Morning all…
We’ve been talking Akpom, Aneke, Gnabry, Meade, Eisfeld and others, but, according to Jack Wilshere, the next player who will make the big break through is Alfred Mugabo.
Writing on Twitter, Jack said:
Watch out for his young lad at Arsenal #decent
So who is Alfred Mugabo?
Well, he’s 17 years old, he’s from Rwanda and his first call up for the youth squad came when he was still only 15 years old.
According to the official site, he’s an athletic teenager who is equally adept across the back four, while having the ability to slip into central midfield when required.
Mugabo compares his style of play to that of first-term star Abou Diaby and says Barcelona star Xavi is his favourite player of all time and describes himself as being:
I’m strong, powerful and versatile.
And on Twitter, his profile simply says:
Infront of the back 4.
Mugabo signed a scholarship contract in 2012 and I guess from what Jack has said, we can expect big things…
We’ll see eh….
Norwich up tomorrow, yes, another ‘must win’ game in front of our home fans. Per Mertesacker serves a one match suspension so back comes captain Thomas Vermaelen.
Just as we heard all the cuddly stuff from Arsene about Gervinho, no doubt to boost his confidence as he had to play him, now we hear similar things about the captain:
He took it in a remarkable way when he lost his place. He is a great man and I didn’t make him captain by coincidence. I knew there is something mentally special there. He responds in positive situations and in less positive situations like when you don’t play.
They know there could be rotation with the three centre backs from the start of the season, depending on good and less good periods of any individual player. He took that remarkably well.
There you have it, for any one who doubted the manager has a ruthless side, he has shown it by dropping the club captain and now as he’s set to return, Wenger is full of praise. No doubt hoping in return the team get to witness a great performance alongside Koscielny tomorrow.
Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere return tomorrow, now were they really injured? To be honest, one of the two has been playing quite poorly of late and totally deserved to be dropped if that was the case…
It will be interesting if either starts, and if so, who drops out….
That’s it for another day, have a good one….
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2305318/John-Motson-picks-10-FA-Cup-semi-finals.html
🙁
Back in a bit….
Poor effort from a bad manager and a squad lacking quality Oz??
Bit harsh mate 🙂
Morning guys.
Morning Oz & Scott….
Another small boy from war torn Rwanda. Fit the profile! He may, of course turn into the new PV. Good luck to him.
They have been a disgrace at times Scott – i never said they lacked quality i said they lack motivation much of the time – you disagree?
Oz – I wish they’d shown the ‘champions league place’ kind of fight all season, we’d be a lot happier right now…
That’s what I say too Wavy, good luck to him, he’s going to need it..
Morning Rico
I think a few lack quality…. and motivation.
Bin them then….
yet more rubbish from the professor…..
“I believe our team has always developed a way to play that makes them stronger throughout the season. That is maybe one of the consequences of it – that we go from strength to strength,” Wenger said.
From memory did we not win 1 of the last 7 in 2010 and only 1 in last 5 last year and that curtesy of the WBA Keeper lets be honest. Really is so far off the reality trail this guy – This is getting stronger??
Most would Lee, just the man at the top won’t….
Agree Rico
Morning all, Nice one Rico.
I must say that certain players in the squad have been poor considering some of their talent, but Wenger in my eyes has been slow on the uptake. Players who like Walcott has had his future secured hasn’t shown what he was secured for. He may well have been promised a place up front but if you get the chance you have been waiting for and turn out performances that he has then he should consider himself fortunate to be picked at all. As for Vermaelen he has struggled since the captaincy landed in his lap, Personally i would change that and see how he goes Thomas is a really good player but he has had a bad run he doesn’t need the extra pressure. Wilshere is a player that shows determination and grit the type of player you love in the squad, but to be honest he doesnt’ have many shots and he doesn’t score many goals, that has to change. Dein said that Wenger will spend he has admitted that we have allowed other teams to push forward with an unbelievable 20 point margin, This has not just come about, and Wenger should take that as a warning, come up with the goods or ship out. As for our youngsters and Jacks Praise, you only have to be available and keep your fitness to better Diaby, will he get the chance before the season ends, I very much doubt it as 4th spot is so important to Wenger.
I can’t believe that comment form AW, how about we start strong and get stronger next season…
Not start rubbish and get a bit better…
Oh, and we wonder why players lack motivation, that comment from AW makes it almost acceptable to play the way we sometimes have…
Thanks Sp, I don’t think he could drop TV earlier, wasn’t Kos going through a dreadful spell too…
Tomorrow I do worry about our central pairing in defence, they aren’t known to play well together…
I THINK WE HAVE D ABILITY TO WIN NEXT SEASON EPL
Good Morning to the Lady of the House and my fellow Gooners.
Rico – I trust you survived the bright city lights with the HH Curry Club with no ill effects.
Morning Cg, I did indeed thank you. It was a lovely day with four very nice gents… 🙂
If all the hype is right, then players will no doubt know that if they mess up they could be on their way. Personally i would think that Wenger knows who’s going now but with the team we have available he will play a waiting game.
right with ya sp1
what i don’t understand is why the press put up with all his rubbish, its constant never ending salesmanship – someone should write a ‘Wenger quotes diary’ and post it, dispelling some myths on this wonderful ‘has all the excuses in the book’ football manager – he makes serious cash no doubt for himself and those around him but delivers a dedicated, motivated and focussed team every season, since when??? As for going forward can one of you send him the table please?
I suspect he knows too Sp, maybe that’s why Gervinho is playing 😉
Oz, you have just talked yourself into writing a post there 😉
Oz, i agree they have lacked motivation, but i still put that down to the individual.
I do believe we lack quality at the top end though.
i just don’t get it Rico, i seriously don’t. Love to be in the press room one day when he starts his preaching, if only to suggest some medical help for his memory losses might be in order
He certainly seems to contradict himself on many occasions Oz, especially when it comes to transfers…
Looks like Jack will be back in place of Rosicky, the latter is rated 50/50 on fitness…
Oz, we all should be asking why Wenger puts up with the press!!
Fergie gets away with blue murder, and his club NEVER loses to a better side, yet the press kiss his arse.
Stop carrying on like Wenger is the only manager in the world who rolls out the lines when the camera is on.
Chelsea draw Basel in Europa
for 7m plus a year i think any of us could handle that and probably stick a lot closer to reality as well
Morning all. Food for thought for the so called ‘easy run in’. Last season:
Norwich h 1 point
Everton h 3 points
Fulham a 0 points
Mancs h 0 points
QPR a 0 points
Wigan h 0 points
Newcastle a 1 point.
A repeat of the same would mean Spursday night football at best!
I think we are seeing the more ruthless side of Arsene. He seems to have abandoned at least two parts of the national motto of France; Liberté, égalité, fraternité [Liberty, equality, fraternity (brotherhood)]. The players have less liberty to roam the field at will, they are starting to play a more disciplined positional game, supporting the other players when we lose the ball. The relative equality of wages with our former(?) narrow wage scale seems to to be changing. The club are being tougher in their wage negotiations. This should allow us to pay more to retain our top players. The fraternité remains and that’s as it should be.
He is also more willing to move on or release players from the Academy who fail to meet required standards. This means we may miss out with some slow developing players who could go on to excel elsewhere, but we are paring down a bloated Academy and an equally bloated wage roll. Not before time, we have needed this for for far too long. Maybe you can teach an old dog new tricks?
Bj, those stats are a bit of a worry…
But, I do think we have a bit more about us this season, right now…
Hi Oz,, Watched the Spuds game last night, and allthough i don’t have a lot of love for them i was impressed with their fighting spirit. In my mind Vertonghens sending off was a bit harsh. But i felt the result had been decided even before kickoff.
SP1 – I agree, Vermaelen has never been the same player since he was made captain and I don’t think he is up to the job. He is no Tony Adams giving the other players a kick up the backside and/or a verbal barrage if they’re not doing their job. Also, no one seems to have a guaranteed place in the team anymore. About time too.
I hope you can Dg, especially if he is going to sign a new contract and stay for a few more years…
Wish Vertonghen would get sent off in the PL Sp, he and Bale seem to carry the Totts…
Agree there Dg, it’s been a long time coming. He just needs to drop them a bit quicker now…
And get a squad deep enough in the summer to allow that to happen….
i typed i thought Spuds were hard done by and deleted it sp1 – you my man are a brave dude hahah. I agree obviously, they dug in big time to try to win it and i am not convinced their exit is quite the victory some see it as being for us either
Hiya CG i reckon your right mate.
Morning all,
A very good stat Bob j….
I posted a similar stat as Oz had above saying how we play in our last 5 to 7 matches will tell me if this team are different.
A stupid comment by AW… he should know that this team is the list fit squad he has had since 2000… The reason why we struggled is because pre-season was non-existent…
The first team had 1 week together before Cologne sold 2 of its better players, went away for a 4 day international break came back and started the season…. again the money men win with this stupid tour.
Spuds will fight right to the end Oz, When they are at full strength they are a team to be reckond with. We missed out big time with Vertonghen in my view
If a man comes from the estates with no financial backing and ends up being the 3rd or 4th riches on Forbes rich list yearly behind 2 or 3 men or women from ‘old money’ who would you respect the most?— I know you know the answer to that Scott. 😀
They are eyeing some talent this summer as well sp1, they are gathering belief – we need to make some serious statements of our own this summer… or else
Barca v Bayern
Real v Dortmund…
I’d love an all German final at Wembley…
Morning all.
StevieP – great comments ….. Ozzie – top lad. Enjoyed reading the banter …. Rico, you were missed yesterday…
Kid from Rwanda ? Great.
I think we realise that our team is just not good enough its as simple as that, teams around us haven’t been that strong either, that just shows how far behind we are. But 2 or 3 changes, good changes could make the difference.
The club need to get two good/great players for every position with some of our Young Guns and older more versatile players filling in when we have a rash of injuries. Competition, no more assured starting positions – if you can’t or wont perform you shouldn’t even make the bench. Too many of our players have been complacent about their poor performances far too long.
Carnegie…. One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today.
… any corporate man who goes on record to tell the world his company has no money must have well sold his daughter into slavery…
i think we should become inventive and do the same with management – split the wage and bonus every week you are in charge
Ginge – Spot on…..
The reason why we struggled is because the pre-season was non-existent…
A tour to Asia with the reserves was of no use whatsoever …. It did as much good as the cancelled tour to Nigeria ……
Hi Ts, I don’t know, which one?
Nice of you to say so Syg 😉
I feel that the penny has finally dropped, Arsenal now realise that if you want to conquer the Asian market you have to be winners. They see this market as really important for the future but they know as well as us that winning is everything. 8 years of bugger all doesn’t grab anybodies attention. no matter how bright the shirts.
So our defenders and DM need executed for being shite but we have conceded only 7 goals less than the oilers -city
When the season started most fans were very optimistic for the season despite losing the Vpursious and replacing him with an unknown french gay icon…
I said it from the first weekend draw that if the home fans got behind the team we have a very good chance this season but some thought I was being disrespectful because I was not a season ticket holder… I guess the reason why we have the 3rd best away record but lost more points at home.
The same reason chavs have dropped more points at home than away…
tsgh – I wouldn’t try to read too much into Arsene’s comments to the press. He is old school and will rarely crticise his players in public. As for the press, they wont take him to task over his comments as they are just happy he’ll talk to them, unlike Auld Red Nose at ManUre. Also, with all the tripe, half truths, and outright fiction that they write; they are hardly paragons of unbiased accurate reportage. So, are hardly likely to hold the mirror of truth up to Arsene when they themselves can’t look into it without going up in flames.
Arsene is the master of the half truth. He leaves much of what he says open to interpretation. If he can assemble a competative team for next season, he can tell all the porkies he desires.
Sp, agree, 3 minimum quality though, not just more ‘hopefuls’….
Cg, can’t disagree there…
Ts, don’t you think that the way we played was what started to cheese fans off?
I’m sure all the fans at The Ems were right behind the team but then we started playing badly and losing…
Things to do catch you all later 🙂
Oz, what exactly has 7 million got to with it?
Nothing, that is what.
It is irrelevant what you or i think he should be earning, because it comes down to what Stan and his cronies think, and obviously Wenger is doing exactly the job they want him to….who is to blame again??
Ginge 🙂
Moving stadiums…paying for stadiums…8-10 years seems a reasonable amount of time to me.
A few people have pointed out,but more have ignored, the fact that the quality of signings has improved dramatically in the last 18 months, and reports do suggest the cash is available to really top off our squad with some huge talent.
That is, of course, as long as Wenger does need to make a 20 million profit this transfer window, a fact plenty also choose to ignore over the last few years.
Andrey Arshavin’s commitment and professionalism cannot be questioned, according to Arsène Wenger.
The Russian playmaker’s contract expires this summer and reports this week suggested that Arshavin has lost his desire to play football. But Wenger sees Arshavin every day in training and he thinks differently.
“I must say that publicly I would like to give him credit, because he is working absolutely every session at 100 per cent commitment,” said Wenger,
“He is an example to everybody, because he has been questioned about his commitment many times. If you saw him every day you would respect him for what he is doing on a daily basis. It is absolutely fantastic.”
Arshavin joined Arsenal on transfer deadline day in January 2009 and was an instant hit at Emirates Stadium, scoring four goals against Liverpool at Anfield four years ago this month. But he might be approaching the end of his Gunners career.
“His contract ends at the end of the season and then he will decide what to do,” said Wenger. “I don’t think he will stay here because he doesn’t play enough.”
Good point Cg… I still find myself bemused when fans say they are cheesed off with AW’s lies…. at least he is more truthful than most politicians and public figures I see on TV who deny they have had plastic surgery when even Stevie Wonder can see they have had a job done…
Like I said before no corporate man admits his company has no money… all it does it tells a competitor take us over…. The dippers have more colourful glory days than us and have a much bigger global fan base (arguably bigger than Man u) and have even won more than us recently but I know who I would rather support…
Scott – I don’t disagree with much of what you say, but many of us are getting tired of waiting. It reminds me of a T-shirt that was popular here in the 60’s. Two vultures sitting in a tree and one says “I’m tired of waiting. I’m going down there and kill something.” The club are in great financial shape, especially when compared to our major competitors and with Financial Fir Play coming into full effect next season. The club have the power – they just have to exercise it and buy the players required to build a winning team. It is in the club’s long term financial interest to do so.
For whatever reason, Arshavin has been with us 2 seasons too long.
A classy player such as he would surely have been able to find a club willing to pay his wages, so what has stopped him leaving?
Lady Rico… the fans may have been ‘cheesed off’ however why do the away fans stay positive no matter what… as WATH always say groan and moan away from the stadium….
Enfield is a damp but is still recognised as a fortress because they ‘never walk alone’ we ‘ow’ and ‘ahhh’ when ever a pass goes astray…
tsgh – Stevie Wonder is a very perceptive man.
I have read good reports about Mugabo.
I have another, Essex lad George Dobson, been with the club since he was about 9.
Now 15/16 and already in the U18’s.
Centre-Mid & Centre-back…
CG, i know what you are saying, but i just think the club will come into its own soon enough.
Our patience, or total lack of in most cases, will be rewarded imo.
I reckon Arsenal FC is in the prime position to dominate world football pretty soon.
Does Stan want us to though?
I can’t answer that.
Ginge, what frustrates me is when people say Wenger always lies, but then hold something he says against him.
Nobody has ever been able to explain this to me.
Scott – Andrey seemed set to return to mother Russia with his old team Zenit St. Petersburg till he opened his mouth before engaging his brain and made some derogatory remarks that enraged their management. Rumour has it that, despite their initial crticisms of London life, he and his family are happy and settled in London. Another talented and mercurial player who failed to fulfill his promise.
Scott – Yes, it is a lot like religion. You just have to have faith and patience and it will come to pass. However, poor sinners like myself find it difficult to wait and like the Kinks are “so tired, tired of waiting…”. Woops showing my age there. Kev should know the reference he’s a London lad.
What happened to Jack Jebb Mr. Kev?
Scott AW is a rubbish manager and every smart person knows that…
So imagine AW had done a Rednap, Maurenho or O’Neil and left the club in 2006 when he knew he could not spend any money. His record would have been 7 or so trophies in as many years…. 😉
But the man was stupid or ‘french’ and passionate and stuck around and received all the abuse from so called world class managers and know all fans who have never built a team in their lives…
Inter won it all under the special one but where are they now…? 😉
He spent the owners money on dross that can’t be sold but football is all about winning.
A good manager or man would have told Tony Fernandez to not spend during January on half fit players but would say our chances are against us so instead let me do my magic and if we stay up we can re-build during the summer… if we do not then the future of the club is not at risk..
But the world likes a show man who rolls his window down at 10:30am on deadline day giving the mic a bit of spit whilst telling the camera he has 100 agents offering him Messi… so stick around until midnight to find out if he signs Ronaldo instead…
What happened to ‘I am surprised AW did not sign Samba’ …. because he is a far better manager than you would ever ever be… 😀
Good afternoon all,
We read a lot into what wenger says in the presser. We don’t expect him to come out and say Arshavin is a lazy player/Arsenal has no money to spend/Tomas vermaelen is not a suitable captain etc. He says what those media mugs what to hear and let them print whatever they like.
Look at the signings in the last 9months, his ruthlessness to drop players when they are not performing, his tactical changes last weekend. Like tsgh pointed out, when was the last time Wenger made 3 defensive sub when we were down to 10men. The wenger of 2/3 seasons ago wouldn’t have done that. The Wenger of 2/3 years ago would have persisted with Andre santos and not bought Monreal in the winter window. That same Wenger wouldn’t have made keeper changes playing Fabianski when Szeczesny is out of form. Times are changing and we are bound to see more changes in the summer. Like some of us pointed out, in the last 3 seasons our run of form in the run in was very poor, I don’t see it happening this time around. Looks like the sentimental wenger is gone, you need to work hard to earn your position in the team. Long may that continue and hoping we see more drastic changes in the summer.
Funny you mention Samba, Ginge.
How many of the names linked seriously with us over the last 18 months to 2 years have set the world on fire?
Maybe a few, but compare that to how many have been crap, and surely we come out well in front.
Same as players signed in that time….we are definitely going well there compared to signings of other clubs.
Emma, i believe you were the first to bring up the change in the type of signings Wenger has gone after recently and credit to you.
tsgh – That is an interesting list of ‘world class managers;
Harry Redknapp – bankrupted Portsmouth and nearly bankrupted Southampton and Tottenscum. Hired to be the saviour of QPR, but turned out to be Pontius Pilot. Won little or nothing.
Maureen Yo – a great manager who has won much, but has spent more than any other manager currently coaching in Europe to do it. None of his teams that have reached the heights have been able to sustain it after, and sometimes before, he left. What would he be able to do if he had to work with the budget of the likes of David Moyes.
Martin O’Neill – Another supposed saviour who promised so much, but delivered so little. Another gypsy manager in search of a new job. He talks a good story too (must have kissed the Blarney Stone).
Arsene Wenger – Love him, tolerate him, or hate him; no manager has done so much with so little so consistently. The big question is was the money available and he chose not to spend or was the “there is money available if needed” of Peter Hill Wood just corporate BS? Frustrating – yes, obstinate – yes, cerebral – yes, stupid – no. He is credited with introducing many new ideas (diet, fitness, overseas scouting network, etc.) and revolutionising the English game. I’d be more than a little cautious of ‘throwing the baby out with the bath water’.
Emma – Amen sister!
Sensational post CG.
It has always been my argument when people bag Wenger and his spending….is the cash TRULY available to him?
Until proven wrong, i will believe it has not been there for his use.
Scott – Again we are back to having faith.
Time for a little bragging.
Sean one his 100 metre dash at todays athletics carnival.
Missed the starts as he wasn’t sure what the noise from the starting pistol meant, but took off and won by 5-6 metres.
He is one competitive little bugger, and has found something else he is better at than his dad was 🙂
CG, it is much better than the alternative, don’t you think?
I don’t know the answer to that Ts..
Hi Ak…
Hi emma…
I hope times are changing, they certainly have needed to for a while…
Scott – Congratulations to Sean. However, if my experience is anything to go by, he will continue to find other things that he is better at than his Dad. Enjoy basking in his reflected glory, but don’t steal his thunder. Dad must be doing something right.
CG – 🙂
I still think we need 3 quality players(Striker, DM, Keeper if Fabianski’s contract is not renewed) and like rico said any addition will be a bonus.
I don’t like tours and that is part of the reason we’ve not started the last 2/3 seasons strongly. But we need to start laying the foundation down so that we can be commercially viable(sponsors) in the future.With the confederation cup coming up in June, we will be losing our spanish players and they may not return back on time for pre-season.
Manure started it(tour) a long time ago and are now reaping the benefit. Other teams are now following suite. With their success on the pitch they have now moved ahead of every other team in the PL. Hope our time will come soonest
Well the birds are starting to sing. Dawn can’t be far off. Time for bed. I’ll bid you all a good afternoon/evening/morning as applicable to your loacation. Till tomorrow fellow Gooners and keep the faith.
CG, i am thoroughly enjoying watching him grow and learn but though very proud, i am not one to live through his achievements.
I have seen enough parents do it, and it is to the detriment of their kid.
I saw it tonight at his academy training.
Parents talking about driving their kids 4-5 times a week to games and training, and how they view it as an investment for the future.
Their kid is a bloody investment???
emma – agree on 3, but that’s before sales too
If we are to lose Sagna and Vermaelen, then both need replacing.
Is Miquel going to be ready to make that step up next season, or would he be a case of ‘making do’?
We are off to Japan this summer aren’t we and then back for The Emirates Cup?
Lot of mileage there…
Later CG.
Emma, believe me, Australia is a potential gold mine for any big club willing to spend some money over here.
Oz produces an amazing array of world class athletes considering the size of our population, and in a huge array of sports.
We finally have some world class coaching which is getting in at the grass roots level, and seeing the quality of kids that Sean trains with tells me that in 10-15 years time, we will consistently be producing world class players.
These kids are absolutely incredible.
We have coaches from Celtic helping, and they tell us the kids at 7-10 years old are at least as good as anything they have ever seen.
Arsenal needs to get down here with a few thousand shirts to give away and some coaching clinics….that is all it takes to convert kids into Gooners.
Arsene Wenger – Love him, tolerate him, or hate him; no manager has done so much with so little so consistently. The big question is was the money available and he chose not to spend ….
He has spent ….. millions of pounds on shite that no other idiot will buy ……. .. instead of investing in shite, go out and buy 5 proper players …….
Cazorla, Giroud, Podolski and Monreal are proper players…
All capped European internationals …… we need more of the same, but even better….
I hope sticks to that blueprint …..
I couldn’t give a shite about some 16 year old from Rwanda who is “rated” by a kid who still plays with his x-box ….. it interests me as much as the Arsenal ladies team …..
Now Rico, we have a good positive groove going…keep it up for us 🙂
Syg, we can’t ignore the kids tough mate.
Having said that, i agree we can not solely rely on them.
How are you mate?
rico – Japan, Indonesia, Vietnam probably more.
Miguel has being plagued with injury all season. He should be making the step up.
There is possibility of Sagna leaving in the summer. I would have loved him to stay as he could play CB as well. Vermaelen I doubt anyone will come for him based on his shabby form. I hope he impresses giving his rare chance tomorrow
I’m cool Scotty.
At the Emirates tomorrow ….
What has the youth set up given us that’s worth talking about? And I’m taking the Wenger years here …… not George Graham, Bertie Mee or Billy Wright ….
Fabregas and Wilshire …… that’s about your whack.
…even when we sell or offload them they don’t exactly cover themselves in glory ….. Bentley, Seb Larsson, Steve Sidwell are our greatest successes in that department ….
Fair call Syg.
It may be simply too hard to be a producing club as well as a performing club.
In saying that, where are the great English kids coming from….are there really any out there?
Of the 19-22 year olds, Jack is probably the best of them, so maybe the fault doesn’t lie with our set up, it could be a deeper issue.
Enjoy the game.
Watch Aaron bag that hat trick mate.
He has been just a goal or three off of late 🙂
Gnabry, Eisfield may break into the side ….. A few rate Yennaris .. I initially liked the look of Miguel….
….saying that I liked the look of Conor Henderson and Henri Lansbury and Wenger didn’t ….
We have Coquelin but was he a product of OUR youth system or another clubs…. ? whatever he is or was – he is still shite and will never do anything …
See you Cg…
Syg, bit harsh on the ladies I think 😉
Got to nip out for an hour now.
Back later…
Off to bed…have a great day all.
Ha ha …. fair play Rico …..
….but just because they wear same the colours as the team and call themselves “Arsenal” carries absolutely no weight with me ….. !
syg – Coq was a product of our youth system. He joined at the age of 16. With youth you don’t just know what you will get in 5/6yrs time as they develop. They are consistently inconsistent and thats why project youth failed. Some will make the step up and some will end up like the bentley’s(so much promise but swept away by the tide)
So much promise in our current youth setup but how many will take the leap? Such happens even in the so called world’s best youth system(Barca) that has 10wilshere’s in their B team but end up signing for Alex Song 🙂
syg -Coq is a product of our youth system. He joined at the age of 16. With youth you don’t just know what you will get in 5/6yrs time as they develop. They are consistently inconsistent and thats why project youth failed. Some will make the step up and some will end up like the bentley’s(so much promise but swept away by the tide)
So much promise in our current youth setup but how many will take the leap? Such happens even in the so called world’s best youth system(Barca) that has 10wilshere’s in their B team but end up signing Alex Song 🙂
North Korea are threatening a nuclear strike on the United Kingdom after adebarndoor’s penalty landed in their territory!
Cole and Gibbs, SYG? Top quality players.
Scez? Still has potential to be top quality.
Muamba and Pennant both left us and did well for themselves too. And I expect Coq to come good if he somehow gets a run in.
Do we just need world class players or skilful players?
What makes a player world class? Imho SC19 is more skilful than Iniesta but he has not got the same footballing brains as him?
What AW has to be going for next are intelligent players and hardworkers… the reason why Barca buy from us because they prefer intelligent and tactically sound players to just skill…
When you look at the teams in the CL semi’s what set them apart to the likes of $hitty and us are the number of tactically sound players in each team.
Pirlo can’t defend or ran to save his life but his ‘ball-sense’ makes up for it… Barca and BVB have a team of 11 potential coaches each.
DB10 or Zola did not have the skill of players like Hazard or even Yao Gerv but what those players had were the ability to sense where things were without looking…
We on the other hand have several players who are tactically blind as a bat and are unable to adjust their game when things are not going well… the British media call it a leader which is completely off the mark imho…in other parts of the world such players are described as knowing what to do with the ball before it comes to them….
I’m a big believer in the value of youth development. Even Bendtner and Frimpong did well when loaned out within England.
Most youth setups will only produce a few top quality players at any one time. The rest are shipped to the lower leagues or to mid table clubs replace the top quality recruits that are cherry picked from them.
Emma, I will find an interview Cruyff, the Kaizer and Jacobus Hendricus Michels said about the difference between a world class player and intelligent player with average skill or talent…
Maybe Marca have lots of potential Xavi’s and Villa in their youth team but not many may have the brains of Pep or Cesc… a team of skilful players will make you an Arsenal, Holland or a nearly there team whilst 7 or more intelligent players will make you a winner…
The reason why Rednose will play a 39 y.o carpet chested cheater in CM against a 29 y.o Yaya Toure I guess.
Clichy, Håvard Nordtveit are also examples of project youth… Aladierre is finally over his injuries after 10 years on the table too and doing well. Ricketts and O Hara were all ex Arsenal youth…
@tsgh “What AW has to be going for next are intelligent players and hardworkers… the reason why Barca buy from us because they prefer intelligent and tactically sound players to just skill…”
That’s What I always say. Tactical awareness and intelligence is paramount to everything else. The problem is that without superb technical skills to go along with it, you will not be able to fully utilize it.
Wenger’s M.O in recent years has been to target technical ability and hope that the intelligence comes along. I don’t really agree with this since technical deficiencies are easier to get around than tactical ones.
Jack is brilliant technically, but in terms of vision and understanding, he has always been behind Rosicky. His displacement of Rosiky as a starter a couple years ago was premature for this reason. He had more learning to do. But he is a rare talent and his true potential will be reached.
Will, glad someone agrees with me…
On JW it is a sensitive point for some to swallow but fact is fact… that is why I rate Ramsey more than him now even though when it comes to natural ability and skills JW10 is superior…
Another example is why RM or Barca did not really want SC19 at the 16 million… tactically for a 27 y.o he is very naive. Just maybe Oviedo and Villareal B did not give him that in his teens…
The future of Coq is a difficult one to predict… he sees himself as a DM or CM but he has never been one… tactically I can not see him as a DM. The match against Fulham this season is one example. I have mentioned it before (I know) but even Gourcuff did not rate him as a CM when he went on loan to Lorient… he was played as a winger or RB. Something AW is either too soft or biased to enforce…
If he had stayed as a RB we may not have bought CJ25 so I guess, one man’s loss is another man’s win..
Shame Adebarndor didn’t land there too Lee..
Afternoon folks..
I don’t really mind the youth, IF they look promising, it’s standing by the likes of Randall and Eastmond, Hoyte etc etc over the years which has done us…
dunno Rico, there has been plenty of serious cash pain players brought for the first team as well – coming to change the world most of them apparently. mega millions wasted and still a lot of them are right there on the books being paid – new cut throat Wenger they say?
until Wenger learns the skills of motivation and correct preparation, I say again you could give him the finest players in the world and he’d win nothing any more
well fingers crossed the ‘run in’ suitably motivates tomorrow and we smack the canaries for 3/4 goals – After midnight here so i bid you gooners good night.
You are a harsh man Oz… 😉
Sleep well….
Youth players are so very hard to predict,
as regards to will or won’t make the big time,
Promising young players stand out from the rest,
anyone can spot a good young player,
5-6 and year olds are the scouts trophys now adays.
These kids are whisked off to play tippy-tappy football.
The real stuff happens around about 15-16,
it’s then that the doubts begin,between the coaches and the young players.
In london look how many clubs within an hour of each other,
it’s like a merry go round of young players trying to make the right decision.
Liam Brady,one of the best players I have seen,has given up,
not sure who can replace Brady,
I wonder if the club will keep investing in youth or buy off the peg,
it seems to me we are buying more developed players,
from other clubs now.
Bergkamp fred 😛
Dinner calls me, later….
Hi RICO. Check your emails mate 😉
Hiya Big Will …. You are right….
How I missesd Cole I have no idea … maybe because its so long ago ….. Possibly the best left back in world football …… and certainly the best left back we have had at the club …. ever….
As for Gibbs – I like him, but he’s a bit brittle and still not had that many games with us ……
Hey Rocastle, long time and all that, great to see you back here…
Did you send it to the gmail address??
Evening all,
Just caught your last comment SYG seems we do have some good players but a shame most of them like a bit of sicknote.
Hi Sp…
Guys/Gals – I’m done for the day…
Stay safe all, nighty night….
Mr Ginge, Jack Jebb has had a bad run of injuries that have affected his development.
He also is suffering from have a whole host of foreign kids dropped into the club at aged 16, who play in his position of midfield.
Olsson, Toral, Grabry, even Eisfeld has blocked him off.
As with Lansbury, he has probably grown frustrated at the lack of opportunities.
I hope the club retain him, and give him a chance…
Morning..
New Post up…