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The transfer window closed, Arsenal have signed a stop gap former player in the shape of Central defender, Sol Campbell and that is the Ambition of a Manager top of the Premier League on the 20/01/2010 and hopes to remain there. I would suggest, with a championship keeper, a defence that's known for scoring a few goals but hates any kind of set piece (or breakaway) and no big target man to put himself about (I'm still not a great fan of Nic Bendtner) that Arsene Wenger is barking up the wrong tree. Having taken a single point from the next three EPL games, which included a 0-0 at Villa, a 1-3 home hammering to Manchester United and a 2-0 away defeat to Chelsea that Mr Wenger has already paid the price for sitting back waiting for "new signings" to appear from the treatment table and not from other clubs (the "normal" way to do business, well it used to be) Not strengthening at the start of the season was wrong, not strengthening when you have the chance and are top of the League to give you that final push, is a criminal waste of a great opportunity. Genius or Idiot??
Wenger is certainly no Idiot but well short of genius status as well with the current squad
Christmas day has gone and New Years day is just around the corner. As 2010 draws ever closer, Arsenal have hit form while Liverpool have crumbled, Man United have an Injury ravaged defence and Chelsea are hit and miss at the moment. All that equates to is that Arsenal are in a much better position than I expected. January the 1st sees the Transfer window open for a month and what Arsene Wenger does during that month will have a big bearing on our title chances. With some long term injuries to key players and a team that still lacks physical strength and a top goal keeper, it is my belief that we still need at least three new players to enhance the squad and make a real play for the title. The next month will be very interesting, on and OFF the pitch
Arsenal have many great players, great to watch and skilful in the extreme. Does Arsenal have a great team?? NO NO NO NO NO!!
Wenger has assembled an eye catching squad of players that make you drool when we play teams that sit back and let us play but those with a bit more ambition, power, strength and height will always cause us problems.
The foundation of the team, back four plus the keepers are the weakest in my life time and Wenger seems completely blind or clueless as how to improve the situation.
Nothing has changed or been learned from last season and its the same old same old all over again. We are still one dimensional and easy to pick off with a bit of know how (Arsenal 0-3 Chelsea)
We simply don't have the size or power to battle when the pretty stuff fails and that has never been a problem that I have encountered in all my years of supporting the team.
I know that players have to take responsibility when they cross the white line but Wenger takes most of the blame for creating a team of lightweight players that would have trouble battling to get out of a paper bag on some days.
I really do think Wenger needs to go back to the drawing board because he has got this squad so very wrong imo. We all know he wont change and I really do think his best days are long gone and he is edging ever closer to his sell by date.
It's fair to say over the last few seasons I think Arsene has lost his way BUT this does give me the opportunity to once again say that he is the best Manager we have ever had and he has both my respect and thanks for what he has achieved with our club. Deep down I do know he has the best Interests of the club at heart and I applaud him for what he is now trying to achieve and time will now tell if he gets things back on track in the trophy cupboard.
Favourite memory was being at Highbury when we beat Everton to win the Prem in 98 and that Adams goal and the smile on Arsene's face when the game was over.
As for those who said Arsene who?? (me included) well we all know now
With 19 games gone and five defeats plus five draws already Mr Wenger, I have to tell you there has been a slip in standards so far this term. There is a distinct lack of concentration at times and some of the behaviour leaves a lot to be desired. I hope after the Christmas holiday that far more effort is made to rectify the situation. I hope to see the "C" which you have achieved this term vastly improve before the summer break
Another blistering Carling Cup performance saw an Arsenal team with an average age of only 19 beat Premier League Wigan 3-0 after beating Championship side Sheffield United 6-0 in the previous round. If this bunch of youngsters stay together and progress as well as they have already, this team has the makings of something exceptional.
Stoke 2-1 Arsenal (THIRD defeat to a relegation candidate) Crisis is too strong a word to describe the current situation but in terms of how our Premier League results have gone so far this season, it feels like it. Arsene Wenger needs to work his magic but It's looking like it might be too late already but there is still a long way to go and MIRACLE'S do (sometimes) happen
Tonight Arsenal take on arch rivals Spurs at the Emirates and the usual word used to describe any local rivalry is being used again. That word is "HATE" Hate is such a strong word and what is Spurs crime??? They are our local rivals, nothing more and nothing less. If there was another Premier Club 50 yards closer it would be them we "hate" instead. I dont hate Spurs and to be honest I dont think twice about them till its time to play them, like tonight. I remember the days of street battles all in the name of club pride or was it just an excuse to kick the crap out of someone on a Saturday afternoon? The funny thing is while the supporters all hate each other the players from these rival clubs are all friends and socialise together. Football should be enjoyed by all for what it is! There is enough hate in this World without adding more just for the sake of it!!
Beat Sheffield United 6-0 LC, lose 1-2 at home to Hull Prem, beat FC Porto 4-0 CL and then wait till the 93rd minute to get a poor draw at Sunderland In the Prem. Not the consistancy needed to make a sustained challenge for silverware is it? It may still be very early in the season but if we dont lay decent foundations now, the team could come crashing down later!
The last two games, performances and scores 3-1 away to Bolton in the Prem (20/09/2008) and the "kids" home 6-0 demolition of Sheffield United in the League Cup (23/09/2008) were both very commendable but when you spend the next few days patting yourself on the back and reading all the media hype thats heaped upon you, you tend to let your concentration wander and not fully focus on the next game. Arsenal 1-2 Hull City (27/09/2008) proof it was needed!
I could not let today pass without a quick mention for young Theo Walcott, after last nights 3 goal demolition of Croatia for England in a World Cup qualifier. Theo has shown glimpses of his brilliance in the past and maybe we all expected too much too soon but if last night's performance was anything to go by, he has been well worth the wait!! Lets now hope he pushes on for the Gunners and finally becomes the player we all expect him to be
Why? because William Gallas, Gael Clichy, Samir Nasri, Bacary Sagna, Cesc Fabregas, Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Eboue, Robin van Persie, Theo Walcott, Emmanuel Adebayor, Nicklas Bendtner, Aaron Ramsey, Alex Song, Johan Djourou, Lukasz Fabianski and Carlos Vela will be all over the world on International duty. This may sound strange but I have no interest In International football what so ever (maybe thats because I'm English and England are just one big yawn) so all i can do now is prey (something I never usually do) that all our players return safe and sound INJURY FREE!! but that will not happen It never does! our whole season could be compromised if the Injury gods turn against us. They took their Axe to Robin van Persie last season and he was solely missed in the end and just a few extra goals from him could have added the five extra points needed (unless he got a bag full, then only four points would have been needed to secured the title. It's bad enough losing player's when they play for Arsenal, It just makes me feel so bloody mad when they come back injured from International duty and are as much use as a fridge in Iceland (COUNTRY not the shop :-)) )
First Chelsea and now Manchester City, so you already know what I'm talking about. Madness and greed pops it's ugly head up again in the English Premier League. Proof again as if it was needed, saw two players (flesh and blood, just like me) sold for nearly 65 MILLION POUNDS and the only difference is that they can kick a football better than i can. Football will die on it's feet as only the billionaire clubs will win big and the rest will win nothing. Very exciting that prospect, with prices as they are today knowing your paying a fortune to watch a game but also knowing there will be nothing to celebrate at the end of the season. So what's the answer??? well it's so simple and kills two birds with one football. Cap the transfer ceiling to make it a level playing field. If it was say for example £20m during a transfer window then thats it. At the same time it kills the 30-40-£50m transfers dead in the water and will bring some, just some, sanity back to the game we all KNEW and LOVED. To enjoy sport the most, teams have to be of equal ability. What's the point of having a one sided game where in 90% of the games, you know the winner months before you ever take your seat
The season is still young but has already set the trend for what I expect the coming season to be like and that is a roller coaster ride. High point so far is qualifying for the Champions League and the low? well that unexpected 1-0 defeat at Fulham, not only was the score bad enough but the performance was even worse. With the transfer window firmly shut and no new additions bought on the last day I feel our squad is just not strong enough to compete over the next nine months but what do I know? and just hope the "boys" prove me wrong!
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