Despite the 0-1 defeat at the hands (or should I say 'the feet') of Monaco and the eyes of the referee (who didn't give us an obvious penalty), it's optimism as usual at the Emirates.
It really must be catching as even Alisher Usmanov is saying we're at the start of a new era. I can certainly believe that too, although we're far from dead certs for the title.
George Graham reckons we need to sign 2-3 more players, but unless 2-3 leave where are we going to accommodate them in the squad? I mean, how do you keep those who are uninjured happy when they're not in the first XI?
It's a fine balancing act, keeping all egos in check and making sure they put the team first. To give Wenger his due, he's done a pretty good job in that respect, and that's putting it mildly.
All in all, I think we may have just enough in our current squad to make it another trophy-winning season, as surely we're stronger now than we were this time last year.
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Tuesday, 5 August 2014
Monday, 4 August 2014
Pluses and minuses from Arsenal's weekend
A disappointing 0-1 defeat against Monaco on Sunday capped what was a very productive weekend for Arsenal on the pitch.
Debutantes Debuchy and Chambers were outstanding, while Alexis Sanchez was lively.
Campbell and Sanogo were so effective against Benfica that anything less than excellent would pale in comparison. Unfortunately, Giroud fitted that bill and got some stick from fans, as a result.
As regular readers will know, I'm a big fan of Giroud. He's nowhere near ready to start the season and that showed at the weekend. Nevertheless, we should be patient and persevere. I predict a goal every other start in the Premiership for the big striker this season.
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Debutantes Debuchy and Chambers were outstanding, while Alexis Sanchez was lively.
Campbell and Sanogo were so effective against Benfica that anything less than excellent would pale in comparison. Unfortunately, Giroud fitted that bill and got some stick from fans, as a result.
As regular readers will know, I'm a big fan of Giroud. He's nowhere near ready to start the season and that showed at the weekend. Nevertheless, we should be patient and persevere. I predict a goal every other start in the Premiership for the big striker this season.
Sent from my iPhone
Sunday, 3 August 2014
Khedira to Arsenal a real possibility
As many of you already know, I've been rather sceptical of the transfer rumour linking us with Sami Khedira and that's putting it mildly.
However, Arsene Wenger's reaction when asked if he'd made an enquiry about Khedira has made me reassess my view.
His reply was something along the lines of 'it depends what you mean by "enquiry"'. That reply makes me think there's no smoke without fire, in this case.
Meanwhile, it appears that Real Madrid are willing to sell to us for something in excess of £20m rather than let him leave next year for free (probably to Bayern Munich). The stumbling block would appear to be the German's wage demands.
If Khedira does sign, it could be curtains for Arteta. It makes me think it's no wonder that Wenger hasn't decided who will wear the captain's armband next season.
My bet is on Mertesacker, providing Arteta and Vermaelen leave this summer. I really don't think Wenger likes to alter the pecking order, so will leave things as they are providing the current skipper and vice captain stay put.
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However, Arsene Wenger's reaction when asked if he'd made an enquiry about Khedira has made me reassess my view.
His reply was something along the lines of 'it depends what you mean by "enquiry"'. That reply makes me think there's no smoke without fire, in this case.
Meanwhile, it appears that Real Madrid are willing to sell to us for something in excess of £20m rather than let him leave next year for free (probably to Bayern Munich). The stumbling block would appear to be the German's wage demands.
If Khedira does sign, it could be curtains for Arteta. It makes me think it's no wonder that Wenger hasn't decided who will wear the captain's armband next season.
My bet is on Mertesacker, providing Arteta and Vermaelen leave this summer. I really don't think Wenger likes to alter the pecking order, so will leave things as they are providing the current skipper and vice captain stay put.
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Misplaced optimism @ Arsenal?
Regular readers may suspect my answer to this question, particularly as I didn't dance for joy when Sanchez signed.
However, the 5-1 demolition of Benfica - albeit in a friendly - gives us significant grounds for optimism.
Mostly, though, it confirmed what I already believed: Bellerin is a potential superstar of the future, Sanogo will be fine once he remembers where the net is and Martinez is a decent prospect.
Additionally, I discovered to my delight that Campbell is not just a talented individual: he's a good team-player as well. Some fans complained about his fitness level, but I'm not too worried about that at this stage.
As well as that, Chambers slotted in beautifully. His mature display belied his tender years.
Based on this performance, Sanchez will certainly trouble defences, especially in Europe. In the Premier League though, I still can't see him scoring more than 11 in his first season at Arsenal. I'll be happy with that, as it's a decent return for a first season in a new country. What's more is Arsenal definitely have a stronger squad with him in it, that's for sure.
To conclude, can we maintain a title challenge with this squad? I think we have more chance than last season, I'll say that much. I'm worried about getting carried away after what is just a friendly game, but nevertheless we have to be pleased with what we saw.
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However, the 5-1 demolition of Benfica - albeit in a friendly - gives us significant grounds for optimism.
Mostly, though, it confirmed what I already believed: Bellerin is a potential superstar of the future, Sanogo will be fine once he remembers where the net is and Martinez is a decent prospect.
Additionally, I discovered to my delight that Campbell is not just a talented individual: he's a good team-player as well. Some fans complained about his fitness level, but I'm not too worried about that at this stage.
As well as that, Chambers slotted in beautifully. His mature display belied his tender years.
Based on this performance, Sanchez will certainly trouble defences, especially in Europe. In the Premier League though, I still can't see him scoring more than 11 in his first season at Arsenal. I'll be happy with that, as it's a decent return for a first season in a new country. What's more is Arsenal definitely have a stronger squad with him in it, that's for sure.
To conclude, can we maintain a title challenge with this squad? I think we have more chance than last season, I'll say that much. I'm worried about getting carried away after what is just a friendly game, but nevertheless we have to be pleased with what we saw.
Sent from my iPhone
Saturday, 2 August 2014
Ryo's Arsenal future in more doubt
Ryo Miyaichi may be dismayed to read that, when asked about the Japanese winger's future at Arsenal, Arsene Wenger replied: 'I don't know'.
In the circumstances, the boss's reply is understandable as Ryo has spent so much time on the sidelines injured.
Even now, the Japan international is still recovering from a serious ankle injury, so will miss the pre-season.
At least he's still got a squad number (31) unlike Johan Djourou, so perhaps there's some hope for him.
The new fitness coach, Shad Forsyth, already has his work cut out rehabilitating the crocked crew at Arsenal, whose numbers include: Theo Walcott (knee), Serge Gnabry (gar-knee), David Ospina (thigh), Thomas Vermaelen (short-term pre-transfer jitters/precautions) and surprising not Abou Diaby...yet. You could say Shad has already got his work cut out!
Despite Arsenal's already crowded sickbay, optimism is high following the signings of the aforementioned Ospina, Calum Chambers, Alexis Sanchez and Mathieu Debuchy. The question is: are there more exciting signings to come before 31st August?
Well, one reported signing not joining is the difficult to pronounce Georgios Spanoudakis. The teenage sensation has moved from Barcelona to Stuttgart instead. Let's hope he doesn't end up as successful as some of the others that 'got away', like Yaya Toure! Not quite the same set of circumstances, but galling nonetheless. Still, with a 15-year-old there's not much you can do to prevent them suddenly changing their minds it seems. In the big-money world of today's game, that doesn't seem right.
Another player we won't be getting is Morgan Schneiderlin. He's virtually on strike, it seems, and Spurs looks to be the most likely destination.
So that 'deal' was a bit of a bum steer provided by the media. The latest one appears to be Juan Fernando Quintero, who was supposed to arrive on Monday. Wenger more or less called that nonsense in his press conference and completely fabricated by newspapers and websites.
Then there's Mario Balotelli. Wenger has flatly denied that he ever had any interest in the player. As I suspected all along, he doesn't like loose cannons!
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In the circumstances, the boss's reply is understandable as Ryo has spent so much time on the sidelines injured.
Even now, the Japan international is still recovering from a serious ankle injury, so will miss the pre-season.
At least he's still got a squad number (31) unlike Johan Djourou, so perhaps there's some hope for him.
The new fitness coach, Shad Forsyth, already has his work cut out rehabilitating the crocked crew at Arsenal, whose numbers include: Theo Walcott (knee), Serge Gnabry (gar-knee), David Ospina (thigh), Thomas Vermaelen (short-term pre-transfer jitters/precautions) and surprising not Abou Diaby...yet. You could say Shad has already got his work cut out!
Despite Arsenal's already crowded sickbay, optimism is high following the signings of the aforementioned Ospina, Calum Chambers, Alexis Sanchez and Mathieu Debuchy. The question is: are there more exciting signings to come before 31st August?
Well, one reported signing not joining is the difficult to pronounce Georgios Spanoudakis. The teenage sensation has moved from Barcelona to Stuttgart instead. Let's hope he doesn't end up as successful as some of the others that 'got away', like Yaya Toure! Not quite the same set of circumstances, but galling nonetheless. Still, with a 15-year-old there's not much you can do to prevent them suddenly changing their minds it seems. In the big-money world of today's game, that doesn't seem right.
Another player we won't be getting is Morgan Schneiderlin. He's virtually on strike, it seems, and Spurs looks to be the most likely destination.
So that 'deal' was a bit of a bum steer provided by the media. The latest one appears to be Juan Fernando Quintero, who was supposed to arrive on Monday. Wenger more or less called that nonsense in his press conference and completely fabricated by newspapers and websites.
Then there's Mario Balotelli. Wenger has flatly denied that he ever had any interest in the player. As I suspected all along, he doesn't like loose cannons!
Sent from my iPhone
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