I started this litle article in SFB in the pretext to highlight the significance of the financial problems faced by Arsenal and had subsequently affect the team’s performace.

Point: Arsenal’s board lead by Peter Hill-Wood and Co has not kept his promise to hand Wenger and the fans the supposed budget to buy players.

30/08/2008: Hill-Wood says Arsenal have plenty of money to spend and that Wenger’s critics should stop telling the Frenchman how to do his job. He said: “Everyone tells Arsene how he ought to run the place but no-one is a better judge than him. “We have plenty of money and enough to spend.

19/12/08: Arsenal’s Board have made it clear that funds are available should he wish to spend them next month. Indeed, some reports have suggested that Wenger has been urged to splash the cash by the Club’s hierarchy. At his pre-match press conference, the manager reiterated that HE has the final decision over potential reinforcements. “They [the Board] let me do what I want to do,” said Wenger. “I know how much money I can spend and I will try to do it in a wise way.”

23/12/08: Arsène Wenger admits he is more likely to enter the transfer market next month in the wake of Cesc Fabregas’ knee injury. “Yes [I am more likely to buy], but we also have internal solutions so we are not desperate because of that,” said Wenger.

02/01/09: Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood admits manager Arsene Wenger has a limited budget for the January market. “I don’t think there is a lot of money anywhere,” Hill-Wood said in the papers. “One has got to look ahead - in the future there is probably not going to be much more money coming in.

04/01/09: The Daily Mail reports that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is on a collision course with his higher-ups over the modest transfer budget he has been given this winter. The Frenchman is eager to sign Andrei Arshavin, but Zenit St Petersburg are demanding in excess of €20 million for their star forward - a figure the Gunners have thus far been unable to match.

The North London club have always maintained that they will back Wenger to the hilt in the transfer market, although that claim has rarely been tested due to the gaffer’s low-budget, youth-oriented approach. But now that the ex-Monaco boss has set his sights on a big-money target, the Emirates board are unwilling to free up the funds required to seal the deal. This is is not the first report of friction between Wenger and his bosses to emerge this season. Indeed, it is has been whispered that the 59-year-old could break his contract with Arsenal to join Real Madrid next summer. That remains the remotest of remote possibilities, but if the Gunners fail to secure Champions League qualification this term - they currently sit fifth in the Premier League table - their long-serving manager could consider his options.

May we know where are the 50 million pounds that the board has promised us? Where are the support that was supposedly promised to Wenger, now that we want a player?

We need an answer. Should the fans demonstrate against the Board? SoccerFanBase seeks your valuable opinions.

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The header says it all.

But I didn’t came up with the header for no reason. Only a real, major turning point can make me give an article a title so harsh, so clear-cut title. So what is that major turning point?

Aston Villa 2-2 Arsenal.

Not convincing enough? How about this:

Clearly, Aston Villa had more chances, although they lack possession. Aston Villa should have won. What? Oh my gosh.

In the past it’s always Arsenal being in Aston Villa’s position, having lots of chances, dominating possession but they just somehow, someway, doesn’t get the win they deserve. Examples include the match against Stoke and some will argue Sunderland and Hull. This time it’s Aston Villa who have lots of shots, forcing Almunia to make saves, and the defence to be tested to the limit.

Kudos to Sagna

Yep, kudos to him. Man of the Match in my opinion. In attack he was delivering crosses, and at the back he was making superb clearances and well-timed tackles. For now I would say he’s better than Clichy, as he’s more consistent, and defending or attacking is a no-problem for him.

Sagna - Better than Clichy

Diaby

I had to write an article specially on him just for his incredible backheel-plus-nutmeg. Check it out.

Ashley Young’s one of the hottest youngsters at the moment

The Ronaldo Impersonation attempt

Last season he already drew media attention with his performances, but this season he establish himself as a key man behind Aston Villa’s attack. Perhaps one of the players that is responsible for the league position Villa are in, he’s fast, he dribbles well, he’s an expert freekick taker, he can score and he can create. What more do you ask from a 23 year-old winger? And honestly his dressing style kinda reminds me of Cristiano Ronaldo, you know, the long socks and the shirt sleeves. No wonder Real Madrid wants him. Can’t get the original? Then go for the imitation!

Don’t bother aruging, it WAS a penalty

Yes, it was a penalty. Normally people tend to use excuses such as poor refereeing to blame for their under-performance, but it is a penalty, and long time watchers of football should be able to tell that Gallas’ tackle had no contact with the ball, and it was an obvious penalty. I don’t really blame Gallas for that though, he was just unlucky that it wasn’t somebody else committing the tackle.

Back to the title

Back to my heading. So Arsenal fans, i suggest you stop talking or thinking about winning the league and how you all “still stand a chance”. It’s over, and I can only imagine Arsenal getting as far as 3rd. In fact they should even be happy they can qualify for the Champions League, because Aston Villa’s a really good team this season, and i would expect a close fight between the Villains and the Gunners, just like how they did with Spurs 2 years ago.

Remember the kiss on Highbury's turf that just got Arsenal into the Champions League? Expect the same this season, just that it's gonna be a slap on the face

I want to hear from all the Arsenal fans out there. Surely you feel the same way I do? Or you still stubbornly think that Arsenal can still win the league? Tell me more in the comments box.

Dariano

Abou Diaby.

Years ago he he would be associated with the “Alex Songs” and “Amaury Bischoff” kind of players today, if you know what I mean. That means, if he was injured, it wouldn’t be such a big heartbreak of Fabregas’ proportions. If you’re still so “old school” and feels it’s the same Diaby now, then watch how he played in Aston Villa vs Arsenal. Maybe he didn’t really put up a “hero of the day” performance (that title goes to Sagna), but that backheel of his, oh it was sensational. One of the best in recent times perhaps.

The big thing about it isn’t the backheel itself, it was the player who executes it. Abou Diaby. What in the world? You kidding me?

This kid has really gone a long way, years ago he was “strictly right-footed” and could only operate in the centre. But now, he’s two-footed, left foot, right foot, no problem. When he first came to Arsenal he was dubbed the “new Patrick Vieira” by Arsene Wenger. Okay, I know Vieira outmuscles guys, has long legs, can head well, but I didn’t know he could do a fantastic backheel-plus-nutmeg. Diaby can. it shows how good Arsene Wenger is at re-training players, and how good Diaby really is, let’s just say Diaby’s potential is a treasure chest, and Arsene Wenger is the key to unlocking it. Not every manager has the right key, but Arsene Wenger owns Diaby’s.

For those who didn’t see the goal, maybe I will post a video. But for now, I will tell you exactly what he did.

Diaby was shielding the ball from Curtis Davies, and out of nowhere, he does a clever backheel, nutmegs Davies in the process, and got onto the ball. He then finds Eboue, and credit to Eboue, for bringing the ball into the box and executing a pin-point, perfect pass to Diaby, who then finishes it pass Brad Friedel. Mind you, Adebayor needs a couple of clear cut chances to score, but he only needs one.

Oooh what a goal. Sadly it wasn’t enough for Arsenal to get a win, or else he would be making headlines.

Dariano

Although it sounds rather absurd and stupid, there were rumours that Arsenal may be signing Liverpool’s Robbie Keane, as Keane hasn’t played the football and scored the goals he wanted to in Liverpool. And the ironic thing is, Keane was the one who scored a stunning goal in Liverpool’s match against Arsenal.

But the chances of him moving is really slim. Liverpool wouldn’t really just sell a player they bought for 20 million after half a season. It’s not a smart financial move, and seeing Arsenal and Liverpool are rivals (not the right time too, 20 years ago, everybody know what Michael Thomas did), Liverpool wouldn’t want to sell and the asking price may be high. And will the fans accept it too? I don’t know. This is a man who once played for Arsenal’s fiercest rival, Tottenham Hotspurs, and he may have changed club, but the history is still there.

Finally, Robbie Keane’s goal against Arsenal was fantastic, and that may just be what Keane needs to start his goalscoring run.

So from what I think Robbie Keane won’t be moving.

So, the Champions League draw have been over, and I have to admit one of the most anticipated matches is Inter vs Man Utd. Italian champions vs English champions. I’m an Arsenal fan, so I’m rather happy about it. Man Utd think they are the best, well eat this! Let’s see how you get past Inter.

But there is another fixture I’m very much looking forward to. Roma vs Arsenal. Why? Both are my favourite teams, and they are 2 very similar clubs. Mirror image in other words.

Firstly, both clubs are having some financial problem. Which is the reason why both clubs doesn’t spend big. Look at the players Arsenal and Roma have signed in the past few seasons: While big stars like Cristian Chivu left, instead of getting a big money replacement Luciano Spalleti got Juan for a mere 6.3 million euros. When the legend of Arsenal, Thierry Henry left, many people was thinking whether his replacement could lived up to expectations. Arsene Wenger chose to fork out only 8 million to sign Eduardo Da Silva, and although he’s injured at the moment, his future looks bright.

Secondly, both clubs have been praised for their brilliant attacking football. Arsenal was believed to have played the best football ever seen in England during their “Invincibles” season (2003/04), and up till today they do just that. Roma have been praised by pundits for playing exciting, attacking football since Luciano Spalleti took over and deployed the 4-5-1 formation. Normally in football it’s “the beauty vs the beast”, but I believe in this match, both clubs will be known as “the beauties” and will be fighting their asses off.

Roma's golden boy, Francesco Totti

Lastly, both clubs have their own “star talisman” of the team. Francesco Totti have always been associated with AS Roma, and up till today the fans still “worship” him. Francesc Fabregas, although only 21 years of age, has been one of the most popular players in Arsenal at the moment, and seeing how similar both players’ style of play are, it’s certainly a battle of the golden boys. However years ago this could be even more intense, when Thierry Henry was still at Arsenal. I’m sure about 4 years ago everybody wanted to see the 2 best strikers at their peak facing each other on the football field. What a match it would be.

Arsenal's club legend, Thierry Henry

Dariano

Do you agree with me that arsenal and Roma are actually very similar? Or do you feel there’s actually another Serie A club that is even more identical with Arsenal (eg. Juventus?)? Tell me below in the comments box or register at our forum, it’s fast and easy. Thanks for reading.

The heading says it all. I want Francesc Fabregas to be Arsenal’s captain.

Firstly, let’s list out the candidates:

- Manuel Almunia

- Gael Clichy

- Kolo Toure

- Cesc Fabregas

Firstly, Manuel Almunia. Arsene Wenger may actually choose him, seeing that he is the oldest player in the Arsenal squad. But choosing him would be wrong, and I believe he is an even worse captain than Gallas. Almunia recently started playing in the first-team squad last season, before that he was stuck on the bench and only had a couple of matches. This means he may still need more experience on the pitch, and he needs to learn to communicate with his players. Making Almunia captain would be like giving a new signing who have just came to the club for a season the captain armband.

Next, Gael Clichy. His explanation is really simple actually. He isn’t a leader and he’s young. It isn’t easy calling the shots on the flanks, and he joins up in attack from the back so often that the defenders don’t have anybody to take orders from. I would even think that it’s more likely Arsene Wenger will give the armband to Almunia than Clichy.

Thirdly, “Mr Arsenal”, “King Kolo”, Toure. If Arsene Wenger is the “old school” type of manager, the most likely choice for captain would be Toure. A defender, Arsenal’s longest serving member in the squad, loads of experience, and he has said that he wants it. Well I wouldn’t mind if Wenger chose Toure, but I dare Arsene Wenger to be different. Try something special. Put the future of the club in the hands of a 21 year-old boy, Cesc Fabregas.

Cesc Fabregas: The young hope of Arsenal

Fabregas is young, but when it comes to experience, he doesn’t lack it. He has played for years in the premier league and since he’s so confident of handling the club well, let him do it. Fabregas is ambitious and determined, surely he will influence his teammates to be the same as well. It may be breaking tradition and the club hierarchy, but the club will be refreshed and reinvigorated with him at the helm. Furthermore Fabregas has spoken at times how he wants to leave Arsenal, so giving him the armband should shut him up for a while.

That’s all I have to say. What do you think? Do you agree with me? Tell me in the comments box below, or discuss more at our forums. And we even have another post on who you want as captain. Check this out.

Dariano

Curse of the Gal-less

At least one man must be smiling after Arsenal collapsed at Stadium of Manchester City and that is none other than ex-Arsenal captain, William Gallas. The former Chelsea player was axed as the Gunners captain and suspended on Friday following remarks made to the press about his team mates and was also dropped for yesterday’s trip to Manchester City, which the Gunners lost 0-3.

His defensive lapses, an infamous sulking performance against Birmingham City last season and a recent photograph of the 31-year-old with a cigarette pursed between his lips have all served to prove that he is not right for the armband. But all these actions did not break the iceberg until Gallas was dropped for revealing infighting in the dressing room and criticizing the squad’s lack of determination.

Gallas’s Brace
Some may wonder whether dropping Gallas is the right decision in the midst of turmoil. And my question is whether he was right in his outburst, to publish the dirty linen in public? Somehow, I am starting to believe to a certain extent that Gallas’s intention maybe good after all.

But at least I believe that Gallas’s words are working like a charm. As a gooner, I hate to say Wenger is wrong but I know Gallas is right when we are trophies-less already in the fourth season since we won the FA Cup in 2005. In my view, his motive wasn’t wrong as he needs to give Arsenal a wake-up call. As the team captain then, he has the every right to remind them of their shortcomings. His method probably isn’t right, but I guess that is the only way to highlight the significant of the problem.

Facing the Music

But again, few can tolerate his actions which is not acceptable as a captain of a “Big-Four” team much less a player. Two years ago, I was laughing my guts off at my Chelsea mate for the decision of selling Gallas in the Ashley Cole part exchange with additional 5 million. But now, I guess my Chelsea friend has the last laugh.
At the moment, the storm won’t subside until the mess gets cleared. Should Gallas apologize and make up, could we see him enough and face his manager and team-mates. Or will he just sulking for the rest of the season.

Either way, William Gallas’s future in the club would definitely in a doubt after all he had done and even if he doesn’t speak up today. Heads are expected to roll soon, and Gallas could be the first to face the guillotine.

To have something like this to happen is not a bad thing to an already soul-less team. I don’t know whether it is a blessing in disguise but one thing for sure Gallas is not the talisman of the team. And only time will tells.

Gunny

You can discuss more about this topic in our forum!

3-0

Money CAN buy you trophies, if not matches

Some says this match was a match of “Rich vs Poor”, but Man City just shut the hell up of Arsenal. They beat them 3-0, so what could Arsenal say?

Excuses, yet flaws

Last season, Arsenal had to learn it the hard way. This season, they wanted to learn the same thing again. And that is, you need to have backups. Good backups. Come on Bendtner (Read below)? Song and Denilson?  Djourou and Silvestre? If they were in the first-team Arsenal would have been relegated. Sign some good backups, Arsene. You can’t stand if you don’t have backbones.

Speed, speed, speed

Kudos to Man City. A 1-0 or 2-0 win even would be considered lucky by some. But 3-0? You can’t say they scored 3 lucky goals.

The main difference between Arsenal and man City is SPEED. Look at Robinho. He and his teammates counter attack with such speed and accuracy that everytime they attack they have a 45% chance of scoring. It’s because they are quick, as compared to Bendtner who can’t even hold the ball for more than 3 seconds and isn’t fast enough to beat the defenders, and they are lethal, as whenever they attack they bury their chances, unlike Bendtner (AGAIN) whom instead of aiming into the net he shoots straight to Joe Hart. Speed and accuracy, learn that Arsenal.

A new champion is crowned

In the past, Gooners always call Eboue the “worst player to have ever played for Arsenal”. This time, a new young kid from Denmark comes up and “usurp” Eboue’s throne. That kid is Niklas Bendtner. Congrats, young Dane.

This match against Man City was the crowning ceremony, the crowning of a new “champion”. Or should I say, the last few matches. Against Man Utd, against, Aston Villa and now against Man City. he barely had a dangerous shot. Specifically, he didn’t even scored a goal.

It’s really puzzling how a hot prospective 20 year-old kid could “overthrow” Eboue. Years ago, when he was playing with Birmingham, clubs all drool seeing him play. Now, he loses the ball easily, has to really improve his ball control and the only thing that could get his some goals, his head, is failing either. Yet the problem is that Arsene Wenger is playing him too quickly, but then, as if he had a choice. Arsenal had no more strikers, besides Vela. i would certainly love to see Vela play, but what’s stopping him is his experience. Yet surely I can tell he is at least 3 times better than Bendtner. Arsene should have given Bendtner more time,  don’t rush him.

Bendtner oh Bendtner

Just because it worked once doesn’t means it will work 3 times

In the match Arsenal vs Man Utd, Arsene Wenger chose to play a lone striker in Bendtner with Diaby supporting him. It worked quite well in that match and Wenger said “He may use that tactic more often.” Well, just because it worked once, it doesn’t mean it will work thrice. Knowing that it didn’t work against Aston Villa he should have reverted back to normal, then re-evaluate again. In fact I feel Diaby should be playing instead of Denilson. He’s become a good player, 2-footed, trying tricks and when he first came Wenger dubbed him “the next Patrick Vieira”, so naturally he should be made a holding midfielder and allow Fabregas to roam forward.

So after everything, it wasn’t a matter of “Rich vs Poor”.

It was a matter of “Spendthrift vs Thrifty”.

Dariano

Now, now, now. Let’s look at the table:

Some would say it’s only 13 matches played, and it’s still early in the season. But the point difference is 9, and 9 is a very big number in the premiership. In fact, Arsenal’s next match is against Chelsea. This fixture is very important because the match against Chelsea will be the answer, to whether Arsenal can still win trophies or not

The important fixture against Chelsea. Yes, Arsenal did well against Manchester United, and that was one of the best matches I’ve seen so far this season. The Chelsea match, will tell us, if they are still championship material. Of course, Chelsea is a must-win. If Arsenal loses to Chelsea, I dare say, Arsenal’s title hopes are over. Try again next year, Arsene.

Now the big question is: What is the problem with Arsenal? Well honestly speaking, the problem all lies with the manager. But to be more specific, it has 3 different reasons.

Firstly, a lack of a defensive midfielder. And I’m sure I’m not the only one complaining here. The fans told him, the players told him, the press hinted to him, yet Arsene Wenger wants to give Denilson a chance and develop him. No doubt, Denilson is a future star, but how old is he? Only 20? You must be kidding. Time and time again Wenger was always told a lack of experience was the main problem last season. And as if a 20 year-old kid has experience. Denilson is one for the future, but when asking him to play right now, he just can’t cut the mustard. Furthermore, he plays more like Fabregas or Rosicky. He’s a playmaker. Denilson’s situation is just like John Obi-Mikel’s at Chelsea; they’re both doing fine as a holding midfielder, but they fail to live up to their potential because they can do a lot more as a playmaker. In other words, waste of talent.

Secondly, SPEND, ARSENE, SPEND. You see, personally, I don’t really condone other managers spending 30 over million on a single player, I don’t really like that. But if it’s necessary, why not? In fact what I’m trying to say is not Arsene Wenger should pay 30 million for a player, but instead it’s a fact that Wenger is given 30 million to spend, but he only chose to spend 10 over million. If 1 player is worth 10 million, I don’t mind him buying 3 different players worth 30 million all together. To me, it is okay to spend 30 million on 3 players, not on a single player alone. It is clear the squad needs reinforcements. A defensive midfielder (my actual suggestion was signing Yaya Toure), a goalkeeper maybe, and more efficient backups. Instead, Arsene became a stubborn arse and sell the player who plays in the position that we need, Gilberto Silva.

Thirdly, give younger players a chance. I’m not saying that he should play the reserves, but give players like Wilshere and Vela a try. Whenever I check the player ratings for Carlos Vela it’s always “Too little time to make an impact.” He may very well be playing better than the first-team players, you’ll never know. Honestly I feel Vela should start instead of Bendtner, but Bendtner being “Arsene’s favourite boy” he gets more first-team chances when Vela is scoring a chip shot, hat-tricks, and 3-0 wins.

Red Hot Vela

Finally, Arsene Wenger. He is one stubborn arse.

“Spend, Wenger, spend!”

“Nah, we’re a selling club.”

“Play Carlos Vela!”

“Nah, he’s inexperience.”

“Sack Arsene Wenger!”

“Eh… Judge me when the season ends! Basically when we’re going trophyless, again.”

“In Arsene we trust!”

“Oooh… yeah!”

Basically you get it. The quoted lines are what some of us says (don’t take offense against the one on sacking Wenger, it’s only a joke. I myself feels he shouldn’t get sack too), while the non-quoted ones are what the Professor is saying.

Well that’s all I have to say. When I published this Arsenal’s probably facing Man City. Tell me your opinions in the comment box below. Do you agree with what I say or you feel there are other areas worth discussing? Best of luck to the Gooners. Thanks for reading!

Dariano