By 1970’s Gooner
One of the most satisfying aspects of last night’s performance is that the style of football played throughout all the Arsenal teams from the youth level to the first team is the same.
It is a style of football that has been labeled “beautiful” which very few teams in the world play. And this is instilled in the young guns from the moment they walk through the Academy doors.
You can watch the highlights on the video screen plus the goals and you will see what I mean.
Keep well.
Last night’s performance means that Arsenal will win trophies this year
Showing posts with label Emirates. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Emirates. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Last night’s performance means that Arsenal will win trophies this year.
By 1970’s Gooner
While chatting over dinner the question was put to Arsene Wenger by some of the Arsenal directors:
“What would you do if we gave you £100m to spend on new players?” His answer was of course very revealing: “I would give it back to you”
Judging by last night’s excellent performance against Newcastle he was right.
You are only as good as your bench. This old football saying is very true in today’s highly demanding Premiership where the road to deliverance is like a marathon where every bit of each team’s components is tested to the full.
The components necessary to win trophies include not only ability, strength, determination, will and tenacity.
What is also required is a pool of players who although not usually expected to be named in the first eleven every week are nevertheless capable of performing at the highest level when they are called upon.
This is vitally important when you take into consideration injuries, loss of form, suspensions and international tournaments like the Africa Nations Cup which inevitably force managers to rely on all of their squad.
This was therefore an important match for Arsenal Football Club.
It was the litmus test that the young guns had to go through so that they could convince Wenger that there is strength in depth in this squad and that there is no need to spend any of that £100m that was offered to him by the Board.
And these young guns will be called upon on many occasions this season as the injury list will not go away and the Africa Nations Cup is slowly getting nearer.
One aspect that seems to characterize this new Arsenal side is the real strength in depth that exists in the squad. And by real I mean that this squad has quality replacements in all positions.
Take for example the forward positions. Bendtner’s wonderful performance last night culminated in another excellent headed goal for the Arsenal.
He has proved that Adebayor’s departure for a month at the Africa Nations Cup will not be that painful. The same goes for Eduardo who will need these games to acclimatise himself with English football even more by then.
Look at the wide midfield positions where along with Hleb and Rosicky there is Eboue who has shown last night that he is a wonderful and powerful winger on an equal if not higher footing than them.
He would of course fill in at right back when required. And there is young Walcott who will, with more concentration and experience, be more than a viable alternative.
Consider central midfield where Diarra is the snitch of the year at £2m! Not to mention Denilson who is fast becoming the next star after Fabregas.
Song who although played in central defence is to me a very promising central midfielder. I rather rate him in that position having watched him put in an excellent performance for Charlton away at Man Utd last season.
Look at Traore and you think that you are seeing double. So mush resemblance to a young Ashley Cole and Gael Clichy is uncanny!
There are indeed a lot of choices open to Wenger.
When I suggested in one of my preseason postings titled: “Strength in depth eases Wenger’s team selection worries for the coming season” that there was a lot of strength in depth in the squad there was a lot of negative reaction from some readers who wanted Wenger to buy big.
Now no one is complaining.
I do not need to go on. But this performance last night has convinced me that Arsenal will win trophies this season.
Please note the use of the plural.
Keep well.
While chatting over dinner the question was put to Arsene Wenger by some of the Arsenal directors:
“What would you do if we gave you £100m to spend on new players?” His answer was of course very revealing: “I would give it back to you”
Judging by last night’s excellent performance against Newcastle he was right.
You are only as good as your bench. This old football saying is very true in today’s highly demanding Premiership where the road to deliverance is like a marathon where every bit of each team’s components is tested to the full.
The components necessary to win trophies include not only ability, strength, determination, will and tenacity.
What is also required is a pool of players who although not usually expected to be named in the first eleven every week are nevertheless capable of performing at the highest level when they are called upon.
This is vitally important when you take into consideration injuries, loss of form, suspensions and international tournaments like the Africa Nations Cup which inevitably force managers to rely on all of their squad.
This was therefore an important match for Arsenal Football Club.
It was the litmus test that the young guns had to go through so that they could convince Wenger that there is strength in depth in this squad and that there is no need to spend any of that £100m that was offered to him by the Board.
And these young guns will be called upon on many occasions this season as the injury list will not go away and the Africa Nations Cup is slowly getting nearer.
One aspect that seems to characterize this new Arsenal side is the real strength in depth that exists in the squad. And by real I mean that this squad has quality replacements in all positions.
Take for example the forward positions. Bendtner’s wonderful performance last night culminated in another excellent headed goal for the Arsenal.
He has proved that Adebayor’s departure for a month at the Africa Nations Cup will not be that painful. The same goes for Eduardo who will need these games to acclimatise himself with English football even more by then.
Look at the wide midfield positions where along with Hleb and Rosicky there is Eboue who has shown last night that he is a wonderful and powerful winger on an equal if not higher footing than them.
He would of course fill in at right back when required. And there is young Walcott who will, with more concentration and experience, be more than a viable alternative.
Consider central midfield where Diarra is the snitch of the year at £2m! Not to mention Denilson who is fast becoming the next star after Fabregas.
Song who although played in central defence is to me a very promising central midfielder. I rather rate him in that position having watched him put in an excellent performance for Charlton away at Man Utd last season.
Look at Traore and you think that you are seeing double. So mush resemblance to a young Ashley Cole and Gael Clichy is uncanny!
There are indeed a lot of choices open to Wenger.
When I suggested in one of my preseason postings titled: “Strength in depth eases Wenger’s team selection worries for the coming season” that there was a lot of strength in depth in the squad there was a lot of negative reaction from some readers who wanted Wenger to buy big.
Now no one is complaining.
I do not need to go on. But this performance last night has convinced me that Arsenal will win trophies this season.
Please note the use of the plural.
Keep well.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Arsenal Vs Sparta Prague: Will Arsenal shoot itself in the foot?
By 1970’s Gooner
Arsene Wenger has said that two legged ties are usually won in the first leg. This is of course a very true statement as rarely a team that accomplished an advantage from the first leg finds itself not going through.
Unless of course it shoots itself in the foot.
This can usually arise through two ways. The club “lulls” itself into a false sense of security and therefore fails to give the tie the seriousness it deserves. Or the players get stuck into that “in between” state of mind which comes from not really having to win the tie.
This is the danger for Arsenal tonight when they meet Sparta Prague at the Emirates, leading 2-0 from the first away leg.
Sparta Prague have really nothing to loose and this state of mind often liberates players and allows them to express themselves without real fear of failure. If they score the first goal then the jitters set in and it becomes anybody’s game.
On the other hand the team in the lead from the first leg may try to get through the tie without exerting itself too much as there is an important League game coming up anyway in a few days time.
This state of mind was not evident at Anfield last night as Liverpool had only a one goal advantage from the first leg which made them vulnerable if they had conceded first.
They also had quite a few, shall we call them “fringe players”, who had something to prove to Benitez. Players like Crouch, Benayoun, Leto, Hyppia and others subject to the rotation policy.
The outcome of this particular tie therefore will depend more on how Arsenal mentally approaches the game rather than the employment of any specific tactics, formation or team selection. Although these are of course significant too.
The players will have to do a professional job, play their normal game and go for the win.
Getting that first goal will be vital as the opponents heads are likely to drop after that. Overcoming a three goal deficit will be insurmountable even for above average teams (which, having watched the first leg, Sparta is not).
On the subject of team selection: Does Wenger rest some of the key players and give games to players returning to the squad?
The sports writers of the national newspapers seem to think so as some, in their “probable” starting eleven, have RVP being rested or similarly Adebayor.
Others have Gilberto rested or starting at centre back. Flamini is at right back or midfield or rested according to which paper you read. Fabregas is rested and Diaby coming in. Others have Fabregas in…..In other words they are all confused!
Wenger will have to take this game very seriously as there is the factor of complacency creeping as explained above but also the (financial) cost of failure may prove too onerous for Arsenal Football Club to bear.
So he is not likely to take too many chances and will try to keep as close to his first team selection as possible barring injuries and fitness.
The two positions he has to make decisions on are the right back and centre back.
The choice at right back is between Hoyte and Flamini and he may go for Hoyte although Flamini perfomed very well against Man City. Wenger has belief in his players and he likes to show it to them for obvious reasons.
At centre back the choice is between Senderos and Gilberto. Does he go for an experienced but unfit player or does he give Senderos his chance?
But I think we will have to wait and see what Wenger decides.
It appears however that there is more strength in depth in this squad; much more than many people think.
Prediction: Arsenal do not shoot themselves in the foot. Home win. 1-0
Sparta Prague team news: Repka is a lot better and travels to London to face Fabregas
Fabregas has added a “Peter Storey” attitude to his vast arsenal of talents
Arsene Wenger has said that two legged ties are usually won in the first leg. This is of course a very true statement as rarely a team that accomplished an advantage from the first leg finds itself not going through.
Unless of course it shoots itself in the foot.
This can usually arise through two ways. The club “lulls” itself into a false sense of security and therefore fails to give the tie the seriousness it deserves. Or the players get stuck into that “in between” state of mind which comes from not really having to win the tie.
This is the danger for Arsenal tonight when they meet Sparta Prague at the Emirates, leading 2-0 from the first away leg.
Sparta Prague have really nothing to loose and this state of mind often liberates players and allows them to express themselves without real fear of failure. If they score the first goal then the jitters set in and it becomes anybody’s game.
On the other hand the team in the lead from the first leg may try to get through the tie without exerting itself too much as there is an important League game coming up anyway in a few days time.
This state of mind was not evident at Anfield last night as Liverpool had only a one goal advantage from the first leg which made them vulnerable if they had conceded first.
They also had quite a few, shall we call them “fringe players”, who had something to prove to Benitez. Players like Crouch, Benayoun, Leto, Hyppia and others subject to the rotation policy.
The outcome of this particular tie therefore will depend more on how Arsenal mentally approaches the game rather than the employment of any specific tactics, formation or team selection. Although these are of course significant too.
The players will have to do a professional job, play their normal game and go for the win.
Getting that first goal will be vital as the opponents heads are likely to drop after that. Overcoming a three goal deficit will be insurmountable even for above average teams (which, having watched the first leg, Sparta is not).
On the subject of team selection: Does Wenger rest some of the key players and give games to players returning to the squad?
The sports writers of the national newspapers seem to think so as some, in their “probable” starting eleven, have RVP being rested or similarly Adebayor.
Others have Gilberto rested or starting at centre back. Flamini is at right back or midfield or rested according to which paper you read. Fabregas is rested and Diaby coming in. Others have Fabregas in…..In other words they are all confused!
Wenger will have to take this game very seriously as there is the factor of complacency creeping as explained above but also the (financial) cost of failure may prove too onerous for Arsenal Football Club to bear.
So he is not likely to take too many chances and will try to keep as close to his first team selection as possible barring injuries and fitness.
The two positions he has to make decisions on are the right back and centre back.
The choice at right back is between Hoyte and Flamini and he may go for Hoyte although Flamini perfomed very well against Man City. Wenger has belief in his players and he likes to show it to them for obvious reasons.
At centre back the choice is between Senderos and Gilberto. Does he go for an experienced but unfit player or does he give Senderos his chance?
But I think we will have to wait and see what Wenger decides.
It appears however that there is more strength in depth in this squad; much more than many people think.
Prediction: Arsenal do not shoot themselves in the foot. Home win. 1-0
Sparta Prague team news: Repka is a lot better and travels to London to face Fabregas
Fabregas has added a “Peter Storey” attitude to his vast arsenal of talents
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Palacios has called home and he is alright. He has impressed Wenger and the medical people
By 1970's Gooner
After reporting that neither Wilson Palacios ‘s parents or his club, Olimpia, could confirm his whereabouts, the Honduran Newspaper “Tiempo”, has now been informed by Palacios’s father that he is alright and living in London Colney!
His father, Eulogio, was relieved to hear from him at last. His son who sounded well and lighthearted confirmed to him that he has been having a trial at Arsenal and that he has been able to satisfy the medical and fitness requirements. He will learn in the next few days whether he is kept on.
Wilson for the last 30 days has been traveling around Europe trying his luck with various clubs leaving a big gap in his home side’s line up as he is considered their top player.
His travels took him first to Serbian club Red Star Belgrade where he impressed but the deal was not concluded as their offer for the player was dismissed by Olimpia’s President, Osman Madrid, as way below his valuation of the player.
There were also rumours that Italian club Cagliary was interested but again Olimpia’s president denied there was anything in it.
Palacios next traveled to France and had a trial with Monaco but they seemed unable to take him on as the quota for foreign players has already been exhausted.
Wenger has been impressed
According to his father, Wilson has made a very good impression on Wenger who was quite happy with him. Apparently Palacios has understood that he is earmarked to replace Ljumberg as they are similar players.
The financial side of the deal has not yet been discussed but the whole thing may be finalized in the next few days.
His father said:
“this is not important for us, what I want is that my son continues playing in England. The probabilities of remaining are great.”
The Honduran Newspaper has even given the Arsenal shirt numbers that Palacios could choose from!
These are indeed numbers which have not yet been allocated:
8, 12, 14, 18 and 23.
Palacios labeled the “magician” is considered one of the national team’s best players.
He is 23 years old and a right midfield player who can also play in defence.
He is most remembered for scoring a goal from the half-way line against Marathón in the final minutes of a game in 2006. You can watch it on the video window.
Wilson Palacios Fact File
Date of birth July 29, 1984 (age 23)
Place of birth La Ceiba, Honduras
Playing position Midfielder
Current club Olimpia
Appearances 102
Goals 10
Preview of Sparta Prague Vs Arsenal. Part I: Sparta’s manager fears Rosicky
Spurs fly like a bee and sting like a butterfly!
After reporting that neither Wilson Palacios ‘s parents or his club, Olimpia, could confirm his whereabouts, the Honduran Newspaper “Tiempo”, has now been informed by Palacios’s father that he is alright and living in London Colney!
His father, Eulogio, was relieved to hear from him at last. His son who sounded well and lighthearted confirmed to him that he has been having a trial at Arsenal and that he has been able to satisfy the medical and fitness requirements. He will learn in the next few days whether he is kept on.
Wilson for the last 30 days has been traveling around Europe trying his luck with various clubs leaving a big gap in his home side’s line up as he is considered their top player.His travels took him first to Serbian club Red Star Belgrade where he impressed but the deal was not concluded as their offer for the player was dismissed by Olimpia’s President, Osman Madrid, as way below his valuation of the player.
There were also rumours that Italian club Cagliary was interested but again Olimpia’s president denied there was anything in it.
Palacios next traveled to France and had a trial with Monaco but they seemed unable to take him on as the quota for foreign players has already been exhausted.
Wenger has been impressed
According to his father, Wilson has made a very good impression on Wenger who was quite happy with him. Apparently Palacios has understood that he is earmarked to replace Ljumberg as they are similar players.
The financial side of the deal has not yet been discussed but the whole thing may be finalized in the next few days.
His father said:
“this is not important for us, what I want is that my son continues playing in England. The probabilities of remaining are great.”
The Honduran Newspaper has even given the Arsenal shirt numbers that Palacios could choose from!
These are indeed numbers which have not yet been allocated:
8, 12, 14, 18 and 23.
Palacios labeled the “magician” is considered one of the national team’s best players.
He is 23 years old and a right midfield player who can also play in defence.
He is most remembered for scoring a goal from the half-way line against Marathón in the final minutes of a game in 2006. You can watch it on the video window.
Wilson Palacios Fact File
Date of birth July 29, 1984 (age 23)
Place of birth La Ceiba, Honduras
Playing position Midfielder
Current club Olimpia
Appearances 102
Goals 10
Preview of Sparta Prague Vs Arsenal. Part I: Sparta’s manager fears Rosicky
Spurs fly like a bee and sting like a butterfly!
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