Tag Archives: Spurs

Spend / Net spend of top 7 clubs over last 5 years (2010-2014)

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During last season, I collated some data showing the total spend, and net spend of the top 7 clubs over the last 5 years. It provided a good insight into how each club was operating and seemed fairly popular. So I have updated it:

Net Spend

As with before, there are a few interesting trends:

1) In the last 5 years, City, Chelsea and Manchester United have a near identical net spend. So much for United fans’ claim that City and Chelsea ‘but the league.’

2) The move to the Emirates Stadium is starting to pay off for Arsenal, with an upward trend on spend over the last 4 years, showing that each year, we are freeing up more and more money.

3) Liverpool have spent a lot of money to win a single League Cup

4) Where did Everton find their money?

5) Spurs still need to sell to buy, even with the new TV deals. It further highlights why they need to move to increase income.

Keenos

Arsene Wenger’s 1000th game is not important

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Tomorrow is Arsene Wenger’s 1000th game at Arsenal. A remarkable achievement, especially in the modern game where, if you remove Arsene Wenger from the equation, the average tenure of a Premier League manager is a little over a year. Despite this acquirement, tomorrow, it being Wenger’s 1000th game is simply not important. Gaining 3 points is.

Tomorrow, we got to Chelsea, to face Mourinho’s Chelsea in a clash which will define our season. Much is made in the press about ‘most important game of the season’. I am usually of the opinion that the upcoming game, no matter the opponents, it our most important game of the season. Tomorrow, however, really is our most important game of the season.

The facts are simple, win and we are just 1 point behind Chelsea with a game in hand. Back in the title race. Lose, and we are 9 points behind, almost certainly out of the title race.

It is a famous statistic that Wenger has never beaten a Mourinho side. It is a statistic that has to change tomorrow. In fact, a lot of statistics need to be changed tomorrow. Arsenal have not beaten Chelsea in 5 games – the last being that 5-3 win at Stamford Bridge.

I remember back in the day, Arsenal held a hex over Chelsea. Between 1995 and 2004, Arsenal did not lose to Chelsea in the league. Then along came Roman Abramovic.

Since Roman Abramovic took over at Chelsea, parking “his tank in our front garden and it’s firing £50 notes” there has been a complete change around in results between the two teams. Arsenal might have won the first 3 meetings between themselves and ‘New Chelsea’ but things took a huge shift in the 2004 Champions League tie. Since Chelsea knocked Arsenal out of the Champions League, the record between the two clubs reads:

Arsenal: 4
Draw: 6
Chelsea: 13

This includes a 10 game Chelsea unbeaten run. A victory tomorrow requires a complete turn around of recent form. The form over the last 10 years has also seen Chelsea over take Arsenal in a mini league between the ‘ever present Premier League sides’:

Victory for Chelsea tomorrow will see them open up a gap in this mini League, for the 1st time in Premier League history. 3 points is important.

What is important tomorrow is that we put our arguments over Wenger to one side. I have seen some say he has had 500 games too many. Others say they would be happy with him managing another 1000 games. Again, what is important is tomorrows single game. Not the last 500 games, or the next 1000. Tomorrows. No matter your opinion, ensure the atmosphere is electric.

On a side note, despite saying Arsene Wenger’s 1000th game is of little significance tomorrow and it is all about the 3 points, I would like to point out a record which I am sure we can all smile about;

Arsene Wengers Record v Spurs:

  • 6 defeats in 42 games
  • 17 consecutive years of finishing above the scum (soon to be 18)
  • Has seen off 13 different Spurs managers (including caretaker)

To be frank, I could not care less if tomorrow is Wenger’s 1st game, 10th game, 100th game, 1,000th game or 10,000th game. I care about the 3 points.

People constantly go on about ‘It is Arsenal FC not Arsene FC’ and that is correct. Remember this tomorrow. Whether you back him or want him out, tomorrow is not about your opinion about Arsene Wenger. About his achievements, or lack of. It is about 3 points v Chelsea. It is about us getting back in the title race. It is about the Premier League title.

Back the boys. Sing loud. Sing Proud.

Keenos

Spurs, Chelsea, Olivier Giroud, Liverpool & Matthias Ginter

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Spurs

When it comes to Spurs v Arsenal, the performance is not of importance, it is all about the result. And what a result it was. 1-0 to The Arsenal. Boring Boring Arsenal. We have not won in the league at the Lane since 2007, so yesterday was sweet. For those moaning about the performance, shame on you. My guess is those moaning this morning were not at the game. They were sitting on their sofa watching on a laptop. They are the type of fan who probably think a game against Chelsea is a bigger, more important game than one against Spurs.

What I remember of yesterday is a blur. An early goal (only realised this morning it was after just 2 minutes!)  was then followed by a disciplined performance. It is testament to the way we played that, even with Spurs having 59% of the possession, and the score just 1-0, I felt comfortable. At no point did it seem like Spurs were dominating play and threatening us. Spurs had no real chances, and Szczesny made just 2 saves.

The victory was a double bonus. We moved closer to Chelsea after their defeat to Aston Villa, and are now 9 points ahead of Spurs, pretty much ensuring we are top 4 again. Are we back in the title race? A victory on Saturday will ensure that.

Chelsea

And onto the next one. Getting the victory against Spurs was a good 3 points. That then needs to be backed up with a victory against Chelsea.

Chelsea play tomorrow at home to Galatasary. Any advantage some might think this gives Arsenal is negligible. They are at home, and will still have 3 days to prepare for Saturday. Arsenal’s biggest advantage could be a mental one.

Whilst we had a great result against Spurs, Chelsea lost away to Aston Villa. Football is all about momentum. Defeat for us v Spurs would have meant we were going into Chelsea risking a 3 straight defeat. Instead, they are the ones now fearful of back to back defeats. If we remain as disciplined as we did against Spurs, a positive result in our grasp. With them missing Willian, Ramires and possible Mourinho, I see no reason why we can not cut the gap to just 1 point.

Olivier Giroud

Olivier Giroud has come in for a lot of stick this season. From his disappearing acts in big games, his tendency to play dead when he perceives himself to be fouled and his off the field shagging. A lot of the criticism Olivier Giroud he does deserve. He is not good enough to be Arsenal’s first choice striker. He was always signed to be back up. Firstly to Robin Van Persie – before he left – then this season to Luis Suarez. An impact sub. And as he showed against Everton, he would be very good in this role.

But also a lot of criticism is undeserved. It was recently highlighted that, with 12 goals in the league this season, his record is fairly similar to that of Didier Drogba, who only twice scored more in a campaign than 12 league goals. It does make you consider, is Olivier Giroud really that poor a player? Or on the other hand, was Drogba vastly overrated.

One big difference between the two is their big game performances. Whilst he could be fairly average at times, Drogba was a big game player. Scoring in 4 FA Cup final’s, 3 League Cup finals & a Champions League final. Giroud is a very important player to Arsenal, and if reports of his wife demanding a move back to France are true, I hope he files for divorce.

Liverpool

The response to Liverpool’s victory against Manchester United once more highlights the media bias against Arsenal. Throughout the season, pundits, journalists and ‘experts’ have lined up to write off Arsenal’s title chances. It showed a complete lack of respect. However, when it comes to media-friendly Liverpool, they are talked about as title contenders by the exact some people writing off Arsenal.

If you had not looked at the league table recently, you would think be the pundits reactions that Arsenal were double figure points off top, and just as far away from Liverpool. The truth however is vastly different. Liverpool and Arsenal are both on 62 points. They are level. And if Arsenal beat Chelsea on Saturday, we will be just 1 point off top, with a game in hand.

Are Liverpool title contenders? Yes. But so are Arsenal.

Matthias Ginter

I usually do not often comment on transfer speculation, especially in March, however, I honestly hope that Arsenal’s pursuit of Matthias Ginter is not only true, but fruitful.

With Thomas Vermaelen likely to leave in the summer, we would do well to recruit the 20 year old German. At such a young age, he would likely be more than happy to sit on our bench for a couple of seasons whilst he progresses. With his potential, he would be a long term option at centre back. I hope we sign him.

Keenos