Archive for March, 2007
March 26th, 2007
William Gallas has come in for a bit of criticism over the last few days. Actually, more than a bit. A lot.
If, however, you’ve been living in a cave for the last few days (for reasons tragic or vacational) then here’s an extract from arseblog to give you a glimpse of the vibe:
On his day and fully fit William Gallas is an excellent footballer. A footballer that could bring a lot to this team. However, as of yet we haven’t seen that William Gallas. The William Gallas we’re seeing is a petulant loudmouth who seems to spend more time talking to his friends in the French press. Maybe some people like that William Gallas, I’d prefer the one who plays football well and that is my whole point.
Meaow.
I put links in for a reason. So go back up, click that arseblog one, and read up on what Gallas has said and done. Hell, go back and read this piece by arseblogger, if you haven’t already (which you should have done, unless you’ve been in the aforementioned cave). There’s more. Basically, what you’ll soon realise is that Gallas is hardly “Mr. Popular” in the world of Arsenal blogs.
Well, I’ve never quite gone in for this stinging criticism of our outspoken French centre-back. Sure, what he says might not be what people like to hear, but everything he’s said I agree with. Take for instance the incident with the Arsenal physios, which has had some fans raging at Gallas’ ungratefulness and lack of privacy. Well, firstly, let’s look at what he actually said. When asked if he had been irritated by a muscle strain being diagnosed as cramp, he blasted:
“A little, yes.”
SELL HIM. GALLAS OUT.
Ok, maybe he shouldn’t have answered the question, but it’s hardly a damning condemnation of all things Arsenal. And let’s be honest, if it was you, you’d be pretty annoyed. A lot more than “a little”. Let’s say there was something wrong with your computer, so you took it to the top IT experts in the country, and they say to you “Oh, just turn it on and off again”, whereas in fact your computer is completely buggered for three months. Or something. You get the point.
And now, let’s broaden the autopsy by going back to the original French. This is the question that immediately followed Gallas’ great slagging off of Gary Lewin & co. If your language skills aren’t the best, bear with me briefly:
En avez-vous voulu au staff médical d’Arsenal ?
Ben, oui, un peu, par rapport à cette erreur de diagnostic. Après, les médecins ont tout fait pour que je revienne. Mais, au final, ma saison n’est pas satisfaisante. On n’a pas vu le Gallas de Cuntski ou de l’équipe de France et je m’en veux. Je n’ai pas dégagé ce que je dégageais avant.
My French isn’t the best, but I’ll have a go:
Do you blame the medical staff at Arsenal?
Well, yes, a bit, on account of this error of diagnosis. Afterwards, the doctors did all they could to recover me. But, in the end, my season was not satisfying. We haven’t seen the Gallas of Chelsea or the French team and I blame myself. I haven’t performed as I have previously.
So, essentially, it’s “Do you blame the medical staff at Arsenal?” “Well, yes a bit … But, in the end … I blame myself“.
You can say I’ve twisted it if you like. But the words are there in front of you.
Yes, it’s slightly irritating that he goes and gives interviews to L’Equipe etc because it means we have to deal with the messy translations and sensetionalist English press, but when you look at it, what has he really done wrong? I’d love to know.
And why am I defending Monsieur Gallas? Because I know that if we want to stand any chance of winning the title next season, it’s vital that he remains fit and in the team. You don’t have to like Gallas to see that he’s a great player, or that nice guys don’t neccessarily win prizes.
Happy Monday.
March 23rd, 2007
…apparently. Well, I disagree. No news is rubbish news, especially if you’re trying to write a blog.
The Telegraph have the shock news that Arsenal have signed Gilles Sunu. Shock news if you’ve been living in a cave since February.
William Gallas has admitted he was “surprised” at Abou Diaby’s call-up to the French squad. Well, if he listens to today’s arsecast, all will become clear.
That is all. No, really.
March 21st, 2007
As you may have gathered by now, I am not the manager of Arsenal football club. That’s probably for the best, although my record on Football Manager 2007 would stand me in good stead should Arsene ever up sticks and leave.
However, if I was in charge, I’d make sure I gave Abou Diaby as many games as possibly between now and the end of the season. Why? Because our team is a better one when Diaby is in it.
When he arrived in January of last year, he and Adebayor made an almost instant impact, dramatically improving our pitiful performances away from home. The highlight was Adebayor’s debut – a 2-0 win over Birmingham in which the Togolese scored and Diaby was the undoubted Man of the Match.
Of course, as we all know, injury ended his season early and kept him out of any serious first team action until last month. But since he has come back, his performances (particularly in the Carling Cup) have been as promising as ever. Playing from the left, he’s shown wonderful drive to go past players, and his lucky goal against Aston Villa only came about because of a determined surge up the wing and into the box.
The game at Everton was his first appearance in central midfield since he has come back into the squad, and came alongside Cesc. I’m a big fan of Denilson, but for me Diaby is the more natural partner for Fabregas. Gilberto is fantastic, but it’s my belief that within a couple of years it will be impossible to leave Diaby out. His ability to ride tackles and go past players gives us an ability to turn defence into attack that we haven’t had since Patrick Vieira left.
There are flaws in his game, of course. Such is his determination to carry the ball the length of the pitch that at times he misses inviting passes or gets outnumbered without offloading. This will come with experience. Crucially, he doesn’t lack confidence – he believes he can win in the key challenges, and that’s half the battle.
People have talked about our need for more physical presence for a couple of seasons now, and when you consider some are calling Diaby “The Real Beast”, then he could well be the answer. As if to underline his promise, he’s now been called up to the full French squad. Against Liverpool (and perhaps in all away games until May), I’d play Adebayor up top, supported by Rosicky and Freddie, with a mouthwatering midfield trio of Diaby, Cesc, and Gilberto.
Not much news to speak off, but East Lower has an interesting piece of Senderos. If you ask me, Gallas and Toure need to be our centre-backs on a consistent basis if we want to win anything.
March 20th, 2007
There’s been a lot of talk recently about Arsene’s decision to play Gilberto at centre-half ahead of the likes of Kolo Toure, Philippe Senderos, and Johan Djourou. Well, it seems the big Brazilian himself is not enjoying the experiment:
“I have had to play central defence recently, that has been hard for me because it has been a long time since I played there. But I have to do it because of injuries and suspensions.“
However, Gilberto reckons it’s not a long term ploy:
“I would expect that for the next game at Liverpool I will be back into my midfield role. I would rather be playing there because it is my natural position.”
Like I said yesterday, I imagine that when Adebayor returns we might well go to a 4-5-1 with Gilberto in the holding role. This would also allow Rosicky and probably Ljungberg to play off Ade, with Baptista and Aliadiere banished to the bench.
Perhaps that would help turn performances into points. William Gallas is unpopular with some because of his outspoken nature, but I’d rather hear someone give an honest assessment as an antidote you Wenger’s usual “great spirit” spiel. Gallas says:
“To play pretty football is good for fans to watch. However, I’m sorry, I prefer to hear ‘Well done, you won’ than when someone says ‘You were unlucky, you played well’. Winning is everything. You have to win.”
I have to say, I couldn’t agree more. As a season ticket holder, I’m in a decent position to say that I’d rather go and see a side than won every week than a side that played “pretty football” but got less points.
Jens Lehmann has denied any contact with Hertha Berlin:
“I have not spoken to anybody in Berlin, I can promise you that.”
Ah. He’s probably just spoken to people in Munich, then.
As far as replacing him goes, Craig Gordon (whose obviously unhappy at Hearts) has been dropping hints about wanting to join Arsenal. I have to say, either he or Artur Boruc of Celtic would be great long-term options.
And finally, pity poor Jose Reyes – so desperate to leave us this Summer, he now finds himself without anywhere to go. Shame.
March 19th, 2007
I just can’t be bothered to think of one. As I look towards the rest of the season, I am filled with a huge sense of anti-climax. It’s hard to be bothered to watch it all. I’m considering hibernation.
In seriousness though, yesterday was another frustrating game for Arsenal. We played some decent stuff up until the final third, but without Henry, Van Persie, and Adebayor we really do struggle in and around the box. Van Persie in particular is missed – he has the skill to make things happen, and the power to finish teams off. Having Baptista and Aliadiere upfront is like sharpening your knife with a dishcloth.
But then, we have been extremely unfortunate with injuries and suspensions in that one area. You can’t ever really expect to be in this position again – those fans suggesting that our fourth and fifth choice strikers ought to be Ronaldinho and Eto’o are foolish to say the least.
At the back Gilberto played centre-half again, alongside the excellent William Gallas. Some fans reckon that Gallas’ refusal to play left-back is what has produced some rather odd back fours in recent games. I disagree – Gallas has played there before for us, and may well do so again. I think what Wenger realises is that Gallas is arguably our best centre-back, and so having him there helps more than anywhere else. Justin Hoyte played left-back for Sunderland and for us earlier this season, and Kolo Toure is potentially the best right-back in the world (as well as being a fantastic centre-half). What confuses me about the line-up is the continued selection of Gilberto at centre-back, and my suspicion is that Wenger is doing this because he wants to use the time between now and the end of the season to see how Cesc fairs alongside the likes of Denilson, and yesterday’s partner, Abou Diaby.
We had a couple of half-chances in the game, but like I say, our play in the final third wasn’t up to scratch. With Emmanuel Adebayor returning from suspension now, I’d be tempted to go with a 4-5-1. Adebayor performed excellently in this role at Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge, and as arseblogger points out, it would also allow Diaby to continue alongside Cesc, with Gilberto stepping up into a holding role.
Stuff hibernation. I’m already looking forward to Liverpool.
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