It is indeed a hectic by all means. The Malaysia Cup has reached the semi-finals with my local team, Terengganu had to endure a penalty shoot-out against Perlis before coming out on top.
The football season is coming to its end in Malaysia, many are relishing the coming of the Barclays Premier League new season. Arsenal has completed its pre-season programme with fans looking forward to an improved results from last season. But before that, there is the short trip to Eschende to meet Steve McClaren's FC Twente in order to qualify to the lucrative Champions' League.
The current immediate concern of many Arsenal fans is the thin layer of midfielders at our disposal with the departure of Matt Flamini, Alex Hleb and Gilberto Silva. Abou Diaby who was touted as the next Patrick Vieira due to the physical similarities seems to be spending more time on the treatment table and when given the chance on the pitch, failed to grab the opportunity to really establish himself.
Thus, the match in the Netherlands would probably see Cesc Fabregas and Denilson being partnered together. Theo Walcott and Samir Nasri (if he overcomes his injury) would probably provide the thrust from the wings. If the Frenchman does not make it we would probably see Manu Eboue operating on the right though I think Carlos Vela, Jack Wilshere or Armand Traore could be deployed there.
One good thing coming from the Armsterdam Tournament was the performance of Lukasz Fabianski between the sticks. He commanded the box well against Sevilla with several good takes when dealing with crosses. He also reacted well on one to one situations and showed good agility when required. A stiff competition to Manuel Almunia is foreseen here.
With Arsene Wenger prefers to do his dealings behind closed doors it is a bit difficult to guess who are joining the ranks though the addition of Xabi Alonso certainly would see my optimism rises a bit. Hopefully Arsene will find the time soon.
Astro has been a good satellite TV provider with the match at Huddersfield being telecast 'live' here in Malaysia. It is always good to see a good comeback after falling behind. The youngsters certainly showed plenty of character with the winner by Nacer Barazite indicated that the boy is progressing well.
Another good comeback was at the Amsterdam ArenA against host Ajax. Who would have predicted the two Manus would combine so well to score the first one with Eboue finding the head of Adebayor. The Togolese is trying his best to win back the heart of Arsenal supporters and his determination opened the chance for Nicklas Bendtner to equalise.
Then a good one-two with Denilson led to the winner by Adebayor though he would have to improve his rate of conversion in order to climb the charts of legends that have donned the red and white of Arsenal in the past. During the match alone he had me tearing my hair on numerous occassions for failing to do things that are expected of an Arsenal player.
I am hoping that Fabianski will start the match on Wednesday but I believe it will be Almunia and William Gallas to partner Kolo Toure in defence. Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy will provide the support for Walcott and Nasri respectively. Fabregas and Denilson will provide the openings for Adebayor and Robin Van Persie and hopefully we will come back with one foot already in the pot.
Go Gooners!
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Showing posts with label Pre-Season. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pre-Season. Show all posts
Tuesday, 12 August 2008
Monday, 4 August 2008
Emirates Cup Round Up
Thanks to astro, the premier (the only one in fact) satellite TV provider in Malaysia, I was able to watch Arsenal matches in the Emirates Cup Tournament which was won by another Emirates sponsored team, Hamburg SV.
It has been typically frustrating at times watching Arsenal when they are unable to finish the many chances created during a match, and this weekend is no exception. Against Juventus they could and should have at least achieved parity and they should have scored more against Real Madrid.
Of course result wise, these are not really important anyway but the way we keep on wasting chances perhaps is a matter of grave concern.
In Samir Nasri I believe we have a very exciting player that could contribute to our goals for tally a-la Robert Pires. I did not recall any shooting chances for the French international during the tournament, but of course against quality opponents such as Juventus and Real Madrid chances are bound to be at premium.
I am not really sure about Abou Diaby though. His tendency to be robbed off the ball has not yet been rectified though the performance of Denilson left me a bit warm inside with the hope that he could be the player to partner Cesc Fabregas in the middle.
Despite him trying very hard I just could not watch Manu Adebayor without some sort of negative feelings burning up inside me. He can say anything that he wants but it is very hard to just think of all the stories surfacing during the summer were mere miscommunications or the work of someone who has some bad intentions to the Togolese.
Just seeing him typically missing his chances during the matches against Juventus and Real Madrid really made me having some bad intentions towards him.
Anyway, other Arsenal players that took the pitch on Saturday and Sunday really made feel good and strengthened my belief that our position is not really that bad personnel wise. Aaron Ramsey, Carlos Vela and Jack Wilshere really impressed me and I would not be surprised if they would appear more frequently rather than just the odd cup matches.
Tonight was a good night for me, winning a bowling competition organised by our local football team Terengganu which just qualified for the last eight of the Malaysia Cup. Supporting Arsenal is one thing but this is where I get my 'live' football fix. Maybe more about this later.
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It has been typically frustrating at times watching Arsenal when they are unable to finish the many chances created during a match, and this weekend is no exception. Against Juventus they could and should have at least achieved parity and they should have scored more against Real Madrid.
Of course result wise, these are not really important anyway but the way we keep on wasting chances perhaps is a matter of grave concern.
In Samir Nasri I believe we have a very exciting player that could contribute to our goals for tally a-la Robert Pires. I did not recall any shooting chances for the French international during the tournament, but of course against quality opponents such as Juventus and Real Madrid chances are bound to be at premium.
I am not really sure about Abou Diaby though. His tendency to be robbed off the ball has not yet been rectified though the performance of Denilson left me a bit warm inside with the hope that he could be the player to partner Cesc Fabregas in the middle.
Despite him trying very hard I just could not watch Manu Adebayor without some sort of negative feelings burning up inside me. He can say anything that he wants but it is very hard to just think of all the stories surfacing during the summer were mere miscommunications or the work of someone who has some bad intentions to the Togolese.
Just seeing him typically missing his chances during the matches against Juventus and Real Madrid really made me having some bad intentions towards him.
Anyway, other Arsenal players that took the pitch on Saturday and Sunday really made feel good and strengthened my belief that our position is not really that bad personnel wise. Aaron Ramsey, Carlos Vela and Jack Wilshere really impressed me and I would not be surprised if they would appear more frequently rather than just the odd cup matches.
Tonight was a good night for me, winning a bowling competition organised by our local football team Terengganu which just qualified for the last eight of the Malaysia Cup. Supporting Arsenal is one thing but this is where I get my 'live' football fix. Maybe more about this later.
...
Thursday, 31 July 2008
All Class at the Mercedez
Finally I got the chance to watch a 'live' Arsenal performance during this pre-season when they registered a 3-1 win at the Mercedez Benz Arena against a VfB Stuttgart side fielding former Gunner goalkeeper, Jens Lehmann in their starting line-up.
A few 'big' names made their return to the Arsenal line-up though I have mixed feelings seeing Manu 'Add-No-Buyer' in the new away kit. Though the feeling was the complete opposite when it comes to Robin Van Persie who I really hope to be able to stay injury free and realise his tremendous potential.
Despite having seen him play before for France, this was the first time I saw Samir Nasri playing in the colours of Arsenal and despite not setting the stadium alight, he showed enough for me to keep looking for more when the real business starts in earnest.
Lehmann certainly did not show any generousity towards his former colleagues, pulling several saves which any goalkeeper would be proud off. However he could do nothing when Arsenal stepped up a gear after falling behind to a Yildiray Basturk goal just six minutes into the second half.
Carlos Vela could be another gem discovered by Arsenal Wenger and his cool finish after shaking off the burly Khaled Boulahrouj and beating Lehmann certainly showed big potential of the young Mexican.
With Nicklas Bendtner continued his fine scoring form with another efficient performance and a sharp finish to put Arsenal into the lead, I really hope Arsene will give the Danish youngster the opportunity to cement his place in the line-up.
A crisp finish by 16 years old Jack Wilshere underlined what Wenger has seen in the youngster, who by being included in this pre-season tour indicated that he could see competitive first team action sooner than his peers. Hopefully he would keep his head firmly on the ground and would not go looking for grandmas in the future.
For the time being there is no indication that the Emirates Cup will be shown on the satellite TV provider here in Malaysia. Last year they did and it was the same for the Armsterdam Tournament. Hopefully this year they will too.
By the way, Chelski dropped by to play against the Malaysian National team and they won 2-0. The goals were scored by two former Gunners in Abdul Bilal Salam a.k.a Nicolas Anelka and by the left-back before Gael Glichy.
It was the second goal scored by the Frenchman, who notched his first during Arsenal visit to Malaysia on 19 May, 1999. The only time that I ever saw the Gunners in action right in front of my own eyes.
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A few 'big' names made their return to the Arsenal line-up though I have mixed feelings seeing Manu 'Add-No-Buyer' in the new away kit. Though the feeling was the complete opposite when it comes to Robin Van Persie who I really hope to be able to stay injury free and realise his tremendous potential.
Despite having seen him play before for France, this was the first time I saw Samir Nasri playing in the colours of Arsenal and despite not setting the stadium alight, he showed enough for me to keep looking for more when the real business starts in earnest.
Lehmann certainly did not show any generousity towards his former colleagues, pulling several saves which any goalkeeper would be proud off. However he could do nothing when Arsenal stepped up a gear after falling behind to a Yildiray Basturk goal just six minutes into the second half.
Carlos Vela could be another gem discovered by Arsenal Wenger and his cool finish after shaking off the burly Khaled Boulahrouj and beating Lehmann certainly showed big potential of the young Mexican.
With Nicklas Bendtner continued his fine scoring form with another efficient performance and a sharp finish to put Arsenal into the lead, I really hope Arsene will give the Danish youngster the opportunity to cement his place in the line-up.
A crisp finish by 16 years old Jack Wilshere underlined what Wenger has seen in the youngster, who by being included in this pre-season tour indicated that he could see competitive first team action sooner than his peers. Hopefully he would keep his head firmly on the ground and would not go looking for grandmas in the future.
For the time being there is no indication that the Emirates Cup will be shown on the satellite TV provider here in Malaysia. Last year they did and it was the same for the Armsterdam Tournament. Hopefully this year they will too.
By the way, Chelski dropped by to play against the Malaysian National team and they won 2-0. The goals were scored by two former Gunners in Abdul Bilal Salam a.k.a Nicolas Anelka and by the left-back before Gael Glichy.
It was the second goal scored by the Frenchman, who notched his first during Arsenal visit to Malaysia on 19 May, 1999. The only time that I ever saw the Gunners in action right in front of my own eyes.
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