Are Arsenal About To Cook Up A Storm?
Aug 5th, 2015 by 'holic
Right then. I want to write my first Premier League preview of the new season. That will mean the match is a day or two away. That means I wish it were Friday or Saturday. Silly, isn’t it, that even at my age the start of every season is so eagerly anticipated? This one a little more than usual, to be honest.
Football provides us with a little bit of escapism from the grown-up stuff going on elsewhere. A one hundred percent pre-season record, the signing of Petr Cech, the defeat of Chelsea at Wembley. For the first time in years we are being spoken of as genuine title contenders going into the new season.
This is where I should caution against optimism, but hell, even I am caught up in it. Even the transfer speculation that I despise has taken a new form. The quality of player that we are being associated with is something that helps to build the feel-good factor around the club. Having signed Mesut Ozil from Real, Alexis from Barca, and of course Cech from Chelsea, our feeder clubs are now at a different level to where we were shopping even three years ago. (Extracts tongue swiftly from cheek!)
As I type I have the first episode of a new season of the Great British Bake Off playing in the background. If Arsenal were a cake that was set as the challenge then a review of the ingredients suggests a very tasty treat could be in store for us at the end of the last episode of this coming season. To be supremely confident it would be nice to see a little extra filling to shore up the base, and perhaps something rich but tasty to complete the topping?
I’m not sure that any of our rivals have as good a second choice goalkeeper as David Ospina, never mind as good a first-choice as Cech. Interestingly the team we defeated at Wembley on Sunday are probably the only ones capable of disputing that.
The full back positions are well provided for too. I was surprised and delighted to see Hector Bellerin start the Community Shield, and he faces the fiercest competition from Mathieu Debuchy, and not forgetting Calum Chambers. On the other flank it was also good to see Nacho Monreal, much-improved last season, get the nod over Kieran Gibbs. Gibbo will hopefully respond and make a similar stride forward in his own game. There is potential there we would love to see fulfilled.
The January arrival of Gabriel has at last provided genuine competition to, and cover for, Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker. Until Nacho played there at the start of last season I would have thought we would need another, but between him and Chambers it looks as though we do have options in that area.
Francis Coquelin has made the holding role his own, and while Mikel Arteta and, currently, Mathieu Flamini provide experienced alternatives both are nearing their sell-by date. There is time to see what is on offer in the market.
The midfield is packed with unbelievable talent. Let’s just say that Arsene will face sleepless nights deciding on how to perm Ozil, Santi Cazorla, Aaron Ramsey, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jack Wilshire and Tomas Rosicky. Should all remain fit Arsene’s biggest problem may be keeping them all happy. There were signs at the end of last season that at least Rosicky felt a little under-appreciated. Many will have some sympathy with our most direct creative talent. He was under-used it seemed in the second-half of the season.
Then the attack. Olivier Giroud provides a wonderful outlet, can play with his back to goal when needed, and if he can up his conversion rate will surely get his chance to secure his own position. Theo Walcott has eyes on the role too, and with a healthy new contract in his back pocket he now needs to step up to the mark when chosen. We have a midfield that can change their game to suit his strengths as well as Giroud’s. The third option to lead the line is Danny Welbeck, scorer of a most significant goal in the FA Cup at Old Trafford. Can he make the step-up in his second season? Lat’s hope so.
Then of course we have Alexis who prompts so much expectation, and that is understandable. Quite simply he lives, breathes, eats, and sleeps football. To see the enthusiasm he displays whether at training or on match day is to know that just rubs off on the other players. He is a significant part of why the team spirit last season seemed better than at any time in the last decade. Surely he deserves to play alongside another top quality goalscorer? The icing on the top of that cake?
They are few and far between, but Benzema about whom most of the speculation concerns is undoubtedly one. “Benzema will stay with us,” Rafa Benitez is reported as saying. “I can’t see any reason why he would leave. We are very happy with him.” That is a little bit short of stating definitively that he will stay. And there I go, breaking the rule about speculation on here. Damn you, hope!
Almost the whole of August remains. Here’s to a successful start to the season that distracts from the “are we or are we not buying anyone else” stuff. One hell of a cake is in the baking. Please let it not fail to rise and leave a bitter aftertaste for the want of one or two additional finest ingredients.
123 Responses to “Are Arsenal About To Cook Up A Storm?”
When can I have a taste of this cake? As soon as it’s out of the oven or must it cool a bit first?
Runner up. – not interested. 😉
Now to read, Holic.
8ball (from previous drinks),
Laughed out loud at that Palace hospitality stuff. 😆
Even more Benzema stuff today, even an old cynic like myself begins to think there might be something in it!
Nice one, Guvnor,
juices duly flowing. Any disappointment at returning from holiday will definitely be tempered by the prospect of our first proper match in three days time.
If I may make one addition in the form a mention for Débuchy, who also had a couple of quite decent games at centre back last season, should he not be required at full back.
The other thing that has bolstered my belief for the season is the growing maturity of our “kids” who are beginning to look and sound a lot more like men.
As ever, fitness will be key but I really think we can win the title this season.
N7 said this would be our year the season before last.
Rather perspicacious of him, I’d say. 😉
Mamie,
I said two or three days ago I have a very strong gut feel that we will see Benzema in our shirt this season.
Denials from Real Madrid only make it more certain.
😉
I trust the Patisserie Chef is currantly (SWIDT) blending those fine ingredients he already has to hand and adding a considerable dollop of spirit. I’m hoping he has his eye out for a cherry to put on top. 😀
Can almost taste the new season, ‘Holic. Nice one.
If we can stay injury free, we are in with a shout in the League. I do think the title will be between us and the Chavs with United and Citeh contesting the next two places. But it will be tight. Perhaps no more than six points covering the top four, and then a bit of a gap. Liverpool might have a good cup run as they will have nothing else to distract them. But a hat-trick of cups would do us nicely, and especially if the third one is part of treble.
It’s been said before, but what the hell…
Nice one ‘H.
Four more sleeps now. I think I’ll go and embark on the first.
Night all.
COYG
Very good preview H
Top 4 for me as per usual,
Whether we can challenge season long,depends as i have said a few times before,on buying a proven goalscorer,[ other than a long injury list ]
If Giroud/Theo are our main options up front,they are not going to win us a Title.
We have bought a top class keeper to save us 10-15 pts a season,now we need to find a striker that can make us the same up front.
It’s asking too much to expect the support players to make up the number of chances that Ollie in particular fails to convert on a too regular basis.
I have no qualms with the rest of the squad,and i cannot see Arsene bringing in yet another body in midfield,defensive or otherwise.
So everything for me hinges on whether he can bring in a top front man before the window closes.
Very measured and thoughtful as ever Holic.
Well I know as much as anyone else in relation to Benzema, but I’m pretty convinced that he’s is a serious target simply because Wenger has always rated him. I think very highly of KB and if anything I think he’s never got adequate praise at RM. This lad has bundles of pace, kicks off both feet, is very good in the air, has high numbers of assists and rarely gets injured. He’ll be 28 in December in his prime. But the point Tabs makes is extremely important in that if we do sign him – then there will be no residual resale value. At 28 your in your prime – I feel we’d be prepared to amortise this investment over a 4-5-6 year period especially if we could fund it by offloading some other players as Tabs has alluded to.
But landing players of that ilk is not just down to money. Real would need to find another option to save face. Furthermore, Benzema would have to want to come to London and play for Arsene/Arsenal alone because if it became an auction – there are other clubs out there would easily out-bid us. So any possible transfer is delicately poised.
There are a few other positives I feel: Firstly, Wenger will know Benzema, speaks French and has a history in trying to sign him before. We seriously underestimate the pulling power of Wenger. At this moment in time – I cannot think of any other manager in world football who presents a more attractive option to attacking players in particular.
Furthermore, Benzema has spent 6 years at Real and during this time – he has had 4 different managers: Pellegrini, Jose, Ancellotti, and now Rafa. Hardly a star studded cast of options if you’re a bona fide No 9 who wants to play attacking football…? Hardly condusive to establishing a consistent presence at the club? Hardly the best option for a striker who now has to compete with both the show pony in Cristiano and a player who the president thought perfectly ok to spend the best part of 100m on (Bale) and now needs to ensure that he becomes a success story at the club. Maybe its me but I can’t understand Spanish clubs at times: I mean seriously, would you swap Benzema, Ozil or Alexis for Gareth Bale?
Finally, we have spent most of the summer clearing the decks. A lot of players have either left or gone out on loan and there’s probably more to leave as well. I also feel that time is of the essence now in Wengers career and for once, he has the money. Its very interesting. Adding someone like Benzema makes us contenders in England. But, more importantly, it also makes us contenders in Europe. Signing a top class striker is of huge importance I feel. Time will tell.
Excellent post Joe
Whether it is Benzema or A N Other,i am convinced that Arsene knows that a proven goalscorer is needed,one that will not only convert a major percentage of the chances that come his way,but also can create them himself,those priceless goals that come from nothing,when the defenders think they have you covered,yet he still finds a way.
Those goals win you Titles,and can take you a long way in Arsene’s quest to win Old Big Ears.
Good stuff, Joe.
I’m actually not sure how many clubs are in a good position to outbid us.
Chelsea have Costa, Remy and Falcao and do seem to have curtailed their spending somewhat. Benzema has already worked with the Specially Rancid One at Real Madrid and we all know how that ended – not sure how Benzema got on with him personally but Mourinho has declared his transfer window done.
Man City could but Wenger, London and a bit of class and stability could hopefully swing it our way. They would probably be our main worry.
Man United are in a state of flux, have a nutter as a manager who, incidentally and possibly suicidally, is already talking publicly about when he will retire. And it’s, well, Manchester again.
Bayern Munich already have Lewandowski. They might be able to outbid us, but I wouldn’t be sure. If it displaced Lewandowski and he became available, that wouldn’t be too shabby either.
Barcelona are well covered with Messi, Neymar and Suarez and cannot buy at the moment anyway – as far as I’m aware.
The rest of our competition is probably the Arab backed French clubs in PSG and Monaco. You would hope the lure of the Premier League would prove stronger for a player like Benzema.
So, an optimistic view maybe. One I like though. 😉
Trev
The clubs I fear on that front are:
1. would RM be ale to strengthen appropriately. Neither CR or GB are proven no 9s whereas KB is.
2. Manu have spent hugely in the last 12 months.
Van Gaal is now fighting for his reputation and will spend whatever to sustain it. The last Franco-Arabic player we had skipped out the door for a pay cheque and I remember saying at the time that he had pissed his career away in the process. He’s not even considered for the national team anymore. There’s always a risk the player will take the money.
Clive:
In fairness you’ve been saying it would be a striker for a long time now. Fingers crossed eh! Considering jack is out now I wouldn’t be surprised to see 2…!
no, no, no. just no.
http://www.espnfc.us/arsenal/story/2549889/jack-wilshere-leg-fracture-injury-news-rocks-arsenal
Benzema rumours seems to be intensifying, if that is possible, and I’m inclined to see it as near certain. Not my first choice for a marquee signing, but the Marco Reus rumours have been in going in the opposite direction lately and I guess I’ll have to give that one up for another year.
If it does come to pass I don’t think it will be a bad singing at all – once I put aside my disappointment about Reus. Benzema is still relatively young for a striker and his record at RM shows he scores nearly every other game and provides an assist every three and a bit games, both of which stats are ahead of anyone we have now, Alexis included. And this in a team where Ronaldo demands the ball be played to Him whenever goal-scoring chances present. Not to mention James and Bale also contending.
Nor would it be a bad thing to ease the load on our current strikers Alexis/OG/Theo, one or more of whom could inevitablt end up injured. Anything to mitigate the injury crises we’ve endured in recent years has to be a good thing, especially in the goal-scoring department.
Öskar
All we need is one more signing.. Anoda DM wt d qualities of Le’Coq. Dat can gv hm competition. We r gud to go!
What is it that is happening to Jack Wilshere? I feel so sorry for him and can’t imagine how devastated he would be if this news is true. Coming back in May and dying to play a big part in the season we all look forward to, the young man’s hope could just have been dashed. I pray the speculations are not true.
Well, the season that begins for Arsenal on Sunday is one that fans and supporters believe will be the best in almost a decade. The squad looks deep and the potential to bring that elusive trophy back home once more looks good but I think it could look better. My worry is why Arsène Wenger doesn’t think getting a DM with qualities akin to those of FC should be of great import. Before last season began, everybody knew that a natural holding midfielder was needed but our good old Manager failed to get one. The appearance of Le Coq and its attendant benefits told what we could have achieved if for instance the Manager had brought in Shneiderlin who was obviously willing to join the Club. Arsène Wenger always talks about quality and availability but I wonder how the Gareth Bales, the Manuel Nueurs and their like leave one club for another. Why would clubs put release clauses in the contract terms of their players if it was not to admit that potential suitors could attempt snatching these players away when their services were still needed where they were? All this to say that once the Club has money to acquire the services of any player apart from Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, if Mr Wenger wanted any quality CF and DM, he could get them now.
It is either the Club wants to win the EPL and challenge truly for the Champions’ League trophy with the acquisition of another solid natural DM plus a potent CF or we remain being content with our top four finish in the EPL and nowhere beyond a quarter final place in the Champs’ League. Fans who have supported the club through the difficult times deserve these additions once the Club admits it is sitting on some stash of cash and any such deals can not destroy the stability of the squad.
Sorry for poor Jack.
Nevertheless, I’m warming to Benzema in an Arsenal jersey.
Just imagine a front three of Alexis, Benzema and a hungry and in-form Ox. Wow! Top that off with one of the smoothest footballers on the planet playing behind those three – Mesut Ozil. Dynamic indeed.
Sign him up Arsene! COYG!
“One hell of a cake is in the baking.” Considering the drinking theme, maybe it’s a rum cake.
As the American saying goes, “No guts, no glory,” so here goes: If we can get past the Champions League round of 16 for the first time since 2010, it will be a big barrier broken, and thus a tremendous confidence boost, and we will take both the Premier League and the Champions League.
The cake is mixed, constructed and just about to go into the oven. All we need is the finishing touches and who knows?
Like many I still think we are a couple of players short. A striker I think is essential. Whilst we have goals all over the team we have very little cover for Ollie G. I am also one of the few that is still not 100% convinced that Le Coq is the answer in midfield. As you say H, we have a wonderful array of midfield talent but I’m still not sure that the balance is right. I don’t know why we did not pursue the Schneiderlin deal. For me he would have been ideal. I don’t know yet if Le Coq really is the answer or that he has just highlighted such an obvious deficiency. I hope that he really had become the real deal.
There is clearly something in the Benzema speculation. He would be a fantastic addition to our team. I remember George Graham spending what was big money at the time for Ian Wright when he was even older. There was no sell on value then but that seemed to work out okay. My guess is that Madrid want a replacement sorted before the deal can be done. Someone mentioned Lewandoski above. Now that really would be a signing although I don’t really think there is anything in that one. Still, even if the £200 million quoted by Lord Harris is a little bit of an exaggeration, I would suggest that that at least indicates that we have substantial funds available to take us to the next level.
With the TV companies already deciding that our reasonable start to the season should now be 1.30 on a Sunday comes my first visit to ticket exchange. As the money from TV deals increases, so does my frustration at the change of kick off times. I’m guessing it won’t be the last time this season.
Sorry news about Jack. I hope it’s not long term.
Onwards and upwards boys and girls. Let’s see what unfolds.
best of luck to any poor bollix
battling into work tubeless
feckin nightmare
🙁
Clive@10: I, for one, would be delighted if we brought in a top striker, not that they are easy to find. We dropped points in 16 games last season. In 14 of them, a single goal would have either turned a loss into a draw or a draw into a win. As few as six additional goals could have been enough to make up the 12 points we trailed Chelsea by. Now, things like that never perfectly align, but also taking into account he points Cech will save, we probably need an extra 10-12 goals in the season to take the title. A top striker would deliver that, true, but it is easily possible that a combination of Welbeck and our midfielders finding their shooting boots could do so, too. In short, I think that we can still win the title without signing the proverbial ‘quality’ at the front, although I accept that its absence reduces our margin of error.
Joe, posted the above before back drinking, but top post @11. Benzema would fit the bill. If RM were to sell him, I am sure we’d see spoiler bids from the usual suspects.
Steve T@21: agree we need another DM, but as cover/rotation for Le Coq. AW always seems to take one positional gamble each season. I think DM is this season’s. He is betting on Le Coq staying fit and Arteta and Flamini get him through as and when needed until Chambers or one of the youngsters such as Kamara or Bielik (who I see has been dropped from the first team squad) is ready. I also think the gamble has been forced on him. He was pursuing Schneiderlin, but couldn’t promise a regular start
Hey ‘olic and ‘holics of the drinks.
Definitely looking forward to the new season.
May I say I’m genuinely shocked at how ‘olic is speculating at Benzema (his name sounds like a name of a posh car, no? ooooh, the new vavavoom!). But I do understand your fervour and enthusiasm, even though I’m more used to you being the voice of reason and calm perspective.
Upwards and onwards.
To hell with cakes.
Let’s start bevvying – and from the top shelf too. 😎
From scruz’s link above, Jack’s injury sounds like a Pott’s fracture , also known as Pott’s Syndrome.
It’s the bony alternative to a lateral ligament sprain and happens when, instead of the ligament rupturing, the fibula cracks at it’s weakest point (around 5cm above the ankle joint).
The Syndrome also involves damage / wrenching away of the very bottom of the fibula from the tibia at the outer point of the ankle joint.
What was I / we saying about fitness being key ? Please not again.
Right, I have a journey to do. I will bid you all a fine morning !
Cheers all, and good to see you here, Steve-o 🙂
I haven’t captured the real intention when mentioning Benzema. I meant to shift the emphasis to the fact that once again we are looking to shop at Real Madrid for top quality. The times they are indeed a changin’.
For the record I think if Rafa assures him he has a future at Real he will stay there. That seems his preferred option.
got sent this by a manure “well wisher”
.
Lil Crock Wilshere
October 2009 – Ankle (out for five weeks)
January 2010 – Hamstring (five weeks)
November 2010 – Back (two weeks)
August 2011 – Ankle (14 months)
February 2013 – Hip (one week)
March 2013 – Ankle (four weeks)
May 2013 – Ankle surgery (seven weeks)
October 2013 – Ankle (two weeks)
January 2014 – Ankle (two weeks)
March 2014 – Ankle (two months)
October 2014 – Ankle (two weeks)
November 2014 – Ankle (five months)
August 2015 – Ankle (estimated two months)
.
is it accurate ned ?
Yo!
Rosicky was definately underused last season – fact is – I’ve always rated him above Cazorla – or any of our other midfielders – it’s just the whole guy but also his skills and use of space and passing.
When it comes to Benzema – what kind of a message do you think this will send to Theo and Giroud and Welbeck? Someone is gonna be sitting on the bench – or worse – not even making the bench! So I feel that by getting Benzema we are taking a risk of putting a damper on the atmosphere. But no doubt – he is probably a better striker than all of the above – even though all of them have different attributes.
Not that bothered by the Wilshere news from a team perspective, as it solves a selection headache. For once we have more than enough quality to fill the gap.
Good post Joe @11. Agree 100%.
Seriously bad news for Jack. I don’t think it will affect our purchasing plans. Despite the lack of equivalent cover or competition for Le Coq (I agree to an extent there Steve T, but Schneiderlin was not the answer as he is more of an Arteta replacement than a true DMFer) I think AW feels he has enough options in MF.
I have resigned myself to no incoming strikers despite agreeing with all who believe that we are not yet fully equipped to win the big trophies without adding a finisher of the most predatory calibre. Without question, the HFB has developed in his time with us and brings our wide players and midfield into scoring positions to an extent that mitigates his own profligacy in front o goal. I suspect we will only add to our squad if a top prospect lands in Arsene’s lap as a result of developments during the last few days of the window.
Nonetheless we shall compete this season provided we are not cursed by multiple injuries again.
COYG
Cricket bulletin
Australia getting hammered.
Broad takes five wickets to become the first bowler since Sidney Barnes to do so (remember SF Barnes, H?)
Back to the football… Spurs still cunts.
OOPS, I left out the words “before lunch”
Did they bother having drinks after the first hour?
50-9 and the pitch is not misbehaving, there’s not a great deal of movement in the air either. Just crap batting, good line bowling and top class catching.
60 all out. Have you got tickets for Sunday ‘Holic?
Declare at lunch, bowl them out by tea, knock the runs off before the close 🙂
Sounds like a plan!
On Sunday I will be celebrating our Ashes win before the start of the football season! 🙂
I do remember reading about SF Barnes, Cynic. What was he like in the flesh?
Of course you will, ‘H@40. I came over all unneccessary@37 and forgot what other, more serious, things were happening on Sunday.
COYG
(That should remind me)
Stringy, H.
Steve-o, “Benzema” seems more of an over the counter acne crème.
Really thirsting for the season to start. Speaking of which: our London spy spotted this at the Exmouth Arms pub in Clerkenwell:
https://untappd.akamaized.net/photo/2015_07_08/8b1a02d451ab8e504222aef40f4c604a_320x320.jpg
Did some more research on this; the brewery (Hop Stuff) is a relatively new one (began brewing in autumn 2013) and is located on or near the site of the Woolwich Royal Arsenal. Product is also available in bottles, but theirs is presently a smaller operation so they have some difficulty keeping up with demand. But they are expanding and will be opening their own local called the Tap Room near to the brewing facility.
Question is does any pub near to the HOF provide this libation?
New Rules!
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/33783861
That blows for Jack. Really bad luck. Get well soon!
.
“large V.A.T. please Dave”
.
🙁
Entertaining show, no doubt. It may also be fixed.
http://www.eadt.co.uk/news/poll_ladbrokes_suspend_betting_on_great_british_bake_off_after_flurry_of_bets_in_ipswich_but_who_is_the_winner_1_4182754?
“put it on the slate”
I really don’t think scoring goals is our major problem, rather we should invest on keeping clean sheet.
Wilshere’s injury confirmed on dot com. Out for “several weeks”.
So after the summer break and pre-season but before a competitive ball is kicked, we have Wilshere out, Rosicky and Welbeck aleady injured for many weeks and making “progressive recoveries”.
Please, Football God, don’t let this happen again.
howdy trev
hope ye had good hollibobs
🙂
.
that list that me mate sent me
about young jack
what does that say ?
not about sender
he’s a lost cause
about jacks ankles
made o balsa wood ?
sorrowful to see it listed
clunk after click
(ned verification pending)
bone density of a crunchie ?
in answer to bayonne above about arsenal pale ale and pubs near thof:
“Hi, APA is soon to be sold in the Lord Northbrook & the soon to open Crown on burnt ash hill.
Cheers,
James
James Yeomans”
this was the answer to my “is it served at any pubs near the grove?”
Cricket drink
http://i.imgur.com/uvZLEWA.jpg
Trev, according to physioroom.com Danny Welbeck will be back in full training in a few days. Let us hope they are right.
http://www.physioroom.com/news/english_premier_league/epl_injury_table.php
physioroom ?
dear sweet lord
fuck
never heard of it
mind you
guessing i can guess what it is
.
how long before
fubble pages are stuck opened out on bookies walls
with midget pencilled oracles
millionairely nearly punting
on whether santi likes the going good
or good to soft
.
.
fuckadiddledumpling
😉
.
(in the 4.15 at fairyhouse)
Home losses against Swansea and Sunderland last May. We scored no goals in either game. Would Benzema have made a difference?
cba@30: sadly it is. Adds up to 117 games missed.
not good at internet hunting
ineptitude and limited tech forbid
.
so
cheers ned
.
just looks awful all rowed up
.
same ankle ?
diff ankle ?
.
sorry for bothering ye
just I knew he had ankle trouble
didn’t fuckin know the extent
cba,
What does it say about Jack’s ankles ….. ?
Tricky one. I’ve suggested before that the age of some of our young players is such that the immature connective tissues, once damaged, are difficult to repair to full fitness.
I don’t really know exactly what a lot of Jack’s issues have been. Some of them have certainly been bony injuries, while some of them have been linked and surgery has been required at the end of a long unsuccessful wait for the issue to heal naturally. This has probably inflated the number of absences but there is no denying the recurring problems.
The fourteen month layoff was reportedly due to a “stress fracture” incurred in a tackle in a pre-season friendly (New York Red Bulls if I recall correctly).
Two things about that. Firstly, stress fractures are not really the result of a one-off impact, but due to the repetitive strain caused by overloading and / or misalignment. Second, a misalignment could be genetic or due to some connective tissue problem where the joint has become too lax due to overstretching of the ligaments and tendons, or there being a natural excess of connective tissue – as, in extreme cases, with “double jointedness” (loose joints).
Jack reportedly had issues going back into his earlier teens. A very common cause of ankle problems are faulty foot mechanics – most commonly hyper-pronation, or rolling inwards of the plantar arch or the hind part of the foot.
So these injuries might – stress ‘might’ – be the result of an untreated condition some years ago.
Due to the over-rotation generated through the entire leg by the faulty foot mechanics, the hip injury could also be the ultimate result of hyper-pronation.
Jack has two other problems though. He invites challenges with his playing style of twisting, turning and dribbling while retaining the ball.
For a box to box midfielder he is also quite short. I said in an earlier piece that, compared to a Yaya Toure or a Matic, he has to complete a much higher number of strides to cover the ground and absorb the resulting increased impact.
That is not going to help a recovering or previously injured body.
So Gabriel accidentally injures Wilshere and alleged fans abuse him on Twatter and send death threats… I wish people had to pass a brains test before being allowed to use social media and I hope every single one of the charmers acting like five year olds gets prosecuted for malicious communication.
I bet they’re all twelve. Mentally.
One reason I’ve never been on Twitter.
Too many idiots – too much abuse – too many lies.
Make that three reasons. 😉
i remember yer last few paragraphs trev
from before
indeed more than aware myself
he is a chop magnet
s’just when i saw his misfortune rowed up
i was amazed the young fella
could keep a semblance of positivity
and
I appreciate
it’s just that
positivity
real or imagined
that invites
more ankle chopping
.
twitter as i’ve recently found
is a good net for info
if you cast wisely
I have no intention of talking on it
but the gathering of info
from those whose info ye want gathered
is handy as fuck
Arsenal Pale Ale only 3.8%, Bayonne? That would be for the under 18s presumably? I suggest this special GSD brew for the first XI … http://www.designwala.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/7.jpg 😉
Öskar
why isn’t there an emergency minder episode on telly
🙁 🙁
oskar
I find when ye get to the age
when ex-talk show hosts and
deputy chief constables of awnings
are targeting you
and ye are in a different insurance bracket
and ye get a parker pen
just for applying
beer or cider should be double strength
thus
heading the watery-piss-beer off at the pass
this evening i have been enjoying 8.2% cider
and most delicious with manageable inbetween pee times
it is too
.
.
🙂
(at the lower end of the insurance bracket me)
( yeah bloody right )
.
.
*waits anxiously for parker pen*
Lefty Fibula?
Pray to God it’s not Joe Fibula…
or Chucky Signore’s…
Insurance, cba? That’s where you give hard-earned to some institution and they find reasons never to give any of it back regardless how dead you are? Or injured, or car-crashed, or stolen from? Never had a bar of it meself. So far so goo………………… Argh!
With you on double strength though. Quickest way to drown things that need drowning, in my experience.
Öskar
Had a strange (re)Minder experience meself this week, cba. I was watching young Dennis Waterman (before he got his frightening new teeth in New Tricks) and there was Arfur Daley look spruce as a cockney geezer in his prime, flogging re-labelled French plonk off the back of a truck or something, and I thought Jeez, hasn’t he changed since Flash Harry and St Trinians. Then I switched channels in the ads and there he was again, years later looking Methuselahic in a Midsomer Murders episode. Then the next day he was dead!
Life in a microcosm. At about the speed mine seems to be going at too.
Öskar
top man 🙂
.
yup
insurance
fuckin racket
.
got building insurance
have to
no personal me insurance
catastrophe happens
me family
will just have to pass the hat
stuff me
and deny all knowledge
.
.
their enforced knowledge
of
the late great Jimmy Reed
should pay off
if they’d listen to the fuckin song
and not talk the whole way through it
as usual
fuck
Jimmy was pished and he made it to the end
oy oy oy
.
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=nkqGgCCWjus
Agree with your 65, cba. Never used it, never will, but handy for keeping up with newsy stuff.
cab@60: Mainly ankles, both of them. But a knee problem in one case.
Wilshere: 168 games played vs 117 missed. And, before you ask, Diaby’s numbers are 180 played vs 272 missed. Jack has missed 40% of his possible games. Diaby missed 60%.
Otd@66: is that GSD’s home brew?
East Africans, Nigerians and those in the Maghreb clearly know their football:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-33808566
Good morning all,
It sounds like things are getting closer and I don’t just mean the start of the Prem season 😉
Something to do with the structure of payment?
Good luck to the boys tomorrow.
It’s only bloody West Ham for god sake! 😆
No, in all fairness, no match is an easy match. You want your first game to be solid, full of goals ( if possible) and to have reasonably good standing on the league table.
What do points make?
Exactly 😉
More to come!
what are the boys doing tomorrow GT ?
getting ready for the game the day after ?
keen ? good to see !
cheers ned
i won’t ask how the monks do it
just pat them on their tonsures
from me
there’s a lovely monky enclosure
here in donegal
a beautiful forest park
white sandy beaches
and dragonflies the size of light aircraft
similar conditions at the castle
I presume 😉
I hope at least they’re fat
a skinny monk’s neither use nor ornament
I want 50 eugene pallettes
habitting about
mutton leg in their belts
.
anyhoo
cheerio
off to try and sweat out this cider
Good news.
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/33803964
Shawcross will miss one of our two fixtures against Stoke. Maybe the TV networks can reschedule the other one so he will miss both of them. 🙂
cba @ 79 – They’d better not be! 😉
Oh right? cba @ 79 I’ve just checked. I got ahead of myself. Sorry, busy schedule is causing me an overload (can see an overload joke coming 😉 )
Nice preview H!
Benzema talk is rubbish, we will go with what we have. As Trev points out its down to injuries and it’s not started well
Hello gooners
My 1st post on here great to have this site
I’m really optimistic about this year
Firing on all cylinders the ox looks amazing
Kinda happy theo wants to push up top
He may have to settle for playing 2nd fiddle to olivier.
Hopefully We can sign that killer who won’t
Miss the sitters in big champ leauge games
And get subbed off on 65mins
Who it will be nobody knows ‘wenger knows’
The penny has dropped finally we are starting to
Get our money’s worth great signings the
Last few years have brought great belief
I put alot of confidence in giroud but he isn’t
A killer. We’ve been very privileged to see
Great stikers over the past few decades
And we need that calibre back in the ranks
Top strikers don’t miss them chances when it
Matters. Eg giroud v Chelsea 3rd minute
End up losing 6-0. Please wenger
Break the bank get us that player the
Players deserve to be on the end of there
Passes and us fans deserve to spur on
To the title!
And then it starts all over again. The excitement, the nervousness and the belief. Is this the season that The Arsenal are the league champions again after a wait of 11 years. I think so. Fitness and the DM hold the key but there is a sense that the team wont drop their shoulders easily which has been the case in the past few seasons. I do worry in all this new found belief, how will they handle with the odd loss???? This is where the boss and Bould combo would need to get in over drive.
Benzema still making the news but no sign of a DM, i dread as to what will happen if coquelin gets injured, are we putting all the eggs in one basket.
In the end all i want to say is belief and fitness holds the key to a season which will have the unexpected. A good start will be the key though the traditional december and feb fixture pileup may hold the key.
It is time to play the game, it it about time to win the league, Arsenal.
Gnabry loan to West Brom confirmed. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33824132
LONDON — Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is confident that he will be able to call on the services of Alexis Sanchez in the next 10 days, while he has revealed that Jack Wilshere’s latest injury is not as serious as first feared.
“It was purely accidental in training,” Wenger said of Wilshere’s latest injury. “A hairline crack in his fibula, near where they took his screws off [from his ankle problem last season].
“It is a bone injury, so there will be no surprise there. It just needs time to heal. The news we got yesterday is it could be much shorted than expected. It is two weeks in the boot and then he can practice straight away. Hopefully he is ready to play in four weeks.”
———————–
Alexis… after missing pre-season is ready to play in 10 days??!! He is unbelievably fit!!
Wilshere news is most welcomed…. we’ll be back to full strength before we know it!
😀
As one well known to ‘holic has been heard to utter, on occasion, “….Easy Now!”
Fuck West Ham, murdering scum.
Esso is here. Time to get serious. 🙂
More than two months without football can turn a man into a Savage like creature.
Actually, I look like a Scholes/Ferguson/Konchesky hybrid. Mirror, mirror on the wall…
Football is air and I need it…but more than air I need alcohol and Arsenal is alcohol.
Come, you Irons. Just come.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=booze+and+glory+the+day+i%27m+in+my+grave
A few keepy ups while we wait…
Sits in the swimming pool with Ned and starts head tennis – waiting for Santi to join the party……
Miscontrols ball horribly before heading for bed.
Puts other ball back into play …
Where’s Cba when you need him? Head stuck in a glass of home made cider per chance?
picks it up n the left a la pires searching for Dennis…
Pings it forward into the box, waiting for…
I foresee the 100 for me.
Well in Nostradamus with a finisher’s touch.
Only a few hours left now before Sp*rs continue to underperform. Dare I predict another three points dropped? I guess I’ve done bolder stuff in my time.
It’s one of those games where I want both sides to lose, bt8. A draw with both dropping two points would be best, and boring and scoreless to boot.
Unlike the exhilarating 3-0 result I expect in the game that matters.
Öskar
howdy ‘hol howdy all
yup
always a quandary today’s one
real tug of hate thing for sure
usually find meself splattering ill will willy nilly
all over the pub tv
much to the polite horror
of the inevitable foreign tourists
my lift there is a manure fan
depending on the result or my behaviour
my return journey could be
a big long walk
fuck it it’s a nice day
🙂
.
.
UP THE ARSENAL !
must check tripadvisor later
to see if anyone’s pilgrimage to the old country
was tarnished by a couple of oafs
dribblin’ an roarin’
oaves ?
“and it just gone noon”
.
“disgraceful”
.
Clint and Dolly
New Donegal
New Ireland
US of A
.
“won’t be back”
.
“though the one bellowing ‘Arse’ was very very handsome”
.
Dolly
(came back)
US of A
😉
cheerio again
stuff de do
.
slainte fellas
With you, Otd, in wishing for a draw at OT today with an away win at the bus stop in Fulham to put the icing on the cake.
Well in for the ton, Nostradamus. Didn’t see that coming…
Here we go! Here we go! Here we go!……Here we go! Here we go! Here we go! Bring it on!!! Nice one hol’!
Now who’ll be runner-up to the mighty Arse this term? The mighty Bournmouth that’s who! Looking forward to that away-day by the seaside immensely! Less than 12,000 stadium capacity! Sweet! What an atmosphere that’s going to be!
Benzema looking more and more likely as Real search for the cash for Pogba! Up the Arse! The Quadruple this term! COYBG!
The Chavs, Citeh and “Baring’s Bank United” to drop points this first weekend!
Ashes won before the football starts. At least some semblance of the proper order of things.
I see that Benzema is out injured (thigh) for three weeks, Dapper Dan, so he is ready made to join us.
Real want Aguero to replace him, apparently. Citeh might as well throw in the towel now if that happens.
I was hoping the Ashes would be won by the time Arsenal kicked off, and it was wrapped up an hour before Man U will. Awesome stuff.
Three commentators BT? What a load of shite.
Three commentators AND Howard Webb. If you want to run a radio station, piss off and do it. YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP
Absolutely cannot stand Bellends and Tossers Sport.
Their ridiculous bias ruins any Arsenal game they show anyway – I’d rather go without.
Resolve will be tested when we are away in the Champions League but there are places to go out and see it.
Still not as convinced as some people here that Benzema will be coming to us in this transfer window. I think the money is no doubt available to do the deal, but all parties are probably playing a waiting game ’til nearer September 1st. It’s a strange old season where there doesn’t seem to be a lot of movement/availability in terms of strikers at the top European clubs, and Madrid won’t countenance selling Benzema unless they get someone of equal or better stature in (very few obvious candidates). As for us, if there’s a serious-ish injury to Walcott or Giroud in the next few weeks, or we get off to a surprise underwhelming start, then the urgency may increase to do a deal, but I’d expect Wenger to most likely go with what he’s got.
I also think we can win a title with the current squad. People talk down Giroud, but considering he was out ’til late-December, he still scored 19 goals last season, and I could probably only name 8-10 strikers around the world who would come in and be guaranteed to do as good a job, if not better. He scored against Man Utd, Man City, Liverpool and Monaco (A), and I think this bandwagon about him not being a ‘big game’ player has probably been accentuated by his one stinker of a performance last season (all strikers have one) being the most important – Monaco at home. I think Walcott and Giroud can both spur each other one – if one loses form, the other comes in, they both offer different options in the way we can play – and I think if someone else in the squad can step up in he goalscoring stakes a la Ramsey 2 years (could it be the Ox’s big year, will Welbeck have a breakthrough season, can Ozil and Cazorla both contribute close to double figures in terms of goals?) then the solutions this season might well be from within the existing squad.
Tomorrow’s team selection will be interesting. If Giroud doesn’t start, the Benzema thing will look a bit more solid to me.
Like AW forecast the year before the Invincibles; I think we can go unbeaten this season.
We have by far the best squad, and, it seems the best camaraderie amongst that squad. I can’t see them allowing anyone to beat us.
That may be the kiss of death against WHU tomorrow of course!
Öskar, am with you on the value of a draw when two loathsome opponents play each other. Especially early on, a four point cumulative drop is better than three points.
Game was awful. United’s first shot on goal did not happen until 70 minutes in. Kyle Walker was Manure’s MotM. Some silver lining, as deGea did not play, with excuse being that he’s “unsettled by the whole Real mess”. If Real do buy him, the odds on Benzema becoming available jump, but if that happens, don’t be surprised if the West London oilers plump a huge offer, given their striker woes.
By the way, don’t be so negative on the value of “session” beers (alcohol of less than 5%). Provided it tastes good, just means that you can consume a lot more before you’re carried out.
Courtois sent off… !
Couldn’t have gotten off to a better start…
😀
..and Swansea are going for it..!
Come on Swaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaans!
😀
Now watch Mourinho go on a feverish spending spree…couple of strikers, a defender or two, and obviously another GK. And then sending luminaries like Remy, Begovic out on loan to their proxy club in the Dutch league. 🙂
Was looking at some of the recent photos of our training session. There is one with Alexis holding the ball in his hands. The smile on his face reminded me of the smile on our toddler’s face when he opens a new set of Thomas the train engine…
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>