New Signings To Have Little Impact

First, I apologize for no post in the past 3-4 days. I was somewhat busy through that period and even if I wasn’t, I had very little to write about. Couple that with the ongoing French Open and there was very little or no time to write. As you might know, India’s Sania Mirza reached the Women’s Doubles Final. I won’t say she’s a good enough player because she isn’t but it is sure as hell I wanted her to win. Sadly she didn’t. There was also the small matter of the Men’s semifinals the latter of which was completely heart-throbbing and exciting. But nonetheless, lets talk about Arsenal, shouldn’t we?

Now as one might expect, the transfer rumors are circulating around the web as fast as Bolt himself. And you’d think you’re somewhat in a dream when the likes of Benzema,Falcao,Higuan,Hazard and co are all linked at the same time to your favorite club. And then comes everyones Dream XI for the next year. I confess even I like to do such things but are they really worth it.

Here’s the point I’m trying to make.

The core of this Arsenal team is well and truly there and all it needs is some tweaks here and there. That probably means around 2-3 or at max. 4 new players combined with the young-blooded youth players. There’s wouldn’t even be that many changes in the first team though. Just 1 or 2. So is it safe to say that with a Parker or a Samba or even a Benzema in our team, would we seriously improve. Remember it’ll be their first season with us and to make a straight impact at a club like Arsenal is, to put it politely, not an easy task.

It’s not that no one does that. Some actually do. But that number is very minute. Especially those players coming from outside the club, or in a worse case, outside the country. That’s why Wilshere and Szczesny are now first-team regulars. And Squillaci is not. I agree that Koscielny and, to a lesser extent Chamakh, have had a very solid first season in England but we all know how Chamakh faded in the 2nd half.

Like the last season, I expect our own youth players to outperform the players brought from outside. Its not that I’m saying the new signings would be worthless as they won’t be. A Parker will provide much-needed depth and steel to our midfield. Any goal-poacher will finish the ample chances our forwards love to create and miss. A versatile defender would add quality and quantity to our back-line. But the impact won’t be huge. It ain’t supposed to be. And even if it isn’t, these players are required. For me, to provide freshness to the squad. A spark which we’ve lacked recently. A leader to man up the team when it gets tough. But that doesn’t mean he has to be from outside. A look at Wilshere this season supports my argument.

So all in all, no matter how little minority of fans might accept this, new players would in most cases fail to make a very big impact. There might be an exception.That’s what I hope for. But it will have to be the current players to step it up to show the world what “The Arsenal” stands for.

                                                                                   

REVEALED! Cesc-Wenger Conversation This Summer

As usual, the Fabregas-to-Barcelona rumours are starting to erupt from nowhere again as the season comes to a close. Last year saw most Arsenal fans worried about the possibility of their talisman, Cesc Fabregas leaving for greener pasture. A conversation took place between him and Wenger in what was, for Cesc, the best he’s ever had in his life. Arsene persuaded him to stay for at least another summer. Here’s something similar that’d happen again this summer…

Cesc(enters): Arsene, did you call me?

AW: Yes of course.There are rumours suggesting that you’ve already agreed a personal deal with Barca.

Cesc: Yes I have.

AW:But why?

Cesc: Pique texted that he wanted a rematch of the Skipping competition we two used to have in our childhoods.

AW:And…

Cesc: C’mon boss, that was one competition I used to win. Here at Arsenal, no one plays that game and we also don’t win any trophies.

AW(angrily):What are you talking about? I hold the Emirates Cup every year for the same sake.

Cesc: But there are no quality players here…

AW:Wait a minute, you forgot Deni. And Bendtner.And your countryman Almunia.

Cesc: I can’t stand this much competition for places.How can I replace Denilson or Diaby?

AW: The truth is, you really can’t. Have a ever seen Deni’s 2 yard screamer. You and Xavi can only dream of such a goal. 

Cesc: Yes it’s true!Whenever I try that, it goes straight into the keeper’s hands. Kudos to Deni!

AW:At Barca, you won’t get as good a player as him. So why do you wanna go?

Cesc:Puyol wants the Barca shirt he put on me back.

AW:By the way, you looked good in that one.

Cesc:I sure did.

Cesc:I even looked at our new away kit. Good enough reason to leave huh?

AW:Yeah at least I don’t have to wear it. Any other reason?

Cesc:At least Barca’s rivals don’t do better than ours. Tottenham beat us at home and even did better in the Champions League.

AW:I’m sorry about that.But what can you do about a team comprising of apes?

Cesc: Also I think other Arsenal players abuse me in French.

AW(shocked):You haven’t learned French yet???

Cesc:We are an English team so why should I?

AW:Oh Cesc! You can counter-abuse them in Spanish.

Cesc: Almunia translates it when I do so.

AW(fuming):That Spanish traitor.

Cesc:What about the hair-cuts of some players…

AW:Namely…

Cesc:Song, Sagna ,Chamakh…

AW:What about Puyol’s?

Cesc:Oh about that! I had a fight with him when I was 6 and his hair never recovered from it.

AW:What if you leave and Puyol does the same to you.

Cesc:I didn’t think about that.I also broke Iniesta’s G.I.Joe.Even stole Messi’s Barney.Now I understand why Barca players wanted me to sign for them.

It’s a conspiracy.They want everything back.I love my hair.I still play with Barney.I’m staying at Arsenal.I’m staying.

AW:I knew you would.

Cesc:But what about trophies?

AW:The Emirates Cup has even worse teams this year.

Cesc:Yesssss!This was the best conversation of my life Arsene.You acted like a father-figure and saved me from that devil team.

AW:Any time.

Cesc:Thank you Arsene. I love you.

AW:It’s my pleasure.

Cesc leaves happily…

AW(to himself):Poor boy! Told him the same thing last year and he stayed. Nasri was right.Cesc has a poor poor memory.

And that’s how Cesc will again stay at Arsenal this year.

*This post is completely meant for fun and should not at all be taken seriously.*

Koscielny is POTENTIALLY Better than Vermaelan

Sorry for not doing a blog for around a week. The truth is, I didn’t get much time this whole week and was really stressed. The weather here has been horrendous with the sun looking straight into my eyes. I guess it has drained every bit of me. Many of you won’t believe but its 40 degrees here. Boy!

One thing that’s gone good is obviously the match on Sunday where we beat Man United after  really long time. One player who stood out for me was Laurent Koscielny, along with Ramsey(of course!). He was solid at the back and didn’t put a foot wrong. He made Rooney look worse than Heskey and was far more responsible for the clean sheet apart from any other defender. Song was great too, but Koscielny was better.

Remember this guy played in the Ligue 2 a little less than 2 years ago. Now he plays for Arsenal FC,  one of Europe’s giants. Everyone argued whether he’d make the grade at Arsenal. Not Wenger though. He spotted his talent and for me was one of the buys of the season, along with Chicharito. He started his Arsenal career at Anfield. His performance was good, if not great and was not run ragged by Fernando Torres.This was encouraging for me but still I wasn’t sure about him.

Time went by and he became a regular at the heart of our shaky defence. Now when I look at our defence, it’s become surprisingly stable. I know Djourou has been tremendous this season with his aerial ability and his last-ditch tackles. But Koscielny’s role cannot be forgotten. He’s made mistakes but there has been no such one from which he hasn’t learnt.

Koscielny against Man United

Which brings me to the point I’m trying to make. Vermaelan is by far our best Defender and will remain so for some more time in the future. But looking at Koscielny, he’s got it in him to be Better. He is a real fighter who never looks back. His commitment to the cause is second to none and has improved so rapidly that he’s become one of my favorite Arsenal players. There’s not one thing which he doesn’t possess and will soon be renowned as a world-class defender.

I haven’t pulled this thing completely out of water and will provide you with some substance to prove myself. Vermaelan was Ajax’s captain, captain of his national team and was known for his leadership qualities. In short, he was already exceptional before we bought him and has continued to show it for us as well. On the other hand, Koscielny was playing for FC Lorient in the French League, was never given a call-up to his national team and was completely raw. No one would have expected him to be at Arsenal. But the fact that he’s was bought and is now playing for Arsenal having only played for FC Lorient and another French side in the Ligue 2.

Compare this to Hernandez. Anyone who follows world football would know that he was already a superb player waiting to be transferred to a big club. Already established in the Mexican national team, he was by no means a Koscielny. A proven player getting picked by Ferguson and an unproven raw talent picked up by Wenger. That sums up the difference in  the class of the two managers.

Koscielny will remain in our first team for many years to come along with Vermaelan and will make our defence so good(with Szczesny at the back, of course) that our attack would look average in comparison to our defence. Just wait for that day because when it arrives, there’ll be no one happier than myself and other Arsenal fans(even those who didn’t want him here).