Defensively Speaking

Hot Seat For 1!

Well, with England and the United States back on their way home to nurse their wounds, I think it’s time that I began to really focus on the coming season. I half expect that there could be some activity picking up in the transfer window now that the the World Cup is more than half over.

Already there are rumblings that Arsenal have two players near to signing. Both of those players will fill in in areas where Arsenal was weakests last season – the defence. At the start of last season, actually before the start of the last season, there was so much unknown about the back four. Djourou would get hurt while on international duty for Switzerland. Arsene signed an unknown to replace Kolo Toure who went over to reap in some money from Manchester City. William Gallas was his usual self. Sagna and Clichy were about it on the full back side of things.

Well we found out alot about the virtual unknown that is Thomas Vermaelen. If he wasn’t the best signing of last season, he probably was one of the best. Simply put he put some steel back into the back four and was Arsenal’s strong man. He was questioned before he came on the pitch but from the minute the first whistle blew, the “Vermalenator” went work and didn’t stop until the last part of the season when he had suffered season ending injury.

William Gallas, surprisingly himself turned out for the part of the season he wasn’t injured an inspiration. Gone were the antics of the previous seasons and he seemed to focus on playing football and he availed himself well.

Finally, with injuries and a lack of real leadership on the team, Arsene went out and did something none of us ever thought he would do, he brought back a player. None other than Sol Campbell he who at the beginning of the season was in League 2 Notts County squad, was a January signing. Frankly, he may have been the best signing of that window because as injuries took their toll, Sol was called into action and very rarely did he seem to be out place on the squad.

The back four for most of the season actually availed itself well. Next to Chelsea that allowed the fewest shots on goal. They were very rarely bullied – with the exception of Chelsea. The real issue for Arsenal was the core of the defence – the keeper. Whether it was Manuel Almunia or Lukasz Fabianksi, there was no confidence that either could stop the shots that did get through. At one point before his “chest cold” Almunia had let in close to 50% of the shots he faced.  While Fabianski didn’t let them in with the same frequency, the ones he did let in crushed the spirits of the team. Regardless of the keeper, the defenceive front had little confidence in the back stopper. When you don’t have that then you have issues. And when the goals went in behind Fabianksi or Almunia, the defence looked fractured.

Well here we are in the off season. It’s been kind of disrupted by the World Cup and Arsenal could very well be the most active player inthe transfer market. Depending on who read, the team has approximately £35 – £45 million for a transfer kitty. Arsenal have made on move already with much anticipated of Bourdeaux striker Marouane Chamakh coming in to add some size, skill and depth and more importantly cover to Van Persie up front.

The rest of the money is likely to be spent shoring up the defence. By all accounts, Manuel Almunia is going to be allowed to leave this summer. It looks like Mark Schwarzer is the desired keeper. Schwarzer has been a runner up in the UEFA Cup/Europa Cup twice. He has won the Football League Cup and been a runner up twice.  He was the EPL player of the month in February 2010.  If the signing happens it is clear that at his age – 37 – he is not the long-term solution but more likely the man who keeps the spot warm for Wojciech Szczesny. By all accounts the young pole has all the skills and is the keeper of the future at Arsenal. Schwarzer could come in for a couple of years. Szczesny can do the odd FA Cup and Carling Cup games and we can get a sniff if the hub bub is true. And in the mean time we also get a keeper who has won before at other levels, is still fairly consistent and let’s face it – better than our current first team options.

Additionally, our three old timers, Gallas, Silvestre, and Campbell are all out of contract. Campbell has a 1 year deal on the table but he also has a two year deal from Celtic out there. Frankly, I think Sol, will sign for Arsenal. He owes Arsene for giving him another chance when it is likely he wouldn’t have gotten one. Celtic are coming after him because Arsene gave him a shot. Gallas is being his petulant self and turned down the offer from Arsenal. He has been cut loose and is free to find a deal. Problem is that his demands seem high and he already has had Juventus turn him down.  Silvestre – well let’s just say he’s gone.

Size to go with grit?

Coming in right now to replace some of the cast aways, looks like Laurent Koscielny the 24, 6 ft 1in CB from FC Lorient. The two clubs seem to be in serious negotiations and the recent loan of Coquelin to Lorient seems to be an attempt to get french outfit to accept the offer from Arsenal – that and a negotiated youth development agreement. Arsene rates the youngster highly. And given Le Professeur’s vast knowldege of French footballers that should be a good sign.

Additionally, it looks like there  are other defenders that the club is interested in. Apparently Arsenal have approached Everton about Phillip Jagielka, only to be rebuked. However, Everton are out of the European picture and could use the money. So there may be something. Either way it does look like Arsene is serious about rebuilding his defence. Let’s hope he gets it right.

Popularity: 22% [?]

A Dichotomy of Nations

Two teams. Similar standings in the group stages but two diametrically opposed views on their places in the standings. On one hand you have the United States quite happy with the fact that their destiny is in their own hands. And on the other you have England. England, the mother-land of football who have one World Cup title to their cabinet. England who are currently struggling to articulate why they are in the predicament they are in. Based on mind-set alone,it is England’s Yankee cousins who seem the more likely to progress out of the group stages.

So what is it? Why are there two teams who have essentially seem to be going in polar opposite directions even though they are in exactly identical situations.

Heart and Grit:

A lot has been said about the skill level of the English. These are tough players. They play in the hardest league in the world. But right now there looks to be no heart in their play. Whether it’s due to the weight of expectations or just not able to live up to the calling of such a great stage, England looked progressively worse in their first two matches. It is evident that they do not have the hear to overcome adversity. It is as if they believe the hype of the press and feel they only have to show up in order to be given a win. The problem they face is that the opposition comes to play.

When scoring first against the US, you had to think they were going to do it. But they seemed to sit back on their 1 point lead thinking they were better than the US and could hold them off. Well, after a Robert Green flub the US were back in it and the English just didn’t seem ready for that eventuality. Then when playing Algeria the English just didn’t seem to have the will to try and over come a more determined opponent. Give Algeria credit they had a plan to frustrate England and England just didn’t have it in them to counter it.

On the other hand you have the United States. Two matches in and two dramatic draws. They were one bad call away from leading the group. While there is a frustration level at the way they are starting their matches – they are showing themselves to be a determined side. They are never out and even when it looks like they are they claw back to win.

Talent and Team:

It’s very hard to understand why a team as talented as England are doing so poorly. Or is it? Remember Capello spent some time trying to get international retirees to come out and play for the squad. It has been mentioned that Capello is less than thrilled with the overall talent level of the squad. He’s got very few world-class players. Maybe two or three. But overall this is a squad that while talented may not be up to the level of the calibre in international play.

Additionally, it’s hard to see that maybe lack of heart has something to do with playing for club rather than country. People have been scratching their heads as to why the likes of Rooney, Lampard, Gerard and others do seemingly well in the EPL but struggle in international play. One of the reasons I believe is lack of focus on the international team. Yes, they are all living together and training together for their longest period of time but they are not a cohesive unit. There is no “team” it is rather a group of talented individuals who take the pitch for the World Cup. Honestly what England need is a dose of Herb Brooks. For the unitiated Herb Brooks is the man who crafted the 1980 Miracle On Ice. By making himself public enemy number one and working the team to their bones, Herb strove to first break the group of very talented college kids of their individual mindsets and build a team. A team that went on the rink and believed it could win.  And when the slipped they were shredded by arch enemy number one. But because of Herb’s work and the building of a team – they went on to glory.

The England team need to identify themselves as the England Team. They miss the likes of Beckham more than anyone – because if anyone bled the red and white of St. George – it was Becks. There is noone on the current England squad who have that – who can be that unifying factor. They may progress out of the group but its hard to belive that they will do anything beyond the semis – if they get that far.

There is plenty of talent on the US side as well but not at the level of the English side. The play of the US has been bolstered by many of it’s first teamers making squads in some of the best teams in Europe. But overall you would have to say they are still a work in progress in terms of realizing their full potential. But what this group lacks in terms of talent is its team spirit. It is heads and tails above the team concept in England. They understand what this trip means for them and for their sport.

Often looked at as the bastard children of professional sports, the US Men’s National Team understands that what they accomplish on the pitch together is going to broaden the appeal of their sport and make them the catalysts for that growth. They know that this can only be accomplished by working together and focusing on each match as it comes. They seem to enjoy the adversity they are going through and veracity at the team fights back makes you pull for them all the more.

Weight of Expectations:

In few countries is the weight of expectations for its national side greater than in England. As the founding nation of the sport to achieve anything less than a final’s appearance is disaster. However, it is not a reliastic notion. This England side and many of the England sides simply do not have the skills to compete with the Brazil, Spain and Germany’s of the tournaments.  Noone looking at the tournament could really say that England have a full complement of players that can get them to glory without some major chips falling their way.

Throw in the the most abusive press on the globe who on one hand laud the conquering heros (before a match played) and with the other bring them down as pirrahs and you could not blame even the strongest player in the world from wilting under the pressure. Much is made of the skills required to play the game but very little is discussed about the mental side of the game. I think the mental side of the game is the hardest to overcome. If you have skills over time even if injured they will come back. However mentally individuals are their worst enemies. Rooney has to know the expectations that are placed on him as the primary scoring threat.  He seems to handle it enough for Manchester United but the stakes are bigger in the WC. Now an entire nations is supporting him and expecting him to achive – with no goals so far it is clear that he is off his game and is not in the match. Much like the rest of his team. There seems to be no joy playing for England just the stress of not doing what is expected.

For the US the greatest expectations probably come from ESPN. They spen $400 million on the rights to broadcast the World Cup. Without the US in the round of 16 the general interest by the nation will diminish. The nation as a whole is behind their national team they just don’t expect the team to do much. Beyond the sweet 16 most US supporteres might be happy they got that far – given the results of the last few world cups.

Obviously the expectations of the players are greater than the national ones. But the team does play well and seems to enjoy playing together. How that all nets out remains to be seen.

Overall, I think both teams manage to get out the group. But I won’t be surprised if come Thursday we are hearing of a manager axed and a nation in mourning.

Popularity: 43% [?]

America: the New Football (Soccer) Frontier

Better than Beckham - for American Football?

Well the World Cup is here and as much as I was loathe to write on this topic, I seem to be focused on the idea that football REAL FOOTBALL has finally arrived in the United States of America. Long the product of the rest of the world the sport that requires you use your feet to move the ball may finally have enough momentum to actually have a sustainable existence on these colonial shores.

If you needed validation of this point you only need look at the overall investment of ABC/ESPN of $400 million for the broadcast rights for World Cup. And the two organizations have poured their heart and soul into. Sharing home page prominence on ESPN.com with the likes of the Lakers and Celtics are the likes of Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, Franck Ribery, and Landon Donovan. The networks are going all out to cover the world’s most popular sporting event. It is truly a world series. Not one named after a newspaper. And this time the US really seems to be taking notice.

The beautiful game has graced the front pages and covers many of the major US publications. The Wall Street Journal has covered the sport and to top it off the authority on what is news in America, the Drudge Report has given substantial coverage as well. If  football weren’t really here and really a topic worth covering, Drudge wouldn’t cover it. Regardless of the man’s politics his site has shown a propensity of identifying what the nation wants to know about.

To top things off I was driving to the train station this morning when even my favourite radio talk show host was talking about the football. He had lots of questions and admitted that he is totall hooked ont he game. So being the talk show host he is he got access to a pundit – none other than former EPL referree Graham Poll. After lots of plesantries and Graham Poll blushing over the introduction he got, Philadelphia syndicated talk show host Michael Smerconish went into a list of questions he had about the game in order to understand it better. At one point Graham out loud wondered if this was all a joke – Michael assured him he wasn’t leading him on and was generally curious.  The questions varied on how many men can play (minimum of 7 must be on the pitch), what is a striker, why the gloves on the keeper (ball travels at speeds of 70 mph), and what is the difference between red and yellow cards. It really was a football 101 and I loved it – except when Michael called Graham, Grant. It can’t all be perfect.

Besides these things I’ve mentioned maybe football was reaching a ground swell before  the World Cup and maybe the World Cup is just the vehicle to address it. Everyone thought 1994 was going to be the tidal wave that sparked interest in the sport. It ushered in the era of MLS but the enthusiasm didn’t take. But kids did start to sign up for their developmental leagues in droves and now 15 years since the world cup here in the US we have spend a decade and half cultivating the sport where it matters most with the kids. Those kids are now older. They are the ones who are watching the EPL on Fox Soccer and ESPN.  They are buying the kits and they are making up the majority of the supporters clubs following the MLS clubs.

There are still ways to go. MLS has to expand beyond its current model and attract young European talent to fill out its ranks. Sure, the product improves year to year but it lacks the overall excitement of the European game. Many of the games still seem to trudge along. But again, year over year the product improves. Many of the new clubs, like my own Philadelphia Union are selling out their new stadiums before the buildings are even open.  If you could have seen the crowd at the unveiling of the Union logo in Philadelphia you would know that the this sports town is going to get behind its team.

The model for success isn’t so much the MLB or NFL model – its the NHL model. A largely followed sport that has loads of rabid fans but is still loosely considered a fringe or specialty sport.  But if you saw the crowds at the bars and parties around the cities during even the regular season, you’d know that hockey is anything but fringe. But what hockey did as it expanded was spending the time to educate their fans. The made sure the rules were explained via the broadcasts. Expansion teams tried to bring the right talent and made sure the fans were part of the experience.

That is happening but maybe not at the breakkneck speed we footie in america fans would like. This is a great sport, regardless of what the unitiated morons say.   Finally, I think football has arrived – why – on Friday when I walked around my office there wasn’t a computer that wasn’t watching France vs Uruguay. Just saying.

Some Thoughts About US v England:
This match has already been disected enough. Needless to say England should take heart from the fact that they played to a 0-0 draw in their 1966 winning campaign. The US should take heart that even on a wonky goal, they hung in and played with a football powerhouse like England. Many of my English friends were predicting a shellacking. Their arrogance was a little too much to handle but if you had watched the US and England play you knew this match was going to be tighter than national pride dictates.

By the way Robert Green should absolutely start again. Yeah he did his best Almunia and Flapianski imitation but for much of the season at West Ham he was as solid as he could be with such a weak defence. His best match – the first meeting against a Man City side that were rolling over lesser teams. He absolutely kept West Ham in the match and allowed them to stay with the stronger team.

Soccer v Football
You may have noticed I stayed away from the term soccer. I was purposely avoiding the English yelling at me saying it’s “football”. However, I wanted to remind my English friends that the term is an English term originating at Oxford:

The term “soccer” came into use in England during the 1880′s by university men from Oxford and Cambridge. The use of “association football” as distinct from “rugby football” was already in practice and “soccer” became a colloquialism formed by extending the second syllable of “association”. Today it remains a primarily journalistic or conversational term in Britain and throughout the Commonwealth, but in the United States, Canada and Australia its use is the rule.

In its early days soccer in the United States was known as football and when the national governing body of soccer in the United States was formed in 1913, it was known as “The United States of America Football Association.”  In later years that gave way to “The United States Soccer Football Association” (USSFA) and then to day’s “United States Soccer Federation.” Many of the state associations in the U.S. contained “football” in their title when they were formed in the early years of the century.

In Australia the national team is known as the “Socceroos”, while one of the world’s best known soccer magazines “World Soccer” is published in England. Consequently soccer is not a term unique to the United States as many people seem to think.

And now for some Arsenal News:
The new away kit has been announced – while it should be its own story I figured I would put it up here:

The Yellow Is Back!!! - I like it!

So what do you think?

Popularity: 30% [?]

Arsenal at the World Cup

Article written by ChiGooner:

The esteemed football writer David Goldblatt wonders in the introduction to his fantastic book, The Ball is Round: A Global History of Football (found here on Amazon), if there is  “any cultural practice more global than football?  Rites of birth, death, and marriage are universal, but infinite in their diversity.  Football is played by the same rules everywhere.  No single world religion can match its geographical scope… the use of English and the vocabularies of science and mathematics must run football close for universality, but they remain the lingua francas of the world’s elites.  McDonald’s, MTV?  Only the most anodyne products of America’s cultural industries can claim a reach as wide as football’s, and then only for a fleeting moment in those parts of the world that can afford them.”

Over the 30 days beginning June 11^th, virtually everyone on the planet will either take part in, or at least bear witness to, the single most concentrated and passionate manifestation of this global obsession with football.  Football has conquered nearly every society it has come into contact with.  Even Australia, China, India, and the USA—the last major holdouts—have now joined the global party.  Despite football’s continuous hold over the global imagination, however, there is only one month every four years when the planet’s entire football community focuses its attention on one place and one competition simultaneously.  That is during the World Cup.

The Final of the 2006 FIFA World Cup is estimated to have been either watched, listened to, or attended by around 3 billion people.  That is nearly half of all humanity.  In short, the World Cup is the single largest collective human experience in existence.  Football has the power to transform players’ lives, to elate or completely dishearten fans, and to unite or divide nations.  Nowhere is this power more visible or potent than at the World Cup.

 But enough about the event’s significance.  What about the football itself?  The teams, the stars, the managers, and of course: the fortunes of that small group of players whose time at the World Cup forms the less important part of their duties as footballers, as a result of their being players for Arsenal Football Club.

 The (rather long) short list of favorites includes many traditional powers as well as an array of teams hoping to join the group of seven nations that have already been immortalized in football history by winning the World Cup.  Brazil are once again on the minds of many, though they have attained the status of favorites by making use of a style that—despite its prevalence and success in the modern game—seems distinctly out of place when used by the side that embodies the beauty of the “beautiful game”.  Many are likewise hoping that the brilliance of Messi will be able to overcome the lunacy of Diego: 53 goals in 47 club matches would ordinarily speak for itself, but not in this case.   England are once again seen as favorites by some, and—inevitably—as overhyped [WORD]s by others: can a non-English coach finally settle this debate in favor of the former group?  Finally, despite their lack of star power, no one in the know would dare discount Germany or Italy at a major World Cup.  When it comes to preparation and determination, these two sides are only paralleled by each other.

The Netherlands are—once again—hoping to extend the world’s most-exclusive club to eight members, but as always have many doubters.  The most promising potential newcomers instead hail from Iberia.  Spain possess a team so deep that Arsenal’s best player over the last three seasons, and this summer’s most sought-after footballer, Cesc Fabregas, is unlikely to secure a starting place.  Some say the Spaniards are shaky at the back, but they are cemented by the solid Barca duo of Puyol and Pique, and could very well have the best depth in goalkeeping ever seen at a World Cup: Victor Valdes—statistically the best keeper in La Liga this season—is third-string, stuck behind Pepe Reina and the indomitable Iker Casillas.

And what of the African teams?  This, the first World Cup to be played on their continent, offers a special opportunity, one that will undoubtedly take several decades to present itself again.  Recall that Brazil are the only country to win a World Cup away from their home continent (counting Mexico as part of Latin America, and thus ruling out Argentina in 1986).  The Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon look to have been handed the most manageable draws, while Bafana Bafana hope to avoid becoming the first host nation to fall at the group stage.  The Desert Foxes of Algeria are beset by injury and poor form, while the previously-high hopes for Ghana’s Black Stars and Cote d’Ivoire’s Elephants have been tempered by injuries to Michael Essien and Didier Drogba, each widely regarded as the best player on his respective team.

Meanwhile, fans of every nation will be hoping that the light of stars such as Messi, Kaka, Ronaldo, Eto’o, and Rooney shine brighter than ever before.   Spain are lucky to possess an array of flair players, with the likes of Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas, Torres, Villa, and Silva all in one side, while Holland possess Sneijder, Robben, and van Persie.

Speaking of Fabregas and van Persie, how does the tournament look to be shaping up for Arsene’s Army?  Let’s begin with Group E, where three of the four teams possess key Gunners.  Robin van Persie will likely be the focal point of the Dutch attack, being asked to play a versatile center-forward role, similar to the one he played for Arsenal in the early stages of the most recent campaign.  His progression to the next round seems assured, and anything from the quarters to the final itself seems realistic.  Alex Song and Nicklas Bendtner will also do battle, as both look to snatch second place from the other.  Bendtner, who has a similar role with Arsenal as his mentor and senior Van Persie, will also be asked to replicate that role for Denmark, whereas Song—while still playing in the center of the pitch—will be asked to move further up field and play a more creative role than Gooners are used to seeing.

At first glance, Arsenal’s defensive record does not bode well for France, as their squad contains three Arsenal defenders (Bacary Sagna, William Gallas, and Gael Clichy), as well as Abou Diaby, a midfielder who may be asked to take on defensive duties.  But if one places the blame for Arsenal’s defensive woes on poor coaching, then France look to have a tighter back line.  No one can question the individual talents of Sagna and Gallas, who will likely start.  On the other hand, Raymond Domenech is not widely considered to be a very astute manager at the moment either.

As mentioned, the man whose Arsenal shirt says “Fabregas,” but whose Spain shirt says “Cesc,” will play an important, though much less prominent role for his country than for his club.  Look for him to be used as an impact sub, or starting in an advanced role if Vicente Del Bosque wishes to play with Torres or (more likely) Villa alone up front.  The reverse is true of Arsenal bench warmers Emmanuel Eboue and Carlos Vela, who are likely to be integral pieces of their national sides’ plans.  Eboue, a utility man who in a pinch can be used on either midfield flank, or across the back line, will likely start at right back.  Vela’s superb technical abilities will be integral to Mexico’s fast-paced attack.

 With 10 players in South Africa, Arsenal are tied for third among all clubs, along with Panathinaikos, Real Madrid, and the European champions.  The European runners-up have 11, while Chelsea and Liverpool have 12 apiece, and Barcelona (who else?) top the list with a whopping 13.

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Introducing Marouane Chamakh

I came to London and all I got was this red shirt ( (c) 2010 arsenal.com)

I figured it was time we met our newest signing – no I don’t mean the walking wounded that will be back next season and will be like “new signings.” I mean an actual new signing. You actually may have heard something about him. He used to play for Bourdeaux in the French league. His name is Marouane Chamakh. Now courtesy of Wikipedia I give you Marouane Chamakh our newest attacking option.

Full name: Marouane Chamakh
Age: 26
Height : 6’ 2”
Playing position Striker

Career Statistics:

Bourdeaux (2002-2010) 227 appearances/55 goals
Morroco (2003-2010) 53 appearances/27 goals

In 2000, at the age of 16, Chamakh accepted an offer to join the Bordeaux training academy while continuing to pursue his studies. He played 17 games and scored six goals for the club’s reserve side in Championnat de France amateur 2 before making his debut for the first team against Metz in a Coupe de la Ligue tie on 19 January 2003. His Ligue 1 debut came less than a month later, on 8 February 2003, against SC Bastia.

Despite having represented France at youth level, Chamakh made his debut for Morocco on 8 June 2003 in a African Cup of Nations qualifier against Sierra Leone.

His 13 Ligue 1 goals in 2008-09 helped Bordeaux to win the title, ending Lyon’s seven year domination. He scored five goals in nine appearance in the Champions League, netting against Juventus and Bayern Munich as Bordeaux caused an upset by finishing top of their group. He also scored against Olympiacos in the round of 16 to set up a quarter-final tie with Lyon. Chamakh scored in both legs of the tie, however it was not enough to prevent Bordeaux from being eliminated 3-2 on aggregate.

Chamakh’s impressive performances have seen him linked with numerous clubs during his time with Bordeaux. Lyon had a bid rejected in June 2007 and were criticised by Jean-Louis Triaud for their pursuit of the striker. His current contract expired in June 2010, meaning he was able to move under the Bosman ruling.

On May 21, 2010, Chamakh completed his move to Arsenal, which will take effect from July 1, 2010. He will wear the number 29, just as he did previously with Bordeaux.

Certainly the player has showed continuous improvement over the years. Many will argue that the league isn’t as competitive as the EPL and therefore the goal tallies should be greater or won’t equate in the league. Regardless, he has shown himself an able scorer for club and country. And while it remains to be seen if he is durable enough for the rough and tumble of the EPL – he is tall, he is has great positional awareness and he can get in the air for headers.

Those of us that watched more than our own favourite team in the Champion’s League will know that in addition to Yohann Gourcuff, he was the bright spot on Bourdeaux.
What remains to be seen is whether or not Chamakh marks the start of other signings or just like last year will be one signing that is passed off as our attempt at progress over the previous year.
Also the wagers begin now on exactly when and if he will be our only striker available as Robin Van Persie and the wonder Dane, Nicky B, suffer their inevitable injuries in the middle of the 2010/2011 campaign.

Popularity: 14% [?]