Morning all,
Happy Pancake Day, or Shrove Tuesday – it’s official name. Either way, they’ll be plenty of pancakes consumed today I suspect, I know I’ll have my fair share later.
Does anyone else get the feeling that the worst has been and the better is on it’s way?
More than once over the last few months, someone has asked the same question and that is:
When did we watch Arsenal play well?
That question often went by unanswered. Whether that be because fans were sick of reading it, or they simply couldn’t answer it, I don’t know.
But ask that question today and what would you answer be?
Mine would be, Saturday the 10th February 2013 and I wonder if it’s the start of better things ahead. Of course I am not suggesting things have changed overnight, only a fool would do so. But if things are going to get better, that has to start somewhere.
I watched the game again yesterday afternoon courtesy of Sky Sports Football First and there were times that our attacking movement, passing and general play, was simply stunning. It had pace, accuracy and players worked so hard for each other. They made Sunderland look like a side so so far below them in quality.
I even saw Theo Walcott in possession, look up and then pass – and his pass found a team-mate. When did we last, or ever say that about him?
Once we settled and of course, up until Jenkinson got sent off, we played some of the best attacking football I have seen in a long while. Some of our best defending/goal keeping was on display too.
Another day, another ref, another keeper and we would have romped home, but as said yesterday, maybe that kind of result wouldn’t do as much for confidence as a hard fought 1-0 away from home.
Despite having lost Koscielny in the pre-match warm up, and already being without Thomas Vermaelen, Wenger resisted the temptation to even name Squillaci on the bench, let alone start him and that says a lot.
He’ll never wear an Arsenal shirt again in my opinion. We have Miquel back fit and Angha is more likely to be used than the Frenchman.
Arshavin is another, no place for him on the bench either. Maybe he’ll get a run out against Blackburn, maybe not but regardless, his Arsenal career is over. Added to that, Santos has now gone too, hopefully never to return and I very much doubt he will.
Other fringe players have also been allowed to leave on loan recently and I’m not sure many, if any will return and have a career at Arsenal.
Loan deals are not ideal of course but at least at lot if not all of the players wage is paid by another club. A wage which if it wasn’t so high in the first place, we would have been able to sell the players. Nevertheless, wages we are now saving, hopefully with the view of using the money to pay a few quality additions this coming summer. Players who will make us great again!
With Santos departed, Monreal being cup-tied, Thomas Vermaelen reported to possibly needing surgery on his ankle and Jernade Meade being injured, who on earth will play at left-back when we face Bayern Munich?
Simple!
Although a centre back by trade, 20-year-old Ignasi Miquel has been working on his versatility, and is happy to play wherever he is asked to.
They’re making me get used to playing at left back, so it’s not that weird for me anymore.
Centre back is my main position so I’ve got no trouble adapting.
Playing left back is different, I have to get forward more but with time I think I’ve got used to it. It’s good for me to have two positions because it will give me more chances to show myself. I want the chance to show that I can fight for the first team. I have to make sure I take my opportunity if it comes my way and make the most of it.
There you go then, there is our new left back, well, for the Champions League at least……..
Have a good day all and enjoy your pancakes……
Morning all, back shortly….
Good morning from Denmark everyone. The prospect of Ribery/Robben taking on Miquel fills me with fear!
Morning all,
Great post Rico! Lets hope we have turned that illusive corner, but with our annual injuries and lack of quality back ups purchased that remains to be seen. Many more performances like the one at stoke will be needed!
Agreed DK, could be an easier task for the lad!
Bayern are perhaps as tough as Barcelona would be, I thought Wenger said we had 2 players for every position? So one is injured, and the other one is so bad, that we had to loan him out! I think our main focus should be on the FA cup, I would be delighted if we won it!
Morning people i would very much prefer a coquelin at lb he could do what flamini did in our run to our only final appearance
we got Ignasi Miquel as our new left back and u are happy? Gosh! U must be an anti-arsenal mocking us and dn’t blame u ok!
Morning all,
A very fine post.
Talking about Miguel, I like the lad especially since I saw him ‘kissing’ the crest after a goal playing for the reserves 2 years ago. He was did the same after the goal in the CL earlier this season.
From the little we saw of him last night against the manure reserves he seems to display the type of confidence/leadership we currently lack in our back line.
On the CL, I am less worried about the one who faces Ribery than Robben because, imo, Robben is a ‘habitual diver’ and when things get difficult he resorts to his dirty tricks. The positive is that his record against us is not spectacular so…
I am not sure how a CD pairing of Boateng and Badstuber have conceded less than 10 goal in their league all season. They have conceded no goals in the last 4 matches. Lahm vs TW14 will be very interesting. I guess it depends on the Theo that turns up.
On the LHS Poldi should be able to make Rafinha look like Santos if he turns up. He should have a point to prove against them after his mediocre time over at Allianz.
BB, I think IM will do ok at LB if he is used there. Alternatively, AW will have to go 3-5-2 to surprise the Bavarians.
Gee, we haven’t even seen him play at LB and we already have some narks out….surprise, surprise lol
Well, until a week ago, none of us had seen Sagna at CB and look how that went.
Morning all.
Morning again all..
Brassb, which part of my post suggests I am happy re the left back situation for the CL??
Rico. There are always a couple aren’t there?
Have no complaints about your optimism but I can’t say I’m happy about all the players we have sent out on loan. A significant part of our wage bill is now being siphoned off to hide Wenger’s failures. Our wage structure is a nonsense and our scouting system is a joke. The fact that we are finally having a tilt at the fourth place trophy should not be allowed to hide that fact.
Aren’t their just Adam, Morning to you….
Morning Rico.
Steve, I don’t think you’ll find too many here who will disagree regarding our loan set-up. The question is whether there are positive signs that the whole financial structure of the club, including the wages side, is finally being addressed. I hope so and would imagine that delegation of responsibility could be a way forward.
if Koscielny or Vermaelen are not back healthy — you have to play Sagna in the CB position and Nico Yennaris at right back. Problem solved.
Good post rico,
I see changes taking place in arsenal, you either put up or shift out.
We need players who will lay their soul for the cause and not players with low mentality who chickens out and dont give a f*ck(Santos, arshavin, Bendtner, Chamakh etc).
The problem with arsenal is a mentality issue. Get rid of those ‘I Don’t Care’ attitude and instill a winning mentality and we are back to biz. I said about 2 weeks ago in this blog that our attacking play is now Ok and we are creating chances. Just a little tweak in the defence and we will be ok for the run in. Hopefully we are getting there now
You never know Miguel could put in a super performance against BM if selected. Whoever thought Sagna would put in such a shift in CB over the weekend.
Joel Campbell put in another impressive performance for Betis yesterday. This lad is the real deal. Hope we get his visa sorted so he can join the first team next season
Brass b is there a village looking for you?? You must of sneaked through the net….
I’m with you Scott, give the guy a chance if he plays….
Steve, I understand what you are saying but i’d rather they go on loan if it’s the final step of their career with us…
I may be wrong but I see it as things starting to improve….
People are looking though Lee, I hope….
£25m plus p.a is being wasted on players that don’t contribute to anything at the club, they need offloading permanently. Once this is done we need players like Cavani, Capoue and Sakho/Hummels we will then be ready….
That’s where I see this clearout leading Lee. No-one will sign them as no-one will match the vast wage they are on. But many are out of contract this summer I think..
Thanks Ts and emma
trouble is lee whats to say Wenger won’t go out and buy another load of Santos’s hahah He has created quite a history of expensive mistakes now
True. JC has that Tom Ince attitude about him unlike Vela and wellington who have all the natural talent but are in their own world.
On the work permit, its a difficult one because even though he played in all of Costa Rica’s 4 internationals last season, I am not sure how that will translate to the Home Office bureaucrats. 😉
I am thinking jin hindsight, we should have used the special talent on JC instead of Ryo and sent Ryo back to Holland for a year. Unfortunately, Japan have players like Honda, Okazaki, Maeda(spelling) ahead of him and so he is not getting picked by the Brazilian manager. And his injury record akin to Vpursey is not helping the course.
AW has to make a decision asap whether to transfer the ‘special talent work permi’t during the summer unto someone else
dinoransome, your blog name comes up with your email address, best change it before coming on otherwise your mailbox might become full 😉
be good to see the back of them thats for sure Rico
Sure will Oz…
Am I the only one that thinks I have seen Ignasi play left-back for the first team once or twice in the past? I can remember he did okay.
I’m not sure about turning a corner, but I’m sure we can never be as bad as we were earlier this season. Not anymore.
Welcome U, I am sure i have seen him play at Lb too and I think he got inured. Prior to that he was doing well I am sure…
tsGH – I guess we will have to wait and see what happens. I love his attitude. He is no Vela-esque. He gets stuck in the tackles, good dribbling skillset and speed
Can’t believe you’re happy with the left back situation for the CL Rico?! 😉
😉 Lewis….
Sissoko dreamt of playing for Arsenal asa kid…he was a cheap gamble Arsene!
All this being happy……bah!!
One gamble I wish we had taken Lee…
U, you are not wrong at all. IM played LB against the dippers when we lost 2-0 last season. He also played Olympiacos at LB when Santos did his ankle…
He played most of the carling cup at LB and this season played against Reading at LB until Meade replaced him in extra time…
He has never let us down. Barca wanted him last season and Malaga asked for him as part of both SC19 and Nancho’s deal allegedly but he refused a loan siting that he would not be a good centre half if he goes on loan to another league as the EPL is different. Very matured imho. and 2 years ago during the U-19 European cup tournament he was by far the best defender in the competition. He came on last weak against Belgium at u-21 for Spain and he was immense.
Personally, I prefer someone like him to potential mercenaries like Mbiwa…
Humbug….
Sakho Ts, that’s who I hope we sign in the summer….
I thought he played CH in that game Ts and scored an unlucky own goal?
Ahh, Rico asking for caviar again? 😉 lol.I am not sure if we are quite shopping from Harrods or Selfridges food section yet when it comes to our only AW and our board transfer dealings. :-d . As PV said in 2001 we shop from Netto and just maybe we have to settle for Sainsbury’s and Iceland until things change drastically.
On a serious note Rico, he looks like an ideal candidate especially being able to play LB and CB. I heard he has a year left on his contract so maybe….
Instead of AW instructing Al-Khelaifi and PSG to buy all the players we can’t afford such as Pastore etc. he should be using his ‘special relationship’ with PSG to get us such players on the cheap from them… 😉
Yes he did against Liverpool where his clearance hit Ramsey and went in …He came on for Kosser.
My bad 😉
My fingers are crossed Ts, I think he’d be just what our defence needs…
But I am sure Miquel has played left back, and Coquelin so I suspect one of the other will slot in. Just after the spaniards comments, I think it’s more likely to be him….
Back in a bit …..
Whenever Miguel plays for the first team, He puts his heart and soul to it. That is the type of player arsenal needs. I still believe he will surprise many if he were to feature in the LB if TV cant make it on time.
We also need to sort out Sagna contract situation. I love the way he is not going about it in the public domain. He still has a lot to offer to the team
Hello again all….
Just as Flamoney did emma
Agree on Sagna…
Good Morning to the lady of the House and my fellow Gooners.
I think we are seeing a change in attitude/strategy regarding our squad. i think there will definitrly be a clearout of the chronic under-performers and deadwood this summer. If they can be be sold – great, if not release them or, in some cases, let their contracts expire. Then use the savings to purchase two or three, if not more, quality experienced players for spinal positions such as CB, DM, and CF. As for the rest, promote the most promising players from our Academy. Give the youngsters a chance – if we don’t, we will find it harder to sign promising young players.
As already mentioned by other posters, I think a major part of the team’s problems is poor attitude. This poor attitude has, in part, been encouraged by our rather narrow and egalitarian wage structure. We can’t afford to offer our best players competative wages. Yet the likes of Squillaci, who is at the end of his career and some of our younger secondary players have little incentive to push themselves to excel. Their wages wont be improved significantly. This too will change.
I think Wenger tried trim some of these players last summer. Squillaci couldn’t find a club willing to pay him anything near what Arsenal are paying him, so elected to see out the twilight of career at our training ground. He rarely even makes the bench. I believe Arshavin was told to find himself another club, but sabotaged his own transfer with more of his ill advised and thoughtless comments. Hence, he has been ‘sent to Coventry’ till he sees the error of his ways or, like Squillaci, his contract expires.
The writing is on the wall with Financial Fair Play to be fully instituted for the 2013/14 season. Abu Dhabi Citeh and PSG have already been warned about their large financial losses. If we are having trouble moving some of our players on, due to high wages; just think what trouble they will have trimming their bloated mega wage squads of players likes of $amir Na$ti. Couple that financial troubles in Spain, I think we are about to see the beginnings of a major correction in wage structures and transfer prices across Europe. Hopefully Arsenal will be able AND WILLING to take advantage of this new reality.
The question should be asked…will we need another CB?
Maybe Sagna is the answer.
I realise it is only one game, but he was 5 times better there than he has been at RB of late.
It was an incredible performance considering the recent form he had shown.
Scott – I feel the addition we need in the summer is a DM/Box-box and Prolific striker and we are Ok.
Scott – By his own admission, Sagna was playing bellow par. He may have done just as well if he had played at LB. Time may tell.
Hi Cg, it always seems to come down to money..
Players made too much from the start, too much when they are unproved, too much when they are average and old and we can’t shift them
Finally though it seems a few will be gone…
Scott – I think the answer to that is yes, and should TV need to have an operation, how much can he be relied on, he seems to be struggling…
I still believe we are short of a
CH
DM
GK
Striker..
An interesting article on the European Commission, player transfer fees, and Financial Fair Play. It seems the EC is determined to level the playing field.
Sorry, I for got to include the link to the article;
http://blog.emiratesstadium.info/archives/27242
Arshavin, fabianski and squill all out of contract end of season. There should be enough free’d up wages there for two top players or one World class. Add in the sale of a few more surplus players, 2 world class players could be afforded.
I see all three of our senior GK’s contracts are up over the next season or 2…..
I would have liked to see Ignasi at LB in some other match before the CL. I have high hopes for him too, but I would rather if his trial was a bit less fiery. The stakes are very high and the pressure w Ill be incredible.
Nice one Rico, I agree i love pancakes as well, 🙂 as for Arsenal being back to their best, One swallow doesn’t mean a summer. Injuries are again a problem, our RB playing as centre back and a centre back playing left back, sounds wrong somehow. Czezesney makes a couple of saves and we go in raptures, if he gets a knock we have Manone back, not good. Theo looks up and makes a pass, well i never, there may come a time that he makes a tackle then i may be suprised. We may be in 5th but were a long way from the top when i see us beating the likes of United City and Chelsea along with the scum on a regular basis i will be a lot happier, i feel we still have a long way to go, But its nice to see you so upbeat. 🙂
Thanks for the link Cg.
Lewis, good, we only need to keep one and sign another 😉
Ditto Will, had hoped he play at Lb for the reserves last night but he played central. At least he played though and will no doubt feature against B’burn….
Don Mannone too… I think AW will go for the Sketenburg (spelling) dude of Roma and possible promote Shea in addition to Martinez.
The ego amongst those 3 will be enough to cause a major ‘mutiny’ anywhere. 😉
I would rather we went for the Stoke goalie as Rico said weeks ago but the fact that Poo-lis bought the young English goalie tells me there is an agreement in place for him to go to either manure or the chavs. Would AW fork out the same amount he was willing to on Reina 2 years ago on Begovic? Cynics like me believe AW only bid such amount because he thought Reina coming to us would stop the boy wonder Cesc leaving.
The wage bill has be slashed big time, as even the 50/50 scholars are getting shipped out at youth level.
But then again as bad as our wage bill is less than 60% of the said amount actually to playing or coaching staff. The rest goes to the bureaucrats behind the scene. A club employing over 500 full time staff in London needs a serious audit from HM but with unemployment figures the way they are???
Thanks Sp,
But I didn’t say we were back to our best, just have we seen the worst of our bad times 😉
We have seen how we can play when we need to, how we can fight when we set our minds to it and if we carry on that way, we will build up confidence.
I know we are far from perfect and as always, an injury or two away from a crisis but I quite enjoyed watching our lot fight for 3 points for a change..
Just a shame we couldn’t have played like that for the whole season….
SP1 – I think we agree on the situation, but not on the outlook. Is the glass half full or half empty. I’ll take the optimistic outlook for now and live in hope.
I stand Corrected Rico 🙂
Maybe half a season.
Me too then CG 🙂
😆 Sp…
That is where I sit right now Cg, I want to believe that, what appears to be a clear out, really is just that and the club are making way for new players to be signed…
But, I am far from convinced that we have a squad capable of truly challenging for a trophy, and I am far from convinced that we have the right owner to change that…
Got to pop off again….
The Siren of Sleep calls. So, good night from me and a good afternoon to you all.
night CG.
All round to Rico’s for NutRoast, Guiness and Pancakes…
Plenty of sugar and lemon juice on mine boss… 😀
Night Cg.. Sleep well..
Hi Ak, no Nut-roast, not ever in this house, but plenty of pancakes 🙂
Hello…..
Lemon and sugar for me too Ak, grab a few more lemons and find your way down the M4 😉
Arsenal have a poor record against Bayern Munich.
As poor as our record against Barcelona.
If we can’t get the bettet of Schalke 04, then I see no reason why we’ll do any better against Bayern?!!!
I’m off for my pancakes 😛
Nor do I Ak, think we can say we are the under dogs 😉
Evening Rico and all. Curiously quiet lately on HH.
That’s because we are doing ok Adam. Good evening to you….
What’s this about a pancake day then? I made some on the weekend for the first in a very long time. I must say I’ve mastered the art. My law school roommate used to call me the pancake master. Maybe if I spent less time making pancakes I would have kept my scholarship.
😆 Will, sorry, I dashed off to make and eat mine, and now I feel slightly full…
Lovely though and pancake day is a thing here in the UK, I won’t go into great detail. 😉
I’m off folks. Lent tomorrow and I have a fridge full of cheese to eat before midnight. Cheese and Alcohol are being given up this year…..
Night all, stay safe…..
Cava keeps well if stored correctly Rico. 🙂
Lent?
Too much cheese will surely keep you awake?
I shouldn’t have eaten those last few pancakes.
Night everyone.
So Terry Burton is to take over from Liam Brady.
Steve Gatting is now in charge of the U21’s.
Carl Laraman is coaching the U18’s…
Akpom is really coming on, and although he is just 17, it wouldn’t suprise me to see him get his 1st team debut before this season ends…
It’ll be very interesting, with Bayern awaiting, to see what kind of squad Wenger will pick to face Blackburn this weekend.
Squillaci, Arshavin, even Fabianski could come into the mix?
Conor Henderson is another forgotten name, who could possibly be involved?
Mike Dean was the referee when Arsenal lost to Bradford.
Guess who is the referee for Blackburn???
Don’t have nightmares… 🙁
Kev, describing Dean as a referee is very, very kind.
Totally agree there Scott…
Morning to you and all.
New Post up now