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Arsenal Closes in on Theo Walcott's Replacement

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Oct 142012
 

Arsene Wenger is growing frustrated with the Theo Walcott situation, the 22 year old Arsenal Speedster is yet to sign a contract extension and Walcott can sign a pre-contract with a European club in January and then leave Arsenal on a free transfer at the end of the season as he would be over 24 (i.e No Compensation). Walcott is adamant he wants to sign a new contract at Arsenal but talks remain deadlocked. Arsene Wenger has reportedly told Walcott he won’t get a starting role until he puts pen to paper on a new deal.

Although Arsenal are already at the disadvantaged side of the table when it comes to contract negotiations, As they might find it difficult to recoup their investments on him come January, cialis in addition they are definitely going to face a fans backlash if Theo Walcott leaves Arsenal and may be even players backlash as Sagna already expressed his disappointment with the whole Robin Van Persie & Alex Song situation.

Arsenal have a good budget for January transfers as their recently published financial statement shows and they are already looking for replacements should Walcott refuse to extend his contract. As Arsenal is a big club with a very wide scouting network, there is no telling who might be the preferred candidate but reports in Spain claim Arsenal have a very serious interest in Atlético Madrid’s Adrián López.

Adrián López Álvarez currently 24 years old, turns 25 in January,  He joined joined Atlético Madrid from Deportivo de La Coruña. Adrián was cleared to join Atlético Madrid on a free transfer, after it was ruled he was a free agent. He signed for the club on 19 July 2011, agreeing to a four-year contract.

Adrián has since firmly established himself in Atlético Madrid’s starting eleven,  he scored 18 goals last season and reportedly has a buy-out clause of around £15million in his current contract, a fee that shouldn’t scare off Arsenal. Atletico are keen to tie Lopez down but that would mean putting up the cost of his release clause and the player is reluctant to do that.

Here is a compilation of his 18 goals from last season

http://youtu.be/w0T5Ju_9gOE

Wilfried Zaha

As much as Arsene seems to have altered his transfer policy, I am not sure he would be ready to spend £15million on a 25 year old who might not necessarily walk into his Starting 11. Reports reaching us is that Pat Rice, who has taken up a role as a scout at Arsenal has watched Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha on at least five occasions this season. This brings up the question would Wenger be willing to take up such risk, replacing Theo Walcott with Wilfried Zaha.

Already Theo Walcott has found himself frozen out this season, a rather odd decision considering his record in the preceding season. Wenger might have already replaced Theo Walcott internally, going as far as playing Aaron Ramsey in that position whit Walcott sat on the bench. He might barely be looking to fill up the numbers, should Theo Walcott leave.

Wilfried Zaha is a fast and tricky winger, and he is quite young, so he fits the bill perfectly as his signing wouldn’t block the development of  the club’s Youngsters such as Ryo Miyaichi, Thomas Eisfeld and Serge Gnabry.

http://youtu.be/9YwHqagTKis

Arsene's Headache: Integrating The Injured Players

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Sep 272012
 

Arsene Wenger earns around £6m-a-year, i buy viagra online don’t earn that much, and by that i mean nowhere near that. If you ask me Arsene deserves every penny, from an economic standpoint here is why:

Arsenal Holdings Plc Results for the year ended 31 May 2012

  • Group turnover was £243.0 million (2011 – £255.7 million). Reduction was due to the expected lower level of property sales activity.
  • Revenues from football increased to £235.3 million (2011 – £225.4 million) with Commercial activities contributing £5.6 million of this growth.
  • Operating profit (before exceptional costs, depreciation and player trading) in the football business was £32.3 million (2011 – £45.8 million) with revenue gains outweighed by increased wage costs.
  • Profit from player trading of £26.0 million (2011 – loss of £14.6 million) with gains from a number of significant player sales, including Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, partially offset by higher amortisation charges.
  • Low key year for property business with an operating profit of £2.2 million (2011 – £12.6 million) as Highbury Square project draws to a satisfactory close.
  • Group profit before tax was £36.6 million (2011 – £14.8 million).
  • Cash and bank balances amounted to £153.6 million (2011 – £160.2 million) at the balance sheet date and as a result the overall level of Group net debt was stable at £98.9 million (2011 – £97.8 million).

From a footballing standpoint, i don’t think i need to list his achievements or what he brings to the team. Those who are not convinced and think we would be better of without him, just take a look at Liverpool and ask yourself are they better off without Rafa Benitez.

Okay enough of that, it isn’t why we are here. Arsene earns a lot of money and now he has to take some very difficult decisions as regards to team selection. Jack Wilshere, Bacary Sagna, Rosicky, Frimpong, Wojciech Szczesny are nearing match fitness, it’s a thing to be excited about but it raises these questions

  • Is Mannone a better keeper for Arsenal than Wojciech Szczesny?
  • Where exactly would Jack Wilshere fit in?
  • Should Bacary Sagna walk straight in or fight for his place?
  • Is there still a place for Rosciky in this Arsenal’s team?
  • Is it too late for Frimpong? May be he needs to move on
  • Mertesacker & Vermaelen/Koscienly or Vermaelen & Mertesacker/Koscienly, Koscienly & Vermaelen/Metsacaker.
Is Mannone a better keeper than Szcensny?
No, Credit should be given to the back four for our defensive record but Szcensny should fight for his spot. As he got the No 1. Spot in similar circumstances albeit an injury to Lukasz Fabianski.
Where exactly would Jack fit in?
Right next to Arteta, As there is no telling what injuries we might pick later in the season.
Should Bacary walk straight in or fight for his place?
Bacary should fight for his shirt, as Jenkinson has been immense .
Is there still a place for Rosciky in this Arsenal’s team?
Yep, When Santi gets tired, Rosicky can keep us going.
Is it too late for Frimpong? May be he needs to move on
No, he could act as a back up, Competition is healthy.
First Choice Center Backs
Per Mertesacker & Vermaelen/Koscienly
(Per Mertesacker & either Vermaelen or Koscienly)
Should Walcott play as a Striker?
Yes, there won’t be a better time to try him, as Giroud seems short of confidence at the moment.
These opinions are that of several Arsenal Fans, You can drop your own opinions in the comment session.

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With Robin Gone We Might Need BATMAN; The New Talisman

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Aug 302012
 

With Robin gone we need Batman, and who is going to be our new Superhero?

Arsenal agreed the sale of Robin Van Persie on 15th August. I personally want to thank him for helping us get back on our feet before leaving; it is much easier to hate him while we are playing in the Champions League & not Europa League.

Personally I’ve never had anything against Nasri as he was barely an Arsenal Man to me, Right from the start Arsenal was always a Stepping Stone for him. I always respected RVP, although his decision to join Manchester United shocked the world his exit didn’t.

Actions speak louder than words, When an Arsenal Captain moves to Manchester united that says more about him than his words can. Koscienly was linked with Barcelona, Instead of letting the rumours linger, he signed a new contract, then he pledged his allegiance to Arsenal.

“Well done is better than well said”

  • Hleb, said he didn’t like London, he wouldn’t mind playing any position for Barcelona
  • Barcelona were courting Fabregas, Arsenal’s captain, his reaction; I would only leave Arsenal for Barcelona
  • Nasri’s reaction to transfer rumours, if I leave, i can’t join Arsenal’s fierce rivals
  • RVP’s reaction; i want to concentrate on the season, we would talk at the end of the season & then after Euros; He released the Statement

That goes to show how much they believed in the Project that gave them the chance to play football at the highest level

Now that we sold RVP, we are left with, Podolski, Giroud & Cazorla. They are fantastic signings. The match against Cologne proved one thing; Arsenal would do alright with or without RVP but matches against Sunderland & Stoke provided some doubts.

The lack of goals is not just down to the exit of Robin Van Persie or Song; it is mainly because there is no Talisman and also there is no current flourishing partnership between the midfielders and the Strikers

Past examples of flourishing partnerships:

Cesc & Adebayor

Cesc, Rosciky & Hleb

Song & Rvp

Walcott & Rvp

If we are to start scoring goals regularly again we would need

a new Talisman. Someone who can score goals out of nothing e.g (Drogba at Chelsea) Wayne Rooney (Man. Utd) Lionel Messi (Barcelona) Aguero, Yaya Toure, Carlos Tevez (Man City) Ronaldo (Madrid) (T.Henry at Arsenal) (RVP 2011/2012) e.t.c.

This is what we lack without Robin Van Persie in the team. You need these kind of players to win teams like Stoke City, Sunderland, Chelsea, Tottenham & Manchester United because when they on form not many can stop them. Arsene has his ways and most times we promote from within rather than buy, so let’s take a look at what we have in the club already rather than fantasizing about transfers

Candidates

Theo Walcott

Walcott isn’t a terrible player as most fans make him out to be, the fact of the matter is for Theo to flourish consistently, He needs his teammates to play to his strength which is his Speed. Theo Walcott is more effective when his team is under pressure, this is because he is a “speed Merchant” he works best during a counter attack when he has space to use run to. Against Sunderland, Arsenal had the possession for long periods, they kept on pushing Sunderland back, If Arsenal had soaked up some pressure Cazorla could have released Theo Walcott on the break which would have led to a goal or an assist. When Arsenal has possession of the ball for most of the match and the opponents are pushed “deeper” Theo has little chance of making an impact.

Theo Walcott has always seen himself as a striker, now might just be the appropriate time for Wenger to grant his wish.

Santi Cazorla

In my opinion he is Arsenal’s current best player, he has created good scoring chances in his two premier league appearances, he has tested both keepers and with a little more luck he should have his premier league goal anytime from now.

He has great technical and passing ability and fans are relying greatly on him to carry this Arsenal Team but he needs his strikers to be sharper in front of goal and get into good attacking positions. Although I think he should drift into the wings more often in order to produce the kind of cross a player of Giroud’s stature has been begging for.

Gervinho

He his unarguably Arsenal’s most direct footballer, he likes to take players on and he does it with ease but he lacks composure. Until Lead scientist Arsene Wenger can find a cure to his panic attack in the opponent’s box, I’m afraid he would just be hit and miss.

Thomas Vermaelen

He might be a defender but he poses more threat around the box than most of our attackers, with 6 goals last season only Walcott & Robin Van Persie scored more goals than him last season. For some reason (Steve Bould / Captaincy) this season has seen less forward runs from him. With 11 corners against Stoke and no goal we might need him in the box more often.

J.Wilshere

If he returns from injury and hits top form, his knowledge of the club is immense in the midst of so many foreign players and his undoubted ability would strengthen an already strong midfield.

Lukas Podolski & Oliver Giroud

After all they were brought in to replace Robin Van Persie, they can deny it all they want but until they start banging in goals. The name Robin Van Persie would continue to haunt their performances.

Alex Oxlade Chamberlain

The Ox, already a fans favorite, he likes to run at players and even at such a young age he has the ability to cause teams problems but as he said he needs to score more often  ‘...So that’s a side of my game I want to add to — scoring more goals. More in terms of getting myself into the box and having that drive and instinct. Gambling to get to the back post and gambling to get to the front post.

‘That way you score more goals. But that comes with experience I think. Once you score one like that you keep doing it.  If he can add goals to his game Arsenal have got a player as effective as Wayne Rooney.

On a final note, Arsenal fans should know better, RVP is gone and so is Alexandre Song, but like in the past someone always steps up. let’s get behind our Team, since we have nowhere else to go. They are can be frustrating but they are obviously good enough.

Who is going to be our new Talisman, Time will tell.

Uefa Champions League Group Stage

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Aug 302012
 

Final Champions League Group Stages

Group A:- Porto, Dynamo Kiev, PSG, Dinamo Zagreb

Group B:- Arsenal, Schalke, Olympiakos, Montpellier

Group

C:- Milan, Zenit, Anderlecht, Malaga

Group D:- Real Madrid, Man City, Ajax, Dortmund

Group E:- Chelsea, Shakhtar Donetsk, Juventus, FC Nordsjaelland

Group F:- Bayern, Valencia, Lille, BATE

Group G:- Barcelona, Benfica, Spartak Moscow, Celtic

Group H:- Manchester United, Braga, Galatasaray, Cluj

2012/2013 Squad Numbers

 Main Blog  2 Responses »
Aug 172012
 

First-team squad as follows:

1          SZCZESNY
2          DIABY
3          SAGNA
4          MERTESACKER
5          VERMAELEN
6          KOSCIELNY
7          ROSICKY
8          ARTETA
9          PODOLSKI
10         WILSHERE
11         SANTOS
12         GIROUD
14         WALCOTT
15         OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN
16         RAMSEY
17         SONG
18         SQUILLACI
19         S.CAZORLA
20         DJOUROU
21         FABIANSKI
22         COQUELIN
23         ARSHAVIN
24         MANNONE
25         JENKINSON
26        

FRIMPONG
27         Gervinho
28         GIBBS
29         CHAMAKH
30         PARK
52         BENDTNER

Changes:

Jack Wilshere has now taken the number 10 shirt, from previously wearing number 19.

Lukas Podolski will be wearing the number 9 shirt,

Santi Cazorla taking number 19, using ‘S.Cazorla’ on his back.

Olivier Giroud had wearing the number 12 jersey.

Ju Young Park now moves to number 30 from 9

Wojciech Szczesny who now wears the number 1 shirt from 13

Francis Coquelin who has moved to 22 from 39.

No M'Vila Yet? : That Is The Way Arsene Wants It

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Aug 012012
 

Many people have been scammed by Nigerian Internet Fraudsters and frankly i really don't feel sorry for these people (victims) because i sincerely don't know why you would believe a Nigerian Prince left you some inheritance I believe every human being should have intellectual pride. If someone lies to me I don't feel betrayed, I feel stupid. This is because I chose to believe the person, there was

no inception of any sorts.

It isn't rocket science to create a website in 2012, Setting up a twitter account couldn't be easier. Thanks to these we now have many sources for transfer rumors I really don't know who their sources are but most importantly I don't care because If Arsenal wants to keep it under wraps its probably for the best.

This is not to say we don't have credible transfer news on twitter but it is just a reminde

r that there are many attention seeking people claiming to have knowledge of things they don't. Frankly, transfer rumors keep most of us going through the Premier league off-season but most times they end at rumors. if not Llorente, Ganso & M'vila should be in our first team training pictures.

The negative aspect is people now take rumors as facts and base their judgements & criticisms on it. Considering the rumor that Yann M'vila is supposed to have signed since after the Westbrom game. Of course this was according to various sources from Twitter. If he later joins another team, Gunners would go crazy and blame Arsenal for snoozing on their Target.

Every Arsenal fan knows its not official until Arsenal.com announces it. So why the rush, does it really change anything apart from the false excitement you get without actually seeing them play. I don't know about you but I think from now on I would rather wait for Arsenal.com or at best sky sports or other more credible sources.

In Arsene We Trust

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Arsenal Signs Kwame Ampadu

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Jul 182012
 

Exeter City FC Under 18s coach Kwame Ampadu will make a return to Arsenal after 22 years next month when he joins the Gunners as an academy coach.

The 41-year-old, who made two appearances during his three years at Arsenal from 1988 to 1991, has been managing City’s Under 18s side for the last four years.

He will initially coach the Gunners’ Under 14s and the former midfielder, who played over 150 times for the Grecians, told the Official Website (Exeter City FC) how he can’t wait to get started.

“I am delighted to receive a fantastic opportunity like this at such a huge club and I was really really happy to get the offer,” he said.

“I’ll be predominantly working full time with the Under 14s to begin with at a club where I spent three unbelievable years from 1988 after coming over from Ireland aged 17.

“Everyone knows the sort of club Arsenal is and what it stands for and luckily enough the way we try to play football in our youth set-up here at Exeter, trying to get the kids to pass the ball, is what they do there as well.
“Arsenal have a reputation of blooding young talent and City are very much in the same vein, if the managers think the players are good enough then they’ll play them.

“There are plenty of legendary figures throughout the set up at the club and I’ll just be going about my business quietly and keeping my head down!”

City Head of Youth Simon Hayward had nothing but praise for the work Kwame has put in during his four years with the club and believes it shows what a strong youth set-up the football club has.

“Congratulations to Kwame, it shows the calibre of work he has done with our young players,” he said.

“Hopefully it is also a good sign of the quality of our youth system in general that a club like that are coming and looking to recruit staff from our academy.

“Kwame has been a fantastic coach and he goes

above and beyond with the work he puts in. He has been the key member of staff in terms of producing the young players who have stepped into the first team in the last few years.

“So I’m sorry to see such a key member of staff go but delighted to see he will have the opportunity with the club he started his playing career with which is one of, if not the best, academies in the county.

Bonus

Thiery Henry still doing Business

Thierry Henry Amazing Goal Vs Chicago Fire 1-0

Revealed: Details of RVP's Contract Negotiations (Parody)

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Jul 182012
 

Board: Arsene what are your plans for the season?

Arsene: Based on the resources available, I would say same as last year, make profit & qualify for Champions league

Board: Ok fair enough, a trophy wouldn't be bad also

Arsene: We

would do our best

 

RVP: Boss, what are your plans for next season

Arsene: Now that we have a matured squad, to prevent Last season's situation I have signed two world class strikers

RVP: Boss as much as I appreciate the effort, these players wouldn't help us challenge for the title

Arsene: I have been at this club for over 15 years and if before a season starts you are telling me we can't challenge for the title, then you must be 15 years smarter than me

Gazidis: Interrupts, Arsene I don't think he meant it as an insult

Agent: My Client would like an offer equivalent to what he would get in the current market

Ivan Gazidis: Since we are been funny, I would also like a vacation

Robin: It's not necessarily about money for me, I would be 29 in August and I would like to mark the 30th with a premier league medal and since this relationship can't give me that, I think we should see other people

Arsene: (murmurs) I could give you one of my old medals

Agent: It seems Mr Gazidis would rather go on vacation than meet my Clients demands. I think this meeting is over

Gazidis: So we have a deal then

Agent: Hell No! Where did u get that from

Gazidis: Ok, but do not address the press till the Euros are done

Agent: Now we have a deal (exits room with client)

<p cl

ass=”MsoNormal”> 

Arsene: Activate Operation Giroud

Gazidis: Alright, so what do we do about RVP

Arsene: I don't mind him running down his contract, I knew I was going to have to replace him anyway. He's 29 already

Gazidis: Hmmm… Dirty talk. As much as I like the idea, the board doesn't want a repeat of the Flamini situation

Arsene: everyone just keeps trying to spoil my work. Alright then,  I believe I have a plane to catch (approaches exit)

Gazidis: See you after Euros…err m… Arsene what's the status on the Vacation issue

Arsene: Don't ask, Don't tell

 

Gazidis: Geeks switch of the Cameras, shows over

(picks up phone) Honey we are going on a vacation

Wife: Screams…….!!!!yay!!!!!……….

 (ends call)

 

Gazidis: Why is that camera still on

Geek: This is not ours sir

Gazidis: screams at camera “F**king Pricks & Cunts” (fucking Red & White) “you won't have my Job”

(Destroys Camera)

By Olaniyee

zp8497586rq

A Loyalty Reply: Overbear In Spin

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Jul 152012
 

Clubs have this belief that signing a player could block the progress of a developing player or youngster.  As much as this is true it isn’t a reason to pass on a player who could improve your team especially if you want to be challenging for top honours.

This is the kind of belief that helped the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Hleb, Flamini, Diaby, Adebayor, Eboue, Rosicky, Almunia, Robin Van Persie, Jack Wilshere, Wojciech Szczęsny, Johan Djourou , Theo Walcott, Alex Song become members of the first team at Arsenal. Even though the likes of Matthew Upson, Steve Sidwell, J. Alladiere, J. Pennant, David Bently, and F. Muamba were not that lucky, they were able to make something out of their respective careers. Given the same opportunity would this other set have been better footballers? May be, but would Arsenal have gone Unbeaten for a whole season with them in first team?

Barcelona and Real Madrid know better they don’t mind losing a player at a young age, if he is good enough he would find his way to the top and then they don’t mind spending to get him back, while some might call this approach wasteful i call it an effective one. This is because football has changed; there is a lot of money in football now and the major reason most people get out of their beds in the morning is to go make money.

Footballers used to be so passionate about their clubs that they spent majority of their careers at a single club. Now we have club owners who spent £35 million on Andy Carroll, i think that sums up the whole situation of the current transfer market. Newcastle would have been really stupid not to have accepted Liverpool’s bid for A. Carroll. Even if he wanted to stay they would have begged him to leave.

“A loyalty Reply” an anagram for “Player Loyalty”, a term which is fast becoming extinct in the world of football. Player loyalty is gone and it has all come down to this thought “By the time I have money to burn; my fire will have burnt out.” This is a great problem for footballers as they have a short career in a long life. Just a week after Thiago Silva extended his contract until 2017, he signed for PSG. He definitely didn’t leave in search of trophies or because of what a great team PSG is.

These were Robin Van Persie’s words when he extended his contract in 2009 “My heart is with Arsenal and I just can’t picture myself in a different shirt. I just can’t see it now because I love this Club so much. If you look at the last five years, look at the steps I have made every season, if you look at the support the Boss and the whole Club gave me, the fans gave me, my team mates gave me – this is the right decision.”

Fast forward to 2012

‘I personally have had a great season but my goal has been to win trophies with the team and to bring the club back to its glory days.

‘Out of my huge respect for Mr Wenger, the players and the fans I don’t want to go into any details, but unfortunately in this meeting it has again become clear to me that we in many aspects disagree on the way Arsenal FC should move forward.

‘I’ve thought long and hard about it, but I have decided not to extend my contract. You guys, the fans, have of course the right to disagree with my view and decision and I will always respect your opinions.

It took Robin Van Persie three years to picture himself in a different shirt it only took 10 days for Thiago Silva to jump ship.

The Thiago Silva deal is quite a deal for AC Milan, €42 million would more than fill the gap the departure of Thiago Silva would leave in the squad. If only PSG would sign RVP instead of Ibrahimovic for a fee of €30 million then Arsenal would be adequately compensated for the loss of such a fantastic player.

Arsene Wenger could have signed Franck Ribery when he was 23 after the 2006 world cup, however Wenger believed he had sufficient resources in wide positions.

“At the moment if you look at the flanks we have Rosicky, who’s not an average player, Hleb, who’s not an average player, Reyes, who’s not an average player and Walcott, who’s not an average player,” said the manager. “We also have Ljungberg who is injured. Where do I put a player like Ribery?”

Wenger’s belief in these players cost Arsenal a very good player and to think that Walcott is the only player who’s not an average player among them now or the fact that all others except Rosicky left at the first chance. Can’t tell which is more devastating.

For Clubs to survive they would have to adapt and be more selfish, starting from taking logical decisions. If a player is good enough he would take his chances irrespective of who is ahead. Fabregas showed his quality before Vieira left, Jack Wilshere showed his quality when Fabregas was at the club. The OX is already showing his quality and i don’t think signing Affelay is going to slow him down. Messi entered Barcelona’s first team at a young age also, if a player is good enough performances will tell and if the manager is still not convinced and there is shortage of opportunities,

that’s what loan spells are for.

As Tony Adams said “We live in a society of now”. To prevent these sorts of situations ; Ashley Cole, Flamini, Hleb, Nasri, Fabregas, Clichy, Robin Van Persie and we can only hope Song and Walcott are not added to the list. We have to think of what’s best for Arsenal? and let every other thing fall around this question.

  • Overbear In Spin is also an anagram #GoFigure

Jack Wilshere: Arsenal's Need For A Plan B

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Jul 022012
 

After a stellar performance in his first season as an Arsenal player, no one could have imagined the ‘The Verminator’ would be limited to just 5 appearances in his second season but it happened. Arsenal suffered but the most devastating effect was on the new defenders who had to step up into the huge gap. Koscienly was brought in to replace Gallas while Squillaci was brought in to add depth to the squad, the deal was completed on 27th August, 2010. Laurent Koscienly was in the First 11 straight away, he was ready but he needed the Verminator (who was helped in his first season by an unarguably experienced William Gallas). Koscienly learned the hard way, Squillaci wasn’t so lucky.

Jack Wilshere incidentally was helped by the early season absence of Cesc Fabregas who was given extra time off (due to his participation in the 2010 World cup final). Jack was ready was ready he took his chance, Denilson was relegated to the bench, Diaby was no longer first choice and Ramsey was allowed to Recover in Peace. Jack wilshere ended the season on 49 appearances and a regular starter for the English National Team.

Vermaelen playing just five games in his second season was surprising, how about Jack wilshere’s absence in the whole of the 2011/2012 season. After Fabregas joined Barcelona, Nasri joined Manchester city and suddenly Aaron Ramsey who wasn’t even a regular yet when Shawcross visited him was thrown into the fray. Although he tried his best but he obviously wasn’t ready. The more worrisome thing is that Wishere is still not ready to make is comeback and according to reports he won’t be ready till at September. Without a pre-season after being out of action for such a long time i don’t think Arsenal should be expecting fireworks from Wilshere in the coming season.

Now we take an objective look at the performance of our engine room; the midfield in the 2011/2012 premier league season

Alex Song

Alex Song started more games than any other outfield player for Arsenal last season, and finished the season with the most goal assists.

He made 46 appearances (all from the start) and was only substituted four times. The breakdown was: Premier League 34, Champions League 9, FA Cup 3. In total he spent 4,079 minutes on the pitch, 83.9 per cent of the total available.

In his 34 premier league games he scored a goal and assisted 11 goals

Mikel Arteta

In his debut season for Arsenal he scored 6 goals and supplied 3 assists in 29 premier league games. Arteta came with a reputation for consistency, style and class – and that is just what he delivered. He was sorely missed during his two short spells with injury, one in January when Arsenal lost every league match and another at the end of the campaign when the Gunners took six points from their final five matches.

Aaron Ramsey

Being named captain of your country at the age of 21 should tell you enough about the promise of Aaron Ramsey.

After missing nine months with a horrific leg break suffered against Stoke in February 2010, it’s easy to forget this was the youngster’s first full season at Emirates Stadium. With Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri leaving last summer and Jack Wilshere and Abou Diaby sidelined through injury, Aaron grabbed his first-team opportunities at the beginning of the campaign. The young midfielder was a regular in Arsène Wenger’s first team and quickly began to form a healthy midfield understanding with Mikel Arteta and Alex Song. In his 34 Premier league appearances for the club last season he scored two goals and assisted four

Tomas Rosicky

Tomas Rosicky made more appearances last season (38) than in any of his previous five campaigns.

Tomas was probably not an obvious first choice at the start of the season. By the end, he was one of the first names on the team sheet.

Aaron Ramsey was preferred in the attacking midfield role before Christmas but Tomas came to the fore in the New Year with a string of outstanding displays.

As an illustration of Rosicky’s growing importance to the team in the second half of the season, his average time on pitch for his first 19 games of the season was 45 minutes 29 seconds compared to 77 minutes 25 seconds per game during his last 19 games of the season.

To express it another way, between August and January he played 29.7 per cent of the available minutes, yet between February and May that rocketed to 81.9 per cent.

In 28 premier league appearances he scored a goal and assisted four

Yossi Benayoun

Yossi Benayoun had certainly endeared himself to Arsenal fans by the end of his season-long loan spell from Chelsea.

Wenger often entrusted Yossi in the bigger games of the season and it was his solid display on the left wing against Tottenham which ultimately earned him a more regular place as Arsenal looked to seal automatic qualification for the Champions League.

Soon he became an integral member of the first team and claimed goals against Wolves, Norwich and Westbrom before the season’s end. Quite what the midfielder’s immediate future holds remains to be seen, but everyone at the Club appreciates his efforts during an excellent loan spell.

In 19 premier league games he scored 4 goals and assisted 1. (His Loan spell is over though)

Francis Coquelin

Having spent the 2010/11 season gaining valuable experience on loan at Ligue 1 outfit Lorient, Francis returned to Emirates Stadium with ambitions of breaking into Arsène Wenger’s set-up.

He didn’t have to wait long, making his first league start in the defeat to Manchester United before following that up with a fine display against Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

Despite predominantly plying his trade as a midfielder, the versatile 21-year-old was required to fill in at full back on numerous occasions. He started games against Aston Villa, Fulham and Blackburn at both right and left back, filling in admirably during Arsenal’s injury-hit Christmas period.

In his 10 premier league games he assisted a goal

Podolski and Giroud have signed for Arsenal but the most needed buy generic viagra addition remains a creative midfielder. Abou Diaby isn’t exactly reliable due to his injury record and Ramsey has been named in Great Britain’s Olympic Team. All hope is for Rosicky to pick up where he left last season. The current midfield crop could only be adequate if the current 4-3-3 system is sacrificed for a 4-4-2 system. As it stands, a player who could help if we decide to stick to the 4-3-3 system is Denilson who is expected back at Arsenal for Pre season after his loan spell with sao paulo. If he is reintroduced into the team he could take his place alongside Alex song and Arteta. He already has premier league experience but how effective was his loan spell with Sao Paulo? With Ramsey at the Olympics, a second chance wouldn’t exactly be the worst idea.

A deal for Yann M’vila is rumored to be off but a deal for a creative midfielder is definitely needed. Frankly the midfielders punched above their weight last season, without the assists of Alex Song last season, we probably would have finished below spurs and Harry Redknapp would still have a Job. If we truly want to reach our potential next season we still need to bring in a couple of players and a Midfielder should be Top priority.

By: @olaniyee

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