Concerning Arsenal? Transfer Talk, Formations, and Who Can Forget About Phil Brown?

Concerning Myself

First off, I would like to introduce myself. I am a novice blogger with a passion for everything Arsenal. I live in far away Vancouver, Canada, but was born in London, and it is my dream to one day move back home to see the team that I love. I’ve only followed Arsenal since mid 2008 (just after the Birmingham game to be precise), so this Arsenal team is the only one I’ve known. Football in Canada is a rare thing, and Arsenal fans are even rarer.

Feel free to leave any comments or feedback after you’ve read my post.

Concerning Transfers

Thomas Vermaelen; Latest Arsenal Transfer

As you will already know, Thomas Vermaelen, the 23 year old former Ajax defender, has signed for Arsenal for near 10 Million Pounds. This “solves” our backline issues and with Philip Senderos returning from Italy, we don’t look too bad. These two will add height to our defence, which we desperately need, as well as playing in a different style to Kolo and Gallas. Unfortunately, our chances of starting next season with 6 center-backs (Kolo, Gallas, Vermaelen, Senderos, Djourou, Silvestre) plus Song, is very slim. This is regardless of what Wenger says. I could see (and desperately hope) that it’s Silvestre who leaves, and if Gallas or Senderos were sold for the right price, who can complain?

Verdict:

Five center-backs = ideal.

Four center-backs = adequate.

Three center-backs + Silvestre = a lot of sleepless nights.

Felipe Melo; Possible Arsenal Target

Now to the midfield. We’ve been heavily linked with Felipe Melo, the Brazilian defensive midfielder from Fiorentina. He’s aggressive (racking up over 12 yellows card last season), as well as expensive. It would mean another transfer in the “Arshavin bracket” which I doubt will happen unless we sell Adebayor.(Patience please I‘ll get there) It would surprise me a little if we signed him, especially since rumours of us bidding for Miguel Veloso and Gokhan Inler have resurfaced. Personally, I’d like Lorik Cana from Marseille but I don’t see it happening.

Up front, Robin Van Persie has signed or is near signing a contract extension (Depending on who you believe). As for Adebayor, he’s been doing the usual…need I say more? We can expect to see him playing in Italy or Spain at the beginning of next season. Our only consolation is that if it’s Real or Milan, we’ll have enough cash to sort out the midfield and have some leftover to get a decent replacement for him. Many believe that Bordeaux’s striker, Marouane Chamakh, is heading to North London. I don’t rate him any higher than Eduardo, but with the two of them, and not forgetting Bendtner and RvP, we should be fine.

Concerning Tactics

Next year we will have a minimum of four new options for Arsene to integrate (back) into the team. Eduardo and Rosicky will be fully fit, (do u remember hearing that last year?) and we will have Vermaelen and a hopefully a new CM. Vermaelen is easy, but it’s his attacking players that need some shuffling around. He recently said:

“Next season we will play the formation and system that most suits the players and the balance of the team.

“That means it’s not rigid. It can evolve throughout the season, depending on circumstances and personnel.

“If you play with Theo Walcott for example, you are more tempted to go for three midfielders because Theo is more of a forward than a midfielder in a 4-4-2.”

Next year we can expect to see a 4-3-3 being our regular formation. This will have any out of Cesc, Nasri, Rosicky and our potential new CM playing the first three, and Ade(if he stays), RvP, Eduardo, Bendtner, Arshavin Walcott…and the list goes on, taking up the front three. Not too shabby, but I won’t go into much detail today.

Concerning Phil Brown

Now Who's Laughing?

Justice for all! Yes, that’s what happens Mr. Brown when you make up random garbage about a club that has just knocked you out of the FA Cup. You accused Fabregas of spitting on your assistant? He was cleared by the FA. Then you call the referee “disgraceful”? That £ 2.500 fine does not do you justice. At least next year when you get relegated from the Premier League you’ll have Newcastle for company, and we’ll all have something to laugh about.

Until next time…

Thanks for reading, and yes, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Or at least we play Barnet in 24 days. Try and keep your sanity until then…

Also, any comments, critiques, or suggestions are appreciated!