Arsenal has changed many times over recent years as we've sold on many players each year. But if the was one thing, our style remained the same in quick passing and holding onto the ball for a large period of time with so called 'tippy-tappy' football.
That style has change completely with the players capable of it, with the likes of Fabregas and Nasri gone, it's harder for us to keep a hold of the ball.
Okay we haven't had a full strength team out as of yet, but we can't hold onto the ball for more than 10 passes at best. Maybe this is due to a more direct play of football, but this brings pressure on us as we still aren't that solid at the back.
Mertesacker looks solid and class player who can get his foot in and his positioning is excellent as he seems to intercept the ball more often that not. However he'll only get better with Vermaelen next to him.
I have to mention Song was excellent last night against Olympiacos at the back, he was my man of the match, but wr miss him badly in the middle.
I've also noticed Arteta holds on the ball for too long and this slows down our attacks. It makes us less gung ho, which could benefit us.
Arsenal fans need to get used to the fact that we won't dominate and dictate the flow of the game from now on. So no mote groans when we let a pass go astray, no more moaning or booing.
Yes our clubs gone backwards, but what do you expect.
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Thursday, 29 September 2011
Sunday, 18 September 2011
Just Own Up to the Obvious
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.
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.
Tuesday, 6 September 2011
Mikel Arteta Unveiled in the Red and White of Arsenal
The new arrival from Everton, Mikel Arteta has finally been taken shot of in his new colours as he had the opportunity to train with his new team mates for the first times yesterday.
You can find pictures of him on Arsenal's official website. Arteta will wear #8.
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/mikel-arteta-picture-special?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+arsenal-news+%28News+Feed%29&image=1
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
You can find pictures of him on Arsenal's official website. Arteta will wear #8.
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/mikel-arteta-picture-special?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+arsenal-news+%28News+Feed%29&image=1
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
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)
Monday, 29 August 2011
Transfer Window Countdown: 2 Days
So 2 days left in the transfer window, yet we are yet to see any type of marquee signing, or in fact any signing to encourage the fans or team since the arrival of Gervinho.
Transfer Speculation:
Yossi Benayoun - Chelsea
The central attacking midfielder who is like Luka Modric, could prove to be a shrewd move, but Yossi has tonnes of Premier League experience at the highest level for Liverpool and albeit not so much at Chelsea. He's creative and doesn't get much playing time at the Blues. May be some truth to this.
Andres Santos - Fenerbahce
This is one Brazilian with flair, unlike Denilson. He has skill in abundance and the video below says it all. Apparantly we've struck a deal for this attackign elft back from Fenerbahce for £6.2 million. The left winger turned left back is a Brazilian International and plays for the biggest club in Turkey. However how is his defensive ability compared to his attacking. If it proves to be the same, we would have one hell of a player on our hands. To be honest this could have some truth as we've sold on Armand Traore to QPR.
Gary Cahill - Bolton Wanderers
This transfer saga (and it has become a saga) is almost as long as the Fabregas transfer saga. Why can't we do what Barcelona have done and just get our man in the end. He clearly wants to come to Arsenal, Arsenal clearly want him. Just sort the fee out and help yourselves a little to ease the pathetic defending we saw against Manchester United. Cahill apparently has a a medical arranged for him before the window shuts, I just hope the door doesn't slam shut in our faces.
Eden Hazard - Lille
So... we're back to another player who we've been linked for a while. SA similar type of transfer to that of Nasri from Marseille to Arsenal. The fear is that Arsenal would be a stepping stone to Barcelona, Real Madrid or Manchester City. He is a quality player and will link up well as a front three with himself, van Persie and Gervinho. He, like Cahill, has apparently had a medical arranged for him to make the process of the transfer being as easy as possible.
Those two medical's are likely to be tomorrow. They have to be, we can't mess around come August 31st!
Park Chu-Young - Monaco
As I have already released a post on Park Chu-Young, I won't dwel too much on it. But Wenger said we are close to signing a striker. This can only be him. Arsenal do their business quietly, but usually we know before Arsenal.com release any kind of statement. The wonders and speed of the Internet for you!
Transfer Speculation:
Yossi Benayoun - Chelsea
The central attacking midfielder who is like Luka Modric, could prove to be a shrewd move, but Yossi has tonnes of Premier League experience at the highest level for Liverpool and albeit not so much at Chelsea. He's creative and doesn't get much playing time at the Blues. May be some truth to this.
Andres Santos - Fenerbahce
This is one Brazilian with flair, unlike Denilson. He has skill in abundance and the video below says it all. Apparantly we've struck a deal for this attackign elft back from Fenerbahce for £6.2 million. The left winger turned left back is a Brazilian International and plays for the biggest club in Turkey. However how is his defensive ability compared to his attacking. If it proves to be the same, we would have one hell of a player on our hands. To be honest this could have some truth as we've sold on Armand Traore to QPR.
Gary Cahill - Bolton Wanderers
This transfer saga (and it has become a saga) is almost as long as the Fabregas transfer saga. Why can't we do what Barcelona have done and just get our man in the end. He clearly wants to come to Arsenal, Arsenal clearly want him. Just sort the fee out and help yourselves a little to ease the pathetic defending we saw against Manchester United. Cahill apparently has a a medical arranged for him before the window shuts, I just hope the door doesn't slam shut in our faces.
Eden Hazard - Lille
So... we're back to another player who we've been linked for a while. SA similar type of transfer to that of Nasri from Marseille to Arsenal. The fear is that Arsenal would be a stepping stone to Barcelona, Real Madrid or Manchester City. He is a quality player and will link up well as a front three with himself, van Persie and Gervinho. He, like Cahill, has apparently had a medical arranged for him to make the process of the transfer being as easy as possible.
Those two medical's are likely to be tomorrow. They have to be, we can't mess around come August 31st!
Park Chu-Young - Monaco
As I have already released a post on Park Chu-Young, I won't dwel too much on it. But Wenger said we are close to signing a striker. This can only be him. Arsenal do their business quietly, but usually we know before Arsenal.com release any kind of statement. The wonders and speed of the Internet for you!
The Day Enough Became More Than Enough
Yes that is right! I'm talking about yesterday's humiliating defeat to Manchester United. Yes, the scoreline in itself was humiliating, but it was an embarressment of who we had on the pitch. We only had like 8 players out and for a team as big as us we should have equally as good replacements to come in.
Just face it Arsene & Co. We're just a mid table team at best now. No spending on big players year in year out in vital positions has cost us. Our fans yesterday were brilliant but no response from the team because they're so poor.
2 days left in the transfer market and we'll sign Park Chu-Young (don't know what he'll offer!), and I doubt anyone else because it's taken so long already!
Wenger and the board may have built up Arsenal but you've destroyed it too, just like you did at Monaco!
I'm glad you were defeated in this manner, but Arsene, you still won't change your stubborn ways!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Just face it Arsene & Co. We're just a mid table team at best now. No spending on big players year in year out in vital positions has cost us. Our fans yesterday were brilliant but no response from the team because they're so poor.
2 days left in the transfer market and we'll sign Park Chu-Young (don't know what he'll offer!), and I doubt anyone else because it's taken so long already!
Wenger and the board may have built up Arsenal but you've destroyed it too, just like you did at Monaco!
I'm glad you were defeated in this manner, but Arsene, you still won't change your stubborn ways!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Sunday, 28 August 2011
TEAM LINE-UP: Manchester United v Arsenal
The team line-up for today's Barclays Premier League match of the day has come through and it's quite unfamiliar looking Arsenal side to face an inform Man Utd.
Arsenal:
Szczesny, Jenkinson, Djourou, Koscielny, Traore, Coquelin, Ramsey, Rosicky, Walcott, van Persie, Arshavin
Subs: Fabianski, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Chamakh, Lansbury, Miquel, Ozyakup, Sunu
Arsenal:
Szczesny, Jenkinson, Djourou, Koscielny, Traore, Coquelin, Ramsey, Rosicky, Walcott, van Persie, Arshavin
Subs: Fabianski, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Chamakh, Lansbury, Miquel, Ozyakup, Sunu
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