The summer transfer window is just 13 days old, but already Arsene Wenger had secured the services of two players, with a third returning from loan.
Aaron Ramsey, Samir Nasri and Carlos Vela have all been transferred in, and all of three of them are set to lead a new crop of Arsenal players for the future. The trio all posses similar talents and qualities, strong, quick, small, efficient, and all are set to play an important role in any future success next season.
Wenger has shown he is the master at adapting his team to an ever-changing Premier League, and these three new signings are the lads charged with a duel responsibility to help deliver a trophy to the Emirates Stadium cabinet.
When Wenger first arrived he quickly adapted his side to the rigours of the Premiership, swapping the sluggish, rugged, classic English players, with quicker, and more technical replacements. The likes of Henry, Campbell, Gilberto, and Toure, led another crop. These were taller, more athletic, but still kept the values the previous bunch possessed.
The new wave of talents seem to once more carry the technical and electric mentality, but are now smaller, but still blessed with the previous strength. It seems Wenger has taken the best aspects from all his title winning teams, and put them all together for his new generation.
These boys may be young and relatively unproven, but they are our future. And I personally, cannot wait.
Article By – J.Sanderson
Except they don’t have the previous strength IMO. Better technically for sure but lagging behind the previous lot in terms of physical presence.
Jamie, I just cant wait to see these lads in action.
when i first looked at that picture of vela i thought it was ronaldo
I
gr8 post Jamie, these lot will hopefully be unleashed in the Emirates Cup
Shuaib – of course we all are, and now the days are ticking away.
irishgunner – haha yes
I think its an exciting time to be a Gooner, away from all the Hleb/Adebayor stuff.
I think Wenger ought to understand that players with both physical presence and technique are still very much required to launch a title assault, especially in important defensive positions.
The new players we brought in during this summer transfer windows are mostly in the attacking positions. I’ve to admit that these three signings are indeed impressive.
:)
Sanderson good article but it would b better if u had stuff relating transfers like who you think our next transfer is seeng as u portray urself as a arsenal insider
kevlinefm – Sure, you cant have a team of players that are all the same, but the basis of our play is attacking, so those will be important.
shaba – Most people do not want transfer speculation, speculation often leads to dissapointment. Let’s focus on something positive instead of who might be coming, or going.
ya and walcott is looking like he’s going to be a class act this season. walcott, vela, nasri and van persie. The skill and speed of these 3 will be tearing the premier league up this season.
So J.S who do you think will get the most playing time
Almunia
Sagna Toure Gallas Clichy
Walcott Fabregas Nasri Vela
RVP Adebayor
yes speculation is a waste of time and does lead to disappointment. Finally we have something to be positive about this summer. If we can get 1 or 2 more…a central defender and a proven striker to replace ade we’ll be in great nick this season.
Does anyone know if it’s true that Van Persie got injured in that Goal4Africa charity match?
On this subject, I’m absolutely stoked with these three arrivals and I have my France shirt with Nasri and my lovely new Arsenal home shirt with Vela. Gonna wait for the away kit to come available and get Ramsey on it.
Totally agree with J there.
Too much speculation nowadays. Not only do speculations lead to disappointments, it also leads to more entertainment and quality jokes.
:)
Mr Sanderson, great site, don’t trouble youself with comments about the lack of transfer speculation. As for the style of the team etc the new crop ARE deficient in the physique department , in general. Diaby of these therefore has to play centrally. Source?? Arsene Wenger when he commented as to how and why we conceded goals in the way we did last season. So he sees the problem.My view is that we MUST get a dominating centre back and someone similar in centre midfield. The midfielder must of course be able to play(Oh where is the new Viera, or could that be Diaby after all?).
Speculation? Is just that, guess work. Is Jay Thomas mobile enough to develop into that CMF player?
carlos vela is gonna be a king for us,if there was still a clock end he would be our other favourite son after cesc
Thanks JS. I also feel Arsene likes technical players, preferably with pace, but not necessarily small ones. Carlos Vela isn’t that small, like 1.78m, or 5’10, right? He’s a bigger boy than Nasri and Ramsey (who’s still 17 and growing though). He also looked like he bulked up a little bit over the last year. I actually think while he has pace, he’s got a bit of steel in him too. He didn’t get bullied too much in Spain. So yeah, like you and a lot of us, I can’t wait to watch them!!
In previous years players such as Henry, Viera, Campbell, Ljungberg, Pires have been leaving and now Adebayor, Hleb and Flamini are leaving. The first lot of players were sold inorder to be replaced by the younger players. Now these younger players are leaving without having won anything and now they themselves are being replaced by a new crop of talented players. So i’m sort of in 2 minds about these new players.
But the new players being brought in are definatly more high profile then Flamini and co so that is easing my thoughts.
I’m really looking forward to next season and seeing these guys in action… and most of all i hope they will prove Wenger right!
Barcelona are too unfair. They gonna give us Et’oo.
No. He is too old.
give us Messi if u want adebayor.
Adebayor will be useless without our midfielders.
He scored many goals because our midfield passes are accurate.
Give us Messi and then u can have ade.
Barca.
Reading some interviews Arsene Wenger did in France, it is likely that Diaby will play centrally when facing teams that play a very direct style of 4-5-1 game with a powerful striker (Bolton, Chelsea, Aston Villa). He may even use Alex Song in such situation or Ramsey who despite being not very tall has also play as centre half.
Regarding the commending centre-half, Senderos is the answer. People critize him, but a lot of the blame can put on Gallas or our midfield or at least the organisation in the centre. Often when Swiss Tony went for the high ball and nobody was covering the hole behind him or the players waiting for the knock-down. And when he left the high ball, he was then exposed on the turn.
Those things need to be worked out as a team not just the defense.
Glad 2 c while ive been on hols that Nasri has signed (legend), I cant wait to wear my Vela 12 home shirt and Nasri 8 away shirt to the Emirates cup fixtures next month :D
Cheers Sanderson (Y).
I personally think we’ll see Ramsey and Vela used in the same way Walcott was in his first full season with us, off the bench whenever possible.
Will be interesting to see if Ramsey will play in his preferred central position or if he’ll play around the place like at Cardiff.
good to see us wonting to bring younger talent and help 2 bring in new players and lets hope we do bring some trophys back to the stadium so far we have got 2 in the cabinat emerites cup and asterdam cup these reily are not enough we should try 2 bring in players who can help those who are ingerd so we all dont miss out
All of them can play in a variety of poistions, which i think is very important if we have another injury outbreak.
how is eto’o too old he is 28. personally woudn’t mind him on the end of the supply from our midfield he would finish more anyway
J, nice work mate !
the future and the present at our club is so exciting !
the players we have are young, strong, hungry and most importantly mobile – add to that tbe youth prospects flying through the academy then we are laughing
Eto’o is at the right age. Strikers peak from 28-32. We’ll be getting an experienced and lethal striker if that deal with Eto’o is true.
That’s what the team need at the moment. Ready made striker.
Only concern is Eto’os behaviour off the pitch and his knee.
quoted: when i first looked at that picture of vela i thought it was ronaldo
irishgunner said this on July 13, 2008 at 3:02 pm
No he looked like Frodo…lol
I am not sure why, but I have been unsucceful in posting soe answer in a previous post.
As an avid reader of l’Equipe a French daily sport newspaper and follower of Pierre Menes (blog, TV show), all the shananigans of the Flamini departure were well known. I even think that the OM general manager was even removed from his role for that clear show of incompetence. They could even has lost Nasri at the same time, as Nasri was in the same situation, but he decided against joining us at the time. With hindsight, it was a good move on his part, as I am not sure he would have gained as much experience he did. On the other hand, we may not have bought Hleb.
Regarding Fran Merida, it was published on the same day a very big sport affair and nobody really picked it up.
By the way I was wrong as I said it was 2 Millions Euros. It was 3.2 Millions Euros.
Check his wikipedia page:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fran_M%C3%A9rida
The two bit of info that I have is that money is much tighter than people have been led to believe and Arsene Wenger is trying to convince Adebayor to stay if he kept his ego and financial demand in check.
In most club, the transfer budget and the wage bill are kept separate, but at Arsenal Arsene Wenger is given a yearly budget and he is supposed to stick within. Last year, he was given 90 Millions, with a wage bill equal to 87 millions, that is the reason why Arsenal ended up with a positive transfer line.
This year, his budget has increased to 100 millions, however the wage bill (Clichy, Sagna have both signed new deals and Randall, Lansbury, Gibbs have signe their first professional contract) also increasing. In reality with the Nasri deal done on instalment and Ramsey costing 5 millions upfront he can bring one more player or he has to sell somebody preferably Hleb. That is the reason why he wanted Yaya Toure against Hleb plus 8 millions.
The good news is that next year, when Highbury is finally sold, his budget is likely to really explode. In which case, we will be able to not only keep our best player, but also purchase some when they are at their peak rather than at their infancy.
ok the lads we bought in are not that small, carlos vela has grown and his know 6ft aaron ramsey his 6ft for 17 could grow more, samir nasri is about 5ft10 near the 6ft mark. ITs only theo whos small. We got a physical team but we dont play physical football ie: go for 50 50 tacles, hoof the ball sometimes we do, kick lumps out of oppostion attack players
Valentin;
What game are you watching? Senderos is the answer??? Gallas is to blame?
Quit smoking that crack!
We conceeded the LEAST headed goals last season, so all this garbage about the Cbs is just that. If we are pinning blame then I suggest we look at the goal keeper.
Almunia is average at best. Never makes world class saves and never keeps us in games.
he aint good enough.
I just can’t wait for Eduardo to be back. He’s finishing, dear god. It was incredible. People say how Ade would be vital seeing he doesn’t fit the profile, i agree on a certain point, but scoring one goal in 10 chances isn’t really what we need. Eduardo on the other hand, he can score 2 goals in one chance. Alright that doesn’t actually make sense. You get the point.
Reply to J.Downie.
Why did you get your Nasri shirt so early, France are changing to nike.
Dont forget about Fran Merida!! This has got 2 be our season lads!! Arsen’ and his Red & White army deserve it!! Come on u GOONERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Diaby can replace flamoney
J, whats going to happen with Randall and Lansbury? Do they have a long-term future at Arsenal and will they get into the 1st Team this year?
Ian Wright was 28 when he joined Arsenal. Was he a mistake?
Somehow, I am not wowed by the prospect of Samuel Eto’o though – I am not sure why but I can’t help feeling his best is behind him. After a number of years at Barca, would he still be hungry enough to start all over again at a new club?
I agree people – Eto’o is undoubtedly a quality striker – he has been injured for extended periods of time over the last few years. He also has a big gob and an ego the size of a continent. reminds me of gallas in that regard and I feel we do not need personalities who are this disruptive. Adebayor and Hleb aside – we need a squad with a semblance of togetherness without the need for disruptive influences.
Bring on the season and I can’t wait for the new away jersey ’89 and all that – it was a Friday I remember odd we were playing then – great if we could take the title again!
Aj
I agree, Eto’o might shine one or two games for his Youtube clips, i doubt he’ll put any effort and play as part of a team. I’m not one for all this transfer talks but if it’s true that we are intrested in Hunterlaar, that would be nice. No offence to our current strikers but we need someone like him. A right-footed Eduardo if you will. He would play as part of a team. He’s a more of a RVN and Torres type, shines upfront and will work wherever he’s needed.
All the talk about a new defender and goalkeeper aren’t really important anymore. People say we lost the EPL due to a young squad and defenders. It was only because of Injuries. Buying more attackers instead of defenders is really wonderful. In Arsene We Trust.
these 3 players will do well and make us alot better. much better than relying on hleb, rosicky and van persie. all rubbish.
“Me”.
Shut the hell up. You’re just a WUM in disguise. No point telling you how good they are. You’ll think of something else to bother us with. Sorry if they aren’t as good as Bent, Dawson and Chimbonda.
I think we should not forget or underestimate what Ade brings to the team. He gives us height and power up top, and his holding up play allowed as to play 4-5-1 for most of the season. I just hope he is replaced with someone who is equally big and powerful, but can play the ball to feel as well as Ade has done. Don’t get me wrong I realize the man has done burnt his bridges, however he will be missed.
i dont support spurs at all, so you can shut up. Do you support milan seeing as youre called seedorf? maybe you can tell us how great ade will do there counting his money on the bench?
hush.
Arsenal will not buy Eto (28) because he does not represent good future investment, considering his high wages and high transfer fees, unlike a player like Adebayor (24).
Arsenal are a selling club after all.
Bring on the new season!!!
“Me”
Seedorf is one of the greasted footballers ever. Don’t you support Ronaldo seeing how you think everything is about you?. Douche.
Oh I can’t wait!! Seriously, were getting the compact, quick, stylish players in. Lets just wait for them to gel together and then…er….hhmmm….JOGA BONITO!!!
Messi is right man but i don;t think barca will give him.
Et’oo is more experienced but not too quick and young.
mate , you do certainly get the info right, credit to you. have you got any idea of who wenger is after next? too many names linked …
We have the makings of a very very good side, however it still remains that the battle will be won or lost in the midfield area and for that we need a big skillfull player who can stick the boot in now and then,Diaby fits the bill although I would like to see Song,it may be best for the team if Diaby was given the nod.
It looks like were going to have a problem with the selection of the first eleven with so many players looking for a berth, even the subs bench is going to be hard to call, with the first match coming up soon in August I find that I’m going to be hunting around for a bar that’s showing the match in Jamaica. DAMMMMMM!!!!
Me…
I Don’t understand how you can even believe that Rosicky, RVP and Hleb are rubbish. I see what your saying with Rosicky & RvP being injured alot, and Hleb with his stupid comments and ego – but you cannot run away from the fact that these three are all class players. Hleb has had a god season, and we should not let him leave with a bitter taste in our mouths, but we should thank him and let everyone move on in their lives. Also RVP and Rosicky will be class next season, fingers crossed they are fit that is.
You should think about what you write before you write it, but hey everyone has their own opinions.
Great Article JS btw :)
* Hleb has had a good season
Me…..if u cnsdr hleb rvp nd rosicky rubbish….u shud better cnsdr ur depth in futbal undrstndn……injury is an unlucky affair……nd like any job….a employee has d r8 4 wishin changn his employers…..hleb is nt a supprtr of arsnl lyk us….he is given d money nd does his job….preety well i blve…..havin commitd playrs lyk bergkemp is a lucky thng….u cant xpct commitmnt 4rm evry1….and apart 4rm all dis…..4rm footballin point of view….dese 3 r pure cls….
atique14 – use more vowels for god’s sakes
Henry – playing Cesc and Nasri in the centre would imo be footballing suicide.
Good site Sanderson, often taking a fresh angle on Arsenal unlike many of the ‘Arsenal’ blogs. The physical size of our squad is a matter for concern in all honesty though. Our first choice centrebacks are both only 5’11”, which is not particularly imposing is it. Gil looks to be off, Ade the same, pretty soon the whole first team will be under 6 foot. The Invincibles had Sol, Gilberto, Vieira, Henry, Bergkamp who were all tall strong physically imposing players. I fear that without some more brawn, all our footballing brain will be to no avail.
seb – great points. I think if Diaby switches to DM then we have some height, and Adebayor, so we will have some height, but i would like us to buy a big centre back, so we have all area considered.
atique14 – I weep for the future if you are a product of the modern British education system.
J.S where do you see ramsey playing
We still need a paady v and another stricker
stricker? LOLOL LMAO ROFL
Well said.
seriously people I dould like another centre back – with gallas leaving the club I’m thinking Micah Richards – self confessed Arsenal fan – what ever that means these days. gallas came to the fore under mourinho but did very little before that in a chelsea shirt. he has the gaul to criticise the team as if he has been without fault.
I feel that Toure has earnt the right to captain the side with Cesc as vice captain. I would much rather we did not weigh down Cesc with such a responsibility although he is more than capable of the job.
I agree we might need another striker Klaus Huntelaar is a great prospect but I do feel we have the semblance of a decent squad.
Problem is having enough quality to cover for injuries – if clichy got injured I don’t know if traore has enough to take on that role for an extended period true he is no worse than cashley at that age, although he is improving I think he is a winger just like gibbs.
I am optimistic and excited about what Arsenal will be like next season.
I think Ramsey can also play left back but he can be a midfield enforcer in the keane mode. keane was a very skillful player at forest.
I also agree that we would miss adebayor for his work rate and heading ability but he is a prize turd for the way he has conducted himself. I’m not gonna blame him for chasing money but there is a way of going about it.
A big CB – someone said Senderos is the answer. while i have seen him screw some of our important matches in the past, you never know, he probably is that big CB that we all want. Give him a run of games and he will play like the best in the trade. Gallas will probably leave after next season and i can only see Senderos taking his place. The lad will be 23/24? next season which means more maturity. Defending is an art that takes time and confidence to develop and Senderos certainly has time on his side. Wenger needs to persist with this guy and he might just turn out to be the real thing. On the other hand, it is really hard to defend Senderos with his never ending mental lapses but am willing to take my chance
Roj….I don’t really see how you can picture ramsey as a midfield enforcer. Don’t get me wrong, I would love it if he was but I just don’t see it. Look at his pic there, he hardly has any muscle whatsoever
i have to disagree about etoo work rate. while i agree it is a big risk to take another injury prone striker and he is mad as a hatter of the feild having watch barca consistently for the last half decade i can tell you that etoo is a hardworking player on the field and is rarely involve in issues with the ref.
Is Ramsey small then? He didn’t look that small in the transfer pictures.
I am excited about our play going forward, we have a lot of talent..however I feel we will see the same defensive errors that cost us against the likes of Birmigham and Co last season. The only thing I can imagine Arsene is thinking, is that we would have won the games that we crucially drew last season if we had killed games off when we took the chances…hence the need for creative players to beat those packed defenses we come up against.
I think Song will take up the defensive midfielder role.
How many people on this board actually spend money to watch Arsenal? I will tell you now most of the season ticket holders i know,myself included are well pissed off with our activity in the transfer window for the last 4 years.We pay the highest ticket prices in Europe but make profits in the transfer window every year and fail to improve the squad.These kids you mention wont play in the 1st team next year except maybe Nasri we nned to spend some proper money on proper players.
vela looks big even ramsey 4 a 17 yr old loks like he will b big.only worried of nasris size but damn he is a genious,he will use the brain not da body.eto’o and more money is an excellent deal.he is a good goalgetter by the tyme he gets injured, vela will be ready 2 step up.go wenger do that shit!
excellent article, much better than the yawn yawn of who is comming in potentially from outer space. One forgets we do effectively have 3 new players already.
http://fantasy.premierleague.com
League Code 116231-29485
I really don’t think Hleb should be getting most of the stick he is currently recieving. Sure he does want to go and he has made that clear, however reports are suggesting that Barcelona are willing to double his wages. Also unlike Addy and Flamini he has never claimed he is staying only to go back on his word.
Wish him well for the future, Nasri and Wilshire more than adequate replacements.
Dwayne Dibbly
I did not say that we conceded headers.
I said that Arsenal conceded too many goals from direct high ball through the middle. I know that I am not on crack, but I guess Wenger must be on it, because he stated exactly that during one of his interview on Arsenal TV.
The problem is that because our midfield players are on the short side, they tend to let high balls to the defense. The problem is that high ball 25-35 yards away from goal leaves a lot of space behind to run it. When a defender attacks a high ball 30 yards away from goal, if he miss he run the risk of a knock down setting up a goal. If none of the central defender go for it, they give time to the striker to control the ball and run at them.
That is a well known tactic against short team. Liverpool used that tactic against Chelsea with Crouch. Normally team counteract that tactic by putting a midfield player around the big striker, not necessarily to stop him reaching the ball, but to stop him controlling the ball.
I did not state that it was only the central defenders’ fault, but it is a question of organisation and partnership.
I said
Often when Swiss Tony went for the high ball and nobody was covering the hole behind him or the players waiting for the knock-down. And when he left the high ball, he was then exposed on the turn.
Those things need to be worked out as a team not just the defense.
Gallas being the older and in charge of the defense should be able to organise that.
Regarding Hleb, it was clear that after Eduardo injury Hleb wanted out of the premiership. More than money I think he is scared of being injured/maimed, even if he is not going to turn down the possibility to double his wage.