Last night’s reserve game against Stoke saw Phillippe Senderos make his first appearance in an Arsenal shirt this season, and gain some much needed playing time. Despite the long term injury to Johan Djourou, Senderos has yet to even feature on the bench for the first team, hinting at Wenger’s loss of faith in the Swiss International. Nevertheless, Wenger was present at the reserves clash in which Senderos was given a chance to impress and stake a claim for a starting berth in the up and coming Carling Cup clash against West Brom.
A year ago Phillippe Senderos was following in the footsteps of Mathieu Flamini and making his way to the San Siro on a year’s loan from Arsenal to gain some valuable experience from cult heroes Maldini and Nesta. Despite some encouraging displays at Milan, on his return to Arsenal there were constant rumours in the press that he was on his way out, and at one point it seemed likely that Everton had reached an agreement with Arsenal. However, the move disintegrated and Phillippe decided to stay with the club he has been at since the age of 18. The signing of Thomas Vermaelen hasn’t helped Phillippe’s cause as the Belgian’s presence in the back four has been exceptional making the breakthrough in to the first team very difficult.
However, last night’s performance was an assured display, especially considering his lack of football over the past month. Although physical and direct, it can be argued that Stoke offered very little up top, and the partnership of Senderos and the ever growing Bartley were able to sniff out any possible chances at ease. ‘Big Phil’ looked comfortable in the air against a tall Stoke side. He was composed with his distribution and at times even made the odd, surging run forward which opened up space for the Arsenal midfield and forwards. The one qualm was when he was nearly caught out trying to do a Cruyff turn in Arsenal’s half before having the ball stolen from him. Luckily enough a foul was given, but it is this lack of concentration at times that has seen the beefy Swiss international head down the pecking order at Arsenal.
On the whole though it was a good performance from Phillippe and Arsene Wenger must be pleased to see a clean sheet from the forgotten man at Arsenal who will be hoping to take full advantage of any suspensions or injuries in the first team. And after this performance it is very likely that ‘Big Phil’ will be making his return to the Arsenal set up against West Brom a week today.
Article By – Nick Love
Hope Phil makes an appearence vs WBA next week. Hes miles better than Slyvester. I would like to see him get reintegrated with the first team (if not the first choice startins CBs as Gallas and Verm are fantastic so far)
Lets face it senderos will play gallas, silvestre, vermaelen are all injury prone.
bartley for me might actually play in the first team this season with Luke Ayling. I cant see gallas, senderos, silvestre or vermaelen not getting injured
trust me senderos is a brilliant cb and will come of age this season. i reckon he will have a brilliant against wba. iv been a huge fan of the guy
90% of Senderos’s problem is his weakness on his left side and the fact that, for some reason, he tends to get played as the left sided CB. Play him on the right as cover for Gallas and we might see more assured performances.
i think he’ll definitely start against west brom alongside slyves. i just hope wenger not lose confident in senderos. he still got a lot to offer, at least until january.
if he does come of age this season then he will simply leave on a free at the end of the season like flamini.
i dont understand why wenger didn’t sell him if he doesn’t see him good enough for the first team. I understand that he probably knew about Djourou’s injury and that is why he held on, but you have to get him in the 1st team squad if you are looking to use him.
Really good article Nick. I think you’re much better at these analysis pieces than match reports – but we’ve only seen one of those so far – so I’m probably judging too early!! It’s a learning process I suppose. Keep up the good work!
On the subject of Senderos, I think he has aspects of his game that are better than Sylvestre, (in the air, fitness maybe) but there are few players in the game with as slow a turn as Big Phil. And Wenger likes his CBs to be mobile and fast, since he got rid of the experienced Adams and Bould pair. I think Bartley fits the bill, but just from a couple of watches I thought Ayling looking a bit slow. Nordveit too. Any thought on this anyone?
I still think he can be our regular center-back with Tom or Johan (if not injured, arghh) and hope Arsene give him some chances and new contract if not I see him going in january.
J. what about Gilbert, Randall and Hoyte? Why didn’t they go out on loan it’s strange really. Looks like they’re not going to make it here though Arsene said Mark has same potential as Wilshere but hes late developer but I dont see this. It’ll be very difficult for them seeing what this fantastic youngsters are doing.
i am astonished to read from eveyone about the marvelous partnership we have between gallas and vermaelen. it is really foolish to neglect the fact that we have conceded 8 goals in 4 games so far.
Richard – Senderos plays on the left side because he prefers it and is better there. When he has been forced to play right side in the past he hasnt done well.
Jack, I don’t know why they didn’t go on loan. The loan window is still open so they could. You never know really, personally I don’t rate Gilbert and I think Randall’s gone off the boil.
Good work Nick.
“i am astonished to read from eveyone about the marvelous partnership we have between gallas and vermaelen. it is really foolish to neglect the fact that we have conceded 8 goals in 4 games so far.”
Ive seen every game so far this season and they are a solid pair. We have conceded quite a few unfortunately but analysing the goals puts the culprits elsewhere. For example Almunia was very slow for the first Man City goal, and I would blame him again for the portsmouth goal.
Neal, well said in response to Moe Doher. In addition to your lovely points, How many will bet against Rio and Vidic as one of Europe’s bets CB pairing?Yet they took in four against Liverpool, three against Hull City, etc.Gallas and TV are excellent together and only injury or loss of form can make them stay on the bench. They seem to compliment each other well, very well. Dont for get that all CB apirings take time and a long run of games to become really solid;they ve hit it early and can only get better.
Then to Senderos. Everyone,me, you, Arsenal, Wenger, anyone alive or dead have all received loads of chances one way or the other but we have blown it.WE all received and will continue to need a SECOND CHANCE all our lives;so why shouldnt Sendy get one? If Diaby, Denilson, Eboue and Song were given such looooooonnnnnng leashes, surely Wenger would be partial not give Big Phil another chance.Thanks to Wenger, we are one player away from playing Silvestre as CB again!So the CC is an ideal situation for the young man to show that he is good enough.
Steven – Yes everyone should get a second chance but diaby, denilsson etc, don’t play as a goalkeeper or cb. So therefore senderos misstakes can make us lose game after game. for me he is really a wild card on the pitch. Ayling and bartley seems way better. we will see what he can do in cc. i think silvestre and senderos might play togheter in cc but I really hope not, bartley deserve to play from start. I was also one of the few who believed in eastmond very early and is happy to see how well he is doing right now. he seems a bit small but since he is doing so well i guess he play with intelligent. cruise for me seems also to be one of the top talents we have, and don’t forget that cruise can also play as a defensive midfielder like eastmond. our back four with eastmond, bartley, ayling and cruise seems to have a very bright future. traore will not make it. cruise is better, both as LB and LW.
The true Achilles heel in the defence is not Almunia – it’s Clichy. He’s been so error prone since Birmingham two years ago and was largely responsible for all three goals conceded in the second half at City. Wenger should seriously consider dropping him in favour of Gibbs or Traore. Vermaelen can play there too so that would be one way of accommodating Senderos.
Sanchez ‘snoop doggy dog’ Watt in the squad for tomorrow night!!! love it.
I think there will get to a point when Senderos will have to get drafted into the first team due to injuries, and I hope he takes his chance and proves us all wrong.
He looked promising at the start of his Arsenal career. I hope he convinces Wenger that he is a genuine threat to Gallas, Vermalaen and Djourou (when fit), as competition keeps everyone on their toes and can only be a good thing!
carling cup – imo
sczesney or mannaone
gilbert senderos sylvester gibbs
merida ramsey traore
wilshere walcott vela
the other 6 subs watt, coquelin, randall, hoyte, barazite, murphy
Carling cup team IMO:
———-Szczesny———-
Gilbert – Silvestre – Bartley – Gibbs
Ramsey – Randall – Merida
Barazite – Watt – Wilshere
Subs: Mannone, Traore, Senderoes, Coq, JET, Sunu, Murphy
Anyone agree?
i really hope the likes of Coquelin Bartley and Watt get a start in the carling cup. It has always been a chance to promote our young players like Gibbs Wilshere etc..
Coquelin i think has been fantastic over the last year and is probably our best young midfielder.
Bartley has gone from strength to strength since he arrived and has started to look like an incredible talent. He really reminds me of a young Rio Ferdinand.
Watt is obviously a huge prospect as Wenger has involved him already this year and doesnt get to many wrong.
great to scouting report. would it also be possible to hear your comments on what implications the new quota system will have for Arsenal? My thinking is that with all the talents coming through it will be no problem, except for implications on loan deals
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8258032.stm
According to Daily Mail, Arsenal will be loosing newly appointed scout Christian Karembu, who you J recently did an article on
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1213667/Birmingham-buyer-Carson-Yeung-lines-roles-Steve-McManaman-Christian-Karembeu.html
so who’s the article by? Nick Love or J.Sanderson. make up your mind
nick – love the article m8:) well done!
No Senderos or Merida in the European squad, what gives?
and anyone any idea why Vela has been out so long? did he need surgery?
Senderos can still make it if he is given the chance. Remember he was our rock in defence for quite some time. He also looks good playing for Switzerland. Any of our other CBs would be a better option than Silvestre – how can Wenger think he is worth persevering with ?
Dont blame Verm & Gallas for the 8 goals we have conceded. They are nearly all down to Almunia and Clichy. I never thought the best left back in the world could become such a liability. I would prefer Gibbs on current form
Senderos can still make it if he is given the chance. Remember he was our rock in defence for quite some time. He also looks good playing for Switzerland. Any of our other CBs would be a better option than Silvestre – how can Wenger think he is worth persevering with ?
Dont blame Verm & Gallas for the 8 goals we have conceded. They are nearly all down to Almunia and Clichy. I never thought the best left back in the world could become such a liability. I would prefer Gibbs on current form
Sorry… forgot to say great post – can’t wait to read your next one!
Where is Emmanuel Frimpong?
WHere is emmanuel frimpong. i have not seen or heard anything about him in months. Is he still with arsenal? is he ok, injjred or not?
Do not fear, Frimpong is still with Arsenal! He has been injured since last season’s Fa youth cup final.
He made his comeback against Leeds u18’s but it was too soon and went off. Hopefully should be back in contention soon though!
Thank you very much. i was aworried about him. We need to keep our best togather and those that have potential togather. Even randal. IF we can unlock the gem then its better. There will be new rules and arsenal are at an advatage with the best youth system in england in my view