If you pay attention, the players who fans feel are playing well are always the regular starters. Adebayor got his critics when he first came back from injury. Flamini failed to impress the first few games he played. As I said at that time, players need a run of game to get themselves into match sharpness. Both have been playing better and better as more matches they played as starters.
The best example of all is Gael Clichy. When he was the back up of Ashley Cole, playing an odd game here and there, I wasn’t entirely convinced by him. He got pace and skills, but looked having too much of a rough edge comparing to Cole. With a season’s starting role under him Clichy has gradually proved a lot of doubters wrong, and he has to be among one of the most improved players in this Arsenal side.
It’s always difficult for the “In and Out” squad players to impress, let alone making an impact. Not only physical sharpness wise, they will never be able to match the starters who have been playing regularly week in week out. Psychologically, they are under far bigger pressure than the starters as well.
Take van Persie, he had a very poor game against Spurs. But he’s a starter, he did not have to worry about getting dropped because one off game. Had it been Bendtner who started against Spurs and played poorly, on the back of his mind he would have realized that he might not have a chance to redeem himself the next match, as there would be no guarantee he would get to play at all.
So for the “In and Out” squad players like Walcott, Bendtner, Diaby, Senderos, Denilson, Song the likes, every time they get to play it’s like a trial game for them. Under the circumstance, it’s understandable they are less likely to impress. It is not a coincidence that a lot of criticism on this site are aiming towards these set of “In and Out” squad players.
I do believe, should opportunity arise and those “In and Out” players get a run of first team games, they will be able to show their worth. Afterall, like Wenger once said, not every player is able to get into this Arsenal side, even if he’s an England international. The manager and coaches have far more opportunities to access those players in training, obviously they will know the players far better than us. Bottom line is - if those players are good enough for the coaching staffs, they have to be good enough for us.
30 Responses to “The In and Outs”
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September 26th, 2007 at 7:42 am
amen
September 26th, 2007 at 7:52 am
yeah true.
even older players struggle a bit when they play occassionally so for these young players the pressure really cranks up.
look at diaby. rosicky got injured so he knew he will play constantly for at least a month. the result is 2 very good games since.
September 26th, 2007 at 9:04 am
I’ve always said that the youngsters who made it are those that played regularly, including Senderos. Don’t say that only the 4-5-1 of CL suited him. People forget that he was instrumental in getting 2nd place the season before and he kept Campbell out of the FA Cup final of 2005. We didn’t play 4-5-1 then, except the final.
Another thing I’ve learnt in the past two years is that Wenger will not give up on any player for atleast 2 years, usually more. And more often than not, his faith pays off.
If you look at the current squad, name one player you don’t think will make it in the long run. Even Song is beginning to impress. Walcott may look the most likely, but even he will hopefully make it by next year.
September 26th, 2007 at 10:22 am
Its always that way. But people will still point and say things like Senderos is a donkey or that Diaby is crap , just because they do not like him or he is bad in comparison to other fast or highly skilled defenders. That cant be helped.
September 26th, 2007 at 11:09 am
Arsenal always had it made because when cA$hley Cole sold out to the Russian Oligarchs Wenger always knew that Clichy was there in the wings. It turns out Clichy is equally capable and is turning into a world class player. Cole on the other hand looks frustrated over at Chel$ki.
I put it down to Wenger knowing what he has in his talent pool and being patient with them in development. The “in and out” of it is that if Wenger has faith in your abilities as a player you have to have faith in his.
September 26th, 2007 at 11:48 am
Question - from what I’ve seen Song is slower than Senderos. If Senderos struggles in the Arsenal defence, how can Song be any better?
I know it’s too early, but I would like to see what people think before Song makes an impression.
September 26th, 2007 at 12:03 pm
Yup, very true Andez and every game for Senderos really is a trial.
In some ways it’s a reflection of society as a whole, where short termism is everywhere. It’s not even like players can get proper match practice in the reserves these days, as we and a lot of other teams use it to play our 17-18 year olds. The difference between the reserves, even Carling Cup and the actual first team is likely wider than we think, so it is absolutely spot on to highlight the need for players to get a run of first team games.
September 26th, 2007 at 12:07 pm
Nipuna - from what I’ve seen of Song it’s a bit deceptive, something akin to Gilberto who hobbles around like an old man but has actually a fair bit of pace. Whenever I’d seen Song he looked fairly short, but seeing him next to other players it’s almost a surprise that he’s 6 foot, he is still growing I suppose. He’s got a bit of pace, I really think it’s his head which has been the issue.
September 26th, 2007 at 5:08 pm
For the Dallas, TX Gooners, where will I be able to catch the Tuesday champions league game.
September 26th, 2007 at 6:03 pm
It’s official, a good start to the season.
No one is getting carried away……but we’ve got the good start we needed. 10 games, 9 wins and a draw. Plenty of goals.
Just shoot: Last years frustration of no goals to compliment lovely approach work has been addressed. We now shoot & score.
Variety: We’re scoring a variety of goals, including aerial goals from crosses, close range goals from pressure, and long range bobby-dazzlers.
Toughness: There has been a personality change - peace & love has been replaced with determined professionalism. Part of that reflects the captains demeanor (Gallas v Henry). And some reflects the maturing process of some players like Fab & Ade. And Sagna is a diamond.
Emerging: There is a sense that the team is collectively emerging - the belief is growing and is backed up with experience despite their youth (1st team average age 25, shadow team average age 21).
This sense of a youthful team emerging is like having an extra player on the field. I saw it with George Grahams young title-winning Arsenal.
The test: We’ll lose. We need to respond positively, to bounce back.
Injuries: We’ve had them, but managed. Most haven’t been major….more-so annoying. Gallas & Rosicky are the worries.
The competition:
Chelsea - melt-down. But still with the strongest squad.
ManU - a striker light. Saha is the key man. Tevez/Rooney doesn’t look an easy blend for me.
Liverpool - I’m not convinced. Certainly they have better quality now but I guess this is a manager/side that until they do it (win the EPL) I’ll continue to have doubts.
I still think if injuries don’t nobble us and we can keep pace with the leaders, this season could be a lot of fun.
September 27th, 2007 at 12:14 am
Remember Fergie claimed last season United had the better kids (than Arsenal)?
Well, they too filled their “kids” against Coventry at home. Lost 0-2.
September 27th, 2007 at 12:35 am
@Kiwi: “The test: We’ll lose. We need to respond positively, to bounce back.”
Yes absolutely .. this is the big test. when the invincibles lost to that Rooney wonder goal against Everton on 90″ they were stunned and we lost 4 successive games and our confidence. After that I don’t think we were ever the same though we did win quite a few games in the same style after that.
Arsene would’ve seen that and would know that with a young team that is even more likely to happen. So I think he’ll be busy keeping their feet on the ground.
Offtopic: Danny Fizzmann and the board are talking about an extension of the lockdown agreement. If this happens I’ll be a very very happy Gunner
September 27th, 2007 at 12:39 am
@Andez: I dont know which “kids” Fergie is talking about. First they bigged up Giuseppe Rossi and he left. Now he’s scoring in Villareal. The next big thing is supposed to be Gerard Pique at RB I think and only now because of all those injuries ManU had.. Chris Eagles got a run out or two. There was another kid called Bardsley or sumthing… not sure.
That itself tells you a very simple fact..
When you’re young
— 1) You need to be ultra good to play, if you are then you will play
2) You need to believe in yourself
3) You need the manager to believe in you
AW does all 3 and his kids trust AW as well. Thats why Arsenal kids are successful. If the third team played in the CC instead of the 2nd team I wouldnt be surprised to see them beat a few teams as well!!!!
September 27th, 2007 at 1:03 am
Agree Kiwi, LDE,
I honestly don’t afraid of any team right now. I know our team is more than capable of beating even the biggest name in the world.
But a championship winning team, the so called “real test” is really the NEXT match after a defeat. We will inevitably lose a game somewhere down the road, but that’s not what it matters. What matters is our RESPONSE afterward like Kiwi pointed out.
a latest example was last season after our Carling Cup final defeat, we went on to have a worst run under AW. We cannot afford the same thing happens again should we want to challenge for any trophy.
but i do have confidence this current side will be able to cope it well.
September 27th, 2007 at 1:04 am
Andez & LDE - I love it.
That loss for ManU will really upset Fergie.
Not because they’re out of the LC…..but because people will use this result to compare Fergie’s kids to our kids.
He hates Arsenal cause he knows only us and Liverpool are genuine challengers to ManU’s mantle of the Best in England. And Liverpool have been off the pace in the EPL for so long.
Slowly but surely we are accumulating the things that people use to define greatness. A blend of:
1. support-base - we’ve got it and it’s growing
2. on-field success - we’ve been v.successful for the last 2 decades
3. playing depth - whilst it’s young, it’s starting to look strong
4. infrastructure - world class
5. financial capacity - world class
6. history - if we could win the CL a couple of times it would be complete
Fergie sees this, and it must rile him that we just won’t go away. Other clubs flatter only to fall away. Not us.
September 27th, 2007 at 1:14 am
When ManU kids lose at home to Conventry and our kids beat a near full strength Newcastle, it gives you a lot of confidence that even if we face a few injuries/suspensions, we should be able to cope.
September 27th, 2007 at 1:24 am
It does Nipuna.
I’m really pleased for our kids.
But I’m also really pleased that we have a core of guys like Lehmann, Gallas, Toure, Sagna, Gilberto, Rosicky & Hleb.
When the weather turns, injuries bite, the games come twice a week, and we lose a couple of matches we’ll rely on those guys.
September 27th, 2007 at 1:29 am
“Fergie sees this, and it must rile him that we just won’t go away. Other clubs flatter only to fall away. Not us”
Good point. Though i won’t rule out Chelsea completely, they do seem to head towards the wrong direction. Roman has to make up his mind whether he wants trophy or attractive football. ‘Cos attractive football is much more difficult to win trophies. That is FACT. And that’s why to me Wenger is the best in the business.
Over the years, Fergie has saw the rising of Blackburn, Newcastle and Chelsea challenging him for the EPL domination. Yet none lasts as long as Arsenal under Wenger.
The emergence of Chelsea in recent years have seen the Man U/Arsenal rivalry faded away a bit. With AW’s kids looking more and more impressive, Fergie would be a fool not to realize this team is the real deal, if not this season, definitely going to be big for years to come.
so i won’t be surprised the traditional Fergie, Wenger War of Words will soon be resumed.
at the moment, the most important task facing AW is to keep his boys’ feet firmly on the ground. looking at the football calender, it’s such a long way to go.
That’s why I value a Premiership title far more than Champions League. u can win the CL with some luck. but no one can win the EPL with luck. And it’s such a tough trophy to win.
September 27th, 2007 at 1:46 am
True enough Andez, the EPL is the proper measure of domestic dominance.
The thing is, European glory comes from regular domestic titles AND an occassional CL. Until we get the CL we won’t be seen as being part of the glory club.
Good point about Fergie/Wenger war of words. Fergie has largely ignored Arsenal for the last 2 seasons apart from some snide remarks like: “they’ve been in transition for a while” and “let’s see if they can fill the new stadium”.
Once we are seen as challenging again he will crank up the verbals.
September 27th, 2007 at 4:26 am
ANR has an article on why we are not seeing much of Gilberto. If what he says is true, it confirms my view that after Diarra was signed, Gilberto would not be around for long.
September 27th, 2007 at 4:55 am
To be fair to Myles Palmer, he’s about one step away from a tabloid journalist. He loves his ‘a friend of a friend told me, but I won’t repeat it here’ and ‘you heard it here first’ - as they say even a broken watch is right twice a day. I think a lot of what Palmer writes is clearly to get a reaction, but don’t bother emailing him because he never replies.
I think Gilberto will be around for a good while, he’d have started this season if not for the Copa America and Flamini’s surprising form has given Arsene the chance to rest him, for later in the seaon. It would seem a very snap decision to sell him after Flamini has, somewhat unexpectedly, played 4 or 5 good games. There are still plenty of games left for Gilberto to play in and my impression, I mean a friend who’d dad owns the hotel all the new Arsenal players stay at in St Albans told me that Gilberto is completely respected by the squad, and the manager, it’s the same with Brazil, of course he was upset at not being captain, he should be upset. Bottom line is that the only time we would cnsider selling Gilberto will be at the end of a long hard season, another 50 games or so, then we’ll have a better idea of how good this team is.
September 27th, 2007 at 5:12 am
Pirate, you make valid points. My arguments are
1. Diarra, not Flamini, will decide if Gilberto remains around. If Wenger was sure of Gilberto, why buy Diarra?
2. It’s not giving Gallas the captaincy that would have hurt Gilberto as much as giving it to Toure ahead of Gilberto. That made me think Wenger doesn’t trust Gilberto to be around for long.
September 27th, 2007 at 5:17 am
Pirate agree 100%
There’s a lot to admire about Bert and I think he’s the kind of experienced unassuming team man that this young emerging Arsenal need.
In saying that I’ve never felt he was a good foil for Fabregas. We need a bit more mongrel in midfield and Bert is never going to provide that sooooo……eventually yes Diarra may be a more complimentary partner for Fab.
But I don’t expect to see Bert going anytime soon.
September 27th, 2007 at 5:29 am
nipuna, on ur 2nd point, from what i read, it’s Gilberto’s decision. He said he didn’t want to be the 2nd or 3rd choice captain, so when AW offered him as vice captain, he pass it to Toure instead.
I think the reason AW bought Diarra simply is because he was available. @2 mil, man, it’s an opportunity AW couldn’t resist. afterall, heard that AW been tracking him for years.
and one thing for sure is - at the beginning of the season, AW didn’t know Diarra would be available. He didn’t know Flamini would play well at CM neither (as according to report the reason Flamini was staying because he finally agreed to play at full back position).
So Gilberto was very much in AW’s plan.
of course, circumstance changed, now things may be different. ‘Cos it looks like Diarra will be the long term plan.
but i think Pirate is spot on on one key element though - it’s how well Flamini can continue be playing there (CM). If he starts to fade, and Diarra is not ready yet, then AW will probably realize it’s too early to give up Gilberto just yet.
September 27th, 2007 at 5:39 am
PS: I am not asking for Gilberto to be let go. I would love to keep all., but with so many CMs, how can you keep all happy?
September 27th, 2007 at 5:40 am
My biggest question when we left Highbury was “how are we going to play at the Emirates”?
With a v.big pitch, no Vieira, no Bergkamp, no Pires…..how was Wenger going to structure the team?
A year later with Henry gone I think we’re seeing it.
At Highbury it was rat-a-tat-tat fotball, that went from defence to GOAL!!! in 3 passes. But that suited the small narrow pitch and no genuine midfield playmaker. Vieira didn’t want to put his foot on the ball, he released it immediately.
At the Emirates, we play more of a possession game with Fab dictating play. Our strikers are in or near the box more and crosses (unbelievable) are part of our game and we have big strikers Ade/Bendtner (and even little ones - Dudu) who can head goals.
And I’m liking it. We needed to change, and the fact Wenger appears to have done so is another tribute to his managerial ability.
September 27th, 2007 at 5:50 am
Fair point Nipuna about the vice captaincy - it seems that Gilberto is smart enough that he realises there is little point in him, at 31 and captain of Brazil, taking the additional responsibility/experience away from a player like Toure at 26 ,who will hopefully be the next captain of Arsenal. A fit of pique doesn’t strike me a being Gilberto’s style - he’s no John Terry.
As for Diarra, well I’ve said it before but Wenger watches France youth more than any other. Diarra/Diaby have played together successfully since U16 thru U21 - I’m sure Arsene could see the future Vieira/Makalele there. We tried to get Diarra, he signed for Chelsea, he becomes available for less than chelsea paid for him and now more experienced so it makes sense to buy him. It also means that Gilberto, the best header of a ball at Arsenal, can provide, at very least, emergency cover for CB.
September 27th, 2007 at 6:10 am
and that is spot on Kiwi. In your earlier post you mentioend the variety of our play now and that’s the sort of thing that can make us better (much more difficult to defend against) this season.
September 27th, 2007 at 1:12 pm
It is very obvious that Gilberto is on his way out. He is approaching 31 and his contract is 18 months from expiring. Wenger will take the money in the summer I’m sure. I think Diarra has sealed his fate to be honest.
September 27th, 2007 at 4:20 pm
I agree with Andez - Diarra at 2mil was a steal. Much like Mascherano at Liverpool, if you can get such a bargain, you have to go for it. Hope Gilberto stays around tho for at least the rest of this season as he offers defensive cover as well.
What about Gilberto v Senderos at CH? If this is the choice, who should start? And who do we think Wenger will pick?
I would go for Sendy on both counts, but only just…. My faith in Senderos is diminishing…