Could Wenger Mollycoddle Balotelli into submission? And other Tuesday distractions.
Super Mario, worth the risk?
Watching the 3-1 win by Inter over Barcelona and a couple of things came to mind — first, there is no doubt that Mario Balotelli is a gifted forward who is deeply unhappy with the Inter fans and second, there is no doubt that yellow card tackles in the Champions League are different than in the Premier League.
To the first, I present to you the video above. Note that the player is clearly getting a huge ration of crap from the Inter fans at the end of the game that the team is winning. The thing is, from everything I’ve read this player has not only been racially abused at pretty much every stadium (fans sing a song about how there’s no such thing as a black Italian — despite the fact that he was born in Palermo) but the Italian FA have fined him when he ironically clapped the racist fans, and his own manager defended the racists rather than the player. And so, when the Inter fans were whistling after him last night I totally understood where his anger came from and can see why he threw his shirt down in disgust.
But here’s the multi-million dollar question… he’s hugely talented, Wenger has has hugely talented players with attitude problems before and has usually pushed them out the door (Adebayor, Anelka, etc) so could Wenger take him to England and control him? There, there’s your Arsenal transfer speculation of the week.
Straight legged tackles
The second thing I noticed in last night’s game is that defenders rarely make straight legged tackles in European games. You know the kind I’m talking about, you remember the picture of Martin Taylor flying in on Eduardo. I’m not saying that they tackle clean, rather that when they do make a dirty tackle, they try to come in low, with the studs down, and the knee bent. This way the chance of a devastating injury is minimized.
So, why is it that the straight legged tackle, where all of the force of the tackler is transferred onto the guy getting tackled is not only accepted, but even defended in England? Am I missing something?
Calm down, Adebayor
I hear tell that both Toure and Vieira are telling Adebayor to shut up and play ahead of the Manciti Arsenal game on Saturday (9:30am PST on Fox Soccer Channel). It’s not going to work, because Adebayor, like a jilted lover, thinks that the way he’s been “treated” is all our fault. Despite all the evidence which proves he lied, then he kissed the badge, then he decided he didn’t really want to play for us, then he stamped on Robin van Persie’s face, and then he ran 80 yards to celebrate in front of the Arsenal fans, as if he were Thierry Henry and we were Tottenham supporters.
Oh no, he will get nutty on Saturday. I just hope that Howard Webb is in charge, he’s always hated Adebayor and has given him 2 of his 3 career red cards. No doubt he’ll be looking for trouble from Adebayor.
More than a feeling
Boston Mass, USA, is rumored to be looking to host an Old Firm “friendly” next year. Does anyone else think that this is both a brilliant/terrible idea? I mean, with all the “Irish” people in the USA you could have both teams play in various places across the States and it would be a huge cash cow. Especially if you sell green beer and get the city to dye their river green.
Of course, now you have the problem where basically the United States gets two St. Patrick’s days a year and all the ensuing clean-up costs.
Nasri and Arshavin big up the Arsenal!
Hmmmm…. the rumors that Chamakh is coming to Arsenal are getting hotter as even Wenger is now saying that there’s a “good chance” the big center forward is joining Arsenal:
We will announce the deals after the league. He is one of the players who has a good chance to join us. (emph. added)
One of the players? Nice one Wenger!
Realistically, I think Wenger will probably buy no more than three: Chamakh, a holding mid who can play center back, and a keeper. Nasri recons that Arsenal are already there and hopes that the boss will keep the team together despite the poor end of the season. It’s an interesting quote because he sort of meanders a bit but overall I think he’s trying to point out the positives that the season has brought and how we’ve done it without insane transfer spending and with injuries to 5 of our superstars.
His point about being in the Champions League quarter finals, being third in the league, and being one of the youngest teams in the league is something that the positive blogs have been saying all along. Of course the quote can be diced into parts, put in a blender and turned into a screed about Arsenal, but then you’d be Martin Samuel or something.
Arshavin has a similar take on the season and what I like best about his quote is that he’s not complaining about Arsenal, for once. Instead, he’s just saying that we need to keep the spirit we generated this season and take it into next and we could win something. It’s good to have the senior players encouraging the team rather than parroting the tired old “buy buy buy” line.
How do you say that again???
I’ve listened to this thing probably 20 times and I still can’t pronounce Eyjafjallajökull properly. Come on people, that’s can’t be serious, can it? It’s a mountain named after the sound of a footballer clearing his throat?
Comments
I’d be afraid of Balotelli. His travails in Milan are very well known and he’d be feasted upon by all the home team supporters when we’d be on the road. I could see Man City taking a chance on him. I mean, if he doesn’t work out, who cares? What’s another few million down the drain when you have a gazillion.
As for the transfer season, I see at least 3 coming in. Personally, I’d like to see 4. Chamakh, goalie, the holding mid/CB you mentioned, Tim, and another striker, more along the lines of what Eduardo was giving us a few years ago. Chamakh gives us more aerial ability, which will be nice, but I want another striker with a more deft touch, quicker pace off the dribble, and more craftiness.
@ArseChicago, sounds to me like you have described what Vela is supposed to be
Right. When Van Persie was out, we got nothing really from Eduardo or Vela. Can we afford that the next time RvP goes out with injury, which certainly will happen for several games in any particular season?
If Balotelli could be had for an extremely low price, I would take a gamble, but otherwise no. He certainly has the physique to succeed in England, but his attitude seems to be an issue.
What about Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch ? It’s a town somewhere in Wales
AFAIK, part of the abuse SuperMario gets is due to the fact that he tells to whomever listen that he’s a WC Milan fan. Childish, but it shouldnt be a concern in London. Bring him in. Another striker cant hurt.
Nice sensible post; a refreshing read amid the sea of shite covering most of the Arsenal ‘sphere at the moment, and a pleasant distraction from my ongoing inability to be remotely involved with young women without leaving behind a trail of awkward, emotional debris.
But in point form:
Balotelli is class. Sure, he goes to ground too easily, but that can be ironed out, especially in a team where you’re expected to keep the ball moving, not to win free kicks. If we can get him for a reasonable price, go for it.
Having said that, I agree with your assessment on signings. Chamakh presumably is a given, and I now concede that a new ‘keeper, if feasible, should be brought in. If Gallas signs on then we don’t *need* a CB/DM (especially with Djourou back), but there’s no doubt that someone like a tall hybrid creature would strengthen our squad. The Everton lad would be ideal, but too expensive.
As for players leaving, I hope most stay, including all the big names. I’d only recommend letting go of Silvestre, Fabianski and Senderos.
“Straight leg tackles” – spot on.
And don’t get me started on “Irish” Americans.
Julian, I wonder if the root of your apparent female-related problems can in any way be tied to certain characteristics or a mindset of yours, which would allow you to be drawn in and enamored by Balotelli’s amazing talent, despite his clearly extreme craziness. How many of us have taken the bait from an attractive female, only to be amazed by her nutjobbery a month into it and thinking to ourselves that we should’ve known better?
@ArseChicago, Sir, this is perhaps the most pertinent observation I have ever read on an Arsenal blog. Or perhaps anywhere. I can only humbly congratulate you for this frankly staggering degree of perception.
If you’re ever in London, get in touch and over a beer I can tell all about a particular relationship of “extreme craziness”, which ended in a police cell in Peckham.
Come to think of it, I can feel a blog post coming on…
Well since I’m married now and since all of my friends, too, are married, I’m more than happy to listen to peoples’ relationship issues. Currently my most strained relationship is with certain members of the Arsenal side.
Patrick? It has to be you.
Yessir. Who’s this?
the fact that racisum is not stopped is a digrace as this is 2010 Inter fans grow up yes he is black and he is italian get over it.
I hope he signs for arsenal for a cheap price 5-10 miliion before the world cup and then scores allot of goals for italy before england knock them out in the first round.
Totally agree. However, I do remember hearing a while back that some Inter fans had hung a banner that said something to the effect of “Don’t kid yourself Mario, we’d hate you if you were white too.”
Black, white, blue, green, for some reason these fans don’t like him. I for one think that Wenger might be able to straighten him out.
One other point, by the way – just a speculative thought to be indulged. Imagine if Balotelli, tired of the absurd level of racism, stopped playing for Italy. If I was Wenger I’d pay 10% more for a player who refused to get involved in all this international football wank.
We desparately need at least two defenders–now, we only have Vermaelen + Sol or Gallas…if we dont have another defender, when Vermaelen is injured, who can we play? Sol/ Gallas/ Song/ or the defending holding midfielder? Wont it be a bit too thin?
@DF, Djourou!
I would definately take Balotelli on and get rid of Vela and Eduardo. Van Persie, Chamakh, Bendtner and Balotelli definately sounds more like a top european club. Atm it is just embarrassing! All of them possess the capabilities to play anywhere in our front 3 as well!
@Oskar,
Bendtner has to go along with;
Eduardo, Diaby, Denilson, Almunia, Fabianski
None of them are up to the talent required at Arsenal. They have all had their chances and have failed. Time to get rid, have a clearout and start again with these positions!
@Gooner1971, You sir are a retard. A massive retard. Bendy has scored 12 goals in 28 games. Compared to 15 in 50 last season, if that isn’t improvement I don’t know what is. So next time you spout shite, think about it first.
I personally don’t get the fascination with Balotelli – haven’t we had our fill yet of talented but lazy and troublesome strikers? We have Arshavin already – that’s one lazy player on the field, and that’s our quota limit. Balotelli looks lost at times out there… if Mourinho doesn’t want him, why should we? Certainly not at the price Inter are asking.
I don’t think you’re quite right on what’s going to come in… Chamakh for sure – not the answer, but a good option and adds depth.
I have a feeling a deal for Sorensen was already done in January to bring him in from Stoke, and Begovic is a good keeper (and cheaper) to fill in up there, so they would probably let Sorensen go to us for relatively little money.
If I had to wager, another year of Wilshere on loan to Bolton will knock 2-3 million off the price for Cahill in defense, so I doubt Wenger will be able to resist checking off two boxes at once for a good price – good English CB to partner Vermaelen, and more experience for Jack W.
Finally, I think you’re right on the DM, it’ll be Sissoko, the price is reasonable (10 million), he doesn’t play for a big club that can fight to keep him, he’s a 20-year old French international, 6’2″ and has a nasty streak. Partner him with Song in behind Fabregas and you’ve done wonders to add steel to the midfield.
I think also we may see AW sign Lacina Traore and Wellington, but neither of them are eligible to play in England next year, so we won’t really care next season, but in a couple of years they may be great investments.
@Marko, I thought we already had Wellington, on some kind of “Coming Soon” deal.
@Julian H, We have, according to Young Guns and few other publications. His agent also confirmed the deal.
He will link up with the club when he turns 18 in Jan 2011.
http://younggunsblog.co.uk/2009/12/arsenal-complete-wellington-silva-signing-2/
@Simon Says, We have 65% of Wellington. =)
£5-10 million for Balotelli?? You are living in a dream world! It will be £30m+ and even at that he would be a great signing. £5-10m. tsk tsk tsk
the reason vela and eduardo do well is because they both lost alot of confidence(eduardo and the dive thingy and vela not being played regualry) and both love playing with a big guy in a 4-4-2 eduardo 2008 and when he came back a few times in 2009 he scored cause he was playing with a big guy, vela as well last year hat-trick when playing with b52.
both need to play with big men 4-3-3 doesnt work for them they cant be the lone striker as they dont have the physice(cant spell it sorry)
@kr, physique
Sign him up! Now!
Thats what this team needs a team of absolute C8nts….we are too nice of a team…we need some real bottle heads in the team. And Wenger will make Balloteli into a World cup sensation.
By the way…what a sexy car that is…and i dont even like cars like that!
After the way Arsenal rehabilitated Adebayor from bad boy to sought after star and the way he treated the club I’m sorry but I can’t be bothered about Balotelli. It’s obvious he’s a nightmare. We want success now, don’t touch him with a bargepole Arsene.
I would take a very long, hard look at Balotelli’s attitude before even considering signing him. If he continues to allow the abuse hurled his way to get to him and make him an ineffective player, he’s a liability. I AM truly appalled that in 2010, people behave in such a frankly abhorrent manner and I don’t necessarily begrudge his angry reaction. However, the reality is Balotelli is employed in a job where fans and players are willing to say ANYTHING to throw him off his game. Witness the last World Cup. Zidane gets the the small satisfaction of head butting Matezarri but his team suffer the consequences of losing their best player and going a man down. I don’t care what Matezarri said, judging by the reaction it was insulting, vile, and probably worthy of a head butt. But in the end, Zidane was sent off and Marco achieved his goal. Contrast that with Sol’s reaction to the abuse he gets. I’m sure he is incredibly, justifiably angered by the vile insults thrown his way but he just goes ahead and gets the job done. If Balotelli wants to live up to his immense talent, he has to not allow the abuse to affect his performance and it seems, at this stage of his life, he is unable to do so. Whether he will in the future is highly debatable.
@Tee Song, the difference here is that you EXPECT abuse from opposing fans – not your own. You expect your coach to back you up and the league to condemn any racist chanting. If, as Yan says, the racial abuse is the result of his being a AC Milan fan, then he has every right to be disgusted with Italian football in general and would probably be happier somewhere else.
@Alex, 100% agree Alex. Spot on, spot on.
Balloteli would be a massive signing, a chance taken perhaps but if he could not find a fit with Wenger he will fit no place. This could be a good fit for both IMO.
Eduardo has lost his edge saddly and it would help him and us for him to go to Brazil. Vella has not progressed and is either in Mexico or on the trainer’s table. Chamakh has the desire to actually win balls that Bendtner ducks out of, perhaps Nick can figure it out but he had best hurry up. We need a striker or two that will make the run into the box to get to balls. RVP was the missing spark this year, if we could manage a year with him and Cesc playing…. we stroll to the title.
In defence I’d like to see a new 23ish CB that can play some RB and establish a partnership with Vermaelen for years to come. Silvestre must be gone, Gallas needs to figure it out soon if he and Wenger have not allready. For me Wenger gave him a lifeline by shipping off Toure and keeping Billy. It was a gamble that was perhaps motivated somewhat by the transfer fee, but one of the two had to go.
It might be time for Eboue to go chase first team football as well. He brings great enthisiasm, but it is often too unbridaled and he tends to run into deadends rather than making the pass on time.
We do need someone to back up Song besides Denilson. I like Denilson’s game but he is not quite strong enough when needed and his passing is just too conservative to be really dangerous going forward. That said he has an important place in the squad.
Almunia was good call when Lehman went mental, solid and calming. But he just does not have the ‘it’ factor a top keeper needs. Fabianski has lost all confidence and goes out there wondering what will happen to him today.
Wenger has been brilliant keeping it all together while Emirates ate all the cash. Obviously we have a deep but young squad, this summer we can look forward to adding more quality to our potential while the kids will be one year closer to their prime. Suddenly our debt is way down and cash is flowing in, we can finally spend and see the rewards of our sacrifices. Not that supporting Arsenal has ever been that great a burden. No team is better run, and when I hear certain idiot Gooners calling for Wenger’s head I develop violent urges.
Lyon are chicken sh*t. They were a man up and refused to attack Bayern Munich. What a waste. Now they are even on men and down 0-1 to a sensational strike against Lloris who was going to his (L) when the strike (even with a deflection) was going (R).
We play young players. We do not play children. Our players have character and for the most part (Bendtner comes to mind) are not charactertures.
@ctpa, Robben strike.
I’d take Balotelli in a heart beat. His mindset can be questioned at times but there are a lot of underlying reasons. Mourinho doesn’t like him and never has he doesn’t seem to like flashy flair players especially those who know how good they are. The racial abuse he’s been recieving since he came onto the scene a couple years back and he didnt make the Milan until recently as at the time Mourinho had said his Inter career was over now that they have temporarily mended the relationship and hes playing again the fans are letting him have it.
Over here he would be different he has the physical ability to cope and is one of the best prospects in world football plus despite his problems hes been a very good player for Inter and a chance of a prospect of that magnitude doesnt come knocking very often.
Arsene seems to like young and compliant players. Same with many fans, see how Arshavin is regarded for having a personality. I think it is unfair to write Balotelli off for attitude problems when he has faced racial abuse from his own fans and lack of support from his coach and league since 17. Perhaps he would mature with an elder mentor like Sol in a new league and country where that sort of racism had been made much less acceptable. Arsenal needs a top class striker since RvP has had injuries and Chamakh and Bendtner should be fighting for third spot.
The club doesn’t neeed a player like Bolatelli.He’s too volatile and too much of a risk.Doesn’t matter HOW good he is.I woouldn’t be surprised if does a Eric Cantona Kung-Fu one of these days and gets a 6 month ban.And we have enough players out with injury for that time already.
I don’t think we even need more attacking options.If you analyse our season you’ll notice that it was 3 games that our defense cost us the title.
1.Away against West Ham we threw away a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2.
2.Away against Birmingham we threw away a 1-0 lead in injury time to draw 1-1.
3.Away against Wigan we threw away a 2-0 lead with 10 minutes left to lose 2-3.
That’s 7 points we threw away that would have put us 1 point ahead of Chelsea and 2 points ahead of Man Utd at this moment in time.
Van Persie and Diaby both had track records with attitude issues and fallouts with their clubs before they came, so Wenger does know how to deal with SOME attitude issues. On the flip side though, with Pennant, Bentley, Owusu-Abeyei, Adebayor and others he has shown that dressing room atmosphere is very important to him.
The fans are looking for a bit more spunk this time, and by all accounts Chamakh will give us some of that. And was Pires all that good before we signed him up at 26/27?
Pires was not even good when we signed him, not even a Nasri; yet with the help of Henry, Veiera, Bergkamp, Pires became one of the invincibles. Problem is now we have Cesc, Persie…maybe Song, can these three perform the miracle that is Pires AGAIN?
Thinking of Balotelli’s potential, I was watching a clip of Henry’s best goals for Arsenal last night… just unbelievable. Hard to believe that we were watching goals that good and a player that good – no wonder we were winning titles.
You wonder how Juve could have considered him a reject and would even consider sending him to Udinese (yes, Udinese).
In that light, which of our current players could emulate that kind of form? And you also wonder which unheralded kid like Balotelli could be the next Wenger masterstroke…
I am old enough to tell you that Henry at Juve was like Walcott at Arsenal, all running but no dribbling, no killer instinct in front of goal, no heading ability and not much of crossing ability either. Yet Henry is tall, strong and athletic, as well as having been trained by Wenger at Monaco, he has a brilliant first touch. None of which Walcott possesses right now, except for pace..
Tim, depending on how you emphasise those words, you could have numerous meanings:
1. “He is one of the PLAYERS with a good chance to join us” – meaning we’re going to sign a bunch of accountants to manage the transfer profits we’ll rake in this summer!
2. “HE is one of the players with a good chance to join us” – meaning Chamakh is some sort of divinity. Which would make him a pretty good free signing…
3. “He IS one of the players with a good chance to join us” – meaning Wenger is refuting the idea that Chamakh’s going to sign for Liverpool or Real Madrid (why not?).
4. “He is one of the players with a GOOD chance to join us” – thus, refuting all those who are suggesting Villa, Dzeko, Silva, Subotic, Cahill, Akineev, Lloris… basically anyone who would cost more than a £3.
5. “He is one of the players with a good chance to JOIN us” – as opposed to those who just hold talks with the Arsenal, visit the training ground, only to have transfer talks breakdown while we haggle over a £1m in agent fees.
6. “He is one of the players with a good chance to join US” – as opposed to those who flutter their eye-lids at us, say that we’re their favourite club, and then join Real Madrid or Man Utd when the chance arrives.
@Gooner1971, You sir are a retard. A massive retard. Bendy has scored 12 goals in 28 games. Compared to 15 in 50 last season, if that isn’t improvement I don’t know what is. So next time you spout shite, think about it first.Current score: 1 (to vote for this comment, please visit the site)