Two Previews — LDE’s take is after the following
Ah the irony. Arsenal get a long break in between league games when they don’t need it.Ofcourse, the break also means the team should be ready for their 36th league game, provided most of them are not already thinking of vacation. Since after Chelsea’s win on Saturday and Liverpool’s dropped points, this Monday night game is important because a win would mean:
Now, if Arsenal along with Man Utd and Chelsea win all their remaining league games, then Arsenal will only finish 4 points off the top. A 4 point deficit would be an achievement given all the on-field and off field issues that Arsenal have had in 2008. It is unlikely that any other top European team has had to endure so much drama and emotional trauma as Arsenal have had in the last few months, even more so than the soap-opera that takes place in Real Madrid and Barcelona on a daily basis. Also, there is a remote possibility that if Arsenal win all their 3 games and the top two mysteriously collapse and lose their last two games or earn just one point out of a possible 6, the Gunners could still take the title. But that would require some divine intervention and unfortunately that is something that has been in short supply for Arsenal in 2008.
A point here, a point there:
Arsenal’s problems might seem like a dream for Derby who have endured the worst season for a team in the Premier League. With three games to go, Derby are just 4 points from breaking Sunderland’s record of lowest point total of 15 in the league. This is a record that no team would want to be ever remembered for. But Derby have had to endure this threat of lowest point total from just before the New Year. Given their current dire situation, if Derby look back then the first half of the season appears to be better when they atleast collected 7 points from their opening 19 games. Since the start of 2008, they have only gained 4 more points.
As it stands, Derby’s single victory in the league came all the way back on Monday, Sept 17 when Kenny Miller’s lone strike earned them a 1-0 win over Newcastle in their 6th league game. The season started so promisingly for Derby when they opened their campaign with a 2-2 home tie against Pompey. But narrow defeats, bad luck in some games and heavy thrashings soon followed, including 4-0, 6-0 and 5-0 away defeats to Spurs, Liverpool and Arsenal respectively all before the end of September. Derby followed the 5-0 defeat at the hands of Arsenal to go back home and salvage a 1-1 tie with Bolton on Sat, Sept 29. Since that 1-1 game, Derby’s remaining points have come via the following ties: 0-0 Fulham (away), 2-2 Newcastle (away), 1-1 Man City (home), 1-1 Birmingham (away), 0-0 Sunderland (home) and 2-2 Fulham (home).
So Derby will have ended the season unbeaten against Fulham and Newcastle. Of the 35 games so far, Derby have found the net just 17 times while letting in 76 goals for a goal difference of -59, easily the worst of any team since the Premier league reduced to 20 teams at the start of the 1995/96 season.
The points at the bottom:
Since the 1995/96 season, only Sunderland have managed a points total of less than 20 and they managed that on two separate occasions. Derby look set to join Sunderland in that category, unless they can win all three of their remaining games. Besides Derby, the other two relegation places are still to be decided. No matter who joins them, it is now clear that the third relegated team won’t earn more than 38 points. A long time ago, it was believed that 40 points was a safe benchmark to ensure survival in the league. And looking at the point totals of the three relegated teams over the past 12 seasons, that number still looks to be a very safe bet, even though West Ham were relegated in 2002/03 with 42 points. Also, in 1997/98 Everton and Bolton ended the season with 40 points but Everton stayed up with a goal difference of -15 compared to Bolton’s -20. Sunderland went down with 40 points in 1996/97 and 41 proved to be the safe number that year.
Season: Team (point total of bottom three teams, goal difference)
2006/07: Sheffield Utd (38, -23), Charlton (34, -26), Watford (28, -30)
2005/06: Birmingham (34, -22), West Brom (30, -27), Sunderland (15, -43)
2004/05: Crystal Palace (33, -21), Norwich (33, -35), Southampton (32, -21)
2003/04: Leicester (33, -17), Leeds (33, -39), Wolves (33, -39)
2002/03: West Ham (42, -17), West Brom (26, -36), Sunderland (19, -44)
2001/02: Ipswich (36, -23), Derby (30, -30), Leicester (28, -34)
2000/01: Man City (34, -24), Coventry (34, -27), Bradford (26, -40)
1999/00: Wimbledon (33, -28), Sheffield Wed (31, -32), Watford (24, -42)
1998/99: Charlton (36, -15), Blackburn (35, -14), Nottingham Forest (30, -34)
1997/98: Bolton (40, -20), Barnsley (35, -45), Crystal Palace (33, -34)
1996/97: Sunderland (40, -18), Middlesbrough (39, -9), Nottingham Forest (34, -28)
1995/96: Man City (38, -25), QPR (33, -19), Bolton (29, -32)
First Gelato and now Honey?:
Even though there are three games left, injuries ended the season early for Eduardo, Rosicky, Diaby and Sagna. Hleb’s season has also ended early thanks to his attempts to swat the bee that was hovering over the Reading captain. But Hleb had no defense and was convinced that no one would believe that he was merely trying to protect Murty from the dangerous bee that was descending on him. It is unclear at this point whether Hleb’s slap might be his last contribution in an Arsenal shirt and whether the bee sighting would convince him to move onto sweeter pastures. If that is the case, then Milan might be appropriate because the cooler climates in the city prevent bees from visiting the city as often as those in Southern Italy or even around the Tuscan region. But what will happen when Inter have to play away games? Rome might be ok as the Gelato there is better than in Milan. But what about Sicily and Naples?
Hopefully, all the other Arsenal players are motivated to finish off the season in style and pick up 3 wins.
Here’s LDE’s preview:
The season rolls on along to a close with nothing much to look forward to except us winning all 3 games and finishing on 83 points and hope to hell that Barca somehow somehow manage to beat ManU. Not much I know…but I thought this year has been very positive overall. With nothing to show..I know…but quite positive…Oh well..Derby next…
Paul Jewell has not had any impact on a Derby side which tbf has been pathetic all season. I liked fat Jewell and his Wigan side. Experienced defense and a decent attack. Still remember their first game where Crespo hit an injury time winner after Wigan nearly nicked points off Chelsea first game of the premiership. Sadly its been all downhill for Derby all season.
Anyway there’s not really much to say except this being a game where we get to see how some of the bench guys perform. Third is more or less certain now after the Chelsea win so AW can play around a bit to see how his fringe players go and get his final thoughts on what he needs to buy next season. There’s hardly any use doing a tactical preview because the result is probably a foregone conclusion ; even though nothing is certain in football. I’ll just stick to the side that AW will probably name.
Fabianski
Hoyte Senderos Song Clichy
Eboue Denilson Gilberto Walcott
RVP Bendtner
Derby 0 - Arsenal 3
65 Responses to “Derby vs Arsenal”
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April 27th, 2008 at 8:39 am
Even with a weakened team, a win is a must. 4 pts away from ManU and Chelsea is a FANTASTIC achievement for the season. One that we can build on for next season, if certain players don’t leave.
April 27th, 2008 at 10:28 am
Hleb is gone I think. He’s not making the right noises. Flamini — there might just be a little chance yet. Big Big losses both of them though. I believe Gallas might go as well so Le Boss has some thinking to do. Yeah 4 PTS away is really good.
Oh and the forum is DEAD as well.
April 27th, 2008 at 10:57 am
I would like to see Fabianski start against Derby. I haven’t seen him this season and would like to see what he can do though he might not get tested a whole lot since it’s Derby. The same with Denilson - I think he could develop into a pretty good player so it will be nice to see him out there.
April 27th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
At the past when Overmars and Pires gone, i thought it was a big loss for us, as i felt it was very difficult to buy someone else who’s better than them. of cos, Pires successfully replaced Overmars.
but it seems we still haven’t found someone to properly replace Pires. Hleb is a good player, an intelligent link up player as well. we certainly play better as a team with him than without him.
yet in terms of “productivity”, he’s nowhere close to Overmars or Pires. with AW’s eyes for talent, i believe there’s every chance we may be able to get someone better than him, if not talent wise, at least productivity wise.
if report is true that Hleb has done a Cashley behind our back, that would ease our pain of losing him even further.
the only major down side is, should he leave and we sign someone else, let’s hope the new guy won’t take another 2 or 3 seasons to finally make an impact at Arsenal like Hleb. that’s way too long.
April 27th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Agreed, signals emanating from Hleib, the illustrious ball control Wizard points to him swatting Bees in other climes next year, probably in Italy. If he goes we will get good value based on his performances this year and he should not be too difficult to replace, if and I repeat, If we get an experienced player who would have a shorter acclimatization period.
The other problem with Hleib leaving becomes more tenuous if Flamini and Gilberto also exits simultaneously. With Rosicky’s imminent surgery and his inability to remain injury free it means having to find replacements in key positions. This could affect the team chemistry and put us in a situation where we at not at our best at the start of next season. With the seasoned rosters of Manu, Chelsea and Liverpool this will place tons of early pressure on us to get off to a good start while creating a cohesive unit.
Unto my team for Derby:
Fabianski
Eboue, Gallas, Senderos, Clichy
Walcott, Song, Denilson, Traore
RVP, Bendtner
Forget Hoyte, he has had numerous chances and is just not good enough.
Give Sendoros a chance to regain some composure and test his reactions the final 3 games.
Let’s see what Traore can do on the wing.
Let’s see if Denilson can step up the pace.
Give Song a chance at DMF to show his stuff.
April 27th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Andez, one point I think you may be missing is the fact that Overmars and Pires also played along side Dennis Bergkamp. So did Wright, Wiltord, Ljunberg, Reyes, and probably any other Arsenal wide player that actually got more than ten goals a season on a regular basis. It’s no coincidence that Arsenal’s top two all-time scorers also played along side the Dutchmaster.
I’ve been going back and forth with Fred and Kiwi about that same thing. There’s simply not a lot of wide midfield players that have that kind of goal return season after season. Having a striker who can pull CB’s out of position and find the right pass is rare. Maybe van Persie can produce the same magic. Time will tell.
April 27th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
I wouldn’t bother with Senderos at centre back routine. It will just be the same old story. He will play well for the three games with zero pressure, Wenger will probably think ‘Senderos rejuvenation program part 5′ is complete and next year he will make a balls up in a big game again. I really like the bloke but we have been here time after time and I fear his mental problems are not fixable.
Song should play there again so we can see how well he does over a sustained period. He looks decent so far but then so did Senderos a few years ago. We have to see if he has any fatal flaws in his make up that may be exposed when the pressure intensifies. Although I would also like to see how he does at defensive midfield as well.
The only player who plays in a similar style to Hleb that I would take over him is Ribery. Watched him today and he scored couple of very good goals and more importantly, he was very good at linking play. Not as good as Hleb but good enough, with the added bonus of being a goal threat.
People talk alot about width from midfielders but width is a dying element from the modern game. The full backs are relied on for width in the current climate. Nearly every single top class right footed winger plays on the left wing and nearly every quality left-footed winger plays on the right wing. And on both flanks these players come INSIDE all the time. Even young Jack Wilshire is being played like Messi for the reserves and being allowed to come in off the right flank.
The only quality left footed player who plays on the left wing is Ben Arfa and maybe Petrov. As for the right hand side, I can’t think of one. They are a dying breed. Joaquin is the only player that seems to regularly try and go on the outside. The rest are all all-rounders who float across the front line.
That’s the problem with Arsenal. Who have we got to play right wing? People slate Hleb all the time but he is one of select few that can be relied upon to a job there. Rosicky and Diaby both struggle there. Maybe a top draw right winger is more important than left one, especially with Vela coming back.
So when people say we lack width all the time, we don’t. Because if we do then every other team does.
The full backs have to take the blame for possible lack of width. In our system anyway.
April 27th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
a very good point Mazza of the winger theory. I too feel the traditional out and out winger is a dying breed. Simply because the traditional “winger” is simply being so OUT for the modern game.
Pennant to me is a classic example of a traditional “winger”. Using his pace to drive down the byline making cross. and hugging the line all the time, as he has little ability nor awareness to cut inside.
these soft of wingers only be useful when they have a tall central forwards, which in turn, are also a dying breed.
in short, the game has changed. just look at how many top sides in Europe still been playing 442? Not even Man U, Chelsea, Liverpool playing 442 these days.
with the modern game, it’s all about FLEXIBILITY. so most of the top sides play with one striker up front, with 1 (in a 4411 formation), or 2 (in a 433), or 3 (in a 4231) supporting strikers behind him.
the way, it gives the team more options attacking.
442 more suited for a DIRECT side, who has a weak midfield, so they bypass the midfield with more direct ball to the 2 strikers upfront. The pair will support each other attacking.
yet with a better passing side, they will want to control the midfield, in order to control the game.
so the so called wingers today must have that ability to cut inside. to be able to function as supporting striker. and let the full back to offer the width.
another thing is, a traditional out and out winger, if he has no ability to cut inside, and hugging the line all the time, that means he would block the full back’s attacking path. afterall, u can’t expect the full back to be the one to cut inside.
April 27th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Josh, one thing is - yes it may be right Henry, Bergkamp the likes had helped made Overmars, Pires look better.
yet it’s also true that the presence of Overmars and Pires also had helped Bergkamp, Henry the likes look better.
that’s what good players do. and that’s what i meant making an IMPACT.
take Overmars, during our run to title in 1998, Bergkamp missed out the final stage of season through injury. a crucial stage of season. someone else had to step up and take the responsibility to carry us through the finishing line. Wrighty also out. Anelka was only 18. So here came Overmars, despite being a winger all through his life, suddenly he was scoring goals for fun (and i think that was his highest scoring season).
all that he did it in his DEBUT season, and did it in the most crucial stage of season under enourmous pressure.
Pires, on the other hand, was our clutch time goalscorer, scorer of winning goals, important goals.
that’s what i meant “productivity”.
April 27th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Mazza, agreed that the winger is becoming a dying breed because of overlapping wing backs and in recent memory only Chelsea when they use Phillips and Joe Cole utilize the double winger formation. However, they use Drogba as the point striker with both Essien and Lampard roaming right behind and this presents a formidable goal scoring machine.
The problem with Arsenal and width is not so much the wing backs as both Clichey and Sagna bombs forward regularly. It is the lack of the midfield moving forward to provide bodies in the box when the crosses come in. Also, apart from Bendtner and Ade none of the other attackers are particularly adept in the air so opponents just need to cover interior passing lanes using zone marking. RVP is good in the air and if he can stay injury free, big IF, that will cause problems to defenses as they will have to go man to man on Bendtner/Ade and RVP and open up the interior passing lanes.
Barazite, I say this tongue in cheek, has the ability, size and aerial skills but is still an unproven commodity and we can not rely on an untried commodity.
Most modern wingers now play either wing regardless of being right or left footed and their ability to float from one side to the other creates marking problems and can result in defensive mismatches.
Having one true, fast winger though can do nothing but help offensively as it spreads the defense and allows passing lanes to open up in the interior and takes pressure off the strikers. Brazil for instance, utilizes Robinho in that role even though they have great overlapping wing backs and their success speaks for itself.
April 27th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Agree with the comments on wingers - there aren’t many in the traditional sense that’s why I tend to refer to them as wide-midfielders or more accurately attacking wide-midfielders.
What this season has cried out for is a attacking wide-midfielder to compliment Adebayor given that the 2nd striker position has been a conveyor-belt of under-performers. Harsh I know, but in the cold light of day the no.2 striker for Arsenal this season has been poor. The only diversions from that assessment have been RvP at the start of the season and Eduardo threatened to step up around Christmas-time but he was put-out shortly thereafter. Other than that it has been a Eduardo in adapting-mode, Bendtner/Walcott in developing-mode, or RvP in recovery-mode.
So how good would an Overmars have been at that stage?
Sadly and ironically the Adebayor/RvP/Rosicky/Hleb attacking line-up may well have proven to be rather tasty - providing goals and variety and improvisation. I say sadly because at this juncture, injury (RvP/Rosicky) and money (Hleb) appear to be undermining the chance of that being proven.
April 27th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Agree with the comments on wingers - there aren’t many in the traditional sense that’s why I tend to refer to them as wide-midfielders or more accurately attacking wide-midfielders.
What this season has cried out for is a attacking wide-midfielder to compliment Adebayor given that the 2nd striker position has been a conveyor-belt of under-performers. Harsh I know, but in the cold light of day the no.2 striker for Arsenal this season has been poor. The only diversions from that assessment have been RvP at the start of the season and Eduardo threatened to step up around Christmas-time but he was put-out shortly thereafter. Other than that it has been a Eduardo in adapting-mode, Bendtner/Walcott in developing-mode, or RvP in recovery-mode.
So how good would an Overmars have been at that stage?
Sadly and ironically the Adebayor/RvP/Rosicky/Hleb attacking line-up may well have proven to be rather tasty - providing goals and variety and improvisation. I say sadly because at this juncture, injury (RvP/Rosicky) and money (Hleb) appear to be undermining the chance of that being proven.
April 27th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
I read somewhere that Arsenal haven’t had every squad player at their disposal for any particular game for four years. I wouldn’t be surprised. I know it hasn’t happened this season.
April 27th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
4 of our boys in the PFA Premier League team of the season - and I reckon they got them right too.
Adebayor, Fabregas, Clichy and Sagna
IMO the only other guy who could have challenged was Hleb, but overall consistency and a lack of goals would count against him.
April 27th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
What frustrates me about the Hleb incident is that even though the guy clearly is technically amazing, Arsenal only saw his true talent in limited bursts. Great one game, invisible the other. He is clearly capable of a lot more. Oh well. If he thinks he can be happy at Inter, good for him. Inter has been a blackhole where plenty of good players have been frustrated (including injuries) in the past like Bergkamp, Kanu, Roberto Carlos, Roberto Baggio, etc.
For the last few years, whenever a big Arsenal player left, I was looking for the next version of that player. So when Tony Adams went, I was hoping to find another Tony Adams. When PV left, I wondered who would be the next PV. I remember when Diaby made a tackle that reminded me of a PV tackle, I figured Diaby would follow PV. When Rosicky was signed, I figured he would be the next Pires. Yet, things don’t always work out like that. Ofcourse, Arsene does not go out and just sign a player for the sake of it. He goes looking for a player to fit in his plan. Is there a player that he bought just because the chance presented itself? Would Walcott qualify or did Wenger always have him in mind?
There are other teams who buy players and then try to fit them in their team or system. I am not sure Ronaldo was a long planned buy for Man Utd. Yet, now he is the player in their team. I can’t imagine how ordinary they would be without him, although I think Man Utd are still a wee bit ordinary
Real Madrid and Barca are examples of buying players first and then trying to work them in the team. Inter are also an example of that, although sometimes in the past AC Milan appeared to buy players just because they could.
I just hope there isn’t a mass exodus of 3-4 players in the summer. It was last year when there was a worry that players could leave Arsenal. No such player exit talks happenned when this season started and it was refreshing. But in the last few months, the exit talks happenned. The Hleb incident was a surprize and like Wenger said might set off a bad trend. I can under why Wenger keeps saying that the team must stay together. The last thing Arsene wants is to take a few step backwards as opposed to taking this team to a title they almost had this year.
April 27th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
Good point sachin. Inter has always ruined all the good “technical” players they have got. From Baggio to Recoba to Bergkamp to even Figo.
Inter are not a team I can respect. Choke masters - even more “choky” than Arsenal. With Juve and Milan back to full strength next season, I would be shocked if they won the serie a again.
Hleb will be better advised to hold out for Milan or a move to Spain. But then again I guess he does fit Inter.
April 27th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
All I see in a “winger” now is goal scoring ability and pace. The first thing I do when any name is mentioned is go to Wiki and find out his goal scoring record. The next thing I do is see if there is any mention of pace. The ability to “hug” the touchline and put in crosses doesn’t mean much anymore, especially in this Arsenal team.
April 27th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
4 players in the PFA team of the season, Cesc is the PFA Young Player of the Year, 4 pts away from the top two in the league, Q/F in the CL and S/F in the Carling Cup.
It has been nothing short of a spectacular season, considering all the doom and gloom after Henry left.
We need to build on this and Flamini and/or Hleb makes it so complicated. Wenger will really have to earn his salary this summer, if he wants to put Arsenal in pole position for next season.
April 27th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
yeah, and it seems everybody’s least favorite striker, adebayor is well appreciated by his fellow players. and they rank him among the top two forwards in the land.
who would have thought?!
April 28th, 2008 at 1:17 am
Nipuna, I agree it has been a successful season, and could even have been rewarded with a title if ‘things’ had gone our way a little more. But we were found out in the end, unless there is a sensational series of results in the last games!!!
What I hope is that Wenger tweaks his risk tolerance and mitigates issues that are evident from the last 2 seasons like injury-prone key players.
I also agree that a fast wide-man with an appetite for finishing would be fantastic. That’s something we lack, although Wenger may see Walcott ultimately filling that role. At this stage however he has the speed but not the nous and composure to punish.
Fred, some of us have consistently recognised Adebayor’s progress and contribution.
April 28th, 2008 at 2:42 am
Going to be an interesting match against Derby tonight….might get to see some new faces who could be part of the first team next year.
Although it looks impossible..we might still have an outside chance at the title…..we need to first beat Derby and then watch how the weekend plays out. Whatever ultimately happens, if we go into the last day of the season with a small chance….it’s going to be a very very interesting end to the season.
Both Man U and Chelsea have tough CL fixtures mid-week and with West-Ham and Newcastle to play on the weekend….if ever they were going to drop points…it could be against these teams. The last time things got so exciting was the season before last….where we were fighting for 4th place with Spurs.
And it is also nice to see all the Man Utd fans who were acting pretty cocky about winning the double..suddenly panicking a bit………as i said it will be a good end to the season
April 28th, 2008 at 3:12 am
Clichy’s in the team of the season and not Cashley. That’s fucking funny.
Andez, Pennant, has played in Liverpool’s last two BPL matches and he’s made two amazing goals and got one for himself. Neither one of these goals was because he hugged the touchline or lacked the ability to cut inside. He’s shown an array of skills and pace.
Players like Pennant, Ronaldo, Walcott, Ashley Young, Keiran Dyer, etc. all like to run at defenders with the ball. It’s the strength of their game. It’s not so much the inability to cut inside but defenders must respect their pace and fast feet to do a number of things.
April 28th, 2008 at 3:17 am
Oh yeah Sachin, I feel your pain with Hleb. The one thing I told everyone when we signed him is that he doesn’t show up at his best for every game. He’s got everything in his locker except an early finish. He’s made great players like of Ashley Cole and Patrice Evra look ordinary. How many can do that? I’d hate to see him leave but we’ll see what happens. If he does play for Arsenal next season, I think Wenger should offer him like a three-year contract extension around the end of this year with a bit of a pay raise. Like I said, we’ll see.
April 28th, 2008 at 3:18 am
Wayne, I’ve been quietly thinking the same thing.
April 28th, 2008 at 3:28 am
@Josh…didn’t think about the Clichy v/s Cole thing until you mentioned it….and now that I think of it…it is quite funny :))) ..wud have been too much if Gallas had been there too :))
And yup..about the title thing….I don’t want to get my hopes up again….for all practical purposes we are out of it….but it will be fun to be there pushing all the way
…atleast it will show people that the season was not as bad as it was made out to be. The only good thing about not winning anything this season is that it has exposed the last remaining weaknesses in the side….which i’m sure Wenger will tackle come the summer.
April 28th, 2008 at 4:21 am
Just thought about this and it sent shivers down my spine.
Hleb leaves, Wenger doesn’t sign a replacement (except maybe a 16 year old) and Eboue is first choice right sided midfielder for next season.
It can happen!!
April 28th, 2008 at 4:42 am
Nipuna, I know where you are coming from. But the key issue is what sort of attacking line-up can we put out. If Hleb left but RvP was fit for the majority of the season we might actually be better off. Neither Hleb nor Eboue offer goals……but a fit RvP would. I’m not suggesting I want Hleb to go, quite the opposite, it’s more about the fit attacking options Wenger has to select from and whether he can achieve the right balance.
April 28th, 2008 at 6:24 am
@Nipuna..Seems like Eboue read your thoughts :))
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/football.html?in_article_id=562516&in_page_id=1779&ct=5
While I am of the opinion that Wenger absolutely does need to sign the 1 experienced attacking wide player it will be good to have Eboue as backup for that position…as also a backup for Sagna when required. If he can cut out his histrionics and improve his shooting ..he can actually emerge as a quality player next season…something like Flamini this season….i won’t bet against it..
April 28th, 2008 at 6:33 am
If Flamini is putting Milan ahead of Juve, he may be waiting to see if they clinch a CL spot. That may explain why he hasn’t signed for anyone as yet.
April 28th, 2008 at 10:35 am
Guys.
If Hleb leaves we get MINIMUM from his sale due to the fact that all he has to do is buy out equivalent to 2 years worth of salary left on his contract. Assuming he’s paid £50,000/week it would only be £5.2m which is still only half of what we paid for him. Hleb would have had to be making £100,000/week in order for Arsenal to break even from his purchased price. I think if Hleb does pull a “Cashley” on us, it will further inhibit Wenger from buying expensive players in fear that they could easily buyout their contract and not give Arsenal the chance to break even from the sale.
Remember Wenger is more like a business manager than a footballing one - he cares about Arsenal’s bottomline and not like others who just splash the cash and try to win at all costs…
I’m quite miffed at Hleb and even if he doesn’t leave this summer he will in the Jan transfer or the season after, just like Cashley. I think Hleb and his agent wants to “cash-in” on his good performance this season and get him that one last long term contract with a big fat pay cheque.
As for Flamster, I don’t know what’s going on with his mind but he’s now a first XI and why would he want to leave and go to ACMilan or another big club where he’ll be on the bench again? I think some of these youngsters are a bit disillusioned with their own ability just because Wenger implemented a youth policy and give these guys a chance to play - it doesn’t mean they’re better than an experienced player and would likely be out of first team at another club!
Back to Derby game. Miracles can happen and with Chelsea playing away to in-form newcastle and United with injuries to roon and vidic and possibly losing to Barca in the CL their “poor form” might continue and drop points against west ham…. So it’s very possible that we’d only be 1pt or 2pts behind after next week (assuming we beat Everton at home) and the title could be between 3 teams on the last day of the season (i think all neutrals would want to see this happening too)….
So Wenger, please don’t field too many youngsters tonight because if we stay within 4pts after this weekend, we’d still have a fighting chance!
April 28th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
josh, if Pennant is good enough, then i wouldn’t have used him as an example. any player could play well in an odd game here and there, but that doesn’t mean he’s good.
afterall, if Pennant is good, Liverpool would have been challenging the title, and he would have been playing for England. period.
April 28th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
Arsenal have the most players in the team of the season with 4, Man Utd have 3, Liverpool 2, Villa with and Pompey with 1 each.:
David James (Portsmouth), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal), Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd), Nemanja Vidic (Man Utd), Gael Clichy (Arsenal), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd), Ashley Young (Aston Villa), Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal), Fernando Torres (Liverpool).
No Chelsea player in there yet Chelsea are tied at the top of the table. While Arsenal still need plenty of help to take the title. I am biased (no, really?) but Arsenal have been the best team in the country for a good portion of 6.5 months or so. Unfortunately, the season is about 9.5 months. Hmm..if the situation was reversed and Man Utd were the best team for 6.5 months only to lose the title to Arsenal in the final 3 months, Ferguson would have surely called for the season to be shortened and blamed the computer fixtures for giving Arsenal the title
Overall, besides Arsenal (biased, again) I think it has an average year in European football. Barca and Madrid were awful. Bayern were expected to do the treble but they have not run away will all 3 titles. In the UEFA Cup, they have not won their last 4 straight games. Although after winning 5-0 away to Anderlecht they can be forgiven for losing the return tie but have followed that with 3 draws. And in Italy, well…not much to say.
April 28th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
errr, should correct this statement…
Overall, besides 6.5 months of Arsenal….
April 28th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Won’t miss Hleb at all if he leaves. Arrividerci, Alex.
April 28th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Hleb has two awful games this season. Everton away and Wigan away. Everton away everyone was awful though. Apart from that he has been very consistant and consistantly our most creative player.
If he leaves, it will be impossible to carry on with our current style of football. It will go back to the 2004 style, which itself will be quite tricky because Fabregas will will have to change is game and don’t be surprised to see him looking medicore at times having to do more defensive physical work due to having less possession which will be as a result of communication breakdowns in midfield with Eboue, Walcott etc. These guys are not on his wavelength. Unlike Hleb.
We will go back to playing attritional football at Anfield and Old Trafford and having less possession. On the plus side we will have more of a goal threat from our wings. In theory anyway.
April 28th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Andez, I didn’t claim Pennant was good enough for anything. In post #8 you said he was a traditional winger who lacked the ability or awareness to cut inside. I simply reminded you of what he’s done in the past couple BPL games for Liverpool.
The traditional winger’s virtually extinct. A good fullback will destroy him. The modern day wide player has to be more dynamic than a traditional winger; willing to cut inside and the ability to pose a serious threat when he does, like Pennant did or like Ronaldo continues to do. Being pacy and direct is still a wide player component but with that, the willingness to cut inside along with the ability and desire to beat defenders dribbling and create are now essentials in the modern game.
I’d say Figo, Pires, and Giggs, among a few others, completely changed the way that position is played. Robinho, Cristiano, Ashley Young, Joe Cole, Quresma, Bentley, Theo, etc. are all evidence of that evolution. The traditional winger is dead.
April 28th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
Mazza, #35, I agree with you. I remember hearing an interview that Rui Costa did where he was describing Figo. He said there would be times when he didn’t know what to do with the ball and he could just give it to Figo and Figo would make something happen. I sort of saw that same relationship between Fabregas and Hleb. Fab could always find Hleb and let him make something happen. Actually, when you look at Arsenal play, the entire team looks for Hleb. It doesn’t matter if he’s got two guys on him, they still pass him the ball.
It will be very interesting to see how the team plays tonight. Some say they won’t mind seeing Hleb leave but if the team, that has depended so long on Hleb every single game, suddenly doesn’t have him then what will they do? Looking forward to the kick-off.
April 28th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Anyone wanna bet we get a cheap goal or a “break” today to even things out?
April 28th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
LOL you’re probably right LDE…
for some reason i think Clichy is going to score today
April 28th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Arsenal
* 21 Fabianski
* 05 Toure
* 10 Gallas
* 17 Song Billong
* 22 Clichy
* 27 Eboue
* 04 Fabregas
* 15 Denilson
* 32 Walcott
* 11 Van Persie
* 26 Bendtner
Substitutes
* 24 Almunia,
* 06 Senderos,
* 19 Silva,
* 20 Djourou,
* 25 Adebayor
It’ll be good to see how this setup works, although Derby’s not much of a challenge (please don’t make me eat my words Derby).
“Watching” it all unfold on BBC Sport’s live text service coz I’m at work and don’t have Setanta anyways :(.
When will Fios get Setanta I’ll pay anything and they know it!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/d/derby_county/live_text/default.stm?refresh
April 28th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Refresh
6:35
Cross by Tyrone Mears (Derby), shot by Emanuel Villa (Derby) right-footed from centre of penalty area (12 yards), missed left. Goal kick taken long by Lukasz Fabianski (Arsenal).
Refresh
7:16
Shot by Mile Sterjovski (Derby) right-footed from right channel (25 yards), blocked by Alexandre Song Billong (Arsenal). Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Eddie Lewis (Derby) to far post, header by Alan Stubbs (Derby) from left side of penalty area (12 yards), save (punched) by Lukasz Fabianski (Arsenal).
Refresh
8:31
Defending throw-in by Gael Clichy (Arsenal).
The tension is killing me…
April 28th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
slow start.
kolo had a gr8 chance where he did a riise on it
April 28th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
annagassan : if it makes you feel better, Derby look the better team right now
April 28th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
denilson looking rather average
April 28th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
actually this looks like the boro performance
April 28th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Funny how before the season began, many on here were talking about how much Hleb and Flamini were basically a couple of stiffs… now they’d be huge losses.
Personally, I’ve thought Flamini would be worth keeping in the end, and Hleb has played well this season in that drop back mode, but if he goes, he can be replaced. .. and he’ll likely fetch more than Wenger paid for him, so it could work out well.
Vela could come in next year and fill that void if Hleb leaves — and IMO he’s the better player of the two anyway.
April 28th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
The way it looks, Derby are going to score soon.
Fabianski is quite poor in goal…not sure why he has to punch almost anything that comes in the air
April 28th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
@fabianksi - a lotta keepers do that (casillas for example) its fine as long ass they punch long. doesnt always happen ofcourse.
@ryecatcher: technically we could get less for hleb than we paid
April 28th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
against the run, there’s the break someone spoke about
April 28th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
24:22 GOAL - Nicklas Bendtner
Derby 0 - Arsenal 1
April 28th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Yeah, the club could end up getting less (technically), but as AFC is in the driver seat with Helb underst contract, that’s up to them… and I think Inter would have to be making a big offer for AW to let him go.
April 28th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
how did vanP miss that!@#!@#!@#
didnt bend i guess
April 28th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
well that lead lasted 6 mins
April 28th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
poor defending
not the best of keeping either, must say
as for hleb, cant he like buy out the rest of his contract or something tha tallows him to leave at a negotiated sum?
and what is with us and leads…its 1am in india and i’m feeling a bit let down by the players here!
April 28th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
29:32 GOAL - James McEveley
Derby 1 - Arsenal 1
after Foul by Alexandre Song Billong
April 28th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
he can buy out his contract…cost would be equal to 2 yrs pay which would be a lot less than what we paid for him
April 28th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
another rather poor effort by vanP
April 28th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
what a *unt savage!!!
April 28th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
nice…………..
(horrific defending by derby) excellent ball by tourre
April 28th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
38:58 GOAL - Robin Van Persie
Derby 1 - Arsenal 2
yeah boyeeeeeeeee
April 28th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
bendtner with ade up front again, this shud be interesting…
April 28th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
RvP subbed - injury……a…g…a…i…n
April 28th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
toure and bendtner with good chances in succession …the wastefulness continues
April 28th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
why???????? walcott shoots and misses frm 30 trds when he cud have come closer …a lt closer. this game is surreal!
April 28th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
we deserve to lose this game, we really do. for our arrogance, for our lackadaisical attitude for playing like they didnt care