Archive for July, 2010
July 19th, 2010
Hello all and welcome to the first in a new series on Gunnerblog – ‘Ready Or Not’, in which I’ll be getting the lowdown on a few of last season’s loan rangers. This time, I spoke to midnitecaller of Doncaster forum Rovers till I die to find out how Jay Emmanuel-Thomas got on there last season:
How big an impact did JET make at Doncaster?
A good impression, with some ups and downs – on his debut he reportedly turned up for the game having forgotten his boots, and had to rush in to the town centre to get some new ones!
There were times during the season when he frustrated me and I felt like packing him back off to Arsenal, but overall he was a good addition to the squad.
His work ethic needs to improve but he is dynamite on the ball with a good goals to game ratio. The major bonus of having Emmanuel-Thomas in the side is that he’s not afraid to run at defenders or try a few tricks. When they come off, they look great. Occasionally he ends up tripping over his own feet, but he has that self belief which is so important to the progression of a young player.
What are his main strengths and weaknesses as a player?
His main strengths are his trickery and a rocket shot. He also looks like he could be something of a dead-ball wizard, and possesses a long throw like Rory Delap. His weaknesses? He’s still very raw, prone to poor decision making and can be slightly greedy. He needs to track back more – if he could learn the art of distributing the ball at the right time and work a bit harder for the team he could be a real player.
What is his best position?
I think he joined as a striker but played a little on the left for us – I’m not sure what his best position is if indeed he has one. He is the type of player where you don’t give him a position you just tell him to go out and do what he does best.
Which top flight players does he remind you of?
Although JET is very unique in his own style my first impression of him was that he reminded me of our very own Mark Mcammon from a few years back. Out of the current top flight lads I’d have to go for someone mercurial – like Hull’s Geovanni.
Do you think he could be an Arsenal player?
I personally don’t think he’s quite good enough, but the then you never know. Wenger may bring him on leaps and bounds – he certainly has masses of potential. He seems a different case to a lot of players – his natural talent will carry him through; it’s about getting the mentality to match.
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So there we have it – a mixed review for our JET.
I have to say I’ve always rated him and hoped he’d succeed: it’s rare you see a young player with such a potent combination of pure physical gifts and technique. He reminds me very much of Abou Diaby, and like Diaby his greatest challenge will be psychological. The stepovers and laziness that crept in to his game at Doncaster may have been a function of playing alongside footballers who didn’t share his natural talent. He’ll have to cut those out if he’s to have any chance of making it at Arsenal.
July 18th, 2010
Yesterday’s high-profile absentee was Manuel Almunia. Arsenal fans are desperate to see a new number one arrive, so seized on the opportunity to speculate about Almunia’s possible whereabouts – was he ill, as Arsene claimed? Was he having a medical at Athletico Madrid? Had he gone on a rogue vigilante mission to assassinate Mark Schwarzer and eliminate a potential rival?
Amid the flurry of rumour and untruth, Eduardo da Silva’s absence was barely noted. Despite being named in the 22-man squad, the Croatian international was nowhere to be seen. Only now are we beginning to understand why. Just a day after Arsene spoke about the need to move a couple of players on, a Croatian website is reporting that Eduardo is on the verge of a €7.5m move to Shakhtar Donetsk. On paper, it seems a good match – Shakhtar’s squad has the split Baltic/Brazilian DNA that is Eduardo’s trademark.
A couple of quick calls have suggested that this particular smoke is emanating from a cracklingly genuine fire. With Eduardo close to a move, risking him in a meaningless game yesterday would have been foolish in the extreme. And Arsene is no fool.
I’ll have plenty more to say on this if and when he does go. Eduardo has had a torrid time in England, what with his injury followed by the diving scandal, but his pure ability has never been in doubt. To return to anything like his former level, however, he probably needs a fresh start. It looks like he may be about to get one.
July 17th, 2010
1st half XI: Fabianski; Nordtveit, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Traore; Frimpong, Wilshere, Rosicky (c); Emmanuel Thomas, Simpson, Arshavin
Goals (videos): Arshavin 2, Simpson 16, 42
In last year’s friendly against Barnet, Andrey Arshavin was knackered after just five minutes. With that knowledge in mind, he made sure to offer his most telling contribution after just ninety seconds. Slipped in by Tomas Rosicky, he dummied to shoot, sending the goalkeeper tumbling, before walking the ball in to the empty net.
It was the high-point of a performance that was typically mercurial. Barracked by Jack Wilshere for failing to track back one minute, he curled a sumptuous effort against the bar the next.
The bickering pair were the main creative force during the first half. For the second goal, a thundering Jay Emmanuel Thomas challenge started a move which ended with Wilshere cutting in from the right and laying on a simple chance for Jay Simpson – who, whilst somewhat one-dimensional, can finish.
Late in the half, Arshavin found a sprint which showed how quickly he can move when he fancies it. It took him half the length of the pitch, before playing in Wilshere, who tucked back for Simpson to tap in. The best goal of the day.
I was impressed by JET and Emmanuel Frimpong, who showed real enthusiasm and power. Frimpong played as a tough-tackling holding midfielder, whilst Emmanuel Thomas cut in from the right wing to great effect. If JET is ever going to make it at Arsenal, this is the season in which he has to make some impact. I hope he gets a run in the Carling Cup.
At the back Thomas Vermaelen was typically imperious, aside from one right-footed shot which drew applause for soaring right out of the ground. He played alongside Laurent Koscielny, who worries me. I don’t want to panic anyone, but he just does not look like the sort of centre-back we need. I remember watching Vermaelen for the first time in this fixture last year, and although he didn’t win every ball, his bravery, determination and athleticism were clear. Watching Koscielny, it was obvious why he called his “physical strength” his biggest weakness. He is about the same height as Vermaelen, but so much more wiry. His build and gait are akin to Mark Randall.
I’m not writing him off: this was a nothing game. I’m sure he’s a fine footballer. But as a physical type, I’d prefer to see Johan Djourou ahead of him in the pecking order. Or better yet, a gnarled, battle-hardened centre-half who knows this country and its challenges inside out.
2nd half XI: Mannone (Szczesny 68); Eastmond, Djourou, Miquel, Gibbs; Lansbury, Henderson, Nasri; Walcott, Chamakh, Barazite
Goals (video): Nasri 75
The second half was an altogether quieter affair – partly because Arsenal lacked the creative vibrancy of the first, but also because Barnet attempted to sit back and avoid embarrassment. That fate eluded defender Daniel Leach, who trod on the ball, allowing Samir Nasri to steal in and coolly finish for our fourth and final goal.
Nasri was busy in a central midfield role, linking well with Theo Walcott, who ought to have done better when set free behind the defence. That said, his speed and movement (odd to think of those as two different things) were impressive. Hopefully we’ll reap the benefits of his summer break.
Johan Djourou looked assured at the back, whilst Conor Henderson showed off some neat left-footed touches in midfield.
Vito Mannone and Woijech Szczesny shared the goalkeeping duties in this half. There was no sign of Manuel Almunia – Arsene apparently excused his absence on account of ‘illness’. I would buy it had I not heard the very same excuse used by Arsene before. I’m like a suspicious teacher, refusing to believe the dog has eaten his homework, again. My curiosity is only heightened by the fact that the other high profile absentee is also strongly linked with a move away from the club – Eduardo.
If Eduardo were to move on, it looks like we’ve found an able replacement in Marouane Chamakh. Tall, strong, and with the touch of a rapist so tender you wouldn’t know it was happening, Chamakh gives us a genuine alternative to RVP through the middle. It was 4-3-3 today, and he played that central link role to perfection. The reason Arsene is reluctant to play Nicklas Bendtner there is his retention of the ball isn’t quite good enough – the same, fortunately, could not be said for Chamakh. Excited to see more.
July 17th, 2010
They’re the words all Arsenal fans have wanted to hear:
“I always said that we are really, really wanting him to stay as he is such an important player for us. He’s our captain, we want to keep him and that’s why we are not listening to any offers. It just was not a problem of money, just the desire to keep him at the club.
It is stopped (the talk). We never wanted to start anyway.”
Arsene admitted he had spoken with Fabregas and hinted the player is comfortable with the outcome.
“I have spoken to him, of course, but I never come out publicly with what we talk about.
There was a lot of unneeded talk that was not helpful for Arsenal Football Club and that’s why I don’t think we have to add anything to that.”
Next season could be Arsene’s last. He now seems to have secured the services of his most important player for this crucial campaign. As he puts it:
I know what is important for us. Arsenal Football Club is a massive club and what is important is that everybody focuses on being successful next season.”
Hear hear. Thoughts on our 4-0 victory over Barnet to follow.
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One further quote from his Arsenal.com interview:
Arsene on the centre-backs:
“At the moment none of the centre-backs have signed again for us, so at the moment there’s nothing special to say about that. I believe that Gallas and Silvestre will sign somewhere else – Campbell is still in no man’s land at the moment.”
July 17th, 2010
Yesterday saw Arsenal announce a 22-man squad for this afternoon’s game against Barnet. It’s a strong group, and could see us lining up with the following XI:
Almunia, Djourou, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Eastmond, Nasri, Rosicky, Arshavin, Eduardo, Chamakh
Whoever starts, there’s plenty of intrigue surrounding our first friendly of pre-season. Here’s just a few of the questions we need answered.
Just who is Laurent Koscielny?
Arsene doesn’t spend money lightly. When he spends €10m on a defender, albeit one who even the most well-informed of Arsenal fans could barely have heard of, you have to sit up and take notice. Last season’s game at Barnet saw Thomas Vermaelen make an immediate impression in his duel with 41-year old Paul Furlong. Will Koscielny do the same today?
Is Havard Nordtveit ready to step up?
Havard Nordveit first signed for us three years ago for a fee that may eventually rise to £2m. Since then he’s spent time on loan with Salamanca, Lillestrom and Nurnberg, playing at centre-back and as a holding midfielder. He’s twenty now, and with the centre-back exodus well underway may finally be afforded some opportunities in the first-team. If he just another Senderos, or is Nordtveit the real deal?
How fit is Andrey Arshavin?
In last summer’s fixture with Barnet, Arshavin played the lone striker role – one that would become frustratingly familiar to him as the campaign progressed. It was noticeable that he was huffing and puffing after his first sprint, and he arguably never reached peak fitness throughout the whole of last season. If he is to bounce back from a quiet second season, he’ll need to be in much better shape. Over to you, Andrey.
Is Marouane Chamakh suited to English football?
Tomorrow is only a friendly, and Barnet are only Barnet, but if there’s anything they can offer Marouane Chamakh it’s an example of the rough and tumble of English football. It will be interesting to see how the rangy Moroccan copes.
How has Theo Walcott recovered from the disappointment of being left out of the World Cup?
Theo Walcott has been awfully quiet since being left out of the World Cup. One PR-penned statement aside, he’s been silent. Has he been sulking, or focusing on the necessary improvements to his game? Tomorrow could provide some indication – if he’s running blindly in to the channels, start worrying. I expect, however, that we’ll see him with his head up and hungry. Show them what they were missing, Theo.
Will it be 4-3-3 or 4-4-2?
Although tomorrow’s line-up will doubtless be very different from what we see on the opening day at Anfield, Arsene usually looks to bed in his system as early as possible. Will the arrival of Marouane Chamakh see Arsene switch back to 4-4-2, or will he persist with last season’s progressive 4-3-3? Personally, I’m hoping it’s the latter, but I don’t see why we should exclusively stick to one system.
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If you’re in the North London area, tickets for the game will be available on the door. Equally, you can tune in on ArsenalTVOnline.
However you end up consuming it, club football is back. Get in.
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