If you’re good enough, you’re old enough

If there is one thing to be pleased with, more than anything else over the first three pre-season fixtures, then it is the reassurance that we have glimpsed the potential of some of our young stars we have at the club. But having seen the majority of the starlets in the first team over the last few weeks, who will bethe first to make his mark in the team?

Step forward Jack Wilshere, youngest but best of all the reserves at the club. I say reserve, but Wilshere himself has only seen a handful of reserve games so far in his career. Up until the start of 2008 Wilshere was only really involved in U18s games and internationals, where he was already making a huge impression in the academy ranks with his goals and technical ability shining through. I first heard of him at the age of 14, when he was picked for the England U16s Victory Shield games, and since then I ‘ve watched his progress with interest.

Wilshere has something about him that makes you stand up and take notice – he is the start of what hopefully will bring several English talents that have been coached by Arsenal to have the technical ability, range of passing and movement and overall football philosophy to finally start to put England on a par with countries that play “proper ” football – Brazil, Spain and the like.

Of course we don’t want to overhype the kid, and in England we tend to draw over the top conclusions about any footballer who is a) English and b) young and talented. This is because we are constantly loking for the next big thing who might help us finally achieve success in a nation where football is easily the No.1 sport.

But nevertheless, when Cesc Fabregas first played for the first team at 16 he showed us exactly what he could go on to be for Arsenal, and I have a firm belief Wilshere will do exactly the same. His movement is first class, every inch a natural footballer. If you were to compare him to Walcott, for example, who was also the “next big thing”  at 16, Wilshere is completely different. While it was the raw talent and pace that thrust Walcott into the limelight, with Wilshere it is the way he does everything so competently at such a young age. Decision making is constantly being improved in Walcott, with Wilshere its mostly already there.

I would be very surprised if Wilshere does not become a very, very good player within the next 4 years. But its all down to the way we treat him. Fabregas probably played too many games when he was too young, but he coped amazingly well. That is a risk hopefully we won’t take with Wilshere, and instead keep him in the reserves for a while, give him CC appearances until physically he has developed enough to sustain his form throughout a season by the time he is 19. We need to nurture like with Walcott, rather than fast track him. And i have every faith in Wenger to do just that.

but he has shown over pre-season that he has everything in his locker to become a fanstastically gifted player for Arsenal

Nasri delighted with Arsenal move

Having returned to the club for the first time since he had a medical with the club after Euro 2008, new signing Samir Nasri has talked about the circumstances that led to such a prolonged transfer saga before he finally was announced officially.

There were rumours Lyon wanted to sign Nasri in a direct swap for Ben Arfa who became Nasri’s replacement when he arrived at Marseille from the French champions, but Nasri insists there was never any chance of him choosing to join another French team:

“Lyon approached me,” Nasri told France-Football. “I spoke with chairman [Jean-Michel] Aulas on the phone. But this contact did not go forward. At this moment I had almost already made up my mind. I had given my word to Arsene Wenger. And I couldn’t see myself moving to a different French club than Marseille! “

Some frustrated Arsenal fans claimed that Nasri was waiting for another club to come in for him, but our new signing also denies that he ever thought about moving to another club other than Arsenal.

“I never doubted both clubs would find an agreement. There has been nonsense rumours. Both clubs just had to find an agreement to make my transfer official in L’OM’s 2008/2009 balance sheet.

“I already knew I was an Arsenal player before Euros. I passed the medical when I returned from Switzerland then we decided to make my transfer official for my return from holiday in mid-July. In my mind I was liberated.”

Like with Aaron Ramsey, Arsene Wenger has again proved to be vital in signing one of the world’s brightest talents, and it is not just that Wenger is a brilliant coach, it is the way that Arsenal have a stability that only a select few clubs in the world can claim to have.

He’s [Wenger's] been decisive,” added Nasri. “He represents stability and continuity. We understand we can work on the long term with him. I think he’s been at Arsenal for 13 years. It means the world!

“I was looking for that kind of guarantee to advance my career. I didn’t want to go to a club, even a legendary one, where everything could change from one day to another. I know Arsene Wenger’s going to help me improve. He has had a lot of success with other French players, especially youngsters he helped blossom.”

We often wonder whether or not former players who are now at other clubs with team mates who are linked with moves to Arsenal ever try to persuade the player that a move to the Gunners would be a good thing, and it seems that even those who leave on less than friendly terms, still hold Arsenal in high esteem, with Nasri revealing that even the troubled Nicolas Anelka, and the guy most likely to replicate his career, Lassana Diarra, advised him Arsenal would be a good move.

“I got a lot of information during the last meetings with France, next to William Gallas, Gael Clichy and Mathieu Flamini. Even if Mathieu has left for Milan, we know each other well because we have been educated at Marseille at the same time and he is Marseillais like me. He left Arsenal quite early but blossomed there. All his comments have been positive ones. Lassana Diarra as well only made good comments about this club.

“And there have been all the info from the older players like Thierry Henry, Nicolas Anelka and Patrick Vieira who told me it’s a superb club, that this experience had been one of the most beautiful in their career.

“Arsenal is a club that leaves a trace for life. Besides they assured me I’d have a lot of fun in The Premier League. They play and I love playing!”

Fantastic quotes from our new player, who also told France Football where he has been told his role will be in the coming season:

“Arsene Wenger told me he wants to play me on a wing. But there are so many movements in the team that I’ll have the possibility to switch position. I was used to playing on the left wing with the youth teams. I don’t mind. Friendlies are made to find your mark. “

Many had guessed this would be the case, and I personally can’t wait to see him threading a ball through to the strikers, or cutting inside and going for goal himself. And Nasri himself is even more excited about the prospect of pulling on the number 8 shirt than the fans are!

“I’m so excited! I arrived in London on Sunday and had my first training session the day after, before we go on pre-season camp in Austria.

“I’m discovering my new team-mates. But I’m not lost at all, with all those Frenchmen! Today I’m very happy to be a Gunner. I have joined an immense club where there’s everything to achieve great things. I’m delighted to be part of this new adventure. Arsenal are a reference point.”

“I am joining a club that plays some of the best football in Europe,” he said. “I was charmed when I watched Arsenal’s games in the Champions League. They achieved a tremendous first half to the season. To me England is the ideal destination and Arsenal are the perfect club! “

Whether or not tonights encounter with Szombathelyiyiiiia….. that Hungarian club will come to early for the Frenchman fitness-wise I am not sure, but we can expect to see him certainly in the Stuttgart match at the latest, and I for one am very pleased to see him here.

Richard Law: Salamanca will get a player of incredible quality

Richard law, Arsenal’s representative of everything to do with the Salamanca partnership, has reassured UDS fans in today’s As by telling them that they will be getting a fantastic player, who, although he was not named, is very probably an EU player unlike Carlos Vela and Pedros were.

In a very interesting interview with As, Law spoke about a range of details to do with the Spanish club, including Pedro and Vela’s experiences, why Arsenal chose Salamanca, and who would be loaned out there next season, all of which you can read about below:

The reasons for choosing Salamanca and Vela’s time there:

“We looked at Salamanca three years ago for their style of play, which is very attractive. Arsenal also likes to touch and move the ball. Carlos Vela was a great success for all and opened a path [for us]“

On Pedro Botelho’s future and the changes at Salamanca:

I only know that he [Pedro] has to come back to Salamanca for pre-season on the 21st. He has lived in the first year and experienced a process of adaptation and this season things can go very well. We hope that the history of Botelho is as good or better than Vela’s. “

“Dani Lopez leaving does not have any influence [on the partnership]. One of the most important things in this agreement between Arsenal and Salamanca is that we do not press any conditions [on Salamanca] in any respect. “

On Salamanca’s potential new loanee:

“We quite some time talking with Salamanca about what we are doing, and very specifically about a player. He is a great footballer, with excellent potential and upon which we have placed high hopes . As you know, Arsenal hasve a team of reserves that we want to gain first team experience. It is necessary to consider that many of the players who we have are international. I do not want to err on the side of arrogance, but if you’re already signed up by Arsenal you have more than enough potential to be a great footballer. “

Whether or not the player is Non-EU:

“You do not have to [be Non-EU]. For the relationship that we have seen with Salamanca and the characteristics that meets the club in his dedication to new talent, it might be a EU player” .

It is believed by As that the player will be an attacker, and is probably either Rui Fonte or Nacer Barazite. Fonte seems the most likely, as he has already been linked with a loan deal to Sporting Lisbon this summer, and will be looking to gain first team experience. Barazite, on the other hand, is of a higher level and I would guess Salamanca may be slightly lower than the standard he can already play at.

Source:

http://www.as.com/futbol/articulo/futbol-law-desvela-posible-cesion/dasftb/20080715dasdaiftb_31/Tes

Arsenal could be a key player in the Barry deal

Arsenal need a defensive midfielder, that much is certain. It looks to me that Gilberto is as good as gone, following Flamini out of England. This means that we’re left very short for partners for Fabregas, only a year after we had the likes of Diarra, Gilberto, Denilson, Diaby, Flamini, Song all lining up for a chance.

And apparently Wenger is methodically looking at the Greth Barry saga with some interest, Pat Rice contacting Aston Villa in recent days with this to say:

“Myself and Steve Walford both know Arsene Wenger’s assistant Pat Rice,” O’Neill told the Sun. “He phoned Steve to ask how the Liverpool thing had gone and said that they might show an interest. At the end of the conversation Arsenal said ‘that’s fine’ and that they’ll let us know.

“That is exactly what happened.”

Interesting quotes from one of the most honest people in football. Clearly Martin O’Neill is getting tired of Liverpool offering bids far below what the Villa manager wants for his captain, and it seems Arsenal are waiting to see whether or not we can take advantage of this by offering a deal more attractive than Liverpool’s. Our main trump card in all this is while they are offering Steve Finnan, worth £1m, aging right back with only his worst footballing days ahead of him, we have Justin Hoyte, worth £4m, who is still only 23 and fits right in with O’Neill’s young and promising team. What’s more, we haven’t annoyed O’Neill in any way, which is always a bonus.

But outbidding Liverpool for Gareth Barry isn’t the only option available to Arsene Wenger, because there is also a transfer saga revolving around a Liverpool player. Xabi Alonso seemed a dead cert to be a Juventus player next season, with offers and counter offers being exchanged. But once again Liverpool annoyed a fellow club with their transfer actions, and Juve quickly changed targets and landed Poulsen instead.

Spanish website Publico.es today claim that Arsenal are keen admirers of the skillful midfielder, who has the defensive capabilities to fit in alongside Fabregas, but also the fantastic passing range to help the fluency in attack. Publico reckons he would love to come to Arsenal and apparently yesterday negotiations took place with Alonso’s agent, Inaki Ibanez.

I can only hope that we will get one of these great defensive midfielders this summer. They are exactly what is needed at the Emirates to compete for trophies next season – can you just imagine a team like this for the opening game against West Brom, assuming Hleb leaves, but we keep Adebayor.

———————— Almunia ————————

Sagna ———- Toure ———— Gallas ———— Clichy

————————- Alonso/Barry ——————–

Nasri —————- Fabregas ——————— Walcott

——————– Adebayor —– van Persie ————–

Subs: Fabianski, Senderos, Song, Diaby, Ramsey, Eboue, Vela,

 

Sources for this story:

http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5goXmuejOj-dlJcXpbnZCNYTDhanQ

http://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=es&u=http://www.publico.es/134548/arsenal/negocia/fichaje/xabi/alonso&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=1&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dhttp://www.publico.es/134548/arsenal/negocia/fichaje/xabi/alonso%26hl%3Den

Nasri has signed: Officially Official!

Well, well, well…

Wenger always manages to spring a surprise on us doesn’t he? Who could have predicted this one eh?!

Seriously though, it is fantastic that he is signed. Gooners being gooners, we’re mostly absorbed in criticising the fact he is 21, his (poor) scoring record at Marseille, that it is too much money, that he won’t help our defensive issues….. Lighten up!

In Samir Nasri Arsenal have got a fantastic young player who can easily become a world beater. He is pretty fast, very composed and does everything you expect an Arsenal player under Wenger to be able to do. It’s all about short, crisp passing into feet, movement off the ball and clever pieces of skill. For £12-15m I think he is a very good signing as well – if you consider the prices Nani and Anderson went for last summer, and even if you perhaps take a look at transfers that have gone through so far this summer, such as Elmander (£10m), Nasri is an excellent aquisition.

For those complaining that if he replaces Hleb, there will be a backward step – I am not so sure. In terms of goalscoring people are claiming he doesn’t score enough, an accusation Hleb will be too familiar with. But I reckon he is set to surprise a few people once he is adjusted to the Premiership. With young players you have to go by their last season I think, as there is usually a steady improvement to be seen, and it is the same with Nasri. last season with Marseille he scored 6 goals in 30 games – an average of 1 in 5. 2 goals in 31 games was Hleb’s total – 1 in 15. Now bearing in mind the adaptation may take a little while, I think it’s not unreasonable to expecta total of 5+ this season from Nasri, a decent improvement over Hleb.

He’ll fit right in amongst the other players, I reckon, and will join up with his new team mates on the 21st July for pre-season training.

So good luck Samir Nasri, and welcome to the Emirates, I have every faith he will be a star.

OK, getting really bored now…..

23rd June, 2008: Nasri confirms the Arsenal deal via his own website, supposedly run by his dad. This is immediately followed by denials of a done deal, and then followed up a couple of days later by Pape Diouf saying it is just a matter of days before the deal is completed officially, and that the deal has been verbally agreed. A week after that Diouf came out and said it will be done in the next couple of days.

But no, it just couldn’t be that simple could it!

All the excuses us Arsenal fans have clutched at for why he hasn’t signed yet have run out. It’s now a new financial year, the new Arsenal kit has been launched, the Euro’s have finished…. yet where is he?!

Well it seems while Arsenal fans have grown more and more frustrated with the deal, instead of hopping over here along with Wenger to sign on the dotted line, have a few pictures taken in the new kit and a small interview, then jetting off to sun, sea and sand, Nasri, his agent, Arsenal and everyone else concerned have ensured Arsenal fans can’t get excited about a very good singing quite yet. Nope, he and Wenger have both gone off to get a tan for themselves, with this coming from the player’s agent:

“He is on his holidays. It (the transfer) will be made when he will be back, in about 10 days.”

So that’s that. We will now have to wait until the 14th July, which is a Monday by the way, to see this deal through, if indeed it does happen, with the more paranoid of Gooners worried that Marseille may have tricked us, something i find very hard to believe, or that the deal relies on Hleb’s sale, another thing I find extremely difficult to believe. Just to ease worries on this ruimour, here are quotes from Wenger before the stat of the transfer window:

“I will try to buy, maybe in the defensive area and one on the creative side of the game as well because we had some players, important players, who were out this year,” said Wenger. “We want as well to bring new talent in on the creative side of our game.