If Arsenal sign Higuain and Fellaini, Cesc will have to make the decision of his life!

June 28, 2013June 28, 2013TotalArsenal

Watching Spain’s game against Italy yesterday, I just could not understand why del Bosque did not start with Cesc, let alone bring him on as a substitute. Spain lacked their usual dominance in midfield and, especially in the first half, Italy produced a number of quick counterattacks which easily could have led to the Italians taking the lead. Had Balotelli played yesterday, the Italians would have been one, two or even three nil up at half time.

Spain did not maintain their usual high tempo, in terms of chasing the ball and passing it round, and no doubt Cesc would have led by example in order to turns things round for them. A year ago, Spain embarrassed the Italians in the final of the European Championship by utterly dominating them, but this time round they were never superior and could only beat them by just about being better at converting spot kicks.

Fabregas, would you believe it, is 26 now, and it looks like he is still playing third fiddle to Iniesta and Xavi. He is now entering the very best years of his career, and as he is everything but a mercenary, he will need to make a big decision about what to do next. Our former El Capitan is a romantic who not only wants to win silverware but also enter the realms of football immortality. If things continue as they have been going over the last few years, Cesc is not going to make it past the threshold.

Whoever is managing Barcelona next season, they are unlikely to give Cesc a dominant role in their team. Despite Xavi turning 34 in January next year, it is unlikely that he will be benched on a regular basis any time soon. With other talent coming through and new signings arriving – where, for example, will Naymar play next season? – Cesc could face another spell on the fringes of the team. And immortality is, unfortunately for him, not one of the fringe benefits.

I have always said Cesc went too early. I understand why he went two years ago, but it was nevertheless the wrong thing to do. He became a chairman’s gift to the fans, who maybe wanted him, but did not seem to love, or even need, him.

Now, I know we are all not sleeping comfortably at the moment, as we seem to be waiting for an eternity to see the Higuain signing confirmed. But Terry Mancini Hair Transplant’s mate has said it is a done deal, so he’ll be a Gunner anytime soon! 😀

These things take time, and it was obvious that the appointment of Ancelotti would be used to further increase the pressure on Arsenal to improve our final offer for the Argentine. However, I expect him to be announced as one of us by Monday or Tuesday.

I am also convinced we will get a high quality DM, who can play footie as well, this summer. The links with Fellaini remain reasonably strong, but who knows who we’ll get this summer.

But, surely if it is Fellaini – or another high calibre defensive midfielder – Cesc would have to make the biggest decision in his footballing life. With a midfield/attack line up of Fellaini and Jack as our combined DMs/DM-B2B, Cazorla and Theo on the wings and Higuain up-front, the Home of Football would not be complete without Cesc playing in the hole for us next season.

This would be the team that would suit his talents to the max; it would finally provide him with the platform on which he can shine and cook with Fabregas.

This summer’s Terror Window will not be for the faint-hearted, as there will be many twists and turns, but there is real potential now to strengthen the team properly, and although the above scenario is a big dream, it could well happen.

Two quality signings and who knows, Cesc might decide to return to where he is wanted, needed AND loved by (almost) all.

Written by: TotalArsenal.

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0.57 goals/assists per game: What’s not to like about Cazorla?

June 26, 2013June 27, 2013TotalArsenal

Super Santi had a great first season for Arsenal!

Cazorla is good for Arsenal, and Arsenal are good for Cazorla!

He possesses everything you wish for in a footballer: bags of talent, stamina, enthusiasm, assists, goals, team player and football intelligence.

Arsene likes to build his teams around football conductors of the highest order, and he is still looking for the player who can take over from Fabregas. He tried Cazorla and Jack, and both had some good and some less impressive games in the ‘hole’ position.

After a phenomenal first season for the LLanara/Spain born maestro, all eyes will be on him next season: will he become the very fulcrum of the team?

Personally, I am not convinced Cazorla can play the game-controlling and orchestrating ‘Bergkamp/Fabregas role’ to full effect. Rather than driving the game forward from the centre of midfield, Santi appears to prefer playing close to the opposition’s box, where he is most dangerous in terms of producing assists and shooting at goal himself.

And what fine contributions he has made for us last season: 12 goals and 16 assists in 49 games – 0.57 goals/assists per game.

Without any doubt, Santi was our best footballer in 2012-2013, and my favourite performance by the Spaniard was the away game against Bayern: he was simply outstanding during that game!

But Arsenal have also been very good for Santi, and the main reasons for this seem to be Wenger’s great coaching skills and the freedom he is allowed by the Frenchman to ‘express himself’.

The stats tell their own story:

Santi’s career stats prior to joining Arsenal: 47 goals and 40 assists in 304 games – 0.29 goals/assists per game; so, he almost doubled his average goals/assists per game return (0.57) this season. He has also improved on his Malaga stats, where he played just one season: nine goals and five assists in 42 games – 0.33 goals/assists per game.

I reckon Santi performs best in a free role, in which he is allowed to move everywhere and the opposition never really knows where he will be next, or what he is going to do next. The ‘Bergkamp/Fabregas’ fulcrum role needs to give structure and impetus to the team: it requires a player who directs play and who bosses the centre of midfield to a large extent, and for that a player needs vision, pace, dribbling skills and a great ability to produce through-balls, and of course, create many chances for others and score regularly himself.

We have seen glimpses of this by Cazorla, but I believe the conductor role does not suit him as much as his free role (on/from the left or right wing).

It remains to be seen what Wenger will do with regards to the conductor role: will he hope that Jack will finally have an injury free(ish) season, or will he move Cazorla back in the ‘nr10 position’?

Given the continuous links – however tenuous in some cases – with typical (4-2-1-3) AM/nr.10 players like Jovetic, Rooney and Fabregas – and many, but not me, will argue Fellaini is also this sort of player – we can say that Wenger might not be convinced his current players are (right now) suitable for this pivotal position.

Let’s get Higuain (could we get any closer??), sign up a DM beast, and then maybe put the icing on the cake with a top class AM/nr.10 conductor. Somebody who can hit the ground running and make a difference straightaway. And over time, the likes of Jack, Ox or Eisfeld can be readied to take over.

But regardless of where Santi is going to play next season, I for one, cannot wait to see the Spanish magician in action again!

Written by: TotalArsenal.

Will Jack Andrew Wilshere (JAW) Escape the JAWS of Failure?

June 21, 2013June 21, 2013TotalArsenal

It’s very hard to find a single player in the current Arsenal line-up (and maybe you’d have to go a long way back in history as well) who could be named as Mr Arsenal, other than Jack Andrew Wilshere. He is a special kind of a player, someone who breathes for Arsenal, and who has had enough talent and determination to fulfil his dream; so he can breathe for Arsenal in an Arsenal shirt on the field, wearing the number on his back that is reserved only for special players.

There might be a lot of symbolic in the fact that when he was born – he has been a present for Arsenal from New Year 1992 – Arsenal were still reigning champions of England; or that on the day Wilshere was born, Paul Merson, an Arsenal player wearing “10” on his back, scored the only goal in a home draw against Wimbledon.

Wilshere’s technique, pace, endless energy, first touch, determination and ability to drill a hole in opponents’ defence, make him a player who is destined to go further than any other English player did.

I remember the first match in which I could see what kind of player Wilshere is. It was in 2008, when we were playing a friendly match against Real Madrid. 16-year-old Wilshere displayed a determination that is rarely seen at youngsters of his age – I made an instant comparison with Wayne Rooney – and I couldn’t wait to see him in the senior team. His performances in the senior team weren’t deprived of anything we’ve hoped he would deliver – he has been determined, energetic, fast and sometimes the only light in the tunnel of our collective performance.

However, there are possible traps that are waiting on Wilshere’s road to the heights that belong to him.

First of all, let’s start with English media. If there is anything that can destroy young English talent or at least slow them down, English newspapers are more dangerous than any WMD known to humanity.

I remember how they described Rooney after his first classy performances. He was dubbed “Roonaldo” (there is a certain irony in that he did reach the weights of Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima). Whether it was a jinx or karma, but Rooney – who has been an important part in all five Manchester United titles he has won – hasn’t been able to drag England out of mud in big competitions. Au contraire, he actually dragged England into it with a red card in World Cup 2006 against Portugal. Rooney’s turbulent personal life and issues he has had with Ferguson and Moyes already made people believe he is done, despite being only 27. Wilshere gave a man-of-the-match performance in friendly against Brazil, and it seems everyone expects from him to drag England to their second World Cup victory in history.

What Wilshere should learn: don’t read newspapers. Just play football and enjoy your life with your wonderful family when you’re not on the field. You are young, attractive, rich and famous so there will be a lot of temptations that will try to lure you away from the football and family. If you resist them, nothing should stop you on your way to the pantheon of football immortals. If you don’t, your fitness will suffer, your mental state will deteriorate and the consequences won’t stay within football boundaries.

That’s not all. Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard were considered as second best and third best player in the world not very long ago. The only question was: can they play together? However, the real question should have been: can they play on the same level for England without Xabi Alonso, Javier Mascherano, Michael Essien and Claude Makelele to do the dirty job for them?

Jack doesn’t hesitate to tackle nor to work for the team, but it might be that sometimes he won’t be able to repeat a form from Arsenal in England. He will not have either Arteta nor Ramsey in the English national team to assist him in the midfield. He won’t have Giroud to make a lay-off, like the one that preceded Wilshere’s strike against Swansea. He will have to give his best for England and be mentally prepared that sometimes, due to lack of quality in his team, that won’t be enough for success.

This could give him a thought or two about changing clubs. Don’t do that! The main difference between Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen is that, despite the fact the latter won the Premiership with United in 2011, he will always be considered as a traitor in Liverpool, and United fans hardly give a damn about him while the first one – despite the fact he’ll probably finish his career without winning the Premiership – will remain the true legend in the eyes of Liverpool fans.

Also, he should have all possible respect for his team-mates at the club. It was a brilliant thing when I saw him defending his team-mates against Stoke in February. It shows a Vieira-esque attitude that we have needed since 2005. I mean, all our captains – apart from Gallas who a was story of his own – were more: “Sir, would you please put my team-mate’s head out of the toilet? Thank you!” than: “If you touch my team-mate again, I will break your scull using nothing but Gervinho’s forehead. And don’t you dare laughing at Gervinho’s forehead, punk!”
A hunger for improvement is arguably the most important ingredient of every champion. Dražen Petrović, one of the best European basketball players, had his own shooting trainings. He wouldn’t leave the training room before firing 500 shots. He was also improving on his dribbling using chairs. Every day he was the first that arrived on training and the last to go out.

Now, I was very happy when I read that Wilshere is doing exactly the same thing – coming first to training and going home last. That is the spirit of the champion. He probably knows his statistics, when it comes to direct assists for goals and scored goals, should have been better. And his defensive game leaves a lot of room for improvement as we could see, for example, against Bayern at home. After he solves the problems with his ankle this summer, I expect a lot more goals and assists from Jack next season. He has it in himself!

Finally, I’m sure JAW knows all this and that this article is going to be a bit of preaching to the choir. I like Jack as a player and I want to see him succeed, as I believe anything else would be an insult to his enormous potential.

Happy New Year 1992, Gooners! 😉

Written by: Admir

Fellaini – Arteta as DM beast, or Fellaini – Theo/Pod/OG as SS?

June 18, 2013June 19, 2013TotalArsenal

Marouane: a versatile Fella ini? But where should he play?

This article will serve as a continuation with TA’s recent theme of exploring how rumoured transfer targets would fit into our starting eleven.

If you are a frequenter of this blog, it should come as no surprise that the majority of us here are desperate for a proper, beast of a Defensive Midfielder (DM). Not only would this acquisition ensure that our back four are properly shielded, but it would also unleash the creativity further up field. Players like Santi, Jack, Ox and Arteta would become the indirect beneficiaries and be given the freedom to take risks, knowing that they have a capable and dedicated defensive midfielder behind them.

However, the player we have been most strongly linked to recently is Marouane Fellaini of Everton. So, what if we bought him and were not able to acquire a proper, beast of a DM? Would he be a good purchase despite our obvious need for a DM?

For one thing, Fellaini is Premier League proven, coming off a great season in which he netted 11 goals and 5 assists in 31 starts. He is an established, physical player, capable of exerting his “Presence!” on a game, drawing in defenders and forcing the opposition to devise strategies to defend against or take him out of the game. Fellaini is versatile enough to play as a DM, a B2B midfielder and as a Shadow Striker (SS).

While he may not be a dedicated DM, he is assertive in the tackle, efficient in the air and has decent ball control and pace for a man his size. His passing success rate of 79.3% is not outstanding, but good enough to succeed in Arsenal’s system, as one must consider that the majority of his playing time came at CAM, where pass success rate is generally lower than when played further back in the pitch. His 1.3 key passes per game and 5 assists are further proof that he has some ability in setting up goals too.

So, depending on the price, Fellaini could be a good bit of transfer business for Arsenal. It’s difficult to come by PL proven talents, who have as much presence, steel and ability as Fellaini does.

But where would he play?

The first scenario has Fellaini in the DM-pivot with one of Arteta/Ramsey. He’s played here in his earlier Everton days and is a capable defender, with 2.6 tackles per game, 1.2 interceptions per game, 2.1 clears per game and was only dribbled 0.4 times per game. At the-DM pivot, he could form a partnership with Arteta/Ramsey similar to the one Arsenal was successful with in 2011-12 with Arteta and Song. The two players interchange between offense and defense to make our attack less predictable and to provide more options in the offensive end than we saw towards the end of the season.

The second scenario would see Fellaini play as the SS behind one of Theo, Giroud or Podolski. By starting Fellaini up front with Theo, Arsenal would have two more than capable goal scorers and Fellaini’s skills are the perfect contrast to Theo’s. If Fellaini and Giroud are paired together, Arsenal then have two target men to utilize through long balls, crosses and set-pieces. Fellaini and Poldi playing up front together is perhaps the most interesting proposition of the three, mainly because Poldi is our most clinical finisher and is as good at setting others up, as he is scoring them himself. Fellaini and Poldi up front together would mean that we have two capable finishers and two more players capable of setting others up.

Personally, I don’t have a preference as to which formation Arsenal would play in if Fellaini is bought; I would just like to see it happen and go from there! All the scenarios are tantalizing because it represents variety and unpredictability to our line-up – a luxury we were not afforded last season. Fellaini as a DM would give us better protection and attacking from central midfield, and as a SS, he would give us more goals and act as an additional target man (something some fans feel is necessary and missing when OG is not on the pitch).

Which formation would you like to see Arsenal play in if Fellaini is purchased? Would you prefer it if Arsenal bought a dedicated, beast of a DM instead?

Written By: Highbury Harmony

Ox, Jack, Santi, Gibbs, Theo: all capable of igniting Wengerball, but is it enough?

June 16, 2013TotalArsenal

How can we get back to sexy football?

17 Highbury Terrace wrote during the previous blog: ‘Unless we change our personnel in MF I just don’t see us able to play anything pretty.’

I fully agree with 17HT’s statement: for pretty, sexy football changes have to be made to the midfield. The key questions are whether we have enough talent in our squad currently to do it and how long it will take to get there.

For me the current first team is a combination of a number of engines – hard workers who motor our team along: Arteta, Ramsey, Koscielny, Giroud, Jenkinson; a number of specialist – quality players who perform their roles really well in most games: Sagna, Rosicky, Szczesny, Mertesacker, Nacho, Podolski; and a number of players who have (the potential for) that little bit extra quality and magic: Santi, Ox, Jack, Gibbs and Theo.

The problem, and simultaneously the exciting thing, is that those who can offer the magic, which is a big – but not the only – part of pretty football, are still mainly young. As fans, we do not have much patience anymore, and with money burning in our pockets, it seems right to now go out and add the sort of quality players who can deliver straightaway.

There is good reason to believe that in two years from now Santi, Ox, Jack, Gibbs and Theo will make us play scintillating winning football. They need to be lucky with injuries so they develop their talents to the max in the next 24 months. If we had been winning silverware in recent years, I would argue more vigorously that we need to be patient, as I strongly believe that these five players will be among the very best in Europe in the next two to five years (and Santi is very, very close to being there right now).

It is really important now to add to the squad in such a way that the development of those five (potentially) extra-quality players is not held back, and yet instant progress is made during this and the following season. I know that many are in agreement that we need to add that extra bit of defensive steel in midfield in order to free up the more creative minded players in midfield. We have discussed this more or less to death, and the links with Fellaini, Wanyama and Capoue are at least good signs that Arsene is looking to recruit for this position this summer.

But the more difficult issue is what to do with the ‘hole’ position. Jack has great potential for this one, and so does Ox, and many will argue that Santi is the right player to hold the biggest role in Wengerball right now. If we get Rooney or Cesc, which remains a half decent possibility, the team would make a big jump forwards, but at what price in terms of development of Ox and Jack, and Santi?

Santi can play in a free role on one of the wings, Jack can play next to the beast of a DM Arsene is going to get us, but what about Ox? He could play again on the wing next season, but this just does not seem to do him much good at Arsenal.

It would be some gamble by Arsene but what if he started him in the hole next season? Just imagine AOC getting the freedom to make things happen in the middle of our midfield, whilst being supported by Jack and Santi behind and next to him! Would that mean the start of the rebirth of pretty, sexy Wengerball? Or is Ox still too young for this, and should Arsene look to add an experienced, quality player right now; and if so, who should it be?

Written by TotalArsenal.

Fellaini – Jack – Cesc/Rooney: a midfield worthy of Wengerball!

June 8, 2013June 8, 2013TotalArsenal

A 'statement of intent' line-up for next season? — A ‘statement of intent’ line-up for next season?

Ivan Gazidis tells us we can compete for the big boys now, stating we can bid for the likes of Rooney, or even aim higher. I am happy he has come out with this clear message, and his comments regarding keeping hold of Wenger for many seasons to come is also very welcome. There is a strong interconnection between signing super quality players and Wenger staying put at Arsenal.

The big transfer targets will want to avoid doing a ‘Van Judas’; they want assurances about the club’s long-term vision and that includes the manager going nowhere. I would be very happy for Wenger to stay so he is able to pick the fruits at the end of the Emirates-stadium-tunnel, but we still have to see whether he will bring in the sort of players who can fit in straightaway and make a real difference.

Simultaneous with Gazidis’ bullish statement, news came out about Arsenal having made an offer for Everton’s Fellaini. The Belgian would definitely be a so called ‘statement of intent’ by the club. Unsurprisingly, things have gone quiet again as per the very nature of the Terror Window. The Dutch have a saying for this: de kat om het spek binden – tying the cat around the bacon – we can smell and sense those quality signings and yet cannot get hold of them.

But let’s do another bit of football transfer indulgence: a good antidote to the poison of the terror window. If we do get Fellaini and one of the other players whose names keep popping up – Cesc and Rooney, where would they play and how would they add value to our team?

As per previous posts, I reckon Arsene needs to invest in our midfield first and for all, if he wants to return to Wengerball. We need steel and added invention in order to get back to sexy and winning football.

There is no doubt that both Cesc and Rooney would add a creative dimension as well as an added goal threat. Both could play in the hole and our team would make an instant step forwards and upwards. We have discussed what the Spaniard and Englishman have to offer in recent posts, so let’s not regurgitate too much of it again in this one.

However, it would be good to discuss who, from a purely technical/tactical point of view (not so much a sentimental one), fellow Gooners would prefer in Arsenal’s nr.10 position: Rooney or Cesc. It would be also interesting to know who believes Rooney should lead our attack rather than play behind the striker, and what you believe is Cesc’s very best position in our 4-3-3 formation.

In order to get the best value out of Cesc or Rooney in the hole, Arsenal need to have a fantastic box-to-box midfielder who is able to find the perfect balance between defensive and attacking duties, as well as a strong, yet footballing, DM.

At this early stage of his career, Jack appears to be the right player for the b2b position (over time I expect him to move into the hole position). Of course, he needs to be fully fit to be effective in this role and fingers crossed he’ll have a great season. We have some alternatives and back up with the likes of Arteta, Coquelin and Ramsey and the D-named player.

If we want to play winning Wengerball football again though, my personal, and many fellow Gooners’, first priority remains the DM position. Every beautiful, fanciful castle needs a solid basement to deal with the laws of gravity and whatever the elements throw at it.

I am not sure whether Fellaini is the player for this position, or whether Arsene would be looking at him to move into that position. No doubt the Belgian could play there, but he could also be our b2b midfielder as well as our nr.10 – with 11 goals in 31 PL matches he is proving to be an all-round midfielder of great quality.

You can see why Arsene would like him to join us: he can play everywhere, is technically and physically very strong, has a winner’s mentality and would fit into the team relatively well. His disciplinary record is also not too bad despite his reputation of being a hot-head at times, with a yellow card in every four league games on average, and just the one red card during his 138 league appearances.

A Wengerball player, no doubt about that. But is he suitable to play the traditional DM role with a bit of added responsibility/ skill requirements?

The more I think about it, the more I believe he would join us not as a dedicated, ‘traditional’, beast of a DM, but as one of the two in the double-DM pivot, in which Arsene likes to put multi-disciplined and skilled midfielders who can defend, pass and create – both are DM and b2b midfielders at the same time.

Fellaini would suit this role perfectly, and the thought of him playing together in the double-DM pivot with Jack, but also Arteta, and to a lesser extent Rambo, is a mouth-watering one. The Belgian would add physical presence – height, power, and ball winning skills, both on the ground and in the air – drive and a strong assist/goal scoring threat.

We can only dream, but the thought of Fellaini and Jack in the DM-pivot and either Cesc or Rooney in front of them, with Cazorla/Pod/Ox/Gnabry operating from the wings and Theo, Giroud or Pod our most advanced attacker, in a Wengerball footballing machine, puts a smile on my face.

Will it happen? Who knows, but Gazidis has made a statement of intent and now it is time to bring home the bacon! 🙂

Written by: TotalArsenal.

How to get the best out of the Ox next season: change to 4-1-2-3?

June 3, 2013June 3, 2013TotalArsenal

The Ox: ready for a central role next season?

How much more fun it is to watch England play these days with one, two or sometimes three Gunners making a real difference in the team!

I thought the criticism for Hodgson’s selection choices against Ireland were too harsh. There was a good structure to England’s play and Rooney performed admirably in the hole, linking up really well with Ox and Theo, especially in the second half. Carrick and Lampard could perhaps have been a bit more adventurous, and England continue to have a problem in the CF position, but there was a good shape and structure to England’s game and enough chances were created to win the encounter with the Irish.

Like all other Gooners, I have really enjoyed watching the Ox play with such thrust and enthusiasm during the last two games.

AOC, maybe because he has not played much this season, has motored on England during these matches, and it is great to hear and read the praise he is getting at the moment. It is also good to see that the only midfielder/attacker of real quality in the England team in the last two games – the man Wenger does not mind to be linked with 😉 – Rooney, appears to have both an appreciation of Ox’s talent and a natural relationship/ good understanding with him.

Ox took his goal very well. Maybe he had noticed that both England and Brazil had wasted a number of chances by not keeping the ball low when shooting at goal. Ox’s effort went in because it was well placed, struck very sweetly, AND he kept his shot low to the ground; otherwise Cesar would probably have saved it.

Arsene will have noticed that Alex appears to be maturing faster in the England team than in the Arsenal team. To me, it looks like Ox should be given a proper chance now in the first team, but the key question is where should he play in our 4-2-1-3 system?

He has played on the right wing a number of times with mixed success. I saw him at the Emirates against Blackburn for the FA-cup and was not impressed with him then. There is directness about the Ox that does not seem to suit the ‘provider’ role/position of the wing, which also requires a lot of defensive discipline.

Wenger has been working hard to make AOC more of an all-round midfielder – including improving his defensive awareness and discipline – and good progress has been made. We saw him recently getting 60 minutes in the double-DM pivot and he did well there.

Could he be our answer to the box-to-box position in our current formation, or is he not strong enough defensively (yet)?

Or should he get a chance as our most advanced midfielder?

He has the thrust and dribbling skills to make things happen, however, I am not sure yet whether he has enough ability to find and produce the through-balls in this pivotal position. But then again, his goal against Brazil was not just a fine finish. He started the attack by moving with the ball towards Brazil’s box, linking up with Rooney, and then boom: goal. It was quick, inventive and deadly: something we have often been crying out for at Arsenal in recent seasons.

To play him in the hole would be a massive gamble by Wenger, especially now he has, supposedly, a lot of money available to bring in a more experienced and proven creative attacker/nr.10.

But Ox needs to play and he should get a proper run in the centre of midfield. Maybe, Arsene should get back to 4-5-1, often operating as 4-1-2-3 (when attacking). We would need a beast of a DM in the ‘1’ to make this formation really work, but let’s park that for now.

In the ‘2’ both Jack and Ox, or Ox and Cazorla, or of course, Jack and Cazorla, could play. This formation would give Wenger a chance to give Ox a lot of games in the middle, as he can give either Jack or Cazorla regularly a rest. Ramsey, Arteta, Coquelin and maybe even Eisfeld could be tried as well in the ‘2’.

Part of me desperately wants us to play like this next season, but another part is weary that it will leave us too exposed at the back…

What do you think fine fellow Gooners?

Written by: TotalArsenal.

Francis Coquelin: The end of another promising youth?

May 17, 2013TotalArsenal

The Curious Case of Francis Coquelin – and our youth academy in general.

Francis on his way to Schalke 04 or will he get a chance in the first team next season?

After seeing Arteta limp off the pitch against Wigan on Tuesday, there have been questions surrounding his fitness for this Sunday’s crucial tie with Newcastle. Will Arsenal be able to cope without its fearless leader, engine, and one half of the blossoming DM-pivot partnership? Who will replace him in the starting line-up if he is indeed not fit?

The obvious choice, if healthy, would be Jack Wilshere. However, Arsene is reluctant to use Jack unless it is an absolute necessity (in which case this may be one), since he is on heavy pain relievers until he goes under the knife to remove a pin in his ankle once the season concludes.

The next logical option would be Francis Coquelin.

Once labelled as the DM of the future, together with Frimpong, the two young Arsenal academy products were seen as the ideal midfield combo to lead our team for years.

So then, what does Arsene now do with Coquelin? There is plenty of promise to his game, but he is either not receiving the minutes he needs to properly develop his play and confidence, or his progression is simply not living up to the expectations demanded from him.

In my opinion, starting Coquelin in such a crucial game this Sunday would be setting him up for failure. He has not started a match since mid-February and would clearly be off-form. His confidence will surely be very low and we cannot afford to allow a player time to “shake off the rust”, with Champions League qualification at stake.

Media circulated rumours are swirling that Schalke 04 have inquired about the availability of purchasing Coquelin on a permanent transfer. Many Arsenal fans, including myself, are extremely reluctant to let such a promising talent leave the club, only to blossom elsewhere. However, at what point is a move away from the club for first-team opportunities in the best interests of the player?

We’ve started to see academy players leave our club in search of first-team action, such as Bartley to Swansea, Angha to Nuremburg, Ebecilio to Twente etc. It remains to be seen if these prospects will ever amount to anything, but Arsenal also seems to lack the presence of a club like Barcelona, where their youth products are always itching for an eventual return to their boyhood club.

One must now ask the unavoidable question: is our youth academy failing to produce the necessary talent for the first-team, or is AW not affording our youth the opportunity to prove themselves at the highest level?

Unfortunately, I do not have the answer to this question, but I do speculate it is a combination of both aspects, with a heavier emphasis on our youth simply not developing at a rate quick enough to match, or better, the level of quality needed to compete at the top.

Now, this is not to say that the youth academy has been a complete waste, since there are some promising players coming through the ranks in Gnabry, Eisfeld, Bellerin, Zelalem, Olsson etc.

However, there are some key questions which need to be explored a bit further:

Will these players be given first-team opportunities early, and consistently enough, to satisfy their desires for top-flight football?
Or will we continue to see an exodus of our youth, and eventually have a few come back and haunt us as overlooked top talents?
What effect will purchasing top quality, established players from other clubs have on our youth and academy in general?

Fine, fellow Gooners, I would now like to open the floor and hear your thoughts. Would you start Coquelin this Sunday? Will we regret neglecting our promising youth in search of top quality players that can help us now?

Written by: Highbury Harmony

Theo’s three in three invaluable – TV for Arteta – Ramsey new Parlour?

May 15, 2013May 16, 2013TotalArsenal

Twenty-four hours later and our victory over Wigan still feels very good. After a number of recent ‘one-nil to the Arsenal’ scores it was great to score four goals, and have all three attackers involved in either goals or assists. Arsenal needed this game to give us new momentum, and with that the believe and energy that we can finish the job against The Magpies this weekend.

A lot has been said about the need to introduce a more complete defensive midfielder this summer, but it cannot be denied that the combination of Ramsey and Arteta is working for us right now. At times, these two remind me of MU’s Carrick and Fletcher in previous seasons: solid midfielders with little flair but with a great work-rate and positional awareness. These are not the sort of footballers that will keep you awake at night, but they are like the feet of the swan working their socks off, allowing it to move graciously along. Not that we have been gracious a lot in recent months, but I hope you get the gist…

We all know that Arteta brings this to the party, but the current player of the month, Rambo, might now have found his niche within the team, by occupying the spot next to El Zorro. There is little doubt in my mind that Arsene needs to make changes in midfield over the summer, but he will be very glad that the Rambo-Arteta tandem, among other changes, has made such a difference in the final, and most vital, part of the season.

Ramsey could well become our Parlour of this decade, as he has a similar drive and great motor, and does not mind to do the dirty work at all. Any good team can do with a player in the squad – not necessarily in the first-eleven – who brings such energy and commitment in midfield, and Ramsey fits this role really well. We should also take into account that he is effectively only 21, having missed up to 1.5 years as a result of his horrific leg-break. He will get better, possibly much better in coming seasons, and it is essential now to keep him in the squad.

The injury to Arteta is quite a worry right now. We know from the previous season we can struggle if and when Arteta does not play, so hopefully his injury is not too bad.

But let’s have a look at how Arsenal can replace him. Wilshere does not look fully fit and it is questionable whether he can play an entire game, so a combination of Rambo and him does not look like a good option. We could try Coquelin and Rambo, but the Frenchman did not have many games in the first team, and I for one, would feel uncomfortable bringing him into our crucial game against NU.

As a few others have mentioned on the blog in the last twenty-four hours, Vermaelen would be a very good option to play next to Ramsey. He would bring extra steel – tackling and aerial power – and energy, and I am sure he would be really up for it. Key would be for him to stay calm and time his tackles well, and as he could be a bit rusty, there is some risk of this. I am not entirely sure how good he would be at reading the game in midfield, but I am prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt, as his other qualities will be very valuable at least. So Vermaelen-Rambo for me on Sunday.

Finally, I like to say something about Theo. How important has he been for us in the last few games? Scored the only goal against QPR – two points worth – the only goal against MU – one point worth – and scored the all-important second against Wigan last night. Theo with consistency would be as valuable as Ronaldo, but he clearly is not of that calibre; although, he is also still young and will develop further.

His stats this season are fantastic again and what an important (re)signing he has been for us. And when he goes through a difficult patch again, let’s stay behind him and know that sooner or later he will bring home the bacon again.

Written by: TotalArsenal.

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Time to stand up and be counted: Match Preview & Line-Up

April 28, 2013April 28, 2013TotalArsenal

Would it not be sweet if Aaron were to score once again the winner against the Mancs?

Let’s show the grey-haired broody woman with the boy inside what class means! + Line- Up

We have spoken enough about our match against the Mancs over – the last few days, so this pre-match will be short and sweet.

I have no doubt that our team will be really up for this and we’ll see a tremendous progress from when we played MU last. Arsenal have gone through a long, and often painful, transition but there are strong signs that our current crop of players are getting it together now. We are nowhere near the sort of football that Wenger wants us to play but the foundations of a good team have become clearly visible. And these are mostly reflected in my predicted line-up for today’s game:

A settled back-four with good back-up as well;
A goalkeeper who appears to have re-established himself;
A solid and safe anchor in our double DM positions which includes our new captain;
A choice of three in the pivotal role of advanced AM – Jack, Tomas, Santi;
An attacking formation based around Giroud in the centre with freedom for the ‘wingers’ to move around the pitch;
A more conservative style of play with seven players mainly focussing on defending and possession of the ball, and four predominantly concentrating on bringing home the bacon.

There should be no doubt that Bould and Wenger will build further on the above during the summer, in order to get us back to Wengerball again, for which further quality will have to be added as well. The basis is looking a lot better than when we played the Mancs last time, and I reckon this will show today.

There are so many things to look forward to today.

How will Nacho and Cazorla – I reckon they will start on the left today – cope against the strongest opposition in the PL? How will the ‘fluid-three’ up-front work? Or will Pod play in the Giroud role and stay centrally? Will Theo finally have a good game again and show us all what he is capable of – might he even start in the middle today? How will Aaron and Mikel cope in the double DM-anchor against the Mancs, and will the Mancs target Arteta as our ‘weakest’ link again? How will the back-four cope with the Mancs’ versatile attackers? Will Szczesny have a top game today? How will the Pod deal with the added pressure of being the ‘main man’ today? Will we be able to dominate the game and play our passing game? Etc, etc.

Well, whatever the outcome of the game, let’s hope the boys really, really fight for this one and give everything they got. Once the whistle blows there will be no respect for the Mancs and we’ll fight them on every inch of the pitch. We need three points, we need a top performance of all eleven players, we need to restore some pride, and we need us, the supporters, to give their all in standing behind the team today.

Let’s show the grey-haired broody woman with the boy inside what he deserted last summer!

Predicted Line-Up:

COME ON YOU RIP ROARING GUNNERS!

Written by: TotalArsenal.