A typical international week thus far. Injuries dominate the headlines and judging by the numbers of fallen at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea will be struggling to put out a side at The Emirates in a fortnight’s time. A lot of suspicion should surround these reports since it is highly likely that most of their walking wounded will make the biggest comeback since Lazarus, being fit and ready for action once kick-off comes.

For Arsenal, you know it is quiet when the headlines concern the one-armed girlfriend of Nicklas Bendtner. The usual denials of leaving and pledges to sign players abound from other clubs. This time though, the players themselves are being quiet, except for Fran Merida who emphasised his involvement with the first team, leaving the backtracking from his Mr20% to be put down to the “falsehoods” which “abound in football“.

FIFA is tackling this problem head on. Their solution? Stop regulating agents. It has been a pretence all along and explains why clubs such as Barcelona can run around tapping players up with impugnity. For the media, it is manna from heaven. The complaints from Arsene about the unsettling effects on his charges likely to be put down to querulous behaviour on his part as the rill of spurious claims becomes a raging torrent portrayed as the truth. Summer’s may have seemed so peaceful in the past.

Bacary Sagna’s determination to stay at Arsenal was made clear on his behalf by a “source close to the French international” who spoke suspiciously like his Mr20%.

Wenger should have little concern about his current players though. Kieran Gibbs believes that the Academy borne from the Frenchman’s vision of the future is bringing to fruition the improved technical abilities of English players. Has this boy not read the media or listened to football’s administrators? Wenger is the Devil incarnate, evil for bringing foreign youngsters to the club whilst discarding native talent.

Gibbs observations mirror those of Merida in that Wenger and his staff are bringing through generations of technically adept players, eager for first team action and generally speaking, ready when called upon. Perhaps better prepared than any other club in England. Their development does not stop there however.

Robin van Persie emphasised the continuing improvements that the manager seeks in training with the first team:

The coach (Wenger) is particularly keen that I add something to the tactical play of the team, both offensively and creatively, that I use and combine with the players around me.

Talking of his own position in the team, the Dutchman observed:

I don’t see myself as a true out-and-out striker. Guys likes Torres and Drogba, they are real killers. I feel I play between a target striker and a supporting striker – I am a combination of both and that’s just fine. I try to bring my own dimension to the forward position.

The obvious comparison is with Bergkamp, a role model whom van Persie does not deny basing his game upon. However, the advanced nature of his play this season in terms of position on the pitch makes him more of a composite Pires / Henry than fundamentally creative like his compatriot. van Persie recognises this:

In the league I have now contributed seven assists and I am just as proud of these as the seven goals I have scored. I find it crucial to be effective in both spheres for the team.

Pires famously said that he derived more pleasure creating than scoring. van Persie is not so content with that element but he is perhaps the new style of centre forward that football craves at the moment.

Fans demand a 30 goal per season striker but whilst there is a place for that type of player, more effective for Arsenal this season will be a central forward who scores 20 or more and creates a similar number. Wenger has an abundance of creative talent that demands someone put the ball in the net. van Persie making space allows the midfield as a whole to strike their share, more than compensating for one striker doing that as is the case with other teams.

Whilst each side has a major goalscorer, Arsenal has numerous, evidenced by the number of games where multiple goalscorers have found the net. It is advantageous in that opponents struggle to contain them yet how will it function if a drought occurs. That is when the depth of talent available to Wenger will become apparent, with the bench able to provide a similar threat. Provided injuries do not intervene of course.

’til Tomorrow.

Arsene turned his attention to the Carling Cup tie at Eastlands, observing:

[It will be] Interesting, exciting and a good test. We will be faithful to our policy and of course put a team out who has a good chance to win the game.

It is a policy that has borne dividends in the long-term development of young players, testing the waters ahead of progression into the Premier and Champions Leagues squads.

He has indicated that the team will be a mix of youth and experience, a contrast to the opposition on that night, City desperate to win silverware. Or perhaps Mark Hughes is so that he can at least have something to show for his efforts before the inevitable P45 arrives at some point in the next season or so.

If you call a full side 11 top players, then we will play a full side. For me a full side means a team who has a chance to win any game.

There will be players such as Walcott and perhaps Denilson for whom the outing would be a beneficial night on their road to full fitness.

The question is whether Arsene should perhaps make a little more sacrifice and play an additional experienced head to coax the young players through. Against Liverpool, he was able to re-introduce Samir Nasri to a relatively gentle return to action. At Eastlands, no doubt there will be other options on that front, Bendtner another one who could be on the road to recovery at that point.

As well as the developmental balancing act, Wenger needs to consider whether it is in the interests of all of the squad – first team and reserve – for the club to win a trophy again, even if it is one that does not warrant the Frenchman’s highest attention. The first winning medal that nestles on the sideboard will be the biggest hurdle for a number of players, gold would provide them with the confidence to take the next step and win what could be described as a major trophy?

Jack Wilshere put the alternative view: if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it. Not that he has a vested interest in youth being given a chance, of course. And who can blame him for wanting to play although personally, I think he should be setting his sights higher with his ability.

It will be good to play against Manchester City and I hope they play a full team. We will go there and believe we can win and hopefully we can. I think now we are into the last eight it is realistic for us to win the trophy. I think we can beat Manchester City and if we do then the competition will be wide open. We can go all the way

They can of course win the trophy without experience but is there any harm in stacking the cards a bit more in their favour for a short-term gain. It could of course backfire and the tie be lost with or without a couple of regulars playing. No guarantees can be given for an away game.

Anyway, it is a long way off in footballing terms with more important domestic and european matters to be dealt with beforehand. Happy birthday to Tiny Tiger, 7 years old today – another triumph of hope over expectation.

’til Tomorrow.

Darius from Stone Cold Arsenal issues his own personal State of the Union on 2009/10…

International breaks are notorious for inducing chronic cases of Arsenalitis, so it is timely to reflect on how the season is progressing. This time last year, we had already received shock therapy from newcomers Stoke and Hull with Villa and Fulham turning us over for good measure. Even so, we were just a couple of weeks shy from the turning point of the season when Gallas was relieved off his captaincy, his ass nailed onto the naughty step at London Colney just before Manchester City spanked us.

No one would blame ardent Arsenalists for having cold sweats during what is traditionally a ‘nightmarish’ month. The least we would expect is that our team has learnt the lessons of previous seasons.

Since that defeat at Eastlands in November 2008, we have played 46 matches in all competitions and lost 6. This would suggest that progress has been made and when Wenger proclaimed 2 weeks ago that Arsenal will win a title this season, it would not be unreasonable to assume that he knows something we don’t.

After all, this is the man who was laughed out of TV and radio studios, ridiculed in newspapers for proclaiming in 2002 that Arsenal could win the title unbeaten. Granted, it took him one more year but it was a monumental achievement when his revelation came true after a nerve-racking encounter against Leicester City.

The images of Wenger walking around an empty Highbury after the season finale soaking up the achievement of the ‘Invincibles’ team was a sight to behold, a sight better than sticking two fingers up to the doubters to remind them that Arsenal is the greatest club on earth.

Is Wenger onto something when he says that we will win a trophy this season? The evidence so far is stacked in his favour. After a summer of indifferent opinions from fans, pundits and hacks; calls from all quarters for Wenger to strengthen the squad with Galacticos by breaking the bank and an unsavoury game of power chess in the Arsenal boardroom, the team has surpassed the expectations of many, showing their maturity and determination in proving that Wenger isn’t off his trolley.

Very few from the footballing establishment, let alone a significant section of Arsenal fans, gave this team a chance in hell at the start of the season. The team, so far, has resoundingly defied the odds, making collective doubters stand up and take notice.

It is a colossal understatement to suggest that a team that has bagged 55 goals in all competitions from 17 different outfield players isn’t serious about winning a title. If ever there was a statement of intent, it’s hard to see what else this team can do to show that they’re on the way to bringing a trophy home. In addition to the goal feast, two other attributes of this side are worth highlighting.

Firstly, it is a pleasure to witness the maturity of both individual players and the team as they move from strength to strength. To explain this aspect of our game, you could cite a change in system to a more attacking and fluid 4-3-3, the personal development of individual players who have improved over the last couple of years or the recent addition of quality players to the squad. What is not in doubt is that the team ethic has improved and that players are showing maturity and mental strength in how they approach the game.

Secondly, it’s hard to ignore the audacity of this team in their determination to play Wengerball. This is a team that is refusing to accept the old maxim that the Premiership is the toughest league in the world and teams have to play a brand of ugly, hard-crunching, agricultural football to win the title.

For too long, characteristics like grit, determination, commitment, passion and ‘headless chicken syndrome’ (the art of clocking mileage on a pitch without adding value) have been used as an excuse and substitute for not being able to play entertaining football. This team are hell bent on defying critics by suggesting that the beautiful game is not a privilege, but a right for the hard working football fan who spends their hard earned money to watch the game that they love.

Despite this positive state of affairs, many will still point out the shortcomings of the team this far. It is naive to ignore the deficiencies, particularly our perceived propensity to gift soft goals to opponents. I don’t think our generosity is intentional. We have the personnel and maturity to resolve any defensive issues as the season continues.

Perhaps we need to manage our own expectations about our ability to keep clean sheets. It is unreasonable to expect that if we play Wengerball, opposing teams won’t attack our goal; the law of averages suggests that some of them will score.

Defensive responsibilities are shared by the whole team and there is certainly room for improvement. The team knows this and based on performances so far, they have earned the right to be given space to resolve the issues. The more games we play, the better the team will get.

What is more of an issue for me this far, is the indifferent attitude and actions of a section of Arsenal fans both in the stadium and on the blogosphere? It’s the job of pundits and hacks to slate the team, constantly reminding us of the plethora of misguided reasons why they think we won’t win anything this season.

However, it is unacceptable for Arsenal fans to constantly slate individual players or the team. It’s hard to see what more this team or certain players can do to get some breathing space. Being a supporter is not just about enjoying bragging rights when we beat the Tiny Tots or when we win titles. It’s our responsibility to take the good with the bad. Each of us has our own views about our favourite players; debates will go on in pubs, offices and the blogosphere about the performances of the players. Once any player puts on an Arsenal shirt and steps onto the pitch, they have earned the right to be supported absolutely. Anything short of this is criminal.

There will be many times this season that the team will have to dig in and fight for a draw or a win. It’s during those times that the fans, especially those in the stadium, need to stand up and be counted. So far, the team has shown their mental fortitude and impeccably illustrated that they are in it for the long haul. The season is a long stretch. They need all of us to get behind them during the difficult moments to come, instead of a section of our own fans beating the team with a big stick. Arsenal bashing should be the preserve of misguided pundits and hacks.

Arsene mentioned in his Manager’s Email about the need for the players to retain humility in their quest for silverware. Almost suspiciously in tandem with that Cesc offered the view that the captaincy has not changed him. I would suggest that it has but from the club point of view, in a positive manner. Fabregas is not going to be a Tony Adams shouter, they appear to be different personalities. He is of the Bobby Moore school of captaincy, leading by example, encouraging and presumably handing out chastisements when they are required.

However, in his play, maturity is shining through. He is helped this season by having a united dressing room with the biggest distraction removed to wetter surroundings. His performances this season seem unshackled, the burdens of inconsistency in the team as a whole relieving the necessity to single-handedly win games. That is not to decry his influence this season where in midfield, he has been the fulcrum of the side. The sporadic reappearance of Tomas Rosicky and the first full season of Andrei Arshavin has shared the weight. Returning to the first team will mean Samir Nasri and Theo Walcott can also accept their responsibilities for creation. Most players are chipping in with goals – Sagna and Clichy presumably saving their efforts for the winter – which is easing the need for any superman heroics on the Spaniards part.

The questions raised about William Gallas’ mental state are needless and insulting on the part of the interrogator. Events referred to were 12 months ago and nothing since he returned to the side should have led anyone to believe there has been a problem with his attitude. He has been utterly professional in his outlook and this season, consistent in performance, no little doubt due to the presence of a naturally left-sided central defender as a partner but also the solidity of Vermaelen’s outings.

The Belgian noted the start to the season, quietly underlining the determination of the squad to challenge for trophies:

If we look at the rankings, we are second and it is a message to other teams that we are involved in the race to be champions. It is good that we have had a good series of games. It is important to continue and stay focused on every game because there are a lot of important games.

To use a cliche, they are all important games. Whilst doing well in the ‘mini-league’ between the top four is important, three points gained in those matches count for the same as those won against lower placed sides which is where failings were highlighted last season. The cobwebs which were so clearly on display against the likes of Hull and Stoke have so far, been majestically swept away. That attitude needs to continue.

Injuries undoubtedly count but thus far, the squad has coped with them. More will come such is the nature of football but there are enough capable players in the squad to minimise their impact. On which front, the impending return of Theo Walcott can only help since Nicklas Bendtner has told the Danish media that he will be having a hernia op shortly. Presumably that means that he will not be back in the squad until December. Whilst there is cover on the right, a naturally attacking player serves Arsene well with Eboue providing the defensive requirement should he need that option.

Going into the break in second place with a game in hand sets up the uninterrupted club schedule nicely until Winter’s international friendlies. Building upon that is crucial to a challenge being made successfully next May.

’til Tomorrow

I have had belief since the first day of the season

Thus spake Arsene following the win at Molineux at the weekend. Nothing unusual in his words, a manager that does not believe in his players is in deep trouble.

Wenger though has more reason than any other, with the possible exception of Carlo Ancelotti, to be satisfied with the opening quarter of this campaign. His squad has defied critics from within and without, to produce the most consistent attacking formula on display.

Defeating Wolves is in itself nothing out of the ordinary. If a team is to win the Premier League, losing fixtures at places like Molineux is unthinkable. Mentally that was a hurdle which needed to be overcome, which to date has successfully been negotiated. It ought to have brought about less nervousness when these fixtures appear – a regular occurrence since most of the teams are below us in the league – yet there is still some trepidation. A bit more confidence ought to show through, balancing against arrogance.

The climb to second has been largely under the media radar, preoccupation with Liverpool, United and Chelsea to Arsenal’s advantage. We now witness the unctuous manoueverings of hacks is now taking place, the mantra of ‘we never wrote them off‘ becoming more prevalent. A certain delight can be taken from that on the part of supporters but now the pressure will be cranked up on the players, particularly with the upcoming visit to Stamford Bridge.

Cesc offered a suitable note of caution about the attack:

We do worry about the goals coming to an end. We talk about what will happen if they stop. It is great when we are scoring so many goals and we have a threat all over the team, but we know that we have to keep that right the way through.

There is no point scoring goals like we are until December and then it ends. That will not win the title. So the fear that the run will come to an end is keeping us focused because we want to win the title and we know we have to carry on.

Whatever it takes to keep the players focussed is key. Fear of failure is not a problem unless it becomes restrictive. However, the confidence that is being bred in their play shows no sign of that happening. Arsene will earn his corn in this respect and knows it:

I hope to keep convincing the players they could have a interesting part to play in the championship. The most important thing is to play for each other and keep your belief. In this job there is never enough belief.

Absolutely, key to it will be getting the players to concentrate on the match at Sunderland once they return from internationals. Wenger though is convinced that they are ready for any adversity which might be around the corner:

I believe something that is very important is that we have built the team together for a few years. I feel we have learned a lot. Many of the players who played two years ago are in the squad today. That’s why I am really happy when we play as a real team.

Which is why the media underestimated the players from the start of the season. Paul Hayward offered the opinion that this is the last season when the players can be considered young. I don’t think he is wrong entirely in that assertion, if he intended the word ‘young’ as a euphemism for inexperienced. Even then, it is pushing the point a little since most of the squad are already beyond 100 appearances. Adversity in those matches is worth more than a dozen easy victories.

’til Tomorrow.

Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 – 4 Arsenal

0 – 1 Zubar (28 o.g.)
0 – 2 Craddock (35 o.g.)
0 – 3 Fabregas (45)
0 – 4 Arshavin (65)
1 – 4 Craddock (88)

Until teatime today, the Premier League table reflects the how much progress has been made this season, games in hand eliminated from the equation. Yesterday’s win was another indication of what has been put right by growing maturity of younger players, combined with a settled team and stronger central defence.

Wolves started brightly, Arsenal weathering an early storm to pass a tally of 100 goals in a Premier League year. That the century was achieved with two own goals is neither here nor there but indicative of a change in fortunes from November 2008 and the short burst of last season leading up to it.

The hosts could have taken the lead before their own ham-fisted intervention. Gibbs cleared a Doyle effort off the line whilst Berra should have beaten Almunia with a flicked header having been left unmarked in the Arsenal area, instead making solid contact for the perfect defensive header.

Needlessly fouling Eduardo on the left, Zubar let Arsenal create pressure leading to a corner. The resultant set-piece found its way into the Wolves net via his leg, Eduardo failing to make contact with the ball.

Within ten minutes, Wolves two-goal hero from last week, Jody Craddock had turned the ball into his own net, inadvertantly deflecting Eduardo’s chip over Hennessey even further out of the ‘keeper’s reach. Ramsey had been the lynchpin of the attack, retaining a composure to free the Croat to extract maximum damage, a composure that belied his youth. Arsenal were in cruise control without applying too much effort. Having promised his team would not rollover and let Arsenal tickle their bellies, Mick McCarthy’s team resembled a guard dog willing to take burglars to the safe, give them the combination and then help load the swag into bags for a clean getaway.

Chasing the game left many gaps in the Wolves defence. Against a team so effective on the break, it was tantamount to suicide football. The punishment came with half-time beckoning. Fabregas picked the ball up inside his own half, finding Sagna. The full back linked with van Persie who returned the ball to Fabregas, gliding across the pitch effortlessly, finding a calm and collected finish to end the contest.

With a three goal lead at half-time, inevitably the second half was lower key. Arsenal controlled, Wolves chased but to little or no effect. Arshavin hit a fourth halfway through with a snapshot from the edge of the area, emphasising the goal difference gap between Arsenal and United. There could have been more than four but no dount Wenger will look to strengthen his forward line in January as they are obviously not capable of scoring enough goals.

Wenger observed after the game:

We have a style where everyone goes forward. You cannot have everything in football, but I believe we have a good balance between offense and defence, and as long as we score as many goals as we do, we can accept that

The failure to keep a clean sheet will no doubt irritate him but not cause too many sleepless nights, Vermaelen was lost perhaps too easily at the corner by Craddock who jumped relatively unhindered to score at the death.

The pivotal moment in the game no doubt came with the introduction of Alex Song. Whilst the midfield was not overrun with Diaby playing the defensive role, not his natural game. Song’s influence in that position cannot be understated. His presence is similar to that of Gilberto Silva, emphasised when he is absent. A sign of the tremendous strides taken by the Cameroonian in his career, winning over the doubters with every game.

Aaron Ramsey made a solid contribution to the side. He has much to learn but his composure in setting Eduardo free for the second was in marked contrast to the rush of blood he suffered against Tottenham. It is a good sign for the player that he learns that quickly from mistakes. His overall passing was good and he worked hard to cover the pitch in defensive duties, such as they were.

In particular, his inclusion is a signal to other youngsters in the squad. Called in to rotate the first choice midfield, his performance vindicated the manager’s belief that he has a good set of players and his confidence in them. This season is a stepping stone for him in his pursuit of a first team spot in coming campaigns and a template for Merida and Wilshere to follow.

A very good win and one that leads the club into the international break in good shape. ’til Tomorrow.

The Black Country beckons on a bright Autumnal day with Wolverhampton looking to quaff the Banks whilst Arsene cooes, “Cootchy-coo” on their bellies. At least that was the rather disturbing image that Mick McCarthy conjured yesterday. Nobody expects Wolves to roll over and play dead whilst the Arsenal midfield and attack decimate them but nonetheless the fixture offers a good opportunity for pressure to be applied with everyone’s favourites meeting tomorrow at Stamford Bridge.

November is a notoriously fickle month for Arsenal during Wenger’s reign, more often than not a patch of inconsistency struck that has a minor or major derailing effect upon the season. Arsene set about defining success on his own terms:

Success is measured by consistency and quality. I don’t deny that it is measured by trophies, it is a part of it, what I deny sometimes is the comparison of the trophies. For example, when people say, ‘is winning the Carling Cup more difficult than to go to the Semi-Finals of the Champions League?’ I say no. But to win the championship or Champions League, that is of course a trophy that you measure the success of a team by.

Nobody can doubt the quality of the squad assembled for this season but consistency, that is the key. It is not about playing well in every game but getting results when performances drop is crucial. It is something that Alex Ferguson has ingrained into his squad’s over the years and has achieved a suitably large haul of trophies in the process. The signs are that this year’s Arsenal can hit the same consistency of result. Winning today emphasises that the demons of seasons past are consigned to the wastepaper bin.

Injuries play a big part in this though, the pressure on those coming in to perform to the same level as those already well attuned with their season. Kieran Gibbs has doubters but is a capable deputy for Gael Clichy. Other than that it seems that the injury fears Arsene had are working in reverse with Samir Nasri looking as if he is back and ready, Tomas Rosicky returning to the bench and Theo Walcott ready to join in training once the international break is over. Of the short-term absentees, that leaves just Bendtner out with Denilson apparently set to return in December.

One man garnering a lot of headlines in Fran Merida, despite not establishing himself in the first team yet. Arsene indicated that contrary to the player’s Mr20%’s assertions that Merida has an ‘illness’ for Atletico, a contract is going to be signed. Whether that is soothing words to counter such claims is entirely open to conjecture on our part but rarely has he been robust in his words and proven wrong about contract renewals. The Spaniard will have to content himself with a spell on the bench to continue his development.

Key to winning is mental application. As Wenger observed, concentration and focus are core to beating teams that on paper ought to provide three points as soon as kick-off occurs. Arsenal are an anomaly in the top four, losing only on their travels to highly-placed clubs. Cesc touched on this:

It is noticeable that the ‘big four’ teams have lost a number of matches so far between them. In my opinion, that is better for the league because it means other teams are improving. Everyone is striving to be better and that is making it difficult for the top teams

It is more indicative of the complacency at United and Chelsea, players believing their own and media hype regarding how much of a procession this season will be for them. Arsenal has a point to prove. Written off by all and sundry beforehand, it is still a majority belief outside of the club that they will fall away in the Winter. Having the desire to want to prove naysayers wrong is a strong motivator in a public arena.

For this afternoon, I do not see Wenger making many changes from the team that trounced Alkmaar. Defensively, Sagna will no doubt return for Eboue at right back but the question of whether Eboue drops out of the side altogether is less clear. The question mark will possibly be about Nasri’s fitness. Eduardo has come through around 90 minutes in the last two games and seems to be ready for the starting line-up.

Nasri has put in 180 minutes over the past three, crowning his return with a superb finish in midweek. Of the three, I would prefer Nasri to take one of the wide positions, his duality in attack and defending a bonus. The other two have strengths in one or other areas but not both to the same degree as the Frenchman.

However, it would be no surprise if this weekend Eboue started since Wenger has a habit of preferring a little more protection for his defence in away fixtures. The line-up will probably be:

Almunia; Sagna, Gallas, Vermalaen, Gibbs; Eboue, Song, Fabregas; Arshavin, van Persie, Diaby

A bench that includes Nasri, Rosicky and Eduardo has plenty of attacking options for later in the match whilst Merida could add a midfield prompt or two if required.

A win is key to maintaining momentum as we head for an inconvenient international break. Enjoy the match wherever you are watching it. ’til Tomorrow.