I haven't written or posted a piece on Our Arsenal for a while since our humiliating defeat to Manchester United (I don't need to remind you of the score) and also our deadline day excitement of several players joining the club.
Since that day we have endured an International break, which we though would help the dust settle and hopefully bring us back with a fighting spirit to try and get our performances raised and a chance to have at least a false hope of any challenge (which I don't believe we have any capability in the slightest).
The match against Swansea didn't fill us fans with any confidence. Arteta was somewhat of a presence in central midfield with some decent passing, but he's no Cesc Fabregas and we won't ever find a player with his ability to find a pass, although Arteta does have some ability to find a killer pass. The scoreline was a lucky one with a gifted goal, which was still a decent finish from Arshavin.
We've missed Gervinho's directness and this showed against Dortmund in the Champions league, but even though we could have won the game, a sublime finish made us draw the game 1-1. It was a hard scrappy draw. Germany is not an easy place to go, especially against the champions of Germany.
The defeat to Blackburn showed some of the old Arsenal back, but most in terms of bad defending. Why can we never sort this position out? Santos looked decent, Mertesacker looks slow. Gervinho and Arteta both got their debut goals for the Gunners. That was the only real spark. The two own goals from Song and Koscielny summed up our lack of defending.
You have to face it Arsenal fans, we're not the team we once were, I'm not even going as far as the 1998, 2002 and 2004 invincible teams. I only have to go as far as last year, because this team has changed and it'll take a few years to form any type of challenge. The teams dynamic has changed, it doesn't have the ability to play quick touch passing. We have to adopt a more direct play, which in this league you need to have. Wenger must not try to make a team made for the Champions League.
But van Persie is the only world class player we have left, so the fans have to wake up and notice we're just not a top 4 team anymore with the players at our disposal. In this case maybe it'll force our hand to play more as a team. It's still early days of the team gelling together. But keep your expectations realistic because we're no longer a force in English football.
Showing posts with label Per Mertesacker. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Per Mertesacker. Show all posts
Sunday, 18 September 2011
Saturday, 3 September 2011
Five New Signings on Deadline Day
I haven't written for a while due to the sheer excitement of transfer deadline day and what a transfer deadline for Arsenal! The board and Arsene decided to loosen the purse strings and go for 5 experienced players rather than untried and untested youth. That's why us Gooners are pleased we have bolstered our squad with experience despite the lack of a 'super quality' signing as Wenger always states he looks for.
The ages and the amount of leadership quality for a number of the players and winning mentality is huge compared to those residing at the Arsenal prior to their arrivals. They will vastly improve our squad, and now we have more a look of a mans team and it proves that project youth had failed. At least these signings brings a new found confidence, for the time being.
Those players lucky enough to wear the prestigious red and white from Arsenal are:
Per Mertesacker - 26 years old - Centre back - German International (75 caps)
The ages and the amount of leadership quality for a number of the players and winning mentality is huge compared to those residing at the Arsenal prior to their arrivals. They will vastly improve our squad, and now we have more a look of a mans team and it proves that project youth had failed. At least these signings brings a new found confidence, for the time being.
Those players lucky enough to wear the prestigious red and white from Arsenal are:
- Park Chu-Young (Monaco)
- Andre Santos (Fenerbahce)
- Per Mertesacker (Werder Bremen)
- Yossi Benayoun (Chelsea)
- Mikel Artea (Everton)
To celebrate the arrival of the new signings, I'm treating you to compilations of each player.
Park Chu-Young - 26 years old - Striker - South Korean International (54 caps)
André Santos - 28 years old - Left back - Brazilian International (22 caps)
Per Mertesacker - 26 years old - Centre back - German International (75 caps)
Yossi Benayoun - 31 years old - Winger/Attacking Midfielder - Israeli International (Captain) (84 caps)
Mikel Arteta - 29 years old - Central Midfielder - Spanish (12 caps U21)
Sunday, 21 August 2011
Transfer Window Countdown: 10 Days
I can't believe we are going into this new season with ten days left of the transfer window open, only for us to have signed three 'youth' players and one relatively young but good Ligue 1 winner. I therefore have decided to do a daily countdown of the latest speculation news regarding our transfers. Hopefully we will sign someone between now and midnight on Wednesday 31st August 2011, we have to.
The signing of Gervinho has been a breath of fresh air and brings a more direct approach with a player finally with the ability to go past a player. Carl Jenkinson, although a decent right back, he'll be one who can mature into something we're looking for in three/four years time. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ryo Miyachi both haven't even made a competitive appearance for Arsenal, and the way injuries and suspensions continue to build up, they'll be thrown into action.
Transfer Speculation:
Kaka - Real Madrid
The odds have dropped from 14/1 to 10/1 for Kaka to join the Gunners on Sky Bet. He fits the bill perfectly, we need a marquee signing, a world class signing, but to sign a big player like that, it'll take time to get every detail correct. It could drag on to the last day of the transfer window.
Riccardo Montolivo - Fiorentina
The 26 year old Italian midfielder has been strongly linked with Bayern Munich, but talks have slowed down there and now rumours of the door has now opened for Arsenal to take advantage.
Per Mertesacker - Werder Bremen
Arsenal are to offer a swap deal to Werder Bremen for Per Mertesacker, with Niklas Bendtner going to the other direction. Per would be an ideal defensive addition, with plenty of International and UEFA Champions League experience. The ever growing injury list in defense and cries of a centre back being requested form football pundits and fans, this seems like it may have some legs.
The signing of Gervinho has been a breath of fresh air and brings a more direct approach with a player finally with the ability to go past a player. Carl Jenkinson, although a decent right back, he'll be one who can mature into something we're looking for in three/four years time. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ryo Miyachi both haven't even made a competitive appearance for Arsenal, and the way injuries and suspensions continue to build up, they'll be thrown into action.
Transfer Speculation:
Kaka - Real Madrid
The odds have dropped from 14/1 to 10/1 for Kaka to join the Gunners on Sky Bet. He fits the bill perfectly, we need a marquee signing, a world class signing, but to sign a big player like that, it'll take time to get every detail correct. It could drag on to the last day of the transfer window.
Riccardo Montolivo - Fiorentina
The 26 year old Italian midfielder has been strongly linked with Bayern Munich, but talks have slowed down there and now rumours of the door has now opened for Arsenal to take advantage.
Per Mertesacker - Werder Bremen
Arsenal are to offer a swap deal to Werder Bremen for Per Mertesacker, with Niklas Bendtner going to the other direction. Per would be an ideal defensive addition, with plenty of International and UEFA Champions League experience. The ever growing injury list in defense and cries of a centre back being requested form football pundits and fans, this seems like it may have some legs.
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