Kids

Results

Date	Time	C	Opponent	F	A	R	S
02 Aug	4:15 PM	EC	Rangers (H)	3	0	Win

Things in life can get a bit predictable at times. For example, the same job for years on end, the same girlfriend or, maybe, Arsène Wenger identifying areas of concern and then doing very little (I'm feeling kind) to strengthen them. So it was little surprise when I glanced up from a fairly brutal treadmill run at they gym yesterday evening to see the hype machine, you know the one Arsène asked not to be run, go into overdrive on Jack Wilshere.

Now, I was listening to a Depeche Mode album on my iPod - Songs of Faith and Devotion if you're interested - so I can't be sure of exactly what was being said, but a usual suspects line up of the seasoned commentator (Andy Gray), the young Arsenal starlet who didn't quite make it with us (Stewart Robson), shots of Fabio Capello at the stadium this weekend, then the replays of Wilshere's highlights to date before the inevitable youngest England international graphics, featuring our own Theo Walcott, painted a pretty conclusive picture. As Jack said on Sunday, he's got enough on his plate trying to get into the Arsenal first team, without worrying about Capello and the England squad. As we all know, if he was included for the trip to South Africa, assuming qualification, he'd only be an easy target for senior professionals who should know better when we get knocked out in the quarter-finals.

It was easy to see on Saturday that Wilshere is a more intelligent, more aware footballer than either Emmanuel Eboue or Theo Walcott. It was illustrated pretty graphically in fact by the difference in the quality of football either side of half-time, though it took the introduction of Eduardo, Andrey Arshavin and Francesc Fabregas to make the difference that day. Everybody saw the quality of finishing and movement on Sunday. I think it's safe to assume the chip he produced, and the build-up to it could not have produced by either Walcott or Eboue. I'm hopeful now, that the emergence of Wilshere, as well as the evolution of a 4-3-3 formation will see Eboue's game time limited to the occassions when Bacary Sagna is either unavailable or being rested.

The 4-3-3 formation, if we continue with it, certainly makes more sense than 4-4-2 if Patrick Vieira is to return to the club. With Cesc and, say, Denilson playing ahead of him, it would surely be Vieira's sole function to win the ball and give it - not see him win the ball and charge up the pitch as he used to, turning defence to attack in an instant. The 4-3-3 formation may well make sense even if Vieira's not to come, when you think of the players we have - Tomas Rosicky, Arshavin and Samir Nasri all used wide and all central players - the possibilities are not just exciting, they are endless.

One possibility at the moment is Salomon Kalou, as the boss terminates his interest in Marouane Chamakh. Perhaps mindful of how Bordeaux stitched him up in the transfer of "Circles" Wiltord in 2001, he doesn't have the appetite to haggle over someone who will be available for free in five months. And quite right too. Not that I felt he was what was required in the first place. But then I feel the same way about Kalou. I don't think, if we're going to sign a striker, that we should be signing just to create more depth in an already deep pool - players will start drowning as they fight with each other for their floats - if we're going to sign a striker, it should be a statement of intent. Salomon Kalou is not a statement of intent.

I mentioned it yesterday - one of the more relevant tidbits I picked up on Saturday, another one being that Arsenal would pick up the tab for any Rangers inflicted damage in the City of London at the weekend otherwise Rangers were not permitted to come down - and now Everton have confirmed that they are talking with Arsenal over the transfer of, and I quote "that carthorse" Philippe Senderos.

The quote is from my Everton-supporting friend Luke, whose full text(s) reads, and I'm sure he won't mind me sharing here: "I will have to find another team if we sign that carthorse... you have always known what I think of him. I think he is that bad. As a potential repacement for Lescott? Get lost!"

Now, I understand some footballers are fairly IT literate and Phil is apparently more intelligent than most, so maybe he is reading. So, Phil, if you are out there, then you've got quite a job on your hands to win your new team's support over. Good luck!

Another youngster who seems to have been around the club for a few years now is Fran Merida. Fran describes his inclusion in the Emirates Cup as unexpectedly "fantastic". He is looking now to push on into the first team and with the aforementioned switch to 4-3-3, not only is a window opening for Merida, but as one of two players at the club initially educated by Barcelona, perhaps Merida would be ideally suited for a role within the first team. But there are a lot of players ahead of him. I thought Merida had a patchy game on Sunday, it was his passing that broke down a few of our moves, but then there was that pass for Eduardo. He showed, too, in the Carling Cup last season, that he is a very good footballer. Will he be good enough for us? Time will tell.

But these youngsters are getting better, aren't they? The days of Svard, Pennant et. al seem a long time gone.

User Comments

jonathanchong

Posted on 5 Aug, 2009 at 05:08 PM - Reply

I think some of the responses on here are a bit harsh, to be honest. If you took the time to read what Paul's actually written, you'll notice that this is actually a very positive article re the talent coming through the club.

Simon

Posted on 4 Aug, 2009 at 11:04 PM - Reply

You hit it on the head in the first paragraph. Wenger finally said we lack experience but he hasn't added it to the squad for yet another season. Even if we sign Kalou he is only 23. It's gonna be another season of frustration with a squad lacking real men and depth.

Shaun

Posted on 4 Aug, 2009 at 11:01 PM - Reply

Sorry, I fail to see any negativity in this article what so ever. The fact that Eboue and Walcott appear to be bench warmers come the beginning of season just shows us the depth our midfield now has. That is a huge positive and not a negative. I thought that was decidedly obvious in this article?

vanmoulds and co please take your criticism elsewhere. What is wrong with formulating opinions on formations and line ups of OUR team? Hell, thats a number one purpose of this website. If you can show me one negative article from pre season on this site then Ashley Cole is a splendid chap.

Keep up the good work Paul. Enjoy your articles, always an interesting read.

Hammerteazzle

Posted on 4 Aug, 2009 at 10:21 PM - Reply

I agree with you guys, together we can make a strong Arsenal but 1st we must get rid of the kinda William. All i fInd frm his article is NONSENSE

Wobbley

Posted on 4 Aug, 2009 at 07:43 PM - Reply

I agree vanmoulds. Theo is more intelligent than you probably are, Mr Williams! People like you, and there are too many on this site, haven't a clue about football or how to support a team. Just lately we've had some really good news and talent abounds everywhere in this squad. We have the best team in the country, certainly the best manager in the world and everything is going for us! Be happy and celebrate the glory to come! I'm sure your negativity helped cost us many wins last year. The players read these posts and they don't deserve to hear you spouting rubbish indefinitely. Come on, support the lads!!

mr gooner

Posted on 4 Aug, 2009 at 07:19 PM - Reply

well said van moulds

vanmoulds

Posted on 4 Aug, 2009 at 06:24 PM - Reply

your a man who will find a negative in anything, why blog about how good it will be to see less of Eboue and Walcott (who i'm sure you probably screamed for when he scored an england hat-trick, made an amazing run against the scouse)
why not just celebrate the success of a manager who is founding the core of our potential future england stars, walcott, wilshere, lansbury etc
just shut up...SHUT UP

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