Premier League Season Preview 2011-2012

 Not likely this season

 
I’m not going to pass comment on the Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri transfers until they go through and we have some genuine idea of the money they are bringing to the Club and what Wenger might choose to do with it. What I will say is that I am intrigued by what has been said by the BBC source (who appears to be an Arsenal board member) with regards to re-investing the money in to the squad. It indicates to me that this is the reason signings have been thin on the ground – the money we have been consistently told is there to be spent has not been there at all. In short I now believe that we are still in a position where players must be sold before new players can come in. This, of course, begs the question of where the money has gone from the Club. It’s a discussion for another day, but I am very worried that, if we have been lied to, then Arsenal’s finances are not as healthy as we have been told in the last couple of years. It seems we are going in for Scott Dann, once again shopping at Lidl when we should at least be at Tesco (Bolton have again confirmed there has been no bid for Gary Cahill), even if we accept that Harrods is a bit ostentatious.

On to today’s blog. The new season is now upon us so it’s time for the annual season preview. Below is my view of the season ahead for all the sides in the Premier League. I’ll deal with Arsenal last in some vain attempt to keep you interested right to the very end of the post.

Aston Villa
There have been massive changes at Villa Park over the Summer. They have lost their two first-choice wide men in Young and Downing and brought in N’Zogbia (who is better than Downing). They have also replaced the ageing Brad Friedel with Shay Given so that also looks good business. The bad news for Villa, of course, is their choice of Manager. I really don’t know what possessed them to employ Alex McLeish. Even if you leave aside his Birmingham City past it is hard to find an argument in favour of taking him to Villa. I think the Villans will be one of many sides involved in a relegation scrap this season (which they will survive), and I don’t see McLeish making it past May 2012.

Blackburn Rovers
I was listening to some Blackburn fans on 6-0-6 the other night and they sounded suicidal with the way things have gone at Ewood Park. It seems that the Indian owners will not, after all, be signing the likes of Ronaldinho and instead are bringing in players from Dundee United and Aberdeen. The loss of Phil Jones and, potentially, Samba could be catastrophic for Rovers whose Manager is also rather uninspiring. Relegation is likely for Rovers.

Bolton Wanderers
The signing of Nigel Reo-Coker is a big one for Bolton. I’d be a bit concerned at the signings of Eagles and Mears (unluckily injured already) from Burnley, although it was for a minimal outlay. They’ve managed to cash in on Matt Taylor and Ali Al Habsi but they certainly don’t look stronger than last season. The worst thing to happen at Bolton is the injury to Chung Yong Lee in pre-season – the victim of an evil challenge from a non-league clogger. Lee is top quality and Bolton will miss him badly. They have a good Manager in Owen Coyle and I can see him steering them to a comfortable mid-table (possibly top ten) finish.

Chelsea
This time last season I tipped Chelsea as the team to be beaten. Up until November they seemed to be running away with the Premier League and I couldn’t see how anyone would be catching them. Who would have thought that sacking Ray Wilkins could have such a seismic effect on their campaign? This season there is new management in place and you feel that Villas-Boas will need to hit the ground running – if they make a sluggish start then the press will be full of stories about the Manager failing. There has been unusually little transfer activity at Stamford Bridge and that surprises me. I can’t see Fernando Torres continuing to flop and I reckon he will come good in the grand manner. Chelsea will obviously challenge for the Title but I don’t think they will win it as things stand.

Everton
The natives are restless at Goodison Park. Yet again there has been no investment in the team. On the other hand they haven’t lost anyone (yet). Everton under David Moyes have been a very tough team to beat, especially at home, so there is little chance of them getting in to any serious trouble. In Tim Cahill they have a top finisher in the penalty area (for a small guy he is brilliant in the air) and they have a great talent in Jack Rodwell – if he can stay fit. Top half for the Toffees.

Fulham
The decision to bring in a proven Premier League boss was a good one and Martin Jol will see Fulham okay this season. The early start they’ve had for the UEFA qualifiers could well come back to haunt a small squad after Christmas, though their head start might get them off to a flier. Mid-table will do them nicely once again.

Liverpool
King Kenny is back and Liverpool fans are as excited as they’ve been in years ahead of the new campaign. A lot of money has been spent on the team and this has created a buzz around Liverpool FC. I don’t think they’ve necessarily done good business in the money they’ve spent, but at least they’ve done some business and got things moving. Liverpool fans are as excited as they’ve been in years ahead of the new campaign. A lot of money has been spent on the team and this has created a buzz around Liverpool FC. I honestly don’t think Dalglish will be the saviour they hope for in Liverpool and a return to the top four is the best they can achieve this season. Liverpool remain dodgy at the back (they have no pace in the back four) and Steven Gerrard’s injury could hamper them still further. In Luis Suarez they have my tip for the Golden Boot - he is top class. They’ll finish anywhere between third and sixth.

Manchester City
The money continues to flow forth from Eastlands. Any team that can afford to have people like Adebayor on the payroll, but have no intention whatsoever of playing them, is in a different sphere to every other Club. Aguero may take some time to settle in, with Tevez unlikely to play, so I can see City getting off to a slow start. They may well have Samir Nasri on board within a week or two to further strengthen them in attack. Their biggest problem is the negative style of play – it is not expected in a team that believes it can genuinely challenge. I think Mancini will be replaced quite quickly if City make a bad start to the season – a new Manager with a new mentality to attacking football might just see them challenge Manchester United properly. Top four, possibly runners-up.

Manchester United
They remain the team to beat. David De Gea will be tested early on (not least by the press) and how well he replaces Van Der Sar will have a huge bearing on the Title race. Ferguson has bought well once again – Ashley Young will provide much needed pace down the left, though his final ball is not up to the standards set by Giggs over the years. It will take something big to beat them to the Title so I have to tip them as Champions once again (unfortunately).

Newcastle United
The bizarre goings on at St James’ Park continue unabated. Money has been spent, albeit on little known players, while Kevin Nolan has left (and will surely be followed by the odious Joey Barton). I thought Newcastle would struggle last season and I think they could be in real trouble this time around. Alan Pardew is a no-mark of a Manager and Newcastle will survive this year by the skin of their teeth (though I can see them beating Arsenal this Saturday).

Norwich City
It’s good to see Norwich back in the Premier League where they belong. They’ve made one or two big money signings (though £2.5m on James Vaughan seems like a waste to me) and have a very promising Manager in Paul Lambert. They are going to struggle, without a doubt, but I hope they will survive the drop – I just can’t see it happening.

Queens Park Rangers
Another genuine Premier League Club back in the big time. They ran away with the Championship last season and the money their owners have should have made relegation a non-issue come May next year. However, they haven’t really invested in top players – in fact the new men are all Championship standard, rather than Premier League. Holding on to Adel Taraabt could be big for QPR, though how he reacts to not being allowed to leave will be interesting to see. I can’t see Neil Warnock making it past the end of the season (at the very most) but I think they will be the most likely of the promoted sides to stay up.

Stoke City
Hope they go down, but I think they’ll be comfortbale again. I’ll say no more about this horrible group.

Sunderland
All change at The Stadium of Light. Big transfers in and out of the Club have seen a virtually brand new team ready to take the field this season. This really could go one of two ways. Given the level of investment (though much of it is offset by the sale of Henderson to Liverpool) will put certain pressure on Steve Bruce to have success this year. I take Sunderland to be this years surprise package and possibly scrape a UEFA Cup spot – certainly top ten.

Swansea City
I was a very small child the last time Swansea were in the big-time. Losing Darren Pratley was a blow, but they’ve brought in some decent attacking talent – if they can create enough chances then Leroy Lita will score a few goals. There will be plenty of support from the neutrals as well as the locals, and I hope Swansea can provide similar entertainment to Blackpool last season. Having said that I think they will be joining Norwich on the return journey to the Football League.

Tottenham Hotspur
It’s a big season for the mugs from down the road. There’s not been a lot of business at The Lane so far, though that is not unusual with ‘Arry - he tends to do most of it late in the day. I do wonder, however, if the Chairman is not keen to spend out while Redknapp’s court case is in the balance. I think this could be a very interesting year for Spurs and particularly for their Manager. Should be top six, but who knows what upheaval could be just around the corner for Spurs.

West Bromwich Albion
West Brom will move up the table this season. Roy Hodgson is back at his level and his ability to organise a defence will see them comfortably in mid-table. Good players have been brought in at The Hawthorns while a lot of the dead wood has been shipped out. There will be no relegation battle for the Baggies this year.

Wigan Athletic
They’ve become the perennial survivors. Every year it seems they will finally drop from the Premier League, but they always find a way when it matters. The signing of Ali Al Habsi in goal is a good investment – he was crucial to the side when on loan last season. The big problem for Wigan is losing their best player in Charles N’Zogbia. Who is going to be able to provide his creativity and goals from wide? They will almost certainly be involved at the wrong end of the table again, but I see them escaping the drop once more.

Wolverhampton Wanderers
Another team that seems to be in trouble come April every year. The signings of Roger Johnson and Jamie O’Hara (who was there on loan last season) are very good additions. I can’t help thinking that Johnson is just the sort of player Arsenal could have done with getting – especially at £7m. If Wolves can make a good start they will be heading for a decent finish come May – not many problems this season.

Arsenal
So, we come to the only team that really matters. This is a season of make or break for Arsene Wenger. Throughout his time at the Club there has never been a greater pressure on the Manager. Signings were promised in May following the end to last season, but they have yet to materialise. Meanwhile two of our most creative players seem to be on their way out of the Club. It is unbelievable to many (me included) that Arsene Wenger has not made serious changes to his squad or his backroom staff. Too many players in the squad that were patently not good enough are still at Arsenal – a consequence of the wages they are paid, thus making it impossible for Arsenal to sell them right now.
I have never known such a sense of apathy towards the Club from the supporters. There is a serious sense of mistrust between the fans and those who run our Club. The pressure that will be put on to Arsene Wenger if Arsenal make a bad start will be immense. The early fixtures could well create a perfect storm which will see the end of Wenger’s reign – one point from nine, and out of the Champions League, would surely make his position untenable after a Summer of such inaction – in effect the season would be over after only two weeks.
Arsenal’s areas of weakness are well documented, but little has been done to address those positions. It is unacceptable to me that the business of the Summer has not yet been done. The argument that there are still three weeks left in the transfer window is a weak one – the last season finished in May, so the failure to add to the important areas of the squad is negligence on a grand scale.
The tactics remain the same and are entirely predictable – a well-organised defence becomes more and more difficult for this Arsenal team to break down. A change of focus is required for Arsenal to make it a successful campaign, but I just don’t see it right now. The best we can hope for is top four (which the Manager considers “acceptable”) but that is clearly not good enough for a Club like Arsenal. Worse than that, I see us finishing fifth or sixth and the consequences of that could be disastrous to our future.

The new season is here and I am vaguely looking forward to it. I have a very real fear that it will be a long and unhappy season for us Gooners. I don’t think Arsene Wenger will be the Manager this time next year, but I live in hope that I have it all wrong and that Arsene still knows. Time will tell. It’s going to be an exciting, enthralling, depressing and rewarding nine months. Strap yourselves in.

I’ll preview the Newcastle game tomorrow.

Oxlade-Chamberlain to complete transfer to Arsenal - not quite what we were hoping for

 Oxlade-Chamberlain - now an Arsenal player it seems

So Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is about to sign on the dotted line for Arsenal. The mass-media are reporting that the youngster is having his medical. Arsenal have not commented as they stick to their policy of saying nothing until deals are concluded (a frankly ridiculous policy given the blanket coverage of football news).
The pro-Wenger league will, no doubt, take this as Arsene being good on his word and providing us with some "good news soon" with regards to a signing. The trouble is it's not quite the signing most of us would be looking for. Let's be honest here, we're not exactly short in wide areas of the field, are we? I suspect Chamberlain's arrival will see Vela or Miyaichi (or both) heading away from the Club on loan (or maybe permanently in Vela's case - he was absent on Saturday). I would still hope that at least one central defender arrives before the weekend. Given that Gary Cahill is actually at London Colney for the next couple of days I see no reason why a deal couldn't be done there very quickly - as long as the reddies are stumped up by Arsenal. You would have to think that, if there is the best part of £10m lying about to sign a kid from Southampton, there must be a couple of quid left to strengthen in areas where players are actually required.
I don't doubt that this is a very talented 17 year-old. Unfortunately we're not really in a position where another unproven youngster is going to set the pulses racing, or be a cure for the many ills in this squad. Yet again, as with the Jenkinson arrival, Chamberlain's signing is going to met in a pretty lukewarm way by most Gooners. That is a shame for him, and a shame for us. I've said in the past how a new signing should be a cause for celebration and optimism, but Arsenal are currently shopping in the third division and that is a real concern to me. I hope Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain turns out to be a real revelation, but time and patience is not something currently being afforded to anyone at Arsenal.
I've seen the new boy on telly a few times and he is quick and skillful. Despite his tender years he looks powerful, with a strong upper-body. He looks completely different from the little boy figure that was cut by Theo Walcott on his arrival in 2006. From what I have seen of him, if he can hit the ground running, then Theo could see himself quickly sidelined at the Club. If I was Theo I would be looking over my shoulder a little bit - Wenger seems no nearer to giving the lad his chance through the centre (and all the time we play this formation he can't possibly play there). The writing may be on the wall for Walcott.
So, I welcome Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and wish him a very long, and very successful career with Arsenal. Now Arsene, how about those defenders we need?

Benfica 2 - 1 Arsenal - now we have some genuine injuries

Can we panic now?

I won't do a match review from last night. There is nothing new to say really. The usual problems were all there, not least of which was Squillaci's defending for the second goal and Gibbs' for the first (though Thomas Vermaelen's attempts to stop the first goal were as amateurish as anything from Squillaci). The truth is that, had it not been for Fabianski, we would have been utterly humiliated in Portugal last night. Yes, Arsenal had a far weaker second-half team than that which started the game, but they were so outclassed in the second-half it should set ringing the loudest alarm bells possible. For the third time in seven days we lost a half-time lead and failed to win the match. Frankly we have no strength in depth whatsoever. And it's not just at the back, either.
What has happened to Marouane Chamakh? Before Christmas last year he, along with Samir Nasri, kept us in the mix at the top of the table. He led the line superbly and chipped in with his share of the goals until Van Persie was fit to return. Since then he has hit a downward spiral and seems to have no way of getting out of it. Last night he looked like someone who had stumbled on to a football pitch in the middle of a match and didn't know what to do. When the ball went to him it bounced straight off him again and, when it went in to wide areas, he ran as far away from the penalty area as he possibly could so as not to have to try and win the header. Nicklas Bendtner would be a far better option right now. 
With Robin Van Persie now injured (ain't that a shock) the need for attacking additions has become as chronic as any other area of weakness. Chelsea agreed a deal of £18m with Anderlecht for Lukaku last night - that is a snip for a top class striker and Wenger should be getting in there before it's too late (mind you, what player is going to sign for Arsenal ahead of Chelsea these days?)
I opined yesterday that Arsenal are in turmoil right now. Injuries last night to RVP, Gibbs and Vermaelen do nothing to change that view. Put that next to Wilshere and Walcott and we have major problems. Arsenal do not need just a bit of investment, especially with the Nasri and Fabregas situations ongoing. Arsenal actually need a major investment. With six days to the start of the season I fear it is all too late. The level of negligence in this area is something which Arsene Wenger must answer for - it is no good coming out with crap about the complexities of signing players. We are in trouble, and it is going to be a VERY long season.

Gunners in turmoil with one week to go

Neither of them travelled to Portugal

One week to go to the first League match and it is now clear that Arsenal's pre-season preparations are in meltdown. Cesc Fabregas has not flown to Lisbon to play against Benfica tonight but Wenger admits he is NOT injured. Arsene's contention is that he is not fit enough to play, but that he's not hampered by anything. Sorry, but I am now totally confused. I suppose, having had the entire nation see Fabregas gambolling around the pitch on Thursday Wenger could no longer claim he had a "muscular problem." I am completely flabbergasted, however, by the idea that he is not fit enough to play. How exactly is he supposed to get fit if he doesn't take part in a match or two? The lies that are spewing forth from the Arsenal management are reaching whole new depths. How about a little bit of honesty now and again? The facts would seem to be that Fabregas is about to join Barcelona, so why not just admit that we're trying to do a deal, while adding the necessary caveats about the right price etc being agreed? I'm sure we'd all be happy enough with that.
The famed "muscular" injury appears to be a contagious problem as it has been passed to Samir Nasri. It's strange how this injury afflicts any player on the verge of leaving the Club. Maybe they do some "special" training to inflict damage to these muscles. Having said that Laurent Koscielny also has a "small muscular problem." As to which small muscle we remain in the dark. There are reports that Nasri and Wenger have had  a falling-out and that this is Nasri's punishment. If it's true that there has been a row then I am certain that it is a tactic from Nasri to force a move before the transfer window closes. The claimed falling-out is alleged to have happened on the way back from China, however, thus causing me to doubt its veracity - we've played in Cologne and in the Emirates Cup since then and Nasri was involved in each (even being made Captain in the second-half againstBoca Juniors).
Meanwhile Bendtner and Eboue are also absent as they "might be on their way out of the Club." So what the hell was Eboue doing on the pitch last weekend? Why was Bendtner included in the open training session on Thursday if he is not going to play any part in the team? I am getting more and more confused as the days go by.
What of those that are genuinely injured? Well, Theo is training (we knew that because we saw him on Thursday) but he is not ready to play yet. Fair enough, a little bit of caution could go a long way with Walcott's injury record. But then there is the curious case of Jack Wilshere. Jack was taken off early on Sunday with an apparent ankle problem, but his midweek scan was positive news. Now we are hearing from Wenger that he might not make the start of the season next week - indeed it is "very difficult to set a concrete deadline on his comeback." I smell some Vermaelen/Rosicky deja vu on the horizon with this.
At least we've made plenty of new signings to augment the squad and alleviate such injury/contract/don't-want-to-play-for-Arsenal type problems. What's that you say? We haven't made a lot of signings? Oh dear. That means we really do have problems. Our problems are so acute that Ignasi Miquel has been added to the travelling party less than a week after playing in the European Championships with Spain U20s. This is the same Ignasi Miquel who was not included in the first-team squad photos taken on Thursday - but Kyle Bartley, who was, has been loaned to Rangers. Once again, there appears no logic and no strategy to our preparations.
Will we see any signings before next week? I'm not holding my breath. I'm not going to copy and paste the annoying quotes but you can read them for yourselves here. I'm afraid I can not agree with Wenger over the complications involved in buying players. The biggest problem I have with it is the "agree the fee" bit (I'll ignore the problems he claims to have in identifying the players - this should have been done months ago). Agreeing the fee is quite simple - you match the valuation of the selling Club, otherwise you can't buy the player. Liverpool haven't had too much trouble with "agreeing the fee" for players this Summer. Nor have Manchester United. If Bolton say Gary Cahill is available for £17m then that's what you have to pay, just as Barcelona have to match our asking price for Cesc - the "rules" work both ways. The reason we haven't signed Juan Mata is that we made an offer which was less than the release clause in his contract, thus giving Valencia the opportunity to reject the offer. I'm all for getting players as cheap as you can, but there is a time and a place - Arsenal's situation demands decisive action in the transfer market, and it should have been done and dusted long ago. Wenger claims there might be some "good news soon." MIGHT BE. Remember there are international matches this midweek so getting to talk to players will be next to impossible. He says we want to add "...not quality, but super quality." Ah, I wondered how long it would be before we got that old chestnut. Such claims explain fully the signings of Silvestre and Squillaci in recent years - "super quality" in abundance. 
I used to love listening to Arsene Wenger
I've got all this way, and haven't even got around to mentioning the European Cup qualifiers. You often make your own luck in football, and Arsenal have certainly made theirs after the way last season finished. As a result of the capitulation in Spring 2011 we now face a tough two-legged tie against Udinese. It could have been worse, in that we have avoided Rubin Kazan, but we shouldn't be in this position. We will also be missing Robin Van Persie from the first-leg (and Nasri) after the shenanigans in Barcelona. With the first game being played at home it simply adds to the difficulty of the tie. I dread to think of the consequences should Arsenal not get through this qualifying round, they are too stark to consider at this point. I have a genuine fear that, given our first three League matches, our season could be effectively over inside the first two weeks of the season.
I am frightened at what lies ahead, and so should every Arsenal fan be.

What has Members Day told us?

He's still around

Today has seen the annual Members Day at the stadium, with the open training session being the main attraction. I watched a large part of the training on Arsenal Player and one or two things (people) stood out. 
Cesc Fabregas was involved in the session as any sane and normal person would have expected. Sky Sports News were positively salivating over the prospect that he might not turn up, and that he had been "ordered" to attend. What a load of old crap. Of course Fabregas was "ordered" to attend - is it not part of his employment that he has to turn up to training? Why would the fact that training was not at London Colney affect whether or not Cesc would be in attendance? It came as no surprise to anybody when he ran out to train with the rest of the squad. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, but Wenger really should refuse to speak to certain parts of the media (just like Ferguson) as they don't ever have anything good to say about us. The Sun and Sky Sports seem to go out of their way to say and write unsettling things about Arsenal.
Elsewhere there was the notable absence of Emmanuel Eboue (who is reported to have agreed terms with Galatassaray last night), Manuel Almunia (who I doubt is even in the Country) and Kyle Bartley. You would have to question why Bartley was given a new four-year deal yesterday, but is not involved in first-team training today. Samir Nasri also took no part, but he was certainly at the ground - you can read in to that what you want, but it does seem a little odd as we've heard nothing of an injury.
As well as those absentees there was at least one surprise attendee - Nicklas Bendtner was involved in the whole session and  looked pretty sharp in fairness to him. This would seem at odds somewhat with Arsene's comments on Saturday when he said that Nick was on the verge of a move elsewhere. Henri Lansbury, Benik Afobe and Vito Mannone, who all played in the Reserves last night, were there too. I spoke briefly to Lansbury after yesterday's game and he confirmed that he would be there today, but he doesn't know if he will be staying at Arsenal - he capped a fine performance with a super goal against Dover, as did Afobe. Theo Walcott took part in some running drills alongside fitness coach Tony Colbert, but he didn't do any ball-work in the bits I saw. Ryo Miyaichi was also in training as he awaits news on his work permit.
So what have we learned? I would say that we know Bartley is NOT part of Arsene Wenger's squad and I expect him to be sent away again and then sold before the middle part of his new deal is finished. I expect Fabregas to play some part on Saturday evening against Benfica in Lisbon, and similarly Bendtner should get some action. Manuel Almunia will not be at Arsenal this season, regardless of whether he gets a transfer (Arsenal might just have to pay up his contract to get him off the books). Apart from that we've learned nothing at all. We still have the same group of players, and we still haven't made any signings. What a crap day.

Dover Athletic v Arsenal Reserves preview

Martin Hayes' boys welcome Arsenal to Dover

Tomorrow night sees Arsenal come to town, here in Dover, for the first time since 1994. On that occasion Paul Davis had had one of his fall-outs with George Graham and was sent to Crabble with the Reserves on the same day that Tony Adams had his testimonial against Crystal Palace at Highbury. Some people in the town seem to have convinced themselves that Cesc Fabregas may be on the end of a similar punishment tomorrow - I think not. 
The Arsenal team has been affected over the past few days by the departure of a few players. Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has been sold to Ipswich, Rhys Murphy is on trial at Glasgow Rangers and Samuel Galindo has today been loaned to Gimnastic in Spain. I was particularly looking forward to seeing Galindo and getting some idea of whether he might have the necessary ability. The fact that he is being loaned outside of the Primera Liga again probably answers that question for me. Goalkeeper James Shea has also been loaned out for experience, his destination being Dagenham and Redbridge where he is set to replace his own coach Tony Roberts (who may well be named among the Arsenal subs tomorrow).
So who will be playing for Arsenal? With Shea gone it is likely that Reice Charles-Cook will be in goal again (Damien Martinez is still not available following his involvement not only with his national age-group team, but with the full Argentina squad). Henri Lansbury seems likely to play at Crabble as he continues to try and catch the eye of Arsene Wenger, and Kyle Bartley should lead the side following his own-goal against New York Red Buls. Sanchez Watt, fresh from his loan spell at Leeds (and a hat-trick last week at Borehamwood) will appear in the front line, possibly with Benik Afobe (who played in the first-team against New York on Sunday) and former Gillingham man Luke Freeman. Reserve Team Captain Ignasi Miquel played for Spain U19 as they won the European Championship on Sunday so he is now on holiday. The rest of the squad will be made up of scholars from the Youth Academy, including Chuks Aneke who looks a real prospect.
Dover Athletic have undergone major changes on the playing side since last season. They have lost their 40-goal striker, former Arsenal youth Adam Birchall, who will be very difficult to replace. Various new signings will be on show for Athletic tomorrow, who come in to the game after a 12-1 win against Ostende on Saturday. I must admit to knowing very little about the new players as, despite living here all my life, I have seriously little interest in the town Club.
I do know, however, that Dover Manager Martin Hayes faces a big season this year. The former Arsenal top-scorer (1986-87) took charge last Summer and led the team to the third-round of the FA Cup, but some pretty bizarre team selections at the back end of the campaign saw Athletic miss out on the play-off places for the Conference. The knives have been out for Hayes in some quarters and a bad start to the League season would see him under real pressure. I think all local Arsenal fans should make the most of the opportunity to see the side as Hayes' departure from Dover could easily make it another 17 years before they return. At £12 for adults it's an expensive evening when you consider it is free to watch Arsenal Reserves play at Barnet in the season (even more so when you know that Arsenal are not taking a fee from Dover) but it will be entertaining stuff. The Reserves will play their football with pace and style, on a good pitch. It should be fun for us local Gooners.

Arsenal 1 - 1 New York Red Bulls - we have issues, Arsenal miss out on Mata?

Thierry Henry - robbed by a jobsworth

I read today's Arseblog with interest. I have to say I disagree entirely that there was no justification for the boos at the end of yesterday's pre-season game. Okay, in the grand scheme of things we will have forgotten not beating New York by the end of the week. However, having sat through such dirge (the second half was truly awful) the paying punters have every right to have shown their dismay. Let's get one thing straight here - New York Red Bulls would not get in to the Championship if they were in the English game. The fact that Arsenal were incapable of beating them is what is frightening to so many, and it matters not that it is "only pre-season." I seem to remember similar retorts of "it's only pre-season" this time last year to the farcical 6-5 win in Warsaw. It may have been pre-season, but the comical defending soon came back to haunt us once the real thing got going. Yesterday it was more about our usual nonsense attacking play with no sod wanting to take proper responsibility in attacking areas - the second-half, following Van Persie's refusal to finish in to an open goal after twenty seconds (Ian Wright would NOT have been passing it to somebody else), was typical of the Arsenal showboating we have come to expect. I thought things had reached their nadir when Alex Song stepped up to take a direct free-kick on the edge of the box, but I was wrong - they got worse when Emmanuel Eboue made his way out to play at right-back (and still got a rapturous reception), somehow making a second weekend appearance despite the Manager announcing he was about to leave the Club. You couldn't make this up.
It's really not worth me going to in to all the details of what went on as I will just be repeating myself yet again, but I will cover a salient point of two. All the time we were winning only 1-0 it was only a matter of time before something went wrong at the back. It started about fifteen minutes from the end when New York realised they could get a result, and played the ball in to the Arsenal penalty area. The level of panic in the Arsenal players was almost tangible. There were legs flying at all sorts of funny angles and none of them anywhere near clearing the ball. It was completely reminiscent of the closing stages of the Liverpool game at the end of last season - nobody taking charge and dealing with the problem. From that moment on I felt the equaliser was inevitable, and so it proved. Once again, a high ball in to the area wasn't dealt with, and Arsenal conceded a goal.
In any other year I think Arseblogger would be correct to question why the team was booed at a pre-season friendly. However, this is no ordinary situation. This is a team that displayed relegation form off the back of losing the Carling Cup Final. With the exception of Gervinho we saw a starting line-up that basically included players from last season (Vermaelen is also excused after his injury). Those same players seem to have made no improvement, and there is a reason for that - too many of them are not up to it. On a positive note I was impressed again by Gervinho, and Tomas Rosicky played well in the first-half. The only other thing to catch my eye was how good Benik Afobe looked. Given that Carlos Vela, who was awful again upon his introduction, couldn't get in West Brom's side last season perhaps it's time for the youngster to get promoted.
I can't finish without mentioning yesterday's referee. Kevin Friend is his name - remember it as we will be seeing a lot more of this twat. Frankly a Fisherman's Friend would have done a better job of officiating than this clown. Quite how he failed to give penalties to Arsenal for the elbow on Ramsey and the foul on a rampaging Gervinho is beyond belief. In the circumstances, though, this was not Mr Friend's worst offence. I was amazed to read last night that Arsene Wenger had been to see him at half-time to inform him of the intention of both teams that Thierry Henry would play the final few minutes for Arsenal, having started for New York. Mr Friend forbade this due to "FIFA regulations." This was a friendly for God's sake, and is not without precedent. At that point Wenger should have told him he was no longer required and Arsenal should have got a more amenable person to take charge - they didn't even have to be a proper referee really. What kind of jobsworth tosser prevents 60,000 people from taking away a memory to last a lifetime? I told my five year-old how important yesterday was as he would be able to tell his children that he saw Thierry Henry play live - how good would it have been for him to see Henry play for Arsenal as well? From an Arsenal point of view, Henry switching sides might have taken quite a bit of the heat off the result, but it really was an outrageously officious act from the latest in a long line of muppets. The crowd should have been informed via the PA system and allowed to vent their anger at the prick.

On to transfer dealings. I don't often take much notice of Guillem BalagueFabregas in order to fund the Mata transfer. Why? We have over £60million burning a hole in our transfer pocket, so what the hell is going on? As a result the release clause has gone up to €60million. It seems that Valencia, given their debts, would probably accept significantly less than that, but still far more than would have had to be paid before midnight last night. According to Balague the deal to bring Mata to Arsenal is now "dead in the water." If this is true then heads should roll for such an awful way of conducting football business. We claim to be a big club, yet we act like some chavvy outfit expecting the other clubs in Europe to do us a favour by giving us good quality at knockdown prices. Frightening times. Kevin Whitcher, in his OnlineGooner article this morning, claimed that deals will be announce for Jagielka and Cahill before the week is out. I hope Kevin is right, and if he is then he becomes the number one for inside stories in my book, I very much welcome it, but I would still question why it's taken until one week before the season starts to get things done.


I'm going to watch the Arsenal Reserves on Wednesday night, so I'll preview that match tomorrow evening, and continue to hope that Mr Whitcher is correct.