What does the future hold for Emmanuel Frimpong?

Morning Gooners,

Finally, after what seems like a life-time, Jack Wilshere made his comeback yesterday playing just over an hour of football for the Under 21’s. The result wasn’t as all hoped as they lost to their West Brom counter-parts 1-0 but something more important was going on.

Not that Terry Burton will think that I am sure, he will no doubt know in his mind that his boys should have won that fixture yesterday and from reading reports, they had plenty of chances to do so.

Seriously though, apart from the result, it was great to see our number 10 back in action and despite requiring the services of the physio, Jack came through the hour unscathed.

Best Buddies…..

Another ‘young’ player who continued his return from injury in the same fixture was Emmanuel Frimpong, our young feisty midfielder, well, not so young really as he’s now 20 years old, may only be 5′ 10″ tall, but he’s tough. He too came through another fixture on his journey to full recovery and he’ thrilled to be back playing alongside his old buddy.

I’m happy for him to be back playing with the team again and to see a smile on his face. After 14 months out, he did very well and he can be pleased with his performance.

When you’ve been out for so long, it’s only natural you’re going to be tired [afterwards]. He needs more games to get fit. I think the England and Arsenal fans should be excited to see him back again.

He’s probably my best friend at the Club. It’s only right because I’ve known him for 11 years. I’m just happy to be playing alongside him.

Back to Emmanuel Frimpong, Arsene Wenger has described him as being:

I believe Frimpong has done really well as well. He is a bit less of a dribbler but he is a fighter and he is a winner.

That was back in 2010 after his performances in The Emirates Cup.

A lot has happened since then though.

He’s had two nasty injuries, a lit spat with Samir Nasri which started on the pitch and carried on down the tunnel during a match against Citeh, and of course, he’s been in trouble with the FA for his naughty tweets towards a Tottenham fan.

Frimpong’s contract runs out in the summer of 2013 but is all that ‘naughtiness’ enough to put Arsene Wenger off of offering him a new long-term contract with the club?

My answer without even thinking is I hope not, and no way should it.

Just before Frimpong made his own comeback this season, although a brief fifteen minute encounter against Coventry, Wenger had this to say:

It’s a big moment because he has suffered for a long time and has worked extremely hard, like Jack [Wilshere].

Once you’re back, you want so much a chance to be involved. So I want to give him a chance to be involved at least. Physically Emmanuel has never been as fit as he is now. That should come out in the next two months.

You need matches and certainly he will be involved when we play at West Brom [on Monday, October 1] with the under-21s. He’s a competitive boy and a fighter. Of course this type of player always wants to be involved.

Frimpong has been compared to many African midfielders who have shown to have pace and energy, one of course was Alex Song, but I’m not sure Song could ever be described as having those two qualities.

The comparison I prefer is he reminds me of a younger version of Michael Essien, who over the years was so good for Chelsea, just a shame he too suffered more than his fair share of injuries.

Maybe that comparison is draw because both players are from Ghana, maybe because they are both 5′ 10″ yet build so solidly. Or maybe it really is that Frimpong has all the attributes to go on and be as good as fellow countryman.

One thing we do all know and that’s because Frimpong has said it himself, and that’s that he would go begging on hands and knees to Wenger for a new contract if he had to.

But I doubt he’ll have to, do you?

That’s it for another day.

Thought I’d stay clear from anything negative 🙂

0 thoughts on “What does the future hold for Emmanuel Frimpong?

  1. Scott from Oz says:

    Evening Rico,
    You’ll laugh,but i was thinking what a great,positive post,then i read the last line lol.
    Love it.

  2. devilgunner says:

    Good Morning my Esteemed Fellow Gunners.

    You managed to stay positive Rico.

    Hopefully all the bloggers will do the same.

  3. rico says:

    On a serious note, Frimps contract situation.

    Is AW waiting to see how his fitness/playing ‘attitude’ is before he gets offered a new contract?

    This is one kid I hope stays, big future ahead of him if he can get through his injury setback.

    The way he is built, I can’t see him struggling…

  4. Scott from Oz says:

    Rico,i reckon Wenger will extend his contract for sure,but just wants the kid to realise he must pull his head in a bit.
    Can’t make things to easy for him.

  5. young says:

    frimpong is more of makelele type and a bit unique because he enjoyes tackling, sometimes just 4 fun,when u have a strength in some area of u life, it becomes fun and frimpong just loves it, he loves taking u together with the ball,like a pitbull,we need him to help the defense and arteta wl surely raise him in the middle of the park

  6. Scott from Oz says:

    I am so so so glad we didn’t get Hazard.
    If we had signed im,and i got my wish on divers,he’d be gone for 12 months.
    Vermaelen went under the prick,but of course he was already falling and dragging the leg,and this drew the free kick off which Torres scored.

  7. Scott from Oz says:

    Then Torres the prick dived as well after literally tripping over the ball.
    Can you tell…..i am finally watching a full replay!!

  8. JW says:

    Good morning all,

    What negativity could you possibly find to write about Rico? 🙂

    Cruciate ligament injuries are notoriously difficult to recover from, I think Wenger will wait to see how well Frimpong does both physically and mentatly before offering a new contract. The Diaby situatation must keep him awake at night.

  9. Scott from Oz says:

    A point noody(to my knowledge) has raised.
    When Torres broke through,Kozzer caught and pressured him into the error.
    How far back would Mertesacker have been behind??
    Torres would have been free in clear space with all the time in the world but for Kozzers closing speed.

  10. JW says:

    Scott,

    Turn it off now! Don’t torture yourself. 😀

    Here’s a funny thing….Old Red Nose has denied that Nani is a diver!! Cough…splutter…falls off chair laughing!!

  11. Scott from Oz says:

    The ref was throwing he cards at us……can’t see why Chelski never got one or two early though!!

  12. Scott from Oz says:

    Nani is a scumbag.
    JW….i need to confirm my thoughts…Gooners see things that aren’t there when we lose!

  13. Scott from Oz says:

    Very,very easy to say that,but 2 yards is enough for Torres to get away from him.
    I am not suggesting Merts isn’t a bloody good player….on the contrary,i was one of very few who supported him all of last season,but Kozzer did wrong,nor did Arsenal.
    Credit where it’s due…Chelsea are playing good football.

  14. Scott from Oz says:

    The entire build up to Gervinhos goal was superb…as was the finish.
    Maybe i should turn off now JW lol.

  15. TalkShiteGingerHater says:

    Good morning,

    Nice positive post to start the day Rico

    But I see some of us are still going on about the performance on sunday. Lets get off Kozzers back because every player has a bad day.Even Messi missed a penalty to allow the Chavs through in the semi’s

    The thing is if we are all honest with ourselves most of us me include preferred Kozzer & TV pairing. Have we all forgotten about the BFG performance against the chavs that cost us 3 goals last year.

    http://www.soccer-blogger.com/2011/10/29/chelsea-vs-arsenal-3-5-highlights-video-2011-robin-van-persie-goals-hat-trick/

    Things did not go our way lets just move on because I dont like the fact that we are behind the Spuds.

    WHU next we need 3 points otherwise.

  16. Scott from Oz says:

    Well,Diaby is out….Frimpong not ready,now is the time to unleash my dream of Vermaelen as a DM!!
    Why not??

  17. Lee says:

    Morning all…..Rico, negative? I’m not having that at all!! We need to iron out the bubbles tomorrow and the hamsters on Saturday to get our momentum going! COYRRGSG!

  18. TalkShiteGingerHater says:

    I agree with you Scott at 9:58 am. The first 5 or 6 fouls were awarded against us. That gave the Chavs a lot more room and our midfielders concern to be worried because none of them wanted to get a yellow card so soon into the match.I believe that is one reason why the bossed the midfield in the first 25 minutes.

    Before the referee penalising MA8 in the 3rd minute for absolutely no foul on Oscar the Chavs were giving the ball away very easily.

  19. Scott from Oz says:

    Even their second goal came from a dive by Torres.
    He knew TV5 was coming so stopped in front of him!!

  20. TalkShiteGingerHater says:

    JW at 9:52 am. Re Cruciate injuries.You will find Sir Bobby Pires recovered from 2 similar injuries to win the player of the year and never looked back.

    I dont think AW has concerns over his injury but initially had concerns about his weight due to his build. AW even stated that from his experience any player who ever has a cruciate injury will always have another one. Ideally it should be on the other leg/cruciate.If it is then it is biological, however, if it is on the same leg then it will be a concern. The worrying issue with this type of injury is the period in between when a player has the first and the second one because in between the 2 injuries the player is never fully fit.

    My thought based on AW comments.

  21. devilgunner says:

    Hiya Kev.

    Good Afternoon now.

    I do hope he gives Frimps a new contract. I like his attitude, his enthusiasm and his love for AFC. That is already a plus in anyone’s contract offer. Like Jenks, Gibbs, Yennaris and Jack, Frimps is AFC through and through.

  22. TalkShiteGingerHater says:

    Arteta injury doubt for champions league match tomorrow according to John Cross. The injury circus has began

  23. TalkShiteGingerHater says:

    Devil I agree. I think he deserves a chance. I see him in the Roy Keane mold. What he did to Nani last year is unbelieveable. Nani has not been the same player since that match. Before that he was being considered as one of the players of the season.

  24. devilgunner says:

    A few days ago I commented that long term he is the answer and heir to Arteta. Nico Yennaris has one great assett and that is how he reads the game and sets up moves. I believe he is already ahead of Coquelin in that regard. I also see Frimpong as the strongman of AFC midfield. Imagine a midfield of Frimps, Yennaris and Jack. 3 box to box midfielders.

    I believe that soon we might see the following line up

    Mannone/Chesney
    Jenks, Miguel, XXXXXX, Gibbs
    Frimpong, Yennaris, Wilshere
    OX,XXXXXXXX,Walcott (if he stays)

    I included those players as all of them already have a good amount of experience having played in all competitions.

    I do not think its faraway, especially if CL qualification is already sewn up by (hopefully) the 4th game.

    I put XXXXX for players who still have to come from our acadamy. I could have easily put Djourou or Ramsey, however I refrained from doing so.

    What do you guys think???

  25. devilgunner says:

    The German youth international has been fast-tracked to the bench for the Gunners’ European clash after making his first-team debut in the Carling Cup last week.

    Gnabry – who joined from VfB Stuttgart last summer – has been tipped for great things by Arsene Wenger after playing for the club in pre-season.

    “Serge Gnabry is a great hope for the future, I rate him highly,” said Wenger last month.

    “If he continues his development, I think he could play in the first team this season. At the moment he needs to work and ensure he remains fit.

    “He is in the category of Oxlade-Chamberlain and Walcott – guys who have great power, great pace and good dribbling skills. He has goalscoring potential.”

    Gnabry took part in a training session on Tuesday that was open to the media. Bacary Sagna also participated after breaking his leg in May

  26. devilgunner says:

    Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal’s defence was not solely to blame for Saturday’s defeat against Chelsea.

    Both of the visitors’ goals came from set pieces, as first Fernando Torres and then Juan Mata consigned Arsène Wenger’s team to their first loss of the season.

    “It’s a hard one to take but we’ve conceded from three set pieces in the last two games. That’s cost us points and it’s not good enough,” said Arteta.

    “I don’t think it’s something to do with the defence. It’s about an individual defensive set-up in the game which is a free kick or a corner. Today we haven’t defended well enough and we’ve conceded two goals that have cost us the game.

    “It’s everyone’s responsibility. You can’t fault one player on that. We have to clean the lines up quickly and you can’t just allow runners like that in the box.”

    Despite Saturday’s defeat, Arteta believes there are a lot of plusses to take from Arsenal’s start to the season – and is adamant the team will bounce back against Olympiacos on Wednesday.

    “We have played probably against some of the best teams in the league and haven’t been battered or overplayed at all,” he said.

    “I think we’ve been better than Chelsea in the 90 minutes so that’s very positive. But obviously after a defeat, the first one of the season at home, it hurts.

    “We will bounce back because we know how important it is now to get the three points in the Champions League.”

  27. TalkShiteGingerHater says:

    Dev. Yennaris did not train with the squad this morning I am told.

    He may not have trained because he played 90 mins yesterday.So it seems like if Arteta is not fit it will be Ramsey and Le Coq in the middle. Not good enough I am afraid. Le Coq is not defensive enough and Ramsey is clueless when it comes to positional awareness.

  28. devilgunner says:

    That would be a pity. Of the three……Yennaris, Coq and Ramsey I think he has the most complete package of the three. Ramsey still has a lot to learn regarding tactics, Coq I see him more as a RB/LB player.

    If he played yesterday he will not play against the greeks.

  29. Gunnerdna says:

    Dev – kos or ver needs to play defensive mid, coq, Ramsey, Nico, frim and whoever else is there as mf ain’t good enough to be in the first 11 for afc.

  30. rico says:

    Thanks to those who know I am not a negative kind of gal 😉

    I think Frimps could shock a few. Even AW suggests he’s fitter and hungrier than ever….

  31. rico says:

    It is being reported that young German winger Serge Gnabry, who is technically still a second-year scholar, will be included in Arsenal’s squad to face Olympiacos in their second Champions League group stage match at Emirates Stadium tomorrow night.

    Gnabry, who trained at London Colney today, made his senior debut as a substitute against Coventry City in the Capital One Cup last week and is eligible for European competition after being named on the club’s ‘A’ list for the Champions League group stages. If he does feature, the 17 year old would be unlikely to be included in the Arsenal U19 squad which takes on the Greek side at Underhill less than 24 hours after the senior fixture between the two sides.

    Gnabry could replace Mikel Arteta in the squad, with the Spaniard missing training due to an ankle problem, whilst Francis Coquelin also returns to the set-up after missing the Chelsea game through illness. Jack Wilshere and Emmanuel Frimpong did not partake in today’s session having featured for the U21s yesterday, whilst Abou Diaby joins Wojciech Szczesny, Lukasz Fabianski (supposedly) and Tomas Rosicky on the sidelines. Bacary Sagna played a full part in today’s session but is still short of full fitness. Sebastien Squillaci, Johan Djourou and Marouane Chamakh, although fit, are expected to be left out.

    Goalkeeper James Shea will be on the bench as Argentinian stopper Damian Martinez cannot participate in European competition until January.

    Meanwhile, Arsenal have added two more players to their Champions League squad, with midfielder Jack Jebb and striker Austin Lipman, who recently signed professional contracts, being named on the B-List and assigned squad numbers 65 and 66 respectively.

  32. DutchGooner10 says:

    Afternoon Goonerdom faithful,

    Will be interesting tomorrow to see how fluid the youngsters gel with the seniors. After Sunday the understudies must sense there’s more to be done than celebrate the acknowledgment.

  33. rico says:

    Hi Dg, someone posted that here a few days ago, probably when you were in the land of nod and poorly 🙁 Lee I think it was…

    It’s very good and I wish Theo would take advice and sign it….

  34. DutchGooner10 says:

    The lipper-da-lip service is available on ITunes for 79p. Hope the stadium announcer isn’t to picky in his playlist and slips it in at halftime tomorrow.

  35. DutchGooner10 says:

    Hi Rico those damn germs. Lee huh. I should have known, can’t beat that guy at his steel. But one day I will be victorious and receive all appraisals. 😉

  36. rico says:

    Would be very funny Dg….

    😆 re Lee, you have to be up very early in the morning to get one in before him ….

  37. Will XL says:

    Morning guys. Arteta out is a big worry for me. His role is such a specific one, I’m not sure anyone else in the squad can properly fill right now. It requires to much discipline for any of our younger players to fill right now. I won’t even make a call as to who i want Wenger to use. I know Arteta will not play if there is any doubt whatsoever.

  38. TalkShiteGingerHater says:

    Djourou will be useful at DM, but I think AW may play either Ox or Ramsey next to Le Coq if MA8 is not fit. I would rather he plays against the WHU if he cant feature in both.

    Like I said yesterday 8 matches in 18 for MA8 at his age in such a position is a bit too much

  39. rico says:

    Hi Will,

    He prob just needs a rest, and tomorrow is his turn 😉

    We need him for West Ham so any doubt, we have to leave him out…

    But at Tsgh said earlier ‘The injury circus has began’ 🙁

  40. DutchGooner10 says:

    Tsgh

    That was my fear on September 1st; only injury would dislodge Arteta from his position instead of quality competition from an out and out DM with comparable game vision and physique.

  41. rico says:

    You did Tsgh, and I think you are right, a rest in line for him tomorrow, rather than an injury worry

    Is Arshavin not in the CL squad, I thought he was??

  42. TalkShiteGingerHater says:

    DG, very true. It is a worry especially so soon into the season. I am personally very positive about this season but the weekend game is really stressing me out because of Diaby’s absence and the possible injury concern of MA08.

    If we lose on the weekend we could be 10 points behind chelsea for 14 days due to international break; factor in our usual performances after international breaks then it does not look very encouraging from the media bashing point of view.

    Fingers crossed the break will enable us to get Sagna, EF26, TR7 and JW10 almost ready for first team action. Scez and Diaby wouldnot be far off either.

  43. TalkShiteGingerHater says:

    Arshavin possibly. He trained today but the fact that Serge is being reported to be in the squad narrows the possibility since Sagna might be on the bench.

    Gibbs needs a break too sometime soon. Hopefully he is not called up for England so that he can get some rest.

    Talking of rotation,( i know manure are not playing well but that is always the case at this time of the season. They are however getting the points thanks to referees help.lol) what the Red Nose does better than any other manage apart from Tinkerman Ranieri is the way he manages to keep every member of his squad rested without affecting team performance

  44. DutchGooner10 says:

    Tsgh

    Indeed, stoked about the enrollment of this season. Only positive of the international yawn is Diaby won’t fly out and has time to recover. Kev said it I believe, after a call up Diaby soon after is back on the treatment table. Will XL touched up on it yesterday as well, questioning his risk taking with unnecessary power shots overstretching his unconditioned muscles.

    So you rate WHU that highly, capable of shoving us on a knife. Haven’t seen any matches from them so realy can’t reply on their strengths and weaknesses.

  45. rico says:

    And I can only see Chelsea getting better Tsgh, would ten points ahead be out of our reach?

    Thats why i am so angry about Saturday, they were there for the taking and we blew it, and at home of all places….

  46. allezkev says:

    Just a flying visit.

    If Ramsey & Coquelin are deemed not good enough to cope with Olympiarkos, then God help us!

  47. Micko says:

    Afternoon all,
    Cheer up rico, Frimpong will be back, stronger than a wrestler’s armpit.
    JW 9.52, sounds like Wenger needs to kick Diaby outta the bed !

    Serge did well against Coventry, hit the post when he came on and Miguel scored from the resulting corner, wonder if he’s gonna be a surprise package this season.

  48. TalkShiteGingerHater says:

    DG,

    Fat Sam wants to prove that you don’t have to be french to know about red wine.lol

    If fat Sam could win a match to save his life he will choose beating AW. They won 2-1 against QPR placing semi good football last night.The media want Andy Carroll to play against our so called weak defence. He was expected to come back next saturday but Fat Sam was so keen on having him play against us that he featured yesterday.When he was asked 3 weeks ago when he expected Caroll to come back he said he he expected Carroll to feature against us. That would tell you all you need to know buddy.

  49. rico says:

    Dg, it’s not West Ham I worry about, as much as Sam’s tactics and Andy Carroll being back. We just know they will hoof the ball to him and setpieces could be our downfall.

    Especially after Saturday, the doubts will be in the players minds….

  50. TalkShiteGingerHater says:

    Rico, Kev- my major concern about last weekend above anything else was that no one either on the pitch or on the bench was able to tell Ramsey that he was not playing in SC19 position but that he was playing/replacing Diaby.

    His performance was not bad per se but I think tactically it was all wrong. What he ended up doing was making SC18 ineffective and putting strain on MA08 to do 2 peoples job.

    I would have thought one of the older heads would have said to him keep it simple or stay in this area of the pitch for 10 mins etc. Last weekend when Welbeck was struggling and things were not coming off for him, ‘You know who’ had a quiet word with him and you can tell he changed the way he was playing an became effective.

  51. TalkShiteGingerHater says:

    rico I agree about your comment at 3:04 pm. What I was trying to say in short was that he will do whatever he needs to do to get points. And we all know the referee would not do F.. all.

    especially as it is on TV, the media will bill it out to be the battle of London or a test of arsenal’s credibility.

  52. rico says:

    Hi Ak, that is why I think Arteta is being rested, AW thinks they are good enough for tomorrow night…

    Hi Micko – he looks lean and mean doesn’t he 😉

  53. rico says:

    3.11 Tsgh

    Very interesting point made there, so why is no-one doing that I wonder, are we still ‘lacking’ a leader or are players too wrapped up in their own game?

    I also noticed that Bould has soon adapted the ‘sit with legs crossed’ approach. I struggle to understand why he isn’t off of his seat, in his allowed area and barking instructions to the players.

    Does he really believe any player can hear him from the dugout area?

    Certainly not when 50+ thousand are hell bent on booing Cashley and Terry….

  54. TalkShiteGingerHater says:

    Just to clarify I really like Ramsey as a player. Especially with the energy levels he has he could be our own kind of Manures Fletcher. The issue I have with him is that he is too skilful for his own good but does not have the football brain to go with it. When he plays in the box to box role ie traditional no.6 he is as good as most players in that position. However, I do not understand why both Aw and his welsh coaches have utilised him in the advanced No. 10 role he can never be good at.

    That is why Ox may not be as skilful as he is but is a better footballer in my opinion because he naturally knows when to change his playing style to suit is assign position. And with experience Ox will be a very good midfielder whilst Ramsey well..

  55. rico says:

    Totally off subject but does anyone know much about Sat Navs and which is the best for UK travel only, Euro not needed..

    Garmin or Tom Tom…? 😉

  56. TalkShiteGingerHater says:

    Rico I have been thinking about that since the second match. In Boulds defence no other no.2 does that. I am happy yo be corrected.

    On your response above that is why Graeme Souness has said since 2006. Unfortunately, since 2004 I have not seen any of our players apart from Lehman and DB10 who can be a decent manager. They do not ever see the big picture

  57. rico says:

    But isn’t that because the manager does Tsgh? But AW doesn’t do that either, he stands up yes, but do we honestly ever witness him giving instruction throughout a game?

    Bould is the one the players are raving about at the moment, and someone in the dugout needs to be getting behind them when it matters.

    Especially if we haven’t got someone on the pitch to take control…

    So we are still a team of individuals then?

  58. allezkev says:

    TSGH/Rico, I understand everyone’s concerns, and whilst I’m not dismissing Olympiarkos, they’re not Barca are they?
    Coquelin is experienced enough and intelligent enough to cover for Arteta, in this game and ditto for Ramsey replacing Diaby…
    To me, the West Ham game is huge…
    We have to bounce back from the Chelsea game. And.
    We need to go into the Interlull on the back of a win…
    IMHO…

  59. allezkev says:

    Gnabry in the squad is great news.
    Really hope he gets on again…

    Anyone know how Miyaichi is doing?
    Martinez is a good Coach.

  60. JW says:

    Rico,

    I’m on my second TomTom, first was stolen from my car, in seven years I’ve never had a problem. I get free map updates every month. Completely reliable. Can’t comment on Garmin as I’ve never used one. If you need extra countries they are easy to download, I did New Zealand a couple of years ago. First Rate.

  61. rico says:

    The keeper situation still worries me too, what happens if Mannone gets injured, and even he isn’t that good 🙁

  62. rico says:

    Sorry, i popped out to the post office – and got rained on 🙁

    Ak, he wa son the other day, I think Syg said he didn’t blog that much during the season…

  63. rico says:

    JW,

    Thanks re the TT – does it give live updates for traffic jams etc?

    I need to have an hours warning 😉

    New Zealand, I can’t find my way around England…..

  64. Will XL says:

    I do not quite understand Wenger (but then who really does). After the Coventry game, the same one where Gnabry was a garbage time substitute, Wenger raved about how AA23 pulled his way back into the first team picture based on his performance in the game. So now these whispers regarding his omission from tomorrow night’s match and Gnabry’s inclusion are quite bewildering to me. I know nothing has been decided yet and i hope these whispers are unfounded, but based on how Wenger has handled AA in the past, i wouldn’t be surprised. You don’t do a player any favours by assessing their form based on substitute appearances alone… And that’s all AA has gotten in the last year and a half. Not saying he should be started tomorrow (i would have no problems if he was) but he should at least be on the team sheet.

  65. Micko says:

    A satnav rico, I bet Christopher Columbus never had to stop for directions.
    You planning a trip to the home of football by any chance, it’s all downhill from Sunninghill.

  66. rico says:

    Will, I too would be stunned if AA is left out for one of the younger ones tomorrow. Why keep a player of such ability and experience like AA and play him only in the CO Cup?

    Not the best thing to be doing, should have let him leave and play regular football for another club….

    But as you say, no team/squad has been confirmed yet….

  67. Micko says:

    Will, if you go by the bench on Saturday, then Djourou has gone ahead of AA in the pecking order…….

  68. DutchGooner10 says:

    Will XL

    Absolutely landing that argumentation on the dot. It’s like AA is doing blind auditions which can’t ne denied the laurels and still ends up on the wrong side of the x-factor;X X X.

  69. allezkev says:

    Rico, how many subs are you allowed in Europe?
    Surely there’s enough places for all the above to be involved??

  70. Will XL says:

    Dutchgooner, can’t be fair, can it?

    I’m just hoping whoever is picked will justify Wenger’s choices.

  71. Micko says:

    You playing devil’s advocate rico, think they both were.
    Hi dutch, long time matey, you over the dreaded lergy.

  72. DutchGooner10 says:

    Will XL Telling AA touted this week his 4 month Zenith-loan spell as pinnacle and one of the happier periods in his ENTIRE life. He must have thought: nough said.

  73. TalkShiteGingerHater says:

    rico concerning your comment at 3:41 pm it is difficult to tell. Because over our recent barren period we have had players from Henry, Gallas, PV even TR7 to an extend and most recently MA08 who seem to talk a lot before a game starts during the warm up. However, that does not seem to translate unto the field during matches.

    For example 2 seasons ago (that infamous 4-4 match)when ‘you know who’ was telling Diaby off at Newcastle before he got sent off, he didn’t want to know. Last season CJ25 at the Old manure ground was instructing TW14 to do something but he didn’t want to know either. Last weekend both CJ25 and Kozzer were instructing the Ox but it does not appear that he was in a hurry to do what he had been asked to do.

    So is the problem to do with lack of leadership on the pitch as the media like to say or the fact that we have had too many youngster recently who do not have the humanity to put the team first instead of thinking |I am better than you therefore you can’t tell me what to do!

    What do you think?

  74. DutchGooner10 says:

    Had to Google Poteen, that stuff will sterilize every atom in your body. Kill or cure depends on the dosing.

  75. rico says:

    Tsgh – you know what, i think you have just hit the nail on the had. It’s not about the teaching, it’s the lack of willing to listen and learn.

    Big wages, big egos, and even in the younger players.

    Walcott, 22 years old and not world class, but his attitude stinks, he swans around with his chest stuck out thinking he is Thierry Henry….

    I know the players are responsible for themselves but I don’t think it helps when a manager wraps them in cotton wool and says little wrong about them, they will never change their ways…

    I wonder if anyone like Bould and Wenger have taken him to once side and given him a dressing down….

  76. devilgunner says:

    Good evening my Esteemed Fellow Gunners.

    Rico 3.41 and TSGH 6.45 you are both right. Remember Seaman pinning a young player to the wall simply because he answered back to TA.

    We do not have that. Simply because AW does not tolerate it.

    Enter Jenks and Dench. Soon they will be telling others what to do.

    We need them to have balls to pin someone to the wall or goal post if they refuse to do as they are told.

  77. rico says:

    Evening devil, I thought Bould might bring a bit more ‘attitude’ with him. AW has started to publicly mention areas after we have messed up, maybe things are changing but…..

  78. devilgunner says:

    Evening Lady

    Not staying much on tonight. I have a very bad back all of a sudden.

    AW never allows shouting from the touchline. He did it with Pat Rice once.

  79. rico says:

    Oh dear, not so good about your back devil, best you go and rest up…

    It’s about time AW changed then imho….

  80. devilgunner says:

    United are so narrow at the moment. It’s almost playing into Cluj’s hands.

    Is this a trait of having van pussy in the first team.

  81. TalkShiteGingerHater says:

    AW started to more open about things from Feb this year after the Milan match. There was no excuse anymore as that performance was unprofessional.

  82. rico says:

    Hi Tsgh…

    Where’s that bloomin Kt these days, looks like no Euro post from him, another negative one from me in the morning then 😉

  83. TalkShiteGingerHater says:

    Reading Lehmanns interview, it appears Aw does not mind some form of debate/confrontation. I do not quite understand why things look so placid in the team. My thoughts based on the media and some ex-players

  84. rico says:

    I read that/V with Jens, he had AW had a few of those didn’t they Tsgh, mind you, Jens wasn’t afraid of anyone really…

    What makes you ask that about Tv?

  85. rico says:

    From his comments recently made one would have to say he’s going nowhere but, never say never i guess….

  86. TalkShiteGingerHater says:

    Just his reaction after the Begium vs Holland friendly when the Journo informed him that man was going to manure.

    Additionally, the ‘captains curse’ as I like to call it. Before this season I thought he was a vocal no nonsense type of player but since then if you didn’t know who the captain was you would think it is MA08. Especially before matches during warm up where MA08 does most of the talking.

    I dont obviously dont know what goes on in the dressing room but usually a player would have come out to say what a fantastic captain he is etc.

  87. rico says:

    I can see where you are coming from, he doesn’t say a lot on the official site either, Arteta is doing that too….

    I didn’t want to mention the curse of the armband….

    Do you think he is playing as well as he used to?

  88. TalkShiteGingerHater says:

    His reaction seemed very genuine during that interview I mentioned earlier. I am probably just reading too much into it as I always do.lol. But from what I have heard from someone who is very close to one of our english players, up until half time of the Koln match, they all thought that man was staying. Even Van Gaal thought so based on his interview. Everyone thought that man was going to start the 2nd half of the match but it seems like something changed at half time.

    Was it Poldis performance, or a call from Gardiz to say a bid has been made that changed everything.

    Anyway to answer your question if you analyse his performance during the far east tour and his most recent performance there seem to be less TV in it. Is that to do with Bould telling him to curb certain things, possibly. So I do think his performance has dipped however he has been very solid for the Belgians.

    His interview after the montepellier match was also interesting. There was less ‘we’ in it especially when he was asked about the penalty incident. His response seemed a tard impervious.

  89. DutchGooner10 says:

    TSGH

    Relax this season Usmanov will launch his takeover me thinks. That will be the end of the profit policy. Remember a ghost bought the necessary shares to do so a month and a half ago.

  90. allezkev says:

    What’s the point of Wenger criticising the French Federation for playing Diaby?
    They don’t give a shit.

    Maybe Diaby should have told them that he needed a rest, during the last Interlull..?
    Would it not make a huge change, if these players’ put the club first.
    Talk is cheap. If Diaby really wanted to repay the club and Wenger, then he could have refused the French call-up last month…
    Fat chance of that..!

  91. Will XL says:

    I won’t knock anyone for wanting to represent their country at the highest level. It’s an Honour that not a lot of ppl get. Maybe compensating the clubs for player injuries is a decent sounding a alternative, but think about the FAs of smaller countries that don’t have that kind of money. I think the international/club battle is one that we just have to live with… Until the World Cup is abolished… And we all know that will never happen.

  92. rico says:

    Devil, that’s is exactly why I was so livid about us losing, and still am. Chelsea are very average, as are both the Manchester sides so far this season.

    We should have beaten both Citeh and Chelsea, had we done so, we’d be right up there in the league and confidence sky high…

  93. rico says:

    Ak, agree, players should put their club first at times like Diaby is at right now, all the time he was injured we paid his wages, but players forget that.

    RvP did and we suffered, now the same thing Diaby.

    The club can’t really do much about it as if they are playing for us, they can’t stop them but I strongly suspect both Jack and Sagna would have been back earlier had this next international break not been so close.

    We all know both would be selected.

  94. rico says:

    Will, I think countries aleady have to pay compensation when players suffer injury on international duty. England had to pay out for Rooney (I think)

  95. Scott from Oz says:

    Sorry Rico,put i would never,ever expect a healthy player to put club over country.
    An unfit player shouldn’t ever be picked by club OR country.
    Morning all.
    Scott.

  96. Scott from Oz says:

    It doesn’t matter to me.
    Representing your country is the ultimate,and must be respected.
    The thing is managers of national sides should be a hell of a lot more empathetic to the views of clubs with players like Diaby,but i’d never hold it against the player.

  97. rico says:

    We differ there Scott…

    International managers only care about one thing, that is their country and the results. They won’t care if a player is then out for a few weeks/months. Unless there is another international game coming up…

  98. TalkShiteGingerHater says:

    Morning,

    Another interesting interview comments from AW.ie there being enough cover in DM areas.Also AW saying the Ox was occupying Diaby’s position instead of Ramsey last weekend.

  99. rico says:

    Morning Tsgh… And he is saying that Diaby would have prevent both goals I read…

    New post is up, the Diaby/International debate, to be continued 😉

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