Written by Mean Lean on Monday, 10 January 2011 12:08

Happy Monday Gooners,

Plenty of news related to the Arsenal doing the rounds already today and I haven't got that much time to write this which is just typical. I have been snooping around various different blogs and their comments sections and many are understandably frustrated by the Leeds United result on Saturday.

Although we dominated the game for the most part, we were not very fluid and dangerous enough around their penalty box. I personally am not that frustrated, especially as we got the late draw. I actually think the draw and consequent replay could actually benefit our squad.

There is an imbalance in the squad at the moment in terms of playing time, Arsene's current first choice 11 have played too much football in recent weeks and have needed a breather, while the rest of the players are lacking the required games to produce top quality football.

Although our players who faced Leeds were technically superior, our opposition's match sharpness and continuity evened up the playing field. Had the Arsenal players on that day, played the last five games on the trot then Leeds would have been blown out of the water, that I have no doubt about.

Look at someone like Tomas Rosicky who started the season on fire, he looked absolutely superb in his cameo at Anfield and then his captain's performance against Blackpool at the Emirates. He had pre season training, pre season football and then brought that with him to matches. The likes of Eboue, Denilson, Bendtner and co are training with the rest of the squad, doing stretches, doing keep ball exercises and then sitting on the bench on match days.

Another example is that of the much much-maligned Lukasz Fabianski. He is unrecognisable from the shaky, insecure keeper we witnessed last season. He had to come in cold, without momentum and it showed.

My point is that the Ipswich games and then the FA Cup replay should sharpen many of these players up so when it comes down to certain members stepping into the first team due to injury or suspension then the transition should be much smoother.

I certainly think that the same players (minus Alex Song) should start at Ipswich as we have a second chance to put it right in the home leg if the unthinkable happens.

Clearly it is a very difficult job to try and keep all your squad members finely tuned and sharp for the business end of the season, we are still in the negotiation phase, so we still have time before the business takes place.

Speaking of negotiations, Arsene could be forced into the January transfer window after French defender Sébastien Squillaci has an apparent serious hamstring injury and with Thomas Vermaelen still on the treatment table, it would mean that Arsene only has two first choice defenders to choose from and one of those spent the whole of last season suffering with a knee problem.

Sol Campbell is one of the players rumoured to be on his way to Arsenal. Sol Campbell? That name sounds familiar, where have I heard of him before? Hmmm, spooky.

As short term options go, he would almost be perfect for the position. The problem I have with Sol, would be the issues that I started this article with. He would need time to get up to speed, especially as he hasn't featured a great deal for Newcastle.

The other issue would be that he was here last season (ah, that's where I've heard of this fella) and he decided to move on. How would that sit with the other players and manager? To be honest, I don't know if this has any legs to it. Sol's may be almost gone but I wouldn't be too unhappy if he was signed until the end of the season.

The situation is as follows. We have four center backs. Two are new players and are unlikely to be sold after their first season at the club, the other is the best center back at the club but is injured, the other is soon to be the best center back at the club, Johan Djourou. Can you add a fifth center back? What are you going to do with a Gary Cahill when everyone is fit?

He is only gods gift to football because he plays for someone other than Arsenal. When Djourou continues his development and Vermaelen comes back to show his leadership and technical ability and then Koscielny takes a massive step forward in his second season and gets used to the English game are we going to have a £15 million center back sitting on the bench waiting for his chance?

I do not see it, so with all that in mind, Sol on a short term deal would be ideal, if not Sol then someone in that same situation and experience. We know what he brings to the dressing room and training and that would be great for the run in.

All we would have to do is tie him to the treadmill and starve him for a few weeks, Bobs your Uncle....

Before we get a center back we have the small matter of Ipswich away to deal with so maybe Koscielny will return but it may well be asking a little too much of Johan Djourou to play yet another game in a row. The last thing we want to do is cause him injury by playing too much football. Youngster Miquel may well have to step up but we shall see.

So while one old boy might be coming back to the fold, one famous name will be training with the Gunners. Thierry Henry *sniff sniff* is on a break from MLS foot..Soccer, and seems likely to be back at Arsenal. Rumours are circling about Henry coaching strikers but I think we should wait to get official confirmation about that.

Having said that, if there was a player to coach our forwards on finishing then it would be Terence.

Mr Henry should have a quick word with Theo while he is at it. While I admire the mans honesty, I wonder what he could possibly gain by stating what is frowned upon in the English game. I mean, it is the foreign players that do that sort of thing. You know, the likes of Rooneyilo, Gerrardicky and Joe Coleindo. Brits such as Walcott should never do that sort of thing.

We already have the rest of the Premier League singing 'same old Arsenal, always cheating' we do not need to fuel that even further than it already is. We are just lucky that it is Theo saying it and not Eboue. I doubt that the reaction would have been the same.

Arsene has been defending Andrey Arshavin after his recent lacklustre performances. I find it strange that many Gooners were sticking Arshavin on a pedestal as our record signing and the reason to spend big money and now he is being criticised from pillar to post.

Mr Arshavin is really a strange one isn't he? I have never seen a player who can be so dangerous yet play so poorly. Then you look at his statistics and say, wow! He has gotta be in the starting eleven for the next game. Match day comes and he is floating around on the left trying back flicks that do not come off and then stands there while the full back runs forward into our half. While you are in the middle of pulling out your hair he scores a bicycle kick out of the blue. What on earth do you do with someone like that?

Personally I love the Theo and Nasri hard work from wide positions and I would keep it that way. I almost enjoy the players chasing back and disposing the opposition as much as I do our quality one touch football.

Interesting that Arsene practically threw his hat into the Eden Hazard ring last week. He certainly looks like a future talent and one that could eventually replace someone like Arshavin but I am sure the likes of Vela, Wellington and company will have plenty to say about that in future.

Right, gotta cut this short..ish.

Back tomorrow.

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Comments (17)

• 10-Jan-2011 12:51 | | Viera72
  

  Well written intelligent article. i agree with your point regarding the squad rotation. some of the players that played in the leeds game were a bit rusty due to lack of playing consistency.

• 10-Jan-2011 13:44 | | MeanLean
  

  Leave the site for a moment and a couple of idiots appear. With the name Cahill in the title, it isn't difficult to guess where they came from.
  
  They have now been deleted.

• 10-Jan-2011 13:45 | | arsenal4ever
  

  are u insane? Sol is becoming more and more fat and lazy. Wont help us!! Pls god not Campbell. He cant even get into first 11 of Newcastle. Samba or Cahill for me.

• 10-Jan-2011 13:52 | | geofel  - damn right
  

  You've just said it all. Most of the players that played against lutd were match rusty..
  More playing time is needed to get them back at top level.
  Ride on...

• 10-Jan-2011 14:00 | | Eagleye
  

  I agree that a replay could help the team rather than hinder it. When i saw Song on the team sheet on Saturday i questioned what Wenger was doing risking our only fit holding midfielder. But the inclusion of Song in the team on Saturday enabled him to work on his rusty passing recently, improve his attacking play and allow Denilson to play the holding role which he did ok at. Another game for the 9 players brought in could help their confidence long term when injuries set in as they will inevitably.
  
  Rosicky, Chamakh, Arshavin, Bendtner, Eboue, Denilson, Vela and Ramsey all need game time, the next few weeks will be a perfect chance for them to put in a performance to prove their worth.

• 10-Jan-2011 14:03 | | Eagleye
  

  BTW - no mention of Chris Samba in the article? Would you not prefer Samba over Campbell?

• 10-Jan-2011 14:14 | | MeanLean
  

  Hey Eagleye,
  
  I do like Samba and have mentioned it here before, although he may not have the technical qualities that Arsene may be looking for, I like his power, strength in the air and apparent leadership skills, given that he is captain. The problem would be that he would be a longer term option and what happens to him when everyone is fit?
  
  Unless Arsene let's someone leave then I don't see it happening.

• 10-Jan-2011 14:19 | | Gun  - 0 signing !!!
  

  wake up .... song will be CB.
  
  Don't expect AW will come out a penny from 'his' pocket.
  This fellow run the club like his father's business.
  
  Sickening to see no 'IN' !!!

• 10-Jan-2011 14:29 | | MeanLean
  

  I'm not sure I understand what you are trying to say or where your information has come from.

• 10-Jan-2011 14:30 | | Zama
  

  Hey ML nice positive outlook as usual, wish I could be half as optimistic, and I mean in general and not just in footballing matters.
  Well ... Sol Campbell, the last time we signed him, I rejoiced like a madman, the situation then was not too dissimilar, we had Gallas & Djourou out and Silvestre (Dear God!) and Verminator as the only 2 fit CBs. If you honestly ask me about signing him, I'd agree with you and say a big fat NO. He's a year older and as someone said lot more fatter. I just saw him play one game for the Barcodes and his age showed. Tying him to a treadmill for a week... how about tying a piece of meat to his backside and setting a pack of hungry dogs on him, that oughta get him in shape....... or get rid of him

• 10-Jan-2011 14:36 | | Rick miah  - No need for another C/B
  

  What about a recall for Kyle Bartley?my mates a blades season ticket holder,goes home and away and says he's playing well.save on the money and buy hazard and lukaku!no brainer to me

• 10-Jan-2011 14:50 | | Feeno
  

  After all the years of financial prudence would anybody begrudge Wenger the 10mil or so for a defender that could help us win the league?
  
  Squillaci has been ok but has had his shaky moments, its his debut season I wouldnt make snap jusdgements on him, but maybe if the ight centre back is available the short term option might also be the long term option.

• 10-Jan-2011 14:54 | | TROY
  

  To buy eden hazard, Raul Albiol. Sell Arshavin, Almunia, Bentdner, Denilson, Fabregas, RVP. Fabregas swap deal Bojan, Gael Clichy swap deal Karim Benzema.
  
  Squad Arsenal:
  Benzema
  Chamakh
  
  Bojan Nasri Hazard
  C. Vela Rosicky Walcott
  
  Song Wilkshire
  Raul Albiol Diaby
  Ramsey
  
  Gibbs Vermaelen Djourou Sagna
  Traore Koscielny Raul Albiol Eboue
  Squillaci
  
  Szczesny
  Fabianski
  
  THE BEST DREAM TEAM FOR ARSENAL SQUAD.......
  BRAVO ARSENAL

• 10-Jan-2011 18:15 | | Larry Mbaco
  

  Interesting article. I think we'll see a Koscielny/Miquel or Koscielny/Song pairing for Ipswich. Was suprised to see Djourou over the weekend (I tweeted you my lineup on friday) but he was brilliant. Agree with your point on the rustiness of the 11 who played over the weekend. They'll be much better on wednesday. Would not be suprised to see Theo and Cesc start with Robin and Jack boosting the bench. I can see the Boss going Szcz, Eboue, Kos, Miquel, Gibbs, Cesc, Denilson/Eastmond, Rosicky/Jack, Walcott, Bendtner/Chamakh, Arshavin. Thoughts?

• 10-Jan-2011 20:50 | | sapman
  

  fabregas swap deal with bojan? bojan? bojan? who?
  
  no way ..if cesc goes we are f*cked for another two years trying to find a playmaker..nasri si good but not a commander computer like cesc ...

• 11-Jan-2011 10:12 | | N5  - Constructive criticism
  

  I was going to try hard to criticise your team line-up constructively, but I'm sorry... it's just retarded.
  
  Cesc for BOJAN? And Benzema, that mis-firing neanderthal? I'm going to leave now, just glad that you're not in charge of team selection. Shit... Raul Albiol. Hahaha.

• 12-Jan-2011 19:22 | | dkgooner
  

  Campbell? Too old and slow.
  Cahill and Jagielka? Too high profile.
  Wenger has said he would want someone with Prem experience, so why not Hangeland? Now that Fulham look like going down, he'll probably jump at the chance. And it would have the bonus of putting Sparky's nose out of joint.

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