Let The Summer Tournaments Commence
Jun 2nd, 2016 by 'holic
The club season over, your average blogger (I’m way ahead of you pal!) is hoping that international football provides a rich seam of material. To be fair the friendlies ahead of a major tournament are exercises in experimentation that sometimes work, and sometimes don’t. Tonight (Thursday) I will mostly be looking back, for obvious reasons.
I’m well aware that this blog, indeed most Arsenal blogs, is/are read by many who, at best, don’t give a monkeys about England’s preparation. The good news for you is that Hector Bellerin has been named in Spain’s squad for the Euros and provided his first assist in their comprehensive drubbing of South Korea. His elevation to full international is a just reward for a superb domestic season with the Gunners.
Then there is something of a bittersweet moment, Tomas Rosicky’s wonderful strike for the Czech Republic in their win over Russia has surely made him a starter for the Euros? In the same team Petr Cech became his country’s most capped player in a comfortable win over Malta. I will definitely be following them in France.
It isn’t just competition time in Europe. Alexis has been involved in Chile’s defeats by Jamaica and Mexico ahead of the Copa America Centenario. The holders may not look in good shape for the tournament which is being held in the USA but it would be foolish to rule them out before the tournament proper kicks off.
Sooner or later one has to consider Jack Wilshere and England’s prospects in the Euros. Forgive me, but I was born in London, and I fully appreciate the impact of a successful tournament for Roy Hodgson’s charges. Unlike Chile, England have qualified with a perfect record and have won their three warm-up friendlies. We cannot ignore, however, that the performances in the run up to the tournament have been less than convincing.
As an Arsenal man I will point out that tonight’s performance against Portugal took a turn for the better when Jack Wilshere was introduced with around 25 minutes to play. Due to his lack of matches in the Premier League this season he has been a target for those who wanted their own favourites picked for a major tournament. Forgive me, but don’t you think a quality player who isn’t knackered at the end of a long domestic season should be first on the team-sheet for such a tournament?
That Hodgson appears to be tinkering with his formation ten days ahead of the big kick-off is not necessarily an issue. He will now know what his team will look like should the key men stay fit, and those who do well in tournaments generally improve over the course of the tournament. Fifty years of hurt ensures that we are sceptical of our team’s chances this summer, but are the usual big hitters in good shape?
We shall see.
We Have A Winner
Congratulations to Sid Sinclair from Winchmore Hill who correctly identified George Eastham as the World Cup-winning Gunner and has won the Art of Football 50 years of hurt teeshirt.
Thanks to all who entered.
140 Responses to “Let The Summer Tournaments Commence”
Whenever I hear “Copa” I think of one of those large round glass dishes of Italian ice cream.
Gelato?
Hey ‘holic. I saw Jack Wilshere playing for England in the second half and thought he did well. No injuries either, so far as I know. (Knocks on wood.)
Grammatical correction: Coppa.
Referring to the Gelato, I mean. đ
Coppa? Where? Wasn’t me guv, honest! đ
Evening H
Like most if not all in the bar,i will be keeping an eye on our players in the Euros.
Hoping they do well,and praying they don’t get crocked.
At the same time i will be trying to ignore all the endless media speculation about who me may or may not be buying,until it is is announced by the Club itself.
With the Olympics to come,and England’s trip down under for 3 Rugby tests this month,Pakistan visiting for a test series of Cricket,plus Wimbledon for the tennis fans,there is plenty for the sports addicts to get their teeth into this summer.
I even forgot the Tour de France for the cycling nuts.!!
Before we know it,Aug 13th will be upon us,as another season stretches out before us.
We will be very spoilt on the Sporting front this summer.
Nice one Guvna. It wouldn’t surprise me if this unrated and slightly motley English squad went further than an English team has done in a while. Meanwhile no-one else apart from the Spanish is looking particularly good. It will be a relief when some decent football matches take place whatever the results.
I really think this England team will tank. I wouldn’t be surprised if we didn’t win a game. I’ve mentioned before I don’t embrace Spud players or Man Yoo or Liverpool players that I spend the year detesting. I become less interested in England in each passing tournament. I’d be astonished if we did well, there is very little world- class talent in the squad, possibly none. Delle Ali will get sent off after being wound up mercilessly and our defence will struggle to deal with the best players on the Continent. If we even get to meet them.
Bale in the mood will run us ragged.
Sorry to be a curmudgeon but I’m focusing on some of the goodies Clive mentioned and what some of the good teams serve up
The TV ads for the Centennial Copa America are featuring Alexis as one of the star draws, up there with Messi and Suarez. I hope he doesn’t run himself into the ground before the next Premiership season even starts as he did in the Copa America last year.
England looked uninspired against a well organised Portugal. Unless Roy Hodgson either picks a system to fit the players he has got or picks the players that fit his system, I fear this England team will be picked apart as soon as it runs into one of the better teams at the Euros.
And there better be none of the shirt shenanigans with Hector that occurred with Fabregas at the World Cup in 2010.
George Eastham
For years I thought he was the inventor of colour film.
Evening, Holic, and thanks for a new post.
I only saw the first half of England v Portugal tonight and it wasn’t a very pretty sight. In fact, Kyle Walker and Harry Kane are a pretty ugly sight and they linked poorly considering they are club mates who play together every week.
I didn’t see Jack Wilshere’s introduction but he must have looked absolutely brilliant if he replaced the lumbering, tumbledown James Milner after his first half display.
Apart from that, I think North Bank Ned has summed it up well. I only realised a couple of days ago that there is another Copa America this summer. Hopefully we won’t be watching an utterly knackered Alexis come August. When did he last get a summer off ?
He’d probably just throw a couple of jumpers down and play three-and-in with his mates all day anyway.
Well done, Hector. Just remember those DNA doctors are all very bad people. Don’t listen to them – you are Spenglish now !
Negative, Cynic.
You either lived or hated him, Cynic.
He definitely polaroidsed opinion. ?
Lived = loved. ?
George was one of the best passers of a ball we have had, hence he got targeted by many opponents, particularly Leeds. Bremner, Charlton, Hunter, and Giles invented rotational fouling against him.
Evening holic.
George Eastham one of my all time favourite players. His passing was in the Ozil class and normally 2 moves ahead of some of the lesser lights surrounding him. Leeds of those days were the most cynical I’ve encountered. They were a horrible team but considering the amount of talent they had, it was really shouldn’t have been necessary. No doubt the manager and players were simply nasty bastards.
I shall watch the Euros with particular interest in how our players get on.
With no team looking on top form I guess it’s possible England could have a good run this team but the defence looks ripe for picking by any team with attacking prowess.
Like Clive says, we have a sports fest to carry us through to the new season plus some golf majors not on his list. Last but not least there is also the Olympics to look forward to.
Sorry to be pedantic H
But i must point out that the Ramblers invented rotational fouling in the early 60’s.
The London scout for Leeds used to attend Sunday morning games around the Suburbs in the hope of unearthing some unsung talent.
But having watched the Ramblers play, it was no surprise when Leeds began copying our playing/fouling style.
I might also add the Ramblers invented the front and back shin pads as well.
Big Raddy was the first professional player to use the pads, which again was no surprise, as a cousin of his used to play for us and obviously passed on the info to him.
We led,others followed.
Uply
Yes i forgot the Golf. !
But i did mention the Olympics.
Also apparently there is the World Tiddlywink Championships to look forward to as well this summer. !!
Clive, I must also add one that’s held down these parts – we have the World Nettle Eating championships which is held at the Bottle Inn, Marshwood.
There is also the Dorset Knob chucking contest ( for the un-initiated, it’s a local “delicacy” ).
As for the Ramblers, a match v that Leeds team I would have paid good money to watch – no doubt would have been promoted by Jack Solomons & Mickey Duff đ
Evening all. Having enjoyed a wonderful weekend of Rugby I must say that I’m very much looking forward to the series down under. Funny enough, I’m also quite looking forward to the euros. Not quite sure why but I actually have quite high expectations.
Bring it on. And the cricket, cycling and everything else for that matter. Except for Wimbledon. Never really enjoyed Wimbledon. I always hated having to watch it when I was a kid as they interrupted a test match to show tennis coverage. I’ve been anti Wimbledon ever since.
Re tonight’s game. Nice to see the Boss there sat next to David Dein. Who knows? Could be the best signing we make this summer????
One more event for your diaries: The 54th Memorial Booze-Up of Former Members of The 47th Yellow Cowards (Surrey regiment). Sat/Sun 3rd/4th September. At the Gordon Bennett Memorial Pergola, Chinese Cemetery, Christmas Island.
Stop laughing, this is serious. I may be the only former regiment member still alive but I’m sure others will be attending in spirit. Gordon was one the more infamous friends of my youth. We shared a flat in Leatherhead in the early 60s and The 47th Yellow Cowards were a band of dedicated drinkers prone to loudly recounting deeds of heroism and colonial derring-do to the irritation of other pub customers.
As for Christmas Island The Caine/Connery movie The Man Who Would Be King was highly influential in Gordon’s later adventures there. He saw himself as a latter-day Pukka sahib and ruled the island for a while as his personal fiefdom.
Alway great company, almost always drunk, and died aged 47.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordon_Bennett_(union_organiser)
?
i shall raise a glass or four on the day chris
SlĂĄinte mhaith to you too, my friend.
…really odd that the rest of that old gang are no more. Almost sobering in fact!
There’s still room for Arsenal in the Euro buid-up!
In case you had any doubts Arsene is to stay according to Gazidis’ latest interview. The most interesting titbits (most of it really):
” The reason we have Arsène as our manager is because our board believes he can deliver success. The reason that Arsène is here is because he believes that he can deliver success. If either of us didnât believe that we would not be constrained by nostalgia or longing, we would have to make a change”
“Obviously, he is going to be managing us next year and we are planning and making many decisions for the long term. The reality is we wouldnât leave things until the last minute. Iâm comfortable both that if Arsène is going to extend we will know that and if, whenever that is, he is going to come to an end, that he will give us the time that we need to prepare for that transition.”
“âHe has always put the long-term health of the club first. He wants to hand over a football club, whenever that it is, that is in great shape. He views that as a massively important part of his legacy”
“âWhat is clear is that the big spending was not the solution to all problems,â he says. âIt was clever spending and a lot of âdifference makersâ underneath the surface.â Those âdifference makersâ include fitness and medical departments, psychology, analytics and youth development.”
Although injuries again weakened Arsenal at critical moments, Gazidis says that the soft tissue problems were actually at âhistorically low levelsâ and that more freakish impacts were the bigger issue. âBut we still have to ask ourselves difficult questions: Did we have the right squad depth for certain difficult functions? We have a good idea of where we feel we fell short and where we feel we did well. Because we have a highly-visible manager who represents so much continuity, there is a misplaced belief that things donât change. There has been tremendous change within, fully embraced and led by Arsène
Squad investment, he says, has never been restricted and is strongly encouraged by the majority owner, Stan Kroenke. He points out the arrivals of Ăzil, SĂĄnchez, Petr Cech and now Xhaka in successive summers. âWe have very high aspirations and care deeply,â he says. âBut we donât have an owner who storms the corridors on a Monday, who calls the manager and says, âWhy arenât you starting this player?â and enjoys high-fiving 26-year-old athletes. To me, thatâs good.â
âWe are very driven to take a further step and deliver trophies domestically but, ultimately, in Europe.â
âOur renewal rate on season tickets is higher historically this year than ever. I donât use that to say all fans are happy, but most people are not engaging daily on social media and their opinions are much more nuanced than it might seem.”
âWhatâs quite difficult is that once people have created a story in their own mind, their own confirmation biases will kick in. Itâs true of all of us. My confirmation bias is we are club making progress. Our ambition is to win the Premier League but we have had our best finish in years and two FA Cups in three seasons.â
Oops, forgot the link:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/06/02/arsenal-manager-arsene-wenger-is-going-no-time-soon-says-chief-e/
Everyone’s experience is different but mine aligns with Gazidis in the last paragraphs, yes the season could have been better but it’s wasn’t bad either and we’re definitively on the up is the opinion among my Arsenal-supporting circle of friends and acquaintances.
Copa America begins in earnest tomorrow over here on the pond’s left shore. Good opportunity to scout some possible recruits (Higuain?) and to see how Alexis, Joel and Ooooospina fare with their respective sides
I for one don’t see Alexis coming out of this one anywhere near as knackered as he was after last season’s tourney. First and most importantly, Chile hosted the competition, so there had to be huge pressure on them to do well and to win the whole thing, which they’d never done before. As captain, Alexis had to be on top of his game throughout before crazed home crowds, all the way to the final versus archrival Argentina. There has to be much less pressure on them to do well this time around. Besides, they’re just not as good a side, so are likely to play fewer games.
Just a note re George Eastham. The bloke was a star . Great dribbler and passer and he was much better than anyone England has in midfield now. Great idea of Billy Wright to sell him ( and Joe Baker). That still makes me sad.
TTG – every word!
Chris. Interesting stuff about Christmas Island. I guano know more.
Always thought George Eastham bore something of a resemblance to Dennis Bergkamp – and an uncanny one to Marco Reus.
Could the stars be aligning ……. ?
In view of today’s news that Blatter and pals awarded themselves 55 million pounds in pay bonuses, I am feverishly working out how to arrange myself a similar gig.
Scandinavian jaunt forthcoming.
http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36445879
Lars’ wallet must have won the day again. đ
Wrong link in 35 above should have been this one:
http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/arsenal-to-play-manchester-city-in-gothenburg-preseason-friendly-as-club-announce-trip-to-a3263411.html
Alexissssssssssssssssssssssss is the reason to watch copa america and i want him to come out in the group stages itself, he meaning chile and not him alone please.
Euros we have too many of our own playing so may the best team win. France, germany and Spain pre tournament favourites but perennial under achievers England and the so called golden era of Belgium group will be the dark horses. My issue with England teams over the years is they play not to lose than to win. Therein i feel they bottle .
As the writeup says i honestly dont care and i just want our players to come back safe and sound. Now is that left back Rodriguez done? can we move on to morata and manolas please.
Could try copping a cuppa at the copa but a bellyful of beer would do.
Not sure why the naming of the new Aston Villa manager is considered Premier League news on the BBC website. Last I checked Villa were in the Championship ….
So…Vardy huh
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jun/03/jamie-vardy-leicester-arsenal-trigger-release-clause
It does seem to be happening. Blimey.
At friends BBQ and son comes through with a smile on his face, says just one word that could change the summer, Vardy…..
That is what we need – 29 year old one year wonder.
For the first time in a long time I am not looking forward to the next season.
No leader, no winning mentality.
So what do you guys think about Vardy?
Firstly, he scored 24 Premier League goals last season. Here’s another… He scored in 11 consecutive scoring games last season. Want more? He was in the PFA Team of the Year, he was also named the FWA Footballer of the Year and he was the 2016 Barclays Premier League Player of the Season.
Best value goal scorer in the market this summer.
Better bet at ÂŁ20m than Lukaku st ÂŁ50m, Morata at ÂŁ50m and Higuain at ÂŁ60m+.
Bath – agreed about the value and personally wouldn’t mind, but I just can’t see it happening. Of the Leicester “three” who everyone seems to want (Vardy, Mahrez, Kante), I always thought he would be the least likely to move. But then again, what do I know?
I’ll take Vardy at 20 million pounds. Vardy does not fuck around; he simply fucks it into the back of the net when he gets sight of the goal.
And …..
Hardy NEVER gets injured !
Only took the tough little bugger three days to get over groin surgery.
We’ll soon sort him out ……..
Hardy = Vardy ffs
Vardy is a little like Ian Wright in that he has not been a pro for the usual number of years you would expect from a player of his age and may last longer than a player with his basic speed would be expected to.
He is well worth a punt for ÂŁ20 million as he will give us great pace and we could probably fund the transfer from the sale of Walcott . I think he’s on a rapid upward spiral for wise but my one reservation is that he appears to be an unpleasant character judging from the incident in the casino. But all in all I’d like this to go ahead. Going to a club like ours might give him a sense of responsibility.
Vaedy. Better than Morata for next season. Not as good as Higuain or Benzema. Would not complain if it happened. However does he want to join us?
If anybody is really after Vardy, I’ll lend you the money.
Just keep him in your kitchen.
(he’s great doing Jimmy Somerville, again and again)
TTG – persuasively stated.
I’d be interested to hear what Trev thinks on that angle as well.
He can score goals and works his arse off. Does anyone else feel somewhat … underwhelmed though?
When the peanut gallery howls for “world class,” is this it?
(Not that I really understand the world class label, but ….)
Hang on, Tommy Smythe of espnfc just said Vardy isn’t an arsenal type player since AFC doesn’t really play on the counterattack.
Well that’s it then.
“Wengha, you gotta change!” shout the mob. “Change Wengha or leave!”
“Buy a strikha, Wengha!” yell the mob. “Buy a steikha or leave, Wengha!”
“This geezah ain’t a Wengha signing! He ain’t an Arsenal player!”
Clive@18: Rotational fouling? With the Ramblers, wasnât it perpetual?
Uply@17: You are so right about Revieâs Leeds. So much talent. So unnecessary for them to have played as they did. One of the dirtiest teams, ever.
ibid@20: I see that apart from knob throwing, there will be âadditional fun knob attractions including knob eating, knob painting, a knob and spoon race, guess the weight of the big knob, knob darts and a knob pyramidâ.
http://www.visit-dorset.com/whats-on/dorset-knob-throwing-and-frome-valley-food-festival-2016-p798873
Trev@47: đ
George Eastham: All players today should revere him for the part he played in breaking the âretain and transferâ system. Younger âholics might not know that back in the late 1950s, clubs could deny a move to players who asked for a transfer and at the same time not pay their wages. Eastham fought back and took Newcastle United to court in 1963 arguing unfair restraint of trade, even though by then he had been sold to us. The court ruled retain and transfer was unreasonable though it sided with Newcastle on the point of not paying Easthamâs wages as he had effectively gone on strike. However, the case played a pivotal role in changing the balance of power between clubs and players and can be considered an antecedent to the Bosman ruling.
For legal nerds: http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-90-6704-909-2_5#page-1
Lars will be doing cartwheels at the news of the Arse playing a pre season friendly against Man City at the Ullevi Stadium in Gothenburg on Aug 7th.
Should be a nice final tune up before the new season starts on the 13th.
Will we be showing off our new striker,Hardy or Vardy. ?
Must admit,a bit like this Xhaka geezer,i don’t know anything about this Hardy/Vardy character,sounds like a vaudeville double act to me.
Perhaps Ned can enlighten me. ?
Looks like Jamie Vardy’s avin a party
đ
If Wenger is going for Vardy. I say go ahead. We can’t wait for the Euros to start and Giroud starts scoring goals that will be the end of any striker talk. If it’s true why not. He is definitely better than Theo that’s for sure.
we’ve only triggered his release clause and are now in talks. We know what happened when we wanted toothy!
But you can’t get anymore official than…
https://twitter.com/bbcsport_david?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Apparently Vardy’s release clause runs out today and if not triggered would prevent a deal at the pre- arranged figure of ÂŁ20 million. The BBC confirmation suggests a serious bid and given that it would seem unlikely , that if he wants to leave , Leicester could hold him. At his age this is probably his moment for a big move.
I suspect We get believes he offers exceptional value . He is markedly different from Giroud, apparently more durable than Welbeck and facilitates an approach, particularly away from home that would seem to suit the talents of Ozil very much. Wenger will always look for value and not just buy big stars. The United Ibrahimovic deal looks like a publicity stunt that will line the pockets of Mendes still further. I wonder what Rashford feels about it?
blue eyes crying in the rain
So what do you guys think about Vardy?
I think he looks like Albert Steptoe.
Those who don’t want him needn’t worry. We’ll bid a pound over his release clause, go no higher and he’ll stay anyway
Hardy and Laurel?
My only reservation with Vardy is his age. Almost invisible in the football world until he reached 28 years, and will be 30 during the next season. At ÂŁ20m he’s probably a snip, but I’d sooner have Mahrez for double that.
Would he play in place of OG? Or with him in a 4.4.2 formation? Some say that is outdated, although it served Leicester well enough. But it was never an option for AW when he might have tried it with OG/Theo.
Can you imagine Vardy in our team though? He’s a direct striker, we’re a tippy tap, “wait⌠waitâŚ. waitâŚ. waitâŚ. he’s fallen asleep, play it now!” sort of team much too often.
The much derided Theo could tell Vardy a thing or two about making runs and having to jam the anchors on after three strides, because Aaron Ramsey is standing on the ball, combing his hair instead of playing the pass.
I just don’t see it.
And he’s “a little bit the racist” as well, is he not?
I have to say it surprised me too, Cynic. Quite unlike AW to buy a player of Vardy’s age – as the answer to a major problem anyway. Did he learn nothing from Poldi?
I’d forgotten about the racism, mainly because it appears so often about so many and is probably endemic in some society stratas. Vardy has kept his views to himself subsequently and perhaps that’s as much as you can hope for sometimes.
Cynic@ 65.. you got a point with him being a direct striker and us, well the opposite. So I have no idea how this will work. Also we usually don’t play counter attack football. Oh well that’s for Wenger to deal with.
Chris.
I know im in the minority here but i loved the poldi Purhase.
Best finisher AFC has had since RVP. Goal scorers instincts. And for the limited game time he got put in a fair few goals.
Do not think Vardy wants to join us…!
He doesn’t have many years left and he’s settled there.
Seems like a going for broke deal with Arsene.. I’ll wager if he comes then it’ll be Arsene’s last season as he hopes to go out on a high (winning League?!).
Personally for me Vardy is good but i don’t like his propensity to go down easily in the box..!
I was a Poldi fan too, Homer, but he was past his best and not minded to work hard enough for AW’s liking. Scoring goals isn’t enough for AW if you can’t help save them at the other end as well … ask Theo. Personally I have always seen defending as the prerogative of defenders, and scoring an art-form best lefr to specialists. The ‘Jack of all trades’ approach is a proven failure, imo.
RIP Muhammad Ali
The greatest boxer I have ever seen. Now that was a man with charisma but shamefully used towards the end of his career
Cynic@61: đ
A younger James Vardy in red and white:
https://faneille.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/GettyImages-136699643.jpg
Vardy seems an odd buy for AW, and who, if genuinely interested, would have been watching him for a long, long time and probably bought him before his annus mirabilis for next to nothing.
Clive: There is an 18-years-old Ghanaian, Nana Hardy, playing in central midfield for Modena in Italian youth football who would seem a more probable AW purchase than a 29-years-old Brit striker.
Clarence Washburn made a great point on the arses. Arsene’s best sides were incisive on the break and at their most dangerous when defending a corner. Several times he has tried to recapture that before reverting to HFB, first in trying to sign bitty, second with Feo who proved incapable and most recently with Danny before he got injured.
Now he has the quarterback in Granit and another runner in Vardy (if the bid succeeds) to keep up with Sanchez.
Another point I just read, RVP cost RedNose more than ÂŁ20M got one good season out of him and won the league, is it possible that Arsene has the same thought about Vardy?
Ned@73,
I’m sure you noticed but Vardy’s red and white shirt in that photo has “Highbury Stadium” printed on it ?
There is another one …. ?
These are the details, if anyone cares –
“The Highbury Stadium is a football stadium in Fleetwood, Lancashire, England with Wyre Borough Council as the landlords. It is the home ground of Fleetwood Town and is also used for home matches by Blackpool F.C. reserves. As of the opening of the new Parkside Stand on 16 April 2011, the ground has a capacity of 5,327.”
Cheeky sods !
Homer, from a way back,
I liked Podolski too and even agreed with Ăskar, as was at the time, that he was there to score goals, not defend.
He was our most effective finisher, a no-nonse bang’em in the back of the net striker.
Unfortunately, I had to admit that was not enough in the modern game, when comparing to someone who works as hard as a Sanchez or a Welbeck. That said, it might be considered enough if that striker scored 25 league goals a season.
I never quite understood the Podolski situation. Why buy a player, so established in his ways, if he doesn’t suit your style of play ?
Podolski never got the playing time for whatever reason. Theo certainly did but couldn’t show the consistency or application required.
If Vardy is to be bought as our long searched for fox-in-the-box, he should be allowed to do that job. Maybe our midfield recruiting is another indicator that things are about to change.
Could it be the end of the Barca ‘light’ midfield ? I hope so, although Cazorla is good enough for any team, imho.
On your other point, I couldn’t say whether Vardy will last longer as he started playing at the highest level at a later age. That would depend entirely on how much he has played, how many injuries he has incurred and how well they’ve been looked after at a club with far fewer resources. All obvious but there it is.
I have no idea on any of it with regard to Vardy.
indeed m’lud
really sad news
proper legend
A brief note just to endorse 100% what Bath has said about Vardy @ 45 & 75. Stupendously good business for that money and a player who is made for counter attacking football. I’ve a feeling there’s another Ace up Wengers sleeve yet and that we might yet see a wide player arrive too.
And if 2016 couldn’t get worse, the very sad news of the passing of Muhammad Ali, possibly the greatest sporting talent the world has ever seen. I remember sometime ago Tabs saying that Thomas Hauser’s biography of Ali was the one to read and how right he was should anyone want to learn more about this wonderful man. A great read.
You seem to have answered your own question, Trev. And if anyone cares, Fleetwood fans call themselves the Cod Army.
You can just hear that echoing round the other Highbury…
Fleetwood has just released 14 players including Shola Ameobi in case anyone wants to do some bargain shopping in the hope lightening will strike twice.
And that is probably all the Fleetwood news we need — even in the silly season.
Joe ,
with his mother’s maiden name of O’Grady
we could in a Jack Charlton way claim him as ours
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2T8jr8WQC8I
R.I.P.
A Fleeting look is undoubtedly more than enough, Ned. ??
and of course
he fought big ‘enery
at ‘ighbury
I went to Fleetwood once.
Bought a Mac.
One advantage of adding Vardy is the addition of an English player to the roster. Does that indicate that Theo and/or Ox are more expendable?
As for Vardy being a one hit wonder, let’s hope not. The landscape is full of them. As for those hoping for at least a two hit wonder, don’t hold your breath. Been wracking the brain to come up with examples, and have only come up with the Troggs (“Wild Thing”; “Love Is All Around”).
Any other just two hit wonders?
the troggs – manys a hit
this
a desert island disk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHcXvPPtd30
yer a bit outta sync wi yer troggs history
đ
same year as ‘enery at ‘ighbury
and this
my fave Ali fight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJUzl0aFHZw
what a genius
I think Vardy would be an excellent signing. A proven, pacy PL striker to replace the injured Welbeck (who looks to be out until at least February), and at 20mil a good value as strikers go. I think Arsene is still looking for that world-class striker, but is also hedging his bets if the challenge of signing one is too great. My guess is also that we won’t sign said world-class striker until after the Euros and Copa, with agents hoping their strikers have a good summer so they can jack up the transfer fee.
I’m also happy that Arsene is trying to get deals done early instead of waiting till the last few seconds of the transfer window.
Trev@79, Wenger has admitted in the past that he bought Poldi with the idea of converting him into a centre forward. But that experiment did not work out. The lone striker in a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-1-4-1 system is the only one with a concession in defensive duties in the Wenger set up. The wide men aren’t allowed that luxury and they have to defensively help the full back. That was the reason he didn’t play Poldi a lot and shunned Theo from playing wide. Infact that was also the reason he wanted Theo to play as the striker(apart from the fact that Theo did have a neat finishing ability)so that he did not have a defensive job to do. I suspect Wenger really wanted Theo to succeed in that role after having invested so many years in him. But last season might just have been the breaking point of his faith in Theo.
As for Vardy – slightly left of field choice by Wenger but definitely makes sense financially and what we need in terms of pace and conversion of chances. It could also mean that there might be a big signing in the wide areas at the expense of Theo (or possibly Ox but I think Wenger will stick with the Ox for the next season atleast).
So it’s just me who thinks Theo would be ideal if we’re going to play more of a direct game with Vardy in the side?
This is getting way ahead of things, but assuming we do adopt a much more direct style with pace, we’d be looking to keep players who actually make runs early and into space?
It would be the slow thinking tippy tappers who should be worrying about their role IF that style of play is on the cards.
so
joey barton finds his spiritual home
.
shithead
less than subconscious sectarianism ?
i resemble that incineration !
6
7
8
9
BOOOOOOOM !
aye
Girrrroud’s on fire…and Koscielny.
Fire, fire big black smoke
Fire, fire ain’t no joke.
That Giroud chap isn’t half bad… when he’s on form that is!
đ
Don’t know how Vardy will fit in with our superb ball-playing possession footballers, who unfortunately have little idea where the goal is. We know Arsene was shocked by the Leicester stats, which were indeed strange for a title winning team, but is he now thinking of modifying our play to a sort of hybrid style.
Anyway, Ranieri is on record as admitting Vardy is on his way, with most reports saying a medical tomorrow.
Chris and Trev,
Thanks for the thoughts. It may just be that I had an unreasonable man crish on polsi. But on this point, perhaps its best I shut up.
Cynic – good question on theo + vardy. I dunno know the answer. Could be very intetesting tho.
Cynic@93 – Just you I think. I lost faith in Theo this year, after years of believing. Old Trafford was the last straw. He’s had chance after chance after chance.
I welcome Vardy (if we get it over the line).
Does this now mean our pursuit of Morata is at an end, now we seem to have bagged someone cheaper? As for Theo, I too have lost faith in him, but, as he doesn’t seem desperate to leave, I’m happy to see him back for next season.
Janssen is still scoring y’all! Or is Vardy our settled choice?
Do I sniff goals in the offing?
Don’t be silly, that’s not the Arsenal way. Although we can always hope.
Theo’s runs are a waste of time ‘cos he just falls over as soon as one of those nasty opposing defender chappies gets anywhere near him.
His team mates have stopped trying to get the ball to him because they know the inevitable outcome too. His only possible effective position is out wide, if he can knock the ball past someone and get a cross in.
Most times he can’t, or falls over again, and then, as others have said, he has to help defend as a wide player – which he doesn’t, aside from the odd half arsed jog back which stops before there is any danger of him getting involved.
“Triggered release clause”
Wasn’t that the phrase they used when we didn’t get Suarez?
Looking forward to seeing a return (at last) to the electric counter-attack with Theo playing where he belongs on the RW, Alexis on the LW and Vardy through the middle with OG in 4.4.2 formation. And those who can’t keep up can go call Pep, Poch or please themselves.
Jamie Vardy! Good signing for the New Mobile Striker We Need to Compliment OG! A key and integral player within a team that just won the Premier League! A no-brainer for those that are questioning it!
He’s Cheap @ 20 Million for an International European Striker and an Englishman! He’s Hungry To Play & Win! Got Blistering Pace To Burn! Got Good Movement! He’s Very Hard-working Off The Ball Just Like Alexis! He’s A No Nonsense Player & Goalscorer! He Might also teach Theo a thing or two to do with his blistering pace!
Now also go for KantĂŠ, Mikhatyrian, a new number 2 goalie if Ospina wants to leave, and Virgil Van Dijk as a ball-playing no-nonsense Central Defender. I’d be quite happy with that post-season’s trade Arsene so get on with it!
Up The Arse!
AFCOF!
Incidentally, if Vardy does sign and gets injured with the infamous perennial curse, I’m definitely going to fully blame the Manager, his Coaching Staff and his Medics for all of our injury problems in recent years since leaving Highbury. He and they will have been the one perennial constants! đ
Dapper Dan @117. Sounds like a scorched earth signing policy. If so we might as well get on with it. đ
never mind the Trigger clause
for ÂŁ20mil
is Hercules thrown in ?
good old fashioned centre half
takes no shit – gives loads
for me it’s a win win
“Harold !”
.
.
.
“HAROLD !”
Charles Atlas and Paul Bunyan to station the goal posts on corner kicks?
oy vey
ye try yer best
an whaddya get ?
*seeks solace in a rather cheeky half of imperial stout*
as Captain Beefheart said
best batch yet
.
gonna be a lonnnnngggggg monday
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yrfWZU0ltM
bt8,
Let’s scorch away fella! Let’s scorch away! Scorchio! đ
.
.
“H A R O L D ! “
Novak’s Jocko Bitch.
“Let’s just sign ’em all and sort ’em out later.”
bt8,
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kZMUAd7OJc8
Global scorching then, Dan? đ
Mkhitaryan… make it so!!!
Mkhitaryan, Xhaka , Szczesny and co will be a nightmare for most Arsenal bloggers next season. Most can’t even get Carzola ( I mean Cazorla?) right
We may not be the best squad in the league but we will be the most unpronounceable!
MK, X-Man and Roma’s keeper.
Simples.
butterscotch 45% thought wrangler
make it so !
.
herself’s stash
but i made it
so fuck the fuck fuck
delicious
saw off a few also-rans
” d’ye know what ?”
what says i
“thisis gorgeous ”
.
baileys 45
it’s new shirt number
.
expect leaked photos soon
35%
dozey twonk
45 would take take the hair off a wooden leg
but salve it with dairy
still
think of the children
god love em
am in the north
all about the bass karaoke ing
out the back window
just the now
i miss the cattle
?
*mournful moooooooooooooooooooooo*
Evening cba đ >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
first time !
yesterday
got no nonsense
stupid big lump
i have a massive print Pele hugging Ali
on me kitchen wall
this past donkeys and donkeys
very sad day
R.I.P.