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« Previous EntriesNext Entries »Could Arsenal Have Done Better In The Transfer Market?
Like most fans, and quite probably Arsene Wenger himself, I wanted to see decisive action from the Gunners in the transfer market. Sort out the situation with those who want to leave, sign replacements in time, have a good pre-season, and start the season with confidence and stability. I will be surprised if anyone, irrespective [...]
Thoughts On Park, Santos, Mertesacker, Benayoun, and Arteta
When it rains, it pours, eh! Most parched Gooner hearts will welcome the flash flood of signings we’ve seen in the last two days. A striker, two creative players, a centre-back, and a left-back cover almost all requirements that have been floating around in fan conversations. Or one could say two international captains, a club [...]
Thoughts On The Champions League Draw
Group F: Arsenal – Marseille – Olympiacos – Borussia Dortmund. That doesn’t look like a group of death to me but there is enough in there keep things on edge. Perhaps part of the reason is also that Arsenal will have to go on a long, consistent run before most fans regain complete confidence. The [...]
A Fan Relations Exercise That Can Work Wonders For Arsenal
The Arsenalsphere is a divided space these days. Has been for a while now and it is getting worse. While different opinions have always existed, we now see more than a degree of animosity amongst fans who are divided into two broad groups – those supporting the manager and those desperate to see him out. [...]
Farewell Cesc Fabregas: Mixed Feelings & Final Thoughts
I don’t think any transfer, in my limited time following football, has moved me to the extent this one did. Not even close. And I can’t see it happening again in the future. Regular readers know how much I admire Fabregas, who I rated as the best player in the Premiership. So a part of [...]
What About A Nasri-Berbatov Swap?
Well, I am not much of a transfer speculation/discussion guy but today’s game and a highly unrealistic transfer rumour about a Nasri-Tevez swap got me thinking. First, let me just mention why I don’t see any sense in the swap deal with Tevez. The Argentinean is a world-class player but I don’t see him fitting [...]
Welcome Alex And Pardon The Bewildered Fans + Quick Thoughts On Benfica
I was lost for feelings when Arsenal announced the signing of highly rated Southampton youngster, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. This transfer had been in the news for a long time but not many were expecting it to go through at this stage. The youngster, Walcottesque in his style and a superb talent without doubt, will take time [...]
Udinese Challenge Makes It A Thrilling Fortnight
Newcastle (A) – Udinese (H) – Liverpool (H) – Udinese (A) – Manchester United (A) Five games in 16 days, each with its unique degree of significance. I don’t like dramatizing the consequences of each match, especially at the start, but one gets the feeling, before the end of August Doodh ka doodh, paani ka [...]
Analyzing The Real Problems Afflicting Arsenal’s Football – Part I
I want to start off by acknowledging the response to the previous article. Thank you. And I am sorry I wasn’t able to respond to the many considered opinions that were shared. Right now I am really struggling for time, which is also forcing me into compressing two or three articles worth of content in [...]
Gooners – (Try To) Keep Calm and Carry On
First things first, there is absolutely no justification for booing in a friendly. There are many ways of putting this but I’ll opt for the simple one; neither the match nor the tournament actually mattered. We dominated possession and showed some good signs going forward. We happened to be undone in the last 10 minutes [...]
Discussing Arsenal’s ‘So Near Yet So Far’ Predicament
Recently I’d compiled a comprehensive list of weaknesses associated with Arsenal. Then I compared how England fared against the same list. I was wondering how a team with over 40 well-known and oft-repeated issues can stay in the top four despite other clubs spending hundreds of millions. Even more interestingly, England didn’t seem to have [...]
Thoughts On The Emirates Cup Performances
A lot of excellent football, some dodgy refereeing decisions going against Arsenal, and absolute chaos as the back – nothing seems to have changed. Another stupid goal conceded towards the end means that this Cup will linger in Gooner memories as one that has further reinforced, if that were possible, the need for significant defensive [...]
How Do England Stack Up Against Arsenal’s List Of Weaknesses
Just over a week ago I made an attempt to document all the complaints against Arsenal in a comprehensive list of weaknesses. As I’d mentioned at that time, I did not agree with many items on the list but was compiling it for the sake of having a reference point. Today I want to compare [...]
Vermaelen Touches Upon A Critical Topic
Arsenal.com had an interesting article today with some quotes from Thomas Vermaelen. In essence, the Belgian said that the Gunners have to leave the past behind and make a fresh start from scratch. Everybody starts from zero and everybody has to start again. You get a new chance and that’s always a good feeling when [...]
Thoughts On Denilson, Bartley, and Campbell
Denilson’s finally moved on. I believe all concerned will be happy with that. Those fans who supported the Brazilian will appreciate a fresh lease of life for him. Others who couldn’t stand him must be delighted he’s gone. For Arsenal this opens up a slot in midfield and saves on some wages. For Denilson it [...]
A Comprehensive List Of Arsenal’s Weaknesses
I have had this thought in my mind for a long while – to create a comprehensive list of weaknesses of Arsenal as identified by fans, pundits, and others. This list is not a judgement on the club, manager, or the players. All the criticisms in this list aren’t necessarily valid. I believe most of [...]
Gervinho To Compete With Walcott While Making The B-Team Stronger?
The official website had a somewhat uncharacteristic announcement this morning. Usually, we see a player introduced after a transfer is completed but in the case of Gervinho, Arsenal.com tells us that the player has agreed a deal but the transfer is subject to a regulatory process. I am guessing this has something to do with [...]
Goodbye Gael Clichy, You’ll Be Missed
I haven’t had the chance to gauge the general sentiment of the fans about the transfer of Clichy to Man City so I will just share my views. I think this transfer is good for all concerned. From the player’s point of view, this move will give him a fresh start in a completely different [...]
2010-11 Season Review: Thoughts On The Attack
I am finding it hard to form any sort of a conclusive opinion about Arsenal’s attack. Nasri, Walcott, and Van Persie have contributed significantly more than they did in previous years. Arshavin too made a telling contribution in terms of goals and, more importantly, assists. Arguably, the loss of 11 goals from last year’s tally [...]
Cesc Saga Continues As Arsenal Seek To Take Charge
No pre-season would be complete without the annual side show that is the future of Cesc Fabregas. Reports of business lunches and multi million pound bids fill the back pages, just as they had last season when Arsenal took a hard line and refused to entertain a £32m offer. Yesterday’s report from Dan Roan (whom [...]
Bored Beyond Belief!
There was a time when I spent a few hours every day browsing the Arsenalsphere. In the last 10 days or so I don’t think I have totaled an hour of surfing. There is so little going on. First a random player is linked. Then the supposed transfer moves forward. One day, according to unsubstantiated [...]
Arsenal Should Sign Usmanov’s PR Team, Cesc Commitment Commendable
Apologies for being two days behind a story once again but having given a great deal of time during the season, I am trying to balance it during the summer. And while I do let a lot of rumours and events go by without comment, this PR stunt from Alisher Usmanov is hard to ignore. [...]
2010-11 Season Review: Thoughts On The Midfield
As I did with the defence, I looked at my review of the midfield from last season. It isn’t as relevant now as the one about defenders was but there were a few points I could borrow, Our midfield is integral to the way we play and the performance of the three men in the [...]
Welcome Carl Jenkinson. Mixed Feelings About The Jones Transfer
The official website announced the arrival of young defender Carl Jenkinson. I would like to join other Gooners who have already expressed a warm welcome to the youngster. Wish you a great career in Red and White Carl. According to the Charlton Chief Executive, the lad comes from an Arsenal supporting family. That ensures excellent [...]
2010-11 Season Review: In Defence of Arsenal
I thought it might be a good idea to read what I wrote while analyzing the problems and weaknesses in defence at the end of last season. A quick glance told me that I could just copy paste some parts of that article and it will still be just as relevant. Sample this, …many of [...]
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