Arsenal Transfer Speculation | Arshavin Talks Tactics | Benzema Latest

Arsenal FC conceded over 50% of its league goals last season from set pieces with the most disastrous of them all being Tamir Cohen’s 90th minute header that closed the curtains on the club’s title challenge. I’ve seen Arsenal defend like toddlers from time to time but the atrocious defending in the game against Stoke at the Britannia in May left me with a very sour taste in my mouth.

The club started the season with four recognized center backs but the star defender was out for all eternity because Paris of Troy fired his arrow through his Achilles, Djourou stepped up his game but waned towards the end, Koscielny played a shitload of games and did well but that night at Wembley would be hard to forget. Squillaci on the other hand was a Silvestre with an atom of sanity.

Andrei Arshavin was heavily criticized by me and other gooners but he still came up with the goods with a good tally of 10 goals and 17 assists. Arsenal’s all spark and talisman, Cesc Fabregas couldn’t reach that mark but he was close though. The diminutive Russian intends to step up his game next season. He says,

“My own target is simple – I would like to score 15 goals in total”

Arshavin is currently a player that’s not guaranteed a first team place with the likes of Walcott, Gervinho and the greedy French boy contending for a place on the wings but I have faith in the Russian magician. At the age of 30, he’s now in the mold of players with the ‘experienced‘ tag placed on his head so he’ll have to do a lot to reach that mark. Besides, West Brom’s Peter Odemwingie put up a target of 15 goals and he did just that.

Arshavin also talked about the team in general,

“I think we will get stronger and stronger. In particular I think our work on set-pieces, both attacking and defending, will be better. We’ll also play a pressing game – if we do that well, I’m sure you’ll see an improved team”

Arsenal is more or less the most technically gifted team in the Barclay’s Premier League but technique isn’t enough to land you a title. There are certain attributes that have been lacking in the squad and they need to be worked on in the coming season. Arshavin talked about set-pieces, attacking and defending.

When Arsenal played Blackburn in that bore draw, Fabregas had so many corner kicks but none was potent enough to breach their backline. We certainly do not have the height of Stoke Rugby football club but new tactics can be employed to ensure that we make the most of our corners. Take the 4-2 win against Aston Villa in Villa Park for instance. Arshavin saw a pile of bodies in the 6-yard box but he chose to feed Samir Nasri at the edge of the box and the French maestro timed his shot to perfection. That clearly worked a treat.

Arshavin also spoke about employing the pressing game. In as much as I hate everything Barcelona stands for, I admire the way they play their football. When they are with the ball, they become misers and keep it for all eternity but when they are not with the ball, they fight extremely hard to win it back from the opposition. Messi, Pedro and Villa do their defending from the other half and this needs to be employed by Arsenal Football Club. When Arsenal played Stoke in the FA Cup in the 2009/10 season, Sidibe was dwelling on the ball but a certain Brazilian escort-in-chief watched on as he crossed the ball for Fuller who wasted no time in driving the nail into Arsenal’s FA Cup coffin.

Wenger has this pre-season period to set sail for the 10-month long journey with the treasure being that silverware that has eluded the club for six long years.

The media Vultures have been at their best this summer and here’s what they have for us today. Starting with possible departures, Nicklas Bendtner’s fagent has told everyone that a host of clubs are on the hunt for the rangy Dane’s signature. The last time I checked Sevilla and Besiktas were the first to place him on their radar but Sporting CP and Dortmund have also been on the prowl for the striker. In the jungle, a pride of lionesses can spend all their time hovering round the antelope but it takes a brave lioness to step out from the crowd to go for the meal in mind. Despite all the links to Bendtner, no club has made a bid that matches Arsenal’s demands.

Arsenal has applied for a work permit for the Japanese wonderkid, Ryo Miyaichi but Feyenoord’s technical director Martin van Geel intends to fly to London to discuss the possibility of another loan deal for the bloke. I saw Miyaichi strut his stuff in that 4-0 thumping of Malaysia XI but I clearly feel that the chap needs one more season out on loan. Feyernoord offered him that chance in the winter break and I’m pretty sure that the fans would welcome Ryo with open arms if he graces the city of Rotterdam for another year at least.

Turning the tables and moving over to possible arrivals, Arsenal have been told that Karim Benzema could be available for €25m. Karim has been closely admired by Wenger for many seasons so getting him for €25m will be a big plus to Arsenal. Bolton has said that no bid has been made for Gary Cahill. I’m not going to dwell on this issue anymore because its turning into a boring cliche. The media Vultures also say that Arsenal is monitoring Anderlecht midfielder Lucas Biglia’s availability and could submit a bid for the Argentine before the end of the month.

The last piece of transfer info is about Arsenal’s target, Chris Samba. It seems as if Tottenham have placed him on their radar but he still fashions a move to Arsenal because he wants Champions League football.

In other Arsenal news, youngster Conor Hendenson will be on the sidelines for six months, Wenger feels that Walcott’s ankle needs more investigation and here’s a video of Sao Paulo’s Denilson getting a yellow card for fouling and sent off for swearing at the referee.

That’s enough for one night

Sayonara

Submitted by Gooner Daily