After seeing the game and in particularly the Ramsey injury, I felt compelled to post - mostly as a bit of therapy for myself. I was very disturbed by seeing the incident. I felt sick, absolutely gutted for the young man and also angry that once again we have lost a very talented player with bags of potential at a crucial stage of the season.
I read Arse-blogger this morning and nearly didnt post today. He said everything I wanted to say. Since then I've reflected and changed my mind somewhat.
Yes the challenge was bad and deserving of a red card.
No he didnt mean to break his leg.
No he isnt "that type of player" - but very, very few players would want to deliberately break an opponent's leg and potentially end their playing career.
Yes, the manager sent them out to play hard and physical against Arsenal - and there is nothing wrong with this!
This is where the crux of the matter is - It is a physical league, and that is what we love about it. The pace and the passion and the physicality is what makes the Premier league the best in the World. The best Arsenal sides have been able to be physical yet be able to play technically better and faster than the rest.
Let's not forget that Dennis Bergkamp, perhaps the most technically gifted player we (and probably the League) have ever had - also played dirty. He needed to, to give himself the space to do the amazing things he did.
Football is not just about being better technically than your opponent. There is a psychological battle too. There are lots of mini-battles going on all over the pitch. If the player you are marking/facing is better than you, then another weapon in your armoury can be to physically intimidate them, or harass them in terms of not giving them space.
The reason this happens more to Arsenal, and results in more injuries than any other team is that most of our players are smaller and technically better and motivated by skill not force. Teams like Chelsea do have a high level of technical ability but also are physically stronger. Therefore opponents are less likely to try to use the overly physical approach because its not going to work. Equally if they do try it, Chelsea can give as good as they get. Perhaps the same can be said of United.
It is impossible to say but maybe their players do not receive the same treatment because they can withstand it, or because they themselves are using physical force against their opponets as part of their own strategy.
Are Ramsey and Eduardo just more flimsy than Ballack and Drogba?
Arsenal are a continental team plying their trade in England, but with a higher pace. It is this pace and technical ability that could potentially win us the league. But we have to accept that the nature of the players we have and the way we play does leave us open to more injuries in such a physical league.
Arsene Wenger is a purist. He believes that the team with the best technique should win and that teams should be allowed to play their football, protected by the referee. He is right - but fouls are part of our game and by definition are players breaking the rules. So we need to find a way of standing up to the physical and essentially illegal approach of most other teams.
To be sure of sustaining a challenge on the league title every year, we need to have a squad made up of players who can withstand the fouls - players who are technically gifted, fast and strong. Or as it is very difficult (impossible) to have a team made up of Bergkamps, we need to have an even larger squad - because injuries are going to be a regular and inevitable part of the season for us.
I don't want us to change the way we play but we do need to be more savvy when it comes to protecting our players against the physical sides. Is it possible to study what players like Pires and Bergkamp did?
I think the momentum is with us now - last time the players said that they were going on to win the league for Eduardo, but they were too distracted by the Birmingham game and the whole injustice of Eduardo receiving such an horrendous injury. They were knocked off their stride and never truly regained focus. This time that negative energy is being channelled positively. It's brought the whole group of players together and I think it has united all the fans (who have been debating and criticising Arsene's strategy ever since it became apparent that we would be trophyless for a while). We all want it, so bad, and this time we think, no we believe we can do it.
Let's bring the trophy to the Emirate - the home of pure football.
'98
Sunday 28 February 2010
Wednesday 17 February 2010
Schoolboy error or Referee "assist"
I've changed my mind.
When I saw the 2nd goal I thought that we only had ourselves to blame. Fabianski should never have picked up the ball. Once he did, he should never have let go of it until we had all our defenders back.
However...... He didnt give the ball to the Porto player, he gave it to the ref. The ref then stepped in front of Campbell and dropped the ball for the Porto player, who promptly passed it to Falcao who scored.
I don't blame Porto, Fabregas himself said that he would have done the same. But why should the ref make it so easy? And impede our player. If he is taking the ball of our keeper, then he should not just give it to the opposition in that way. There's playing the advantage and there's playing the advantage. For me its an 'assist' from the Referee.
It seems disproportionately unfair. The referee gave them something more likely to result in a goal than a penalty, yet all we did to deserve it was a back-pass, and a mistaken one at that.
It was definitely a schoolboy error for the first goal. It has been said many times that we cannot blame lack of experience for our flaws any more - as our team is young but very experienced. However the one area where we are wet behind the ears is the keeper. Fabianski is talented and can pull off excellent reaction saves but he revealed how raw he is with his decision making and some terrible errors, that I hope won't be too costly.
Dare I say that I "called" the Campbell headed goal? I never put money on my own team, just seems to tempt fate. However, I do think we have enough to finish them off at home in 3 weeks time. We got the away goal and the last 2 home games against Porto have been 2-0 and 4-0 so if I were a betting man, I'd put money on us progressing.
I'm looking forward to it, I think it might be quite a "spicey" affair. Shame it's 3 weeks (damn those money grabbing advertisers).
Until next time, '98
When I saw the 2nd goal I thought that we only had ourselves to blame. Fabianski should never have picked up the ball. Once he did, he should never have let go of it until we had all our defenders back.
However...... He didnt give the ball to the Porto player, he gave it to the ref. The ref then stepped in front of Campbell and dropped the ball for the Porto player, who promptly passed it to Falcao who scored.
I don't blame Porto, Fabregas himself said that he would have done the same. But why should the ref make it so easy? And impede our player. If he is taking the ball of our keeper, then he should not just give it to the opposition in that way. There's playing the advantage and there's playing the advantage. For me its an 'assist' from the Referee.
It seems disproportionately unfair. The referee gave them something more likely to result in a goal than a penalty, yet all we did to deserve it was a back-pass, and a mistaken one at that.
It was definitely a schoolboy error for the first goal. It has been said many times that we cannot blame lack of experience for our flaws any more - as our team is young but very experienced. However the one area where we are wet behind the ears is the keeper. Fabianski is talented and can pull off excellent reaction saves but he revealed how raw he is with his decision making and some terrible errors, that I hope won't be too costly.
Dare I say that I "called" the Campbell headed goal? I never put money on my own team, just seems to tempt fate. However, I do think we have enough to finish them off at home in 3 weeks time. We got the away goal and the last 2 home games against Porto have been 2-0 and 4-0 so if I were a betting man, I'd put money on us progressing.
I'm looking forward to it, I think it might be quite a "spicey" affair. Shame it's 3 weeks (damn those money grabbing advertisers).
Until next time, '98
Tuesday 16 February 2010
Old timers
Just finished watching the Milan v Utd game.
Maybe Rooney really is that good. He had loads of space again, especially for his second goal when Fletcher floated over his short range cross. When we played them, United and Rooney in particular seemed to have so much space. Maybe Rooney is just that good at getting himself in killer positions. However it did feel like Milan, like us when we played them, just weren't closing them down quick enough. And they were punished like we were a couple of weeks ago.
Rooney is looking truly world class. This might be an Arsenal blog, but credit where it is due. He is on fire and this kind of form could take England quite some distance in the World Cup this Summer. He was definitely the best player on the pitch until an old-timer arrived.....
Seedorf was absolute class. He was only on for the last 20 minutes, but his touch, vision, passing and his cheeky flicked goal reminded us all of what a great player he was (and obviously still is). The player he replaced flattered to deceive. Beckham couldn't even offer a decent free kick, just a half decent cross that enabled Ronaldinho to score via a lucky deflection.
Arsenal don't have any old-timers to bring on tomorrow night. The nearest we've got is Eduardo who is nearing his 27th birthday. About the age that players begin to peak. He's had a year out, so he's probably going to peak a little later in his career, but we really need him to get back to his best. I really miss seeing him truly play. He has such skill and seemed to be that clinical finisher that we were missing.
Our only genuine old-timer is Campbell. But he won't be a 20 minute sub. He's going to be an integral part of our defence for the whole 20 minutes. Wouldn't mind him popping up with a headed goal, like his last appearance for us in the Champions League.
We should beat Porto, especially over the 2 legs. Porto will score against us, I just hope that Arsenal take the approach we've had for most of the season, that we'll score more than you. In Europe, lots of goals will suit us, especially tomorrow night. A couple of away goals, even if they score one or two will be great. Hopefully then we'll bring them back to the Emirates and finish them off. Unfortunately I have a feeling it will be a tight and cagey affair and there won't be many goals. I hope I am wrong.
Enjoy
'98
Maybe Rooney really is that good. He had loads of space again, especially for his second goal when Fletcher floated over his short range cross. When we played them, United and Rooney in particular seemed to have so much space. Maybe Rooney is just that good at getting himself in killer positions. However it did feel like Milan, like us when we played them, just weren't closing them down quick enough. And they were punished like we were a couple of weeks ago.
Rooney is looking truly world class. This might be an Arsenal blog, but credit where it is due. He is on fire and this kind of form could take England quite some distance in the World Cup this Summer. He was definitely the best player on the pitch until an old-timer arrived.....
Seedorf was absolute class. He was only on for the last 20 minutes, but his touch, vision, passing and his cheeky flicked goal reminded us all of what a great player he was (and obviously still is). The player he replaced flattered to deceive. Beckham couldn't even offer a decent free kick, just a half decent cross that enabled Ronaldinho to score via a lucky deflection.
Arsenal don't have any old-timers to bring on tomorrow night. The nearest we've got is Eduardo who is nearing his 27th birthday. About the age that players begin to peak. He's had a year out, so he's probably going to peak a little later in his career, but we really need him to get back to his best. I really miss seeing him truly play. He has such skill and seemed to be that clinical finisher that we were missing.
Our only genuine old-timer is Campbell. But he won't be a 20 minute sub. He's going to be an integral part of our defence for the whole 20 minutes. Wouldn't mind him popping up with a headed goal, like his last appearance for us in the Champions League.
We should beat Porto, especially over the 2 legs. Porto will score against us, I just hope that Arsenal take the approach we've had for most of the season, that we'll score more than you. In Europe, lots of goals will suit us, especially tomorrow night. A couple of away goals, even if they score one or two will be great. Hopefully then we'll bring them back to the Emirates and finish them off. Unfortunately I have a feeling it will be a tight and cagey affair and there won't be many goals. I hope I am wrong.
Enjoy
'98
Sunday 7 February 2010
3rd Best but we can still win the league!
We are the third best team in the country.
The strange thing is, we could still win the league, but if we do, we don't really deserve it.
I imagine everyone else is doom and gloom, if you follow Arsenal. If you are in the media, or you support anyone else then its a case of licking your lips and saying I told you so.
Arsene has done amazingly well with the resources he has at his disposal. And we can't really moan because our resources are amazing compared to most teams. He is a brilliant manager. We are (and have been for years) punching above our weight.
At our peak. When we won the league or at least challenged every year, in the late 90s and early 2000s. We deserved to be there or thereabout. Often our first 11 was the best "team", we just didnt have the resources to have the best "squad". You could look at Man United and make direct player comparisons. Giggs and Pires. Henry & Van Nistelroy, Viera & Keane etc etc. We had quality players all over the pitch.
Now we have... Cesc - amazing. Arshavin - quality. And there;s Vermalen too. Those three would probably fit in Chelsea or Utd's side. But the rest, well they're very good, and then we have a lot of good players, and then we have Denilson.
So I don;t feel we have the best team, we definitely don't have the best squad, yet we still have a chance to win the League. I don't think we will, but the teams above us will drop more points, they have to play eachother and they have to play more of the top 7 sides. So if we focus and go for it, we could go on a long unbeaten run and still be in the race come May.
BUT we don't actually have a striker, and haven't had one since Van Persie got maimed ages ago. We do need a physical presence. I do blame Wenger for not going out and buying someone. Its unlikely they would be world class, but there are 17 other teams below us, and a million other clubs throughout Europe and the world. There must have been a player amongst them who could have done a job for us short term. Think about what United did when they got in Larsson.
So I don't think we'll win the league and it is very unlikely (but not impossible that we'll win the Champions League)
But I am not giving up yet. If we cling on to the spirit that saw us come back from 2-0 down v Bolton and Leige and the other times we have never given up. If we follow our Captain, who is desperate to win something wearing Red and White. Then who knows. We have to stay behind the team and support them. Vilification will achieve nothing. Let's not do a "Gallas" at Birmingham. Capitulate and give up before its time and it will be over.
I will continue to support and think positive and look forward to giving Liverpool a good tonking on Wednesday night.
If we don't think positive and get fully behind our team that night, then we only have our selves to blame.
Come on you reds!!
The strange thing is, we could still win the league, but if we do, we don't really deserve it.
I imagine everyone else is doom and gloom, if you follow Arsenal. If you are in the media, or you support anyone else then its a case of licking your lips and saying I told you so.
Arsene has done amazingly well with the resources he has at his disposal. And we can't really moan because our resources are amazing compared to most teams. He is a brilliant manager. We are (and have been for years) punching above our weight.
At our peak. When we won the league or at least challenged every year, in the late 90s and early 2000s. We deserved to be there or thereabout. Often our first 11 was the best "team", we just didnt have the resources to have the best "squad". You could look at Man United and make direct player comparisons. Giggs and Pires. Henry & Van Nistelroy, Viera & Keane etc etc. We had quality players all over the pitch.
Now we have... Cesc - amazing. Arshavin - quality. And there;s Vermalen too. Those three would probably fit in Chelsea or Utd's side. But the rest, well they're very good, and then we have a lot of good players, and then we have Denilson.
So I don;t feel we have the best team, we definitely don't have the best squad, yet we still have a chance to win the League. I don't think we will, but the teams above us will drop more points, they have to play eachother and they have to play more of the top 7 sides. So if we focus and go for it, we could go on a long unbeaten run and still be in the race come May.
BUT we don't actually have a striker, and haven't had one since Van Persie got maimed ages ago. We do need a physical presence. I do blame Wenger for not going out and buying someone. Its unlikely they would be world class, but there are 17 other teams below us, and a million other clubs throughout Europe and the world. There must have been a player amongst them who could have done a job for us short term. Think about what United did when they got in Larsson.
So I don't think we'll win the league and it is very unlikely (but not impossible that we'll win the Champions League)
But I am not giving up yet. If we cling on to the spirit that saw us come back from 2-0 down v Bolton and Leige and the other times we have never given up. If we follow our Captain, who is desperate to win something wearing Red and White. Then who knows. We have to stay behind the team and support them. Vilification will achieve nothing. Let's not do a "Gallas" at Birmingham. Capitulate and give up before its time and it will be over.
I will continue to support and think positive and look forward to giving Liverpool a good tonking on Wednesday night.
If we don't think positive and get fully behind our team that night, then we only have our selves to blame.
Come on you reds!!
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