Posted by DavidM in Man City, Sunderland | 30 August 2010
Manchester City have taken over from Chelsea (who in turn replaced Manchester United) as the club neutrals dislike for splashing excessive cash on players.
Certainly City's transfer activity this year smacks of an attempt to buy the title, but it won't happen yet. Despite spending over £100m, on top of huge spend in previous transfer windows, it's highly unlikely Man City will lift the Premiership title this year.
Why? Because as Chelsea found before them, it takes more than attracting the most expensive players by offering over-the-odds salaries and transfer fees. It needs the team to gel, to learn to play together and get used to a new approach.
Chelsea are hitting some incredible form - probably even better than under the success of Mourinho - because the core of the team have been together for several seasons.
That's why Manchester City won't win the Premiership this season. They have snapped up some exceptional players (and Adebayour), have a good manager and a big new stadium. But it's too early for them to achieve lasting success.
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Posted by Akzoony2 in Liverpool, Man City | 25 August 2010
Would Mr Gillet and Mr Hicks please stand up.
Well in all honesty that was the worst defeat i have witnessed for years. Manchester 'money bags' City 3 Liverpool 'the new hope' 0.
Simply Appalling. And if we're honest, at no stage in the game did it look as though the result would be any different.
How you may ask- after the disaster that was the 2009-2010 season – was that our worst defeat? Simply because of the level of tactical naivety on show, Something we have not seen in many a year.
Continue reading "Liverpool 0 - City 3" »
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Posted by Young'un in Arsenal | 8 August 2010
So, following on from the Barnet review and the analysis of Arsenal's current crop of defenders, here is part three of my pre-season thoughts; this time regarding the midfield and forward players.
Emmanuel Frimpong
The Ghanaian born midfielder was terrific for the first few games, drawing comparisons from many people, myself included, to Michael Essien; and not just because of their African roots. Frimpong appears to contain the attributes that have become synonymous with the highly-rated Chelsea powerhouse, in terms of his aggression, athleticism and confidence. He showed maturity beyond his tender years in the Milan game by showing up experienced, quality players such as Mathieu Flamini and Clarence Seedorf. The first dip in Frimpong's pre-season form came the next day against Celtic, when, while still showing his determination when closing down players and making crunching tackles, he appeared to lose the ball too often, even simple 5 yard passes were going astray. I think, and hope, this was down to fatigue having featured in every pre-season fixture while having to endure the taxing Austrian training camp for the first time. There are aspects in which he needs to improve but Frimpong has shown great promise and I hope he can feature in the Carling Cup this year and then start forcing his way into the first team picture.
Pre-Season Rating: 7.5/10
Jack Wilshere
The local lad has been called up to the England squad, which alone demonstrates how highly regarded the kid is. Jack has been very impressive in pre-season, while not quite scaling the astronomic heights he reached last year when he was named man-of-the-match in both Emirates Cup games. This time he has been asked to play a more central role, perhaps a little deeper than we'd like to see him, with Arsenal appearing to set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, a variation of the more attacking 4-3-3 that is often used these days. In this set up, we have seen Wilshere sit alongside Frimpong who is there to anchor the midfield. Wilshere's role is to harry other players slightly further up the pitch, while also playing as a 'quaterback' ie spraying passes to either flank from a withdrawn position, much like Xabi Alonso and Paul Scholes do to perfection. In time, when Fabregas inevitably leaves, I feel Wilshere will move further up the field in the Spaniard's current role, as the main playmaker behind the striker, but there is no need for that now, especially with the level of performance he has given in pre-season. His personal highlight was probably the exquisite first time volley that rattled the bar against Celtic. With terrific control, a fantastic range of passing and a sprinkle of aggression to ensure he is not bullied off the park because of his slight frame, as we have seen happen to the likes of Jose Antonio Reyes in the past, Wilshere has everything required to be a quality midfielder. If he can keep improving, the world is his oyster, and there is no reason why he cannot make it at the very top level.
Pre-Season Rating: 7.5/10
Tomas Rosicky
The Czech playmaker is something of an enigma. He's clearly got the talent, in flashes he has shown terrific ball control, brilliant passing ability and a goal threat from distance, which is rare in this Arsenal side. However, so far, he hasn't recovered from his lengthy absence. We occasionally see a trick from Rosicky or a clever pass but not nearly enough. When at the top of his game, he could contribute at least 10 goals and 10 assists a season but you wonder with his fluctuating form how much time he will get on the pitch with the likes of Andrey Arshavin, Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and the emerging Jack Wilshere all playing similar roles. To ensure he has a future at Arsenal, Rosicky needs to demonstrate some sort of consistency, and I hope he does because I'd hate to see such a talented player go to waste.
Pre-Season Rating: 6/10
Samir Nasri
As we suspected, beign omitted from the World Cup squad has proved to be a blessing in disguise for Nasri, as not only did he have to face the humiliation his fellow Frenchmen suffered in South Africa, but we are seeing his very best form at the moment. With Fabregas' absence, it has been Nasri who has occupied his role as the primary playmaker, playing in a more advanced, centeral position where he has flourished far more than he has when playing on the wings. Without doubt he has been the player of pre-season, contributing five goals and numerous assists. There seems to be a freedom about his game, he is free to dribble and feed the strikers with clever reverse passes, something he is seldom able to produce out wide. He seems to be more penetrative and the defenders seem scared whenever he picks up the ball; confused as to whether he is going to turn them inside out, sprint away from them with a burst of speed or unleash a rocket from distance. He has scored two freekicks, demonstrating some work done on the training ground and he has also spent some time in the gym by all accounts. In a nutshell, Nasri looks like a changed player and this could be a massive season for him. The only negative is that when Fabregas does return to the fold, be it on Sunday against Liverpool or later, he'll be pushed onto the flanks, or worse, onto the bench. Wenger has got some thinking to do about how to fit everyone in. But I'm sure he'd rather have several quality players than none at all.
Pre-Season Rating: 9/10
Andrey Arshavin
While still chipping in with several goals and assists, Arshavin had something of a disappointing campaign last season. In his first few months he impressed so much that the bar of expectation was ridiculously high, and a decent last 12 months has been made to look poor. Arshavin appears to be working harder in pre-season, which has previously been a major flaw in his game. He still goes missing for long periods but that's who he is and what makes him so special because he can pop up and strike when you least expect it. See the Milan game, he did absolutely nothing for 35 minutes then turned away from Gattuso with a blistering turn of pace, and set up Chamakh with an exquisite slide rule pass. There's only room for one 'luxury player' in a side but he's so talented and so dangerous he cannot be left out. We'll be hoping for him to build on last season and I'm confident he will. At least 15 goals is expected from me personally should he stay fit. He's certainly capable, now it's time for him to show it on a more consistent basis.
Pre-Season Rating: 7/10
Theo Walcott
Such a frustrating player. Capable of sheer brilliance but equally capable of utter shite. There is no doubt he has pace, and occasionally he uses it to good effect, like against Barcelona, and against Liverpool in the Champions League a few years ago. But the main criticism thrown at Theo is that he has no end product. It's certainly fair. Against Celtic he was borderline shocking, yet still somehow ended up with 2 assists. That's how bizarre he is. Like Arshavin he can come up with a flash of brilliance instantly. But he doesn't seem to possess the mecurial Russian's natural ability, he sometimes seems to "lack a football brain" to coin an infamous accusation of him, which is why Arshavin is one of the first names on the teamsheet and Walcott is yet to nail down a place in the starting eleven. His crossing can be inviting or dreadful. Too often we saw them sail out for goal kicks last season. With the likes of Fabregas and Nasri feeding him with through balls, he certainly gets the chance to utilise his pace, but he doesn't scare defenders enough as he should. For me, this is his last chance. For a while now we have been saying "this is his season" but if he doesn't deliver consistently this year then I'm afraid I see no future for him at Arsenal. He can do it, I know he can, it's just a question of whether he can stay fit, confident and keep working hard. But it really is now or never.
Pre-Season Rating: 6.5/10
Carlos Vela
One of the bright sparks of pre-season. The Mexican appears to have gained some muscle and doesn't look like he's going to be knocked over by the wind. The early impressions are good; we have seen him score a goal with his right foot, which he would do anything not to use last year. Hopefully that'll convice him to have faith in his ability, to take the shot early rather than letting it roll onto his left and thus wasting precious time. He looks dangerous in the box and still possesses the pace and trickery that will come in handy out wide, where he is likely to be deployed, for now at least. Against Milan he twisted his way between two defenders before unleashing a curling right-footed effort that narrowly went wide. He looks confident and needs to take advantage of any chances he's given because he failed to do so in a very poor personal campaign last year. Like Walcott, it's a big year for him, but I'm confident he'll make the step up, and will be knocking on the door for a regular starting place.
Pre-Season Rating: 8/10
Marouane Chamakh
The new man looks to have settled perfectly already. He has three goals to his name in pre-season which is a respectable return given he's only been at the club a matter of weeks. As I said in the Barnet review, his link up play is excellent and I think Arshavin and Fabregas in particular will relish playing with him. Samir Nasri has certainly struck up an instant understanding with Chamakh, and they have both easily been our star players so far. Against Legia we got the first glimpse of his aerial ability as he bravely met the ball before the keeper to power home a header. This will certainly come in handy in the dying embers of matches when defences are hard to break down; we will have someone to toss those crosses into. His movement is sharp, his touch exquisite and has demonstrated some skill on a couple of occasions, too. It's early days yet but he looks like a real player, and, assuming we stick with the 4-3-3/4-2-31 formation, you have to wonder where van Persie will fit in, because Chamakh looks too good to be warming the bench.
Pre-Season Rating: 8.5/10
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Posted by Young'un in Arsenal | 3 August 2010
So we now have a clearer indication as to how good this Arsenal squad is following the trip to Austria and the fourth Emirates Cup that the club hosted last weekend, with The Gunners winning their third title. Having said that we won't know for sure until we really get going, until about November when we have about 10 Premier League games under our belt and are well into the Champions League group stages. But until then, here's a much more in-depth analysis for you to feast on regarding the goalkeepers and defence; a third part will follow featuring my thoughts on the midfield and attack.
Manuel Almunia
A lot of speculation about the shaky Spaniard. Will he be replaced between the sticks? If so, by a colleague within the Arsenal ranks? Or by someone else, ie Mark Schwarzer? Not to mention the infamous quotes allegedly from Wenger himself, whom has since dismissed the story as media garbage. He has done his cause no harm during this pre-season. He started once in Austria and, unsurprisingly, was not troubled and was handed the armband as he played 90 minutes on Sunday against Celtic. He could have pulled out a deckchair and basked in the Emirates sunshine during the first half as Arsenal ran riot, but the second half was a different story as The Gunners became complacent at 3-0 up and allowed Celtic back in the game. Almunia made a handful of smart stops, and frankly if it wasn't for him, the Scottish side would probably have drawn the game and ultimately taken the Emirates Cup home themselves. I still don't trust him, but he was very good yesterday and if he can produce that sort of performance every week without the poor judgement of set pieces that also comes as part of the Almunia package, then I'd be happy to have him between the sticks on a regular basis. Unfortunately, I don't think Manuel has that sort of consistency in his locker.
Pre-Season Rating: 6.5/10
Lukasz Fabianski
Another keeper who has been heavily scrutinised, the Pole appears to have become Wenger’s first choice as he has featured the most in pre-season. Like Almunia, he wasn’t tested against poor opposition such as Barnet and the Austrian sides but Milan are a different kettle of fish. And to be fair, Fabianski did well. A couple of times he showed good anticipation and awareness by rushing off his line to smother the ball or clear it from danger. It is this fearless demeanour that makes me believe that there is indeed a quality keeper in there. He just needs a string of games, some self confidence and some support from his peers, and more importantly, the fans. During the Fulham game at the end of last season, ironic cheers echoed around the stadium every time Fabianski touched the ball, as a way of demonstrating their surprise at him not making a mistake. But on Saturday there was genuine praise for the Pole. I’m still not convinced by him and would be at much more ease if a new keeper is brought in but I think with time on his side, he’s a better asset than Almunia. Whether the boss feels the same remains to be seen.
Pre-Season Rating: 6/10
Bacary Sagna
The French fullback got himself a goal against Celtic which is something of a collectors item as he has previously netted just the once as he enters his fourth season at the club. He was everything we have come to expect from him: solid and remarkably consistent defensively, with his crossing fluctuating from poor to threatening. He seems to link up well with whoever it is playing in front of him, be it feeding balls outside for Walcott to race onto, or short 5 yard passes to Nasri to twist, turn and create space. If Sagna’s crossing can be more efficient then we’ve probably got the most complete right-back in the world.
Pre-Season Rating: 7/10
Gael Clichy
Sagna’s fellow French fullback, and best friend, received some criticism from many Arsenal fans, myself included, for some indifferent performances after returning from injury. Towards the end of the season though, he seemed to achieve a return to form. Les Bleus’ disastrous World Cup campaign, including an awful personal showing from the Arsenal number 22 against South Africa, has not affected Gael’s pre-season performance as he has indicated that he is getting back to his very best; the level he produced in the 2007-08 season that earned him praise from all corners, a place in the PFA Team of the Year, and resulted in Gooners forgetting all about Ashley Cole, who had left big boots to fill. I personally do not think there is any fullback better at reading the game and nipping in with interceptions before starting attacks than Gael Clichy. Like Sagna his crossing is not nearly consistent enough but his pace causes a threat and there is no doubt that the 25-year-old is approaching becoming the finished article.
Pre-Season Rating: 6.5/10
Thomas Vermaelen
The Belgian enjoyed a hugely successful debut season at the club, but with the departure of his partner in crime, William Gallas, as well as several backup players, there is incredible pressure on Vermaelen not only to emulate last season’s performance, but to better it and become the commanding figure at the heart of the Arsenal defence. The impressions gained from pre-season are promising; he has been handed the armband on a number of occasions which shows Wenger trusts the 24-year-old to handle responsibility, and he looked solid in both Emirates Cup games while continuing his habit of driving forward from the back and starting offensive moves. However, Vermaelen may well take the blame for the goal conceded against Milan which suggests he needs to concentrate more and get tighter at set-pieces, which is ironic considering he is excellent at freeing himself from a marker and attacking balls at the other end! But there is no doubt he is a quality defender, and it is imperative that Vermaelen stays fit because Arsenal are hardly a rock solid defensive unit anyway, but without him, The Gunners are an accident waiting to happen, especially with almost no backup whatsoever waiting in the wings.
Pre-Season Rating: 7/10
Laurent Koscielny
The French centre-half enjoyed a comfortable first few games where he was rarely challenged, and consequently, failed to stand out. However during the AC Milan game, he provided the fans with a first glimpse at why Wenger shelled out around £10million for his services. He made a couple of brilliant challenges, demonstrating good strength in the tackle. His positioning was often very good, while he also won some aerial balls and looks quick enough to recover should he or one of his teammates make an error. Vermaelen said afterwards he was “the complete defender” and he certainly did his case no harm with that performance. However, he made one poorly timed challenge against Celtic leaving the defence vulnerable which was the only blot on a near exemplary Emirates Cup performance. I would like to see him spend some more time in the gym because I’m not comfortable with his slight frame coming up against Didier Drogba, the man who has single-handedly bullied Arsenal on numerous occasions.
Pre-Season Rating: 7.5/10
Johan Djourou
I personally have always rated the Swiss International because I think he’s got a bit of everything, pace, height, strength and ability on the ball. The injury that saw him miss all but one game last season was therefore a massive blow to his development. In the games we have seen Djourou play in he looks like he hasn’t fully recovered, and to be honest, he had a very poor game against Celtic, his positioning was very suspect. Another centre-half has to arrive because Johan is the only backup to Koscielny and Vermaelen with Premier League experience, and when one of them inevitably gets injured, I’m not confident a half-fit Djourou can step up. Not yet anyway. We couldn’t expect much from him during pre-season, and the sole purpose is to get players fit, iron out any problems and prepare the players for the campaign ahead. Hopefully the training camp in Austria and the experience of the Emirates Cup has done this for Djourou because one way or another, he’s going to play a big role this season.
Pre-Season Rating: 5/10
Havard Nordtveit
As I stated in the last piece, I was impressed with Nordtveit against Barnet and he was also excellent against the Austrian teams. He did not get to feature during the Emirates Cup despite being named on the bench for both games which was disappointing. The games he did excel in were obviously against poor opposition so it’s difficult to judge how much of an impact he can have in the first team once the season begins. But he appears to have a rugged edge which Arsenal are often criticised for lacking. Especially with the squad being desperately short of personnel in defence, the Norwegian could get his chance at centre-half despite being deployed at right-back during pre-season. He has experience in the Bundesliga but none in the Premier League. Is that enough to be 4th choice for a club as big as Arsenal? I fear not. Mikael Silvestre was probably the man who was 4th choice at centre-half last season and although he wasn’t everybody’s cup of tea he had so much experience of playing at the highest level and despite his flaws, I think I’d prefer him to the young, unproven Nordtveit. Another player must come in, surely? However, if he produces several commanding performances at the heart of the defence, I will happily accept my slice of humble pie.
Pre-Season Rating: 7/10
Emmanuel Eboue
Due to his World Cup exploits, the once maligned utility man only got his real taste of pre-season action in the Emirates Cup where he was decent without being spectacular. I don’t like him in midfield, I’ve always preferred him at right-back and feel he would be best as Bacary Sagna’s understudy. There was one moment in the Milan game when, facing his own goal, he outmuscled Clarence Seedorf, if memory serves me correctly, turned away and played the ball out of defence. This is an example of the confidence he has gained since earning back the respect of the Arsenal faithful. We’re all beginning to love him if we didn’t already, but he’s not just around to dress up in tiger costumes, eavesdrop on Korean instructions or produce some ridiculous dance moves, because he’s also a very talented footballer. I hope he can become more consistent this season.
Pre-Season Rating: 6.5/10
Kieran Gibbs
A hugely talented prospect, Kieran could easily have disappeared into the shadows following his slip in the Champions League semi-finals, which allowed Park Ji-Sung to score and end Arsenal’s hopes of winning the trophy. But he has dusted himself down, picked himself up and responded with some terrific performances. He was on the verge of making the left-back spot his own, until a broken foot ruled him out for the remainder of the season. However, during the pre-season campaign, Gibbs has once again bounced back by showing a solid, mature defensive ability whilst also possessing the attacking attributes he gained during his time as a winger. He has also been consistent. Several times he has nipped in with crucial tackles and interceptions, including one against Celtic on Sunday at 3-2, while I recall he also made a terrific last ditch tackle against Portsmouth in the league. I really do rate Gibbs and if he can keep on progressing then the sky is the limit. An England call up can’t be far away, especially with Capello insisting he’ll turn to youth following a poor showing at the World Cup, and Clichy’s improvement in form may be because of the fact that Gibbs is hot on his heels, waiting to get his chance and cement his spot in the first team once and for all. Clichy and Cole were both promising young left-backs at a time, but I don’t think either demonstrated the consistency and mental strength that Gibbs has shown during his short career at Arsenal so does this mean he can go on and be even better than them? It’s a big ask, but seriously, why not?
Pre-Season Rating: 8/10
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Posted by Young'un in Arsenal | 17 July 2010
As a gooner, you know the new season is approaching when you travel to Underhill to catch a first glimpse of any new recruits, and the alleged stars of the future. That's right, today Arsenal participated in the now annual exhibition match against fellow Norf Londoners, Barnet. Arsene Wenger selected a strong squad, containing a healthy blend of experienced first team players (who hadn't had the trauma of enduring a World Cup campaign) and a promising crop of teenagers from the Reserve side.
Manuel Almunia missed out on the squad altogether, and while Wenger claims the Spanish shot-stopper was ill, I've got my suspicions. I think Almunia may have played his last game for Arsenal, and, I'm not gonna lie, my fingers, toes and eyes are crossed that this is indeed the case.
Chamakh and Koscielny pulled on the new (and rather lush) home strip for the first time today and were eager to impress, as were the likes of Havard Nordveit, Jack Wilshere and Nacer Barazite, who will be looking to break into the first team once and for all. So, who of the players we have not seen much of before, impressed? For your entertainment, I have compiled a brief report on a selection of players that featured this afternoon; analysing their strengths and weaknesses and constructing a comparison between their playing styles and the game's current greats. I am solely judging these musings on the Barnet game, and my opinion may, and is likely to, change if/when I can be bothered to post more thoughts on our pre-season preparations.
So, here we go...nine players we have seldom, if ever, seen in the famous red and white, being scrutinised briefly but efficiently by yours truly:
Havard Nordveit
How did he perform today? As far as my knowlege of Arsenal's youngsters goes, I was under the assumption that the Norweigen defender could only play at the heart of the backline, so I was pleased to see him turn out at right-back; a position we seem to lack depth in. I was even more satisfied to see him put in a solid shift. He won most, if not all, of his aerial battles, and was solid without being spectacular.
Does he have a future at Arsenal? Yes. With the imminent departures of William Gallas, Mikael Silvestre and perhaps Sol Campbell, Arsenal are desperately short at the back. Nordveit appears to be a no-nonsence defender with a bright future. His versatility may also come in handy.
Who does he play like? Branislav Ivanovic of Chelsea. Nordveit appears to match the Serbian's solidarity and physical presence with a similar attitude of doing the job without making a song and dance about it.
Laurent Koscielny
How did he perform today? It's very difficult to judge him in a game like this, particularly when barely any attacks were thrown his way. Having said that, I managed to pick up on a couple of things. He appeared to be relatively comfortable on the ball, but does not seem to possess the 30-yard diagonal passing ability of Gallas or Vermaelen, or at least he didn't demonstrate it today. He also looked suspect in the air and definitely needs to do some work in the gym, but to be fair, the player himself also conceded this. If I'm honest, he was nothing more than "ok"
Does he have a future at Arsenal? It would be ludicrous to dismiss a new signing after 45 minutes of football in a nothing game. But I'm not gonna lie, he hardly set the world alight. After the Emirates Cup we'll get a better idea of how good he is but I will need at least one big performance before we travel to Anfield on the opening day in order to trust him. We don't want another Cygan, please.
Who does he play like? This is a difficult one. He appears to be mobile and able to bring the ball out of defence, drawing similarities with the man he is replacing, William Gallas, but it's impossible to compare him with anyone when he had very few touches of the ball.
Emmanuel Frimpong
How did he perform today? Bloody well. I was extremely impressed with Frimpong today, he was certainly the stand-out youngster and rivals Andrey Arshavin for the, ahem, prestigious honour of being named Man of the Match. The Ghanaian born midfielder combined African energy with English grit by putting in an all-action display in front of the back four. He looked terrific in the tackle and never stopped running for the team. His physical presence was pretty scary for his age. The only accusation you could throw at him is that he worked too hard or was too eager to impress. Frimpong was happy to bomb forward when possible and several times found himself on the left flank linking up with Traore and Arshavin. If he is to become our future midfield enforcer he'll need to become more disciplined and learn to stick to his specific role.
Does he have a future at Arsenal? Most definitely. As I said, he still has aspects to learn but could seek guidance from Alex Song, the revelation of last season, who seems to have recently mastered the art of staying in position and providing solid, defensive cover. But there's no doubt that if he applies himself, the boy has a big future
Who does he play like? His enthusiasm, athleticism and strength are frighteningly similar to Michael Essien. If he can become half as good as the Chelsea star then we've got quite a player. Or, if that's too much praise we can call him a cross between Song and Mascherano.
Jay Emmanuel-Thomas
How did he perform today? 'JET' drifted in and out of the game, therefore it's difficult to assess him. From what I gathered he's a real athlete who's willing to get stuck in. He's so versatile that it appears we're yet to find him a position to settle in. He played from the right today and looked dangerous when cutting inside and was dominant in the air. His final ball definitely needs work but the raw talent is there
Does he have a future at Arsenal? Difficult to say. From what I have seen and heard, he regularly puts in good performances for the Reserves, which demonstrates that he has ability. Whether he can add more strings to his bow and perform on a bigger stage is a different matter. I do like him but I fear he won't find a way into the side. This season may well be make or break for him.
Who does he play like? Emmanuel-Thomas' lanky stature is similar to that of Abou Diaby, and they both possess the ability to motor past players. But the fact that he can also play at centre-half, left-back or up front means it's impossible to find a direct comparison.
Jay Simpson
How did he perform today? Very well indeed. He grabbed two goals, neatly taken, particularly the first one which was precisely placed in the corner. He appears to be a real fox-in-the-box, something Arsenal have often been crying out for. Dangerous in the area but appeared to be ineffective with his back to goal. With his speed and muscular physique he could be so much more.
Does he have a future at Arsenal? I don't think so. Don't get me wrong, he was good today and gave Mr Wenger something to think about, but his chances will be limited this season, with Marouane Chamakh joining van Persie, Bendtner, Eduardo, Vela, Walcott and Arshavin in what has now become a well-stocked area of the squad. He may get one more chance on loan but I think he has blossomed a little too late and his career at Arsenal may be over. But his performance today may attract a Premier League club, and, as he proved during his stint at West Brom, he's capable of scoring goals on the big stage.
Who does he play like? His stockiness and movement in the box is reminiscent of a modern Wayne Rooney, well before the disastrous World Cup, I mean. But Jay appears to lack the energy, workrate and ability to come deep for the ball like the Manchester United hitman. His predatory instincts are not dissimilar from those of Eduardo, either.
Ignasi Miquel
How did he perform today? Impressively. I must admit I knew nothing about Miquel before today other than he was a Spanish defender. But this afternoon he put in a very good shift. While Barnet hardly threw the kitchen sink at the Arsenal backline, Miquel was able to put on a show for the Arsenal fans and perhaps persuade the manager not to dip into the market for another centre-half. He looked good on the ball and was terrific aerially. I don't think he was beaten once. He was however caught napping once which a better team may have capitalised on.
Does he have a future at Arsenal? Quite possibly. It's foolish to base his future on one performance but he was very impressive today. The lapse in concentration is not unusual for a boy of his age and inexperience and overcoming this weakness will come in time. He's got the ability, if he works hard, takes on any advice given to him then why not? The sky's the limit.
Who does he play like? His cool presence on the field and ability in the air reminds me of a young Rio Ferdinand. If he can perform consistently and continue to learn, there's no reason why he can't emulate the man England missed so badly in South Africa this summer.
Henri Lansbury
How did he perform today? He was decent. Lansbury has been around for a while but has never made a real impact. Often he has come on as a substitute in the League Cup but we have seldom seen more than 45 minutes, even in pre-season. Today he was cruising. A poor, tiring Barnet side were unwilling to close him down so he had the freedom of the pitch to knock the ball about. He has a decent range of passing and demonstrated some sort of discipline but he doesn't emitt that talented aura like Gibbs or Wilshere.
Does he have a future at Arsenal? I doubt it. He did nothing wrong but whenever I've seen him he seems to do as little work as possible. I'm not saying he's lazy necessarily, that may just be how he plays. But while he can pass the ball, he can't pass it like Fabregas, Wilshere or Rosicky can. His talents are limited. Lansbury impressed on loan in the Championship but I can't see him succeeding in the Premier League. I'm afraid he's not good enough to displace the likes of Nasri, Rosicky, Diaby and Denilson who will be battling to partner Cesc and Song in midfield. He may get time in the League Cup but don't expect to see him starting in the Champions League, for example.
Who does he play like? His laid-back approach is similar to that of Michael Carrick. Both can spray the ball and aren't afraid to shoot from distance but neither will turn a game on its head for you.
Conor Henderson
How did he perform today? Surprisingly well. He demonstrated neat touches, an ability to turn a marker and a good range of passing, picking out Theo Walcott in particular several times with relative accuracy. I knew little of Henderson before today but he made a good impression. He has work to do but, like so many Arsenal youngsters, the talent is there.
Does he have a future at Arsenal? I've got no idea. The midfield is where the greatest competition lies when it comes to Young Gunners. It really is survival of the fittest. Can he compete with Barazite, Wilshere, Emmanuel-Thomas and Frimpong as well as the established first team players? Time will tell. He's nowhere near yet but if he develops well there's no reason why he can't get his big break.
Who does he play like? Steven Gerrard. Henderson possesses a desire to get forward and make things happen and the ability to retain the ball under pressure like the England captain but we are yet to see some stinging long range efforts that have become synonymous with the Scouse DJ-beating midfielder.
Marouane Chamakh
How did he perform today? The Morrocan forward was the player I was most looking forward to seeing this afternoon. I was pleased with his input without having to drool over the prospect of him banging in 40 goals. Because he won't. Chamakh is not that type of player. He's much more team-orientated and his height gives us another option. The primary plus point of his performance was his touch. It was exquisite. Yes, he will be under more pressure playing against defenders like Vidic or Terry but he looked so comfortable. Chamakh effortlessly trapped the balls that were zipped into his feet and was happy to lay the ball off to the on-rushing midfielders. You get the feeling Fabregas and Arshavin will love playing with him. Chamakh can potentially compensate for not being prolific in front of goal by providing a hatful of chances for our dangerous attacking duo. He looks in decent physical shape, could perhaps bulk up a bit more, but looks able to hold the ball up. We're yet to see his aerial ability but that will certainly come in handy when the season kicks off. I want to see more to fully judge him but he's an exciting prospect
Does he have a future at Arsenal? Like Koscielny, being a new addition he'll obviously get a chance, and I think he'll grasp it with both hands. His presence in the air adds another dimension to our game. In the last couple of years we have seen balls tossed in aimlessly when time is running out and our passing game is not working. But, Bendtner aside, nobody is there to attack it. Chamakh could be that man and his contribution could be priceless. I'm looking forward to seeing him again because I think he's going to be a shrewd piece of business.
Who does he play like? A hard-working Dimitar Berbatov. His control and link-up play are similar to that of the mercurial Bulgarian but Chamakh seems willing to chase for balls more and I'd wager he's a bigger threat in the air. I've seen 45 minutes of the Morrocan, he's yet to score, but I'm already a fan!
So there you have it; my thoughts on the return of the mighty Gunners. If time allows I intend to analyse more of our players following the tour of Austria and the Emirates Cup. Hopefully these handful of games will give us an insight as to what to expect from Arsenal in the coming season. I, for one, cannot wait...
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Posted by DavidM in Man United | 8 March 2010
I read an article on Caught Offside about The Telegraph's new ticket service, giving you the chance to get into sports events, theatre shows and gigs.
This got me looking at others and I came across the Manchester United Ticket Exchange website. Here, season ticket holders who can't make a match can legitimately sell their tickets, and buyers are guaranteed a genuine ticket for the match.
With prices from as low as £10 to see Manchester United versus Fulham at Old Trafford, you can also get some real bargains.
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Posted by DavidM in Stoke City | 6 March 2010
I didn't have a big problem at the time but I'm getting really annoyed now.
I watched Ryan Shawcross' challenge on Aaron Ramsey on Saturday. While I thought it wasn't malicious, it was hard and one of those that if it went wrong - as it did - could go badly wrong.
Ramsey's injury was horrific. Shawcross was upset at what he'd done. Nasty incident but that was it.
However, since the game I, like most Arsenal fans, have been dismayed at the conveyor belt of football players, pundits and the media who have come out in support of Shawcross, offering their sympathy and how sorry they feel for him. Some did manage to wish Ramsey a speedy recovery.
Earlier this week DangerHere.com ran a little experiement. Typing 'feel sorry for Ryan Shawcross' into Google returned 543 links. However, 'feel sorry for Aaron Ramsey' returned only 10!
I tried it again tonight and the results are: Shawcross had rocketed to 14,300 though at least Ramsey had jumped to 22,000.
Hat tip: Arseblog
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Posted by DavidM in Other football news | 5 March 2010
A recent study has estimated that one in every 589,000 spectators has a heart attack at a football ground during the season, but many of the stadia wouldn't be able to deal with it quickly and effectively.
MediLexicon reports that the study of 187 top European football stadia identified a number of them lacked the equipment and the training to deal with heart attacks. A key concern is that 1 in 4 of the grounds more than 5 minutes from the nearest hospital lack AED equipment - vital for treating heart attacks within the first 5 minutes.
So before you next scream at the referee until the veins throb in your neck, check the ground has the right kit to sort you out and that the staff know how to use it!
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