In all truth, I like Xabi Alonso very much. Wonderful artistic passer of the ball, great long range shot and would look very good in this Arsenal team. But before we go jumping on the Alonso for Arsenal bandwagon lets think about what part of the team we need fixing

Oh I do love the summer, a bit of sunshine can put that spring back into your footstep. Shut your eyes and think of a dark and rainy afternoon, walking through the wind blowing the cold rain in your face. Then open your eyes and appreciate the weather.

Anyway, you are not here to read about the weather but to be fair to me there is not that much to write home about this afternoon as I suppose there will not be until either someone joins, leaves or the season starts.

Cesc Fabregas has been speaking about his desire to have Spanish midfield team mate Xabi Alonso with him at Arsenal.

Cesc said:

“We have lost big players, but the boss knows what he is doing, The days of signing a new player aren’t finished. “We need someone in the middle to make competition and make a difference, plus give us a new dimension.I think that is all we need. The rest is perfect. Xabi would be great. He’s experienced and can score goals. I’m sure the boss is aware of that fact.”

Come on Cescy boy, we don’t need to give the hacks even more ammunition to write these stories, they already have a very vivid imagination as it is.

In all truth, I like Xabi Alonso very much. Wonderful artistic passer of the ball, great long range shot and would look very good in this Arsenal team. But before we go jumping on the Alonso for Arsenal bandwagon lets think about what part of the team we need fixing. Is it creating chances or scoring goals? I don’t think so. The likes of Cesc, Arshavin, Van Persie, Rosicky, Walcott and Samir Nasri will create and score chances. So I believe we need a sort out the amount of goals we concede. Which area of the pitch we need to add to is subjective, but for arguments sake, lets say we need someone better than Denilson and Song who I add have developed very well in their first full season in the team. We would need someone to break up the opposition and stop the ball reaching our back four and I personally do not think that Alonso is better than our current young players at that job.

I have watched Alonso on a number of occasions and he has never stood out as being superb defensively. He puts his foot in and tracks back but is he the best at that job?

Many dismiss statistics to suit their agenda or arguments but it is difficult to argue about the defensive comparison between Denilson and Alonso.

Appearances: Denilson (37), Alonso (33)
Tackles Won: Denilson (103), Alonso (62)
Tackles Lost: Denilson (28), Alonso (27)
Goals Scored: Denilson (3), Alonso (3)
Goals Assisted: Denilson (7), Alonso (4)
Total/Accurate Passes: Denilson (2535/2204) 89%, Alonso (2482/2076) 83%

Denilson did play 4 games more than Alonso but the statistics are very much in favour for the 21 year old. Oh and also I wasn’t aware that someone who can only pass sideways managed to set up 3 less than Robin Van Persie and Frank Lampard who had the highest (10)

Denilson is not the finished article, he has been inconsistent in periods throughout the season but there are many many plus points about his game and it is great that he will progress. Wenger has to decide if we are still short in numbers in that area and which rank the player will come in, if of course he does strengthen that area.

Before I move from the Alonso subject, I would very much doubt that Liverpool would sell a key member of their squad to us after a successful season for the Scousers.

It looks like Nicklas Bendtner is heading in the right direction in regards to signing a new contract.

Bendtner said:

“It is of course a priority of mine to prolong my contract, and I have never said anything else, For me it is of course sweet to receive the backing from the manager, and I hope to stay at the club for a long time.”

I have to take my hat off to Bendtner who has had to endure some very harsh treatment from the fans. He has scored two less than Van Persie who is our top scorer this season while playing 439 minutes less. Not bad is it?

I am trying to finish the season review which is taking me bloody ages but I shall attempt to finish it by the end of the week. It will be a little pointless if I do not finish it before the start of next season.

Right, that is me done. Not sure if I will write tomorrow as I am taking the kids to sea side, it better be sunny.

Back probably on Wednesday.

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