Tag Archives: Thomas Vermaelen

10 Reasons why we will beat Stoke + Starting XI

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1.. A great away performance at Marseille has boosted the confidence of the squad. There’s even a bit of papertalk about us challenging for trophies now.

2.. We have all our defenders fit, for the first time since 1987, expect to see Jenks, Moneral and Vermaelen on the bench. Wenger will stick to the back 4 who started in France mid-week

3.. Gibbs, I love this fella. He has had more than his fair share of silly niggling injuries over the last few years, but right now he is running himself into the ground, covering the left side of the pitch practically unaided at times. He has everything needed to be a world class left back, just need the fitness now.

4.. Arteta is reported to be back in contention, like Vermaelen he will start on the bench, but he does offer the option to cover in a number of midfield roles. Diaby is also expected back, around December 2017

5.. Ramsey, what a start to the season, what a goal midweek and now facing the player (cnut) who not only screwed his leg but also his mind for a few seasons. Thank Dennis that he is over the injury and is looking his strongest physically and mentally for us. He of course will have some apprehensions facing Stoke, but with everyone fully behind him he will hopefully teach them a lesson Sunday.

6.. Ozil, already showing strong signs to why he is rated as the assist king of world football. He will be looking forward to finally playing in Islington and making the right 1st impression on home soil.

7.. Stoke have changed under Mark Hughes, but you can’t polish a turd. They have had wins against West Ham and Palace by the odd goal and a draw away to Man City, but have only scored 3 goals in 4 League games. Fingers crossed they will come wanting to play Football instead of Rugby, if they do we will roll them over.

8.. Giroud, I worry about him, until we get Podolski back he is our only real Central attacking option and Stoke will be looking to kick him at every given opportunity. I know he wont react but the fear is an injury. I do expect him to lead the line and scare Stoke on occasions as he continues his great start to the season.

9.. The Villa game aside we are currently on a great run and I’m looking at the small amount of fit players at the moment as an advantage. They are playing regularly with each other, not there there is much choice, but the familiarity seems to be doing us some favour’s right now.

10.. Wenger knows, If we are to do anything in the league this season these are the types of games we have to get 3 points out of.

Likely starting X1 – Chesney, Sagna, Kos, Per, Gibbs, Flamini, Ramsey, Wilshere, Ozil, Giroud, Theoooo

10 Reasons why we will beat Sunderland + Likely starting 11

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1.. Well guess the first reason has to be the potential debut of a certain Mr Ozil, the will he wont he saga is made complete by stories he picked up an illness and didn’t train Friday. But even before he has kicked a ball for us he has made grown men act like One Direction fans

2.. Our back 4 and keeper have had an OK start to the season and yet again we will be stretched as Mertesacker is out due to an illness. Vermaelen has travelled, but has been quoted as not quiet ready yet. So expect Sagna to move in the middle and Jenkinson to take his place at right back.

3.. Diaby is still injured, but sadly so is Rosicky (hamstring).

4.. Wilshere and Ramsey seem to of shaken off any knocks from yet another badly timed international break.

5.. Giroud, he must be the most secure player at the club he has zero competition for his place right now with Podolski, The Ox and Sanogo all out injured. Thankfully he also looks in his best form for us.

6.. Sunderland must be bricking it, 1 point from 3 games so far and their Captain suspended.

7.. I Like Di Canio, he wears his heart on his sleeve as a manager as he did as a player, but he has been landed with a side that will struggle this season.

8.. Carzola, I really can’t wait to see him link up with Ozil, those 2 plus Theo could scare the living b’jesus out of anyone in Europe once they all click.

9.. Flamini could really be the key to this season, his experience, tactical nohow and his urge to stick the boot in could really make the difference in tricky away games.

10.. Wenger knows he has put all his eggs in one basket with Ozil this summer, we needed a striker and got a playmaker. But what a playmaker we got eh…

Predicted starting 11 – Chesney, Jenks, Sagna, Kos, Gibbs, Flamini, Wilshere, Ramsey, Cazorla, Giroud, Theooooo

1 nil, spending f**k all – Now to sign Ozil

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Here at SheWore, we have saying ‘we told you so’ but we did. We really did. A glance through our blogs for last week highlights our positivism. Some called us ludicrous. Some called us deluded. And some just laughed at us. Although the majority were Spurs fans. On a side note, I wonder if the hundreds of Spurs fans who have commented on here last week deriding our blogs will admit they were wrong, and that Arsenal were the better team. Probably not.

The point we were making all week is that you can spend £100million on players. But that does not mean you are better than The Arsenal. By losing Bale, all spending £100 million meant was that they had stood still. A more solid midfield, with less creativity. As shown by the fact they have yet to score from anything but a penalty this season.

Yes, Erikson will change them. He is a creative genius. But on Sunday, they looked more like an expensive Stoke, with a hard working, untalented side. The fact that there most creative player was Andros Townsend, who is dross, sums them up.

Over £30 million worth of new midfield talent in their starting line up was shown up. I said last week, I would take Ramsey & Wilshere over Capoue & Paulinho and I was proved right, as the Anglo-Welsh combination rang rings around them that Capoue got so dizzy that he fell over and broke his leg. Too think, some deluded Spurs fans were ‘boasting’ that he would break Wilshere’s leg!

The amazing thing about the victory over Spurs is there mocking of the signing of Yaya Sanogo. Whilst they had spent over £100m, all we had got in was ‘A French Postman on a Free.’ Well we did not even need the postman to deliver. He remained on the bench, spending 45 minutes warming up.

It was the performance of another Frenchman on a free which would give Arsenal fans most delight. We have been crying out for additional support in the middle of the park all summer. And the disappointment held by many when Flamini signed on a free was justifiable. However, Jack Wilshere getting the shits before half time meant that Flamini came into play. And what he showed is his stay in Milan has not taken away any of his work rate or sharpness. He showed leadership in the middle of the park, a bite in the tackle, and has surely solved our midfield problem. With Flamini, Arteta, Ramsey & Wilshere all vying for the 2 central midfield positions, it is hard to see where a new signing would fit in. Especially with the lack of truly great central midfielders that will be available. One things for certain, I can not see us going for Yohann Cabaye today.

And that brings us nicely onto the last day of the transfer window. Despite the victory, we are still short. However not as short as some will make you believe. Results against Fulham, Fenerbache and Spurs have shown that the 17/18 players we currently have are very good. And remember, it was only a poor referring decision in the Villa game that has probably stopped us being 9 points from 3 games.

In defence, things look ok. 4 good fullback and, once Thomas Vermaelen gets fit, 3 solid centrebacks. With Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertersacker proving themselves to be the best centreback pairing in the Premier League. With Sagna providing an able deputy as 4th choice centreback, the question is would we be able to get in someone who is:

a) Better than Sagna
b) Would be happy being 4th choice
c) Not cost an arm and a leg

We saw with the signing of Sebastien Squillaci that it is now always easy buying a 4th choice centreback. They can be a costly failure if they become mistake ridden. That is why we are perhaps better sticking with Sagna. Especially as Flamini and Ramsey can both cover full back in an emergency.

What might be the most exciting news of the transfer window is Mesut Ozil. He is rumoured to of landed in London this morning, with a deal already agreed with Real Madrid. There seems to be a reluctance for him to leave Real Madrid, and Arsenal is a step down. You get the feeling Arsene Wenger will have to sell the club and the future well to him.

I also would not be surprised if, upon hearing that Ozil is available, Manchester United try to hijack the bid. This could lead to a bit of a domino effect, as it would surely mean Kagawa then comes available. He may well end up back at Germany. Schalke could be the best option outside of Dortmund and Bayern Munich. That then free’s up Julian Draxler to join Arsenal.

And with Jaun Mata and Angel Di Maria also reportedly available, there are plenty of options if the Ozil deal does not happen.

Two things are for certain. Firstly today will be an exciting day for us Arsenal fans. Secondly, 1 Nil and we spent Fuck All.

Have a good transfer deadline day

Keenos