Sick of Newcastle, Wolves Preview, No Injuries!, and Other News

     Well hello there.
     You may have noticed that I haven't been on in a while. The reason being, Newcastle. That four all draw was probably the most painful thing to ever happen to me. Not even snapping my tibula in similar fashion to Cesc* was as painful.
*However, I did not score a penalty to earn a draw to Barcelona. I writhed on the ground in agony and then went to the hospital.

     I really don't want to get into much detail about the Newcastle match, but i'll summarize it quickly for you, in short bullets to comfort your simple minds -

• Fantastic start, however I didn't exactly think Newcastle defended very well. (They were shit)
• Barton should've recieved a yellow for his tackle on Arshavin.
• Shit, Djourou's off.
• Fuck, Squillaci's on.
• Red card tackle on Diaby from Barton. No foul???
• Understandable reaction from Diaby considereing what he has experienced in his career.
• No excuse for the reaction, though.
• Why on earth did we panic?
• Eboue and Rosicky is not defensive solidity.
• Eboue? Really? Why not Gibbs? Chamack? Bendtner?
• First penalty understandable.
• Red card for Nolan on Szczesny if red card for Diaby, naturally? Nope.
• Oy Arsenal, lets start passing the ball... How about some possesion?
• Second goal - meh.
• Second Penalty- What the fuck was that for? Holy shit.
• Fourth goal - Let's be honest, that was amazing. But note: the free kick that they scored from was because of Rosicky's terrible touch and resulted in Rosicky commiting a foul.
• Why was RvP's goal disallowed? Were his shin guards not NOCSAE approved or some shit? Bloody hell.
• 4-4
• I've never sworn more in my life during that match.

     Well. thats what I thought. I'd like to hear your thoughts though, too.
     But thoughts I don't want to hear from: 12 year old kids at soccer practice who speak behind my back while im in the shitter, because I was wearing my Arsenal jacket, proudly. And yes, I confronted them. I said: "Okay kids, you don't know what the hell you're talking about." And then I let slip: "Phil Dowd is a cunt."
I then realized what I had said and walked away at a brisk pace.

     Anyway, on to the good things this week. Or, at least, what should be good things.

     Barca's director of football Raul Sanllehi has come out with a statement that Barcelona will not pursue their chase of our Cesc Fabregas. How much truth is in that I'm not so sure, because he has said that before and then made another bid. He said:

     “Cesc is a great Catalan player. He played for us as a kid and he will be welcome back at Barcelona for the Champions League match. Right now, everything is dead regarding a transfer.”

And rightly so. Barca is in more debt than.............. Well to be honest I don't know of anyone in more debt than them.

     So we've reached and passed the International Break. I usually hate it, and still do. Why the hell do we need friendlies during this time of the season? The last thing we need is another injury. However, for those players that were not called upon by their national teams, they get some rest. But those who werent called upon probably don't get that much playing time for us so I guess their aren't actually and pro's.......
     Anywho, thankfully everyone we sent out has come back alright. Szczesny had a little injury scare, but he's alright. Sagna took an elbow to the mouth from Hulk, and you don't even need to know who Hulk is to know that that one hurt.
     Other than that little collision, Sagna had a great game when he and France took on Brazil in Paris. Clichy and Koscielny didn't play, but Diaby came on later in the match as a sub.

     For the Denmark vs England match Walcott assisted Darren Bent's goal. Fantastic work by him, showing persistence and presence of mind to deliver a ball like he did to the far post.
     I wasn't able to watch the English match, but from what I've heard Wilshere had a good game. Great I think for him to deal with all the pressure that was placed on him after Fabio Capello's comments. Shows his maturity and that we've got someone worth holding onto, in case we didn't already know.

     Oh and Rosicky scored for the Czechs. Kind of makes me hate him more; he never does shit for us.

     Yesterday articles were published saying that Arsenal placed fifth in the world richest football clubs, behind the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, and Bayern München. To be honest, this puzzles me, after the debt that Madrid, Barca and United have accumulated. Bayern on the other hand, I have no idea why they're ahead of us. However, the most important thing we can get out of this list is that we are in the top 5 WHILE being a well run club. Nice try, Barca. The article can be found here via Arsenal Mania.

     Speaking of Barca, Diaby has spoken out saying that he wants to one day play for Real Madrid or Barcelona. His exact words:

"At some point I would like to play for Barcelona or Real Madrid, but I would prefer to play for Barca, because I prefer their style.”

     In my opinion, I can't help but laugh. Scrambling for a place in our squad against Song, I doubt there is any chance for him to beat out Busquets or Khedira. But never say never.

     So this weekend we take on Wolves at the Emirates. It's actually pretty scary to be honest. But there are complications.
     First off, they are giant killers, taking loads of points from teams in the top half of the table - more than us. Also, our away record is much better than home, so you could even say that by being at home we're on the back foot! Weird.
     None the less, when we did go to Molineux earlier in the season we won a tight match 2-0 with early and late Chamack goals. Hopefully we can finish Wolves off quickly, and, unlike Newcastle, hold the lead.

     Regarding injuries, Song should be back in the squad along with Djourou. Nasri is still out so I expect Arshavin to substitute. RvP is still a little bit sick but I think he'll be back in time.
Many of our players have been in action this international 'break' so let's pray that they won't be too leggy out their.

     Manchester United takes on Manchester City in a big derby match. Hopefully the two draw or United loses, and we grab the three points against Wolves. That would see us just one point behind the leaders.

     Other than that, not much else. Looking forward to watching the match Saturday morning in full HD on ESPN. And anything but the shit commentators, please and thank you.

Transfer Deadline Day, Injuries, and Other News

     The transfer window is closed. I know this is a bit late, but I had so much to talk about with the Everton match I thought id leave it for today.
     For those of you who are disappointed we didn't sign a centre back, open up your eyes. This is Arsenal, not the trigger happy Man City, AC Milan, or Real Madrid. Nor are we stupid.

     If an out of form Torres is honestly worth £50 million, (which he isn't) then surely £60 million for Nasri on his current form would be a reasonable price?
     Football has gone mad. Because clubs like Liverpool, Chelsea, Man City, and Real Madrid are willing to spend absurd amounts of money on players that in some cases have no guarantees, does that mean that clubs such as a West Brom or a Birmingham or even a Bolton are expected to compete in today's transfer market? Absolutely not.
     The gap is growing in football between the "haves and the have not's"
Spain is beginning to turn into Scotland, if it hasn't already. Italy is on and off, with the poor form of Inter this season and the resurgence of AC Milan, (despite injury troubles) Palermo, Lazio, and Napoli.
     England is going through a churning phase, with a club like Manchester City growing in quality. Not because of a squad that has grown together over seasons, but because of owners willing to shell out cash absurd amounts of cash to get a quick fix. Not the right way to build a football team.
     That's why we need Fabregas to stay with us another season or two. With a more experienced and mature Wilshere, a top class Nasri, a world class Walcott, a deadly Bendtner, and others, we'll be quite the side in a few years time.
     Critics love to criticize, especially the fact that we haven't won a trophy for quite some time. Manchester United won the title two years ago, and Chelsea last year. But look at their age. Giggs and Scholes I'm not even going mention. Ferdinand, Van der Sar? Then Drogba, Terry, Lampard, and Anelka?
     Them compared to our 19 year old Jack Wilshere, and a predominantly 23/24 year old squad. We're competing with the top sides now, so imagine us in three years time.

     In the FA Cup we've been drawn to Leyton Orient, a side sitting 16th in League One. I'd like to say that this will be a simple win, but from experience I know better.
     Despite sitting lower in League One than Huddersfield, I'm afraid that we have may another one of those FA Cup days. What days, exactly? The days where we defend poorly with less than half of our starting XI, our passing game poor, and we then throw Fabregas on in the 60th minute to score a game saving penalty in the 89th minute.
     But I'd like to avoid that.

     TalkSport has apparently called Fabregas a poor leader, probably taking this up after Denilson's misinterpreted comments. Young Jack wasn't very happy about it, via Twitter:

"Listening to talksport and they questioning cecs captaincy, he is a brilliant leader and protects his team mates always,very passionate guy.
Adrian and Darren,love the show but just to let you know cesc is a great captain and helps me alot A great role model for all young players!"

     Great to see that from Wilshere. Clear that there's a great vibe within the squad right now, and that there's belief in Fabregas and the team as a whole.

     On to injury news and Fabianski should be out for the rest of the season, once he receives surgery on his shoulder. He acquired the injury earlier this season when warming up for the Manchester City match.
Wojciech Szczesny admitted that he accidentally and indirectly caused Fabianski's injury. He said:

"I was warming Fabian up before the game with Manchester City and I took a very powerful shot.
He made a beautiful save but also got an injury. I didn't do it on purpose, I was just doing my job.

I feel stupid about it. I even told him it would have been better if he didn't save that shot. I take advantage of my team-mate's misfortunes."

     Well, I am certainly happy with how things turned out. Fabianski was plating well, but I constantly worried about a possible mistake, reminiscing the Champions League Porto tie. Before the injury, Szczesny was upset at the playing time he was getting. We now know what this kid is capable of and all the potential he has. But I hope Fabianski recovers quickly, and Szczesny continues with his good form.

     Earlier today the Arsenal reserves took on the Chelsea reserves for the third consecutive meeting between the two sides. Rhys Murphy of Arsenal started the scoring against some heavy Chelsea pressure on the counter. Chelsea then nicked two, until Luke Freeman was able to save Arsenal with a brilliant equalizer in the dying seconds of the match. Ignasi Miquel went off injured, and hopefully he'll be alright; a promising centre back for Arsenal.

     Now to wrap today's blog up I mention how much easier our win against Everon could have been if Rosicky had not been included. You know my displeasure with him, and I feel that his time at Arsenal is up. Perhaps a move to Ukraine, Greece, or Holland would suit him.
     In this day and age midfielders have to get on the scoresheets, and he hasn't done so for much too long. I still remember the penalty he had against Sunderland earlier in the season, and I still won't forgive him for that miss. With the likes of Fabregas, Nasri, and Wilshere to flourish, there is no room for him in this squad. And I'll be happy to see the back of him, hopefully this summer.

Arsenal 2 Everton 1 - We Are No Gimmick

     On Tuesday night Arsenal hosted Everton to a packed Emirates stadium. It was a surprise to me and many others as Rosicky was given the nod to start in Nasri's vacated position. Other than that change, we had our full starting XI.
Right from the whistle Everton seemed to be up for this one, as they have been for their other matches against big opponents. No top seven team in the league this season has beaten them except for us.
     As I had predicted, Fellaini's physical presence would be tough to handle for our midfield. Arsenal could not find their passing game; we were slow and our touch was off.
Wilshere received a yellow early on for a simple challenge on Arteta that was more than theatrical. Minutes later, Fabregas made a late challenge on Arteta, with no intention to win the ball, but no yellow. This showed the inconsistent refereeing that Arsenal and Everton would have to deal with throughout the night.
     After fifteen minutes Arsenal began to settle in. We camped out in their half, however few chances arose. Fabregas had a neat give and go with RvP but his shot was poor. Theo Walcott then had a chance; but the effort was tame as a result of Tim Howard’s great positioning.
In the 24^th minute Everton scored. Should it have counted? Absolutely not. Even David Moyes admitted that the goal was lucky for Everton.
     Seamus Coleman played a chip over our defense for Saha, who was two yards offside. Koscielny reached for it and got a touch, it fell kindly for Saha, and he finished brilliantly.
But whether Koscielny touched it or not should not have mattered. Saha was active in the play. Everton ahead, from an offside goal.
     Arsenal didn’t respond. Everton continued to play their game. Fellaini was dictating the midfield. A very poor half.
     Our main problem in my eyes was Rosicky. He gave us no width on the left side, rarely seen there. Almost always seen though, in the middle of the park. As a result our midfield was congested when going forward, and Walcott was being over-worked on the right. It is known that Rosicky is a center midfielder, however he is experienced enough to play in the position assigned to him and play there. Selfish, on his part. The only poor decision I believe Wenger made on the night was to have Rosicky start, even if Arshavin and Bendtner were leggy.
Take no credit away from Everton though; they defended well and we didn’t go forward well.
At half time Song was replaced by Diaby after injuring his thigh in a collision with Szczesny. Not a good sign for the Cameroonian.
     In the second half Arsenal started well. In the 62^nd Arshavin finally came on for Rosicky. Immediately our play was expansive and had more width. Bendtner then came on for Wilshere. A gamble, but exactly what I wanted and we needed. As a result Diaby sat furthest back, Fabregas was slightly ahead of him, and Van Persie sat right behind Bendtner. Two minutes later, Arsenal scored. Fabregas played a chip into the box for Arshavin, Rodwell got a touch but it fell kindly for Arshavin who finished smartly from a fairly difficult angle in the six yard box. A fantastic finish from the man starting to find his form again. The goal was similar to Everton’s; however Arshavin was onside.
     Arsenal kept the belief. Five minutes later we got a free kick in prime RvP range. He forced a fantastic save from Howard, and we received a corner. RvP took it, and the ball was whipped in to the back post for an unmarked Koscielny and he headed it home to make it 2 - 1 to the Arsenal.
     Afterwards, the game became more open but Everton did little to trouble Szczesny, and the game ended 2 – 1. A fantastic win that really showed the character of the squad. A year ago, Arsenal would have lost this match. We are now clear title contenders.

My thoughts –

· Szczesny – Had a good game, but his positioning could have been better for Saha’s goal. Other than that, the Pole wasn’t tested much at all.

· Sagna - Not one of his best performances. I would’ve liked to have seen more crosses, and defensively was OK.

· Djourou – Didn’t defend very well. Saha, Fellaini, and others got the better of him on numerous occasions. Not his usual self.

· Koscielny - I thought he was fairly poor; he didn’t make Saha uncomfortable, but the goal of course was fantastic.

· Clichy – Defensively did well, but did not see much of the ball due to Rosicky’s poor positioning. When Arshavin came on, he supported the attack well.

· Song – Poor game. Fellaini out muscled him, and did not protect the back four as well as we are used to seeing.

· Diaby – He was able to keep Fellaini quiet, or at least more so then Song in the first half. Allowed us to go forward with more malice in the second half.

· Wilshere – Also did not have a very good game. Subbed off and rightly so. Was not a prominent figure. However, he’s only 19, so let’s be kind.

· Fabregas – Seemed to be off the boil today. Passing wasn’t as crisp as usual, however he did assist Arshavin’s goal. Should have and could have done better going forward.

· Walcott – Played very well defensively, but not the best offensively. Fairly ineffective, however he was overworked due to Rosicky’s poor positioning.

· Van Persie – Did well. Seemed most likely to score for Arsenal, and assisted Koscielny’s goal. Only complaint – I didn’t see much of him in the first half.

· Bendtner – Held the ball up well and had a fantastic bicycle kick. The game changed when he came on.

· Arshavin – He too changed the match when he came on. Scored the goal to start our comeback, and he is beginning to find his form.

·  Rosicky – Absolutely terrible. Provided nothing going forward, congested the midfield, did not give the team width, and at times I completely forgot he was on the pitch.

· Lee Mason – Horrible. Very inconsistent, and obviously, Everton’s goal should not have stood.

· Wenger – Poor decision to have Rosicky start, but football is about gambles, and he made a fantastic gamble to put on Bendtner for Wilshere. His half time team talk must have been very good; to give Arsenal the belief they needed to win the match.

     After the match David Moyes talked to BBC and said that Fabregas had made terrible comments to the officials at half time in the tunnel. Ones that he should’ve been sent off for. What he said, we don’t know, but you can’t blame him for being upset at the referees after their decisions.

     Hopefully Song will recover quickly from his injury, because he is a key player to our midfield. A great passer, a good touch, good defensively, strong, and effective when going forward. No other defensive midfielder in our squad has all those qualities. Wenger on Song’s injury:

‘He cannot walk. I don’t know what he has got.

He was kicked, I think it was by Koscielny, he knocks out

everybody in our team. So we have to see how he responds

to that in the next days, but he cannot walk at the moment.”

     Wenger also said that Walcott has a problem with his ankle as a result of his collision with Fellaini late in the match, but does not know how serious it is.

     Nasri’s injury isn’t looking favorable. Wenger said 21 days in his press conference. He will miss the first leg of our Champions league tie to Barcelona, and will race to find his fitness for the second leg.

     But three points is three points, and we’re still in this. A tough fixture on Saturday at St. James’s Park.