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.