Few titbits ahead of todays post:
Zenit have made an equiry about taking Arshavin on loan for the rest of the season, today is DD for the little Russian. No doubt if they are succesful today, this move would be made permenant in the summer. Talking of the summer, The Daily Telegraph report that Arsene Wenger will be give between £50 million and £100 million to finally sort the squad out. Hopefully it will be nearer the latter and the stubborn one spends every penny!
Onto todays post:
Last week on the eve of our game in Milan Arsene reacted angrily to journalists for questioning the ability of the current Arsenal team to go on and lift the coveted Champions League trophy.
‘I wouldn’t waste my time here if I thought it wasn’t possible, I’d rather sit at home then…’ he replied.
Arrigo Sacchi who led the greatest Milan side to date, some say it was the best ever team, to CL glory several times in the 80’s said this is the worst Arsenal team he had seen in 10 years. This view has been agreed upon by many other personalities in the game like Ancelotti, Roy Keane…to name quite a few.
Do they have a point ?
I know most of us would easily brush such criticisms of people who have no relation with Arsenal easily but you know something is seriously wrong when you hear the same thing being said by our ex-players like Keown, Bergkamp, Vieira, Winterburn, Petit among others.
This is what Bergkamp said when comparing today with his days at Arsenal:
I feel there are a lot of similar players there at the moment, It needs to be more diverse. You need a few strong characters who can get the team going, in training as well as matches. You also need a few players who can make a difference in terms of scoring goals. I don’t feel there are enough of them. You look at the midfield and compare it with ours.
We had Freddie Ljungberg, Robert Pires, Ray Parlour – when it wasn’t working for one of the big names, one of these could step up.
You can’t only depend on one or two players. When they’re having an off day, you need someone else.
He refers, in the main, to Robin van Persie, who has even surprised his compatriot by scoring so many goals as an out-and-out frontman.
To be honest, I would still prefer to see Robin play a bit deeper behind the main striker so that he could pick his moments the way I used to. I think he could be even better in that role, but the way he’s playing now you can hardly blame the coach for putting him there.
Yet not even Van Persie’s heroics have quelled the rumbling discontent.
Many supporters would probably nod in agreement at the following thoughts from the great man.
Sometimes you need more of a winning mentality than a passing mentality, I’m not sure Arsenal have enough of that in their players, when the attitude becomes more important than the ability just to pass the ball. I don’t know if the English mentality is missing a little bit. We had it with the back four, of course, who had the mentality of thinking, ‘OK, this game is ours now.’
Sometimes I see their games and it’s always the same way of playing, a bit too predictable. They are all fantastic players, that must be said, but sometimes you need a bit more of the other side.
Does he have a point?
Let us start from our goalkeepers. Szczesny’s breakthrough was nothing short of remarkable. We have waxed lyrical all about him. He has that presence that all great GKs do, he commands his area well and is great at shot stopping.
However his distribution leaves a lot to be desired. Against Milan we conceded the first goal due to this. He also started to become too big for his boots but I’ve heard he has taken time off twitter to focus on his game. If that is true then good; I’d rather they all stay off twitter. Also Szczesny seems to concede a lot of goals from long range shots and free kicks; he needs to work on that.
Fabianski in my opinion is our most talented senior GK in my opinion but he looks petrified every time he plays. He lacks presence and confidence to be our numero uno in between the sticks. The less said about Mannone and Almunia the better. Therefore, in the goalkeeping department we need a Sorensen/Friedel type of GK to promote healthy competition and provide advice to our youngsters.
Our defence has been our kryptonite for quite sometime. We tend to concede the softest goals in the league despite dominating most of our games. Examining our options at CB we have Vermaelen/Koscielny/Mertesacker/Squillaci/Djourou/Miquel/Barley. Miquel and Bartley are still young so the jury is out on them.
Squillaci and Djourou are in my opinion not good enough to play for us. For a successful CB partnership it has been proven that you need one sweeper and one Aggressive CB. Among the remaining CBs only Mertesacker can be classified as a sweeper. Despite looking slow there is a reason why he still plays for Germany when fit. He reads the game so well and that is why he and Koscielny worked so well. We need another sweeper like him since we already have 2 aggressive CBs.
When it comes to the fullbacks we have Sagna/Jenkinson/Gibbs/Santos. Sagna at his best is a rock at the back. What he lacks though is attacking quality to really make a difference in the final third that Alves/Lahm provide for their teams.
The jury is still out on Jenkinson. At LB we have Santos/Gibbs. Gibbs is a very frustrating player since he is always injured. How long do we have to persist with him?
Santos on the other hand is a very exciting player to watch. He may not be Maldini at the back but going forward he is excellent. He gives us that variety that Bergkamp was talking about. He can make diagonal runs inside or outside, can pass like a midfielder, can dribble and has lots of flair. He has what Sagna lacks. He could’ve been very useful against S’land.
According to my analysis we are well short at the back.
Ever since Arsene took over our club, the strongest area of our team has always been midfield. The invincibles had Vieira who was tank bossing games while Gilberto swept behind him. They were 2 very different players who complemented each other very well. They were also up for battle if necessary.
In 07/08 we had Flamini/Fabregas who complemented each other very well. Right now we have the likes of Arteta/Ramsey/Rosicky starting the same match when its clear as day they are very similar players. Where is the variety? Even Song is transforming his game to mirror that of the aforementioned trio. This is what Bergkamp was talking about. We as a result tend to have 70% possession but doing nothing with it.
That’s not beautiful football, its crab football. The only variety we have in midfield is jack/diaby who are both injured. We have missed their ability to drive with the ball and dribble past defenders to create space for our forwards. We lack that dynaminism in our play as a result.When the going gets tough do we have those players DB10 is talking about that can force the issue using power and grit to grind out a result? When passing doesn’t work we look clueless .
This needs sorting out ASAP.
Looking around Europe the best midfields have that variety; a ying yang if you may. At Barca Xavi dictates the game, Iniesta provides that dynaminism in the final third and Busquets mops up behind them. The same case applies with Oezil/Alonso/Khedira at Madrid. Cesc had Hleb/Nasri ahead of him to help him break down defences. We now neither have a Cesc nor a nasri; we are now left with Arteta/Ramsey/Rosicky passing to oblivion while running into each other, it’s painful to watch. A lot of work is needed to be done in midfield.
In attack we have Rvp/Oxo/AA/Theo/Gervinho/Park/Chamakh. Rvp has become a very clinical striker. Its amazing how good he has become. However, am I the only one who wishes we could see more of the skillful Rvp back?Could dropping him deeper as the iceman suggested be a good option and maybe buy a pacy and powerful striker to play ahead of him? In tight games like against S’land that part of his game would’ve been useful.
We seem to lack that X-factor in attack when everything else fails. Remember Bergkamp’s goal against newcastle? Don’t you wish we could have players that could do that? Fans loveto be wowed and such moments of genius will galvanize the crowd.
When RvP first joined he was absolutely amazing at dribbling, we miss that in our attack. AA used to but he too seems to have lost that side of his game. Gervinho is still adapting but we have seen flashes that he can but Theo can’t dribble past players. Oxo can but let us not heap too much pressure on him. Ryo is also showing promise but we need players for now. That x-factor component is severely lacking in our midfield/attack and it needs to be addressed.
When we need to play through the wings do we have a winger capable of swinging crosses into the area and a forward capable of heading it in? Theo tries his best there but he can only play well when there is space in behind and balls are played for him to run onto. We should develop varieties in attack and that is only possible if we have the right personell.
Variety is essential as Bergkamp pointed out. We need to mix and match to avoid being a predictable and one dimensional team that we are slowly transforming too. We have become very painful to watch as a result and as Bergkamp has pointed out, their team had all sorts of variety of players and that is why they were so good to watch.
When we were struggling DB10 would pull a rabbit out of the hat, or Henry would slalom past players to score like he did at the Bernabeu or someone like Pires would finesse the ball into the top corner from 30 yards…I miss that.
That was Wengerball at its best back then and I miss that. I would rather watch them than the current Barca team.
We have the cash, Arsene and Gazidis keep telling us so many times and our manager has even said that there are only 10
players in the world we can’t afford. They have to keep in mind quality has a price and you have to be ready to pay for it.
We are still an elite club but something has to be done to stop the rot we are in.
We have lots of work to be done on the team and as a fan one can only hope it will be done with or without Arsene.
Will it be done? …
Only time will tell.
Written by K-TR7
Good post K-TR7
Good morning guys and chicks of the Gunners’ Faith.
Morning all, darn fine post there Kt…
I’d say it’s the worst side since Wengers arrival, rather than the last ten years.
Not all of that though is down to the quality of player, it’s down to how we play with who we have…..
One of Kean’s comments struck a chord with me when we were beaten by Sunderland and that was about how many of our players were wearing gloves etc, whimps!
It wasn’t exactly cold was it, maybe if they worked harder they would have warmed up….
morning early bird devil 🙂
devil, do you know how many midfielders we have in our reserves?
Is it just me, or does anyone else think that AW is ‘obsessed’ with buying midfielders?
Have these coaches ever managed on game? do these ex-players know what they are talking about?
Whisper it quietly.
YES YES FUCKING YES.
Will he listen? Will he fuck!
That should read “A” game.
Hi Billboy, even Kean has managed, albeit badly 😉
Can’t stand that man but what he says sometimes is right.. But no, AW won’t listen, he’s head is too far up somwhere else….
I still remember the great Milan side by Arrigo Sacchi. It was made in the hardest league in the world during that moment. Italians are renowned for their defensive solidity and to be able to score at will as that team used to do was awesome. Some say that the present Barca side are the best ever.
I beg to differ. That Milan side could easily thump anyone because they competed in the hardest league in the world and were solid in every department. They had 11 leaders on the pitch plus around 4 or 5 on the bench.
Regarding the goalkeeper, I can safely say that Jaaskelainen will do a good job for us helping Chesney and he is free next summer. He can take part in any league game, can play in the cups and be a good backup should he be called in action. Much much better than Almunia and Mannone. Flappy is good but he needs matches to get his confidence back. But I also think he is bosman next summer.
devil – i have a sneaky feeling Jussi signed a new contract not long ago having got back into the side, i may be wrong though….
really hoped we would have signed him, or similar in the summer, as much as some rate Fabianski, i always feel there is a big error waiting to happen and sadly, it usually does and his head goes down….
Fabianski has said he will leave in the summer, he knows that unless Ches gets injured, he won’t get another chance….
As for Almunia and Mannone, don’t get me started 😉
No Rico its not only you who thinks that AW is obsessed with buying many midfielders.
I have sussed that for years now. Infact I recall that a couple of years ago I was chatting to Sir AK and told him that AW is obsessed with ball playing defensive players and ball players attacking players. Now in training the players who develop the ball playing skill most are usually played in midfield. They see a lot more of the ball, become more all rounded and have a greater awareness of the pitch.
So the obsession of AW is that of having 5 ball playing defenders who can fit anywhere along the back line and defensive midfield (hence Song, TV, Kozzer, Coquelin, Frimps….they can all play in defence and as defensive midfield). As for advanced midfield and attack see last year where we had Na$ri, Cesc, Rosicky, Arshavin, Diaby, Ramsey who all are central midfielders by trade and tried to fix them in the game……square pegs in round holes.
Infact I am amazed how come he has not bought Vertonghen by now seeing that he can play anywhere along defence and defensive midfield.
Wilshere is a one off. He can be a great link up player but not play anywhere along the advanced 5 due to his small size.
So no Rico……you are not the only one. And your perceptionis 100% right.
Hi all.thanks for the comments.i’ll analyse tactics in my next post.
I too have been thinking that for a while devil, glad i am not alone – everytime we sign a youngster, he’s so often a midfielder and now we seem overun.
Not only is it midfielders, thay are all similar and as Dennis says, that is why everything is the same, and totally agree with square pegs in round holes and all that does is naff up peoples game, TV is current proof of that, as is AA….
It’s crazy and very stubborn……
I too am surprised re Vertonghen, maybe he didn’t sign him because everyone else thought he should?
If we need a DM, sign one
Need a winger – sign one
Need a CB – sign one
I wish we would stop shifting players around because we have the wrong balance in the squad…
Just checked on Jussi devil, you are right, he refused to sign a contract extension last summer, lets keep fingers and toes crossed that he comes our way, then snap him up as GK coach…
I agree with you DG.that Milan side was excellent.if only Van Basten had not been that injury prone he would’ve added at least 2 Ballon d’or titles to his 3.what a player he was.
Morning Kt, the tactics can be summed up in two words:
‘Totally Wrong’
😉
I agree with you all.we tend to focus so much on skill while neglecting other aspects that are just as important.we need to mix it up.
🙂 rico.
Great post mate.
You’re analysis of the team was spot on but we have to make do with what we have and hope for the best this summer.
I hope Wenger purges out the deadwood this summer. We are in dire need of fresh blood…..
Cheers.
Huge huge post, yep this is poorest squad since i started supporting in ’99. We need a complete makeover hence we should get hennessy, azcipulica rb from OM cissokho, vertoghen, samba, mvilla, hazard, goetze, podolski,ba.remy. Almunia, fabiansky,djorou, squillacci to leave, jenks, gibbs loaned. Denilson, diaby, rosicky to leave, frimpong loaned. Bendtner, chamakh, park,vela, arshavin to leave. This scheme is not far fetched at least 5 of this players can be bought without stress others depends on wenger being proactive
Couldn’t agree more with this article. The midfield is currently stuffed up with same variety of players. We definitely need Wilshere/Diaby to return back from injury on time before our season go bursted
If Wenger is given £100mil what are the odds that he drops the good old punchline…’i’ll take my chequebook with me to the Euros’…;)
Maybe we should try the old reverse psychology trick on AW. Campaign that he should never sell djourou, denilson, skilllacking, almunia etc. We don’t need players like …(fill in your own names here) and the stubborn old git does just the opposite. Worth a try?
Thanks Enigma/Wasiu.
Hi e106 & Wasiu
Just a thought, fans talk about Pep being a possible manager for us in the future, but i can’t see him leaving Barca, would MvB not be a great choice?
Kt, he shouldn’t even be at the Euro’s, he should be in London sorting out our future… but yes, that same old bullsh*t of a line….
Welcome emma, good to see another lady joining HH this morning, hope you stick around..
Do you expect to see either Diaby or Jack again this season?
Billboy, where do i sign 😉
AK posted this last night:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2105117/Arsenal-tickets-rumpus-Gunners-told-slash-prices-fail-make-Champions-League.html
Rico am almost certain Wenger will be a commentator at the Euros.i just hope that if we’re interested in buying players participating in the Euros we buy them before the tournament starts.my dream buy would be Mario Götze.id take him over Hazard/Neymar in a heartbeat.
‘Spurs have done well but we are stronger’
Carl Jenkinson has been impressed by Tottenham this season but he believes that Arsenal have a stronger squad.
The 20-year-old returned to action with the reserves on Tuesday after a three-month absence with a back injury and hopes to be involved in Sunday’s North London derby.
The Gunners currently lie 10 points behind Harry Redknapp’s side but Jenkinson says they have the quality and the hunger to beat their biggest rivals.
“They have a lot of good players – they’re obviously a good side and they have come together really well this year,” he told Arsenal Player.
“There’s no hiding the fact they have done well, but we have got a stronger squad in my opinion and we have got to show that on Sunday. We have to beat them.
“We have been training hard this week and it is a big game for us. All the lads are going to be hugely up for it and we have to go out there and do the business.”
Jenkinson is from a family of avid Arsenal supporters and he admits the derby is always a special date in the calendar for him.
“It is a huge for everyone at the Club and all the fans as well,” he said. “Speaking as a fan myself, I know how much I want us to get a good result on Sunday and the feeling within the Club is that all the players want to do the same. I am sure we can do the job.
“There have been some great [derby] games down the years and most of the time we have come out on the winning side, so fingers crossed that will be the case at the weekend.”
Well Kt, the daily mail reckon it’s going to be gotze and podolski
😛
Not until i see them at the Emirates in the red and white shirt rico.i also don’t trust the DM.the AST said we have £55mil so the DM come up with 2+2=Götze/podolski for…surprise surprise £55mil!…
Didn’t Wenger say a couple of years ago that if he was given £100mil to spend he would give it back? 😮
top post k-tr7
all true, all true!!
Thanks Rokabox.
I still feel we should’ve got Samba in Jan. Over priced in the summer but not a bad price in Jan. He would’ve put some steel in the back and someone that can header in a corner (defending or scoring) and especially now in hind sight that Mert is out.
Not the worst players I’ve seen but the worst balance and tactics.
I totally agree that an experienced keeper would do a world of good at the back and help Schez. I also notice that we pass back to the keeper alot and put him under pressure.
I’m also disappointed that the manager that used to give youngsters a chance is not doing that, at least they would have will to play and fight to try do well.
Top post,KT.
The board must give Wenger a budget,and tell him to use it or go…simple.
Personally,I don’t think we need as many players as most.
The Podolski/Gotze rumour sounds great to me.
Add Vertonghen and I’d be happy.
3 in and about 7 out.
Szczesneys biggest failing is charging out and attempting a punch..he falls short way,way too often,and usually,his help isn’t needed.
He did Kt, but we can only hope that Stan tells him he has no choice but to spend it, well, most of it…
I don’t trust any rumour until the player is on afc.com….
Hi Rokabox, Bradster and Scott…
I don’t want us to sign Podolski…
Have to go out for a couple of hours, have a good day and catch up later….
Hi Rico, morning all
All this talk of fund available could be just another trick from the board to convince the st holders to renew theirs!
Thanks scott.thanks for adding about Szczesny’s kamikaze charging out of goal.he is lucky he hasn’t received a red card yet.
Bonjour mon amis Le Highbury mansion,
KT quite a song and dance article. Great investigative report though.
Our rampart is a bastion no more. The war chest of a 100mln looks promising but there are a few iconic clubs looking to rejuvenate their forces. Inter Milan fielded an average age 31,5 in the CL yesterday for example. Our transfer policy might not be aggressive and swift enough to make every penny count. There’s going to be a huge bidding blaze for proven talents this summer.Many will choose battle grounds recently decorated and ascertainly equipped for honours.
The only way I see us victorious throughout is by raising our own crop of Spartans.
Great post KT…………. Am also with you on the following – I’d take Gotze all day long over Hazard and anyone else of similar age and so called hype…!.
100million thats the funniest shit I’ve heard all year…. 100million what..? Stan’s putting some cash in then is he….? yeh right…! utter bollox…!
Far to many midfielders ALL the bloody same…. No bottle no grit no will to win all just pretty footballers with what it seems no directives on what the coaches want them to do !!.
Vertonghen, M’Vila and Fellaini would solve our problems along with Gotze and Cavani, how good is that fella, he runs the line runs the channels and know’s where the goal is…! Ooops thats the 100million gone lol
Hi dutch.thanks for the comment.i agree it will be difficult to get proven talent this summer and thats why its imperative we act fast on our transfer targets.
There lies the other problem KT, when are we ever pro-active in the transfer window and get our biz done and dusted as it should be….? never ever… procrastinating as usual…! trying to get the price down by 2p as we lose out on target after target….! same shit different year..!
KT I fear a diesel approach. And you’re welcome, accolades well deserved.
Hi WATH.Hazard has been flirting with everyone and thats a sign of a mercenary in waiting.he has also had issues with the Belgium coach due to his attitude.Götze on the other hand is quite level headed and hasn’t disrespected his club.he is also a sublime footballer,even more talented than özil imo.it would be a dream if we were to sign him.
Totally agree KT, Hazard is has an attitude, we’ve got enough of them and don’t need that crap…..! Gotze for me is top notch…!
Remember last year when we were in for Alvarez last year?we were in pole position to sign him.we dallied and as soon as we heard Inter were interested you knew there was only one possible destination for Alvarez.
If,and yes,its a big if,the plan is to spend 100 million,then talent will be easy to come by.
Players will be safe in the knowledge the club is finally serious about competing with the big boys,so will be more inclined to go along for the ride.
WATH i agree Götze is top notch.he is the complete package for an attacking midfielder.Beckenbauer even said that right now he is the closest player to messi in terms of ability and potential.also wages won’t be a problem;he earns €20k a week at Dortmund 😮
In defence of Hazard he has been misquoted 1000 times.
Eden,what do you think of the Premier League?
“Id be honoured to play there” .
Several clubs have shown interest….even Spurs have now named you as a desired signing.
“Tottenham is a top club,and are going very well this season”.
Translation……Hazard is going to Spurs.
Mulitiply this scenario by about twenty clubs,and you end up believing the guy is shopping himself around.
As soon as I read a “quote” from a player we are supposedly interested in,I find the interview and guess what,19 times out of 20 the player is misquoted or at least taken out of context.
Typical journos looking for a story.
Early start tomorrow,so good night all.
Nite Scott. Rise and shine well rested in the morning.
Of course it’s the worse team we’ve had in 10 years. It’s actually the worst team in over 25 years, since the Don Howe days. That’s where Wenger has taken us back to.
Scott Hazard has an attitude problem,the Belgium coach said that.his dad said Hazard will join a club just below the best,a 2nd tier club if you may.do we want to have a player that will view us as a stepping stone to joining Barça/madrid or a player that actually would want to make us compete with the best?id rather the later and Götze fits the bill imo.
Nite scott.
Also don’t listen to the media shit Scott but I do listen to what Hazards coaches say and as KT says the belgian coach is less than happy with him hence he is mostly on the bench, noone doubts the talent but seems a big time charlie with a shit attitude for me, no thanx…
Sleep tight….!
Yep if we give him 40k a week KT means we can give him 60/70 2 years lata and keep him happy as we gradually up it by say 10k every two years as he impresses and becomes more important to the team… I say it’s time we dangled the carrot to these young players bollox to big contracts and giving it to them on a silver plate… work for it and maybe they’d appreciate it more its obviously why so many spunk it up the wall, to much to young and goes to their heads…!
Thats exactly what i said the other day.we give our young guns too much money and thats why we end up hearing players like JET wrecking their Mclarens without even caring as they could easily afford a new one.when they become older they want even more cash which we don’t offer but madrid/city can and they leave.we basically breed mercenaries at the club that way.we have 71 professionals with 75% on inflated wages and as a result we struggle to offer our top players like rvp or potential buys like mata the going rate in the market that is around £150k a week.you know things are screwed up when players like sergio ramos (45k a week),Götze(20k a week),Welbeck(15k a week) all earn less than the likes of Almunia/denilson/bendtner.no wonder we are struggling to sell them.
At this tender age Gotze might be more patriotic than portrayed. He could choose Bayern Munich to enhance his leadership/kingpin qualities for the time being.
Also another scenario has to be taken in consideration. If Gotze fancies to go abroad he may well be an alternative for ManU if they fail to snare Sneyder, who will certainly attract interest from Chelski and Petrol Dollar City. Or the other way around. Gotze to the Chavs/City cuz they won’t lower their status going for second best. Risking admiration for slipping,flat back, under a limbo bar,like the Arsenal.
Arsenak have frozen the ticket prizes for next season.
Fortunately for us to the big dogs have too much firepower upfront and i doubt would pay that much for Götze when they don’t really need him.Bayern have a pre-contract agreement with Shaqiri so i doubt they want Götze.also Dortmund said they wouldn’t sell him to a local rival like Bayern.that leaves us and the mancs.the mancs want a CM not an AM for a 2 man midfield which Götze isn’t.they also play with out and out wingers so Götze won’t play wide for them.if we put in a proper bid we’ll get our man.
Club level going up by 2% as if we not scaring the coorporates off already….! They desperately need to invest ON the pitch to satisfy the punters OFF the pitch….! So blinkered if they think they can just carry on regardless…!
DG you could well have a point there but Gotze was very impressed with the Arsenal set up when he was there for the CL and maybe Mertz will put in a good word as well for us… stranger things have happened.
Also Dutch as Wath has mentioned Götze was very impressed with our setup.he has also praised us in the past.if we give Dortmund what they want Götze will come but therein lies the problem,will we?
Gotta look busy for a bit and do some work back in ten…… I reckon 20mill could get Gotze KT, they also pretty hard up for cash… up front cash 20mill deal done…. maybe with TR going the other way as well..??
Am glad oxo isn’t in the squad to face the Netherlands.
Afternoon all,
100 million to spend in the summer, might have to upgrade to club level if thats the case, more chance of hell freezing over first me thinks.
KT, wasn’t Bergkamps goal against Newcastle just a fluke ?
Depending on how he performs when he returns from injury and his influence at the Euros i reckon he’d cost around £20mil-£30mil.if i were Arsene he would be my top priority this summer.we have lost so much creativity without jack/cesc/nasri.when jack returns id like Götze to aid him in that department.
KT / WATH
Good counter intelligence on my view. Shaqiri plays right midfield, in a 4-4-2 setup Bayern could easily fit in Gotze.
Furthermore Gotze’s roots are still in development and might struggle if transfered too early into tougher soil. Such rare ruby gems are in it for the long run. I will not be surprised if he chooses to stay put as he’s growing a understanding of his domestic league and German systematics/tactics.
I don’t think it was micko but even if it was he had the confidence to try something outrageous and it worked out.we lack players of his kind that could be very unpredictable in their play.we need more players that are not only very talented but are confident in their own ability to try out such things especially when we are facing parked buses.i’d like to see rvp do that more as we all know he has the ability.
Interesting view dutch.he may be reluctant to move right now but i doubt he’ll join Bayern.Bayern have Müller who plays behind Gomez and is such a beast.there are also rumours that one of Robben/Ribery may be shifted to that trequartista role to accomodate Shaqiri.either way i don’t see how Götze would fit in at Bayern unless one of Ribery/Robben leaves which is very unlikely.
KT, it was pure class !
As much as nasri angered us you could see the value of having a player that grew up in the streets with lots of ability and confidence.some of his dribbles were breathtaking straight out of the street football playbook.we lack that at the moment and i believe a player like Götze could fill that role for us.
Afternoon all,
Blinding post KT, you certainly showed passion there i bet your nostrells were flared writing that.
Pitty our players never had the same passion you have shown. We are all looking for players the board the manager anything to blame but it has to be said that over the last few years Arsene Wenger has not shown that he is the man to lead us. Its alright he gives them a rolloking after a game telling them they lack passion and the like but he is the reason, last season when we had problems at the back with vermaelen out and others not playing well, but we were in good position at Christmas and with january on top of us and Cahill and Samba both wanting a move, and we persevered without buying and got absolutly hammered, we still have defensive problems nothing has been solved, that is not just bad management that is suicide. We started this season off with fabregas sold Nasri sold and clichey sold , Wilshere is out for a season diaby is never fit gibbs is never fit JD is terrible and wenger buys Arteta Santos Mertsacker Jenkinson for the future and gervinho Oxlaid chamberlain who is benched for six monthes Park the Same Myachi benched then loaned.. Not very good additions.. With Van persies history no cover was brought this is downright suicide for this season as well.. We are almost out of everything and will nosedive with who we have, we will miss out on champions league next year and if we keep wenger we will plummet towards the lower leagues. Spuds this weekend just to rub it in are playing the football of their lives and managed to keep their players and also enlisted great signings, have breezed passed us that in itself meams instant dissmissal. Wenger must go.He runs our football he is responsible.If not Suicidal next season too.
Thanks Steve.if that £100mil story is true then we may have some hope at least since in my analysis we have so many holes in the squad that need to be addressed.
A 100mln sounds a pile but we all know Wenger likes to cover expenses from that pot as well. Salaries, secretaries, grass seeds, pencils, floor mops, annual webhosting fees, George Foreman grills for the most crispy burgers in London, new boardroom coffee cups matching our kits each season, buckets of chalk line paint, toilet paper, tips for the bus driver, etc, etc.
Hi KT, 100 mill is paper talk keep the fans quiet load of crap. If wenger had that money he would start up an infant school for our future
Wenger needs to be “TOLD” the 100million is for transfer fees the wages are an extra and DO NOT need to hbe considered at all, the accountants have sorted this out Me Wenger you give us the list of players you want we’ll get them… SIMPLE……………! Yet with wenger we all know it won’t be simple.
Am with you SP, funny how the ST pricing was announced today as well just as that slip to the media about 100mil………….. as I said earlier… utter bollox…! My one question to all would be the following, if the 100million was available and we all know that it’s 99% not but lets say is was…. Would you want wenger in charge of spending it…??
A director of football may have its demerits but i can’t help but think we need one at the club.Wenger’s authority needs to be trimmed a bit since at the moment he is too powerful.
No i wouldn’t wath.id rather wenger pointed out his targets and he left the rest to someone else.
Any manager in the world would love a transfer fund of 100 mil lets find one
Wenger handpicked Gazidis as our C.E.O.thats how powerful he is.
After this weekend the fans will want to hear a lot of sweetners ST prices will be the first you mark my words.
City spent 100mil on Yaya,Silva,Aguero,Balotelli and Kompany.of all those only Aguero camd when they were in the CL.so if hypothetically 100mil was available and we sort out our wage structure we could easily improve the squad by a huge margin.
Truth is always bitter,but you have said it.Our present team is terrible.Worst Arsenal team since i became a gunner in 1998.From the goal keeping department to the striking role,there are problems. Infact ,apart from RVP,and maybe a couple other players,we lack world class players. I just hope we manage to make the top four finish this season so that we can attract some big names by summer.
We need a lot of prayers this Sunday against our bitter rivals,the spuds,and then Liverpool away the next weekend.May God help the gunners.
We also need to refresh our coaching staff to freshen up that backroom like how rednose does.having the same staff for 15 years has made us stale and that needs changing.
A really good write, KT. 🙂 🙂 I agree, too many of the same type of players, not many with the ability to surprise/change their games to negate opponents. We have become very predictable. Very susceptible on the counter attack.
Boo, everyone!
Just seen Stuart Peirce has just thrown his hat on the table saying he is prepared to manage England right now and lead them to the euro’s Harry must be shitting himself Peircy must be a gooner in disguise
KT we could have brought Cahill for 7 mill samba 5mill parker for Fcuk all we dont need 100 mill just a manager that will spend
Afternoon Agag the madonna of shopping, hope your well and flexing that card 🙂
Sorry KT just seen your !2.35
Haha on Harry, SSP. How are you? No golf today? My flexi friends are being flexed and flexed well, not to worry. 😉
Afternoon all, good article K-TR7.
Something to make sure that Sp*rs fans don’t get too above their station: http://www.arsenalinsider.com/4388/a-reminder-for-tottenham-fans/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=a-reminder-for-tottenham-fans
Not too bab Thanks Agag, not played for a while I’m a fair weather golfer these days 🙂
Thanks Agag/Gooner sam.one can only hope we do the necessary changes.
Goonersam, good link made me feel better reading that
You’ll be on the greens soon enough, SSP. 🙂 Has the weather over where you are turned?
Let the tiny Tots have their mini moment of glory, Gooner Sam. It won’t last. They have a manager close to abandoning them and some players now eyed by big clubs. 😀
KT, well-done! You shouldn’t hold back, you know. 😉
This NLD reminds me of the one in 2008 when the spuds were last in the league and Arry took over.we were so confident that we’d spank them to an extent cesc said they couldn’t beat our ladies team.we all know what happened then.this time the sitiuation has been reversed.i hope their players are as cocky as their fans thinking they’ll roll us over.we perform much better as underdogs and don’t be surprised for an unlikely scoreline on Sunday.
Afternoon Gooners.
Afternoon Rico.
Interesting and thorough post KT.
Just how i expected….
Been on NewsNow and there was a link to a Yiddo blog.
I just glanced at it. didn’t read the post and only looked at the first comment and thought, “Why do i need to read this shit?”.
Then i looked on the blog for some links to other Yid sites. Curiosity you see!
There were no links….
Then it struck me, and it was rather ironic as the title of the blogs post went ‘Delusional Arsenal’, which is rich coming from the most delusional club in English football history…..
what struck me was how small time tottenham really are in comparison to Arsenal.
Even considering how our team has stagnated, the Yids are miles behind us. And even when their stadium is built, that will remain the case.
Arsenal have a huge fan-base by comparison to Tottenham’s.
Outside of England, Tottenham’s profile is miniscule. Only the many Yids in the Press keep them hyped up.
And to think, that we have let this minor irritation from Middlesex get us into a spin.
See how many blogs they have?
Or how many hits on the Net they get?
And lets not forget, this is the best Yid team since 1967…
We’ve had 15 years of established european football.
Arsenal are a massive name in europe.
Tottenham are not!
Also in a derby form goes out of the window.
Cheers Agag, yes best day of the year today, 17 18 degree’s been putting down the hall but i’m like the Arsenal need plenty of practice. 🙂
Seems to have rattled you a bit AK, you nervous 🙂
I should hope our players are up for it, KT. Play for pride, if nothing else!
Nice, SSP. Summer seems here, finally. 🙂 🙂 can’t go on hols anytime soon though. 🙁
Boo, AK! Great comment. Tottenham is a non-entity. That’s just how it is. 😉
Thanks AK.don’t worry about the spuds.i don’t even bother arguing with them.once they come anywhere close to our success they can talk then but now they have nothing to brag about.
To be honest, if the recent Yid success was built on more solid foundations than it really is, doesn’t everybody on here think that the scummers would be really rubbing our noses in it.
The thing is, they realise that their recent success is short-term, just as Harry always ensures it is!
He will buggers off.
Modric will bugger off.
Bale will bugger off.
And despite government subsidies for the New Slum, the Yids will still be skint for a few years.
Short-term. That’s Harry’s Game…
Just back home on this beautiful day in London town. Very nice post and difficult to disagree with any of it. No matter how hard I try I cannot see Wenger spending £100 million. He will “nearly” sign some world class players but make do with some one-season wonders from France I imagine. There will be lots of bigging-up the potential signings up until about June 7th when the season ticket monies are in and then will follow the traditional feelings of disappointment. There will be much criticism from George Graham, Ian Wright and Paul Merson. The papers will have a field day and Wenger will role out the old quotes. We will be caught in the Groundhog Day scenario but we won’t get to sleep with the girl until Arsene has ridden off into the sunset with his saddlebags full of money telling anyone who will listen how he won’t accept criticism from anyone who hasn’t made 30,000 substitutions. Oh, and Hill Wood will tell us we are all rather silly and should be grateful.
Sir Steve, My Laird of the Pen. i was at The Slum when a poor AFC team lost 5-0.
That is as low as it goes.
Nothing rattles me as far as the Yids are concerned. 😀
I’ve had a lifetime of listening to their bluster and empty words….
We may have everything in place AK but it aint helping us at the moment, Our foundations need Pileing
Afternoon guys and gals….
Whats happened to the weather in the Uk, rather tropical today 🙂
Welcome Chairman Gallant, sorry for the delay in letting you out of moderation….
Lets worry about the yids first, beat them, get a bit of spark back and head off to anfield….
Farmer Giles…..?
You sure Stevo….. 😛
Adam, some fine words mio amigo.
Now when are you going to put your professional skills to good use and do Rico a post or two? 😉
Agag/KT, tomorrow is another day.
I don’t believe any of the crap about £50/£100 million.
That is a figment of the immagination of somebody without a story to write.
But i did see some video of our Stiffs 5-0 win over Norwich.
Ozyakup looked really good as did Afobe…..
Manchester City went a lifetime of nothing and are now the cream of the crop, i dont see them going anywhere soon and Spuds are an owner away from the same, while we stagnate. I know the law of averages says that wenger will win some thing one day but i’m getting figity waiting.
And just to buck the trend…… 🙂
I do not agree that our team is so terrible.
The squad is terrible, but our 1st choice team is good…..
We haven’t seen our 1st choice team for awhile, hench the situation we currantly find ourselves in….
Keane, Neville et al, they can all do one…..
Pull the wagons in a circle Gooners, there’s some pesky Indians out there trying to split us up.
Hiya folks and friends.
Back after swearing for around 5 hours…..no internet around our area.
Hiya Sir AK. Nothing may irritate you as far as yids are concerned. However they get under my skin. I really hate them with a passion and I would rather we lost to anyone then loose to them.
I would like to see us whacking them. And I mean WHACK THEM WELL AND TRULY.
Steve, we cannot compare ourselves financially with Man City.
But for all their zillions they have beaten us 1-0 twice this season, thanks to the fabulous Aguerro.
City have a long way to go and a lot to spend.
The Yids don’t have an Arab Emirate backing them yet. When they do, then i shall start to worry.
Look at the Chavs. It can change very quickly mate, and it can be turned around just as quickly, if you have solid foundations.
Solid foundations – is that Squilaci’s middle name 😉
I have the faith AK just getting short on the years thats all 🙂
Don’t get me wrong Coach, i hate the Yids with a passion. And i know what it’s like to lose to them and have my nose rubbed in it. I lived in that shithole for 7 years. Went to school there. I know what having the piss taken outta me is all about.
But i don’t see them as the big bad wolf. Their success is fleeting, it’s built on sand, Harry goes and their success goes. Simples
Rico, Sqillaci/Chamuck, will be history in the summer.
This season is an aberration.
Harry goes and it’s finished…..
Pompey anyone?????
Even if we lose this weekend, i still maintain that the scummers are living on borrowed time.
They are shitting themselves over Harry leaving.
That’s because they fear, as we know, that their currant success is temporary….
Kev. I am at the disposal of all good Gooners.
Sir AK and all….I only shit myself because we are in this shit. If AW and the board get it into darned heads to make the team better we would be laughing at the scum Redknapp or not.
I would shit myself when winker leaves the scum. What happens if Mourinho goes with them????
I shudder at the thought.
Spuds are in a wonderfull position at the moment, doing well in the league a good working manager, new plans for a new stadium and funding available, If i was a rich invester the scum would look a very good investment to me, the possibility of Champions league football would also appeal to me. For a start i would only have to worry about a few players to keep the Position in the league but the idea of stadium plans would be a promising proposition.
Adam, Rico is always in need of a bit of help in the post dept mate.
I honestly don’t know how she does it every day….
Mourinho of the Lane…..
Dev, that ain’t gonna happen mate.
AK, i like the new optimism, and tbh, no matter how much we moan and groan, we have what we have and nowt we can do about it until the summer…
What we all need to see now is Wenger stick a rocket up the players backsides, and his own and we show a bit of bloody passion and back bone between now and May – do that and 4th could be ours….
And play the reserves against milan I say…..
Usmanov may be tempted
What we all need to see now is Wenger stick a rocket up the players backsides, and his own and we show a bit of bloody passion and back bone between now and May – do that and 4th could be ours….
Rico if that happens 3rd will be ours not 4th.
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Arsenal said they would, and have now confirmed season-ticket renewal prices will be frozen next season after rise this
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No place for #AFC duo Sagna and Koscielny in Laurent Blanc’s latest France squad. A surprise recall for #THFC’s Saha, though.
Adam, i am a good gooner, honest 😉
devil – now that would be perfect ending to this season….
would anyone else bother playing a full strength side against Milan?
Rico, Playing the reserves would break my heart, to actually give up on the only competition left would send out signals of a football team completly out of idea’s a cowardly display like that would never ever be forgoten especially for me. we fight all the way never give up even with a shit team we go down then we go down with pride
Hi Steve, AU wouldn’t buy the yids, he want our club….
Good re Kos and Sagna….
Thats a fair comment Steve and no way would Wenger do that, i’d certainly be tempted to play a mix of players, just can’t see us scoring five goals against Milan, unless they turn up thinking it’s over….
Rico, 3.45;
I couldn’t agree more with ya boss.
It’s not a case of optimism, more a case of accepting that this season is hopefully an aberration, and that those in charge will do something serious about it in the summer.
I think even the buffoons running our club realise that they’re drinking in the last chance saloon.
Wenger will need to change the coaching staff this summer as Rice will definately go.
We must hope that the ‘new man’ has an energising effect…
AK, they should freeze the prices this summer, that would make more sense….
Totally agree AK, forget this season to some extent, just fight now for 3rd, beat the shower of s***e down the road and start gathering a bit of confidence and credibility…..
Beat the yids and suddenly it’s 7 points between them and us…..
Got to dash guys, back in an hour
Not long now to ‘the big one’. Surely a home game with the spud’s will motivate the player’s and we can play at the top of our game.
We can’t let the scum dictate and play their game.
Any game against the spuds is a big game Smudge. Even if its our under 10 against their under nappies.
According to reports Blackburn Rovers midfielder Junior Hoilett is holding out for a big-club move in England.
Arsenal and Liverpool are reportedly tracking the Rovers ace.
The Canadian is out of contract in June and can sign a pre-contract with a continental club now.
However, it is believed that the two Premier League giants are urging Hoilett’s camp to delay any decision until the summer when he will be free to speak with English clubs.
What is your take on this player, mates?
Any spares for sunday,Lads
Don’t see what all the fuss is about on Hoilett DG. He has never really impressed me with Blackburn. I think’s it’s because he’s on a free that his name seem’s to be linked with us.
I think Ryo and the Ox are better option’s and quality.
If were adding in the summer we need someone of proven quality . We have enough ‘promising youngster’s’.
Evening guys & gals….
Yes, but he is FREE and we know that Arsene loves a freebie whether he is any good or not.
Would rather have Kalou on a freebie Adam
Every club Harry has left,Oxford,Bournmouth,Southhampton,Portsmouth all had the receivers in the next day,new ground Spurs? Yer Alright
I have a feeling that Kalou and Jaaskelainen will be at AFC next season. Both are free, both are in the good age bracket for our needs and also both have a point to prove. I feel they will fit in with our team. So imagine getting rid of Almunia, Flappy on a free. Sell Arshavin, Mannone and Rosicky and fetch around 10 million for the three of them while we get Kalkou and Jask. Obviously we would want better but freebies is the name of AFC game right now.
Lose on sunday and i’m burning my “Arsene Knows Best” t-shirt, that will be the final straw for me.
Vertonghen is on the box tonight, another player that slipped the net, i’m sure we’ll all hear about it in the summer.
All quiet on the Arshavin front as well ! No takers it seems.
Depends who leaves, if AA goes, why not Hoilett? (free)
Rosicky goes, maybe Kalou? (cheap)
Fabianski – Jussi?
Then, get rid of Denilson, Diaby, Chamakh, Djourou Gibbs, Bendtner, Squilli, Almunia, Park, Yossi and a few reserves…
Then get Gotze, Vertonghen, Samba, Remy, and M’Vila….
Then i don’t care if Wenger gets a 17 year old 😉
Hope he stay’s Micko. What’s the point offloading at this stage of the season. And anyway he may come good (remember 2009) 🙂
Want to share a bunson Micko 😉
rico
Most off the dross you listed are going nowhere soon. Wages are too high i’m afraid 🙁
Arsenal and Tottenham have also issued a joint statement warning fans that anti-social behaviour during Sunday’s north London derby will not be tolerated.
Spurs’ former Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor is the biggest concern – he was the target of abuse during the first meeting between the sides at White Hart Lane in October.
The statement read: “A north London derby is always a special occasion and we hope this game will be remembered for both the action on the pitch as well as the positive support for both teams off it.
“All fans should be aware that breaches of ground regulations – including anti-social behaviour – will not be tolerated.”
I would like to see around 55,000 AFC supporters making a mockery of that……will they eject all 55k??? And if all supporters stood up at the same time what happens??
Yabba dabba dooooooooooooooo!!!!! 😆
If I were fortunate I would buy a truck load of Monopoly money and hand it out at the gates as bags of confetti. That would get the message across. 😛 😛
We need around 11 clones of this player next game against the scum. Not the fancy tippy tappy ones we have at the moment.
and we should always remember this…….
Baskets of rocks would be better dutch, obviously children under 16 wouldn’t be allowed to buy them.
Devil, the scum will no doubt smash the away end to pieces, they always do.
smudge, i bet they go this summer, AW has no choice….
give the buggers away i say….
When was the last time Arsenal actually won a game of real importance?
I don’t think we have won any in recent years. Sad but true.
Rico you literally could’nt give them away they are that bad 🙂
It’s sad but the only player that comes close to THIS IS SPARTA!!! is Frimpong. Wish we could clone his character and inject it like heroin.
300 was and still is one of my favourite films. On the same level as Gladiator and LOTR.
Give me 11 Ray Parlours any day over any fancy tippy tappy prima ballerina donna.
Devil 🙂 Top 10 flicks.
They will be gone smudge, the only doubt could be diaby ….
lansbury devil, he’d give what RP did….
Smudge, Udinese back in August i’d say, champions league qualification and look where its got us !
Still the board are happy, got them a bit of pocket money.
Micko we can sell lollipops to those under age. Rocks on a stick. 😛
So for next game we need
1….Chesney (I love his attitude and aura, although a bit rash)
2…,Sagna (a very solid defender)
3….Winterburn (reliable left back who never knew he was beaten)
4….Petit (my greatest ever favourite)
5….Tony Adams (Mr Arsenal Rock)
6….Sol Campbell (he never lost against the scum did he)
7….Ray Parlour (always there when you need him)
8….Vieira (a monster with a brave heart)
9….TH14 (the original not the pensioneer)
10…DB10 (the divinity of football)
11…Pires (guarantees goals against the scum)
Subs
12..Seaman (Calmness personified)
13..Freddie (the rooster who screws the cocks)
14..Wilshere (our own product)
15..Myself (so that I can whack the togo lump. My hatred for the scum is enough for me to put myself on the line, even though only for the last 5 minutes.
He’s blond, he’s quick, his names a porn flick, Emmanuel…Emmanuel.
Funny how only 2 made the graduation Devil. Think you forgot Park imo.
devil – Dixon for me over Sagna 😉
Rocky and Merse in there too…. somewhere …
I’m off guys and gals, minging headache…
catch you all tomorrow….
Nighty night all
Night night precious.
I wanted Sagna over Dixon for the simple reason that although his crosses are a bit crap, he has that bit more to his game than Dixon did. He is more technical and covers more ground. That is why I put in Winterburn, since the latter does not go up as often and thus there is always a three man defence, unlike now where its all over the place.
I am offski guys and chicks. Going to dream again that Sagna shoots the ball, it hits the post, smacks against the togolump’s face and puts AFC 1-0 up. Then RVP tries to cross and it hits the ref and goes in for 2-0.
Nite rico.
good night all
Asta la vista Devil. Been enjoyneering as always.
Laters devil….time to take in a bit of ajax.
Watching this Thursday night football, have to admit i’m sitting rather uncomfortably, it would be a hard pill to swallow.
Over and out.
People keep raving about Cahill.
He played for a side absolutely leaking goals this season,goes to Chelsea and is beiing shown ip as an average player.
He was terribly inadequate against Napoli.
Seriously,he is nowhere the answer to our problems.
Back on Hazard……he’s a kid,a baby.
If he’s had a few dummy spits,then sure immaturity would be a factor.
Agreed,I’d take Gotze,but there’s no way in hell I wouldnt grab Hazard if available.
Those two,Podolski and a top defender,in otherwords,NOT Cahill,and we will be set.
DB10 as assistant to Wenger…..let him to an apprenticeship….the trophies will be coming!!!!!
Ok,that’s task one for the day done….Arsenal saved.
Back to work now.
Sleep well,fellow Gooners.
Hello everybody
I’m back agauan!
Catch you tomorrow
Hi KT brilliant read.
You will have your answer thsi weekend
Eternal optimist like moi still eblieve we will beat S*CUMS this weekend with Theo scoring..Arshaivn scoring.
Perish that thought of us losing..
Guess I am drunk on snake-oil vintage 2007/08 bought from Arsene Wenger 😆
Goodnight to all those nightbirds over here…
more English players please
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