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12 Sep 2013 21:42:05
Last season we scored only one goal less than the invincible's did, but we conceded 13 more. I think flamini could prove as good a signing as Ozil if he can help keep the goals against down to 30 and of corse the ball as far away from Szczesney as possible, just in case, he can make some great saves but for me is far to erratic for us to ever challenge for top honours with him in our goal.
12 Sep 2013 21:11:45
The look wenger has on his face in the picture with Ozil is like when you come home with expensive runners and your still trying to convince yoursself they are worth it
Lets hope Ozil isn't the runners that turn out not to be.
I think he's bought a good pair this time tough
Last year any gooner would have given their right arm to get Goetze for 30 mil. 30 mil for a player who has the potential to be the next Ozil. I reckon Wenger can't believe his luck!
On a separate note here's hoping the other team in red beat the banner in a fortnight! Corcaigh Abu!
I was I watching the press con with wenger and ozil and for the first min wenger is sat there trying his best not to crack a big smile I think wenger knows these are the pair of trainers everyone wishes they had. {Ed027's Note -
Ozil is top of range all singing all dancing trainers and at £42mil Wenger is thinking I didn't know LOREAL did trainers
12 Sep 2013 19:10:12
I don't agree with US Gooner on Vieira skill wise as he was excellent but we have lacked a real leader for a very long time. Not since Tony Adams have we had a real roll ya sleeves general on the pitch to get things going again after a set back. To be fair there aren't that many of those real vocal enforcers of effort and belief about now days. But any team who has one will always be very hard to beat.
We need to stop being stuck in the past, and comparing the current crop to the previous crop.
That group of players won trophies, as they had the balance in the team. And the factors off it did not influence the factors on it.
But to say the likes of Cesc, Ozil or any of today's superstars would not get into that team is being ignorant.
I have an arsenal friend who compared the great TH14 and even stated messi was not in his league. I mean there is bias and then there is ignorance.
We all love our legends, but if you put the bias aside, and look at it from a pure technical view, the team we were then and the team we are now is completely different.
rather than complain about what viera was like, the same guy who poached nasri from us. the same guy we all love, the same guy who has repeatedly said, arsenal will never be a force again. and for all those who have practically thrown wenger under the bus, the same manager who has brought in (without a doubt) the biggest superstar to english shores.
Anyway there is no point that I am trying to make, its just an opinion, but to me we have the right balance, just need a clinical finisher to complement the purchase we made.
Ozil's game will help walcotts game. rambo will only get better, and wilshere in the second half of the season will be a better player for it.
lets all hope giroud makes it to jan.
12 Sep 2013 18:14:35
People asking whether Wilshere is overrated ought to watch
Arsenal-Barca, year 2, leg 1
Name me the best midfielder on the pitch
England does not have a single midfielder not named Gerrard capable of that performance
The kid isn't 100 percent, what's so hard about this to understand
Well said usg . He's already played more games this year than most midfielders in the country and been kicked more often as well. He will become a afc leg - will just take time.
Jack is an excellent player already and will get better and better injuries allowing, he is not overrated but over expected of. I think some people will always want to point out his below par games to have ago and others will always want to give his exceptionally games as the norm. The truth is he is a gem who could become priceless given time and a injuries free run of luck
Absolutly agree. Unfortunately Jack suffers with this massive drawback of being English. Thus every aspect of his life on and off the pitch is under scrutiny.
- he's had over a year out the game injured.
- since he brokethrough he's had no continuity in midfield. Started off with cesc and song, now it's between Rambo and Arteta.
- he's also a new father and I don't care what anyone says, having a child causes you to lose focus on other aspects of life.
This is just a dip in form. He needs games and continuity, and it won't be long before we see the player who ran the show at camp nou.
Ag
I still remember that game like it was yesterday. Best performance by an English midfielder since Gascoine against Holland, or Gerrards final 20 minutes to secure the Chanpions League for Liverpool. And don't think Barca have forgotten; they'll poach him if they can (or Madrid).
US gooner the mere fact that you have to site a 1 specific game against barca says it all. its as if this one game against barca qualifies him all at once. and let me ask you did he step up and do the same at the camp nou to lead our team to the next round? nope. bottom line is that with great players you can't even site specific games because they ALWAYS CONSISTENTLY play that way.
again overrating the kid too soon. i'm tired of hearing how amaaaazing jack was in THAT game against barca. because when its all said and done there's more of a chance than not that jack will retire with more honours than say xavi and iniesta.
way way way overhyped
Scooby Dooby, you need to wise up! That specific games is mentioned because He was by far the Best midfielder on the pitch, playing against arguably the best team in the world and what age was he?
It will get to the point where specific games will not need to be mentioned when people speak of Wilshere but at his young age and the fact he spent a year out with injury, certain games are still fresh in the memory.
No one should forget that this kid is only really starting what should be an exceptional career with the gunners.
Im not English but I do like the England team. However, IMO JW10 can play as many flat games for England as he wants, as long as he performs for the Arsenal I don't care. Blame the English management.
12 Sep 2013 15:43:49
Not being able to reply to posts, but response to my Flamini-Vieira post
Flamini is not Vieira, but as per similarities, both are:
1.Vocal
2. Leaders of men
3. No nonsense player in middle of pitch protecting our guys
Since Vieira left, none of our players are vocal or leaders. When we are playing our worst, no one talks anymore. Before, when we played our worst, our leaders pushed us to a result.
Cesc days were the epitomy of us getting bullied without anyone on our team standing up for us. Instead, we were best at waving invisible cards to refs, like Barca does. Always hated this about Cesc.
As per Vieira
One of the most overrated players we have had as far as ability goes. Leader, yes. Skilled guru, hardly
1. Easy to look good in middle of the pitch surrounded by world class in every direction
2. Only reason Vieira could be Vieira, was because of Petit, Parlour, Edu and Gilberto.
Watch our old matches, Paddy was as indisciplined as Song about being out of position. Hence France played Deschamp and never him
Paddy had balls. Brazen ones. And that made sure no one messed with "his" guys. "No one messes with my guys, or else it's your ass." Paddy was the leader of men.
We need less technical geniuses and more leaders. This is where Flamini will be crucial.
To me the word leader is overrated.
we have that in abundance.
Koser, Jack, Rambo, Per and even Flamini are individuals, who have a massive impact and responsibility at an international stage.
we don't really lack much, with the addition of Ozil in terms of talent or leaders. we lack depth. and playing in 5 tournaments, trying to win a trophy with immense pressure against the club. things always have a way of going the wrong way for us.
The invincibles were an amazing team, with an amazing balance. but for me what helped was having two genius players who made everything work. Berg and Henry. Its a shame they could not take that to the next level in the champions league.
Having said that we have got a very capable and the best no 10 (not jersey no but the position).
just need a world class striker and we can definitely contend.
the difference between now and 10 years ago, was the competition. every team is capable of beating any team, makes the competition better, but harder to give a definitive favourite.
I expect Arsenal to give Wenger a two year extension, and then go after a big name. Pep / Klopp very likely.
until then we need to attract big names, keep ourselves as contenders.
and with Manchester United just about to sign a 1 billion pound Nike contract, just shows how the rest of the teams don't get a fair share of the pot.
Apologies, "ability" not "talented". The rest reads the same.
I'm sorry I can't let this comment go - "Vieira was overrated as far as talent goes"
That is blasphemous. He was incredibly talented. Watching him live was a real treat for any fan- seeing his natural awareness of positional play, Jack has the same; just knowing where to be to help break up play and push on, turn defence into attack; always wanting the ball and only ever with 'forward' in mind.
The best talent Vieira had was ball winning. You wouldn't get past him. When defending the last resort is going to ground, players are constantly told 'stay on your feet', mainly because a good footballer shouldn't need to slide in and when they do they risk a free kick/card. However, the way he would go to ground, wrap his long right leg around the ball and player (taking both) and getting up in a split second, was outrageously skilful.
He had pace, a footballing brain and could strike a ball.
If you think Patrick Vieira lacked talent, you are wrong.
If we who a couple league titles and a CL, we would be the dominant team in London
Then just you wait for the contracts we would be offered
When stadium got built and we started repaying debt, results suffered, commercial contracts didn't grow in value like they could and would have if we weren't in debt.
As per more competition, fair enough. But with the Ozil purchase, it's pretty evident Wenger would have bought and maintained the level if he had the money back then. I still think last 8 years could have been littered w trophies if Wenger had money to spend
Paul, the very aspects you speak of we're enhanced by the fact he always had a more defensive partner
Always
Vieira overrated?
Wow. That's one of the most ridiculous comments imaginable to an arsenal fan. Vieira is an arsenal legend not for being a leader. But one of the most dominating midfielders of his generation, someone like him doesn't become a World Cup, euro league, premier league and f.a cup winner, oh and being captain invincible while he was at it, by being 'overrated.'
Vieira was a good player and a leader, surrounded by some of the finest players alive at that time
I'm sorry, I didn't blindly watch w goggles on
Vieira was like Keane, a leader on a pitch full of world beaters. Put him on Aston Villa, they do nothing
Put Henry on Villa, they likely make top 4
Perhaps my choice of words was not correct. overrated not in the sense of his accomplishments. but to me personally. the duo of DB10 and TH14 was the reason everything clicked. they just had that connection.
when cesc and RVP player or sadly now of Cesc and messi. its just the awareness of where the other guy is at all times. like Ozil was with ronaldo.
ofcourse the defense and the physical prowess of Viera was magnificent. but it was the duo to me, that always stood out game after game, and in his right he is a legend. but to me he is still no where in terms of the sheer brilliance of DB10 and TH14.
put Xabi Alonso or Busquets with the technical brilliance and we would not miss a beat. in fact I think we would have been more dominant.
and I understand how Viera is revered but if you take out the Bias, the likes of Xabi Alonso and Busquets are much more advanced in many aspects to Viera was.
as an example. Yaya Toure is a poor mans viera. great when he can just boss the field. and is also technical. just not as genius as the barca or madrid man, and often gets exposed when he cannot utilize his strenght chasing shadows. in todays game, a lot has changed, and hence I see the midfield as the right combination, and not needing as spurs have done, bring in 3-4 dominant CDM's.
for the Arsenal vs spurs game with all the dominant men they had, the guy with most tackles and interceptions was the tiny Ramsey.
12 Sep 2013 14:27:29
Who does everyone think will be our number one keeper this year?
And did anyone else notice Robert Pires training with the Arsenal first team in the video of Ozil training? Surely we aren't going to sign him too are we? ;)
Szczeney has started, I think all the games this season and has pulled off some great saves so if he can keep it up I'm sure he will be our number 1 this year.
Viviano should keep Szczeney on his toes.
12 Sep 2013 09:50:55
in my opinion jw10 has lost the edge, he is not the same player like b4 his injury.
like ramsey he will have to be nurtured back, it may not take as long but it will take time.
For once Malaga summit we agree on
12 Sep 2013 11:00:47
Hey Malaga,
Posted earlier about this and there was another thread saying that Pep when at Barca said about having lots of players like Jack in the Academy.
It was only this year however that following the England vs Brazil game that Dani Alves said Barca should sign Jack up as a replacement for Xavi and Iniesta.
There is little doubt Jack has the talent and it's just obvious he needs this season under his belt to get back to himself and put the injury behind him.
The strength of our midfield should help him do just that.
Rubbish post.
Jack is young and missed an entire year of action.
Though his injury wasn't as dramatic as Ramsey's it comes with similar consequences.
Jack Wilshere is, and will be, our no10 and will improve with fitness, experience, and competition with Ozil.
Jack Wilshere is Arsenal.
He's been injured as you said.
He will be back and hopefully you'll be okay to eat those words
Im not sure what I have said wrong, I was just saying give him a bit of time and he will come good.
The signing of Ozil hopefully means we can allow Jack 1st to get fit again 2 to use carefully allowing him to mature into the future great player he will be. Let us just nurse him along this time
Do people actually read the post. Malaga's not writing Jack off or anything just saying he needs a bit of time. Which is completely true. If he stays injury free that might be a matter of weeks or months. Who knows.
12 Sep 2013 15:35:51
I was agreeing with you Malaga
We have Ozil. we don't need to abuse jack. let him take his time, play himself into fitness and his position is as a box to box beside ramsey. if we look at a 4 year plan, we can see how it will pan out, with Ox taking the left wing.
Still need a striker.
It's a bit early in the season to be judging jw10. Poor s*d has just come back from injury and he's had to mess about playing two world cup games and all the travel in 5 days- and in both games there was no shortage of deliberate clipping and tapping of ankles and feet. We need to get Ozil playing and rosicky and ox fit so he can have the odd 45 mins off the park.
F**kin hell did anybody read Malagas post he said Jack WOULD get back to his best why are ye getting involved if you ain't reading the posts ffs
12 Sep 2013 01:20:47
Flamini will be a big player for us this year
That 07 season we were so close. We were never able to properly replace him. Personally he is what I hope Jack becomes. The field Marshall.
All this time, and no one has seen it. Flamini is Vieira for us. No one brings anything close to that bulldog bite constantly in our engine like Flamini does since the days of Vieira
Cesc and Song, for their class, were quiet guys
As much as Arteta tries, that bite is not in his nature
Flamini, on and off the pitch, is going to be a game changer
No one messes with our midfield ever again. He is our Roy Keane. He's our Patrick Vieira. Bodyguard to the celebs. Security to the Crown Jewels.
He gives me a confidence I haven't had in a long time. let's hope he stay healthy.
Us gooner you i'm optimistic about flamini but you get carried away sometimes with your comparisons. he is not a viera and I would have much preferred gustavo to him. he couldn't make it as a solid starter for ac milan but yet for us he will be viera . please calm down .
I ask myself why did Milan let this amazing bulldog go then? If he is the modern day keane or viera why would they not want to keep him?
Im afraid I think u are getting a bit too far in front of yourself my friend.
He another option no more, i'd say when arteta is fit he won't play.
Comparisons to vieira shouldn't be thrown around too much. He's light years behind vieira.
He's a good player, but like CTR says, he probably won't play ahead of arteta
The comparison is a Bit OTT, but Flamini will do a job for us and is a player you can count on to give it his all. I certainly think he is our best option as a back 4 shield out of the midfielders we have ATM as although he helps us keep possesion well I am not convienced with Arteta in that position.
Usgooner is right, we should be looking for vierra type performances from flamini.
he has just come from a big club and he is capable of being fantastic on his day.
this is the signing for me that will determine the clubs season.
if flamini is a success we can win the pl.
very excited
nice post usgooner.
Sure flamini is not a legend but my god we missed him when we left and don't write him off because of his time at milan - he had a lot of injury problems during his time there. Indeed it isn't like Gustavo wasn't on Bayern's periphery and would any one really think he is worth 17million more than flamini plus an extra 75k a week? that's a no brainer in my opinion.
For sure US Gooner your right seeing him on his debute he was the only one shouting the orders a big player in this respect. Is he as good as Vierra no and I don't see any of the current team coming close, Diaby for me is the closest but he is made from glass and to more than half a season from him would be a miracle. For me the biggest surprise this season so far has been Ramsey, I have always doubted wheather he was up to the task but hey! am first to say we need more players in his mould, hungry dedicated and full of confidence an inspiration to the rest.
Yes a bit OTT. Flamini is a good player but not great but at the same time he is the right sort of player we need (i.e tough, defensive and versatile) and also the right mentality (i.e he will give players a kick up the arse, he's a leader and communicator).
He probably suits the premier league more than Serie A too so he will probably be more important to us than Milan.
Also, if free signing's of Flamini's quality mean we can get players of Ozil's quality then even better.
If I'm not mistaken didn't flamini say Milan offered him a two year contract but he wanted three that's why he left Milan didn't just let him go cause he wasn't good enough. And I agree I think flamini will be very important for us this year. Oh anyone remember that cl game he played in for Milan against spurs what a tackle ;)
12 Sep 2013 01:04:45
Brit media are the absolute worst
The only people that ever believe you're a favorite for a tourney are your beloved media, and then they heap unwarranted expectations on young footballers and destroy them w expectation
Did it to Owen, did it to Rooney. Shot Gerrard and Lampard's confidence every chance they could. And now Jack. Can't even let a 21 yr old kid get healthy.
Pathetic
I can guarantee you, if Wilshere was Spanish or German, he would be allowed to properly emotionally develop rather than have to become a man at 21.
Just let the damn kid play football and be thankful you're alive to see the likely greatest talent England has ever produced
Where will this media be when he makes the World Cup team of the tourney
I honestly believe Wilshere is being hyped up waaaaaay too much . I think his pure desire for arsenal to do well clouds the judgment of a lot of fans. He has achieved nothing yet, no trophies and he doesn't run the show against solid opposition consistently. he is not a top assist maker nor a consistent goal scoring midfielder ie lampard for chelsea. He is however young and so people assume he will keep improving at the same rate he already has. I want to see him become amazing no doubt but he is being hyped up too much. And to say he is going to likely be englands greatest talent EVER is way off at this point. players that have already shown to be better than him at this point. gerrard, lampard, rooney, gary lineka, paul gasgoine (IMO the best english player of all time in his prime) these are just to name a few from my lifetime generation as all round greats. stop praising wilshere until he starts actually scoring and assisting. it will lower his standards if he is hyped too much. since when does holding onto possession win you games?? and for anyone else who argues that he is more a defensive midfielder. well he's always getting pushed off the ball and complaining to refs. he does not dominate a midfield in the tackle like viera or keane did either.
anyone else agree with me? again i'm not trying to put him down. I think he's a great lad
Ok this is not banter for effect but I do wonder if Jack is actually the player u and I thought he was, everytime I watch him he loses possession a lot, over runs the ball forcing him into hard challenges thus risking injury.
Maybe its a fitness thing or maybe its more than that?
Peps qoutes ring loud when I see him.
''jack is a good player but we have loads like him in our academy, the english media always over hype your players''
Food for thought, big season for him this year
12 Sep 2013 08:15:16
There is little doubt that Jack has talent and potential, he is at a point in his career that we've watched Ramsey come through.
Jack has played games for Arsenal and England against Barcelona and Brazil that have shown how good he could possibly be.
This season is like Ramseys last, simply getting fit, get the confidence in himself, body and mind, then kicking on as Aaron has. I've watched him fall down, get pushed off the ball and moan to refs, that in my opinion is that missing confidence and fitness.
I genuinely believe he will become a top player how close to the likes of Gascoigne is another matter.
But he will be important for us, him Cazorla, Ramsey, Ozil and the Ox if he can step it up will be the envy of many.
Agree with stoner, this year will be far from his best. Like Ramsey last year, hopefully we don't get on his back as much as we did with Ramsey last year.
He's got soooo much potential and so much desire for arsenal and England.
He's not scoring or assisting YET. I think he's better when he's deployed in a deep lying role and does one of his brilliant 20+yrd runs.
He's an exceptional talent, without a doubt one of the best young players England have ever produced. But not the best ever time will tell what he will become.
I wouldn't be too quick to write him off, Guardiola said what he did on the back of a painful defeat in response to a journo rubbing it in with that question.
Likewise don't forget what cesc said about how wilshire was better than him at the same age.
The boy just needs to get fit, that's all.