Into the Looking Glass Part II: Arsene eyes a midfielder or two.

So we’re off to Pompey today.  But more funtastic is Part II of inside Arsene’s head.  Today it’s all about the midfield.  There are so many questions going on it’s difficult to get a solid read.  A DM for Song seems to be a necessity.  And injuries to Denilson and Fab raise some fears.  Diaby has started to blossom, but with his injury past, concerns remain.  Finally, Ramsey plays the constant tease, is he ready to step up?  And where is Merida???

Into the Looking Glass: transfer needs through Arsene’s eyes.

Fans are jonesing for a couple of purchases by Arsene this January.  We want a striker/forward, DM, CB and GK.  We view a signing in the short-term, the juice to win a title this year.  But Arsene has to look a bit above and beyond.  After all, signing a player now may work for three months, but create contract and wage bill headaches in the future.  This means anticipating future purchases requires a view in the looking glass, aka, how does Arsene view our needs? 

Three reasons Arsene might surprise us this January.

As much as I try to live my life day to day, I can’t help but get excited about this January.  Just 72 hours from the January transfer market and even an Arsenal fan has to get excited.  Everything is coming together for the perfect storm: a crazy exciting January.  Even Arsene seems to have begun teasing the fans and the media.  But seriously, three factors are shaping up to make this January really interesting.

Fab was King, Diaby a warrior, Song a Saint and still people whine.

8 in the morning watching a tape delay of the game at the local Gooner pub.  But it was still glorious.  At 5:30AM the pub delayed the broadcast and everyone gathered a little bit later having turned off their phones and shut off any nearby televisions.  Cheering on the team was even better given the importance of the game.  Yet still.  Still!  I read complaints about the players.

If Arsene truly believes in Diaby then give him a chance to replace RVP.

So we have Villa up tomorrow.  And with the EPL about as open as its ever been for a while, this game is taking on grand proportions.  But for the Arsenal, this game might be more important for player development.  And by that I mean Diaby.  With Fab just 50-50 for this game and Diaby playing well these days, the Villa game is an opportunity for Arsene to play with the lineup a little.  Hopefully Arsene will cease the development of Diaby and finally just put him where he belongs, upfront.

Happy Holidays!

It’s Christmas time.  So we’re taking off a couple of days.  But rest assured we’ll be back on the 26th!  We have the Arsene Strategy for the January transfer window coming up and our Top 5 predictions for 2010!  So check back soon.

Happy Holidays to Everyone!

-GOA

Five reasons this January’s transfer market must be crazy.

Arsene and Fergie have both stated they think this January will be a quiet period.  As our island cousins say -Bollicks!  Those two are just trying to keep the market from erupting to Madrid and Mancity premiums of the summer. In fact, this January might be the biggest of all time because of last summer’s foolishness.  Real Madrid and Mancity went nutty last summer spending hordes of cash and disrupting the entire market.  ManU, Arsenal and even the Italian teams were priced out of the market.  But now, with seasons in crisis, trophies to be had and the market somewhat returning to normal -changes are a must for five reasons.

Arsenal America -it’s time for a tour in the States

So I’m sitting here watching Fever Pitch (the good one) on my Christmas break.  I figured, why not try to fill the void this week with the Arsenal film.  Being so far away from N5 one can feel abandoned at times.  Not only is the stadium an ocean away, but we don’t even get to see the team during pre-season.  But with Kroenke purchase, I’m hoping this might, finally, be changing.  It’s time for a US tour, if not for the team, then for the fans.

Mancity debacle shows why Arsenal set standard in class.

For a generally uneventful week, it sure has been interesting.  Who would have thought the firing of Hughes would bear any relevance to the Arsenal.  Yet, I can’t help but be struck with the holiday spirit: I am thankful to be an Arsenal fan.  The debacle that is developing up north in Manchester gives us Gooners a chance to reflect on potential changes at the Club with Kroenke’s impending takeover.  Mancity may be a disaster in process, but we have a chance to get new ownership with Class.

A new field general and the rise of Diaby.

Not quite fulfilling, but at least a win, this Hull game was one step toward the building climax of this season.  Nobody knows when the deciding point in this season is going to occur, but this game was one more step towards some conclusion and this game planted the seeds.  Fab is fantastic, he’s completely committed to the cause and the Outfit is better with him than without.  But his game conflicts with Diaby and Nasri.  Arsene needs to find an answer for this drama to play out.