Cesc Fabregas produced a masterclass in midfield play against Blackburn last Sunday. Having assisted Arsenal's first three goals he decided to cut out the middle man and simply put the ball in the back of the net himself.
The ensuing celebration was notable for one main reason: it contained the ever popular badge kissing from a player who's been linked with a transfer to pastures greener, in this case, Barcelona.
The more cynical Arsenal fans might have cast their minds back to the beginning of last season, when Emmanuel Adebayor scored a pre-season goal for the Gunners and decided to show his loyalty to the club by kissing the badge in front of the Arsenal supporters. Fast forward to 12th September 2009, when Adebayor decided to taunt Arsenal supporters by celebrating a goal he scored for Manchester City right in front of them.
What then of Cesc's celebration? Is his kiss of the Arsenal badge the kiss of death for his career at the club? Or to put it another way, like Judas, has he betrayed them with a kiss? Unlike Adebayor, Fabregas is loved by the supporters of Arsenal football club, and so if he decides to leave at the end of the season it will surely be on good terms. After all, he has been at Arsenal for seven seasons, which is almost as long a service as recent legends Viera and Henry, the latter of which was a witness of Cesc's demolition of Blackburn and received generous applause from the Emirates crowd prior to the game.
However, unlike Thierry Henry and Patrick Viera, Cesc Fabregas has yet to lead Arsenal to a piece of prime silverware. The fans will feel that he still owes them some trophies, and so they must remain in hope that the latest Gunner to kiss the badge is not planning on kissing the club good-bye any time soon.
However, should he pack his bags next summer he will still be remembered fondly by Arsenal fans as a wonderful playmaker, whose commitment to the club on the field was rarely if ever in question. But he will also be remembered as someone who failed to bring the club the glory it so desperately craves. Can he live with that? Perhaps he won't have to if he continues to play like he did on Sunday, because in that kind of form Arsenal will surely be walking away with a trophy or two come next May.
Showing posts with label arsenal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label arsenal. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Too Many Kiss-related Puns?
Cesc Fabregas produced a masterclass in midfield play against Blackburn last Sunday. Having assisted Arsenal's first three goals he decided to cut out the middle man and simply put the ball in the back of the net himself.
The ensuing celebration was notable for one main reason: it contained the ever popular badge kissing from a player who's been linked with a transfer to pastures greener, in this case, Barcelona.
The more cynical Arsenal fans might have cast their minds back to the beginning of last season, when Emmanuel Adebayor scored a pre-season goal for the Gunners and decided to show his loyalty to the club by kissing the badge in front of the Arsenal supporters. Fast forward to 12th September 2009, when Adebayor decided to taunt Arsenal supporters by celebrating a goal he scored for Manchester City right in front of them.
What then of Cesc's celebration? Is his kiss of the Arsenal badge the kiss of death for his career at the club? Or to put it another way, like Judas, has he betrayed them with a kiss? Unlike Adebayor, Fabregas is loved by the supporters of Arsenal football club, and so if he decides to leave at the end of the season it will surely be on good terms. After all, he has been at Arsenal for seven seasons, which is almost as long a service as recent legends Viera and Henry, the latter of which was a witness of Cesc's demolition of Blackburn and received generous applause from the Emirates crowd prior to the game.
However, unlike Thierry Henry and Patrick Viera, Cesc Fabregas has yet to lead Arsenal to a piece of prime silverware. The fans will feel that he still owes them some trophies, and so they must remain in hope that the latest Gunner to kiss the badge is not planning on kissing the club good-bye any time soon.
However, should he pack his bags next summer he will still be remembered fondly by Arsenal fans as a wonderful playmaker, whose commitment to the club on the field was rarely if ever in question. But he will also be remembered as someone who failed to bring the club the glory it so desperately craves. Can he live with that? Perhaps he won't have to if he continues to play like he did on Sunday, because in that kind of form Arsenal will surely be walking away with a trophy or two come next May.
The ensuing celebration was notable for one main reason: it contained the ever popular badge kissing from a player who's been linked with a transfer to pastures greener, in this case, Barcelona.
The more cynical Arsenal fans might have cast their minds back to the beginning of last season, when Emmanuel Adebayor scored a pre-season goal for the Gunners and decided to show his loyalty to the club by kissing the badge in front of the Arsenal supporters. Fast forward to 12th September 2009, when Adebayor decided to taunt Arsenal supporters by celebrating a goal he scored for Manchester City right in front of them.
What then of Cesc's celebration? Is his kiss of the Arsenal badge the kiss of death for his career at the club? Or to put it another way, like Judas, has he betrayed them with a kiss? Unlike Adebayor, Fabregas is loved by the supporters of Arsenal football club, and so if he decides to leave at the end of the season it will surely be on good terms. After all, he has been at Arsenal for seven seasons, which is almost as long a service as recent legends Viera and Henry, the latter of which was a witness of Cesc's demolition of Blackburn and received generous applause from the Emirates crowd prior to the game.
However, unlike Thierry Henry and Patrick Viera, Cesc Fabregas has yet to lead Arsenal to a piece of prime silverware. The fans will feel that he still owes them some trophies, and so they must remain in hope that the latest Gunner to kiss the badge is not planning on kissing the club good-bye any time soon.
However, should he pack his bags next summer he will still be remembered fondly by Arsenal fans as a wonderful playmaker, whose commitment to the club on the field was rarely if ever in question. But he will also be remembered as someone who failed to bring the club the glory it so desperately craves. Can he live with that? Perhaps he won't have to if he continues to play like he did on Sunday, because in that kind of form Arsenal will surely be walking away with a trophy or two come next May.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Extremely Provisional
Arsenal aren't as bad as recent displays suggest, but there is notable room for improvement all the same, both in terms of personnel and tactics. With regards tactics, here is one piece of wisdom I would happily give every Arsenal full-back and winger: stop crossing the ball into the box. There is no point. You neither possess the quality to hit consistently accurate crosses nor the targets to make those crosses count. For a team praised for their passing game, Arsenal really do pump way too many aimless balls into the box.
I would also adopt the current Barcelona formation: 4-3-3.
With regards personnel, I would get rid of Emmanuel Adebayor and Theo Walcott (though that one is not going to happen). The former has become a liability, and the latter is just not good enough, and hasn't convinced me that he will ever be good enough. Defensively it's hard to know what to do. I think I'd buy in someone like Hangeland, meaning one of Toure or Gallas would have to be axed. I think they're both good players, but much like the supposed pseudo William Wallce, they're just not tall enough. I would probably side with Toure since he's younger and not as troublesome as Gallas (although it must be said that Billy No Mates has been excellent since losing the captaincy). Clichy and Sagna are okay, though they both enjoyed indifferent seasons.
I would buy in an experienced midfielder who can make a tackle and pass a ball. Yaya Toure would be perfect, but it would be foolish to think that he would trade Barcelona for Arsenal. Perhaps someone like Flamin...oh, wait. It's a tough position to fill, and I think players like Song and Denilson are not too far away from slotting in, but they need an older head in the mix to learn from. I shall name him DM for now, but perhaps I can put a real name for that position in the coming weeks and months.
There are maybe a few other tweaks I would make, but here is an extremely provisional Arsenal XI for next season:
I would also adopt the current Barcelona formation: 4-3-3.
With regards personnel, I would get rid of Emmanuel Adebayor and Theo Walcott (though that one is not going to happen). The former has become a liability, and the latter is just not good enough, and hasn't convinced me that he will ever be good enough. Defensively it's hard to know what to do. I think I'd buy in someone like Hangeland, meaning one of Toure or Gallas would have to be axed. I think they're both good players, but much like the supposed pseudo William Wallce, they're just not tall enough. I would probably side with Toure since he's younger and not as troublesome as Gallas (although it must be said that Billy No Mates has been excellent since losing the captaincy). Clichy and Sagna are okay, though they both enjoyed indifferent seasons.
I would buy in an experienced midfielder who can make a tackle and pass a ball. Yaya Toure would be perfect, but it would be foolish to think that he would trade Barcelona for Arsenal. Perhaps someone like Flamin...oh, wait. It's a tough position to fill, and I think players like Song and Denilson are not too far away from slotting in, but they need an older head in the mix to learn from. I shall name him DM for now, but perhaps I can put a real name for that position in the coming weeks and months.
There are maybe a few other tweaks I would make, but here is an extremely provisional Arsenal XI for next season:
.............................................................Almunia........................................................
Sagna...................................Toure........................Hangeland.......................Clichy
...............................................................DM..............................................................
..........................................Fabregas..................Nasri.............................................
Rosicky....................................................................................................Arshavin
.......................................................van Persie........................................................
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
No way. Just No Way.
Given that the score is only one nil this may seem slightly odd, but my feeling about tonight's game is that it is a tad irrelevant. I honestly cannot see Arsenal coming away with a sufficient win. United may have only scored one last week, but all the signs point to the fact that they are more than capable of adding to that at the Emirates. People may point to Arsenal beating them back in November as hope for the Gunners, but analysis of that game is hardly titled in Arsenal's favour. I can recall United having several gilt-edged chances, which on another day would have seen them bag about three goals. All of this leads me to believe that United will score at least one goal chez Gunners, meaning Arsenal will need to score at least three. No way. Just no way.
Despite my pessimistic outlook, Wenger still has to give his team the best possible chance of proving me -- and most others -- wrong. There is an Arsenal team that will fail miserably, and an Arsenal team that will run United close. The former includes Diaby on the left and Cesc in the supporting striker role. The latter looks like this:
...............................................Almunia......................................................
Sagna....................Toure...................Djourou.................................Gibbs
Walcott...............Fabregas..............Song........................................Nasri
............................van Persie......................................................................
.........................................................Adebayor...........................................
I don't claim that to be a flawless team. I have little time for Adebayor, I think Walcott is green and indisciplined, and the defense doesn't exactly scream "Impregnable". Still, in my mind it's Arsenal's best chance of upsetting the odds. Should United decide not to turn up for one reason or another then this is a team that can make them pay. However, in the semi-final of a Champions League I don't expect any mistakes from the Red Devils.
This is a cliche, and to say that it's a cliche for a reason is a cliche, and to say that saying it is a cliche for a reason is a cliche, but the first goal is just so important it's hard to overstate it. The simple fact is that if Arsenal get it then the tie is all square, but if United get it then Arsenal need three unanswered goals. What a difference a goal makes, eh? Because of this I find it almost impossible to see anything but a Man Utd triumph. It may be close, it may be decided by a late goal, but one way or another it's got to be United for me.
Despite my pessimistic outlook, Wenger still has to give his team the best possible chance of proving me -- and most others -- wrong. There is an Arsenal team that will fail miserably, and an Arsenal team that will run United close. The former includes Diaby on the left and Cesc in the supporting striker role. The latter looks like this:
...............................................Almunia......................................................
Sagna....................Toure...................Djourou.................................Gibbs
Walcott...............Fabregas..............Song........................................Nasri
............................van Persie......................................................................
.........................................................Adebayor...........................................
I don't claim that to be a flawless team. I have little time for Adebayor, I think Walcott is green and indisciplined, and the defense doesn't exactly scream "Impregnable". Still, in my mind it's Arsenal's best chance of upsetting the odds. Should United decide not to turn up for one reason or another then this is a team that can make them pay. However, in the semi-final of a Champions League I don't expect any mistakes from the Red Devils.
This is a cliche, and to say that it's a cliche for a reason is a cliche, and to say that saying it is a cliche for a reason is a cliche, but the first goal is just so important it's hard to overstate it. The simple fact is that if Arsenal get it then the tie is all square, but if United get it then Arsenal need three unanswered goals. What a difference a goal makes, eh? Because of this I find it almost impossible to see anything but a Man Utd triumph. It may be close, it may be decided by a late goal, but one way or another it's got to be United for me.
Monday, April 13, 2009
The Absense of Cesc
I said at the beginning of the season that the form of Cesc Fabregas would make or break Arsenal. It was an admittedly obvious thing to say, but if ever a team was built around one man it was Matt Le Tissier's Southampton...and Cesc Fabregas' Arsenal of 08/09. Last season Flamini, Rosicky and Hleb carried their fair share of responsibility for the Gunners; this season two of those three became ex-Gooners and one of them has effectively become an ex-player. Nasri was brought in (still only 21 years old) and Walcott was given his chance to start regularly (still sporting the facial hair akin to a boy just hitting puberty. Lose the 'tasche Theo. It looks ridiculous). As such the Arsenal midfield had an average age of about 7, and so all depended on whether Cesc could make this group of youngsters tick, and grow them into men.
He couldn't, and it was Wenger's mistake to think anyone could, not to mention a knackered 21 year old.
Fabregas was still feeling the effects of a full season plus a European Championships, and he looked like a guy who needed a break. His performances were below what we have come to expect, and Arsenal suffered to the point of no return. Their five league defeats all came while Fabregas was in the team, and yet when he got injured it was hard to imagine Arsenal doing anything but descending into mediocrity. They were bad with Cesc; surely they would be worse without him.
Not so. Since Fabregas hobbled off at half time against Liverpool, Arsenal have not lost in the league. They lost their most experienced midfielder, and regularly featured a midfield quartet consisting of Denilson, Song, Diaby/Eboue and Nasri. Not a vintage Arsenal midfield it's safe to say. And yet, and yet, these boys (almost literally) have maintained the undefeated streak which started all the way back in November against City. Just look at that list of names again and you surely won't be able to help but wonder just how Arsenal have done it. Remarkably, it seems that it was Cesc's absense, not his presence, that grew these players up. It was sink or swim, and for the most part they have swam, and Arsenal are reaping the benefits as I write this.
Fabregas is now back after almost four months of rest, and in three games he has five assists, - more than he managed in the league in the first three months. Wenger slotted him in behind the srtiker and it has worked quite well. He then moved him back to his usual position in midfield against Wigan in the second half and it changed the game. The closing stages of this season see Arsenal in with a decent chance of winning two trophies, and as funny as it seems, the four month absense of Cesc Fabregas is a major reason for this. He needed time off, and other players needed to take more responsibility.
With Arshavin now in the mix, Arsenal possess in my opinion the best midfield and forward combination in the Premier League. Their defense remains slightly suspect -- especially given recent in jury problems -- but if Arsenal can get across the finish line against Villarreal then confidence will ooze and by Sunday they could find themselves with a chance of winning their first trophy in four years, be it the F.A Cup, the Champions League, or both.
He couldn't, and it was Wenger's mistake to think anyone could, not to mention a knackered 21 year old.
Fabregas was still feeling the effects of a full season plus a European Championships, and he looked like a guy who needed a break. His performances were below what we have come to expect, and Arsenal suffered to the point of no return. Their five league defeats all came while Fabregas was in the team, and yet when he got injured it was hard to imagine Arsenal doing anything but descending into mediocrity. They were bad with Cesc; surely they would be worse without him.
Not so. Since Fabregas hobbled off at half time against Liverpool, Arsenal have not lost in the league. They lost their most experienced midfielder, and regularly featured a midfield quartet consisting of Denilson, Song, Diaby/Eboue and Nasri. Not a vintage Arsenal midfield it's safe to say. And yet, and yet, these boys (almost literally) have maintained the undefeated streak which started all the way back in November against City. Just look at that list of names again and you surely won't be able to help but wonder just how Arsenal have done it. Remarkably, it seems that it was Cesc's absense, not his presence, that grew these players up. It was sink or swim, and for the most part they have swam, and Arsenal are reaping the benefits as I write this.
Fabregas is now back after almost four months of rest, and in three games he has five assists, - more than he managed in the league in the first three months. Wenger slotted him in behind the srtiker and it has worked quite well. He then moved him back to his usual position in midfield against Wigan in the second half and it changed the game. The closing stages of this season see Arsenal in with a decent chance of winning two trophies, and as funny as it seems, the four month absense of Cesc Fabregas is a major reason for this. He needed time off, and other players needed to take more responsibility.
With Arshavin now in the mix, Arsenal possess in my opinion the best midfield and forward combination in the Premier League. Their defense remains slightly suspect -- especially given recent in jury problems -- but if Arsenal can get across the finish line against Villarreal then confidence will ooze and by Sunday they could find themselves with a chance of winning their first trophy in four years, be it the F.A Cup, the Champions League, or both.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Goals Masking Flaws
Is it just me or does anyone else find it incredibly hypocritical of Emmanuel Adebayor to say that Arsenal need to win a trophy this year, when he himself hasn't really looked like he has given a crap about winning anything since August?
If ever there was a case to be built that scoring goals can mask serious flaws, then Adebayor (and Anelka) would surely make for good test subjects. Though Premier League Fantasy Football is hardly the definitive measuring stick of success in a season, one would imagine it reflects a players worth pretty accurately. Adebayor proves this isn't always the case, what with him being the 5th most potent striker (points wise) in the league, only 13 points off top spot and only 5 points adrift of partner in crime Robin van Persie (who has been streets ahead of the Togo international in terms of value this season).
I wrote in to F365 during those long summer months of 2008 saying that Arsenal should swipe the hand off A.C. Milan if their interest in Abedayor was legitimate, and it appears it was...or at least someone's interest was. Figures nearing £30m were being talked about, which would have been fantastic business from an Arsenal perspective, and this after a season in which Adebayor scored over 30 goals (I think; I couldn't be bothered checking the exact number). For me, he simply has too many fundamental flaws to be worthy of a place in a side that at least in theory should be aiming to win the league.
I won't go into a prolonged discourse about Adebayor's shortcomings, but suffice to say that he isn't clinical enough, he doesn't defend from the front very well, and he is always offside. He has some value to Arsenal mind, what with his towering presence and his unpredictability. He gives the team a different option (i.e. hoof it up to Adebayor) which can be the game breaker when playing the likes of Bolton etc. But then so does Bendtner. And Bendtner at least tries.
Adebayor, in his recent interview which I elluded to earlier, said "I don't care if I stop on 12 goals if we win something with the club". This is actually inadvertently good advice from the big man. Wenger should stop Adebayor from scoring goals by benching him, thus giving Arsenal a higher chance of winning something this season. In Eduardo, Arshavin, van Persie, and Bendtner I think Arsenal possess more than enough potency up front without having to accomodate their 12-goals-and-yet-still-disappointing striker.
If ever there was a case to be built that scoring goals can mask serious flaws, then Adebayor (and Anelka) would surely make for good test subjects. Though Premier League Fantasy Football is hardly the definitive measuring stick of success in a season, one would imagine it reflects a players worth pretty accurately. Adebayor proves this isn't always the case, what with him being the 5th most potent striker (points wise) in the league, only 13 points off top spot and only 5 points adrift of partner in crime Robin van Persie (who has been streets ahead of the Togo international in terms of value this season).
I wrote in to F365 during those long summer months of 2008 saying that Arsenal should swipe the hand off A.C. Milan if their interest in Abedayor was legitimate, and it appears it was...or at least someone's interest was. Figures nearing £30m were being talked about, which would have been fantastic business from an Arsenal perspective, and this after a season in which Adebayor scored over 30 goals (I think; I couldn't be bothered checking the exact number). For me, he simply has too many fundamental flaws to be worthy of a place in a side that at least in theory should be aiming to win the league.
I won't go into a prolonged discourse about Adebayor's shortcomings, but suffice to say that he isn't clinical enough, he doesn't defend from the front very well, and he is always offside. He has some value to Arsenal mind, what with his towering presence and his unpredictability. He gives the team a different option (i.e. hoof it up to Adebayor) which can be the game breaker when playing the likes of Bolton etc. But then so does Bendtner. And Bendtner at least tries.
Adebayor, in his recent interview which I elluded to earlier, said "I don't care if I stop on 12 goals if we win something with the club". This is actually inadvertently good advice from the big man. Wenger should stop Adebayor from scoring goals by benching him, thus giving Arsenal a higher chance of winning something this season. In Eduardo, Arshavin, van Persie, and Bendtner I think Arsenal possess more than enough potency up front without having to accomodate their 12-goals-and-yet-still-disappointing striker.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Another Year Over
Since it's that time of year, I thought I'd compile a list of some memorable football moments over the past 12 months. This is a totally subjective list, so bear that in mind before leaving angry comments about the exclusion of so-and-so. I don't doubt that I've left out some footballing nuggets, but these are what came to mind in the 10 minutes I spent thinking about the year gone by. I'll try and include relevant Youtube clips where possible, because that's the kind of guy I am. And also, the list has no order. So without further adieu...
Fabregas v Milan
It was the second leg of the first Champions League knockout round. Milan had gotten a slightly fortuitous 0-0 draw at the Emirates, where Adebayor somehow managed to miss a header roughly 7 inches from the goal line. Most people thought Arsenal had blown their chance. The old dogs of Milan were said to be too wily to let this youthful Arsenal side get the result they needed on Italian soil. Cesc Fabregas and co. proved most people very wrong.
It was a team effort of course, with even Philip Senderos playing well for a change. But it was the little Spaniard that ran the show from beginning to end. His tackling was tenacious, his workrate second to none, and everything we've come to expect from Fabregas -- his impeccable decision making, his precise passing, his ability to control the tempo of a game -- was on song. He had been quite laboured in the weeks that led up to this game, and quite laboured afterwards as well, but in these 90 minutes he was the complete midfielder, showing the once imperious Pirlo how it's now done.
Discovering Football Weekly
I can't quite remember when exactly I discovered Football Weekly, but I know it was some time in 2008, so that's good enough for it to make the list. I've championed this podcast on the blog already, but I have no problem doing so again.
To put it plainly, my football experience is not complete until I hear the opinions of "the pod" on Monday afternoon and Thursday evening. For anyone who says that football is their favourite sport, Football Weekly is practically required listening. If you haven't yet discovered the joy of it, then do so as soon as possible. There will be a new podcast up on Monday the 29th. I strongly encourage you to listen to it.
Arsenal v Liverpool
Another Arsenal related moment. This time the Gunners were faced with a tricky tie against Liverpool at Anfield (Liverpool in the Champions League and all that jazz) after coming out of the first leg at the Emirates with an unjust 1-1 draw (it should really have been 2-1, with Bendtner blocking a goal bound effort from Fabregas, and the referee denying Hleb a stone wall penalty after the Belarusian had danced his way into the box with his patented nimble footwork). Arsenal had to score at Anfield, and boy did they do just that and then some.
They completely dominated for 30 minutes, playing some of the best football of the season. The goal came from a neatly worked move, and at that point it almost looked like it was just a question of how many Arsenal would score. But then the Senderos factor kicked in. Having completley lost one of the most dangerous aerial threats of the last 10 years in the form of Sami Hyypia at a corner, Senderos then went on to give about 3 yards of space in the box to one of the most potent finishers in the Premier League, and Torres accepted the gift by guiding the ball into the top corner.
The game seemed to just drift away from Arsenal, until Theo Walcott produced a moment of unbelievable brilliance. Never did I think him capable of such things, but he proved me and a host of other people very wrong. It was just incredible to watch, and a moment worthy of winning any tie. Unfortunately for Walcott and Arsenal, it wasn't sufficient to win this tie. In keeping with their season, Arsenal managed to overshadow their attacking prowess by switching off mentality, and allowing Liverpool to go straight back up the field and win a (soft) penalty. A fourth Liverpool goal followed, and Arsenal's Champions League dream was shattered.
Still though, this was easily the game of the season for me, and one that will live long in the memory. If I did have an order to this list, this game would probably be at the top.
Terry Penalty
England's lion heart. England's war hero. Chelsea's rock, their heartbeat, their captain fantastic. John Terry has received all sorts of praise over the years, but in my opinion he has been vastly overrated. He is a good defender, but he's not even the best at his own club. That honour goes to Ricardo Carvalho, and it seems that it is the Portuguese defender's absence which is alerting people to this fact ironically enough.
Terry's missed penalty has of course nothing to do with his defensive capabilities, but you can forgive me for taking a certain amount of pleasure from seeing him completely fluff the chance to win Chelsea that much coveted Champions League trophy. Why he was the designated fifth penalty taker I do not know. The nasty part of me thinks that he just wanted the chance to be a hero, and selfishly decided to step up to the plate rather than letting someone with actual penalty taking abilities to the job. But then maybe no one else wanted the pressure, so JT took it upon himself when all else cowered at the chance.
Either way, he missed, and at that point you just knew who was going to go on and lift the trophy. The only disappointment was that had he scored the penalty, then Ronaldo would have been to blame for United's loss, and on a schadenfreude measuring device, I don't think anything could top that.
Messi v Ronaldo
When Man United and Barcelona were pitted against each other in the semi final of the Champions League, football fans' collective mouth began to water. The games themselves didn't quite work out as people thought they might. They were supposed to be end-to-end affairs, feasts of attacking football, but instead they were slightly cagey, with Barcelona having most of the ball and United defending superbly.
However, the subplot in this tie was equally intriguing. This was billed as 'Ronaldo vs Messi', the battle to see who really is the best player in the world. Of course all of this was sheer hype, and the best player in the world was never going to be decided during the course of two games. But that didn't stop people from getting worked up, with many probably seeing this as the chance for Ronaldo to show that he is the superior footballing specimen.
Well, he did nothing of the sort. If this was indeed Ronaldo vs Messi, then there was only one clear winner, and it wasn't the player who plucks his eye brows. Messi had been out for a month or so before the two games, but he was a constant thorn in United's side over both legs, producing some vintage 'Messi' moments along the way, some of which you can see here. There was a priceless piece of play in the first leg when Messi faced Ronaldo with the ball, waited for the pristinely groomed playboy to make a tackle, and just jinked by him in the blink of an eye. It served as a microcosm of the duo's battle.
The good news is that finally, after many, many months of hearing about Ronaldo's status as best in the world, people have woken up to the fact that the Camp Nou is the home of the world's best football player. The irony is that this realization was only cemented in popular belief around the time Ronaldo picked up the Ballon D'Or. That must really hurt the winker's ego..No wonder he's lashing out at everyone in sight.
Spain
It's very rare these days that the team who play the best football win a major trophy at international level. Since France's victory at Euro 2000, there hasn't really been a team worthy to be considered the best in the world/Europe. In 2002, Brazil won what was a distinctly average World Cup, 2004 saw a resolute but technically limited Greece side lift the European Cup, and the same can be said about the victorious Italian side of 2006, who were excellent in defense but quite laboured in the final third of the pitch. In each of these tournaments the quality was subpar, and only the Argentine team of '06 sticks out as being truly world class.
Euro 2008 broke the curse of dodgy international football, and it saw Spain break their long lived curse of being supreme under achievers. In truth, I think Spain have been vastly overrated in previous tournaments. Players like Etxeberria, Albelda, Baraja, Luque and Joaquin were getting games in 2004, but they were not really good enough to ever win anything. Compare them with Xavi, Iniesta, Senna, Villa and Fabregas and it is clear that the Spain team of 2008 really was a much better team than those of previous years. This was a team with genuine talent, a team that could have been justifiably branded as having under achieved by getting knocked out in the quarter finals.
However, this was to be their year, and never has a team so richly deserved to lift a trophy. They played the best football in a tournament full of good football, and I don't think there is any football fan who would begrudge them their victory. The defining moment of their tournament has to be the win over Italy in the quarter finals. This would usually have been the point for Spain to exit stage left, and having outplayed the Italian's for 120 minutes it seemed all set up for Italy to snatch victory courtesy of a penalty shootout. However, Fabregas was given the chance to exorcise a host of demons, and the former Barcelona prodigy made no mistake, cooly slotting the ball past one of the best goalkeepers ever to grace the sport.
This monumental win lifted the heavy burden off of Spanish shoulders, and they went on to dispatch Russia by playing their best football of the tournament, and ended proceedings by completely outclassing Germany in the final.
Euro 2008 was not only a victory for Spain though - it serves as a victory for football in general. The Spanish team didn't contain any immense physical specimens like Drogba or Cristiano Ronaldo. This was a victory for brain over braun. A victory for intelligence over physicality. Spain showed that playing football the way it should be played, the way that makes it the beautiful game, is the best way to win things. They have set the bar when it comes to international football, and given the relative youth of the side, it could be a while before they are knocked off their perch.
Barcelona v Athletico
There is no doubt as to which is the best club team at this moment in time, despite what the Fifa Club World Cup (or whatever it is called) might tell you. Barcelona have won 13 of 16 league games, scoring 48 goals and conceding only 10. If they were in the Premier League, they'd be third, 4 points behind Liverpool and 1 behind Chelsea, with four games in hand. As it is, they are first in La Liga, a massive 10 points clear of their nearest 'rivals' - hardly surprising given that they are averaging 3 goals a game, and have just beaten four of the best teams in Spain by an aggregate score of 11-1.
I've watched a lot of their games, but the one that stands out is the tie against Athletico Madrid. While Athletico were missing a few players, what Barcelona did to them was just catastrophic. The Catalan giants were 3-0 up after seven -- yes, seven -- minutes, and 5-1 up after twenty eight. It finished 6-1 in the end, but only because Barcelona didn't want to embarrass their opponents.
At the beginning of the season when Barcelona had lost and drawn their opening two fixtures, the ever excellent Sid Lowe (who will be in the pod today on Football Weekly) said that it's only a matter of time before Barcelona start clicking and beat someone 24-0. Well, they haven't quite managed 24, but they have won 6-1 (x2), 6-0, 5-0, 4-0, 4-1, and have generally looked unplayable.
While people are saying that Barcelona pose the biggest threat to another Champions League of Anglo domination, it seems more correct to say that the English teams pose the biggest threat to Barca domination. A slightly shakey defense still leaves a large question mark looming over their Champions League-winning credentials, but if they continue on this form in the new year and get past Lyon in the last 16 of the CL, then they will be the team that nobody (not even Liverpool) wants to draw.
Abu Dhabi Group
The comical tales of Messi and Kaka going to City aside, this takeover could well be the start of something very serious in world football. While Manchester City hover in and out of the relegation zone, the events of August 31 await their fulfillment in the January transfer window, and in the summer ahead. Nobody quite knows what's going to happen. Who will move to the Eastlands? Will players such as David Villa want to go? Or will City just end up buying the Shevchenko's of this world - former great players who are looking for a hefty retirement package?
There is talk of players like Bellamy, Defoe, and Parker moving to City, but if the Abu Dhabi group and Manchester City are serious about getting into the Champions League then they must overlook such third tier players. They need to look outside the Premier League for the players that they need, starting with Diego of Werder Bremen. A striker will most definitely be sought after, but Defoe and Bellamy don't represent good options. City should be looking to play a 4-2-3-1 formation (all the cool kids are using it these days), and I don't think such a formation will suit Defoe, and if Bellamy wasn't good enough for a bad Liverpool team then he shouldn't be good enough for a side looking to eventually break into the top 4. He's a mid-table player, nothing less and nothing more.
By signing Robinho, City have set the standard pretty high. I had my doubts about him -- some of which remain -- but you can't deny that he is a first or second tier player; his wonder goal against Arsenal and his last minute strike against Blackburn prove as much. But he needs good company (no pun attended). Will the Abu Dhabi group be able purchase the required personnel? We await with baited breath.
Ireland's goal v Hull
While Robinho has been quite the success story for City this season, he has actually been eclipsed by a 22 year old Irishman in the form of Steven Ireland. The former Cobh Ramblers youngster has been nothing short of excellent so far this season, and if the award for player of the season was given out now, he might well be the favourite to pick it up.
He has had many great moments in a City shirt so far, a personal favourite of mine being his performace against Hull on Boxing Day when he scored one and assisted three, giving me 38 points in Fantasy Football since I had him as captain.
However, the moment that encapsulates his season so far is his second goal against Hull back in November. He controlled the ball outside the box, and as it landed to the ground he just guided it into the bottom corner on the half-volley. It was a Robinho-esque piece of magic, and yet it was produced by someone who can play for the Irish national team. Speaking of which, if Steven Ireland isn't in the next Irish squad then Trapattoni needs his large head examined. At the moment he's the best Irish player I've seen since Roy Keane, and if we are to acheive anything then Steven Ireland must be reinstated, no matter how many grannies he's killed off.
Fabregas v Milan
It was the second leg of the first Champions League knockout round. Milan had gotten a slightly fortuitous 0-0 draw at the Emirates, where Adebayor somehow managed to miss a header roughly 7 inches from the goal line. Most people thought Arsenal had blown their chance. The old dogs of Milan were said to be too wily to let this youthful Arsenal side get the result they needed on Italian soil. Cesc Fabregas and co. proved most people very wrong.
It was a team effort of course, with even Philip Senderos playing well for a change. But it was the little Spaniard that ran the show from beginning to end. His tackling was tenacious, his workrate second to none, and everything we've come to expect from Fabregas -- his impeccable decision making, his precise passing, his ability to control the tempo of a game -- was on song. He had been quite laboured in the weeks that led up to this game, and quite laboured afterwards as well, but in these 90 minutes he was the complete midfielder, showing the once imperious Pirlo how it's now done.
Discovering Football Weekly
I can't quite remember when exactly I discovered Football Weekly, but I know it was some time in 2008, so that's good enough for it to make the list. I've championed this podcast on the blog already, but I have no problem doing so again.
To put it plainly, my football experience is not complete until I hear the opinions of "the pod" on Monday afternoon and Thursday evening. For anyone who says that football is their favourite sport, Football Weekly is practically required listening. If you haven't yet discovered the joy of it, then do so as soon as possible. There will be a new podcast up on Monday the 29th. I strongly encourage you to listen to it.
Arsenal v Liverpool
Another Arsenal related moment. This time the Gunners were faced with a tricky tie against Liverpool at Anfield (Liverpool in the Champions League and all that jazz) after coming out of the first leg at the Emirates with an unjust 1-1 draw (it should really have been 2-1, with Bendtner blocking a goal bound effort from Fabregas, and the referee denying Hleb a stone wall penalty after the Belarusian had danced his way into the box with his patented nimble footwork). Arsenal had to score at Anfield, and boy did they do just that and then some.
They completely dominated for 30 minutes, playing some of the best football of the season. The goal came from a neatly worked move, and at that point it almost looked like it was just a question of how many Arsenal would score. But then the Senderos factor kicked in. Having completley lost one of the most dangerous aerial threats of the last 10 years in the form of Sami Hyypia at a corner, Senderos then went on to give about 3 yards of space in the box to one of the most potent finishers in the Premier League, and Torres accepted the gift by guiding the ball into the top corner.
The game seemed to just drift away from Arsenal, until Theo Walcott produced a moment of unbelievable brilliance. Never did I think him capable of such things, but he proved me and a host of other people very wrong. It was just incredible to watch, and a moment worthy of winning any tie. Unfortunately for Walcott and Arsenal, it wasn't sufficient to win this tie. In keeping with their season, Arsenal managed to overshadow their attacking prowess by switching off mentality, and allowing Liverpool to go straight back up the field and win a (soft) penalty. A fourth Liverpool goal followed, and Arsenal's Champions League dream was shattered.
Still though, this was easily the game of the season for me, and one that will live long in the memory. If I did have an order to this list, this game would probably be at the top.
Terry Penalty
England's lion heart. England's war hero. Chelsea's rock, their heartbeat, their captain fantastic. John Terry has received all sorts of praise over the years, but in my opinion he has been vastly overrated. He is a good defender, but he's not even the best at his own club. That honour goes to Ricardo Carvalho, and it seems that it is the Portuguese defender's absence which is alerting people to this fact ironically enough.
Terry's missed penalty has of course nothing to do with his defensive capabilities, but you can forgive me for taking a certain amount of pleasure from seeing him completely fluff the chance to win Chelsea that much coveted Champions League trophy. Why he was the designated fifth penalty taker I do not know. The nasty part of me thinks that he just wanted the chance to be a hero, and selfishly decided to step up to the plate rather than letting someone with actual penalty taking abilities to the job. But then maybe no one else wanted the pressure, so JT took it upon himself when all else cowered at the chance.
Either way, he missed, and at that point you just knew who was going to go on and lift the trophy. The only disappointment was that had he scored the penalty, then Ronaldo would have been to blame for United's loss, and on a schadenfreude measuring device, I don't think anything could top that.
Messi v Ronaldo
When Man United and Barcelona were pitted against each other in the semi final of the Champions League, football fans' collective mouth began to water. The games themselves didn't quite work out as people thought they might. They were supposed to be end-to-end affairs, feasts of attacking football, but instead they were slightly cagey, with Barcelona having most of the ball and United defending superbly.
However, the subplot in this tie was equally intriguing. This was billed as 'Ronaldo vs Messi', the battle to see who really is the best player in the world. Of course all of this was sheer hype, and the best player in the world was never going to be decided during the course of two games. But that didn't stop people from getting worked up, with many probably seeing this as the chance for Ronaldo to show that he is the superior footballing specimen.
Well, he did nothing of the sort. If this was indeed Ronaldo vs Messi, then there was only one clear winner, and it wasn't the player who plucks his eye brows. Messi had been out for a month or so before the two games, but he was a constant thorn in United's side over both legs, producing some vintage 'Messi' moments along the way, some of which you can see here. There was a priceless piece of play in the first leg when Messi faced Ronaldo with the ball, waited for the pristinely groomed playboy to make a tackle, and just jinked by him in the blink of an eye. It served as a microcosm of the duo's battle.
The good news is that finally, after many, many months of hearing about Ronaldo's status as best in the world, people have woken up to the fact that the Camp Nou is the home of the world's best football player. The irony is that this realization was only cemented in popular belief around the time Ronaldo picked up the Ballon D'Or. That must really hurt the winker's ego..No wonder he's lashing out at everyone in sight.
Spain
It's very rare these days that the team who play the best football win a major trophy at international level. Since France's victory at Euro 2000, there hasn't really been a team worthy to be considered the best in the world/Europe. In 2002, Brazil won what was a distinctly average World Cup, 2004 saw a resolute but technically limited Greece side lift the European Cup, and the same can be said about the victorious Italian side of 2006, who were excellent in defense but quite laboured in the final third of the pitch. In each of these tournaments the quality was subpar, and only the Argentine team of '06 sticks out as being truly world class.
Euro 2008 broke the curse of dodgy international football, and it saw Spain break their long lived curse of being supreme under achievers. In truth, I think Spain have been vastly overrated in previous tournaments. Players like Etxeberria, Albelda, Baraja, Luque and Joaquin were getting games in 2004, but they were not really good enough to ever win anything. Compare them with Xavi, Iniesta, Senna, Villa and Fabregas and it is clear that the Spain team of 2008 really was a much better team than those of previous years. This was a team with genuine talent, a team that could have been justifiably branded as having under achieved by getting knocked out in the quarter finals.
However, this was to be their year, and never has a team so richly deserved to lift a trophy. They played the best football in a tournament full of good football, and I don't think there is any football fan who would begrudge them their victory. The defining moment of their tournament has to be the win over Italy in the quarter finals. This would usually have been the point for Spain to exit stage left, and having outplayed the Italian's for 120 minutes it seemed all set up for Italy to snatch victory courtesy of a penalty shootout. However, Fabregas was given the chance to exorcise a host of demons, and the former Barcelona prodigy made no mistake, cooly slotting the ball past one of the best goalkeepers ever to grace the sport.
This monumental win lifted the heavy burden off of Spanish shoulders, and they went on to dispatch Russia by playing their best football of the tournament, and ended proceedings by completely outclassing Germany in the final.
Euro 2008 was not only a victory for Spain though - it serves as a victory for football in general. The Spanish team didn't contain any immense physical specimens like Drogba or Cristiano Ronaldo. This was a victory for brain over braun. A victory for intelligence over physicality. Spain showed that playing football the way it should be played, the way that makes it the beautiful game, is the best way to win things. They have set the bar when it comes to international football, and given the relative youth of the side, it could be a while before they are knocked off their perch.
Barcelona v Athletico
There is no doubt as to which is the best club team at this moment in time, despite what the Fifa Club World Cup (or whatever it is called) might tell you. Barcelona have won 13 of 16 league games, scoring 48 goals and conceding only 10. If they were in the Premier League, they'd be third, 4 points behind Liverpool and 1 behind Chelsea, with four games in hand. As it is, they are first in La Liga, a massive 10 points clear of their nearest 'rivals' - hardly surprising given that they are averaging 3 goals a game, and have just beaten four of the best teams in Spain by an aggregate score of 11-1.
I've watched a lot of their games, but the one that stands out is the tie against Athletico Madrid. While Athletico were missing a few players, what Barcelona did to them was just catastrophic. The Catalan giants were 3-0 up after seven -- yes, seven -- minutes, and 5-1 up after twenty eight. It finished 6-1 in the end, but only because Barcelona didn't want to embarrass their opponents.
At the beginning of the season when Barcelona had lost and drawn their opening two fixtures, the ever excellent Sid Lowe (who will be in the pod today on Football Weekly) said that it's only a matter of time before Barcelona start clicking and beat someone 24-0. Well, they haven't quite managed 24, but they have won 6-1 (x2), 6-0, 5-0, 4-0, 4-1, and have generally looked unplayable.
While people are saying that Barcelona pose the biggest threat to another Champions League of Anglo domination, it seems more correct to say that the English teams pose the biggest threat to Barca domination. A slightly shakey defense still leaves a large question mark looming over their Champions League-winning credentials, but if they continue on this form in the new year and get past Lyon in the last 16 of the CL, then they will be the team that nobody (not even Liverpool) wants to draw.
Abu Dhabi Group
The comical tales of Messi and Kaka going to City aside, this takeover could well be the start of something very serious in world football. While Manchester City hover in and out of the relegation zone, the events of August 31 await their fulfillment in the January transfer window, and in the summer ahead. Nobody quite knows what's going to happen. Who will move to the Eastlands? Will players such as David Villa want to go? Or will City just end up buying the Shevchenko's of this world - former great players who are looking for a hefty retirement package?
There is talk of players like Bellamy, Defoe, and Parker moving to City, but if the Abu Dhabi group and Manchester City are serious about getting into the Champions League then they must overlook such third tier players. They need to look outside the Premier League for the players that they need, starting with Diego of Werder Bremen. A striker will most definitely be sought after, but Defoe and Bellamy don't represent good options. City should be looking to play a 4-2-3-1 formation (all the cool kids are using it these days), and I don't think such a formation will suit Defoe, and if Bellamy wasn't good enough for a bad Liverpool team then he shouldn't be good enough for a side looking to eventually break into the top 4. He's a mid-table player, nothing less and nothing more.
By signing Robinho, City have set the standard pretty high. I had my doubts about him -- some of which remain -- but you can't deny that he is a first or second tier player; his wonder goal against Arsenal and his last minute strike against Blackburn prove as much. But he needs good company (no pun attended). Will the Abu Dhabi group be able purchase the required personnel? We await with baited breath.
Ireland's goal v Hull
While Robinho has been quite the success story for City this season, he has actually been eclipsed by a 22 year old Irishman in the form of Steven Ireland. The former Cobh Ramblers youngster has been nothing short of excellent so far this season, and if the award for player of the season was given out now, he might well be the favourite to pick it up.
He has had many great moments in a City shirt so far, a personal favourite of mine being his performace against Hull on Boxing Day when he scored one and assisted three, giving me 38 points in Fantasy Football since I had him as captain.
However, the moment that encapsulates his season so far is his second goal against Hull back in November. He controlled the ball outside the box, and as it landed to the ground he just guided it into the bottom corner on the half-volley. It was a Robinho-esque piece of magic, and yet it was produced by someone who can play for the Irish national team. Speaking of which, if Steven Ireland isn't in the next Irish squad then Trapattoni needs his large head examined. At the moment he's the best Irish player I've seen since Roy Keane, and if we are to acheive anything then Steven Ireland must be reinstated, no matter how many grannies he's killed off.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Robin Good
Nothing much in the way of new insights can be gained from the Arsenal v Liverpool clash on Sunday. Liverpool won't win the league, and neither will Arsenal.
However, the game did produce two very good goals. Robbie Keane's first time strike following Agger's 'Hail Mary' was exceptional, especially given the fact that it was produced by a striker so short of confidence that his manager would rather bank on a pretty poor defensive midfielder finding the net than him (which is really just rubbing salt into a gaping wound). In most other games, Keane's goal would be easily the pick of the bunch. But not in this game.
Robin van Persie's goal was just riddled with class. Agger's punt required good movement from Keane, and a precise finish. However, Nasri's pinpoint pass required of van Persie exquisite close control, quick thinking, nimble footwork, and both his left and his right foot (the latter of which seems to have improved remarkebly, what with him scoring at least 3 very good goals with it this season...although maybe it has always been good, and I just never noticed[?]).
There really is no teaching what Van Persie did on Sunday. Many strikers could produce Keane's finish every once in a while, but very few could ever even think of doing what van Persie did, let alone do it. I don't want to sound like I'm going way over the top here, but this goal is honestly the greatest goal ever scored, and it was scored by the best player ever to grace a football field.
OK so neither of those stataments are even remotely true, but this is a special goal nonetheless, and van Persie is a special talent. He's not yet consistent enough to be considered one of the best around, but as I wrote before, he's getting there, and he's getting there quite quickly. Don't be surprised if he's snapped up by a club that actually plan on winning things come summer time*.
* Although given the latest rumours to surface regarding the transfer window, it seems as if Arsene Wenger may be dusting off the Arsenal FC wallet and going against every fibre of his being by making a big signing and thus aiming to win a trophy. Arshavin perhaps? Or Tevez? I'd be incredibly surprised if either of those go through, but it would certainly be a step in the right direction...although I'm not convinced they need Tevez. They do need a creative spark to fill the void left by Hleb though. As I've said in a previous post, he was the biggest loss during the summer, and his departure is the main reason for why Arsenal just aren't as aesthetically pleasing any more. Shooting and goalscoring and all that unimportant stuff may not have been his specialty, but by God he could dribble.
However, the game did produce two very good goals. Robbie Keane's first time strike following Agger's 'Hail Mary' was exceptional, especially given the fact that it was produced by a striker so short of confidence that his manager would rather bank on a pretty poor defensive midfielder finding the net than him (which is really just rubbing salt into a gaping wound). In most other games, Keane's goal would be easily the pick of the bunch. But not in this game.
Robin van Persie's goal was just riddled with class. Agger's punt required good movement from Keane, and a precise finish. However, Nasri's pinpoint pass required of van Persie exquisite close control, quick thinking, nimble footwork, and both his left and his right foot (the latter of which seems to have improved remarkebly, what with him scoring at least 3 very good goals with it this season...although maybe it has always been good, and I just never noticed[?]).
There really is no teaching what Van Persie did on Sunday. Many strikers could produce Keane's finish every once in a while, but very few could ever even think of doing what van Persie did, let alone do it. I don't want to sound like I'm going way over the top here, but this goal is honestly the greatest goal ever scored, and it was scored by the best player ever to grace a football field.
OK so neither of those stataments are even remotely true, but this is a special goal nonetheless, and van Persie is a special talent. He's not yet consistent enough to be considered one of the best around, but as I wrote before, he's getting there, and he's getting there quite quickly. Don't be surprised if he's snapped up by a club that actually plan on winning things come summer time*.
* Although given the latest rumours to surface regarding the transfer window, it seems as if Arsene Wenger may be dusting off the Arsenal FC wallet and going against every fibre of his being by making a big signing and thus aiming to win a trophy. Arshavin perhaps? Or Tevez? I'd be incredibly surprised if either of those go through, but it would certainly be a step in the right direction...although I'm not convinced they need Tevez. They do need a creative spark to fill the void left by Hleb though. As I've said in a previous post, he was the biggest loss during the summer, and his departure is the main reason for why Arsenal just aren't as aesthetically pleasing any more. Shooting and goalscoring and all that unimportant stuff may not have been his specialty, but by God he could dribble.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Maths Can Be Fun...Kind Of
You'd think that topping the group would be the priority in the Champions League, right? Well, thanks to some less than scientific analysis, I've reasoned that it's actually in Arsenal's interest to come second (and hence United's too), which is quite possibly why Wenger has his kids playing tonight.
I've taken all of the group winners and runners up, and given them a number based on their position in their respective leagues. Of course it required some guess work as to who is going to finish where tonight, but I think my assumptions are fairly accurate. Here's how I think it will pan out (excl. Arsenal, Porto, and the teams Arsenal can't draw):
Group Winners
Roma = 13
Barcelona = 1
Panathenikos = 3
Lyon = 1
Juventus = 2
Runners-Up
Inter = 1
Sporting = 3
Athletico Madrid = 6
Villarreal = 2
Bayern Munich = 2
Real Madrid = 5
Simply put, the group of teams that has the lowest average score is the one you want to avoid, right?
Well, based on who Arsenal can meet in the next round, the group winners have a total of 20. Divide that by 5 and you get an average of 4. The runners-up have a total of 19, so divide that by 6 and you get 3.166. Therefore it's better for Arsenal to finish 2nd. It's a deeply flawed system I know, but I think it's actually pretty accurate. I mean you can pretty much tell it's right based on just looking at the two lists.
However, should Man Utd be aware of this, then it's actually in their interest to finish where Arsenal finish. Since they can't draw the Gunners in the next round regardless, they're much better off giving themselves the chance to draw Porto.
For Arsenal, they're better off finishing second no matter where Utd finish.
The argument that Roma adding 13 points to the group winners total is an aberration is fair one, but I think that's mainly balanced out by the fact that Panathenikos are a dream ticket, and Lyon play in the French League, and they've yet to cause the big boys any trouble in past tournaments.
The more I've written, the more I've become aware that this make very little sense, but the bottom line is that Arsenal, and consequently Man Utd, should finish second. And for the neutral, that would mean a 50% chance of seeing Barcelona play one of the English teams in the next round. Wouldn't that be exciting? As dull as the group stages have been at times, I think we're in for a cracking knock-out stage, and I can't wait until the draw takes place on Friday week.
I've taken all of the group winners and runners up, and given them a number based on their position in their respective leagues. Of course it required some guess work as to who is going to finish where tonight, but I think my assumptions are fairly accurate. Here's how I think it will pan out (excl. Arsenal, Porto, and the teams Arsenal can't draw):
Group Winners
Roma = 13
Barcelona = 1
Panathenikos = 3
Lyon = 1
Juventus = 2
Runners-Up
Inter = 1
Sporting = 3
Athletico Madrid = 6
Villarreal = 2
Bayern Munich = 2
Real Madrid = 5
Simply put, the group of teams that has the lowest average score is the one you want to avoid, right?
Well, based on who Arsenal can meet in the next round, the group winners have a total of 20. Divide that by 5 and you get an average of 4. The runners-up have a total of 19, so divide that by 6 and you get 3.166. Therefore it's better for Arsenal to finish 2nd. It's a deeply flawed system I know, but I think it's actually pretty accurate. I mean you can pretty much tell it's right based on just looking at the two lists.
However, should Man Utd be aware of this, then it's actually in their interest to finish where Arsenal finish. Since they can't draw the Gunners in the next round regardless, they're much better off giving themselves the chance to draw Porto.
For Arsenal, they're better off finishing second no matter where Utd finish.
The argument that Roma adding 13 points to the group winners total is an aberration is fair one, but I think that's mainly balanced out by the fact that Panathenikos are a dream ticket, and Lyon play in the French League, and they've yet to cause the big boys any trouble in past tournaments.
The more I've written, the more I've become aware that this make very little sense, but the bottom line is that Arsenal, and consequently Man Utd, should finish second. And for the neutral, that would mean a 50% chance of seeing Barcelona play one of the English teams in the next round. Wouldn't that be exciting? As dull as the group stages have been at times, I think we're in for a cracking knock-out stage, and I can't wait until the draw takes place on Friday week.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Mixed Bag
Having posted about the decline of Arsenal right before they beat Man Utd in a thrilling contest I felt a bit silly. I was going to write another post saying I've got it all wrong, but I honestly didn't believe that. This weekend proved to me that the Man Utd game was not the rule but the exception to the rule - the rule being that Arsenal are indeed going backwards. Big four clashes involving Arsenal will still be pivotal with regards the title race, but they will only be pivotal for Arsenal's opponents. The Gunners will be doing well to hang on to fourth spot, but it may not be well enough to keep hold of their stars. Third wasn't last season, so there's no reason to believe fourth will be this time around.
In other news, it's good that Del Piero was given a few more lessons by Cristiano Ronaldo on how to take free kicks. The last hundred or so that crashed into the wall probably didn't do Alessandro much good (though he may well have learned that it's probably not the best idea to shoot at goal from virtually any position in your opponents half. Just at thought Cristiano). In case you didn't know, according to Sky Sports it was Ronaldo who taught Del Piero how to take a direct free kick, and I can only imagine that it won't be long before we hear that it was also Ronaldo who taught Oliver Bierhoff how to head the ball and Diego Maradona how to dribble.
While Ronaldo's free kicks were OK (although when you see the 99 that he misses you realise it's just mostly pot luck when they go in), you'll be doing well to find a better worked free kick scored over the weekend than this gem by Xavi/Messi/Everyone on the Barca team besides Valdez. Just watch it a few times and you'll see the meticulous set up no doubt conjured up by Pep. It's not rocket science of course, but it was the x factor that Barca needed in order to secure a valuable three points.
In other news, it's good that Del Piero was given a few more lessons by Cristiano Ronaldo on how to take free kicks. The last hundred or so that crashed into the wall probably didn't do Alessandro much good (though he may well have learned that it's probably not the best idea to shoot at goal from virtually any position in your opponents half. Just at thought Cristiano). In case you didn't know, according to Sky Sports it was Ronaldo who taught Del Piero how to take a direct free kick, and I can only imagine that it won't be long before we hear that it was also Ronaldo who taught Oliver Bierhoff how to head the ball and Diego Maradona how to dribble.
While Ronaldo's free kicks were OK (although when you see the 99 that he misses you realise it's just mostly pot luck when they go in), you'll be doing well to find a better worked free kick scored over the weekend than this gem by Xavi/Messi/Everyone on the Barca team besides Valdez. Just watch it a few times and you'll see the meticulous set up no doubt conjured up by Pep. It's not rocket science of course, but it was the x factor that Barca needed in order to secure a valuable three points.
A Premier League handicap table consisting of Robbie Keane, Cristiano Ronaldo and Frank Lampard? Not sure about Keano, but the rest seems about right. Well done Paddy Power for telling it like it is.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Paradise Lost
As even a half-hearted reader of this blog would know, Arsenal are my main topic of choice. I'm not an Arsenal supporter, nor have I ever claimed to be. To be honest the only team I'd come close to supporting is Barcelona, but that's just because 4 of their players are amongst my favourite playing the game at the moment (Messi, Xavi, Iniesta and Hleb). Were these players to move on, then my interest in Barcelona football club would wain considerably.
None of this is to say that I'm not a fan of Arsenal. Ask me who I want to see win the league, and I'd say the Gunners without hesitation. However, that probably has more to do with my not liking the other 3 viable contenders than anything else. However, as I've said before, I sincerely don't think that Arsenal have a chance of winning the Premier League this season. What I haven't said is that this saddens me, and I truly mean that.
Rewind to just over a year ago. Arsenal were playing some of the best football the world had ever seen, and this is no exaggeration. "Perfect football" is what Clive Tyldesley called it on one occasion, and in some sense that is exactly what it was. Wenger had his team playing football the way it should be played, and it was a thing of beauty to behold. Many people, myself included, were enamored by this young, vibrant Arsenal side who were not only easy on the eye, but who actually won too. Even John Giles and Eamonn Dunphy (two notoriously hard to please stuck-in-the-muds) almost admitted to being supporters of Arsenal, so in love with their brand of football they became. Neutrals were powerless to resist their charms (that's Arsenal's, not Giles' or Dunphy's), and the really scary thing was that one could only see them improving.
After a slight dip in form during the Christmas period Arsenal got back on track, when all of a sudden things started unravellings at the seams. Many will cite the 2-2 draw with Birmingham as the turning point, and it's hard to argue with that. However, for me the wheels came off a week before that. Arsenal were pitted against United in a mouth-watering F.A. Cup clash, but failed to turn up. Or more accurately, decided not to turn up. A weakened Arsenal team was trounced 4-0 by the Red Devils, but it was the manner of the defeat that for me sparked the series of events that would unfold. Arsenal approached the game against Man Utd as inferiors, and in my opinion they decided not to try because at least then they would have an excuse for losing. Such a mentality is not to be found in a winning team, but Arsenal showed all the signs of fragility in their non performance in that game, and such fragility characterised many of their remaining games. In the space of something like 5 games, they went from having a chance to go 8 points in front at the top to going about 5 or 6 points behind, and that, as they say, was that.
However, amidst the doom and gloom, the signs were still there that they had the makings of something really special, provided they made a couple of astute additions over the summer. Though wrecked from a physically and emotionally draining season, they still managed to outplayed all three of their main title competitors in various games in the run in, but conspired to lose all three thanks to a combination of being completely knackered and being defensively naive. Their sublime season had nothing to show for it in the trophy cabinet, but surely some silverware was imminent. Some players to fix the defensive problems coupled with the experiences of a hard fought season would surely be enough to propel this Arsenal team to the next level, provided the hunger was still there.
The summer came and the summer went, but Arsenal's problems were only worsened if anything. They lost two of their star performers from the previous season - Hleb and Flamini - who went on to join Barcelona and Milan respectively. Flamini was seen as the bigger loss, but I would tend to disagree. Though Hleb was a woeful goalscorer and shooter in general, it was his influence that really gelled the Arsenal team together as an attacking threat. After all, scoring goals was not Arsenal's problem, therefore it didn't really matter that Hleb did not contribute directly, because he certainly contributed indirectly. His movement, his dribbling, and his passing were all of the highest quality, leading him to constantly pick holes in defenses for the likes of Adebayor and Fabregas to exploit. He was a massive contributor to Arsenal's beautiful football, and though Nasri has potential to fill the void left by him, there was and is a uniqueness to Hleb's giftings that can never really be replaced.
On the other hand, Flamini was your typical defensive midfielder, and easily replaceable in my opinion. However, Wenger decided not to replace him, and has indeed suffered the consequences for this obvious mistake. However, more than Arsenal losing two players, it seems to me from various interviews and such that Fabregas lost two friends. I know this sounds silly and girly, but I honestly think these transfers have really affected the young Spaniard. You could see from Arsenal last season that there was a real togetherness about them, and by all accounts Hleb, Flamini and Fabregas were good friends as well as teammates. To see Flamini and Hleb walk out must have been tough on Cesc, and you can honestly see that in the way he's playing this season. I'm not trying to make excuses for his poor form, but we have to be human about this and understand that such things have effects on people, especially people of such a young age. Fabregas went from having a few older people to look up to and learn from to being the oldest person in the midfield...at 21 years of age. This I find ridiculous, and if interviews are to be believed, then so does Cesc. For Wenger to put him in this position is irresponsible. It's costing Arsenal dearly at the moment, and could eventually cost him one of the most talented players to ever play the game.
To see Arsenal in this position is a real footballing tragedy given what happened last year. From being in a position of almost football perfection, they've lost to Fulham, Hull, and Stoke, and in all likelihood will suffer another crushing loss tomorrow. I don't believe that anyone at the club truly thinks that they can win the league this year, and this I feel is affecting their performances. While they've put on a few great displays, the majority have been patchy at best, if not utterly abject. the real problem is that all of this is only serving to open the door for Fabregas to move on, and when this happens, that's the end of Arsenal Football Club as we know it. What promised so much a year ago will have delivered so little. Their potential will be sold on to bigger clubs who have the resources to seriously challenge for trophies. Their "perfect football" will become a myth, a spook story that Arsenal supporters tell their disbelieving kids about at night time.
Of course one player does not make a team, and Arsenal will not go down the drain because of one loss. Viera left, Henry left, and still they have survived. However, they have yet to thrive without these two talismen, and the loss of a third can only be a massive setback, one that even a genius such as Arsene Wenger would do well to recover from.
None of this is to say that I'm not a fan of Arsenal. Ask me who I want to see win the league, and I'd say the Gunners without hesitation. However, that probably has more to do with my not liking the other 3 viable contenders than anything else. However, as I've said before, I sincerely don't think that Arsenal have a chance of winning the Premier League this season. What I haven't said is that this saddens me, and I truly mean that.
Rewind to just over a year ago. Arsenal were playing some of the best football the world had ever seen, and this is no exaggeration. "Perfect football" is what Clive Tyldesley called it on one occasion, and in some sense that is exactly what it was. Wenger had his team playing football the way it should be played, and it was a thing of beauty to behold. Many people, myself included, were enamored by this young, vibrant Arsenal side who were not only easy on the eye, but who actually won too. Even John Giles and Eamonn Dunphy (two notoriously hard to please stuck-in-the-muds) almost admitted to being supporters of Arsenal, so in love with their brand of football they became. Neutrals were powerless to resist their charms (that's Arsenal's, not Giles' or Dunphy's), and the really scary thing was that one could only see them improving.
After a slight dip in form during the Christmas period Arsenal got back on track, when all of a sudden things started unravellings at the seams. Many will cite the 2-2 draw with Birmingham as the turning point, and it's hard to argue with that. However, for me the wheels came off a week before that. Arsenal were pitted against United in a mouth-watering F.A. Cup clash, but failed to turn up. Or more accurately, decided not to turn up. A weakened Arsenal team was trounced 4-0 by the Red Devils, but it was the manner of the defeat that for me sparked the series of events that would unfold. Arsenal approached the game against Man Utd as inferiors, and in my opinion they decided not to try because at least then they would have an excuse for losing. Such a mentality is not to be found in a winning team, but Arsenal showed all the signs of fragility in their non performance in that game, and such fragility characterised many of their remaining games. In the space of something like 5 games, they went from having a chance to go 8 points in front at the top to going about 5 or 6 points behind, and that, as they say, was that.
However, amidst the doom and gloom, the signs were still there that they had the makings of something really special, provided they made a couple of astute additions over the summer. Though wrecked from a physically and emotionally draining season, they still managed to outplayed all three of their main title competitors in various games in the run in, but conspired to lose all three thanks to a combination of being completely knackered and being defensively naive. Their sublime season had nothing to show for it in the trophy cabinet, but surely some silverware was imminent. Some players to fix the defensive problems coupled with the experiences of a hard fought season would surely be enough to propel this Arsenal team to the next level, provided the hunger was still there.
The summer came and the summer went, but Arsenal's problems were only worsened if anything. They lost two of their star performers from the previous season - Hleb and Flamini - who went on to join Barcelona and Milan respectively. Flamini was seen as the bigger loss, but I would tend to disagree. Though Hleb was a woeful goalscorer and shooter in general, it was his influence that really gelled the Arsenal team together as an attacking threat. After all, scoring goals was not Arsenal's problem, therefore it didn't really matter that Hleb did not contribute directly, because he certainly contributed indirectly. His movement, his dribbling, and his passing were all of the highest quality, leading him to constantly pick holes in defenses for the likes of Adebayor and Fabregas to exploit. He was a massive contributor to Arsenal's beautiful football, and though Nasri has potential to fill the void left by him, there was and is a uniqueness to Hleb's giftings that can never really be replaced.
On the other hand, Flamini was your typical defensive midfielder, and easily replaceable in my opinion. However, Wenger decided not to replace him, and has indeed suffered the consequences for this obvious mistake. However, more than Arsenal losing two players, it seems to me from various interviews and such that Fabregas lost two friends. I know this sounds silly and girly, but I honestly think these transfers have really affected the young Spaniard. You could see from Arsenal last season that there was a real togetherness about them, and by all accounts Hleb, Flamini and Fabregas were good friends as well as teammates. To see Flamini and Hleb walk out must have been tough on Cesc, and you can honestly see that in the way he's playing this season. I'm not trying to make excuses for his poor form, but we have to be human about this and understand that such things have effects on people, especially people of such a young age. Fabregas went from having a few older people to look up to and learn from to being the oldest person in the midfield...at 21 years of age. This I find ridiculous, and if interviews are to be believed, then so does Cesc. For Wenger to put him in this position is irresponsible. It's costing Arsenal dearly at the moment, and could eventually cost him one of the most talented players to ever play the game.
To see Arsenal in this position is a real footballing tragedy given what happened last year. From being in a position of almost football perfection, they've lost to Fulham, Hull, and Stoke, and in all likelihood will suffer another crushing loss tomorrow. I don't believe that anyone at the club truly thinks that they can win the league this year, and this I feel is affecting their performances. While they've put on a few great displays, the majority have been patchy at best, if not utterly abject. the real problem is that all of this is only serving to open the door for Fabregas to move on, and when this happens, that's the end of Arsenal Football Club as we know it. What promised so much a year ago will have delivered so little. Their potential will be sold on to bigger clubs who have the resources to seriously challenge for trophies. Their "perfect football" will become a myth, a spook story that Arsenal supporters tell their disbelieving kids about at night time.
Of course one player does not make a team, and Arsenal will not go down the drain because of one loss. Viera left, Henry left, and still they have survived. However, they have yet to thrive without these two talismen, and the loss of a third can only be a massive setback, one that even a genius such as Arsene Wenger would do well to recover from.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Same Old Same Old
Is it just me, or do you see a waltz going on here?On Saturday evening, we got to see the Walcott and Eboue that we're used to seeing. No more of this end product nonsense that has become of them lately. It was a welcome return to good old fashioned wastefulness. Granted Walcott set up the goal (although annoying in terms of Fantasy Football, the assist went to Adebayor, who more got in the way of the ball than passed it), but He should have done so much more with the good possession he got.
Fabregas had yet another less than convincing game, but he delivered two exquisite balls into the path of Walcott, only for the young whippet to either miscontrol the ball or choose the wrong option. Eboue, facing one of the leagues worst defenders, managed to do sod all in the entire match. I mean if you can't give Paul McShane much trouble, who can you give trouble to?
By the last half an hour of the game, Arsenal had to resort to crossing the ball into the box time and time again. With only Adebayor acting as a real arial threat, this was not the way for Arsenal to get back into the game. In fact it rarely ever is.
This wasn't quite down there with the performance against Fulham, but in some ways it was worse, because this was a game Arsenal should have won comfortably. Of all the teams in the big 4, Arsenal need to pick up as much points as possible from everyone outside the big 4, because I think they will struggle to get much from their clashes against United, Chelsea and Liverpool.
I expect Wenger to make some changes up front, possibly bringing in Vela instead of Walcott, and maybe introducing Nasri if he be fit. Both these switches would significantly improve the Arsenal first team in my opinion, and despite their good starts, I think the less Arsenal fans see of Walcott and Eboue the better. Walcott will always be a threat, but I think the bench is actually where he is most threatening for now. Bring him on after 60 or 70 minutes and he will run tired defenders ragged. The bench is also where Eboue is most threatening to the opposition, provided you don't bring him on at all.
This may sound like a knee-jerk reaction to an overall profligate performance, but out of 6 league games, Arsenal half been abject in 2 of them. With their kind fixture list, Arsenal should really be on maybe 16 points, if not the full 18. To make amends, the Gunners will need to first of all beat Porto (which I think they will do quite comfortably, though I only say that as a pure hunch), and also do better than expected against the big 4 in later games. In order to do these things however, decent players need to be replaced with better ones. Vela is of course unproven in the league, but he needs to be given minutes to show what he's capable of. And Nasri needs to stop getting injured, because he's without doubt Arsenal's most accomplished winger that isn't suffering from a long term injury (see Rosicky).
I'd like to say well done to Hull, but when you admit that your game plan is to get half a dozen corners and free kicks, I find it hard to applaud that style. Still though, a win is a win, so who am I to judge a team for doing so by whatever means necessary? Well, I'm a person who likes watching good football, that's who (I bet you thought that question was rhetorical, didn't you?).
Fabregas had yet another less than convincing game, but he delivered two exquisite balls into the path of Walcott, only for the young whippet to either miscontrol the ball or choose the wrong option. Eboue, facing one of the leagues worst defenders, managed to do sod all in the entire match. I mean if you can't give Paul McShane much trouble, who can you give trouble to?
By the last half an hour of the game, Arsenal had to resort to crossing the ball into the box time and time again. With only Adebayor acting as a real arial threat, this was not the way for Arsenal to get back into the game. In fact it rarely ever is.
This wasn't quite down there with the performance against Fulham, but in some ways it was worse, because this was a game Arsenal should have won comfortably. Of all the teams in the big 4, Arsenal need to pick up as much points as possible from everyone outside the big 4, because I think they will struggle to get much from their clashes against United, Chelsea and Liverpool.
I expect Wenger to make some changes up front, possibly bringing in Vela instead of Walcott, and maybe introducing Nasri if he be fit. Both these switches would significantly improve the Arsenal first team in my opinion, and despite their good starts, I think the less Arsenal fans see of Walcott and Eboue the better. Walcott will always be a threat, but I think the bench is actually where he is most threatening for now. Bring him on after 60 or 70 minutes and he will run tired defenders ragged. The bench is also where Eboue is most threatening to the opposition, provided you don't bring him on at all.
This may sound like a knee-jerk reaction to an overall profligate performance, but out of 6 league games, Arsenal half been abject in 2 of them. With their kind fixture list, Arsenal should really be on maybe 16 points, if not the full 18. To make amends, the Gunners will need to first of all beat Porto (which I think they will do quite comfortably, though I only say that as a pure hunch), and also do better than expected against the big 4 in later games. In order to do these things however, decent players need to be replaced with better ones. Vela is of course unproven in the league, but he needs to be given minutes to show what he's capable of. And Nasri needs to stop getting injured, because he's without doubt Arsenal's most accomplished winger that isn't suffering from a long term injury (see Rosicky).
I'd like to say well done to Hull, but when you admit that your game plan is to get half a dozen corners and free kicks, I find it hard to applaud that style. Still though, a win is a win, so who am I to judge a team for doing so by whatever means necessary? Well, I'm a person who likes watching good football, that's who (I bet you thought that question was rhetorical, didn't you?).
Friday, September 26, 2008
Will They, Won't They? (Part 2)
I breezed over some of the finer aspects of Arsenal's play yesterday, and some of the reasons to be cheerful if you're a Gooner. Now it's time for some doom and gloom. I said from the outset that I don't think Arsenal will win the league, and here are some of the reasons why:
While the state of Almunia's hair might be a bone of contention for some people, I think we can all agree that he is not the most reliable goalkeeper around today (though Cech and van der Saar are certainly doing their best to make him appear otherwise). I said yesterday that he makes very few long passes (which is good), but unfortunately he also makes very few saves (which is bad).
He did well against Bolton last week it must be said, but he's not a goalkeeper I would put much trust in. He just doesn't seem to have full command of his area, and he doesn't have the kind of personality that puts fear into the defenders in front of him, which I think is a really important part of being a good goalkeeper.
For me, I almost get the impression that Almunia is just some bum off the street who wandered into Highbury, started fiddling around with some goalkeeper gloves that were left unattended, and was then thrown into the squad due to some form of mix up, or maybe they needed him for a training exercise because they were a goalie short. Either way, he's been playing there ever since, he now finds himself as Arsenal's no. 1, and is paid in sandwiches and hair dye. A lovely story, but not very confidence-inspiring.
Arsenal other weakness in the back 5 is obvious when you look at the two goals they've conceded this season - both headers, one from a guy being marked by Gallas, the other from a guy being marked by Toure. Granted, the first header was scored by a player who stood at 7ft 9" at last count, and the other was scored by a player who only ever plays the game with his head (and by that I don't mean he plays the game intelligently. I mean he literally plays the game with his physical head and nothing else).
Even so, the Arsenal centre-back pairing are notoriously weak in the air, and this will continue to be a big problem for Arsenal, against good teams and bad teams alike. Arsenal might pass the ball better than you, but if you can get a few free-kicks, a few corner kicks, or in Stoke's case, a few throw-ins, you are in with a chance of getting a good result. Such a weakness is not to be found in the other three central defences that make up the 'big four', and such a weakness will, I think, cost Arsenal dearly once again.
I've mentioned the many positive aspects of Arsenal's midfield previously, but the one overwhelming negative is a lack of forcefulness and grit that's necessary if you're serious about winning things. Somebody in your midfield needs to be prepared to do all the donkey work, and I don't think Arsenal have that guy. Chelsea have Essien and Obi Mikel, United have Hargreaves and Fletcher, Liverpool have Mascherano, but Arsenal have Denilson [?]. They also have Song, whom I rate reasonably highly, but I don't see him being the answer.
The only way Arsenal can get by without a donkey is if they play exceptionally well in every game, and don't even give the other team a sniff. However, since such consistent form is virtually impossible, you can be sure their backs will be to the wall on a number of occasions, and without that midfield general present, they may just crumble.
To be honest, I don't even believe Flamini was the ideal candidate, but he was certainly better equiped than any of the potentials I've listed above. Wenger seems to have rested all his faith on the existing squad however, so Arsenal are going to have to make do with what they've got. And exciting as what they've got in midfield is, I just don't think it's sturdy enough to go the distance.
One final worrying trend on this note is that Fabregas has been forced to be 'the donkey' on a number of occasions this season, and this is clearly not what a player with his talent is there for. This is part of the reason why he hasn't contributed any goals or assists so far, and if it continues then Fabregas will suffer. And when Fabregas suffers, Arsenal suffer.
As an attacking force, the Gunners have very little to be concerned about, although I would still question their clinicalness [?]. Adebayor misses too many chances for my liking, and such profligacy cost Arsenal dearly in the run-in last season. Walcott and Eboue have shown similar tendencies, though both have improved as of late, so there is reason to be hopeful on that front.
Over all though, as much as I do love to watch Arsenal play when they're on song, a lack of steel through the middle will once again scupper their chances in my opinion, but then I'm hardly the first person to say that now, am I?
Many people will tell you that 'strength in depth' is where Arsenal fall down. This is a fallacy in my view, because I actually think Arsenal have a second-string team that could beat most lower half Premier League teams (Man Utd being an exception), and even some in the upper half. However, can their first team beat the likes of Chelsea and United when it matters? I remain sceptical.
While the state of Almunia's hair might be a bone of contention for some people, I think we can all agree that he is not the most reliable goalkeeper around today (though Cech and van der Saar are certainly doing their best to make him appear otherwise). I said yesterday that he makes very few long passes (which is good), but unfortunately he also makes very few saves (which is bad).
He did well against Bolton last week it must be said, but he's not a goalkeeper I would put much trust in. He just doesn't seem to have full command of his area, and he doesn't have the kind of personality that puts fear into the defenders in front of him, which I think is a really important part of being a good goalkeeper.
For me, I almost get the impression that Almunia is just some bum off the street who wandered into Highbury, started fiddling around with some goalkeeper gloves that were left unattended, and was then thrown into the squad due to some form of mix up, or maybe they needed him for a training exercise because they were a goalie short. Either way, he's been playing there ever since, he now finds himself as Arsenal's no. 1, and is paid in sandwiches and hair dye. A lovely story, but not very confidence-inspiring.
Arsenal other weakness in the back 5 is obvious when you look at the two goals they've conceded this season - both headers, one from a guy being marked by Gallas, the other from a guy being marked by Toure. Granted, the first header was scored by a player who stood at 7ft 9" at last count, and the other was scored by a player who only ever plays the game with his head (and by that I don't mean he plays the game intelligently. I mean he literally plays the game with his physical head and nothing else).
Even so, the Arsenal centre-back pairing are notoriously weak in the air, and this will continue to be a big problem for Arsenal, against good teams and bad teams alike. Arsenal might pass the ball better than you, but if you can get a few free-kicks, a few corner kicks, or in Stoke's case, a few throw-ins, you are in with a chance of getting a good result. Such a weakness is not to be found in the other three central defences that make up the 'big four', and such a weakness will, I think, cost Arsenal dearly once again.
I've mentioned the many positive aspects of Arsenal's midfield previously, but the one overwhelming negative is a lack of forcefulness and grit that's necessary if you're serious about winning things. Somebody in your midfield needs to be prepared to do all the donkey work, and I don't think Arsenal have that guy. Chelsea have Essien and Obi Mikel, United have Hargreaves and Fletcher, Liverpool have Mascherano, but Arsenal have Denilson [?]. They also have Song, whom I rate reasonably highly, but I don't see him being the answer.
The only way Arsenal can get by without a donkey is if they play exceptionally well in every game, and don't even give the other team a sniff. However, since such consistent form is virtually impossible, you can be sure their backs will be to the wall on a number of occasions, and without that midfield general present, they may just crumble.
To be honest, I don't even believe Flamini was the ideal candidate, but he was certainly better equiped than any of the potentials I've listed above. Wenger seems to have rested all his faith on the existing squad however, so Arsenal are going to have to make do with what they've got. And exciting as what they've got in midfield is, I just don't think it's sturdy enough to go the distance.
One final worrying trend on this note is that Fabregas has been forced to be 'the donkey' on a number of occasions this season, and this is clearly not what a player with his talent is there for. This is part of the reason why he hasn't contributed any goals or assists so far, and if it continues then Fabregas will suffer. And when Fabregas suffers, Arsenal suffer.
As an attacking force, the Gunners have very little to be concerned about, although I would still question their clinicalness [?]. Adebayor misses too many chances for my liking, and such profligacy cost Arsenal dearly in the run-in last season. Walcott and Eboue have shown similar tendencies, though both have improved as of late, so there is reason to be hopeful on that front.
Over all though, as much as I do love to watch Arsenal play when they're on song, a lack of steel through the middle will once again scupper their chances in my opinion, but then I'm hardly the first person to say that now, am I?
Many people will tell you that 'strength in depth' is where Arsenal fall down. This is a fallacy in my view, because I actually think Arsenal have a second-string team that could beat most lower half Premier League teams (Man Utd being an exception), and even some in the upper half. However, can their first team beat the likes of Chelsea and United when it matters? I remain sceptical.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Will They, Won't They? (Part 1)
Through a combination of Liverpool's result against Stoke (which effectively canceled out their win against Man Utd to some degree) and Chelsea's result against United, Arsenal are actually top of the Premier League table coming into this weekends set of fixtures. This little fact was nothing less than news to a certain football-loving cousin of mine just yesterday, and I imagine it has escaped the attention of a few others in the realm of Premier League fandom too.
The question is, will Arsenal be there in 8 months time? I would have my doubts.
Lets look at the positives first. Arsenal arguably the play the finest attacking football seen on English shores (that they do so with one or maybe no English players in some games is no small coincidence either). When the team is in full flight, they are simply irresistible, both to admire and to defend against. There are a few key factors to this:
First, their goalkeeper makes very few long passes. Almunia (who will of course be mentioned when I look at the negatives, with reference to both his ability and his hair) is always looking to feed the ball to one of the defensive players, or even Cesc Fabregas or one of the other midfielders. This willingness on Almunia's part is crucial to Arsenal's style of play, because it sets the tone for the rest of the team.
Essential for this to be effective is a backline that is comfortable with stroking the ball around. Arsenal have got just that in Gallas, Toure, Sagna and Clichy, which really is a crucial (and often overlooked) element of Arsenal's passing game. Could you imagine what would happen to Arsenal if they had players with the ball skills of Ugo Ehiogu playing at the back? The whole system would collapse, because the defense would inevitably resort to pumping long balls up to the strikers, or more accurately, just pumping long balls up to nowhere in particular (I'm sorry Ugo. You know I love you. You were just a really crap passer of a ball, that's all. Aw come on, don't be like that).
Also, in Sagna and Clichy, Arsenal possess what I consider to be the best full back pairing in the league, and possibly the world! Their pace, speed, and quickness are just three of several attributes I could list. Seriously though, they are certainly fast, but are also good defenders, they are both good crossers of the ball, and they generally use it very intelligently when in forward positions. Unlike, say, Ashley Cole, who really isn't very good in attacking situations, despite what people will tell you.
When it comes to midfield (and by 'midfield' I mean all four positions), I would not be speaking in hyperbole if I were to say that Arsenal enjoy the finest array of attacking threats of any team in England, and are second only to Barcelona if you include all the teams in Europe.
A fully fit Arsenal squad could boast a midfield consisting of the likes of Fabregas, Nasri, Walcott, Eboue, Rosicky, Denilson, Song, Vela, Eduardo, Ramsey, and even van Persie if you're so inclined. Though some may not be household names, these are all very threatening players in their own way. You could argue that two of the lesser stars on that list are Eboue and Denilson, but so far this season they've notched up 3 goals and 4 assists between them. A midfield consisting of Pirlo, Gattuso, Seedorf and Ambrosini might read better, but as evidenced by last seasons Champions League tie, it certainly doesn't play better.
The standout player in Arsenal's midfield (and squad) is obviously Cesc Fabregas, who really does make everything tick. He hasn't even been playing that well since he came back from injury, but his presence alone appears to lift his team to the next level (I'm beginning to sound like Robbie Earle on John Terry here, but in Robbie Earle's case, I'm pretty sure the statistics don't back up his claims). And despite his passing not being at it's usual high level so far this season, he still has other things to offer in terms of work ethic and defensive duties. This was clearly witnessed against Bolton last week, when he gave away the ball cheaply, but immediately won it back, which actually started the attack that lead to the second goal.
His value cannot be overstated to this Arsenal team, and if they are to mount a credible title challenge this season, Fabregas needs to play as much as possible (without wearing him down like last season of course). And if Arsenal are to win the league, then I'd be very surprised if the Spaniard wasn't the player of the season.
The capture of Samir Nasri was one that very much interested me during the summer, and so far it looks like Wenger has a real gem on his hands with this dynamic French prodigy. He has shown all the potential of being able to fill the hole left by Hleb, and has even equaled Hleb's scoring tally for the whole of last season, despite only having played three and a half games. Mind you, Hleb had scored both his goals by this time last year too, so maybe I shouldn't read into that too much.
Still though, Nasri is an exciting player to watch, and his style of football acts as a suitable compliment to the stylings of Eboue and Walcott, who are ferocious runners with the ball, if not very economical with possession as of yet (though admittedly improving where I thought improvement impossible i.e. I didn't think they were good enough to improve).
Up front Arsenal have a very potent strikeforce (doesn't that sound like the name of a geeky computer game played in online gaming cafes?) in van Persie and Adebayor. While they don't exactly engage in the best link up play with each other (I can't recall either one assisting the other so far this season) they both link up very well with the midfield, and between them they can score pretty much every type of goal possible, except maybe those sneaky 'fox in the box' type goals, which were added by Eduardo before 'Tiny' Taylor decided to inflict a not-so-tiny wound on his leg.
Reserve options include Bendtner and Vela, who probably won't cause the meaner defenses too many problems, but as witnessed on Tuesday evening, they're a handful if you're not on your guard.
The fact that Arsenal have quite a few attacking options this season is something that sets this one apart from the last, where they were forced to heavily rely on the goals of Adebayor, the assists of Cesc Fabregas, and the guile of Alex Hleb.
This season, Arsenal have had 8 different scorers so far, and out of the 13 goals they have scored with Cesc Fabregas on the pitch, he has yet to assist even one. That may sound worrying if you've got Cesc Fabregas as your captain in Fantasy Football (though those inevitable bonus points usually make up for any lack of end product), but it should serve as good news for Arsenal fans. Fabregas is still vital of course (as I mentioned earlier), but not quite in the same way as before, which is necessary if Arsenal are serious about winning anything.
This post has gone on long enough, so maybe tomorrow I'll look at the negative aspects of Arsenal's game, and give some of the reasons why I just don't think they'll cross the finish line in first place this season. And yes, Almunia's hair is one of them.
The question is, will Arsenal be there in 8 months time? I would have my doubts.
Lets look at the positives first. Arsenal arguably the play the finest attacking football seen on English shores (that they do so with one or maybe no English players in some games is no small coincidence either). When the team is in full flight, they are simply irresistible, both to admire and to defend against. There are a few key factors to this:
First, their goalkeeper makes very few long passes. Almunia (who will of course be mentioned when I look at the negatives, with reference to both his ability and his hair) is always looking to feed the ball to one of the defensive players, or even Cesc Fabregas or one of the other midfielders. This willingness on Almunia's part is crucial to Arsenal's style of play, because it sets the tone for the rest of the team.
Essential for this to be effective is a backline that is comfortable with stroking the ball around. Arsenal have got just that in Gallas, Toure, Sagna and Clichy, which really is a crucial (and often overlooked) element of Arsenal's passing game. Could you imagine what would happen to Arsenal if they had players with the ball skills of Ugo Ehiogu playing at the back? The whole system would collapse, because the defense would inevitably resort to pumping long balls up to the strikers, or more accurately, just pumping long balls up to nowhere in particular (I'm sorry Ugo. You know I love you. You were just a really crap passer of a ball, that's all. Aw come on, don't be like that).
Also, in Sagna and Clichy, Arsenal possess what I consider to be the best full back pairing in the league, and possibly the world! Their pace, speed, and quickness are just three of several attributes I could list. Seriously though, they are certainly fast, but are also good defenders, they are both good crossers of the ball, and they generally use it very intelligently when in forward positions. Unlike, say, Ashley Cole, who really isn't very good in attacking situations, despite what people will tell you.
When it comes to midfield (and by 'midfield' I mean all four positions), I would not be speaking in hyperbole if I were to say that Arsenal enjoy the finest array of attacking threats of any team in England, and are second only to Barcelona if you include all the teams in Europe.
A fully fit Arsenal squad could boast a midfield consisting of the likes of Fabregas, Nasri, Walcott, Eboue, Rosicky, Denilson, Song, Vela, Eduardo, Ramsey, and even van Persie if you're so inclined. Though some may not be household names, these are all very threatening players in their own way. You could argue that two of the lesser stars on that list are Eboue and Denilson, but so far this season they've notched up 3 goals and 4 assists between them. A midfield consisting of Pirlo, Gattuso, Seedorf and Ambrosini might read better, but as evidenced by last seasons Champions League tie, it certainly doesn't play better.
The standout player in Arsenal's midfield (and squad) is obviously Cesc Fabregas, who really does make everything tick. He hasn't even been playing that well since he came back from injury, but his presence alone appears to lift his team to the next level (I'm beginning to sound like Robbie Earle on John Terry here, but in Robbie Earle's case, I'm pretty sure the statistics don't back up his claims). And despite his passing not being at it's usual high level so far this season, he still has other things to offer in terms of work ethic and defensive duties. This was clearly witnessed against Bolton last week, when he gave away the ball cheaply, but immediately won it back, which actually started the attack that lead to the second goal.
His value cannot be overstated to this Arsenal team, and if they are to mount a credible title challenge this season, Fabregas needs to play as much as possible (without wearing him down like last season of course). And if Arsenal are to win the league, then I'd be very surprised if the Spaniard wasn't the player of the season.
The capture of Samir Nasri was one that very much interested me during the summer, and so far it looks like Wenger has a real gem on his hands with this dynamic French prodigy. He has shown all the potential of being able to fill the hole left by Hleb, and has even equaled Hleb's scoring tally for the whole of last season, despite only having played three and a half games. Mind you, Hleb had scored both his goals by this time last year too, so maybe I shouldn't read into that too much.
Still though, Nasri is an exciting player to watch, and his style of football acts as a suitable compliment to the stylings of Eboue and Walcott, who are ferocious runners with the ball, if not very economical with possession as of yet (though admittedly improving where I thought improvement impossible i.e. I didn't think they were good enough to improve).
Up front Arsenal have a very potent strikeforce (doesn't that sound like the name of a geeky computer game played in online gaming cafes?) in van Persie and Adebayor. While they don't exactly engage in the best link up play with each other (I can't recall either one assisting the other so far this season) they both link up very well with the midfield, and between them they can score pretty much every type of goal possible, except maybe those sneaky 'fox in the box' type goals, which were added by Eduardo before 'Tiny' Taylor decided to inflict a not-so-tiny wound on his leg.
Reserve options include Bendtner and Vela, who probably won't cause the meaner defenses too many problems, but as witnessed on Tuesday evening, they're a handful if you're not on your guard.
The fact that Arsenal have quite a few attacking options this season is something that sets this one apart from the last, where they were forced to heavily rely on the goals of Adebayor, the assists of Cesc Fabregas, and the guile of Alex Hleb.
This season, Arsenal have had 8 different scorers so far, and out of the 13 goals they have scored with Cesc Fabregas on the pitch, he has yet to assist even one. That may sound worrying if you've got Cesc Fabregas as your captain in Fantasy Football (though those inevitable bonus points usually make up for any lack of end product), but it should serve as good news for Arsenal fans. Fabregas is still vital of course (as I mentioned earlier), but not quite in the same way as before, which is necessary if Arsenal are serious about winning anything.
This post has gone on long enough, so maybe tomorrow I'll look at the negative aspects of Arsenal's game, and give some of the reasons why I just don't think they'll cross the finish line in first place this season. And yes, Almunia's hair is one of them.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Movers and Sheikhers
Do we now have a 'Big 5'? Or are one of Arsenal or Liverpool going to be replaced in the 'Big 4'? This would appear to be Man City's intention, because you don't spend £33m on a player to guarantee yourself Intertoto football, that's for sure.
When writing about the transfer deadline day, I can only really start with City. Being taken over by Arabs certainly had an immediate impact for the lesser Manchester club. City were reportedly putting in bids for all kinds of big names - Villa, Gomez, Berbatov, Robinho. With the exception of Gomez -- whom nobody else seemed to want -- they were competing with Real Madrid, Man Utd and Chelsea in the transfer market. That's just crazy talk. City? In bidding wars with the Madrids of this world? Surely not.
And what's even crazier is that Man City actually managed to out-bid Chelsea and land Robinho for a cool £33m. In other words, they out-Chelsea'd Chelsea! The question is, was it a wise thing to do?
On paper, I don't think it was. People are calling Robinho 'one of the best in the world', but he's not. He's got unquestionable ability no doubt, but he has yet to produce a very lengthy run of form to suggest that he's up there with players like Messi, Fabregas, Deco, Kaka etc. Ask yourself these questions - why would a player move from Madrid to Man City? Why would a club like Madrid sell 'one of the best players in the world'?
One of the possible answers to the first question is that he knew he wouldn't be getting games for Madrid. He knew they didn't want him. An answer to the second question is that Madrid simply wouldn't sell one of the best players in the world. They'd pay him whatever he wanted in order to keep him in a white shirt. It's perfectly obvious that Madrid are in the habit of pursuing the players considered 'the best in the world' when you look at their shenanignas throughout the summer and down the years. So if in fact they already possessed one, why would they let him go? Again I say they wouldn't, which is why I (nor Madrid) don't consider Robinho to be one of the best, and therefore he's not worth anything close to £33m.
I would say paying that kind of money is a massive risk, but that would be the equivalent of me saying that buying a choclate bar I've never before tasted would make me a risk lover. I can afford to splash 80c on some unproven confectionary, and this Arab group can easily afford £33m on some unproven players. While that makes me a little nauseus, it's nevertheless a fact of life.
Robinho could turn out to be a real star of course. I'm not saying he definitely won't. All I'm saying is that he's not yet the finished article, so expectations need to be kept down a touch.
A reliable source of mine says 'Man City to fall to pieces...you heard it here first'. I find that to be a little premature, because City were a pretty decent side before Robinho signed, so there's no reason to suggest they'll suddenly collapse. They can't buy anybody else until January, but maybe that's the best thing for them. It will give them a chance to properly examine the squad and see where the need to strengthen things up a bit. I mean could you imagine what would have happened if City had more time to spend this summer than a day? Merely adding Robinho to the mix is a much easier task than adding 5 or 6 big names (duh), so this will give City a chance to get their feet wet in terms of dealing with the big names of world football, and not be overwhelmed.
Will they crash and burn? Will they become a real footballing force? Their next game (against Chelsea, which is just perfect) will shed a little more light on those questions, that's for sure.
And if City turn out to be only an average team this season, then as Barry Glendenning said on Football Weekly, we'll be reading in the papers that they're 'No Great Sheikhs'. Heh...Sheikhs.
As for the big 4, Liverpool didn't really do anything special. Just the usual business of securing yet another deal for a winger who costs between 6 and 10 million, and in all likelihood will be a major disappointment, just as the preceeding several dozen were.
Chelsea didn't really do anything either, except not sign Robinho, which may turn out to be a blessing for them. The last thing they needed to do was to spend another collosal amount of money on someone who isn't worth it, so they've at least avoided the potantial of that happening anyway. And if any of the big 4 are adaquetly supplied in the midfield department, it's Chelsea, so the non-capture of Robinho isn't really a blow to their title credentials me thinks.
United signed Berbatov for something like £30m, which is again crazy money. I've made some of my feelings known on Berbatov already in this blog, but what I will say is that if it was between Berbatov and no one at all, then they had to get The Moody One. He's a nice player to watch, and he could do very well for United, but I would have serious question marks over his attitude and his big game temperment. I've seen him give up on too many occasions not to be concerned about it.
Also, what will this mean for Rooney and Tevez, and even Ronaldo for that matter? Will Ronaldo finally start crossing the ball again? Will Tevez or Rooney play on the left, or will one of them be benched? Can Tevez or Rooney play on the left to good effect? We shall wait and see.
As for Arsenal, well they did sod all on the deadline day, which is not especially surprising given that, unlike me, Wenger probably wouldn't spend 80c on a chocolate bar, not to mention a few million on a player.
I said before that they needed to buy a central midfielder. They didn't, and they will most likely pay for that against the big teams. Out of all the candidates for the position, I think Song might be the best equipped, but Wenger seems content to start him on the bench every game. Right now Denilson is the starting midfield partner for Fabregas, but he has yet to prove himself worthy of the position. He's promising, but he's not there yet.
Eboue has been good so far this season, but you can't ignore the fact that Arsenal have played 5 very easy games. When Eboue comes up against the big guns, his incompetence is plain for all to see.
Because of the lack of a steady, reliable partner for Cesc, I think Arsenal will struggle to make a title challenge this season. They may prove me wrong, like they did many last year, but Wenger is gambling with his teams chances. There is of course the possibility that someone will step up to the plate, much like Flamini last year. I mean if you had told me a year ago that Flamini would be an integral part of the Arsenal midfield I'd have burned you at the stake for heresy. Maybe someone like Song, Denilson or Diaby will prove the doubters and the sceptics wrong. But that's what Arsenal are relying on - maybe's.
When writing about the transfer deadline day, I can only really start with City. Being taken over by Arabs certainly had an immediate impact for the lesser Manchester club. City were reportedly putting in bids for all kinds of big names - Villa, Gomez, Berbatov, Robinho. With the exception of Gomez -- whom nobody else seemed to want -- they were competing with Real Madrid, Man Utd and Chelsea in the transfer market. That's just crazy talk. City? In bidding wars with the Madrids of this world? Surely not.
And what's even crazier is that Man City actually managed to out-bid Chelsea and land Robinho for a cool £33m. In other words, they out-Chelsea'd Chelsea! The question is, was it a wise thing to do?
On paper, I don't think it was. People are calling Robinho 'one of the best in the world', but he's not. He's got unquestionable ability no doubt, but he has yet to produce a very lengthy run of form to suggest that he's up there with players like Messi, Fabregas, Deco, Kaka etc. Ask yourself these questions - why would a player move from Madrid to Man City? Why would a club like Madrid sell 'one of the best players in the world'?
One of the possible answers to the first question is that he knew he wouldn't be getting games for Madrid. He knew they didn't want him. An answer to the second question is that Madrid simply wouldn't sell one of the best players in the world. They'd pay him whatever he wanted in order to keep him in a white shirt. It's perfectly obvious that Madrid are in the habit of pursuing the players considered 'the best in the world' when you look at their shenanignas throughout the summer and down the years. So if in fact they already possessed one, why would they let him go? Again I say they wouldn't, which is why I (nor Madrid) don't consider Robinho to be one of the best, and therefore he's not worth anything close to £33m.
I would say paying that kind of money is a massive risk, but that would be the equivalent of me saying that buying a choclate bar I've never before tasted would make me a risk lover. I can afford to splash 80c on some unproven confectionary, and this Arab group can easily afford £33m on some unproven players. While that makes me a little nauseus, it's nevertheless a fact of life.
Robinho could turn out to be a real star of course. I'm not saying he definitely won't. All I'm saying is that he's not yet the finished article, so expectations need to be kept down a touch.
A reliable source of mine says 'Man City to fall to pieces...you heard it here first'. I find that to be a little premature, because City were a pretty decent side before Robinho signed, so there's no reason to suggest they'll suddenly collapse. They can't buy anybody else until January, but maybe that's the best thing for them. It will give them a chance to properly examine the squad and see where the need to strengthen things up a bit. I mean could you imagine what would have happened if City had more time to spend this summer than a day? Merely adding Robinho to the mix is a much easier task than adding 5 or 6 big names (duh), so this will give City a chance to get their feet wet in terms of dealing with the big names of world football, and not be overwhelmed.
Will they crash and burn? Will they become a real footballing force? Their next game (against Chelsea, which is just perfect) will shed a little more light on those questions, that's for sure.
And if City turn out to be only an average team this season, then as Barry Glendenning said on Football Weekly, we'll be reading in the papers that they're 'No Great Sheikhs'. Heh...Sheikhs.
As for the big 4, Liverpool didn't really do anything special. Just the usual business of securing yet another deal for a winger who costs between 6 and 10 million, and in all likelihood will be a major disappointment, just as the preceeding several dozen were.
Chelsea didn't really do anything either, except not sign Robinho, which may turn out to be a blessing for them. The last thing they needed to do was to spend another collosal amount of money on someone who isn't worth it, so they've at least avoided the potantial of that happening anyway. And if any of the big 4 are adaquetly supplied in the midfield department, it's Chelsea, so the non-capture of Robinho isn't really a blow to their title credentials me thinks.
United signed Berbatov for something like £30m, which is again crazy money. I've made some of my feelings known on Berbatov already in this blog, but what I will say is that if it was between Berbatov and no one at all, then they had to get The Moody One. He's a nice player to watch, and he could do very well for United, but I would have serious question marks over his attitude and his big game temperment. I've seen him give up on too many occasions not to be concerned about it.
Also, what will this mean for Rooney and Tevez, and even Ronaldo for that matter? Will Ronaldo finally start crossing the ball again? Will Tevez or Rooney play on the left, or will one of them be benched? Can Tevez or Rooney play on the left to good effect? We shall wait and see.
As for Arsenal, well they did sod all on the deadline day, which is not especially surprising given that, unlike me, Wenger probably wouldn't spend 80c on a chocolate bar, not to mention a few million on a player.
I said before that they needed to buy a central midfielder. They didn't, and they will most likely pay for that against the big teams. Out of all the candidates for the position, I think Song might be the best equipped, but Wenger seems content to start him on the bench every game. Right now Denilson is the starting midfield partner for Fabregas, but he has yet to prove himself worthy of the position. He's promising, but he's not there yet.
Eboue has been good so far this season, but you can't ignore the fact that Arsenal have played 5 very easy games. When Eboue comes up against the big guns, his incompetence is plain for all to see.
Because of the lack of a steady, reliable partner for Cesc, I think Arsenal will struggle to make a title challenge this season. They may prove me wrong, like they did many last year, but Wenger is gambling with his teams chances. There is of course the possibility that someone will step up to the plate, much like Flamini last year. I mean if you had told me a year ago that Flamini would be an integral part of the Arsenal midfield I'd have burned you at the stake for heresy. Maybe someone like Song, Denilson or Diaby will prove the doubters and the sceptics wrong. But that's what Arsenal are relying on - maybe's.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Sublime Arsenal and High Horses
After last weekends shambolic display against Fulham, Arsenal needed to show some kind of response (beating a side managed by Shteve McLaren didn't count). They certainly did that yesterday, and then some. First things first though - Newcastle, even at full strength, are not a particularly good team, despite what Newcastle fans might think. I may be wrong about this, but as far as I'm aware they haven't beaten a side that finished in the top 10 last season since Keegan's second coming. If you can find a result to disprove that statement then please inform me, because much like the theists of this world, the burden of proof lies on you.
Unfortunately for Newcastle fans however, the team that faced Arsenal was by no means a full strength Newcastle team (whatever that looks like) - proof of which was Ameobi's inclusion in the starting 11 (the extent of his contribution being to block a goal-bound effort from Michael Owen - an effort which was pretty much the extent of Owen's contribution also). Newcastle were missing players like Duff, Martins and Viduka - none of which are world beaters, but all of which are better than Ameobi (he was so bad I've even seen it fit to make fun of him twice in one paragraph).
With the context of this game out of the way, allow me to praise by far and away the best team performance I've seen this season. Though Chelsea's demolition of Portsmouth was ruthless, efficient, and at times very pleasing to the eye, this Arsenal performance had beauty stamped all over it.
I find it hard to believe that this can be the result of the mere introduction of one player - Cesc Fabregas. Does he really make that much of a difference to Arsenal? Surely no one man can transform a team to such a large degree. However, if such men exist, then Cesc Fabregas is surely one of them. He was magnificent yesterday. So magnificent, that he even covered up for another shaky display from Denilson. His passing was crisp and incisive, his tackling was hard, his work rate was exemplary - he was just superb in all aspects of the game. And this, remember, was his first Premier League game of the season. No matter what club you swear by, you really can't help but appreciate the kind of football he plays. To say anything to the contrary would make you a bitter, blinded person in my opinion, and one who doesn't truly love the beautiful game.
There were other star performers of course. Robin van Persie looked sharper in both his passing and his shooting. He really is a class act, and I hope he gets a run of injury-free life to prove as much (mind you, he did his obligatory hobble off the pitch with about 30 minutes to go, though news emenating from the Arsenal camp is that he's okay, which means we've most likely seen the last of Robin van Persie this season). Adebayor was a constant threat also, though I still question his work rate and, um, clinicalness [?]. Eboue was a menace, and surprisingly for a player of his standards, he didn't give the ball away very often. In fact it was proposed to me by a friend that Eboue has been Arsenal's most consistent performer so far this season. Given how bad Arsenal had played before yesterday, it was hard to argue with such a seemingly propostrous statement. For me, I think Nasri has pipped him, but if someone somewhere gave Eboue an 'Arsenal Player of the Month' trophy, I would have few complaints.
Speaking of Nasri, he was once again impressive, without being exhilarating. He kept the ball well, and made some nice cutting passes, but the majority of Arsenal's play came from the other side of the pitch where Cesc Fabregas tends to hover so that left him a little starved of good possession. Nasri did however do one sublime maneuver, when he picked the ball up just outside his own box, fended off a few Newcastle challenges, and advanced with the ball right through the heart of the midfield before laying it off to someone else. A lesser player would have either been dispossessed or just hoofed the ball clear, but Nasri showed great skill and composure, and started an attack from nothing. This bodes very well for the future.
There was a little incident involving Nasri at the very end of the game, which showed that the Zidane comparisons aren't just restricted to purely footballing ability. Having been on the end of a legal but overly physical challenge (in my opinion) from one Joey Barton, Nasri responded by later tripping up Barton as he ran towards goal. It was harmless enough, but deserving of a yellow card nonetheless. However, Keegan gave Nasri a large piece of his mind after the game, which was nothing but built up emotions due to Barton's return in my view, and something wholly uncalled for. Barton went in strong, Nasri responded rather impishly by tripping him up, and that's that. He got his booking, now lets move on. Keegan didn't, and came out saying that Nasri 'sliced' Barton down. Sliced!? He barely even stuck out his leg as he ran across Barton, which hardly constitutes a slice. Keegan was well off with his assessment of this whole situation in my opinion, and I think his verbal attack on Nasri was an example of someone channeling their emotions in the wrong way. Not the first time such a thing could be said about King Kev, though I do admire his passion.
Whether Barton should have been playing or not is another matter. One thing I don't understand is people getting up on their moral high horse, almost as if Barton is the only misbehaving footballer out there. If you want footballers to be pillars of morality then fine by me, but then why are people like Rio Ferdinand, Craig Bellamy, John Terry and Dirk Kuyt playing our game? (Dirk Kuyt isn't a thug as far as I'm aware, but still it must be asked at every opportunity- why is he playing our game?) You can't just let the antics of some footballers slide, or just give them a slap on the wrist, but then come down like a ton of bricks on someone like Barton, just because he's an easy target.
If Barton or others break footballing rules, then they should (and hopefully will) be punished by the letter of the law. With regards matters outside of football however, either you punish all non-football related behaviour by varying degrees (depending on the indiscretion) based on some kind of legislation, or you allow the club to punish non-football related incidents as they see fit.
John Terry and some team mates got drunk the day after 9/11, swore, vomitted and stripped off in front of American tourists staying at a hotel. That's as much a sackable offense as assaulting someone if you ask me. But that's just it - it's not up to me to decide what kind of moral behaviour demands sacking or not. If Newcastle want to keep Barton on their books, then that's their decision, and no one is in any place to say that they're doing the 'wrong thing'. And if they decide to play Barton in a game that he's strictly eligible for -- even though he's got a misconduct hearing in a few days -- then they have every right to do so. Maybe it's not the wisest decision, but it's Newcastle's decision to make.
Objective morality should either permeate every aspect of football, or no aspect. You can't just bring it in when it's convenient to do so. That's not how life works, and it's not how football should work. You either legislate for moral behaviour across the board, or you allow a club to punish someone in their own way. And if you choose the latter, then you are in no position to say a club is 'wrong' for not sacking someone or for playing someone who's available for selection. You can say you think the club is wrong, but that's as far as it can go when no objective standard is in place.
These are just some of my thoughts on the matter, but I'm yet to really think them through so they're a little rough at the moment.
Anyway, the main thrust of this post is that Arsenal were a joy to watch yesterday, though Newcastle's inadequacies should be noted.
Unfortunately for Newcastle fans however, the team that faced Arsenal was by no means a full strength Newcastle team (whatever that looks like) - proof of which was Ameobi's inclusion in the starting 11 (the extent of his contribution being to block a goal-bound effort from Michael Owen - an effort which was pretty much the extent of Owen's contribution also). Newcastle were missing players like Duff, Martins and Viduka - none of which are world beaters, but all of which are better than Ameobi (he was so bad I've even seen it fit to make fun of him twice in one paragraph).
With the context of this game out of the way, allow me to praise by far and away the best team performance I've seen this season. Though Chelsea's demolition of Portsmouth was ruthless, efficient, and at times very pleasing to the eye, this Arsenal performance had beauty stamped all over it.
I find it hard to believe that this can be the result of the mere introduction of one player - Cesc Fabregas. Does he really make that much of a difference to Arsenal? Surely no one man can transform a team to such a large degree. However, if such men exist, then Cesc Fabregas is surely one of them. He was magnificent yesterday. So magnificent, that he even covered up for another shaky display from Denilson. His passing was crisp and incisive, his tackling was hard, his work rate was exemplary - he was just superb in all aspects of the game. And this, remember, was his first Premier League game of the season. No matter what club you swear by, you really can't help but appreciate the kind of football he plays. To say anything to the contrary would make you a bitter, blinded person in my opinion, and one who doesn't truly love the beautiful game.
There were other star performers of course. Robin van Persie looked sharper in both his passing and his shooting. He really is a class act, and I hope he gets a run of injury-free life to prove as much (mind you, he did his obligatory hobble off the pitch with about 30 minutes to go, though news emenating from the Arsenal camp is that he's okay, which means we've most likely seen the last of Robin van Persie this season). Adebayor was a constant threat also, though I still question his work rate and, um, clinicalness [?]. Eboue was a menace, and surprisingly for a player of his standards, he didn't give the ball away very often. In fact it was proposed to me by a friend that Eboue has been Arsenal's most consistent performer so far this season. Given how bad Arsenal had played before yesterday, it was hard to argue with such a seemingly propostrous statement. For me, I think Nasri has pipped him, but if someone somewhere gave Eboue an 'Arsenal Player of the Month' trophy, I would have few complaints.
Speaking of Nasri, he was once again impressive, without being exhilarating. He kept the ball well, and made some nice cutting passes, but the majority of Arsenal's play came from the other side of the pitch where Cesc Fabregas tends to hover so that left him a little starved of good possession. Nasri did however do one sublime maneuver, when he picked the ball up just outside his own box, fended off a few Newcastle challenges, and advanced with the ball right through the heart of the midfield before laying it off to someone else. A lesser player would have either been dispossessed or just hoofed the ball clear, but Nasri showed great skill and composure, and started an attack from nothing. This bodes very well for the future.
There was a little incident involving Nasri at the very end of the game, which showed that the Zidane comparisons aren't just restricted to purely footballing ability. Having been on the end of a legal but overly physical challenge (in my opinion) from one Joey Barton, Nasri responded by later tripping up Barton as he ran towards goal. It was harmless enough, but deserving of a yellow card nonetheless. However, Keegan gave Nasri a large piece of his mind after the game, which was nothing but built up emotions due to Barton's return in my view, and something wholly uncalled for. Barton went in strong, Nasri responded rather impishly by tripping him up, and that's that. He got his booking, now lets move on. Keegan didn't, and came out saying that Nasri 'sliced' Barton down. Sliced!? He barely even stuck out his leg as he ran across Barton, which hardly constitutes a slice. Keegan was well off with his assessment of this whole situation in my opinion, and I think his verbal attack on Nasri was an example of someone channeling their emotions in the wrong way. Not the first time such a thing could be said about King Kev, though I do admire his passion.
Whether Barton should have been playing or not is another matter. One thing I don't understand is people getting up on their moral high horse, almost as if Barton is the only misbehaving footballer out there. If you want footballers to be pillars of morality then fine by me, but then why are people like Rio Ferdinand, Craig Bellamy, John Terry and Dirk Kuyt playing our game? (Dirk Kuyt isn't a thug as far as I'm aware, but still it must be asked at every opportunity- why is he playing our game?) You can't just let the antics of some footballers slide, or just give them a slap on the wrist, but then come down like a ton of bricks on someone like Barton, just because he's an easy target.
If Barton or others break footballing rules, then they should (and hopefully will) be punished by the letter of the law. With regards matters outside of football however, either you punish all non-football related behaviour by varying degrees (depending on the indiscretion) based on some kind of legislation, or you allow the club to punish non-football related incidents as they see fit.
John Terry and some team mates got drunk the day after 9/11, swore, vomitted and stripped off in front of American tourists staying at a hotel. That's as much a sackable offense as assaulting someone if you ask me. But that's just it - it's not up to me to decide what kind of moral behaviour demands sacking or not. If Newcastle want to keep Barton on their books, then that's their decision, and no one is in any place to say that they're doing the 'wrong thing'. And if they decide to play Barton in a game that he's strictly eligible for -- even though he's got a misconduct hearing in a few days -- then they have every right to do so. Maybe it's not the wisest decision, but it's Newcastle's decision to make.
Objective morality should either permeate every aspect of football, or no aspect. You can't just bring it in when it's convenient to do so. That's not how life works, and it's not how football should work. You either legislate for moral behaviour across the board, or you allow a club to punish someone in their own way. And if you choose the latter, then you are in no position to say a club is 'wrong' for not sacking someone or for playing someone who's available for selection. You can say you think the club is wrong, but that's as far as it can go when no objective standard is in place.
These are just some of my thoughts on the matter, but I'm yet to really think them through so they're a little rough at the moment.
Anyway, the main thrust of this post is that Arsenal were a joy to watch yesterday, though Newcastle's inadequacies should be noted.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
The New Zidane?
Talk of 'the new so and so' annoys me to some extent, and I'm sure it annoys the players who receive the comparison. If you're Argentinean, talented, and under 5ft tall then you are automatically labeled 'the new Maradona' (I'm waiting for the day when Argentina fill an entire team with former 'new Maradonas'). And what's worse, some minute Argentinians are actually being called 'the new Messi'. The new Messi? Is Messi already so old that we need a new version of him? Can't we just enjoy the 'old' Messi while he's still playing instead of just frantically looking for the next Argentinian midget we can proclaim as his successor? How easily bored a society are we?!
This brings me to France, and the quest for 'the new Zidane'. Unlike with 'the new Maradona' however, there doesn't appear to be any physical prerequisites in order to be considered a potential Zidane. You don't have to be tall, balding, or anything of the sort. You merely have to be French and a midfielder - and in the cases of Anthony Le Tallec and Bruno Cheyrou, you don't actually have to be a particularly good midfielder; in fact you can even be a bit rubbish.
The most recent candidate that has been burdened with this impossible task (and impossible task it is, because not only is Zidane the best player I've ever had the pleasure of witnessing, but he's also truly unique, as all the great players are) is Samir Nasri. Or at least he's the most recent I'm aware of. As I said at the beginning, these kind of tags annoy me to some extent, but at the same time they intrigue me. If someone is being tauted as 'the new Zidane' or 'the new Maradona' then there must be at least some good reason as to why. I mean these players must be doing something right, and I want to see it.
In Nasri's case, all I really had to go on was Youtube clips. Now I'm well aware of the dangers of Youtube, and that you have to treat what it shows with extreme caution. After all, you could make John O'Shea out to be a midfield general, or Dirk Kuyt to be a slightly-above-average striker by showing some of their highlights from the past few years, but we all know the harsh truths about these two very poor players. And by 'we all' I mean everyone but Rafa Benitez, who should be instantly sacked on the grounds that Dirk Kuyt was still on the pitch long enough to shin the ball into the back of the Leige net - though admittedly that does seem a little ironic, or at least slightly non-sensical if you don't know the full story, which we all do, except for Rafa Benitez, who...(oh wait, I did that rant already. Neeext).
Anyway, I watched almost every Nasri clip I could get my hands on, and I was impressed. I didn't look at him in terms of Zidane, because he's not that type of player. At least not yet. But from what I saw on Youtube, he looked quick, composed, creative, and very skillful indeed, so when Arsenal were inevitably linked with signing him (he is young and French after all - which I think Wenger like to call 'the jackpot'), I very much wanted the move to happen. Not because I support Arsenal (which I don't really, though I like to watch them play), but because I wanted to see Nasri week in week out. Heck, he could have joined United and I'd have been happy.
Well, as you know, he did sign for Arsenal (eventually), and after only two and a half games I must say I'm very impressed with him. There are still big question marks of course. Though he may not play exactly like Zidane, he still needs to have that same big-game mentality that separates the Lionel Messi's from the Cristiano Ronaldo's. At 21 he obviously has time on his side, so it remains to be seen what his confidence is like in a pressure cooker situation.
He looks to be made of all the right stuff though, with many things boding well for the future. The list I wrote eariler after seeing him on Youtube still stands, with a few extras thrown in for good measure. Much like Hleb, he's a very good dribbler of the ball, but he can also pick out a pass (which is something Lionel Messi has been doing a lot more of recently, thus making him even more threatening...if that's possible).
Another very impressive attribute -- and one that likens him to Zidane in my opinion -- is that he's quite comfortable on his left foot as well as his right. In fact I can't even say with 100% confidence that Nasri is right-footed, and that's not because I'm an idiot. This trait is invaluable, as it gives him so much more time and space than most players. Defenders don't know which side to press him from, therefore they're forced to stand off him for fear of being made a fool of, which gives Nasri all the time he needs to make a decision. Also, when he's shooting, he can employ the dummy effectively, because he knows that he can get off a pretty good shot with his left foot if needs be. And when defenders learn this, they of course won't go charging down his shots in a mad rush at the risk of being dummied, thus giving his right-footed attempts a good chance of reaching their destination undisturbed. Embarrassingly few players posses this kind of two-footed ability. Nasri is one of them, and over the course of the season it will become more and more advantageous to him.
I don't want to go overboard on my praise of course. It's still early days, and there are still plenty of games to go before accurate descriptions can be made. Nasri has a lot of potential though. A truck load more than someone like Theo Walcott has, because unlike Walcott, Nasri has in his head a footballing brain. He's the kind of player I enjoy watching, and I sincerely hope he continues to improve, though not at such a rate that there will be young French players called 'the new Nasri' before he reaches his 22nd birthday. Let's not forget that Zidane didn't join Juventus until he was 24, and he didn't join Madrid until he was 29, so it's important to give players time. I said it before in a F365 mail, and I'll say it again - Our society today wants to proclaim greatness now, instead of waiting patiently for it to truly emerge. This is one of the reasons Ronaldo is proclaimed as 'the best in the world', which is part of the reason his fellow countryman Deco has been relatively ignored. Now I'm not implying that Deco is in fact the best player in the world. But in the Portugal team that played in Euro 2008, Deco was their main man. He was the one whom Portugal looked to in order to create something. He was their best player, but people will have you believe that Ronaldo is better than him. He isn't, and I'll have...
OK this has very quickly turned into a Ronaldo rant, so I'll stop. Anyway, keep an eye on Samir Nasri...or something.
This brings me to France, and the quest for 'the new Zidane'. Unlike with 'the new Maradona' however, there doesn't appear to be any physical prerequisites in order to be considered a potential Zidane. You don't have to be tall, balding, or anything of the sort. You merely have to be French and a midfielder - and in the cases of Anthony Le Tallec and Bruno Cheyrou, you don't actually have to be a particularly good midfielder; in fact you can even be a bit rubbish.
The most recent candidate that has been burdened with this impossible task (and impossible task it is, because not only is Zidane the best player I've ever had the pleasure of witnessing, but he's also truly unique, as all the great players are) is Samir Nasri. Or at least he's the most recent I'm aware of. As I said at the beginning, these kind of tags annoy me to some extent, but at the same time they intrigue me. If someone is being tauted as 'the new Zidane' or 'the new Maradona' then there must be at least some good reason as to why. I mean these players must be doing something right, and I want to see it.
In Nasri's case, all I really had to go on was Youtube clips. Now I'm well aware of the dangers of Youtube, and that you have to treat what it shows with extreme caution. After all, you could make John O'Shea out to be a midfield general, or Dirk Kuyt to be a slightly-above-average striker by showing some of their highlights from the past few years, but we all know the harsh truths about these two very poor players. And by 'we all' I mean everyone but Rafa Benitez, who should be instantly sacked on the grounds that Dirk Kuyt was still on the pitch long enough to shin the ball into the back of the Leige net - though admittedly that does seem a little ironic, or at least slightly non-sensical if you don't know the full story, which we all do, except for Rafa Benitez, who...(oh wait, I did that rant already. Neeext).
Anyway, I watched almost every Nasri clip I could get my hands on, and I was impressed. I didn't look at him in terms of Zidane, because he's not that type of player. At least not yet. But from what I saw on Youtube, he looked quick, composed, creative, and very skillful indeed, so when Arsenal were inevitably linked with signing him (he is young and French after all - which I think Wenger like to call 'the jackpot'), I very much wanted the move to happen. Not because I support Arsenal (which I don't really, though I like to watch them play), but because I wanted to see Nasri week in week out. Heck, he could have joined United and I'd have been happy.
Well, as you know, he did sign for Arsenal (eventually), and after only two and a half games I must say I'm very impressed with him. There are still big question marks of course. Though he may not play exactly like Zidane, he still needs to have that same big-game mentality that separates the Lionel Messi's from the Cristiano Ronaldo's. At 21 he obviously has time on his side, so it remains to be seen what his confidence is like in a pressure cooker situation.
He looks to be made of all the right stuff though, with many things boding well for the future. The list I wrote eariler after seeing him on Youtube still stands, with a few extras thrown in for good measure. Much like Hleb, he's a very good dribbler of the ball, but he can also pick out a pass (which is something Lionel Messi has been doing a lot more of recently, thus making him even more threatening...if that's possible).
Another very impressive attribute -- and one that likens him to Zidane in my opinion -- is that he's quite comfortable on his left foot as well as his right. In fact I can't even say with 100% confidence that Nasri is right-footed, and that's not because I'm an idiot. This trait is invaluable, as it gives him so much more time and space than most players. Defenders don't know which side to press him from, therefore they're forced to stand off him for fear of being made a fool of, which gives Nasri all the time he needs to make a decision. Also, when he's shooting, he can employ the dummy effectively, because he knows that he can get off a pretty good shot with his left foot if needs be. And when defenders learn this, they of course won't go charging down his shots in a mad rush at the risk of being dummied, thus giving his right-footed attempts a good chance of reaching their destination undisturbed. Embarrassingly few players posses this kind of two-footed ability. Nasri is one of them, and over the course of the season it will become more and more advantageous to him.
I don't want to go overboard on my praise of course. It's still early days, and there are still plenty of games to go before accurate descriptions can be made. Nasri has a lot of potential though. A truck load more than someone like Theo Walcott has, because unlike Walcott, Nasri has in his head a footballing brain. He's the kind of player I enjoy watching, and I sincerely hope he continues to improve, though not at such a rate that there will be young French players called 'the new Nasri' before he reaches his 22nd birthday. Let's not forget that Zidane didn't join Juventus until he was 24, and he didn't join Madrid until he was 29, so it's important to give players time. I said it before in a F365 mail, and I'll say it again - Our society today wants to proclaim greatness now, instead of waiting patiently for it to truly emerge. This is one of the reasons Ronaldo is proclaimed as 'the best in the world', which is part of the reason his fellow countryman Deco has been relatively ignored. Now I'm not implying that Deco is in fact the best player in the world. But in the Portugal team that played in Euro 2008, Deco was their main man. He was the one whom Portugal looked to in order to create something. He was their best player, but people will have you believe that Ronaldo is better than him. He isn't, and I'll have...
OK this has very quickly turned into a Ronaldo rant, so I'll stop. Anyway, keep an eye on Samir Nasri...or something.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Awfunal
("Damn you, ground!!")The above title is a mixture of the words 'awful' and 'Arsenal', a la 'Bennifer' etc etc. I'm referring to Arsenal's performance against Fulham in Craven Cottage, which was -- you've guessed it -- awful. About as awful as the Olympic Final was boring, and that's saying something. Where do you even begin?
Before the game, Wenger was talking about how his team needed to be focused and all that, but focused is pretty much the opposite of what they were the entire game. Clichy and Sagna both had shockers on the flanks. The worst I've seen either of them play in an Arsenal shirt. Miscontrolling the ball, sloppy passing. In fact you could use those phrases about everyone on the team...except Bendtner. He actually went one better and managed to not touch the ball when he came on after 60 minutes. It was actually quite impressive now that I think about it.
The central midfield was non-existent. I hardly remember hearing the name 'Denilson' followed by 'Eboue' from the commentator, because they just could not/did not pass it to each other. Moreover, they could not/did not pass it to anyone - or at least anyone on their own team anyway. Bullard and Murphy just over ran them, eventually reducing Arsenal to either going long or pumping balls in from the flanks, few of which were any good.
Up front, Van Persie on a good day could have scored a hat-trick. This was not one of those days however, and he wasted most of the good chances Arsenal had, all but one of which came from outside the box, highlighting just how unpenetrative Arsenal really were. His partner in crime Adebayor faired slightly better, hitting the post in the first half, but his general play was poor at best, leaving me feel vindicated in thinking that a 25m move to Milan or Barca in the summer would have been very good business for Arsenal indeed, provided Wenger didn't blow it all on inexperienced toddlers.
Speaking of inexperienced toddlers, I must not forget young Theo Walcott, who pulled a Frank Lampard and was practically anonymous for the 60 minutes he managed to stay on the field. He was brushed off the ball on a number of occasions, and for all his blistering pace, he almost never troubled the Fulham left-back. This will not be the year Walcott comes of age. I can all but guarantee that. He may yet become a good player, but right now he's not good enough to play on a big 4 team, and I don't think he will be for a few more years. Once Rosicky and Eduardo come back, Walcotts appearances will be few and far between. If it were up to me, Vela would be ahead of him on the pecking order, but it's not up to me, so who cares?
The one half-decent player today from an Arsenal perspective was Samir Nasri. He had a pretty brutal first half, but he definitely posed a threat in the second, showing good pace and strength down the wings. Like all of his colleagues, he gave the ball away cheaply at times, but even after todays shocker from the Gunners I still saw signs of him being a very good signing for them.
Take nothing away from Fulham of course. They out fought Arsenal, and out played them for large spells too. Had they been more clinical on the break, it could easily have been 3-0. As I said, Bullard and Murphy were immense in the middle, but it really was one big team effort, with everyone putting their all into winning this game. Simply put, Fulham wanted this win more than Arsenal, and they got it. That makes me happy.
Where to for Arsenal now then? It's obviously early days yet, so I don't want to read too much into things. They have problems though. Big, midfielder-shaped problems. The real Denilson is not the player he was today, but I think he's still not ready to be adequate back-up for Fabregas, not to mention his midfield partner. Eboue is just rubbish and needs to be beaten and then sold, or just given away. So in my opinion, him starting in midfield is not an option, to put it mildly. I like Song, but he hasn't got enough experience to be the new Flamini. But then I guess Flamini didn't quite have the experience to be a Flamini either, but that didn't stop him from being a big player for Arsenal last season.
When all is said and done, Arsenal desperately need at least one midfielder. But even if they get Alonso or Inler or whoever, I still think they're short a body. As it's plain to see, when Fabregas is out Arsenal stop ticking. Now of course losing a player like that would hurt any team (except Barcelona), but you must have a back up. Either have a guy come in who's similarly creative, or have an experienced guy come in who won't do anything silly and will keep things tight. Arsenal don't seem to have anyone who can do those jobs against an in-your-face team like Fulham were today, and they'll suffer the consequences until they do.
While having Fabregas back will be a massive boost, it will only temporarily cover over the cracks, just like Ronaldo's phenominal goals tally covered over the cracks in Man Uniteds attack last season. I genuinely fear for Arsenal over the coming months, because I think they had their chance last season and missed it. Will players like Fabregas, Adebayor and all be able to raise their game to last years heights again? Will they have that same hunger and desire? Or will they just drift through one more year and then move on to Barcelona come next summer?
Like I said, we're only two games in so you can't read too much into it. I'll be very interesed to see how Arsenal respond to this loss next week when they face the high-flying Newcaste United, and more pressingly, I'll be very interested to see what goes on in the transfer market, because that needs to be Arsene Wenger's first stop before he shakes hands with KK and bitches and moans on the sideline.
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