Hello there,
Sorry I wasn't able to report yesterday, but I had a busy day. Unfortunately, there are more to come in the, eh, coming two weeks or so, so forgive me, if this is not the only time. I'll do my best.
So, Arsenal has played Urawa Red Diamonds today and won by the skins of their teeth. For now, however, games are about fitness and match sharpness, rather than results, which isn't neccesarily a bad thing. The nerve-racking won't be in deficit, come mid-August, so it's nice not to worry about the outcomes of games, for a change.
The game itself (which, I confess, I didn't see) was good, judging on the highlights. The Ox has hit the woodwork twice, Walcott was unlucky here and there, but, overally, it left a nice impression. There was even a cup to go with the win.
What was especially satisfying, is to see both Koscielny and Oxlade start the game, with Szczesny named among the substitutes. Their problems really were short-term, a rare thing. It doesn't mean, we don't need a centre-half (who is be able to fill in at left-back) but at least the immediate threat is gone. Wenger may also see a centre-half solution in Sagna, who's played in that position more than once, even this pre-season. Jenkinson at right-back is, seemingly, a better option to Miquel at centre-back. An interesting problem, nonetheless, so it's even more interesting to see, how Wenger handles it.
Meanwhile, it's pretty quiet in terms of signings. The Suarez situation looks to me ever closer to Bale-to-Real saga. There are a lot of contradicting reports: over what our bid means, in terms of Surez availability, whether he's willing to join us or not, what Rodgers and Co think about this mess. I won't go into details, unless something concrete pops up, but the situation is precarious in several ways.
First off, as you've probably heard by now, Higuain has signed up with Napoli. How that deal has gone us by, I just don't understand. The Argentine would have been a perfect fit for the Gunners. He's a player in his prime, comes with none of Suarez baggage, consistent and much cheaper, might I add. But for whatever reasons, Wenger is clearly more interested in the Uruguayan. Much more interested.
Second thing to bear in mind, is Gervinho seems to be on his way out. Roma is offering £8 million for him and that's a reasonable price. He's had his moments with Arsenal and is, in my opinion, a much better player, than those we've shipped off this summer. I wasn't looking at him as "deadwood" back in May. I still don't.
But if he leaves, our numbers up front will definitely be short. Though Wenger has hinted in his post-Urawa press conference Miyachi has a part to play this season, Ryo doesn't look like a guy, who can have an impact straight away, This leaves us with only the Ox, Giroud, Podolski and Walcott up front.
And as the Boss goes for Suarez right until the end (which he seems to be ready to do), we'll be screaming to the heavens and biting our nails over the fact that Liverpool, or the player himself (or both) send Wenger home with nothing to show for it, comes August 31st. But, hey, no pressure here.
I do hope (here it goes again), the manager knows, what he's doing and has other strikers in his sights, in case Suarez is unattainable. It's not like we could't use some help in other areas of the pitch, but without a striker, we'll be pushing for the title with basically the same squad as this season, having boasted our increased financial muscle all summer. Arsene, prove me wrong, please.
Back tomorrow (I hope)
Sorry I wasn't able to report yesterday, but I had a busy day. Unfortunately, there are more to come in the, eh, coming two weeks or so, so forgive me, if this is not the only time. I'll do my best.
So, Arsenal has played Urawa Red Diamonds today and won by the skins of their teeth. For now, however, games are about fitness and match sharpness, rather than results, which isn't neccesarily a bad thing. The nerve-racking won't be in deficit, come mid-August, so it's nice not to worry about the outcomes of games, for a change.
The game itself (which, I confess, I didn't see) was good, judging on the highlights. The Ox has hit the woodwork twice, Walcott was unlucky here and there, but, overally, it left a nice impression. There was even a cup to go with the win.
What was especially satisfying, is to see both Koscielny and Oxlade start the game, with Szczesny named among the substitutes. Their problems really were short-term, a rare thing. It doesn't mean, we don't need a centre-half (who is be able to fill in at left-back) but at least the immediate threat is gone. Wenger may also see a centre-half solution in Sagna, who's played in that position more than once, even this pre-season. Jenkinson at right-back is, seemingly, a better option to Miquel at centre-back. An interesting problem, nonetheless, so it's even more interesting to see, how Wenger handles it.
Meanwhile, it's pretty quiet in terms of signings. The Suarez situation looks to me ever closer to Bale-to-Real saga. There are a lot of contradicting reports: over what our bid means, in terms of Surez availability, whether he's willing to join us or not, what Rodgers and Co think about this mess. I won't go into details, unless something concrete pops up, but the situation is precarious in several ways.
First off, as you've probably heard by now, Higuain has signed up with Napoli. How that deal has gone us by, I just don't understand. The Argentine would have been a perfect fit for the Gunners. He's a player in his prime, comes with none of Suarez baggage, consistent and much cheaper, might I add. But for whatever reasons, Wenger is clearly more interested in the Uruguayan. Much more interested.
Second thing to bear in mind, is Gervinho seems to be on his way out. Roma is offering £8 million for him and that's a reasonable price. He's had his moments with Arsenal and is, in my opinion, a much better player, than those we've shipped off this summer. I wasn't looking at him as "deadwood" back in May. I still don't.
But if he leaves, our numbers up front will definitely be short. Though Wenger has hinted in his post-Urawa press conference Miyachi has a part to play this season, Ryo doesn't look like a guy, who can have an impact straight away, This leaves us with only the Ox, Giroud, Podolski and Walcott up front.
And as the Boss goes for Suarez right until the end (which he seems to be ready to do), we'll be screaming to the heavens and biting our nails over the fact that Liverpool, or the player himself (or both) send Wenger home with nothing to show for it, comes August 31st. But, hey, no pressure here.
I do hope (here it goes again), the manager knows, what he's doing and has other strikers in his sights, in case Suarez is unattainable. It's not like we could't use some help in other areas of the pitch, but without a striker, we'll be pushing for the title with basically the same squad as this season, having boasted our increased financial muscle all summer. Arsene, prove me wrong, please.
Back tomorrow (I hope)
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