Jun 18
The schedule is out and published at the Guardian’s web site.
I don’t want to use the word “easy” but I’d say their schedule is pretty light for August so they should get off to a fast start for the season.
I’m counting down!!!
15 Responses to “2008/2009 Fixtures Published”
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June 18th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
On paper, it is (easy).
To be honest,i m a bit concerned of next season. As i said before, last season i felt we were “overachieved”. 5 pts lead till February was something i never expected. i did not think the team were matured enough to launch a title challenge, but they did. Credit to the lads.
yet now, the major obstacle facing us next season is - EXPECTATION.
last season nobody gave us a prayer back in the summer. and all the talks of Henry’s departure would kill the team had spurred the team on. We had displayed a togetherness and fighting spirit throughout the course of the season. And IMO that was the main reason that got us finishing 4 points behind the leader.
Yet this summer one thing disappointed me most is - instead of feeling “HURT” by last season’s “so close yet so far” campaign, the near miss, many of our key players seem like more concerned of their pay cheque than showing some determination for a revenge for the next term.
i remember vividly after the FA Cup defeat to Liverpool back in 2001, the side told the press they would win it next season, and indeed, they made it like a personal mission to achieve that. in the end their determination paid off with a double.
that FA Cup defeat was the turning point to Arsenal to a certain extend. The team felt injustified by some of the awful decisions from the ref in that final.
Last season we were also robbed a few key victories by some terrible referees decision. That should spur the side on for next season, if they got some professional pride.
Yet all the talks in the summer is I want a bigger wage or I would leave, Arsenal should break their wage cap….
Is anyone really felt HURT by the last season collaspe of last season? That’s why I never really mind of Gallas’s outbrust against Birmingham, at least that’s a player who cares about winning. Anyway it’s better than the “shit happens” attitude. Whoever has this shit happens attitude, believe me, shit will continue to happen.
Next season this young Arsenal side will be facing a bigger pressure, bigger expectation from the very beginning. Plus the fact some of our key players will return late for the preseason due to Euro 2008 commitment. The players will have to get their act together and make sure they are 200% focus. One thing for sure, other teams now know this is not a side going to drop off of the big 4, so they would come at us. It’s gonna be a tough tough season.
June 18th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Agreed 100% Andez,
Although no one expected us to win last year, there seemed to be a togetherness and an “us against them” attitude which united the team and put them in an excellent position to gain the EPL trophy. We had it in our grasp and let it slip due to a combination of injuries, referees’ decisions and lack of quality squad depth which could easily have been reinforced during the January transfer window.
It almost seemed we were given a heavenly opportunity to create one of the biggest upsets ever and blew it in an unforgivably manner.
Although our initial schedule seems relatively easy, I am disturbed by the rumors concerning Ade, Hleib and RVP and even if they all stay, this might produce some friction in the dressing room and if those three players are not happy with their lot, their performances may be less than inspiring.
Arsene will have a huge job on his hands in trying to create team harmony and cohesiveness and also faces the likelihood of vastly improved mid echelon teams like Everton, Spurs, Blackburn, Portsmouth, Villa and Manchester City which are splashing cash on the best international and home grown talent available.
Added to this conundrum is the considerable refining and improvement to which Liverpool with Benitez, Chelsea and Scolari with 100 Million at his disposal, and Manu under Fergie will be doing in order to win it all next year.
Chelsea may be vulnerable with a new coach trying to stamp his image on a team which may have wholesale changes, but 100 mill can fix a lot of problems.
Benitez with Liverpool, plus a little tinkering should be serious contenders and pray to the high heavens they do not get get Villa to partner Torres or we are all in trouble.
Even if Ronaldo leaves, Fergie will bring in a high powered scorer and boost his defense with a good right back to replace Neville and probably add some insurance in the midfield.
On paper as it stands right now, even with the coming of Vela and Nasri, we have a lot of questions to be answered by our squad.
How many of the youngsters like Vela, Walcott, Nasri, Diaby, Song, Denilson, Eboue and Bendtner will come of age?
Will Eduardo return to his old form?
Will Toure and Gallas re-discover their early season form as a defensive partnership to be reckoned with?
Will Song, Djourou and Senderos provide quality backup at central defense?
Where will Diaby and Eboue play?
Having said this more than a mouthful I will still be rooting for my young guns and enjoy their WENGERBALL while having a sinking feeling in my guts that we may well end up trophy less once again this season.
Let’s hope I am totally wrong.
June 18th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
Historically I’ve tended to side with Wenger, but recently I’m sympathising with the players more and more.
If I was a performer - and I put guys like Adebayor, Hleb, Fabregas, Sagna, Toure, & Gallas in that category - I’d be carefully assessing my options. I’d be asking how are we going to line up next season? Are we going to be better placed to be a contender or worse? These guys have short careers, every bit of industry-talk is ’short-term’, they want to think in the now and feel that next season they will win.
So what would a Ramsey signing mean to them? At best they would be neutral, but more likely it tells them that Wenger is spending for the future and not on today and their ‘period’.
What does Flamini going say to Fab and Hleb? Add that to Diarra going. So it’s back to Bert - common. I thought we bought Diarra to replace Bert and Flamini was keeping Diarra out.
Competition is a tension for the best players - they don’t want someone to take their positon but they want a squad strong enough to challenge.
Part of the reason their heads are being turned is that they are DOUBTING and not BELIEVING. Wenger’s problem - 100%.
June 18th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
CaribKid…….”It almost seemed we were given a heavenly opportunity to create one of the biggest upsets ever and blew it in an unforgivably manner.”
beautifully put
June 18th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
Van Persie has just come out and said the Dutch are on the verge of ’something beautiful’. Cue Holland to get knocked out in the next round. When Van Persie eulogises, it’s time to worry.
June 18th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
LOL Mazza, you forgot the mandatory injury relapse, not to worry he can join Dudu on the trampoline and we have Walcott to run the ball out of play.
June 19th, 2008 at 12:24 am
the 2nd half of our season is quite tough, with away games to big clubs and up north.
2 of our last 3 games are away to Chelsea and United. Would it be a title decider or would be be making a guard of honor for the champions already?
We’ve signed two players thus far, but that might be a net loss at the end of the transfer window depending how many more veterans we lose and being replaced with premiership novice.
Seeing Holland and Spain play thus far has been inspiring - both teams have so much depth and chemistry that even the b-side was able to carve out convincing victories in their last group games. In the EPL only United and Chelsea could field a 2nd 11 than can compete. I know this sounds a little bit like a bash, but we need to sign more EPL veterans that already knows the game in England, even if it is a short term reinforcement for our young stars.
June 19th, 2008 at 12:45 am
The Euro q/f lineup is cracking. Looking forward to four nights of great football.
June 19th, 2008 at 12:46 am
What’s this?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/7462281.stm
June 19th, 2008 at 4:36 am
And this?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/7417028.stm
June 19th, 2008 at 6:02 am
On a topical note, an easy start may lead to increased expectations and a false notion of the strengths of the team. Either way, this season will be a lot tougher than the last one. Lot lot tougher.
June 19th, 2008 at 8:16 am
They’re internet links Nipuna LOL. Just kidding.
It’s looking more likely that Nasri’s transfer will coincide with Hleb’s departure. As I said, it was always a pipe dream that Wenger might consider having both. Perish the thought eh Arsene.
June 19th, 2008 at 8:16 am
Holland without doubt has been the best team in the tournament so far. The only problem facing them is - historically speaking, the teams who came off the block flying in group stage would often stumble entering the playoff stage. it happened so many times before at the past, perhaps it’s due to increased expectation, or perhaps it’s simply because this is “football”.
I was suprised Holland beat Romania. Italy had a crap tournament so far, but we know if u let Italy (of France) those traditional football powerhouse off the hook, they may come back and haunt you. All credit to Holland’s professionalism. but with football, there’s no justice.
btw, I will go for Germany to beat Portgual. Simply because they are the Germans, they are good when the stakes are high.
June 19th, 2008 at 10:10 am
@ neova 7: I think the concept of veteran is overstated.
In my view, Arsenal has no veterans whatsoever. Just a few older players.
Veteran players are people like Scholes and Giggs. People with years of entrenched success not the likes of Gilberto, Hleb and Almunia…LOL.
I agree with your point though. We probably should look to get some EPL players to toughen us up.
On hindsight Wenger should have gone for Woodgate. We should probably also pitch in for Shay Given as well.
I am really disappointed Wenger never nicked Arshavin before now. I mean right before Euros he was available for around 10 million…which isnt that high….and am sure a year ago he would have been available for even less than that.
This is a player who steps up when it counts - but Wenger was probably thinking having just two wing players was enough. Even right now Wenger is still doing that whole sell one, buy one thing - even though we were OBVIOUSLY short last year.
Last summer despite all the upheaval I was wildly optimistic of our chances but this summer, I just think we will not buy a CB and we wont replace Flamini and so revert back to our usual dance - trying to beat off Spurs with a broom for 4th place.
Without a proper CB and without an adequate Flamini replacement we are probably going to be calling for Wenger’s head next spring.
Lets hope Wenger shocks us and buys in those two very vital areas.
June 19th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Fred,
by veterans I just mean players who have already played a couple season in the EPL and requires no time to adapt to the league.
I just don’t like the idea that we consistenly buy a players that does very well in other leagues and we spend several seasons waiting for them to flourish, and when they do, they f*ck off to other teams (Flamini) or go back home because they don’t like it here (Reyes, soon-to-be Hleb) or constantly injured (Rosicky)