With six games gone in the Premier League Arsenal sit outside the top four on nine points, but there is still reason to be positive.
Three clean sheets shows the defence is improving, although we need to do this on a more consistent basis. New signings Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla are settling in well and Gervinho looks like a completely new player with several much improved performances.
Up until the home game against Chelsea on September 29, I was relatively pleased with our season to date. Starting the season with two goalless draws against Sunderland and Stoke isn't ideal, but showed a huge improvement in our defensive organisation. A much better display followed against Liverpool as we kept another clean sheet and comfortably won 2-0 at Anfield.
An emphatic 6-1 win over Southampton gave Arsenal fans even more encouragement, especially with Gervinho netting twice and looking a much better player than the one that appeared to go missing for a lot of last season.
We began our Champions League campaign with a 2-1 victory at Montpellier without really hitting top gear. It was a good sign to see us able to pick up maximum points despite not being at our best. A point at champions Manchester City showed we are more than capable of coping against the other top sides in the division.
An easy 6-1 win over Coventry in the League Cup continued our positive start to the season and I felt quietly confident going into the game against Chelsea. With both sides unbeaten it was always going to be a tough game, but Chelsea were the better side for much of the first half and deservedly took the lead.
But, after Gervinho’s equaliser, we took control and didn’t want the half to end and looked like we were going to run away with it. Juan Mata’s free kick before the hour mark was poorly defended and frustratingly put Chelsea ahead.
We managed to force mistakes from Chelsea and get the ball into decent spaces but, frustratingly, we failed to do enough with it and didn’t manage to steal a point. Olivier Giroud’s late chance was possibly at a difficult angle, but this isn’t the only time he has left Gunners’ fans frustrated. People will be saying Robin Van Persie would have scored had he still been at the club. That could be the case as I feel Podolski would also have netted had he still been on the pitch. Giroud is still a work in progress and will gain confidence once he scores a few more goals, but these misses are going to pile more pressure on him.
Chelsea more than deserved the win but I don’t think they were as good as some people made it sound like they were. Roberto Di Matteo’s men were on top for large spells but it wasn’t the most solid display for them. Chelsea made mistakes too and we exposed them on a few occasions. Chelsea did the most important thing and got the result and that is something we need to improve on.
For all our exciting football and improving defensive abilities, we have to learn how to grind out results when things aren’t going your way. We need to find resolve from somewhere to get back into some of our games. I think when Jack Wilshere returns to first team action from his long-term injury it will make a huge difference.
Our next three league games against West Ham, Norwich and QPR will be a huge test of our credentials. If we can pick up seven to nine points from those games, it will boost confidence and show that we can bounce back from defeat and compete near the top.
But, should we drop more than two points from those games, it could end up being another season of simply challenging for Champions League qualification, which isn’t enough. I am hopeful the Chelsea game was merely a blip and we can bounce back and end our trophy drought in one of the competitions this year.
Manchester United’s home defeat to Tottenham and some of Manchester City’s under-par displays shows how tough the competition is in the Premier League this season. Whoever wins the title this year may drop more points than in previous years. But one thing is for sure, it’s going to be an exciting race for the title.
Many people will have written us out of the title race completely and, looking at evidence from previous years, you can possibly understand where some of them are coming from. But I honestly believe we are showing very positive signs and adapting our game well in the post Van Persie era. Gervinho looks totally revitalised and Abou Diaby, up until his injury against Chelsea, put in some excellent displays. It isn’t just about Van Persie now, it is about the whole unit and on the whole they are working together well.
So are we going to do better than last year’s third place finish? Yes
Can we seriously challenge for the title? Yes
But a lot of this will depend on injuries and how we cope with them. I think our starting XI is strong enough but we do not have the depth of some of the other sides. If we can bounce back from the Chelsea defeat quickly and avoid having many big injuries this could be a big year for us.
It is a big if, but it is doable, so let’s get behind the players and will them on to silverware....you just never know what might happen!
Saturday, 29 September 2012
Thursday, 16 August 2012
RVP deal is Gunner hurt the most
We have seen several key players come and go at Arsenal in recent years. Losing Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri was tough to take last summer, but Robin Van Persie's move to Manchester United hurt a lot more.
Fabregas was always going to return to Barcelona at some point in his career, regardless of whether we were winning trophies or not. Nasri's move was frustrating but he wasn't irreplaceable and it didn't frustrate fans quite as much as the latest saga has.
When talks of Van Persie leaving began, I remained hopeful he would stay. Although Wenger isn't known as a big spender, I thought the board would at least allow him the funds to offer Van Persie whatever deal it took to keep him.
The scenario of a key player looking to leave was all too familiar for us Arsenal fans. Lack of silverware over the last seven years hasn't helped and must have been playing on his mind, but I genuinely believed he would end up staying for at least one more year. A move to Manchester United doesn't necessarily guarantee that his wait for a trophy will end but maybe he felt it was time for a new challenge. Money may well have influenced his decision too, but only Van Persie himself will know the true reasons!
Arsene Wenger stuck by RVP through some tough times. Even when he kept being struck down by injury, Wenger stayed loyal to the striker and even gave him the captaincy for the 2011/12 season when another manager might have taken different action. Wenger helped make Van Persie into the top class player that he is, but I just wish we could hold onto our top talent better.
But I think one of the aspects that makes it hardest to take is the timing of it all. Van Persie released a statement on his official website on July 4 indicating that he would not be signing a new deal, yet he didn't leave the club until a few days before the new season was due to start. Having your best player leave so close to the start of a new season is bad for morale, so I can only hope that the players can respond quickly.
I think the club should have make more effort to tie players down to longer deals before they get into the final year of their contract. I hope Wenger sorts this to avoid any similar situations arising next time. But at the same time, you can't force a player to stay. In the modern game, money talks more than loyalty or even trophies and clubs are not immune from financial problems and have to be careful.
Wenger has come in for a lot of criticism as he keeps selling star players. I can't hide my frustration but I also have a degree of sympathy for our boss as there is only so much you can do. You cannot force a player to stay and even the best persuasion techniques might not be enough! Earlier in the summer Van Persie's father had been quoted as saying his son would not join another Premier League club, and other reports suggested he was settled in London.
I kept expecting Juventus to be his destination if he left. Yet Van Persie did join another English club which may make some people question how much he loved our club. I believe he did truly love our club but the way he left and the timing has left a bitter taste in the mouth of some fans. He should have said more to the fans and properly explained his reasons but this is the modern football era, money talks more than loyalty these days!
No trophies in seven years and key players leaving is unacceptable, but we mustn't forget all the positive work Wenger has done. The trophies he won in his earlier years, the year of the Invincibles, buying players cheap and selling for huge profit and great work with youngsters. The likes of Jack Wilshere might not have become a first team regular as early at another club and it's great to see players such as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain developing into quality players.
The other difference with Wenger this time around is he had already spent over 30 million on new players prior to Van Persie's departure. It is too early to say if the arrivals of Lukas Podolski, Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla will prove the difference, but I am definitely glad we have added this depth to our squad. If Wenger can persuade Alex Song to stay it will be crucial as he can provide the assists for several goals.
It is important for the club and all the players to try and stay positive so we can avoid starting the new season as poorly as last time. We need a strong start!
It isn't all doom and gloom at Arsenal. Yes, losing a key player in yet another summer is frustrating but, if Wenger can lift the morale quickly, we do have a squad capable of challenging near the top. Ideally, we need to add another one or two more players. But if Wenger has spent the amounts Manchester City had in recent seasons players we rate so highly now such as Song may not have got regular game time.
So let's put this frustration behind us and put our energy into getting behind Wenger and the Arsenal boys! COYG!
Fabregas was always going to return to Barcelona at some point in his career, regardless of whether we were winning trophies or not. Nasri's move was frustrating but he wasn't irreplaceable and it didn't frustrate fans quite as much as the latest saga has.
When talks of Van Persie leaving began, I remained hopeful he would stay. Although Wenger isn't known as a big spender, I thought the board would at least allow him the funds to offer Van Persie whatever deal it took to keep him.
The scenario of a key player looking to leave was all too familiar for us Arsenal fans. Lack of silverware over the last seven years hasn't helped and must have been playing on his mind, but I genuinely believed he would end up staying for at least one more year. A move to Manchester United doesn't necessarily guarantee that his wait for a trophy will end but maybe he felt it was time for a new challenge. Money may well have influenced his decision too, but only Van Persie himself will know the true reasons!
Arsene Wenger stuck by RVP through some tough times. Even when he kept being struck down by injury, Wenger stayed loyal to the striker and even gave him the captaincy for the 2011/12 season when another manager might have taken different action. Wenger helped make Van Persie into the top class player that he is, but I just wish we could hold onto our top talent better.
But I think one of the aspects that makes it hardest to take is the timing of it all. Van Persie released a statement on his official website on July 4 indicating that he would not be signing a new deal, yet he didn't leave the club until a few days before the new season was due to start. Having your best player leave so close to the start of a new season is bad for morale, so I can only hope that the players can respond quickly.
I think the club should have make more effort to tie players down to longer deals before they get into the final year of their contract. I hope Wenger sorts this to avoid any similar situations arising next time. But at the same time, you can't force a player to stay. In the modern game, money talks more than loyalty or even trophies and clubs are not immune from financial problems and have to be careful.
Wenger has come in for a lot of criticism as he keeps selling star players. I can't hide my frustration but I also have a degree of sympathy for our boss as there is only so much you can do. You cannot force a player to stay and even the best persuasion techniques might not be enough! Earlier in the summer Van Persie's father had been quoted as saying his son would not join another Premier League club, and other reports suggested he was settled in London.
I kept expecting Juventus to be his destination if he left. Yet Van Persie did join another English club which may make some people question how much he loved our club. I believe he did truly love our club but the way he left and the timing has left a bitter taste in the mouth of some fans. He should have said more to the fans and properly explained his reasons but this is the modern football era, money talks more than loyalty these days!
No trophies in seven years and key players leaving is unacceptable, but we mustn't forget all the positive work Wenger has done. The trophies he won in his earlier years, the year of the Invincibles, buying players cheap and selling for huge profit and great work with youngsters. The likes of Jack Wilshere might not have become a first team regular as early at another club and it's great to see players such as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain developing into quality players.
The other difference with Wenger this time around is he had already spent over 30 million on new players prior to Van Persie's departure. It is too early to say if the arrivals of Lukas Podolski, Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla will prove the difference, but I am definitely glad we have added this depth to our squad. If Wenger can persuade Alex Song to stay it will be crucial as he can provide the assists for several goals.
It is important for the club and all the players to try and stay positive so we can avoid starting the new season as poorly as last time. We need a strong start!
It isn't all doom and gloom at Arsenal. Yes, losing a key player in yet another summer is frustrating but, if Wenger can lift the morale quickly, we do have a squad capable of challenging near the top. Ideally, we need to add another one or two more players. But if Wenger has spent the amounts Manchester City had in recent seasons players we rate so highly now such as Song may not have got regular game time.
So let's put this frustration behind us and put our energy into getting behind Wenger and the Arsenal boys! COYG!
Sunday, 1 July 2012
Spain superior once again!
When you look through Spain's 23-man squad it is hard to find much of a weakness, so it was hardly surprising to see the pre-tournament favourites defend their European Championship title.
At times, Spain didn't hit top gear, but they still finished as group winners with a credible seven points before dispatching of France, Portugal and Italy on their way to the trophy.In fact, the only goal Spain conceded was in their 1-1 draw with Italy in the opening Group C game.
A sublime attack and midfield, and strong defence, that rarely concedes in knock out football, with a class veteran goalkeeper behind them - this Spain team really are immense! The 4-0 win over Italy in the final showed just how good they are and why they have been so successful over the last three major tournaments. They make it look so easy!
Italy were written off by many before the start of the tournament but they were always going to be in with a chance and they proved their credentials by reaching the final. The Italians' preparation was overshadowed by off the field problems, but once they were on the pitch they let the football do the talking and can be very proud for having reached the final. The final proved a step too far for Italy, but at least they proved they are still a force to be reckoned with.
Italy were too good for us in the quarter final and we hung by a thread to force penalties. Cesare Prandelli's men were probably expected to go no further after that as semi final opponents Germany had looked like the best team in the tournament up to that point. But Italy again triumphed and can hold their heads up high after reaching the final, even though the end result didn't go their way. They can go to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil with renewed hope and maybe won't be written off quite so quickly by some people next time.
As for Spain, the people that seem to think they are boring need their heads testing. To win three consecutive major tournaments proves just how talented they are and that they are definitely doing something right! It is hard to find many negatives to say about the Spain squad, but the question that keeps coming to my mind is, where do they go from here? It is a magnificent achievement to win three major tournaments on the trot, but just how much better can it get? Spain will no doubt go into the next World Cup and European Championships as favourites and again have huge expectations on their shoulders. They are likely to be able to handle the expectation and deliver the goods. It is a great era for Spanish football, but it will have to come to an end at some point and it will be interesting to see who are the next nation to dominate when that eventually happens.
But for now, let's just sit back and continue to enjoy the fantastic talent of Spain over the next few years!
So what about Euro 2012 as a whole?
Co-hosts Poland and Ukraine made headlines for all the wrong reasons before the tournament even started. Some of the media coverage during the early stages of the tournament also didn't show the countries in a very good light. But were they good hosts? The football was very enjoyable and the players, on the whole, conducted themselves well. I also saw some very positive comments from fans out there at the tournament about what their experiences had been like.
Spain winning the tournament may have been predictable, but the Euros did spring some surprises. Russia thumped Czech Republic 4-1 in their opening group game, but then failed to reached the knock out stages as the Czechs went through instead. Holland, who were expected to reach the final, finished bottom of Group B with 3 defeats from 3 games. England topping Group D could also have been considered a surprise as France had been tipped by many to top the group, while England were written off as no hopers. Losing on penalties in the quarter final was the same old story for us England fans, but I think we can still be proud. There was so much negative press about England's chances and the appointment of Roy Hodgson. But in the short space of time Hodgson had with the squad, we didn't look too bad, especially after a gutsy 1-1 draw with France in the opening group game. Hodgson needs more time to mould his squad, but I think he is the right man for the job and I think we all need to get behind him. Then maybe, just maybe, we can progress further in Brazil.
There were also some great goals at Euro 2012.Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored arguably the pick of the bunch with his acrobatic effort against France. Mario Balotelli's overhead kick against Ireland, Roman Pavlyuchenko's stunner against Czech Republic...we really have been treated to some great goals this summer.
So was Euro 2012 a success?
As an Englishman it was disappointing to see us not get further than the quarter final, left wondering what could have been. But the tournament as a whole was a success for the several people watching in Poland and Ukraine and those watching on television. I just hope the next tournament provides us with more of the same from a neutral point of view...and hopefully England will perform better too!
Roll on Brazil 2014!
At times, Spain didn't hit top gear, but they still finished as group winners with a credible seven points before dispatching of France, Portugal and Italy on their way to the trophy.In fact, the only goal Spain conceded was in their 1-1 draw with Italy in the opening Group C game.
A sublime attack and midfield, and strong defence, that rarely concedes in knock out football, with a class veteran goalkeeper behind them - this Spain team really are immense! The 4-0 win over Italy in the final showed just how good they are and why they have been so successful over the last three major tournaments. They make it look so easy!
Italy were written off by many before the start of the tournament but they were always going to be in with a chance and they proved their credentials by reaching the final. The Italians' preparation was overshadowed by off the field problems, but once they were on the pitch they let the football do the talking and can be very proud for having reached the final. The final proved a step too far for Italy, but at least they proved they are still a force to be reckoned with.
Italy were too good for us in the quarter final and we hung by a thread to force penalties. Cesare Prandelli's men were probably expected to go no further after that as semi final opponents Germany had looked like the best team in the tournament up to that point. But Italy again triumphed and can hold their heads up high after reaching the final, even though the end result didn't go their way. They can go to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil with renewed hope and maybe won't be written off quite so quickly by some people next time.
As for Spain, the people that seem to think they are boring need their heads testing. To win three consecutive major tournaments proves just how talented they are and that they are definitely doing something right! It is hard to find many negatives to say about the Spain squad, but the question that keeps coming to my mind is, where do they go from here? It is a magnificent achievement to win three major tournaments on the trot, but just how much better can it get? Spain will no doubt go into the next World Cup and European Championships as favourites and again have huge expectations on their shoulders. They are likely to be able to handle the expectation and deliver the goods. It is a great era for Spanish football, but it will have to come to an end at some point and it will be interesting to see who are the next nation to dominate when that eventually happens.
But for now, let's just sit back and continue to enjoy the fantastic talent of Spain over the next few years!
So what about Euro 2012 as a whole?
Co-hosts Poland and Ukraine made headlines for all the wrong reasons before the tournament even started. Some of the media coverage during the early stages of the tournament also didn't show the countries in a very good light. But were they good hosts? The football was very enjoyable and the players, on the whole, conducted themselves well. I also saw some very positive comments from fans out there at the tournament about what their experiences had been like.
Spain winning the tournament may have been predictable, but the Euros did spring some surprises. Russia thumped Czech Republic 4-1 in their opening group game, but then failed to reached the knock out stages as the Czechs went through instead. Holland, who were expected to reach the final, finished bottom of Group B with 3 defeats from 3 games. England topping Group D could also have been considered a surprise as France had been tipped by many to top the group, while England were written off as no hopers. Losing on penalties in the quarter final was the same old story for us England fans, but I think we can still be proud. There was so much negative press about England's chances and the appointment of Roy Hodgson. But in the short space of time Hodgson had with the squad, we didn't look too bad, especially after a gutsy 1-1 draw with France in the opening group game. Hodgson needs more time to mould his squad, but I think he is the right man for the job and I think we all need to get behind him. Then maybe, just maybe, we can progress further in Brazil.
There were also some great goals at Euro 2012.Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored arguably the pick of the bunch with his acrobatic effort against France. Mario Balotelli's overhead kick against Ireland, Roman Pavlyuchenko's stunner against Czech Republic...we really have been treated to some great goals this summer.
So was Euro 2012 a success?
As an Englishman it was disappointing to see us not get further than the quarter final, left wondering what could have been. But the tournament as a whole was a success for the several people watching in Poland and Ukraine and those watching on television. I just hope the next tournament provides us with more of the same from a neutral point of view...and hopefully England will perform better too!
Roll on Brazil 2014!
Tuesday, 19 June 2012
England - Group D Winners: The dream is still alive!
We may not have played the best football, but we still managed to finish top of the pile in Group D despite many people saying we would not finish above France. It also means avoiding Spain in the quarters, but that doesn't mean it gets any easier as Italy cannot be underestimated...more on that later!
Before the tournament some fans and media were criticising the appointment of Hodgson and being very negative about our chances, implying second place would be our best hope. Yet we have gone and won the group! So can we defy the odds further and get all the way to the final!? On paper the answer would have to be no, but football isn't played on paper...so I for one will keep on believing!
With all the negativity surrounding England's chances, it was a pleasant surprise to see England have a real go at France in the opening group game. There were still one or two worrying signs at the back, but on the whole we played well. Roy Hodgson took a gamble by starting Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. As an Arsenal fan I was delighted to see him get a chance and it was also a bold statement from Hodgson that he is willing to take chances.
I was sat in the hotel bar in Greece watching the game and the jubliant fans leapt up as Lescott headed us in front....just at the point I had gone to the bar to get a round in! We continued to play better than expected but were hit back by Samir Nasri's equaliser. It was a nervy end to the game but we defied expectations to take a point off the group favourites.
The second game against Sweden was topsy turvy. Andy Carroll put us ahead, but when Sweden turned it around to lead 2-1 many people were no doubt thinking 'same old England'. But we refused to give up and Theo Walcott's great strike gave us renewed hope before Danny Welbeck's excellent finish meant all three points were going to England.
Going into the final game against co-hosts Ukraine, we were still expected to finish runners-up to France. It looked like it may be going that way, or we could even be going out, as Ukraine started on the front foot. Ukraine looked far more dangerous than us, but luckily they seemed unable to finish their chances so we somehow stayed in the game.
Far too much pressure had been piled on Wayne Rooney before the game so it was no surprise to see him miss a sitter of a header. But Rooney made amends with a simple finish from Steven Gerrard's deflected cross. Shortly afterwards, Sweden took the lead against France, and suddenly the chance of finishing as group winners looked like a possibility.
John Terry, who had an excellent game, denied the hosts an equaliser, although the goal-line technology debate once again raised it's ugly head as many felt it had crossed the line. I think it actually did, but England fans won't complain.
We didn't play great for the rest of the game and never really hit top gear but a 1-0 win, coupled with a 2-0 defeat for France (which included a contender for goal of the tournament from Zlatan Ibrahimovic) meant we defied expectations to finish as group winners. So Hodgson has already done more than some were expecting...but I bet he still gets unfairly criticised, probably even before the Italy game. I think we need to get behind the boys as they'll need all the support they can get behind them to help give them as much chance as possible of winning the quarter final clash.
Many people were pleased to see us avoid a quarter final with Spain despite the fact they have yet to hit top gear in this tournament and haven't been at their best. Italy could prove an easier opponent, but I fear people are underestimating them. Italy's off the field problems were highlighted before the tournaments and few gave them hope, but they have looked dangerous at times and we certainly can't take them lightly.
It is all set to be a great tie. We shouldn't underestimate Italy and we definitely have to improve our own game to give ourselves a chance. But we also shouldn't play with fear. We should have belief that we can actually pull a result out the bag and reach the last four. It is not impossible for us and I hope all England fans will join me and keep believing this could be our year...you never know!
COME ON ENGLAND!
Before the tournament some fans and media were criticising the appointment of Hodgson and being very negative about our chances, implying second place would be our best hope. Yet we have gone and won the group! So can we defy the odds further and get all the way to the final!? On paper the answer would have to be no, but football isn't played on paper...so I for one will keep on believing!
With all the negativity surrounding England's chances, it was a pleasant surprise to see England have a real go at France in the opening group game. There were still one or two worrying signs at the back, but on the whole we played well. Roy Hodgson took a gamble by starting Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. As an Arsenal fan I was delighted to see him get a chance and it was also a bold statement from Hodgson that he is willing to take chances.
I was sat in the hotel bar in Greece watching the game and the jubliant fans leapt up as Lescott headed us in front....just at the point I had gone to the bar to get a round in! We continued to play better than expected but were hit back by Samir Nasri's equaliser. It was a nervy end to the game but we defied expectations to take a point off the group favourites.
The second game against Sweden was topsy turvy. Andy Carroll put us ahead, but when Sweden turned it around to lead 2-1 many people were no doubt thinking 'same old England'. But we refused to give up and Theo Walcott's great strike gave us renewed hope before Danny Welbeck's excellent finish meant all three points were going to England.
Going into the final game against co-hosts Ukraine, we were still expected to finish runners-up to France. It looked like it may be going that way, or we could even be going out, as Ukraine started on the front foot. Ukraine looked far more dangerous than us, but luckily they seemed unable to finish their chances so we somehow stayed in the game.
Far too much pressure had been piled on Wayne Rooney before the game so it was no surprise to see him miss a sitter of a header. But Rooney made amends with a simple finish from Steven Gerrard's deflected cross. Shortly afterwards, Sweden took the lead against France, and suddenly the chance of finishing as group winners looked like a possibility.
John Terry, who had an excellent game, denied the hosts an equaliser, although the goal-line technology debate once again raised it's ugly head as many felt it had crossed the line. I think it actually did, but England fans won't complain.
We didn't play great for the rest of the game and never really hit top gear but a 1-0 win, coupled with a 2-0 defeat for France (which included a contender for goal of the tournament from Zlatan Ibrahimovic) meant we defied expectations to finish as group winners. So Hodgson has already done more than some were expecting...but I bet he still gets unfairly criticised, probably even before the Italy game. I think we need to get behind the boys as they'll need all the support they can get behind them to help give them as much chance as possible of winning the quarter final clash.
Many people were pleased to see us avoid a quarter final with Spain despite the fact they have yet to hit top gear in this tournament and haven't been at their best. Italy could prove an easier opponent, but I fear people are underestimating them. Italy's off the field problems were highlighted before the tournaments and few gave them hope, but they have looked dangerous at times and we certainly can't take them lightly.
It is all set to be a great tie. We shouldn't underestimate Italy and we definitely have to improve our own game to give ourselves a chance. But we also shouldn't play with fear. We should have belief that we can actually pull a result out the bag and reach the last four. It is not impossible for us and I hope all England fans will join me and keep believing this could be our year...you never know!
COME ON ENGLAND!
Monday, 14 May 2012
Arsenal 2011/12 season review: Captain Vantastic needed more support in inconsistent season
Although there were some positives in our season and Robin Van Persie was simply superb, inconsistency and injury problems ultimately saw the season end without silverware. Although Arsene Wenger has done a tremendous job since taking charge of the club, seven years without a trophy is not good enough. Some people want him to go, others want him to stay. Personally, I think he should stay, changing managers doesn’t guarantee success and people need to remember what a good job he has done. No manager can win things every year and trophy droughts do happen, it’s part and parcel of the game.
We were just too inconsistent this year. We put together some good runs but then undid them with some poor results. The first few months, including the 8-2 defeat by Manchester United, were largely a disaster. But the way we turned things around and clawed our way back to take 3rd place was a great achievement. Turning things around like that was a big positive, but to end the season without a trophy again was hard to take. We need to be a lot more consistent and learn how to kill games off sometimes.
We had great games like beating Chelsea 5-3 at Stamford Bridge, winning 1-0 against champions Manchester City with a dominant display. When we came back from 2-0 down against Tottenham to win 5-2 that was a tremendous show of character. Winning 2-1 at Liverpool despite being on the back foot for large spells showed a lot of grit and determination. The second leg against AC Milan in the Champions League was excellent, but a little too late after the game had been all but ended with a poor first leg. We seem to do so much right, but at the same time too much wrong, we need to be a lot more consistent.
Manchester City and Manchester United also had blips in their season, but did far better at recovering from them and thus finished 19 points ahead of us. To finish that far behind the top two is unacceptable and we must improve. Several people thought we’d not even finish in the top four this season especially after the first half of the campaign, so to finish 3rd is testament to Wenger and the squad. But, while it was a good achievement, it isn’t enough and we should be challenging for honours a lot better than we have been in recent years.
After such a mixed season, how have the players faired and what needs to be done?
Van Persie had a sensational season and it was great to see him able to play more games this year and showcase his true potential. But there were not enough other players scoring goals to take the pressure off him. Although I’d love to see a few more players bought in, the most important piece of business Wenger can do is to get Van Persie to sign a new deal. I’d rather keep Van Persie and only sign a few more than sign loads and lose him.
Gervinho looked good taking people on but in terms of his end product he simply did not score enough goals and was not worth the money we paid. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain looks a superb talent for the future and played well when he was used. But we definitely lacked a natural goalscorer to play alongside Van Persie. So when the news of Lukas Podolski’s signing was announced, I was delighted. If he can produce the goods in England as he has in Germany we have a great player on our hands. But the Premier League is totally different so it is hard to tell yet whether or not he will be a big hit…but I am hopeful! If Van Persie stays, their pairing could help us put together a more serious title challenge.
If we lose Van Persie, however, I fear he will be very hard to replace and it will have a big effect on the overall team morale, which is not the way you want to start a season. It is not the same as when we lost Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri as Van Persie is an even better player, but if he did leave it could create a similar situation and we cannot afford a poor start to the next campaign. But until anything is announced all the talk surrounding Van Persie is merely speculation and I am hopeful he will stay….just hope I am right!
In the midfield area, Alex Song had a largely excellent campaign and Mikel Arteta seems to have slotted in quickly, with Yossi Benayoun putting in some good displays. Having Jack Wilshere unavailable all season didn’t help but that is no excuse. Despite all the individual talent, we sometimes lacked the composure to kill games off. Our football is often great to watch but sometimes we try to play too many passes instead of just putting the ball in the net.
At the other end of the pitch, Wojciech Szczesny put in several good performances and kept us in more games than he should have had too. Personally, I would like to see us buy a new second choice goalkeeper for in case Szczesny gets injured as I am not convinced by Lukasz Fabianski. The defence has been plagued by injury this season and many players have been forced to play out of position and this has been where our season has been affected most.
Laurent Koscielny is progressing well considering a few years ago he was playing in the French second division. But, despite some positives, the defence on the whole was not good. Injuries didn’t help, especially to the likes of Thomas Vermaelen and Bacary Sagna. But that cannot be used as the sole excuse. I am unsure what to make of Per Mertesacker following his first season and Andre Santos seems a bit suspect at the back. But we are definitely still lacking some solidarity at the back and need to add more depth in that department.
The foundations of a great squad are there, but I’d like to see Wenger buy a new second-choice goalkeeper, another defender and possibly one more midfielder. It may also be worth bringing in an extra back-up striker to cover for injuries as Marouane Chamakh and Gervinho simply do not score enough goals and Park seems unlikely to get enough game time to prove himself.
It is really hard to say whether or not we will be competing more seriously for honours next season. If we make a few additions we have the potential to be right up there with the two Manchester clubs, but we have to start strong. There is no reason why that can’t happen, providing we keep Van Persie, but whether we do is another question. Next year could be a big year, but whatever happens I’ll be cheering them on every step of the way.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS!
Although there were some positives in our season and Robin Van Persie was simply superb, inconsistency and injury problems ultimately saw the season end without silverware. Although Arsene Wenger has done a tremendous job since taking charge of the club, seven years without a trophy is not good enough. Some people want him to go, others want him to stay. Personally, I think he should stay, changing managers doesn’t guarantee success and people need to remember what a good job he has done. No manager can win things every year and trophy droughts do happen, it’s part and parcel of the game.
We were just too inconsistent this year. We put together some good runs but then undid them with some poor results. The first few months, including the 8-2 defeat by Manchester United, were largely a disaster. But the way we turned things around and clawed our way back to take 3rd place was a great achievement. Turning things around like that was a big positive, but to end the season without a trophy again was hard to take. We need to be a lot more consistent and learn how to kill games off sometimes.
We had great games like beating Chelsea 5-3 at Stamford Bridge, winning 1-0 against champions Manchester City with a dominant display. When we came back from 2-0 down against Tottenham to win 5-2 that was a tremendous show of character. Winning 2-1 at Liverpool despite being on the back foot for large spells showed a lot of grit and determination. The second leg against AC Milan in the Champions League was excellent, but a little too late after the game had been all but ended with a poor first leg. We seem to do so much right, but at the same time too much wrong, we need to be a lot more consistent.
Manchester City and Manchester United also had blips in their season, but did far better at recovering from them and thus finished 19 points ahead of us. To finish that far behind the top two is unacceptable and we must improve. Several people thought we’d not even finish in the top four this season especially after the first half of the campaign, so to finish 3rd is testament to Wenger and the squad. But, while it was a good achievement, it isn’t enough and we should be challenging for honours a lot better than we have been in recent years.
After such a mixed season, how have the players faired and what needs to be done?
Van Persie had a sensational season and it was great to see him able to play more games this year and showcase his true potential. But there were not enough other players scoring goals to take the pressure off him. Although I’d love to see a few more players bought in, the most important piece of business Wenger can do is to get Van Persie to sign a new deal. I’d rather keep Van Persie and only sign a few more than sign loads and lose him.
Gervinho looked good taking people on but in terms of his end product he simply did not score enough goals and was not worth the money we paid. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain looks a superb talent for the future and played well when he was used. But we definitely lacked a natural goalscorer to play alongside Van Persie. So when the news of Lukas Podolski’s signing was announced, I was delighted. If he can produce the goods in England as he has in Germany we have a great player on our hands. But the Premier League is totally different so it is hard to tell yet whether or not he will be a big hit…but I am hopeful! If Van Persie stays, their pairing could help us put together a more serious title challenge.
If we lose Van Persie, however, I fear he will be very hard to replace and it will have a big effect on the overall team morale, which is not the way you want to start a season. It is not the same as when we lost Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri as Van Persie is an even better player, but if he did leave it could create a similar situation and we cannot afford a poor start to the next campaign. But until anything is announced all the talk surrounding Van Persie is merely speculation and I am hopeful he will stay….just hope I am right!
In the midfield area, Alex Song had a largely excellent campaign and Mikel Arteta seems to have slotted in quickly, with Yossi Benayoun putting in some good displays. Having Jack Wilshere unavailable all season didn’t help but that is no excuse. Despite all the individual talent, we sometimes lacked the composure to kill games off. Our football is often great to watch but sometimes we try to play too many passes instead of just putting the ball in the net.
At the other end of the pitch, Wojciech Szczesny put in several good performances and kept us in more games than he should have had too. Personally, I would like to see us buy a new second choice goalkeeper for in case Szczesny gets injured as I am not convinced by Lukasz Fabianski. The defence has been plagued by injury this season and many players have been forced to play out of position and this has been where our season has been affected most.
Laurent Koscielny is progressing well considering a few years ago he was playing in the French second division. But, despite some positives, the defence on the whole was not good. Injuries didn’t help, especially to the likes of Thomas Vermaelen and Bacary Sagna. But that cannot be used as the sole excuse. I am unsure what to make of Per Mertesacker following his first season and Andre Santos seems a bit suspect at the back. But we are definitely still lacking some solidarity at the back and need to add more depth in that department.
The foundations of a great squad are there, but I’d like to see Wenger buy a new second-choice goalkeeper, another defender and possibly one more midfielder. It may also be worth bringing in an extra back-up striker to cover for injuries as Marouane Chamakh and Gervinho simply do not score enough goals and Park seems unlikely to get enough game time to prove himself.
It is really hard to say whether or not we will be competing more seriously for honours next season. If we make a few additions we have the potential to be right up there with the two Manchester clubs, but we have to start strong. There is no reason why that can’t happen, providing we keep Van Persie, but whether we do is another question. Next year could be a big year, but whatever happens I’ll be cheering them on every step of the way.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS!
Thursday, 29 September 2011
Tevez's time is running out, but don't judge him yet!
Refusing to play for your club is a disgrace and the recent actions of Carlos Tevez have been heavily criticised by top figures in the game and many football fans. But, while nobody can condone what is thought to have gone on, could the situation in fact be a misunderstanding?
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is adamant Tevez will not play for the club again, but the player himself has denied allegations that he refused to come off the bench to play in the recent Champions League clash against Bayern Munich. The language barrier issue should not be forgotten as neither Mancini nor Tevez have a fantastic grasp of English, so maybe the situation has been blown out of proportion.
In previous seasons Tevez had been praised for his talent on the field, but has he overstepped the mark this time and lost the respect of the fans?
Many have vented their frustrations at what has gone on with a player, who last season captained the club and was held in high regard. There has clearly been some kind of misunderstanding and maybe Mancini should not have spoken publicly on the matter – neither party is blameless here. Perhaps City fans and those of other clubs should reserve judgement as the facts behind the dispute are not yet 100% clear.
If Tevez did indeed refuse to play, then it is an absolute disgrace. Footballers are paid ridiculously high wages and need to accept that competition for places is part and parcel of the game. Players obviously want to be out there on the pitch but, when their colleagues are in top form, they can’t take their place for granted and must accept it when they are left out.
Tevez wanted to leave the club for family reasons according to a statement he released over the summer. The striker looked set to join Corinthians but the Brazilian club pulled out because they could not finalise the deal before the end of the international transfer window. He must have known he wouldn’t be playing as regularly as in previous seasons. But that does not excuse any player from refusing to go out onto the pitch and do their job! It is also difficult for Tevez to be far away from his family, but that does not excuse this kind of behaviour.
If and when the full story comes out, it is likely that people will still believe Tevez to be in the wrong. Even if it is a misunderstanding, Mancini clearly felt Tevez had behaved wrongly and the striker needs to seriously consider his attitude. But I still believe we should reserve judgement on the former West Ham and Manchester United star for now.
The Argentina international has released an apology to City fans and insists he was ready to play against Munich and never refused to go onto the pitch. But the club have suspended Tevez for the maximum of two weeks while they investigate the dispute and the player’s alleged conduct.
Mancini has stood his ground and rightly took serious action by the fact Tevez seems unlikely to play for the club again. But he should really have dealt with the situation internally and not blabbed it to the media. That part was unfair on Tevez. Yes, he has acted wrongly and deserves to be punished but it should be dealt with privately and not in the public domain.
On the other hand, the club have worked hard to try and solve past issues with him. Although his game time has been limited, he has still had some opportunities to play since realising he wasn’t moving and he should focus on winning his place back. But his alleged actions will make this difficult and could even scupper a future move if other clubs don’t want to risk a repeat of the recent fiasco.
Whatever happens, this event is likely to have a monumental effect on Tevez’s career and he is going to have to work his socks off to get it back on track!
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is adamant Tevez will not play for the club again, but the player himself has denied allegations that he refused to come off the bench to play in the recent Champions League clash against Bayern Munich. The language barrier issue should not be forgotten as neither Mancini nor Tevez have a fantastic grasp of English, so maybe the situation has been blown out of proportion.
In previous seasons Tevez had been praised for his talent on the field, but has he overstepped the mark this time and lost the respect of the fans?
Many have vented their frustrations at what has gone on with a player, who last season captained the club and was held in high regard. There has clearly been some kind of misunderstanding and maybe Mancini should not have spoken publicly on the matter – neither party is blameless here. Perhaps City fans and those of other clubs should reserve judgement as the facts behind the dispute are not yet 100% clear.
If Tevez did indeed refuse to play, then it is an absolute disgrace. Footballers are paid ridiculously high wages and need to accept that competition for places is part and parcel of the game. Players obviously want to be out there on the pitch but, when their colleagues are in top form, they can’t take their place for granted and must accept it when they are left out.
Tevez wanted to leave the club for family reasons according to a statement he released over the summer. The striker looked set to join Corinthians but the Brazilian club pulled out because they could not finalise the deal before the end of the international transfer window. He must have known he wouldn’t be playing as regularly as in previous seasons. But that does not excuse any player from refusing to go out onto the pitch and do their job! It is also difficult for Tevez to be far away from his family, but that does not excuse this kind of behaviour.
If and when the full story comes out, it is likely that people will still believe Tevez to be in the wrong. Even if it is a misunderstanding, Mancini clearly felt Tevez had behaved wrongly and the striker needs to seriously consider his attitude. But I still believe we should reserve judgement on the former West Ham and Manchester United star for now.
The Argentina international has released an apology to City fans and insists he was ready to play against Munich and never refused to go onto the pitch. But the club have suspended Tevez for the maximum of two weeks while they investigate the dispute and the player’s alleged conduct.
Mancini has stood his ground and rightly took serious action by the fact Tevez seems unlikely to play for the club again. But he should really have dealt with the situation internally and not blabbed it to the media. That part was unfair on Tevez. Yes, he has acted wrongly and deserves to be punished but it should be dealt with privately and not in the public domain.
On the other hand, the club have worked hard to try and solve past issues with him. Although his game time has been limited, he has still had some opportunities to play since realising he wasn’t moving and he should focus on winning his place back. But his alleged actions will make this difficult and could even scupper a future move if other clubs don’t want to risk a repeat of the recent fiasco.
Whatever happens, this event is likely to have a monumental effect on Tevez’s career and he is going to have to work his socks off to get it back on track!
Saturday, 13 August 2011
It’s Gunner be a long season, but let’s try and enjoy it!
The opening day of the new Premier League season has come to a close and I have been left with a familiar feeling of frustration following the goalless draw at St James Park.
But let’s start with the positives. We defended solidly and Thomas Vermaelen and Lauren Koscielny deserve credit for that. I thought Kieran Gibbs also had a good game at left-back and is a good ready-made replacement for Gael Clichy. But there was something lacking in the final third as we failed to find the killer goal. Gervinho looked lively on his debut and was certainly not afraid to take people on, although sometimes he did take a touch too many. However, his debut was tarnished by a silly red card in the second half. After watching it back, I think Gervinho acted a bit stupidly and maybe the red card was deserved. However, Joey Barton really should have followed him off for an early bath for grabbing his throat. But enough on Barton, I could go on forever ranting about him!
For all the frustrations thrown up in the game, a goalless draw at Newcastle is a decent result. Some would have expected Arsenal to claim all three points, but the Magpies are a tough nut to crack on their own patch as the Gunners, along with Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool, found out last season.
Also, when you consider that two major players – Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri – are set to leave Arsenal before the end of the transfer window, the starting XI that took to the field against Newcastle didn’t look too bad. Wenger does need to make one or two additions to add some much needed depth to the squad, but the current crop of players are capable of achieving something.
The summer has focused far too much on the futures of Fabregas and Nasri. Yes, it is very frustrating for Arsenal fans like myself to see two key players about to leave and no big replacements coming in as of yet. But people seem to forget what an incredible talent Jack Wilshere is and Aaron Ramsey and Alex Song are decent midfielders too. The key area to strengthen is of course centre-back, although Vermaelen and Koscielny did well against Newcastle which can only give us hope.
I’m not saying we are going to cause a big shock and definitely win the Premier League title, but I think those who have already written off any chance of us finishing in the top four are making very dangerous statements. All the Arsenal fans need to focus their energy on getting behind the team and cheering them on this season instead of giving off any negative vibes.
Some Arsenal fans have said they want Wenger out. While I can totally understand their frustrations of six trophyless seasons, I genuinely believe that Wenger needs to stay. It hasn’t exactly gone our way in recent seasons, but people also seem to have quickly forgotten all the great things Wenger did in the earlier part of his reign with the Gunners.
I cannot deny that this is going to be one hell of a tough season for us and August alone is going to be a huge test of our title credentials. But if we can collect at least four points from the next two league games against Liverpool and Manchester United, you never know what might happen. Having two games against Udinese sandwiched in between them is not ideal, but we just have to make the best of the situation.
I think people have also been too quick to write us off and we will be there or there abouts again this season…let’s just hope it ends with a trophy!
COME ON YOU GUNNERS!
But let’s start with the positives. We defended solidly and Thomas Vermaelen and Lauren Koscielny deserve credit for that. I thought Kieran Gibbs also had a good game at left-back and is a good ready-made replacement for Gael Clichy. But there was something lacking in the final third as we failed to find the killer goal. Gervinho looked lively on his debut and was certainly not afraid to take people on, although sometimes he did take a touch too many. However, his debut was tarnished by a silly red card in the second half. After watching it back, I think Gervinho acted a bit stupidly and maybe the red card was deserved. However, Joey Barton really should have followed him off for an early bath for grabbing his throat. But enough on Barton, I could go on forever ranting about him!
For all the frustrations thrown up in the game, a goalless draw at Newcastle is a decent result. Some would have expected Arsenal to claim all three points, but the Magpies are a tough nut to crack on their own patch as the Gunners, along with Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool, found out last season.
Also, when you consider that two major players – Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri – are set to leave Arsenal before the end of the transfer window, the starting XI that took to the field against Newcastle didn’t look too bad. Wenger does need to make one or two additions to add some much needed depth to the squad, but the current crop of players are capable of achieving something.
The summer has focused far too much on the futures of Fabregas and Nasri. Yes, it is very frustrating for Arsenal fans like myself to see two key players about to leave and no big replacements coming in as of yet. But people seem to forget what an incredible talent Jack Wilshere is and Aaron Ramsey and Alex Song are decent midfielders too. The key area to strengthen is of course centre-back, although Vermaelen and Koscielny did well against Newcastle which can only give us hope.
I’m not saying we are going to cause a big shock and definitely win the Premier League title, but I think those who have already written off any chance of us finishing in the top four are making very dangerous statements. All the Arsenal fans need to focus their energy on getting behind the team and cheering them on this season instead of giving off any negative vibes.
Some Arsenal fans have said they want Wenger out. While I can totally understand their frustrations of six trophyless seasons, I genuinely believe that Wenger needs to stay. It hasn’t exactly gone our way in recent seasons, but people also seem to have quickly forgotten all the great things Wenger did in the earlier part of his reign with the Gunners.
I cannot deny that this is going to be one hell of a tough season for us and August alone is going to be a huge test of our title credentials. But if we can collect at least four points from the next two league games against Liverpool and Manchester United, you never know what might happen. Having two games against Udinese sandwiched in between them is not ideal, but we just have to make the best of the situation.
I think people have also been too quick to write us off and we will be there or there abouts again this season…let’s just hope it ends with a trophy!
COME ON YOU GUNNERS!
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