Back from Hibernation
I have distanced myself from the transfer speculation. I have learned throughout the years that it's best to leave the media to do their work and ignore anything the players would say during the transfer window period. Especially, it's important to ignore what Arsene Wenger has to say because the only thing about him you should believe is his utmost determination and desire to deliver the beautiful football to us Arsenal fans.
The only thing I would like to say with regards to Cole's situation is this: He only has one year left in his contract. Either we get him to extend his contract or we sell him. We can afford to live without him but we can't afford to let him go for free next year. We need the money to strenghten the squad. And if an outsider like me understands this, surely David Dein too understands this.
The same thing goes to other players. I hope Wenger has learned from the Edu situation that whenever an important player reach the final year of his contract, we should make sure he sign a new contract before the summer transfer window ends. If the agreement can't be reached, we have to sell him and get his replacement.
Cole's situation will have a conclusion very soon. I guess most of us can only think of one possible outcome but let's just wait and see. I will talk about Reyes when it becomes clear where he will play this season.
I am more concerned with the fact that almost everyone has accepted that Chelsea will be the champions again. We have not even played a single game and everyone has given up the title. Similarly, everyone in the French league has accepted that Lyon will be the champions again, for the sixth time!
I am not an optimistic person but I still believe that we could challenge Chelsea for the title. If I were supporting Aston Villa or Wigan then yes.. I would be crazy to say that. But I have seen this young team played and prevailed against the best sides in Europe. We have a thin squad, yes. We have less glamorous players, yes. But playing football as a team, our best eleven is not inferior to their best eleven. In fact we are not inferior to any other team's best eleven.
Therefore, we have a chance.
We lost to the big teams last season (Chelsea, Man Utd) because they outplayed us tactically. We couldn't cope with long balls and physical forwards. That can be sorted out. Solid centrebacks partnership is the key.
We lost to the bully teams last season (Blackburn, Bolton) because our young players were still adapting to their rough approach. Towards the end of the season, I saw the sign that we have adapted and could cope with such teams. Adebayor and Diaby (when he returns) will be very important for this type of games.
Three senior players singled out for their inability to perform last season: Pires, Ljungberg, Campbell.
Pires has gone and Rosicky has come in. Rosicky is tenacious and thus, will solve the problem that came with Pires. I don't count Reyes in because his future is unclear at the moment.
Ljungberg was unable to score but towards the end of the season, he has found another dimension to his play. He was proven to be highly effective in 4-5-1 formation, taking the centre midfielder role.
Enough has been said of Campbell. He is gone.
The remaining seniors : Lehmann, Kolo, Lauren, Gilberto, Ljungberg, and Henry; they are all commited players who would help the youngsters to improve. More importantly, they are all professional and loyal to the club (at least for now).
More on the squad later.
The only thing I would like to say with regards to Cole's situation is this: He only has one year left in his contract. Either we get him to extend his contract or we sell him. We can afford to live without him but we can't afford to let him go for free next year. We need the money to strenghten the squad. And if an outsider like me understands this, surely David Dein too understands this.
The same thing goes to other players. I hope Wenger has learned from the Edu situation that whenever an important player reach the final year of his contract, we should make sure he sign a new contract before the summer transfer window ends. If the agreement can't be reached, we have to sell him and get his replacement.
Cole's situation will have a conclusion very soon. I guess most of us can only think of one possible outcome but let's just wait and see. I will talk about Reyes when it becomes clear where he will play this season.
I am more concerned with the fact that almost everyone has accepted that Chelsea will be the champions again. We have not even played a single game and everyone has given up the title. Similarly, everyone in the French league has accepted that Lyon will be the champions again, for the sixth time!
I am not an optimistic person but I still believe that we could challenge Chelsea for the title. If I were supporting Aston Villa or Wigan then yes.. I would be crazy to say that. But I have seen this young team played and prevailed against the best sides in Europe. We have a thin squad, yes. We have less glamorous players, yes. But playing football as a team, our best eleven is not inferior to their best eleven. In fact we are not inferior to any other team's best eleven.
Therefore, we have a chance.
We lost to the big teams last season (Chelsea, Man Utd) because they outplayed us tactically. We couldn't cope with long balls and physical forwards. That can be sorted out. Solid centrebacks partnership is the key.
We lost to the bully teams last season (Blackburn, Bolton) because our young players were still adapting to their rough approach. Towards the end of the season, I saw the sign that we have adapted and could cope with such teams. Adebayor and Diaby (when he returns) will be very important for this type of games.
Three senior players singled out for their inability to perform last season: Pires, Ljungberg, Campbell.
Pires has gone and Rosicky has come in. Rosicky is tenacious and thus, will solve the problem that came with Pires. I don't count Reyes in because his future is unclear at the moment.
Ljungberg was unable to score but towards the end of the season, he has found another dimension to his play. He was proven to be highly effective in 4-5-1 formation, taking the centre midfielder role.
Enough has been said of Campbell. He is gone.
The remaining seniors : Lehmann, Kolo, Lauren, Gilberto, Ljungberg, and Henry; they are all commited players who would help the youngsters to improve. More importantly, they are all professional and loyal to the club (at least for now).
More on the squad later.
posted by phoenix chix at 11:34 AM
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