With Wenger’s emphasis on youth, will we ever see a 30 year old regular in the Arsenal first team?
Arsene have built a team around youthful players with boundless energy and amazing recovery abilities. His focus on speed can be seen with the likes of Overmars, Henry, Toure, Eboue, Van Persie and Walcott. There were exceptions like Berkamp and Gilberto (not forgetting our favourite sons fo Cygan and Senderos), it was in no doubt that the majority of the team can run the 100 m in sub 11 seconds category.
The current team has been removed of ‘oldies’ with the departures of Berkamp (retirement), Henry and Ljungberg as the latest casualties. Barring the goalkeeping department of Lehmann and Almunia, the squad consists of 2 old men: Gilberto Silva (31) and William Gallas (30). After them, the next oldest outfield player will be 27 year old Rosicky.
Gilberto and Gallas have more World Cup Winners medals than the whole team, but they are not guaranteed starting berths in the team. At their age of 31 and 30, they should be at their peak of their game and leading the team with their performance. However, the captain of the Brazilian national team has not even started most of Arsenal games in the premiership due to the flaming form of Flamini.
As Wenger stubbornly refuse to hand out longer contracts to players over 30, will Dennis be the only exception of players willing to sign on a yearly basis? Bear in mind that Berkamp is a legend and extraordinarily talented players, what will lesser capable players think about when they hit the big three-O.
With the increasing speed in the game and faster counter attacking emphasis, the starting age of a career in soccer has shifted gradually down to startling extend. While Rooney was an emerging star at 18, Fabregas was declared a future captain of Arsenal at the tender age of 16. Beating them to bigger accolades, Freddy Agu was designated as the future leader of America soccer when he was only 13!
I digressed. With the next World cup in mind, will Gilberto endure the painful bench treatment from Wenger any longer than this season? Is the future for Arsenal really just youth exuberance? Will we ever see a 30 year old regular in the Arsenal first team? What do you think?
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Friday, November 16, 2007
Wenger top 5 signings
Dear Friends,
I have read some very good articles recently on the top signings of Arsene Wenger ever since his arrival at Arsenal. There have been claustrophic, ordinary, good and exceptional signings since he first step in more than 10 years ago. Who do you think is his best signing till date? I am not sure, but these are my top 5.
No 5: Kolo Toure (2002- )
Kolo was signed from Ivory Coast club ASEC Mimosas for ONLY £150, 000 in February 2002. He was a total unknown to all Arsenal fans but his boundless energy introduced himself to the masses in a very fast way. At first view of him, I was wondering if he was one big mistake of Wenger's. In my mind, I quickly christianed Toure as 'The Clown'.
For a while, 'The Clown' lived up to his name. Listed as a utility man, his versatility prevented him from holding down a regular first-team spot. Most of the time, he would be running around the field like a headless chicken. Energy? Yes. Directions. No.
Fortunately for the Ivorian, fate intervened and injuries to Sol Campbell and the ageing Martin Keown made him an automatic choice at center back. Although forced into the postion, it proved once again of Wenger's masterstroke. Toure’s contribution in Arsenal’s unbeaten season was immense; he missed only one league game. Slowly, 'The Clown' was turning into 'The Captain' in my brain.
His first European goal - the last ever at Highbury - proved to be crucial, taking the club to its first European Cup final. The opportunity to improve his skills at the World Cup in Germany increased his standing. He is now considered to be one of Europe’s best central defenders.
No 4: Marc Overmars (1997-2000)
Marc is short at only a mere five foot eight inches tall but for what he lacked in height, he made up with his ferocious pace. Marc was like speedy Gonzales, his legs moving so quickly until they looked like a blur in the eye. He could be ruthlessly direct on the counterattack - collecting the ball in space and charging at the heart of the opposition defence.
Marc demostrated his talent by scoring the pivotal goal in Arsenal’s double winning season in 1997/98 against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Running onto an Anelka flick-on, he nodded the ball past his marker before finishing through the legs of the onrushing Peter Schmeichel. It was the only goal of the encounter and along with the opening goal of that year’s FA cup final, he scored 34 times for Arsenal. A phenomenon return for a winger!
After two years at Highbury, he was sold to Barcelona for £25m in the summer of 2000, to this day a record transfer fee for a Dutch footballer. Overmars won 86 caps for Holland in total and was bought at a modest price of £7m from Ajax in June 1997He retired after Euro 2004 when Holland did not win the tournament.
No 3: Cesc Fabregas (2003- )
The skillful Spaniard has been a revelation for Arsenal since Wenger plucked him from Barcelona on a free transfer. He was the designated replacement for Vieira after the former Captain left. It would have been a formidable task for anyone but Cesc made it look easy.
When the two came face-to-face in the Champions League quarterfinal in March 2006, the Catalan left his former midfield partner shell-shocked with a dominant performance. If Vieira was surprised by Cesc’s maturity, Arsene Wenger was not. He had already tipped the youngster to be the best in his position by the age of 20, and in truth, Fabregas began breaking records the moment he walked through the marbled halls of Highbury. In addition, a first cap for Spain in the same year of 2006 made him the youngest Spain national player in eighty years.
This season (06/07), Cesc single-handedly filled the lost of Henry with dominant displays in the middle of the park. While spraying crosses all over the field, he has also contributed 11 goals in all competitions. With him bringing the swagger back into the team, Arsenal are sitting comfortably at the top of the table. The only reason Cesc is not number 1 on this list is just because he still has to win the titles and cups to prove his capabilities.
No 2: Patrick Viera (1996-2005)
Born a Senegal but played as a Frenchman, Vieira was bought by Wenger from AC Milan for only £3.5m in August 1996. Milan’s loss was Arsenal’s huge gain and officials from the Italian club later stated that letting the midfielder go was the biggest mistake of the club.
Patrick was Wenger’s first signing at the club and there were a few raised eyebrows on his arrival. Fans need not have worried though. Vieira quickly established himself and for nine long years he was the heartbeat of Wenger’s Arsenal team. Eventually, he would even captained the side for a historical unbeaten run in a season; winning the double along the way.
As a centre-midfielder he had it all. He was strong and lightning quick for a big man. Many of Arsenal’s famed counter-attacks went through him, his ability to win possession and quickly release another player was critical to the flow of the Gunner's game. Above all, he was Arsenal’s captain and a great leader. Sadly, Vieira joined Juventus last year for £13.7m and it was with a heavy heart that Arsenal fans let him go.
No 1: Thierry Henry (1999 - 2006)
Who else but the King? Three times Football Writer’s Association Footballer of the Year, twice PFA Player’s Player of the Year, twice runner-up in FIFA’s World Player of the Year award and Arsenal’s top goal scorer for every one of the seven seasons he has been at the club.
Henry presence in the team lifted his team mates' spirt whenever the chips are down and frightened the opposition defenders. A striker that score goals for fun and has since become our club's record goal scorers.
He was bought with merely £10.5m from Juventus and was the fulcrum of the team that Wenger built a side worthy of challenging for any honour. Need I add more?
From however you looked at it, The Professor really has a keen eye for great players!
I have read some very good articles recently on the top signings of Arsene Wenger ever since his arrival at Arsenal. There have been claustrophic, ordinary, good and exceptional signings since he first step in more than 10 years ago. Who do you think is his best signing till date? I am not sure, but these are my top 5.
No 5: Kolo Toure (2002- )
Kolo was signed from Ivory Coast club ASEC Mimosas for ONLY £150, 000 in February 2002. He was a total unknown to all Arsenal fans but his boundless energy introduced himself to the masses in a very fast way. At first view of him, I was wondering if he was one big mistake of Wenger's. In my mind, I quickly christianed Toure as 'The Clown'.
For a while, 'The Clown' lived up to his name. Listed as a utility man, his versatility prevented him from holding down a regular first-team spot. Most of the time, he would be running around the field like a headless chicken. Energy? Yes. Directions. No.
Fortunately for the Ivorian, fate intervened and injuries to Sol Campbell and the ageing Martin Keown made him an automatic choice at center back. Although forced into the postion, it proved once again of Wenger's masterstroke. Toure’s contribution in Arsenal’s unbeaten season was immense; he missed only one league game. Slowly, 'The Clown' was turning into 'The Captain' in my brain.
His first European goal - the last ever at Highbury - proved to be crucial, taking the club to its first European Cup final. The opportunity to improve his skills at the World Cup in Germany increased his standing. He is now considered to be one of Europe’s best central defenders.
No 4: Marc Overmars (1997-2000)
Marc is short at only a mere five foot eight inches tall but for what he lacked in height, he made up with his ferocious pace. Marc was like speedy Gonzales, his legs moving so quickly until they looked like a blur in the eye. He could be ruthlessly direct on the counterattack - collecting the ball in space and charging at the heart of the opposition defence.
Marc demostrated his talent by scoring the pivotal goal in Arsenal’s double winning season in 1997/98 against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Running onto an Anelka flick-on, he nodded the ball past his marker before finishing through the legs of the onrushing Peter Schmeichel. It was the only goal of the encounter and along with the opening goal of that year’s FA cup final, he scored 34 times for Arsenal. A phenomenon return for a winger!
After two years at Highbury, he was sold to Barcelona for £25m in the summer of 2000, to this day a record transfer fee for a Dutch footballer. Overmars won 86 caps for Holland in total and was bought at a modest price of £7m from Ajax in June 1997He retired after Euro 2004 when Holland did not win the tournament.
No 3: Cesc Fabregas (2003- )
The skillful Spaniard has been a revelation for Arsenal since Wenger plucked him from Barcelona on a free transfer. He was the designated replacement for Vieira after the former Captain left. It would have been a formidable task for anyone but Cesc made it look easy.
When the two came face-to-face in the Champions League quarterfinal in March 2006, the Catalan left his former midfield partner shell-shocked with a dominant performance. If Vieira was surprised by Cesc’s maturity, Arsene Wenger was not. He had already tipped the youngster to be the best in his position by the age of 20, and in truth, Fabregas began breaking records the moment he walked through the marbled halls of Highbury. In addition, a first cap for Spain in the same year of 2006 made him the youngest Spain national player in eighty years.
This season (06/07), Cesc single-handedly filled the lost of Henry with dominant displays in the middle of the park. While spraying crosses all over the field, he has also contributed 11 goals in all competitions. With him bringing the swagger back into the team, Arsenal are sitting comfortably at the top of the table. The only reason Cesc is not number 1 on this list is just because he still has to win the titles and cups to prove his capabilities.
No 2: Patrick Viera (1996-2005)
Born a Senegal but played as a Frenchman, Vieira was bought by Wenger from AC Milan for only £3.5m in August 1996. Milan’s loss was Arsenal’s huge gain and officials from the Italian club later stated that letting the midfielder go was the biggest mistake of the club.
Patrick was Wenger’s first signing at the club and there were a few raised eyebrows on his arrival. Fans need not have worried though. Vieira quickly established himself and for nine long years he was the heartbeat of Wenger’s Arsenal team. Eventually, he would even captained the side for a historical unbeaten run in a season; winning the double along the way.
As a centre-midfielder he had it all. He was strong and lightning quick for a big man. Many of Arsenal’s famed counter-attacks went through him, his ability to win possession and quickly release another player was critical to the flow of the Gunner's game. Above all, he was Arsenal’s captain and a great leader. Sadly, Vieira joined Juventus last year for £13.7m and it was with a heavy heart that Arsenal fans let him go.
No 1: Thierry Henry (1999 - 2006)
Who else but the King? Three times Football Writer’s Association Footballer of the Year, twice PFA Player’s Player of the Year, twice runner-up in FIFA’s World Player of the Year award and Arsenal’s top goal scorer for every one of the seven seasons he has been at the club.
Henry presence in the team lifted his team mates' spirt whenever the chips are down and frightened the opposition defenders. A striker that score goals for fun and has since become our club's record goal scorers.
He was bought with merely £10.5m from Juventus and was the fulcrum of the team that Wenger built a side worthy of challenging for any honour. Need I add more?
From however you looked at it, The Professor really has a keen eye for great players!
boring boring...
i survived my first week in the harsh cold conditions of Germany.
Looking unforward to the boring boring weekend that is coming my way. boring, cold and nothing much to do... wish i was back in Singapore or in some food wonderland in Hongkong or Taiwan or even Malaysia.
Oh, its my MUM's Birthday today. 16 nov!!!
HEY MUM!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! YOU ROCK, MUM!!!
:0
heheehee...
Looking unforward to the boring boring weekend that is coming my way. boring, cold and nothing much to do... wish i was back in Singapore or in some food wonderland in Hongkong or Taiwan or even Malaysia.
Oh, its my MUM's Birthday today. 16 nov!!!
HEY MUM!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! YOU ROCK, MUM!!!
:0
heheehee...
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Cold, very cold, SI BEI COLD
As I am sent once again overseas to complete my job, I relunctantly packed extra clothings expecting the cold to freeze my butt out.BOY was i UNREADY for the cold!
its not just cold, its not very cold, its SI BEI COLD!!!...
The view is majestic at times when I stand in the warm building of my hotel room admiring the falling snow flakes. And yet, it is freezingly scary while walking outside to office or for food. The 5 mins brisk walk to the office from the hotel have also become increasingly difficult with the harsh weather conditions.
I finally understand why Ang Mohs like to sit in the sun like idiots. We (singaporeans) never knew how good it is for the sun to shine on your face and feel the warm nurturing your tired body.
:)
Contributions to England
Dear Friends,
There have been much accusations that Arsenal does nothing for the England national team. Do you agree? Everyone is saying that Wenger picks the best in Europe but sells the rest of the English. Do you think this statement is fair?
From the calling of a limit on number of foreign players in a team to the dismay state of the English national team, everything is pointing to a decline in the quality of English players. Ferguson and Mourinho have taken their turns in attacking Arsenal and defending Chelsea respectively.
Fergie has announced that Arsenal will be hit the hardest if indeed the limit of foreign players is implemented. He has also insisted that he has helped build a core of English players. Players he has indeed bought and not groomed. The days of Neville and Brown is over and players like Carrick, Rooney and Hargreves are bought with millions of dollars. So much for his help in grooming young Englishmen. In addition, what is with the millions spent on Nai, Ronaldo and Anderson? Are they English in some ways that I have missed? Or has old Fergie seen so much Red that he thinks they are English?
On the other hand, Mourinho said he has groomed an English side with the backbone of the Chelsea team predominantly English. Well, in a way, John Terry is Chelsea through and thorugh. However, Mourinho most definitely did not groom Lampard or J.Cole (from West Ham) or Cashly (from Arsenal). He also bought SWP as a bench warmer. Thus, 'helping' to slow down the growth of the promising youngster.
So it remains to be seen if there is any contributions from man u or chelski to the English cause. If it really go down to the wire, you can even say Arsenal 1 (cashly cole), Chelsea 1 (john terry) and Man U 0.
There have been much accusations that Arsenal does nothing for the England national team. Do you agree? Everyone is saying that Wenger picks the best in Europe but sells the rest of the English. Do you think this statement is fair?
From the calling of a limit on number of foreign players in a team to the dismay state of the English national team, everything is pointing to a decline in the quality of English players. Ferguson and Mourinho have taken their turns in attacking Arsenal and defending Chelsea respectively.
Fergie has announced that Arsenal will be hit the hardest if indeed the limit of foreign players is implemented. He has also insisted that he has helped build a core of English players. Players he has indeed bought and not groomed. The days of Neville and Brown is over and players like Carrick, Rooney and Hargreves are bought with millions of dollars. So much for his help in grooming young Englishmen. In addition, what is with the millions spent on Nai, Ronaldo and Anderson? Are they English in some ways that I have missed? Or has old Fergie seen so much Red that he thinks they are English?
On the other hand, Mourinho said he has groomed an English side with the backbone of the Chelsea team predominantly English. Well, in a way, John Terry is Chelsea through and thorugh. However, Mourinho most definitely did not groom Lampard or J.Cole (from West Ham) or Cashly (from Arsenal). He also bought SWP as a bench warmer. Thus, 'helping' to slow down the growth of the promising youngster.
So it remains to be seen if there is any contributions from man u or chelski to the English cause. If it really go down to the wire, you can even say Arsenal 1 (cashly cole), Chelsea 1 (john terry) and Man U 0.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
A Tale of Two Rulers
Dear Friends,
In a far far away land, there once live a ruler that ruled his country much like the Qin Emperor in ancient China. He had a big red nose and would scream at his servants whenever they did something wrong. The Tyrant had a huge love for the game of soccer and recruited the best in and around his country with the large amount of reserves he has. The huge reserves were contributed from high prices of home tickets to watch his team and unknown sources from America.
The tyrant had his way of cajoling and shouting at his team that somehow brings out the best in them. Not a nice way, but effective as he always say. In fact, he is very proud of his famous 'high dryer' treatment on all knights and slaves in his team. With this method and the great money he had, he enjoyed a long term success with his soccer team winning and dominating the league in his country.
Then one day, a brilliant and likeable Professor came along and started to build a small country beside the tyrant. He too had a love for soccer, but his approach was to scout for the young talents in and around the country and slowly nurture them to brilliant players. His arrival was surrounded in mystery and speculations, but the results spoke for itself! Within a few years, it is evident that the brilliant Professor was an equal or more to the Tyrant. His team wrest the league title away from the tyrant a couple of times and started to dominate the league with an ever flowing passing game.
As the Professor's team grow exponentially, so did the names of the players. The Three Musketeers were born; one an ever ready, ever stable midfield anchor named V, one tricky winger that had an eye for goal call P and a lighting fast finishing called H. Together, they are a Very Powerful House leading the league table again and again.
Of course, the tyrant was angry and jealous of the success of the Professor. He chip and chop his team and even sacked his aging Captain. Fair to say, the equally fiery and vocal Captain has long passed his use-by date. However, the manner of the removal was upsetting to many fans. Prawn sandwiches never tasted so good.
Cutting the long story short, the tyrant ployed more change and his team is now with 2 Bulldogs, a dancer, 2 divers and some clowns. They remain strong and powerful and as arrogant as before. Having wrestle the title back last season, even the bulldog is arrogant enough to declare that the Professor's team have no chance of winning the league this season.
On the other hand, the three Musketeers have all left the professor to pursue their own career. With his emphasis on youth, the Professor now holds the next boy wonder, Potter. The midfielder is a wizard on his own; dancing on both feet and shimmering past opponents with slight caress of the ball at his feet.
With a 2-2 draw just secured last night, the Professor's team sits pretty at the top of the league with a game in hand over the Tyrant's team. Did anyone hear the bulldog's bullshit again?
Go Gunners!
In a far far away land, there once live a ruler that ruled his country much like the Qin Emperor in ancient China. He had a big red nose and would scream at his servants whenever they did something wrong. The Tyrant had a huge love for the game of soccer and recruited the best in and around his country with the large amount of reserves he has. The huge reserves were contributed from high prices of home tickets to watch his team and unknown sources from America.
The tyrant had his way of cajoling and shouting at his team that somehow brings out the best in them. Not a nice way, but effective as he always say. In fact, he is very proud of his famous 'high dryer' treatment on all knights and slaves in his team. With this method and the great money he had, he enjoyed a long term success with his soccer team winning and dominating the league in his country.
Then one day, a brilliant and likeable Professor came along and started to build a small country beside the tyrant. He too had a love for soccer, but his approach was to scout for the young talents in and around the country and slowly nurture them to brilliant players. His arrival was surrounded in mystery and speculations, but the results spoke for itself! Within a few years, it is evident that the brilliant Professor was an equal or more to the Tyrant. His team wrest the league title away from the tyrant a couple of times and started to dominate the league with an ever flowing passing game.
As the Professor's team grow exponentially, so did the names of the players. The Three Musketeers were born; one an ever ready, ever stable midfield anchor named V, one tricky winger that had an eye for goal call P and a lighting fast finishing called H. Together, they are a Very Powerful House leading the league table again and again.
Of course, the tyrant was angry and jealous of the success of the Professor. He chip and chop his team and even sacked his aging Captain. Fair to say, the equally fiery and vocal Captain has long passed his use-by date. However, the manner of the removal was upsetting to many fans. Prawn sandwiches never tasted so good.
Cutting the long story short, the tyrant ployed more change and his team is now with 2 Bulldogs, a dancer, 2 divers and some clowns. They remain strong and powerful and as arrogant as before. Having wrestle the title back last season, even the bulldog is arrogant enough to declare that the Professor's team have no chance of winning the league this season.
On the other hand, the three Musketeers have all left the professor to pursue their own career. With his emphasis on youth, the Professor now holds the next boy wonder, Potter. The midfielder is a wizard on his own; dancing on both feet and shimmering past opponents with slight caress of the ball at his feet.
With a 2-2 draw just secured last night, the Professor's team sits pretty at the top of the league with a game in hand over the Tyrant's team. Did anyone hear the bulldog's bullshit again?
Go Gunners!
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