Is This Thing On? Arsenal v Bolton Match Preview
Vous Ja De? The feeling this hasn't happened before?
How would you like to be a new manager in charge of a Premier League team? One fighting off relegation. One that has only won 2 home matches in the season. One that hasn’t had a clean sheet in 11 matches. How about one that has only won once in the league since October and one that has conceded more goals at home (21) than any other team? Well if you’d like that – you’d be in the same boat as Owen Coyle, the former Burnley manager who now finds himself at the helm of a struggling Bolton side.
Compound that with the fact that Bolton face an Arsenal side that haven’t lost since 29 November. A side that even with a myriad of injuries is still the league’s leading scoring. Or better still how about an Arsenal side that hasn’t scored less than 3 goals in the last 3 matches they have played against Bolton.
With such a big task ahead of them Coyle will be looking to exert his influence over the squad and the fans (who never took to predecessor Megson) . He could do that nicely with the scalp of one of the traditional big four squads. Better yet – he has the opportunity to do it twice within the next 4 days. This Wednesday will see Bolton travel to the Emirates to make up the match that was scheduled for 6 January but eventually was snowed out (the proverbial game in hand).
For their part Arsenal come to the RBK having had to fight for a point against a very determined Everton side. Additionally, Arsenal are suffering from the absence of their defencive steel with Alex Song away on ACoN duty. But all is not doom and gloom in Gunnerland.
Arsenal are starting to see the majority of their walking wounded make their way back to the pitch. Captain Cesc Fabregas has made the trip to Bolton and looks to start. In interviews this week the Catalan wunderkind said he feels 100% and has been rigorously training to get match fit. Arsene has to be relieved he is back. If any player embodies the heart and soul of the club it is the 22 year old Captain. Additionally, Gael Clichy has returned. He won’t start but he will be on the bench and if Aarmond Traore has a first half like had last week – the french left back could be deputized early in the second. Denilson is likely to make the trip but be in the final squad. He is still suffering from the niggly abdominal injury that mysteriously dropped him mid-field against Everton.
Coyle’s Bolton are going to have to tighten up against the prolific attack of Arsenal who have found the net in each of their last 7 games. They lead the league in goals scored with 53. They are on course to crash through the league record and score anywhere from 102 to 110 goals this season. Chants of 1-0 to Arsenal are no longer the norm. Its been more 3-1 or 3-0 to the Arsenal.
After a brief stutter against Sunderland and Chelsea the Gunners find themselves the most consistent team out of the potential league champions. Chelsea have yet to play without their big 4 Africans and while they won their last match, they haven’t played in 2 weeks and they have dropped more points they have won. Manchester United is having fits of consistency. Whatever the reason, injuries lack of talent, whatever, United are a lucky to even be 2nd right now. With a little help from Arsenal and a Brum OG United if they do not improve could be fighting for 3rd even 4th if they don’t improve soon. Their problem is the massive debt which likely is going to prohibit them from buying a major replacement this January. In fact both Ancelotti and Fergie have kept their word so far and HAVEN’T waded into the market. If they don’t and Arsene keeps his word and does – the league race is going to get real interesting come the end of January.
But Arsenal cannot worry about what the likes of United, Chelsea, Spurs or City do. Arsenal must take care of the matches they play and they have been doing just that. I have been shouting all season to anyone who will listen (but have you) – it is less about what you do against the big 4 and more about what you do against the lesser opposition. If we are to consider City a big club now the only lesser side we have lost to is Sunderland everyone else has bee drawn or won. Actually more than nought its a win. United won the league last season with a 1W 2L 3D against Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool. They did what they had to do against the other sides – something they are unable to do this season. Arsenal in order to stay in the hunt and possibly win the league most copy that form. So far all indications are they are.
A nice little nugget to mention a lot has been made about our defence. It has been solid at points weak at others. The weakness I think we all agree has less to do with the back four than it does with the consistency of the man between the sticks. But Arsenal are starting to see something of a defencive renaissance (if you will). Their offside trap is actually the most effective in the league. They have managed to catch the opposition offside 88 times in this season’s league matches. If something could be done about the man in yellow (No I am talking about the streak down his spine) I think we could see an Arsenal defence that may not be as prolific as the glory days but pretty damn near. You can allow for defencive mistakes by the back four periodically. That’s expected. Hell, you can even expect periodic mistakes from the ‘keeper, but when the ‘keepers goals allowed average is close to his save average the problem lies not with the defencive back four but with the ‘keeper.
Finally, while we still do not have our elusive striker replacement Arsene did do something very un-Arsene like and bring Sol Campbell back. Never before has Wenger in 13 years of managing the red and white army brought any player who has left back to the fold. But as I’ve also mentioned this season’s opportunities do not seem lost on the french gaffer. Realizing that even youth needs to have an experienced mentor he reached back to his heydays and brought back a link to the invincible era. Sol is going to be a valuable learning tool for the younger defencive players and even so for the young captain. He can be a voice in the locker room that maybe didn’t exist before. And come on – the man is still a freakin’ oak tree. In a close game with a 2-1 lead on the line bring him in and let him eat up some attackers. It was clear in the reserve match against West Ham he still has something in him. He absolutely controlled the attackers and looked a class above anyone on the pitch except JET. Overall this a good signing for more than just the player depth.
How this match will play out:
I expect Bolton to try and come out and press Arsenal much like Everton did. Everton did an outstanding job in the first half of controlling the passing the lanes and forcing Arsenal to either layoff the pass earlier than they wanted to or steal the pass. However, Everton are a more talented side and David Moyes has had more time to prepare his squad than Coyle has with Bolton. However, the players will be looking to impress their new boss and will likely come out with some verve. Arsenal though should be strengthened by the return of Cesc Fabregas. As Fabregas goes so does the team. Not that it can’t win without him but with him its a little easier. Plus I think Arshavin’s game goes to another level when he plays with Fabregas. Overall I expect the Gunners to do the normal hold possession and look for the right opportunity to open the match up. That couldhappen early or after 15 minutes (when most of their goals have been scored). Either way I don’t expect that the new manager bounce will have too much effect on the match.
Probable Starting XI:
Your guess is as good as mine
Injuries/Unavailable:
Arsenal: Walcott (back) Wilshere (hamstring) Ramsey (hamstring) Bendtner (groin) Denilson (abdomen) Djourou (knee) Gibbs (ankle) Van Persie (ankle) Senderos (foot), Ebou (ACoN) Song (ACoN)
Bolton: Davis (knee) J O’Brien (knee) Shittu (ACoN)
Player to Watch:
Arsenal: Cesc Fabregas. The little engine that could. He is likely the best midfielder in the world right now. If he isn’t tell me who is.
Bolton: Owen Coyle. Okay so he isn’t a player but the former Burnley boss starts his Bolton career against a rather big fish. It will take some time before his style of play is fully integrated into the squad. You wonder if it is enough. At Burnley had they been relegated he likely would still have a job and been praised for having his side play good football. If he doesn’t prevent Bolton from relegation he’ll likely be wishing he had never left Burnley.
Match Officials:
Referee: Phil Dowd
Assistant Referees: Mark Scholes & Patrick Keane
Fourth Official: Mark Clattenburg
Recent League Form:
Arsenal: DWWWD
Bolton: DDWDL
Television Options:
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UK: Sky Sports 1 1600 BST
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GAMEDAY CHAT: OPEN. www.youaremyarsenal.com/gamedaychat
YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal – 3
Bolton – 1
157 comments
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and Tevez shoots City over United…
2-1.
Think he likes that? He must be over the moon.
Heard from more than a few folks here that he is over-rated!
He might be under-rated… he is a great player.
re: Dempsey
Good news for our mens national team…..
he will be out 6 – 8 weeks; no surgery is thought to be required.
that’s big for the US… and surely a relief for Dempsey that he’ll be able to play in the WC.
fantastic.
Not for everyone!
http://soccerlens.com/now-hail-wenger-for-prudence/39508/
You know AS, whenever anyone dares to mention the term “balance the book”, someone would come up and make it sound like he’s more interested to see the club making a “profit” rather than winning trophy.
How bull can it be?
For fans, EVERYBODY wants to see his team winning trophies.
For manager, every manager wants to WIN every bloody match, let alone titles.
The fact that some of us stress the significance of book keeping is merely because we want to see the club stay COMPETITIVE in a long run. NOW and in the future.
EVERY club could go for broke and spend all the money they have or do not have in order to BUY instant success. Yet as with everything in life, if you do that, you are going to live with the consequence. Sooner or later.
As simple as that.
Right.
In a small way, I have sympathy for Pool and ManU. I’m sure there was a segment of fans who saw the decisions of the owners as red flags, only leading their clubs into serious debt and they were probably drowned out by those saying, hey we’re winning all these big trophies. At least in the case of ManU. Rafa has just done a poor job in selecting players.
You want balanced books, I want trophies.
We make PROFIT, more than virtually anyone… that’s not BALANCED, that’s lopsided.
Make big profits / while not winning anything
They love you on the board… believe me.
Why have sympathy for ManU?
They are the most dominant team by far in EPL history.
They don’t want or need your sympathy, and their supporters would NOT trade their titles or trophies or TREBLES for the club making a profit.
Do you think ManCity’s fans care if their owners spend more than anyone? (with the alternative being mediocrity at best?)
Do you think Chelsea’s fans look and say… oh we bought the titles so its not as meaningful?
Liverpool and Manchester United will be JUST FINE. Believe me. They aren’t going into adminstration, or going to get relegated any time soon.
sympathy…..
was for the segment of fans who foresaw the path the owners were taking the club, not for the entitled fans with the limited mentality of “win at debt expense”.
Stag – you’re entitled to your view of the world.
I hope the clubs will be fine, but not as confident as you. YOU ARE THE ONE TALKING OF
GOING INTO ADMINISTRATION – not in either post above.
I keep looking at the mouth watering run of EPL ties fast approaching against ManU, Chelsea & Liverpool. Two of them are at home which is less intimidating, yet what a litmus test to our challenge credentials. Nine points with the potential to jettison our challenge or to propel it forward. Nine points to be gained in head to head contests – if we win they lose. This is what sport is about.
Arsene is clearly upping the ante, as Arsesession said above there is a sense in which he’s holding the team accountable now whilst in seasons past he batted away any criticism shielding his team to the point of sillyness. We don’t know why his attitude has changed – does he think the time is right to increase expectations or was that sense heightened by the discontent of the fans last season?
Interesting that this sense of NOWNESS has rubbed off on Cesc. I read a comment he said about this Bolton game and ‘no excuses’. The tone was that the team had to get the points – there were no excuses. And he’s right.
When we lost van Persie and Bendtner long-term the question was who (if anyone) would step up to the mark and score the goals our attacking MO requires? One of the obvious candidates was Arshavin – but did he deliver a purple patch. I’ve revied the last 10 games post-Chelsea and this is what I found.
We scored 20 goals (+ 1 own goal).
Fabregas top scored with 4, whilst the uber-talented attacker Arshavin only got 2.
But the really interesting aspect is from what positions did we score from. Was it our striker? 2 wideboys? 2 central midfielders? the DM? or defenders?
Well here it is:
striker = 5
wideboys = 2
midfield2 = 11
DM = 2
defence = 0
Two things stand out to me. Firstly, it was the 2 central midfielders (excl the DM) who stepped up bigtime (Fabregas, Ramsey, Diaby, Denilson, Merida). And secondly, the wide boys were peripheral.
Our new game (post Arsenal Mk II) has a relatively slow buildup meaning we often need to unlock a massed defence and we play down a very narrow channel.
Old Arsenal sides under Wenger had more pace and scored against defences that were manically backpedaling – allowing Henry, Pires and Ljungberg to score those sumptuous breakaway goals that became our trademark. How many of those goals do we see now? Almost none. You’d think on the bigger Emirates pitch it should be even easier to score those goals – but we’re not configured to do that. We don’t have a striker with blistering pace and we have an axis (Fabregas) who plays the possession game.
@ Kiwi – really good summary.
I too was studying the schedules, and we definitely have our hands full starting with Villa (A), ManU (H), Chelsea (A), and Pool (H).
However if you examine the last 10 league matches, ManU and Chelsea both have stiffer competition down this stretch of matches and some of the other matches will be vs. clubs who are facing relegation – so those matches Chelsea & ManU will be up against teams with more determination than justified by the standings.
Also, Chelsea must play a home and away against Inter – who will match their pace and (imo) are more physical. ManU has the home and away with AC Milan, who are playing their best in years.
Stay relatively healthy and we control our destiny.
Lets face it, for the past 3 season’s Arsenal has had no REAL LEADER -not Gallas and when the armband was handed to Cesc, he was not ready to lead by example.
This year Cesc has taken the responsibility / accountability. He physically imposes himself all over the pitch. Remember how he threw himself in front of the Bolton shot attempt in the 2nd half.
From my perspective, for Cesc to be having such a terrific season scoring and assists, its a testimonial to the other supporting players stepping up. Eduardo, Arshavin, Diaby, Song, Ramsey, Denilson, Nasri, Rosicky and the back line.
Now if we can get Bendtner and Theo back and stabilized into regular match rotation, their involvement will give the midfield even more attacking options.
and what do you think about the RUMOR of
MATTY FLAMINI going to ManCity!
The Arsenal re-union tour!
;)
Thought you guys would like to see the EPL Fair Play Table:
http://www.premierleague.com/page/FairPlayTable/0,,12306,00.html
At least we’re leading something.
If my stats are correct, our last red card was Eboue against Tottenham on 8/Feb/09. We have played 56 games since then.
finesse midgets play fair!
:)
Lumbering giants don’t
Couple interesting things – I was shooting tweets back and forth with John Cross of the mirror – he expects (as do others) that the transfer window chatter is going to start to pick up. He’s not sure if that will include the Emirates.
Also Opta has named RvP the best striker for the frist half of the season – Created a chance every 26 minutes scored 7 goals and 7 assists in 11 league games.
What a pity he can’t stay fit for a whole season.
Good article on Eduardo
http://blog.emiratesstadium.info/2010/01/e-d-u-a-r-d-o/
Excellent article!
Man, so much good stuff being discussed.
Kiwi, I think Senderos was initially overhyped. I admit to being one of the main Sendy-bashers on the old site. However, I recognized progression and my criticisms curtailed. His best season was the 07-08 season. He performed well as a backup. We didn’t miss Kolo at all during the AFCON or after his injury against AC Milan. But after Torres destroyed him in the CL, he was essentially done in Wenger’s book. He truly burned the Arsenal bridge by comments he made while on loan.
Many don’t really appreciate how difficult it is to play as the lone CF. The truth is when Henry left, Adebayor was never meant to be the main man, van Persie was. Ade’s biggest problem was he went from having the decisiveness of Rosicky, Fabregas, and Hleb, to the indecisiveness of Nasri, Walcott, Diaby, and Eboue. The loss of Hleb was especially tough as Ade often found himself isolated where Hleb always stayed close to him. If fans considered how tough the position is along with the drop in quality from the supporting cast, it’s easy to see how Ade’s game seemed to change so dramatically.
Even van Persie talked about how hard it was to find the proper balance this season concerning his work rate. If you remember, he didn’t score at all until like the sixth game of this season. That could have been tough as it’s important for strikers to score. You can’t simply cut and paste at that position. You need experience. Example, compare Rooney at the last World Cup to Rooney now.
Agree with the young players not yet established exposing themselves to try and impress. Also agree that the boss has a vision of what he want’s to do with the team and I agree that we don’t know specifics about contact extensions. Also agree that Torres can do a job in that role.
Stat Attack –
Players who joined Arsenal at the age of 22 or above – Silvestre, Gallas, Arshavin, Almunia, Rosicky, Sagna, Eduardo, Vermaelen, Fabianski and Eboue.
Rosicky had a previous injury record. Eduardo was doing fine until he was scythed down by Taylor. Most others have had a relatively injury free record at Arsenal. Gallas and Silvestre apart, who are both 30+.
Now players who joined Arsenal at the age of 22 and below – Nasri, v Persie, Diaby, Vela, Denilson, Senderos, Clichy, Gibbs, Song, Ramsey, Mannone, Szczesny, Merida, Walcott, Traore, Bendtner, Djourou, Fabregas and Wilshere.
Every single player in this list bar Song and Sendy(?) have either had a long term injury lay off or persistent injury problems.
Is this sheer coincidence?
It could possibly be argued that over playing youngsters leads to more injuries and Arsenal are therefore prone to them because of the vast majority of youngsters we have. Buying older and more robust (battle hardened) players could lead to lesser problems.
makes too much sense, gotta be shot down, cause Arsene can’t be wrong!
;)
finesse midgets are tough too!
LOL
Really interesting point, nip. I would love to see a broader, beyond Arsenal, examination of the point you’re raising.
It has been statistically shown that young players who get a lot of games are more prone to injury than older players. If you haven’t already read it, I would suggest picking up a copy of Soccernomics . I don’t agree with everything they have to say, but the authors take a look at the game through a data-driven point of view. Goes without saying that they have a HUGE hard-on for Arsene Wenger’s style.
Injuries are a tricky thing and I think it’s a vast over-simplification to say that small or finesse players get hurt more than big guys.
Luck plays a big role but so does youth and experience.
A class player knows or will learn that you cannot help your team or impress anybody unless you can get and stay on the pitch. Young players are eager to impress and will sometimes expose themselves to injury where a more experienced, more established player might not. Fans of the English game object to the better, more experienced players anticipating contact and making a meal of it, but IMO it’s better to show a referee that somebody is trying to clatter you than to stand in and just take the (often reckless) contact. I’m not in favor of diving, but players need to protect themselves from thuggery. (Drogba perhaps, of course, has taken this a bit too far…)
As a younger team with less experienced players trying to impress Wenger (and maybe their national team managers watching from afar) I think we fall victim to this more than some of the teams with more established players, maybe pushing too hard, even in training. Likewise more of our players have to “go for it” on international duty, even in the idiot friendlies, as they fight for WC spots, etc.
As our current crop gets more established I expect to see fewer and fewer injuries. In the meantime, my fingers are crossed, touching wood, etc., esp. that our few players who have been able to mostly keep playing (Vermaelen, Song, Sagna, Gallas, Arshavin) can stick with it and remain healthy and form that core that we need. And yes, Stag, hopefully we’ll rest at least our central defensive three for the FA Cup slugfest at Stoke (and still come away winners….)
I talked about it before how it’s important for the physio to find proper balance as well. It’s his job to get players fit again. The boss, the club, the fans, and the players are all chomping at the bit to be fit again. It’s the physio’s job to get the players fit again. So it can be tricky for the physio to say, “hey, he’s not ready to play yet”. NOBODY want’s to hear that. What a dilemma.
How many of you have managing experience?
How many of you have been through a credible coaching school?
My point is that being a manager takes on many responsibilities for a club. The fact that our manager is emotional and has an attachment to his players (IMO) is an asset for Arsenal attracting the best young talent.
Whatever our manager has as a vision for Arsenal, it will take time, where many fans don’t have the patience.
Maybe many of you prefer the Mourinho type manager, who need a sugar daddy (andez desc) to buy a winning squad? Is that really managing?
Gee, how did Mourinho WIN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE WITH PORTO?
Was that because he had a sugar-daddy there?
Who gives a shit whether we have managing experience… I don’t care if you manage Under-12’s in your neighborhood either.
We are supporters, we support, we question, we live and die with the team… we buy the tickets, the shirts, and help pay the salaries with our CA$H… we have the right to question and ask questions.
When we don’t… sports should worry, because we’ll be gardening, and half-filled stadiums will mean people don’t give a shit.
If you want SHEEP, who follow blindly, you’re at the wrong site…
that site is:
http://www.arsenes-ass-kissers.com
agree about Porto, there are always exceptions and I knew this when I made my comment…….
look at Mourinho’s recent remarks about his interest to return to EPL -” under the right ownership ” – all the time under contract with Inter; for me, he’s just a low class prostitute.
“Who gives a shit whether we have managing experience… I don’t care if you manage Under-12’s in your neighborhood either.”
Yes, this site is an open forum of opinions. Some believe their speculation are factual although they never back up their comments with facts or stick to the subject at hand.
My point about managing experience, including U-12’s, it provides an added perspective about the manager’s responsibilities to shareholders/owners, the club, fans, and community. The success on the pitch is the byproduct, open to feedback from every fan, influenced by their expectations.
to continue:
Additionally, a reputation is evolved from the manager’s actions on and off the pitch: recruiting young men (and their families), sowing an image of trust and loyalty, assembling players of character and quality, and fabricating a program that attracts the best talent WHILE KEEPING THE CLUB SOLVENT.
This is only another season in Arsenal’s long history. We all want to see our team play attractive football. We all want to see our team compete successfully – to win some silverware.
We are fans, always whining about something.
Firstly,
I don’t CARE about Arsenal making MONEY.
2nd… coaching kids or even at the high-school level has NOTHING to do with coaching at the highest level of sports. ZERO.
It’s not the same thing in any sense… other than you coach sports.
I have coached little league baseball and Babe Ruth level as well, it doesn’t mean I have greater insight on coaching the New York Yankees!
and I like attractive football, but I’d rather win, than play pretty.
I’d rather we WIN, than make money for the board.
It is NOT College Football, so recruiting young men should not factor in. Perhaps, that’s why the men leave our college program, when they get to the top level, and move on to clubs with ambition.
If you plan to refute someone, make some effort to stick to what they say, don’t fabricate your own set of criteria.
By the way, how old was Cesc when he joined the club? and then these players: Ramsey, Wilshere, Bendtner, Denilson, Theo, Song, Gibbs, Traore, Clichy, Szceney, Fabianski, Eastmond, Jay E Thomas, Barzite, etc.
“I have coached little league baseball and Babe Ruth level as well, it doesn’t mean I have greater insight on coaching the New York Yankees!”
No. I agree and you make my point. Why would you think your background qualifies you to be a better judge of what needs to be done at Arsenal?
You believe NOBODY can say anything contrary to Arsene Wenger.
He is infallible in your world.
I do not.
I’ll refute however and whatever… with any criteria I like!
Its the internet!
“How many of you have managing experience?
How many of you have been through a credible coaching school?”
Silly. Since when is either a prerequisite for fan commentary? Presuming you’ve done neither yourself, it certainly doesn’t seem to slow you down.
It yet another way of trying to say ‘Arsene knows’. Might as well just take the board down now, then.
you’re right, has nothing to do with commentary, except when who have little background to job understanding, and then believe your perception is gospel.
Nothing above implies ‘Arsene knows’, just attempting to state that with some understanding of the position, you’d see there were more elements to consider than what surface to the usual fan.
I guess I figure it should go without saying that the Manager knows more than the fans. And, anyway, what does that mean here? We discuss things based on the only perspective we can have: our own.
After all, the president knows things most us don’t know, too. Certainly doesn’t keep everyone from having an opinion about HIS performance.
And it also doesn’t mean that sometimes those who are supposed to know more than us, don’t make common sense mistakes that most of us average folks can see through.
Which is how a guy with exploding underwear got on an international flight, and why we STILL have no depth in our back four. ;-)
Good points Vibe!
“Presuming you’ve done neither yourself, it certainly doesn’t seem to slow you down.”
I do give our manager credit for his ability to find the diamond in the rough. Is he right all the time? no.
I would prefer to see minor changes to our squad: new keeper, and a versatile back up for DM.
I enjoy reading everyone’s insight, and very open to other perspectives, when they are substantiated with good logic and details – not with reactive-emotional words.
As for my background, well lets just say – I’m still learning.
“As for my background, well lets say I’m still learning.”
Me too. Big-time. There are plenty of people on here who know more than I. I love reading the various discussions of formations, who should play where, why, etc. Really good stuff.
@ Kiwi
I guess the staff’s saying the same thing at ManU ?
What about that flea size player – Michael Essien- out most of last sesaon, not doing much better this year. Botswinga (not a smurf either)- out most of this season. Joe Cole out most of last season & his return this year, not going well. Drogba, Lampard and Ballack last year had constant injury issues. Cech has had injury issues.
Torres? …………Gerrard ?
How about Cesc – missed 4 months last year & this season still in pending outcome.
Fulham has a rash of key players out with injuries. 2nd half of last season Villa suffered large number of injuries that saw their form fall.
I imagine most of the teams in the epl signed the same hi-risk injury plagued players. AsK SAF about sea sickness.
If you think Arsenal are going to challenge the manager for his player selections, never.
SAF says he doesn’t like boats.
you’re right, he doesn’t like boats…..
oh, don’t dare challenge Arsene Wenger on anything… he might get upset.
We can’t have that.
WIN or GO!
;)
Our squad has the numbers – it doesn’t need more players. More players will create clutter and cause Arsene different problems.
We need to make a few hard decisions on a few positions, we need to cull a few and replace them with fit players, the sort that can actually play 50 games a season – ala Henry and Vieira.
Successful teams have a core of first teamers that the side is built around and that play ‘most of the time’. Some players are just jinxed – like Louis Saha. A blip on the ManU honours board. We currently have far too many Saha’s.
(over 5 seasons Saha started only 37% of EPL games for ManU)
Robin van Persie’s average is poorer at 34% starts of EPL games over 6 seasons. Rosicky poorer still at 32% starts of EPL games over 3 seasons.
Will either of these players provide an adequate return? Perhaps one good (part) season like Saha but not likely more.
Walcott is even worse, at least with van Persie and Rosicky you can see the quality on the pitch – Theo is the master of hype with no substance.
We need a bigger squad BECAUSE many of the players we KEEP and SIGN LONG-TERM, are injury prone.
Competition is never a bad thing in sports. Competition for positions is healthy.
That is why I HATE the thought process that “we’ll kill the kids if we bring in new players”.
If you are good enough, you will make it.
Bring in BETTER… healthy proven players, and the rest will sort itself out.
Folks like Senderos, will not get into the team, and have to move on.
“Most managers have a favorite line up and stick with it. This allows the players to build an understanding.
Our injury list has topped the league physio room ALL SEASON. The shifting of players in and out has impacted our ability to play to our level of technical/tactical talent.”
Well you get what you get. If you persist with a bevvy of hi-risk injury plagued players your shooting yourself in the foot. It’s like buying a houseboat after complaining about sea sickness. What do you expect?
I’ve said before, sooner or later someone at the club is going to review the playing staff and see what a pathetic return we’ve had for 3-4 years running on van Persie, Rosicky, Walcott and Diaby, and even Eduardo. When you’re in a multi-million pound industry someone has to look at such things in a dispassionate manner and challenge the manager who clearly has a close emotional attachment to his crop of players.
Unfortunately you’re right…And stretched as thin as we are we’re playing guys with lingering injuries (Arshavin, Gallas, and Sagna at the very least, and these guys probably should be cut a little slack on this account). We’re also counting on bringing back others sooner than we probably ought to. Desperate times….
From our vantage point it’s hard to understand why we’re tossing out long contracts to crocks and unproven youngsters, but we really don’t know the terms of the contracts–Hopefully a player like Rosicky has a contract with “pay as you play” provisions and he doesn’t linger on 80,000 or 130,000 pounds per week like that guy Ade did (and now does) whether or not he plays.
There is an emotional element at play and AW seems to be culling the squad of the “attitude problems” and trying to foster a tight team dynamic. Cynics would argue that this is a quaint idea of a bygone era. I’m not so sure and I hope that we can somehow become something bigger that the sum of our parts….
On the ad hoc nature of our collection of strikers; I think that is an almost a direct consequence of the formation change.
Do you play a striker wide or a playmaker wide? Do you prefer the ball retention and prompting of a Nasri, or the pace in behind of Walcott? The situation is complicated even further by the fact neither Nasri or Walcott are top of the range in their particular skill set – merely passable most of the time. Eduardo definately looked more of a ‘gun’ striker in 07/08 when played in a 4-4-2 with Bendtner in behind though. Now, in line with the system, he and others move more circular and less vertical than before, so to create a swirling 4-6-0 that arsesession mentioned.
And in this formation its even harder to attach blame to a particular player, especially when hardly any, apart from Fabregas, seem to be particularly thriving in their role or even just general performance, regardless of position. Arshavin for instance, has and will always be a frustrating, periphal player that will test patience before he tests the oppostion. Rosicky is half the player he was. So criticisms of Eduardo have to be tempered with that realisation, even if its hardly revelatory to declare that he has plenty of flaws himself, despite the player supporting him. His lack of pace being a glaring one.
Still, I would still take Eduardo or a player like that any day over Adebayor. Fabregas would never have scored his first goal yesterday with Adebayor playing as a target man. It’s true we look toothless when it doesn’t work but I’ve seen enough to suggest it can work enough times in the future to be effective and if Ed stays fit it can work even better.
That’s part of the reason why I’ve held fire a bit in writing these set of forwards off, because with them Wenger is trying to get us to play the type of football I’ve wanted for a long time. I complained bitterly about “you know who” so I’m willing to give these little fleas sometime to conquer through pitch time and the subsequential chemistry that time hopefully brings ;)
Agree.
Maz to add to your critique one other element.
Most managers have a favorite line up and stick with it. This allows the players to build an understanding.
Our injury list has topped the league physio room ALL SEASON. The shifting of players in and out has impacted our ability to play to our level of technical/tactical talent.
well, Wenger should plan for the injuries, because it happens most seasons when your team is a finesse group of midgets!
Add DEPTH.
Pretty big of you Mazza to play “wait and see”…. ;-)
For me it comes down to workrate, something that most strikers don’t have a lot of time for. RVP seemed to buy into the expanded demands of his new role and suddenly looked A LOT better this season coming back into MF knowing that he could look up and find his “support” forwards making runs toward the box or MFs looking to set him running forward with one-twos.
And Bendtner, to my mind, was, literally, waiting in (on) the wing, showing that he was willing to work just as hard out there until he got his chance up front.
Of the remaining current crop, only Vela would seem to have the stamina and skill-set to try to match it. (And he’s pretty strong for one so young…to lump him with the fleas seems a bit harsh.) Unfortunately, to date, he seems happier hiding on the touch-line rather than being the focal point.
Being that it’s still January, I keep thinking somebody (on YAMA) must know who might step into the RVP role. Maybe there’s no one. (And certainly we’re not missing Ade…) Perhaps, as they say, “Arsene Knows”…. ;-)
Re: Ramsey & Nasri injuries
Arsene admitted that the 21 days was a standard prescribed recovery time, but that Nasri and Ramsey have a history of healing quickly.
Sure would like to see them back in time for Chelsea!
Dudu looked like a flea. Ditto Arshavin. Ditto Vela. That’s ok on the left or right but in the middle it’s not convincing.
None of our previous strikers – Anelka, Henry and van Persie – fit the ‘big ass’ stereotype yet they aren’t flea’s. They have a sufficient presence with their blend of physical stature and superior technique.
I’m intrigued as to how this pans out.
IMO striker is the key position in Wenger’s sides. This has become even more relevant with Bergkamp retiring and the move to a sole striker line-up.
I think Torres would be the bomb at the apex.
Back to Eduardo. Nipuna’s observation on his lack of speed on the lovely through-bals echoed my own thoughts at the time. Slide-rule through balls are a classic Arsenal attacking ploy. We need a player who can capitalise on that. If we don’t our game becomes even more stereotyped and predictable – goals come only from intricate inter-passing (like the little dinking 1-2’s) through the opposing defence. When it works, lovely, but it often doesn’t work.
Arsene has me 100% bambozzled over his collection of strikers. There is no apparent pattern. Adebayor, Bendtner, van Persie, Eduardo, Walcott, Vela…. Quite a collection but no obvious way of utilising that crop in this team. The only thing I am 100% confident about – is that van Persie is (or was) the apex.
Read that article about false nines that I linked to above. I think Arsene saw A LOT to be admired in what Barca were doing last year and saw our personnel as being able to mimic it. But as the author notes, even Barca have switched away a bit from that strategy by swapping Eto’o for Ibrahimovich, although, for my money, Ibra is exceptionally mobile and a fine passer for such a big guy.
There simply are not a lot of big (or at least bigger than a flea…) guys out there who can be “target men,” and have the work rate and ball skills to come back to the center circle to field shorter passes AND have the ability to release players from that position with killer (slide-rule) passes of their own, while being decent finishers in their own right.
Add to that list of qualities that they have to be young and relatively unknown (and thus good value) and even the vaunted Arsenal scouting network (and the solid observers here on YAMA) may have trouble putting together a list of viable names….
And yes, Torres would top the list…but I don’t think were gonna pay 40-50 million for a cup-tied guy who just had surgery, however….
there is no question our front line is small….
When Ade left, most of us believed a similar size replacement would be found, but I believe the club (regardless of what is released to the media) is watching every penny. Also the market is so over inflated that spending $25 – $35 mil is not going to happen at Arsenal.
I’m only speculating, but our 4-3-3 is most of the time really a 4-6-0.
As the two outside forward’s converge into midfield; and play triangles with Cesc, AND the other midfielder, our DM, or a CB: ALL THE TIME LOOKING FOR THE KILLER PASS WITH ARSHAVIN, EDUARDO, CESC, NASRI, ETC. OR the nifty 1-2’s, as Eduardo & Cesc executed.
Its a shame Arsenal don’t have a set piece expert, for our style of play provides us endless free kick opportunities just outside the PA.
I do believe that when Bendtner comes back, he’ll play at the apex and provide more problems for the two CB’s and the opponents midfielders.
what makes you think Bendtner will be back anytime soon? Might be back around the time RVP will be back.
It’ll be too late then!
and… to Steve…
how can Wenger possibly believe we could mimic Barcelona, when they are filled with talent, stars, and firepower, and we… are filled with potential, midgets and finesse?!
Doesn’t make sense.
(But Wenger often doesn’t make sense!)
;)
Stag – our manager is very careful with his words when discussing injuries. In one of today’s media interviews he talks of the new injuries to Ramsey and Nasri, but expects Bendtner back by 10 -14 days.
I HOPE Bendtner is back in 2 weeks or so, but he has been discussed as a possible long-term injury as well.
If he comes back, we won’t buy a striker, as he’ll be a “new signing”!
:)
Essien out for (maybe) a month. What do these guys do in training, anyway?
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=727409&sec=global&cc=5901
probably the same thing Arsenal does, as Nasri is out 3 weeks with a “training injury”!
That was my intended reference, yes.
Kiwi –
“Whilst Eduardo was involved in the buildup to both (which will please Arsene) for most of the time he seemed wholly unlikely to score. That worries me. How long can you expect other players to finish off the goals? At this stage his game looks a tad short on pace and he is too lightweight to trouble your typical mammoth EPL centreback.”
Eduardo:
last 5 matches : 3 goals & 2 assists
for season ( 14 starts): 6 goals and 5 assists (RvP: 7 – 7)
If you remember when Eduardo was signed, Arsene stated he was the most difficult striker to defend against. He was never signed to be the big ass target player – nor was RvP.
Nip’s earlier remark:
“Agree about Dudu. I commented on GDC that he has lost his pace. He was never the fastest, but now he looks clearly slow. In last night’s game, there were two sumptuous balls by Cesc to Dudu, but he was so slow to reach the ball.”
Its only a sumptuous ball if the pass finds the player at the receiving end.
If you don’t catch up to the pass, it’s your foot speed fault; certainly not possible that the pace of the pass was was heavy.
Big snowy day on the American Bank Holiday, so I’m posting away….
Dudu isnt/wasn’t fast, now or before the injury AND his shooting power and range of passes is limited relative to RVP. What he does brilliantly are decisive quick moves, usually for goals, yesterday for assists.
IMO there is an issue in trying to play Eduardo and Arshavin (and maybe Nasri too, but he’s hurt…) at the same time, esp. if we want one of them to reproduce what RVP was doing for us. Arshavin simply won’t cover the ground like RVP and play as a “False 9” http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2009/oct/27/the-question-false-nines-jonathan-wilson Eduardo, lacking in pace, just looks bad doing so.
Both of them need to be near the top of the box where they can occupy defenses by oozing confidence and being “opportunistic.” When the ball comes to them, by pass, or deflection, they need to be ready to pounce.
Replacing RVP, with a January buy or “internal solutions” is no mean feat. I really believe AW is trying to find somebody to do the job, but that rules out a lot of your typical, back to goal, big guys of limited mobility and passing range, which is maybe a good description of Bendtner, and, frankly, is why I don’t see him as any sort of saviour. Many of us see a lot in Carlos Vela, but so far he doesn’t seem to possess the decisiveness or confidence to fill RVP’s shoes. Given all the injuries he’s likely to feature in these next two matches, so maybe now’s the time…
Luckily we’ve got the field general, El Capitan Fabtastico, who’s working hard AND scoring goals and creating opportunities. If he and Dudu and Arshavin (and Diaby and Rosicky) keep healthy and working together I think we’ve got enough goals in the team to at least compete at the highest level.
Steve, Vibe, I agree with your thoughts on Haiti. Football like all sport is a welcome diversion from life’s challenges – nothing more.
I see Senderos looks like leaving. I do feel for this guy. I never believed he was as intrinsically bad as some folk made out. Yet, sadly, confidence plays a key part in a players development and sometimes the timing of events work against a player and demand he rises even higher if he is to reach his potential. Senderos was a victim, of sorts, of the Cole transfer saga. Gallas came in as part of the Cole deal and nabbed the spot that looked for all money to be his. Senderos got the hallowed shirt number but lost his position – how jolly ironic. He never looked the same again.
Perhaps the example of Senderos demonstrates Arsene’s concern over the younger players and the damage that can happen when a senior pro is placed in their path. There is a fine incalcuable balance between giving a player sufficient playing time to develop or not. There is no formula because every player is a unique project. Yet, Gallas was placed in Senderos path at a time when Senderos clearly was marked for more time not less and gazump it dented his confidence and with the benefit of hindsight we can say it ‘killed’ his Arsenal career.
What lessons can we learn from this? Probably nothing simplistic. Like I said each player is an individual project yet there is a real tension, professional football needs squads so to some degree players have to ‘suck up’ the competitive environment – there is an element of the darwinian. In this context developing young players at a BIG club is a fraught activity. What would happen to Song if mid-way through this stella season we go out and buy a seasoned pro deserving of a first team place? It might backfire. You see Song now deserves his first team spot on merit and he also NEEDS to keep it to consolidate the progress he is making. Buy a new guy who also deserves time and you jeopardise Song’s development ala Senderos.
But things aren’t simplistic, and you can’t apply blanket rules. Take our attack and the bevvy of young players who populate that area. It gets more complex. You see a deep injury malaise blights our attack. So deep that in the heart of winter we only have the rehabilitating impish Eduardo to roll out to support the equally impish Arshavin! In this context it makes waiting and tarrying with Bendtner, Walcott and Vela a very costly endeavour. We have a title to win, we are an overtly attacking team, we need to score, yet attack is our most callow area. So…..I can understand (and support) why Arsene is looking at serious attacking options despite the very real negative consequences it may have upon the futures of Bendtner, Walcott and Vela. Will the purchase of a new striker have a detrimental impact on a more mature player like van Persie or Eduardo – yes and no. Players with their experience are nearer the ‘finished product’, they have established reputations, and are less ‘fragile’. So even if a new buy displaces them, they are better equipped to compete or always have the option to transfer and try elsewhere.
Kiwi –
“Arsene made an interesting comment that we HAD to get the 2nd goal before the last 15 minutes. In retrospect he may not be happy to have been quite so transparent. What he is saying is that this side is ill-equipped to defend a 1-goal lead at the death. At the buiness end of the game this side cracks too often. He’s right of course. We need to rid ourselves of that tag – on the field.”
I don’t infer the same interpretation.
What my take on this remark is that when you are playing (especially) away and fail put the game away, leaving the door open for the home team (or opponent) to take points: anything can happen in the last 15 minutes. If you ask every professional manager, they will agree. A 2 goal difference by the 75 minute mark is enough to deflate the opponents will.
For our present season – I’m not sure “this side cracks too often” applies to Arsenal – more
an issue for Pool.
Last year everyone was criticizing our manager for spinning our play. This season he’s attempting to hold the
players accountable.
….not so sure ;-)
so what aren’t you so sure about?
We didn’t exactly thrash Bolton, but I we were in control at the
end, and that’s all that matters.
Until the 2nd goal went in, weren’t you sort of thinking… please NO!
Bolton had a few chances, and we did too… but we finished.
That is a good sign… too often it goes the other way.
Cesc in the squad = belief by the team
Wenger is right that he has to be healthy in order for us to mount
any challenge…
We got the clean sheet, but the defense didn’t play great… there were
some shaky moments.
I didn’t get the Eastmond start, quite frankly… he was ok.
Traore was shaky again… teams will target him.
I don’t think we have to many players play very well… which bodes
well for Wednesday…
Nasri is OUT for 3 weeks, injured in training…
Ramsey is OUT for 3 weeks, with a thigh injury…
and the transfer window is still ticking… and we still need HELP up front, as shown in today’s match yet again.
we can walk on sunshine until Wednesday, and start the music up again then…
Also want to say that I’m gratified by the focus of the Manager and the Captain in taking our matches one at a time. I love the interviews on the BBCsport webpage http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/default.stm even though they’re preceded by advertisments.
Hey Vibe….check them out….the volume control GOES TO ELEVEN!!!
Off Topic: I also want to thank Vibe for posting about the earthquake disaster in Haiti (previous thread). The normal life in places like Haiti (and inner-city New Orleans, for example) is brutal enough and when natural disaster strikes, it’s completely heartbreaking. I was in the SF bay area in 1989 for that earthquake of similar magnitude and that was bad enough….
We live in a crazy world and I haven’t the first idea of how to react when I see suffering on such a level. In many ways carrying on (including continuing to worry about our beloved football team) seems to be the appropriate response. I guess I just feel a little strange about devoting so much mental and emotional energy to a mere game when I can hit the remote and see what else is going on….
Sorry, for the bleeding heart, helpless/guilty interjection….
Please, carry on.
That was a really great interview with Fab, Steve. I like the way that he says the right things, without it sounding canned. He sounds like he’s saying what he really means. Nice and grounded and focused.
And, please note, bankers…he mentioned TROPHIES, but never profits. ;-)
Back to Steve: I share your sentiments on the most recent tragedy. I posted the Partners in Health/Haiti link, because it’s a good place for anyone who can, and is so inclined, to donate directly to relief efforts there. I’m a fan of the Red Cross, but it always seems like they give you the opportunity to Donate, without being specific as to which of their worthy causes the money will actually go to.
Just a few months back, ESPN did a feature on the NoCal Earthquake (20 year anniversary, I guess). Man, that was awful.
The BBC interview everyone needs to watch is the one with Gazidis from 10 or so days ago….I posted it in the previous thread but I’ll do it again. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/8447304.stm
The part about our “transfer philosophy” is about 3 minutes in, and for those of you who want us to buy our way out of our injury troubles….well…the volume goes to 11.
And now it sounds like Merida is hurt (ankle) although Denilson and Walcott are available for the re-match. Interesting how Fabs said he could have played at Everton but wanted to be 100% sure he wouldn’t re-injure the hammy. Perhaps we’re not so concerned about such things with the others….
Oh, and don’t expect a whole lot of protection for our boys from Wednesday’s referee….”Plugs” Crapenburg, er, I mean, Mark Clattenburg….the same guy who missed Ade’s stomp on RVP (and Cesc) at ManCiti, and who gave no card for Bentley’s late two footer on TV5 (vs Spurs) or the boot to Diaby’s face/shoulder at West Ham….
It seems like Cesc is now a bit envious of his Spanish teammates- especially the ones playing for Barca
And he wants to be the catalyst, the lead star of something similar to the achievement to which they were part players last term. This is evident from his main repetitive comments all season:
“I wanna lift trophies, individual victories hardly mean anything.”
And as was evident from his distraught behaviour after being substituted for Spain once, it is clear he wants to be starting for Spain, and rightly so.
He, somewhere down, also believes, with this Spanish team, he has a great chance of winning the World Cup, and by leading Arsenal to victory, and improving his game, he can rightfully demand his place, and this season, or the year 2010, can be breakthrough, or say, defining season of his career, at mere 23.
Not getting too far, this guy, seriously deserves the WPY award, just that, to claim it, your team needs to win trophies, and now he is showing his strength and class to that affect too.
I just hope, that things do not fizzle out for him like it did a couple of seasons ago.
Rarely pray, but this time, FOR CESC, THe WONDERKID !!
( Who, with each touch, resembles all that is beautiful about football.That is accurately measured forward passing and quick interplay and over the field vision and teamplay. If he would have had the consistency of Henry, with his class which is so much superior to Zidane, or anyone before him, he can become a midfield legend)
Cesc IS a wonder and it’s an awesome thing to watch unfold. Obviously we need him to stay healthy and he needs to as well for the WC. As great as Xavi and Iniesta and Marcos Senna were at the Euros 1.5 years ago, Cesc was just as good and just as big a reason that they lifted that trophy. I really do think that we are privileged in watching a legend in the making–and one who is doing it with fairly limited physical gifts. Credit to AW (and others at the club?) for recognizing Cesc’s abilities early on and giving him the platform for showing them.
Very gratified by the result, by the play and the leadership of our young Capitan and by no further injuries…Perhaps we could make a deal with Coyle that we will take a 1-0 victory in the return match and teach his charges how to play some nice one-touch football in return for not kicking the crap out of our boys….and if we ever have enough healthy bodies, he gets Wilshere on loan for the relegation run-in….
Clearly the match could have gone very differently, some better finishing by Bolton early and we would have been chasing the match. Some better refereeing and we might have put the match in the first half. As it played out we got a decent performance from Eastmond, and worthwile cameos from Merida and Clichy–all of whom it appears we’ll actually be needing!?! Credit to AW from the unorthodox subbing and use of his (paper-thin) squad
Almunia scared me (and his defenders it seemed) early in the match but then popped up when needed (esp. on Klasnic’s great chance at the stroke of half-time when Davies beat Vermaelen and Gallas got well turned). With the clean sheet I guess that issue is papered over for the time being.
The biggest shock of the match for me came before kick-off with the absence of Nasri. It now appears that Samir, Ramsey, and Bendtner, not to mention Song and Eboue are all unavailable at least until the Chelsea match. We are getting stretched thinner then Lacina Traore! Arshavin and Gallas (and who else?) are already playing hurt and Denilson will probably get rushed back prematurely. Because of the injuries I am unable to share the OPTIMISM of those who say we are only a transfer (and a dropping–LOL) or two away from being able to win the league.
No, what we need is nothing less than a miracle. Continued fortune on the pitch (more happy bounces, no further injuries, and maybe some protective refereeing) is essential AND we’ll need to show great focus and resilience as we face the better teams. (We probably can’t count on Villa and United forwards to finish like Mathew Taylor did yesterday). Long term, IMO, we’re building something of great beauty. Short term….don’t break any fingers keeping them crossed or touching wood.
Won’t be putting out a match review – since there is another Bolton Match on Wednesday. Figured I’d do a post match review of that one and the outcome of the two matches on Arsenal’s assault on Chelsea.
Agree Nip, I think we all have a large dolup of goodwill stored away for Dudu.
With my rant in full flow I overlooked the main story of the game. Messer Fabregas. Now, if I was put under a blow-torch I’d have to admit that on ocassion I have felt our Fab was the recipient of premature adulation. Not that he hasn’t looked a star in the making, but that he was getting A grade marks for B+ performances. Well folks, the time may be arriving or indeed have arrived when young Cesc is truely living out his star status on the pitch. And perhaps even more surprising, Arsene’s comments, in this regard at least, are looking more in alignment with rational sounding common sense. Fabregas is looking more a man (in a footballing sense), he is showing maturity, and the load he has carried now looks rather comfortable.
There’s a reason why the Gerrard’s and Lampard’s get continuing praise and its perfectly correlated to their regular knack of coming to their teams aid when needed. They are so often involved in the winning plays. Well, ditto Fabregas. I waxed on a while back about football being a game that hinges on a few events each match. Well guys of this ilk cause these events to happen or get on the end of them – it’s that simple. It is scary how often Gerrard pops up with an inspirational play and how many goals does Lampard get notwithstanding the derision he receives?
Kudos Fabregas. I hope this team hangs together over the remainder of the season. Who knows, maybe Bendtner will return and grasp the opportunity – ala Song, even Diaby. It’s still a jolly tall order. And Arsene seems to be as reluctant as ever to make it easier via a little prudent spending. But….you never know….sooner or later this crazy frustrating stubborn strategy might germinate and if it does a lot of the ‘issues’ will fade away as they always do in the glow of success.
Excellent post, Kiwi.
Mixed goods match, it could easily have been 2-2. But that doesnt matter, all that matters is the 3 points. Now we should spank them beyond reasonable doubt at home to go TOP of the table. Chelsea and Man U dont play this midweek!
It would be a BIG psychological boost to be top of the table … even if just temporarily. It should give them “belief”.
Re: Merida. I dont think he played that well yesterday, but for the goal he did very well. Merida will be a top, top, top player … I have said it several times, there is NO point wasting time on utter drivel like Denilson who would NEVER be above average in their entire career.
Re: Eduardo. Give the guy a freaking break. He needs to ease in a bit more. Just assume it is his first season in England and he is adjusting. Because that is how it really is for him. He is not any slower, he just doesnt go into tackles, naturally, as he just recovered from a leg break so he is being extra tentative.
Form is temporary, class is permanent. I cant understand why some take the shit the Denilson/Almunia axis has given us for 1.5 years and after 1 month of Eduardo playing out of position in an unbalanced midget offense we are castigating him.
Just by recovering from that horror tackle and playing again he has PROVEN he possesses a stronger mentality than most of our players. Leave him alone. He WILL come good.
PS: If Denilson and Almunia are ruled out for the rest of the season and we buy just one striker this January, we WILL win the league.
Your firing off half-cocked like Stag.
Last time I looked Eduardo was the only available Arsenal striker – is he what we need to seal this seasons title? No didn’t think so, just chill. That’s the context of the discussion – not whether Dudu deserves goodwill – which he obviously does and gets in large quantity.
As to whether he will ever be the same player, a top-4 quality player, or a star for Arsenal – only time will tell – such was the gravity of his injury.
Nothing to do with quality being permanent, the human body is not indestructible and many fine players have been robbed of their capacity through serious injury.
And I have been calling for a new striker since the beginning of the season, so I dont exactly see the point of your response.
Just get off Eduardo’s back. This is the same way everyone was getting of Fabregas’ back not too long ago because he couldnt “do it” like Gerrard and Lampard.
Class is permanent and I think he will do well on the wings. Or beside a big man.
Now to get the big man in.
A well earned 3 points in winter against a team that we usually find hard to put away. True, Bolton aren’t what they were, yet credit to our boys for fronting up and standing up to Bolton’s typical physical challenge. The arrival of a new manager has obviously perked the struggling team up.
The truth is this was a very ebbing game, not usual for Arsenal who tend to dominate games albeit whilst struggling to put them away. Today, we didn’t dominate the game, it was an even affair in as much as we were never allowed to dominate possession and dictate the pace of the game.
Arsene made an interesting comment that we HAD to get the 2nd goal before the last 15 minutes. In retrospect he may not be happy to have been quite so transparent. What he is saying is that this side is ill-equipped to defend a 1-goal lead at the death. At the buiness end of the game this side cracks too often. He’s right of course. We need to rid ourselves of that tag – on the field.
Arsene will be well pleased with both our goals – they are the type of goals that this side seems constructed to make and take. Little jinking one-two’s and clinical finishes. Whilst Eduardo was involved in the buildup to both (which will please Arsene) for most of the time he seemed wholly unlikely to score. That worries me. How long can you expect other players to finish off the goals? At this stage his game looks a tad short on pace and he is too lightweight to trouble your typical mammoth EPL centreback. There is still an unconvincing look to this forward threesome – an ensemble of midgits. Eduardo and Rosicky are both gun-shy and Arshavin seems ill-equipped physicaly and mentally to carry the attack. Some will point to the injuries, yet doesn’t this simply confirm the problem?
As for Saha?! When he can get off the treatment table there is no doubting his goal scoring pedigree – but therein lies the issue and the problem. Do we need another A-grade crock to join our squad full of attacking A-grade crocks? It seems like a bad joke. ;-)
Despite my fears, nothing would please me more than to see this side tough it out and win the title. It really would be the coronation of a new era.
Agree about Dudu. I commented on GDC that he has lost his pace. He was never the fastest, but now he looks clearly slow. In last night’s game, there were two sumptuous balls by Cesc to Dudu, but he was so slow to reach the ball. I still keep hoping that it is his injury and he will get it all back, but where have we heard that before? :(
Considering the climate of this away venue (as Stag noted earlier) & new manager’s presence; I thought a 0-2 result was positive for Arseenal – two teams with contrasting styles.
Cesc -not much you can say about this player; he’s at a level above everyone.
For Eastmond’s 1st EPL start, credible performance and I like his willingness to take risk on forward
passes. He’s certainly a more physical presence than Denilson (but not a Song); his physical presence
is deceptive!
IMO – Eduardo and Rosicky (despite not scoring) an had terrific matches. Both players seem to be
returning to old form. We need both on the pitch to add maturity, experience, technical and tactical
speed.
Traore looked to be an obvious target by Bolton and many situations which looked like Traore was at fault – when he had two players to mark and little support. Yes, he did make some mistakes. I thought Wenger made a very astute non- substitution when he brought in Clichy & left Traore in place.
Diaby struggled in the 1st half; when he dropped to DM (at the Eastmond sub) he was solid in tackles and maintaing possession and I believe this gave Merida more confidence to move forward.
Strong performance by Almunia (hard for me to type this) but he handled some high pressure
situations extremely well. Good for HIM!
Thank God someone stuck a voodoo pin in their Matt Taylor doll every time he got near goal.
Bolton definitely made us work hard. But we took our two best chances without hesitation.
if we win 2-0 on Wednesday, we go top on goal difference – or rather same goal difference, but by virtue of having score more goals.
Our fluidity increased very visibly when Fran came on. Excellent finish as well. Cesc was outstanding. Eastmond decent. Traore is too young to label him a flop just yet (and he does show glimpses of what he can really do) but today he had one of his worst games I thought. His positioning was atrocious and I’m thankful that Bolton failed to see the man he’d left on his wing open in space so many times.
Excellent win. Need to follow it up on Wednesday. As a sidenote, WTFFFF was that by Robinson on Cesc. If we had Vieira or Keown on the pitch today.. there would’ve been some red cards. Was very happy to see Rosicky shove that other moron to the ground and also the cynical foul by Eastmond early on that got him booked.
Oh and Klasnic I think looked good. Decent player.
that’s how the Bolton’s of the world play against a superior side… physical.
didn’t work, but not unexpected.
Cameroon down to Zambia already. Maybe Alex will be coming back next week. Zambia’s been my favorite team to watch during this tournament. Cameroon simply don’t have any go-to players to make things happen. They won’t advance from the group stage in the World Cup with this team.
Cameroon back in the lead 3-2 with just a few minutes left….And that’s how it ends.
Don’t expect Alex Song back until the tournament ends. And now Nasri is out 3 weeks with a hamstring torn in the “last minute of training.” Luckily Eastmond and Merida stepped up to fill the gap today.
Still seems like we could use some extra bodies….
Told ya, Francesc Fran should be ahead of Denilshit! ;)
I like Merida but I still don’t think he will stay. Arsene is notoriously stubborn about this pecking order. Fran has Cesc, Song, Diaby, Denilson and Ramsey ahead of him – all of whom are < 24.
Excellent result. Two goals and clean sheet.
Bolton has some chances, but overall we were clearly the better team.
Traore struggled. Eastmond did fine in the first half. Merida showed what he can do if he got some game time.
Diaby, Arsh and Sicky were a bit disappointing, but hey, not all can shine.
Onto to Wed and a nice little thrashing at home.
ditto on the result – only clean sheet for an away game since Fulham!
Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, Knight, Robinson, Lee, Muamba, Cohen, Taylor, Klasnic, Kevin Davies.
Subs: Al Habsi, Elmander, Gardner, Mark Davies, Ricketts, McCann, Andrew O’Brien.
Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Traore, Fabregas, Eastmond, Diaby, Rosicky, Eduardo, Arshavin.
Subs: Fabianski, Vela, Silvestre, Clichy, Merida, Coquelin, Emmanuel-Thomas.
Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire)
Eastmond starts. Big game for the lad. No sign of Nasri. Bench looks raw. Still no start for Vela.
Eastmond starts?!
great.
has “draw” written all over it.
;)
Sorry to disappoint to you. ;)
Villa drop points at home to West Ham.
Though the top two won, every other team around us dropped points this weekend. Time for us to do our bit.
Craig Eastmond? Craig f*cking Eastmond?!
Don’t you just love the fact that Wenger pays no heed to the importance of defence or defensive midfield during the pre-season when it comes to buying players, but when DURING the season all of a sudden he starts playing dross like Craig Eastmond for ‘balance’, instead of accentuating our strengths in such cirumstance and playing Merida.
Unbelievable, but yet so typical of Wenger that it’s really not.
I don’t think I would want Henry back. At his age I just think you’ll get more of the stroppiness and less of the payback to make up for it.
I was watching him against Seville yesterday as well and i remembered why I found him quite annoying despite how great he was, and still do to an extent……. the lack of variety and spontaenity in his finishing!
Everytime he runs through on goal and the keeper is closing him off, he never does anything but hit the ball straight at him. He does it all the f**kin time. Never dinks it over the keeper or puts any disguise on it, just does a regulation side foot hoping to get lucky.
Luckily he was absolutely brilliant at opening his body up when given time and applying obvious finishes very well, but this weakness in his finishing partly explains why he’s never scored in a final.
Henry opening his body up to finesse it into the far corner- he almost trademarked that kind of finish. Anyone does it, I immediately think of Thierry.
Guys, find some optimism.
Wednesday night we will be top of the table!
top of the table?
are Chelsea getting a points reduction?
re: TH14
He will be playing for the NY Red Bulls next season.
Despite all our injury trouble, Vela is yet to start a league game all season.
Not true – the second game post RvP’s injury . He was woeful.
That was a CL game against Liege.
Right forgot that
I think Arsenal will start very tentatively. Bolton will be looking to impress their new manager and will fly into tackles. Arsh, Dudu and Sicky are the latest combo to play the front three. So is Diaby, Cesc and Nasri in midfield. Cesc is returning from injury and Sicky has hardly ever played. I wouldn’t be completely surprised if we even concede the first goal.
But as the game wears on, I expect us to impose ourselves and turn it around (if we are down). By the end, we should have stamped our authority and shown clearly who is challenging for the title and who is fighting relegation.
I’m hoping Cesc inspires us to show urgency from the offset. Bolton is obv going to make that difficult, but I do expect us to be fighting right from the get go.
That being said, I am never surprised if we concede first.
Is Henry not getting enough game time at Barca? Why would he leave a club which has a far greater chance of league and CL success and join us?
Another thing about Saha, he always misses half a season. On the other hand RvP always misses half a season as well. Combined they could make ONE good striker for us. (assuming they dont croak at the same time!)
Big assumption. I wonder if Wenger might talk himself into making it.. Though if he tried, he would probably finish with the conclusion that they’re both due an injury free run through to the end of their careers from next season on and we won’t see another striker ever again.
Henry is in the same boat as Vieira. Players who will never be brought back. Along with Flamini and Hleb.
Campbell is an aberration. He was in a lot of personal turmoil, so Wenger probably is more lenient on him than on others. He also has been at the club ALL season. And we know how intoxicated Wenger becomes with the players he sees every single day. Campbell also probably begged for “one more chance”.
All in all, Sol was very close at hand, cheap, desperate and playing in a position that has no kids that could get “killed”.
Also Wenger probably doesnt have stringent physical or speed tests for his defense (thats why Silvestre could pass anyway). Players like Vieira and Henry would probably not meet up to Wenger’s physical expectation at this point in their career.
Sol was just at the right place at the right time at the right price (zero).
By the way, Henry is not the solution to our problem. He is shot!
I would be delighted if we could somehow snag Saha in part exchange for Senderos.
Enjoy this –
http://www.arsenality.com/2010/01/arsene-wengers-plans-in-tatters.html
Yea I’ve been visiting the site every few days since you first posted their link up. Really good stuff..
By the way Nipuna, thanks for the Arsenality link. That stuff is gold.
Henry to end his career at Arsenal…it’s a beautiful dream, but I absolutely don’t see it happening…
I hope everybody saw the interview with Ivan Gazidis about the business end of the club. I saw a 20 minute version of it, but here’s a six minute one. I like Ivan and I can get behind what he’s pursuing with the business end of things.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/8447304.stm
About 3 minutes in he starts talking about the clubs transfer policy, stressing discipline, discipline, and more discipline. Personally, I can accept the long term approach, although I know others (esp. those buying high priced seats at the new stadium) have a different view.
After hearing Gazidis I’m of the mind that if anybody else joins the club here in January it would likely be a youngish, non-CL cup tied forward who might replicate RVP’s workrate, if not his finishing and provide long term competition for the likes of Vela, Walcott and Bendtner. He’ll also need to be good value for the cost, meaning things could go down to the wire on the final day. The only older player I see who might be a possibility would be Saha from Everton on some sort of Senderos loan-swap arrangement.
Things do seem tantalizingly close (though Chelsea’s 7 goal performance today might argue against that…) but I say we’ve got some big problems that I KNOW will go unsolved in the transfer window (at GK, for example, the most important position on the pitch…though this does not apply to the FA Cup, so maybe that’s our best shot at silverware….) so it’s hard to think we can do much without a heap of luck.
Still, fingers crossed for a good match tomorrow and maybe a little show of more immediate ambition from the club in what remains of the window.
Interesting to note how deep Anelka kept dropping to receive the ball in that Chelsea performance. Credit where it’s due, it was beautiful football. One striker who kept dropping deep, and they still managed to do that much damage.
Their movement was fantastic and it is that kind of understanding that we should be striving for. And I don’t think we are that far off. A bit of continuity from an injury free run would go a long way to helping team chemistry. If we buy anyone this window, I really really hope they are physically robust.
Didn’t watch the whole match (once the score got lopsided) but Anelka looks the best forward in England right now. And no Drogba drama needed. Belletti looked useful as did Cashley. Plenty of depth on show–not missing the Africans near as much as they seemed to miss Anelka when he was hurt.
Totally agree re: injuries. Esp. hope that Cesc, Diaby, Nasri, Arshavin & Rosicky can all stay healthy and get some good interplay going before the tougher matches (soon!).
Yes, Chelsea didn’t miss the crew they have at ACoN at all today.
7 goals, against a Sunderland side that is not too bad this season.
Didn’t you get the memo, Chelsea don’t play good football. They’re boring and rigid remember? ;)
Seriously, Chelsea have always played good football in my opinion and at the moment I would watch them over Arsenal.
People overrate our football so much its incredible. The majority of our good football is played when the other team have given up and we’re coasting at the Emirates.
I rarely, rarely disagree w/you Maz, but I do here. I find Chelsea generally brutal to watch. They play winning game of football to be sure. And they finish clinically, and often in exciting fashion, when they get the chance.
But waiting for those moments, mostly when their opponents make the inevitable mistakes, is hard-going usually.
But, yes. Our style points mean less than those that rise you in the table.
We now resume normal service. ;-)
Dagger in the heart! ;)
Chelsea do grind alot of the time I agree, but what I always liked with them is that when they needed to go for it, they really went for it, and it was a sight to see.
The games I specifically remember were the ones against United at OT in 05-07. They really stomped over them for the full ninety in those matches, never let up, and that’s always been my grievance with our flimsy lot so I suppose it’s more of a grudging admiration for a strength that we lack than them being great to watch in a general sense.
I get it. Their directness when-it-counts has been something to be admired. We’ve got a little bit more about ourselves this season. Finally. (Though not the finished product yet.)
But, shhhh. You know who else agrees with you? Whomever programmed FIFA 10. And here’s my confession…I play as Chelsea and ‘pool far more than I play as Arsenal. Because I can’t get the Arsenal front line to score, either. But Drogba, Anelka, and Torres? Well, it’s a very accurate simulation. ;-)
Ozi valid points. On his ego and its disruptive influence my immediate reaction would be the same as yours. Yet I think people/players do mellow with age and once they’ve started to accept that their ageing bodies have reduced their value they themselves are more able to accept a different role in a team. Added to that the fact Thierry left Arsenal and experienced Barcelona will mean he would return a different person.
I think he needed to leave – he wasn’t able to adapt within an evolving young team. Barca will have given him the different and successful experience he needed. He has won the CL and La Liga. He has proven himself at Barca one of the worlds great footballing theatre’s. So….perhaps a return to his footballing ‘home’ under his mentor could be an attractive step. After all, after Barca where does one go? They are today the ultimate – style and success. Perhaps a return to Arsenal and assisting Arsene to get this project over the line would be a natural way of ending his playing career and then perhaps moving into an assistant role???
I also agree on your concerns re his style and whether it is a natural fit with the way this team has evolved. But in saying that, our new style seems to be eternally evolving and it isn’t clear just what type of player would fit at the apex. I think an attacking threesome of Arshavin, Henry and Nasri/Rosicky would likely mould pretty well. If Henry moved left into Arshavin’s ‘space’ Arshavin has the nous to move infield ala Pires.
Perhaps I’m talking myself in to this!! Yet I really do believe we need a solution to the striker quandary and if we don’t get it NOW we may miss a gilt-edged opportunity to win this team its first and most crucial trophy.
Interesting points. I can see it work. Especially if Henry and Arsh could develop an understanding like you said. I hadn’t thought of that (after all there is only one Robert Pires). Etoo playing upfront was a site to behold, running onto through balls from the payers around him. And I think both Henry and Arshavin have the capability to do that effectively enough. It does have the potential to leave defences in complete disarray.
But its a WC year, Henry is settled in Spain, challenging for honours, even if such a move were to happen, I think it would happen at the end of the season. Either way, if he were to ever sign, I’d be the first one to buy a replica shirt.
You do realize that he left PARTLY because of PERSONAL ISSUES?!
Right?
He felt he needed to get out of London with his divorce happening…
It is NOT ALWAYS about football or money.
TH14 would not disrupt the apple cart, he’d help “this season”, going forward, not sure if he’d be the best answer with RVP back.
And… yall know I love Thierry… he wouldn’t come back for the rest of the season though, I doubt they’d loan him to us!
But one can dream!
Piers Morgan suggests re-hiring Thierry Henry – now that’s a provocative thought.
What I do agree with is the sentiment that we have a real chance at making a title challenge this season when our major competitors seem to be slipping up regularly and failing to put daylight between us and them. Again, I agree with Piers that the missing ingredient is an effective striker.
But Henry? Could it work? Do the good reasons for ‘letting’ him go still exist? I think it could work. I wrote a piece recently saying Arsene is in a pickle with the condition of Robin – his striker-elect. If Robin was fit we wouldn’t be having this discussion, but he’s not fit and Arsene needs a solution that HE finds palatable. I doubt buying a genuine competitor to Robin would sit easily with Wenger, but buying an ageing Henry whose ego is likely to be mellowing as age convinces him that the universe can no longer revolve around his axis might just be a workable solution. Arsenal get goals and a genuine focal point, no time-consuming integration necessary, and Robin’s position is not compromised…too much. As for Henry? What does he get? Well he gets immediate game time that he needs with a WC approaching at the home where he was rightly adored and with a real shot at another title.
What of Fabregas and his captaincy? Well, perhaps there may be some initial discomfort having the old moody legend back in the dressing room, but I kinda feel at 32 and having ‘won it all’ at Barca Henry may be happy to support Fabregas. Perhaps Henry himself will know in the back of his mind that captaincy isn’t everyones (read ‘his’) cup of tea.
Yet you’ve got to admit that a squad with Gallas, Henry, Campbell and Silvestre has a bit of serious maturity and title winning know-how.
Henry might be worth a shot. It’s not ideal, yet we have to find solutions that fit with Arsene’s MO and the fact is he sees Robin as the long-term focal striker, the player at the apex. The other fact is that he has a horrible fitness record. Henry could be the gap filler we need.
Interesting thoughts Kiwi. But this is Thierry.. If he comes back to us he expects to be the main man. He is still my favourite player of all time, but I think the disruptive influence on the team as a whole (and like you said, esp Fabregas), would not be worth his input on the pitch.
I don’t think he would be ideal for the apex of a front 3 either. He’s too.. mobile? I just don’t see him staying at the apex. i think he would move out wide far too much leaving us without any apex (kind of the way we are now I guess).
http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,14018_5863418,00.html
honestly, who the hell cares about us signing another 17 year old, who we send out immediately on loan?
how exactly does that help us until around 2012?
RIDICULOUS.
if we don’t have the money to spend on players for NOW, why spend it on players that can’t help the current team?
Just like everything you buy in the US, you don’t pay until 2010.
Oppsss. I meant “2011” ….
Everton are mopping the floor with Man City.
Reality check.
with Tottenham and Liverpool drawing, they didn’t lose much ground.
Just illustrates how wide open the race for 4th place really is.
Everton is starting to play well… the dude with the Afro, is becoming a very good player in a position we could use!
Those ahead of us won easily today.
Pressure is on us to respond with 3 points.
Well UNited and Chelsea do what they had to (did Sunderland even get off the bus?). I’d almost feel sorry for Liverpool fans if they weren’t well in fact Liverpool fans.
Hoping Donovan scores his first goal in the EPL against City.
re: Pool
in many ways, Pool are having the season Arsenal had last year!
re: Donovan
wishing he plays well (a goal would be a bonus); excel so that Everton OR some other EPL club will sign him for next season.
Pool had some rough luck today (Kuyt’s header at the death would’ve won it but for the post) and of course the injuries…but like you said on the last thread, the financial approach is the opposite of our own and the current payback is brutal….
And speaking of luck….I was catching up on Danny T’s (“realist”) blog (Arsenal Truth) and he says we’re due for our luck to run out…in a big way. Hmmm….
Danny’s blog title named “Arsenal TRUTH”.
Predicting “luck” running out… Umm, wonder if anyone can call that “TRUTH”?
Arsenal lucky?
Since January of 08, I thought we’ve had nothing but ‘bad’ luck.
Exactly AS. I wouldn’t consder losing our best striker in a meaningless friendly… our playmaker after scoring a goal… our first, second, third choice LB the same time at one stage… LUCKY.
The two own goals we scored in our Man U and Chelsea defeat looked to me like nothing but luck neither.
If all those are considered as “LUCK”, I wouldn’t mind our LUCK are due to run out. The sooner the better.
“Nothing but bad luck.”
Wow. How quickly we forget just last weekend.
I guess sometimes ‘truth’ depends on perspective.
of course it does.
the kool-aid crew certainly didn’t see last weeks draw as lucky!
they think we totally deserved the draw and more.
Well, you know, it’s just us moaning.
Arsene, you wanna jump in here?
http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2009/12/19/1698097/arsenal-were-lucky-to-beat-hull-city-insists-arsene-wenger
Not to mention the first goal against ‘pool. (Oh, damn. I just did.)
Chelsea and United taking care of business in their home stadiums. Anelka back for the former and Van Der Sar for the latter are almost “like new signings”…..Hoping Everton “builds” on their strong play against us and takes ManCiti/Cini down a notch.
These two matches against Bolton are big ones in that we need the points and we need no more injuries. I don’t mind Cesc playing a deeper, more “quarterback” sort of role and letting Diaby force himself further forward. It will be a good test of our ability to interchange positions no matter what the line-up is…”total football,” if you will…
A bit different from what we’ll get when we play on Stoke’s bowling alley pitch next weekend….At least we’ll have Fabianski in goal for that match.
Ryan Babel got into trouble by revealing he was dropped in today’s game, and for questioning Rafa’s selection policy on TWITTER!
just confirmed that how dumb footballers are when they are not playing football.
A while ago I read a story – a player who’s playing for a Championship club revealed on Facebook that a top flight club is interested in him and he’s going to move to a Premiership club.. sure enough. His current club found out. Months later, he was released. And currently playing in non-league!
Chelsea 4-0 up and it’s not even half time.
L’pool slip up in the 90th min 1-1.
Wish those results were the other way round.
Chelsea dominating Sunderland.. Not looking good for us. 1-0 up.. Anelka. Very pretty goal it must be said. Inch perfect through ball. Sunderland is really going to have to pull their socks up.
Anelka walks in the opening goal in the 8th minute…Now that Arsene’s re-signing players….
Anybody on the GDC…I’ll check….
Liverpool just scored off of a free kick that wasn’t a free kick. Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good.
And then lost the lead to a set play. Another set piece goal leaked by them. They’re almost as bad as us from them, though I must say I was very impressed once again by Reina. He is very confident, he is brave, good distribution, his decision making is good and in spite of a horrid defence, he has that feeling of solidity in between the sticks.
Great summary DAG.
I agree with your line up……although its possible that Nasri and Rosicky are switched. This is a very
talented and experienced line up!
re: Cesc
IMO – the main reason Cesc is having such a great season is Mr. Song. Last year, Cesc (when he played) spent much of his time coming back to the CB’s to retrieve the ball & then begin play. Song does this now, allowing Cesc to stay pushed up field and find openings to receive the ball. In the 07/08 season, Flamini duplicated the same tasks, and we saw Cesc scoring regularly.
So today, we will have to watch to see how effective Diaby performs in Song’s absence.
Bolton will press, but their lack of talent should allow us a comfortable win(s).
Pretty similar to Arseblogger’s thoughts on the issue. I agree with them..
Ozi-
Flamini was such an impact at that position and upon his departure Arsene spent the following year MAKING Denilson WORK at DM, but he’s not the physical presence that we need, especially in our league.
This evaluation is so obvious; all of our posters (here) have seen the need for finding a back up for Song. Denilson can play aside Song, but few of us are comfortable with Denilson being left the keys to the car.
Yes.. I do agree with your original post Arsesession. And I am also hoping that Diaby shows the discipline to stay back and has the confidence from his recent run of form to play well in an unnatural position.
Good write up as always. Depending on how quickly we get out of the blocks, this could be a fairly straightforward victory. And with Cesc back thats exactly what I expect.
Whatever happens, I’ll appreciate the footie. Cuz I’m watching Pool vs Stoke just now and its a game of who can hoof the ball better.