Arsenal: We have reached the End of the Dark Tunnel

I have remained an Arsenal fan since 1988-1989 season. I don’t remember now clearly that why I became a fan of this club in the first place. Most probably, Arsenal was an underdog that time as Liverpool was the dominant force in English football while Arsenal had won the league title since 1970-71 season. Now, we are passing through a similar draught in our history as we won our last EPL title in 2003-04 season. So, it is 10 years or a decade for us without having the League title.

Most Arsenal fans realize the reason behind such bad luck. We were invincible in that season a decade ago. Then we faced a slump and in the last five seasons, we did not even hope seriously of even becoming runners up in the English Premier League. Everyone knows the reason- we had to build a modern stadium the Emirates. It was a tough ask to stay competitive while investing hundreds of millions of pounds on the stadium. We have now a 60,000 seated arena which is perhaps one of the best in Europe and that is enough for us for many years to come.

We have lost 10 years for this stadium. We accept it and we understand the reality. No club in Europe would keep a coach who has not won anything in a decade. Not only we have kept Arsene Wenger in charge but we believed in him deeply. I cannot recall of any day in the last 10 years in which, Wenger did not have the backing of at least 51% fans. The Arsenal board and Wenger believed in self-sustaining financial model. The fans also agreed to that model. I for one strong supports this theory and don’t mind sacrificing a decade for the new stadium.

Well, we all know this history and I am not going to ponder more on the past. What we all want is to get rid of this vicious cycle- we don’t win titles, we don’t have money and we cannot get top players. It has been frustrating decade for us- at times heart breaking too. We saw Henry to leave after we reached to UEFA Champions League Final. Fabregas, Nasry, RVP and some others left too. We became a selling or feeder club for Barcelona and Manchester City.  

We have suffered humiliation and insults from our own players celebrating goals against us. Fans of Chelsea and Manchester City can now show off and even mock at us thanks to money of their rich sugar daddies (owners). It seems that we have been living in a dark age inside an endless tunnel. There is no hope for getting out of the dark tunnel. However, we have kept our fighting spirit intact. We have kept our head high even in the worst of times. We always knew that we are doing this sacrifice for the future.

We are sacrificing for the next generation of Arsenal players, manager, shareholders and most of all for the generation of fans like us. Of course, we have waited for our own happiness too. We deeply wanted this new stadium and we wanted Arsenal to become a big club like Barcelona, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich. For that we need money- a lot of money. Look, it is only because of money from their owners, Chelsea and Manchester City could remove us from the top two spots in the league table. Nothing but pure money.

I was not born in 1971. I was a school student of tenth grade in 1989. Most fans of my age perhaps don’t remember much about the domination of Liverpool in 1970s and 80s. However, we have seen a lot of Manchester United, Chelsea and now Manchester City. Before 2004, we were having great success with our coach Wenger who joined the club in 1996. Then, from 2004, we had to do the sacrifice and had to be consent with a top four finish- just enough to qualify for the UEFA Champions league. Well, in fact, we suffered a lot of pain in our heart but we knew that someday we would rise again.

Perhaps, that someday has already come. We just need to see the ray of light at the end of the tunnel. This summer, Wenger shocked all the fans by purchasing a player like Ozil from Real Madrid. This was the most expensive transfer deal for any incoming player in EPL. If someone like Luiz Suarez agrees to join us in the current transfer window, I am sure that Wenger would not mind splashing 50 million pounds in the transfer market again. Paying 100,000 pounds a week salary to some of the top players it not out of our ability anymore.

Because of a modern stadium, consistent flow of revenue and a great manager with an impressive squad, things can only go better from here. Manchester United is already struggling in the post Alex Ferguson era. Liverpool would surely struggle if Luiz Suraez decides to go to Barcelona or Real Madrid. We are already competing head to head and toe to tea against Chelsea and Manchester City- the two biggest spenders in EPL. We will be making more commercial deals in the next few years and get additional revenues from every deal we sign or resign.

 More than anything else, UEFA Financial Fair play regulations will help us to become stronger as many of our rivals in England and Europe will find it difficult to adjust to the fairy play regulations. So, everything indicates that we have passed our worst and we are at the end of the tunnel. I just hope that fans don’t lose hope now. We have waited for a decade and now, there is every possibility that the next 10 years will belong to Arsenal. We will win a number of trophies and become stronger every season. However, we must continue supporting Arsene Wenger who is now undoubtedly the best coach in EPL.

There is indeed ray of light at the end of the tunnel for all the Arsenal fans. We just need to remain patient and things will work out by themselves. The calendar year 2013 has been a great year for us. We achieved maximum number of points compared to any team in EPL in 2013. We could defeat the two best teams of Germany who played in the final of UEFA Champions League. I know that many fans will not be satisfied with such records. They want to see trophies. I want trophies too but it will need some patience in our part.

Those who are not yet satisfied with Wenger or will demand for his head if we do not win the title this season too, I just want to request them to learn from the sudden collapse of Manchester United after SAF retired. The new coach David Moyes was hand picked by Sir Alex Ferguson himself. If Wenger suddenly leaves or is forced to leave then we can suffer such a dramatic collapse too.

There is a proverb, as you sow so shall you reap. There is another proverb, Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet. We have tried to follow these two proverbs. On the one hand, we tried to focus on self-sustaining financial policy while at the same time, we tried to remain patient despite not winning the league title in a decade just after we achieve the invincible status. We had to be really patient for a decade. Fans of other clubs in England can never be like us. We are exceptional and we must always be united and keep our head high. United we stand while divided we fall. 

Arsenal at the Top: Down goes the Experts

Who could imagine at the beginning of the season that Arsenal would be at the top of the EPL point table at the beginning of December? Not any football expert I can remember. Everyone wrote Arsene Wenger’s team off even before one match was played. After 13 matches, Arsenal has now 31 points. Chelsea is in second position with 27 points while Manchester City has 25.

Arsenal is not only leading the EPL point table but also are at the top of UEFA Champions League. It is the group of death and Arsenal is in a very strong position to move to the knockout stages. Ramsey is in great form and the midfielder has already scored 13 goals for them in all competitions. They have perhaps the best midfield in premier league. Wilshere is beginning to live up to his name at last. Ozil has provided a number of assists. Some people are not that excited with him but I feel that he has adapted well so far.

When Ozil will find his form then it can really mean a lot of destruction for the opposite teams. After all, his passing is sublime. I wonder why he joined Real Madrid in the first place. He should have been in Barcelona with such passing. 

Arsenal in Summer Transfer Window 2012: A Brief Reflection

Summer transfer window 2012 in England closed on Friday with the total spending by the premier league clubs reaching around a staggering £490m, just £10m shy of record spending of summer 2008.

Arsenal was uncharacteristically active in the market from the very beginning of the window. In fact, they sealed the first of their three signings: Lukas Podolski from FC Koln (£11 million)- even before the end of the last season.

Soon after the announcement of the signing of Podolski, manager Arsene Wenger, knowing the intention of wantaway striker Robin van Persie, looked for another striker and brought in French league’s joint top scorer Olivier Giroud from reigning champion Montpellier for a bargain price of £13 million. Then Wenger once again justified his reputation as being a transfer market specialist when he signed Santi Cazorla from cash-trapped Malaga for a cut-price fee of £16.5 million.

However, the departure of last season’s top scorer Robin van Persie to Manchester United and midfielder Alex Song to Barcelona prompted a reaction from a section of Arsenal fans. The reaction reached its peak at the end of the deadline day of transfer window as Wenger did not buy any other player. Arsenal also sold two young and unsettled players Kyle Bartley and Henri Lansbury to Swansea and Nottingham Forest respectively for a combined fee of £2 million.

Overall, Arsenal once again made profit in player transfer and could offload some of its misfits like Park Chu-Young and Nicklas Bendtner to Celta Vigo and Juventus respectively. Both the players moved away from Emirates on a season-long loan with an option inserted in their deals to make their moves permanent next summer.

However, reports in the media suggest that some Arsenal fans are discontent with Wenger for not signing a defensive midfielder. Some are even doubtful about the club’s credibility as a big club. A section of fans believe that Wenger did not even use the £50 million transfer funds that were at his disposal; let alone the millions accumulated through RVP and Song sales. In a statement, Arsenal Supporters' Trust revealed that they were ‘frustrated’ by the club’s transfer dealings.

Defending his decision of not making any late bid, manager Arsene Wenger said that he still considered his squad strong enough to be one of the contenders of the league title. He also indicated the impending return of midfield duo Jack Wilshere and Tomas Rosicky, and defender Bacary Sagna from their respective injuries. Wenger had earlier said that he would make one or two signings if he found a top class player and stressed that there was no need for signing an average player.

I would like to quote a few words from Australian daily The Age, “ARSENAL was facing criticism from frustrated supporters yesterday as it was poised to end another summer transfer window in profit on its player trading.” I am really surprised to know that someone could be criticized for making a profit, when the whole world is just craving for more and more profits.

It is true that Arsenal drew their first two matches of the campaign and will visit Liverpool on Sunday, looking for their first goal of the season. No doubt, Van Persie’s departure has taken a heavy toll on the team, but that does not mean that he is irreplaceable. If Arsenal could survive without Henry, Bergkamp and Vieira, then they could do the same without RVP. One thing that almost everyone misses is the fact that RVP needed 6-7 years to produce a truly exceptional season. Then don’t you think, Podolski and Giroud should be given a couple of months at least?

Cazorla already looks settled in the playmaker’s role. Arteta is playing very well in the role of central midfielder, while Diaby, though looked a bit rusty in the opening two games, could make his presence felt sooner than later. Ramsey is still young and learning his trade. Now, just add Wilshere and Rosicky to the group, and Wenger will have a sweet selection problem very soon. Arsenal’s defense also looked improved and a lot more organized in the two goalless draws.

When I see the teams like Leeds United and Portsmouth, I really think that Arsenal is lucky to have someone like Wenger to deal with transfer market in a period when it built a new stadium. With the UEFA Financial Fair Play rules coming into effect in a couple of years and Arsenal boasting of some exciting talents like Serge Gnabry, Chuba Akpom, Hector bellerin and Thomas Eisfeld, the Gunners truly have a bright future ahead of them.

Arsene Wenger is the best coach but not a good Negotiator

Don’t get me wrong. I am a big fan of Arsene Wenger and I do believe that he is the best coach for the club ever. However, what I don’t agree with him is his handling of transfer of players. In the last 2 seasons, the summer break was hijacked by Fabregas drama. This time, it is the RVP drama. As if all the focus is on Robin van Persie.

It is not a good thing for the club. Wenger should just talk to van Persie very frankly and if he feels that it is impossible to keep the striker then just sell him and move on. After all, it was Wenger who could discover talents such as Henry, Fabregas and even RVP. So, why not just think of a new striker who can click instead of focusing too much or giving all the attention for van Persie. After all, who was van Persie two seasons earlier- just a good striker with a lot of injury concerns.

That is why Wenger really needs to learn when to just give up and try for someone else. 

Top Ten Wishes for Arsenal in 2012

There are just few hours left before we enter the New Year ‘2012’ with lots of hopes and wishes in mind. Arsenal fans are also perhaps wishing and praying for a very successful 2012. The North London side may not have won any title in 2011, but there were some exciting prospects of ending their six-year trophy drought.

Wenger boys reached the final of League Cup last season, only to be defeated by Birmingham City after conceding a late goal caused by a defensive howler. They were serious title contender in the Premier League until February. However, Arsenal’s 2-1 home victory over Barcelona was perhaps the highlight of the season, even though they failed to progress beyond the last 16 in Champions League.

Here, I have made a list of top ten wishes that any Arsenal fan would love to see turn true in 2012. You can add to the wishes in the comment section.

1. Captain Robin van Persie signs a new contract in what would ensure his staying with the Gunners beyond the end of the next season when his current contract expires.

2. The Dutch forward continues his high-flying scoring form, and most importantly, stays fit throughout the year.

3. They continue their run in Championship League, by finishing in the top four in the league.

4. Arsenal wins silverware in 2012, and thus, putting an end to their six-year period without a trophy.

5. Arsenal gets out of the seemingly ‘never-ending’ injury crisis which made Emirates its favorite home over the last few seasons.

6. Wenger continues making astute signings as he has been doing for a long time.

7. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain turns out to be a top class ‘surprise’ performer as was Jack Wilshere last season (2010-11).

8. After a long time, Arsenal got a pair of reliable hands under the posts in Wojciech Szczęsny. Hopefully, the Polish custodian continues his fine run of form next year too.

9. Jack Wilshere along with a group of important players including fullbacks like Andre Santos, Kieran Gibbs, Bacary Sagna and Carl Jenkinson returns from injury ahead of schedule.

10. Talented young players like Ryo Miyaichi, Emmanuel Frimpong, Francis Coquelin and Ignasi Miquel get matured and start making impact in the first team.

Top Ten Players of Arsenal Football Club of All Time

Arsenal is one of the most successful clubs in the history of English football. Founded in 1886, Arsenal has celebrated its 125^th anniversary this year (2011). Over the years, many great players played and brought success for the club including all the major titles of English football. Making a ‘top ten list’ for Arsenal players of all time is not an easy task, given the club has many legends in its history. The list given below is totally based on my personal choices and I hope you will enjoy it. You can, however, share your opinions in the comment section.

Thierry Henry

An exceptional goal scorer, Thierry Henry is arguably the best Arsenal player of all time. Since his £11 million move from Juventus in 1999, he was the top scorer of Arsenal for almost every season during his Arsenal career which saw him breaking almost all the scoring records for the club including Arsenal’s all time leading scorer with 226 goals in all competitions. The Frenchman’s eight-year Arsenal stint is decorated with two Premier League and three FA Cup titles. He also led the club to the final of UEFA Champions League in 2005-06, though Arsenal lost the match to Barcelona.

Henry was known for his speed, calmness, shrewdness, shooting accuracy and ability to score on one-on-one situations. Moreover, his experience of playing as a winger at Monaco and Juventus brought diversity in his game and helped him make a lot of assists. During his time at Arsenal, he finished four seasons as Premier League top scorer and two seasons as European top scorer, including the ‘invincible season’ of 2003-04. Henry was also nominated for FIFA World Player of the Year award twice while playing for Arsenal.

Tony Adams

A one-club man, Tony Adams is undoubtedly one of the best players and arguably the best defenders in the history Arsenal. The former England international’s club career, spanning 22 years, started and ended at Arsenal where he played under two great managers; first under George Graham and then Wenger. He along with fellow central defender Steve Bould made Arsenal defense rock solid and laid the foundation of many success stories.

A great captain, Adams led Arsenal for 14 years. Interestingly, all the titles he won with Arsenal including four league titles, three FA Cup, two League Cup, a UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup and three Charity Shield titles came under his captainship. He was included in the PFA Team of the Year on three occasions and made it to the Premier League team of the decade (1992-93 – 2001-02). On 10 December 2011, Tony Adam’s statue was unveiled alongside the statues of Thierry Henry and Herbert Chapman at the Emirates Stadium, as the club celebrated its 125^th anniversary.

Dennis Bergkamp

Known for his exceptional tactical skill and defense defying passes, rather than scoring rate, Bergkamp had never fallen into the category of a traditional striker or forward. Rather, his role was to fill in the ‘hole’ or was that of a traditional inside forward’s at Arsenal. Still, he had immense contribution to Arsenal’s successes during his 11-year stint at the club. The Dutchman’s supporting role for the out-an-out strikers like Ian Wright and Thierry Henry made him the brightest modern proponent of hole or second striker’s position.

Bergkamp won three Premier League, four FA Cup and three Community Shield titles with Arsenal and scored 120 goals in 423 matches in all competitions. His assists, however, were no less significant than his goals as far as impact on team’s success is concerned. On two occasions, he was one of the three nominees for FIFA World Player of the Year award.

Ian Wright

Ian Wright is one of the best goalscorers ever played for Arsenal. He started scoring immediately after joining Arsenal from Crystal Palace for the then club record £2.5 million in September 1991. He bagged a hat-trick in his league debut against Southampton and eventually won the Premier League golden boot with 29 goals that season.

By the time Wright left Arsenal in 1998, he became the leading scorer for the club with 185 goals in 288 appearances in all competition, surpassing Cliff Bastin’s long-standing record of 178 goals. Currently, he is the second highest scorer for Arsenal, just behind Henry. The former England international won a Premier League, two FA Cup, a League Cup and a UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup titles during his seven-year stay at the North London club.

Patrick Vieira

Vieira is one of the most versatile players ever played for Arsenal. The Frenchman was one of the early signings of Wenger and later on was proved to be one of the best signings of the French manager. During his nine years at the club, Vieira was part of one of the most successful periods in the history of Arsenal during which he won three Premier League titles including the unbeaten ‘invincible season’, four FA Cup and four Community Shield titles.

A well-built defensive midfielder, Patrick Vieira was an imposing figure in the Arsenal midfield during his time at the club. He was well-known for ball distribution, retaining and holding possession, and tactical skills. He made it to the overall team of the decade for the Premier League 10 Seasons Awards (1992-93 – 2001-02) and was included in the PFA Team of the Year for six successive seasons.

David Seaman

The best goalkeeper ever played for Arsenal, David Seaman is also one of the most decorated players in the history of the club in terms of winning titles. During his 13-year stint at the North London side, Seaman won three Premier League, four FA Cup, a League Cup, a UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, and three Community Shield titles.

Since joining Arsenal for £1.3 million (the then British record for a goalkeeper) in 1990, he almost always remained the number one choice in his role for his managers including George Graham and Arsene Wenger, winning titles under both of them. Seaman was chosen for the PFA Team of the Year award in 1997 and was included in the domestic team of the decade for the Premier League 10 Seasons awards (1992-2002) where he was also recognized as the goalkeeper with most clean sheets with 130 clean sheets.

Cliff Bastin

Cliff Bastin is perhaps the only star player who enjoyed and immensely contributed to all the early successes of Arsenal under the legendary manager Herbert Chapman. He played a significant role in Arsenal’s five League titles and two FA Cup titles in 30’s. With his versatility, he formed a lethal partnership with another great Ted Drake in attack and helped Arsenal dominate the English football for the entire decade preceding the World War II.

A remarkable scorer, Bastin joined Arsenal from Exeter City in 1929 at the age of 17, and by the time he turned 19, he became the youngest ever player to have won a league title, a FA Cup title and appeared for England national team. Known for his extraordinary calmness and shooting accuracy, Bastin retired as Arsenal’s leading scorer with 178 goals in 396 matches, a record eclipsed so far only by Wright and Henry.

Ted Drake

Ted Drake was perhaps the first super star of Arsenal. He alongside Cliff Bastin essayed the early glory years of the club under the iconic manager Chapman. Signed from Southampton in 1934 for £6,500, the center forward started to score from his league debut against Wolves, and by the time he announced his retirement as an Arsenal player, Drake was just second to Bastin in terms of scoring with 139 goals in 184 appearances in all competitions. Today, he is Arsenal’s fifth highest scorer of all time.

In his second season at Arsenal (1934-35), Drake scored club-record 42 goals in 41 league games, clinching 3 hat-tricks and 4 four-goal hauls, and thus, winning the first of his two league titles with Arsenal. His 7 goals in a league match against Aston Villa in 1935-36 is still a record in English football. Well known for his speed and shooting capabilities, Drake was the top scorer for five consecutive seasons for Arsenal before the outbreak of World War II.

Liam Brady

The former Ireland international is one of the best left-footed players, if not the best, in the history of Arsenal football club. His Arsenal career may not be decorated with many titles as he won just one FA Cup title (in 1979) with the North London side, but his immense skill, excellent passing, and close controlling of the ball made him a fan favorite.

Coming through the youth ranks, Brady’s creativity in the midfield helped Arsenal reach the FA Cup finals in three years in a row (in 1978, 1979 and 1980). In 1979, the year Arsenal won the FA Cup, he was awarded the PFA Player of the Year award for his outstanding display, and thus, becoming the first ever player outside Britain to receive this award. Brady also became Arsenal’s player of the year on three occasions, before making a £500,000 move to Juventus in 1980.

Charlie George

Like Brady, Charlie George also came through Arsenal’s youth ranks and eventually made it big at the top flight football. He also did not win a lot of titles, but his contribution to the club’s success during his seven-year stint with Arsenal’s senior side is the reason he earned a place in this list.

The London-born striker’s best performance came in 1970-71 season when his spectacular performance guided Arsenal to their first ever domestic double. George scored a superb winner from 20 yeards in the 1971 FA Cup final against Liverpool, having also scored in the 4^th, 5^th and 6^th rounds of the tournament. Despite being injured for five months, he played an important role in Arsenal’s league success, scoring 5 goals in 17 league matches.

Overall, Charlie George scored 49 goals in 179 appearances in all competitions. He was also part of Arsenal’s Inter-Cities Fairs Cup winning team of 1970.

Some notable omissions: David O'Leary, Robert Pires, Marc Overmars, Freddie Ljungberg, Steve Bould, Pat Rice, Alex James, Bob Wilson, Pat Jennings, Jimmy Brian, David Jack, George Armstrong, David Rocastle, George Graham, Jimmy Logie, Ray Parlour, Douglas Lishman, Kenny Sansom, Sammy Nelson, Jack Kelsey.

Arsenal Unveiling Statues of Three Legends: Is Wenger Missing?

Arsenal found the right occasion to honor three of its legends when the club unveiled the statues of pioneering former manager Herbert Chapman, iconic former captain Tony Adams, and Thierry Henry, the highest goal scorer in its history, outside the Emirates Stadium on 10 December 2011 as the North London side celebrated its 125^th anniversary.

No question can be raised against the greatness of the three legends, though you may have your own different choices. One thing, however, I strongly believe is that by the time Arsenal will be celebrating their 150^th anniversary, there will, at least, be another statue. That is of Arsene Wenger, the charismatic manager currently at the helm of the club. In fact, a statue of Wenger is already missing.

If Herbert Chapman was the man who laid the foundation of the club’s early glory years, then Arsenal Wenger has built the pillar of success upon it. Chapman introduced Arsenal with the taste of glory, while Wenger presented success with entertaining football. Attacking, free-flowing football woven by small passes can best describe Wenger’s Arsenal.

Chapman presented a lot of new techniques in football which not only helped Arsenal become a dominant force in English football, but contributed to the overall development of football, to a large extent. Wenger, similarly, has set upon himself with his innovative ‘self-sustaining model’ in Arsenal, which has so far been highly successful. The Frenchman’s vision, tactics, youth policy, economic policy, shrewd signings have all been the characteristics of his time at Arsenal.

In his first 9 years at Arsenal, Wenger won 3 Premier League and 4 FA Cup titles. Since then Arsenal could not win anything so far (until 2011) and Wenger is often criticized for that. However, this six-year period did not go without achievements for Arsenal and Wenger. During this so-called ‘barren period,’ Arsenal got a new, bigger stadium, ensuring a larger profit through tickets selling, never dropped their ‘top four’ status in Premier League, and thus, playing in Champions League every year, and most importantly, recorded their best ever success in Europe when they reached the Champions League final in 2005-06 season.

Moreover, all these achievements came during a period which was badly hit by an economic recession across the world. Arsenal, however, sustained the slump pretty much successfully, without losing their class, style and winning mentality.

So, I believe, Arsene Wenger really deserves a statue of himself being unveiled at the Emirates Stadium.

Contract Extension for Gael Clichy Looks Uncertain

Arsenal left back Gael Clichy’s future at the North London now seems to be hanging in the balance with the France international’s existing contract coming to an end at the end of the next season. Naturally, Arsenal is looking to begin discussion for a contract extension as soon as possible, but Clichy wants to wait until the end of the current season.

So, there is rumor doing the round that Gael Clichy, 25, may not extend his contract with the Gunners and leave Emirates after his current contract expires. Well, that is nothing but a rumor. Arsenal officials would definitely try to come up with a new contract extension for the player in the summer.

Gael Clichy joined Arsenal from Cannes in 2003 and has been a regular member for the Gunners eleven for the last five seasons. He has already established himself as one of today’s best left-back players in the world.

Barcelona is believed to be one of the clubs who would keep a close eye on the further developments of Clichy’s contractual issue.

Related article:

Daily Mail

Arsenal Chasing French Midfielder Blaise Matuidi

Reports available in the media suggest that Arsenal has been chasing French midfielder Blaise Matuidi who is currently playing for Ligue 1 side Saint-Etienne. Known as a physically strong defensive midfielder, the Angola-born French international is expected to fit the bills well for Arsene Wenger.

Insidefutbol website reports that Wenger has been tracking the 23-year-old promising star and could make move for the player in the summer. Arsenal scout Gilles Grimandio recommended Matuidi to Wenger around two years back and it seems Arsenal boss is now very serious about signing the player.

Arsenal recently lost to Barcelona 3-1 in Europe and many believe that their inability to cut opposition’s passes and through balls in the midfield was one of the reasons they could not dominate in the match. Gunners missed their first choice defensive midfielder Alex Song through injury, and his replacement Abou Diaby was not up to the mark.

The good news for Wegner is that Blaise Matuidi has a release clause in his contract and the amount is reportedly within the reach of the North London club.

Related article:

thefirstpost

Arsenal Lost to Barcelona 3-1 in Champions League and Few Words

On Tuesday, Arsenal was knocked out of the UEFA Champions League after losing to Barcelona 3-1 at Camp Nou. After two legs, Barcelona has won the tie 4-3 on aggregate. There is nothing surprising in Arsenal losing to Barcelona, but those who watched the match on Tuesday would have surely experienced the other side of Arsenal- a rock solid defense.

Arsenal is known for their attacking style of football based on slick passing and pace. But, interestingly Arsenal showed some superb defensive performance against an under-pressure Barcelona who went into the game knowing that they have to score to overturn the 2-1 deficit.

It is not that Arsenal did not make any mistake in the back. Yes, they did, but the way Arsenal defense stood in against the overflowing attacks from the Catalan side masterminded by the likes of Xavi and Messi showed that Gunners backline started to come of age finally. It is said that no team can achieve greatness unless it has a very good defense. If that is true, then I must say, Wenger has a great team that is just in the last phase of the production chain.

The next thing I want to say is that Arsenal would not win a title until they come out of two problems (or bad luck, you can say): one is injury and the other is bad referring. The way Arsenal started the second half, I would not have surprised if they ended up even winning the match, had Robin van Persie not been just the latest Arsenal casualty of bad referring. It is true that referees are not at a very easy task, but then I cannot imagine how the Swiss referee brought out the second yellow for the Dutch forward for such a silly matter, even when it was understandable that it was very tough for an on-rushing player to hear referee’s whistle for offside at a full-packed stadium like Nou Camp and in a match of this magnitude where crowds were all screaming around the ground. The most important thing is that he cautioned Van Persie for a small matter in the first half, so he should have thought twice before showing the Dutch marching orders.

There is no doubt, Barcelona played some flowing football in the first half, and Arsenal also put up a brave face, even though they conceded a late goal before the break. However, at the beginning of the second half, it was clear that Arsenal was just gradually tightening their grip on the match against an exhausted Barcelona side. They even secured the equalizing goal too, but then came that big decision: Robin van Persie was sent off. Within few minutes, Barcelona scored twice and you know the rest.

What is now important is that Wenger boys must not give up. It is true they have suffered two heart-aches in the space of 10 days with the first coming at Carling Cup final, but Fabregas and his teammates should know that they can get a lot of positives out of the recent games. They missed Fabregas, Walcott in the Carling Cup final, then Walcott, Song and Fabregas missed the Sunderland game where Arsenal was denied a penalty and a goal by the referee, and now on Tuesday, the Gunners missed the electrifying pace of Walcott and the vibrant presence of Song. More importantly, whatever the Gunners achieved this season, they had to do it without their most reliable center defender Thomas Vermaelen.

When you cannot win the trophy after going so close and putting so much effort, it is definitely frustrating. But then, Arsenal’s overall performance so far this season has been very much satisfactory. First, they reached the Carling Cup final, and then defeated mighty Barcelona at home. Now, they are still very much in the title race of Premier League and active in the FA Cup. They can still win two titles to end up the season on high note.

For that, Arsenal must avoid any further injury problem and needs some fair decisions from the referees. More than that, Arsenal players must have a high confidence level, knowing that they have everything what it takes to win any title in Europe. After getting out of the Champions League, Arsenal would now have less hectic schedule comprising of just FA Cup and Premier League matches. So, it would help Wenger boys to stay away from injury in this busy phase of the season.

Performance of Arsenal Players against Sunderland Few Reflections

Arsenal could not close the gap with Manchester United at the top after their frustrating goalless draw with Sunderland at the Emirates on Saturday. They created some scoring chances, even came as close as to hit the cross bar, but they did not get what could have earned them 3 points from the match: a goal.

It was not the same Arsenal that outclassed Barcelona, and literally so as there was no Fabregas, no Walcott and Robin van Persie. At least the one player they sorely missed on Saturday is their in-form striker Robin van Persie.

Nicklas Bendtner may have got a hat-trick against Orient in the FA Cup, but then Sunderland is not Orient; they are a Premier League side looking for a Europa League place. Bendtner missed a number of good chances, while second half substitute Chamakh’s header hit the cross bar.

It is true that Arsenal were better side in the match, but the way they played would definitely make Barcelona happy ahead of their return leg fixture of Champions League. Arsenal’s link up play was sorely absent against Sunderland. Except some individual good runs from Nasri and Arshavin, it was a display of sloppy passing by the Gunners.

In the absence of Fabregas, Nasri was the mainstay in Arsenal attack and the Frenchman was pretty much successful in creating Arsenal’s chances. However, the problem was that there was no top class finisher like Van Persie, and the players like Abou Diaby, Denilson who did not play a lot in the recent weeks were not up to the mark.

However, center back Johan Djourou was perhaps the best player for Arsenal. The Ivory Coast international defended excellently throughout the match and sometimes pushed forward too.

Well, Arsenal is still very much in the title race and they are now active in three tournaments. Now, whether the Gunners would be able to end their title drought this season largely depends on how quickly their injured stars could return in action and how well they avoid any further injury crisis in the rest of the season.

Steve Bruce: Manchester United to Win the Premier League Title

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce thinks Manchester United will win the Premier League title this season, not the North London side Arsenal whom his boys held to a goalless draw last night.

Arsenal had a good chance to go within a point of leader Manchester United with a victory over Sunderland last night, but Arsene Wenger boys blew the chance away as they could manage a point from the fixture. Now, Manchester United could increase the gap with Arsenal, if they can win at Liverpool today.

Stressing on experience, Steve Bruce believes that Manchester United is most likely to win the title. He thinks that winning the first title is always very hard and Arsenal is chasing for their first title in 6 years. On the other hand, Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson won many titles over the last few years including a Champions League title.

Bruce said, “If you look, Man United have the know-how and the experience. They are used to winning trophies. I think it is about winning the first trophy with a group of players.

Arsene Wenger has built three or four great teams, from the days of Tony Adams and Dennis Bergkamp through Robert Pires and Patrick Vieira and now to Cesc Fabregas, Jack Wilshere and Robin Van Persie. However, this group of players has not been over the line yet, and they need to get over the line in a cup competition or in the league. Once they do that, they will go from strength to strength.”

No doubt, Arsenal players have not won any title in the last six years, but one can not forget that they have been pretty much consistent over the years and even once reached the Champions League final during this period. More than that, Wenger boys reached the Carling Cup final this year.

It is true that Manchester Untied is pretty much experienced, but time has not come to write off Arsenal yet.

Arsenal vs Sunderland Time and Venue: 5 March 2011

Arsenal hosts Sunderland tomorrow in an important match of English Premier League on 5 March 2011. Both sides have something to win from this fixture. While Sunderland looks to bounce back following consecutive defeats in the last four league matches, Arsenal players would like to reduce the gap with leader Manchester United who lost at Chelsea in the midweek.

Arsenal’s 5-0 thrashing of Leyton Orient on Wednesday in the fifth round FA Cup replay came as a morale-boosting victory for the North London side following their Carling Cup defeat at the Wembely stadium last Sunday.

Arsenal is missing a number of players for the Sunderland match with in-form players like Cesc Fabregas, Robin van Persiel and Theo Walcott all out injured. Besides, Song, Vermaelen, Fabianski and Fimprong are also ruled out for this fixture. However, center back Koscielny is expected to be available for selection after recovering his minor injury. Aaron Ramsey is also back following a small but successful loan stint at Cardiff City.

Time and Venue of the Match

The match kicks off at 15:00 GMT and 20:30 IST (Indian Standard Time) on 5 March 2011. It will take place at the Emirates stadium, the home ground of Arsenal.

Arsenal won only one of their last five matches against Sunderland, but then they are unbeaten in the last 10 Premier League matches. So, football fans can expect an exciting fixture at the Emirates.