Arsenal

The Week That Was: Arsenal FC in Shambles?

It’s been an absolute whirlwind in North London for seems like almost an entire fortnight.  We’ve seen the Cesc Fabregas era come to an end, an uninspiring draw at St. James’ Park to begin the league campaign, a shaky-at-best 1-0 victory over Udinese in the Champions League Qualifier first leg, and then a loss, at home, to Liverpool on Matchday Two in the EPL.  So much has gone on with this club it’s almost impossible to recap it all, but, hey, why the hell not give it a go and get caught up?

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“Cesc (Finally) Goes Home”

The nearly two year courtship of Spanish starlet Cesc Fabregas has, at long last, come to an end.  Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas joined several of his Spain teammates at Barcelona and ended a long and drawn-out saga that, in the end, incensed more than a few supporters along the way. The particulars: Cesc joined Barcelona for roughly $42 million and in joining his boyhood club, leaving a huge hole in the center of the Arsenal midfield.  Robin van Persie was subsequently named team captain, and almost instantly the new era began, as the season started just a few days later.  Fabregas was thrown into the fire quickly, coming on as a substitute in the second leg of their Cup match with Real Madrid.

What can possibly be said now that hasn’t already been said over the last two years?  Cesc was great for Arsenal Football Club, but obviously, it was time for a change.  The team needs a new identity, preferably one with more teeth and guts in the center of the park.

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“Newcastle 0 – Arsenal 0″

Amidst transfer rumors, a gruff Arsene Wenger named quite literally the best squad he could for the season’s opening match at St. James’ Park.  Robin van Persie lead the Gunners out onto the pitch to face Newcastle, and was joined by several familiar veteran faces, as well as new ones, such as Ivory Coast international Gervinho.  For all of the talk about the lack of defensive presence in the Arsenal back line, the quartet of Gibbs-Vermaelen-Koscielny-Sagna performed admirably.  Arsenal dominated the possession, as well as the tempo, and put together a decent effort given the circumstances.

Early on, it was Gervinho who seemed to assert himself the most for the London side in the first half, with his best contribution coming in the 18th minute, when he found space down the left flank and fired a cross into the box that fortunately found Robin van Persie, whose shot was deflected just wide.  It was Arsenal’s best chance in the early stages, and set the tone for what was to come from the Gunners.

Arsenal continued to apply pressure to the Magpies’ back four, with often times the final touch being the only piece missing.  Before the break Arsenal nearly scored, when Andrey Arshavin found enough space to play the ball to van Persie, who again found a spot in the opposing box, but as was the case seemingly all afternoon, the chance went begging, as the ball just couldn’t seem to settle properly for the Dutch striker.

The second half began as the first half ended, with Arsenal on the front foot.  As the Gunners continued to press forward, they finally saw their pressure nearly pay off. In the 54th minute, Newcastle midfielder Jonas Gutierrez clipped Bacary Sagna, earning a free kick, which van Perise sent literally just inches high over the bar, keeping the match scoreless.

Theo Walcott was introduced in the 60th minute, and the move almost paid immediate dividends when Aaron Ramsey played the ball through to the substitute who cut inside of his marking defender and fired a low, hard effort that took a great save from Newcastle keeper Tim Krul to preserve the clean sheet.

It was in the 75th minute when everything went absolutely haywire.  Once again, it was the man everyone loves to hate, Joey Barton at the epicenter of the controversy.  Gervinho had been played into the Newcastle box and upon cutting across his defender went down, appealing for a penalty.  Barton clearly was not pleased with the acting job put on by his opponent, and proceeded to grab Gervinho by the jersey and haul him up off of his feet, which in turn caused the Ivorian to lash out and slap Barton across the head, who then went down like he had been shot by a sniper.  Gervinho received a red card for his actions, and an already struggling Arsenal side were down to ten men for the last quarter of an hour.

The silver lining in the remaining minutes of the opening fixture was clearly the cohesive play of the Arsenal back line, who preserved the clean sheet, earning Arsenal a point on the road.  It wasn’t the prettiest of performances from the Gunners, but given all that has gone on within the club, perhaps a point on the road in a tough stadium isn’t necessarily the worst result.

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“Arsenal 1 – Udinese 0″

Merely a few days later Arsenal found themselves in another massive battle, only this time within the friendly confines of the Emirates Stadium, and against European opposition.  The Champions League Qualifying Round kicked off in London with a slightly different looking Arsenal side, with Marouane Chamakh replacing van Persie, and Walcott starting the match on the field instead of on the bench.  Arsenal were still without Samir Nasri, whose move to Manchester City seemed imminent.  Udinese countered with a full strength lineup, headlined by the talented Antonio Di Natale.

Arsenal could not have asked for a brighter start, as it took only four minutes for them to score the match opener (and what would be, evidently, the game winner).  Ramsey made the goal with a surge down the right and he picked out Walcott, who fired in a tidy first-time finish from close range. It was the perfect start for the Gunners, and the home side found their way back to playing attractive, attacking football.

The early goal really opened up the match, as it forced the Italians to come out of their shell ever-so-slightly, which produced a wide-open, end to end first half that was truly entertaining.  Udinese looked most dangerous through Di Natale, who has been the Serie A leading scorer for the last two seasons, and after watching him operate, it’s easy to see why.

Udinese saw their best chance in the first half at the 27th minute, when Armero raced through the Arsenal defense and found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Woj Szczesny, who did incredibly well to deny the chance, sprawling out and making the save.  The first half ended without either side truly testing the other’s net, and Arsenal took a 1-0 lead into the locker room.

Johan Djourou was introduced in the second half, and the Swiss defender performed well early, stopping a chance from Udinese after Koscielny had given the ball away poorly in the 48th minute.  Unfortunately for Arsenal, it would be his only real contribution, as Djourou had to be subbed off minutes later after sustaining an injury.

What was to follow in the remainder of the second half was all Udinese.  The Italians did quite well maintaining possession as well as absorbing the Arsenal pressure and springing counter-attacks. Once again, it has to be said that the Gunners’ defensive efforts were strong, and Szczesny once again continued to show why he’s earned the #1 spot in goal.  Theo Walcott almost managed to double the Gunners’ lead in the dying stages of the match, but an amazing save by Hadanovic kept the Italian side in the match.  Udinese could not find the elusive and ever-so-important away goal they needed, and Arsenal managed to hold on to the clean sheet, taking a 1-0 advantage to Italy for the return leg.

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“Arsenal 0 – Liverpool 2″

Tough result. In a strange twist, after much criticism and fanfare, Samir Nasri was included in the lineup for the match, with Arsene Wenger citing that with his impending transfer still up in the air, it was necessary for the club to play the best players available for selection.  After commenting on the lack of support and the ridicule he received the week prior, Nasri took the pitch at the Emirates and was welcomed back by supporters, who were sensing the importance of the match.  Arsene Wenger also gave Carl Jenkinson the start as well, with Kieran Gibbs battling an injury.

Robin van Persie returned from suspension and wore the armband for the first time as the club’s full-time captain, and his squad’s first performance with him at the helm was one of pride, guts, and passion.  Arsenal looked out of sorts almost all afternoon, but what stood out entirely was the heart and desire seen all over the pitch.

Unfortunately, with the injury bug already running rampant, the Gunners lost yet another cog in the machine, seeing Laurent Koscielny go down hobbling in only the 13th minute, forcing Wenger to play Miquel perhaps a little earlier than he had hoped. Koscielny joined Gibbs and Djourou in the injured defenders club, leaving Arsenal with a massive uphill battle so early in the campaign.

You could see that the substitution had an impact on momentum, as it was Liverpool now on the front foot in the match creating chances going forward.  Once again it was Woj Szczesny to the rescue, when a cross from recent signing Stewart Downing found the head of Andy Carroll at the far post, and it took a massive, sprawling effort from the Polish keeper to paw it away, preserving the clean sheet.

Liverpool continued to be the aggressor until Emmanuel Frimpong gave the Gunners some hope in the 30th minute, when after an Arshavin free kick came to nothing, Frimpong gathered his momentum and strode forward, belting a low-curling effort towards the corner of the net, only for it to slapped away by a diving Pepe Reina. That effort seemed to return the game into balance, as both sides saw equal parts of possession in the remainder of the first half but with no results, sending the incredibly important fixture to the locker rooms even at the half time whistle.

The second half was somewhat marred by a rain-dampened field, but it has to be said, with all that was going on with the club, be it transfer rumors or injuries, the young Gunners’ side were playing with so much heart and pride, and it made for a great atmosphere at the stadium, and as they took the pitch for the second stanza, the support was amazing.

The young lads performed admirably, but most unfortunately, the match took a turn for the worse in the 70th minute, when Frimpong (already on a yellow card) clipped Lucas in 50-50 ball winning situation, and the referee deemed it a bookable offense, bringing Arsenal down to ten men, and without arguably their best player on the night.

The impact was almost immediate. Kenny Dalglish brought on Uruguayan star Luis Suarez, and went in for the kill. The patch-work Arsenal defense held mightily until finally, after yet another stroke of misfortune, the Merseyside club were ahead through an own-goal from Aaron Ramsey.  Raul Meireles tried to play through to Suarez but was intercepted by Miquel who booted clear, but a late arriving Ramsey was directly in its path, and the ball deflected off the chest of the Welshman, and over the head of Szczesny into the goal.

It was easily a devastating development, and although the voice from the Arsenal supporters never wavered, giving their full loving support, it wasn’t to be. Arsenal were a goal and a man down, with several inexperienced youngsters on the pitch.  Luis Suarez managed to find a second goal for Liverpool through an all too easy sequence of play, and it was Liverpool leaving with all three points on a rainy, dreary night in London.

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“So…now what?”

Are the Gunners in trouble? Momentarily, I’d say yes. The lack of depth was being tested already, and now with injuries running rampant through the squad, it’s going to be quite difficult for Arsene Wenger to field strong enough sides to compete in what is a brutal opening stretch: Udinese at home, Liverpool, Udinese in the return leg, capped off by a trip to Manchester United at the weekend.  With Samir Nasri seemingly on his way to Manchester City, no Cesc Fabregas, and Jack Wilshere still battling an injury, the center of the field from a creative standpoint, is the biggest question mark.  Frimpong and Alex Song have performed well defensively, but going forward it is easy to see the side is having trouble creating chances.  It’s going to take a bit of work to piece together what the starting eleven should be going forward, but with the injuries and transfers, it won’t be for quite some time until we’re even allowed to figure that out.

If Wenger is to believed, the club is looking to strengthen itself in the midfield, which is clearly priority one now with the departures of their two best creative midfielders.  The defense has shown signs of good cohesion and form, but that will be made increasingly more difficult if the players cannot remain healthy enough to continue to play together.

The best way to look at it is to understand that not only is this club in transition, it is in the midst of their most difficult stretch of the season, and it just so happens that it’s the OPENING stretch.  If the club can find a way to earn a result in Italy, and then perhaps steal a point at Old Trafford, they can put this tumultuous time behind them and move forward, building chemistry, and perhaps, dare I say it, bring in a few new players to strengthen the squad.

So, no, Arsenal are not doomed, but if the old saying is deemed true, we will certainly learn a lot about this club as they progress forward in the face of what can only be described as incredible adversity.

The Want-Away Captain: Finally, Some Closure….right?

The nearly two year saga of “Cesc to Barca” has seemingly come to an end, as Arsenal have announced the sale of their captain, Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona for a reported $57m.  Both sides have yet to come out and say it’s a done deal, but everywhere you look throughout the internet, it’s all just a formality.  If we’re all to believe the rumors are true, then this ends what has been almost a two-year courtship and flirtation between the Arsenal captain and his favorite boyhood club.

I’ve always contended throughout this insufferable saga, that while Cesc has always given Arsenal his best, every now and again you’d just get the feeling that maybe his heart wasn’t in it.  With one eye on the pitch and one eye towards Catalan, there were several moments that made me question Cesc’s thought process.  That being said, Cesc always showed quality, but from this observer, the biggest issue I’ve had with the club is their lack of “guts” or, in layman’s terms “balls”.  For me, that starts at the top with the gaffer, and goes right to the captain, and it’s a role that I feel Fabregas was never fully comfortable with.

If the move is completed, Cesc goes from being the poster-child and captain of Arsenal Football Club, to, for lack of better terms, “just another guy on an absolutely star-studded club”.  Not everyone can handle being the focal point, or the leader (spare the argument about leading Spain, club and country are completely different) and it’s a role that is even more magnified in the English Premier League.  So now, perhaps Cesc can settle into a role where he’s more comfortable. with team mates he’s accustomed to playing with (quite frankly, with that lineup, who COULDN’T fit in?).

So what next for Arsenal?  The emergence of Jack Wilshere will no doubt help the transition phase, and the departure will certainly open up opportunities for other players (Walcott comes to mind). However, with Samir Nasri also reportedly on the way out (another story for another time) one cannot help to wonder what Arsenal’s direction truly is. By selling away two of your best players, you’re leaving holes not only in your attack, but in the very make-up of your squad. The next team captain is anyone’s guess (I said van Persie, but, what do I know?) and if they lose Nasri as well, now your missing a central attacking mid, and a forward-thinking attacker.  It’s going to be imperative that role players like Theo Walcott, Gervinho, and Andrey Arshavin step up and seize the moment.

Of course, all of this could fall through at the last minute, and all of this fuss will be for naught.  However, for the sake of the club, and it’s future, it hopefully comes to an end.  We’ve all enjoyed the Cesc Fabregas era, but it’s time for a change. Every courtship must have an ending, whether you win the prize or not.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Arsenal draw Italian side Udinese in Qualifying Round

Arsenal have learned their fate for the upcoming Qualifying Round of the UEFA Champions League, drawing fourth-place Italian Serie A finishers Udinese Calcio.  The draw comes as a bit of a disappointment as it’s widely viewed as the most difficult draw the Gunners could have faced.  The first fixture comes just three days after the Premier League opener at St. James’ Park in Newcastle on Tuesday, August 16th.  Perhaps most importantly, the first leg will be played at the Emirates Stadium in London, giving the Gunners an easier travel schedule in the first week of their campaign.  The return leg will be in Italy the following Wednesday, after the Gunners host Liverpool on Saturday. Clearly it’s going to be a crowded first two weeks of the season, but it’s a good thing to be busy as it implies you’re competing in several competitions. The depth of the squad will be tested mightily, and with what is seemingly a lack of transfer window movement, the Gunners will be hard pressed to emerge from this opening fortnight with not only Champions League qualification, but six points in the league as well.

Eusebio Cup: Benfica 2 – Arsenal 1

In their final tune up of the 2011/12 preseason, the script was pretty familiar for Arsenal. After going ahead in the 34th minute through striker Robin Van Persie, it was once again mental lapses in the defensive third that proved the difference, as the Portuguese side netted twice in the span of 12 minutes in the second half, to claim their own preseason trophy, 2-1.

With the specter of both Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri hanging over the club, Manager Arsene Wenger named the best starting XI he could given the players available, attempting to give his squad one final dress rehearsal before heading to Newcastle in a week’s time to open the Premier League season. It was Wojciech Szczesny in goal for the Gunners, giving the Polish international an opportunity to stake his claim to the Arsenal #1, a distinction that has seemingly been awarded to him already. Bacary Sagna and Kieran Gibbs manned the wings, where they’ll be next weekend, and were joined by Johan Djourou and Thomas Vermaelen in the back four. With the absence of Nasri and Fabregas, Wenger turned to veterans Alex Song and Tomas Rosicky to shoulder most of the midfield responsibilities. It was Van Persie up top for the Gunners, with newly-signed Gervinho and Andrey Arshavin on the outside of the Dutch target man.

The match kicked off in front of a spirited crowd at the Estadio da Luz, and early on, it was clear both sides were looking to attain a tempo more reminiscent of a full fixture.  It was Benfica with most of the energy in the opening moments, and the pressure finally cracked the Arsenal defense, when they seemed to be awarded a penalty when Szczesny seemingly took down a Benfica player, but the match referee waved it off and the match continued scoreless.

After regaining their composure and hold on the match, it was Arsenal who broke through in the 34th minute.  Arshavin found a streaking Kieran Gibbs down the left flank, who used his superior pace to gain the attacking third, and then created enough space to cut the ball back to Van Persie, who clinically finished his opportunity, giving Arsenal the 1-0 lead on the road.  Arsenal continued to dominate the match throughout the final minutes of the first half, seeing out the final ten minutes and reaching the half time whistle with the lead.

Wholesale substitutions were the theme at the half for Wenger’s men, introducing Fabianski, Chamakh, Miyaichi, Frimpong, Jenkinson, and Squillaci into the match. Benfica did precisely the opposite, bringing on their more famous names, most noticeably Pablo Aimar.  The major changes clearly impacted the outcome,  as was evidenced merely moments after the break when Benfica found the equalizer.

Nico Gaitan found space down the flank and fired a cut-back pass to Nolito at the far post, who hit a one touch pass to Aimar, who was wide open at the top of the six yard box, and the veteran Argentine buried his opportunity with authority, and the match was level.

Clearly the goal unsettled the Gunners, as the match was turned on it’s head and the momentum changed drastically in favor of the hosts, who now had a thirst for more goals.  Benfica hit the bar three minutes later, when Luisao found enough space to fire a rocket at Fabianski. Benfica continued to pressure and push forward, and the efforts finally paid off in the 60th minute, when once again the Arsenal defense was lacking.

Aimar broke free down the left and found Joan Capdevila on the flank, who corralled the pass and crossed to Nolito who outclassed Squillaci and beat Fabianski at the short post, delighting the boisterous fans in attendance. The lack of solidarity and overall quality was perfectly evident at the back of the Arsenal defense, as Squillaci was beaten to the ball and then out-maneuvered by the Benfica striker, leaving him more than enough space to get off a powerful drive at the net.

The final scoreline could have looked much worse than it did, if not for Fabianski, who played extremely well down the stretch.  The Polish keeper did well to save a great free kick from Javi Garcia in the latter stages, as well as pounding away a thunderous drive from Gaitan in the dying minutes.  The match ended at 2-1, and the home side reclaimed the Eusebio Cup, which had been held by Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur, who won the Cup last summer with a 1-0 victory.

It’s perfectly evident where the holes are on this Arsenal roster, and there seems to be a stalemate as to whether or not the club is going to go out and make the necessary moves to plug them.  The ongoing, and quite frankly, utterly maddening saga of “Cesc to Barcelona” continues to hang over the club like a black storm cloud: the club can’t go out and spend money on players, without first knowing whether or not Cesc (and/or Nasri for that matter) will be in the fold for the upcoming campaign. However, with the first kick of the 2011/12 season now less than a week away, there’s clearly more questions than answers, and they aren’t novice questions either, they’re without a doubt major club-changing questions. Expect to see mostly an unchanged side on Saturday at St. James’ Park, save for Cesc and Nasri, who could feature in the if they’re decided to be part of the club going forward this season.