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My Vision
Written by Mean Lean on Thursday, 16 June 2011 17:54
So far everything related to Arsenal and the transfer window has been purely speculation. It started with Denilson seeking pastures new, then Nicklas Bendtner soon followed suit. Samir Nasri's contract negotiations has been almost a daily talking point and now the most recent talking point is that of our skipper.
I have been worrying myself about the horrible possibility that both Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri could start next season away from the famous red and white shirt. Whilst the saying 'no player is bigger than the club' is very true, it cannot be ignored that having to rebuild part of your midfield and attack can only be seen as a negative move. We have seen what damage it has done to us before when Flamini and Hleb both assumed they saw lush green grass elsewhere.
It would be difficult to argue that Hleb and Flamini are either more talented or more importantly, influential than our current number four and eight.
The futures of our two creative talents are certainly not secured but at this moment in time things look far brighter than what might have been.
Samir Nasri has recently told Arsenal fans not to listen to what is being said in the media, while his agent has confirmed that talks are still ongoing and nothing has broken down. It could all be part of the game, trying to get in the position where he enters next season without a new contract in place but as we know, the club will no longer allow these situations to arise.
So as long as the player has not been transfer listed or that his agent hasn't publicly told everyone that talks have come to a standstill then we have to hope that things are progressing on track at this moment.
Cesc Fabregas' situation is far more straight forward. He is an Arsenal player, still on a long term contract and just like He-Man, we have the power. That power has been strengthened by Cesc's recent comments where he states that he is happy at Arsenal and that he basically will not agitate for a move even though he would like to play for Barcelona.
In this day and age, I would say that it is pretty rare to find players who do not throw all their toys out of the pram in order to get what they want. Cesc Fabregas is being loyal to Arsenal and Arsene Wenger, a manager that has placed a lot of faith in him, given him the platform to shine and develop into the player we see today.
Cesc spoke about the foundations being in place to make Arsenal one of the best teams in the world and I could not help but agree. He is absolutely correct, we have the foundations in place and that is due to the wonderful work by Arsene Wenger. Luckily it was Cesc who spoke and not the manager as I am sure his words would have been torn to shreds today. Whoever spoke is irrelevant, the content is what matters. The foundations are clear and we must build on what we have and not allow parts of it to be torn down to be built back up again.
Barcelona have said that Cesc is worth less than last year due to wear and tear. What is he a car? This could once again be a public move from broke back Barca to try and prize our captain away on the cheap so only time will once again tell.
One player hardly spoken about is that of Gael Clichy and as much as I love the fella, we could cope if a first teamer was to leave, as long as we bought an able replacement. Our creative players would be far harder to replace.
So with our key components likely to be at Arsenal next season, the other interesting news is that of possible arrivals into the club. I say possible but it seems as if they are more than likely judging by the rumours and reports.
The Gervinho deal is all but done whilst we wait for Chris Samba to agree terms on a deal that will see him become an Arsenal player. Not only this but we will apparently have Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on July 1st.
If these deals are all true and to be honest I cannot breathe with all the smoke going round then you have to say that the club mean business this season. Usually we sell before we buy. It has been an Arsenal thing for many years, even before Wenger so lower your sticks.
There are still rumours lurking around about Gary Cahill and Wenger still being interested in signing him. That I cannot believe. Not only because Cahill is hugely overpriced for only one year on his contract but what on earth is Wenger supposed to do with five or six central defenders?
Any manager worth their salt will tell you that keeping your center back partnership together as much as possible is vitally important for continuity. Mass rotation in that position would be almost suicide. Even if you sold Squillaci, you are left with five players who would all want to play regular football because they are internationals.
Vermaelen
Koscielny
Djourou
Samba
Cahill
Not to mention the likes of Miguel and Bartley who are coming through very well. It doesn't sound realistic to me. Many are suggesting that we move Thomas Vermaelen to left back but I just do not see that working in our system. I am sure he can do a job there, in fact he has played there for Ajax on many occasions but at Arsenal our full backs are required to be mobile and dynamic, sprinting forward to support our attacks whilst having the speed and energy to get back and defend. I do not see Vermaelen being that type of player. If he was to play full back, it would more than likely be in a 4-4-2, in a more compact and defensively minded side.
There are grumbles about the probable signing of Gervinho and I would suggest waiting until he plays for us before jumping for joy or crying into your cornflakes. He managed to score 15 goals along with 10 assists for a league winning team. We have watched him for a long time now so let us see what happens.
I remember plenty of people frowning about the signing of a certain Thomas Vermaelen. He was not tall enough, playing in an inferior league etc etc. The rest as they say is history.
The Premier League fixtures are out tomorrow and according to leaks on Twitter (sorry, cannot remember the source now) we could well be facing Newcastle United away on the first day of the season. Some much needed revenge me thinks.
Prediction: We lead 4-0 at half time, Gervinho scoring all four goals and looking like an improved version of Messi whilst at the other end Chris Samba single handedly blocks every shot, wins every header whilst his defensive team mates have a cuppa and a chat on the center circle and in the second half we don't concede four goals.
Ok, the last bit was a little far fetched I know.
Back tomorrow.
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hahahaha nice-
16-Jun-2011 19:30 | | NorthbanksyMy only concern is that we in January we lose too many players to the Africa Cup of nations for 6-8 weeks.
Gervinho, Samba, Song, Chamakh, Eboue, Frimpong. That means we'd be an injury away from no striker & no true defensive midfielder at a time of the season when we're usually blighted by injuries.
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16-Jun-2011 19:34 | | g0on3r5 - my opinionno offence mate but i think you're wrong about vermaelen not mobile enough to play left back. in my opinion he's being wasted play in CB. he got good techniques, one of the best striker of the ball we have, can pass, cross and dribble well too. he's definitely a treat when he's in opponent's half. remember he scored some beauty during his first season. i think wenger also realized vermaelen have a lot more to offer than just sit back and defending. with the way we play football, our fullbacks spend more time in opponent's half than our's. so near opponent's penalty box, would you rather have vermaelen or clichy?
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16-Jun-2011 19:47 | | MeanLean
That is fair enough, many people have that opinion. In answer to your question I would have to go with Clichy. I think Gael is very underrated and his good points and contributions are often overlooked.
That said, I think Vermaelen would probably assist more and probably score more goals but I just cannot see him getting around the pitch as well as Clichy would.
For example, I just cannot see Verm sprinting past Nasri on the left and then sprinting back to get in position so frequently during a match.
I could be wrong, but I just do not see him there at Arsenal.
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16-Jun-2011 19:50 | | MeanLeanIt does look worrying to lose so many players at such an important time but hopefully Wenger will have prepared for that period. I am sure our business in the market has not finished just yet.
Assuming that Nasri stays, then we will have the amount of wide forwards as this year
Walcott
Arshavin
Nasri
If need be Vela and Eboue.
And center back Vermaelen, Koscielny and Djourou at least.
Eboue and Frimpong are bit part players right now. Only Chamakh may be a concern but that depends if Wenger goes back in for another forward.
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16-Jun-2011 20:05 | | ckI'm surprised people are questioning Vermaelen's versatility, speed, and work rate. I have no doubt that he would excel at LB for us. On a few occasions in his first season, he showed his attacking quality in open play, not just in set pieces. My only doubt is that it would be a waste of his marking and tackling abilities by making him focus a little more on joining the attack.
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16-Jun-2011 20:59 | | SavageClichy's strength is two-fold: recovery pace and bombing forward through the middle third. However, I'd say he simply doesn't contribute enough in the final third in terms of assists, crosses and shots from distance. One thing I love about Vermy is his shots from distance - reminiscent of one Winterburn? Running down the flank would give him more license to do that.
Here's another thought: get Cahill and Samba and put TV in DM and cracking shots from there. That can work!
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16-Jun-2011 21:18 | | MeanLeanI agree about Clichy not doing enough in the final third but I do not see Vermaelen scoring too many from such a wide position, a defensive wide position at that.
As for defensive midfield, I doubt he could play that role at such a high level. Completely different from bringing it out from the back.
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16-Jun-2011 22:25 | | generalVerm played left back 4 us in one match last season.where he resqued silvestre from our opponent pacy strikers
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16-Jun-2011 23:58 | | Domhuaille - Verm versus Clichy?Clichy is faster and more versatile than the Verminator but Clichy has the ball watching disease and occasionally loses the plot right in the middle of the opponent's counterattack........Vermaelen has never been caught out and when he goes for the tackle, he wins the ball OR the man and that's a CB's job. On the other hand Clichy's tracking back is very good and he can work the counterattack faster than Vermaelen can, since the V is more defensive minded. Apparently he plays as a left back for Belgium as often as he plays CB. Verminator CAN and does score far more goals than Clichy and that is his big asset. He is remarkably skilled in the air (like Chamakh) and can shoot very well but he is a true classic defender, preferring to let the attacking midfielders and strikers finish off the attack.
If Samba signs, then the V could hold back and let the Samba man attack or vice-versa. Both are good at controlling and extinguishing opponents's long balls into our half and both would lead from the back. The Verminator is 6' 0 ,Samba is 6'2, Koscielny is 6'1, Djourou is 6'4 and Szcesny is 6'5 so we would have the height. The new signing Jenkinson is 6'1 so Vermaelen is the midget back there....but size isn't everything right?
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17-Jun-2011 05:50 | | samson2 - wau!It interests me most in the conclusive bit of it.
"Prediction: We lead 4-0 at half time, Gervinho scoring all four goals and looking like an improved version of Messi whilst at the other end Chris Samba single handedly blocks every shot, wins every header whilst his defensive team mates have a cuppa and a chat on the center circle and in the second half we don't concede four goals."
That said reminds me of the saying that goes "If wishes were horses then beggers could ride
"
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