Home Site Articles

Site Articles

Nagoya Grampus 1 Arsenal 3 – Centre Bacary, Rambo returns & Goals

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.

Let’s do the Ramsey wide thing (again)

A lil' more Patience, it'll come

The transfer window is upon us again, we have seen our rivals spend big, better their squad and we are left with only one signing, a signing our fans hardly acknowledge. Well, he is young, what can he offer to better our chances in the league? I get the angle our fans are coming from, we as fans haven't seen triumph since the year 2005, when we beat UTD in the FA Cup final via penalties. We want that back but in wanting that back we throw 'common sense' out the window, me included. We have gone in for Higuain, reportedly agreed a deal with said player, agreed a fee with Madrid and then just when you think the overall deal will click, Madrid go on to shift goal-posts and ask for more. Dick Law, Ivan Gazidis and Arsene Wenger have been bashed

The Void In The Middle

Your Vision – Show me the money

Big deals take time. I know they always do. Actually no, not always but with Arsenal they most certainly do. Even when we're the selling club. Remember how long we dragged the sales of Cesc, Nasri & Robin?
So I try to comfort myself and look at the last time we concluded a big deal for a big player from a big club........ok fair enough not a lot of those to look at then. What about Arshavin that was a big one, yeah maybe, Wenger actually admitted he liked him during the Euros, and when asked in Al Jazeera if he would sign him he said that his style would suit us. So it's safe to say that there was interest in the summer. We signed him deadline day......winter window!
Henry's return, everyone new we would re-sign him 16 months ago. All through December the rumors were there.  We signed him one week into the transfer window! Surely it could have been done earlier. He could have played a game or two more. A memory or

Your Vision – Transfer Frenzy

Early Birds or Dawdlers, how Arsenal compare to rivals in the transfer window

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.

Let’s do the Ramsey wide thing (again)

Zelalem the runner lover (gif), Sagna’s CB trial? & Pressure free Giroud

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

Let’s do the Ramsey wide thing (again)

Transfer Window and Arsenal's Basic Need

Diaby could have been one but he is one we can’t rely on hence his switch of squad number. I’m a big fan of Arteta and the role he plays for us, and I’ve searched far and wide and I can’t come up with a name that would do it better, the players close to his level or better(there are a few) are all attached to top clubs. Arteta plays as our deepest midfielder and our play is based on him, his role is called a deep lying player maker, a role Pirlo has made us understand and love. Calls for us needing an out and out defensive midfielder

The Void In The Middle

What Suarez category do you find yourself in?

This for me is the worst of the above categories. My guess is now that anyone with this belief will quickly switch camps to the 'I dislike Evra and why trust him over Suarez' section. It is safer in there. Excusing behavior like this if you think it is correct is wrong, wrong and wrong some more. With an extra wrong on top. I was going to say in my opinion but surely in any decent human's opinion it is wrong. As the name Luis Suarez pops up on Liverpool news feeds, there might be a few of their fans who tell us that coming to Arsenal is a step down or that leaving Liverpool is a stupid thing to do. Listen come and sit next to me for a minute, I understand what you are going through. We've experienced the same. It is tough and painful but you'll get over it and

Let’s do the Ramsey wide thing (again)

Arsene Wenger can turn Suarez around

Suarez is quick, nimble, nifty, creative and can play across the front 3 with relative ease. The playing across 3 different positions is what tickles me. We play a 4-2-3-1 formation and Suarez is one that can lead the line, play on either flanks and can also play in the hole just behind the main striker. That’s one stone, 4 birds and my word, that’s fantastic. I’m a sucker for industry and a Suarez-type is what offers that. Another attribute I love about a Suarez-type player is the ability to create goals for themselves and not have to wait for supplies from their supporting cast. Last term I saw Suarez do that a lot and it showed the sort of player he is. Without him, Liverpool would

The Void In The Middle

Zelalem not the usual 16 year old, Podolski fitter? as Arsenal return

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

Let’s do the Ramsey wide thing (again)