Wenger's silly bias - Lansbury and Bartley must get a chance

     A football club is not a family, but a business. All the same, there are indeed feelings that the fans feel towards the players and the club, there is no doubt in that. So in most cases (excluding Denilson), a fan doesn't like it when a player is rumored to leave for another club.
     That's how I feel right now with rumors linking Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, Rhys Murphy, and Henri Lansbury away from the club. But sadly, my feelings don't matter. This is all business.

     The reason why I mention football as a business is because that is the main reason why Rhys Murphy will probably leave the club. He is 20 now, and while that is still a young age, it's a little old for the reserve squad in Arsenal terms. The U18 squad is a fantastic group of players, and it seems that a clear out of the reserves is to make room for the U18's to step up. Rhys will have a trial in a few days at Middlesbrough, and if he does well enough he will probably leave us.

     Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has been quite a "famous" reserve player for us, after the spectacular goals he scored against Everton reserves and Hull City. His skill is undoubted, but his attitude is where he lacks. He is Arsenal's longest serving player, but even after all these years he hasn't sufficiently changed. Arsenal is not a club that tolerates bad behavior, which has led JET to leave the club. A fee of 1.1 million pounds has been agreed between Arsenal and Ipswich Town for Jay, and he will leave the club soon enough. It's a shame that he won't make it at Arsenal with his talent, but to be a professional footballer you have to take your chances when they come along and listen to those above you. He hasn't done that, and will have to restart his career at Ipswich, when he could have made a career at Arsenal had he sorted his attitude problems. JET's potential is undoubted, so I'm sure he can become a great player, and may even make Arsenal regret selling him just like Bendtner (although he hasn't been sold yet). Ta, JET.

     That brings us to Henri Lansbury. He spent last season on loan at Norwich City, where he did well, and scored a fantastic goal at White Hart Lane for Arsenal during the Carling Cup which I'm sure he will never forget.
     There are rumors going around that Lansbury will be sold, or that he is weighing up his future. Norwich recently made a 1.5 million pound bid for Lansbury, but this bid was rejected by Arsenal. Even so, there is a feeling going around that Henri may leave. There was also speculation that Lansbury would be offered in a deal with Bolton for Gary Cahill.
     This disappointing transfer speculation wasn't helped by Lansbury's tweet that suggested he would have a change in his life. Conveniently for me, he deleted the tweet. Lovely.
     To be honest, I think it's absurd if Arsenal sells Henri. Denilson was shit last season, and Arsenal fans were fed up with him very early. Denilson got chance after chance, and never proved himself. Unlike Denilson, Lansbury has heart, drive, and a great right foot. He should be given the chance to prove himself, which I think he can.
     Perhaps Wenger is more eager to give Denilson a chance is because he brought Denilson in, and looked to be a player with great potential. Maybe Wenger feels that if Denilson fails, it reflects poorly on him. Selfishness? Maybe. But I hope not.

     And speaking of players not getting a chance, attention is immediately directed towards Kyle Bartley.
     Last season Kyle was sent on loan to Sheffield United, where he made 23 appearances. He then broke his cheekbone, and missed a month of action. By the end of the January transfer window though, he was sent on loan to Rangers. There, he wasn't a first team regular, but did make 9 appearances, three of which were in Europe. He even scored for Rangers, a headed goal in a 1-0 win over St. Mirren.
     Bartley was called up to play some big matches too, such as an Old Firm Derby, and matches against Sporting Lisbon and PSV. All big games for the Kyle and Scottish outfit, but matches that he performed very well in.
     While Rangers isn't the strongest side, they are still a very good team and a big club. They have a huge fan base, and I can only imagine the amount of pressure on a player before and during an Old Firm Derby - arguably the biggest rivalry in the world of sports. Arsenal players tend to have problems in high pressure situations, and I won't mention any. *coughcarlingcupfinalcough* Bartley has matured and gained loads of experience, and at only 20 years old could be a real asset to the club. I highly doubt he would prove to be more mistake prone than Squillaci or Djourou, so that in itself could be a huge bonus.
     Bartley only has one more year on his contract, and while letting him get one more year at Rangers would be good for his experience, he may wish to make a career there and leave Arsenal. In my opinion, Arsenal would regret this. Like Bendtner, Bartley has great potential but has fallen out of favor. Both of them may leave the club, and I feel that if they do, we will regret their departures. However, Bartley is also rumored with a move to Burnley and Crystal Palace, which is fairly understandable. Playing in England would allow Wenger to keep a closer eye on him - that was why Vela went on loan to West Brom vs. a Spanish club.
     Anyway, back to Bartley - while Wenger has made Miquel his "favorite" young center back, Bartley has more potential than Miquel and the two of them can make for a fantastic pairing in the future. It's odd to say this, but Wenger must look towards the future. Bartley can become a fantastic defender, and while I don't expect him to play every other game this season if he stays, I believe 15-20 appearances for Kyle would do him justice. Bartley said himself he can offer the squad a lot:

     “If I’m honest, I don’t think I was anywhere near the level to play for Arsenal last season, but I've come back, I feel really strong and I feel that I am ready now. 

     I learned the demands of being at a top football club who are trying to win things and how important it is to be a champion and a winner. Every time you step on the pitch, you are going out there to win so there is a lot of pressure on you.

     I think I can offer something else [because] I am a little bit different to the other centre-backs. I like the physical side of the game and I see myself as a leader. If Arsene decides that he wants me in the first team then that will be fantastic. 

     He has said he doesn't want me going on loan yet and he hasn't made his mind up. My hopes are the same as every year, to be an Arsenal first-team player. Hopefully, this year, that will happen."

    Those are very strong words from Kyle, but words that he had every right to make, and I'm happy he did. I believe him to an extent: of course every player would think they're ready to make the step up. You only know if you're "ready" when you're "there", if you understand what I'm trying to say.
     He said that Wenger hadn't made his mind up on whether or not he will send Bartley on loan yet, which is interesting. I think the only reason why Bartley's future is undecided is because Jagielka and Cahill's futures aren't. I interpret this situation like this: Bartley hasn't been sent on loan yet because we haven't signed a center back yet. Once we do, perhaps Bartley will be sent on loan.
     The only scenario in which Arsene signs a center back and Bartley stays is if Squillaci leaves, or one of our center backs get injured by the end of the Emirates Cup. Sadly, I don't see either of those things happening. With Bendtner, Eboue, Denilson, and Almunia on their way out, for Squillaci to leave as well would be something else - regardless of the fact Squillaci consistently makes mistakes.
     So, it sadly seems Bartley will not be given a chance this season, which could lead to his departure. A departure that could forever sting Arsenal fans on "what could have been".

     To conclude this fairly depressing post, I make one last point. While we all know Wenger is big on youth, it seems he puts a priority on those that he had a hand in bringing to the club. That if those he brought in succeed, he succeeds as well.
     We also know that Wenger is a stubborn man. This could be why Bartley may not get his chance at Arsenal despite many Arsenal and Rangers fans rate him highly. I myself would rather have him than Squillaci, and arguably Djourou as well.

     Good luck to JET at Ipswich, and good luck to Murphy at Middelsbrough where I doubt he will fail to impress. Either way, a move for him is inevitable. All I really want is for Lansbury and Bartley to stay. The former to get at least one more year on loan with Norwich, and the latter to stay with us this upcoming season, which is creeping up on us fast - Just 2.5 weeks until kickoff!

     Should JET stay longer? Should Lansbury stay with Arsenal and not go on loan? Should Bartley get his chance? Drop a comment! Let me know your thoughts. You can comment below as "Anonymous" if you don't already have a Google account or whatever other options they have down there. 

Mid-Summer Transfer Round-up - JET to Gibbs

     Today is July 7th, and the summer is about halfway over. Due to Arsenal's poor season, Arsene Wenger has been stressed to make new signings, but it's also important to let go of some players who give little to the side, and keep the players that are our prized assets.

     I'll be addressing all of our own player's transfer situations in alphabetical order. There are exactly 31 players in our first team, so I'll do five players per post. Today, I start with Jay Emmanuel-Thomas.

11. Jay Emmanuel-Thomas - 

     Also known as JET, Jay is a 21 year old reserves player, that can play in nearly every position except in the goal. While he has featured for the reserves in a plethora of positions such as right back, center back, and midfield, JET has found his best position as a central forward. Jay did brilliantly for the reserves earlier this past season, scoring 10 goals in 9 appearances. In January, JET was sent out on a loan move to Cardiff. Jay is known for his fantastic footwork, but his main problem which many say stops him from making his "big break" are his attitude problems. When Jay is focused and has his attitude problems put aside, he is capable of producing magic, such as his goal for the Arsenal reserves against Everton's reserves, and a brilliant goal for Cardiff against Hull City. JET had a decent season with Cardiff, scoring two goals and making two assists. 

     Nothing is confirmed yet, but it is expected JET will go to another Championship side on loan again, unless he works wonders in the pre-seaso to impress Wenger. My prediction is that if JET doesn't perform next season on loan, then Arsenal will sell him. 

Please shave and get a haircut. 

12. Lukasz Fabianski - 

     Two seasons ago, Fabianski did himself no favors by making error after error when featured in the first team, most notably for his gaff against Porto in the Champions League. Despite his constant mistakes, Arsene Wenger supported the Pole and said that he had exceptional quality, despite what the majority of Arsenal fans (and those who watched football) thought. However, this past season Lukasz proved Wenger right, when he was called upon to replace the injured Almunia. Fabianski put in very solid performances, and showed that behind is couch potato, slob look, he was a fantastic 'keeper. Sadly AND luckily, Fabianski got injured in the away match against Manchester City, which allowed Szczesny to steal the number one spot. 

     As of now, there have been no offers for the Pole and he will stay with us. But with rumors circulating that Arsenal is after Sunderland 'keeper Craig Gordon, Fabianski, Gordon, and Szczesny will have a real battle for a starting spot. 

13. Cesc Fabregas - 

     Lucky number 13, eh? Our captain has once again endured an injury-plagued season, his hamstring being the problem. He struggled to find a run of games, which stopped him from finding the fantastic form he had found two seasons ago. But never mind all that. The real question is - will he be an Arsenal player next year? 

     Here's my post regarding the details of rumors linking a move for Cesc to Barca, up to that date. The latest on the transfer saga is that Ivan Gazidis and the Arsenal board have stuck a 40 million price tag on Cesc, and it's up to Barcelona to meet that, whether Cesc wants to leave or not. It's very simple really - if we put a price tag on a player, and you meet that price, we sell. If not, tough luck. Barcelona doesn't seem to understand this concept. Until then, Cesc will be an Arsenal player. 
     On another note - Cesc was also supposed to go on the Asia tour with Arsenal, but his hamstring injury has stopped him from doing so. Cesc is back in London and London Colney, currently doing weight training. Nasri, meanwhile, is booked to fly to Kuala Lumpur with the squad this Sunday. 

14. Emmanuel Frimpong - 

     

     Frimpong was able to feature in the Emirates Cup, where he impressed many. Unluckily, he suffered an injury to his anterior cruciate ligament and missed all of last season. Frimpong will travel with the squad to Asia. 

     In July, Frimpong admitted that he was in talks with Cardiff City and Charlton Athletic for a loan move, where he could get regular first team football. However, there are rumors circulating that if Frimpong impresses well enough in Asia, he will sit the bench and be the replacement for Song and Wilshere when they become fatigued/injured. 

15. Kieran Gibbs - 

     In the past few seasons, Gibbs has given a lot of assurance to Gooners, as it seemed Gibbs was the long-term replacement for Clichy. However, this past season Gibbs was constantly injured, which stopped him from finding form, or games for that matter. When Gibbs did play, he was very poor, particularly his FA Cup match against United. 

     There have been no rumors linking Gibbs away from the club. Instead, much of the talk regarding Kieran has been whether or not he will be the replacement for Clichy. I think he will, which is a decision I don't agree with. Gibbs is more of a winger than a full back, and his lack of experience and fitness could be a problem. He doesn't offer enough to the side defensively. We need to strengthen our squad, not replace it. 

     That's that for today. Tomorrow I'll have updates on Koscielny, Lansbury, Mannone, Nasri, and Ramsey. I hope you liked the post, and encourage you to comment and leave your thoughts.