It’s that mystical time of year again. The days are getting shorter, the nights are slightly colder, the squirrels are starting to hoard nuts, and the Stokies are coming out of their caves after a long summer hibernation to descend on Arsenal blogs and tell those Arsenal supporters how to be better sports fans. I can hear them now, firing up the town’s 28k modem, logging on to AOL and brushing the bits of pie off the keyboard so that they can share their collective wisdom with us, people.
It’s been a hard summer for them, so we should have sympathy. First, the town suffered a huge setback in their plan to play football their own way when the Football Association forced them to increase the size of the pitch at the Brittania by 20 whole square meters. In practical terms, the pitch at the Brit is now 4 meters wider and a 5 whole meters longer. Most teams could easily cope with such standardization, but like a local bar which has always shortchanged the patron by serving beer in 10oz glasses that look like 12oz glasses they are all but falling apart.
This extra space has prompted some of them to declare that they are now going to have their horrible away form replicated at home. That relegation is certain. And their chieftain is already asking which of their “star” players are going to be sold. Some are trying to put a brave face on the change and declare that there will be more room for their “wingers” but they all know that to have true wingers, a team must actually, you know, pass the ball and not simply hoof it.
Oh and do they hoof it ever! In their first game away at Reading, Stoke won 46 aerial duels. And before you think that meant the team was under constant assault from Reading, only 24 of those aerial duels were won by defenders. Stoke’s keeper, Asmir Begovich, made 19 passes in that game, 9 of which were long balls.
Meanwhile, Stoke haven’t lost their clattering edge. Receiving three yellow cards and a red card in their very first game of the season. I’m sure that they will be back in for more “hard hitting action” egged on as they usually are by the crowd. Referee Lee Mason will have his work cut out for him and fourth official Howard Webb is sure to get an earful from Arsene Wenger. Lee Mason is the referee who called Arsenal’s 1-0 away win over Everton and yet missed this clear penalty for Arsenal when Drenthe took out Rosicky.
But as TP (Tony Pulis, he likes to put “TP” on his chest for match days, I think it’s a good luck thing) would say “Referees will make good decisions and bad ones but when they make decisions actually affecting a game of football, it’s disappointing.” So, I’m not expecting a hyperactive whistle from Lee Mason.
For Arsenal’s part fans are feeling it in the arm a bit after losing out on Nuri Sahin, but it was always unlikely that he would feature today anyway. Wenger was very blunt about the whole Sahin deal stating that the club didn’t really miss out, Liverpool paid foolish money for the kid and that if we had really wanted him, he would be an Arsenal player. As much as I understand this from a logical standpoint, the club can’t compete with Liverpool if they want to spend Pounds 35m on a player like Andy Carroll or irrational sums on Sahin, the emotional part of me feels like we missed out. I guess we’ll have to track his progress over the season and see if the club truly missed out on something.
Wenger, though, was optimistic and has earmarked ArtetaDiabyWilshere to take over the Sahin role. By which I mean “most defensive midfielder on a not at all defensively orientated team”. Diaby will get the nod tomorrow, should he be fit (TOUCHING WOOD) and his size will be handy on Stoke’s one or two set pieces that manage to steal. Key stats to watch for Diaby are the number of dribbles he attempts versus the number of times he is dispossessed. It would be refreshing to see him move the ball quickly but as I have said it’s a feature of our inexperienced midfielders that they all like to hang on to the ball too much. Ball dawdlers the lot of them.
Arteta will also be floating back in to that defensive midfield role and the key for both he and Diaby is not conceding cheap fouls in the Arsenal area. Stoke, for all their bluff and bluster about being big strong Englishmun, go down under a challenge quicker than almost any team in the Premier League. They have to, their entire game is predicated on drawing fouls in the opposition’s area (or really drawing a foul anywhere) so that one of their shit-kickers can lump it up to Peter Crouch or Ryan Shawcross or, hell anyone. Keep the ball in the air, is their mantra.
Arsenal, under the watchful eye of Steve Bould — who used to play for Stoke, it should be noted — have been working on set play defense and offense this summer so I expect that the team will be a little tighter at the back. I would love to see the paces that he’s put the boys through this week.
Up front I would love to see Olivier Giroud get the start and Podolski get moved to the left. I know that against a team like Stoke who will park the caravan you typically want to have at least one player who can beat his man on the dribble in a wide area and cause the opposition defense to lose their shape but I would use Arshavin to do that on the right and give Arsenal two targets up front. Cazorla can float in behind Podolski on the left and be that dribbler if need be. Yes, I know I’m describing a 4-4-2 with Cazorla on the left wing. Gah, I’m a muppet, we know Arsene won’t do that. Still, I don’t expect Arsene to start Gerv, Poldi and Theo again after such public criticism.
And finally, you will notice that in 1000 words I never once mentioned any of Stoke’s past barbarism. The crowd at the Brit will not be nearly as kind. I’m sure that if anyone steps on the pitch that they don’t feel apologized enough for having their body maimed or if they just don’t like them because they’re not from some magical catchment area the clowns in the stands will let them know in their own wonderful way. Meh, fuck em, the best answer is to beat their team on their home soil and to do it with dignity.
Tomorrow there will be no blog, you can see my By the Numbers piece on Arseblog News and I will be commenting here and on twitter. Let’s hope to see an incident free game, with wonderful free flowing football, and muted throw-ins owing to the two-extra meters on each side of the pitch.
Baring that, any old Arsenal win would be welcome.
I’m just going to nit pick – feel free to delete this comment – but if their field is 4 meters wider, that’s 4 square meter for each 1 meter of (now 5 meters longer) length, and if their field is 5 meters longer, that’s 1 square meter for each 1 meter of their (now 4 meters wider) width. So, it should be considerably more than 20 square meters of expansion.
True. If x is original pitch length, and y is original pitch width, the area is xy square meters. Adding 5 to x and 4 to y, the new area would be the original area plus 20 square meters PLUS (5*whatever y was) square meters PLUS (4*whatever x was). If the article is edited, Tim’s the stats man, I’m sure he’ll know where to find hid x and y.
And my apologies for this, to anyone who gets a headache after reading.
I think it’s 740 sq.m. bigger.
Significantly bigger than +20.
Wider can work to their disadvantage too.
We must set up to maximise the width and use our wingers to stretch them in the middle/exploit the space.
One of Gervinho or Walcott out wide (if not both) but I also think Giroud must start in the middle as a physical presence. If the wide man pull Stoke wide and out of shape, it’ll give room for the oncoming Diaby and Cazola to exploit through the middle.
One other thing. Perhaps Stoke might consider making the goals wider commensurate with the pitch…it’ll help our ‘French’ ex-Ligue one strikers tremendously (Chamakh, Giroud, Gervinho):D
I’d expect Giroud to start and think we’ll see Andre Santos on the left wing.
A quick dig show that the Stoke pitch is now 105m x 68m instead of 100m x 64m which is 11.5% bigger and in particular adds 2 or so metres to the throw length of Stokes main weapon. It can only be a good thing to have a bigger pitch.
I’d agree Tim’s usually hot on numbers so if the article hadn’t been classic Tim I’d be worried his brain had been stolen.
I went to a wedding last night and consequently have a hangover bigger than King Kong’s first dump of the day.
earmarked ArtetaDiabyWilshere to take over the Sahin role
===
…and the Song role, apparently.
It’s difficult not to respond emotionally to this, but, you’re right, Sahin could be a flop at Liverpool. But I doubt it. The kid is massively talented, and I’d be very surprised indeed if he isn’t their standout player this season.
I’d feel slightly less frustrated if we had plans to actually replace Song with someone of equal or better quality, but I’m starting to worry that we’re doing our classic internal candidate thing. It worked out so well for Denilson, didn’t it?
The fact is, we’ve lost a very good central midfielder, and Wenger now believes that Wilshere, Diaby, and Coquelin will make the step up. Firstly, I don’t expect Wilshere to be back to his best until next season; secondly, Diaby is Diaby; and thirdly, Coquelin is really untested in terms of consistent performance in the Premier League.
Very frustrated today. I’m going to draw a bath and imbibe a vial of laudanum.
MVila, Capoue, Biglia.
If he knew we already had the capbility Sahin could deliver in midfield, then he should have just gone for one of these guys early in the summer.
Maybe he has some sort of top quality signing none of us has even had a chance to whiff at yet.;)
Stoke is exactly the sort of game that we could do with Song’s presence.
No point Wenger obfuscating the issue. I hope he is at least partially right that Arteta and Diaby can handle the pressure tomorrow.
COYG!
Can’t remember where I read it, but one blogger talked about how Stoke represented some of the variety and interest of the EPL, and that other managers had taken to unique kinds of tactics to stifle Stoke’s unique “style” of play, for example, hounding the goal-keeper whenever he holds the ball so he can’t punt it a long way, or filling the box on throw-ins, or the like.
It’ll be interesting to see if Arsenal take any different steps to counter Stoke’s long-ball offense.
Double mark every Stoke man seemed to be the approach.
Just to re-cap our possible 25 man squad this season :
1)Strikers X (7) – Giroud, Pdolski, (Chamakh), Santi, Gervinho, Walcott, Ox
If Chamakh is sold on, there should be room for a third CF. Walcott will likely sign but if not, (maybe someone like) Affelay might still be available.
2) Midfield X (7) – Ramsey, Rosicky, Jack, Arteta, Diaby, Coquelin, (Frimpong)
Frimpong should go on loan. There should be one more slot prefrably for someone who can provide us some durable muscle in midfield.
3) Defenders X (8) – Sagna, Jenks, Gibbs, (Santos), TV, Per, Koscielny, Djourou
Santos needs an eye on with his court case. Also Jenkinson whilst promising is not the real deal at the moment. So preferably someone in (on loan?) who can cover both flanks.
4) Keepers X (3) – Usual suspects
+ Arsharvin, Bendtner, Park likely to leave.
Ox, Jack, Coquelin, Frimpong and Jenkinson don’t have to be registered. However, without them, we only have 6 Homegrown players (Szczesny, Mannone, Gibbs, Djourou, Ramsey and Walcott), so can only register 23 players.
Mystical. Thanks Tim. Maybe you have to say his name 3 times like beetlejuice for him to show.
Meh, its better if he doesnt.
3 points please
Looking forward to getting up at 4 am to get to 5:30 am kickoff at Maggie McGarry’s. Looking forward to victory at Stoke. Looking forward to tasting a bit of Orc blood. Come on Arsenal!
I am going to create a solution of my own blood, my own sexual discharge, and my own saliva, mix it with 7-up, shake that shit about, and then distribute it about the establishment, to impart, without words, what it means to support this club, if we run out of solution, we still will have discharge, have eaten plenty of steak.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/aug/25/olivier-giroud-arsenal
The Amy Lawrence interview.
http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/football/909753-vito-mannone-will-make-shock-start-at-stoke-as-arsenal-suffer-injury-crisis
*sigh* Me and my big mouth…
Of topic, but after what happened in Manchester yesterday, I’m begining to wonder if RvP isn’t some sort of injury jinx. Perhaps his departure is what led to the sudden shortening of Jack the Lad’s expected time in the treatment room?
Off topic, but after what happened in Manchester yesterday, I’m begining to wonder if RvP isn’t some sort of injury jinx. Perhaps his departure is what led to the sudden shortening of Jack the Lad’s expected time in the treatment room?
I don’t recall one pass from Jenkinson to Gervinho. We need to be using our width more especially on that right side. That’s a problem so far.
Poldoski is showing me something with his runs at the defense. We haven’t seen that since Henry in his prime.
Still awaiting our first goal.
I feel that one of our three new signing is bound to score a goal.
It is worrying after another 0-0 draw. All our strikers are either off-form or suffer from Chamakhitis, and there is no killer in the front line. We will have a lot of draws this season; and it is possible we won’t be able to win more than half of our games with strikers like these….and out of the CL…unless Podolski & Giroud improves quickly; otherwise we will be another Liverpool or Everton…
Give it time. Even Pires took time to show his true ability
Not sure why you’ve currently got -6 your quite right, whilst Jop is also right in the current season we don’t have time, if the new players don’t gel quickly enough we could be put of the CL places. In terms of being Liverpool or Everton, Aren’t Everton 2 from 2? and Liverpool should have beaten city yesterday. Anfield is a must win next week and I’m not certain where the goals will come from.
There’s something about this team that I am starting to like. The defending as a unit, only one clear non-offside Stoke chance at 88 minutes. Even Podolski tracks back when it’s needed. The rotation in the middle, with Cazorla dropping when he needs to, and getting a few tackles in I might add. Give Theo a run against Liverpool’s aged and meagre defence and I feel we may see this team click into gear.
Right with you, Jop. I was actually somewhat pleased with this performance. It was always going to take the front line time to gel, but the defense worked better than expected. All around effort and, more importantly, the mutual support shown was very good.
Well no goals again and a little disjointed in attack. I just hope by next week we’ve gelled sufficiently to punish Liverpool for the inevitable mistakes they will make.
We did defend very capably though. Perhaps our focus is too much on defending and we haven’t found the correct balance between attack and defense yet. I’m still reasonably encouraged by this team. I do think we need another option up front. Either someone 30+ years of age who can do a good job scoring about 10 goals, or maybe a younger, mobile forward/winger. We will add some creativity when Rosicky and Wilshere come back.
Wenger, uncharacteristically, seems quite open in naming defensive midfielder as the position we’re looking to strengthen in. Cabaye the latest mentioned. That would be a good signing I think, if we can pull it off. A Sahin-lite I guess. Or something like that..
DIsappointed we couldn’t get the win today but not discouraged. Onward and upward.
Tim read your “by the numbers”,
So Stoke are an even more “huth it long to Crouch” team this year. It seemed to me that was their only offensive strategy today.
And it looks like we already have a Sahin and his name is Mikel Arteta.
His contributions really fly under the radar.
We will score. Let’s see next week at anfield against a team that actually comes forward how we do. Should have more space.
Just hope our concentration of the defensive side of the ball isn’t holding back our push for goals. Draws are lost points too.
So every time Pulis is confronted about Stoke fans booing Aaron Ramsey, and no matter what there is no justification, he points about the abuse Shawcross gets. Did our away support boo Shawcross today? All of the commentators mentioned only Ramsey getting booed.
The team looks good. Everyone is playing their part in defense. The goals will come mark my words. 2 games and 2 clean sheets even with Mannone in goal. With 2 new strikers trying to find the net, we are fortunate not to have a defensive slip up. I’ll take this start in comparison to last season any day of the week.
What is very encouraging is that our opponents are having to hang on at the end which is a testament to our time of possession and fitness. When the first goal comes then it that will open teams up for more goals on the counter.
The sun will set today and rise tomorrow and with that certainty, I will guarantee that neither Cabaye nor Tiote will be an Arsenal player. Neither one can hold a candle to the players we have in the DM role, Arteta and Diaby.
http://www.sport360.com/article/wenger-rules-out-arsenal-move-newcastles-tiote?
One rumor shot down and the other name not even worthy of a mention.
Very well played by the defense today to protect Mannone the way they did, especially the BFG. Also liked how we doubled up on Crouch on the long throws. MF is working well with Arteta directing traffic. Goals will come once the new boys settle in.
The last two games show that the Emirates Cup should make a return. Can’t underestimate the importance of those pre season games to get the team ready.
Yeah, this was shitty preseason in terms of preparation all in the name of a buck. Despite getting players in early, they still had to take time off from the Euros before showing up for their abbreviated camp and introductions. You had 3 players doing a whirlwind cavort in Africa to boot. Never thought the mountains of Austria would be so missed.
Credit to the defensive effort throughout the team and to Mannone who rose to a difficult task. We’re close, but it’s all about improving in the space between the opponent’s lines.
Essentially, I’m worried less about our strikers than about the service they’re getting from the midfield. The combination of Giroud and Podolski should prove effective. Giroud is a natural CF, and looks comfortable between the CBs, pinning them back and showing he’s aggressive with his shooting. Poldi complements him well on the left (better than being alone upfront), where he plays for Germany. And it’s been evident he likes to drop deeper to collect the ball, which complements Giroud’s more direct style through the middle. The trouble is that there isn’t enough play from the midfield in that key area between the opponent’s lines.
As impressive as Cazorla has been, he, too, seems to prefer to create from deep rather than pushing between the lines. Arteta has this capability, but has clearly been curbing these attacking instincts to fill his new more defensive role in the midfield. We did create some chances when he pushed forward and into the holes. What we really need is for Diaby to step up his game and create in the space between the lines or for Wenger to upgrade the midfield (either a more defensive player to free up Arteta or another creative mid to replace Diaby).
Alternatively, playing the Ox on the right of a front three might be the solution (though I’m still uneasy about relying on him this early in his career). He has the capability to add the width that we get from Gervinho, but also can come inside to create and shoot in the key space in between the lines.
I’m in the depths of Somerset for a grand wedding. Three days since Friday of merriment to include a seven course meal and a fabulous ceremony. I made a bet with the other half I would not look at the internet so I’ve had no news of The Arsenal since Friday. Now I’m well pissed off we did Not beat The Orcs. We outplayed them. I expect a win at Liverpool and a battering of The Saints. The new boys always find their first goals against Southampton. Henry, DB10 plus others did it.
M’Villa to Spurs I’m reading. We show interest, they get recognition and go elsewhere for big money. Arsenal is helping the global footballing market singlehandedly. 5 days to sell and buy. We need a third Striker and Rosie and JW10 to return. Defense was solid and I’m liking Giroud. Arteta MOM. Sorry for spelling errors.
Modric has been confirmed for Real Madrid.
I guess that means the British anti-Arsenal media will not be doing their annual prediction that Sp**s will finish above us this season
Chelsea wanted Modric last season and had offered more than RM paid. Chelsea wins the CL and beats out Sp**s for the 4th spot and gets Eden Hazard who is making a bigger impact than Modric ever made for Sp***s.
Sp**s and RM will now form a partnership to share coaching methods and ‘best practices’.
A final post script to the Sahin escapade is that Wenger said if he wanted Sahin, he would have got him. Our MF looks pretty decent and that’s without Wilshere, Rosicky and Arshavin, Ox, and Ramsey coming off the bench. On the other hand if you’re Pool and you keep Downing, Henderson on the bench and have Adam up for sale then you’re willing to overpay for a bad loan deal with no buy back. Pool’s whole MF now rides on the health of Gerrard’s groins.