Tag Archives: Premier League

Ozil v Fellaini v Bale

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This summer, all but one member of last years top 5 (Manchester City) has signed a new attacking midfielder. With a dirth of top striking talent available, it seems that the top Premier League clubs decided to focus more on a creator, then a finisher.

Over at Real Madrid, the Spanish giants’ two biggest signings were also attacking midfielders, in Isco and Gareth Bale. Meanwhile they let go a striker, who they then failed to replace. It seems the future of football is all about who is behind the striker, providing him ammunition, and not the man who puts the ball in the back of the net. It is perhaps the first time in football history where the striker no longer commands the highest transfer fee, he is no longer the clubs highest paid player, and he certainly is not the clubs most important player.

A total of £127.6 million was spent by Arsenal, Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea on their new attacking midfielder. And then £85 million on Gareth Bale. But who got the best player?

Stats

Arsenal have clearly got a creative genius. Mesut Ozil is the most creative player in the world over the last 3 seasons. 72 assists in La Liga over the last 3 seasons is by far and away the best in Europe. Everton Manchester United have Fellaini, who, despite some claiming otherwise, is not a defensive midfielder and played behind the striker all of last season.

Fellaini’s goal statistic is massively inflated due to headers from corners. 6 of his 11 goals were from headers. You remove these and his goals per minute statistic go’s out to 556. He is simply not a danger.

Erik Lamela’s statistics come out very favourable. Especially when you compare him to Gareth Bale. He scores a decent amount, but does not get too many assists. Just like Bale. Basically, Tottenham have replaced Bale with a poorer version of him.

As for Willian. LOL. £32 million on a player who will not get anywhere near the Chelsea side next season. Why Chelsea have signed him whilst Juan Mata sits on the bench will be one of the greatest mysteries of all time. Unfortunately, due to him playing somewhere that no one really cares about, full statistics are not available.

Finally Gareth Bale.  £85 million. The 1st season he has scored over 10 league goals. He can not pass. He can not assist. It seems all he does is put his head down, run and shoot. Play ground footballer anyone? He will be exposed when he see’s half the ball at Real Madrid as he did at Tottenham last year.

So who do you think will perform the best next season?

Keenos

Mesut Ozil – Good, but not good enough

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So the transfer window is closed. We finally spent some money. A truly world class talent in Mesut Ozil  (I am not going to put the silly little dots about his name) has joined The Arsenal for a club record £42.4million, but I sit here this morning with a bitter sweet taste in my mouth – although that might be the rubbish ocffee I have just made myself.

Whilst the signing of Ozil is a brilliant one. A world class player, just entering his peak, there is a feeling that we could have, no we should have, done more. The beginning of the Scouts Motto is a vow that ‘I will always do my best.’ It is clear that no one at Arsenal was ever a scout, because we have not done our best.

With a reported £80million to spend in this transfer window, we have spent just £42.4million of that. Add in the sales of Gervinho and more, we have raised circa £10million and free’d up hundreds of thousands in wages. A net spend of a little over £30million means there is plenty left in the pot. After last summers transfer window, Ivan Gazidas came out and said:

‘We also kept some powder dry so we’ve got the ability to invest if our manager finds the right opportunities in January.’

We bought a left back.

Now before I spiral too far into the pit of negativity, I am pleased with the players we got in. Emiliano Viviano, whilst I have never seen him play, reads like a player who could challenge Sczcesny. The press reported it as Arsenal signing a Seria B goal keeper. But the truth is he is Italian number 2, and last year was Fiorentina’s number 1 goalkeeper when they just narrowely missed out on Champions League football. The only slight worry is he looks a little like Manuel Almunia! However, why have we loaned him? We are Arsenal Football Club. We should not be relying on loan deals. With the money we have, if Arsene Wenger thinks Viviano is good enough, let’s go buy him and then make a song and dance about buying one of the best Italian goalkeepers.

We then have our 2 free transfer. Flamini and Sanogo. We know what we are getting in Flamini. And he showed what he can give to the team in the second half against Spurs. Going against the grain, I am happy with our midfield starters. Wither Arteta/Ramsey/Wilshere as the 2 central midfielder, and Rosicky/Cazorla/Chamberlain and now Ozil for the attacking midfielder, I struggled to see why we would need to go out and spend a £25million on Fellaini. Or big on a Bender or Gundogan. So the signing of Flamini is smart. It has improved the squad, and you know what you are getting. You know he will settle and he is good enough for the Premier League. And, in theory anyway, coming in on a free should have left money to spend on other area’s of the side.

As for Sanogo. He is a giant of a man and will come good. In his early games, I have been impressed by his movement and work rate. The guy has talent, but it might take him a year or so to get fully up to speed with the Premier League.

And that is the frustration. We essentially sit here with 1 senior striker. Yes, Theo Walcott and Lukas Podolski can cover up there, but neither have been impressive when doing so. A bid for Demba Ba on the final day is not good enough. Especially when on loan. We still had another £40million to spend. Did we do our best to spend it? I think not. And in defence. Liverpool spent £25million early in the day on 2 talented young centrebacks. One of them the highly rates Sakho from PSG. Why were we not in for him? We had the money.

Yes, Mesut Ozil is a brilliant deal. One of the top 10 players in the world. And hopefully the signing of him will attract further players. But at the moment, it feels like I have been given a toy for Christmas with no batteries. And the shop’s do not open untill tomorrow. Except in this case the shop does not reopen until January. We failed to do our best. We are bad scouts.

Finally, how must Robin Van Persie be thinking this morning. Yes, he won the league title last year, but he left Arsenal to play with better players and win more. I said last year, Arsenal will win more trophies during Van Persie’s time at Old Trafford then Manchester United will. And now Van Persie looks around him and see’s Ashley Young, Michael Carrick, Tom Cleverely and Nani supplying him. Whilst at Arsenal there Cazorla and Ozil. The two most creative players in Europe. I wonder if he is starting to regret the move

Keenos

POLL: Arsenal B v Tottenham B – Who would win?

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OK, after this yesterdays article comparing the strongest line-ups of Arsenal and Tottenham, which, unsurprisingly, Arsenal came out on top, it seems most of the comments were about squad depth. That Tottenham’s was deeper and stronger. Although this is reminiscent to what Robbie Keane once said, and was proved wrong, I have decided to explore this. So who would win Arsenal B v Tottenham B?

Fabianski
Jenkinson Vermaelen Boateng Monreal
Diaby Flamini Rosicky
Ox Sanogo Podolski

Friedel
Naughton Kaboul Chiriches Assou-Ekotto
Eriksen Sandro Sigurosson
Townsend Defoe Chadli

So who would win?

Keenos

Ps: Only reason Eriksen is in the B team is because he had not signed before yesterdays article. He still is not better than The General though
PPs: If you want a laugh, read through the comments of yesterdays article. One deluded Spud claims Andros Townsend is better than Theo Walcott. Another says Lamela, who he has probably never seen play, is better then Cazorla. Another claiming that Dawson (4 caps) is superior to Mertersacker (91 caps). Delusion. A lot of it.