Arsenal got their busy Christmas schedule off to the worst possible start on Saturday with a 1-0 defeat at Sunderland. But worst of all, and a major sin for an Arsenal side under Wenger, Arsenal rarely looked like scoring.
There was an early shot by Rosicky which was saved and a chance for Eduardo after a good run by Song and that was it in the first half. A couple of crosses flashed across the area in the second half and a half-chance for Arshavin after a good ball from Song and that was about it. Way below par for Arsenal this season, considering that the goals have been flying in.
The absence of RvP is obviously going to be used as an excuse but it was clear to see we were lacking a spark in attack. It's not just his goals but his contribution to our overall play that we missed. We also lacked a real physical presence in attack and finished the game with Walcott, Arshavin, Vela, Nasri and Cesc on the pitch. Bags of talent but not really the most physically imposing forward lines.
Their goal was the kind of goal Arsenal concede. Corner comes in, nobody really wins it, it bounced off one of their players at the back post and fell perfectly for Darren Bent who smashed it in. Vermaelen was marking him, or meant to be. He was also marking the Wolves player who scored their goal from a corner a few weeks back. And like then Almunia didn't really do anything this time either. He wasn't really at fault but he didn't really do anything. We had a decent shout for a penalty but it was the type you don't really get away from home. And that was it. Bit of a limp performance really and reminded me of a typical post-interlull performance.
Arsene Wenger has had some interesting things to say about the game here and here. Usually Wenger blames the sun the moon and the stars before laying any fault at the feet of the players but that first link says:
"I believe, maybe, we didn’t realise enough the importance of the difficulty here.
“We were much better at Man City, we were much better at Manchester United than we were today that is for sure. Today we were not good enough, I don’t deny that."
I agree that this is the first time we have been really poor despite those two other defeats, but more significantly in his comments last season and for the past few it has been all "we are learning" and "we are still young" and not often enough has Arsene said straight up we were not good enough. Perhaps he no longer considers this team "young" and wants to see some return for his faith. I know the fans do.
Also worth noting in the second link:
"For me, the big season is with Arsenal, not the World Cup," he said.
"We don't pay players to go to the World Cup - we pay them to do well for Arsenal. The first pride of a man is to do well for the guy who pays you."
There has been a bit of talk that for the young squad we have our wage bill is surprisingly high, third to Chelsea and Man Utd. Again perhaps Wenger now wants some return on his huge investment. Again, I know the fans do.
It's a real change in attitude from the manager. I will be very interested to see if anything else changes in the future.
Arsene said today that Kieran Gibbs is back for tomorrow's game but nobody else is yet fit but more on that tomorrow.
Also today Stan the Man has taken himself ever so close to the 30% threshold after buying ten more shares. I wonder what the gameplan is here, I really do. If it is a full takeover just do it. If not, why the small purchases? We shall see in the future no doubt.
Monday, 23 November 2009
Thursday, 19 November 2009
Thierry Henry, Injuries, The Next Batch Of Arsenal Games
I finally find time to blog again and the thing most of the football world is talking about is Arsenal legend Thierry Henry's handball when creating the goal which took France through to the World Cup at the expense of the Republic of Ireland.
I hate international football, so this will probably be one of the few times I discuss it here. Henry did handle the ball and admitted as much this morning. The question I will ask is what exactly should he have done after the ball struck his hand? Told the referee? Really? Would an Irish player have done that? Would anyone? And calls for a replay are ridiculous and sets an unworkable precedent. But that won't stop newspapers filling column inches until the next hot topic comes along.
Like the Eduardo thing earlier this season it is a hysterical over reaction and unless you are willing to actually do something about it such as introduce video evidence and help the referees make the correct decision then these things will happen again and again. You cannot tell players they must win, they must do their best to win, do all they can to win then if they do something you don't like condemn them.
It's a shame as Henry has always had a reputation as one of the more honest footballers out there but he showed when the pressure is on people will do whatever it takes to win. Here's a nice little poem about it. And that's my lot on bloody international football.
Right on to the injury situation, which has been made much worse by...the past ten days...and bloody international football. Losing RvP, probably until after Christmas, is a massive blow, not only because he has been scoring but he has also been bringing the best out of those around him, especially Cesc. Eduardo, who yesterday signed a new contract, is the most likely replacement and I have faith that he can do a job there. In my view his finishing is first class, but what we need from him and where RvP has been so good is holding the ball up and bringing others into the game. I think Eduardo is better in this department than many give him credit for. We shall see. But let's hope he does stay fit or we will really be screwed if he is out.
Diaby is also injured. A more predictable sentence you will not read this year. "A few weeks" is the initial diagnosis. I know opinion is split about Diaby but I would rather have him fit than not, especially taking into account other injuries.
Kieran Gibbs is also out but not for as long as feared. Initial fears about a broken foot were wrong and it is just bad bruising, so the absence will be "short term." Fortunately this is one area where we do have decent cover so if fit, Traore should probably play on Saturday or if not Silvestre, which is slightly scarier.
Denilson may be back in time for Saturday, along with Carlos Vela but Walcott is probably not back until Chelsea the following week.
The injury situation has got a bit overwhelming again, indeed Physio Room has us top of the injury league with 11 players out. Well we are joint top with Everton but I think we will see their challenge off.
I keep going on about injuries but they will be crucial this season. Who is injured, how long for, how we cope without them. We will find out in the next 6 weeks I guess. The injuries have got worse just as we begin a spell of 9 games in 28 days, including Chelsea at home and Liverpool away.
I like to break the season down into batches of games, the last one coming between international breaks and this one running from this international break until Christmas. We performed well in the last batch of games between international breaks, winning five out of seven games with just the disappointing draws at AZ and West Ham the only disappointments. The draws came in quick succession and it is often the case with Wenger's Arsenal that one bad result follows another. So it's crucial to keep the momentum going for as long as possible and increase the confidence and belief in the team.
Wenger commented this week how big psychology is to him and his team's preparation here and of particular interest he says:
“For it to work, players must take themselves available for the ball,” he told French radio.
"That’s where top-level sport becomes really interesting, in finding a way to have the team in a position of psychological comfort so that they can offer solutions.
“Because you know that, when doubt creeps in, the green lights become red lights.
“Because each player takes fewer spontaneous initiatives and, all of a sudden, it’s absolutely unbelievable at what speed all those lights become red and the player with the ball finds himself in the s***."
As I say above, this has manifested itself many times in the past. One bad result has led to another and another. When the unbeaten run ended more defeats followed. But I have faith that the players that are still fit can keep the run going. Firstly with Saturday's trip to Sunderland which I will hope to cover tomorrow. Until then, keep your hands away from any balls.
I hate international football, so this will probably be one of the few times I discuss it here. Henry did handle the ball and admitted as much this morning. The question I will ask is what exactly should he have done after the ball struck his hand? Told the referee? Really? Would an Irish player have done that? Would anyone? And calls for a replay are ridiculous and sets an unworkable precedent. But that won't stop newspapers filling column inches until the next hot topic comes along.
Like the Eduardo thing earlier this season it is a hysterical over reaction and unless you are willing to actually do something about it such as introduce video evidence and help the referees make the correct decision then these things will happen again and again. You cannot tell players they must win, they must do their best to win, do all they can to win then if they do something you don't like condemn them.
It's a shame as Henry has always had a reputation as one of the more honest footballers out there but he showed when the pressure is on people will do whatever it takes to win. Here's a nice little poem about it. And that's my lot on bloody international football.
Right on to the injury situation, which has been made much worse by...the past ten days...and bloody international football. Losing RvP, probably until after Christmas, is a massive blow, not only because he has been scoring but he has also been bringing the best out of those around him, especially Cesc. Eduardo, who yesterday signed a new contract, is the most likely replacement and I have faith that he can do a job there. In my view his finishing is first class, but what we need from him and where RvP has been so good is holding the ball up and bringing others into the game. I think Eduardo is better in this department than many give him credit for. We shall see. But let's hope he does stay fit or we will really be screwed if he is out.
Diaby is also injured. A more predictable sentence you will not read this year. "A few weeks" is the initial diagnosis. I know opinion is split about Diaby but I would rather have him fit than not, especially taking into account other injuries.
Kieran Gibbs is also out but not for as long as feared. Initial fears about a broken foot were wrong and it is just bad bruising, so the absence will be "short term." Fortunately this is one area where we do have decent cover so if fit, Traore should probably play on Saturday or if not Silvestre, which is slightly scarier.
Denilson may be back in time for Saturday, along with Carlos Vela but Walcott is probably not back until Chelsea the following week.
The injury situation has got a bit overwhelming again, indeed Physio Room has us top of the injury league with 11 players out. Well we are joint top with Everton but I think we will see their challenge off.
I keep going on about injuries but they will be crucial this season. Who is injured, how long for, how we cope without them. We will find out in the next 6 weeks I guess. The injuries have got worse just as we begin a spell of 9 games in 28 days, including Chelsea at home and Liverpool away.
I like to break the season down into batches of games, the last one coming between international breaks and this one running from this international break until Christmas. We performed well in the last batch of games between international breaks, winning five out of seven games with just the disappointing draws at AZ and West Ham the only disappointments. The draws came in quick succession and it is often the case with Wenger's Arsenal that one bad result follows another. So it's crucial to keep the momentum going for as long as possible and increase the confidence and belief in the team.
Wenger commented this week how big psychology is to him and his team's preparation here and of particular interest he says:
“For it to work, players must take themselves available for the ball,” he told French radio.
"That’s where top-level sport becomes really interesting, in finding a way to have the team in a position of psychological comfort so that they can offer solutions.
“Because you know that, when doubt creeps in, the green lights become red lights.
“Because each player takes fewer spontaneous initiatives and, all of a sudden, it’s absolutely unbelievable at what speed all those lights become red and the player with the ball finds himself in the s***."
As I say above, this has manifested itself many times in the past. One bad result has led to another and another. When the unbeaten run ended more defeats followed. But I have faith that the players that are still fit can keep the run going. Firstly with Saturday's trip to Sunderland which I will hope to cover tomorrow. Until then, keep your hands away from any balls.
Thursday, 5 November 2009
Arsenal 4 -1 AZ Alkmaar, Stan The Man Getting Close
First up today i'm gonna have to come clean and at the same time ask a favour. Please don't use this as a source for advice when placing a bet on Arsenal. Yesterday I said:
Going on previous encounters with Ronald Koeman's teams I wouldn't expect a high scoring affair...
Well Arsenal certainly showed me and they certainly showed Ronald Koeman and his team. These were the Dutch Champions last season? The Dutch league is certainly not what it once was. But in truth I think Arsenal would have beaten anyone playing as they did last night. The first may have been a bit of a soft, albeit well-placed, shot from Cesc but all it did was calm the nerves and open the game up. The second came from a neat pass from Arshavin to Nasri, who turned the defender before finishing nicely for his first goal of the season. A lovely through ball, again from Arshavin gave Cesc all the time in the world to finish high into the net for the third.
The fourth was a lovely flowing move of the type that Arsenal used to score from quite regularly a few years ago. Nasri won the ball from an AZ throw in deep in our half and it fell to Diaby who flicked it to Ramsey who fed it into Eduardo who then produced a lovely back heel for the scurrying Arshavin who then cut back and played a through ball to Diaby who had run around 70 yards. After one touch to control the ball he finished neatly across the goal keeper.
I had a good moan about Diaby yesterday for his performance on Saturday but last night was much, much better. The pace of the game in Europe seems to suit him so much better but he seemed to keep things simple last night, tried to stay central and the result was a much better overall display. I was thinking about his performances this season while at the game last night and it occurred to me that perhaps his presence in the team alongside Song is liberating Cesc to join the attack whenever he can. Knowing there are two other central midfielders in the side allows Cesc to make runs forward without having to worry too much about holding his position. And going on last night and recent games this is paying off.
I would still like to see Diaby more careful in position and be more content to play a simple pass and hold his position. It doesn't help that his natural instincts seem to be to attack but if he can be Cesc's insurance policy and keep it simple and stay fit then hopefully he can produce more performances like this one. Four goals for Abou this season is a decent return.
Arshavin created three of the goals last night and I know there has been some discussion on whether he looks happy or is 100% right but I simply think he is being asked to do much more work in this formation than he has been used to previously. He found himself in the left back position at one stage, covering for Gibbs. To create three goals in one game is pretty good going, even for an Arsenal player at home, where we seem to be banging them in at the moment. If this is him not looking quite right, I will take it.
The only slight disappointment was the late goal we conceded but it wouldn't be an Arsenal game without a goal conceded. It was a break from a corner, we were 4-0 up at the time and it was a bit of a mis-hit I think which caught Almunia out and while I wouldn't get too worried about it when you have scored four I always like clean sheets and it was a shame we couldn't keep one here. Let's get all the silly late goals out the way now before the kncok-out stage where they may be crucial.
The other big news of the day is that Stan Kroenke has bought a further 200 shares in Arsenal taking him to 29.9%, just below the 30% level at which he would be forced to make an offer for the remaining shares. The question now is will he increase his stake and buy the rest of the club? Or is he done for now?
I have a feeling that Mr Kroenke will be satisfied with his 29.9% stake for now. If he was going to launch a full takeover why hasn't he already? Also part of today's share acquisition came from the current chairman Peter Hill-Wood. Seems like a strange time to sell if a full takeover is about to be launched. Could it be that Mr Chairman is helping Stan get to the maximum shareholding he can achieve without launching a full takeover?
It seems like the board, which now includes Kroenke, want as many of the shares in their control. The reasons for this and what Kroenke actually wants to do with Arsenal is a matter for pure speculation. As always with this type of stuff it should never get in the way of what happens on the pitch and let us hope it never does.
One more game before the international break, away at Wolves on Saturday. I'll talk about that more tomorrow.
Going on previous encounters with Ronald Koeman's teams I wouldn't expect a high scoring affair...
Well Arsenal certainly showed me and they certainly showed Ronald Koeman and his team. These were the Dutch Champions last season? The Dutch league is certainly not what it once was. But in truth I think Arsenal would have beaten anyone playing as they did last night. The first may have been a bit of a soft, albeit well-placed, shot from Cesc but all it did was calm the nerves and open the game up. The second came from a neat pass from Arshavin to Nasri, who turned the defender before finishing nicely for his first goal of the season. A lovely through ball, again from Arshavin gave Cesc all the time in the world to finish high into the net for the third.
The fourth was a lovely flowing move of the type that Arsenal used to score from quite regularly a few years ago. Nasri won the ball from an AZ throw in deep in our half and it fell to Diaby who flicked it to Ramsey who fed it into Eduardo who then produced a lovely back heel for the scurrying Arshavin who then cut back and played a through ball to Diaby who had run around 70 yards. After one touch to control the ball he finished neatly across the goal keeper.
I had a good moan about Diaby yesterday for his performance on Saturday but last night was much, much better. The pace of the game in Europe seems to suit him so much better but he seemed to keep things simple last night, tried to stay central and the result was a much better overall display. I was thinking about his performances this season while at the game last night and it occurred to me that perhaps his presence in the team alongside Song is liberating Cesc to join the attack whenever he can. Knowing there are two other central midfielders in the side allows Cesc to make runs forward without having to worry too much about holding his position. And going on last night and recent games this is paying off.
I would still like to see Diaby more careful in position and be more content to play a simple pass and hold his position. It doesn't help that his natural instincts seem to be to attack but if he can be Cesc's insurance policy and keep it simple and stay fit then hopefully he can produce more performances like this one. Four goals for Abou this season is a decent return.
Arshavin created three of the goals last night and I know there has been some discussion on whether he looks happy or is 100% right but I simply think he is being asked to do much more work in this formation than he has been used to previously. He found himself in the left back position at one stage, covering for Gibbs. To create three goals in one game is pretty good going, even for an Arsenal player at home, where we seem to be banging them in at the moment. If this is him not looking quite right, I will take it.
The only slight disappointment was the late goal we conceded but it wouldn't be an Arsenal game without a goal conceded. It was a break from a corner, we were 4-0 up at the time and it was a bit of a mis-hit I think which caught Almunia out and while I wouldn't get too worried about it when you have scored four I always like clean sheets and it was a shame we couldn't keep one here. Let's get all the silly late goals out the way now before the kncok-out stage where they may be crucial.
The other big news of the day is that Stan Kroenke has bought a further 200 shares in Arsenal taking him to 29.9%, just below the 30% level at which he would be forced to make an offer for the remaining shares. The question now is will he increase his stake and buy the rest of the club? Or is he done for now?
I have a feeling that Mr Kroenke will be satisfied with his 29.9% stake for now. If he was going to launch a full takeover why hasn't he already? Also part of today's share acquisition came from the current chairman Peter Hill-Wood. Seems like a strange time to sell if a full takeover is about to be launched. Could it be that Mr Chairman is helping Stan get to the maximum shareholding he can achieve without launching a full takeover?
It seems like the board, which now includes Kroenke, want as many of the shares in their control. The reasons for this and what Kroenke actually wants to do with Arsenal is a matter for pure speculation. As always with this type of stuff it should never get in the way of what happens on the pitch and let us hope it never does.
One more game before the international break, away at Wolves on Saturday. I'll talk about that more tomorrow.
Wednesday, 4 November 2009
A Big Few Days For Arsenal
I meant to write this before the game on Saturday. Then after. Unfortunately more boring matters got the better of my time. However i'm back in blog-writing mood, handily just before another dull two week international break, but still a couple of important games to go before then.
Tonight we face AZ in the Champions League and victory here would pretty much wrap up our qualification for the next stage. Going on previous encounters with Ronald Koeman's teams I wouldn't expect a high scoring affair, but let's just hope we get the points which will take the pressure off for the last two games.
I know I keep banging on about injuries and luck with injuries but with a squad as thin as ours in key positions our success this season will depend massively on our luck in this department. So it is slightly worrying that we are back up to nine on the injury front after it seemed to be easing. Gael Clichy is out for at least a month with a back injury, but knowing Arsenal I would be surprised to see him before Christmas. No major headaches there as Gibbs is a more than capable deputy and I think it will be good to give him a run in the team where he can hopefully show Clichy that he has a fight on his hands for the left back spot. Also Traore is due back any day now from the groin strain he has been suffering with.
Slightly more worrying is the injury to Bendtner. Not only is it a recurrence of the injury that kept him out recently but it leaves us slightly short of options in attack, especially in games where we need a bit more of a physical presence among our forwards. RvP is in fine form at the moment but alternatives to him in the central striker role are Eduardo and...that's it really. Walcott and Vela are also injured so we must hope that RvP stays healthy and in top form.
It says much about RvP's transformation that he is now considered one of our most important players. Obviously Cesc would also fall into this category but more surprising is the fact that even with a fully fit squad I am not sure we could cope without Alex Song. His form has improved dramatically in the past year or two and he was immense on Saturday. With Cameroon qualifying for the African Cup of Nations we will have to do without him for most of January and goodness knows how. Perhaps Wenger will dust off the chequebook.
The other area where we are vulnerable in the event of any injuries is the centre of defence. Tommy V and Gallas have been superb so far this season and the cover for them is not good. I'm not sure who would be first up but either way it is not a nice thought.
Anyway enough about injuries, what else is happening?
Abou Diaby, who had a bit of a torrid time on Saturday despite the great result, speaks on Arsenal.com here and here.
One of the few negatives from Saturday, his performance was a major disappointment. But as I said earlier in the season, one of his targets will be to stay fit and surprisingly he has done that. He has scored three goals in 13 starts from midfield. And he is only 23. But he hasn't really taken his chance if you ask me. I would prefer neat and tidy midfield performances rather than sloppy, wasteful ones with the odd goal thrown in. There is still probably a month until Denilson even gets back to training so Diaby still has a chance to cement a place in the first team. I find Abou the most frustrating member of the squad. He can show some lovely touches on the ball, great turns and nice moments but then dwindle on the ball on the edge of our box and give the ball away. Hopefully more minutes on the pitch can erase these lapses.
Wenger gives an interesting interview here to CNN.
And that's about it. I'll be back tomorrow, hopefully with Arsenal through to the Champions League last 16. Enjoy the game.
Tonight we face AZ in the Champions League and victory here would pretty much wrap up our qualification for the next stage. Going on previous encounters with Ronald Koeman's teams I wouldn't expect a high scoring affair, but let's just hope we get the points which will take the pressure off for the last two games.
I know I keep banging on about injuries and luck with injuries but with a squad as thin as ours in key positions our success this season will depend massively on our luck in this department. So it is slightly worrying that we are back up to nine on the injury front after it seemed to be easing. Gael Clichy is out for at least a month with a back injury, but knowing Arsenal I would be surprised to see him before Christmas. No major headaches there as Gibbs is a more than capable deputy and I think it will be good to give him a run in the team where he can hopefully show Clichy that he has a fight on his hands for the left back spot. Also Traore is due back any day now from the groin strain he has been suffering with.
Slightly more worrying is the injury to Bendtner. Not only is it a recurrence of the injury that kept him out recently but it leaves us slightly short of options in attack, especially in games where we need a bit more of a physical presence among our forwards. RvP is in fine form at the moment but alternatives to him in the central striker role are Eduardo and...that's it really. Walcott and Vela are also injured so we must hope that RvP stays healthy and in top form.
It says much about RvP's transformation that he is now considered one of our most important players. Obviously Cesc would also fall into this category but more surprising is the fact that even with a fully fit squad I am not sure we could cope without Alex Song. His form has improved dramatically in the past year or two and he was immense on Saturday. With Cameroon qualifying for the African Cup of Nations we will have to do without him for most of January and goodness knows how. Perhaps Wenger will dust off the chequebook.
The other area where we are vulnerable in the event of any injuries is the centre of defence. Tommy V and Gallas have been superb so far this season and the cover for them is not good. I'm not sure who would be first up but either way it is not a nice thought.
Anyway enough about injuries, what else is happening?
Abou Diaby, who had a bit of a torrid time on Saturday despite the great result, speaks on Arsenal.com here and here.
One of the few negatives from Saturday, his performance was a major disappointment. But as I said earlier in the season, one of his targets will be to stay fit and surprisingly he has done that. He has scored three goals in 13 starts from midfield. And he is only 23. But he hasn't really taken his chance if you ask me. I would prefer neat and tidy midfield performances rather than sloppy, wasteful ones with the odd goal thrown in. There is still probably a month until Denilson even gets back to training so Diaby still has a chance to cement a place in the first team. I find Abou the most frustrating member of the squad. He can show some lovely touches on the ball, great turns and nice moments but then dwindle on the ball on the edge of our box and give the ball away. Hopefully more minutes on the pitch can erase these lapses.
Wenger gives an interesting interview here to CNN.
And that's about it. I'll be back tomorrow, hopefully with Arsenal through to the Champions League last 16. Enjoy the game.
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