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Theo Walcott in England squad to face Spain + Sweden. Gibbs + Wilshere injured.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15614738.stm

Arsène Wenger is in no two minds about the importance of Mikel Arteta to the Arsenal team.

The Spanish midfielder was on target in the 3-0 win over West Brom on Saturday, firing home the team’s final goal to cap a fine display at Emirates Stadium.

Arteta has featured in every available Premier League fixture since his move from Everton in the summer and manager Wenger believes he is a crucial cog in the Gunners machine.

“He is an important player for our team,” he said. “He is really a player between Song and Ramsey or Rosicky and that gives us continuity.

“When we need to keep the ball he can achieve that - Jack [Wilshere] can do that as well. But with Jack missing he is a player who can keep the ball when it is needed.

“He is adapting to our game. If you look at the stats in the Premier League, Arsenal are the team who play the least balls backwards.

“That means when you have the ball it is not only a question of decision-making, it's a question of opportunity. It's about how many players you have in front of you - if you have players behind you have to play it backwards.”

Although a regular in the Premier League for the last six years, the 29-year-old is yet to receive international recognition in a Spain shirt. Wenger thinks Arteta has been somewhat unfortunate on that front.

“In a different way he is like [Ryan] Giggs,” he said. “He had the bad luck to play for Wales who never went to a big tournament. Arteta was born in Spain where they have plenty of midfielders who are absolutely outstanding.

“What maybe didn't help him is that he was very young and he did not move to clubs who were maybe as glamorous as they should have been.

“At the time he went very young to PSG when they were not going very well. After he moved to Rangers to try and convince Spanish managers he deserved a place in the team and then to Everton.

“It shows what I always say - 90 per cent of a player's career is the club. It's the club who makes the career of the players. If he was English he would have an international career here.”

beatrixasdfghjk. wrote:Wilshere: I promise to stay at Arsenal forever

Jack Wilshere has confirmed his desire to stay at Arsenal for the rest of his career and given the club a further boost by claiming he could be back in first team training in six weeks time.

The 19-year-old England international has not played a single game this season after limping out of the Emirates Cup and was forced to undergo surgery on his ankle despite initially hoping to shake off the problem without going under the knife.

Speaking from Wembley Arena to iFILM LONDON in the aftermath of Saturday’s win against West Bromwich Albion, the playmaker spoke openly about his recovery.

“It’s going really slow at the minute and obviously I’m really frustrated. I should be back in training by mid-December, then I can crack on and it’s up to the boss when he picks me.

“It’s massively frustrating, especially after last year when we were so close to winning a trophy. We beat Barcelona at home and everything seemed to be going well and it ended sadly. I was looking forward to this season, I really thought we could push on and do something. To get a setback is massively frustrating but I’ll be back in December and hopefully we can push on from then.”

Buoyed by the recent upturn in form at the Emirates, Wilshere also praised his teammates for overcoming the difficult start to the season.

“We seem to get better and better every week. We had a bad start to the season and everyone knows that. I’m not going to lie and say we did well, we didn’t. The boys had to play together, they’re new players some of them. We seem to be getting better and better every week.

“Today [vs WBA] was probably one of our best performances. We passed it around like the old Arsenal and we seem to be back to winning ways.”

As a final fillip, Wilshere answered in the affirmative when asked by interviewer Kugan Cassius if he could promise to stay at Arsenal forever:

“I promise that, yeah. I’ve been at the club since I was nine and learned to love it. From the Vieira days, to Bergkamp, Fabregas, I’ve watched them come through and move on. There’s a crop of new players Ramsey, myself, Kieran Gibbs…hopefully we can really create something special. I love the club and I want to be part of its future.”

Lovely stuff.

Just imagine if he gets called up for Spain. Arteta is one of those dream come true stories, joined a big club and is playing in the Champions league football. Last year he was fighting for EPL survival and now fighting to win it all.

I was so happy Arteta joined us, always liked him and glad he is a Gunner.

Worst goalkeeping error since....well, Almunia v Birmingham I think.... http://bit.ly/tMkF4a

Samuelj29060 wrote:Worst goalkeeping error since....well, Almunia v Birmingham I think.... http://bit.ly/tMkF4a

We can sell them ALmunia if they want, way better goalie, scary looking also.

Talking about Almunia, his 1 month loan is up, is he back yet?

Twoism wrote:Talking about Almunia, his 1 month loan is up, is he back yet?

The name Almunia scares the hell out of me.

Raptorgunner wrote:

beatrixasdfghjk. wrote:

Spoiler:

Just imagine if he gets called up for Spain. Arteta is one of those dream come true stories, joined a big club and is playing in the Champions league football. Last year he was fighting for EPL survival and now fighting to win it all.

I was so happy Arteta joined us, always liked him and glad he is a Gunner.

You quoted the wrong article .

And yeah, Almunia's back. http://www.setanta.com/ie/Articles/2011/10/31/Keepers-loan-spell-comes-to-an-end/gnid-115614/

Ever seen this?

Brilliant Article on Arteta


Thank You David Moyes, And Welcome The Wise Old Head


Yes, thank you, David Moyes. And welcome the “Wise Old Head”.

A year ago Denilson, in perhaps the most astute observation he’s ever had, mentioned in an interview that our beloved Arsenal were lacking. Lacking in leadership on and off the pitch. Blasphemy, many cried! How dare you? We have Cesc! We have Robin! Wanker! Tw**…well, you get the picture.

His comments hurt because many of us knew in our hearts it was somewhat true. We all love(d) Cesc. Many of us still do. We all love Robin, he of the blessed goal. And, of course, we love Arsene and The Arsenal. But what if…what if it was true? What if the leadership needed for the team just wasn’t happening? There’s no denying Cesc’s exploits while wearing an Arsenal shirt. There’s no denying Robin’s love of the Badge. And I’m not in any way laying this off on them as the more senior players in the squad. Even Cesc mentioned that the lack of a senior player…a Vieira-type bloke to really take command was perhaps missing at times.

The Arsenal, under His Lordship Arsene Wenger, has taken football to heights previously unseen in England. The style. The panache. The goals of absolute beauty. The Invincibles. We’ve been drowned in talent for so many years it’s hard to remember what “One Nil To The Arsenal” matches were really like.

David Moyes never had that talent. David Moyes never fielded a team on the pitch the likes of what Arsene Wenger could draw on, even on Moyes’ best day. David Moyes and his players simply had to make do. And for six years under Moyes, Mikel Arteta learned how to lead under those circumstances. He learned how to win with a squad that had heart, but not great talent. Knew how to fight, but was often bereft of technical skill to equal the top sides. The spirit of fighting for points, leadership through hard work and guts was what Mikel Arteta learned under David Moyes, and Arsenal owe them both a debt of gratitude.

Early this season it was all a bit shambolic. The dreadful draw against Newcastle. The second half failure against Liverpool. And United away. A worse beginning could not have been scripted.

Then in came Arteta, released at the last possible moment by Moyes on deadline day. But what did we get on this last minute deal? Cesc part deux? No. A flashy play maker of the sublime pass? Umm…not really. A gut-busting runner in the middle? Nope, not that either.

There have been some frustrations vented at Mikel Arteta so far. Not many, but a few. I would caution against that. Watch closely what he does on the pitch. He runs the attack, allowing Ramsey to venture forward. Or he lets Ramsey run the attack by sitting deeper. He defends the middle higher up the pitch, freeing Alex Song to connect to the back four without fear of losing the middle. He’s smooth on the ball. He makes SMART passes, if not always flashy. But most of all he is CALM in the middle and he does what’s needed and quietly leads from the center of the pitch.

There are many kinds of leadership. I’ve had the pleasure, and sometimes the misfortune to be under several managers kinds of managers in my life. And, depending on the situation, different styles fit different situations. Denilson, I think, was calling for a Tony Adams or Patrick Vieira guy. A lot of Arsenal supporters agreed with that. But I think Arsenal have moved past that situation to where a more cerebral leadership is required. Certainly fire and passion on the pitch are necessary, and the odd bollicking doesn’t go amiss. But the thunder-voiced hard man would seem terribly out of place in this squad.

Cesc was a leader on the pitch through his performance, but not perhaps, the leader of the squad. Does it not seem that this Arsenal side “belongs” more to Robin van Persie with him taking the arm band? Why is that? Robin is not a yeller. Robin doesn’t go around clouting people on the head to get things done. And yet, he LEADS. And, I would argue, Mikel Arteta leads as well.

What Mikel Arteta has brought to this side, what Denilson was asking for last year, was the Wise Old Head. Someone who’s been through the wars, been forged in the fight. Someone who understood that it’s easy to lead when you’re winning, but infinitely harder to find it inside when things go against you as they so often have done in recent seasons for us. A Wise Old Head gets through adversity.

A Wise Old Head doesn’t put that head down when Chelsea score the go ahead goal just before halftime or equalize late in the match. The Wise Old Head digs a bit deeper, calling on reserves of mental strength and leadership to find a way to win.

So, from me to David Moyes, a hearty Thank You. And to Mikel Arteta…welcome, the Wise Old Head.

Source

Brilliant article above!!

BTW, fun fact:

Na$ri has spent 150 mins more on the bench than on the field since joining City.

He is earning 150k p/w there nw, is he?

Arsenal have the best passing accuracy in the opposition half of any team in the Premier League - 81%.

#orbinho


Anyone say they miss tiky taka?

srigooner wrote:Brilliant article above!!

BTW, fun fact:

Na$ri has spent 150 mins more on the bench than on the field since joining City.

He is earning 150k p/w there nw, is he?

lol.

srigooner wrote:Arsenal have the best passing accuracy in the opposition half of any team in the Premier League - 81%.

#orbinho


Anyone say they miss tiky taka?

The Arsenal way is almost back.

^^^^

Ew. Don't associate us with borefest tiki taka.

Our style has always been more attractive.

Sushi Master wrote:Ew. Don't associate us with borefest tiki taka.

Our style has always been more attractive.

Lol. I concede to that.

"here have been some frustrations vented at Mikel Arteta so far. Not many, but a few. I would caution against that. Watch closely what he does on the pitch. He runs the attack, allowing Ramsey to venture forward. Or he lets Ramsey run the attack by sitting deeper. He defends the middle higher up the pitch, freeing Alex Song to connect to the back four without fear of losing the middle. He’s smooth on the ball. He makes SMART passes, if not always flashy. But most of all he is CALM in the middle and he does what’s needed and quietly leads from the center of the pitch."

Exactly what I said when we first signed him. Making do with very little at Everton, and still grinding out results- all the while doing it in a calm manner. I do not think we have ever had a leader like him in Arsenal, at least not during the wenger era.

Whats great is that, NOW, you have RVP who leads by inspiration, Vermalaen/ Song who lead by muscles and guile, and then Arteta (as the article mentioned) who provides the "everything will be alright lads... ive been here before" pep talk through his actions on the pitch. You thennnnnn have Frimpong, Wishere and Szczesny, who others may consider as pricks... a Gary Neville type of character that inspire the team through "trolling" on the opposition lol.

Skills aside, its been our resilient character as a UNIT that has steered us passed the horrible storm.

Arsene Wenger is hoping for good news on Jack Wilshere.

Wilshere saw a specialist on Monday to assess his recovery following surgery on a stress fracture on his foot.

The England and Arsenal midfielder left upbeat and is hoping to be back sooner than the original return date of early March.

Wilshere must still get back to match fitness but is hoping an all-clear will mean that he returns for Arsenal and England within weeks.





Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Arsenal-and-England-star-Jack-Wilshere-hoping-for-quick-return-from-injury-article828462.html#ixzz1d43IFHpg
Sign up for MirrorFootball's Morning Spy newsletter Register here

I hate it when our players "see a specialist". It hardly ever ends well. RVP, ROsciky , Vermalaen

New Post - Del Bosque set for 50th game in charge at Wembley http://bit.ly/vKoHI8

Samuelj29060 wrote:Arsene Wenger is hoping for good news on Jack Wilshere.

Wilshere saw a specialist on Monday to assess his recovery following surgery on a stress fracture on his foot.

The England and Arsenal midfielder left upbeat and is hoping to be back sooner than the original return date of early March.

Wilshere must still get back to match fitness but is hoping an all-clear will mean that he returns for Arsenal and England within weeks.





Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Arsenal-and-England-star-Jack-Wilshere-hoping-for-quick-return-from-injury-article828462.html#ixzz1d43IFHpg
Sign up for MirrorFootball's Morning Spy newsletter Register here

Great news, missed the lion heart, I wear his jersey to every game.

if we beat norwich, we will either above liverpool if the lose or on par with Chelsea if they lose....

While it is very encouraging news that Wilshere could be back earlier, we do need to exercise caution with him. We shouldn't rush him back and risk him getting hurt again.

The original plan was for him to return in six weeks and be back in training around Chirstmas/January time. So I guess with these results he'll be back in training before that.

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/behind-the-numbers-premier-league-wins
Good article.
There's pictures, so I can't copy-paste :L

Talksport were trying to compare current Man City side to Arsenal invincibles.

They said Man City won 6-5 on head-to-head. They picked Hart over Lehmann and Aguero over Bergkamp!

And....Arsenal's invincibles starting xi cost £47.3m. James Milner + David Silva cost £48m.