Odds and Sods

Apparently, Madonna let Guy Ritchie out of his gimp suit long enough to shoot this amazing Nike commercial.

With Alexander Hleb’s agent orchestrating ice cream flirtations with Inter and Mathieu Flamini stalling over signing a new Arsenal contract, Arsene Wenger has urged his young stars not to leave the club for more money.

Both players were key components of Arsenal’s success early in the season, but tailed off–along with the rest of the team–toward the end.

Though both players would require replacements are they necessarily irreplaceable?

Hleb may be the best dribbler in the Premier League, but how much does he really produce? He reportedly was a revelation this season, but his tangible numbers (2 goals and 5 assists) last season and (2 goals and 6 assists) this season are eerily similar. He penetrates defenses often but usually lacks the potency to finish and the foresight to find a teammate in time. Hleb is a fruitless attacking midfielder who offers nothing defensively. If Inter make a profitable offer, it is hard to see how Arsenal are not better off employing Diaby, Denilson, Vela or another signing in that position and letting Hleb walk.

Flamini gave a fine performance this season, but his early form largely overshadowed the rest of his season. He greatly improved, but it is hard to see how he went from probably Birmingham offload to indispensable talisman in seven months. His workrate and effort are always admirable. He is a very solid player, but he’s not an elite talent. He’s not a pure stopper like Mascherano and he is not terribly skilled moving forward. He looks great playing next to Fabregas, but so did Gilberto last season and so would many others. He is a nice player to have around, but would his loss really submarine a title shot next year?

Arsene may prefer to hold on to those two, but neither is essential.

The scene after the match at Old Trafford looked quite familiar for Arsenal.  Their legs spent.  Their effort admirable.  The run of play theirs’.  The scoreline favoring the opposition.

The Gunners have won just two of their last thirteen matches in all competitions.  The only wins coming from a late brace against a gassed AC Milan and an improbable comeback from two-nil down against Bolton.  It’s been a two-month run that saw them eliminated from contention in the Premier League, the Champions League and the FA Cup.

Perhaps, we were wrong to expect so much from the squad.  They are young and inexperienced.  The already thin squad faced soul-sapping injuries.  With some better luck, they may still have been alive.  With the squad as constituted, they gave it a good effort.  We should be happy with their over-achievement.

The problem is that there is no compelling reason for the squad to have been so thin and so inexperienced.  Arsenal are one of the top five wealthiest clubs in Europe.  Even with the expenses from the new stadium, the club is raking in the profits.  The board have repeatedly stressed that whatever resources Arsene wants will be made available.

There is no justification for not having enough defenders, for having no natural wide players and for not having enough cover at striker.

Arsenal’s healthy first eleven can play with anyone in Europe, but they needed that first eleven on the field to win.  If you take Fabregas, Hleb, Flamini, Adebayor, Toure, Gallas, Rosicky or Clichy out of the eleven, Arsenal struggle and collapse.  

Forcing your key players to play every match takes its toll.  The difference against United today was not in quality, but in fitness and depth.  Arsenal held the advantage in the first half, but faltered when their legs were shot midway through the second half.  The fresher Man U squad reloaded, bringing in Tevez, Anderson and Giggs.  Arsenal subbed two teenagers and a reserve squad defender.

No one is suggesting Arsene spend 60mGBP, but a few more players of decent quality would allow them to rest regulars without taking a titannic dip in ability.  If the money is available, there is no reason not to do so.

The only rational justification has been to feed Arsene Wenger’s ego by accomplishing more with less, but, as I said before, the league is won by points, not points per pound spent.  I spent more money on Arsenal merchandise this season than they spent in the transfer window.  There is something wrong with that.

Why pass on outbidding an extra few million pounds for players on principle, when winning the title or the Champions League would more than account for it monetarily?  Was principle worth having Eboue on the right wing instead of say, Ribery or Cristiano Ronaldo?

Arsenal’s youngsters may well lead the club to trophies down the road, but they will still need to compete with Manchester United’s who are of similar age and winning right now.

How many years does Wenger withstand on ego and propriety alone?  And is it worth it?

The Kids, they’re alright.  But alright does not win you a title.

Yes, Arsenal got hosed.  Theo Walcott’s coming out party was spoiled by a pathetic penalty decision, a putrid product of the Kop End.  

Stevie G got to grin and smile like he had won the match, though he did everything in his power to lose it by squandering so many possessions.

But, a win would only gloss over glaring problems.  Problems for which Wenger has not had to account.

Why was the squad not strengthened in January?  Arsenal is the fifth wealthiest club in the world, why are they turning a profit in the transfer window?  What future glories are so great that one can pass up a shot at the title or the Champions League?  Why have they gone two months without playing decent football?

Wenger scoffs at the outrageous sums spent for Torres and Babel, yet these are the two players who killed his team’s hopes today.

He seems to have the answers for all of football’s ills, yet sits incredulous when his team – starting a central midfielder and a right back on the wings – struggles to attack the goal.

Wenger may still have a magic hat.  But, when the rabbit repeatedly comes out dead, it begins to lose its effect.

Arsenal Reserves drew Liverpool Reserves 1-1 in a Saturday thriller.  Rafa went with Jermaine Pennant and frisky Peter Crouch.  Arsene started two English lads.  Liverpool should have put the match away earlier.  Crouch had a brilliant effort saved.  Riise missed a sitter with his footballingly handicapped foot.  Benayoun missed another.  Even with United’s draw, the match killed Arsenal’s minute title hopes.  See you at Anfield for round three.

Middlesbrough retained the title of big club bully by holding Man United 2-2 at the Riverside.  Sir Alex sent out a stronger side than at midweek.  They got outplayed.  Alfonso Alves at last lived up to his transfer fee, scoring two.  Had they a competent partner rather than Aliadiere they would have had at least two or three more goals.  Ferdinand looked flummoxed without Vidic at his side.

Aston Villa blew out Bolton 4-0.  England cuspers Gareth Barry and Gabby Agbonlahor served up three with a cherry from Marlon Harewood.  Bolton’s defending was dreadful.  Davies and Diouf did not communicate.  The Wanderers look doomed.

Sunderland beat Fulham 3-1, in a relegation six-pointer.  The win puts Sunderland on 36 points, 10 points clear.  Fulham remain on twenty-four with fate fast approaching.  Brian McBride can count to infinity twice, but it won’t keep Fulham up.  All credit should go to Roy Keane for the wonders he’s done with the worst squad in the League besides Derby.