Haiti Relief . . . and Vermaelen Relief
January 28, 2010 | Leave a Comment
Greetings Gooners! I am excited to update you on the Arsenal America supporters Haiti Relief efforts! First and foremost, a HUGE thank you to each of you that donated money to support the relief efforts going on in Haiti. The Charm City Gooners and the NYC Arsenal Supporters have had great success with raising money for the victims of the Haiti earthquake, raising $150 and $200 respectively. Remember that the relief effort for Haiti is ongoing, and needs your support. Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions about our donation efforts, or if you would like to donate. You can e-mail me at josh@arsenalamerica.com.
For those of you that watched in horror, as Thomas Vermaelen limped off the pitch yesterday, all is not lost. The official x-ray’s and scans came back today that he suffered a bad knock. Some folks have looked at the match as a loss of two points, which it was . . . technically. But I for one think that Villa played well, forced us to make some saves, and caused us problems in a few areas. We were also quite unlucky to find the woodwork standing in our way of a goal. In the end, the lads must re-group, and re-focus as Manchester United await us on Sunday.
Until then, keep the faith!
COME ON YOU GUNNERS!
Wenger’s Approach Turns ‘Defensive’ As Arsenal Season Winds Down
May 15, 2009 | 185 Comments
While his Arsenal teams are known and praised for their attacking, offensive flair and attractive passing game, manager Arsene Wenger’s approach turned a bit “defensive” yesterday when addressing the differences between his side and the Premiership champions and when meeting with supporters gathered for an annual shareholders meeting to voice their comments and concerns with club management.
Arsenal travel to Old Trafford tomorrow to take on Manchester United in their second-to-last Premiership match this season. And while the Gunners’ place in the final league table has already been determined (at fourth), the North London side does have one thing to play for, as a road win would spoil United’s party of clinching the league title in front of home supporters.
With his team going into the contest having suffered heavy defeats in their last two outings, Arsene Wenger believes the Gunners “have a point to prove” when facing the team that ousted them from the Champions League a week ago.
But they’ll need to earn more than “a point” from the match to keep Manchester United from clinching the title tomorrow, as all the home side needs is a draw at Old Trafford to retain the Premiership crown.
With the disappointment still lingering among the club and its supporters after being denied a chance to play in the Champions League final, Wenger views Saturday’s clash “as more a matter of pride than a desire to poop the title party.
“We have a point to prove, definitely,” said the manager at Thursday’s press conference. “It looks like it will be Man United who win the league but we can still delay it. We want to play for our pride and be respected for who we are, that is people who love the game they play.”
“We promised ourselves on the first of January we would give everything in every game until the end of the season,” he continued. “This is where we can show we are capable to do that.”
Wenger also believes his side are closer to United than the 18-point gap currently seen between the two teams in the league table, citing defense as the difference for the side from Manchester.
“What people forget is that we were very far behind and we dropped too many points. Man United are world champions, European champions and will be champions of England,” claimed the manager. “Everybody has to cope with that, not accept it and come back next year and beat them.
“We have a very promising team who can deliver very soon,” added Wenger. “If you look at the statistics of the two teams, for example, we have scored a similar amount of goals. In the passing quality in the final third and in the opposition half, we are as good as Man United. We have conceded more goals and that’s where the difference lies.
“We have conceded 36, they have conceded 24; we have scored 64 and they have scored 67. Offensively, I do not believe there is a difference. Defensively, there was a difference.”
Speaking of the Arsenal defense, first-choice players Manuel Almunia, William Gallas and Gael Clichy are all unavailable for tomorrow’s match at Old Trafford. Defenders Gallas and Clichy are out for the season, while keeper Almunia does have a chance to return in the final league match versus Stoke City, according to Wenger.
The Gunners’ attack will see the return of Andrey Arshavin, who missed the Chelsea match with the flu and is now fully fit. This gives the Russian his first opportunity to face Manchester United in an Arsenal shirt, as he was Cup-tied for the Champions League this season and thus missed both semifinal round matches against the Red Devils.
Arshavin has been impressive in his first half-season at the Emirates after arriving in January for what has been reported as the club’s record transfer signing. Many Arsenal supporters are hoping the club splashes more cash this summer to bring in additional players to help improve the club that has gone four seasons without a trophy.
Wenger’s preferred youth policy and frugality in regard to transfers while managing the club were among the concerns voiced by supporters frustrated with the lack of silverware in recent years, who attended a shareholders meeting at which Wenger spoke on Thursday evening.
Addressing the issue, the manager criticized the negativity among supporters but did admit that his team must deliver in the coming campaigns. “It is easy to sit in the stands and say that they are not up for the fight,” he said. “But what they have done in this season in a negative environment shows what they can do.”
“If they don’t deliver in one or two years, then you can say that it was not the right thing to do. But at the moment this club needs the support of the people who love it,” claimed Wenger. “We want to run the club by respecting our financial values, respecting the game we want to play and developing the players that we have had for five years at this club.
“If we do not get there then I will stand up and be responsible,” added the manager. “But no one has done what this team has done at the average age they are now.”
If you can’t say something nice…
May 15, 2009 | 20 Comments
You’ve no doubt by now started seeing the news reports about Arsene Wenger’s Q&A with shareholders and how some of the dialog got a bit hairy. With Wenger at one point going so far as to question whether one can be a true supporter and at the same time criticize the players.
I don’t want to get into that debate because I’ve seen it here enough times and feel like it will never be settled. Rather, I’d like to take a different approach. Let’s assume that he’s right and that supporters need to support. I’d like us to show how much we Arsenal Americans support this club and I think we can do it rather simply.
Just write one positive thing about this season in the comments below. This could be your favorite player, your favorite moment, favorite goal, whatever, just keep it positive, brief, and keep it to one item. That way others can post their favorite without feeling like their idea has been ‘taken.’
I’ve started this same idea over at my blog this morning and the response has been very good already. But that’s an international audience. What about us, us Americans? What kind of support can we give?
Post it below!
Arsenal’s next big acquisition.
May 11, 2009 | 27 Comments
An opinion piece from one of Arsenal America’s regulars…
We may not want to believe it, we may not even want to consider it, but Arsenal is at a major crossroad in its illustrious history. Next season will determine whether we take that step to reaffirm we are a “Super Club” or continue to be just another decent club, with promising young players, content to vying for CL qualification every season.
Making the situation even more urgent, Manchester City is entering the fray with almost unlimited funds at its disposal while Tottenham can contend with a few more astute signings. God forbid, we end up as the 3rd best club in London, with Chelsea already assuming the top mantle.
We are all talking about getting new, experienced players in this summer, but at the same time, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham and City will all be looking to shore up their squads and most likely outspend us in that effort.
A long, hard look at the past three seasons could lead one to conclude that our most important signing this summer will be the replacement of Pat Rice, as second in command. While Pat has been a loyal and faithful servant to the cause, looking at his expressionless face on the bench, seems to belie the fact that he has nothing more to offer the club than a reminder of our past glory. Nice guy, but more of a “yes man” who will never contradict the man in charge.
For all of Arsene’s past success and trophies, the past three years have shown an inability to adapt to the new football world order as he has made blunder after blunder, which would be tolerated at any other club than Arsenal. From his choice of Gallas as captain over Gilberto Silva, failing to replace key squad members leaving the team, new acquisitions of Bischoff and Silvestre, failed formations, naïve tactics, team imbalance, or his youth-only policy, bears little resemblance to “le Professor” of the past.
Where is the new Henry, Petit, Viera, Edu, Silva, Pires, Ljundberg, Bergkamp, Seaman, Adams? Nowhere to be found. Instead we have Diaby, Denilson, Walcott, Eboue, van Persie and Adebayor. There is no comparison.
What Arsene needs is for a second in command who will bring fresh ideas, technical nous, new training regiments and above all, be Arsene’s devil in the left ear. Getting new players will help, but if they are not judiciously used, played in the right formations and natural positions, we will be left with a Chelsea or Liverpool super squad which fails to achieve its full potential.
Like it or not, Arsene’s and Arsenal’s future lies in his choice of assistant this summer.
Thankful to be a Gooner!
November 22, 2007 | 8 Comments
As it is the time of year where people tend to reflect on the many reasons they have to be thankful, here’s a few things (in no particular order), Arsenal supporters can count their blessings for:
Being top of the table
The best manager in all the world, Arsene Wenger
Cesc Fabregas
Arsenal America, the single most valuable resource for American Arsenal supporters
Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy, Mathieu Flamini, Alexander Hleb, Robin van Persie, and the rest of the Arsenal players, coaches, and staff.
For me personally, I’d add to that list; the many Gooners all over the world that I’ve met, the great Bay Area Arsenal supporters who show up for match viewings, and of course, being married to an equally fervent Arsenal supporter.
I’m sure you lot can expound on this list!
Emptying out the closet of my mind…
June 9, 2007 | 37 Comments
A lot of rumors going around about a variety of things, and I haven’t seen much of it being very positive, thats for sure. I figured I’d give my 2 cents on a few hot topics, and give us all an area to debate the Summer Silly Season that we all loathe annually.
(at least I dread it, because our top names are constantly rumored to be going elsewhere)
1. Thierry Henry:
I believe the man is frustrated with our lack of success, and lack of experience in the squad. He wants to win now, as he’s at the peak of his career, and doesn’t have time to wait for the kids potential, to potentially blossom or potentially not. He’s candid, he’s open… he’s Thierry Henry and has won enough in his career to be able to speak his mind.
I hope he stays, because he’s not replaceable. If we sell him to Barcelona, I highly doubt we’ll spend the money we get on a star player to attempt to replace him. Players come to Arsenal to play with Theirry Henry. He helps fill the stadium. He’s a big part of what Arsenal are as a team. Its really simple, if he goes, we are fecked for a few more years.
2. The Club.
We seem to be in utter turmoil. Wengers on holiday. Dein is gone and we have not replaced him. We might be taken over by an American Billionaire, or not. Dein might ride back in with the billionaire, or not. Our star players are spouting off and rumored to be headed elsewhere.
I don’t see many other EPL star players being mentioned in the papers every day as being off to wherever. Gerrard? Drogba? Terry? Any ManU players?
Maybe I’m just paying attention to Arsenal too much, but why are we being raided. Because we’ve sold our captain previously? Are we thought of as a feeder club to the REAL big clubs.
And on that note… why build this massive stadium, to try and compete with the biggest and best in Europe, and then NOT try to compete on the pitch with them for star players? What exactly was the point of closing the beloved Highbury before we were able to compete financially on the pitch? I’m sorry, maybe I’m daft… but what was the plan after we got the new stadium, just tread water for 2 or 3 or 5 years? Its a new stadium, so we don’t need to win anything to fill it up? The logic escapes me if we aren’t able to bring in big name players to be one of the elite in Europe. I would much rather have stayed at Highbury and expanded it somehow to maybe 40,000? If Wenger goes, and Henry goes, and Cesc goes… and there is not a “Football Man” on the board like DD, you’ve got a freakin’ sorry scenario hanging over this massive new stadium without the product on the pitch to fill it.
3. Teflon Fab.
Cesc’s been spouting crap about playing for Barcelona and going back to Spain “some day” for way too long in my estimation. But, I don’t see too many folks saying a damned thing about Boy Wonder. Apparently, if Wenger is off, so is Cesc. He would love to play for Barcelona some day. It will be difficult for Henry to say no to Barcelona. Blah Blah Blah…
Dude, your 20… and you have won absolutely feck all at the club. We haven’t won a damned thing since Vieira kicked his last ball for the club in the FA Cup. SHUT UP. Win something, and then tell the press your thoughts and dreams. Jeez-us. When’s your book coming out?
So you go if Wenger goes. I’d say that means he doesn’t give a rats ass about the club or fans in my understanding of the language. Is Wenger the club? Is he “bigger than the club” as many of you love to say? Apparently in Cesc’s eyes, he is. I’d rather Cesc go than Henry, but thats just me…
4. Wenger.
I guess he’s coming back from his holiday in Italy next week. Right into the storm hovering around the club, eh Arsene? Seeing that he is apparently doing his job and David Dein’s job too… as he hasn’t been replaced, and nobody else on the board knows anything about football matters… will he be able to ride the white horse back in, round up Cesc and Henry and tell them to SHUT UP and everything will be OK?? Will he coax Dein back to the club, with or without the Billionaire? Will he get someone to replace DD?
Or is he outta here too and he’s taking Cesc and Henry with him?
Wouldn’t that be a kick in the teeth? Wenger Henry and Cesc to Barcelona for 60 Million GBP.
Hey, there you go, start that rumor now!!! Its about as valid as all the other rumors, innit? I hope and pray that Arsene can come back and calm the waters and make everything better.
4. Transfers.
Aliadiare is off to Boro. I think he’ll do just fine there. (yes Danny)
We aren’t getting Ribery. We aren’t getting Moulada. We aren’t getting anyone, are we?! Seems like one way traffic.
Arsenal Summers are torment for the fans… because we usually need “one or two big signings” like everyone does to improve their squad, but we very rarely get them, or see them until the Summer is almost over, and we’ve died waiting and hoping about 5 times over. I don’t expect us to bring anyone of note in. The fact is we need a few players IN, in order to compete next year… I know it, TH14 knows it… and if it doesn’t happen, we aren’t competing for trophies next season.
There U go.
Rip away. Tell me I’m daft. Tell me I’m crazy. That we are just fine with the current team, that everything is going to be alright. That Cesc and Henry didn’t really say those things… they are misquoted. Tell me that we are in great fiscal shape and that even with a mid-table team, we’re better off with that massive vacuous stadium with the prawn sandwich crowd leaving early and almost never being able to make enough noise to be heard.
Go on. Tell me like it ain’t.
A crazy thought for a Thursday
May 3, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Hey, just thought I’d throw this out there:
Love Wenger, big fan of everything he has done for the club. I believe he will be considered one of the 10 great managers in the history of top flight football in England. But, maybe, after 10 years, it’s time for the lads in the dressing room to hear another voice. How about Arsene moves to the front office in a technical director’s role and a new manager slots in? That new manager?
Ronald Koeman
Fantastic pedigree. As a player he won a boatload of trophies, including two European Cups. He also had a knack for coming up big in big games. As a manager he’s done remarkably well, often with limited budgets. He took Vitesse Arnhem to the UEFA Cup in his first job, then revived a slumping Ajax side before they decided to start firing managers like Steinbrenner during the 80s. He then when to Portugal, taking Benfica to the Champions League semis and winning the SuperCup. Now back in Holland at PSV Eindhoven, he’s continued to win titles and punch above his weight in the Champions League.
I’m not suggesting Arsene Wenger be marginalized, merely allowed to exploit his strengths (pretty much everything but match management) while the club strengthens it coaching staff with a proven winner.
You Lot Would Have Surrendered After Dunkirk
April 10, 2007 | 6 Comments
The comments of the last few weeks are understandable. I agree with some of them (Baptista and Aliadiere should go, Flamini sucks, Fabregas is either tired or has been found out, Arsenal cannot defend set pieces nor can it punish teams with corners, the wide midfielders Arsenal has are not true wingers, Lehman’s time may be up, Eboue needs to learn how to behave, Wenger should fess up more often and call out several of his men, Arsenal needs someone, anyone, to hold the players internally accountable.) I disagree with a bunch of others (Clichy is only half as good as Cole, Flamini has heart and should be retained, and most definitely, Wenger should go.)
A big reason for our failures this season…
April 10, 2007 | 3 Comments
EXPERIENCE. Hugely under-rated by Arsene and the Arsenal, and we’re paying the price for it.
The recurring theme over the last few years has been experienced proven players leave, and young kids come in…
Just because a player reaches a certain age… it doesn’t mean he can’t contribute significantly to the team. Bergkamp, Pires, Vieira… these are class players who were solid contributors. Bergy retired, but he certainly had his moments in his last few seasons. Pires and Vieira made big contributions to the teams success as well.
You simply have to have some balance in the team. Scholes and Giggs is as far as you have to look. They have had an massive positive effect on ManU THIS SEASON. Something tells me if they were Arsenal players, Wenger would have ushered them out the door 1 or 2 years ago.
Giggs Scholes Neville Larsson – ALL over 30.
Rio Heinze Saha… ALL 28…
Who else are we chasing… Chelsea.
Let’s look at their make up…
Makelele(34) Schevy and Ballack are ALL over 30.
A large part of their CORE, are either 28 or 29 including Ferriera, Geremi, Lampard, Drogba, and Carvahlo.
These teams have players that have DONE IT. They have experience. They don’t cough it up when the pressure is on, or on those cold wintry road games versus lesser teams… that comes from experience. You can’t swap that out for youth and expect to win… not gonna happen.
We’ve got Gilberto at 30. He should probably be sent packing soon? Right? Can’t give him a 2 year contract?! Inter is already asking about him.
Other than that, Henry is 29, and has been hurt all year. Gallas is 29, hurt all year, and Freddie is 28, hurt very often.
Thats a LARGE part of why we failed this season. With only 4 seasoned veterans of 28, 29, and 30… and 3 out for prolonged periods of time… we had were probably lucky to have been in all competitions as long as we lasted.
The KIDS are only going to take you so far… at some point, against teams like Bolton, Blackburn, and the like, the other teams veterans out wit, out think and out play us too often. To me, its as simple as that.
When we’ve had PROPER balance in the team, we’ve been scary successful… hell, we’ve been UNDEFEATED.
(and note, I am not counting the keepers, you can add in Lehmann, but as usual, we’re probably going to lose him, at 37 he’s a dinosaur)
Bring in proper proven players with some seasoning at this level, and perhaps we can get back to the elite teams in football, otherwise, we’ll be watching until the kids get a few years of experience under their belt.
Arsene, as Black Sheep once said: “The Choice is yours, you can get with this, or you can get with that”.
Please … start getting a little more with “that”. (experience, that is!)
The Unimportance of Flamini
April 10, 2007 | 2 Comments
Lead up to my previous article.
I had written an article in which I had submitted a realistic submission of what the Arsenal squad should look like next season.I had not put in Flamini as a midfielder.It is not that I hate him,but it is just that I really feel he is not Arsenal standard.
Yesterday,our team had a off day.It was really really boring.It was frustating.I just thought imagine the plight of someone who was paying 50 pounds plus for this game.
Anyway,coming back to the point.Flamini.I understand Flamini is a squad player the kind who plugs in gaps whenever they arise.It is impossible to see him fitting the permanent role of an attacking or a holding midfielder.
So why him?I really do not understand.On of the keys of our success aganist Bolton was the technique and tackling of both Diaby and Denilson.They both could make excellent passes.But that is not the case for Flamini.He takes one touch too many.And his tackling is average at best.
Though to be fair to him,he has Heart.But that can only take you to a certain level.Not the Arsenal level.The one signing that i wish for next season is actually Sidwell.He really has some steel!And he does make us stronger.
Another discussion that I wanted to have Bentley Vs Alidarie.A few year back,on this very forum I had mentioned the importance of Bentley.I thought he would fit right in the Beckham mould.He is performing very well.And I feel it was wrong of us to let him go.Though essentially it is a Midfielder Vs Striker debate.But again at that time Bentley was seen as a Holding Striker.
A more apt comaprison is him vs Van Persie.Where it seems more even.Though I wish he had stayed.Looking for feedback.
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