Just Arsenal News

THE ROAD TO RECOVERY FOR ARSENAL by NU

The dwindling fortunes of Arsenal date back beyond the past eight years. I saw it coming when, even during the times of the “Invincibles”, and by deliberate club policy quality and experience were eased off the squad or encouraged to leave on approaching the age of 30.

These quality players took their skills and experience to other clubs where they helped these other clubs to win trophies or at least assisted them to improve their positions on the table. I can mention Man Utd, Man City, Chelsea, Barcelona and even Portsmouth . .......Read the full article here

When Arsene Wenger joined Arsenal back in 1996, he had already requested the signing of the French international midfielder Patrick Vieira from AC MIlan. That would turn out to be one of the most successful transfers ever, as Vieira was an integral part of the Gunners for the next nine seasons, the most successful period in Arsenal history. The 36-year old could soon be re-united with his mentor, apparently, as Wenger has spoken to him about the job of replacing Liam Brady as Head of Youth Development and Academy Director, reports the Daily Mail. .......Read the full article here

Patrick Vieira was one of the first players to be brought to Arsenal after Arsene Wenger took charge of the club back in 1996. When he left the club for Juventus nine years later, he took three Premier league winner’s medals and four FA cup medals with him. He was also part of the invincibles side that went the whole of the 2003-2004 league season without losing a game. It is surprising, therefore, to hear him say that the Arsenal of today is better in some ways than the teams he played in. .......Read the full article here

CONSISTENCY: NEEDED MORE THAN EVER by WAC

What does it take to have a good run? I guess the players who made up the invincibles. Unfortunately, there will never be such a team ever again in the history of the premier league. The best a team can hope for right now is a great winning or unbeaten run spanning several games.

Given the present scope of the premier league, every team has several ways of showing consistency. Its either you make your home ground a fortress or you embark on an awesome away run or score at least a goal in every game or concede no goals in several games. Arsenal were, prior to our last 5 games, in neither category. However, having started this run we have to keep it going. .......Read the full article here

The Mighty Transition: Why Arsenal Haven’t Won Anything In 7 Years by Ix Techau

How We Got Here

In 1993, Highbury became an all-seater stadium, reducing its capacity from 57,000 to roughly 38,500, with even less capacity for Champions League fixtures. This meant a huge reduction in ticket sales, and the club could only watch as tens of thousands of supporters were unable to attend matches. With the season ticket waiting list growing rapidly every year, the club decided to look at alternatives. .......Read the full article here

Gael Clichy spent eight seasons at Arsenal under the tutelage of Arsene Wenger before moving to Manchester City last July. He does not occupy the same pantomime villain role as Samir Nasri or Ashley Cole, however, because he is not gloating and disrespectful like those two. He seems to appreciate what Arsenal and Wenger did for him and his career.

Two weeks ago at the Etihad stadium, the tunnel camera showed Wenger going past Clichy without acknowledging him and much was made of it in the press. Clichy denies that there is any rift or bad feeling however, stating that his response of ” it’s only been
nine years,” was just a joke to his friend Joleon Lescott. .......Read the full article here

Arsenal midfield now has a beautiful structure to it by AM

After three consecutive clean sheets, Arsenal’s new found defensive resolve has come under the spot light and so has Steve Bould and his contribution, and deservedly so, one has to look back the backline of the ‘Invincibles’ to come across a more organized Arsenal defense. Since Campbell, Toure, Ashley cole and Lauren left the club, Arsenal have missed defensive solidarity. So perhaps it is not a coincidence that Bould, formerly part of the meanest defense in Arsenal history (under George Graham), is in the midst of it all. .......Read the full article here

The Enigma that is Wojech Szczesny by KJ

In the December of 2010, Wojech Szczesny earned his debut for Arsenal against none other than Premier league era rivals, Manchester United. He had an amazing game against them in the absence of his Poland international colleague, Lukas Fabianski. From there on he has cemented his position as Arsenal’s first choice goalkeeper.

An Arsenal goalkeeper in recent times has extraordinarily big boots to fill. The likes of Seaman and Lehmann were Arsenal legends in their respective but very close eras. Equally, we’ve had some atrocious keepers, most recently, Almunia. .......Read the full article here

Wenger is a good manager by KJ

The majority of Arsenal fans have jumped on the bandwagon that they want Wenger out. I’m fine with that, it’s an opinion and hence I can live with it. What annoys me is that fans use the excuse that he’s bad tactically and that’s why they want him out. .......Read the full article here

‘A Sweet Reminder of the Invincibles’ by Omar El-Menawy

Gooners have been mourning the end of the Invincibles for 7 years now. It is true they have all the ingredients in them to be missed. But when you lose something do you sit down and reminisce about it or do you get up and try to re-create it, if not get something even better.

Well, in this case, I am talking about the back four of the Invincibles. It is not easy to match Winterburn, Adams, Keown and Bould. But if you never try you will never know. What are the things that made these invincibles, well invincible? It was pure strength, good knowledge of the game and extreme consistency. In my opinion Arsenal have got all what it takes to have a back four better than any in the Premier League. .......Read the full article here

The Arsenal centre-back Johan Djourou is convinced that this young Arsenal team are the best side in the Premiership this season, but Man United have just been a little more consistent.

The Swiss International also thinks that today’s team compares favourably with the Invincibles team that went 49 games unbeaten under Wenger.

He said yesterday: “The Invincibles team of 2003-04 had great players but what people forget is that before that similar questions were asked about them.

“So for us it’s just a matter of ‘let’s win’ and then the opinion will change. I don’t think it’s a massive difference because we have the same qualities and maybe better qualities than the unbeaten team. I’m not going to compare the two. I am just saying that we are not far short. .......Read the full article here

I have another Guest Post today from Ahmed, who is worried that today’s Arsenal team are not big enough or physical enough to take the points at Old Trafford. There was a report a couple of months ago that pointed out that, on average, the Gunners were 3 inches and 2 stone smaller than Chelsea. Is that enough to make the difference? Over to you Ahmed……

Arsenal: The Evolution

I wanted to first thank everyone for the responses to my last post. I am still however not convinced about what I really think of the current crop of players. So I looked back to the glory days. .......Read the full article here