Toffees give Wenger something to chew on during the transfer window

By JimC Published: 10th January 2010

by JAMES CURTIS Dashing into the space, Andrey Arshavin scooped the ball with him while keeping the wobbly Lucas Neil unsighted, burst down the right wing and edged closer to the Everton goal with neat touches. All the time, Neil flagging and clawing at the Russian road-runner, unable to keep up with his pace and well out of depths as Arshavin worked his magic in fields of freedom.

The move ended up being blocked by re-covering Everton players after a shot from the acutest of angles. It was the 80th minute and the first time Arshavin had made a real mark on the match. The crowd had almost forgotten the little wizard was playing, but left drooling at the mechanisms of his game, although it came to little to late.

At 5 ft 6” Arshavin is one of the smallest players in the Premiership, but this is his deadliest instrument. His other apparatus is speed, and combining to two makes it difficult for the modern day defender, who is raised to pull at shirts. So when Arshavin gathers the ball with space to manoeuvre he is the best in the league and on days Arsenal’s most effective player. Yesterday, none of this was possible playing centrally, a growing trend that takes little intelligence to see is a failing idea on Wenger’s part.

Minutes earlier, Tim Cahill pulled off a similar stunt, cutting in from wide. Both had used their slight frames well. Despite the move ending up fruitless, there was a clear difference compared to Arshavin’s later creativity. Cahill found support from two blue bodies in the box. For Arshavin, there wasn’t a red shirt to be found.

Two things were summed up in the passage of play. Firstly, Arshavin is most effective wide but practically anonymous wedged between two stately centre-backs and Marouane Fellaini, who need only wiggle his hips to send Arshavin flying. Secondly, Arsenal still haven’t replaced Robin Van Persie with a striker inbuilt with the same instincts to sniff out opportunities such as the one Arshavin so neatly arranged.

To find no support after such creativity was almost illegal according to Arsenal law. Throughout the game there had been – for a change – a selection of vexatious crosses, all threatening but predictable in their blank outcome. In all, it raised the biting question yet again: when will Arsene Wenger buy a forward?

Ok, Arsenal had injuries and absentees across the pitch, yet so did Everton, alongside Arsenal one of the most broken-down squads in the league. Mikel Arteta, the Fabgregas to their midfield remains injured as does England border-line player Phil Jagielka, and both Joseph Yobo and Ayegbeni Yakubu are currently on duty at the African Cup of Nations.

In order for Everton to compete though, David Moyes has released the purse strings and yesterday it came good against Arsenal. Landon Donovan, a 10-week loan signing from LA Galaxy is the Scotsman’s latest, and for a debut the American international was outstanding. Johnny Heitinga and their own Russian dinamo, Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, have also added depth.

Yes, you can argue that Arsenal’s fringe players are equal to some of Everton’s first-teamers and so why compare the two when it‘s clear the Toffees would probably welcome the likes of Mikael Silvestre, Carlos Vela and Fran Merida, three of Arsenal subs yesterday?

Well, both teams have different ambitions for the season and while David Moyes must bring in short-term buys to finish in the top-half (maybe avoid relegation) Arsenal must invest in the same manner to accomplish their intentions; winning the Premier League.

Denilson could be another out with a suspected lung injury, and with the way William Gallas and Thomas Vermaelen fly into tackles, is it long before Arsenal are scratching around for a centre-back? Then there is the goalkeeping grey area. Manuel Almunia was out of sorts again yesterday, at one point clattering into Armand Traore who had covered a threatening through-ball nicely.

Traore never had the best game himself, nor did the defence as a whole – let’s not forget Arsenal had kept three cleans sheets in a row at the Emirates before this game conceding less than one a game – but Traore is 20 years old and Arsenal’s third choice left-back; Almunia is the number one and apparently the best Wenger has.

David Moyes has set a platform for Wenger and chose the Emirates stage as an opening day to showcase how effective January transfers, even loan signings, can be. There isn’t much that separates this draw from recent Arsenal victories which have been won playing in much the same manner. In hindsight, a draw (so nearly a loss) was just around the corner and the best thing Everton could have done, was to give Wenger something to chew on in the transfer window. {jcomments on}

JimC

john

I personally am sick sore and tired saying that we are 3 players away from being the finished article,CB,CM,CF. End of, and not just more average joe bloggs proper players, injuries aside,there is only two that matter, VP and Fab, walcott is over-rated,but a good sub to have,the rest are all average players, we need more potency, and more craft.But we know we wont get any of these players cos were too tight, bendtner is back soon and wenger says he might not need a new striker, give me a fricken break, wise up man, he is another of those not a bad sub to have, but to say he is the answer is un fricken believable, loosen the purse strings boss man or it will 5 yrs with no pots to piss in.
Fabby

Do you really hoping Wenger to buy 3 or 2 players? Sorry mate; you should be happy if he makes 1 signing, which I doubt it.
john

I think your right, but to me I think we need 2 0r 3, i am dreaming I know, we probably wont get any let alone 1.
Jim

It’s not about whether the players we have are good enough or not right now, those things will be assessed at the end of the season.

The current reason why we need a player or two is because the squad is depleted. It’s unfortunate, but that is the situation we find ourselves in. We must sign because we have injuries.

Wenger should not feel like he is going against his philosophy of spending because the situation we find ourselves with injuries in is out of our hands. and wenger shouldn’t feel like he is “killing” other squad players because they are young and have plenty of time to impress yet.

we cannot plan for the amount of injuries we occured and wouldnt have forseen this at the beginning of the season. however, it is what is is and a justifyable reason for spending.

by signings a forward we would also have a new player out wide in arshavin. others could also go back to their natural positions.

this wont happen, but there is a dutch player sitting on the bench at ac milan who i have always been interested in. any chance of a loan leonardo?
Waz

Compare Almunia’s performances in recent games with that of Fabianski’s in the cup, forget the saves, look how much more confidence the defence have in Fabianski’s ability and decisions. He organises the defence well at set pieces, communicates very well and takes control of situations. What was faulty Manuel doing when he took out Traore? The defence look lost with him in goal like they just dont know if he’ll come out and claim or not and I’m certain he doesn’t shout what he’s doing or what he wants them to do!?

The other question is why buy Eduardo, a striker but then play him on flank when Arshavin is better suited there? Same in cup when Vela clearly was more effective on flank with Dudu in centre.

The other question is why do we have so many small players, the new system relies on a spearhead yet its obvious that RVP and Bentdner can only fulfil this role. Either change sysetem or at least play Eduardo where he supposed to.

Finally, AW knew Song would go to ACN, he knew we have no player on fringe to cover, yes Denilson is competent there but we have a great chance to win league so why not grasp it and plan for these things.

Yes we dont want to ‘block’ players development but having options is not blocking its just versatile and sensible. Otherwise you could say Arshavin is blocking Nasri or Vela, er no, he offers something different, a strong DM/CB would just give us options allowing Song to play CB or to play 2 strong players in mid if we are up against a tough team or if a first choice CB is out and we need extra cover.

Frankly I just dont get it, fine dont spend millions but at least plan and give us options not just small creative options and bloody play your best keeper!
peter edwards

I’l tell you what we need “A GOOD KEEPER” and i’l settle for just a good keeper, if he was a great one all the better.
Waz

There’s a reason Almunia was in Celta reserves at 28, you can’t learn natural ability.

Funny thing is Lehmann was dropped after a mistake, Almunia has made them weekly, he’s so bad in the air and he looks a nervous wreck! Yet Fabianski is good enough for Poland…. give him 20 games and review in Summer and get a top keeper if needed, Jaaskelainen wouldn’t be a bad buy short term
Waz

What’s the consensus on Campbell?
nikk

Put Campbell or Sylvester in defence and play Vermaleen as a holding player while Song is away….he is bright enough to do that job. Wenger needs to get his thinking cap on as there are tough crucial games coming along in next 4 weeks.
As for Almunia just sell him!
John in Norfolk

Wenger doesn’t want to block players by bringing in new signings! With the latest injury to Denilson I bet he wishes he had taken Viera on lone when he had the chance.
deephenry

arsene wenger’s parsimonius nature and manuel almunia are the two reasons we will not win the league this season, but i would like to eat my own words.
Nikkogunners

Any Chance Wenger could look South America for sign ups? this three could do some justice upfront and help free Asharvin

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diego_Tardelli

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keirrison_de_Souza_Carneiro

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodrigo_de_Souza_Cardoso
john

Develope, develope, develope, weve been developing for 4/5 years now, how long do you give it, I think enough time has gone now, if players cant ‘grow’ in 5 years they wont. We arnt asking for a new team, we are saying a couple of players, that are needed cos the 1s coming thru are not up to the job, as i said useful subs but thats it. Time to put up or shut up.
Jim

John, you’re a wise head. I’m not sure Vieira is the key, but what do you think of going 4-4-2 and getting Vela and Arshavin wide, bring the full backs into play more? This would probably only work with Cesc in the middle and of course with the addition of another forward.
Jim

john, i hear your cries. but this is by far the nearest arsenal have been to winning the league and the frenchman did say he had a 5 year plan, this being the year.

i think the players have now developed enough, but they have always required that extra guide. a strong centre forward could lead them up top, gallas and verms despite yesterday are doing the job behind.
Jim

nikk, i wouldnt mind campbell as cover. coming in at the toughest passage of the season id have doubts over him making the grade. verms and gallas are doing a great job and i reiterate we have a decent defensive record at home 9 in 11 or 10 games (consider 3 of those were chelsea alone. 14 on the road, room for improvement maybe …
john

Jim – I take your point,my point is what happens if any of said cb’s get injured, what then the invisable wall(senderos) and no matter who says what we need an accomplished striker, no babble bout how much it costs just get it done and stop pissin about tellin evry1 we cant afford this 1 or that 1, we can.
Jim

yea definately, i said in my piece we need cover but as it stands i wouldnt take verms out of cb just to fill in the hole.

by doing this we are creating another problem, the gap he in turn leaves. i like the idea of tv stepping into songs role but not at the expense of leaving gallas to get used to another partner.

tv is the the reason why we have looked more solid than ever even if it could do with a little more elsewhere on the pitch — up front.

anyway, when wenger moves wg10 up-front vermaelen will have to stay put how hungry was he to score?
SimplyTheBest

you are quite right my friend. why is wenger acting like song is injured and denilson had to come and cover up although not fully fit and play out of position which is physically more demanding, he already knew song will go on afc so should have had decent back up in the first place.
Berg10

Totally agree, TV5 has to remain at the back. Most balls headed out defensively are from TV’s athletic leaps and timing.

Almunia was hopelessly at fault for at least one goal and his decisions were utter crap, he has to be replaced.
Jim

and iv noticed how he always clears the second ball, pure contentrations from verms. gallas loves him so much his bald dome almost lights up.

still waiting to see how emmanuel-thomas fairs. i was gob-smacked when i saw him in the youth cup. this guy uses his body and can keep a ball.
Berg10

Sounds a bit like Song
Mexican Gunner

Im surprised that nobody talks about the performance of Gallas yesterday.

He had his worst game of the season by far, he was guilty for the first goal we received, in two ocassions Everton players exposed him, and I even think he´s guilty for the second goal, how´s possible that a big team like us receive goals in one vs one because theres no defenders (like against Man City).

I said this the entire season and this game confirm that Gallas is a great central defender but not the perfect couple of T.V. we can have 2 defenders who go to the opposite box the entire game and just let our most inexperienced defender at the back, this in just not possible.

And Amunia, oh my..
harper

Mexican, your comments on Gallas at the Everton game are simply ridiculous — hello??? Didn’t you NOTICE that he was playing THRU INJURY?! He suffered a back muscle injury but still stayed on the pitch, he was in pain throughout the game!

jimc, I agree with your entire post. What struck me about the game was how mediocre we are without a couple of key players – namely, Cesc and Song. Even without RVP, if those two are playing, we can still pull thru most games. But without all 3, even with Arshavin, Nasri, our two first choice CDs, an improved Diaby, we still lack penetration, creativity and intelligence. It was incredible to see also the lack of drive and commitment for the entire first half on the part of most of our players, and also for part of the 2nd half.
Heffy

I think the problem is with the formation. These players are good enough but the formation, 4-3-3, is not suitable for them. We’re not utilising Diaby’s power and drive, Nasri’s foxiness, Arshavin’s niftiness and Eduardo’s killer instincts. I think all are out of position, and his idea of any player being able to play in any position is not viable…then Arsenal will only be good, but not great. Pires, Bergkamp, Vieira, Petit, Ljungberg, Overmars and Henry had specialised and fixed roles which led to their excellent performances. This new idealogy based on Holland of the 70′s is not working. Hell, even the masters of this, the Dutch themselves didn’t win the World Cup.
Heffy

yeah Almunia is bad. I wonder if he’s being kept on because he has good relations with other players…and he doesn’t want to upset the others. In any case, I agree Fabianski looks like he has surpassed Almunia finally.
Mexican Gunner

Actually the first goal in the corner was before he fall to the ground with a supicious injury. He simply didnt jump well against a shorter player than him.

And if he was injured its completely nuts to run the whole pitch to try to help the team to score a goal. He should stayed the entire game in the back and only let T.V. to go up front.

I dont know when Arsene will talk to both and tell them that if one goes up front the other should stay. Maybe is a comunnication problem betwen T.V and Gallas.
Jim

harper, its that first half problem again isnt it? i wrote quite harshly a few weeks back on our first half performance against hull — and got absolutely rinsed by other posters (maybe rightly so, i did compare them to greedy bankers)

anyway, our slow first half disease is ongoing and we cant seem to get into 3rd gear from the off. like a rusty cortina the players like to go through every gear before the reach full speed and as we know in the prem, you need to be lively from the start. this is why i love player like joe cole, they can get into a game immediately … we lack it.

going one nil up early almost guarantees arsenal the three points. ok, maybe not against burnley although we should have waltzed that after the chance we created in the first 20 mins. pompey is a better example though, cruise control after eduardos deflected free-kick.
Jim

harper, its that first half problem again isnt it? i wrote quite harshly a few weeks back on our first half performance against hull — and got absolutely rinsed by other posters (maybe rightly so, i did compare them to greedy bankers)

anyway, our slow first half disease is ongoing and we cant seem to get into 3rd gear from the off. like a rusty cortina the players like to go through every gear before the reach full speed and as we know in the prem, you need to be lively from the start. this is why i love player like joe cole, they can get into a game immediately … we lack it.

going one nil up early almost guarantees arsenal the three points. ok, maybe not against burnley although we should have waltzed that after the chance we created in the first 20 mins. pompey is a better example though, cruise control after eduardos deflected free-kick.
Jim

heffy, iv spoken about the formation before and it might not be for every game, but we have completely ignored 4-4-2 since we started playing 4-3-3. our new style was clearly designed around rvp, and arshavin doesnt stand a chance in his role.

now we have lost arshavin in most games where you cant even see him from the stands lost behind those huge defenders. and playing against team who set up defensively, its all about getting width and stretching the oppositions back line and creating gaps by pulling players wide.

against west ham we may have subed in nasri and diaby who showed a touch of class, but really it was where vela ended up, hugging the touchline and thats when we came good.

i think a 442 could work with cesc and song/diaby central, arshavin/ vela even walcott wide (this boy needs more space to run at defenders) and then eduardo with a new forward.

cant we at least think about it arsene?
Jim

mex gun, i think it was more surprise that gallas was outjumped by osman, but it goes to show with a well timed run and desire to win the ball, it doesnt matter how short you are, eduardo proved that the other week against matty upson didnt he?

gallas has been a fine performer this season as has tommy v. we wernt complaining when they were scoring goals and gallas looks to have a natural knack at sniffing out danger.

there were some good counter-attacks from everton that arsenal will need to look at, and gallas and verms might need to be a little cautious in future, but i wuldnt take away their freedom to get forward as their heading and vermaelens right foot are extremeley dangerous.
Heffy

[quote name=Jim]harper, its that first half problem again isnt it? [/quote]
hmm have wondered about this for a few seasons now. what happened to the days when arsenal would start out of the blocks sprinting, get 2 goals inside 30 mins and then slow down? i remember it was damn effective in shocking our opponents into submission. we won a couple of league titles that way when arsene first came in. now we play slower in relative comparison, tho still beautiful.
Jim

heffy, is that not down to players like denilson who need two touches on the ball? we never seem to shift the ball forward with one touch, more often two touches and play square.

with the league winners there was always a player ahead of the man in possession and the ball always went up-field.

against everton i recall sagna making one quality interception with a hard tackle on (perhaps cahill) around the half way line. there seemed to be a break away on but instead denilson was fed the ball two yards away and everton worked back. it was too late to mount a counter-attack. imagine vieira in that situation. “out the way gilberto, henry and pires are already running” haha
Heffy

haha yeah i agree, vieira would just quickly feed it on to henry/ljungberg/pires/begkamp and these players were enough to destroy many defences.

well, arsene continually using these ‘slower’ players means that he wants the game played like this. speaking of ‘two-touch’ denilson, i remember commentators used to wax lyrical over our lightning counters and one-touch play. i really think diaby has what it takes to be like vieira in a more attacking role, but he needs to learn to harness that power and drive, and not doodle in circles around a group of opponents.
dennis

4-4-2 could be good but i would put nasri and rosicky wide with arshavin behind eduardo for the moment. the problem we have at the moment is a lack of width because the full backs are not willing to go forward because if they do there is no cover for them. the 4-3-3 was working well with rvp through the middle and cesc in his best position but without them it could be better to change tact.

but we won’t change formation now and changing things could be a bad idea because the players have to get to know their new roles again and get used to playing that way.

the best solution would be to buy a new striker and a defensive midfielder because denilson has had lots of opportunities but hasn’t developed in the way that song has once he was given a chance.
Berg10

That’s right, too many touches and stop, look naround then pass, by that time their defence is almost fully organised.

Remember when we’d sprint up the wing, cross the ball in to the box and any one at least of Henry, Pires, Ljungberg and DB10 would be in place or running on to it, sadly the move now breaks down with a labouring midfield.
Berg10

Sorry Heffy, I read Jim’s post and replied before reading yours.
james

Look its quite clear what the problem is The balance of the team is absolutely Shocking. We have one of the most deadliest strikers in the box in Eduardo playing almost like a half winger its so bad he even takes corner kicks this is absolutely ridiculous, Its like playing the old Robbie Fowler as a winger and making him take corners then u have Diaby once again drifting to both the right and the left side of the midfield like hes Hlebb type of player when everyone knows Diabys at his best playing dead in the CM, then u have that complete waste of space Denilson who is absolutely useless playing as a holding midfielder which i believe to be complete suicidal and don’t forget about Arshavin playing out of position also but I don’t really have no excuse for him as I really don’t like his attitude and to be honest hasn’t impressed me all season. Some of u idiots need to look at the manger but once again ulot seem to look pass that as usual, AW needs to stop playing are players out of there natural positions hes been doing this for some time now and hes needs to stop.
Heffy

haha it’s ok, at least we were on the same wavelength!

Now, those were real days of exhilarating football by Arsenal.
Heffy

Agreed. I wonder if it will be worse to change tactics and team style suddenly though.

I know it’s been said before and I also know that some disagree, but I think Eduardo is a talented striker and would come good if played in the middle. Like Solskjaer, or as mentioned above, fowler.
Jim

there definately isnt a natural balance to the team. sometimes players are to near to each other and i hate three or four yard passes. its easy to tell being a player (no matter what standard) when watching another player, that he isnt sure of where he should be or looking comfortable in his role. that’s the feeling i get with this team sometimes.

as much as we could never expect any team now to emulate what the great arsenal ones of the early noughties did, it has stil been good comparing them and reminding ourselves once again how great they actually were. thankyou denilson