Archive for November, 2004
November 22nd, 2004
On Saturday 18th September, Gooners everywhere were cursing a Radhi Jaidi goal in a 2-2 draw.
This weekend, to a man, they celebrated one.
But Bolton coming back doesn’t excuse an Arsenal performance against West Brom which was way below par.
We should be gutted we didn’t take advantage and go top, not celebrating clinging on to Chelski’s coat-tails.
Against West Brom, however, we lacked imagination, and were defensively shambolic. I could spend all day talking about the different reasons for our poor record at the back, but I’d like to focus upon one particular apsect of it: the lack of protection from midfield.
Perhaps the most obvious reason for the above is Gilberto’s injury. We’re missing “The Invisible Wall” like never before. His positional know-how and tidy tackling are noticeably absent from the side.
Add to this Edu’s injury, and it’s easy to see why we might be struggling in midfield.
And yet, we still have Patrick Vieira and Cesc: what some would argue is our strongest midfield pair.
But Vieira has not reached his peak this season. His ball-winning skills have not been up to their usual standard.
And in Cesc we have seen a big change of late. When he first burst on to the scene, the thing that immediately impressed was his frantic energy and high-octane tyro tackling. However, since then, as he has settled into the side, he has developed a more relaxed, upright grace. Some would certainly say he looks a “classier” player. But I feel that we’re missing that gritt. It may be simply due to exhaustion, but he is not showing the same ability to cover ground and get those blocks in that he did in the first few games of the season.
And it shows. Our defence, already hindered by the absence of Sol Campbell, has been left exposed by the weakening of the screen directly in-front of them.
The answer could be Mathieu Flamini. His hyper-active, combatant style has led to comparisons with the great Rino Gattusso (who, I must reinforce, is a far superior player). However (surprise surprise) – he too is injured.
I can’t see Arsene dipping into the market for a midfield player, especially if Edu signs a new deal.
What’s clear is that Cesc needs a rest. So as soon as he returns to fitness, I’d expect Mathieu Flamini to be given a run in the side. And you never know, if he grasps the oppurtunity, we might just have a new star on our hands.
November 20th, 2004
Arsenal yesterday confirmed the story that we brought you long, long ago – Manu Eboue has signed.
Going the other way out of the big revolving doors at Highbury is Stuart Taylor, who has completed his evolution and actually become Ian Walker, having joined Leicester on loan for a month, with a view to a permanent deal. Injuries have blighted Stu’s career, and a move to the Foxes could be just what’s required to get him back on track. We wish him all the best.
Today we face West Brom, and the likely team is show below:
Cesc Fabregas continues his run in central midfield as Matthieu Flamini recovers from a knock sustained playing for the Reserve Team last week.
Gilberto, terrifyingly, could be out all season.
Sadly an injury to Kanu should prevent him scoring past us loads and loads of times. Which should be nice.
November 18th, 2004
…is probably the most important thing to remember after Graham Stack was yesterday charged with rape.
It’s practically impossible to comment upon this case until he appears in court on November 23rd, but it’s worth saying that it’s important the club conduct themselves properly throughout.
Last night, Spain beat England 1-0, with Jose Reyes continuing his feud with Gary Neville. Jose started the game well, but faded as it went on. Joaquin looked superb, and destroyed Ashley for pace at one point. I’d like to think that if he ever became available, we’d be sniffing around.
Xavi was absolutely outstanding. If Cesc, as Paddy predicts, goes on to become as good as his fellow Barcelona youth-product, then we’ll have done well.
I’m going to Cumberland Lodge. Whatever that means.
Back on Friday.
November 16th, 2004
Beveren defender Manu Eboué will sign a four-and-a-half year contract in January.
He has already been looking at appartments in London, and met Dein and Wenger to finalise the deal yesterday. Primarily a right-back, his recent marriage to a Belgian girl has enabled him to obtain the work permit neccessarry to sign here.
The fee, as ever, remains undisclosed.
Personally, I’m delighted. I saw Eboué play three times during our pre-season, and was immensely impressed on each occasion.
On this very website, following the River Plate friendly, I wrote:
“Manu Eboue is someone who particularly impressed me at Barnet, and who did so again last night. His driving runs with pace, power, and flair are not entirely dissimiliar to those of our supposed transfer target, Hatem Trabelsi. However, it makes little difference, as Eboue is far from eligible for a work permit. Still, I’d expect him back on another trial here next year.”
With Trabelsi now having sorted out his contractual dispute with Ajax, it seems Arsene still felt the need to strengthen at right-back.
With Eboué now arriving, it does raise questions over the future of young Justin Hoyte. Our new Ivorian, however, has also played at centre-back and right-midfield.
The move seems a brilliant one on all fronts. Cheap, it strengthens both our defence, and our ties with Beveren’s highly productive youth system. Eboué’s signing is made all the more delicious by the fact that Chelsea showed an interest in his services.
Current incumbent of the right-back role, Lauren, has responded by declaring his interest in securing a new contract – his current one expires at the end of the season.
Welcome, Manu. We wish you all the best in your time with Arsenal.
November 15th, 2004
What a game.
It’s difficult to describe quite how bizzarre this match was, though if I had to try, I’d probably say “very”.
Two thirds of the way through a fairly even first half, Patrick Vieira missed his header, and Naybet crept in behind Toure to make it 1-0 to Tottenham. No worry, though – right on half-time, a cross from Lauren was plucked out of the sky by the right boot of Thierry Henry, who swiftly poked it underneath the advancing Paul Robinson. 1-1.
At the start of the second half, we began to look like The Invincibles of two weeks ago. Freddie Ljungberg was brought down by Pamarot, and referee Steven Bennett gave the penalty, which Lauren swiftly tucked away for 1-2.
Who says the refs are against us, eh?
Shortly afterwards, Patrick Vieira robbed their midfield of the ball and strode through to lift the ball over the keeper and make it 1-3. Game over, it seemed.
Not so.
Kolo Toure stepped aside to allow Jermain Defoe a nice clear run on goal, and he responded by firing the ball into the far top corner. An excellent finish, and all of a sudden, it was 2-3.
However, Cesc Fabregas had ideas about restoring Arsenal’s two-goal advantage, and his beautiful reverse pass slipped Freddie in to make it 2-4.
Almost immediately, Ledley King rose majestically to head the ball beyond the outstretched arm of Jens Lehmann. 3-4.
Despite this, substitute Robert Pires showed a cool head and lightning-quick feet to go up the other end and make it 3-5.
The fun was far from over, with Freddi Kanoute knocking the ball past Lehmann for 4-5.
Confused?
You oughtta be.
It was a very mental game. The defending was pretty appaulling from both sides, but even so, I don’t know who Jose Mourinho thinks he is with comments like this.
In midly unrelated transfer news, Shaun Wright-Phillips is playing hard to get, whilst Manu Petit is back at the club, albeit just to keep fit.
I hate Mondays.
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