Midfield Goals Required

A very quiet morning even by Arsenal standards this Friday. Planning continues for the coming friendlies and longer term, the season which is now less than a month away. Potential targets get linked, sign a new contract with their existing employers or have their Mr20% deny any knowledge of any interest from Arsenal in a vague attempt at reverse psychology, talking their clients into a move rather than being asked. All the usual stuff.

Of the usual suspects, Werder Bremen have suggested that Ozil could be sold if he doesn’t sign a new contract which if that is the player’s intention at the end of next season, is no skin off his nose. I have doubts that Wenger will even be looking at him all the while that Barcelona are unable to empty the pots of pennies around the Camp Nou to find the missing €50m to make Arsene sit up and listen to them over Cesc.

Meanwhile Joe Cole’s future is not resolved and the same applies to Sol Campbell. You suspect that the players both know where they will be starting the new season, probably the clubs as well but it is being kept from the media and by extension, us. Manchester City are still rapidly trying to make the leap from mid-table obscurity to Champions with a speed that would Usain Bolt shudder, the rationale to their signings seems to be if it breathes, moves and is under the age of 90, sign it.

Conor Wickham of Ipswich Town is the latest tug of love between Arsenal and Tottenham apparently. The fee suggested is £8m which makes him a typical Wenger signing although the belief that the Arsenal frontline is shorn of goals is inexplicable. There is little problem with goals, more keeping the players fit.

Striking options at Arsenal are not limited. Last season showed that the traditional reliance on forwards to score is misplaced, goals from midfield which have been previously scarce returned last time, prinicipally from Fabregas but others were not shy either. In all competitions, the total goals from Nasri, Denilson, Song, Diaby, Rosicky, Eboue, Ramsey, Walcott was 32, 22 in the Premier League. However, that came from a combined total of 197 appearances where the players started. The midfield need to score more frequently than an average of every fifth game for the jump to Champions to be made.

Some were disappointing. I believe Nasri and Walcott should score more than the 5 domestic goals they contributed between them. Nasri had a worse ratio of goals per games than Silvestre in the Premier League, which sums up the paucity of finishing. We know he is capable of better and the problem is perhaps simply one of the team’s overall performances in those circumstances. Vermaelen and Gallas bailed out the midfield to some extent with 10 EPL goals between them.

That may well have been one reason why neither Walcott or Nasri went to the World Cup. Had they shown consistency in finishing, they enhance their overall performances. Flair players who score are at a premium in football at any level; we saw in the Champions League how Walcott could finish calmly under pressure.

Theo has long been criticised for not being selfish enough in front of goal. He has set himself targets in the past of getting 10 or more in a season. This time, he recently said staying fit is a target for this season, half in jest but aware that to realise his long term aim of playing as a central striker, he will be judged on his finishing.

Of course, the midfield is judged by assists as well but for a team which creates as many chances as Arsenal, the number of goals scored should be more. They were on target before Christmas to score over 100 goals before injuries struck with a vengeance. It was then that the goals shipped became more noticeable, more of an issue.

The new season comes with hope, with the painful lessons learned. The players are another year wiser, all with points to prove from last season and that determination will make them stronger for the coming season.

’til Tomorrow.

No Complaints: Same Names, Same Stories & FA Investigate Outbreak Of Sanity

An enforced absence due to broadband issues yesterday, the engineer was less accurate with his fixes than Pique was when he ‘gobbed’ on a fellow Catalan yesterday. Hard to decide which has contributed more to such classy behaviour; spending time with United or just generally being a piece of sh*t.

With Barnet looming on the horizon, proper football returns, none of this namby-pamby World Cup mularky. Pre-season is well under way and Arsene used his managerial privileges to delegate the first week’s fitness coaching, returning yesterday with “Lads, I’ve got a plan” and other tactical stuff.

Cesc to Barcelona rumbles on with the player declining to appease the press with a declaration of love either way, preferring to tell us that “Whatever will be, will be“, forgetting the bit about going to “Wemb-er-lee“, ending the conversation instead. Quite rightly there is a lot of anger around about the overt and unsubtle tapping up of Fabregas.

Calls for Arsenal to complain miss the point to some extent; to do so now would unsettle the player since his representatives would be investigated as well as Barcelona, a situation that Arsenal will want to avoid as it will inflame any feelings he may have about the non-transfer. If a deal is done then there is nothing to stop Arsenal following through on that path. However, history suggests that they will not seek to do so preferring to make the Catalans pay through the nose for the player should they decide to sell. Which they have made clear they do not want to do.

Almost as long running is the goalkeeping saga, with Mark Schwarzer still on the radar. The report suggests that Arsene has had a £2m bid turned down which is difficult to fathom as a few weeks back the reports were that £3.5m had been turned down. None which is relevant as The Cottagers want £4m. Having ripped off the new owners of Harrods with a sale, Al Fayed is looking to do the same with Arsenal.

It is no secret that I do not think he is a great improvement on those already at the club but perhaps more than anything the speculation has been galvanising for Almunia and Fabianski, focussing them on their own weaknesses and strengths, improving the former and maintaining the latter. Last week there was speculation about Shay Given being released by Manchester City but I do not think that will happen. At the tail end of the season, they were caught out by Given’s injury, forced to play their third or fourth choice ‘keeper and I suspect that Hart will vie with Given for their starting position with Taylor being the back up should that occur again.

To finish off a quiet day, a rare outbreak of sanity at the Football Association. The FA Cup committee is apparently reviewing the competition’s replays and looking at ending them, making ties finish on the day  they are played. It has to happen; more and more sides are entering ‘under strength’ teams in the 3rd and 4th rounds – some beyond – a great source of complaint amongst some Arsenal fans about Wenger’s apparent disregard.

The timings of those rounds are horrendous, just after an intense period of games in the Premier League and before the re-commencement of the Champions League. It is unjustifiable for the English authorities to continue with this state of affairs. Dropping the replays will encourage the fielding of the strongest XI’s, managers knowing that there are two less matches (potentially) before the end of January. Whether they have the courage to do so remains to be seen but talking is a step in the right direction.

’til Tomorrow.

World Cup Thoughts As Barcelona Players Get Shirty With Cesc

A day away packing up the house and what did I miss? Not a great deal actually.

So Spain deservedly won the World Cup for their performance in the Final. The nature of tournament football is such that you are only as good as the match you play and whilst they have not been the best team in South Africa, on the night they were better.

Will this sound the death knell for the functional football which has been in evidence in recent months? No. Internazionale proved you can win titles and trophies by being unadventurous, beating ‘footballing’ sides along the way. Indeed, had the Dutch taken their chances, the outcome might well have been different. However, it seems that going against the grain of their national team’s style through the years, attempting to shore up a defence which has been found wanting in previous tournaments, stifled them somewhat in the final.

That and an inability of his team-mates to utilise the strengths of Robin van Persie, cost them dearly. His spell out of the game last season appeared to be some hinderance but the tactics of the team did not help either, the movement he is used to at Arsenal was only sporadically evident for his country.

Cesc set up the winner and post-match immediately consoled Robin van Persie immediately afterwards. Nothing can be read into that aside from it showing the friendship between the two, the decent act of a well-brought up young man. Likewise, the media are making something of a prank by the Spanish team and one that Cesc found amusing but did not participate in, to the extent that he did not co-operate with the attempt to put a Barcelona shirt on his body. Some have got bent out of shape over it but let’s be honest, it was doesn’t even begin to register on Ince-scale.

I don’t think that anyone has doubted the affection he has for Arsenal – simply the desire to return home has never, understandably, been hidden whether that be now or in the future. He re-affirmed his appreciation of the club and supporters in his speech in Madrid last night:

All I can say is that this World Cup victory is for all the Arsenal players and fans — they are a world-class club.

I am an Arsenal player and proud to be.

It might have been a good weekend for Barcelona on the pitch with a large number of players contributing significantly but off it, matters were not so clear cut. Well, they were actually. Depending on which media outlet you believe, Cesc bought a property in England for a couple of million or a flat in Barcelona, which seems more of a crash pad for a weekend away than a commitment to the city. More pertinently, despite reports of a meeting, Wenger and Gazidis have both declined to meet Rosell and his entourage with the message clear that they are not going to sell. The ball is firmly in the player’s and Barcelona’s court. If he wants to go, he will probably have to ask for a transfer or (and?) Barcelona offer a sum of money that they have publicly stated is far too much.

The player asking for a move seems unlikely as that is a rarity in the modern game, prinicipally down to money forsaken in doing so, although I hasten to add that there is no evidence that this would the case for Cesc. Whether that is hurt pride over the manner of his departure to Arsenal or they are brassick, nobody knows for in the same way that you decide the clothes to wear each day, Barcelona has so many faces that it chooses which one each morning for the day ahead.

Back to the World Cup. Overall, it was a disappointment. There were some good games, teams from all continents gave us entertainment, some through good play, others through being so awful that unless you laugh, you will cry if you follow those countries.

The key thing is that the big stars failed to live up to their reputations. Few of the ‘media favourites’ brought any joy to the screen or stadia; it was left to lesser lights to brighten the sky. Fifa will proclaim this World Cup a success and for the hosts, in terms of organisation, the fears printed or broadcast beforehand never played out. There were other aspects which render this a failure, the stadia are beautiful but what happens to them now.

A forlorn hope is that Fifa learn lessons over ticketing. Never more should they bow to the corporate buyers who dismally failed to turn up for the latter stages to the unsaid huge embarrassment of the governing body. Pricing for tickets must be aimed at the local market because if they fail to turn up, empty seats will remain forever a problem.

A final wish is for football commentators and pundits to cease stooping to the lowest level. A commentator should describe the action adding authority to embellish the action. Those who were forced into English homes during the tournament would have had Peter Jones and Bryon Butler spinning in their graves. As for the pundits, the only hit was Roy Hodgson, a rare twinkle of sanity in the grey skies of banality. There have been lucid individuals who have a genuine analysis of the action before them. Too often the depth could be skimmed with a spatula such was the flimsy nature of their comments.

’til Tomorrow.

Will Arsène Take His Cue From Germany?

The transfer window has been officially open for one month and eleven days with little but speculation to show. There have been some transfers but nothing yet which has whetted the appetite for the new season, itself a little over a month away. Like a ferris wheel whose motor has just been started, the gossip is slowly cranking up about to reach a speed when it will be whirring and humming in the background.

A minor international tournament has made that the case. Tonight it reaches its climax with the new name of España or Netherlands gracing the roll of honour on the trophy’s base. The Spanish can become World as well as European champions. A minor record will be set if they win, Spain would be the first nation to win the World Cup having lost its opening match.

For the Dutch, the opportunity to live up to the weight of expectation, to put behind them the defeats in 1974 and 1978, a time when they should have ruled the world and would have been gleefully and perhaps greedily accepted as worthy champions. Pragmatism has encroached on the model of Total Football, the missing ingredient from their two previous finals. They can also match Brazil in 1970, winning all of their qualifying matches as well as those in the finals itself.

Three of the last four Final’s has seen an Arsenal player start – Gilberto would have made it four had he joined a month earlier – with Robin van Persie the more likely of the two to be on the pitch at kick-off. Cesc’s World Cup has been less successful personally and any playing time this evening could be considered a bonus. Like many of the superstars of the era, neither has enhanced their reputations; no damage inflicted either. Like the tournament as a whole, they have been rather ordinary.

Rarely does a final live up to its billing. Both sides have major plusses in their midfield and attack; their respective weaknesses are defensive. Neither goalkeeper has covered themselves in glory, spasmodic moments of brilliance have been overshadowed by their nervous opposites, much the same as every other goalkeeper this time around. van Persie has the speed to cause problems for the Spanish central pairing whilst Villa has been a rare striking success at this tournament.

Of the nations who participated in the 2010 World Cup, the one which provided the biggest surprise was Germany. They swept aside Australia, England and Argentina with a glorious mix of style and efficiency, as well as beating a good Ghanaian side. They succumbed to Spain but given that they were dismissed before the tournament began, the achievement of third place should not be underestimated. They are a work-in-progress, Spain are already the finished article.

Last night’s win over Uruguay was probably the most entertaining game of the tournament with both sides loosening the shackles. Arguments can be made either way as to whether or not there is any point in this fixture but it does prove occasionally to be a bright spot,  a moment of lighter relief with goalmouth entertainment along the way.

Arsène has been effusive in his praise and provided an insight into the impact that the Germans have had on him:

The Germans were the only ones to give you the impression they could score at any time. They have rehabilitated the dribble. It is a major lesson of this World Cup.

It was a strange position for most of us to be in. Germany has not had an entertaining side for a while. The mix of youth and experience is one that Arsène has sought to develop at Arsenal. The playing style of the Nationalmannschaft is a refinement of the 4-3-3 formation used at Arsenal, more suited to the Premier League than the tiki-taka Spanish play.

Transfer activity is defined as much by necessity as amending the team’s style for the coming campaign. There will be changes to style to avoid predictability, the roles of the players will evolve. Subtleties is this area can be as effective as massive changes.

I suspect Wenger will try to incorporate the defensive discipline of the Germans; the movement on the counter-attack is already utilised. Were Chamakh to play centrally, then perhaps the formation might reflect the Germans more fully. It is not that the Germans were tactically innovative; they were far from it. They were efficient in their application.

The biggest impact upon Arsenal will be in the players minds. They need to learn the defensive discipline, tracking back is not enough, numbers mean nothing if a tackle or interception is not made. At times last season, the defensive work was shoddy, players unable to pick out whom they were supposed to mark. Goals were conceded with a large number of Arsenal players in the penalty area.

Every team makes defensive mistakes. The optimum position is to minimise them, to stop repeating the same mistake time after time. Arsène likes his players to be intelligent on the pitch; this season is the chance to prove it.

’til Tomorrow.

Cesc Talks World Cup While Others Talk His Future

Cesc has resisted the temptation to discuss his future preferring to hope that he is involved in tomorrow’s World Cup final. It must be incredibly frustrating for him to have witnessed possession football that yielded little result in the group phase, only to see his opportunity in the semi-final given to Pedro and the pace of the Spanish team go up a notch.

It seems that Cesc is unlikely to be more than a substitute unless injuries strike beforehand. Many have commented that this World Cup has given him a taste of what awaits if he joins Barcelona. The flip side of the coin is that he knows if he displaces Xavi or Iniesta at Barcelona, he does so in the national team as well.

He did mention Arsenal though in a positive light:

It is great for us and it is great for Arsenal to have two players at the World Cup final. It is a little strange too… Arsenal are back in training getting ready for the new season and we are out here still finishing the last season.

Barely stifling a laugh,he gently rubbed it in the noses of those whose World Cups never started or ended prematurely:

I know where I prefer to be and I’m sure that goes for Robin, too.

A world renowned expert in chatting sh1t, Xavi has begun to admit defeat ungraciously:

I am not sure if Cesc will move this summer although I know he wants to. Arsenal cannot keep hold of him for more than another 12 months. His heart and his head is in Barcelona and it would make sense for them to sell him now.

They could then use the money on a player, or players, who want to be at the club long term, rather than keep a player whose heart is somewhere else, no matter how good he is.

From a position of arrogance, Xavi has been reduced to a rather pitiful whine. Yet I should not mock for his expertise in medical science knows no boundaries. His previously displayed ambitions in the field of DNA have masked his abilites in psychology and cardiology. What a truly amazing guy.

There is an element of truth in his words about player retention and replacement. Commitment is an issue in modern football, or rather the complete lack of it.  To suggest that Cesc will be less committed to Arsenal next season does the player a gross disservice. Everything about the player tells you he is a proud man and a winner. To slacken off in terms of effort is inconsistent with those traits. Even though I still think he will leave, were he to stay I would not suggest he will give anything less than his best.

The problem for Cesc is that Rosell has backed himself into a corner, noting publicly and consistently that the price is too high. It will only go higher if a Premier League title is under his belt; stratospheric if the Champions League is there.

The transfer gossip this summer has been more selfish and brat-like. There’s a lot more of the “I want my own way on my own terms” from clubs and players alike. It’s always been the case but that was more of an unwritten assumption. Not any more.

Take Barcelona for example. And I for one would be happy to take them and dump them in the biggest pile of guano the world has ever seen. Still they order Arsenal around, telling them it is “now or never”, we want a definitive “yes or no” so that planning for their team can be completed before their pre-season tour starts on August 2nd. I am absolutely certain, that Arsenal gave them that answer on June 2nd. Indeed, they did so right here. Resolutely.

Now the patronising media-obsessed “leaders” of the club are telling the world that they are going to stalk Arsene and Ivan in South Africa, meet them and get the definitive answer to the €40m question. Here’s a clue: follow the link above.

But this is New Barcelona, that is the message they want to convey. The one that replaced the old, nasty Laporta era. “We want to be your friends” is said with the sincerity of an evil clown in a horror movie, just before he slashes the victim into millions of pieces.

And still the implied threats come from their media puppets. About how the chatter from players will not stop; the meetings behind Arsenal’s back will continue. Sadly, Barcelona officials have been too ‘cute’ to admit it but now the media has ‘confirmed’ that meetings are taking – or have taken – place, the initial detective work has been done for any complaint to Fifa.

However, once the World Cup is over, Cesc has no place to hide, no reason not to talk about his future and I doubt he will be allowed to rest until he states clearly his desire, no matter how unpalatable that may be for Arsenal supporters. The ‘get out clauses’ for him are already in place:

It is flattering that Barcelona want me but it is a matter for Arsenal to decide. I have never denied my desire to return home one day but until Arsenal decide to sell me, I remain committed to the club.

None of which contradicts his previous stances but nor will it staunch the flow of the media.

Felipe Melo‘s Mr15% telling the world that the player will sort out his future in15 days. Having told everyone that “no-one from Arsenal has picked up the phone“, he proceeded to infer that they had better get their cules (yes I know that it means cabbages but the urban nickname is so much more fitting) in gear and make an offer. Might be a long wait.

The world of football is rapidly becoming more protozean.

’til Tomorrow.

Arsene Has To Define “Defensive” In His Search For Fresh Faces

A quiet Arsenal morning, the excitement of Laurent Koscielny’s sudden transfer to the club has barely subsided before Arsène raised the anticipation levels further with a Dickensian plea for more money to spend. Medical assistance was no doubt administered to the Board on hearing that such frivolous spending is planned.

The target according to the manager is focussing on the defence:

We identified Koscielny as a very, very strong centre half. He can be an outstanding addition to our team. But it is not over, we are still open to buy. We are still on the market for another defensive player because we have the need for one more

How that calculation was arrived at is open to interpretation. The obvious suggestion is centre back but defensive player is a broad brush term and ranges anywhere from goalkeeper to midfield. The latter position has numbers and seems unlikely -  Juventus are determined to foist Melo upon us – as does the need for full backs. Even with Kerrea Gilbert leaving, there are options at right back with Eboue as cover and the left side is equally filled with Gibbs recovery from injury.

That leaves centre back and goalkeeper. Both have seen plenty of suggestions for potential targets although these seem to be dwindling with media favourites Kjaer and Eduardo both joining new clubs yesterday, Wolfsburg and Genoa respectively.

Sol Campbell has been working his way south from Glasgow, rumours of a medical at The Stadium Of Light seem premature. It is hard to find fault with Campbell taking his time in deciding his future, the picture at Arsenal is quite clear: best hope is fifth choice centre back with a one year deal or another club, higher up the pecking order and a contract which is twice as long. At least this time there is no charade about wanting to play abroad.

Current solutions for Wenger lack experience though with Koscielny and Djourou some way behind Vermaelen in this aspect. Promoting the youngster Nordtveidt and Bartley offers a partial solution in that the Carling Cup must surely be their target this season. However, as the last Premier League campaign proved, fifth and sixth choice central defenders may be required for a spell and putting in untried youngster is ‘sink or swim’.

The futures of Gallas and Campbell appear to be edging away from the club which is the problem facing Wenger. Of the two, Gallas would be nearer to be a first team regular. Indeed, were he to stay then Wenger could conceivably go into 2010/11 with the players he already has. Campbell remaining would mean that one of Koscielny or Djourou would probably be Vermaelen’s partner in the starting XI.

Last season may be clouding judgements. The injury levels were horrific and it is hard to decide whether it was a freak occurrence or there is something different with Arsenal players and their fitness. The numbers of players for the two central defensive positions ought to be sufficiently covered between four players; last season, there were times when it seemed that six was insufficient although that might partly be the fact that Mikael Silvestre was the sixth choice and did not inspire confidence.

The World Cup has enabled us to cast immediate judgements upon those whom the media foist upon us. None has covered themselves in glory and to some extent, appreciation of those already at the club is heightened. Problematically, injuries have cast aside memories of Djourou’s abilities with his stop-start progress being a barrier to forming a genuine assessment. Potentially, he could be a world-class centre back but that will take time, a precious commodity in an unforgiving league.

It might be that Wenger was referring to his goalkeepers. A new custodian would mean that there were five at the club who would have eyes on the prize, some harbouring more realistic ambitions than others. Almost certainly, any addition to the squad would signal the end of Almunia’s career at the club. It is unlikely that the Spaniard would stay for the obvious reason of wanting first team football but from Arsenal’s point of view, he would be a barrier to progression by younger team-mates.

The situation would appear to pave the way for Szczesny to go out on loan once more although that dubious honour might fall to Fabianski. That would be the best outcome, letting him regain confidence which will have been dented by the events of his recent first team games.

No doubt the outcome is clearer in Wenger’s mind than it is to supporters. The next week or so should provide the answers.

’til Tomorrow.

Spain Through, RvP, Koscielny Signs And Other Gossip

Spain deservedly qualified for the World Cup Final on Sunday, a meeting against the Dutch which will be intriguing encounter and be the first time a European nation has won the trophy outside of the continent. For Arsenal, Cesc will no doubt have  a good view from the bench barring injury to others. This World Cup has not been good for the captain in terms of playing time.

Germany were unable to break through the Spanish defence and were well beaten. For the first time this tournament, Spain hit form consistently throughout the ninety minutes, the margin of victory should have been greater with opportunities not taken, Pedro failed to cap a good all-round display with a second goal for the Spanish.

Ahead of Sunday, Robin van Persie has spoken of his own desires and downplayed the long-standing rift between himself and Wesley Sneijder, instead emphasising the relatively unified nature of this Dutch squad. The opportunity to outshine the 1974 and 1978 squads is a key driver for van Persie to succeed, to have their name in lights. It is a tough result to call with neither of the finalists at their best although the Dutch seem to be in a higher gear than their opponents. Pragmatic in their victories, the confidence will be high with six victories behind them.

Onto Arsenal. Laurent Koscielny has finally completed his long-drawn out move from Lorient. Surprisingly he has not been a fan since childhood but has pledged to do his best for the club. Arsene highlighted the reasons for his signature:

We identified him as a very strong centre half, who has made big progress very quickly. He has shown he is mentally strong, he’s a fighter and a very strong competitor. Koscielny is a great addition to our squad.

There are doubts cast over the signing, principally because few of us have seen anything of him other than grainy YouTube clips as well as a career that is short and has been played out of the Champions League eye. That should not be a reason to dismiss him or his abilities. These questions will be answered in due course.

What is apparent is the requirement for another centre back. With Senderos, Silvestre and Gallas released, whilst Campbell possibly joining them, numbers are short and experience at the highest level evaporating, a wiser head might be needed to add to the mix of youthful exuberance in the centre.

Like Vermaelen, he is going to be fondly remembered by a colleague. van Persie and the Belgian had an altercation in the Amsterdam tournament whilst Koscielny was apparently sent off for a challenge on Chamakh in Ligue 1 last season.

Elsewhere, Gael Clichy is to be lured to Turin, the promise of the Europa League Third Qualifying Round surely too much for anyone to resist. A new name, for this close season anyway, has arrived in the form of Shaun Wright-Phillips who wants out of Manchester City, an Asda carrier bag with £6m is apparently enough to make him move. Quite why Arsenal would be interested is beyond me with midfield well-stocked and a number of players who can fill the same role rather better than SWP would. But then who can fathom the reason for half of the transfer gossip that goes around?

Back on the subject of William Gallas, who vaguely turned up earlier in the post, he has had his say admitting that none of the French players including himself were good enough in the World Cup but if they were bad, Domenech was worse. Far worse, although the much-maligned coach did get one thing right:

I realised when I entered the changing room prior to the friendly with Costa Rica that the captain’s armband was placed beside Evra’s shirt. Domenech told me: ‘In any case, you would not be a good captain’

Having seen his stint as Arsenal captain disintegrate into a complete shambles, it is hard to argue with Domenech’s logic, a train of thought that might take a while to recover from.

Goonblog is reporting that Mark Schwarzer has passed a medical at Arsenal, his second after a knee problem was identified in the first. The signing would fit in with the theory that Wenger is waiting for one of the two Polish youngsters to come good. The assumption is that it is Szczesny but it may not be.

Elsewhere, there is a Kenyan interview with Wenger doing the rounds that has doubts cast about its veracity. Some of the comments are typcial Wengerisms but the issue seems to have arisen over the observations made about Almunia and his nerves, the point being that it is almost unheard of for the manager to identify one individual for criticism publicly. But then again, a few years ago, we were surprised when he commented on players at other clubs. The truth will no doubt come out.

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’til Tomorrow.