tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27405269015108405522024-03-14T08:27:34.483-07:00The Invincible GunnersVijay Muralihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09645092400676079119noreply@blogger.comBlogger114125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2740526901510840552.post-86859950232747398612015-03-13T11:53:00.001-07:002015-03-13T12:32:54.673-07:00Arsenal FC: Can Oxlade-Chamberlain’s injury be the boost to Theo Walcott’s Gunners’ career?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Arsenal ended their miserable run at Old Trafford when they defeated the Red Devils on Monday in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. While Manchester United have had several problems in this season, they have managed to keep themselves in the race for the top four despite not having great performances throughout the season. Also, Manchester United’s great form against Gunners, coupled with the Gunners’ inability to perform in big games, meant that the Red Devils would still start as the favorites in the clash.<br />
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However, as things turned out, the Gunners won 2-1 thanks to goals from Nacho Monreal and Danny Welbeck, which is a huge moment in this season as they look to retain their FA Cup title. The only disappointment from the game was the hamstring injury to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who skipped past three players to provide a delightful assist to Monreal. The injury is likely to keep him out for four weeks which is a big blow for the young Englishman, who has been one of the more consistent performers for the Gunners.<br />
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As cameras zoomed towards the bench preparing to substitute Chamberlain, it looked like there could be a double substitution with both Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott. However, Arsene Wenger opted to bring only Ramsey and a frustrated Walcott returned to the bench. Since Arsenal scored within the next 10 minutes through Danny Welbeck, there was no need for Walcott to be brought on and he cut a forlorn figure on the bench throughout the game.<br />
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Walcott was extremely influential for the Gunners before his anterior cruciate ligament injury but since his return, he has been unable to establish himself as a starter for the team. Though Chamberlain’s emergence has contributed to that, the fact is that he has not looked at his best in the games that he has played. Also, he has always been a player who does not involve himself much in the build-up play and most of his good work is in the final third.<br />
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<b>The Rise of Hector Bellerin</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7_t0vkN9hPvy2C5fEk-K6QZsXVnUuzBitvOAPV36uyT5BNe_oChyXiqzYLLtwyBIBBpGWyaSz3fuvqqjKWumbWXphzZ-eszvD-vasl-hVtu_RW5KIqgJMQmsiWLVzu5ecpH57upeEU0/s1600/gun__1422868533_bellerin_astonvilla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7_t0vkN9hPvy2C5fEk-K6QZsXVnUuzBitvOAPV36uyT5BNe_oChyXiqzYLLtwyBIBBpGWyaSz3fuvqqjKWumbWXphzZ-eszvD-vasl-hVtu_RW5KIqgJMQmsiWLVzu5ecpH57upeEU0/s1600/gun__1422868533_bellerin_astonvilla.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a>At the start of the season, Bellerin was expected to probably play in the Capital One Cup and maybe a couple of appearances in other competitions. However, due to the long term injuries suffered by Mathieu Debuchy and the indifferent form of Calum Chambers at right back, Bellerin has been able to establish himself as a quality right back, starting numerous games in both Premier League as well as the Champions League. After an error-strewn performance against Borussia Dortmund, it was unexpected that the full back could make such a marked improvement in this season.<br />
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However, while Bellerin provides a great attacking threat on the right flank with his over-lapping runs, his defensive positioning is still suspect. This has been one of the reasons why Wenger has preferred to use Chamberlain or Welbeck on the right wing since they are aware of their defensive responsibilities so that Bellerin is not too exposed. It is also one of the main reasons why Wenger has been reluctant to use Walcott on right wing since it might lead to the opposition exploiting that flank. <br />
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<b>Alexis Sanchez’s impact on the left flank</b><br />
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One of the other reasons apart from Bellerin’s rise which has contributed to Wenger not opting for Walcott is the stupendous form of Alexis Sanchez. In previous seasons, while Arsenal were overly dependent on Walcott’s pace to get behind defenses, the signings of Welbeck and Sanchez has meant that Arsenal have an array of wide players blessed with speed. Sanchez has had a fantastic first season for the Gunners and despite a small dip in form in the last few weeks, he remains Arsenal’s most potent attacking threat.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1AL_vPV4j13cN4A-X9Kd5tk5LBnxApGkOmpmASsegWLlMZhIHKIBiUUXIlZPIoLHfcG9P-vOSY6MTdfTOTDuP1KjmeF4oXBQ1i1fUMAGKrJG9xGBwqO6WBVvPA-Mm4KYTER4U7KuPOk/s1600/&MaxW=640&imageVersion=default&AR-141029293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1AL_vPV4j13cN4A-X9Kd5tk5LBnxApGkOmpmASsegWLlMZhIHKIBiUUXIlZPIoLHfcG9P-vOSY6MTdfTOTDuP1KjmeF4oXBQ1i1fUMAGKrJG9xGBwqO6WBVvPA-Mm4KYTER4U7KuPOk/s1600/&MaxW=640&imageVersion=default&AR-141029293.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a>Also, his tendency to cut in from the left flank as well as come deep to collect the ball in midfield means that at times, the width needs to be provided on the other flank. Wenger has always preferred a midfielder on one flank with a more traditional winger on the other and in this case, Sanchez acts like an extra midfielder on several occasions, helping the Gunners create an overload in midfield. However, it means that on the other side, the winger needs to stay wide so that the team is not too narrow and have enough variety in their play.<br />
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In this season, Sanchez and Oxlade-Chamberlain have dovetailed excellently and the Englishman has tended to come infield only when Sanchez is out wide and the duo have developed an excellent partnership with regard to their off-the-ball movements. However, Walcott is a different type of player to Chamberlain and while he can beat Left-backs on the outside, he does prefer to exploit the space between the centre back and left back. Also, in the few games that he has played, he has tended to drift infield far too much which has meant that the play is more narrow and even Giroud is forced out-wide to compensate for Walcott’s movement. <br />
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<b>Walcott’s Opportunity</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can Wenger convince Walcott to extend his contract?</td></tr>
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However, despite his weaknesses, he remains one of the most lethal finishers as he has shown at times this season, against Aston Villa and Leicester City. Due to the wealth of attacking options at his disposal, Wenger has been forced to take tough decisions with regard to dropping of some key players. Oxlade-Chamberlain’s form in this season has meant that he has been a regular in the team but now, with his injury at a crucial time, it could open the door for Walcott to show his quality.<br />
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Walcott’s touch was not the best when he initially played against Hull City in the FA Cup but he did show signs of improvement against Brighton, Aston Villa and Leicester City. Though he did score against Villa and Leicester, he still looked short of his devastating best. With Chamberlain’s enforced absence opening up a slot, it could be the opportunity that he has been waiting for.<br />
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The next game for the Gunners is against West Ham at home and while Welbeck could be preferred at right flank, Walcott is also a viable option considering he is almost certain to start against Monaco in mid-week. In order to overturn a 3-1 lead in the next leg in France, the Gunners need to have the England international who has a habit of scoring in several big games in the past. Considering that, it would be important for the Gunners to have Walcott in good touch and match-sharpness.<br />
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<b>Walcott’s Contract Situation</b><br />
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Also, at this stage of the season, with plenty of players tiring due to the rigors of the season, it is important that Wenger does rotate the team so as to keep themselves fresh for the run-in. The fight for the top four is even tougher this season with as many as five teams competing for two slots and with the Gunners in the FA Cup as well as the Champions League (though that could change soon), it is vital that Arsenal can get the best out of Walcott as soon as possible.<br />
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Another worrying aspect with regard to the English winger is that he has only one more year left on his contract after this season and though he has not been an integral part of the squad this season, the Gunners would not like to sell him in the summer. However, his contract renewal is a very tricky aspect for the Gunners. When he signed his new deal in 2013 after protracted negotiations, he ensured he was amongst the top paid players in the team. However, considering he has been out for more than a year due to injuries as well as failing to justify his huge wages so far, it is difficult for the Gunners to further increase his wages to make it on par with Ozil or Sanchez. <br />
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Walcott has his task cut out in order to prove to the manager as well as the Gunners’ hierarchy that he is worthy of another big money contract. If the former Southampton winger can raise his level and start performing consistently, then it would be difficult for the Gunners to resist offering him a new contract. With vital games coming up for the Gunners would need their biggest players to step up and perform. While Walcott might not have been the most important player in the last two seasons, he certainly has the ability and Wenger will hope that the England international can perform at his best to help achieve Arsenal’s goals.</div>
Vijay Muralihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09645092400676079119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2740526901510840552.post-53326389378373404562013-06-02T12:05:00.000-07:002013-06-02T12:06:35.518-07:00Arsenal FC Transfers: Analyzing the Pros and Cons of Signing David Villa<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTq9nCkFojIZt0P0qbtqPK9A3VXcTb63wlh9VR-iypioM22pv_GtkQV6nSV4xW4VAG17mVwSTD7l2NKwK4jLT3kyRloET54fq257LEZ_-VT3WX8CffIsqurkZ807pNPPQ4Vw9045Drxb4/s1600/David+Villa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTq9nCkFojIZt0P0qbtqPK9A3VXcTb63wlh9VR-iypioM22pv_GtkQV6nSV4xW4VAG17mVwSTD7l2NKwK4jLT3kyRloET54fq257LEZ_-VT3WX8CffIsqurkZ807pNPPQ4Vw9045Drxb4/s320/David+Villa.jpg" width="320" /></a>Arsenal clinched fourth spot in the Premiership after a hard-fought win over Newcastle United, which now seems ages ago due to the various rumours flooding in regarding various players in this transfer window. It will be a crucial window for the Gunners and a top striker should be among the top priorities<br />
in this transfer window. With the Gunners favourites to qualify for the Champions League next season, they can attract the top players around the world. Arsenal have also recently extended the shirt sponsorship and Stadium rights deal with Emirates and it will also bring in much needed extra revenue to the club.<br />
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Arsene Wenger endured a hard and difficult campaign in the last season having to sell his captain Robin van Persie just before the start of this season. In addition to that, he also sold Alex Song, who by now should have marked his favourite seat on the bench at Camp Nou. The Frenchman received plenty of criticism for most of the season and only after their superb finish to the season, it has calmed down. This summer provides a great opportunity for the Gunners to build on what seems to be a decent platform and for that to happen, Wenger, Ivan Gazidis and the rest of the staff must work hard on not only buying top players but also in shifting the deadwood players who absorb a large chunk of the wages.</div>
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In the last season, Olivier Giroud shouldered much of the responsibilities as the main striker and he also came under lot of pressure at times due to his erratic finishing. Though he is a good player and a valuable asset to the team, he is currently not world class and his finishing is not precise enough for a top striker. Also, it was a huge problem in the recently concluded season that there was no other player who could effectively deputize for the Frenchman.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieH2V83Nvo1OMeL9gjcOtXkoSUKDcOCmbe1Z_R-aqhgwdZlhwwx57aLyNVzv0wETBBqzztoLD1unmf-YskQoC0sBtaisW1aFbiH_aWbqT5n1Egj6C_orwMSIrQzPbbCVsLtDd-N5rMXRg/s1600/Giroud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieH2V83Nvo1OMeL9gjcOtXkoSUKDcOCmbe1Z_R-aqhgwdZlhwwx57aLyNVzv0wETBBqzztoLD1unmf-YskQoC0sBtaisW1aFbiH_aWbqT5n1Egj6C_orwMSIrQzPbbCVsLtDd-N5rMXRg/s1600/Giroud.jpg" /></a></div>
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Theo Walcott has shown desire to play as the central striker but the Englishman when given the chance has had inconsistent performances. For example, in the game against Bayern Munich at home, Walcott was very ineffective for the entire time he played as the central striker while he was in irresistible form against Newcastle United where he scored a hat-trick. There are some attributes for Theo which will help him score goals playing as the centre forward but his overall link-up/hold-up play is not great and that is why Wenger eventually decided that his best position was that of a right winger, who was given the latitude to make inside channel runs and score goals.</div>
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It is not clear whether Wenger still sees him as an option for the central striking role considering that it was Lukas Podolski who played as the CF in the final four games of the season. The German was also not very effective which is why the manager will have to look for another striker. One of the players who has been consistently linked with the Gunners is David Villa, the 31-year-old striker who is out of favour at Barcelona. With the arrival of Brazilian star Neymar, the Spanish striker is certainly on his way out of Barcelona especially as this season is a chance to prove he is still good enough for the World Cup.<br />
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<b>The Pros of Signing David Villa</b><br />
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Despite being 31-years-old, the Spanish striker still remains one of the best finishers in the world and brings with him vast experience and winning mentality to the squad. His movement and runs off the ball are fantastic which enables him to get behind defences though he lacks electric pace of old. The Spaniard has the ability to score different types of goals and can prove to be a nightmare to defend especially when he is on form. His ability to score vital goals is also well documented with the striker scoring in crucial games such as the Champions League Final and during several key moments in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.<br />
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"El Guaje" is a player who will fit in well with the "Arsenal" style of play and will add a lot more threat to this current team. Also, he is a completely different striker compared to Olivier Giroud, which provides more variety. Though it is not a priority at this moment, he is also the ideal player to sign if at all Arsene Wenger was keen on developing Theo Walcott as a central striker, which is the role that the Englishman covets.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdbcdSTuNj-Z-KQb_5YHW32cvRnzpkijYDQ5Jd5GoZ4fknh_5XSw9LDZaoKuj7ECPtuONIh6YGyVa0MU0BJcjj0p7jARSTT8_-fb1hbU2rYlxSaU2fZ6rOB2paKcJD9_d3hk8m5KIs5hI/s1600/Villa+Cesc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdbcdSTuNj-Z-KQb_5YHW32cvRnzpkijYDQ5Jd5GoZ4fknh_5XSw9LDZaoKuj7ECPtuONIh6YGyVa0MU0BJcjj0p7jARSTT8_-fb1hbU2rYlxSaU2fZ6rOB2paKcJD9_d3hk8m5KIs5hI/s320/Villa+Cesc.jpg" width="320" /></a>Though his best position is that of a centre forward, he is also quite versatile and can also play effectively on the wings as he did for most of his time at Barcelona. The Spaniard's link-up and hold-up play is also good and can also play in tandem with another striker, which is also an option for Wenger considering both Giroud and Villa are very different players.<br />
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Villa is keen to go to the World Cup and assume the role of the main striker for his country but for that to happen, he must play regularly at club level. He will get that opportunity with Arsenal should he start the season well and his own personal ambition will also be good for the Gunners as he will look to keep up his form and fitness.<br />
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<b>The Cons of Signing David Villa</b><br />
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If Arsenal do sign David Villa, then it is most likely to solve their striking problems for the short term only considering his age and levels of fitness. The Spaniard is undoubtedly a lethal striker but the question is whether he will be able to adapt to the frenetic pace of the Premiership considering his patchy fitness record in the last two years. He has suffered two leg breaks and though he has returned to full fitness, he has not been in peak form for most of the last year at FC Barcelona.<br />
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The Spaniard will only be a stop-gap solution at Arsenal and he can be expected to be a top striker only for the next two seasons considering he will be almost 34 in just two years. Also, his injury record is also a concern considering the physicality of the Premier League and there is a chance he could be subject to rough tackles in the Premiership.<br />
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Arsenal will be able to play to his strengths but the question is whether he is still fit enough to play three games in a week. If David Villa's fitness is a problem, then the Gunners will need to find another top striker in the next season or even the January transfer window if they are in desperate need for a player.<br />
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<b>The Financial Sense in Signing David Villa</b><br />
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With only one year left on his contract, the price for David Villa can be estimated to be around €12 - 15 million. The Gunners will certainly be able to afford the transfer fee as well as his wages but the question is whether it will be value for money should they opt to sign him. Villa will certainly be a huge boost to this current Arsenal team as he would add that extra quality which teams need to win trophies. For example, Manchester United had to shell out close to €30 million to land the 28-year-old Robin van Persie, who duly delivered for the Red Devils.<br />
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Though Tottenham and Liverpool will also be in the hunt to sign him, Arsenal will be the clear favourites considering that they could be playing in the Champions League should they win the qualifier. Also, Arsenal have Spaniards Mikel Arteta (who could be captain for the next season), Santi Cazorla and Nacho Monreal and that might also help in convincing David Villa to join the Gunners.<br />
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Though Barcelona will look to drive up the price, it is quite safe to say none of the Premier League clubs among the aforementioned trio will overpay for the Spaniard. The Gunners, though, will probably have close to no resale value on the Spaniard which is a risk especially if he does not do well in the Premiership. There will be lesser takers for the striker if he is unsuccessful at Arsenal and considering his age and the wages he would earn, it is probable that there will be few clubs queueing to sign him if he does not do well.<br />
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For the Gunners in particular, the signing of Villa is sure to increase their chances of winning a trophy, which will add further revenue to the side. Also, the Spaniard is a hugely popular footballer around the world and will generate more revenue through shirt sales and can be marketing poster boy for the Gunners for the next season. With every signing, there is always an element of risk involved but considering the signing of Villa, it could be a move worth making considering he will generate huge revenue for the club if he can find his form for the Gunners.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIBw2vyw87kIVAHy79TYsiZ8zHtlaMcs97cem0-XVUqPlnF229aSH3bcNFnb7G-Yeh2B0tiIURj0YBC-kHtAyVU_xwUpfZVZ3Xs6_2AW1diAK-VUv4gd3EIfmWAh2WHtLi2c7HcTCqnlc/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIBw2vyw87kIVAHy79TYsiZ8zHtlaMcs97cem0-XVUqPlnF229aSH3bcNFnb7G-Yeh2B0tiIURj0YBC-kHtAyVU_xwUpfZVZ3Xs6_2AW1diAK-VUv4gd3EIfmWAh2WHtLi2c7HcTCqnlc/s1600/images.jpg" /></a><b>Will it be a Good Move by Wenger to sign David Villa?</b><br />
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Currently, Olivier Giroud seems to be the only effective option upfront for the Gunners and Wenger will need to bring in reinforcements in that position for sure. He will look to offload both Marouane Chamakh and Nicklas Bendtner, both of whom have been paid by Arsenal while not contributing anything to the club. David Villa is certainly an upgrade on the current options, including Giroud but he is a signing for the short term only and it is a gamble to rely on him completely for the whole season considering his fitness record.<br />
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He would certainly provide a superb option for the Gunners but ideally, another forward will be welcomed as well, especially someone like Stevan Jovetic. Jovetic has a different style of play to both Villa and Giroud and is also still young enough to develop into a world class player in the future. However, the question remains Wenger will spend on two quality strikers this summer despite the Gunners possessing enough money to do so.<br />
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If Villa does indeed arrive at the club, then it is likely that Wenger will focus on other areas at first and should he be able to offload most of the fringe players, then there is a possibility of another top striker arriving at the club. If the Spaniard is the only striker to arrive at the club, it would be a little underwhelming to the fans who have been dreaming of Arsenal splashing the cash on world class strikers.<br />
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Nevertheless, El Guaje would represent a superb signing for the Gunners considering his quality and it could turn out to be a master-stroke should he be able to find his form. The Spaniard's qualities would surely enhance the quality of the Gunners, who will be able to compete for trophies should Villa recapture the form which made him one of the world's best players.<br />
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Vijay Muralihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09645092400676079119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2740526901510840552.post-18225728020984019242013-02-26T10:47:00.001-08:002013-02-26T10:47:59.148-08:00Arsenal: Why Arsene Wenger needs to Sort out the Theo Walcott Problem for Gunners to Flourish<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAke7xxvoRqi5zgnhEMp9glVkH0Rwshuz2lKeDdhr7Pn_N9kGAsU-sMHazjPu5i63jfKFWL6YmcXcgVT996RkAn8E60y9xBky6OfizBo5xLXi3y3vU3qeUefxFqwdVoVkdPZ0ASR4MHOk/s1600/Wenger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAke7xxvoRqi5zgnhEMp9glVkH0Rwshuz2lKeDdhr7Pn_N9kGAsU-sMHazjPu5i63jfKFWL6YmcXcgVT996RkAn8E60y9xBky6OfizBo5xLXi3y3vU3qeUefxFqwdVoVkdPZ0ASR4MHOk/s320/Wenger.jpg" width="320" /></a>Arsenal have had one of their roughest weeks of this season having been eliminated from the FA Cup and also, outclassed at home by a superior team in Bayern Munich. Thankfully for Arsene Wenger, his team were spared more blushes against relegation battlers Aston Villa largely due to an inspiring performance from Santi Cazorla. The midfielder has been brilliant for the Gunners on many occasions this season but at times has also been anonymous or looked jaded in some of the games. Fortunately for Arsenal, he was in rousing form from the start of the game against Aston Villa, scoring just after 5 minutes and proving to be a threat throughout the game ultimately also scoring the winner.<br />
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It was interesting that Wenger opted to play him on the left instead of Germany international Lukas Podolski and it was Jack Wilshere who was playing in an advanced central midfield role. Wenger has shown a preference towards playing central attacking midfielders on the left flank in the past with Yossi Benayoun, Tomas Rosicky, Andrei Arshavin and Samir Nasri, all of whom are comfortable either on the wings or in a central role. With Cazorla playing on the left flank, it provides the Gunners more opportunity to establish their dominance in central midfield with the Spaniard often filling the space whenever Wilshere drifts to the flank or goes deeper to fetch the ball, thus providing an outlet for the left-footed talented midfielder.<br />
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The good thing about Cazorla playing on the wing is that despite drifting infield on several occasions, he did not neglect his defensive duties and provided decent cover to Nacho Monreal who was not having the best of games defensively. The duo have previously played together on the left at Malaga and do share a good understanding which was shown in the second goal scored by the talented Spaniard. However, this has not always been the case on the other flank which is the main point of discussion in this article.<br />
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Theo Walcott has had an impressive season by any standards, scoring 18 goals in all competitions this season and also having 11 assists to his name. He has been one of the best players this season but he also presents a problem which has to be solved by Arsene Wenger. Amidst fear of losing the promising England international on a free transfer, the Frenchman convinced the former Southampton forward by playing him in his favoured role as a central striker. Though he had a superb game against Newcastle United when he played as a central striker, he has not been entirely convincing with subdued performances against the likes of Southampton, Wigan (though he won the penalty), Manchester City and recently against Bayern Munich.<br />
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With his pace and movement off the ball, Walcott can get behind any defense in the world if the midfielders can thread a ball through the defense. However, with Arsenal playing a 4-2-3-1 formation or a variation of the 4-3-3 formation, if he plays in a central role, it is likely that he will be the lone striker. Defenders are aware of Walcott's electric pace and are not likely to step up or play a high line against him. The centre backs are more likely to keep a watch on him as well as the passes that help him breach the defense. Also, Walcott's runs off the ball when he has played as the central striker have lacked variety and his hold-up play also needs to improve. However, despite him needing to work on his game to develop into a lethal central striker in the mould of a Thierry Henry, he still provides a decent option as a second/third choice striker.<br />
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The bigger problem has been when Walcott has been used as a winger/wide forward in recent games, especially since signing his new contract. Wenger does not restrict the freedom of his attackers and all the attacking players are provided the license to drift infield or move outside and find space, which helps add variety to their play. The likes of Walcott and Podolski have scored plenty of goals making diagonal or central runs which have not been picked by the opposition. However, the wide forwards are still primarily wingers, who are given the license to make diagonal runs whenever appropriate which helps them score goals as well.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHWuVmAnfnB180KlFGIb2zov5iMRcxkAcZNIr-EXCxZ2o6Gig-by0jSzvzzDcBvAlFW8M8aXe1vct6aERu1i8o-GBqfm61y-l-miDUCn_FAp84BTbR8TrFmZMPVnPHrRx5iAeUljCN-hA/s1600/Theo+Walcott.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHWuVmAnfnB180KlFGIb2zov5iMRcxkAcZNIr-EXCxZ2o6Gig-by0jSzvzzDcBvAlFW8M8aXe1vct6aERu1i8o-GBqfm61y-l-miDUCn_FAp84BTbR8TrFmZMPVnPHrRx5iAeUljCN-hA/s320/Theo+Walcott.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
In recent games, Walcott has been drifting far too much inside, almost making it a skewed 4-4-2 with Bacary Sagna, left to take care of the right flank on his own. The French defender has been one of the best defenders for the Gunners but has unfortunately, suffered a dip in form this season and has also not been helped by Walcott's tendency to drift inside too much. Playing on the right wing, Walcott has not provided enough defensive cover to the right back which has resulted in many of the opposition's attacks down that side of the pitch, though Gibbs' impressive performances has also resulted in that happening.<br />
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Also, in a attacking context, though Walcott moving into central role to receive Giroud flick-ons is understandable, his off-the-ball runs are questionable with him mainly making a move towards the centre and not on the outside mostly. If he makes runs on the outside of the opponent's left back, it provides both the midfielders as well as Sagna an outlet which they have lacked at times. The model Walcott should be looking at is some of his own perfromances from last season where his runs enabled not only him to score goals but also allowed him to make several crucial assists to Robin Van Persie.<br />
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It is clear that Olivier Giroud is an intelligent striker who thrives on good understanding between forward players and Walcott needs to adapt to get the best out of both of them. Giroud's neat flicks and hold up play means Walcott can get goalscoring opportunities like the one he scored against Liverpool. Also, Walcott has assisted number of goals for Giroud and can continue to do so regularly. Theo Walcott looks to be committed to the cause and though his infield runs are designed to help him score more, it might be to the benefit of the team if he works on his all round game as a wide forward.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtpBhV_r7s1FrWE5yxyCC6WVHretL94n-kixc3K6WnKw1OYZkK3y2sFFQkPMo37i4771McXWiN8FbgDz95ooEZmz2xTPeii5TTPdVCIrCUJ8_kQD64hM3TsU-jvi1UHGXZmUWETiNz8CE/s1600/Wenger-Walcott_R_2433886b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtpBhV_r7s1FrWE5yxyCC6WVHretL94n-kixc3K6WnKw1OYZkK3y2sFFQkPMo37i4771McXWiN8FbgDz95ooEZmz2xTPeii5TTPdVCIrCUJ8_kQD64hM3TsU-jvi1UHGXZmUWETiNz8CE/s320/Wenger-Walcott_R_2433886b.jpg" width="320" /></a>Wenger has been instrumental in developing many aspects of Walcott's game and from a raw youngster, who had poor decision making skills, he has developed into a lethal forward possessing the intelligence and the weapons to trouble the best of defenses. He is at a stage in his career where he is desperate to prove that he can play as a central striker. However, the experienced French manager must convince him to continue playing his natural game as winger till the transition to that of a central striker eventually happens.<br />
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With the game against Spurs coming up, it is even more important that this topic is brought up with Gareth Bale in the best form of his life. Walcott will need to show his defensive qualities and must show that he can be a match-winner in the big games. It will be an interesting challenge for the former Southampton lad but one he will be looking forward to especially after scoring three goals in the last two league appearances against Spurs.</div>
Vijay Muralihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09645092400676079119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2740526901510840552.post-46775628327572613202012-10-23T11:55:00.003-07:002012-10-23T11:55:33.973-07:00Arsenal FC vs Schalke Preview: Will the Gunners show their Mental Strength against Schalke?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxoazievrdaKsfmcyIL1Z2_jqZZfbs7Uhni2CgECTFcyrl0SA0hP1jtQJmoGuqbRyyojCKMZwYzBLLCvBhoSAWk91g8l0hefSctQGvIIeQM0Y3vGuhFqYtNqatGfRgc2GSsgMEckis4wU/s1600/Podolski.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxoazievrdaKsfmcyIL1Z2_jqZZfbs7Uhni2CgECTFcyrl0SA0hP1jtQJmoGuqbRyyojCKMZwYzBLLCvBhoSAWk91g8l0hefSctQGvIIeQM0Y3vGuhFqYtNqatGfRgc2GSsgMEckis4wU/s1600/Podolski.jpg" /></a>Arsene Wenger has almost always made it a point to mention his team's mental resilience whenever they have managed to grind their way out of a tough situation. The game against Schalke at the Emirates will demonstrate just how much mental strength that the Gunners have to bounce back from that disappointing defeat against Norwich City. It was a flat performance from Arsenal and in truth, they looked far from a side looking to challenge for the title. But as is the case with football, a couple of weeks could really change things which is what Wenger will be hoping looking towards the game against Schalke. The French manager will be looking from the stands, serving his touchline ban and will expect his team to perform up to the required standard against a very good Schalke team.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9liy_5wpkNKfrfS3w7BV1FzEOWxFvauh8-t6fm-dlzwUFZUkKM7HmrCgK4lfS0NFLH0TIJDkOVjUNYF2i6h_XFcfg5PlPVYCYnfVaF9wZMMP3CE8nIodkxUxXMNMqCkVFZaAnnVW15Y/s1600/Huntelaar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9liy_5wpkNKfrfS3w7BV1FzEOWxFvauh8-t6fm-dlzwUFZUkKM7HmrCgK4lfS0NFLH0TIJDkOVjUNYF2i6h_XFcfg5PlPVYCYnfVaF9wZMMP3CE8nIodkxUxXMNMqCkVFZaAnnVW15Y/s1600/Huntelaar.jpg" /></a>The Bundesliga side beat champions Borussia Dortmund in the weekend and look like genuine title challengers this season. With players like Klaas Jan-Huntelaar, Lewis Holtby and Ibrahim Afellay in their ranks, there is no reason why they cannot sustain their good form should they keep their main players fit for most of the season. They will provide a serious threat to the Arsenal defense, who will have to be at their best to not let Schalke have many opportunities. Huntelaar is a player who is a perfect "fox-in-the-box" sort of striker and is not likely to pass up good opportunities to score and he has got some good players like Afellay, Farfan and Holtby who will support him well.</div>
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For Arsenal, the good news is that Laurent Koscielny is fit enough to come back to the squad but the question is whether or not he will be in the starting line-up. Per Mertesacker has done very well this season and if fit, he is most likely to start. Thomas Vermaelen does make mistakes at times and though he is a very good player, it has to be said that the decision to make him the captain of this Arsenal side is questionable considering that Koscielny could be considered a serious contender for his place in the starting line-up. The French international was arguably Arsenal's best defender in the last season and though he had a poor game against Chelsea, he deserves another chance to have a decent run in the side. Mikel Arteta would have been a more appropriate choice to be named as captain considering that he has the leadership skills and is also extremely consistent on the pitch.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit1mfbaVfA2Qxlno9BDL65afDmolQWdDB92YCKlFWGq6H7Onkno0oc-uPHjmYNUHtk6Xg_jges0hwLS3paiJS1PnpZGlCueoKbmm2_Mejdp7LoteDTqNAW7uInmcnet3NwoYOaqIx-5DQ/s1600/Mertesacker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit1mfbaVfA2Qxlno9BDL65afDmolQWdDB92YCKlFWGq6H7Onkno0oc-uPHjmYNUHtk6Xg_jges0hwLS3paiJS1PnpZGlCueoKbmm2_Mejdp7LoteDTqNAW7uInmcnet3NwoYOaqIx-5DQ/s1600/Mertesacker.jpg" /></a>Wenger has made his choice though and will have to stick with Vermaelen and Mertesacker as his first choice defensive pair because Koscielny and Vermaelen as a partnership does not look to be too stable. With Huntelaar leading the line, he will cause plenty of problems for Arsenal and Mertesacker and Vermaelen will have a tough task to keep him quiet. With Gibbs not likely to feature against Schalke due to injury, Andre Santos is likely to be entrusted with the duty of stopping the supply of crosses from the right flank. Carl Jenkinson has been very impressive this season and will start again against Schalke but with him more or less a regular member of the side now, he has to also improve on his attacking duties and deliver more accurate crosses from the right for the Gunners. With Olivier Giroud leading the line for the Gunners, Jenkinson's crosses could be important in adding another dimension to their play.</div>
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In midfield, Aaron Ramsey could make way for Francis Coquelin, who deserves a chance considering that he has played well whenever given the opportunity to do so. The Welsh international had a woeful game against Norwich and needs to be benched for maybe a couple of matches unless he improves on his standard of performance. Arteta can be very influential further up the pitch as well considering that he and Cazorla do share an excellent understanding and the Spaniards have the capability of breaking down defenses with their vision and creativity. Jack Wilshere is not likely to make the squad having played the entire U-21 game against Everton on Monday but is likely to be on the bench for the game against QPR. His return to fitness is a timely boost for the Gunners, who have got a number of first team players out through injury.</div>
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With both Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain out for the game against Schalke, there are not many options left for Arsene Wenger other than to continue playing Gervinho out wide with Giroud leading the line. Gervinho does not look at his best on the right wing and did have a very poor game against Norwich City. Lukas Podolski will continue to start on the left flank and the German international who will be facing familiar opposition will be looking to make an impact. With Arsenal no longer having Robin van Persie to rely on for the goals, all the attacking players will have to step up and perform at their best if they want to seriously challenge for trophies this season.</div>
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It is a difficult task for the Gunners to defeat Schalke but a win will give them huge impetus after their defeat and importantly would put them in pole position to qualify as the Group toppers. It will allow them breathing space at the top of the table and will be a huge relief for Arsenal. It will not be a easy task but Wenger will be looking for a positive reaction from the defeat against Norwich City. Arsenal's mental strength will be put to the test on Wednesday against a tough team in front of a crowd who will be anxious right from the start. It is up to the team to show their quality and prove that the defeat against Norwich was just a one-off game. With plenty of important games coming in quickly from now till the end of the year, it is of vital importance that Arsenal beat Schalke and establish their position as the Group B leaders in the Champions League.</div>
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Vijay Muralihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09645092400676079119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2740526901510840552.post-62112340081118751392012-10-22T13:24:00.002-07:002012-10-22T13:24:26.721-07:00Arsenal FC: Why the next two Weeks could determine the Gunners' Season<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is the pressure finally getting to the Frenchman?</td></tr>
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It is a long hard season in football consisting of 38 league matches and also has many Cup games depending on how well the club goes. But there are turning points for Clubs at some points of the season which could well determine whether or not they will consider the season to be a success at the end of May. For the Gunners, the next two weeks could just be that as they take on Schalke, Queens Park Rangers, Reading and Manchester United in a space of two weeks. The Gunners could be without some of their important players like Kieran Gibbs and Abou Diaby in the near future but they will have to get good results from these games if they are to have a chance of making this season a successful one.<br />
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Bereft of trophies in the last seven years, Arsenal fans no longer have the patience to wait for trophies as they keep losing some of their best players at the end of every season. They have sold Samir Nasri, Cesc Fabregas, Alex Song and Robin Van Persie in the last two summers and could lose Theo Walcott on a free transfer in the next window if they continue to lack success on the field. They have brought in three first team players in this window out of which Santi Cazorla has been exceptional and while Lukas Podolski has adjusted quite well but questions remain whether Olivier Giroud can be a genuine goalscoring threat for the Gunners.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santi Cazorla, the Magician in midfield</td></tr>
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The loss against Norwich City was one of the most disappointing defeats in a long time as the Gunners failed to create any sustained pressure and were guilty of not showing enough determination to win the game. The Canaries played well but it was certainly a case of Arsenal just not wanting it enough as well. With Cazorla not as effective in this game, they certainly lacked the guile to break down the Norwich which has leaked plenty of goals this season. With Podolski and Gervinho as the wingers and Giroud leading the line, the Gunners forward line did not get behind the Norwich backline and the absence of first team fullbacks was also evident.</div>
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Though Carl Jenkinson has done extremely well in the absence of Sagna, he does not make many overlapping runs and his crosses were disappointing against Norwich. However, the Arsenal youngster was not to blame for the lack of attacking intensity of the Gunners as he put in another committed performance. However, the return of Bacary Sagna is welcome and his forays down the right wing will be very important with time. Kieran Gibbs was also sorely missed as Andre Santos was rusty and did not have the pace or the energy to make runs beyond Podolski as Gibbs usually does. Also, the Brazilian has a tendency to come inside as well which means it further narrows down the play which made it easier for Norwich to defend against the Gunners.</div>
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There were plenty of players who did not perform up to the standard required by the Gunners: Aaron Ramsey, Olivier Giroud, Gervinho to name a few. But what is more important is to not let it affect the next two weeks which are very important to the confidence of this team as a unit. They have still not gelled as a unit and on this evidence, they can surely play better when they are more focussed. The next game is the home game against Schalke which is very important in terms of finishing as the leaders of the Champions League group.<br />
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Schalke are on a high after beating Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal will be wary of the opposition they are facing. With players of the ilk of Klaas Jan-Huntelaar and Ibrahim Afellay, they will surely threaten the Gunners. It will be extremely important for the Gunners to forget about the previous game and focus only on the next game. With no one likely to return from injury before the Schalke game, team selection could be tricky for Arsene Wenger.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can Olivier Giroud bang in the goals for the Gunners?</td></tr>
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In my opinion, Ramsey was woefully ineffective against Norwich and should only make the bench and Francis Coquelin should be given the nod to start as the defensive midfielder against Schalke. The tenacious 22-year-old French midfielder is desperate to start more games for the Gunners and should get his chance in the near future. Another important decision for Wenger is whether or not to stick with Giroud as the centre forward or to give another chance to Gervinho to further establish his claim to be played in the centre. The Frenchman has shown glimpses of his potential but has not shown the consistency needed to cement his place in the starting eleven and could need more time to adjust to Arsenal's style of play. For someone like Giroud who thrives on crosses coming in from the flanks, the Gunners have not supplied enough good quality crosses for the Frenchman to capitalize.</div>
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Though Jack Wilshere is completely fit after his long injury, Wenger is right not to rush him back soon from such a big injury and the Englishman will probably have minutes from the bench against QPR and Manchester United while he could start against Reading if everything goes according to plan. His return is eagerly awaited especially because the partnership of Wilshere-Arteta-Cazorla sounds a mouthwatering prospect and more importantly, it will certainly reduce the onus on Cazorla as he will share some of the creative responsibilities of the little Spaniard. The same was the case when Wilshere played alongside Fabregas where it allowed the Englishman to thrive in a deeper role and also provided an alternative for Fabregas to drop into a deeper position if he was tightly marked allowing Wilshere the freedom to take up the role behind the striker. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgefvMULe5CvopZw80KVKo1KLUOqmEvZ9JBCEecPQeig8Yg8mob_hBUo3aLNXpL1Tc_KvTZ5kO91EnYrI4B4BApdABeMGYgzYUErXhyVWhypyc9FqEErgo5yDa4COwrnr3nBLvbf1MTodY/s1600/Wilshere.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgefvMULe5CvopZw80KVKo1KLUOqmEvZ9JBCEecPQeig8Yg8mob_hBUo3aLNXpL1Tc_KvTZ5kO91EnYrI4B4BApdABeMGYgzYUErXhyVWhypyc9FqEErgo5yDa4COwrnr3nBLvbf1MTodY/s1600/Wilshere.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jack Wilshere: Arsenal's next big hope</td></tr>
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Arsenal will want to finish top of the Champions League group in order to avoid some of the toughest opponents in the Round of 16 and key to that is beating Schalke at home. However, the next two games in the league are just as important and the Gunners cannot afford to lose focus on that. QPR presents an interesting challenge to Arsenal primarily because they do have talented players but have been woeful for most of the season. They have players of the quality of Esteban Granero and Park Ji Sung who can really hurt the Gunners but have not looked secured at the back at all. However, with the draw against Everton, they are sure to have found some of their confidence back and it will be a tricky fixture for the Gunners, who must win this in order to stay in touching distance of at least Tottenham and the rest. </div>
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Manchester United have also not had the most confident of starts but things start to be clicking just at the right time for them as the two lethal strikers Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney seem to have formed an excellent partnership for the Red Devils. It will be extremely difficult to beat the Red Devils at their home and Arsenal have not had good results at Old Trafford of late. However, if Tottenham can beat Manchester United at Old Trafford, there is no reason why Arsenal could not do the same. If the Gunners do play at their best, there is no reason why they cannot manage a win at such a tough place and should they can manage a win at Old Trafford, it will certainly do wonders to their confidence and could even kick-start their title challenge. </div>
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In between the two league fixtures is a game against Reading in the Capital One Cup. Though it is not the most important competition, they should ensure that they win against Reading so that they can build on their confidence. Also that game could see the return of Wilshere, Sagna and Frimpong to the starting line-up for the Gunners for the first time this season and it will be a huge boost when these players return especially the first two. Also Wojciech Szczesny and Tomas Rosicky are not very far away but will not be available for any of these two weeks but when they both are fully fit as well, then Arsenal will certainly have a much stronger side with more creative options.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBH4q-VUzd2o_Y63q1hA-lJNXymqbHwj6ONSNU4Ql44koXkzV4ACXtSOjWxIaY9qjMpwsdPZH_o9Z_Q5BEG3jyAbKjlxYiE5CshI5f-EwN4of3tdFcKxf2GeVquRuQZoRYiWZaaB4CECg/s1600/Rosicky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBH4q-VUzd2o_Y63q1hA-lJNXymqbHwj6ONSNU4Ql44koXkzV4ACXtSOjWxIaY9qjMpwsdPZH_o9Z_Q5BEG3jyAbKjlxYiE5CshI5f-EwN4of3tdFcKxf2GeVquRuQZoRYiWZaaB4CECg/s1600/Rosicky.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can Rosicky produce his form of last season?</td></tr>
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There is still a long way to go in this season but should they fail to recover from this defeat at Norwich in the next two weeks, it could have great implications on how their season could pan out. How the Gunners react to their defeat at Carrow Road will reflect their mental strength and could be very important over the course of the season. If they do react positively and go on a winning run following that defeat, then that defeat could well mark the turning point of the season but at the end, they could also fail to get out of their negativity and might fall very far behind early in the season. <br />
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They will certainly be having a stronger squad after 2 weeks considering that Theo Walcott, Wilshere, Gibbs and Sagna are all scheduled to return within that period. The likes of Szczesny, Diaby, Koscielny and Rosicky are also set to return within a month which will undoubtedly make Arsenal much stronger side for the rest of the season. If they can come out of these difficult two weeks with good results, then they can look forward to better things in the season. Wenger must be hoping that his team can recover strongly from the defeat and it is important that they finally stepped up to the occasion this season.</div>
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Vijay Muralihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09645092400676079119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2740526901510840552.post-86117859879145733132012-03-08T04:54:00.001-08:002012-03-08T04:54:45.124-08:00Arsenal FC: Why Tomas Rosicky Is the Key for Gunners to Finish Ahead of Spurs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh825ccV7rgpiLn_7kjnEQRa-vASXmonC9weEngA5-4Xhyphenhyphen_XpzEQfAdqgb4fbQNR3EoYLxKZ4ldhG7rGvL9JIv55ga1NC_nCcpkQkOLuYgeQWVE4S5mxW6YIRhFipB7ra-Jqps_B5Ps1dk/s1600/Tomas+Rosicky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh825ccV7rgpiLn_7kjnEQRa-vASXmonC9weEngA5-4Xhyphenhyphen_XpzEQfAdqgb4fbQNR3EoYLxKZ4ldhG7rGvL9JIv55ga1NC_nCcpkQkOLuYgeQWVE4S5mxW6YIRhFipB7ra-Jqps_B5Ps1dk/s320/Tomas+Rosicky.jpg" width="320" /></a>"Impossible is nothing" was the<a href="http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4172526/Liverpool-1-2-Arsenal-Arsene-Wenger-should-put-the-kids-out-against-AC-Milan.html"> quote</a> from Robin van Persie when asked about Arsenal's chances of qualifying to the Quarter-Finals of the Champions League by overturning a four goal deficit against AC Milan. The Gunners and Van Persie very nearly managed to attain the "impossible" as they came within a whisker of at least taking the tie to extra-time. At the end, the Gunners bowed out of the Champions League having shown their immense quality and restored their pride, which had been hugely hit following their 4-0 drubbing at the San Siro.<br />
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On this exciting night against AC Milan, there were many superb performances from the Arsenal players out of which Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Tomas Rosicky were particularly impressive. The former has made a superb impact in his first season at the club and has a very bright future ahead of him. The latter's recent performances has been a huge boost to the team and is one of the main reasons for the team's revival following their disappointing defeats against AC Milan and Sunderland.<br />
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Rosicky has struggled for fitness and form in the last three seasons and the midfielder, nicknamed the "little mozart", has not been at his best for the Gunners. Despite the departures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri in the summer, Rosicky was not a regular starter for the Gunners for most of this season, with youngster Aaron Ramsey preferred to the Czech midfielder. However, his performances of late has shown that he has the calibre to be a very important player for the club and could have a lasting impact on the results this season.<br />
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Due to Aaron Ramsey's injury sustained against Sunderland in the FA Cup, Rosicky started the game against their arch-rivals Spurs in central midfield. Despite going two goals down, the Gunners refused to lose hope and their spirit was epitomized by the "Little Mozart" who worked tirelessly to establish Arsenal's dominance in midfield. He glided past the likes of Scott Parker and Sandro to provide an immense attacking threat and one of his many such marauding runs enabled him to score from close range to complete Arsenal's turnaround against Spurs.<br />
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He was rightly praised by the Arsenal supporters who recognized his contribution and as a result of that, he kept his place in the team against Liverpool and AC Milan. Against Liverpool, he looked bright in the first half of the game but the trio of Mikel Arteta, Alex Song and Rosicky lost the midfield battle as Liverpool were on top for most of the game. However, the brilliance of Van Persie ensured all the three points in one of the toughest fixtures of the season.<br />
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Arsenal went into the game against Milan with the odds stacked up against them and delivered a performance which merited great applause from their supporters. Rosicky was at the heart of almost every Arsenal attack as the duo of Chamberlain and Rosicky dominated the midfield battle. The midfielder, who has not scored many in his last three seasons, scored the second of their three goals providing a clever finish from a poor clearance by Thiago Silva.<br />
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The 31-year-old midfielder eventually tired out but continued to play the entire game and looked crest-fallen by the outcome of the tie. However, he has shown Arsenal that he has the quality to provide the creativity they have missed due to the departures of Fabregas and Nasri and the absence of Jack Wilshere due to injury. Rosicky has been criticized by many in the recent past but his recent performances indicate how good he can be when he has the confidence and is played in a central attacking midfield role. <br />
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Though Aaron Ramsey has come under immense scrutiny for his performances this season, he also remains a key player for the Gunners and would do well to learn from the Czech international. Rosicky, like Ramsey, was also criticized but has shown the mental strength to bounce back and show his quality and mettle. With Ramsey and Rosicky back to full fitness, the Gunners do have decent depth in their midfield.<br />
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On current form, Rosicky is certain to keep his place in the team and deservedly so as well considering that he has given his full effort in the games that he has played this season. Arsenal have had various problems this season including lack of creativity and goals from midfield. However, if Rosicky can maintain this form, he will provide an ideal foil to the likes of Van Persie and Theo Walcott and can provide excellent service to the forward line.<br />
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Rosicky has the quality to be a mainstay for the Gunners and needs to be playing regularly in order to attain his best form. Arsene Wenger has shown great faith in the quality of the midfielder and Rosicky could prove to be the difference for the Gunners. If he can perform consistently, then there is a good chance that Arsenal will pick up more points which will enhance their chances of finishing in the top four.<br />
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The Gunners are currently only four points behind Spurs and they do have a good chance of closing the gap if they can maintain their superb league form. Spurs have lost their last two games and will be under immense pressure to perform which is why it is very important for the Gunners to be very consistent. Arsenal have shown that they have the quality and the resilience and the only question is whether they have the depth and the consistency to snatch the third spot from Tottenham, who are bound to drop points along the way.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDLCMAQMf7n3DhPqPMYVTsSzO4NlvUzy72bQYspfoiu2yXe1sI5i5ioJqUU5h6dA0JGQIbfsl31yd-cGS8gYs65geieMD8rztpYK3anaLjVab96APO9epWEoBnsg_bbN6rgRtozBlUF2c/s1600/Rosicky+Milan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDLCMAQMf7n3DhPqPMYVTsSzO4NlvUzy72bQYspfoiu2yXe1sI5i5ioJqUU5h6dA0JGQIbfsl31yd-cGS8gYs65geieMD8rztpYK3anaLjVab96APO9epWEoBnsg_bbN6rgRtozBlUF2c/s320/Rosicky+Milan.jpg" width="320" /></a>Arsenal face Newcastle on Monday which means that the players will get a decent amount of rest and need to take the positives from the game against Milan. The Emirates crowd will be behind them when they take on the Magpies, who are also in contention for the fourth spot. Arsenal need their experienced players to step up and Rosicky has shown that he has the ability to stand up and be counted when the team needs it most.<br />
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Rosicky is finally managing to string a number of games without injuries and is also in form and it is imperative for Arsenal and for him that he continues to perform consistently from now till the end of the season. With the 31-year-old also out of<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2091317/Tomas-Rosicky-future-decided-days.html"> contract</a> at the end of the season, it will provide further motivation and should he continue to impress, there is no doubt that Wenger will be interested in extending his contract beyond the end of this season.<br />
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The 31-year-old might be one of the more underrated players at Arsenal but his contributions to the team in the last three weeks in particular has been invaluable. The Gunners have a great chance to finish ahead of Spurs but for that to happen, the gifted playmaker needs to perform at his best and could be the key for Arsenal to secure automatic qualification to the Champions League.</div>Vijay Muralihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09645092400676079119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2740526901510840552.post-69399075458110373092012-03-02T04:01:00.000-08:002012-03-02T04:04:10.507-08:00Liverpool vs. Arsenal Preview: Six Key Battles to watch out in this High Stakes game<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEOj4PsiawnNPg0y7EZARcPoS-GO0mbB6h6YWdwv7pcuuGClysRZbF-pVbat_xDdG0qsFbTomzmbOf172Gdw1XWbkpDDAKHMa-RtpRNeQ1h9V1YkGfI-iShZktmOPR0vr-9qSD5OZcm70/s1600/Wenger+with+Van+Persie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEOj4PsiawnNPg0y7EZARcPoS-GO0mbB6h6YWdwv7pcuuGClysRZbF-pVbat_xDdG0qsFbTomzmbOf172Gdw1XWbkpDDAKHMa-RtpRNeQ1h9V1YkGfI-iShZktmOPR0vr-9qSD5OZcm70/s320/Wenger+with+Van+Persie.jpg" width="320" /></a>Liverpool and Arsenal are two of the greatest teams in English football and though both are still big clubs, they are not challenging for the Premiership title and a fourth placed finish would satisfy both clubs this season. The Gunners had a terrible start earlier in the season after losing to the Reds at the Emirates in the second league game of the season but have since done decently to be in fourth place as of now. Reds have been inconsistent this season but have shown glimpses of their quality and have the ammunition required to string a set of good results from now till the end of the season.<br />
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Both teams are coming on a high after winning their previous games, both of which were significant for either club. Liverpool beat Cardiff City on penalties to end their trophy drought, which will provide them great impetus as they push on to secure a Champions League berth. Arsenal, on the other hand, handed out a memorable thrashing to their arch-rivals Tottenham and will be on top of their game as they look to build on that crucial win. This game is crucial for both teams and a bad result could shatter their confidence which is why it is very important for either team to continue their good form.<br />
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Liverpool would have been worried by the substitution of Steven Gerrard after around 30 minutes in the game between England and Netherlands. Their inspirational captain was substituted due to a knock but could yet take part in this important game against the Gunners. However, Daniel Agger is likely to miss out which is a worry for the Reds as he has been very solid alongside Martin Skrtel this season. The good news for Liverpool is that they do have Jamie Carragher who can provide immense leadership at the back in the absence of the Dane and Liverpool will be confident of securing all three points at home against the Gunners.<br />
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On the other hand, Arsenal are also likely to be confident of their own quality going into this quality. They were not at their best in the first half hour of the game against Spurs but were rampant after that and it was the sort of performance which could reignite their season after the disappointments in the Champions League and the FA Cup. With Robin van Persie spearheading the team, they can be sublime at their best and do have the quality to trouble Liverpool's defense which is why they will relish the challenge of meeting the Reds at this time in the season.<br />
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It should be an enthralling contest with two quality teams focussed on winning the game, which is crucial to both clubs. The Gunners and the Reds are currently separated by seven points (though Liverpool have a game in hand) and this result could prove to be pivotal as to where these two teams will finish at the end of the season. There will be many individual battles which could play a major part in deciding the outcome of the game and here are six contests which are very important in this fixture.<br />
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<b>1. Luis Suarez vs. Laurent Koscielny</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1907PjDiVPgDTbJAHniyH52ZkmHEA-_7CFOlEWUQOL1rw0AB3EX2zigPFmdzvRZmeAtQoK6q7Oqm1Jk1_jPizf67MMQuxYzW9EiJtCNCdhZwe1uftAzzxrPx5buVJdAFztw8kkO99Csc/s1600/Suarez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1907PjDiVPgDTbJAHniyH52ZkmHEA-_7CFOlEWUQOL1rw0AB3EX2zigPFmdzvRZmeAtQoK6q7Oqm1Jk1_jPizf67MMQuxYzW9EiJtCNCdhZwe1uftAzzxrPx5buVJdAFztw8kkO99Csc/s320/Suarez.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Suarez has had his controversial since being signed by Liverpool but there is no denying his quality and he is Liverpool's most important attacking threat against the Gunners. His movement and skill in front of goal makes it difficult for defenders to mark him. Though he could further improve regarding his clinicality in front of goal, he has the quality to threaten Arsenal and could be the key to opening up this Arsenal defence, which has not looked very solid this season.<br />
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Though the Gunners have leaked goals in this season, Laurent Koscielny has been outstanding and has arguably been Arsenal's best defender. The Frenchman did take time to adjust to the physicality of the league but has the makings of a world class defender and has been superb this season. He will be entrusted to cope with the movement of Suarez and it will be an interesting battle between those two. Suarez is very important for the Reds and if Koscielny can shackle him, then Arsenal do have a much better chance of winning the game.<br />
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<b>2. Alex Song vs. Charlie Adam</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnoyrh9n9sGm3LnriV0J9byzyrtQPnJVoyR2aa1j0PZ6V3nTp4HLdt-cUtJrP-VmYIPvb3izgOcM2TyfanR2dYkObCYhtNGijDHmJ5DJpmbOkft1TOhS9fEvP2T2qcSl2SjjwnLJQjVqc/s1600/Charlie+Adam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnoyrh9n9sGm3LnriV0J9byzyrtQPnJVoyR2aa1j0PZ6V3nTp4HLdt-cUtJrP-VmYIPvb3izgOcM2TyfanR2dYkObCYhtNGijDHmJ5DJpmbOkft1TOhS9fEvP2T2qcSl2SjjwnLJQjVqc/s320/Charlie+Adam.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
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Alex Song has shown great improvement in the last couple of seasons and has established himself as a regular in this current Arsenal side. Though he is primarily a defensive midfielder, he has worked a lot on his passing and the creative side of the game and it is no surprise that he has been one of the key midfielders when it comes to producing defence-splitting passes. However, he will come up against a tough midfield in Charlie Adam, Jordan Henderson and Steven Gerrard (if fit) which is why he has to be on top of his game.<br />
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Charlie Adam in particular could be a major threat for the Gunners because of his ability to strike venomously from distance if given the space to do so. Song and Mikel Arteta need to ensure that the Liverpool midfielders do not get space on the ball and need to constantly fight for the ball. For Liverpool, it is important that Adam makes good runs because his movement will make it difficult for the Gunners and he also has the ability to score goals from distance which can be used to good effect by the Reds.<br />
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<b>3. Tomas Rosicky vs. Jay Spearing/Jordan Henderson</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_G3hkSblcKP_k0E-k9jn2M__GWhV_dJTwqKRNs5sPxsGbhwXrP26pHj-HdsGifw8CIvD-HQK9bmLqCfH6gCpto_15OPBudTMha-SHPTX50OEoqL4JGcB1hIfKzEGvlIkGPhuHk9psamQ/s1600/Tomas+Rosicky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_G3hkSblcKP_k0E-k9jn2M__GWhV_dJTwqKRNs5sPxsGbhwXrP26pHj-HdsGifw8CIvD-HQK9bmLqCfH6gCpto_15OPBudTMha-SHPTX50OEoqL4JGcB1hIfKzEGvlIkGPhuHk9psamQ/s320/Tomas+Rosicky.jpg" width="320" /></a>Tomas Rosicky has come under plenty of criticism this season but proved that he still has the quality by performing brilliantly against Spurs. It has been a difficult couple of years for the Czech international because of injuries as he has struggled to hold on to a place regularly. Also, he has been bereft of confidence in front of goal but that performance and goal against Spurs could be just what he needs to get back to his best. It was as good a performance from Rosicky in the last two years and it could be the perfect springboard for him to regain his best form.<br />
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Brazilian international Lucas Leiva has been a huge miss for the Reds which is why the task of stopping Arsenal's midfield falls to the young Jay Spearing or Jordan Henderson depending on whom the manager selects for the game. Rosicky, Arteta and Song are all capable of providing good supply to the forward line which is why Liverpool's midfielders will be on their guard throughout the game. The game could be decided by who wins the midfield battle and for Arsenal to win the game, the likes of Rosicky and Arteta need to be at their best to dominate possession at Anfield.<br />
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<b>4. Theo Walcott vs. Jose Enrique</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuLesAOCEUExIZpAGitCbq3Z-EBPpJXalVFXJet6xYfe3oCuaoaEzLpS6Qp_tD7Bemq-mzmvsWUi5f7I-qHPC7SbRuHu6fZ7oaOyRAeZX5fdlp5jf_FnalLviI3gY8JhB9JQY_8XsCWYA/s1600/Theo+Walcott.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuLesAOCEUExIZpAGitCbq3Z-EBPpJXalVFXJet6xYfe3oCuaoaEzLpS6Qp_tD7Bemq-mzmvsWUi5f7I-qHPC7SbRuHu6fZ7oaOyRAeZX5fdlp5jf_FnalLviI3gY8JhB9JQY_8XsCWYA/s320/Theo+Walcott.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Theo Walcott has also come under plenty of criticism for his inconsistent performances and he also did get some flak for his indifferent performance in the first half of the Spurs game. However, he was brilliant in the second half showing the Emirates crowd what he is capable of when he is at his best. He got the better of Benoit Assou-Ekotto on more than one occasion and showed great composure in front of goal beating Brad Freidel twice. Walcott will need to be at his best in order to trouble Jose Enrique and the Liverpool defense and he is very important in ensuring that Robin van Persie is not isolated upfront.<br />
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Enrique has been one of the best signings of the season and the former Newcastle left-back has been extremely consistently for the Reds. He will need to be sharp against Walcott because the England international has the pace to get behind the defense and cause problems. It is clear that Walcott and Van Persie do have a good rapport on the pitch which is why it is even more important to frustrate the English winger. Also, if Enrique can shackle Walcott and support the left winger, Arsenal could struggle to contain the crosses coming in from the wings especially if Thomas Vermaelen is ruled out due to injury.<br />
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<b>5. Robin van Persie vs. Jamie Carragher</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh560MKbOktOtNXfJZLIs-Q8iHNLpG-6l6K-ewlhaM23h3P0isUwcErWLcUM54GgVhzL-GHmyZ1YdNtXCapGsGJpL1LC3bxhGkyONQhsDXa0-I9LxMbHY-1gf-HYr7ueALO99sMxczTH3I/s1600/Robin+van+Persie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh560MKbOktOtNXfJZLIs-Q8iHNLpG-6l6K-ewlhaM23h3P0isUwcErWLcUM54GgVhzL-GHmyZ1YdNtXCapGsGJpL1LC3bxhGkyONQhsDXa0-I9LxMbHY-1gf-HYr7ueALO99sMxczTH3I/s320/Robin+van+Persie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Arsenal captain Robin van Persie has been in sensational form in the last year scoring plenty of goals and has already scored 29 goals this season. The Dutch international is considered to be a doubt for the game but could yet start if he passes the fitness test. Van Persie has scored all types of goals this season and has caused problems to every single defence in the Premiership this season. He has demonstrated great clinicality in front of goal and any error from the Liverpool defense could prove to be costly with Van Persie ready to pounce on any loose ball.<br />
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Jamie Carragher is likely to start and will be faced with the tough task of stopping the in-form Dutchman. He will need to use all his experience to shackle Van Persie, who will drag defenders out of their comfort zone using his superb movement off the ball. Carragher's lack of pace will most likely be targeted by the Arsenal frontline but the Liverpool centre back is immensely experienced and his experience and understanding of the game will help him greatly in coping with Van Persie and his fellow forwards.<br />
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<b>6. Arsene Wenger vs. Kenny Dalglish</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZyJMxkGdFmjbFjqlnVE2ivaOZ16CxY6sRmhX7bMMGLrEU2gYBwivvkJquGAHTwE0yeqNMw2QwJmemQFVJZsFbNDCCiYfZhAunTcD1ksLJj4XbPsFYzWaTdcXk8l1i_7QWuiwVxTqXJI/s1600/Wenger+with+Vermaelen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZyJMxkGdFmjbFjqlnVE2ivaOZ16CxY6sRmhX7bMMGLrEU2gYBwivvkJquGAHTwE0yeqNMw2QwJmemQFVJZsFbNDCCiYfZhAunTcD1ksLJj4XbPsFYzWaTdcXk8l1i_7QWuiwVxTqXJI/s320/Wenger+with+Vermaelen.jpg" width="320" /></a>Wenger selected a rather different team from what supporters anticipated against Liverpool and it will be interesting to see if he selects the same team again at Anfield. Neither Oxlade-Chamberlain nor Gervinho made it into the starting line-up while Yossi Benayoun was given a rare league start. The combination of Rosicky and Benayoun in the Spurs game was excellent which is why Wenger will have to think whether to retain the duo or change it up to add more pace to the side by bringing in either of Gervinho or Chamberlain. The way that Arsenal play is not going to change much as they will look to dominate possession and create problems for the Liverpool defense.<br />
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However, tactics could be very important for Dalglish because he needs to decide whether his teams need to attack Arsenal from the start of the game or be content to play on the counter-attack employing a more defensive formation. The Reds have the quality to secure all the three points though it will not be easy and tactical decisions by both managers could have a huge role to play in deciding the result of this game.<br />
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<br /></div>Vijay Muralihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09645092400676079119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2740526901510840552.post-27315785675763029572012-03-01T10:08:00.002-08:002012-03-01T10:20:20.177-08:00Arsenal FC: Why This Summer Will Be the Period That Defines Wenger's Reign<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizM3wBs_JuJTVchZzZ782KkeBgyCHRyZNfU_n7IgRtJWY3BT_MySIXLCFOydYsmpewBLS2nXXyJyXsNikPDJeVAb0JbLb3ZYyYOoOU4SXTthLyyBUpVBIW0AeBsp2sZWpXS1F6i6MirHo/s1600/Wenger+with+Vermaelen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizM3wBs_JuJTVchZzZ782KkeBgyCHRyZNfU_n7IgRtJWY3BT_MySIXLCFOydYsmpewBLS2nXXyJyXsNikPDJeVAb0JbLb3ZYyYOoOU4SXTthLyyBUpVBIW0AeBsp2sZWpXS1F6i6MirHo/s320/Wenger+with+Vermaelen.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Arsenal romped to a stylish victory against their arch-rivals Tottenham by scoring five goals and it was an excellent performance from the side especially after going two goals down. Arsene Wenger was clearly frustrated when Emmanuel Adebayor scored from the spot and would have demanded a reaction from the players. Their performance after that would have even surprised the manager, who has come under severe criticism this season. It was Arsenal at their best maintaining their attacking passing game at high intensity and also, they were clinical in finishing off the chances.<br />
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The players were thrilled by that performance and it was the sort of performance that could turn this season around for the Gunners. It is clearly observable that the players have huge respect for their manager, who have helped several players realize their potential. He has shown immense faith in his players but his faith has been misplaced at times which is why he has come under flak from the supporters and the media. This Arsenal team does not have the quality or the depth needed to win the Premiership title which is why the supporters have been frustrated though they still have the quality to finish fourth at the end of the season.<br />
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However, Wenger deserves the patience of supporters and the board and should be entrusted with the task of making them champions again. He has the experience of winning titles and should be given the freedom to spend freely in the next summer. It is clear that he has done an excellent job spending as much as he has but if there is money to spend, then it is imperative that Wenger spends it on quality players who can be the key to winning games.</div><div><br />
</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgm9xNJ1AEpM5uohKarLL_Yz0_Pk2hojuG64VT4PeEDdyvhXuDAXBMNnpp6c4rlpJ709VMtJQUe8CHZ9C-FTxiX7YV01sfwFNchygqd7FSkLtNQYxyHPQ4WqbJdc8Ym3HP8ziUNzT3zTY/s1600/Johan+Djourou.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgm9xNJ1AEpM5uohKarLL_Yz0_Pk2hojuG64VT4PeEDdyvhXuDAXBMNnpp6c4rlpJ709VMtJQUe8CHZ9C-FTxiX7YV01sfwFNchygqd7FSkLtNQYxyHPQ4WqbJdc8Ym3HP8ziUNzT3zTY/s320/Johan+Djourou.jpg" /></a>Arsenal are not going to have the spending prowess of Manchester City or Chelsea but they do have a manager who has the capability to make astute acquisitions and if he adds three to four high quality players, then this team could challenge for titles. However, for them to spend money on players, it is also important for them to be ruthless when it comes to players who are not performing up to the required quality.<br />
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Though Wenger has not spend much on transfer fees in the last five years, Arsenal's wage bill is quite high which is due to the inflated wages received by some of the under-performing players. For example, Johan Djourou has been awarded a new contract despite not performing at the highest level for the team. Though he has tried his best, it is clear that Arsenal need better players if they are to stay at the highest level. Another problem with the current transfer decisions made by Wenger is his tendency to make one or two cheap signings just to make up the numbers. <br />
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Arsenal have three strikers in their squad out of which one is world class, the other is probably a mid-table team striker and not much is known about the third. Now, if Van Persie was to be ruled out due to a long term injury, then Arsenal fans would shudder at the thought of having to rely on Marouane Chamakh or Park Ju Young for goals till the end of the season. There are some players like Per Mertesacker who have the quality but take time to adjust to the Premiership and the league which is why it is wrong to make judgements on this summer's signings after only eight months in the Premiership.</div><div><br />
Wenger has made mistakes especially in this summer's transfer market when they sold key players in Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri and did not sign the players of the same quality. However, the Frenchman did make some important signings for the team who could be a key part of the future as well. Mikel Arteta has adjusted well to his deeper role in the side and is already one of the most important players for the team. Per Mertesacker has shown that he has the quality to be a top defender for the Gunners and did show signs of adjusting well to the Premiership before getting injured. Gervinho might lack the end product but there is no denying his talent and he could develop into a very important player for the Gunners.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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Also, the signings of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Joel Campbell show that Wenger's eye for spotting talent has not deserted him and those two could develop into fine players who could be regular players for the Gunners. He has the quality to identify the players who could bring in the quality required and the board and Ivan Gazidis must ensure that they sign the player by beating competition and offering what it takes to sign a quality players. Players like Mario Goetze or Eden Hazard do not come on cheap wages or low transfer fees but these are the kind of players who could provide the quality and creativity that Arsenal need.<br />
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Wenger needs to be persuaded to be more ruthless in the summer ad they need to free up the transfer funds by selling players who have under-performed. Nicklas Bendtner, Denilson, Sebastien Squillaci, Manuel Almunia, Johan Djourou, Marouane Chamakh, Park Ju-Young and even Abou Diaby needs to be sold in order to provide the manager the funds to sign better quality players. Wenger and Gazidis need to be swift in signing their transfer targets as well and even if it means spending a little extra million, it is important to get the right player for the side.<br />
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With Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott also nearing the end of their respective contracts, it is extremely important for the manager to convince them to stay at the club to avoid what happened with Samir Nasri. Walcott has been erratic on many occasions this seasons for which he has come under criticism but he has the quality to be a very good player. Wenger could be important in persuading him to sign on with Arsenal because he will only continue to get better. Also, he will face some excellent competition from Gervinho, Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain and Ryo Miyaichi which could also help him step up his game. <br />
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Holding on to Robin van Persie could be the most important thing for Arsenal in the summer because the Arsenal captain is easily the most important player in the current side. He is currently 28 years old which is why it is even more tricky with him because this could be his last chance to make the move to a top club like FC Barcelona or Real Madrid. The Dutchman has shown that he has the quality to break into any side in the world which is why it will be tough for Wenger and the Arsenal board to convince him to stay.<br />
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The wages offered to him would not be the major point of discussion because Arsenal would have to offer him world class wages if they were to have strike any meaningful contract extension. It is important to convince him that quality reinforcements will arrive and only that will make him consider staying at Arsenal. He has stayed with Arsenal for eight years and it is evident that he is very proud to be the captain of the team. His commitment and professionalism has been exemplary and though he is currently happily settled at Arsenal, he will want to win trophies before the end of his career. <br />
Though he has always defended his team members as captain of the team, he will know that quality players are needed to help them win the title in the near future. If Arsenal can finish their transfer business as fast as they can in the summer and show their ambition, there is no reason as to why Van Persie will not want to stay at the club because he does share a great relationship with the manager and also prefers Arsenal's passing style. <br />
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Arsenal do have a decent core in the likes of Wojciech Szczesny, Laurent Koscielny, Thomas Vermaelen, Bacary Sagna, Jack Wilshere and Van Persie but these players need the support cast which can help them win titles. The likes of Alex Song, Theo Walcott, Gervinho, Aaron Ramsey and Kieran Gibbs can further improve to build on their undoubted potential while there are many promising players like Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain, Francis Coquelin, Emmanuel Frimpong, Campbell and Miyaichi who could be very important for the future.</div><div><br />
Though a picture of gloom and ultimate downfall has been predicted by many, it is not the case as Arsenal do have the players who are capable of winning trophies. But they also need some reinforcements in order to win titles. It has been a very difficult season for Wenger and his blame and they have nobody to blame but themselves for their performances. However, there is still time to turn things around and Wenger is likely to have one final opportunity to build a title-winning team in the summer.</div><div>However, if he fails to bring the quality that they need, then it will most likely be the end of Van Persie's time at Arsenal and more importantly, it could be the end of an era at Arsenal. However, one would hope for Wenger that he can take the Gunners to the top once more and for all the achievements that he has done at Arsenal, he deserves to go on a high note and by his own decision.</div></div>Vijay Muralihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09645092400676079119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2740526901510840552.post-11996260591329916802011-07-09T15:31:00.000-07:002011-07-09T15:31:18.417-07:00Arsenal FC Transfer Opinions: Why Ryo Miyaichi and Others Mean Arsene Wenger Should Not Sign Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3B48tg_QDFcHXNr_kPZl21mWY19CqLU70SASJHf9xZ2wFURduh-VugVuPWlJOnRCDwAEcEaQvMyK62Bzwz4L6UbB8NOn45fGRV6hS41sWSJSx1ofM2AJuj7TtGQVL7Te4xWjbpJpgfpM/s1600/Alex+Oxlade+Chamberlain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3B48tg_QDFcHXNr_kPZl21mWY19CqLU70SASJHf9xZ2wFURduh-VugVuPWlJOnRCDwAEcEaQvMyK62Bzwz4L6UbB8NOn45fGRV6hS41sWSJSx1ofM2AJuj7TtGQVL7Te4xWjbpJpgfpM/s320/Alex+Oxlade+Chamberlain.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><img src="http://bleacherreport.com/images/pixel.gif" />According to the <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/8620202/Arsenal-close-to-first-major-summer-signing-as-Gervinho-undergoes-medical.html">Telegraph</a>, Lille winger Gervinho has completed a medical ahead of his move to Arsenal and is expected to be confirmed as an Arsenal player in the upcoming days though delay in finishing the deal could cause him to miss the pre-season tour to Asia. It will be an important signing for the Gunners, who are still uncertain regarding the futures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, who has been stalling in signing a new contract at the Emirates.<br />
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The winger has had a positive impact in France where he is regarded as one of the most efficient players in the league and he could be a player who could provide some much needed unpredictability to the Gunners considering he is capable of dribbling past players and uses his trickery to good effect. It seems like Gervinho could be a signing who could turn out to be one of our better signings in the long term.<br />
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Arsenal have many important priorities in the summer and with Tomas Rosicky and Andrei Arshavin not performing to expected levels, signing a talented and experienced winger was a need and signing Gervinho is a step in the right direction for the Gunners. However, with both Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas still not sure of staying with the Gunners, it is important that Arsene Wenger uses his transfer budget intelligently especially as they seek depth in a number of positions.<br />
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This summer transfer window is probably Arsene Wenger's most important one in his Arsenal career considering that his senior players could leave while the fans are desperate for the club to win trophies in the next season. Many of the supporters are calling for the manager to spend money and at the Q&A session attended by Arsenal chief Ivan Gazidis, he was confronted by a number of questions regarding the manager and his transfer policies by members of the Arsenal Supporters Trust (AST).<img src="http://bleacherreport.com/images/pixel.gif" /><br />
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Though the youth policy has produced a number of talented youngsters like Cesc Fabregas and Jack Wilshere, it is trophies which is going to bring long term stability to the club. Many supporters are calling for the manager to spend money on experienced players and abandon this youth policy. However, it is important to have talented youngsters in the team but the manager needs to bring in some experienced players who can guide the players to perform well under pressure.<br />
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However, according to the <a href="http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/199921/SAINTS-SLAM-ARSENAL-ALEX-BID/">Daily Star</a>, Arsenal have had a bid of around £6 million + add-ons rejected by Southampton, who reportedly want £12 million for midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who is only 17 years old. Though the winger is extremely talented and is arguably more advanced than Theo Walcott, when he was at the same stage in his career, it must be questioned whether Arsenal should be interested in the Saints' starlet.<br />
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It is undeniable that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is one of the most exciting prospects in English football but still only 17 years of age, it is unlikely that he will make a big impact in his first season in the Premiership if he is signed by Arsenal. While signing long term prospects are a part of the strategy of Wenger, this summer should be about signing quality players who could help the Gunners win the Premiership.<br />
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There is a good chance that Arsenal could miss out on the youngster if they fail to seal a deal for the winger in this summer but the Gunners cannot afford to spend a chunk of their transfer budget on an unproven 17-year-old when their best players could leave due to lack of ambition. If they do miss the Southampton winger, it will be hard for Arsenal having scouted him for a long time but the Gunners already have a wealth of youth talent.<br />
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In the long term, both Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere are certain to play regularly considering they are already established at Arsenal though Ramsey is currently a squad player following his horrific injury following a lunge by Ryan Shawcross. With Alex Song still very young and Emmanuel Frimpong developing at Arsenal, the Gunners will have an excellent midfield.<br />
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Theo Walcott is a player who has the faith of the Arsenal manager and despite the criticism he has had regarding his decision making, it is undeniable that he is a player who has progressed immensely in the last season. The England International scored 13 goals and made eight assists including performing well in important games like Chelsea and Tottenham. He is certain to be one of the most important players in the future.<br />
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On the Arsenal official<a href="http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/arsenal-asia-tour-party-is-announced"> website</a>, it was stated that the signing of Gervinho was imminent and it does seem like the Gunners have added the winger to their squad for the next season. He is another player who is very talented and though he can develop further at Arsenal, he is a player with a lot of potential and at the age of 24, he can also be an important player for the Gunners.<br />
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If Wenger has belief in the abilities of Gervinho and especially Walcott, then these two can be part of the team in the long term. Also, even if Nasri does leave the club, it is highly likely that Wenger will bring in another winger to supplement the team because he will know that an untested 17-year-old will be a huge gamble.<br />
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Also, it must be remembered that Arsenal have talented youngsters, Ryo Miyaichi and Wellington Silva in the squad who are exciting prospects as well. Though Wellington has not had a good spell at Levante on loan due to disciplinary issues, he is very talented and with proper guidance, he could be successful in the future.<br />
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Ryo Miyaichi is a youngster who needs no introduction for most Arsenal fans as they eagerly wait to see him in the Arsenal's tour of Asia and Wenger confirmed that the Japanese youngster will make the trip. He has undoubted potential and with his successful loan spell with Feyenoord, he has already taken a step closer to the first team though he is unlikely to get a work permit to play in this season.<br />
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The Japanese winger still has a long way to go but with talent and the right attitude, Miyaichi is a player who could be destined for the Arsenal first team in the future. He is capable of trickery but needs to work on his end product and with time, his decision making will improve as well.<br />
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Also, Arsenal have signed two Barcelona youngsters Jon Miquel Toral and Hector Bellerin, who are also interesting prospects. Bellerin, in particular, is a player who is very exciting with the winger boasting of excellent pace and good end product. With the team so strong in this area especially with a number of versatile youngsters, the question is whether Arsenal need to spend another £6 million on a youngster.<br />
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Wenger should understand their priorities in this season and should plan accordingly to strengthen it. It is clear that Arsenal need another strong Centre Back, preferably experienced in the Premiership and also, if Cesc Fabregas or Samir Nasri or both of them leave, Arsenal will need to make high quality signings like bringing in Juan Mata of Valencia.<br />
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It is clear that the Gunners have good depth regarding youngsters in midfield and though Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is an excellent young prospect, the Gunners should not spend the money on him especially in this transfer window when they have more pressing concerns.Vijay Muralihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09645092400676079119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2740526901510840552.post-60416378906674293822011-07-05T08:15:00.000-07:002011-07-05T08:15:02.708-07:00Arsenal FC Opinion: Why Arsenal Will Not Win Trophies Unless Arsene Wenger Spends in the Transfer Window<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoBzj5TyIPL-YI5WYFR-ywxNw6jS_7aV5ss0nSxakXKdwkZOJohf6GBZ2wwjp2pCAzEiVfOhyphenhyphen6A4w2stTVNUgGQyRcdSC43GWqhOumTmEzSpEjAIv5b8akC8P2yO2TwwIiYYpZZkRJTM0/s1600/Wenger+Fabregas.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoBzj5TyIPL-YI5WYFR-ywxNw6jS_7aV5ss0nSxakXKdwkZOJohf6GBZ2wwjp2pCAzEiVfOhyphenhyphen6A4w2stTVNUgGQyRcdSC43GWqhOumTmEzSpEjAIv5b8akC8P2yO2TwwIiYYpZZkRJTM0/s320/Wenger+Fabregas.jpg" width="320" /></a><img _mce_src="/images/pixel.gif" alt="" class="slot" src="http://bleacherreport.com/images/pixel.gif" />The Arsenal supporters have been treated to another week of transfer rumors regarding the uncertain futures of Samir Nasri, Cesc Fabregas and Gael Clichy, three important players for the Gunners. Gael Clichy signed for Manchester City yesterday after passing a medical earlier and the "Invincibles" of 2003-04 have officially been dismantled and it is important for the Arsenal manager to build a strong team capable of winning trophies.<br />
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Samir Nasri has only one year left on his contract and it is uncertain whether he will sign a new contract to stay at the club, next year. However, if he does not sign a new contract, it is expected that Arsenal will sell the midfielder in the summer and hopefully, use them to sign the replacement for the midfielder. According to the <a _mce_href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/8611664/Samir-Nasri-nears-Arsenal-exit-as-Chelsea-join-Manchester-United-and-Manchester-City-in-hunt-for-midfielder.html" href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/8611664/Samir-Nasri-nears-Arsenal-exit-as-Chelsea-join-Manchester-United-and-Manchester-City-in-hunt-for-midfielder.html">Telegraph</a>, Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United are interested in the French midfielder and there is a good possibility that Arsenal will probably get a sizable fee despite him having only one year on his contract because of his impressive performances in the first half of the season.<br />
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Also, it seems like Cesc Fabregas could finally complete his move to FC Barcelona as he is set to hold important talks with Arsene Wenger and Ivan Gazidis regarding his move to the Spanish clubs, according to the <a _mce_href="http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/transfer-news/Arsenal-Cesc-Fabregas-set-crunch-talks-over-Barcelona-move-today-with-chief-exec-Ivan-Gazidis-article756453.html" href="http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/transfer-news/Arsenal-Cesc-Fabregas-set-crunch-talks-over-Barcelona-move-today-with-chief-exec-Ivan-Gazidis-article756453.html">Mirror</a>. The Spanish International is arguably Arsenal's most important player and it will be extremely hard to replace the midfielder considering that the team has been built around him and him leaving the club couldn't have come at a worse time with Arsenal still looking to end their six year trophy drought.<br />
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Also according to the <a _mce_href="http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/football/868345-arsenal-lose-ricardo-alvarez-to-inter-milan-over-1-7million-stand-off" href="http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/football/868345-arsenal-lose-ricardo-alvarez-to-inter-milan-over-1-7million-stand-off">Metro</a>, it seems like Arsenal have missed out on their target Ricky Alvarez, who will apparently sign for Inter Milan, due to their inability to reach an agreement with Velez Sarsfield due to their unwillingness to pay the £11 million they demanded. Though a number of supporters are decided on whether Ricky Alvarez will be a good signing or not, the fact remains that Arsene Wenger will have missed out on yet another transfer target due to their stubbornness to pay the ideal price for the player.<br />
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The transfer market has been undeniably inflated due to some clubs willing to pay over the odds to get their player and it has come to a situation where clubs are willing to wait till they extract the maximum possible money from another club. Wenger will understand that the resentment from Arsenal fans are at an all-time high and he will understand that his job will be on the line if Arsenal fail to end their trophy drought.<br />
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The summer couldn't have got to a worse start with some important players wanting to leave the club while the club yet to find buyers for players, who are not important to the club. There is still a little less than two months left to go in the transfer market but with the Gunners having a tough fixture list in August, it is imperative that the players who come in have established a relationship with their team mates.<br />
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Arsenal have been linked with a number of centre backs in the summer after failing to be solid in defence in the last few seasons. However, the Gunners are yet to reach an agreement regarding their transfer targets and as a result, there have been no new additions to the first team despite the team starting its training for the next season yesterday.<br />
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According to the<a _mce_href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/bolton-wanderers/8616165/Bolton-manager-Owen-Coyle-wants-Gary-Cahills-future-sorted-amid-Arsenal-Tottenham-and-Chelsea-interest.html" href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/bolton-wanderers/8616165/Bolton-manager-Owen-Coyle-wants-Gary-Cahills-future-sorted-amid-Arsenal-Tottenham-and-Chelsea-interest.html"> Telegraph</a>, Arsenal are interested in signing Bolton defender Gary Cahill but apparently, Chelsea have joined in the race after appointing Andre Villas Boas as the new manager of the club. The reason why fans are getting frustrated in the summer is that the clubs cannot close a deal quickly which shows their lack of ruthlessness in the summer window, especially when the Champions Manchester United have already signed three talented players - Ashley Young, Phil Jones and David De Gea - for the future.<br />
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The Bolton defender has only a year left on his contract and has a release clause of £17 million on his contract. The club knows that it is highly unlikely that he will extend his contract with Bolton and that is why they are prepared to sell him if the clubs can meet the release clause. Arsenal have been tracking the deal for sometime now but their inability to complete the deal within a few weeks has given Chelsea a good chance of landing the centre back though the Blues have strong defenders in John Terry, Brainslav Ivanovic, David Luiz and Alex.<br />
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If Arsenal do miss out on the defender, it will be because they failed to pay the required amount to get the player and Wenger and Gazidis will understand that Bolton would not have been prepared to sell the defender for anything less than £15 million. It is understandable that Arsenal do not want to pay over the odds for a player but a more pragmatic approach needs to be taken by Wenger and the board.<br />
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The Gunners are playing in the same league as Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United and though it is admirable that they can compete with them without spending much, they have not been able to win trophies, which is one of the reasons that their quality players might depart. The point is that if Arsenal do not show intent in the summer and sign quality players for the Gunners, the sad fact is that the quality players at the club are bound to get disillusioned with the direction of the club.<br />
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Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Robin van Persie are quality players, who are bound to attract the interests of many successful clubs but the problem is that they have not won trophies to show and at the end of the day, it is trophies which determine how successful a player has been in his career. Arsene Wenger's policies in the transfer market in the last few years have been questionable and it is inevitable that fans will protest again it in the future.<br />
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Another reason why Arsenal need to be faster than other clubs regarding their transfer targets is that they will not be able to compete with Manchester City or Chelsea on transfer targets with regard to wages or transfer fee and the selling club will always look to sell to the highest bidder. In other words, Chelsea and City can afford to play the waiting game and move in to steal targets if they wish to, not that it will be preferred by either club.<br />
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The last home game of the season against Aston Villa had one of the worst atmospheres at the Emirates due to the fans being unsatisfied with the team's commitment and performances and also, chanting to express their displeasure at the rise in ticket prices, which has caused some groups of supporters to protest against it.<br />
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Also, Stan Kroenke, who is nicknamed "Silent Stan" by some, has taken control of Arsenal and has been ratified by the Premier League as the Arsenal owner though Alisher Usmanov is refusing to give in without a fight as he is unwilling to sell his shares. However, being the main owner, Kroenke's deafening silence is not going down too well with the supporters, who want to be certain of the direction in which he wants the club to move in.<br />
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After their sensational collapse towards the end of the season, it was expected that they would seal the signings of a few established players early in the summer, especially to create more positive and optimistic thoughts going into the new season. However, it has not been the case and it could be another summer of Déjà vu for the Gunners as they fight to hold on to Fabregas while they continue to be parsimonious when it comes to sealing new signings.<br />
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Last summer, the Gunners were linked with a number of defenders, who were experienced in the Premiership but Wenger dithered in the market and it led them to finally sign Sebastien Squillaci, who has been unimpressive to say the least. Arsene Wenger knew that it was a key area to strengthen and yet only brought in Laurent Koscielny, who he later admitted that he was intended to play only around 20 games this season, and Sebastien Squillaci, who was never good enough.<br />
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In the summer of 2009, Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure were both sold by the Gunners to Manchester City for a healthy transfer fee but failed to reinvest in the squad with only Thomas Vermaelen signed by Wenger. Though Vermaelen is one of Wenger's best acquisitions, the failure to replace Adebayor was crucial as Robin van Persie was injured for a long time while Eduardo never really recovered from his horrific ankle injury.<br />
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Though fans are the only ones who are faithful to the club at all times, the recent statements from Samir Nasri will not go down well with them though they understand that lack of trophies is always bound to influence players. According to <a _mce_href="http://www.skysports.com/story/0,,11661_7015881,00%20en-USS_01DBC.html" href="http://www.skysports.com/story/0,,11661_7015881,00%20en-USS_01DBC.html">Skysports News</a>, Nasri told the <em>News of the World</em>: "Money has never been my motivation. I have always taken decisions from a football point of view.<br />
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"With no titles under your belt, you can't be in the list for the Ballon D'Or. I came to England to get trophies because I haven't won anything in my career, apart from an U17 European Championship in 2004. We all need to get out of our comfort zone, to grow up and test ourselves." added the French winger.<br />
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Nasri managed only a solitary goal since February and was as culpable as anyone else for Arsenal's slump towards the end of the season. It is not only the manager's responsibility to win things; players also should shoulder the responsibility and it is not likely to go down well with Arsenal fans. If there are players who are not satisfied with the team, it is better to sell them rather than keeping unsatisfied players at the club.<br />
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However, it is not the players who will be going that are going to help Arsenal win trophies and the players who stay and the new signings should step up and help Wenger and the club to win trophies once again. Though it may sound far-fetched, Arsenal need a fresh start after their sufferings in the last few seasons and with some players coming in to replace some outgoing players, however experienced or important they might be, it could be a fresh start for the Gunners and they must show the fighting spirit in order to help the Gunners have a successful season next year.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoBzj5TyIPL-YI5WYFR-ywxNw6jS_7aV5ss0nSxakXKdwkZOJohf6GBZ2wwjp2pCAzEiVfOhyphenhyphen6A4w2stTVNUgGQyRcdSC43GWqhOumTmEzSpEjAIv5b8akC8P2yO2TwwIiYYpZZkRJTM0/s1600/Wenger+Fabregas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><em>I am also a featured columnist on Bleacher Report and also, you can follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/Vijay_Murali">Twitter</a>.</em></div>Vijay Muralihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09645092400676079119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2740526901510840552.post-43643817334037711982011-06-25T15:25:00.000-07:002011-06-25T15:25:59.645-07:00Arsenal FC: Why Signing Gervinho Could Mean Theo Walcott as Centre Forward<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1YSbXSOJPgAjpfTXEmd0DM3w5vcCTQym7K_yvev9-8whhdMSJwuCDAXHMbDG1KzVNibkIqgcq6UEH94PDWdGkeQ4wm_nHzJynaBz-kkiCsaROzd9taqow02Vs8VeszpR0MMPFIl9i4xg/s1600/Theo+Walcott.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1YSbXSOJPgAjpfTXEmd0DM3w5vcCTQym7K_yvev9-8whhdMSJwuCDAXHMbDG1KzVNibkIqgcq6UEH94PDWdGkeQ4wm_nHzJynaBz-kkiCsaROzd9taqow02Vs8VeszpR0MMPFIl9i4xg/s320/Theo+Walcott.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Arsene Wenger is an immensely respected manager in the world of football but his side's recent failure to end the long trophy drought has meant that the French tactician has come under immense pressure from a lot of critics. The long serving Arsenal manager will have to ensure that his team can overcome the several challenges in the next season and end their trophy drought.<br />
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Wenger is certainly going to be busy in the summer finalizing the deals of some of his transfer targets and also he will have to persuade his best players to stay at the club and help them fight for trophies next season. Samir Nasri has not signed a new contract with Arsenal and it has been a matter of concern for the club as he has only one more year left on his deal and should he not sign, the Gunners might sell him in order to bolster their transfer budget.<br />
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According to the Telegraph, Nasri and his representatives are willing to negotiate with Arsenal over a new deal and Wenger will do everything possible to persuade him to pen a new contract with the Gunners. Also, Cesc Fabregas has been linked with a return to Barcelona but unless the Blaugrana meet Arsenal's valuation of the Spanish International, it is unlikely that they can agree a deal.<br />
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On the brighter side of things for the Gunners, it does seem like Arsenal will be active in this summer with the Mirror reporting that Arsenal are close to signing Velez Sarsfield's Ricky Alvarez, Lille's Gervinho and Southampton's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. It is interesting that the Gunners have been linked with three wingers especially if Fabregas and Nasri stay at the club.<br />
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It is quite possible that Arsene Wenger could alter the formation for the next season in some games though it is probable that some variation of the 4-3-3 formation will be predominantly used in the next season as well. According to the Mirror, Gervinho is on the brink of signing for Arsenal and it is probable that he will be used on the right wing which means he will probably take Walcott's place in the team.<br />
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However, it could be that Wenger has different plans for Walcott this season and he could be used in the role of a centre forward which he has played in some games in the past. It is probable that Wenger used him on the right wing in order to develop Walcott, who has a lot of potential. Walcott relied too much on his speed early in his career and some aspects of his game had to be worked on.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2lOrdL2cIsFrXoSHIKCL5hcVNR3c41T2gJaSek_ACMaWB4y_1EGvD50zp62crdbmIz1-9qXyPaDBybsXmepr4JSOA3Q0zDwFcJ93TBGFjicJjezOo-MNFp8w6MUZROlvIdlQDq9G-zKs/s1600/Gervinho.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2lOrdL2cIsFrXoSHIKCL5hcVNR3c41T2gJaSek_ACMaWB4y_1EGvD50zp62crdbmIz1-9qXyPaDBybsXmepr4JSOA3Q0zDwFcJ93TBGFjicJjezOo-MNFp8w6MUZROlvIdlQDq9G-zKs/s320/Gervinho.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Despite playing as a winger for most of his Arsenal career, the England International has never been regarded as a complete winger because of his inaccuracy in crossing and he also does not tend to dribble past his man to whip crosses into the box. But he has shown that he is more suited to a central role on a number of occasions.<br />
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It must be remembered that Arsenal legend Thierry Henry started as a winger due to Arsene Wenger and it was the French tactician who later used him as a striker where he became one of the best in the world. Similarly, Robin van Persie was also initially used as a winger before converting him to a centre forward where the Dutchman has been prolific.<br />
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Theo Walcott is only 21 years old and has a long and bright career ahead of him which is why it is important that he improved his game at this stage of his career. Wenger is known to have faith in the winger's ability and it is unlikely that the manager will look to sign other wingers quite similar to him, who will block his opportunities.<br />
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At Arsenal, Walcott will have to fight for a place in the starting 11 which is important for the team considering that competition always gets the best out of players. In the 2009-10 season, he sustained a number of injuries and missed a number of games. However, even when he played in some games, he did not seem to be comfortable and had a season to forget.<br />
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He was dropped by England manager Fabio Capello for the World Cup and it proved to be a blessing in disguise for the winger as he had a complete pre-season to work on his weaknesses and also stay away from the limelight. Walcott started the season on a bright note as he scored against Blackpool and Blackburn with neat strikes but was unfortunate to be injured early in the season.<br />
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However, he was able to fight for his place after recovering from the injury and did manage to start games regularly for Arsenal due to the inconsistent performances of Andrei Arshavin . He finished the season with a clinical strike against Fulham and ended the season with 13 goals and 10 assists which means he has been effectively involved in 23 goals, which is much more compared to his previous best of 12 in the 2007-08 season.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_e2I47k2Bb7OxNwl3zG3_xwhscnfkWHHM5vPcO-HYZdG0fLc82Ja4GVb-aPFCnmwE5A4ELnD3I7gF6spXQfg3gq30hcXn5v4vAE1EVqG526BMY6xiOMUPJLUWXNTXNOF_Bx7sDwyU3Ws/s1600/Van+Persie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_e2I47k2Bb7OxNwl3zG3_xwhscnfkWHHM5vPcO-HYZdG0fLc82Ja4GVb-aPFCnmwE5A4ELnD3I7gF6spXQfg3gq30hcXn5v4vAE1EVqG526BMY6xiOMUPJLUWXNTXNOF_Bx7sDwyU3Ws/s320/Van+Persie.jpg" width="320" /></a>The main reason for this improvement from Walcott has been that he has worked on his game in the last summer and aspects like crossing and finishing have been better than the previous seasons. However, one of the major factors involved in his better statistics is that he has drifted more to the centre when there is an opportunity to do so and it presents a problem to the defenders because of his immense speed.<br />
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It can be observed that his positioning is better and his anticipation has improved this season as can be seen from many of his goals this season. In the game against West Ham, he provided a decent cross for Van Persie for the first goal but it is the second goal which provides the reason why Walcott has improved.<br />
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Van Persie drifted to the left and hit a low cross and Theo Walcott was in the centre waiting to finish the opportunity with the left foot. It clearly showed that the duo had developed a good understanding and also, that Walcott's predatory instinct could be better utilized in a more central role. His goals against Tottenham and Newcastle also showed that he can utilize his pace to great effect in a central role.<br />
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Gervinho is a player who has a lot of pace and makes good runs behind the defence. Arsenal will have to spend big money on the Lille winger if they sign the Ivory Coast International, he will probably be utilized on the right flank where he played for Lille. The strong African winger is a player who will bring in a lot of pace and quality to the team and will be an useful addition.<br />
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However, Wenger could have planned to use Walcott upfront which is why he is interested in signing Gervinho to play on the right flank. Javier Hernandez was a great success for Manchester United in the previous season and his major assets are clinical finishing and excellent movement and anticipation. Walcott has developed into a better player than he was on the wing but as a winger, he has not been able to showcase his potential because of his inability to be precise with his crossing and he has been unable to get into dangerous positions as often as he would have liked to.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTVm7zTb_35Lka0JPdURlJSnxUPdb1ZMe4n6v0dXoHwTsS42HcnaC2N5PYfmZxK6tKIe1uy2rVd6fDRJRyCZw8lLETjADFJj-e3-wssB8vo1QNlli9H4WK3OMUXU3CvGvR4MOT9Qg0v8Q/s1600/Thierry+Henry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTVm7zTb_35Lka0JPdURlJSnxUPdb1ZMe4n6v0dXoHwTsS42HcnaC2N5PYfmZxK6tKIe1uy2rVd6fDRJRyCZw8lLETjADFJj-e3-wssB8vo1QNlli9H4WK3OMUXU3CvGvR4MOT9Qg0v8Q/s320/Thierry+Henry.jpg" width="206" /></a>When Walcott plays for the team, the Gunners undoubtedly play with more pace and their counter-attacking has more threat when the England winger plays. Gervinho is also an intelligent player and will also bring in a lot of quality to the side which means Walcott could be used in a central role more often in the next season.<br />
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Van Persie seems to have developed a good understanding with Walcott as the England winger has been instrumental in several of the Dutchman's goals. If Cesc Fabregas is injured due to injury, it is quite possible that Van Persie will play just behind the striker and Walcott could be an ideal striker n front of the Dutchman because they have different attributes which makes it harder for the defenders.<br />
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Though there are many critics who still criticize Walcott's lack of end product, it is important to note that he has excellent statistics for a winger, who missed a number of games this season due to injuries. Also at the age of 21, he still has a lot of years at the top level and will only continue to improve under the tutelage of Wenger.<br />
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It must be remember that Thierry Henry was not known for his finishing before he joined Arsenal and only at the age of 22 did Wenger convert him to a striker. It is likely that Wenger expects Walcott to cope with physicality better with age and with Walcott currently 21 years old and with five full seasons under his belt, the next season could be the one where Wenger utilizes Walcott in a more central role and Gervinho could be the one who could replace him on the right flank.<br />
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<b><em>If interested, please read my article on <a _mce_href="http://arsenalinvincible.blogspot.com/2011/06/arsenal-transfer-prospects-analyzing_05.html" href="http://arsenalinvincible.blogspot.com/2011/06/arsenal-transfer-prospects-analyzing_05.html">Arsenal Prospects: The Pros and Cons of signing Gervinho</a></em></b><br />
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</div>Vijay Muralihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09645092400676079119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2740526901510840552.post-7575650508577311082011-06-18T06:34:00.000-07:002011-06-18T06:34:41.494-07:00Lionel Messi Should Learn from Ronaldinho's Slump and Emulate Sachin Tendulkar<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqeHl3BN48PeWHF0lftCZNZjJlGX3as7ylaJTqNURn3Kzq8G2a5-JgMM_8D0HN_Xm2lz3Jswk86YIn-mVvo2sm_Lsoczak3RV1drehZ_mwSZFEy3INXwl2YYWL5QtvKcxoTkkehHX5wVc/s1600/Ronaldinho+Messi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqeHl3BN48PeWHF0lftCZNZjJlGX3as7ylaJTqNURn3Kzq8G2a5-JgMM_8D0HN_Xm2lz3Jswk86YIn-mVvo2sm_Lsoczak3RV1drehZ_mwSZFEy3INXwl2YYWL5QtvKcxoTkkehHX5wVc/s320/Ronaldinho+Messi.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The title might seem absurd, considering that it is impossible to compare a footballing genius with a great from another one.Lionel Messi and Sachin Tendulkar are two geniuses on their own right, one reaching the peak of his prowess and another one riding into the twilight on a high note. In this article, I wish to elaborate on the headline and why Messi needs to emulate Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar to be a footballing great in the history of the game.<br />
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Messi emerged through the Barcelona Academy as a teenager who had immense potential. He has been one of the stars of Barcelona ever since he played for the Spanish club. After the departure of the impressive Ronaldinho, Messi has taken over the mantle and been impressive. He has broken a number of records at such a young age and has taken the world by storm.<br />
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The emergence of Messi is not too different from a boy from Mumbai who debuted for India as a baby-faced 16-year-old. Tendulkar was blessed with immense talent.From the moment he played for India, he has been touted as the next best player after the legendary Sir Donald Bradman. He started strongly in his early days and stood up to fearsome bowlers of oppositions like Waqar Younis and Curtly Ambrose.<br />
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Tendulkar and Messi have been blessed with talent that separates them from the rest. Of course, there are a number of people who might argue that Cristiano Ronaldo is better than the Argentine in some respects.<br />
But then again, for every Tendulkar, there is a Brian Charles Lara who was also immensely talented and it was inevitable that Tendulkar would be compared to Lara by most cricket supporters and the media.<br />
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<strong>Ronaldinho: The Fall of a Genius</strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVgDfLaydFUUN_EGHA34X1GioyMf7MJ3QU48vesPE_-wBUJXAbFNT1S8Jh4H68QQE9enB2SzAW-Ezlo8uQIhHuxtbA_Nm4-EOkn4vfrLjm_BuTGXhRIIURcQKLKuFRpI-Bw4JUnpcSwRA/s1600/Messi+Ronaldinho.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVgDfLaydFUUN_EGHA34X1GioyMf7MJ3QU48vesPE_-wBUJXAbFNT1S8Jh4H68QQE9enB2SzAW-Ezlo8uQIhHuxtbA_Nm4-EOkn4vfrLjm_BuTGXhRIIURcQKLKuFRpI-Bw4JUnpcSwRA/s320/Messi+Ronaldinho.jpg" width="320" /></a>Ronaldinho was a genius in his own right and is probably one of the most talented players ever in the history of football. The cheerful Brazilian could create things on his own and was impossible to stop when he got going. But Ronaldinho had a very short span of time when he dominated world football, and has not been the same since he won many individual awards with Barcelona, helping them to win various trophies before he left the Spanish giants in 2008.<br />
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The Brazilian playmaker was a fantastic player. He still has the creativity to make an impact on a game. But he has grossly underutilized his potential. He is not a footballing great because of his other activities, which had a drastic impact on his game. His love for the game did not last long enough, and that was the reason for his downfall.<br />
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<strong>Sachin Tendulkar: The Legend's Love and Respect for the Game</strong><br />
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I do not know how many of you are aware of Sachin Tendulkar's records. But in a nutshell, it would be difficult to find any statistical record<span>—</span>relating to batsmanship in cricket (barring T-20s)<span>—</span>which does not have the name Sachin Tendulkar inscribed at the top of the list.<br />
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Tendulkar emerged as one of the stalwarts of Cricket within few years of his senior debut. He had to shoulder the burden the expectations of one billion supporters on his young shoulders. He was criticised heavily for every bad performance. It was his displays which more or less decided the outcome of the game.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6OAKf4N8cNnV9-2Z1c_jMgaFmJmO9yHpHYPn9googAKxodZqcuUimXaESwR80lpNm2dm3VH12sazpjDKAJllWvYSG789fmyIyVfV1HKSfmtoc6qnNzDubelXxIwBtg-DRKbGcuCyqMO8/s1600/Sachin+Tendulkar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6OAKf4N8cNnV9-2Z1c_jMgaFmJmO9yHpHYPn9googAKxodZqcuUimXaESwR80lpNm2dm3VH12sazpjDKAJllWvYSG789fmyIyVfV1HKSfmtoc6qnNzDubelXxIwBtg-DRKbGcuCyqMO8/s320/Sachin+Tendulkar.jpg" width="320" /></a>It was not too dissimilar to the way Argentina depended on Messi's performances to clinch them the World Championship. Even though he was good, the entire team could not be successful because they did not have a good enough team and their manager's Diego Maradona's tactics was criticised.<br />
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But Tendulkar is as humble a sportsperson that you would ever come across. His love for the game never dwindled despite the unwarranted scrutiny and he waited for around 20 years before he finally lifted the World Championship in his hometown.<br />
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He has continued to perform to the maximum of his abilities and it was not surprising to see him break one record after another. He is currently 37 years old, but is one of the most consistent batsmen in the world. He admits that his love and respect for his country and the game drives him to be at his best every single time he takes the field.<br />
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He is a true model for every youngster who possesses remarkable potential in any field. It is often pointed out that Messi cannot be a leader in the side and that quality is not that of a great. Tendulkar was not a good captain by any standards, but it is universally accepted that he is one of the best players ever to have graced the planet.<br />
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<strong>Lionel Messi: Can He Become a Legend in the Future?</strong><br />
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Lionel Messi has shown he has the brilliance to be a footballing legend and follow the footsteps of Diego Maradona and Pele to etch his name alongside these greats. But, he must be confident and be passionate toward the game. The most important thing he should show is respect to the game even after some years down the lane, and that is the key to success for Lionel Messi.<br />
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Messi has also shown a lot of humility and he has retained his youthful exuberance ever since he made his professional debut. He must keep his feet on the ground and strive hard to achieve more success in the future years for both FC Barcelona and Argentina.<br />
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He has certainly shown that he has the talent and potential to be a legend forever. But he needs to take a leaf out of Tendulkar's book and maintain the love and passion toward football and look forward to enthralling football supporters all over the world with his incredible wizardry.</div>Vijay Muralihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09645092400676079119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2740526901510840552.post-60194469135927862712011-06-17T14:32:00.000-07:002011-06-17T14:32:40.399-07:00Arsenal Transfer Prospects: Analyzing the Pros and Cons of Signing Patrick Vieira<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOOxi35Vxvy-LmgPNvd_JZ-sY7Yr3aeuqnea0W1A_mKmBoWeMdnMDKXcBbylID6U3JPVnqwVRrn275WM6HTgvhp9YptAQcZ0iBgXJTRQ1EKqEg4eL8PX9fjwcApHty23CFAXkgszxWDLI/s1600/Vieira.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOOxi35Vxvy-LmgPNvd_JZ-sY7Yr3aeuqnea0W1A_mKmBoWeMdnMDKXcBbylID6U3JPVnqwVRrn275WM6HTgvhp9YptAQcZ0iBgXJTRQ1EKqEg4eL8PX9fjwcApHty23CFAXkgszxWDLI/s320/Vieira.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Arsenal have been linked with a number of players but are yet to announce any official signing barring 19-year old right back Carl Jenkinson from Charlton Athletic. However, it is expected that the Arsenal manager will make some changes in the squad and there will be some players who are expected to leave the club by the start of the next season.<br />
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The fixture list was announced on Friday and Arsenal are to face Newcastle(A), Liverpool(H) and Manchester United(A) in their first three Premiership fixtures of the 2011-12 season and also, they will have to play the Champions League qualifiers which could be tricky and further adds to the difficulties that the Gunners face in the opening month of the season.<br />
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Arsenal will need to start on a positive note because if they do not start well, they will be under severe criticism from a number of supporters and critics early in the season. This difficult start to the season has an advantage that Arsenal will, hopefully, have a fully fit squad for the start of the season and have been good in the first half of the season in the past.<br />
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However, these difficult fixtures in the month of August would mean that Arsene Wenger would have to make his moves early in the transfer market because it is important that the new players are accustomed to Arsenal's style of play and also, they have a good pre-season with their team mates. With this tough fixture list at the start of the season, it is probable that Wenger will try to finalize his dealings before the end of July.<br />
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The Gunners will need enough depth in order to challenge for different competitions in the season and will look to reinforce the squad which did do well until their spectacular collapse towards the end of the season. Though Arsenal are financially capable of spending good money on the market, they lack the financial strength of Manchester City or Chelsea and Arsene Wenger will probably look for value in the market and even look for free agents, who can be of good value.<br />
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The Premiership clubs have submitted their lists of players who will be free agents in the summer and one player in that category, who will interest a number of Arsenal supporters, is former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira. He was released by Manchester City, though they could offer him a new contract in the summer.<br />
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Vieira was predominantly used as a substitute in a team which had the likes of Gareth Barry, Nigel de Jong and Yaya Toure who are all capable of playing in defensive midfield. Arsenal had been <a _mce_href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1390891/Patrick-Vieira-line-surprise-Arsenal-return.html" href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1390891/Patrick-Vieira-line-surprise-Arsenal-return.html">linked</a> with the former France International in a coaching capacity and could be interested in acquiring the services of the midfielder either as a coach or as a player/coach who could give experience to the team.<br />
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In this article, the advantages and disadvantages of signing Patrick Vieira as a player/coach is discussed.<br />
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<strong>Advantages</strong><br />
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There was a certain amount of speculation regarding the immediate future of Pat Rice as assistant to Arsene Wenger but later, the French tactician confirmed that Rice will continue at the Emirates as his assistant for the 2011-12 season. Wenger and Rice share an excellent relationship and if Rice does retire, it will be important to bring in someone who will understand the club and also work positively with the manager.<br />
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Patrick Vieira has worked with Wenger in the past and shares a good rapport with the manager. He is currently 35 years old and could retire in the near future. The combative midfielder has played in a number of Cup games for City and also as a substitute in many league games as well. It is evident that he is clearly past his peak but he can do a decent job against lesser oppositions.<br />
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Arsenal do not have depth in the defensive midfield role with Alex Song virtually having no competition or replacement. However, the Cameroon International has developed at a good pace in the last few years and has established himself as a regular for the Gunners. However, playing a number of games without rotation seems to hurt him as he has had muscle injuries/strains in the last two seasons around the month of April.<br />
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The main problem which has been cited by most supporters is not the lack of talent or even the poor defending; it has been the fact that their mentality has been poor in many games and their desire to win and leadership was absent on the pitch. The Gunners have frittered away their leads in a number of games and need to bring in more experienced players, who can guide these young talented players.<br />
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Vieira is a natural leader and youngsters will look up to him for advice and he can create a positive atmosphere in the dressing room. Mario Balotelli, who has been criticised for a number of immature actons, has admitted that Vieira is one of the few players he listens to in Manchester City and the stature of the midfielder is certain to help youngsters cope with criticism and other comments.<br />
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Also, the Frenchman can be brought on for the last half hour of a game if the Gunners are in the lead because he can help them in keeping their cool and finishing the job. He is an experienced player, who has won trophies in the past and also, shares a good rapport with the fans, who will welcome him to the Emirates.<br />
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<strong>Disadvantages</strong><br />
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Though he is a free agent, the Gunners will most certainly not be able to match the sky-high wages he earned in Manchester City or compete in terms of wages if City offer him a new contract. Arsene Wenger is a manager who will spash the cash only if absolutely necessary and on the footballing side, it does not make sense to offer a six figure salary per week to a player who is nearing the end of his illustrious career.<br />
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If Wenger is convinced that Vieira still has some years left in him, then he is likely to offer a one year contract with modest wages in addition to decent wages as a member of the coaching staff, who can take over from Rice when he retires. The Frenchman could also be offered a role in coaching capacity by Manchester City under Roberto Mancini and it is probable that the wages they offer could far exceed that offered by the Gunners.<br />
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However, Vieira shares an excellent rapport with Wenger and Arsenal is the club where he enjoyed the best part of his career and also, won trophies with the club. As a player, it depends on how physically and mentally fit Vieira is because age is catching up with the member of the legendary "Invincible" team and Wenger will make a judgement as to whether he can still be of use in a bit part playing role for the Gunners.<br />
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Though most supporters would be glad to welcome Vieira back in a player-coach capacity, wages could be an issue and another one is the requirement of only 25 players in the squad including 8 homegrown players. If Nicklas Bendtner, Gael Clichy and Denilson leave the club, then it could mean that the Gunners might have to include some of their youngsters to meet the requirement.<br />
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Theo Walcott, Kieran Gibbs and Carlos Vela, who were named amongst the youngsters, would have to be named in the 25 man squad and space would have to be accomodated for the new transfers as well. This means that Patrick Vieira would be consuming an important place in the non-homegrown players in the list of 25 players.<br />
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The idealistic situation for Arsenal is to sign Vieira as a coaching staff for the Gunners and offer him a contract if there is a place in the 25 man squad. However, it is likely that Vieira will snub such an offer if he gets a player-coach deal at City or another good club. Arsene Wenger will know that there are few players in the world who could bring in leadership and instill strong mentality in the team like Patrick Vieira can do and could look to bring him to the Emirates to help Arsenal win trophies in the next season.<br />
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<strong><em>If interested, read Arsenal Transfer Prospects: Pros and Cons of signing <a _mce_href="http://arsenalinvincible.blogspot.com/2011/06/arsenal-transfer-prospects-analyzing_16.html" href="http://arsenalinvincible.blogspot.com/2011/06/arsenal-transfer-prospects-analyzing_16.html">Jermain Defoe</a>, <a href="http://arsenalinvincible.blogspot.com/2011/06/arsenal-transfer-prospects-analyzing_13.html">Peter Odemwingie</a>, <a href="http://arsenalinvincible.blogspot.com/2011/06/arsenal-transfer-prospects-analyzing_08.html">Jan Vertonghen</a>, <a href="http://arsenalinvincible.blogspot.com/2011/06/arsenal-transfer-prospects-analyzing.html">Radamel Falcao</a>, <a href="http://arsenalinvincible.blogspot.com/2011/05/arsenal-transfer-prospects-analyzing.html">Ricky Alvarez</a>, <a href="http://arsenalinvincible.blogspot.com/2011/06/arsenal-transfer-prospects-pros-and.html">Scott Parker</a> and <a href="http://arsenalinvincible.blogspot.com/2011/06/arsenal-transfer-prospects-analyzing_05.html">Gervinho</a> in this series of Arsenal Transfer Prospects</em><em> and also, </em><strong><em>you can follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/Vijay_Murali">Twitter</a></em></strong></strong><br />
</div>Vijay Muralihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09645092400676079119noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2740526901510840552.post-6004070621955240542011-06-16T13:03:00.000-07:002011-06-16T13:03:28.616-07:00Arsenal Transfer Prospects: Analyzing the Pros and Cons of Signing Jermain Defoe<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQPdSzp5QaFKBE9yO638JIxbXPeSrh3VFKgu45KBDuOhYS0w-OEetCyLFav-Q0i4mTkwLC7wD9R9SPs4ram19qSWyoAWrIT0dW50k5XWyqM2iyBY_59qZb3Z2O2fIan-TzTwOL7gQW1U/s1600/Jermain+Defoe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQPdSzp5QaFKBE9yO638JIxbXPeSrh3VFKgu45KBDuOhYS0w-OEetCyLFav-Q0i4mTkwLC7wD9R9SPs4ram19qSWyoAWrIT0dW50k5XWyqM2iyBY_59qZb3Z2O2fIan-TzTwOL7gQW1U/s320/Jermain+Defoe.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The Gunners have been linked with a number of players and though only young right back Carl Jenkinson has been confirmed as an Arsenal player, they are expected to sign more players in the next few weeks in order to build a team capable of challenging the best teams in the world. Arsene Wenger has confirmed that he will look to strengthen in every position if there are quality players available.<br />
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The manager will have to deal with some frustrated players who have not played much this season and some of them like Nicklas Bendtner have expressed the need to move on. If the Danish striker does move on, it is likely that Wenger will look for a striker because Carlos Vela has not yet been able to impress for the Gunners despite having obvious potential.<br />
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Gervinho has been linked with the Gunners and is a possible target for Arsene Wenger. However, he is more of a winger having good pace and movement and can run at defenders which can cause problems for the defenders. Though he can play as the centre forward, he is more of a winger and Wenger might have to sign a centre forward in the summer.<br />
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Robin van Persie is one of the best strikers in the game and is prolific if he can string a number of games together. He scored 18 goals in the Premiership last season despite opening his account only from January because he missed almost the entire first half of the season. If not for injuries, he will have certainly scored more for the Gunners.<br />
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However, he has missed a number of games due to injuries and there is every possibility that he could be injured for some games in the next season as well though Arsenal would have a great chance if he makes around 30-35 league starts in the next season. But Wenger cannot depend on his fitness next season and will need to have quality depth in that position.<br />
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Gunners have been linked with a few "marquee" signings in this position like Karim Benzema and Radamel Falcao. One of the most surprising transfer rumours regarding strikers is that Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe is targeted by Arsene Wenger according to the Mirror. This article is on the advantages and disadvantages of signing Defoe for Arsenal.<br />
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<strong>Advantages</strong><br />
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Defoe is a player who has a lot of pace and can create opportunities because of his movement and ability to run at defenders. The England International has proved that he can score regularly in the past though the 2010-11 season was certainly not one to remember for the striker. He is experienced in the Premiership which means he would not take time to adjust.<br />
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Though he has been inconsistent in the past, he is a striker who is capable of being prolific if provided with the right service and at Arsenal, he would easily be presented with a lot more opportunities than what he would get at Tottenham or any of his previous clubs. He has good technique and has excellent shooting ability.<br />
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The former West Ham striker has been inconsistent but has proven to be a good goalscorer at three different clubs. Though Arsenal's style of play is quite different to that of Tottenham, it is probable that he could have more chances to score goals. Also, he is quite direct in his style of play and will shoot if given an opportunity to do so, which is welcome for Arsenal where a number of players opt to pass inside the box instead of shooting.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikzcpPJsLfJoj8PqmEikm7jQ_IHWox-NTESuv9M-JDzU8v0JXVmsIw6srAZHva_myMoX03UWm2FVCtFL7Vtfu6b07yXUqkxLlqrHGdCHEuLbHHUQ6PXOedBpLyp1RibZQtn6Y3HbMP4Ug/s1600/Nicklas+Bendtner.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikzcpPJsLfJoj8PqmEikm7jQ_IHWox-NTESuv9M-JDzU8v0JXVmsIw6srAZHva_myMoX03UWm2FVCtFL7Vtfu6b07yXUqkxLlqrHGdCHEuLbHHUQ6PXOedBpLyp1RibZQtn6Y3HbMP4Ug/s320/Nicklas+Bendtner.jpg" width="320" /></a>If Bendtner does leave the club for around €11 million, then Arsenal might have to spend it on a new striker. Though Spurs will hate to sell to their arch-rivals, if Defoe does hand in a transfer request, they might rather sell than have an unhappy striker in their squad. For the Gunners, it will be difficult to sign a "marquee" signing like Karim Benzema or Gonzalo Higuain though Arsene Wenger is likely to give it a try.<br />
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If they cannot meet the valuation of such strikers in the market, it is possible that Wenger will sign a striker like Defoe who will provide decent value to the squad. However, Wenger should plan to invest on a number of quality players in this summer before the financial fair play regulations come into existence and also it is important that they win trophies in order to generate more revenue in the near future.<br />
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<strong>Disadvantages</strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADhrrRPekeIcg_aDVR0CxiSNBolKwHRLgFFJQ9cDxspV9oyxtaGSsRaGDHaCU6nUrkgMqN0471nRGPnHaTxHJ810vHTj4MCtM6TY0swZgD5IGSw52ndAUWbgwYwwf9Udsge6W8VHIXQM/s1600/Van+Persie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADhrrRPekeIcg_aDVR0CxiSNBolKwHRLgFFJQ9cDxspV9oyxtaGSsRaGDHaCU6nUrkgMqN0471nRGPnHaTxHJ810vHTj4MCtM6TY0swZgD5IGSw52ndAUWbgwYwwf9Udsge6W8VHIXQM/s320/Van+Persie.jpg" width="320" /></a>Any player who makes the switch from Tottenham to Arsenal or vice-versa is bound to draw a lot of attention and should he not perform well, it is highly likely that he will come under immense scrutiny. Defoe has not been in good form in this season and managed a paltry tally of four league goals in 22 appearances though he was injured for some parts of the season and was not a starter in a number of games.<br />
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However, it is clear that he is not in his best form and in all probability, there is no place in the starting eleven for Defoe if he signs for Arsenal. Robin van Persie was in sensational form towards the end of the season and scored 18 league goals despite missing a large chunk of the first half of the season. In the current 4-2-3-1 formation, Van Persie is the favourite to start as the lone striker and has an excellent goals per game ratio as well.<br />
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According to the Mirror, Gervinho is set to sign for the Gunners and if signed, he could be accommodated in a striker or a winger role in the starting eleven. If Wenger tinkers the formation and reverts back to the 4-4-2 system, it could mean that Theo Walcott, who has always preferred to play in the centre, might be provided the opportunity to play alongside Van Persie.<br />
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The Dutchman and the England International have an excellent understanding and have assisted in goals for both players. Walcott scored 13 goals and assisted 10 more and had his best season in his Arsenal career. He looks to be developing and despite many critics suggesting that he had no footballing brain, he has proved that he can be efficient in the Premiership and will be integral to the Gunners in the near future.<br />
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If Jermain Defoe does not get to start matches regularly, then he is bound to be disillusioned at the club which was the problem with Nicklas Bendtner as well. It is important to note that Wenger does want Bendtner to stay at the club but the Dane has been frustrated due to lack of opportunities. Defoe is not likely to displace Van Persie and also, does not prefer playing on the wings which means that he could struggle for playing time.<br />
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Also, in the current 4-2-3-1 formation, it is better to have a striker who is decent in the air. Though Van Persie is not excellent in the air, he has presence upfront which is important and employs a style which is suited to his team mates. Chamakh did not have problems with the formation due to his ability to interchange passes with midfielders and bring them into the game.<br />
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Defoe is a very different striker to both of them and could struggle as the lone striker because he has not got the presence upfront. He benefits from knockdowns but in Arsenal's style of play, there is hardly anyone who would actually win aerial balls barring Chamakh and it is highly unlikely that the duo will be played together in a 4-4-2 formation.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOOrNyN7TMS9JEmGrW7uurzXAsjTMNkeQaPtBRyqlsDU79JzsvAa50C3HJjona6VO11SGSw0ZjGl0xcVxXTo_5N0XXT0koaD9uniJ08eAT9tXve8MZd4jdHHKxaji0ZHiRxhxixopJlC8/s1600/Gonzalo+Higuain.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOOrNyN7TMS9JEmGrW7uurzXAsjTMNkeQaPtBRyqlsDU79JzsvAa50C3HJjona6VO11SGSw0ZjGl0xcVxXTo_5N0XXT0koaD9uniJ08eAT9tXve8MZd4jdHHKxaji0ZHiRxhxixopJlC8/s320/Gonzalo+Higuain.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Also, with Real Madrid linked to both Santos striker Neymar and Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero, there is every possibility that one amongst Gonzalo Higuain or Karim Benzema will leave the club. Arsenal will have a good opportunity to sign a striker of their quality because there are not many clubs in the world who can provide regular Champions League football who are on the lookout for a quality striker and signing any one of the two strikers would certainly show a lot of intent from the club.<br />
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It would be a gamble by Arsene Wenger if he does indeed bid for Defoe and chances are that Tottenham are not going to sell to their arch-rivals. However, there are not many clubs who can offer Defoe a chance of European football and also a chance to redeem himself at the highest level. However, with Walcott rapidly improving, it would seem that it is better option to gamble playing him in the centre than spending on Jermain Defoe and if signed, it would mean a lot of unnecessary pressure on the Arsenal manager and the player himself.<br />
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<b><em>If interested, read Arsenal Transfer Prospects: Pros and Cons of signing <a href="http://arsenalinvincible.blogspot.com/2011/06/arsenal-transfer-prospects-analyzing_13.html">Peter Odemwingie</a>, <a href="http://arsenalinvincible.blogspot.com/2011/06/arsenal-transfer-prospects-analyzing_08.html">Jan Vertonghen</a>, <a href="http://arsenalinvincible.blogspot.com/2011/06/arsenal-transfer-prospects-analyzing.html">Radamel Falcao</a>, <a href="http://arsenalinvincible.blogspot.com/2011/05/arsenal-transfer-prospects-analyzing.html">Ricky Alvarez</a>, <a href="http://arsenalinvincible.blogspot.com/2011/06/arsenal-transfer-prospects-pros-and.html">Scott Parker</a> and <a href="http://arsenalinvincible.blogspot.com/2011/06/arsenal-transfer-prospects-analyzing_05.html">Gervinho</a> in this series of Arsenal Transfer Prospects</em><em> and also, </em><strong><em>you can follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/Vijay_Murali">Twitter</a></em></strong></b><br />
<b><strong><em> <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/Vijay_Murali"> </a></em></strong></b><br />
</div>Vijay Muralihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09645092400676079119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2740526901510840552.post-73390259259130947542011-06-15T14:45:00.000-07:002011-06-16T11:49:02.100-07:00Arsenal Transfer News: 5 Reasons Why Arsene Wenger Should Retain Samir Nasri<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5YbsQkglL6YlvjNBnJaof-fknJHrS7iNGWK3TSs0s91b1YJt3d0mEMQ3OqunnhEMLQdpcIPjuSWwO8Qc1yH2XOf6PqKTBIeAEwh4nnKedCFQ7tfTPrajh4LhFl6dHRzh_BZWKpjSWyjg/s1600/Samir+Nasri.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5YbsQkglL6YlvjNBnJaof-fknJHrS7iNGWK3TSs0s91b1YJt3d0mEMQ3OqunnhEMLQdpcIPjuSWwO8Qc1yH2XOf6PqKTBIeAEwh4nnKedCFQ7tfTPrajh4LhFl6dHRzh_BZWKpjSWyjg/s320/Samir+Nasri.jpg" width="320" /></a>Arsene Wenger will be under immense pressure in the summer and by all reports, it is likely that this summer will be busy for the Gunners. There are a number of players who could leave the club while some sections of the media report that Arsenal are tracking a number of players in the summer. It is certain that the manager and his team are desperate to end this frustrating trophy drought and he will try to add quality players to the squad.<br />
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With Manchester United and Liverpool already active in the transfer market with the signings of Phil Jones and Jordan Henderson respectively, it is important that the Gunners strengthen in this summer. It is certain that Liverpool and Tottenham will try to break into the Champions League spots in the next season, which will make it more competitive next year.<br />
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Arsenal's manager should not only ensure that they keep their place in the top four but also challenge for the title and win trophies in the next season. It will be one of the most important seasons in Wenger's Arsenal career and being an intelligent man, he will understand and analyze where his team went wrong in the last season.<br />
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It is important to strengthen in the summer but it is even more important to retain the best players of the team for the next season. It is uncertain whether Samir Nasri, Gael Clichy and Cesc Fabregas will be in an Arsenal jersey next season because they are integral members of this young squad. Nasri, in particular, had an excellent season last year and can progress to reach further heights in the next season. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIP3c7ZCDJFeHE8w-wss1pL3H3bBw4n2L5JEEzRt4Z9u-Q2azYOrKu6nBVgdTHmUOwbsmUIClP91eqvQbp6938dplZwugY1LZvsHHuNsC31xKBq0JrmANlKM04Xu60ab8vx3j-JPviTyQ/s1600/Nasri.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div><br />
However, he has only one year on his contract and he has not renewed his deal due to a financial disagreement according to Wenger. He is certainly going to attract various clubs from Europe but his agent has made it clear that the contract negotiations have not stalled and that talks are still ongoing. Here is five reasons why Arsenal should give in to Nasri's demands in order to keep him at the Emirates.<br />
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<b>1. Uncertain Future of Cesc Fabregas</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJCWx1_KVYJMGpJ-GoLGkad-a1oiqKRlhielXRttcvxX1d7xmT3fSY6uFdad6uVSAK7OUlLehshhb3QG5qWXpUUaEmG-pdV022WIQbniexKX5MPnKUfCS1N1JcVbfWrymw0UoCzWZ3fQ/s1600/Cesc+Barca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJCWx1_KVYJMGpJ-GoLGkad-a1oiqKRlhielXRttcvxX1d7xmT3fSY6uFdad6uVSAK7OUlLehshhb3QG5qWXpUUaEmG-pdV022WIQbniexKX5MPnKUfCS1N1JcVbfWrymw0UoCzWZ3fQ/s320/Cesc+Barca.jpg" width="320" /></a>Though Fabregas is arguably the best player in the current Arsenal squad, he has always been linked with a move to Barcelona and has not quashed the possibility of moving in the near future. Fabregas has been frustrated by the lack of trophies during his time at Arsenal and Barcelona will try to sign their former youth player.<br />
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Samir Nasri is amongst the best talents at Arsenal and it will be a huge blow if he does leave the club. He has shown that he is immensely talented but he will have to be more consistent to be regarded as a world class player. However, if Arsenal does lose him, it could also result in some senior players like Fabregas being unhappy with the club because in the recent past, they have sold a large number of their best players.<br />
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Though Nasri staying does not guarantee Fabregas will stay, it ensures that the mood in the camp is optimistic and that the team has a better chance of winning trophies. Also, Nasri's role could be enhanced if Fabregas leaves the club because he is a player who can create goals from nothing. When Fabregas and Van Persie were injured for large parts of the first half of the season, it was the Frenchman who took on the responsibility of scoring goals and ensuring that the Gunners stayed in the title race till the duo returned to fitness.<br />
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<b>2. Versatility and Possible Replacement for Fabregas in the Future</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB5CCsAr0fvWYyijU35Sa8wu3mIkLcToF2hVa6HhvXooWUxf6Pr9t2BljkvgvCu0_coMnTCvNZsz6pMuGnHjcIuvwe0skweP5NKRTpUd02PY-LNXvBggGgUI9eKv7i1MPzYQmJQHmGv4c/s1600/Samir+Cesc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB5CCsAr0fvWYyijU35Sa8wu3mIkLcToF2hVa6HhvXooWUxf6Pr9t2BljkvgvCu0_coMnTCvNZsz6pMuGnHjcIuvwe0skweP5NKRTpUd02PY-LNXvBggGgUI9eKv7i1MPzYQmJQHmGv4c/s320/Samir+Cesc.jpg" width="320" /></a>Arsenal have had problems with injuries and it has been one of the reasons for Arsenal's six year long trophy drought. However, during the course of the season, every single team in the Premiership will encounter injuries but having quality depth in the side helps to cope with injuries. Versatile players do play an important role in the team because they can cover for another position as well if needed.<br />
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Arsenal's Samir Nasri is amongst the most versatile players at the club and can play on both wings, central midfielder and also as a central attacking midfielder. The current squad has Andrei Arshavin, Samir Nasri and Theo Walcott as wingers and all the three are quality players though Arshavin has come under some criticism despite possessing impressive statistics. Nasri can provide quality depth and could be integral to the squad next season.<br />
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If Fabregas does leave in the summer, Arsene Wenger could utilize Nasri as the attacking midfielder and ease Ramsey into the role with further appearances from the bench and in the cup ties. Arsenal have been linked with both Gervinho and Hazard and if the Gunners do sign one of the wingers, the manager can choose two wingers from the three.<br />
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<b>3. The Best of Nasri is Yet to Come</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEy7dGPqZqrAEBCKtVtfUIsnFvAsM2s7G-r20Jci2kEdK5Fq7awv-Kg5eQtTAux-GFFFZyx3mLXdbiS2CtWWvT_6CJrdQGEf-IoEVzt_H7YjgiqQ4qvNszmuK-ycq0a1j-13JyEtTRIU/s1600/Wenger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEy7dGPqZqrAEBCKtVtfUIsnFvAsM2s7G-r20Jci2kEdK5Fq7awv-Kg5eQtTAux-GFFFZyx3mLXdbiS2CtWWvT_6CJrdQGEf-IoEVzt_H7YjgiqQ4qvNszmuK-ycq0a1j-13JyEtTRIU/s320/Wenger.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">why Wenger would not want to lose Nasri</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Though many supporters feel that Nasri's demands could be unreasonable especially only after half a season of superb performances, it is undeniable that he is amongst the most talented youngsters in the world. At the age of 23, he is set to move to the next stage of his career and it is likely that he will continue to improve.<br />
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Also, Nasri has taken his time to adjust to the demands of the Premiership but now, looks accustomed to the pace and the physicality of the league and has had his best season for Arsenal since he joined in 2008. The tricky midfielder was rated as one of the brightest products in the French league at a young age and was touted to be the next "Zizou" by some sections of the media and supporters.<br />
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He has also established himself as a starter for the France National team and will look to improve to become a world class player. He has come a long way since he joined Arsenal and it is expected that he will only get better with experience.<br />
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<b>4. Ashley Young to be given £130k per week!</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-cqywcYXk-BdDSVNE8jwLRgQKOiRqBtFvYbnCB11Zsw5lvSXEWpAP2xHpN0OodLCZ71NvtZ_sw4S2i-Y3MXKLzmoGnFhbXiPY1jFmAjjy3PHZvqhfuZCZzZDaA1F_GBTV0JK5T8VNoM/s1600/Cesc+Nasri.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-cqywcYXk-BdDSVNE8jwLRgQKOiRqBtFvYbnCB11Zsw5lvSXEWpAP2xHpN0OodLCZ71NvtZ_sw4S2i-Y3MXKLzmoGnFhbXiPY1jFmAjjy3PHZvqhfuZCZzZDaA1F_GBTV0JK5T8VNoM/s320/Cesc+Nasri.jpg" width="320" /></a>According to the Mirror, Ashley Young will be paid a sum of £130k per week if he signs for Manchester United. However, at Arsenal, Cesc Fabregas, who is the highest paid player at the club, is reportedly paid 110k per week. However, Fabregas is arguably more talented and has proven himself to be a world class player. This is not about criticizing the wages earned by other club's footballers; it is about the inflated wages earned by modern day footballers.<br />
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Arsenal will soon having to increase the wages of their best players in order to keep them at the Emirates. Though fans expect their club's players to be loyal, it is difficult not to accept a huge pay-rise from a club which is just as ambitious as the current club. Some players are loyal to their clubs like Paul Scholes but there are many who will swap their clubs if they get more wages and a shot at winning trophies like Sol Campbell.<br />
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Nasri will demand higher wages to stay at the Emirates and also put pressure on the board and Arsene Wenger to sign players who can help them win trophies. The Board and Arsene Wenger (if he is involved) should take responsibility in allowing this sort of a situation to happen with two of the most important players for Arsenal (Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri). It is time that Arsenal cut down the wages on some of their less important players, sell youngsters who are not going to make it at Arsenal and increase the wages of their best players.<br />
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<b>5. Losing Promising Players Will Not Help the Club Move Forward</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIP3c7ZCDJFeHE8w-wss1pL3H3bBw4n2L5JEEzRt4Z9u-Q2azYOrKu6nBVgdTHmUOwbsmUIClP91eqvQbp6938dplZwugY1LZvsHHuNsC31xKBq0JrmANlKM04Xu60ab8vx3j-JPviTyQ/s1600/Nasri.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIP3c7ZCDJFeHE8w-wss1pL3H3bBw4n2L5JEEzRt4Z9u-Q2azYOrKu6nBVgdTHmUOwbsmUIClP91eqvQbp6938dplZwugY1LZvsHHuNsC31xKBq0JrmANlKM04Xu60ab8vx3j-JPviTyQ/s320/Nasri.jpg" width="320" /></a>Arsenal are in the midst of a frustrating trophy drought and it is certainly important to retain the best players at the club. The Gunners are uncertain about the futures of Gael Clichy<b>, </b>Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas who are very important for the club and also, Ivan Gazidis confirmed that there will be a "turnover" of the squad in the summer at the Q&A session. <br />
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The Gunners could not win the title last season and it is important that they build on the positives of the season but if they lose Samir Nasri due to wrangling over contract issues, it will mean that they would have to sign his replacement and it is likely that any possible replacement would take time to adjust at the club.<br />
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With the fans frustrated by the lack of trophies, it is important that they win trophies in the next season and losing their best players is not going to help them. Nasri is certainly one of the players who is important to Arsenal in the long term and is one of the few world class talents at the Emirates. Though his demands might seem unreasonable to some, it is important for the club to retain him in order to win trophies because if they do not win trophies, they will have to encounter the exodus of several other players as well. </div>Vijay Muralihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09645092400676079119noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2740526901510840552.post-38395571070235815602011-06-13T11:00:00.000-07:002011-06-13T11:00:27.493-07:00Arsenal Transfer Prospects: Analyzing the Pros and Cons of Signing Peter Odemwingie<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHq8H3RLtBy6xjzgsrCwSS4kfwqTAk1Vc10kKjTdWNNDPr-70A79gvLbbrLAfQQQTxP1frDs7-59bdVzo3ZtbGHOs-RXEDl6CQ7J24xT7RUSlkH10epWas6EVCVf5EzUhdIdK_u9cEMv0/s1600/Odemwingie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHq8H3RLtBy6xjzgsrCwSS4kfwqTAk1Vc10kKjTdWNNDPr-70A79gvLbbrLAfQQQTxP1frDs7-59bdVzo3ZtbGHOs-RXEDl6CQ7J24xT7RUSlkH10epWas6EVCVf5EzUhdIdK_u9cEMv0/s320/Odemwingie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Arsenal's Chief Executive Ivan Gazidis will be attending the Q&A session today and will face some hard questions regarding the direction in which the club is progressing after enduring six long years of trophy drought. He is going to have a busy summer and will try to finalize deals for some transfer targets along with persuading some key players like Robin van Persie, Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri to sign new improved contracts to commit their futures to Arsenal.<br />
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With a number of players set to leave the club, it is important that the Gunners can retain their best players. According to the Mirror, it is likely that Samir Nasri will stay at Arsenal while Cesc Fabregas could possibly depart the Emirates. The contract negotiations between Nasri and the club is still ongoing and the Daily Mail reports that Stan Kroenke will open his cheque book to keep Nasri at the Emirates.<br />
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There could be a number of players leaving the club and some players like Nicklas Bendtner and Denilson have confirmed that they are looking for a move away from the Emirates. Arsene Wenger is certain to be active on the transfer market this season and will be looking for quality players in this window. However, it is not going to be easy to compete with the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea and many other clubs.<br />
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Arsenal have been linked with a number of players and could target various positions as well in the summer. If Cesc Fabregas does leave in the summer, the Gunners will have to negotiate for a good deal to bring in quality players. According to the Swiss Rambler, a respectable football finance blogger, Arsenal should have a healthy transfer budget which can be used to spend on players and also, the board is likely to grant the money obtained from player sales to the budget.<br />
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The Gunners will look to spend money on quality players in the market but Wenger is also likely to look for players who can add quality depth at a bargain. One of the players who suits the bill in that respect in West Brom's Peter Odemwingie who joined the Baggies in 2010 and scored 15 goals in the season. The striker, who will be 30 before the first game of the season, will not cost too much but is proven in the Premiership and has been linked with the Gunners. In this article, the advantages and disadvantages of signing Peter Odemwingie is discussed.<br />
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<b>Advantages</b><br />
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Odemwingie was not very well known in England until he joined West Brom but his performances in the 2010-11 season proved that he can be consistent in the Premiership and also, his signing was regarded to be pivotal in the Baggies retaining their top flight status after promotion from the Championship in 2009-10 season. He was signed for an extremely low fee and though they are in the process of contract negotiations, the Nigerian International would prefer to ply his trade in a club playing in the Champions League at this stage in his career.<br />
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Though West Brom will not sell him at a cheap price, the player's age and his desire could be important in bringing down their valuation of the striker. Odemwingie is not a world class striker like Karim Benzema or Fernando Torres, but he can certainly provide good depth to the team. Also, he is a very hardworking striker and will link up well with midfielders.<br />
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He can also drift wide and pull defenders out of position and though he has not been very prolific throughout his career, he was amongst the top goalscorers in the Premiership this season and proved he can score vital goals. He is also comfortable playing as a winger but is likely to favour playing in the centre.<br />
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With Bendtner likely to leave and Vela's uncertainty over his Arsenal future, Odemwingie could provide good depth in the squad and having played in the Premiership for a team that passes well, he will not take time to adjust and can fit into Arsenal's style of play with minimum difficulty especially if he can participate in pre-season. Though his signing is not likely to excite supporters, it is signings like these that could make the difference in the end.<br />
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Odemwingie possesses good technique, strength on the ball, movement and can use both his feet for shooting. The West Brom striker could be an interesting addition to the squad and can fill in when players are injured. Though his signing could be viewed as a step backward by some supporters and critics, his experience could be vital for Arsenal.<br />
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<b>Disadvantages</b><br />
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Many supporters want to see the Gunners sign a world class striker in this year's transfer window because Van Persie has a tendency to be injured at some point in the season. Also, the Nigerian International has not been prolific throughout his career and though he enjoyed an excellent season at the Hawthorns, he might not get much playing time.<br />
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Also, he plays for Nigeria which means that if they do qualify for the African Cup of Nations, then it would mean that Marouane Chamakh and Odemwingie could both miss a lot of games in January and February. Also, he will be 30 by the time he plays in the next season which means that he can only be a stop-gap replacement.<br />
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Another fact to consider is that playing for Arsenal as a central striker would mean that he would have to work with tight marking and lesser space when compared when he is playing for West Brom because every Premiership team believe that they can defeat the Baggies if they play to their potential. But that is not the case when teams take on Arsenal as some teams try to remain as compact as possible and even play for a draw.<br />
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Arsenal have endured a six year long trophy drought and Wenger has confirmed that this is the year where there will be a lot of transfer activity especially because financial fair play regulations will apply from the next year. Hence, if there is a time to spend, it is this year and fans will be happy if the Frenchman signs a world class striker who can be the future of the club like Karim Benzema. <br />
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It will be a tricky summer for Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and he will have to make the right signings to put things right for the Gunners. They will have to work within their limited means and their priority must be on improving the defence. In attack, they might need a winger and a striker and also a central midfielder if their talismanic captain leaves the club.<br />
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Though signing someone like Odemwingie will not be a sensational swoop for Arsenal, the Gunners will also need to sign some players on a bargain to improve the overall quality of the squad and to cope with injuries which have hampered the Gunners in the past.<br />
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<b><i>If interested, read Arsenal Transfer Prospects: Pros and Cons of signing <a href="http://arsenalinvincible.blogspot.com/2011/06/arsenal-transfer-prospects-analyzing_08.html">Jan Vertonghen</a>, <a href="http://arsenalinvincible.blogspot.com/2011/06/arsenal-transfer-prospects-analyzing.html">Falcao</a>, <a href="http://arsenalinvincible.blogspot.com/2011/05/arsenal-transfer-prospects-analyzing.html">Ricky Alvarez</a>, <a href="http://arsenalinvincible.blogspot.com/2011/06/arsenal-transfer-prospects-pros-and.html">Scott Parker</a> and <a href="http://arsenalinvincible.blogspot.com/2011/06/arsenal-transfer-prospects-analyzing_05.html">Gervinho</a> in this series of Arsenal Transfer Prospects</i><i> </i><b><i><b> </b></i></b></b><br />
<b><i><a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/Vijay_Murali"><br />
</a></i></b></div>Vijay Muralihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09645092400676079119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2740526901510840552.post-7359930031195155842011-06-12T16:12:00.000-07:002011-06-12T16:12:37.446-07:00Arsenal Transfers: To Sell Cesc Fabregas or Not to Sell Him, That Is the Question<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhZPK2a9c8WGh1N3UKkHgEU7ceD-akT-ZZSXgTu2chrU1EWB_PX-R6EsmxCKto4Ch3sCvhADakbw2-meu8W_nbXgVY5zTl5lJa48eBIklupAma4ryfoH5vwtNfqfFV68c4a0eqKHKBHc/s1600/Cesc+farewell.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhZPK2a9c8WGh1N3UKkHgEU7ceD-akT-ZZSXgTu2chrU1EWB_PX-R6EsmxCKto4Ch3sCvhADakbw2-meu8W_nbXgVY5zTl5lJa48eBIklupAma4ryfoH5vwtNfqfFV68c4a0eqKHKBHc/s320/Cesc+farewell.jpg" width="320" /></a>There are still around 80 days of transfer madness left in this summer but some Arsenal fans are already negative regarding the transfers for the Gunners in the summer. It is understandable that most fans are frustrated with this six year long trophy drought but if ever Arsene Wenger deserves the trust of the fans, it is at this time of the summer where supporters should place their faith in the long serving Arsenal manager.<br />
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"In Arsene, We Trust" has been one of the most frequently used quotes by Arsenal fans in the last decade but many have been disillusioned by the frugal policies of the Frenchman and a section of fans do not want Wenger as the manager for Arsenal. This summer could be crucial for both Wenger and his young team because if they do fail to win anything next season, the backlash could cause some serious problems for the Arsenal board, Arsene Wenger and the current squad.<br />
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In this current scenario, it is important that the under-pressure manager can retain the services of his best players. Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy have only one year left on their current deals and Wenger has said that he will not allow the players to run down their contracts like Mathieu Flamini did when he was at Arsenal. In that case, the Gunners potentially face the realistic scenario of selling the two players at a bargain due to their contracts running out.<br />
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Wenger is probably one of the most experienced managers in the world and will need all of that in dealing with the current situation this summer. In addition to this, it is no surprise that Barcelona are once again linked with club captain Cesc Fabregas who stayed at the Emirates last season despite a lot of interest from Barcelona.<br />
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Fabregas has said in the past that he would like to play for Barcelona someday and his friends Gerard Pique and David Villa have been reported to welcome the arrival of the Arsenal captain. With Nasri and Clichy not yet committing to the Gunners, it is likely that the departure of Fabregas will not help them being motivated about Arsenal's prospects in the 2011-12 season.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTKZj8WUjjFfsNx8U8gSgT1rokIB0tl6iDFG4rcyCGEm0ie_QhZgqEk1PhvzbMaXaVmfjqkGQdcqX68fYAmysbjyv5qB7L6CL2CRGq57L0T7tPRiYlqVjbKv3sgnj8BUWuMquHZLHOLo/s1600/Cesc+Barca.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTKZj8WUjjFfsNx8U8gSgT1rokIB0tl6iDFG4rcyCGEm0ie_QhZgqEk1PhvzbMaXaVmfjqkGQdcqX68fYAmysbjyv5qB7L6CL2CRGq57L0T7tPRiYlqVjbKv3sgnj8BUWuMquHZLHOLo/s320/Cesc+Barca.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barca-Bound?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Though Fabregas has missed a number of games in the last two seasons due to injuries, he is the most creative player for the Gunners and one of the few world class players in the squad. He is the most important player on the pitch whenever he plays for Arsenal because he sets the tempo of the play and also is more or less bound to create chances even when he is not at his best.<br />
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Many supporters feel that Fabregas is going to suffer from his recurring hamstring injuries in the future and that this is the summer where Arsenal can cash in on the Spaniard. Though he has suffered a lot of injuries in the last two seasons, one would have to remember that Wenger is also at blame for this situation regarding Fabregas. The Spaniard has played when not fully fit and some blame must be attached to the manager and his medical team for giving him the green signal to play.<br />
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Also, the Spanish midfielder has not had a summer off for the last three seasons and having played a lot for Arsenal over the past few season, it is possible that this could be a primary reason for his injuries. Most of his injuries in the past year or so have been muscular injuries which could happen because of not having had enough rest for his body.<br />
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The emergence of Jack Wilshere has taken some pressure off the captain and helped Fabregas move deeper to avoid being marked out of the game and Wilshere has the ability to become one of the world's best midfielders in the near future. However, the young England International looks suited to the deeper role alongside Song than playing in the attacking midfield role.<br />
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Aaron Ramsey has recovered completely from his horrific injury and he was originally touted to be the long term Fabregas replacement for Arsenal. Though he is a different player to Fabregas in the sense that he distributes play faster and also his movement off the ball is considerable, he has shown in many games that with time, he can be effective in the advanced midfield role.<br />
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However, with the Welsh International only making a handful number of starts for the Gunners this season, it could prove to be a huge gamble if Cesc Fabregas was to go. It is almost impossible to find a proper replacement for the Arsenal captain and many of them could be beyond the reach of the Gunners due to wages or transfer fees.<br />
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Wenger will be faced with a tricky problem regarding Cesc Fabregas, a problem for which none can find an answer that satisfies all Arsenal fans. However, the Arsenal manager would have to deal with it in such a way that they have a realistic possibility to win trophies next season which is probably the only way to quell their frustration.<br />
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Barcelona have to meet Arsenal's valuation of the player, which is likely to be on the higher side in this inflated transfer market. According to the Mirror, they could offer one of their youth players, Thiago Alcantara along with cash in order to sign Fabregas but Wenger will weigh the pros and cons of any possible deal and will only enter negotiations if the player makes it clear that he would want to move to the Spanish club.<br />
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Selling Cesc Fabregas would undoubtedly impact the team in a huge way but making intelligent signings to deal with the departure is the way ahead if Fabregas is to leave for Barcelona. Arsenal will be armed with cash to buy some excellent players should the deal happen and Wenger could alter the formation to a 4-4-1-1 if Fabregas does leave.<br />
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However, selling both Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri in the same summer is something which Arsene Wenger would not like to do. It is more likely that he will offer the Frenchman an improved contract if Fabregas does indeed leave for Barcelona because it will be very difficult to replace two quality players in a team in one summer. Though Nasri has incurred the wrath of some Arsenal fans over his contract negotiations, it is undenaible that he is someone who has the quality to make a difference and Wenger will not like to see him leave.<br />
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If Fabregas leaves, then Wenger could make a move for a big name signing like Karim Benzema whose future could be in question should Real Madrid sign Sergio Aguero. Wenger has said that a deal is not impossible for Benzema and signing someone of his calibre will provide a much needed boost for Arsenal. However, Wenger will probably make some defensive signings as well in this summer considering that it has been their achilles' heel in the last few seasons.<br />
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Fabregas has been frustrated by the lack of trophies at Arsenal and could be interested in a move to his hometown club. Also, Wenger will understand that keeping a player against his wishes, especially if the player is the captain of the team, could backfire and result in negative vibrations in the dressing room.<br />
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If Fabregas has his heart set on a move to Barcelona, Wenger should allow the move to happen but negotiate smartly in order to utilize the best possible deal from the Catalan giants. It is preferable that Wenger does not sign any youth players of the Barcelona team including talented youngsters like Thiago Alcantara and Bojan Krkic because the Gunners need established players in their squad and already have many talented players in the squad.<br />
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Arsenal will look for a cash only deal as it will allow them to spend on established players as opposed to signing someone like Bojan for whom it could be difficult to adjust to the physicality of the league. With Sergio Aguero's situation not yet clear, there is still a possibility that he will join Real Madrid and in that case, it is likely that Benzema could move if there is a good offer on the table for him.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdiCd6zmD10b5lGMIzoJCncvMnUaxKZeHa1CuoIz9YQy1F5xx82CRsLtFFe9Xbro1OqOvHVpMgdJJC9tm6ZKVjMZvMNX2_FbseldA3vMSEDbeU_Z0iVNs77kV1ap4lZKHEb8eYvYNHlzs/s1600/Wenger+Fabregas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdiCd6zmD10b5lGMIzoJCncvMnUaxKZeHa1CuoIz9YQy1F5xx82CRsLtFFe9Xbro1OqOvHVpMgdJJC9tm6ZKVjMZvMNX2_FbseldA3vMSEDbeU_Z0iVNs77kV1ap4lZKHEb8eYvYNHlzs/s320/Wenger+Fabregas.jpg" width="320" /></a>Though the Gunners' are amongst the elite clubs in the world, they do not have the spending power of Chelsea, Manchester United or Manchester City, which is why it is important that they make the right deals. Arsene Wenger will try to do what Liverpool did with Fernando Torres in January and look to strengthen with a couple of important signings. With the financial fair play regulations implemented from the next year, this could be the summer which is crucial for the Gunners.<br />
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Cesc Fabregas' future remains uncertain but it is more likely to depend on his decision on whether to stay at the club. He is still hugely respected by Arsenal fans and should he move to Barcelona, it must be done quickly in order for Arsenal to have time to sign their targets.<br />
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<b><em>If interested, read Arsenal Transfer Prospects: Pros and Cons of signing <a href="http://arsenalinvincible.blogspot.com/2011/06/arsenal-transfer-prospects-analyzing_08.html">Jan Vertonghen</a>, <a href="http://arsenalinvincible.blogspot.com/2011/06/arsenal-transfer-prospects-analyzing.html">Falcao</a>, <a href="http://arsenalinvincible.blogspot.com/2011/05/arsenal-transfer-prospects-analyzing.html">Ricky Alvarez</a>, <a href="http://arsenalinvincible.blogspot.com/2011/06/arsenal-transfer-prospects-pros-and.html">Scott Parker</a> and <a href="http://arsenalinvincible.blogspot.com/2011/06/arsenal-transfer-prospects-analyzing_05.html">Gervinho</a> in this series of Arsenal Transfer Prospects</em><em> </em></b><strong><em><strong><b> </b></strong></em></strong><br />
</div>Vijay Muralihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09645092400676079119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2740526901510840552.post-20495195210099080012011-06-09T12:56:00.000-07:002011-06-09T13:52:53.393-07:00Arsenal Transfer Opinions: Why Cesc Fabregas' Future Holds the Key to Arsene Wenger's Summer<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTKZj8WUjjFfsNx8U8gSgT1rokIB0tl6iDFG4rcyCGEm0ie_QhZgqEk1PhvzbMaXaVmfjqkGQdcqX68fYAmysbjyv5qB7L6CL2CRGq57L0T7tPRiYlqVjbKv3sgnj8BUWuMquHZLHOLo/s1600/Cesc+Barca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTKZj8WUjjFfsNx8U8gSgT1rokIB0tl6iDFG4rcyCGEm0ie_QhZgqEk1PhvzbMaXaVmfjqkGQdcqX68fYAmysbjyv5qB7L6CL2CRGq57L0T7tPRiYlqVjbKv3sgnj8BUWuMquHZLHOLo/s320/Cesc+Barca.jpg" width="320" /></a>Arsenal FC endured a horrendous run towards the end of the season which increased frustration amongst the Gunners' supporters who want the Arsenal manager to spend the money to bring in established players. Arsene Wenger has been notorious for his frugality and some of his recent signings have not gone too well with the fans who are desperate for the Gunners to win trophies soon.<br />
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Wenger has probably never had a more tricky summer in his tenure at Arsenal with immense pressure on him to make the right signings for the Gunners and also fight to keep his best players at the club. It is no surprise that Cesc Fabregas has been linked with a move to Barcelona in this summer and there is every possibility it could drag on in the summer.<br />
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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is likely to be active in the market and was interested in signing youngster Phil Jones before the defender reportedly opted to move to Manchester United. The French tactician has also had to deal with a number of players ready to exit in this summer and has to convince his best players to stay at the club.<br />
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There is still some uncertainty regarding Samir Nasri's contract negotiations and he has not ruled out the prospect of joining Manchester United. Though the French midfielder did not have a good second half of the season, he was superb in the first half and is one of the most important players in the current squad. Also, if Nasri does leave the club, then the club will have to bring in a quality replacement.<br />
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With clubs below and above Arsenal in the Premiership looking to strengthen in this summer, Arsene Wenger will understand his team's needs and try his best to bring in quality players. However, Arsenal do not have the financial power of Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United or for that matter, Liverpool but Wenger is a shrewd negotiator and manager and will look to spend within his transfer budget.<br />
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Arsenal's transfer chest is not compared to that of Chelsea or City but according to the <a href="http://swissramble.blogspot.com/2011/05/arsenals-transfer-budget.html">Swiss Rambler</a>, a respected football finance blogger, it could be predicted to be more than 40 million for sure. In this inflated transfer market, 40 million will not be able to bring more than two quality players but a number of fringe players like Nicklas Bendtner and Denilson could be on their way and their transfer fees will also be added to the budget.<br />
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This is the reason why sorting the future of Cesc Fabregas is a priority for Arsenal because only then will Arsene Wenger be able to understand the needs of the team for the summer. Let us take the two scenarios which is possible in the case of Fabregas.<br />
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<b>If Fabregas Departs for Barcelona, What should Wenger do in the Summer?</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-cqywcYXk-BdDSVNE8jwLRgQKOiRqBtFvYbnCB11Zsw5lvSXEWpAP2xHpN0OodLCZ71NvtZ_sw4S2i-Y3MXKLzmoGnFhbXiPY1jFmAjjy3PHZvqhfuZCZzZDaA1F_GBTV0JK5T8VNoM/s1600/Cesc+Nasri.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-cqywcYXk-BdDSVNE8jwLRgQKOiRqBtFvYbnCB11Zsw5lvSXEWpAP2xHpN0OodLCZ71NvtZ_sw4S2i-Y3MXKLzmoGnFhbXiPY1jFmAjjy3PHZvqhfuZCZzZDaA1F_GBTV0JK5T8VNoM/s320/Cesc+Nasri.jpg" width="320" /></a>Though Arsenal fans would like their captain to stay at Arsenal, they will not rule out the possibility of Cesc Fabregas joining his boyhood club in the summer. However, though Fabregas could be allowed to move on by Wenger, it is likely that Barcelona would have to meet Arsenal's valuation of their captain. Though it is difficult to predict the sum of money, if Jordan Henderson is reportedly worth around 20 million, then you can imagine Arsenal's valuation.<br />
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It is possible that Barcelona could be interested in a player plus cash deal for Fabregas and could offer one of their talented youngsters to the club. Wenger will have a lot of cash to build his team if Cesc does depart in the summer. But quality players are generally snapped up early in the transfer window which is why it is important for the Gunners to finalize the future of Fabregas in the next few weeks.<br />
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If Nasri does sign a new deal at the Emirates, then there is every possibility that he could be shifted to the central attacking midfield role which he prefers to a wide role. The Frenchman is undoubtedly talented and could replace Fabregas though it will mean that Jack Wilshere will be responsible for the distribution and controlling the tempo of the game.<br />
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There is also the possibility of Arsenal signing a new midfielder who can fit in with Arsenal's style of play and Nasri can continue on the wings with either Aaron Ramsey or the new midfielder operating in the hole behind striker Robin van Persie. But if Fabregas does leave the club, what is certain is that the money has to be invested into the squad.<br />
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Another option for Arsene Wenger is to invest the money from Fabregas' sale to sign a new striker like Benzema and Van Persie can operate behind the striker with Nasri and Walcott as wingers in the formation. This could result in change in formation back to a 4-4-1-1 but it depends on Arsene Wenger's decision on how he wants to utilize the two strikers.<br />
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If Nasri does not stay, then it is the worst case in which both Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri depart Arsenal. In this scenario, Arsene Wenger will most certainly have to spend the money to acquire a central attacking midfielder, preferably someone who can also play on the wings to provide depth. He could sign a winger or a versatile striker who could play on the wing which will be excellent for Arsenal.<br />
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<b>If Cesc Fabregas does stay at Arsenal for the 2011-12 season, then What are the Options?</b><br />
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If the Arsenal captain stays at the club, then it will be pretty straightforward as to what the manager should do in the summer. It will come down to Samir Nasri's decision as to what the Wenger will do in the transfer market. There is a good probability that Nicklas Bendtner will leave the club in the summer and Wenger would have to sign a striker to add depth to the squad.<br />
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If Nasri stays, then signing a striker should be the only priority as Arsenal do have a number of attack minded players who can fit in when necessary. Nasri, Arshavin and Walcott will be the wingers while a versatile striker preferably can be added to the squad. Fabregas, Ramsey and Wilshere can play in the attacking midfield role where there is no need for a new player to be signed.<br />
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If the French midfielder does leave the club, then Arsene Wenger would have to sign a new winger because Arshavin and Walcott will be the only two wingers apart from Rosicky who has not been very effective since recovering from his long term injury. Arsenal will require a quality winger who can fit in straight in the first team and can provide a lot of quality to the team.<br />
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<b>Why is an Early Decision on the Future of Fabregas is Important for Arsenal?</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QLqGCmJp8NiNEGTcppQqlBEjgYWFJIEhbG58CDht6H_jN5pwYGcdAkF7s5PLa1hvAx6bnnx43VVjHp1-sokUicYhCEvODKToQafZLa_CctBu9OneI4PcbOncxjYSZShQ-YcmVo95lJQ/s1600/Eden+Hazard.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QLqGCmJp8NiNEGTcppQqlBEjgYWFJIEhbG58CDht6H_jN5pwYGcdAkF7s5PLa1hvAx6bnnx43VVjHp1-sokUicYhCEvODKToQafZLa_CctBu9OneI4PcbOncxjYSZShQ-YcmVo95lJQ/s320/Eden+Hazard.jpg" width="320" /></a>An early decision on Fabregas is absolutely essential for Wenger to decide on the type of players that he has to target for Arsenal. if he is staying with the club, then he can concentrate on the Nasri situation and can be certain on what positions he has to target in the summer. If he does not stay at the club or the club is ready to accept a bid from Barcelona, then they will have to move in to do their best with the contract situation of Samir Nasri and could possibly move him to centre midfield.<br />
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But either way, it makes perfect sense for Arsenal to bid for a talented winger like Eden Hazard who has been linked with the Gunners in the past. Though Tomas Rosicky has not been at his best, it is better for the Arsenal manager to retain his services because he can provide a lot of experience and can provide depth to the team.<br />
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If Cesc Fabregas' future is not resolved by the end of June, it could mean that a number of players could be signed only after pre-season starts for Arsenal and that is not ideal for the Gunners. In the pre-season, it is important that the players adjust to the new signings' style of play and it could help the player to build a good rapport with his team mates as well.<br />
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Arsene Wenger needs to get his deals sorted out before the start of the Champions League qualifier which could turn out to be a tricky fixture. If the Fabregas saga is allowed to drag on till that point, it is possible that it could affect the planning for the next season which could be the most important one yet in Arsene Wenger's long tenure at the club.<br />
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<b><i>If interested, read Arsenal Transfer Prospects: Pros and Cons of signing <a href="http://arsenalinvincible.blogspot.com/2011/06/arsenal-transfer-prospects-analyzing_08.html">Jan Vertonghen</a>, <a href="http://arsenalinvincible.blogspot.com/2011/06/arsenal-transfer-prospects-analyzing.html">Falcao</a>, <a href="http://arsenalinvincible.blogspot.com/2011/05/arsenal-transfer-prospects-analyzing.html">Ricky Alvarez</a>, <a href="http://arsenalinvincible.blogspot.com/2011/06/arsenal-transfer-prospects-pros-and.html">Scott Parker</a> and <a href="http://arsenalinvincible.blogspot.com/2011/06/arsenal-transfer-prospects-analyzing_05.html">Gervinho</a> in this series of Arsenal Transfer Prospects</i><i> </i></b><b><i><b> </b></i></b><br />
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</b></div>Vijay Muralihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09645092400676079119noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2740526901510840552.post-21788514165460273072011-06-08T15:33:00.000-07:002011-06-08T15:35:47.915-07:00Arsenal Transfer Prospects: Analyzing the Pros and Cons of Signing Jan Vertonghen<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6A3bgTcTEc5_qiwe8jGG9Nxbl2wR5blFsIiJAJLE5rY37x_sgp1UGJHZcLmt6lfnCnBH_3ay4RFbqbdrcJ1_NXMT1Pj0uS_BywABUn_4ZLgtp2DvMSUk2NbcAXjZnHg9X8Jtr4Up2x-c/s1600/Vertonghen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6A3bgTcTEc5_qiwe8jGG9Nxbl2wR5blFsIiJAJLE5rY37x_sgp1UGJHZcLmt6lfnCnBH_3ay4RFbqbdrcJ1_NXMT1Pj0uS_BywABUn_4ZLgtp2DvMSUk2NbcAXjZnHg9X8Jtr4Up2x-c/s320/Vertonghen.jpg" width="320" /></a>Arsenal have officially confirmed the transfer of Carl Jenkinson from Charlton and the youngster has been signed very much for the future. However, Arsenal fans are frustrated by Wenger's frugal transfer policies in addition to enduring a six year trophy drought and are desperate for the manager to show intent in the transfer market. With a number of players linked with an exit from Arsenal including the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, the Arsenal manager will look to bring in some quality to challenge for the title.<br />
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The Gunners struggled in defence in the 2010-11 season with set-pieces in particular being the major problem. Wenger has admitted his side's weaknesses in this regard and will look to bring in more height to the team which has a lot of short skilled players as opposed to the previous generation at Arsenal where there were more taller and stronger players.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/z9v9bb2aXC4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe>In the 2010-11 season, Arsenal's best centre back Thomas Vermaelen only played in five games out of 38 league games with the last two games after the season had effectively been over. Though Laurent Koscielny and Johan Djourou have shown potential for the future, the Gunners would like to have an established centre back to provide solidity to the Gunners' defence.<br />
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With Manchester United close to signing talented prospect Phil Jones and Liverpool on the verge of concluding the deal for Jordan Henderson, it means more pressure for the Gunners' manager Arsene Wenger to strengthen his squad in the summer. The primary concern for the Arsenal manager would be on how to strengthen their defence next year because they have conceded much more than their rivals.<br />
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Arsenal have been linked with many defenders in this summer and they had also been linked with moves for many others last summer to fill gaps vacated by William Gallas and Sol Campbell. One of the defenders who have been linked with a move to Arsenal in the past is Ajax and Belgian Centre Back Jan Vertonghen, who has also been linked with a move to Manchester City. This article is about the advantages and disadvantages of signing the Belgium International.<br />
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<b>Advantages</b><br />
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Vertonghen is a left footed defender who is technically good on the ball and has been consistent in the recent past. The Belgian centre back, who is 6' 2" tall, has good aerial ability and also his reading of the game is excellent. He has been compared to Thomas Vermaelen and certainly shares some similarities in his style of play with his compatriot. <br />
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He is composed on the ball and has the ability to bring it out from the back and distribute it as well. He can also be effective in taking free-kicks, which has been a problem for Arsenal since Robin van Persie has not been at his best in set-piece duties. Also, he has scored a few cracking goals just like Vermaelen and it is difficult to not mention the similarities between the two which could be a reason for Wenger wanting to look at other alternatives.<br />
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The versatile defender can play as left back or as a defensive midfielder, where he has played in a number of games for Belgium where Thomas Vermaelen and Daniel Van Buyten are the preferred centre backs. Arsenal might have to deal with Song's absence due to the African Cup of Nations and should Song represent Cameroon, there are no suitable replacements for him but Vertonghen can fit in comfortably as a defensive midfielder.<br />
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Also there is a possibility that Gael Clichy might not sign a new contract with the club which means he could leave though his destination is still not clear. Though Kieran Gibbs is a good talent, he is ptone to injuries and had a start-stop season this year in addition to missing most part of the 2009-10 season due to injury and Left Back is another position where Vertonghen can play if necessary.<br />
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Vertonghen has good aerial ability and would certainly help Arsenal in dealing with set-pieces. Also, his versatility in the defensive midfield role means that he can play there to provide the Gunners with extra height on set-pieces and dealing with aerial threat. Laurent Koscielny has progressed to a great extent this season and has shown the makings of an excellent defender in the future. Koscielny could be entrusted with the job of partnering Thomas Vermaelen in the next season considering the fact that Koscielny has the attitude and talent to be a future first choice centre back for Arsenal.<br />
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Vertonghen will add a lot of depth and versatility to the squad, which will help considering that the Gunners have suffered a lot due to injuries to various players in recent seasons. At the age of 24, he is ready to take the next big step in his career having won the Dutch title in Ajax and will have the desire to establish himself as one of the world's best defenders.<br />
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<b>Disadvantages</b><br />
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With Manchester City also interested in Vertonghen, it could drive the price of the Belgian International by a few million and Arsenal will not be able to match City's wages if they decide to spend exorbitantly. Also Vertonghen is a player who is quite similar to Vermaelen and having two left sided defenders could be a problem. Also, he is quite attack minded similar to the mould of Vermaelen which means it could be a risk if they are paired together.<br />
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However, if Arsene Wenger does believe in the quality of Laurent Koscielny who played more than 40 games this year, then he could use the Frenchman alongside Thomas Vermaelen and push Vertonghen into defensive midfield. With a defender playing in midfield, Arsenal could revert to the 4-3-3 formation used in 2009-10 which will provide more freedom for Jack Wilshere to attack which is his natural instinct.<br />
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But Vertonghen's primary role is as a centre back and he will not like to play out of position though he is versatile, which is one of the reasons why he could opt out of Arsenal. Also, Wenger has confirmed that he would like to sign a player who is experienced with the physicality of the Premiership and it is not the case with Vertonghen who is making the next big step in his career.<br />
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However, securing a Premiership experienced defender could be a problem for Arsenal considering that if Manchester United sign Phil Jones, then it is unlikely that Blackburn will let senior defender Christopher Samba also leave in the same summer. Also, Arsenal may have to pay over the odds to sign Gary Cahill, who has been linked with the Gunners in the past and could look at other alternatives from the Premiership and foreign leagues as well.<br />
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With the manager, players and supporters frustrated by the trophy drought, Arsene Wenger will not be afraid to plunge the cash to secure the signings of quality players and it could be the summer which decides the future of Arsene Wenger and his youthful squad.</div>Vijay Muralihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09645092400676079119noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2740526901510840552.post-55059897805483447062011-06-06T16:01:00.000-07:002011-06-06T16:01:44.042-07:00Arsenal Transfer Prospects: Analyzing the Pros and Cons of Signing Blackburn’s Phil Jones<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4KpFjBgZcJJRr_KlPvANST5kavxNOPnBNY3KvyBA2yzWWahumADeVlWmWnuqSaF35-lJcbm_mmRyJ_w3WsOSdnZn6q9vRUGDUkPRAk3aIiYbOY2QHIRSOzAUlqLOAQuvJM8m0XVkjYgo/s1600/Phil+Jones+Drogba.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4KpFjBgZcJJRr_KlPvANST5kavxNOPnBNY3KvyBA2yzWWahumADeVlWmWnuqSaF35-lJcbm_mmRyJ_w3WsOSdnZn6q9vRUGDUkPRAk3aIiYbOY2QHIRSOzAUlqLOAQuvJM8m0XVkjYgo/s320/Phil+Jones+Drogba.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The Gunners have endured six long years of trophy drought and their frustration is also shared by the Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger who will look to strengthen his team by bringing in some additions to the squad. There have been a number of rumours linking some of their players to depart the club and Wenger would like to sort most of the deals before the pre-season starts.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Arsenal’s main problems in recent seasons has been their defence which has not been solid and this year, defending from set-pieces was particularly awful as the Gunners conceded a number of soft goals. Wenger will look to bring some taller players into the squad in order to mix it up and will hope that their defending is better next season.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The Gunners’ attack also did not fire towards the end of the season which is why Arsenal are linked with the likes of Karim Benzema and Gervinho. However, the defence presents a bigger problem for Arsene Wenger’s team who struggled in 2010-11 season although their best centre back Thomas Vermaelen was not present for most of the season.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">However, it is not only the back four which has to be blamed for Arsenal’s shoddy defending as many of the attacking players have not aided in defence and also, the team’s average height is quite low which is another reason for their poor defending from set-pieces. As a result, Wenger has been looking to strengthen the team’s defending and he would prefer signing a defender who can cope with physicality of the Premiership and also, look for players experienced in the EPL.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">One of the players who has been linked with a move to Arsenal in the summer is Blackburn’s promising youngster Phil Jones, who can play as a centre back or in the defensive midfield role. Wenger is a manager who is renowned for developing youngsters and could be interested in signing the Blackburn defender.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Phil Jones, who is only 19 years old, has been one of the best performers for Blackburn this season and will not come on a bargain for the Gunners. Arsenal should beat competition from many other clubs if they are interested in signing the England youth International. This article is on the advantages and disadvantages of signing Blackburn’s Phil Jones.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Advantages</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Phil Jones is experienced in the Premiership and has made over 30 league appearances for the club despite only making his debut towards the end of the 2009-10 season. He has performed excellently against tough oppositions like Manchester United and Chelsea and looks destined to move to a bigger club in the future.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">At a height of 6’ 2”, he possesses excellent aerial ability in addition to being decisive on the ground and also has decent technique on the ball. He has played as a defensive midfielder in a number of games for Blackburn and has displayed his battling qualities in the middle of the park and also, he showed that he can be adept with his passing and technique for a midfielder.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Arsenal do not have depth in the defensive midfield role with Alex Song the only natural holding midfielder in the squad. Though Abou Diaby can play in the role, he is not suited to the role and is better when he is proved with the freedom to surge forward from midfield. Though Song is currently not in the Cameroon squad due to off-field issues, there is every possibility that he could be in the squad for the African Cup of Nations which could mean he miss matches in January and February.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Jones is comfortable in the role of the holding midfielder and can be used in the role in the absence of Song. Also, he provides additional presence for set-pieces which will undoubtedly help the Gunners. Though his overall game can still improve, he certainly has shown a lot of potential and can go on to be an excellent ball-playing centre back in the future.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">With Sebastien Squillaci being unimpressive in his first season at the club, there is a good possibility that he could be shipped out to accommodate new arrivals. Though Johan Djourou had a good 2010-11 season, he is still prone to errors and suffers from inconsistency. Laurent Koscielny had an extremely shaky start to the season but has also shown a lot of promise for the future and it is expected that he will have a better season next year when he is well accustomed to the Premiership.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Disadvantages</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As is the case with many Arsenal targets, he could prove to be quite costly and though Wenger has said that Arsenal have the financial capability to make big signings in the summer but it is doubtful as to whether he will spend as much as the £15 million reported in the Mail to secure his services. Wenger has admitted he needs to bring in experience to bolster the squad and Jones does not fit the bill in that respect having played only 35 games for Arsenal.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Also, it is doubtful whether Jones will be the first choice centre back alongside Thomas Vermaelen because he is inexperienced at the highest level and Laurent Koscielny has shown a lot of promise in his debut season. The Blackburn defender could however be an excellent back-up and add quality depth to the squad.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If a youngster like Phil Jones, it could possibly mean the departures of promising youngsters Kyle Bartley, who was impressive on loan this season, and Ignasi Miquel who will enjoy lesser playing time. Bartley in particular has shown that he can be a part of Arsenal’s first team in the next season and he can also play as a defensive midfielder.</div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="MsoNormal">However, Phil Jones is considered to be a better talent and has been touted to be one of the best defenders in the future. Arsenal would certainly benefit by having a promising youngster like Jones in their team and the England U-21 player would certainly improve Arsenal with respect to dealing with set-pieces along with providing more depth and competition to the squad.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div>Manchester United signed Chris Smalling from Fulham for around £10 million and though it was too much at that time, Smalling's performances have meant that United have made an excellent investment for the future. Similarly, the spending on Phil Jones could prove to be an important investment for Arsenal who need to sign quality players in order to end this frustrating title drought.<br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">English players are generally over-rated and cost much more than their counterparts in foreign leagues which is why Jones might cost more than his market price. However, if it is possible for Wenger to sign the defender at a price which is affordable, then he should make efforts to sign the Blackburn defender who could be a future England International.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><br />
</b><br />
<b><em>If interested, read Arsenal Transfer Prospects: Pros and Cons of signing <a href="http://arsenalinvincible.blogspot.com/2011/06/arsenal-transfer-prospects-analyzing.html">Falcao</a>, <a href="http://arsenalinvincible.blogspot.com/2011/05/arsenal-transfer-prospects-analyzing.html">Ricky Alvarez</a>, <a _mce_href="http://arsenalinvincible.blogspot.com/2011/06/arsenal-transfer-prospects-pros-and.html" href="http://arsenalinvincible.blogspot.com/2011/06/arsenal-transfer-prospects-pros-and.html">Scott Parker</a> and <a _mce_href="http://arsenalinvincible.blogspot.com/2011/06/arsenal-transfer-prospects-analyzing_05.html" href="http://arsenalinvincible.blogspot.com/2011/06/arsenal-transfer-prospects-analyzing_05.html">Gervinho</a> in this series of Arsenal Transfer Prospects</em></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div>Vijay Muralihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09645092400676079119noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2740526901510840552.post-30300007567303109892011-06-05T15:32:00.000-07:002011-06-05T15:32:37.177-07:00Arsenal Transfer News: Gunners' Options Regarding Futures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-IN</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB5CCsAr0fvWYyijU35Sa8wu3mIkLcToF2hVa6HhvXooWUxf6Pr9t2BljkvgvCu0_coMnTCvNZsz6pMuGnHjcIuvwe0skweP5NKRTpUd02PY-LNXvBggGgUI9eKv7i1MPzYQmJQHmGv4c/s1600/Samir+Cesc.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB5CCsAr0fvWYyijU35Sa8wu3mIkLcToF2hVa6HhvXooWUxf6Pr9t2BljkvgvCu0_coMnTCvNZsz6pMuGnHjcIuvwe0skweP5NKRTpUd02PY-LNXvBggGgUI9eKv7i1MPzYQmJQHmGv4c/s320/Samir+Cesc.jpg" width="320" /></a>Arsene Wenger is reportedly all set to cancel his holidays according to the Mirror, because of the potential departures of three of their more important players. Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Andrei Arshavin are the players mentioned in the report though Arshavin’s recent comments suggest that Wenger would like to retain him at Arsenal.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">With the fans immensely frustrated by the six year trophy drought, the last thing that Arsene Wenger wants is to lose two of his best players in the squad. Though Arsenal have yet to announce any signing, the general consensus is that Arsene Wenger must bring in some established quality players in order to end this frustrating drought.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">However, Wenger will not like to see his best players depart the club as it would be hard to find replacements for them and also, they might require time to adjust to the new club which might trigger another season of rebuilding the team. Though the Gunners endured a spectacular collapse towards the end of the season, they were the main competitors for Manchester United for most of the season and had good wins against quality teams like Barcelona and Chelsea.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Wenger is looking to bolster his squad by bringing in some new players who can add quality to the squad and also, retaining the services of Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas is important for the Gunners next season. The Arsenal captain has been continually linked with a move to Barcelona while Nasri has only one year on his contract and should he not sign a new deal, he will be on his way out of the Emirates.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Samir Nasri has been linked with a number of clubs in Europe and he has done nothing to quash these rumors. On the contrary, according to a report on ESPNSoccernet, he refused to rule out a move to Manchester United, who are looking to add more quality to the team that won the EPL this season. Though there is not much news on the Fabregas front, the Arsenal captain could be a likely target for the Spanish Champions.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Cesc Fabregas Situation</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Cesc Fabregas has admitted in the past that he would like to return to his former club at some point in his career and his potential transfer has been the subject of speculation for the past few seasons. He was convinced by Arsene Wenger to stay for the 2010-11 season and though the Arsenal manager has confirmed that there is no interest for the club captain, there is every possibility that Barcelona could bid for the Spanish midfielder.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4P3KuFa-RdjfCTnPD3EIDP4X-CyX0d3jZeji7wmB9ICaPBX0njGC01diCSV8_gp0BnHD1_49m7sgPNJs-4FbH2M3F3gyQvvlW32doCnzU7Kqi6LLpLteCim9e9UY08AeOvLAflM4Sxok/s1600/Cesc+Stoke.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4P3KuFa-RdjfCTnPD3EIDP4X-CyX0d3jZeji7wmB9ICaPBX0njGC01diCSV8_gp0BnHD1_49m7sgPNJs-4FbH2M3F3gyQvvlW32doCnzU7Kqi6LLpLteCim9e9UY08AeOvLAflM4Sxok/s320/Cesc+Stoke.jpg" width="222" /></a>Though Fabregas is likely to be benched, if all midfielders are fit for the Blaugrana, the possibility of winning trophies for Barcelona, where he was a youth player, appeals to him for sure. Wenger will be in a conundrum if he conveys to him that he wants to quit the club because it will be hard to replace him but also, if he resists the approach from the Catalans, it could lead to Fabregas being upset with the club and being the leader and captain of this young team, Wenger will not want any negative vibes before the season.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Whether Fabregas stays or not depends on his decision, Arsene Wenger’s persuasion skills and the offer that Barcelona make for the midfielder. Though Wenger will not price Fabregas out of the move on purpose, he will ensure that Fabregas is sold for the market value of the Arsenal captain and with the inflated transfer markets in the last few seasons, he could be Arsenal’s most expensive sale and could fetch around <span>£</span>45 million.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">However, Wenger would rather like the Spaniard to stay at the club than obtain the money from his sale because he is integral to the success of the team and is arguably their best player and certainly their most consistent player over the last few years. But if he pushes for a move, then Arsenal could be interested in a swap deal involving one of Ibrahim Afellay or Thiago Alcantara plus cash of around <span>£</span>35 million.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Arsenal have Aaron Ramsey who is back to full fitness and he is expected to play a big role in the future for the Gunners considering he is one of the most promising midfielders in the world. Hence, the Gunners will not prefer signing Thiago, though he is very talented, because he will take time to adjust to the Premiership and also, he is relatively inexperienced.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Afellay would be an interesting option for the Gunners though considering that his versatility in the centre or on the wings could provide more flexibility for the Gunners. Also, he shares a good rapport with current Arsenal vice captain Robin van Persie and they will know their games having played for the Dutch national team together. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Also Afellay has not received much playing time for Barcelona after joining them in January in a cut-price deal from PSV Eindhoven. With Barcelona also linked with Giuseppi Rossi, he could receive lesser time next season and Cesc Fabregas’ arrival at Barcelona will certainly mean that he will not play in central midfield which he prefers.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Samir Nasri’s Contract Situation</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinj5_PyoIH4M1HPzhab3D_-30-OtAgyzOUfVFbIf4Kr4hvpUm3O3IRVyZ8NJhisGjPXvhk7E4Y4tsyu2Y1sBd5f2p4NyvxVi0VtQVhOYNbsRRb7zRsq6NG3kvVM8f1bFoIE2JzhwtIPEc/s1600/Nasri1.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinj5_PyoIH4M1HPzhab3D_-30-OtAgyzOUfVFbIf4Kr4hvpUm3O3IRVyZ8NJhisGjPXvhk7E4Y4tsyu2Y1sBd5f2p4NyvxVi0VtQVhOYNbsRRb7zRsq6NG3kvVM8f1bFoIE2JzhwtIPEc/s320/Nasri1.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><div class="MsoNormal">However if Barcelona are not interested in involving Afellay in the deal, then Wenger would have another option to sign a quality winger like Eden Hazard and play Samir Nasri in the hole behind Robin van Persie. But the only problem in this is that there is absolutely no guarantee that Nasri will stay with the Gunners next season and he could move on if he fails to reach an agreement with Arsenal regarding the new contract.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Samir Nasri had an excellent first half of the season and though he did fade away towards the end of the season, a tally of 15 goals in a season is good for the midfielder who had scored 12 goals for Arsenal till the 2010-11 season. Nasri has developed into one of the most important players for the Gunners and Arsenal will not like to lose him this summer.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">However, he has only one year on his contract and according to Arsene Wenger, there has been a slight financial disagreement on the contract and the Arsenal manager hoped he could hold on to the French midfielder. Nasri has the upper hand in the contract negotiations with many top clubs interested in acquiring his services.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Nasri is reportedly seeking a pay similar to what Cesc Fabregas earns at the club. However, the club has a wage structure which should be respected and if Wenger gives in to Nasri’s demands, then it will mean that he will also have to increase the wages of several other players like Robin van Persie, who has been extremely loyal to the club. It could mean a huge rise in the overall wages of the club and could affect the policy of the club in the long run as more players could start holding the club for ransom and it would set a bad precedent.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If he is indeed sold by the Gunners after failing to sign a new contract, it will be tough to replace a player of his quality. Though he has only one year left on his contract, he is a player of superb potential and could be worth as much as <span>£</span>20 million despite having only a year on his contract. The midfielder’s versatility provides a lot of depth to the Gunners and should he leave, Arsenal will have to look at quality players who can do the job for Arsenal.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Eden Hazard, who was named the French League player of the season for his superb performances for Lille, has been linked with the Gunners in the past and Wenger could splash the cash to acquire his services. Another possible alternative for the Gunners is to sign a quality striker like Karim Benzema who can also play on the wings which means more options for the Arsenal manager.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If Nasri does leave the club, it is likely that the Arsenal manager would also hold on to Tomas Rosicky, despite not being at his best since his return from injury. The Czech International has been benched for a number of games this season but he is one of the more versatile players in the squad and could provide depth to the squad.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The worst situation for the Gunners is in the scenario where Nasri and Fabregas both leave the club in the summer and that would certainly be devastating for the Gunners. However, Arsene Wenger is an astute manager and despite not many trophies in the last few years, he will understand the team’s need for quality players.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qQXP82rfjkRsafi9uh82z1gzCStV24wFW4GqNeX1vzryWQ_N59Z6I08ed4ynpXzp24sKdWLauO_0F1H1MnqXzYaXPfhAyA29cyU4YvRgQnrusujSwBA7d9NsBGeyKf7REYNKIMIWdvM/s1600/Wenger+Fabregas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qQXP82rfjkRsafi9uh82z1gzCStV24wFW4GqNeX1vzryWQ_N59Z6I08ed4ynpXzp24sKdWLauO_0F1H1MnqXzYaXPfhAyA29cyU4YvRgQnrusujSwBA7d9NsBGeyKf7REYNKIMIWdvM/s320/Wenger+Fabregas.jpg" width="320" /></a><span>The Gunners could generate a large amount of money from the sale of the two players and probably they can also negotiate for a potential player exchange deal for Fabregas involving Afellay, which means that they could have as much as £50 million cash along with the signing of the Dutchman. Wenger needs to invest this money on quality players who are needed to win trophies for the Gunners.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span>Wenger could have a transfer budget of around £35-40 million and he has said that they do have the capability to make big signings. The Arsenal manager could sign a quality striker and Eden Hazard or Mario Goetze with that cash which means Arsenal will have a formidable attack with Robin van Persie, Aaron Ramsey and Ibrahim Afellay all capable of playing behind the striker. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><span>It is certainly not all “gloom and doom” for Arsenal if Nasri and Cesc Fabregas leaves the club especially considering the potentials of Ramsey and Wilshere but Wenger would not like to lose two key players in the same summer as it could mean that the team’s play could be remodelled. Arsene Wenger will have to spend the money available in the summer to acquire quality players who could help the Gunners end their trophy drought and move to an era of consistent success like they enjoyed in the early years of Arsene Wenger’s time at Arsenal.</span> </div>Vijay Muralihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09645092400676079119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2740526901510840552.post-58257592271161277232011-06-05T05:45:00.000-07:002011-06-05T05:45:33.326-07:00Arsenal Transfer Prospects: Analyzing the Pros and Cons of Signing Gervinho<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2lOrdL2cIsFrXoSHIKCL5hcVNR3c41T2gJaSek_ACMaWB4y_1EGvD50zp62crdbmIz1-9qXyPaDBybsXmepr4JSOA3Q0zDwFcJ93TBGFjicJjezOo-MNFp8w6MUZROlvIdlQDq9G-zKs/s1600/Gervinho.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2lOrdL2cIsFrXoSHIKCL5hcVNR3c41T2gJaSek_ACMaWB4y_1EGvD50zp62crdbmIz1-9qXyPaDBybsXmepr4JSOA3Q0zDwFcJ93TBGFjicJjezOo-MNFp8w6MUZROlvIdlQDq9G-zKs/s320/Gervinho.jpg" width="320" /></a>Arsene Wenger has confirmed that he will be active in the transfer market and will try to add some new players in this summer transfer window in order to improve the quality of the squad. The Gunners have not won a single trophy for the last six years and have come under immense criticism this season. Wenger's reluctance to spend money in the inflated transfer market has also frustrated many supporters and the Arsenal manager is expected to have sufficient transfer budget to purchase quality players in the summer.<br />
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With many clubs looking to add some players to their squad, Wenger will hope that he can finalize some deals early in the summer. It is no surprise that Arsenal are linked with a number of players in the transfer market. With Nicklas Bendtner desiring to leave the club and Vela's uncertain future at Arsenal, the Gunners could be in the market for a striker which is probably why there have been wesites linking Arsenal with a move to sign strikers like Karim Benzema and Radamel Falcao.<br />
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Another player who has been linked with a move to the Emirates is Lille's Gervinho, who can play as a winger or a striker. He has had an excellent season for Lille helping them win the league this season and has scored a total of 25 goals in 54 league appearances for the French team. He also represented the Ivory Coast National team in the World Cup and was one of the better performers for the team.<br />
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Gervinho has said that he will decide in the next week where his future lies and it has been reported that Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle are tracking the forward. This article is about what are the advantages and disadvantages if Arsenal are planning to sign him.<br />
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<b>Advantages</b><br />
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There is a good chance that Gervinho could leave the club and look for new pastures and though he will not exactly come at a bargain, Arsenal will certainly be able to afford him if he is available at the £10 million quoted by the Daily Mail. The Ivory Coast International can play on the wings or in the centre which provides versatility for the Gunners.<br />
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He has a lot of pace and his direct running at defenders could cause problems for defenders. Also, he is a strong player and is likely to cope with the physicality of the Premier League. He is also quite good in finishing as his record suggests and with players like Gervinho and Walcott in the same team, the Gunners can counter-attack at pace.<br />
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At the age of 24, he is entering into his peak years of his career and should he continue his development, he will be an excellent player in the future. Gervinho is a player who can last the 90 minutes playing at a good tempo and his energetic running could help the Gunners create more opportunities towards the end of the game.<br />
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<b>Disadvantages</b><br />
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Gervinho is player who can still improve on a few aspects and crossing is certainly not his forte. Also, though he can play on either wing, he has a tendency to come inside which reduces width and is exaclty what the current Arsenal wingers also do. It is not certain if the Ivory Coast International can be as prolific from the wings at Arsenal because the Gunners play rather narrowly.<br />
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Also, Gervinho will be representing his country in the African Cup of Nations which could mean he could a number of games in January and if he is fatigued or injured, it could hamper him for the rest of the season. He will be behind the likes of Nasri and Walcott, who will be first choice wingers if Gervinho is signed and even Arshavin could be preferred over Gervinho.<br />
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If that is the case, he is certain to be frustrated due to his lack of opportunities (though his team mate Emmanuel Eboue can comfort him!). Also with Andrei Arshavin not at his best and the future of Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas not certain, it is important that Wenger signs a quality forward who can persuade the duo to stay.<br />
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If Bendtner and Vela, who has hardly played for the Gunners this season, leave the club, then Arsenal will only have Robin van Persie and Marouane Chamakh as the only strikers in the squad. Though Gervinho can play in the centre, he is more suited to the wings and if van Persie is injured, it will again be a problem for the Gunners.<br />
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Hence, it is better for the Gunners to look for a player who is a striker who can play on the wings instead of the other way around. Also with Ryo Miyaichi impressing for Feyenoord and Andrei Arshavin likely to stay after his recent comments, it is better for the Gunners to look at a quality striker, who can play on the wings if required.<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"></div><b><i>If interested, read Arsenal Transfer Prospects: Pros and Cons of signing <a href="http://arsenalinvincible.blogspot.com/2011/06/arsenal-transfer-prospects-analyzing.html">Falcao</a>, <a href="http://arsenalinvincible.blogspot.com/2011/05/arsenal-transfer-prospects-analyzing.html">Ricky Alvarez</a> and <a href="http://arsenalinvincible.blogspot.com/2011/06/arsenal-transfer-prospects-pros-and.html">Scott Parker</a></i></b> </div>Vijay Muralihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09645092400676079119noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2740526901510840552.post-69403649018085139402011-06-03T10:16:00.000-07:002011-06-03T10:44:41.112-07:00Arsenal FC: Why Wenger Should Target David Villa for Cesc Fabregas in a Swap Deal or Rebuff Barcelona<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ8hZHpXikdNEtRcWeERF3ps31vQHaYce6eGInXw4gF3h5myS2nrLdML01PFB5UpVSlpN9W7_R93K-twGKmRzDQtncTrQETmn1VQD1T5vio7kprjWfGgnJNDPDD8QtPhaHBC1xpfeiYo8/s1600/David+Villa+Cesc.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ8hZHpXikdNEtRcWeERF3ps31vQHaYce6eGInXw4gF3h5myS2nrLdML01PFB5UpVSlpN9W7_R93K-twGKmRzDQtncTrQETmn1VQD1T5vio7kprjWfGgnJNDPDD8QtPhaHBC1xpfeiYo8/s320/David+Villa+Cesc.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>It is inevitable that papers publish reports and rumors in the summer transfer window regarding Cesc Fabregas' future and Barcelona and their players have only fueled speculation with their quotes about the Arsenal captain. Last summer, there was speculation until Cesc Fabregas' official statement regarding his future on the Arsenal website was published.<br />
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Barcelona did lodge an official bid for the Arsenal captain in the last summer which did not match Arsene Wenger's valuation of the club's captain and rejected their bids and retained the services of Fabregas for the 2010-11 season. The former Barcelona youth player has been linked with a return to his former club and has admitted that he would like to return to the club at some point in his career.<br />
<br />
However, the current Barcelona team which is the arguably the best in the world have the experienced Xavi Hernandez, who is in-charge for controlling the midfield for Barcelona and Andres Iniesta, who shares a telepathic rapport with Xavi. Cesc Fabregas cannot compete with Sergio Busquets, who is the defensive midfielder for the Blaugrana, for a place in the midfield which means that the Arsenal captain could be benched regularly if he does sign for Barcelona.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdiCd6zmD10b5lGMIzoJCncvMnUaxKZeHa1CuoIz9YQy1F5xx82CRsLtFFe9Xbro1OqOvHVpMgdJJC9tm6ZKVjMZvMNX2_FbseldA3vMSEDbeU_Z0iVNs77kV1ap4lZKHEb8eYvYNHlzs/s1600/Wenger+Fabregas.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdiCd6zmD10b5lGMIzoJCncvMnUaxKZeHa1CuoIz9YQy1F5xx82CRsLtFFe9Xbro1OqOvHVpMgdJJC9tm6ZKVjMZvMNX2_FbseldA3vMSEDbeU_Z0iVNs77kV1ap4lZKHEb8eYvYNHlzs/s320/Wenger+Fabregas.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Yet, that has not deterred him from making a statement on committing to the Gunners which means that he could still be open to the idea of signing for Barcelona in the summer. However, Fabregas' contract with the Gunners is till 2015 which means that Arsenal are in a strong position regarding the transfer of Barcelona and since Fabregas is very important to the Gunners, Wenger will look to get the best deal for his captain.<br />
<br />
With Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini openly declaring his interest in the Arsenal captain (though it seems extremely unlikely that it is extremely unlikely to interest Fabregas) and Real Madrid also reportedly interested in acquiring the services of the Arsenal captain, it is likely to further inflate Fabregas' price in the transfer market. Also, the Spaniard's contract with the Gunners is till 2015, which means that Arsenal are in a strong position regarding any deal concerning Cesc Fabregas.<br />
<br />
It is undeniable that Cesc Fabregas is one of the world's best midfielders and at the age of 24, he still has a long and bright career ahead of him. Arsenal will probably not consider any offer less than £50 million and a sizeable chunk of that fee will have to be used to sign a quality replacement for the Spaniard.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRk6wgudacaqURU_9sTqbToCmr8VzAtD0PxJN9nQ7BCdoTh6fA-rfD_rgBw0dAk08g1Fi4n98xdeO1zAKvAWAQleKNKr8oiX6TtQ68wpm9vNRKkWykX9YQLMdpaVERfS9G5Iai7aTAYz0/s1600/Cesc+farewell.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>Fabregas has always maintained that he will only leave the Gunners for Barcelona and not any other club in the world and if he does want to sign for the Blaugrana, the club will have to off a huge sum in order to negotiate with Arsenal. There have been reports in some websites according to which Barcelona are prepared to offer a youth player of Arsenal's choice in addition to £35-40 million cash to sign Fabregas.<br />
<br />
However, a youth player, even if they are very talented like Thiago Alcantara, is not required by the Gunners because he cannot replace a world class player like Cesc Fabregas for the next season and with Aaron Ramsey, returning from his injury, Arsenal have quality youngsters for the future. It is certain that Arsenal need quality players to replace their best players and signing another youngster is not going to help them end their current trophy drought.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLswbUfGxHhJut9wBbMA1fuaf8OdxONrOKq5Lk9oMxiw6eNwEOBaX7L5ag2tWReiW1rqB8dAoUB7XyYl-FRnG0c5tXSFTs-1ohO7CLHSuzBw3c3I1pYLKrrLsdeSM6C2tL7XLInsG8q6Y/s1600/Aaron%252BRamsayJack%252BWilshere.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRk6wgudacaqURU_9sTqbToCmr8VzAtD0PxJN9nQ7BCdoTh6fA-rfD_rgBw0dAk08g1Fi4n98xdeO1zAKvAWAQleKNKr8oiX6TtQ68wpm9vNRKkWykX9YQLMdpaVERfS9G5Iai7aTAYz0/s1600/Cesc+farewell.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRk6wgudacaqURU_9sTqbToCmr8VzAtD0PxJN9nQ7BCdoTh6fA-rfD_rgBw0dAk08g1Fi4n98xdeO1zAKvAWAQleKNKr8oiX6TtQ68wpm9vNRKkWykX9YQLMdpaVERfS9G5Iai7aTAYz0/s320/Cesc+farewell.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Arsenal need to sign quality players in order to strengthen their team and if Fabregas leaves, it will be a huge blow for Arsene Wenger. However, one player who Wenger should target in a swap deal for Cesc Fabregas is Barcelona striker David Villa who has had an excellent debut season for Barca though he did not have a great second half of the season and if the money offered is around £15-20 million, it should be considered by Wenger and Arsenal.<br />
<br />
Barcelona have been linked with a €25-30 million swoop for Villarreal striker Giuseppi Rossi who has been prolific for the Spanish side. At the age of 24, he is entering into his peak years of his career and is ready to take a big step. The left-footed striker can also play on the wing and is likely to be accommodated on the left wing of the 4-3-3 formation if he is signed by the Blaugrana, if he is signed.<br />
<br />
It would mean that he will compete with Villa for a spot in the starting eleven with Pedro and Messi<br />
completing the forward line. At the age of 29, David Villa is not going to be the long term future of Barcelona but Villa will want to play regularly at his age and will not be a willing substitute considering he is wanted by many top teams in Europe.<br />
<br />
Also, if Rossi is signed and Villa is retained by Barca, it will mean the end of Bojan Krkic's Barcelona career because it would mean extremely less opportunities for the Spaniard but Pep Guardiola has been supportive to Bojan and would not like to see another youth player leave the club. If Cesc Fabregas is signed by Barcelona, the Catalan club will also have the option of playing Andres Iniesta on the wings if one of their forwards is injured which means they will have good depth in both positions (midfield and wings).<br />
<br />
Arsenal will need to sign a quality prolific striker who can propel the Gunners to trophies and strikers don't come much better than David Villa, who is easily one of the world's best strikers. Van Persie has been prolific this season but has been injury prone throughout his career and this coupled with the potential departures of Nicklas Bendtner and Carlos Vela means that the Gunners will look to add a quality striker to their squad.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLswbUfGxHhJut9wBbMA1fuaf8OdxONrOKq5Lk9oMxiw6eNwEOBaX7L5ag2tWReiW1rqB8dAoUB7XyYl-FRnG0c5tXSFTs-1ohO7CLHSuzBw3c3I1pYLKrrLsdeSM6C2tL7XLInsG8q6Y/s1600/Aaron%252BRamsayJack%252BWilshere.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLswbUfGxHhJut9wBbMA1fuaf8OdxONrOKq5Lk9oMxiw6eNwEOBaX7L5ag2tWReiW1rqB8dAoUB7XyYl-FRnG0c5tXSFTs-1ohO7CLHSuzBw3c3I1pYLKrrLsdeSM6C2tL7XLInsG8q6Y/s320/Aaron%252BRamsayJack%252BWilshere.jpg" width="320" /></a>Any replacement that Arsenal can find in the transfer market is most likely to not be of the same quality as that of Cesc Fabregas. So, it is better for Wenger to play Samir Nasri in the central attacking midfield, he favors and it will provide him another incentive to sign a new contract. If Arsenal can get a prolific striker like David Villa or Karim Benzema with the cash obtained from Barcelona, then it would be the best business that Arsenal can possibly do with the money from Fabregas's potential departure.<br />
<br />
If Barcelona are not interested in selling David Villa in the deal for Fabregas, then Arsenal should rebuff Barca's offers of a potential player exchange deal and should consider offers only worth £55 million or above because only then will the Gunners have the financial muscle to sign a top quality striker and some players in other areas which can provide depth to the team.<br />
<br />
Cesc Fabregas is one of the few world class players in the current Arsenal squad and though Wenger would like to retain him at the Emirates, a deal involving David Villa should be considered by the French tactician as that could be the sort of striker that Arsenal need to win trophies.<br />
<br />
But if Barcelona do not offer David Villa and both Higuain and Benzema are not available in the summer, Wenger should rebuff Barca's attempts because Fabregas staying could be integral to the Gunners' chances of winning trophies if Arsenal cannot find a world class striker, who is also versatile, in the transfer market.</div>Vijay Muralihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09645092400676079119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2740526901510840552.post-57351110620856358232011-06-02T14:29:00.000-07:002011-06-02T14:30:12.125-07:00Arsenal Transfer Prospects: The Pros and Cons of Signing West Ham's Scott Parker<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkVwngOwZScBW-Q_wQnUJqDaW2fofJkyeg05fXS_wlAYEzPsl4OCCyJ0C_y2ebH_glksZ80Vtlkr804hYFP3MZy7ps01vUivI0QnMseLTABV-eSpJcZdfpY5_liNvC9_hHJpCHCQDBFic/s1600/Scott+Parker.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkVwngOwZScBW-Q_wQnUJqDaW2fofJkyeg05fXS_wlAYEzPsl4OCCyJ0C_y2ebH_glksZ80Vtlkr804hYFP3MZy7ps01vUivI0QnMseLTABV-eSpJcZdfpY5_liNvC9_hHJpCHCQDBFic/s320/Scott+Parker.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Though Arsene Wenger is probably on his way to South America for the summer, it is certain that he will be actively involved in finalizing transfers as well as deciding on the futures of several players in the current Arsenal squad. Nicklas Bendtner and Denilson have confirmed that they wants to quit the club and some others are likely to follow in the summer.<br />
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The Gunners have been linked with a number of players in the summer and relegated West Ham's central midfielder is one of the targets for Arsene Wenger in this transfer window. West Ham have appointed Sam Allardyce as their new manager and they will hope that he can take them back to the Premiership in his first year.<br />
<br />
However, Scott Parker has hinted that he is likely to move in order to play for the highest level and also to play for the England team. The hard tackling midfielder has reportedly attracted the interest of Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham and could be signed by one of these clubs. Though Parker is currently aged 30, he was the best player by a distance for West Ham and also won the Football Writers Award for the 2010-11.<br />
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Parker started his career at Charlton Athletic where he impressed and attracted the interest of many clubs due to his impressive performances from the English midfielder. He was signed by Chelsea which meant a big step in his career but he did not get many opportunities to prove himself and was discarded by the Blues only one and a half seasons after signing for the club.<br />
<br />
Since then, he has played for Newcastle United and West Ham United where he has been excellent for both clubs. Though Parker's performances for the Irons in this season were in vain, it is likely that he will move on to a club in the top six of the EPL in this summer. With Arsenal amongst the clubs being linked with him, this is an article on what Parker brings to the Gunners and also on Arsenal's problems in defensive midfield.<br />
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<br />
<b>Advantages</b><br />
<br />
Arsenal have not had enough leaders in the dressing room due to a lack of experience and Fabregas in an interview to the Don Balon admitted that the guys look up to him and Van Persie. Parker is a player who is vastly experienced and can help others to cope with pressure. Also, he has played in a team with much lesser quality and has the capability to bring out the best from others as he showed with West Ham.<br />
<br />
The England International is a hard tackling player who is good defensively and can thrive in the defensive midfield role for the Gunners though he can contribute effectively in attack as well. He is experienced in the Premiership and can cope with the physicality and the pace of the league which means that he will not need time to adjust to the team.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQiq3zWoApuiLV7ZcDuDInkVSvbRa9OrCAhE-beL6mX_xCaU9GZ5bfRzwZyRQ89TVKBpWPWRoUi3HX3amkhCFWnhXgVtoYHyHMfexNQEsOA5V_Q5hdO8ADeUl_ZnmUH0SfjlQKiSd8Mo/s1600/Parker1.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQiq3zWoApuiLV7ZcDuDInkVSvbRa9OrCAhE-beL6mX_xCaU9GZ5bfRzwZyRQ89TVKBpWPWRoUi3HX3amkhCFWnhXgVtoYHyHMfexNQEsOA5V_Q5hdO8ADeUl_ZnmUH0SfjlQKiSd8Mo/s320/Parker1.jpg" width="320" /></a>Parker can play in the role of Jack Wilshere or that of Alex Song in the current Arsenal team and there is no quality back-up for Song if he does get injured. Though Abou Diaby has played in that role, he is not suited to a predominantly defensive midfielder role and Emmanuel Frimpong has only just recovered from his injury which saw him miss almost the entire season.<br />
<br />
It would also be personally good for Parker if he joins Arsenal since he can play in the Champions League which no other club interested in him can offer and also, he would play alongside Jack Wilshere at club level which will improve his chances of getting selected in the England team where Wilshere is certain to start.<br />
<br />
With a player of Parker's experience, Arsenal's mentality is likely to improve and his never-say-die attitude and commitment to the cause could be just what the Gunners need to get over the finishing line at the end of the season. In more detail, here are <a href="http://arsenalinvincible.blogspot.com/2011/05/arsenal-transfer-prospects-5-reasons.html">five reasons why Parker should be considered by Arsene Wenger</a>, who rarely spends a sizeable fee on a player aged 30.<br />
<br />
<b>Disadvantages</b><br />
<br />
Parker's transfer fee could be a problem considering his age and West Ham will not let him depart on a bargain though he is likely to quit the club. Also, Arsenal's major problem this season has been dealing with set-pieces and signing another short player will not solve the problem which is why Wenger wants to bring more variety in height this year.<br />
<br />
Also, he could be frustrated with the lack of opportunities at the club if Wenger opts to play Song ahead of him. Though he played one and a half years with Chelsea, he is not experienced with the Champions League which boasts of high quality teams from around the world. He is not quick which means that he could struggle with fast counter-attacks with which the Gunners have struggled to deal with in the past.<br />
<br />
He has played through the pain barrier on some occasions this season and that could yet come back to haunt him because he could be injured next season having played a number of games for West Ham despite sustaining some injuries. The last thing that Arsenal would want to have is another player who is a frequent visitor to the treatment room but let us hope Parker, irrespective of which club he joins, can stay fit for most of the season.<br />
<br />
<b>Should Wenger sign a Defensive Midfielder in the Summer?<br />
</b><br />
<br />
Arsenal have been linked with a number of players in various positions and it is difficult to predict which positions are at the top of the agenda for the Arsenal manager. But it is logical to predict that the Gunners are likely to be in the market for a strong Centre Back who can provide stability to Arsenal, who have been woeful in defending from set-pieces.<br />
<br />
However, the Gunners currently have four defenders in Laurent Koscielny, Johan Djourou, Thomas Vermaelen and Sebastien Squillaci. In this scenario, signing a strong physical centre back like Gary Cahill or Christopher Samba who are excellent in the air. Koscielny and Djourou have both shown immense promise for the future and will only get better next season but it is likely that manager signs a player who relishes aerial battles.<br />
<br />
Arsenal might need to sign a Centre Back who is likely to be in the range of £10-15 million and to sign a defensive midfielder like Parker or any other decent defensive midfielder, another £8-12 million will be required. The Gunners will also look to sign a striker who can be prolific since Van Persie has been injury prone and also a left winger because Arshavin has been inconsistent and signing a youngster like Ricky Alvarez or Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could be important in this summer.<br />
<br />
The problem for Arsenal is that with the African Nations Cup in January 2012, Alex Song and Emmanuel Frimpong could be away with their National teams though it looks increasingly likely that the Cameroon International will not be a part of the squad. One alternative which can be considered by Wenger is that the Arsenal defenders are quite good on the ball and can play as midfielders when required.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDkSw7tBUC6R5X-1O-OWQb0GVLY64lWaOdJOffcL-zN0tvYqjym6Tdf2kbnzV7jZ1yubU5xGFgsi0gmrLpRm7o6cQgmm2UaYjE1xpV8cFcwaAedAWyL-k2y1pqXAE9wSU3S0Bxk8NHto/s1600/Vermaelen.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDkSw7tBUC6R5X-1O-OWQb0GVLY64lWaOdJOffcL-zN0tvYqjym6Tdf2kbnzV7jZ1yubU5xGFgsi0gmrLpRm7o6cQgmm2UaYjE1xpV8cFcwaAedAWyL-k2y1pqXAE9wSU3S0Bxk8NHto/s320/Vermaelen.jpg" width="320" /></a>Though Vermaelen is currently Arsenal's best defender, he has a tendency to attack far too much and can get caught out of position for a centre back. However, he has excellent technique and can shoot from range and can easily slot in as a defensive midfielder as well. Johan Djourou has played as a defensive midfielder in his youth and can also do the job in midfield.<br />
<br />
<br />
Koscielny who has been excellent in many games this season for the Gunners including high profile games against Barcelona, Chelsea and Manchester United can be paired alongside the new defender and also, he has also shown good potential with his distribution and he can also possibly play in the defensive midfield role though he is not accustomed to the role in his short career.<br />
<br />
In the absence of Alex Song due to injury or Internationals, Thomas Vermaelen or Laurent Koscielny can play in his role with the other as the centre back partnering Johan Djourou or the new signing. If a centre back who is good on the ball plays in defensive midfield, it will also mean that Arsenal will have more presence in the box for defending set-piece situations with which they have struggled. <br />
<br />
In addition to this, youngsters Emmanuel Frimpong who was on the verge of breaking into the first team squad before his cruciate ligament injury and Kyle Bartley who has shown a lot of promise in his loan spells could also provide depth for Song. The option of playing Vermaelen or Koscielny as a defensive midfielder alongside Cesc Fabregas and Jack Wilshere has to be considered by the manager since it will provide much more security in defense which has been Arsenal's achilles' heel in the recent past.<br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b><i>If interested, read Arsenal Transfer Prospects: Pros and Cons of signing <b><a href="http://arsenalinvincible.blogspot.com/2011/06/arsenal-transfer-prospects-analyzing.html">Falcao</a></b> and <b><a href="http://arsenalinvincible.blogspot.com/2011/05/arsenal-transfer-prospects-analyzing.html">Ricky Alvarez</a></b></i></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkVwngOwZScBW-Q_wQnUJqDaW2fofJkyeg05fXS_wlAYEzPsl4OCCyJ0C_y2ebH_glksZ80Vtlkr804hYFP3MZy7ps01vUivI0QnMseLTABV-eSpJcZdfpY5_liNvC9_hHJpCHCQDBFic/s1600/Scott+Parker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div></div>Vijay Muralihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09645092400676079119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2740526901510840552.post-36486173223371199942011-06-02T03:19:00.000-07:002011-06-02T03:19:44.199-07:00Arsenal FC: Fabregas, Henry, Van Persie In Gunners' All Star Team Of the Decade<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaZvZDW8Dvpt4P30A-Y4bZTSSyw27I3E3p8v2i8wddYisUtE9T8OS522TmLvdfSph049RBXzUUZu0cgEi0AR3uIm0qMLkNbkMFCqm4DuZedVC8uY7lzPQ1LPf-05r2UHq7HPJfGx6-9LY/s1600/Fabregas+Henry+Van+Persie.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaZvZDW8Dvpt4P30A-Y4bZTSSyw27I3E3p8v2i8wddYisUtE9T8OS522TmLvdfSph049RBXzUUZu0cgEi0AR3uIm0qMLkNbkMFCqm4DuZedVC8uY7lzPQ1LPf-05r2UHq7HPJfGx6-9LY/s320/Fabregas+Henry+Van+Persie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Arsenal are one of the most successful clubs in the world, and even though they are going through a frustrating title drought, they have a rich history and have won a lot of trophies in the past. In the last decade, they have been admired by supporters all round the globe for their beautiful style of play.<br />
<br />
The Invincibles of Arsenal, who went a full season unbeaten under the stewardship of Arsene Wenger, played some of the finest football in Europe. It was a team that boasted some of the greatest talents that the game has ever seen. Their record has yet to be broken by any team in the Premier League.<br />
<br />
I am compiling a list in the interest of cataloguing the best eleven players at their respective positions for Arsenal in this decade.<br />
<br />
<b>David Seaman: Goalkeeper</b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXO8lrO3CTKLduz4EEdkhkojoRQDw3_4_YNAI4W2TLDVdKoib_gkNXqnOn-3m5mR1GtPNKqLJxr2otG6cvYDQiyAseCVlRfvfSf6ibLM3NVCGpqBnscqQkfCuqTk9BgY20URcdAIo5MzY/s1600/David+Seaman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXO8lrO3CTKLduz4EEdkhkojoRQDw3_4_YNAI4W2TLDVdKoib_gkNXqnOn-3m5mR1GtPNKqLJxr2otG6cvYDQiyAseCVlRfvfSf6ibLM3NVCGpqBnscqQkfCuqTk9BgY20URcdAIo5MzY/s1600/David+Seaman.jpg" /></a>David Seaman was named seventh among the greatest players to have represented Arsenal in a poll on the club's official website. He was one of the safest keepers in the Premier League, and was a great success in his time at Arsenal. He was also the first choice goalkeeper for England, but blamed himself for the loss against Brazil when he was beaten by a superb free kick from Ronaldinho.<br />
<br />
In the years from 2000-2003 he was hampered by injuries but was still an important member of the squad. Jens Lehmann replaced him as the first choice goalkeeper in the 2003-04 unbeaten season, and was also great for the Gunners.<br />
<br />
<b>Ashley Cole: Left Back</b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQvpu3v43dHAu5gM5oUE2gBmXE-KKrOZdp_LdoJxzuobEPqeRTSDjFNRK9xje1joh_exBDG9GkLdk7i1v0lF1KoJpOXp7DCXZHjqu6EKjQ4LytlzWymWy1M8PQDliBx1UCXYKlD5rXhg/s1600/Ashley+Cole.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQvpu3v43dHAu5gM5oUE2gBmXE-KKrOZdp_LdoJxzuobEPqeRTSDjFNRK9xje1joh_exBDG9GkLdk7i1v0lF1KoJpOXp7DCXZHjqu6EKjQ4LytlzWymWy1M8PQDliBx1UCXYKlD5rXhg/s320/Ashley+Cole.jpg" width="216" /></a><b> </b><br />
Ashley Cole, or Cashley, was one of the best players to have emerged from the Arsenal academy, and was an integral part of Arsenal after he cemented his place on the team in the early 2000s. Arsene Wenger deserves a lot of credit for promoting him from the academy to the first team, bestowing his faith on the Englishman.<br />
<br />
Cole subsequently established himself as a regular for England, and was an integral part of the Invincibles. Cashley acquired this name when he quit the Gunners for Chelsea under acrimonious circumstances, leaving a bitter taste in the mouths of Arsenal supporters. Gael Clichy has replaced Cole in the Left Back position and is presently Arsenal's longest serving player, but he has still some way to go before he is as good as Cole.<br />
<br />
<b>Sol Campbell: Centre Back</b><br />
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Sol Campbell's transfer from arch-rivals Tottenham to Arsenal is still considered to be one of the most controversial transfers to happen in the Premiership. Campbell was one of the best centre backs in the world in his first tenure at Arsenal, and was one of the most important players in the Invincibles squad.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHWHqjMqa22T4uvXCKjZKyB1yQCD3St4FA78ru8m7smDBmqzguZzZwU_ntzjK9-DYbTxBJELG_XFrGd13erNFBZgvSsg0SPz8KQMjKDlblAZecdzxeqW5G34HaP4SGTfGH4tLStZxidl4/s1600/Sol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHWHqjMqa22T4uvXCKjZKyB1yQCD3St4FA78ru8m7smDBmqzguZzZwU_ntzjK9-DYbTxBJELG_XFrGd13erNFBZgvSsg0SPz8KQMjKDlblAZecdzxeqW5G34HaP4SGTfGH4tLStZxidl4/s320/Sol.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Sol Campbell scored in the loss to Barcelona in the Champions League Final in 2006, after which he joined Portsmouth on a free transfer. His career then took a turn for the worse, joining Notts county from Portsmouth and then quitting Notts after a couple of games. He improved his fitness training with Arsenal reserves, and was signed by Wenger in January.<br />
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He put on some courageous displays, with his performance against Spurs deserving of special mention. He moved from Arsenal again last summer to join Newcastle United on a free transfer. Sol has had a long career, and should be appreciated for his committed performances for the Gunners.<br />
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<b>Kolo Toure: Centre Back</b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPmqHrYHpWH_BFhhKS20FgVXqWMcLJ3Xv4GV1D3jdy415_IyTGA4XZrm6tZX6xOWB_A-1K4B7-vJ1z0Io26UMcVXp_8OdFgFzMZuyl-F4XilRaW86Ze7aiT4dXc_d4MKfYwBdPH8JYd8A/s1600/KoloToure.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPmqHrYHpWH_BFhhKS20FgVXqWMcLJ3Xv4GV1D3jdy415_IyTGA4XZrm6tZX6xOWB_A-1K4B7-vJ1z0Io26UMcVXp_8OdFgFzMZuyl-F4XilRaW86Ze7aiT4dXc_d4MKfYwBdPH8JYd8A/s320/KoloToure.jpg" width="221" /></a><b> </b><br />
It was a difficult decision for me to include Kolo Toure when there were other extremely good players like Martin Keown amongst others. But the fact that he was one of the most consistent players for the Gunners tilted the scales in favour of Toure and also, he was also the first choice centre back, along with Sol Campbell, in the Invincibles squad.<br />
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For more than six years he was a hardworking team player for the Gunners, and I have included him for his importance to the team in the best part of the decade.<br />
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He did get not get along well with William Gallas, and looked for a transfer away from Arsenal because of that. He was sold to Manchester City for around 15 million, where he was named captain for the 2009-10 season. However, he stepped down from the captaincy for City in 2010-11 season, and Carlos Tevez was given the armband.<br />
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<b>Bacary Sagna</b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Nw2DJmf0XtmH1mvNs9SmcnqXyQVbrLz22y2IVDsjOmpbakngsN3KpERsMiDBQTlTjrf-6PYSimpaTIttzSkupqxgt5VlNC6WixfseI_ldGyFa5eiJuAa4CvMlFmDpL9cYohl4zgv1fE/s1600/Bacary+Sagna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Nw2DJmf0XtmH1mvNs9SmcnqXyQVbrLz22y2IVDsjOmpbakngsN3KpERsMiDBQTlTjrf-6PYSimpaTIttzSkupqxgt5VlNC6WixfseI_ldGyFa5eiJuAa4CvMlFmDpL9cYohl4zgv1fE/s320/Bacary+Sagna.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Again, it was a tough decision for me to choose Bacary Sagna ahead of Lauren. Sagna is one of the consistent performers for Arsenal and is the first choice right back at present. Sagna joined Arsenal in the summer of 2007, and displaced Emmanuel Eboue to be the first choice at right back.Sagna might not be the best, when it comes to the attacking side of a fullback, but he is still one of the most competent players at his position and is an integral part of the team.<br />
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He was voted the best right back in the Premier League in his debut season for Arsenal and has been consistent for the Gunners . He has not won a trophy with Arsenal, but is one of the key members of the current team.<br />
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Sagna has always put the team before himself, as was demonstrated when he played following the death of his brother.It was really difficult to choose between Lauren and Sagna, but in my opinion, Sagna can be a great player for Arsenal in the future.<br />
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<b>Patrick Viera: Central Midfielder (Captain)</b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfgQKV7soS7BDubtEUZ8KcKkh7DciItbse8FEqsj2vglGpeUC69jVdYgA0C6m8QOB8BkugG8rK52Xn-YYnq8DvbnAWM0zB_y7qMv_oW_MFzEPTbEcyLGPFuf26wSL4qGil9VTSjK_Iwgo/s1600/Vieira.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfgQKV7soS7BDubtEUZ8KcKkh7DciItbse8FEqsj2vglGpeUC69jVdYgA0C6m8QOB8BkugG8rK52Xn-YYnq8DvbnAWM0zB_y7qMv_oW_MFzEPTbEcyLGPFuf26wSL4qGil9VTSjK_Iwgo/s320/Vieira.jpg" width="320" /></a><b> </b><br />
Patrick Viera is an Arsenal legend who endeared himself to supporters with his inspirational performances in the middle of the park.The tough tackling midfielder was one of the most influential players for the Gunners, realizing his true potential during his time at Arsenal under Wenger. He was one of Arsenal's best signings to date, and one of the main reasons why Arsenal were considered to be among the strongest teams in the world.<br />
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He was the captain of the Invincibles team, and forged a strong partnership with Gilberto Silva in midfield. He was a complete midfielder that was ranked fifth by Arsenal fans in a poll conducted by the club's official website. He left Arsenal in the year 2005 to join Juventus, where he stayed only for a season. He then moved on to Inter Milan, and in the last year was signed by Manchester City. He still remains a favourite with the Arsenal supporters, and received a rousing reception when he played at the Emirates last year.<br />
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<b>Cesc Fabregas: Central Midfielder</b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCRbvCiCJwqYBoLfBZINaXE9qqT2TFtittOBi0AP2ky3GRgPFQ1rcdZjhZmESoTJSsUVdqeia1O5HIWIJ44KwUXGBlQPo70eTCPEu7fIHzoiTKU3OA_gi_cvbnagGVanvsvNU5nqXby_s/s1600/Cesc+Stoke.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCRbvCiCJwqYBoLfBZINaXE9qqT2TFtittOBi0AP2ky3GRgPFQ1rcdZjhZmESoTJSsUVdqeia1O5HIWIJ44KwUXGBlQPo70eTCPEu7fIHzoiTKU3OA_gi_cvbnagGVanvsvNU5nqXby_s/s320/Cesc+Stoke.jpg" width="222" /></a><b> </b><br />
Cesc Fabregas is the current Arsenal captain and is well worthy of his spot alongside legends like Patrick Viera and Thierry Henry. Fabregas was signed by Arsene Wenger at a bargain price at the tender age of 16 from FC Barcelona. Wenger believed in the youngster's talent, giving him numerous chances, but credit should go to Cesc himself for working hard and improving continuously as a player.<br />
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His creativity could be seen at a very young age, and he has improved a lot in his time at Arsenal, turning himself into one of the best central midfielders in the world. At only 23, he still has time on his side, and will be looking to lift a major trophy with Arsenal. On this current young team, Fabregas provides the spark and creativity.<br />
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He was named as the Arsenal captain after Wenger stripped William Gallas of the armband. He had the highest tally of goals and assists in the 2009-10 season for the Gunners, and was also nominated for the PFA player of the year award. His only regret with Arsenal is that he has not won many trophies with the team and though he has been linked with a return to Barcelona for some time now, there is every chance that Arsene Wenger can convince him to stay with the Gunners.<br />
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<b>Robert Pires: Winger</b><b> </b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfgQKV7soS7BDubtEUZ8KcKkh7DciItbse8FEqsj2vglGpeUC69jVdYgA0C6m8QOB8BkugG8rK52Xn-YYnq8DvbnAWM0zB_y7qMv_oW_MFzEPTbEcyLGPFuf26wSL4qGil9VTSjK_Iwgo/s1600/Vieira.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXIQsISs6N7ZEznguroVYkObEqo7yWqb4Cxs-j0xwm1Yj6IxnR1-ZSVXvXGFs2yVmLEFAJbrpqmjjwBa4mydZhQY7q5m57YQAzBQVB1_Zh9BhdLgJeuNMEchEtEhZWQU4fCvbs1qDahXE/s1600/Robert+Pires.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXIQsISs6N7ZEznguroVYkObEqo7yWqb4Cxs-j0xwm1Yj6IxnR1-ZSVXvXGFs2yVmLEFAJbrpqmjjwBa4mydZhQY7q5m57YQAzBQVB1_Zh9BhdLgJeuNMEchEtEhZWQU4fCvbs1qDahXE/s320/Robert+Pires.jpg" width="320" /></a>Robert Pires' career at Arsenal ended on a very sad note when he was substituted to accommodate a keeper after Jens Lehmann was red carded after only 12 minutes. A heartbroken Pires said afterwards, "I was very disappointed. When I saw my number on the fourth official’s board to be substituted, I couldn't believe it. It was my last game after six years at the club, a Champions League Final in front of all my family in Paris where I became World Cup champion and it lasted just 12 minutes. That was very hard to take".<br />
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But in the six years that he was at Arsenal, he was one of the best players for the Gunners. Arsenal supporters loved the way Pires contributed to the team and voted him the sixth greatest Gunner of all time by fans on a poll conducted by the club's official website. Pires struggled to come to grips with the physicality of the EPL in his first year, but quickly adjusted to it and produced some enchanting displays for Arsenal.<br />
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Even though his career ended on a disappointing note, he has captured the hearts of the Gooners with his magnificent displays. He'll be remembered forever as one of the most important members of the Invincibles.<br />
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<b>Robin Van Persie: Winger/Striker</b><br />
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Robin Van Persie is one of Arsenal's finest talents, and if not for the numerous injuries he has suffered he would surely be considered among the world's best players. Van Persie has the creativity, vision and shooting ability to create goals out of nothing. The very presence of Van Persie on the pitch inspires the Gunners to play better and presents a threat to oppositions.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ5fCRkWGTMyGnpVdNCSKEXiaKrHip4HrpFvEcVL99Dh4MZtrAg_dQsDUG63ZU2fLNiOybKL3jwLGzmhxbDbof76MUz9Pq1WWdkGPqX0zVHd_iR5waeQOKCtG6BHvrqL3bLQjBJow47l4/s1600/RVP1.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ5fCRkWGTMyGnpVdNCSKEXiaKrHip4HrpFvEcVL99Dh4MZtrAg_dQsDUG63ZU2fLNiOybKL3jwLGzmhxbDbof76MUz9Pq1WWdkGPqX0zVHd_iR5waeQOKCtG6BHvrqL3bLQjBJow47l4/s320/RVP1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Van Persie had disciplinary issues, early on in his career at Feyenoord, mainly due to his rifts with the then Feyenoord and present Dutch coach, Van Marwijk. He was signed by Arsene Wenger, who sought a replacement for the aging Dennis Bergkamp. Van Persie was first used as a winger by Wenger, who then said he would get his chances as a striker in the future.<br />
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In the 2009-10 season he played as a centre forward, following the departure of Emmanuel Adebayor. He also extended his contract with Arsenal, saying that he couldn't imagine not playing for them. Though there was interest from big clubs like Chelsea, Manchester City and Juventus, he said he would be more than happy to remain with the Gunners.<br />
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At present, he is also the vice captain of the Arsenal team. This season, he was awarded the legendary No. 10 shirt, previously owned by Dennis Bergkamp and had a great season scoring the highest number of goals for the Gunners.<br />
<b>Dennis Bergkamp: Striker</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNgnK3VSXki9t3MvsRZaqDvkxkBD2L74eJzBdfneXF90zOS8qjXK_epLE57AhpitkvJH14r7mqiX9fROiwZ2XTi_2rtPIvFgmFSjngQtBT9hmzq3rz7-eTYQWEL3oN-GR-oav6fgdTAQ/s1600/Dennis+Bergkamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNgnK3VSXki9t3MvsRZaqDvkxkBD2L74eJzBdfneXF90zOS8qjXK_epLE57AhpitkvJH14r7mqiX9fROiwZ2XTi_2rtPIvFgmFSjngQtBT9hmzq3rz7-eTYQWEL3oN-GR-oav6fgdTAQ/s320/Dennis+Bergkamp.jpg" width="218" /></a>Dennis Bergkamp is regarded by many to be one of the best support strikers in the history of the game. He could play in the "hole" and create numerous opportunities for strikers. He was more than capable of scoring some glorious goals, and was one of the most important Gunners players in the last decade.<br />
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The Dutchman possessed skills that most players can only dream of, and forged a deadly partnership first with Ian Wright, and later with Thierry Henry. Bergkamp possessed talents that many footballers can only dream of. He was one of the most loyal players for Arsenal and excelled not only at the club level, but also for Netherlands, scoring 37 goals in only 79 games.<br />
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In 2007, he was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame, becoming the first and only Dutchman to be inducted in. Bergkamp was voted as the second greatest player to have played for Arsenal by an online poll conducted by the club's official website.<br />
<b>Thierry Henry: Striker</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTVm7zTb_35Lka0JPdURlJSnxUPdb1ZMe4n6v0dXoHwTsS42HcnaC2N5PYfmZxK6tKIe1uy2rVd6fDRJRyCZw8lLETjADFJj-e3-wssB8vo1QNlli9H4WK3OMUXU3CvGvR4MOT9Qg0v8Q/s1600/Thierry+Henry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTVm7zTb_35Lka0JPdURlJSnxUPdb1ZMe4n6v0dXoHwTsS42HcnaC2N5PYfmZxK6tKIe1uy2rVd6fDRJRyCZw8lLETjADFJj-e3-wssB8vo1QNlli9H4WK3OMUXU3CvGvR4MOT9Qg0v8Q/s320/Thierry+Henry.jpg" width="206" /></a>This was one of the easiest decisions I had to make while compiling this list.Thierry Henry was voted as the greatest player to have ever played for the Gunners in a fan-poll conducted by the official club website.<br />
Wenger worked with Henry at Monaco, before the latter joined Juventus and the former joined Arsenal. Henry was not a great success at Juventus, and Wenger utilised the opportunity to reunite with Henry.<br />
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At first, Henry was playing on the left wing, but Wenger converted him into a centre forward. Henry had early blips in the central role, but under the tutelage of Wenger, he grew to be one of the best centre forwards in the world. He terrorized opposition defenders with his pace, movement, skill and creativity. <br />
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Henry has many awards and achievements to his name. To name a few, he is the third highest goal scorer ever in the EPL, behind only Alan Shearer and Andy Cole. He has scored the highest number of goals for Arsenal in the league. He won the Golden Boot in the in both the Premier League and the European stage on more than one occasion. He was also named on numerous occasions in the PFA team of the year. It is not only the awards that matter, it was his contribution and love for the club that endeared him to the supporters.<br />
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<b>7 Great Gunners Who Could Not Be Included</b><br />
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There are a lot of Gunners, who have contributed immensely for the club in this decade, but I could not include all of them in this list. Nevertheless, I would like to name seven more Arsenal players, who could have featured on this list.<br />
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<strong>Jens Lehmann: Goalkeeper</strong><br />
The German goalkeeper was considered eccentric by many, but what is undeniable is that he had quality, and could be unbeatable on his day. His performances in the 2003-04 season were very good, and it was a major reason that Arsenal went unbeaten throughout the season.<br />
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<strong>Ray Parlour: Midfielder</strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHW_3C7Te8RJ5uwl1EwKkJhHSxZN-10v7g9eM4_WJzSkild1rfAxYxCofRFGMJoCQ63fYzMMnAjhGR9-7vzotMnA2nf9gwUxXRDWhLsa3RB3Q0fYx_0NVzdQYrd05xytTpm1y_UX5AM8/s1600/Freddie+Ljunberg.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHW_3C7Te8RJ5uwl1EwKkJhHSxZN-10v7g9eM4_WJzSkild1rfAxYxCofRFGMJoCQ63fYzMMnAjhGR9-7vzotMnA2nf9gwUxXRDWhLsa3RB3Q0fYx_0NVzdQYrd05xytTpm1y_UX5AM8/s320/Freddie+Ljunberg.jpg" width="191" /></a>Parlour was one of the most under-rated performers in his time, but Arsenal fans have a special place for him in their hearts. He was one of the most consistent players in midfield, and was an important player for the Gunners. He was an important member in the Invincibles squad, and was one of the most loyal players for the club.<br />
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<strong>Lauren: Right Back</strong><br />
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One of the toughest decisions I had to make, while compiling this list was to choose between Sagna and Lauren. Lauren was the first choice Right Back for more than 5 years for Arsenal, and was a part of the Invincibles. He was a very competent player, and also supported the attack on a lot of occasions.<br />
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<strong>Gilberto Silva: Midfielder</strong><br />
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Gilberto Silva formed a partnership with Patrick Viera in the centre of midfield, which was the key to success for Arsenal. Silva played with a lot of passion for the club, and also established a good partnership with Cesc Fabregas, after Viera left the club. Gilberto was a role model for many youngsters, and helped youngsters develop into excellent players for the Gunners.<br />
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<strong>Nwankwo Kanu: Striker</strong><br />
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Following the departure of Nicolas Anelka from Arsenal, Kanu emerged as one of the most important strikers for Arsenal. Though not thhe most prolific of strikers, he could score goals, when Arsenal needed it most. His importance to the side decreased following the emergence of Thierry Henry, but he was a fan favourite in his time at Arsenal and was voted 13th in the poll.<br />
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<strong>Martin Keown: Defender</strong><br />
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He was not at his best after the millenium, but it would be a shame, not to mention him, considering his performances for Arsenal for over 10 years. He was a tough tackling defender, who had a long career with Arsenal, and is regarded as one of the best defenders to have played for the club. He lost his place to Kolo Toure in 2003, and moved on in 2004. He will be remembered as one of the best players to have played for the Gunners in the club's history.<br />
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<strong>Freddie Ljunberg: Winger</strong><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHW_3C7Te8RJ5uwl1EwKkJhHSxZN-10v7g9eM4_WJzSkild1rfAxYxCofRFGMJoCQ63fYzMMnAjhGR9-7vzotMnA2nf9gwUxXRDWhLsa3RB3Q0fYx_0NVzdQYrd05xytTpm1y_UX5AM8/s1600/Freddie+Ljunberg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> <br />
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Probably, the most contentious decision in compiling this list was the inclusion of Robin Van Persie over Freddie Ljunberg. It was a really hard decision for me to make, because Ljunberg was one of the greatest players for the Gunners. He had great talent, even better work rate and was a huge fan favourite, who voted him as the 11th greatest Gunner in Arsenal's history in 2008. Ljunberg was one of the most loved players in the Wenger era, who supported him ever since his outstanding debut for the Gunners.<br />
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</div>Vijay Muralihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09645092400676079119noreply@blogger.com2