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Arsenal Summer Spending – Wilshere to be given chance
Finally we have Wilshere, the main reason I don’t think we will dip into the transfer market for a midfielder. Wilshere has been heralded, by some overeager fans and a hyperbolic media, as the future of Arsenal Football Club and the savior of English football. I don’t necessarily agree or disagree as he certainly has the potential to do it but also has a great number of flaws in his game. With a suspect injury record it is hard to place too much burden on a player of his fragile frame; in addition I think flaws in his current game include his decision making, reckless tackling and a propensity for giving away possession in key areas; but it is his raw, unrefined talent for picking the ball up, riding challenges and orchestrating attacks via intricate flicks and sublime pieces of control that make him such a mouthwatering prospect. Ozil is clearly our number 10 and Ramsey has nailed down the box to box position in midfield; I think if Wilshere is looking to play centrally, which a player of his ability should,
What happens if Mr ‘Deintype’ overrules Arsène on transfers?
Your Vision – The Elephant in the Room – What if Wenger Calls it a day
A new manager would inherit a squad who have so much promise but lack the final touch, both through the need to strengthen and the lack of cover in the squad for inevitable injuries. They would inherit a group of player who have come closer to winning the league than any Arsenal time in the last few seasons, and who should be winning the FA Cup this season too. They would, crucially, inherit a squad which they can really make their mark on.
Manchester City (h) – City-ing Pretty, Flam Grilled & More – Iron Man's Match Thoughts
Our goal-scorer on the day was a revitalised Matthiu Flamini who got on the end of a Lukas Podolski low cross (see!) to hit home a well-deserved equaliser. Our tenacious Frenchman went some way to making amends after his gut-wrenching late own goal last Tuesday, not simply by scoring, but an-round action man like performance in the middle of the park. So much so, City's in-form and usually terrifying midfield beast Yaya Toure was uncharacteristically subdued. Seemingly taking it upon himself to play in a slightly more advanced role, Flamini helped Arsenal gain a foothold on a game that was in danger of running away from them before the break. Having already found himself in the box to score a rightly disallowed offside goal in the first half, he then encapsulated what was a far braver team
Manchester City (h) – Confidence restored, now keep it going
City were the better side in the first half, they squeezed us into our half of the pitch knowing that we had no pace to get in behind them. They used the ball better than us when they had it. David Silva was very dangerous when picking up the ball outside of our penalty box, his defence splitting passes reminded me of what we are missing without Mesut Özil. He carved out a few chances down our left hand side as City looked to exploit when Chelsea did so well. It was Silva who somewhat fortuitously opened the scoring. Lukas Podolski lost the ball on the half way line and Silva drove into our half, his through pass found Džeko on the left and his left footed shot was tipped onto the post by Szczesny and off Silva into our net from close range, 1-0 to the away side.
Manchester City (h) “Cazorla was like a terrier in the middle of the park”- Q&A
Before the game even the most positive of Gooners would have settled for a point. Given our form, morale and injuries, it was less a question of 'if', but of 'how many' Its a great point. We fought hard and fully deserved that draw. With a little more luck or a moment of madness it could have gone either way. But I am happy we could keep a side of City's quality relatively quiet in the second half. Of course we would have loved to see that Podolski effort go in and get all 3.
Manchester City (h) Confirmed Line Up: Podolski starts & Arteta keeps out Kallstrom
So Oxlade-Chamberlain is the one who steps down and Mikel Arteta keeps his place in the side. I like many assumed that Kim Kallstrom may have started this one after his positive impact from the bench in midweek and also his freshness but Arsene is sticking by his vice captain. Lukas Podolski who made and scored a goal in a matter of seconds keeps his place in the team on the left.
Manchester City (h) Thoughts & Line Up: Come on Arsenal, surprise us
I am a frustrated that we are facing City at this time. After the 6-3 defeat at City I was convinced that we would get our own back when we brought them back to Ashburton Grove. Granted I foolishly expected Walcott, Özil, Ramsey and co to be lining up against them.
Swansea City (h) – Gunn Powder Puff, Defunct Defence & More – Iron Man's Match Thoughts
Equally disappointing by way of ‘response’ was the feeble showing going forward for much of the game. Aside from a 60 second blitz to temporarily turn the game in our favour, it was a poor display from a limp forward line that barely put the opposition defence under any serious pressure. Olivier Giroud may have scored (and of course, that is a good thing) but his overall performance was both infuriating yet predictable. Constantly out of position, continued failure to provide an outlet and being easily muscled off the ball are unfortunately all things we come to expect. Dare I even say that some people actually expect too much from the Frenchman. An average centre forward playing very much like you’d expect an average centre forward would do. When fans get angry and waste