Morning all.
Bored? Me too and the international fixtures haven’t even kicked off yet!
Calum Chambers will get some playing time today as he’ll line up for the England under 21’s and England manager Gareth Southgate isn’t overly concerned about the lack of playing time at Arsenal:
He is important for us. At the moment he is in the transition of becoming a central defender from a full back. I still think he can be a very good full back. I don’t think he should rule that out in his mind. The ability to play both roles at that age is important.
His Arsenal career hasn’t really taken off yet but with Koscielny, Gabriel and Mertesacker ahead of him, it was always going to be difficult for him to break through. Whether Arsene Wenger remains hopeful about Chambers flourishing at right-back remains to be seen but somehow I doubt it. With Hector Bellerin proving to be our best in that position, Debuchy behind him and Carl Jenkinson still an Arsenal player, Chambers career path seems to be blocked in all positions.
But what about central midfield?
Francis Coquelin, Mathieu Flamini and Mikel Arteta. One of those is perhaps one of the first few names on the team-sheet each game but what happens when Coquelin needs a rest or gets injured? Flamini or Arteta? For his brains, it has to be Arteta but these days his body can’t cope with two games in a week can it? Flamini, well he’s a bit of a headless chicken and isn’t disciplined enough to be relied on imo, especially in the ‘big games’.
So, perhaps this is where Calum Chambers could be utilised. It’s not such a mad idea as it sounds, honest. I know that many of us believe that the midfield problem should have been addressed long before now and it should but as we enter into a hectic schedule, the manager has to get the best and most from who/what he has and I think I’m right in saying that Chambers started his career as a defensive midfielder, or he has at least played in that position whilst at Southampton.
Arsene Wenger loves players who can play in many different positions, or should that be he loves to play players out of position, so why not give Chambers a try in midfield? I’m not suggesting he gets thrown in on his own to sink or swim, nor am I suggesting playing him in the expected tougher games but why not play him alongside Coquelin for a game, or Arteta and see what happens. You never know, such a move might save Arsene Wenger a few quid…. 😉
So you’re all thinking I’m mad eh?
Anyway, according to he who knows everything about Arsenal, John Cross reckons Alexis Sanchez will be taking a break real soon. Arsene Wenger fears the Chilean is heading for a burnout after a short break in the summer and having played so many matches this season. Well it doesn’t take a genius to work that one out does it, the poor bloke has played far too many games on the trot and throw in international fixtures too, he must be exhausted. But he loves to play and leaving him on the bench is always tough for Arsene Wenger.
So, if he set for a little break, who replaces him?
Over to you….
Have a great day guys and gals…
Morning Rico, All…
Good post…
I actually doubted you wrote some of the paragraphs but we learn every day. Chambers? After how he nearly lost us the match against Liverpool, I won’t ever throw him at the deep end unless when absolutely necessary…he hasn’t done well at right back either…otherwise him and not Bellerin would have been the one ahead of Debuchy now. But I trust Wenger…if Le Prof didn’t see enough good in him he wouldn’t have splashed so much cash to get him over. Let the prof use the ex-Sooton star whenever and however appropriate.
Sanchez? I always believed the nearest player to Sanchez in our squad is Ox-Chamberlain. Wenger shouldn’t think twice to use the Ox to give Sanchez the deserved rest…And I’d do it by starting Ox in next two EPL matches while bringing on Sanchez 25 minutes to go in both matches.
Morning again Rico. It was McCarthy from Everton who did the dirty deed.
Morning Tai and all again..
‘I actually doubted you wrote some of the paragraphs but we learn every day.’
What’s that supposed to mean exactly?
Morning Adam. I didn’t know that, thanks. That’s unlike McCarthy isn’t it?
Calum chambers is one level headed lad. He ll have a hell of a career. His confidence wad shattered against Swansea when arsene kept him on the wings despite him being tormented by montero. Before that game he held his own. Wenger did good for keeping out of the firing line. We don’t need another senderos on our hands. He ll take over from per eventually. Morning lovely people.
Adamant
Howdy rico..cold are ya??
Rico, you calling on Wenger to play players out of position. Never knew you’d make such call.
Morning Goonster..
Tai – Well Chambers needs to be something for his money and he’s not going to get a game at Rb or Cb is he…
He’s played Cdm before and he might just be useful..
Not ideal I know….
Rico, I share your idea on that…I only pointed out something…the way you certainly would have done if I posted it.
Somehow I doubt it Tai….
MC Carthy has been a dirty bag since his days at WBA- Adam
Hi Tai…
Good read Rico. Personally, I am not sold on the young lad.He is still learning but great CB’s can be spotted from a mile away…; maybe he will be like Keown who grows into a proper CB…
He should be our new Grimandi though…; a very useful utility man…
good afternoon all.. Calum as a CDM sounds good to me.
You doubt many things these days Rico. But I have no doubt…I know you would.
I’m far from sold on him either Ts. But he’s still young I guess, imo, he should have gone out on loan as sitting on the bench won’t improve him…
Hi Bondex…
Tai, you don’t ‘know’ anything when it comes to me so stop professing to do so. Not sure what’s up with you these days but you seem to think everyone is against you. Odd really…
I will remind you when you do
RIP Marton Fulop….
32 years old, taken by Cancer……
I think Danny is the natural replacement once (if) he’s fit, but who knows when that will be.
Afternoon All…
Afternoon Rico, another good post that certainly sparked some sparky debate…
Welbeck at Cdm Brian?
Afternoon Kev…
Ginge, I have to take you to task, yet again… ?
I saw Keown begin his career, from a callow youth in the youth team and reserves, remember his debut season, I might have even seen him make his debut, not sure now…
But at no time, in those early years, was he anything other than a centre-back…
He was a centre-back at Aston Villa and Everton.
And was only used as a def-mid by Graham because he already had plenty of centre-backs when he brought Martin home and for a temporary period…
Tbf to you, Martin did begin as a striker, when he was a schoolboy.
Here endeth the lesson… ?
His biggest problem is turning , that’s why he copped so many yellows grabbing hold of people as they went past him.Ideally CB with most of the play in front of him should be best but he needs a lot of positional training before he is first team ready.
Chambers that is.
Rico. Quite the usual stuff from McCarthy. Horrible player. Not devoid of talent but spiteful, like Mirrallas.
The only decent play I have seen from Chambers has been at RB and even that has been up and down. Wenger will probably persevere with him though.
He’s nowhere near being an Arsenal player at the moment as far as I can see.
So a loan then Potter?
Kev, had Keown stayed as striker, he could have been our Costa.. 😉
Adam, I thought he was pretty poor at Rb…
Goonster.
Rico. He was actually ok at times but, as Potter said, began grabbing onto players and incurring yellow cards. On the field he always looks a bit dreamy to me, rather like Gibbs although the latter has sharpened up a bit since he lost his place.
We’ll have to agree to differ Adam… 😉 But yes, his shirt tugging and pushing does let him down…
It’s a shame we didn’t experiment more in the CC games IMO, back up for Le Coq is a huge issue and neither Flamini or Arteta are good enough as we know from experience. Trying Chambers is worth a go, but I am not convinced he’s got what it takes. When he plays he often looks like a deer caught in headlights to me. Chambers would really benefit from a loan to get some games.
Alexis, well it might sound odd but I’d be happy to see Gibbs on the left wing, fast, can cross and tackle pretty well too. I think he played LW when he was younger so it’s not a huge leap. For me Campbell offers nothing, he slows things down and has yet to show anything to convince me he will be good enough. Kudos for his calm finish for his goal. Obviously Carzola can play on the wing but I think he’d be wasted there. BTW, if we have to replace Santi, right now my choice would be Arteta as he has all the skills and a good defensive head too.
Loan ? as you know I don’t like the system it rarely benefits the player . Still they learn what it’s like to sit on less comfortable inferior benches. Chambers is one in the long line of Wenger gambles , had his progress continued unabated he might have reached the standard of Southampton’s other full back that chose to go to Old Trafford and leaving us with expensive seconds..
Nice one on Keown as ever Kev… a bit of recap does no harm Sir
Rico. When he first came I watched him getting up and down the line quite well. All around me were quietly impressed. Then, after he got a roasting here and there he fell to pieces. But initially he looked decent.
Gibbs was a LW before; he was shite there…
Sol Campbell was a forward before too wasn’t he?
apparently we are looking to re-sign Oguzhan Ozyakup. That is another youngster I was sad to see leave.
On the LHS Serge should be playing there imho…Reine Adelade is an interesting one…
Ts I ve been following oguzhan for a while now. I watch almost all the games he’s involved in. He’s bulked up now too. Lol nice to have a fellow turk around if it turns out to be true. Ozster ll be thrilled 😀
Hey bondex how’s naija 😀
Good post Rico…
Chambers would be a good CB in time… He is still learning the role of CB… Probably he will take more time to establish him as a CB but when he does, he’ll be a good CB for Arsenal…
Till then he’ll be a jack of all(RB, CB & CDM) than a king of one…
As for using him as a CDM, it can and should be tried when absolutely necessary…
Goonie- Aw was close to signing turan last summer.That would have been another Turk. How he opted to sit on his backside for 6 months because of Barca’s il-doings is beyond me tbh…
I still can’t believe Aw signed Chambers for that much after Chambers had only played 20 odd games for the saints and as i said when we signed him then, he was losing form towards the end of the season too…
Maybe Aw read and believed the whole stats of no team winning the EPL without a British/English CB in the team before.
Only shitty can be argued as winning the EPL title with Lesscott and Richards being part players.
Adam, fair enough and to be fair, I recall the odd good game when he first arrived, but that was a long time ago now….
Or the right back who went to Liverpool Potter, he’s always looked pretty good imo..
I know what you mean about loans, but surely he’d learn more by playing than sitting on the bench each week…
Depends on whose bench he is sitting on. It was Luke Shaw I was referring to however.
I kind of like the idea of Gibbs going into the middle alongside Le Coq when we need a bit more pace and quicker tackling. Not sure why .
In this boring inter dull, that was a good Post, Rico. 🙂
Callum started off so brightly and looked like a good buy, but as soon as the other clubs sussed out that he is only marginally faster than Mert they gave him the run about, and his confidence melted like a 99 ice cream cone on a hot day.
We missed out on that Deli Ali that the Spuds got for £5m from MK Dons and he is probably worth £20m now with his England call up. For all Arsene’s parsimony with the money he can be a bit slow, as I understand Arsenal did not rate him.Stupid scouting system if that is true.
Keown wasn’t a diving cheat like Costa, but I can see where your coming from Rico…
Ginge, yes both Gibbs and Campbell started out as attacking players, you’re spot on, as did Ashley Cole, Sammy Nelson, Bellerin also I believe, Malcom Macdonald did it the other way around, as did Chris Whyte ?
Hello Ts…
I’m always on and off these days.
I’m never in any hurry to write off players, especially when they’re young and still learning.
The English FA, Press and even English Arsenal fans turned against Wenger for obviously not believing in English players. TBH I personally wouldn’t have been happy with Le Prof if I was English. He was improving the English League without improving the English players. All those trophyless years were quite frankly used to punish Wenger…match officials glaringly denied Arsenal points. Opposing players kicked the hell out of Arsenal players with the match officials even applauding. Arsene was only playing football while leaving the politics behind. He’s learned, the hard way, of course.
And Wenger has started turning a new leaf of late. With Wilshere, Walcott, Chamberlain, Gibbs, Welbeck, Chambers, Jenkinson, Wenger expressed hope that England would win the World Cup with six Arsenal players like Germany did with Bayern and Spain with Barca. And AW is usually a coach who would want to contribute meaningfully to any player that turns super star, he’s looking at Chambers as a player he’d get to stardom. Most times we fans don’t see exactly what he sees in players…but to have signed Chambers for that amount, there must be something positive we’re not seeing yet. While he’s trying to give England an Owen-type of striker in Theo fans are urging him to sign a ‘world class’ striker!
And more, is it a coincidence that this season has seen Arsenal getting less and less harsh officiating decisions? As far as I’m concerned, chalking off Ramsey’s goal against Liverpool is the only major decision to have gone against us this season…
Ginge, you watch a fair bit of foreign footie on TV, have you seen Ozyakup?
Any good??
Matic had to leave to progress, so it shouldn’t be seen as a failure to re-sign an ex-player…
Didn’t Wenger try to re-sign Seb Larsson?
Kev- not much Primeira recemtly i must admit. But i have mentioned on here a few occasions in the past why i always thought AW was wrong to drop JW for Ozyakup…
I use to catch the odd game between benfica vs Porto when falcao, Matic, octopus etc were around but these days I think its quite a sub
He was willing to stay but he claims Van Judas advised him to leave.
The thing is at youth level he wanted to play behind the main sriker like DB10 but he was never a goal scorer; these days he plays on the lhs, rhs instead of through the middle.
Seb turned us down when he was available from after he helped BCFC to win the CC against us…
I heard he was initially keen but after speaking with AW and he learnt that AW wanted him as a RB to compete with Sagna when Eboue was leaving, he decided to join Sunderland instead.
sorry drop Ozyakup for JW it should read at 3:12
I suppose it’s all down to luck as much as judgement Ginge…
Fran Merida did the same as Ozyakup and has disappeared off of the surface of the earth…
Wengers record isn’t bad when it comes to letting players leave. You are always gonna get the odd success story, but by and large AW’s judgement has been sound…
Agreed there Kev.
and in 8 out of 10 cases even in Frimpongs case, the players chose to leave…
Apart from Conor Henderson and I think Afobe whose contracts expired…
Very strange comments by Tyson Fury’s. What folks will say to promote a boxing fight… 🙁
Evening all..
Phew Kev, I wasn’t for one minute suggesting Keown was a cheat… 😉
Did you see Fran Merida said a few days ago that he should have been more patient and stayed at Arsenal…?
Malcom MacDonald had to swap from being a defensive player to a striker as the ball kept going through his legs… 😉
Did you get free milk when you went to school rico, it’s the small things in life you take for granted ! .
Kev 12.26, spot on, Adams and Keown were both fighting for the same spot at the time, was always gonna end in tears, think everyone at the club was happy to see him come back.
I did Micko. Sometimes the tops were intact, but in the summer the birds pecked them and when winter came, frozen! Things just aren’t the same….
Evening rico and the house
Micko I’d say you got your milk straight from the dairy
Maybe Malcolm didn’t have a milkman rico !
How’s you Malaga, watch out, watch out there’s a Humphrey about !
Hi Mg..
Or perhaps he did have a milkman Micko…. Too many.. Lol
Evening Rico.
Evening Adam. Did you enjoy the boat race….? ?
When was that Rico?
Four in a bed Adam…. 😉
I’m off guys, have a date with ‘River’ – catch up tomorrow…
Night all..
Oops sorry. Got waylaid. I missed it Rico. 🙂
Hi all.
Now that Ox and Ramsey will be back, I’d say play ox on the right. Our next 2-3 games aren’t against ‘big’ clubs. We can rest Sanchez then -bar UCL games- and even experiment that Chambers in the middle idea.
Ox on the left is what I meant.
I thought that’s what you meant Marshall !
rico, your not wrong, a carton of milk from Aldi’s will last you 10 days now, it don’t add up, if fact it don’t bear thinking about………..never guess it was the International break would you !
Malaga, have you any doubts, when I say doubts I mean not about Arsene but tomorrows game of course ?
Ah the cost of a pint of milk….
Now there’s a question?
Night All
Tell me Kozzer couldn’t play DM……….
Anyone?
I’m positive he’d be even better than he is at CB and you all know how highly I rate him there.
Morning all 🙂 🙂
Morning Scott, Kev and all.
Koscielny could play anywhere. CB, Cdm or even CF if he wanted… 😉
Take him out of the defence though and what are we left with?
Rico, Gabriel and Merts, with Chambers as back up…Nacho and Debuchy can fill the void as well….but this is only if Coquelin needs a let up.
Of course, buying a DM in January solves the problem as well lol
I prefer the ‘signing a DM in January’ option Scott… 😉
Morning Rico and all. I’d play him wide left, in Ramsey’s position.
Yeah but I’m being realistic hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Morning Adam. Ramsey is wide right these days. Wonder where he’ll play next……
That’s an interesting question Rico.
Depends if Cech gets injured lol
Central midfield perhaps Adam. 😉
CM?why not. Next to Coq?
Rico. Pinged you a Whatsapp. 🙂
Makes sense to me Adam…
And Santi?
New one up now..