Yearly Archives: 2015

Arsenal injury crisis and who will play against Swansea?

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Well it finally happened. After a positive few weeks with some brilliant victories, Arsenal have crashed and not quite burned. Taking the Sheffield Wednesday defeat out of it, Arsenal have another crisis to deal with. And it is a familiar old enemy.  Injuries.

I have lost count now how many season’s have been wrecked by injuries. Some of it is unlucky. Much of it is having too many players with poor injury records. Most of the issues stem from the squad being too small, too lightweight, under resourced.

And here we once more sit, only in October, facing our first injury crisis of the season.

With 8 players out, we top physioroom.com’s league table. Again.

It is the usual suspects out injured once more, leaving us short on both central midfield and on the right wing.1

We just about have the centre of the park covered, with Coquelin, Cazorla, Ozil & Flamini available, but even then, we are just one injury from Glen Kamara being on the bench.

The worry for this weekend is the right side of midfield. 6 of the 8 injured have played on the wings in recent years. Alongside this, two of our fit midfielders (Ozil & Cazorla) could also cover there. But with the 7 outfield players that are injured, it leaves us dangerously short.

So what are our options?

Move Cazorla or Ozil, and play Flamini in the middle

Is Flamini good enough? Probably not. But it is the option that would keep the most experience in the side, and meaning that players are playing in positions they have played in before. My favourable one would be Ozil to go outwide and Cazorla to remain in the middle. The reasoning behind this is that we will need the attacking midfielder to drop deep, as neither Coquelin or Flamini are exactly great passers. Cazorla is superior to Ozil in doing this.

Also, Ozil is a little bit quicker than Cazorla, and more adept to playing on the wing.

We would lose some of our width, as Ozil will look to drop inside, however he would be interchangeable with Cazorla, and hopefully if he dropped inside, Cazorla would fill in outside.

An alternative is playing Calum Chambers central midfield alongside Coquelin.

Push a full back forward

On the right wing, we could start Debuchy at right back and push Bellerin forward. Hector Bellerin certainly has the pace to cause problems on the wing. And at worst, he would just need to get chalk on his boots. His pace is enough to cause a full back problems. It would give the side width. Giroud would be able to feed off his crosses and it would ensure the middle of the park remains strong. The big worry would then be Debuchy at right back. If Montero plays, he would rip Debuchy a new one.

Alternatively, we could play Gibbs on the left wing, with Sanchez moving across to the right. Monreal and Gibbs would be a bit more solid defensively than Debuchy & Monreal, but maybe not as good going forward. Gibbs ha splayed on the wing in his youth, and has often been used as a defensive substitute on that side of the park, and linked up well with Monreal. He can play there if needed.

Trust in youth

Joel Campbell (ok he is not young anymore) or Alex Iwobi could both play on the right wing providing cover. but both looked useless on Tuesday night.

Had Campbell put in a half decent performance, he would have got his opportunity. But he did not. same go’s for Iwobi.

Arsenal could look at trying to do a deal to recall Serge Gnabry, who Tony Pullis basically said will not start for WBA in the near future. It will not happen for this weekend, but Arsenal should explore the situation for forthcoming games.

Keenos

 

After last nights performance, is Arsenal Youth cupboard bare?

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Two blogs in two days. That is what having no sleep yesterday, and having shed loads of coffee today does to a man. Also having booked a day off work, it left not much else then to sit and contemplate yesterday’s performance.

In this mornings blog, I was heavily critical of the Arsenal youngsters that played. Iwobi, Kamara & Bennacer. All clearly out of their depth. Clearly not good enough.

Added to this, Arsenal have not exactly pulled up any trees in recent years in youth competitions, finishing bottom of the U18s last season and only 4 wins from 11 games (and to points off league leaders Chelsea), it is clear we have some issues. Although our U21s are currently played 5, won 5.

If Iwobi, Kamara & Bennacer are the best we have coming through, it is unlikely we will be developing the next Jack Wilshere any time some. It is just as likely that we will not be developing the next Emmanuel Frimpong either, by the standard set of those last night.

Saying that, this is only half the truth. When you actually dig down into Arsenal’s youth set up, including reading Jorge Bird’s Arsenal Youth site, it is perhaps easy to establish that Kamara, Iwobi & Bennacer are not the best youngesters coming through. And last night, the simple fact is, our best youth products were not available for selection.

Going through Arsenal’s loanees page and the aforementioned site by Jorge Bird, there is a list of 9 players all aged 20 or under, who did not play last night. All of whom have a brighter future than Kamara, Iwobi & Bennacer.

Hector Bellerin – I am sure had it not been for his progression into the first team which has seen him become, in my opinion, the best right back in the league, Bellerin would have played last night, and we would all be going on about his potential. Instead, he is the first name on the team sheet (actually, second as the goal keeper go’s first) and we talk about his ability now, rather than his potential. Still just 20.

Serge Gnabry – Kind of the forgotten man at Arsenal. He made is debut in the League Cup competition 3 years ago against Coventry in a 6-1 victory and the season after, looked to be making great strides, playing in 14 games in total, and getting a nomination for European Gold Boy. However, his 2014/15 never got up and running due to that Arsenal curse. Injury. This year, he finds himself off loan at WBA, where Tony Pullis recently said that Gnabry “just hasn’t been for me”. Whether it is Gnabry’s weakness at the breakdown, or because he is not the best scrummager, that has led to him being dropped by Pullis is not clear.

The lad is a clear talent. The effect of his injury has had on him we do not yet, and the year spent playing rugby for WBA will not help his development. But he is still just 20. That is 3 years younger than Joel Campbell and just a year older than Alex Iwobi. He is a stand out talent.

Next season, he will return to the Arsenal squad, probably taking Joel Campbell’s place, providing the back up on the wings for Sanchez, Oxlade-Chamberlain & Walcott.

Gedion Zelalem  – Alongside Gnabry, he is another youngster who made his debut a few years ago. After a few solid pre season tours, he found last year, like Gnabry, curtailed by injury. Now on loan at Rangers, he is still just 18. Incredible for a player who has been at the club for so long.

His current loan deal is set to expire at the end of the year, but so impressed with him, Rangers are looking to extend that until the end of the season.

Last night, he surely would have provided the side with the vision and passing it sorely missed?

Chuba Akpom – When we let go Benik Afobe – whom many still complain about – it had nothing to do with Yaya Sanogo, and everything to do with Chuba Akpom. Nearly 3 years young, Akpom had all ready taken over Afobe in terms of talent when he was just 18. With just 3 goals so far this year on loan at Hull, he still has someway to go to fulfill his potential that at one time, had Barcelona sniffing around. He might not make it at Arsenal, but he is better than anything on show last night (and better than Sanogo).

Dan Crowley – Last night, we failed to create anything. I can not remember a single clear cut chance. After Oxlade-Chamberlain went off, it left Flamini as our midfield creator. Still just 18, he is a pocket dynamo. His loan spell at Barnsley was today cut short, with the press reporting this as ‘failing to make an impact’. However, with a lack of midfield options, he might find himself back at Arsenal and with the first team. Think Jack Wilshere. Just not as good.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles – He of the very angry mother who last season was banned from the club after a bust up with club staff. If he was not any good, the club would have good rid after the issue – ala Jay Bothroyd – but they kept with him. He became the second youngest player to play for Arsenal in the Champions League last year against Galatasaray, where he played through the middle. Comfortable on the ball, he has power and pace and can pick out a path. Sadly, a loan deal with Ipswich stopped him playing. He has impressed their if you are wondering. And he is still just 18.

Isaac Hayden – At Hull alongside Akpom, the former U21 captain is still just 20. With 2 appearances to Arsenal to his name, the centre back / defensive midfielder would surely have been a better bet (and is a better prospect) than Glen Kamara.

Jon Toral – His future could well end up as being the answer to the quiz question “Which player joined Arsenal on the same day from Barcelona as club legend Hector Bellerin?” But for now, he is simply still a prospect. His career has not taken off as much as Bellerin, but he is a good player. He scored his first senior hat trick for Brentford last year during a loan spell. Currently at Birmingham, he is perhaps another who, whilst might not have a long term future at Arsenal, is certainly better than those who started last night.

Jeff Reine-Adelaide – Up until now, everyone we have discussed has been out on loan. Jeff is different. He is currently playing for France in the FIFA U17 World Cup. Just 17, he was this summers player that Arsenal fan’s over hyped after a few good performances in pre season.

I am sure we would have seen him in this year’s League Cup had it not been for drawing Spurs in the 3rd round, and him being away yesterday on International duty. If you want to see what we missed, he plays tomorrow for France against Costa Rica. I know nothing about him, but YouTube makes him look good.

Also currently at the tournament are 17 year old fowards Kaylen Hinds, Chris Willock & Stephy Mavididi, all of whom are their representing England. Add in the likes of Bielek (17), Dragomir (16), Bola (17), Fortune (16) & Nelson (15), all of whom this years League Cup was perhaps a year or two too early for their development (maybe Bennacer falls into this as well, he is, after all, just 17), we do have some decent youngsters at the club.

 

Last night was not a good example of the youngsters we have at the club. Due to different reasons, many of our top prospects were not available last night, leaving the likes of Kamara, Iwobi & Bennacer to be the best of the rest. All 3 would struggle to make an Arsenal U21 side. A side which, had it played last night, would probably have gone through to the next round of the League Cup.

Arsenal U21 side:

Masey
Bellerin Chambers Hayden Bola
Zalelem Crowley
Gnabry Jeff Naitland-Miles
Akpom

Bench: Huddart, Moore, Bielek, Toral, Willock, Hinds, Mavididi

Keenos

Sheffield Wednesday v Arsenal – Did anyone come out with any credit?

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Wow. After nearly 24 hours awake, a 380 mile round journey, seeing us going cross-country twice due to diversions on the A1 and getting home at nearly 3am, the confusion is still within as to how we lost that game.

It was just not good enough. The senior players did not look up for it, and were let down by the younger pro’s who were clearly not up for it. The younger players proved that they were not Arsenal quality, but also let down by the senior pro’s who failed to guide them through the game.

Did anyone get out of the game with any credit?

Petr Cech – 4 shots on target. 3 conceded. Not stats to be proud of. I think he could have done more with the first. He looked flat footed. Was he entirely up for the game? Was the adrenaline pumping? In the Premier League, I think he would save that. The other two, he could not have done any more. I really do not understand why he played?

Mathieu Debuchy – Debuchy has now played 3 games this season. 2 defeats and one win. And even in that win, against Spurs in the League Cup, he was the worst player on the field. Clearly lacking match sharpness, but he is also playing like a player who knows his Arsenal career is over and his international career in jeopardy. He came to us as France’s number 1 right back, he was not called up for the last squad. With Jenkinson doing well at West Ham, I would not be surprised if this was Debucy’s last game in an Arsenal shirt. Jenko return to compete with Hector Bellerin, he will be out on his ear. Was at fault for the first, and offered nothing defensively or going forward.

Calum Chambers – When your team concede from two set pieces, you have to question the centre backs. Per Mertesacker did not do a good job of marshalling his troops (more later), but Chambers once again looked like a rabbit in the headlights. He has gone backwards in the last 12 months. It is nearly a year to the day since he was destroyed against Montero of Swansea. He needs games. He is still just 20. Look at John Stones, the progress he is making. A January loan move (with an option to recall) would do him the world of good.

Per Mertesacker – The senior player on the pitch. The captain. The 100 cap world cup winning international. And he failed to organise the side. You get this with Per sometimes. He will be excellent for a run of games, then through in a pony performance where he looks like Bambi. Last night was one of those. I guess the only thing to be grateful for is that he has chucked in a pony performance in the League Cup, and not in the last few games previous. He let his side down.

Kieran Gibbs – Another senior pro who let his team down. Gibbs is now 26. And yet he still often plays with the timidness of a 20 year old. He offered little in defence, and not much going forward. It did not help his cause that infront of him was a player he had probably only spent a few hours training with previous, meaning his one twos down the line werenot on the same wave length, but it was a piss poor performance and he looked half the play of Nacho Monreal. His career is not at a cross roads.

Mathieu Flamini – I actually felt sorry for Flamini. He is a midfielder destroyed. An engine. And last night, due to injuries and lack of option, he had to become the midfield playmaker with two kids ahead of him. Not an ideal situation. Saying that, he should be good enough to move into that roll against a side such as Sheffield Wednesday, and the fact he was unable to step up shows he is not Arsenal quality. Most wanted him gone in the summer. 2 goals against Spurs hid the fact that he is simple not good enough. Worryingly, due to injuries, he will probably start on Saturday against Swansea.

Glen Kamara – I am always reluctant about criticising kids. It is not far on them. Not fair to destroy their confidence, not fair to attempt to destroy their career before it has even started. And not fair to judge them on one game. But Kamara is 20 (today. Happy Birthday). He will never play for Arsenal again. He perhaps shows how bad of a shape our youth set up is in (they do not play in the top Division remember), if he is the best we have to offer. A competition which saw the likes of Fabregas and Wilshere break through, has probably also seen one of the worst players in recent times pull on an Arsenal shirt.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – He could have made the difference last night. We struggled due to the 3 behind Olivier Giroud not being good enough. Last night was set up for him to dictate the game. To go off after 5 minutes was disappointing. And the disappointment was etched over his face. With Aaron Ramsey out, this was his chance, but he now see;s another spell on the sidelines, and his Arsenal career might be running out of time.

Joel Campbell – I laugh to myself every time I think of “Get out whilst you can Joel” and people rating him highly and saying it is a disgrace that he has not played more. He is just not Arsenal quality. A few lunging tackles aside, he did nothing. Again. This was his 4th game of the season. It has produced 3 defeats. We should have sold him after the World Cup 16 months ago. At 23 and having played over 100 games of top flight football in France, Spain & Greece, he was one of the senior players last night. And he failed to step up to the plate.

Alex Iwobi – Like Kamara, I do not want to be too harsh. But like Kamara, he showed he is not of the quality Arsenal need. 19 years old, he has looked good on youtube. But the fact is, at the same age, the likes of Jermaine Pennant, Ryan Smith & Jay Simpson were better. And where are they now? Like Kamara, he is a poor reflection on a poor youth set up. Something that needs to be addressed.

Olivier Giroud – He played like he did not want to be there. In his mind were Ozil, Sanchez, Cazorla, Coquelin & Bellerin, sitting in their in a jacuzzi, eating pizza. He was on the field on a cold wet Tuesday night in Sheffield. And he could not do it.He is not a game changer on his own. He relies on those around him to create the chances. And last night, those around him were not good enough, and that translated through to his performance. Most dissapointing was when he barracked young Iwobi for delvering a poor cross. Rather than encourage the yougnesters, he looked down at them, letting them know they were not good enough.

Theo Walcott – Had he failed to warm up properly? Would he have made a difference when he came on for Oxlade-Chamberlain? Who knows. On the pitch for 15 minutes. Get’s injured. The worry is how long he is out for, not how he performed last night.

Ismael Bennacer – A summer signing from France. Another kid who showed he is not yet good enough to step up. Let’s be honest. Before last night. None of us knew who he was (same as Kamara), and in 5 years time, none of us will remember who he was.

Krystian Bielik – The only youngster to come out with any credit. Looked tidy on the ball and battled well. On the flip side, by the time he came on with 30 minutes to go, the game was over and Arsenal were simply passing the ball from side to side. disappointed he did not get the start ahead of Kamara.

Arsene Wenger – Did he get it wrong? The starting 11 was what most of us called for, bar Glen Kamara. So not in the 11. The team was clearly demotivated. That is an issue all Wenger sides have had in the last 10 years when playing weaker sides. And you could argue the bench was too weak with only Walcott and Monreal as senior players. But then what are the odds that you lose two senior attacking players in the first 15 minutes? We will only see over the next 10 days if leaving Czorla, Coquelin, Sanchez & Ozil at home was the right thing to do. Beat Swansea, Mnich & Spurs and this defeat will look like a sacrifice well made. Lose, and we will be questioning why he has given up a chance of another trip to Wembley.

You could question his substitutions, After Walcott went down, could he have put on Monreal, pushing Gibbs onto the wing? Or bought on Gabriel, pushing Chambers to right back and Debuchy on the wing? Possibly. But having seen senior players pick up injuries, he bottled it.

 

A poor performance. the senior players need to look at themselves, and Arsenal’s youth academy is clearly not producing. But then we knew that already.

For those who went, get some coffee down your neck and have a good day. Some of you probably have a weekender in Swansea coming up, followed by a Monday flight to Munich. We are glutens for punishment.

Finally, well played to Sheffield Wednesday. You did us good and proper.

Keenos