Arsenal FC 2009/2010

[Piola]

NASSSSSSSSSSSSRIIIIIIIIIIII
WHAT A FANTASTIC GOALL FOR ARSENAL
POISE
PATIENCE
PENETRATION!!!

little sand nigger

[delfino_1936]

This is the squad Arsene has chosen for the Wigan game...

Goalkeepers:
Fabianski - Mannone

Defenders:
Ogogo - Hoyte - Song - Djourou - Gibbs

Midfielders:
Bischoff - Wilshere - Lansbury - Coquelin - Frimpong - Ramsey - Randall - Merida

Strikers:
Simpson - Fonte - Vela

My predicted starting line-up.

-------------------------- Lukasz Fabianksi

---- Gavin Hoyte ----- Alex Song ---- Johan Djourou ----- Kieron Gibbs

--- Jack Wilshere ---- Mark Randall -- Aaron Ramsey ------ Fran Merida

--------------------- Jay Simpson --- Carlos Vela

Would'nt surprise me however if he puts Amaury Bischoff in the starting line-up, as well as Coquelin or Lansbury. Randall and Coquelin are to only defensive minded midfielders in that team, and Frimpong also, however Frimpong is even younger than Wilshere. Surprised Jay Thomas isn't in the squad.

Proves to be an exciting match.

[# 9]

an easy 3-0 win.

like the commentator said, arsenal were just too good.

the boys were fantastic, awsome passing.

[delfino_1936]

Arsenal`s Stars In Their Eyes

After watching the side - minus Nicklas Bendtner for Jay Simpson - that beat Sheffield United 6-0 a month ago dismantle Wigan 3-0, Arsene Wenger has hailed his latest crop of Carling Cup wonderkids as his best yet. Here's the lowdown on the 11 for the future...

Lukasz Fabianski
The 23-year-old Polish goalkeeper was the oldest Arsenal player on the pitch last night.
It is rare for goalkeepers to reach their peak - both in terms of power and appreciation - before the age of 25, so Fabianski is already ahead of his time. Promoted to be Manuel Almunia's deputy following Jens Lehmann's summer departure, Arsene Wenger says the Pole is on the brink of a first-team breakthrough and is likely to keep Fabianski active over the coming months: "I am convinced that with only one goalkeeper you do not have a chance in a season like ours." A better shot-stopper than Almunia, only his decision-making remains suspect.


Gavin Hoyte
The 18-year-old right-back younger brother of Middlesbrough's Justin Hoyte
Recognised as a better player than his brother, there is no reason why not. At the very least, a Premier League career, as with Hoyte Senior, should await. "He had an outstanding game," eulogised Wenger in his post-match press conference. Currently the captain of Arsenal's reserves, Hoyte is unlikely to dislodge Bacary Sagna but could provide satisfactory cover.


Johan Djourou
21-year-old centre-half who spent the first half of last season at Birmingham.
If he were to make it with Arsenal, it would probably have happened by now - Djourou made his Arsenal debut as long ago as 2004. Regressed during his stint with Birmingham, Djourou seems to have lost Wenger's confidence ever since. A decent player but probably one who is too lapse-prone to be a regular starter in a Big Four team.


Alex Song
21-year-old Cameroonian who can play either at centre-half or in midfield.
Song's future looked bleak after a disastrous first-team debut at Fulham two years ago - he was substituted at half-time - but the African has found a niche for himself in the seniors' squad as the only player suitable for the midfield anchor role. Demonstrated his versatility on Tuesday with an outstanding display in defence to subdue Amr Zaki.


Kieran Gibbs
19-year-old full-back or winger who spent a chunk of last season on loan at Norwich.
Wenger is a fan but Gibbs' way into the first team, if he continues at left-back, is not only blocked by Gael Clichy but also the unforgotten 19-year-old Armand Traore (currently on loan at Portsmouth). Another player who surely have a long career in the top flight - but not necessarily in a red-and-white shirt.


Jack Wilshere
16-year-old who played from the right of midfield against Wigan despite being predominantly left-footed.
This boy could be special. The jewel in the crown of Arsenal's Academy, Wilshere was even on the substitutes' bench this weekend against Manchester United. Similar in style to Joe Cole, Wenger believes the youngster - so young that he couldn't drink the champagne awarded for his man-of-the-match display - has "the same potential" as Cesc Fabregas. A terrific prospect - and an English one. Tomas Rosicky's latest (but sadly predictable) setback means Wilshere might even make a few first-team appearances this season.


Aaron Ramsey
17-year-old Welsh midfielder bought by Arsenal for £5m in the summer.
Ramsey is set to make his full Welsh debut next week and looks to be Fabregas' replacement-in-waiting. On this evidence, however, he will be pushing for a first-team spot next season. An awesome talent.


Mark Randall
19-year-old English midfielder born in Milton Keynes.
The only disappointment in the victory over Wigan was the number of misplaced passes and unnecessary flicks made by Randall. A lot of work is still to be done before his future is secured.


Fran Merida
18-year-old Spaniard who spent three months on loan with Real Sociedad at the start of the year.
Overshadowed on Tuesday by Ramsey and Wilshere, Merida still provided enough cute touches to explain why Wenger rates him so highly and such a fuss was made when Arsenal poached the then 15-year-old from Barcelona. Not yet ready for first-team action, expect Merida to go on loan again in the new year - but don't forget about him either.


Jay Simpson
19-year-old Tottenham-born striker who won the PFA's Fans' League One player of the year award for 2008 after scoring eight times while on loan at Millwall last season.
At any other club, the buccaneering Simpson would be regarded as a star in the making, although that discrepancy is in part made by the impression that he is not the sort of striker Wenger prefers. Nonetheless, even before his excellent two-goal performance against Wigan, the Frenchman made no secret of his admiration: "At the moment it is too early to say if he has a future, but I think so yes." At the very least, a lucrative career in the top flight should await.


Carlos Vela
19-year-old Mexican bought by Arsenal as long ago as November 2005 for a fee of just £125,000.
Wenger has hailed Vela as the best finisher at the club and his two stunning chips against Sheffield United and Wigan demonstrated precisely why. Already on the verge of a first-team breakthrough, Vela will surely be provided with a few opportunities to impress before the season is out. Claims that Arsenal lack strength in depth seem laughable given that this youngster is currently only their fifth-choice striker.

Pete Gill

[totsreds08]

watched part of the replay from the game today, arsenals young guns are unbelievable. velas goal was class and fabianskis save when the wigan player had an open goal was amazing. very bright future arsenal have

[Tony Adams]

Arsenal`s Stars In Their Eyes

After watching the side - minus Nicklas Bendtner for Jay Simpson - that beat Sheffield United 6-0 a month ago dismantle Wigan 3-0, Arsene Wenger has hailed his latest crop of Carling Cup wonderkids as his best yet. Here's the lowdown on the 11 for the future...

Lukasz Fabianski
The 23-year-old Polish goalkeeper was the oldest Arsenal player on the pitch last night.
It is rare for goalkeepers to reach their peak - both in terms of power and appreciation - before the age of 25, so Fabianski is already ahead of his time. Promoted to be Manuel Almunia's deputy following Jens Lehmann's summer departure, Arsene Wenger says the Pole is on the brink of a first-team breakthrough and is likely to keep Fabianski active over the coming months: "I am convinced that with only one goalkeeper you do not have a chance in a season like ours." A better shot-stopper than Almunia, only his decision-making remains suspect.


Gavin Hoyte
The 18-year-old right-back younger brother of Middlesbrough's Justin Hoyte
Recognised as a better player than his brother, there is no reason why not. At the very least, a Premier League career, as with Hoyte Senior, should await. "He had an outstanding game," eulogised Wenger in his post-match press conference. Currently the captain of Arsenal's reserves, Hoyte is unlikely to dislodge Bacary Sagna but could provide satisfactory cover.


Johan Djourou
21-year-old centre-half who spent the first half of last season at Birmingham.
If he were to make it with Arsenal, it would probably have happened by now - Djourou made his Arsenal debut as long ago as 2004. Regressed during his stint with Birmingham, Djourou seems to have lost Wenger's confidence ever since. A decent player but probably one who is too lapse-prone to be a regular starter in a Big Four team.


Alex Song
21-year-old Cameroonian who can play either at centre-half or in midfield.
Song's future looked bleak after a disastrous first-team debut at Fulham two years ago - he was substituted at half-time - but the African has found a niche for himself in the seniors' squad as the only player suitable for the midfield anchor role. Demonstrated his versatility on Tuesday with an outstanding display in defence to subdue Amr Zaki.


Kieran Gibbs
19-year-old full-back or winger who spent a chunk of last season on loan at Norwich.
Wenger is a fan but Gibbs' way into the first team, if he continues at left-back, is not only blocked by Gael Clichy but also the unforgotten 19-year-old Armand Traore (currently on loan at Portsmouth). Another player who surely have a long career in the top flight - but not necessarily in a red-and-white shirt.


Jack Wilshere
16-year-old who played from the right of midfield against Wigan despite being predominantly left-footed.
This boy could be special. The jewel in the crown of Arsenal's Academy, Wilshere was even on the substitutes' bench this weekend against Manchester United. Similar in style to Joe Cole, Wenger believes the youngster - so young that he couldn't drink the champagne awarded for his man-of-the-match display - has "the same potential" as Cesc Fabregas. A terrific prospect - and an English one. Tomas Rosicky's latest (but sadly predictable) setback means Wilshere might even make a few first-team appearances this season.


Aaron Ramsey
17-year-old Welsh midfielder bought by Arsenal for £5m in the summer.
Ramsey is set to make his full Welsh debut next week and looks to be Fabregas' replacement-in-waiting. On this evidence, however, he will be pushing for a first-team spot next season. An awesome talent.


Mark Randall
19-year-old English midfielder born in Milton Keynes.
The only disappointment in the victory over Wigan was the number of misplaced passes and unnecessary flicks made by Randall. A lot of work is still to be done before his future is secured.


Fran Merida
18-year-old Spaniard who spent three months on loan with Real Sociedad at the start of the year.
Overshadowed on Tuesday by Ramsey and Wilshere, Merida still provided enough cute touches to explain why Wenger rates him so highly and such a fuss was made when Arsenal poached the then 15-year-old from Barcelona. Not yet ready for first-team action, expect Merida to go on loan again in the new year - but don't forget about him either.


Jay Simpson
19-year-old Tottenham-born striker who won the PFA's Fans' League One player of the year award for 2008 after scoring eight times while on loan at Millwall last season.
At any other club, the buccaneering Simpson would be regarded as a star in the making, although that discrepancy is in part made by the impression that he is not the sort of striker Wenger prefers. Nonetheless, even before his excellent two-goal performance against Wigan, the Frenchman made no secret of his admiration: "At the moment it is too early to say if he has a future, but I think so yes." At the very least, a lucrative career in the top flight should await.


Carlos Vela
19-year-old Mexican bought by Arsenal as long ago as November 2005 for a fee of just £125,000.
Wenger has hailed Vela as the best finisher at the club and his two stunning chips against Sheffield United and Wigan demonstrated precisely why. Already on the verge of a first-team breakthrough, Vela will surely be provided with a few opportunities to impress before the season is out. Claims that Arsenal lack strength in depth seem laughable given that this youngster is currently only their fifth-choice striker.

Pete Gill

out of all those players fabianski, merida, wilshere, ramsey, song & vela all have wat it would take to play big4, the others all will prob have good premiership careers just with smaller clubs

just think we also have barazite, nordtviet, traore & pedro bothelo out on loan all r also great prospects.
then u have the likes of benik afobe(15) , coquelin(17) & gilles sunu16) tearing up in u18s & reserves

[pires7]

Let's hear it for Wenger
By Les Murray

Late on Saturday I came home from a birthday bash, my own, most of it spent at a Brazilian nightclub where curvy girls with seductive eyes danced, the Latin rhythms thumped, and me and my small party oogled, wiggling, grinning and sipping on green caiparinhas.

A good night was being had and it was good to be alive. But all the while there was a pressing need. Arsenal was playing Manchester United, kick-off due at midnight, and it could not be missed.

Having painfully extricated myself from the function, abandoning friends and lying through my teeth about a need to wake early the next day, I settled on my lounge, a glass of red in hand, in the dicey hope that it would all be worth it. It had better be a good game. Betrayal had to come at a price.

The game was a beauty, a sweet display of intelligent, passing, attacking, have-a-go football the like of which we haven’t seen for a while anywhere. It was class, right up there with Giorgio Armani, Princess Diana and Barack Obama.

The Gunners attacked in incessant waves, spraying their cute passes with astounding accuracy and speed, not to say poise and elegance, exploding as they neared goal using grey matter not muscle to get through or around Vidic and co.

Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas, both barely out of their teens, ran the show, an astonishing fact in today’s competitive world in which hard-nosed experience seems always to be favoured over the ambition and effervescence of youth.

Their years say a lot about the courage and faith of Arsene Wenger as opposed to lesser coaches, like Jose Mourinho who once described Wenger as a voyeur. I prefer the voyeur over the one who likes to perve at himself and then sends out players with instructions to plod rather than play.

Of course for a show like this to make it to the stage there has to be courage from the other side, and there was plenty of that from Wenger’s opposite number, Alex Ferguson. United, too, were true to tradition and a want to give substance where expedient tactics may have sufficed. United came to the Emirates to win, maybe because a gamble was called for given that they are still in catch-up mode, but what matters is the level of entertainment that ensued.

It won’t happen too often again, I fear to say.

Next up Arsenal will meet some EPL struggler, who will circle the wagons and try to kick the bejesus out of them, as Stoke did the week before and won. And Manchester United, who in their latter years have become prone to tactical metamorphosis when threats are tall away from home, will not play every game like this either.

Wenger is the hero in all this for it is he, perhaps alone, who seems to believe.

The previous week, after the loss to Stoke, Wenger’s men were accused of having chosen style over substance by simpletons who fail to grasp the fact that there is no incongruity between the two terms. So Wenger, far from succumbing to that shallow message, sent out his team against the European champions with instructions to change nothing and to go for the win and to do it in the way Arsenal always did it under his tutelage.

The outcome was the best game we have seen in the EPL for years and a win, a deserved win, for the Gunners. Some might not quite see this as the final, universal truth but it will do for now and for us who live in hope.

Arsene Wenger, at this time, is the best coach in the world for he alone seems to have the balls to believe that the avenue to results is by the way of playing real football while others dither, doubt and compromise.

Football needs him, desperately, to be applauded.

[delfino_1936]

this is why we love Les brilliant article

[Jimmy]

Yeah I read that a while ago forgot to post it, one word to describe Arsene...Genius!

[delfino_1936]

Yeah I read that a while ago forgot to post it, one word to describe Arsene...Genius!

only word to describe him....Big game tonight vs the villans...a win is a must as it will all but secure our place in the top 4 already due to the fact that Villa will lose so much confidence and won't be able to continue fighting for 4th place imo


----------Fabianski-----------(if almunia aint fit)

Sagna---Gallas---Silvestre---Clichy

Walcott---Cesc---Denilson---Nasri

---------------Diaby------------

---------------Bendtner---------

that's how i think we will start due to Wenger wanting to keep the confidence in the XI that beat USA

[Jimmy]

Yeah I read that a while ago forgot to post it, one word to describe Arsene...Genius!

only word to describe him....Big game tonight vs the villans...a win is a must as it will all but secure our place in the top 4 already due to the fact that Villa will lose so much confidence and won't be able to continue fighting for 4th place imo


----------Fabianski-----------(if almunia aint fit)

Sagna---Gallas---Silvestre---Clichy

Walcott---Cesc---Denilson---Nasri

---------------Diaby------------

---------------Bendtner---------

that's how i think we will start due to Wenger wanting to keep the confidence in the XI that beat USA

Yeah same line up, I don't see any reason why we should change the team that played Man U. It worked really well and should get the job done here. We really need to win this and hopefully this side can prove they have the ability to be consistent.

Must win game.

[delfino_1936]

at us being outplayed at home. Hasn't happened ever at the Emirates i'd say. Ah well when you get a new home ground there's always times for firsts

[pires7]

With a probability of 90% we will finish behind both Chelsea (horse bolted along time ago) and Man U this season by a fair way, whether Pool keep it together? All these teams are winning at home easily.

[delfino_1936]

With a probability of 90% we will finish behind both Chelsea (horse bolted along time ago) and Man U this season by a fair way, whether Pool keep it together? All these teams are winning at home easily.

yeah that's exactly right, even away from home in potential danger games, they are killing teams and not dropping points like us. Looks like another year of finishing 4th. I just hope we can bag the FA Cup or maybe if we get lucky in the UCL

[pires7]

go for the UCL and if villa are infront on the last day, send them some lasagna!

[delfino_1936]

go for the UCL and if villa are infront on the last day, send them some lasagna!

brilliant

the new version

WE LAUGHED OURSELVES TO BITS
WHEN VILLA GOT THE SHITS

[delfino_1936]

'At the moment we are not consistent enough'

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On the performance…
“The performance was not good but it was the kind of game where you can win 1-0. Could we have lost the game in the first half? Yes. But we lost it today when we should not have lost it anymore. At that moment we were closer to winning it. It was the kind of game where you cannot afford a mistake at the back and I believe we were punished because of that.”

On conceding controversial goals…
“We were a bit unlucky as well on the first goal because we have Bacary Sagna who is down after getting injured. I believe as well for the second goal there was a blatant foul on Carlos Vela on the edge of their box. Instead of having a chance to play 1-1 we are then 2-0 down.

“The referee could have stopped the play but I don’t complain because of that. We scored an own goal, Villa didn’t score the goal.“

On the Jekyll and Hyde performances this week and last week…
“That is football, how can you explain the performance of Villa last week against Middlesbrough and the performance they produced today? It is the same. Top level performance is consistency. At the moment we are not consistent enough to be produce that kind of performance week-in week-out.

“You have to accept that the game is played by human beings and sometimes physically they have a drop. It is very difficult for us to have a rational explanation about what happened today. I believe that the team want it but it was just like a few other times this year where it is unexplainable why we don’t really play at our 100% potential.”

On what the defeat means to his side’s title aspirations…
“I don’t believe that you can speak about champions or not champions. If you want to be champions you want to be consistent and at the moment we are not.

“I do not want to go on definite solutions or headlines. I just think that despite the fact that we were not at our best, this game was winnable. We lost it at a moment when we should not have lost it anymore. Had we lost it in the first half, ok ‘bye-bye’ they had their day and they won. But we lost this game today from the moment when we shouldn’t lost it anymore.”

On deserving defeat…
“How many times was I in press conferences where I thought that we deserved to win the game but we lost and everybody finds it absolutely normal. I say Villa played well and they deserved to win but we lost the game from the moment when we were slowly getting on top of them. That is the kind of game where you cannot afford to make mistakes defensively. We were not sharp and they were never in the situation where they had to come out.

“When we made the changes it was 0-0 and we lost 0-2. You can make all kinds of explanations but as a team we were not sharp”

On Villa breaking into the top four…
“I don’t want to talk about Villa because I don’t know them very well. Today they played very well but I saw the game against Middlesbrough on tape and they could have lost six or seven so it is very difficult for me to assess. They have a big potential if you look at the performance today.”

On the side’s inexperience costing them…
“Maybe I don’t know. At the back it could be explained but upfront a little bit less.

“Yes we had a very young midfield but we played against more experienced midfielders. Any midfield in the league is more experienced than ours but it doesn’t stop us from dominating them.”

On Sagna’s injury…
“Yes it is serious. He will be out for a few weeks; he has an injured ankle.”

On January signings…
“It is too early. We are mid November we have to see where we are at the end of December. Anyway at the moment to speculate about transfers it won’t help.”

and we also travel to Turf Moor for the Carling Cup Quater Finals

[pires7]

Piss weak excuses in my opinion, we are in the top 4, we are expected to be consistent. It's clearly an experience issue, but maybe also a quality issue. We lost to great players last season. Our best grafter and our best technical player even if he was scared to shoot!

[delfino_1936]

Piss weak excuses in my opinion, we are in the top 4, we are expected to be consistent. It's clearly an experience issue, but maybe also a quality issue. We lost to great players last season. Our best grafter and our best technical player even if he was scared to shoot!

as much as it pains me to say, you're 100% right and there's no doubt about it.

[pires7]

One thing I will pay more attention too is our work without the ball! It's definitely a philosophy at Man U that once they lose it, they work hard to get it back. Saw the same thing from AC tonight. Ecspecially against the technically inferior teams, pressing them will result in alot more turnovers.

[Tony Adams]

Wenger Analyses Qualities Of ‘Dangerous Mérida’
During Arsenal’s incredible journey in this years Carling Cup, it’s been the same set of names who have taken the most credit for the team’s success and achievements, in every round. Strikers Carlos Vela, Nicklas Bendtner and Jay Simpson have hit the headlines, along with midfield duo Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey.

Yet one man, or should I say boy, has been quietly but effectively keeping the Gunners midfield ticking over as well as adding vital width when needed. His name? Fran Mérida Perez. After joining Arsenal via Barcelona - like Cesc Fàbregas - and occupying a similar position to that of the iconic number 4, it’s no wonder comparisons have been made between the two.

Analysing from the touchlines in training and during games, Arsene Wenger believes it’s a mistake to say the Catalan pair are identical players.

“Merida is different to Cesc [Fàbregas], but he is still very dangerous in the final third. If you analyse a game and look who gives the ball every time in the final third, you will see Fran.”


The high praise continues for the exciting youngster, who came out of his shell against Wigan and was prepared to share the burden with Mark Randall of getting “stuck in” to the Latics. This complemented his usual expert passing range, and it’s doing the difficult things like playing those killer balls which Wenger highlights.

“That’s is the most difficult part of the game and that is where Fran is strong.”

He’s going quietly about his business in the Arsenal midfield, but there is no doubt that the 18-year-old will be a key component in any Carling Cup success.

[pires7]

Wenger has to refind his inner sore loser! He is in grave danger of becoming a Kevin Sheedy. Once you lose the inner bastard, there are 3 other clubs spending 100million pounds a year who will laugh in your face.

It's looking all too cosy down at Arsenal. The fans need to step up, nothing wrong with Wenger as a coach in the football sense, he just needs more pressure to deliver, if he wants to become technical director, then it's time to move on

[Le King]

i was tellin a mate the otha day that the current arsenal side will neva grow old 2getha....
they are a selling club rememba? by the time they get to 26 players like walcott(chelsea) and fabregas(madrid/barca) will b sold


only way is if wenger goes out and buys experienced players to mix with youth, then they can really go places

[delfino_1936]

i was tellin a mate the otha day that the current arsenal side will neva grow old 2getha....
they are a selling club rememba? by the time they get to 26 players like walcott(chelsea) and fabregas(madrid/barca) will b sold


only way is if wenger goes out and buys experienced players to mix with youth, then they can really go places

i'd give it to you for being a good fisherman with this bait, but it's terrible. A silly post and we don't want shit stirrers in our thread thank you.

We are not a selling club

[pires7]

We are not a selling club

what do the facts point to

[delfino_1936]

We are not a selling club

what do the facts point to

Let see, we sold hleb and replaced Nasri
Flamini left on a free, we didn't sell him
Henry we sold due to him having personal problems with his wife and him wanting to leave the country
Gilberto- cashed in on him after a disappointing season.

I missed anyone?? Doesn't really point to us being a selling club

[pires7]

Hleb, Pires, Viera, Edu, Overmaars, Anelka, Petit would have stayed if they were at Man U or Chelsea, we neede the money. Maybe not Edu

[delfino_1936]

Hleb, Pires, Viera, Edu, Overmaars, Anelka, Petit would have stayed if they were at Man U or Chelsea, we neede the money. Maybe not Edu

but what did they all do after they left us?? Nothing, but i still believe we should've kept Pires/

After Overmars, Anelka, Petit left we still won domestic trophies.
The year after Edu left he missed a whole year with injury, didn't really effect the squad imo.

[Ray Parlour]

imo we should do everything we can to secure a return of Thierry Henry in January....he is exactly the player we need to finish off our team..

with him in the team on saturday, we wouldv killed off villa by half time with the few chances we created, he gave that extra confidence we need when searching for a goal, we only have it when adebayor and van persie are playing, but when either of them are out, we look lost....
the man utd result is a one off type of game cos we were up for it, but other than that...it could be 3rd or 4th place if we dont start finding something extra

[pires7]

Last season we in fact took 47 points against the bottom half, compared to 50 in 03/04 title season. We scored 1 less goal against the bottom teams and conceded 3 more goals.

Scored first in 24 games 07/08 and similarly 26 times in 03/04 in both seasons, however we scored 52% of our goals in the first half in 03/04, compared with 35% last season. The killer is that 8 times in 07/08 we had scored 2 or more at HT also, allowing for much more rested players, unlike the constant chasing down we do.