ESPN Soccernet - Correspondents - Arsenal

Posted by David Young on 08/02/2010

Arsenal fans got their first sight of the team at Ashburton Grove over the weekend as the Gunners staged, and won, the Emirates Cup.

As much as the club might try to hype the tournament, these were still preseason warm-up games and, as good as it is to get an early look at the players, there is not much we can deduce for the coming season from these matches. Still, the stadium was pretty much sold out on both days which only goes to show the appetite of the fans as we all wait for the Premier League to get going again. There are only two weeks to go but it still feels an age away as the close-season drags on interminably.

Marouane Chamakh Get His First Home Goal ©Getty Images

There were a couple of talking points from the weekend though, the first of which was Marouane Chamakh's first home goal. The preseason matches have shown him to be something of a target man and hold-up striker but he showed some good composure when rolling home his finish in Saturday's match against AC Milan. The Moroccan will add some height and physical presence to the frontline - a task that was left solely to Nicklas Bendtner last season - and it is going to be really interesting to see how he combines with Robin Van Persie when the Dutchman returns from his summer break.

The other interesting aspect coming out of the weekend was Arsene Wenger’s statement that he would not be sending Jack Wilshere and Emmanuel Frimpong out on loan this season. Instead, they will be assimilated into the first team squad and given their chance. Many Arsenal fans will be very happy to hear this news. Both are top-class prospects and the only way they will reach their full potential is if Arsene Wenger brings them on in the way that he did with Cesc Fabregas.

This piece of news also contained the comment that Wenger had considered buying a midfielder but will now not do so in the light of the decision to include Wilshere and Frimpong in the squad. Other Arsenal fans will be less delighted with this caveat as many believe that an experienced defensive-minded midfielder was needed. However, Frimpong is a highly physical player who will make tackles all day. He might lack experience but he proved over the weekend he is no respecter of reputations and has no fear. He will be a more than capable deputy back-up for Alex Song and, though the manager’s decision represents a risk, there are areas of the team that need attention ahead of the midfield. Chief amongst these is the centre of defence and the ongoing goalkeeping saga.

Following the departures of Sol Campbell, William Gallas and Mikael Silvestre, the Gunners are definitely short of numbers at the back. It is no great surprise that this trio have moved on - we knew that was likely to be the case before the end of last season - but, with only Laurent Koscielny coming in, the clock is ticking on finding replacements. Though the transfer window stays open for another month, it would be better to have some new recruits in place before the start of the season. As always, Arsene Wenger is not giving much away but even he recognises that reinforcing this area of the team is a priority and has said as much.

The manager seems far less clear though about what is going on with his goalkeepers. Of the four he has to choose from at the moment, he doesn’t seem to have a clue who his number one would be - nor his number two, three or four. It seems patently clear to the supporters that new blood is required between the sticks and that none of Almunia, Fabianski or Mannone really inspire too much confidence. All had their chances in varying degrees last season and none really took the bull by the horns and commanded the right to be number one. Though there has been much talk about Wojciech Szczesny, he hasn’t been given the sort of game-time in preseason that suggests that the manager is about to promote him up the order.

So far this summer, more players have left than joined and there has been very little to get excited about on the transfer front. Hopefully, Wenger will make a few moves soon because it was clear at the end of last season that the squad needed bolstering and that has not happened to the degree that is required for the Gunners to really have a serious chance of taking the title.

Last season, Arsenal finished eleven points behind Chelsea and ten points behind Manchester United. The season before, they were eighteen points adrift of the eventual Champions. That could be construed as something of an improvement over the past couple of years made by roughly the same squad. However, another big step up has to be taken this season if the Gunners are going to win their first league title since the year of The Invincibles back in 2003/04. Without further signings, particularly in defence, it is hard to see where a further ten or fifteen points are going to be found this season - and that is what is required for a serious tilt at top spot.

Should we be thinking of improvement in these terms? Well, on the basis of how often over the years Arsene Wenger has told us how many points he predicts it would take to win the title, I believe so. And points are going to be even harder to come by this season with Manchester City throwing money round like it is going out of style and putting themselves in the picture at the top end of the table.

It has been a deathly dull preseason so far but hopefully the manager take some action over the next couple of weeks that will fire a bit more optimism, and maybe some even expectation, that the season that will end with something more than just a top-four finish.

Comments

Posted by Jay on 08/02/2010

There is plenty of talent and depth in this squad to win the Premier League this year with only a couple key additions. With the financial situation of the club the way it is there is no excuse for not filling in the remaining pieces.

A top flight GK and central defender would provide the confidence that the rest of the young squad needs to seize this opportunity. Bringing in big name players in those positions would not upset the chemistry of the team like it might in the midfield or even up front. So hopefully we'll see Wenger be a bit more bold and demonstrate to the squad and the fans that he wants to win trophies THIS YEAR.

Posted by L8r on 08/03/2010

Dull pre-season?In what terms really.

Posted by Phil23 on 08/03/2010

Well when you compare this team with last years team you take away Gallas, Campbell, Silvestre and Eduardo. Senderos never got a start so he hardly helped the campaign. On the other side you add Koscielny, Djourou and Chamakh. We also have Frimpong and Wilshere coming in. Personally I think that if you had to choose out of those two groups of players you'd pick the latter every time. We have much more talent and less experience. Then again, that experience is off set by every player in the squad being one year older. Then we have the natural curve. I can't remember where I read the figure but an older team such as Chelsea can grow up to 5% per year. This is through players gelling and learning each others play etc. A team like Arsenal can grow up to 30% a year. That is a huge number and I think Arsenal are going to be much better than expected as usual. Add the one or two players Wenger is mentioning and those 10 points don't seem like a difficult achievement. This is Arsenal.

Posted by Donnyfan1 on 08/03/2010

Only a fool would think Arsenal inferior to any side in the Premier League this last few years. They should have had two title wins. In the broken leg years- those and a catalogue of bad injuries took their toll. If you are really interested- take a look in video evidence at the difference in the ways teams tackle Arsenal players and ManU players for example. Look at how Sunderland or Blackburn or Hull tackle Fabregas and compare it with Rooney. You will be shocked and you will see the real reason for Arsenal's so called lack of success. Arsenal would need a 50% bigger squad to level that playing field. Look also at quite blatant anti-Arsenal reffing. It's frightening to think it is allowed to go on because it is cheating and it is fraudulent. We know teams can win by anti-football even without the refs help (look at Inter) but what everyone wants to see is a team with the balls to take Arsenal on at football like Barca did. There is no shame in losing- only shame in having to cheat.

Posted by Iddin on 08/03/2010

Ryan Shawcross is the best option. He is tall, good in the air, good physical strength and very quick on ball.

Posted by Eddy on 08/03/2010

I think Arsenal needs a two center backs and a holding midfielder. If Wenger is willing to put Frimpong as first choice holding midfielder, he could play Song at center back which would put Kocielny as back up. I remember Wenger saying Song plays best at Center Back so I'm assuming that if he does that, then all he's gonna buy during this transfer window is another goalie and a center back though I think that he should really buy a couple of midfielders and centrebacks to add depth to the squad.

On the goalkeeping, maybe he should buy Akinfeev. He's young and most likely not extremely expensive, which suits Wenger's transfer policy.

Posted by Maran on 08/03/2010

Spot on. Wenger has often used smokescreen such as the talk of maturing young players and the strength of current squad and Emirates cup to obscure the inability to resolve obvious frailties in the team. The talk of the town is Arsenal is often related to million players for transfers but Arsene will only look players outside this million, one from a cut-throat deal. If the deal doesn't come, then we will live with status quo. All of this (as in past seasons)means there is lack of serious planning to mount a serious challenge. Arsene claims we were close to title last year and we failed because of bad luck. But we all know Arsenal failed not because of Persie's injury but the lack of depth in quality which Arsene refused to accept. As David said, nothing changes this year until he addresses the big hole in defence and between the post. But certainly there is good news with Chamakh, Wilshere and Frimpong. By the way what is Denilson still doing at Arsenal?

Posted by Anonymous on 08/03/2010

keeping Frimpong in the squad and opting not to look for a new defensive midfielder is a significant risk. i'd hate to see the lad buckle under pressure in a big match. we know he can play, but i think doubts are warranted for an 18 year old with no premier league experience.
it's at the point we're we can can start to worry about wenger not making anymore significant signings. there's less than a month left, and we need at least 2 quality players into the sqaud before the window closes.

Posted by AmericanGunnerFan on 08/03/2010

While Szczesny has great potential and a certain degree of natural improvement can be expected from all of the keepers, the fact remains that Arsenal would make up at least 7 of the needed points by bringing in a quality GK like Stecklenberg or Akinfeev. Schwarzer could add perhaps 5. There was a stretch last season when the GKs were gifting the opposition a goal a game and no club can win a title doing that. This is a must

Once Frimpong gets a bit more experience and learns what to do when the ball is inside 20 yards of the goal, he will be a quality sub at DM. But at least one CB who knows how to properly defend a cross is needed. Djourou still looks rusty and was lost in the air. As good as he is, Vermaelen gets beaten on crosses too often. Arsenal needs a CB with a knack for making sure crosses never get to their target, like Mertesacker. If they add those two pieces and stay reasonably healthy, they could make up the difference with Chelsea and Man U. But they need those pieces

Posted by Sebastien Rousset on 08/03/2010

great, comprehensive and fact based article. Need more of these

Posted by obiora obiefuna on 08/03/2010

Dear Mr Wenger,
Good Day Sir, this is to tell U dat we are happy with ur signings dis season so far. Sir, I also want to appeal that U buy at least 3 more playres for d gunners squad. Two defenders and a supportive midfielder for Cesc to be able to move forward for d strikers. Please Sir help us so that GUNNERS can lift at least lift a major trophy this season.

Thank YOU Sir.

Up GUNNERS

Posted by GERHARD HAMUKWAYA on 08/03/2010

as crazy and unrest arsenal fan, i would life fabregas to stay at the club so that he can lead the team to the grories. i want to see him playing along side with the main man (diaby). song must be central defender.

Posted by Aghogho Kingsley on 08/03/2010

Lets forget all the sweet talk. We need as a matter of utmost urgency to reinforce our central back, defensive midfield and goal keeeping positions. We lost more that 15 points last year due to goal keeping errors as well as a further 15 points due to major lapses from the defensive midfield and central back posisition sas result of injuries and all sorts.

If we don not correct these lapses buy buying very experience players now then we should not expect to see any thing diffrent from what we saw in the last two seasons. It is only a fool that will keep doing the same thing and expect to get a diffrerent result each time.

We can get the ten points and even more if we do something diffrenet this time.

Posted by hASHEEM on 08/03/2010

SACK WENGER IF U WANT TO WIN TROPHY THE GUY THINKS HE IS MR PERFECT AND DONT LISTEN TO CONSRUCTIVE CRITISM

Posted by peter on 08/03/2010

Arsene wenger knows best,although i think he should treat the defense situation with more urgency,especially iin front of d auld onion bag.He should buy Joe Hart and sell almunia!

Posted by ShaneTrain22 on 08/03/2010

I honestly believe our only real area we need to got out and try to make a purchase for is keeper. Almunia should head elsewhere and Fabianski should be left to duke it out with Mannone for number 2.
As for needing another man to play in the back, I have to disagree. We have 4 players (Verm, Kosc, Djor, and Song if needed) whom do well in the middle. Then the outside we have the same number with Eboue able to fill in at times. If Song is hurt, Eboue, Diaby, Frimpong, and even Fab, can play the holding midfield role quite well.
This is going to be a side which has more depth than we've seen in a long time... This could be the year. Come on Untouchables part Deux!!!

Posted by 31619 on 08/03/2010

im tired of hearing 'next season we'll win'..come on, prove to me that arsenal can win..no more 'next season'

Posted by Onoriode Aya on 08/03/2010

Dear wenger,
I wish to thank u for the height u have taken our darling club 'ARSENAL' to these years. But nevertheless, we should aim to get to the top of the premier League this season and as such we should try as much to strenghten the defence and the midfield. As u know the issue is injuries which we cannot predict, therefore we should be prepared before hand and not to be taken unawares. I beg u therefore to look to our plight the GREAT ARSENAL FANS WORLDWIDE and make us the bride of the season.
Thanks and God bless.

Onoriode Aya.

Posted by bowdrie on 08/03/2010

I think you're just about right on with this article. I am very pleased with our options in midfield and attack, and I could see us making it through a season with our current defensive personnel, but I cannot believe that we would mount a serious title run without a new keeper. Fabianski was worse than pathetic at every turn last season, and Almunia is simply not a top notch #1. How much do you think Arsene would be willing to pay for a world-class keeper/could he pry one away from their current club?

It would be a shame for the squad to come together and produce only to be let down by lack of consistency and talent between the sticks.

Posted by Emeka Obi Esq. on 08/03/2010

In three weeks or thereabout the transfer market will close. AW promised to get one more CB and possibly a more reliable keeper. I don't know whether he will keep to his words because in the past he had promised and failed to acquire players. If Gunners are to make a difference this season the defense must be solid as that was our undoing last season.

Posted by Ray Gadzama on 08/04/2010

Arsenal must buy the much needed experience at the positions we've all been stressing about.There is money available so there's no excuse,the youngsters will definitely grow,but silverware is our major priority this season.Its the only way encourage our top stars not to leave. Viva Arsenal!!

Posted by Deven on 08/04/2010

Dear Mr Wenger,

How can you be confident in England with the type of Football when our team still plays that beautiful football. Even Brazil had to change. So bring back the Arsenal glory of the years when we had the best defense in UK. In front we have what it needs to win. We need to stop conceding goals. Do something. You go nowhere when you are at risk to concede a goal anytime.
Regards

Posted by king gana on 08/04/2010

arsenal had been,is and will ever remain the BEST.UP

Posted by Andre Yapp on 08/04/2010

The goalkeeper situation leaves me convinced that our chances of winning, or even coming close to winning any competition is slim at best. Our lack of defensive personnel only serves to compound that deficiency in the squad. It's going to be another long and frustrating season with our current crop of keepers between the pipes. Time to make a major move and buy a solid keeper...I hear Joe Heart wants to move on from city.

Posted by abdullahi iliyas on 08/04/2010

arsenal must buy experience,speedemon,skiffull and focused young player. arsenal must make a quick decision in buying the centre back which is highly experience.

Posted by Francis on 08/05/2010

We can talk all we want about buying who and who but in the end, it always end up to be the case of whether the selling club is willing to sell the player to Arsenal. I do agree that we need another centre back as well as a goalkeeper.

Posted by NKS on 08/06/2010

Oh please, Mr. Wenger please, i think you know better than anyone of us that what addition we need utmost is the defence, esp. GOALKEEPER!!!!!!!!!!!!! Personally, i think you need to sell Almunia and Fabianski, no matter how cheap the price is. 1st, you can cash in some fund to buy a worldclass goalkeeper, sell 2 and buy 1, what we need is quality, not quantity. 2nd, we can reduce the wages pay for both of them, and with these money, we can attract a better goalkeeper. There has been some saying that Marchetti is in London now, i m not sure if this is true, but i really hope it is true and he is going to be our next signing. He is 27 years old now, so can provide Szczesny enought time to develop into a fully competitive goalkeeper, and he is our future!
As for the defenders, i think Vermaleen is simply topclass, but lack of height, neither Koscielny. So, Mr. Wenger should add one more tall defender, at least 190cm, to our current squad.

Posted by onuspee on 08/06/2010

mr prof u hv tried but we nee at least 3 more plays and a good gkp before the end of summer transfer. pls go for holding mid fielder like flip melo of brasil to fortify the team. gunner till idie even heaven

Posted by nirmal on 08/06/2010

this team will play well and win most of its games. it is the crunch games we need some experience and strategy. while so much importance is given to the players, what about strategy. do we ever nullify opposition with strategy? wenger blindly feels that his style will win...well not always. some substance has to be mixed with style at least when playing the stronger teams and in europe.

Posted by alfie on 08/07/2010

The lack of a reliable, commanding GK will result in the same problem of conceding soft goals and costing Arsenal valuable points in this new season. The CB right now are good but lack of the experiences in organizing the defense thus a commanding GK will do well to tighten the situation at the back when under intense attack and pressure. Just one good GK may gives Arsenal a good chance this season to challenge for the title and trophies.

Posted by Robert 555 on 08/08/2010

Dear Fans,
I have been following Arsenal for forty years and I enjoy all the players, skill and determination! I am glad to see Gallas, Sanderos, and Sol move on. You can't have a young team with Old guys at the back. Gallas was a petulant child. Sanderos was a toiler but not in the same class as Vermaelen. and Sol, well he was a great servent and just what we needed when he came back but....we need young talented backs like Laurent Koscielny. Surely we can play Song alongside either of the Centre backs as a deputy. Wenger will sort it out...don't worry we'll be there at the end!

Posted by kenneth on 08/08/2010

hi mr wenger,
how can u think u can do well with this group of small inexperience players?have u forgotten there will be injuries?havent u learn ur lessons?have u forgotten what happened agsinst barca in the cl, where u have to play cesc fab with injuries,cant u spend the money?why are u being stingy to urself?or do u want to cause urself heartattarck every season.i know ur a good coach and u believe so much on young players,but i think u still need good and experince players to be able to make us arsenal fans happy again.thanks

Posted by spider92z on 08/08/2010

I believe Arsenal need a good goalkeeper, fast. neither almunia or fabianski impressed us, and we need a good goalkeeper to secure at least 1 title. (win more to keep fabregas!!) so i suggest akinfeev. he did well for russia :) And as for centre back i believe mertesacker or spahic will be a good choice.
Good luck Arsenal!

Posted by jiminy cricket on 08/08/2010

So Wenger's refusal to buy another central defender just one week before the season gets underway tells me a couple things: his 4 central defenders will probably be Vermaelen, Koscielny, Djourou, and Song. Moving Song away from midfield (where he was so successful last year) is risky, but I can understand it if Wenger believes that Denilson or Frimpong are ready to be midfield enforcers. So that all makes sense, and I can maybe forgive Wenger for not buying another central defender or defensive midfielder...

But there is absolutely no excuse for not getting another goalkeeper. What is Wenger thinking!!?? Both Almunia and Fabiansky had their confidence shot last season by multiple mistakes. Then Wenger refuses to establish a definite number one from either Almunia or Fabianski. Then Wenger says that Almunia gets nervouse before big matches. Then Arsenal openly pursue Mark Schwartzer, further showing that they have no confidence in their current keepers.

Posted by Lau on 08/09/2010

I think Arsenal just signed Spahic..

Posted by COOPER on 08/09/2010

Interested comment! Along with my fellow Gunners fans I too think that we need a TOP CLASS GK. Too many soft goals were given up last season.Desperate for a trophy this season and tired of defending Arsenal trophyless seasons year after year.My plea to AW,just spend the money and once and for all by a DM, CB and the world class GK.
Gunners for life.

Posted by the sky is grey on 08/10/2010

Arsenal need MAJOR reinforcements in the back four. Conceding 41 goals last term was the worst performance ever by the department over the last 5 seasons. The Invincibles back in 2003/04 did reduce 42 goals deficit in the term before to only 26 and eventually won the coveted trophy.

I wonder if the current squad can do the same as what The Invincibles did. Vermaelen and Gallas always find themself out of position during set-play. It was so often that the Gunners conceded goals from counter attacks. So we need another fast and hard tackling player to cover his position while he's in the other box.

It's a long season, lots of competitive games to be played. The new 25-player per team rules is ridiculous yet challenging. Everyone at Arsenal now is subject to injury-prone with the type of playing tactics of opposition team. Please note that there will only be ONE backup player for each position on the field. Such rules will diminish Gunners' hope of lifting the coveted trophies

Posted by Granville Husbands on 08/10/2010

To the mamager of ARSENAL Football Club.
Mr. Wenger I would like to see Arsenal have a top class goalkeep and a midfielder to work along with Fabregas, do not play player out of they position, have cover at all positions and teach them how to make important tackles. We must also get better at free kicks and corner. Good luck for the coming season,spend you money the best way you see fit to make Arsenal the top team. A fan since 1971-present.

Posted by POPINGA on 08/11/2010

i respct the wenger plan ,but on my opinion as one of the arsenal farn's,i'm waiting only a trophy and not the good football on the squard like CHELSEA,without signing a good GK and CB the arsenal may not reach where we want to be,even we maight loose to be come among of big4 team qualifier for the championleage for the coming season,we need a good GK like Vandesor of manchester united and CB sharp like Recaldo carvarho of chelsea,he shoulbe toller above six inch goo freeheader with tight making,nevertheles as one of the arsenal fan's,i'm tired with new signing rumour's than the fact of issues iwanant,

Posted by cooper on 08/11/2010

Mr Wenger, for once show us the fans that u r thinking about us. Its 5 long years and we are waiting for a trophy.mix youth with experience and sure something will happen.Plug the gaps fast,15th August is here and still the CB and DM is still to be PLUGGED.Money makes money spend it and you will see the reward.

Posted by Kenneth Lim on 08/11/2010

I believe Arsenal should buy Mertesacker who is a centre back. Next, he should get a GK. There are a few GK mentioned above and I think all are value for money. But, I like to add one more player to the squad whom many failed to mention. He is Ozil. Many will ask why. Well, very simple. Because he has one year left in his contract and that mean he will come cheaper than normal. Second, he is young and talented. Most importantly, he may be the ideal replacement for Fabregas in case the latter leave for Baceloona next season. Well, at the same time, we stop other top English team from getting his service. So I think Arsenal should seriously look at him.

Posted by QuincyFargo on 08/12/2010

Arsene will not buy an established central defender. He already bought Koscielny, so he will pair up with Vermaelen. He will buy someone decent but not someone who will expect to start, so not Mertesacker

Definitely need a new goalkeeper, what's taking him so long?

Posted by manufan on 08/12/2010

Hi, obviously I support Man United, but I do enjoy watching Arsenal and exchanging insults with my Arsenal fan friends. Just saying though, from personal experience of watching in agony as 2 full sets (barring 1 player) from our defense were ruled out due to injury, you probably need more defenders. I mean you can't bank on injuries, except for Van Persie, but still if you have 1 set of good defenders and 1 set of ok defenders then chances are defensive failures and injuries even if they are all short term will come back to bite you. Anyway I've predicted Arsenal to come in second this year but you're a team that deserves to win something and perhaps one of the cups this year and then something bigger the next year is realistic, but unless you sign I doubt you'll do more than challenge for the league, and with City, Spurs and dare I say Liverpool (iffy, but possible) all in contention for top four this year we will have our work cut out for us. Oh yeah, and Chelsea might do well.

Posted by Isaac on 08/13/2010

I guess Wenger is adamant to sign a CD simple because he has hope in Frimpong, not to play in defence but to deputise Song when hook come to crook and Song has to shift into CD. One deprtment he cant make assumptions is in the sticks, we cannot keep giving away matches due to goal keeping howlers. To be honest, any change (including first division GKs) will be welcome as the current crop esp Alumnia can only get worse. Barring major catastrophies, Arsenal can challenge for the title, wud do better with a couple of additions though.

Just hope the beautiful football doesnt get lost. there were times last season when we lost while playing so terribly, dispalys even Mourinho wouldnt defend. At times Arsenal can lose, but atleast we should be entertained.

Posted by Tunde on 08/13/2010

Please get Shaw Given and another CD, preferable one with premiership experience like Phil Jagielka and we have a balanced team that can really compete for the premiership this season.

Posted by frank neptune on 08/13/2010

arsenal is a very good team yes its a while they have not won anything look out for them this season

Posted by ISAAC ODYEK on 08/15/2010

I think arsen wenger and the boys will do something this season but he need to seal the defense and add a good goal keeper that is either mark Swazar or shay Given are the only alternative in order to compete for the titles this season because in Arsen we trust.

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