Morning all…
Sometimes I just don’t have a clue how to cram in all that has happened in the previous day into a summary and give you guys all the comments and opinions I have on all the stories that are happening. But nevertheless, I will try and try and try. I often sit back after writing a blog and wonder how I failed to touch upon this subject and that subject – alas, the WOA readers always come to the rescue and there were some very interesting comments on yesterday’s blog about a few players.
The ongoing WOA debate of the merits of Diaby and Denilson continued and having read the comments by regular commentators, RVP, Kodjo, Flamez and Berth amongst others were in the thick of the action. We have two players whom have showed at times that they can be very good. Denilson topped Xabi Alonso the season before last in the passing accuracy charts, but failed to live up to the form he showed the previous season with some lacklustre performances last season, where that stat went up in smoke. Denilson joined us in August 2006, so it’s been 4 years now, and he’s had roughly 2 and a half seasons in the first team. There is a debate that if he hasn’t performed at the level required so far, what is giving him another season in the first team going to acheive? The flip-side is that if we have put so much time and effort into playing Denilson, then we should be the ones reaping the benefits when he eventually turns into an Alex Song and makes the position his own.
The same synopsis applies for Diaby, who – when he arrived – did look the part. I think we all know he can be immense going forward, can dribble well – but he makes a lot of mistakes in his decision making and defensively, he isn’t consistent. But what would you do with either of them? They do both seem like they’re on the verge of greatness and that this could be their season, but have they lost the confidence of the fans? I for one, would prefer Nasri or Ramsey in next to Song and Cesc – Nasri has definitely been more consistent and I fear that his natural position is inside, so when he’s on the wings, he does drift in more than he should. With Ramsey, he was hitting top form before he got injured and could be the one for the future. In this day and age, you do need a squad of players and Denilson and Diaby do add something to the squad – neither should be first choice right now though.
Onto another topic and Eduardo is virtually gone now with the deal with Shakhtar Donetsk agreed and it should be announced in the next couple of days. It’s unfortunate that he didn’t make it at Arsenal, and before his injury, I do believe we had one hell of a player on our hands. Good luck to him over in Donetsk and me, like all Gooners, I’m sure will always keep an eye out for him. That leaves us with a striking berth of 1) our new number ten, Van Persie, 2) our new number 11, Carlos Vela 3) Our new signing Maroune Chamakh and of course, then 4) our Danish star, Niklas Bendtner. Are these 4 strikers enough for us to go into the season with? Considering we play with one up top and have the likes of Arshavin, Nasri and Walcott supporting – on paper, it sounds like it should.
We have been linked with Loric Remy and if you consider Vela a winger in the 4-3-3, then the fourth striking berth is still to be filled – as is the number 9 shirt and the number 12 shirt. Could Remy be on his way to the Emirates? Liverpool and West Ham have been fighting it out for Remy with the fee around £12m. But Remy’s agent revealed this yesterday:
“A major club from the Premier League have contacted me about Loic. I have a meeting with the club tomorrow [Wednesday] and we will see what happens. Whatever happens Loic will be leaving Nice this summer and he has his heart set on England.”
Sky Sports New reckon that that mystery club is Arsenal, especially with Eduardo leaving. There have been some comments about reverting to the 4-4-2 formation, especially with the expectation to see 2 strikers play – but I really don’t see it happening after the 4-3-3 has been played throughout the club, through the academy and of course the reserves. We will see through the friendlies, starting later today what formation and who will play where.
There are also rumours that Juventus prospect Sebastian Giovinco is on the way out of Turin revealing that his agent will reveal his destination in the next couple of days – the boy is now 23 and he’s been linked with a move to us on several previous occasions.
We’re starting to get into the groove of things as far as pre-season is concerned and let’s hope Arsene can wrap up his involvement in the transfer window sooner rather than later – he has said that he is planning on strengthening further…
Tonight’s game kicks off at 6pm and is on ATVO – of course, I’ll be tweeting away as normal throughout the day, if you’re not already following, do so!
http://www.twitter.com/worldofarsenal
Til later…
