Arsenal

[hercules]

Adebayor is a great team player, he isn't there to score goals, he's there because of his work rate, van persie and eduardo are more likely to get you goals but van persie doesn't have a great work rate just like henry didn't.

[Lucas]

That's the most nonsensical thing I have ever read. A striker's main function is to get goals. Not hold up play, not for work rate. RvP's work rate is a lot higher than Henry's.

http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8...2705229,00.html - Read the entry on Michael Owen for what I think is some semsible analysis on the death of the striker.

[hercules]

Don't be daft, in the modern game things are different, strikers aren't just there to get goals its alot more about team work and work rate. Look at kuyt for liverpool he plays alot cos he has tremendous work rate, i know he'll score more than adebayor but his main contribute to the team is his energy. Adebayors is his energy and his height. He can pluck the ball out of the air and hold it up for us. Who else does that for us?

[Lucas]

I didn't realise modern football was decided on any other factor other than the number of goals scored!

Goals are the most valuable commodity in any sport in the world. stats like possession, passes completed are totally irrelevant as goals decide games and nothing else. Next weekend, have a look at how many games are decided by a margin of one goal. If Adebayor isn't putting chances away, he shouldn't be on the pitch.

We managed perfectly well with henry and bergkamp and I dont recall either of them plucking the ball out of the air and holding it up. In fact Henry's work rate was appaling at times, but I bet you'd put him in your all time Arsenal team.

Kuyt is actually a perfect example of workrate v goals. He has a temendous workrate, but couldnt hit a barn door. I have no doubt if he had put the ball away more last season, Liverpool would have challenged for the title. If workrate is so important why did they need to bring in a £20m + striker and why do they look so much better for that signing?

[SeanR]

I dunno:

Aston Villa only had 31% possession and STILL beat Chelsea 2-0...

[Dude Ranch]

We managed perfectly well with henry and bergkamp and I dont recall either of them plucking the ball out of the air and holding it up.

You weren't watching. Their games were much, much more than just goals. Clive Allen, Lee Chapman, Andrew Cole or Bergkamp? Dennis got goals but that wasn't his reason d'atre.

[g wings]

Having seen him live again there is no doubt (to me) that Adebayor has an exceptional work rate and can panic defences. My problem is that when he ends up wide his crosses aren't up to much, he slows down plays, loses the ball too much and isn't much of a danger in the box.

Eduardo looks to be the kind of player who could solve all of those problems...Time will tell.

All that said, I would still want Adebayor in my squad as he offers things nobody else does.

[dogsout]

Kuyt is actually a perfect example of workrate v goals. He has a temendous workrate, but couldnt hit a barn door. I have no doubt if he had put the ball away more last season, Liverpool would have challenged for the title. If workrate is so important why did they need to bring in a £20m + striker and why do they look so much better for that signing?

Despite the arrival of this new £20m player Kuyt is still playing, isn't he? His work rate is imperative as it makes our midfield more robust and allows us to play a more attacking game. If we lose the ball high up the pitch there's a good chance his running will get it back. I agree with herc; work rate is very important and I'd rather have a partnership made up of one work horse or link man type that can chip in with his fair share of goals and assists and one out and out goal scorer, rather than two out and out goal scorers. If you've got two players relying on the midfield for supply it can make them isolated against the better teams and one of them will be largely redundant for most of a game.

For what it's worth I think Adebayor is a good player and one Wenger will definitely enjoy having on his books. Maybe he shouldn't be in the starting eleven every week but that's not to say he can't prove to be valuable over what is a very long season, where you're going to come up against teams that won't be able to cope with his energy or height.

[Mars]

Good piece on F365:

http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8...2707592,00.html

[Lucas]

For some reason my browser crashes when I try to quote and reply. So, I'll just say you're all wrong and I'm right and shall be appointed next manager of Arsenal.

Seriously though, I just think the out and out scorer isn't appreciated enough anymore. As Sean points out, for all their possession, Chelski got beaten 2-0. Still, it would be a less interesting board if we all agreed eh?

As for Adebayor, I just think he isn't good enough for Arsenal and agree with g-wings. From where I was sitting he didnt even look very energetic on saturday.

Good read, that 365 piece.

www.gunnerblog.com has an interesting piece on Gilberto.

[g wings]

For some reason my browser crashes when I try to quote and reply. So, I'll just say you're all wrong and I'm right and shall be appointed next manager of Arsenal.

Seriously though, I just think the out and out scorer isn't appreciated enough anymore. As Sean points out, for all their possession, Chelski got beaten 2-0. Still, it would be a less interesting board if we all agreed eh?

As for Adebayor, I just think he isn't good enough for Arsenal and agree with g-wings. From where I was sitting he didnt even look very energetic on saturday.

Good read, that 365 piece.

www.gunnerblog.com has an interesting piece on Gilberto.

I definetely thought he was energetic on Sunday...he looked knackered at the end though but thats to be expected. I wouldn't want him got rid of but I would like to see Eduardo start up front with RVP.

[Lucas]

He couldnt connect with the easiest of tap-ins after he got that penalty. It was a knob ball, he could have stuck it in with his knob (Copyright the bloke behind me at Arsenal v CSKA when Rosick missed last season).

[hercules]

Adebayor missed most of pre season due to injury so this is his pre season. He is not fit and he is getting sharper and fitter game by game. And he did run his socks off you just don't seem to understand the importance of players with different attributes in a team. Bergkamp was a class act but he didn't score hatfuls of goals every year, but he made many assists and drew players towards him which made space for henry.

[hobo]

You know how Toure alwalys has one attempted mega-power shot a game, either from a free kick or at the end of a run forward?

Of course they never go in, but anyway, check out his brothers shot against Bilbao, the 'Toure' power blast obviously runs in the family, not sure it was a goal though:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=_YVia4xtzPs

[Lucas]

There was a Toure power shot from a free kick on Sunday that some poor pompey defender was on the end of. Ouch!

As for Adebayor, I know he was injured. Regardless of returning from injury, I dont think he has been good enough since his arrival. He's like a slightly more skillful baptista.

Returning from injury shouldnt be waived around as an excuse. He's either fit enough to play or not.

And if his role is not to score goals, but to play people in, I dont think he can do that either. As others have said, his touch is poor, his passing is poor and he slows moves down.

Good interview with Djourou on gunnerblog today.

[Lucky]

I like Adebayor, he is still young after all and does give us a different option, maybe a bit like Bendtner who also gives us different options too. I wouldn't start with Adebayor in my 1st 11 though and i'm just not totally convinced that the quality is there even. But like i said, i do like him and would keep him in my squad for sure.

quite an interesting article about who should partner Cesc against the scum in a couple of weeks assuming Gilberto plays at the back with Toure.

http://myarsenalfc.blogspot.com/2007/09/wh...-for-derby.html

Was a bit tricky as I couldn't quite decide between Diaby and Diarra I even considered Flamini and wouldn't be shocked at all if Wenger does go for Flamini. Diarra's debut being against spurs though? Then again if he's good enough to play for Arsenal why not.

I went for Diarra in the end as i think Diaby is a more attacking option and not a holding midfielder and Diarra would give Cesc a bit more freedom to control the game. The midfield seems a bit more balanced with these two rather than Cesc/Diaby.

What d'you reckon gooners?

[Daley]

I think it's a bit early for Diarra to play in such a game. Flamini is the most likely to play but personally I would go for Diaby.

In that article he says that Diaby is more attacking but i'm not sure about that. OK he's not the typical holding midfielder because he roams around a bit but he is constantly tackling and makes tackles high up the pitch. Vieria and Petit used to play like this, with Petit sitting (and playing those lovely left footed passes) and Vieria running around like a madman tackling everyone. Cesc and Diaby could do this for this game and in the future I reckon.

As for Adebayor I do rate him but a strikers main purpose should be to score. That doesn't mean his only purpose should be goals, but his top priority. Adebayor doesn't score enough (13 in 44 games) although I rate his finishing (especially against the scum - 2 in three games) and on Sunday was slowing the play down too much but then again this was mostly in the last half hour when we were down to 10 men. That said though I do think Eduardo and RVP is going to be the first choice partnership soon.

[Mars]

Diaby would be my first choice as well, but you know that Flamini will put everything if we need him.

I also think that Eduardo and RvP is an exciting prospect but Adebayor could really torment the Spuds defence.

[Lucky]

I hear what you're saying about Diaby and I think he is a superb player who's been really unlucky with injuries since he came to us and hasn't really had a decent run yet.

I'm not quite sure if Diaby and Cesc has the right balance, like Gilberto and Cesc has or Diarra and Cesc could have or even Diarra and Diaby could have.

That said, Cesc simply must play when fit unless it gets to the point that he really must have a rest, and maybe i'm over complicating things with balance and all that bollocks but I'm just not quite sure where Diaby fits in, but imo he's that good that Wenger somehow needs to fit him in.

Maybe Cesc and Diaby can play together, they've hardly had the opportunity to try that often what with Diaby's injuries.

[Lucas]

I'd like to see Diaby start. I dont think Dennilson is quite there for the derby and I dont really know enough about Diarra. Diaby is a monster of a man. Great in the tackle and a good passer. Shame he has a 50p head!

As much as I like Flamini and his "roll your sleeves up and get stuck in attitude" I'm not sure he's the man to start in the derby, he's technically far less accomplished than Diaby.

Still, the best outcome would be for Gallas to be fit and to play, and Gilberto to assume his usual berth in the centre.

[hercules]

I don't know much about diarra but my choice would be Diaby, He is an all round player so i reckon he could do the job well plus it would be nice to see him and cesc play in the middle together

[Lucky]

According to The Sun - Wenger is to get a 50% pay rise when he signs his new contract and will be on only £75,000 a week, the 2nd highest earner at Arsenal behind Gallas who is on £80,000.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2002390...7410495,00.html

Isn't it a bit strange that a manager can get paid less than a player? I reckon it comes from 'the old days' when a player was maybe more valuable to a club than a manager, I mean apart from a few exceptions like Bill Shankly or Sir Matt Busby, it seems that the players were the 'real stars'.

I think that has changed now and there are a few managers who surely are the main men at a club, Arsene wenger, Sir Alex Ferguson, Mourinho (kind of), Rafa Benitez, Big Sam when he was at Bolton, Roy Keane at sunderland, even Mark Hughes at Blackburn, I'm sure there's more but you get my drift.

I wonder how many of these are the highest earners at their clubs or how many other managers, if any are the highest earners, probably very few or none.

Only in football really could the manager, the man making all the (football) decisions, be earning less than his staff (players).

[mop]

From todays gossip colum on the bbc...

Patrick Vieira has claimed clubs like Arsenal are damaging the future of the English game by not bringing local talent through. (Daily Star)

Wow, how sound of you Pat! With all the shit he came out with during the summer and now this he's really making my love for him diminish at some rate. Well, I guess if you agree with him it isn't that bad but I don't. I don't believe for second that if the talent was there locally, Wenger wouldn't help develop it. I don't know, maybe I'm calling all wrong.

[Daley]

Don't believe the headlines, especially in the tabloids. They regularly have little relation to the story.

This is what he actually said:

"When you look at the four big clubs in England, you find there are very few English players in the team," Vieira said. "When you look at the English players from Chelsea, many of them have come from West Ham.

"They are doing a good job, they are the only club that I believe that has done a good job. What the other clubs should do is ask why all the players are coming from West Ham and not from other clubs."

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/foo...icle2392511.ece

Football365 also take the piss too in Mediawatch:

Headline from The Daily Star : 'Pat: Gunners Are Harming Game'

Specific mentions by Patrick Vieira of Arsenal: None.

[Daley]

Finally, our most important signing of the summer is about to be wrapped up.

Arsene Wenger has agreed to sign a new three-year contract at Arsenal, BBC Sport understands.

[Lucky]

Bloody scary that we came a bit close to losing Cesc.

A bit surprised that Wenger let him talk to them but maybe he tried to keep things friendly and use a bit of psychology, you know a bit like " yeah of course you can talk to them, but you do realise that Real Madrid is a bit of a circus and you'd be mad to join them, you do realise that you are the main man at Arsenal and the first name on the teamsheet every week. You know the fans and the players love you here and my team is built around you, you're a definite future captain, in a way you are the captain already. Let me know how it goes, oh and did I mention you'd be mad to join them"

"The president Ramon Calderon and sport director Predrag Mijatovic have spoken to me, but finally I decided to follow on with my commitment to Arsenal," Fabregas told Radio Marca.

"It is not true that I have given them my word [to join] for next season.

"The meeting was pleasant and I believe that they are good and very sincere people.

"I am very happy at Arsenal and I go 100 per cent with the decision I took, although I praise the interest of Real in me."

The Spanish international also revealed that his respect for Gunners boss Arsene Wenger and the club as a whole, made him reject Real's overtures.

Respect

"My decision to stay in London was clear," added Fabregas. "There were many reasons especially my respect for Wenger and the love I have for Arsenal.

"I am very content with the decision that I took."

[anders limpar]

Finally, our most important signing of the summer is about to be wrapped up.

fucking get in.

[Oh Danny Boy]

Finally, our most important signing of the summer is about to be wrapped up.

bad decision i believe. Arsene has been at Arsenal for over 10 years, i thought now would be the perfect time for him to move onto a new challenge abroad, i always thought the la liga would suit his style of football more. I believe he made them play the best they can during their unbeaten season, he'll never be able to get Arsenal to match that again.

He's won the league and taken them to a European cup final, i think thats the furthest he can take the Arsenal. Time was right to leave, no point staying if you can't repeat your achievements with the club.

[Lucky]

bad decision i believe. Arsene has been at Arsenal for over 10 years, i thought now would be the perfect time for him to move onto a new challenge abroad, i always thought the la liga would suit his style of football more. I believe he made them play the best they can during their unbeaten season, he'll never be able to get Arsenal to match that again.

He's won the league and taken them to a European cup final, i think thats the furthest he can take the Arsenal. Time was right to leave, no point staying if you can't repeat your achievements with the club.

Not too sure about that!

It's superb news for the club and the fans and I think it's a good decision for Wenger too.

He's still building this new team with all the youngsters and I think he can win the league and the Champions league during this contract.

Where could he go in Spain or anywhere else and enjoy so much control and freedom?

[Daley]

bad decision i believe. Arsene has been at Arsenal for over 10 years, i thought now would be the perfect time for him to move onto a new challenge abroad, i always thought the la liga would suit his style of football more. I believe he made them play the best they can during their unbeaten season, he'll never be able to get Arsenal to match that again.

He's won the league and taken them to a European cup final, i think thats the furthest he can take the Arsenal. Time was right to leave, no point staying if you can't repeat your achievements with the club.

Speaking purely from a fans point of view there is nobody else in the world I would rather have in charge of Arsenal at the moment.