Ed. Note - Ok, gang, here’s the first of (at least) three in-depth reports over the next couple of days. Thanks to the members who stepped up to share their voices…
So, as I wait for my new kit and year end video to arrive… and another exciting year of EPL football to begin, I am left contemplating my expectations for the Arsenal Football Club for this season that starts with the Charity Shield on Sunday.
With our best player in Patrick Vieira (arguably)apparently STAYING … though he is injured… and Henry still sidelined with an injury… and Sol Campbell out for 4-6 weeks… I am left wondering what the beginning of the campaign holds for the Arsenal.
We have not lost in the pre-season, but we have hardly impressed. OK… its not very important, is it?
The Charity Shield is not very important either, but it might give us some indication of where we stand at the moment and who will be playing in the early going.
Who will start in the back for Sol Campbell. Cygan?
Would you rather we had Keown still?
Who might partner TH14 up front? Is it a foregone conclusion that its Reyes? If Henry doesn’t start the season, where will the goals come from?
I know I’d like to have the unbeaten streak last forever… and although the schedule is set up to continue the run with any kind of decent play on our part (@ Everton, H v.Boro, H v.Blckbrn,
@ Norwich, @ Fulham)…. perhaps we should run out the kids from the start… and see what they are made of???
Senderos at the back? VanPersie? Aliadiare? Pennant? Jeffers? Why not give them all a go EARLY and OFTEN.
Perhaps the likes of Dennis Bergkamp, who has played a lot in the pre-season… will need to be the glue that holds the squad together for a while.
With Freddie, Pires, Bergkamp, Gilberto, Edu and all the above young talent just mentioned and then some… maybe its in our long-term best interest to rest Thierry, Patrick, & Sol until they are absolutely ready to go 100%.
I expect us to be in the thick of the title chase all the way thru… and the CL campaign starts on September 14/15. Hopefully Sol will be back by then and ready to go full throttle. It should be a very interesting season to say the least, and we have A LOT to live up to in trying to match last seasons accomplishments. I for one… like our chances a lot. Especially with #4 still in the middle of the park, running the show. (fingers and toes crossed he’s still there on Aug.15th!)
20 Responses to “Expectations 04′-05′”
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August 3rd, 2004 at 7:43 am
I think that this season we will be seeing a lot of Van Persie coming off the bench. Personally I think he will be a key figure in our early season run. He looks pretty tasty and if he can stay focused (which according to a few dutch reporters seems to be his weakness) I think he may be the find of the season. Its still early doors but that would be one of my expectations. However, we know that Wenger likes to ease his new players into the team, we saw this with Reyes and even Edu. I think the starting front two will be Reyes and Bergkamp, I wouldn’t be suprised if Van Persie was pushed forward if he starts on the bench too. Just an idea!
August 3rd, 2004 at 10:16 am
I have to say that I think The Arsenal’s youth HAVE impressed in the preseason, especially with Reyes garnering the player of the tourney in Amsterdam. Its almost impossible to see him as youth anymore, and easy to forget that he didn’t touch the pitch in Red and White until halfway through last season. He’s got confidence and class and, with just a pinch of “Arsene knows”, I think we’re going to see increased confidence in our depth all around. That will no doubt provide great support, and competitive pressure, to our starters…
…if Vieira hasn’t already sucked out all the spirit. His fence sitting may have hurt us. I know the media has blown much of this out of proportion, and as expected, much of what was said was not said. In fact, the biggest concern is what was NOT said. I for one am already looking to Flamini. In fact, I’m looking at a very different Arsenal right from the get go and I don’t think we have a choice but to see what our youth can do. Low scoring events, that may see us grab a point from each?the start of the season, I think, will be difficult, challenging, and vital.
I had the pleasure of witmessing the “Thrilla’ in South Philla” last night, and I was impressed with Chelsea. Their midfield, especially. Makalele was superb, as was Frank Lampard and their new signing, Drogba was scary up front. Very fast, very sturdy, and STRONG. And this was no kickabout. Both teams played very, very hard. Cards were issued like flapjacks as it got down to the wire, and both sides ran it out with everything they had. I think Chelsea laid back in the second half, allowing Milan to get much closer to the box then they allowed them in the first. That caused some sloppy defending (Carvalho looked completely lost), which lead to a couple of spectacular set pieces. Which makes me wonder if Cudicini is Swiss, because he is full of holes.
But the point is, Chelsea, if we can use them as a barometer of the kind of competition we’ll be facing this season, looked together and gelling. Are they beatable? Totally. The talent, as to be expected, is evident in every position (including off the bench?Joe Cole is notable here), but against the quick Italian side they had little flow of play, relying heavily on midfield dominance, and a strong attack in the air. Nothing new, really. Milan are Champions of Serie A, and therefore no slouches, and when they got through, Chelsea looked shakey. If we’re able to attack like we did last year, we’re going to have them on their heels. But we’ll need someone to mark Drogba (their answer apparently to Henry and Saha) in the air. For that, I think Wenger needs to ask a lot of Van Persie right from the start.
So, we still haven’t played all out as a team, and if we are to believe the media, we haven’t even been THINKING like a team. That is worrisome. But our youth has gained a lot of valuable experience and done well. That is encouraging. With many of their top players out for the Shield, I think we really need to mix up the lineup lagainst ManU like we did against Ajax. At the end of last year, I , and I’m sure many of us, were hoping that The Arsenal could come out healthy and united towards extending the unbeaten streak. I think it is still possible, but more than ever, we’re going to have to rely a lot on a our old and new. DB and the kids, both in back and front, need to step it up.
And as a tribute to Le Prof, who knows more than anyone about how to respond to the repercussions of the Euro aftermath and the ensuing PV4 fiasco, I think they will.
August 3rd, 2004 at 10:25 am
Stag, personally i think we had a very good perseason though. Until the Ajax Tournament, we played mostly youngsters during the preseason friendly. i watched two of the friendly. Reyes and Bergkamp look particular sharp. van Persie, Pennant have also impressed.
Playing with majority youngsters and new signings and trailists, we remained UNBEATEN in the preseason, that’s probably among the best of the Premiership sides’ preseason record.
of the new season, perhaps we won’t be kicking off with a flying start. Injury factor asides, consider the likes of Cole, Henry, Pires, Ljungberg.. players who come back from Euro 2004, hardly had enough preseason friendly to improve their match fitness, so dont be suprised they may look a bit rusty on the first few games. Dennis and Reyes though, may lead our early assualt.
Good news on the Shield though, is Man U have to play the CL two days later, they may force to play a second team for the Shield (let’s face it, only GH and Liverpool still treat the Shield as a MAJOR competiton these days.. or at least under Houllier days.. he had included the Charity Shield as one of the MAJOR torphies he had won during this time with the Reds… Man U and us hardly taken it too seriously these days). But no matter what, i would love to see us beating Man U once again, even if it’s a meaningless match.
August 3rd, 2004 at 12:06 pm
My guess is that the players who have been in the frindlies will be starters at the beginning of the season. Those at Euro and recovering from injuries will get blended in during the first month or two. Wenger seems to like a fast start to the season, so I don’t expect starters that are not ready to go.
So I think we will see Bergkmp, Van Persie, Reyes and Clichy getting starts, possibly Pennant, Aliadiare as well.
Sol, PV, Bob, Freddie and Edu might not start so often, through injury or match fitness.
Henry is the exception to most rules, I wouldn’t be suprised to see him start if ne only had one leg.
Of the first five games, Boro looks the most challenging; I think the team sheet for that game will reveal the most about how AW rates the players.
August 3rd, 2004 at 1:51 pm
btw, Scott, Love_G, Stag, are u guys in the ArsenalAmerica Fantasy Soccer League?! i joined yesterday. i am more into the Fantasy Basketball League (ESPN) myself, u know, with live draft, trade, stuffs like that. But this soccer league i guess will give us a chance to play against the regulars here, i saw even Rich is there! Should be fun! hope to see u guys there!
August 3rd, 2004 at 3:31 pm
Andez…. the AA FantasyLeague Soccer is free… and thats always a good thing.
But… I am a HUGE fan of FantasyLeague.com
I have played this league for 3 or 4 years… and I absolutely LOVE it. I believe its 10 Brit.Pounds… or 5 maybe? Whatever it is, its well worth it in my opinion. I usually have mates that set up a FRIENDS & ENEMIES LEAGUE…
Check it out… its the best Fantasy League game I’ve played. I didn’t quite grasp or keep up with the ArsenalAmerica Leauge… although I had a team in there… ROLL ON SEASON!
August 3rd, 2004 at 4:20 pm
stag, i played a fantasy soccer league before, but couldn’t keep up the interest for a whole season. Perhaps it’s a bit dull comparing to the FBA (i’m a b-ball fan as well), i mean, i like the idea of trading players rather than every team can own a same player…
btw, what’s your team name at AA League? i’ll go check out the FantasyLeague.com later.
August 3rd, 2004 at 4:24 pm
Well, in FantasyLeague.com
you can have a “Professional League”, in which there is ONLY ONE THEIRRY HENRY!
You can trade and draft your players etc… but I believe you need a minimum number of players.
I “was” Massive Attack in the Arsenal America League last year…. but like you… I lost interest.
I didn’t understand the rules and enjoyed the other league much more… but I will jump in the AA league this year and try and compete.
August 3rd, 2004 at 5:20 pm
Well, Spanish radio have announced it, and I don’t think there’s any reason to disbelieve them. Less credible is the rumour that we’re lining up Maniche. Doesn’t sound like a Wenger-like signing to me. Right now I don’t think I care; I’ve been through too many emotions over this nightmare already. But tomorrow? How much difference will it make to the beginning of our season? Will it spur us perhaps?
August 3rd, 2004 at 6:11 pm
I need a drink..
August 3rd, 2004 at 8:01 pm
I think our biggest weakness overall is our center backs - not our starters, Sol Campbell and Kolo Toure - but our backups. The best center backs have a physical presence, which makes most of our backup wing backs poor choices. That makes your question very important Stag. I would lean towards Senderos if I’d seen Arsene play him more often, but his lack of playing time might have as much to do with his readiness as it does with the excellence of the players who start. Arsene takes quality play very seriously, and if you ever get time on his pitch, you’ve earned it.
That leaves midfield, and what looks increasingly like the loss of Viera. A terrible blow to be sure, but survivable. I think we have an overabundance of good people who play - or could play - in the midfield role. They aren’t Viera obviously, but a couple are very serious contenders - notably Edu. We could even tinker with the formation and play Bergkamp as midfielder\forward, as he already drops back deep to be a playmaker on the offensive side. That leaves the defensive side a bit weak, but I’m just throwing out ideas. If Viera is traded for 23.1 million pounds - as is being reported - then I don’t think we need to run screaming to the transfer market to replace him, as some suggest. As I said, I think we have some very good personnel for the midfield role. I say we go out and buy a high quality center back for around 10 million pounds maximum, as a backup for Sol and Toure. That would leave me a very happy camper.
August 3rd, 2004 at 8:32 pm
I doubt if it will spurs us..I think it will be massive and this season perhaps we will end up trophyless. Its sad and infuriating that of all the seasons that we lose Vieira after we have done the impossible. For me it seems that it not a very logical move for Patrick considering that Real did nothing last year. Oh well if he does move then he now becomes the part of the team I loathe more than anything, so good riddence! (that’s if he goes…)
August 3rd, 2004 at 8:38 pm
I agree that its not beyond us to survive the loss I wonder what it will do to our famed mental strength though. I disagree on whether or not to go out and buy a replacement, I think we need to go find someone in his prime or risk once again failing to keep up the team’s progression. I for one think that in oreder to keep this team togetherwe can’t afford to wait for talent to mature, we need someone now.
August 3rd, 2004 at 9:00 pm
I realize that this seems naively optimistic, but I think our lack of depth in some positions — and even the hypothesized loss of Vieira, which I still believe is media hype — could end up being a great strength for us this season.
The fact is, we have a lot of extremely talented young players in our squad. There’s nothing like necessity to inspire a formerly good player to become Great. See, e.g., Kolo Toure. Perhaps our greatest spell last season occurred after some of our key players were injured or suspended following the catfight at old trafford. Perhaps what we need for our development is an opportunity for one of our kids to step up and prove his worth. I prefer to avoid the trial by fire, but if it comes to it, I think our squad is as well equipped as any to rise to the occasion.
August 3rd, 2004 at 9:29 pm
If its true… and I need to see it from somewhere other than a Spanish paper or radio station!… then I hold NO ILLUSIONS about how big a loss Vieira would be.
In my opinion… strength in the center of the field is what controls the match. Vieira is exactly what Real Madrid lack. They lost their central/defensive minded midfielder in Claude Makelele to Chelski and never recovered.
I don’t have the Arsenal Red glasses on… and believe that he needn’t be replaced quickly or that we’ll be just fine. We won’t be just fine. It will be a massive blow to our chances of winning trophies in the near future if he departs. Maniche? Edu? please folks… these are not replacements to fill PV4’s boots. Not even close. Perhaps a Stephen Gerrard might eventually get near his level of controlling the match from midfield. Other than that? I don’t see alot of players that can do what Vieira does. Attack him all you like. Say good riddance… we won’t miss him… don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out!!!!!
But be honest … if he goes, we lose one of the best players in the world. He is not replaceable in the short term… we suffer greatly without Patrick Vieira in an Arsenal kit.
PRAYING its NOT SO… HOLDING OUT HOPE…
as I still don’t understand how HE would be better off by leaving.
August 3rd, 2004 at 10:05 pm
For the most part I would agree Ice. It’s a massive blow so we would definately have to buy something and I believe AW is one step ahead. I love this club meaning the collection of players we have right now. Even without Paddy I think this club can win Europe, and with an addition of 2 AW specials for 10-20 mill collectively we’d be right there as per with more depth. If a guy doesn’t want to play for the Arsenal, (as Captain he should say something out of respect for the supporters) then it is in our best interest to sell him. If a team wants to give us 20 mill+ (I wanted 25) for him I think we’re way ahead and good luck to him, thanks. Add 2 good quality players to this line up (2 backs or 1 mid 1 back) and watch the speed flow. Edu, here is your BIG chance to shine. Gilberto, comfort should be settling in by now, wonderful defence player, good speed, good technical skill battles the confidence though. Clichy, this kid can play and AW must find a way for him and Cole to be on the pitch at the same time. Van Persie, jury is still out but if he swings the right way (progress) he does have great skills to just add scary to our attack. Pires, when on as good as it gets. Cole, the bloke rocks. Campbell, need I say more, Toure, my personal fave and the best kept secret in football. Lauren, a solid player who can hold his own. Reyes, awesome potential excellent right now, needs to score 10 goals at least this season and some key ones in Europe if we are going to the end. Keepers, Bench squad and roatating starters will also be vital. If everyone works together this club WILL conquer Europe!!! Of course Henry IS King so hand him the Captains band and lets get on with it.
We must maintain our high speed, ball control game but contrary to conventional wisdom I feel we need to attack more in Europe. I think we can run any team into the ground over there but we always play so timid. AW needs to fix that because even without Paddy (and I love the guy, he was and is great) we have the goods to be there in the end. Like every team everything has to be going in the right direction regardless of who’s on your squad. There are a lot of players out there who would love to play for AW in a city like London so this is a bitter sweet moment in a lot of respects. We have an exciting opportunity to expand on last season’s heroics with a more attacking style, we have the skills and I like our chances. Sorry to ramble on but this is an emotional day.
August 3rd, 2004 at 10:19 pm
Well, with all due respect to TA6, an Arsenal legend by any standard, I am quite satisfied with the Sol-Toure combo anchoring our defense. It’s no discredit to Vieira. But if he leaves, he leaves, and we will simply have to make do. Given the depth of talent on our squad I think we can “make do” a hell of a lot better than most squads. certainly better than almost all squads in the EPL. I don’t believe this is a vision inspired by “Arsenal red” glasses; I think it’s a vision inspired by the talented young players Wenger has signed.
That said, I still believe Vieira is our captain until I see anything to convince me otherwise. And as yet, I have not.
August 3rd, 2004 at 11:52 pm
You will never hear me say a bad word about Viera, or suggest anything other than that he is the best player at his position in the world. That said, I just can’t share your apocalyptic view of Arsenal’s chances at getting trophies in the near term if he leaves. I’d say that in the league it would mean a greater chance that we finish 2nd instead of first (Manchester United are third no matter what). In the FA Cup I’d say no change because of the single elimination\luck factor. Where it could seriously change our fortunes would be the Champions League, where Viera’s big game - and international - experience would be sorely missed.
I’m a little bit surprised actually, that you hold Viera’s teammates in such low esteem that you don’t even give them a chance to rise up to the challenge that Viera’s absence would create. Do you even celebrate the great strides made by Edu and Toure last year? Are they just lucky hacks held together by Viera’s glue? I’m sorry, but I will never let my undying respect for a player overshadow my belief in the team. The panic and pessimism that Viera’s departure has created in many quarters has been greatly overblown. Let the dust settle.
August 4th, 2004 at 5:41 am
IceOtter… very well put.
I am sure we will survive with or without Paddy.
Maybe I do over-estimate what he means to the team? Hopefully, I won’t have to worry about it.
We will be good, and interesting to watch even if he goes. But in sports, you don’t swap two 5’s for a 10. It doesn’t add up that way.
August 4th, 2004 at 10:34 am
I agree, two fives don’t make a ten. Viera will be sorely missed… if he leaves. There is still hope, right?