Anyway fellas just wanted to give my 15 cents on what happened yesterday and why I am excited about this team.
Namely the upside for this team, this team has not reached it potential yet this season we haven't played our best team yet. We scored 5 but conceded 3 defensively the first half was crap but the second half showed a marked improvement.
Vermalean is back and despite the injuries he in my opinion may be the best sweeper in the league and the fact that our defense is improving and 'Kos' is playing out of his mind means we can slowly nurse him back. Ultimately, the pairing that Arsene always wanted in the middle was Kos and Vermalean and right now that is a frightening prospect.
Walcott seems to be regaining his confidence a bit, but a one off game won't sell me on the youth but dammit he is fast! I saw him outrun Ashley Cole ... and ashley cole is not slow at all ... when he contributes like he did today we're a totally different animal.... long may it continue he's even working back defensively.
Aaron Ramsey did ok today and he seems to be finding form and that is def not bad plus with Rosicky snapping at his heels he cant f**k around (Personally with Rosicky's form I'd start him or at least rotate them in every other game). He did miss some passes today for RVP that I know Cesc would have nailed but its asking too much to expect that of him Cesc is one of the best in the world to accomodate him barca has even moved Iniesta to the wing ... go figure.
Song and Arteta continues to do the things needed in the middle they give a good hustle keeps the play clicking but above all gives the defense an outlet to pass too. Song tends to pick up frequent yellows though but he has coquelin and Frimpong to come in .. that aint bad .. aint bad at all
Djourou is doing ok in the wing back position it's a chance for him to get playing time and regain his confidence while not having the responsibility of being the sweeper .. plus the youth Jenkinson is back..
Santos is doing well while Gibbs recovers from yet another injury.
In my opinion Gibbs is better .. he's fitter, faster and he has a nice delivery but in terms of playing and understanding the game Santos is a brazilian ... so I like the competition created for that position
I know Ive been singing everyones praises and not Per personally I feel Verminator and Kos better than him but I cant deny that his presence has changed this defence around .. he's calm he's there when others slip up and although he gets beat he's never really fully beaten because he is so long ... I'd like to see him up against man City because they have the smaller quicker explosive types his positioning and anticipation will be tested .... but he was a good buy and he's a good presence for the team .. obviously an easy going guy.
Ox .... Arsene said something about him that his concentration is a bit off and he doesnt work back defensively and I see where he is coming from exposure in the champions league will help him mature a bit.
Park has scored and looks a good prospect confidence is a helluva a thing it would be nice if he can be come the reliable goalpoacher we need to back up RVP.
Sagna still to come back, as well as Wilshire and Gibbs and the tall man in the middle.
In Sces we finally have a reliable goalkeeper ... nuff said.
Gervinho looks a good replacement for Nasri truth be told Nasri doesnt really look happy at Man City guess maybe because he isnt the man there... that be Da silva .. but oh well
RVP .... simply wow theres so many good things about this guy he plays a post up game but drops deep so its dificult to mark him ...... he's fit for the first time in years fully fit and scoring but above all .... he is leading this team and embracing the captaincy ... he likes it he thrives on it .. last year Cesc was captain but he didnt embrace it his mind was elsewhere as we all know and the added pressure affected his game he looked unhappy ... I'm impressed with him big time.
At the end of the match RVP went over to applaud the spectators and gave a fan his jersey and the guy went crazy lol excellent stuff ... this team is coming together and they havent peaked theyre building up to it which is how it should be done .. I believe Man United has already peaked and Man City hasnt been tested by a team that doesnt fear them .. enter Arsenal!
Last but not least "In Arsene we believe" people wanted to fire him ... he brought in Ryo, Ox, Arteta, Per , Santos, Gervinho, Joel (costa rican), Park, jenkinson ... people criticize him they dis him .. his team lost 8-2 with his weakest team because of injuries and suspensions (and we didnt have our deadine transfer or starters) they say he dead .. and he never stop believing he keep giving his players chances and having faith him in them AND now he leading this team .. to the promise land only managers of his calibre like fergie and mourinho could have done that with this team after suffering the loss of Cesc and nasri.
He balances out the injuries to gibbs via Santos, elevates the level of Kos via Per, keeps Theo guessing yet never losing faith with him with Ox on his tail, and utilizes Arshavin as a super sub and playing him in the hole in the carling cup he's realised how to get the best out of him ....... We're leading our champions league group after having to qualify via a playoff against third place udinese who we beat in both legs and we're moving ... ladies and gents welcome to Coaching 101!
In Arsene we believe!