Hello,
Not much happening, so just a quick round-up for you.
Today sees us facing Nagoya Grampus as part of our pre-season tour. The only thing I know about the club itself, is that Arsene Wenger was their manager for two seasons (1995-1996, if you're interested), before joining the Gunners. Nagoya now has Dragan Stoikovic pulling the strings, who is a former player. A lot of warm words were spoken by both managers before the game, but I just can be bothered which. The usual chit-chat.
However, there's a much more practical side concerning this game, namely, defensive shortage. You may well be aware that Vermaelen has a severe (and chronical, it seems) back problem, which prevented him from joining the Club during our Asia tour and will, eventually, keep him out for three months. But it's not the end of the story. After yesterday's training both Szczesny and Koscielny limped out, nursing a back and ankle problem respectively. While both injures are supposed to be short-term, we are walking on thin ice already, with Sagna deputising as an emergency centre-back. If that wasn't bad enough, there are reports of Monreal being injured too (though he's off the tour).
Even if both Koscielny and Szczesny recover quickly, our shortage in goalkeeping and defensive positions is scary. Fabianski and Sagna may well leave the Club this summer (the latter less likely), leaving us extremely exposed. We'll be forced to play Szczesny in goal (with Martinez on the bench) and a Jenkinson-Mertesacker-Koscielny-Gibbs/Monreal back four (assuming Koscielny and Monreal make it in time) with Miguel being a lonely sub. As we bemoan our attacking options, our defense is crumbling like a house of cards. Something should be done about it (the defense, not the moaning) and quicky, if Wenger doesn't want to see a Miguel-Sagna duo at the heart of our defense, midway through the campaign.
Elsewhere, Podolski seems ho have shrugged off his ankle problem (fingers crossed) and is getting his guns ready for the new campaign. Among other things, he mentioned potential signings, saying we should bring in a few new faces, in order to become competitive. Thus, he becomes the fifth player, convinced we should be more active in the transfer market. When such things come from the fans, it's completely understandable. We want new signings whatever and will always bemoan inaction. Coming from the players, however, it's almost like a warning: sign people or another trophyless season is due.
Meanwhile, Higuain saga continues, but to me it seems to have taken a drastic turn. Questioned about Napoli's bid, Ancelotti said, Higuain is going nowhere. It can be mind games (the manager can never admit in public he doesn't need certain player), but it looks like the Argentine is slipping away from us. Cash-rich and striker-less Napoli can pay €40 million, while we seem unwilling (maybe even unable, should Bernard talk turn out to be true) to do so.
I'll leave at that. More tomorrow
Not much happening, so just a quick round-up for you.
Today sees us facing Nagoya Grampus as part of our pre-season tour. The only thing I know about the club itself, is that Arsene Wenger was their manager for two seasons (1995-1996, if you're interested), before joining the Gunners. Nagoya now has Dragan Stoikovic pulling the strings, who is a former player. A lot of warm words were spoken by both managers before the game, but I just can be bothered which. The usual chit-chat.
However, there's a much more practical side concerning this game, namely, defensive shortage. You may well be aware that Vermaelen has a severe (and chronical, it seems) back problem, which prevented him from joining the Club during our Asia tour and will, eventually, keep him out for three months. But it's not the end of the story. After yesterday's training both Szczesny and Koscielny limped out, nursing a back and ankle problem respectively. While both injures are supposed to be short-term, we are walking on thin ice already, with Sagna deputising as an emergency centre-back. If that wasn't bad enough, there are reports of Monreal being injured too (though he's off the tour).
Even if both Koscielny and Szczesny recover quickly, our shortage in goalkeeping and defensive positions is scary. Fabianski and Sagna may well leave the Club this summer (the latter less likely), leaving us extremely exposed. We'll be forced to play Szczesny in goal (with Martinez on the bench) and a Jenkinson-Mertesacker-Koscielny-Gibbs/Monreal back four (assuming Koscielny and Monreal make it in time) with Miguel being a lonely sub. As we bemoan our attacking options, our defense is crumbling like a house of cards. Something should be done about it (the defense, not the moaning) and quicky, if Wenger doesn't want to see a Miguel-Sagna duo at the heart of our defense, midway through the campaign.
Elsewhere, Podolski seems ho have shrugged off his ankle problem (fingers crossed) and is getting his guns ready for the new campaign. Among other things, he mentioned potential signings, saying we should bring in a few new faces, in order to become competitive. Thus, he becomes the fifth player, convinced we should be more active in the transfer market. When such things come from the fans, it's completely understandable. We want new signings whatever and will always bemoan inaction. Coming from the players, however, it's almost like a warning: sign people or another trophyless season is due.
Meanwhile, Higuain saga continues, but to me it seems to have taken a drastic turn. Questioned about Napoli's bid, Ancelotti said, Higuain is going nowhere. It can be mind games (the manager can never admit in public he doesn't need certain player), but it looks like the Argentine is slipping away from us. Cash-rich and striker-less Napoli can pay €40 million, while we seem unwilling (maybe even unable, should Bernard talk turn out to be true) to do so.
I'll leave at that. More tomorrow
No comments:
Post a Comment