Signing Language « A Cultured Left Foot

Posted by: Yogi's Warrior | January 31, 2008

Signing Language

Mathieu Flamini is being rightly given plaudits for his performances this season although he was quick to praise the rest of the team in the aftermath of the victory over Newcastle on Tuesday,

A lot of people said we were too young at the start of the season - but now we are almost in February and we are still at the top of the league. We are playing well and I think we have a good chance of winning this title. We are very confident. Game after game you see we play fantastic football, our confidence is very high and we will do everything to win the title. The team spirit is fantastic. At key moments this season it is always helping us. It is the most important thing and at the end of the season, it will make the difference.

In a normal season, the consistency of his performances would win him a nomination for the Player of the Year award but in all likelihood that will not happen with the Football Writers and no doubt his peers, plumping for more eye-catching players yet such has been his form that his absences are as acutely missed as those of Fabregas, Adebayor and Hleb. Considering that he was reportedly on the verge of leaving last season, retaining his services was one of the coups of this term by Arsenal. It also speaks volumes for the player himself in that he was told by Arsene that he would be given a chance this season and rather than think of himself as a stop-gap whilst Gilberto recuperated from his exertions in the summer, Flamini decided to make it impossible for the Brazilian to get back into the side.

Little wonder that Arsene is keen for him to sign a new deal, as it seems is Flamini,

My priority is to stay here. I’m very happy here. I’m happy to play in the team and everything is good. My representatives are talking with the Club and I hope everything will be good. I want to play game after game. The rest, we will see later

His attitude has been exemplary and should have been the example that more recently departed players took on board. That they did not reflects poorly on them. Flamini is aware of his role in the team,

I cover Cesc, Alex and Tomas in the midfield. I’m trying be the insurance policy and be a little bit bossy. That’s my role. But I’m also trying to help the players up front and help Cesc as well because he is going forward. Sometimes he’s tired and I try to help. Sometimes it’s him and sometimes it’s me. But I think we are a very good complement for each other

Little doubt that the combination of the two in the centre of the park has been a revelation this season, their play complimenting each other to the allow both to shine, something Flamini puts down to their friendship off the pitch

We are very close on and off the pitch. We chill with each other off the pitch. That is important. But when we have to speak on the pitch we are doing it and finding a solution

Abou Diaby has surprised a few and signed an extension to his current contract until 2012, a decision no doubt assisted by his recent run in the side. Given his view that he might have to consider his options in the summer, it is not quite a surprising volte face but certainly shows that he is content to play out of position for the short term to get a long term role. As with Flamini, it is a good attitude for the squad to see, confirming their belief that on the whole, they are like-minded individuals as far as Arsenal is concerned.

The final contract talk concerned Luke Freeman who as well as signing what is no doubt a good deal for himself, Gillingham and Arsenal, has been able to secure first dibs on the Number Six shirt when he breaks into the first team squad. Arsene moved quickly to quell any expectation by commenting

He is a young striker who comes from Gillingham. He is left-footed with a good eye for the goal. He is brave and has a good, positive personality. He is only 15-years-old of course so we need to be patient but he’s a very interesting prospect. He is another one for the future

No Keegan-esque hyperbole there then. Not an amazing talent but an ‘interesting prospect’. Which is just how it should be although the interesting part will be how long it is before he is in the Carling Cup squad or when he goes out on loan.

‘til Tomorrow.

Posted in Arsenal, Carling Cup, Football, League Cup, Premier League, Premiership, Soccer, Transfer Gossip

Responses

I think your article proves a point, if given time and the players mindset then they and we can succeed. Certain comments are already turning up decrying the acquisition of young Luke Freeman. We seem to want stars from day one, not everyone has the ability of young Ces, we just need to give them time and encouragement. Hleb was treated shamefully buy some fans, likewise Flam now the temperature has been turned up on Diaby and Theo. We need to just give them time, and we have the best boss in the world who will if they have the ability turn them in tomorrows stars. I am quite happy to let the man who knows what he is doing make the decisions. He’s got a good track record in fact the best track record of any manager we have had , and that includes the great Chapman.

By: Old Timer on January 31, 2008
at 8:00 am

Top top comment Old Timer. Patience is the key word. While some show little patience, it has proven that it is the lack of that quality that is the making of far harder times. Look at the Newcastle situation. When Fergie endured a spell barren of title wins the impatient of fans started to snipe. With Wenger we now see the same, never plainly calling for his removal but the constant callow undermining of his methods. Patience will be rewarded and when we celebrate together, we’ll welcome the doubters back!

By: Danny on January 31, 2008
at 8:28 am

Spot on Old Timer and Danny. Patience is a virtue, which is why it is displayed more by the few than the many.

Any Arsenal fan worth their salt ought to know Arsene’s methods by now. He never has and probably never will buy ready made superstars, so there is no point wishing for that. Arsene’s style is to buy the player with the qualities required to fit into the Arsenal jigsaw. Arsenal is all about the team, not buying a superstar and fitting everyone else around him. Superstars will emerge, but the most successful individuals will also be team players as we can currently say all our first choice players are.

By: Passenal on January 31, 2008
at 8:40 am

Hats off to Flamini, he was clearly having a great season at the beginning, but you thought the guy would hit a glass ceiling in terms of what he could bring to the team and his own ability, but he’s just going from strength to strength, as Wenger says, growing with each game. It’s very impressive. At this moment in the team’s evolution, he now appears to be our most influential component. I’d like to think that I’m a great believer in our young players, but I could never have envisaged anything more than a good utility role for Flamini. His strength and bravery, both physically and technically, shone the other night, a brilliant performance and so pleased to here that he’s looking to commit to the club now.

By: hboy on January 31, 2008
at 8:46 am

Personally i thought the Flamster would be our new Grmister. How wrong i was. He has pushed on so far this season its almost unbelievable. To go from a utility player that had no real position apart from what was needed on the day to an undroppable midfield dynamo - fighting off competition from Gilberto, Diarra, Diaby and Denilson. Well done that man. Now sign the fucking now contract and put us all at ease. I dont want to lose him like we lost Edu a few years back.

By: DeiseGooner on January 31, 2008
at 8:53 am

re nacho

IN ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION

If points are equal, the goal difference and then goals scored determine the winner. If still equal, teams are deemed to occupy the same position. If there is a tie for the championship, for relegation, or for qualification to other competitions, a play-off match at a neutral venue decides rank

iN SHORT the answer to your question is total goals scored in a season ! decides if equal on points and Goal dif .

Hence the importance to get a REAL striker ..
G4E can express his love for Ade after he scores in the Man U game and chevski game ,And as for world class … hahaha .. well even ade doesnt think he’s world class !
But he does like to score against inferior sides ill give you that much ! But if i see him give up possession and he goes back to his string of bad 1st touches ill be coming for you G4 E !

http://www.arsenal.com/article.asp?thisNav=news&article=486926&cpid=703&title=Adebayor+-+I%27ve+found+the+goalscoring+secret

By: The Oracle on January 31, 2008
at 8:59 am

Totally agreed. Remember the time, only recently when many so called fans were calling Flamini a headless chicken. The same fans would be calling for Arsene’s head if we fail to win the League this year. Some fan we got!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By: charlie on January 31, 2008
at 9:12 am

fact is Arsene buys these players years before they peak, whereas Man U and Chelsea would buy a player like flamini now ie when he is about to peak and they would pay top money for him. so wenger has the vision and ability and confidence to actually develop a player whereas the other 2 dont take risks. what man u and chelsea do is not hard, you just need to be rich.

what I find amazing is how wenger is always nurturing a few players and yet at the same time is challening for the title. can you imagine fergie or Grant putting a developing player into their teams now? they would not have the foresight or the bottle.
Give Diaby and Theo (and wenger) time. Arsenal are different, let them be different.

Pompey were well off the pace last night. I guess with their africans gone it was a tough call anyway. someone needs to crock Ronaldo!

By: gazzap on January 31, 2008
at 9:51 am

Great post YW.

I am the first to confess that I did not think much of Flamini as early as last season. Headless chicken was an apt description of my thots of him. Very very committed but no vision for the pass and very little technical ability compared to the likes of Cesc , Henry , Rosicky and even Hleb was way ahead of him in my thots. I was glad that he was moving on but boy was I wrong.
This season, lo and behold the tackle, the passing, the thunderbolt shooting and the ability to break opponents play provided a perfect foil for Cesc.
That together with his already tireless running and commitment reminds me of Gattuso on form That coming from me a an ultimate compliment as I think the world of Gattuso as he was pivotal in Italy doing well in the last World Cup. Maybe the late great Allan Ball is also a good comparison.

I do not know what Wenger or Flamini discussed pre season but I wish AW will do it to all our young players for eg Senderos,Diaby, Denilson, Bendtner, Eboue and etc.

YW et al plse note that patience is not a virtue of every fan and more importantly we do not get to see what AW and the coaches see day in day out during training. So we do not have that to base our judgements of who can or can not make it in the team.

May be it is a good point to note before we second guess AW with regards to any Arsenal players.

A bit a faith is needed.

Up the Arse!!!!

By: Malaysiangunner on January 31, 2008
at 10:07 am

when I went to the pre season game at Barnet, Flamini was outstanding - he bossed the midfield totally. now I know it was only Barnet and all the rest of it, but he really looked like he’d made a magical step forwards. maybe it was in his head. perhaps it was wengers faith in him to be the replacement for Bert that made him step up. then when Diarra was sold he has stepped up again in the last 3 games. so it seems he does not like to have any pressure on his place in the team. he prefers faith from le boss.

By: gazzap on January 31, 2008
at 10:13 am

Malaysian Gunner - It must of taken you ages to think of that comparison - apparently Flamini’s nick name on the training ground is Gattuso!

Flamini has been sensational this year, arguably our player of the season so far, with Clichy and Ade.

Oh, and Cesc hasn’t been too bad either!

Its a real shame that Diarra left though, as we would of had 2 of the best DM’s in the league at the club then.

Diarra was the pick of the Pompey players last night.

Unfortunately for us - Ronaldo is on a different planet at the moment, IMO the best player in the world.

As much as i want to dislike Utd. you have to admire the way they play football.

By: Matt on January 31, 2008
at 10:25 am

Ronaldo best player in the world. A very good player and so is Cesc, Clichy, Adebayor, Flamini, Hleb and Sagna.
We tend to in England over hype players especially does with personality.
Shearer and Beckham are an example of players hyped far beyound thier footballing ability.

By: shango on January 31, 2008
at 10:31 am

Shango - im not sure Ronaldo is overhyped….

By: Matt on January 31, 2008
at 11:27 am

Matt

I did not know that but then I am at this part of the world. But Gattuso sticks so be it.
I am always glad no delighted to eat humble pie when Arsenal players do better than what i had predicted. I am waiting for Senderos to do so and become the next Swiss Tony( that one I know)

Up the Arse!!!

By: Malaysiangunner on January 31, 2008
at 11:27 am

correction I am always glad, no , the better word would be delighted

By: Malaysiangunner on January 31, 2008
at 11:28 am

Ronaldo is overhyped, he is very good. But the best player in the world is pushing it - and also hype.

How better is he than Rooney? He scores more goals yes but better than Rooney i doubt it.

The real football geniuses never get the credit they deserve. Pundits and fans generally miss geniune creativity.

So the likes of Scholes, Cesc, Hleb, Gary Mcalister are never appreciated.

Don’t get me wrong Ronaldo is exciting and I do like him - I just get irritated when real quality players and play are set aside over sensationalism.

By: shango on January 31, 2008
at 11:40 am

shango

fully agree with you regarding the hype in this country especially for the english players, look at rooney when he first come on the scene they were comparing him to pele !!!.
now five years later although a very good player, to me these are his best years i know he still young (in years not experience) but i’d be very surprised if he improves much more.

just look at the comparison with him and his team -mate they are about the same age but ronaldo is improving rapidily before our very eyes.
where as rooney some games you hardly notice he’s there.

By: djp on January 31, 2008
at 11:43 am

Rooney is the one that is really more over rated in my opinion , probably because he is english too !

But hey both are young players and are improving each year. Ronaldo has improved more than Rooney however and has surpassed him.

By: DeiseGooner on January 31, 2008
at 12:13 pm

shango
Although I hate to admit it on present performances Winking Ron if not the best is pretty close. Forgetting he plays for Manure, he does give 100 % and does score; as a manager what more could you ask for. Ces, Hleb, Rooney, Travis and rapidly rising Flam are getting there but winking Ron is just shading them. Clichy, Ade, Toure and a few others are fast catching up; thats not to say that stars like Scholes, Giggs and
Gallas are way off the mark. Beckham, Shearer and a host of other England stars where adulated by English fans and of course local English press over Hype them the same as any other country does about their players. But when you consider the ages of Rooney, Winking Ron and our Ces you would have to say they are without doubt in a class of their own. The English press I can assure you are no different than any other nations press and will at the first opportunity turn on you at the first opportunity they get it sells papers. As an English man one of the biggest upsets was the fact that Giggs never represented the country he was born.

By: Old Timer on January 31, 2008
at 12:18 pm

Gazzap,

I generally agree witn your first comment above, but it isn’t strictly true that Man Utd don’t take risks by developing some young players, and nor that they wouldn’t have the bottle to put a young developing player in their team right now.

The Ronaldo that is currently playing like a man possessed for Utd has clearly developed & improved from the player that he was when first bought to the club in his late teens.

Yes he cost big money, but there was no guarantee that he was going to turn out to be the player that he currently is.

Equally, Anderson is still a teenager who is being played in the first team intermittently whilst still developing his game.

So whilst Utd generally don’t have Arsene’s vision & flair for developing young players into superstars, they still develop & improve the odd gem of a player here & there.

By: Magneto on January 31, 2008
at 12:27 pm

on Sky last night they opened the programme by talking about Ronaldo for 10 minutes then watched the previous nights action then came back and talked about…guess who. yep Ronaldo for another 10 minutes. then he scored those goals and at half time and full time they talked about Ronaldo. he is good, but I am sick of hearing about nothing other than Ronaldo.
as soon as he is crap or gets sent off the press will love to bring him down though. the media are a pack of idiots.
the question is can he deliver every game until end of season? he may do. if he does then you have to respect that. but not many players can maintain that kind of form all season long. he is good but the media still over-hype him.

Flamini should be called Mattuso - its a bit cleverer.

By: gazzap on January 31, 2008
at 12:27 pm

How much did Anderson cost? didn’t every football supporter in the world already know of Anderson before his move to Old Trafford? Ronaldo was in a similar boat when he want there. they were both big signings at the time. very unlike the signing of players like Diaby, Flamini, Cesc who nobody knew and the press dont want to write about.
I guess ronaldo was a bit like Henry for us. he was already in the international team and showed promised but shot to mega stardom after the move.
I am not saying we never buy proven players or that Man u never put developing players in the team but Arsenal do it to a much greater degree and are less reliant, when things are not going well, to simply opening the wallet and splashing out a la Chavski and manyoo.

By: gazzap on January 31, 2008
at 12:32 pm

Seriously Ethan, how can you complain about Ade… he is scoring goals! I know, it would be better if he converted more of his chances but the fact is that he score goals. Sometimes when I read your posts I seriously wonder whether you are a fan, not because you are vocal in the nay say department but it is never really anything productive. You complain about everything under the sun, I’m sorry mate but you are no oracle and any delusions you may have in that direction a clearly in your own mind.

Ronaldo! Yes, this boy is a world class player, he maybe some what over hyped but the reason for this is his outstanding goal tally and his creativity. This boy has heart for most occasions and more to the point he manages to stay healthy, this area alone is what is propelling the Manc’s onwards this season. I remember commentary from a season or two ago where people were saying Arsenal for a one player team (Henry) and yet now United who are clearly a one player team are not tarred with the same brush. Now I don’t want to see a Harland tackle on the lad but maybe if he were trip over on his acne cream tube while in the bathroom and render himself unavailable for 4-6 games that would be nice

By: Toronto on January 31, 2008
at 12:56 pm

remember folks ,the oracle (ethan), predicted wenger would leave in the summer.

By: goonertron on January 31, 2008
at 1:36 pm

And Arsenal losing the fourth spot to the Spuds. Then the debt of the stadium will over whelm us and we go the way of Leeds United.

By: Malaysiangunner on January 31, 2008
at 1:58 pm

lol.. but that ronaldo is brilliant!!! one man team… he can do 1 on 1′ s .. headers… free kicks… tap in’s.. and i hate that look on his face when he scores!!!

By: ck on January 31, 2008
at 2:14 pm

And Ronaldo’s goal return speaks for itself….

I did say IMO he is the best in the world - but i welcome the debate!

One question though - if we were offered Ronaldo or Rooney - who would you take?

I agree with the hype thing as well - I thought Flamini’s goal was better than Ronaldo’s - yet all we are hearing today is about the CR goal.

By: Matt on January 31, 2008
at 2:30 pm

Shango

You are wrong about Ronaldo he is miles better than Fat Boy Rooney,If Ronaldo gets injured Manure wont finish in the top two.Someone better “Do Him” in the FA cup game.

By: don the gooner on January 31, 2008
at 3:12 pm

I’m back after recovering from the CC defeat to the Spurs. It was a defeat that made me sick.

Great, FAB 4 has resumed scoring. Gibbs is reported to be off to Norwich City on loan; good prospects. I just pray that Arsene don’t sell this one too.

Looking forward to Man City game.

Good day.

By: Howard on January 31, 2008
at 3:21 pm

I really dont think wenger has any intention of selling Gibbs. he has said good things about him in the past and has high hopes. The loan move is good for him. I was just surprised that Randall did not go on loan as well to Norwich. they could have kept each other company and got Norwich promoted.

By: gazzap on January 31, 2008
at 3:29 pm

matt

the reason were hearing all about the ronaldo goal is because of what ferguson said, if paul jewell or gareth southgate said the same thing no one would bat an eyelid.

ferguson has a lot of power with some of the comments he makes and he is well aware of this (remember the one about crowd abuse at the emirates).

it was a brilliant goal no doubt it, but i dont see that much difference in quality with ronaldo’s and van persie free-kick against sunderland.

By: djp on January 31, 2008
at 3:30 pm

Ronaldo is not the best player in the world. He’s a superb world class player, and I take him seriously. But I’ll take him even more seriously when he comes up against a really tough European team with a strong defense — and when he makes it possible for Portugal or MU to win major int’l trophies. Right now all he has to play against is lower level teams in the league. I really don’t think he’s been truly tested.

By: marcus on January 31, 2008
at 3:31 pm

Trust me fellow bloggers, I would love to trash Mr Ronaldo… but… he would make the Arsenal first team wouldn’t he. I firmly believe also that in a couple of years time you’ll see in playing football in the Spanish Prem and not the English. If a vote were to be taken today even I of 35 years of supporting Arsenal would have him as the worlds best player (right now). The one fact that is going against the lad is that he plays in the EPL, and lets face it if you aren’t playing in Spain or Italy then you don’t get the title! There are to make writers and coaches that in voting for these titles wet their pants in glee at the names of Juventus, AC Milan, Real Madrid etc… even Manchester United doesn’t get the cream following for these people like the aforementioned names.

I don’t know whether you have all picked up on the situation with the “Webster” appeal, but in essence it is the new bosman. The case is before the Court of Arbitration for Sport and what it basically says is that any player over 28 years of age may terminate their contract (walk away from it) as long as they have completed 2 years of the contract. The ruling is to try and bring footballers in to line with other European employee rules. I am sure that I have not got it all down as perhaps I should, but I believe in essence that is the crux of the issue. Does this mean the demise of large transfer fees? Who knows, lets face it the game is silly with money and there are a lot of average players making a very nice living. What I think it will do is generate a lot of movement in the top end of the game. I believe that it does require the player to buy out the reminder of their contract (presumably paid for by their new employers). Anyway, something else to think about today, in this weird world of the round ball.

Bye for now.

By: Toronto on January 31, 2008
at 4:04 pm

Ethan,

I’m here for you buddy…..when Ade is up and when he’s down….When he’s scoring….and when he’s not….I’ll be here to defend him and my club.

Your constant attack on the same player who is currently on 19 goals for the season, proves one thing….there is no objective to your comments about him other than “Hate for the player” God knows why?
Maybe you just don’t know how to say anything positive about our club….That’s if you are actually one our fans.

G4E

By: G4E on January 31, 2008
at 4:09 pm

Weeks ago, I wrote Ade is the 2nd best striker in the EPL, next to Drogba, not simply for his goalscoring but for his general impact as an all-round footballer. At the time he was going through a relatively dry spell and the doom-mongers pooh-poohed my declaration. Over time the big man should have dispelled all the doubts about his goal-scoring ability. But even as the bandwaggon is running out of room, there is still grudging respect for the man as a footballer. Well thanks to Arseblogger, we have a quote from Cesc:
“Emmanuel is one of the best in the world, without any doubt. You can not fault him in any way. He works, he defends, he chases the centre-backs, he goes behind, he can play to feet, he has a good first touch and a good technique. He has improved amazingly and for us I don’t think we could live without Adebayor right now.”
Nuff said.

By: shotta gunnah on January 31, 2008
at 4:10 pm

so not only do chelsea want all the 28 year olds. now they can get them for free! Arsene is not interested in 28 year old, more like 18 year olds.
I would think the players will gain more power and that only big clubs will be able to afford the wages of the best players.

By: gazzap on January 31, 2008
at 4:10 pm

Toronto

The Webster appeal was about the size of the ‘fine’ levied by FIFA. The CAS has ruled that he had to pay up the final year of his contract at Hearts.

These provisions were the same ones that Flamini was going to utilise in the summer to leave the club and have been in operation for a couple of years. Webster was one of the first players to exploit them.

It is not quite so clear cut as there are age and various contractual obligations which must have been met before the player can exercise his rights under FIFA Regulations. Also, there is a defined time period when he can give notice, something like the end of the season to the end of May, otherwise it is too late.

The natural progression is that someone will challenge this window of notice at some point. This would lead I suspect, to all fees being set by a tribunal mechanism, similar to that which works out the value of the ‘training’ costs applied to young and out of contract players.

By: Yogi's Warrior on January 31, 2008
at 4:27 pm

Thanks YW,

As I mentioned I wasn’t sure of my complete interpretation of the events. I have attached extracts from an article in the times, that made for interesting reading. It maybe a mole hill made in to a mountain but hey, just responding to what I have read. I did like the comment from the Chairman of Celtic though, “we sue any player for breach of contract”. The present system is so player weighted, they typically want there cake and eat it to, and for fans it leaves you with the impression that yester years loyalty for the team well only ever be a sweet reminder of the past.

“Football may be about to experience another Bosman-like tremor after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland yesterday brought clarity to Fifa’s infamous Article 17 and went some way to spelling the end for the game’s biggest transfer fees.
The Webster case has absorbed Fifpro, the global players’ union, and is significant not for its own specific merits but for its wider implications. In effect, Fifa has established that a footballer is entitled unilaterally to terminate his contract with his club, even if it still has one, two, or sometimes three years left to run.
But, more controversially, any player aged 28 or over can also now terminate his contract so long as he has served two years of its duration. Article 17, in effect, goes some way to abolishing huge transfer fees. For example, if a 29-year-old player wishes to leave one club for another - such as was the case with Thierry Henry last season - the only compensation due would be the value of his wages left on his contract.”

By: Toronto on January 31, 2008
at 4:42 pm

Perhaps that is the problem, the love I have for the gooners makes me to much of a romantic I can still remember my first game at Highbury, the people around chatting about the Romford Pele and I in turn offering up my views with some heated debate. I cannot understand why some in the crowd did not like the ginger ninja but he’ll always be an Arsenal legend in my view. That day, I saw TH14 lash out at a player (cannot recall the idiot) but TH was very lucky not to be sent off. I recall that Jeffers scored and we won, the rest a blur as the day I had dreamed about for so long came to reality. I grew up in New Zealand and obliviously had little chance to see my team play. I remember as a nipper watching the ‘Big League on Sunday’, catching the games and crossing fingers. Yeah, hell when it is the red & white I am a romantic.

By: Toronto on January 31, 2008
at 4:49 pm

What i like most about Adebayor is the speed at which he is improving - he is getting better all the time.

Compare him now to the Adebayor of last season and look at the difference.

As long as he keeps working hard, and improving, we have one hell of a player on our hands.

9 goals in 7 games is not a bad run of form to be on at this stage of the season too!

And we have RVP to come back fresh in the next month…

All we need is the wheels to fall off at Utd - and we have a really good chance of some silverware.

I might start to believe soon!

And for the only time this season i say - COME ON YOU SPURS…. LOL

By: Matt on January 31, 2008
at 4:50 pm

Howard,

I forgot to say - Mark Randall has gone on loan to Burnley for the rest of the season…

Good idea - hopefully some of those northern pies will beef him up for the prem next season…

By: Matt on January 31, 2008
at 4:52 pm

[...] telah menandatangani pinjaman ke atas Mark Randall pemain tengah muda Arsenal sehingga hujung musim [...]

By: Ringkas dan padat ( Cuti Semester) | Blog Peminat Arsenal di Malaysia on January 31, 2008
at 5:22 pm

yeah good moves for both Randall and Gibbs. that completes my 3:29 post where I said really Randall should have gone out on loan as well as Gibbs! I think they are ready for the big league. they look like men among boys in that youth team. time to get into a bigger pond lads. they might struggle at first but it will be of greater benefit by May.

Matt - you could say that about a lot of our players this season. many of them have really improved. Gallas has, Clichy has, Flamini has, Almunia has, Song has and Ade has. Hleb was always good but people did not rate him but has improved a small amount as well. Cesc added goals so is also still improving parts of his game. I think Diaby has also improved a little bit - albeit playing out of position. If you put him in the middle now, he would look a much better player overnight.
EDS and Sagna have settled well though they are new players so cant say they have improved. same really goes for Bendtner.
RVP has been out too long to comment on.

Ros is about the same, maybe a slight improvement. Toure is dependable as ever. Senderos just needs 10 games in a row then he is as good as he always was.

I think Gilberto has got worse while Eboue does not seem to be a real right winger, but his form goes up and down by the game. Finally Theo has not really improved - he needs time though and I think the same can be said of Denilson. these two are both very young.

By: gazzap on January 31, 2008
at 5:35 pm

Glad to see the talk on an Arsenal blog has shifted from a Utd player onto our own team. Technically the best goal I’ve ever seen is RVP’s wonder strike against Charlton last season. That did not even win goal of the season, but had it been scored by a player from the media’s darling we would not have stopped hearing about it!

By: Passenal on January 31, 2008
at 5:51 pm

Gazzap
Eboue doesn’t seem to be a right winger because he isn’t. He plays right midfield; there’s a difference

By: Jamie on January 31, 2008
at 8:25 pm

How many pieces of humble pie have we eaten? I never wrote off anyone last season (nor am I writing off Senderos now), but I must admit Hleb, Mattuso and Almunia have really exceeded my expectations this year.

I had thought Cesc, Ade and Gallas would come good and they have. The bonus for me is Clichy, really!

For new comers or guys back to the club, Sagna, Eduardo and Bendtner have also performed better than I thought they would.

It’s well proven that, given time, Diaby and Senderos are getting on the right track too. Long may it continue.

We’re joint-top, in 3 competitions. Don’t know what more I can ask for. Honestly it’s impossible for me to criticise any player in the team at this point. We could worry about the depth of the squad as we get injuries and international duties, but to say any player not being good enough to earn a place in the team is off the mark. So yeah, keep the faith.

By: Lou on January 31, 2008
at 10:20 pm

Clichy finally got a call to the French National team, that one was mind boggling to me as to why it took so long for Dommench to figure this one out?!

Although, I’m happy for Clichy….I hate those national games since it seams our players always get hit hard on injuries…oh well, nothing we can do about that I guess.

That makes %99 of our players internationals and yet some say we don’t have any world class players…..?!

By: Gunner4Ever on January 31, 2008
at 10:47 pm

G4E

THe league table does not lie we are joint top in the EPL. You can not do that without very good players.

I would have wished that Dommenech will overlook Clichy a little longer for selfish reasons but that will be unfair to the lad and he deserves the call up without a doubt.

Up the Arse!!!!

By: Malaysiangunner on January 31, 2008
at 11:08 pm

G4E I think Dommench had to work out Clichy’s astrological chart to see if the planets were in the right conjunction before he called him into the French squad.

By: Steve on January 31, 2008
at 11:09 pm

Steve, your explanation makes more sense than any explanation Dommenech would give us.

And the funny thing MalaysianGunner is that the player keeping Man Ure at the top is a foreign player…and they still keep hitting us with the English players cr*p.

By: Gunner4Ever on January 31, 2008
at 11:32 pm

Yes, very happy for Gael indeed. Goodplaya has just published a good piece about his deserved call-up. You guys can go there and have a read.

By: Lou on February 1, 2008
at 12:16 am

That makes %99 of our players internationals and yet some say we don’t have any world class players…..?!

That makes them ‘international players’ NOT WORLD CLASS ! world class are players who win PLAYERS OF THE YEAR - WORLD CUP nominated players of the tournament etc.. And definitely those who preform and usually win the champions league .. Eg. Messi , kaka ,ronaldo !

cesc sagna and dudu have the best chance in the future for WORLD CLASS status ,
but glad to see clichy get the call up as he is firing currently and deserves his chance ..

I would of added Hleb too but i think he really needs to find the back of the net more . But when i think about it , if hleb got 10 -15 goals a season he would be VERY hot property ! And world class in the making !

By: The Oracle on February 1, 2008
at 12:34 am

The transfer window is now closed. Woo hoo! No more pointless speculation, at least for a while.

By: Non Edible Nacho on February 1, 2008
at 1:09 am

Really? How many do we have of those in the world Mr. Orable?

Seven in the last 10 years? An award decided by the very few with an agenda?……Sometimes world class players don’t get to win it because their team or country didn’t do well in a tournament.

We made world class players before, and we will make them again, we plant our kind of football in their young, brilliant, and smart “Brains”. Arsene doesn’t work with the same kind of rules as the way football is going now….A market for money and fame hungery moguls.

You just want us to go buy a Ronaldo “World Class” who maybe had a nice 3 years and then became a fat player in just as many…..and where is he now? I don’t even care to know.

I told you before Ethan, we don’t sign those kind of players and you will always be a disappointed disgruntled fan.

That’s your right to be….I have a right to be as optimistic and as happy as I can be with The Young Gunners’ progress.

G4E

By: Gunner4Ever on February 1, 2008
at 1:44 am

By your strategy ethan that means there are only a few world class players in any season. You may be right on that account but those players change from year to year. Not many clubs can buy at 30-40 million £+ per player per year and their are also only a few to go around.
I prefer our way i.e. the production of world class players at low cost.

By: Steve on February 1, 2008
at 2:55 am