International Defender signed. Respect & Marseille out to stop our good run…

Morning all.

So Arsene Wenger has snapped up a young Nigerian defender Semi Ajayi. The 6′ 3″ 19 year old had been released by Charlton in the summer and had a trial with both us and Norwich. The latter offered a short-term contract but he obviously thought better of it and signed the deal offered by Arsenal.

Delighted to announce that I have officially signed for Arsenal. Can’t wait to see what the next two seasons here have in store for me.

It was sad to end my ten year spell with Charlton this summer but I can’t speak highly enough of all of the wonderful people I met during my ten years there and I wish all those at Charlton the best for the future as I will always have a soft spot for the club and its fans.

There are mixed reports over his international career, one or two reports suggest he has played for England under 21’s but others report it’s Nigeria he is set to represent having played 3 fixtures for the under 20’s.

Maybe that’s all yet to be finalised.

Tonight – Well this is what Marseille goal keeper has to say about the prospect of facing us:

This Champions League group is terrific. For any club to progress, every game must be like a final and you have to win your home games. Unless you do that, you have no chance.

Giroud is in sensational form. We have to stop them from scoring and creating danger but that will not be easy. They look a very strong team.

Now Ozil has increased Arsenal’s level in attack. His arrival has taken Arsenal to another level and he is perfect for the style of football and play that Wenger likes. I never expected Real Madrid to allow him to leave.

This Champions League group is very tough and in order to get through to the knock-out stages, we need to be getting at least a point from all of our away matches and making sure we win the home ones but that’s going to be a tough task.

I’m not going to make out I know much about tonight’s opposition, in fact I’ll be honest, I know very little other than one or two of their players have at some stage been linked with us and there’s nothing worse than claiming an opinion to be your own when it’s someone elses.

So, here is Andrew Gibney from The Mirrors view on Marseille’s strength and weaknesses:

Strengths

The strength of Marseille appears to be the three attacking talents playing behind Andre-Pierre Gignac. The long-serving duo Mathieu Valbuena and Andre Ayew have been joined by Dimitri Payet, making a very dynamic trio. Three great players in their own right, they combine a mixture of power, pace, technical ability and above all else, movement on and off the ball.

Weaknesses

Marseille’s defence was excellent last season, week after week they would be unspectacular but effective, edging out a lot of games by the odd goal. Goalkeeper Steve Mandanda enjoyed a run of seven games without conceding as l’OM finished second in the table.

But they have started this season looking a little unstable, especially from set pieces. Last season Cameroonian defender Nicolas N’Koulou was an absolute rock, but at times he has looked lost and confused positionally.  We could have a lot of success if he is not at his best.

Marseille’s opponents have also been able to get down the flanks, where the full-backs have looked uncomfortable. The likes of Theo Walcott, Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey could have a lot of success down the channels.

Here are the eighteen players who have travelled to France, all of whom may be wearing black armbands out of respect for Marseille’s sporting director Jose Anigo who has been left devastated after his 30-year-old son Adrien was shot dead last week in an assassination in broad daylight.

Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Ramsey, Wilshere, Ozil, Walcott, Flamini, Giroud, Akpom, Hayden, Miyaichi, Fabianski, Monreal, Vermaelen, Jenkinson.

Arsene Wenger’s view on our group:

On average you need 10 points to qualify so that gives you the task. Ten points in a group as a difficult as that could be a reasonable number to get through.”

It will play a big part because it is difficult to predict that you will absolutely win your three home games.

You need points away from home and, like in every competition, the start is very important for the confidence of the team and to put you in a good position. Whether it is home or away, it is the same basically, we come here and we will try to win the game.

We are on a good run, the only blip was the defeat on the opening day of the season and despite being knocked out of the Champions League last season, we left it on a good note having beaten Bayern Munich away. We’ve also beaten Fenerbahce both home and away in the qualifying round so we are no pushover especially away

Beating Bayern away was a huge result and for once, we go into this Champions League campaign with a stronger squad that last season. I know it’s not a particularly deep squad but having added Ozil and Flamini, we are definitely stronger and once both Arteta and Podolski return, that depth will start to grow a little.

We can’t forget that Diaby is still around somewhere and he’s set to soon return and hopefully once he does, he’ll stay fit for a while and make this a season for him to remember for all the right reasons.

Finally, we have a few younger players coming through, three of whom are in the squad tonight…

So today, let’s hope the men and boys go out and do us, themselves and the club proud.

I’d take a point, but three would be so much sweeter and it would be a record to go ten away fixtures without a loss….

COYR’s…..

0 thoughts on “International Defender signed. Respect & Marseille out to stop our good run…

  1. tsgh says:

    A very good post Rico,
    One minor thing though, Ajayi as I understand it is British but was born in Nigeria…

    From what I saw of him last week he was very assured; he appeared more of a defender than Hayden who is like a younger Thiago Motta; and considering he was chosen over the other Algerian international who was on trial when Luton beat us (the u-21’s) 7-0 earlier this summer I think we have a defender who can help our u-21’s fight this season in the Barclays u-21 league.

  2. Induct says:

    Great post, i kind of have so much confidence in dis Arsenal team n then with d addition of Ozil,we are on fire. just pray our injured players come back pretty soon

  3. Scott from Ozil says:

    An Aussie mate is heading over Lee….currently on holiday to watch 4-5 Arsenal games and this one came up just in time.

  4. Canadian Gooner says:

    Good Morning to the Lady of the House and all fellow Gooners (Evening Scott).

    Today’s game will give us a good indication how our team will fair in the group. It may be a tight game, but I think we’ll be alright.

  5. Supergooner says:

    Ah right, gotta say that with wilshere, Ramsey, ozil and the flamster, rosicky would provide great cover as he slots in any of those positions quite well. Wanna see young gnabry get some game time soon… Future legend!!

  6. tsgh says:

    Thanks Rico for the clarification…

    Poldi was hoping to get the go ahead from his doctor yesterday to progress his training/rehab.

    Touch wood we should have both Arteta and TR07 back in the next week and a half…

  7. Canadian Gooner says:

    Ginge – You seem to watch a lot of the Young Guns games. Why such a big clearout from the Academy this summer?

  8. rico says:

    No probs Ts. Does make me wonder why Charlton let him go. Not that I’ll be complaining if he proves he’s good enough..

    Fingers crossed for the lad and hopefully he’ll choose England.

  9. potter says:

    CG :- there were changes in the youth set up , Brady going was one and terry Murphy coming in. Perhaps a new eye instigated a clean sweep.

  10. potter says:

    Bit of a mystery isn’t he. Can’t work out what happened at Charlton, if he was that good why didn’t they move heaven and earth to keep him.

  11. tsgh says:

    Hi Cg, Rico.

    The clear out was due a players over 21 or approaching 21and nearing the end of their contracts looking to work it work elsewhere.

    Players like Meade and Henderson were offered contracts but they turned it down knowing they were not going to make it with us…

    Eastmond and Wyatt run out of luck with injuries and form imho…

    Rico, I signed up to player just for AW’s emails only… on the other hand it is sent out after bad defeats such as Bradford which I do not want a repeat of… 🙂

  12. rico says:

    I get those mails Ts but i’m not subscribed to player, not sure how that works…

    Does it show all the youth/reserve games live?

  13. stevepalmer1 says:

    Afternoon all, Good post Rico, and another fine post by Ak yesterday. Many of us have said that Wenger is not so good on the tactical side of the game, Now i must admit i am like you Rico, i don’t know much about our opponents, but i would assume Wenger knows all about them. The team would have seen many video’s of them and i would assume that they have a plan. Wenger has done alright in the past in the early stages of this competition , but although we have drawn a pretty tough group, i would hope that the momentum we have at the moment will certainly help. Hopefully Giroud will be fit, and the squad looks fairly strong. I would think this is going to be tough but we have the talent, and Ozil should be looking forward to this game. Theo will have a good oppotunity to shine on the big stage so i expect his finishing to be a little more clinical. Looking forward to this one as Marseille is an unknown to me.

  14. rico says:

    Thanks Sp, if AW’s previous comments are anything to go by, it won’t make much difference how they play as we set up the same regardless..

  15. Canadian Gooner says:

    Potter – Thank you! I was aware of the changes in the Academy leadership, but we seem to be more than a bit short of numbers, especially in the U21’s, a bit like the first team.

    Ginge – A fair number of last season’s U21s nearing the end of their youth eligibility and would be taking a full squad position in the first team (i.e. one of the twenty-five) makes sense. Arsene seems determined not to accumulate any more ‘deadwood’, but as I mentioned to Potter, we’ve left the U21s a bit short on numbers.

  16. potter says:

    No live football on player ,but highlight packages the next day are usually available. I get it with my Season ticket but once I have read the results unless something special happened ,I rarely watch it.

  17. Canadian Gooner says:

    Kev – I thought we had lost you to the Inquisition last week.

    No one survives the Spanish Inquisition! So, how did you escape?

  18. SD UK says:

    To be honest , I think it is too much asking fans to pay for Arsenal Player.

    I was going to register and decided to stop , so didn’t complete the registration but started receiving Wenger’s email from then.

    Don’t know how that works either.

  19. BrainwashedKev says:

    CG, pub crawl… Moi…? Perish the thought. 😉

    Sven is the brother.

    Lars was who we bid for in the summer window.

    From what I saw of him on TV last evening, our valuation of around £16.5 million looked fair…

  20. Canadian Gooner says:

    Kev – You’re no longer the teetotal Reverend Kev, but BrainwashedKev, who like the old Kev, can’t deny he likes the ‘occasional’ beer.

  21. Canadian Gooner says:

    Kev – Good man, hang in there. Did they progress to full treatment and offer you a pair of comfy warm slippers and a cup of warm Ovaltine?

  22. BrainwashedKev says:

    I haven’t seen enough of either Rico, tbh…

    But Sven looked the bettet of the two from the little i’ve seen…

    You little tinker you. 😉

  23. tsgh says:

    Rico- they do not score at the academy matches; just highlights.

    I try to watch the 2 u-21 matches played at Erms this side of christmas most times…. even for a scrooge like me £4 per match is not too bad…

  24. tsgh says:

    The benders are going through a bad patch now…

    Lars has been nursing injuries and Sven is being rotated because of Sahin…

    I think they have plateaued a bit in the last year or so… they need to be brave to make a move imho…

  25. tsgh says:

    I must say Wooney is looking a new player…

    He played the 2nd striker or no.10 role like a Laudrup last night… purely exquisite…

  26. tsgh says:

    Juventus director Marotta says club rejected bid from Real Madrid for Vidal & several bids for Pogba
    ———————————————
    OM vs Arsenal match facts:

    Arsenal are unbeaten in their 9 visits to France: 6 victories and 3 draws. They have won the last 5 fixtures, including a 2-1 success at Montpellier last season.

    * Marseille have only won 1 of their last 9 Champions League games against English opposition (v Chelsea, December 2010).

    Worryingly, 4 of our 6 outfield subs are going to be defenders. Ryo and Akpom only possible attack minded players.

    Kev- what do you think of Ormonde Ottewill (English lb) training with the senior squad yesterday?

  27. tsgh says:

    The last time we were at the Velodrome… the only Aaron Ramsey scored the winning goal for us…

    Always a big contributor but often undervalued until now…

  28. tsgh says:

    Rico- I see your friends at CoF have used your headline again…. ‘German International Wants Arsenal Move’. lol

  29. tsgh says:

    Rick- I am concerned Serge does not seem to complete 90 minutes though… is it fitness issue or just protection for a star player?

    I am pleased Jebb is finding form again…

  30. tsgh says:

    It looks like it was a good game… last year a team with Akpom, Eisfield, Serge and Nico lost to OM u-19 1-0.

    Kamara reminds me of Viera. Olsson captained the side again??

  31. Micko says:

    Ha ha that’s sick tsgh.

    That reminds me of the Aussie who got caught with a sheep and a kangeroo, claimed he was only trying to make a woolly jumper !

  32. NashuaGunners says:

    Good Afternoon Rico and All
    Very good read Rico but you left out TR07. AC Milan at home came to mind when I think of TR07, even though we’re knockout of the competition base on goals differences.

    @Kev, yesterday post was very interesting read about Ramsey and if I’m not wrong, about a year or two ago you posted almost the same thing about Diaby. What he’s gone through during his injuries. It was a painful and remarkable moments for him after reading what you posted during the said time. Only if Diaby can come out firing as Ramsey and stay off the treatment table.

  33. tsgh says:

    Hi Micko, Ng…

    I liked the way the journo pointed to the fact it was next to the sperds training ground whilst the players were training i.e talking about how best they can finish above us next year…lol

  34. Rick says:

    ts
    Dont forget he is still not fully fit after injury. Today he played as a lone striker and I gather he had a great game. This was his 3rd game in 8 days and could feature in two more in the next seven days. I think thats a lot for someone who is only just 18

  35. NashuaGunners says:

    @tsgh, Is that the Bender you’re talking about that played against ManU yesterday? Is he better than what we have right now?

  36. rico says:

    Bet you are gutted you have to go to the pub Micko 😉

    Theo is well overdue a big performance, fingers crossed tonight is the start of many…

  37. rico says:

    Ng, I thought Lars Bender was very lively last night, caused the Mancs a few problems.

    You ask if he is better than who we have, well that is always down to personal opinion. I’d say he’d be a very good addition to the squad and would allow rotation without weakening our side..

  38. BrainwashedKev says:

    Don’t know enough about Brandon O-O (or BOO for short) to be able to judge Ginge.

    But he is what, barely 17..? So that kinda speaks for itself.

  39. BrainwashedKev says:

    Oh no Mick, not the frigging pub AGAIN…….

    Bloody hell mate, don’t you suffer for the cause….

    Well nevermind, Guiness, Murphy’s and all the other brewers in Ireland really appreciate the sacrifices you have to make to follow the Gunners….

    You have my complete admiration…

  40. NashuaGunners says:

    Rico, I’m feeling Ozil is the beginning of things to come. AW, IG and Stan get it. The fans and supporters have spoken, they should get their act together. we are looking forward to players that can make us winners again. For me, we already have enough squad players, let go for those that will make us compete again. If at all, we have to face Barc or RM, let play them knowing that we can knock them out.

  41. rico says:

    That’s my point about Bender Ng, I think he’d be a cracking signing for us – he’s only 24 and will only get better and clearly AW rates him highly enough to make an offer for him..

    Rosicky isn’t getting any younger, Diaby doesn’t get any fitter and Bender is another German international…

  42. tsgh says:

    Ng, Lars played against the Mancs; 2 years before Sven was better but then Lars has improved considerably.

    Lars season they were on my wish list.

    Rico is right either will be good additions to our squad, but I read someone if that they won’t want to live separately in a different country.

    In my view, they have both fallen behind Kroos who can play any where in midfield and as a 2nd striker.

    He mentioned 3 weeks ago that BM had not shown any interest in renewing his contract… He has also talked about wanting to work with AW…

    Last night Kroos and Lahm played DM for the Bavarians.

    What would the fans say if AW signed a DM for £22M and played Sagna instead in DM?lol

    That is Pep for you… clueless buyer but still fans slate AW for wasting cash…

  43. DutchGooner10 says:

    Evening Gooner-family,

    Apologies for my questionable and inexplicable absence. In fairness to Rico and the regulars, no excuse will suffice.

    Have scored already???

  44. tsgh says:

    The midfield is gone….
    As I have been saying since last week giving a free role to Ozil, Theo and JW will not work against better opposition… AW grow a pair..

  45. DutchGooner10 says:

    Evening peoples,

    Yes I’m fine although better circumstances remain.

    Lost my second and remaining Grandfather last week. Sat at the morning table, plastering a cracker with butter, looked up to my grandmother as his lights went out and the shutters down.

    This year is sh*te creek for me so far. Murphy’s law is harsh when it pulls it’s weight.

  46. rico says:

    Needs a big talk Arsene..

    One thing for sure, I don’t think we could play much worse so the 2nd half has to be better…

  47. rico says:

    AW was saying the same before the start agag and how we can’t cope with such a thin squad…

    Errrr, why didn’t he sign a striker then I wonder… Doh!

  48. DutchGooner10 says:

    Tnx for the condolences.

    Drama and emotions are well under control. It’s life throwing me some speed gun curve balls. Swing and a miss, Swing and a miss, Swing and a miss.

  49. Scott from Ozil says:

    We are getting overrun in the midfield.
    We lack numbers up front when pushing forward.
    We seem short in defence.
    Do we have 11 players out there?
    Wenger needs to sort our formation and tactics out asap.

  50. tsgh says:

    Resilience defence but the midfield is shocking…

    I would expect AW to swap Ramsey and Flamini round. Good flamini to try to win the ball in their half…

    Their 2 man pivot is having a field day… why is Ozil on the lhs and JW playing through the middle… no one is occupying positions to affect their shape.

    You can count on Merson to talk cack as usual.lol

  51. tsgh says:

    Scott, the tactics are shocking…

    Ozil and JW are meant to inter change positions… it seems JW has decided to occupy the no.10 and it is not working.

    This is one reason why I always believe Arteta and TR07 are needed for retaining possession imho.

  52. Joywedsjeff says:

    Bring out the hair dryer Arsene… Jurgen klopp sent off, goalkeeper weidenfeller sent off, down to ten men and losing by a goal. Dortmund are turning me into the mirror on the wall. Now for somebody to score the odd goal for us… Ramsey please?????

  53. Scott from Ozil says:

    There’s an old saying….The harder i work, the luckier i get.
    Someone needs to tattoo this on Theo’s forehead.

  54. Scott from Ozil says:

    Gibbs was terrific last season, i thought.
    Definitely stepped up another level though….the impact of Nacho?

  55. Scott from Ozil says:

    Watch Ozil….he has looked for options in three or four different directions before the ball arrives at his feet….utter class.

  56. tsgh says:

    Exactly Scott re. Ozil.. watch Ayew (23 y.o)and Valbuena too enemies tonight but I wish JW will learn tactical awareness and how to keep things simple from such players.

  57. DutchGooner10 says:

    Can someone please remove the bloke with the megaphone. There’s no riot to command or a union uprising to lead.

  58. agirlagunner says:

    Ajax set up very negatively to no avail. 10 outfield players just parked in their half. You did not miss anything, Ginge.

    Cruyff has promised to stay away as long as Rossell is there. And he is not in the stands, it seems. I’m sure he is watching. 😉

  59. DutchGooner10 says:

    Ginge,

    Budget-wise it’s a shame that ECL runs such asymmetric competition.

    Besides Ajax got plundered this transfer season.

  60. tsgh says:

    Wenger, 2012: “When Aaron starts scoring, he won’t stop.”#ArseneKnows #Ramsey

    Tsgh 2012- Ramsey will be world class next season. lol

  61. tsgh says:

    Some fans think Paul Merson is an Arsenal fan… they should remind themselves with tye look on his face tonight… pfff

  62. rico says:

    When Ramsey see’s that penalty decision again he’ll pick his chin up…

    He looked quite down hearted at the end…

  63. emma says:

    I thought as much that the pitch suited Marseille and we were having problem moving the ball around:

    Ramsey: “It was a difficult night. The pitch was sticky and slow. In the end I think we deserved the win”.

  64. tsgh says:

    The 2 Jamie’s- tight pants and the bin-dipper are trying to attribute the chavs lose to Terry being unavailable.

    Hi Ch… good win indeed. Nd my boys BVB did us a favour by pulling 1 back so equal on goal difference.

  65. tsgh says:

    Ramsey 7 games 6 goals for a semi DM…

    And he puts in the most tackles too every match… he covered 1.8 km more than our 2nd highest runner tonight. Pure class.

  66. tsgh says:

    I would too Emma.. we need him against Napoli in 2 weeks time.Inler and Hamsik need a fit Ramsey otherwise we can’t win imho

    WBA in CoC next after Stoke so maybe Arteta will be back or Frimps will get a game and Ramsey will rest then.

  67. tsgh says:

    Chelsea are playing with too many SC19 and JW’s… every one of their 4 no.10’s want the ball. No one does a Ramsey apart from Ramires in their squad… I wish we could face the chavs now.

  68. DutchGooner10 says:

    JM

    You’re right. It began as a defensive error that gave the ref a chance to top off his night in the spotlights.

  69. Micko says:

    Dutch mate, no-one can take away your memories ! life may not always be the party you hoped for but while your here you might as well get up and dance.

    The show goes on Gooners, that’s 10 away wins on the trot for us ! France has become a lucky hunting ground, we all know the French are at their best when they are retreating !!!

  70. BrainwashedKev says:

    I think that Wenger will go with his strongest XI vs Stoke RFU this Sunday, then put out a shadow XI vs West Brom.

    By the weekend after next, some of the injured might be back????
    Then he’ll rotate a bit….

  71. DutchGooner10 says:

    Kev me Old China.

    I’m fine. It’s the petulant sentiment of relatives that get’s to me the most. Myself is a live life to the fullest kinda guy.

    Don’t mind dealing with one’s emotions. But some seem to think the passing of a loved one is more about who remains behind and what the person withheld in their lives.

  72. DutchGooner10 says:

    Tnx Nash. How’s you.

    Read about the Washington massacre today as details are press released. Knowing you I sometimes wonder why the good vibes from America hardly get any air time. It’s all doom and gloom these days.

  73. Nashuagunner says:

    What can I say, Dg, buying and owning a gun is like buying a loaf of bread. No more background checks. Why do someone needs an AK47 or Rockekluncher in there home?

    Some say guns don’t kill people; people kill people.

  74. tsgh says:

    I am away for the rest of the morning but if you get the chance peeps look for Draxlers goal on youtube… pure class.

  75. tsgh says:

    Gibbs MOTM. good going forward and very good defensively. Made that vital goal-line clearance and put in the cross for Theo’s goal.

  76. BrainwashedKev says:

    So pleased to see Gibbs doing so well and staying fit.
    That boy is maturing into a top top left-back…
    So happy that England still have Cole and Baines.
    That way Gibbo gets a break.

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