Yes, but we've been saying those exact words for half a decade now. "Oh, they're not a Premiership winning team now, but wait two or three years and all those young players will come good." They haven't. Many fans reckon now's the time for a major overhaul of both squad and ideology.
Listen to Music with Tropers at The Troper Turntable!I think Arshavin deserves another year in the team - he was unfairly maligned by a large section of the fanbase last season, but that was mostly because he was being beaten out of the team by Nasri and Walcott. As for Fabregas, he clearly wants to go back to Barca and who can blame him. As long as we get at least £35m for him I won't be too upset, his heart clearly hasn't been in North London for a while now.
Listen to Music with Tropers at The Troper Turntable!When discussing football with me, it's important to remember, if you want to know where I'm coming from, that the first games I ever saw (not the first game, but the first series of professional games) was the Euro2008, which I started watching without a favourite team and became a fan of team Spain during the group stage.
Since then, I've seen Champion's League games as well as games from many European cups, but I don't follow any national cup regularly.
So, considering that the Euro2008 was what got me into watching football, I'm sure you realise why I'm so fond of Arshavin.
When I first saw Arsenal play, Arshavin was one of the best parts of their game, though obviously Fabregas, deserving his position as captain, was the heart and soul. Still, I've a soft spot for Arshavin.
Oh, and as was the case with Spain, Arsenal earned my support when I first saw them play, though I don't remember who they were playing. Their style of play is rather unique in the Premier League, at least if you ask me. They play as beautiful football as ManU but are less successful because of ManU's superior talent in some positions. Still, I prefer Arsenal. They've a spirit I haven't seen in Chelsea, Man City or ManU.
Quod gratis asseritur, gratis negatur.Yeah, Arshavin's performances at Euro 2008 were mesmerising. I think he just needs a solid run of appearances in the starting 11 and he should be able to play at something approaching those levels once again.
The only reason I support Arsenal as far as the Premier League is concerned is because I first watched them play in the 1998 FA Cup Final, where they completed the double. I was 7 years old, was amazed by what I saw and have never looked back. They had an all English defensive line, with David Seaman in goal, and a back four of Nigel Winterburn, Tony Adams, Martin Keown and Lee Dixon. The midfield four of Ray Parlour, Patrick Vieira, Emmanuel Petit and Marc Overmars was simply unbeatable. And Dennis Bergkamp and a young Nicolas Anelka up front. What a team.
edited 5th Jul '11 4:54:05 PM by Saeglopur
Listen to Music with Tropers at The Troper Turntable!One question that van Persie kept asking when he was interviewed during the 2010 World Cup: "why isn't Fabregas in Spain's starting lineup?"
Why, indeed? If you ask me, he's even better than Iniesta. I know of no reason why he wouldn't deserve a starting spot in any national team, or in fact any club.
As it turned out, in the end, he never started a game in the World Cup 2010. Not once. He did come in as substitute a couple of times and performed well if you ask me, but had I been the head coach, Fabregas would've opened every game, and probably as captain, at that. (Casillas made a good captain, too.)
Quod gratis asseritur, gratis negatur.I would put Fabregas ahead of Iniesta if comparing them side by side, but if you're talking about working as a team? Well you kinda have to go with Iniesta side-by-side with Xavi, if only to recreate some of the Barcelona magic.
Thinking about it tactically, Spain play the same formation as Arsenal: 4-5-1, with a holding midfielder (Xavi), two central midfielders (one attacking minded (Iniesta) and one supporting (Xabi Alonso)), and two wingers (David Silva and either Pedro or Jesus Navas). Sergio Busquets can also play either winger or central attacking midfielder. So where does Fabregas fit into this? The most obvious place would be the central attacking midfielder role, but as we've already said, breaking up the Xavi-Iniesta Barcelona partnership would be bordering on criminal. The only other place for him to go would be the supporting midfield role that Xabi Alonso has kinda made his own. I guess Fabregas would be first choice to take his place, but he is far too attack minded to play in the same kind of role as Alonso, so they'd have to have a tactical rethink.
edited 5th Jul '11 5:12:54 PM by Saeglopur
Listen to Music with Tropers at The Troper Turntable!GOD FREAKIN' DAMMIT, WHAT IS IT WITH ENGLAND AND PENALTIES?!?!?
England and penalties, and England and goal keepers, too...
Of course, we're out now, too.
And whoa, the USA-Brazil game. A series of twists. The referees are still as incapable as ever... but what a comeback by the USA!
Unbent, Unbowed, Unbroken. Unrelated ME1 FanficHaha, yeah. That was a really pathetic play for time.
And of course Marta, always complaining and taking dives. She should play for Italy...
Unbent, Unbowed, Unbroken. Unrelated ME1 FanficSurely the blame there lies with Arsenal's Chief Executive (or whatever their equivelent role is)? Managers these days won't be involved in transfer fees and player wages, if they ever really were before.
As for Fabregas, he's an outstanding player and one of the best in England, but he isn't better than having Xavi and Iniesta in your midfield. He won't dislodge them permanently for a while yet. He's a fine player, but not THAT good.
And let us pray that come it may (As come it will for a' that)I didn't take into account how well Iniesta and Xavi fit together.
Individually, I think Fabregas is superior to Iniesta in the roles that he usually plays. As part of Barca, well, I have to concede that Barca's midfield is a complex structure that relies on the style of play of the team as a whole and of each individual in it, and in that context, Iniesta is irreplaceable, whereas Barca is already winning everything without Fabregas.
Quod gratis asseritur, gratis negatur.Seems that Nasri is indeed leaving Arsenal, but not for ManU.
Mind games, Sir Alex? Surely not.
![]()
![]()
![]()
Wenger is still largely responsible for all 'football and first-team affairs', according to The Other Wiki. The chairman, Peter Hill-Wood, and managing director Ken Friar tend to just leave him to it, although Ken does get involved with contract negotiations, but not transfer fees. Stan Kroenke, Arsenal's new majority shareholder, stays well out of Wenger's way - he knows the fans would kill him if he interfered as much as certain other Premiership club owners I could name.
Although the management team is very much involved in convincing people they want to play for Celtic, Peter Lawwell handles things like player contracts and transfer fees. I say football people are experts in football and business people are experts in money, not the other way around. Arsenal tried to pinch Lawwell from us a few years ago, incidentally.
Croatian goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa is on trial here at Celtic. When Artur Boruc was at his prime this guy was said to be just as good, so that's encouraging. New season is only two weeks away, can't be going in with just Zaluska and Cervi as keepers.
And let us pray that come it may (As come it will for a' that)So it seems the Women's World Coup final will be USA-Japan. While I think the US team has the best looking players
, I'll be rooting for Japan, their gameplay is fantastic and besides, they kicked us out. If they go on to become champion we can say "We were only defeated by the future champion!"
I will be rooting for the US obviously, but if any team has a shot at beating them in the finals, I'm kind of glad it's Japan. They've been a good story to watch, especially considering all the crap their country has been through in recent months with the earthquake. I won't be outright pulling for them to win like I would have if the US had been knocked out in an earlier round, but I won't feel too bad either if they manage to pull off an upset.
I'm sure as hell supporting Japan. I'm British. Always support the underdog!
In other news, Liverpool are buying Stewart Downing from Aston Villa
in probably the summer's biggest waste of money, and 18 year-old Dale Jennings of lowly Tranmere Rovers
has completed his move to Bayern Freakin' Munich. Now that has to be the oddest transfer I've ever seen.
I watched some kind of a goal compilation of this guy. It had only something like 10 4 goals, but considering that this guy is 18, easily the most beautiful football I can remember seeing from someone that young in a while. Gonna love him with England when he gets his chance.
Here's the vid:
Notice how creative he is?
Also: What speed!
edited 13th Jul '11 7:28:44 PM by BestOf
Quod gratis asseritur, gratis negatur.

I don't know how a football superstar could look at Arsenal and not see potential for a trophy in a season or two, well worth the trouble.
Quod gratis asseritur, gratis negatur.