Just Arsenal News

Do Arsenal need more steel in their side? by FD

I was reflecting on a recent comment by Wigan Chairman Dave Whelan, in which he’s quoted as saying that he thought Arsenal were “a wonderful club to play”. He was probably referring to the overall experience at the Emirates, rather than just the actual match, but it had me wondering how other teams might consider the experience of playing against the modern day Gunners.

There can’t have been many players, other than, perhaps, Roy Keane, who relished the prospect of facing Patrick Vieira or Emmanuel Petit in their physical prime. And ex Gunners such as Sol Campbell, Tony Adams and Steve Bould wouldn’t have provided many pleasant memories for opposing forwards. .......Read the full article here

Considering that both Mikel Arteta and Aaron Ramsey are both integral pieces of the Arsenal side this season, it may come as shock to most Gooners to find out that that they have only played together in the centre of midfield for the last seven games, and surprisingly enough that has resulted in zero defeats and five wins!

Obviously it would be simplistic to say that that is the ONLY reason for our current form, but with a solid settled midfield any good team is harder to beat. Even Ramsey is happier now he is back in his favoured position, and with Arteta playing deeper it has allowed the Welshman to be pivotal in moving the ball forward. .......Read the full article here

Why Arsenal Fail by NS

First of all, we have the obvious answer. We sell our best players. Even to our rivals. It’s like Winston Churchill selling Adolf Hitler his Spitfires and destroyers.

Secondly (another obvious one) is the owner. I’m not going to go on about him as enough has been said already. He’s not helping, put it that way and I’m no fan of his. Some say it’s Wenger not spending the money he’s given. We may never know.

Finally, I will get to my third point. Wenger may not have any control over the first two points, but he can do something about the third one. .......Read the full article here

Did Arsene Play For A Draw? by Chunners

There were obvious hints in the Arsenal team selection against Everton that Arsene Wenger wanted to boss the midfield with a high work-rate. Arteta, Ramsey and Wilshere have had really low goal and assists stats this season, so it was likely we wouldn’t be getting too much of a goal threat from our midfield. But was this the whole point of the game? Did Wenger want to play for a draw? .......Read the full article here

There have been many column inches written about Jack Wilshere’s fitness this season, and after his latest injury it was mooted that he wouldn’t start another game for Arsenal during this campaign.

This was denied by Arsene Wenger, and the Frenchman even said that the young prodigy could be fit to face Norwich this weekend. Wenger said about Wilshere and Walcott last week: “We have good news with both of them,” he said. “Jack and Theo are outside running, and have an outside chance of being involved against Norwich a week on Saturday.” .......Read the full article here

BEST MIDFIELD COMBINATION AGAINST MUNICH? by JL

A CL tie against Bayern is by far the biggest game on Arsenal’s hands so far this season at the Emirates, until perhaps, we get past them and meet other top teams.

Wenger needs to get his work well cut-out. There are a number of key factors that need keen and thorough attention. He should get his team selection right, he needs to make sure his chosen set of midfielders have a good understanding of themselves, he should get it right with his tactics and be less predictable.

Wilshere-Arteta-Carzola is a familiar midfield trio. Wilshere-Diaby-Carzola looks adventurous. Arteta-Diaby-Wilshere looks really balanced. .......Read the full article here

Should Vermaelen be tried as a defensive midfielder? by AH

After last night’s game, a 1-1 draw against Everton, I noticed there were a lot of people calling for club captain Thomas Vermaelen to be used in a defensive midfield position. .......Read the full article here

Every Arsenal fan all over the world has been waiting for over 14 months to see the return of Jack Wilshere to Arsene Wenger’s side, and after coming through another 90 minutes against Everton reserves on Monday afternoon it looks like he is now ready to rejoin the Arsenal first team at long last.

Wilshere is now certain to be in the Arsenal squad to face QPR at the weekend, and Aaron Ramsey can’t wait to finally get to play alongside his fellow midfielder after the fates seem to have kept them apart for the last few years. .......Read the full article here

Both Arsenal and Chelsea are unbeaen and todays game between the two will give the victor a great advantage in confidence and points in the race for the Premiership title, and Arsene Wenger believes the midfield battle will be a big factor in deciding who gets the points.

Alex Song was nominally Arsenal’s ‘defensive midfielder’ last season, but with his departure Wenger believes that he has no-one in the team that be given that title any more.

“There are no defensive midfield players at the moment,” Wenger revealed. “We try to find the defensive balance collectively. We have fewer players who are purely defenders but some are physically strong in defending like Diaby, some are tactically strong like Arteta. .......Read the full article here

Arsene’s first choice midfield three by TS

Arsenal have a midfield dilemma on their hands. Come the end of the month, Wenger will have to pick a midfield of three from Wilshere, Frimpong, Rosicky, Coquelin, Cazorla, Arteta, Diaby and Ramsey. An impressive array of talent that should make for interesting selections come match time. The only question that remains is who Wengers first choice selection be this season if all the midfielders are fit?

If I were Arsene Wenger, my starting midfield would look like this:

Arteta. Diaby

Cazorla .......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

Sahin at Arsenal without Song. by KJ

As it’s becoming ever more likely that Alex Song will leave Arsenal for Barcelona, Wenger must plan life without him. The player closest to signing for us this very moment is Nuri Sahin on loan from Madrid.

I want to look at possible line-ups next season without Song but with Sahin. I actually expect a proper defensive midfielder to come in regardless of Sahin joining us. This article will just be exploring our midfield combination There have been numerous reliable Arsenal tweeters whom are confident that we’ll get 2-3 players in before the window closes.

Here’s the first line-up: .......Read the full article here