Morning all.
Roger has written today’s post:
Bromance and the surprising ways that Flamini brings out the best of Ozil.
While we continue to hang in this pre-season purgatory it’s the little things that give me a buzz. I love the video of the effervescent Santi nodding headers round a circle of Arsenal players in the hotel pool in Singapore, and the players bursting into song when they win their game. If you have seen the video, you can watch it HERE. Full power lad-ship and bro love!
Actually, that’s a big part of what pre-season is all about – serious fun ahead of what will surely be a long and testing season. When I see the boys knocking headers around the pool like that it helps to remind you that they are actually young guys at heart, enjoying their lives just like we would have at their age. Or heck, at any age.
There are a lot of things about the dynamics and camaraderie of the team that we don’t see as fans and it’s this energy which really helps a team through a long season. Arsene Wenger often alludes to this magic energy in terms of ‘cohesion’ or ‘balance’ or ‘spirit’. On numerous occasions this has been a justification for why Wenger doesn’t dive deeper into the transfer market. And recent failed examples of Liverpool, Spurs or Man Utd throwing around £100 million in a window suggest that Wenger isn’t half wrong about this magic energy.
When I think back to the Invincibles, I remember Toure describing the team like a ‘band of brothers’ and when I see the boys having a right old time in the pool I’m reminded that this is exactly the spirit which is going to give us a real shot at the title this season.
The photo posted yesterday is a cracker. The ultimate alpha-lad, Giroud, is trying to impress anyone who is watching. The photo is great because there is just enough space above the heads of the mildly impressed Ozil and Flamini to add some thought bubbles… (Go on, add yours in the comments section).
This photo triggered me to remember a video I saw on the Arsenal facebook page a few months ago for the Arsenal Alternative Awards. And the biggest bromance award at Arsenal goes to….. drum roll please… Mesut Ozil and Mathieu Flamini!
Who would’ve thought it? The most unlikely bro-couple are apparently inseparable. ‘The bond is strong!’ says Welbeck, ‘They are twins! ‘ laughs Kosha, ‘Them 2 will always be together’ grins Walcott.
If you haven’t seen the Alternative Awards video, check it out HERE, it’s hilarious.
Now you might have noticed that Flamini and Ozil were not in the Santis water circle video, which doesn’t mean anything as somehow you just know they were hanging out together somewhere else.
My impressions of Ozil are that he is a little more socially awkward than some of the characters at the club since Ozil arrived. Think Podolski, Wilshere, Giroud and Ramsey and many others, all with a twinkle in their eye and who bond effortlessly with their team-mates.
Ozil comes across as a little more… stiff. You’ve probably seen a few cardboard match interviews or that kind of awkward recent video of Ozil naming the best 11 he has ever played with (and ‘forgetting’ to add many Arsenal players!).
Mesut doesn’t come across as someone who blends in a group naturally and easily or being someone who is at ease in any foreign environment. Of course I could be completely wrong but I see a young guy arriving from a foreign country, speaking broken English and maybe not finding it quite so easy to fit in. Everyone needs good friends to be at their best and any player who is having fun in his life, feeling like he is living his dream at Arsenal, will be a better player and that’s where Flamini comes in.
Flamini gets his share of footballing criticism on HH and elsewhere and I’m not going to pretend that Flamini is a wonderful player, and at times he can be frustrating on the field that’s for sure and I don’t think he’s starting 11 material for Arsenal these days. But at the same time, he is an honest player, doing his best and clearly caring about the team, and frankly some of the criticism is over the top imo. Consider too that he came back to us on a free transfer so he wants to be here and he doesn’t suck down an exorbitant wage.
Until recently I thought that Flamini should probably depart so Arsene Wenger can buy another DM but I’ve revised my position as I don’t think Flamini is preventing us from buying a Schneiderlin-esqe DM. We should still absolutely buy a top quality DM regardless, however Flamini is good enough for League Cup games and to face lower table teams in PL, helping to rest a few players when injuries set in and the fixtures pile up.
But his real value is off the pitch, behind the scenes where we don’t see him and what statistics can’t measure. Flamini is Ozil’s best mate and this makes one of our stars really happy to be at Arsenal and when Ozil is happy, Arsenal’s midfield purrs. This is the surprising value of Flamini and how he helps to bring the best out of Ozil.
A strong team bond is how we will win the League.
Gossip and other stuff:
Hector Bellerin has signed a new long-term contract which is great news.
Mathieu Flamini could be on his way to Galatasaray where he’ll link up with Lukas Podolski if such a move does take place.
Ivan Gazidis has hinted that Arsene Wenger may stay on after his current contract expires!
Yoann Gourcuff is a free agent and Arsenal together with Liverpool and City are trying to sign him according to Shoot.
Nacho Monreal has said he’s very happy at Arsenal but in other headlines, Ghoulam could sign this week so one of Monreal or Gibbs must surely be on their way out. Either that or Arsene Wenger will turn the 6′ 2″ Algerian left-back into a centre-back…
That’s it for Saturday, don’t forget we kick off at 1.30 against Everton and it’s live on Sky Sports 1.
Morning again all.
Good post Roger, but I hope Flamini goes. He’s taking up a place in the squad which someone better could fill. Ozil will have to find a new best mate… lol
Seriously hope the Galatasaray story is true…
Morning Rico and all
Nice read rodger
Hope their right about flamini rico, surely we wll have to buy a DM if he goes
Morning Mg, you’d think so eh…
Good post Roger, great clips aren’t they?
Caption – Make the most of it Oli, Benzies coming 😉
🙂 Andrew, I like that…
I don’t think benzama is a target, wenger never makes a comment about a player
I think we need to look outside the benzama rumours.
Go get lewandowski
Last season, I thought that myself, what you said of Flamini except the Ozil part. Now though I think its time to make way so we can get back to Arsenal being a contender, we need to free up space in order for that to happen. Arsene will not bring in another if he has three there already and am not even sure he would with two. I would honestly rather see Beilik and or Chambers given the nod but throwing them in too early could set them back some what so we need another. I am one of the fans who thinks Arteta would do admirably in this new hard working set up and last season it was not all on coq being a monster as it was obviously a shift in the teams attitude. Dont underestimate Arteta, he is a tough competitor and very smart dude. We cant be certain if hell stay fit, nor can we with anyone so we need another and one who is better than Flamini and less rash.
Good point Mg, and he and Pep get on well don’t they? lol
Good article right up to where you say Flamini should stay. Every time he came on last season he was well off the pace. It even showed against Singapore earlier this week. He is taking up a squad place and being paid unnecessary wages that could be better spent elsewhere. He was great during his first spell at the club, when he then let us down and although a reasonable and cheap stopgap this time round he is now redundant. Hopefully he will join that other disappointment Podolski in Turkey. Just buy Ozil a puppy.
Sundance, good comment although I’m not one who is thrilled Arteta is staying but if Flamini goes and he’s replaced properly, Arteta can play an odd game here and there..
Jim, ‘get Ozil a puppy’ – 🙂
Evening standard saying the shit told to use the Emirates as a grpund share while they build they build the toilet
Nice post Roger, even after all the hard work to mane a cogent argument to keep Flamini Rico dismisses it in her first post it’s a hard audience on HH. 🙂
I know we don’t have arguments on HH Rico. 😉
To make…..
Don’t let me stop you defending Flamini Joe, or at least trying to…. 😉
That’ll never happen Mg.. imo
MG good morning, spurs and the PL can go do one.
Rico I couldn’t do a better job than Roger.
Since Diaby has left Rico i’av lost my crusading zeal on behalf of iffy Arsenal players.
I don’t think anyone could Joe…
Thanks guys for the comments! just came back from my own football. Hope you enjoyed a cheeky different angle on the boys, obviously dont take it too seriously but theres a bigger message in there somewhere!
And thanks rico for publishing 🙂
Morning joe
They can go and shite
Jim ! Puppy is a great idea. It can play with Alexis dogs where it can learn to track back
Morning Roger, my pleasure and I’ll always post guest articles, even if I don’t agree with them… 😉
I really enjoyed reading it though and I can see your point about keeping Ozil happy but he should do that for himself by playing good football. Loved the vids…
Good Afternoon Lovelies and Hunkies.
Brilliant Roger. I liked the style and the subject. I really enjoyed reading it.
When I read the headline I thought that Rico had a stroke of the sun. But then when I read it through I was smiling. I really enjoyed it.
What is the line up going to be do you think lads and lass???
imo I would go for……
Cech
Bellerin, Per, Kos, Gibbs
Coquelin
Aaron,Cazorla, Ozil, Theo
Ollie
But I feel that AW will go out with a different line up.
Maybe you should give Ozil one of your chicks.
A chick a day
keeps Ozil
happy and gay.
I reckon Wilshere will be on the left Devil… lol
Arsenal: Cech, Bellerin, Koscielny, Chambers, Gibbs, Ramsey, Cazorla, Wilshere, Ozil, Walcott, Giroud
Arsenal subs: Szczesny, Debuchy, Gabriel, Arteta, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Monreal, Flamini, Coquelin, Akpom, Iwobi
the team is out…..
Cech, Bellerin, Koscielny, Chambers, Gibbs, Ramsey, Cazorla, Wilshere, Ozil, Walcott, Giroud.
Subs: Szczesny, Debuchy, Gabriel, Arteta, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Monreal, Flamini, Coquelin, Akpom, Iwobi
Akpom and Iwobi have earned their place on the subs’ bench.
Good.
I feel they will feature more this season
No DM then….
I feel that Santi will be playing the Pivote system, with Aaron B2B and Ozil more advanced.
Wilshere and Theo to flank Ollie.
however I think Jack will drop more back and inside to partner Ozil while Gibbs overlaps and act as a winger.
theo will stay more upfield and partner Ollie.
Which is wrong imo……as the flanks will be exposed leaving our back line vulnerable.
Seeing Cech in our colours is surreal.
still cannot believe it.
Haven’t seen that for a while. A goal kick lands at the foot of an Arsenal player… lol
It’s great isn’t it Devil re Cech.
Walcott is defending, goodness me….
I was waiting for a goal kick eagerly Rico. And I could not believe my eyes..
Litlle things yes.
but things which make a difference.
Makes a huge difference imo…
Great goal..
Theeeeeooooooooooooooooo
Theo looks stronger…
Giroud looks slower… 😉
I like the idea of partnerships.
i think that Per and Gabriel get on better than Per and Kos, while Kos and Chambers complement each other. The more they play together each partnership gels better.
The worst thing AW can do is always keeping the same CBs. imo he should rotate them according to the opposition.
Rico…I can’t have access to HH via my laptop, saying I’ve been blocked. Right now accessing with my iPad. Is this blockade deliberate or malfunction?
Do you think that AW will bring in Gourcuff Rico???
your opinion not that of the blogs and papers.
Not according to Koscielny Devil, he thinks him and Merts are a good partnership.
No Devil, I don’t re Gourcuff…
Tai, that’s an odd one. Could be something to do with your adverts settings maybe?
Ok… enjoying the game so far
Deadly Giroud.
Great 1st half
Theo down the middle
Will we sign a forward or is theo going to be given his chance
He’s struggling in the heat Adam… 😉
Sign a winger and play Theo through the middle imo…
Rico. 🙂
Or sign both, play Theo through the middle and say goodbye to Ollie…. 🙂
Ollie thought he was still in the pool… 😉
Super finish Santi..
Great goal Santiiiiiiiiiii
S@nti you little beauty
I still think that AW should have kept Jenks, put Bellerin on the wing and moved Theo central.
Pure speed on both flanks and through the centre.
The work rate for pre season is superb
OOOOOOzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzillllllllllllllllllllllll
3-0
Nice from Ozil too…
One thing from this and that is we are clearly a much fitter side than Everton… Mind you, our boys haven’t been chasing the game for 50 odd minutes…
One more goal and I will begin to like this lark of scoring 1 in the first half and 3 in the second.
Rico. Your 2.34 is interesting.
I like the spirit of this team. They look like they are enjoying it. Heat and humidity notwithstanding.
Are you planning to write a few words on this match Devil?
Adam, I thought you’d like that… 😉
Szczesny would have stopped that shot…. lol
not today rico. Sorry. but after the game I have to go out. and will be back latish today.
No worries Devil, just wondered…
Good one Chuba. That should have merited a goal. more leg muscles and speed will increase.
Nice one Roger, good enjoyable read and a bit different as well.
I’m thinking Ozil aka Billy No Mates was probably thinking “I was there when Giroud made a splash”……I presume he hit the water !
Got a feeling this will be Feo’s season and he’ll run through walls for us, it’s his time.
Missed the game as I was out, but everything I’ve read said we were quite good.
Nice post, Roger….
Guys, a mate asked me why would want a 20-25 million DM.
If we bring in a top class guy, Coquelin sits on the bench, and name a better Adam in the League since January.
Alternatively, the new, expensive purchase sits on the bench……that’ll go down well.
It’s an awkward situation, but him asking has made me realise we won’t sign a DM…at least, not an expensive one.
Micko, just hope it’s not his last. Well taken goal imo, he’s looking good…
Afternoon all!
First trophy off the season 😉
Could be another next weekend Jm… 😉
Scott, I’m of the opinion a DM doesn’t need to be expensive, just good.
It’s trophy time for Arsenal.
Fingers crossed 🙂
There’s a cheeky new post up….
Really good post Roger
Santi has been the cdm since March.
In the last 7 games of last season he clocked up more defensive data than the anyone else in our midfield.
Truly the new xavi.
Ox I think will play more centrally next season.
Nice read Rico good pre season matchs so far needs to add couple of players to strengthen the squad maybe a striker and DM if possible