Arsenal Lobby

Iceman wrote:Also, not sure if this is accurate or not, but I noticed that Song played quite a few long passes during the pre-season. He never really made that many long passes over the top before...could this be a new dimension to his game that is being added? If so, then it is perfect because it means that he can be effective offensively without having to actually go forward.

Yeah.. I noticed.. Thought he was just being cheeky though.. If it is really something he is trying to add, then it is good.. But such passes require a good vision and understanding of how the players ahead of him move and their runs.. Fabregas is absolutely brilliant with those tidy chips.. Wilshere has been trying these too, but obviouosly needs to improve a bit more..

Found this hilarious clip :
Back-heel penalty kick by UAE's Awana Diab - videoAwana Diab scored the final goal for the United Arab Emirates in their 6-2 win over Lebanon by back-heeling the ball into the back of the net from the penalty spot:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/video/2011/jul/19/back-heel-penalty-uae-awana-diab-video

:lol!:

uhhhhhhhhhhh !!! ....

Arsene Wenger’s decision to sell Gael Clichy and replace him with Kieran Gibbs has raised eyebrows amongst some Arsenal fans, but Thomas Vermaelen is confident the 21 year old can make the step up.

Speaking to Arsenal Player, Vermaelen was quick to extol the virtues of the man who, fitness permitting, is likely to be playing outside him on the first day of the season.

“I think Kieran is a really talented player”, he said. “I played a few games with him in my first year and he impressed me a lot. He’s a fit player, he can run a lot, he’s a technical player as well. He has all the qualities to be a world class full back”.

And the Belgian is keen for the fresh start the new season brings, saying “Everybody starts from zero and everybody has to start again. The past is behind us and it’s good to look into the future.

“That’s what we do now – we start all over again with a new chance and we will go for it this year”.

Meanwhile, Arsene Wenger’s attempts at reinforcing the centre of his defence have taken a setback with Everton widely reported to have a rejected a £10m bid for Phil Jagielka. It remains to be seen if Wenger will test Everton’s financial mettle with an improved offer or turn his attentions elsewhere.

“I think Kieran is a really talented player”, he said. “I played a few games with him in my first year and he impressed me a lot. He’s a fit player, he can run a lot, he’s a technical player as well. He has all the qualities to be a world class full back”.
Agreeeee.....WELL DONE..Vermaelen....What a quality guy definitely.

Kieran Gibbs is extremely good offensively. Its his defensive game that needs to be improved upon.

As for Song, I think he has good vision. He won't opt to play the long-ball every time of course, but if he spots a run and is capable of playing a ball over the top then that can only be a good thing.

I'd rather he go for the long ball than he go gung-ho and leave the midfield exposed like happened many times last season.

If we play Chamakh up front they might even work, or any Walcott/Gervinho type guy on the flanks.

Was watching the 49 games unbeaten DVD over some drinks.. I miss those days :,(

srigooner wrote:Found this hilarious clip :
Back-heel penalty kick by UAE's Awana Diab - videoAwana Diab scored the final goal for the United Arab Emirates in their 6-2 win over Lebanon by back-heeling the ball into the back of the net from the penalty spot:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/video/2011/jul/19/back-heel-penalty-uae-awana-diab-video

:lol!:

I find it poor that they are going to punish him for that ......

I doubt there are any rules which stat that a player can only score a penalty a particular way....

If nothing they should commend him on his confidence on scoring a penalty like that

Patrick Viera's interview in East LA.. Some interesting points about Arsenal.. I think a few years later, Paddy would make a great coach..

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2017412/Patrick-Vieira-I-miss-English-game--Ian-Ladyman.html

Also some AW Q&A session with chinese business men.. Don't know how reliable this is though:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/8652696/Arsenal-manager-Arsene-Wenger-QandA-Cesc-Fabregas-and-Samir-Nasri-both-love-this-club.html

Just awaiting confirmation of the arsenal squad that has traveled to cologne before making preview.

(my first preview on the new forums)

Good Luck Sam !!! I can't wait for it

I forgive Viera

who are we playing tomorrow?

FC COLOGNE

All Kieran Gibbs needs is some help form other players and slowly he will get there, I believe in him and I think he can be better then Clichy.

Does anybody think Rosicky should play as a cm whenever he plays? I mean, i can see that his final ball is lacking, but he is very good at instigating the attack, i.e. he is very good at starting attacks.

Whaddya think?

I don't really see Rosicky excelling in one position. Rather, I think he's just someone who can fill in all across the midfield and do a job for us.

You think? Cause i was watchin some videos on youtube of his performances this year and i can really see that the killer touch he had is missing. He can't deliver that final ball. But he can start the attacks with all the forward passes he makes. Imho if he was to play as a cm for us, we would see him play alot better than he did for us last season.

Also we should play Arshavin in the free role when Fab isn't playing and play Gervinho and Nasri on the wings with Walcott coming on late. Just what i think.

Arshavin is underutilized... He is imo the best tranqualista in the PL right now. Done freakin play him in the wings. He is far mroe skilled than Nasri, and good enough to be the number one playmaker for the team. Just look at how he plays for Russia.

I just don't see Rosicky being able to offer much to the squad now other than his experience, high work rate and tidy play. He's probably at the bottom of the pecking order for every position he can play in now.

I do think Arshavin should be used as an AMC more, though. Certainly ahead of Nasri, who seems to be our backup for that position. I'd actually use Ramsey and Wilshere there before Nasri.

@the guy above goonerjay
Tell that to AW. Besides, when Fabregas is playing, we can't play shava in the free role, where would Cesc go?

And not to mention that even though you say he is underutilized in the wings, may i remind you that in his first season here he excelled in the wings? Although i do agree that he will benefit from playing in the middle

@goonerjay
I guess i'm the only one who believes in Rosicky. But then again he is one of my favourite players so i wouldn't be surprised if im just being too hopeful

No Arshavin should be given the role that Del pierro use to play for Juve. Pretty much the play maker in the final 3rd of the pitch. And the reason why he did so well on the wings during his first season was because he hadn't played for the entire year prior to joining us. He also got rested during champions league matches.

Sagna---cd--Verm---someone better than gibbs
--------song--------jack
walcott-------------------Gerv
--------------arshavin-----
----------RVP

Here he has a good game, if he can play like that more often then he can really help us win something.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJLXaaZ0zX0&feature=related
I remember that before Czech and Spain played against each other, Iniesta and Rosicky were tied for chances created at 22. Just sayin

Arsenalfaithfull wrote:No Arshavin should be given the role that Del pierro use to play for Juve. Pretty much the play maker in the final 3rd of the pitch. And the reason why he did so well on the wings during his first season was because he hadn't played for the entire year prior to joining us. He also got rested during champions league matches.

Sagna---cd--Verm---someone better than gibbs
--------song--------jack
walcott-------------------Gerv
--------------arshavin-----
----------RVP

k and when Fab is playing? That is a problem then isn't it? Won't be able to get the best of both Fab and shava