I feel that last nights Carling Cup win over Sheffield United justifies Arsene Wenger's decision not to buy big over the summer. Wenger's come in for criticism in the past for his limited and youthful transfers with critics saying he could come to regret his decisions.
But how can any Arsenal fan complain with their side sitting top of the Premier League table and the youth side thumping six past the blades last night. With an average age of just 19 in last nights game, Wenger has proven that you dont need to buy big in order to be successful. Arsenal's record signing is £13 million for Sylvain Wiltord who they brought of Bordeaux in 2000, but compare this to most other top clubs and there way behind.
Arsenal are now the only club in the top four not to be owned by a 'sugar daddy'. This is not just in reference to the Man City takeover but a trend that is manifesting itself in the Premiership!
I believe the Arsenal first XI are good enough to beat anyone. But injuries are inevitble, with Robin Van Persie and Thomas Rosicky regulars in the treatment room. Even summer signing Samir Nasri has been out of action for a few weeks with a knee injury, but the Gunners have strolled on and havent seem to let injuries affect them.
It was understandable that Wenger didnt spend big over the summer because of the massive debt they owe through moving to the Emirates. Not only that but wage improvements have also halted their activity in the transfer market. Wenger spends less than mid-table teams yet Arsenal are constantly in the top four, running Chelsea and Man Utd to the wire last season.
I predict trophies this year, with Nasri, Vela, Walcott and Fabregas to shine through out the campaign. However with all this said, i would like Wenger to sign a defensive midfield player to take the pressure of Cesc. We dont need a world class midfielder, just someone with a high work and tackling rate that will do the job required.
Wednesday, 24 September 2008
Monday, 15 September 2008
Villa Sink Sorry Spurs
Aston Villa climbed to fourth spot in the Premier League with a 2-1 win over Tottenham at White Hart Lane. A first goal in a year from Nigel Reo-Coker and a slightly fortious Ashley Young strike were enough to see the Villians take all three points back to Villa Park.
The defeat leaves Spurs rooted to the foot of the table and still searching for their first win of the campaign.
Reo-Coker scored his first goal for the club after just five minutes when he slotted him Gabriel Agbonlahor's cross from close range. Young doubled the score on 54 minutes when his solo run produced a shot that squirmed under the body of Heurelho Gomes and trickle into the net. Darren Bent handed Spurs a lifeline on 87 minutes when he deflected a Jermaine Jenas shot past Brad Friedel, but Villa held on for the win.
With Fabio Capello's backroom staff in the stands, it was three Englishmen who helped break the deadlock early on. Young had fed gbonlahor down the left before his low cross from the left was tucked home by Reo-Coker. Villa fielded seven English players in their starting 11, proving to the rest of the Premiership that you dont need to go spending millions on foreign talent. Spurs summer recruit Luka Modric had a shot saved by Friedel soon after the goal, his only contribution before hobbling off with a knock. Reo-Coker then had a cross deflected which hit the post and Gomes kept Villa at bay with two high class saves.
Tottenham found themselves two goals adrift within nine minutes of the restart as Barry fed winger Ashley Young who breezed past Michael Dawson and saw his 20 yard shot squeeze under keeper Gomes.
Bent grabbed a consolation goal after he failed to get out of the way of Jenas's drive but it wasnt enough and Villa took all three points and moved upto fourth.
The defeat leaves Spurs rooted to the foot of the table and still searching for their first win of the campaign.
Reo-Coker scored his first goal for the club after just five minutes when he slotted him Gabriel Agbonlahor's cross from close range. Young doubled the score on 54 minutes when his solo run produced a shot that squirmed under the body of Heurelho Gomes and trickle into the net. Darren Bent handed Spurs a lifeline on 87 minutes when he deflected a Jermaine Jenas shot past Brad Friedel, but Villa held on for the win.
With Fabio Capello's backroom staff in the stands, it was three Englishmen who helped break the deadlock early on. Young had fed gbonlahor down the left before his low cross from the left was tucked home by Reo-Coker. Villa fielded seven English players in their starting 11, proving to the rest of the Premiership that you dont need to go spending millions on foreign talent. Spurs summer recruit Luka Modric had a shot saved by Friedel soon after the goal, his only contribution before hobbling off with a knock. Reo-Coker then had a cross deflected which hit the post and Gomes kept Villa at bay with two high class saves.
Tottenham found themselves two goals adrift within nine minutes of the restart as Barry fed winger Ashley Young who breezed past Michael Dawson and saw his 20 yard shot squeeze under keeper Gomes.
Bent grabbed a consolation goal after he failed to get out of the way of Jenas's drive but it wasnt enough and Villa took all three points and moved upto fourth.
Modern Technology A Must?
Yesterday's game between Stoke and Everton, in my eyes proved that the game of football needs modern technology. On 73 minutes, with the game finally balanced at 2-2, a long ball forward was clearly handled in the box by Stoke's Leon Cort. Referee Alan Wiley initially pointed at the spot, but after discussions with his assistant, changed his mind to a freekick on the edge of the box.
Decisions like this could be very costly when it comes to the end of the season and could end up costing teams millions of pounds. Over the past weve seen goals that werent goals and goals that shudnt have been goals, been given. It would clearly be beneficial for the game and if referee's werent 100% certain with a decision, it could be cleared up in a matter of minutes with the help of a '3rd umpire' if you will.
Its already been introduced in sports like cricket, rugby league and most recently tennis and in my opinion its been a huge success. With so much at steak, teams cant afford to be on the wrong end of 'poor' decisions as the implications could be massive.
Everton went on to win the game 3-2, luckily for Alan Wiley, but David Moyes was sent to the stands for his 'unreasonable' protesting which i felt was harsh. Referee's do a very difficult job and dont have the luxury of replays and different camera angles, but in the not so distant future, with inevitably more incorrect decsions going to be made, i feel modern technology is a must!
Decisions like this could be very costly when it comes to the end of the season and could end up costing teams millions of pounds. Over the past weve seen goals that werent goals and goals that shudnt have been goals, been given. It would clearly be beneficial for the game and if referee's werent 100% certain with a decision, it could be cleared up in a matter of minutes with the help of a '3rd umpire' if you will.
Its already been introduced in sports like cricket, rugby league and most recently tennis and in my opinion its been a huge success. With so much at steak, teams cant afford to be on the wrong end of 'poor' decisions as the implications could be massive.
Everton went on to win the game 3-2, luckily for Alan Wiley, but David Moyes was sent to the stands for his 'unreasonable' protesting which i felt was harsh. Referee's do a very difficult job and dont have the luxury of replays and different camera angles, but in the not so distant future, with inevitably more incorrect decsions going to be made, i feel modern technology is a must!
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