Re: Pre-Season Friendly Thread: We're off to Asia!

[Kiwigunner]

No lansbury either guess i'm not getting his shirt...

[ArsenalWenger]

No lansbury either guess i'm not getting his shirt...

He's still on holiday since the U21 Champ's, might be a chance he flies out later, doubt it but you never know

[Spider]

Fabianski still injured

[Sri]

I hope Lansbury makes it Köln

[Jay29]

Guys, don't read into who is going and who isn't too much.

It's a commercial tour, so there's not much room for fringe and youth players that nobody has even heard of. That's why Bartley misses out, and Afobe as well, because they aren't members of the first team squad.

Fabregas, Diaby and Eboue are all injured or have fitness problems. Denilson is going pretty much to make up the number in the absense of two midfielders. It doesn't mean that Cesc is leaving and it doesn't mean Denilson is staying.

Fabiasnki is lacking in fitness because of his injury.

Lansbury is still on holiday and should be back for the Cologne game, if not that then definitely the Emirates Cup.

No idea about Almunia and Bendtner.

[SamuelJayC]

Almunia and Bendtner are leaving, BBC understands they are in talks with other clubs, hence why they have been left out of the Asia tour squad.

Fabregas, Eboue and Diaby are injured

Lansbury, like jay says above, is still on holiday.

Bartley will play after the tour. Good opportunity for Frimpong and Ryo.

Fabianski not fit yet might explain the Vivano/Gordon rumours.

[Kiwigunner]

So you think Lansbury could still be in for a chance in the first team this year? Or back on loan?

[Jay29]

So you think Lansbury could still be in for a chance in the first team this year? Or back on loan?

Depends on who leaves. He's definitely ready for the first team but right now we're still a bit over-stocked in central midfield. If Denilson leaves then he can take his spot. If Denilson and Fabregas both leave then he'll definitely have a spot in the team (not as a direct replacement for Cesc, though).

If neither leave then it'll be another loan spell, most likely.

[EL Patron]

So you think Lansbury could still be in for a chance in the first team this year? Or back on loan?

Depends on who leaves. He's definitely ready for the first team but right now we're still a bit over-stocked in central midfield. If Denilson leaves then he can take his spot. If Denilson and Fabregas both leave then he'll definitely have a spot in the team (not as a direct replacement for Cesc, though).

If neither leave then it'll be another loan spell, most likely.

He is had about 3 loan spells, that's a bit much

[Jay29]

He is had about 3 loan spells, that's a bit much

All necessary. Lansbury's development was set back because of a bad injury when he was younger. Had he not had that injury, he would have broken in the first team sooner.

As it is, the club have signed Ramsey and Wilshere has made himself an important part of the first team. Both are better talents, but Lansbury, in my opinion, is still good enough for the team. Once we shift out some dead wood he'll get his chance.

[Ali]

Lansbury will be our Ray Parlour

I truly love Ray Parlour

[Jay29]

I'm going to do a mini-preview in this thread for our first friendly. Well, unless somebody else wants to have a go. Pre-season is the time for trying out new things, after all.

If I do it, it'll probably be done on Monday.

[RealGunner]

yea go on

[REWB]

when is our first game?

[Jay29]

Wednesday, 1:45 UK time.

The first post on this thread has all the dates and kick off times for this pre-season.

[boss]

HuuuH ! Cesc won't be part of that ! what does it mean !!!" "

[beatrixasdfghjk.]

HuuuH ! Cesc won't be part of that ! what does it mean !!!" "

He's injured, I think.

[boss]

Whatt ! I can't hear U:lol: ! ....what did u sayyyy! a a a! ohhhh stoped that noise U damned Szczesny pls ! ha ha haaaaaaaaaaaaaa coz i can't hear Bea @beatrixasdfghjk.I kid mate i kid ... but honestly ,where the hell Cesc get injured ! on the beach !!!loooooooool

[Kiwigunner]

Yeah Lansbury will be the reliable substitute, with any luck. A backup for Wilshere and Ramsey and could fill in anywhere, from what i gather. Wasn't he played at RB a few games?

[usman111]

everyone pumped for Asia Tour

[SamuelJayC]

Malayasian xi v Arseanl is on ESPN at 3pm (uk time). This is delayed however by around an hour.

[Raptorgunner]

Whatt ! I can't hear U:lol: ! ....what did u sayyyy! a a a! ohhhh stoped that noise U damned Szczesny pls ! ha ha haaaaaaaaaaaaaa coz i can't hear Bea @beatrixasdfghjk.I kid mate i kid ... but honestly ,where the hell Cesc get injured ! on the beach !!!loooooooool

He got injured during sex with Barcelona players. They play the balls games when ever they are together.

[Jay29]

Malaysia XI vs Arsenal: The Beginning of Arsenal's Pre-Season

Before we begin...
I would like to explain why I have not made a seperate thread for this preview. Simply, I wanted to make maximum use of this thread. All discussion about pre-season; about the matches, the players, tactics, etc. should all be in this thread, so we can avoid clutter in the forums. On top of that, this preview isn't going to be a full preview and thus doesn't deserve it's own thread, in my mind.

With that out the way, welcome, one and all, to the first preview of the 2011/2012 season.

Pre-season is upon us
It was just over a month ago that Theo Walcott slotted in a last minute equaliser against Fulham to finish off a campaign that promised much but descended into mediocrity. Since then, silly season has been in full swing and the last four or so weeks have done little to ease the worry and frustration amongst the Arsenal fanbase. Amidst concerns over the potential departures of captain Cesc Fàbregas and Samir Nasri, Arsenal have flown out to Eastern Asia to begin their preperation for the 11/12 campaign.

Long awaited tour
Arsène Wenger has never been an advocate of glamorous, long distance tours. The Frenchman prefers to commute to a quiet location, away from the media attention and raving millions of fans. In essence, away from distractions so that his team can focus solely on their fitness work. Furthermore, Monsieur Wenger had concerns about the level of competition in Asia and North America.

However, Wenger has finally given in to pressure and will now take his team on a tour to East Asia for the first time in twelve years. For the best part of a decade, Arsenal's commerical revunue has fallen woefully short of other top clubs thanks to not fully exploiting wealthy markets in Asia and North America. While this tour isn't going to immediately ammend that, it's a step in a right direction.

A bit about Malaysia
Originally under the British Empire, Malaysia became an independant country in 1957. It's located in the Southeast of Asia, seperated into two seperate areas: Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysia Borneo and has a population of over 25,000,000. The capital city is Kuala Lumpar, and this is where Arsenal's tour of Eastern Asia begins.

Kuala Lumpar is the largest city in Malaysia and is a reflection of the county's urban development.

(The night time city sky line of Kuala Lumpar)

So what about football in Malaysia? Football is the most popular sport in Malaysia and, like it's cities, is constantly developing. In 2010, the Malaysian national team won the AFF Suzuki Cup and will be preliminary hosts of the 2011 iteration of the tournament.

But Arsenal won't be playing the proper Malaysian national team. Rather, they will be playing a Malaysian XI, most likely comprised of semi-professional and amateur players with perhaps the odd full time pro. Regardless, the game is expected to draw a large crowd.

What to expect
Arsenal have taken as strong a squad as injuries and other circumstances have allowed. The competition isn't particular strong, but lack of match practice and physical fitness will certainly make the game more difficult then it'd usually be.

For this reason, it would not be surprising if Arsenal aren't at there free flowing best and confidence may still be low after a few horrid months last season. On the other hand, we could see an Arsenal side free of pressure and enjoying their football which would certainly be a treat for the thousands of Malaysian people coming to watch the game.

Who to look our for
Although the squad is pretty much at full strength, there are still a couple of young players that a lot of Arsenal fans have been looking forward to seeing: Japanese winger Ryo Miyaichi and Ghanian-born midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong.

The former joined Arsenal oficially in January last season and went straight out on loan to Dutch side Feyenoord. Feyenoord were having a bad season when he arrived, but their form took a remarkable turn around when he linked up with other young players like Diego Biseswar, Georginho Wijanldum and Luc Castaignos. The teenager's direct and explosive dribbling created plenty of problems for other teams and 3 goals in 12 appearance marked an impressive transition from Japanese high school football to fully professional football.

Emmanuel Frimpong was all set to break into the Arsenal first team last season but was prevented from doing so by a knee injury that ruled him out for the whole season. Now recovered, the agressive midfielder has been given another opportunity to show what he can do in the absence of fellow reserve player Francis Coquelin.

Finally, another player to look out for is new signing Carl Jenkinson. The young defender is an avid Arsenal supporter and has made a bright start in training according to his new team mates. All signs point to the Englishman of Finnish descent playing a role in the first team and it'll be interesting to see how he copes in the red and white of Arsenal.

[RealGunner]

According to Vermaelen, new signing Carl Jenkinson came out on top in the maximum fitness test - all very impressed with his physique.

[Ali]

Carl Jenkinho

[Kiwigunner]

So when is the match from now?

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