tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30364537413465933852024-03-12T22:52:49.716-04:00One Club on BoylstonAnalysis, opinion, and other musings from the Boston Gooners, the official <a href="http://www.arsenal.com">Arsenal FC</a> supporters group in Boston, Massachusetts. All posts reflect the viewpoint of their author unless signed by the group.Boston Goonershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10573814540107955990noreply@blogger.comBlogger114125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3036453741346593385.post-43505539742365560522015-05-25T10:58:00.000-04:002015-06-21T11:03:19.017-04:00Boston Gooners' 2014/15 EPL Team of the Season<p><i>Sorry for the delayed post. Here at OCoB Manor things have been hectic; Mrs OCoB gave birth the day after the FA Cup Final, so I've been too busy to post the results until now. Time restraints mean I haven't had a chance to write anything about each player voted to the team, so the results are presented below without any analysis.</i></p><iframe frameborder="0" height="500" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://lineupbuilder.com/350x500/?p=11&a=1&t=&c=dc0000&1=GK_De%20Gea__388_174&2=DL_Monreal__317_64&3=DCL_Koscielny__327_138&4=DCR_Terry__327_211&5=DR_Clyne__317_284&6=DML_Matic__240_138&7=MC_Fabregas__220_211&8=AL_Hazard__139_55&9=AC_Cazorla__151_174&10=AR_Alexis__139_296&11=FCA_Ag%FCero__80_174&c2=ffffff&c3=ffffff&output=embed" width="350"></iframe><br />
<p><i>OCoB's committee of one voted for the following players: Courtois; Clyne, Fonte, Terry, Bertrand; Coquelin, Matic; Alexis, Coutinho, Hazard, Kane; Manager: Ronald Koeman</i></p>Sam Burgesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10890534399946515952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3036453741346593385.post-13174579264129300062015-04-28T12:10:00.000-04:002015-04-28T12:11:03.082-04:00Boston Gooners 2014/15 Premier League Team of the SeasonAfter last year's <strike>moderately</strike> highly successful survey, the committee of one at OCoB HQ decided to launch another vote for the highly prestigious, well sought after award that is the Boston Gooners Team of the Season.<br />
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Voting this year will involve naming 1 goalkeeper, 4 defenders (2 CBs, RB, LB), 4 midfielders (of any variety - DM, CM, RW etc), 1 midfielder/forward and 1 forward. The aim is to fit the players with the most votes in to either a 4-4-2, 4-3-3. or 4-2-3-1 formation. To clear any confusion, when we mention forward, we mean a player like Danny Ings. In this vote, a player like Alexis Sanchez will count as a midfielder, as he started the majority of his games on the wing.<br />
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Remember: this is a vote for the<i> Premier League </i>team of the season; not just Arsenal players. That would be way too easy to name. It's our current starting XI. It would also be really boring.<br />
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Fill out the form below to submit your votes. Results will hopefully be posted just before the final match of the season; if not, the aim is to announce the BG TotS before the FA Cup Final.<br />
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<iframe src="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1w-RdMjT4iZsO1t8H_DBl2P3LW3S31uf9ZN-SZwN3cPo/viewform?embedded=true" width="600" height="500" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0">Loading...</iframe>Sam Burgesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10890534399946515952noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3036453741346593385.post-85015017746950728032015-01-08T10:07:00.003-05:002015-01-08T10:07:53.273-05:00January 2015 Transfer Window Primer<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With the turning of the year, soccer fans will be assaulted by a month of non-stop transfer rumors, culminating in the (in)famous Transfer Deadline Day, a favorite of Sky Sports and probably the third- or fourth-biggest event of the soccer season (for better or worse [definitely worse]). Arsène Wenger has recently stated his intent to strengthen the midfield this January - somewhat of a break from tradition - which is a clear need after virtually every senior midfielder has been injured at some point this season, but many fans will be clamoring for at least one player for defensive cover. With that in mind, here's a brief look at some of the players that have regularly been linked with a move to the Emirates.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Morgan Schneiderlin </b>(Age: 25; Position: C/DM; Club: Southampton, Apps: 245; Nation: France, Caps: 7)</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Comparison courtesy of <a href="http://www.squawka.com/comparison-matrix#premier_league/2014/2015/morgan_schneiderlin/126/126/724/0/p|champions_league/2014/2015/william_carvalho/142/142/12800/0/p#interceptions/tackles_won/total_duels_%/pass_completion#90" target="_blank">Squawka</a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The French midfielder has been heavily linked with a move away from St Mary's, having been with the Saints since 2008. After the South Coast club sold a raft of first-team last summer, Schneiderlin publicly demanded a transfer, but seemingly backed down and helped guide his club to the top 4 of the Premier League before injury struck. A fee of around £25m may be required to convince Southampton to sell, and according to most recent rumors, a summer move is much more likely. Schneiderlin has featured highly on the transfer shortlists of many Arsenal fans, and the Gunner will likely face competition from Sp*rs for the Frenchman's signature. The Southampton man's experience in the Premier League would make him more of an appealing option than other linked players, and at the age of 25 should be approaching his playing peak soon.</span><br />
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<b>William Carvalho</b> (22; CDM; Sporting CP, 55 apps; Portugal, 11 caps)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The young Portuguese midfielder has been highly touted since bursting on to the scene a few years ago. Seemingly every transfer window has plenty of rumors linking Carvalho with a move from Portugal, but so far nothing has transpired. He is another player whom a large number of Gooners would like to see in the red and white of Arsenal, and on paper looks like a perfect fit to sit in front of the back five. Carvalho and Schneiderlin have similar per-90 minute stats (as you can see in the image to the right), though Schneiderlin wins more tackles per 90, his success rate is slightly lower than Carvalho's. A fee of around £20m is being reported, and the Gunners would likely face competition from Manchester United and Chelsea.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Moussa Sissoko </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(25; CM; Newcastle United, 78 apps; France, 27 caps)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rumors linking the French midfielder with a move to North London have increased over the last month or so. While he isn’t the defensive midfielder fans are screaming for, Sissoko can add a bit of bite in the middle of the park, but is probably better known for his attacking instincts - so don’t be surprised if the midfielder Arsène has been talking about turns out to be the Newcastle player. Sissoko has shown a keen eye for goal, and is taller than most of Arsenal’s current midfield (not sure if that helps). PSG are showing interest in Sissoko, and are hoping to seal a part-exchange deal with the Magpies by sending Yohan Cabaye back to St James’ Park. A fee of around £20-25m may be required for a straight-up deal to be completed.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Comparison courtesy of <a href="http://www.squawka.com/comparison-matrix#premier_league/2014/2015/winston_reid/126/126/905/0/p|europa_league/2014/2015/virgil_van_dijk/143/143/9297/0/p|ligue_1/2014/2015/loic_perrin/118/118/1404/0/p|championship/2014/2015/tyrone_mings/127/127/10566/0/p#defence_score/interceptions/blocks/tackles_won/total_duels_%#90" target="_blank">Squawka</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Winston Reid </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(26; C/RB; West Ham United, 245 apps; New Zealand, 18 caps)</span></span></div>
<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Reid has been heavily linked with a move away from the Boleyn Ground, with his manager Sam Allardyce conceding that the Kiwi defender has "no future" at the club. According to reports, when Reid first arrived at Upton Park, the locals weren't impressed, but over the last 4½ years he has become one of the Hammer's key players and has made 125 appearances for the East London club. Reid's contract expires this summer, so he is able to discuss terms with foreign clubs under the Bosman ruling, so should Wenger want to sign him now to avoid missing out, a fee of £3m is reported as the price of doing business in January. Reid would provide flexibility at the back and with his Premier League experience would be a perfect 3rd-choice center-half for a club of Arsenal's stature.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Virgil van Dijk </b>(23; CB; Celtic, 79 apps; Netherlands, 3 U21 caps)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Dutch defender seems to have outgrown the one-team league that is the SPL, and is often linked with a move south of the border. Van Dijk is yet to appear for his nation's senior side, but has youth on his side and a move to a Champions League club would certainly raise his profile. His per-90 stats are probably boosted by playing in a frankly terrible league, but he would seem to be of the quality to back up Mertesacker and Koscielny at Arsenal. However, the Gunners may have moved on from van Dijk, as most recent rumors are linking him with a move to Sunderland, and a mooted price of £8m for a mostly unproven player may be too high for Wenger's liking.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Loic Perrin </b>(29; CB; Saint-Étienne, 274 apps; France, 4 U21 caps)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Perrin has emerged in recent weeks as a potential Arsenal target, and on paper he'd be a good fit; he's an experienced central defender who can fill in at right-back and in defensive midfield if needed. He's also French. Arsenal have in the past had a strong academy link with Saint-</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18.3999996185303px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Étienne and apparently Gilles Grimandi has been in France scouting the player, so there is a good chance he could move to the Emirates. Looking at the comparison matrix above, his defensive stats per 90 minutes are strong (though Ligue 1 isn't a particularly deep league), and at age 29 probably has 3 or 4 years of good performances left, and could probably be convinced to be a back-up if he gets the chance to play Champions League football. Reports suggest Arsenal have spoken to the player, but no deal has been struck with his hometown club.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Tyrone Mings </b>(21; L/CB; Ipswich Town, 40 apps; England)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mings signed for Ipswich in 2013 for £10,000 from Chippenham Town, and his meteoric rise looks set to continue with the youngster having been linked to several Premier League clubs. Wenger has always liked signing young players and improving them, though having signed Calum Chambers last summer, another young, flexible defender may be off the cards. However, he would join a growing core of young English players at the Emirates who would be able to grow together to form the spine of a future team. While most of his games have come at left back for the Tractor Boys, reports suggest Mings' future lies in the center of defense. Ipswich could ask for anything between £7-10m to let the player go, and with the club second in the Championship, they may ask for Mings to return on loan until the end of the season.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Jonathan Calleri </b>(21; ST; Boca Juniors, 23 apps, 8 goals; Argentina)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Several media outlets are reporting that Calleri is very close to finalizing a move to North London. The young striker, who can also play on the wing, has been dubbed the "new Gonzalo Higuain" and has impressed enough for the Gunners to reportedly beat out Liverpool to Calleri's signing. With Lukas Podolski moving to Inter and Yaya Sanogo and Joel Campbell both heavily linked with loan moves, Calleri could go straight in to the first-team squad.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Krystian Bielik </b>(17; DM; Legia Warsaw, 6 apps; Poland, 3 U17 caps)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">According to reports, Arsenal have already had 2 bids - the most recent one valued at £1.7m - for the youngster rejected by Legia. As of writing, the Guardian are reporting that <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jan/08/arsenal-krystian-bielik-legia-warsaw" target="_blank">Arsenal are closing in on a deal</a>, having been told by Legia that a fee of £2.5m will be required. Bielik would obviously be one for the future, and standing at 6'2" has been likened to Gunners legend Patrick Vieira. The player has stated his desire to move to Arsenal, and he spent time over the Christmas period at Arsenal's London Colney training ground. Rather than playing in the first team, like he has in Warsaw, Bielik would likely drop to the Gunners' academy and spend time on loan until he is ready to break in to the senior squad.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Other names to watch this January:</span></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Edinson Cavani - would be an upgrade up front, but squad needs and financial constraints make this very unlikely.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Isco - several outlets are claiming Arsenal are lining up a £64m bid for the Real Madrid playmaker. Again, doesn't fit the positions of need, but this has never stopped Wenger before. Take this one with a pinch a salt.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Petr Cech - Chelsea have just let Mark Schwarzer go, so don't expect Mourinho to let his only experienced back-up 'keeper move to a rival.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fabian Schar - has huge potential and would easily slot in to Koscielny's place in the team. His contract expires this summer.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mats Hummels & Ilkay Gundogan - the Dortmund duo would likely cost £50million as a package.</span></span></li>
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Sam Burgesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10890534399946515952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3036453741346593385.post-26568712242890597862014-12-11T11:05:00.003-05:002014-12-11T11:05:27.526-05:00Thursday Throwdown: In Arsène We Trust, Or Rust?<i>This post came about because I wanted a better place than Facebook and Twitter to express my opinions regarding Arsène Wenger and the board. I thought that if I wrote on my own, I was bound to invite rage and invective on to myself, because I am in the "Wenger Out" camp<span style="font-size: 13px;"> <b>[</b></span>I made the unilateral decision to call the two sides of the divide the AKBs and WOBs (Arsène Knows Best and Wenger Out Brigade, respectively). While these are far from ideal terms, they are known terms, quicker to write and easier to use to refer to the two main fan factions.] However, my thoughts and opinions are far more complex than that, so I thought it would be best to have a "friendly" discussion with my regular Throwdown partner Andy. Andy is generally more positive than I am, so hopefully we can balance each other out and actually explore the issues, rather than it becoming a slagging match like those seen on social media. I am not trying to be inflammatory or controversial for the sake of it; I'm sure Andy is in the same boat. While I've been vocal, both at Lir and online - sometimes in a snarky manner - all I'm trying to do here with Andy's help is explore the issues at hand.</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.theheraldng.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/arsene-wenger-mad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.theheraldng.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/arsene-wenger-mad.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This sight has become too common for many Gooners.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Credit: <a href="http://www.theheraldng.com/paul-merson-slams-arsene-wenger-draw-anderlect/#prettyPhoto">The Herald</a>)</span></td></tr>
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<b>Sam: </b>After an inconsistent season, and following the boos Arsène Wenger received after the Stoke match, the voices calling for a change at Arsenal have never been louder. The Arsenal fan base is splitting in two, with both sides preferring to shout at each other in and outside of stadiums and on social media, with some fans actually coming to blows over their opposing opinions. Right off the bat, I'm going to say that I think Wenger should leave; more accurately, I think the best time for him to leave would have been after the FA Cup win. He would have left with his dignity in tact, and with fond memories and the best wishes from all fans as he'd finally ended the infamous trophy drought. These opinions started some time in January this year; at about the 20th minute in the Liverpool game, as the Scouser fourth goal hit the back of the net, I came to the conclusion that our title challenge was probably already over, and my opinion became concrete. However, I will admit that it's much more complex than just saying "Wenger Out" on Twitter or Facebook after every defeat or poor performance.<br />
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Having said all that, Andy: where do you stand on this divisive issue?<br />
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<b>Andy: </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">As you accurately said in your introduction, I am much more of a Wenger apologist and I remain of the mind that he is the best manager for the Arsenal at this time. Let it also be said up front that supporting Wenger and being blind to his faults do not go hand-in-hand. I have been critical of some things that Arsene has done and will be in the future I'm sure. But I believe that it is possible to find fault with some of his work while still seeing him as a fantastic manager and an Arsenal legend.</span><br />
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That distinction between constructive criticism and the "off with his head" attitude is at the heart of my dislike of the #WengerOut crowd. I know that if I was to go in-depth with each person calling for the manager's resignation that I would hear plenty of nuanced, well reasoned opinions, and that is part of the reason we are having this conversation in the first place. However I can't help but have an immediate, visceral reaction each time I see someone pipe up about how Wenger doesn't have a clue about tactics, or how the game has passed him by, or how he was arrogant to come back and manage again this year. The off-the-cuff snark and extreme pessimism toward a man that has brought this club unparalleled success and prosperity still baffles and infuriates me.</div>
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<b>Sam: </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">To answer your first point: you're not wrong for thinking that. But there is a perception that anyone who wants Wenger out of a job hates the man himself and doesn't support the Club. So the flip side of your argument - that you can support the manager while still acknowledging his flaws - should be that you can support your club, but still want more from it. The supposition that WOBs are going against the Club is far from the truth; I've supported Arsenal my whole life, and in that time I've seen the best era of the Club's history. So when someone says that they think we should be doing better than finishing 4th 6 times in the last 9 seasons, no one should be questioning that person's support. Part of supporting a team is wanting them to win. For me, 4th place and one Cup in nine years is <i>not</i> winning.</span><br />
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There also seems to be an idea that anyone in the WOB is showing Arsène no respect; in my case, at least, that also is untrue. No one should ever forget that this is the man that gave us 2 Doubles, the Invincibles and a (sadly unsuccessful) run to the Champions League Final. He also signed the greatest player in the Club's history, and managed my favorite player ever (Dennis Bergkamp), as well as giving us players like Pires, Ljungberg, Vieira, Sanchez, Özil, etc.</div>
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Here's the thing though. For me, and I think many others, "Wenger Out" is an easy, catch-all term for my frustrations at the whole club. It's not just one man who is the problem; what are your opinions on the Club's board?<br />
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<b>Andy:</b> If the Wenger Out sentiment was displayed with that kind of nuance then I would be much more accepting of it. I agree that there is nothing wrong with wanting your club to be better than it is, especially if it <i>should</i> be. Arsenal is one of the richest, most prestigious clubs in the world (thanks in no small part to one Arsène Wenger) and it is frustrating that we are stuck in this rut of finishing in third or fourth without truly challenging for the title along the way. I am not one of the people who say things like "you should be happy with fourth, a team like West Ham would kill for that kind of success" because it's a very defeatist attitude. Yes, fourth would be great for lots of clubs but if this particular club has the resources and structure to do better, then they should be held to a higher standard. We are on the same page regarding what Arsenal should be trying to do.<br />
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Where I have a problem with #WengerOut as a general "movement" is that because it is the alternative to the status quo, and because certain people at the heart of it have fallen a little too in love with their self image as rebels and iconoclasts, its very nature is one of antagonism and outcry. After all, how are they supposed to change anything if they talk quietly and politely? But because this point of view has to be aggressive and loud, I find myself quick to become annoyed when the ideas are presented in catchphrases and blurbs, and how <i>everything</i> seems to be an indictment on Wenger and his time with the club. I understand that to a degree this is unfair because I'm criticizing an opinion for acting in the way it has to act due to the role it has accepted, but it doesn't make the criticism any less valid.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ste.india.com/sites/default/files/2014/10/16/283376-stan-kroenke-looks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://ste.india.com/sites/default/files/2014/10/16/283376-stan-kroenke-looks.jpg" height="182" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stan Kroenke is also the target of a lot of anger.<br />
(Credit: <a href="http://zeenews.india.com/sports/football/epl-2014/arsenal-justify-stan-kroenke-payments_1485826.html">ZeeNews India</a>)</td></tr>
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I do understand that #WengerOut has become a general term for dissatisfaction with how the club is being run as a whole, I just find that to be unfair to the man himself. To answer your question, my problems with the board are mostly with Stan Kroenke in particular. It of course is naive to expect a billion dollar company to act like a down home, local sports club, but I could do with it being at least a little less apparent that Arsenal is a way for Kroenke to print money. I wish it was owned and run by people who were more obviously fans of the Gunners and not just the money that the club brings in. I think it's necessary to have businessmen like Ivan Gazidis in order to stay competitive with the truly moneyed clubs in the Premier League, I just wish there was also more of a connection to the fans who give their support.<br />
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Is this a reasonable stance to have? Can I have my issues with the board and how things are run while also wishing that the opposition to the current rule would express itself diplomatically and intelligently rather than (in my eyes) the reactionary and loudmouthed way it is behaving now? I fear that I'm trying to have my cake and eat it too.<br />
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<b>Sam:</b> You make a good point about the rebellious aspect of #WengerOut, and the way it makes us WOBs seem to be louder. But this in itself causes escalation, because certain members of the AKB faction then raise their voices to meet, or overpower, the boos, and then, of course, tempers get lost and the division in the fan base becomes wider. It doesn't help things when both sides scream invective at each other. Too often on social media, people use the arguments of their side of the divide to show 'how much they support the Club'. "You're an idiot if you think Wenger should still be in a job." "I support the manager so I'm a better fan than you." These seem to be the general subtexts of a lot of arguments, which of course just feeds the fires and makes each statement come with more hatred than the one before it.<br />
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Sidebar: I don't subscribe to the argument that the fans need to be united behind the Club. How many of the so called "bigger" clubs actually have 100% unity in their fan base? Maybe Chelsea, Man City, Bayern, Barcelona, Juventus and Real Madrid. (This doesn't include clubs like Stoke or Swansea who don't have the expectations that a club like Arsenal does.) The common denominator there? <i>Winning.</i> If Arsenal actually showed they could consistently win trophies, or even maintain a "title challenge" past March (sidebar to sidebar: I think a title challenge is only that if you're going in to the last 3 or 4 games of the season with a chance to win it all, not collapsing after 2/3rds of a season), then maybe there'd be better unity. In England alone, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham's fan bases will have sections that still support their clubs, but aren't happy with results. Just like us Gooners.<br />
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To answer your questions in order: Yes. I agree with you entirely on the board. No one involved seems to care as long as they are getting their yearly bonuses and dividends. There's a real problem when the Club Chairman, to paraphrase the man himself, says that whether Wenger has a plan or not, they won't question him on his results.</div>
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And yes to your second question, too. But that has to work both ways. The respect has to be mutual, and come from those who are still giving their support to the manager. There's no need to get sarcastic or angry when you (generic you, not you Andy!) reply to someone. I commented on a Boston Gooners Facebook post earlier this week (which quickly got out of hand) that everyone has the right to their opinions and should be free to voice those. Now I don't mean to be snarky here, and forgive me if I'm wrong, but isn't free speech one of the basic tenets of any democratic society? In fact, I believe it's a part of the document that this nation is built on. (OK, that was a really snarky, English thing to say. But it's true in my country too.) Yet there are certain factions who think that the WOBs should never be allowed to speak out. So it's OK to express your positive support, but negative opinions and criticisms aren't welcome? A lot of people questioned <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8tRmCdVmjIM/VHt6SAlPl7I/AAAAAAAAC3c/E_PAj4FlFiI/s1600/Thanks%2Bfor%2Bthe%2Bmemories.jpg" target="_blank">the banner that was raised at West Brom</a> after our win there, saying that it shouldn't have been raised after a win. Well when else? If it came after a loss, everyone involved would have been accused of being too reactionary, or someone would have said that it was no proper way to support the Club. It seems like whatever people on my side of the divide do, we are always in the wrong.</div>
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If that seemed angry or direct or whatever, then I apologize. I'm just trying to voice the opinions that have come out in discussions with people that agree with me, and from what I, and others, have experienced on social media and in person for having a dissenting opinion.</div>
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<b>Andy: </b>This point in the article would be an excellent time to insert any Randy Marsh "what, I thought this was America?" pictures.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.qkme.me/3onahs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i.qkme.me/3onahs.jpg" height="247" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">People telling us what we can say and when?</td></tr>
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I don't disagree with you on this, though my philosophical objections to the WOB point of view do make it a little more difficult to go all Voltaire about your right to say what you want. For me, though I have no interest in curtailing anyone's rights to speak about the direction of the club, I reflexively bristle to the Wenger Out demands in part because of the nature of the movement as I discussed before. It's not that I don't want people with that opinion to bring it up, it's that I know that I will be immediately annoyed by it, due both to the content itself and the aggressive way that it has to be presented. Perhaps it's not the healthy thing to do but I don't really engage in the argument that much anymore because I know going in that I'm going to be frustrated by it and, go figure, I don't want to intentionally frustrate myself. It then becomes easy to mentally lump all WOB opinions into the category of whiners and complainers, even though the core of their argument is similar to plenty of things that I've thought myself before. You don't have to be part of the the camp that wants Arsène gone to see his missteps in transfer policy, questionable tactical moves, and so forth, and to complain about those things with the hopes of having them corrected.</div>
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For me, that is what this boils down to and the obvious difference between the sides. One side no longer thinks Wenger can or will change in order to fix his mistakes and the other side has faith in him to right the ship. I know that sounds like a very obvious statement to make but the difference is what colors the entire conversation because the WOB crowd needs to agitate for change without seeming disrespectful while the "In Arsene We Trust" camp (myself obviously included) plays the part of the overly patient lover saying "he can change, just give him time!" The psychology in each side is heavily influenced by their feelings for one man and therefore the argument can get very defensive or overly aggressive quick. That's of course not to say we shouldn't have it, but more to clarify why it's such a touchy subject. For the people who want Arsène to stay, there's a lot of emotion tied up into him and his tenure with the club. It's about the hope that this man, this absolute legend in football, is able to see the ways in which he has erred and change things going forward for the better, and when you start to identify with a feeling of hope it becomes very difficult to entertain the notion of extinguishing that light.<br />
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One area that I am fairly convinced the pro-Wenger camp has in its favor is the pragmatic aspect of how to move forward. People are calling for Arsène to be sacked mid-season but what on earth do you think the club could do afterward? And that's not only in terms of who we could bring in to coach the team but what manager would <i>want</i> to come to a club that just fired their respected and long-standing manager in the middle of the campaign? What would players like Mesut Özil, who said that he came to Arsenal because of the manager, do if such a drastic move was made? I invite you to try but I just don't see how I could be convinced that this is a sensible course of action.</div>
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<b>Sam: </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">You've hit the crux of the matter there, I think. For myself, and many others who share my opinions, Wenger is out of touch. It's an incredibly harsh thing to say, seeing as he is the most successful manager in Arsenal history. If anything, he's become a victim of his own success. When he arrived from Grampus Eight, he changed football in England. He brought with him revolutionary new diet and training regimes, and implemented a beautiful, flowing style of football rarely - if ever - seen before in England. He was successful for so long, but the minute Roman Abramovich purchased Chelsea, football changed again. Now, you have to spend money on established players (which we've seen recently, but for too long we were the ones selling our stars) and build a deep squad. Wenger shouldn't be blamed for not finding himself in a situation where he had a moneybags owner, but there have been glaring mistakes made in the last few years in the transfer policy. However, my feelings aren't personal. All I want is the best for and from the club I've supported my entire life. Whenever Wenger's Arsenal career ends, I will applaud him and thank him for all the successes and all the good memories he has provided, but also be excited about a new era.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a1/Thierry_Henry_applauding_2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a1/Thierry_Henry_applauding_2012.jpg" height="320" width="163" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Could this man be a future<br />
Arsenal manager?<br />
(Credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/94056408@N00">Wonker</a>)</td></tr>
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I'm glad you asked that, because I've been giving it some thought. It is, of course, the go-to response for many AKBs to say "Who should come in?" when a "Wenger Out" statement appears on social media. I have 2 thoughts on this issue. The first thought is wholly based on the idea (which many in the WOB camp agree with) that Arsenal are not going to contend again under Wenger. The Club has become so completely molded in the shape of Arsène's vision and philosophy that - as we saw with Man Utd once Alex Ferguson retired - it will take time to break free from such a strong character. So say it takes 2 or 3 years for a new manager to remold the Club, sign players he likes and implement a new system before we challenge for the title again. That means that, under the scenario I just painted that we don't contend again under Wenger, Arsenal fans could be looking at another 5 or 6 years before we enjoy a prolonged title challenge. If Wenger had left last May (and having written that several times, that is the heart of my personal argument: that would have been the perfect time to leave. Right now? Not ideal, I'll admit that), then the rebuild process could have started earlier, and we may have been ready to push for trophies and more than just 4th place earlier in this hypothetical rebuilding cycle. On paper, this idea seems to be an NBA-style tanking process. Here's the thing: the sooner Arsenal return to being genuine title challengers year in, year out, the sooner I'll feel better about being a fan and less of a laughing stock to fans of other clubs.<br />
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My second scenario would be this: a certain 37-year old Frenchman's most recent playing contract has just expired. Bring him in immediately, maybe as a player-coach or something, but get him earning all his coaching badges and licenses, and have Wenger mentor him and teach him until, in 2017 Arsène leaves his Club to the greatest player of the Premier League era. King Henry would then immediately bring in Dennis Bergkamp as his assistant, and then we have a new era under the guidance of our two best players ever. Is that pipe dream completely ridiculous? And how wrong am I with my first scenario?<br />
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<b>Andy: </b>I've written about Wenger's outdated transfer policy before and agree that he's had his issues, but a lot of that can be traced to the lean years after the move to Emirates and how drastically different transfer policy was then, even compared to the last few years. This is a topic for another full article but while I have my problems with the way business has been done, I don't agree that it's an open and shut case that the business of the sport has passed him by.<br />
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There is a large disconnect between AKB and WOB over what can be accomplished with Wenger still at the helm. Suffice it to say, I don't believe as you do that it's a foregone conclusion Arsenal won't be able to compete with their current manager running things. I look at last year and lament the midfield injury horror show that started around January because we were keeping pace quite well. But all of that is kind of beside the point because one side thinks one way, the other thinks the other, and I doubt we're going to convince each other to switch sides. I just think it's worth pointing out that there are some very basic thoughts about possibilities for the club that each side doesn't come close to seeing eye to eye on.<br />
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As for your Henry theory, I simply don't know. I don't mean this skeptically, mind you. It's an honest admission. I have no idea if it's plausible because I don't know if he wants to coach, I don't know if Arsène is open to the idea of making our former star his successor, and I have no idea of Henry would actually be a good manager. I think the way you have it laid out is slightly "Arsenal fan's wet dream" but that doesn't mean that it's impossible or that it's wrong to hope that it works out. Hey, as I said before, I'm all about hope so far be it from me to take yours away.<br />
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One way or another, the club has to start planning for a future without Arsène. Not (in my mind) because he is past it and needs to go, but because he's not getting any younger and eventually change will have to happen. Such is life. However, there are serious questions over what the next step would be. I'm about as big a Jurgen Klopp Stan as there can be, but he's said numerous times that he's staying where he is. Roberto Martinez looks a little out of his depth with Everton right now, though I think he is a talented manager overall. There's no one in the Arsenal pipeline that is guaranteed to come along and be the next great thing. There's a lot of uncertainty going forward, and that's for a planned succession over the course of several years. With that in mind, I hope you can see why I view sacking Arsène midseason as utter insanity.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b>Sam:</b> And now we come back to the board. One of the major frustrations with WOBs, and maybe the fan base as a whole, is that we don't feel we can trust the board to replace Wenger. They've shown time and again that they don't understand the fans, and are content to sit back and watch their profits go up. There isn't really anyone at the top with a footballing mind. I actually quite like Ivan Gazidis; he seems like a decent enough bloke and is good on the corporate side of things, but if he's left in charge of hiring a new manager, then I have no idea what to expect. Also, it's hard to see who would want to take over right now. All the names people mention - Guardiola, Klopp, Simeone, Martinez - are either at top clubs, struggling themselves, or unlikely to make it at the level required (sorry Roberto - I'm still a fan, though). Unless one of them wanted to take on the challenge of rebuilding a club and breaking the oil-money stronghold at the top of the Premier League, then it really is unclear who the next manager could be. But then again: how much was known about Wenger when he took over? <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2013/oct/01/from-vault-arsene-wenger-joins-arsenal-mars-bars" target="_blank">He came in as a complete unknown</a>; the next manager shouldn't necessarily be seen as a downgrade.</span><br />
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With plenty of media coverage and dissenting fans at each other's throats, this issue certainly isn't going away for a while. It will be interesting to see where this season and beyond take us.</div>
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<b>Andy:</b> I think the thing to take away from all of this is that the people on both sides of the argument simply want what's best for Arsenal. Of course there will be dismissive or irrational or aggressive people in each camp, but at the core this is about loving your club and wanting it to be as good as it can be. So try to see both sides and try not to give in to that all too easy impulse to shutter yourself off and see the other person as the enemy. I'll even go so far as to shake your hand when I see you for Newcastle, Sam. Cheers.<br />
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<b>Sam:</b> I'm glad this stayed civil, otherwise that handshake might have looked something like this...<br />
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Sam Burgesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10890534399946515952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3036453741346593385.post-51657268088565512182014-10-03T11:31:00.000-04:002014-10-03T23:07:23.006-04:00Match Preview: Chelsea v. Arsenal, Stamford Bridge, Oct 5 9.05am (EST)<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>The opponent<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b1/Cesc_Fabregas_v_LCFC_2014_02.jpg/640px-Cesc_Fabregas_v_LCFC_2014_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b1/Cesc_Fabregas_v_LCFC_2014_02.jpg/640px-Cesc_Fabregas_v_LCFC_2014_02.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cesc, just looking plain wrong in blue, faces Arsenal<br />
from the comfort of his new home stadium<br />
(Credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/60179301@N00" target="_blank">Ben Sutherland</a>)</td></tr>
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After a week of slagging Sam for putting in a subpar effort
into writing the match preview for the North London Derby, I decided that I
would write this week’s match preview for the Chelsea game. One of the things
that I criticized Sam for was not taking the piss out of Spurs more. I had a
million jokes about them! Well, over the course of the day, I’ve realized that
writing about Chelsea is going to be a lot harder than it looks. Whereas I find
Spurs to be comical and unthreatening, I respect Chelsea as a competitor. While
I want to make jokes about them, I found my approach to Chelsea a lot more
serious than I wanted it to be. The following is that seriousness, anxiety, and
hopefully, some humor.<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
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Part of that feeling or approach is tied with how I view
this game. Chelsea are off to the hot start, sitting atop the table. This match
against them presents an opportunity for Arsenal to close the gap and to get a
much needed win over a rival for a top four spot and possibly a league championship.
It presents an opportunity to gain some confidence and some belief to perform
at a higher level against other big opponents. Arsenal’s struggles against the
top clubs in recent years, especially on the road, has been well documented and
it would be nice to see that change this year. It’s also because I hate
Chelsea.<o:p></o:p></div>
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When you look at these two clubs, you see that they’re
philosophically juxtaposed opposite one another. Arsenal has built itself off
of its own resources, while Chelsea has emerged from the pocket of a Russian
oil baron. Arsene Wenger is the idealistic, long-time Arsenal manager, Jose
Mourinho is the pragmatist on his second tour of duty in the revolving door
that is Chelsea manager. Arsenal is multicultural and cosmopolitan, Chelsea harbors
a racist club captain. These are just a few examples but there are lines in the
sand that are clearly drawn here. I respect Chelsea for having a good team, but
I hate the way that they do business and their values.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A captain is said to reflect the values of a club. John
Terry is not a good person, unless you think sleeping with your teammate’s girlfriend
or being a racist a good thing, which would lead me to question whether you’re
a good person. At times, he’s been a caricature (see: wanker), especially when
he’s accepted a trophy in full kit after not playing in the game. And in spite
of this, I think that he may be a really good leader. There have been few
constants in a Chelsea side that has experienced considerable success over the
last decade and Terry has been one of them. I do think that he may be one of
the weaknesses in their XI, which I will get to later.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Terry is a bad dude, but Chelsea just <i>had to</i> get more detestable, so the club added Diego Costa in the
Summer. Whereas Fernando Torres provided moments of comedy from being so out of
form or genuinely terrible, Costa is a fiery striker that is just as likely to
head in a goal as he is to head butt one of your team’s players. Just as
Mathieu Flamini is good for a yellow card from a bad challenge in just about
every game, Costa is good to get into a conflict with the other team. He’s
good, real good, but he’s a dick. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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The transfer that <i>really</i>
expanded Chelsea’s lead in the hateability index was their move for Cesc
Fabregas. The former Gunner was offered to Arsenal, but Arsene Wenger declined
on using the club’s first buyback option. Wenger was quoted as saying “we
already have Özil.” Given that Özil has played mostly on the left wing to start
this season, Wenger must have seen Fabregas’s performance out there for
Barcelona and said “no thanks.” In turn, Fabregas joined Chelsea, a club he
said he’d never play for, to play under a manager, Mourinho, who he said he’d
never play for. While there is still a Cult of Cesc, expect him to be public
enemy number one.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Don’t expect Fabregas to suck for Chelsea either. The former
Arsenal skipper has been magnificent thus far, scoring a goal and assisting 7
in 8 starts for the West London club. Yeah, it’s five games into the season,
but Fabregas is probably the leading candidate for player of the year right
now. The way he’s played thus far is why Arsenal fans loved him and wanted him
back. I would imagine angst among the fans will rise if Fabregas has any effect
on the score line, which he probably will.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The rest of the lot seem okay. I mean, Eden Hazard seems
like a bit of a mercenary, having picked to go to Chelsea after they won the
Champions League and always having his name linked with other clubs. Oscar is a
bit dramatic. Ramires makes some really bad challenges. Ivanovic got into a
spat with Özil last year. That’s about it. I like Schürrle and his air guitar
celebration. I like Willian’s humungous afro. I like and respect Gary Cahill’s
and Thibaut Courtois’s abilities.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><br /></b>
<b>#Analysis<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Upon review of last year’s games, which I hadn’t watched
before, I was not surprised to see a pattern in Arsenal’s undoing. Concession
of possession (I’m a rhymesmith) in the midfield that led to scoring
opportunities for Chelsea. While the first game ended 0-0, Arsenal did give the
ball away cheaply a few times that led to Chelsea chances, including a “Fat”
Frank Lampard volley off the crossbar off a pinpoint chip pass from Eden
Hazard. In the second game, all of the
goals came on the counter (the penalty came off a counter chance) and there were
numerous more. I hear a lot about Arsenal needing more steel in midfield to
stand up to the counter in these types of games, but in reality, the problem is
holding onto the ball, not taking it away.<o:p></o:p></div>
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If you don’t give the ball away, your opponent can’t
counter. This was a problem against Liverpool at Anfield too (sorry to stir bad
memories). Often, the man in possession would find himself without support and
pressed. Trying to do too much by himself, opponents would win possession and
look to counter. I distinctly remember this happening with Özil against
Liverpool. With space and often numbers, these counters would turn into high
quality chances. It’s important to limit these.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As a result, I’m not sure how much value playing Flamini
has. While no one will question his toughness, he doesn’t bring much else to
the table. He can’t pass and he’s vulnerable to concede possession (see last
week’s Derby). I would much rather take a chance with Jack Wilshere or (less
so) Abou Diaby. Wilshere can make the tackles and pass. It would be a matter of him keeping place.<o:p></o:p></div>
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That’s the only real change I would make from midweek. Having
Santi centrally instead of on the flanks is a better option. Santi’s passing
and long range shooting are his strengths, but he lacks the pace or dynamism to
play on the flanks. In the middle, he can help link up play between the defense
and attack and help increase the tempo by moving the ball, instead of trying to
move with the ball. I could see Santi being replaced by Wilshere, but I hope Wenger
does not move Santi out to the wing in place of Chamberlain.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The attacking foursome <i>should</i>
stay the same. While Chelsea will prove to be a much tougher test than
Galatasaray, you have got to feel that the front four of Özil, Sanchez,
Welbeck, and Ox gives Arsenal the best chance to win. The combination of
intelligent runs, inquisitive passing, and pace should keep Chelsea under
constant pressure if Arsenal can keep possession. I don’t think you can insert
any other player who is currently healthy as good as those four when it comes
to what I mentioned above.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I do think that Arsenal can score goals against Chelsea. I
think that John Terry is a guy that can be exploited with pace. Theo Walcott
has had success in the past and turned him sideways. I would like to see
Alexis, Ox, and even Welbeck try to put pressure on the Chelsea skipper. On the
other hand, I have a lot of respect for Gary Cahill, who I would consider the
best English defender right now. He seems to be the type of player that covers
for others, but surprisingly, doesn’t get the attention that a Vincent Kompany
does (No, I'm not saying he's as good). <o:p></o:p></div>
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Expect Chelsea to foul a lot. That’s their thing right?
Whether with Mikel, Ramires, or whoever. It always seems like those guys get
away with more fouls than they should. Expect Matic to be the guy you hate the
most Sunday. But these guys will remind you why you hate Chelsea. As Pellegrini
said recently, they play like Stoke. I guess with better players.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Up front, Chelsea is lethal. Fabregas is the conductor, but
anyone can score. Costa has been the main guy so far and Hazard carried the
team last year. The Chambers vs Hazard match up could be a lot of trouble for
the Arsenal. You’d have to imagine that Koscielny will have to track Costa.
Chelsea is so deep that when you factor in Oscar, Willian and/or Schürrle, you
know you’re in trouble. At least the sense of doom is not far. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Verdict<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Arsenal seem to suffer in big games. The mentality is not
the same. The whole mentality of going out and playing the Arsenal way seems to
go out of the window in these clashes. Often times, it seems like the players
are overwhelmed by the moment. It’s too big for them. It’s shown up in the
record. Arsenal’s record against the Top 5 away from the Emirates in the last 5
seasons? Won one, drawn three, lost sixteen. Sixteen.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This is a clash of the only unbeaten, but Arsenal figure to
have a lot more holes. Do they have the strength, the shape, the maturity to
keep up with Chelsea? That’s something we’ll find out on Sunday, but until
then, you’ve got to figure Chelsea takes this.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Prediction: Chelsea 2, Arsenal 1<o:p></o:p></div>
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Expected Chelsea Line Up: Courtois, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry
(c), Azpilicueta, Matic, Oscar, Fabregas, Hazard, Willian, Costa<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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Expected Arsenal Line Up: Szczesny, Chambers, Mertesacker (c),
Koscielny, Gibbs, Flamini, Wilshere, Chamberlain, Özil, Sanchez, Welbeck<o:p></o:p></div>
Shep Mallyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17514646374019426926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3036453741346593385.post-31553747331134641762014-09-26T12:18:00.000-04:002014-09-26T13:12:25.387-04:00Match Preview: Arsenal v. T*******m H*****R, Emirates Stadium, Sept. 27 12.30am (EST)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3926/15058113195_6c87ed60da.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3926/15058113195_6c87ed60da.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">According to the Ox, Sanchez is incredibly hyped<br />
for his first NLD.<br />
(Credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ronmacphotos/15058113195/" target="_blank">Ronnie Macdonald</a>)</td></tr>
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Saturday sees the 174th meeting between The Arsenal and their old rivals, Sp*rs, and the 44th under the management of Arsène Wenger. Both clubs come in to this game on what can best be described as mixed form; however, as the old cliché goes, you can throw the form book out the window in a game like this.<br />
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Arsène Wenger and the board have come under scrutiny early on this season (especially from yours truly), partially due to a questionable transfer policy and partially due to mixed results to open the season. Last time out in the league, Arsenal bounced back from a disappointing (in terms of the Gunners were unlucky not to win) draw against last season's champions Manchester City and a 2-0 drubbing away at Borussia Hipster with a 3-0 win away at Villa Park (though it should be noted that Villa's squad was hit with a case of what can best be described as the sh*ts). Three goals in 192 seconds earned Arsenal their first league win since the opening day of the season and helped lift the Gunners to fourth in the - admittedly very young - league table. More importantly, the match saw Danny Welbeck score his first goal in an Arsenal shirt and the return to form of Mesut Özil, who scored a goal and assisted Welbz.<br />
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Wenger used the midweek League Cup fixture to rotate his team, thus allowing most of the fit senior players to rest up ahead of this key fixture. This means that Per Mertesacker and Kieran Gibbs will be fit to start after being on the bench against the Saints on Tuesday, while Mathieu Flamini will also be available and will likely feature in the match-day squad. Olivier Giroud and Mathieu Debuchy remain long-term absentees, and Theo Walcott is due back next month, so will miss the chance to again troll any Spuds at the Emirates. There are no other injury concerns, so expect a similar line-up to the one that played at Villa Park last week; though fans will surely be clamoring for Alexis Sanchez to start, and for Özil to continue in his preferred central playmaker role.<br />
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The small club from down the road come in to this fixture in worse form than the Gunners, without a win in their last three league games. This run of poor results includes a home defeat to West Brom - many pundits favorites to go down this season - at Shite Hart Lane last weekend in which Sp*rs could only muster one shot on target; this is part of a longer, worrying trend in which they have lost each of their last 10 games in which they have failed to score. This poor start has them in ninth after 5 games. In midweek, Mauricio Pochettino made 11 changes from the team that faced the Baggies, so he has no injury worries and a full squad to choose from; this means that our 'favorite' Togolese striker, who, according to the song, is not as good as Yaya Sanogo, will be likely to start up front.<br />
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Last season, Arsenal beat Sp*rs three times in three games without conceding a goal. The corresponding fixture featured an early goal from Giroud, with the Gunners holding out to win 1-0. The last 5 games at the Emirates have featured 4 Arsenal wins, with one reverse - in fact, that win was the only time Sp*rs have won at Arsenal in their last 25 attempts. If Arsenal avoid defeat, it will be the first time in seven years that they have gone unbeaten through their first 6 games, while Sp*rs have their worst points total after 5 games since they were managed by Juande Ramos in the 2008-09 season.<br />
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<b>Probable starting XIs:</b><br />
<b>Arsenal: </b>Szczesny; Chambers, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs; Arteta, Ramsey; Sanchez, Özil, Cazorla; Welbeck.<br />
<b>Sp*rs: </b>Lloris; Dier, Kaboul, Vertonghen, Rose; Capoue, Dembélé; Lamela, Eriksen, Chadli; Adepaymemore.</div>
Sam Burgesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10890534399946515952noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3036453741346593385.post-88736322590218089002014-09-26T12:13:00.001-04:002014-09-26T12:23:02.473-04:00The WAT: Top 6 Derby Day Tottenham Take-Downs<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qiBv5rg9GhI/VCWP6P6Zh8I/AAAAAAAAAos/PUwJDsbSN7Y/s1600/spurskidcryingbig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qiBv5rg9GhI/VCWP6P6Zh8I/AAAAAAAAAos/PUwJDsbSN7Y/s1600/spurskidcryingbig.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zinged!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Tomorrow is the ultimate -- the North London Derby. Arsenal will face off against their most hated rivals, Tottenham Hotspur, the eleventh-best team in the Premiership in 2008.<br />
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It's a great opportunity to get behind the Arsenal, but sometimes rooting for the players on the field just <i>isn't</i> <i>enough</i>. Sometimes, you need to show your support with biting take-downs. An enemy is not beaten unless their will is broken; they are not crushed until they are taking sit-down, cry-showers. In order to bolster your Derby Day Take-Down arsenal, The WAT has compiled the top 6 ruthless mud-slings to hurl at Spurs supporters' stupid faces.<br />
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<b>1. Hotspurs? More like <i>Lukewarm</i> Spurs. </b><br />
Some simple wordplay like the above is sure to not only <i>take down</i> the average Spurs fan -- it will confuse them as well! <br />
<i>Likely Spurs response: "Whaaa?"</i><br />
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<b>2. North London SUCKS</b><br />
Hit Spurs fans where it hurts: home. Nothing will get them riled up like trashing their beloved North London roots.<br />
<i>Likely Spurs response: "Ouch!"</i><br />
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<b>3. Go back to White Hart <i>Lame</i> Lane</b><br />
Make sure to use both Lame and Lane in your take-down to emphasize the difference between the two words. Then watch that Spurs fan's face turn Arsenal red!<br />
<i>Likely Spurs response: "I'm humiliated!"</i><br />
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<b>4. Hey, Benjamin STROMBOLI! Eat shit.</b><br />
Newcomer Benjamin Stambouli <i>hates</i> being called Benjamin Stromboli. And telling him to eat shit is like the mozzarella on the salami.<br />
<i>Likely Spurs response: "Oh, come on! Go easy!"</i><br />
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<b>5. Mauricio Pochettino is the best manager ever ... <i>PSYCH!</i></b><br />
You can't dash someone's hopes without first raising them way up in the air. This classic psych-out will have that Spurs fan filled with <i>joie de vivre</i>, just before he wishes he was dead.<br />
<i>Likely Spurs response: "Thanks! Wait, what??"</i><br />
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<b>6. How's development coming along at NorthDUMBerland?</b><br />
While Spurs' new stadium likely won't open until Summer 2017, now is the perfect time to get started on some clever, stadium-disparaging wordplay. This question will seem innocuous enough to the average Spurs fan, who won't realize you changed the pronunciation until hours following the humiliating defeat of his precious football club. The slow knife cuts the deepest.<br />
<i>Likely Spurs response: "Wait, did that handsome Arsenal fan say Northumberland, or NorthDUMBerland?"</i>Alex Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07677022050374024391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3036453741346593385.post-47557374739963367102014-09-12T08:31:00.001-04:002014-09-12T08:31:37.311-04:00Match Preview: Arsenal v. Manchester City, Emirates Stadium, September 13 7:45am (EST)<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>THE PREMIER LEAGUE IS BACK </b>(*collective sigh of relief*). </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gRHdKD-s-ug/VBIuYwnHIdI/AAAAAAAAAPs/42Zxy4SmCe4/s1600/Captura%2Bde%2Bpantalla%2B2014-09-11%2Ba%2Bla(s)%2B4.46.45%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gRHdKD-s-ug/VBIuYwnHIdI/AAAAAAAAAPs/42Zxy4SmCe4/s1600/Captura%2Bde%2Bpantalla%2B2014-09-11%2Ba%2Bla(s)%2B4.46.45%2BPM.png" height="284" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Danny Welbz is dat guy and the world affirmed it after his <br />
brace vs. Switzerland. Source: <a href="http://metro.co.uk/2014/09/09/arsenals-danny-welbeck-gets-hilarious-meme-treatment-after-england-brace-4861709/" target="_blank">Metro</a></td></tr>
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Sure, it's wonderful and thrilling and truly delightful to see our new £16m signing Danny Welbz (dat guy) score a brace for England in their 2-0 Euro qualifier vs. Switzerland, but good riddance international break. It feels like it's been an eternity since our uninspiring 1-1 draw vs. Leicester City, and that combined with the fact that I've been gazing longingly at the new Arsenal team photos ever since they came out on Thursday morning means that I am <i>more</i> than ready for EPL action to get back underway. </div>
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And just like that– practically out of nowhere– we find ourselves jumping right back into the swing of things with our first massive test of the season: Manchester City at the Emirates. This marquee matchup provides the Gunners with an opportunity to make a statement and silence the naysayers who refuse to believe in the validity and importance of our 3-0 Community Shield victory over City at Wembley last month (how they fail to see the immense significance and prestige in what is most likely the best and most important shield in the entire world is beyond me, but alas). The 3-0 victory (with goals from Santi, Rambo, and the handsome Frenchman) marks our most recent matchup vs. the reigning EPL champions, but Gooners will also remember our 1-1 battle at the Emirates in March, and our catastrophic and epically confusing 6-3 loss at the Etihad in December of 2013 (back when Walcott was healthy!). </div>
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With Olivier Giroud's unfortunate ankle injury (sing a Giroud chant in his honor on Saturday), Welbeck looks set to make his Arsenal debut this weekend. Le Prof was quoted in a pre-game presser on Thursday saying, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/Arsenal.com%20http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20140911/-we-can-make-welbeck-a-better-player-" target="_blank">"Danny Welbeck is an ideal signing for us because he can play through the middle, which I think is his best position, but as well on the flanks."</a> Welbeck has the potential to make an immediate impact, and his speed in combination with that of Electric Sanchez and eventually Theo Walcott is something that any (and every) team should and will fear. That coupled with the fact that he'll have the likes of Ozil and Santi Cazorla pressing forward and sending balls into the final third should hopefully translate into great success for the former United boy in London.</div>
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After three gameweeks Arsenal currently sit seventh in the table with five points after a win and two ties. The London side is unbeaten in 19 consecutive EPL games at the Emirates (14 wins, 5 draws), and they've won their last four in a row. Despite this, the Gunners' offense has looked somewhat unconvincing in the early stages of the season, and only time will tell if Wenger thinks that the current 4-1-4-1 system with Ozil working down the left side may not be our best option. With Ramsey looking doubtful after an ankle sprain (being assessed on Thursday), Gooners should still be hopeful and optimistic, taking solace in the fact that Ozil could potentially slide into a more central position with Cazorla and Sanchez occupying the left and right wings respectively. Other Arsenal injury updates have been positive: Arteta and Gibbs are back to normal training, Ozil is available despite not featuring for Germany over the break, and Walcott is only a few weeks away from being match fit. </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XPgk62Uz43Q/VBIvehRiFJI/AAAAAAAAAP0/-t2QjPohNWM/s1600/Captura%2Bde%2Bpantalla%2B2014-09-11%2Ba%2Bla(s)%2B7.25.20%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XPgk62Uz43Q/VBIvehRiFJI/AAAAAAAAAP0/-t2QjPohNWM/s1600/Captura%2Bde%2Bpantalla%2B2014-09-11%2Ba%2Bla(s)%2B7.25.20%2BPM.png" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arsenal and Manchester City's most recent matchup was at Wembley <br />
in the Community Shield. Source: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ronmacphotos/14904861233/in/photolist-oH6iY6-ooRvrB-oFiQqq-ooQUAM-oF4Wgv-oH6jPp-oF4TLa-oDiL6u-oF4Wq8-oH6k9H-ooRsKV-ooQJAN-oFksZZ-oFiNKb-ooRuXF-oH6n2k-oH6ncF-oH6kYD-ooR8a3-oFku2D-ooRswi-oF4UoT-ooR6r3-ooR7cS-ooQVNg-oH6eDp-ooRmTz-oH6jjM-oDiFZd-oH6f1g-oDiBmW-cKvuvy-cKvqkL-oFkksz-2yTbqe-2yXA19-2yXBkh-2yXAos-2yXAK5-oH6fLp-cKwsyC-cKvUQA-cKw8zA-cKvCgj-cKvkHU-cKwaSf-cKwiRm-cKvypE-cKwonf-cKvZio" target="_blank">Ronnie MacDonald</a></td></tr>
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City head into this match desperately hoping for a fresh start after a shocker of a home loss to Stoke last gameweek. They currently sit in fourth place with six points, and with no transfer deadline day activity to really take note of (aside from the departure of Negredo, Richards and Guidetti), their biggest news comes in Pellegrini's confirmation that Jovetic and Fernando will not feature this weekend. Stoke was able to stifle the City attack by effectively clogging up the middle, where Silva and Nasri normally maintain possession and distribute alongside Yaya Toure, and hopefully the Gunners will be able to build on this example and provide City with their second consecutive loss for the first time since October of 2010. <br />
<br />
<b>City only sings when they're winning. We're Arsenal til we die. COYG.</b></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3036453741346593385.post-20404995466280670832014-09-05T13:41:00.002-04:002014-09-05T13:59:53.817-04:00The WAT: Arsene Wenger FIRED... from commentating position at French television channel, TF1. <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/sep/04/arsene-wenger-arsenal-manager-french-televsion-commentator" target="_blank">The news</a> comes as a shock after 10 years of providing his expert insight regarding Les Blues -- the French national team -- this writer assumes, not having practiced French since high school.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YQhrvaSVbjA/VAn0sYvJhFI/AAAAAAAAAnU/O7_NvIYg2Kc/s1600/Jheronimus_Bosch_Hell_(detail).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YQhrvaSVbjA/VAn0sYvJhFI/AAAAAAAAAnU/O7_NvIYg2Kc/s1600/Jheronimus_Bosch_Hell_(detail).jpg" height="400" width="372" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hieronymous Bosch's <i>Interlull and the Human Condition</i>, ca. 1490-1516</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The Frenchman brought a certain <i>je ne sais quois</i> to TF1, probably, though it's pretty hard to say, since the broadcast is not available in the U.S. This journalist assumes that "Le Prof" provided not only a measure of economical insight to the sport, but also a brazen, pearly white smile disarming enough to cause a car accident -- something he rarely allows himself at his other job.<br />
<br />
They say that all TF1 commentators want to be Premier League managers -- and all Premier League managers want to be TF1 commentators. For the past <i>dix ans</i>, Arsene Wenger was arguably the luckiest <i>homme </i>in the world, with both of the aforementioned notches confidently etched into his proverbial bed-post.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
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But the Frenchman's dream has now made way for a major depression-inducing awakening. The jilted manager went through a range of emotions, according to reports, before succumbing to the existential horror of now being only partially employed.<br />
<br />
A spokesman for Arsenal has revealed the boss' new plans for the remainder of the interlull at a press conference this morning: "Mr. Wenger will use his newfound free time during the interlull to lay in bed all day, going over and over and over again in his head what he did wrong. Was he released from his contract because his audience didn't like him? Or was this a decision made by the producers for other reasons, perhaps political? He won't know; he can't know. Eventually, time will scab over the gaping wound in his soul, gradually giving way to new tissue. But the scars will last a lifetime."<br />
<br />
In other news, some of the boys made a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_2QzUvLNDI" target="_blank">video goof in support of gay folks</a>, and the interlull continues.Alex Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07677022050374024391noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3036453741346593385.post-88202723184903570562014-09-05T12:13:00.004-04:002014-09-05T12:13:59.136-04:00Friday Throwdown: Analyzing the Transfer Window<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/61/Danny_Welbeck_20120611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/61/Danny_Welbeck_20120611.jpg" height="320" width="233" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New signing Welbeck will see plenty<br />
of playing time in his favored position<br />
(Credit: <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Danny_Welbeck_20120611.jpg" target="_blank">Wikimedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<b>Sam: </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">So, Andy. Arsenal had something of a Jekyll and Hyde transfer window this summer; it started so brightly with the arrivals of Alexis, Chambers, Debuchy and Ospina, leading us fans to believe that things were finally going to change, and that we had all summer to add further to the squad. However, the second part of the window passed without anything happening until Danny Welbeck arrived after an extension at the deadline. <a href="http://www.blog.bostongooners.com/2014/09/hot-sports-takes-transfer-window-closes.html" target="_blank">I've already made my feelings clear</a>, and after a couple of days have passed my mood hasn't improved greatly. Many Gooners have had their cautious optimism completely torn down; how are you feeling about Arsenal's transfer business?</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b>Andy:</b> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Now that everything is said and done, I don't feel bad and I don't feel good. I think that steps were made but also needs were ignored. If you liked last year's team then you should like this year's team as well; the question is whether or not last year's team was good enough to win the league.</span><br />
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At first blush that seems like an obvious "no" since they finished seven points out of first and weren't in the hunt in May, but it is easy to say that this was largely due to the midfield injury bug that bit in early 2014, costing the Gunners Theo Walcott for half the season, Aaron Ramsey for several months, and several weeks here and there for important players like Jack Wilshere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Mesut Özil. Combine that with the fact that it was Ozil's first year in the Premier League and you could make the argument that if things had broken slightly different, Arsenal would have been a contender to the end if not league winner.</div>
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Viewed in that light, the signings were great. Arsenal replaced outgoing players with quality in Mathieu Debuchy and David Ospina, plus they brought in the versatile star in the making Callum Chambers. Combine that with Alexis Sanchez, a marquee signings with a desperately needed skill set, and you have the makings of a perfect transfer window. So why my reservations?</div>
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For one, that "could have been champions" line assumes a lot when you try to apply it to a new year. In a short list: there will be no major injuries this year; Sanchez fits in immediately and is a match-winner; Ozil is destined to improve in his second year; the progression of Ramsey and other young players continues; Mikel Arteta can play well as defensive midfielder; and several other issues I've not yet touched on. Your thoughts on these issues may vary but I think it's safe to say we would not receive a unanimous "oh yeah, nothing there is a problem" response.</div>
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The other more glaring issue is that if you asked anyone at the start of the August what Arsenal's biggest needs were, without hesitation they would have said "cover at center back, a defensive midfielder, and a striker." While I don't believe in the latter (I swear, my tombstone will say "Arsenal Were Good Enough to Win the League with Olivier Giroud" I think the first two points were nigh unassailable. Even if Arteta was good enough to play the position all year round, the Gunners still need cover beyond Mathieu "Captain Yellow Card" Flamini. The center back situation was even more obvious. Our first choice pairing of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny is very good, but when the only cover is a 19 year-old who might not even be a center back, it's pretty clear that reinforcements need to be brought in. But they weren't, and I still don't understand that.</div>
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You're more upset about this than me, Sam, but I still have my doubts about how things were done. Where do we agree and where do we disagree?</div>
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<b>Sam:</b> My opinions aren't so black and white in terms of agree/disagree, but to answer your question I do agree with most of what you said. While I like the incoming signings, I don't actually think we've added anything to the squad. If you look at the teams that finished above us last season, they've all added in terms of quality and depth: Chelsea finally got a striker who can put the ball in the net in Costa and a midfielder who can dictate their play from deep in Fabregas (as an aside, earlier this summer we disagreed about whether Arsène Wenger should have brought back our erstwhile captain - after seeing his start to the season I'm now beginning to side with your opinion that, yes, we damn well should have); Manchester City lost no one of real importance and added Fernando, Eliaquim Mangala, Bacary Sagna, Willy Caballero and more to strengthen an already formidable title-winning squad; Liverpool sold last season's player of the year but added Mario Balotelli and more to improve their team; even Manchester United, Everton and Tottenham have added depth and quality. Arsenal, however, let 3 (true) first-team players go, replacing them with players of equal or slightly better quality (Vermaelen-Chambers, Sagna-Debuchy, Fabianski-Ospina) with Sanchez and Welbeck the only 'real' additions in my eyes. So while I tend to agree with you that Arsenal did have enough to win the league last season, I feel like the summer's transfer activity around the league will leave us further behind this time out.</div>
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What I find completely unacceptable is the failure to bring in any defensive cover. I don't hate that we didn't bring in a defensive midfielder, as Arteta and Flamini will do just enough (though are not the quality required for a sustained title push), and Arsène hasn't bought a player in that mold since Gilberto left, so I wasn't expecting a lot of movement there. But to know, from the end of last season, that you were going to let your club captain leave, as well as having Johan Djourou finally come off the books, and not go all out for a true center-half to add cover to the position is a travesty. All it will take is one of Mertescielny to get a mild injury and our defense will be at bare bones. Again, Chambers has looked good, but is far too rash and has noticeably been beaten by opponents in key positions/situations. I can't accept that Wenger thinks that Chambers and Monreal are good enough, playing out of position, for a full season. I know we can redress this issue in January, but Arsenal are traditionally quiet in the winter window, and they may well be too far behind by that point anyway.</div>
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As anyone can probably tell, I am very pessimistic about this season. Do you have any optimism, Andy? Can you see a silver lining in the gray cloud above my head?<br />
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<b>Andy:</b> Of course I can: Arsenal have a really really good squad and will be high up the table yet again this year. Our attacking force includes world class players like Ozil, Sanchez, and Aaron Ramsey. Chamberlain is posed to be the breakout star of the year, Walcott is returning to add pace and stretch the defense, Santi Cazorla is the same brilliant playmaker he has be, and so on and so on. I also think you may be giving short shrift to Welbeck, a player that fits well into the style of football Arsenal play. He's a worker who makes good runs and can finish around the box. At the very least, this team <i>should</i> be a ton of fun to watch once everyone gets back to fitness and on the same page.<br />
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The risk, as you have correctly outlined, is the lack of depth in defense. And it is a huge risk as one injury could indeed have us shuffling players out of position and asking too much from youngsters that we're trying to develop. That's the baffling part of the business conducted this window and one has to wonder what the plan in place is besides blood sacrifices to ensure an injury-free campaign.</div>
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That's the frustration with Arsenal this year, and most years since the heyday of the Invincibles: they are an excellent team who we are spoiled to complain about each week, but they are maddeningly one step removed from being the best that each iteration of the team could be. As plenty have said on Twitter and elsewhere, if Arsenal had bought an experienced center back (or a non-project younger player) then this window would have been considered an unqualified success for most. Yet here we are again. It leaves me in this strange middle ground rather than under the ominous clouds occupying your current location, but that's still a place less than perfect when it easily could have been otherwise.</div>
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Since I follow you on Twitter, I have already bristled at your Wenger comments, but please lay them out here for anyone who hasn't seen them. Do you really believe Arsene is the problem with Arsenal's transfer policy?</div>
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<b>Sam:</b> Let me be clear, I'm on board with the Welbeck signing. Granted, it wasn't what I would have wanted at the beginning of the window, and especially when Giroud got injured, but after some reflection I think he'll be a good player for Arsenal. He fits in with a strong British core and has already stated his intent to work hard and make the runs needed around the box. From his first interview, he sounds like he's very excited about playing with the likes of Özil, Cazorla, Walcott, Sanchez, Ramsey, etc. And if there's one thing that swings me round to a player, it's when he shows a passion or excitement for playing for the Club.</div>
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To answer your question, though ... I think Arsène is part of the problem, but the board need to take some of the blame too. Ever since the new commercial deals were announced, we've been told that the Club finally have enough money to challenge the oil-rich clubs in the transfer window, and by extension, the major trophies. However, when you have a glaring hole in your team that needs to be addressed, and have at least a month to deal with it (I'm talking central defense here), you HAVE to do something about it. Wenger should have been making inquiries and an effort to spend the money Arsenal supposedly have. Look, we will never know the ins and outs of every deal, and which rumors are true, but when you see players like Kostas Manolas and Sokratis supposedly available, and for relatively good prices, you really should be making a move for them. If Vermaelen leaves for £15m, that should be available to reinvest, plus his wages are off the book so there's money to use on a replacement there too. I just feel like Arsène has become too stubborn and set in his ways; the more the press and fans call for him to spend money, the more he wants to revert to his original philosophy - that of signing unknown or underrated players and getting the best out of them. It just hasn't worked for 10 years. And the board. I mean, how, HOW, do you give your manager permission to leave the country and faff about in a charity match on what could have been - and may well prove to be - a season-defining day? It's simply unacceptable. Am I just being completely stupid about this?<br />
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<b>Andy: </b>I don't think you're being stupid about it, but I also don't react to it on the same level. Let's not forget how much people were moaning about Arsene being "on vacation" in Brazil and then oh wow, here comes Alexis Sanchez to The Arsenal. Not to mention that this Welbeck deal, which wasn't in the press at all before Deadline Day, got done with our manager in Rome anyway. So though it's an easy talking point, I don't think all of that is terribly important.<br />
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I agree with you to a point but allow me to play Devil's Advocate here because I think there are some important issues to mention. You're not wrong that Arsenal needed to find coverage at center back, but think about the ways we've tried to solve that in the past. Do the names Squillaci and Djourou ring a bell? When you bring in just anyone to act as cover you run the risk of getting players who aren't talented enough or not willing to play that backup role, and then you have to wait years to get their wages off the books, impairing your ability to sign new players in the meantime. That's not to say that Manolas would be Version 2.0 of our mistakes of fullbacks past, but he wanted first team action and pushed to go to Roma instead. Even if you make an offer Olympiakos couldn't refuse, who's to say you get a motivated player in return?</div>
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My worry with all of this "he was available, we should have gotten him!!" talk is that we have no idea what was happening behind the scenes and it's entirely possible the players didn't mesh with the expectations Arsenal would have for them, or that the rumors floated around were just that. I'm not excusing the inability to bring in another player, but I was very happy to finally get all of the significant dead weight off of the roster and picking up just anyone is a great way to get right back into that mess.</div>
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That's an extreme defense because it's not hard to imagine the Gunners getting at least one of the defenders that we've seen move during the window, but the point does remain: do we want to see a player brought in for a four month fix (the January window does still exist even if we aren't normally that active in it) and then have them linger for several years afterward? I acknowledge the risk in not adding but I'm not sure that it's this automatic black mark that everyone is making it out to be (cue Mertesacker and Koscielny colliding on a header, leaving us with a Chambers/Flamini center back pairing).</div>
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<b>Sam:</b> Unlike a lot of the Arsenal Twitterati, I actually had no problem with Wenger being in Brazil earlier this summer, because, here's the thing:<i> he was in the same country as all of the world's best players</i>. If you want access to players and their agents, what better place to be than the World Cup. I can't imagine Arsène was commentating on every match for French TV, and hell, he had just ended a nine-year trophy drought. The guy is 64 years old, let him enjoy a little time on the Copacabana. At that point in the summer he still had about 2 months to complete his business; disappearing to Rome for a charity match in the last 24 hours of the window, 2 hours of which were almost definitely spent away from his phone, is a completely different matter.</div>
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You make a good point about the stiffs we've had in the center of defense in recent years, but we also didn't have Mertescielny during those years. Djourou and Squillaci came in after the likes of Kolo Toure and Sol Campbell had departed, and were also supplemented by the likes of Gallas and Silvestre. I just feel like, with the BFG and Laurent already in place, an experienced body of any kind would have done a job, and definitely would have made me, personally, feel better about any potential injury. Yes, we have the January window, but four months is half a season, and anything could happen in that time.</div>
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What pains me most is that my cautious optimism has almost completely been destroyed. After we won the Cup and signed Alexis - hell, even up to the Community Shield - I felt like Arsenal were in position to finally contend again. That feeling has now eroded. Of course, I will support the team and every player that dons the red and white this season, but I've lost a lot of faith in Wenger and the board. I'm sure I'll calm down in a week or two, and here's hoping I'm proven wrong in the upcoming months.</div>
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Our next match against Man City will go a long way to determining how I feel about the rest of 2014.</div>
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Sam Burgesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10890534399946515952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3036453741346593385.post-69537018203612843022014-09-02T16:40:00.001-04:002014-09-02T17:07:44.472-04:00Hot Sports Takes: The Transfer Window ClosesThose of you that follow me on Twitter would have seen me ranting and raving about Arsenal's transfer deadline day yesterday. A night's sleep has done something to calm me down, but I'm still pretty damn pissed off about what's gone on this summer. Here are some random tjhoughts in no particular order...<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">Arsène Wenger has lost touch with modern football.</span></b><br />
Seventeen years ago, Wenger was a genius. He modernized training, conditioning and eating regimes to maximize the potential of his players, and won several competitions with a fast, flowing style of football. However, once Roman Abramovich bought Chelsea, the football world changed dramatically. Now, Wenger seems set on ignoring all calls to actually strengthen his squad and insists on waiting until the very end of the window to cover a need that has been screaming in his face all summer.<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">There is no accountability for Wenger's actions.</span></b><br />
Before the FA Cup final, I had a conversation with a fellow Boston Gooner about Wenger's contract situation, and we both came to the same conclusion: Arsène should only be signed to a 12-month rolling contract. I stand by that now. By giving Wenger a three-year deal, the board have basically allowed Wenger to do anything he wants with no repercussions whatsoever. For example, going to Rome to manage/referee (depending on your source) a charity match on deadline day, which, thanks to Olivier Giroud's injury, quickly became a hugely important day for the Club. There is no way that at any other club, or in any walk of life, a board would let a manager travel abroad for a meaningless event on one of the club's/companies most important days of the year.<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">Arsenal's squad is only slightly better than last season's.</span></b><br />
In terms of squad size, the only 'true addition' to last year's squad is Alexis Sanchez. David Ospina replaced Lukasz Fabianski; Mathieu Debuchy came in to fill in the Bacary Sagna-sized hole at right back (and at the age of 29, probably doesn't have a long future there); Calum Chambers is covering two positions, basically replacing Carl Jenkinson and Thomas Vermaelen; and Danny Welbeck, while an improvement, is pretty much filling the squad spot vacated by Nicklas Bendtner's departure. So far, Debuchy has looked good, Chambers has been very impressive but still shows moments of youthful rashness, and Alexis has looked sharp and will only improve as he settles. The squad is no deeper than last season, and the level of quality has only slightly gone up. Also, there is the usual lack of a defensive midfielder and cover for central defense.<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">Let's give Welbeck some time.</span></b><br />
Welbz was hardly the marquee striker fans were clamoring for, and yesterday evening I was fuming that we'd signed a player that other fans were already mocking us about. However, after calmig down overnight, I don't hate this signing that much. Welbeck is still only 23, he's an established Premier League forward and England international who has rarely played in his favored position. He'll get a lot of playing time as center-forward while Giroud is injured and he's a hard worker who runs all game. £16m is a lot of money for him, especially when Mario Balotelli cost Liverpool the same sum of money.<br />
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<span style="color: red;"><b>Central defensive cover?</b></span><br />
Seeing as Wenger knew that Vermaelen would be leaving the Club as early as the end of the season - and probably earlier than that - there's no way you can convince me that there wasn't someone out there who we could have brought in. Chambers, as already stated, has impressed, but he's just 19 years old, and Wenger can't expect a trio of him, Koscielny and Mertesacker to carry us through around 50 games this season. Our defense is so threadbare that Nacho Monreal is now 4th choice center-half. Southampton signed Belgian international Toby Alderweireld on a season-long loan deal on deadline day; surely we should have at least inquired about him? I mean, I would even have accepted going after someone like James Chester, Brede Hangeland (available on a free - surely worth a sniff?), or Ron Vlaar; basically anyone who has top-flight experience and might be willing to play 3rd choice at a top club like Arsenal. It wouldn't have been a glamorous transfer, but it would be a sensible and defensible one.<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">Same old, same old.</span></b><br />
It's just the same transfer story. For years, Wenger sold off key players and replaced them with others who were just good enough to get us to fourth every May. This summer, only Alexis can really be considered a great signing. It's also the same old story in terms of being a joke among fans of other clubs. The Arsenal should be challenging for the title well into the tail-end of the season, yet for years, we've been a laughing stock as we failed to win any trophy and Wenger and board stated their belief that 4th is in fact a trophy. Welbeck has added to that. As I've said, he isn't a terrible signing, but considering the names we've been linked with, he's not what was needed/wanted by fans. I saw a lot of other fans laughing at the fact that Arsenal needed a quality forward and some kind of defensive cover and ended up with Welbeck; my brother, a Liverpool fan, texted me this morning to say that it was "a sh*t transfer". That is how we are seen by others. We are back to being a joke. The FA Cup win looks more like an aberration than the start of a new era.<br />
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As angry as I am, I will always support the Club, and the players that wear the red and white. However, this season is beginning to look like a long one, and the promise from earlier this summer is very quickly fading. My faith in Wenger, Gazidis, Kroenke, Cheswick et al is very low right now.Sam Burgesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10890534399946515952noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3036453741346593385.post-89529047223291599062014-08-15T11:49:00.001-04:002014-08-15T11:49:58.477-04:00Friday Throwdown: 2014/15 Arsenal EPL Preview, Pt. 3<i>Andy and I found it very hard to stop once we'd started discussing Arsenal's upcoming season, so here is the final piece of the preview. If you missed any of yesterday's posts, <a href="http://www.blog.bostongooners.com/2014/08/thursday-throwdown-201415-arsenal-epl.html" target="_blank">Part 1 is here</a>, in which we discuss transfer, 'keepers and defenders, and Part 2, which covers midfield and attack, <a href="http://www.blog.bostongooners.com/2014/08/thursday-throwdown-201415-arsenal-epl_14.html" target="_blank">is here</a>. In the third and final part, we look at the fixture list and Arsenal's final league position.</i><br />
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<b>Andy: </b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">We may have our quibbles, Sam, but it appears that we are both positive about Arsenal's chances this season. Looking at the fixtures, are there any tough stretches you see that could trip us up, or vitally timed blocks of games that will be important to potential title aspirations?</span><br />
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<b>Sam: </b>A cursory glance over the fixture list doesn't show too many clumps of big fixtures together, which is a nice change from last year. Last season, the Gunners faced runs like Liverpool-Man U-Liverpool-Bayern in the space of 11 days in February, then Everton-Bayern-Spurs-Chelsea-<wbr></wbr>Swansea-City-Everton in the space of a calendar month. That is a hellacious stretch of fixtures, even if you have a full-strength squad, which Arsenal certainly did not have at the time. For title considerations this time round, though, the run-in looks harder than in recent seasons; Arsenal are due to face Chelsea at home and Man Utd away in the last 5 games of the season. Liverpool also visit the Emirates in early April, and those fixtures could have a large part to play in the final destination of the league trophy. Depending on what happens in the Champions League, and fixture changes, we could end up with a few more Saturday midday kick-offs after European travel. But we won't know what will happen there for a few weeks. Is there anything that stands out for you on the fixture list?</div>
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<b>Andy: </b><span style="background-color: white;">For me, the first stretch that pops is actually the opening six matches in the league. There was much talk about Arsenal's inability to get results against the other big teams last season, and for good reason, so to see four of last year's top six finishers in the first two months is a bit rough. That stretch is an even mix between home and away with games at Everton and Chelsea, the Gunners hosting Manchester City and Spurs, and a couple of Champions League qualifiers against Besiktas thrown in for good measure. It won't be a damning indictment of the club if they are mid-table after that run of difficult matches, but it would be a huge boost to the players and the fans if they can come out of it with a good percentage of points, setting them up for a pre-Christmas stretch that only includes "big" games against Manchester United and Liverpool.</span></div>
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Champions League, league cup, and FA Cup scheduling will determine which parts of the 2015 portion will be most deadly but you're not wrong about the run-in. Strangely enough, that West Brom match to end the season is the one that scares me the most as I think they are prime candidates for relegation this year. Facing a desperate team with their backs to the wall in the last game is incredibly unappealing regardless of talent level, but that is all speculation and for all we know, they'll be well relegated or sitting safe by then.</div>
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As we wind down to our actual predictions for Arsenal this season, let's take a quick look at our main competitors for the title, other trophies, and Champions League spots. The early buzz is about Chelsea with all of their additions and while I normally push back against groupthink, this is the majority opinion for a reason. Are the loathsome Blues your biggest worry heading into opening weekend?</div>
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<b>Sam: </b>Right now, I do have Chelsea as favorites to win the league. They've added to an already formidable squad, and it will be interesting to see how Fabregas and Diego Costa combine for the Blues; both have looked good in pre-season, but one of my friends from home who is a Chelsea fan is not convinced by either. I'm actually one of those rare Mourinho defenders: yes, he's a complete tool, but every now and then he says something that makes sense, and he recognizes that the season lasts 38 games, so identifies games that he will accept 1 point from instead of 3, and then parks the bus. It's not pretty, but it's effective, and at the end of the day, I'd rather win the title than win a single game at, say, Old Trafford. Probably a controversial opinion, but the trophies are what the game is played for.</div>
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Of course, Manchester City are obviously a threat as reigning champions, and while they haven't made any big-name signings, they hardly need to. You have to expect that they will be up there at the end of the season, and they're the side I'd want to win if Arsenal don't do it. Pellegrini seems like a nice enough chap, and the only player to really hate is Na$ri, though part of me just doesn't care about him anymore. Do you think there are any other teams to keep our eyes on this year, Andy?</div>
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<b>Andy:</b> We unfortunately agree on Chelsea being the favorites though I do not agree with you on Mourinho in the least. Ignoring the issues I have with his personality and philosophy (which is really tough to do), he plays such a negative style of football when he doesn't need to. If he was only parking the bus away against Arsenal, United, and City then I would understand a little more and give him some strategic credit. But he plays that way against sides that Chelsea hold a huge talent imbalance over and there is nothing in his pragmatism that makes claim to anything beyond results. As someone who watches sport in general for much more than a plodding 1-0 home win over West Brom, he bothers me immensely. Say what you want about City and how they skew the market with their spending; at least they understand how to put together an entertaining squad when they have the money to do anything. If you can buy whatever you want, why on earth would you purchase and mold a negative, boring team?</div>
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Ugh. Need to clear away the hate and move on.</div>
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City is of course a danger as the defending champions, though I believe they'll be displaced one way or another as they haven't improved a squad that got a lot of help last year from other teams' results and injuries. It bothers me to say this but I think the biggest challenge other than those two will probably be Manchester United. They always had talent, especially once Juan Mata was brought in to be a midfield force, but now they actually have a manager who seems to have an idea of what he's doing. Even more important, the lack of European matches will allow Van Gaal to focus his efforts on the league and domestic cups, which certainly gives United an advantage as last year's top teams start to drag and rely on rotating lineups. It's for this reason that I think Liverpool will fall out of the top four and Everton won't be able to build on last year's strong showing. I don't necessarily wish that to be the case, but it's what I am predicting.</div>
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Ok, let's get to it, the real thing: where do Arsenal finish this year Sam?</div>
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<b>Sam:</b> My heart says 3rd, and my head says 3rd. Good to see they both agree sometimes. I just can't see the Gunners overtaking Man City or Chelsea, and, on paper, the Arsenal squad is better than that of Liverpool, Man Utd, Tottenham or Everton. Last season we only finished 7 points off the top spot; I expect that gap to be smaller this season, and depending on injuries and performances against other challengers, Arsenal could very well win the title. As I said before, though, I think third place is a realistic expectation, and hopefully a minimum target within the Club. I won't come out and say we'll win a cup, as they are too random, but we should be progressing very deep in to the domestic competitions, too. What are your expectations for the upcoming season?</div>
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<b>Andy:</b> I'm going to do one better than you and say 2nd, though I wouldn't be surprised if they fell as far as 4th. Or, if health actually holds for once, I could see the Gunners winning the league. On paper though, that Chelsea team is so damn deep and so damn good. The defense is solid, the midfield can roll out many different tactical looks, and Costa is tailor-made to succeed in the EPL. The Blues are certainly the favorites and are whom I believe will be at the top at the end. I like Arsenal's squad better that City, United, and Liverpool though. A lot of pace, creativity, and guile in midfield depending on who the Gunners put out, a top defense including the keeper, and interesting options up top aside from the striker that still had them top of the league going into 2014. Keep in mind that <i>everything</i> could change in the next two and a half weeks depending on any transfers that come through, but I think that another top four finish with a legitimate push at the title at the end of the season, plus deep cup runs, should be the expectation for Arsenal this year.</div>
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I'll ask one last question of you, Sam, and give you the last word in the process: what are you looking forward to the most this season? For me it's relatively simple, but so important: a full year of Aaron Ramsey and a full year from Mesut Ozil now that he's used to the speed and physicality of the Premier League. They are two of my favorite players to watch and I sincerely hope injuries don't get in the way and ruin what should be some beautiful football. What about yourself?</div>
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<b>Sam: </b><span style="font-family: arial;">Hmm, interesting question, as I hadn't really thought in specifics on that. I guess I'm just looking forward to the return of the football season, and having matches to watch every weekend. In Arsenal specific terms, I'm interested to see how Sanogo develops, and whether Jack Wilshere can take a Ramsey-like step up this season and live up to the hype that got (perhaps unfairly) built up after he made his debut at the age of 16. I'm also looking forward to, for the first time in years, watching an Arsenal season in which I feel confident that we can make a sustained title challenge, as well as not having to hear about something called a "trophy drought". Seriously, what does that mean? I only know what winning feels like after this summer.</span></div>
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Alright, I think that pretty much sums it all up. Thanks, readers, for sticking with us through all of that, but as you can probably tell, we're excited to be Gooners right now and we just got a bit carried away. Here's to a great season, hope to see you all at Lir, and, as ever: COYG!</div>
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Sam Burgesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10890534399946515952noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3036453741346593385.post-52725179010680283982014-08-14T14:44:00.001-04:002014-08-14T14:44:33.307-04:00Thursday Throwdown: 2014/15 Arsenal EPL Preview, Pt. 2<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
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<i>To make this extra-long Thursday Throwdown easier for you to read, we've decided to split in to several parts. <a href="http://www.blog.bostongooners.com/2014/08/thursday-throwdown-201415-arsenal-epl.html" target="_blank">In part 1</a>, Andy and I got as far as discussing the transfers, goalkeepers and defense. Here, we move further up the pitch, and take a look at midfield and attack...</i><br />
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<b>Sam:</b> Stepping up the pitch to midfield, I think it's safe to assume that the deeper roles will be occupied by Arteta and Ramsey during the season's opener on Saturday. Ramsey looks like he hasn't missed a step this summer, with a great goal against City last weekend; his first touch to lift it over his defender's foot was perfect and showed great speed of thought, while his finish was exactly what we Gooners have come to expect when we see him in those positions. I assume you agree with me on those selections Andy? I'll also go on a limb and assume you agree with me that further forward, Arsenal's best options are Theo Walcott, Mesut Özil, and Alexis Sanchez...<br />
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<a name='more'></a><b>Andy:</b> I think I may be in the minority of Arsenal fans here (at least the ones I've talked to or read material from) but I don't think that Walcott is an auto-include in the starting XI. This is ignoring the health issue which will obviously have to be resolved; I'm not saying to hold him out just because he's coming back from injury. Rather, I think there is a strong argument to include Santi Cazorla over Theo to add more creativity to that midfield. I view Sanchez as an improvement over our former recording holding speedster and though they are different players who offer nuances to their general style, the Chilean is the more complete player who can operate at full capacity in a variety of different types of games. So if I'm saying that Alexis is a must start, that means, for me, it's a choice between Santi and Theo.<br />
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Why I like Santi more is that he provides creativity in midfield, an attribute that does not diminish with duplication, while Walcott provides pace and runs in behind, which is redundant to a degree. This isn't to say that Walcott is a very good player who would be of use on the pitch, but think of it this way; the most important thing about Theo is that he makes runs in behind, which stretches the defense. He is also great on the counter and has become a solid finisher, but the most important part of his game is what his does to the opposition's back line. Well, now Arsenal has Sanchez and he can do the exact same thing, playing off the back shoulder of the last defender. He may not be Theo's equal in pure speed, but he's pretty damn close and he will accomplish the same goal of stretching the shape of the other team. In same cases, it will be useful to have two players doing that, feasting off of through balls from the likes of Ozil and Ramsey. But one player of that type is enough to create the right kind of problems, so I would prefer to have someone like Santi on the field who can work angles and create for the other talented offensive players. I like him and Mesut together rather than Mesut feeding for both Sanchez and Walcott.</div>
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Does this wreck our happy harmony over the other choices, Sam? I still like the Ramsey and Arteta pairing, I swear!</div>
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<b>Sam: </b>Interesting selection there. Playing Santi in the first-XI means that when Theo returns, the English media can fall back on one of their favorite tropes: bring on your speedster with 30 minutes left to run at a tired defense. At least you'd make their job a lot easier for them if you were in charge, Andy. Seriously, though, I would have no objections to a Sanchez-Özil-Santi line. There would be so much guile and creativity there, and Santi has shown in his last two matches at Wembley that he can put the ball in the net. I'd just be very intrigued/excited to see Özil pulling the strings and Giroud holding play while up while Alexis and Walcott buzz around the opposition like mosquitoes on a beach holiday. I think that line-up would strike more fear in opposing defenses, but it's not hardly a bad problem to have. And we haven't even mentioned the likes of Podolski, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Rosicky or Campbell. Arsenal are particularly stacked in the attacking midfield department this season.</div>
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Let's move to final position on the pitch, and seeing as we agree Alexis will be used in the wide attacking midfield positions, I think it's hard to argue that Olivier Giroud is the best center-forward in the squad right now. Having said that, I am a <i>huge</i> fan of Yaya Sanogo, and I'm desperate for him to score his first competitive goal! I actually expect him to lead the line in the season opener against Palace, mainly because Giroud probably isn't 100% in terms of match fitness. It's just so fun to watch him flail his limbs around and confuse the opposition. Realistically, though I accept that Giroud should be first choice in the position; one of my favorite things about Olivier is that he always points to or kisses the badge when he scores, and I love to see that passion for the Club in our players. Where do you stand on the strikers, Andy? Are you as sold as I am about Yaya?</div>
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<b>Andy:</b> I don't know if I'm quite as sold on our weekly reminder than Wham! was actually a thing, but I am optimistic for the future. Yaya should get some league cup starts at the very least and his presence in the lineup for any important matches will depend on his development and performances in the games he does see. It's exciting to have Joel Campbell around as well but I think this comes down to another season where Giroud is the featured striker and anyone else seeing time up front is doing so in order to spell the main man.</div>
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I don't think that's a bad thing either, which would make me the subject of all kinds of hate tweets if I had more than 79-odd followers (it's exactly 79, trust me, I know). For the life of me I can't understand why our fan base will not accept Giroud for what he is: a traditional number nine with excellent passing skills and superb hold-up play. He's not going to wow you with technical brilliance and no, he doesn't have quite the poacher's instinct that we want. But he brings our other offensive players in brilliantly and when you have the likes of Sanchez, Walcott, Cazorla, Ramsey, Wilshere, Rosicky, Ox, and others buzzing around him, that's a very important talent to have.</div>
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The main change from the 2013-2014 Arsenal Offense Featuring Olivier Giroud should be Sanchez seeing some time up top as well, either to spell Giroud or to work with him if tactics dictate it. I know that not everyone is sold on this idea as people don't think the Chilean is tall enough or whatever other dumb things people say, but I'm quite excited to have the option of a pacy, clever striker who will stretch defenses and provide options for the creativity of the midfielders. It will be something of an experiment, but one that could provide serious dividends if successful.</div>
Sam Burgesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10890534399946515952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3036453741346593385.post-22099736305141208822014-08-14T11:21:00.002-04:002014-08-14T11:34:57.600-04:00Thursday Throwdown: 2014/15 Arsenal EPL Preview<i>Following on from this week's club-by-club previews (in case you missed them, <a href="http://www.blog.bostongooners.com/2014/08/2014-15-barclays-premier-league-preview_11.html" target="_blank">part 1</a> is here, <a href="http://www.blog.bostongooners.com/2014/08/2014-15-barclays-premier-league-preview_12.html" target="_blank">part 2</a> here and part 3 can be <a href="http://www.blog.bostongooners.com/2014/08/2014-15-barclays-premier-league-preview.html" target="_blank">found here</a>), regular Thursday Throwdown columnists Andy and Sam took some time this week to discuss Arsenal's prospects for the upcoming season. Unsurprisingly, this was a very long conversation. The first part follows here, the second part will come later today. There may well be a part 3, which will go up tomorrow.</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giroud and the boys celebrate his stunner against City<br />
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<b>Sam: </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">All this week, One Club on Boylston have been looking forward to the new season with club-by-club previews. Today, we focus on the club that gets us all up at ungodly hours to watch; Arsenal. There's a lot of optimism around the Club and its fans after finally ending the trophy drought last season with the FA Cup, beating Manchester City in the Community Shield and the transfer dealings done by Arsène Wenger. Let's focus on that last point first, Andy. For once, Arsenal have done most of their business early in the window, rather than leaving it to deadline day, and there are still two weeks left to bring in some new players, should Wenger feel the need to (now we have only two centre backs, let's hope he does). We discussed the signing of Sanchez a few weeks ago, but let's talk about the other new signings. What are your thoughts on Wenger's transfer business?</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b>Andy: </b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I think it's hard to be upset with the way Arsenal have attacked the transfer market so far this summer, so long as those operative words "so far" are included. The Sanchez signing was important, both from a strategic view and as a statement of intent; Calum Chambers is looking better and better, though the phrase "it's only preseason" should appear in all CAPS after any gushing treatment of him; bringing in Mathieu Debuchy and David Ospina was smart as they were necessary moves to shore up weaknesses left by players transferring out. All very well done and boosts to the squad going forward.</span><br />
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However, the one glaring problem that still remains is depth at center back. The Laurent Koscielny/Per Mertesacker pairing is one of the strongest in the league and Arsenal's best bet at true title contention this season, but they can't play every game and already Kos is down with a nagging Achilles issue. Add in our BFG only recently rejoining the team after his part in Germany's World Cup win and there is a desperate need for other competent players in the middle. Chambers has looked good so far and Nacho Monreal hasn't been <i>too</i> out of depth playing out of position, but true understudies must be brought in to make this team complete.</div>
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Is that it, Sam? Is Arsenal only missing some cover on defense or is there more that you would like to see Arsène do before this window closes?</div>
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<b>Sam:</b> I completely agree with you about the defense. While we survived last year with only three true center backs, we had Sagna who performed very solidly there when asked, but now he and Thomas Vermaelen have left the Club, there is a serious need for reinforcements. Yes, Chambers has performed well - though being outpaced by Edin Dzeko is a worrying sign - and Monreal has looked decent enough in pre-season, the defense as currently constituted isn't deep enough for a sustained title challenge. Just one injury to Kos or BFG and we're looking at starting a 19-year old with just over 20 Premier League appearances to his name or a left-back who often fails to impress in his natural position. Who that third-choice center back could be (Mats Hummels is unlikely, and we've been heavily linked with Daniel Agger, a more realistic option), I don't know, but I hope that Arsène has something lined up.</div>
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Other than that, I'm a big fan of the midfield enforcer type player. Mikel Arteta does a good job as the deep-lying playmaker in a Pirlo-esque role, and Mathieu Flamini guarantees you some feisty challenges (and almost guarantees a booking), but really the two are only effective against lesser teams. I would like to see someone come in to the side who can protect the back four when we travel to the likes of Chelsea and Man City, or face someone like Bayern Munich in the Champions League. This would allow our attacking players to do their thing with the knowledge that there is someone mopping up behind them. The long-running rumors of Sami Khedira are nice, but he doesn't really fit that mold; instead, I'd like to see one of the Benders, Willy Carvalho or Morgan Schneiderlin come in (I'm only mentioning names Arsenal have been linked to here) to take up that role. If Wenger filled those two positions, I'd be a very happy Gooner, and much more confident of our chances this season. Are there any other needs you'd like to see addressed before we move on from transfers, Andy?<br />
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<b>Andy: </b>I think you've touched on the last of the areas for potential improvement, but a bit about Arteta before we move on. I wouldn't expect the Spaniard to be replaced this year as he was just made captain of the club, with Mertesacker acting as his vice. This does not guarantee him a spot on the field (Vermaelen spending most of last season on the bench is proof of that) but I find it hard to believe that he would be relegated to back-up so soon after being picked to lead the team. Let's also not forget that when Aaron Ramsey was playing in front of him, Arteta did a very good job as our deepest lying midfielder, protecting the back four and distributing the ball well as usual. It was only when Arteta himself was exposed by the positioning of those playing in front of him (looking at you, Jack Wilshere) that he truly suffered. You can argue that a more solid defensive player would have fared better in those situations and you may be right, but I think it's important to see Arteta as a valuable player even if his time is coming to an end, rather than a useless relic that needs to be put out to pasture. I'm not saying that you, Samuel Burgess, are saying that, but it's something I've seen pop up on Twitter far more than I'd like.<br />
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Because of Arteta's importance to the club, both as captain and as a player, I would expect any replacement to be more of a project rather than someone who will start from day one. It wouldn't surprise me to see Arsenal sign multiple players as center back depth and groom Chambers for the role as Wenger has already said he has the ability to play at DM. Time will tell of course, but my thinking is that we won't see the complete switch that some have predicted.</div>
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Enough about who might still come to Arsenal though. Let's talk about the squad that we have in front of us and let's start with the goalkeeper position, then move forward. If I remember correctly, you've been spouting some awfully blasphemous talk about Szczesny not being the keeper for the future. Do you think Ospina will end up being the better choice once the dust settles?<br />
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<b>Sam: </b>Hey now, "blasphemous" is taking it a little far! But yes, I am buying in to Ospina early. Don't get me wrong, I like Szczesny and think he's a good keeper - 16 clean sheets (tied most) in the League last season is nothing to be sniffed at - but sometimes I worry about him. I believe that there was a period last season where, had Wenger had more faith in Fabianski or a better option, Sir Chez could have lost his place. Ospina is that better option to me. During his spell at Nice, he was considered one of the best goalkeepers in France, he's got 48 caps for Colombia to his name at the age of 25 and conceded the least amount of goals in South America's World Cup qualifiers. He may not displace Woj, but I can't imagine he's going to be happy sitting on the bench for the majority of the year, and he will push hard in training and take his chances when he gets them.<br />
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<b>Andy: </b>I said blasphemous and I stand by it! That admittedly comes from a personal place: I love King Szcz and fully support him as Arsenal keeper now that he's put some of the staggeringly foolish mistakes behind him. He still puts himself a position where it can all go to hell with the quickness, but now he actually executes on those headers outside of the box and things of that nature, so I can say "oh Szczesny, you make everything more entertaining" rather than cursing his name. Of course the minute he pulls a Birmingham while being reckless I know I can count on the cries for Ospina to rain down from the stands.<br />
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Putting aside the personal entertainment value, I honestly do believe that Szczesny is the better keeper right now. You mentioned the clean sheets but those numbers don't show how he improved in every area, from shot stopping (which he was already good at) to decisions on crosses (which he had been suspect with before). He seems to benefit from serious competition and Ospina will certainly provide it as he's no slouch whatsoever. If Ospina turns out to be world class and supplants Szcz then I'll eat my words, but that's what we call a good problem to have.</div>
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Moving on to defense, I assume we both agree that the best four would be Gibbs on the left, Koscielny and Mertesacker in the middle, and Debuchy on the right, yes? Our starting back line may be set, but do you see any issues there?</div>
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<b>Sam:</b> No arguments from me there. The only issues I have are the ones we mentioned earlier (injuries, lack of depth). Debuchy impressed me in the Community Shield; he looked good defensively and didn't go on too many marauding runs forward, a major criticism of his when he was at Newcastle. I wouldn't be too averse to him getting forward, but if he finds the balance Sagna had then the right back slot looks safe for a few years, at least. As an aside, we've mentioned Chambers as a CDM, but as Debuchy is 30, his time in the first-XI might be relatively short, so I'm not sure Calum should be converted just yet; I'm sure this is something we can discuss in the future, though. Gibbs is a reliable choice at left back, and is unlucky (or perhaps he's very lucky?) not to get any recognition from the England set-up. I don't really feel the need to say anything else about the BFG and the Boss, as they've let their performances do the talking for the last 18 months. All in all, I'm very happy with our first choice back 4.</div>
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Sam Burgesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10890534399946515952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3036453741346593385.post-9747631436110660002014-08-13T11:39:00.000-04:002014-08-13T16:17:36.551-04:002014-15 Barclays Premier League Preview, Part 3<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c4/Borjan..._Revela%C3%A7%C3%A3o_Espanhola!.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c4/Borjan..._Revela%C3%A7%C3%A3o_Espanhola!.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bojan is one of more intriguing<br />
signings of the summer<br />
(Credit: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bojan_Krki%C4%87" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">With the 2014/15 Barclays Premier League kicking off this Saturday, One Club on Boylston will be previewing each team's chances this season, looking at their performances last season and the business conducted during the transfer window so far. <a href="http://www.blog.bostongooners.com/2014/08/2014-15-barclays-premier-league-preview_11.html" target="_blank">Part 1</a> went up on Monday, <a href="http://www.blog.bostongooners.com/2014/08/2014-15-barclays-premier-league-preview_12.html" target="_blank">Part 2</a> was yesterday, and Part 3, featuring Stoke City through West Ham United. Come back tomorrow for the Arsenal season preview - the one we actually care about - when Andy will join me for our regular Thursday Throwdown column.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Incidentally, this is One Club on Boylston's 100th post. Thanks for sticking with us and giving our writers an audience to share their thoughts with, and for making them feel important because they have an audience. Here's to the next 100 posts. Thank you, Boston Gooners!</span></i><br />
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<b>Stoke City:</b> Stoke are coming off their highest ever finish in the Premier League era, after ending the season ninth in Mark Hughes’ first season as manager. The Potters have had a relatively successful summer, signing Mame Biram Diouf, Steve Sidwell and Phil Bardsley on frees, while agreeing undisclosed deals for Dionatan Teixeira (Google tells me he’s a Brazilian-born Slovak U21 defender from a club called Dukla Banská Bystrica - OK!) and former Barcelona striker Bojan Krkić. The Bojan signing is interesting: for Stoke, it something of a coup to sign a player who has played for Barca, Roma, AC Milan and Ajax; for the player himself, though, it says a lot about the direction his career has taken after exploding on to the scene not long after his 17th birthday. If Bojan can revitalize his career just a bit, then Stoke have a good chance of improving on their ninth-placed finish of last season. One of our regulars has them finishing as high as 6th; OCoB can’t see them qualifying for Europe, so has Stoke a more realistic 8th.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><b>Sunderland:</b> The Black Cats started last season under the management of controversial figure Paulo Di Canio, before firing him 5 matches into the season. Under new manager Gus Poyet, Sunderland embarked on the definition of a roller-coaster season; after initially improving their form, and even taking them to the League Cup final (in which they would lose 3-1 against Man City, despite leading 1-0 at half-time), they suffered a horrendous slump in form, falling to bottom with 6 games remaining before turning it round again and finally finishing 14th. Poyet’s first aim this season is surely to bring some stability to the Stadium of Light after a turbulent few seasons. However, a large number of players have left or been released, with five (as of writing) new signings coming in. Costel Pantilimon has joined to compete with former Arsenal player Vito Mannone for the goalkeeper’s position, while Jack Rodwell also makes the move from Manchester after a disappointing few years with City. Patrick van Aanholt left Chelsea for first-team football, with Jordi Gomez and Billy Jones joining on frees. Sunderland should have enough to extend their stay in to the top division to nine seasons, especially if American forward Jozy Altidore can finally start scoring in England’s top-flight.<br />
<br />
<b>Swansea City:</b> Swansea dropped from 9th to 12th in the final league standings last season, but solidified their position as Premier League team. This slight fall in the rankings may have had something to do with distractions from European football, as well as uncertainty surrounding Michael Laudrup’s position as manager at the start of the season. He was replaced by club captain Garry Monk in February, and Monk impressed many by steering the Swans to a respectable final position. Monk has been active in the transfer window, signing forwards Bafetimbi Gomis, Marvin Emnes and Jefferson Montero (I’ve always been a fan of his on FM - let’s see if he actually has the goods) to bolster his attacking options after loaning Michu to Napoli (and possibly as replacements for Wilfried Bony, who is being linked with a move to a bigger club). Fan favorite Gylfi Sigurdsson returns to the Liberty Stadium as part of a swap deal for Michel Vorm and Ben Davies with Tottenham, while Vorm’s replacement is most likely to be former Arsenal ‘keeper Lukasz Fabianski, who left the Gunners on a free after helping win the FA Cup. Under Monk’s calm and steady management, as well as the decent transfer business conducted so far, Swansea look well placed to continue their stay in the Premier League; OCoB predicts a lower-mid-table finish.<br />
<br />
<b>T*******m H*****r: </b>OCoB was inclined not to write anything about the scum from Middlesex, but feels it has to due to professional obligation. Once again, the club and their fans entered last season proclaiming they would finally overcome their neighbors and qualify for the Champions League; this despite selling their best player and throwing the resulting money in random amounts at any club that would take it and accepting whatever those clubs sent back to them. All of this lead them to finishing one place lower than the season before, replacing Andre Villas-Boas with Tim Sherwood (wh o gave Gooners one of their favorite memories of last season with his gilet tantrum), who only lasted until the end of the season himself, being replaced by former Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino. So far, Sp*rs have signed only three players: Michel Vorm, presumably as Hugo Lloris’ back-up; and defenders Ben Davies and Eric Dier. Pochettino is interested in bringing his former charges Schneiderlin and Rodriguez to Shite Hart Lane, but the Saints are loathe to sell any more first-team players. With a lack of true strengthening, added to the improvements made by others around them, OCoB thinks they will finish another spot down from last year in 7th.<br />
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<b>West Bromwich Albion:</b> The upcoming season could be a real struggle for the Baggies. They enter the season with their third different manager in a calendar year, after Alan Irvine (who is in his first ever Premier League management role) replaced Pepe Mel at the end of last season. Mel was supposed to turn around a squad that was struggling, but failed to click with his players or ownership, contributing to their 17th-placed finish. There has also been a lot of squad turnover this season, with 6 first-team players leaving and 8 coming in. Probably the best-known of those players is former England international Joleon Lescott, though £10m was spent on Nigerian forward Brown Ideye in an attempt to improve their strike force. West Brom’s squad features some established Premier League players, but combining the squad turnover, Irvine’s lack of top-flight experience and improvements of clubs who finished near them, leads OCoB to believe that the Baggies will end the upcoming season in the bottom three.<br />
<br />
<b>West Ham United:</b> Sam Allardyce came under a lot of pressure last season from fans and ownership, after blowing his wad on Andy Carroll (who spent the first half of last season injured), playing ugly football and suffering heavy defeats in the cups. The Hammers, however, finished a fairly respectable 13th, with owners David Gold and David Sullivan deciding to stick with Big Sam, and even provide him some money - and an “attacking coach” to make the side more entertaining - to improve his squad. On paper, it looks like he has done so, spending £12m on Enner Valencia, scorer of 3 goals for Ecuador at the World Cup, £7m on Cheikhou Kouyaté, a Senegalese center-back who played for Anderlecht last season, and agreeing an undisclosed fee for Mauro Zarate, who once appeared for Birmingham in the Premier League (and is another of OCoB’s favorite FM players). There will be some intrigue in East London for Gooners this year, as banter-loving Carl Jenkinson has left the Emirates on loan for first team football, with Wenger hoping he’ll return ready to challenge for the right-back slot. Big Sam has also signed promising England youth international (and Sunderland manager Gus’ son) Diego Poyet and Aaron Cresswell to help compensate for the losses of Joe Cole, Jack Collison and Matt Taylor. If the Hammer’s attacking coach can balance Big Sam’s usual long ball tendencies, and the new signings, Valencia especially, perform well, then West Ham could be an interesting team this season. They are unlikely to compete for European spots, but should finish mid-table, and even have a shot at the top-half. <br />
<br />
<b><u>OCoB's 14/15 Season Predictions</u></b><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<b>2014/15 EPL Champions:</b> Chelsea<br />
<br />
<b>Champions League qualifiers:</b> Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United<br />
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<b>Europa League qualifiers:</b> Everton, Liverpool, Sp*rs<br />
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<b>Relegation:</b> Burnley, Aston Villa, West Brom<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>This post was edited to reflect that the author actually thinks QPR have a good chance of staying up.</i></span>Sam Burgesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10890534399946515952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3036453741346593385.post-14591282269573424202014-08-12T12:29:00.000-04:002014-08-12T12:29:39.296-04:002014-15 Barclays Premier League Preview, Part 2<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/38/Manchester_City_pitch_invasion.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/38/Manchester_City_pitch_invasion.JPG" height="235" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">City fans will be hoping for a repeat of scenes like these<br />
(Credit: <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/38/Manchester_City_pitch_invasion.JPG" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">With the 2014/15 Barclays Premier League kicking off this Saturday, One Club on Boylston will be previewing each team's chances this season, looking at their performances last season and the business conducted during the transfer window so far. <a href="http://www.blog.bostongooners.com/2014/08/2014-15-barclays-premier-league-preview_11.html" target="_blank">Part 1</a> was posted yesterday, Part 2 features Liverpool through the team that Liverpool have mercilessly decimated this summer (Southampton), and Part 3 is coming tomorrow. Come back on Thursday for an in-depth discussion between Andy and I, regarding Arsenal's prospects for the season.</span></i><br />
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<b>Liverpool:</b> AKA Liverhampton. The Anfield club have made a determined effort to build on their second-placed finish of last season by selling their best player and top-scorer by snatching up most of the core of the squad that impressed many by finishing 8th. It was the right time for the Reds to sell Suarez, and they did well to get £75m for a player who won’t even be able to train with his new club until late October. However, his 31 league goals will be incredibly difficult to replace, so while £4m for Rickie Lambert represents decent business, there is still a gaping hole upfront. Brendan Rodgers will hope that new signings Adam Lallana, Lazar Markovic and Emre Can will create and add goals from midfield, Dejan Lovren will add stability to a back line that conceded a lot of goals last season, while the exciting Belgian talent Divock Origi has been signed from and immediately loaned back to Lille. The full-back position has also been strengthened, with Spaniards Alberto Moreno and Javier Manquillo moving to Merseyside, and Rodgers is rumored to be interested in Barcelona’s Dani Alves. Liverpool are also being linked with most of the top strikers in Europe to replace Suarez, but nothing has transpired so far. While Liverpool fans will surely enjoy the business that has been done and be glad to see the back of the controversial Suarez, it is hard to see them replicating their success of last season due to the clubs around them doing better business and not losing their best players; a Champions League qualifying finish may even be out of their reach.<br />
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<b>Manchester City:</b> Last season’s champions had a rocky start to the summer, with star player Yaya Touré throwing a tantrum after the Citizens didn’t celebrate his birthday to the levels he demanded; Yaya seems to have got over such demeaning treatment and remains at the Etihad Stadium for the time being. Already having a deep squad, and facing Financial Fair Play (FFP) sanctions, City have made a much smaller foray into the transfer market than usual this summer. Former Arsenal fan favorite Bacary Sagna arrived at the Etihad on a free, Willy Caballero was signed to back up Joe Hart and Fernando joined from Porto, seemingly just to confuse commentators and pundits. Frank Lampard will spend 6 months in Manchester on loan, before officially joining the Citizens’ MLS partner team New York City, leading many to claim that they are trying to circumnavigate FFP rules. There will be high expectations around the Etihad, and barring a major catastrophe, City will be in the title race come late April/early May. Ownership will also want to see an improvement in their Champions League record, but the 21-man squad limit under FFP could be a hindrance.<br />
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<b>Manchester United:</b> We all had a good laugh at ManUre last season, but on pre-season form and under a new manager in Louis van Gaal, the Red Devils’ time as a laughing stock may already be over. Van Gaal is seemingly trying to reinvent the tactics used at Old Trafford, believing that a 3-5-2 better suits his squad. It worked well for him in the World Cup as the Netherlands got the semi-finals, but it’s a formation we haven’t seen much of in the Premier League, which could easily work for or against them. An incoming manager always seems to give his club a boost, and while expectations at United are always high, van Gaal is very confident in his abilities to live up to them. Business has been quiet in Salford, though, with only Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw coming in. Shaw’s price tag included the so-called “British player premium”, though when compared with Arsenal’s fee for Calum Chambers, you have to marvel at how exactly Wenger got such a good deal. £32m and £100,000 a week for a left-back is a staggering sum of money, even if you believe that he is England’s future in that position. With Liverpool likely to fall out of the top 4, and Sp*rs being relatively quiet in the transfer market, ManUre have a good chance of returning to the Champions League places this season; a lack of European football helped Liverpool last season, and could be a boost for United this time out.<br />
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<b>Newcastle United:</b> Fans of the Magpies will be looking forward to the start of the new season, after a frankly shambolic turn-out last season. Former manager Joe Kinnear came and went as Director of Football, Newcastle sold their best player in Yohan Cabaye to PSG in January and didn’t replace him, and basically stopped playing in February once it became clear they would not be relegated. The ups and downs featured a 4-game win streak and 6 defeats in a row, but this time round there is a (tiny) little bit more optimism around the club; teams around them have been weakened and Alan Pardew has been very busy in the transfer market. Pardew continues to follow the Arsene Wenger in 1998 model of buying up any available French player, with Remy Cabella and Emmanuel Rivière adding to the Francophone at St James’ Park. Also joining are midfielder Siem de Jong, striker Facundo Ferreyra, right back Daryl Janmaat, who impressed for the Netherlands at the World Cup, and well as young Brits Jamaal Lascelles and Karl Darlow from Nottingham Forest. Finally, Jack Colback swapped red and white for black and white stripes by moving from arch-rivals Sunderland on a free. All of this represents some good business by the Magpies, but theirs still looks like a mid-table squad. There is an outside chance that Newcastle could challenge for Europa League places, but with owner Mike Ashley seemingly against playing on Thursday nights, it looks likely that the Magpies will finish mid-table - a position fans are all far too used to by now.<br />
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<b>Queens Park Rangers:</b> The third of the newly-promoted sides, Rangers earned promotion via the playoffs, beating heavily-favored Derby County in the final thanks to a last-minute goal from Bobby Zamora. The R’s spent just one season in the Championship under ‘Arry Redknapp’s management (the former Sp*rs manager has said this will be his last season before retirement), helped by the fact that they retained many of their key players when they were relegated. ‘Arry hasn’t done much work in the transfer market, but has a reputation as a wheeler-dealer, so expect to see some free signings before the window closes. He has, however, signed former Manchester Utd captain Rio Ferdinand on a free deal, as well as bolstering his defence with the transfer of Steven Caulker from Cardiff - midfielder Jordon Mutch also joined from the Bluebirds - and a loan deal for Juventus’ Mauricio Isla, part of Chile’s impressive World Cup campaign. A host of established Premier League names have left or been released - including Andy Johnson, Esteban Granero, Yossi Benayoun and Aaron Hughes - but the squad still features (for now) Joey Barton, Adel Taarabt, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Junior Hoilett and Loic Remy, with Julio Cesar returning from his loan spell at Toronto. On paper, QPR have a good enough squad to stay up, though they could probably do with a little more depth. The R’s are among the favorites to be relegated, though if they do stay up they will likely finish just barely above the drop-zone.<br />
<br />
<b>Southampton: </b>At least they’ve gone back to red and white stripes on their home kit. That’s about the only good news to have come out of St. Mary’s this summer. After a successful season which saw a young squad with a core of good English players finish 8th under Mauricio Pochettino’s guidance, the squad has been ravaged by transfers. Pochettino left for the open manager’s job at Shite Hart Lane (presumably for the standard 9 months); Liverpool signed Lallana, Lovren and Lambert; Shaw went for insane money to Man Utd; and Arsenal signed promising young defender/midfielder Chambers. On top of all of this, the futures of Morgan Schneiderlin and Jay Rodriguez remain unclear. New manager Ronald Koeman is hardly a downgrade at the position, and takes over a squad that still has a lot of Premier League quality, to which has been added Graziano Pellè and Dušan Tadić, and Ryan Bertrand and Saphir Taïder on loan. However, Koeman will surely want some stability at the club if he is to have any chance of guiding the Saints to another top-half finish. With all the turmoil going on at St Mary’s they will likely struggle; OCoB predicts a bottom half finish.Sam Burgesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10890534399946515952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3036453741346593385.post-311239323714035712014-08-11T12:25:00.001-04:002014-08-12T12:29:32.087-04:002014-15 Barclays Premier League Preview, Part 1<div style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2887/9275651423_cefd89132d_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2887/9275651423_cefd89132d_z.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A new season begins, and this<br />
is what everyone is playing for<br />
(Credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/neilt/" target="_blank">Neil Turner</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>With the 2014/15 Barclays Premier League kicking off this Saturday, One Club on Boylston (OCoB) will be previewing each team's chances this season, looking at their performances last season and the business conducted during the transfer window so far. Part 1 features Aston Villa through Leicester, Part 2 comes tomorrow and Part 3 will go up Wednesday. Andy and I will discuss Arsenal in a more in-depth preview as part of our regular Thursday Throwdown column.</i><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Aston Villa: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Villains enter the new season under some uncertainty; owner Randy Lerner put the club up for sale in May, though there have been no bids so far. Lerner claims that he and the management team - including new assistant manager Roy Keane - are fully focused on the upcoming, and not the sale. Villa have added former Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos and Joe Cole on free transfers, as well as Kieran Richardson from Fulham, and will hope that last summer’s signing Jores Okore can make a contribution after rupturing knee ligaments in just his 4th match for the club and missing the whole season. Christian Benteke’s services have been retained, and manager Paul Lambert will hope that the Belgian can return to the form of a few seasons ago, rather than last season’s lackluster performances. If he can rediscover his goal-scoring form, the Villains will be confident of improving on last season’s 15th-place finish.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Burnley: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The first of the newly-promoted clubs, Burnley finished 2nd in the Championship to earn automatic qualification to the Premier League, led by the goalscoring exploits of Danny Ings, who netted 21 times in the league. Sean Dyche has strengthened his squad and Ings will be supported by Lukas Jutkiewicz up front, Marvin Sordell will provide another attacking option and Michael Kightly makes the move from Stoke to provide width and supply. While The Clarets have also signed EPL veterans Matt Taylor and Steven Reid, they are one of the favorites to be relegated and may struggle to give their fans any highlights this season. However, all of these signings are typical newly-promoted signings: bringing in players who will help you survive in the Championship when you inevitably get immediately relegated. OCoB reckon they'll finish dead last.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Chelsea: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jose Mourinho’s side enter the new season as favorites to win the title, and for good reason. The Blues have strengthened an already formidable squad with Diego Costa, Filipe Luis, former player Didier Drogba, and former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas, all while somehow convincing PSG that Sideshow Luiz was worth £50m. Club legend and record scorer Frank Lampard was allowed to leave at the end of his contract, while several other contributors have left the club. Jose Mourinho will have to get his squad to perform better against lower-ranked sides, as they dropped points several times against the bttom half, and the style of play was heavily criticized in some quarters. Questions abound regarding Mourinho’s decision to opt for Torres and one year of Didier Drogba - who injured his ankle just before the start of the season - over Romelu Lukaku, but should Costa perform well and Hazard and Schürrle continue their good form from the end of last season, Chelsea fans have a very strong chance of celebrating a trophy win of some kind in 2015. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Crystal Palace: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Eagles started the season miserably last year, but after Tony Pulis came in as manager mid-season, their form improved dramatically and Pulis reinvented his rugby manager image, culminating in Palace finishing an impressive 11th - also the first time in Palace’s history that they’ve stayed in the Premier League after gaining promotion there. The Eagles also played a major role in deciding the location of the league trophy, beating Chelsea and drawing with Liverpool during the run-in to allow Man City to clinch the title. There hasn’t been a lot of business done in the transfer market, with Brede Hangeland and former Manchester United youngster Fraizer Campbell being the only two signings of note to date. Palace should be fairly confident of finishing outside of the relegation zone come May, but will likely stay in the bottom half and may finish lower than the position they achieved last season.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Everton: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Toffees gave Arsenal a late-season challenge for the final Champions League place during Roberto Martinez’ first season in charge at Goodison, and return much of the same squad as last year, having smashed their transfer record to bring Chelsea’s Belgian star Romelu Lukaku. Gareth Barry, another key player last season, has signed on a permanent deal from Man City, and Everton have also brought in Muhamed Besic, who received good reviews while playing for Bosnia-Herzegovina at the World Cup. Expect another season of attractive play under Martinez’ guidance, but likely improvements from clubs around them may mean the Toffees will only challenge for Europa League places.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hull City: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After their best season ever, and a first major cup final appearance, the Tigers are looking to build on their successes and seem set for a relatively-long spell in the top division. Manager Steve Bruce has spent almost £20m strengthening his squad, with notable signings including Robert Snodgrass and Jake Livermore. The highly-rated Tom Ince also signed on at the KC Stadium on a free, a major coup for a small-ish club as Ince was earlier linked with a move to Monaco and several major Italian clubs. Hull’s first ever foray into European competition - should they get through the qualification stages -</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">could provide a distraction for a club that finished 16th last year. However, with the likes of Ince and Snodgrass playing behind Shane Long and Nikica Jelavic, the Tigers should be confident that they have enough to stay in the Premier League for another season.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leicester City:</span><span style="font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Last season’s convincing winners of the Championship return to the top flight of English football for the first time since 2004. The Foxes’s owners have previously stated that they are willing to spend to build a squad capable of survival in the Premier League, but so far the only money spent has been on former Brighton striker Leonardo Ulloa. Ulloa add more scoring to a front-line that was lead by top-scorer David Nugent last season, while at the back, former-Arsenal defender Matthew Upson has been signed on a free transfer. The only other ‘big’ signing was another free deal for Marc Albrighton, formerly of Aston Villa. All of these have been added to a core that features Kasper Schmeichel in goal, Wes Morgan at the back and Danny Drinkwater in midfield - a typical Championship-level squad, but not much worse than some Premiership sides. The Foxes will go from dominating matches to be being overwhelmed, so it will be interesting to see how Nigel Pearson and his players adapt; in four of their first five fixtures they will face Everton, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United. As with most newly-promoted sides, Leicester are among the favorites to get relegated, however your humble writer thinks they have enough quality, depth and a good enough manager to survive, as well as a determined ownership who could fund more incoming transfers.</span></div>
Sam Burgesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10890534399946515952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3036453741346593385.post-3360491203670575672014-08-07T12:08:00.000-04:002014-08-07T12:08:40.160-04:00Thursday Throwdown: Sano-Goals Galore<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are no free-to-use pictures of Yaya or Joel,<br />
so have some Gunnersaurus to lighten up your Thursday<br />
(Credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/wonker/" target="_blank">Wonker</a>)</td></tr>
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<b>Sam:</b> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Arsenal fans got their first glimpse of several senior players at the Emirates Cup, against relatively high-strength and high-reputation European clubs. While the first game was a fun 5-1 win against Europa League finalists Benfica, featuring 4 goals from the somewhat-maligned Yaya Sanogo and Joel Campbell finally making his first appearance in an Arsenal shirt, Sunday's game was a disappointing defeat to a Monaco side, who, it should be noted, start their season next weekend so are a few weeks ahead of the Gunners in terms of preparation and fitness. So, Andy, let's start with our goal scorers. How impressed were you with our young strikers in the match they played?</span><br />
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</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b>Andy:</b> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I've always felt a little bit bad for Yaya and it's never had anything to do with his ability. Once he worked his way into the first team last year, he was a useful player that could control the ball up top and work off of Olivier Giroud when put in that situation. He looked like what he was: a young, raw player that needed matches and additional training in order to progress to the point where we could truly judge his talent. The pity comes from how harshly he has been judged by a segment of the Arsenal fans simply because he had the bad luck of being Arsène's only forward signing during a transfer window when pretty much everyone agreed that the Gunners needed another striker. He became the butt of jokes aimed at Wenger's youth policy and got a lot more stick than he deserved.</span><br />
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Here's hoping the match against Benfica goes a long way towards erasing that ill will, at least to the point where it buys him some time to grow and mature like he needs. Sanogo was excellent on Saturday because he showcased his strengths (ball retention, lay-off passes) while adding in a few goals (maybe you heard?) to finally break through onto the scoresheet, even if it was just an exhibition match. He isn't the savior of the team going forward but hopefully this speaks to an ability that can be unlocked in various competitions this year so that Arsenal have multiple options up front.</div>
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Campbell hasn't gone through the same trial by fan-created-fire that Sanogo has. The breakout Costa Rican star of the World Cup has been on loan three different times from Arsenal so he hasn't been under the same kind of scrutiny as others who have come up wearing red and white full time. However, this is probably the year a decision will be made on the young striker due to his solid performances for Olympiakos and his international emergence, so we can look at the Benfica match as a good start. He's still raw in certain areas; he decides early when he's going to be selfish, he needs to put more of his shots on frame, his one-two passing is a bit rough, etc. But he is electric with or around the ball and he is direct, something that Arsenal needs more of, even if it's just as a bench option.</div>
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Both forwards acquitted themselves well so it'll be interesting to see what lies in store for them. Do you agree with this rosy assessment? And what did you think of the defensive side of the ball where we saw new additions and old players occupying new roles?</div>
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<b>Sam: </b>Very good points, all of which I agree with, but I also wanted to highlight the awareness Campbell showed when squaring the ball back for Yaya to tap in when he was released over the top. It seems obvious, but he could have been greedy and gone for goal himself, which I've seen strikers do in the past, so it was nice to see a young striker thinking of helping the team first, rather than trying to cover himself in glory in his much-delayed first appearance. As for Yaya, it was great to see him finally score; I don't think he deserved a lot of the stick he received from fans and media members last season. Even though it was 'only a friendly', the team he scored against won the Portuguese league last season, so it's not to be sniffed at. Hopefully it gives him a confidence boost, and the fans will surely now all be in support, rather than him having sections of the Emirates on his back. It would be great to see him come along as a viable option for spelling Giroud, giving us more evidence that Arsène does, in fact, know what he's doing.</div>
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Moving to the back-line, it was interesting to see <span style="background-color: yellow;">Arsène</span> Wenger select 4 full-backs to start in defense against Benfica. It obviously did it's job as it was only after substitutions that Arsenal conceded. Two players, for me, really stood out: Calum Chambers and Hector Bellerin. Bellerin looked very good going forward, displaying, on several occasions, some close control and pace to beat his man, as well as looking steady at the back. There's been a lot of talk regarding whether Bellerin will actually be ahead of Carl Jenkinson in the pecking order in a few years, and if he can build on that display, I wouldn't be surprised.<br />
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Chambers had a great game and a half; he looked strong in the challenge, showed good pace, made some nice passes. I actually feel like he had one of those 'invisible' performances, in that he did everything that was asked of him very well, but without drawing attention to himself or making any mistakes. Basically what you want from a defender. However well he played, though, I don't think that he should start the season as our third choice center-half (as it looks increasingly likely that Thomas Vermaelen will leave), so hopefully <span style="background-color: yellow;">Arsène</span> will go out and buy another defender, allowing Chambers to play primarily at right back with the option to cover in the middle. How do you feel about the back line, Andy? Was there anyone else you wanted to draw attention to?<br />
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<b>Andy:</b> I feel like I should start off this section on defense by saying that I like Jenkinson very much and think that once he sees consistent first team action, he should continue to improve. I also hope that his hamstring injury is not that serious and he comes back to action sooner rather than later (even if it's for West Ham). With all of that out of the way, goddamn Hector Bellerin! Everything from this weekend's matches should be analyzed while whispering the mantra "it's only an exhibition game it's only an exhibition game it's only an exhibition game" but there is serious depth at right back if Bellerin can perform to this level in the league. He was quick going forward with great ball skills and an eye for a cross, but the biggest thing for me is that he didn't look exposed on the defensive side while doing all of that. It's no guarantee that one performance in a mean-nothing match will carry over to the real thing, but it was nice to see serious promise out of our young fullback.<br />
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Everything you said about Chambers is accurate, especially the part about invisibility, and I think that's due to something we Gooners are used to discussing because of Per Mertesacker, and that is positioning. That's not to suggest that the ex-Southampton man is already at the level of a German national team player but it was a strength that I saw over and over again during the weekend. He wasn't always making fantastic, athletic rescues but he often was calmly heading the ball away from danger, intercepting passes, and tracking runners to prevent the ball from coming their way. They're things that you don't notice until you start to look for them and after watching Per play so many matches, it's something that catches my eye. Again, small sample size and all of that, but if promise is what you're looking for in exhibition, Chambers certainly showed it.<br />
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But enough about the defense because the player most people want to hear about is new signing Alexis Sanchez. He appeared as a substitute against Benfica and started against Monaco so we were able to get more than a glimpse, even though it's obviously not enough to draw serious conclusions. What were your impressions of our Chilean and where do you think he fits into the squad this season?<br />
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<b>Sam:</b> I think it's safe to assume that he wasn't at full fitness, the two appearances being his first real taste of soccer since the World Cup. However, he showed flashes of his pace and skill, and once he was moved to the central striker's role in the second half Arsenal looked more likely to score than during the first-half. I never thought he would come in and start banging goals in immediately, as he's only just started training with the squad, but once he's fully integrated we can be sure that those flashes will become much more than just that. I remain to be convinced that he can play as our center-forward - mainly because I haven't seen him play there enough - but the signs from the Monaco match were promising. Perhaps we could be looking at a Thierry Henry-type scenario, where he starts out wide before being transitioned to a striker by Wenger.<br />
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(Credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/50371131@N04" target="_blank">Gobierno de Chile</a>)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">The problem I have with that is that I actually really like the way the squad is constituted right now. Sanchez is unlikely to ever be a 'hold the ball up'-style striker, and I think he'll be better suited (at least initially) to playing off Giroud alongside Walcott, Ramsey and Özil. All that said, it's hardly the worst problem to have. What were your thoughts on Sanchez, Andy?</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><b>Andy:</b> </span><span style="color: #222222;">I think our expectations for strikers often are determined by the style we most recently saw on the field and so while I understand the trepidation about Sanchez up front, I don't agree with it. Before Giroud became a fixture in the lineup, fans criticized him for his lack of pace and how, due to his skill set, he forced Arsenal to play with a target man, something they weren't doing with Robin Van Persie (not to this degree at least), not to mention the legends that came before him. As it turns out, that hold-up play and his excellent passing skills pair perfectly with midfielders like Ramsey, Wilshere, Rosicky, and others who make aggressive runs from the midfield into the box, and so we've come to respect Giroud (well, some of us have) as a forward whose best attribute is bringing Arsenal's most talented players into the offense. </span><br />
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Now there is talk of Sanchez playing up top and the worry is that his style won't fit the team because his is so different from Giroud and the way the offense hums now. For me though, it's a matter of a different kind of forward who will guide the attack in another way. Rather than acting as the release valve to hold up play while the defense pushes up, Sanchez will drift wide or run the channels during breaks and play off the back shoulder of defenders when Arsenal is holding possession and making a concerted attack. This may not bring the midfield into the game in the way Giroud does, but it will provide a different kind of outlet for the ball and Sanchez can beat defenders with his speed and dribbling skills. His movement behind will be perfectly meshed with the creativity of <span style="color: black;">Özil</span> and Cazorla as well as Ramsey and, to a lesser extend, Wilshere. Embrace the diversity, Sam!</div>
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We didn't see enough of Alexis during those two games to tell everyone exactly how he will play with the team, but he showed his creativity, his pace, and his ability to interplay with teammates. With more time playing together, we can only assume the cohesion, and thus the offense, will improve. Perhaps we will know more after the Community Shield this Sunday. Until then.</div>
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Sam Burgesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10890534399946515952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3036453741346593385.post-38296047086378940732014-07-24T10:34:00.002-04:002014-07-24T10:34:59.272-04:00Thursday Throwdown: Summertime, And The Livin' Is Easy<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/12/Alexis_S%C3%A1nchez_Footballteam_of_Chile_-_Spain_vs._Chile,_10th_September_2013_(cropped).jpg/397px-Alexis_S%C3%A1nchez_Footballteam_of_Chile_-_Spain_vs._Chile,_10th_September_2013_(cropped).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/12/Alexis_S%C3%A1nchez_Footballteam_of_Chile_-_Spain_vs._Chile,_10th_September_2013_(cropped).jpg/397px-Alexis_S%C3%A1nchez_Footballteam_of_Chile_-_Spain_vs._Chile,_10th_September_2013_(cropped).jpg" height="320" width="212" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Arsene wooed his man, who chose</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">(Credit: <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Alexis_S%C3%A1nchez_Footballteam_of_Chile_-_Spain_vs._Chile,_10th_September_2013_(cropped).jpg" target="_blank">Fanny Schertzer</a>)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><b>Sam:</b> Well, it feels like ages since we last sat down to talk about the Arsenal. What with work getting busy, then enjoying the World Cup too much to actually take the time to write about it, and major transfers happening, the time has just flown by. So far, we've had a really busy summer, and I'm sure there's a lot more to look forward to. I also realized last night that Boston Gooners events are getting back in to full swing, with Arsenal playing friendlies every weekend until the new season opens with the Community Shield on August 10. So, Andy, how has summer treated you? What's been the highlight from an Arsenal perspective so far?</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b>Andy:</b> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Some of us are lucky enough to have tickets to go see Arsenal playing their friendly in New York City against the Red Bulls so that is certainly on my mind at the moment. Overall though, the Arsenal based highlight of the summer for me has to be the signing of Alexis Sanchez. He stood out as a star among a game Chile side during the World Cup, but we all knew how good he was far before that. Players don't earn transfers into the starting eleven at Barcelona for being decent occasionally when representing their country and to be honest, it's still a shock to me that the Catalan club was willing to give him up.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I wrote about Sanchez at more length <a href="http://notthesunbn.wordpress.com/2014/07/11/a-perfect-fit/" target="_blank">here</a> but he does mesh very well with the current Arsenal squad. He is pacy, has excellent dribbling and passing skills, and his versatility will be vital to a team trying to field as much talent as possible while adapting to opposing strategies. This is the second year in a row the Gunners have gone out and secured the talents of a world class player and I have to say, I could get used to this.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Are you riding the same transfer high as me, or are your eyes set forward rather than (slightly) backward?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Sam: </b>While I agree that Sanchez is a quality signing and a great fit for the squad, the initial rush has worn off a bit as I'm now casting my eye around the rumors and gossip, hoping that Arsene Wenger will strengthen other areas of the squad, too. We spoke earlier this summer in length about what we thought we needed, so seeing Mathieu Debuchy come in to replace the departing Bacary Sagna is a good start. There are strong rumors that the Club have agreed a deal with Nice for Colombia's 'keeper David Ospina, who impressed during the World Cup and will be a good understudy - if not serious competition - for Wojceich Szczesny. I also still believe that a defensive midfielder is a priority, so I'd be very happy to see any of the names - Carvalho, Khedira, Schneiderlin, or one of the Benders - we've been linked with actually put his John Hancock on an Arsenal contract. Although, now there are stories surfacing that Wenger will put his faith in Jack Wishere and try to convert him into a holding midfielder - an idea that I'm pretty much on board with, and one which might begin on Saturday.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I, too, will be joining several thousand Gooners in NYC to watch Arsenal's first Stateside match in 25 years. I'm kind of split on the emotional scale, though; while I'm excited about seeing the Gunners live for the first time since moving to Boston from England (and the first time since the second 5-2 against Sp*rs), much of that excitement is tempered by the knowledge that this is, after all, a pre-season friendly. You can never take too much from those, and while it will be interesting to watch some of the youngsters and reserves attempt to stake a claim in the first-team squad, I know that we won't see most of the players that featured in the World Cup. We will, however, get to see the Greatest Player in Arsenal History, which makes this more than just a normal pre-season match. I'm also sure that as soon as I get on the bus at South Station tomorrow, my excitement levels will suddenly jump, as I know I'll be on the way to actually see the Arsenal in my new country. It's kind of unbelievable. What are your feelings about the match this Saturday?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Andy:</b> In the interest of full disclosure, I don't think it's fully sunk in that I'm actually going to watch Arsenal play in just two short days. That's not so much due to shock over the impossibility that I could ever see the Gunners in person, but more because I'm still wrangling the travel and accommodations and I have my own random worries rattling around in my head and distracting me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">When I take a second to think, however, it does coalesce in my mind and I get that nervous excited feeling. I agree with you that we can't take a lot away from the quality of play in this match, of course. It's an exhibition match that serves as 90% marketing and 10% training, and the imbalance may be even more drastic than that. I'm not expecting to walk away from Red Bull Arena talking about the impressive chemistry between Gedion Zelalem and Chuba Akpom. If I see players do cool things and perhaps score a couple of goals, I'll be happy enough with the footballing portion of the day.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Gooners will get a<br />chance to see USMNT target<br />Gedion Zelalem.<br />(Credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/goonerpower/" target="_blank">Kieran Clarke</a>)</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">What matters much more to me is the match day experience and actually being able to watch the Arsenal in person, regardless of the quality of the game. It can't possibly be overstated: <i>we don't get to do this.</i> We are the fans from overseas who wake up at absurd hours of the morning to stumble out to the living room or down to the pub to experience a connection to a club that exists thousands of miles apart from us. We are always literally on the outside looking in and however easy technology has made it to still be a part of the experience, it's not the same as actually being there. That's what I'm so amazed by in regards to </span>Saturday:<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"> the fact that it's actually happening.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white;">Now that I've probably overstated what </span></span>Saturday<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white;"> will be like, setting myself up for heartbreaking disappointment, do you find yourself looking forward to the start of more meaningful matches? Next week will be another exhibition session with the Emirates Cup, but then the following week we have the Community Shield and then it's almost the start of the league. Are the anticipation levels rapidly rising?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Sam:</b> I'd say they're rising slowly for me, actually. Admittedly, I am looking forward to the start of a season where we've made our marquee signing early in the summer, rather than on deadline day, and also to the upcoming weeks where I'm expecting at least one or two new players to arrive. What I'm actually looking forward to most - and forgive me if I sound like a softie here - is getting back to Lir and watching games on a regular basis with fellow Gooners. Back home, if you want to watch a match, you have to contend with whatever Sky Sports or BT Sport decide to show, or you sit at home watching a dodgy, buffering stream, often in a foreign language, just to get your Arsenal fix. To actually be able to watch every match (and I have to give NBC a lot of credit here), is amazing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Andy:</b> That never ceases to amaze me: the United States somehow has better access to Premier League matches on television than England does. For all of the poetic waxing I just did about what it's like to be an observer from afar, we do have a pretty damn good system set up to be just that. As you said, hats off to NBC for their coverage because they've certainly kicked it up a notch or two from what FOX Soccer used to do. Now can someone please steal their Champions League rights away so I never have to listen to Gus Johnson and Eric Wynalda call another match again? That would be wonderful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It is certainly still summer but we are creeping closer and closer to the start of the season. Sam and I (and others) will have more for you as we draw nearer, from team previews to BOLD PREDICTIONS. In the meantime, enjoy the fact that Arsenal is finally, physically in America.</span></div>
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Sam Burgesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10890534399946515952noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3036453741346593385.post-76980677526625405382014-07-05T09:47:00.000-04:002014-07-05T09:47:02.989-04:00World Cup: Quarter-Finals Predictions, Day 2Well, I was completely wrong about yesterday's results, but that's never put me off before, so here are my predictions for Saturday's quarter-finals.<br />
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<b>Argentina vs Belgium</b><br />
On paper, this match looks like it should the best of those on offer this weekend. On one side, you have one of the best players of his generation, Leo Messi, supported by a brilliant winger who is just starting to get the credit he's due, Angel di Maria. The second tier of players - Ezequiel Lavezzi, Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain - certainly have the talent, but haven't played their best (yet), while the rest of the squad is largely made of functional players - your Mascheranos and Zabaletas. The Argentines needed 120 minutes to beat well-organized Swiss side in their last match. On the other hand, you have most people's pre-tournament dark horses, who have so far failed to live up to expectations. The <i>de Rode Duivels</i>, however, boast an impressive array of attacking talent - Hazard, de Bruyne, Origi, Mirallas, Lukaku, etc - and are solid in the middle and at the back. They also boast a goalkeeper who has never lost on the international stage in Thibaut Courtois. Marc Wilmots selected Origi up front in place of Lukaku against USA, and the teenager looked sharp, worrying the American defense and only being kept at bay by an inspired Tim Howard. Once Lukaku came on in extra-time, his strength and pace changed the game, which may be a tactic the Belgian manager wants to repeat against an aging Argentinian back line.<br />
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This game is the hardest to call. If Messi and di Maria are on form, then I think Argentina will win 1-0 in extra-time. If not, and Belgium's flair players are all playing at their best, then I expect them to win by one goal, also after extra time. It wouldn't surprise me if this one went to a shootout either, in which case I'll back Belgium. Just because.<br />
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<b>Netherlands vs Costa Rica</b><br />
The Netherlands are the top scoring nation in the tournament so far, but needed some luck against Mexico in the last round. After going down by one goal, Wesley Sneijder pulled one back with a technically sound volley, before a (somewhat dubious) penalty was won by Arjen Robben and converted by Klaas Jan Huntelaar. I'm not sure you can call <i>De Oranje </i>a surprise package, but very few people had them progressing from their group, and certainly not beating Spain 5-1 in the process. Costa Rica, meanwhile, are the true surprise of the tournament. Pretty much nobody had them progressing from their group of former champions, let alone winning it. <i>La Sele </i>have mixed some solid team organization with moments of flair, typified by slugging out a win against Greece in the last round after having a man sent off midway through the second half.<br />
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Despite being the underdog, and thus receiving my full support, I expect this to be the game that Costa Rica's cinderella story ends. The Netherlands should be too strong, and always carry the trump card of Robben's inability to keep two feet on the ground. 2-0 to the Dutch.Sam Burgesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10890534399946515952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3036453741346593385.post-63169923559754486662014-07-04T11:25:00.002-04:002014-07-04T11:25:29.037-04:00World Cup: Quarter-Finals Predictions, Day 1<div style="text-align: right;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/28/Brazil_vs._Chile_in_Mineir%C3%A3o_38.jpg/640px-Brazil_vs._Chile_in_Mineir%C3%A3o_38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/28/Brazil_vs._Chile_in_Mineir%C3%A3o_38.jpg/640px-Brazil_vs._Chile_in_Mineir%C3%A3o_38.jpg" height="171" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brazil's hopes rest squarely on Neymar's shoulders.<br />
(Source: <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Brazil_vs._Chile_in_Mineir%C3%A3o_38.jpg" target="_blank">Danilo Borges</a>)</td></tr>
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The quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup take place this weekend, nicely coinciding with the Independence Day weekend, so even though the United States were eliminated in the last round, there should still be a major audience for the games. For the first time, all 8 sides that won their group have progressed to the quarters, and the only real surprise package is Costa Rica. For the first time this tournament, I'm going to have a shot at predicting the winners and score in each match; so if you fancy a little bet, whatever you do, don't follow my advice.<br />
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<b>France vs Germany</b><br />
The first quarter-final features a clash of central-European powerhouses, and two of the favorites coming in to the tournament. France have surprised some (mainly those who only follow soccer once every four years!) with their fluid play and goal-scoring, but have probably been the most impressive team of the tournament so far. Paul Pogba is receiving rave reviews worldwide (his agent claims he is now "<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/jul/03/france-paul-pogba-brazil-world-cup-germany" target="_blank">worth twice as much as Gareth Bale</a>") and Karim Benzema silencing his critics as the lead striker of team that has scored 10 goals in 4 games, all while putting up a <a href="http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/statistics/castrol-index/what-is.html" target="_blank">Castrol Index</a> score of 9.7. Germany, meanwhile, haven't quite lived up to their pre-tournament expectations, with their only convincing win the 4-0 defeat of Portugal in their first game. Much was made of <i>Die Mannschaft</i>'s struggles to beat Algeria, but the African side were a lot better than many expected and very well organized, frustrating Germany well until extra-time. Arsenal's Mesut Özil came in for a lot of criticism on Twitter for a supposed sub-par performance, but, per WhoScored, had a match rating of 8.3 and made the team of the stage thanks to a goal, 4 chances created and three made tackles.<br />
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This will be an interesting match between a resurgent France and a Germany with a point to prove. Joachim Löw has revealed that <a href="http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/28150945" target="_blank">seven of his squad are suffering from flu-like symptoms</a> and usual first-choice center-back Mats Hummels has had a "negative setback" so will likely miss the match. After watching Manuel Neuer's suicidal runs and taking the illness into account, I'm going to back France to win this one, 2-1.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ad/James_Rodr%C3%ADguez.jpg/465px-James_Rodr%C3%ADguez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ad/James_Rodr%C3%ADguez.jpg/465px-James_Rodr%C3%ADguez.jpg" height="200" width="193" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">James Rodriguez has emerged as a favorite to<br />
win the Golden Ball<br />
(Source: <a href="http://copa2014.gov.br/">copa2014.gov.br</a><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 21.280000686645508px; text-align: start;">)</span></td></tr>
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<b>Brazil vs Colombia</b><br />
The hosts are another side who have underperformed, needing penalties, and <a href="http://metrouk2.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/pinilla2.gif" target="_blank">huge amounts of luck</a><sup><span style="color: red;">1</span></sup>, to beat Chile in the round of 16 after an underwhelming performance in winning their group. After several of the <i>Seleção</i> broke down in tears after the shootout win, Luiz Felipe Scolari has hired a psychologist to help his mentally prepare for a tough quarter-final. Despite Neymar being the golden boy in Brazil, it is Luiz Gustavo who has stood out most for pundits, and he will be absent from this game through suspension. Brazil will face Colombia, who other than France, have been the best side to watch and become a firm favorite of neutrals. Much of this is down to emerging superstar, "Big Game"<sup><span style="color: red;">2</span></sup> James Rodriguez, the top scorer so far, and scorer of goal of the tournament so far. James is carrying a Castrol Index of 9.74 in to the match, second only to one of the defenders he will face; surprisingly, that defender is David "Sideshow Bob" Luiz, not his more established and defensively solid partner, Thiago Silva. Colombia are far from a one man team though; Pablo Armero, Juan Quintero, Teofilo Gutierrez and Jackson Martinez have all impressed, while in goal, David Ospina is a rumored-Arsenal target and has looked solid so far.<br />
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I fancy Colombia to end the host's involvement at this stage, with the game going 120 minutes. However, it wouldn't surprise me if this one went all the way to penalties, in which case it's a complete crapshoot, and the pressure may be too much for Brazil in a shootout. Either 2-1 to Colombia, or they advance on penalties.<br />
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<sup><span style="color: red;">1</span></sup> Mauricio Pinalla has <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/world-cup/eye-on-world-cup/24602325/chile-striker-mauricio-pinilla-gets-tattoo-of-his-missed-shot-vs-brazil" target="_blank">embraced his miss with a tattoo</a> of the shot. I have no words.<br />
<sup><span style="color: red;">2</span></sup> Not his actual nickname, just one I'm trying to get to catch on.Sam Burgesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10890534399946515952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3036453741346593385.post-38631321710681436942014-06-27T11:13:00.000-04:002014-06-27T11:41:41.555-04:00World Cup Watch: Do Arsenal Players Equal Wins?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8e/Joel_Campbell.jpg/377px-Joel_Campbell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8e/Joel_Campbell.jpg/377px-Joel_Campbell.jpg" height="320" width="201" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Campbell celebrates his goal<br />
against Uruguay<br />
(Credit: <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Joel_Campbell.jpg" target="_blank">Danilo Borges</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>During the England vs. Italy game on the first weekend of the World Cup, as my home nation were losing, I turned to my wife and her parents and jokingly said that the reason the Three Lions were losing was that Roy Hodgson had neglected to select the Arsenal players in his squad. This was followed by a dawning realization that I may have actually been on to something; Spain had been thrashed by the Netherlands the day before, while Santi Cazorla sat on the bench for the majority of the game, while Joel Campbell inspired Costa Rica to a 3-1 victory over Uruguay in the match before England's. After this, I kept an eye on the trend. Germany started Per Mertesacker, Mesut Özil, brought on Lukas Podolski, and demolished Portugal. France's first game ruined my theory, as they beat Honduras with Olivier Giroud and Laurent Koscielny, though I was bailed out on Twitter by my regular Throwdown partner Andy, who said that everyone would beat Honduras anyway. France then redeemed themselves - in the eye of my theory - by thrashing the seeded Switzerland, with Giroud starting alongside Karim Benzema for <i>Les Bleus</i>.<br />
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Other results which lend credence to my theory, in no particular order: Spain losing 2-0 to Chile<sup><a href="http://www.blog.bostongooners.com/2014/06/world-cup-watch-do-arsenal-players.html#anchor1" target="_blank">1</a></sup>, with Santi only playing the last 20 minutes; England losing to Uruguay with Wilshere on the bench and Ox injured and Costa Rica beating Uruguay with Joel Campbell playing; Germany beat USA with all three of their Arsenal players starting, and Mertesacker's header leading to Müller's game-deciding goal.<br />
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Results that go against my theory, with qualifying arguments: France beating Honduras without Giroud and Koscielny - everyone beats Honduras; France's 0-0 draw with Ecuador, with Koscielny starting - they'd already qualified; all Belgium wins - they have one of the easiest groups in the tournament; England 0-0 vs. Costa Rica, Wilshere started - the Three Lions are terrible and had already been eliminated; Germany's draw with Ghana - that match was just crazy!; Spain's 3-0 win against Australia, Sant played 68 mins - <i>La Furia Roja </i>beat the lowest-ranked team in the tournament having already been eliminated.<br />
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So, if we believe my theory - and it's definitely a thing! - then Germany should be the favorites to win it all, France will lose to <i>Die Mannschaft </i>in the quarter-finals because they won't play Giroud or Koscielny and Costa Rica will beat Greece then the Netherlands on the way to the semis, with Campbell winning the golden boot(!). Now I think this whole idea is broken. Obviously the further we go, the more likely it is that quality will rise above, but for now, this is a trend worth keeping an eye on, and makes me feel much better about my pre-tournament prediction that Germany will be the first European side to win a World Cup on South American soil.<br />
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<span style="color: red;"><b>Arsenal Player Performances</b></span><br />
<b><br />
</b> <b>England</b><br />
The Three Lions were miserable throughout all three of their games, and it seems likely that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain would have played some decent minutes as England lacked both pace and strength. Roy Hodgson went with the bewildering decision of giving Jack Wilshere the number 7 shirt, then preceding to play a central midfield of Gerrard and Henderson - the same midfield that choked away the lead of the Premier League. Wilshere did show flashes of his talent, but he was inconsistent and has recently admitted that his time in and England shirt might be running out. The one positive? We might get to see them both in New Jersey now.<br />
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<b>Spain</b><br />
Santi Cazorla played a total of 82 minutes through Spain's three games, and added no stats of worth.<br />
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<b>Germany</b><br />
Per Mertesacker has played every minute of Germany's campaign so far, has pass rate of 92.7% and his header from a corner was rebounded out to Müller for the game winner (sorry to mention it again!). The BFG has formed a solid backline, which has only really looked weak against Ghana. Mesut Özil has played all but 28 of a possible 270 minutes with a pass rate of 76% but no assists, yet he seems to be a key part of Joachim Löw's side. Poldi has played 54 minutes across 2 games, but was never really likely to feature too much with the number of Bayern Munich players.<br />
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<b>Belgium</b><br />
Club captain Thomas Vermaelen was due to play in Belgium's second match but got injured before kick-off. Has played no minutes so far.<br />
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<b>Costa Rica</b><br />
Joel Campbell has been an integral part of the <i>Ticos </i>surprise run in winning the <b>real </b>group of death (3 teams in FIFA's top 10, CR 28th, opposed to 2 top 10 nations and Ghana at 37), scoring 1 and assisting 1. His performances have lead Arsene Wenger to state the striker will finally get his chance with the first-team squad during summer training.<br />
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<b>France</b><br />
Koscielny has seen 114 minutes of action across two games, helping France to win their group, having made 1 block and won 1 tackle. Hardly shining stats, but surprisingly, he is behind Mamadou Sakho in the defensive pecking order. Olivier Giroud has featured in all three of <i>Les Bleus </i>matches, scoring one and assisting on another - shocking most Gooners in the process with a lung-busting run down the left flank before squaring for Valbuena. 60% of his shots have been on target, but more importantly - for me anyway - he's looked good next to Karim Benzema, your humble writer's favorite target for this summer.<br />
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NB: I am not including any player that has agreed to move from Arsenal, or was included in the statement released by Arsenal regarding released players yesterday (sorry, Sagna, Park and Djourou!).<br />
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<sup><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="anchor1" name="anchor">1</a></sup> I feel so good about my pre-tournament shout out to Chile as the team to watch. It's good to be right.Sam Burgesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10890534399946515952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3036453741346593385.post-46451478728092839592014-06-25T09:57:00.000-04:002014-06-25T09:57:09.290-04:00World Cup Links: He Bites, He Dives ... Well, You Know The Rest<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.thesun.co.uk/aidemitlum/archive/01714/dave-portrait_1714959a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://img.thesun.co.uk/aidemitlum/archive/01714/dave-portrait_1714959a.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cannibal Suarez. To be fair, Chiellini<br />does sound like a tasty pasta dish</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’ve been meaning to write about the World Cup ever since it started, but just couldn’t really find anything of interest to say; we’re all aware of how good this iteration of the tournament has been, with more goals per game than any World Cup in a long time, the reigning champions being eliminated after just two games, and late equalizers and winners. I didn’t feel like I could add anything to what we’d all witnessed. Until yesterday, that is.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As I’m sure you’re all aware, Luis Suarez bit Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini on the shoulder, with the score tied at 0-0 in a game that would go on to decide who qualified from Group D behind Costa Rica. It should be noted that replays from multiple angles haven’t proved overwhelmingly conclusive, but it certainly looked like the Racist Cannibal had a good munch on some prime Italian shoulder meat. FIFA have opened an investigation into the incident, with Suarez claiming that Chiellini “bumped” into him. Compounding the matter is the fact that Suarez threw himself to the ground as if he’d been shot (as is his wont) in a clear attempt to either confuse the referee or earn his side an important penalty; he might have been hoping the Italian defender would react and shove him, so by going down quickly was preparing for contact.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am relatively confident that FIFA will do the right thing (yes, you read that correctly) and ban that hater of the Jackson 5, but what is a fair ban here? I am on the side of those who say he should get the maximum FIFA’s rules allow for, which is 24 international matches or 2 years. This may seem like a hot sports take, and maybe I’m writing in the heat of the moment, but this is the third time we’ve seen a frustrated Suarez bite an opponent. What’s really riled me up is that this has been a great tournament, and Suarez has now distracted fans, media and players alike from the excellence of the preceding matches. It would be unprecedented for FIFA to also apply a club ban to the Uruguayan, but if the rules allow it, I would argue that they should go that way as well (though that could be my biased Arsenal side talking). Either way, his World Cup is almost definitely over. It will be interesting to see where Liverpool go from here too. This type of incident will probably leave only one destination - Real Madrid - for the striker should they choose to sell him (Barcelona’s self-promoted purity of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mes que un club </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">will probably take them out of the running), and will likely drive the price down as Liverpool could be desperate to wash their hands of the whole mess. Whatever happens, Luis Suarez will, for the second consecutive World Cup, be one of the main talking points. Hopefully, the games continue to be just as good, and we can consign this incident to a footnote in history.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On to the links, and the one winner from this situation is a Swedish substitute teacher </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/25/luis-suarez-bite-swedish-gamblers-win" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">who bet 80 krona</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (around $12) at 175-1 odds that Suarez would bite an opponent at some point during the tournament. He stands to receive a payout of 14,000 krona, or $2,080. (</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Guardian</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Arsenal </span><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2665934/TRANSFER-COLUMN-Arsenal-interested-Branislav-Ivanovic-West-Ham-want-Algeria-star-Islam-Slimani-more.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">could make a shock move</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> for Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic, whose contract talks with the Blues have stalled. The Serbian would be a great fit in the Gunner’s back line, able to play at both center- and right-back, and would come to the club having huge levels of experience. (</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Daily Mail</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Arsène Wenger has </span><a href="http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/484459/Wenger-s-SECRET-meeting-with-Alexis-Sanchez-s-agent-gives-Arsenal-edge-over-Man-Utd" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">reportedly held secret talks</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> with Barcelona’s Alexis Sanchez. The Chilean has shone as his nation have impressed at the World Cup, and Wenger is in Brazil performing media duties for French television. (</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Express</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rumored long-time Arsenal target Sven Bender has said he would be </span><a href="http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/484356/Borussia-Dortmund-s-Sven-Bender-admits-Arsenal-move-appeals-but-no-contact-yet" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">interested in a move to England</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in the future. The German midfielder is currently injured. (</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Express</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Gunners </span><a href="http://metro.co.uk/2014/06/25/arsenal-considering-summer-move-for-molde-goalkeeper-orjan-nyland-4775346/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">could sign a little-known Norwegian goalkeeper</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> as back-up to Wojciech Szczesny for next season. Orjan Nyland was named ‘keeper of the tournament at the European U-21 Championships last year. (</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Metro</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Arsenal </span><a href="http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/484699/Arsenal-on-red-alert-as-Newcastle-s-Mathieu-Debuchy-wants-Champions-League-return" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">could replace one French right-back with another,</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> as Mathieu Debuchy has stated his intent to play for a Champions League club. The Newcastle defender has been starting for France at the World Cup. (</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Express</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Atletico Madrid </span><a href="http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/385667/Atletico-Madrid-join-Arsenal-in-race-to-land-Mexico-keeper-Guillermo-Ochoa" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">have joined the chase</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> for unattached Mexico ‘keeper Guillermo Ochoa. The 28-year old impressed many with his performance against Brazil, earning </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">El Tri </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a 0-0 draw with a series of fine saves. (</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Daily Star</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">)</span></div>
Sam Burgesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10890534399946515952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3036453741346593385.post-13128258726511435752014-06-18T11:18:00.002-04:002014-06-18T11:18:56.050-04:00The WAT: Arsenal to try new 0-1-0 formationHaving negated the need for new, returning, or current first team players with the signing of Mesut Ozil in 2013, Arsene Wenger may be adopting a new midfield-heavy 0-1-0 formation during pre-season training after the World Cup.<div>
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The new formation will feature Mesut Ozil in all outfield positions and, with limited goalkeeping options, Wojciech Szczesny featuring largely in the "rotation."<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ozil kicking ball, running after ball, then kicking it back the other direction at training.<br />(<a href="https://flic.kr/p/hTWEmw">https://flic.kr/p/hTWEmw</a>)</td></tr>
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The always excitable Arsenal fan and first/only team keeper announced his excitement to get back to basics in the upcoming season. "Mesut is a great, great player. I'm looking forward to us getting a lot closer this year. Also, I haven't talked to the boss yet, but I'm hoping maybe I can get some outfield play time in some big games this season, too."</div>
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Unfortunately for the Pole, that may prove impossible, as the aforementioned Ozil acquisition precludes signing -- or keeping -- any other outfield players now and forever. When asked about adding depth to the squad, Wenger was dismissive: "There are a lot of top class players on the market this summer, some of them already at Arsenal -- but when we signed Mesut, euuuuh, he filled these positions."</div>
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Passing on the previously red-kitted Cesc Fabregas already this transfer season saw the former Gunner off to Chelsea for a contract lasting long enough to see out the end of his playing career. And the Spanish exodus may yet continue, with Santi Cazorla('s agent) eyeing propositions from Atletico Madrid.</div>
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Meanwhile, midfielder Mesut Ozil has been struggling to adapt to the Premier League since his arrival, and the added pressure of potentially being the only outfield player for all competitions has only added to the problem.</div>
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"I'm no stranger to pressure," Ozil says, "we would play 3 on 11, 2 on 11, all the time at Real Madrid. But if Wojciech picks up an injury, I might be the entire first team for the rest of the season, which is not my preferred position. I'm a midfielder; not a midfielder/defender/forward/keeper/physio/fourth official. I am exploring other options this summer."</div>
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At press time, Wenger continued to play hard soccerball: "If Mesut decides to leave, that's fine. There is a buyback clause in his contract, so we can re-sign him whenever we want, no big deal."</div>
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Alex Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07677022050374024391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3036453741346593385.post-26997607287100150852014-06-12T11:22:00.000-04:002014-06-12T11:22:26.784-04:00Thursday Throwdown: World Cup Predictions<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3e/Andr%C3%A9_Santos,_Neymar_and_Ramires_celebrate_Neymars_goal.jpg/640px-Andr%C3%A9_Santos,_Neymar_and_Ramires_celebrate_Neymars_goal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3e/Andr%C3%A9_Santos,_Neymar_and_Ramires_celebrate_Neymars_goal.jpg/640px-Andr%C3%A9_Santos,_Neymar_and_Ramires_celebrate_Neymars_goal.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neymar (center) will be key to the hopes of the<br />
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<b>Sam:</b> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The Greatest Show on Earth is finally here! The 2014 iteration of the World Cup takes place in Brazil, the nation that gave the world the likes of Pele, Ronaldo, Zico, Romario and Roberto Carlos (definitely deserves to be in that list!) and home to some of the most rabid and passionate soccer fans on the globe. The hosts will be considered among the favorites to win the tournament, though the last time they hosted, t</span><span style="color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">he <span style="line-height: 16.1200008392334px;"><i>Seleção</i> crumbled under the intense pressure, losing to Uruguay in the final.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="line-height: 16.1200008392334px;">Despite that, I have them as ranked as favorites to win; they won the Confederations Cup convincingly in similar stadia and conditions last year and key players like Hulk and Neymar enter the tournament in good form. Argentina will also have a good chance; their group is one of the easier ones, so they should progress without taxing too many of their key players, and Lionel Messi will be desperate to add international success to his club trophies and strengthen his argument as one of the best players ever. Finally, I am looking forward to watching Germany. They have a very talented and deep squad, though taking just one traditional striker could hurt their chances as they get to the latter stages. So, Jess, those are my favorites to take the trophy home. Who do you think will win the 20th World Cup?</span></span></div>
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<a name='more'></a><span style="color: black;"><span style="line-height: 16.1200008392334px;"><b>Jess: </b></span></span>Well Sam, I agree with you on a number of points there. For one, I think that Joachim Löw's decision to only take one traditional striker in Miroslav Klose could definitely hurt Germany's chances as they advance deeper into the tournament, and my bracket actually sees the DFB exiting in the quarterfinals after a somewhat surprising loss to <i>Les Bleus</i>. I also agree with you that Argentina have a really good chance; if Angel Di Maria plays as well as he did in the UEFA Champions League final he could probably take down half of the teams in the tournament by himself. Where the Argentine side will struggle is defensively – any team relying on a guy like Mascherano to have consistent standout performances is bound to face their fair share of problems. But all doubts aside, Argentina should steamroll through the group stage and look to make a solid run towards the cup final.</div>
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I've always been one to bet against the Brazilians (I actually won an Henry France jersey in a bet during the '06 World Cup that I made while watching France upset Brazil from a bar IN Little Brazil in Manhattan), so I'm inclined to bet against them in their home country as well. I'd have to rank Spain as my favorites to win it all and become the first team to win consecutive cups since Brazil in '58 / '62. Even if Xavi is kind of a grandpa at this point, the Spanish midfield is stacked and even includes new up-and-coming stars like Atlético Madrid's Koke (who has the potential to form an already comfortable midfield-forward link with his Atleti teammate Diego Costa). With an experienced defense and a plethora of attacking options, I'm going for Spain to take home the trophy. With that being said, I'd also like to think that I <u>would</u> say I was going for the USA to win it all if that wouldn't just upset everyone (I BELIEVE).</div>
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So with our winners predicted, who do you think will win some of the more offensive individual accolades, like Golden Ball and Golden Boot?</div>
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<b>Sam: </b>I'll start with Golden Boot as that is easier to define as an award. I have three favorites for that, and all for similar reasons: Karim Benzema, Sergio <span style="line-height: 16.1200008392334px;">Agüero</span> and Romelu Lukaku. All three are almost guaranteed to start for the heavy favorites in three of the easier groups in the tournament. Benzema has looked very good in France's warm-up matches, even teaming nicely with our own Olivier Giroud (Arsenal's future strike-force, anyone?) and should bag a few goals against Ecuador and Honduras, at least. <span style="line-height: 16.1200008392334px;">Agüero</span> will have Messi and di Maria creating numerous chances against teams that they should be expected to beat easily, and the same applies for Lukaku: Belgium seem to be prohobitive favorites in their group, and most people's dark horses, and with Eden Hazard, Kevin Mirallas and Kevin de Bruyne surrounding him, the Chelsea striker should have several chances come his way each match. Of the three I've named, I would lean towards <span style="line-height: 16.1200008392334px;">Agüero</span>, just because I see Argentina progressing further than the others, giving him more games to score in.</div>
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Golden Ball is interesting. If someone were to score, say, 8 goals (the last two winners of the Golden Boot scored 5 goals each) then I would imagine that player would be named best player as well, as was the case when Ronaldo won both awards in 2002. Interestingly, the last time a player on the World Cup winning side was awarded the Golden Ball as in 1994, when Romario lead Brazil to victory in the United States. I'm currently thinking Messi, as it just seems his time to convert his club success to the international scene, though other favorites could be Hazard (depending on how far Belgium progress), Neymar or one of the German attacking midfielders - hopefully Mesut Özil! How do you see the two main individual awards going?</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 16.1200008392334px; text-align: left;">Agüero</span> is a strong favorite to earn<br />
the Golden Boot<br />
(Credit: <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Suisse_vs_Argentine_-_Sergio_Ag%C3%BCero_(cropped).jpg" target="_blank">Ludovic Peron</a>)</td></tr>
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<b>Jess:</b> I really like your choices for Golden Boot, and would be inclined to agree with you that <span style="line-height: 16.1200008392334px;">Agüero</span> has the best chance. Who knows how many he'll net in the group stage alone. I would also include Thomas Mueller and Cristiano Ronaldo in the mix if and only if they manage to make it out of the group stage. If Portugal advance (which I'm banking on them NOT doing for the sake of the USMNT) then I would imagine that they will progress pretty deep into the tournament with Cristiano putting the team on his back and perhaps adding to his recent Champions League scoring accolades. Also love the Big Benz shoutout.</div>
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Messi seems a likely choice for Golden Ball– and I agree that there should be a point at which his club success translates to success on the international level– but again I would include Angel Di Maria on my list (especially if Messi fails to score the hypothetical 8 goals that you speak of). Cristiano had one of those years at the club level that makes you think he could really get the job done for Portugal and walk away with both the Golden Ball and the Golden Boot, but that's dependent on Portugal making it out of the Group of Death. If Spain do end up winning it could be Iniesta. Maybe Mesut (would love to see it!). And I hate to say Neymar, but Neymar has a shot as well. So, how about Golden Glove and Best Young Player?</div>
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<b>Sam: </b>Well, unlike the Golden Ball, the Golden Glove in recent tournaments has gone to the goalkeeper of the winning side (only Oliver Kahn was not a World Cup winner of the last 4 Gold Glove 'keepers), so I guess I'm looking at one of tournament favorites to supply the winner. In that case, I'm going to go for Manuel Neuer, as I think he is the best goalkeeper on a challenger (and also, the world's best 'keeper, period), though Iker Casillas and Julio Cesar would be strong candidates if they can lead their teams deep in to the knockout stages. Argentina's Sergio Romero probably won't get much attention as it's likely any progress by <i>La </i><i>Albiceleste</i> is likely to be due to their attacking players more than anything else, though a questionable defense could see him forced in to action very often. As a side note, the goalkeepers will be worth watching for Arsenal fans, as our next backup could well be playing in the World Cup, with the Gunners having been linked with Colombia's David Ospina and France's Stephane Ruffier.</div>
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Under FIFA's current World Cup rules, only players who are at most 21 years old are eligible for the Best Young Player - an age cut-off that I agree with, and allows me to discount the likes of Hazard and Muller (I'm on record as thinking that this years EPL Young Player is too 'old' at 23), but makes it harder to find an overwhelming favorite. Initially I would have said Mario <span style="line-height: 16.1200008392334px;">Götze</span>, but he's too old at 22. Looking at the squads, my candidates would be Paul Pogba (France) and Romelu Lukaku (Belgium). I'll also be looking out for Switzerland's Josip <span style="line-height: 16.1200008392334px;">Drmić</span>, who is receiving rave reviews and is getting linked with a Premier League move, and my dark horse is Raheem Sterling, depending on how much he plays and how far England progress. Who do you think will take home these awards, Jess?<br />
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Player-Most Outlandish Hairstyle double<br />
(credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/76567879@N00" target="_blank">Catherine Kortsmik</a>)</td></tr>
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<b>Jess:</b> The Golden Glove award seems much more straightforward than any of the others and I'd just add that I think that Iker Casillas will probably come away with it. Neuer, Cesar and even Buffon are also worth mentioning, of course. Best Young Player is where things get a bit more interesting. Pogba has been getting a lot of attention recently and had a great campaign with Juventus this past season, so he will certainly be one to watch out for. His French teammate Raphael Varane is a strong potential candidate in my mind as well; the 21-year-old defender played a full 120 minutes for Real Madrid in the Champions League final (and happens to be one of my three favorite players currently in action), and will team up with our very own Laurent Koscielny to form an incredibly strong backbone in the center of the French defense. Lukaku also featured on my shortlist of candidates, as well as the English trio of Raheem Sterling, Ross Barkley and the great Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (who will hopefully be fit in time to face Uruguay in England's second group stage match). Finally, I think Mateo <span style="line-height: 16.1200008392334px;">Kovačić</span> of Croatia and Inter could surprise us as a part of a solid Croatian midfield that includes the likes of Luka <span style="line-height: 16.1200008392334px;">Modrić</span> and Ivan <span style="line-height: 16.1200008392334px;">Rakitić</span>.<br />
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I'm getting more excited by the minute just thinking about the World Cup action that starts <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_978596101" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">tomorrow</span></span>! To finish things off, who do you think might win the Most Entertaining Team award this year, Sam?</div>
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<b>Sam:</b> Well, 'entertaining' has different connotations. France were very entertaining at the last World Cup, but for all the wrong reasons, while the Netherlands have all the ingredients for a spectacular implosion. The usual suspects will get praise for good football played by top players, but I'm going for a dark horse on this one: Chile. They might not even get out of their group, but they press all over the pitch, will be great on the counter, they employ a 3-4-3 with no "real" striker (2 of their supposed starting front 3 are wingers/strikers, the third a number 10) with one of the world's most complete - and underrated - players in Arturo Vidal, they should be very fun to watch. I'm also looking forward to watching Belgium, just because I like so many of their squad: Vermaelen, Witsel, de Bruyne, Lukaku, Hazard, Mirallas, Origi, Defour... Outrageous talent, and that's before you get to players like Januzaj, and Fellaini, who despite a poor season at Manchester United, usually looks good in the red of his nation. What team(s) are you most looking forward to seeing play, Jess?</div>
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Jess: </b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">WOW I would love to see a spectacular implosion by the Netherlands and the devil incarnate Robben (still can't get over his Champions League antics vs the Arsenal). After watching the Mexico - Portugal tune up friendly live at Gillette this past </span></span>Friday<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"> I'd say that both of those teams will (not so surprisingly) be quite entertaining, but I also have a couple of dark horses that I'm excited to watch. The first is the Blue Samurais of Japan; I think that the Japanese attack is pretty underrated (many will probably remember the 4-3 Confederations Cup thriller that they just barely lost against Italy), and Kagawa, Honda, Okazaki and others have the potential to form a creative, imaginative and exciting offensive threat that may be able to lead them past Ivory Coast towards a second place finish in Group C. I'm also very excited to watch Bosnia and Herzegovina play and hopefully make it out of Group F behind Argentina; led by Dzeko, they will be making their first ever World Cup appearances after scoring a staggering 30 goals in 10 matches over their qualifying campaign!</span></span><br />
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Finally, my dream would be to have the USA playing the most entertaining football at the World Cup. It's unlikely that we will ever come close to out-possessing our opponents, but with Beckerman and Jones in front of the back four Michael Bradley has a lot more freedom to link up with the legend Clint Dempsey (as seen vs. Nigeria), and we could score some absolute screamer goals like Fabian Johnson's glorious one touch volley to the opposite corner vs Turkey. Some creative counters could get us there! Can't wait to see what happens!<br />
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<b>Sam: </b>Well, unlike most fans in my adopted country, I'm struggling to see USA getting out of their group. I can't see Germany losing any of their games, so The Stars and Stripes chances balance on which version of Cristiano Ronaldo turns up in Brazil. Having said that, I will be rooting for USMNT, as my Three Lions have similar chances: England and Italy usually both start slow, so I'm expecting a draw, then it depends on how well Luis Suarez plays. But really, who cares? It's a month solid of football, so let's just sit back and enjoy. COYG doesn't really apply this week, so good luck to all Arsenal players; hopefully one of you lifts the trophy!</div>
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Sam Burgesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10890534399946515952noreply@blogger.com2