After Arsenal’s 3-1 win over VfB Stuttgart yesterday evening, Arsène Wenger took time out in his after match press conference to praise the orchestras of the Gunners win, the young players.
After Yildiray Bastürk put VfB in front with a neat side footed finish, Mexican striker Carlos Vela made it four goals in two games as he rounded Jens Lehmann before crashing home, and Wenger believe the 19 year old is settling in well with his new team-mates.
“We’re not as short of strikers as people thought, Vela is integrating very well into the team and Bendtner was already a force at the end of last season and he will confirm that this year.”
The third and final goal came courtesy of Jack Wilshere’s magic left foot, as he collected Gael Clichy’s cross, and volleyed beyond Lehmann to wrap up the victory. The game was a more physical test than the previous friendlies, and the boss admits Wilshere is learning all the time.
“He has talent and gets experience in these kinds of games, he learns a lot, but he is here for that,”
£13 million pound winger Samir Nasri made his debut for the club, and although he did not have one of his better games, Wenger believes he has everything in his locker to become a world class player.
“It was a very positive performance for his first game. He has all it takes to be a good player in this team.”
All the talk before kick-off surrounded the signing of Amaury Bischoff, and Arsène says he is taking a gamble on his signature, but once more has belief in his abilities
“Bischoff is a new player that is young and promising with talent. He has had a long break due to surgeries on his groin injury and we may have to wait two to three months for him to reach full fitness, and it is a gamble on his talent.”
Article By – J.Sanderson
Vela has impressed me, I thought he would be more of a raw talent but he has shown great skill and composure in tight situations.
Wilshere’s magical left-foot? What happened to not building him up to much?
wenger’s comments can’t leave supporters too enthusiastic about the bischoff signing so i thin he will have to win us over. on another note it will be interesting to see how much wilshere plays this season because he can’t keep knocking on the door without any answer or can he?????????
J who will be our last signing? As AW mentioned he is 1 body short …..
Vela has ompressed me, asnd so has Bendi
As for Jack well wow, and congrats to the acadamy for unearthing a jem like him.
Vela does look great.
Perhaps he could start in the EPL.
Adebayor looked awful.
Vela does look a class act, it might take a while to adjust to the pace of the EPL but talent wise he is there. Nice partnership forming with Bendtner too.
Young Jack continues to impress, be interesting to see him in front of 60,000 of his own fans this weekend, will he still be able to express himself under that kind of pressure…..will be a good test of character.
Wilshere has come out from nowhere, hopefully he can turn out to be really fantastic.
Vela looks good, and Bendtner looks like he could really be pushing for a regular place this season.
As for Bischoff… I’m as apprehensive as the next Gooner.
Writing from Spain here – how good is Jack? Could he be a realistic Cesc back up? Based on how he took the goal yesterday, he looks to have serious potential.
can’t see the story?????????????
Wenger will spend money this year as he has the return of TOP loaness next year
Merida
Bolehto-Spelling
Barazite
Gibbs
Randall
Simpson
Lansbury
Gilbert
IMO we’ll keep 3- Merida, Boletho & Barazite
Could make up to £10m off the other 5!
Oh yeah we’ll have Wilshire & Coqelin knocking on the door too!
5 free players with up to 10 mill in the bank before we dip into the transfer pot.
IN ARSENE WE TRUST
Am i the only one who is getting excited about our present squad ? I mean lots of good players ( young or not if youre good enough youre old enough) and fantastic talent coming through.
On strikers : I agreed with AW ,with Vela, Bendtner looking sharp , Ade and RVP starting training and Eduardo to come back complimented by Theo, do we really need more , i think not.
On Wilshere : He is indeed a talent , and i think Wenger will take care of him ( if he wants to blood him young in the first team ala Cesc or the reserve team/ loan system) I trust the Prof’s call on him , but what a talent really. ” Magical Left foot ”
On Nasri : Looks a typical Arsenal player , guile and pace and vision for the game . He will be good and he can shoot unlike some…
On Bischoff : I think i am really happy with this signing , he will give us that extra depth some people thought we were missing towards the last season end. He is after all a free transfer with only compensation paid to Bremen. So its a smart gamble from Wenger, also he will still add to the squad as stated so its only good news and now he is an arsenal player so we must support him.
And one last thing ,saw the game and always ended up laughing at every Adebayor touch , he looked comical at times , the preseason should help him shake those cobwebs!
A gamble on Bischoff… hmm
Cheers J, good job on getting Wenger’s quotes.
Here are my ratings from the game:
Almunia – Very solid outing, you could see that he was trying to be more vocal, and had a fantastic save in the first half from a shot that looked like it hit the side netting straight but on closer inspection was a great save. 7.5
Sagna – Solid as you like at the back, had some great forays up front. Showed tenacity and bottle. Faded somewhat in the second half and was replaced because of what looked like an injury, hopefully nothing too serious. 7
Gallas – Great to see him back with the armbad, got a little nervous when ArsenalTV made it it seem like he was going to be stripped off the captaincy in favour of Almunia(?!). Anyway not bad for his first game back, showed his class but not much of an understanding with Djourou. 6.5
Djourou – Not a bad performance, was hoping to see him in the DM position he keeps talking about. Anyway Made a few fouls at the back that resulted in him picking up a yellow card. Slightly off the pace and not much of an understanding with Gallas, but I guess that can be forgiven considering its only their first game back of pre-season. 5.5
Clichy – Future legend in the making! Was a great attacking outlet even though he was caught upfront a few times early in the game. Tenacious, looks in great shape – showed magnificent determination to set up Wilshere just doesn’t give up! Deserved to get the goal he was trying hard so to get, Someday soon Gael! 8
Nasri – Showed real class, great setpiece delivery from freekicks and corners, great balance and dribbling ability, his pace was great too. It’ll take him a little time to hit top form but Arsene does know what he’s doing and he’s found a little gem here! 7.5
Eboue – Seemed quite anonymous for much of the first half which is understandable considering I don’t think he’s ever played in central midfield. No major errors though. 5.5
Denilson – slowly getting into the groove of things, has had a lot of minutes this preseason. He still hasn’t hit the heights of his break-out season the season before last but I’ve every reason to believe he will. Good distribution. 6.5
Walcott – One of the best players in the first half, learning to use his pace to good effect, looks sharp and in great shape. Unlucky not to score with Lehman making a great save. Good intelligent running and link-up play, I think he’ll hit the ground running come West Brom. 8
Adebayor – Looked rusty for his first game back. Looked clumsy and his first touch wasn’t great, but he started last season the same way and 30 goals later….! Anyway his passing and link-up play was decent but hopefully he gets his sharpness back quickly or Bendtner will be replacing him in the starting XI! 5.5
Van Persie – Such a top class player, and you can tell whenever he plays no matter how out of shape or form he’s in. Some great runs, dribbling and magnificent through ball for a Walcott chance in the first half. I’m praying he stays fit! 7.5
SUBS
Fabianksi – Looked very solid, had more to do than Almunia did in the first half. Came out and acted as a sweeper very well on a few occasions when he was needed. You can tell he’ll become a keeper with a great presence. Not too much he could do about the goal and great instinctive save very late on in the game. 7.5
Bendtner – Picked up right where he left off against Bergenland! His first touch is back, confidence clearly flowing, great reverse through-ball for Vela for the first goal and showed magnificent strength, awareness and finishing to hold of Bouhlarouz and sidefoot a half-volley past Lehman for the second goal. Watch out Adebayor, he’s coming for your spot! 9
Vela – Also picked up right where he left of against Bergenland, great instinctive player and his goal was just that, pure instinct and great awareness to knock the ball away from Lehman and smash it in off the crossbar. His assist for Bendtner’s goal was great as well, reminiscent of Fabregas’ assist for Guiza in the Euro’s! Quite the partnership he’s forming with Bendtner, and we’re beginning to see why there was so much hype around our Mexican warrior! 9
Wilshere – It’s getting harder and harder to keep this player under wraps and not too hype him too much! Early on you could tell he was playing with a little fatigue as he had only played 48hrs previously at only 16. A few passes and decisions were just a shade off, but you can tell this player has real class. Good link up play, attempted a few of his trademark reverse passes, and a great left-footed half volley finish for his goal, though it did help that he was completely unmarked! I just pray he isn’t snapped up before he signs his first professional contract at 17! 8.5
Ramsey – The passes he made when he came on were magnificent. 100% inch-perfect passes almost like I’ve never seen before. Helped the team play some great possession football and really helped spread the play late on. 8
Lansbury / Simpson / G Hoyte / J Hoyte – Helped see the game out but not enough time to assign a rating.
There are probably still 5 places in this year’s extended first team. Someone (or people) out of Gibbs, Lansbury, Randall and Wilshere will be in there because there will only be one outside arrival. My money is on Lansbury, Merida and Wilshere being in this year’s first team plus the additional signing Arsene is talking about. Alternatively we will see a few loans to December.
Ali – Adebayor will always have bad touches, and will be caught ofside but if he still manages to disturb opposition defences and score 30 goals than he’s still a great player. But I admit him and Eboué make me laugh at times, and sometimes I can’t help but thinking we should get rid of them both!!
i think with the money we have left buy either micah richards or cristian zapata in defense and miguel veloso or cana (marseille) he is a rough and dirty player i like him
I tell you one thing, I’m delighted with the extra 2 subs rule this season. Although it favours the bigger squads i.e Chelski and Man USA, its gonna prove a major stepping stone for many of our youths and I think Wilshere will be a major benifactor.
ALSO,
Something I said I’d never comment on, but fell it nessacery now…. Whats up with the epic comments being left???? Seriously, if you have that much to get off your chest in one sitting, its no wonder your on the internet coz I doubt anyone can listen to you in person. C’mon ffs, lets keep it sensible lads. This is a great site but I don’t think anyone could be arsed reading nearly 1000 words (v_f i’m looking at you!).
Hi there good info and quick as usual,
question for you J.Sanderson.
Diaby seemed to be training with everybody in pre-season but haven’t play one minute.
Still we received no confirmation by Arsenal that he’s injured.
Could you tell me more about it.
thanks
One general remark. It seems to me that to avoid having the problem of yougsters being good but not ready, loaning them out for longer (Vela) before using them in the first team is working better.
Why don’t we have a partner club in england where we loan 5-6 youngsters to play 1st team football before calling them back one by one when they are ready? Barnet?
Thanks for the reply
Cana is a possibility in my mind.
For Juve game I would play
___________Fab
Hoyte____Djororu__Nordveit__Traore
Wilshire___Ramsey__Diaby___Barazite
___________Vela____Nic
Against Madrid
_____________AL
Sagna___Phil___Gallas___clichy
Theo_____Cesc___Ramsey/Diaby__Nasri
____________Ade_____RVP
Unless of course Phil is to be sold.
Why else has he not being included thus far?
IMHO West Brom lineup should be
____________Al
Sagna____Gallas___Djororu___Clichy
Theo______Cesc____Diaby___Nasri
___________RVP____Nic
Bischoff is only a gamble in as much as he might not recover from injury. Not a financial risk though since we’ve got him on the cheap and only on a 1 year deal. Wenger isn’t crazy and won’t see him as being a key player.
Any idea if we’re still tracking Yaya Toure?
I can see the following as regards loan moves
Lansbury being kept hold of for CM/RM and even RB
Simpson going to Wigan on loan
Traore being retained
Randall going to Derby
Barazite staying put
Merida going out on loan to Spain
Nordveit staying put and get CC games first off
I think the Bischoff signing is a fascinating one. If Wenger pulls this one off and he turns into a great player, we will all be standing there gobsmacked – 16 minutes in the Bundesliga?
I like the comments in the Independent suggesting that Werder were trying to prevent him from playing internationally so that the big clubs wouldn’t notice him. If it’s true then we may have something very interesting on our hands…
Overall, I’d say we’re in unchartered territory here this season, which makes it quite fascinating. If Wenger wins the title this year, it would have to be his greatest achievement yet.
The team looks great, but I cannot remember a pre-season or start of a new season where we haven’t.
The fact is we NEED a top/consistant player to play along side cesc. I love Diaby he is one of my favourite players but he is inconsistant and he is an attacking midfielder player not a defensive/ball winner.
I think Vela and Nasri will be so good for us almost immediately.
Wilshire – isn’t it nice to see an englishman with decent technique.
Go Arsenal.
am also wondering where diaby is? he is waiting 2 take the dm role 4 the coming season or what is happening?.i think le boss is in 4 a surprise 4 us.anyway wilshere!!!!!!!!!! we got da league lads!!!!!
I love the thought that Bischoff a “nobody from Bremen” could become a top gunner for free. Even if he sells for 5 mil in a couple of years we will be quids in. I have the sneaky feeling that comment will bite the german press on its arse.
Duckster – I would be very shocked if Lansbury was sold off some time soon. He is a different class to Randall. The three you mentioned have a future here but Randall, Jay and Gilbert dont look like they’ll make the grade. It aint sad, its just that you have to take your chances when given them. If you dont then you gotta go…that production line of talent we got is in full swing now. Jack is just the beginning Gooners! I got more patience with Jay but we got too many strikers ahead of him so it dont look good as far as he is concerned.
Spike – I think Diaby has a slight knock but is pencilled in to play Emirates Cup as he needs to get those minutes under his belt.
Who else is laughing their arse off right now at the Spuds paying up to £17m for an Arsenal reject (a deal in which we receive 40-50% of the overall fee) and we have just gone out and bought Samir Nasri for about £13m? Hahaha. Oh, and Rohan Ricketts (another Arsenal reject who went to the Spuds) believes Bentley is good enough to get into the Arsenal side now….HAHAHAHA.
One last thing…Where are the Nikki B knockers that appeared on this blog before the Burgenland game slating the guy? Where are they i ask!? I was one of few people that backed him to silence them and show that he is a better all round player than Ade. He hasn’t even begun to that yet despite what some may think….thats the scary part!
Maybe we, The Gunners wont laugh at Eboue and Ade clumsy,but the oppositions sure will.Hope they can improve their game… Real players are not laughing stock haha
How about Xabi Alonso as a possible signing? Liverpool are obviously willing to sell why not tempt them with a bid it will also leave them as the only team in the frame for Barry.
According to your fans’ view of Bischoff J…he seems like a midfield playmaker. This is reinforced by the fact the reason he hasn’t featured for Bremen that much is cos Diego is ahead of him in the pecking order. The game he featured in against Celta Vigo…he replaced an injured Diego right? Half Portuguese, half French, not a lot of playing time to showcase his talents, Bremen upset at losing him, vetoed him from recognition out of fear he would get snapped up and last but least, AW bought him…has anyone else got the feeling he could be special?
Xabi Alonso is not mobile enough for us…a big NO, NO IMO mate
I just wish Coquelin was a couple of years older, more experience of playing at a higher level and is always fit. We would be sorted mate. Sweet as a nut!
Bischoff looks like he will be a first team player once he gets fit again. Looks Flamini like but better passing and apparently good in the tackle. I think he may become a deep lying playmaker type but allowed to get forward like Flamini did.
‘Xabi Alonso is not mobile enough for us…a big NO, NO IMO mate’
He definetly is and is a top player though he may be a bit pricey for us and signing him will kill the progression of the youngsters we have. Quite a dilemma to sign a CM. A centre back is a better option to sign me thinks. We should sign a CM after we test some of our current players i.e. Diaby.
Xabi Alonso can’t run and can’t tackle so he can’t see who he can replace Flamini.
Sometimes I can’t believe I am watching the same player. Xabi Alonso is class though maybe not the type of player we are looking for after Flamini perfected the role last season.
I think we’ll be fine in the first 3/4 games but cant wait for the imminent return of Rosicky and Eduardo.
I know everyone is getting excited about the kids but hopefully when it comes to squeeky bum time these 2 will be fresh and firing on all clyinders.
We’ll have to be wary of burnout with Fab though.
I just hope Arsene plays a young side agaonst juventus:
fabianski
hoyte nordveit gallas traore
wilshere lansbury ramsey walcott
vela bendtner
I would love to see ramsey and lansbury in midfield, would be quite intriging and would control the midfield well i reckon. lansbury ahs to be given a chance in his best position CM-future arsenal captain i reckon.
Can I ask Y (Vas B)) Diaby hasn’t featured thus far..? was he injured towards the end of last season cos I’m not sure.. and I don’t remember him getting called up to the French squad.. I wanna seer him in action.. Hopefully at the weekend
Bischoff has near enough the same ‘past’ as Flamini b4 he arrived at Arsenal. And how long did it take Flamini to become who he is now? As long as he can overcome his injuries he should come good. Why doesn’t Wenger give Barazite a chance – everyone agree’s this kids hot???????
I expect quite a lot from the mexican teenager-Carlos Vela.He is an outstanding talent and i feel he’s gonna add a new dimension to our unique attacking brand of football.Wenger should just bring in an experience CB to cover for Gallas-Toure partnership.Go gunners.Gunner2dabone
Any news on Jibril? Does anyone think hes the one player Wenger is talking about?
Can someone confirm the date of the boreham wood friendly on arsenal.com it says either 12th or 13th or august
Someone’s nicked my name…
Anyhoo. I aint as bothered about the Bisch signing any more, it is as Wengerbot says, a gamble and won’t break the purse, er, I mean, bank.
We do have a lot of talent in the side, but could well do with at least one/2 more experienced quality players.
Those saying Alonso wouldnt be suitable in the dm role? I think you are dead wrong.
As for Bentley? What a sad c*nt, saying he only ever wanted to go to the spuds. Just like Arshavin ONLY wanted to play for Barca, no Arsenal, no Spuds, no anybody that will have me.
Bentley thought he would be snapped up by LPool or the chavs, yet has to make do with a team in the same bracket as Blackburn. Twat.
Obviously not biscuit
I think that Jibril talk is just that, coz Atletico aint paid up and the Ghanain side want their dough.
why obviously not?
Because he is 16 and Wenger mentioned buying experience
I heard on the radio talksport the german correspondent saying bishoff is highly skillful and very pacy and can play on the right or centre midfield. Hes not a DM hes an offensive player with good dribbling. Maybe Wenger wants to get right sided player coz we lack in that area-we got walcott,eboue nasri will play left
Because Wenger doesn´t count a 16 year old as a midfield signing. Jibril looks like an interesting prospect but his arrival would change nothing of Wenger´s transfer plan this season.
for sure this emirates cup a lot of players will get play time. whoever start againts juventus will not play againts real madrid. so we can expect 2 completely different line up. so who’s going to play first game then who second? i reckon younger player will play 1st game then more established senior will play againts real.
g0on3r I would agree but the more experienced plaeyrs need more game time.
Yeh i agree g0on3r i think the juve game will be less experienced players. We may though do what we did against stuttgart and play the experienced guys and youth guys for a half in each game.
Youth team will hopefully be:
Fabianski
J.Hoyte Djourou G.Hoyte Troare
Randall Denilson Ramsey Wilshere
Bendtner Vela
Experienced team:
Almunia
Sagna Senderos Gallas Clichy
Walcott Fabregas Diaby Nasri
Adebayor RVP
I just got my fourfourtwo preview and the Arse’s fan when picking his lad to watch out for, picked EIGHT lads.
Little Jack wasn’t one of them. The dick!
How man subs are we allowed in the emirates cup?
It seems that there isn’t anyone who would like to see us sign Alonso and I will agree with most of your reasons. I myself would prefer our “last signing” to be a CB because I feel it’s our weakest department. Raul Albiol anybody? He plays both position albeit he is predominantly a CB.
What about Chielini of Juve. I seem to remember a nonsense rumour about him being a makeweight in a RvP bid. Looks a good defender to me – Italy’s best at Euro 2008.
LSOE, who did he pick?
JS
Where my posts go fella?
if wilshire has a good peformance against juventus or real madrid then arsene wenger should seriously think about brining him into the first team…..
i would do the same…
this is only if he is facing the likes of ramos, marcelo, chielini
walcott vs real madrid’s marcelo who plays left back = interesting battle, theo’s going to have to track back a lil bit because marcelo loves to bomb forward. walcott will still beat him for pace, if he makes room for himself
I read this somewhere today Jay does anyone know anything about him ?
Arsenal Transfers
Arsenal should complete the signing of Argentine midfielder Neri Cardozo after our South American scouts recommended the player dubbed the new ‘ Messi ‘ to Arsene Wenger.
Neri Cardozo, who currently plays for Boca Juniors, will move to Arsenal for a fee of $9.4 million (£4.7 million) with a further $1.5 million added on depending on contracts and appearences.
Neri Cardozo told Argentine Sport Station ” To move to Europe has always been my dream. Arsenal is a fine club with fine young players and I cannot wait to break into the first team and the fellow Arsenal players. I have given my best here to Boca Juniors and they will always stick with me in my heart”.
“This would be the first time leaving home as I have always been living with my parents. But Arsenal is the right choice for me”.
Cardozo who was also wanted by Chelsea and FC Barcelona, will fly out to London when Arsenal return from their tour in Germany to sign a professional contract with the Gunners and should be revealed with the 96 hours. (4 days)
But Wenger said we are one player short that cant mean this guy maybe hes the one goin on loan to salamanca with pedro.
Juz read somewhere Boca wanna sell him coz they fink he has limited skill, his main assest is apparently shooting and thier manager does not rate him even though he was player of the under 20 world cup tournamnet in 2003 with argentina
Hey Gunners… “Hold Your Guns..”
Arsene has yet to get it wrong and oh ny the way “The ONLY Top Premier League Team showing Transfer Profit” … Very smart Mr. Wenger – Excellent Bunsiness Acumen.
I will like everyone to remember that befor Thiery came to Highbury, he was a bench warmer at JUVENTUS, so I turst all these signings will be good for us in the end.
My last question..
Name any unsecessful ARSENAL sell or retiree formerly under Wenger… NONE!!!
good article mate. i think Bischoff is a gamble but one which could pay rich dividends, we have nothing to loose on tht front
waiting 4 d last signing. anybody think it will be bolotov?
actually, i dont no if there is a player like that but u can always trust wenger to go for a 16 year old malian goat herder from ethiopia, off the asian continent, and who is half alien waiting to rule the world of soccer.
vela our mexican warrior!!!!
v_f thats a great name.
i have been watching vela since the under 17 world cup in peru and he has been looking great ever since.
he dose good at every level
2nd division spain- 1st division spain- mexico- and now arsenal.
this kid is the real deal guys!!!
now that we all know about wilshere and vela, i’ve heard that bischoff is the real deal, his injuries kept him out of the team and that’s a big reason why we were able to get him. bremen were not happy but i’m not put off by wenger’s guile i know he’s happy and he’s got high hopes for this kid. apparently he is extremely quick with an unbelievable engine and tenacious. there’s not a kid in world football over 14 that wenger and his network don’t know something about.
FAO: Claude Balls – The expert fan gave the following lads to look out for: Walcott (I think students of the game may have already heard about him), Bendtner, Traore, Vela, Ramsey, Merida, Barazite (overrated), and Nordviet.
I suppose the name Jack Wilshire sounded a bit too English for him.
im still hoping we’ll sign nikolay dimitrov.
he was on trial a while ago from levski sofia.
check him out on youtube