Arsenal news, views, match reports, players and player ratings

Morning Arsenalists, how are you? Sonuvagun here finally making his presence felt after a long summer siesta in which I felt no urge whatsoever to blog. I suppose I could have thrown in my two pence about Fabregas and the neverending Barcelona saga, but why contribute to a story that is to column inches vs. interest what Oasis once were to adoration vs. musical talent. It’s been clear for some time now that we weren’t prepared to sell him and unless a) Cesc puts in a formal transfer request or b) Barcelona wade in with 60-80 million bid there really isn’t need for more idle chat. As someone who lives in Barcelona, I’ll be fully hoping Ronaldo has the season of his life in 2010/11 and that Mourinho will be dancing up and down the touchline all (domestic) year long, especially during los clasicos.

But back to the point that I was trying to make before you-know-what distracted me, is that re: Arsenal news it has been damn quiet, especially regarding (concrete) transfers. I remember last year it was the same. We made a move for Vermaelen ‘early doors’ and then I found myself frustratingly checking the Arsenal news one million times a day, only to discover nada in the way of new faces…

Ok, this year has been slightly better than last already. Last summer we bought an unknown defender and sold my favourite Arsenal defender Kolo Toure (never understood why Arsene let him fall out of favour!), and our most prolific striker. Hardly the moves of title challengers and the minute Robin Van Persie had his ankle smashed by some Italian tw@t we were never likely to keep pace. In the end we did pretty well I thought, but it’s worth remembering how many points Man U and Chelsea threw away in an eminently winnable race… would the 35 odd million we got from the two sales bankrupted us if we hadn’t cashed in? How much more money is winning the Premiership worth than coming 3rd? Sometimes I think Wenger’s parsimony is a false economy.

This year we’ve at least kept all our (contracted) major players so far. A doffed cap to Eduardo who sadly leaves us, but his impact on the field last year was negligible and it’s hard to feel that footballing-wise we will are going to suffer unduly now he’s gone. A new start is what he needs and let’s wish him well. Re: non-contracted players, Gallas is a huge loss. He may be a dick, and he may be a destabilising influence, but his quality as a defender for me is unquestionable. Arguably we lost the last two titles because of his injuries in the latter parts of the season, and we certainly stacked a lot of goals in the season just gone by without him. Like most Arsenal fans I have my doubts that Wenger has successfully replaced him in Koscielny. I’m sure the Pole/Frenchie is a damn fine defender and he’ll only get better with us, but Gallas was amongst the best of the best. He also scored a lot of vital goals.

So versus last year we’re basically Chamakh instead of Eduardo and Koscielny instead of Gallas. Is that an improvement? With defense a more important area to address right now than attack you’d have to say ‘no’.

I’m stating the obvious to say we need another defender, but what is strange is why haven’t we moved for one already? If Wenger has isolated a target get him. Stop quibbling over 2 million when the whole season is at stake! Now that Djourou has picked up a strain and Campbell has signed for Newcastle we’re in a considerably worse bargaining position with teams who know we are desperate. This should have been sorted weeks ago, as far as I’m concerned!

As for the goalkeeper situation. Well I wouldn’t be surprised if we didn’t see one come in. Wenger has never shared the fans’ opinion that Almunia isn’t good enough and I get the distinct impression he is only in the market to appease us. That’s why he’s trying to pick up a cheapie like Schwarzer (Who, incidentally, I’ve seen make more mistakes over the summer – starting with his match vs us – than Almunia did all season). To be honest I’m happier than most to keep Almunia. It’s my suspicion that Gallas’ bullying personality robbed him of his confidence last year, and its clear that the Spaniard has nerves of, errr, something very unsteely (sorry metaphors beyond me at 4:41am). If Wenger is sticking to his guns (ho ho) then he needs to give him a big vote of confidence, not freeze him out of any more friendlies. Naturally the best scenario is Wenger digs into his pocket and buys a world class keeper. The Dutch chappie would do nicely… but AW’s phobia of spending money makes that more than unlikely IMHO.

So there we have it, the new season is almost upon us and our so-brief-we-didn’t-have-time-to-get-wet dip into the transfer market has barely compensated for the outgoing players. I have a distinct feeling the only action we’re going to see in the final weeks of the season is one more defender and possibly Schwarzer at best.

A bit depressing give the resources we have available to us, but if we do see a) an experienced defender and b) quality keeper arrive in North London then we’re in with a decent chance for some silverware I reckon (not as good as it could have been but as Arsenal fans it’s something we’re used to!). Djourou’s injury has reinforced the need for a) and it’s almost unthinkable that something won’t happen… but, if last’s year’s lack of action is anything to go by, then I wouldn’t hold your breath about seeing a fresh pair of gloves between the sticks when we take to the pitch at Anfield.

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Posted by SmartArse

Finally after what seems like months there is something to talk about other than Cesc Fabregas. Shame then, that it has to be this.

This rather excellent article from football365 points out a disgraceful article from today’s Daily Mail. The headline tells you all you need to know, ‘Flop Gunner! Eduardo was a big shot joining Arsenal…now he’s their latest striking failure’. If you want an anger free evening, don’t read it. If you do, please, add yourself to the universal condemnation in the comments section. What a wanker. Perhaps someone should shatter Leo Spall’s leg like Eduardo’s and see if he still considers its after-effects merely ‘an excuse for failure’.

Eddy’s departure should be seen as a sad moment for all Arsenal fans, because we all started to see what he was capable of. When he scored those two goals against Everton just after Christmas in 2007 Arsenal fans and players alike started to really believe that we’d win the league. He looked the complete package, a hard as nails Ruud Van Nistelrooy, in possession of superb quick feet and utterly lethal finishing. Time seemed to almost slow around him when through on goal. He was even good in the air. Just imagine what might have been last season if it was a fit and healthy Eduardo stepping in to replace the injured RVP.

But we all know what really happened. Poor little ‘Tiny’ Taylor, gentle, meek gent that he is, brutally snapped Eduardo’s ankle with an horrendous studs-up tackle. Arsenal’s season collapsed, but the real tragedy is that Eduardo never recovered, returning a mere shadow of his former self. Gone was the grit, the poise, the steely-eyed belief, replaced by a crippling timidity. It takes only a sniff of a tackle, even a shoulder barge, to throw him off his stride; the mere glimpse of a defender in his periphery to spurn the easiest of chances. A damning indictment on those who defend Taylor, Shawcross, or any other over-eager thug who quite simply can’t tackle.

It would be nice to see such action so roundly condemned as the Dutch performance in the World Cup final, but I don’t hold much hope. Apparently, only Englishmen are allowed to behave like knuckle-dragging morons. No wonder we’re so shit.

Such is the goodwill with which Arsenal fans regard our departing Crozilian, and the extent of disappointment at seeing such severed potential, that many I know were prepared to postpone the apparently inevitable and give him another chance.

It wasn’t to be. The parting of ways is the obvious solution for both parties. Perhaps a change of scenery, a run of games and (hopefully) a sackful of Ukranian goals will restore him to his former glory, but sadly I doubt it. The damage done is probably terminal.

On a side note Eddy’s departure signals the end of his much loved chant, especially amongst away fans. For those poor folk who don’t know:

He came to us when Henry left, Eddy, Eddy,
He scored more goals than Darren Bent, Eddy, Eddy,
He broke his leg, but he’ll be back,
and Darren Bent will still be cack,
Ed-uardo Da Silva, Arsenal’s number 9
(cue much jumping around to the whole tune again)

Much was ridiculous about it; Darren Bent doesn’t even play for Tottenham anymore, and to be fair is a pretty solid Premier League striker and really, the whole chant loses its flair when every club has its own version (United indeed pack a brilliant one about Torres starting with the hilarious line, ‘He’s half a boy and half a girl, Torres, Torres’), but it’s continuing appearance right through his injury to his jaded final season show just how much we as Arsenal fans appreciated him.

Farewell and good luck, Eduardo Da Silva, Arsenal’s number 9.

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Ok, we’ve been undeniably slack at Come On The Arsenal of late. And whilst the World Cup has produced plenty of talking points, us Arse-addicts know what we really like, and it isn’t the sight of referees ruining yet another footballing contest…

Yes video technology is undoubtedly the hottest topic in the football sphere right now, so without further ado let me reveal our guest speaker for the afternoon: Robert Szmigielski of The Green Soccer Journal leads us through the nitty gritty of the ongoing video technology saga…

Is it time for the use of video technology in football?

Thierry Henry’s double-dribble against Ireland reignited the age-old debate on video replays, with animated discussions dominating sports pages across the globe. As usual, FIFA seemed no closer to finding a solution. But following the shocking miss by officials to award Lampard’s chipped goal against the Germans, is now the time for Zurich to stop stalling and finally start acting?

Locked in battle

Football is widely recognised as the world’s most popular sport; its free-flowing essence and the spectacle of players expressing themselves with a ball at their feet has captivated fans and brought joy to millions – from the London boardroom to the African slum.

However, it’s precisely football’s uninterrupted nature that purists believe might vanish if video technology is introduced, turning football into a giant, intermittent chess game like the NFL.

But with the money at stake in modern football, the pro-video technology movement has gained momentum. Many fans, commentators, players and (especially) managers believe it to be a natural progression in a game largely unchanged since it was first played in the mid-19th century. So how close is FIFA to making a decision?

Sport 2.0

With the breathtaking array of electronics available, many sports have evolved alongside technology accordingly. Rugby union uses video replays to decide dubious tries, cricket applies instant replays to run-outs, stumpings and doubtful catches and Hawk-Eye has enabled professional tennis players to dispute umpiring decisions since 2006.

Not that football isn’t trying. Adidas has been working on a ’smart-ball’ which allows the referee, via an electronic watch, to tell whether the ball has crossed the line. Initially tested during the 2005 Under-17 World Cup in Peru, it underwent improvement and was used, successfully, during the 2007 World Club Cup in Japan.

Hawk-Eye’s success forced the International Football Association Board (IFAB) – the governing body that, with FIFA, rules on law changes – to consider introducing the technology for goal-line queries only, providing a decision can made in five seconds. The makers now claim they’ve got it down to 0.5 seconds. Two bureaucracy-filled years later, and still nothing.

Where to draw the line?

The issue is undoubtedly tricky and perhaps explains why FIFA is dragging its heels. Using replays to decide, for example, whether a player dived or was fouled, is not a conclusion based on fact but rather opinion; even with a myriad of hi-resolution replays available, pundits still regularly bicker over such decisions. Officials don’t have that luxury. But why FIFA hasn’t ruled on goal-line technology (the whole ball either crosses the line, or it does not) has mystified the footballing fraternity – even referees.

In October 2008, UK refereeing chief Keith Hackett publicly called on Sepp Blatter to introduce Hawk-Eye to eliminate farcical incidents such as Reading’s phantom goal against Watford and Pedro Mendes’ lob over Roy Carroll in 2005.

“The FA, Premier League and Football League have all been supportive of goal-line technology and I was delighted by what Hawk-Eye produced,” Hackett said at the launch of the Association of Elite Sports Officials. “[But] it really is in the hands of the man at the top.”

Resistance

In June 2009, during the Confederations Cup final between Brazil and the United States, Kaká’s header hit the crossbar and appeared to have crossed the line. The goal was disallowed, but replays showed it should have counted. FIFA’s ‘man at the top’ was present, and was quizzed by reporters the following day.

“Such situations can only be assessed if we had goal-line technology,” he admitted. ‘But [...] all the technologies that have been presented to the IFAB are not accurate – or not accurate at the level where we can honestly decide whether it was in or out.”

UEFA president Michel Platini, meanwhile, has consistently rejected the use of technology, deciding to use two extra referees in all Europa League matches this season as an experiment.

“Video would kill football,” he recently told France Football magazine, before stating his intent to introduce five referees to Champions League matches and for Euro 2012 qualifying. Clearly, as football’s most powerful duo demonstrate, the matter is far from settled.

Art imitating life

Modern football is now a multi-million pound game of risk. The threat of massive debt, job losses and administration loom – not to mention the considerable amounts of money spent by fans every season. Surely, if the difference between success and failure is a matter of centimetres, FIFA is obliged to employ the most precise decision-making methods available.

However, the unpredictability of football has fuelled passions among fans for decades (and in some Latin American countries even ignited civil war). Above all, in an increasingly fragile global society, millions of people see football as the only common link they have left. It’s the closest the world has to a universal language and its error-strewn nature, according to former FIFA general secretary Urs Linsi, is why it’s so precious.

“Players, coaches and referees all make mistakes. It’s part of the game,” he said in 2005. “Football’s human element must be retained. It mirrors life itself and we have to protect it.”

You can follow The Green Soccer Journal on Facebook, for a fresh, objective and independent perspective on the beautiful game. Issue 1 coming out soon.

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Posted by SmartArse

Theo Walcott deserved to be omitted from Fabio Capello’s World Cup squad. Granted, not for Shaun Wright-Midget, but for Joe Cole definitely. Bottom line is that for whatever reason, injuries, confidence he just hasn’t been good enough for club or country over the last year. Great White Hope 2006, reject pile 2010.

Quite the fall from grace and it must have hit Theo like a sledgehammer. Swift, sudden and ruthless. Apparently Theo didn’t even get time to ask why. Capello’s curt manner has its obvious advantages, but that was no way to treat a struggling youngster. Talent in need of nurturing needs just that, not a vicious kneecapping of confidence. Devastating.

Now to top it off we’re being heavily linked with one of his replacements in Joe Cole. Personally I can’t see us stumping up enough of the readies in wages when cash-rich Chelsea wouldn’t, but it certainly seems to be a case of no smoke without fire. You can imagine how that might look like another cold shoulder to Theo. Arsene is almost universally supportive, sometimes frustratingly so (cough Flappyhandski cough), but when he does cut a player out he does so ruthlessly. Just ask the newly departed Phillipe Senderos. In this case it won’t happen, but it can’t be a situation doing anything other than more damage to Theo’s confidence.

And therein lies the problem. Theo’s omission was the right decision, but he’s also pretty much the biggest confidence player on the planet. The quality of a Theo Walcott performance is usually decided in the first 5 minutes of any game. If his first touch is good you can almost visibly see the confidence grow in him. If not he’ll be careering straight into the opposing full back with every run.

So this decision could effect him in one of two ways. It could absolutely bury him for the foreseeable future or it could represent a major turning point. It has been argued in some quarters that Theo has had it a little easy. Taken to the World Cup at just 17 and his every touch at Arsenal greeted with ‘Theo, Theo’ regardless of how shite that touch was, you can see the potential for allowing him to rest on his laurels a little bit.

This is a huge moment for Walcott. It’ll show whether he has the mental constitution to overcome the little difficulties that affect a footballer and not rely on waves of confidence to be remotely useful. I have every faith that he can go on from here and improve his game, actually learn some methods to beat a man rather than just running straight at him really really fast and improve his crossing.

I really think he will. Fuck Chris Waddle, Fabio Capello and any halfwit hack in the media who thinks he can’t do it. Especially Waddle. He can’t even pronounce the word ‘penalty’ properly. Theo’s got more brains in his left testicle than that quasi-retarded pillock.

There’s still the potential for greatness in them young legs and there’s no better club than Arsenal to let them develop. Have faith and remember, Arsene knows

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Posted by Sonuvagun

Blogging in the off season is a bit like training for a friendly in the freezing rain. You know you should do it but it seems like all pain and no gain. Despite Arsene Wenger’s statement that he would like to make two or three transfers before the World Cup begins, there’s been precious little in terms of actual news to tempt the fingers to start typing. A player we’ve known was going to arrive since Christmas has finally arrived and Barcelona are trying to prize Fabregas off us for the umpteenth season in a row, in the most predictable transfer link in history. Hardly news. Other than that we’ve had a bid turned down for an unknown French/Polish player and we may be buying an ageing goalkeeper off Fulham.

Perhaps the only exciting transfer prospect right now is the strong links being made between Arsenal and Joe Cole. Arsenal fans seem slightly suspicious of Cole on the whole, and I have my doubts how a stereotypical English ‘chav’ (as he is fairly or unfairly dubbed) will fit in with Wenger’s cosmopolitan outfit, but football isn’t about making bosom buddies at this level and I think he will be a good acquisition – if indeed we do get him.

Other than that and it’s decidedly easier to get excited about the World Cup than think of Arsenal-related matters. Sadly for us Englishmen (a we three bloggers all are) there are no Arsenal players in our squad; but my club-level animosities are slowly subsiding as the build up to the tournament begins for what will undoubtedly be another great competition (regardless of England’s performances). There’s going to be some great players on show and who knows, between Van Persie, Bendtner and Vela I think we’ll see a few fantastic goals by Arsenal players… (not to mention Fabregas who we can only hope stays despite Barcelona’s now semi-respectable bid of 60 million).

Anyway when something actually happens we’ll put pen to paper, but right now I’m feeling quite content to make very little ado about the nothing going on. I guess I’m what they call a fair weather blogger…

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Posted by Andre The Giant

At Come on The Arsenal we have so far resisted entering into the shit storm that is the Cesc Fabregas transfer saga. But as I sit in my garden, in Barcelona-esque weather, being bombarded by massive green shiny flying things, I feel like now is the time to leap onto the bandwagon before it rides off into the distance with our star player aboard.

There is a laughable article in the News of The World today (I am not going to link it for fear of giving credence to their bullshit) about a conversation that Wenger had with Cesc on Friday night. The concept that the NOTW would have access to this kind of information is too laughable for words. However, the key point for me is that I really don’t think it matters what Cesc wants. At the end of the day, he is a very valuable asset to Arsenal Football Club and there will be no deal done unless Arsenal can get value for money for that asset. Fabregas is professional enough to not throw his toys out of the pram like Adebeyor and if he does stay another season or two he will give no less than he normally does, which is 100%. Not 110%, because that’s mathematically impossible.

If I was Fabregas then what would I do? OK, so let’s put it in context. I have magically become an awesome footballer overnight (I am shit by the way, a glory hunting goal sitter who can’t tackle for love nor money). Obviously I was born in London (OK, Kent, but it’s inside the M25) and I’ve supported Arsenal since I was 6 years old. I went to the Arsenal academy but was snapped up by Valencia when I was 16 because I wanted to get as far away from White Hart Lane as possible. I am a hero at Valencia and one of the most promising midfielders in the world. I am paid a fortune to play every week, I am still young and there’s every chance that the team might improve enough to win some trophies in the not so distant future. All my mates, however, live in London. Arsenal want to sign me but I haven’t really achieved much in Spain and I am getting a bit pissed off with not being able to do that jumpy up and down group celebration that you get to do when you win a trophy. Would I want to move to Arsenal? Yes, of course. Would I move to Arsenal at this stage of my career? No, I wouldn’t. I signed a contract with Valencia and they made me the player I am. I believe it is my duty to help them achieve what they are capable of achieving. Once I do that, then I will go and play for Arsenal because my job will be done.

The simple point is that comparing Cesc to Henry and Viera is a bit of a red herring. Both players have recently returned to Arsenal and they were greeted with standing ovations. They are true legends because they helped Arsenal achieve huge success. In 50 years time, they will be remembered as Arsenal greats. Fabregas has achieved nothing with Arsenal apart from an FA Cup medal from a game even I thought we didn’t deserve to win. He must be able to see that he has the potential to be one of these great players. If he leaves now, he will not be remembered in 50 years time. Well, he might be remembered, but it won’t be for being an Arsenal player. There are boxes that remain unticked and it is his duty to make sure those boxes are filled before he starts the next stage of his life in Spain. I refuse to believe that doesn’t have any bearing on his decision and I am sure it is these types of comments that Wenger will have made if he really did call him on Friday night.

In reality I am bit scared of the concept of Barcelona with Fabregas. The thought of him linking up with Messi would be a sight to behold. But in truth, I think he will be absorbed by the team. He will be playing with 10 other ‘heroes’ and it seems unlikely that he will ever reach the cult status that he would at Arsenal if he stayed another year or two and won stuff. Everyone wants to be remembered for doing good things, not for quitting when the going gets tough and the chips are down (and other such overused phrases to describe a situation that isn’t going too well). I was actually a bit surprised when I heard the whole ‘I want to leave’ story. As far as I am aware, I don’t think he has actually made an official statement. But given the voracity with which he hit the penalty against Barcelona, with a broken leg for fuck’s sake, it does seem strange that he is so keen to jump ship now. Perhaps, like most Arsenal fans, media and pundits, he put too much emphasis on the last 5 or 6 games of the season. There is a bigger picture, it’s just hard to see through the 3-2 loss against Wigan. Don’t think about that, think about the 6-1 drubbing of Everton at the beginning of the season. It can be like that again, I promise!

As I have mentioned a couple of times on the blog, I am a betting man. Not a terribly good one it should be said, but I do like the mathematics of a good bet. I can’t find any odds on the transfer going ahead but, personally, I don’t think it will. I think that Wenger has a knack of highlighting the crucial parts of a situation to a player, which is good because Cesc will need to understand that he has a job to do still. But more importantly, I don’t think Barcelona have enough money and they need a lot of money. £80m should do it, or £40m if they want to chuck Messi in too. Get that fax drafted you arrogant twats.

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Posted by Sonuvagun

With the curtain falling on what has been another season of high drama (even if the story didn’t have the happy ending we were all hoping for), it’s time to stop gunning for glory and start searching for signatures. This time last summer saw us sell two of our most prominent players and bring in only one relative unknown, but with the fans restless (to say the least), the coffers full, and Wenger surprisingly outspoken about the need for ‘really top class’ players, every Arsenal fan is hoping for a busy transfer window.

Ever the fantasists, the trio of bloggers at www.comeonthearsenal.com have decided to take turns in putting ourselves in Wenger’s chaussures (if you’ll pardon our French) and imagined that we were the ones pulling the purse strings this summer. Welcome to ‘If I Were Wenger, part deux’.

We started by asking ourselves five question:

a) Which players we’d love to see at Arsenal (within faint bounds of realism)

e) Which players we’ve been linked that we really don’t want!

Before I start spending my Monopoly millions however, a quick assessment of the squad is required to see where action must be taken. In fact I believe there’s less reason to panic than our disastrous last few games indicate. Our defence will welcome back Djourou and Gibbs, and with Sol signing a contract extension I feel we only need sign one quality defender to fill the hole that William Gallas is presumably going to leave. Assuming our midfield can start the season healthy we seem to be spoiled for choice in this area. Arshavin, Song, Fabregas, Diaby and Nasri is an enviable collection of players, although some extra hero-factor in midfield is never a bad thing especially with our injury record. Meanwhile Denilson, Walcott, Eboue and Rosicky may have their critics but they are strong squad players capable of the odd storming performance – as was Ramsey before his injury and we may see him back early in 2011. We also have Wilshere let’s not forget. Where we struggled most was strikers this season, with Vela anonymous, Eduardo little better, and Van Persie and Bendtner frequently unavailable. The arrival of Chamakh-attack will be a welcome one, and with him VP and Bendy competing for one spot it’s arguable whether we even need another forward, especially if Eduardo stays. The goalkeeper situation we all know about…

Right let the fantasies begin!

a) Which players we’d love to see at Arsenal (within faint bounds of realism)

On paper our midfield is our strongest area, but with Fabregas frequently injured and the likes of Nasri and Diaby looking a bit lost without him, there’s no doubt we need an experienced head in the centre of the park driving us forward. I feel a classic all-rounder of the British mould is needed. Someone who offers more grit and better defensive awareness than the likes of Arshavin, Walcott, Nasri and Rosicky who are far too easily by-passed by quality opposition. Scott Parker is the obvious choice and surely 10 or 12 million would be enough to prize him away from West Ham? Elsewhere Real Madrid may find themselves with too many players of that ilk, especially if they manage to pick up Gerrard… Diarra or naturally Alonso could be perfect. Meanwhile Yaya Toure is being linked with Tottenham. Surely he’d look better in red and white? Finally I’d love to add Stephen Ireland to our squad sheet. I can’t believe such a talented player is being left out of the City starting eleven time and time again, and his passing and technique would suit our style of play down to the ground.

b)  Which players we’d love to see at Arsenal who we’ve actually been realistically linked with

As I’m not much better at judging keepers than AW himself, I’m not going to pretend to know who exactly who we should bring in of the many names we’ve been linked with already in the last couple of weeks, but one name that stands out of course is Gianluigi Buffon with the player himself stating that he would be willing to leave Juventus if the club decided to cash in on him. The idea that we would swap him and Melo for Fabregas and Van Persie however is more ludicrous than Adebayor’s pigtails and doesn’t deserve further comment. Elsewhere picking up Joe Cole on a free could represent good business, even if his wages are high, especially if Arshavin continues to clumsily stroke Barcelona’s ego from afar. Arshavin is the more talented player no doubt, but the extra work rate and (hopefully) better attitude of JC could make up for this if we decide we’ve had enough of the Russian who is beginning to be more annoying off the field than productive on it. For our defence Brede Hangeland would be perfect but he clearly spurned us last summer, so it would be strange if he were to turn up now – although yesterday’s painful loss against Athletico Madrid in the UEFA Cup Final might have him reevaluate his ambitions. Here’s hoping! Gary Cahill could be welcome at the right price (ie. not the 20 million Bolton are rumoured to be asking). Naturally if Arsene and his scouts can insert a cool couple of million into the Wenging Machine and extract Vermaelen 2.0 then I’m sure all of us will be more than happy.

c) Which players we have to keep

I have no fears that Wenger will sell any of our effervescent ‘champagne players’ (except perhaps Arshavin, which I would accept for the right price). Otherwise it’s important to hang on to Clichy (linked with Barcelona) who has been one of our most consistent performers after recovering his form after injury. Gibbs is quality but if we are going to be ambitious we need two great players in every position and can’t let players of Clichy’s quality go when they’re in their prime. I would like to see us hold on to Gallas too, but we clearly haven’t offered him enough to stay. I hope we keep Eboue too, who has been linked with a move to Italy. He offers us some extra options, especially coming on for Sagna at right back which I’d like to see more often.

d)    Which players we want out

You’re not going to believe this, but I actually hope Almunia stays… but as our number two keeper to whatever go-gadget-armed mutant octopus we bring in as our first choice gloveman. Every club needs an experienced number two and I don’t think he’s been the nightmare everyone says he has. Fabianski on the other hand has. I don’t blame him for what happened at Blackburn, but if he isn’t sold he needs a season on loan, where he can practice catching crosses at someone else’s expense. For all his potential Vela is beginning to look like a hopeless case (was that chip vs. Fulham the goal that saved his Arsenal career?) and of course its high time we said goodbye to our very own Manchester United reject, Silvestre. A bizarre purchase that I’ll never understand (but I’m sure has something to do with both AW and Silvestre being French. Liberty, equality and brotherhood and all that). As for Eduardo, he may find himself fourth in the pecking order for a solitary place up front in a system which clearly hasn’t suited him. It feels like it will be victory for thuggery if he leaves before he’s given the chance to prove himself following his leg break… however there’s not much room for sentiment in football and if I were Arsene I’d think about letting him go.

e)    Which players we’ve been linked that we really don’t want!

There’s been no specific player linked to us yet that’s got my blood curdling, but – Joe Cole aside – if Manchester United or Chelsea are letting them go then that means they’re not good enough for us either! So no Salomon Kalou please! Other than that anyone under the age of 23, or anyone dubbed ‘the next Henry/Viera/Zidane’ is a definite no no. ‘Potential’ is a dirty word this summer as far as I’m concerned. Footballing talent we have in abundance. Leaders, experience, determination and maturity is what we need

Ok, so there we have it. It’s not too much to ask I think. Chamakh is on his way, and then I’d add Scott Parker, Hangeland and Buffon (and Joe Cole or Stephen Ireland if Arshavin leaves. Also quite excited about both the Wright-Phillips and the Arteta rumours, although again if the Owl flies the nest). Surely our reported 35-40 million funds (maybe a bit more if we can find buyers for Vela and Eduardo) can get us these three – or the rough equivalent -and strengthen the spine that our critics have so gleefully mocked for the past two or three seasons. I really don’t think much more surgery is required if you consider that we weren’t able to put out our strongest team on a single occasion this season and frequently had 8 to 10 first team player unavailable. I don’t want to say that kind of bad luck couldn’t happen again, because I’m far too superstitious to fall into that trap… but surely that kind of bad luck can’t happen again?

Ok, not much else to say except to refer you to SmartArse’s very own assessment of our transfer needs in If I Were Arsene, part I. Andre The Giant is still compiling his shortlist. If you want to ask yourself the same questions feel free to comment below!

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Posted by SmartArse

Given the last couple of weeks, I’d say that was a lovely way to end the season thanks very much. For once the word ‘game’ really does describe proceedings, in a rather leisurely Sunday evening game of monopoly sort of a way. Calling it a contest would imply both teams competed and rather excellently for our third place ambitions, Fulham clearly didn’t.

Mind you, Fulham could have come all guns blazing at it wouldn’t have mattered as Tottenham being Tottenham managed to follow up Champions League qualification with a defeat to bottom placed Burnley. And they were 2-0 up. Snigger.

It’s hardly a game from which any conclusions can be drawn. If anything the most important thing I learnt is that sometimes us fans know nothing; “Arshavin you lazy bastard, run!”, followed immediately by the little nipper robbing the keeper after good pressure to score the first goal.

We could have scored a hatfull, Van Persie should have and Carlos Vela demonstrated again what is to date his only exceptional feature – a ridiculous ability to chip a ball from short range, a la Messi, but you know, less good. Given some of the decisions I think even the ref switched off in the second half. Or maybe he just hates Eboue.

Unsurprisingly the atmosphere was rather lax. Frankly most people seemed happy to have nothing to complain about. We finished above Tottenham, scored a few goals, and that was that. Sedate relief I’d call it. Though typically in the family enclosure there’s always a couple of newbies trying ill-timed, ‘Stand up, if you hate Tottenham’ or lone ‘Red Army!” chants every thirty seconds. They’ll learn.

Fulham fans of course couldn’t care less, in buoyant mood and providing half the entertainment. Their Germany bound ‘Que Sera’ was met with a spontaneous standing ovation from the Arsenal fans and their ’stand up, if you hate Chelsea’ pulled possibly the biggest noise of the day. Lovely touch. Can only wish them well on Wednesday and there aren’t many opposition clubs you could say that for. My goodwill for them was particularly put into  perspective by my comparative hatred for the bastards in blue prancing around in celebration as I made my way home.

It’s always interesting to watch what the announcer amusingly called a ‘lap of appreciation’ to see if there are any Mathieu Flamini style tell-tale final waves goodbye though hearteningly there were none. Cesc, Arshavin and Clichy all marched round with the rest, and Sol was actually with Le Boss. In fact all that could really be garnered from the whole thing is that while most of the squad only have the time, energy and years under their belt to produce one child Eboue seems to be spawning them at will, bringing a whole gaggle of mini-Eboues round the pitch.

There’s plenty of time in the weeks to come to survey the season, though apparently some don’t quite get that. One banner really got to me – ’sing-ings or sign-out’ dangling from the north end of the upper tier. Give the man a bloody chance! In fact, you can take your banner and bugger off to White Hart Lane. While in the ground, support the team and show the great man some respect. Said banner mysteriously disappeared at half time – perhaps someone expressed the above sentiments to its owner.

Anyway, what this rather relieving state of affairs achieved is to give me the liberty to end how I wanted to before the game, lamenting how much I’ll miss it all rather than railing in anger at another inept performance. So it’s a sad farewell for now (as Andre The Giant pointed out this week, it really hasn’t been that bad) and potentially excited glances to the season to come. Transfers will come though Arsene’s final email to the fans was worryingly supportive of Fabianski, subject to ironic jeers any time he caught the ball yesterday. Whether it’s exactly what we want or not we’ll have to wait and see.

It’s your move Boss

Come on the Arsenal!

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