Tag Archives: She Wore A Yellow Ribbon

Who will be Arsenal’s number 2 next year?

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Who will be Arsenal’s number 2 next year?

In an ideal world, playing Football Manager on my lap top, I would have signed Jordan Pickford this summer.

The deal would have been easy. With Petr Cech coming to the end of his career, Pickford would have come in as Arsenal’s number two. With Arsenal in the Europa League, Pickford would have got all the cup games. League Cup and Europa League games in the first half of the year. Europa League and FA Cup in the second half.

This would amount to around 20 games depending on our progress in the 3 competitions. All a while giving Pickford the chance to train alongside a goal keeping legend, and Arsenal a close up opportunity to judge whether Pickford really is a future superstar.

After the 1st year, Cech would then be put down and Pickford, if he has shown he can deal with the extra scrutiny and expectations at a top club, would step up to be Arsenal’s number one for the next 10 years.

In joining Everton, Pickford has actually made a good decision. Rather than be a number two at Arsenal, Manchester United or Chelsea, he has joined a lesser team where he will go straight in as number one. With Joe Hart out of form and Jack Butland still not 100% after his long term injury, Pickford is giving himself the best outside chance to be England Number 1 at the World Cup in 2018.

At the very least, as long as he stays injury free, you would expect him to leap over Tom Heaton and Fraser Forster and be on the plane to Russia.

A couple of decent years for Everton, the top clubs will then be knocking on his door offering him the chance of the Number 1 jersey.

The price of £30m might be excessive, but Everton might have just signed their goal keeper for the next 10 years – that then works out at £3m a year. Or if he performs well and in 2 years joins Manchester City, Manchester United or Chelsea as their new number 1, you have to think they would be willing to pay £50m – especially considering the way transfer prices are inflating each year.

With Pickford off the table, this removes one potential option for a future understudy for Petr Cech.

Current number 2, David Ospina, is surely finally going to leave this summer? How long can a class keeper, and regular for his country, stay as number 2, playing a a dozen or so games a year?

It is clear Arsene Wenger does not think he is good enough to be number 1 in the Premier League, so he will surely be shipped out. Long term interest from Fenerbache might finally turn into a transfer.

We then have Wojciech Szczesny.

Many fans have looked at the stats and decided Szczesny was the best keeper in Italy last year, when he was on loan to Roma. They see Juventus looking to make a £14m offer for his services as the eventual replacement for Gianluigi Buffon. “If he is good enough to replace the greatest of all time, why is he not good enough for Arsenal” a friend asked me yesterday.

A valid question, and my response was reasonable. “He has had enough chances at Arsenal.”

Whilst Szczesny’s natural ability has never been in question, what is between his ears has been.

A tendency to lose concentration that led to mistakes that cost goals, and a few attitude issues, saw Szczesny lose his place in the Arsenal first team on more than one occasion. Things came to a head in January when Szczesny made errors leading to both goals in Arsenal’s 2–0 defeat at Southampton. His response was to go to the showers for a smoke, and he was dropped for the rest of the season.

Sent on loan to Italy, he has matured in the 2 years he has been at Roma, but old habits die hard. He was dropped in 2016 after once again being caught smoking following a 6-1 defeat to Barcelona. And whilst he often made match winning saves, the mistakes have not been eradicated from his game.

For me, if we still planned for him to be number 1, he should have been bought back from loan last season, number 2 for Arsenal in 2016/17 and then moved to 1st choice this season.

With a year left on his contract, Arsenal will do well to cash in on him.

That then leaves us with Emiliano Martinez.

The giant Argentinean looked OK in his very small handful of games this season. But has he really shown enough to be number 2 next season.

Let me switch the question around. If Petr Cech picked up a season long injury on 1st September 2017, would you be happy with Martinez coming in for the remainder of the season? Or until January 1st? The answer is probably no.

He might be a decent 3rd choice keeper. But he has simply not shown enough that he can be Cech’s back up. And with Arsenal also needing to search for a new first choice keeper over the next 12 months, Martinez is simply not good enough.

He would be worth keeping around for as long as he wants to be 3rd choice, but, like Vito Mannone before him, he will never be more than that at Arsenal.

That leaves Arsenal in an awkward situation. We need to go out and find a 2nd choice keeper who is happy being an understudy to Petr Cech. Happy with the Europa League games. But is good enough to replace Cech if he picks up an injury. In an ideal world, it would be someone under 25 who could then replace Cech in a years time.

When you look at the top 6’s current Number 2, you see the calibre of goal keeper we need to target (based on 2016/17):

Chelsea: Asmir Begovic
Tottenham: Michel Vorm
Manchester City: Willy Caballero
Liverpool: Loris Karius
Arsenal: David Ospina
Manchester United: Sergio Romero
Everton: Joel Robles

All 7 have been regular number for top flight sides in England, Spain, Germany or France. 4 of the 7 have played for their country, 3 of which have been their countries undisputed number 1 at some point in their career.

It will not be easy finding a number two.

Would the likes of Joe Hart, Fraser Forster or Jack Butland be happy putting their World Cup place at risk? Probably not. Maybe Arsenal could go another route and encourage the now-surplus-to-requirements Maarten Stekelenburg to finish his career as number 2 at Arsenal? Not one for the future but certainly good enough to deputise for Cech. Adrian at West Ham could be a similar senior option if they sign Joe Hart.

Could Arsenal make a move for AC Milan youngster Gianluigi Donnarumma? He certainly has the talent the be a future number one and at just 18 might be willing to spend a year behind Petr Cech to continue learning his trade. Although to go from AC Milan number 1 to arsenal number 2 might take some encouraging. With a year left on his current Milan deal, it is a move Arsenal could make.

Another young Italian is Simone Scuffet at Udinese. At 21 he is older than Donnarumma, but less experienced. Another who could be future number 1, but is he currently good enough to take over from Cech were Cech to get injured? Possibly not.

A final option (well not the final option, but the last name I am going to mention) is Germany’s Timo Horn. At 24 he has a big future ahead of him, and has already totted up over 150 games for Koln. At the 2016 Olympics, he was Germany’s starting goal keeper.

He has been compared in his career to Liverpool’s Loris Karius – who had a rough 1st year in the North-West. But he would be coming in for a year to play 2nd fiddle to Cech, rather than Karius who came in as number one

There are plenty of other options for Arsenal this summer, and it will be an interesting one to watch unfold and see what route Wenger takes us down.

Keenos

 

What does the future hold for 3 Arsenal stars?

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Aaron Ramsey

Has anyone had such an up and down career as Aaron Ramsey?

He is now 26 and been at Arsenal and next season will be his tenth at Arsenal. His career has certainly been one of peaks and troughs.

Breaking through on the scene back in 2008 having signed for Arsenal a goal against Fenerbache saw him become the fifth youngest goal scorer in Champions League history. In that game, his overall performance was exceptional. A ball with the outside of his foot especially sticks in the mind.

The next season saw him continue to grow, becoming a first team regular at just 19, leading many to declare him as a future Arsenal captain. That season was cruelly cut short in February 2010 when Ryan Shawcross through himself recklessly into a challenge, breaking Ramsey’s leg into 3.

A slow period of rehabilitation in 2010/11 saw him loaned out to Nottingham Forest and Cardiff. Whilst he was out, Arsenal saw one of their own break through in Jack Wilshire. The teenage Englishman putting in performances that defied his age.

Upon Ramsey’s return in 2011/12, the injury had clearly affected him as he had a fairly poor season. It was made to seem even worse after Wilshere’s excellent season previously. With Wilshere now out, the spotlight was back on Ramsey. And he shrinked.

2011 did have a high for Ramsey. Despite his poor season for Arsenal, he was names Wales captain. He was just 20 years 90 days. He finished the year staring for Team GB at the London 2012 Olympics.

The next year saw his form continue to stagnate. With Wilshere returning, Ramsey looked well behind his English counterpart. Poor form led him to lose the Wales captaincy as new manager – Chris Coleman – went for the experience “Welshman” Ashley Williams.

The 2nd half of 2012/13 saw him put in solid performances defensively. His work rate was becoming a key asset, but he continually let himself down when it came to passing, and he simply did not score enough.

Then he had a high. The first half of 2013/14 saw him in exceptional form with 8 goals in the 1st 9 games. He continued this good form until December, when a familiar enemy to Ramsey reared its ugly head once more. Injury. This would rule him out until April.

Ramsey played just 7 games in the 2nd half of the season, but he finished it on one of the most ridiculous highs, scoring the winning goal in the FA Cup Final.

Since the high, Ramsey has had 3 tough years.

Often in and out of the team with injury, his form average, his decision making poor. It has lead to many fans getting on his back, often far too quickly.

A poor season in 2016 saw him go to the Euro’s in France and show that he was one of the best midfielders in Europe. But then once more, he got injured, ruling him out for 3 months.

His return from injury, he looked slow, off the pace, shot. Unable to score, unable to pass, unable to tackle. Was Aaron Ramsey’s time at Arsenal coming to an end?

The back end of 2016/17 saw him regain some form. In the new 3-4-3 formation, he was able to get forward more, get in the opponents box where he excels with his late runs. He once more looked a threat. And in the last game of 2016/17, another year interrupted with injury, he scored another FA Cup Final winner.

Last night for Wales against Serbia Ramsey showed what a good player he can be when he plays unrestricted, relaxed. Not trying too much, keeping it simple, running the game. He was easily the best player on the field – now before you say it was only Serbia, look at their line up: Matic, Ivanovic, Tadic, Kolarov, Mitrovic & Nastasic.

The thing for Ramsey now is he turned 27 in December. He is at the peak of his powers. This season is perhaps the most important of his career. He could still become Arsenal captain. Be a key player in the middle of the park in Islington for the next 5 years.

But he needs less troughs and more peaks. He needs to stay fit. He needs some consistency.

Laurent Koscielny

“I have a contract with Arsenal, I even signed an extension last November until 2020,” Koscielny said.

“I feel very good over there.

“I have always said that I was a Marseille fan when I was younger. When a mythical club like Marseille contact you, it is good. But will I sign for them? I have no idea at all.”

That was Koscielny’s response to a question on an appearance on Telefoot when he was asked whether he would consider a move to the newly-monied Marseille.

Now it is clear to me that he is made it clear that he is committed to Arsenal. But there will be some journalists out there who, chasing the hits and advertising revenue, will focus on the 2nd half of his quotes. That he is a Marseille fan and he thinks it is good that he has been linked with them.

My theory is simple. With a contract through to 2020, Koscielny will set out this deal with Arsenal. Come 2020, and after the Euro’s, he will be 34 and join his boyhood club on a free transfer.

At that point he would have spent 10 or so years at Arsenal, been a loyal servant to the club, but be no longer guaranteed a place in the first XI. He will return to France to see out his career at his boyhood club in an easier league. And good luck to him.

In the short term, Koscielny is going no where.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Rumours are circulating that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will sign a new contract. Hopefully leading the way for Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil to also stay at the club long term.

What is becoming key for Oxlade-Chamberlain is his versatility. Currently pencilled in at right wing back, the fact that he can play left wing back, and on the wings highlights how important he is for Arsenal’s squad depth.

There is also a possibility that if Sanchez or Ozil does go, he might end up playing further up the field, behind a striker.

Like Ramsey, he has had a turbulent career at Arsenal. And like Ramsey, a lot of that is to do with injury.

If he stays fit, stays consistent, he might finally fulfil his potential.

 

Have a good week all!

Keenos

Serge Gnabry joins Bayern Munich – Why did Arsenal let him leave?

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Former Arsenal youngster Serge Gnabry has joined Bayern Munich, and valid points are being made by many Arsenal fans.

Just why did we let him go? Why have we not re-signed him? Is this Arsene Wenger’s Pogba moment? Well to have a proper discussion on the matter, we need to look at the full picture.

Why did Serge Gnabry leave Arsenal?

The key question in the Segre Gnabry scenario is just why did Arsenal let him join Werder Bremen? For your answer, you have to roll back not to last summer when he left The Gunners, but to 2014.

March 2014, Gnabry picked up a knee injury against, ironically, Bayern Munich. Arsenal took their time rehabilitating the then 18 year old. The injury ruled him out for pretty much an entire year as the clubs medical staff rebuilt his knee.

That meant 2014/15 was a write off for the youngster. It was supposed to be his break through season. Instead he spent it in rehabilitation. Ensuring that the knee injury would not plague him throughout his career.

By the time 2015/16 came around, Gnabry was fit and ready to go, but he lacked match practise. He needed game time. So a decision was made to loan him out to WBA for the season. He was just 20 so a year playing Premier League football for a mid table Premier League team would see him come back to Arsenal stronger, fitter, and ready to continue his career.

What followed was a year of frustration for Gnabry. For some reason, having bought Gnabry in on loan,Tony Pulis gave Gnabry just 12 minutes of Premier League football. The loan deal was a complete and utter failure.

Upon returning to Arsenal, Gnabry was in a position where he had played no football for 2 years, was coming up to his 21st birthday, and had a single year left on his contract.

Gnabry was offered a new deal but, having barely played for 2 years, he wanted assurances of first team football.

It was impossible for Arsene Wenger to guarantee first team football to Gnabry with him having Theo Walcott, Alexis Sanchez and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain ahead of him in the pecking order. Add in a returning Danny Welbeck and up and coming Alex Iwobi, Gnabry might not have even been guaranteed a place in the Arsenal 1st team squad.

Gnabry turned down the contract, and engineered a move back to Germany where Werder Bremen could provide him the 1st team football he desired.

You could not blame Gnabry for wanting 1st team football, and you could not blame Arsenal for not being able to give him what he wanted. The two parted ways in mutual consent.

Were Arsenal proved correct?

Last season Serge Gnabry scored 11 goals in 27 games for Werder Bremen. He also netted a hat trick on his debut for Germany – although this was against San Marino.

This hat trick had man Arsenal fans screaming about the mistake Wenger had made in letting Gnabry go.

But then let’s look closer to home.

Gnabry is a right winger. And whilst his return of 11 goals in 27 games was exceptional, Theo Walcott quietly netted 19 goals in 33 games.

Walcott is massively underrated at Arsenal. 19 in 33 last season. So whilst Arsenal fans were screaming at the error in letting Gnabry go, they were ignoring the fact that on the right side of Arsenal’s midfield, Theo Walcott was having an exceptional season, and outperforming Gnabry.

Of course, a case could be made that Gnabry could have played left wing ahead of Alex Iwobi.

Last season for Werder Bremen, Gnabry played througout the front 4 position. Left, right, behind the striker, up front. Doing that job at Arsenal was a man called Alexis Sanchez.

Anyone who sits there and claims Gnabry should have started ahead of Sanchez is an idiot.

The fact that Joel Campbell was also allowed to leave (on loan) and Lucas Perez played so little games, highlights just how little game time would have been available to Gnabry.

And we have not even spoken about Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Should Arsenal have re-signed Gnabry?

On paper, a deal should have been obvious. We reportedly had a first option clause inserted int he deal with Werder Bremen, enabling us to have an offer accepted by Bremen if we equalled what other teams have offered. Arsenal could have put in a bid for Gnabry in the last couple of weeks but it ignores the fact that:

a) Gnabry would have had to have agreed to join Arsenal
b) Arsenal would have had space for Gnabry

On the first, reports from Germany are that Gnabry himself engineered a move away from Werder Bremen.

Werder Bremen chairman Klaus Filbry has been highly critical of the young German

“I would have hoped for some more perseverance from Serge,” Filbry told Werderstube. “Maybe he opted for the easiest way. I think it’s a pity, but I wish him all the best.

“I was hoping that he could imagine a longer stay at Bremen – and the talks we had also suggested that was an option. But then he did not really get going again after his injury. Maybe that made him change his mind.

“The decision made by the coach [to drop Gnabry] were absolutely understandable. We were successful and won.”

It seems Gnabry had decided to leave to join Bayern Munich before Munich had even put in a bid for him. Had Arsenal also come in for him, Gnabry would probably have picked Bayern Munich.

We then have the fact that, like last summer, Arsenal do not have a place for Serge Gnabry.

In the new 3-4-3 formation we are playing, the likes of Theo Walcott and Alex Iwobi have seen their game time cut. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has had to recreate himself as a wing back. Gnabry would have struggled for game time at Arsenal, and would have found himself as an understudy to Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil.

Of course, had either Ozil or Sanchez left, Gnabry could have replaced them. But would you, as a ready and a fan, been happy with selling Sanchez and replacing him with Gnabry? No you wouldn’t be.

Since joint Weder Bremen, Gnabry has recently seen a recurrence of his injury issues, picking up both back, knee and muscular problems in the last 3 months.

Arsenal simply do not have space for Gnabry. We need to be buying better than what we have, Gnabry is not that.

But what then for the question of him not being good enough for Arsenal but being good enough for Bayern Munich.

Gnabry future at Byaern Munich

So Serge Gnabry, not good enough for Arsenal, not even good enough for WBA, now finds himself at the German champions. Surely that shows his class. The mistakes made by others?

The deal actually reminds me of when Chelsea bought Shaun Wright-Phillips from Manchester City for £21m.

At the time, Wright-Phillips was being heavily linked with Arsenal. In came Chelsea who overpaid for the Englishman, sticking him on a big money contract. He ended up as a massive flop, scored just 3 league goals, and was sold back to Manchester City just 3 seasons later.

Chelsea did not sign Wright-Phillips because they needed him, or because he was good enough for them, they signed him to stop an opponent getting him.

Bayern Munich have a record of doing similar in Germany.

Over the years they have signed countless players from other German sides to either weaken an opponent or to simply stop an opponent signing them.

Had Gnabry gone to Borussia Dortmund or RB Leipzeg, he would have improved both outfits. So Bayern Munich went in for the kill. They signed a player who is not as good as Arjen Robben, Frank Ribeiry, Douglas Costa or Kingsley Coman, purely to stop him going to an opponent.

With their pursuit of Alexis Sanchez, they have clearly not signed Serge Gnabry because they believe him to be good enough for them, but because they want to stop an opponent getting better.

If is fairly ironic that Gnabry did not signed a new contract at Arsenal due to a lack of 1st team football, to a year later join Bayern Munich where he will not get 1st team football.

 

I was disappointed when Serge Gnabry left Arsenal. I felt at the time we should have tried our best to keep him. I saw his talent, his ability.

It was a mistake letting him leave last summer, but it certainly was not a Sir Alex Ferguson / Paul Pogba error.

He could have been a good back up / competition to the wingers last year, and this year could have been good back up for Sanchez and Ozil. But he clearly did not want to be back up. He wanted 1st team football.

I wonder why, 12 months later when joining Bayern Munich, 1st team football is no longer as important to him?

Keenos