I like watching the Emirates Cup. It gives me a good idea about the preparation levels for the coming season and also a chance to see some youngsters in action. This year is going to be even more fun because we have quite a few big names missing.
For starters, all our key central midfielders from last year are missing. Song, Denilson, Diaby, Cesc and Ramsey made over 170 appearances between them last season. Obviously, some youngsters will have to step up and support Nasri who had, somewhat ironically, missed the start to the season last year.
Wilshere starred in this tournament last year and based on his form so far there is no reason to believe he can’t do the same again this year. I’m really looking forward to watching him against the likes of Pirlo and Gattuso in midfield. Last year he played with some experienced players around him so it will be an even bigger challenge when he has to do it alongside Frimpong. That’s not to say Frimpong is not a good player but dominating the game against Barnet is one thing and taking on Champions League winners is a completely different ball game.
It will also be a huge challenge for Nasri as he hasn’t really been allowed to prosper in his preferred central role. Playing alongside a couple of kids against quality opposition will not be easy. We saw this at the end of last season. Now it’s time for the players to show they’ve gained from that experience and can do better. After all, we keep hearing that the team is a year older and will improve because of the lessons they have learnt.
I’ll also be interested in seeing who else plays in midfield. Rosicky, Eastmond, Nordtveit, and Lansbury are likely to be the supporting cast.
In attack, our main central strikers from last season are missing. It provides a great opportunity for Chamakh to striker an early rapport with the Emirates faithful. I expect JET will continue his education in the same role as there aren’t many other viable options available. Vela is likely to play on the wing. I’ll be very surprised if he plays as a back to the goal striker. Simpson, Watt, or some other reserve team players might get a chance but I don’t expect much from them this season.
There has been a lot of talk about the need for strengthening our defence. Arsene is looking for another central defender and I’ve a feeling Le Boss hasn’t yet made up his mind about his starting pairing.
Djourou and Koscielny will get a chance to impress against some good attackers. It would have been even better if we had played Lyon because they seem to be the strongest of the three visiting teams but even Celtic and Milan are far stronger than the pre-season opponents we’ve faced so far.
I’m also keen to see if the squad has ironed out the organizational and awareness issues that plagued us last season. A makeshift midfield and a nascent defence will succeed only if they can work for and with each other.
They will be supported by our regulars in the wide areas. Sagna, Clichy, Eboue, Walcott and Arshavin will provide the squad some balance and experience but they will have to do more in attack and defence to help the youngsters.
Finally, there is the question of the goalkeeper. Frankly, I don’t know how to interpret any decision about the keeper right now. I’ve a feeling Arsene is looking for a new No. 1 but I don’t know how he will handle the others. The first three pre-season games have been too easy and the keepers were rarely worked. I hope Celtic will provide some long balls down the middle and some crosses into the box to test the keeper. Even Milan put a lot of balls into the box so the keepers will have some work to do in this tournament.
Ultimately, I think this tournament will help Arsene decide who will be Nos. 2 and 3. There is a possibility that we don’t succeed in getting a new keeper but I don’t want to spoil the mood by discussing that right now.
I just want to keep the mess around Cesc and the keeper anxiety out of my mind and enjoy the talent of those who wear the Arsenal shirt.
Being an old boy I`ve seen a lot of trophies not only in soccer but in rugby, cricket,surfing and rugby league, they all have one thing in common, they tarnish and it`s hard to recall the euphoria they caused at the time. So, I`m not a trophy hunter just play well, put your heart into it and they will come but as a by product of hard work and dedication.
I will get a greater satisfaction out of seeing our youngsters step up than buying a piece of `tin`.
im eagerly looking forward for wilshere and JET. i think frimpong will deputise alex song.. bad news for eastmond.
Don’t call it ‘bad news for Eastmond’. Whoever wins the battle for the holding mid-field role can rightfully stake claim at a spot in the starting 11. And the battle is won by taking whatever opportunities come your way. Frimpong impressed the boss against Barnet and in Autria so he gets preferred over Eastmond. Doesn’t imply that Eastmond is doomed or he’s not worth the Red & White jersey. He’s gotta fight for it, get better. Healthy competition, you know.
Personally I’d like to see Rosicky play in the central midfield role with Nasri just ahead of him. Wilshere will surely get some game time there but he could also then get some game time in other positions such as a few minutes in Nasri’s role. Personally i’d like to see him on the right wing as he will be able to cut in and cause a lot of problems for any team he faces. 180 minutes for Frimpong will show us where hes at but I too am sad that we aren’t facing Lyon. One thing I would like to see is a demolition of Celtic for their part in the Eduardo incident. That will show a good team spirit and give them some confidence for Liverpool. (even though theres another friendly after that)
I’ve taken the same stand on the cesc issue. I hope wilshere starts the season with us. I think he’s ready to play for arsenal, at least as a squad/impact player, but in all honesty, I think he’s already capable of much more than that. I doubt we’ll see a strong lineup for celtic. I’m guessing milan will get the big guns ( or at least the biggest guns available ) and celtic will have an easier time. I’d be curious to see who plays in goal for the celtic game and he plays.
As a side note, I’m gonna get to see thierry henry play for the red bulls at chicago on august 8th. If anyone wants tickets, I could get them a few bucks cheaper through my school, so lemme know.
No one will play 180 mins in 2 days Phil23 so i expect Frimpong and Eastmond to get a game each in the dm role. Probably the same for Nasri & Rosicky in AM, and going by the players available it’s almost a straight swap in each position except maybe Arshavin/Walcott on right and Vela/Traore on left. I know Wenger said Nordtveit would be played at rb but he needs to occupy a cd position for this comp at least.
Hopefully we’ll see a strong lineup against Milan then Nordtveit, Traore, Jet vs Celtic. Can’t wait for kick off!!
I liked Koscielny in the last warm-up game. His positioning was excellent and his comfort level on the ball too is amazing, I think he can be our Pique giving some great long balls and also could start a quick counter. Koscielny covered for Vermaelen’s too attacking defending, last season Vermaelen’s this attitude caused quite a few goals as the other pair was not prepared if Vermaelen lost the challenge . I believe they could be a very good CD pairing. He might struggle blackburn’s push all players onto the keeper then some how get the ball in the net, May be there are not any who can defend those.
I propose that Arsenal fans World wide post letters once a week for the next four weeks to UEFA & FIFA complaining about Barcelona FC’s ‘tapping up’ of Cesc Fabregas. Also post a letter just once to Arsenal FC requesting that they formally complain to UEFA & FIFA. I have drawn up 3 template letters that I will email to willing participants. All you need to do is type in your own Name & Address before printing off & posting. Momentum will be boosted by you forwarding the email to every one of your Arsenal FC fan family & friends, encouraging them to participate.
The aim of repetitive letters is to create an Admin headache for UEFA & FIFA with thousands of letters received from all over the world & display the strength of feeling from Arsenal FC fans. The purpose of the single letter to Arsenal FC is again to display the strength of feeling from us fans.
My email address for this campaign from where I will email you the letter templates is …….. ArsenalFansHateBarcelonaFC@gmail.com
I’d like to see Maestro Nasri orchestrating the mid-field with Wilshere & Frimpong supporting him by adding authentic attacking & defending capability. I hope Rosicky is used as a substitute ’cause I don’t wanna see another brittle Gunner getting crocked during pre-season. Is playing Vela on the wings a good move? Won’t it be better to pair him upfront with Chamakh? That’s where he wants to play. But then it depends on the formation as well. Would it be the 4-3-3 that Wenger employed in EC 2009-10 or would it be 4-4-2 or 4-3-2-1?
Better if Nordtveit and Lansbury get to feature prominently. I have some expectations from both fellows. Nordtveit’s ability to play across any position on the rearguard is a big plus.
I dont understand from where these Vela wants to play 4-4-2 start from. He plays 4-3-3 for his country and he does not complain about it.
Vela + Chamack up top could work but i doubt v.much we’ll see a change of formation. I was thinking against Milan use Chamack supported by the speed merchants Walcott & Vela on either side to show up the milan’s aging defence. That’s what i’d do but i know Wenger will deploy the Arshavin today.
You’re right. Walcott & Vela……they have it in them to run Milan ragged! If only the boss would have them play together.
Arshavin will want to play against Milan, Celtic just won’t give him the motivation, so he’ll play today.
Vela needs to show what he can do during a full 90mins, but against either AC or Celtic will do.
Walcott needs confidence and i think he’d have more freedom against Celtic if he gets the service. Maybe he should come on as a sub against AC to embarrass their tired old legs, and start against Celtic.
Then I predict we’ll see Traore play LF against Celtic… just cos there’s no one else.
Hey desi i would really like you to do a full squad analysis before the start of the season. And compare it to our rivals…..there wont be any more signings….except 1 (max)
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