Resilience was the word Arsene Wenger used in Arsenal’s three goal comeback last night at the Amsterdam tournament.
However that didn’t stop the critics highlighting potential frailties – even though it is still pre-season.
Paul Merson said it how it was – particularly at half time, referring to the missed chances and the need for a centre half in the Terry/Vidic mould who can head the ball.
“Typical Arsenal – they should have scored two but they don’t take their chances,” said the ex-Walsall manager, who said Adebayor needed four chances to score.
“Two crosses in – two goals”, said the straight talking Merse. “They are crying out for a centre half.”
Ray Wilkins added to the doubts when he pointed out that playing Philippe Senderos in midfield highlighted Arsenal’s ‘thin squad’. And both agreed that Arsenal’s first eleven have to stay free of injuries, comparing Chelsea and Man U who have the luxury of resting players like Lampard and Hargreaves.
Merson also referred to the importance of Adebayor and Bendtner working together, and putting any differences behind them. However judging from the words between van Persie and Walcott, that relationship needs some healing.
Denilson did well to lay on the winner for Adebayor; Nic Bendtner did well holding it up and scoring from a difficult chance, in a night of mixed performances.
However it looks like Wenger’s focus is getting midfield re-inforcements, with the Mirror suiggesting he is going for 22 year old Ghana midfielder Anthony Annan, who was set to sign for Blackburn, but had previously been on trial with Arsenal from his Norwegian club, IK Start.
Perhaps more serious is the Guardian’s assertion that a Gokhan Inler move to Arsenal is closer: “It’s true to say that I have had a meeting with Wenger and we had a very positive discussion,” said his agent Dino Lamberti.
Udinese have a 10meuros £7.8m buy-out clause, and Juventus have offerred 15meuros, but reports say he prefers the Premiership,with Newcastle also interested.
But defensive options, particularly at back-up right back, currently look weaker if reports that Justin Hoyte is off to Boro for £2.9m inthe Northen Echo, and London Lite are to be believed.
And not a briliant day for Arsenal old boys. Jens Lehmann is calling time on his international career; Jose Reyes is on the move yet again – this time loaned out to Benfica, while last week the news emerged that West Ham had cancelled Freddie Ljungberg’s contract.
And finally, an interesting price comparison in the Star looking at the costs of five items – season tickets, beer, tea and pies and shirts among four Premiership clubs. Arsenal came out priciest in total at £1200, with the others between £956 (Liverpool) and £857 (Tottenham). The price difference is largely down to the season ticket prices.
Although pies are more expensive at Ashburton Grove, you get a cheaper cuppa at Arsenal (£1.50) as against £1.60 at WHL.