Wenger – Arsenal can’t compete for the title right now

Posted on November 05, 2012 by admin

Arsenal’s defeat at Old Trafford has left them nine points behind the new League leaders, and Arsene Wenger admits that they now have a mountain to climb if they are to compete with Man United, Chelsea and Man City in the race for the Premiership title.

He couldn’t give any excuse for Arsenal’s poor showing on Saturday and simply said that they came up against a much better team. “We were poor today defensively I think,”

“There’s no obvious reason for that apart from the fact that we didn’t start well and that Man United have quality up front. They score goals against everybody and were better than us. It’s as simple as that.

“I think today we were not good. At Man City, we played a 1-1. We had a good result and didn’t suffer from the comparison. Today, I just think at the moment we are not on full cylinders and we looked much more vulnerable defensively than we were at the start of the season.

“We have to show that the team can compete for the title. At the moment, you cannot say that because we are far away. But that’s what the target is until the end of the season.

“We’ve played many away games now in many difficult places. We’ve played at Manchester City, at Manchester United, at Liverpool and at Stoke. So we have many difficult away games. But we are very far behind now.”

November’s games now become crucial and we now have a demanding visit to Schalke, before facing Fulham, Tottenham and Montpellier at home. Let’s hope the team can pick themselves up quickly because another couple of defeats could see Arsenal even drop out of the race for fourth place, never mind the Champions League…..

MEGAN FOX talks to Dolphins with ACERTags: compete, Man utd, title race
Category Arsenal News, Arsenal previews
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Time for Arsenal to test their Title challenge!

Posted on September 21, 2012 by Bob

What are Arsenal really made of ?? by Kamal

I’m a rookie at this whole writing thing so my apologies in advance…

Here we go, our next 5 fixtures :
• A Man Shitty
• H Chelsea
• H Olympiakos
• A West Ham
• A Norwich

The match at the Etihad is going to be a real test of character, potential, and most importantly DISCIPLINE. The much improved defence has to be focused in containing Tevez, Balo, Aguero and Dzeko. Gibbs has to be aware of his positional play and Podolski will have to track back, as will Gervinho and Santi. In my opinion, Arsenal should really play a defensive game for the first 20 mins, then start to dictate play. For this match the first 10-15 mins will be key,no goals should be conceded,then we may stand a chance. A win at City will surely make us title contenders and send a message to the big boys.

Then the Chelsea match at home, this is a must win for me. Top teams win big matches at home and I seriously believe chelsea are a little overrated this season. They haven’t faced a real test yet and we will definitely give them that. Olympiakos should be an easy win at Emirates.

West Ham away is also a tough one, big Sam always makes it hard for Arsenal, as with Bolton of old, but again we may have Jack the lad back, and that is exactly what we need for a tough match away. Norwich is a match we should win without too many problems. Jack Wilshere will be key to arsenal this season, I can’t wait for him to be back..So CAN ARSENAL KICK ON FROM THEIR GOOD START,,LETS SEE WHAT ARSENAL ARE REALLY MADE OF STARTING WITH A TRIP TO ETIHAD..Thats it for me guys,,any feedback will be welcome,thanks..COYG

KAMAL (Malaysia)

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Category Arsenal Debate, Arsenal News, Arsenal opinion, Arsenal previews
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Podolski plays down Arsenal title chances

Posted on September 19, 2012 by Bob

Arsenal’s German striker Lukas Podolski must be planning for a career in management as he did the old management trick of refusing to talk about Arsenal winning the league title. Arsenal fans and football reporters are starting to talk about Arsenal having a realistic chance of winning the title after a trophyless seven years.

Podolski has been one of the most impressive players so far this season and he scored another goal last night with a cool finish. Along with Gervinho and Giroud, the German international has formed a formidable front three for the Gunners that gives us a lot more options than we had last year with just Robin van Persie.

27-year old Podolski, who has 44 international goals, spoke about Arsenal’s start to the season but stated that we should not get too excited.

“We have only played four matches…..When you win a match, you are not a champion….We want to win all the matches we play and I think if we play the same as we did against Liverpool and Southampton then we have a chance at Man City to get the three points.”

Podolski also recognised the contribution of his fellow newcomer Olivier Giroud. It was a fantastic piece of hold up play and a subtle flick from Giroud that released Podolski for his goal against Montpellier. With Gervinho’s speed and skill on the right, Podolski on the left and Giroud in the middle, the Arsenal attack has a great balance. Podolski knows that there is a lot more to do before the team can start considering the title, starting this weekend.

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Poll: are Manchester United now title favourites after sealing £22m move for Robin van Persie from Arsenal?

Van Persie's arrival is a major coup for Sir Alex Ferguson. The 29-year-old Dutchman had been coveted by Manchester City, whose manager Roberto Mancini spoke in glowing terms about him last week.

And United fans, who over the last few years have become used to seeing all the star names head to City, will certainly be thrilled by the potential of Rooney partnering someone who caused such damage to top flight defences, scoring 30 times in an overall tally of 37 last term, despite Arsenal's obvious inconsistencies.

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Arsenal can mount a title bid says Lukas Podolski as the future of Robin van Persie remains uncertain

If Arsenal are not to slip back to being also-rans again next season, then they will have to tighten up a defence which leaked 49 Premier League goals last term - some 20 more than champions Manchester City.

Laurent Koscielny found himself playing alongside several different central partners last season after injuries again took their toll at the back.

The France defender, 26, recently penned a new long-term deal and intends to do all he can to make the Gunners rearguard a secure unit.

"Now I know the Premier League - I am more mature and more physical," Koscielny said.

"You know I like to be tactical and technical in my position, but I have worked hard to be fitter and stronger.

"Now I want to continue my progression with this club.

"I know I played a good season last year, but I want to do more for Arsenal this year. I want to win a trophy."

New Holland coach Louis van Gaal revealed Van Persie had no issue with being asked to play back-up to Klaas-Jan Huntelaar in his future plans for the national team.

Speaking ahead of the friendly against Belgium, Van Gaal told reporters, as quoted by De Telegraaf: "I had a fantastic conversation with Robin. I had to tell him that his situation has changed and that I prefer Huntelaar for now.

"It was a great talk not just about football, but also about life in general.

"I was pleasantly surprised. This was probably one of the best conversations I have ever had with a player.

"It is pretty rare to have such a good talk with a player.

"I told him that the best player plays, but that his situation can quickly change.

"I am confident that there will be a moment where he pulls us through."

Van Gaal added he would happily offer advice on his club situation to Van Persie should he seek it.

"I think the player always has to decide for himself," he said.

"When he wants he can ask me for advice, but then I will speak to him, not to you."

Arsenal duo Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (ankle) and Theo Walcott (thigh) both pulled out of England's game against Italy in Berne with injuries, which could see them doubtful for Saturday's Premier League opener against Sunderland at Emirates Stadium.

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Arsenal need three more players to challenge for the title

Posted on August 10, 2012 by admin

Arsenal still need more to be title contenders! by KJ

After the last couple of days, we’ve experienced the highs of signing a world class player in Cazorla to the lows of knowing that Man Utd are close to signing our star striker and captain, Robin Van Persie.

I’ve said it before that we need to forget about Van Persie and plan for a future without him. However, we’ve definitely got a chance at glory with a couple more vital signings that will return this beautiful club to greatness.

I personally think that the striker role is actually covered regardless of what happens to RVP. Giroud and Podolski aren’t given enough credit amongst the fans and they have enough talent between them to easily replace the goal threat that RVP posed.

However, in terms of who we need, there are 3 positions that will make us title contenders:

Right Back: With the Sagna injury, it would be in our best interest to get a right back in. We’ve been linked with Van Der Weil who is a solid choice. He will help ease the pressure off Sagna and hopefully will challenge him to make both of them better players.

Left back: I feel quite iffy with the LB situation. We do have two at the moment with Vermaelan as our emergency LB. However, I’m not confident in our two traditional LBs. Gibbs is too injury prone and possibly too attacking minded whilst Santos is getting on now and has real lapses in concentration whilst defending. There aren’t too many quality LBs at the moment but players like Nagamoto (Inter), Schmeltzer (Dortmund), Cissokho (Lyon) would all be quality additions to our team.

Finally, a defensive midfielder. I know Song and Arteta are great but I feel like we need the third wheel to completely cover them. If one is injured (like Arteta) was, the other (Song) won’t have to do all of it by himself. It will also keep competition fierce and hopefully push them to another level. The obvious candidates are M’Vila, Capoue and Biglia.

I know that it’s been a funny week for Arsenal but we need to remain on top of our game and keep these signings rolling. We are so close now.

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Arsenal signing Santi Cazorla wants to end title drought for Arsene Wenger

Cazorla is a potentially pivotal signing having played a key role in Malaga’s first fourth-placed finish in La Liga last season, scoring nine goals in 38 league appearances.

The Spain international, who can play on either wing or through the middle, was a member of the squad that won the European Championships in June, as well as in 2008.

The 27 year-old spent the majority of his career at Villarreal, where he was named Spanish player of the year in 2007. After making 181 appearances for the Yellow Submarine, he moved to Malaga last season.

"I'm so happy to be joining Arsenal. This is a club with great players, a fantastic stadium and huge support," said Cazorla, who has 45 international caps.

"The club has one of the best managers in football and their style of play is recognised and admired all over the world.

"I'm so excited to be joining one of the greatest teams in Europe and to be playing in the Premier League.”

The transfer has been lauded by former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas, who helped persuade his international team-mate to move to North London.

Fabregas described Cazorla as a “special player and a top guy” and the winger also spoke to other players with Premier League experience before deciding to join the Gunners.

“I have spoken to Robert Pires because he played with me at Villarreal,” said Cazorla. “Obviously he knew about the rumours of me coming here and always encouraged me to sign.

“He told me it was a very good club and I was going to enjoy London, the city and the move.

“The same with Cesc Fabregas. He said this was a big club and that I was going to be very happy here, he said I would adapt easily. And I can feel that.”

“It is clear that there are players like Silva, Mata, Torres and Reina who have been here a long time, so I also talked to them. They have told me that it is great to play in the Premier League, they told me how the games are in England.

“They say it is different to Spain and that is true. You see Spanish players doing well here and that inspires you to come over as well. They have set an example and I hope I will adapt to the league as well as they have.”

Wenger had been under mounting pressure to spend heavily to improve a squad that finished third in the Premier League last season, 19 points adrift of Manchester City and Manchester United.

Arsenal have not won a trophy since lifting the FA Cup back in 2005 and have seen their best players picked off by bigger spending rivals in recent years, most recently when Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri were poached by City last summer.

Having finished so far off the pace last season, Arsenal have moved to remedy the situation and more new faces could arrive before the close of the window.

Turkey midfielder Nuri Sahin remains a target, after the 23-year-old was told he could leave Real Madrid, as does France youth international M'Baye Niang of Caen.

“Santi Cazorla is a great signing for us,” said Wenger. “He's a player who will add significant quality to our squad.

"Santi has good experience at both club and international level," Wenger said. "He's a versatile, attacking midfield player who can play comfortably on either side of the pitch or centrally. He has good pace, is technically gifted and will be a huge asset to us."

Cazorla’s arrival is likely to pave the way for Andrei Arshavin to join Galatasaray, while Wenger is also keen to offload striker Nicklas Bendtner.

Santiago Cazorla Gonzalez
Age: 27
Previous clubs: Real Oviedo, Villarreal, Recreativo, Villarreal, Malaga.
International Appearances: 45
International Goals: 6

Arsenal Ins
Lukasz Podolski – Cologne – £11m
Olivier Giroud – Montpellier - £13m
Santi Cazorla – Villarreal - £16.5m

Arsenal Out
Gavin Hoyte – Dagenham and Redbridge - Free
Manuel Almunia – Watford - Free

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Wilshere: Arsenal have clear run at Premier League title

Jack Wilshere believes Arsenal's exit from the Champions League will enable them to concentrate on the race for the Premiership crown.

Meanwhile, Manchester United are currently tackling Chelsea in midweek giving the Gunners seven days free to prepare to close the seven point gap between themselves and United.

Reds boss Sir Alex Ferguson has been rotating his squad to keep his players fresh and Wilshere believes the continuity that comes with having just one game a week could prove crucial come May.

"United rotated their team against Fulham and did well," explained Wilshere.

"But I think eventually playing in Europe is going to catch up with them.

"We have a week between every game so it can only be good for us.

"We have a game in hand and United have still got to come to the Emirates.

"If we win those games we are within one point of them.

"We are confident they will drop points. We are ready to take advantage if they slip."

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Wilshere: Arsenal defeat would have handed title to Man Utd

Jack Wilshere admits Arsenal's victory at Blackpool has kept Manchester United from being crowned champions.

Sunday’s 3-1 win keeps Arsenal in touch with Sir Alex Ferguson’s side and Wilshere admitted that only three points would have been sufficient to keep the heat on United following their own 2-0 victory over against Fulham on Saturday.

“We are delighted because we knew that if we had lost on Sunday it could have been all over,” the midfielder told arsenal.com. “We are delighted with the three points.

“We are chasing Manchester United - we have got a game in hand and they have still got to come to Emirates Stadium. We are confident they will drop points so we just have to keep playing like we did today and getting three points.

“There is a lot of pressure on us now in every game and we dealt with that pressure well today. Our fans were brilliant, like always, and they were behind us which was important.

“Cesc was back and he got us passing again. It was flowing well.”

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