Transfer Deadline Day

Today is the 31st of August and it is the last day to complete transfers. The countdown has started and although this year transfer activity has been somewhat subdued with the exception of Real Madrid and Man City, there can still be a lot of surprises at the very end.

Although Arsenal have had a brilliant start to the season, I still think Arsenal are short in a few areas especially defensively. We need a back up defensive midfielder and a central defender. A goalkeeper wouldn't go amiss with the shaky start Almunia has had to the season. Arsenal would need to sort out the situation with Senderos before the end of the transfer window although I would rather we keep Senderos and get rid of Silvestre.

Arsene Wenger last season compared the transfer deadline day to a game of poker. I hope he has some tricks up his sleeve to win the poker game. Last season we made a huge transfer coup landing Arshavin on deadline day, I hope today would be equally productive.

Arsenal lose to United

Arsenal looked to be cruising to victory against United until they hit the self destruct button. This has happened once too many times with Arsenal going in front against teams in the big 4 only to collapse late on in the game. It makes you wonder if Arsenal have the big game mentality. Arsenal were clearly better than United in the game, the players were in control of the game and then a couple of moments of madness and they trow away the game. I know it might seem reactive to this game but it makes you wonder if Arsene shouldnt add a character to the team before the transfer window closes.

The officiating was a farce in my opinion, Mike Dean handed out the most cards last season and gave away the most penalties. He was true to kind in this game dishing out yellow cards for fun to both sides. When it came to making the crucial penalty decisions, he denied Arsenal a clear cut penalty and gave United one on the other end. The last major decision he took was to send Arsene Wenger to the stand for a rather innocuous kick of a bottle at the touchline after Arsenal were rightly denied a goal in the dying minutes. I am very angry about the officiating but I am more angry that Arsenal lost a game they never should have lost in all honesty.

Wenger post game interview

Clash of the titans

Arsenal face United in an English premier league game at old trafford tomorrow. It would be the first meeting among the big 4 and it promises to be an exciting game. It is a chance for Arsenal to really put their marker down as challengers and at the same time put United to the sword. A win for Arsenal would put us 3 points ahead of United with one outstanding game.

It is hard to forget the embarrassment faced by Arsenal against United at home in the semi final of the champions league. Manchester United completely dominated and outclassed Arsenal in that game. I can still remember the silly comments by Evra after the game. All I can think of is revenge the last couple of days, it is time our boys show Manchester United that they are now men.

Tactically United controlled both games in the semi finals of the champions league. They cut Arsenal off in the midfield and attacked Arsenal with pace any time they won the ball. This United team however is a different team without Ronaldo. It is interesting to see if they can play the same type of speedy counter attacking game without Ronaldo. It is important that the Arsenal defenders control Rooney because he is really playing like a man with a point to prove this season. Thomas Vermaelen seems to be relishing the opportunity to face Rooney tomorrow.

On the injury front, there is a bit of bad news, Cesc Fabregas is not fit enough to travel to Old Trafford. The team would definitely miss the influence of their captain, he has been in excellent form to start the season and has been quietly pulling the strings from midfield. The other players would have to step up like they did against Celtic.

Now unto the controversial Eduardo situation, I have been a big supporter of retrospective punishment and I was in support of the suspension Dida received for this ridiculous play acting.

I think it would be hypocritical to oppose the suspension simply because it involves an Arsenal player. However similar punishment should be handed out to other players that dive in future or else Eduardo would end up being a scape goat.

Injury news for the weekend

Theo Walcott's Nike Ad

A tale of an unfortunate dive

Arsenal beat Celtic by 3 - 1 and finished the contest 5-1 on aggregate. The first goal of the game was scored by Eduardo from the penalty spot. The penalty was awarded for an embarrassing dive by Eduardo and sadly that has become the story of the game.

The second goal was a brilliant goal that included an audacious back hill and an Eboue finish. The 3rd goal was scored by second half substitute Arshavin while Celtic had a late consolation goal with what was basically the last kick of the game.

The game itself wasn’t particularly brilliant; Celtic battled hard, closed Arsenal down and tried to stop Arsenal from playing without particularly threatening Arsenal at the other end. Arsenal on the other hand didn’t have to push too hard for a goal considering the advantage they brought back from Celtic park.

It is rather unfortunate that the story of this tie has become about Eduardo’s dive. He was booed during the game and it was good to see that Arsenal fans did not condone that type of behavior. Hopefully Wenger would have a quiet word with him. On a side note, the penalty didn’t decide this tie; it was over after the first leg.

Arsenal-Celtic Preview

The big one is this weekend but first order of business, dispatch Celtic. Unfortunately Cesc Fabregas would not be available for this game. The young Arsenal captain has been inspirational this season and he has returned to the form he showed at the start of the 2007/2008 season.
Wenger is considering playing Aaron Ramsey in his place and it would be a big opportunity for him if he is picked for this game. Aaron Ramsey is quite different from Cesc Fabregas, the way he plays reminds me of Steven Gerrard. He is very mobile, a decent passer and he isn't afraid to take a punt from distance. A few other young players should also get their chance in this game and hopefully they would not disappoint.

The game should still be more of a formality considering the result Arsenal picked up at Celtic park. However Celtic have not given up all hope in this game (or at least that is what the players say to the media). Celtic defender Gary Cadwell thinks if they can nick one goal, it would change the whole complexion of the game. He also says they would be physical and try and bully Arsenal, hopefully the boys would be ready for whatever Celtic trow at them.

The defenders have to be very professional in this game unlike last weekend when their sloppiness gave portsmouth a few opportunities and a glimmer of hope. Although the defence has visibly improved from last season, Arsenal have only kept one clean sheet this season and ironically it was against Celtic. On the other end, Arsenal have been scoring goals for fun with 12 goals in the first 3 games of the season. If Arsenal can score against Celtic, the tie would be over anyway because Celtic would have a mountain to climb. I am really looking forward to this game especially as some of the youngsters would have a chance to shine in this one.