Up and Ozil: Arsenal shatter transfer record.

It took until deadline day, but the seemingly hollow rumblings of ditherer and ditherdum, Arsene Wenger and CEO Ivan Gazidis, finally appear to have come to a very surprising and unexpected end. After Gareth Bale's imminent move to Madrid, incumbent playmaker Mesut Ozil, Real's German, bug-eyed, superstar midfielder, has reportedly agreed to terms on a five-year deal worth roughly 6 million British pounds per season. Arsenal have had to smash their porcelin bank to pieces for the deal though, forking out a club-record 42 million pounds. (source) This would make Ozil not only Arsenal's top transfer fee ever, (by a long way, previous: Jose Antonio Reyes, 2003, at a meager 17 million pounds) but would also make Ozil the most expensive German ever, beating out Mario Gotze, who cost Bayern Munich 37 million pounds earlier this summer.

Yes, after being linked with half the planet over the course of three months, and finding nothing but heartbreak from their prior ventures, we should all be relieved to see that Arsenal seem to have finally managed to sleep with a prospective mate without wetting the bed. It seems our stubborn little club really is growing up after all, even if the prospect it has chosen is a tad ugly. But while those eyes... THOSE EYES....... whoops, sorry... While those eyes do nothing for Ozil in an aesthetic sense, I assume they provide the midfielder with loads of vision to pick out a killer pass, which he does with frightening regularity.

After the two-week international break-honeymoon period is over, however, Arsene Wenger might wake up with a start and realize exactly what he's bought: another central midfielder. Considering Arsenal already have Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere, Santi Cazorla, Tomas Rosicky, Mathieu Flamini, and the injured Mikel Arteta fighting for minutes, adding another, bug-eyed face to the mix might just create a fit of jealousy in the sorority over the fact that the new girl gets all the minutes she wants. And Ozil is so good, she really ought to get all the minutes she wants.

Sure, he has the ability, like Cazorla, to play in a wide role. This only does any good for the next few months though, as Walcott sure as sugar isn't going anywhere and Oxlade-Chamberlain will certainly expect his place on the left when he returns in October or November. Assembling this many skilled midfielders only works if you want to try your hand at a Barcelona and attempt to resuscitate the tiki-taka. Having done his job in covering while Ramsey comes of age, the only plausible solution on the horizon would be to toss Arteta to the scrap heap in January, in rather Pires-like fashion.

Ignored among all of the glitter and ribbons is the fact that Arsenal still have only two recognized center backs, and only two recognized strikers (with a loan move pending for Chelsea FC's Demba Ba) while the viable replacements are recovering from injuries. Given the Arsenal curse surrounding injuries recently, it seems only a matter of time before one of the two springs up and nips Arsene Wenger in the ass.

But Wenger has said we would move for true quality in the window, if not necessarily practical quality, and there we cannot fault him. Ozil is an absolute world-class player who, were this deal to completely go through, would serve to strengthen our ambition for titles considerably and allow the bench to be shored up a tad in the process. Welcome to Arsenal, I say.

May the Ozil be with you.

Break a knee Van Persie,

Thomas

Arsenal 1 - Spurs 0: All quiet in North London.

 

Had it gone on much longer, the pins and needles that Arsenal fans were precariously perched on might have broken. It might have taken an extra long shift for Wenger's disciples at the back end of a game that was always teetering on the edge of chaos, but the victory bells rang out in all their splendor as the heavens made certain that sanity was to be restored to North London. At least, for another half year or so.

Much as I do love whacking the Walcott pinata with an oversized mace, the flashy winger was the most deadly player on the pitch today. Stealing a march on a sleepy Danny Rose in the 23rd minute, he feathered a near post ball along the ground for Olivier Giroud, who proved equal to the job and finished with gorgeous precision. Had it not been for the heroics of Tottenham keeper Hugo Lloris, Walcott could've had two goals to his own name and really turned the screw on the boys from down the lane.

Men against boys, it was, from that point on. Arsenal came a Lloris bootlace away from adding a few more to their tally, and then proceeded to weather the storm to the finish with some heroic team defending against the youthful exuberance of Hotspur. Tottenham's new signings failed to make any real impressions. Roberto Soldado was in Koscielny's pocket all day, Nacer Chadli doesn't look much like a winger at all, and only the dynamic play of right winger Andros Townsend had me fearing for the result at all.

This win over Arsenal's most demonic of enemies was a victory everywhere for the old boys, the outdated models, and the discarded 'it' products of yesteryear. On the one end, Tottenham, the blue buffoons destined to remain always in the shadow of the Emirates' splendor, came into this fixture touting the 100 million euro expenditure in this summer's transfer window. Arsenal, meanwhile, have spent mere pennies, and not just by comparison, they've yet to spend a single pound, euro, or dollar thus far in a window that closes in roughly 28 hours.

And at the center of all of this joyous hullabaloo, is Arsene Wenger. Under constant fire from fans, experts, and occasionally his own players, Le Professuer has stuck to his guns and not given in to the new wave mantra of 'pounds equals points.' As a stadium of supporters watched the players they know and love heroically hold the line against a Tottenham side that were desperate for some vindication of their own, you couldn't help but be proud as an Arsenal fan. The Alamo-esque display of a six-man back line in front of a commanding goalkeeper in Szczesny, who suddenly looks like he doesn't need to be replaced at all, is enough to make anyone understand the importance of team chemistry.

Some people I know -who know who they are- have been lamenting (or lauding) the fact that Tottenham have brought in players who Arsenal could well use in Paulinho and Etienne Capoue. Exactly where were they today. could someone please remind me? I recall the sight of Capoue (achieving nothing more all day than bumbling about and losing posession every once in a while) leaving the field on a stretcher after being felled by the mighty mass of minuscule Santi Cazorla. Paulinho and Capoue alike were baffled time and again by the less imposing, but infinitely more combative Aaron Ramsey, the latter running midfield all day long with few roadblocks to contend with. These are the players we wanted? In Wenger we should still trust, it seems.

When you add to the equation that this was an Arsenal team missing some serious firepower in the forms of Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mikel Arteta, Lukas Podolski, and the departed Captain Jack, one can only feel optimistic about the fact that a Tottenham team with all its cannons in play proved to be insufficient to fell even a wounded ship.

Arsenal even got a chance to bring on their shiny new gun, Mathieu Flamini, who involved himself straight away in hair-raising fashion by flying studs up through Danny Rose, narrowly avoiding a red card in the process. Flamini was invisible in the attacking part of the field but proved his worth by making no-nonsense challenges and providing the shield for the back four that has been so lacking in the past. A good addition, with no frills about it.

Remember too that the window isn't closed just yet, and rumors fly about a big-money mega move being on the cards for the usually frugal Mr. Wenger. (Possibly even the 2007 Ballon D'Or winner, Kaka.) While I would advise caution in getting too wrapped up in this, I will remind you all that Wenger is known for making eleventh-hour moves for more 'unknown' players, having done so with Monreal and Mertesacker in the past.

This Arsenal squad would do well with a stronger bench, as we were all treated to a sighting of 16 year old future superstar Gedion Zelalem. Who is, even at his age, scary good, but could do with a few more years at the weight bench. Wilshere's first half troubles emphasize this, as we really would struggle to fill the team out if one or two more players were to unluckily hit the deck.

Overall though, this is a day that has reminded us that even the most expensive frigates cannot trouble the grisly old Man-of-War, and should have us all relishing a hopefully more healthy visit to Three Point Lane when March rolls around.

3 points for the Arsenal.

Break a knee Van Persie,

Thomas

Ramsey is why Arsenal don't buy, Flamini rejoins Gunners, and Wenger uses the B-word.

Happy weekend Gooners!

At the gym today, I was doing my pathetic attempt at biceps curls next to an Asian man who looked like he'd swallowed Zeus, and began to wonder on the way home about lads in the Arsenal squad who have got the meat on their bones to be truly imposing. Outside of good ol' Bacary Sagna and the transparent Emmanuel Frimpong, we don't seem to have much muscle available. I like to think, however, that although we lack a Yaya Toure, Micah Richards or Cheick Tiote enforcer-type in our lineup, we make up for it in sheer combativeness.

The embodiment of this combativeness this season will likely be the young, tempestuous duo of Jack Wilshere and former Arsenal doormat Aaron Ramsey. Jack has always had a nasty reputation for launching into any tackle he wants to, leaving the fan base to close our eyes and cross our fingers hoping that he comes out with as many ankles as he went in with. Aaron Ramsey however, perhaps due to a nasty encounter with Ryan Shawcross of Stoke, has been a bit hesitant to fly into tackles with the reckless abandon expected of youthful exuberance.

Ramsey this year, however, has been nothing short of a revelation. I don't think that I would draw the ire of most Arsenal faithful by suggesting that, at the moment, he is well and truly more influential in games than the previous apple of our eyes, Jack Wilshere. Ramsey's emergence is about more than just his on-field abilities; Aaron Ramsey is vindication for the Arsenal way.

Yes, the much-maligned Arsenal way. The one where no players are brought in year after year, and players are often jettisoned by the time they hit 32. (Remember Robert Pires?) This is all part of Arsene's grand plan of developing internally to succeed. Had all of our cries for a midfield enforcer actually been heeded, would Ramsey have had the opportunity to acquit himself so well in the deep-lying role? Doubtful. It still may not be the proper thing to do, and I'm not attempting to justify Wenger bringing in NOBODY, but it is rather easy to see why he seems reluctant to buy a star when we carry so many young Gunners on the verge of breaking through to the first team.

So instead of buying a star, the best thing to do, in Wenger's world, is to bring in a former Gunner for his favored price of free. Ladies and gentleman, Mathieu Flamini! When Flamini was last in the side, we were still riding high on the euphoria of the 'Invincibles' era, and watched earnestly as a group of young guns were growing up to emulate their predecessors.

Needless to say, the train has been slightly derailed since 2008, as we've lost a captain, another captain, and a few other unmentionables. While Wenger has drawn some criticism for having yet to actually pay for a player, this transfer makes a lot of tactical sense on paper. Flamini arrives seasoned and schooled in the art of Wengerball, adds a further element of combativeness to the defensive midfield, and can cover for either full-back position. Seems like a good package for such a skeleton crew of a team. Such a versatile player could do wonders, and don't forget, the bloke isn't a half bad player either.

Finally, we end on a bombshell with Arsene Wenger boldly claiming that, due to the raft of injuries that have plagued the club, he would consider rolling out The Greatest Striker Who Ever Lived if he had to. That's right. Nicklas Bendtner. (Shudders a bit) The fruit cake that Arsenal just can't seem to get rid of keeps on giving after leaving a wreck of broken-down negotiations in his wake this past summer. Boasting a 6'4" frame, a Kanye-esque ego, and supposedly superb training form, Nicklas Bendtner may be called upon to lead the line, as he is the only striker remaining behind Olivier Giroud and a confused looking youngster in Yaya Sanogo. This of course after Lukas Podolski's two month hamstring injury in midweek. Here's what Wenger had to say on the matter:

'The chance for him to leave now is very small and if he comes back well and gets fit, I will use him,'

Oof. Not a glowing review by any means, but knowing Wenger, you can never be sure quite what he means by what he says. Personally I've always been a fan of the great Dane's international form, so if he can replicate that at all for us and prove that he isn't a total Miroslav Klose, then I say let 'er rip.

More later on the upcoming North London Derby, and the chances of seeing the once-great Kaka in an Arsenal kit.

Cheers Gooners!

And as always, break a knee Van Persie,

Thomas

Home away from home?

Insert boring match report here

Yes, the Gunners were out in full attacking force Saturday, hiding Fulham 3-1, proving that the latter will always be stuck in the mire of rebuilding mode. Arsene's acolytes trudged into Craven Cottage and trounced the Lilywhites with a divine display of vision, work rate, and lovely flowing moves. All while showing off their shiny new away kits that had Gunners' faithful partying like its 2004 all over again.

And Tomas Rosicky is as well, turning back the clock for the third game in a row and making a case to be a regular in the starting XI, at least, unless he gets injured again. (Knocks on some very hearty wood.) Santi Cazorla effortlessly flowed to-and-fro in the 'roamer role,' showing up precisely where he was needed, exactly when he was needed, while Ramsey did everything else, as usual.

Giroud, Giroud, Giroud is on fire, scoring his third goal in as many matches, putting him squarely on pace to net roughly 55 this season. Podolski finally rolled out of his summer slumber and straight into the starting lineup, and who can complain about such a performance? Two chances, two goals, now that's efficient. Who says we need a new striker?

The attack attacked and the defense defended, all to the extent that the Fulham faithful were treated to an Arsenal summer signing sighting - think in the Panda echelon in terms of rarity - in the form of lanky Yaya Sanogo. The sight of a relative Arsenal youngster in a non-league-cup game is reason enough to overlook the fact that Sanogo looks to have yet to shake off the jet-lag from his flight from France.

The whole display, from energetic attacking moves to doggedly fighting to regain possession when it was lost, really has everyone wondering exactly where this was a week ago. Sure, Arsenal may have hit the snooze button one too many times, and is just now waking up to the hangover from last season's phantom fourth-place trophy presentation, but something of a different nature is troubling them, I think.

Behold the Emirates, Arsene's Library, where upper-middle and upper class North-Londoners spend notoriously egregious amounts of money to watch the only real team London will ever have play the most beautiful brand of football the world will ever see. This sort of a monetary commitment demands that a satisfactory show be put on both on and off the pitch. After all, these lovely people are choosing to spend their time in a football stadium while their maids are allowed to clean unsupervised, and who knows what trouble that could bring?

As you could imagine, this scenario may put an unreasonable amount of pressure on the players and manager who are held hostage to such perfectly reasonable expectations. While it is generally accepted that a team will get its share of abuse away from home, it's not often that it happens in your own backyard. Home games are supposed to be sure-things for players and managers, where a draw is the doomsday scenario. Players should be at their best when their sails are flying to gusts of their fan's unwavering support. When that support is cut off, however, isn't every game an away game?

No, it's far worse than that. As previously stated, players know what they're in for when they march into unfriendly confines, and they should know they'll be supported at home as well. When your own crowd can turn on you for conceding a goal, rather than attempting to help drag you back to your feet, the away team can actually receive a boost. When Fulham dragged a goal back on Saturday, the fans were in full throat, despite still being down two and having an owner who also owns the biggest wreck of an American football team around, the Jacksonville Jaguars. Looking back on that, I can't help but worry that Arsenal wouldn't have any fans left to cheer were they to go 3-0 down in the first place.

So, my prediction is that unless things change in a big way, Arsenal will earn more points away than at home.

Keep the faith faithful Gooners, and help any who have lost their faith along the way. The team will always need us!

Till next time.

Break a knee Van Persie,

Thomas

Aston Villa 3, Arsenal 1. Why the Sky isn't Falling.

Gooners,

Sit back for a second and take a deep, deep, deep breath. Then take another one. And another. There we go, feeling better?

Probably not, I know, I'm not either.

Lets get a few things out of the way first:

It has been some time since I've thrown a post up, I've been busy, I apologize. I know I'm the highlight of many of your days, and I'm sorry to deprive you for so long. Lets see what I've missed:

1. Fourth place finish.
2. Beat Tottenham
3. In lieu of signing a known player, we've brought in the new hope of the second coming of Henry, all hail, and Macho Nacho.

Wait, did I really miss a whole season? No, you guys are messing with me, right?

Same old story.

Alright, on to business.

A rough go today in the home and league opener against a young Aston Villa side who, it should be said, are looking on the up-and-up. Koscielny was sent off and that certainly doesn't help. I understand most fans are feeling hard done by the referee. Now, I know I'm not pleased with the refs when Arsenal play no matter what, but this performance, or lack thereof, stood out a bit. Great, that's out of the way, so what, let's move on.

A quick note on the scolding, and scalding, chants aimed at Arsene Wenger toward the end of the game:

It isn't merited, and remember who got us here. In sales, the saying goes, "What have you done for me lately?" and while this rings true it should be remembered that he has achieved absolute magic time and again with teams that are much weaker than we've had in the past. Failure to use resources is a footballing sin, but our financial position is the strongest in the league because of him.  He's sticking around, so support your Gunners, manager included.

But they say you learn more from a loss than 100 wins, and here is what I think we've learned from this one.

1. Depth, not necessarily quality, is needed.
I'm going to stick my neck out and boldly claim that this starting eleven can compete with anyone in the world and is capable of winning titles. The trouble with this is that the number of players who fall victim to frequent injuries in the squad seems to be at an all-time high. Football is a squad game these days, as we can see from Manchester City and Chelsea's multi-million dollar benches, and Arsenal found a particularly weak area today in the defense. Forget a striker, Giroud looked lovely, putting away his clear-cut chance, winning loads of sub-par crosses, and showing improved link-up play. However, when Gibbsy went down bloodily and early, it became apparent that a defense that has no proven substitutes available could be an Achilles heel, especially remembering that Koscielny is out next game as well. A defensive midfielder, truly defensive, is also needed, as Wilshere is prevented from being fully effective when he sits deep instead of marauding about.

2. New options in the form of old players is a positive sight.
Despite only playing for a half, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain already looks like he's due for a breakout season. Showing signs of being the Theo Walcott that Theo could never be at only 20, he displays a spectacular mixture of the dribbling skill that, frankly, Walcott lacks, and the tenacity of Jack Wilshere. A little more willingness to have a blast from distance would be a welcome sight also.

The player of the game for me today was a dynamic and healthy Tomas Rosicky. His wall passes bounced off of Olivier Giroud to completely unlock the Villa defense on two occasions, despite ending in Gervinho-esque wasteful finishing. If he can stay healthy (knocks on table) he will be the key cog in an arsenal engine that will look to be scoring more goals this season.

3. Arsenal's key players must find form.
In the pre-season, much was made of the emergence of Aaron Ramsey. Now, perhaps I'm being a bit harsh on a lad who was perhaps chained up in Arteta's absence, but I didn't see a whole lot more than horizontal passing from a player who needs to be more positive and assert himself in an attack that is too often content to stall and keep possession.

Theo Walcott showed that he will attempt to pick up where he left off last season, showing an inhuman amount of pace, pretty poor close control, and a selfish desire to stray inside and wreak havoc on the prospects for retaining team width. It is perfectly acceptable to attack from the wing with the ball, as OxCham often does, but when you start inside, you can't do much more than clog things up. A good way to prove me wrong on this would be to grab some goals, so hopefully things improve from here.

Wojciech Szczesny proved yet again that a keeper can have quite a lot to do without really having to save anything at all. The young Pole between the poles was a bit unlucky to both give away and not save a Christian Benteke PK, but an experienced keeper would really put that wide, not back where it came from. As we all saw from a passage of play that saw Szczezzers completely out of position, only to scramble back to cover his mistake, you take the good with the bad with the young keeper, and hope that the good and bad even out in the end.

So, every cloud, no matter how dark and gloomy they may seem, has a silver lining. The one thing we can be certain of now is some rapid transfer action, but hopefully not too hasty! Be careful what you wish for.

Keep the faith Gooners, the sky isn't falling, just a cloud or two has shifted out of place.

Break a knee Van Persie,

Thomas