We can all crawl out from behind the sofa now that international football is walking over the horizon again. I glance around looking high and low for any damage that has been caused from the pointless internationals and without wanting to speak too soon, it looks as if we are in the clear. If that is to be the case then wow, I don't know what to say.
I cannot be the only one to have feared the worst at this time. The dreaded November international matches have been rather evil to us in the past, especially to a certain Dutch striker. Injury free parties will have to be put on hold until all the players report back to Colny and the medical team make the players line up for a military inspection. Any tweaks should demand 500 push ups, strains 1000 and any fractures or breaks should be punishable by making the offender go for a drink with John Terry. Who needs a state of the art medical center when you have rules like that in place.
Our game on Saturday is an early kick off which will undoubtedly be tough on the players after having flown around the world, it is even more difficult when you consider that Norwich City should be pretty fresh and will also be playing in the comfort of their own home. I kinda wish that the West Brom and Norwich fixtures were reversed but such is life I guess.
The November transfer gossip window is open once more before it swings open even further in December.
Bordeaux president Jean-Louis Triaud has revealed that he has been going over his mobile minutes allowance with continued phone calls to Marouane Chamakh and Arsene Wenger in an attempt to bring his former striker back to his club. Apparently Arsene is yet to get back to him about the matter. It is hard to believe that Chamakh is the same player who started so well last term. In many ways his Arsenal career has taken the opposite path of the typical Wenger signing. We have seen so many players come to the club from other leagues and look out of their depth, written off by all until they settle in and prove what good players they are.
Chamakh started last season as if he had been born an Arsenal player. Working hard for the team, linking up with his midfield players and scoring his fair share of goals. For the first six months, he was effectively our fox in the box. Then a combination of a returning superman mixed in with a dose of a drop of form has seen his performance levels fall at extraordinary speeds.
Assuming that his drop is not a physical issue then I guess his future depends on whether Wenger feels as if he can recover psychologically. There were other rumours doing the rounds about issues in his personal life so who knows what has caused the change of fortune.
I get the sense that whatever Mr Chamakh does from now on will be somewhat frowned upon even if he finds his best form simply because he is not or will never be as good as Robin van Persie. Plonk last season's Chamakh into our team now for three weeks and everyone will be expecting him to drag the ball past an onrushing defender and then chip the keeper with his weaker foot.
Wherever his future lies, I just wish the guy the very best. He has the club in his heart and has said so prior to his move to Arsenal. He is a selfless player who's luck is down right now, hopefully he can rediscover some of his best form soon.
If Chamakh doesn't improve soon then he won't just have van Persie to think about because I don't think it will be very long before we start to see a more adjusted Ju Park. He scored another good goal for South Korea last week I think. Great movement and a poachers finish. Like I keep saying, he reminds me a little bit of Eduardo, if he can find form anywhere like Eduardo pre Birmingham then we have a player on our hands.
Speaking of players finding the net, check this out from Chamberlain.
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Obviously this is low pressure training rather than the intensity of a proper game but the boy really has some blinding technique. I am looking forward to the day where we can field Wilshere, Ramsey and Chamberlain all with tons of experience under their belts then wow, that is some exciting merde right there. Even more so if the likes of Ryo, Coquelin and company can reach their potential. That is all for the longer term though, shorter term we have to hope that our experienced pros like van Persie, Arteta and Vermaelen can stay fit and keep us moving up the league.
Jack Wilshere to Real Madrid? *yawn* next.
Lastly to Carl Jenkinson, his words over the last few days have given us a bit of distraction over the international week which is good. I love listening to Jenkinson in interviews. He sounds very likeable and humble. You've all heard his quotes so I need not repeat them again here. I am glad he has settled down though and is starting to show what he can do. He has a chance to have a run of games now and show that he can improve and maybe Sagna's injury can do for Jenkinson what Cesc's injury did for Alex Song three or so years ago.
Right, must dash.
Back tomorrow.
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On Chamakh.. I was watching some of our games from last season and Early on Chamakh came across like a proper PL striker, strong in the air, hard to out muscle and took his goal scoring chances. I was really impressed with his play off the ball vs Livpool & Aston Villa both away games. Now he seems frail, unable to hold on to the ball without falling over. As soon as he gets the ball he taps it back into midfield & makes a run towards the wing, granted thats what a "false 9" is supposed to do, but it just doesn't seem to work for Chamakh. Also we usually dont utilise his biggest strength - his aerial prowess. I really like him as a player & hope whatever issues he has are solved & we regain the player we all know there is inside him.
16-Nov-2011 15:58|
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MeanLean
Thanks Zama,
I agree that we haven't used Chamakh's strong points but that said, for the last few games we have put in many good crosses. Jenkinson and Santos have crossed some great balls into the box.
16-Nov-2011 16:17|
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mr h
The Ox has an amazing gift. That boy is going to have a tremendous future. A future hopefully entirely in the red and white. The future really looks bright, Veterans in the form of RVP, TV, WS, AS, AR with youth players like Ryo, AOC, COQ, and PONG... Beautiful... THis group must stick together...
Imagine if you will a front three of Ryo, Theo and Vela (and Vela from the ideal world, not the real world.) That would be one fast front line!
16-Nov-2011 17:06|
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Zama
yup. It will be fun to watch the combo of chamakh up front with CJ, santos and chamberlain providing the service
16-Nov-2011 17:54|
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pika
hmmmm tyson jr
want wait for rafael and fabio to try do a "neville" on him,,,,,pointing their fingers, vains popping out their foreheads..Ha! the ox will smack 'em down...how old is this kid again? throw him in arsene..
16-Nov-2011 19:14|
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goonergal
- Chamack has others to worry about
Joel Campbell currently on loan scored a stunning goal in game between costa rica and spain finished 2-2~ hopefully playing these internationals for his country will get him the special talent visa he needs, looks like wenger has found another gem. I really like Chamack but his confidence is on the floor, hope he gets it together before wenger is forced to give up on him,.
16-Nov-2011 19:20|
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Passenal
I think some people over play this drop of form from Chamakh. He is still doing what he always did except scoring and that looks like a confidence thing. As much as most players start slowly, there are also some who start well then suffer from second season syndrome. It might help him to regain his form if we just focussed on supporting him and not reinforcing what is becoming a self-fulling prophesy. I'm also sick of reading the media's attempts to transfer him out to a different club each week! Let's just wait and see what the man who sees him close up on a regular basis decides to do.
17-Nov-2011 03:47|
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richie
ML Chamakh's problems start with RvP and Finish with AW - Early last season he was played in his normal position as a CF and he excelled there as you pointed out, good in the air,strong, and he leads the line well. Put RvP in Chamakh's normal place and farm him out wide in a 433 not really surprisingly he struggles. Firstly because he has to curb his natural instincts to move centrally and at the same time try to learn to stretch the play out wide. I sympathise with him.
He can't displace RvP, he could only replace him.(Which none of us want) As Robin has been on fire, and has played nearly every game, poor Chamakh without even a little run in the team will be expected to light up a CC match first chance he gets. That ain't easy when you haven't been playing. Less easy again when your form has dropped and your confidence is low because of the very few games you've had. I think Chamakh given a few games in a 442 would very quickly be back up to where he was but as that ain't likely I can't help but feel sorry for him.
17-Nov-2011 08:49|
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Dungul Gosi
- The future is Arsenal!
I smiled in contentment when I read this article. While most people are bashing Arsene on the herevand now, the Professor is laying a solid foundation for future domination. Imagine 2 to 3 years from now Arsenal lining up the following players:
GK: Zesny
DF:Jenkins, Bartley, Miquel, Gibbs
MF: Coquelin, Wilshere, Ramsey
FW: Ryo, Campbell, Ox
With the other lads in the Reserves & Youth team, such as Aneke, Afobe, Watt, Yennaris, Frimpong, Ozyakup, Lansbury, coming through, the future is assured!
Arsenal News 24/7
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