Telling it like it is! tag:www.arsenalgrouch.co.uk,2008-09-02:/archives/1 Copyright (c) http://www.arsenalgrouch.co.uk/blog 2008-09-02T10:34:45+00:00 2008-09-02T10:28:32+00:00 2008-09-02T10:34:45+00:00 tag:www.arsenalgrouch.co.uk,2008-09-02:/archives/1/94
There are fewer players in defence, midfield and attack, with experience clearly lacking.

I've been thinking about the need for a defensive midfielder, but having had a look at the table, I think that it's clear that the defence is more worrying!

Injuries or suspensions to any 3 of the 6 defenders at the same time leaves only 3 recognised defenders!

This is the type of situation that could end up with Diaby or Eboue playing in central defence.

2005-2006 ATTACK Adebayor Aliadiere Bendtner Bergkamp Henry Van Persie	2008 ATTACK Adebayor Vela Bendtner Eduardo Van Persie
MIDFIELD Walcott Reyes Song Pires Owusu-Abeyie Ljungberg Larsson Hleb Gilberto Fabregas Flamini Diaby Bentley	MIDFIELD Walcott Song Fàbregas Diaby Denílson Ramsey Eboué Rosický Nasri Bischoff Wilshere
DEFENCE Campbell Clichy Cole Cygan Djourou Eboue Hoyte Lauren Senderos Toure	DEFENCE Sagna Touré Gallas Silvestre Djourou Clichy
KEEPERS Almunia Lehmann Poom	Kevin http://www.arsenalgrouch.co.uk/blog/profile.php?id=1 2008-04-16T08:18:26+00:00 2008-09-02T10:34:45+00:00 tag:www.arsenalgrouch.co.uk,2008-09-02:/archives/1/93 Alan smith. Yes, Alan smith, the two time First Division top scorer who was only ever booked once in his entire career, which included moments such as getting the winning goal in the Cup Winners Cup Final against Parma and scoring against Liverpool in the famous 0-2 win at Anfield. He was a striker suited to the kick and rush, boring, boring longball football that was the essence of the english top flight during the late 80's. He was good in the air and good on the ground. A sort of a C.Ronaldo of his time, but with a bit less pace, not much of the attitude and absolutely none of the flair. Alan Smith was an Arsenal striker. The fans loved him and he delivered what he was asked. His style fit the style of the team and he finished his career with the Gunners having won a Double and a European trophy. But who could replace such a big player for Arsenal? Who could come in and to the difficult job of getting the goals and pushing the likes of Liverpool for the FIrst Division Championship? In the end Arsenal turned to a player named... Ian Wright. The electric pace. The sharp shooter accuracy. The goals game after game after game. Wright pretty much wore his heart on his sleeve, and was known for even celebrating his training ground goals. Not only was he an Arsenal player, but he was one of Arsenal's biggest fans. His goal celebrations and hyperactive character won supporters over from almost the first time he stepped onto the pitch in an Arsenal shirt. Big moments in his career include breaking the clubs goal scoring record and being pa ..]]> Kevin http://www.arsenalgrouch.co.uk/blog/profile.php?id=1 2008-04-07T09:15:39+00:00 2008-09-02T10:34:45+00:00 tag:www.arsenalgrouch.co.uk,2008-09-02:/archives/1/92 Kevin http://www.arsenalgrouch.co.uk/blog/profile.php?id=1 2008-02-25T09:38:08+00:00 2008-09-02T10:34:45+00:00 tag:www.arsenalgrouch.co.uk,2008-09-02:/archives/1/91 Kevin http://www.arsenalgrouch.co.uk/blog/profile.php?id=1 2008-01-24T10:15:32+00:00 2008-09-02T10:34:45+00:00 tag:www.arsenalgrouch.co.uk,2008-09-02:/archives/1/90 Kevin http://www.arsenalgrouch.co.uk/blog/profile.php?id=1 2008-01-07T12:58:44+00:00 2008-09-02T10:34:45+00:00 tag:www.arsenalgrouch.co.uk,2008-09-02:/archives/1/89 Arsenal can't win the Champions League - Ancelotti Last updated at 12:05pm on 14th November 2007 Carlo Ancelotti has claimed Arsenal do not have the experience needed to win this season's Champions League. "Arsenal play well and they are getting excellent results, but the Champions League is decided in spring," Ancelotti, who led Milan to victory in the competition last season and in 2003, told the La Gazzetta dello Sport. Carlo Ancelotti has questioned whether Arsenal can handle it when the going gets tough "Arsenal had lots of young, enthusiastic players but experience was crucial when the competition headed into its latter stages, he added. "It's necessary to know how to handle the pressure and tension in the best way. I don't know if they are trained for this." Ancelotti said his team were the second strongest in the Champions League behind Barcelona. _______________________________________________________________ ]]> Kevin http://www.arsenalgrouch.co.uk/blog/profile.php?id=1 2007-12-26T21:57:12+00:00 2008-09-02T10:34:45+00:00 tag:www.arsenalgrouch.co.uk,2008-09-02:/archives/1/88 Kevin http://www.arsenalgrouch.co.uk/blog/profile.php?id=1 2006-09-15T09:25:13+00:00 2008-09-02T10:34:45+00:00 tag:www.arsenalgrouch.co.uk,2008-09-02:/archives/1/86 "At first it was on my mind to shoot straight away. I just had a first touch and passed the keeper. There was a little bit of contact, but it was never my intention to dive. I am not like that and I think it is bad for the game." Rosicky's goal wasn't a Typical Arsenal goal by any means. Rosicky is the antithesis of Hleb. He shoots on sight. Not so Hleb, who might look for a pass if he was on the six yard line with an open goal. As far as I'm concerned, Hleb has become the most error prone mamber of the ..]]> Kevin http://www.arsenalgrouch.co.uk/blog/profile.php?id=1 2006-09-11T10:02:15+00:00 2008-09-02T10:34:45+00:00 tag:www.arsenalgrouch.co.uk,2008-09-02:/archives/1/85 "The club made Thierry feel wanted and special, wooing him... ...But me? I didn't have one dinner, one meeting or one phone call from anyone." ...and... "Thierry and I sat in the centre circle after the final whistle, his name was sung from the rooftops while my contribution was recognised by a deafening silence." ...are so far past pathetic, that they border on ludicrous. Why would anyone waste their breath singing his name?? What did he do for the club in the whole season that was so special?? Did he score loads of goals?? No... but Thierry did. Did he make loads of assists?? No... but Thierry did. Did he play in almost every game, even when he wasn't fit?? No... but Thierry did. I suppose this is what happens when a person joins a football club from the age of 9. Living in a fantasy world a lot of people only ever dream of, some of them clearly don't seem to see the need to actually grow up. Honestly! It's like a younger sibling wanting to run away from home because his big brother got more jelly and ice cream for pudding! oooooohhh.... they don't love me like they should..... 'whimper', 'whimper'... What!? Even after you went off and met Mourinho, then faked injury for the rest of the season?? Ah... the faked injury... Yes, Ashley has something to say about that too (showing what a 'tough guy' he is in the process, oh yes! ) after being asked if he really was injured: "'That was it. I blew my lid. `What!' I shouted, barely able to keep a lid on it,[oh Ashley, you're so hard!] `I need to play for Arsenal to go to the World Cup, so why would I hold back? The more I hold back, the less chance I've got of going to Germany! And you are insulting me'.'" Prat. Yes Ashley, why on earth would anyone doubt your commi ..]]> Kevin http://www.arsenalgrouch.co.uk/blog/profile.php?id=1 2006-09-05T09:09:11+00:00 2008-09-02T10:34:45+00:00 tag:www.arsenalgrouch.co.uk,2008-09-02:/archives/1/84 REALLY get. Quite how they continue to defend their actions and present a laughable image of good character is way beyond me. One of the most staggering things about the comedy statement, which calls Gallas some sort of twisted money hungry Chelsea hater, (even though he was consistently one of their best players for 5 years) is that they seem to be under the impression that people would sympathise with them and their claims. But they're the ones who've just bought a player who turned his back on his boyhood club over £5000 a week. Have they not done enough?? Have they not been criticised from all quarters enough? Fined enough? Officially warned by the FA enough? Officially warned by UEFA enough? They lie, force referees into retirement, openly tap up players, break the rules, ruin young players' careers, spoil the game with ridiculous wages and transfer fees for squad players, then even after all of that, they want to convince everyone that they have a good image. Gallas isn't the only one who wanted to leave Chelsea in the summer. Their problem is that if they let all of their unhappy players leave, they'd probably have to buy a new team every season. Come on Chelsea, show some class. ]]> Kevin http://www.arsenalgrouch.co.uk/blog/profile.php?id=1