Arsene On The Offensive, Ade Is Dismissive & Off The Field Shenanigans

Posted by: Yogi's Warrior | May 10, 2008

Arsene On The Offensive, Ade Is Dismissive & Off The Field Shenanigans

Arsene rebuffed the claims by Alexander Hleb’s agent that the player was leaving. Whilst answering the question posed, Arsene was being somewhat disingenuous by claiming that no one – agent or otherwise - had contacted him about the Byelorussian. In choosing to ignore the Article 17 aspect, the journalist missed an opportunity to push Le Boss perhaps for a more definitive answer.

Wenger subsequently argued quite logically that the wage structure does not hold him back, the inference being that he cuts his cloth accordingly. That may not satisfy those who are hell-bent on replicating their Football Manager squad at Arsenal. Arsene gave no indication about his summer targets pretty much re-affirming his stance of previous seasons,

I cannot spend my whole summer answering newspaper speculation

So speculate freely they will because Arsene answered questions about whether he would have a lot on his plate about signing players, commenting that the manager’s lot was one of always being busy.

Wenger exuded confidence in the squad though, commenting,

We will have a team competitive next year to fight for the championship

One of those players, linked with moving away Emmanuel Adebayor has issued a statement calling yesterday’s reports of him moving away unless he got a big pay rise as ‘rubbish’. The player went on,

I am very happy here…I love the club and the fans…We have had a good season but next year we want to go one better

No doubt there will be those who dismiss these words along the lines of ‘talk is cheap’ but then that suits their own opinion about the man.

Bacary Sagna is on a high, his reward for the consistent season reportedly being a new contract. He is rightly satisfied with his start although that is tinged by the absence of silverware.

We had the qualities to win silverware but we managed badly some vital moments. But we learnt so much that we will be even stronger next season. We will be even hungrier for titles

The words are slightly different but you wonder if the squad sat down and worked out a strategy for the media, so similar are their utterances. It could genuinely be that they, for the most part, believe that, particularly the younger ones but do not go mentioning that too much otherwise people might start believing there is a unified squad at the club.

Off the pitch has its own issue to be dealt with. Whilst Vic Akers role with the Football Club should not be diminished, the ladies will miss him more than the men. Causing greater concern for Arsene though will be the desire of Fabio Capello to have dedicated England men around him. That Gary Lewin combines a role for club and country ought to have meant that he could continue to do so. The Italian has other idea so not only do we have a situation where the players are desired by other clubs, now the backroom staff seem destined for the same overtures.

Reports of Edelman’s chosen successor being Karen Brady although she believes that opportunity to have fallen by the wayside. Perception is king. At the moment, it seems that Arsenal is on the verge of self-destruction. Flamini seemingly followed out of the door by Hleb on the pitch; Edelman possibly by Akers and Lewin. It needs some firm leadership in media terms to take place otherwise a cyclone of negative news swirl through town and ill-will generate off of it in certain circles.

Anyway, Number One Son has his First Holy Communion today so be nice to each other, people, and enjoy your day. No doubt that there will have been more twists and turns in the Alex Hleb saga by the time you read this so be gentle with me…

’til Tomorrow.

Categories:

Tags: Alexander Hleb, Arsenal, Arsene Wenger, Emmanuel Adebayor, Football, Premier League, Soccer, Transfer Gossip

Responses

Congrats to your son on his First Holy Communion! You must be very proud. I still fondly remember mine and I was 8! Anyways, I think we should spend big on at least one good player and I would like that to be Huntelaar. A him and Van P pairing would be excellent. I wonder if we can also get Kranjar from Pompey on the cheap maybe with a player exchange if necessary. That’s all we need and we can retool with existing squad players or promote a couple from the youth team if necessary but we need players here that want to be here or it will work against us. No Hleb please whose mind is already on the fabulous ice cream at Milan; sell him now and also Ade if the rumours are true. Huntelaar and Kranjar are all we need plus the creative tinkering with what we already have and I have nice warm feelings about next season.

By: The Saint on May 10, 2008
at 1:37 am

i think robinho would be a better prospect then huntelaar. robinho,ben arfa and lucio. i guarantee you the emirates will see it’s first title next season!

By: iceman on May 10, 2008
at 2:42 am

I cant believe that so many arsenal fans want robinho.

HE IS NOT WHAT ARSENAL NEED

I have never been a fan of him, and always thought him to be just a fancy dan. His attitude is also not the best. So huntelat any day for me!!

By: naga gunner on May 10, 2008
at 3:44 am

just read the nasri story. that could happen. robinho is a better version of reyes.imho….huntelaar is similar to eduardo….kinda…

By: iceman on May 10, 2008
at 4:15 am

all this media talks lately is repeat of the last year’s and the past few years press talk around arsenal. While wherever there is smoke there is a fire, most of the stories are nonsense and they are made up.
Ok Flamini is gone, but does this have to worry us? I am sure that if Gilberto did not have his late arrival in team last year, we will not be having this conversation.
Our most vital player is Cesc, and everything is build around him. In my opinion, my favourite midfield combination has been Cesc-Gilberto-Rosicky. Even if Hleb leaves, Rosicky could move in the centre of the midfield which is his best position rather than as left winger.
Or even we can have Diaby to play as a powerhouse midfielder. THis is a player that we always said he will play in place of PV, and in my opinion he is the man for it.
In my opinion, the areas we need to strengthen our team is on the wings and a goalkeeper.

Great teams have great goalkeepers. We had Seaman and Lehman before, ManU had Schmeeichel and now tehy have Van Der Sar, Chelsea have Cech.
Almunia is a good back-up goallie, nothing else.

By: marios on May 10, 2008
at 5:36 am

*Congrats to the number one Son YW*

I don’t know, I was never really a fan of Robinho, that doesn’t mean he is a bad player. Maybe I didn’t see him playing enough to make a good judgment.

Huntelaar is kind of the fox in the box striker, which is similar to Eduardo. I think Eduardo’s finishing may be better than him, but both are converting them at a high rate. I also think Eduardo has done better internationally.

We should also leave a space for Theo as a striker, I don’t think he will play on the wings forever. What we need up front is someone who is very good on his left foot, yet again we have Vela, and playing Traore in front of Clichy was not bad either.

We just need to encounter luck head on and sign a couple of players in Sagna/Eduardo’s caliber. I think we will, I just can’t imagine with the scouting abilities we have, Wenger must have a long list of unknown players which he can use at any moment. I also can’t believe that he didn’t have a %10 doubt that Flamini can leave, I think he knows what the solution is and it’s probably in his mind since mid-season. It was the best time for Song, to come back from a loan, to go play for Cameroon at the ACN …what better training and preparing you can get?

Our team and players are a very diverse group and many of them can play in many different rules. I think Almunia, Clichy are the only two with one position.

Think of any player, and at least they can
play in two different positions. Even Bendtner and Walcott can play different roles and positions. Even Gibbs can play in two different positions.

I’m not sure why the panic? Every club goes in a cycle…until they get the right combination, attitude, form, fitness, desire and determination. We will get there, we have to…………..
…………………….because we are Arsenal.

G4E

By: Gunner4Ever on May 10, 2008
at 6:08 am

The most impt “player” of all is Arsene Wenger. Lose him, lose his faith and belief in the club and team - and Arsenal will go downhill. So, why are we fretting? The surest way of losing Wenger is by the fans and the team showing a lack of confidence in him. I don’t believe that is the case.

By: Luke on May 10, 2008
at 6:18 am

spot on G4E except
“Every club goes in a cycle…until they get the right combination, attitude, form, fitness, desire and determination.”

Its already 3 seasons without a single trophy!!!!
And no other clubs go thru such major changes before the start of the season…losing players who were so important to the team last season..its ominous.
We are lucky Gilberto is still here…. and will be lucky if he stays.

You have to build team around some senior personnel to see off exactly the kind of run we produced in those 5 drawn games…which we dint have the experience to handle…If you keep losing ppl like we r doing… we will be stuck in rebuilding all the time.

Whatever happens hope wenger has got some serious signings in mind… and hope they are not reyes like in attitude… tht would be catastrophic if they dont deliver coming seasons.

You will see this situation of pressure to buy is different waters for wenger.. he is used to bringing in low profile ppl and make sure the starting expectations are low… Lets see

By: gunner4life on May 10, 2008
at 6:19 am

Hope it all goes well today.

By: redfloyd on May 10, 2008
at 6:31 am

G4L, Man Ure did it..nothing for 3 years..why is it ok for them and not for us?

There is no difference in the current situation of pressure to buy and the situation with TH14 when he left. If you actually watch Wenger’s behavior in the 11 seasons, he hardly buys under pressure in the Winter when every one wants him to buy. He buys very easily in the summer and again I just can’t think that a manager of his stature, doesn’t have any plan B, do you?

He may be mad and appear to be under pressure, but it’s all due to media cr*p, being lied to by Flamini, and clubs trying to snatch our players with illegal means. A player or two leaving will not stop him from producing a team capable of competing on high levels. After all he sold Overmars, Petit, Geo, Anelka and that never stopped us from competing before.

By: Gunner4Ever on May 10, 2008
at 6:38 am

Man u dint lose scholes…or ferdinand or giggs or rooney…. so thy can build up their teams by buying a few players…with their core intact…
If our core keeps breaking up (core = hleb+cesc+flamini no doubt) like it is doing end of season….I have all the reasons of being paranoid of us having to find a balance before challenging for title.

No wonder arsene is paranoid abt it too.

hope u see how important it is for us the club and the players and manager to win a trophy next season….

And hope you see the importance of having players who will know with a small blip in form of what mite come from their experience and force the issue on the field. Losing players with experience of the rollercoster we had this season…is the worst thing tht can happen… forget abt flamini or hleb… I wont let even Eboue go.. and senderos…never!!!!!!!!!!!!

By: gunner4life on May 10, 2008
at 8:03 am

Big worry if Diaby plays in CM- he is lazy, looses the ball too often and does not track back. I think Cesc would spend too much time covering him. I think the only one with the high energy game might be Song, but we need cover anyway. It is not a surprise for Arsene to say that we do not need anyone as it would set the press tongues wagging and push the prices up.

It’s a hard call with Hleb, as to teach him a lesson by playing hardball could upset the relationships amongst the squad. Hleb seems pretty popular and it’s not usually Arsene’s way. Perhap he is putting pressure on Hleb and Inter to get a decent offer. As great as Hleb is to watch, it should not be difficult to find a more productive player in his positions.

We also NEED a big CB and that will not be cheap. I just hope Arsene sorts it out before he goes to commentat on the Euros for French TV, as that takes several weeks out of the transfer window.

By: ps7 on May 10, 2008
at 8:06 am

Concerns understandable, but two players will not throw us of balance G4L. We played the whole season with half a squad due to injuries and we still were competing till last few games.

Everyone is entitled to worry. I’m just not worrying that much because I believe in the manager who built this team, to patch it up if it needs repair.

It is important to win something next season no doubt, but going into the new season scared will not help us win anything.

We have some homework to do, let’s see how Wenger is going to tackle this one.

By: Gunner4Ever on May 10, 2008
at 9:15 am

buying kranjcar would be the best possible start.

By: gunner4life on May 10, 2008
at 9:19 am

Thanks redfloyd, and the same to you!

Ps7 - I suspect that Inter have been talking to Hleb about buying out his contract and Wenger’s angry reaction is his way of saying no way to that option. But if they contact him and offer a decent fee, I would not be surprised if Hleb was sold. After all once the trust is gone…

As for playing hardball, I wouldn’t blame Wenger at all. Players and other clubs need to know that Arsenal will not be easy pickings for them. Maybe Hleb’s agent should check out the reality of ‘Webster’ before he goes around making claims such as he has allegedly made.

I really cannot understand why people are so keen to bring in the unproven in the Premiership Huntelaar when we have a Premiership experienced striker who has scored 30 goals this season and can only get better. And please check the source of the ‘Ade threatening to quit’ story (Daily Mail no direct quotes and the last sentence about Usmanov the saviour) together with Ade’s vehement denial and then consider how much truth there might be in this story

As for Robinho is a player Arsene has coveted for a long time, but I suspect that ship has sailed and he will look elsewhere for that creative player he is looking for.

By: Passenal on May 10, 2008
at 9:46 am

No need to worry. All these stories going around is nothing but pure media speculation.

Arsene can’t afford to announce who he intends to buy (unlike some italian and spanish clubs). He knows how he wants, who can replace whom, and who can best meet our needs.

We depend on the media (and Championship manager) to learn about players, Arsene on the other hand has a huge scouting network to identify possible buys.

Why is it then we think that we (or the media that’s no better than us) know who Arsenal should buy?

By: dfunkydog on May 10, 2008
at 9:48 am

As for Hleb, I may be wrong but, my impression is the player has to give notice of his intent to buy out his contract at least 15 days before the end of the season

By: dfunkydog on May 10, 2008
at 9:51 am

dfunkydog…

within a max of 15 days after the last game of the season…

i think.

By: gunner4life on May 10, 2008
at 10:10 am

dfunkydog

I discovered last night that on Pro Evolution Soccer Bendtner is absolutely amazing, I can’t help but wonder if this why so many people were willing to ditch the 30 goal striker we have in favour of him.

By: Josef K on May 10, 2008
at 10:35 am

Morning (just) Yogi! Congratulations to your son.

Josef K:
“I discovered last night that on Pro Evolution Soccer Bendtner is absolutely amazing, I can’t help but wonder if this why so many people were willing to ditch the 30 goal striker we have in favour of him.”
Scarily, you could be right!

By: FunGunner on May 10, 2008
at 10:47 am

G4L

We don’t need Kranjar. The player we need is Hartem Ben Arfa, a natural LW, he’ll create goals and score them. Those are the kind of foreign players we want at AFC.

I don’t like young foreign players (16,17,1 come in, get the training and run away to some perceived bigger clubs.

In fact, we don’t need foreign young players at AFC, because they eventually leave. They also block the development of our own players. Foreign young players brought in must be exceptionally good.

We have so many good local boys coming through (Landsbury, Randall, Gibbs, Wilshere, Thomas etc.) so spending money to bring in Denilson who is not better than them was not necessary.

We should restrict our foreign buys to quality, not the likes of Eboue and Senderos.

Hatem Ben Arfa fits the bill, he will definitely transform the left side and he’s only 21.

Arsene must get him.

By: Howard on May 10, 2008
at 11:06 am

Congrats Yogi.

Having heard considerable comment on the Webster clause in the press and blogs, I decided to go back to source and have a good read through the actual legislation (here’s the pdf: http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/affederation/administration/status_transfer_en_25.pdf).

Here’s what i found:

First of all, regarding timings, the player has 14 days after the team’s last official game of the season i.e. Hleb has 15 days from today to inform the club that he intends to hand in his notice.

BUT!

The player must show ‘just cause’ to cancel a contract. The legislation only provides one prescriptive criteria for what constitutes ‘just sporting cause’ - that a player has played less than 10% of his teams games over the course of the season. Clearly there is absolutely no way that Hleb can use this argument for just sporting cause, unlike Webster who spent most of the season warming the bench for his club.

The legislation is intentionally woolly so offering the opportunity for a player to personally argue any ‘just cause’ he sees fit and says that each player’s case will be heard on its merits (fair enough), but however you look at this, it’s very hard to see how Hleb can claim he’s been badly treated by Wenger or the club.

It seems Hleb wants to leave and, irrespective of contracts, it becomes very difficult to hold onto a player in such circumstances. But if we do let him go, I expect we’ll get a decent transfer fee from Inter, not because of some informal G14 agreement, but because he’s ineligible in activating this Webster clause.

Hope that clears it up a little.

Personally, I’d like Hleb to stay. We all know he’s an excellent technician but has a poor goal return. However, I feel the lack of squad depth really impacted him hard - don’t we all remember how amazing he was in the first half of the season?! There was a time around xmas when i though Hleb had a shot of being player of the season! Like with Fabs and Clichy, I just think the number of games being played without rotation took it’s toll on Hleb towards the business end of the season. In that sense, Rosicky missing most of the season cost us significantly. But, I’d love to keep him, bring in another creative player to share the workload with him (krancjar please!) and enjoy his performances next season.

By: AmanM on May 10, 2008
at 11:06 am

Its will be tough next season with Flamini gone and Hleb threatening. Denilson cannot be trusted with that role. At best he should be second deputy, while Song is deputy to any world class DM we can buy. We will need a CB, and another striker. I thought Traore did well on the Lrft midfield.

By: confidentgoner on May 10, 2008
at 11:58 am

AmanM - thanks for the Webster research. I’ve just used it in an email to a journalist.

By: FunGunner on May 10, 2008
at 12:48 pm

One thing that would concern me regarding Hleb’s departure is that if he goes we will forever be in the dark as to how one guy on the pitch can look so goat-shed shabby when he is wearing exactly the same uniform as everyone else in the side.

By: hkm on May 10, 2008
at 1:15 pm

And one more sign hleb is gonna stay
Next Emirates cup poster doesnt have flamini’s pic… but guess what..yup hleb’s is featured alongwith cesc. So…lets all bring the talk abt who’s coming in rather than who’s going out.

By: gunner4life on May 10, 2008
at 1:31 pm

Arsene Wenger is correct in stating that it is not a straight forward matter for Hleb to use Article 17 (or the Webster clause) of the FIFA regulations to engineer a move to another club.

First of all - as has been stated on a number of occasions now on this blog - Hleb would need to provide Arsenal with 15 days notice of his intention to invoke Article 17, with a view to leaving the club. The 15 days notice has to commence from Monday 12th May 2008.

Secondly, Hleb does not need to show “just cause” for wanting to leave Arsenal.

As he is now past the 3-year “protected period” of his contract, Hleb could breach & terminate his contract - without demonstrating “just cause” - providing he agrees to pay Arsenal appropriate compensation.

However, FIFA will presume that the club that Hleb may be going to -Inter Milan - have induced him to breach his contract, in which case a sporting penalty will automatically apply, unless Inter Milan can prove that they have not induced Hleb to breach his contract.

If the sporting penalty was to be applied, Inter Milan would not be able to register any new players - including Hleb - for two successive transfer windows…which is effectively one whole season.

So although Hleb may eventually obtain his alleged wish to leave Arsenal, he would face a one year ban from playing for Inter Milan, the club he supposedly wants to move to, as he would not be able to be registered with them
as a player until 12 months have passed.

The other alternative to this scenario is that Inter Milan formally approach Arsenal this summer and ask if Hleb is for sale by transfer…at which point Arsene can either say ‘yes he is’, and open negotiations, or he can tell Inter Milan where to go!

By: Magneto on May 10, 2008
at 1:58 pm

gunner4life, I think you are slightly not right there. If my memmory serves me right, I will remember that Henry’s Picture was together with that of Walcot’s and Gilberto last seson advertising our new Kit, and Henry left. Infact it was at the armoury and on top of Henry’s head it was written “way out” which they removed after.

So going with your observations, we are in for such a shock.
(hr)

By: Omai D. on May 10, 2008
at 3:12 pm

my starting elven for next season:

almunia
sagna
toure
gallas
clichy
gilberto
song
cesc
rosicky
rvp
adebayor

bench:fabiansky,senderos,vela,walcott,bendtner,denilson

we dont need to buy anyone and hleb can f..k off

By: algerian_gooner on May 10, 2008
at 3:18 pm

YW - first communion is a very special occasion indeed. May the Lord’s light guide the young one all the days of his life.

Hleb should be convinced to stay on merit of the clubs reputation and suitable renumeration. He is creative and knows the Arsenal system thru and thru. He will hit the ground running the next season versus someone new no matter how good. He should see a psycologist to get rid of the fear of shooting. At times this season it beggars believe his need for another pass when shooting is a much better option.
But finally if his heart is not in it ie with the Arsenal we can not force him to stay. We should let him go at a price good enough to find a suitable replacement.

Up The Arse!!!!

By: Malaysiangunner on May 10, 2008
at 3:33 pm

josef…u know who else is sick on pro…kaka..! if wenger aint gonna get him IAM…(for my master league team)

By: Mo on May 10, 2008
at 4:20 pm

I`d like Bert to be Captain at Sunderland & Gallas can be rested.

I`d give Djourou a game alongside Song to deal with high balls to Jones.

It would also be nice if Randall & Gibbs got some time on the pitch.

Fabianski
Toure
Clichy
Djourou
Song
Walcott
Gilberto
Denilson
Gibbs
Adebayor
Bendtner

Mannone
Senderos
Randall
Traore
Wilshire

By: Paulie Walnuts on May 10, 2008
at 5:13 pm

Walnuts… u really are wall and nuts!!!!
Bendtner as captain…????????????????????????? A guy who is never seen chatting with his team mates on the field???

Anyways… my starting eleven for next season…
Fabianski
Sagna-Gallas-????-Clichy
Song
kranjar(watever the spell)-Fabregas-Walcott/Vela
Ade-Vela/Walcott

By: gunner4life on May 10, 2008
at 6:52 pm

G4L,

I`m not quite that nuts !

I said BERT for Captain - GilBERTo

A gesture is it should be his last game for us

By: Paulie Walnuts on May 10, 2008
at 7:00 pm

G4E

You can’t criticise a player for not being friendly on the field of play, right? For me the most important attribute of a player is his hard work and contributions on the pitch, which Bendtner as young as 19 has proven to be capable of doing.

Eboue is said to be the most friendly, a comedian, an entertainer of a sort but look at him on the field of play? The worst. Is that we want in an Arsenal player?

By: Howard on May 10, 2008
at 9:50 pm

Hey Howard, I’m glad I’m always on your mind buddy but I didn’t say anything about Bendtner, I think you are talking to G4L?

Although, I would think he and his teammates should at least make an effort to get along on the field. If Bendtner remained in his corner, and the rest of the team in the other corner, what good is that for the team as a whole?

I believe the responsibility is equally shared on both Bendtner and his teammates. I think they acted better during Everton game at the Emirates. It is obvious he has something to offer, especially in a game that looked like heading for yet another disappointing draw.

Kudos to him, at the this point the best thing to say is: Keep up the good work.

“G4E”<— The trademark of Gunner till the End.
(No matter what)

By: Gunner4Ever on May 11, 2008
at 1:12 am

Guys we dont need ben arfa, if real are selling robinhio we should get him failing thast samir nasri would be cool

By: Silver Gunner on May 11, 2008
at 1:32 am

Silver Gunner

We rather don’t need Nasri, no more CM players, please. Ben Arfa is a creater/winger and will give us width and pace on the left.

By: Howard on May 11, 2008
at 6:26 am

ohh.. sry walnuts… thts wat how can someone tip bendtner as captain!!! I agree with the you iff its going to be the last appearance for gilberto… but I would like him to stay… coz without him… we really are short of gud experience in first team… I know he aint tht ruthless leader… but still has loads of experience… So if he is going to stay next season.. no point giving him the armband if he is not to captain the side next season too.

howard…
I dunno if my comments sound so familiar with G4E tht you keep on doing tht…

But you know.. still it wont affect the standard of english players.

By: gunner4life on May 11, 2008
at 7:00 am

G4E, you are all over Howard’s mind mate.
Did we miss something in any of your comments?

By: sagna_fan on May 11, 2008
at 7:02 am

Interesting to note that there has been no denial from Alex Hleb about his pending move unlike Ade who was quick to come out and say he was very happy at the club and is staying
As Flint pointed out i dont quite see how Inter (if true) is a step up for Hleb. He will be clogged just as much over there as he has experienced in the Prem
As with Flamini its obviously the money and for that reason i would like to see him go.
The meeting with the agent over an ice cream before a major game in Milan is now leaving a bad taste in the mouth, and if that really did happen he has disrespected Arsene and our club.
No point in playing hardball, let him be another player who will find out the hard way that the grass is not always greener.
I have already said i didnt think him a great player albeit highly skilled, his final ball and reluctance to shoot sometimes left a lot to be desired.
Arsene will find a more than adequate replacement Alex Song for one would be in the pecking order.
Let Hleb go Arsene.

By: veteran on May 11, 2008
at 7:37 am

I sometimes wonder of Howard just argues anything starts with “Gunner”?

No really, Howard is just too English, if you can say that. I’m glad he is finally looking to sign another “French” player. I actually think Ben Arfa looks like an Arsenal player, if the price is right. He is left footed, he can create chances, he is not afraid to shoot so he can be good addition if as left winger. All is media speculations though, and until we read it on Arsenal. com, it’s just a rumor as the rest of them.
++

Good to see you sagna_fan, where have you been?……….I miss Sagna too.

By: Gunner4Ever on May 11, 2008
at 7:44 am

Ben will be very good for Arsenal but we can also get Robinho on the cheap if he decides to leave real…any soccer lover who will like to interact with other fans and dicuss any soccer related issues should check out Soccer fan base dot com it is free to join.

By: Soccerfanbase.com on May 11, 2008
at 11:22 am

G4E

Wonders will never end. Arsene Wenger still finding a way to play Eboue? Is Eboue still being kept to be regular starter next season?

I thought with Traore’s good performance at the left side he would start the game with Walcott on the right and Eboue on the bench against Sunderlnd. No, Arsene will always field Eboue even though he continues to be crap; missing another golden opportunity to score today.

In the end for Eboue, despite playing at the right side of midfield and consistently starting in that position all season, he’s not been able to score a single goal. Its amazing and this is not for want of chances, he had tons of them and most of them difficult to miss than score.

By: Howard on May 11, 2008
at 5:54 pm

Last game and last misses by Adebayor. Either Theo has to step up to fill in the goal scoring gaps or Arsene should look for a midfielder.

At this stage, Theo with limited chances has scored 4 premiership goals, compare that with 4 goals scored by Hleb the whole time he’s been with the club? trash.

Who says English players aren’t good? MANU’s Brown, Ferdinand, Rooney were the backbone of the title winning United team; Arsene better learn what English players can bring to the team.

By: Howard on May 11, 2008
at 7:53 pm

Howard have you watched the game? Only I could not find any stream for it.

By: Steve on May 11, 2008
at 8:07 pm

Theo will score 15 to 20 goals if given the starts and goal scoring opportunities.

By: Silver Gunner on May 11, 2008
at 8:48 pm

Steve I watched the game. Eboue and Ade as usual.

FAB, can upstage Almunia if given chances. Randall was impressive when he came on and Theo is definitely a regular next season. At this stage, Theo just need games.

Don’t think Denilson can deputise well for Cesc; Arsene should be looking down into the youth set up for a solution as Denilson don’t have what it takes.

By: Howard on May 11, 2008
at 8:57 pm

I couldn’t find any working stream for the game, so I haven’t seen it yet.

Who said Eboue will be playing regularly next season? How do you know? Eboue will have to fight in both positions he plays LB and RM. There will also be competitions for the left side.

Comparing what Hleb brings to the team to what Theo bring is not possible. Hleb currently can run circles around Theo in technical, and experience terms. Theo is a striker, and will be a good one in time..I have no doubt.

Again comparing Ade to Walcott, is not even fair to Walcott himself. If any one needs to prove himself worthy of his place, it’s Walcott and he should step up to the plate now or forever hold his peace.

Walcott & Bendtner both showed that they can change a game, but they also played games where you didn’t even notice they were playing. They surely moved a step us this season, they will be great contenders next season and that proves we are not on the brink of losing the plot.

No one can replace Cesc, and I don’t think you will find a Cesc that easy. I see Denilson & Diaby forming a good center midfield partnership in the future where both can attack and defend a la Gilberto-Viera (it’s perfect isn’t it?) A Brazilian for a Brazilian and a French for a French. They even personally look the same. They’re not even close to that yet, but that’s not a bad future midfield.

By: Gunner4Ever on May 11, 2008
at 10:32 pm

G4E

Okay, goodnight

By: Howard on May 11, 2008
at 10:35 pm

Just a thought, why was RVP out again. Was it so he could be fit for Holland. Even Theo has played more games than RVP.

By: Steve on May 12, 2008
at 1:05 am

well i didnt see the game… but eboue is crap and i dont need to watch the game to say tht.

Howard am totally with you on this one walcott has to get starts… and I hope u understand tht he still needs to improve to keep up his fitness… and some situations where there are 2-3 defenders in front of him…his pace wont do him any good in beating them.
In other words… he still isnt technically as sounds as he shud be to make him absolutely lethal.

When rooney joined manu he was almost a pushover… but look at him now… he compares to drogba and ade in terms of body strength now… he has worked himself up so well… he is as lethal as anyone… Theo has the best years ahead of him…and he seriously needs to work on his ball skills to run the length.

Finally gilberto is given the armband then…. so he is staying i guess.

Looking at manu Giggs has stayd for 10 years…. altho they are a much bigger club in terms of trophies hence players wont mind warming the bench as they do with us…. but still being almost ignorant of our senior players like viera, ljunberg, henry to leave without showing any kind of faith is criminal on the part of wenger… we are very lucky to have a professional like gilberto in our team.

Manu deserve it in more than one ways.

By: gunner4life on May 12, 2008
at 5:14 am

I see what wenger is trying to do on the defensive front now.. he is playing so many players in tht position so tht he will be able to call someone up whenver needed and they will be ready for it. Also the competition for places is something tht will keep everyone on their toes.

Still i am fearing tht pair of walcott and bendtner wont be able to provide goals consistently like Ade has done…. We need a deadly striker… really..forget RVP forget Rosicky forget dudu for the next season.

By: gunner4life on May 12, 2008
at 5:18 am

G4E

It’s not trophies per se. Foreigners always will like to leave or go back and play in their country. Heinze did same to MANU last season. MANU has had threats from Ronaldo.

We should get English lads in as once they get to a top 4 team, they rarely move. It happens only few times a la Cole but its not often.

Foreigners are those that threaten and since we also wants to bring in only foreigners instead of getting in some locals, we’ll always have that problem.

Meanwhile, all foreign XIteam can’t win the EPL. Why? they don’t have the temperament, the grit, the fighting power to do it alone in the EPL.

So we find only teams with some locals always winning, MANU, Chelsea and some couple of years ago Arsenal. With a mixture of locals in the team, we can’t win and this year proved that. I said it at the beginning of the season that our foreign first XI can’t win us the league. Finito.

By: Howard on May 12, 2008
at 5:35 am

G4L

Ade missed another sitter today. He was also complaining that Theo didn’t give the ball to him instead to score. He would’ve missed it.

I don’t think Ade can produce the same number of goals next season. Defenders will try and restrict him beyond the 18 line and he can’t shoot so that’s where the problem will be.

His finishing is so poor, missing sitters after sitters; if he doesn’t work hard on his finishing, he might lose the confidence of his midfield colleagues. Theo will improve next season and will be selfish.

By: Howard on May 12, 2008
at 5:56 am

IMO if our mid scores as few goals as it has done this season.. we would struggle to get 83 points next time around…. i wuld like to see it this way.
WE need goals from wings for sure.

By: gunner4life on May 12, 2008
at 6:15 am

Ade equals Torres in EPL goals scored and right behind him in total goals scored. If AW is saying Ade can improve, then I’m scared shit for other clubs in the league.

Stop putting our best players down, because you have an agenda…and some mediocre local boys to promote.

Unwarranted attack on Adebayor for missing a chance in a crappy game that will not change our standing in the league? I’m glad he missed it, at least it gives Walcott the importance of scoring the single game winner.

Think outside the box….go have a burrito or something.

By: Gunner4Ever on May 12, 2008
at 7:30 am