Next Season Starts Here
May 8th, 2009 by 'holic
Dare I suggest that the planning for next season begins this weekend. Although I was in a very dark place on Tuesday night, and I imagine that goes for all of us, I still ruminated over the prospect of Nasri, Arshavin, and Fabregas playing in the same midfield next season. Now would be as good a time as any to find out if we can make it work, although Arshavin is sadly doubtful for the weekend.
On Sunday an equally wounded animal provides the opposition. The two managers will be making decisions about who is mentally capable of stepping up to the plate in a London derby. The evidence of Wednesday night is that some of the visitors are shell-shocked and should not be risked. Frankly though they are not my concern.
Three games separate Arsene Wenger from the most important close season he has ever faced. Let me try and briefly sum up the issues he has to consider. Firstly, there seems to be a level of agreement that new bodies need to be added to the squad. We’ll argue the detail long and hard in the summer months, but three players need to be added to this squad in my humble opinion.
Secondly, will the new bodies need to be supplemented with replacements for departing stars? I wouldn’t be surprised to see two or three regular players moving elsewhere. Three in and three out doesn’t strengthen us. This becomes more apparent when you consider at a crucial stage of next season we will be losing players to the African Cup of Nations. Can we take a chance on riding out that tournament, or not adding to the squad until January?
I really would use these last three matches to work with those we can be confident of starting with in August. There isn’t much we can do in defence. Basically we have half a dozen bodies standing so a choice will be made between Silvestre and Djourou, and Gibbs and Eboue on the left.
Arsene prefers to go with a five in midfield against the bigger sides, and I think we could accommodate Cesc and Nasri in the centre with Song behind them as the holding player. Walcott and Vela could provide the width in such a set-up. Personally I would start up front with Bendtner as the most likely player still to be here in three months time, assuming he can keep his shorts up!
Of course that is not likely. Robin van Persie is a likely starter, and let’s hope he soon follows the example of Theo Walcott in signing a new long-term deal. Adebayor too needs to start demonstrating commitment that has seemed painfully absent in recent weeks. Whilst we would all welcome the return of Adebayor of a year ago there is now a groundswell of opinion that would welcome his sale for big money if it will fund quality acquisitions.
I’m venturing into areas that will fill columns all summer long. I should instead be sharing the destiny of the ‘holic pound with you so you know what to avoid! I’m hoping Chelsea will be even more affected than us by their midweek reverse so I am tentatively backing us to gain revenge for Wembley by that same 2-1 scoreline. William Hill are offering 10/1 against that, which seems remarkably generous to me.
A win would put us within three points of third place and extend that challenge for at least another week. A defeat would render the final two contests utterly meaningless, and condemn us to that dangerous Champions league qualifying round in August. Are we up for it? Sunday will provide the answer.
Have a great weekend, ‘holics.
46 Responses to “Next Season Starts Here”
I’m still gutted, we gave up. g & t please.
In these last 3 league matches we might see a little bit of what Wenger is thinking for next season, sort of like an early pre-season.
Wouldn’t be a bad shout 433, but while there is the merest hint of 3rd place I’m not sure we’ll see any experimentation beyond what we already have experienced this season.
10/1 seems hugely generous odds, ‘holic, given that we comfortably won at their place earlier in the season.
What I can’t believe is that AW is already ramping up his “We need to grow the young talent and not buy experience” rhetoric already. How about a mixture of the two? Is it not obvious how thin we are?
I’m still gutted too. Like a fish. What a depressing week it’s been. Not depressing enough to hang myself from a balcony, mind you. That fellow must have had some other serious issues in his life. I’ll tell myself that until I believe he didn’t just hang himself over a football match. A proper Barbera, please.
just cant seem to rouse myself for what is essentially a meaningless game. the fact arshavin is likely not to play will probably be crucial.
i’ll take 25 shots of brandy please al.
Call me what You want, abuse me as much as You want but I would like to see us being trashed by Chelsea and United.
If we win aginst them, Wenger will be thinking that ourt squad is good enough and that we have been unlucky in the semis’s of the FA CUP and CL. He will come and say that Diaby, Denilson, etc. are good enough to play for us.
And we all know that without of a proper cd and a cdm we won’t win anything again, next season.
If we lose both of this matches, then maybe it will be a “wake up call” for him and his stubbornness will melt.
Just mt thought.
Fantasy Football time already! (wohoo!)
In:
Pogrebnyak (Arshavin should tell him to come)
Mertesacker (he’s an Arsenal fan after all)
Cana (would be the best choice in DM department imo)
Out:
Adebayor
Gallas
maybe Diaby?
suggestions?
Now let me tell you that I don’t see/want that many changes. everybody should know that tinkering too much with the squad wont do us any good. so i think it should be 3 in/out at MAX.
I’m really fed up hearing Wenger saying today won’t splash the cash and buy experience. Not winning any silverware again this season is just not right we are falling further behind and the way we are going won’t even be in the top 4 next year other teams will be chasing us for 4th spot.
So many of the team are second rate players and not worthy of wearing the Arsenal shirt yet Wenger sticks with them.
We need to but many new players to strengthen the team with experience. About time the board made Wenger see sense or show him the door us fans must count for something we pay money to go week in week out it’s just not right that we don’t see our money being used to buy world class experienced players. We need more like Andrey.
i.e Alonso & Villa
Wanger- I like Your choice of players. I would love to see:
-Cana,
-Marchena,
-Hangeland,
-Pogrebiak,
-Zhirkov
I can only dream. We all know that Wenger won’t probably buy anyone.Sad but true.
And yes, we need 5 new players. We are that weak.
AFC may as well forget the last 3 games of the season can’t see fans having the stomatch for it – now we have lost all chances of silverware they may as well take their summer break early and wenger can hunt for more kids to join the team.
No experience players need apply wenger wouldn’t be interested
Cunts like James above and anyone who left early on Tuesday night can start their Summer break now and never return please…
I would start ‘holic at centre back.
Can I have a Glenfiddich please?
Maciek
I’m not going to go into the “you’re not a real fan” speech etc, everyone’s had their say about the rights and wrongs of Wenger and the team many times this week, and you clearly have the best interests of the team at heart. BUT, do you really think that us getting thrashed by chelsea and united will help? Imagine the damage it would do to the players going into next season. On the other hand imagine the confience they would gain from two positive results, continuing our unbeaten run into a fresh campaign. Don’t forget, these players came very close to actually winning the league last year, the belief they gain from two big results against our main title rivals could have a much better effect by next May than one or two summer signings. Personally, I’m hoping for both!
Lacking a bit of pace these days, Ollie. Wouldn’t stop Drogba falling over me, I suspect.
One large Glenfiddich, on the house…
…and well said Hugo.
The big questions remain though. Can we take that next step in an ACN season, or will we struggle in the new year?
Arsene has stated that he wants one or two experienced players. I feel we need 2 experienced players and a worldclass player. Having one or two world class players in a team can benifit psychologically. it lifts pressure from the fans and media… For the last 4 years the media has been biased against arsenal ( especially foxsports in the USA)..
Was watching fans forum tonight and a caller was saying toure could play dm,i was thinking that couple of months ago.He always looks great coming out with the ball,class tackler and full of energy.He and gallas are too similar.Would love haggeland and gallas with toure,song and dj as back up.Toure and cesc vs denilson and cecs? Toure woul not be bullied.
And if wenger went and lost his mind, i would love Ribery,we need wingers.Not midfeilders and strikers mascarading as wingers.Just look at the affect AA has had and ribery would be even beter and aa could move in number 10.Let van persie go as it seems he wants to
i would sign ibrahim ssekaja from red bull salzburg. he is e african nemanja vidic, 27 solid, good leadership and heads them in as well. have seen this fella for club and country, believe me he would do a decent job. his country wont play at the ACN but ask any country where they hate playing away in africa and his home country’s 100% home record would come to mind. am getting carried away here
I think we should:
Sell – Adebuyor and Diaby (Hopefully that can raise about 30 mil)
Buy – (5 Players) – (3 top internationnals) (2 Young talents)
(Top players include 3 people from):
Alonso, Barry, Cana, Marchena, Veloso, Mountinhio, Hangeland, Mario Gomez, Dieago Forlan, Sergio (Kun) Aguro or even Tevez or Benzema.
(2 Young players from): Joe Hart, Jack Collison, Steven Taylor Daniel Sturridge (Free Transfer), Wayne Hennesey, Marcelo (Real Madrid), Joe Ledley, The serbian striker we were lnked with last week.
I think we must sign at least 4 player
player in
1,one striker from the following
-Benzema
-David villa
-Augerio
-Mario Gomez
2,one defensive mid fielder
-Daniel De Rossi
-Philip Mello
-Alonso
-Barry
3,two defensive player
-Bruno Alvez
-Raul Albiol
-Christian Zapatta
-Marchena
loving the fantasy football guys. there are some really good suggestions though.
‘holic, just been wondering whats up with the elvis theme. i was at the grove for sunderland and roma and everyone just seemed not to give a crap about it. im not into elvis but i must say itsa pretty good song. would help if we actually started singing it pre match instead of just listening.
Maciek: go wish for Arsenal defeats on Chelski and ManU boards please. No need faking being an Arsenal supporter here.
We’re 21 games undeafeated and 3 games away from remaining the Invincibles of 2009 for another 3 months. Nothing better for our start next season than to win these games and remain undeafeated for the entire season against the other top 3. If we’d played in the first half of the season like we played in the second half we would have been far ahead of ManU by now.
If we carry on this form into next season right from the start we’ll be champions before May.
Arsene may or may not be given some cash this summer, may or may not buy players but one thing’s pretty sure: glory hunters and name-droppers will be demanding all summer up to their big tantrums come September.
Anyway for Sunday’s game I’d like to see more of Vela. He oozes talent, hopefully he’ll get more opportunities next season.
A crisp Chablis for me tonight.
Hey buy new players, for what AW has Senderos to bring back from Milan and in his way o thinking there is your cover for the CB position….wow am I good or what fellow gooners?? I’m outta here!
dublin gooner
The Elvis song is a shabby attempt to create an atmosphere by giving us a ‘theme song’. I can’t imagine who chose it or why because neither the song nor the singer have got anything at all to do with us or footy in general.
I think Gerry has hinted at the answer there Dubs. Songs associated with clubs are either something that has grown ‘organically’ from the support, like the Scousers singing ‘Walk Alone’ once Gerry and the Pacemakers charted with it, or because a club record from the golden era of the seventies has taken hold, as with the likes of Leeds and Chelsea.
Down the years the club have tried to force a song on he support, none of which, with the possible exception of ‘Good Old Arsenal’, have been popularly embraced. When I was knee-high it was a march called ‘Anchors Aweigh’, then they tried to force ‘Roll Out The Barrel’ on us.
Seems to me the club dropped the ball when the move to the Grove was made in not transporting wholesale the season ticket holders from the North Bank and Clock End into similar positions in the new stadium, and so they are now trying to create an atmosphere in a way that the majority of the support just don’t want.
Have to agree with Gerry and ‘holic. The wonder of you is complete pap as an anthem before games. I’d much rather they roused up a bit of tension with some classical heavy orchestral shite like Mussorgsky or Prokofiev for when the players came out, something that might intimidate the opposition a little. We have no links to any classic pop standard, and I’m rightly pleased about it.
I like the tune master at the end, with his take on the theme of the evening. We had “Teenage Kicks” after a particularly buoyant result in the Carling Cuo earlier this season, which was rightly apt due to the number of teenagers on the pitch. That sort of association is clever and I think the fans (well me anyway!) appreciate it more.
Just my 2 pence worth.
I’m Ok with the Wonder of You. Snail, maybe a bit of Rostopovic on the cello might be an alternative? I’d like OVERJOYED after every home win. “The Boys are Back in Town” was good on the day that Cesc and Ade re-appeared.
No one will ever beat Gerry and the Pacemakers at the Kop. I saw them AND the Beatles LIVE in Blackpool in 1964, Snail. It wasn’t a highbrow affair of the invited TV audience type with champagne and canapes in the style of the mollusc, but good nevertheless. I was about the width of Almunia’s goal away from John Lennon. A magic moment.
Old Gerry Marsden could really belt that one out! Pop quiz. Which Broadway musical is it from?
I stumbled over you lot last week when I fought I was reading CHAVERholic. Came back for more belly laughs. Always good to see inside the tiny minds of the competition. Not much there though, Gooners (and by the way, “competition” is a bit of a stretch). Despite the holic guy trying not to get into squad changes, you’re all at it I see.
We Chavs have loads of experience in chucking loadsamoney around so I thought I’d give you a few, true blue, hints on how to get rid of those you seem to think inadequate or not good enough for your shirt.
Almunia: Not good enough you say? Let him get in the England team then sell him to Roma, they need a keeper. Let me do the deal and you’ll get 10 mill for him.
Toure: Not big enough you say? Let me do a deal with a certain little arabic outfit in the sunny NW. They’re chomping at the bit. 15 mill.
Djourou: You lot want to buy Hangawhatsit and leave Djourou on the bench? (F**Cking mad) Sorry, I meant GREAT idea. We might be able to help you avoid splinters in his bum. Lets say 12M?
Clichy: He can’t cross apparently. AC Milan for him then. 15 million should do it with my silky bargaining power.
Denilson and Diaby: The D duo you Gooners love to hate. (Twa*ts). Sorry, I meant “I’m not surprised”. Barcelona need more midfield strength. The Brazilian for 18 mill. Real Madrid need a partner for that little Diarra. They want a D duo. Diaby for 14 mill.
Walcott: You Gooners keep saying he can only run. I fought that’s what he’s supposed to do? I’ve heard you booing him on the telly. Got a deal for you!! The tumbler is off to Madrid. Fergie will bite your hand off. You’ll get 30 mill (he payed 30 for the tosser)
Van Persie: Doesn’t fit, always crocked. Your right, he’s an out and out plonker. Not worth a fiver. We’ll take him for 23 mill, cause he keeps scoring against us and we’ve got loadsamoney.
Adebayor, don’t blame you wanting to get rid of that 30 goal a year piece of burned toast. Let him go to Milan for 30 mill. London’s night clubs will be less crowded wivout him and there’ll be more room in there for Cashley and Captain John.
Bendtner: The Lurpak youth who can only score 18 a season. Garbage, I agree. Can’t keep his pants up either and crowds out the clubs. Burn him for 16 mill. Juventus need someone to score that many.
Your all right, you need a completely new squad, Your lot are rubbish, we’ll thump you on Sunday and you’ll all leave the ground inside 30 minute…..oh yeah, and you’ll be playing that other Elvis number “In the Ghetto” in that f**cking shit hole of a stadium of yours. (We might buy it for 400mill to add to our 500 milldeby, ’cause we don’t care. We’ve got loadsamoney!)
Until next time, Gooners! Chelsea Bill.
Can’t help thinking I recognise your style, Bill 😉
Just on the very unlikely off-chance that the man who plays the gramophone records at the ground isn’t an avid reader of “Holic, I thought I’d write to him and request OVERJOYED before the Manure tussle. I got the following very nice note back from the lady who replies nicely to polite requests for Stevie Wonder songs, the work of whom Snail is familiar with.
Note that an equally high amount of time and thought (some would argue more) goes into the selection of the music as for the team.
“Thank you for your email to the Club.
I will be sure to pass your music suggestion onto the appropriate party
within the Club for consideration at future match-days. Please be aware
that a high amount of time and thought goes into the selection to the
music at Emirates Stadium.
Kind regards,
Communications Department
Arsenal Football Club
http://www.arsenal.com”
Didn’t quite get to Arsene himself, but nearly, and he hasn’t been within 15 feet of John Lennon (Arsene, not the bloke who plays the gramophone).
well, i agree that the wonder of you might not be the best choice. but unless its changed there isnt much we can do other than screaming the chorus i guess.
whatever it takes to get an atmoisphere like the one at the start of tuesdays game would do us good.
hey chelseabilly, did u support sp#rs or fulham before the russian invasion? no matter cause you’re still gonna win f#ck all this season. and the next
on another note…. stamford bridge…. thats one big 4 stadium that seems to have a general sale announcement pretty much every game no?
I write in the style of Captain Birdseye, Goonerholic. That’s where our captain John gets his name from and probably where you’ve read me? We’ve got some Potugese sardines in our team and a good smattering of lads from the pineapple rearing regions of the dark continent. so you’ll see that Captain Birdseye is entirely appropriate. We either put them out on the field in blue or we can them and off they go as Captain Birdseye.
Over on CHAVERholic we’re having a right old larf at you Gooners on this site. You can’t win anyfing so now you’re worrying what songs to play. While I never, ever, did.
Old CHAVER himself came up with the best one for you “The Cowards of The County”. You Gooners will never turn and bar the door. It’ll be “Look the Old Yellers are leaving”. The only time we’ll “hear a pin drop” is when you’ve all gone home after thirty minutes tomorrow and your ground’s empty again.
You make me larf! Old Bill’s sides are burstin’ here.
Mmm. Split personality on that ip? 🙂
The Wonder of You is played because they wonder why the fans keep paying so much money to watch a team partially comprised of second rate rabble.
And then they probably laugh at us.
…as in chicken on a ball, presumably?
Our neighbours know all about being a laughing stock 🙂
As long as there is 3rd place to play for I think Le Prof has to pick a team selection worthy of going for it. This is still a key game that will define a measure of what happens next season. My chioce would be:
Almunia
Sagna Toure Djourou Gibbs
Walcott Cesc Song Diaby
Nasri
Bendtner
If AA proves himself fit, swap him for Diaby.
Needless to say, there is also bragging rights as well as a huge amount of pride to play for. Arsenal have, it has be said, ‘understandably’, been on the end of an awful lot of criticism since Tuesday nights woeful display against a largely second string Manchester United and this is the ideal opportunity to prove the doubters wrong. Is this squad capable of beating Chelsea? Off course! We’ve done it already and have probably got the best record of the top 4 teams in playing each other in the prem.
UP THE GUNNERS!!!!!!!
NB. ChelseaWilly…….I’d love to take you seriously but frankly refuse to accept any lessons on how to fill a stadium from the supporter of a team that had to send back 1600 tickets to Barca on the occasion of arguably the biggest footballing occasion in their teams history. So go take your inane ramblings back to Chavaholic with our sincerest.
Allow me please, ‘holic, a reference to this article by Lee Dixon. I agree with much of what he has to say…..except for his comments on Almunia.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/arsenal/article6256310.ece
ooh…..and for the sheer hell of it…..I’ll go for a double helping of a Rattlesnake please. Kind of sums up the way I’m feeling pre this afternoons game 🙂
Don,
There ain’t no inane ramblings over on CHAVERHolic, mate. As Guvnor Chaver himself puts it, so elokwi, so eluquint, so eleckw, f**ck it, so goodly,…….. Snore, Vomit, Belch, Fart Chelsea!
Cause we’re the famous Chelsea and we’re off to Wemberley!
Willy.
I hope you, plus the one or two busloads of ‘supporters’ you can cram into the car park, get the result you deserve.
Enjoy mate.
I’m barfing all over my pint… bleugh…
‘…as in chicken on a ball, presumably?’
Heck no! It’s just a nickname. I’m a girl, not a sp*d.
17.23 We’re losing to the chavs and I’ve been mistaken for the enemy – oh the shame!
:o(
Don’t take it to heart, Chicken. ‘Holics been having problems under the hood with his spam filter, looks like his gender detector and laser guided spud defence system need a tickle up too. No better man to put it right than ‘Holic though.
Well boys & girls…..it is all there to be seen!! Todays game highlighted the weaknesses not only in the team but also in our leader. Gaps that are not gaping…..but, UNLESS plugged with those all important purchases in the close season, will continue to be insurmountable .
‘holic my friend…you set the tone in your opening thread entitled ‘Next Season Starts Here’. Well I agree it does, and Wenger has to be humble enough in recognizing the deficiencies in a number of key positions across the park……..and plug those gaps urgently.
Today convinced me that Diaby will never be an Arsenal great. He is not as good, not nearly as reliable as, more tethargic and lazy on the ball, as compared to Lampard. Silvestre is simply not good enough and needs to be replaced immediately. In defence we do not have a John Terry or Alex type player who will command from the back. As good as is RVP/Ade/Bendtner, we do not have a reliable striker of the stature of Drogba (although may do in the form of a fully fit Eduardo).
We can get there I am certain, but if Wenger continues along the same path by putting faith in these players, I’m afraid to say the anticlimax is that we can only look forward to more of the same as we have seen today.
UP THE GUNNERS!!!!!!
‘The Neaxt Season Starts Here’ 🙂