January's Coming!!!!!! Start the Rumour Mill!!!! The Forwards.

With January about to arrive, I though that maybe I should do a piece highlighting who I think might be an improvement to the squad. I have to admit that I feel that Bendtner and Vela will  both leave in January, and I think that there's also a minute possibility that Robin van Persie might too. Should any of them leave, here are my suggestions for possible replacements, with guesstimated values:

Name:                              Club:                     Age:   Vale (£):       09/10               10/11

                                                                                                    goals/games goals/games

Fernando Torres              Liverpool              27       14m           22/32                 5/18

Serginho van Dijk            Adelaide               27        1m            13/27                13/29

Mark Bridge                   Sydney                    24        1m              9/21                 1/18

Joaquin Boghossian         RB Salburg          3        3m            17/34                  1/9

Valter Birsa                    AJ Auxerre              24        8m             3/35                  4/17

Robert Lewandowski     Bor. Dortmund      22        5m             21/34                6/21

Mahir Saglik                   VfL Bochum           27        4m             15/27                2/16

Scott Vernon                  Aberdeen               26         4m              7/22                 8/17

Jamie Murphy                 Motherwell            21         6m             10/28                6/20

Alexander Gerdt             Helsingborgs IF    24          6m              1/13               20/25

Daniel Larsson                Malmo FF              23         5m             10/38              18/36

Ola Toivonen                  PSV Eindhoven    24         8m              13/33              11/15

Michael Krohn-Delhi      Brondby               27         4m               4/32                9/17

What do you think?

Arsenal 3 - 1 Chelsea.... oh that sounds good!!!

Half an hour to defend a 2 goal cushion made for a nervous watch.

After having let Drogba score 13 goals in 13 games against us before yesterday, it was hard not to be nervous going into the match. Couple Drogba's devastating form against Arsenal with some shaky looking home form I think that yesterday's result was worth much more than 3 points. There had been a fear of losing the big games, and, although I feel it had sizably diminished by the Man United game a couple of weeks ago, it still posed a big problem. I can't help but feel that when playing United and Chelsea, Arsenal always seem to dominate possession, but never really do anything with it. It almost looked like it was going to go that way again yesterday.

Arsenal dominated much of the first half, playing some fantastic football deep inside Chelsea's half, still lacking that killer instinct and awareness. For the whole game, Arsenal were playing the ball around, just inside the attacking third, pushing it out wide and getting into great crossing positions, but not being able to swing in that final ball because there was no one in the centre. Van Persie - who is without a doubt a fantastic player - was never there, he was drifting out wide, looking to support the attacks from there. As the main striker, the rest of the team needed him in the middle. That was where Chamakh would have been, offering that aerial presence in the opposition's box.

The breakthrough came at just the right time, in a slightly scrappy fashion. I'm sure that Carlo Ancelotti was planning on reading them the riot act at half time anyway, but the goal came at the perfect moment. Chelsea then needed to regroup at the break too. Wilshere deserves praise for his composure to slide the ball through for Song, however I think that he was lucky that it made it through that sea of blue. I feel that that summed up Chelsea's game, poor defensively (and going forward too). 

Chelsea started the second half in the same manner as they finished the first, badly, Fabregas won the ball back from Chelsea's restart within 5 seconds (ish) and this set the tone for the next ten minutes, when twice Fabregas and Walcott combined with devastating effect, putting Chelsea 3 down with 35 minutes left. This being Arsenal, they sat back and just defended the lead, paying the price when, via some woeful goalkeeping, Chelsea pulled one back through Ivanovic. It has to be said that Fabianski should have done much better, he came out flapped at Drogba's free kick and missed. He should have stayed on his line, and I feel that if he had they wouldn't have scored.

After this, little else happened, Chelsea attacked but were thwarted by an Arsenal defense with more steel to it than has been normal of late, Fabregas received his fifth booking of the season, and is now suspended for the trip to Wigan tomorrow night. Nasri also missed a golden opportunity to make it 4-1, however 3 points is 3 points, and put us up to second (albeit for a day, Man City are 3 points ahead, having played 2 games more at the time of writing). 

I agree with the players when they say that we were never out of the title race, but i feel that after this result, we're in it even more. 

Bring on Wigan.

Arsenal vs West Ham

Saturday's game was, again, frustrating. Since (& including) the West Brom game, we've been average at best in the league at home. Against WBA we were both unlucky and awful. Against Birmingham we were poor. Against West Ham, we were alright, but lacking, simultaneously. If I'm honest, I really do think we should  have come away with a 4 or 5 nil win - after all, we had 20 shots on goal (according to the BBC) compared to WHU's 6 -and I feel that it was only Rob Green's heroics in their goal which prevented it. 

I can stomach only coming away from the game with a 1-0 win; what does leave a bitter after-taste though, is that it was yet another poor refereeing display at the Emirates. I feel that Scott Parker should have been, at least, booked during the game, the referee warning him multiple times. There were also some dubious decisions. One instance, where Chamakh was called back for offside (after a Walcott shot I think), was as far as I could see from the MOTD replays, completely, 100%, totally wrong.

Returning to the football though, the free kick from Nasri, which hit the bar, was truly amazing, a fraction of an inch lower, and it would have been in. An audacious effort from a full 35 yards. Not the only occasion upon which we hit the woodwork though, Walcott being denied his third goal of the week by Green's right post, again mere centimetres away from a goal. When it came though, it really was worth the 88 minute wait. Clihy, superbly released down the left hand side, dummied the cross perfectly, beating his man with ease. Then it was the final ball... On his weaker right foot, the number 22 swept in a tempting cross, that needed only the slightest touch to break the deadlock. Nicklas Bendtner's outstretched leg almost reached it, but instead it fell onto the diving head of Alex Song. Rob Green never stood a chance; the Emirates in ecstasy, West Ham hearts broken. 

Before the goal however, they'd had another lucky set of escapes. Twice the penalty area like a pinball machine. Chance after chance spurned by Arsenal, the East Londoners lucky to come away unscathed. Then only to play out the remaining minutes. The Hammers, previously content to waste as much time as possible, found a new vigour about themselves, pushing for the equaliser, but to no avail. Not even a half-decent opportunity on goal could they muster, let alone the finish they so desired. Nervy moments nonetheless; it was one of those games in which anything could happen; even at that late, and outplayed stage. The Gunners held on, to achieve a well deserved win, the 3 points keeping them in second place.

The title race seems to be over before it even began, Chelsea 5 points clear already, the title must be theirs. Now all that remains is to determine the positions of the rest, and to fight for silverware on other fronts. Right now, I feel that second should be ours, leaving City, United and Spurs to slug it out for the last two Champions League places.

City v Arsenal & Newcastle v Arsenal round up...

City:

To be fair, it's hard to draw any real conclusions from the game as to whether we've progressed (or matured) from last season on Saturday's game. Like it or not a red card so early in the game did change it. However, much as everyone's been saying he now fantastic, I feel that Fabianski's goalkeeping was still suspect in the areas he always used to have problems in. He has always had really good reactions, pulling of some fantastic saves, as he did against City, however my problem with him is that he's not decisive enough when a ball is put into the box, it's always 'do I go, or do I stay on my line?' and in the end, he never really does either - and was lucky not to concede from it against City. 

I don't feel that it's possible not to be disappointed at Fabregas not scoring the penalty - you just can't not from 12 yards. Like every other one he's taken this season, it wasn't great, they've all gone to the goalie's left, at the middle of the post (heightwise). A good penalty is taken into one of the corners of the goal, and Fabregas just isn't doing that. In terms of the goals though, they were fantastic. It was a great bit of build up play, and 1-2 for Nasri's and Song's really was a screamer - even if it was from inside the box. As for Bendtner's it was great to see him back and scoring; and not a bad goal to boot!!!

Newcastle:

Again it's hard to judge the performance, because Newcastle really weren't up to much. Not because they're a bad team, just the side they fielded was somewhat understrength. The first goal was hilarious and merited, the second was just a teeny bit offside (Bendtner was interfering & Walcott looked like he was off) but a technically brilliant finish from Walcott nonetheless. The third from Bendtner was brilliant, the #52 of old would have put that miles over the bar, so his game has certainly progressed. From a similar position, it was even better than his one at City, with even more that he had to do. Walcott's fourth was, I think, Thierry Henry - esque. The burst of pace and quality finish, just stroking it into the net...

In summary:

It seems that the pressure is really on Wenger to win a trophy this season, and - no matter what he says - our strategy has changed, and we really are going for it. If you believe an old Sky Sports news report though, we won it (when we actually lost to Chelsea) in 2007. Wenger really is going to have a nice headache now though, with Szczesy & Fabianski impressing, who does he go with. Bendtner's only just back and already in the goals, Vela still looks quality & Walcott's back too. He really is going to have trouble finding a strongest first XI.

Arsenal vs Shakhtar

Unusually, on recent form, I came away from the Emirates happy. Our preceding two home games, I came away  from dissatisfied (to say the least) we really were poor. On Tuesday's performance though, things would appear to have picked up somewhat. Jack Wilshere's last appearance for a fortnight was superb, and capped with  a quality goal, with a fantastic build up. To be honest though, the thing that made the game was the reception Eduardo got, both when he came onto the pitch and after his goal. It's a remarkable change from one of the most hostile atmospheres I've ever seen there (aimed at the referee soon after the penalty in the Birmingham game), to one of the friendliest I've seen. I shows just how much of an Arsenal legend he was/is. 

Back to the game though, I was impressed by how much more flowing we were in attack; we really did look much better following Fabregas' return. Although I don't like to have a go at the players, I really do think that not playing Diaby made a humongous difference. Against Birmingham, every time we were looking to counter, the ball got moved to Diaby, and suddenly everything stopped. All the momentum just ceased, and we started going backwards. 

Not only did we look better than previously, there were two new Champions League records set. With 14 goals from three games, Arsenal have set a record for the most goals scored in the first three games. Not only that, Marouane Chamakh became the first ever player to score in 6 consecutive Champions League games - a record started last season at Bordeaux. Now we have the luxury of being able to qualify for the last 16 by taking 3 points from the 3 remaining games. No disrespect to them, but I feel that we should manage to beat Shakhtar next time out. After that, the Braga and Partizan games should be a good run out for the younger players; much like against Olymiacos last season.

The story of the week though, is Wayne Rooney's determination to leave United. Arsenal are being quoted odds of 25/1 to sign him, and Arsene Wenger has said that the matter is "too sensitive" to comment on. On occasion this has meant that he's interested, though I'm sceptical. Much as I'm not keen on him, I'd never turn down the chance to have a striker of his quality available - that and as a club we'd have majorly got one over on United.

Transfer Rumours from the Last Couple of Months (Well Sort of...)

In the last months, a lot has happened, Koscielny has signed and taken the #6 shirt. Fabregas won the World Cup with Spain and Robin van Persie almost did with the Netherlands. Eduardo has moved on to Shakhtar Donetsk for around £6 million. It's a shame, but I think that it's probably the best thing for both parties, he looked lacklustre last season, and wasn't holding down a regular 1st team berth. Good luck to him. Joe Cole has, annoyingly, signed for the Scousers; I was really hoping that we'd get him... Still you win some you lose some. Mark Schwarzer's move across London to the Emirates still hasn't materialised, despite him making some emphatic statements in the Aussie Daily Telegraph saying: "Who wouldn't be keen to go to Arsenal? At this stage in my career it's an amazing opportunity to play at that level and one I really want to take... It's taken a long time and the season's very close, on one hand you understand them not wanting to disrupt too many things but I want things resolved as quickly as possible." (click here to see the full article). To me this sounds like a man who wants out, he has also, reportedly, handed in a transfer request, I really hope we sign him. If we don't, I think I'd prefer Szczesny to take over, although I really don't think he's quite ready, next season yes; now, I'm not so sure. If he is, I would've thought that he'd be in a position to be our #1 for the next 15 to 20 years... It shows how young he is.

In my opinion we're still a man light in the centre of defence too. I'd like to see either Phillippe Mexes of Roma or Montpellier's Emir Spahic come in to fill that gap. Having said that, Nordveit has shown real promise over preseason, and might have a chance of breaking into the first XI at centre back; we'll see.

With the season about to start however, this is what I think the line up will be against Liverpool on Sunday:

Almunia

Sagna Vermaelen Koscielny Clichy

Nasri Song Wilshere

Walcott Chamakh Arshavin

Hopefully, come the end of the transfer window though it will look somewhat more like this:

Schwarzer

Sagna Vermaelen Spahic Clichy

Fabregas Song Arshavin

Nasri Chamakh Van Persie

 

Transfer Rumours from the Last Month (Well Sort of...)

The transfer window now open, one transfer already sealed, it's now time to ask "who's next?" If the papers are to be believed, much of the current Everton squad will be putting pen to paper soon, with Jagielka, Arteta & Peinaar (and I think possible Rodwell & someone else too...) all linked within the last month. Now more realistic transfer links:

• 
  
  Koscielny from Lorient c.£8.5 million
• 
  
  Joe Cole - free transfer
• 
  
  Mark Schwarzer from Fulham £3.5 million
• 
  
  Winston Reid from FC Midtjylland £1.25 million

The Koscielny move sounds like it's about to happen, the only hold up being that Arsene Wenger has left his Blackberry in London, and  I feel  that him and Vermaelen at the back will be a strong pairing, with Djourou, Nordtveit and (hopefully) Campell as cover.

Joe Cole would certainly add some strength and depth to the squad, and I've been rooting for his signature for a while. He should put pen to paper within the next week, after England have returned home post losing to Germany... I bet Theo Walcott is happy that he didn't go, they've been awful.

Mark Schwarzer I think will be a great signing, at 37 he's at the tail end of his career with maybe 2 or 3 years left in him, providing the perfect amount of time for Szczesney to be out on loan gaining experience. In the meantime, he's a quality shot stopper, and proven at the highest level.

I think that Winston Reid would be a shrewd signing by Wenger, at £1.25 million, he's not too expensive, and is worth taking a gamble on, at only 20 he would represent a typical Wenger signing. The right-back really proved himself with New Zealand at the World Cup, scoring their first goal of the finals, securing them a historic point. Extremely capable, and with no real cover for Sagna, he would certainly be a great addition to the squad.

As predicted a month ago, Fabregas still hasn't left, and I doubt he will anytime soon; the less said about the subject the better. Campbell looks like he might be going to Celtic on a 2 year deal. I really hope he doesn't but I can understand why he'd opt for that, with 1st team opportunities looking limited for him next term. The only other player recently linked with the exit door is Alex Song, I think it was Fenerbache who were rumoured to have bid £4 million for him. No chance, arguably our most improved player last season, and probably missed more in his absence that RVP or Cesc.

So to sum up, I hope that those 4 players are signed and that noone else leaves - with Merida, Senderos, Gallas and Silvestre already gone - if things do play out as I hope, I think we'll have a squad really capable of challenging for silverware next season.

Now all that remains is to wish Philippe Senderos the best of luck at Fulham - unless they're playing us -and for the rest of his career. Also farewells to Fran Merida - now of Athletico Madrid - Mikel Silvestre and William Gallas, who are currently clubless.

Arsenal Transfer Rumours 20/5/2010

Much of today's gossip hinges around Cesc Fabregas actually going to Barcalona. Reading around today, this is looking rather unlikely. Sandro Rosell - one of the Barca presidential candidates - has come out and said that Barca have debts between £450 & £500. Million. Yaya Toure has seemingly said no to a move to Arsenal; shame that!!! I really don't see why we're continually linked with defensive midfielders, Song was excellent last season, and I really rate Eastmond, especially when he's playing that Alex Song role. Also linked to us because of the Fabregas transfer saga is former gunner Hleb, and Everton's Micheal Arteta. I really don't see either of them happening, nor do I see Cesc going to Barca... not this summer anyway; more on that later. A slightly more likely move is for Valencia midfielder David Villa for £17 milllion. Yes, he's a creative player, yes, potentially he could replace Fabregas, but I really don't see why you'd spend £17,000,000 on a creative wide-man, when Joe Cole is available on a free transfer, and is already hugely experienced in the Premiership. Please sign him Mr Wenger, whether Fabregas stays or goes. The Mirror have suggested Man United's Michael Carrick as a replacement, although I really can't see Fergie selling a fairly decent player to one of his title rivals. They also suggest West Ham's Mark Noble who we've already been linked with this month, but again I can't see this happening.

In other positions, we're supposedly set to table a £12 000 000 bid for Lyon 'keeper Hugo Lloris. I really hope we don't sign him. At risk of sounding like a stuck record, I really believe that we should get David James in on a Bosman style free transfer, send Wojceich Szczesny out on loan in the Championship to say... Leeds (who are rumoured to be interested in securing his services for next season) to gain experience, and then either ship Fabianski out on loan, or on a permanent deal.

Moving to our front three, Theo Walcott is believed to be top of the Juventus shopping list. I think that we can be very confident of seeing Theo in an Arseenal shirt next season. Unless they're prepared to offer Man City style silly money, after his end of season form, why would AW let him leave. I know that a lot of Arsenal fans don't rate him, and don't think that he's progressed enough in the 4 years he's been at the club, but give the lad a break; he's probably only had about 1 season's worth of playing time, and you can't develop properly like that especially when you spend a lot of that time injured.

Now, as promised, why I don't see Fabregas being in a Barca shirt next season: that Fabregas was going to be bid for has been circulating for what 3 days now? I think that was this story in any way genuine, there would have been more news than the press saying that Fabregas said that he wanted to go. I really don't see it. I don't quite know why I have such faith that he'll be staying, call it hope, call it desperation, I don't care. My gut instinct is that he will still be the Arsenal captain next season, still wearing the #4 shirt next season, still challenging for the Premiership title next season, and still as influential at Arsenal as ever next season.

Arsenal Transfer Rumours 19/5/2010

I must start off by thanking all the journalists out here for their  helpful contribution to this blog, linking no fewer than 9 players with moves to the Emirates today.

For a change, there was only the one 'keeper linked with us today, West Ham's Robert Green, but I think that this speculated move is about as likely as the Pope being Protestant!!! If the rumour-mill is to be believed though, the Hammers could be set to lose two players to Arsenal, as former Gunner Matthew Upson has again been linked with a return to North London. There would certainly be merits to the projected move; he is after all a solid, experienced defender, who could be picked up on the cheap.

Rather worryingly, it seems Sol Campbell is waiting for Gallas and Silvestre to play their hands before committing to another year with Arsenal, he has apparently been offered a new one year deal. I really hope he signs, as he's probably been Arsenal's player of the second half of the season.

Today has also seen Arsenal linked with: Kwandwa Asamoah, Yoann Gourcruff, Bafetimbi Gomis, Guiseppe Rossi, Arda Turan, Edin Dzeko & Jack Rodwell. I feel that the only one of these worth really writing about is Gourcruff. He's a quality midfielder, who has worked well with Chamakh at Bordeaux. Were, and this is a huge if, Fabregas to leave for Barcalona, I feel that he could be a suitable replacement, although, if Ramsey is as good as he was pre-leg break, I think that he'd be surplus to requirements in midfield, especially with an exceptionally promising Henri Lansbury returning from a fruitful loan spell at Watford.

Arsenal Transfer Rumour(s) 17/5/2010 and a bit of conjecture. Oh, and the new kit?

Another bleak day in rumourland, only an unlikely link with Emiliano Viviano, the Bologna goalkeeper, and further hints about Buffon wanting out, though I really can't see him coming to Arsenal; and anyway, as I've been saying, I'd prefer David James.

Now with this vacuum of rumours, I've looked back into the past to see who we've been linked with this season... David Villa. Towards the end of January, when everyone was getting quite cross at the lack of a new stricker, Wenger commented on Villa's unavailability, but how he would've liked to have signed him. For AW, this is tantamount to admitting that he bid for him, and I hope he did; but I hope even more that he'll try again this summer, possibly offloading Eduardo to make space, as I really can't see him ever returning to his pre-Birmingham form.

According to the 'Metro' "there are rumours circulating" (around the Metro office so they have something to write about methinks) that Fernando Torres is eyeing up a move south to the Emirates. He's another player I wouldn't mind seeing at the club, I think he's probably the best striker in the Premiership (sorry RVP), and would really add some menace to our front-line. I'd love to see both of the aforementioned duo arrive, alas I sincerely doubt that it will ever happen... although I'd be delighted to need to eat my words!!!

Now, next season's kit: if you visit http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/football/826537-new-arsenal-home-shirt-pictures-leaked-on-internet you'll be able to have a look, 'cos for some reason I can't get the image into this blog, but I'm sceptical about how genuine this is, as the crest doesn't quite look right, it looks like there's a curve in the fabric there, and the crest doesn't. The image of Silvestre wearing it below looks dodgy as well, it would appear that we have a new, messed up crest next season if that is kosher.

So, until tomorrow...

Arsenal Transfer Rumours 16/5/2010

A number of new names today, Wenger is again being linked with a move for AC Milan flop Klaas Jan Huntlaar, I can't see this happening though, especially with football's worst kept secret (Chamakh's move to Arsenal) set to be confirmed in the coming few weeks. However, he is a player who I wouldn't mind seeing in an Arsenal shirt, and he is impossibly good at over-head kicks!!!

We've been linked with 3 centre backs in today's press, Philippe Mexes of Roma, Phil Jagielka of Everton and Pape Diakhate of Dynamo Kiev. The only one of these that I could see happening is Mexes, he's good in the air, and has scored a number of goals for Roma with his head. I think he's an interesting prospect, and could complement Vermaelen in the centre of the Arsenal defence. I think that Arsenal only need to sign a centre-back if Gallas goes - and this is looking increasingly likely - as we have Djourou returning from injury, and promising defender Harvard Nordveit retuning from a successful loan-spell in the Bundesliga.

We've also been linked with two goalkeepers today, Steve Mandanda and Mark Shwarzer. I think that Mandanda is at the same level as Almunia, and could even be a step back; Shwarzer on the other hand is - in my opinion - the second best 'keeper in the Premiership, after Manchester City's Shay Given. I can't see Fulham letting him leave however, so as I said yesterday, Portsmouth's David James is probably the way Forward for Arsenal until Szczesny is ready to take up the mantle.

To round up, a rumour I missed yesterday, James Milner. I wouldn't mind seeing him in an Arsenal shirt, but I feel that we already have a lot of very talented midfield players, so I'm not sure where he'd fit in. And anyway, I'd prefer to see Joe Cole come to the Emirates if we were going to sign another midfielder.

Arsenal Transfer Rumours 15/5/2010

There isn't really anything new today. However, it's been reported that Arsene Wenger is now set to bid £8 million for Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart. I think that before any bid for a 'keeper is registered, Mr Wenger will sell Fabianski beforehand. I wouldn't dislike seeing Joe Hart come to the Emirates, however I'm not convinced that he would be the right 'keeper for the club. I feel that Arsenal should try to make do with what they have for the next season or two, before handing Wojciech Szczesny the number 1 jersey. In the meantime, I feel that David James on a 2 year deal would be the way forward. I can't recall if he's out of contract at Portsmouth on not, but I would imagine that AW could pick him up for less than £5m.

Referring back to old rumours... Joe Cole. Now I don't know what people think of the idea of signing him, however, I feel he's the sort of player who'd fit in at Arsenal. He plays good, creative passing football and will be available on a free transfer. In my opinion, his signing would be a real coup, him choosing us over Chelsea, and other interested teams.

Hopefully tomorrow, there'll be some more interesting prospects put forward; rather than just the revelation that Nasri isn't overly keen on William Gallas!!!