August 26th, 2011
Match Report | Highlights | Arsene’s reaction
In the run up to this game, I’d have been lying if I’d said I wasn’t worried. Â When I saw the XI we’d be fielding, those concerns only grew. Â I was sat in an Irish bar in Italy, far removed from the constant team news bulletins and probable line-ups I’m accustomed to. Â As I watched the team emerge from the tunnel, I saw their faces: youthful, raw, and understandably anxious. Â Six months ago, Carl Jenkinson was playing conference football. Â This was Emmanuel Frimpong’s second senior start. Â And here they were, in the preliminary stages of the world’s greatest club competition: the Champions League.
I was nervous, but I was a mere TV viewer; not even in the stadium in the stadium to lend my support. Â These lads were right in the firing line, directly responsible for securing the cash and cachet that Champions League football begins. Â By the end of the night, their furrowed brows had turned to smiles, and my panic to pride.
It’s not just Frimpong and Jenkinson. Â Compared to some others, their contribution was modest. Â To a man, they stepped up and responded brilliantly, providing a reprieve for a manager and a club who have been struck by blow after blow in recent weeks.
You all know the result by now, and how it came about, so I don’t need to dwell on the detail of the game. Â I’m sure we were all fearful when Di Natale’s header looped beyond Szczesny and in to the net, drawing Udinese level, but the fact remained that a single Arsenal goal would leave the Italians needing three.
When that goal eventually came, it was no surprise that Gervinho was the creator. Â I thought the Ivorian was superb. Â His movement, speed, and ability to dart in from either the right or left make him a nightmare to mark, whilst his close control means he’ll win plenty of penalties over the coming months. Â We saw all this against Newcastle, but against Udinese we saw something else: end product. Â Driving in from the left, he dragged the ball beyond a defender, accelerated to the byline, and cut it back for the waiting Van Persie to sidefoot home.
That should have been that, but Arsenal being Arsenal, we almost found a way to throw it away. Â A very debatable penalty was awarded for a supposed handball by Thomas Vermaelen, and it required a quite stunning save from Szczesny to deny Di Natale a goal that could have transformed the tie.
As it was, Arsenal ended up putting the seal on the victory in style. Â Bacary Sagna, whose solidity in the unfamiliar role of left-back is just another exhibit in the growing list of evidence that he’s one of Arsene’s best ever signings, played in Theo Walcott, who scooted beyond the defence and finished confidently in to the near post.
Walcott and Gervinho were ultimately too much for Udinese to cope with. Â The summer additions of Gervinho, Chamberlain, Ryo and Campbell suggested Arsene was keen to provide an objection of pace, and these two provided that in spades. Â They also allowed us to recapture what was one a crucial component of our game: the lightening counter-attack.
There were other impressive showings: Sczcesny was commanding, Vermaelen committed, and Tomas Rosicky put in a brilliant second-half shift as a ball-winning midfielder.
Congratulations to this group of players for triumphing in the face of adversity. Â With their backs to the wall, a mishmash team pulled the manager out of an ominous hole. Â I hope he’s wise enough to know they won’t be able to do so every week – either domestically or in Europe, where we find ourselves in a challenging group with Marseille, Olympiakos, and Dortmund. Â These are good, committed players. Â But to flourish, they need reinforcements. Â With Champions League football in the bag, we should have both the means and the might to lure them.
August 22nd, 2011
To my slight surprise, I’m jetting off to the continent this week. Â I’ll spend much of it locked in a room, away from internet access and my beloved Arsenal. Â It’s unfortunate timing. Â All summer a host of Arsenal bloggers, including myself, have heralded the start of a “big week” at Arsenal. Â This week might just be the biggest of them all, for the following four reasons:
Champions League Qualification
I don’t need to tell you how important this is, both economically and for the morale and stature of the club. Â We’re so accustomed to dining at Europe’s top table that actually securing qualification would be met more with relief than joy, but don’t let that mask its significance.
Udinese showed in the first leg that they’ll provide a huge test for us, especially with our injury problems. Â We could also be without Arsene Wenger on the touchline, after UEFA extended his touchline ban by two games for “not abiding by the decision of the control and disciplinary body during the Champions League play-off game against Udinese last Tuesday”. Â Arsene will be furious, as he and the club spoke directly with UEFA before the game to make sure they would not be in breach of the regulations. Â Presumably if Arsene appeals the decision, the ban could be delayed, which would allow him to be pitchside on Wednesday.
The latest news on the playing front suggests that both Jack Wilshere and Johan Djourou could be in contention, which would be a massive boost.  Song and Gervinho are also eligible, and Robin van Persie will be able to take part after missing the first leg through suspension.  There is another player who was suspended from that first leg, whose potential participation is already the subject of some debate…
Samir Nasri
If Arsene picks Samir Nasri on Wednesday, and Arsenal qualify, he will be unable to play for another club in the Champions League this season. Â Obviously, that would jeopardise any move to Manchester City. Â Therefore, I expect some clarity in the next 48 hours or so as to whether or not this deal will go ahead.
There are a lot of mixed messages coming out of both camps – City and Arsenal – and the truth of the matter is rather difficult to unpick.  City, however, must realise that if they want the player they have to act now.  And even with the ragged state of our squad, I can’t justify turning down £20m for an asset we will lose for nothing at the end of the coming season.
I don’t think Nasri will play in Udine, especially with Wilshere and Song available. Â I’m less convinced that the clubs will be able to agree on a deal before then – this might drag on until the very end of the window.
Further depatures
If he does go, Nasri won’t be the only one. Â The club still anticipate the departures of Nicklas Bendtner and Manuel Almunia – the Spaniard isn’t even mentioned by Arsene Wenger when discussing his goalkeepers for next season, and has, for all intents and purposes, been ‘released’ from his contract.
Personally, I’m hoping that Bendtner can’t find a club and ends up staying – on current form, he is far more of a threat than Marouane Chamakh.
Signings
The precise sums we’re prepared to spend will probably depend on Wednesday night’s results, but it’s clear that some strengthening will have to happen between now and the end of the window – ideally before Sunday’s potentially morale-sapping clash with Manchester United.
All sorts of names are being tossed around, but there’s nothing tangible there. Â Arsene told TF1 that he was “still involved in the French market”, which has fuelled speculation around Rennes and France holding midfielder Yann M’Vila. Â His club, however, say they know nothing of any bid.
There are predictable links with Lille winger Eden Hazard, as well as that quartet of English-based centre-halves – Samba, Jagielka, Cahill and Dann.
I don’t think it’s at all unrealistic to hope for three signings between now and next Wednesday – especially if Nasri goes. Â One must be a centre-back, another a central midfielder. Â The third could be anything from a left-back to a centre-forward.
–
Whatever happens, I won’t know too much about it. Â I’ll certainly find some foreign bar surrounded by moustachioed men to watch the Udinese game, and if I can find an internet cafe or WIFI connection to share my thoughts on it with you I will.
I return on Friday, when the landscape at Arsenal promises, for a variety of reasons, to be very different.
It is, after all, a big week.
August 17th, 2011
Arsenal 1 – 0 Udinese (Walcott 4)
Match report | Highlights
1-0 to the Arsenal. A familiar scoreline, but a far from familiar Arsenal performance. For much of the tie – indeed, the entirety of the second half – Udinese bossed possession, and Arsenal were to forced to look for counter-attacks as they tried to grasp a foothold in the match.
Fortunately, we were protecting a lead, thanks to a goal in the fourth minute from Theo Walcott. The English winger met Aaron Ramsey’s cross with a lovely cushioned volley which, at close range, gave Handanovic no chance. Arsenal had started fast and it looked at one stage as if we might blow a shell-shocked Udinese away.
However, led by the slippery front-man Di Natale, the Italians recovered well to secure a foothold in the game, and only the fabulous save from Wojciech Szczesny, a brave block from Alex Song, and the width of the crossbar prevented them from grabbing a first-half equaliser and crucial away goal.
If Arsenal were relieved to see half-time, they couldn’t have known what travails would follow. In the first nine minutes of the half, they lost Kieran Gibbs and his replacement, Johan Djourou, to hamstring injuries. With Armand Traore also out, it meant having to hand a first-team debut to Carl Jenkinson in an unfamiliar left-back role.
The lad did OK, but had he made a major error I would’ve felt incredibly sorry for him: he shouldn’t never have been in that position. Six months ago he was playing in the conference; now we’re expecting him to be ready for the Champions League. It is, frankly, ridiculous.
You could say the same of the introduction of Emmanuel Frimpong, though the tenacious Ghanaian midfielder seems to be taking to first-team football like a duck to the proverbial water. Even so, the fact he gave away several dangerous free-kicks is indicative of his inexperience.
Our squad is thinner than Steve Bould’s hair. Joey Barton has more depth. On the bench yesterday Andrey Arshavin represented the only plausible attacking option. Wantaway Nicklas Bendtner was included to make up the numbers; if he wasn’t brought on for the struggling Chamakh he was never going to be used.
Nevertheless, we held on for what, in this sort of tie, is a good result. We could even have nicked another: only a stunning save from Handanovic prevented Walcott from adding second late on after Gervinho finally rounded off his promising approach play with an effective final pass. A draw or even a 2-1 defeat in Italy will be enough to take us through. It’s great to record another clean sheet, and I thought the triangle of Szczesny, Vermaelen and Koscielny were impressive again, whilst in midfield Aaron Ramsey showed tremendous work ethic and desire.
The problem of our ever-depleting squad, however, remains. Yesterday, Emmanuel Eboue and Carlos Vela became the latest players to leave Arsenal, joining Fabregas, Clichy, Denilson, and Emmanuel-Thomas. More are set to follow. The steady drain of talent is becoming an exodus.
After the game Arsene Wenger declined to speak to the press, ostensibly as part of a stand-off with UEFA, who were unhappy that messages were being passed to pitchside via Boro Primorac and Colin Lewin. He will have been relieved to have found an excuse to avoid the outstretched cameras and microphones. Doubtless he would have faced more questions about strengthening his squad – questions to which, as yet, he has provided few answers.
There remains much work to do: both in the second leg in Udine, and in the transfer market. Get busy, Arsene.
August 16th, 2011
You may feel there’s a little hyperbole involved in today’s headline. I don’t.
This is a huge game, in a huge week, in a huge month for Arsene. With Cesc Fabregas’ transfer to Barcelona now finalised (you can read details of his press conference, including praise for Arsene, Jack and Ramsey here), fans will be looking for some hope to cling to. A resounding victory against Udinese would provide just that.
It would also, of course, help us towards Champions League Qualification. Should we fail to progress, it wouldn’t surprise me to see the Cesc money used to compensate for the financial losses incurred by not eating at Europe’s top table. If we do qualify, not only will we have money to spend, but we’ll also have the tour of Champions League football to offer potential acquisitions.
It won’t, however, be easy. Udinese finished fourth in Serie A last year. Like us, they have lost their best player to Barcelona (Alexis Sanchez), but they still have some great players, such as Antonio Di Natale, who has finished as the division’s top goalscorer for two seasons running.
Arsenal, meanwhile, go in to the game with a weakened team. Already shorn of Cesc, we lose both Samir Nasri and Robin van Persie to suspension. Tomas Rosicky also faces a fitness test, meaning their could be a huge creative burden on the trio of Arshavin, Walcott and Gervinho. Hopefully they have enough in them to carry it. There are some suggestions that Nicklas Bendtner could be included – if he is, I can only assume that’s because he is moving to a club where a Champions League cup-tie would have no cost.
Whether Nasri would’ve played tonight anyway is in some doubt. Yesterday, via twitter, he launched a stinging attack in the fans who sang abusive chants at him against Newcastle. It feels very much like a parting shot thrown as he heads out the door – if and when Nasri goes, he won’t receive anything like the fond farewell afforded to Cesc.
Nasri did join in Arsenal training yesterday, as Arsenal.com showed us on this free video, which also revealed the startling and disturbing news that Alex Song insists on training naked from the waist down:
Each to their own, I suppose.
Perhaps it was some kind of protest against his charge from the FA. Arsenal have also decided to appeal Gervinho’s red card, which strikes me as unwise. Unfairly provoked though he was, he did commit a red card offence. Hopefully his appeal won’t see his ban extended on grounds of frivolity.
Song’s partner in silliness, Emmanuel Eboue, is about to leave the club after Galatasaray confirmed they were in talks with the player. A source close to the deal gave me an amusing footnote to this one: Eboue landed in Turkey last night, expecting to be met by the Galatasaray chief exec. Meanwhile, the CEO is landing in London, expecting to meet Eboue there. Only Eboue’s exit could occur in such comical fashion.
Arsene Wenger will not be allowed to take his place on the bench tonight due to a one-match touchline ban. Hopefully those who join him in the stands remember that the players out there in and red and White all take pride in playing for Arsenal. They want to be here, and they need your support. This is a huge test.
Come On You Gunners.
August 5th, 2011
Hello all. It’s the end of yet another week of summer stagnation at Arsenal. Seven days ago we were headed in to the Emirates Cup. Based on Arsene’s quotes in his press conference at that tournament, I felt that the dominoes would soon begin to fall. The Cesc saga surely had to come to a head, whilst Phil Jagielka and Juan Mata were both reportedly on the way in. A week later, and it’s ‘as you were’. Or arguably worse: if you believe everything the press tell you, Jagielka has rejected a move, Mata’s escape clause has expired, and the Cesc deal could drag on until deadline day. With the players due to go away next week on international duty, it’s hard to foresee a flurry of action changing anything major between now and the start of the season.
The squad have flown out to Portugal this afternoon, where they will face Benfica in their final friendly of the summer tomorrow night. As usual, all the discussion surrounds Cesc Fabregas, and whether or not he a) travelled and b) will take any part. He’s certainly playing a full part in training – the club have gone out of their way to show photos of him looking all smiley and chummy with Arsene. Catalan paper Sport are claiming that he hasn’t travelled, but there are conflicting reports and no official word as yet. If he has remained behind, perhaps it has something to do with the fact that the BBC say Ivan Gazidis was due to meet Barcelona today.
Samir Nasri won’t be on the plane either are reportedly picking up ankle injury. Whether it’s a genuine injury or more like Cesc’s phantom hamstring problem remains to be seen – L’Equipe claim today that his move to Man City could be back on.
One player who has left, albeit just on loan, is Kyle Bartley. A full season with Rangers will do good things for him, and hopefully he’ll return in twelve months a better, more experienced player. It was suggested to me today that the major dam halting the flow of our transfer activity is our inability to move on squad players like Almunia, Eboue and Bendtner. We can’t even sell our best player and captain for a decent fee, so selling these guys is a hell of a task. Bendtner is apparently now the subject of interest from Stoke after they failed in bids for Carlton Cole and Cameron Jerome. Imagine being the third choice on that list. And then imagine your ego is as big as Bendtner’s. I’m afraid I can’t see that one working out.
Lastly, we come to the most important news of the day: the Champions League draw. Arsenal will face Udinese, with the first leg at the Emirates on Tuesday, August 16th. Check out this article for the lowdown on our opponents.
Udinese will be tough opponents – certainly the likes of FC Zurich or Odense might have made life a little easier. Having lost Sanchez, Inler and Zapata, they’re likely to be weaker than last season. They’ll also be behind us in their preparations, as Serie A won’t yet have kicked off. That said, both Samir Nasri and Robin van Persie are suspended for the first leg, whilst Cesc Fabregas will be keen to avoid participating and thus becoming cup-tied.
If, that is, he’s still here…
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