Redemption for Arsene Wenger in Istanbul (w/ Player Ratings)

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Fenerbahce (0) – (3) Arsenal
Gibbs 51′, Ramsey 64′, Giroud 77′ (Pen)
Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, Istanbul
Champions League Qualifier

Last night was an excellent performance from every player, and one that was a million miles away from the shambles on Saturday. Our inter-play was excellent and it was a joy to watch Cazorla, Rosicky, Wilshere and Ramsey passing the ball like they did. Sure, people will say that Fenerbahce didn’t offer much (which they didn’t) but that was partly because of how well Arsenal played.

We pressed high up the pitch, were well organised and didn’t give any of their players much time on the ball. And when it mattered, we put the ball into the net.

It was 0-0 at half time but we had been the better team. Once the second half kicked off we increased the tempo and Fenerbahce couldn’t handle us. The first goal was really well executed, with a beautiful through ball by Ramsey to Theo, who had the presence to pick out Kieran Gibbs at the far post.

1-0 and that was the vital away goal we needed.

We kept pressing and Aaron Ramsey, who was my Man of the Match, had all the time in the world and fired in a low rasping shot into the bottom corner which Volkan found too hot to handle.

Then, Theo was beautifully picked out by Santi Cazorla and was brought down in the area. When I saw it I had my hands in the air as it was a penalty but it is one of those you might not get in an away game, but fortunately the referee gave the right decision. I wasn’t 100% confident when I saw Olivier Giroud step up but he finished with aplomb.

So 3-0 away from home at Fenerbahce and for me that was an outstanding result. Not only because it was unexpected after the debacle against Aston Villa but because that effectively (barring any freak 90 minutes at The Emirates) means we should be safely through and in the Champions League proper. Of course, we can’t count our chickens just yet but the hardest part of the task is done and we couldn’t of asked for any more.

Fenerbahce did have a couple of chances to score, the first from left back Kadlec which Szczesny saved well, and the second from Emenike from a narrow angle. Gibbs, Mertesacker and Sagna (when he had to move into central defence) were all solid, and Carl Jenkinson was excellent. I don’t understand the people who say he needs more time because I think he’s ready and don’t forget he was fantastic at the start of last season when Sagna was out injured. He’s intelligent, gets well up the pitch and his crossing is top drawer. I don’t have a problem using Sagna in the middle if that means Jenkinson gets to play.

So in the end, a fantastic result which should mean we’ll be playing in Europe’s elite club competition this season.

Player Ratings:

1. Wojciech Szczesny – 7/10
Wasn’t called upon a huge amount of times but when needed pulled off some very good saves. Was brave in the challenge against Sow and unlike Saturday, was solid.

3. Bacary Sagna – 7/10
Was up and down the right hand side as usual and coped well considering Theo isn’t the greatest at tracking back. Once he moved into central defence after Koscielny went off injured, he was solid and did well alongside Mertesacker.

4. Per Mertesacker – 7/10
The captain had a better day at the office and kept Webo and Sow quiet for the majority of the game. Made some good interceptions and won most of the headers inside and outside the box. Wasn’t troubled at all.

6. Laurent Koscielny – 6/10
Went off after 33 minutes after a nasty looking injury to his face. He darted in front of Webo to win the ball and got one hell of a kick to the head. Looked painful at the time and he is not having the best of luck at the moment.

28. Kieran Gibbs – 8/10
Up and down the flank all night and linked up well with Jack, Ramsey, Cazorla and Rosicky. Made some good runs and got himself into some decent positions on the left wing, and deserved his goal.

16. Aaron Ramsey – 9/10
For me, the Man of the Match. He was so confident on the ball, waltzed past players with ease and his passing was first class. Beautiful ball to Theo to assist the Kieran Gibbs goal and deserved his bit of luck for Arsenal’s second. If he keeps this up he could be a massive player for Arsenal this season and looks to have really kicked on from last season.

10. Jack Wilshere – 7/10
Got himself about and made some important interceptions and linked up well with the other 3 midfielders. Made some good runs and passing was excellent. Had a nice dribble around Bruno Alves but the angle for the shot was against him and was saved.

7. Tomas Rosicky – 7/10
Set the tone for the team with his endless running and pressing. Looked lively from the first whistle and was comfortable on the ball, making some incisive passes.

19. Santi Cazorla – 8/10
Looked like his old self, and along with Ramsey, Wilshere and Rosicky controlled the midfield. Some of the passes he made were really exceptional and he showed how good he is on his day. Beautiful control and touches on the ball, often using his skill to get out of sticky situations.

14. Theo Walcott – 7/10
His overall performance was hit and miss but Theo is an impact player and he did exactly that. Good run and cut back for Gibbs for the first goal and did really well to win the penalty for the third. His touches could have been better but basically making two of the goals is a decent nights work.

12. Olivier Giroud – 6/10
Did okay but didn’t have much luck against Yobo and Alves. Took his penalty very well but his passing was suspect and did have a great chance just before half time when he was put through by Wilshere. We all know he’s not the most clinical finisher but thats 2 goals in 2 games now.

Substitutes:

25. Carl Jenkinson – 8/10 (replaced Koscielny 33′)
Once again a very assured performance from Jenkinson. I rate him very highly indeed and again he didn’t disappoint. Has a great turn of pace to beat a fullback and did that on several occasions. He put in some excellent crosses which really should have been taken advantage of if some of the Arsenal players gambled in the middle.

9. Lukas Podolski – NLE (replaced Giroud 82′)
Not long enough to make an impact.

17. Nacho Monreal – NLE (replaced Walcott 87′)
Not long enough to make an impact.

Karim Benzema and Angel Di Maria?

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So the latest transfer news is that Arsenal “are working on deals” to bring Karim Benzema and Angel Di Maria from Real Madrid.

Well that is certainly a surprise to me.

Usually you can second guess any potential transfer targets but these are a bit left field but according to BBC Sport, Arsenal are willing to pay £40 million for the France striker.

So what do you think of these potential signings then? Are they the real deal or just another two players we can add to the list of signings that will never happen?

Could they make way for the arrival of Gareth Bale? Who knows.

 

Do You Feel Sorry For Arsene Wenger?

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We all know about the negativity surrounding the club at the moment. You’ve probably seen this video from Arsenal Fan TV which has gone viral, but it sums up the feeling of a section of the Arsenal support:

Please note the video contains strong language.

The main grievances fans have include:

  • The lack of spending in the transfer market, when it’s clear our squad needs strengthening.
  • The seemingly poor negotiating skills of Arsenal’s hierarchy, shown in particular by the Luis Suarez and Gonzalo Higuain transfer sagas.
  • The amount of power Arsene Wenger has at the club.
  • The fact that there is no accountability from Arsene Wenger, Ivan Gazidis and the Arsenal board.
  • Silent Stan.
  • The fact that Arsenal are only interested in making money.
  • Arsene Wenger’s “lack” of tactical knowledge and the fact that his methods are outdated.

And there are more and more Arsenal fans calling for David Dein to make a return, and some even wanting Alisher Usmanov to own the club and take us forward.

After the Aston Villa game, there were reportedly fans fighting amongst themselves in the ground, people hurling abuse at Wenger and some of the crowd chanting “spend some f*cking money!”.

There is no doubt that during Arsene’s 16 year reign at the club, there has never been a bigger frustration amongst the fans and even the AST have said Wenger should not be offered a new contract.

But my question is do you feel sorry for Arsene Wenger?

There is no doubt he has done great things for Arsenal, things which we could never have imagined back in September 1996, but 8 seasons without a trophy is something that is really hurting Arsenal fans.

For me, all I want is to see Arsenal to compete. If I know that Arsenal have done everything they possibly can (within their means of course) to strengthen the team, make sure the team are prepared accordingly and we have the best quality possible then that is more than enough. The problem I have is it is clear we have money to spend, the squad is threadbare and we haven’t spent to make the squad as good as it can be. And for me, that is criminal.

Arsenal fans have been given the promise of competing financially by moving to the new stadium and paying the highest ticket prices in the country. We are apparently similar to Bayern Munich in terms of financial firepower but we haven’t spent a single penny. So what is going on?

As I’ve said, Arsene Wenger is the one who brought success to the club and the one who raised expectation levels. But now, without a trophy in 8 seasons and the fans turning against him at an increasing rate, you feel that this is the beginning of the end.

He had a similar time at Monaco, when he did well for a few years but then lost the plot and got sacked. Arsenal are far more forgiving as he is making the shareholders very wealthy but if the fans keep slating him and booing him at every game then something has got to give. The board would have no choice but to listen to the fans and give Arsene the boot.

And if that happens, would you feel sorry for him? Would that be the kind of end befitting of a man who essentially changed the landscape of the club?

Arsenal’s Quest To Piss Off Every “Top 4 Competing Team”

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Our “transfer policy” seems to have taken a very familiar path this summer. And after thinking about it, maybe it is not Arsene Wenger and Arsenal’s intent to actually buy players (because that would be far too easy) but instead to just piss off any team that could be considered a “Top 4 Competitor”. The bids we are lodging are of a football club who have lost touch with reality. If it would be hilarious if it wasn’t so depressing.

We put in bids which are well off the players valuation, get publicly slated by the other club and then look like a bunch of amateurish fucktards.

Let’s look at the evidence. We bid £30 million for Luis Suarez from Liverpool. They turn around and label the bid “derisory”. We put in another bid, this time £40 million and £1. Then we’re called crass and lacking class. And if you’re objective about it, then you can’t disagree. The first bid was never going to be accepted in a million years, and the second is one that basically admits we know about a release clause and Liverpool are obviously miffed because how did we even find out about it? Because it wouldn’t have been through “proper” channels. So in the end, without placing a bid that would actually be seriously considered, we’ve just succeeded in pissing off Liverpool and unsettling the player.

Then onto Newcastle and Yohan Cabaye. Every Arsenal fans favourite manager Alan Pardew was livid at our £10 million bid. He talked about how unprofessional it was that Arsenal bid on the eve of a big game and how “derisory” the offer was. So again, we’ve unsettled the player (as he was dropped for the game against Manchester City) and succeeded in pissing off Newcastle.

So where do we go from here?

If we follow the pattern we can probably predict what is going to happen next.

Who are the teams we can consider rivals for 4th place in the Premier League? There’s Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Everton realistically.

So the only two teams we haven’t annoyed yet and unsettled their best players are Tottenham and Everton.

Pissing off Everton is easy. Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines are their best players so following Manchester United’s failed bid of £28 million for them both, we can lodge a bid of £28 million plus £1. £29 million or £30 million is far too civilised so adding a pound to the Manchester United bid will have the desired effect.

But how about Tottenham? We can’t really bid for Gareth Bale because Real Madrid put an offer of £86 million and that was turned down. But then again thinking about it, we could offer £20 million plus Nicklas Bendtner on the last day of the transfer window and hopefully that would annoy them or at the very least confuse them to the extent that it might knock them off their stride, given we’ve valued Bendtner at £70 million and £3.

Proof That Arsene Wenger Has Actually Lost The Plot

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We all know about the shambolic summer. And we all know about the shambolic display against Aston Villa. And unfortunately, we all know about the shambolic state of our squad, and the numerous injuries we have. The end result of which that it looks like, despite having a “war chest” to spend, we have started the 2013/2014 season with a squad that would be lucky to reach the Top 4.

And at the start of the summer, the club (through Ivan Gazidis) were the ones who raised the expectation levels. They were the ones that came out and said we could compete. But obviously either that’s a complete lie and we have no money whatsoever, or for some inexplicable reason we are reluctant to spend.

The general consensus is that it’s the latter. And that means this is the result of Arsene Wenger and his (lack of) actions.

Look, I love Arsene Wenger and I’m not one of these Wenger Out Brigade or some other term fans use to define the increasingly segregated Arsenal fan base.

He has done miracles for the club, of that there is no doubt, and I am annoyed that I have to actually point that out before making any point about Arsenal – just because I am critical of something he has done doesn’t mean I hate him or want him to leave. But by the same token, supporters shouldn’t think he’s perfect, because no-one is.

But over the last few months, it seems like Arsene has lost the plot. Is the pressure getting to him? I go through some of the more famous quotes he has come up with over the previous few weeks:

“At us, Chelsea, Machester United, it is difficult to find the quality players to strengthen the team and the squad who are available at the moment but there are a shortage of top, top, top players who are available.

“It’s not a question of spending the money, it’s a question of finding the right players. As I told you, you are well informed, you certainly heard that we are not scared to spend money. But we want the right players.”

But that is just not true. You can be petty and argue about how good the following players are, but the fact is they were available (for a price) and we could have afforded them and it is undeniable that they would have improved our squad. But for whatever reason we couldn’t get them.

Players who have moved clubs this summer and we could have afforded were Gonzalo Higuain, Stevan Jovetic, Luiz Gustavo, Maarten Stekelenburg, Simon Mignolet, Jésus Navas, Loïc Rémy – and there’s a lot more besides. Then of course there are players such as Marouane Fellaini, Lars Bender, Luis Suarez and others who want to move clubs but no team has stumped up the required cash.

Every player has their price, and the question is whether Arsenal know what the market value of a footballer actually is and if their “lower” valuations are realistic.

When he was asked about why money hasn’t been sent after the Villa game, his response was:

“I can return your question. Could we have won the game with the players that were on the pitch today? That’s for me the real question. And I say yes. After that, if we do not spend the money, it’s because we do not find the players. I’m not the only one to work on that.

“We are a team who work on that. We are ready to buy the players if we find that the players are good enough for us. That’s all we can tell you.

This brings up a couple of glaring points. Were the players that were on the pitch good enough to win? Whatever the answer is, that being yes or no, then it still doesn’t look good on Arsenal.

If there players were good enough, then why didn’t they win? Surely it’s because of the match preparation and that is solely down to Arsene Wenger. Why weren’t they suitably motivated? Why did they play so lethargically? Why did the team still make the same fundamental mistakes defensively? The answer is because of Arsenal Wenger – he is the man who puts the players on the pitch, sets the formations and tactics, and “motivates” the players for the game.

The other answer to his question to whether the players were good enough could also easily be no. Because we didn’t win did we? We didn’t perform and do enough to get all three points so therefore, the players who were on the pitch were not good enough were they?

When asked why is it so difficult for Arsenal to buy players:

“We take our work seriously and believe me, we analyse every single player in the world. We work 24 hours a day for that. When we make decisions, we take it seriously.

“People try to think we do not want to spend. We want to. We are ready to buy players.”

Arsenal analyse every player in the world? You work 24 hours a day to recruit players? I’m sorry, but they might be working hard to bring in players but that’s a slight exaggeration. Obviously he’s saying that for effect but that’s slightly dramatic. And the bottom line is, there is no proof that Arsenal have been working hard on buying players because apart from “a few lowball bids” we haven’t seen anyone join the club.

And there was the famous quote a few weeks ago where he challenged journalists to suggest who he should buy, insinuating that it’s hard to identify players to bring to Arsenal.

But my response is that is his job, not ours or anyone else’s. He is the one who should be identifying weaknesses in the squad and addressing them, he is the one who should be seeing which areas of the pitch need improving and recruiting accordingly. To even suggest something like “who should I buy” smacks of complete ignorance.

And he started off the Aston Villa press conference with his gem:

“You got what you wanted, you should be happy.”

“Before the start the season that was all you write in the papers so what do you expect?”

All the papers talked about was the lack of signings from the club – not that they wanted Arsenal to lose football matches. I could go into more reasons why that quote is wrong but I’m sure you get the idea by now.

It will be interesting to see what will happen over the next couple of weeks before September 2nd. The latest is we’re after Yohan Cabaye from Newcastle United.

Will we get him or will it, once again, fall through? Who knows.

Source: Some quotations taken from Arsenal.com.