It was a bit of shock reading that Fabianski has joined Swansea. What about Michel Vorm? Surely he's not going to be Fab's understudy. I'm hoping we can sign Vorm, but it sounds unlikely. Nevertheless, don't be surprised when the tabloids run stories about Vorm 'turning' to Arsenal.
Talking of tabloids, Real Madrid's impressive left winger, Angel Di Maria has been linked with a move up Arsenal. I'd love to see the Argentina international join us, but I think it's just wishful thinking unfortunately.
In today's Sun, Wilshere is saying how delighted he is to wear the number 7 shirt for England, as Beckham was his hero etc. Not sure I'm convinced, as he's also quoted as saying Lampard wanted the number 4 shirt and Gerrard the number 8. I could have sworn it was the other way round!
They're also reporting that ex-Gunner Remi Garde could be the new Brighton boss. I wish him luck, as they're about as trigger-happy as Tottenham's Daniel Levy. On that note, I think Spurs have made a sound appointment by bringing in Pochettino. No disrespect to Gooner Sherwood, but he's more likely to give us a run for our money, judging by how he got Southampton playing.
Meanwhile, Giroud claims we were too immature to win the title. He adds he's got 2 years left on his contract but is already in negotiations about extending it. I hope he does as I believe the best is yet to come from the Frenchman. I'm predicting 30 goals from him next season!
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Thursday 29 May 2014
Wednesday 21 May 2014
QPR, Swansea, Newcastle, Cardiff, West Ham & Leicester chase Fab
Lukasz Fabianski is offski. No surprises there. The big surprise is the amount of top-flight clubs interested in keeping him in this country.
The 'Flappyhandski' moniker may have been largely shaken off, particularly with his penalty-shoot-out heroics in the FA Cup semi-final, but Saturday's performance doesn't fill me with confidence in his ability to play for one of England's top clubs. Personally, I preferred Vito Mannone, so I think Fabianski will have to settle for a club below Sunderland's level. In other words, a Championship side would be about right for Fabianski. Of the clubs reportedly interested, only Cardiff would be the right fit, unless QPR miss out on promotion.
Going back to Fabianski, he was so close to tossing the cup away with his reckless run out of the area to clear the ball in the dying seconds of the game; so much so, he wouldn't be on my wanted list. It makes me wonder how much genuine interest is out there. Perhaps it's just agent talk, as Fabianski looks for a new club.
As far as a replacement is concerned, I'd want a goalkeeper who only comes off his line when he's sure he'll get the ball. It's no excuse saying it was a rush of blood. It's happened too many times.
Arsenal have had a lot of keepers like that over recent years. It makes me wish we could find a pair of safe hands like David Seaman of yesteryear.
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The 'Flappyhandski' moniker may have been largely shaken off, particularly with his penalty-shoot-out heroics in the FA Cup semi-final, but Saturday's performance doesn't fill me with confidence in his ability to play for one of England's top clubs. Personally, I preferred Vito Mannone, so I think Fabianski will have to settle for a club below Sunderland's level. In other words, a Championship side would be about right for Fabianski. Of the clubs reportedly interested, only Cardiff would be the right fit, unless QPR miss out on promotion.
Going back to Fabianski, he was so close to tossing the cup away with his reckless run out of the area to clear the ball in the dying seconds of the game; so much so, he wouldn't be on my wanted list. It makes me wonder how much genuine interest is out there. Perhaps it's just agent talk, as Fabianski looks for a new club.
As far as a replacement is concerned, I'd want a goalkeeper who only comes off his line when he's sure he'll get the ball. It's no excuse saying it was a rush of blood. It's happened too many times.
Arsenal have had a lot of keepers like that over recent years. It makes me wish we could find a pair of safe hands like David Seaman of yesteryear.
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Sunday 18 May 2014
Wenger's plan B works a trophy treat
A trophy every 9 years won't be enough for Arsenal fans, but Wenger's 'Plan Brawn' worked a treat yesterday.
Instead of waiting until the 70th minute to change things, Wenger forgot his own tradition to throw Sanogo into the fray. Giroud suddenly came into his own as Sanogo occupied the centre backs that we're kicking the Frenchman to shreds.
Sanogo was instrumental in the FA Cup win, but Wenger needs a plan C for next season. By that, I mean a new captain, with Vermaelen fit to lift the trophy but nothing much else and Arteta seemingly past his best. If we're buying back Vela, let's get Fabregas back too. Funds allowing, if course!
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Instead of waiting until the 70th minute to change things, Wenger forgot his own tradition to throw Sanogo into the fray. Giroud suddenly came into his own as Sanogo occupied the centre backs that we're kicking the Frenchman to shreds.
Sanogo was instrumental in the FA Cup win, but Wenger needs a plan C for next season. By that, I mean a new captain, with Vermaelen fit to lift the trophy but nothing much else and Arteta seemingly past his best. If we're buying back Vela, let's get Fabregas back too. Funds allowing, if course!
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Sunday 11 May 2014
Loza & Ruddy could be good for Arsenal
What a relaxing afternoon for Arsenal fans in the sunshine to end the league season! Normally our fingernails are bitten to the quick, but this time we could watch our slightly makeshift team cruise home against Alan Partridge's finest.
Normally, when we play relegated or about-to-be-relegated sides, I watch the opposition closely wondering whom we might poach. However, given our transfer policy, I know it's only wishful thinking: why speculate to accumulate when you can mend and make do?
Anyway, I digress. Norwich sub Jamar Loza caught my eye. I certainly wouldn't mind us signing him, although we're extremely unlikely to now that he's no longer a teenager: we don't sign over 20-year-old players too often do we? Not unless they've got a bit of a track record, anyway. Well, Loza looks like he's got a decent future at the top level, judging by his 30 minutes or so against us. A bit of a handful, he was.
The game will probably not live long in the memory, although Rambo's volley will. Giroud set him up and Rambo did something right for maybe the first time in that match. Wow! What a screamer! That'll be good for his confidence, which hasn't been lacking of late due to the sensational season he's had. If Rambo hadn't got injured, he may have got the PFA Player Of The Year award. Well, only if Luis Suarez hadn't been even better! Just think, if we'd bought Suarez this summer, we'd probably be champions now!
Ho hum! Still, we have to be grateful. So many reasons to be cheerful, with Wilshere returning, Corporal Jenkinson scoring he's first goal for the club and Diaby...yes Diaby...making yet another comeback for injury. The fans gave Diaby magnificent support, but I'd offload him if I was boss. He's had a few good games for Arsenal, but not enough, in my opinion. He's been unfortunate with injuries though, so I hope now he's fit again he'll prove me wrong.
The only other thing to note was Fabianski playing his first league game of the season. Why? Does it mean Szczesny will play in the FA Cup final v Hull? Maybe.
Personally, I'd stick with Fabianski. He earned the right to play in the final, as he's been our cup keeper, so why change it now? I'm not Fabianski's biggest fan, but credit where credit's due: he's had a solid season. Ironically, he'll be offski after picking up a medal: hopefully a winner's one.
If we need a replacement for a departing Pole, we could do worse than raid Norwich for John Ruddy. Yet last time we went to East Anglia for an England keeper we ended up with Richard Wright. I don't know why that transfer didn't work out for Arsenal as Wright seemed to have everything you need to be a top keeper at a big club, but it may be once bitten forever shy for Wenger. Or at least another excuse to keep a tight grip on the purse strings.
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Normally, when we play relegated or about-to-be-relegated sides, I watch the opposition closely wondering whom we might poach. However, given our transfer policy, I know it's only wishful thinking: why speculate to accumulate when you can mend and make do?
Anyway, I digress. Norwich sub Jamar Loza caught my eye. I certainly wouldn't mind us signing him, although we're extremely unlikely to now that he's no longer a teenager: we don't sign over 20-year-old players too often do we? Not unless they've got a bit of a track record, anyway. Well, Loza looks like he's got a decent future at the top level, judging by his 30 minutes or so against us. A bit of a handful, he was.
The game will probably not live long in the memory, although Rambo's volley will. Giroud set him up and Rambo did something right for maybe the first time in that match. Wow! What a screamer! That'll be good for his confidence, which hasn't been lacking of late due to the sensational season he's had. If Rambo hadn't got injured, he may have got the PFA Player Of The Year award. Well, only if Luis Suarez hadn't been even better! Just think, if we'd bought Suarez this summer, we'd probably be champions now!
Ho hum! Still, we have to be grateful. So many reasons to be cheerful, with Wilshere returning, Corporal Jenkinson scoring he's first goal for the club and Diaby...yes Diaby...making yet another comeback for injury. The fans gave Diaby magnificent support, but I'd offload him if I was boss. He's had a few good games for Arsenal, but not enough, in my opinion. He's been unfortunate with injuries though, so I hope now he's fit again he'll prove me wrong.
The only other thing to note was Fabianski playing his first league game of the season. Why? Does it mean Szczesny will play in the FA Cup final v Hull? Maybe.
Personally, I'd stick with Fabianski. He earned the right to play in the final, as he's been our cup keeper, so why change it now? I'm not Fabianski's biggest fan, but credit where credit's due: he's had a solid season. Ironically, he'll be offski after picking up a medal: hopefully a winner's one.
If we need a replacement for a departing Pole, we could do worse than raid Norwich for John Ruddy. Yet last time we went to East Anglia for an England keeper we ended up with Richard Wright. I don't know why that transfer didn't work out for Arsenal as Wright seemed to have everything you need to be a top keeper at a big club, but it may be once bitten forever shy for Wenger. Or at least another excuse to keep a tight grip on the purse strings.
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Sunday 4 May 2014
We want you (Sagna & Wenger) to stay?
Another semi-slick professional performance, with the occasional sloppy moment, marked the final home game of the season. The question is could it be the last we see of Sagna and Wenger? I wish I knew. I suspect Sagna will be off. Ironically, after the fans began singing 'We want you to stay', he gave the ball straight to the opposition in our own half. Nevertheless, he is a very good right back, and worthy of a top 4 club. However, I can't see him staying. I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up at Barcelona; all of our best players and some of those who have more ego than ability end up there! I wish Sagna well. He's been a good and consistent servant to the club, and we should appreciate all that he's given to the Arsenal cause. We've had his best years and another club will still get whatever mileage is left on his clock.
With Wenger, meanwhile, you can't help but feel there is no mileage left. Nevertheless, he still starts up in the morning and does a good job getting us from A to B, or should I say 'fourth'. If that sounds disrespectful, it's unintentional. I'm not that sure I want a change of manager. If Wenger wins the FA Cup I think we should stick with him for one more year; I'm a big believer in 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'.
Winning the FA Cup is no forgone conclusion, though. This final reminds me of how I felt before the Ipswich final; I couldn't see how we could lose, but lose we did. It was a terrible shock. So shocking that I told Roger Osbourne when I bumped into him that his goal 'ruined my life'! That was a bit extreme, and he's a lovely guy so didn't deserve that. I did shake his hand, though, so I wasn't rude: just eccentric as usual! Not much I can do about that!
There was no chance of West Brom ruining my life today, as we'd already secured 4th spot, thanks to Man City winning at Everton. It was a relaxing day in the sun. Well, that's how it looked when Giroud headed us in front from Cazorla's corner.
West Brom are not quite safe yet, so I expected a backlash; but we were threatened to be masters of our own downfall, as we gave the ball away needlessly. Ozil and Arteta were guilty of that, but there were other slip-ups too.
Despite those negative voices who say the Arteta-Flamini axis doesn't work, we contrived to keep a clean sheet. Therefore, I rest my case. For now.
I was a bit worried about some of the challenges coming in during a full-bloodied encounter. Flamini's ankles were savaged by Sessignon, and my other concern is the accumulation of yellow cards. Nacho Monreal is on 4 booking, so is one away from a suspension. Consequently, I'd leave him out of the Norwich game, just to be on the safe side.
Meanwhile, Podolski clearly is desperate to play in this final, which will be handy if someone else misses out through suspension. I've never seen Pod work that hard before. If he did that all the time, they'd be no question marks about his work rate. On current form, he has to play. Four goals in the last 3 games and it could have been 5 had his miskicked shot gone in off the post today. Poldy is our most clinical finisher, so has to play. It's interesting Wenger hasn't taken him off since Poldy started moaning about being withdrawn before full-time. I saw Poldy going the way of Arshavin, but thankfully that has happened. Wenger clearly respects and/or rates Poldy a lot more than the diminutive but immensely talented Russian, whom I felt was denied freedom of speech at Arsenal.
Anyway, I'd play Poldi in the final. He deserves it. The team fielded today should be good enough to beat Hull, but I hope the Ox is fit enough to take Diaby's place on the bench.
One other player who could be dropped, if he wasn't skipper, is Arteta. I'm a big fan of Arteta, but he's not at his best. I'd choose Flamini instead, if we really intend to go for it against Hull. However, I couldn't swap him for Rosicky: it would have to be the Ox.
The next game sees us take on Norwich, who need a win to survive, but we should have enough to get a result. I'd play a weakened team, but Wenger probably won't. It's important we're in good shape for the final, so I'd start with Sanogo upfront, and throw Shellsuit (Kallstrom) into the fray. I might even put Diaby in, given the result doesn't matter to us that much. Then again, if we lose, it may dent our confidence.
Personally, I think we'll be sharper if we do lose. I'm a little worried we'll underestimate Hull, which would be a huge mistake. If we take them seriously, we should win. If we celebrate fourth too much, we'll come unstuck. It's a simple as that.
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With Wenger, meanwhile, you can't help but feel there is no mileage left. Nevertheless, he still starts up in the morning and does a good job getting us from A to B, or should I say 'fourth'. If that sounds disrespectful, it's unintentional. I'm not that sure I want a change of manager. If Wenger wins the FA Cup I think we should stick with him for one more year; I'm a big believer in 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'.
Winning the FA Cup is no forgone conclusion, though. This final reminds me of how I felt before the Ipswich final; I couldn't see how we could lose, but lose we did. It was a terrible shock. So shocking that I told Roger Osbourne when I bumped into him that his goal 'ruined my life'! That was a bit extreme, and he's a lovely guy so didn't deserve that. I did shake his hand, though, so I wasn't rude: just eccentric as usual! Not much I can do about that!
There was no chance of West Brom ruining my life today, as we'd already secured 4th spot, thanks to Man City winning at Everton. It was a relaxing day in the sun. Well, that's how it looked when Giroud headed us in front from Cazorla's corner.
West Brom are not quite safe yet, so I expected a backlash; but we were threatened to be masters of our own downfall, as we gave the ball away needlessly. Ozil and Arteta were guilty of that, but there were other slip-ups too.
Despite those negative voices who say the Arteta-Flamini axis doesn't work, we contrived to keep a clean sheet. Therefore, I rest my case. For now.
I was a bit worried about some of the challenges coming in during a full-bloodied encounter. Flamini's ankles were savaged by Sessignon, and my other concern is the accumulation of yellow cards. Nacho Monreal is on 4 booking, so is one away from a suspension. Consequently, I'd leave him out of the Norwich game, just to be on the safe side.
Meanwhile, Podolski clearly is desperate to play in this final, which will be handy if someone else misses out through suspension. I've never seen Pod work that hard before. If he did that all the time, they'd be no question marks about his work rate. On current form, he has to play. Four goals in the last 3 games and it could have been 5 had his miskicked shot gone in off the post today. Poldy is our most clinical finisher, so has to play. It's interesting Wenger hasn't taken him off since Poldy started moaning about being withdrawn before full-time. I saw Poldy going the way of Arshavin, but thankfully that has happened. Wenger clearly respects and/or rates Poldy a lot more than the diminutive but immensely talented Russian, whom I felt was denied freedom of speech at Arsenal.
Anyway, I'd play Poldi in the final. He deserves it. The team fielded today should be good enough to beat Hull, but I hope the Ox is fit enough to take Diaby's place on the bench.
One other player who could be dropped, if he wasn't skipper, is Arteta. I'm a big fan of Arteta, but he's not at his best. I'd choose Flamini instead, if we really intend to go for it against Hull. However, I couldn't swap him for Rosicky: it would have to be the Ox.
The next game sees us take on Norwich, who need a win to survive, but we should have enough to get a result. I'd play a weakened team, but Wenger probably won't. It's important we're in good shape for the final, so I'd start with Sanogo upfront, and throw Shellsuit (Kallstrom) into the fray. I might even put Diaby in, given the result doesn't matter to us that much. Then again, if we lose, it may dent our confidence.
Personally, I think we'll be sharper if we do lose. I'm a little worried we'll underestimate Hull, which would be a huge mistake. If we take them seriously, we should win. If we celebrate fourth too much, we'll come unstuck. It's a simple as that.
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