Arsenal Review - Guardian

Edgar Davids Joined : 06 Jun 2007 Posts : 3552

The Guardian are reviewing each club - first on the list is Arsenal.

Guardian Unlimited writers' prediction: 4th Odds: 12-1

Thierry Henry's done one, David Dein remains an outcast and even Arsène Wenger can't decide whether he wants to be at Arsenal this time next year. Down the road, Tottenham have spent more than £30m this summer in an attempt to leapfrog the Gunners. If you believe what you read in the tabloids - or even on William Gallas's website - Arsenal have less hope of ending their two-year trophy drought than Gary Glitter does of staging a UK comeback.

But hang on, isn't this the same Arsenal whose "kids" reached the final of the Carling Cup? The same Arsenal who would've topped a table made up exclusively of the Big Four's results against each other? The same Wenger who has made habits throughout his career of both selling his best players just as they begin to decline, and leaving contract extensions late?

In reality, Arsenal are not about to collapse without Henry - he only played 27 games (scoring 12 goals) last season, after all - but nor are they yet ripe enough to mount a sustained Premiership title challenge. Other trophies are certainly not inconceivable, but nor - with Spurs closing - is a Champions League finish a foregone conclusion.

Questions over depth and experience linger; and the lack of height in central defence is a concern - at 5ft11in and 6ft respectively, Gallas and Kolo Touré are less than ideal when it comes to set-pieces, though, actually, last season that had little to do with their size, more with their dodgy positioning. Back-up Johan Djourou was more consistent than compatriot Philippe Senderos when called on, and may prove his worth when Touré heads off to the African Nations Cup in January.

In midfield, too, Arsenal have been bullied, but Cesc Fábregas has added steel and tackling to his sparkling creative game and will be less easily dominated this season. Gilberto seemed to relish his spells as captain last year and the load on both could be lightened by the rise of the 19-year-old Brazilian Denilson, who paired tenacity with a staggering range of passing in a series of superlative Carling Cup performances last term.

There's uncertainty in goal, with Jens Lehmann on the wane, Manuel Almunia still unable to claim crosses, and the new arrival Lukasz Fabianski an unknown quantity. But their full-backs will be a strength: Gaël Clichy has arguably been more dependable than Ashley Cole on the left, if less dynamic going forward, while Emmanuel Eboué will compete with new signing Bakary Sagna on the right. Even at £6m Sagna would do well to oust Eboué, who, when fit, vastly enhances his team's attack with marauding runs and pinpoint crosses - although those qualities may lead to Wenger employing Eboué on the wing with Sagna behind him.

That would also serve to reduce Arsenal's concerns out wide. Freddie Ljungberg had faded and gone and neither Tomás Rosický nor Alexander Hleb are particularly comfortable on the flank - both have spent most of their careers in the middle and when deployed out wide last season fluctuated sublime and substandard. It's not even clear who will back them up; Theo Walcott is the likely candidate but often failed to make an impact on the wing and looked more effective as a striker.

But, as ever, Arsenal's biggest problem will be converting the chances they create. Emmanuel Adebayor and Robin van Persie have plenty of qualities but clinical finishing is not one of them. So much rests, then, on Eduardo da Silva - if he turns out to be as prolific as Wenger hopes, then there could be fireworks, because he will not want for chances. With so much uncertainty, Arsenal face an intriguing year. The outcome could be anything from a new Wenger contract, a wealthy new owner and a shiny new trophy to a fifth-placed finish and mass departures. One thing's for sure though: they'll be well worth watching again.

In: Lukasz Fabianski (undisclosed), Eduardo da Silva (£7.5m), Bakary Sagna (£6m).

Out: Fabrice Muamba (£400,000), Mart Poom (undisclosed), Jérémie Aliadière (£2m), Thierry Henry (£16.1m), Arturo Lupoli (free), Freddie Ljungberg (£3m).

Edgar Davids Joined : 06 Jun 2007 Posts : 3552

Someone posted this reply in the Guardian. Quite agree with the comments.

"I don`t think Arsenal are in danger of losing a top 4 position, at least not to Spurs, because Spurs have improved their squad but not their first team. Spurs will have more options over 65 odd games but not be any better over 90 minutes.

They have added Bent up front and Kaboul at the back but you can only play 2/3 quality strikers at the same time and two good central defenders. Spurs already had that.

Much has been said of Spurs woeful defence record last season but that resulted from a substandard central midfield unable to hold the ball and for some inexplicable reason that has not been addressed. Nor their left wing problem. At least not yet. However two signings - a quality CM and LW (Sneijder/Pederson/Quaresmo) and Spurs could be anything. "

Subject: Re: Arsenal Review - Guardian Tue Jul 31 2007, 13:23

Yes, I agree too. I'll be following this Guardian prediction for each of the clubs in the prem next year.

They are usually pretty good and impartial.

Founding Father Joined : 06 Jun 2007 Posts : 1704

They have added Bent up front and Kaboul at the back but you can only play 2/3 quality strikers at the same time and two good central defenders. Spurs already had that.
[quote]

I disagree. Yes, you can only play 2-3 quality strikers at the same time, but you're allowed to play up to 14 players. The addition of Bent now gives us 2 quality strikers to start and another 2 to come off the bench. Plenty of options over 90 mins and certainly more than the Filth.

And I reckon Kaboul will start with Daws and form a quality partnership. Baring injuries, I reckon these two will give us more solidity than in previous seasons when BMJ has had to switch between Leds/Daws, Daws/Mudslide, Daws/The Inconsistent Gardner, etc.

Draw at the Arab Bowl; Win at WHL. Onwards and Upwards......They have added Bent up front and Kaboul at the back but you can only play 2/3 quality strikers at the same time and two good central defenders. Spurs already had that.
[quote]

I disagree. Yes, you can only play 2-3 quality strikers at the same time, but you're allowed to play up to 14 players. The addition of Bent now gives us 2 quality strikers to start and another 2 to come off the bench. Plenty of options over 90 mins and certainly more than the Filth.

And I reckon Kaboul will start with Daws and form a quality partnership. Baring injuries, I reckon these two will give us more solidity than in previous seasons when BMJ has had to switch between Leds/Daws, Daws/Mudslide, Daws/The Inconsistent Gardner, etc.

Draw at the Arab Bowl; Win at WHL. Onwards and Upwards......

Founding Father Joined : 06 Jun 2007 Posts : 1704

oops! too much cutting and pasting Embarassed