thinkingfootball

Everton 1 Arsenal 4

2007-12-29T11:36:00.000-08:00

If I've seen a calmer finisher than Eduardo in an Arsenal shirt I can't remember him. It's almost as if he's in Matrix bullet time as he picks his spot and passes the ball into the net. His two top quality finishes were the difference between the two teams on Saturday.

Man U go top, Chelsea dig a bigger hole

2007-12-29T07:16:00.000-08:00

Arsenal dropped 2 points at Portsmouth and rarely threatened to break the deadlock. Portsmouth brought a very defensive approach to the game, but it was hardly surprising. It was a very good point for them.

Meanwhile Man U took Sunderland apart with ease and surprised nobody in going to the top of the league. Words like inexorable spring to mind.

Chelsea dropped a point in a roller coaster classic against Villa, but lost two more defenders to suspension as well. My bet is still for Chelsea to finish 4th.

Man U win over Everton keeps the pressure up

2007-12-23T10:07:00.001-08:00

A ridiculous last minute challenge from Pienaar cost Everton a point they'd worked hard to secure, but arguably didn't deserve anyway.

As ever United's movement up front was superb and although they weren't firing on all cylinders, they were still causing Everton problems. They are undoubtedly the team to beat again and it's hard to see how they won't win the league with the quality they have in their squad.

It will be interesting to see how Arsenal handle a very difficult Everton team on the 29th. With the tough trip to Portsmouth on Boxing Day I think we'll be delighted to take 4 points from those games.

Arsenal thought it would be easy

2007-12-23T06:47:00.000-08:00

The Arsenal players seemed to approach yesterday's game as if the result was a foregone conclusion. Winning football games is about technique, but it's also about desire and work rate. In the first 45 mins Arsenal looked very lackadaisical, as if they thought they only had to turn up to win.

Even in the second half they only managed to raise the tempo in fits and starts. With the current pace and quality of the Premiership it's very difficult to compete if you're not mentally there to start with, it's hard to switch on mid-game.

The movement in the first half was non-existent. When a midfielder received the ball he found himself looking at 3 statues in red shirts. The situation improved in the second half, but after the opening goal the team went back to sleep again.

A very disappointing performance, but a fantastic result. If Arsenal are to maintain their title challenge they'll have to continue winning games where they are not in great form.

I was very impressed with Spurs, they worked hard, played some decent football and can consider themselves pretty unlucky.

O'Hara looked a very good prospect, making some good tackles and he appears to be technically sound. We're used to seeing 17 and 18 year old prospects, but at 21, he still has plenty of time.

All in all though Berbatov looked to be in a different class to most of the players on the pitch. Watching him from a good vantage point really allowed me to admire his fantastic movement off the ball. The guy is superb at finding space. has a sublime first touch and real vision. Ramos will do well to hold onto him, I can see a huge offer coming in for him before long. Speaking from a neutral perspective, I hope he stays in the Premiership.

Blackburn 2 Arsenal 3, Wenger has genetically engineered Arsenal FC.

2007-12-21T03:58:00.000-08:00

With the draw for the Semi of the Carling Cup and the Champions League now known, the Blackburn game seems a bit distant now. However I really wanted to make a comment about such a fantastic win.

This really was a game from 2002 or 2004, where Arsenal showed incredible strength of will after a setback.

If the players here can continue this level of hunger they have a bright future.

Looking at the performance as a whole, it is an incredible testament to how Wenger has instilled a style and ethos across the whole club. It really is amazing to see a 'B' team play in such a similar style to the first team.

From the little I've seen of (and more I've read about) the youth teams this really permeates through the club.

Wenger's work away from the first team is delivering in fantastic style now and I never get bored with saluting this genius.

Thanks Google

2007-12-21T03:56:00.000-08:00

Apparently a 'bot' decided that I was a spamblogger. I checked the definition and I hereby name that 'bot' Drivel as quite clearly the blog met none of the criteria. Anyway, hopefully we're back on line now.

More than 3 points apiece

2007-12-18T00:09:00.000-08:00

The top two teams took the spoils at the weekend and although the 3 points are probably not crucial, the future suddenly looks a lot bleaker for the vanquished teams. Liverpool find themselves 10 points off the pace and still seemingly incapable of taking points off their main rivals.

Meanwhile Chelsea have medium term injuries to their captain and their leading goalscorer. Add Carvahlo's absence to this and suddenly Chelsea look like they might struggle. My personal opinion has always been that Grant couldn't bring the title to Stamford Bridge anyway, but this will make it much harder for him.

The games themselves were interesting for very different reasons. Manchester United got their tactics spot on. Liverpool played a high tempo, pressing game and Man U gave away territory but took the sting out of Liverpool's attack. Aside from a couple of self induced mix ups in the Man U defence Liverpool never really looked like scoring. The Man U approach was all about not losing this game, but a part well worked and part fortunate set piece won them it. It looked to me as if Liverpool could play on for another hour without scoring.

Personally I think the quality of Man Us defending will be the key factor if, as I expect, they retain the title.

At The Emirates a very cold evening was warmed up by a pretty hot tempered game. Eboue and Terry were the main culprits in an overly physical first half. Both players could have seen red on another day, but I think the ref got it about right in that respect. The first half didn't bring us much in the way of chances and if anything Chelsea had the better efforts. I doubt we'll see a mistake like that from Cech for some time, but at least Arsenal took full advantage of the rare act of charity.

We've all seen the second half, but I think it's worth saying that a somewhat depleted Chelsea team did a good job of taking the game to Arsenal and created enough chances to have got an equaliser. Having said that Arsenal could and should have added a second and third goal themselves as well. Such profligacy will cost them on another day.

The injuries will probably mean that Chelsea take little solice from the game, but I thought they acquited themselves very well against a near full strength Arsenal team.

Diarra off?

2007-12-16T03:23:00.000-08:00

Reports from France's L'Equipe suggest that Diarra is looking for a move away. He hasn't got the games he expected or was promised. In fairness, Flamini had improved dramatically at the end of last season, but he's stepped up another level in terms of quality and consistency this year. Few could have expected that, maybe not even Wenger.

Personally I think Diarra/Cesc would make an interesting proposition in central midfield, but I wouldn't suggest dropping Flamini.

The obvious destination for Diarra if he went? It has to be Spurs for me. A team strong in most areas, but dominated by the best teams in the centre of midfield. Diarra seems ideal for them and he'll get the games he wants.

Let's hope that doesn't happen!

Joe Cole was rested during the week.

2007-12-16T02:52:00.000-08:00

I didn't realise that Cole had been rested against Valencia. A smart move from Grant. Chelsea are an even more functional unit without Robben and have few individual 'match winners'. If Arsenal lose, Cole is the man I can see doing the damage.

Mourinho improved him dramatically as a player. His work rate is excellent now and while he'll never be a great ball winner, he contributes with and without the ball. He is capable of scoring great goals and creating his own chances. The Arsenal midfield will need to watch him.

I still think that with Carvalho, Terry, Cole and Cech, Chelsea have the best defense in the Premiership. For all Arsenal's quality, tempo and invention they'll be tough to break down. It might take a van Persie moment, but these days Arsenal have goals all over the midfield too. It's a real, real challenge, a bigger one than facing Manchester United's defense.

If you're only going to score one or two goals your defense needs to perform. I hope that Toure comes back refreshed both mentally and physically and that the full backs get support when needed. Thankfully Chelsea (especially without Drogba) have nothing like Man U's, invention and skill in attack.

The other factor will be Arsenal's starting line up and possible fatigue to key players. Will Cesc, Hleb and Flamini be able to give their all for 90 mins? Will they all start?

It's a clear crisp morning in Highbury and it's forecast to stay that way. We have a pristine pitch, a great stadium and two superb teams. It's days like this you're glad to be a football fan.

Stop Press: Hleb, Fabregas and Flamini all trained

2007-12-14T08:06:00.001-08:00

Great news for Gooners, going into the game with a full strength midfield would be an enormous boost. Wenger will leave the decision as late as possible and might to choose any combination of them from the bench.

Thinking back to the first leg of last season's Carling Cup semi against Spurs will remind us how Cesc can change a game from the bench.

New Prediction: Arsenal 2 Chelsea 1

Grand Slam Sunday

2007-12-14T06:22:00.000-08:00

I have to agree with Myles Palmer. Previewing a game when you don't know who will be playing is an almost pointless task. It looks like Chelsea know their line up though, Essien and Drogba will be missing and that's a big loss for any team.

Any real football fan will have huge admiration for Essien, in my opinion the player that stands out in a very, very strong squad. Add the main source of goals and the pivot point of the attack into the equation and Chelsea are a weakened team.

So an ideal opportunity for Arsenal to make hay while the sun shines? Sadly not. Arsenal will be missing possibly the only midfielder in the Premiership who is better than Essien. It seems certain that Cesc will miss out and Arsenal are a different team without him. We don't know if Flamini or maybe Hleb will be back, but if they're not I make Chelsea clear favourites.

At Anfield Liverpool have a big, big point to prove. They completely outplayed Manchester United there last season, but the then champions elect left with all three points. Rafa and half of all Scousers will settle for a poor performance and 3 points this time.

None of the 4 teams is in great form at the moment and I don't think the points themselves will be critical.

Psychologically Arsenal and Liverpool need to win much more than their respective opponents though. With an increasingly difficult looking game against Spurs to come and on the back of 4 points out of 9, Arsenal would love 3 points and the confidence that comes with it.

It might be heresy, but I'm almost looking forward to the Liverpool, Man U game more. There are more quality players on show than ever before and I disagree with Lawrenson, it will be a spectacle.

I think Liverpool will win the midfield battle and that's normally enough to win a game, but the winners will be the team that takes their chances. Torres might be the difference between last year and this.

Predictions: Arsenal 0 Chelsea 1, Liverpool 2 Manchester United 1

Capello it is

2007-12-13T03:08:00.000-08:00

There can be no doubt that the FA have hired one of the top coaches in the world. Naturally the media will want their angle on why he was the wrong choice and they've focused on the fact he doesn't speak English.

Well that's untrue, he does speak some English and I am pretty sure he'll learn the football specific aspects pretty quickly once he's immersed in the job. But hey, they're creating their back page headings already.

The FA now need to give him their total support over the full term of his contract.

For the record, I think it's a great choice and bodes well for an exciting future for the England team.

Cold academia at The Emirates

2007-12-12T15:14:00.000-08:00

Tonight was almost more memorable for the Macallan Fine Oak in the hip flask than for the game. The result was totally academic as Sevilla found the result they needed to ensure top spot. The dropped point in Prague proving decisive as we feared.

The game itself was won in the first half as Arsenal comfortably dominated. Diaby and Bendtner took their goals very well and Walcott showed the first signs of developing some upper body strength.

Song had a good game and Denilson looked sharp when he did take responsibility. Poor Eduardo did very well at the death and was unlucky not to get a goal that his confidence seems to need.

Not surprinsingly the performance began to tail off in the second half and the team had really taken their foot off the pedal by the time the Steaua goal arrived.

Lehmann had no chance as Senderos was left with two men in the middle. The finish looked a little lucky to me.

The highlight for Arsenal had to be the return of van Persie to the side. He didn't look too rusty and will be an enormous bonus for the game against Chelsea.

So, it's Madrid, Milan, Inter, Barcelona or Porto now. No easy game there, but Porto would be the obvious choice.

Lehmann or Almunia

2007-12-12T01:15:00.001-08:00

So Lehmann starts for Arsenal tonight. The big question must be whether it presages a return to the first XI?

Almunia really splits opinion amongst Arsenal fans. Many say that he has done nothing wrong and deserves his place. In some senses I'd agree with that, Sunderland game aside, he hasn't been particularly error prone. Taken in isolation obvious errors are a poor way to judge a goalkeeper though. There is far more to the art.

For what it's worth my personal opinion is that Lehmann is a more intelligent footballer than Almunia. He reads the game very well. This helps him to eliminate danger at an early stage and to take up great positions that can help make a save look easy. Seaman was the master of this. Where it also makes a huge difference is in distribution. Lehmann's distribution is comfortably better than Almunia's. He starts attacks more quickly and this suits Arsenal's style.

Ironically against Newcastle and Villa, Almunia had arguably his best games in an Arsenal shirt as he reacted well to the pressure they created. I can still see why Arsene would want Jens back though. Few would doubt that at his best Lehmann is comfortably the better keeper, but he needs a goal to focus his attention. The 2006 World Cup and the unbeaten season did that for him before. Perhaps the chance to compete for the title once more can do it next time?

In either case I'll be surprised if either Lehmann or Almunia are Arsenal's number 1 next season.

Impressive Liverpool

2007-12-11T14:28:00.000-08:00

The Porto result may have flattered them a little but Liverpool's comeback after the Besiktas game has to be one of the most impressive in Champions League group history. Three terrific results and they clearly put the group in order. Nobody will want Liverpool in the next round.

Torres really seems to be enjoyable himself there and poor performance against Reading aside, their season is right on track.

Personally I expect Liverpool to get closer to the big prizes than Chelsea.

Henry's injury

2007-12-10T15:46:00.000-08:00

By now most football fans will have heard about Thierry Henry's injury. Avoiding medical jargon it seems that he has a progressive back problem and that Barcelona were aware of it when they signed him.

So why sign him? Ever since he missed out on Beckham, Laporta seems to be like a dog with a bone over players and he got his man. Having said that, according to some reports Barca are well on the way to recouping their outlay on merchandise. When you look at their squad, Ronaldinho, Eto'o, Messi and youngsters like Giovanni and Bojan, you have to wonder if they need Henry anyway.

So Arsenal got a good fee and Barcelona are not out of pocket or personnel.

The only loser here is Thierry Henry and that's a sad thing for the world of football and all true Arsenal fans. We won't be feeling smug about the £16m. Let's hope the injury gives him the chance to dazzle some more before it takes its toll.

Mourinho

2007-12-10T10:39:00.000-08:00

So Jose isn't interested in the England job after all. In truth a couple of months out of the limelight has left him craving attention. Well he got some.

What next?

2007-12-09T16:23:00.000-08:00

So, what next for M.Wenger? Well the first thing is to cross his fingers and hope that one or more of Hleb, Cesc and Flamini return for Chelsea. They're not going to be back in time for Bucharest.

He then has to make the decision of how to approach that game. One option is to give some players a rest and have them fresh for the Chelsea game. At the moment as far as I'm concerned the Chelsea game is far more important. Three points there would help to rebuild some lost confidence and keep us ahead of the pack. The following week we face Spurs, who could be an even tougher test.

December promised to be a tricky month for us and sadly it's not letting us down. I said at the start of the month that we couldn't win the league in December, but we could lose it. Defeats against Spurs and Chelsea wouldn't put us out of the league mathematically, but it would be a big psychological blow from which the team might not recover.

Middlesbrough 2 Arsenal 1

2007-12-09T10:45:00.000-08:00

My prediction was completely wrong as a physically and mentally tired Arsenal team struggled to create any kind of real impact today. From the moment Toure unnecessarily challenged Aliadiere to concede a penalty, we were never in the game.

The passing game never really got started and there were two reasons for that.

Firstly, Middlesbrough buoyed by the performances of Newcastle and Villa, played a real pressing game. They didn't give us time to settle and played some reasonable football themselves. They were worthy winners on the day.

Secondly and most importantly, there wasn't enough movement. When the movement is at its best every player has a couple of options every time they get the ball. We desperately missed that today. Players rarely had that second option and it made it far easier for 'Boro to close us down.

To the casual observer Hleb and Fabregas are great with the ball at their feet, but with Flamini they are great at making themselves available. It's hardly rocket science, but we're missing them.

Kolo had one of his poorer games today and looks to be needing a rest. I wouldn't blame fatigue for his long ball game though. We struggled to keep possession and yet time and again Toure tried to find a target man from centre back. Nine times out of ten that simply handed the ball to Boro. Part of that will be not having Matty or Cesc available for the short ball though.

The Arsenal goal when it did come was more a function of the opposition relaxing as they realised the win was secure. A nice move, but largely irrelevant.

A 'Boro team sensing a wounded animal took full advantage.

3 down, 7 to go.

2007-12-07T08:06:00.000-08:00

Arsenal are now well into what will be the busiest month of their season. A run of ten games in 32 days includes 6 away games and the visits of Chelsea and Tottenham. The first thing any manager is hoping in that period is to keep their key players fit. Arsene hasn't been that lucky and losing Cesc, Hleb and van Persie is very unfortunate.

No matter how much planning a manager does, circumstances can always change. Wenger was criticised in some quarters for resting too many players against Prague and Sevilla. Our subsequent injuries might suggest that he should have rested more players, but I wouldn't be so bold. It does contradict the old 'one game at a time' cliché, but clearly managers have to plan several games in advance.

December has thrown up some real challenges for Arsenal and even if the manager is planning ahead, the players won't be. Every game and every point is crucial if Arsenal are to maintain a serious title challenge. Looking at the first 3 fixtures, Villa away, Newcastle away and 'Boro away, I think 7 points would be a great, great return from those games, 5 wouldn't be bad, but 7 is a real possibility. The team can then look forward to the tricky London derbies with a 4 point cushion and fingers crossed the return of a couple of those players. That might take a bit of the pressure off.

Personally I doubt that 'Boro can harry Arsenal like Villa managed for a half and Newcastle managed for most of the game, but Arsenal will miss those three key players. These games are as much a test of how deeply Wenger's style of play runs through the squad as they are of the technical abilities of the players coming in. At times it's held up pretty well, let's see if Diarra continues to impress and we can keep our passing tempo high.

My prediction 2-1 to Arsenal.

The England Job

2007-12-07T04:06:00.000-08:00

I read that Mourinho is on the short list for the England job, but it isn't his first choice. Apparently he has an interest (source BBC) in one of the big two Spanish clubs and particularly Real Madrid. Well let's think back to what happened this summer. Another of the apparent England manager candidates, Fabio Capello was sacked by Madrid. Sacked because he was too much of a pragmatist. He won them the league, but not in a style that was 'befitting' of Real Madrid.

How do you think Jose will get on there?

Recently I commented that the England manager job was the biggest job in football. People laughed, but few jobs would have Capello, Mourinho and possibly even Lippi in the frame. Arguably they are three of the top 6 managers in Europe of recent years…. Oh and even Harry Redknapp threw his hat into the ring...

Hello, good evening and welcome....

2007-12-07T02:02:00.000-08:00

to thinking football, a new blog that will attempt to provide an alternative and hopefully more reasoned perspective on (primarily) English football.

As an Arsenal fan, the Gunners will be the main focus of the site, but a view will also be given on the wider football world.

I haven't played at 'a certain level', I haven't coached or managed, but like everyone else I have an opinion. So, read it if you want to and feel free to criticise...