Monday, August 25, 2008

A few miscelleneous posts

Arsenal in Crisis?

2 games into the season and Redondo is calling for Wenger's head. Interesting, considering how far he's brought the club. I would prefer to reserve such judgement until at least half way through the season though.

Statistics show that changing a coach frequently more often than not destabilizes the team. (Think Newcastle, Bolton and Real Madrid between Del Bosque and Schuster)

From the sentiments of key players, (Cesc, RVP and Adebayor) they would move from Arsenal if Wenger was to move on for whatever reason. Of course there's no guarantee that they would make good on their intention. So getting rid of Wenger may infact make things far much more worse.

Fact is there's loads of money in soccer and if you don't have it you don't have it. I would hate to see Arsenal going the way of Leeds United, taking on loans that are pegged on future gate earnings.

There's money to buy players, lets just see whether it will get spent.

My personal soccer philosophy

I only watch beautiful soccer. As soon as it becomes highly mechanical, I lose interest. Hence my supporting Arsenal and Real Madrid. (at least Real Madrid have a reputation of winning in style).

No Excuses

However there's no excuse for the footballing display of Arsenal FC over these first two league games of the season. I have not watched them personally but from what I have read online, there's a lack of motivation or lack of team spirit, and the poor performance has not necessarily been as a result of a perceived weakness in the central midfield.

Watching how the team performs over the next 2-3 games will probably be a good indicator on whether this will be addressed soon.

In my opinion Gallas should be replaced as captain. I actually wonder whether he should be in the team at all.

Olympics and soccer

Watching the Olympics come to a close at the Bird's Nest, I wondered what it would take to host this in Africa(let alone Kenya). The organisation involved, and of course hard cash was out of the roof. I watched a bit of the soccer finals (both ladies and men) and concluded that one must take their chances in the sport.

Brazil's women had by far the greater possession and intricate footwork (yes their women play great soccer too) but still failed to score against a resilient USA side which won the Gold medal after scoring in extra time. Nigeria had more of the possession against a ruthless Argentina side (both sides played lovely soccer too).

6 comments:

Redondo said...

I must admit that you have a point. However i feel that maybe there is need to put a little pressure on Wenger. He seems so comfortable on the job despite the lack of titles. There is a danger of complacency setting in. You know, in the EPL there is this thing they call the 'most hated team'. It's a titlle that ManU held for a long time but Chelsea aquired it during Murinho's reign. Incidentally the most hated team often is the most successful team.
Have you noticed that those ugly exchange of blows that the likes of Viera and Roy Keane would engage in are no more? Well I think its because the intense competition has faded. They no longer consider us as their greatest challenge. Even the media always expects ManU to come on top when we play them. Its news when we either beat them or hold them to a draw.
Something needs to happen soon. Am sure that is a fact that you have no argument with!

Redondo said...

I must admit that you have a point. However i feel that maybe there is need to put a little pressure on Wenger. He seems so comfortable on the job despite the lack of titles. There is a danger of complacency setting in. You know, in the EPL there is this thing they call the 'most hated team'. It's a titlle that ManU held for a long time but Chelsea aquired it during Murinho's reign. Incidentally the most hated team often is the most successful team.
Have you noticed that those ugly exchange of blows that the likes of Viera and Roy Keane would engage in are no more? Well I think its because the intense competition has faded. They no longer consider us as their greatest challenge. Even the media always expects ManU to come on top when we play them. Its news when we either beat them or hold them to a draw.
As for the players leaving should wenger be sacked, i must say that would be collateral damage. The fact is they are leaving even with wenger present anyway(Henry, Flamini, Hleb)
Something needs to happen soon. Am sure that is a fact that you have no argument with!

De' Stefano said...

Allow me to quote our Prime Minister, Hon.Raila Odinga, here; "You cann't teach an old something new tricks!" Wenger is an old hand in this business,and anybody who thinks that he will soon change his miserly ways better think again. There's nothing more (or new) that this guy will do to the club that he hasn't done in the last 12 years. Let there be change!

Edwin said...

I must first say that I have all along been a big Wenger fan. Last season yes, he was a miser, but despite not winning the trophies, we could say the end product was not bad. Being 4 points off the pace was not a bad thing.

However, I am very concerned about this season! The start is nothing to inspire. Yes, Man U had a slow start too last season, and it didnt stop them.

But Wenger's obsession with looking for a bargain is beginning to wear thin! I'm not concerned about bargains, what I want is trophies!

Wenger akiendelea hivi, we might as well have to let him go!

J said...

Allow me to quote FC Twente's boss McLaren:

“I think one result and it’s called a crisis in a top four club; that is what Arsenal are. They don’t get beat very often so when they do the scrutiny is more on them. I have seen them play in pre-season and there has been some great football. With Arsenal I think, because the way they play and the type of football they play, they cannot be 100 per cent all the time. On their day they are capable of taking apart anyone. I always used to say ‘don’t judge over two games’. Arsenal have quality in their side, they have injured players to come back - Fabregas will make a big difference – so crisis at Arsenal? No!”

Redondo said...

My earlier article here and comments on this post may be deemed as undue criticism on Wenger & Arsenal based on just one bad performance. The truth is this, that one bad performance was a sneak preview of what is likely to happen later on in the season.
In all honesty many times the sight of Arsenal playing is a beauty to behold. Few can argue with this fact. The problem though is that as sure as they will dazzle, they will disappoint too (at some point in the season). The tragedy is, when the disappointment begins, it so often lasts for 4 or 5 games and leads to the loss of the premiership.
Arsenal is like a very fly chick that mesmerizes you leaving your jaw dropping. You cant wait for your next date with her. Yet no matter how long you date her, you’ll never take her down the aile and the much anticipated 'I DO' remains an illusion.