Morning all.
Rumours are flying around which suggest that when the new season kicks off, Petr Cech will be wearing the captains armband and I’m not surprised.
Mikel Arteta is being heavily tipped to retire from playing in the summer to take up a coaching role and it’s unlikely that Per Mertesacker will be a guaranteed starter each week. I think we’ve seen recently that when fit, Gabriel is more likely to be the manager’s first choice. Calum Chambers will be another year older and wiser and one would like to think that the defence is an area Arsene Wenger will strengthen in come the summer.
The captain situation has been a bit of a disaster over recent years, perhaps it’s not since Patrick Vieira retired have we seen a true leader in the camp. Yes, Thierry led by example, his goals did that alone but a true team leader doesn’t do what he did to Reyes. Great player, not such a great captain imo.
What about Laurent Koscielny though? Not for me as he always seems to be a quiet guy on the pitch, simply going about his business the best he can but I don’t think he’s the kind of guys to kick the players up the butt during a match when the chips are down.
Santi Cazorla has at times worn the armband but to appoint him would be wrong imo, he too is another great player, but a leader? I’m not sure he has that quality in him.
I’m not keen on attacking players being appointed captain so that rules out Alexis imo.
I always thought the captains armband would go to Jack Wilshere one day, for club and country but his injury woes and subsequent lack of playing time has perhaps quashed any chance of that happening.
Aaron Ramsey is a possibility but I suspect he’d not want such a responsibility so soon after his Wales disaster.
I can’t think of anyone else so Petr Cech it is then…..
Coquelin.
When fit, one of the first names on the team sheet.
He’s very vocal, as well, and young enough to establish himself long term as a leader.
Morning all.
Good Morning lovelies and hunkies.
Now that’s a good question boss. Who should be captain.
IMO it should be Coquelin. He fights for the team, is not afraid to tell players off and is right in the middle. Cech would be great but if the team is camped in the opposition’s penalty area how is he going to make himself heard?
I saw your headline and was going to say it will be Petr Cech over Jackie any day really but realised you did have some sense after all about Jackie.
His is a sad story tbh. He’ll be sold in a year or two unless Arsenal feels generous doing another Diaby for 10 years.
Think it’s a bit too early for Coquelin imo..
But I do prefer an outfield player, not a forward though…
🙂 Gordon, I’m nothing but sensible… lol
Have never believed that a goalkeeper makes an effective captain – too many isolated periods in a game. Jack has all the passion, but alas, not appearances. If he stayed injury free, then yes. Other than that, I’d maybe opt for Sanchez.
I’d give the captains armband to Sanogo…
Morning All…
Morning Rico.
That post was so good it took my breath away… ?
I do hope that the FAYC tie with Liverpool, isn’t an all-ticket affair…
Games like those are the perfect chance to take kids along and encourage the next generation and not having to mess about booking tickets and instead having the option to turn up on the night, seems more customer-friendly,
but sadly the box-office seems more interested in what suits them and makes their life easy, rather than helping the fans/customers
Morning Kev. Are you going?
Morning, Rico, 🙂
I think you summed it up very well.
We do not know what ‘goodies’ we will get in the summer, as Arsene cannot go through another fallow period of no-purchases, so who knows, maybe someone with outfield captain material may be among them.
In the meantime, although not a perfect solution, someone with Cech’s class and huge experience is a good call.
Rico, if it isn’t all-ticket and I can make a decision on the day, then yes, I might go, but I ain’t messing about with tickets…
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/brian-reade-column-players-managers-7387970
Morning Henry. Cech is certainly the most qualified I’d have thought, or Alexis.
Fingers crossed then Kev. If I lived nearer, I’d love to go with you… Be great to see the next generation playing…
Arsène Wenger has revealed the latest team news ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup fifth-round tie against Hull City:
on Laurent Koscielny…
Koscielny is doing well. He has a test this morning and he looks positive.
on Gabriel…
He is running outside. He is out for Saturday.
on rotating the squad…
I will, as always, play a team who has a good chance to qualify. The normal squad is involved on Saturday. It is a normal squad and we’ll play a usual strong team.
on if Elneny could play…
Elneny is fit. He is one of the players who could get a run [out] there. He’s mobile, he’s a very good player. He’s adapting at the moment and I think he’s there now. We’ll certainly see him against Hull. He has a chance to start.
Read more at http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20160218/team-news-koscielny-gabriel-and-elneny?#7OvCwJjL4MHB36Sy.99
Morning Rico and all. I rather think that Wenger likes to operate a democracy and has never really gone in for captains in the Tony Adams mould. For me a captain should be the player with the ability to read the game and make judgements as to the state of play. I don’t think he should be the one that shouts the loudest or clenches his fists the most. He must also have the respect and trust of the others players. This would suggest Cech to me although the whole goalkeeper/captain thing is less than ideal.
Morning Adam. I don’t think there are too many options within the squad…
Reading the comments made by Nacho Monreal, it would seem that every player has great respect for each and every team-mate…
I do not think its too early for Coquelin Rico. Tony Adams was younger. Plus Coquelin has the necessary drive in him to lead others. I see what you mean when you suggest Cech, but for me there are only two options…..a CB or a DM. Any other position can be a liability.
What would Cech do if our players are attacking in the opposition box and something happens? He is too far away from the hub of play. Coquelin will have the play around him and he will grow into the captain’s role. Plus his desire to win will surely rub on the others.
There are coaches who say that the captain should never be the goalkeeper, even though it is the oldest player, etc.
One of them is the Benfica coach.
As AW is not a very interventionist manager in the game, I think it’s not a good idea goalkeeper to be the captain. It is my analysis and I speak from my own experience.
Rico. I agree. The captain should be one of the first names on the team sheet. I just don’t think Wenger is that bothered.
Arsène Wenger has revealed the latest team news ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup fifth-round tie against Hull City:
on Laurent Koscielny…
Koscielny is doing well. He has a test this morning and he looks positive.
Read more at http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20160218/team-news-koscielny-gabriel-and-elneny#DLCwv7JfdUmKv0Ad.99
Yeah, that would be great to go with you Rico, as long as you didn’t start singing. ?
Just a view Devil..
Afternoon, rico, what happened between Henry and Reyes, did he yell at him for a misplaced pass?
Cech is ideal as a player with great integrity needed when speaking to the ref and media. Really defence and attack should have players who can shout and organize without an armband. He’d get my vote. If we win anything under him, it be even sweeter for Chelski fans seeing it!
Ah, I should have caught up on the comments before posting… ?
11:42 Kev 😉 😉
I think he goes with sentiment Adam..
Hi Andrew, wasn’t it the glares etc after a misplaced pass?
A fit Jack Wilshere would make a good captain imo, being Arsenal through and through. It would certainly mean more to him to lead the team than maybe a few others we could mention…
But until he stays fit for a season or two, that looks a pipe dream…
Coquelin is a good shout also…
I’ll stay quiet Kev, I promise… Lol
Rico. I think he goes with whoever he wants to stay and sign a new contract. It’ll be Ozil then. 🙂
rico, I always like it after a dire cross or pass, where the offender just raises his hand to acknowledge it. About 50% of players do, the other half just keep their heads down.
Ozil would be the worst! I know he cant hep his face, but that look of disinterest he has at times would be really inspiring!!! Nice that occasionally you see the odd smile on the pitch now.
Or those he plans to sell eventually Adam…
True Rico. Do you see Ozil at Arsenal next season?
If only Thierry had kept his head down Andrew… Lol
I do Adam, and Alexis. You don’t I take it?
Dunno Rico.
Do you think he wants out, or Arsenal won’t pay what they need to in order to keep him?
>> If only Thierry had kept his head down Andrew… Lol
And his hands 😉
?? Those too….
London Fashion Week starts tomorrow…
Just saying, as I know that Mick would wanna know…
Haven’t seen Micko on here for a while, perhaps he’s on his way over to walk the red carpet… Lol
Rico. Ozil s a top player and getting on for being unique in many ways. The question is, with him and Alexis, do they see Arsenal as a team that are able to compete with the very best? If not then, who knows? Having said that, there are only a handful of teams who could accommodate him from a quality and financial position. I have no idea whether he will stay or not, beyond the final year(s) of his contract.
My favourite legend is 49 today. Answers on a postcard, but no prizes if Ginge guesses who it is.
Adam, surely they can both see the club is not far away from being right at the top of the game. A bit of spending and a few new ideas is all what’s lacking imo. A more dynamic owner/board wouldn’t go amiss either but I doubt that’ll happen any time soon….
That is certainly a matter of opinion Rico. It depends how they see it. The club was in a great position last summer too and not a lot happened. In this, the strangest of seasons, we should be, conservatively, 8-10 points better off.
Rico/Adam, I think the Ozil/Alexis scenario is classic agent inspired.
The agent wants to up the ante so he can get his client a nice pay rise, plus a nice little earner into his own skyrocket for smoothing things thru…
Such is life, in the mad, crazy world of football finance…
It is Adam.
I agree that it all depends on how they see things but as we all know, often a player is interested in money ahead of anything else. Not convinced that would be the case with either, certainly not Alexis imo.
As for the points, I agree, on paper we could so easily be many points ahead of the rest but I bet the City, Utd and Chelsea fans think the same about their club.
Until Wenger changes, or Kroenke replaces him, I doubt much will change… Sadly…
I imagine that thought has probably crossed Ozil’s mind too Rico. 🙂
Not a lot of change.
I am not really concerned about other clubs but I know we have thrown away far, far too many points.
As do I Kev and unless they go, I’m not overly fussed tbh.. It’s all speculation and stirring imo..
I’m more interred in who’s signing in the summer and us winning our remains matches and securing the league title… 🙂
I’m not fussed about other clubs either Adam, just saying that whilst we think we should be topping the table, other clubs may feel the same…
Catch up in a bit, walk time in the sunshine for me…
I can’t see how Man Utd or Chelsea could believe they should be topping the table and Man City just haven’t played well enough. Like us
Why not? Both have good enough squads, especially Chelsea, but like us, they haven’t always played well…
Chelsea lost far too many points early on and even Man Utd fans say that they don’t deserve it because they know they have been bad this year. Man City have it all going for them but their inconsistencies plus the silly premature announcement of Pep’s arrival has pulled the rug from under Pellegrinni’s feet. Arsene always said that a manger in the last year is ineffectual and they seem to be proving his point.
It seems bizarre to me that Wenger buys probably the best no10 in Europe and we don’t have a striker of equal quality…. imagine Lewandowski playing in front of him???
Brudder
The squad will need some serious additions in the summer if we are to compete…
I know Brudder, yet again we are so close but Wenger sees it so differently…..
Its a fine line Brudder. 🙂
Interesting to see which clubs have caught the injury disease…
West Ham: 9 players out.
Newcastle: 11 players out.
Man Ure: 12 players out.
If Kozzer passes fit for this weekend, that’ll leave Arsenal with a minuscule 5 players out injured…
I get that Adam, but I meant from the start of the season both sets of fans would have thought they had enough in their squad to win the PL…
But I’m not sure many Arsenal fans thought the same, not after such a shambolic transfer window….
Santi is back soon too Kev..
I agree with you Rico.
Now I know you are being ironic Adam.
Not me Rico.
? Adam..
Good read Rico. In my opinion certain guys
show their leaderships skills regardless of
titles, Cech and Coquelin are prime examples –
they will be vocal and leaders regardless. But there are
some guys that need the title in order to show
leadership qualities. Most importantly a captain
has to play regularly and must also provide stability.
As much as he frustrates the heck out of me, I think Ramsey
will be a good ARSENAL captain. Although his experience with Wales
wasn’t the best, I think that Arsenal will be different simply
because Wenger will support him 100%. Good or
bad game the dude don’t hang his head and you can’t never fault his
efforts. I believe he will be an Arsenal player for a long time and Wenger
always plays him… regardless.
Obi, I think Ramsey has too much going on with his game to worry about having such a burden on his shoulders..
Night all.
Good Morning Lovelies and Hunkies.
Sun is shining here. Such a beautiful day.
Morning all..
Sunny here too but freezing… 😉
Do you think its time AW offered JW and the Ox to Everton in Exchange for Delph and Stones??
Can’t see either manager going for that deal…
New post up.
Especially as Delph doesn’t play for Everton.
Morning Rico and all.