Morning all.
Kieran Gibbs must be nearing a return. I think Arsene Wenger said just before our last game that he was a ‘little bit short’ so would miss out against Leicester. In his absence and in my opinion, Nacho Monreal has slowly gone back to being the solid left back we signed in January 2013. He had a pretty good pre-season too and even when called on to play centre-back, he hardly let himself down did he?
So what does Arsene Wenger do when Gibbs is fully fit and match ready? Does he simply dump Monreal back on the bench or stand by our Spaniard?
I personally would be tempted to stick with Nacho Monreal but I strongly suspect Kieran Gibbs will walk back into the side. Either way, and perhaps more importantly, it’ll be good to have two top quality left-backs fit and healthy again because this is when our season starts to get really busy.
This weekend we are at home against Manchester City, then it’s:
Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday 16th in Germany.
Aston Villa the following weekend, Saturday 20th and funny enough, another away fixture. Aren’t they always after an away fixture in the Champions League!
Southampton are next up in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday 23rd at The Emirates.
And then the month ends with a tasty NLD at 5.50pm on Saturday 27th, again at The Emirates.
That’s five games in fourteen days.
We have the numbers and on paper a pretty big squad with 25 outfield players but that includes a few who are yet to prove either form or fitness or of course they cannot be relied on. We are already without Olivier Giroud, Abou Diaby, Theo Walcott, Serge Gnabry, Mikel Arteta, Mesut Ozil and now, possibly Aaron Ramsey after he took a knock on his ankle right at the end of Wales 2-1 victory over Andorra – hopefully whatever he has suffered is not serious and he recovers quickly.
Take those seven out and we have 18 outfield players, which includes Francis Coquelin, Yaya Sanogo and Gedion Zelalem, none who have yet proved themselves at the right level so really, that number drops to 15. If Kieran Gibbs isn’t near a return, make that 14!
What was I saying about the depth in our squad?
Hopefully Arsene Wenger will give us better news on the injury front tomorrow.
Alexis Sanchez played 85 minutes for Chile and Tomas Rosicky played the full 90 minutes against Holland. Fingers crossed neither of those two will come back jaded or injured.
Onto some brighter news. Theo Walcott has been talking about his rehab. He’s on the verge of a return and vows to be stronger and fitter:
The time has seemed to fly by and there have been other things going on in my life, like a new baby boy, which makes time go quickly. It’s a cliche but it’s true.
I knew how long the rehab would be, it was always going to be around nine months. But I approached it that I had to enjoy it, and that’s what I have done, it’s given me the opportunity to work on my legs and build up the muscle strength. If anything, I hope to come back stronger and quicker.
We’re not setting specific comeback matches, but I’m just pleased it’s hopefully now only a matter of weeks before I’ll be back playing. There may be one or two under-21s matches I’ll be involved in first. I’m just looking forward to getting out there and playing again.
I strongly suspect all Arsenal fans are looking forward to his return to, I know I am….
Finally, well done to Calum Chambers who has been voted as Arsenals player of the month for August……
That’s it for another day…..
And then there’s the elephant in the room called Cesc. It’s going to take a long time for me to get over that one.
Lovely roundup and analysis on the state of affairs Rico. 5 games in 14 days. Wow, I know I couldnt manage that. Its a serious concern that we are already scratching our head on squad depth right from the start.
Another thought, with such massive fixture pileups already at this time of the season, its clear not a whole lot can actually happen at training. So I think it shows the importance of signing players early in the window so they can settle right in, and get to know their teammates, style of play and club culture. We did that well in this window, and I really hope that is the standard for future windows! In January, for example, I hope Wenger does business on January 1, not January 31.
City is a must win game in my opinion. Lose and that is 5 points from 4 games – and probably 7 points behind the leaders already. While not a season ender, the belief that we are in to win could fizzle before it really gets going. I hope not.
Hi Potter, I remember reading on HH that plenty of us were not interested in having Cesc back. The arguments were variously that he was past his best, fades in the later parts of the season, is a traitor, is too expensive, or that we already have Ozil so we dont need him.
I was strongly in favour of buying him (can check my comments at the time) because I think he is world class player who has *improved* and would add the creative thrust we still miss in key games. And, crucially, he can score goals – in 2009/10 he was our top scorer! Worst of all, he strengthens Chelsea. This was a bad miss in my humble opinion…
Thanks Roger…
I wasn’t a fan of Cesc returning, but Sami Khedira would have been a great addition…
For sure Sami is a very good player Rico, and I wasnt against that one … but wasnt strongly for Sami either because of his rather poor injury record over many seasons, and his high wage demands.
(I dont have to tell you I wanted Carvalho instead 😉
Sami Khedira wasn’t ever really available , he is still running down his contract for the big signing on fee next term . Cesc was gift wrapped on our doorstep with a big pink bow on him. I firmly believe that our dear leader put his personally hurt feelings before the interests of the club.
Morning all.
Nice post, Rico.
We fans must remember that’s one players, like Nacho, play much, much better when stringing games together, whilst others can jump in and hit form immediately.
Plenty have been harsh on Nacho, but factors combined to make him look poor, including spasmodic game time, and a distinct lack of help from those in front of him.
Now, saying all that I believe Gibbs is as good as any LB in the League.
Carvalho as well Roger… 🙂
I think if we really wanted Khedira we could have got him, but we’d have had to push the boat out….
Boat ? more like an armada , t
Thanks Scott..
I like both Nacho and Gibbs and agree re Nacho, a run of games has done him good. Agree too re the lack of protection our defenders get but finally, with Alexis the left side is getting better..
With our string of games coming up, rotation has to be the key..
🙂 Potter
Im not sure what Sami is playing at… he might not get the signing on fee, or wages, that he thinks he deserves – especially if he has a poor season off the substitutes bench, or gets injured a lot…
And to be honest his stats dont really shine like a top top player. Have a look at his history. A good player consistently averages over 7 on the whoscored ratings… he is below this level. Obviously stats lie over a few games, but they can be very indicative over time… http://www.whoscored.com/Players/13764/History/Sami-Khedira
Hope Campbell starts on Saturday..
Ches
Debuchy Merts Kos Monreal
Chambers
Ramsey Santi
Campbell Welbeck Alexis
2-1 😛
Nice post Rico…
Personally I’d play gibbs and monreal against city, last yrs 6-3 they tore monreal apart via zabeleta. But playing gibbs and monreal would require some tactical nous from wenger but we all know that ain’t happening.
If we really are without Ozil, Arteta, Ramsey, and obviously giroud then imho sat is a draw or an away win… that’s just how i see it.
On the the cesc debate I would have loved him back personally.
Imo he’s a better player than ozil.
Arsenal have ever injury players mire than other EPL clubs.
I hope ramsey’s injury is a minor one. morning all.
Thanks Kel, not sure Gibbs is fit for Saturday, AW might tell us more tomorrow…
kyawmgmgtun, yes, but can’t blame Arsenal for Aaron, not this time…
Hi Rico, on your preferred lineup, can someone tell me,
-has Chambers played any minutes at DM for Arsenal yet?
-Also, has Monreal played any minutes at left mid?
Cant see Campbell starting sorry… if he is not starting vs Leicester no chance vs City. If he does I wish him luck!
Ps no sign of Sanogo in your starting lineup despite him being prominently featured on HH this week. Strange 😉
Roger – I think Chambers has played there before in his career. I guess I just see him as being the best option in the cdm role within the squad but I think we all know Flamini and Jack will no doubt play there.
I doubt Campbell will start either, but imo, he should..
🙂 re Sanogo, my posts about him scoring have been tongue in cheek, honest…
Probable line up
back 5
Flam wilshere
Alexis Ram Caz
Sanogo
Actually, if AW starts with OC ahead of Campbell, we’d have an even better side and he’s not featured much in either England game if at all, so he’ll be well rested…
Good Afternoon Daffy Ducks and Bugs Bunnies.
Good summarizing post Rico.
As an AFC player Welback has a better average of goals per game for the English team than he had at the Manure dump. When he was playing for the dumps he played 27 and scored 8.
Now he is an AFc player……he has played one and scored two.
hehe
Devil, as a man being well and truly dragged to Disneyland next week, I don’t find that greeting very polite at all 🙂
How Cesc would have been a problem with Ozil at the club seems odd to me. Is Cesc suddenly a left winger? He is also a completely different player to Khedira.
imo…..the forward line should be OX, Welbeck, Sanchez…..while the midfield would be Flamini, Wilshere and Cazorla.
Obviously I had to omit Aaron and Ozil as both will be out due to injury. Arteta as well
Ok Goofy. sorry for reminding you of Disneyland. 😛
I still say that Cesc would have been awesome as a Pivote in the deep lying midfielder position. He would have made a difference.
and I still say that its not because of Ozil that AW did not bring him back.
1) AW wanted to cut his nose to spite his face
2) AW did not want to pay Cesc the wage he asked for.
any other reasons are superfluous.
Devil. With Arsenal it is almost always the money. They are a very pragmatic club.
Devil, you might well be accurate on the forward line and midfield lineups. But doesnt one thing strike you looking at that – how small and light-weight those players are. We are going to get physically battered in midfield. If you offer me a draw, Ill take it now. Sorry in advance for my lack of ambition, but the transfer window closed.
Adam, now I’m no wordsmith, but I’m tipping pragmatic means tightarse 🙂
Devil, I’ve contacted an arsenal group in Orange County and am catching the CL game with them, so all is not lost 🙂
If Sanogo starts Nickie, lord help us…
Thanks Devil, that kind of stat I quite like.. lol
He is Adam, Khedira has a bit of pace in him… lol
Wenger will not have his pet project killed
Hi all hhers.
Nice upgrade on the page Rico.
More classic I can say.
Shitty r not taking any points from us this season.
Up gunners….
Nice day all
Hi Fat-gun, nothings changed… 🙂
of course something changed Rico. We are all a day older.. lol
Yes Devil, but not with the HH layout..
Arsenal are hoping to finally agree a deal for William Carvalho this week with the Gunners set to hold talks with Sporting Lisbon’s president in Manchester.
Arsene Wenger spent most of the summer chasing powerful midfielder Carvalho, including on transfer deadline day, when they had a new bid rejected.
The Frenchman remains keen on doing a deal, and Portuguese newspaper Record says new talks will take place this week with Sporting’s president Bruno de Carvalho in England for the Soccerex convention.
It’s claimed that Arsenal will discuss a fee ahead of the January window, with the Daily Express saying Sporting are resigned to the player going, and want the framework of a transfer sorted in the coming days.
Carvalho has a buyout clause set at £37million, but it’s expected that he’ll go for much less, with Sporting desperate to raise funds.
Could of done with him in August….
Too true Lee, really hope we get him in January…
Seems Ozil trained today….! Lets hope he fit and raring to go…! Didn’t see any pics of Gibbs…. Arteta trained as well.
The bearer of good news Wath…
No Welbeck in the training photos though….
Did I stumble into a parallel universe or am I still sore from the excessive drinking last night. I coulda swore I thought I was on arsenal arsenal blog. The templates and pages look alike. What happens rico?? Change it back don’t like the look of this new one. Too ACLF for me. Lol. Morning housers what’s good?
Hey Rico, keep the Carvahlo news coming. HH makes reality.
Nervously anticipating the City game…we havent sparked at all this season yet – except for the community shield win of course 🙂 🙂
Rico. A wondrous goatee, but no killer pass. 🙂
No England players in training
Goonster, nothing on HH has changed, nothing…
Let’s hope it’s true Roger..
His killer passes end up in the net Adam.. 😉
Good day HH’ers, nice read rico. A lil insight on our new boy DW. Hope rico won’t be pissed @ me posting a link here http://www.7amkickoff.com/2014/welbeck-athleticism-work-rate-speed-the-complete-center-forward/
Stan leave the skunk weed alone.
rico, Khedira is seriousinjury.
Did we already sign a defender?
I forgot that Rico. 🙂
Lexo, I’ll forgive you this once…
🙂 Lee, no wonder HH looks so different…
JM, I know he’s injured but didn’t realise it was a really serious one….
Either that or the ketamine.
Easy done Adam.. 😉
Or there’s something new in baby food Lee….
Good to hear Aaron Ramsey says his injury is nothing serious…
Wait until the Arsenal medical team get hold of him…..
rico,let’s see how many games he will play this year.
But we have have the new fitness guru to help him..
That’s all we can do JM, but if it gets to next summer and he’s injured and free, AW will snap him up… 😉
Hi Rico, excuse my ignorance as i’m new on here but where did your info about Carvalho come from and is it reliable? This was the one deal I was hoping for over the summer. I honestly think that we are one-Carvalho-short of a title-challenging side.
Hi gawd bless Dennis Bergkamp (is there something shortened we can call you?)
It’s from The Metro, but they are repeating a story from a newspaper in Portugal. No idea at all if it’s true…
I sure hope it is…..
I hope it’s true Rico. Despite never having seen him play, I am a huge fan of Carvalho.
Perhaps you should should wacth him then Adam… 😉
I’m off for the day, enjoy the rest of the evening..
Night all…
Good Morning DisneyLand fellas.
The Spuds are for sale. For 1 billion. yeah right.
Let’s see who is the moron who will buy them. seems that there are so many takers that 7 sisters road is witnessing many betting punters falling over themselves to buy the club. They are all saying that they will eventually pay back the club through their future winnings.
Morning Rico and all. If I had Usmanov’s money I would buy the place and burn it down thus making myself an eternal hero among Arsenal fans who would then drive Kroenke out leaving someone with ambition to take over.
Adam, sounds like a cunning plan my friend. How was Ivan the other night??
Lee. We had a great time at the Kate Bush concert. Over 3 hours of thumping music and flashing lights. 🙂
Well Rico, i’d love to be known as Dennis Bergkamp but I was never that good! Shorten it as you wish, mate. My line up for the weekend:
Chez
Deb, Mert, Koz, Mon
Flam, Ramsey/Wilsh (depending who is fit)
Sanch Ozil Ox
Welbz
GBDB I like that line up!
Are we going to win?
Morning Adam, Devil, Lee, Gbdb and all…
I bet Sanogo starts…
Well, I wouldn’t be surprised if he starts with Sanogo up front and Welbeck and Sanchez as wide attackers (with either Ozil or Cazorla behind). Not sure how I feel about that to be honest. As is the norm with supporting a football team if it works he’ll be a hero and if it doesn’t he’ll be lambasted!
Surely he can’t (spelling)
loving that line up GBDB and welcome
Morning all
Guilty or not guilty, that’s the question this morning…
More interesting will be the tactics perhaps. Stoke beat City by staying strong in defence and refusing to be stretched. Can a Wenger team do the same?
Kamikaze anyone?
Would be crazy to do that, we have just signed a proper striker with pace, sticking him wide would make no sense…
Ah, but it’s AW, wide it is then….
I would start Ramsay on the left Rico. 🙂
Next to Ozil and Santi.
So might Arsene yet Adam.. 😉
Rico. You never know. We must learn to expect the unexpected. 🙂
I think we should all play on the left, that’ll totally confuse citeh!
Wenger: “When you analyse Welbeck’s game, he has the qualities to play down the middle but he is very versatile” #AFCvMCFC
Wing for Welbeck, wooo
It seems Dortmund have more injuries, at this rate they will struggle to get 11 players together!
Lee. That’s good. 🙂
Morning Nickie, I stopped reading that once Wenger mentioned analysing a players game…. 😉
😉 hehe, interesting from Wenger really, looks like he wanted Danny on a loan first with option to buy. Happy we took him on a permanent though. At least some positive news re Arteta, Gibbs and Ozil fattens the squad up a bit
Strange that he reckons we wouldn’t have got him if Wenger had been in the country,
Reus is out for the Dortmund game too isn’t he?
This team will surely confuse Shitty…..
Rico
Adam, Wath, Kev,Lee
Nicky, Goonie, Micko
Rocky,GBDB, Dev
Goonie in the holding role would have the shitty players shitting themselves.
Who Adam?
Devil, Gk, at my height?? Pfff lol
Wenger Rico.
Just seen, and that speaks volumes….
Adam, I wonder how that makes DW feel…
I thought that, while it was a really silly admission, it speaks volumes and explains a lot.
Mind you, that might simply mean that Utd wouldn’t deal with Wenger but Ivan and the Glazers would deal with each other…
Not really sure why AW had to even mention it…
Agree Adam, so typical of the man though. Me, me, me….
I heard that the club was anything but a hive of activity on the last days of the TW. I suppose they all sat around drinking the Lidl tea that Wenger had found on special offer and said “Oh yes Arsene, nothing doing here, you go and have a good time in Italy and thrill them with your anecdotes”. As soon as they knew he was holding court with the Pope they moved into purposeful mode and actually did some business. I imagine he was royally pissed off. Still, he got to bless the Pope.
I say Glazers, but whoever it is in Utd who completes transfers…
What really cheeses me off by what he’s said about the Welbeck deal is that he’s just handed the press/media a loaded negative gun to use against us.
He really can be so stupid at times….
Ivan needs to give Wenger two months gardening leave each summer Adam…
You heard from Kev recently?
But he’s an institution Rico. Just like the Pope. 🙂
Kev very kindly picked me up at 11 pm after the Kate Bush gig the other night Rico.
Firstly, to be picked as centre forward for Arsenal is the culmination of a life times’ ambition – thank you Devil. I’d like to thank my family for believing in me and the fans forgiving me when I got caught in that compromising position with those underwear models.
Secondly, if I was DW i’d be a little put out at Wenger’s mutterings. I hope it gavanises him to show what he is undoubtedly capable of.
That’s Kev Adam, a very kind man….
True Rico. By way of thanks I chloroformed him and left him in Hyde Park.
So would I Gbdb, but perhaps there is a lot more to why he wouldn’t have got the deal done and not just as it appears to us. Sometimes it’s better to say nothing than half a story which can be taken so many different ways…
Hopefully, DW knows what AW means..
🙂 Adam..
New post up now…
Do I have to be that close to Goonie on the pitch Dev? haha