Vermaelen saga begins

Vermaelen - 10 days away? I'll believe it when I see it

The most predictable thing to come out of Arsene Wenger's press conference today was the news that Thomas Vermaelen's return from injury has been delayed. I'll deal with the actual team news for Sunderland in tomorrow's preview piece. I want to focus on TV5 today, and what might well turn out to be another long and drawn out piece of nonsense.
I hope I can be forgiven for getting a sense of deja-vu about Vermaelen's injury. It was about this time last year that we were told he would be back in a fortnight. We would keep hearing it for over a month until it was finally revealed that the Belgian had a serious achilles injury that would require surgery. Quite how it took so long for Arsenal's ridiculously highly-paid medical staff to work that one out I will never know. These are the same people, you will recall, who had Jack Wilshere in a "boot" for more than a month before realising he had a stress-fracture that needed to be operated on. We were originally expecting the Verminator back after the internationals, but Arsene told us a fortnight ago that he would be one week longer. Today we are told he is "at least 10 days away." You couldn't make this up.
It seems obvious to me that Thomas is probably going to be absent for some time to come. I dearly hope to be proved wrong but, if recent precedent is anything to go by, we won't be seeing Thomas until after Christmas. Whatever the injury is it can't be denied that Arsenal's medical team has once again failed to treat it properly. How else can you explain the consistent inaccurate estimates given whenever an Arsenal player gets injured? It might have become a bit of an "in joke" when we hear a player is "two weeks away" when we know that they won't be back for months, but it has also become more than a little frustrating. Of course, if a player is injured they can not play, and that is not necessarily the fault of the medical men, but if those medical professionals say someone is out for a short time, and that subsequently becomes a long time, then surely it indicates that the problem has been inaccurately diagnosed.
Sadly, I doubt this is the last time we'll be getting an update on the return of Thomas Vermaelen. It is another serious kick in the teeth as Vermaelen is so important. I know we lost to Liverpool earlier in the season, but Vermaelen's performance was among the best centre-half displays you could ever wish to see. As well as his own quality defending he was also able to talk Carl Jenkinson and Ignasi Miquel through the match - it is no coincidence that Jenkinson looked so out of his depth at Old Trafford a week or two later in the absence of Thomas alongside him. Arsenal need TV5 back, and we need him back soon.


There will be a full preview piece for the Sunderland game at some point tomorrow.

A bit of a catch-up

Charlie and Eddie with some idiot

As it's international week and everything remains quieter than the grave there isn't really much to say right now. For some reason the NewsNow feed didn't pick up on a couple of the pieces that were posted in the last two or three weeks so I've provided links to those post's below. Obviously some of it is a bit out of date, but I hope it's interesting/amusing reading for you.






Dover Gooners Annual Legends Dinner 2011




Spurs 2 -1 Arsenal




Arsenal 3 - 0 Bolton




Oxlade-Chamberlain - Arsenal's New Star






With the internationals finishing we should be getting some Arsenal news over the next couple of days as we build towards Sunday's game with Sunderland. Hopefully there will be something to talk about tomorrow.

RVP speculation is tip of the iceberg - and Arsenal are heading for it

RVP: Saying nothing

The speculation regarding the ever dwindling contract length of Robin Van Persie has begun in earnest. It is not going to go away either. The moment a player gives it the "who knows what the future holds?" spiel then you know that he is not exactly falling over himself to sign a new deal. With the way things are at Arsenal, where Van Persie is the only proven world-class player left, you can hardly blame him for thinking about moving to pastures new - especially with the money he would get offered by Manchester City or Barcelona. However, he is currently the Captain of Arsenal Football Club. His contract runs out in the Summer of 2013. The need to get him tied down, or otherwise, by the end of 2011 is huge. If Van Persie has not signed a deal by January then we can be fairly certain he is angling to move away. If this turns out to be the case then the Captaincy should be taken away from him - we've been here before and it has done us no favours. I am a massive Van Persie fan, but we can not go down this road again.
Van Persie's situation is the one that will get the headlines, because he is our best player, but there is a more worrying situation developing. RVP is not the only player with less than two years left. At the same time as Robin's deal runs out so, too, do Thomas Vermaelen and Theo Walcott. Bacary Sagna is also in the same boat, I believe. Oh yes, and Andrey Arshavin. What bone-head put together the deals of five of Arsenal's star players that they all run down at the same time? When you bear in mind that these players will all be capable of getting lucrative deals elsewhere (someone will be stupid enough to take on Theo, while Arshavin would simply go back to Russia) Arsenal should be at panic stations right now and trying to get deals done. We hear the "it's busy when we play every few days, so there is no time to talk" but what a load of old nonsense that is. Arsenal players train in the morning, then have lunch before going home - I wish my boss offered those hours and considered me too busy to talk shop in the afternoons. 
It also seemed to be passed over by the press last week that Jack Wilshere spoke of his desire to play in the Champions League. Arsenal will not be there next season. As I say in the headline for this post, Arsenal are heading for an iceberg, and it may be one that sinks us.


Yes, it is quiet. International weeks drive me mad. More tomorrow? Maybe.

Charlie and Eddie talk Arsenal, then and now

 Charlie George - never a bad word for Arsenal

Last night saw the annual Dover Gooners Legends Dinner take place. Former Captain Kenny Sansom had been booked to appear but had to cancel at short notice. The 200+ Dover Gooners did not go disappointed though as Charlie George and Eddie Kelly reprised their Wembley Double-act (see what I did there) from May 8th 1971. We've been fortunate enough to hear from both men at past events, but last night saw something a bit different with the great men reminiscing on their careers at Arsenal, as well as being questioned on their opinions of the current problems we face.
I should mention first that the annual event takes place in order to raise money for the Dover Gooners' chosen charity, which is Bob Wilson's Willow Foundation. Once again those present contributed to a total of £2000 for Willow. Please follow the link for more information on this most worthy of charities. There was also a seperate donation raffle held to raise funds for one of our own members who has been struck down with Motor Neurone Disease at a young age - this also raised the best part of £500. A big thanks is due to all those present who contributed to such excellent fund raising endeavours. 
This year's event was also held in association with Gunners Bergamo, celebrating the tenth anniversary of their long-standing friendship with Dover Gooners - it was a pleasure for our supporters club to present Teo and Roberto with a special memento of their visit. Arsenal Football Club was, as ever, represented by Supporters Club Liaison Officer, Jill Smith.

Eddie Kelly - proud to be part of "the best Club in the World"

Spending time in the presence of any Arsenal legends is always a pleasure. Eddie and Charlie, of course, were the two goalscorers from the 1971 FA Cup Final. Forty years on Charlie describes that match as the "best of his career." He is quite certain that Arsenal should have won the game by three or four goals without the need for extra-time - if you watch the match you will be hard-pushed to argue with that. Eddie was also keen to tell us that Leeds were "nasty" and that he "hates anyone that plays for Tottenham" (which got a big cheer from those present). What comes across more than anything when you speak to the two men is the respect and admiration they had for Frank McLintock. Charlie makes no secret of the fact that he and Bertie Mee disliked one another, but he clearly loves Frank, and describes him as "our great Captain." Both men, despite their legendary status at the Club, were discarded in bad circumstances. Charlie was allowed to leave for Derby with what should have been his best years still to come. Eddie, meanwhile, was relieved of the Captaincy of Arsenal so that it could be handed to Alan Ball (don't let the pictures of the Captain's in the Stadium fool you - they are in the wrong order). Regardless of this they both love Arsenal. Charlie, of course was the local boy made good, while Eddie came to London as a teenager and grew up as an Arsenal boy.
Most interesting in their observations of the current team is their support for Arsene Wenger. I feel that they are keen to adopt the Arsenal siege-mentality, but both men stated clearly that Arsene is the best man for the job. As regular readers will know I am not necessarily one to agree with that, but these men know far more about football than I ever will, so who am I to argue? Charlie was particularly bullish in his defence of Arsene Wenger, citing the things he has done and the players he has brought to the Club. At the same time, Eddie was clear that he did not believe this squad capable of winning trophies. The thing they both were adamant about is that Arsene will turn things around, and must be given the time to do so. Charlie George cited the fact that Jack Wilshere and Thomas Vermaelen are injured, and that Abou Diaby is also out - Diaby gets plenty of stick, but the ex-pros clearly see something special in the big man.
Eddie and Charlie were asked, predictably, who the best players they played with were. Both men were quick to answer that Liam Brady was that man. If you bear in mind that the pair would have only had that privilege very early in Brady's career (though Eddie was around for a couple of years after Charlie) then perhaps it is an indication of just how good Brady was. I am too young to remember Liam Brady at Arsenal, but he must have been damn good - my Dad describes Jack Wilshere as the best youngster to come through at Arsenal since Brady, so maybe I'll still get to see a great left-footed midfielder before too much longer. Charlie also believes that Jack will be the man for Arsenal, while Eddie has been particularly impressed by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Every speaker we have had at Dover has stated that Dennis Bergkamp is the finest player they have ever seen at Arsenal. I already knew that Eddie and Charlie were of this opinion, but the way they talked about the great man last night just underlined how good he was. Charlie named his best Arsenal team for us, and he described Dennis as "the governor of them all" (incidentally it was Jennings-Dixon-McLintock-Adams-Sansom-Rocastle-Vieira-Brady-Henry-Wright-Bergkamp, with Pires as his one substitute). If bona-fide legends can be in such awe of a player like Dennis Bergkamp then it must say something.
A lot of players from yesteryear seem to denigrate those who have come along after them. This is not so with Eddie and Charlie. They were asked who would win a game between their Double winning side and the Invincibles. Eddie Kelly was unequivocal in his answer that the Invincibles would win such a game (though the injury crisis has him in mind of comeback!) Eddie spoke about the qualities of his 1971 team, and the hard working players they had, but that the Invincibles had top footballers. Charlie put it that the Invincibles had 11 "great" players, and that they were "the best Arsenal team ever" - nobody in the room seemed to be disagreeing.
Ultimately Charlie George and Eddie Kelly are Arsenal fans, just like you and me. They feel the pain that we're all suffering right now. Having been players they have a better insight in to things than we could ever have. Their closing sentiments last night were to stick by the players, and stick by the Club. The message was that Arsenal will come good again, and loyalty is what is most required from the fans.
It was a most enjoyable evening and Dover Gooners is indebted to Charlie and Eddie for stepping in at such short notice. They appreciate the supporters, and their enthusiasm for Arsenal, and the obvious enjoyment they get from talking to us, fills you with pride in The Arsenal.


The blog should be getting back to something approaching normality from now on as I have finished the training course that was preventing me from having time to do this on almost every weekday. The international break will, no doubt, still keep things slow for a few days, but hopefully the output will be far more consistent from here on. Thanks for your forebearance.

Tottenham 2 - 1 Arsenal - disappoinment in certain players

Francis Coquelin - magnificent at that dump

First let me say that I didn't think we deserved to get beaten yesterday. Yes, Szczesny had more saves to make than Friedel, but Arsenal's play was far better than Tottenham's. Ultimately, of course, the only thing that matters is the final result, especially in a derby game. Sadly that means we lost to Droopy Face's scumbags again. 
Before I get down to analysing the performance of some individuals (I don't propose to review the game as such as we all saw it and it was over 24 hours ago as I write) it would be remiss to not comment on the opening goal. It was handball by Van Der Vaart. It was as clear as day. Gary Neville saw it from the commentary gantry, yet the referee and his linesman chose not to see it - I use that turn of phrase deliberately as I don't believe for one minute that one of them did not see the handball, they simply chose not to give it once the ball hit the net. It was as scandalous as the red card that cost Everton their derby match on Saturday.  I couldn't believe Glenn Hoddle maintained it wasn't handball at half-time. I can only assume he was looking at it from behind Eileen Drewery's healing-hands. I also wanted to shake Alan Smith for not being irate at the decision - can you imagine Charlie George's reaction if he'd been in that studio? I am sick of refereeing decisions being a major factor in results involving Arsenal. As bad as the performances and results have been since February, I would seriously have to question how much better things might have looked with correct decisions being made in our matches (that is not excuse the way the team has played, or the way in which the Manager has done things, but merely to make a point).

Now, what about the players yesterday?  

Wojciech Szczesny was at fault for the winner, I have no doubt about that. He was slow to react, in my view. I know the ball moved on him somewhat, and that is probably what beat him, but he seemed to be not quite concentrating properly. Just imagine what Arsenal fans would be saying had Almunia or Fabianski let that goal go in. Apart from that he was excellent. 
I thought the back four didn't do all that badly on the whole. Alex Song recovered from an awful start to the game and played quite well. Mertesacker was also quietly efficient. I can't, however, excuse the moment when they left the ball for eachother just after we went 2-1 down. Such lapses in concentration are exactly what continue to cost us on so many levels. Kieran Gibbs had a fine game, I thought. On the other side I felt Sagna was poor in the way he covered his centre-backs throughout the game, though you didn't really see Gareth Bale for most of the match. The broken leg to Sagna was yet another critical blow to a team that really doesn't need any more bad news. Once again it was a needless foul, which caused Sagna to fall awkwardly, yet Arsenal were awarded a throw-in - quality refereeing yet again.
In midfield Arsenal were pretty dominant, for me. However, this was entirely down to Francis Coquelin. What a great performance from the youngster. He played Spurs on his own in that midfield area. Arteta was completely anonymous, and his lack of pace was evident on so many occasions. It's easy to see, perhaps, why he gets nowhere near the Spain squad. On Saturday night I wrote about Aaron Ramsey and his Denilson-esque passing this season. It was clearly evident yesterday throughout the game - even in injury-time when we were losing. He got our goal but his performance was a disgrace. Most shocking of all was how he watched Sandro literally walk in to space to receive the throw-in that led directly to the winning goal. It was absolutely scandalous and he should be dropped for that alone. People moan about the laziness of Diaby and Denilson, but Ramsey is seriously walking the same tight-rope.
The less said about the three attackers the better. RVP produced one moment of any threat and Gervinho should have buried the ball in to the open goal he created for him. As for Walcott I would have to ask exactly what Capello saw yesterday that warrants him getting a place in the England squad.


It seems a bit strange having commented like that to still think we didn't deserve to lose. That only serves to show just how poor the opposition were I suppose. That, in many ways, is the most annoying thing. Tottenham were rubbish, and yet we couldn't beat them. We had them rocking early in the second-half, only to let them off the hook.
Wenger says we "played with the handbrake on." What? What exactly does this mean? It's yet another soundbite from Wenger designed to fill space without ever addressing the problems he, and he alone, is creating. What about the substitutions? Tottenham brought on Sandro to add some physical presence in midfield. Surely Arsenal had to respond in kind by bringing on Frimpong for Arteta or Ramsey. Instead we saw Spurs come back in to the game. That change from Twitchy changed the course of the match. It was simple and obvious, and yet Arsene failed to respond yet again. When Sagna got injured he could still have brought on Frimpong and moved Coquelin to right-back - it was a wasted substitution.
There were further issues before the end. We had a centre-forward on the bench yesterday, yet he stayed there when we were losing. If Nicklas Bendtner had been on the bench he would have been introduced instead of Arshavin, so what is the point of Chu-Young Park being at Arsenal? It seems obvious that the Manager doesn't trust him enough to give him a game, even in a desperate situation like the one we faced yesterday. I would question why Bendtner is playing for somebody else when his replacement is not considered good enough to even get on the pitch when we need to try everything to score a goal. Instead of getting a centre-forward on we had Per Mertesacker going up front. I am convinced the German took it upon himself to go forward, and rightly so - somebody had to do something. Sadly his teammates completely ignored the move and kept playing the short passes instead of lumping a few balls towards the big man and putting one-leg Ledley under some pressure for a change. Even in the final minute, when Szczesny came up for a corner, four Arsenal players remained outside the penalty area - three of them around the halfway line.


I thought, as I started to write this tonight, that I wouldn't be doing too much criticising. I was obviously quite wrong. I will just finish, however, by defending Arsene Wenger over something. I see there has been some controversy because he didn't shake Clive Allen's hand after the game. I don't blame him. Quite apart from the fact that Clive Allen is a grade-A Tottenham c**t, he is also the same person who pushed Arsene at the derby match a couple of years back (and got away with it). He is also one of about 37 different coaches that hang around the Tottenham team claiming to have a job, when all the while they are really just Redknapp's mates. How many hands do you have to shake for goodness sake? Clive Allen is a cretin who won naff-all in his career. He is everything that sums up a Spurs fan - jealous of the success that Arsenal have had. 
Let the mugs have their moment, they've beaten us again. But just remember that banner that the Gooners unfurled before the game urging the mugs to enjoy the Golden Jubilee of their last League Title win. They are forever in our shadow.

Tottenham Hotspur (a) preview

Whatever happens tomorrow, they will NEVER get to do this to us - remember that, Gooners

A couple of weeks ago I opined on here that I felt Arsene Wenger's reign would come to an end after the game tomorrow at White Hart Lane. The results gained in the last fortnight, and the comments from Stan Kroenke (at last, he has spoken about Arsenal) regarding Le Boss' future would seem to put that to bed - though a hammering would create the most immense pressure against Arsene in the media this week. One thing I would like to go on record as saying is that, however much I believe Arsene Wenger has had his time, nothing would give me greater pleasure than to see The Arsenal well and truly spank those muppets tomorrow afternoon.
For a number of years I have viewed the Tottenham fixture as a necessary inconvenience. Since the mid-90's they haven't really belonged on the same pitch as our players. Somehow they have managed to frustrate us far too often, especially at their hell-hole of a stadium, where we've suffered from a number of last-minute disasters costing us the win. Having said that, actual defeat to the swamp-dwellers has been a rare experience. Tomorrow is different. There is no doubt in my mind that Tottenham are the favourites to get a result tomorrow. I wonder how that new pressure will affect their players. Hopefully it will be something they find extremely hard to deal with. If I was offered a point right now I would take it like a shot, but this is a derby game and anything is possible. The last time I really remember games at White Hart Lane being like this, with them being well-fancied, was in 1987, and we all know how the boys won there three times that season. If we can invoke the spirit of David Rocastle tomorrow then a win is not out of the question.
The team news has not been altogether encouraging to me. Having said that, the idea of Alex Song playing at centre-back against Adebayor (more of him at the end of this piece) gives me more heart than Koscielny playing against him. Elsewhere we have no Gervinho, whose ability to run with the ball is a blow in such a game. Theo Walcott has a fitness test to pass, and Wenger's dismissive comment upon Oxlade-Chamberlain would indicate that he is loathe to throw the young boy in to this game. Yossi Benayoun is fit to play and I fully expect him to do so - his hard-working mentality will help whoever plays at left-back immensely, and it will also mean that Arshavin shouldn't be there from the start. There will be a huge reliance on Robin Van Persie and Per Mertesacker to show their experience and leadership. The defence must listen to Wojciech Szczesny. It seems when you watch set-pieces that the defence does not take any notice of him - the goalkeeper is in charge of his penalty area and the rest of the players would do well to listen to what he is instructing them to do. The other key position is in front of the defence. If Alex Song does move back in to the defence Wenger must have no hesitation in playing Emmanuel Frimpong. I know that the young lad is impetuous, but his willingness to put in a proper tackle could be huge tomorrow.
In my piece the other day I said how I would comment on Aaron Ramsey. There's been something bugging me for over a month with Rambo and I have to say something about it. Over the past couple of years Denilson has had a number of criticisms levelled at him, one of which was the fact that he always passed the ball sideways, or backwards. I would urge you to start watching Aaron Ramsey closely. I think the stick taken by Denilson may have been a little unfair - if Ramsey is doing the same things then it would appear they may be acting under instruction. The problem is that with Ramsey playing this way it simply serves to slow us down - again something Denilson was accused of doing. When we have got in behind teams this season it has been because we've gone at them quickly, using the pace of Gervinho/Walcott to cause damage before the opposition can get organised. The same thing applies when Tomas Rosicky plays, which is usually when Ramsey doesn't. Can you see a pattern emerging? The game tomorrow will see Arsenal needing to play at a high tempo, and Ramsey's passing ability will need to be at the forefront of this. Let's hope he abandons the sideways nonsense and moves the ball forwards to greater effect.
I've not mentioned Spurs' players in this preview, and I don't intend to give anything by way of praise to any of them. We know they have better players than they've had for quite some time, and we know that some of them could damage us. The most frightening individual, of course, is Adebayor. He has a fine record in this fixture and there is every chance this will continue. However, I think that his Tottenham career will begin to reach its conclusion tomorrow, whatever the result. The way I see it is that he will either score the goals that win the game for Spurs, thus becoming a hero to the neanderthal knuckle-draggers, and then revert to being the lazy layabout we all know him to be, OR, he will miss chances that cost Tottenham the game and their fans will turn on him as the Gooner scumbag that they all know him to be. Let's hope and pray it's the latter.


One more thing to say: COME ON ARSENAL.

Arsenal 2 - 1 Olympiacos - the Ox shows the way

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - Arsenal's new star

It wasn't especially comfortable last night, but Arsenal got the win. That will do me nicely. After Marouane Chamakh missed a glorious chance to put us 3-0 in front the boys stopped playing until half-time, but the defensive display in the second-half was good enough to see us to victory. That, in a nutshell, is the story of the game but it doesn't do justice to the performance of an 18 year-old making a massive step up in quality.
This was the first time I've been able to get a proper look at Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (and even now it was only on telly, thanks to work). I was mightily impressed by the young man. The first thing that strikes you about Chamberlain is his robust frame. Whereas an 18 year-old Theo looked like a little boy (and often still does) this lad looks strong and big. He has a massive neck, and runs with power as well as pace. It seems that he is not easily brushed aside in the tackle, and he crosses with a quality conspicuous by its absence in the Arsenal squad in recent years. Last night's Greek opponents had little answer to him and his marker should have been leaving the field for his second-booking long before the end of the game. The young man took his goal exceptionally well, too, indicating that he is able to use both feet to decent effect. Given what has happened to Jack Wilshere there is a necessity to protect Chamberlain from too much football but, having said that, he must not be under-used. To put in such a good performance having stepped out of the third division in May speaks volumes about his ability. Securing his signing may yet provide a lasting Arsene Wenger legacy at Arsenal. I didn't think he should have been taken off last night, as we lost our pacy outlet, but if it means he is fit to start at Tottenham on Sunday it will be worthwhile.
The same can not be said, of course, of many of Chamberlain's colleagues last night. I thought Chamakh did okay, but I have never seen a centre-forward look quite so uncomfortable when faced with a chance to score when one-on-one. Again, I didn't think he should have been taken off last night, as once he was gone the ball just kept coming back in to our half. Then there is Andrey Arshavin. When was the last time he had a good game? I would have no hesitation in leaving him out on Sunday if Gervinho is fit. Tomas Rosicky, meanwhile, simply lacks the necessary pace to have any impact on a game. One goal in two years is not the mark of a quality attacking midfield player. Arteta was largely anonymous in attacking areas, though the fact that he is being made to play a deeper role in a number of games is doing him no favours - Arteta is a creator, and should be deployed much further forward in order to affect the play for Arsenal.
I have to say that the back four played a fine second-half. In the first forty-five minutes we were getting carved apart, particularly down Sagna's side. After half-time there was much more solidity, with Frimpong doing well to protect them. Alex Song won a number of balls in the area, though the referee was particularly generous with the sort of nudges in the back for which Song is regularly penalised in the Premier League. Per Mertesacker was quietly impressive. I have a theory on the big man that he is the sort of player who will never stand out when having a decent game. There is nothing flashy about him, he reads the play and gets himself in good positions. The problem for him will be when he does make an error, as the press will start on about his lack of pace. In short, he will rarely be praised, but people won't hesitate to pick him up if something goes wrong. I think he is settling in nicely, and the return of Vermaelen alongside him can not come soon enough for me.
All in all it wasn't an overly satisfactory performance, but it was an important three points. None of us will be complaining if a similar result is gained from a similar performance at Tottenham on Sunday. I'll preview the derby on Saturday, and that piece will include some observations on Aaron Ramsey - I have not been impressed by the boyo this season, and I'll explain why in my next post.