Arsene likes his players to have a massive belief about them, a confidence in their ability and that is a good thing but some can overstep the mark. I worry that some of the first team have that when playing against lesser sides

I totally enjoyed the first leg of the youth cup final, great tempo, great football nice young atmosphere, the fans were mostly Arsenal supporters who don’t get to many games and it showed.

Jack Wilshere has been out of the first team spot light for many months and has battled with a few niggly injuries and up and down form. Last night Jack Wilshere reminded us all of his immense talent. To be honest, I almost forgot about how good he was.

What I love about Wilshere is his ability to take a first touch without stopping the ball. Many times the ball was played into him and his first touch took him into space and away from his marker. His awareness of movement around him and his ability to find that decisive pass sets him apart from his peers. I thought it was interesting to see the side line up in the 4-2-3-1 formation, that area behind the striker seems to be the best place for Wilshere. Wilshere wasn’t the only player to have impressed last night. Jay Emmanuel-Thomas grew into the game and dominated in the second half both physically and technically.

Pardon the cliche but Henri Landsbury ran his socks off and did very well in both ends of the pitch. I felt sorry for Emmanuel Frimpong who I was looking forward to watching, especially alongside Coquelin shielding the back four but he didn’t last long as he picked up an injury that took him out of the game and possibly the return leg. Credit to Sanchez Watt who came in and made a positive difference in attack. Quality finish for his goal.

Before I move off the youth subject I just want to say that I had a slight cringe at the post match interview with Wilshere, Emmanuel-Thomas and Kyle Bartley. There seemed to be a lot of arrogance from the players and it is not a great thing to hear sometimes. Obviously they are young men who had just brushed aside Liverpool in one of the biggest games of their lives so they are bound to feel good about themselves but Steve Bould has mentioned it a few times this season that certain players need to keep their feet on the ground and not think too highly of themselves.

From what I gather, Arsene likes his players to have a massive belief about them, a confidence in their ability and that is a good thing but some can overstep the mark. I worry that some of the first team have that when playing against lesser sides. The Sunderland game away this season is one game that sticks out for me, we hardly got out of first gear in the early stages and only really stepped it up late into the game when we conceded. I usually like to stay positive about our performances but that day I was fuming.

I just hope our younger players can look at the likes of Clichy, Toure, Sagna, Rosicky, Eduardo etc for a lesson in handling themselves and being humble.

What you cannot argue is the ability of this young team. I still feel uncomfortable thinking that some do not recognise what Arsene has put in place. The under 18’s have stormed the league by an incredible distance and are now 4-1 up against a good Liverpool youth team.

Arsene Wenger has had plenty to say from his press conference, I would have a massive page of quotes if I was to mention everything he said, so I shall pick out some interesting comments.

Wenger talking about spending money on players said:

“I don’t complain about the money I have and I am not afraid to spend the money when I find it,” It is not true [that I am afraid to spend]. I cannot manipulate people’s brains unfortunately. And I don’t want to in fact.

“We spent the money on Andrey Arshavin. In one day I decided to do it.”

For some reason it has been taken has gospel that Arsene has bundles of cash but to prove some sort of point he refuses to spend. That is and has always been utter nonsense. Wenger will spend what the club can afford, or what they give him, if he thinks a player is worth it.

Arsene also explained that he will not have to sell to buy

Wenger said:

“No [we do not have to sell] because we have a balanced budget, But it depends how high you want to buy.

“I believe that what is important in this stage of a club’s life is to keep the players you have.”

Our summers are usually about selling and buying, we always balance the books especially since the Emirates move and I cannot see anything else.

We have many young players on loan and players who may not make the grade at the highest level so I expect some to move on. We will have to see what happens to the Adebayor situation in the coming months.

I am not one for slagging other sites off on my own and I intentionally do not name names but Myles Palmer from ANR has made be change my stance for a day. Some of what he says is infuriating. When he makes up stuff like Wenger did not buy Arshavin, Gazidis did makes me so angry. For some reason he has this hate about our manager and I do not know why. I used to enjoy reading his stuff as it was a little different from the rest but nowadays I turn a blind eye.

Myles Palmer, myself or any other blog writers know absolutely nothing compared to Arsene Wenger about how to win football matches or how to manage players. Not to say that he doesn’t make mistakes because he sure has but us non managers would make a great deal more, as much as Myles Palmer may disagree, sounds like he thinks he has all the answers.

Right must get a groove on, enjoy your Saturday. Back tomorrow.

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