some quick thoughts on the summer shopping spree, and fear of losing players

Just a few thoughts. Wenger is a better talent developer than tactician. Developer, not discoverer. He not only makes the sum of the parts greater than the whole, but his process enhances and develops the individual into a better player all round, in the specifics of where his talent lies, as well as in his overall understanding of the game. Hence drawing flak for playing players out if position. This of course is enhanced by players with an aptitude for learning, e.g. Project youth, and fails utterly on players who already think they know their niche, Chamakh, Arshavin, song in the latter years. Having said all this, and with gooners everywhere harping on the so called 70m war chest, I'd be alright with no or few buys this summer. Primarily because there is already a very solid team to develop on. It excites me to see all the opportunities multiple cup games will have to allow fringe players more game, and hence more development time. What I am concerned, is the short timeline of football nowadays and the ridiculous offers that will come in for the British core when success is achieved in the next 2 seasons. This is also compounded by the apparent notion that Wenger often gets too attached to his developing talent, e.g. Cesc, Judas, and not ruthless to replace as needed with new talent. However, seeing his ruthlessness in late season decision making this year may perhaps show a newer, sharper, back to the culling days of the early 2000s Wenger. The Wenger who sells all past 30, who cuts components for achievement.

a quickie

Aftermath of the Arsenal vs Liverpool game. Boss said it, "A game we could have won or lose by 3 or 4 goals." And he's right. Defensively we are laughable. 13 goals we conceded this season was by our own defensive faults. That's bad.

Our attack is awesome stats shows it. Defensively no. All of our defenders are good, I currently want to know what goes on at the training ground during the defensive training. Sagna is getting dreadful by the game. Santos just needs to not kid around anymore, that's his problem, he's not serious enough.

Transfer side we need to bring in a defender to cover the loss of Djourou, attacking wise just need a striker to challenger Giroud and make up the loss of Chamakh.

Stats wise we are currently:

10 wins, 8 draws, 6 defeats.

I expect by the end of the season:

21 wins, 9 draws, 8 defeats.

Total points 72 for this season with a huge goal difference just to show intent for next season. Just enough for a 3rd placing I hope.

This time last season we were 6th as well. Time to bounce back and get on a roll. Been a difficult late nov to now for all Arsenal supporters.

city blues

oh mike dean.

koscielny made a mistake that cost us the game and it was a mistake that makes you wonder why he committed it. perhaps it came from the pressure of playing city, mental strength and needing to show some force early. whatever it was it cost us dearly in the end.

which is to say, jack aside, through sheer grit, and vermaelen, arteta, sagna and mertesacker as well thanks to their due experience, there is a childish hesitation and fear, and lack of self belief in the squad. Diaby was painful to watch, shying away from most encounters and barely running. not surprising have just come back from his injury status. the alternative? ramsey found his footing very quickly in his preferred role, but needs to speed up his play ala rosicky and jack. he has the burst of pace but it needs to be on show for the full 90.

it was great to see the fight back and true spirit of the team in the 2nd half, but that kind of spirit needs to be there the whole time. it should've amped up when kos got sent off.

walcott was a pain to watch, never bothering to press, letting balls slip past him when he could easily have got into intercepting positions. he's tied the team up in a quandry over his staying or going, but to have such sway when he's best utilized as an impact squad player (regardless of whether he starts or subs) is a predicament covered by one too many arsenal voices, and mine is not any better informed or opinionated to add to the broth.

mike dean was ridiculous, none of the red's were the kind you'd see anywhere. although to be a real stickler, both had enough grounds to warrant them but still, it was the match and football that suffered because of it.

i'll always look to the positives and the positive of this match was to really see fight in almost all the players. albeit only really rearing in the 2nd half. that up till the 80th minute there was always the feeling we could nick a point or 3 still. that the team knows what to do when giroud gets up front. gibbs being more and more spectacular, mertestriker, jack filling up his cesc-power up bar, etc etc.

but the fact remains that the squad needs strengthening, both in numbers of players, and the spirit of those not fully putting in their shift.

imagine what would've happened if the Ox had got his game time.

quick one

fast forward gnabry and eisfeld into the first team, drop santos and ramsey so they start every other game, champions league, COC, FA until they're sharp enough for 1st team. yennaris as back up right or left back always. let bould be the dressing room hairdryer.

Fan Thoughts - Arsenal's Training Session

Just got home from the training session before tomorrow’s game with Malaysia IX. Some thoughts to share with gooners worldwide:

1. Arsene runs. A lot. Wow. This may not be news to some (lucky londener gooners who sneak into Colney maybe) but it sure changes my perception of him as a 'mere' professor.

2. Steve Bould also runs. A lot. Which is very nice. I didn't attend the training session when the gunners came down here last year but my mate K (who rambles here: https://twitter.com/kh4lilul) tells me Pat Rice wasn't half as lively on the field. Age perhaps? Those who say Bould is another Wenger ‘yes man’ will be pleased to know that he ran the complement of defenders and 'defensive midfielders' (honestly, in last year’s team, were there any? at all? yes, I’m looking at you Mr. run forwards Song) drills the whole time, with Wenger working on the midfielders. Nice to see how the team works J Nice to see the team, period.

I’d put more points in but just dawned on me that my limited knowledge and the fact that this was hardly a proper training session (most of the players each visited or attended different events the whole day, and the training session was from 8.30 to 10ish) hardly speaks much of actual groundwork the team might be doing.

Another point of note is that i wonder if this is more a true initiation session for what remains of Arsenal’s project youth. With so many on the tour this time being the cream of the under 22’s and reserves. Would also make sense seeing how BnB (Bould, Banfield) came into 1^st team just this season. Dare I say we’d have a much more competent COC campaign this season? (that’s Capital One Cup to you)

Also, cannot imagine how our tropical humidity would affect the players. Halfway through last year’s match, most of the boys were well and proper sweated out. Hehehe, high altitude training is tough? Come do it here :p

Till tomorrow J

DAY BLUE! and Ridiculously Photogenic Guy of Arsenal?

Well here's the Official Arsenal Home Kit For Next Season 2012/2013. Podolski to wear this, maybe M' Vila? More on that on the next post.

Well this Kit has received many interesting reaction within the Arsenal community here. The leaked image of the jersey has been around since Feb if I'm not mistaken. And here in Asia we are quite well known for selling counterfeit Jerseys.

And just last Friday I was walking around the street Kuala Lumpur and I saw this Arsenal fan somehow got a hold of this kit. Of course it's a counterfeit jersey. How do I know? It's not officially release yet, yes thats one. But the collar and sleeve is the color Black not 'Day Blue.'

No matter how well you make a counterfeit jersey, I can differentiate between the real deal and counterfeit. I have some experience and knowledge on Jersey manufacturing. Maybe Nike can hire me for their Special Anti-Counterfeit Task Team.

Anyways the reaction has been mixed. Everyone said;
"Hopefully it'll grow on me"

While a few are hoping the 'Day Blue' color would bring us some magical powers for next season, optimistic bunch.

It's a nice bit of tactic from the Arsenal to make a good video.

Well RvP will have to content putting on the Captain's armband between the Red and 'Day Blue'.

Before I end, I bought Four Four Two magazine earlier today and I saw an article with Mr. Andre Santos in it. There is a picture of him. And I thought to myself. He must 'The Ridiculously Photogenic Guy of Arsenal'

Then 'The Dood' disagreed and said that Mr. Mikel Arteta is 'The Ridiculously Photogenic Guy of Arsenal'







So our viewers and readers, who is Arsenal's Mr 'Ridiculously Photogenic Guy of Arsenal'  #TeamAndreSantos or #TeamArteta

Take Care Guys will write opinion about out Early Signings and other stuff.

He signed in Feb or march? maybe april

This is gonna be a short post.
In 2006, I saw Łukasz Podolski play for the German National Team.
And I thought Mr. Wenger please snap him up immediately. Well that took about 6 years.
Arsene thank you very much for making me and Arsenal fans all around the world really happy about this signing. Will post opinions about our new signing.

Leaked Jersey?

This picture has been circulating around the internet. Arsenal's Leaked 2012/2013 Home and Away Jersey.

Home Jersey, the line across the chest should be remove, make it plain, the fans would like it and be okay with it.

Interesting to see the yellow kit back if it's true. Again the line across the chest should be remove.

spotlight on Thomas Eisfeld

Thomas Eisfeld, the man we signed from Dortmund during the recent transfer window.
Plays attacking midfield, 19 years old.

For some reason he fits the profile of Wenger signings
Thomas Eisfeld comes on the cheap. The fee is reported to be £420,000.

For context and perspective, compare Dortmund’s Shinji Kagawa, who was signed in the summer of 2010 for €350,000 from Cerezo Osaka, who then quickly established himself as Dortmund’s best player before injury interrupted his progress and Mario Götze emerged. Kagawa has become indispensable to the Dortmund team.

Moral of the story:
Good signing is not necessary star signing.



I had discussions with several Arsenal fans. And one of them my brother theorized that:
Maybe Wenger will convert him from an attacking midfielder to a Striker like Rvp.
For me it does not sound crazy. Mr Eisfeld does have talent, I have watched several reserve games video clips which he played.
i.e. vs Swansea reserve.

It would be interesting what happens during the pre-season for this youngster and several others like Jon Toral, Serge Gnabry, Hector Bellerin, Nico Yennaris, Ignasi Miquel, Conor Henderson and others

All I can hope for all these talents is that they don't do a Mark Randall.

A boo for cole

With this kind of Back four of Sagna, Koscielny, Verminator and Gibbs. No wonder they are still undefeated.
If you counted the QPR game, nope cause Gibbs came off, remember?
Chelsea played very negative and unproductive and Boring. The Referee very inconsistant.

Theo's Hamstring injury will be a blow. Yao Kouassi (Gervinho) need to grab this opportunity to prove himself.
The Ox had an off day. Rvp was lively but didn't convert the chances.
Ramsey is a great talent, I'm sure he will shrug off this bad spell. Maybe against Stoke? Why not.
Since we have Diaby back and giving options for Arsene as well Coquelin

Vs Stoke prediction line up.

13, 3, 6, 5, 28, 17, 2, 16, 30, 27, 10
Subs: 21, 20, 39, 7, 11, 15, 29

6 points clear of 3rd. Just need to win the remaining games.