Arsenal F C (Pride Of London)

[Dioufy]

I only caught the highlights, but these are my thoughts on todays game between Charlton Athletic and Arsenal FC.

Good performance today i felt, Charlton weren't great in the middle, but Bent and Hasselbaink looked dangerous in attack, and genuinely went for something against us. We created a lot of chances, and were unfortunate not to completely run away with the game - 82% possession in the first half should probably have resulted in one or two more goals - it's a ridiculous amount!

Lehmann - 8 - Made one superb save, and marshalled his area very well. Spilled an easier chance though, and was fortunate that it fell to Gallas, instead of the onrushing forward.

Eboue - 7 - Pushed forward well, and made some good tackles at the back.

Toure - 6.5 - made some good tackles, but overall Charlton created too many chances in the box, and we looked vulnerable from aerial balls. Where was he when Charlton scored?!?

Gallas - 6 - Assured at times, but generally looked a little off the pace - as with Toure, we didn't always look completely comfortable defensively, and I suspect he really wasn't fully fit.

Hoyte - 7 - Long term he's not a left back - he's far too right-footed. But he linked up well today with his midfield, made some nice runs up the flank, and tracked back well, making some important challenges towards the end.

Hleb - 9 - Man of the match performance today, played some absolutely stunning passes, looked creative and influential in attack, held onto the ball in some seemingly impossible situations, made some excellent chances for others, including setting up the first and challenging in the box to give Henry a sitter. Also tracked back well - brilliant all-round today.

Gilberto - 7 - Looked calm in the middle of the park, and also made some excellent tackles. Passing wasn't too bad either, and I can't recall him giving the ball away at all.

Fabregas - 7.5 - Also looked good on the ball today, got into positions in the box well, and really should have scored. Controlled in midfield though, despite earning himself a stupid booking.

Ljungberg - 5 - please, apart from running around a lot (and I do mean a LOT), what's he actually there for these days? When the ball arrives at his feet, you can be pretty damn sure that NOTHING at all will happen, unless he manages to offload the ball to someone else less than six yards away! Ok, I'm being harsh, I like the guy and he's a gooner through and through. But honestly, how little does he have to contribute before Wenger starts to think that over 90 minutes, he really doesn't offer enough?

Henry - 7 - Looked up for it again today, and played really well cutting into the box from the left hand-side. Very poor finish from 6 yards out, with only the keeper to beat, but also created some nice chances for himself, and played some clever touches around the area. On another day, he'd have had a hat-trick.

Van Persie - 8.5 - After about 20 minutes, i was wondering whether or not I'd been wrong about the guy after all - maybe he really does suck! Two hopeless long-range shots, and very little else to show for it. Then bang - Hleb sets him up for a very nice finish from the edge of the box, and suddenly I'm thinking there's life in the (not-so) old dog yet! And that volley. Well, it was just flipping brilliant! Not much more to say about it than that! Really rejuvenated him today, I felt, and maybe, just maybe, he'll start doing that sort of thing consistently now. Good to see Wenger with him after the final whistle - first time I've seen RVP look that happy in quite a while!

[SE13]

International weekend is upon us once again, and it never seems to fail to bring misery back to Ashburton Grove, or Highbury in previous seasons, whereby injuries seem to sideline players for great periods of time, and cost the club because of lack of strength and depth within the squad. However, Gael Clichy managed fourtyfive minutes for the reserves in their win over West Ham earlier in the week, and could be poised to return to first team action any time soon, and Phillipe Senderos managed an entire ninety minutes. Greater strength at the back with the news that Lauren could be ready within the next couple of weeks as well.... We have ample cover up front in the shape of Theo Walcott, and seem quite well covered in midfield, give or take a shuffle or two of the playing systems and formation line-ups.

Our season really has recovered just nicely after the initial set backs, and with form looking good in both The Premiership, and in The Champions League, we could be looking at a very profitable season not only off the pitch with the extra fans pouring through the turnstiles, but also on it, with us being able to challenge the big boys in The Premiership, and hopefully better last seasons finish to The Champions League...... And even now I wonder if we could have actually lifted that particular trophey had the referee taken a slightly different view of the Jens Lehmann incident.
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It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space

[Dioufy]

From the matches i have seen this season, you seem to be more fluid than last season. I wonder how much this has to do with the absence of Reyes.

Don't get me wrong, I believe Jose is a very talented player, however a lot of your passing passages broke down when he was on the ball. Either he would get fouled or he would hold on to the ball to long.

This year the you have had Rosicky or Freddie on the left hand side and although they may not be as skillfull, they seem to move the ball better and resist challenges better.

Does anyone else agree ?

[SE13]

To be honest, Jose Antonio Reyes' departure has cut down on the huge diving statistic hanging over the club. Too many times he ran out of ideas at crucial times, and lost possession, leading to another breakdown of play. He served us reasonably well during his stay at Highbury, but the constant whinging on the pitch, and the homesickness off the pitch was getting to be a strain on the rest of the team, and the supporters alike.

I wish him well in the future, but at this moment in time, I feel that we are not missing him in the slightest. The introduction of Tomas Rosicky and also Julio Baptista, and in particular the former, seem to have plugged the gap, and perhaps filled it even better.
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It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space

[Dioufy]

Fluid, quick play requires a certain amount of decisiveness in possession, and that's where Reyes really struggled. Taking charge of the ball in a 50-50 situation and creating play was difficult for him because his first thought was to charge in but once he had the ball, he always made the wrong decision (decided to dribble and end up either fouled or unable to retain his momentum when a simple pass would have been better or played a pass but was inconsistent with its delivery).

I think also in his head, he EXPECTED to be fouled as soon as he got on the ball, so the thing on his mind was to not get hurt rather than to show determination to keep an attacking move alive. It is definitely a mental problem and something he was just unable to overcome.

Looking at Guti in the Madrid derby last weekend I'm SO glad Wenger decided not to sign him because he's even worse! Terrifically talented but always playing for the foul instead of carrying enough resilience and self confidence to shirk those late challenges.

[SE13]

In theory, and possibly on the training ground, Reyes was technically a very gifted player, but he had this tendancy to let himself down when it mattered most, on the field of play. The statistics suggested that he was the most fouled player in The Premiership since he moved from Spain, but the reality possibly outweighs the actual facts. As you pointed out, he ran out of ideas, and lacked the footballing brain to get someone else into play, instead trying to create the impossible, which ninetynine times out of a hundred was a step too far.

Don't get me wrong, he scored, and also created some vital goals at vital times, and was an intregal player in the unbeaten season (something which possibly will never be matched), but times move on and the club move with it. Jose Antonio Reyes has moved to pastures new, which must have been the worst kept secret in footballing history, and we have ample replacements, not to mention the players coming back from long term injury.

Write Arsenal off at your peril. We might still be in the process of rebuilding, but we have a team that is more than capable of lifting The European Cup, let alone The Premiership crown yet again.
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It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space

[Dioufy]

Despite what he lacked, In some senses you are missing Reyes.

When you have Hleb and Rosicky playing they (along with Henry now, for some strange reason) like to come short for the ball. Short ball men are fine but you need a balance of them and those who provide a longer option if you really want to stretch the play and give our players room to play in.

Reyes often gave us that option; staying out wide and not always going towards the play. Ljungberg is doing it now (and Hleb is learning to do it) and I would assume that is the reason why he is still getting a game. What both players give/gave you could be greatly improved upon but right now I'd prefer Reyes over Freddie anyday.

In relation to the passing; you are keeping the ball better but at the same time we aren't launching any quick counters or changing the play swiftly enough. Hleb switches the ball on occasion but nowhere near as effectively or regularly as Reyes used to.

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Recently i have been watching Eboue play, his ability to get forward, to defend and to overall add so much to the sqaud. Then it got me thinking of Lauren, a solid enforcer at the back with solid capabilites and in my opinion a first team started when fully fit.

However Eboue has been phenominal and it has gotten me thinking about the option of turning him into an out and out right winger? He is fast, adventourous, can beat any player one on one, can shoot and most importantly gets to the byeline. The quality of getting to the byline is major as it forces the defence to turn there backs away from goal, evidently loosing track of there marker.

As it seems, Eboue can beat anyplayer regardless of there defensive capabilities. I know he lacks a final ball but he that is something that will improve as weve seen in recent weeks.

Another bonus is the strength on the right hand side against player like Ronaldo and Robben. Having to beat Eboue and Lauren is close to impossible, and simply i feel we will completely shut the opposing left flank down.

Anyways just a suggetsion, feel free to bag or critisice as you like.....

[SE13]

To be quite honest, I prefer the options of Lauren on the right at the back, and Gael Clichy at left back. Both have the urgency going forward, and amply support the midfield, creating further options up front. Both are actually quite decent goal scorers also. The only flaw to the plan is that both are on the treatment table right now, recovering from long term injuries, although it would seem that Lauren is quite a lot closer to a return to training than was first thought.

As for the Freddie Ljungberg verus Jose Antonio Reyes arguement, for me Freddie Ljungberg has been a stalwart for the club for a long time now, and often chips in with valuable goals, while creating a lot more than he is given credit for. Jose Antonio Reyes was more of a Cristiano Ronaldo type player. Everyone had him sussed, and it was either he ran out of options, got himself fouled, or just dived. Give me Freddie Ljungberg any day of the week.
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It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space

[Dioufy]

In my opinion, Clichy still has something to prove. For me he looked solid and rarely over-awed until last season. In the games I saw him in last season he looked a little nervy, but perhaps that was lack of first team oppurtunities and I'm sure he can do it. I'm sure I'm not alone in wanting to see Gael get an extended run in the first team and this is his chance. Have to say I don't actually agree with the criticism of his defensive work, plus if I remember rightly a certain A. C**e was rather sloppy defensively when he first played for you, and look where he is now... . But I'm sure you get my point, it will be interesting to see how Wenger integrates Traore into the fold

What would you guys do after the return of Lauren? Where would you play him and what would you do with him? The guy has always done his job right when he played and plus all that I like the bloke very much.
He's a very hard worker, and I don't think it's fair to take his place in the team cause he's been injured. On the other hand Eboue is here and he's doing great. He has given us some very well preformances on the right back so it seems unfear to take his place too....
What to do? Should Lauren be given a chance on the left maybe?

[SE13]

Lauren will slot straight back into the right-back position, no questions. The question is now all about William Gallas, and the role we will occupy in the defence. He can turn his hand to most things back there, but I imagine that manager, Arsene Wenger has a favoured position for him. Right or wrong as you look at it, but he bought Thierry Henry as a winger, and converted him into perhaps the greatest striker on the planet at this time, with his amazing foresight, and vision as to what might be should he switch things around.

Although it was Bruce Rioch that essentially purchased Dennis Bergkamp, he was bought as an out and out striker, though Arsene Wenger moved him into a position where he became the creative playmaker, and legend, sitting just behind the central strikers, and look what happened there.

The injury crisis at the back, along with the sale of Cashley Cole to CSKA Fulham have rushed Wengers decisions as to where William Gallas will be most effective, but take it from me, he will utilise him to the maximum when things settle down, and you will see a defensive unit perhaps more effective than the days of Nigel Winterburn, Lee Dixon, Tony Adams and Martin Keown/Steve Bould.
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It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space

[Dioufy]

Why is William Gallas still playing Left-back ?!? I would stick Matthue Flamini at left-back and let William Gallas play his prefered postion. The back four of Lauren/Senderos/Gallas/Clichy is perfect on paper, the only thing you lack is a tough Englishmen, but Phillip Senderos and Kolo Toure are no small lads... Kolo Touré has really come of age since his move to central defence. He is now regarded as one of the finest centre-halves in the Premiership, and is senior member of a very young Arsenal back four. His pace, power and recovery are amongst the very best in the business.

Presuming Rosicky starts, one of your talented midfielders will have to sit on the bench. Wenger spoke about his ability to play any attacking position along the middle and I'm wondering who will be sacrificed in order to fit him in. I guess Ljundberg's injury makes it easier for Wenger at the moment but what will happen when he returns? Ljundberg himself isnt guaranteed a starting role. Will Rosicky displace Reyes on the left? Hleb on the right? Fabregas? What of Theo? What do you guys think? Who, if anyone, should he replace. Should we rotate like chelsea? Your thoughts please...
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[SE13]

We started the game against Watford, at Ashburton Grove with the following line-up. Note that Theo Walcott finally got to start a game, although he was substituted at half time.

Jens Lehmann
Kolo Toure
Justin Hoyte
Johan Djourou
William Gallas
Cesc Fabregas
Gilberto
Theo Walcott
Tomas Rosicky
Emmanuel Adebayor
Thierry Henry

We ran out 3-0 winners, but the scoreline once again did not reflect the utter domination of the game. Up to fourth in the table now, with a game in hand over the leaders, despite having our worst start to a Premiership season in history. Chelsea won, rather luckily, and Manchester United also picked up all three points against Wigan Athletic, despite being a goal behind. So the table is taking on a predictable image again now, although Liverpool are quite a way off the early pace.
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It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space

[Dioufy]

Theo seemed to carrying on his form from the under 21's (Good signs for the senior squad). I was lucky enough to watch the game. However, I thought the defence showed lapses in concentration, which they shouldn't do, but when you're leading and having fun, it's easy to do.

I thought the midfield never really looked like it was doing anything until Hleb came on, the distribution was poor, you had players like Walcott and Rosicky waiting to be unleashed and they weren't found enough for my liking. though Rosicky managed to impose himself on the game a little better than his wing counterpart. i thought the attack done well enough.

All in all, the performance was one that showed fatigue for the most part from your key players, i would've really liked for Henry to come off early, not just in preparation for the next came but as a safety measure for later in the season. would've loved to see Walcott get some minutes up front too. Solid performance which bore goals, you really can't complain about that.

Lehmann-7 (didnt do anything stupid)
Toure-8
Djourou-7
Gallas-7
Hoyte-7.5 (Looked quite comfortable at RB)
Fabregas-8 (few mistimed passes, but the pass for the 3rd goal was
spot on)
Rosicky-7 ( 8 if he had scored)
Gilberto-7.5 ( solid as always)
Walcott- 7 ( faded away as the game progressed)
Henry-8.5 ( A goal and an assist)
Adebayor- 7.5 ( ran his socks of and contributed to the own goal)

Subs:

Clichy- 6 ( hardly had time on the ball)
V.persie-6.5 ( for trying to strike a ball from 25 yrds instead of
passing it)
Hleb-7 ( Made good runs on the right side but didnt have enough time
to make an impact)

++++++++++++

This is a very tricky game. Defensively you looked shaky against Charlton and Watford but CSKA play a different game. A draw will be a great result in Moscow but if we win we are through (almost).

CSKA Team
--------------------Akinfeev------------------

V Berezutskiy-------Ignashevich-- A Berezutskiy

--------------Semberas-----Rahimic-----------

Dudu-----------------------------------Zhirkov

---------------------Carvalho-----------------

---------Vagner Love---------Olic-------------



Arsenal
--------------------T Henry---------------

T Walcott-----------------------R van Pervie

---------T Rosicky----F Fabregas------

-------------------Gilberto-------------------

G Clichy---W Gallas----K Toure---J Hoyte

---------------------J Lehmann-----------------
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[SE13]

Personally, I would have given Tomas Rosicky a better mark, but each to their own. He created chances, and was unlucky not to have appeared on the scoresheet.

As stated previously, CSKA Moscow are a whole different kettle of fish. Having sat and thought about it, I feel that anything other than defeat will be a major scoop. I believe ITV4 are screening the game live, and as it is a ridiculous time for United Kingdom based viewers, I am only glad to be on leave for the next two weeks.
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It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space

[Dioufy]

Just a thought on Arsene Wenger. I know after your 'unbeaten season' David Dein stated that Arsene Wenger "had a job for life" at Arsenal Football Club. He recently said it again and i was just wondering what you think of him saying that ? Because ever since that season, you have declined with the emergence of Chelski and the improvement of Liverpool (no offence). Arsenal over the past year have gone threw a new transition phase and have now started to improve, but if you say, come 4th again. Would you want Arsene Wenger out ?!!? There is no doubting that he has brought the club forward over the past 10 years, from what i remember you were an average middle table club, but now you are respected all over Europe and have arguably the best player on the planet. Not to mention your new 60,000 capacity stadium. But the question is, would you want a new manager and a new style if you failed in the Champions League and disappointed in the Premiership ?

With me supporting Bolton Wanderers Football Club, we are arguably Arsenal's 'bogey team'. We seem to get a decent result every time we come up against you lot (home or away). We have a good game plan when we come up against you lot, we put two players on Thierry Henry, ruffle up Cesc Fabregas. We muscle you out on set-pieces and put immense pressure on your keeper.

You have not done to bad this season, considering it was your worst start for a few years. Good luck with your season, do us proud in Europe.
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