Tag Archives: Theo Walcott

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

Arsenal v Tottenham – A player by player review

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In 2 days, 7 hours time, Arsenal will be kicking off against Tottenham in the North London Derby. A team who has spent nothing, against a team who have spent nearly £90m. Here at SheWore, we compare the two sides if they both had a fully fit first 11. Who has the best side? Add your thoughts in the comments below…

Szczesny v Lloris

Both are amongst the best shot stoppers in the Premier League. But both also have their faults which may stop them fulfilling their potential. Hugo Lloris can often get a little ‘Hollywood’ with his saves, giving away needles corners. Whilst Wojciech Szczesny suffers from over confidence. He does not flap at corners (as flap normally means looks unconfident under them) he more makes the bad decision to come and runs into trouble.

The difference between the two is Szczesny’s faults will lead directly goals, whilst Hollywood Hugo’s will lead to good youtube highlights. Add him being electric on the line, Hugo Lloris gets it.

Szczesny 6 Lloris 8

Sagna v Walker

A player towards the end of his career against a player near the beginning. These two right backs are not just polar differences in where they are in careers but also in playing style. Bacary Sagna is a very defensive full back. Whilst Kyle Walker plays like a Brazilian, bombing forward and neglecting his defensive attributes.

If you could combine Sagna’s ability in defence with Walker’s ability in attack, you would have Cafu. As it is, both do their job well. Whilst Sagna might be past his best, Walker often shows his youth.

Sagna 7 Walker 7

Koscielny v Vertonghen

The athlete in both sides centreback pairing. Also the goal scorers. Both perhaps hit the headlines more last year for their goals then there defending, but that does not say both are poor defenders. Both are brilliant one on one and are amongst the most athletic in the league.

Vertonghen however edges it as he relies less on last ditch challenges and is stronger in the air.

Koscielny 8 Vertonghan 9

Metersacker v Dawson

The slow, yet ‘proper’ defender in both sides. Both are leaders on the park and both are proper defenders. Less concerned with running forward for the glory of a goal, more excited about keeping a clean sheet.

Dawson’s career at Spurs looked over last season as he was offered to QPR due to the emergence of Kaboul, but AVB realised that playing ‘2 athletes’ does not work and that you need a proper defender alongside an athlete. See Ferdinand/Vidic or Desailly/Blanc for your reference – Arsenal have done similar realising that the best partnership is Mertesacker with Koscielny, not Vermaelen.

Mertesacker is the clear winner in this contest as he is head and shoulders above the Englishman.

Mertesacker 8 Dawson 6

Gibbs v Rose

No contest. Despite there only being 10 months between them, Kieran Gibbs is superior in all hours. Better getting forward. Better in defence. Danny Rose is clearly a stop gap until Spurs find a decent left back.

Gibbs graduated from the England U21s in 2010. Danny Rose is still part of it.

Gibbs 8 Rose 5

Arteta v Capoue

Two completely different defensive midfielders. One is positional aware, has great reading of the play and can start attacks. The other covers the ground, is a physical ball winner and lets you know they are there.

Both of their strengths are the other ones weakness and the decision comes down to whether you think the defensive midfielders job is to let an opponent know he is there, or to win the ball quietly and start the attacks.

Arteta 7 Capoue 7

Ramsey v Paulinho

The man of the moment, Aaron Ramsey, against one of the most hyped up central midfielder to join the Premier League in a decade. A lot of what is known about Paulinho is from a good Confederations Cup and a performance against Chelsea in the World Superduper Cup for Clubs. This is a challenge I look forward too, not just for tomorrow but for the rest of the season. For me, at the moment, Aaron Ramsey edges it, as he has performed at a high level in the Premier League for all of 2013.

Ramsey 9 Paulinho 8

Wilshere v Dembele

Jack Wilshere and Moussa Dembele. Player’s which stats were not made of. Both are top players, you have only to watch them to realise that. Yet both do not score or assist enough. Whilst Wilshere has had his progress halted by injury, Dembele’s career at Spurs has also stuttered as AVB seems to always be looking for a better option (Bale in the middle, Dempsey, Sigurosson). When it comes down it, Wilshere is more talented, and will only get better.

Wilshere 8 Dembele 7

Walcott v Lennon

At one point these two were labelled as ‘nothing but speed.’ Aaron Lennon has not really pushed on since he became the youngest player to appear in the Premier League 10 years ago. Whilst Theo Walcott has struggled ever since he became England’s youngest ever player in 2006. However, last year Walcott broke through, scoring 21 and assisting 14. Aaron Lennon meanwhile scored just 4, assisting 8. There is no real comparison. Theo Walcott is far superior.

Walcott 9 Lennon 6

Giroud v Soldado

Whoever scores more in the League could determine which team finishes above whom. Neither have had a sparkling careers, Giroud in France until 25, Saldado a Real Madrid reject, but both will be looking to score a hatful for their new(ish) clubs. Both rely on the help of others to score, as neither are blessed with pace or the ability to create something out of nothing.

Soldado has hit 81 goals in his last 3 seasons. He is the more proven goal scorer. And it is that which just edges it.

Giroud 6 Soldado 7

Cazorla v Lamela

The little genius against he who is almost about to sign. Cazorla has assisted more goals in his time at England then any other player. He is a player of top quality. Lamela meanwhile is an unknown quantity. 15 goals from midfield at 21 shows talent. It comes down to a simple equation, would you rather a player who can do it, or a player who might be able to do it?

For once, Arsenal have the man with experience whilst Spurs have the man with potential.

Cazorla 10 Lamela 7

Arsenal 87 Tottenham 77

Keenos

And now onto Tottenham (without Bale)

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So that is that out of the way then. Another comfortable victory in the Champions League qualifiers see’s us into the main draw for the umpteenth consecutive time (it’s too late to Google and see how many. I think its 16 though?). Any doubt, of which there was a lot, was removed after the 3-0 lead in the 1st tie. And the game was secured with 2 brilliant goals from Aaron ‘The General’ Ramsey at the Emirates last night. And with that out of the way, we can concentrate on what will be one of our most important games of the season.

The visit of Tottenham Hotspur.

That lot up the Seven Sisters Road genuinely think they have a chance this year. In fact, they genuinely though that they have had a chance for the last four years ever since Robbie Keane said in 2009:

“I think it’s certainly even and if you look at the squads, I think that our bench is probably a little bit stronger than theirs at the moment.”

Well Robbie, once again the Tottenham bench might be better than that of The Arsenal’s, but it is the 1st 11 that counts. And like in every year of the last 18 (or is it now 19), Tottenham will be in our shadow. Yes, they might have spent big – over £60 million, but this is not the first season they have outspent Arsenal. In fact, in the last 10 years, Tottenham have spent nearly £200,000,000 more on players then Arsenal. And this is not nett spend, but gross spend.

It is not what you spend, it is how you spend it, and Spurs have a history of not spending it well. And their current crop, as previously discussed, are not as good as their big price tags might indicate. Anyone, enough of the bitching about that lot.

At the end of the day, as long as we play to the best of our ability, we should be beating that lot. Aaron Ramsey is running the midfield. Santi Cazorla now seems to of got fully fit. As has Jack Wilshire. And whilst Theo Walcott might not of yet shone, he already has 2 assists in 4 games.

Spurs meanwhile, started their last game with those prestigious ‘young’ talents Danny Rose (23) and Andros Townshend (any relation to Pete?). Yes, young Danny might have once scored a screamer against us, but so did David Bentley. And that was his career peak. I am sure Danny won’t go on to too many better things.

What it is about The Derby is the pride, the passion, the buzzing. There is no better game out their then derby. No matter the ‘mocking’, it is a cup final. Even if you become Champions, losing twice (or evening losing one and drawing the other) means that you will still be on the other end of some poor banter. It means so much. And a 4pm kick off on a Sunday. Let’s hope the game is the only thing that kicks off.

On a side note, it seems OK for Sky TV/BT Sport to move a game from a Saturday early game to Sunday 4pm for TV, despite the police originally moving it for ‘safety grounds’ but when it comes to there being no trains to get home (Sunderland/Swansea) things will not budge. But that’s for another blog.

But back to the derby. I am sitting here. It is Wednesday. 4 days to go. And I am already buzzing. The anticipation will only increase. Bring on Super Sunday. Bring on Tottenham.

Keenos

Ps: How small a club must Spurs be if there best player go’s ‘on strike’ to leave? That is so 2011.