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Home›General›Okay, So Now What?

Okay, So Now What?

By Michael Price
July 21, 2009
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Why Me?

Why Me?

 

Well, what started off as a week of saying goodbye (or good riddance depending on your view) to Beyonce loving Adebayor has now turned into worrying (slightly) about our team with Samir Nasri being on the trainer’s table for anywhere from 2-3 months (depending on the break).

For those that don’t know, during a training session in Austria, Nasri suffered a break to this right fibula. While Nasri wasn’t as potent as we would’ve all liked, he was a flexible option either across the midfield or slotting behind one central striker.  Whether or not this is all good news or bad news remains to be seen. Surely the return of Gallas, Eduardo, and Rosicky are good for the team. However, Nasri who in my opinion was better as a holding midfielder will have to be replaced if that is the role Arsene saw for him.

The good news – at least we have £25 million to pay for it.

Now, I have been reading over the last week, that Arsenal are the likely target to fall out of the top four, given the emergence of Man City’s English version of the Real Madrid project. Let me make sure you all remember that last year we were supposed to fall out to the likes of Tottenham and the year before that to Tottenham or Everton. I am not so sure.

So Man City has gone out and signed Santa Cruz, Barry, Tevez, and Adebayor. Are any of those defensive players? Also let’s remember their bids for two premier CBs have been rebuffed by Chelsea (Terry) and Everton (Lescott). While it is clear they will continue to pursue – the time for getting them in is drawing closer. By all indications neither club is willing to part with their two players. But who knows, the money City are throwing around could entice anyone. But my point is – and it is one echoed by Robinho – is they are now too heavy with attack and very light in the back. Scoring goals was not a problem at City last year – keeping the opponents from scoring goals was. There goals allowed was on par with recently relegated Newcastle.  Its a simple game football, you score and keep your opponent from scoring. If you opponent scores watch out.

But again back to the big -four or five. What have any of the top clubs done? Nothing really. Man U takes a gamble on Owens. I won’t ever count them out. SAF is a master genius at recrafting his team when dealing with departures of big players. Chelsea – their own Russian wonder kid is the only signing of note and their back four is just as suspect as last season. Liverpool – if Xabi goes to Real – this team will suffer the ability to make things happen.

Finally, while Thomas Vermaelen is the only signing of note, we still have a lot of talent in the midfield and front. I really like our attack options. Like everyone else, I want more defence from the midfield. I would love to see someone who can really free Fabregas to be the playmaker he can be. But we shall see. I also want to see a full season of Arshavin. Personally, I think he is going to light it up.  Walcott also has to step up this season. Missed opportunities won’t get us anywhere this season and he needs to make the most of his – either on the wing or as a central strike option with RvP.

Speaking of the Dutchman – if he stays as healthy as last year, I fully expect him to either remain where he was or improve. Rosicky is a man on a mission who wants to show the club that was dedicated to him, that he is grateful and equally as grateful. Vela, this guy has to be deputized often. His sense of touch on the ball is amazing for someone so young and without a lot of exposure to the EPL. I want to see him let loose. I think he can be better than Dudu.

So then what are our options  in formation with what we have? Last year was the year of the 4-3-2-1. This was in my estimation a lousy set up with Adebayor having such a crappy year. He never was able to deliver and wasn’t getting fed the ball right. Actually, anyone in that central role wasn’t doing all that well.What the formation did do was allow Arshavin and Walcott to use their speed on the wings to their advantage.

This year it could look like:

Alumina

Sagna, Gallas, Toure/Vermaelen, Clichy

Song, Denilson

Walcott, Fabregas, Arshavin

Van Persie/Bendtner

Then there is the 4-4-2. We all know this well. When Arsenal were at their best and winning silverware – this was the formation of choice. Imagine either Walcott or Arshavin with RvP or RvP with Eduardo/Vela. The possible lineups could be:

Alumina

Sagna, Gallas, Toure/Vermaelen, Clichy

Rosicky/Walcott, Fabregas, Denilson, Nasri/Arshavin

Van Persie, Eduardo

 

Alumina

Sagna, Gallas, Toure/Vermaelen, Clichy

Rosicky, Fabregas, Song, Nasri

Arshavin/Walcott, Van Persie

And finally – what about the special one’s vaunted 4-3-3?  It allows for the addition of another central midfielder whilst retaining his attacking options. Possible lineup could be:

Alumina

Sagna, Gallas, Toure/Vermaelen, Clichy

Fabregas, Denilson, Nasri/Diaby

Walcott, Van Persie, Arshavin

I have to thank Jeremy Wilson for seeding this idea in my head. His article in the Telgraph is where most of my information came from. The lineups are his ideas.

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22 comments

  1. sachin 23 July, 2009 at 22:50 Log in to Reply

    Yeah Mazza, Hleb would be a good addition to have back. Considering he didn’t play much last year, he would certainly be raring to go. But can’t see that happening as you mention about the going back informal rule that apparently exists. Plus, if Jose learns that Hleb could go back to Arsenal, he would willingly take Hleb on loan to Inter, bench him all year and end his career out of boredom or something.

    Oh..does Robbie Keane count as going back from Liverpool to Spurs? ;) I am sure your question will be answered eventually if Spurs sign more ex-players.

    Klinsmann went back to Spurs as well but that at the end of his career.

  2. DaAdminGooner 22 July, 2009 at 20:28 Log in to Reply

    UPDATE: On Nasri

    The seriousness of Nasri’s injury has been downgraded and now it looks like he will be out for only 6 weeks. If that is true he will miss 3 league games and return in September.

  3. arsesession 22 July, 2009 at 07:40 Log in to Reply

    looks like my signature was omitted above – make your replies to
    Arsession.

  4. arsesession 22 July, 2009 at 07:39 Log in to Reply

    If Eduardo’s leg is still an issue, then we need another striker – otherwise, we need to focus on a strong midfielder to partner with Cesc.

    I’m sure I’ll get a lot of heat for this next suggestion. (I selfishly want the team to over achieve in 09/10 – other than Melo, I have not read about anyone being considered to bolster our midfield that is impressive.)

    So, I WOULD BRING BACK HLEB, to partner with Cesc. He has all the attributes for DM – speed, size, technique, high work-rate, & EPL experience. Most importantly, he has a friendship with Cesc.

    Many will ARGUE he has no loyalty for our club; he is a money grubbing traitor, he gets what he deserves.

    Yes, he made poor judgement to leave Arsenal. Life guides all of us on a trail of choices we later prefer to redo.

    Now, as Arsenal fans, setting aside emotions, of all the names (midfielders) mentioned since spring, who would better fit in immediately at Arsenal and raise our level of play.

  5. Mazza 22 July, 2009 at 07:31 Log in to Reply

    Now that Nasri is injured we could do a hell of alot worse than bringing Hleb back on a loan deal. Hleb, Arshavin, Rosicky, Fabregas would play football from another planet. Wont happen though because of that tired cliche that you should “never go back”. Question, when has anyone actually gone back to a club in the prime of their career, apart from Keown?

    Ramsay looked good yesterday. Seemed to have more spring and urgency. He’s another good option as an advanced midfielder working behind the main striker.

    • arsesession 22 July, 2009 at 08:46 Log in to Reply

      we have the same insight….scarry!

    • macmac123 22 July, 2009 at 18:11 Log in to Reply

      I’d love to have Hleb back. It didn’t hurt Roy Keane. (Or his agent’s commission, anyway.)

      Jeez, if we can take Sendy back, we can take anyone.

  6. DaAdminGooner 22 July, 2009 at 07:07 Log in to Reply

    Here’s another thought about this season. I don’t think the board have it in themselves to let AW go should we either fall from the big four or not get any trophies again.

    What I suspect could happen is the funding issue could be big again should we fail to achieve anything with this current squad. I think Alisher’s proposals for funding will get a bigger look at if this all happens again.

  7. DaAdminGooner 22 July, 2009 at 06:55 Log in to Reply

    Well the last few weeks of the transfer market should be interesting. Interesting frmo us doing something or nothing.

    If we get Chamakh then that’s okay but still doesn’t address the glaring midfield we need.

    Still not sure what final back four will be like and it still concerns me –

    Sagna-Vermaelen-Gallas-Toure/Gibbs/Clichy????

    Vermaelen has looked pretty good against the lesser competition of pre-season. We’ll see how he fairs come August.

    Still think our biggest need is a holding midfielder but since Arsene is only reading Arsenal America – he won’t find my comments.

  8. macmac123 22 July, 2009 at 02:00 Log in to Reply

    Cue Mazza…

    Alexander Hleb’s Arsenal regret: I should never have left the Gunners – I’d die for Wenger
    By WILLIAM STEWART
    Last updated at 11:03 AM on 21st July 2009
    Comments (58)
    Add to My Stories

    Alexander Hleb has confessed that his move from Arsenal to Barcelona last year was a mistake he now regrets.
    The 28-year-old confirmed he is unhappy in Catalonia despite his team’s successes in the Spainish league and Europe last season.
    ‘When you mostly sit on the bench, winning titles brings very little joy, while getting to the last eight of the Champions League with Arsenal was unforgettable,’ said the Belarus winger.

    Please take me back: Alexander Hleb regrets leaving north London

    High hopes: Hleb after signing on at Barcelona
    ‘I regret my move from London, but unfortunately nothing can be done about it now.’
    While Hleb feels he has been poorly treated by Nou Camp boss Pep Guardiola, he showered praise on former manager Arsene Wenger.
    ‘For me, Wenger was like a father. I consider him one of the best managers in the world.
    ‘For such a boss one wants to die on the pitch. Arsene managed to create a smashing team with a wonderful atmosphere inside of it.
    ‘I have no doubts that if Arsenal had the same budget as Barcelona, the Gunners would be among the three best clubs on the planet.’
    Hleb is prepared to stick it out at Barca until the new year, but he has been offered to Inter Milan as part of the swap deal that should see Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic go in the opposite direction.

    Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1200952/Alexander-Hlebs-Arsenal-regret-I-left-Gunners–Id-die-Wenger.html#ixzz0LxuCypIT

  9. sachin 21 July, 2009 at 22:40 Log in to Reply

    this was not supposed to happen. Usually, Arsenal players get injured in useless friendlies. Although, maybe I should not be surprized. Just when one Arsenal player is coming back from a long term injury, another gets injured. After seeing Rosicky coming back, I feared it would be Van Persie that would get injured for a few months.

    Nasri’s injury is a blow for sure. But there is still enough time to have a look at the transfer market for a midfielder or an experienced player to fill in the gap for a few months. Otherwise, I think Diaby will be given the task to roam around freely doing….not much. But I just have a feeling that no one else will be bought.

    — sachin

    • nipuna 21 July, 2009 at 23:33 Log in to Reply

      You got it. We will be looking at internal solutions. :)

      • sachin 22 July, 2009 at 01:21 Log in to Reply

        yeah why look elsewhere when there is so much depth in the existing squad? :) The team had this past season to get warmed up for the upcoming season.

  10. gunnerdc 21 July, 2009 at 15:09 Log in to Reply

    I think a little, yes, but mostly it’s just the depth in the squad of the bigger clubs.

  11. DaAdminGooner 21 July, 2009 at 14:14 Log in to Reply

    I am watching this game. It really does seem like overkill.

    • DaAdminGooner 21 July, 2009 at 14:17 Log in to Reply

      Is it money from the big clubs that make these little clubs be a battering ram?

  12. gunnerdc 21 July, 2009 at 13:21 Log in to Reply

    Bendtner again! This is fun! Is anyone else watching out there?

  13. gunnerdc 21 July, 2009 at 13:16 Log in to Reply

    Ramsey! Great goal!

  14. gunnerdc 21 July, 2009 at 13:14 Log in to Reply

    Almunia blows chunks!

    And now Bendtner is a finisher!

    I think we should start every game down 1-0, then maybe they’ll try to score.

  15. Brendan K 21 July, 2009 at 12:21 Log in to Reply

    I am curious as to what people think of SAF’s comments about Arsenal. He believes that AW will not be allowed to use the Adebayor money. Here is the transcript below:

    Anyway…Will it be the same top four again in the Premier League or has it become a top three with Arsenal losing Emmanuel Adebayor to City?

    SAF: Arsenal have got the biggest test to be where they want to be, I think. I know that Arsene Wenger doesn’t have any money, I know that. I think that selling Adebayor — well, whether he can use that money is another question.

    There seems to be evidence that he can’t use the money, I don’t know. I think they’re struggling cash-wise. It’s a big test for Arsenal.

    Why does Wenger stay?

    SAF: I think Arsenal is his club. He has built it in his image and it’s hard to leave it. He will never have the time to rebuild another club like Arsenal if he went off elsewhere.

    He realises that at his age. He could have gone to Real Madrid, but is Real Madrid his kind of club? I don’t think so.

    • nipuna 21 July, 2009 at 12:47 Log in to Reply

      I think Fergie is playing mind games as always. He is simply putting more pressure on Arsene by stating that Arsene is under a lot of pressure. :-)

      His own position has been weakened a lot by the departures of Ronaldo and Tevez. But it doesn’t seem like any of the others clubs are trying hard to catch up.

      As for ourselves, our attack looks brilliant only IF people stay fit. Let me see, who is the only player who has been injury free so far? That would be Arshavin and he has been at Arsenal for a grand total of 6 months.

      Eduardo, RvP, Rosicky, Nasri and Walcott are all highly injury prone. If they stay fit, our chances are good. If not, it may very well be a repeat of last season.

      Nothing much has changed in other areas of the pitch.

    • arsesession 22 July, 2009 at 06:53 Log in to Reply

      SAF – his remarks abt our finances and league finish is only his opinion, speculation. However, his perspective about managing and Arsene’s age (not enough time to rebuild another program) is overwhelming true.

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