Anything Arsenal related team news, starting 11 etc

1-1(Vella)

FH
Mannone, Sagna, Djourou, Squillaci, Traore, Rosicky, Frimpong Nasri, Vela, Arshavin, Van Persie

Not a bad first half, lot of the ball, but little end product. The build up is fine, but unless somebody takes responsibility its wasted. If Wenger can not see that way defence sets up is wrong for players we have then he needs to go to specsaver, so high and that needs all to play in unison but they dont, just needs 1 to be slightly out and its a potential disaster.
The Chinese side play well, it is a proper game

Traore at LB in a 4-2-3-1 ?

Wojciech Szczesny(45)Carl Jenkinson(45)Laurent Koscielny(45)Thomas Vermaelen(45)Kieran Gibbs(45)Alex Song(45)Jack Wilshere(45)Aaron Ramsey(45)Ryo Miyaichi(45)Theo Walcott(45)Marouane Chamakh

SH
1-1

Better second half, there was a lot more end product just poor finishing (Walcott should have at least 3) Do hope we sort out The Karate Kid permit as he gives us something we have lacked player who will stay wide, times his runs very well.
No point looking for formation numbers as not the way we played, lot of interchange, but both halfs just the 1 striker in the box.
Ramsey and Wilshire do make very good pair, all FB's played pretty much in opposition half, put lot of pressure on the CB's, thats key to how we go , a Samba type buy and we have every chance, only weak area in my view

How do you see the 1st Team lining up this season Mike?

I'll have a stab.

Chesney
Sagna, Vermallian, Koscelny (Cahill if we get him), Gibbs.
Walcott, Song, Fabregas, Wilshere, Nasri
RVP

subs: Henderson, Ramsey, Gervihno, Vela, Fabianski, Djourou, Chamahk.

Do think there are still few in and outs to come, until its bit clearer who is staying, position of new buys its probably not worth looking at mo.
The shape expect to be pretty much same as last season, what is interesting is way Ramsey and Wilshire compliment each other, if we where to lose either or both of those in the news, not sure it would weaken us to degree many think, but unless Wenger see's sense and buys at least 1 preferably 2 good safe CB's its academic as we will be lucky to finish 4th

Just seen the goal conceded, defending set pieces is going to be a problem again?

I wish wenger would sign samba and cahill ....

Arshavin?

Forgot about him. He'll be on subs/rotated with nasri/walcott, vela will go on loan.

"Arsène Wenger has named four of the clubs promising youngsters in his squad to face FC Cologne this weekend. Ryo Miyaichi, Emmanuel Frimpong, Benik Afobe and Conor Henderson will all travel to Germany, along with summer signings Gervinho and Carl Jenkinson."

First chance to see Gervinho in Afc shirt, what interests me is amount of game time given to the karate kid, as far as know at mo does not have a work permit, Henderson is another interesting player, very good ball distribution, Afobe out and out striker 20 in 25 games for academy side last season.
Will see hopefully how Wengers see's Gervinho, striker or Pires type wide, at mo not a real clue, but hoping its as a Pires type

Scuse me igorance - who is the Karate Kid?

Miyaichi, sorry unless do cut and paste can never spell his name

Todays start 11

Team in full: Szczesny, Jenkinson, Gibbs, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Walcott, Ramsey, Song, Wilshere, Gervinho, Chamakh

Henderson and Afobe on bench, interesting to see Afobe comes on he is a big lump, last time saw him his finishing not the best but gets into good positions so has lot of chances if he improves that side of game, could be a fair player

2-0 after 15 min Gervinho with both, do hope Dot is watching this, both goals set up by young Jack, only negative is same open down the middle, If Wenger just does what every Afc fan wants get a defensive CB even if the 2 leave we have every chance, with them plus the CB to me we would or should be favourite

Walcott------------Gervinho
----------Chamakh

Walcott putting lots of crosses in very un Arsenal like. Looks dangerous.

2-1 ht

Gervinho only on 20 min, looked very assured in front of goal, took both goals well, their goal was own goal from Jenkinson sliced clearance, shame as he had a fair game. Gibbs struggles to get the going forward against staying back part of his game right, leaves us open often to counters.
Chamakh could not get into game, shame as his defensive qualities at set pieces very good.
Ramsey had a mixed game, got caught on ball few times, then panicked after getting ball back, giving it away.
Walcott looks sharp, bit better finishing and could have had couple.

Poor decision making letting him down again.

Agree

FT 2-1

Gibbs only player not changed in 2nd half, fair game to watch, Rosicky looked back to some sort of form, Arshavin looked ok, his finishing same as Walcott though, Vella had a poor game.
Have no worries about us scoring, its how many we have to get to win games my concern still. Persie showed some lovely touches and looks ready to go, just hope he can stay fit.

Think Ebooue has gone to Galatasary and Jay Thomas to Ipswich, shame about Jet, in my view never given a proper chance with us, given opportunities to find a position if he gets that there they will have a very good player. What there fans will find in every game he plays he will give 100%, wish him well.
In many ways sad to see Eboue go, though his diving did my head in, no question loved the club and great in dressing room

Seems like Lansbury also on way, not sure where to, poss Norwich, good player but illness when young set him back with us.
Cutting back the wage bill, hope for a reason

"Theo Walcott sat out the session with a minor ankle problem and has since returned home to England for further assessment."

From Afc site

Thats a pity was hoping upcoming games would give a clue to formation tweaks for new season, would think unlikely he will be available this weekend

“Theo went home early and was due to have an MRI on Tuesday,” said Wenger. “It is an ankle injury that comes and goes.

“We need some more investigation because sometimes he’s completely free of it and sometimes it affects him. But we had to send him back because he couldn’t practice anymore.”
from afc site

Looks bit of a worry, maybe make our new signing less of a risk

Think we have applied for work permit for Miyaichi, do hope he gets it, in my view he is ready now and he is very different to any other wide player we have.

Are Arsenal preparing for Cesc's exit with the signing of Juan Mata from Valencia? http://bit.ly/pjG1CV

In a way probably, its been my belief that Cesc would leave us 2012/13 for a very long time and still hold to that, I could be wrong.
Its my understanding that Afc either want a cash amount that Barca cant afford or cash plus player and Barca not happy about our choice (he looked rather good last night) this week end is crunch time, would be surprised if Afc backed down, but it is poss, next season different would expect us to let Cesc go at a price reflecting our thanks to him, Barca could easily afford that.

Walcott given the all-clear according to the Mirror...

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/transfe ... 78223.html

Diaby out for 10 weeks plus and it seems we have a deal in principal with Joel Cambell, would think unlikely to get permit for him straight off so expect him to go on loan in Spain.
Got invite for a supporters meeting with Gazedis present, seems unlikely will get to it but will if can

Arsène Wenger suggested the problem was thankfully short-term.

“It is better than expected,” said the manager. “He is ten days out.”

Wenger was then asked if Walcott might make the start of the season. He replied: “He could, we are hopeful.”

from Afc site