The story so far: A Man Utd site,”Absolutely United” published its thoughts on which Arsenal players would make it in the current Man Utd team. Not surprisingly very few Arsenal players were selected.
Not to be outdone "Arsenal Analysis" replied with its own combined 11. Not surprisingly very few Man Utd players made the list.
Back came the two sites with even more analysis and opinion on the matter. In between, a lot of heated opinions were exchanged between the two sets of supporters on comments left on both sites.
Following our latest reply to Absolutely United’s I Spy he regrouped and came out shooting from the hip.
This is we hope a final reply!
By Eros, Arsenal Analysis resident season ticket holder at the Emirates (North Upper Stand Row Q)
I spy,
Glad to see I gave you some food for thought which, as you admitted, required some of your time in getting back to me.
You insist on questioning my mental health which is I suppose your way of showing some kind of respect. So as you would say ‘respect’
Football is a game of opinions and everyone’s opinions are correct to himself, so as I am sure you know by now we will never find enough common ground to come to a final decision.
That’s why after today we should agree to disagree on some of the pending matters.
Wes Brown for the combined 11. Are you serious?
I can not understand how you can keep a straight face arguing that Wes Brown is worthy of a spot in this team.
You admit that he is not a natural wing back. I will also add that his contribution going forward is almost non existent.
He is also not quick enough and in my opinion can be exposed against high quality wingers.
You also say that you like Sagna as a player and you are impressed by how quickly he adapted to the English game but you seem stuck on the fact he has only played a handful of games (something I pointed out originally anyway).
Granted Sagna did not have the best of games against Sunderland but his overall performances until now have been excellent.
It is obvious that Wes Brown should not have a place in the combined Arsenal/Man Utd squad. Sagna and Eboue should be left alone to fight it out for a place in the starting line up.
Transfer flops: Fergie leads the way!
You seem to like mentioning Francis Jeffers and what a big success he was in North London and I Iet you get away with until know, but no more.
Yes Jeffers was an 8m pound flop but I wonder how much Veron, Cleberson, Djemba-Djemba and Taibi all cost.
Surely one argument that you cannot win is the transfer market success Arsene Wenger enjoyed over the years. Your net outlay on transfers this year is close to 50m whereas ours is a positive –yes positive- 8m!
Clichy is more skilful than Evra
As for the position on the opposite side of the pitch you say that Clichy has nothing that Evra has not. I’m afraid you are wrong again! Apart from a superior level of skill and technique, Clichy has time on his side.
He is only 22 and has a long career in front of him. I am not saying that Evra is old – 27? – but if we are to use your argument that right now they are virtually of equal quality then surely Clichy should get the nod because of his unlimited potential.
Ferdinand is not better than Toure
I still do not consider Ferdinand to be better than Toure, for the reasons that I pointed out in my previous post. Basically what you are trying to say is that Ferdinand looks good next to a world class player like Vidic and I agree with you.
You rightly point out that Campbell had the same effect on Rio because he used to do all the dirty work for him.
As for the goal conceded by Arsenal against Sunderland I don’t think that Toure did anything wrong, it was the full backs that in my opinion were found napping for both goals.
As Sagna was walking back to his position Toure was forced to go out the right to cover which left Jones at the back stick against Clichy, not a real contest now is it?
It’s criminal to compare Rio and Toure in terms of concentration and an insult to use the media card on me for any mistake that is picked up from TV pundits. I do have opinions of my own and as I am sure you can read I am not shy about expressing them!
Robin Van Persie’s special quality
I know we agreed to disagree about RVP and Rooney, however I want to point out a quality that makes RVP special. His form is negatively correlated to the form of the rest of the team.
When everyone else is flying Van Persie usually has a quiet game almost as if he is saving energy for more important periods of the season.
If you look at the recent results you will see Van Persie does not usually score when the team wins comfortably, however when the team needs a goal you can bet that more often than not RVP is going to come up with the goods, like he did twice this week.
Van Persie is going to score the important goals, the goals that will lift the whole of the team when they are struggling. I’m not sure Rooney has that killer instinct in him.
Glad to see you dropped the Scholes vs Cesc debate so I will take that as a victory for us Gooners! It was not a real contest anyway.
Finally you point out that some of your squad players were involved in Saturday’s game and from what I read Anderson and Pique especially never put a foot wrong.
All I would say is Wigan at home is not the most testing of games to judge your ability on.
Try and throw them in at the deep like Wenger was forced to 3 years ago when a 16 year old Cesc and a 19 year old Flamini held Lampard, Makelele and Essien to a goalless draw at the Bridge.
Can’t wait until November the 3rd when I am sure we will cross swords again.
Wonder who will have the bragging rights then?
United Versus Arsenal: The Battle Intensifies
An open letter to Manchester United fans
Who Would Wenger Take From Manchester United’s Team?
An Open Letter To Arsenal Fans
Who Would Fergie Take From Arsenal’s First Team?
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Sagna “We are young and gifted” But keep your hair on please!
By 1970’s Gooner
Bakary Sagna has been speaking from the base of the France National team at Clairefontaine about Arsenal’s fantastic start to this season’s campaign.
He feels that this is a result that has been partly prompted by all the critics and doubters.
‘We did not expect to be first and to have such an outstanding beginning to the season. We are a young and gifted team. The fact that there were so many doubters at the beginning of season “pepped” us up’
Sagna also said that he did not realise how high the quality of football played at Arsenal would be.
‘I was told that it is impressive and that it is played at a quick pace. Now I see it with my own eyes’
He also found the Premiership is played at a higher pace and commitment in comparison to the French league.
This commitment was epitomised by Sunderland’s come back last Sunday from 2-0 down to draw level.
It has to be said however that the young defender did not have one of his better games for Arsenal against Sunderland.
His introduction into the team seemed to have been made almost effortlessly and he looked right from the beginning as a typical Wenger player.
So it was to be expected that sooner or later he will have an average game.
And he was partly at fault for the second Sunderland goal. He was late in coming back from an attacking foray into the other half and so was Toure who had to cover for him.
This left the middle of the Arsenal defence unguarded with only Clichy present to challenge that giant Jones.
Another theory that might gain ground is the absence of his famous hair locks.
They have been present in all his previous starts for Arsenal bar the Sunderland game.
Has he cut them off or were they prosthetically placed in the first place?
Whatever it is please get them back on Bakary. They are not only considered lucky they also become you!
First was Hleb, then Fabregas followed by Adebayor now its Van Persie…..
Who Would Wenger Take From Manchester United’s Team?
An open letter to Manchester United fans
Bakary Sagna has been speaking from the base of the France National team at Clairefontaine about Arsenal’s fantastic start to this season’s campaign.
He feels that this is a result that has been partly prompted by all the critics and doubters.
‘We did not expect to be first and to have such an outstanding beginning to the season. We are a young and gifted team. The fact that there were so many doubters at the beginning of season “pepped” us up’
Sagna also said that he did not realise how high the quality of football played at Arsenal would be.
‘I was told that it is impressive and that it is played at a quick pace. Now I see it with my own eyes’
He also found the Premiership is played at a higher pace and commitment in comparison to the French league.
This commitment was epitomised by Sunderland’s come back last Sunday from 2-0 down to draw level.
It has to be said however that the young defender did not have one of his better games for Arsenal against Sunderland. His introduction into the team seemed to have been made almost effortlessly and he looked right from the beginning as a typical Wenger player.
So it was to be expected that sooner or later he will have an average game.
And he was partly at fault for the second Sunderland goal. He was late in coming back from an attacking foray into the other half and so was Toure who had to cover for him.
This left the middle of the Arsenal defence unguarded with only Clichy present to challenge that giant Jones.
Another theory that might gain ground is the absence of his famous hair locks. They have been present in all his previous starts for Arsenal bar the Sunderland game.
Has he cut them off or were they prosthetically placed in the first place?
Whatever it is please get them back on Bakary. They are not only considered lucky they also become you!
First was Hleb, then Fabregas followed by Adebayor now its Van Persie…..
Who Would Wenger Take From Manchester United’s Team?
An open letter to Manchester United fans
Monday, October 08, 2007
First was Hleb, then Fabregas followed by Adebayor now its Van Persie…..
By 1970’s Gooner
After the “pass the ball round” that the kids of Arsenal used to play virtually all of last season now we have a new game being played on the lush green of the Emirates: “anything you can do I can do better”
Everyone predicted that, in the absence of Henry who was for a number of years the most significant source of goals, this young team would find it pretty hard to find alternative ways and personnel to score.
How wrong could they be? It’s now becoming a race between the players as to who will take up the mantle of supplying that rarest commodity in football.
During the preseason and the first few games in the League it was Hleb who started getting on the score sheet.
His new position of playing just behind the front striker gave him the platform to gain the necessary confidence in front of goal. Something he struggled with all last season. He was top scorer at one point.
When he was moved back to his “natural” position up stepped Fabregas who suddenly found his scoring boots.
The lad couldn’t stop scoring mostly with thunderbolts from outside the area.
He now has four in the league and three in the Champions League.
Not to be outdone Adebayor and Van Persie got in on the act with the first netting three before his hat trick against Derby.
Then Van Persie started finding the net again after an initial burst. He has now scored four in his last three games.
This shows that this team has the winners within its midst who can score the goals from different parts of the football pitch.
If it’s not the front two then the midfielders will step in and who knows, we will soon see some of the defenders getting in on the act too.
Kolo Toure is due one and Senderos may feel confident enough to keep adding to his tally!
If this team manages to defeat the last remaining remnant of last season’s long list of weaknesses, concentration, then the sky is the limit.
Who Would Wenger Take From Manchester United’s Team?
An open letter to Manchester United fans
After the “pass the ball round” that the kids of Arsenal used to play virtually all of last season now we have a new game being played on the lush green of the Emirates: “anything you can do I can do better”
Everyone predicted that, in the absence of Henry who was for a number of years the most significant source of goals, this young team would find it pretty hard to find alternative ways and personnel to score.
How wrong could they be? It’s now becoming a race between the players as to who will take up the mantle of supplying that rarest commodity in football.
During the preseason and the first few games in the League it was Hleb who started getting on the score sheet.
His new position of playing just behind the front striker gave him the platform to gain the necessary confidence in front of goal. Something he struggled with all last season. He was top scorer at one point.
When he was moved back to his “natural” position up stepped Fabregas who suddenly found his scoring boots. The lad couldn’t stop scoring mostly with thunderbolts from outside the area.
He now has four in the league and three in the Champions League.
Not to be outdone Adebayor and Van Persie got in on the act with the first netting three before his hat trick against Derby.
Then Van Persie started finding the net again after an initial burst. He has now scored four in his last three games.
This shows that this team has the winners within its midst who can score the goals from different parts of the football pitch. If it’s not the front two then the midfielders will step in and who knows, we will soon see some of the defenders getting in on the act too.
Kolo Toure is due one and Senderos may feel confident enough to keep adding to his tally!
If this team manages to defeat the last remaining remnant of last season’s long list of weaknesses, concentration, then the sky is the limit.
Who Would Wenger Take From Manchester United’s Team?
An open letter to Manchester United fans
Saturday, October 06, 2007
An open letter to Manchester United fans
By Eros, Arsenal Analysis resident season ticket holder at the Emirates (North Upper Stand Row Q)
Dear I Spy and Manchester United fans,
Thanks for your kind words about the site, I tried to be as objective as possible when writing the article! I am glad that you agree with my original assessment that all football fans are absolutely mental (you call it how much crack did you smoke).
I have read your reply to my article and your revised selections in your open letter to Arsenal fans. To your credit you have made some adjustments to your original position. You say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and you are correct; however the fact that you felt the need to revisit your post and make adjustments to it I think says a lot! I take that as I compliment.
For all your backhanded compliments however I think that some of your arguments would embarrass ever Red Face himself! As I don’t want this to be a ding dong battle – who I’m I kidding I’d love a ding dong battle- I am only going to object to a few selections.
Even you know that however much alcohol or drugs you take Wes Brown is never going to be a better player than either Sagna or Eboue. An ok utility player an international Right Back he is definitely not! There’s no point even arguing about it.
When I originally wrote the post Evra was the back up left back in the French squad. However Clichy has now made the French squad for the upcoming internationals! I think at the expense of Evra.
So even Domenech agrees with me – I am not happy about this as I would much prefer Evra to play and Clichy to have a little rest. Since Domenech is the bees knees – you point out that he guided France to the World Cup final – who are we humans to argue with him! Clichy it is then.
You asked me how many games Arsenal lost last season; I think 9 is the answer to your question. However we did beat your United twice. I have just checked my stats and they say United conceded 27 goals last year and Arsenal 34. But making your decision solely on how many games each team lost last year is ludicrous!
Toure last season had to play with a different partner nearly every week. Gallas was injured most of the season, Djourou and Senderos were in and out of the team because of niggly injuries and Gilberto had to slot in at the back.
What you forget about Toure is that he and Campbell where the defensive partnership when Arsenal went a whole season unbeaten (something you never achieved and cannot even dream of doing), and in 2006 he was the corner stone of the record number of clean sheets that took Arsenal to the Champions League Final.
The argument that Arsenal lost more last year makes Rio a better player smacks me as an easy way out so that no real comparisons are made between the players!
Toure is quicker, better on the ball and reads the game extremely well. He rarely wastes possession and even more infrequently does he loose concentration, which is something that you really can’t say about your Rio.
On top of all that I’ve never heard that Toure missed a drugs test! And in my book you only forget about a drugs test for one reason and it’s not because you are moving house!
I will not even bother arguing about Rooney, Scholes, RVP and Cesc as none of us are able to eliminate all bias and reach a logical conclusion, so I think its best to agree to disagree on this one. However I have to point out that Cesc this year has already got 6 goals and 8 assists.
You seem to also imply that Rooney has a better ‘range’ than RVP. I’m not sure what you mean by range, but I think that Van Persie is better technically, better on the ball and can score a goal from any situation. I also think he is a better finisher.
As I have explained in my original article there are only three Manchester United players that could make it into the Arsenal team at the moment. Van De Sar, Vidic and Ronaldo.
Lastly, you never mention the depth of your squad. I wonder why.
Such is your lack of depth that Fergie relys on 13/14 players unlike Arsenal which can change any player in their starting 11 and still perform up to standard.
Even if Cesc is out both Abou Diaby and Denilson can come in and keep the team playing, what we call, Fabregas football. I think that is were Arsenal have the real advantage.
I wonder what your replacements will be to the loss of Carrick and Hargreaves.
In your open letter you say that we go overboard thinking that we are better than Brazil and you point out that we had a very disappointing year last time out. Nobody denies the disappointment, especially after the last few years where we were used to competing for something every season.
Unlike United we have not been able to compete in the transfer market. Taking into account all the players that left after 2003/04 and the refusal of Wenger to spend money until the financial future of the club was secure makes the last 2 years’ disappointments seem almost insignificant.
But you see, ever since Wenger took over we make the stars not buy them.
The signs of a team emerging were there last year, with the Carling Cup run and the results in the so called big games especially the double over your United. What the team lacked was consistency and that’s why we did not compete.
It’s too early to definitely say but there are good signs that this team is ready to challenge and fight for every point available. The difference to last time out is that now they expect to win every single game and after the start they had, try and convince them otherwise.
Surely there is going to be the odd bad result but I think this team is so strong mentally that it will not be as affected as the 03/04 team.
I have no illusions about United, I honestly think they are a good team, play entertaining football and they will be serious contenders for the title.
I disagree however with the notion that it’s United’s title to lose. You lot better be ready for a fight, I know our boys are!
Ed: This is a personal view. What is your opinion?
Who Would Wenger Take From Manchester United’s Team?
An Open Letter To Arsenal Fans
Who Would Fergie Take From Arsenal’s First Team?
Dear I Spy and Manchester United fans,
Thanks for your kind words about the site, I tried to be as objective as possible when writing the article! I am glad that you agree with my original assessment that all football fans are absolutely mental (you call it how much crack did you smoke).
I have read your reply to my article and your revised selections in your open letter to Arsenal fans. To your credit you have made some adjustments to your original position. You say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and you are correct; however the fact that you felt the need to revisit your post and make adjustments to it I think says a lot! I take that as I compliment.
For all your backhanded compliments however I think that some of your arguments would embarrass ever Red Face himself! As I don’t want this to be a ding dong battle – who I’m I kidding I’d love a ding dong battle- I am only going to object to a few selections.
Even you know that however much alcohol or drugs you take Wes Brown is never going to be a better player than either Sagna or Eboue. An ok utility player an international Right Back he is definitely not! There’s no point even arguing about it.
When I originally wrote the post Evra was the back up left back in the French squad. However Clichy has now made the French squad for the upcoming internationals! I think at the expense of Evra.
So even Domenech agrees with me – I am not happy about this as I would much prefer Evra to play and Clichy to have a little rest. Since Domenech is the bees knees – you point out that he guided France to the World Cup final – who are we humans to argue with him! Clichy it is then.
You asked me how many games Arsenal lost last season; I think 9 is the answer to your question. However we did beat your United twice. I have just checked my stats and they say United conceded 27 goals last year and Arsenal 34. But making your decision solely on how many games each team lost last year is ludicrous!
Toure last season had to play with a different partner nearly every week. Gallas was injured most of the season, Djourou and Senderos were in and out of the team because of niggly injuries and Gilberto had to slot in at the back.
What you forget about Toure is that he and Campbell where the defensive partnership when Arsenal went a whole season unbeaten (something you never achieved and cannot even dream of doing), and in 2006 he was the corner stone of the record number of clean sheets that took Arsenal to the Champions League Final.
The argument that Arsenal lost more last year makes Rio a better player smacks me as an easy way out so that no real comparisons are made between the players!
Toure is quicker, better on the ball and reads the game extremely well. He rarely wastes possession and even more infrequently does he loose concentration, which is something that you really can’t say about your Rio.
On top of all that I’ve never heard that Toure missed a drugs test! And in my book you only forget about a drugs test for one reason and it’s not because you are moving house!
I will not even bother arguing about Rooney, Scholes, RVP and Cesc as none of us are able to eliminate all bias and reach a logical conclusion, so I think its best to agree to disagree on this one. However I have to point out that Cesc this year has already got 6 goals and 8 assists.
You seem to also imply that Rooney has a better ‘range’ than RVP. I’m not sure what you mean by range, but I think that Van Persie is better technically, better on the ball and can score a goal from any situation. I also think he is a better finisher.
As I have explained in my original article there are only three Manchester United players that could make it into the Arsenal team at the moment. Van De Sar, Vidic and Ronaldo.
Lastly, you never mention the depth of your squad. I wonder why.
Such is your lack of depth that Fergie relys on 13/14 players unlike Arsenal which can change any player in their starting 11 and still perform up to standard.
Even if Cesc is out both Abou Diaby and Denilson can come in and keep the team playing, what we call, Fabregas football. I think that is were Arsenal have the real advantage.
I wonder what your replacements will be to the loss of Carrick and Hargreaves.
In your open letter you say that we go overboard thinking that we are better than Brazil and you point out that we had a very disappointing year last time out. Nobody denies the disappointment, especially after the last few years where we were used to competing for something every season.
Unlike United we have not been able to compete in the transfer market. Taking into account all the players that left after 2003/04 and the refusal of Wenger to spend money until the financial future of the club was secure makes the last 2 years’ disappointments seem almost insignificant.
But you see, ever since Wenger took over we make the stars not buy them.
The signs of a team emerging were there last year, with the Carling Cup run and the results in the so called big games especially the double over your United. What the team lacked was consistency and that’s why we did not compete.
It’s too early to definitely say but there are good signs that this team is ready to challenge and fight for every point available. The difference to last time out is that now they expect to win every single game and after the start they had, try and convince them otherwise.
Surely there is going to be the odd bad result but I think this team is so strong mentally that it will not be as affected as the 03/04 team.
I have no illusions about United, I honestly think they are a good team, play entertaining football and they will be serious contenders for the title.
I disagree however with the notion that it’s United’s title to lose. You lot better be ready for a fight, I know our boys are!
Ed: This is a personal view. What is your opinion?
Who Would Wenger Take From Manchester United’s Team?
An Open Letter To Arsenal Fans
Who Would Fergie Take From Arsenal’s First Team?
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Who Would Wenger Take From Manchester United’s Team?
By Eros, Arsenal Analysis resident season ticket holder at the Emirates (North Upper Stand Row Q)
Some friends forwarded me a link to a Man United website that had a post comparing the two teams. After reading it I am convinced that all football fans are mentally unstable…. myself included!
Anyway here is my assessment of a player by player comparison of the two sides and my starting eleven of a combined Arsenal / Man Utd team.
Goalkeeper
Surprisingly both teams have goalkeeping problems. Jens is prone to moments of madness and after the start of the season he had I simply cannot make a case for him to be included in this team.
Almunia has been in good form but his errors during the Spurs game have made me lose some faith. I expect him to show more consistency with more games.
Van De Sar was beginning to show his age last season but so far has been consistent.
Selection : Has to be Van Der Sar
Right Back
Eboue is not our starting right back any more and Sagna has only a few League games under his belt so he is relatively untested yet. He has however shown that he is a natural and tenacious defender and also technically gifted like all Wenger’s players.
Justin Hoyte is good but not that good. The Neviller would have won this one by default but since he is not playing due to a long term injury with uncertainties about maintaining his standards when he returns Sagna gets the nod.
Selection: Bakary Sagna, I love lasagne!
Centre Back
Ask any Arsenal fan if they would change Kolo for any centre back in the world and I guarantee that very few would.
He is comfortable on the ball, links the defence with the midfield effortlessly and has pace to burn. I don’t care if Rio cost £30m he doesn’t get a look in, in this team.
Selection: Kolo Toure; the African Emperor
Centre Back
Gallas has not yet worked out how to make his partnership with Toure work, as they are both very similar players. Vidic is one of only a few United players that I would have no real problem in picking for my team.
He is an old school no nonsense defender and great in the air at both ends of the pitch. He is the type of player that could propel Arsenal to the title.
Selection: Nemanja Vidić
Left Back
The French national coach does not agree with me as Evra is in the French national squad and Clichy has not yet been called up. My feelings for Domenech can be summarised in two words; but 1970’s Gooner is too old to contemplate printing any swearing on this blog!
Anyway Clichy is fantastic going forward, has tremendous fitness levels and improving with every game on his defensive positioning. In my book he is the best in the league.
Selection: Gael Clichy; better than Ashley Cole
Left Midfield
Giggs and Nani are too old and young respectively; Rosicky started the season very well and scored some important goals for us.
His all round play especially his tracking back has vastly improved. He has finally settled well in his position on the left and if he manages to stay fit then he is in for a very exciting season.
Hleb is a "new" player this season with his ball skills and play making unmatched by the other players mentioned here for this position. But he is really more of a playmaker than a winger and his goal scoring ability is lacking.
Selection: Czechmate. Rosicky gets this hands down
Central Midfield:
I think central midfield are the two positions that will be most furiously debated especially since United have spent obscene amounts of money while Arsene spent the huge, for his standards, amount of £2m on Diarra!
No contest between Gilberto and Carrick as the Brazilian is in a whole different league in my humble opinion. Hargreaves is a good player, it’s a shame he’s gone to United but is he as good as Gilberto? I think not.
Gilberto has a tremendous sense of positioning, the ability to read the game exceptionally well and anticipates dangerous situations well before the begin to develop.
This is particularly useful when trying to prevent the opposition teams from counter attacking effectively.
He is the corner stone of the Arsenal way of playing as he frees everybody around him to go forward, especially the full backs.
This is essential for Arsenal as the wide midfield players tend to come in rather than hag the wings and it is the full backs that provide a lot of the width in this team.
Flamini has put in some fantastic performances for Arsenal culminating in his best so far in the demolition of Sevilla; but I would still put him behind Gilberto.
Selection: Gilberto Silva; the Brazilian samba king
Central Midfield
I have the utmost respect for Scholes but at 32 he is not exactly in his prime. He had a fantastic season last year but even so the young Spaniard maestro just had to be in the team.
There is very little difference between the two players, Scholes used to get more goals than Cesc but not any more and the Spaniard has the edge in spotting and making a killer pass. He is also the better tackler of the two.
For a comprehensive qualitative and statistical analysis of the two players check out the excellent post: “Fabregas is a more effective player than Scholes” by 1970’s Gooner.
There are signs this year that finally Cesc has found his scoring boots.
If he manages to get around 15 league goals that will go along way in relieving the pressure from the strikers and also keeping Arsenal in the title frame.
Selection: Cesc Fabregas. The best midfielder in the world. Did you really expect me to go with anyone else?
Right Midfield
I have been trying to find an angle not to include Ronaldo in the team however it’s impossible. Hleb would run him close but he has the strengths and weaknesses mentioned above.
Eboue on the other hand has not played in this position for long and he has not shown yet that he can put in consistent performances of high quality.
I hate to say it but I would pay good money to go and watch Ronaldo play, the best right midfielder in the world.
Selection: Christiano Ronaldo
Front Striker
Adebayor is largely unchallenged as one of the two forwards as Saha is always injured and Rooney and Tevez are similar players who are essentially fighting for the same position, that of a support striker not as front strikers.
So Adebayor’s only real competition is em …. Bendtner? Adebayor is a transformed player this season with improved ball control, distribution and especially finishing.
Saha is just as good but considering he is unreliable due to being injury prone I would choose Adebayor in my team.
Selection: Emmanuel Adebayor; the African lion
Front (Support) Striker
This is a race between Van Persie, Tevez and Rooney. How do you work this one out?
Let’s just start by saying that Rooney is a very good player. But – and this should not be a surprise to United fans – he is not as good as the media make out he is. He is still a great talent but he has not developed as we all thought he would.
That might be because of frequent injuries or simply because he lost his focus and needs to find his way again. It might be however that this is as good as he is ever going to get, which is still very good.
He nevertheless has tremendous pace and extreme power, is technically very good and that’s why I am baffled sometimes by the long spells he goes with out scoring.
Tevez has had a slow start to his United career but that is mainly the midfield’s fault as in the games I have watched the distribution going forward was abysmal.
He has the potential to be a great player; however I’m not sure how he and Rooney will get on as a pairing.
Finally, Robin Van Persie.
I was at Highbury when he got himself sent off against Southampton, with that silly challenge, I was sitting on the North Bank and for the first time I saw Wenger turn on one of his players in public.
I thought then he was gone. He got his head down however and improved his discipline and temperament on the pitch.
He scores memorable goals like the one against Southampton at Highbury, the volley against Charlton at the Valley last year and the goal against Inter in the Emirates Cup.
He also scores important goals like the one he got at the Emirates against United.
He has a hammer of left foot shot, which if it connects clean is very difficult to stop. Out of the three he is probably the most natural finisher.
Selection: I will go for Robin Van Persie; the new Bergkamp. But Tevez runs him close.
Bench
On the Arsenal bench you can usually find, Diaby, Denilson, Eduardo, Bendtner, Walcott, Eboue, Hoyte, Diarra, Gilberto/Flamini and Senderos.
These go up against Eagles, Fletcher, O’shea, Brown Sylvester, Park, Carrick, Nani and Anderson.
If it wasn’t for the last three then I’d say that Arsenal have the much better bench, hands down no argument. They did after all cost £60m!
But even so we still have the better bench! Eagles, Fletcher, O’shea, Sylvester, Park and Brown would not get anywhere near our squad.
Arsenal/Man Utd combined eleven
Van De Sar
Sagna Toure Vidic Clichy
Ronaldo Fabregas Gilberto Rosicky
Adebayor Van Persie
Substitutes: Lehmann, Gallas, Carrick, Roonie, Tevez,
Going through the two squads it is frightening to see that both teams have the same glaring strengths and weaknesses.
They both need to find goalkeepers they can rely upon and also strikers to compliment their main goal scoring threats.
Wenger’s way is to place his trust in youth, what’s Sir Alex’s excuse?
This is a personal view. What is your opinion? Who would you pick from Man Utd to play for Arsenal?
“Fabregas is a more effective player than Scholes”
Last night’s performance means that Arsenal will win trophies this year
Arsenal battling with Manchester United to become the richest club
Who Would Fergie Take From Arsenal’s First Team?
Some friends forwarded me a link to a Man United website that had a post comparing the two teams. After reading it I am convinced that all football fans are mentally unstable…. myself included!
Anyway here is my assessment of a player by player comparison of the two sides and my starting eleven of a combined Arsenal / Man Utd team.
Goalkeeper
Surprisingly both teams have goalkeeping problems. Jens is prone to moments of madness and after the start of the season he had I simply cannot make a case for him to be included in this team.
Almunia has been in good form but his errors during the Spurs game have made me lose some faith. I expect him to show more consistency with more games.
Van De Sar was beginning to show his age last season but so far has been consistent.
Selection : Has to be Van Der Sar
Right Back
Eboue is not our starting right back any more and Sagna has only a few League games under his belt so he is relatively untested yet. He has however shown that he is a natural and tenacious defender and also technically gifted like all Wenger’s players.
Justin Hoyte is good but not that good. The Neviller would have won this one by default but since he is not playing due to a long term injury with uncertainties about maintaining his standards when he returns Sagna gets the nod.
Selection: Bakary Sagna, I love lasagne!
Centre Back
Ask any Arsenal fan if they would change Kolo for any centre back in the world and I guarantee that very few would.
He is comfortable on the ball, links the defence with the midfield effortlessly and has pace to burn. I don’t care if Rio cost £30m he doesn’t get a look in, in this team.
Selection: Kolo Toure; the African Emperor
Centre Back
Gallas has not yet worked out how to make his partnership with Toure work, as they are both very similar players. Vidic is one of only a few United players that I would have no real problem in picking for my team.
He is an old school no nonsense defender and great in the air at both ends of the pitch. He is the type of player that could propel Arsenal to the title.
Selection: Nemanja Vidić
Left Back
The French national coach does not agree with me as Evra is in the French national squad and Clichy has not yet been called up. My feelings for Domenech can be summarised in two words; but 1970’s Gooner is too old to contemplate printing any swearing on this blog!
Anyway Clichy is fantastic going forward, has tremendous fitness levels and improving with every game on his defensive positioning. In my book he is the best in the league.
Selection: Gael Clichy; better than Ashley Cole
Left Midfield
Giggs and Nani are too old and young respectively; Rosicky started the season very well and scored some important goals for us.
His all round play especially his tracking back has vastly improved. He has finally settled well in his position on the left and if he manages to stay fit then he is in for a very exciting season.
Hleb is a "new" player this season with his ball skills and play making unmatched by the other players mentioned here for this position. But he is really more of a playmaker than a winger and his goal scoring ability is lacking.
Selection: Czechmate. Rosicky gets this hands down
Central Midfield:
I think central midfield are the two positions that will be most furiously debated especially since United have spent obscene amounts of money while Arsene spent the huge, for his standards, amount of £2m on Diarra!
No contest between Gilberto and Carrick as the Brazilian is in a whole different league in my humble opinion. Hargreaves is a good player, it’s a shame he’s gone to United but is he as good as Gilberto? I think not.
Gilberto has a tremendous sense of positioning, the ability to read the game exceptionally well and anticipates dangerous situations well before the begin to develop. This is particularly useful when trying to prevent the opposition teams from counter attacking effectively.
He is the corner stone of the Arsenal way of playing as he frees everybody around him to go forward, especially the full backs.
This is essential for Arsenal as the wide midfield players tend to come in rather than hag the wings and it is the full backs that provide a lot of the width in this team.
Flamini has put in some fantastic performances for Arsenal culminating in his best so far in the demolition of Sevilla; but I would still put him behind Gilberto.
Selection: Gilberto Silva; the Brazilian samba king
Central Midfield
I have the utmost respect for Scholes but at 32 he is not exactly in his prime. He had a fantastic season last year but even so the young Spaniard maestro just had to be in the team.
There is very little difference between the two players, Scholes used to get more goals than Cesc but not any more and the Spaniard has the edge in spotting and making a killer pass. He is also the better tackler of the two.
For a comprehensive qualitative and statistical analysis of the two players check out the excellent post: “Fabregas is a more effective player than Scholes” by 1970’s Gooner.
There are signs this year that finally Cesc has found his scoring boots.If he manages to get around 15 league goals that will go along way in relieving the pressure from the strikers and also keeping Arsenal in the title frame.
Selection: Cesc Fabregas. The best midfielder in the world. Did you really expect me to go with anyone else?
Right Midfield
I have been trying to find an angle not to include Ronaldo in the team however it’s impossible. Hleb would run him close but he has the strengths and weaknesses mentioned above.
Eboue on the other hand has not played in this position for long and he has not shown yet that he can put in consistent performances of high quality.
I hate to say it but I would pay good money to go and watch Ronaldo play, the best right midfielder in the world.
Selection: Christiano Ronaldo
Front Striker
Adebayor is largely unchallenged as one of the two forwards as Saha is always injured and Rooney and Tevez are similar players who are essentially fighting for the same position, that of a support striker not as front strikers.
So Adebayor’s only real competition is em …. Bendtner? Adebayor is a transformed player this season with improved ball control, distribution and especially finishing.
Saha is just as good but considering he is unreliable due to being injury prone I would choose Adebayor in my team.
Selection: Emmanuel Adebayor; the African lion
Front (Support) Striker
This is a race between Van Persie, Tevez and Rooney. How do you work this one out?
Let’s just start by saying that Rooney is a very good player. But – and this should not be a surprise to United fans – he is not as good as the media make out he is. He is still a great talent but he has not developed as we all thought he would.
That might be because of frequent injuries or simply because he lost his focus and needs to find his way again. It might be however that this is as good as he is ever going to get, which is still very good.
He nevertheless has tremendous pace and extreme power, is technically very good and that’s why I am baffled sometimes by the long spells he goes with out scoring.
Tevez has had a slow start to his United career but that is mainly the midfield’s fault as in the games I have watched the distribution going forward was abysmal.
He has the potential to be a great player; however I’m not sure how he and Rooney will get on as a pairing.
Finally, Robin Van Persie.
I was at Highbury when he got himself sent off against Southampton, with that silly challenge, I was sitting on the North Bank and for the first time I saw Wenger turn on one of his players in public.
I thought then he was gone. He got his head down however and improved his discipline and temperament on the pitch.
He scores memorable goals like the one against Southampton at Highbury, the volley against Charlton at the Valley last year and the goal against Inter in the Emirates Cup. He also scores important goals like the one he got at the Emirates against United.
He has a hammer of left foot shot, which if it connects clean is very difficult to stop. Out of the three he is probably the most natural finisher.
Selection: I will go for Robin Van Persie; the new Bergkamp. But Tevez runs him close.
Bench
On the Arsenal bench you can usually find, Diaby, Denilson, Eduardo, Bendtner, Walcott, Eboue, Hoyte, Diarra, Gilberto/Flamini and Senderos.
These go up against Eagles, Fletcher, O’shea, Brown Sylvester, Park, Carrick, Nani and Anderson.
If it wasn’t for the last three then I’d say that Arsenal have the much better bench, hands down no argument. They did after all cost £60m!
But even so we still have the better bench! Eagles, Fletcher, O’shea, Sylvester, Park and Brown would not get anywhere near our squad.
Arsenal/Man Utd combined eleven
Van De Sar
Sagna Toure Vidic Clichy
Ronaldo Fabregas Gilberto Rosicky
Adebayor Van Persie
Substitutes: Lehmann, Gallas, Carrick, Roonie, Tevez,
Going through the two squads it is frightening to see that both teams have the same glaring strengths and weaknesses.
They both need to find goalkeepers they can rely upon and also strikers to compliment their main goal scoring threats.
Wenger’s way is to place his trust in youth, what’s Sir Alex’s excuse?
This is a personal view. What is your opinion? Who would you pick from Man Utd to play for Arsenal?
“Fabregas is a more effective player than Scholes”
Last night’s performance means that Arsenal will win trophies this year
Arsenal battling with Manchester United to become the richest club
Who Would Fergie Take From Arsenal’s First Team?
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Steaua Vs Arsenal: Hleb ran the show. Plus video highlights: Did it cross the line?
By 1970’s Gooner
It was not a great performance. The players looked a little jaded and could not get their flowing football going.
Maybe tiredness is beginning to set in with practically the same players playing in almost every game so far. There were also niggling injuries that a number of the Arsenal players were carrying.
They did however dominate the game, created many chances and should have scored more than one goal.
Still not being at your best and creating chances bodes well for the rest of, what looks like, a long campaign this season and probably in all fronts.
Wenger called for goal line technology claiming that the ball had crossed the line from one of many crosses from Clichy which was deflected into goal. See for yourself by clicking on the video window.
Fabregas missed a sitter in the first half from about five yards scooping the ball over the bar where it would have been easier to score!
But the goal came eventually on 75 minutes from yet another cut back from the left hand side by Adebayor. Van Persie buried it in the roof of the net.
After that confidence took over and the young guns passed the ball around in their customary style.
Almunia:
Did not have much to do but gave a very assured and confident display: 7
Sagna:
Strong and decisive but did not get going forward a lot. Probably due to instructions and Eboue’s insufficient support: 6
Toure:
Strong, decisive and a real leader. Never put a foot wrong: 8
Senderos:
Faultless. Never missed a header and won all his interceptions decisively. One of his best performances: 8
Clichy:
His usual bustling self, defending well and bombing forward on every occasion. He is important in this Arsenal side as Hleb does not usually stay on the wing much : 8
Eboue:
Disappointing. Never in the game and was at most a peripheral figure. He went passed his man on only one occasion during the whole game. Preferred to come inside and lay the ball off to colleague rather than try and make things happen for himself : 4
Hleb:
Man of the match. Run the show overshadowing Fabregas in this respect.
He always wanted the ball and by coming inside he was making things happen, laying off balls and then running into positions to receive it.
He made Arsenal tick last night. A shadow of his previous season’s self! 9
Fabregas:
Just below his best with a lot of his passes uncharacteristically going astray or to opponents. Is he tired? 6
Flamini:
Played his usual game full of running and determination. One of the few Arsenal players who performed at his best: 8
Adebayor:
Was below his best and did not link well with his partner RVP. But his runs down the left channel were difficult for the opponents to stop due to his strength and speed. His cut back created the goal for Van Persie: 6
Van Persie:
He was also below his best and his link up play with Adebayor was again lacking as it was in the previous game at West Ham. These two still need to get it together and when they do many more goals will come! Took his goal very well: 8
Sunderland on Sunday now. Lets hope the players rest well and that there are no more injuries.
Keep Well
It was not a great performance. The players looked a little jaded and could not get their flowing football going. Maybe tiredness is beginning to set in with practically the same players playing in almost every game so far. There were also niggling injuries that a number of the Arsenal players were carrying.
They did however dominate the game, created many chances and should have scored more than one goal.
Still not being at your best and creating chances bodes well for the rest of, what looks like, a long campaign this season and probably in all fronts.
Wenger called for goal line technology claiming that the ball had crossed the line from one of many crosses from Clichy which was deflected into goal. See for yourself by clicking on the video window.
Fabregas missed a sitter in the first half from about five yards scooping the ball over the bar where it would have been easier to score!
But the goal came eventually on 75 minutes from yet another cut back from the left hand side by Adebayor. Van Persie buried it in the roof of the net.
After that confidence took over and the young guns passed the ball around in their customary style.
Almunia:
Did not have much to do but gave a very assured and confident display: 7
Sagna:
Strong and decisive but did not get going forward a lot. Probably due to instructions and Eboue’s insufficient support: 6
Toure:
Strong, decisive and a real leader. Never put a foot wrong: 8
Senderos:
Faultless. Never missed a header and won all his interceptions decisively. One of his best performances: 8
Clichy:
His usual bustling self, defending well and bombing forward on every occasion. He is important in this Arsenal side as Hleb does not usually stay on the wing much : 8
Eboue:
Disappointing. Never in the game and was at most a peripheral figure. He went passed his man on only one occasion during the whole game. Preferred to come inside and lay the ball off to colleague rather than try and make things happen for himself : 4
Hleb:
Man of the match. Run the show overshadowing Fabregas in this respect.
He always wanted the ball and by coming inside he was making things happen, laying off balls and then running into positions to receive it. He made Arsenal tick last night. A shadow of his previous season’s self! 9
Fabregas:
Just below his best with a lot of his passes uncharacteristically going astray or to opponents. Is he tired? 6
Flamini:
Played his usual game full of running and determination. One of the few Arsenal players who performed at his best: 8
Adebayor:
Was below his best and did not link well with his partner RVP. But his runs down the left channel were difficult for the opponents to stop due to his strength and speed. His cut back created the goal for Van Persie: 6
Van Persie:
He was also below his best and his link up play with Adebayor was again lacking as it was in the previous game at West Ham. These two still need to get it together and when they do many more goals will come! Took his goal very well: 8
Sunderland on Sunday now. Lets hope the players rest well and that there are no more injuries.
Keep Well
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Bendtner ready to step up at Steaua Bucharest
By 1970’s Gooner
There are only five players in the current Arsenal squad that can play in the two forward positions against Steaua in Romania. Four of them are carrying injuries which make their participation doubtful.
They are Robin Van Persie (ankle), Adebayor (thigh), Eduardo (groin), Hleb (knee) and Bendtner.
According to Wenger, Van Persie and Adebayor will face late fitness tests with only one of the two, more likely Adebayor, to get the nod. This means that there is another vacancy for the front position left to be filled.
Eduardo has already been ruled out due to a groin injury received during the Carling Cup victory against Newcastle.
Alexander Hleb could be selected to play off the front man in a position he played with distinction during the preseason but also against Sparta Prague in the Champions League qualifying game and a handful of games at the start of the Premier League.
Indeed he may also fit in tactically because Wenger may want to adopt a more conservative, 4 4 1 1, approach for this away fixture.
However Hleb is only rated as 50 /50 and it may be too risky to play him in such a difficult and probably physical encounter. Further aggravation of his problem may sideline him for weeks if not months.
This leaves the only available forward, Bendtner who is fit, ready and willing. It would be better if he played with Robin Van Persie as the two compliment each other well with Van Persie playing just behind Bendtner.
Indeed Bendtner has shown that he is not afraid to face any opposition, plays with a lot of confidence and will be a very useful outlet if and when Fabregas and Co decide to vary the game or relieve some pressure by playing the long ball.
The other injury worries concern Mathieu Flamini (knee), Abou Diaby (ankle) and Rosicky (hamstring). But there is a lot of strength in depth in this squad as I have repeatedly wrote on this site.
There are replacements available if needed in Gilberto Silva for the central midfield position and Eboue and Walcott for the wide midfield positions. As an alternative and if Flamini is fit he could play in the wide midfield position with Gilberto filling in central midfield.
Probable line up (with a high degree of uncertainty) :
Almunia
Sagna Toure Senderos Clichy
Flamini Fabregas Gilberto Eboue
Adebayor/Van Persie Bendtner
Prediction: Arsenal start conservatively but grow in confidence as the game wears on. Away win 0-2.
There are only five players in the current Arsenal squad that can play in the two forward positions against Steaua in Romania. Four of them are carrying injuries which make their participation doubtful.
They are Robin Van Persie (ankle), Adebayor (thigh), Eduardo (groin), Hleb (knee) and Bendtner.
According to Wenger, Van Persie and Adebayor will face late fitness tests with only one of the two, more likely Adebayor, to get the nod. This means that there is another vacancy for the front position left to be filled.
Eduardo has already been ruled out due to a groin injury received during the Carling Cup victory against Newcastle.
Alexander Hleb could be selected to play off the front man in a position he played with distinction during the preseason but also against Sparta Prague in the Champions League qualifying game and a handful of games at the start of the Premier League.
Indeed he may also fit in tactically because Wenger may want to adopt a more conservative, 4 4 1 1, approach for this away fixture.
However Hleb is only rated as 50 /50 and it may be too risky to play him in such a difficult and probably physical encounter. Further aggravation of his problem may sideline him for weeks if not months.
This leaves the only available forward, Bendtner who is fit, ready and willing. It would be better if he played with Robin Van Persie as the two compliment each other well with Van Persie playing just behind Bendtner.
Indeed Bendtner has shown that he is not afraid to face any opposition, plays with a lot of confidence and will be a very useful outlet if and when Fabregas and Co decide to vary the game or relieve some pressure by playing the long ball.
The other injury worries concern Mathieu Flamini (knee), Abou Diaby (ankle) and Rosicky (hamstring). But there is a lot of strength in depth in this squad as I have repeatedly wrote on this site.
There are replacements available if needed in Gilberto Silva for the central midfield position and Eboue and Walcott for the wide midfield positions. As an alternative and if Flamini is fit he could play in the wide midfield position with Gilberto filling in central midfield.
Probable line up (with a high degree of uncertainty) :
Almunia
Sagna Toure Senderos Clichy
Flamini Fabregas Gilberto Eboue
Adebayor/Van Persie Bendtner
Prediction: Arsenal start conservatively but grow in confidence as the game wears on. Away win 0-2.
Monday, October 01, 2007
76% of you believe that Arsenal will win the Champions League
By 1970’s Gooner
Arsenal’s fantastic form this season has instilled a wave of optimism which has been missing for a long time.
After Henry’s departure no one was giving the young guns a chance of achieving anything big this season.
After the first positive results in the Premiership came the first Champions league encounter against the double UEFA champions Sevilla.
Every one in world football highly respected this team and was expecting them to break the duopoly of Real and Barcelona in the highly esteemed Spanish La Liga.
Their demolition by Arsenal with a 3-0 score line made everyone revise their estimates. But this revision was centred more on Arsenal’s prospects rather than Sevilla’s.
This euphoria is obviously captured by the poll we run asking: How far would Arsenal go in the Champion's League?
About 80% expect Arsenal to reach the Final and 76% expect to see William Gallas lift big ears in Moscow.
The voting also shows that 14% think that Arsenal will be eliminated at the Semi Final stage and only 4% that Arsenal will stop at the Quarter Finals.
Almost everyone expects Arsenal to progress beyond the last 16 round and the Group stage.
Let’s hope that the excellent form shown against Sevilla and in the Premiership is continued against Steaua in Bucharest.
How far would Arsenal go in the Champion's League? Poll Results:
Champions 76%
Runners Up 5%
Semi Final 14%
Quarter Final 4%
Last 16 Round 1%
Group Stage 0%
Total votes cast: 628
Thanks for your support, comments and votes!
Ajax help Arsenal fight their way to the top
Fabregas is a more effective player than Scholes
Arsenal’s fantastic form this season has instilled a wave of optimism which has been missing for a long time.
After Henry’s departure no one was giving the young guns a chance of achieving anything big this season.
After the first positive results in the Premiership came the first Champions league encounter against the double UEFA champions Sevilla.
Every one in world football highly respected this team and was expecting them to break the duopoly of Real and Barcelona in the highly esteemed Spanish La Liga. Their demolition by Arsenal with a 3-0 score line made everyone revise their estimates. But this revision was centred more on Arsenal’s prospects rather than Sevilla’s.
This euphoria is obviously captured by the poll we run asking: How far would Arsenal go in the Champion's League?
About 80% expect Arsenal to reach the Final and 76% expect to see William Gallas lift big ears in Moscow.
The voting also shows that 14% think that Arsenal will be eliminated at the Semi Final stage and only 4% that Arsenal will stop at the Quarter Finals.
Almost everyone expects Arsenal to progress beyond the last 16 round and the Group stage.
Let’s hope that the excellent form shown against Sevilla and in the Premiership is continued against Steaua in Bucharest.
How far would Arsenal go in the Champion's League? Poll Results:
Champions 76%
Runners Up 5%
Semi Final 14%
Quarter Final 4%
Last 16 Round 1%
Group Stage 0%
Total votes cast: 628
Thanks for your support, comments and votes!
Ajax help Arsenal fight their way to the top
Fabregas is a more effective player than Scholes
Ajax help Arsenal fight their way to the top
By 1970’s Gooner
What stood out clearly during the victory at “bogey team” West Ham, as everyone of course acknowledged, was Arsenal’s new found resilience and tenacity to grind out a victory at an away ground where the opponents refused to let the young guns play their beautiful game.
"One of their characteristics is they put their foot in so it's very competitive out there," said Alan Curbishley.
And the games statistics bear this out. The number of fouls committed by Arsenal (14) was about the same as West Ham’s (16) and there were two yellow cards for each team.
This is indeed a welcomed change which had gone missing after the departure of Patrick Vieira, the talisman, three years ago who would refuse to let these kind of teams intimidate Arsenal.
What surprises me though is that everyone is so surprised. This is, after all, a trait that has surfaced again and again this season prior to this game.
We saw it in abundance at Blackburn where again the performance was not that flowing or beautiful but still the team persevered, battled against that prat Savage and co and still carved out enough chances to win the game.
The goal scored would have been enough to secure a very moral boosting away win but for Lehman’s clanger.
Since then and up until Saturday’s victory at West Ham this resilient spirit has not really been tested. Nearly all the teams Arsenal had to face did not choose or could not play a “in your face” type of game.
They played with 4 4 2 formations and were more open in their approach. Fulham, Manchester City, Portsmouth, Tottenham away and even Derby did not really adopt the more physical approach.
Still there must have been a lot of talking at London Colney about combating the more physical type of opponents during the preseason.
But there is not a lot you can do on the training pitch to instill resilience! The best kind of preparation for such an eventuality is to actually come against it in a proper game on the pitch.
And that game in Amsterdam during the preseason tournament (that Arsenal won) against a very physical, of all teams, Ajax forced the young gunners to respond in kind. If you kick us we will kick you too!
Just like Flamini did against Scot Parker last Saturday.
Arsenal eventually went on to win the Amsterdam Tournament with a goal in the last minute from that fantastic run by Clichy and Robin van Persie’s finish. They showed that they can play too. The old Ajax way!
This type of attitude and performance resurfaced again before the League started.
It was in a more serious game early in August for the Champions league qualifier at Sparta Prague.
The Czechs’ more physical approach was matched toe to toe by Arsenal culminating in their talisman Tomas Repka getting a taste of his own medicine from all people Cesc Fabregas.
So this is not just “a flash in the pan’. There is indeed resilience, tenacity and competitiveness in this team which may go all the way to the top.
Prompted by Ajax. But emulating them in their old ways.
Fabregas has added a “Peter Storey” attitude to his vast arsenal of talents
What stood out clearly during the victory at “bogey team” West Ham, as everyone of course acknowledged, was Arsenal’s new found resilience and tenacity to grind out a victory at an away ground where the opponents refused to let the young guns play their beautiful game.
"One of their characteristics is they put their foot in so it's very competitive out there," said Alan Curbishley.
And the games statistics bear this out. The number of fouls committed by Arsenal (14) was about the same as West Ham’s (16) and there were two yellow cards for each team.This is indeed a welcomed change which had gone missing after the departure of Patrick Vieira, the talisman, three years ago who would refuse to let these kind of teams intimidate Arsenal.
What surprises me though is that everyone is so surprised. This is, after all, a trait that has surfaced again and again this season prior to this game.
We saw it in abundance at Blackburn where again the performance was not that flowing or beautiful but still the team persevered, battled against that prat Savage and co and still carved out enough chances to win the game.
The goal scored would have been enough to secure a very moral boosting away win but for Lehman’s clanger.
Since then and up until Saturday’s victory at West Ham this resilient spirit has not really been tested. Nearly all the teams Arsenal had to face did not choose or could not play a “in your face” type of game.
They played with 4 4 2 formations and were more open in their approach. Fulham, Manchester City, Portsmouth, Tottenham away and even Derby did not really adopt the more physical approach.
Still there must have been a lot of talking at London Colney about combating the more physical type of opponents during the preseason.
But there is not a lot you can do on the training pitch to instill resilience! The best kind of preparation for such an eventuality is to actually come against it in a proper game on the pitch.
And that game in Amsterdam during the preseason tournament (that Arsenal won) against a very physical, of all teams, Ajax forced the young gunners to respond in kind. If you kick us we will kick you too!
Just like Flamini did against Scot Parker last Saturday.
Arsenal eventually went on to win the Amsterdam Tournament with a goal in the last minute from that fantastic run by Clichy and Robin van Persie’s finish. They showed that they can play too. The old Ajax way!
This type of attitude and performance resurfaced again before the League started.
It was in a more serious game early in August for the Champions league qualifier at Sparta Prague.
The Czechs’ more physical approach was matched toe to toe by Arsenal culminating in their talisman Tomas Repka getting a taste of his own medicine from all people Cesc Fabregas.
So this is not just “a flash in the pan’. There is indeed resilience, tenacity and competitiveness in this team which may go all the way to the top.
Prompted by Ajax. But emulating them in their old ways.
Fabregas has added a “Peter Storey” attitude to his vast arsenal of talents
Saturday, September 29, 2007
West ham Vs Arsenal : Predictions and Betting Suggestions
By Aries, Arsenal Analysis odds analyzer
My betting suggestions are based on the overall prediction for the outcome of the game.
I find myself agreeing with the analysis presented by 1970’s Gooner in his preview : Hleb is passed fit but who will replace Rosicky?
Although West Ham’s strengths are in the pace of Bellamy and Etherington (if they play) Clichy’s, Toure’s and Sagna’s pace will be enough to counter this threat.
Ashton’s aerial and physical threat is also a danger but again Arsenal’s central defenders for the day, Toure and Senderos, are equally tall and strong in the air.
I therefore believe that West Ham will find it difficult to score.
The return to the Arsenal team of hot shots Adebayor, who is on fire lately bagging a hat trick against Derby in his last outing and Robin van Persie, means that Arsenal will score more than one goal. The question is how many.
An away win for Arsenal with a two nil score line is achievable considering that West Ham are no push over. I expect Arsenal to score a second as West ham are likely to abandon caution if they find themselves one nil down.
On the other hand Arsenal are not likely to push for a third in case they give West Ham a chance to get back into the game. They also have an away encounter midweek in Romania to consider.
Best Odds:
Arsenal to win 5/6 Betdirect, Paddy Power, Sky Bet
Arsenal to win 2-0 10/1 Betdaq
Half Time Full Time
West Ham’s efforts are likely to be expended in keeping a clean sheet for the first half and they might achieve it. But with the football that Arsenal are playing anything can happen.
This is a difficult outcome to predict and I will not try to do so. However if you would like to bet a draw at half time and away win at full time the best odds are 57/17 with Expect.com
First scorer
You have to go with Adebayor who is in top goal scoring form at the moment. Back him to score the first goal.
Best odds: 11/2 Betdirect, Bet 365, Better
Last scorer
I would go for Bendtner as Eduardo is injured and will not feature. Nicklas was very good in midweek scoring a spectacular header. I expect him to come on late in the game when there will be tired legs and a more open contest. This will give him the chance to get on the score sheet.
Best Odds: 8/1 Blue Square, Coral
Arsenal to win a penalty
Arsenal have been awarded more penalties in the Premier League this season than any other club (four).
Now that Hleb is likely to play I can see (as 1970’s Gooner does) his intricate play and dribbling ability winning a penalty. Have a bet on Arsenal to win and convert a penalty.
Best Odds: 5/1 with ToteSport
The prices quoted are the best prices available at time of writing this article.
You should check team line ups before placing bets especially those involving individual players.
You should only bet if you have money to lose.
Good Luck!
Hleb is passed fit but who will replace Rosicky?
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