Seeing the line up worried me, but it worried me less when I saw Fabregas there. It was a sign that we wanted to win this game and I never really doubted that, but we looked lightweight. Leightweight in defence in particular. We are leaking goals with our first choice of defenders so it was asking for trouble by putting in such an inexperienced and unknown back four.
Campbell did well and doesn't look like he'll be out of place in any game we play, if we need him.
Silvestre showed that he's experienced and is fighting for our cause, but he's not as pacey as we need sometimes.
Coqueline looked nervy for much of his time on the pitch. He improved, but we needed solidity and confidence from our players to show Stoke that we won't be bullied into defeat.
Traore is quick, and the best at whipping in a cross out of all our possible leftbacks - but he is also not good enough yet - lacking nouse when it comes to positioning.
We looked heavyweight in terms of JET, but he's still learning his trade. In three year's time, I'm sure he'd be an excellent choice to stick in there, hold it up and cause some difficulties for Stoke. He did well but there was no-one around him for the first 2/3 of the game to cause Stoke any major cause for concern.
It was nice to see a mix of experience of youth - but the experienced players lacked quality and the young players lacked physical presence. I wanted to believe that we'd win the game, as we have never given up all season and turned some remarkable scorelines around. But away, against a well organised, physical side with such a weakened side, it was a big order.
I don't blame Wenger, I'm sure he thought we could win the game. It was very close and much closer than the final score suggests. If I'm going to blame anyone, it's Denilson who let Sidebe run down the wing unchallenged and completely gave up the ghost, allowing him to knock the ball in that led to their goal. But this is the consequence of having the type of squad we have. But with players returning and a full strength side capable of beating anyone, we have to prioritise the other 2 competitions we are in. If we win the league then this defeat is a price more than worth paying. Even coming second is a major step forward. This team is staying together, growing together and only going to get even better.
Just think back to when we used to win the league or challenge on a regular basis last decade. We always lacked strength in depth, but had the best first choice side. If our best players kept fit, then we had the chance of winning the title. Well we're kind of back to that scenario - but this time we are not reliant on our best players anymore. We have a system and players who play the "Arsenal Way" and that's why we are more resiliant. That's why we can challenge against the suped up teams of Chelsea and Man City.
I still feel very positive and can't wait to see how we shape up against the biggest and the best over the next month or so.
'98
Deni
Sunday 24 January 2010
Friday 8 January 2010
They say never go back...
They say never go back and Arsene usually never wants players that he let go back at the club. Normally he is right. Generally players that leave never go on to replicate the success or even the quality that they had whilst playing for Arsenal. He was brilliantly described (as part of a brilliant post here) recently as the best used car saleman in the land for exactly that reason - as their legs have a knack of giving way on another manager's pitch.
But equally Wenger has had his regets and openly spoke of his desire to keep Anelka and that he would have had him back. So would I.
Wenger has been equally canny in letting Sol Campbell "train" with us. It's try before you buy. It helps the player, and we owe that to him, but it also allows the manager to evaluate him. I don't usually get drawn in to speculation, but I think Wenger will sign him on a short term basis as back-up in case Vermaelen or Gallas get injured. Silvestre was fine for cover in the Carling Cup or against lowly opposition, he just does not have the pace. Campbell may have lost some of his pace, but I still think he'll be quick enough and his physical prescence could be useful.
Wenger didn't go back for Viera and I'm pleased that Patrick has found himself at an ambitious club playing in the Premier League. I hate City, actually probably more that Spurs just because of their £ootballing philosphy, but I wish Viera all the best, just not against us.
As I type this news is filtering through of the attack on the Togo team bus in Angola. This is horrendous, but does not surprise me. Terrorist organisations were bound to see the the African Cup of Nations as an ideal opportunity for an attack. Anything they do on this smaller scale competition will have a ten-fold impact on the World Cup. The security is on a smaller scale that it will be for the Finals in June and I'm probably being a bit patronising but I can't see the organisation of either of the competitions in Africa being as slick as anything in Europe or the US. This attack, has already been a major success and the repercussions will be huge.
I hear Adebayor is safe. I hate him as much as the next man, but would never wish this upon him. Yes his celebration against us was stupid - but footballers have never been known for their intelligence, it's their football brains that we love.
The poor driver has been killed, let's hope that it isn't any more serious on a personal level for Togo's players and staff.
Event like this put our own health and safety concerns in perspective. So we have to call some games off due to the snow, big deal.
If the game at the Emirates goes ahead tomorrow (which I think it will), have a safe journey.
'98
But equally Wenger has had his regets and openly spoke of his desire to keep Anelka and that he would have had him back. So would I.
Wenger has been equally canny in letting Sol Campbell "train" with us. It's try before you buy. It helps the player, and we owe that to him, but it also allows the manager to evaluate him. I don't usually get drawn in to speculation, but I think Wenger will sign him on a short term basis as back-up in case Vermaelen or Gallas get injured. Silvestre was fine for cover in the Carling Cup or against lowly opposition, he just does not have the pace. Campbell may have lost some of his pace, but I still think he'll be quick enough and his physical prescence could be useful.
Wenger didn't go back for Viera and I'm pleased that Patrick has found himself at an ambitious club playing in the Premier League. I hate City, actually probably more that Spurs just because of their £ootballing philosphy, but I wish Viera all the best, just not against us.
As I type this news is filtering through of the attack on the Togo team bus in Angola. This is horrendous, but does not surprise me. Terrorist organisations were bound to see the the African Cup of Nations as an ideal opportunity for an attack. Anything they do on this smaller scale competition will have a ten-fold impact on the World Cup. The security is on a smaller scale that it will be for the Finals in June and I'm probably being a bit patronising but I can't see the organisation of either of the competitions in Africa being as slick as anything in Europe or the US. This attack, has already been a major success and the repercussions will be huge.
I hear Adebayor is safe. I hate him as much as the next man, but would never wish this upon him. Yes his celebration against us was stupid - but footballers have never been known for their intelligence, it's their football brains that we love.
The poor driver has been killed, let's hope that it isn't any more serious on a personal level for Togo's players and staff.
Event like this put our own health and safety concerns in perspective. So we have to call some games off due to the snow, big deal.
If the game at the Emirates goes ahead tomorrow (which I think it will), have a safe journey.
'98
Tuesday 5 January 2010
Goal of the decade
Goodplaya.com is running an excellent survey on the best goals of the decade here.
Rightly so, he has waited until the decade is over, as it happens no favourite will come from anything in December, but there have been some crackers.
I reckon Bergkamp v Newcastle will win out, and it awesome, but my choice is one that probably won't even be in the top 10.
Any favourite goal has to stand out. It has to be one that you can visualise, and describe without having to see a youtube clip (although I had great fun watching them all again - as I write the snow is falling and I reckon I'll not be able to get to work tomorrow. So might as well stay up watching those beauties)
So there are a handful in the list that do that.
- The mazy run of Henry against Spurs in November 2002 showed him at his absolute peak. And any goal against Spurs is a delight (Cesc providing a couple of corkers), but that was the best of the decade.
Henry also did something similar against Inter, and then Liverpool in the 03/04 season and against Madrid in 05/06. All of these were incredible and against such good opposition, but the one against Spurs was the best.
- Henry's backheel against Charlton, was something different - and although this is about Arsenal goals, Zola's FA Cup goal from a corner in 2002 was cheekier and more ingenious backheel- our best goal needs to be better than that.
- Henry's goal against Prague, hit with the outside of his foot was a peach, but if you want to see a ball curl watch Roberto Carlos' free-kick in Le Tournoi - Yes I know if was not Arsenal, nor was it last decade (1997) but that strike will stay with me forever.
- I don't want to give Adebayor any recognition in this survey, so I didn't. But to be fair the goal against Liverpool at Anfield in 07/08 is one of those memorable goals - because of the run by Theo. His chest'n'volley against Spurs was also quality.
- You also won't see a better team goal than the move finished off by Nasri, against Man United, at home in the 08/09 season. A gazillion precision passes, movement, pace and a crisp finish. If Wenger was taking this survey, that's the goal he would choose.
- My Second favourite is RVP's volley against Charlton. It was hit with such venon, and was so technically difficult and so brilliant - I'll never forget it. I think he struck it so hard that he broke his foot and was out of action for months. But I can see it right now and anytime I want in my mind- it was that memorable.
- But my favourite. Eduardo scoring that volley against Burnley in the FA Cup in February 2009. Almost a year to the day with the same ankle he broke in that horrific incident at Birmingham. But this is not an emotional, sympathetic choice. It was technically amazing and truly memorable in its own right. I was the ground that day and when he first struck it it looked like he'd mishit it and skied it. But watching the replay, I realised it was truly amazing.
I can't believe that there is no Bergkamp goal in my top 3, but perhaps he was at his peak at the end of the previous decade. Nothing will beat the goal he scored against Sunderland in January 1997. The drag-back, the bedazzling of the defence, the trademark curled shot - truly memorable, truly beautiful.
I hope not to leave it too long until the next post - might have some readers by then!
Rightly so, he has waited until the decade is over, as it happens no favourite will come from anything in December, but there have been some crackers.
I reckon Bergkamp v Newcastle will win out, and it awesome, but my choice is one that probably won't even be in the top 10.
Any favourite goal has to stand out. It has to be one that you can visualise, and describe without having to see a youtube clip (although I had great fun watching them all again - as I write the snow is falling and I reckon I'll not be able to get to work tomorrow. So might as well stay up watching those beauties)
So there are a handful in the list that do that.
- The mazy run of Henry against Spurs in November 2002 showed him at his absolute peak. And any goal against Spurs is a delight (Cesc providing a couple of corkers), but that was the best of the decade.
Henry also did something similar against Inter, and then Liverpool in the 03/04 season and against Madrid in 05/06. All of these were incredible and against such good opposition, but the one against Spurs was the best.
- Henry's backheel against Charlton, was something different - and although this is about Arsenal goals, Zola's FA Cup goal from a corner in 2002 was cheekier and more ingenious backheel- our best goal needs to be better than that.
- Henry's goal against Prague, hit with the outside of his foot was a peach, but if you want to see a ball curl watch Roberto Carlos' free-kick in Le Tournoi - Yes I know if was not Arsenal, nor was it last decade (1997) but that strike will stay with me forever.
- I don't want to give Adebayor any recognition in this survey, so I didn't. But to be fair the goal against Liverpool at Anfield in 07/08 is one of those memorable goals - because of the run by Theo. His chest'n'volley against Spurs was also quality.
- You also won't see a better team goal than the move finished off by Nasri, against Man United, at home in the 08/09 season. A gazillion precision passes, movement, pace and a crisp finish. If Wenger was taking this survey, that's the goal he would choose.
- My Second favourite is RVP's volley against Charlton. It was hit with such venon, and was so technically difficult and so brilliant - I'll never forget it. I think he struck it so hard that he broke his foot and was out of action for months. But I can see it right now and anytime I want in my mind- it was that memorable.
- But my favourite. Eduardo scoring that volley against Burnley in the FA Cup in February 2009. Almost a year to the day with the same ankle he broke in that horrific incident at Birmingham. But this is not an emotional, sympathetic choice. It was technically amazing and truly memorable in its own right. I was the ground that day and when he first struck it it looked like he'd mishit it and skied it. But watching the replay, I realised it was truly amazing.
I can't believe that there is no Bergkamp goal in my top 3, but perhaps he was at his peak at the end of the previous decade. Nothing will beat the goal he scored against Sunderland in January 1997. The drag-back, the bedazzling of the defence, the trademark curled shot - truly memorable, truly beautiful.
I hope not to leave it too long until the next post - might have some readers by then!
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