Flight Delays and January Transfers

This is going to be a quick post as I am currently sitting in a pub at DIA (Denver International Airport).  I'm on my fourth Gin & Tonic (Tanguray).  My flight back to Colubus has been delayed twice, now putting me in at 1:15 am (yeah; i'm so lucky!!!).  Luckily I've spent my fair share of time on the tele with my lovely GF, the beautiful Bryn-cess. 

I'm very optimistic about Arsenal's chances tomorrow, but warry of Villa's depth / speed / strenth.

I have to thank my GF for her patience tonight, she will be picking me up at around 1:30 in the morning.

Who We Are NOT Going to Sign

As we all know, Cesc is out and there was a need for transfer moves before this latest and greatest blow.

As we Gooners are accustom to this time of year the transfer rumors are flying and Wenger is being linked with the following high profile, expensive players (in no specific order):

Tevez, Arshavin, Alonso, Inler, Pato, Yaya, Giovinco, Mbia, Santa Cruz, Elano, N'zogbia, Hangaland, Defour, Witsel, Matuidi, & Delph, to name just a handful of 'potential targets'.

The first three targets are too expensive for Wenger to make a move for and are cup tied.

SAF won't let Tevez go to Arsenal.  Benitez won't let Alonso go to Arsenal now that the Spaniard is a large part of their success and he knows that Arsenal are mourning the loss of their best player.  Arshavin is too expensive and would take at least 6 months to acclimate to English life and the BPL.

Inler, while possible, isn't probable because he just signed an extension this summer after snubbing the Gunners to stay at Udinese.  Pato is a young light in an ever aging Milan side, he would not be cheap either, especially w/ Milan doing the selling.  Yaya doesn't know what he wants, but he is not an answer to any of our problems.  

The two I would bet would be coming to the Emirates are Elano, as Hughes has already said that he is not in the plans, nor will he be in the future.  He knows the rigors of English football and is experienced at the international level.  N'zogbia stated in the last few days that he has done all he can do at Newcastle and that his time to move on is now.

My HOPE is that we sign Hangaland as well as he is on the cheap and would give us that power at Center Half that we haven't had since Sol left, plus he is masterful in the air at both ends.

Comparing Ade's Tackles to Eduardo's Broken Leg & Cesc is OUT!!

So I read an article by a gentleman by the name of Des Kelly, who writes for Mail Online.  He had some harsh words for Adebayor basically saying Ade should take his two cards and suspension and take it like a man.

Read the article here. 

He also agrees with Webb in that both of his cards were fouls, but warranting the bookings that he received??

I understand Webb giving the cards...I don't agree with them though, as he was called for two fouls and received two cards???  Last time I checked, referees gave warnings and stern talking-to's to players that hadn't been called for a foul previously.  In fact, Webb is one of those referees that does this (as evident by him giving Lucas a warning that his next foul would see him put in the book, this after his 3rd foul in the first half).  To my dismay, Lucas came out in the second half and committed 3 more fouls before he was booked.  Two of the three were mistimed challenges, just as was Sagna's and RVP's, but he didn't receive the yellow until his 6th foul of the match.  Ade had two, and the later was where he was shielding the ball, as any player would.  this is a fundamental skill and something that is taught to youngsters on a daily basis.  His STUDS didn't come close to Arboloa and to receive another yellow??  

As you all know Cesc is out for a minimum of 4 months.  Given that he is the present and future at Arsenal, I would not be surprised to see him miss the remainder of the season, as Wenger would not want to risk any further injuries or set backs to Cesc which would prevent him from starting next season. 

Keep in mind that this is a serious knee injury, Cesc may never be the same again.  

So what is the solution??  I don't think there is one, Cecs is irreplaceable; however, Wenger can try to buy a player (or two or three) that can fill a void.

Current Voids:

Attacking CM, Defensive CM (although Song has started to pick up his performances), Winger...Fuck it, OUR WHOLE MIDFIELD needs some work or reinforcements.  (I like the idea of Vela starting on the left wing w/ Nasri in the middle and Diaby on the right with Song in behind, but no none knows what that will be like.)

Center Half; it was only a month ago that everyone was calling for the head of Gallas, or praising his desire to move on, back to France or to Italy.  Why the turnaround fellas??  He has still been the defender responsible for giving up 4, count'em, 4 game LOSING goals to men HE HIMSELF was marking, or supposed to be marking.

If Arsenal are to challenge for any honours this season, I mean ANY SILVERWARE, Wenger HAS to make at least two quality purchases.  I'm not saying he has to go out and get Ribery & Villa, quite the contrary.  

He should start with Elano, this would help fill the void left by Cesc.

Also, give the Armband to Clichy, he's the only one worthy of being a deputy!!

Harry Motivating Since Wenger Can't

This is the inaugural post for Arsenal Club US as I, along with many thousands of other Gooners, am supremely frustrated with the lack of success our football club is currently experiencing.  

I am very understanding of the up-and-down nature of professional sports, especially the highly competitive Barclays Premier league; however, a club with the rich history and stable nature of the board should have greater success than our club is currently experiencing.

What is the exact nature of Arsenal's current inconsistencies?  Many supporters would simply rest the blame solely on the shoulders of the manager, but can we really do that since Wenger has taken the club to what it is today?  

Is he responsible for the transformation of the club into, quite arguably, the envy of clubs across the footballing world?  A tremendous new stadium and training facilities, a youth policy (albeit, some would say poaching) to rival any club (save Barca, maybe), silverware, and a team that went unbeaten through a WHOLE season in the toughest, most talented league in the world?

So why does a man who is so responsible for our most recent success having such a difficult time with this current squad?  Many will argue that there just isn't enough talent or depth within the first team to compete with the top 4, some will argue that Wenger's tactics are misguided. Whatever stance you have, one thing is certain:

Wenger has not motivated any of his players to produce consistently.

Some matches (against Man Utd) some players produced brilliantly, most others, they fizzle out like a used sparkler.

Could it be that the players already don't believe the squad is deep enough or talented enough or resilient enough to complete for the league or champions league?

Since Harry moved cross-town he's done nothing but win, which is never anything we like to see from Spurs, but he may well have saved our season, HOPEFULLY!  He has given our players, management staff, board, and supporters fuel to start a fire.  Harry has written off the Gunners (Northampton Chronicle) as title contenders when his lowly Spurs are sitting 3 spots clear of the drop zone with 19 pts.

Will the players take this below-the-belt insult to heart and start stringing wins together?  We shall see this week and next.