General Arsenal Talk

[Paradox]

Atleast we have the capacity to give him some time off now. I didn't feel comfortable knowing he was being sent out at the end of the season with an injury like that

[d'artagnan7]

http://vimeo.com/13670208

Arsenal Brazil interview Edu. I thought it was a great interview and watching those interspersed clips of the Invincibles brings back so many memories. I would so gladly exchange our tippy tappy football for more of that!

[Sway]

What is everyones impression of JET? What part do you think he will play this season.

Same with Frimpong?

Reading blogs and AM people can't seem to form a sensible opinion. Either a player is "nowhere near good enough" or "the kid will a be starter by years end"

The shield infront of the back four is by far the hardest position to master. How anyone could think Frimpong will be starting over Song come end of season I have no idea.

Furthermore people thinking JET should be written off already is again, ridiculous. Messi, Cesc and Rooney are the exception, not the rule. Players don't mature and really "find themselves" untill early twenties at best. If JET could come off the bench 2 or 3 times this season in C/L or P/L that would be a massive achievement.

[adafàbregas]

Been on holiday for a week. Anybody care to give me a no details spared summary of what's been going on since I've been away. A couple of sentences will probably do it.

[CanadianGunner]

Originally Posted by adafàbregas

Been on holiday for a week. Anybody care to give me a no details spared summary of what's been going on since I've been away. A couple of sentences will probably do it.

Arsene: "We are looking for players"
Outcome: No players have arrived...

[adafàbregas]

Sol Campbell signing for Newcastle seems to be the only development.

Rumours about Marchetti and Giovinco seem to be persisting. I think our interest in Giovinco must be real because of the persistence of the rumour and the not particuarly high profile of the player. He's not the sort of player who is going to sell extra papers with a spurious rumour linking him with an English club. Still, we're not in for an attacking midfielder according to Arsene, so maybe not.

[CanadianGunner]

Saw this link on 7amkickoff.com. Not sure if you've seen this before, but it's a nice little highlight package. Wilshere is really looking the player. I think he can come off the bench this year and really do some damage.

[d'artagnan7]

I've been thinking about this for a while now. I don't believe this upcoming season will bring in any silverware and this will be Wenger's most challenging season in recent history. I think Wenger has left too many decisions far too late. I say this with reference to the influx and exodus we've watched over this transfer window. All new players take about 6months to a year to adapt to the league and to settle into our playing style which is essentially going to prove costly this season.

You could always breath a sigh of relief when a manager like Benitez went about signing 10 new faces and flushing another 10 out in a single transfer window. The same goes with ManCity whose revolving doors never seem to stop spinning. On the other hand, teams who have done well in recent history, especially in the league, have been ones who have largely maintained their core while making one or two changes.

Wenger will be aware of the risk he has taken in terms of letting players leave altogether. I think the club should've done more to retain Gallas, especially given that we let Toure leave last summer. I think we've just lost a lot of experience and it will be down to the speed of integration of the new entrants.

[CanadianGunner]

Originally Posted by d'artagnan7

I've been thinking about this for a while now. I don't believe this upcoming season will bring in any silverware and this will be Wenger's most challenging season in recent history. I think Wenger has left too many decisions far too late. I say this with reference to the influx and exodus we've watched over this transfer window. All new players take about 6months to a year to adapt to the league and to settle into our playing style which is essentially going to prove costly this season.

You could always breath a sigh of relief when a manager like Benitez went about signing 10 new faces and flushing another 10 out in a single transfer window. The same goes with ManCity whose revolving doors never seem to stop spinning. On the other hand, teams who have done well in recent history, especially in the league, have been ones who have largely maintained their core while making one or two changes.

Wenger will be aware of the risk he has taken in terms of letting players leave altogether. I think the club should've done more to retain Gallas, especially given that we let Toure leave last summer. I think we've just lost a lot of experience and it will be down to the speed of integration of the new entrants.

To be honest, I feel the exact opposite from you. We've kept all the right players this year and have trimmed the fat, so-to-speak. As for Gallas, although it's nice having a veteran in the squad, he was sufferring more and more injuries, and didn't get along well with anyone. As for Eduardo, we brought in Chamakh this year, while Bendtner is a year older. Eduardo had his chance and didn't take it. Believe me, I would've loved to see Eduardo make it big here, but it just didn't happen.

Now the reason why I say this is because I think we'll be buying another CB, as well as a GK by August 31st. We have the proper amount of centre-mids and I think our attack is the most well-rounded in the PL. We have two fantastic wing-backs, and a good bunch of youth players who are really coming through.

I don't want to say it but, I feel more confident this season than the previous 2-3 seasons. I think we can really do this.

[Sway]

Wilshere is God.

[adafàbregas]

Originally Posted by CanadianGunner

Saw this link on 7amkickoff.com. Not sure if you've seen this before, but it's a nice little highlight package. Wilshere is really looking the player. I think he can come off the bench this year and really do some damage.

Looks like we may finally have somebody who can take a set piece at the club. I really want him to stay now. We'll see, I'm sure Wenger will do what's best for Wilshere.

That late tackle on Neville, just a joy to watch.

[Sway]

It was a pretty impressive highlight reel for a single match. Especially against a team like United.

Good players play better around better players. Wilshere will really show quality this year.

[CanadianGunner]

Originally Posted by HiJakked

It was a pretty impressive highlight reel for a single match. Especially against a team like United.

Good players play better around better players. Wilshere will really show quality this year.

It's quite interesting to see how they closed him down so quickly at the start, but as the game went on, he was given more respect and space to work with.

If all things work out, it will be a delight watching the likes of Ramsey, Wilshere and Song boss the midfield for the next decade and on.

[trekkervilla]

I know there are many of you out there who don't really feel this season will be better than last. And I know we lack 2-3 players and I'm quite confident we'll get 2 out of those 3.

Just wanted to post something I read and I actually agree with everything thats being said. In short, i think we can do far better than last season and I'm excited.

The Emirates Cup is quickly turning into an indicator that the serious football is about to begin, and having managed to snare a ticket to day one, I’ve had an earlier than usual look at our squad situation, in the flesh. And despite Milan coming back to snatch a 1-1 draw, I’ve come away feeling extremely positive about the season ahead. Here’s why:

1. Chamakh. Wenger’s first signing of the year looks to be a belter. Looked lively throughout, scored a composed goal, and the standing ovation he was afforded when substituted in the second half said it all. But his end product was only half the story - I spent a few minutes just watching his movement, the way he was dragging Milan defenders this way and that, and any opponent of his is going to be in for a tough time this season. We knew he was good in the air, but he is intelligent, calm, and decent on the deck too, capped by one outrageous piece of skill where he controlled a forty yard pass with a Cruyff turn. Not bad for a free transfer.

2. Koscielny. Prior to the game, all I could focus on was how scrawny our new centre half is. And while true, watching him in action makes you realise that although he needs hours in the gym, he could become a terrific defender once his physical stature improves. And to be fair, he was biting into tackles in a way that made him seem more imposing than his slight frame would suggest. Excellent reading of the game, pacey, and on this evidence, first choice. Wenger still has time to demote him with a new signing, but he appears to be ahead of Djourou in the pecking order, and capable of forming a solid partnership with Vermaelen.

3. Cesc is staying. I cannot for one second agree with anyone who thinks we would be better off with a boatload of cash.

4. Much of our forward line is still to return. Milan are known for their defensive tenacity, and while some of that discipline is missing in pre-season, it was still very encouraging to see how often we stretched them without Cesc, Van Persie and Bendtner available. Bear in mind that the trio, along with Arshavin, were expected to create everythinglast season, and you can see the shift. That said, we could do with Van Persie or Bendtner firing early in the season to take some of the pressure away from Chamakh – once he was taken off, we looked lightweight up front.

5. Nasri looks ready to step up. It is easy to forget that the Frenchman had no pre-season last year, missing the early stages of the campaign with a broken leg. But his performances over the last couple of weeks, coupled with some from early in 2010, suggest that this year could be his breakthrough year.

6. Wilshere is not going out on loan. Confirmed by Wenger, the 18 year old will now be given chances in the first team that many believe are overdue. There is no doubting we’ve been careful with young Jack, and rightly so, but having impressed with Bolton last season, he has proven himself ready for Premiership action. Had Joe Cole been signed, another loan may have been on the cards, but at ten years Cole’s junior, Wilshere is the long term option.

7. Competition for places. I should caveat this point by saying injuries may dictate the team, but it is an oft spoken truth that you need two players for every slot in the team. Gibbs and Clichy look set to battle for the left back berth, a fit Djourou will be itching to play, Eboue will challenge Sagna, Frimpong was excellent again and may have moved ahead of Eastmond to be Song’s understudy, and the wealth of attacking midfielders will all be looking to stake their claims. Up front, we have three able to lead the line, and even more to play just behind. Any position without injuries will be hard fought.

Plenty to be positive about there, but there are still some concerns. We are only just heading into August, so any issues have time to be resolved, but a few things still worry me:

1. Defending set pieces. You could see it coming, and Milan aren’t even as proficient from set plays as many we will face this season. But once again a simple ball defeated three defenders, and a free header was planted past Fabianski, who I feel was blameless. It is a weakness that persists, and to resolve it we need to stop allowing strikers to make the runs they want. Pato was free to do as he pleased.

2. The keeper situation. In fairness, Fabianski did nothing wrong, but then he actually had nothing to do – no chance for the goal or when his crossbar was struck, and no other notable saves to make. More and more it seems he may become our first choice, and while I’ve backed him vigorously in the past, that still makes me nervous.

3. Lack of centre halves. To be fair, I’m less concerned about this because Wenger himself acknowledges the need to strengthen, but we need to get any new player in quickly because otherwise we are left with Vermaelen, aninjury prone Djourou and Koscielny, who could still be raw (asking him to make Vermaelen’s instant impact is unfair). For me, we need someone powerful to prevent the likes of Stoke running amok, and quickly.

Overall, I’m feeling hugely positive. Two out of three issues can be solved with the pair of signings we all want – centre back and keeper – and an improvement in both departments may also help eradicate our weakness against set pieces. In addition, the presence of Chamakh means our keepers finally get practice against a striker who is a real threat in the air. They’ll need it.

[CanadianGunner]

Does anyone have any idea what's going on with Denilson? Some people were saying he never showed up to pre-season training, but I was looking through the latest Arsenal magazine yesterday and saw him training with the squad...

[Mr Fab]

^ CanadianGunner I think he was out injured while the World Cup was going on but I'm not 100% certain.

[adafàbregas]

Hopefully we're selling him for a bit of money and giving somebody like Frimpong a chance instead. Well, perhaps that's a bit harsh.

Denilson has been a big disappointment. Considering how promising he looked to begin with he was useless last season. His development seems to have been ruined Spurs style. He was a highly promising playmaker with an eye for a tackle, now he's an undisciplined defensive midfielder that doesn't track back! He hasn't lost his good technical ability but all of his invention, creativity, incisiveness and promise going forward has been lost making him a jack of all trades and a master of none. Except shooting from range, that's one thing I do love about his game.

He's gone from a player with the potential to be poor man's Fabregas to a player with the potential to be a rich man's Lucas Leiva! Not good.

[CanadianGunner]

Originally Posted by adafàbregas

Hopefully we're selling him for a bit of money and giving somebody like Frimpong a chance instead. Well, perhaps that's a bit harsh.

Denilson has been a big disappointment. Considering how promising he looked to begin with he was useless last season. His development seems to have been ruined Spurs style. He was a highly promising playmaker with an eye for a tackle, now he's an undisciplined defensive midfielder that doesn't track back! He hasn't lost his good technical ability but all of his invention, creativity, incisiveness and promise going forward has been lost making him a jack of all trades and a master of none. Except shooting from range, that's one thing I do love about his game.

He's gone from a player with the potential to be poor man's Fabregas to a player with the potential to be a rich man's Lucas Leiva! Not good.

It will be quite interesting seeing where Denilson goes from here. As you said, he looked like a star for the future, but his determination was put into question last season. When you're young like that, you need that motivation to continue to work hard on the weak areas of your game, but it just doesn't seem to be there. All I remember of him last season were a couple of great goals followed by a few goals when we were hit on the counter and he didn't track back...

Maybe we're wrong about Denilson and he'll come back stronger... All I know is that with Ramsey, Wilshere and Frimpong coming up through the ranks, along with Nasri playing a more central role, his playing time will probably be less and less compared to the prior seasons.

[adafàbregas]

I'd say between them Arshavin and Denilson cost us at least 5 points by giving the ball away in our own half and not tracking back.

Arshavin won those points he lost back though, where as Denilson didn't. I personally think we'd do better with Denilson sold and Arshavin benched but perhaps I'm being harsh.

[CanadianGunner]

Originally Posted by adafàbregas

I'd say between them Arshavin and Denilson cost us at least 5 points by giving the ball away in our own half and not tracking back.

Arshavin won those points he lost back though, where as Denilson didn't. I personally think we'd do better with Denilson sold and Arshavin benched but perhaps I'm being harsh.

Yes, very true. I have a feeling Arshavin will be in top form this season. I think Russia being knocked out of the World Cup really took the wind out of his sails, but he'll be ready to go this season.

[adafàbregas]

Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs are likely to be included in the next England squad as they haven't been named in the U-21s.

[CanadianGunner]

Originally Posted by adafàbregas

Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs are likely to be included in the next England squad as they haven't been named in the U-21s.

I'm all for England call-ups, but that will just mean 2 more injuries to the other 7 injuries that will happen for these stupid international friendlies. I'm sure Rooney and Lampard will have some hamstring tightness in the next week or so and have to miss the fixture. Unlucky for them.

[gunnergurl]

Chamakh:

Arsenal play nice, attractive football with short passes, on the floor, lots of pass and move. Every player in the world wants to play like that and Arsenal, like Barcelona, provide you with this philosophy. I won’t have any trouble to fit in the style of play.

To me, the image [of Arsenal] was of a fantastic club with an amazing stadium, a great manager, a long history of winning trophies, lots of French players and of a certain way of playing football.

It’s a club that has always made me dream. It is the place where I wanted to be and the shirt I wanted to wear more than any other.

My favourite position is up front with another striker as I think I can complement another forward perfectly. However, I can play on my own as well and drift on the right or the left and I will do what the boss asks me. I love scoring goals and it’s my job but I am not obsessed with it.

I am not what you would call a very selfish striker. I am very collective in my game. I love playing for the team, work hard for the team and help to make other people shine too.

This is perfect for Persie, who'll probably get a lot of service close to the box from Chamakh, which he thrives on. If he stays injury-free, this could be his year.

[mcmanusarsenal]

yeah i am hoping this happens and produces he best season. I expect a 30 plus season

[Mr Fab]

Jermain Defoe insists he firmly believes Tottenham will go further than bitter rivals Arsenal in the Champions League this season.

Spurs go into Friday's play-off draw aiming to reach Europe's top-level competition for the first time since 1961, while the Gunners share Real Madrid's record of 10 successive participations in the knockout stages.

But Defoe in unconcerned by the burden of history, and told the Daily Mirror: "If we can get past the play-off qualifier, I honestly think we will go further than Arsenal in the Champions League.

"No disrespect to Arsenal, because they have a good record in the Champions League and for them it's become part of the furniture, part of their regular season - it's the norm.

"But I can't wait to experience the buzz around White Hart Lane on European nights, the place will be absolutely rocking.

"I do believe, if we can make that first step, that we will be contenders. We've got the squad, younger players like Gareth Bale have come on a bundle since we were last in Europe, and the gaffer would love to show what he can do as a manager in Europe."

Spurs' squad are not used to the increased workload of a Champions League campaign, with the first leg of the play-off following just days after the Premier League opener against Manchester City.

"With City first up followed by a Champions League qualifier, it feels like the business end of our campaign might be in the first few weeks," Defoe continued. "It's a tough schedule, but we will be ready for it mentally.

"Tottenham fans have been waiting forever for a team to deliver Champions League football and we don't want to be one-hit wonders."

Now that's what I call a brain of a footballer.