With Aaron’s untimely injury, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s struggle for form and Jack not likely to take much part this season, some people are becoming a little edgy as to our options should we lose anyone else. Folk gather in nervous corners speaking in tremulous whispers about what we might do should Santi or Mesut get crocked. They frighten little children into behaving with nightmarish tales of title tilts toppled by tweaks and tears to vital Teutonic tendons or over stretched Spanish sinews. Is there any way to calm these jittery Jonas?
Well I for one am perfectly relaxed about the situation, and here’s why. Any team, whether at the top of the Prem or the bottom of the conference would struggle if they lost their best players. That was true before the season started, before our Welsh wonder’s latest knock and will still be true when he and all the rest are fit again. If you can’t cope with this simple truth, and I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings, then you are well and truly buggered.
In any event this all set me to meditate upon those players on the fringes of first team selection, and what with the League Cup providing an obvious opportunity to give some of the superstars a breather, these players will be very much in the manager’s thoughts as well. When the first team were visibly tiring against a determined Everton side on Saturday evening (hardly surprising given the levels they reached in defeating Bayern earlier in the week) I was in conversation with Shotta. It was around about the time that Mathieu Flamini began to unzip his tracksuit top. I suggested that the imminent substitution meant Arsène had seen enough and had decided that we needed to shore things up, deny Everton space in the middle and choke off their attacks which were, by now, becoming a bit of a nuisance. Shotta G concurred. This seemed a good tactical change to make at that stage of the game.
Of course the first thing Flamini did when he got onto the pitch (after his customary slightly too heavy first challenge – naturellement) was to take the game to the opposition in no uncertain terms, popping up more often in and around their area than our own. In fact he got into a great position and very nearly scored. Never mind bringing on a defensive midfielder, it appeared that Arsène had brought on a maverick. This was a man playing with a lightness of the soul, a player who knows he hasn’t long left at the top of the game, has nothing more to prove to anyone and is only too happy to take a few pot shots at goal should the chance arise.
Lee Dixon did a short piece to camera for the Arsenal website recently commemorating Tony Adams. He talked with obvious emotion about he and his captain’s final season before retirement and it was obvious how players reaching the autumn of their careers relish each passing game, suffused as they are with knowledge that every ninety minutes brings them so much closer to their last. This got me thinking about how Mathieu Flamini took his goals against Spurs in the last round of this competition; the panache, the joie de vivre, the devil-may-care attitude. My thoughts inevitably strayed to players at the other end of the career spectrum.
Alex Oxelaide-Chamberlain has stalled somewhat. He has struggled with injuries and has had to sit and watch while others cement their place in the hierarchy. This can only make it harder for him to get back to where he needs to be and it is little surprise that the pressure upon him might make him try the occasional shot which isn’t on, or push himself to take on just one player too many. It looks to my untutored eye as if he isn’t letting his game flow naturally and instinctively enough to allow the good stuff to happen.
You may recall me describing a recent unscheduled trip into space I took when inadvertently leaving my mountain bike behind after jumping from a ledge or outcrop. What brought me to such a pass was partly to do with my tinkering with the machine but overwhelmingly because I wasn’t riding well. My technique had deserted me and instead of tootling off and finding other diversions, switching focus and letting things come back to me in their own good time, I forced the issue and paid the price.
While I make no comparison with my sedate two wheeled adventures and the life of a professional footballer there is a universal truth here. You cannot compel things to go well. In any sport you can feel when you’re in the right place and you know when you’ve slipped from it.The bind for the pro is they must work through their issues under the unforgiving stare of sixty thousand demanding punters and the unrelenting gaze of multiple television cameras. I can tool off into the woods among the bunnies and the autumn berries when my jumping skills temporarily desert me, Alex doesn’t have that luxury.
I have no doubt the Ox will find his mojo again and stake his claim to a first team place. At his best I think he is the perfect understudy to Alexis. Both have a powerful shot, acceleration and love to go past defenders, neither are particularly suited to defensive work but will do their bit for the team as all players in the modern game must. If he fills in for Aaron over the following few weeks I’m sure we’ll see him relax more and start to show why he excited so many Arsenal fans earlier in his career.
The contrast with younger players fighting for form, desperate to grasp the nettle whenever a glimpse of a first team place appears and a Mathieu Flamini just happy to play and under absolutely no pressure at all, is striking. There is another species of sportsman. This is the rarest of footballers on the planet. A kind of freak of nature hybrid creature, a youngster who can play with the same mindset shown by our battle hardened man from Marseille. A kid with the cool of a veteran. Such a player is Hector Bellerin and he has taken to football at the very highest level with a brio and a bravado that I think is simply breathtaking.
The environment in which he earns his corn is hostile, unforgiving, highly scrutinised and one in which he faces some of the fastest most skilful players in world football. Yet the boy just doesn’t seem to give a hoot. If he gets beaten once or twice (and that is all that happened in the first half against Bayern – he was definitely not ‘schooled’ or ‘out of his depth’) then he not only comes back stronger but sticks two fingers up to a watching world who think he ought to cower on the edge of the 18 yard box praying for the final whistle, runs rampant through one of the best teams on the planet and calmly sets up Mesut Özil for the winning goal. Some players have that special blend of confidence and ability which sets them apart. If the boy has the character to match, and the signs are promising, then he has a hell of a career ahead of him.
The sudden stratospheric upward surge of young Hector has turned French international fullback Mathieu Debuchy into another of our fringe players. This is a hugely experienced footballer, much admired across Europe and at 30 years old is still at the peak of his powers, I don’t think any top team in the land would mind having that kind of defensive cover. Talking of full backs what of our other forgotten man? Kieran Gibbs has built up a deal of experience at a young age. He knows Nacho will need to be injured before he gets any time at left back, so well has the Spaniard been playing, but he will see more substitute appearances as the boss rests and protects Alexis, especially when we are seeing out a narrow victory.
If Aaron’s injury pushed Ox up the pecking order then everyone behind him shuffled forward a place too. Joel Campbell will, I assume, start tonight and he is another lad with talent, quite a bit of experience and a point to prove. Just how he gets enough game time to prove it I don’t know but it would be silly to ignore him. I suppose the best way to guarantee a few more starts is for him to ensure we stay in the league cup starting with a win this evening. Again we do not know what he is capable of because he hasn’t really had a chance to show us.
Where does Calum Chambers fit into all this? What about our captain? What of the many youth team players looking at Hector Bellerin and wondering – could that be me? Mikel Arteta knows his playing days are numbered and accepts this with the dignity synonymous with the man himself. I believe he still has the calmness, skill and football know-how to be a valuable squad member but I accept he probably wouldn’t last a run of of fixtures. And Calum? He played a lot more than he might have expected in his first season but has slipped back down the ladder since. Is he a centre back, full back or defensive midfielder? We’ll find out in the fullness of time of course, but he could do a job in any of the three positions and as such, should disaster strike, he could easily step in while perhaps Santi moves forward.
I’m sure I’ve left people out, these are merely the idle musings of a bruised old man and not the product of any real research. I just wanted to make the point that in the event of injury disaster the future is not as bleak as some might have it. Of course for a second stringer or youth player to do more than just plug a gap, it would require someone to do an Anelka or a Hector or dare I say it do what Francis Coquelin did last season. As unlikely and infrequently as it happens, these players do appear and they do, from time to time surprise people. In fact if it were to happen again under the watchful eye of Arsène Wenger it would hardly be a surprise. The man develops talent in a way other managers can only spend money.
I hope we go all the way in this competition. I want the fringe players to get as many chances on the centre stage as they can. Firstly to keep themselves up to speed so they hit the ground running when called upon by the first team and secondly because I want everyone involved at the club to taste success and to do well. So let’s see if we can progress tonight and while we’re at it I’d rather like it if Bournemouth, Middlesbrough, Crystal Palace and Stoke went through too. It won’t be the end of the world if we get knocked out but it would make it ever harder for those waiting in the wings to strut their stuff.
Positively Arsenal 
Comprehensive Stew – all bases covered, all rocks over-turned.
One hugely encouraging thing about the Ox is that he is not a player who ever hides. After a phase of play that is successful or a cock up he is front and centre, wanting the ball and, when he gets it, taking the game to the opposition. In the world of PL football where every movement is scrutinised and picked over a little courage is required to be a really good performer. Ox has that courage.
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Absolutely brilliant Stew.
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What George said, a great start to match day thanks Steww.
“Mikel Arteta knows his playing days are numbered and accepts this with the dignity synonymous with the man himself”
I too enjoyed his first appearance of the season,during the supercup against GazCorp I think, when he came off the bench to protect a lead and fouled all the players. Hehe.
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EXCLUSIVE footage from London Colney of AW and Chambo (Mk I) during training
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That’s brilliant Fins – and in a weird way you can almost imagine that being an Arsène Wenger team talk.
Thanks for the kind words George, I was concerned by, you know, actually writing about football for a change, I might be out of my depth. But ,well, opinions/arseholes and all that.
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Chambers (Chambo MK II) is definitely set for a future at CB. I think. Could be wrong!
Could see him in CM tonight if Arteta isn’t back?
My guess is he’ll get a Thuram-esque outing at RB every now and then,sometimesCM, but CB is where he’ll be eventually. That performance in the supercup and at the start of last season, I haven’t seen much but I can’t recall seeing much better from a rookie CB.
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Masterly stuff Stew, and whilst I would be the last to wish misfortune on anyone if this is the form you show when injured then I can only implore you to leave those Autumn bunnies swiftly behind, seek out the green light, run faster, jump higher.
I shall always love the Ox for his moment of pure brilliance back in August that set in motion the special one’s meltdown.
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SuperSteww!!
You’ll be getting your own song next!
Agree that this is a competition which I’d love us to go far in, if only as an opening for the ‘fringe’ players.
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Some of you have suggested that you enjoy my writing. I’ve even heard it said that a blog sufficiently well written would be a good read no matter what the subject.
Well, I’ve proved that to be a myth in my other blog Slow & Dirty. Originally conceived as an adjunct to my radio show it has evolved into a blog about anything at all and at the moment I am writing about poetry.
Feel free to pop over if you want to but I warn you it’s a subject upon which I’m as inexpert as I am on football. http://wp.me/p2wifr-pp
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Stew tries the footie stuff, finding himself an acre of space, opened it up like a top drawer and served it up – as PG said: “Brilliant“.
And as A5 said: “Comprehensive… all bases covered, all rocks over-turned.”
There really is nothing to add, simply put I too would want us to progress in the C1, as you said, to keep our players match fit.
Up the Arsenal!
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Lovely writing – solid gold. A perfect blend of information, positivity, highlights…with just the right tone for an enjoyable read to Arsenal fans after the week we’ve had and in preparation for C1C fixture. Thank you.
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Blimey Stew, I didn’t understand a word.
Thanks for reminding me I’m a bit thick. The gift of humility is something I shall treasure.
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You see George, poetry has a power you never suspected.
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http://www.itv.com/news/2015-10-27/opinion-jose-mourinho-has-turned-into-the-voyeur-he-once-saw-in-arsene-wenger/?
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top top top quality post.
i’m afraid we might not see too many changes tonight if arsene really want to win. apart from players like debuchy, gibbs, flamini, arteta and campbell, who really are not new to the in the team. i doubt if we have enough youth player we can parade as we use to do on a night like tonight who would be capable winning. on a night like tonight, i would have love to see young promising talents like adelaide, akpom, welinghton, sanogo, iwobi, gnabry and matinez. but most of this guys are on loan. some of them arent even playing there.
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Words of the wise. I’ll gladly take your version of events over most of the dross written online about Arsenal. Goes to show that if you approach things the right way and are passionate enough things will more than likely work out. You should talk football more often that was a very assured performance. Flaminiesque even.
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MF20 really is a far better player than most give him credit for isn’t he?
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He really is, steww. Remember the hissy fit the doomers had when he split? He has not changed much since those days in my eyes. His only problem is he is not Coquelin. You can never question his spirit either he always leaves everything on the pitch which I admire in a player.
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Yup, Loomer, I agree with every word.
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Steww, I hope you enjoy writing because reading your work is pure pleasure.
wednesday evokes so many memories, hillsborough which used to be one of the top grounds in the country, kevin campbell coming on at 1-1 at Highbury with 20 minutes to go and ending up winning 7-1, the finals, and once returning on a football special on a tuesday evening and having a brick thrown through the train window hitting the bloke right in front of me.
Just an uneventful win will do tonight and a few good performances from those who need the confidence and those who may become the future.
In U21 football it is sometimes difficult to spot which lads will step up, so these oppertunaties to see the boys against men is very interesting.
in the past the young reds have performed very well and have recorded some famous victories and the bradford defeat and reading struggle were mainley more seasoned players. Tonight those more experienced players seem much stronger and more confident than before especially as our no1 and no 11 are playing and of course Per.
I cant understand how we are getting away with usuing our third kit against a team in blue but anyway COYG
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Fascinating line up…
AorB – writing for me is a bit like pulling teeth at times. I agonise over it for ages because I’m always worried there must be a better word, a better way of expressing something. It takes most of the evening before and two hours of the morning of a matchday before I give up and just bung up whatever I’ve got.
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Fuck me. Ox is going through the wringer isn’t he. Poor bastard.
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Starting XI: Cech, Gibbs, Mertesacker, Chambers, Debuchy, Flamini, Kamara, Campbell, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Iwobi, Giroud
Substitutes: Macey, Gabriel, Monreal, Bielik, Sheaf, Bennacer, Walcott
Read more at http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20151027/team-news-iwobi-kamara-handed-debuts#mcfCWPk5ESyFf4I8.99
Walcott already on for Ox who got injured after only 4 minutes
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plundits say the substitution was precautionary. He had a little hobble as he came off on the weekend. Hopefully he’ll be ok after a few days rest, might be rested for the Swansea game which is annoying.
Can we somehow kidnap Gnaby and bring him home?
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Walcott now down injured
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Bennacer on for Walcott,
Not sure why Arsenal are not bringing on an outfield player for Walcott, Bennacer can not be an outfield player as he joined us in the summer and we all know that we did not sign any outfield players in the summer.
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Arse!
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Eds, he must be a phantom player?
–
Maybe it’s just you and me. Can anyone else see him?
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the commentator just said that Kamara is the first Finish player to play for Arsenal, this is not strictly true, Carl Jenkinson was a Finland U21 player when he first played for us.
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Campbell just done as bad a cross as I’ve seen all season, after he had done well to get the space to cross
Kamara is doing a fine job at DM.
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Agree Kamara looks composed and confident. Midfield looks like people don’t know one another. Which kind of makes sense.
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Whoops. Time for calm heads now. Wednesday players will have their tails up.
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poor from Flamini on that goal, he should have won the ball.
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awful tackle from the sheffield player on Iwobi but only a booking
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fucking hate this bullshte of putting the ball out of play just cos an opponent is lying on the ground. time for a rule change where the medics can come on to a player while the game continues, and it will soon stop this nonsense.
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Hmm. Could be another Reading here. Certainly need a big comeback that’s for sure!
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poor goal to concede, 2-0
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the last time we played this passing to each other at the back in Zagreb we were also losing at about this time
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Tough first half. Disruptions to an already scratch line up, two goals Petr could do nothing about. Get one back and the whole complexion of the game changes.
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HT: Sheffield Wednesday 2-0 Arsenal
Poor from AFC so far, compounded by OX and Theo both getting injured.
Arsenal need to just go for it in the second half, we have not had a real effort on goal yet, which is just not good enough, playing a lot of slow paced stuff today, and no one has of yet too charge of making things happen, its all sideways and backways passing.
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3 very poor dead ball situations so far – two free-kicks from Campbell and a corner from Walcott. It beats me that players being paid the sort of money they are can’t kick a ball better than that.
We don’t even look like getting out of this mess.
But then again, I’m more concerned about Ox and Theo then the result of this.
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My expertise is entirely reliant upon demonstrating black is white, and persuading the audience the zebra is a leopard irrespective of stripes, spots or whatever
I shall return when I have some material to work with
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Let’s hope the players were withdrawn as a precaution. I’m sure we’ll improve as the match goes on. If we do get back into it is there extra time?
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I hope Sheaf or Bielik get their debut tonight too.
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Right I think a little drawing together of resources
A little serious drawing in of the breath
And get out and sort these South Yorkshire mugs who made us look ridiculous in the first 45
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that 3rd goal was the worst defending of the lot, pathetic.
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i just don’t get the arsenal passing or marking at all
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Bielik on for his debut, Kamara off. Thats 4 AFC debuts tonight.
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latest scores
everton 0-1 norwich
stoke 1-0 chelsea
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per heads at goal is saved when a sideways header would have seen a simple tap in for one of two AFC players
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