We are being linked with Brazilian wonderkid Bernard and I think we should be signing him for his name itself. I gets the feeling that there is something in this. It follows a familiar pattern of an Arsenal signing. Being linked with many players in the press for a while, usually really obvious names like Scott Dann or Chris Samba. But then whispers to come out from a source in that players country that a deal is close. Arsene then twists the question about the interest. Like 'that report is not
It was no surprise to see Ryo Miyachi start the game back in his home land and I thought he had started brightly. Pressed with purpose and looked positive in possession. Some of his decisions were not always correct and his passing was sometimes behind his intended target but the tools are there. Giroud played a ball to Walcott but really should have looked left to Ramsey, nevertheless the ball was handled in the box and Arteta kindly gave Ryo a chance to score in his country. To be honest I thought Ryo would miss his spot kick but I couldn't have been anymore wrong. Powerfully driven and right into the corner giving the keeper no chance.
This was Arsenal's most troubling summer due to the Cesc and Nasri dance. Five first team players came in during August which is crazy. I doubt we will ever see a summer like that one again. Interestingly Chelsea also signed all four of their players in August. We ended up finishing above our rich West London rivals even though our start was, well.. not great. Manchester United signed all of their players before July 20th and none afterwards. Our funny and embarrassing neighbours from down the road only brought in two players which is unlike them. One early and Sir Scotty of Parker on deadline day.
Cesc and Bergkamp once did because you know he has the quality to find that pass. When writing those two names I feel that it is necessary to add the non comparison disclaimer. For once I think I can put the opposition to one side, regardless of who you are facing it takes an incredible amount of vision and the feel for the correct weight of pass to be able to pull it off. It is a skill that many first team players have not mastered and will probably never master. I love Tomas Rosicky to pieces and his threaded pass has never consistently matched the rest of his game. Jack Wilshere for all his talent has struggled with his final pass on many occasions. Away at Tottenham was a stand out game for me where his final ball let him down time and
Lukas Podolski looked a little different in terms of physique, I want to see him play again to see if it my eyes that are playing tricks or not. He looked quicker, more mobile and sharper. Too many times last season he looked too bulky and lacked dynamism. I will be keeping my eyes open for him and hope my observations are correct. His finish was quality, the ball moved in a flash and the keeper didn't even get the chance to dive. I have assumed that Cazorla will start the season wide left and Lukas on the bench but maybe Arsene and Poldi have other ideas. Going back to Zelalem for a moment, the reserve team is quite interesting for the new season especially after seeing so many youngsters depart. Most of the young guys beat Sutton a few days earlier. New number 10 Dan Crowley
Cesc would have a field day I thought. £23m or whatever it was, looked a very good investment. Last season he was up there in the race for player of the year, in a team that were largely pants all season, that takes some doing but while football is football, we are the Arsenal. I don't want to sound like I am jumping on the moral bandwagon here and I probably am but Luis Suarez is a despicable human being. Yes he dives a ridiculous amount and while it is more than our players in the past have done, we have still had a few like Emmanuel Eboue who would go down a little too easy at times. You can deal with that maybe, if you turn a blind eye. He leaves his studs in on the opposition a little too often also but we could dress that up as he is a fighter and wants to win. I mean we've had players in the past who uncompromising at the best of times. But here it is, if I call Suarez a racist I will get people jumping to his
Johan Djourou looking likely to make a permanent switch to Hamburg. I must say, I like Johan and thought he would have been a perfect back up for Mertesacker. Both are similar in style and provide a good balance to Koscielny