By Ian Grant
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Richard Southwood
Juve game
There aren’t words to describe how disgusted I am with the team performance today. With very few exceptions it was a collective gutless, soulless effort. They went through the motions as though they’d already been condemned. For God’s sake, lads, couldn’t you have said, Regardless of what happens in La Coruna we’re gonna finish with a flourish?
Imagine how pretentious it all sounds now to have talked of a “treble”. We couldn’t beat a reserve Juve side!!! We won’t be taken seriously in Europe–or anywhere else–until we can summon the kind of spirit that seems to be reserved among English teams for (God forgive me) ManU and Liverpool. Is it really down to a lack of talent? Or is it rather a lack of commitment? Check the lineups of the successful sides in CL. Are they world-beaters to a man? Or is it rather that they all play as though they give a s#!t?!?!?!?! Liverpool are through in only their first season. Liverpool!!!! Didn’t we run them ragged this year?
Sickening, just sickening. Going out due to a bizarre UEFA tie-breaker almost seems better. At least we could feel like martyrs…
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Jeff
KANU
Nwankwo “Oh I’m so bad and don’t care that I’m bad” Kanu
Myles, if you bump into Mr Wenger could you pass him this message:
Please, please, please, please Mr Wenger sell the big doofus that has been adorning the number 25 shirt of late. I’m not quite sure what sport he thinks he’s playing, but with his distinct lack of running, lawn bowls springs to mind. Effort, effort???????? I don’t think that this word is in the lads vocabulary. I would call him by name, but my throat is sore from swearing so much abuse at him during his recent performances. Allegedly no.25 is brought into the team by Sir Arsene to “hold onto the ball” and slow down play. Whilst he performs the second of these tasks particularly well, usually breaking up our very own fast, precise attacks with perhaps a bit of ball juggling, a slice of over ellaboration and a hint of “did my legs really mean to do that?”, he fails miserably at the holding onto the ball thing and also the prized asset of “final product”. In fact, and I’m pretty sure of this, if you look at his last 4 matches he actually passes more to the other team than he does to players in red and white shirts.
If you’re not going to sell him, then could you perhaps point him in the direction of SW11, who runs himself into the ground for the team, for some inspiration?
That’s all I have to say on the matter for now.
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Justin Granshaw
It’s time to face the reality
Arsenal must invest in a few areas if we are ever going to be compared with the big guns in Europe. Tonight was a reasonable performance, but a poor loss against a Juventus 2nd string with nothing to play for.
We will never win in Europe by continuing to play people like Dixon and Luzhny, and we are still short up front. would you see players of the quality of Luzhny, and at the age of Dixon (38) playing for Real Madrid, Man Utd, Deportivo or Bayern Munich.? I doubt it. Not much point in complaining about it now though, as B.Leverkusen put paid to our chances whether we won or not.
If Adams and Keown are only going to be available for games here and there, then we must find a class centre-half to partner Sol Campbell. I think maybe Hofland of PSV could be a good buy, but we definately need someone to fill the gap. We also need to sign a proper right-back. Lauren is a good player, but he is much better in midfield and has yet to master defensive tactics. He gets caught upfield too often, and several goals come from down our right hand side when we don’t stop the cross coming in. It’s simple….stop the cross and you stop the goal. Maybe Tavlaridis or Svard could fill this gap, but again, it definately needs sorting out. Maybe signing Emerton from Feyenoord, or I’d even sign Danny Mills if Wenger could teach the lad some discipline.
If we can keep Vieira, then I would make just the one addition in midfield and sign Van Bommell from PSV. He is a superb midfielder who can pass, tackle and shoot. He reminds me a little of a young Petit. Edu should be given a few more chances and would provide good cover along with Parlour. Grimandi must go, as he is past it and not good enough for Arsenal now. Pennant should be given a chance next season too. If Vieira leaves, then I just hope we sign a very worthy replacement with the money.
Up front, the skill pleasing but frustratingly wasteful in front of goal and out of sorts Kanu must be sold. At least while we can still make some money on him. He will never suit the quick passing style of Arsenal these days. Bergkamp should be kept, but we need a prolific goalscorer to partner Henry. Wiltord is not good enough as a striker, but maybe we should keep him as a squad player. We need a Van Nistelroy, and with Jeffer’s injury situation, it doesn’t look very promising at the moment. Maybe we should try Aliadiere next season, who we are expecting good things from. Maybe even try an audacious bid for Trezeguet.?
On the training front, firstly I would like to know if there is something wrong with our work-outs and training routines. As why do we always get so many injuries.? We seem to have more players out injured than any other team.? We cannot possibly expect to find any rythym with the amount of chops and changes we are dealing with each week.
The next is set pieces. Will someone tell Henry not to keep hogging every single free kick and corner we get. Henry should be in the box as a striker for these, and let someone like Bergkamp, Pires or Edu work on taking them. We are wasting too many chances at set pieces, and we have to work out some routines for corners. Even if it means going back to the old near post flick on and far post follow up, just like Bouldy and Adams used to perfect in the Graham days.
So next season, whether its buying or bringing through the youth, we need a centre-back, a right-back, a central midfield partner for Vieira and a penalty box goal-scorer.
I’d say sell Kanu and Luzhny, let Grimandi leave, and Dixon retire.
Sign Hofland and Van Bommell, get Tavlaridis in at right back, and use Pennant and Aliadiere more often. Give Jeffers a chance, but if he doesn’t sort out the injuries by the end of next season, then replace him.
A long e-mail I know, but I thought it should be pointed out.!
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Paul Burland
Another Depressing European Night?
Maybe like me you felt lastnight’s game against a reserve team Juve was rather surreal. A ‘crowd’ on a par with Arsenal’s preseason friendly against Boreham Wood, an Arsenal team lacking a finishing touch and a result is Spain going badly wrong for us. What though can be taken from this game?
1) We now have less of a fixture problem, an increased chance of winning the double.
2) Arsene should now be fully decided regarding Kanu’s future.
3) A welcome return for Cole (Lauren has firmly cemented his place in the team now though in whatever position).
4) The contining partnership of Vieira and Edu.
5) Henry should NOT be taking Free Kicks (and maybe penalties).
When we win the league this year we’ll be setup to win the Champions League next year
Don;t worry, cheer up – we weren’t good enough to win the Champions League – 1 point out of 18 in away matches must indicate that pretty clearly. We’re still in the FA cup, man u and liverpool are out. The champs league would have over-stretched our resources, increasing the chances that we end up with nothing.
THis will motivate the players for Sat, hopefully, and allow matches like West Ham and Charlton to be properly scheduled, enabling us to have a fit team that can win them. If we win seven (maybe six) of our last eight games, we will win the league.
The champs is for next year. To win it we need:
– a world class goalkeeper (Seaman isn’t the future)
– one or two world class defenders (Sol can’t carry the whole defence)
– a world class midfielder (van bommel might be the man, but I’d be happier to see Duff from Blackburn, Cole from West Ham and a few more hopefuls coming in also)
A decision needs to be taken about Jeffers’ fitness – any thoughts?
Kanu needs to go. Very soon. Too lazy to play AW’s high speed football.
Henry, Bergkamp, Wiltord, Ljungberg, Edu, Viera, Parlour, Pires, Van Bronkhorst, Pennant, Aliadiere form the basis of an awesome front six if Van B and one or two others are added.
Wright, Luzhny, Campbell , Stepanovs, Upson is not even close as a back five. Even if you add Cole, Keown and Lauren (with Campbell and Seaman probably our best back line), it’s still not a strong defence. And European success is impossible without one.
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Barrie Whipp
Turin
Myles,
I think that your report of the Turin match could include the fact that Kanu’s performance was the most ineffectual Arsenal striker performance since the depths of the 1970s.
The sheer lack of enthusiasm, given Henry’s commitment , was excruciating. I know that Wiltord is tired, however his commitment to the cause is unstinting. I would have preferred to see Aliadiere given half an hour instead of the lumbering African.
Quite how Kanu can remain with Arsenal over the summer is beyond me.
Regards
Barrie Whipp
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ralph young
juv 1 ars 0
why does wenger play kanu,in this game he was a joke.
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martin hammond
reserves v spurs
at stevenage borough and if this is indicative of future of both teams then our dominance is going to last for a long time
team
gk jamie ashdown
john halls
juan
svard
keown
chilvers
pennant
ricketts
jeffers
osei koffour
thomas
subs
oates
niedzweiecki
brown
aliadiere
skulason
firstly keown played for an hour, looked sharp and well looked like keown….jeffers played first half again looked sharp and scored first goal…..as for game spurs started brightly and scored first but from that point on it was all arsenal and a football lesson was given….basically pennant gets a 10 as he was simply a class apart and gave whoever was marking him a schooling….thomas and aliadiere(2nd half) were not far behind as the second half pace and movement from front 4 (kuffour) was outstanding leaving spurs defenders chasing shadows….arsenal literally owned the last 405 mins creating chance after chance with ricketts, kuffour adding 2nd and 3 rd and the AWESOME pennant breaking clear on angle and buryingthe 4th across the keeper…….spurs were very average, no one stood out and another 2 or 3 would not have flattered arsenal……every arsenal player looked assured on ball and svard was played in the vieira role and looked like him in stature……
finally on pennant, this guy just cannot be lived with at this level, he was quicker hungrier and defenders just do not know which waty to defend him, he got crosses in all night and everyone(including spurs fans were praising him all night) keown looked ready now though was comparatively untested so thats great news and jeffers looked sharp and took goal with grewat composure……another star is alidiere, fast , great touch, big inventive…i was greatly impressed tonight as if this the future we are shining bright…….4-1 and if i was a spurs fan i’ll be deeply worried as this lot were average at best.
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Chris
Paddy
Unless PV signs an extension to his present contract, he will be well gone before the start of next season. I agree Brommel has the skills and attitude to partner PV. The thought of the linkup play between Bob, Ashley, PV, Tel and Brommel is mouthwatering, but Arsene will have to sell Kanu and maybe a couple of other hangersons, plus look to the defence problems, get an extencion to PVs conntract and maybe that might sort out a few of our many problems.
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andrew
Why can’t Arsenal win in Europe
Do you have any insights as to why we fail when playing away in Eurpoe and succeed at Highbury. I can’t figure it out. Do we play to cautiously, are we too nervous…
Thanks
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Jason Gooi
Full backs and Edu
Arsenal should not play Lauren and Ashely Cole together as its pair of full-backs. When they both play, Arsenal live too dangerously when the opposition raid down the flanks. Both are attack minded players and although they do get back quickly to cover the defence much of the time, defensively and postionally, they are still a bit short. The art of defending includes reading the game well and telegraphing other’s moves. Both Lauren and Cole are lacking in that department, and they have trouble keeping up with players who make perceptive runs down wide areas. My preference would be to play either Dixon or Luzhny down the right, and play Lauren out of position on the right, or use Cole. This means that the team always have 3 competent defenders instead of only 2.
Edu has been a hit since breaking into the first team. He has rangy passing ability, short ones and long ones. More importantly, he attempts perceptive and meaningful passes to pick out runs like Petit used to do, a lot. He does it much better than Parlour. Unlike Parlour, Edu is more of a positional player who makes intelligent runs off the ball and has a decent dribble. He nicks the ball off opposing players with seeming ease at times during the Newcastle match and this was not down to luck. He can be industrious in pressing but also knows the need to reserve the energy for more useful purpose and does not run around as energetically as Parlour does. So, the Parlour style is more explosive and eye-catching but Edu does his work quietly and effectively, on occasion dancing around a few players that is typical of a Brazilian. He is skilful but is not extravagant with it like Henry is at times. He is a fine team player who will figure very importantly in Arsenal capturing the Premiership crown.
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Mike Rocks
Wor Bobby
Spot on Miles. Please see below my message for another site. I totally concur about Vieira, but I think it will apply to the rest of the side as well. Theyll win it for Bobby.
Bloody awful news.
How anyone can say that Arsenal have not performed heroically this season is beyond me. How much bad luck can the Big Man in the sky throw at us? First van Bronckhorst now our darling Bobby. However, Edu is class (deadwood? I think not), and will, I am sure, grasp his big opportunity. I am banking on two spectacular left-footed beauties from our newfound star before the end of season.
However, there are two good sides to all of this: itll make Vieira and Thierry all the more determined to do it for their mate. Theyd better do. Secondly, well be written off, which is just the way us Gooners love it. Write us off at your peril you boring Mogadon Scousers and your many press lackies. Let battle commence.
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Paul Fraser
Pires Injury
Where has this news come from? Yesterday Pires said it would TWO weeks before they could find out the extent of his injury…now they say he will out for about seven months…Is someone playing around with Arsenal? Why hasn’t Mr.Wenger said anything?
Please reply..
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Jim Haryott
Pires – a possible transfer deadline replacement
Hi,
Real shame about Pires.
You mention “And anyway there isn’t a player in the world who could so what Pires has done for the last eight months.”
No, possibly not – but what price Arsene trying to take Overmars on loan for the rest of the season?
Just a thought – I know Barca are in the QFs of the Champions League, but he’s not playing for them at the moment and would fit in quick.
Jim Haryott
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Adam Ryan
Pires injury – bad, but could be worse
Losing Pires is a terrible blow, he should be player of the year and since last August I’ve felt his creativity, both alongside Bergkamp in the big games and with one or other rested for the small games without castrating our attack, would take us to the title this season. As it is, Arsenal can do even better than that – we at least got pundits talking about a treble and look able to maybe do the double, but despite how great he’s been all season it could have been worse. It could have been Sol Campbell.
Without Sol, we’d have been truly knackered this season. He started slow, he hit form around the Spurs game and he’s held it together ever since. The keepers have been lost, one after another, the left back position has been a nightmare, the right back has sometimes been awkward too (even when first choice has played), we’ve been without Keown, Adams and Upson for the better part of the season and the only constant factor in our unspectacular but acceptable defensive record has been Sol.
Take nothing away from Pires, especially at such a tragic time, he should be player of the year and he’s even put the likes of Giggs and Overmars in perspective, but Arsenal have the attacking options to survive such a loss. In defence, we simply don’t have anything to compare to Sol’s consistency, strength, experience and regular fitness.
We’ll miss Pires against ManU though; I hope we don’t need any points out of that game by then.
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nic
nicschlagman
what a web site
I thought it would be hard to wrestle the crown from arseweb for no 1 arse website, but congratulations you have done it in style. yook a while to find you but you set the standard. thankyou
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chris firth
general commentary…
i’m a gooner finding myself in alabama of all places, and see about 10 games a season in the flesh on trips home, at highbury and on the road. love this website, easy commentary, a fortunate host who gets to meet and be known by highbury heroes past and present (georgey graham walks out a shop and says “hello” and you could have gone for a drink with him? sh*t…), and whatever mood i’m in from the latest match (i get to see almost every one here on digital cable or satellite, costs me a fortune), there’s somewhere to go to see what everyone else thinks, in real terms.
btw, comment – pires and bergkamp, superb. i know pires and henry are a match made in heaven sometimes, but w/out number 14 there, there is freedom for pires and bergkamp to work magic. don’t get me wrong, henry is a superb individual and team player, amazing athlete, but bergkamp does the stuff you dreamed you could do in the playground and park as a kid, and does em on tv, in front of millions, without a care.
never was there a more definitive chant than “we got dennis bergkamp…”.
chris firth
PS – brady was THE MAN, though….
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Philip Rogers
Arsenal’s way forward
After a good win against Newcastle it may seem churlish to focus our failings but may I recommend Ian Ridley’s Guardian article (at http://www.observer.co.uk/sport/story/0,6903,673078,00.html)
as one of the best assessments of Arsenal’s strengths and weaknesses that I’ve read. The description of Bergkamp as almost ‘a quaterback’ perfectly highlights the strategic role he can and should play – even if it’s something that Monsieur Wenger often chooses to ignore.
Despite the sublime football we often play there is still a lot to be sorted out if we are to compete at the highest level in Europe.
1. An effective deputy for Seaman
2. A stable & cohesive defence
3. The lack of someone to play alongside Viera
4. The lack of an adequate striking partner for Henri, who can match his pace & be a target in the box.
Our defence has suffered due to the fact that the same back 4 rarely play together and consequently they don’t move as a unit. The return of Adams produced one of our few clean sheets and showed the benefits of organisation & leadership at the back.
Arsene Wenger’s shrewd tactical awareness often mask some significant failings.
His eye for a good deal has often been good business for Arsenal. (Viera, Anelka, Overmars…) but this has also meant buying players who have not come off (Wright, Stepanovs, Luzhny, Grimandi, & Inamoto) – and this has cost Arsenal at vital moments. Wiltord, Kanu, Van Bronkhorst & Edu have only been a very limited success. I admit that Stepanovs is playing better now and Wiltord undoubtedly looks better suited to his new wider role but it’s difficult to believe that Wiltord cost only 3M less than Van Nistleroy. You would also have to question whether the Jeffers cash could not have been better spent (especially if combined with some of the other wasted money) – to buy a tried and trusted players, who could have been of more immediate (& possibly more long term) use. Buying players is like buying shares: you can afford to speculate on a few risky options but the majority of your funds should be spent on solid performers. Arsenal were tracking both Van Nistleroy & Barthez both of whom would have been better options. Let’s hope that Wenger’s interest in Van Bommel doesn’t cool.
AW could also be accused of neglecting his other assets: the fact that Bergkamp travelled to Germany but did not play, was a prime reason for Arsenal’s failure to qualify for the 1/4 finals of the Champions League. I also wonder if Henri is always the best person to be taking free kicks. Not only is Bergkamp’s delivery better but also Henri is then unavailable as a target for the free kick.
Lastly our lack of ability to score from the penalty spot has come back to haunt us again. We have missed too many and often at vital moments. Maybe AW should devote some attention to this before it happens again.
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Austin
The Pires Factor
Now that our beloved Bob is out of action it is hard to see how he can be adequately replaced. It seemes that when Pires plays badly (rare) or he is well marshalled Arsenal are out of ideas. I hope that Bergkamp will be the replacement dynamo that Pires has been to inspire the Gunners to the FA Cup and League double. Coz in my opinion the consecutive scoring record Arsenal have achieved is primarily down to Pires creativity.
Just one other observation the critisism of Gilles Grimandi levelled in some of the previous comments I feel is unfair. He is on the bench not knowing in what position is is going to be drafted into and at what stage of the game. As a utility player I think he is the most unfaltring on the pitch. If a midfield block is required the Grimster will fill it and give 100% in the challenge. Edu seems to be the better attacker but on the back foot he is a bit of a shrinking violet getting stuck in. What do you think?
Love the site, love the insights and the honest opinions given. Most meaningful AFC site on the web.
Austin, Dublin
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sarah
freddie ljungberg
how gorgeous is freddie!!!! he is so necta and i must be his biggest fan! and arsenal supporter! liverpool and man u suck!
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chris guy
robert pires
I have no doubt that the rest of the team will pull together on this one. The little man has been a revelation and inspiration on the team this season. I think we are about to see some of the best footy Arsenal have played, ever. The squad know that they owe him. PV et all will demand nothing but totall concentration and dedication for these last few weeks. Hold on to your hats, it`s gonna be pretty stormy out there. We all love you Robert; take care. Kind regards to all .
Chris Gooner
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Henry Moss
Davids plays for Juve!
I feel one of the reasons paddy doesn’t make the powerful runs he used to, is because of a lack of confidence in the defence. it seems as if he doesn’t want to leave us exposed if he loses the ball as pushes forward. it almost as if he has been told to concentrate more on his defensive side rather than his attacking side.
Bought your book, can’t wait for the t-shirt .
keep up the good work
henry moss, lake oswego, oregon, usa.
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Tony C
Correction..Its Seedorf not Davids….
Myles u just said that Vieiri can win it 4 them with a little help from Davids and Recoba…I think u meant to say Seedorf as Davids doesnt play 4 inter.
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Jason
Which Davids did you mean?
INTER NEED THAT SERIE A TITLE!
They need the money.
And Vieri can win it for them, with a little help from his friends “”Davids”” and Recoba.
Hope it is not the Davids from Juve…
But I think Inter are in the situation just like Arsenal,
a cup + league title.
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Joel Che
African Physical Football – “Indiscipline” or Reputation?
Myles,
Did you watch the friendly between Cameroon and Argentina yesterday (28 March)? It was more entertaining the England’s friendly and Cameroon have a youthful, talented and physical strong team.
African teams have a reputation for being strong and powerful and unfortunately some commentators still call this virtue by a misnomer – “indiscipline”.
I worry that African teams, especially the Cameroonian team, are going to be unfairly punished by referees in the world cup for being physically stronger and for their reputation.
There is the regular unnecessary hard challenges but I felt that the Argentines, just the like the Italians in 1994 took advantage of this reputation to go to ground too often. Physical presence is part of football and should be an advantage and I felt that a European team would not have had as many decisions against them as Cameroon did and feel FIFA should warn referee to beware of teams using Cameroon’s reputation to get favours. David Beckham and Emile Heskey were victims of their reputation yesterday, Italian players trying to wind them up.
I have watched Cameroonian players playing as strongly within their clubs and being allowed to continue, but when they are together the “Indiscipline” tag seems to unfairly follow them. Most European Managers, including Wenger, love that quality in them. They can give us a good world cup if they are “protected”.
I would like to see Cameroon being allowed to play to fast, furious, attacking and physical game in the world and not get reduced to 9 men as a result.
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Matt
Joe Cole
Interested to read your piece about the England squad and why we must take Joe Cole. Couldn’t agree more. I would go further to say every side needs a jack in the box player…I hope we may have two in the shape of JC and also Dyer.
When England opponents step foot onto the field…they think right there’s Owen, Beckham, Scholes and Seaman. Maybe they look at Heskey, Gerard and our own Sol…but as with Gazza in ’90 and Owen in ’98 you want a reaction like…’ who the hell is that’. We’re never gonna get that reaction for players like Becks and Co…because they’re already considered ‘World Class’, therefore we and they expect.
A few candidetes have knocked on the door this year…as if to say ‘it could be me’, Dunn, Defoe, Vassel, but the only really two exciting players that could obtain the sort of reaction I want is JC and KD. They have the attributes that I know you, AW and myself (for what its worth) all admire…and I hope they may get the chance to prove it.
Nothing compares to Rijkaard’s face when Gazza ‘Cruyffed’ him in ’90. Or the Argies face when Owen whizzed passed him….twice in ’98. Chris Powell nutmegging Guadiola (priceles) or the Germans face when Owen reconfirmed his status a few months ago. I love it…..thats what makes football so great.
Love the site
Matt
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Lee Henaghan
Why always 4-4-2?
ANR,
First up – great site. Look forward to reading it each and every day.
The reason I’m writing is because I’m disappointed at the lack of tactical creativity shown by top level football coaches these days. It seems strange that after the freedom of “Total Football” displayed by the Dutch almost 30 years ago, almost every top manager refuses to risk straying from the tried and trusted 4-4-2 formation.
Arsenal are no exception. Arsene seems very unwilling to experiment with different set-ups. Competitions like the Worthington Cup would provide the perfect opportunity to try new things, but it rarely happens.
One formation I’d like to see him try is 5-2-1-2. With Campbell, Keown and Adams at centre back, Cole and Lauren as attacking wing backs, Pires and Vieira central midfield, Bergkamp in the hole, with Henry and Jeffers up front. I’ve said for a long time that Bergkamp is worth trying out in an attacking midfield role. With Pires out injured, I think he’s tailor made to take over as the main creative force. He might not have the tenacity of Pires, but his little flicks and outrageous long passing could prove vital.
Obviously with the title race hotting up, now isn’t the time for experimentation, but hopefully next season Mr. Wenger will try a few new things.
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