Just. Wow

Hello everyone.

To start with the obvious: Germany is through to the final after beating Brazil 7-1 (!)

You know, whatever I expected from the game, this was not it. If you allow me  to quote myself, that's what I said three days ago, while talking up Germany as the favourites to win this World Cup:

"If Germany doesn't win the goddamn thing, I'll lose faith in humanity".

I can say that I expected Germany to win this semi-final (though I'm not saying they couldn't have lost it. Of course they could have). I can say I hoped the Bundesteam will thrash Brazil, but again I realised it would be an unlikely scenario. Simply because at this level the margins are so tight and the gulf in class is next to indiscernible, such big scorelines are rare.

Just look at how both teams fared prior to this game. Both qualified with seven points, both had only one group stage game when they were a lot better than the opposition. Both teams had very decent opponents in the play-off and both had only just made it to the semis. Yes, I've stated quite a few times that the manner was different, that Germany played a lot better than Brazil, but the results were nearly the same. In the end, it's the results that go down in history and in our memory, not the way the team played. Yet, though I still insist that a big scoreline rarely reflects the way things stand, the difference between Germany and Brazil was laid in plain sight yesterday for everyone to see.

Brazil was forced to play on the front foot the entire tournament without really having the potential to demonstrate that style of play. When Sandro Mazzola was asked why Russia failed so miserably and whether Kapello was at fault he said Russia didn't demonstrate anything because they didn't have enough talent up front. Strikers (or attacking midfielders) who can turn the game on it's head, create a moment out of nothing and gift a team, that's otherwise not much better than their opponents, a win.

See, that's exactly Brazil's problem during this tournament. While likening them to Russia is a bit too much, the problem itself remains. Apart from Neymar (and, sporadically, Hulk) Scolari's side doesn't have anyone capable of creating chances in the final third. Honestly, who can do this? Bernard? Young and raw. Oscar? See above. Jo? Please. Fred? The best he can do is grow a moustasche. George? Oh, wait...

This weakness was only further exposed by the fact that Brazil had to play the entire tournament on the front foot. As the hosts, the favourites and so on, a team much supported from the stands, Scolari's side had no choice but to take matters into their hands and take the game to the opponents. They've scraped through group stages largely thanks to Neymar (who, for all his shortcomings, was in terrific form), but,as soon as Neymar's form dwindled down, encountered serious problems. Chile? A win on penalties, perhaps the luckiest bounce in this tournament. Colombia? Two goals from set-pieces. TWO. And while the first goal went in due to Colombia's failure to mark Silva, the second was just a touch of class from Luiz. A defender scoring from free-kicks. He does so brilliantly, no doubt about it, but the fact that he takes these free-kicks in the first place tells you all you need to know about Brazil's attacking potential. Just ask yourselves, would Luiz be taking these kicks playing for Argentine or Holland or Germany?

Oh, and about Germany. First off, congratulations on a brilliant performance. However weak and disjointed Brazil looked much of this was down to simply brilliant play from Die Mannschaft. I've always admired how the Germans worked with the ball at their feet and how good they are offensively, but when five (!) different players score (including a 36-year-old Klose (well done on setting a new World Cup record), a DM and a sub), that's just astounding.

And all of this was in stark contrast to Brazil. You think Germans weren't talked up as favourites? They are prompted to win the World Cup every four years. You think they didn't have to play on the front foot because of that? They had to do this every game.

And yet they've succeeded so far. They had to break down organised defences every single time. Even France put a lot of men behind the ball in the quarter-final. But Lowe's side succeeded time and again. Ghana was probably the only team that (realistically) could have beaten Die Mannschaft. That I write down to physique. Ghanians were just physically better ready. Yet even all this physicality could have been in vain, as the persistent Germans were a whisker away from snatching the three points. So well done Germany, see you in the final. Hope for a win, cause you deserve it more, than anyone else in this tournament.

As for Brazil, hard times indeed. They will now battle either Holland or Argentine in a fight for third place. And I think it'll be just if they get that consolation prize.

It's hard not to feel sorry for them, really. As I watched children crying uncontrollably in the stands, or Scolari nearly having a heart attack, I myself was on the verge of tears (while my mom was on the verge of a heart attack). For the duration of this World Cup Brazil had to fight not only against physical opponents, but also to carry the huge weight of expectation and, as Arsenal fans, we can tell them a lot about this weight. At the end of the day, it was just too much for Brazil. They are (let's be realistic) a mediocre team with title aspirations. I take my hat off for them, as they've fought tooth and nail against unfavourable circumstances and wish them luck in their last game. The players, the fans and everyone else in some way connected to Scolari's side need that third place, that minimum requirement.

In other news, we are nearing to the end of Sanchez saga and the resolution seems to be a happy one. Wenger has told talkSPORT (I'm pinning a different url, as it's more interesting, but it contains a link to talkSPORT, just in case you need it), that Sanchez deal is "almost done". And I couldn't be happier that it is. Sanchez is genuinely exciting, played greatly during the World Cup and should fit in our overall style of play. However, I've already said a lot about him, so I'll stop here and will say nothing before he is signed. If you still feel like reading a bit more about him, here you go.

Finally, the article on Arsenalstation mentions Debuchy and, while I've talked about him earlier, I've stumbled upon a very good piece, which examines his strengths and weaknesses (and, more importantly, his abilities in comparison to Sagna and Aurier), so give it a try. Fascinating stuff.

Phew, that's it for today. Tonight it's Holland vs Argentine and this time I'm for South American side. The lesser evil, you know.

Back tomorrow with fresh goodies

Until then

Navas and Costa-Rica bow out; Holland will face Argentine

You know, I probably should consider betting. The minute I predict Opponent A will beat Opponent B invisible wheels start turning to make exactly the opposite happen. It's convenient, come to think of it. I will now state that Brazil will go through and start making secret preparations to put a huge amount of cash on Germany. It should work out. I'll be rich and famous.

As you can guess, Argentine and Holland made it through to the semi-finals. Quite unexpectedly, both games were dull.

Argentine scored an early goal thanks to a wonderful shot from Higuain and you would think they would have fallen back to defend their slender lead (especially after Di Maria limped off), but such was the quality of Belgium's play that Sabella's side continued dominating without really trying. Belgium (with Lukaku on the bench) had maybe one half-decent chance in the entire first half, while Argentine looked pretty decent on the counter, Messi masterminding their attacks.

Second half was a bit livelier, but not by much. Higuain should have doubled the lead after rounding off Kompany, but instead hit the bar, Messi sent his free-kick over and then missed a brilliant opportunity to end the encounter after he was clean through. Credit to Courtois, though, it was much more a case of a brilliant save rather than a poor finish.

Belgium, with Lukaku and Mertens on still created little. When Hazard, completely off the pace, was replaced by Chadli, that was all you needed to know about how bad Belgium looked. I remember they had some decent chance to equalise late in the game, but I cannot even remember what it boiled down to. They missed, most likely. A keeper of Romero's quality would have grabbed thin air instead of the ball, had Belgium tried a little harder to keep their efforts on target. And so another unconvincing side is through.

Sabella's side will play Holland and I cannot even tell, which national team looked worse in the quarter-final. Probably Holland, cause they needed two hours and a penalty shoot-out to finally end Costa-Rica's resistance. Argentine has, at least, kept it inside 90 minutes. Holland is pathetic.

Honestly, they operate pretty much the way Brazil does. Lump it towards Neymar Robben and let him figure out the rest. And though Robben takes to the ground like a fish to the sea at every opportunity, such was the way Costa-Rica defended and Navas saved everything that came his way, that Holland needed a win on pens to go through.

And though everyone is occupied by hailing van Gaal for his clever trick with the keepers right now, I see the situation differently. If he's so talented, then why can't he break down Costa-Rica inside regular time? Why, with all his resources can't he make a sub that'll help to end the encounter before it goes to penalties? It's just a lucky bounce for Holland, like the one they had against Mexico. The same bounce that have kept Chile out, while Brazil progresses. Nothing more.

Now there are three utterly unconvincing sides in the semi-final. And, to my horror, that means at least two of these will have some kind of prize. I'd like to see Holland make fourth, with Brazil third and Argentine second. If Germany doesn't win the goddamn thing, I'll lose faith in humanity. I can't even bear the thought of someone as despicable as Holland making the grade. God save us then.

That's it for today. Little happening from an Arsenal point of view, so I'll leave it at that.

Until later

Brazil will face Germany in the semi; Debuchy looks set to join Arsenal

Hello everyone.

After a two-day break football has returned yesterday, as Germany played France and later on Brazil took on Colombia.

All eyes were trained on the first game, but it turned out to be boring. Whether it was the heat, or France inability to conjure anything up front is open to debate, however the Blues never really threatened and Germany deservedly came out on top after 90 minutes. Hummels powered a header past Lloris following a free-kick (another brilliant ball into the box from Kroos) and that was all it took to defeat Deschamps' side.

They never really found any rhythm or fluidity to their game and, every time France tried to speed things up, mistakes ensued. The Blues tried channelling the play through Valbuena, Griezmann and Benzema, but those three were effectively isolated by a capable German defence and only the latter had a couple of decent opprtunities to equalise. Neuer was, however, impenetrable.

Die Mannschaft could probably have added another, but Muller was unable to make a proper contact with the ball after Ozil split France's defence wide open. Schurrle, who didn't expect for the ball to end up at his feet, hit it straight at Lloris. In the end it finished 1-0 for Germany and they will challenge the hosts to play in the final.

Brazil, meanwhile, sent a very capable Colombian side packing. They have opened the scoring in the 7th minute already after Silva was left alone in the box and so the captain only needed to poke the ball home from close range.

Brazil continued attacking dangerously, and Ospina had to make some very good saves from Hulk to prevent Brazil from going 2-0 up.

Colombia responded well, in my opinion, and some fancy footwork from Rodriguez and Quadrado could have brought Peckerman's side back level, but Quadrado messed up the final ball.

The second half was made up of endless fouls. The ref was reluctant to show yellow cards, however, and so the fouls got nastier and nastier. Rodriquez was kicked all over the pitch, Luiz wreaked havoc everywhere and one particularly gruesome knee-in-the-back hit from Zunga ended Neymar's tournament.

On a purely human level, you can't help but feel sorry for him. Neymar is obviously a very talented player, the one to hold together Brazil's game during this tournament and, realistically speaking, his injury probably ended Brazil's hopes of winning. However, this injury looks carmic to me. Neymar, for all his talents, is just too big a diver (almost like Robben) and getting an injury may remind him of fair play rules. It's harsh on him and Brazil, I know, but it also seems fair. Don't cry "wolf" all that often.

Scolari's side will now have to take on Germany without Neymar and Silva (suspended) and that won't be pretty. I think third place is best Brazil can hope for under these circumstances.

There also was a fair bit of football involved during this second half. Luiz scored with a marvellous shot around the 70th minute to end Colombia's hopes of going through.

However, Peckerman's side has nearly turned the tables, with first Yepes scoring (from an offside position) and then Rodriguez finally pulling one back from a penalty spot. It wasn't meant to be, however. An utterly inconvincing and depleted Brazil is through.

As for Arsenal, we seem on course to fill the hole left by Sagna with Debuchy. L'equipe reports Debuchy will join Arsenal right after the World Cup, for a transfer fee around £8 million. I have to say, it's a good piece of business we've done. For such a meagre sum, we're getting ourselves an experienced full-back, who has some good years in front of him (Debuchy will turn 29 this July) and, interestingly enough, he's first-choice in France's national team. I've seen him play quite a lot during this tournament and, while he may seem a bit inferior to Sagna when it comes to actual defending, he's much better going forward. And all of this at a price of £8 million. For those of you still thinking we are wrong to choose this guy over Aurier, check this out. It's worth your time.

Today it's Belgium vs Argentine and later on Holland vs Costa-Rica. I'm all for Marc Wilmots and Jorge Pinto, as I'm dead tired of Argentine scraping through thanks to Messi only and Holland for their cheaty ways. Besides, how can you support a team with Robben and van Persie in it?

That's it for today, back tomorrow

Until then

Tim Howard the hero; Argentine scrape through + Arteta, Sanchez and Debuchy pop up again

Another one of those late nights, but what a night it was. Like Germany vs Algeria I didn't regret in the slightest staying up till 3 a.m. to watch a game. It was a simply brilliant encounter, among the very best games of this tournament.

First things first, though: I'd like to congratulate the Belgians. They had an outstanding performance, by far their best during this tournament. Their first two games were very dull and the third I didn't get the chance to see, but I suspect it wasn't fun to watch.

Yesterday (more like today) Marc Wilmots' team was guns blazing in attack. Divock Origi started up front and had a very good game with a chance to open the scoring in the 38th second, Mirallas came on as a sub and wreaked havoc on the flank and De Bruyne could easily have become MoM under other circumstances. Overall, Belgium put on a show in this game and the football couldn't have been more exciting.

USA, meanwhile, definitely were trying to hurt Belgium on the counter, but their default mode was to sit back, waiting for that chance. Jurgen Klinsmann's side didn't have a lot of opportunities to score, but could nonetheless have won the game in injury time, had Wondolowski not wasted a perfect opportunity to put his team in front. He'll have nightmares about it, I imagine, but if USA had won the game in such a manner it would have been a gross injustice towards a very good Belgium side.

The default mode of the USA worked just fine, I have to add. Football is not about going forward only and it was a pleasure to watch USA defend. Despite a load of chances Belgium created, it was still one of the best defensive displays I've ever seen, not the least because it was aided by Tim Howard.

Oh, Tim Howard. I'll start where most would have ended and say Howard became MoM, setting a new record in the process. 15 saves (!) in a single game at World Cup. Howard saved with his legs, he saved with his arms, he saved with his beard. He tipped a lot of things over the bar, twice came out on top from a one-on-one and the Americans have already proposed a petition to have Reagan's Airport renamed after Howard. To just comprehend how good the 35-year-old was yesterday, you have to see it for yourselves. Words just cannot do him justice.

It was a pity really when Belgium broke the deadlock and scored two goals in rapid succession deep into extra time, thanks to a rampaging Lukaku. Romelu substituted Origi to first set up De Bruyne and then scored himself, Kevin returning the favour. Amazing persistence from Belgium, helped by a brilliant De Bruyne.

USA went forward. And scored. Green, who made his debut minutes earlier, sent American fans into overdrive by slotting home a wonderfully weighed through ball from Bradley. There was nothing Courtois could do about the shot.

USA could have equalised seconds earlier, but this time Courtois saved from Jones, after a brilliant (I've lost count how many times I've used this word today) passage of play following a free-kick. And so it ended, 2-1. Put your hands together for both teams for this wonderful, open game, with lots of chances and minimum crap (like diving).

Belgium will now face Argentine in the quarter-final and, like it's the case with Brazil, I hope Marc Wilmots' side with send the the "favourites" packing. Argentine has only just scraped through, winning 1-0 against Switzerland (in extra time) and has done so only because Leo Messi provided his side with another masterstroke in the 118th minute. Switzerland could have got back to level terms but some bloke headed the ball onto the post from a killer position.

Some of the most tedious games this tournament provided involved Argentine. I turned off their game against Iran at half-time and thanked God I didn't see the game vs Bosnia and Herzegovina. Yesterday was another one of these mind-bogglingly dull games. Even the commentator couldn't stand it. So all the luck to Belgium in the last eight, cause I won't bear another lucky bounce.

Finally for today, some activity is stirring up regarding transfer news.

First on the agenda is Mikel Arteta. I mentioned how his situation wasn't clear, but it seems the Spaniard will stay on for at least another year. His agent denied talk of a possible transfer away, so we can be quite sure we won't be losing our de-facto skipper this summer. That doesn't mean we shouldn't strengthen this position, if the opportunity is there (Schnederlein, please?), but bottom line is that we won't be short on numbers  in case we don't sign anybody. And let's not forget what an important role Arteta plays in our side.

In other news, Metro claims we have made a move for both Sanchez and Debuchy. While with Alexis it's just "Arsenal made a bid" (I have to stress this part was confirmed by Kike Marin, see the article), with Debuchy they've gone further, saying the deal is done and the signing will be announced after the World Cup. I hope that's the case, but I don't know what more there is to add, to what I've already said. On Sanchez you can read here.

Phew, that's it for today. There's a two-day break between now and the next World Cup round, so try to sleep in. I know I will.

Until later, I'll be back here as soon as something new pops up

Ozil makes his mark; Giroud doesn't; goalkeepers continue to do their job

These late nights are really starting  to take their toll, I have to say. I'm grateful for the spectacles two out of three games (so far) provided me with by going into extra time, but I'm more grateful to Colombia for their end-it-in-90-minutes attitude. Falling asleep at 4 a.m. isn't much fun.

On the bright side, I'm on holiday, thus sleeping in is no problem. And yesterday's games were worth watching.

In France vs Nigeria, Koscielny and Giroud both started, though the latter was replaced on the hour. Much like everyone else, Olivier failed to break through an organised Nigeria defence and had to give way to Griezmann. The game immediately started to look livelier and the French finally made their effort pay, with Pogba opening the scoring in the 79th minute and Yobo putting the ball into his own net minutes from time. 2-0.

The result was, to my mind, a fair one. Though Nigeria looked more interesting in the first half, scoring (from an offside position) and testing Lloris at least one more time, Deschamps' side stepped it up around the hour mark. Only a combination of luck (Valbuena hitting the bar) and Enyama's agility prevented France from going in front earlier.

The other game was Germany vs Algeria and I decided to watch it out of hope of seeing Algeria spanked. They didn't, as far as I'm concerned, drew Russia fairly (remember those laser antics?) and I was preparing to gloat after the Germans were through with them.

What I saw on the pitch made my jaw drop off. Algeria looked much the better side in the first half, each of their counters ending in something dangerous. They have even scored (from offside) and Neuer had to make at least one charge out of his box to clean up. Germany, meanwhile, were off the pace, Ozil and Kross the only players with some decent ideas and end product.

Shurrle subbed Goetze at half-time and Germany started picking up the pace, and pepper Rais with shots in the process. Algeria continued to look dangerous on the counter and Neuer again had to sweep up. However, despite Ozil's, Muller's and Sweinsteiger's best efforts, the game went into extra time. And Germany has immediately scored.

Muller darted down the left flank, measured a perfect pass through at least three defenders and Shurrle's sublime finish with his heel was what finally broke the deadlock.

Germany continued dominating the game, but Algeria could have equalised at least twice, first from a corner, then from a free-kick. They didn't and paid for it in the 118th minute.

Lowe's side exploded on the counter, Muller passed to Shurrle, Andre found Ozil in front of goal, but then received a return pass. Shurrle's shot was blocked by a defender with Rais stranded, but Ozil was on hand to smash the rebound high into the roof of the net. Lowe was finally able to breathe.

However, Algeria's response was as quick as it was unexpected. I didn't even have the chance to find a suitable picture of Ozil to post on my wall, cause as soon as my eyes darted to my phone, the ball was in the back of the net. Replays informed me of how exactly the goal happened.

Unfortunately for Algeria, this goal came too late. There just wasn't time enough to score another and so it ended 2-1. Rais was later named man of the match by FIFA.

This means France will play Germany in the quarter-final, with up to five Arsenal players involved (I'm counting Sagna out, since it's July 1st). What an opportunity to streamline our squad all at once, by injuring five (key five) our players. I guess Wenger is going to have nightmares until this game is over.

Couple of words on Ozil, by the way. He was criticised by all and sundry for his weak World Cup performances, but, frankly, I don't care how he plays for the Bundesteam as long as he's fit and performs well for Arsenal. However, Ozil yesterday's showing was very good indeed. He really made things happen and scored a goal he thoroughly deserved. My only complaint (and I do realise I may be seeing a problem where there is none) is Ozil's selflessness. At one point he passed the ball despite clearly being in a better position, in another he tried to create a perfect opportunity by rounding off the defender before taking a shot and even in the episode with the goal he opted to pass to Schurrle, though he could have just hit the ball and see what would happen.

Of course, it may have been that selflessness (among other things) that influenced Wenger's decision to sign the guy. Arsene really looks at football as a team game, thus he'd rather have an individual, who'd try to pass the ball to a guy in a better position, then take the shot himself. I remember when Arsene was asked what is, in his opinion, the best way to celebrate a goal he answered: "With the teammates". That's Wenger's philosophy for you in a nutshell.

Finally for today, Debuchy may be our target this summer. Rumour has it, Wenger wants 28-year-old to replace Sagna and I see no problem with it. I quite liked what I saw from Debuchy over France's last games and, as for Aurier (in whom we may have no genuine interest, let me remind you), he's a bit of a gamble. He's 21, attacks a lot more keenly than he defends and may be a risk overall. Debuchy looks a better option to me, especially since he has experience playing in the Premier League.

That's it for today, back tomorrow.

Until then