Afternoon Gooners,
We have had time to let the events of Tuesday night truly sink in and with some retrospect; it was still an awful performance. With tempers calming slightly following the performance lacking any creativity, the transfer lacking any morality, and the imminent transfer of a mercenary, I am still angry. Not at Arsene Wenger but how, as a club, we have allowed ourselves to be put in this situation. We are into the season now visibly weaker than we were at the close of last season with little sign of that changing.
Whilst I am calmer and perhaps as a result a little more objective and a whole lot more accurate in my analysis, it is still clear we need to invest, very quickly, in a creative player, a defender and a striker. That is now the order of importance for me. I am not fully confident this will happen but there are murmurings of many players especially across the English Channel in a country we are accustomed to get much of our talent so there could be some truth in this. The problem being, we have got a crucial game in 2 days time and with the team as it is, with it’s injuries and suspensions we are not in great shape.
If we look at our best possible XI with our squad as it would be:
Sczeczny, Gibbs, Vermaelan, Kocsienly, Sagna, Song, Wilshire, Nasri, Gervinho, Walcott/Arshavin, Van Persie.
Of those we have Gibbs, Song, Wilshire, Nasri and Gervinho out of the team due to injuries, suspensions and greed. So that is 5 players on top of the sales of Cesc, Eboue, Clichy, Denilson and maybe more. That makes the squad that is facing Liverpool essentially a skeleton of the squad available to us last season. Are we capable of winning? I’d still say yes but it would require that all of our players have a blinder and the defence continues its form. It would also require a few of Liverpool’s top guns to have a poor game. Either way it is not out of the realms of possibility we can beat them but it is clear that we are not really in an ideal position and that can, should and must be solved. We have it in our power to change the teams composion and quality but also to lift the spirits of the fans and players alike by making a real statement of intent in our dealings in the transfer market. I just worry that Arsene Wenger finds himself unable to loosen the purse strings and spend money beyond what he values a player at. There is certainly needs to be some re-evaluation of how we conduct our business whether it is Ivan who can not close a deal or a refusal to act by Arsene.
With that in mind here is the transfer news from this morning. Not a whole lot of news aside from the usual suspects plus Mertesacker’s name has resurfaced but it is almost becoming pointless looking for any news. Wenger’s dealings in the market are beyond prediction at the moment so I will only think we have signed someone when it has been announced. Especially as a few days ago it seemed that the transfer of Cahill would finally go through and as yet it hasn’t, worse still it seems he may actually be joining Liverpool so lets take what we read in the papers with a pinch of salt.
Yesterday was the birthday of one of the greatest players to grace the premiership. So in belated celebration, here is a run down of my favourite goals he scored. Might not necessarily be the best of his many audacious strikes but may be in the list because of what they meant to the team or me.
Without further ado here are the Thierry Henry top 10 goals by Goonerverse:
10) While nowhere near the quality of the others this one made me as happy as any other he scored. Left us, then Barcelona, apparently past it but still manages to score his first goal against the old enemy. Classic.
9) This goal has to be in here due to the importance to the team, how he took the goal and the opposition he scored against. The way he took the goal was as exciting to me when I first saw it as it winning us the match. Great goal.
8) Any 40 yard+ strike must get props but to do it on the big occasion against what became our fiercest rivals is why he was a complete legend. Great goal, which looks even better when it is slowed down so you can appreciate it.
7) Another goal against a top club. A scintillating finish from the greatest front man the league has ever seen.
6) The first touch to free himself of the defender is the stuff legends are made of. I watch these goals and get even more depressed about our current state of affairs.
5) I remember the build up to this match… “The galacticos vs one Gunner… can he beat them”. It was one thing being underdogs but the pre match segments were truly awful and infuriating. However, the man that “choked in the big games” delivered another superb goal, in another huge game. Great run, strength, skill and finish.
4) Another HUGE goal. Great skill, control and finish. And putting that Carragher cunt on his arse was awesome. He really could make something out of nothing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUXKtf1rdaY 3) The true definition of an individual effort. He picked the ball way up in his own half and makes them all look like the tits they are. What an absolutely special goal.
2) Here is one to rival the best of best from Bergkamp. The control and skill are unbelievable. I could literally watch it all day and it would have undoubtedly taken top spot if it wasn’t in this fixture. This goal really is a wonder to watch and I find myself mesmerised by it each and every time. Certainly technically the best goal.
1) This is my number one goal. Not least because of the unbelievable vision and technique but the fact it was again against United. A lot of people at the time questioned whether it was intentional or not but believe me it was. The way he shapes his body as he flicks it up and the awareness to know where the goal was are all to be marvelled at. The best goal by Thierry Henry and arguably in Premier League history. Thierry we love you and miss you. The greatest number 14 that ever lived.
With that I shall leave you to ways of getting through the hurt of our inability to sign anyone. Enjoy the rest of the day!
Goonerverse.
Agree with a lot you said. But it wasn't a terrible game. It was a cracker. Udinese are an excellent team. Once we scored they played like they had nothing to lose. Our boys played with great heart and passion.
ReplyDeleteOur squad is weaker than last year but looking at the first XI and working from the back, GK is better, CBs better since TV5 is back, Clichy was a mixed bag,Song/Wilshere are fully blooded therefore better. Gervinho will outperform Nasri over a full season. We've only really lost CESC. Ramsey needs the chance to grow, so this is his season. And everyone is a year more mature.
Don't panic. There are 37 more games left. It is not how you start, it's how you finish. Ask Man United.
But yes, we have lost squad strength and need a couple of good signings. No point in naming signings. When they come in they'll all be surprises.
Signed, TheoVanRamshere.
Some good points there and agree with what you say about defence and individuals improving etc. My "awful performance" comment was in reference to lack of penetration and inability to control the game. We still had the best chances through Theo and the game was very exciting, just very un-arsenal like though. Good points though and glad you enjoyed!
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