After last season I know all of us were anxious through the summer to see some players move on and to have some fresh faces fill the experience void.
It’s mid-week and reality for this fall’s lineup has sunk in for all of us. For team development, short term fixes rarely work out. AW obviously could not find the right midfielder, so none of us should be surprised by Monday night’s black out.
On the other channels, there was so much drama for MU, Man City, Chelsea, & Tottenham. Regardless of the big spending, success in the league is about consistency of play and keeping key players healthy.
For the Newcastle match, the hustle without the ball from EA was impressive. This type of attitude was missing last year and this effort alone can dramatically jump start Arsenal’s offense.
The defense will solidify this year with Silvestre. The offense is young but has terrific potential. Look how quickly Eduardo developed and I like what I saw from Vela. AW will find a way to utilize Theo’s abilities.
The media and owners have placed much expectation on MU, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Man City; again Arsenal starts the season away from the spotlight. The stars are lined up this season to surprise everyone.
Thank goodness the game is still played with only 1 ball. This is our advantage!
65 Responses to “Monday came and went !”
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September 4th, 2008 at 2:34 am
I’m not convinced that we really needed to go get anyone to bolster our midfield. That being said, I would have loved AW to have been able to get Xabi. When the rumors first started about maybe getting Alonso I was excited. He would have fit right in. I think once we start getting some of our guys back from injury we will have more than enough talent to spread around. On another note, Vela looked brilliant in the summer friendlies and was very active on the pitch when he got some playing time against Newcastle. I absolutely love his energy and fearless attacking style. I also agree with the low expectations put on Arsenal this season we can surprise all of them.
September 4th, 2008 at 8:14 am
I agree about your analysis of the current midfield, except that when Cesc is not in the lineup - there is a noticeable drop off in performance / confidence.
Someone like Xabi (talent & experience) would be a bonus.
Long-term: I can see Nasri (not Dennilson) being Cesc’s backup OR replacement; and this might be AW’s long term vision; especially in light of the wild spending in the transfer market.
Not signing another mid-fielder allows the current group to gain more playing time, keep morale high, and evaluate which players get results.
September 4th, 2008 at 9:57 am
In a perfect world your assessment is correct to a degree but our midfield has 2 major deficiencies which are:
1) We do not have an established DM.
Song looks like the best bet as he has excelled in that position internationally, seems to have all the attributes but has been seldom employed there by Arsene.
Denilson may one day become an excellent DM, but at this point he is not ready and his attacking instincts seem to favor him being a Cesc clone rather than a Cesc complementary partner.
Diaby has all the required physical attribute and skills for the position but can we rely on a player who is always injured and to date has played only one half of pre-season football at that position.
Ramsey may fill that position one day but he is a year to two from accomplishing that.
2) We currently have no established replacement for Cesc if he needs to be rested or is injured.
Denilson is not steady enough nor has he shown the creativity to justify being the one. Of the remaining players only Diaby and Nasri has the potential to do so with Diaby being eliminated for the reasons I gave previously and it would be unfair to ask Nasri to shoulder that burden this year while he is still learning the team. Right now, Nasri’s raw skill and football intelligence allows him to easily shine on either wing.
Even when we field our best starting 11 at this point we have weaknesses at DM and RM. It would be fair to say Denilson would not be the starter at DM for half the EPL teams, Denilson has regressed after a very bright start and has even fallen off the Brazilian radar. Notice he was not even invited to be a part of the Olympic squad. Walcott/Eboue also are not consistent enough to be classified as quality starters a la Rosicky and Hleib.
September 4th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Not that I am beating Denilson’s drum but two assists and one goal so far is almost Hleb-like.
Oops, Hleb was an attacking midfielder, sorry for the comparison.
September 4th, 2008 at 8:40 am
Yes. Don’t want to lower morale and push young players to compete against proven talent!
ManCity will shake up the EPL’s “Top 4″ only group.
They will buy some name players and make a serious run at the league and an effort to make Europe… over the next few years.
You don’t have to like it. It should scare the other “Top 4″ teams and supporters… because its happening. Everton’s owner stated they will need a billionaire owner to compete… as well.
So, the ball is in Arsenal’s court… in Arsene’s court.
We can either step up, and try to compete by bringing in proper depth and some new talent… or we can watch the other teams pass us, because they WILL spend and try to improve that way.
No, spending is NOT a guarantee of winning or success.
But I think Chelsea proves that it CAN be. They hadn’t won shit for 50 years. They ARE a dominant force in the league and Europe now. ManCity is coming that route as well. Its GOOD for the league, in terms of competition. Why shouldn’t other teams other than “THE 4″ have a chance to win.
Back to you Arsene.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:21 am
With all due respect Stag and that its an Open forum you’ve repeated what you just wrote around 20,000 times since I’ve been around here. Whats the point? Why not voice your thoughts on something else apart from stars and big name players? Even your in game comments invariably divert on that train of thought. The star. the icon. The big player. The marquee signing. Sure everyone knows they are true winners and you’ve made your point. Can we buy them? No. End of story. IMO anyway. Obviously you can ignore this .. still I thought I’d try.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:32 am
The facts remain the same.
The comments that we DO NOT need anything or anyone, also are repeated ad nauseum.
So perhaps we should disband the site.
LDE, you don’t have to respond to anything I type. If you feel its repetitive, move on to another post.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:33 am
and seeing that ManCity JUST purchased Robinho and are just now making a push at the Top 4, how’d I repeat that at all.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:43 am
Stag, you have to remember LDE reading these sort of posts is the equivalent of giving a vampire garlic and holy water
September 4th, 2008 at 11:58 am
Yes, something like that Mazza.
Its simply not acceptable to some.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:45 am
Dominate might not accurately describe Chelsea at the moment. I don’t believe Chelsea won anything last year - yet, they had the largest payroll. Okay, they lost “the special one”; but based on their on field performance b4 he left and off field environment, they were headed for a disaster.
Competition is healthy. Most of the league’s imbalance is a direct result of:
- poor coaching
- the practice of league inbreeding of coaches
- poor scouting & player selections (that don’t pan out)
I would consider Pele an astute observer of this game and guarded with his remarks. His comments about Robinho should be a warning; don’t assume this addition to Man City will be all roses. When the new owners idea of building a team are primarily with the checkbook, then those on the roster are distracted and the question of job security invades; adding pressure for Mark Hughes, a climate where everyone is dispensable.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:57 am
No. I disagree.
The imbalance is MOSTLY due to the have’s and have nots, in terms of money and power.
Other than the Top 4, nobody else can compete financially… or in prestige.
Arsenal are falling behind by not spending, but compared to the rest of the EPL, we are miles ahead cash wise… compared to 90% of the other teams.
So they shed no tears for Arsenal not being able to compete with United or Chelsea in buying players.
Chelsea had a great season, by anyone’s standards except their own, and Uniteds… a PK away from winning Europe.
They are a dominant team in the EPL and Europe. Thats factual. They are a big time player.
We are now playing to stay in the CL hunt every year… as opposed to winning trophies… thats sad. Because we aren’t too far off, but refuse to spend money, despite having the high ticket prices and making money off selling players.
Man City can surely make a big push. Robinho is a young star, who Arsenal and Wenger highly coveted. Should we forget that? Who really cares about how much Man City spend? Its their money, not mine. We should truly concentrate on making ourselves a better team, not worry about the prices people pay for players. If they can do it, they will… we can either compete, or get left behind.
Simple as that.
September 4th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Money does not guarantee success, but it certainly helps. Chelseas being the point in case for the past 2 years.
Putting the best players in the world on one team does not guarantee success, but it certainly helps. Barcelona being the point in the past two years.
Money, combined with good coaching, sound administration and a little luck is the true recipe for success and Manu has proven that the past two years. They have carefully brought in young starlets in Vidic, Nani and Anderson while keeping the old guard of Scholes, Neville and Giggsy to mentor them. Brought in seasoned campaigners in Tevez and Evra while retaining the core group of stars and fringe players. They have solid goal keeping and a little luck helped them to the CL which they won on kicks.
The incredible thing is that Arsene does not have to spend a lot of money to build a team because of his coaching ability and the football system put in place. Where Arsene falls short is in his inability to separate his dreams from reality. Arsenal has all the criteria to be winners but is being blocked by Arsene’s determination to not compromise his dream one iota and the inability to impartially assess the strength of “HIS” squad.
September 4th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Carib.
My point is, if Wenger actually spent a reasonable amount and replenished the squad and addressed the deficient areas… we could beat anyone, while spending much less. Sort of what you stated, which makes it all the more frustrating.
So close, yet miles and miles away.
September 4th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Stag, I don’t think there is any Arsenal fan with a modicum of intelligence who could argue that we have a weak squad and ideally are in need of 3 established and experienced players to effectively mange our campaigns.
1) Backup GK
2) DM
3) Versatile and creative MF who can play on wing or in center
Like you, I am frustrated but one thing for sure, this will be a defining year for both Arsene and Arsenal.
September 4th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Whine, whine, whine.
Stag-ette the only thing that amazes me more than Rafa’s idiotic statement that MC will push inflation in the EPL is the fact that you still pay any attention to the Gunners.
You don’t enjoy football, you enjoy arguing.
September 4th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
I think you made a valuable point in context of the thread Stag. Well written to.
September 4th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
AND… here you go.
Benitez’s City Fear:
Rafael Benitez has admitted that Manchester City are a threat to the status quo of the Premier League’s big four and could cause high inflation in the transfer market.For Benitez, the stunning capture of Robinho for a British record transfer fee could have set in motion a chain of events that will blow the accepted ‘big four’ wide open.
It could be a new world in the EPL.
And if another decent team… gets bought by a Gazillionaire… they too would be able to take a swipe at the Big 4.
Why not?
September 4th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Benitez is a moron.
Inflation? Citeh causing inflation? And just how have Liverpool, Chelsea and United NOT caused inflation themselves? In fact, they ARE the primary cause.
His statement only shows he’s worried about having to compete for overpriced signings. Meanwhile, all this overspending will eventually come back to bite these guys in the ass… and Arsenal will still be chugging along.
(Now, if you don’t believe it can happen — and before you start another one of your half-baked rants, I implore you to look into the histories of Leeds and Forest. It CAN happen).
September 4th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Rye.
The chances of Manchester United turning into a “Leeds” are ZERO.
If thats what you are pinning your hopes on, that YEARS down the road, ManU, Chelsea and other teams will go bankrupt, because they spend too much on players… then why don’t you watch Tennis? There’s a good tourney on now.
I hope other teams get Sugar Daddy’s too, and it levels the field for more than just the BIG 4. It will mean Arsenal can either spend money to compete, or fall out of the Big 4.
or
Ideally, there’s some sort of salary cap, which would be hard to implement without the rest of Europe, but… hey, on an even playing field, Wenger would wipe the floor with the rest… but its not that way.
Anything CAN happen. But its far more likely that more teams get money infused and compete with the top 4, than you hoping ManU or Chelsea or Liverpool go bankrupt. Thats a laugh.
September 4th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
Couldn’t agree more about a salary cap. I think there’ll be a lot of resistance on a number of levels, but after a few more billionaire buy-ins….
September 4th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
I’m not ‘pinning my hopes’ on anything. I’m going to watch Arsenal no matter where they are in the table.
Eventually, people who continually spend beyond their means run out of money and start becoming unable to keep up with debt. Glazer is not Roman Abramovich, and has already burdened the club with his own debt to the tune of nearly $120 milion in interest alone each year. Happens in business all the time. As for Chelsea, let them spend the money. It’s a big toy for Abramovich, and anyone who needs a model of spending the most in sports can look to the NY Yankees. Different sport, but not really that much different in terms of market share in the sport, and the massive support/international recognition the team receives.
I’m not ‘hoping’ for anyone to lose all their money as a solution. I’m saying that Arsenal do just fine with the way they do business, and I’m not worried about City or any other large spending club pushing Arsenal aside. Spending doesn’t equate trophies — otherwise Liverpool and Tottenham would both have passed us in the standings last season.
September 4th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
Benitez must have been reading my post where I said that the rise of Man City will most threaten Liverpool’s spot in the “Big four”. Benitez was already struggling to make significant signings (eg. Barry) w/ the backing of his ‘poor’ millionaire owners. Hicks and Gillett are just the sort of owners who I said are no longer rich enough to be owners.
September 4th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
@Stag: I always move on. I thought I’d try and ask you why you repeat things; thats all. I wont make the same mistake again. For the record I havent repeated we don’t need anyone adnauseam it is usually in response to a thread actually dealing specifically with the subject. Plus notice how I haven’t come out and said we’ll romp home easy and that AW is blameless?I always maintained we needed 1 player. Now that it hasn’t come though I’m not going to moan about Man City. Anyway you have fun.
@Mazza: The pot calling the kettle black eh?
September 4th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
lde,
I’m with you on your points. It’s so frustrating to read all the posts and comments here all the time especially the negative ones. Just seems some have ideas how to manage the team than the coach and owners.
Mate, just read and ignore some these comments like I do. The posts are much more frustrating than our beloved team losing a match! Gosh, the coach says he can’t and won’t buy any player as none is better than what he currently has. What’s so difficult to understand there? We must spend gazzilion dollars just to compete and make everything go up? Wonder how people would like to spend their own money in such a frivolous exercise?
September 4th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
The last line is the key texasgunner. Wonder how many people would like to spend their own money. Indeed. If at all there is a response to this it’ll probably be - Its sport(for us .. not for them). Its fun(for us..not for them). Players are cheap(for us..not for them). Why doesn’t he go and spend it? Yeah why not?
It would’ve been great if we’d get Arshavin and Barry/Alonso. I’d have loved it. It would’ve made us big favorites and so much less pressure(or would it??) on the kids. We didn’t do it. We rely on the kids now..till January and dare I say the season? They’re all we have. U make a choice. Either u realists now face reality and get behind the team we’ve got or continue with your realistic factual posts about how poor Player X is , how useless our manager is and salivate over a sugar daddy taking over the club and buying Messi for 90million.
Yes it would have been great if we’d bought .. it’d cover our paper thin central midfield. Now thats all we have. Lets hope that Denilson/Song/Diaby/Ramsey can keep Cesc company enough till the final stretch. They arent that bad really..just that Cesc is so good.
September 4th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
The supporters shell out amazing amounts of money to see their teams play… and compete and WIN. Arsenal are among the highest ticket prices in England, if not THE highest. We have made profit on players being sold. Just simply asking them to re-invest the money in the squad, not the pockets.
If you want to rubberstamp everything we do, and just go willy-nilly its all wonderful, go for it. I certainly won’t stop you, nor would I want to keep you from giving your opinions.
If you think Wenger can’t or won’t buy anyone, because there is nobody better than we currently have, then get the straightjacket out for him. If you saw the Fulham match, you know how WOEFUL we are without Cesc in the line-up.
He can’t play every match. He’ll DIE of exhaustion.
There isn’t anything wrong with expecting the club to improve the team and try to compete for trophies. We all have opinions, and its a forum to express them. Good, bad, or indifferent. Positive and negative.
September 5th, 2008 at 12:21 am
I don’t reckon ticket prices have anything to do with winning… in case you’ve never been there, London is ridiculously expensive — it’s in the top 5 most expensive cities in the world (and to clue you in, NYC isn’t in the top ten).
Almost EVERYTHING there costs more than in most places. Why would tickets be any different?
The supporters have been filling seats for decades, and Arsenal have always been behind in the trophy department when compared to those that United and Liverpool have won.
Stag, one of the main reasons I am such a prick to you and your posts is because you are constantly going on about money and winning… and what the board SHOULD do, and complaining when they don’t… it seems a real simple solution to me, being that you’re no more a native of Finsbury Park or Islington — or anywhere else in North London (or even England at all for that matter): if winning is the most important thing to you, why not pick a team that fits your values… which is to say, one with (your term) a ’sugar daddy’. Arsenal is not going to change.
…or, another alternative (if you haven’t done so already) is to read Fever Pitch and realize from the testament of the clubs most widely known ‘lifer’ that Arsenal have been frustrating to watch for a lot longer than you and I have been around, so get over it and post about something positive for a change.
.
September 6th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Rye.
First off, I’ve been to London many times. I go to see Arsenal play every season… I have for the last 11, and counting. Well aware that London is expensive. But thanks for the history lesson.
Arsenal are charging crazy money for tickets. Do you actually know any season ticket holders? or what? The amount they are charged is insane. It is a huge outlay of money for supporters… to support their team.
So asking the team to actually spend money to improve the squad, is not outlandish.
The supporters fill the seats for decades. Yes. Highbury’s capacity wasn’t huge, and Arsenal had some great teams. Of course they sold out most of the time. English Football is passionate. NOT a shock. Its a testament to the loyalty of the fans.
I don’t care if you are a prick to me. Keep your insults NON-personal. Thats all I ask… you don’t know me from a can of paint.
I believe it is important that the club re-invest money into the team. Its not American sport… the supporters actually have a say.
The teams success IS important to me. Why else support? Am I supposed to not care how we do? If we get 10th, thats OK, we’re the Arsenal? Don’t insult me with your “fits your values” non-sense, please.
Arsenal HAS changed… they’ve gone from George Graham / Bruce Rioch… to the Arsene Wenger era.
They went from HOPING to get into Europe… and the Cup Winners Cup, to going undefeated, winning the league and FA Cup regularly… and on the cusp of being a Euro power.
So ANYTHING can change. Man City breaking into the top 4 is possible, things DO change. An ownership, board, or managerial change… can change everything.
Again, don’t be so high and mighty… I have read all the books and writings of Nick Hornby, and have met him before. I have ready many Arsenal books… I know the history of the team… and been to many matches at Highbury, and have traveled with the “away supporters” too.
I was once very positive about the team… ultra-positive. Ask Andez, he’ll remember… we were on the site very early on. But I always call it as I see it, and I don’t see it so positively in the last 2 years. Its as simple as that.
You want to consider yourself a “true supporter” … go for it. I don’t care. I’ll quote Millwall’s supporters… “you don’t like me, I don’t care”… you know about Millwall, right?? Or do you only know Arsenal?
please, save the lectures… or your wishes for me to support some other team… I’ll say whatever I feel… you don’t have to like it… but what is the point of giving your opinion and ideas, if they aren’t what you really mean?
September 4th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
I repeat, because I see the same responses… that we can win the league and CL with the current team, and Arsene knows, and these kids will be wonderful, keep the faith… so I balance it out. Thats all.
Didn’t say it was you particularly… but we all have our moments.
It pisses me off, frustrates me… so I bark about it. “we coulda been a contender”… instead, we are trying to stay in the Top 4 again.
ManCity is coming up, and I’d bet another team gets bought by a billionaire sooner rather than later. Then its ON. Chelsea and ManU won’t solely be able to buy whomever they want.
Of course ManCity has to overpay right now, because they are ManCity. If
they were a destination team, it would be an “honor” to join ManU or Chelsea or Liverpool… blah blah blah.
If they start winning, it will be easier for them to bring in players of name.
Totteringham has money, but many times, big name players say… no thanx.
September 4th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
You should watch tennis. It may be better for your health.And then you wouldn’t have problems with people laughing at you for wearing your skirt.
September 4th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Rye. As usual, another tough guy behind a keyboard.
Stay out of the personal. That’d be my advice.
September 5th, 2008 at 12:04 am
Who’s talking tough from behind a keyboard? I said you sound like a broad. If that’s threatening to you, perhaps you’ve got some issues.
September 4th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
You guys suck! This isn’t fun anymore. I’m taking my ball and I’m going home.
September 4th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
I have a filter on my AA: New commentaries, interesting opinions, refreshing insights, acerbic wit, contrarian views and scoops. Whining, regurgitation, repetition, doom, gloom don’t get my attention.
September 4th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
OK, Stag, just explain this.
“Arsenal have ZERO chance to win the league.” “Man City can surely make a big push.”
Both are quotes from your posts in the last two threads (not from years ago or anything like that).
Funny thing is I check the odds on Paddy Power today following the closure of the transfer window and Arsenal at 13-2 are third favourites to win the Premiership, City are at 50-1. Now, despite the credit crunch, I do not see many poor bookies around or any going bust either. I don’t think they agree with you.
13-2 suggests that with the bounce of a few balls and avoiding major injuries, Arsenal have a chance to win the thing. 50-1 suggests that City have a snowball’s chance in hell or thereabouts.
September 4th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Irish.
Obviously ARSENAL have a better chance to win the league than City.
I am not insane.
When I say “make a push”… I am talking about them making the TOP 4.
CL football is what its ALL ABOUT. Lots of money & prestige and a lot easier to bring in players with it, than without it.
So City do NOT have a snowballs chance in hell to win the league. That is correct. They DO have a chance to crash the top 4.
Arsenal have a SHOUT at winning the league. I don’t think it can be done, unless we stay close until January with Cesc remaining healthy, RVP remaining healthy, etc… and we actually bring in a few good men over the January window opening. How likely is that?
More likely than City winning. Yes.
But ManCity taking on the top 4’s lock on the league… is quite possible, and I’d say probable, if they have money to burn, and a little bit of success. If they can outbid Chelsea, they can overpay for players… and acheive a top 4 finish.
At who’s expense? Thats the question. I’d say Arsenal or Liverpool are likely. Chelsea and United aren’t touchable in terms of falling out of the CL.
September 4th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
*clears throat*
“The peculiar evil of silencing the expression of an opinion is, that it is robbing the human race; posterity as well as the existing generation; those who dissent from the opinion, still more than those who hold it. If the opinion is right, they are deprived of the opportunity of exchanging error for truth: if wrong, they lose, what is almost as great a benefit, the clearer perception and livelier impression of truth, produced by its collision with error.”
September 4th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
LOL. “*clears throat*” indeed!
Mazza, boy I think you could write a book, we would all be thoroughly entertained. Where did you quote that from anyway?
Monday came and gone, so what? let’s get us a free transfer. Harry ’s (Redknapp) and Big Sam’s been doing it for years with great success.
I hope the rumoured negotiations with Stephen Appiah are true. That guy is a true leader of men, the Ghana players and public hold him in high regard. I feel he will be a great positive influence on our team morale.
Yeah I can see it already, secret agent “Appiah 007″ on my home top. Even when he finally leaves our great club it will be honourably, I would not be ashamed to wear it like those people who bought tops with Reyes or Anelka on the back
September 5th, 2008 at 8:48 am
Some guy in parliament. Mills or something.
September 4th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Mazza,
That is funny, both funny peculiar and funny ha-ha.
I cannot think of anyone more disdainful of others’ opinions than yourself. You selectively quote your previous posts in order to justify your current position.
You pour scorn “If my aunty had balls…” on others’ opinions yet you defend free speech when those who agree with you are attacked.
Very clever and very funny.
Oh, this is only my opinion. Feel free to castigate, insult, scorn and ridicule but long may I be a dissenter from the all is woe brigade.
September 5th, 2008 at 8:47 am
“You selectively quote your previous posts in order to justify your current position.”
What else would I do, pull out two posts with no relation to eachother?
“You pour scorn “If my aunty had balls…” on others’ opinions yet you defend free speech when those who agree with you are attacked.”
The
should have indicated this was said in jest, although it has to be said, the argument that if we only could have hung on against Chelsea and United then we would have been crowned champions is weak. You have to look at why we didn’t hang on. Lack of bottle. Which, incidentally, is what I said we lacked all throughout last season. Me being right doesn’t sit well though. I get it.
September 4th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Users who liked, “The peculiar evil of silencing the expression of an opinion…”, also liked
“In this age, the man who dares to think for himself and to act independently does a service to his race”
That must be you, Stag!
September 4th, 2008 at 11:38 pm
Merci.
September 5th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Dont feed the dummy, the only thought he thinks for himself is “marque signings”.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:02 pm
Before Man City knock Liverpool or any other club out of the “Big Four”, we should have a little perspective on what it takes to build a team. If Sparky can avoid the fates of Keegan and Curbishley and maintain a significant input on transfers that build a team and not a helter-skelter all-star team approach, then they may have something in a couple of years. Sparky could become the new ‘Alan Pardew’ who was “clueles” at West Ham U when they brought in Tevez and Mascherano. How long before Sparky is told he has to play attractive attacking football w/ his newly purchased “galaticos” and can’t come up w/ the goods because his team is unbalanced? How long? Real Madrid went 5 years without the league title and they started in stronger position.
Dr. Al-Fahim has described himself as a bulldozer in his approach to solving problems. Robinho is a good player but can he be an influential player. The jury is still out. Splashy buy without question but so is a Bugatti Veyron and maybe just as a impractical. There is not a football player on the face of the earth who is worth 250K/ week (nor is Lampard worth 150K/wk) except for maybe Pele. Pele is a legend. Robinho is a petulant child. If Man City win the triple this year then ADUG would consider its money well spent. I would say its money was well spent but we know that it will not happen. Every agent w/ a player that has a pulse and even players who no longer living will be offered to Man City in January. Gervinho can now have a new ‘dream’ club to move to.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:45 pm
cpta, why shouldn’t ManCity do everything in its power to try and take a CL spot? Are they supposed to just bring in no-name mediocre players, because its ordained that only United and Chelsea and Liverpool are worthy?
They are trying to upset the apple-cart, and knock this TOP 4 only bullshit on its ass. If they have the money, I say go for it.
Robinho is a GOOD buy. They could have spent the money on Ronaldinho who might be on the downside, or some other player near 30 or older, but at least this kid is … a young talented player. He can only get better. Lets not forget that Mr.Wenger HIGHLY coveted him.
They are building a pretty decent nucleus in my opinion. If they open the wallet again in January, and I bet they will, they could bring in additional young talented players.
Why is this a bad thing for there to be more than 4 teams in the EPL trying to give themselves a legitimate chance to win?? Its not my money, or my team, so I find it interesting. Fail or succeed, it will give the “big 4″ pause for concern and thought, and maybe a bit of agita!
Is it better that only 4 teams play for the league every year? Is that good for the league and sport? Its like Scotland, only double the size. In the Scottish Prem, its ONLY Rangers and Celtic… in the EPL, its only the big 4.
Time for that to change, it would be refreshing.
September 5th, 2008 at 10:14 am
I never said it was a bad thing. I think its a good thing if Sparky is driving the cart and not getting run over by the cart. If Sparky can’t win w/ a soon to be all star-laden team whose fault will it be: the British manager or the unbalanced team?
I also think its a good thing because it will change the league dynamic. I am eager to see what if any response (policy-wise) Arsenal make to this new threat to their Top 4 status.
September 5th, 2008 at 12:10 am
Anybody who thinks Man City has a chance of breaking the top 4 is an absolute idiot.
Some think it’s money that breaks the top-4. Yes money helps, but it is actually the MANAGER that breaks top 4.
Chelsea had money, but the ONLY reason they got success and won the league was because they had the “MANAGER”. Without the right manager it would have been a big waste of money.
Now lets have a little look at Man City’s manager. Mark Hughes … LOL. He does not have the capacity to break to top 4.
There is a massive divide in the manager class. Its not like the Ferguson/Wenger/Scolari/Benitez are geniuses or anything, its just that they are “humans” to the figurative apes that fill the english leagues.
The “ape” managers can break down any team with effort but they have a distinct inability to actually create a system of play that isnt copied and/or utterly mediocre.
Mark Hughes is just one of those. Even if you give him half a billion worth of players he will NEVER break the top 4. The “brain space” is just not there.
What is he going to do, tell Robinho and Elano to “get up em” ?? Or tell them to play harder?? I can assure you all that Hughes will be sacked before next summer.
September 5th, 2008 at 12:56 am
Fred, “ABSOLUTE IDIOT” is a bit harsh to use for someone who is offering an opinion based on a situation which could go either way. Is it any less stupid to say City could never crack the top 4 with almost unlimited financial resources.
Also, I am no fan of Hughes, but he did a fantastic job at Blackburn with very limited resources and to call him an ape without any supporting evidence but based just on your feelings is again fodder for people to attack you.
Wake up Fred and please be more tolerant of others. Remember, those who live in glass houses should not throw stones.
September 5th, 2008 at 1:38 am
The “absolute idiot” is a sarcastic jab and a play on (and directed at) the “absolute” speak of the site clown (you can probably guess)
As for your argument:
Hughes IS a managerial ape like the vast majority of them.
Hughes did a “fantastic” job at Blackburn how??? Did he develop a new system or do something vaguely innovative?
Werent Blackburn just a regular “punt the ball forward”, “tackle hard”, “stop them from playing” sort of team? Or did I miss something?
So what sort of “fantastic” job did he do that differentiates him from the other managerial mediocrity?
September 5th, 2008 at 8:24 am
yes, how’s Everton doing so far?
you genius.
September 5th, 2008 at 8:39 am
Just ask Cesc what his opinion is of Sparky’s coaching ability.
When is the last time an British coach put out a team in the EPL that could play w/ verve as opposed to vim and vigor? That’s the only relevant question to ask of Redknapp, Hughes, Moyes, Megson, Bruce, Pulis, Hogdson, Ince, and Brown.
September 5th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Staggy boy, since u are so convinced that Everton will fall off the top 10, why dont u place a bet then?
Ofcourse the first 3 games is the chief determinant of a team’s final position on the table. Classic ape logic.
September 5th, 2008 at 12:55 am
i agree with caribkid’s post earlier about the 3 holes or thin areas in the squad. i wish AW had found some more talent to help round out the side. we have what we have; so, i don’t see the point in moaning about the lack of activity at the transfer window. we need to pray no injury befalls cesc this season. that would be very difficult for us to overcome.
when do rosicky, diaby, eduardo get back?
September 5th, 2008 at 12:58 am
Good post spot on 47. I truly agree with one important point you brought up - from a club’s point of view, success in the league is about consistency.
with the exception of Chelsea, i rarely seen a side who made many players changes in a season to actually go on doing well.
the way i see it, when a club is buying many new players can only mean one thing - their existing squad are not good enough.
the new players would probably give the team a boost, but over a long run, over the course of a season, so often it’s the teams with more steabllty in and off the pitch prevail.
@ Fred, good point. I have to admit, $$ alone might not have been enough to guarantee Chelsea’s success. they bought a right manager in Mourinho.
as for Mark Hughes, i think he won’t be City manager next season. simple, cos he’s not hired by the current owner. just like new manager wants to bring in new players, new owner would want to bring in the manager of their choice. It happened at Chelsea, happened at Spurs, in fact, every where when there was ownership changes. Not even Rafa’s job is safe these days. unless Hughes goes on to win the Champions League or the Premiership this season, he’s a goner. besides, he’s way overrated a manager IMO.
September 5th, 2008 at 9:03 am
You’re right, the EPL is a ‘marathon’ not a sprint and it comes down to the team who has their best players and backups still performing well at the end.
Look no further than Sp**s. I posted on a Sp**s blog that Ramos would be gutting their team. No one said boo to me. Revamped Sp**s, same old results even though its early. They have shed a lot of chaff but they necessarily have enough wheat. No pundit was foolish enough to predict a top 4 finish this year were they? That mantle has befallen Man City by default.
September 5th, 2008 at 9:06 am
When Wenger was announcing a new CEO was on the horizon (please not Karren Brady), I cannot believe no one asked him to respond to the Appiah rumor.
September 5th, 2008 at 11:03 am
would some one enlighten me about the possibility of signing Appiah……the transfer window is closed, how can AW sign (now)?
September 5th, 2008 at 11:49 am
I think it has to do with the fact that Appiah would be a Free Transfer and not be connected with any team. Don’t quote me I could be wrong, but I think that is why he would be available.
September 5th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Absolutely correct, any player who is not currently signed to a team is considered a free agent and may be acquired by any club and obviously there is no transfer fee.
Appiah is a free agent by mutual agreement with Fenerbache with whom he was involved in a dispute..
September 5th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71qnXOQXjbM. Free transfer is the answer.
http://arsenalanalysis.blogspot.com/2008/09/appiah-aims-to-prove-his-fitness-for.html
September 5th, 2008 at 11:52 am
I just want to say I think that Benetiz showed his true form with his comments about ManCity. Liverpool do not look like a cohesive unit and if ANY of the big four were to be caught, I think it is them.
I also have to agree with the general statement that money alone cannot buy a championship. A manager has something to do with it. Someone bought up the Yankees. How true. Under Joe Torre the same group that is about to miss the playoffs for the first time in 13 years made the playoffs - Joe Girardi not so much. Sparky is not on the same calibre as the top four managers and will have a lot of work cut out for him to remain competitive.
Just my thoughts.
September 5th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Relax guys, there is some good news.
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/bischoff-on-course-for-first-team-chance
“Amaury Bischoff could be back in full training in a matter of weeks.”
September 5th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
I am truly comforted by that earth shaking news
I cannot imagine a healthy fully match fit Bischoff bringing anything ’special’ to the party.