Have we learnt anything from the Emirates Cup?
So the real business of pre-season begins and we end up with one defeat and one win in the Emirates Cup.
After winning both games last season and ending up with no significant silverware, it’s fair to say that we shouldn’t read too much into these matches.
For long spells against a pretty experienced Juventus side, our young Guns more than held their own, and the offside nature of David Trezeguet’s goal was somewhat harsh on the Gunners.
Against Real Madrid, Arsene Wenger started with what could probably be our first choice team, with Philippe Senderos being replaced by Kolo Toure once the Ivorian is fit and well and Cesc replacing Denilson or Abou Diaby. Add Eduardo, Tomas Rosicky to that equation and it starts to look a very strong squad.
It was quite fitting that Manu Adebayor slotting in our goal against Real. After a few boos from the home side, we have to get behind him now and what better way to start healing the wounds than score against one of Europe’s biggest teams, even if it was just a pre-season match?
I was surprised that RVP and Adebayor played as long as they did yesterday and clearly, Arsene Wenger wants to wrap Cesc in cotton wool after a long and arduous season. I’m quite happy to see him sit out much of the Amsterdam Tournament as well, though it’s a fine line between resting him and getting him fit for the forthcoming campaign.
One of our correspondents made the point yesterday that Big Phil has had enough chances to establish himself in the team and yet continues to cause more concern than comfort. I’m all for backing out players come what may, but along with Manu Eboue, I’m not convinced too many Gooners would lament their departures.
I’d rather have Gareth Barry than both Eboue and Senderos – a real quality central defender, fullback and midfielder in one - but it’s clear his future is at Liverpool. I’m all for having a squad of depth, but quality over quantity is also important and those guys have exhausted my patience. Talk of Xabi Alonso is intriguing and I think he would be a worthy addition to our squad.
Did we learn anything new? Not really. I don't think anyone's performances were far better or worse than what we have come to expect of them in Arsenal colours.
With seven substitutes permitted next season, there is no doubt that some of the emerging youngsters will get more exposure on match days, even if Wenger will be reluctant to expose them too much too soon.
He is clearly irritated by the criticism of the lack of English players Arsenal are bringing through, even though the recent roll-call is hardly damning with C*shley Cole, James Harper, Steve Sidwell, David B*ntley and Fabrice Muamba all establishing themselves in the Premiership in recent years after coming through the Arsenal ranks.
Jack Wilshere, Mark Randall and Kieran Gibbs could all find themselves on the bench on occasions next season although the Carling Cup seems their best way of gaining first team experience.
Thankfully, no one got any injuries over the weekend and with only a fortnight to go until the season begins in earnest, that’s more important to me than winning pointless pre-season trophies.
What irony that Martin Jol ended up lifting a trophy in North London only once he’d left England to manage in Germany?
DA
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Reader Comments (13)
i think we need to add Justin Hoyte to that list of players who need to leave, he is just not good enough for arsenal.
Diaby and Denilson cannot replace Flamini.
Nice Article, I do however quite like Eboue and I know Im in the minority. Its just that he is one of the few players we have that actually gets directly into the box. That said he usually wastes it. Diaby for me is the player we should offload. He Senderos and Denilson will simply not make it. They are average at best and thats on a good day. We also need goalkeeping cover for Almunia as Fabianski is also second rate. Wilshire and Vela look like great prospects and Nasri will (thank god) make Ro-sicknote redundant.
The addition of Barry would have been good but there should be a natural link with Xabi Alonso and Cesc which should make for an exciting pairing. Wilshire is the new Rooney in his confidence and out of the box quality.
Heres hoping for a good season
AK
big phil and hoyte need to be moved on eboue,wenger can work with diaby and denilson will fit in eventually we need to pull the trigger in the box like hamburg did
I thought Senderos showed signs of brilliance against R.Madrid. Some of you have broken windscreen wipers.
I do agree we need a bona fide defensive midfielder, with Denilson and Diaby both with much attacking impulses. Ramsey stands a very good chance, at 17, with grade A range of passing and much room for moulding.
But please don't forget about Song. Please. And the commando-like Coquelin.
If you want trophies tomorrow, don't support Arsenal. If you enjoy watching a revolution at work, sit back and marvel.
Senderos seemed really sharp against Real. His distribution from the back was really incisive, and much much better than Djouro's or Gallas'. I think that on the most part he is a really solid centre half, but just has been unfortunate in that most of his big mistakes have come in big games. Remember how good he was on our road to the champion's league final a few seasons back? Also he is good in the air unlike most of our other centre halves. I hope he stays.
Denilson has improved with each game. The game against RM was impressive. Fair to say that he is ahead of Ramsey and Diaby atm.
Dont forget Phil's age. He plays at a position where misstakes are costly. I still blieve he can become a very good defender within a few years. Keep him, i say!
I quite agree Pooner and Randip.
People want us to play a foprtune for a player in the mould of... Senderos. He's had some very poor games, I'd be the first to admit it, but he's normally excellent and does exactly what we need. Rather than spend a lot of money gambling on another player to do the same job more consistently, why do people find it so impossible to believe that Senderos can't iron out those bad performances as a general rule, leaving us with just the quality Phil who usually plays for us.
Senderos lacks both speed and positional sense, the former will only get worst with time whereas the latter can be taught and developed. He has not progressed as much as I thought he would have done,but he's still young. Maybe its a confidence thing?
Common fellas stop bashing on Senderos, the guy is not that bad and actually played a cracking game against Real, he is a great option to have coming off the bench. unto last nights performances i give high grades to van Persie and the worst grade to Diaby. Diaby had a miserable game IMO he always gave a way possesion trying to dribble and held onto the ball far too long, and his passing was woeful, wenger should have pulled him out much earlier(clearly not our answer to our DM issues) denilson fared far better but as KIV mentioned above has too much of an attacking impulse but its worth keeping him in the loop. now i know im going to get alot of flak for this but CLichy didnt have a really good game, nearly all of Real's attacks came throught his wing and he was no match for robben. everyone else played pretty well, Nasri was a bright light and i cant wait for him to properly gel with the team. the team looks really stron g i have to say and we arent even at full strength when Toure, Cesc, rosicky and eduardo return we will be dynamite.
I have always believed that Eboue is not a winger!! I think Arsene Wenger can do well with him by letting him be a back-up for mighty Sagna and ofcourse playing at full back in curling cup matches! That way, he will gain lost confidence and match experience thereby being a useful sqaud player!
Ruzibiza Steven
Kigali Rwanda
i think arsenal fans should get behind senderos
have you heard the scourser going on about skrtel as being their next big defemder who will guide them to glory
senderos is twice the defender of skrtel and we should also remember his young age, most centre backs take time to mature