Arsène Wenger gave Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey and Carlos Vela late appearances this afternoon as Arsenal beat Real Madrid 1-0, but missed out on retaining the Emirates Cup.
Wenger chose to bring in the more experienced faces to face the La Liga Champions, but allowed Wilshere, Lansbury, Randall, Ramsey and Vela places on the bench.
Emmanuel Adebayor’s second half penalty secured the victory, but the late impact from Wilshere was particularly impressive. The 16 year old – who received yet more praise from Wenger yesterday – played the final 15 minutes, and once more left an impression on the manager, and fans.
After replacing Samir Nasri on the left, he preceded to try and tare apart the Spanish outfit. Two neat touches signalled his intent, before a stunning skill saw him embarrass Javi Garica, before a deft cross was smashed into the side netting by Bendtner.
His confidence and willingness to attack even the biggest of names was re-markable. He would then try and orchestrate the second, after an inch perfect through ball nearly released Vela. Jack finished the 90 minutes by linking up with Bendtner, but the big Dane couldn’t release the fleet-footed youngster.
Arsenal may have missed out on the Cup, but the revelation of the tournament was surly Wilshere. Both fixtures have allowed him to learn, and more importantly, blossom.
Just how long can we keep saying ‘He Is Too Young’.
Article By – J.Sanderson
Sanderson, this post is just pathetic tbh. He had an allright game, a very good game beein 16, but the way you are blowing this out of porpotion is just pathetic..
I used to like this blog very much, it seems like you are within the system some times, but they whey you are praising and writing of players are just not nessasary…
i agree with BooMer , wilshere is a amazing player but still has alot to learn
good performance. now about diaby good first half faded in the second, i do believe he is the man to plug the gap in midfield although obvious improvements need to be made, but i feel he has the quality to adapt to the role. he has olayed 2 seasons out of position so 2 pre season games is not much to go on. so give the guy a break at least till the prem kicks off.
*first half good . soz
Boomer – don’t start with that BS I used to like this blog… It’s not blown out of porportion you just can’t realise that other 16 years couldn’t have done what Wilshire has done. The fact that’s he’s fearless and a strong kid and above all his obvious talent shows that he’s real class. Messi and Bojan were all ready when they played as 16 year olds for Barca. Wilshire is too… deal with it and stop complaining about this blog.
we scored from a penalty our open play leaves something to be desired
“One thing that Kenny Sansom kept on saying on the live audio was that he thought we need an out-and-out striker.”
Has this guy actually seen our squad? We’ve got lots of strikers. We should sell someone to bring someone in. And that would disrupt the team too much.
Diaby can be so infuriating sometimes….he attitude needs some work. Hes got good skill, great athleticism….but his head is in the wrong place you can just tell….
Bad tackle on Sneijder, end of story….I dont care if this is your first friendly..calm down man….
The rest looked fine. Some EXCELLENT (full backs, Walcott), and some looked like they are getting there (the rest).
Once we start clicking, especially when Cesc and Dudu come back, we will be putting them in the net and really should win the league…
Does anyone realize how less impressive ManU seems without Ronaldo? Or is that just me?
Yes, Wilshere is showing signs of becoming a top quality player, but over the top articles with silly headlines like this one will not help towards that. I think maybe you are getting a bit too excited J, I love your site, but he didn’t “embarrass Real Madrid”.
For all you Wilshere doubters…
On Jack Wilshere…
“You wouldn’t want to put any limitations on his participation in the season because he is only 16. At that age you can improve. He looked strong enough and not phased by the big games. The quality is there. I don’t look too much at his age, more at what he is doing on the pitch, and right now what he is doing is good.”
Quote Arsene Wenger
For all you Adebayor haters…
On Adebayor …
“He felt that people had questioned his commitment and the best answer to that is to give your all on the pitch; play well, show that you are ready to fight for your shirt, fight for your team and be efficient. He showed that, and he is a man of character. You know how it is, if you score goals people quickly forget the frustration. You have to show things with performances in our job.”
Quote Arsene Wenger
Could anyone tell me the exact amount spent to but walcot ?? anyone knows ? I got a silly chelsea fan here ranting how much we “wasted” on him when I spoke ill on the crazy figure Bentley was bought by Tothenham Cold Spurs
Walcott cost Arsenal 9 million pounds. Initially, he cost 5 mil paid upfront, that could have risen to 12, but Southampton got into financial difficulties and accepted a 9 mill payout.
thanks mate
If Jack Wilshere came through the Real Madrid or Barcelona youth set-up you would all be going crazy about him. I know its hard to imagine a potential World-beater coming through the Arsenal ranks and being Arsenal born and bred but we have just that in little Jack. Rejoice!
frank butcher – Maybe, i think its far too early to judge anybody yet, or say they are ruled in or out of the plans.
Boomer – You are welcome to your opinion, but most people here seemed to think the opposite.
If you read the blog daily, like most people here do, then you will have noticed just last week i tried to lower the expectation on Wilshere.
I praise people when they deserve it and i dont when they dont, nothing wrong with that, its called being fan.
I gave my opinion on stuff, like you gave your opinion on this blog.
JS, just heard a rumour about Wenger going for Ruben De La Red. Your thoughts?
Hey J, great article as usual. Some people such as Boomer don’t understand that being a you are also an arsenal fan as well as being a reporter to us. You are free to sing any arsenal players praise as loud as you like, yeah..thats why you are a fan and thats what differentiate you from being just a spectator . Keep it up J..we all love your work, but then, you already know that dont you !
Sanderson, I read your blog every day because you give great info about the youtn in the club, which Ive always been pretty intrested in. And yeah you tried to lower the expectation of Wilshere, but you kinda fucked it up by writing: “Just how long can we keep saying ‘He Is Too Young’.”
I am also exited by Wilshere, in fact ive been for a year and a half, but I feel that everything he does atm gets jumped on by fans, and that is NOT nessasary, just look at Walcott.
And people saying that Wilshere is showing alot more maturety etc, Walcott was exactly the same at Soton, and he was starting and performing in the league day in and out, Wilshere has impressed in preseason, no doubt but let the kid get som rest and his head in the game, not in the media!
and the last thing we want is this kid thinking he is the next big thing.
I would suggest that you would focus less on Wilshere from now on, but i am not the boss of you, do what you like :P
Nasri had an execellent game. He has certainly formed a partnership with clichy. Nasri is an amazing talent. Wilshere will improve this season. He’ll play carling cup games and the beginning of the FA Cup. Wilshere has great potential. Diaby needs to learn how to pass quickly, and tackle properly and also needs to find the anger inside of him. To be a DM you need to have a rough side to your game. Diaby dont have that.
What’s the reason of having a blog called younguns when you shouldn’t focuss on the best talent at Arsenal.
Messi and Bojan were also hyped up… it didn’t stop or jinx their progress, I don’t know what your worrying about this kid doesn’t worry about any defender un front of him, he’s not worrying about what we saying… When your class your class that’s it!!
Mouhsin, im not afraid his progress will stop by us praising him, what I am afraid of is that he will get full of himself, think he is a big star, and he is still FAR from that!
haha Top Gooner did you miss the tackle on Sneijder or what that was horrible if he would caught his leg we would have seen an Eduardo Injury, he has made these tackles before. Anger is not the answer, tanacity is!!
JS – What is your opinion about Diaby do you think he can improve to become a good DM?!! I doubt it can happen soon…
I hope he does get more confident, Look how Henry turned out when he became and arrogant and overconfident player when he joined us :D Didn’t make him worse or did it?!! I think you can chill out man when you see his face you know this kid is for real he got a bit of Messi face. Calm, unfazed and always looking up…
Looking at those quotes it looks like wilshere wil get some definatly get some premiership minutes under his belt this season.
I have seen wilshere play everymatch this preseason, and so far it looks like he can deal with physical side, but I also know that the premiershipship is a different piece of cake…
1 thing is for sure: this boy is special and he got the best managers looking after him.
Yh i agree with you Mouhsin. My abd your right. But flamini didn’t care about the other opponent. He took the man and the ball. He didn’t give a shit. Diaby cares alot. When he took of John Terry’s head he was crying his eyes out. He thought he killed the guy. Diaby is a silky player a dribbler. Someone who likes to have alot of touches. Diaby needs to learn to make quick passes and not be bulied off the ball. Diaby needs to get muscular. Everyone in arsenal needs to get a bit more muscular so we dont get bullied away from home.
Boomer: I think the difference is: Walcott was in the WC squad for sitting on the bench against Real; Wilshere just skinned a bunch of their players in a real game.
The focus on Wilshere will die down from now on, because I believe all of the first team will be playing from now on and the reserves will seperate unto their own prep work. It’s just that while given the opportunity to integrate with the first team squad, Wilshere looked incredibly impressive and while all the fans were trying to keep off the bandwagon, he tried to win us over even more. I think most of us eventually succumbed.
You also have to remember there is a giant difference between a 16 year old being hyped like crazy on YOUNG GUNS and actual hype. I think over the past three weeks, Jay Simpson and Wilshere have had about the same written about them in the papers. Vela or Ramsey has most probably got the most print. But we are talking the coverage of friendlies, unless there is a huge controversy or we beat Real 12-0, no-one’s gonna read past the scores and the scorers anyway. Walcott came attached to a 15m battle between Arsenal and Chelsea, Wilshere is sneaking in the door.
If he continues to shine in the Carling Cup and gets the print such performances will deserve, then maybe we can talk about genuine hype but at the moment it stands as little more than obsessive fans chatting about him. Indeed, as Randall was starting to bridge the gap to the first team, he may take the bait when it comes to Wenger’s New English Superstars Hype that people will presume Wilshere will have to take.
People are being way too harsh on Diaby. He was excellent in the second half against Juve yesterday and today, was only his second pre-season game so of course he is rusty.
Denilson played 90 mins yesterday and again today and I thought he was excellent. He is really staking a claim for a starting place against WBA. He is not a flashy player so I think people sometimes don’t notice all the good work he does – a bit like Gilberto.
Theo and Jack were both good again today. You can really see how much Theo is developing with his running and movement. Jack is just not intimidated at all – that is a really good quality to have for such a young player.
Senderos was also excellent today – one of his best ever performances for Arsenal. Maybe we should save him for all the CL matches as he does well against European opposition?
Diaby was excellent in both games but towards the end of today’s match you could see tiredness in his legs hence the niggly fouls he kept giving away.
Wilshere got a look on his face that’s different, I think everyone noticed that. I don’t really know how to describe it, is that just a look of confidence?
all the spotlight on wilshere is making us forget how good ramsey is playing, he looks like the real deal 2.
I wonder how barazite feels looking at a 16 year old wilshere play for the 1st team rather than him.
I think the fact that he is not playing means that he is very likely to go on loan.
And as for lansbury, Shave that off!!
I respect your opinions Passenal and Gooner Chris but I just can’t understand why you say he was excellent. He lost possession that caused a situation where van Nistelrooy had only one defender to beat in the box, in a real match that would have been a goal. He got lucky Clichy defended the situation well. He plays in possition where good dribbling with the ball isn’t the most important. He plays in a position where quick distribution, good covering, and simple passing are the most important. If he can’t do that already, I can’t see him change in a whole different player. This is his style of play very nonchalant, very slow and it is not fit to be DM at the moment. Denilson looks to those three basic things a DM should do much better. I am not writing off Diaby, he needs to improve a whole lot. Especially his awareness and handling speed… Too bad Vieira left us early he could have learned a lot from him!
Anyway I would love to hear why you though he was excellent!!
Cheers guys
Not surprising that the author has changed the title.
Good blog, but I feel you’ve strayed away from the ‘Reserves & Youth’ news and focused on things from a first team perspective.
I think that there is a problem with wilshere. I thought that you have to be 17 to be allowed to play in the premiership??????
JS, how come you don’t regard walcott as a young gun like you regard vela and co.
Theo is also just 19, please don’t take this as critisism as its just a question.
I noticed that you write reports and news regarding some youngsters but not about theo.
Robert- You don’t have to be 17 to play in the premiership, players like rooney and James Vaughan played at the age of 16.
You have to be 17 to sign a full time proffesional contract.
Theo has already been in the first team for a while now I guess that why J don’t refer to him as a young gun. Its not about the ages of the players, but where they play, if you are not in the first team , then you are a young gun ..any one that becomes a first team regular quits carrying the young gun name tag..theo has been in the first team for quite a while now even when he doesn’t play, he does not play reserve gmaes
Ok, good point toppgun… I kno what you mean and now its understandable why theo is not referred to as a young gun.
JS, have u tought about creating a blog for the 1st team?
I didn’t see the game but very sad to read about Snijder’s injury… was that cause by any malicious tackles from our side? I hope he’ll recover speedily.
Very true what you say Samuel and Mouhsin.
Mouhsin – It’s true. Diaby does lack those attributes you mentioned to be our DM. I think he can become a great AM tho. Playing just off a lone striker.
Samuel’s right in the sense that the hype about Jack is only amongst us Arsenal fans at the moment. He aint national hype yet. He may be some time soon though, and if he comes off the bench in a league game some time soon and impresses once again then he definitely will.
Jack is the only young gun thats really shining with the first team along with Ramsey (but he is new to the club so it is slightly different in his case) so thats why JS is hyping him up so much right now. Plus, if he wants to be the huge star we’re all tipping him to be, then he HAS to deal with the hype surrounding him, it comes with the territory! When you allow the crazy media hype surrounding you get to you thus adopting a “playboy” lifestyle it destroys you as a player…examples…Gazza, George Best, Ronaldinho (right now anyway, hope he can get back on track), Maradona, Ronaldo9 etc.
Watch how Nasri surprises you all and starts performing excellently within a couple of weeks and not the months that everyone seems to be predicting. It will be easy for him to integrate into the squad and feel part of the “family” as almost everyone speaks French. He will come into his own and shine. And once he puts on a bit of muscle, grasps the English language and gets a year or two of EPL experience under his belt he will become a huge star (bar injuries – fingers crossed).
But the REAL key for us this season will be to keep the main players fit. Including RVP and Rosicky. If thats done then we will win either the EPL or the CL. I’m pretty confident about that simply cos we have the youngest average age of all the EPL clubs so our players will improve the most over the course of the season. The Adebayor-RVP partnership will blossom. They already know eachothers game very well as it is, and if they both stay fit they will be a nightmare for ANY defence. Even though we’re one of the youngest we’re also one of the most experienced in the sense that a lot of our players have played in some very big and important games already including 21 year olds Fab4 and Nas8, 23 year old Gael Clichy and 24 year old RVP.
senderos is just like tatti so slow hahaha. he is a rahmi
dont judge diaby dont forget that this is second game in like 4 months… so guys no need to worry believe me he’ll come good he just needs match practice no worries :)
Senderos isnt that slow thou. He looks it cuz of his size and his style of running, but he has decent enough pace. Maybe its just me but ive always liked him. Hes an unlucky player but luck changes, on his day hes our rock.
but Diaby aint a defence midfielder any way he’s a centre mid that likes to get tackles in and go forward mainly and that because he was playing on the left wing but I do understand everyone saying he takes long on the ball to many touches but I think Diaby can be world class but I do understand why wenger whats a experince Midfielder but on a level i get nervous when senderos comes forward with the ball lol.
Intesting bit of news. If any1 watch the Real vs Hamburg game yesterday they might have noticed a young player Daniel Parejo who scored the winner. Well QPR just managed to get him on loan for the whole season. Massive addition to them in my opinion. What with their cash of some of the quality they-re bringing in with it they could very well be one of the top promotion contenders next season.
Only massive downside is that they’ll probably become another Chelski, only with fatter pockets and more to prove.
Fatter pockets is the right comment lol
Im telling you the only problem with Diaby is his attitude…he has all the other tools….just the way he walks and talks and keeps his head down and gets stupid (yes stupid) fouls is unbearable
Sneijder is out for weeks….
Wilshere looked better than Nasri tbh.
And I don’t understand the lot of you here slagging off Diaby for ONE HALF of a bad game. Jesus, lighten up.
The boy’s good and he’ll prove it.
Nothing malicious in Diaby’s tackle, was purely accidental.
Nasri needs to bulk up a bit, got shrugged off the ball at times and had to fight rel hard to stand any chance of actually winning it back.
Anyone that says Robinho is too weak to play in the Premier League is an idiot, if Chel*** get him, they have one amazing player who they don’t deserve to have in the type of system they play.
Interesting news on the backpage of the daily star( I kno its unreliable, but anway)
“ARSENE WENGER is on the verge of signing Liverpool outcast Xabi Alonso.
Wenger has turned to the £16m-rated Spaniard to provide the experience lacking in his young midfield at the Emirates Stadium.
The Arsenal manager moved for Alonso after admitting defeat in his late bid to tempt Gareth Barry away from the clutches of Rafa Benitez.
He has already moved swiftly to make contact with the Reds and expects to tie up a cut-price deal within days.
Alonso is valued highly at Anfield but Arsenal expect them to do business for nearer £12m as they need funds to buy Barry from Aston Villa.”
well I think it would be a great signing,however is he a good dm?
But I am very cautious with the news as wenger 2day said that he wasn’t close to a signing,
It’s a shame that Randall and Lansbury did not play, I really think they can make it at Arsenal. Do you think they still have chances in the Amsterdam Tournaments JS ?
Whoever said it was one of Senderos’ best perfoprmances for us:
what?
He was rteally good, yeah, but he usually is really good and barely does much wrong. He has odd games and blips of form sometimes where he does badly, but most of the time he is absolutely excellent. He’s put in performances as good and better than that ever since he came on a pretty regular basis. Naturally like I said he’s had a fair few poor games as werll, but I wish his poor games wouldn’t shadow his overall reputation. Most of the time he is absolutely fine, it’s only here and there and blips of form where he’s any worse. I’m not saying that means we need to hold on to him (although I believe we should), I’m just saying his reputation as a liability is based entirely on what are actually a small minority of his performances which were bad.
Jack is a prodigy, if he’s good then play him. If no point in playing some dude in first of him just because he is older. If Jack is better then Eboue on the wing then he should be ahead of him.
so…wilshere touched the ball no more than eight times. And still he “embarassed” Madrid? I’m excited about him too, but do us a favour
I think Jack will be our supersub this season.
Great game except the bad tackle from Diaby on Schneider. Amazing new youngsters proving they can take on anyone. I thought Nasri had a much better game and seemed more settled. Being compared to Zidane leaves room for so much speculation and criticism. Theo excellent game although he had a perfect set up for Van Persie to score and kept the ball. Wilshere- “are you kidding?” what a talent… can’t wait to see him play again. The only thing this Arsenal team is missing is Rosicky, come back soon buddy and another Viera in defensive midfield… I am not sure Alonso is the right choice but I am sure Wenger knows best. Great performance from everyone involved in the game except Diaby (second half), Denilson, and Eboue. Sorry to pick on those players but hey… am I wrong? we need solid performers on the bench and definitely in central midfield… to partner Fabregas. Hard to keep up with the team here in the U.S. when they show WWE Raw wrestling and women’s golf instead on the sports channels. GO ARSENAL!!!
why wasnt fran merida and barazite not plating but not onli in the last 2 matched even the ones b4 dat ?? does this mean that there goin to get loaned away?
The Dutchmaster:
I guess Wenger will launch a bid for a DM very soon, hence he said he wasn’t close to signing.
I read what you’ve posted on Guardian Unlimited too. Hopefully it’s not a copy of the Daily Star version. But according to Guardian, Benitez seems unwilling to sell Alonso at a price lower than 18 million. It is understandable as very likely the funds collected from the Alonso deal will be used for the Barry deal.
Anyway, I don’t know Alonso is the guy or not but since Denilson is starting to show that he wants to and can probably replace Flamini, I would say Alonso’s experience will be crucial.
A tough tackler ala Flamini or a defensive midfielder ala Xabi Alonso? You make the choice.
Willshere to be Nasri’s under study
Having read through most of the posts there has been a lot of “Diaby is SHIT!” “Diaby Cant play Football!” etc.. Guys please it was his first game back. Other layers around him shone becasue they were close to match fitness, look at Denilson for example was TERRIBLE against Barnet and played solid against one of the best teams in the world. No one impressed in their first game so give the guy a break. He is exactly what we need if he gets it right. he is strong has quite good feet a cracking shot and an OK pass.
As for Wilshere yes he is a fantastic talent but I have to say I am surprised the article is a bout him. I am not one who thinks a player can be hyped up too much I just dont like Unneeded hype. Yes he was good and yes he is 16 and yes it was Real Madrid. However apart from his dazzling jinx past GArcia nd ELEGANT flick to Bendtner, although not doing anything wrong, didnt do much else. I feel an article on Nasri, Adebayor back or Walcott would have been more appropriate. After all there have already been countless articles on the new english Messi.
This is my take on all the players:
Almunia, solid but nit much to do
Sagna, Quality as always
Gallas, did quite well but was never tested to the max
Senderos played pretty well especially against the likes of Robben and surprised a few Arsenal fans
Clichy, quality as always
Nasri, played much better but remember it was only his 2nd game in an Arsenal shirt
Denilson, Much better solid and controlled the midfiels
Diaby, Poor game but was his first game in pre season
Walcott, Very good! against a team like Real Madrid he really looked comfortable. before the season begins the hype should be aimed at this English young “star”
RVP, Played well linked up well
Adebayor, impressive, good first touch held the ball up well scored the pen and made some very good runs into the box
Better title
I THOUGHT THE PERFORMANCE WAS OK. DEFENSE WAS SOUND 2.
NASRI PLAYED MUCH BETTER, HE DRIFTED IN FROM THE LEFT AND CAUSED MADRID PROBLEMS WITH HIS THRU BALLS TO THE STIKERS.
DENILSON PLAYED VERY GOOD ALSO AGAINST A STRONG MADRID MIDFIELD. PASS THE BALL WELL AT TIMES.
IM NOT TOO SURE ABBOUT DIABY IN MIDFIELD. WAS NOT IMPRESSED AT ALL. BUT ILL MAKE MY FINIAL DECISION ON HIM AFTER THE AMASTERDAM TOURNAMENT.
WALCOTT DIDNT PLAY THATT GOOD, SOME OF HIS FINAL BALLS WERE SHOCKING AND HE DIDNT REALLY GET INTO THE GAME SECOND HALF.
STRIKERS PLAYED MUCH BETTER 2,
I like Wilshere a lot, but this article isn’t balanced. You don’t mention when he had the ball in space close to the corner at Real Madrid end and with lots of Arsenal players around him picked out a beautiful pass straight to the Madrid defender on the edge of the box… He’s clearly talented, I’m not saying he’s rubbish or anything, but he has done nothing to justify the “English Messi” tag.
I agree 100% with you ChzBerga. jack looks very promising but lets not get too carried away. Many “promising” players have emerged in the past only not to fulfl their early potential. Lets not put pressure on a 16yo by expecting him to be our messi(ah). If Diaby had given the ball to a Madrid player the way Jack did yesterday then many twats on here would be in melt down. jack is great prospect but at the moment thats all.
I watched yesterday, the video of Arsene’s press conference post Juve on Ars TV online, and he said Wilshere will be in the 1st team squad this year so even Wenger thinks the world of him despite the pressure that this might bring.
Jack Wilshere has no wikipedia article. Surely you Arsenal faithfuls should rectify this, no?
He looks like a great talent.
AND ALSOOO
EVERYONE NEEDS TO STOP CRTICISING EBOUE, BOOING HIM AND STUFF LIKE THAT IS NOT GOING TO HELP HIS CONFIDENCE.
I MUST SAY I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY ARSENE WENGER LIKES TO PLAY HIM AS RIGHT MIDFIELD
he’s just been given the number 19 shirt =]
Looks like we might be seeing a bit more of young Jack over the next season, been given the no.19 shirt, interesting, very interesting….
well hes like our fourth signing after, ramsey,nasri, and coquelin. and wilshere eould be worth in transfer terms like , 12-15m. haha sikk 1. blessssssss.
Wayne Rooney 16.James Vaughan 16 Why is it good enough for everton to put in 2 16 year old players and not good enough for arsenal …..
Jack Wilshere No. 19 hahaha awesome!!!
haha, wasn’t there a guy on young guns that bought a ‘wilshere 55’ shirt? haha I feel sorry for him lol
wait a minute 19? isn’t that what messi wears lol
James Vaughan has struggled with alot of injuries at a young age since being but into the first team. Thats the danger. Rooney and Fabregas were slightly fortunate as are any 16 yr olds who start to play first team football with any regularity and come throu unscathed.
Messi is going to wearing 10 this year
Yes a guy bought “Wilshere 55″LOL. So funny.
at last i can see wilshere broke into first team…hoho,i’m so happy hearing that news from arsenal website..
Absolutely magestic. I was in the lower tier watching Jack slide in to win the ball for his first touch. Nothing short of remarkable. Yet to get his GCSE results, is Jack the new Brady? He’s taken Gilberto’s shirt number 15 for this season, so looks like we’ll be seeing him toe-to-toe with Gerrard and Rooney in the League. Quite something else
Just found this site and it is brilliant, especially after I read today’s comic at Studs Up which hit a little too close to home
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/system/topicRoot/Tottenham_Hotspur/
Young guns will prove the way forward (hopefully)
Oops wrong link, sorry, was just laughing at the Spuds for living in the past.
Here’s the comic:
http://studs-up.com/2008/08/04/some-managers-have-all-the-luck/
Did anyone notice that there was a period in the second half when Gael Clichy was tired?! Never thought it would happen, he must have cycled back from Austria.
Great thread, disagree with the Diaby bashing. Except at the end of the match when he became mentally tired (understandable due to lack of games), I thought he was excellent. Tactically he needs to sharpen up a bit, but only a bit. Physically he was the dominant midfielder on the pitch, fast, closes space very quickly a-la-Vieira: between him and Denilson they allowed almost no time to the RM midfield. Guti was anonymous. Prompted play intelligently too.
His big problem is when he gets cocky, he makes sloppy passes. He needs to get a bit of the Roy Keane about him – do even the very simple things as if the world depends on it. He’s class in the making (if he stay fit).
Bendtner is mentally overshadowed by Ade, he needs to grow up, he looks like a child when Ade’s on the pitch. Good player, but also a bit too slow on the ball.
Not seen much of Vela yet – is he a bit jack-of-all-trades? Fastish, skillfullish, decent-ish shot? Too early to tell. RvP needs games, defo.
Agree Eboue’s garbage on the ball, good tackler though, gets through a lot of work.
Do need some extra goal power, Rosicky, Eduardo, Fabregas should help.
Common fellas stop bashing on Senderos, the guy is not that bad and actually played a cracking game against Real, he is a great option to have coming off the bench. unto last nights performances i give high grades to van Persie and the worst grade to Diaby. Diaby had a miserable game IMO he always gave a way possesion trying to dribble and held onto the ball far too long, and his passing was woeful, wenger should have pulled him out much earlier(clearly not our answer to our DM issues) denilson fared far better but as KIV mentioned above has too much of an attacking impulse but its worth keeping him in the loop. now i know im going to get alot of flak for this but CLichy didnt have a really good game, nearly all of Real’s attacks came throught his wing and he was no match for robben. everyone else played pretty well, Nasri was a bright light and i cant wait for him to properly gel with the team. the team looks really stron g i have to say and we arent even at full strength when Toure, Cesc, rosicky and eduardo return we will be dynamite.
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in response to people laughing at the fact i got a wilshere 55 shirt:
yes lol i can see that its funny if you look at it that way!!
but the girl who printed my shirt said he’d be getting a new number the next day.
have you ever seen someone with a ‘fabregas 57’ shirt? now THAT would be cool.
hopefully, if jack does realise his potential, then a 55 shirt will look cool.
im just thinking for the future, like arsene does
oh yeah and its great that wilsh has got the 19 shirt!! ever since i saw the west ham reserves game i knew that he would be pretty good!
Having read through most of the posts there has been a lot of “Diaby is SHIT!” “Diaby Cant play Football!” etc.. Guys please it was his first game back. Other layers around him shone becasue they were close to match fitness, look at Denilson for example was TERRIBLE against Barnet and played solid against one of the best teams in the world. No one impressed in their first game so give the guy a break. He is exactly what we need if he gets it right. he is strong has quite good feet a cracking shot and an OK pass.
As for Wilshere yes he is a fantastic talent but I have to say I am surprised the article is a bout him. I am not one who thinks a player can be hyped up too much I just dont like Unneeded hype. Yes he was good and yes he is 16 and yes it was Real Madrid. However apart from his dazzling jinx past GArcia nd ELEGANT flick to Bendtner, although not doing anything wrong, didnt do much else. I feel an article on Nasri, Adebayor back or Walcott would have been more appropriate. After all there have already been countless articles on the new english Messi.
This is my take on all the players:
Almunia, solid but nit much to do
Sagna, Quality as always
Gallas, did quite well but was never tested to the max
Senderos played pretty well especially against the likes of Robben and surprised a few Arsenal fans
Clichy, quality as always
Nasri, played much better but remember it was only his 2nd game in an Arsenal shirt
Denilson, Much better solid and controlled the midfiels
Diaby, Poor game but was his first game in pre season
Walcott, Very good! against a team like Real Madrid he really looked comfortable. before the season begins the hype should be aimed at this English young “star”
RVP, Played well linked up well
Adebayor, impressive, good first touch held the ball up well scored the pen and made some very good runs into the box
come on….diaby didnt play that bad.
he had a good tusstle with diarra, and he did come up against the likes of guti, diarria and baptista so come on. plus it was like his first game in cm for how long.
soo calmm down people