Comments on: Prospects, Walcott and… Andy Linighan

By: Farnborough Gunner

Farnborough Gunner — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 12:28:05 +0000

There are so many players at Arsenal who are not playing as well as we know they can that there must be an underlying problem.

Maybe it’s the way the squad is being coached or motivated – would some of our players play the way they do if the had to face Sir Alex afterwards?

Maybe it’s the 4-3-3 formation, which doesn’t suit the players we have had available of late; e.g. Eduado is best playing off a main striker in a 4-4-2, not as a lone striker or winger. If Arshavin has to play centre forward, have another striker with him in a 4-4-2, don’t leave him as a lone striker againt two big centre backs!

Having no confidence in the keeper is guaranteed to unsettle a defense, and having no proper centre forward for some games isn’t going to help confidence levels througout the team.

Failing to address these issues won’t impress our more capable players, who must be considering their options, especially with the World Cup shop-window this summer.

For all his virtues, Wenger doesn’t have a clue about defence or goalkeeping, so he needs to employ coaches in these specialities and actually listen to their advice, bot about tactics, team selection and player purchases. I’m sure Bob Wilson left the club because he was fed up of Wenger constantly ignoring his views on keepers. He hinted at this at the time but loves Arsenal too much to cause trouble. Tony Adams, Martin Keown or Steve Bould should be coaching the defence and get mad Jens back to coach the keepers. I’m also tempted to say get DB10 back to coach attack, but that’s Wenger’s strong suit, alhtough the idea of Wenger becoming more of a “head coach” with this team of coaches under him does sound good to me.

By: DB10

DB10 — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 22:50:35 +0000

Eboue must continue to be played at right back IMO. He provides the spark that this misfiring machine we call Arsenal needs and was my man of the match against Sunderland. Sagna has definately gone ino reverse this season, his crossing is as bad as Walcott’s. I must be honest – there are some players at our club that I wouldn’t pay with horse shit.

By: Jeff/433

Jeff/433 — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 13:20:02 +0000

I think Walcott has shown some fantastic form during his time at Arsenal, and not just in one or two matches – more like 20 or so. His recent form, though, has been poor, and I thought he was shocking in the last match. He and Clichy should both be ashamed of their crossing. It’s been nowhere near good enough.

By: goonergerry

goonergerry — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 08:53:40 +0000

Theo making runs and being more responsible in defence is progress. Theo now needs to concentrate on staying fit and producing an end product to his runs-Hes had a load of injuries-some coming from a lack of protection from referees. His confidence has clearly deserted him-and he needs a couple of goals. How about not loading too much expectation on such a young player. If people cant see his talent, they must be blind.

By: stevus

stevus — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 07:57:28 +0000

When asked for his views on a title challenge, Theo should politely shake his head, walk past the inteviewer and on to the training pitch. When Nike want to film yet another commercial espousing “this is not the hundred metres on a football pitch” he should decline that too. Humility can be Theo’s best asset next to his pace. Achieve things with Arsenal Theo, then give all the bloody interviews, do the adverts and win the caps. Until then, PLEASE shut up.

By: chris

chris — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 06:49:00 +0000

9 wins, mate -
This team can win 9 of the last 11 games if they play close to their best in mosyt games OR if Arshaving (who has been off his A game all year for me) or Fabregas (who has been carrying the team in goalscoring/assisting terms since RvP was injured but still hasn’t always looked his best) OR if enough people (like Eboue on Saturday or Diaby or Bendtner or Eduardo or maybe TV step up).
Stoke is vetal in that: They’re unbeaten this year and strong and well organised – win there and the 9 wins thing is really starting to work, lose and it’s desperation all over again. Even a draw wouldn’t be too bad imo but a win (any win) would really push the door open.

By: A

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 04:35:59 +0000

I’d rather we get Lloris to Akinfeev, but they’d both be in the £15-20m range so wouldn’t be too hopeful….

What if we play a diamond formation with Walcott and bendtner upfront, eboue RM and nasri LM?ofcouse cesc CAM and Song DM…

By: The Saint

The Saint — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 03:51:41 +0000

Any chance we can get Akinfeev in the summer?

By: GunnerSinceIWasAGlintInTheMilkman'sEye

GunnerSinceIWasAGlintInTheMilkman'sEye — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:30:43 +0000

I really wonder about the intelligence or rather lack of it, of a number of our fans. They must rely on the media and other blogs to get their opinoons it seems. Theo is a quality young player, has been blighted by injuries, but can produce the goods. I have seen him do it, but the knee jerk nature of the Sky Sports fed sheep simply refuse to accept that he is anything other than shit. Just as tyhey wrote off Diaby and Song, oh and probably booed Eboue too.

Can you imagine what these glory hunters would have made of Ian Wright? I mean, he was ancient before he did anything wasn’t he!

By: Tommo

Tommo — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 23:41:03 +0000

When we signed him I remember watching YouTube vids of him at Southampton. He pulled off some very neat shots. I think the old no football brain argument is wide of the mark. He might just be a crap footballer. But something is telling me he’ll come good…….next season around November.