Since self Baptist a Gunner on 17th May 2000, I
believe Arsenal FC could win something and I was wright!
We were the champions of England for 01/02 & the
imperious year of the century, unbeaten to the crown for 03/04. Since those
times till the game against Spurs, I still believe we could win something but
recently I think Arsenal is hopeless for the very 1st time. Why??
1. Youth Policy
To me I agree with the manager’s philosophy
of nurturing youth players through the academy since the departure of Patrick
Vieira we have seen the like of Cesc being the replacement. He was a great
success, no chance in Barcelona but a brimming star in the making at Arsenal.
Next we have Nasri, doubted the new Zidane
for their origin. During his first season, just an average performer but on his
2nd season, he is a STAR in the making. By the 3rd
season, he was a KEY PLAYER. Was lucky to see him in Malaysia on his last few
days in a Arsenal shirt before he said “Au Revoir”
He was an icon but overnightly to me, he is
not different than any ungrateful footballer as in RVP. Was in the club for 8
years but when was the last time he went through a season without being
injured? Just one season yea! After one fine season, GAME OVER, different view
with the club’s direction. Investing in the likes of Santi Cazorla & Lukas
Podolski is a different direction? The manager invested 8 years of patience
& time, thats the ROI he got, shame about that ungratefulness!
To me the whole revolution came in was when
this fella, Ade Bye Jor left for the blooming better sky blue where then the
likes of Kolo & Clichy followed soon after.
Over the years, the club has sold/release
young bright talent such as Matthew Upson, David Bentley, Jermaine Penant, Jay
Simpson, Steve Sidwell, Sebastian Larsson, Fabrice Muamba & others.
Building a English core is vital and that’s a living proof from the likes of
Man Utd & Chelsea who has been so successful in recent years. The manager’s
dream could have easily come through without needing to spend excessive with
those name aforementioned.
It was pleasing to see the likes of Wilshere,
Gibbs, Theo, Frimpong, Conquelin breaking through to the first eleven. But with
the recent sale of Kyle Bartley proves to me that its another mistake! Saw that
lad playing against Malaysia and could see the similar comparison of the way he
tackles with Tony Adams, Martin Keown, Sol Campbell & Kolo Toure whom is
filled with PASSION & ENERGY!
Youth policy or just selling policy?? Mind
you, instead of giving the opportunity to the likes of Johan Djourou, we bought
the Mertesacker and so what even he reached a 100cap for Germany but lacking in
many ways for a CB in Arsenal shirt.
One last thing, why always last minute??
Just hate it when you don’t tie down the good players when you could have done
it earlier rather than selling in the last frenzy.
2. Bunch of player who plays and wanting to win trophy
for the best club in the world, Arsenal FC.
From my observation, there are currently
one in Jack Wilshere who may falls in the rank of one club player similar to
the likes of Jon Terry, Steven Gerrard, Jammie Carragher, Gareth Southgate,
Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes & Gary Neville. However if the fortune of the club
doesn’t turn around fast despite CASH RICH, I won’t be surprise that he may
follow others leaving for a greener pasture! And I don’t blame him at all as
when he is fit, you could see a real Gunner in action...
3. Reality
The current crop is abundance with talent
but not shy of crocks as well. Time and tide doesn’t wait neither a trophy
could wait either! 7 years without trophy or coming to 8 years by next summer,
that is very not acceptable statistic by Arsenal Standard. To make things
worst, currently sitting comfortably at 10th position in the league!
I must be dreaming!
Wake up please to the Manager & players!!
I may not manage a club nor working directly with football but if current
strategy work then please CHANGE! The team strategy is very predictable which
is either trying to cross from either of the wings or allow a playmaker to
dictate the middle. When a team plays defensively or psychically against us, Oh
O, we are in trouble! Not every bloke is Andrea Pirlo!
There is a saying, waiting for the durian to
drop which literally translate that hoping for a better tomorrow. When will I
be able to see Diaby or Rosicky playing through the whole season without
injury? I’m still waiting for the durian to fall and hoping it soon as I’m
hungry!
4. The forgotten names
Andrey Arshavin to me is a better player
than the likes of Podolski playing on the left hand side. See the impact he
made when he came on from the bench & created the chance. Why froze him out
of the squad when the current aren’t performing??
Another forgotten name, Chamakh, alright he
did have a good start but then his performance drop. Tell me which striker doesn’t
lose his form and especially when the team is playing lone forward when RVP is
doing so well. When this new guy comes in, give him time & give him time.
Why not give a player that is long acclimatise to the game a time or better of
than trying to convert a deadly striker to a winger who seldom cross into the
box.
Johan Djourou again, to me he should be given
a chance to play where he has been in the club since youth & saw him play a
few games last season and I thought that he is as good as any other CB.
5.Fantasy & Me.
I know this is just some fantasy &
should I have a say, I would change the tactic which is not working at the
moment from playing a 4-5-1 to a more conventional 4-4-2 & brining in one dam
strong Defensive Midfielder which we used to have in those glory years,
Gilberto Silva, Patrick Vieira, Emmanuel Petit, Mathieu Flamini &
Song.
Or even at times playing a Gung Ho (All out
attack) tactic against those ultra defensive teams which is just spoiling the
beautiful game! By the way, getting Steve Bould to be the Asst Mgr, is a good move & hope he has the freedom to work his defensive magic.
Last word though, by words I maybe giving up but by heart
& soul, I wish my team, Arsenal would be doing better than the recent
games. It’s really heartbroken & demoralize the day or even the whole week
when the team losses. Let’s try to build from this weekend’s game & all the
best Arsenal FC.
“Born, Breed, Die A Gunner”
Disclaimer : This post is no mean to degrade or harm anyone
but to express disappointment as a fan point of view. If anyone mentioned in
this post thinks that it is a disturbance or uneasy, please let me know as I’ll
remove by request. Hope that people will
take open criticism and cheers!
