My Thougt On..

Jens Lehmann

I was among those who strongly criticized the German few seasons back. I was never convinced by his tendency to rush off his line and his temperament was not what you'd like to see in a keeper. But I always remember that David Seaman once said that 'Lehmann is a bloody good keeper'. I also remember how Lehmann was once interviewed and asked what he considered as his weakness. He typically answered 'Weakness? No. I don't think I have any weakness. I just have to perform'. Well not the exact words but something along that line.

And this is the season where he has proven his remarks. He had no significant weakness. He made many costly mistakes in the past and that was because he couldn't find the right motivation for him to concentrate fully and perform. This season he had found the right motivation, the World Cup. We benefit from his competition with Kahn. This is the season where the German proves that he is the worthy successor of Big Dave's gloves. But can he still perform at such level after the World Cup?

Mathieu Flamini

Not once but twice he managed to survive the Real's 90 minutes attack. I always considered him as the jack of all trade who is probably decent enough to play in various positions. But all the same time I thought he lacks mastery in any particular aspect or skill. The only thing I couldn't have predicted was how much determination this kid had in him.

He put all his heart into his game. It doesn't seem to bother him how he was played out of position. Nor does it concern him that he won't be playing there anymore the moment Cole and Clichy recovers. He was like an elite soldier who only cares to get his tasks done. A humble soldier. He makes mistakes now and then but how could you even blame him when he gives his everything week in week out? A real gem.

Alexander Hleb

I had said much about him in my post few weeks ago. I am not the best of judge when it comes to player's potential but I always believed that Hleb will be awesome the moment Wenger find the right way to play him, and play him often. The Belarussian has got his confidence back now and began to show us what a great midfielder he is.

Of course he still has problem in scoring and I have to say that I don't think he will ever turn into a goalscoring midfielder. Not that it should hinder us from playing him. All we need is a striker with first class instinct (what we thought Jeffers would turn out to be) to play with him. Maybe van Persie can be that person. Or Lupoli. But Adebayor certainly isn't one.

Hleb's main asset is his ability to tackle, hold up ball, and dribble extremely well. His problem apart from scoring is his tendency to make difficult passes which often don't come off. He has a good vision though.

Freddie Ljungberg

Another person who I mistakenly judge. I never knew he could play in a different role that well. I thought his asset has solely been his run into the box and his fine finishing. Now that he plays this well in the centre midfield, I can only conclude that determination can indeed do wonder.

Wenger should fill his squad with these type of players. At the moment, he has Toure, Flamini, Cesc, and Ljungberg who show that kind of determination consistently.