Tuesday, July 23, 2013

HOPE YOU ARE ENJOYING THE SUMMER GOONERS.

HEY GOONERS, HOPE YOU ARE ENJOYING THE SUMMER.

The summer transfer window was officially opened on 1st July and will close on the 31st of August, when you look at that period you may say that we still have time but that might not be the case.
We need quality players just like any other big ambitious club but the more we delay the more we lose out on them, to talk about a few, there is Jovetic who we were heavily linked with but now Man City has already done the deal and he will be rallying against us, Higuain is on the verge of a move to Napoli, after the sell of Cavanni to PSG they have a vacancy to fill and the money to help them so anything can happen. The point is the more we delay the more we lose out.

 Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis alongside Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
 Men running things, Arsene Wenger and Ivan Garzidis

To some gooners its hard to fathom why the delay but to some its not, reports have always claimed that we have £70m to spend on the strengthening of the squad which we haven't done up to now, the club CEO Ivan Garzidis also said we can compete with the big clubs now money-wise but it has all remained just mere talk. To those who know the frugality and haggling of the club its not a surprise that we only have; Yaya Sanogo, Daniel Crowley, Julio Pleguezuelo and Jamaal Raage who we all nearly got for free because we paid just small compensations. Of the four, only Sanogo will be in the first team without an immediate impact on the title charge others will go to the U-21s.
With the oligarch's invading the game it is becoming increasingly difficult for us to claim silverware like we did nearly a decade ago, Abramovich started it at Chelsea now it has spread to Man City, PSG and Monaco, it is all about money now that's why Man City and PSG are Champions, Chelsea won the UCL and Monaco may also do it soon.

Arsenal's no show in transfer business is frustrating most especially if you see our rivals like Chelsea and City strengthening despite finishing ahead of us last season. That frustration led to some gooners losing faith in Arsene and the Board then called on Usmanov to save the situation but up to now we are still in the same situation and only the board knows when it will end.

We have managed to reduce on the squad by selling some fringe players, like Mannone to Sunderland and some have gone for free like Santos to Flamingo and others loaned out like Coquelin and Djuorou to German clubs, that's a good gesture if they are to be replaced with quality players. A host of U-21s where also released by the club.
We need 'that' signing(s) to increase the title-winning morale in the team but whether it will be made its down to Arsene and the board.

In conclusion, we all hope the club shall sign atleast two quality players but do not hold your breath, its Arsene and Ivan running things and if you do not know them, they do things their own way you may wait and wait in vain but hope they will surprise us and do something special this time........
Hold you breath at you own risk!!!

Till then, like and follow please, comments are most welcome
Thanx for reading.

Monday, July 22, 2013

ARSENAL PRE-SEASON GAMES SO FAR.

ARSENAL PRE-SEASON GAMES SO FAR.

Dear gooners,

We have played 3 pre seaosn games so far scored 7:0, 7:1 and 3:1 against The Indonesia Dream Team, Vietnam and Nagoya Grampus of Japan's J League respectively. I believe our boys have got a nice work out in the humid warm climate of Tropical Asia but on a sad note we have got some injures to goalkeeper Wojeich Szczesny (back) and Laurent Koscielny (Ankle).

 http://www.arsenal.com/assets/_files/desktops/jul_13/gun__1374137997_3.jpg

Despite the goals we have had some really nice moments to relish: We have managed to score 17 goals, regardless of the opposition a goal is a goal and that's why our players celebrate, its gives that good confidence to the players and start feeling 'yeah we can do it' and to strikers like Giroud who has manged to bag 6 in 3 games it so important to keep scoring.

The boss has been able to see where we are short and hope he will add some players there like in the central defense where Sagna has been called on to play due to injuries to Kos and Vermaelen meaning Per is the only formidable remaining, we also need a striker, Poldi has been barely played there and when Giroud goes off we put there Chuba Akpom, we cant rely on Chuba, Sanogo or Campbell in case Giroud is out.

The youngster have been given a chance to claim a first team places most notably being Gedion Zelalem who I don't want to dwell on due to the more than enough hype surrounding him despite being on 16, he has shown great potential, others being: Damien Martinez, Chuks Aneke, Thomas Eisfeld, Sergi Gnabry, Ryo Miyaichi, Kris Olsson and Chuba Akpom. They have all impressed whenever given a chance.

Aaron Ramsey has continued with his rise to becoming a fans' favorite by bossing the midfield linking up play well nearly claiming his best form and fully gaining back confidence after his leg break sometime back, Wilshere is also getting some minutes in his first pre season in around 2 seasons which will help us starting the season in full throttle of-course we all know how we need him.

Santi Carzola and Nacho Monreal are away due to an extended break after the Confederations cup cameo with Spain but they will be joining soon.
Youngster who has just signed a long term contract with the club Hector Bellerin is also away with the Spain U-19 team playing European Championships, Yaya Sanogo is also away after winning the U-20 World Cup with France so he is still on holiday. Hope they will join very soon to enhance the new season preparations.

Next is Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan on Friday 26 at 1130 GMT. Hope to continue firing.

Till then, like and follow, comments welcome.

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

CAZORLA TO ATLETICO MADRID? NO MARCA!

CAZORLA TO ATLETICO MADRID? NO MARCA!

One of Spain's most respected news outlets Marca reported on Wednesday that our player of the season 28-year-old Santi Cazorla has agreed terms with Atletico Madrid and it is now remaining with the clubs to negotiate a fee for the diminutive play maker.

 Santi Cazorla
 Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla linked to Atletico Madrid

The bid was said to be in the region of £17.5m and it is understood that Atleti have a lot of transfer kitty after trading their top marksman Radamel Falcao to Monaco for a reported fee of £50m and replaced him with David Villa from Barcelona who was unveiled recently, they went on to say that Atleti are highly interested in Cazorla and their Chairman Miguel Angel Gil is already in London to negotiate the deal.


However, according to the Independent, Arsenal has issued a hands-off warning to Atleti and told them Cazorla is not for sale at any price.
Cazorla recently on leave after a spell with Spain in the just concluded Confederation cup the reason as to why he is not with us on the Asian tour plus his compatriot Nacho Monreal has not said a thing about the rumour.


Some reports quoted Atletico Madrid President saying 'We have no news of Cazorla,they are inventions that occur every day.' Marca, why would you do such a thing?
Some sources believe may be its the agent of Cazorla who made it up in order for his client to get a pay rise at Arsenal.


Since the departure of Vieira in 2005 after the FA Cup triumph it has been a trend at Arsenal to lose our best players to other big clubs either for money, trophies or footballing reasons as the manager states it until to the latest departure of Robin Van Persie to Man United.

Our rivals, United, City and Chelsea have gone through managerial changes and its the best time for us to end the 8-year trophy-less run. One of the way we can do it is to keep the squad we have and if possible add atleast 2 quality players who can improve the team not youngsters to learn on the job.
My best buys would be a defensive a midfielder and a striker, I cant mention the names because you all know how Arsene does his business.

If we happen to lose one of our best players this summer then we shall move backward and next season will be dry too, I believe the manager knows we have suffered enough and cant let this happen again this summer, it will make our status as a big ambitious club questionable once again and increase pressure on the management.

Like and follow, comments welcome.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

GEDION ZELALEM, THE NEW DAWN AT ARSENAL.

IN GEDION ZELALEM WE HAVE FABREGAS AND VIEIRA COMBINED.


Well its not a good things usually to praise youngster but there are some you see and just cant do without it, when you see 20-year-old Bernard of Atletico MG and Brazil playing, you say what a talent, it just comes involuntarily.
Now here comes our own Zelalem, spotted in the US by our scouting network the Germany U-16 international of Ethiopian descent in not a usual 16-year-old.



http://www.ethiosports.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Gedion-Zelalem-Arsenal1.jpg
Zelalem playing for the U-21 last season.
 
He has just turned 16 and granted to play for Arsenal towards the end of last season he played some games for the under 21s making his impressive debut against Liverpool U-21s.
Here are some interesting facts about tihs talented lad;
He was training with the club before turning 16 and was the best in a fitness workout given to them by the fitness coaches including first team players.
When fellow youngster Sergi Gnabry 18, was asked who is the most talented among them all he said Zelalem despite being only 15 by then.
The manager on several occasions has invited him to train with the first team despite being too young and it was no surprise naming him in the party to Asia.
As fellow first year scholars Daniel Crowley and Jamaal Raage were making U-21 debuts he was with the first team making his first team debut and never disappointed with a commanding display after coming on as a second half substitute.

Zelalem has the qualities of Vieira and Fabregas combined, he can pick up the game from deep in the midfield and deliver that killer pass to the strikers to do what they can do best. He can locate teammates with a lot of ease and has superb game reading despite being 16 with a lot of time to improve.
We hope he develops to his full potential and give the best to the team in future, all factors remaining constant and according to what we have seen Gedion Zelalem will be our new Cesc Fabregas and/or Patrick Vieira.

Love you all, like and follow please.

YOUNGSTERS CRISIS STILL ON AT ARSENAL.

YOUNGSTERS CRISIS STILL ON AT ARSENAL DESPITE MASSIVE EXODUS IN THE SUMMER.


Dear Gooners,

Of recent the club released more than 10 youngsters who were not in the future plans of the manager but it seems the club still has a lot of youngsters of which their future is not known. 
Lets put our focus on the strikers following the good news that Costa Rican youngster who has scored 7 goals in 25 caps for Costa Rica Joel Campbell got his long awaited work permit so now he is eligible to play for the club in the Premier League. 

 Joel Campbell in action for Costa Rica
 Campbell celebrate a goal for Costa Rica (Arsenal.com)
He signed for the club two years ago then he was loaned straight away to Lorient in the Ligue 1 and last season he spent a Loan spell at Real Betis in the La Liga who are keen to retain him but reports said Arsenal is pricing them out, he has now got a work permit and what next for him?He might be subject to another loan spell and I would like it to be in the premier league with news saying newcomers Crystal palace are interested in him after the departure of Wilfred Zaha to Man United.

The Club of recent completed the singing of French U-20 world champion Yaya Sanogo from Auxerre on a free transfer, there is an injured Benik Afobe whose chances of staying at the club are waning dramatically, now Joel Campbell and the ever rising 18-year-old Chuba Akpom who scored on his first team outing against the Indonesia Dream Team (IDT) after becoming the first choice striker for the U-21s last season.

There are many other highly talented youngsters at the club as some of you saw them against IDT; Chuks Aneke, Sergi Gnabry, Tomas Eisfield, Kris Olsson and 16-year-old Gideon Zelalem.Competition looks to be tough and whoever will make it among them to stay at the club for longer period will be the winner based on hardwork and the manager's decision but all the boys are talented without a doubt.

Till then, love you all!
Like and follow please, comments are welcome.

Sunday, July 7, 2013

SANOGO AGAIN! SANO-GOAL?

SANOGO AGAIN! SANO-GOAL?

New young Arsenal striker Yaya Sanogo continued his scoring form by netting one of France's 4 goals as they went on to beat minnows Uzbekistan 4-0 to qualify for the Semifinals in the on-going FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey. Sanogo Will wear shirt 22 at Arsenal which was worn by now Arsenal loanee Coquelin.
Sanogo and Diaby handed new squad numbers
Sanogo (20) overcame an injury scare surfered in training which made him doubtful.
He now has 4 goals in 5 games trailing tournament top scorer Bruma of Portugal and Jesse of Spain by 1 in the race for the golden boot.
Like and follow. #COYG

Thursday, July 4, 2013

BELLERIN SIGNS LONG TERM DEAL, DO WE NEED A NEW RIGHT-BACK AT ARSENAL?


DO WE NEED A NEW RIGHT-BACK AT ARSENAL?

Dear Gooners,
Our young 18-year-old right-back Hector Bellerin signed a long term contract as the club announced. Long term contracts are usually not less than 3 years so I suspect the young Spaniard signed 4 or 5 years.
Signed from Barcelona in 2001 after going through their famous La Masia academy with fellow compatriot Jon Toral Harper, the young lad has been showing great potential at the club and has developed more. He showed it in the Next-Gen tournament, made the manager name him in two of the League cup fixtures last season against Reading and Coventry and now he is with the Spain U-19 team at the European Championships in Lithuania.
Now we have 3 right-backs in Sagna (30) who has one year remaining on his contract and still a vital member of the team, Carl Jenkinson (21) who deputised for the former at the beginning of the season and performed superbly which made him get rewarded with  an England cap by Manager Roy Hodgson and the young Hector Bellerin (18) who is a special talent with flair.
Sagna, Jenkinson and Bellerin current Arsenal right-backs.
Sagna has not signed a new contract despite remaining with one year on his current deal and he is 30, we all know how Arsene behaves with 30-year-olds, he may not give him a two year contract and may leave either this or next summer or hand him a new contract like it is with Tomas Rosicky.
Jenkinson while playing at the start of last season showed us that he is ready but Sagna's seniority could not be undermined so he retained his place and now being a full international gives Carl an extra confidence that he can do it. Playing for Arsenal is his Passion without a doubt.
Bellerin is more talented of them all, he is a complete modern right-back who balances well defence and attack and more comfortable with the ball. When he goes in attack he can create a lot of problems for the opponents like you see Dani Alves and starting his career as a midfielder helps him but he is still young at 18 so not yet ready.
In my opinion we do not need to buy a right back, we should keep Sagna for atleast 2 years then he will pass on to Jenkinson who will be without a doubt ready, all factors remaining constant then Bellerin will deputise for Jenkinson and that position will be sorted.
Till then, like and follow, comments also welcome.

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

SANOGO DOES IT AGAIN!!!

SANOGO DOES IT AGAIN


Arsenal new boy Yaya Sanogo (20) continued his scoring exploits as he scored for the French U-20 side in the under 20 FIFA world cup being staged in Turkey. He now has 3 goals in 4 games and his team has progressed to the quarter finals after beating the host nation Turkey 4-1, another Arsenal target now playing for Seville Geoffrey Kadongbia also scored.

Yaya Sanogo of France celebrates after scoring a goal against Turkey during their round of 16 football match at the FIFA Under 20 World Cup at the Kamil Ocak stadium in Gaziantep on July 2, 2013. (AFP)

The French will go on to play Uzbekistan in the quarter finals who eliminated Greece 3-1.
Sanogo now has 3 goals and one assist, 2 behind Portugal's Bruma who has scored 5 in 3 matches in the race for the golden boot.

Here is the video for the goal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=In9LaMgA8cQ#t=0s

Monday, July 1, 2013

SANOGO IN THE BAG. WHO IS NEXT?


CLUB COMPLETES SIGNING OF YAYA SANOGO ON A FREE FROM AUXERRE.


Arsenal on monday the first day of the summer transfer window announced the signing of French U-20 international from Auxerre.
Sanogo (20), refused to renew his contract at Auxerre and shunned interest from former French Champions Lille in order to make his dream move to Arsenal and declared earlier in the summer that he will be joining Arsenal when the transfer window officially opens. Arsene Wenger also confessed that the deal was in advanced stage earlier before.

Target man: Sanogo has built an excellent reputation for himself in France
Sanogo Playing for France in the U-20 world cup in Turkey.

Sanogo nearly quit football at a tender age of 16 due to injuries but later a miracle (as he called it) happened and he got healed then put his career back on track.
He is currently playing for the French U-20 World Cup team in Turkey where he has managed to score 2 in 3 matches and helped his team progress to the knockout stage.
At Auxerre, (where we got Sagna and Diaby) he managed to score 11 goals in 24 appearance which mainly forced our scouting network in France led by former player Giles Grimandi to recommend him.

Here is what the manager said about him after his deal was confirmed on Arsenal.com:
“Sanogo is a good young signing for us.
“He has shown that he has potential with his recent performances for Auxerre and also for the France Under-20 side.
“We are looking forward to Yaya joining us and continuing his promising development.”

He is a good young signing who has shown potential so he for the future not now and obviously do not expect him to play a big role in ending our trophy drought and we should pray he doesn't get crocked due to his poor injury record to progress well with his development at the club.

The competition in today's football world makes it hard for young lads to break through with examples of: Giles Sunnu, Fran Merida, Luke Freeman, Aturo Lupoli, Jay Simpson and other due to lack of playing time to develop at big clubs like Arsenal because managers play their best teams as they yearn for silverware but lets hope he develops and become like Fabregas, Wilshere, Van Persie, Song, Walcott who managed to break through and be a vital member of the squad in 3 or 4 years.

Till then, like and follow, comments are also welcome.

MONDAY 1ST JULY 2013: TRANSFER WINDOW OFFICIALLY OPENED!


ARSENAL £19.7m BENDER BID DISMISSED BY BAYER LEVERKUSEN.


Dear Gooners, hope all of you are in a perfect condition bleeding Red & White as always.

I will start with some discouraging news that our 19.7m bid for German international midfielder Lars Bender (24) has been dismissed by his club Bayer Leverkusen and later skysports reported on of their club officials saying he has a contract until 2017 so he will not leave this summer at any price.

Hi-res-146484062_crop_north
Lars Bender playing for Germany.

We are faced with a very difficult summer, you may call it a 'do or die' summer if you like where we have to strengthen due to the intense and ever increasing competition in the Premier League. Majority agree that current champions Man United, Man City and Chelsea are better than us on paper, besides that Chelsea have already added players as well as Man City, Liverpool has also added some player who can not weaken but strengthen them plus Spurs who are not so far away from us and have been improving over the years to an extent of threatening our top 4 status.

Some gooners said when we failed to land players in the January window bar Monreal that all players who moved where not Arsenal quality, I remember arguing with one gooner from South Africa on twitter. I do not believe that at all because you make players move, even if they fancy playing for you, you have to show interest in them and they will do. We are not that attractive club that we used to be before 2007 as the departures of our stars have exhibited in recent years.
Vieira,Henry, Fabregas, Nasri, Van Persie left us not because they did not want to play for us but they went to achieve something and have achieved, isnt it?

The bottom line is that we shall not reclaim our status (Big club) on a cheap, you cannot get a certain Patrick Vieira nowadays at £4m even if he is 20 years old, you can take an example of Kadongbia of Seville go with £4m and see whether you will get him, never.
The socialist wages we pay are also a very big obstacle to us winning again, not that players are money-minded but that is where the game has gone oligarchs have come  in and now money is the game changer, look at City they celebrated of recent and now are bigger than us but just because of money.
I understand that is not the Arsenal way but we have to live the real world if we are to win again. Many want the ideal world but I ask you a question, Shall we win again with it?

Over the barren seasons (2006 to date) we have built a great financial base and signed awesome deals, this is the right time to tap into our reserves and buy quality players earlier, make them get full pre-season training and gel well with the rest of the lads then by the start of the season we are good to go.
In my opinion, we need: an experienced goalkeeper, defensive midfielder and a striker if we do not get any departures apart form the so-called dead wood. (Begovic, Capoue and Higuain preferably)

The more Arsene and the board spend on quality players to strengthen the squad the earlier we shall get back to the winning ways and viseverser.

You are free to comment and give you opinion.

Till then, do not forget to like and follow.