some news and notes

[Epikoinos]

from Arsenal TV Online (I am so happy I caved in and bought it)

clichy: says he hopes to resume training very soon and could play with reserves and/or possibly first team in two weeks or so. says lauren and cygan have done a good job at left back, especially cygan because "he's not quick."

wenger: we only concede goals that come from balls over the top because "nobody plays balls on the ground against us." this is partly why it is tough to play bolton, because they like to play the ball over the top. not interested in england job. adebayor should be back wednesday or thursday next week. walcott starts training monday, probably a week before he plays -- don't want to rush him.

[xdanx]

Good update, answers most of the questions I have had the past few days.

It will be intersting to see how fast Wenger integrates Adebayor, I was surprised to see that Diaby played so soon and I can't see him giving Adebayor much time for a few weeks. I can't wait to see Walcott, he won't play more than 2 reserve games, I don't think Wenger bought him to play in the reserve league.

Did anybody really think that Arsene would want the England Job.

And most of all it will be nice to have Clichy back, he has always been a player that I liked.

[Cannon]

I don't have Arsenal tv so I'm going on your statements.

Good news on clichy. Earlier reports were saying March at least.

Wenger is twisting the truth a bit on Bolton. They've actually developed into a team that plays the ball over the top but can also beat you on the ground. We've given up goals to them from their wide guys running down the flanks to feed attackers. Hardly long ball. However given our inability to deal with long ball tactics right now, I wouldn't be surprised if thats how they come out attacking tomorrow.

When you say that Adebayor "should be back wednesday or thursday next week" did Wenger say that is when he's reporting back to Arsenal or that is when he could be available to play? Did Wenger let him go see his sick mom following the Togo exit from CAN?

So it looks like Walcott isn't going to be ready for the W.Ham game on Wednesday the 1st but could get some time against Birmingham City on Saturday February 4th. Cool. Looking forward to seeing him play for us.

[yossarian]

Wenger is twisting the truth a bit on Bolton. They've actually developed into a team that plays the ball over the top but can also beat you on the ground. We've given up goals to them from their wide guys taking the ball away from Gilberto while he stupidly holds it too long on the flank and then feeding attackers. Hardly long ball. However given our inability to deal with long ball tactics right now, I wouldn't be surprised if thats how they come out attacking tomorrow.

Fixed your post.

;)

[newlone]

Good news! I have been wondering what Arsene will do with the Adebayor/ Van Persie situation. Does anyone think that he may try to start all three in some sort of combination...maybe moving Henry into a deeper position (possibly offensive midfielder) This seems highly unlikely, but with our midfield looking like sh*t- (Gilberto, Ljunberg, Pires)- surely there is room to put all three of them on at the same time. If not, I wonder who will win the battle to start along with Henry between Adebayor and V. Persie. I would think V. Persie would be the favorite, but I am also almost certain Adebayor will get some time (fresh meat..you got to try him out). They will probably split time.

I think Diaby will make it. He remind me more of Sissoko (sp?) than Vieira. I think they have similar movements. Anyways, I think he will be a good player in about a year or so since it seems like he will be 'thrown into the fire' like Cesc was right away. I think he will prove to be a shrewd buy by Arsene...and hopefully can beat out Gilberto.

Regarding Walcott, how does the Arsenal reserve team compare to most Championship teams? The reserve seems to do well in the Carling Cup against them, so it makes me think that the level may be a little higher on the reserve team or at least equal? Is that right? If so, I don't see Walcott playing hardly at all this season - I think people's expectations may be a little bit too high. He's not a finished article yet, and I bet that Lupoli, Brendtner, Quincy and others may have something else to say about making the first team roster. Jumping from Southampton to Arsenal is a big jump. I hope he does well- competition is good for all.

Is Cole back for sure? I really don't think we have as big of a defensive problem as many make it seem. I don't know the stat but I remember Arsenal having a good run when all of our back four were healthy. We have had a lot of injury problems, and our weaknesses have been exposed, but a lot of the weaknesses wouldn't have shown if we had Cole and Clichy (all the problems that Cygan had), Toure in the center with Sol -the problems that both Senderos had with Drogba- twice and Sol with Roberts and Beattie would have been less exposed. What we did see was good cover players on both wide areas - Clichy and Gilbert and a decent center back - I dont remember his name but it starts with a D. Maybe we can add one more defender during the summer. Thoughts?

[Epikoinos]

When you say that Adebayor "should be back wednesday or thursday next week" did Wenger say that is when he's reporting back to Arsenal or that is when he could be available to play?

yes, adebayor will be reporting back wednesday or thursday, wenger said, so no west ham match for him -- or theo. he really stressed the "don't rush theo" thing quite a bit in that interview.

[Liverpool_SC]

Wenger is twisting the truth a bit on Bolton. They've actually developed into a team that plays the ball over the top but can also beat you on the ground. We've given up goals to them from their wide guys running down the flanks to feed attackers. Hardly long ball. However given our inability to deal with long ball tactics right now, I wouldn't be surprised if thats how they come out attacking tomorrow.


This is true. Guys like Giannakopoulos, Davies and Fabrice Fernandes (if he gets in the game) are much more astute than they are given credit for. At least El-Hadji Diouf is out. He is the kind of player that scores goals (or doesn't) in the most maddening fashion. Usually under spurious circumstances.

That being said, players like Borgetti, Giannakopoulos, Vaz Te and even Jaidi are going to be big goal threats both from the run of play and from set pieces.

I think that Bolton is the kind of team that really finds out how solid you are throughout the whole balance of your game. Playing in their stadium is never fun, even though it is hard to get motivated against them like you do against a ManUtd or Chelsea. They are not a pedigree team with individual players who beat you on sheer talent. Rather, they attack and defend solidly as a team. You have to be very creative and incisive to score against them. You have to well-organized and decently physical to defend against them. You have to play fabulously well to boss a game against them. They separate top of the table contenders from top of the table pretenders unlike almost any other team in the EPL.

[Rima067]

Jaidi's at the CAN with Tunisia.

he is a huge goal threat from set pieces so that's a plus for us. When he starts or comes comes off the bench he scores.

[iangunnersfan]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cannon
Wenger is twisting the truth a bit on Bolton. They've actually developed into a team that plays the ball over the top but can also beat you on the ground. We've given up goals to them from their wide guys taking the ball away from Gilberto while he stupidly holds it too long on the flank and then feeding attackers. Hardly long ball. However given our inability to deal with long ball tactics right now, I wouldn't be surprised if thats how they come out attacking tomorrow.


Fixed your post.

;)

Absolutely excellent and spot on.