De ja vu for Arsenal

     Well then. Not exactly the performance the squad wanted to give in front of the home support, was it? I woke up yesterday morning full of optimism - another chance to see Gervinho and Jenkinson! I was even happier when I heard that Bartley had made the bench for the match, but sadly not Miyaichi, due to work permit issues.

     Wenger set us out to play Boca Juniors like this:

                            Fabianski

Jenkinson     Djourou     Koscielny     Traore

                  Frimpong      Wilshere

                             Nasri
     Gervinho                           Arshavin

                         van Persie

     The first half was good. Boca had trouble getting the ball down our end of the pitch, and Arsenal seemed happy to keep the ball in midfield. While there weren't many chances created, we did manage to score. A great counter saw van Persie meet a Gervinho cross to take the one goal advantage.
     It really was a fantastic counter. RvP held the ball up well for Wilshere, who played a perfect pass down the flank for Gervinho. Then I saw the impossible. Robin van Persie, and Arsenal striker, made a near post run. This was pleasantly greeted by a perfect pass from Gervinho, and the ball was in the back of the net. Perhaps van Persie is learning that he needs to be more direct with balls from wide areas. If so, that's a great bonus for us.

Robin van Persie's goal

     We went into half time a goal up, looking very comfortable. Every player on the park at the very least looked decent. Some played better than others, such as Koscielny, Jenkinson, Gervinho, Wilshere, Frimpong, and van Persie.

     What looked very good in particular was the rotation of the front three. Van Persie was often found on the right flank, Gervinho was everywhere, and Arshavin was too (though he usually is)!

     At half time Wenger made five changes in Mannone, Squillaci, Ramsey, Vela, and Chamakh. The new lineup looked like this:

                          Mannone

Jenkinson     Squillaci    Djourou      Traore

                  Ramsey      Frimpong

                             Nasri

       Vela                               Arshavin

                          Chamakh

     Right off the whistle, we scored. After some fast feet from Vela on the edge of the box, the ball fell to Rambo whose first touch of the match bulged the back of the net. Yes, you could draw parallels between Boca's 'keepers attempted save to Almunia's attempted save against Leyton Orient, but Ramsey's shot was a right bullet.

     The match continued, and I'm not going to go into every little detail, but at around, eh, maybe the 60th minute or so, perhaps earlier, we started to fade away. Boca had most of the ball, and when we did win it back we couldn't hold onto it. And while Boca had most of the possession, they were simply possessing it in areas that couldn't hurt us. Even so, the brilliant mind of Riquelme was slowly getting more and more into the match.
     Then, out of what seemed like nothing, Boca scored. Squillaci easily gave the ball away in midfield, which was pounced on by Boca. Djoruou's positioning was poor, and gave Viatri (the goal scorer) too much space. The ball was played to him, Djourou couldn't make up for his poor positioning, and Viatri smashed the ball into the top corner. It really was a fantastic finish, but the goal should never have happened. Squillaci fucked up, Djourou fucked up, and even Mannone wasn't tight enough to his near post.

     So three defensive errors in a row - that's not unlucky. That's a problem. Yes, Djourou, Squillaci, and Mannone aren't first choice, but they are players at Arsenal football club. In order to win a trophy a side has to have depth. At this point in time we don't. Luckily, we can still buy players in the transfer market, but will Wenger make the correct decisions?
     We were close to signing Chris Samba from Blackburn. Yes, we have been missing a dominating physical presence in the back, but Arsenal needs more than that. Samba would have been a poor choice and I'm glad we haven't signed him. He just doesn't fit the bill at Arsenal. He isn't capable of reading the game and having the required technical ability to make a positive difference at Arsenal. Cahill is a better option.
     Anyway - back to the match. We now found ourselves only a goal up, but to be completely honest, I sensed no comeback. Boca wasn't threatening us too much. In fact, I had forgotten the all the leads that Arsenal had let slip last season - what a fine three minutes that was! Because in the 71st, we suddenly found ourselves level, and only two words came to my mouth. Two words that seem come to my mouth fairly often when watching Arsenal: FUCK OFF.

     Some Boca bloke played a ball between Djourou and Squillaci. Djourou went to clean up the mess, which at first it seemed he did effectively. As Djourou and Mouche tried to get to the ball, Mannone raced to the ball, but never got to it because of Djourou's tackle. Unluckily for Djourou, the ball knocked off his sliding leg, and went straight to Mouche, who's finish was a simple one.
     It was poor defending from Djourou. He let Mouche get to the ball far to easily, but was unlucky when the ball popped off his leg in the way it did. And you can't get mad at Mannone. When you saw the ball played in, you didn't think Djourou would get to the ball, but he did, and by that time Mannone was in no-mans-land.
As a goalkeeper, you have to make a decision fast, and you have to stick to it. Mannone did so, but Djourou's fuck up made Mannone look like a fool too.

     So a pretty shit second half to say the least. The only bright part was that Eboue came on. It may have been his last performance in an Arsenal shirt sadly enough. He's got a fair amount of criticism over the past few years, but how could one dislike Eboue?!

     What really dissapointed me more than giving up two goals was where the captains armband ended up in the second half after van Persie left. Nasri. Are you kidding me?!
     Nasri has been a demon lately. He has held this club up for money and made us look like fools. Yes, he is a fantastic player, but that does not mean Wenger should give Nasri the armband to lure him to stay! Some fans believe that the captaincy role isn't very important. I on the other hand think it is very important. The captain of the club is also the face of the club. The captain is the player that others look up to. The captain sets an example. Does Nasri do any of that well? No. It was an embarrassment to Arsenal football club to have that armband on Samir Nasri.
     On top of that, when the Cesc rumors started to arise yet again this summer, some said Nasri could fill the void. I didn't think so, and I was proven right with his performance against Boca. Nasri holds onto the ball for too long. He doesn't know the right times to release like Wilshere, Ramsey, and Cesc. While Nasri can produce magical moments such as his goals against Fulham, that doesn't necessarily mean he is a creative player. He isn't. He doesn't find that split second gap to split defenses like Cesc does.
     Nasri's position, according to him, is central attacking midfield. But according to me and many other Gunners out there, he's now a winger.

Take that armband off right now!

     I don't want this entire post to be full of hate though! Jenkinson produced another solid performance. He was very good defensively, but going forward is still very raw. His decision making isn't the best, but his deliveries are very good.

     Gervinho once again gave us something to be positive about. He looks like such a good player. He did lose the ball a little too easily on some occasions, but he is extremely quick of the mark, and I honestly think he can make a huge difference on the upcoming season.

     Frimpong, like last year, had a good match in the Emirates cup. He really hustles players off the ball; a great physical presence. He isn't ready to start for us and still has to learn when to release the ball a bit better, but other than that he looks fantastic.

     Traore looked good as well. It seems his time in Turin taught him how to defend better, however he's not 100% convincing. Either way, I think he could give Gibbs a real run for his money.

     Away from player reviews and onto another matter. Our offside trap. In the match, the trap didn't work well at all really, and we were lucky not to concede any goals from a simple ball played through/over our defenders.

     Set pieces - we saw something different on corner kicks. Zonal marking. Yes, we are shit at man marking, but I really don't think zonal marking is the answer. In order to defend corners with zonal marking, you need a couple players who would really attack the ball and head it clear. We don't have any. I'd much rather go back to man to man marking. We all know how well zonal marking worked for Liverpool...

     So with that I leave you. Later today Arsenal plays the New York Red Bulls, where Henry will return. A tear may come to my eye...
     Tomorrow I'll have a post reviewing the Red Bulls match. Hopefully I will be happy at the end of this one. Cheers.


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Nasri's future depends on Barcelona's maturity - Cesc saga

I bet it was that B flat we heard. No wonder why it hurt so much...

     In past seasons, Arsenal have ended their campaigns poorly, year after year without a trophy, imploding in the late months. But last season didn't end on a bad note for Arsenal, it ended on a right shit note. Like an old piano that hadn't been tuned or played for years. The sound that started to ring and pierce our ears in March, finally came to an end in May.
     So as the past season came to an end with a terrible melody of losses and draws, everyone knew the upcoming summer was huge for Arsenal. Some were even calling for Wenger to get the sack, others rightly keeping their sanity and simply asking for Wenger to change his philosophy a bit. While Arsene has always been a smart spender, he's never been a big spender. This summer is the most important of his Arsenal career  in my opinion, because a trophy is desperately needed at the Emirates by the end of next season.
   
     The timing of skepticism over our own players's futures was poorly timed. During a summer when important signings have to be made, the Cesc saga continues, and to a certain level of surprise, Nasri refuses to sign a new contract. This gives Arsenal two options for the Frenchman: sell now, or keep him for another season, but let him go on Bosman. Many would choose to sell Nasri this season to make the £20 million profit while we can, as would I. For now, it looks as if Wenger intends on keeping him, and allowing Nasri to leave next season. However, I have a different take on the situation:
     Right now, Cesc looks more likely to leave than Nasri, but there is still a chance Cesc will stay. If Cesc does indeed stay thanks to Barcelona's lackadaisical bids for him, Wenger may look to offload Nasri in order to make some cash. This cash would be spent immediately on big transfers such as Juan Mata. *crosses fingers*
    Of course, this is pure speculation and may not be the case, but hopefully is. £20 million is quite a sum to let strut out of the club.

     Neither situation looks good, as the two are some of the very best players at the club, and in the world as well. Holding onto both players will be hard, but its possible. Even so, I doubt Wenger will decide to do so. Arsene realizes this is the summer for Cesc to go. Barca Xavi wants him, and Cesc wants to go. However, that won't let Arsenal give in and be held for ransom. Arsenal will not sell Fabregas for less than his value, which is either at 40 million or 45 million.
     It was quite humorous when Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood said to the Daily Star:

     "They have been messing about for a year and a half now and they have got to make up their minds, the ball is in their court. They have made one bid of around £26 million and another rather tentative one."

     Humorous not only because Hill-Wood was giving interviews to the Daily Star, but because of the weight of the bid. It's actually very disrespectful to Arsenal and Cesc especially to offer a measly £26 million pound bid for Cesc, when Javier Pastore was sold to PSG for £45 million pounds. Surely they know that £26 million won't buy you Cesc Fabregas? Hill-Wood then went on to say:

     "If they want to buy the player they are going to have to pay the right price - and when you look at what is being paid elsewhere I don't think what we are asking is at all unreasonable."

     It's simple Barca, "Cough up or Cock off." -as Arseblog puts it. And it appears Arsenal are close to boiling point. When asked if Arsenal would call of negotiations, Hill-Wood said the club is close to doing so.

He certainly looked happy here...

     As was the case with Nasri earlier in the season, we are letting Barcelona and Cesc control the situation. Instead of giving Barcelona a deadline of August 31st, why not give them a deadline of the end of next week? We cannot go into the season and through the beginning of the season worrying about qualifying for the Champions League, going to Old Trafford, and holding onto OUR CLUB CAPTAIN.

     That is another ordeal. Just read these quotes by Wenger regarding Cesc playing in the Emirates Cup, from Friday's press conference:

     "He will not be involved because at the moment he is not settled, he is coming back from an injury and is not settled with us."

     So Cesc isn't settled with us then? Then why is he still our captain? Yes, Cesc has received criticism that his heart hasn't always been in it when he played for us, but that was a load of tosh. However, now it is time for Cesc so lose the captaincy. He has in no way helped lighten or calm this transfer saga down. He (supposedly) said to Xavi that he was suffering at Arsenal. Yes,  it must be a horrid experience being captain of a club like Arsenal, getting paid more money per week playing football than I get in an entire year doing real labor.

Hand that armband over, Cesc.

     While the players at Arsenal respect Cesc, this speculation over his future is not the way to lead by example. Even if Cesc doesn't leave the club, the captain's armband should go elsewhere, to a player that is 100% committed, and has no plans on leaving.
     Not only that, Cesc isn't exactly the type of leader we need at Arsenal right now. Lee Dixon said in an interview that one of the reasons Arsenal implodes in the latter part of the season is because of the lack of a dominant leader. When you think of a commander at Arsenal, the only player that comes close is Vermaelen. A monster of a defender, he was clearly missed this past season.
     Dixon went on to say that during tough times, inexperienced players, and also young players, when having a poor match, look to someone for guidance. Reassurance. Cesc does not give that to Arsenal.

 "You can shove my eight goal season up your arse, Evra!"

     There is often debate over the two different types of captains in football - the leaders by example (Cesc) and the shouters (Vidic). Both are good, but Arsenal is in somewhat of an ordeal at the moment, where a commanding shouter needs to grab all the players, get them together, and set them straight. Cesc wouldn't do that. Vermaelen would.

     But here's another thought - Last year Barcelona were after Cesc, but Arsenal managed to have him sign a new contract, worth £110,000 pounds per week. Perhaps (and this isn't out of the realms of possibility) Arsenal included in the contract that Cesc would remain as captain until he left the club. Hopefully not.

     No matter what, this drama has to end now. Either Barcelona makes a serious bid, or Wenger gives them a strict deadline. Arsenal is a club of class (unlike Barcelona) and will not deal with their childish games any longer.

     New post tomorrow reviewing the Boca Juniors friendly. Check back.
     Cheers.

It's a Mata of Cesc Fabregas

 
     Alright.
     Tons of talk lately over nearly player at the club, from Rhys Murphy to Cesc Fabregas. However, most of the talk has concerned Juan Mata.
     There are rumors everywhere, each one different from the other. But all have one thing in common: Arsenal made a bid for Juan Mata and the bid has been accepted.
     The apparent bid for Mata was 20 million pounds, and the apparent buyout clause was 17.5 million pounds, which was apparently matched by Arsenal.
     You may notice that I said "apparent" numerous times. That is because nothing is concrete, and we must try our best to think this deal won't happen. Having hope that Wenger will sign a big player like Mata is like thinking Xavi isn't gay for Cesc. I'll only believe the deal is done until I see Mata in an Arsenal shirt.
     There were also rumors that representatives of Mata were in London yesterday. Instead it seems that Arsenal sent representatives over to Valencia. Lastly, Sky Sports said that Arsenal want to sign Mata soon in order to unveil him at the Emirates Cup. That will be tough considering how slow Arsenal is at signing players!

     The signing of Juan Mata would lighten the heavy blow of losing Cesc Fabregas, who seems to be on his way out. It seems Mata will act as a replacement for Cesc, although Mata is better out in wide areas than the middle.

     Tomorrow I will have big updates on the Cesc, Bendtner, Eboue, and Jagielka situations. Sorry this update wasn't as detailed and enthralling as some expected, but I've been terribly busy lately. The next post should be well worth your time.
     'Till then.