Archive for August, 2008
August 25th, 2008
Fulham 1 – 0 Arsenal (Hangeland 21)
Before the game, I wrote:
“Today it’s Fulham away today, and I’m worryingly worried. Fulham are traditionally fairly easy opponents for visiting Arsenal sides, but for whatever reason I’m slightly concerned that we might witness a slip-up today.”
How horrible it is to have been right.
The performance in this match was really really (really) bad. There’s almost no point analysing it because it was so uniformly terrible. The goal itself came from a corner, which was defended with criminal neglect, principally by William Gallas, who allowed Hangeland to run in on goal and prod the ball home. We, on the other hand, did not muster an attempt on target until the 86th minute, and only came realistically close to scoring with an Adebayor header that struck the post.
Whilst we were terrible back-to-front, you all know full well that the middle is where we are really struggling at the moment. Our team is like a sandwich, except the bread is stale and the filling is a steaming great turd. Whilst Nasri and Walcott we’re up to much on the flanks, the central pairing of Denilson and Eboue was outplayed by Danny Murphy and Jimmy Bullard. Worryingly, we will face better line-ups than that most weeks of the season. Granted, Cesc is out injured, but by my reckoning we probably require two central midfield signings: one to partner Cesc, and the other to provide better cover than is currently available.
I don’t really expect two to arrive, though. I think it’ll be one, and my instincts still say it’ll be Gokhan Inler. However, if Cesc wants Xabi Alonso, I’m tempted to say ‘give him Xabi Alonso’. And so what if he’s cup-tied in Europe? That’ll just give idealist Arsene an excuse to give games to the likes of Denilson on European nights.
Look at the other major title challengers. Liverpool have Alonso, as well as Mascherano, and of course Steven Gerrard. United have three £17m players: Carrick, Hargreaves, and Anderson, plus Paul Scholes. And Chelsea’s is probably the best of the lot: Mikel, Essien, Lampard, Deco, and Ballack. We have Cesc. No other to compare with the legions of stars available to our rivals. It’s not good enough and it has to end now.
Last season we only lost three times, and failed to win the league. Just two games into the season, we’ve already suffered a defeat. If we line-up with that midfield enough times, more will follow. Still, maybe Armand Traore can cheer us all up tonight.
Arsene did say at one stage that a new midfielder would arrive by Wednesday. Tick-tock, Mr. Wenger…
August 23rd, 2008
Today it’s Fulham away today, and I’m worryingly worried. Fulham are traditionally fairly easy opponents for visiting Arsenal sides, but for whatever reason I’m slightly concerned that we might witness a slip-up today.
Perhaps it’s the continued absence of Cesc – a fact which means that Alex Song could come into the line-up on a ground where he experienced the nadir of his Arsenal career. One would also expect Robin van Persie to come in for his first Premier League start since 1952. New signing Mikael Silvestre is likely to miss out with a thigh strain.
It’s odd. This evening’s match will be our third game of 08/09, but I still feel like the season hasn’t really started. Perhaps it’s because I am waiting for our midfielder to arrive – once the transfer deadline has passed and the dealings are done, the fact the season is underway might begin to sink in.
The Independent has a very thorough, very interesting interview with Arsene Wenger. What that piece emphasises is something we already knew – that Arsene is man of principle. He also defines his current managerial strategy with greater clarity than ever before:
“When we decided to build the stadium I wanted to anticipate the possibility of financial restrictions, so I concentrated on youth. I also felt the best way to create an identity with the way we play football, to get players integrated into our culture, with our beliefs, our values, was to get them as young as possible and to develop them together. I felt it would be an interesting experiment to see players grow together with these qualities, and with a love for the club. It was an idealistic vision of the world of football.”
I am full of admiration for Arsene’s ideals, but I would understand if some fans don’t respond well to the idea that the club has been subject to an “experiment”. Our culture, our beliefs, our values and our football are all terribly important. But let’s not forget about our trophy cabinet.
Martin O’Neill says he finds Arsene Wenger talking about Gareth Barry’s future “strange”. It’s a bit rich when you consider that the original story linking us with Barry was leaked from within Villa. By O’Neill simself.
Let’s smash Fulham today, and send a message. Come on Arsenal.
August 22nd, 2008
I have a sneaking suspicion that Alex Song is currently in our best XI. Depending on whether your glass is half-empty or half-full, that’s either an indicator of his amazing progress, of the state of disrepair into which our squad has fallen.
The reason Song holds such a significant position in our squad is principally by default – after the departure of Flamini and Gilberto, he is the only holding midfield player left in our threadbare squad. Assuming, that is, that the signing of Mikael Silvestre is an indicator that Wenger has abandoned the much-heralded “Alex Song = New Baresi” plan.
After going out of the Olympics at the Quarter-final stage, the Cameroonian is once again available for selection, and could well come straight into the side that will travel to Fulham on Saturday. How long he stays there will be dependent on how swiftly Arsene brings in another midfielder. Interesting to note that Arsene suggests he won’t neccessarily be dissuaded by a potential signing being cup-tied in Europe, which raises the possibility of a move for Gareth Barry or even Xabi Alonso.
Something I forgot to say yesterday is that the arrival of Mikael Silvestre might free up Armand Traore to go out on loan. Well, within 24 hours, the 19-year old Frenchman has signed for Portsmouth on a twelve-month loan.
It’s a good move for Traore, who will compete with Hermann Hreidarsson for a first-team place. Portsmouth have been looking for a left-back since triallist Celestine Babayaro was struck with malaria, and I’m sure that the position he’ll be used in was a major factor in Arsene’s decision to choose the South Coast as Traore’s destination. The ultimate aim of loaning out Traore is that he gains some experience and learns to defend – there was no point sending him to a club who’d play him on the wing.
As it is, he’ll be learning from experienced defensive minds like Sol Campbell and Tony Adams – two men who probably no more about the art of keep clean sheets than anyone currently at Arsenal…
Finally, get well soon Mr. Brady.
August 21st, 2008
Hoyte was sold for £3m. Silvestre reportedly cost just £750k.
Hoyte is primarily a right-back, where we already have potential cover in the shape of Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Eboue, and Johan Djourou. Silvestre provides reliable back-up for Gael Clichy, as well as a 6’3″ presence at centre-half.
Hoyte has never won a major trophy. Silvestre has won 4 Premier Leagues, both domestic cup competitions, and the Champions League.
When you look at it like that, this can only be a good thing.
The indisputable fact is this: the signing of Silvestre has improved a weak squad.Â
Some fans will turn their nose up at the arrival of Silvestre simply because of his links with Man U. And yet I strongly suspect these are the same people who decry Wenger’s unwillingness to sign players with Premier League experience.  If you’re signing a player from within your own division, the chances are you’ve at some point disliked them, most likely out of nothing but brutal tribalism.
It is so comforting to me to sign a player who I feel is ready to come into the side and do a job immediately if required. And to be honest, he probably won’t be required that often. He’s being signed as cover – any rumours that the transfer is designed to free up Kolo Toure to play in midfield are wide of the mark. But should Clichy, Gallas or another pick up a long-term injury, his experience could prove vital. And don’t doubt his hunger – this is a player whose turned down the opportunity of both a testimonial and a bosman in less than a years time in order to move. Â
Silvestre has inherited Pascal Cygan’s number 18 shirt, but despite being equally French, bald, and left-footed, we hope he won’t be equally rubbish.
I don’t think he will This is a sensible, low-risk signing that admittedly won’t have a major impact on the first team but adds vital depth to the squad. Now we need to add a midfield player – and he must be capable of a major impact on the first-choice XI.
Last night Arsene Wenger was in Geneva watching Gokhan Inler in action for Switzlerand. Could he be the man? We could know within a week.
Internationals last night – no news of any injuries just yet. Hopefully when RVP arrives back he’ll be doing plenty more of this.
So. Silvestre. What do you think?
August 20th, 2008
Sometimes an idea is so crazy that it might just work. Like rebranding UKTVGold2 as ‘Dave’.  Or when it was first rumoured that Arsenal might try and involve William Gallas in the deal that took Ashley Cole to Chelsea. It seemed like fantasy stuff – partly because transfers between the top four clubs are remarkably rare…
In the many years that Arsene Wenger and Alex Ferguson have duelled, never has a player changed hands between the two managers. Fergie reportedly tried and failed to prize Patrick Vieira and later Emmanuel Adebayor away from London, but no player has moved from United to Arsenal since Brian Kidd 34 years ago.
Which is perhaps why it feels so strange to read the various reports suggesting that Mikael Silvestre is about to sign for the Gunners.
Silvestre is not typical of Arsene’s recent transfer policy. He is 31, seemingly past his best, and plays in the Premier League. However, if we know anything about Arsene it’s that he likes a gamble, and Silvestre is certainly one of those. Injuries and poor form have seen him fall from United’s first-choice centre-half to third-choice left-back. And yet this is a player has four Premier League medals, three FA Cup winners’ medals, and a host of other domestic and European titles to his name. He has 40 caps for France, and on his day is a fast, powerful player with strong technique.
Most importantly, we could do with a player in his mould. After the departure of Justin Hoyte, we lack experienced cover at left-back – the idea of Armand Traore having to slot into the back four for a prolonged period terrifies me. And if you were to ask me which of Philippe Senderos, Johan Djourou, or Silvestre I’d want to see come in at centre-back, I know I’d pick the experienced option every time.
As things stand, William Gallas is our only outfield player over the age of 27. Acquiring a player of Silvestre’s experience and relative quality for less than a million pounds is not something to be sniffed at. I’ve always insisted we needed to sign two players rather than the mooted one, and Silvestre + a central midfielder would go a long way towards satisfying my concerns about the squad’s depth.  Hopefully the truth (or otherwise) of this story will become clearer over the next 24 hours.
Perhaps the decision to sign a defender, as well as the return from the Olympics of Alex Song, is what has prompted Havard Nordveit joining Salamanca on loan. The Norwegian centre-back is extremely well thought of, but I think the coaching hierarchy recognise that the only way for a defender to improve is with regular competetive football. Mistakes have to be made for lessons to be learnt, but it’s better they’re made elsewhere.
Another eighteen-year old, Dutch forward Nacer Barazite, has joined Derby on loan. Arsenal claim the deal is until January, but Derby have suggested they have a break clause one month into the contract. Barazite is a player whose combination of power and technique has always impressed me – in style, he’s reminscent of Kaka. But when he wasn’t taken out to Austria with the first-team squad the Summer, it became clear his opportunities would be limited. I think he could be a major player for Derby though, and remains one worth keeping an eye on. He could soon be joined in the Championship by Kieran Gibbs, who has been linked with a short-term switch to Reading.
Finally, the club have confirmed that Emmanuel Adebayor has signed a new long-term deal on improved terms. The cynic in me remembers that both Ashley Cole and Thierry Henry considered leaving the club, signed new deals, and departed just twelve months later. And yet Arsene is right when he says:
“We have to get behind him and support him because he is a tremendous force and has tremendous importance for the team.”
The fans had their say in the game against Fulham. Now we need to back Adebayor. The manager has chosen to stick by him because he recognises his value, and now it’s time for our fans to do the same.
Internationals tonight. Samir Nasri was called up to the France squad but then pulled out with a thigh injury. Maybe he’d already booked to go to the cinema, or something. I’m going to Wembley tonight and will hopefully see Theo Walcott in action for England.
Next Posts
Previous Posts
