Sunday, August 21, 2011

Youngsters Show Spirit and There's a Stench at the Emirates


Okay, I was not expecting a 2-0 loss on Saturday.  I think we were all worried about the possible result, but I figured a draw would be the most drastic.  The first 20 minutes scared the daylights out of me as we mislaid pass after pass.  Only My Vermie's shackling of Carroll gave me any sense of relief as he robbed him of nearly every header.  And watching a Liverpool player attempt to steal the ball off of 'Pong only to be brushed aside by him gave me a chuckle.  But then we know what happened eventually:  injuries, red cards, and losing while down to 10 men.

As far as individual performances go, I can't fault the young 'uns.  They showed spirit and fight (perhaps injudiciously) from Jenks to 'Pong and Ignasi.  SIDENOTE:  If one doesn't have faith in one's fourth pick center back, why isn't he sold?  Ignasi was on the bench and Squillaci in the stands?  Not that I think Squillaci would have done better, but what a statement made by Wenger - intentionally or unintentionally.  Anyway, RVP and Nasri played their parts as well while Theo and Arshavin were, well, pretty bad.  Every time Theo received the ball by the touchline, he was swarmed and usually conceded possession.  And Andrey's attempts at penetrating and passing were intercepted or otherwise nullified.

So all in all, we're in bad shape.  We have won only one out of six possible points.  Song and Emmanuel are suspended for Manchester United next Sunday and we don't know the extent of Koz's injury for the Udinese game, which means we could be short at the CB position.  There are rumblings tonight on Twitter that Jack could be back for the CL match, but what about our only creative player Nasri?  As much as I detest eating Humble Pie, I'll swallow a slice by admitting his performance made me remember why I liked him so much last year.  His move for Manchester City is taking FOREVER so, who knows?  If Wenger plays him against the Italians and he ends up Cup-tied, Mancini admitted that event could be a deal breaker.  What I found interesting is that Mancini expressed confusion and surprise that the deal wasn't done as soon as he expected stating:


"It's a big problem. For 40 days [I've been saying]: 'I hope it's two days, three days, two days, three days.' I don't know why we didn't close it.

It's nice for some other club to express confusion over the actions of its Board, and Mancini had no trouble stating that in public.  I think something similar could be going on at Arsenal, but unlike Roberto, Arsene is not the type of manager to come out and openly challenge the Arsenal Board.  He loves the club, is loyal, and discreet.  He probably views opening up any diagreements about transfers to the public as distasteful. And I do think there are major disagreements going on here which is the only sane explanation I can come up with for us not having the signings we need this close to the transfer deadline.  Our manager is a man who has made big signings in the pre-Emirates past.  Many of these were diamond-in-the-roughs whom he transformed into real gems.  But the Bergkamp signing was seen as a landmark signing.  Fast forward a few years and Wenger has to develop low-cost youngsters, while staying in the Champions League and vying for the title in order to help build the Emirates and keep the debt low.  Now he has money.  There is NO WAY he would jeopardize the whole season, qualification for Europe, and staying in the Top Four unless someone was pulling against his strings in the background.  I'm not saying Le Boss is not playing a small part in the delay, (he does seem very picky), but the guy knows what winning feels like and hates to lose.  I think the Board is not letting Wenger deal the way he wants.  Mata going to Chelsea seems to be the latest hint of unrest behind the scenes.


Of course, I'm not sure of all the details.  I'm as far from being a fly on the wall as I am from - well - ever seeing a game live in at the Emirates.  But something doesn't feel right.  And, on top of everything else,  Wenger is looking horrible as well.  He's dropped weight and is looking almost ill.  If he was truly acting only on his idealism or stubborness, I don't think it would be ravaging him physically as much as it is.  Think about it.  If you truly believe in what you are doing, criticism and defeat are taken with a grain of salt.  Arsene is starting to look like the Crypt Keeper for goodness sakes.

I'm not sure how the end of the transfer window is going to look for the Gunners.   If things continue going south, I fear that our manager will be left holding the bag while the owner and  Board put a spin on the situation.  I trust Arsene.  I don't always agree with him, but I trust him.  I'm not sure I trust the Board.  I'm not sure we'll ever know the true goings-on behind the Red and White curtain until Wenger writes an autobiography or a whistle blower comes foward.  Until then, Wenger will probably just continue to take the heat, stay in the kitchen, and try to make diamond souffle out of whomever he ends up with.

Yep, there's something rotten alright, and it's not in Denmark - it's in London.  Until next time.

Post Script:  Arsenal.Com just posted team news that explains Squillaci's absence.  He has a calf strain.






Thursday, August 18, 2011

Could Lansbury See Daylight Saturday?


So, I know we are all biting our fingernails, ruining our manicures, pulling out clumps of hair in an attempt to manage the barrage of anxiety we're feeling about Saturday's match against Liverpool.  Admit it.  Some of you think we don't have a Popsicle's chance in Hades of coming out with a win against the Scousers, never mind another clean sheet.  And looking at everything on paper, that is probably a pretty accurate prediction.  According to the injury update on the official site, we are sporting a threadbare squad.  To summarize, I'll list who out of our first team "regulars" is available:
Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, My Vermie, Arshavin, Theo, Rambo, RVP, Chamakh, Nasri (*cough,splutter*) and...that's about it.  Which means we're in need of a make-shift left back, and one or two midfielders.  Djourou is a "maybe" dependent on a late fitness test tomorrow so he could figure in as well.

Threadbare, right?  So I'm figuring we could see a squad made up of half veterans and half new up and comers which could look something like this:
Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, DJ/Vermie, Vermie/Jenks, Rambo, Ping-Pong, Theo Arshavin, RVP and...Lansbury? 

Why not Henri?  Our other choice could be Nasri, but with his alledged impending Manchester City transfer, I doubt he will be risked.  So our midfield could consist of Henri and The Pong (I can't make up my mind about his nickname.  There are so many possibilities) who have played together for several years at the Academy and Aaron who has taken on the mantle of creative midfielder since the departure of He Who Must Not Be Named.  The average age is - well without having to do real math - it's younger than the roof on my house probably.  But Henri has, as described by Jamie at YoungGunsBlog.com and Norwich staff, grit, determination, and "an engine that won't quit".  I think that's what we need right now.  We don't have the finesse honed by experience in the Premier League, we don't have a vault full of silverware won by recent squads, but we could have some fight in us on Saturday.  We could have enough to prove to give a shock to Liverpool and even we fans.  Henry definitely has something to prove to Wenger.

On the offensive end, Liverpool's defense is penetrable, and with Theo's (or Ox's or Ryo's) speed, Arshavin's magic,Bendy's headers ( hey - he's not gone yet) and RVP 's chocolate and non-chocolate legs, we could outscore them.  Their talisman is out injured.  Suarez seems to be there center of energy and Carroll their aerial threat.  I'm not sure we can get a clean sheet out of it, but I think we can battle through to a win.  I want a win.

Why not? We got one against the energetic Italians (who I thought were very un-Italian -like in their attack), so hopefully, our defense has built some confidence, and Theo will continue some scoring form - especially after announcing he 's aiming for 18 goals this season.  *Gasp*  Someone wants that central striker position really badly.  Go for it Theo!  If you reach your goal, you could write a book about it.  Erm...I mean a second book....filled with interesting things to read about.  Moving on.

I wanted to encourage everyone to visit 'holic's website to view this Arsenal Anthem.  It was the inspirtaion to this somewhat optimistic post.  I think all of us as fans could use some uplifting momentum right now.  Actually, I think the players taking their places on the pitch for Saturday's match could use a view of it too.  Sadly, I don't have that much influence.  Give it a look and tell me that it doesn't get you fired up. I dare you.   I'll have to call you a Gone Gooner then, though.

Whoever is on the pitch for the weekend match, let's all get behind them.  It's the first match at the Emirates, and I hope the boys out there get full support from the fans lucky enough to be able to attend.  If Lansbury does make it to the pitch, give him a good song, won't you?  Take care.