Arsenal avoided the unthinkable as they began the process of getting over their shattering start to the season by qualifying for the Champions League group stage.
Arsene Wenger's fortnight from hell was in danger of reaching a new low when Antonio Di Natale levelled the play-off with Udinese in the first half of this evening's second leg.
Yet, the Gunners showed the kind of character Wenger has always insisted was present - but which has so often been lacking - to turn the game on its head thanks to goals from new captain Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott and a brilliant Wojciech Szczesny penalty save.
The win eased the pressure on a beleaguered Wenger, who was spared the inevitable questions about his future which would have arisen had Arsenal failed to reach the lucrative Champions League proper for the first time in 14 years.
Tonight's game was therefore a defining moment in the club's season and possibly the career of their manager, who has endured one of the worst fortnights of his near 15-year reign.
The Frenchman has now lost both his star players and has had to contend with a raft of injuries, suspensions and charges from the game's governing bodies.
He was at least given a stay of execution from his latest touchline ban and was in the dugout tonight in what was 31-degree heat in the Italian north-east.
There were even rumours before kick-off, following Fenerbahce's expulsion from the competition, that Arsenal might be reinstated should they be eliminated.
But UEFA put paid to those by confirming during the game that Trabzonspor would replace their fellow Turks.
Arsenal did not start like a side uncertain of their fate, Walcott going close after skipping past Neuton and seeing a shot beaten away.
The game was wide open and Di Natale saw his first-time half-volley rightly ruled out for offside.
Arsenal continued to look a threat but they almost paid for giving Di Natale far too much room, Pablo Armero unable to get a clean header on the striker's cross.
Udinese should have been ahead midway through the half, Di Natale turning Mauricio Isla's cross onto the post from four yards.
But it was Walcott who wasted the chance of the half in the 33rd minute, Gervinho putting the ball on a plate for the first-leg matchwinner, who somehow shot straight at Samir Handanovic, the goalkeeper also blocking Van Persie's rebound.
Di Natale then tested Szczesny from the tightest of angles but the keeper could do nothing to stop the veteran striker six minutes before the break, the 33-year-old looping a brilliant header from Giampiero Pinzi's cross in off the post.
The restart saw Wenger take a chance on the fitness of Tomas Rosicky, replacing Emmanuel Frimpong, who himself had been a bold selection following his sending-off against Liverpool on Saturday.
Arsenal's surprisingly sparse away following did their best to gee up the visitors, who became involved in some needless handbags that saw Isla booked for dissent.
And they silenced the home fans completely 10 minutes in when Gervinho got the better of Medhi Benatia and squared for Van Persie to slot home from six yards.
Two minutes later, disaster appeared to strike again when Thomas Vermaelen was adjudged to have handled Di Natale's corner and Olegario Benquerenca pointed to the spot.
But Szczesny produced a wondrous one-handed save to tip the striker's penalty over the crossbar.
Udinese went for broke, allowing more space for the excellent Gervinho, who was showing just how much Arsenal will miss him when his domestic ban resumes at Manchester United on Sunday.
But it was, fittingly, Walcott who killed the contest in the 69th minute after outpacing the hapless Benatia and slotting past Handanovic.
Bacary Sagna was booked, as were Benatia, Walcott and Carl Jenkinson as tempers frayed amid the enormity of what was at stake.
Di Natale dragged wide trying to salvage some pride for the home side and also stung the palms of Szczesny with a free-kick from a tight angle after Isla was withdrawn for German Dernis.
The home fans immediately began to flock for the exit, with more than five minutes remaining, their misery compounded when Benatia was carried off on a stretcher.
Arsenal ran down the clock and they almost added a third goal when Van Persie and substitute Armand Traore both shot straight at Handanovic.
Source: ESPN Soccernet on 24 Aug 11
Showing posts with label Udinese. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Udinese. Show all posts
Friday, August 26, 2011
Wenger's reaction to the Udinese 1-2 Arsenal match
Yes, of course, because it was a massive game for us. I heard it enough yesterday in the press conferences to be convinced of it. We responded in a very positive way, even after being down 1-0. We had a fantastic second half and created chance after chance. I am very happy because we kept our composure when we were down 1-0. We kept dominating and playing the football we want to play.
on Gervinho’s performance…
He was always dangerous. I told you yesterday, and many times, that he will be a big player for us. Sometimes the quality of the player is linked with the transfer amount and it is not always the case.
on Wojciech Szczesny’s penalty save…
Yes, that was a turning point of the game because it was at 1-1. You could see mentally it has an impact on their belief and they were not the same team after they missed the penalty.
on whether the result eases pressure…
I feel, of course, it will because we have been a little bit under pressure. For us not to play in the Champions League and with the players who have left, that pressure would have increased, understandably. Since the beginning of the season I feel a very strong, determined attitude within the team. We did not win at Newcastle but we played with 10 men. We did lose at Liverpool with 10 men but I am convinced that we would not have lost against Liverpool with 11. Overall, there is a strong attitude and spirit inside the team.
on the importance of the win…
It was important today because we were under pressure so it was important to keep calm, composed and not do anything stupid.
on recent criticism…
We live in a society where everybody has an opinion on everything. I'm like somebody who flies a plane for 30 years and I have to accept that somebody can come into the cockpit and thinks he can fly the plane better than I do. But that is part of our job and we have to accept that. I just would like to say that the Club is in, overall, a very strong position. Tonight, for 14 years on the trot, we play in the Champions League. We have a new stadium, a fantastic training ground, a very good financial situation and a very strong team. Sometimes you have to take a distance a little bit [from the criticism].
on Tomas Rosicky’s introduction…
I felt that we attacked and Udinese played on the counter-attack. I felt that we lacked a little bit of creativity in the middle of the park and needed to be a little bit more creative. Tomas had a big influence in the second half.
Source: Arsenal.com on 24 Aug 11
24 August 2011: Udinese 1-2 Arsenal, Stadio Friuli
They beat Udinese 3-1 on aggregate thanks to a 2-1 win at the Stadio Friuli on Wednesday evening.
It was comfortable in the end but, before that, Arsène Wenger’s side had to endure 70 tension-filled minutes in north-east Italy.
Antonio Di Natale wiped out Arsenal’s first-leg lead with a clever header six minutes from half-time.
Robin van Persie finished off excellent work from Gervinho to give the visitors the comfort of an away goal 10 minutes after the restart.
But, almost immediately, Udinese had the chance to regain the lead on the night when Thomas Vermaelen was penalised for handball in the area.
Di Natale, scorer of 57 Serie A goals in the past two seasons, stepped up. But Wojciech Szczesny flung himself to his right to palm the ball over the bar. A sensational, tie-turning save.
Theo Walcott added a breakaway goal in the 69th minute to kill the tie. It was a shame in one way. The first 160 minutes of this tie had been superb entertainment. The final 20 were pedestrian by comparison.
But then who cares? This was a pressure game for a team already under scrutiny from all quarters - and they got the job done.
As they have been ever since season 1998-99, Arsenal are a Champions League side.
Before kick-off, Wenger welcomed back Alex Song, Gervinho and Johan Djourou from Saturday’s defeat to Liverpool. Van Persie returned after missing the first leg at Emirates Stadium last week. Wenger was back on the bench too, his suspension had been… well… suspended.
Tomas Rosicky’s thigh problem had cleared up but he only made the bench. Despite his sending off at the weekend, Emmanuel Frimpong retained his place in central midfield.
Last week’s game had been wide open given its importance. The second leg took about 100 seconds to suggest it would be the same.
The opening salvo saw Mauricio Isla attack down the right but his shot drifted beyond the far post. Then, at the other end, Gervinho ghosted inside his marker and, from the tightest of angles, Samir Handanovic snatched his cross-shot.
The early flurry ended with Walcott driving at the keeper. As he had so significantly in injury time at Emirates Stadium, the Slovenian saved from the Englishman.
In the eighth minute, Di Natale hooked home a shot but the offside flag was entirely expected - and merited. Ramsey had a shot deflected wide and then Gervinho popped up on the right to test Handanovic from the tightest of angles once more.
Arsenal were going for the goal that would put the tie firmly in their hands. But at Emirates Stadium, Udinese had been quick and clever on the break. In the 16th minute, that combination nearly drew them level in the tie.
Di Natale found space on the right of the area and chipped a cross into the middle. Pablo Armero got a scrambled head to it and the ball bounced against the outside of the post before Kwadwo Asamoah was flagged offside following up.
Udinese were threatening. Midway through the half, Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu drove through midfield and sent Isla into space on the right. His near-post cross was made for a poacher like Di Natale. Fortunately for Arsenal, he swept the ball against the post from six yards out. A huge let-off.
The visitors found some composure in the minutes that followed and then renewed their search for a goal.
It really should have arrived in the 32nd minute. Gervinho tricked and teased the Udinese defence and cut the ball back for the unmarked Walcott 12 yards out. His sidefoot effort was superbly saved by Handanovic. The rebound fell to Van Persie but the recovering keeper saved once more.
Di Natale was living up to his exalted reputation and, seconds later, his near-post drive was deflected into the danger area by Szczesny but no-one was one hand to convert the trickling ball.
Both goals were living a charmed life. The game could not stay scoreless forever.
It didn’t - and it was Arsenal who blinked first.
Six minutes from half-time, Giampiero Pinzi. chipped in a lofted cross towards Di Natale just inside the area. He peeled off Djourou and steered in an expert header off the far post.
It was just what the home side required and before the break Armero fired from distance following fine work from Di Natale once more.
Wenger replaced Frimpong with Rosicky at the break - an offensive move. In the early stages, Arsenal showed greater purpose going forward - but it only brought a pot-shot before the goal arrived.
The strike owed much to the brightest aspect of the visitors’ game so far - Gervinho’s ability to beat weave past full backs and reach the byline.
He did it again in the 55th minute and, this time, Van Persie was on hand to volley home at the near post.
For the first time since Udinese had taken the lead the Stadio Friuli was hushed. It would be very loud and very quiet in turn over the course of the next five minutes.
It began when Rosicky cleared Di Natale’s corner and, as Arsenal raced out of the area, the referee pointed to the penalty spot. It seemed an incredible decision at the time but the official booked Vermaelen and indicated handball.
Di Natale, top scorer in Serie A for two straight seasons, stepped up and his contact was decent. Szczesny thurst out one of his huge bucket hands to deflect the ball over the bar.
If this was a ‘money game’, one upon which millions of pounds rested, then what was that save worth?
Just for added value Szczesny saved a follow up overhead kick from Danilo Larangeira.
Udinese were wounded and Arsenal rubbed in the salt when, in the 69th minute, Walcott raced clear on the left and thumped a low shot past Handanovic.
By this time even the excellent Di Natale was starting to falter; as he did on 77 minutes when put through by Agyemang-Badu.
Gervinho, Andrey Arshavin and Armand Traore all had chances but the closing stages were relatively lame and listless. The fight had gone from Udinese, Arsenal played keep-ball.
When the whistle went, Wenger’s men had retained their Champions League status too.
Source: Richard Clarke, Arsenal.com on 24 Aug 11
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Match Preview: Udinese vs Arsenal, Stadio Friuli
“It has a big meaning to me, a big meaning to the players and for the Club as well.
“It's just our life. We want to be at the top. We do not want to be anywhere else.”
Arsenal Football Club has been on an emotional roller coaster over the past few months.
But you sense if they can see off Udinese in Wednesday’s Champions League Play-Off second leg then something like normal service can be resumed.
The Club is up for the battle. And, make no mistake, Arsène Wenger is most definitely a fighter.
The manager brought closure to another transfer saga on Tuesday morning when he decided to let Samir Nasri leave for Manchester City. The midfielder actually took part in training that day but did not board the coach for the airport a couple of hours later.
Wenger’s standpoint was always crystal clear – he did not want Nasri, nor Cesc Fabregas for that matter, to go.
However there is a ‘clean slate’ feeling about sorting out the situation before a game that will certainly shape Arsenal’s season. Champions League football is now an expectation at Emirates Stadium – and that is the work of one man.
Wenger is going for his 14th straight qualification for the Group Stage. Before the Frenchman came along, this Club had been in the competition just twice.
OK, the entry criteria are much wider these days but flick through your records books to find all the sides in Europe that boast such a record.
While you are there also search out how often they have got through the Group Stages – because Arsenal are on 11 straight seasons and counting right now.
Of course the higher the ascent the bigger the potential fall. But this is Arsenal Football Club – an organisation which has experience in coping with the downside of success.
It goes with the territory.
Wenger’s squad is stronger than the one that squeezed past Udinese in the first leg and lost to Liverpool on Saturday.
Gervinho, Alex Song, Robin van Persie all missed one of those through suspension but are available in Italy.
Meanwhile Emmanuel Frimpong’s domestic ban has not come into force yet. Johan Djourou and Armand Traore are fit once again.Laurent Koscielny (back), Jack Wilshere (ankle), Sebastien Squillaci (calf) and Nicklas Bendtner (ankle) are out. Tomas Rosicky (thigh) faces a late fitness test.
Udinese were bright, sparky and probably worth a goal at Emirates Stadium last week. Their failure to hit the net means an Arsenal strike at Stadio Friuli would leave the Italians chasing three.The home side are without striker Antonio Floro Flores (thigh), centre back Maurizio Domizzi (both thigh) and right back Dušan Basta.
They have qualified for the Group Stages only once in their history and so, not surprisingly, and taking the opposite route to Arsenal’s ‘play-it-down’ approach.
Captain and talisman Antonio di Natale said this was “like a World Cup Final” for him while coach Francesco Guidolin added: “We have been preparing this game for 50 days so we will try to hide our weaknesses and expose theirs.”
Wenger will be on the opposite bench after he was given a ‘stay’ on suspension for supposedly breaching his touchline ban in the first leg. A decision the Club are appealing in any case.
However, Guidolin’s side won his respect from the stands at Emirates Stadium and, interestingly, Wenger feels the loss of big-name players will create the opportunity for others on Wednesday.
“Udinese are team who are very dangerous with their strikers – Mauricio Isla and di Natale,” he said.
“Di Natale had more shots than anybody in the first game while their midfield was strong and compact. We respect Udinese, they are a good side and they showed that in the first game.
“We are in a strong position and we want to build on that. We need to score but as well not to concede goals because if we score, it's not enough. We want to be solid defensively because this is a team that has shown in the first game that they can be dangerous.
“However I believe in the players I have and the best way, sometimes, when you lose big players is that gets the team on the edge a little bit. It forces each of them to give a bit more, fight a bit together and that's of course what we will want to show on Wednesday.”
Then there is the heat. Arsenal flew from drab, grey London rain to bright Italian sunshine on the eve of the game. With temperatures expected to be over 30 degrees Celsius at kick-off, Wenger admitted it would be an issue for his side.
“It is little bit too much for us,” he said. “We hope you put a fridge on tomorrow night and it is a little bit colder! In London it is 20 degrees, so that is ideal to play football. Hopefully at 8.45pm local time, it will be better - and a bit colder.”
Climate control is a challenge beyond many but victory over Udinese tonight will certainly go a long way towards affecting some change.
Remember though that Champions League action is no divine right. It is an achievement and something other Premier League clubs have celebrated as a trophy in recent years.
At the end of his media work, Wenger was asked what it would mean to go out of the tournament at this stage.
“We will see after,” he replied. “Let's first give everything.”
That, in a nutshell, is his attitude for Udinese.
What is done is done, control your future and, above all, qualify.
Source: Richard Clarke, Arsenal.com on 24 Aug 11
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Amid the gloom, much to cheer in Arsenal's scrambled win over Udinese
Arsenal may have beaten Udinese narrowly in the first leg of their Champions League play-off, but the stereotypes about Arsène Wenger's side were given a trouncing. Following the grim stalemate at Newcastle United in the Premier League, Tuesday's 1-0 win over the Serie A club saw the side keep consecutive clean sheets for the first time since the start of March. Even then one of the fixtures had been a home tie with Leyton Orient in an FA Cup replay.
There were few plaudits for the victory over Udinese, which depended to some extent on excellent saves from Wojciech Szczesny after Theo Walcott's early goal. That was unjust on Arsenal. Their equilibrium, after all, had already vanished with the sale of Cesc Fábregas and the absence of the suspended Samir Nasri, who seems bound for Manchester City. While Udinese have also had to part with good players this summer, Arsenal are a club accustomed to greater status. So far as the Champions League is concerned, they had, for instance, led Barcelona in the 2006 final until a leveller in the 76th minute.
It is not beyond possibility that Wenger's side will be eliminated at the Stadio Friuli next Wednesday, but the moroseness being expressed wilfully ignores the impact of the away goal that Arsenal should be capable of scoring in Italy. Perhaps, too, minds have to get accustomed to the idea of this Arsenal team scrambling and coping as they did while establishing an advantage.
That target was achieved despite continuing adversity. The injuries took their toll, with the substitute Johan Djourou having to be replaced so that Wenger was virtually obliged to give a right-back, Carl Jenkinson, his debut on the left. The teenager had been on loan from Charlton to Eastbourne United and Welling United last year.
There is cause to argue that Arsenal need more experienced cover for Kieran Gibbs than a 19-year-old fielded out of position, but in the context of Tuesday's match the manner in which Jenkinson and others scrambled to a victory was impressive in its own way.
Wenger should wonder just what is required to earn approval. When his side glitter they can be accused – with some reason – of brittleness, but a resolute showing against Udinese is regarded as sustained mediocrity.
Arsenal may well be in difficulties overall and they had better not assume that they have the freehold on a place in the Premier League's top four, but little signs of encouragement are not to be shunned. Gervinho, shown a red card on his debut at Newcastle, was certainly an asset and the return of Thomas Vermaelen to full fitness has contributed to the clean sheets in the past few days.
It remains true, nonetheless, that Arsenal are far from being the force of old. Whatever happens in the transfer window, Wenger needs more from men already on the books. While Walcott's work was uneven against Udinese, the Serie A side at least had to take him into account. He realises that, at the age of 22, it is time for him to become a mature and consistent influence.
"I was the oldest on my table at Newcastle at dinner," he said of the weekend trip. "It was quite funny. I have been around for a long time now, so I know what it's all about and if I can help anyone out I will happily do that. This team has always been known for being young but we can't use that excuse any more. We have to win something.
"The win [on Tuesday] is very positive and we kept a clean sheet, which is important. A lot of young lads came on and did very well. It's a good result and we have players to come back as well, some more competition. There will be more competition at their place because they have to come at us. It's going to be tough but we are looking forward to the battle."
It is unwise of Walcott to antagonise Fabio Capello with the account in his book of the severity of life with England while he is still in the squad. Readers would not have been surprised at blood-curdling warnings from a manager who had just seen his winger ignore instructions. After missing an England team meeting because he mis-remembered the time Walcott, in addition, should have anticipated the intimidating stare that awaited him when he knocked on Capello's door. "I have so much respect for Fabio," the player said prudently on Tuesday.
Walcott is at least getting a sympathetic hearing from his club manager when he expresses a wish to play in a central role. "The boss has always promised me I will get a chance to play up front," he said, "so it's been six years and if I keep on scoring and doing well, I'll maybe get a chance up front with Robin [van Persie]. I'm not demanding anything, but I'm giving the boss something to think about."
Even so, Wenger's mind will focus most of all on a return with Udinese that comes in days of turmoil for Arsenal.
Source: Kevin McCarra, The Guardian on 17 Aug 11
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Arsenal fizzle out after early promise – just like last season
Arsenal were a little lucky to maintain their one-goal lead over Udinese last night, and they will need to be at full strength if they are to be confident of maintaining that narrow advantage over the combative Friulian side in next Wednesday's return leg. Tomas Rosicky and Marouane Chamakh, two of Arsène Wenger's more disappointing recruits, replaced the injured Jack Wilshere and the suspended Robin van Persie but could do little more than illustrate the shallowness of the resources with which Arsène Wenger has allowed his club to enter a very demanding opening phase of the new season.
Long before the end of a twitchy evening the familiar sounds of unrest were coming even from some of those who had chanted their support of Wenger before the kick-off. Yet although composure and precision may have been missing as the players strained to build on the lead given them by Theo Walcott's fourth-minute goal, the fans recognised that what the majority of the team did not lack, at a time of tension, was spirit. At the final whistle there was applause for a performance full of effort even if markedly deficient in the sort of finesse customarily associated with Wenger's teams.
Shorn of leaders and of artistry, they seemed determined to demonstrate their collective commitment. But if Wenger does not use the money accruing from the sales of Cesc Fábregas and Samir Nasri to strengthen the side by the time the squad arrive in Italy next week, the widespread disenchantment will take firmer root.
The team appeared to be taking the earliest possible opportunity to make a statement about life after Fábregas (and Nasri, Gaël Clichy and Denilson) when Walcott arrived at the near post to meet the low cross of Aaron Ramsey, below, from the right and clip the ball into the Udinese net.
This could also be taken as a personal statement from Walcott to the watching Fabio Capello, who had allegedly been upset this week by comments about England's 2010 World Cup campaign in a newspaper extract from the 22-year-old's forthcoming autobiography.
Here was a fleeting glimpse of the Arsenal their fans yearn to see, not just revelling in their skill, speed and youth, but finding a finishing touch to make the most of all that approach work.
And here, too, a brief demonstration of what Walcott could become if no longer confined to patrolling the right flank, the area of the pitch in which he has served his long Premier League apprenticeship.
He and Wenger have always envisaged a future for him as a goalscoring second striker, the role he played when catching the eye as a teenager at Southampton. It was Wenger who decided to allow him to acclimatise to the big league out on the wing, and Capello was the beneficiary when the youngster used his speed in Zagreb to score a memorable hat-trick. But Walcott has never possessed a winger's instincts, and has never looked likely to acquire them. What he has is devastating pace and sometimes, but not always, a cool finish. He might have had another hat-trick last night had he not made grotesque hash of an attempt to chip the Udinese goalkeeper with 20 minutes to go and placed a first-time shot just within the reach of Samir Handanovic in the 90th minute, an opportunity created by Gervinho's dribble and pass.
Last night he and Gervinho were deployed on either side of Chamakh, with the licence to interchange freely and to get ahead of the centre-forward. Chamakh frequently dropped deep to accept early balls played out of defence with the aim of drawing defenders and playing his colleagues into the opposing penalty area, but his interventions lacked any semblance of authority and after such a promising start Arsenal gradually fell into the old habit of failing to make capital from any amount of possession.
The thought occurred that they could do with someone like the 33-year-old Antonio Di Natale, Udinese's captain, a versatile, reliable and streetwise forward who has been Serie A's leading scorer for the past two seasons. The chunky Di Natale hit Wojciech Szczesny's crossbar with a 30-yard free kick in the first half, and late in the second period the goalkeeper launched himself to turn another dead-ball effort from the same player round a post. With the energetic support of the two Ghanaians in Udinese's midfield, Emmanuel Agyemang Badu and Kwadwo Asamoah, Di Natale was giving his side a point of reference and an attacking structure that frequently reduced Arsenal's defence to desperate last-ditch measures.
Wenger, however, prefers to invest in promise rather than experience, and at this juncture the consequence of a persistent collective callowness is that while his club may have a waiting list of 40,000 for their season tickets, the empty seats in the middle and upper tiers last night spoke of the dissatisfaction of those among their supporters who do not subscribe to the doctrine of keeping the faith through thick and thin.
The fans of many other clubs, perhaps of all but three or four in the Premier League, might question North London's somewhat exaggerated definition of "thin" if it includes a 14th successive season in the Champions League, even if that meant taking part in this year's qualifying round. The anxiety, however, is far from being dispelled. Walcott's goal may have bought the manager a little leeway, but no more than that.
Source: Richard Williams, The Guardian on 17 Aug 11
Five things we learned from Arsenal's nervy victory over Udinese
The mood of the home support
Arsène Wenger had considered it necessary to address the general mood of pessimism among the Arsenal support before kick-off, pointing out how the fans ought to be proud and reminding them that the players need love. As rallying cries go, it was hardly in the tub-thumping category. Yet he and the players could not have asked for more from a stadium that was dotted with empty seats. The Emirates can be a grumbling place, but the support was whole-hearted and, a bit of frustration in the second-half apart, it was there when it was needed. The early goal from Theo Walcott had been the perfect soother but roars followed the team's every low ebb. There was no sign of Samir Nasri, who had been the target of angry chants at Newcastle United on Saturday. He had earlier said on his Facebook page that he would leave for Manchester City "with bitterness and anger in my heart". Everybody else was focused on the task in hand.
The cover up front for Van Persie
Amid the clamour for big-name midfield signings to replace the departed Cesc Fábregas and the departing Nasri, it has largely been overlooked that Wenger appears to lack cover in the centre-forward position. Van Persie, newly appointed as the club captain, is not known for his durability and with Nicklas Bendtner given the nod to look for a new club,the sum total of the specialist options thereafter boil down to one man, Marouane Chamakh, who completely lost his way in the second-half of his debut season. With Van Persie suspended, Chamakh started here and did nothing to inspire confidence. Compared to the fleet of foot around him, the Moroccan looked ponderous, his movement predictable, and Udinese's defenders regularly nipped in to pick his pocket. He was a peripheral figure and when Udinese intensified the pressure in the second-half, he struggled to provide an outlet. Bendtner might need to be retained after all. Wenger will welcome back Van Persie with open arms.
The team's disciplinary issues
The incongruoussight of Arsène Wenger fidgeting in the stands, coupled with the absence of Van Persie and Nasri, offered a reminder of disciplinary issues from last season, but Arsenal had also been stalked by similar issues in the build-up to this tie. The afternoon had brought news of a failed appeal against Gervinho's three-match ban, for his sending-off at Newcastle United on Saturday, and Wenger already knew that he had to plan for the next three domestic matches without Alex Song, courtesy of the midfielder's decision to stamp on Joey Barton in the same game. Arsenal have accepted the charge of failing to control their players that they also incurred at Newcastle. It seemed to reinforce the notion that the Gunners are ever capable of getting themselves into needless and pettyrucks when a result is not going their way. A steely collective temperament was required here.Happily for Wenger, there was no red mist.
The case against the defence
It is fashionable and, sometimes, all too easy to knock Arsenal's defenders, particularly on set-pieces, but Wenger's faith in them is unshakable. Udinese presented the sternest of tests and it was not difficult to see why they are rated among the most eye-catching attacking teams in Serie A. Wenger had to tinker with his line-up in the second-half. The left-back Kieran Gibbs was jittery and did not reappear after the interval, due to a slight hamstring strain, and his replacement, Johan Djourou, lasted only minutes. Thomas Vermaelen, having been moved to left-back, was back in the middle when Carl Jenkinson came on. Jenkinson had only previously played at League One level with Charlton. The right-back's debut, at left-back, was some baptism, and he came through. The group lived on their nerves and they were indebted to the crossbar and Wojciech Szczesny, who was the man of the match. An Udinese goal felt inevitable yet it did not come. Wenger could praise his defenders once again.
Progressing to the Champions League
Arsenal are bidding to reach the group stage of Europe's elite competition for the 14th season in succession, via a fifth play-off in six years, and the pressure was not only on what Wenger might call the "technical" side. The club's money men were also on tenterhooks. They have come to factor in, almost automatically, the £25m that comes with participation in the group stage and with their domestic rivals, chief among them Manchester City, pushing back the financial boundaries further and further, it is unthinkable for the club accountants to contemplate Arsenal in the Europa League on Thursday evenings. Arsenal can, just about, pay six-figure weekly salaries but both of the Manchester clubs and Chelsea put that comfortably in the shade. The Nasri situation highlights the disparity – City have offered to pay him £180,000-a-week, and Arsenal cannot afford to see a hole blown in their business plan. Next Wednesday will be nervier still.
Source: David Hytner, The Guardian on 16 Aug 11
Theo Walcott's early strike gives jittery Arsenal edge over Udinese
In the middle of all the churning of personnel, the consolation remained of Theo Walcott's early goal. He might also have struck towards the end but the attempt was not quite accurate enough to beat Samir Handanovic. It was as well for Arsenal that a polished Udinese, whose Serie A campaign is yet to start, themselves lacked sharpness in the goalmouth.
The otherwise impressive captain and centre-forward Antonio Di Natale ceased to be so collected when sending a late free-kick far off target. Understandably there were just glimpses of fluency from Arsenal, who mostly depended on perseverance. There is no cause for apology when the club comes through unscathed despite being strafed by difficulties.
Although the 19-year-old Carl Jenkinson, a close season signing from Charlton, is a right-back he had to make his competitive debut with Arsenal on the left. This is the antithesis of all that we associate with Wenger, the builder of teams that have an exquisite appearance. On this occasion, there had to be a grimace on the face of Arsenal as they saw out this win.
That should not have surprised us in a spell when all Wenger's preparations have been undermined by factors beyond his control. It will be no easy task to put the upheaval behind them, but the grit shown here will be of use. That goalless draw at St James' Park was no evidence of a renaissance but Arsenal at least ensured that there were, at worst, only minor scratches to morale.
While Wenger is a man of vision, even he has to muddle through on occasion and, if all goes well, that is liable to be how Arsenal take their place in the Champions League itself.
In its own fashion, this contest was engrossing. It always helps when each side believes the other to be vulnerable. Arsenal had the confidence to score near the start and Udinese replied with enterprise. The freshness of the match belied the fact that so much was at stake. Walcott may have peeved Fabio Capello with his account of the stern environment of the England camp, but he can be in no danger of exclusion at his club when he volleys a goal as he did here. The attacker struck following fluent buildup, with Bacary Sagna breaking on the right before Aaron Ramsey crossed to the near post in the fourth minute.
After that there was enterprise from Udinese. The Serie A club might not have come to the fore if Arsenal had been ruthless but the players squandered their invitation to demoralise Francesco Guidolin's side. Gervinho, who gave a good display, made no contact with the header glanced his way by Laurent Koscielny at a corner-kick in the ninth minute. In open play, Arsenal lacked a convincing focal point in the centre of attack as Robin van Persie was suspended.
The opposition were also tantalising, particularly in the 12th minute when Di Natale struck the bar with a free-kick from 30 yards. Udinese's preparedness and match fitness were theoretically open to doubt but those factors were not on view. The onus lay with Wenger's men to unsettle them. In the circumstances it was therefore galling that Jack Wilshere continues to be an absentee because of his ankle injury.
Arsenal could have drawn a misleading comfort beforehand from the realisation that Udinese also appear to have been weakened by the sale of players since last season. Alexis Sánchez has Fábregas as a team-mate now both are at Camp Nou, but Udinese were neither demoralised or diminished. Wenger's line-up seemed not so much to miss Fábregas as to lack someone who could staunch the flowing play of Udinese.
Arsenal declined to relieve the pressure on themselves in the second half and there was an episode when Walcott turned the ball aimlessly into the penalty area after Tomas Rosicky had released him. The hosts had to count on the goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny to protect them, particularly in the 74th minute when he turned behind a free-kick from Di Natale. Arsenal persevered and, with this clean sheet, will expect to advance.
Source: Kevin McCarra, The Guardian on 16 Aug 11
Shaky Gunners escape a nervy night
Yet as the first home game of this already troubled season dawned for Wenger and his depleted side, the mood of pessimism surrounding a modestly populated Emirates Stadium was palpable for a Champions League play-off game that so nearly deepened the Arsenal gloom.
That Arsenal were playing this tricky play-off tie against hungry Italian opponents Udinese was proof that the project Wenger has championed for the last five years is, at best, on crumbling ground after last season's fourth-placed finish, with the despair inspired by the departure of beloved skipper Cesc Fabregas Barcelona merely accentuating the sense of scepticism around this club.
Confirmation that Arsenal's finest players have lost faith in Wenger's frustratingly stubborn policies has fuelled such pessimism among a growing majority of the club's supporters. Tension rippled around the stadium throughout this game as confirmation that these are uncomfortably troubled times for this great club.
Even after Theo Walcott handed Arsenal a fourth-minute lead that should have settled any nerves, a team lacking the presence of newly-installed and suspended skipper Robin Van Persie failed to take hold of a tie that always had the potential to break Wenger's latest plans before they even left first base.
Led with passion by skipper Antonio Di Natale, Udinese put Arsenal's supporters through agonising misery every time they broke forward and luck more than judgement ensured Wenger's side escaped with their narrow lead intact.
It was Di Natale who set the tone for this tie as his devilish curling free-kick thumped against Wojciech Szczesny's crossbar after 12 minutes, with each and every Udinese attack offering the potential to shatter a trepidation trickling down from the stands and onto the shoulders of Wenger's players.
The sight of Pablo Armero carving through Arsenal with alarming ease after 25 minutes sent a ripple of panic around the stadium, with Szczesny pulling off a fine save to stem a tide that was beginning to mount against his team.
Throughout it all, Wenger was left to wriggle uncomfortably from his seat high in the stands, with the touchline ban he was serving following last season's Champions League defeat at Barcelona's Nou Camp making what was always likely to be one of Wenger's more uncomfortable nights even more excruciating.
Wenger was not even allowed to speak to his team at the break, and he was seen munching on a cream cake in the Emirates Diamond Lounge, assistants Pat Rice and Bora Primorac were called upon to settle the nerves rattling through his team.
Still they refused to subside as the second half got underway. Di Natalee spurned a glorious chance to draw his side level four minutes into the second half and with that, the first rumblings of jeering from Arsenal supporters became audible. It was a poisoning of the atmosphere Wenger and his team could have done without.
While this magnificent stadium is rarely a cauldron of noise, the eerie silence echoing around the Emirates as Arsenal clung onto their advantage with diminishing confidence was fuelling the tensionfor players whose inability to cling onto the ball was a curious addition to their growing list of concerns.
The sight of centre-back Mehdi Benatia joining in with Udinese attacks as Italian dominance began to grow confirmed Arsenal's shift to the back foot appeared to be terminal. A woeful Maroune Chamakh, shaky Aaron Ramsey, a lacklustre Gervinho and the anonymous Tomas Rosicky all struggled to lift their team when they needed it most.
Szczesny came to Arsenal's rescue once again as he produced a flying save to deny Di Natale 15 minutes from time and while Walcott spurned a glorious chance to give Arsenal a two-goal advantage ahead of the second leg in the closing stages, the final whistle was greeted by a confused hum from Arsenal supporters. They did not know whether to delight in their side's fortunate win or despair at a performance that confirmed that on current form their team appears to be second rate at best.
"We were a little shy at the start and the one goal has cost us what may be a vital clean sheet," was the view of Udinese coach Francesco Guidolin, who seemed genuinely enthused by his side's performance. "I feel we can take confidence from this performance because we had chances to score against Arsenal and we could compete with them in many areas. We have to be confident of finding a way to progress."
Being present at this stadium allows the chance to experience the depth of despair rippling through the hearts of Arsenal fans right now and it falls to the man they trust with increasing uncertainty to guide them from choppy waters by splashing the cash in a fashion he has rarely displayed before.
Wenger used his touchline suspension, itself a confused process when UEFA questioned his closesness to Primorac in the stands, to avoid a searching series of questions from a hungry pack gathered in the press room, but his pre-match television interviewed offered a revealing insight into his mindset as he attempts to douse the flames threatening to engulf him.
Indeed, Wenger refused to talk to the press to make a protest at the terms of his ban from UEFA. The trouble is, he may be in more trouble with UEFA now for not doing so.
"There is all gloom and doom around us right now, but people need to realise things are not as bad as the perception that is being given," he stated. "I will not spend money on average players, but it there is good quality players available, we will try to get them. I will pay £30 million, even £40 million if I find the right players, don't worry about that.
"The trouble is, it is difficult for us to compete with clubs who have unlimited financial power and the fans have to remember that one reason you may lose big players is they feel the supporters don't love them any more. What we need at this club right now is unity and I hope everyone appreciates that."
A team featuring Van Persie and Jack Wilshire may have enough to make it through to the Champions League group stages, but few Arsenal supporters who endured this nervy, fraught examination will be looking forward to the rematch in Udine.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Antonio Di Natale
The Udinese skipper led his team to the brink of what should have been a famous result at the Emirates Stadium. Now they may rue the missed chances spurned in this first leg.
CHAMAKH'S MISERY
Handed the chance to lead the Arsenal line in the absence of the suspended Robin van Persie, Marouane Chamakh was poor from start to finish. If he is the back-up to an oft-unavailable new Gunners skipper, the need for additional strikers is more pressing than previously suspected.
WENGER SPOTLIGHT
UEFA officials are looking into suggestions that the Arsenal boss broke the rules of his touchline ban by getting messages down to assistant Pat Rice through his side-kick Bora Primorac. Additional sanctions may follow in the coming days. Indeed, Wenger refused to talk to the press to make a protest at the terms of his ban from UEFA. The trouble is, he may now be in more trouble with UEFA for not doing so.
ARSENAL VERDICT
If they play like this in the second leg of this tie next week, the Europa League may well beckon for Arsene Wenger this season. It remains to be seen whether Arsenal fans could stomach such a desperate demotion after 13 straight years in Europe's elite competition.
Source: Kevin Palmer, ESPN Soccernet on 16 Aug 11
Arsenal uncertain and unsettled
Wenger was fidgety and agitated. The gallery was nervous, unsettled, unsure. And every one of these emotions was mirrored by Arsenal as they inched their way agonisingly to a one-goal advantage to take to Udine next Wednesday for the second leg of the Champions League qualifier.
Theo Walcott's early goal gave Arsenal a very acceptable result against dangerous opponents, a 1-0 win and no away goal conceded. It was also achieved with Cesc Fabregas finally back in the arms of Barcelona, Jack Wilshere injured, newly-appointed captain Robin van Persie suspended and Samir Nasri also banned and on his way to Manchester City.
And yet it was an occasion that did little to dispel the mood of restlessness currently hanging over Arsenal, an uncertainty over direction and over what lies ahead if Wenger fails to act decisively and successfully before the transfer window closes.
Even Wenger's touchline ban, imposed after his clash with officials during the Champions League defeat in Barcelona last season, failed to pass off without incident as he was taken to task by Uefa for communicating with his assistant Pat Rice via coach Boro Primorac.
Club officials clearly believed Wenger had been given permission in the pre-match briefing to pass on messages. My view is that it would be petty to inflict further punishment on Wenger because this carried all the hallmarks of a genuine misunderstanding as opposed to an obvious flouting of his ban.
It resulted in Wenger swerving the traditional post-match media commitments as he claimed his ban covered all aspects of the game - also convenient as it spared him questions he may well be heartily sick of answering.
The questions remain, however, and are legitimate as it took the emerging talent of goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny to ensure Udinese did not secure the away goal they, and veteran captain Antonio de Natale in particular, deserved.
How has Wenger allowed his squad to thin out to such an extent without securing replacements and reinforcements? Fabregas, Clichy, Emmanuel Eboue are gone and Nasri is going, almost certainly to be followed by Nicklas Bendtner and others.
Arsenal's lack of defensive resources were exposed in the first 10 minutes of the second half, when Thomas Vermaelen switched from central defence to left-back after Kieran Gibbs suffered a hamstring injury - and then back again when substitute Johan Djourou suffered a similar problem.
It meant a full debut in the Champions League for Carl Jenkinson, a promising teenage talent signed from Charlton Athletic this summer but surely at this elite level ahead of his time. No slight on Jenkinson, but the need for his appearance underscored the current lack of depth available to Wenger.
Szczesny was outstanding, Walcott prominent and Gervinho industrious - which he had to be as Marouane Chamakh was only one stop short of useless alongside him, confirming his rapid decline from the early days of promise following his arrival at Arsenal.
These were the pluses, but they cannot disguise that Arsenal face a potentially uncomfortable return leg before they are assured of a place in the main Champions League stage for the 15th season in succession under Wenger.
Arsenal supporters, understandable anxieties aside, showed great patience and support as they backed their side through periods of suffering against Udinese, but they are clearly only too aware of their current frailties. They will not take the journey to Italy with complete certainty that they will return with the prize of a place in the Champions League group stage.
It was all summed up in one first-half mess of misplaced positioning and lack of tackling that allowed Pablo Armero to run 50 yards, unhindered by the pressure or presence of an Arsenal player, before Szczesny made a crucial save.
The win covers up cracks and progress with the right result in Italy next week would give Arsenal's morale a footballing and financial lift but these are strange days, with Wenger seemingly uncertain who he wants to fill the gaps appearing with increasing regularity in his squad.
There will be much talk of the usual £25m prize for reaching the main business of the Champions League - but Arsenal have earned themselves plenty of money already this summer and so much more than cash will be at stake in Italy next Wednesday.
Source: Phil McNulty, BBC Sport on 17 Aug 11
16 August 2011: Arsenal 1-0 Udinese, The Emirates
Theo Walcott’s fourth-minute strike decided a bright, pacy first leg at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.
Both sides had their chances in a match which, given its importance, was wide open. Despite losing a couple of defenders to injury, Arsenal’s backline remained resolute and secured a second successive clean-sheet.
And had Samir Handanovic not saved wonderfully from Walcott in the dying seconds, Arsenal may have stolen the tie.
However, as it stands, there is work to do in Northern Italy next Wednesday.
But by then Arsenal will have their captain back on the pitch and their manager back on the bench.
However, right now, their fate is in their hands. And really that is all you can ever ask for.
It may have been only the second competitive game of the season but it was one of the most important. Arsenal had been in the Champions League Group Stages every season since 1998-99.
It was one of Wenger’s proudest achievements but it was now expected.
This was the first game in the post-Fabregas era but the Barcelona effect was wider than that this evening.
Robin van Persie, Samir Nasri and Arsène Wenger were all suspended following the defeat at the Nou Camp in last season’s Knockout Round tie. Marouane Chamakh replaced the Dutchman up front meanwhile Walcott came in for Andrey Arshavin on the right. Tomas Rosicky recovered from his thigh problem to retain his place in central midfield.
This was Arsenal’s fifth appearance in the Qualifying stages and, in truth, the first four opponents had been easily dispatched. Despite losing their own star turn to Barcelona, Alexis Sanchez, Udinese were expected to be a different proposition.
And, despite suffering a nightmare start, they were.
In the fourth minute, Aaron Ramsey escaped down the right and whipped in a low ball to the near post where Walcott touched home.
The Englishman celebrated with a golf swing and certainly the early goal was like stroking your opening tee-shot straight down the fairway.
The rough would come a little later.
In the sixth minute, Walcott’s corner was nodded to the far post by Laurent Koscielny but Gervinho miscued from just a few yards out. The flying Thomas Vermaelen may well have drawn his attention.
At this point, Arsenal were bright, aggressive and looking for goals.
However, as we soon found out, so were Udinese.
In the 11th minute, Kwado Asamoah escaped on the right with the Arsenal defence stretched. Fortunately, Alex Song stuck out a leg to block the cross and smuggled away the danger.
Then Udinese won a free-kick on the left. It was 30 yards out but Antonio Di Natale tried his luck and, with Wojciech Szczesny beaten, rattled the bar.
There was a massive amount of money and pride resting on the next 180 minutes so you might have expected a tense, taught and perhaps negative affair. Not a bit of it.
The first 30 minutes were like the last 10 minutes of a blood-and-thunder FA Cup tie.
Udinese had to soak up pressure but were lightning on the counter with Asamoah their spearhead. On 26 minutes, Song was robbed on the edge of the visitors’ box and the Ghanaian sprinted almost 50 yards before seeing his shot beaten away by Szczesny. The rebound eventually found its way to Mauricio Isla on the edge of the box but Song, who had raced back to atone for his error, flew in to block.
The game lost some of it energy as we approached half-time. The only real opportunity came when Di Natale rippled the sidenetting.
Arsenal had to reshuffle at the break. Left-back Kieran Gibbs was forced off so Vermaelen moved out to the position he plays for Belgium. Johan Djourou came off the bench and into the centre-back position.
The Swiss defender’s first intervention was timely. He rushed in to deny Di Natale after Koscielny had given the ball away.
However minutes later Djourou had to limp off and 19-year-old Carl Jenkinson made his debut as a makeshift left back. It was his first competitive game since March 19 when Charlton had visited Dagenham and Redbridge.
It was a tough baptism for the Finnish Under-21 international and he learnt an early lesson when Isla forced his way past and fired a dangerous drive just beyond the far post.
Midway through the half Pablo Armero found space on the left and fired inches over the bar from distance.
Udinese had now taken control of the game. Their football was insistent and Arsenal were on the backfoot, defending at times with any part of the body they had available.
That did mean Arsenal had opportunities on the break. In the 69th minute, Ramsey’s pass split the Udinese defence and sent Walcott clear.
The Englishman tried to open his body to steer a shot in to the far corner. Unfortunately he scuffed his effort.
Szczesny threw himself to his left to bat away another free-kick from Di Natale. Giampiero Pinzi then rattled a stanchion.
But the best late chance fell to Arsenal. At the start of injury time, Gervinho slipped a clever ball to Walcott on the left of the area. The striker hit it first time but Handanovic fingertipped the ball past the post. A stunning - and vital - save.
Armero flashed a shot just over at the death but Arsenal had their goal and, just as importantly, their clean-sheet.
The advantage is a narrow one but it is significant.
** Kieran Gibbs and Johan Djourou suffered minor hamstring problems during the game and could miss Saturday's Premier League fixture with Liverpool.
Source: Richard Clarke, Arsenal.com on 16 Aug 11
Bullied by Barton again and adios Cesc
Given Joey Barton was on the pitch, there was always the chance that there’d be some controversy, particularly after he started the collapse last season in helping get Abou Diaby sent off. Somehow, that man annoys Arsenal to the point of petulance, which the modern Arsenal doesn’t usually show.
In 2008, Samir Nasri was new to the Premier League and had a run-in with Barton at the Emirates. It ended with Nasri tripping over the Newcastle man off the ball. Last season, when we were 4-0 up, Barton put in a needlessly strong tackle that brought an overreaction from Diaby that got him sent off. Unfortunately, the same happened on Saturday with Barton provoking reactions from Arsenal players.
In the second half, Alex Song dispossessed Barton near the half way line and appeared to be fouled. With Barton on the floor, Song stamped on him. Being honest, my initial thought on seeing the incident was that I couldn’t blame him. However, it was stupid of Song to lower himself to Barton’s level and risk a sending off in an important game. Whereas Song’s act on the face of it didn’t look to be seriously provoked by Barton, the second key incident involving the Newcastle midfielder was because of his own over-reaction.
On his competitive debut, Gervinho generally looked lively and caused the Newcastle defence a number of problems. As the game neared its conclusion, he went on a good run into the box down the left, cut inside Tiote and went down. His fall did look exaggerated, but he was caught by Tiote and had both feet off the floor when it happened, so the fall was more justified. In other words, it should have been a penalty.
After a spot kick wasn’t awarded by Peter Walton, Joey Barton thought the Ivorian had dived to try and win a penalty. He yanked Gervinho’s shirt to pull him off the floor and started an unsightly scuffle as he very impolitely tried to convey his (wrong) view. Surrounded by three Newcastle players, Gervinho stuck out a hand and slapped Barton around the top of the head. Immediately Barton fell to the floor as if he’d been on the end of a right hook from a heavyweight boxer. Again, my initial reaction was that I couldn’t blame Gervinho for slapping him, and a small part of me wished he’d hit him harder. On reflection, like Alex Song’s stamp, it was a stupid and needless slap that was always going to risk a sending off. It was inexperience from Gervinho and an eye-opener for him about the reality of the Premier League.
I can in no way condone what Gervinho or Song did, and it’s massively frustrating that the Ivorian will miss games against Liverpool and Manchester United this month because of it. Song could also be retrospectively punished and miss important matches. It’s made more frustrating that Barton was looking for a reaction. As with Diaby last season, he knew what he was doing and will view the sending off as a success. Arsenal in recent years have needed to show more fight, but not in the sense Song and Gervinho showed on Saturday. There’s being aggressive, and then there’s being petulant and stupid whilst putting your team at risk. It’s good to see the players not accepting Barton trying to bully them, but the response was wrong as they stooped to Barton’s level. Somehow that aggression needs to be channelled differently and more effectively to help the side.
Having said that, not reacting to Barton is difficult. With the Gervinho incident, he was aggressively questioning the integrity of Gervinho by suggesting he dived, when Gervinho hadn’t done so. It wasn’t like Gervinho was running round screaming at the referee for a penalty, he was just lying on the ground and beginning to get up when Barton set upon him. Plus, if Barton is so anti-diving, why did he throw himself to the floor and claim a punch when Gervinho lightly slapped him. It was disgraceful behaviour that should have seen him sent off as well. I think he’s a nasty piece of work, and if anyone seriously thinks he should join Arsenal, then I’d question how you think in any way he’d improve the morale and the mood in the dressing room. I also don’t think he’s a very good player, so we should stay as far away from him as possible.
Without the Barton incidents, there isn’t too much to talk about from the game. We defended quite well and limited the hosts’ chances well. Hopefully this one good defensive performance won’t make Arsene Wenger think that we don’t need a centre back, because we clearly still do.
Attacking wise, we unfortunately did miss Fabregas. The final pass was missing on a number of occasions, and Fabregas has so often been the provider of that in the past. That might improve when Jack Wilshere returns from injury, but it is a concern that we couldn’t create clear cut chances for Robin van Persie. If the Dutchman doesn’t get the right service, he has a tendency to drop into midfield to get the ball, and then leave us short of players in the middle when the ball gets towards the box. With better service, he’ll stay upfront and therefore we’ll score more with his clinical finishing.
At the time of writing, Samir Nasri is still an Arsenal player. However should he leave along with Cesc Fabregas, then we need to sign an attacking midfield with the ability to provide chances for van Persie to score. Being honest, I don’t know who that could be as that sort of quality player is hard to find, making the loss of Fabregas and the relatively low price even more annoying.
Just to give some context, I’d already drafted this blog post last night, just before news broke that Arsenal had agreed a fee with Barcelona for the sale of Cesc Fabregas. I wasn’t initially going to dwell too much on his departure, however it’s tough to see your captain leave the club, and it’s happened too many times in recent seasons.
Fabregas was a great player for the club, and was always likely to return to Barcelona at some point. It could have happened in previous summers, but even though it was expected this year, it’s still massively disappointing and gut wrenching. I thought I was prepared for it, but now it’s happened, it really hurts to see him go. Even when the likes of Henry and Vieira went, it wasn’t as hard as we knew they’d given a massive amount to the club and that their powers were declining. Unfortunately, Fabregas has gone with his best years still in front of him. At 24, he was only going to improve further, and now that won’t happen at Arsenal. That arguably won’t happen at Barcelona either as he will struggle to get into the midfield three of Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets.
I don’t want to get too nostalgic about Fabregas as we need to try and forget him and move on, but there are a few memories of him that stick out for me that deserve a mention. The 2004 Community Shield against Manchester United, which Arsenal won 3-1, saw Fabregas, complete with a mullet, dominate the match from midfield at the age of 17 when up against Roy Keane. Later that year, he was apparently the man who threw pizza over Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford, instantly making him popular amongst Gooners. He was epic in the Champions League match at Highbury in 2006 against Juventus, went on a fantastic scoring run at the start of 2007/08 and took on the armband in 2008, winning his first match as captain 1-0 against Dynamo Kiev.
In 2009/10, two games stand out. The 3-0 victory over Tottenham at the Emirates saw Fabregas score straight after we’d taken the lead by winning the ball from kick off and running through to finish past Gomes. The reaction of Cesc and the fans to that goal was immense. That season also saw his best cameo in an Arsenal shirt. We were drawing 0-0 with Aston Villa when Cesc came on, returning from injury. He was only on the pitch for less than half an hour, but when he went off with a recurring hamstring injury, we were 2-0 up, after Cesc scored both goals. Finally, from last season, it’s hard to look past the Barcelona match at home. It wasn’t a vintage Cesc performance, but he contributed to the winning goal and looked chuffed to get one over his home town team.
I’m certain all true Arsenal fans will thank Cesc wholeheartedly for some of the great moments he gave us over eight years, and how great it was to see such a fantastic player at the club. We all wish him the best for the future. However, I don’t think I’m alone by not wishing his new club the best. Their pursuit of him has left a nasty taste among Arsenal fans, and should we meet them again soon, it’s a taste that could reappear.
After a fairly uninspiring start at St James’ Park, we now face a crucial Champions League tie. If we are going to sign new players, being in the Champions League could be a deciding factor for those players and the club, with the money that would come in from qualifying.
Udinese travel to the Emirates after finishing fourth in Serie A last season. No Italian team who finishes in the top four can be underestimated; however they have also lost key players this summer. The first leg will be made more difficult with Robin van Persie missing through suspension, meaning there will be a lot of pressure on Marouane Chamakh to somehow return to the form he showed at the start of last season. Jack Wilshere could also be missing through injury, and Nasri is suspended.
A good result on Tuesday will help the team gain confidence ahead of next weekend’s clash with Liverpool, and will allow us to rotate the squad in the second leg ahead of Manchester United at the end of August. With the sale of Fabregas completed, fans need the feel-good factor to return, and Udinese provides a challenge, but the perfect chance to make people proud to wear the red and white again.
Thanks for everything Cesc. Now it’s time to forget our former captain, starting with Udinese on Tuesday.
Source: Sam Limbert, ESPN Soccernet on 16 Aug 11
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