So I have found some time before going out to dinner tonight to post for the first time in a while. I do apologise for the infrequency of these, the normal schedule will return as of next week when I return from the US.
Another goalless draw and I must say I was a little disappointed. We bossed the game again from what I saw and the stats back me up. We just couldn't find the net. As the game drew on I knew that changed were imminent but I must admit I think it was a poor decision to take Cazorla off, who again sparkled. We went for it though but that final clinical finish wasn't there as Podolski and Diaby fired wide. I thought just when it was over we were going to nick it as Giroud went charging down the left, but you could tell he hasn't gelled just yet, firing over the bar from distance when he should have played Ramsey through the middle. Talking of Ramsey I was disgusted to hear the Stoke fans booing him when he was brought on, it's low and I hope it was a minority but sadly I feel I am mistaken. Never have I wanted him to come on score the winner than I did then but it just wasn't to be. None the less, two clean sheets so maybe what Steve Bould is doing is working (fingers crossed).
Our attentions turn to Anfield on Sunday when we take on a new look Liverpool side and I must say I'm quite optimistic. From what I can gather, due to an absolute howler from Reina, their game with Hearts was taken to extra time. This gives us the advantage as many of the players will be tired and feeling the effects of tonight's match. I don't rate Liverpool as much of a side even with new signings and a new manager and it's a game that I think is definitely winnable. In terms of the team, its a difficult one with doubts over Szczesny and Koscielny. I think we're more likely to see SZCZ in the starting line up that Kos purely because that's the way Wenger is normally but we shall see. Wide positions are difficult at the moment, as personally I would have Walcott in over Gervinho every day but due to the issue with his contract I think Gerv could start again.
Now with reaction to the issue with Walcott and his ongoing contract. I've heard conflicting reports but it appears that he will be staying with the club and talks over his contract will continue over the next few weeks with his wage demands being the sticking point. He's asking for £100K a week whereas we offered him £75K, now I know this issue has divided Gooners so here's my opinion. Do I think Walcott is worth £100K a week? No. Do I think we should keep Theo? Absolutely. He is one of those players that can turn it on, he's "consistent patches" are good, admittedly when he's not firing he can be equally useless and that's where having additional firepower on the wings will come in handy. Basically I'm in Arsenal's position. I want him to stay but don't want to pay over the top for him.
So tomorrow is deadline day, one of the most frantic in the footballing calendar. According to Wenger we are still active and I can see us bringing in one or two players tomorrow. I'm not going to talk about rumours because there are simply too many, I suppose we will just have to wait and see. But I expect us to do some business, in and out.
So that's it from me for today, my next post will be from merry old England so fingers crossed for Sunday! COYG.
Prediction: Liverpool 0-1 Arsenal
Hi all, just a quick post today as I am extremely busy.
As I'm sure many of you know, this morning Laurent Koscielny has agreed a new long-term deal with us. We have been criticised for our defensive frailties over the last couple of seasons but Koscielny, especially last season, I think has been fantastic. He's really got his head down and got on with the job in hand making crucial interceptions, tackles and scoring the odd goal too including our winner at West Brom. He has really won the fans over and it's great to see him (much like Vermaelen) sign a contract, no fuss, no problems and focus on his football. See Robin, it's not that hard is it?
In other news and these are only rumours I have seen from various sources that we have agreed personal terms for Malaga winger Santi Cazorla. He's a lad I don't know much about I'll admit but he would be yet another addition to our attacking line up. Giving us plenty of depth up front. I don't know whether he's a left or right winger but it means there will be hot competition for one side.
Malaga are currently in a bit of a financial situation. With the new owner piling money in at a rate of knots, there have been issues with players wages not being paid and tax problems. If they don't wipe their debt by July 31st, they will be relegated and banned from playing in the Champions League. This gives us the opportunity to possibly force a sale of around €20m.
Yesterday Wenger also stated that we won't be going in for Yann M'villa, unless Wilshere or Diaby suffer a setback which sadly seems likely. I think it's risky to gamble on Diaby's fitness and bringing in a player as cover would be no bad thing. But we can only speculate until anything else is said.
We play the Malasyia XI later today in our first proper pre-season match, let's see what happens and pray for no injuries. Till next time.
Well it's the lull before the summer of hectic buying and selling and of course the Euros. I struggle to watch England play, not for the want of trying but for the fact that they are boring as fuck to watch. I'll watch us over the Euros and want us to win obviously but I'll do it without being particularly entertained.
Anyway onto Arsenal, this is my first post in a while and will probably be the last for a while because quite simply nothing is happening. Contract talks with RVP broke down and he has now set off with Holland in their pre-season preparations for the Euros. There isn't much we can really say about that, we just have to hope that post-tournament he decides to stay on. Elsewhere nothing but rumours. Depending on what paper you read we either: definitely have/definitely haven't/probably/probably haven't signed M'Villa, who quite frankly fails to excite me. I read today that we have also registered our interest in Doumbia who, despite being an absolute machine on FIFA 12, has done pretty much nothing of note.
I'm beginning to wonder whether new players really are the answer looking at the players with been linked with, bar Kagawa who, lets face it when posed with the question of United or Arsenal based on recent seasons only really as one choice. However I can't see Kagawa fitting in with either of our potential systems, without dropping someone. But that poses the question of who do we leave out? Play 4-4-2 with Podolski and (hopefully) rvp upfront and that means that across the middle we have a choice of Song, Arteta, Ramsey, Rosicky and Wilshere along with possibly Diaby and possibly Benayoun. So out of those possible 7 players we need to leave potentially 3 players out. Maybe more if we have Walcott or Gerv or Oxlade on the wings.
Play 4-3-3 and that means that we'd have to play either Podolski or rvp on the wing which is a possibility. The other side is up for grabs between Gerv, Walcott and Oxlade, but once again in the middle we have to fit in 5 players. So who do we leave out? Ramsey, OK maybe, but then Wilshere who we have desperately missed this season is surely a no, Song who occupies that holding midfield role needs to stay in. Arteta who we just signed I also think needs to stay in the squad which means leaving the re-born Rosicky who by the way had a fantastic season in my books on the sideline which Ramsey.
Maybe we need a bit of a clear out but I can't see who we sell apart from possibly Diaby, if he ever gets fit again. We have a midfield full of players who we NEED in the team, players who have signed a new deal and players who could be the best thing since sliced bread.
Food for thought. I'm not even gonna start on the defence.
Anyway unless anything big happens, its set to be another few quiet weeks. I think my next post maybe a players we might sell type of piece. Have a great few weeks!
