11 players to leave Arsenal: Suarez is handed out a punishment

Evening everyone.

Today the Club has announced that 11 players will part ways with us on July 1st. These include 6 seniors and 5 academy players.

Bendtner and Park are among the most prominent, but I've talked about them enough here and here, so there's not much to add. I wish them well wherever they end up.

I have also said enough about Sagna and Fabianski, so I'll pass on these too.

Kallstrom and Viviano are more interesting. Not much has been known about their futures till today and though I can't say these departures are shocking in any way, they do leave us short on numbers. Now we definitely need a goalie and should think long and hard about a DM. Arteta is 32 and, by the way, still hasn't signed his contract, while Flamini seems to only be a sub. The Frenchman is a bit of a paradox. He played a lot more during the first half of the campaign, when Ramsey was firing on all cylinders, yet was only called upon in extreme cases from January to May, despite Wilshere, Ramsey and Ozil all being injured. Arsene should have (for whatever reason) lost his trust in his compatriot, thus he needs to think about purchasing someone to fill Flamini's shoes.

Viviano leaving is a bit of a shame, cause he's a good goalie, but you can't reasonably expect him to stay after sitting on the bench the whole year. With the form Szczesny is in we can't guarantee the Italian anything, so farewell to Viviano, and so our search for a keeper begins.

And now, the World Cup. First things first, Suarez was handed a nine-match international ban and suspended from all footballing activity for four months. This means no training with the national team, no entering any kind of football stadium (even training grounds) and, most importantly, no playing for Liverpool till the end of October. The Uruguyan has also been fined something close to $100,000 thousand.

The way I see it, FIFA has done the right thing. They probably could have gone even harder on Suarez, especially taking into account it's not the first time he's bitten someone, but the decision has been made already, so there's no turning back.

Suarez has once again made it about himself, causing trouble to everyone in the process. He's turned his back on his national team (which, I suspect, won't go far without him), he's made Rodgers' summer a headache, cause Lambert is not a suitable replacement and Sturridge, even at his best, cannot bag 35 goals a year. Suarez has shown disrespect towards Liverpool as a whole, both towards the Club that has defended him last year and towards the fans, that have supported him. What's he's done is disgusting on each and every level.

Good news is, we haven't signed the Uruguyan last summer, though it wasn't for the lack of trying. In retrospective, we would have done Liverpool a huge favour, by forking out £40 million for a walking headache of a player. But oh no, they had to defend their best player and retain him at all costs. Well, how much will it cost them to replace a striker of his level? And would he go there?

If it looks like I'm gloating, that's because I am. Hindsight is a wonderful thing and I shudder to think Luis could have gone to Brazil as an Arsenal player and done his stunt the way he did. It's not our problem, luckily. I feel no particular love towards Liverpool ever since their trick with that buy-out clause (it's not about the player, it's about their behaviour) and then going on to thrash us 5-1 at Anfield. Were it not for two strikers bang-in-form, the Mugmashers would have finished way worse, since they have conceded 50 (!) goals in the league. With that crappy defence they have, good luck to them in the Champions League and the Premier League without their top goalscorer.

In other news, the final games of the group stage have taken place yesterday, with Germany and USA making it out of Group G, while Belgium and Algeria qualified from Group H.

I've watched Germany vs USA and deeply regretted it afterwards, especially after seeing the highlights of Portugal vs Ghana. Before the game two Muntari and Boateng were both dismissed from their national team for getting into some kind of scrap with their manager, so I wasn't surprised to see them lose. When you have such problems inside your team, motivation is in short supply.

This game was still much more exciting, with chances being created at both ends, Ronaldo being denied time and again, only to then finally score and Ghana falling one goal short of qualification at some point. Fascinating stuff, I should have watched it.

I didn't however. I had to endure 90 minutes of the most tedious football ever. The USA didn't even try to attack (apart from this dangerous last-minute counter), while the Germans found it tough going due to both rain and USA's resilience in defence. Muller scored the only goal of the game in the 55th minute to give Germany the victory, thus ensuring their qualification from top spot.

In another group I have, understandably, witnessed Russia taking on Algeria. A win of any kind for my home team would have sufficed and we have started pretty well, by going in front in the 6th minute courtesy to a wonderful strike from Kokorin.

Algeria then took the initiative into their own hands and kept their foot on the gas until that equaliser on the hour. Kozlov lost the ball on the flank, fouled some bloke to prevent him storming into the box, some other bloke crossed and, with Akinfeev failing to time his clearance, a third bloke equalised.

This was really harsh on our keeper. He made a string of vital saves prior to that, one of them standing out, and, more importantly, was blinded with a laser pointer immediately before the free-kick. I've heard we've appealed to FIFA on these grounds, but I cannot find out how it went. I assume, not well.

However hard it's to swallow this, we haven't played good enough to go through. I've watched two games and both times we were unconvincing at best. It's not the fault of our goalkeeper we cannot score more than one to ensure one mistake or accident won't be fatal. We simply weren't up to scratch.

That's it for today

Until later

Wilshere talks fitness; Vela joins Sociedad + World Cup stuff

Good day to you.

I'll start with the bit that I have somehow missed due to all the excitement surrounding the World Cup: Vela is not going to Arsenal. Not this season, not next, not in the foreseeable future. Real Sociedad has confirmed the Mexican will stay on with them at least till 2018. It seems they have bought out the clause Arsenal has included when selling the Mexican and now Vela is all theirs, while we get richer by €11 million.

I couple of weeks back, I've discussed the potential signing of Vela. And I stick by to what I've said: the Mexican is a decent striker, but he's unlikely to feature at Arsenal on a regular basis. Moreover, Vela has already tried and failed to make an impact during his time with the Gunners and it's not unreasonable to suggest he could have become a flop a second time.

However, I haven't exploited the possibility of Arsenal warming up interest in Carlos, just to get some money from any potential buyer or Sociedad, for that matter. Yet it seems Arsene and his transfer team have done just that. They've forced Sociedad to hand over a respectable sum of money in return to rights to the striker we didn't need anyway. They way I see it, we've just pulled off a very smart move. Well done.

In other news, Jack Wilshere has given an interview to the Guardian, in which he touched on England's failure and prospects. Of more interest to us, however, are his remarks about his own prospects and the targets our Number 10 sets for himself:

"I think it is [a big year for me]. I’m not young any more. I’m going to be 23 in January and that’s a good age for a footballer. It’s a big season for me, it’s a big season for Arsenal".

Well, what can I say? Jack has had e very good season four years back, when he shined against Barcelona and made close to 50 appearances overall. Since then his development has somewhat halted, with Jacky missing an entire next season due to a horrendous injury and then having an unconvincing 2012-2013 campaign, again due to various knocks and bruises.

This year he did make progress, however. Wilshere has played quite a lot before sustaining another injury in a pointless friendly in March, an injury which has kept him out almost till the end of the season. This time he seems to want to do his best to avoid his fitness levels dropping and making his mark during 2014-2015:

"As for me, pre-season is not far away. I’m going to have maybe a couple of weeks off, but I don’t want to lose my fitness.

I’m going to carry on training, do my bit, because I only played two games in the last three or four months. I will go back [to Arsenal] early. They are going away [to New York] and I’m not sure I’m going on that, but I will definitely still do my little bit. My fitness is on the way up and I don’t want to lose that."

It looks like Jack is even willing to sacrifice a week or two of his holidays in order to get a proper pre-season. Really, you can't fault the effort and desire of this lad. Hopefully, this will go down as a campaign in which the Englishman makes a breakthrough Ramsey-style. Fingers crossed.

Finally, the World Cup. Teams from Groups F and E played their third (and final) games yesterday and the two games I watched were delightful.

Argentine vs Nigeria has made my top 3 (for now), with Ghana vs Germany and Holland vs Australia being the other two. I haven't yet decided, which of the three is the best, and I don't think I need to. All of them were hugely entertaining.

Back to Argentine and I've turned the TV on just in time to see Messi smash the ball into the roof of the net following a rather unlucky (for the Nigerians) rebound after the initial shot. No sooner than the words "Messi is going to save Argentine again" has left my lips, teams were back on level terms.

Nigeria stormed upfield immediately after the restart, Musa rounded off Sabaleta and curled in a beautiful effort past Romero.

Argentine responeded with a flurry of attacks Enyama saving well from Di Maria's distance shot and then denying Messi, after the latter hit the target from the free-kick. He would be unable to repeat this feat a couple of minutes later.

Messi struck another beautiful effort over the wall from a direct free-kick and this time Enyama didn't even had time to jump. He just stared helplessly as the ball rippled in the net.

However, 120 seconds after the half-time break, Nigeria equalised once again, Musa sealing his brace. Argentine refused to give in and three minutes later went in front, Rojo tucking away a cross with his head.

Soon after the goal Messi left the field, as Alejandro Sabella decided to wrap his best player in cotton wool, as Argentine's qualification was all but assured. The game didn't die down after that, with both teams threatening to score. Di Maria picked up where Messi has left off, while Musa can count himself unlucky to add a third to his collection.

Nigeria looked better in the closing stages and it's a shame they haven't got any points for their effort, but they still qualified, seeing as as Bosnia has beaten Iran 3-1. Thumbs up for everybody involved. That includes the Bosnians, they bow out in style.

In Group E, Ecuador has taken on France, while Honduras played Switzerland and at first I opted to watch former.

35 minutes into the game I regretted this decision, as both France and Ecuador were determined not to play football. So I switched over to Switzerland vs Honduras, where the European team was already 2-0 up, thanks to a brace from an in-form Shaquiri.

This choice I didn't regret. Though Switzerland has won 3-0 (Shaquiri completing his hat-trick), the game was thoroughly enjoyable to the very last minute.

I thought Honduras did really well and deserved to score at least one, but, just like Japan a day earlier, they were undone by ruthless counter-attacks from Switzerland. I still want to thank Honduras for this spectacle, as I cannot remember a 3-0 in which the 0 side played that well.

Phew, that's it for today. Back tomorrow with a review of the last two groups.

Until later

Mexico and Colombia progress; Suarez bites again

Hello everyone.

Today I'll start with a piece of news that'll take a load off every Arsenal fan's shoulders around the globe: we're not in for Balotelli. Arsene Wenger, talking to beIN Sports, dismissed those rumours:

"It's pure invention. We cannot believe absolutely everything that is on the Internet or in the papers. Sometimes it's created by agents or by press who needs news. But in this case, it's not true."

Good to hear. Firstly, Balotelli is not much of an upgrade on Giroud, as it turned out, secondly, he's a psycho. Whenever things aren't going Balotelli's way, he's capable of anything. Just look at this photo from yesterday's game, you'll know what I mean. If you have somehow missed the stories about him playing darts at the training ground or setting off fireworks in his own bathroom, that'll give you a rough idea.

Balotelli wasn't the only one who caught the eye in that game for all the wrong reasons, but I'll get to that a bit later. Footballing stuff first.

Group A had the last round of games on Monday and both Brazil vs Cameroon and Croatia vs Mexico were aired. I opted to watch the latter and after half-time thought I'd made a mistake. Croatia tried to attack, Mexico sat back and defended well, restricting Nico Kovac team to a couple of distance shots, but the game was mind-boggingly dull. Meanwhile, Cameroon was aiming to perform a comeback against Brazil at Estadio National, after Neymar's brace put the hosts in front. Quite delightful goals he's scored too.

However, I stuck to Croatia vs Mexico and was not disappointed. Miguel Herrera's side took the matter into their hands and opened the scoring following a number of quite dangerous attacks, one of which resulted in a corner. A fine headed goal from Rafa Marquez, the captain.

Three minutes later, they added another. A quick counter-attack, Javier Hernandez (aka Chicharito) kept the central defenders busy and Guardado fired home an unstoppable effort.

Hernandez compounded Croatia's misery further, when he finished from yet another Mexican corner to make it 3-0 and game over.

To be fair to Croatians, the tried their best, got one back through a wonderful combination, which saw Perisic go one-on-one with Ochoa and they could have added another later on, but Perisic effort was brilliantly saved.

Then some bloke was sent off after a harsh challenge and all doubts over the outcome were put to bed. Credit to Croatia, though, they did their best, having suffered from awful refereeing in the first game and managed to follow it up with a convincing win. This time, however, they were just no match for rampaging Mexicans.

Herrera and Co qualify from the second spot and were it not for an inferior goal difference, could have finished above Brazilians. The way it played out, they'll face Holland, while the hosts will, erm, host Chile. We are in for two exciting games, let me tell you that.

In Group C nothing was certain before the kick-off. Yes, Colombians definitely qualified, but could have done so from the second spot, had they lost to Japan (who had everything to fight for) and Ivory Coast beaten Greece, with a certain goal difference, of course. However, I was astounded at how it all ended.

I watched Colombia vs Japan, as Ivory Coast vs Greece was nowhere to be found, and didn't regret the decision life forced me into making.

The first half was tedious until the very end. Much like Croatia vs Mexico, Columbia sat back and soaked up the pressure, as it was the other team that badly needed a win. There was one difference only: Columbia has scored, from the penalty spot.

Japan poured men forward, Honda and Kagawa putting the maximum effort into bringing their team back to level terms, but it wasn't enough. I already held a remote control in my hand, ready to go to bed (it was 1 a.m. for Christ's sake), when Sindzi Okadzaki scored that headed goal deep into injury time. So I stayed on and was rewarded for it.

Dzakkeroni's side looked capable of going in front, but all their hard work was undone by three (!) goals from Colombia. The way Colombians play on counter-attacks was just amazing, a blueprint for any team. Jackson Martinez scored twice before James Rodriguez chipped effort found the net.

Late in the game I was surprised at goalie change, when Ospina went off to be replaced by Mandragon, only to then find out Mandragon is a legend in Colombia. He's also set a new record, by becoming  the oldest goalkeeper to feature in the World Cup (he's 43).

In the end, it was 4-1 for Colombia, but I did feel sorry for Japan. They played really well, especially in the second half and didn't deserve to go down in such a manner, but football is cruel sometimes. All the luck to Japan's national team in the future, they have all the ingredients to become successful.

Football was cruel to Ivory Coast either, as they lost 2-1 to Greece, thanks to a last-gasp penalty. A draw would have seen Drogba's team qualify, but, surprisingly, they didn't get it.

Finally, Group D. Costa-Rica drew England (the three lions didn't even score) to finish top of the group, but I opted to watch Italy vs Uruguay, as there was much more riding on this game for both teams.

However, the match was as boring as it gets. Italy, who needed only a draw to qualify, did nothing to show us why they were worthy to play in the last sixteen and were rightly knocked out by a more adventurous Ururguay side. Diego Godin scored the only goal following a corner, but it won't be the footballing part because of which this game will be remembered.

Rather, it will be for three things: insane Balotelli (in the direct meaning of this word), a red card for Marcisio for a very bad foul (studs in the knee) and Suarez stealing the headlines along with a bit of Chiellini's shoulder.

Yes, the Uruguyayan did that weird thing again, namely: he has bitten another player in a game of football.

Last summer I had my reservations about signing Suarez. He's a diver, cheater, has a nasty attitude, he's bitten three people (two at that time), for God's sake. However, Wenger was willing to go an extra mile to sign Suarez and the fact that Liverpool's forward had a marvellous season shows us Arsene had his reasons.

Up to yesterday I thought Suarez wasn't as psychotic as Pepe or Balotelli. I thought "Oh well, maybe Luis was just forcing a transfer both at Ajax and at Liverpool, that's why he did that". But I don't think this way anymore.

FIFA has opened proceedings towards Suarez, and I've heard he can be disqualified for up to two years. It looks like two years of national football and here I go with Shearer, who thinks Suarez should be banned for as long as possible. I'd also get Suarez an appointment with a psychiatrist. Liverpool is, understandably, also not happy and can try to sue Suarez if he's banned by FIFA.

Phew, enough of this for today. Back tomorrow with fresh goodies

Until then, enjoy Group E

Klose edges kloser

Evening everyone.

I suspect it'll be a short one today, as I'm dead on my feet following my last exam. Good news is, it's all finally over and normal service will resume.

Quite a few things happened since Saturday. Argentine did manage to beat Iran thanks to an injury-time wonder-strike from Messi, thus ensuring qualification. Though the Argentines got through to the last sixteen, I sill don't like the way they play. They've been basically saved by Messi twice and any half-decent team will bury them in the play-off. Switzerland, for instance. Despite losing 2-5 to France, they look a likable team.

In another game in Group E, Nigeria has beaten Bosnia and have almost made it out of the group. Even in case they lose to Agentine, four points will likely suffice to go through.

The tedious Argentine game was followed up by probably the best cup match thus far. Both Germany and Ghana started slowly, but the second 45 minutes were flat-out brilliant. The Bundesteam quick passing and unrivalled technique on the ball saw them go ahead, only for Ayew to equalise with a headed effort minutes later.

The africans quickly followed it up with another goal, Gyan making no mistake when clean through and for quite some time it seemed we were in for a shocking result. Especially as the Germans looked dead on their feet, with Ghana making the most of it by creating several more clear-cut chances.

Then Lowe threw on Schweinsteiger and Klose and this changed the dynamic of the match. In the 71st minute, the former won a corner, Kroos crossed (no pun intended) and Klose put it away from close (seriously, no pun) range. The German celebrated the goal which brought him level with all-time leading World Cup goalscorer Ronaldo with a trademark somersault.

The last 20 minutes was fun and open-ended stuff all around. I thought Germany looked a bit sharper and could have probably nicked a win in the dying episodes, but that would also have meant a great injustice towards a hard-working and talented Ghana side, so a draw it was.

I would also like to say a couple of words on Ozil. Though our playmaker hasn't scored, his contribution was telling. I cannot remember one pass he misplaced and his link-up play with Schweinsteiger was what could have cost Ghana a valuable point. Well done, Mesut.

Sunday saw Belgium play Russia and had I not supported my home team, I would have found some other way to while away my time. The game was mind-boggingly tedious, the Belgians only just nicking a win against a rather toothless Fabio Capello's team and so Hazard and Co are through Argentine-style. I don't like the way they played at all and, like it's the case with Argentine, any self-respecting team should make easy work of the Belgians in the play-off.

The loss leaves Russia's hopes hanging in the balance. They will now have to beat Algeria (who dispatched off South Korea with ease) and hope Belgium won't go down to Korea. The latter scenario is highly unlikely to play out, but first we have to get the better of Algeria and it won't be easy. They know a draw should see them though and will fight tooth and nail for it. That being said, they won't have to battle that hard, should our level of performances remain the same. Bottom line is, we have nothing to do in the last sixteen against Germany or USA with a playstyle like that.

Speaking of USA, they nearly pulled off a shocker against Portugal. I didn't see the game, but I know Jurgen Klinsmann's side was mere seconds away from snatching the three points following a wonderful comeback. Porugal was clearly shell-shocked and now they are nearly out. They'll have to defeat Ghana in the last game (no mean feat, since Ghana will themselves be fighting to qualify) and hope like hell that Germany defeats USA. Personally, I think these two will just play out a draw. Germany and USA, I mean. A draw will see both teams qualify, so they may well decide it's best for all parties concerned. Again, I don't think Portugal is capable of anything interesting in the play-off, so just let them go home. We don't want Ronaldo to mess up his haircut, after all.

Finally for today, Chile and the Netherlands have both made it out of the Group B from second and first places respectively. I've seen the game and I wish I didn't. It was as boring as Belgium vs Russia, with Chile hitting the target only once with the first place riding on their win. Holland made the most of their chances and so 2-0 it finished.

It was Spain vs Australia that should have been much more interesting, but I didn't get the chance to see it, as no one cared to broadcast it. Spain have won 3-0, with Villa, Torres and Mata all on the scoresheet. It's a bit of a pity La Furia Roja flies home after this game, especially since Xabi Alonso, Xavi and Villa are all leaving the national team after the tournament.

I also want to give credit to Australia for the way the played. The first two matches were brilliant and it's a shame they haven't got anything out of these. Put your hands together for them anyway. It's the least they deserve.

That's it for today. Don't think I'll watch Brazil vs Cameroon, but I will see Croatia vs Mexico if I can get my hands on a broadcast.

Until later

Giroud shines in France's victory; rumours continue to link us with Balotelli

Evening everyone.

Sorry for such a long break, but the goddamn exams ensured there is little else I can do, apart from eating, sleeping and studying. Good news is they'll be over on Monday and yours truly will be here with you on a regular basis.

Though up to my neck in work, I still managed to watch quite a few games of this rather amazing World Cup, mostly because of the difference in time zones. Had the games unfolded in daytime, I would have been derived of that pleasure.

And this really is a pleasure. I cannot recall when was the last time I could enjoy football without getting all wound up about the result. It was probably two years ago, during the Euro 2012, though I only have vague recollections of that tournament.

This one will, I suspect, be ingrained in my memory for years to come. The first game I watched was Netherlands vs Spain and, as I had an exam early next morning, I had to put quite some effort into convincing myself it won't be a tedious tika-taka affair, and go to bed.

Who would have thought the reigning champions' fall from grace would be that hard? Robben and van Persie just took apart the spanish defence and a rather hapless Casillas and their goals weren't coincidental either. Holland thoroughly deserved the win and, a week later, they showed character to come from behind against a very good Australian side in the most entertaining game of the tournament thus far. Spain, meanwhile, went down to Chile 0-2 and again the opposition was too much for La Furia Roja to handle. When Cazorla, who came on for mere 20 minutes, is your most dangerous and productive player, questions need to be asked. I'm not, of course, trying to play down his importance, it's just that Spain has won three major tournaments in a row with Santi watching from the bench.

Another hugely enjoyable group is the group of death. Everyone thought Italy and England should go through, instead Costa-Rica stunned everyone by beating first Uruguay (didn't see that game) and then earning three points against a toothless Italy, who only had 2-3 clear-cut moments for the entire game. This leaves England out (Suarez sinking their ship almost single-handedly) and Italy's hopes hanging by a thread. Should they lose to a rampaging Uruguay side with Suarez in it, Cesare Prandelli's side will share a plane with England on their way home.

There's one more very interesting group I haven't mentioned, the one with Germany, Portugal, Ghana and USA. I was only able to watch the thrashing of Ronaldo's team (I'll rectify that today. Not the thrashing, the watching thing) and, frankly, Portugal got what they deserved. An off-the-pace Ronaldo, combined with crazy Pepe and brilliant Muller all added up to a very harsh scoreline. The Germans were disciplined and quick, while Portugal was sluggish even before the sent-off. In the other game, USA came from behind to beat Ghana, so I think we are in for a very good game later today.

In other groups, bits and pieces were interesting. I really liked the way Colombia played, first beating Greece, than (deservedly so) overcoming rather weak resistance from the Ivory Coast (which included a surprisingly good Gervinho) and the Colombians will join Costa-Rica, Greece and Chile in the play-off round. Oh, and France.

Truth be told, I didn't know Didier Deschamps side was capable of what they've pulled off. While there's nothing tricky in beating a ten-man Honduras, Switzerland was another story altogether. And yet France swept them aside in a ruthless fashion. Giroud (who was only a late sub against Honduras) opened the scoring with a brilliant header and then assissted Mathieu Valbuena with an inch-perfect pass following a quick break on the counter. Olivier was taken off around the hour mark, but to me the substitution looked purely tactical. The Frenchman had a busy season with us, no need to overplay him if the situation allows it.

Talking about other teams, few were interesting. Belgium only just got the three points against a hard-working (in defence only) Algeria, Brazil is far from spectacular and has only won the first game because of that penalty, while Argentine, pfffff. Easily the most tedious group possible. Argentine is taking on Iran right now and guess what the scoreline is? 0-0.

From an Arsenal point of view, little is happening, as everyone is glued to this majestic World Cup. However, even with the the biggest international tournament on the cards, we're still being continuously linked with Balotelli. And I don't like the sound of it.

It may all be speculation (I sincerely hope it is), but bottom line is, I don't want this guy on the team. Pure and simple. I had my reservations about Suarez last summer (Wenger proved me wrong by going all-out to acquire Luis. Well, technically, it was 30+ goals from Suarez that did), but Balotelli is a different matter entirely.

Suarez may throw a tantrum or two, but it's the exception, with Mario it's the norm. He's just not right in the head, and I don't want to see him dismantle the team Arsene has put so much work into. He may be three times better than Suarez (which he's not) and I still wouldn't want him to put on an Arsenal shirt. Whenever someone tells me about Balotelli's antics, I keep coming back to that story Mourinho told about the red card. When Balotelli got booked during the first half, Mourinho spent the entire break convincing Mario not to do anything stupid as he had no one to substitute him with and guess what Balotelli did? He got that second yellow 60 seconds into the second half. If Mourinho failed to put that psycho in his place, I doubt Wenger, who uses different tactics entirely, will do that.

That's it. I'll be back on Monday with fresh news from this World Cup. Promise.

Until then, have yourselves a good weekend