Arsenal: Lacking a little bit the oil

Just when I thought Arsene Wenger could not out-do himself, he goes on and comes up with "... lacking a little bit the oil..." Heh! So not only are Arsenal lacking a little bit the sharpness, but now they lack a little bit the oil. Fantastic! I like Arsene Wenger.

Much of the focus has been on our failure to score a single goal so far this season. We are focussing on it so much so that it shall soon become a problem for the team. I think most of the pressure is coming because Robin Van Pussie scored for the Mancies and so far Arsenal have not scored.

We are making such a crisis of it and yet it is only 2 games into the new season. Yes, ideally, we should be getting 3 points against Stoke and Sunderland, but even the bigger teams struggle against these teams. And would you prefer to get a score draw or a goalless draw? I would prefer a goalless draw because it suggests our defence is doing something right- so far. Chelsea have started very well, but somehow I get the feeling they will crumble when it matters. This Arsenal team, like a fine wine, will get better with time.

Of course the real test of our defensive organisation starts against Liverpool. Liverpool harbour wet dreams of winning the league in my lifetime (I know, I don't see it happening too) so they are going to attack us. Unlike the lesser teams who go into games not to lose, the bigger teams go into games to win. Invariably this tends to open the games up a bit more, not the train-parking drills we have had so far.

Much has been said about the Stoke City game. My thoughts? Stoke City fans are cretins. Booing Aaron Ramsey, after one of their players nearly ended his career, is just sick. I don't even know how they justify that behaviour. But I don't blame them. Their manager, Tony Pubis Pulis is a imbecile, together with the entire Stoke City management.

I never once felt the jitters that I get whenever we play those savages. In fairness, a few of the Stoke City players are decent footballers who simply do the bidding of their imbecile boss. They could actually play football given a different manager... but I digress. We contained them throughout the whole game. You could see they were very pleased to come away with a point from this game. I can't wait for us to give them a real pasting at the hands of Aaron Ramsey in the return fixture.

I am glad Abou Diaby has played 2 game sthus far and seems ok. He is way, way off the pace. I still remember that game a couple of seasons away at Aston Villa when he turned in midfield and drove up the pitch to score. I sure would like that player back.

Where I think we are lacking is in our wide attacking berths. Walcott for me will never be any better on the wing than he is right now. His best bet for improvement is to move into a central striker's position and use his pace to run the channels. Gervinho is a decent dribbler but he doesn't seem to know what he is trying to achieve and runs the ball out a lot. He is not the player u expect to just run and cross the ball, he wants to drive all the way to the goal post before he tries to square the ball.

Wide attacking areas are where we need more direct, typical wingers. Perhaps we need Jesus. No, not Christ but Navas. The spanish winger is quick, gifted technically and most importantly- he is a typical winger. He runs and crosses the ball, something which none of our wingers does. Antonio Valencia of Mancies United is a basic winger who just skips past his marker, runs like a fart down the line and sends an early cross for the attackers running into the box. These type of balls are very effective because they put opposition defenders under pressure- trying to clear a ball that is running past your goal mouth whilst you are running at speed towards your goal keeper tends to result in own goals, corners or straight goals for the attacking team.

So if I had to buy two players before the transfer window closes, I would buy a winger and a striker or a winger cum striker and a winger. I don't see Walcott staying and equally, I think we can do better in his position. If he stays, then that's OK, but if he goes now, I will wish him all the best of luck. I like Walcott, but I don't think he will get any better than he is at the moment as long as he plays on the wing. His only asset is his pace and when denied pace, he is as good as... ahem... Andrey Shevchenko was at Chelsea.... ahem.

I would also like to see many players leave to create space in the squad. Arshavin, Park, Chamakh, Bendtner, Squilaci, Fabianski- they can leave and I will have no problems with their departure.

Lets see what happens.

COYG!!!

Patience Gunners, Patience

Go bring us some trophies son!

I decided not to write this article immediately after the home goalless draw against Sunderland on Saturday. Yes, I was filled with disappointment like every Arsenal fan, but then again I was filled with hope for the season ahead. Put it another way, I think I can spot a good player when I see one or two... or even three...

The departure of Robin Van Pussie is seen by most as a catastrophe in the attacking areas for Arsenal. Yes he is a quality player and all that but the truth lies here: All strikers are only as good as the supply they receive from their team-mates. There are only two strikers in this world who are genuinely capable of (occassionaly) creating chances for themselves and these are messers Lionel Messi and Christiano Ronaldo. But even they cannot thrive without the support and supply of teammates.

Santi Carzola

This is where I think the loss of Robin Van Pussie will not be such a huge loss for Arsenal. Already we have signed Santi Cazorla who is clearly a very good creative player. Cazorla is mobile, quick, intelligent and packs a shot in both legs. Sunderland set Cattermole to mark him throughout the whole game but like all good players, he still managed to find space and cause problems all afternoon. He was still orchestrating our attacks throughout the entire afternoon. Cazorla has been given a free role and I think this will suit him perfectly.

Lucas Podolski

When we lost the ball, Podolski was dropping deep into midfield to support the team but was suddenly popping up in the Sunderland box when we attacked. Once the team finds its rhythm , I expect Podolski to start banging them in weekly.

Olivier Giroud

I know a good-looking Frenchman when I see one. Olivier Giroud, in the short time that he was on the pitch convinced me that he is a good striker. The highlight has been his miss when put through on goal by Cazorla, but how many great strikers don't miss chances that are even easier than that one? What encouraged me was his movement and ability to evade the off-side trap. Adebayor anybody...?

Theo Walcott

We all know about a certain Gervinho and he had a wonderful game on Saturday. Gervinho too needs to push on from last season. One man who I think we can improve on is Theo Walcott. Walcott is a good player to have in an open game because his sheer speed will get him past defenders. However, we know that most teams come to the Emirates to pack their train in front of goal. In such games, Walcott is useless because he possesses no tricks to get through tight spaces. I am not suggesting that we sell Walcott, but I would not lose much sleep if we did sell him and would go on to suggest that we get another winger/striker who possesses a bag of tricks to use in tight games. We do have Oxlade-Chamberlain who can play there but I think we need a more experienced player to help take the pressure off Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Football is about tactics and one of the greatest failures of recent Arsenal teams has been lack of variety in attack. When teams come and pack the train, we fail to break them down with our tippy-tappy. In such games, a traditional winger is required, who can just run to the line and ping in cross after cross for the strikers. The lack of such wingers and wing play is the reason why Marouane Chamakh has not made an impact at Arsenal.

Nuri Sahin

I do not know much about Sahin, but those ITK say he is a deep-laying creative midfielder. I can understand why Arsene would want to sign him. Our game is based on possession and even when we play the top teams in the league, we tend to dominate possession. With Arteta, Sahin, Carzola, Rosicky and Diaby (I know) Arsenal would have a very impressive creative midfield.

Francis Coquelin

The need for a defensive Midfielder is overstated in my opinion. Although every team needs one, I wouldn't lose much sleep if we didn't sign one now. Yann M'vila has been mentioned yet Coquelin can do a job in there. Alex Song was a decent midfield but very often he lacked the discipline of a defensive midfielder and his passing and general decision making left a lot to be desired. Better team organisation and defending when we lose the ball should address the problem of a defensive midfielder as it should not be the sole responsibility of a single player.

Set plays

When last did Arsenal score directly from a free kick? I would like to see the stats of our free kicks. In the days of TH14, we were almost guaranteed a goal every time he took a free-kick. With our style of play, we tend to win quite a few free kicks around the box and we need to start capitalising on such. This is one area this team can improve in. Cazorla, Podolski and Arteta are all good set-piece specialists.

Arsene Wenger is rebuilding this team. The criticism that we are a young and inexperienced team is not an excuse any more. Just look at how many full-internationals we have in the team now.

Equally, it takes the departure of some for the team to move forward. We didn't win with Fabregas, Nasri, Clichy, Van Pussie and Song in the side. Time to try something new. This Arsenal team is stronger than the one last year.

Our transfer business is not yet done but you can bet we are genuine title contenders this season already.

COYG!!!

Of Traitors And Cunts

Robin Van Persie is signing for Manchester United Today or in the very near future, after constructively dismissing himself from the employment of Arsenal FC.

Arsenal fans have received this news with mixed emotions; some think that Arsenal are crazy and lack ambition by allowing the best player in the Premier League 2011-2012 to leave Arsenal while most think of him simply as a traitor and a cunt. I think he is a Traitor and a Cunt.

There have been suggestions that he was willing to stay, after the signings of Cazorla, Podolski and Giroud. I do not buy this. After sending his infamous update for the fans and calling us "you guys" amid below-the-belt shots at Arsene Wenger and Ivan Gazidis, there would only be one outcome and this was it.

Van Persie and his advisors must have thought that after such a wonderful season last year, he would be swamped with suitors once he lifted up his skirts. But as fate would have it, the admirers peered down Van Persie's skirts and were not impressed with what they saw. Only the Ferg liked what he saw when he peered down the skirts of Van Persie. The bowed, hairy legs had Fergie's knickers in a twist and so he has laid £24 cool Million pounds on the table for Van Persie.

To refuse £24M for a 29 year old striker would be crazy. Van Persie is clearly a very good striker, but I don't think he will replicate the form he had last season. Be that as it may, players come and go but Arsenal still stands. There are very few players who leave Arsenal and don't regret it. Let's see what will happen to Van Persie.

The most important thing for Arsenal is to strengthen the team further with the funds received. Our midfield is currently technically the best in the league. Santi Cazorla, Mikel Arteta, Alex Song, Aaron Ramsey, Tomas Rosicky, Abou Diaby, Jack Wilshere, Francis Coquelin.That's a decent midfield.

Our Central defence too is very good and just needs more work on the training ground:- Thomas Vermaelen, Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny and Johan Djourou are a very strong group of defenders.

Left wing sees us field Andre Santos, Kieran Gibbs and Ignasi Miquel.

Where we could strengthen is our right-back position. With Bacary Sagna injured, Nico Yennaris and Carl Jenkinson don't really inspire much confidence in me at this moment in their Arsenal careers. I think we need a signing here.

On the left wing we have Podolski, Gervinho and Arshavin while on the right we have Walcott (?) and Oxlade-Chamberlain. Our main strikers therefore are Olivier Giroud and Marouane Chamakh. Podolski can also play as an top striker while Cazorla can do a job on either wing. But clearly, we need another Striker cum winger, a Theo Walcott type but better, to cover in the wide and central attacking areas.

In goal we have Szczesny, Fabianski and Mannone. Not so sure about the latter two, but if Szczesny is fit, we are ok in goal.

So, the squad is looking stronger than it has been in the last few seasons. And with Van Persie being a traitor, this group of players must be fired up for the new campaign. If this incident with Van Persie can't get them pumped up and eager to prove a point, then woe betide Arsenal.


I really fancy our chances at the League Title this season.

Come on you Gooners!!!

Santi Is A Gooner- Finally!!

Santiago Cazorla, Gooner.

Arsenal have finally officially announced the signing of Spanish International attacking midfielder Santi Cazorla from Malaga on the usual long-term contract for an undisclosed fee. He becomes the third high profile signing going into this season, after the signing of the two strikers- Lucas Podolski and Olivier Giroud.

I am not one to speculate on transfer fees but speculators speculate that Arsenal have spent close to £40 Million thus far. Hooray, Arsenal is spending some fucking money finally!! And the squad is looking ever stronger. If Arsenal do manage to get Nuri Sahin in from Real Madrid, then I would be very content indeed. I can't remember the last time we go into the new season with most of us Arsenal feeling this good!

Welcome Senior Cazorla!!!

One man who is not happy that Arsenal are spending some fucking money is our Uzbeki connection Alisher Usmanov, whom we shall politely call Fatso. You see Fatso played his hand too early in the struggle for a seat on the Board of Arsenal. He wrote that infamous, so-called open letter to the Board of Arsenal wherein he tried to gain some political mileage. Fatso and his ilk were either trying to exploit the contract situation involving our former hero-captain-turned-cunt Robin Van Cuntsie Persie or they had collaborated with Van Persie to time the outburst of their bullshit.

Arsenal fans being the clever and smart people that they are smelled shit and called it like it was, much to the shame, shock and disappointment of both Van Persie and Fatso.

Silent Stan Kroenke did not stoop low to the level of Fatso, who is still trying to piss on Arsenal. He simply kept his council and has allowed the Board to go about spending some fucking money- the Arsenal way by signing quality players at reasonable prices. Fatso has dug his own grave by sending that so-called open letter to the Board. Whatever slim chance he might have had at a seat on the Board will not happen as long as the current Board and Silent Stan are alive and in control.

And in the process, Van Persie's allegation that the club lacks ambition looks very silly now. Some might say that his outburst and Fatso's criticism of the Board has led to this improved spending, I disagree. Firstly because I don't think Arsene Wenger would go on such a spending spree just to please anybody. Secondly, looking at the amounts of money being spent, these transfers were well planned and not just panic buying. If Robin were to stay at Arsenal this season, it will be because we couldn't find somewhere to dump him, not because he has become convinced that the club suddenly has "ambition". He has clearly constructively dismissed himself from Arsenal. If I see him kiss the Arsenal badge ever, I will puke!! Let Manchester City have him, I honestly could care less right now! We have Santi, they can have Cuntsie.

So, a very big thumbs up to Arsene Wenger and the Board on the 3 signings so far. If we bring in another midfielder in the mould of Nuri Sahin, I say we are genuinely contesting the Premier League Title this season. Whether we win it is not the issue, just to compete genuinely is all I ask for. I can live with not winning it if we genuinely compete.

Things are looking very good at Arsenal. Long may they continue!!!!

Come on you gooners!!!

Santi is a gooner? Nobody is Sahin

The blogosphere and web would have us believe that Santiago Cazorla had a medical in London and has been signed. If so then great! I wouldn't want to jinx this deal so I won't pop the wine yet until Arsenal announce this deal on the official website.

Transfers are very complicated, especially when Arsenal is involved. I have been checking the Arsenal website for confirmation of the signing of Santi Cazorla every 5 minutes over the past two days! The wait is killing me! Is Arsene Wenger just toying with us and having a laugh by prolonging our misery? Are there complications with getting the deal done? Or are we waiting to finalise the deal for Nuri Sahin from Real Madrid and then make a joint unveiling?

I must say that I am feeling very confident about our chances at the league title for the season ahead- if we sign both Sahin and Cazorla. Robin Van Persie has done us all a favour by exposing his cuntitude when he did because he has taken pressure and attention away from Lucas Podolski and Olivier Giroud. And if we do the deals for Cazorla and Sahin, Van Cuntsie's allegation that Arsenal lack ambition is made to look like the bullshit that it is.

After his comments, I sincerely hope we get rid of him because his comments were an insult to Arsenal FC and to his teammates. How does he even face his mates after making such comments? He has basically called them uncompetitive and if I were in that dressing room, I would take issue with him. Thankfully Arsene Wenger is a gentleman.

The mistake we have been making as Arsenal is going into the season with a squad of 25 including home grown players who are under the age of 21! Such players are not even required to be named in the squad. My point here is that we tend not to want to have enough numbers and strength in depth because we don't want to "kill" this or that player's career, yet the sheer number of competitions we play in, injuries, suspensions, loss of form, inexperience, fatigue and tactics require that we have enough strength in depth.

Going into the season relying on  Diaby, Wilshere, Rosicky, Ramsey, Frimpong, Song, Arteta and Coquelin is a big risk for the reasons i have outlined above. The midfield in particular is key to success, but more on that later.

Lets's wait for official confirmation before we start celebrating; Santi is a gooner!!!