Love The New Kit, Enjoyed The Germans, Now For Cesc
Jun 15th, 2010 by 'holic
When the recently demised home shirt was launched I decided it was time for this over-fifty to stop wearing the current strip and stick with my trusty 1971 versions. I have to admit us old boys do look rather better in cotton than todays more advanced ‘fabrics’.
So when the press release from Arsenal arrived I thought long and hard about commenting on the new away kit. After all, what does my opinion matter? Would it not be a bit hypocritical of me to add my two pennorth. Well, actually, they are testing my resolve, because I like this more than any shirt since the 2006-2008 home shirt was launched. I have a feeling the new home kit will be even more attractive a proposition.
Advice, ‘holics. Should old boys stick to cotton, or have this shiny new top ironed on a wok so it will fit over my Guinness tank?
World Cup Awakening From Slumber?
Since my last post we have seen most of the sides in the World Cup, and my vow to watch every game religiously has already come a cropper. Regardless of whether it is the ball, the cautiousness of the tactical approach seen so far, or just the fact that the standard really is dire, I have decided to drop that particular pledge.
Who would have thought Germany would be the first to impress, perhaps even now the only side to truly convince. I love seeing them come unstuck, but in all fairness their demolition of the Aussies could only have been more enjoyable if it had been at cricket!
This evening though Brazil have entered the equation. The game against North Korea gripped me throughout. Are North Korea as good as their organised and disciplined performance suggested? Did Brazil really hit the highs to finally overcome a difficult opponent? I don’t know for certain, but I really enjoyed the game from start to finish.
At Half-time I ‘Twittered” that the match reminded me of our game with Parma in Copenhagen, 1994. All that was missing was a breakaway goal from the Korean centre-forward. When two sides with a contrasting approach meet it can be every bit as absorbing as a coming together of two sides determined to attack at will, particularly when a supposed underdog is part of the equation.
Anyway, I am glad I have money on Brazil to win the tournament, and for that reason I am also looking forward to seeing Cesc and his mates take the field against Swiss Tony and his mates. Spain are definitely favourites in my eyes until we see them in serious action. Can Switzerland make life as difficult for them as the North Koreans did for Brazil?
Bring it on.
80 Responses to “Love The New Kit, Enjoyed The Germans, Now For Cesc”
Stick to cotton, please. It’s a lot more forgiving on the contours and makes us 50 somethings (or nearly 50 somethings) look less like mutton.
I too like the away kit. But all this talk of the old 70’s style cannon badge replacing the current Arsenal crest on the new home shirt is surely tosh.
Football Manager Bit: We should sign that North Korean striker bloke Jong Tae-se. He looks hungry.
Forgot to say – (yet another) large glass of Shiraz please barkeep.
Not sure about this kit yet though eagerly awaiting the new home shirt…
One more drink..for the road of course
no ways will this Brazilian team win the World cup.Dunga’s team is just average.believe me they will struggle against Ivory Coast.Watch out ,Germany and Spain will destroy that Brazil team and l have faith that BAFANA BAFANA can also fancy their chance.
Best shirt in a while… tried watching the game, but those trumpets just do my head in. They have stripped every bit of national identity from the game…. and they give me a monster headache!! no drinks for me ta. anadin and water will suffice
DAF, that Shiraz will co-ordinate nicely with the new top you Fashionista you.
@ Soup Dragon – how true! Then again, I always saw the 2006 home kit as more red wine rather than red currant.
@ paul – vuvuzelas will be the enduring memory of this WC unless the football gets a bit better. I’m sure we’re being affected by the trumpets more because the footie is mostly so quiet by comparison.
If we win the 2018 bid I think I’ll try to patent a vuvuzela that you can fill with your favourite tipple and suck instead of blow!
The jacket Walcott is wearing in the picture just looks deadly. Forget the kit, I want what he’s having!
DAF, never really warmed to that kit. It just didn’t seem right to me.
Good Article Holic,
World Cup is only just starting to get more interesting most results I think ended in draws so far so this could be a suprise one. Even Ronaldo couldn’t keep that ball down but the DUNGA managed it really well as for North Korea well they played out their skins tonight and fair play to them, they deserved that goal 🙂
Looking forward to seeing Cesc in action now!
Large glass of Merlot please barman.
Joining the chorus on the jacket. I’ll wait to see the home version but I’m sure going to get one either way.
Totally agree with `Holic, a breakaway goal from the Korean centre-forward would have been terrific.
As much as this stage has been a disappointment (as usual in most WC) there’s already quite a few groups where the next game is going to be a make-or-break thriller. Or so we can hope. I am not holding my breath for a great Swiss performance but SA vs Uruguay could be very lively.
I like the look of the new kit I must say. And holic, you are never too old to be the person you want to be. So I say this. You want the shirt? Then you go and get one. The advantage of being your age is that you can wear both the new and the old and look okay in either. Even if you do have to iron them over a wok?????
WC has been very cagey so far. Impressed with the Germans as well. They are always so well organised. They have used the new adidas ball since March. Why haven’t we? Hardly rocket science. Very impressed with Oezil. Are we still linked with buying him? Looks a player to me.
Good news is that the fixtures are out on Thursday morning. Can’t wait.
Cheeky little red please holic. And some of that tasty cheese to go with it if you please?
Keep the faith.
NK vs Brazil was the first interesting game, but Brazil are so disappointing I switched off about 20 minutes from the end – partly to get away from that constant din.
How, at his age, does Uwe Seeler make so much bloody noise ?
@Steve T: maybe cause Adidas comes from Germany?… Or maybe cause “vorsprung durch technik”
Ps: Adidas or Puma ? …
Definitely Adidas. According to the BBC we are about the only nation that has not used it.
am I the among the few who feel that they could have done a much better with the away kit?
My recent fav among away kits was 08/09 kit.. absolutely top class. Never a fan of these thin vertical stripes..
Hmm guess its better than the white we had last year.
Guess the mock ups of the 70s jersey was just a wish! 🙁
I loved the 08-09 away kit too. But I’m just grateful this one’s not lavender or rose-pink or anything. A return to yellow can never be bad. I’m surely getting one and I urge you to get one too ‘holic.
With everyone so excited about the home shirt, I hope Nike doesn’t drop a clanger. How hard is it to understand? Red shirt with white sleeves. Jeez.
Love the new kits and the warm-up jacket looks fantastic! Can’t wait to see the new home shirt, when does that get released?
I still can’t quite accept anything that isn’t yellow and blue, but it’s close.
A Coopers Green thanks.
woooow nice
kc,
the new home kit is launched on July 1st, and will be released on July 29th.
Sorry to go off subject, but thought the ‘holic blog was best place to ask this and get some measured responses.
In terms of our need to re-jig our defense next season, do we really need more than one signing (say Koscielny who looks most likely)?
I’ve just read an article about Kyle Bartley, who I know has had numerous injuries, but if he is to be brought through then he needs to see a line to the first team.
Could we end up with say Vermaelen, TBC (Koscielny), Djourou, Bartley, with cover from Sagna if needed (especially if Van Wiel comes) and think that is enough?
To me that looks a promising, albeit injury prone set of defenders….
Anyway, love the blog, like the new shirt (not enough blue) and as per others, love Theo’s jacket!
@Steve T – I think it’s because Nike is the sponsor of the EPL and we have to play with the Nike ball as does La Liga.
@Essexpieboy – I think a club should have 4 CB’s but all 4 should be people you won’t have a heart attack if they’re called upon (for instance the heart attacks AFC fans suffered when Silvestre played last season).
We should have TV, Djorou, Koscielny and to be honest I’d like Sol to stay and if not then I’d get a new CB and not rely on Bartley just yet.
LOVE the new kit. That yellow is amazing, too bad it’s not with the blue. I just can’t wait to get it.
But all this talk doesn’t matter as long as we stay with Almunia and Fabianski.
DAF – that Korean striker chap Jong Tae-se reminded me of Freddie in his pomp with his runs and hunger. Oh Freddie, Freddie, how we miss you 🙁
Ok. Quite like the away kit, something retro about it and if the leaked white kit is accurate then I’m lovin it!
I know one game isn’t an accurate way to judge a player (just ask George Graham ala John Jensen!), but that Melo chap from Brazil looked shite (are you sure Arsene?).
Oh and ‘Hols, with regards to age – I’m told, you’re as young as the woman you feel – 😉
Kyle Bartley himself doesn’t believe in making the first team:
“I’d obviously prefer to be in Arsenal’s first team, but I’m realistic that it may not happen, I might have to wait a year or two yet.
But maybe my next step will be to take another year out on loan and get some real competition under my belt. I’m open to different ideas really.
I absolutely loved every minute of my time at Sheffield United. The facilities and the set-up are great there and all the lads are fantastic. I haven’t got a bad word to say about them.”
Thanks to those who dropped me a line about the new kit advertisng banners not working correctly. Arsenal have fixed them now.
Essex, I think a lot depends on Sol. I would prefer to see us sign at least two quality central defenders regardless. Recent history tells us we need at very least four quality players there.
As every self-respecting football fan I’m superstitious (which is very strange since I’m a very rational and logical man regarding everything else!) so with a good-looking away kit, and a white sleeved home version I’m sure we won’t need any defenders at all.
Or perhaps it’s just the fact that I’ve finished work early and is on my way to the local upmarket cruiser to down a few Sazeracs in the sun that is talking. Highly recommended for everyone who enjoys a nice Old Fashioned – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sazerac
AHH! That’s what you get for putting that useless Busquets and leave Cesc on the bench!
I honestly think that Busquets is the worst player among the top teams, why the hell isn’t he playing at Pompey or something?!?!?
A midfield of Xavi, Alonso, Iniesta and Cesc would be 20 times better.
I rooted for them at the start of the WC but then came to think of it and I’m actually rooting for every team that Arsenal has players in.
Now for the game itself, doesn’t Del Bosque know how to deal with 10 men behind the ball? Why on earth did they keep on crossing the ball with midgets in the box?! I felt as if this was Arsenal at times in the season that we kept on crossing to Eduardo and stuff when we couldn’t breach a defense.
The game was exactly Barca – Inter and makes me wonder how come coaches such as Pep, Del Bosque don’t adjust on the fly cause that crossing game just helped Switzerland.
I’m pleased with the result, maybe Del Bosque will get some sense even though it’s a devastating blow to the WC cause every team will keep on playing like Switzerland did and try to steal a goal which was “Inter style” has now become “Switzerland style”.
SNIR…….what do u suppose Switzerland should have done? They couldnt play attacking football Spain are soooo much better than them!! what choice did they have?
I’m not against what they did, I think it’s the ONLY way to stop Spain cause they have the height advantage, I’m praising Switzerland for what they did not criticizing them.
I’m just stating the consequences it’ll have on the WC.
It just worries me that I keep on seeing coaches not being able to adjust during the games and that makes me question their abilities, perhaps they’re successful only cause they have good players?
The only team I am criticizing is Spain for not adjusting and continuing to cross even though they’re midgets!!!
Too much Barca DNA if you ask me.
What is Cesc trying to do by saying Arsenal don’t watch a lot of film before games and don’t watch the other teams but focus on themselves?
Is he trying to burn some bridges? What’s up with that !? Didn’t like it at all, even though it was only in a handful of sites and a lot of sites didn’t take advantage of that saying to create fire so maybe it’s not what he actually said?
And if that is the case, I’d be dying to know why Arsenal don’t watch films of other clubs, don’t they prepare ?!
Don’t like this at all.
I hope Cesc will take the obvious cue from this game. It was unfortunate both in timing and phrasing but PHW had it absolutely right: at Barca Cesc will not play more than Helb until Xavi retires.
It also looks like Switzerland can reach the knockout stages for the second time in a row. Not too shaby for a “small” football country!
Luckily for Spain the 2 remaining teams in the group (Chile and Honduras) have no defence to worry about so they will go through without too much of a sweat.
The US, Switzerland and NK were all good minnow teams whereas Australia were rubbish, league one-style so I can’t say we know much more about the WC favorites after this round…
Now let’s see if the second round will bring more intent to the teams.
@Toby: Thanks for the tip, looks like something to try absolutely!
Not sure in the new kit. The colours might work well on the old away kit that had the dark grey fangs on the shoulders.
@Snir: you’re very jumpy today 😉 Cesc just outlines the differences between the 2 approaches, nothing more.
The great news of the day is that we will see Wellington Silva in pre-season before he joins us for good in February. It will be nice to see what all the excitement he generates is about.
The french press reports that we’re close to sign both Laurent Koscielny (it’s in the “nitpicking” stages now) from Lorient and Jan Vertonghen from Ajax. Way to go!
@ Matt 38 – I do understand that he’s just outlining the difference but then comes the question, how come we don’t use films of opponents to teach our team some defensive assignments and stuff?
@ Matt 36 – If Del Bosque doesn’t put Cesc in the next game it means he didn’t adjust at all! He needs more creative players in the middle cause they need someone to breach defenses and Busquets is useless anyway. Then maybe he should play some minutes at Spain and Barca unless the coach’s stay with their fix which is stupid and I’ll say again it’s a debate to be opened that big teams’ coaches don’t adjust they just hope and wait for the players to play like Del Bosque today and Pep Vs. Inter.
Congratulations to FIFA – what an inspired organisation!
Firstly, we have to suffer constant, infuriating Interlulls (ref Arseblog) alomst every month of the season, during which our players trek all over the globe, fulfilling the crazy number of fixtures to be played in their over-bloated qualifying groups.
Those that return free of injury, and not jet-lagged, then play a couple of games for their clubs – generally picking up fatigue injuries anyway, before jetting off again to compound the whole problem.
Fans are regularly deprived of the services of their own players, for whose salaries we pay huge amounts of money.
Sponsors pour large sums of money into competitions whose final stages are also denegrated by the absence of too many injured players (AFC being a prime example this season, vs Barcelona, as the second leg was never a contest).
How long will fans / sponsors put up with this, while FIFA milk every last drop of cash from their soccer-cow.
Players are then kept hanging around for weeks, playing more unnecessary and risky international friendlies, before the much hyped World Cup can begin.
WORLD CUP my ARSEnal!
Is this not the most dour, uninspiring tournament you’ve ever seen?
It struggles to make Championship standard – so fascinating is it, that 50% of the comment on it so far, has been about people blowing plastic horns from beginning to end.
And just to make absolutely sure it’s crap, in case the players aren’t already jaded enough, they give them a joke ball to play with, that hardly any player can control over more than eight yards.
What is it with having to reinvent the ball for every World Cup?
Was the ball used throughout the Champions League this season so inadequate?
Is Herr Blatter looking after the interests of his fellow Germans at Adidas ? If so, it was a poor reason to ruin the tournament. How many “different” ball designs are there to come up with ?
All very negative, I know, but this whole WC (how apt) just leaves me feeling tired, and that I just want it over, with no injuries to our players.
Drink ? A large Night Nurse please ‘Holic – well you know what I mean.
No Cesc…and due to the weather none of this either…
http://galeri.milliyet.com.tr/2006/6/27En_seksi_taraftarlar__1/35.jpg
Where are our World Cup dreams?
Glad to see the Swiss didn’t roll over, that should take Spain down a peg or two.
Tim.
There’s always the Dutch, mate;
http://teed.nl/wp-content/uploads/jurkje-gratis-dutchdress-oranje-bavaria.gif
Holloway…
It’s not the same though is it….warm sunshine and pretty girls during boring games. God knows we’ve needed that this WC
🙂
Trev: excellent comment (again!). As much as I agree with the sentiment you expressed, I still haven’t lost hope in the current WC. In a week or so the quality of the games will improve markedly.
It sure is a huge tax on Arsenal. At the same time we have a pretty decent team of players who aren’t playing int it and will be very hungry come the end of the summer: Nasri, Arshavin, Walcott, Chamakh, Eddie, Denilson, Rosicki… and probably one if not 2 of or new CBs. Not too shabby.
Still you’re fundamentally right, FIFA are a bunch of blood-suckers indeed.
@Snir: It’s always the same things, Cesc gives an interview and the usual excerpting of bits without context makes it sound dramatic. I haven’t seen the interview myself but the comments on the mirror’s article from people who’ve seen the interview are pretty damning.
At the same time since W will be commenting the WC games until the very end, we’ll be linked with every single player Arsene has mentioned ins his commentaries. Brace yourself for more wild news…
Trev, agree completely. The greed of FIFA has gone beyond the ridiculous, especially so with the female dutch fans who were arrested for essentially wearing orange dresses.
The fixture for next season is out, we start off with Liverpool away. Could be something of a season-defining game straight away – for both teams.
And of course, Chelsea and ManU were handed comfortable home games against weak opposition to ensure they both get a nice and comfy start to the season.
@Matt- I’m actually now not talking about why Cesc said this or that, I’m wondering if it is true that we don’t have film sessions then that’s not good.
How can a team as big as Arsenal not watch film session to prepare for their opponents?
Lars
Tricky start to the season b ut hey it’s probably better for us anyway let’s start the season on high and fear no one!
Snir: the use of videos of the opponents is more or less a matter of taste and some players benefit from it while others don’t. You can do just as much in a training session instructing players how to act as you can using a video. And all the video clips in the world wouldn’t have helped Spain yesterday.
Arthur: of course, if we can get a good result in that game it will of course give the team a good boost. But of all the teams we could have faced, I’d say Liverpool is perhaps the worst one because they will be extremely fired up for this game so we will need to be as well.
We didn’t do too shabbily the last time we started a season in Merseyside…..
47Lars wrote;
Trev, agree completely. The greed of FIFA has gone beyond the ridiculous, especially so with the female dutch fans who were arrested for essentially wearing orange dresses.
—————————
There’s a little bit more it to then that mate, they were actually models of various nationalities hired by Bavaria (a Dutch beer brand) to make a film/advert in the stadium to promote the beer. Budweiser as official sponser whined to FIFA who took the action being the corperate slaves they are.
As I’ve previously mentioned, I own a bar in Holland and as luck would have it I’m in business with Bavaria which I have on tap,(the only bar in the surronding area that does) good promotion for me as that story gets plenty of time on TV since it happened.
Next rounds on me, Pints of Bavaria of course.
Cheers.
there is something about this world cup that is different i agree. maybe its the quality of football, constant vuvuzelas or something else that i cant exactly pin down but there is a sense of dissapointment so far about the whole tournament that i hope changes quickly. hopefully with RSA out of the tournament , and my Ireland being knocked out before the tournament that USA can make a small run at it. And speaking of Ireland seeing UEFA President and French Michel Platini and Zidane speaking at the World Cup really angered me too… no wonder at all they didnt do anything about the handball incident. sorry about that vent there holic. good day
Looks like four more Arsenal-players (and a few more former ones) are getting the summer off.
10 goals in one day, that looks more like a WC already. With Diaby, Sagna and Clichy in form for the beginning of the season we’re definitively will have what it takes to start the season with a statement @Anfield.
@Snir: Barca have the same approach like many other clubs do. On the other hand Domenech and his staff use video a lot…
@ Matt, having lived in Lexington, MA I’m quite an American sports fan and I know for a fact that in the NFL, NBA, and even NHL teams will sit down and watch film.
I just find it hard to believe that AW doesn’t show them films of Chelsea, Man U etc’ before we meet them so we’ll know what needs to be emphasised.
I’m very surprised by all this.
@Snir, i agree with you. Now I know why we were so well beaten against Man Utd, Chelsea & Barcelona. In most of those games the game was over at half-time. Remember the Man Utd CL semi-final in 09 at the Emirates, that was a team ill-prepared and we were 2-0 down in 30 minutes. Knowing this now and the fact we’ve still not signed a Central Defender or a Goalkeeper…and we know our Captain wants out, I’m not feeling great about the upcoming season. I so hope I’m wrong.
@Snir: Yes they rely on video a lot here but then they do rely on video a lot in classrooms too which is akin to heresy in Europe.
At Arsenal like at most european clubs I’d expect the manager and his staff to do the video work on their own and give their warnings, guidance and directions to the players in meetings. Players play against the same teams week in week out year after year so it’s not like a detailed video briefing is required. The only exception would be for some Cl games and even then you’d expect the players to watch all of them anyway and probably a lot of other leagues games too.
On the other hand in international games it makes a lot of sense since most oppositions are unknown quantities to the players.
Evening all,
Will be back with something after the England game. I was going to say tomorrow night, but it is today now!
Any predictions? I may have a ‘holic pound on the most popular.
1-0 England….own goal
3-1 England. They’re taller.
Apathy 0-0 Boredom…
I really want to care about this World Cup…it’s not happening for me.
Oh..Gallas….what were you doing today?
Matt @ 59, quite agree about the need for video. If our players really feel the need for videos of ManUre and Chavski, for example, they can find them on Sky Sports every Saturday night of the season.
The question is, what do they do about their findings, having watched said films ?
If Denilson, for example, had watched ManUre videos, would it really have helped him as he sauntered back through midfield, without even looking to see what was happening around him, in our game against them at Ashburton last season.
What was happening around him, was that Rooney was sprinting past his back, into the penalty area, to fire Nani’s cross past our keeper.
But every fan in the country already knows that Rooney can do that.
What was required, was a bit more awareness and application – not a pile of videos. Two qualities, they are, that would solve most of our defensive problems far more effectively than any number of films.
@Trev: Less injuries. Nothing else will matter half as much.
To get back to your example if Denilson was competing with Song, Cesc, Nasri, Diaby, Rociski, Eboue and Ramsey for a starting spot in a 3-players midfield he would have less lapses like that one. Unfortunately we’ve been for almost the entire season in a situation where team selection was automatic: we played the last ones standing.
That’s true for most other players (bar Cesc and TV last season, who knows in the future). Notice how Eboue who’s had to fight harder for his spot this season has suddenly had a much better season…
There’s so much impact at so many levels from the injuries, it’s time that Ivan and Arsene and their staff start doing everything that’s humanely possible to increase the players fitness and resistance to injuries. The comparison with Chelski or AC Milan puts Arsenal in a really bad light and it’s been lasting for too long to keep scapegoating Lady Luck.
Looks like Young Guns has a photo of the new home kit. Pretty classy imho. Here: http://i986.photobucket.com/albums/ae347/soccerstore26/ArsenalHome.jpg?t=1276087936
I have been trying to find the away jacket but not to avail for now…
bernard:
@Snir, i agree with you. Now I know why we were so well beaten against Man Utd, Chelsea & Barcelona. In most of those games the game was over at half-time. Remember the Man Utd CL semi-final in 09 at the Emirates, that was a team ill-prepared and we were 2-0 down in 30 minutes.
So how, exactly, would watching a video of ManU have made Gibbs not slip and give Park the ball? How would watching a video of Ronaldo have made Almunia not cock it up big time for the second goal in that game? And what could have been learned about Barcelona that wasn’t already known to all the players? I mean, it’s not like they are some unknown team full of players we’ve never heard about, are they?
Blaming the lack of videos may have become the flavour of the months for some, but as pointed out by Matt, the lack of fit players towards the end of the season was far more important.
Matt – sounds like you’re suggesting competition brings out the best in players 😉
Wow… first time i’ve logged on since the WC started… thort u wuda had more posts!
Neway, having the world cup in my back yard has been sensationaly amazing! Still trying to bump into Arsene, no luck yet! i’m even moving up to Knysna, where he is staying, for a week to improve my chances!
Not a fan of the new away kit, but im sure ill get one and it will grow on me as it always does!
Hoping the England – Algeria game ends in a 5 – 5 draw or better yet, Algeria to sneak a 5-4 victory! Ill be at the game so all i want is some excitement, cos the last game i was at in cape town was very poor (france – uruguay)!!
Almost game time, so gotta get to the “Fifa Fan Fest” and get the party started again!!! hehe, Loving this WC!!!
ne drink that is not Uruguayian, French or Mexican please mr barman!!
Well, the World Cup is developing into an eminently exciting affair after relatively drab opening matches. All three matches were quite watchable yesterday and the Germans have just collapsed in the first half now.
Just a word on Arsenal’s use of videos.
Anyone who is worried that Arsenal do not study enough films of opponents, can rest easy.
Sometime ago, thanks to an invite from a friend to join a private tour of the Training Centre, I was lucky enough to see every area of that Centre, including a quick peek at AW’s office, if only from the half-open door, and a much more detailed look at the Coaches office. Computer printouts were stacked high on every desk, containing the match stats of every single player from every single game.
Training schedules for each player are carefully pieced together from this output – and no aspect of technical or physical ability is missed. At all.
I also had a close look at the Medical Centre, – very interesting for me as a fan who also happens to be a Sports Physio,- which included state-of-the-art computer controlled hydro-massage baths, and a hydrotherapy pool with adjustable floor height, to precisley control the amount of resistance added to rehab exercises.
I mention all this detail, only to assure Snir, and any other worried folk, that films are utilised just as thoroughly in that Centre, as all these other training aids are.
The Coaches office was piled high – literally from floor to ceiling – with videos of players and teams from every corner of the world.
Players and teams you’ve never heard of, and probably never will, but all known to Arsene and his staff.
How he imparts the necessary knowledge, gained from these films, to his players, is surely up to him. If he chooses not to fill players heads with out-of-context, one-off super shows, then so be it. But rest assured that not much gets past him, and that you’ve never seen so many football videos in your life.
We was robbed! What a joke of a ref! I suppose it’s part of the “charm” of the WC when it happens to other teams than yours… I’ll support England in the next match although I suppose Capello wished he could play Almunia 😉
@AFC1974: I’m not sure it works for everyone, some players are affected by competition but it does certainly whip the players who are benched after a “lazy” spell. At the same time inconsistency is a typical “feature” of young players, competition or not, so it may not have made much a difference for Denilson like it did not for Song last season until he made the step up.
@Trev. Wow thanks for the trip report. It’s very informative.
And you’re a sports physio? Hey `Holic, could we please have a post on the incessant injuries this season? We *absolutely* need to get Trev’s viewpoint.
Matt, you could go to Arsenal.com and read what Colin Lewin has to say about the injuries if you are interested. I think he would have more insight being on the inside of the club.
what shit refreeing for the slovenia vs us match. As a supporter of the US team, I feel cheated.
Thanks Passenal, I suppose you refer to this article: http://www.arsenal.com/usa/sh/news/news-archive/lewin-the-reasons-for-our-injury-levels
I don’t find the article reassuring to say the least. We already know that this season both CSKA London (with older players) and United have had significantly less injuries, traumatic and muscular but Colin Lewin only acknowledges that we had a “freak season” with 7 traumatic injuries (fractures to Nasri, Rambo etc) when an average of 1-2 is expected and by comparing the situation only with that of lesser teams it doesn’t make it for a compelling read.
Last season our pitch magician was snatched by Fake Madrid. I wish we would set a bit of transfer money aside and snatch one of the top physios from AC Milan who are much more advanced than we are in keeping their players fit. Even if we have to pay the guy half a million quids a year it could prove to be the most profitable transfer we’ve ever made. Hell they even managed to keep Senderos fit!
How shit were England? And luckily no Theo Walcott to blame this time around.
@Trev – Thanks a whole lot for reassuring me 🙂
@Sajit – England are a bad team cause apart from Rooney, Lampard and Gerrard (and maybe Cole) they have bad players. It’s as simple as that, I’m not surprised that AW brings foriegn youngsters, he knows what kind of potential is out there. James Milner, Aaron Lennon etc’ are AVERAGE at best and it’s about time somebody said it.
@Matt – I feel cheated as well but with the Yankees winning the WS and the Lakers winning yesterday and obviously Chelsea with the double I suppose I have a jinx on me this year.
About Milan’s physio, it’s not that, they have a lab which is state of the art, I read an article about it in Hebrew once, I’ll try to find it and translate it for you, they’re using methods which help their players recover quicker and play longer (Pirlo, Maldini, Seedorf, Inzaghi etc’) at the top levels (even though they can’t perform but fitness isn’t the issue).
http://us.ft.com/ftgateway/superpage.ft?news_id=fto022920081903000819
There’s an English version.
Thanks Snir, this is actually what I wanted to mention. We should definitively copy them soviet-style.