Alas, after being inspired by fellow Goon bloggers and starting this inaugural personal blog - ironically at a time when its mid-season - I would have had enough time to ponder on the 3rd-generation of Arsene & the Boys..
It was a fine pre-season in Austria and the Amsterdam Tournament where we saw glimpses of the new-look Arsenal 07/08. Eduardo had done pretty well, of course playing against continental oppositions its hard to know then how he'll cope in the BPL. All aside, Arsenal were proving the critics wrong with fine displays to win both tournaments. The UCL is considered successful so far but not beating Slavia away costs us and now we have to get past the Milan giants.
Well, enough of past matches and on to how the team is right now. Deflated is one word I would use after that heavy Spud defeat and rumors of infighting will boil over as long as they know who is in charge. Ade made an apology on the official site and I believe the team will be more focus going into the game against Newcastle (more on that in awhile).
Players come and go at the Grove and we have seen the Invincibles reduced to just vice-captain Toure (and a few past reserves) after Ljungberg left. Gilberto Silva is a name I hope I will not see in Arsenal's squad next season, brilliant servant as he is for us for so long, his sell-by-date has become so obvious! A fine example would be his non-existent role infront of the back 4 (he's fav position btw and grumbled when he had to play at CB). Diarra would have been a better replacement for Flamini but, alas, I was sad the talent left us for less greener pastures.
I haven't been a fan of Flamini, even hoping he would be transfered, cause I just didn't see how he featured in the Arsenal way on the pitch. His first few matches were frustrating when he gave away needless FKs and even tackled his own player once! But so far he has proven me wrong and I can understand why the Professor wants to extend his contract. His workrate has been fantastic and he has been showing he is a better DM than Gilberto.
Defensively, the team has been solid at the back with Toure and Gallas becoming the 1st choice pairing. Clichy is irreplaceable and newboy Sagna did himself proud early in the season (somehow faded after the winless streak ended at Boro). Senderos and the back from loan Djourou, hasn't quite convinced me they are top class yet. Hoyte fits nicely at right-back but he has been suspect at CB (ala Spurs game). Traore has been lauded by Cpt. Gallas of his talent but I have yet been impressed with him. His unsureness in the Burnley game almost costs the team on a couple of occasions. As long as Clichy stays away from injuries and suspensions, I don't see how the LB slot would be given to Traore in big matches. One thing is for sure, the defence lacks height!
Hmm, that brings us to Almunia.. He definitely has taken his chance with Lehmann benched (after two horrific blunders in the first couple of matches). Almunia is not a world-class 'keeper and I don't see him ever becoming one but there's really no one else. Lehmann is low in confidence and unsettled at the moment (with a couple of Bundesliga clubs wanting him) as is shown in the win over Burnley in the FA Cup recently. He was just flying all over the place and I felt he looked jittery. Fabianski is definitely a great stopper and one for the future but the team really needs one now and next season!
Midfield is where there are problems. Wingers Rosicky (my favourite player) and Hleb (fantastic so far) are a must in the team, along with wonderkid Cesc and Flamini, we have a very stable midfield. Problem is, when either one of them are out there isn't much of a direct replacement for them. Denilson is talented but still lacks the killer pass and physique. Diaby has just too much flair in his game and loses the ball at crucial times (ala Spurs game). But I like him as he is a fantastic, skilful player when he is focused and in his rythm can score some goals for us. Gilberto? Well we all know that one..
In the striking department lies the least of our problems...
Well, almost...
If RVP is completely fit, this team will be getting a hell lot more goals. Ade blows hot and cold, and his first touch has let him down for quite a number of matches. Other than that, he has been scoring pretty regularly AND stunningly. But as long as RVP stays injured, he is our No. 1 striker. Eduardo would be 3rd on my list and I think he will reach his peak towards the end of the season. His goal-to-matches ratio has been improving nicely so far. Bendtner is also a fine talent, and at 19, already making his mark in the league (just like his winner against Spurs). Walcott is having a bad run of form at the moment and critics are already saying he is a boy in a man's land crap. It might be true that ever since his mentor, The Great Henry, took on a new apprentice at Barca, Walcott has had no one to look up to in his development. I hope our great Professor deals with this issue fast as I would hate to see his talent fade and ultimately leave us..
First of all, IMHO, I feel the players that should go is Lehmann and Gilberto. Diarra left us with a hole in the subs department, which would have been he's once Gilberto leaves. Instead, AW should now look for adequate cover for Flamini or even look into getting a top-class DM if Flamini decides its farewell Emirates. I don't mind losing either Senderos or Djourou if we are able to get a solid CB in the summer. Someone in the mold of Nesta or Cannavaro would be nice! =P Getting a top-class 'keeper would also add steel at the back and push Almunia back to his old place. Rumors abound earlier that AW considered bringing Juuskalainen or Boruc to the Emirates but we all know it couldn't be true..
Midfield can be further strengthened if the younger youngsters don't make the grade. I'll say bring cover to the wingers at least. The forward line is just right so far but as AW said, having RVP back and fully fit is like having signed a new star player. Eduardo is doing really fine so far and hopefully will hit the 20-odd mark by season's end. And then we might just see him repeating his remarkable scoring feat just as he did in the Croatian league.
By far, the star and legendary player Arsenal can't lose in ANY circumstances is Arsene Wenger himself. The professor is Simply Irreplaceable!!
If Arsene goes, Arsenal goes!! GO ARSENE-NAL!!!
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