Arsenal striker Wellington Silva scored a brace and made a goal for Emmanuel Frimpong as the Gunners dispatched Dagenham and Redbridge in a behind-closed-doors game at London Colney.
The Brazilian has been training with the club since last Monday and he was handed a start in a youthful second-string side against a mixed Dagenham XI. He scored the opener before playing in Emmanuel Frimpong for the second. Silva then wrapped up the scoring in a 3-1 win.
With thanks to our friends at Arseblog.
More to follow.
Article By – J.Sanderson
What about the Bolivian kid?
Wellington sound like exciting striker for Arsenal! Can’t wait for him in the first team one day! :)
arseblog says wellington got two…never mind, what about savić, bendtner and walcott?
What was the score against Redbridge then?
Didnt Savic play??
Is wellington at the club full time now?
I hope AW doesn’t negate Wellington’s electricity like’s he’s done somewhat with Vela. I ain’t having a dig, just stating something that seems to be the case.
http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,2483_5916300,00.html
Can somebody shut his mouth please!!! Sighh..
I agree TJ. 4-3-3 negates Vela. But the lad has had three years to work out patterns out wide that maximize his pace. He’s no Overmars in this respect and Cesc and Arshavin are as able as Bergkamp to pick out flying wingers.
Unfortunately he mostly has to take the ball with him on the wing. Through the middle in a 4-3-3 he’s wasted as his backs usually to the goal. Let’s see over the next few months now that Bendtner is (hopefully) back. All Vela needs is one or two chances per match to be given a run at goal. Maybe over the next while he can work out the patterns that free him up.
TJ- Negate Vela’s electricity? LOL What does that even meen?
@ giandano: you are right mate! he is the one for blaming for!!! Until his failure we were really good in the game!! He cost us!!
Also, how is Wellington settling? Any predictions? I always worry about Brazilians in England. They can go the way of Emerson or Juninho! (Reyes or Gilberto, for those not schooled in Middlesbrough’s squad of the 1990s.)
J any truth in it?
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Transfer-news-Fulham-aim-to-beat-Arsenal-in-transfer-race-for-QPR-wonderkid-article310711.html
SHane – LOL. But he’s said to be one of the fastest on the team and did you ever see him play for Mexico? Mind, Bergkamp was also one of the fasted on the team and for all his qualities ‘electric’ doesn’t come to mind. Just looking at Wellington’s body language makes me think ‘imminent explosion’.
Shane: Electricity is a form of energy that can be carried by wires and is used for heating and lighting, and to provide power for machines.
Vela plays fine at LWF for Mexico. personally I say if Wenger actually gives him some chances there |(not 8 minutes when the game is decided) you’ll see him shine.
Gooner…Be honest, how often do you watch Vela play for Mexico?
Hamid- I hope you were just being a smart alec joking but you forgot your LOL.
I dont think Wenger said to Vela “Dont be to electric”. LOL, I do get confuse as to why he plays on the left. Conventual wisdom would say he is a striker whith quality finish skills, so you would want him cutting in on his strong foot to get off shots. Plus with the fact that there is no one to cross to.
Shane – Just for you, i’ll briefly explain as i have to dash.
Vela is originally a small, tricky and very quick striker. When this very blog broke the news of us signing him a few years ago and gave us a few clips of his amazing exploits at the under 17 World Cup (he finished as the leading goalscorer while helping Mexico to a 3-0 win over Brazil in the final), he reminded me very much of a young Javier Saviola (who was a revelation at 17/18 until he went to Barca and they stagnated his progess somewhat).
Now, what AW is doing with Vela is wrong i believe. He is trying to make him play more like a Nasri type player. A creative, wide midfield playmaker, if you will, except, Vela is a goal poacher. He sniffs out chances in and around the penalty area and can score out of nothing (much like he did in last year’s CC). However, he has to play in a 4-4-2. He can even play up top with Arshavin just off of him and this will even terrorise defences. He’s not adept at playing as the spearhead of a 4-3-3. Although he can do a job on the wing, this doesn’t bring out the best in his ability either.
Look, i can’t stand Myles Palmer as much as the next Gooner but i really must say, his last article made more sense than any article i’ve ever read of his and he stated something that i’ve said for a few years now. Arsenal have far too many players who are simply too alike. It gets really predictable when that’s the case. Although NB and Theo aren’t great players, as soon as they went on against Man Utd on Sunday, we looked a lot more like we could trouble them, and we did. AW should SOMETIMES leave players the way they are and not try to convert them into something they’re not really suited to, i.e. Vela as a winger/wide playmaker. Home Alone has already stated it. He shouldn’t always be receiving the ball with his back to goal and a defender right up his arse as most of the time, he will just get brushed aside and lose possession as has been the case far too much this season. He should play as the most advanced striker with a creative striker like Bendtner, Arshavin or RVP off of him. That’s his best role. Anything else negates his game. The EXACT same thing goes for Theo Walcott.
will everyone be singing Bridge Over Troubled Water on Sunday
Both Vela and Walcott are too frail for the Premiership at present. Arsene plays them wide to protect them from the sort of battering that Arshavin has been getting.
why is there still no arsenal tv
Only one goal against Dagenham?
Pah – I thought he was meant to be good!!!
Get rid of him; he’ll never be good enough.
(joke)
well i dnt blame this boiz…their manager thinks of himself as a messiah…so who are them to protest.
did the new kid savic play? and if so,how did he do?
Vela is a fantastic striker and at the moment he is best suited for a 4-4-2. What do you want Wenger to do? Change back? Then we will be saying the same things about players like Song, Diaby and Ramsey. These guys needs the 4-3-3. There will always be players that are misfits when you change your system. We are still forgeting how young Vela is. Vela will be a top top striker in a few years time. I promise you that.
Home…Brazilian can succeed as long as the club they play with plays the sort of samba football…which Arsenal definetly do. Wellington is actually very exciting because we sign Brazilians but they are always holding mids or defenders. Plus it is frusterating to see us chase young players but dont sign the true top kids out of the country that provides this game with more talent then anyone. It kills me when I see us being linked with Alexandre Pato when he is 16 at Internacional then 3-4 years later you see how good he is. Now it actually looks like we snapped up the top kid from brazil.
TJ – Thats spot on re: vela mate.
I think this formation shift is largely positive for the arsenal side though. Vela needs to adapt to it either as the main striker or as a winger.
Its not impossible for him as he has all the required technical level to play anywhere going forward, he just needs to learn how to find space. He often looks isolated when out on the wing. I didnt think he was too bad up front on his own, he’s ok with his back to goal cos his 1st tough is good and hes a bit stronger and more determined than ppl give him credit for, but sometimes he appeared incapable of finding space and often got crowded out.
I dnt understand why so many so-called fans are so against him now. Last year he was the highlight of the season for me along with arshavin. Hes clearly having to adapt and really hasnt done that badly anyway! Many people are saying they want him to leave. Its a joke
Arsene Wengers job is to have the best system for the Arsenal Football Club, not to have the best system for Carlos Vela. Either he fits, or he doesnt. For all the bitching about Arsene and the club this week, we are only 6 pts back of Chelsea. All things considering, that is amazing for a club that most though would finish 5-7. So the system is right. As for Vela, we just havent seen enough of him to know for sure, but he looks better wide to me than in the middle of the field. Its quite the opposite with Walcott, who I think looks better centrally rather than outwide. Velas touch is better than Walcott, but if Theo gets a chance to finish, he is better than Vela at that. I would flip flop them
Also, sometimes he plays players out of position to give them an education.
You see now diaby sometimes drifts out to the left in games and can make things happen. Its useful for them. The same is true of bendtner. He picked it up quite quickly, moving out wide and taking on defenders.
I really think vela just needs to learn a few things off the ball. You’re right TJ, his situation is very similar to walcott in that they are both naturally very good when the side counter attacks, they can run onto things and finish, but when a side defends deep, both are less effective.
Shane – I think Arsenal’s football must help, but there is no hiding the fact that wintry london ain’t quite the scene a 17 year old Rio born kid is gonna get used to easily unless he’s always had a cosmopolitan bent. I don’t just mean the weather mind, I mean life in the anonymous city as opposed to growing up surrounded by what I’d call intrusions – people, noises, problems, joys – but many Brazilians see as part of a meaningful life. I am sure you know what I mean. I wonder sometimes how Vela is getting on in this respect. Even our little Russian seems put out about this aspect of life in London (he’s certainly not bothered about the weather). Aspects of Russian and Brazilian culture overlap in areas that one might realize, and that might matter more than we credit. That’s my opinion.
I agree with the point that we have a lot of players who are very similar, and I think wenger does realize this. That’s why we have Song starting, as well as Vermaelen, Van Persie (when fit) and Diaby (also when he is fit.) Ramsey brings a bit of a different dimention to the squad as well. Bendtner MIGHT start against Chelsea. With some of the injuries it has been hard to start a team with a few of the taller guys consistently. With our full team (we are getting players back now) it’ll change things up again :D
…sorry, make that ‘might not realize’
We have finishers who favour a 4-4-2 – Vela, Walcott, Eduardo
We have target men – Bendy RvP and probably buy one more while JET matures into the role (or not)
We have interchangeable midfield midgets – Cesc, Ramsey, Nasri, Arshavin, Rosicky, Merida, Denilson, Wilshere
We have one defensive midfielder – Song, been trying to buy another one
We have Eboue, Diaby, and I suppose Traore to bring presence to the midfield. (Barry, Alonso were reportedly targets), who can also double as DM.
Obviously.
Bottom line is that the 4-3-3 is working but our personnel need further fine tuning. This will take another season or two. Palmer has run out of patience and is right that the balance is out. I haven’t run out of patience. What happened to RvP was not predictable, much, but clearly we need a third physical striker to emerge if RvP is gonna be a Saha or a Christian Vieiri.
Home Alone….Brazilian occupy every leag from Russia to Japan. Hell Edaurdo played in croatia. Brazilians seem to adapt to more countries then any other nationality. Hell they adapt so well that alot of them end up becoming a national team player for there new country. Portugal, Croatia, Japan, USA, Poland, Italy, Mexico, Spain all feature a Brazilian born player in or around their squads.
Davi- Did you really say that Walcott is a better finisher than Vela?
How about Savic??..
And about Vela….too thin..stamble and fall..
Also I believe that the type of wingers contribute to who can play up top. If it is the play maker but slower type like Nasri and Rosicky, then you need a guy that can hold the ball up longer. A player like Vela and Edaurdo can link up and finish but they are going to be able to hold the ball up forever. Look at Barca. We need that creative pacy guy that can make thing happen by taking people on but can also link up. Barca have Messi and I think we could get Hazard.
Shane – i dont think so, I think that was in another comment.
I thought that was a strange thing to say as well :)
o sorry Davi, that was Andres.
Home alone – I think gibbs could provide excellent DM cover, rather than traore who seems to be a specialised LB. Flawed in some departments but definitely promising.
You forgot Eastmond as well, who really looks like he could do a gibbs this year and make a name for himself. If he’d started ahead of denilson against Utd, I dont think he could have done any worse..
Again, I am not too sure I agree with the Brazilians dont make it in the cold claim. There are dominant Brazilians in all leagues, and even those in the north. The guy that plays with Dzeko scores goals for fun for instance. All of Europe is much colder than Brazil, so it should effect everyone, from Italy to Spain as well.
Whats more important is the system. Brazilians are brought up, more or less, in attacking football. Their mantra is the best defense is a good offense. They tend to play on tighter pitches, play the one-touch, short passing game. European football has always been to beat opponents with crosses and outwide, where as the Brazilians, and to a lesser degree the Argentinians like to beat you straight up the middle of the pitch.
Arsenal play a system that is very Brazil-like. They like playing with the 3 strikers up top, and so do we. Barca kind of play in that system as well, and they have had success with some Brazilians. I never got why a kid like Robinho, with all the talent in the world, wouldnt want to play for Arsenal. He could be world player of the year in the Arsenal sytem and with a guy like Wenger. But he chose Madrid and then we were priced out by City.
J is great and so is Jeorge. Those 2 sites have been helpful in educating all of us about youth football. I doubt any of us really know that much about Wellington. But here is what we do know. He was completely dominant in some game at Old Trafford a while back. He has played a handful of games for Arsenal football club in either reserves or youth, and has been dominant. And he has been dominant recently for his club team. There is nothing here to think this kid will not be dominant eventually. Wenger knows best and I think he has a gem.
So if you can close your eyes and picture a club out 5 years, assuming same manager and system, is it possible we can have Wellington Silva, JET or Walcott, and Afobe as our 3 strikers? That seems to be a dream come true. Ramsay behind them, Vermaelen captaining the club with the young Polish keeper behind the sticks? Maybe we have Nordveit at the other CB spot with Gibbs out left. Sounds good to me with a young Zak Ansah and Luke Freeman coming off the bench? And what will Arsene have spent for that? Pretty much zero. The man is a genius. I wish he would buy some more established guys, but putting a contender together on a shoe string budget, no one is better.
As for the Vela trying to be Nasri comment, lets hope not. A few years ago, someone in the french press tried to say Nasri was the next Zidane, which is the biggest whiff I have heard in my life (like my Chelsea mate who claim Jerkoff was worth the 20M). Nasri is not Arsenal quality. Diaby, when he has it going, is. But that is only half the time. But on Nasris best day, he doesnt cut it. Just my opinion.
vela should be more adapt at 4-3-3 as he spent his time on the wing on his loans in spain.
i think his problem has been a lack of minutes on the pitch and possibly second seasons syndrome. i think right now he is on the left as he is our second fastest striker , left footed and also if he moved centrally it would help his play much like walcott.
wenger is just being patient with vela the guy has natural quality written all over him. he is a better finisher then walcott all day long. in my opinion walcott is only better at expsloive pace and the timing of his runs.
if these two make up 3 of our strikers in 4 or 5 years time it would be devestating .
Did SAVIC play well?
i think those have a point that say AW buys players then plays them out of psn, a method that isnt really working.
i think we have upped our game this season in terms of resilience but the overall quality of the squad as it stands means we find it hard to compete with tier 1 teams.
AW should really look for players that are naturals in their position. if you talk to any LOM supporter they will tell you nasri (who is regarded as a magnificent talent) is playing in the wrong position, same with theo (whom i believe will succeed v nicely as a striker and will be a future legend) and vela …
the fact of the matter is that these expensive kids are being played out of psn and haven’t really succeeded since then… question becomes is it therefore worth it?
I dont believe Vela is better than Theo finishing. We have seen Theo finish in the champs league a few years back, for England, in a massive FA Cup game, whereas Carlos has been given shots at the league and hasnt been up to quality.
But having said that, Walcott makes terrible decisions with the ball. He is all about pace and doesnt know the first thing about creating for others. Vela, however, does. Vela is good with the ball, delivers good crosses and has almost as good of a speed. And when it comes to touch, Vela is far better.
But having said that, Walcott is always going to be a more dangerous finisher. Vela is all about cheeky finishes and gimmick plays, in his Carling Cup experience. Theo is more of a cheetah, fast. Let Theo run down those through balls from Fabrigas (while we have him) and he can be a great striker.
But going back to Carlos, when he was in Spain, he did very well, and he was out on the wing there. His best game in his professional life was against Madrid at the Bernabeu and he dusted Ramos like he wasnt even there. Thats the player we have. Lets just realize he isnt a finisher, but rather a creative player and try to make him into another Overmars, rather than another Nasri
ndres- Nasri isnt Arsenal quality? What games are you watching plus he is the that will only get better. People seem to forget how young these guys are. Zidane wasnt even a France international until he was 22. We put to much pressure on these players at such a young age. You are the same person that just said Walcott is a better finisher than Vela though.
I thought it was him i had seen pictured in the Man Utd match pics,
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article2559771.ece
Check picture 14 out of 20 to the left
DID SAVIC PLAY AT ALL?
DID HE PLAY WELL?
LOL….I wish we could have put him in.
lol at people claiming Vela isn’t a finisher. Arsene didn’t call him the 2nd best finisher in the squad for no reason. His composure and finishing is one of his biggest strengths. Sure he’s struggling now, but that’s a confidence thing imo.
vela is v much a finisher imho. combination of position and a lack of playing time = net result!
I just havent seen anything from Nasri that leads to impact. He doesnt score a huge amount of goals, isnt particularly effective in either the speed or physical part of the game, isnt a player on dead ball situations, doesnt get back and doesnt create for others. So I am trying to figure out what he does do well. Diaby atleast offers far more than Nasri. I like Diaby alot, especially when he has his game going.
Back to the Vela vs Walcott finishing debate, here is all the really matters.
Walcott has 73 league appearances in his Arsenal career, almost all outside and 7 goals. He has 27 Champs League appearances and 5 goals. He has had 9 FA Cup appearances with 1 goal (and a big 1 it was). He has had 10 league cup appearances with 2 goals. Again, with the one exception of a champs league game 2 seasons ago (when he had 2 or 3, I cant remember), he has been outwide.
Now Vela hasnt had the minutes Theo has, but look at the difference. And remember, he tends to be given a far more central role than Theo is. In the League, he has 22 appearances, 1 goal. In Europe he has had 12 appearances, 0 goals. In the FA Cup he has had 6 appearances 1 goal. In the league cup he has been great, 5 appearances, 5 goals. Almost all of those goals have been chips or cheeky finishes.
Again, because of the lack of time and years, its hard to make a straight comparison, but statistically atleast, its not much of a competition.
That’s th eproblem we all want to win things and these young guys are not up to it so the pressure is on them to deliver and they can’t,wenger needs to sort this debacle out,lively…..
The only smart thing to do would be to look at minutes. Vela got his only goal in the one of 2 league starts I think he has. Otherwise he comes on in the last 10 minutes. Now is it far to judge him on that?
Yeh, vela’s confidence seemed to leave after eduardo got injured last time, leaving us with no other strikers in the squad, but STILL wenger decided against playing him.
Hes been overlooked many times since. he played well in the fa cup and was apparently going to start in the 1st EPL game against bolton, that got cancelled and rosicky came back before the next match. Things just havent gone his way this season. Part of it is wenger’s fault imo. He plays favourites with theo
Gooner, thats why I said far less minutes. But he is given a central role in those minutes and hasnt done it at the top flight. Theo is almost never given a central role and has done something atleast. I think it was against Prague 2 years ago, Theo had either 2 or 3 goals in a central role in the champs league. Cesc was calling him the new Henry. Wenger however never went back to that central role for him. Wenger knows best, and if he thinks Theo is a wide player and Carlos a central player, then he is right. But based on what I have seen, particularly in games that actually matter, Theo does a better job than Carlos.
Not every 20 year old has to be starting and playing everygame. When Vela is 23, I have complete faith that he will be a top class striker. I will bet right now that Vela scores 20 goals, in 2 seasons.
Wenger is in no mans land with Theo. If he doesnt play him, the English lynch him for anti-English rants. If he plays him and he isnt up to snuff, than Arsene is playing favorites. I think Wenger needs to look into the schedule, and last year would have been perfect as we had 5 meaningless games at the end of the season, and play Theo entirely in a central role. He just isnt a winger at all. If we are going to figure out what we have in Theo, we need to give him a chance to play in his best spot, and that clearly isnt on the wing. Give him a run of games in the middle, and make a determination if he sticks or not. The problem is, we are actually playing for things right now. There is really no room for error or experimentation. So this question and debate might not be answered for awhile, 2 or 3 seasons maybe
Shane, I really hope so.
Walcott is a 4-4-2 forward. He runs in behind the center backs with pace. Anyways, I feel people are to harsh on Walcott. I like everyone else get frusterated when he does something random in the final third but It is to early to right him off. He has skills and pace taht could turn him into the new Henry, but I think he is one that the early spotlight really hurt him. Which is why I think Wenger has been so cautious with Wilshere. At 22-23 years old, we will truly see which way Walcott will go.
How would Walcot play the center forward right now. He cant hold up the ball and our midfielder arent fast enough to keep up. Walcott would just keep running at 2 centerbacks until he was smothered out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AALrpPtO9Ug
what has happend to this guy,is he an imposter
With a Dennis Bergkamp, Walcott could become an Anelka or early Henry (wishful thinking I know). Anelka basically timed runs correctly, Bergkamp put the ball and all Anelka had to do was 1 touch things into the net. Same with early Henry. Now if Fabregas and eventually Ramsay, is our modern day Bergkamp, Walcotts job would just to be to time runs right. I dont want him to have the ball because he is losy with it, and Shane is right, he cant hold the ball up at all. But put 2 guys next to him and let him just run down balls. It has to be better than his wing play.
stella- I think it was just to much fame and pressure at such a young age. Also I dont think Thierry Henry leaving helped him at all. Walcott is essentially a young raw version of Henry and what better player to mentor you than the actual Thierry Henry.
I don’t think theo will kick on to the player we want him to be,his shoulders are fcuked and i think they are holding him back psychologically…
yeah true shane,i was thinking the same thing a while ago actually,i think he looked up to him so much,if henry would of stuck around for a bit longer that would of helped him out alot.
i believe aw should sell one of his many talented little players this summer to help fund some more physical and experienced players for next season.
a ray parlour type – not for every game but for when the going gets tough.
and someone to cover for song — he will be suspended again or injured at some point! and not a nine stone 5’6″ ball-player!
I like Eastmond, but isnt anyone else scared that he is not big enough for the job? i agree with Mike here. Unless he is Makalele, maybe Essien (who is medium sized), we really need a big brute in that spot.
Diaby was probably supposed to be that guy. It turns out he is far more effective going forward then he is as as a defensive midfielder.
The wildcard is Jay-Emmanuel Thomas. He is like Kolo Toure in that Wenger isnt sure what position the kid is. Kolo basically got a try at every position his first years with us. Jay is similar. We know he is a player, but what is his position. he was given a shot at striker. Maybe his next go around should be in holding midfield.
Eastmond is quality enough to make it, and Frimpong may have even more strength too. Coquelin will fit in somewhere. But if we are going to continue to be less physical at all the other spots, then we really need a bigger player in that spot.
Why don’t play Vela as the RWF and Walcott as the LWF with either Eduardo, Bendtner or van Persie at CF.
Andres – Eastmond is over 6foot. He can fill out a bit, I think that would definitely help, but he cac compete reasonably well.
He plays a very clever game, reads the play and nips in, like denilson, but he does show plenty of determination.
That’s why he reminds me of gibbs. Last season, the LB was definitely shown up for being too weak, but most times his determination made up for it. This year he has got only slightly stronger and now seems to be our most impressive LB when fit.
I dont believe Eastmond is 6 foot. He may be listed at that, but he looks incredibly frail on the pitch. But if he is 6 foot, and can get some strength, I do agree he has the skill set and talent to make it. But I dont believe he has the physical fortitude to cut it. But he is young, and if really is as tall as that, then I agree.
Yeh, i always thought he looked quite tall and skinny. I thought he was over 6ft, but it says just that on wiki.
Our most impressive Leftback when fit is Clichy, Man it gets annoying how these players can play so good and everyone loves you but a couple bad games and all of the sudden people say you are terrible.
Clichy was incredible 2 seasons ago. But I think he did his back in and he hasnt seemed to be the same player since. This season, and last, havent been impressive. But if healthy, he can play with anyone. Unfortunately, I think we may have seen his best. Gibbs will be given first shot at that position.
Lacina Traore apparently came very close to signing for PSV, according to some in the press. I have never seen him play, but I do hope he remains on Arsenes shopping list for next season, if we can not get Lukaku
I tell you what…If Wenger wants a bargain buy and british talent…..this Robert Snodgrass player from leeds is quality. How in the world is he playing in league 1.
Vela is a better finnisher.
Leave him with his feet facing goal and 80% its a goal.
That said, i would love it if they both buffed up so as to stand up to defenders more.
Remember henry used to run past them and no matter how hard they tried they couldnt tug him down?
Imagine vela and walcott that way :-)
I’m just watching Lukaku, dear god, if he’s 16 he’s out of this world
Lukaku is option 1, 2, 3 in next years transfer market. Then Hazard. Lets get all of these belgium kids before they blow up
I like Axel Witsel, though he made that horror tackle some months ago. He’s got massive ability, and he’s an Arsenal fan.
Vermaelen, Lukaku, Witsel and Hazard, plus they have that other guy that us, Utd and Liverpool have been linked with. That country is spitting out players now. And I would like to have those 4.
Steven Defour ;)
Thanks, I forgot that guys name. Lets add him too.
yeah we’ll send a wish list to Wenger :D
Hypothetically speaking ofcourse. Could he have Lukaku, Hazard, Witsel and Defour for the 30M he claims to have? Or is that that too much to ask for? Probably 45M is closer.
WITSELL NEEDS TO LEARN TO PLAY THE GAME WITH SOME RESPECT FIRST. HE”S MADE AT LEAST 3 YES 3 HORROR AND I MEAN HORROR TACKLES IN THE SPACE OF A YEAR. MAYBE A LITTLE LESS THAN A YEAR. THE KID’S GOT UNDENIABLE TALENT, BUT I’D DO MY HOMEWORK FIRST ON HIS PSYCOLOGICAL MAKEUP. I’M BEING SERIOUS. IF HE WANTS TO PLAY ANYWHERE, HE HAS TO DEMONSTRATE A BIT OF RESPECT AND REGARD FOR THE OTHER PLAYER’S SAFETY ON THE PITCH. GIVE ME A VIEIRA PLAYER ANYDAY, BUT I DON’t WANT A TRULY DIRTY PLAYER AT ARSENAL. BELGIUM HAS SO MUCH 1ST CLASS YOUNG TALENT DON”T THEY?? I THINK THIS MIGHT BE THEIR BEST PERIOD YET!!
I wish Witsell would then be ours against Chelsea because I would love to see John Terry taken out.
I can’t understand why some people don’t rate Nasri. Even when he’s played out of position he has still played well. He is vital to our passing game and even though he doesn’t register a lot of assists, he IS decisive and has very good vision. He also has very good ball retention skills such as shielding. In fact he’s stronger at this then Denilson. He CAN beat a man as well, wether it be on the wing or in the middle of the park. He might want to shoot a bit more, but it doesn’t detract from his overall contribution.
I have been saying Belgium will make the semifinals in the 2014 world cup for a while now. They have so many talents that will be playing for big clubs in the near future and a new belgian talent seems to pop up every month. Boyata kid from Man City.
Hazard Lukaku Demblele
Witsel Defour
Fellaini
Pocagnoli or vertonghen Vermaelen Kompany Vanden Borre
plus a bench with Alderwerld, De Laet, Boyata, Mirallas…etc.
But that starting line up will be ridiculous as long as they have the right coach.
Yeah I’m with you on that one Andres lol. Hey we should get Diaby to boot him in the face on purpose this time!! :D
I’m not all that clued up on emerging talent, but Jan Vertonghen’s another (relatively) young Belgian player I quite like. Plays for Ajax – really elegant player, great left foot as well. Seen him a few times for Belgium and in one or two Ajax games. I know he got injured when Belgium got caned by Spain, and haven’t seen much from him since then.
Belgium could be absolutely huge in the next couple of years, provided Advocaat and Vermaelen get the house in order – patch up things between the Flems and Walloons. And until now they’ve been sorely lacking up front: Wesley Sonck’s been first choice for years!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2009/oct/07/belgium-world-cup-qualifying
People that dont rate Nasri are the people that dont truly understand the whole mechanics that make a team tick. I will say, I believe Wenger thought he was a little bit faster than he is. He is much more of a central player than a wide player.
When Terry took CF4 a few years ago only for EE to take him out a few minutes later, that alone should have made Eboue a legend among the Gooners. Id be inclined to have Eboue in the lineup for just that reason on Sunday. Who knows if Terry even plays, but I would be physical with him regardless. He may not be getting much sympathy from the refs. He is officially public enemy #1.
I always hate how Terry gets so much credit while Carvalho and Gallas were much better defenders. Carvalho isnt as extravigent as Terry because he just reads the game.
I can’t believe how many chances walcott is given ahead of Vela. Vela is the man who can be our next Henry. He is the true heir we have been waiting for.
I dont rate Nasri, its an opinion. I just dont see what he does well. He doesnt get back on defense, he doesnt score, he doesnt offer anything on deadball situations, as mentioned he doesnt get much assists and he isnt physical in the middle of the park or fast on the wings. Maybe I dont get “mechanics” but I do understand when I see someone who contributes and someone who doesnt. Nasri doesnt really. Like I said, when Diaby is on his game, there is no comparison. Ramsay also is constant motion and effort, to go along with sublime skill. Nasri just doesnt do it. Maybe he is a Fabregas who will emerge once Cesc leaves? I just dont know. But I have seen nothing to back up that thesis. I mean, Gallas hates him, I dont believe Henry rates him either, so I will stick with those guys. Right now, does anyone think, if we were totally healthy, that he would start? He may not make the bench on some games. I seriously like Denilson, Ramsay and Rosicky more. And I may even like Merida more but need to see him play more against top flight before going that far.
I agree with Shane. John Terry is a bit overrated. He doesnt hurt his cause that they really bunch up the middle of the park and that he has played with Makalale (who doesnt rate him either or so his book says) and Essien (the finest holding midfielder in the world now). If John Terry were at Arsenal, we would still concede the same amount of goals. On a team that presses, his lack of quickness and footspeed would doom him. On a team like Chelsea, he has just has to be physical and know about positioning, 2 things he does well. But I dont think he is as good as Carvalho either.
Nasri for one is very good on set pieces. He can finish. But the biggest thing he does is link up very well and is real good coming down the middle. I believe he was voted 3rd or 4th last year by the fans fo player of the year on Arsenal.com. Once again give him a year or 2 and he will be one of those guys that makes the team tick.
Has Gallas ever said that he hates Nasri?? don’t remember that if he did. You can’t judge by the way Gallas acts anyways, because he is so volatile and impulsive. Like me!! :d lol. Seriously. I don’t think Gallas hates him. Almunia is a different story though:D