This is it. Arsenal stand 90 minutes away from getting the keys to the kingdom. Err..more like getting the keys to Stage 1 of the kingdom known as the Champions League.
The good: Arsenal hold a slight advantage with their first leg 2-0 win. Even though 2-0 is not something the team can rest on, it does give some breathing room.
The bad: well…something to do with a corner at Craven Cottage and other lack of positive activities on Saturday. Plus injuries and having the squad’s weight on the lighter side of things.
6 months on…the worm hole still exists
Saturday’s game was exactly 6 months to the day when that awful nightmarish game took place in Birmingham. Maybe in some alternate universe, Eduardo beautifully skipped past the kicking machine and Arsenal went onto win that game (instead of drawing 2-2) and the league title, along with a European trophy. But that universe only exists in theory. In the present, that 2-2 event still stands as a marker which has etched the events that have taken place since then — titles slipped away, captaincy questioned, weakness exposed and the squad disappearing over the summer.
”Form is temporary, class is permanent”
What if the class is missing albeit via injury, absence or is just having a rusty day? Then the form becomes important. Each positive result will only feed into the next and build some sort of momentum to carry the team through.
As it stands, Arsenal need to produce a positive display on Wednesday to erase the awful display from Saturday. Right now, the team’s biggest challenge is within in atleast raising the standard of their game to an efficient standard, let alone reaching the beautiful brand that was produced in past seasons.
As for FC Twente, this game is all they are playing for right now as their Dutch league season only starts on Sat, Aug 30 away to Roda. So Twente have not had to deal with any questions about their league form, their squad depth or even the choice of umbrellas that their manager prefers.
Game time weather indicates a nice rain-free night. The pitch should be in perfect condition as well.
Comments, thoughts and analysis on the game…over to you guys.
114 Responses to “Arsenal 4-0 FC Twente, CL qualifier 2nd Leg”
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August 27th, 2008 at 3:32 am
Thanks Sachin.
This is one of those funny CL ties.
You’d think it’s as good as over.
I guess if Twente score early they could spice it up a bit. If it is 0-0 and they score late, yikes, it’ll be squeaky-bum time.
The likely scenario is a fairly easy game, see I’m still positive
Wenger may even give a real fringe player a taste - like a Wiltshire or hopefully the strangely absent Vela.
August 27th, 2008 at 11:32 am
you are welcome
Good to see you still retain some positive-ness there…
August 27th, 2008 at 6:34 am
Shd do this 1-0 from a set piece. 2-0 if Cesc plays.
August 27th, 2008 at 7:41 am
is it on espn2 today?
August 27th, 2008 at 7:46 am
It’s on ESPN Deportes (En Vivo). 3 pm.
August 27th, 2008 at 8:43 am
Espn Deportes confirmed
August 27th, 2008 at 9:40 am
While I am glad espn is carrying these games (HD for champions league is great..) I am a bit annoyed that it is showing todays on deportes that I can’t get (my tivo won’t get, if i could get out of work i’d be at the pub, trust me), it doesn’t seem like that are putting a late night espn classic replay either (american gladiators and poker at 3am are apparently what they are into).
I shouldn’t be complaining though, I get to see pretty much every game or listen to them on the internet or sirius, so better than living in london right with those pesky 3pms….
August 27th, 2008 at 9:45 am
If Twente score early, its in for a tumbler.
Fabregas and Song MUST START in CM.
Song is as mobile as Flamini…the Denilson, Eboue stinker should not be seen again. I hope a win today will allow Wenger to buy convincing himself it is not a panic buy…lol.
Almunia
Sagna - Gallas - Djorou - Clichy
Walcott - Song - Fabregas - Nasri
RvP - Bendtner
Bench: Fabianski, Toure, Eboue, Ramsey, Denilson, Vela, Ade
Notice how Walcott and Nasri are pretty much unchallengeable.
So if Wenger doesnt believe in depth why does he stock so many strikers? Why doesnt he just send Bendtner and Vela on loan and leave just Ade, RvP and Eduardo as our strikers? That is exactly what he is doing to defense and midfield.
August 27th, 2008 at 10:50 am
The reason is prolly in his mentality. He is 100% an attacking coach and believes attack must not suffer at any cost. If the defense suffers the attack can bail us out. That is probably what he thinks.
August 27th, 2008 at 11:21 am
So why doesnt he stock up on attacking midfielders then?
August 27th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
He actually does. Its just that the Hleb leaving has made things look very thin which it probably is specially if you consider Theo and Eboue not playing well at all. He probably wanted to add Nasri and keep Hleb. He’d have potentially had Hleb, Rosicky, Nasri, Theo, Eboue, Vela = 6 which is reasonable backup. The problem is that 1 is always unfit and 2 have been poor and 1 has left = very thin looking AM position. Numbers wise it isnt thin - its a very risky game AW is playing though keeping faith in Vela and Theo and banking on Mozart to get fit with his titanium ligaments.
Buying would help the fans blood pressure for sure. I’m not sure AW thinks that way though. I wont put a deadline deal past him for an unknown winger as well though like he got Denilson and Diarra.
August 27th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
Nah, Wenger has explicitly stated that Nasri is a replacement for Hleb. He did the same with Rosicky replacing Pires. Buying Nasri whilst keeping Hleb would mean Wenger strengthening the squad. Can’t have that now can we?
August 27th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
I agree, no Denilson or Eboue tonight. The Craven Cottage incident tells me we need a very reliable starting lineup, no matter how mediocre the opponent.
I still have faith that Denilson will turn into a good CM but everytime Eboue is out on the field I worry what stupid mistake hes going to make next(same feeling I had when Lehmann was in goal). Save those two for late 2nd half substitutions and the English League Cup :p
August 27th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Lets all pray we don’t let in an early goal, and set up the shock departure from the Champions League. Though, if that happened, Wenger would probably still see it as a positive somehow…
I hope we can keep it 0-0 for a while, and hit them on the counter…
Hell, I’d play 4-5-1, but I don’t think we have 5 midfielders worthy of playing.
Hope and a prayer.
August 27th, 2008 at 11:12 am
The starting lineup today will prove whether Arsene’s innate stubbornness has overridden his normally astute and methodical assessment of player’s abilities and form.
If either Denilson or Eboue starts in mid field he will be straying from the plot. As an “ignorant” fan, I would certainly recommend us going to a 4-3-3 and employing an attacking scheme in order take Twente out of their own attacking mode. If not, we should resort to a 4-5-1 for defensive purposes with Cesc and Song in the middle.
Almunia,
Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy
Song, Cesc, Nasri
RVP
Ade, Vela
Of course he will not play this scheme but hopefully he employs a formation which allows him to put the best players on the pitch in positions they are experienced in. What more can I ask for.
August 27th, 2008 at 11:15 am
Tonight will be a piece of piss, an easy game.
We’re playing at the cosy emirates against a shit team. Hell, it wouldn’t even shock me if we played with some fluency, knowing the our team’s prospensity for playing all loose when they realise the other team is essentially a lame duck lacking belief.
You might even see Denilson making a run beyond the midfield, Walcott showing some awareness, Eboue making some nice surges. Of course, this will all disappear again when they play against a ‘live’ team away from home in the league.
August 27th, 2008 at 11:23 am
I’ m actually with you on Theo and Eboue on this one. I’m still holding out on Denilson though - think he is better than what happened at Fulham.
August 27th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Song sure was!
August 27th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
If we can’t get it up for Twente after that piss poor effort against Fulham then we are truly f**ked.
Wenger should start now by kicking butt and taking names: put Gallas on the bench and start Djourou. Put Walcott/Eboue on the bench and start Song and Wilshere/Ramsey. Keep Denilson in and subbed on Fabregas late. If Wenger thought the Fulham effort was shite (and it truly was) then let’s change it up.
I’m more concerned about the efforts we put forth against Newcastle, Blackburn, Bolton and Hull. Suddenly the easy 10 game start to our season looks more fraught w/ challenge because our MF and off the ball movement are shite.
August 27th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
excellent, comcast doesn’t offer ESPN Deportes. Atleast I can watch Poker, NASCAR, dog shows, and The Senior Baseball Championship in Bangor, Maine…….
August 27th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Why Vela is not playing is beyond me. He proved himself in La Liga last year, has proven himself internationally for Mexico, played well in the pre-season, yet continues to be left out for Walcott and Eboue.
Oh well, AKA
August 27th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
He came back from Mexico the night before. That might be one reason.
August 27th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
My gut says he’ll break in on Saturday, if not as a sub today.
August 27th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
You know, I realize that it’s totally wrong to say this, but part of me kind of wishes that Arsenal would choke this game and get knocked out of the CL. Maybe then Arsene would realize that the team he’s built is seriously flawed. I mean seriously, he has talked repeatedly against “panic buys, ” but replacing players that have left is not panic buying, it’s restocking. It seems obvious to everyone but the people runningthe show that the midfield - even with Cesc - is too lightweight and inexperienced to deal with almost any club, let alone the upper tier teams. Hell, the players he did bring in came pre-injured and training table ready, and he’s still not done getting rid of players. Hoyt, Traore and Senderos were never going to set the world on fire, but late in the season when players are tired and injured there will be no choice but to trot out the same team time and again because there isn’t even reliable back up. Ok, I’m done, rant over.
August 27th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Nah man, CL is the only thing that might save our season. Infact CL is our season, we have already lost the PL in my view. We HAVE to go through today.
August 27th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Fred - don’t forget the Carling Cup.
August 27th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
@Mazza: That is a point. Even this season he’s probably balanced the books yet again. That’s when I think - Is there really any money at all? He has almost always sold before he has bought. There’s got to be a reason apart from your sarcastic jibes. Surely he has got to know selling players weakens us?? Even you know that
August 27th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
I think Wenger believes selling players strengthen our chi or spirit. or something…….
August 27th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
I hope we don’t screw this up tonight. These guys will know after the last game that they can play well against us and all they need is a bit of luck that they didn’t have a fortnight ago. I’m not calling anything until this tie is settled.
I’m in favor of Eboue starting on the right before Theo Walcott. He’s not ready to be a starter in my opinion but I’m not in training every day.
August 27th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
LDE, Wenger has done this every year. He likes small squads with no experienced or first team material depth. In 1998 Stephen Hughes was the spare player, and in the other years Ray Parlour and Gilles Grimandi were the fringe players that could be relied upon. This year and previous years the spare players are Walcott, Diaby and Denilson. Neither of the three can lace Parlour’s boots.
Wenger has always been very lucky in his successful years that we’ve never experienced more than one injury at a time. Parlour came in for Pires in 2002. When we have suffered multiple injuries in a season, we invariably crash and burn in Spring.
If Wenger had previously employed beefy squads that meant every position was covered with like-for-like talents then I would agree that money constraints were behind his current policy. But he’s always done it this way and hoped the medical room stayed sparse throughout the season.
Also, you have to remember the ‘Youth Project’ has come into play in recent years. Loyalty, ego, and stubborness are all tied into this. He wants to be seen to be being successful with his youth experiment so he desperately tries to give this impression by having them as first reserve. Of course, as I predicted a while ago -and as has been seen with Senderos leaving- slowly Wenger will try and off load these duds without anyone noticing.
The ‘Youth Project’ can’t be seen to have been a failure and by staggering their departures in long intervals, Wenger is hoping to conceal the abject failure of the whole thing. Until of course, an article pops in 2011 with the headline “What happened to the Wenger’s bright young things?” and the article has a blow by blow account of all the failures post 2005.
Hows that?
August 27th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
I was thinking about the 2002 & 2004 teams as well recently and yeah if those teams had been hit with 3-4 major injuries, then the outcome might have been different. In 1998, when there were some injuries, I remember Wreh and Anelka bailed the team out in some games. Also the defense could hold its own back then.
The team is (and has been) built around a model with very little room for any contingency. In 2002, 2004, that did not matter as the squad was healthy. But given the injuries over the past few years, I would have thought that model would have to be reexamined and some buffer should have been added just in case. It was not too long ago that we had 8 defenders out at the same time. What are the chances of that? Rare, but amazingly, the injuries have still kept happening. And they have happened in different situations as well, be it via internationals, goal celebrations or even getting kicked.
On the flip side, there is a big gain if the team is operated on this model with very little risk assessment. On the other hand, does a team like Arsenal need to thrive on this model still? There are a lot of teams out there who often lump Arsenal in with the other big 3 in terms of spending money to get the players they want. But there are plenty of teams below Arsenal in the league who keep spending more money, so Arsenal should not be considered that big spending team.
All I do wonder is how long can this injury free optimistic model persist? Unless, we are guaranteed to have an injury free season. If that magic water spray is jacked up to solve any injuries this year, then things will be great…
August 27th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Christopher Wreh, that brings back memories. Specifically that goal he scored at Bolton. Still amazed we won that game, over ten years later. One of the most nerve-wracking radio games I”ve ever listened to.
August 27th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
I usually just read and don’t comment but what I remember is that twente outplayed us for the entire first half. They created more chances, showed more desire for balls, connected on more passes. This could have been a different result if N’Kufu were not suspended for these fixtures. This years Arsenal gives the ball away too cheaply. Denillson’s passes are too soft, Eboue draws two or more defenders and then either dives or tries to escape, most times without the ball. Although he’s great at the give and go’s with Sagna and Ade his antics are too much for me. It’s too early in the season to say this is what to expect every match, we have been without Rosicky, Fabregas and Eduardo, and we have yet to see our fragile transfer signings in Bischoff and Silvestre but it’s obvious we need that midfield depth. On another note, A conspiracy has been running around my brain that if we qualify today, Wenger will splash out some big cash for an Alonso or Barry, but if we fall apart and lose he will try to fill the void on the cheap. I’d love to see some of that beautiful football from arsenal today, get in the CL and spend some money!!
August 27th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Tonight’s Starting XI:
Manuel Almunia
Bacary Sagna
Johan Djourou
Gael Clichy
William Gallas
Theo Walcott
Cesc Fabregas
Denilson
Samir Nasri
Nicklas Bendtner
Robin Van Persie
Denilson still in… Ade, Toure and Eboue on the bench to start. The Denilson move surprises me, a bit but he must be saving some legs for Toon this weekend.
August 27th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Where the f**k is Vela?
August 27th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
On the bench.
August 27th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
If you scroll up, you’ll see that I’m predicting him in as a sub today, or starting vs. Toon on Saturday.
August 27th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Cesc looks aggresive. Good sign.
August 27th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Viva Los Deportes! GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLLL!! Nasri fools two defenders then one more and the keeper 1-0 Arsenal!!
August 27th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Nasri…….. what moves. Nice goal
August 27th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Didn’t see anyone else post this:
The match can be viewed on ESPN360.com.
It’s not as good as watching it on the big screen, but it’s much better than when I turned to ESPN Deportes and all I got was a black screen and a “You Are Not Subscribed” message!
August 27th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Most people cant use ESPN360, it depends on your TV provider(even when its online >_< )
August 27th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Verizon FioS is my hero today. RR
August 27th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Walcott, BTW, was the key to Nasri’s goal. Twente can’t handle his speed on the right. Theo’s cross, then a flick by Bendtner, set up Nasri.
August 27th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
I’d like to see Walcott and Vela on the wings and watch the opposition try and chase them both.
August 27th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Theo, as I write, makes a brilliant steal and set up RVP for a total gimme. But his left foot somehow failed him. Van Persie looks terrible.
August 27th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Can I get a score and time update?
this is what comcast has reduced me to haha
August 27th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Another source for updates:
http://tv.arsenal.com
Even though my Arsenal TV Online subscription isn’t active (FSC and Setanta have me covered pretty well), I am still able to go to the “Live Text” area in Match Centre to get play-by-play.
August 27th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
love to see Theo run with the ball in full flow, he’s just looks so smooth with it. still has a lot of work to do improving his decision making, it’s an improvement nonetheless the first half’s performance. keep it up Theo.
as for Cesc, he’s our master card player - simpy priceless.
and good to see Wenger dropped Ade. forget about playing like Henry, i will be happy if he could play like Adebayor (of 2007/2008). you now got ur pay rise, EARN it.
August 27th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Adebayor is playing exactly the same as last year. The only difference is that he hasn’t got the midfield spice boys to set him up on a plate all the time.
August 27th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Its comfortable.
Thats NICE to see.
I’d get Cesc on the bench at half, no need to risk him any further.
GOOD response to two abysmal league performances… looks like we prefer the CL to the league again.
wheeeeeew.
August 27th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
http://livefooty.doctor-serv.com/ Is streaming ESPN Deportes guys and gals.
Walcott came to play for a change, as he sets up the Nasri goal (nice calm dribble in the box and finish w/ (L) foot). 1-0 Arsenal.
Walcott sets up RVP for a shot w/ only defenders in goal and he manages to miss the f**king net. RVP has been a warm pile of doo-doo in this 1st half.
Bendtner is not making me forget Adebayor.
Fabrgas huffing and puffing at 20mins.
Instead of sitting Gallas, he sits Toure. We will now be watching Gallas w/ that sense of “Senderos gloom and doom”, what the f**k will he screw up next.
We should win this game but we are are not playing crisply at all.
August 27th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Things are looking bright now that the midfield dynamo which is Emmanuel Eboue has entered the fray. 2-0 to the Arse.
August 27th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
i guess it’s because he’s (Gallas) our leading scorer! :))
August 27th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Willy gallas with a horrible shot. A few mins later he bags a goal. Woohoo
August 27th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
What did I tell you. Manu is making all the difference. 3-0 to the Arse
August 27th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
theo! He came to play tonight!
August 27th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Theo taking the number 14 with a “TH14″ esque strike. Very nice.
August 27th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Great scoreline. This should allow Wenger make a signing without seeming like a “panic” buy.
Gallas is a shit captain, I have said that constantly since last season at the B’ham game. His crying fit was the killer to any sort of respect the team had for him. That said he is still the best defender in the team. Oh, and the most likely scorer of goals from set plays.
August 27th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Was Theo a different player tonight because Cesc was back in the middle, or because of the weak competition?? He has been the clear MOTM for me.
August 27th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Blooming Bendtner! what the heck was that! Am I the only watching this game?
August 27th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Theo was shit to many, a few days ago.
I am happy for him, because he definitely has the skills.
August 27th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
And he still will be shit in other games if he does not learn how to impose himself. When he gets good service he is fine, but the great ones know how to adapt and get themselves into the game.
He is still young and should learn that in time, but can Arsenal afford to depend on him now to perform at a high level on a daily basis.
August 27th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Agree 100% with your comments CaribKid.
Walcott is a young man with incredible pace and when it all clicks it is impressive. But that is rare…..too rare at present.
There is too much to critique in Walcott’s game at present. But he’s only 19 and at 22 may be the superstar Tommy Smith dribbled on about….or maybe not.
As you rightly point out, the issue to Arsenal this season is what reliance can we place on him? Not when we’re spanking a Dutch side 4-0 on aggregate but when we’re trailing Fulham 1-0 and the midfield is struggling to create chances.
August 27th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Could hardly miss that now could he? 4-0 to the Arse. Nice play from Denilson
August 27th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Predictable result really. We were not outstanding but hopefully that will give us the confidence we need to push on the league. However we still looked liked we are missing a mad dog in the midfield.
Hopefully this may brighten up Kiwi a little.
August 27th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Wenger is fucking incredible. You’ve got to give him credit. Instead of benching Denilson after a crap performance against Fulham, like so many screamed for, he played the guy from the start. It’s like he told him, “sink or swin, bitch”. Ballsy.
I was surprised to see Theo start in front of Eboue on the right but like I said earlier, I’m not in training every day. Obviously a proper response but we still have a problem that may need addressing.
August 27th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
Theo to his credit actually finds people w/ his passes into the box(when he’s on his game) unlike that other RMF.
August 27th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Missed the game but delighted obviously
On the other hand, Liverpool have gone into extra time. Amazing. I didn’t expect that.
August 27th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
And those bitches, Liverpool, are still playing against the worst team in CL history. Ha ha ha!
August 27th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Leige are looking better than Twente. In fact this looks like a better game. Toss a coin to see who will win.
August 27th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
1-0 to ‘pool.
August 27th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Watched the game. A few thoughts.
A well executed result - although Twente were a competitive but toothless side.
I liked the way we worked our way through an opening tight 15 mins and then started to find space and play - Fab and Nasri to thank for that. In the context of this game here are 3 that caught my eye.
Nasri - scored the money-goal. Forget Walcott’s pretty goal this was the one that killed the rubber and allowed us to ease into the game. I’m liking the nice start Nasri is getting to Arsenal, whilst goals aren’t his primary purpose they are a nice way to build immediate confidence. Guys who regularly step up and score the 1st or 2nd goals are invaluable IMO.
Bendtner - so often in the right place at the right time showing the required intelligence and with the right ideas - the other side was that he more often than not looked just that bit too slow. Too slow to accelerate (can he?), too slow to turn, even his passes were a bit under-done. Hopefully this isn’t terminal.
Fabregas - the metronome. For me, he’s this teams Bergkamp.
August 27th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
We’ve not seen an Arsenal player score a goal like that since H**b accidently wandered into the box and trying to pass on the 1yd line, inadvertently scored
August 27th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Can we spend some of this money that was just earned by qualifying?
August 27th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
In the pain and flagellation after Fulham, a lot of us lost sight of a simple idea. We have the best young player in the EPL, the 07-08 assist leader, and odds on favorite to be the best creative midfielder in the world by next year. He’s 21 years old, and he’s as central to Arsenal Football Club as Tom Brady or Peyton Manning are to their’s. We looked poor and disjointed without our quarterback, but with him, everyone else’s game speeds up and becomes smoother.
If they stay healthy, I’m looking for a monster partnership between Nasri and Cesc this year. Samri clearly has goals in him and compliments Cesc beautifully. I loved the way Nasri penetrated and then finished. That goal was the dagger that sealed the tie.
August 27th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
If I wasn’t clear enough, the AFC quarterback I was refering to is Cesc.
I think Denilson does have the potential to learn the job Flamini eventually grew into. Cesc made Flamster better, and he can do it to another moderately skilled grafter, perhaps Song as well. The essence of the process is Cesc, not necessarily who the complimentary player is. ManU doesn’t have a Cesc; CFC have a short-term, aging Deco; Liverpool don’t; Spurs are hoping with Modrich. AW recognized Cesc at 15, and set him loose to run the team at 17-18. That’s ballsy!
August 27th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
And we must protect Fabregas from getting kicked way to much by BRINGING some SUPPORT for the guy.
It will be UTTERLY unfair on the guy for all those bully teams to target him (which they will surely do) because we are playing stingy.
August 27th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Yes Joshuad, I kinda expected he would start Denilson, but didn’t think he would start Theo. Credit to Theo, he responsed superbly. that says, part of the reason it’s because the 2 goals advantage of us didn’t allow Twente to play a bus-parking defence trying to deny us space inside their own half.
With “space”, it plays to Walcott’s strength. he definitely got the skills and pace to kill the opponents. now he just has to learn how to deal with a more compact situation when a better link up play is needed and when space are at a minimum.
Denilson, taking off his creative role with the presence of Fabregas, seems growing quite comfortable settling in as a DM role. that of course, also had something to do with Twente surpsingly very unambitious from the off. it’s as if Big Mac had conceded defeat before the kick off, settling for a “damage limitation” act right from the start, with the Twente players passing around at the back not even trying to take initative to attack.
i never seen a team who’s trailing 0-2 from leg one, and went into the second leg not eager to venture forward. understandably they were worrying about our counter attack (and we didn’t even start Adebayor), but a 0-6 agg loss or a 0-10 agg loss doesn’t seem to make much a difference to me. not that i have any complain though as an Arsenal fan.
August 27th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
Let’s not go overboard for Denilson with this one game Andez, especially at DM. As DM, at best will be a Gilberto type “invisible wall” without the aerial ability. One day in the future he may become a “poor man’s Fab” and will be a more than capable substitute.
He is basically a tweener, a DM wearing an AM body, an excellent technician without much pace.
If for one moment you are suggesting he is ready to be our starting DM this season please think again.
August 27th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
caribkid, did i say he’s ready to be our starting DM? i re-read my post above, i think i only said he seemingly feeling more at home at DM than creative midfielder that’s all. how did i go overboard with that?
August 27th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
What is the obsession with a tall player with supposed aerial ability? Why do you see that as such a need?
August 27th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Denilson gets pushed off the ball very easily. Tall players generally are perceived as stronger…however there are lot of short players who are just as strong. Denilson is not one of them.
August 27th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
Who said anything about tall, Brendan. Song is not tall but is excellent in the air, Puyol is not tall but is excellent in the air.
Arsenal needs aerial ability at DM to contend with the type of play in the EPL because our back 4, Djourou notwithstanding, are all relatively short and have limited ability to defend the long ball or aerial threats from set pieces, including corners. If you watch carefully, you will see that Ade or Bendtner when they are on the pitch, always come back to defend set pieces because of their height and aerial ability.
If you look at the “invincible’s”, we had height in the form of Cambell, Pires, Bergkamp, Henry, Keown, Viera, Kanu, etc. and were able provide a more formidable defense overall. Our current side, because of it’s lack of aerial defending is more suited to the Serie A and La Liga style of play and serves us better in the CL as we displayed against AC Milan last season.
Hope this explains my height and aerial ability fixation
@MarylandGooner
My basic concept is that Denilson does not provide the steel required at DM to balance our side, especially in the EPL. We have a lot of very technical players, even in defense, and apart from Sagna, Kolo and Clichy we really don’t have that steel which was prevalent in our winning sides. If you look on Chelsea, Manu and Liverpool in the EPL, and AC Milan, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter, they all have that midfield enforcer who brings energy and force.
Names that freely come to mind are:
Yaya, Keita, Seedorf, Gattuso, Essien, Mikel, Mascherano, Scholes, Anderson, Viera.
August 28th, 2008 at 10:45 am
In which games last year were we deficient in the air? I can’t think of any. And the only variable that would be really any different is the player that will fill Flamini’s role in DM. I never found Flamini to be deficient in aerial ability and he is fairly small as DM’s go. As for Ade & Bendtner coming back to defend; just about every team in the EPL does that. I think on most set pieces you will find Drogba back in the box defending.
I would love to see us go after a player that can cover a ton of ground. When Flamini was playing well last year, he was very active. The result being, that Cesc has complete freedom. I don’t think Gilberto’s style gave Cesc total freedom, yet Gilberto was pretty good in the air.
August 27th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
CaribKid:
If you think that Flamini was a one-off talent, then I agree. If you recall, he attracted similar deprecating comments at the start of 07-08, before he proved himself, such as in his amazing Milan matches. Flamini did have a tireless competitveness that Denilson so far has shown in lesser degree. I think Denilson is capable of just as much interplay with Cesc, and has a better shot from distance than Flamini. He’s clearly more mobile than Bert circa 2006-on. So I guess I disagree that he’s not ready for a serious shot, though I’d rather have more depth.
August 27th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
Gerard needs a hernia operation. Barry to the rescue? Will the England team beat Andorra w/ Lampard at the helm? Stay tuned.
Krancjar needs ankle surgery. Traore is in a great position now to shine
SWP returns to Man City for 9mil. IMO, that’s still overpriced. Only Chelsea can take an 11mil bath and keep swimming along. Not to mention the 30mil Schevchenko disaster as he also is returned to sender. Chelsea are a financial criminal.
Walcott, he can be great or he could become SWP.
Did Bendtner get that message from Wenger when he said he had to be quicker in his play. His turning radius w/ the ball is like that of an ocean liner.
Can someone dig up those old boots that RVP scored his last EPL goal in (even though he broke his foot in them) because his lack of form is just painful to watch now.
I’m glad that we all can keep the Twente win in its proper context. If we can get a postive result at Newcastle, then maybe, just maybe we can get a run through the remainder of the 10 game stretch. The key will be as always how do we defend the set piece and to not give up stupid FKs in dangerous areas.
We knew that Wenger was going to have an open audition from the squad for DM. Denilson, Diaby, and Song. Denilson has won it by default. Part of Wengers’ ethos is the belief he imparts to his players. Denilson is now in the position to reward that belief after being given the chance to come back from the Fulham game. Song had to be put Charlton’s witness protection program after his Fulham debacle. Exigent circumstances (Diaby’s injury and Song’s national team play) keep Denilson in the saddle. I hope he can last the whole 8 seconds for all our sakes.
August 27th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
I really hate Liverpool. More than Chelsea, more than Man U….they are the most undeservedly lucky team in the world … especially in the CL. If that was any other team, even Chelsea or Man U they would have lost today…..but Liverpool hold on to the ropes for 207 minutes and win it right at the death.
The worst part is I dont rate them at all … their play is worse to watch than Chelsea at their worst. The worst part is the way they always have decisions go their way at vital times in the CL. In the first leg the ball crossed the line but the goal was not given. Our worst CL exit was definitely falling to this lot - and their poncy “we-ll never walk alone” fans.
Even if we f-ck up this year we must trounce these guys at least.
August 28th, 2008 at 12:32 am
I was thinking the exact same thing. How many games have they won because of a bad ref call or some late goal, usually Gerrard from about 40 yards? They barely made it out of the group stage when they won the whole thing in 2005.
August 27th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
4-0. Stick with me kids, we’re gonna clean up
August 27th, 2008 at 10:10 pm
What we gonna clean up Mazza, Diapers?
August 27th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
Jonathan de Guzman, MF w/ Feynoord is a new name we’re being linked to by the Sun for 12mil (no way we spend this amount). At least it’s a more plausible than Alonso or Barry. 20yo, Dutch passport, 85 senior games, U-21 selection, “tough tackling”. Some logic and some sense but I feel Wenger won’t be jamming Denilson at this point.
August 28th, 2008 at 12:21 am
His name is mentioned in Canada quite a bit because a lot of fans here were hoping he would choose to play for the Canadian national team as his brother Julian does. But Jonathan opted for the Dutch as he had been living there for quite some time. Still, he is in the news here every now and then and I read something in one of the Canadian soccer forums a few weeks ago regarding an interest that Arsenal had in him.
August 28th, 2008 at 12:49 am
Of Jamaican descent, he may have inherited some of Bolt’s speed
August 28th, 2008 at 9:51 am
Does Bolt play even a little bit of soccer? Maybe Arsenal should see a project in him and help him learn the ropes of the game..He is 22 now, just the right age
Ofcourse, I think if he played soccer, he would get called incorrectly called offside a bit too much because most linesmen would not be able to keep up with him.
sorry, I was dreaming outloud. Just relishing at the idea of his pace leaving the kickers behind…
August 28th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Actually he was discovered by the track coach while playing Cricket. Fast bowler.
August 28th, 2008 at 2:13 am
I fear the upcoming Robinho signing will drive Wenger further into his Chelsea induced, inferiority complex. Perpetual pretend victimhood … Wenger subconsciously loves that.
At this stage, I will be shocked if we got anybody in….afterall with Chelsea paying such crazy money for Robinho, the world must have gone mad, how can we compete? Why should we spend 10 million and fix our problem when they can blast 30 million for somebody for their bench?
The pattern is just incredible.
August 28th, 2008 at 9:56 am
Man City resign SWP..
Nice line here:
The deal represents a great piece of business by City, who sold Wright-Phillips to Chelsea for £21million and are reported to have paid only £9millon to bring him back to Manchester.
Would he have done better at Arsenal instead of going to Chelsea in the first place?
August 28th, 2008 at 10:34 am
Anyday IMO. He was Freddie’s replacement at that time and Arsene wanted to sign him for 10 million rumoredly. However the money was more important for SWP at that time and he chose to go there after being ‘advised’ by his Dad. He’d have been a hit here.
August 28th, 2008 at 10:41 am
I had hoped that Ian would have advised him for Arsenal. But Chelsea just plunked down a load of cash..
August 28th, 2008 at 10:44 am
Looking at the 4 pots for the Champions League draw:
Arsenal could get a group with Bayern, Marseille (emotional return of Nasri) & Fiorentina. Lots of options..including a trip to Kiev where the good old Orange ball might get some action.
August 28th, 2008 at 11:32 am
I was just re-watching the highlights of the goals from yesterday. Is it just me or did nobody celebrate with Bendtner after his goal? I realize it was the lovely back heel from Denilson that did most of the work, so perhaps rightfully so that players surrounded him after the goal. But it struck me as interesting in any case.
August 28th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
I wonder if this player was too expensive for Wenger?
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=360149&25&cc=5739
August 28th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
I actually laughed out loud after clicking on that. Nice one.
August 28th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Good one Brendan, it brought a lot of merriment to my dull day.
August 29th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
That is pretty funny. You can always rely on Eastern Europe for stories like that.
August 28th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Arsenal has drawn Porto, Fenerbahce, Dynamo Kiev in Champions League; this is definitely a tricky draw. Based on a quick look at the draws, Lyon and Liverpool are the other two top seeds that could have hoped to draw easier opponents.
August 28th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Not an easy draw at all, considering there were sides from Romania, Belarus, Denmark and Cyprus available from pots 3 and 4. Both trips to Kiev and Istanbul will be difficult. I didn’t rate Porto as one of the top sides from pot 2 though. Here we go again…
August 28th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
There is no reason we shouldn’t advance in the CL again.
This is NOT the toughest group, and if we are one of the better teams in Europe, there is ZERO excuse if we don’t advance.
We’re supposed to be better than all those teams.
Easy? Maybe not, but it is the CL… so trips to Kiev and Istanbul are necessary to go on to the next stage.
Can’t be too displeased, can you?
August 28th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
We should have a easier time at this stage of the CL because of the current makeup of our squad but it all depends on form at that time.
We should easily make the top two if we are not inundated by injuries.
August 28th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
http://www.clubfanzine.com/arsenal/v2.showNews.php?id=13757
Great article on Theo and how best he could be utilized by Arsene.
August 28th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
I already alluded to his defensive posture negating his offensive game in the WBA game. I can recall the ‘original’ 14 tracking back on rare occasions and actually putting in ball winning tackles but Walcott is not there yet nor as the author points should he be providing defensive cover. I hope Wenger realizes this and doesn’t kill his ‘golden goose’ in the name of “defensive balance” that he can get from Eboue.
August 29th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
I agree that Wenger should not expect Walcott a winger/future forward(hopefully) to play defensive football but theres no way he can expect that from Eboue. Eboue causes more harm then good when hes playing. He has the talent to be a very good defensive midfielder but lacks the mental part of the game. He simply makes too many mistakes.
September 11th, 2008 at 12:04 am
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