Morning all.
There’s very little news flying around at the moment as transfer gossip has taken over the back pages. Journalists are reviewing clubs performances from the season as if they know all there is to know about football management, whilst offering their wise words on who each club should sign. Ole shouldn’t have been appointed the Utd job, Arsenal need ten players, Aubameyang is off abroad to play and Lacazette is set to sign for Barcelona. Or he was until Griezmann announced his leaving Atletico Madrid because now our Frenchman is heading there. The moral of that tale is ignore it all as they make it up as they go along. Truth doesn’t sell a newspaper quite as well as gossip.
Arsenals official website shows us photos of the team training hard in preparation for the Europa Cup Final which is fast approaching and they’re also running an interview with Abou Diaby in which he talks to Jeremie Aliadiere. Together they talk about ‘that tackle’ by Dan Smith which did so much damage to a player which such great potential. The ‘next Patrick Vieira’ he was labelled and in many ways it was clear to see why. Tall, French, strong, athletic and he had a very similar playing style.
Diaby was robbed of what could have been a great footballing career, Arsenal were robbed too of a great player in the making and of course we the fans lost out too as he spent the next years battling against setbacks.
Aaron Ramsey and Eduardo suffered similarly and again, all because of a reckless tackle. In a way, Ramsey has been more fortunate than Diaby and Eduardo because he’s been able to continue playing but even so, it does make one wonder how much better Ramsey would have become had he not suffered at the hands, or rather feet of Shawcross, an extension of the thuggish tactics deployed by Pulis.
RvP and Jack Wilshere are two more who had their Arsenal careers seriously effected by injuries and of course, who can forget the great Tomas Rosicky. A wonderfully gifted footballer who you just couldn’t take your eyes off when he played. Like Santi Cazorla, when he played, Arsenal ticked and of course, our little Spaniard had a rotten last couple of seasons with us because of injury.
I’m sure there are others who make you think ‘if only they’d not been injured’ but these are just off the top of my head.
So a little bit of fun. You can pick two, two who if Arsenal could sign all over again today, who would it be? They’d be 100% fit of course.
See you in the comments hopefully…
Great post today that got me thinking and it’s a real tough one. I’d love them all. I think we enjoyed Cazorla at his best and we were robbed of a swansong. Rosicky was the king of scoring the 4th goal in a big win. Jack was a propper gooner and those performances for England at the base of midfield gave a glimpse of what could have been if Arsene deployed him there regularly but the ‘two’ for me would be Eduardo, who was the best finisher I’d seen since Wrighty. He had pace over 10 metres, South American flair mixed in with a real strength. The other has to be Diaby. What a beast he would have been. I remember one of his many comeback games against Liverpool where he completely bossed it and looked the best on the field instead of looking rusty and in need of games. RVP is dead to me.
Diaby and Rosicky.
Morning all.
Don’t die shock at me not selecting Rambo 🙂
Imo, I doubt he’d have been any different as he’s been bloody good, regardless, so who’s to say what would have happened?
His mental strength (Aussie accent, not French) has been amazing and part of what I’ve admired.
The two I’ve selected will remain a mystery as to exactly what they could have achieved.
Rosicky was just sublime.
Every time he played, we were just better.
He was one of those players who collected the ball and immediately, we were going forward.
He has as good a turning circle as any players I’ve seen.
A joy to watch.
Diaby would have been better than Vieira, for mine.
Even when he came back with a leg 2 inches shorter than the other, the few times he strung some games together, he was just amazing.
Truly one of the very, very best players I’ve ever seen, when fit.
Chrispy, that game v Liverpool is fresh in my mind as well.
He was just dominant and really, playing on one leg.
Thanks Chrispy.
Rosicky and Diaby for me too. It’s tough though as a fit RvP might have won us the league.
Rico, I reckon a fit Diaby wins us several, but yes, that bastard was bloody talented and deadly in front of goal.
On Santi, I’m not sure most knew exactly how good he was until we lost him.
What a player, and always played with a smile on his face.
Even he doesn’t know which his natural foot is 🙂
Scott, I think all of them would have made an big difference to the way we played back in their time. Rosicky in the way he drove the team forward, Diaby with his pace and athleticism box to box and Eduardo was the fox in the box we so desperately have lacked since Wrighty.
Similar to this season too as I think Bellerin and Holding would have made a difference. Welbeck too.
Yep, I know the second half of Wengers stay wasn’t anywhere near as successful as the first, but this is one massive reason why.
We had some terrible injuries to some wonderfully talented players.
Morning all.
RvP was a real class act, when fit. The greatest insult was his cut price transfer to manure and his almost 100% fitness that won old red nose his final EPL trophy. And, RvP won it almost singled handedly as the rest were a really poor bunch of team mates! As we have come to love over the last six years of declining standards and ever poorer results. But old grey haired Robin would not have been one of my picks, more one of my greatest disappointments!
I too would pick Abou the ill, sick and broken. As above against Liverpool he was outstanding, his best ever game and a glimpse of what could have been. He broke down again a game or two later and we never really saw him again. Really sad and what a waste.
I think second I would pick Jack. He too was a Diaby clone, never really quite fit enough and invariably carrying a ‘minor’ injury in most games he played. He too shone on occasions, just like Diaby we got glimpses of what he could have been if only he could’ve remained fit.
Actually, I wonder if the players who were regularly crocked whether they were just overplayed as youths? And because they were so good at a young age the were ‘targeted’ by opposition players, coaches and managers and singled out for a bit of ‘rough’ treatment, given a seeing to, as it were. The consequence was a never ending spiral of niggling injuries that were never given sufficient time to heal before they they returned to fray, too soon. And consequently they played less and less often.
I just wondered?
Cloudy and cool here. Summer’s over!
Wavy, I certainly feel Wilshere was overplayed at a young age but his style of play didn’t help his cause which didn’t occur to me until people on here mentioned it. Then on loan at Bournemouth, Howe said about it too.
I love seeing the young Arsenal youth players coming through but they’re still a bit handle with care stage of their career I’d have thought. Is Bellerin now suffering because of too many games when he first replaced Debuchy I wonder.
Allegri confirmed to be leaving Juventus at end of this season.
Chelsea bound no doubt…..
Wonder what Ramsey thinks about that…
A very good Post, Rico, and brings home the sadness of potentially terrific players who had their careers cut short, or ruined by usually some thuggish nobody trying to make a name for themselves.
It is very difficult to choose who would have been the biggest success out of those who suffered career calamity, but, inevitably, it would depend to some extent on the other payers who were also in the team at that time.
Forced to choose, I would go for Diaby and Santini, but there is a strong case for all of them really.
Wilshere and Diaby for me by a long way. Both highly talented in their own way whose futures were curtailed by the thugs who call themselves professional footballers. Dan Smiths challenge on AD was the worst I have ever seen and a tackle on JW from Tom Cleverley, then of Man Utd, was equally disgusting in my view. In either case the ball was incidental and not the object of the tackles. Two highly regarded potential stars of the game have had their careers curtailed by a couple of so called sportsmen who, in both cases, would not not know a football if it spanked them between the eyes.
AC.
Thanks Ra. It’s certainly hard to choose just two really as all would have made a difference but wasn’t it 2007/08 we might have won the league had Eduardo not had his leg broken? I’m sure it was similar with Diaby.
Santi more recently when Leicester won the league. I could be wrong with dates though.
Welcome AC, sorry you were stuck in moderation for so long.
Ac, talking of Utd, Rashford has a lot to answer for too having wrecked Holdings season.
Jadon Sancho is seen as the flag bearer and the success he has achieved since leaving Manchester City and signing for Borussia Dortmund has tempted others to follow suit.
In recent seasons Arsenal have lost Chris Willock to Benfica, Stephy Mavididi to Juventus and Marcus McGuane to Barcelona.
And with widespread interest in John-Jules and Amaechi, there is a very real chance they could lose two more of their emerging talents unless they can convince them that their futures are best served in north London.
Amaechi, who trained with the first-team on Wednesday at London Colney, is wanted by Bayern Munich. The German giants believe the 18-year-old winger has the potential to enjoy the sort of success Sancho has with Dortmund in the Bundesliga.
And John-Jules is viewed by many as a rare commodity in the modern game, given he is coming through as an out and out No.9.
Unai Emery took both players away with the first-team in March for the warm-weather training camp in Dubai in a bid to show they were part of his plans going forward.
The teenage duo were actually supposed to be away with England at the time, but were given permission to remain with Arsenal after the Gunners requested they were allowed to travel to work with Emery and the first-team.
Ameachi started the friendly game with Al Nasr before John-Jules showed his ability in front of goal by the scoring what proved to be the winner in the 3-2 victory having come on as second-half substitute.
Speaking after that win in Dubai, John-Jules said: “It was an amazing feeling. I’ve been looking forward to this moment all my life, so I’m just happy that it’s actually come off.
“It’s been an amazing experience. It’s been about getting to know the players. The game’s a lot quicker than under-23s football though and it’s going to improve me as a player.
“It’s about taking it all in and trying to go again. Hopefully I’ll get anther chance.”
In all competitions across youth levels this season, John-Jules has scored 16 goals in 29 appearances for Arsenal. Amaechi, who missed three months due to a broken metatarsal sustained while playing for England, has four goals and five assists from 14 outings with Freddie Ljungberg’s Under-23s.
-The above is part of a piece in Goal.com concerning Arsenal trying to convince 2 of our best youngsters to sign new deals, they’re out of contract in 2020.
Fascinating info, AK, thanks for that, and I think you are right on the button.
Emery does not seem to be too interested in the young gems in the youth team — and even Eddie Nketiah only seems to warm the bench when he is picked in the squad.
Not sure the others ever get a look in – whereas in Wenger’s last season Willock and Nelso et al were often buzzing about the first team – and then went on loan, or disappeared back into the youth pack.
Not good.
Rico,
re Eduardo and Santi and Diaby you are right on. It would have changed Arsenal’s destiny if those injuries had not occurred at that time — or anytime, I suppose.
I fear we’ll lose some of our youngsters too Kev. Money talks and any big club coming in for them would boost their confidence no end.
We should be playing these guys more, not selling them.
Following on from the concerns of Lack and Auba attracting the attentions of the biggest clubs in the world, there are rumours that Maxi Gomes of Celta Vigo, their 22 y.o. striker is a main target for Arsenal.
Hmm — one of Laca or Auba going for £60m — Arsenal rumoured to buy a £31m replacement? Can it be true?
It would not help with our efforts to keep the top youngsters, Ameachi and John Jules if we buy in another player who is not much older. Bugger!
Here I am, a Yankee Doodle, and I am so disaffected with the lack of football, I am happily watching Eng v Pak ODI cricket. 😜
In fairness, I have grown to be a big England cricket fan.
I meant to say that I had seen Diaby playing for the French U21s before he had joined Arsenal, and he looked like to pick of the crop.
Isn’t the Gomes story just a rehashed one Ra?
About my yesterday link:
It is written in Brazilian / Portuguese but easily arrange a translator on google. I am translating the first two paragraphs.
Then, in addition to a video, the story of each of the players appears and a short video about them.
Good weekend!
(Note: It was taken from a soccer blog, written by a Brazilian author, who daily provides images, stories, etc.)
It should not be difficult, taking a walk in north London, to find people with these 11 words tattooed somewhere on the body: Lehmann; Lauren, Campbell, Touré, Cole; Silva, Vieira, Pirès and Ljunberg; Henry and Bergkamp. They are the 11 names that made up the core of the Arsenal team who spent an entire English Championship without being beaten. The last one who did this, the first since 1889 – no typo: one thousand eight hundred and eighty-nine.
The 2003/04 Arsenal was built by an artisan. With each season, Arsène Wenger embroidered a new name to the team that came very close to perfection. Only four opponents did not concede the Invincibles. The total unbeaten run came to 49 rounds between May 2003 and October 2004, spreading through three editions of the Premier League.
In the 2003/04 edition, the last team that had the chance to prevent Arsenal from being undefeated champion was Leicester. On May 15, 15 years ago, Paul Dickov opened the scoring for the visitors at Highbury, but in the second half Henry of penalty and Vieira gave the 26th victory to the Gunners in that championship and an eternal place in the history books .
How did those 11 superheroes get together around the same cause, long before it became fashionable in the movies? This is the story that follows.
rico, I’m steering clear of our outpatients !!!
Jm, the invincibles only come around every 100 years or so, the scousers gave it their best shot this year losing just 1 game all season to the eventual winners Citeh, probably the closest they’ll ever come to winning the premiership lol, if I was a tattooist in Merseyside I’d be ordering the ink in by the lorry load for June 1st lol.
Hi Rico,
I do not know the source of the Gomez story, so it might be rubbish (almost certainly is) but I only saw it yesterday, so I do not know whether it has already been touted around previously.
If it were possibly true tho – or a similar purchase of any young, unknown player – it would not help to keep the youngsters we already have, who are not getting a chance at first team football.
Anyone care who wins the FA Cup? Watford if only to stop City making a clean sweep. City because the thought of Deeney getting a winners medal is just too depressing. 😉
Understandably Micko… lol
Watford should have scored before City did.
I’d quite like Watford to win it..
Afternoon..
Hi ya, Cicero,
Some games just seem to be shoe-ins for the likes of Man City — I saw on my mobile a while back that Sh*ty were 1 : 0 up — so no surprise there, but in truth I do not much care one way or t’other, but Citeh have had than share of the spoils this season, so it would be nice if another club had a look-in – but it does not look like it is going to happen.
Sorry —
Should have said — “but Citeh have had more than their share of the spoils” obviously! 🤪
That’s City with the treble then…
Arsenal nex5 season. 😂
Rico, I do hope you haven’t put any money on Watford. Hold the phone….Watford have got a corner…..
I’m watching a recording, a bit behind the game.
Hi Redders, just another day at the office for City.
Jesus (Navas) walks on water!
It`s amazing how a club like City can win the domestic treble with hardly spending any money, how did they do it ?…………………………….send all answers to me in Cornwall and I will get back to you when I`ve finished drilling for oil on my land !
All credit to City, they are a class and a half above the best of rest of the Premiership teams and in a different universe to teams like Watford.
Did Guardiola really lead his team out, at a Wembley Cup Fina,l in a scruffy sweat shirt and jogging bottoms? Disgraceful!!
I was tempted Cicero.. 😜
Jealousy will get you nowhere Lc… lol
New post up now