Man utd v Arsenal

[Nem]

I dont think arsenal have 1 world class striker adebayor is a good player but he's still short of that top level whereas the other 3 of the big 4 all have at least 1 world class striker.This is where wenger needs to improve on the 1st 11 imo.Well done and congratulations to torres on becoming the 1st liverpool player to score in 7 consecutive home games thats some feat. in his 1st season.Maybe arsenal should look to his compatriot david villa

I'd have Adebayor to Newcaastle in a shot (Obviously!). He's the second best stiker in the league for me (to Torres). Also I don't agree that Man U have a world calss striker - not that they need one.

I personally do not think that Adebayour is better than Drogba, Rooney or Berbatov. With regards to Arsenal, their squad is strong enough to challenge for the title. The problem with Arsenal was that they had injuries to key players (RVP, Rosicky, Hleb and Eduardo) and also their other key players lost form at the same time (Fabregas and Adebayor).

IMO RVP is definitely a world class forward; him being out is like Rooney being out at ManYoo.

[mondatoo]

I dont think arsenal have 1 world class striker adebayor is a good player but he's still short of that top level whereas the other 3 of the big 4 all have at least 1 world class striker.This is where wenger needs to improve on the 1st 11 imo.Well done and congratulations to torres on becoming the 1st liverpool player to score in 7 consecutive home games thats some feat. in his 1st season.Maybe arsenal should look to his compatriot david villa

I'd have Adebayor to Newcaastle in a shot (Obviously!). He's the second best stiker in the league for me (to Torres). Also I don't agree that Man U have a world calss striker - not that they need one.

I personally do not think that Adebayour is better than Drogba, Rooney or Berbatov. With regards to Arsenal, their squad is strong enough to challenge for the title. The problem with Arsenal was that they had injuries to key players (RVP, Rosicky, Hleb and Eduardo) and also their other key players lost form at the same time (Fabregas and Adebayor).

IMO RVP is definitely a world class forward; him being out is like Rooney being out at ManYoo.

He isn't.Arsenals squad is good enough to challenge if they get no injuries which is very unlikely and they do need to strengthen imo.Wayne rooney is a world class striker although he may not score tons of goals he is world class as the 2nd striker.

RVP is a very good player but i wouldn't put him in the world class bracket.

As for adebayor for the toon we dont need him 

[Colchester Kev]

Everton ended Arsenal's remarkable run of 51 successive Women's Premier League victories with a goalless draw.

But with just eight points needed from four games, the Gunners are still odds-on favourites to retain the title.


Every cloud has a silver lining.

[The Baron]

I think Arsenal are really close to a very special team bar another good centre half, a goal scoring wide man in the mould of Pires or Ljunberg a few years back and a world class goalkeeper - with Diaby coming of age the centre of their midfield they shouldn't have many physical problems like they've had since Vieira left.

With Walcott, Van Persals, Adebayor, Fabregas and Eduardo to return I think the claims that they need a new striker is a bit premature. In 2/3 years they will have the most potent attacking threat around.

For me Adebayor will be better than Drogba when he reaches that age.

[Karabiner]

One thing that really mystifies me is why AW did not give Diarra a run on the right side of midfield a la Parlour rather than offload him and persist with Eboue.

Our defensive problem as I see it is that Gallas and Toure are far too similar and don't really work together as a first choice CB pairing which is why he played Song today, which I thoiught looked better.

Sagna has been our best defender by far this season imo and we have really missed him.

ggwpgfy

[boldie]

Eboue.

YUCK!

[dan]

Like Nem has said, we have had injuries to key players at key times RVP got injured early on in the season when he was on fire. Eduardo got injured when he was starting to look like a class act and Rosicky has had a stop start season. I think that Rosicky is our 2nd highest scorer in the league this year and he has hardly had a run in the team. Also the injury to Sagna came at a key time when we were 1-0 up against Chelsea. We lost that game and also lost games at old trafford and Anfield after taking the lead, I believe that this was partly down to the back 4 having to adapt to Sagna's injury.

I think close season we should look to offload a few players, probably Gilberto, Eboue or Hoyte possibly Bendtner and Senderos. I also think 1 or 2 of our players could benefit from going out on loan.

I think a top draw centre half is needed but TBH I'm not sure who, like I said before I think we should've and could've got Woodgate before he went to Spurs. I also think a wide player possibly SWP could be available or somebody like Ashley Young.

I think we need a world class centre midfielder alongside cesc, but again I dont know who would be available in the summer, someone like Essien would be great I cant imagine he is entirely happy playing at RB for Chelsea.

And then on to strikers, someone mentioned earlier in the thread when all our strikers are fit they are very good. Yes I agree with that but the fact is RVP has been a little injury prone, Eduardo wont play this side of Xmas if ever again for Arsenal. Adebayor can be very very good or just plain shit. I would love to see Walcott playing through the middle and hopefully now we have nothing to play for I hope Wenger gives him a chance through the middle. I am very undecided about Bendtner, I think he may become a very good player.

It seems all of our strikers need time, Walcott to develop and the same with Bendtner, Eduardo to recover. That leaves an inconsitant Adebayor and an injury prone Van Persie. I just think that if we do not buy a top quality proven goalscorer we could be out of the title race by Xmas. I think Liverpool made one of the best signings for years in Torres. I cant think of too many more strikers that could be available. David Villa and Berbertov perhaps, although getting either of those could be very tough.

We have got a very young and talented squad I just think it needs a little fine tuning and strenghtening. I am not too concerned this season, after all at the start of the season alot of people were saying that we would not even finish in the top 4.

[Nem]

Like Nem has said, we have had injuries to key players at key times RVP got injured early on in the season when he was on fire. Eduardo got injured when he was starting to look like a class act and Rosicky has had a stop start season. I think that Rosicky is our 2nd highest scorer in the league this year and he has hardly had a run in the team. Also the injury to Sagna came at a key time when we were 1-0 up against Chelsea. We lost that game and also lost games at old trafford and Anfield after taking the lead, I believe that this was partly down to the back 4 having to adapt to Sagna's injury.

I think close season we should look to offload a few players, probably Gilberto, Eboue or Hoyte possibly Bendtner and Senderos. I also think 1 or 2 of our players could benefit from going out on loan.

I think a top draw centre half is needed but TBH I'm not sure who, like I said before I think we should've and could've got Woodgate before he went to Spurs. I also think a wide player possibly SWP could be available or somebody like Ashley Young.

I think we need a world class centre midfielder alongside cesc, but again I dont know who would be available in the summer, someone like Essien would be great I cant imagine he is entirely happy playing at RB for Chelsea.

And then on to strikers, someone mentioned earlier in the thread when all our strikers are fit they are very good. Yes I agree with that but the fact is RVP has been a little injury prone, Eduardo wont play this side of Xmas if ever again for Arsenal. Adebayor can be very very good or just plain shit. I would love to see Walcott playing through the middle and hopefully now we have nothing to play for I hope Wenger gives him a chance through the middle. I am very undecided about Bendtner, I think he may become a very good player.

It seems all of our strikers need time, Walcott to develop and the same with Bendtner, Eduardo to recover. That leaves an inconsitant Adebayor and an injury prone Van Persie. I just think that if we do not buy a top quality proven goalscorer we could be out of the title race by Xmas. I think Liverpool made one of the best signings for years in Torres. I cant think of too many more strikers that could be available. David Villa and Berbertov perhaps, although getting either of those could be very tough.

We have got a very young and talented squad I just think it needs a little fine tuning and strenghtening. I am not too concerned this season, after all at the start of the season alot of people were saying that we would not even finish in the top 4.

Good post. I think that Bendtner will become a very good player, I would love him at Spurs. The problem I can see Bendtner having is that he is very similar to Adebayor, so he may become frustrated at playing 2nd fiddle to him.

I'm pretty sure that both Villa and Berbatov will be leaving their respected cubs in the close season; I'm gutted about Berbatov obv .

[Karabiner]

Like Nem has said, we have had injuries to key players at key times RVP got injured early on in the season when he was on fire. Eduardo got injured when he was starting to look like a class act and Rosicky has had a stop start season. I think that Rosicky is our 2nd highest scorer in the league this year and he has hardly had a run in the team. Also the injury to Sagna came at a key time when we were 1-0 up against Chelsea. We lost that game and also lost games at old trafford and Anfield after taking the lead, I believe that this was partly down to the back 4 having to adapt to Sagna's injury.

I think close season we should look to offload a few players, probably Gilberto, Eboue or Hoyte possibly Bendtner and Senderos. I also think 1 or 2 of our players could benefit from going out on loan.

I think a top draw centre half is needed but TBH I'm not sure who, like I said before I think we should've and could've got Woodgate before he went to Spurs. I also think a wide player possibly SWP could be available or somebody like Ashley Young.

I think we need a world class centre midfielder alongside cesc, but again I dont know who would be available in the summer, someone like Essien would be great I cant imagine he is entirely happy playing at RB for Chelsea.

And then on to strikers, someone mentioned earlier in the thread when all our strikers are fit they are very good. Yes I agree with that but the fact is RVP has been a little injury prone, Eduardo wont play this side of Xmas if ever again for Arsenal. Adebayor can be very very good or just plain shit. I would love to see Walcott playing through the middle and hopefully now we have nothing to play for I hope Wenger gives him a chance through the middle. I am very undecided about Bendtner, I think he may become a very good player.

It seems all of our strikers need time, Walcott to develop and the same with Bendtner, Eduardo to recover. That leaves an inconsitant Adebayor and an injury prone Van Persie. I just think that if we do not buy a top quality proven goalscorer we could be out of the title race by Xmas. I think Liverpool made one of the best signings for years in Torres. I cant think of too many more strikers that could be available. David Villa and Berbertov perhaps, although getting either of those could be very tough.

We have got a very young and talented squad I just think it needs a little fine tuning and strenghtening. I am not too concerned this season, after all at the start of the season alot of people were saying that we would not even finish in the top 4.

Very good post Dan.

I agree with you about needing a central defender, but a big one like Vidic, Terry or Adams would be ideal.

I also think that we need a top class goalkeeper, as Lehmann will be going and Almunia although greatly improved just is not commanding enough for me, and I'm not sure if Fabianski is ready to step up yet.

A goalscoring wide player would come in handy too, as would a little more of a physical presence in midfield like Essien.

[Acidmouse]

I agree Arse should have took a risk (only on his injuries not his skill) with Woodgate.

[nirvana]

When you consider some of the games this season and some of the football played there aint much wrong with this team.

I think some strengthening up front would have some merit but the defence has more pressing problems IMO. Senderos is in the  Cygan mould - nearly good enough, but never actually going to be. The way we've shipped quick goals when we've been up at Chelski, Manyoo and when we levelled at Anfield really shows up where the problems are.

Also, mental toughness is an issue possibly - the way the wheels came off after the Cup exit was similar to the run we went on when the unbroken run came to an end at Man U a few seasons back. Whilst unlikely to be available, someone like Gareth Barry  - only 27 I think - to play in with Fabregas & Flamini would bring some structure, leadership and chat when we're struggling.

Still, genuinely, I think I'd rather see Arsenal touch some of the highs they have this year in terms of pure footballing talent than watch the efficiency of a team like Chelsea (irrespective of trophies).

[Colchester Kev]

Taken from the excellent BBC football website

Arsene's Diary spoof.

Monday 14 April
‘Wake up early. I set my alarm clock for later but, naturellement, someone has been in my room during the night and adjusted the time. I will not say who – we will let others judge.

I trip over the rug in my bedroom. The rug is not penalised in any way. If furnishings are allowed to keep getting away with these travesties of justice then it is the end for Arsene.
I am waiting for a package but my postman – who seemed to get himself in a good position - fails to deliver. Is my postman Emmanuel Eboue?

For sure it has not been the best of starts for me but I am working hard to make sure that nothing bothers me anymore but getting on with the job. I have lunch with my friend William at Pizza Express.

I have a Pizza a la Noci, but William doesn’t want anything off the children’s menu. I try to tell him he must have something and he goes out the door and sits on a traffic island for the next three hours. He is an excellent role model to my young team.

Next I meet Phillipe Senderos on a street corner. It is good to see him. However as soon as we leave that corner I lose him very easily and he spends the rest of the afternoon about ten yards away from me at all times. It is very frustrating.

I return to my car to find that a penalty fine has been given against me. Strange how all the other cars on the street have not been given tickets and yet they are all parked too.

The traffic warden tells me they are not parked on double yellow lines like mine. I tell him that I know what is going on, I am not stupid. He asks me what I mean and I smile and say ‘Let us think our own thoughts, mon ami.’

It takes me an age to get to the training ground. All the traffic lights are against me. Red and yellow lights everywhere, but only for me.

Finally I arrive and I’m greeted by my squad of wonderful players. Adebayor and Bendtner are holding hands and laughing and joking as usual.

Jens Lehmann is giving everyone fine words of encouragement as befits his status as our senior professional. Young Theo is coming on leaps and bounds with his French A-levels.

I call the boys together and tell them they are all winners. They play the best football. Then we play my favourite practising game ‘Twenty Passes Before You Can Score.’

Hoyte is terrible at this. Adebayor suggests we practise our free-kicks and corners – then every one falls about laughing! He is a funny guy.

It is great that humour can break the tension. I tell them another joke – that Alex Ferguson is going to buy van Persie for 10 million euros. Why does Robin not laugh?

Then I get serious with the boys. I tell them not to listen to the voices in their head that tell them to be paranoid. I tell them not to be neurotic – just leave that to me.

I tell them not to be concerned for my mental state. I may be a bit wobbly right now but I’m not Tom Hicks. I tell them that we will come back stronger, fitter and better than ever.

Cesc, le petit Espagnol, asks if I will be able to buy anyone in the summer to bolster the squad. I smile and nod. He need not worry. I have my eye on two Malian goat-herders as we speak plus a fine central defender from the Finnish second division.

In five years, I tell him, they will be football Gods comme Cygan et Stepanovs, especially the girl from Helsinki.

During training the boys look sad and tired. Moi aussi. Staying positive in this situation is about as feasible as winning a penalty at Old Trafford.

Sometimes, I think to myself that I am the only one who understood Eric Cantona’s sardines and trawler story. I too have been charting new territory in my elegant vessel the SS Arsenal (it would have been a 747 liner but we had to keep Bergkamp with us in the early years.)

Many have followed us with delight, but many others have tried to peck out the eyes of my vision. There have been stormy waters and troubled times. We were les Invincibles and maintenant, we are les Miserables.

My seagulls are not journalists and reporters. They are the sight-forsaken Rileys and Wileys of this world. These men of selective vision (and I know how that works, believe me!) People accuse me of having a persecution complex but these people are just out to get me.

I am a man of principle. There are ways to play le beau jeu but I know only one. I will not change. And we shall not crumble like an Englishman on the last day of a major golf tournament. And if it never succeeds again then it won’t be my fault.

Because I tell you this, mes amis:
Non, Je ne regrette rien!*
*Except picking Senderos. And moving Toure to right-back. Oh and selling Diarra.’

[booder]

kin excellent

[Rooky9]

I dont think arsenal have 1 world class striker adebayor is a good player but he's still short of that top level whereas the other 3 of the big 4 all have at least 1 world class striker.This is where wenger needs to improve on the 1st 11 imo.Well done and congratulations to torres on becoming the 1st liverpool player to score in 7 consecutive home games thats some feat. in his 1st season.Maybe arsenal should look to his compatriot david villa

I'd have Adebayor to Newcaastle in a shot (Obviously!). He's the second best stiker in the league for me (to Torres). Also I don't agree that Man U have a world calss striker - not that they need one.

I personally do not think that Adebayour is better than Drogba, Rooney or Berbatov. With regards to Arsenal, their squad is strong enough to challenge for the title. The problem with Arsenal was that they had injuries to key players (RVP, Rosicky, Hleb and Eduardo) and also their other key players lost form at the same time (Fabregas and Adebayor).

IMO RVP is definitely a world class forward; him being out is like Rooney being out at ManYoo.

Haven't seen an in form Drogba, or a Drogba of any form, for a while now. He's a moaning big girls blouse. (only marginally more than Adebayor admittedly)

I can't class Rooney as a striker. He doesn't score enough goals. A proper striker at Man U should be getting 25 league goals a season minimum. To be completely honest I dont think Rooney produces at all enough for his ability. His shot to goals ratio, goals to games and one on one conversion ratio must only be marginally better than Alan Smith's. I also blame him for England's defeat to Portugal in the WC and for not qualifying for the Euro's after giving away the pen against Russia. Both displays of petulance, just as a certain other Man U player had done for England before him.

A decent shout with Berbatov. Its tight - but I like a big strong and quick striker who'll welly the ball every now and again. Berbatov has too much skill for all that, more of a forward.

Goldmember has shown some world class stuff (the volley v Charlton etc) but I dont think he's done it over a sustained period to be classed in the world class bracket.