Tag: Wenger

Arsenal legend eyes coaching role as Gunners travel to Upton Park

On By jamesgillespIn Arsenal

This is a guest post for ArseSpeak by sportswriter Thomas Rooney

During Dennis Bergkamp’s 11 years as an Arsenal player, he played 423 games and scored 120 goals. He is one of the greatest ever players to play for the club and is without doubt an Arsenal football club legend. However, it seems that he might not yet be done with English football.

Bergkamp has revealed that he would love to return to the country in a coaching role to reignite his love affair with the Arsenal fans. The 39-year-old said that he ‘always enjoyed it’ in England and that he would ‘love to be involved’ in the coaching set up at the Emirates. Admittedly this may not happen anytime soon, but he said that he had ambitions for ‘the future’.

The former Dutch striker is currently doing his coaching badges with Ajax and seems to harbour ambitions to be a manager one day. This is in stark contrast to the comments he made upon retiring from the game, when he said that he had ‘no desire’ to take up coaching.

Presumably, after a couple of years away from the game, he has decided that he misses being involved too much and has taken it upon himself to start a coaching career. If Bergkamp’s latest comments are to be believed, this path could eventually lead to the club where he will always be remembered fondly. I personally can’t see this happening while Arsene Wenger is at the club, but when the Frenchman leaves – there could be a role to suit Mr. Bergkamp.

The Dutchman wasn’t just talking about his coaching ambitions though. Speaking about the current Arsenal team, he said they are a ‘joy to watch’ and many people in Holland believe them to be the ‘best team they have ever seen’. Like many of us, Bergkamp hopes that this attractive football will finally be rewarded with trophies this season.

As for this current Arsenal team, well they travel to West Ham tomorrow searching for their third away win of the season. After a good start under Gianfranco Zola, the Hammers have lost their last two games and have slipped to eighth in the table. However, their home form has been excellent and they will be very motivated as they prepare to host Arsenal.

In terms of Arsenal’s preparations, a performance like the one against Fenerbahce will result in three points. No doubts about that, Arsenal were excellent. More of the same please lads!

In terms of the key battles at Upton Park, Cesc Fabregas will need to make sure he gets more of the ball than the hard-working Scott Parker and Emmanuel Eboue will need to defend well to keep in-form winger Matthew Etherington quiet. Other than that, Arsenal should just focus on their own game and let their passing football do the talking. Overall, I’m expecting a 2-0 victory.

Why has Thierry Henry not delivered the goods in Spain?

On By jamesgillespIn Arsenal, Transfers7 Comments

With the international break in full swing, it can be a time to discuss alternative issues to that involving the Premier League. So, I wanted to take a look at Thierry Henry’s career since leaving Arsenal for Spanish giants Barcelona. The 31-year-old has just started his second season at the club, but according to their sporting director, Txiki Beguiristain, he has ‘not looked convincing’ in a Barcelona shirt as yet.

Considering how influential and successful he was in Arsenal colours, this seems rather hard to believe. However, Beguiristain goes on. He says that Henry doesn’t look like he fits in the team at times and that his time in Spain has been dogged by ‘personal problems’.

Any fans in England will be wondering if Beguiristain is talking about the same player that scored 226 goals for Arsenal? Henry could do no wrong in England and was so often the match winner for Arsene Wenger’s side. In July 2008, the Frenchman was even voted the greatest Arsenal player of all time. So what has happened to him in Spain?

Well, it has to be down to a number of factors. First up, everyone connected with Barcelona possibly expected too much. When he arrived for just over £16m, there were thousands of fans ready to welcome him at the Nou Camp. They had pursued the striker for quite some time and now they eventually had their man – they wanted instant results. However, he didn’t grab his first goal until September and unlike Arsenal fans – who would rarely criticise Henry – the Barcelona fans were straight on his back.

In all honesty though, Henry’s first season in Spain was a poor one for everyone involved at Barcelona. There were no trophies won and finishing a rather staggering 18 points behind arch-rivals Real Madrid didn’t help proceedings. Perhaps as the club’s major new signing, Henry was made a scapegoat for their problems. In all fairness though, he still managed to score 19 goals to be the club’s leading scorer.

So, in terms of goals scored, Henry wasn’t too far off the pace. However, he simply hadn’t won the fans over. At Arsenal, everytime he touched the ball there was a buzz about the place and more often than not Henry delivered the goods. Quite simply, this hasn’t happened at Barcelona. Some sections of the media have even said that the Frenchman ‘lacks commitment’, something he had in abundance during his time in England.

I suppose part of the problem could be that he was played out of position a lot of the time. Barcelona’s boss last season, Frank Rijkaard, often played him on the left wing leaving him with numerous defensive duties. This isn’t the way to go with Henry. Yes, he hugs the left wing a lot when playing up front, but it is done without the need to track back.

The new season though has brought renewed hope for Barcelona and Henry. New boss Pep Guardiola even stated at the beginning of the new campaign that Henry would be his ‘main man’ as he looked to guide the club towards various honours.

So, has this been the case? Well, judging by the comments previously mentioned by the club’s sporting director – it would appear not. However, it has been said by the same man that Henry is ‘improving’. He is becoming a central part of the team and having much more of an impact on how Barcelona are playing. They have won their last four games and although Henry has only found the net twice – he is starting to stamp his authority on the team like many expected him to last season.

Barcelona fans will want trophies though and if they fail to deliver them, it is the likes of Henry that will unfairly get blamed again – no matter how well they may be playing.

By Thomas Rooney

Read more player analysis in our the Player section, or check out Analysis & Comment for more features.

Wenger – changes and ‘Champions League focus’ – pre-Porto

On By jamesgillespIn Arsenal, Champions League, Injuries

Arsene Wenger spoke on a large range of issues in the press conference ahead of the Champions League game against Porto.

It has been widely expected that there will be changes in the line-up that lost to Hull City, but a knee-jerk reaction will not be the correct one.

The BBC has the video of Arsene Wenger’s pre-match press conference.

Wenger said there would be changes:

“There will be changes, certainly,” the Arsenal manager said. “I will see how many, but there will be changes.

“There were enough ingredients (in the Hull game) to make me physically sick.

“What we delivered was not good enough and we know that. I believe that is more down to the mental side than anything technical.”

“What is important now is to recover and prepare for the next game,”

He then calmed speculation that the changes were being made as punishment through demotion to the bench:

“Punishment? No, you know sometimes you make changes because you consider the other team, you consider the balance of your team, sometimes because one player is not at his best,”

“If a player or two do not play tomorrow it is not a punishment, it is just because of a rotation in the side. You cannot play every single game with the same 11 players.”

“I believe the goal we conceded where we are less guilty is the corner against Hull because it was a well-taken chance,” he said. “[Hull’s Daniel] Cousin is very tall and very good in the air. It was a perfect header and that can happen to anybody.

“You gain experience through the games. At the back is where we have experience because you cannot say with Clichy and Sagna and Kolo and Gallas that we lack experience. Will Kolo play in midfield? No, not at all.

“As for Vela, it’s difficult to go into any individual case. I believe Carlos Vela is a player of the squad and the whole squad will be used over the season. You cannot go from one team to the other and change 11 players because we just lost one game.

“I believe what is happening is that players have shown quality behind the first team and that is very interesting for the future of the Club.”

On the last CL game against Dynamo Kiev he defended the team:

“The side we played against Dynamo Kiev was very young. Theo Walcott is 19, Alexandre Song is 21, Denilson is 20 and even Cesc Fabregas is only 21,”

“It is not easy to win away in the Champions League with such a lack of experience.”

“This group is tougher than in previous years. It is definitely the most even group we have had because there are no easy games.

“That makes the match with Porto more important. We know in the Champions League you qualify with 10 points, so if we win our home games we are through.

“If we can do well, then the other teams will take all the points off each other and that is why I think even draws from our away games could prove good results because all the teams will drop points.

“There is no obvious weakest team, so every game will be very important and we will have to be at a high level for every game.”

He believes that we need to regain a ‘Champions League focus’ for every game:

“I believe the Champions League is a different game,”

“We have learned from the Hull match that you need a Champions League focus in every game.

“If we are guilty of something it is that we couldn’t get our focus to the right level to take our chances.

“The analysis of the game shows that we had enough opportunities to win. On the other hand, they made 100 per cent of the few chances they had. So credit to them and damage to us.

“You have not to make too much of it. We lost a game we did not want to lose but we have enough strength inside the Club and inside the team to deal with that. It can happen but it cannot be repeated.

“I don’t think we needed to be woken up but it was a big disappointment because we felt that we had enough quality to win the game.”

On injuries the main news is that Nasri is back:

“Song has still not recovered, I had him on the bench on Saturday but he did not feel comfortable and he had a little setback.

“Nasri is fit and is in the squad.”

Gallas echoed Wenger’s comments talking about how he wants to prepare:

“What we delivered against Hull was not good enough, we know that, so the important thing now is not how many games we can lose this season, but preparing well for Tuesday night.”

All in all you can tell that the team are very dissappointed about the Hull result. Losing at home is never pleasant, and especially not against teams like Hull.

It is very, very worrying that we have lost for a second time this season to ‘smaller teams’, and that we conceded from a corner yet again – we look extremely weak when defending set pieces.

All I can hope is that the team can recover and be back to their best for the Porto match, or we will be in trouble in the CL, and pressure will build from the media and fans.

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Arsenal vs. Hull City – Injury Update, Wenger criticizes unlawful tackles

On By jamesgillespIn Arsenal2 Comments

The latest on the injuries ahead of the Hull game.

Gael Clichy has recovered from the bruised shin Kevin Davies inflicted upon him. He should start tomorrow. Wenger has criticised tackles with the intent to hurt opponents.

“It depends what you call a tough tackle,”

“A defender has to be tough and committed, for me if tough is committed I don’t have a problem with it. If tough is the desire to hurt your opponent it’s not acceptable because that’s not the game.

“The beauty of sport is to win in respect of the rules. If us as managers start to say we don’t have to respect the rules then it can’t be accepted. That’s in boxing, in football, in every sport. You have to respect the rules.

“It’s like you play tennis and the ball goes out but you say because it’s me it’s still good.”

This comes after Kevin Davies’ tackle on Clichy at Bolton saw the Frenchman taken to hospital, and Pogatetz’s rash tackle last night in action for Middlesbrough.

Phil Brown, the Hull City manager has defended Davies’ tackle – he thougt there was nothing wrong with it, meaning we might be in for some ‘in yer face’ style play from Hull tomorrow.

Wenger hinted that Silvestre may get a chance against Hull in Friday’s press conference.

“We have Silvestre in the squad for the first time but Nasri is not back, neither is Rosicky, Diaby or Eduardo.” “Everybody else is available. Clichy is all right and he will play.”

Expect Nasri and Diaby back sooner than Rosicky or Eduardo though.

What is Platini thinking? Get him out!

On By jamesgillespIn Arsenal1 Comment

Michel Platini, President of UEFA has admitted he was a little harsh in criticizing Arsene Wenger over Arsenal’s youth policy.

Platini, who seems to have a long term hatred of English clubs, especially Arsenal had told the press:

“I am talking about football, he is talking about business. Please stop with Wenger and the others. All that interests Arsene is looking after number one,”

Referring to the Cluj’s CL win over Roma he said:

“That is what makes football beautiful. That is what people like Wenger do not want to see, minor teams beating major ones, because they only want their business,”

Click here to read that article at Reuters.

He was implying that Wenger cares little about football, or the players he manages, just winning, and only big teams winning.

I see no reason for these type of comments, it’s outrageous that Wenger should be targeted like this.

Of course Wenger wants Arsenal to win, but he cares just as much about football as a whole. What is Platini on about. The best teams in football normally do win, thats how it always has been – but everyone loves a good giant-killing, and I’m sure Wenger does too.

From the beginning of his time as UEFA President Platini seems to have been out to target the Premiership and Arsenal in paticular.

Wenger responded diplomatically:

“I am a supporter of good management of clubs, for financial equilibrium, and UEFA must equally support this idea. I am fighting for the future of the game and of football.”

Now Platini has come back and said this:

“I have been too harsh with Arsene,”

“I got told off by my daddy, who made him (Wenger) start his career (at Nancy).

“But when I speak about business, I mean I do not like him seeking 13 or 14-year-old kids. I cannot stand it.

“My plan is to work with the football family to fight for the kids’ education in order that the Arsenal people do not come and pick 13-year-old Bordeaux kids for example.”

This guy doesn’t know what he’s on about.

Firstly – what’s up with the ‘Daddy’ comment? Why be so petulant?

Secondly – there’s nothing wrong with signing up talented young players and giving them a chance to fulfil their dreams, in a great environment.

Thirdly – Clubs like Chelski are much worse – pumping young players full of hype – paying exorbitant sums and then leaving them to rot. At least our rejects do good – e.g. Sidwell (until he went to Chelsea), Bentley (England International & di*khead), Pennant – Liverpool First team.

Fabregas is a product of this system – he joined Arsenal at 15. He was talking about the Sheffield Utd game and his comments seem very relevant to this issue:

“Arsene doesn’t care how old they are and it is amazing. He is the best for doing that and is not scared to play anyone. I don’t think anyone else would be able to do it. That is why so many of our young players are so good and this is the policy of the club. I think it is fantastic.

“When you see the big teams buy all the best players, we all guess where the future players will come from? I think Arsenal is the club that gives the chance to the players to show how good they are.

“Maybe they won’t make it at Arsenal, but another team will see them play and they will have another opportunity to play in The Premier League straight away instead of going to the second division.”

(Read full Fabregas article here)

This is my point exactly, Fabregas knows Wenger’s methods work and he knows that a player who comes through the Arsenal ranks has more chance than any of making it big a top level club!

I just don’t get Platini. He should not be UEFA President, and he shouldn’t be allowed to target Wenger in this way. Just because he has been so successful with young players, and has brought a lot of French talent out of France.

Get him out I say.

Click here to watch the highlights of Arsenal beating Sheffield Utd 6 – 0 in the Carling Cup, and see what Fabregas is talking about!

The Arsenal Curse – back in action? – David Bentley, Flamini, Hleb..

On By jamesgillespIn Arsenal, Injuries, Transfers3 Comments
Bentley needs to eat something
Bentley needs to eat something

Arsenal Insider runs a nice piece here, basically saying – lets all laugh at David Bentley.

The guy has become a hated figure at Arsenal with all his bitter comments about the club and Wenger since he left. After signing for Spurs this summer for about £15 million he is now part of Spurs worst ever start to a season.

They are bottom of the league – of course we have only played 3 games, but it’s still funny!

It is even sweeter because Bentley has made a lot of comments about how we don’t bring through English talent, that’s why he moved. But Theo just scored a hattrick for England, maybe Bentley’s failure at Arsenal is more because of his lack of talent than Arsenal’s policies!

The Spolier also lists some more unfortunate Arsenal leavers – Hleb was injured on his home debut for Barca – out for 4 weeks, they drew 1-1 against Santander.

Flamini isn’t doing great at AC Milan either – 100% loss rate in their games so far, and no Champions League this week, just a UEFA Cup tie on Thrusday!!

Click here to read the latest Arsenal news on ArseSpeak!

Wenger looks ahead to the Kiev match, is one point enough?

On By jamesgillespIn Arsenal, Champions League

Arsene Wenger has commented on how tough the tie will be in Kiev. We’ve played in the Ukraine three times, and lost everytime. I mentioned our poor record in Eastern Europe earlier today, and Wenger knows it won’t be easy.

He’s played it down, saying a point will be a good start for him:

“It is a tough place for us to go,”“It is maybe a little bit better for us to play earlier but I am convinced it will still be a massive challenge. We’ll go there and try to win the game but even if we take a point then for me it will be a good start.

“Dynamo Kyiv knocked out Spartak Moscow 4-1, 4-1 [in each leg of their qualifying game]. When you know Spartak Moscow and how strong the Russian League is at the moment that means it is a tough draw. I saw the first game at Spartak Moscow and Dynamo Kyiv were really impressive.

“Our group has four teams who are all used to playing in the Champions League – Fenerbache, Porto, Dynamo and us. Anyone can take points off anyone that’s why for me it’s very important we start well in this game.”

We do have a particuarly tough group, the away games will be crucial, because ties in the Ukraine and Turkey are notoriously difficult – last year Chelsea lost 2-1 to Fenerbahce in the Quarter-Finals there. Porto are also a quality side, all of these teams have Champions League quality.

In the Sun he said:

“For me, Dynamo Kiev is a bit of an unknown quantity,”

“They look like they always have the best players around their region, so it really depends on the quality of the generation they have at the moment.

“But they can be a very dangerous side. We know that because we played them when they had Shevchenko, Rebrov and Luzhny and they were a very, very difficult side.”

This is true. I don’t think Dynamo’s current crop will be as good as that team, but they are still the best Ukrainian team, and they will make life very hard for us out there.

Of course we will go for the win, but Arsene is talking it down in order not to raise expectations.

Do you think he’s right, is one point a good start?

Wenger thinks the title will be ‘tight’ this year

On By jamesgillespIn Arsenal, Transfers

Arsene Wenger believes that this year will be one of the toughest in the history of the Premiership. I would agree with him, Chelsea look much stronger and teams like Man City and Spurs have spent a lot this summer.Last year was hard, but this year may be even harder.

“This season you will need a high number of points and you will have to be consistent, I don’t know how many we’ll need, ask me again in January then we will have a better idea.

“Last season, I feel we did not get enough credit for what we did. We were very close. We made 83 points in the League and I have won the title with 78 before. But the competition was very high last season and looks like it will be the same this season.”

“But you might have a surprising team coming in to challenge like Man City, Tottenham and maybe Portsmouth. It will certainly be very tight and very interesting.

“Manchester City have an advantage because they do pay a lot of money.

Man City especially have an unimaginable amount of cash behind them, and it will be used – they managed to get Robinho, I think they could sign almost anyone!

Wenger commented on the January transfer window:

“This year, for the first time, the January transfer window opens when we will have only played 19 games.

“I have played seasons here when there were 24 games before then – the second part of the season is longer now.

“Teams can get that little bit more balance by buying players in the transfer window.”

Wenger seems happy that the window is opening after fewer games, it gives us the chance to bring in much needed support for the long haul. It is a bit worrying how much money Man City have, the new owners seem to be determined to create some sort of ‘super-team’ like the way Real Madrid are ‘Galacticos’.

Whatever happens, expect Wenger to be on the look-out in the next window, and a lot of action from the likes of Man City!

Wenger speaks out against the football supermarket

On By jamesgillespIn Arsenal, Transfers

There’s a lot in the news today about Wenger’s comments regarding big money club owners, such as those at Man City and Chelsea. He pointed out that football isn’t a supermarket, and that managers should have control of their teams.

Man City were bought out this summer by an Abu-Dhabi based group, who have now broken the British transfer record to sign Robinho and are looking to bring as many as 18 new players in in January, with Cristiano Ronaldo on their list.

Wenger told the Mail:

“You cannot come out ‘next week we pay £250,000-a-week to Ronaldo and £135m’, when the player has a six-year contract with Manchester United. It is not acceptable. Football is not a supermarket. The football bodies have to make sure that money is ruled properly and used well for the ethic of the game.”

“I am scared not that clubs are becoming more like those on the continent but even less. On the continent, at least you are informed on what players you buy. It looks like some are not even informed any more.

“It looks to be going a very worrying way. Managers face responsibilities and we stand up for it, but at least you want to feel you are responsible for the decisions you are judged on.”

“Clubs should live within their natural resources. If you push that too far, there are no rules any more and there is too much destabilisation.”

Wenger’s point is extremely valid in today’s climate. Football in the UK is turning into a plaything of the rich. Just look to last season when the owner of Man City sacked Sven Goran-Eriksson after Man City’s best season in years, or the instability surrounding Liverpool’s owners.

These ownerships are irresponsible and in the long term are not financially viable – the owner footing a large bill, while the club runs at a loss.

I agree with Wenger wholeheartedly, the way things are heading is bad, eventually the system will crash, if more regulation is not brought in.

Where are Arsenal heading? Transfers and Chief Executives

On By jamesgillespIn Arsenal, Transfers18 Comments

According to Arsene Wenger, Arsenal are close to appointing a new Chief Executive. The position has been filled by Ken Friar, the ex-Managing Director, since Keith Edelman’s departure in April.

The lack of leadership in this position perhaps explains why we have struggled to bring players in this season.

Wenger told Arsenal.com:

“It is progressing quite well. We are getting to the end of the story. I am involved in it and I am consulted for it but it is down to the board to make that decision.

“Having consulted me, they will take the responsibility to name the right person. I think the decision will be made soon but I don’t know exactly when.”

A rather large hole was created when David Dein left the club, and we need someone who can play his role in the day to day running of the club, and in transfer negotiations. The Board seem rather distanced from Wenger, and we have been in limbo since the depature of David Dein.

Hopefully a new appointment will help iron out difficulties and play a large role in Wenger’s relations with the board and in transfer negotiations.

Talking of transfers, it was disappointing to see that we hadn’t snapped up a last minute midfielder on deadline day, but it will be interesting to see what happens in the coming days, as we are linked with Ghana’s Steven Appiah, who played for Ghana last night.

He would be available on a free, so we coud sign him up straight away, but he has struggled with knee injuries, and we don’t need any more injury prone players. Also I’m a little worried that clubs such as West Ham have shown the most interest..

Also, a bit of fun here, check out this post by Block19er at Clockenders.

I’ve also been introduced to a news service called FeedZa recently. You can see their football section here, and vote for stories you like. They list a lot of sites and it makes interesting reading, but it needs your input! Have a go!