Arsenalist

Arsenal vs Blackburn MOTD Highlights – 2-1 (Walcott 20′, Arshavin 52′)

Arsenalist — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 12:14:17 +0000

These are the types of games that have proven to be problematic for Arsenal, and that’s why these are three great points to pick up. Arsenal weren’t at their best in terms of stringing those passes together, but the defensive steel they displayed is reassuring, and something different from years past. I’d like to think we beat Blackburn at their own game: for every strong Blackburn tackle, there was one from Arsenal and then some. Theo Walcott had another good game at the right wing, he always looked to be a threat and got rewarded with a goal via a precise far-post finish. Bacary Sagna deserves huge credit for the second goal as he was the one that kept the ball in and made the play possible.

Robin Van Persie was taken off after picking up an ankle injury (out for ten days which coincides with the interlull, so that’s good), so Chamakh was introduced. As I said on Twitter, he is simply magnificent at helping out in his own half and tracking back. His goals will come, but it’s good to see a striker who’s not scoring use his height and physical presence to be a factor elsewhere. Final comment is on Arshavin, he gets slagged a lot because of his effort levels, but I think the criticism is too harsh. He is a wonderful player who is always thinking a step ahead, I think it’s just a matter of time before he finds his mid-season form and becomes effective for the full 90 minutes.

The MOTD Highlights are below, or you could just see a clip of Hansen eat his words.

Here are the goals:

Walcott 1-0, 20′: Watch :: Download

Douchebag 1-1, 27′: Watch :: Download

Arshavin 2-1, 52′: Watch :: Download

Wenger Interview :: Walcott/Almunia Interview

In the interview, Wenger says, “For us, the transfer period is already over”.

As for Carling Cup, Wenger says he will play the young team against Tottenham.

BBC Wenger and Fat Sam Interview

Twitter – @arsenalist

THAT Carlos Vela move against Blackpool (video)

Arsenalist — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 11:37:57 +0000

I own a Carlos Vela shirt and I want him to do well. I think he’s a very skilled player with the right amount of flare, and that with some consistent playing time he can be a valuable asset for Arsenal. He has been inconsistent over the last couple of years, but his talent is undoubted and he adds luxurious depth to our striker/playmaker role. Hopefully this year Vela can make his mark, if not in the league, then in the cups. He came on as a substitute against Blackpool and delighted with this little move which was blocked in the end. Great move nonetheless.

Alan Hansen’s take on Theo Walcott (MOTD video)

Arsenalist — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 11:14:55 +0000

Hansen’s take on Walcott after the Blackpool game. I think it’s harsh to say this after the game Theo had, but in essence he’s right that a player should be judged against better talent (Evra, Cole) than what Blackpool had to offer. To also criticize Walcott for “playing the wrong ball” is also being harsh, even the greatest player in the world will play the wrong ball a couple times a game, which is what Walcott did. The video is embedded below, you can also view it on DM.

Twitter – @arsenalist

Arsenal vs Blackpool MOTD Highlights 6-0 – Walcott Hat-trick

Arsenalist — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 14:22:23 +0000

Individual goals below. Here are the MOTD highlights:

Theo Walcott 1-0: Watch :: Download

Arshavin penalty + Foul on Chamakh 2-0: Watch :: Download

Theo Walcott 3-0: Watch :: Download

Abou Diaby 4-0: Watch :: Download

Theo Walcott 5-0: Watch :: Download

Marouanne Chamakh 6-0: Watch :: Download

1st Half Highlights :: 2nd Half Highlights

Wenger Interview :: Holloway Interview

Twitter – @arsenalist

Report: Shay Given given Arsenal clearance by Roberto Mancini

Arsenalist — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 15:44:43 +0000

According to Metro.co.uk:

And Mancini, speaking ahead of his side’s Europa League qualifier against FC Timisoara on Thursday, has admitted he will not stand in Given’s way if the 34-year-old demands a move after being demoted to the bench in favour of 23-year-old England international Joe Hart.

“I hope he can stay,” said Mancini.

“But I respect his decision if he wants to leave.”

The comments will put both Arsenal and Fulham on high alert for the Republic of Ireland international, with the Cottagers expected to move for Given if the Gunners opt to go through with their efforts to sign Schwarzer from Fulham instead.

If this is true, it is great news. Hopefully this can be done ahead of our weekend game against Blackpool. A lot has already been said about our goalie situation and there’s only one concluding fact: we need to get better at the position. Given is better than Almunia and Fabianski. While I have faith in Vito Mannone and Wojciech Szczesny, they are not ready to contribute just yet. If we are to contend for a title, this move is necessary.

Arsenal vs Liverpool MOTD Highlights 1-1

Arsenalist — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 16:20:10 +0000

Almunia has no business getting beat on the near-post. You simply cannot let N’Gog score from that angle on your near side. The first half was great, the second half not so much. When Liverpool went down to 10 men, I thought Arsenal eased up the pressure and that the game would come to them. Give credit to Liverpool for fighting hard and preventing any clear-cut chances for Arsenal. If this game showed one thing, it’s how important Fabregas is as an orchestrator in midfield. We missed him.

You can also download the MOTD highlights.

If the book is to be followed, Cole’s is a clear red card

Cole Red: Watch

N`Gog 1-0: Watch

Reina Own Goal: Watch :: Watch (Sky says it’s a foul) :: Download

Wenger Interview :: Hodgson Interview

Twitter – @arsenalist

Is Mark Schwarzer the answer in goal?

Arsenalist — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 17:29:35 +0000

I fully concede that Arsenal need a goalie. Hell, you’d be crazy not to, and the only people who would disagree with that statement are the current Arsenal goalies, and even they’d think twice about it. Despite our need, I can’t help but feel that Mark Schwarzer isn’t the man for the job. He would certainly be an upgrade over our present lot, but his signing would still leave something to be desired. The 37-year old is a consistent goalkeeper if not a spectacular one, and that appears to be good enough for Arsene Wenger at this point. It’s hard to blame him considering how many points we have conceded because of poor play in goal.

If Schwarzer signs, I would mildly clap my hands and breathe a sigh of relief that we won’t have to see any more of Fabianski and much less of Almunia. But I still feel our goalie situation is significantly weaker than United, Chelsea, Man City and the bunch. Given how much the clubs who finish usually below us have improved over the last couple years, I find it even more necessary that we sure up this key position with a player who is simply better, if not equal, to his counterparts from these clubs. We could eek by with Schwarzer, but it will be mighty tight.

And that’s today’s poll:

Was Fabregas wrong to play in a friendly versus Mexico?

Arsenalist — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 15:03:52 +0000

Fabregas played 45 minutes against Mexico but didn’t feature in Arsenal’s match in Poland. I understand that he needs to get fit and get some pre-season football under his belt, but I rather he either do that against Warsaw, rest for a whole week and be ready for a tough trip to Anfield. Travelling halfway across the world to face Mexico in a meaningless match is pointless; he’s going to come back on Thursday or Friday and surely miss the Liverpool game.

With Robin Van Persie already behind in fitness, Cesc would have been a great boost but now we’ll be heading to Anfield with Jack Wilshere likely to play a big part. Wilshere is no doubt a talented youngster with a bright future at Arsenal, but in an early statement-game such as this, we needed our captain. Sorry to be moaning so much but it makes no sense to me why country is put before club in a pointless game. I would understand if it was a qualifying game of any sort, but a friendly in Mexico?!? It would even have been acceptable for me if he missed the whole week and not play any football at all, but playing for Spain and not for Arsenal doesn’t make sense. To me at least.

That leads us to today’s poll:

Should we sign a goalkeeper OR a defender?

Arsenalist — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 19:45:43 +0000

After the preseason, one thing is quite evident: we need a defender and a goalkeeper. It’s nothing new and we have been through this before, Wenger’s faith in Almunia and Fabianksi makes your heart warm and fuzzy but none of those two are Arsenal-quality goalkeepers. Fabianksi is simply terrible and if he’s making mistakes in pre-season games, I can’t bear to watch him even on the pitch when we play at Chelsea or Man Utd in a crunch game in April.

Laurent Koscielny has been a pleasant addition, but despite that we have seen our defense torn to shred at times, with through-balls finding strikers in very advantageous positions against our defense. Which is the greater need? A goalie or a defender? If Wenger had to buy one more players, what position would that player be?

Arsenalist

Arsenal vs Blackburn MOTD Highlights – 2-1 (Walcott 20′, Arshavin 52′)

THAT Carlos Vela move against Blackpool (video)

Alan Hansen’s take on Theo Walcott (MOTD video)

Arsenal vs Blackpool MOTD Highlights 6-0 – Walcott Hat-trick

Report: Shay Given given Arsenal clearance by Roberto Mancini

Arsenal vs Liverpool MOTD Highlights 1-1

Is Mark Schwarzer the answer in goal?

Was Fabregas wrong to play in a friendly versus Mexico?

Should we sign a goalkeeper OR a defender?

Arsenal vs Legia Warsaw Highlights 6-5 (Pre-season)