Gunners love scoring goals…

Image via Wikipedia

Even if it’s for the other team…

I mean WTF is going on! I tried to be critically nasty towards Arsenal and when that seemed to be, well…too nasty, I tried to be accommodating. That seemed to do the trick as Wenger actually bought some new players – players who could potentially arrest Arsenal’s decline over the last few seasons.

I tried to be positive when they leaked 8 goals against United. I sucked up the derisory taunts from the ManUre faithful after that debacle. And then I was overjoyed when Arsenal got their first win in the Premiership and drew in the Champions League.

I really thought they were going to score some good goals against Blackburn yesterday – give them hell-for, show the world what the Gunners are really capable off….I really wasn’t expecting us to score for the opposition, almost as many goals as we scored for ourselves.

Wenger’s synopsis that the team are “just not defensively solid enough,” is an incredible understatement. The reality is that Arsenal are defensively clueless. That’s harsh, I know; but it’s unfortunately the truth.

The other harsh reality is that Arsenal are lazy in the in-goal area, on both sides of the field. The players are just too lazy to give that extra 10% to reach for a pass in order to score; the players have become inured to receiving the ball at their feet. It’s perhaps the one drawback of that precise passing game that is so pleasing to the eye.

As much as I hate to say it, perhaps we need a new coach who is more attuned to the demands of the modern game. Wenger has without doubt been an excellent manager/coach, but maybe it’s time to admit that his talents may be better served in the area of the club’s finances or in the boardroom.

Unless he makes a radical change to his approach off course…

Arsenal………Aaarrrrrrgggghhh

Opening day of the English Premiership…and Arsenal kicked off the new season against Newcastle, much like they finished the last season – with a whimper.

The pleasure I once used to feel watching the Gunners on the field, has turned into anguish and even disgust, over the last few months. What has happened to the team, the Manager?

Wenger looks increasingly bewildered at the poor performances; temper tantrums in the technical area have replaced the euphoria we got used to seeing on his face. The team doesn’t look happy to be playing football – the lacklustre performance, the dejected looks, dropped shoulders, shouts out that they would rather be elsewhere.

In the weeks leading up to the opening game, the fans were promised the arrival of someone of “real quality.” Against Newcastle yesterday, the someone of “real quality” was left to warm the bench. What is going on?

Why haven’t the transfers of Fabregas and Nasri been finalised yet? It’s obvious these ungrateful shites don’t want to be part of the team; there continued presence can only be disruptive to those players who actually still have the club in their hearts.

The income could have been used already to attract real quality and experience to the club; instead Wenger continues to plunder kindergartens. Why not just convert the entire club into a training academy? Seems that’s all they’ve been good at for the last few years.

The fans have been rather patient and the trust in Wenger is still largely intact. However growing discontent begins to swell. How much longer will the fans put up with what appears to be the club’s slide into another mid-table wannabe.

Barcelona = Soccer Surgery

Image via Wikipedia

Precise, surgical passing and movement, clinical finishing. It’s the Barca way!

Last night the champions of Spain were crowned the Champions of Europe for the second successive year by defeating the champions of England Manchester United. To be fair, “defeating” is a euphemism. Manchester United were handed their asses on a plate. They were literally mesmerised into submission by the sublime Barcelona.

So is it fair to conclude that the Spanish League is superior to the English Premiership?

While Barcelona are currently untouchable, I don’t believe they could perform consistently well for a whole season if they were drafted into the Premier League. The Premier League may not exactly be a display of stylish football, but it is arguably the toughest and most demanding in the world, on both players and coaches. I’m also skeptical if any of the Barcelona players would perform as well should they be signed up to any English team.

Currently they’re performing masterfully in a team and environment which suits them well.

Arsenal in England compares very favourably with Barcelona in style of play and producing the type of football that make the purists go orgasmic with delight. However Arsenal have too many young players who though laden with talent, are still brittle and inexperienced. Off course it doesn’t help that they are playing in such a tough League. I imagine that they should perform better in the Spanish League.

So then, who is the best footballer in the world?

Without doubt it has to be Lionel Messi. I’d venture to say that he’s superior to Maradona or anyone else ever, in the history of football. Messi is the son of the footballing gods. And the best part is that he’s chosen to remain here on Earth among us mere mortals and not sit up there in football heaven smirking like someone else’s son we know.