- by Carlos Casias, writing from Los Alamos, NM
Just gonna say it: sell him. You’ve already rolled your eyes and thought to yourself, ‘this guy doesn’t know what he is saying’. Yes, you’re gonna go to Google and cite statistics over the last, well, 8 years. I get it. He’s good. Would Arsenal be better with Cesc in the side? Sure. In some cases. But will Arsenal win silverware with Cesc in the side? Well, the last 6 years is support enough of that not being a factor in bringing home silverware. The statistical citations fall apart when you break it down to the simple fact that Cesc has been ‘one of the top midfielders in the World’ but Arsenal have won noooooooooothing. ‘Oh, this guy should go support the Yids! The f**king w**ker!’, you just recited in your Gooner-drenched brain matter. Nah, there’s only one team in London.
And now the Arsenal fan has had to endure the saga of Nasri not signing another long-term contract. Well, the same message goes to him. We haven’t won anything with Nasri in the side so what makes him think that he is so important to the team and irreplaceable? These guys. Their egos. Arsenal has such a good talent pool, scouts across the world, and some of these characters think they can hold the Club to ransom. Fools. Best of luck to Nasri, too. If he doesn’t want to sign, get some big money, and sell him. But, please, not to Citi.
So, instead of focusing on the want-aways, i’d prefer to comment on the rather-stays. If Cesc and Nasri want to re-up and come back to the team, that’s fine. I don’t need the commentary, show it on the pitch. If you’re in it, be in it to win it. Cliche, I know, but not to be confused with Clichy. He’s shit [now].
The pre-season has been inconsistent. That’s nothing new. Perhaps, just perhaps Arsenal are getting the inconsistencies out before the season instead of the second half. I prefer to think that’s the case. I dont’ really care much for the results whilst they were on travel to Asia. It was hot and humid and their bodies had no time to adjust to the time difference and jet lag. Whatever. And then Arsenal played in Germany, another stretching of the legs; lastly, had a run at the famed and illustrious Emirates Cup. We lost it? oh, man…guess the season is over. and, of course, to top it all off Arsenal lost the final pre-season match to Benfica. A poor pre-season? Hardly. It’s all about getting the legs back, bonding and playing with your teammates, ya know, getting your football hat back on. Results don’t matter. I wish we had won them all because I don’t like to lose but we didn’t, I’m over it.
In the final match of the pre-season I found a lot to look forward to. The starting XI was quite good, very lively. Arsenal did well against a very enthusiastic and lively Benfica. It did take a minute for some of the old and new to adjust to the pace of a competitive match. Eventually, Arsenal settled and began to string together passes in our very familiar Arsenal way. How nice was the Arsenal goal? It was incisive: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBP_bJZEubY So, really, I’m not worried. The first XI had the ball on a string and did so against a high-pressure defense. And, let’s be honest, England defenses are not that pressuring with their lumbering oafs in the back. But more importantly the players who did start looked to have improved.
Notable movement came from Arshavin, who as you know I am always getting on for his poor efforts; he moved, he moved off the ball and he looked focused. That’s new. Little meerkat was instrumental in setting Gibbs free from a Cesc-like position. Hell, Arshavin can play in that CAM role…if Wenger ever gives him a chance.
And then we had Rosicky, who actually got a pre-season in free of injury. Many don’t know, or don’t care to accept that Rosicky arrived in 2006 and has been injured since. Even when he finally had his freak injury diagnosed he missed pre-season for reoccurring compensation injury. Rosicky is THE example of Wenger’s ‘like a new signing’. I had struggled to figure out who should take over for Cesc when he departs. I named Ramsey as his successor. I did so prematurely. I think, if fit and in-form, Rosicky will lead from Center Attacking Mid. ‘This guy, my God, he’s freaking looney’ Yes, yes I am. But really, Rosicky has the experience, maturity, and technical quality and vision to take over from Cesc, his very good mate. It seems almost appropriate that the Phoenix of the squad be Rosicky. Dude has suffered. And all he wants to do is play football. That’s the type of player you want and need in a squad and we have him. I can’t name a better player to epitomize the rebirth of Arsenal. Unless you’re thinking of Vermaelen.
I am so stoked to have Verm back into the squad. My wife and I saw one of his early matches vs Wigan, ya know, the one where he scores and makes it look too easy. Yeah, that one. A sweet left-footed curler, top-corner. World Class. From a defender. And that’s what we’ve missed. You look at who we started at CB last year and it’s simply incredible that Arsenal even finished 4th. And even more amazing is that the mix-mash of CB pairings nearly won 4 different trophies, too. And, now we have Vermaelen back. I honestly believe he is the difference of winning a trophy or not. And it doesn’t matter if Cesc or Nasri are in the team. What matters, to me, is that Verm stays healthy. He’s got that very special leadership quality. The kind of leadership that is there whether or not he dawns the Captain band. Vermaelen has worn the band for Ajax, wears it for Belgium, but understands that it doesn’t matter if it’s on or not, what matters is that leadership, vocally or by example, is bigger than him. And he knows that he has to get the best out of the team. It’s that willingness to martyr himself for the sake of the team that is really going to be our biggest signing this summer.
And with Vermaelen’s presence in the back, a cheeky signing of Gervinho and the usual suspects returning I think Arsenal have another good nucleus. Every summer we hear about how we need a new holding mid and center back. Admittedly, I have my own wishlist but I’m not convinced that even big, calculated buys will yield trophies. And since I don’t have any control over them I won’t go into it. If we get a few new faces to add to the depth of the squad I’d be very appreciative as I think the squad is a bit thin. But hey, I don’t have any control over it. And never will.
So, Arsenal start the season with less optimism than in year’s past because we’ll likely lose Cesc and Nasri. That’s fine, let’s get over it. They don’t want to see out another trophyless season and that’s their choice. And that’s the fact. Arsenal may not win anything this year. For the last three years I have been completely convinced that this team would win the Premiership. So, this year, I’ll just support them. I won’t overanalyze it but support who is picked every week. If a player is shit and didn’t work hard enough during the match, I’ll have to say something about it. It would be wrong to pretend like everything is okay. But what I won’t ever do is criticize effort. At least I know the player is trying and giving his all. That’s all I ask.
I just want to see high effort and a real commitment to the badge. I think this year we’ve got a few qualitative elements that you won’t read on Sky or hear on Fox Soccer Report. And the usual pundits won’t hint at it cuz they’re statistical know-it-alls. So, even without anymore signings, the loss of a few stars, and a feeling of pessimism I think Arsenal can still put up a fight. Mikey said it best.
