Reviews

Jack shines again, JET could be great impact player & Theo's goal potential

Date: 28 Jul 2010
By Mean Lean

Match Review - SC Neusiedl 1919 0 Arsenal 4 - Pre Season

11 goals scored, 0 conceded in our pre season games so far. I wouldn't mind us continuing that for the rest of the season but even a rose tinted Gooner like myself knows that Arsenal have many more gears to shift up before we can take on a team with comparable quality as ourselves.

We didn't see much in the way of any surprises yesterday afternoon, the game went pretty much as the rest of our pre season has thus far.

Formation remained the same, Emmanuel Frimpong being given yet another chance to impress as senior Alex Song sat on the bench. Jack Wilshere deputising for Cesc Fabregas. Jay Emmanuel-Thomas being given another run out at center forward.

Jack Wilshere was undoubtedly the star of the first half. Every touch and pass oozed class. Whether it be sliding passes onto team mates, long diagonals or jinking through tackles, he did it well.

What I like about Wilshere is the fact that he is not a show pony, he has end product. He creates chances, opens up spaces for others and has the vision and passing ability to find that player.

Wilshere played a part in the first goal after some good approach play, a ball was played towards Wilshere and the youngster had the presence of mind to dummy the ball onto Walcott to fire in from the right.

Theo Walcott may not have his game honed 100% as yet, he may be prone to not finding the right pass at the right time or running into the opposition but what he will give us this season is goals. Chances seem to fall to Walcott, he manages to get into the right areas at the right time, mainly due to his good off the ball movement and his sheering pace. Once he knits the rest of his game together then he really could be our 2010 version of Marc Overmars.

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas continued his impressive pre season form with a lovely taken goal. He took Gibbs' cut back very sharply turned inside and fired a low left footed shot beyond the goalkeeper. The more I watch of JET the more I like what I see. His feet are superb and he seems to have plenty of self belief. Arsene has played the versatile powerhouse as the central forward in the last two matches, I wonder if that will end up his position. If so, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see JET partner Wayne Rooney in the England team in a few years time. If Jay does get elevated into the first team squad this year then he would be a very good impact player initially.

The test for these players will be to produce quality consistently against the better teams. So I am hoping that the likes of JET, Frimpong and Gibbs can produce against the likes of AC Milan and Lyon over the weekend.

I had that horrible feeling in my stomach when Djourou was removed from play with only half an hour gone. Injuries have that nasty habit of hiding just long enough for you to forget and then jump out and slap you in the face. It is that type of situation that shows you just how thin we are in that area. Vermaelen came on in his place.

At half time the usual mass changes rang around. Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy, Emmanuel Eboue and Carlos Vela took part in their first pre season game of the new season.

Carlos Vela looked sharp when he came on, although not putting away two good chances. The inform Samir Nasri stayed on the pitch to play Chamakh in on the keeper but he was clearly taken down for an obvious penalty. I was hoping that he would take it to get off the mark but I also had a bad feeling that he would have his penalty saved, I needn't worry as the former Bordeaux man placed his spot kick well into the corner, sending the keeper the wrong way.

The last goal of the game was the best along with the best move of the game. Some wonderful interchanging between Sagna, Eboue, Frimpong, Nordtveit and Nasri allowed Vela to lob the goalkeeper on his weaker side. For the first time our tempo in our passing had increased and it carved the opposition apart. Once again Nasri played the final pass, a subtle flick over the defence into the path of Carlos Vela.

Eduardo's departure could be an open door for Vela who Wenger described as being the third fastest at the club behind Walcott and Traore. I really like Vela and I hope he can prove a few wrong this season if given a chance to shine.

Vito Mannone saved a penalty after a Chamakh handball. My penalty guessing finished at 50% as I called Mannone saving to his left. I suppose a broken clock is always right twice a day, or whatever the saying is.

Another good work out for the squad but the Emirates cup should see our football up another gear. Apparently Johan Djourou should be ok for the weekend which is good news.

I just hope that Arsene can have some successful shopping trips before the real deal starts at Anfield.

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Comments

#1 - angelic beardy Says:

I agree ML, Wilshere looked class yesterday, some of his passing was top drawer even though the oppersition was not very good you can always tell if a player has class and Wilshere has this in abundance. I read on one blog that Wenger was disinterested in buying a defender in the post match interview i don't know if this is true but surely we have to buy anouther centreback what's your take on the situation ML?

#2 - Gadget Says:

There's something about JET that reminds me of Ronaldo proper. Don't ask me what it is, but here hoping he succeeds

#3 - brdgunner Says:

It looks like a couple of these lads will be more involved this season. Frimpong and JW for sure.

COME ON THE GUNNERS

#4 - DJ Dragonfly Says:

I will be bitterly disappointed if Wilshire and JET are loaned out by Wenger again for the forthcoming season. I generally believe that both talents are ready to cement a place in the first team. The problem that JET may face is that no one seems to know his best position because he's excelled in every role Wenger has deployed him.

I wasn't happy to see Almunia in goal. As I've stated on many occasions, I don't think he is good enough to be the number one goalie for our beloved club.

The club need to sign a much needed goalkeeper and an additional centre-half. If this can be achieved before the end of the transfer window, then I feel we've got a good chance of winning the league. If he fails to strengthen in the aforementioned positions, I can see us finishing third at present.

#5 - Mad Tony Says:

Wenger could give JET and Frimpong a massive confidence boost by giving them 'official' first team numbers. I think it's about time we put faith in these youngsters, keep them in and around the first team. JET in my opinion is already a better player than Bendtner and Frimpong is more tenacious in the tackle than Song.

We just need to sort out one more Centre Back and that World Class Keeper then we'll be ready. I'll hedge my bets on Mertesacker and Akinfeev.

#6 - Zama Says:

I caught yesterday's highlights and must say that its hard not to talk about JET's build and the old cliche surfaces "Great touch for a big man" Djourou's injury was to be expected, he has been out for almost a whole season, so a stop start campaign is more likely, all the more reason for us to reinforce the area.
What is it with northern clubs and Sol, Celtic, Mackems & finally the barcodes. That kind of settles one thing though, atleast for the fans, no more hoping for Sol re-sign for us.
I believe Arsene's identified the replacements and we'll definitely see arrival/s in the centre of defence.
ML what do u think about Howie N? Seems he played in three positions yesterday. Where do you think he fits in the best. Can he do a job at Central defence atleast in the Carling Cup games. I know a friendly against part-timers in hardly an indicator, but I'd like to know your impressions.

#7 - Mean Lean Says:

I certainly think we could do with another center back and would be very surprised of Arsene didn't agree.

Jack will stay at Arsenal this season and I hope JET also stays.

#8 - Mean Lean Says:

Zama,

Howie N? You've lost me.

#9 - Ole Gunner Says:

JET really is impressive. He's made a big leap forward. What I like especially about him is that he's become very well aware of how to use his strengths. While playing out wide, he knows he's be at his most dangerous cutting in to shoot. While playing as centre forward, he's shown himself very good at making space for himself to shoot. That goal he scored is very difficult to execute, and he did it effortlessly.

Jack. What's there to say about Jack other than that he's ready.

Why did Song not feature though?

#10 - Zama Says:

@ ML - I meant Havard Nordveidt (sp)

#11 - Mean Lean Says:

Ah I see Zama,

I was very impressed with him in the previous game. Well I was very impressed with his use of the ball. Passed like an experienced midfielder. Would like to see how he faired against a striker like Rooney or someone in that class.

I like the way he plays so many positions.. like most of our squad I suppose.

#12 - Zama Says:

That settles it then he can fill in anywhere between fullback, CD or DM - somewhat like Flamini in his early years, just taller and better passing range.

#13 - Mean Lean Says:

Sounds good to me.

:-)

#14 - RH Says:

Go & get Given, Mertesaker & Ozil Arsene!
25m + Rosicky to Bremen & 5m to ManCity should do it. Show us you have the ambition to make Arsenal No1 again!

#15 - Passenal Says:

I have to disagree with you ML that Wilshere was the highlight of the first half. He played well, but for me Nasri was head and shoulders above everyone else on the pitch as he has been throughout pre-season. I was particularly pleased to see that when he gave away a ball in midfield he bust a gut to track back and win the ball back without committing a foul. JW needs to learn how to tackle without taking out the player with his trailing leg, which he seems to have picked up at Bolton. Bolton might get away with that, but an Arsenal player will not.

#16 - Mean Lean Says:

I agree that Nasri has been the player of the pre season so far, his contribution to goals and assists has been the best. I just thought that Wilshere was very good during the first half and had plenty of the ball. Perhaps I am taking Nasri's quality for granted a little as he is consistently good on the ball but now looks to have worked on his end product.

Totally agree with you on Wilshere's tackling, he won't be able to get away with that every game, he will rack up yellow cards, especially as he is an Arsenal player.

#17 - Passenal Says:

ML, I completely understand the desire to see the young home grown players succeed, and don't get me wrong, I thought JW was excellent. But we have to be careful not to build them up too high too quickly or first poor game and they are fodder for the doomers. I remember the initial reaction to Denilson, which is in stark contrast to the way he is currently treated. Being English will not necessarily protect Jack from that as poor Theo can attest.

#18 - Gooner Says:

Get a world cup keeper that germam defender and ozil for 20 million we would be class
Stelkenburg
sagna mertasacker vermaelen clichy
Song
ozil. Arshavin or nasri
Fabregas
van persie. Chamack