Written by Mean Lean
on
Tuesday, 26 October 2010 11:07
In some ways I almost wish the Newcastle game tomorrow was not taking place just so I could continue to roll around the fluffy carpet of victory some more but on this Tuesday afternoon, the Manchester City game is starting to fade into the background and Newcastle are starting to fade in, like a football mixing DJ on the decks, playing some of our favourite games.
Tomorrow's game will be a chance to show our strength of squad to the Premier League, many of the pundits are already so massively brain washed, continuing with the Arsenal lack strength in depth cliche that has spread around our screens and newspapers like a man made virus.
Arsene Wenger has promised to go for all trophies this season, fielding stronger teams than he has done in the past and I have a theory. In the past we had our first team squad and then underneath them we had reserve and youth players who were not exposed to first team football. Due to a stupidly insane injury record in recent seasons many of those players have been thrusted into the first team, almost pushed into the deep end and told to swim. Luckily our coaching staff and management team have taught all the youngsters the art of doggy paddle which has meant that many who have been put in, sometimes perhaps a tad too early have all managed to swim lengths and in some cases compete and the Olympics. Ok, perhaps I am going somewhat overboard with the metaphors here.
That group of inexperience are now experienced, they have all played regular games and are now a part of the first team squad. As much as injuries in the past have been painful and hard to swallow, in some ways that has been a big reason why we are so strong as a squad nowadays. Denilson, Song, Eboue, Bendtner, Walcott, Gibbs and now Wilshere have all been given the chance to grow and now we have a squad big enough to rotate as and when whilst still maintaining a high level of quality. The last round of the Carling Cup was a perfect example of that.
So fielding a young team from the reserves and youth so they could gain experience is no longer as important. Why field a team full of Aneke, Afobe, Cruise et al when there are players roughly the same age but are higher up the pecking order still searching for games. Players like Eboue, Bendtner, Walcott etc are looking for games and a chance to stake their claim for a first team place.
I imagine that the Carling cup will now be a place for our fringe first teamers as well as one or two exceptional reserves taking a place either on the bench or starting with quality around them to see how their breast stroke is coming along. Yep, back to the metaphors again.
One exceptional talent that will be a part of the squad will be one Jay Emmanuel-Thomas. I have just listened to Arsene's press conference on Arsenal TV online. Blinking bloomers! If you haven't heard it yet then I suggest you do, if you are a member of course.
Wenger was proper waxing lyrical about JET, more so than I have ever heard him do about another player before. At one point I thought he was about the burst into tears. Sorry, I didn't write down his exact quotes, someone had better pay me if I am to do that but a few of his comments were along the lines of, and remember I am paraphrasing here.
'He is an unbelievable finisher, left foot, right foot, outside the box.'
Wenger also said that 'He can not only be a very good player but a great great player.' Jeez! It was almost as if he had unearthed the new Pele, perhaps he has.
What was interesting was Wenger comments about his fitness, he eluded to Jay not being at the required level or something like that, and that could well be the reason why he has not featured as much in the first team as yet.
He had better install the beep test in his garden and get beeping. I want to see this player that Arsene can see. Sounds like fun. He has been taking the piss in the reserves though, making it look like a walk in the park. I am sure he will feature tomorrow, perhaps even start by the sound of Wenger but where will he play as I am sure Nicklas Bendtner will start. I would have suggested that Emmanuel-Thomas would have started on the right but little Theo will be having none of that. The left doesn't really suit JET so Wenger will have to figure that one out.
Arsene if you want any help with tactics or formation issues just click on the contact button and I will try and slot you in somewhere. I have been trying to help out Rafa for the return leg against Tottenham. My advice to him is just to play three right backs at right back of course and that will stop Tottenham's one trick pony. The rest are actually pony. Anyway, I digress.
Jay has also been talking about his chance.
"I think I can offer something different. There is no-one that plays exactly my style, I am a big guy that likes to run with the ball and beat players. I can create chances, I can score goals, I can make goals and the way I see things in the game has become a lot better than it used to be.
"I've got to keep doing it and keep showing that it`s not just a one-off. Hopefully the boss will see what I am doing and that I am doing it on a regular basis and hopefully he will give me my chance."
He is right that he offers something else, in fact it is something that none of our other central strikers offer. The ability to beat players on his own on the run. Robin for all his wonderful technique and quality, he isn't going to beat three players and open spaces for others as Henry used to *sigh* (still miss you Thierry)
In fact I remember thinking that he had a little lick of the Henry style in his game during pre season. Obviously a larger and not quite as mobile.. err or fast Henry, but his little stuttering steps and then a quick burst of pace past the defender is very much Henry of old.
Another thing that JET needs to add after his garden beep test is some DVD's of Chamakh's exceptional work rate.
Henri Lansbury was mentioned again by Arsene and once again he was likened to the Romford Pele. He could feature in the midfield engine room alongside perhaps Rosicky and Denilson/Diaby depending on fitness. Technically I got the impression that he was a little less gifted than his peers against the Spuds but having said that he was playing alongside Jack who was majestic on that night. I did like Lansbury's tenacity and his non stop running. That is where the Parlour comparison probably comes into play.
Rumour has it that Arsenal are set to offer a new contract to nana nana na na na Samir Nasri, Nasri, Samir Nasri! That is no surprise really. He is coming into the beginning of his great player mode. Development has all but ended, it is now about improvement from now on.
I am about to offend some people here so if you have a weak stomach, then I suggest you scroll down a little further. I actually think that Nasri is technically a better player than Robert Pires. Pires is still above Nasri due to his impressive 'numbers' as Wenger calls it. His goals and assists will keep him above Nasri but I don't believe it will be for long. Nasri is starting to add goals and assists and once he can do that consistently then he could well surpass the great Bobby. Yeah, I said it, and what? I cried two tears in a bucket.... etc
Let us not forget their ages. Pires at his best was 27 Nasri is still a bubby at 23.
I am fully aware that I could take some of the proverbial stick for that comment. Arguments could break out just as they could be in the Arsenal dressing room. In one corner you have Lukasz Fabulousanski saying that we are more ruthless now and can win the title and in the other corner you have captain Cesc Fabregas telling everyone to calm down and it is too early to talk of titles. It could well get overheated with bits of saliva flying out of Fabianski's mouth, while Cesc waves his fist. Pat Rice and Vic Akers doing their part holding each player back.
As always the truth is found somewhere in the middle. We certainly do have enough in our locker to win the league, I refuse to remove my red and white glasses and wear any shade of blue. Why the heck would I?
I feel that we have a better squad than Chelsea and Manchester City for that matter but Cesc is correct, it is too early to talk about trophies, we have to try and win every game we face. Beating City will mean nothing if we do not manage to find a way through West Ham on the weekend.
But first up we have to get past the Geordies who put out Chelsea's weaker side in the last round. Looking at Chelsea's bench, that isn't that much of a big achievement to be honest.
Back tomorrow for some pre match goodness.
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