earlier, we have a habit of bying players and fitting thm in, just like playing strikers as wingers all too often and ruining them..
We ned a DM – sign one
We need a CB – sign one
You wouldn’t stick a striker in goal, why do it with aother players…
@Lewis
Same here. I wish the same. And I don’t think its wishful thinking. If Robin can stay fit then I am sure Diaby would too. fingers super crossed.
@Davi
Don’t see him as a defensive midfielder. He’s a play maker with high level of defensive quotient. He’s got better spidey senses then play maker. And such players help us being bullied as well as makes opposition commit fouls. The biggest example of that is Arteta. He draws so many fouls. For me such players are super important and I agree with you that M’villa is one such player. There is no doubt about that.
oh sorry ‘helps us from being bullied.’
Morning SYG, not sure why, but you went into moderation 🙁
No probs, Rico.
I hope today finds everyone well….
POTTER – In my opinion, I thing you are you are dead right re: Song. Spot on. It is an opinion. Both yours and my opinion.
DAVI – You thing Song is great. That’s ok. ‘Nothing up with that.
The difference is, is that I expect MORE.
One man’s fish eggs is another man’s caviar.
Song’s ill discipline did nothing to help the start of last season. A period of which we got spanked 2-8 v’s United and mugged 0-2 v’s Liverpool.
Make no mistake, Song’s ill discipline HAS cost us points. dress it up, turn it around, fold it inside and out – Any way you like – It doesn’t make any difference – he has.
Like Potter says, he’s a handy squad player, but in MY opinion, that’s about it.
As for Arteta, he is an exceptional player. We should have had him at the same time we had Fabregas.
ANDY mentioned Alan Ball’s wages in 1972-76.
I’ve no idea what they were, but he was by far the biggest earner at the club, something according to John Radford, that he wasn’t shy about telling everyone about.
Good read SYG, I just hope we can turn the tied of Pessimism and change it to optimism. I truly believe if Jack can start and stay fit, if we do get M’Villa or equivalent and a central defender i.e Jagielka then even without RVP we can mount a serious challenge.
What a boring article – switched off after I saw your ridiculous comments re Song! What games are you watching – you remind me of all those other ‘pretenders’ last season who couldn’t wait to attack Wenger for his late signings – it turned out alright in the end! No, no silverware I grant you – but I loved watching them and the best is yet to come!
Very good read SYG.
The 4/5 players you listed would really boost our squad! We can but dream.
At the rate things are going,Arsenal if wenger is still around will take ten years to win the epl. That is a hell of a long time. During these ten years the top teams ie Chelsea,MU ,MC will have established a a stranglehold on the top three places in the epl.Arsenal will find it hard to break thru.
This is the worst scenario but it could happen.
Side note, where is Ryo Miyaichi not been mention on AFC.com for pre-season.
SYG – this is probably the first season Song has stepped forward so much. The reason for this is that he’s had to – who else was setting consistenyl making chances? Walcott, and that’s about it. He’s shown on many occasions that he has the discipline when it’s required, for example when he marked Rooney out the game last year when we beat them, but most of the time, he’s played a bit further forward, and has been unfairly singled out for criticism because people assume he’s supposed to be playing like Makelele. When Arteta has been in the side, we’ve done extremely well, in fact, after the 1st 8 games, our form was better than City’s for a large portion of the season. Rightly Arteta has received due credit for this, but it’s the platform he’s formed along with Song which enabled us to climb up the league.
As I said earlier, no one has contributed more consistently than Song over the past 3-4 years. He was one of our best 2-4 players in nearly every game and I’ve no doubt at all that without his consistent contributions, we would have fallen from the top 4 long ago, and he deserves more respect than he has received from Arsenal fans for what he’s done for us.
Morning all,
Thats my kinda post, nice one SYG.
“Song’s ill discipline did nothing to help the start of last season.”
RVP and Koscielny were in that side as well – why don’t they receive the same criticism? Was Song really any less important in turning the season around!? Was it Koscielny’s “ill-discipline” which led to our 8-2 defeat? Or was it the fact that they were surrounded by inexperienced players who were deeply out of their depth?
For me Song has played his best football in a charlton kit.
Song is a good decent player it just when he does go forward no other midfielder covers him very well. This is where we missed Jack.
Arteta did ok but we lost him at the tail end of the season.
looking back recently we had Vieira and Petit, Edu and Gilberto
First Wenger must make sure the defence doesn’t concede another 49 goals. He should make Arsenal hard to beat which is anthema to him. He likes to attack and wants the other team to attack. Someone forgot to tellhim or he is not listening.Some teams park the bus and let the gunners attack.
Wigan were the latest team to beat the gunners 2-1. Wenger still can’t believe it. Well before other teams quiver make sure your forwards can start scoring and the defence is water or goal tight and don’t leak unnecessary goals. Then we shall see. ,
Davi , you obviously have a thing about Song which I and others do not share. From where I sit ( stand ) in Block 10 , I see gaps where he should be. Playing midfield is not exclusive to one discipline , as I said earlier he does a few bits well but fails to do some others and that is his failing.
Re Ryo – is he staying or going out on loan?
Micko, you’ll be writing one next 😉
Players come and players go, but the club still remains.
Whether Van Persie goes or stays it is no big deal.
The team was set up last year to play through a single striker system. Van Persie got the plaudits as he was the main-man, but any Premiership striker would have buried 90% of the goals he put away with the service he got from the collective-attacking system that Wenger plays.
Unfortunately it is not the attack side of the team that needs looking at. It is the defence and the overall quality in depth of the squad.
Djourou or Squillaci cannot be the fourth centre back. Neither are good enough to don an Arsenal shirt.
Gibbs and Santos are adequate, but that is all. Glichy was adequate too, but that is all he ever was. None are an Ashley Cole.
Sagna is sound and reliable. No real back up though.
Arteta is key. Wilshere, Ox-Cham, Ramsey are the future. Walcott is a squad player at best, and may possibly have is nose shoved out by either Ox-Cham or Myachi, that is unless he gets sold.
England had him in their squad, but for some reason the manager saw Milner or Young as a better soluton, and both those players are adequate at best.
Rosicky and Arshavin are good players, but sometimes both lack confidence or heart or both. I have no idea why as they captain their respective country’s.
Diaby, like Eduardo needs another club. He needs a fresh start.
You could write a book about it !!!!!
Lots of talk about Song. I still feel Song is a good player but is a defensive midfielder in more the box to box type rather than a holding midfielder. If he plays with Arteta or Wilshere we will look more solid as they both pay attention to their own defensive duties. Rico I notice you feel we need a CD and a DM. We need to improve our quality in certain areas but I still think much of our defensive problem comes from poor drilling and training rather than what players we have or don’t have. I am mindful of us not overloading our squad with too many players which can cause problems in its own right, I have mentioned it before Rico but I feel your wishes could be covered by one purchase in Javi Martinez. He stands 6’3″ and looks a quality DM in the Vieira mould. He also, like Song, can play CD effectively. he will cost us but then we are only spending on one player and not two and I believe we would then have the upcoming best DM around.
If RVP goes I would look to Podolski and Giroud to step up as lead the line strikers. It is often forgotten that RVP is really an attacking midfielder / deeper lying striker that has been moved up more recently to lead the line. We also lose some creativity and link up play if he goes. If we got say Lewandowski I think we are getting a player too similar to what Podolski and Giroud offer us, and I would prefer a deeper lying creative striker that has goals in them and can link the midfield and forwards. I would plump for Jovetic who looks every bit like a younger right footed RVP. I think even minus RVP the combination of Jovetic, Podolski and Giroud has a great balance to it.
What pisses me off about song is the needless free kicks he gives away….he’s a squad player imho.
We are being linked with Affelay again, RvP’s bestest buddy, isn’t he?
SYG, if RvP goes, or any player and they are not replaced, we will have a problem
Adojo – you seem to satnd alone with your ideas about the article,try writng one of your own and have it ‘out there’ for views, maybe that scares you too much??
Really don’t want Affelay. He’s immensely talented but so inefficient. He’s also liable to get injured very quickly upon moving to the PL.
Ditto Lee re Song and yes re Afellay, thats who RvP went to see when Barca were in London, oh how the press loved that eh…
So Affelay has been plagued with injuries? We should get him he can hold Diaby’s hand whilst on the treatment table!
Nobody answered my first point really. Arsene has never really signed marquee players, he’s taken talented lads, and turned them into something – the Invincibles was entirely built on that idea. The closest to a marquee signing was probably gilberto, but he didn’t really scare anybody, he just looked like a smart piece of business. With Pires, most people in this country hadn’t heard of him, and he really made his name at Arsenal.
This is why we’re paying younger, less proven players like Bendtner and Djourou so much money, because there’s undeniably always been a chance that they would just “turn the corner” and start to look like world-beaters, and in today’s climate, they could easily be enticed by clubs like Chelsea and City, so all that time spent making them into star players would be wasted. There’s a fine line between a youngster developing into an average or world class player, and so far Djourou and Bendtner haven’t crossed it, and it’s looking increasingly unlikely that they will do. On the other hand, Walcott was given a bigger contract when he looked like an even worse player than these two, and now he’s a pretty good winger. Unfortunately, the price of taking a chance on these players is increasing.
And Robin’s Lee 😉
davi – they shouldn’t be paid vast wages until they have turned that corner – as i said earlier, now w cannot offload the deadwood because other clubs wont meet their wage demands…
Davi, like you say I would call Gilberto, as a World Cup winner, a marquee signing. I would say Sol Campbell was a marquee signing (remembering that price doesn’t necessarily have to be a reflection of what makes a marquee signing. Given his status, previous success and experience I would say that Gallas was a marquee signing. Slightly contradicting my above point, but based on the potentiaaly eventual price and profile, I would say that Reyes was a marquee signing, as he was supposed to be the bright new star of Spanish football and one that Real Madrid desperately wanted. I would say that Wiltord was a marquee signing again significant transfer fee and a high profile member of the then, World and European Champions, (having played a significant part in the latter). Arguably Overmars was a marquee signing, all be it loaded with risk due to injury, same with Kanu at the time. I would also say there was a case for Gio Van B.
Then there is also the players we have supposedly been close to signing – Alonso and Reina spring to mind.
DAVI
Sylvain Wiltord had just scored the winning goal in the European Nations Cup when we bought him.
Henry was part of the French World Cup team when we bought him.
Pires was part of the French World Cup team when we bought him.
Bergkamp as considered the best player in Europe when we bought him.
David Platt was the captain of England one of the best players in Europe when we bought him.
Sol Campbell was considered one of the best central defenders in Europe when we bought him
Andrey Arshavin was the best footballer in Russia and the best performer inthe World Cup when we bought him.
Jose Antonio Reyes was the most promising young footballer in Spain if not Europe when we bought him.
Marc Overmars was the possibly the most prolific winger in the world when we bought him
Davor Suker – Possibly the most deadlest striker in Europe
These are marquee players. They were already exceptional players, but in some instances there were question marks surrounding the player and club – such as Bergkamp and Henry in Italy…
I hope that helps you …
A MARQUEE signing doesn’t have to be a Lionel Messi or a Christian Ronaldo.
But the likes of Gervais Lombe Yao Kouassi or Pak Do Ik (Ju-Young Park) and Maroune Chamakh can never ever be described as marquee signings.
SYG@12:49..Spot on, agree 100%.
Quite a few corkers in there – if only a 2/3 more like them would be signed this summer…
@ Yorkshire Gunner
Thanks for a marvelous read. A Highbury hitchhikers guide through Arsenal galaxy. It covers a period I hadn’t the privilege to be a Gooner. Sure puts things in perspective within these hyper tense media campaigned animosity amongst troopers.
Afternoon all. And bye need to go……. Have good one. Keep it goonerish and stay on song. Laters.
Hi & bye DG, laters…
SYG – none of Wiltord, Henry or Pires were starters, certainly not automatic starters, for France when we signed them. Bergkamp and Platt were signed before Wenger came, so not what I’m talking about. Sol was certainly not considered so highly when we signed him, and was actually greeted with some scepticism (my recollection anyway). Plus he was free, so I’m not sure if that counts?
Arshavin was a marquee signing which works against the premise that marquee signings are always a good thing,
Reyes was unknown in England and considered a player of great potential but not “already an exceptional player”, and he didn’t turn into an Arsenal great – good, yes, but not great, again going somewhat against the premise that spending big is the answer.
Suker was seen as being on the way down and a player to give us depth, but not really much more than that, given that he came off the back of a poor season (due to injury?).
I’ll completely agree with you on Overmars, and actually add in Lehmann, who was certainly a renowned top class goalkeeper.
Kanu was another, similar to Bergkamp – already a CL winner, but struggled in Italy, I think due to health reasons.
Maybe I’m thinking differently, but none of these players that were signed under Wenger (with the exceptions of Overmars and Jens) came when they were at the top of their games. They were talented players who needed to work to revive or start their caeers. When I think marquee signing, I think Veron or Essien, big name, big money players who need no work. By the standards set by your examples, Podolski and Giroud are DEFINITELY marquee signings. So were Rosicky, Gervinho, Sagna and Mertesacker, and arguably Santos, Arteta and Chamakh. These are experienced players of renowned quality earning medals and plaudits in their own leagues.
How can Henry be described as a marquee signing? He couldn’t get into the team at Juve, didn’t play much in the world cup win, and was behind Stefan Guivarch in the team. It appears he only made it to the squad because they didn’t have many decent forwards (to say the least!). His, and probably Pires’ (although I don’t remember how many times he played in 98) world cup triumphs are akin to Victor Valdes’ for Spain???
Henry appeared in the 1998 World Cup and ended the tournament as France’s top scorer.
He was to appear in the final, but for Desailly getting sent off.
In 1998, a was a world cup winner. He signed for Arsenal in 1999.
Pirès started playing for France in 1996 and was part of France’s 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 winning squads.
He signed for Arsenal in 2000.
Sol Campbell was conidered very highly. It was a massive, massive signing and not just because he was a Spurs player. Even Barcelona were interested in signing him, as were all the top clubs.
Suker was 32 and playing with Real Madrid. Two years ealier everyone had been craving about him being the best striker in Europe. These were top players Davi…
Arshavin, for all the flack he was getting prior to his loan, single-handedly saved our season when we bought him, and it is worth mentioning that he should have been in the League Cup final on merit alone. Diaby, who performed like a lamppost was given the heads-up over him.
It was a bad decision by Wenger, reminiscent of the Aliadiere debacle in the FA Cup semi final when we were on for the treble.
“Henry appeared in the 1998 World Cup and ended the tournament as France’s top scorer”
While you are correct, he scored 2 against Saudi Arabia and one against South Africa in the group stage. He played more than I realised, but still he was a young player who was behind Guivarch in the pecking order, and couldn’t get into the Juve side.
Pires – again, not a starter for France, made his name in a big way at Arsenal.
Campbell – I respectfully just have to disagree. He was certainly known to be a good defender, but people had their doubts when he signed. I suppose it’s like when City signed Lescott. When he joined Arsenal people said he wasn’t good enough at bringing the ball out from defence, and I think I’m right in saying people questioned his ability to stay focussed (I’ll accept your memory on that). Overall he was seen as a good signing who would need to improve, and people did expect him to as he did.
Suker – you are right that 2 years earlier he was considered as great, and he was a truly great player in his day, but we took a chance on him regaining his form following a disappointing *previous* season. If he was still hot, he wouldn’t have left Madrid.
Arshavin – no excuses for the guy, he has the talent, but not the motivation. Without wanting to sound too arrogant, I totally saw it coming as well.
Re the Suker signing – would you consider David Villa a “marquee signing” if we were to sign him this summer?
I would, definitely!
As would I…
What some rubbish weather, no Sky, No internet… jeez, when is going to end…
Even though he’s broken and on the way down? Wouldn’t he just be another extremely risky signing? I mean Suker came when we already had Henry, Bergkamp and Kanu, and he just supplemented them for a while. The hope was probably that he’d regain his old form, but it didn’t quite happen. In this case, I think we’d be relying a lot more of David Villa, assuming RVP left in exchange, as is the idea.
DAVI – sorry pal, I didn’t pick up on this
davi says:
July 11, 2012 at 11:44 am
“Song’s ill discipline did nothing to help the start of last season.”
RVP and Koscielny were in that side as well – why don’t they receive the same criticism? Was Song really any less important in turning the season around!? Was it Koscielny’s “ill-discipline” which led to our 8-2 defeat? Or was it the fact that they were surrounded by inexperienced players who were deeply out of their depth
Song got suspended v’s Newcastle for three games for stamping on Joey Barton in the opening game forcing Wenger to blood the inexperienced Coquelin.
And in that case, what is stopping us from making marquee signings? If David Villa would satisfy the fans, then what Usmanov said is completely false? I don’t think we’d get him because I don’t think we’d seriously believe he still has a lot to offer.
SYG – RE Song. Yes, that’s right. I see what you mean now.
Chelsea looking to finalise a deal for Oscar!!!!
Chel$ki looking scary now…..
Chelsea are building a hell of a team. Imo all they are lacking is a killer striker and need to ship Lampard off to the MLS. They tried to get in a Right winger, but failed with their 1st choice – Hulk. Then they went after Schurle and will have up their bid.
They’ve got :
CF – Torres/Sturridge
LW – Hazard/Marin
AM – Mata/Oscar?/Lampard
RW – Sturridge/?
CM – Ramires / Essien
DM – Mikel/Mirelies
David Villa would fit for Arsenal. It’s possible, but unlikely.
Affellay seems more likely.
If we were going for a name player then given the financial situation in Spain lets sign Kaka as we need a creative player, and with regard to Song how many of his assists last season resulted in us winning games?
We have to be the most miserable whining depressing bunch of fans in the world because all we can do is cry that this or that is not right, even though none of us have managed at the level we are talking about, have no knowledge of what is going on at the club as we are not directors of the club.
The profile of our signings in the last seasons has changed and for the better with more experienced players being bought, we have spent more money in the last season and this one so far than in the previous four years but still we whine.
I agree we need to buy players however since none of us on here have ever negotiated a transfer in or out of a club, statement like get rid of the dead wood or just buy insert name here are kinda pointless especially when we give our club which we are meant to support a bigger kicking than any one else in the media or opposition fans.
Read this article and see if you still think we are underachieving
http://www.7amkickoff.com/2012/how-much-money-would-it-take-to-bring-arsenal-level-with-the-big-spenders/?
Sorry if this offends some people but the constant negativity is really depressing we haven’t kicked a ball yet.
hello eveybody!
Afternoon Gooners, AKB’s, Spastics and all.
Afternoon Rico.
Seems that Song is the word today!
SYG, that was a mighty fine read.
Right thru my era, like All Our Yesterdays.
I must confess, that I was never an Alan Ball fan.
Great player for Everton in their passing game, as was the case with their 1969-70 Title winning team.
But don’t think he suited Arsenal’s long-ball style at the time.
If Bertie Mee had wanted to change Arsenal’s style at that period, then Bally alone wasn’t really enough.
More investment in players like Mick Channon, Bob Latchford and Peter Shilton might have helped.
we need a new Liam Brady!
JM should we break the bank and buy João Filipe Iria Santos Moutinho?
KM – that is a strong side the chavs have..
Vernat1066 – What’s negative on here?
Same as I said previous. Opinions are opinions. we’re not in Somalia or North Korea. We don’t get shot for expressing them.
Some think may think Izabella Scorupco is a better looking woman than Clemence Poesy yet some could think Carol Vorderman is better than them both. It’s an opinion.
Personally I think Clemence Poesy could get more game time than Abou Diaby or Kieran Gibbs and that Izabella Scorupco could do a better job on the flanks than the Gervinho.
And I am sure that Carol Vorderman could probably tell you that Francis Jeffers is known as the most prolific forward in the three lions’ (England’s) history.
Afternoon Charlie 🙂
I have no problem SYG with people having an opinion even one that disagrees with mine (obviously wrong though it is 🙂 ) but all we seem to focus on is how bad we are how we don’t have this or don’t do that, its 5 weeks to the season starts and 7 weeks to the end of the transfer deadline. So lets wait and see and then we can judge what the club has done.
Also with regards to losing players if they don’t want to be at Arsenal more than anything then go we will do better without you the same with people who play games with the club and the fans in public letters whilst professing love for the club don’t need them. Though I have to say that one change I would applaud is the removal of PHW as he constantly embarrasses the club
Hi JM, we have one, Jack Wilshere…
Trouble is vernat, we seem to be saying ‘wait until the end of the transfer window’ every summer – add that to AW’s comments about not buying too much, it’s hard to remain very positive.
Especially when the likes of Chelsea and Spurs are starting to sign players… We could get left behind…
Also – 5 weeks until the season starts, exactly why signings should be made very soon, they need time to bed in…. (not JT style of course )
Potter 11:52
“Davi, you obviously have a thing about Song which I and others do not share.” Well Davi is not the only one that share that view. As all seems to assume that Song is a DM how many chances he created, if we had proper AM, Song would have being more disciplined in his role to stay put instead of wonder-off. When Song wonder about, do you know what game comes to mind? Arsenal Vs Borussia Dortmund, Song assist to RVP.
Wishful thinking is not a substitute for reality.
PHW is an old Etonian with no grasp of real life. Enough said.
This 16-year period has been the most successful period in the clubs history, even though we haven’t won anything for 7 years.
We had the chance – two League Cup finals and a Champions League final.
Herbert Chapman, George Allison, Bertie Mee nor George Graham ever had the competition Wenger has had.
Firstly he was up against the most successful Manchester United side ever, which was followed by the financial power of Chelsea and Manchester City.
Then the club have had to build a new Stadium – a stadium in London where the price for land is monstrous.
We all moan about players and thir skill and commitment or lack off. Just ask Charlie George aka AK about Jon Sammels.
He hit a 20 yard screamer in the final to help win the Fairs/UEFA Cup n 1970, won the double the following year and was barracked throughout most of his Arsenal career by the fans..
Venat, I sympathise with you regarding negativity, I really do. But as Rico basically said, recent history and comments from our manager would suggest that very little if anything is going to happen within those time frames that you outlined.
Couple the above with Gazidis’ comments that what they learnt from last year was, the need to do their business early this year, which with Podolski and Giroud they have done – incidentally I am very positive about those 2 signings, all be it both come with a fair amount of risk. So is it a case of we have done all our business or will/has Gazidis failed to deliver against waht he himself said, again?
It looks very much like RvP is obviously leaving, so assuming we have done all of our business and in 5 weeks time, we go as we are but minus RvP, are you happy and positive about that?
You are of course right a lot can change in the remaining time, but at the moment we are hearing absolutely nothing to suggest it will. But nothing would please me more than to be completely and utterly wrong.
Hi NG – the club refer to Song as the number 1 defensive midfielder, its in black and white….
Ryan – i too would love to be wrong, very wrong…
On transfers & Diaby’s fitness
Ryan and Rico I agree its hard to stay positive an i have said before if we don’t really compete this year time for a root and branch change, however I WILL stay positive until that point and back my club and the manager until then.
And with regards to your question Ran yes i would be absolutely delighted if R$VP left before then if he does not want to be at the club then leave as soon as possible we only need players who are 100% behind the club not who want to choose how the club works or who comes in if you want to do that Robin take your badges mate and try running a club.
Afternoon all.
Great read.
I wonder..is Arsene Wenger a “one hit” wonder with the French Spine…..putting wools over are eyes, blinded by his initial successes, only good for making profit every year…like VW making tons of money every year……..but never has a marquee name like ‘Ferrari”….
Well, we are just one of the mediocre crowd making family saloon…but to dream of a Porsche…..a Ferrari…Aston Martin….just a dream for Arsenal fans.
Can Arsenal “VW” compete against Rolls ROyce. Bentley, Macbach, Beemer and Benz of the likes of Abu Dhabi CIty, ManU and CHelski..
And even our deprived neighbour is trading in its antique Rover for a Benz…whereas Arsenal FC is still driving its tried and proven VW Golf on the autobahn against them….
And I admire you for that vernat…
Got to pop off for an hour..
laters
Sorry Vernat, I might have worded my question badly, what I was asking is, if we start the season with the squad we currently have but minus Van Persie, would you be happy and positive about that squad and our chances?
I agree with your point about why RvP has burnt his bridges and probably should now go. But if we make no further additions to our squad from now, would you retain your positive outlook? I will always be positive in my support of the club, but in the current circumstances I would find it difficult to have a positive outlook towards the clubs chances of achieving anything significant.
“Hi NG – the club refer to Song as the number 1 defensive midfielder, its in black and white….”
Oh come on. When RVP signed he was a winger. This is clutching at straws. The comment about Arteta only sitting in front of the defence because he’s covering for Song was even worse. Song can play defensive midfield, but he’s not the main DM of the side. It’s like how Vieira was referred to as a defensive midfielder, but was he really? In a sense he was, and in a sense so is Song, but when Petit or Gilberto were in the side, who was the main DM then?
Just saw that Diaby and Arteta are back in training.
But no WIlshere?
No RvP and no Walcott as well.
RvP?
I wouldn’t be surprised that like Henry, Wenger will refuse to sell him and let’s hope Gazidis will bakc Wenger up and lived up to his words said a few months back: ‘Van Persie is not for sale at any price.”
The “price” is to allow Van Persie to leave on a Bosman if he sitll refuses to sign a new deal in summer 2013.
If Wenger can keep Henry for 2005/06, then Wenger can too keep Van Persie for 2012/13.
Henry’s goal at Bernabeau was vital isn’t it?
Yes Ryan as deluded and stupid as that might make me look I would be positive because players who want to be there and believe are better off without some one who does not rate them does not believe in the club and does not want to be there.
I don’t think that will be the case but if it is then give one of the kids a chance instead at least he will want to achieve.
The Manager and Chief Exec, keeping their word Merlin?!! Now that would be novel 🙂
Too true SYG. Jonny Sammels was my first favourite player.
Thought he actually was given more license to express himself in what was a very technical Leicester City team after leaving Highbury.
Despite the rough treatment he got from AFC fans, he remains a Gooner.
Adams complained his Back-4 got no protection from Midfield.
Wenger listened and changed tactics with Petit sitting deep in front of Back-4.
And it frees Vieira as a box-to-box midfielder.
And Wenger complained Vieira was reluctantly to shoot at goal.
After WC1998, Gilberto was bought as that DCM allowing Vieira to drive forward.
Even with Song-Arteta or Song-Diaby or Song-WIlshere, it is a shame that Song is our most creative midfielder with 11 assists and that potent Song-Van Persie combination with Song’s predictable lob into the box aiming 90% of the time at RvP.
Song simply does not have the discipline to play DCM.
Why we leaked 49 (or is it 40?) league goals is simply that we have no DCM with an ill-disciplined Songniho with no ENgine to track back like a box-to-box midfielder like Vieira or Steve Gerrard or even Lampard.
The nearest box-to-box we have is Rosicky.
Ramsey simply doe snot cut the mustard and is just mediocre as box-to-box.
One of Wenger’s biggest flaw in coaching that eh expected all his players to have a football brian like the French SPine that they can instinctively switched tactics to suit opponents and were given generous leeway and freedom to roam the pitch in their decision-making on the pitch.
But we don’t have intelligent footballers now…with blind alley runner like Walcott, predictable lobs by Song, a Rasmey that took ages to spot a passing channel and whose passing ranges are so predictable and eaisly anticipated and intercepted…
That is why in 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1, we simply do not have “box-to-box” midifelder like Vieira linking up with Forwards, as well as an ENgine to track-back to sit in front of Back-4.
AN “Invisible Wall” in Petit or Gilberto as cover when the entire Forward-Line, Midfield and one or both FB, and CB as well, are attacking our opponents.
That is why we leaked 49 goals with Bottom-13 teams like Norwich, Swansea, QPR and even Blackburn outplaying us last season.
Ryan L says:
July 11, 2012 at 3:35 pm
The Manager and Chief Exec, keeping their word Merlin?!! Now that would be novel
___________________________
Ryan, there is always a first time..
Vernat, 2 more weeks and on 27 July in Beijing, you will know what sort of Arsenal team we are having for 2012/13 season.
WOuldn’t surprise moi it will be full of promoted youngsters.
Ramsey created the most chances of any Arsenal player last season that does not say predictable or easily anticipated. I agree however that we need an creative player to help and given that Djourou plays DM for Switzerland against certain teams, a Stoke or of that ilk play him there. Also it would be interesting to see how many teams played a 4-3-3 or 4-5-1 when viera and gilberto played for us.
No news about Walcott……a bit strange imo
Is he waiting for RvP to make a move?
Also is Miyachi going back on loan or is he staying?
Merlin
“tu ne cede malis sed contra audentior ito ”
Yield not to misfortunes, but advance all the more boldly against them
What happened with M’Vila?
I dnt think we’r getting him because if we want a player we sort it out quickly, like Giroud for instance.
vernat, Vieira caught other teams by surprise when Wenegr played his 4-4-2 ‘Total FOotball” with Freddya dn Pires doing the damages down the flank and blindside runnings behind the defence.
Not forgetting COle-Pires adn Freddy-Lauren offered superb protection down our flanks freeing the likes of Vieira-Gilberto to keep it narrow in the centre.
It is our mentla frgilities and lakc of depth in the squad that effectively prevented us from winning back-to-back titles as well as our first CL CUp during Wenger’s Arsenal halycon days.
Those days, Wenger got the pick of French players, plus all the funds he needed to buy any players he wanted.
If the squad lacked depth then, the faults laid wholly on Wenger’s table as he was given carte blanche to buy any players with Dein negotiating to tie down his targets.
There were only 2 teams effectively fighting for the title..till the arrival of Abramovich, and then Mourinho.
Now, there are effectively 3 teams fighting for teh title in ManU, ABu DHabi City and CHelski…with Arsenal as the dark house, and Liverpool and Tiny Totts as joker in the pack.
I wouldn’t see Rodgers short wiht hsi short-passing and free-flowing 4-3-3 which eh created at Swansea. With better quality players and a squad motivated to bring back the Glory Days at Anfield……I said there will be 5 teams fightign for Top-4 status.
Tiny Totts?
They will implode as it is sitl a Redknapp Team..and AVB needs at least a seaosn to turn ’em aorund…like Solari CHelski, Mancini ABu DHabi and AVB Chelski…or AVB cna flop like Kenny 2nd COming at ANfield.
Is Wenger reaping what he sown by offerring over-30 yea rodl players only one-year rolling contract even to marquee players liek Bergy and Pires?
You think this will create loyalty amongst Arsenal players to the badge?
Look from this angle..if Arsenal FC wants to get the best out of you at your peak and then give you the short end of the stick when you are 30 year old..when loyal services such as Bergy and Pires given tot eh club does not count…….then I will not blame those players preferring to leave the club when they are at their peak..
If players, even amrquee players like Bergy and Pires, had given their best years to Arsenal FC..and liek Pires wanted a 2-year contract but offered a one-year rolling contract…..what does all those yougnsters learnt from Bergy and Pires.
Better beahve liek Adebayor and satrt to plan for your “Pension Fund” when you are at yoru peak as Arsene Wenger and Arsenal FC will simply dump you when you are 30 year old..or younger when they deemed you are on the decline and will sell you with the first decent offer tabled.
Podolski looked like a disciplined player, but I do think that keeping Walcott is vital as we lack the threat of real pace over the top without him allowing teams to compress the pitch on us, I would like to see us using that ball more to make use of his strengths which as we know are not his technical ability but instead the ability to run move the ball and shoot. I think that if we can establish that we will get more time and space to play as teams will have to worry about being attacked in more than one way
morning guys……..have signed anyone yet?
diaby ll have a blinder this season and y’all will eat your words. hey abou am rooting for ya. COYFGS.
Anyone here?
Diaby if he plays twenty games this season I will be surprised however if he does he can make a big contribution to us.
If RvP leaves, I would like Theo kept and given an impact role as a CF…not out wide. His pace could be lethal when CB’s are tired. If that fails sell him to the highest bidder (Anzhi 😉
Arshavin is back training with us, as aare a lot of other players whose futures are unclear. Good old Arsenal, always leaving everything to the last minute. Back to Arshavin, I dnt think Zenit’s owner was v.happy with Arshavin’s outburst after Russia’s Euro2012 exit so therefore I dnt think they will come back in for him. However I would love it if we gave a crack at the AM role, alternating with Rosicky or the OX
Why are Arsenal failing to get to grips with player contracts whereas Spurs and clubs like Porto are in control. David Dein was right….
he ll vernat…its bound to happen sometime. robin had an injury free right? wrong,he got lucky. why cwont abou have such luck? its about time and i believe its next season. common abou!!!
Re. Diaby
I find him a strange player.
Has 1 gr8 game, he’s rubbish for the next 5. Has an injury in the 7th match and then he’s out for the season. Yes, he’s talented but how long do you stick with a player like that?
Imo his best position is AM behind the striker. I remembered he gave ManU a fright when deployed there against them
that’s the problem KM that injury he suffered set him back ten years. he’s class if he can stay injury free. remember him a young song and denilson rip the scourcers to bits in the carling cup………RIGHT THERE IN ANFIELD!
With arteta in the team perhaps he ll learn a thing or two on how to be disciplined. here’s hoping he stays injury free. i ll praying for ya abou.
Yes. At times, Theo’s pace is all we have. He can create so many chances for others and distress and entire defensive side of the field. But I really do believe that he is the worst dribbler in the PL. Per has more tricks!
Is someone really going to pay him 100k quid a week? Also, am I the only Fellaini fan? He headed to Chelsea? I think he’s a beast in the middle with great technical abilities…
Also, can we get some of that Messi growth syrum and give it to Ryo?
About the article…wow…such great history. You really did your homework and the comparisons of the eras and players over the years was a true joy to read.
Imo theo is not even worth 50 grand a week. how much do you think welbeck is earning at manure? theo is overated if he’s french or african am sure lots of folks ll be clamoring for his sale. gervinho>theo end of.
fellaini to the chavs you say? whoa, those creeps are slowing building a formidable team. God help us all.
But Gervy is afraid to shoot…the reincarnation of Hleb…..but Hleb was way better. Is the Hleb the saddest story ever? I wonder if he still regrets his decision. No one could take the ball from him…at times…only at times…he reminded me of the one and only Enzo Francescoli. Now that was one heck of a player…
What’s up with Samuel Galindo? His film looked great…but where is this guy and is he progressing? A bit Ganso-esque…
The chavs are making some very good buys… Also lowering the age of the team a lot..!
CG, i rate Fellaini but as usual it’s a wait and see..!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2155725/Marouane-Fellaini-wanted-Chelsea-20m.html
CG, it’s the daily mail ignore and take with a pinch of salt…!
Potty 11:52, Didn’t appreciate that Nashua
When Song wonder about, do you know what game comes to mind? Arsenal Vs Borussia Dortmund, Song assist to RVP.
Always good to cite one example , however my opinions were formed from the look of terror on our centre backs faces as 3 sometimes 4 players bore down on them with Song trailing in their wake some 5-10 yards behind them throughout the season. Furthermore without the central midfielders tucking in behind the full backs when the opposite one went forward, it was amazing how many times Gibbs was left with two to mark and how many times TV was drawn across to cover leaving the other centre back alone with a great gap in front of Szczesney.
If you wish to stop the other team scoring then you have to be tight at the back. If the players that we have are not suited to that role and all want to be playmakers , then, pick the best ones ship out the others and get in someone that can do the job.
I agree Potter. There is no Marcus Senna on our squad. That is what we need…and a couple other things.
its gerv first full season cut him some slack, hleb first season wasnt filled with great performances too. i remember fans getting on his back then too. judge gerv at the end of the season….bobby pires was called a lightweight too by some numskulls.
afternoon W.AT.H….
galindo? wow i remember the buzz it created when we signed him. dont know what to tell you CG. hope he cuts it with us or he’s outta the door.
I am a numskull. I know this! But its not on purpose…but shooting the ball? I love GVs runs, passes, and dribbles, etc. The man is just scared it seems…once a shooter always a shooter. Either you want to score or you don’t…and it just seems he would rather pass the buck. If he adds that shooting touch…watch out!
But as I said earlier, I am a surmising numskull!
I don’t think Gervinho has the ball skills of Hleb and certainly not the close control , but he does offer a few things of his own. Like Walcott on the other side he needs the ball early and there is the rub, without JW in the side , it takes too long for our midfield to play the ball and they either run offside or have to come back and play across the middle.
Greetings Stanley… you ok fella..?
Potter am with you 100% on your 5.37…! Sums Song up for me, decent player but over rated and totally lacks discipline and nous, fails to read the game very well at all.
Its a mental thing too…we need players of strong will and self-belief (not arrogance) just as much as midfield maestros. Gervys wilting after AFC…Chamy being burnt out…from what? Did he play that much?
Good note on JW… just left Vegas…saw him at the casino putting 10 quid on Arsenal finishing third.
Evening guys and gals, we signed anyone 😛
Evening to you all Fine Folk.
Some good news and I am over the moon on it……..
Making the announcement on his official Twitter stream, Arsenal centreback Kyle Bartley confirmed that he is now an official member of the Arsenal first team saying
“Over the moon to officially be an Arsenal first team player. Thank you to everyone who has supported me. Hard work starts now!”
Bartley, 21, spent last season on loan with Rangers and has been with Arsenal since his move from Bolton in 2007. To date he has made one appearances for the first team but has played 35 times for Sheffield United (loan) and 24 times for Rangers scoring one goal. Bartley has also represented England at U16 and U17 level.
Everyone here at LadyArse would like to wish Kyle all the best for the season ahead.
surely i didnt call you a numskull CG, or did i ? hmmm. am fine W.A.T.H, hi rico.
No…I did it before you could!
BREAKING NEWS……..
From Sunday, the weather in the UK will improve and summer will finally arrive 😆 😆
Nice one Rico but thats like someone saying we buying a world class player on sunday… sunday never comes 😉
Pigs flying about down your way ?
Here it has been here for around 3 to 4 weeks Rico.
We are frying.
We are frying.
Sunshine or Pigs ?
alright am sorry…… you re not a numskull but W.AT.H is.
Off to take to the kids to the poolio…have fun.
Fate be changed…mend the bond that pride broke.
Sorry. Saw Brave yesterday! Three more days at the resort and then back to Vegas for another hurrah! Oh yeah…its over 115 F out here…towers…spf 10000000 y’all!
Gunner till I die!
hi devil……
Hi goonster, devil, CG and anyone else I missed
I’m chuffed for Bartley too devil, I think that we can safely know now that we will NOT be signing another defender…
Kos
Merts
TV
Miquel
Djourou
Bartley
No chance of any others coming in…..
U forgot Squillaci Rico………! For the benefit of Adam of course….!
Go put ya dress back on Stanley…!
We are frying Potter. Literally with temperatures between 38 to 40 degrees. UV index is around 12+
come help me with the zipper W.A.T.H…….
He’s gone Wath, we’ll end up just giving him away….
😆 Potter/Wath – trust me, I have just seen the weather forecast….
lucky you devil….
Lucky??????? I. H.A.T.E. T.H.E. B.L.O.O.D.Y. S.U.M.M.E.R.
Am watching the invinsibles on youtube……..God i miss the old arsenal. edu, gilberto,viera,bobby,freddy,bergy and henry. what a team. am all teary eyed and stuff.
Off to pick the little one from his computer classes. Back in an hour.
House swap devil??? 😉
I would like to see Bartley, Miquel, Ryo and Coquelin given a chance to prove they are all good enough to step up and perform
I think they will all get a chance in pre-season vernat, some will also be used in the cups – but in the PL/CL, they won’t get too many chances unless we suffer injuries..
Off for dinner, back in a bit …..
@ Potter 5:37 “Didn’t appreciate that Nashua.” Sorry mate, I meant no disrespect. If you feel offended my apologies.We just trying to discuss football and share ideas; agree to disagree, nothing more.
I only mentioned that game but there are many more including the Everton game.
In any team there is what we all call team-work. If Song was a Defensive Midfielder and Wonders off, there should always be someone who sit right in the centre to cover for him just in case he is dispossess, Mikel A has being doing that very well. When Song was suspended after that Newcastle game we all sees the different song brings to the midfield. Is Song perfect, the answer is no,but right now with the team we have who can replace Song perfectly well? right now, no one. IMHO
Yes why not Rico. I can assure you that you will not last more than a couple of weeks here with the heat.
I can take care of you chicks dont worry. I like Chicken stew a lot.
That’s funny Dev, Rico will leave them with the RSPCA so you don’t get ya mits on them…!
Do your own zip Stanley or is your bra in the way..?
Nashua : It was not a slight on the footballing content , you are as entitled to your opinion as I am to mine. However I don’t know where you are but please don’t call me potty it’s something I have had to live with a long time and it is a slightly derogatory term.As you say at this time he is the best of a poor lot so my comments about getting a specialist in holds more credence.
Evening guys….
devil – no way are my chicks going in a stew, the swap is off 😉
Potter – your name has been rectified…
Thanks Rico , we will just let it pass now.
Chicken stew is good for your health Lady. Especially with oven baked potatoes, with steamed salad and its dipped in pineapple juice. mmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!!!! Slurp.
Internet rumours abound after Adidas employee David Gubala tweeted:
#Adidas to become the new kit supplier of#Arsenal Football Club as early as 2013/14. Partnership agreement is currently in the making.
While there has, of course, been no official confirmation fans have been growing ever more disheartened with the kits that have been supplied by Nike from the white stripe on the sleeves which replaced the iconic white sleeves for two years to the vast array of ‘interesting’ away kits.
Nike have been Arsenal’s official kit partner since 1993-94 when they took over from Adidas.
Arsenal and Chelsea are among the clubs alerted to the news that Steven N’Zonzi could be set for a summer move, according to the Sun.
The report claims that the French midfielder has failed to link up with the rest of the Blackburn Rovers squad for their pre-season training camp in Austria.
The Daily Mail suggest that manager Steve Kean told the 23-year-old to stay away after talks over the players future broke down last week, with Kean now resigned to losing the £5m-rated midfielder this summer.
N’Zonzi joined Rovers in 2009 from French second division side Amiens SC and has gone on to play 66 times in the Premier League. He was a rare positive during a disappointing 2011/12 season for Blackburn but is now set to end a 3 year stay at Ewood Park following their relegation to the championship.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo are both on the look-out for a defensive-minded midfielder and with plenty of Premier League experience, N’Zonzi may prove to be an shrewd purchase.
Dev, have heard the Adidas thing is a load of rubbish plus Adidas have apparently said they are cutting back on sponsorship deals and their biggest is Bayern which is 20million a year 5mil a yr less than what Liverpool get…! So cant see us going with them..!
Potter: It was a genuine mistake, again my apologies. No puns intended.
Thanks Potter and you NG… I don’t think any regs on here seek to show disrespect…
We leave that to the trolls 😉
devil – you are heading for the sin bin 😉 😉
Adidas – no chance, we’ll always be Nike – after all, something in the club has to get on and ‘Just Do It’ !!
And it’s never going to be this tight board…!!
Why the sin bin Lady???? 😉
Hoiletts move to germany has fallen through how about him an Nzonzi to add to the squad potential there and experience in the league as well.
If Arsenal goes Adidas, what will I do with all my Nike Frees that match my Arsenal shirts? I won’t buy Adidas! Except of course, for the Copa Mundial.
devil – you are cheeky 😉
vernat – not wishing to sound pompass, but all along, I have honestly believed that we are more likely to sign Nzonzi and Hoilett – of course I would rather Capoue or M’Vila – but, price dicates with our board. One is practically free and the other would cost around £5M.
Capoue is £10M and M’Vila is £17M
Moses, well he too would cost around the £10M mark…
I’d much rather we keep Theo and get Capoue…..
Well, well, well………..what do we have here???
A can of worms has been opened it seems!!!!!!!
FIFA are to investigate Claus Lundekvam’s explosive revelations that Premier League players were involved in widespread betting fraud.
As revealed today by SunSport, the former Saints skipper admitted that team-mates and opposing players had manipulated incidents in top-flight games for betting purposes.
And today FIFA announced they will look into Lundekvam’s shocking claims.
A statement said: “FIFA is monitoring this issue and involved its chief investigator in England.
“Once all information is known it will be decided who is leading the investigations.”
You should read one of my favourite cookbooks Lady…1001 ways how to cook a chicken.
Males delicious plates. Especially the italian ones. 😆
makes not males….delicious plates.
That’s me done for the day guys…
Safe flight for Lee & his family, and stay safe the rest…
nighty all, ’til tomorrow….
🙂
I’m quite amazed by that devil, from what i heard on SS’s today, they was little to be investigated….
You are in my bad ‘chicken’ books devil 😉
Gone now, night all
good night.
cu all tomorrow fine folk!!!!!
Night Rico, cheers Dev take it easy mate…
Night Rico and thank you.
Morning all.
The post offered us nothing new at all,but the same story in a
Long winded,historical manner.
Someone please explain to the author that Denilson never played for us this season,and neither did Eboue,so why even other bring them into he equation???
Also, Gervinho has been a very high quality player for a few years now…he’ll will prove that wih us this season….who didn’t exactly cost us 2.2 million,he was an expensive purchase.
Our most successful period WASN’T when we paid high prices for players,it was when we bought potentially top players…big difference seemingly lost on the author.
A disappointing and negative article that educated nobody.
Great news on Bartley.
The guy has learned his trade in one of the toughest leagues round,especially for a young CB.
Great news on Bartley.
Really hope it works out for him.
Sorry,my husband is (WAS!) a Rangers fan,and Bartley is nowhere near good enough,he couldn’t even deal with League 2 standard strikers.Norveit is 100 times better yet he was got rid of .I don’t get it.Sorry for being negative but i am someone who actually WATCHED Bartley at Rangers rather than someone who thinks if hes an Arsenal player he must be good.Strikers like Aguero and Rooney will slaughter him.Still i expect he is TV5’s replacement.
Yup, we are not buying CB, hence no bid for Vertonghen.
We are not buying DCM or ACM as wenger will most likely promote his youngsters into Reserves or standby for 1st team:
– ROsicky
– Ramsey
– SOng
– Arteta
– WIlshere
– DIaby
–
– Aneke
– Ryo – out on-loan again?
– Jon Toral
– Serge Gnarby
– Lansbury – no future here?
Wenger wil not spend crazy money of 20-mil to get teh DCM and ACM he wanted.
Maybe saving all those doss to buy Gotze next summer if those youngsters do not make it.
Capoue? Maybe but most likely he will go to SPain.
N’zonzi? With DIaby and Ramsey, do we need him?
Holliet? I thought he signed for a German team?
Maybe within his price range.
Dzeko + 15-mil for RvP?
Dzeko will not come as we can’t afford hsi salary noe will he wants to be another bench-warmer after Giroud.
Key is to pay Walcott what he wanted and retian him as he will grow into his role as a striekr in a more cnetral role.
It will daft for Thoe to leave as he wil end up like ANelka or Hleb – unable to fit into another playing system where he is noeither fish nor fowl and only good at WengerBall..
WIth Sturrridge, Wellbeck and Scott SInclair plue OX, Walcott will be another “has-been” and wil not make into ENgland team…like Reyes out of SPain team after he left Arsenal.
Goodnight all.
LBJ, correct me if i’m wrong, but didn’t Bartley play most of his games for Rangers as a defensive midfielder..?
Therefore how can you judge him as a centre-half…?!
In know nothing really about Bartley, but surely he can’t be as good as any of our CB’s…otherwise why have we loaned him out so long…
For first team experience, surely…but I don’t think he is back because we need him. Rather he is back
B/c ‘Gers went down and are destitute…TV had better not go to Farcalona…
Morning all
New post up
LJB,you’re a smart arse!!