Unbeaten in six, back in the top four, Denilson hitting some form and with a run of nine very winnable games stretched out in front of us, right up until Roma in late February, perhaps it’s not so bad to be a Gooner after all?
It’s felt like a crap Christmas week from an Arsenal perspective, though I did get some sweet retro Adidas boots for Crimbo, which made me feel a bit better and will doubtless lead to countless hopeless Van Persie impersonations in the park. I always find that my legs aren’t quite bendy enough for this sort of thing.
But suddenly we’re eking out gritty victories over teams led by club legends and Arsene’s chuckling benignly and knowingly when asked about the prospect of us signing exciting, creative new players like Arshavin. Sure, he’s not naming names and for all we know he may actually have lined up Titus Bramble to bring a bit of sparkle to our attack (remember: a good player can play anywhere), but still, his flirty giggles and naming of no names has got us all going a bit, hasn’t it?
In that Sky interview, Wenger alarmingly pointed out that “3 points were requested today“. What? Does that mean that all this time we’ve been fretting away, all we needed to do was ask nicely every week and Arsene will pass on this request to the lads, who will grumpily oblige with a scrappy win? If only we’d realised sooner!
I’ve written a short play which explores some of the issues managers like Arsene must face at this testing, formative period of their lives.
Act One, Scene One
[The Emirate's Stadium at night. Arsene is wearing an inelegant puffa jacket and trying to avoid Geoff Shreves. The Arsenal fans' lines are shouted from off-stage in ghostly tones.]
Us: Who do you fancy, Arsene?
Arsene: No-one. I’m not telling.
Us: You fancy Andrei, don’t you Arsene?
Arsene: (blushing) No. I so totally do not fancy Andrei.
Us: Yes you do! Yes you do! Yes you do! [Sings] Arsene fancies Andrei! Arsene fancies Andrei!
Arsene: No I don’t! No I don’t! [Pause]. Do you think I should let him know how I feel?
[Blackout]
… to be continued.
Serious analysis: From Wenger’s manner and his comments to CanalPlus, I would bet the family cat that we are getting pretty close with Arshavin. Something in the Sky interviewer’s voice suggested that Arsene might just have told him something rather interesting immediately before the interview. BUT, the tabloid (and broadsheet) insistence on a £20million fee is, I believe, complete bollocks. If he was 23, had won the Euros for Russia and we were in a bidding war with Madrid, Chelsea and Milan, then I can see how he might command this sort of fee.
As it is, he had flashes of brilliance at the Euros, an impressive Uefa cup and has failed to win himself a move to a top European club despite openly prostituting himself on the market and sulking for the last six months. His contract’s up in the summer and nobody (apart from Tottenham, obviously) has shown serious interest in him. Get him for between £5-10 million, I say.
That said, my affection toward’s the family cat isn’t what it once was, and I still wouldn’t be that surprised if the whole Arshavin thing turned out to be tabloid bluster which Arsene playfully won’t quash any more (though he seemed to do just that last week). What his comments show for sure is that he’s after a creative midfielder. I’d throw Van der Vaart (who’s unpopular at Madrid) and Arteta (who’s way too good for Everton) into the mix, though it would have been better for us if Arteta hadn’t scored that brace yesterday, as he’s actually had a poor season by and large by his standards.
By most people’s reckoning, that leaves us with a defensive midfielder and a central defender still on the shopping list. Arsene has hinted at wanting another midfielder, but hasn’t mentioned a defender. Hmmm. Perhaps all we need to do is ask politely? Who should we ask for then? Upson?
Tags: Andrei Arshavin, Arsene Wenger, Michael Arteta, Rafael van der Vaart
December 29th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
After the rather stale performance on Sunday it’s evident that Wenger needs to bolster the midfield in a big way. Hell maybe even a forward, though I cannot blame the attack for not doing much with Bendtner on the field. However We cannot continue to grind out results because it will eventually catch up and if we are to overcome Villa for a CL spot we need to start winning convincingly and giving the competition something to think about.
December 29th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
I have a strong feeling that gallas performance at Porto was a signal to Wenger and that we were outplayed by Villa in the first half must have convinced Wenger that we need injection of strength and creativity lest we become another north London team. And that would be a no no.
A strong and ugly defender whose smile frightens opponent would be welcome. Then add to that a strong midfielder to patrol the back. Without that we are f$$ed
December 29th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Wenger will buy only 1 player and will say we have enough strenght and bla bla bla (the normal stuff…). We will still be happy and hoping that the signing will do it…well guess it’s up to the unknown player that wenger signs to do it…Trust me, he won’t buy 3 players.
I hope I am wrong though…cheers and happy new year!
December 29th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
Its up 2d so called arsene c do wat is right.even if he’s gonna buy jst one player, it shud b a creative midfielder.
December 29th, 2008 at 7:39 pm
HOPE WE GET ARSHAVIN COULD BE OUR NEW OVERMARS
December 29th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
HOPE YOU’RE RIGHT GOONERSHEP
December 29th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
I hope you aren’t goonershep because at 20M, Arshavin is a rip-off. His entire valuation is based on about 4 Euro games and a UEFA Cup season. Hardly worth 20M, hell that’s hardly worth more than 10M. Arteta would be an excellent buy though I’m not sure Everton would be so willing to release one of their best players from an already limited squad, but 10M for them is a decent chunk of change. Really though I hate to say it but Wenger needs to spend big, if only to assure his target comes to Arsenal. A while back I scoffed at Man Utd paying 20M for Carrick but they wanted to almost be absolutely positive he wouldn’t turn them down and right now he’s an essential player in their midfield and that 20M looks well spent for the job he is brought in to do. The inflated market will force Wenger to spend big if he wants proven quality
December 30th, 2008 at 4:15 am
WC, correct, Arshavin for 8 mil at most. And he’s not the defensive mid we really need. Spending 14 mil or more on a player is just not feasible for us, which is one reason xabi could not be brought in. Wenger has made mistakes but one he won’t do is pay over 10 mil or so for a 28 year old. If Arshavin wants Arsenal they’ll already know that. As Zenit now have the time to replace him they may wish to get rid of him while they still can get some money for him. When Arshavin turns 30 it will be over and he won’t get a move for 3 mil. At his age and in the current economic climate, Arshavin to Arsenal has value at about 8 mil and as Zenit is posturing for much more, I don’t think this deal has a chance.
December 30th, 2008 at 4:20 am
If we ever break the bank for a player it would likely be for a player like Benzema with a player like Gallas as makeweight to bring down the cost.
December 30th, 2008 at 4:45 am
i like benzema and arshavin \ yaya this three players will be ok 4 us
December 30th, 2008 at 6:52 am
My hope and prayer is Wenger signs at least four experienced players comprising of;
1. A Central defender,
2. A defensive midfielder-fast and physical
3. A play maker who can also finish well.
4. A central midfielder with good pace and able to shoot and score goals.
Now it can’t be Arsenal’s game without good, fast passing and attacking footbal. It al begins with a steady defense-sent Gallas away and get a steady defender then ‘Our’ midfield.I call it Arsenal’s favourite arm which is at its weakest since I started watching Arsenal’ game. Please Wenger we trust you’l make us proud