Archive for December, 2005
December 21st, 2005
The headline should say it all.
The fact that Chelsea barely broke sweat in conducting their 2-0 victory says just how big a gap has now opened up between the two sides. A gap that is best defined by the 20 point divide in terms of Premiership points.
The saddest thing is, we didn’t play badly. They’re just a much better team than us these days.
Of course, we will be back, hopefully starting in the January transfer window. Though considering we’re currently being linked with the lightweight playmaker Rosicky, things aren’t looking too great.
We need at least one, possibly two central midfielders. They must be tall, powerful, and solid in the tackle. Didier Zokora, for example.
Tonight we face off against Doncaster in the League Cup semi-final. The squad is listed below this piece.
That’s one competition we might win. The Premiership was gone weeks ago.
—————————–
Arsenal side to face Doncaster (from): Almunia, Poom, Gilbert, Eboue, Djourou, Senderos, Owusu Abeyie, Muamba, Hleb, Larsson, Van Persie, Lupoli, Bendtner, Song, Cygan, Gilberto
December 16th, 2005
Today’s Champions League draw not only gave us the hilariously tough Chelsea vs. Barcelona, but also the meeting of two of the greatest attacking sides of the past ten years: Arsenal and Real Madrid.
To say I’m excited would be an understatement. Look at the facts of intrigue:
- Real want Arsene to be their manager.
- Ashley Cole might go there to replace Roberto Carlos at the end of this season.
- Philippe Senderos’ father was a huge Madrid fan.
- As a Barcelona boy, Cesc hates them.
- Robert Pires turned them down to join us.
- Jose Reyes tore them apart when playing for Sevilla.
- Baptista and Robinho both famously turned us down for Real.
- David Beckham and Johnny Woodgate will be back in Blighty.
- Thierry might well sod off to them, if not Barca.
The list goes on and on and on. If they turn out to be our last European opponents at Highbury, it’s a fitting tribute. David Dein was right on the money when he called the tie “Pure Showbusiness“.
Can’t wait.
December 11th, 2005
After the defeat at Bolton, what everybody at the club needed was a pick-me-up: a dazzling performance to raise spirits and expectations.
One week one, we still need that. And our next game is against Chelsea. Hurrah.
Wednesday saw us play Ajax in a meaningless game where we rested players and went with a 4-5-1/4-3-3/shit formation. It’s so hard to talk about it now, because it was probably the worst £35 I’ve ever spent. The only things my memory hasn’t blacked out are that it was 0-0, and Henry missed a penalty.
So roll on Saturday, and Newcastle. After dominating the first half, it all went to pot. In spite of good possession and the creative flair of Fabregas and Hleb, neither Henry nor player of the month Robin van Persie could find a way past Shay Given.
In the 57th minute, the game changed completely. Gilberto Silva was sent off for a second innouccuous challenge, and we were suddenly out of the game. Nolberto Solano’s excellent finish made sure that we’d be leaving empty handed.
Away record: 1 Win; 2 draws; 5 defeats.
Shocking.
We haven’t known a season like this for ten years. Something pretty drastic has to happen soon, or Thierry will walk out. No question.
It’s really very upsetting.
December 7th, 2005
There’s no other way to describe last weekend’s bullying by Bolton. To lose 2-0, and have Jens Lehmann have to pull off a succession of saves just to stay in the game was not good enough, and we are now well and truly out of the title race.
It’s a shame, because a chink of light was just beginning to show. With the home tie against Chelsea coming up, it would’ve been a really good opportunity to close the gap and make them ever-so-slightly edgy. Now, they’re in the clear.
Arsene has admitted that “maybe the natural structure of the team lacks physical power”. Well, it does. It was not long ago that Arsenal were feared up and down the country as an intensely physical, intimidatingly muscular side. Where has that gone?
Admittedly, Vieira’s departure is a key factor. And yes, failing to secure the signing of Julio Baptista was a massive blow. But still, men like Campbell, Gilberto, and Henry are all giants who are capable of scaring even the toughest of opposition.
The performance of Abdoulaye Faye in Bolton’s midfield showed exactly what we have been missing: power, agression, and aerial dominance. If a midfielder in his form does not arrive in January, we might aswell write off the season now.
For tonight’s match against Ajax, Freddie Ljungberg, Robert Pires, Gilberto, Sol Campbell and Jens Lehmann will be “rested”. Lehmann aside, all of those names probably deserve to be dropped after last weeks pitiful showing.
Instead we’re likely to see youngsters Eboue, Senderos, Larsson, and probably Quincy. The big news, however, is the return of playmaker Aleksander Hleb. He’s always impressed me, and has apparently spent his long lay-off bulking up in preparation for a return to the Premiership. Arsene says he has had his obligatory six month settling in period, and is ready to terrorise defences across Europe, starting tonight.
“I am convinced he will be a great success,” said Wenger. “He is very good at penetrating runs with the ball and his final pass. He is very, very good in short areas.”
Ps. Click here for info on our “technical partnership” with Celta Vigo.
December 2nd, 2005
Arsenal’s team, with the oldest outfield player aged 23, happily despatched Reading on Tuesday night to reach the Quarter Finals of the Carling Cup.
The goals came from a trio of talented strikers, Jose Reyes, Robin van Persie, and Arturo Lupoli. A review of the younger players follows:
Emmanuel Eboue was always a threat going forward. If Lauren is ever injured, he could make a real push for the first team.
Phillipe Senderos and Johanne Djourou looked tentative and nervy against Reading’s pacey attack. I think they are both talented defenders, but perhaps need the experience of an older partner such as a Campbell or Toure (not a Cygan).
Kerrea Gilbert made his debut in the unfamiliar role of left-back, and was certainly better than Pascal Cygan in that position. However, I am better than Pascal Cygan in this position. And I have no legs. Gilbert does have a Hoyte-like gait, and good tackling skills. Decent potential.
Sebastian Larsson did well from wide right, sliding in a great pass to help create van Persie’ goal. One thing is sure: he’s much better than Alex Song.
Mathieu Flamini didn’t look any better than Fabrice Muamba. That shows the derth of talent we have available in midfield. The frenchman is not good enough to be our third choice, despite his appetite for work. Muamba, meanwhile, has the talent and the physique, but needs to concentrate on passing the ball to his own team every so often.
Quincy was superb – a constant menace down the left. He’s great in these games where he is the teams key player; the man they turn to on the break – the equivalent of Henry. However, I wonder if there’s room for him in our first eleven. He doesn’t get much defensive work done, and operates in a fairly free role, roaming all accross the pitch. He is very much like a young Lua Lua, but if he can channel his talent in the same way that someone such as Henry has, we could have a very special player on our hands.
Jose Reyes finally got a goal and seemed to regain some confidence. Whilst many ponder over whether he is a striker or a winger, I think Wenger will choose to rotate him between those two positions for some time – he has the potential to play both, so why not exploit it? More goals required though.
That’s not a complaint that can be aimed at Robin van Persie. 8 in 8 for the dutchman, and he’s currently absolutely lethal. Give him the ball from anywhere within 25 yards, and he seems a certainty to score. Just what we’ve been needing.
We’ll probably be saying something similiar about Arturo Lupoli for years to come. The most predatory player in our squad notched another senior goal to wrap up the match. His young strike partner, Niklas Bendtner, got a few minutes at the end, but didn’t have much time to impress.
—————————————————————————
It’s Bolton away tomorrow, one of our traditional bogey games. A victory would cap a return to form in some style. Alex Hleb isn’t far away from fitness, but will probably be held back until Ajax on the Wednesday.
Come on Arsenal.
Next Posts
