Thursday, 16 August 2012

FAREWELL VAN PERSIE


John Cross column: Robin van Persie's departure will be seen as betrayal and he can forget a hero's return but at £24m it's good business for Arsenal

"Van Persie is 29, had one year left on his contract, has a poor injury record and the only surprise was that Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was willing go above £20m to get his man"

He has a new gaffer now: Robin van Persie is leaving Arsenal for Man United
But the deal is one Arsenal quite simply had to do. It was £24m now or lose van Persie on a free transfer in a year's time.
It was no longer just because van Persie wouldn't sign a new contract. The Arsenal love affair with the Dutchman had finished. Everyone says it would all have been forgotten the moment he scored a late winner. But I think it runs deeper than that.
Fans knew he'd flirted with the (Red) devil, insulted the club with his ridiculous statement and there was no way back. Can you just imagine what his first set of captain's programme notes would have been like? "It's been an interesting summer..."
Or would he have used them to criticise the club's direction again? While the players still like and respect him, as a figurehead van Persie couldn't be seen as captain even if he was well regarded in that role by his team mates.
Cesc Fabregas did something similar in 2010, but never went public with his desire to leave. Everyone knew but he kept the armband, stayed another year and then went to Barcelona. Fabregas remains popular.
Samir Nasri congratulates Cesc Fabregas

 







But it's all over for van Persie and the fact that he went to Manchester United rather than abroad will ensure he will never be remembered as an Arsenal legend. Shame.
He is 29, had one year left on his contract, has a poor injury record and the only surprise was that Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was willing go above £20m to get his man. At that price, it is good business for Arsenal.
Sadly, van Persie's heroics last season will be instantly forgotten. I liken it to two players from the 80s: Liam Brady remained a hero despite going to Juventus. Frank Stapleton became public enemy number one by going to Manchester United.
Stapleton was seen as greedy. Brady was forgiven because Juventus were one of European football's super powers at the time.
I've spoken to lots of people about van Persie and many think it's worse him going to Old Trafford than Manchester City. I can't quite get the argument.
Arsenal and United have been rivals for longer. Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson have been at loggerheads for much of the past decade or so. But it's not as if van Persie is swapping Arsenal for Tottenham, the real arch enemies.
Either way, it's seen as a betrayal and van Persie can forget a hero's return. He's off to try and win some trophies.
Samir Nasri blamed everyone but himself for Arsenal failing to win trophies. At least van Persie kept up his end of the bargain.
However, Arsenal have shown ambition this summer. They've brought in Santi Cazorla, Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski who are three top quality players: internationals and exciting, forward thinking players.
One in, one out: Van Persie has gone but Lukas Podolski is among those Wenger has brought in
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Lots of people keep telling me that Cazorla may even just be the best Premier League signing this summer.
It strikes me that even if Alex Song follows van Persie out of the club to Barcelona, if Arsenal bring in a top quality midfielder to bolster the ranks and do a defensive job, then the club will actually have a stronger overall squad than last season.
Arsenal have scouted Yann M'Vila and been after Nuri Sahin. I was also reminded the other day just how much depth they have in midfield.
Mikel Arteta and Cazorla must surely start the season as part of the central midfield trio. Arteta was magnificent last year, Cazorla will operate as a playmaker in the ten role.
Then you've still got Aaron Ramsey, Tomas Rosicky, Francis Coquelin, Emmanuel Frimpong. Abou Diaby and Jack Wilshere to come back. There's no doubt that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is seen as a central player in the longer term.
Arsenal's English striker Alex Oxlade-C

 







If Arsenal sign a direct replacement for Song, then the midfield will be stronger. If also they play two deeper lying players with Cazorla in front, then it may offer more protection and options.
Last season, so much emphasis was put on van Persie. This season, if you have Theo Walcott on the right, Podolski on the left and Giroud through the middle then it gives Arsenal a better all round attacking threat.
They have also got Gervinho and Andrey Arshavin, both of whom have been flying in pre-season. Arsenal look stronger.
So, while the sales may be painful, the current team hasn't delivered trophies. So it's time for a change, a new era and Arsenal will be hoping the new players provide a new-look squad which can enjoy success.

Wednesday, 25 April 2012

Pep Guardiola to review Barca tactics after Chelsea defeat


Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola says the Champions League semi-final defeat by Chelsea may force his side to change their tactics, but insists they played "exceptionally well" in defeat.


"I've transmitted this crazy theme of 'you have to go out and attack, attack, attack'," said Guardiola.
"Maybe it's a lesson for the future? We have to find the way to attack better."
The 41-year-old said he would decide whether to renew his Barcelona contract in "the next few days".
He added: "We'll talk about everything and then take a decision because it's evident that it's time to."
Guardiola has had a series of one-year contracts at the Nou Camp since first taking up the reins in 2008 and had been linked with the Chelsea job in the wake of Andre Villas-Boas's departure from Stamford Bridge in March.

Friday, 30 December 2011

GUESS WHO'S BACK?


17 of 20

Thierry Henry 'certain' to join Arsenal on loan, says Arsene Wenger



Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry could be on his way back to the EmiratesHenry's last appearance for Arsenal was against PSV Eindhoven in March 2007
Thierry Henry will sign a two-month loan with Arsenal if insurance can be arranged with the New York Red Bulls, Arsene Wenger has confirmed.
The former Arsenal captain, 34, has been training with the club during the Major League Soccer off-season.
Gunners boss Wenger said: "For two months it certainly will happen. I don't take care of the agreement and insurance and that is not completed.
"We cannot announce anything [now] because the paperwork is not done."
With Gervinho and Marouane Chamakh set to depart for the Africa Cup of Nations in January, the Frenchman would offer back-up to captain Robin van Persie.
Henry is Arsenal's all-time leading goalscorer, with 226 goals in 370 appearances for the club before he moved to Barcelona in June 2007.

HENRY TIMELINE

  • Aug 1999: Signs for Arsenal from Juventus for £10.5m
  • Feb 2007: Scores 226th and final goal for Gunners in draw v Middlesbrough
  • June 2007: Joins Barcelona for £16.1m
  • July 2010: Signs for New York Red Bulls on "multi-year contract"
  • Nov 2011: Begins training with Arsenal
Wenger said: "To cover for two months is ideal. He has the experience and the quality. He knows the club and can help the players on and off the pitch.
"He has exceptional talent and is a very intelligent man. It can only be positive.
"He still has class, pace and quality. He is here to help the club he loves. But we must not put too much pressure on him, he is 34. He needs two good weeks' work. He is here to help - not suddenly be the main player."
The French forward does not have to return to the New York Red Bulls until March, which means he could feature in seven Premier League games, including key encounters against Manchester United and Tottenham, as well as FA Cup ties and the first leg of Arsenal's Champions League last-16 clash against AC Milan.
If agreement is reached with the Red Bulls, he could feature in Arsenal's FA Cup third-round tie against Leeds on 9 January.

Tuesday, 20 December 2011

Gibbs suffers setback


Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed that Kieran Gibbs has suffered a setback in his recovery from a hernia operation.
The 22-year-old full-back has been sidelined ever since being forced under the knife in November.
He has struggled to regain match fitness, forcing him to spend a longer than expected spell out of Wenger's plans.
It was hoped that he would come back into contention for Wednesday's trip to Aston Villa, but the Gunners have announced that he has been dealt another untimely blow.
"Kieran Gibbs has unfortunately had a setback and he is not back yet," Wenger told the club's official website.
"It's very disappointing because we had good hope that he would be back for tomorrow's game, but he is not available."

Returns

Arsenal have, however, received better news regarding the fitness of back-up goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski and Japanese forward Ryo Miyaichi.
The pair have been nursing knee and ankle injuries respectively, but both are closing on a comeback.
"Ryo is joining in normal training on Friday, so he is completely back from injury," said Wenger.
"Fabianski has practised today (Tuesday) and should be available for next week

Arsenal v Wolves Boxing Day clash in doubt




Emirates StadiumFans may struggle to travel to the Emirates Stadium on Boxing Day
Arsenal will decide within 48 hours whether to delay their Boxing Day match with Wolves to 27 December because of a proposed tube strike.
Trade union Aslef has announced industrial action that could disrupt the London underground system.
A club spokesman told BBC Sport: "Arsenal are considering postponement to 27 December as one of the options."
Chelsea say they are monitoring the situation ahead of their Boxing Day derby against Fulham.
Arsenal are wary of the travel disruption a strike could cause to the 60,000 fans who have tickets to their 1500 GMT kick-off, and their 1,000 matchday employees.
Drivers have planned a 24-hour walkout on Boxing Day and on three other days over the next two months.

LONDON BOXING DAY GAMES

  • Arsenal v Wolves (1500 GMT)
  • Chelsea v Fulham (1300)
  • Watford v Cardiff (1200)
  • Millwall v Portsmouth (1300)
  • Leyton Orient v MK Dons (1300)
  • Brentford v Bournemouth (1500)
  • AFC Wimbledon v Oxford U (1215)
  • Dagenham & Red v Barnet (1300)
A statement on Arsenal's website read: "We would like to make all supporters aware of the situation surrounding our proposed home match against Wolves on Monday, 26 December.
"The club is fully aware of the proposed industrial action on London Underground on Monday, 26 December.
"We are closely monitoring the situation, together with all the relevant agencies, including the Metropolitan Police, Transport for London, London Underground, the FA Premier League, Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Islington Council.
"The paramount concern to Arsenal Football Club is the duty of care we have towards the Arsenal supporters, Wolverhampton Wanderers supporters, matchday employees and indeed everyone who is planning to attend this match."
Aslef's 2,200 members agreed to strike on Boxing Day, 16 January, 3 and 13 February in a ballot last week.
The decision is being challenged by London mayor Boris Johnson in the High Court and there is hope that an agreement can be reached to prevent the strike.
Chelsea's 1300 GMT meeting with Fulham could also be affected, as could Football League games being held at the homes of London clubs Watford, Millwall, Leyton Orient, Brentford, Dagenham & Redbridge and AFC Wimbledon.