Arsenal Fans Fantasy League

Join the league: Mo Money Mo Problems or enter code: 211578-61218

Hello all,

I just renewed Mo Money Mo Problems in the Fantasy Premier League This will be the 3rd year running and if you've found yourself to my blog then you're probably an Arsenal fan. I created this league because I wanted to play Fantasy football but didn't want to pick cunts every week and then hope that they did well. I support Arsenal, not Shrek, not Chavs, not Spuds, not any of those characters! I didn't want to pick MUFC players. Specifically. So, I created a league for the rest of us. And we've had a good showing! The rules are the same now as they were then:

•  No selection of any of the top 4 team players except from the Arsenal. That means no Man Utd, Man City, or Spurs players. Still some really good players to select from other teams. Not selecting top 4 players makes the fantasy football much more fun. You become a true manager when you have to find the diamond in the rough. Ask @Gooner_Lopez as in his inaugural year, he won the league. Consistent selection all year with some different challengers throughout. In the end, he was the best jeweler. 

• Do not select top 4 team players. I can't stress this enough. I will go through the teams and remove you from this league. Now, I know many of you are in other leagues, too. I suggest registering different team names if you want to play another way or just commit to the badge already, Robin. I really don't care if you play or not, but this is the way this league is going to run. 

• We play for Champions League spots so even if you are not first, you can still claim some bragging rights. And by rights, I mean banter. Follow @Ihateyourclub and miss @completearse for some of the best duels of wit come season! I do believe there is a heated rivalry a brewin'...

Good luck, and please tell a friend. If he or she can abide by these simple rules we'd love to have them join!  Join the league: Mo Money Mo Problems or enter code: 211578-61218

@ArsenaLos

Tread Lightly

I don't usually plan my blogs. I don't write them regularly. I do this because I don't think we need to always be speaking about Arsenal. My wife would say I talk about Arsenal way more than I should. I'd agree. Apologies to her, there has been so much to talk about. But we are fans. And that's what fans do.

And part of being a fan is believing that on any day your team has a shot. For whatever dumbfounded reason I was convinced that Arsenal could go to Milan and scrap a 1-nil, or a more likely draw. As I saw the line-up I was less convinced of a romp, the Rosicky and Ramsey selection boggled my mind. Throw in a Song and Arteta and I was utterly confused. One could argue that any one of those guys could play both from a holding position and in the hole. Some less consistent then the others, but one could argue. All I could think about is how muddled the center of the pitch could be; visions of runs cut short due to crowding another's space. But, hey, Wenger knows.

The rest as they say is History. Arsenal showed decent control on a freshly laid, new pitch. And let's be clear. The laying of the pitch on Monday before the match today is not a coincidence. It is absolutely brilliant gamesmanship and management. The Laws of the Game allow for manipulation of the pitch. You're allowed to do pretty much anything to it. And they did, and it worked.

Knowing there would be an affect on the Arsenal's passing game, Wenger should have made adjustments. For instance, he started Theo. His usual pick. If you watched the match you can see that the fresh-stuff was mostly on the wings of the pitch. Did Wenger just think Theo could play on a loose surface? Did he even inspect the pitch? From the stands? I mean, really. He can't hold on to the ball at the Emirates, or make a decision-to-finish consistently on a carpet so nice. So, Theo gets the start? I would have started Benayoun or Rosicky. Someone who has solid control and can navigate the new turf. Essentially, you have to adapt to the new turf and you have to select the right player to compensate. Surely the decision is to maintain control of the ball. Our crosses are rubbish anyway so really, no loss.

And then you have poor, young Ramsey. I don't know what is up with the kid but he had another stinker. I admire his effort. Unfocused, he's all over the place. Throw him into that manic midfield and they're all a mess. And then you think about who his outlets are: Robin, surrounded by 2 CBs, and Theo, who if you pass to him you almost always know he will turn it over. Not much of an outlet. I am still completely convinced that Arshavin should be given a shot to create. I am well aware that he is shit on defense. Well, the news is that you don't have to play much defense from Center Attacking Mid. Look at how Cesc played for us from there, some effort at times, but mostly lurking about to receive the ball and create.

Also, speaking of effort, take a look at your Captain. If Robin stopped jogging and instead sprinted to pressure the back four maybe we'd get more turnovers in the midfield or more hoof-ball receptions in our defense. There's a thought. A thought any coach with defenssive prowess would know and teach.

There are so many concerns with this team. And it's all down to Wenger. After the calamitous second goal, the entire team gave up. There wasn't one guy who tried to rally the team. They say 2-nil is the hardest scoreline to hold. And with a two-leg tie the team should know that they're in it. But they looked devastated. I can't help but feel that either they didn't get that it was basically half-time and they play the other half in 3 weeks OR they've given up on Wenger's ability to make a decision to get them back in the tie. Most disappointing is that Wenger didn't make the right selections to start with or changes thereafter, but that Robin didn't make his own changes on-field. That's leadership. Sometimes you gotta go against the Gip, and some may not survive the coup but, hey, that's what you gotta do sometime. Maybe Robin doesn't know. I dunno.

At the end of the day, decisions are killing this team. Wenger's pre-game decisions and late, in-game decisions have been poor. Added to that is generic talent available on the bench. That is a recipe for disaster. And that's where we are. We are hanging on the precipice of a most horrendous crash. I'm not sure if I can continue to watch. I may need to seek out match reports. If I do continue to watch it will be in hopes that one day i'll see Arshavin starting in Ramsey's spot; Theo as a striker; changing formations to fit opposition. But then I'd basically be mad. Doing the same thing and expecting different results is where we are at. Tread lightly.

ArsenaLos

Ramsey played 90

Gonna blog this right at the end of this masterful display. Arsenal are losing 3-2 and well deserved to Swans. Arsenal are playing poor and not because of the players but because of Wenger.

It has to be said that Wenger continuously playing Djourou at right back is killing the team. The first goal conceded can be tracked back to Djourou being caught too far up and then the ensuing imbalance led to the concession. I already wrote about this last week. And I don't want to keep bringing it up, but it's obvious. Yennaris is on the bench, has a smaller, faster frame for RB. And he doesn't play.

Ramsey had 5 days rest to come up with a big game and instead he conceded a penalty and sprayed the ball everywhere BUT to the striker(s) for goals. Arshavin gets a start and then drifted into the center, and passes to Robin for the first goal. Of course, after that drifting play Arshavin was put back on the wing. And then first sub. The majority of Gooner Nation agrees that Arshavin is piss poor on wing and should be deployed in the hole, behind Robin. The one time he finds himself in that spot he gets an assist. It has to be said that Arshavin plays out of position weekly and today he really did try. It also has to be said that Wenger had the sub completely wrong. Ramsey should have been first off, early in the second half and Arshavin should have gone late into the match from the tradtional #10 spot. But, no, Wenger got it wrong. Again.

And, Theo? Up until he scored he was poor. And even after he scored he was poor. Theo isn't a winger because he can't cross, dribble, or make good winger-like decisions. The guy can finish in on goal. He's a striker. Duh. Theo is another who should have been put on the left wing and the Ox should have been subbed in on the right once Ramsey was taken out. But alas, it was never to be. Theo also played a laughable 90 minutes.

Benayoun was put into a strange position today. Arteta did not play and he filled in. Maybe it should have been Rosicky? Maybe not. Benayoun was largely ineffective. I don't think there is blame on this one. Sometimes that just happens.

At the end of the day, Arsenal lost another winnable match because of Wenger. These players are definitely good enough to be in top 4. The issue is Wenger. Wenger's continued refusal to play players, independent of age/experience, in their correct position is blaringly wrong. Wenger's faith is unmatched, but it fogs the right decisions. Ramsey should have been off at no more than 60 minutes. Arshavin should have been left on till at least 70th minute and should have been in that roaming, creative role. Ox should be playing. And he should have got a run out early in second half or even started. It's not unreasonable to bleed youth against a mid-table squad like Swans. And mainly because they play good football and the risk of a massive, Stoke-like challenge is next to nil. I digress. Arsenal's issues are largely selective. And as i've said all season, this won't change as long as Wenger is at the helm. He's too stubborn to admit his failure and need to change. So, batten down the hatches. A race for 4th is all we're playing for and even that is gonna be really hard to fathom. I'm settled in for 5th and Europa League. Get used to it. Wenger makes way too much money for the Club to consider the sack. And that's the truth.

ArsenaLos

Dementia Gets Worse

I think i'll focus on my theory that the time has come and gone for Wenger to win the league. When Wenger last won the league he had at his dispense a wealth of talent, experience, and highly intelligent players. Football-intelligent. If a player went out, the bench was well stocked with equals, not lessers. Injury forced rotation. And ultimately, Wenger didn't have to manage with great depth because all eleven were of the highest pedigree. Wenger had to simply pick the best.

Today, Wenger picks the very best each week. Just like he did last time we won the league. And he doesn't tinker with what he knows. Today's blunder is that Wenger put a Center Back, Djourou, at Right Back because he must be looking at the other defenders and went with most experience. Surely he looked at pulling up a regular, reserve Right Back [RB]. Surely. But instead he would rather move an experienced defender into that position for cover. That really is the logical solution to the problem so i'm not surprised he went that route. One would assume that a defender can play any type of defense. But this is tactical naivete. Only some can switch positions and switch minds, and that's the other half of the battle. If the player can't switch his mind to that new position then he'll always be a step behind. And that is what we saw from Djourou. And it's not his fault. He stepped up as best as he can, but it's Wenger's selection that is to blame.

Why not select a player who actually plays right back? One could argue that a reserve is too raw. And i'd tend to agree. But we've seen other youngsters make the leap i.e. Jack, Ramsey, Theo. If given the chance. And maybe just maybe some other could make that leap. I see Eastmond tweeting so I know he is available for selection. And so is Yennaris. Both apply their trade and have the correct frame to play RB. And surely they can make the leap to the 1sts, something they claim to strive for, Away to Fulham. But most importantly is if we are going to lose a game like that, Away, then we might as well develop some youth instead of losing a man to a red card for lank-related lack of pace and timing. I truly believe it is worth playing a RB who is a RB then just moving a player around who may have more experience or talent. I think the risk of error is actually minimized independent of raw talent.

For a moment I thought Wenger was following me on Twitter. I asked for a sub for Theo and requested Rosicky. And then Wenger made it so. I then asked for a sub for Ramsey and instead Wenger subbed out Gervinho, for Benayoun. I wanted Ramsey out for Benayoun. I would have kept Gervinho on as an outlet. Gervinho wasn't finishing anything but he was stretching the defense and creating space. And I felt that he could do that for 90 minutes. Also, in the back of my mind I wanted to use him as much as possible before he went to Africa. Then shortly after the subs happened Djourou got caught off the pace and was given his second card and marching orders. Now, down a man, Arsenal did not have a speedy outlet with Gervinho but a crafty one with Rosicky. And then Fulham scored the equalizer. And then finished the match off on another shambolic incident. Arsenal had a few chances to try to win the match down a man but by losing Gervinho the passes got shorter, space narrower, and Fulham was able to settle, go forward, and defend with the extra man. If Gervinho had stayed on there is at least the chance that a quick counter could occur. But with Rosicky on, there was never a chance.

And I don't even want to mention the Squillaci sub.

But ultimately the result comes down to playing a center back in an unfamiliar position instead of promoting an inexperienced but regular right back from the reserves. If we are going to lose i'd at least prefer that we'd lose with a young talent getting some experience. I prefer to think that a player in waiting will step up and take his chance, though. And I believe either Eastmond or Yennaris is better than Djourou at right back.

Wenger has struggled and will continue to struggle with selections. Wenger won't change formations to suit availability. That is just stubbornly stupid. And Wenger won't promote a reserve, who plays the needed position regularly, because of whatever reasoning. I tend to think he doesn't want to take the risk on a total failure; if the young player has a howler, Wenger looks like a fool and that player's confidence is potentially Eboue-ruined. It's a valid worry. Again, I think this worry is mitigated by playing his players in their trained position. And these things are not going to change under Wenger's reign. And buying new players won't change this fact. The game, the league, is far more tactical than it was years ago. And Wenger has failed to adapt. In the end, get used to this type of debacle until Wenger can again pick the very best team. And that means the best players in their given position. So until these best of the best return from injury expect more should-have-won moments and continued what-the-fucks!

ArsenaLos

Return of the King

First off, I don't really feel like blogging about a former Arsenal player. However, Henry is not just any Arsenal player. Admittedly, he's a Legend. Henry scored 226 times in 370 appearances and arguably was a part of the most successful run in Arsenal's history. Invincibles! My God, the good ole days were...well, the good ole days. It really is something to admire. And then he moved on.

Simply put, there are two camps of Gooners tweeting about Henry's return. One camp is so excited and wet about his return that they probably think his two-month loan will put us in 4th place and secure Champions League football. They regard Henry as some sort of savior. They have called him King once again. They are willing to look past his 34-year-old legs. They hope he is the difference. And, of course, this same camp loves to go to work the day after a win and engage in the banter of my-team-is-better-than-yours. They've done so for years. And they hope that Henry's return gives them one last boast.

The other camp, the camp I belong to, doesn't really care if he is at the Club again or not. This camp wants to move Forward and would prefer to see some strikers just signed, like Park. This camp prefers to leave Highbury behind and start a new chapter in Arsenal's history. They prefer to look ahead to brighter days with new faces and continued success. And this camp knows, and is deeply mired by the fact that Henry chose to leave Arsenal, not the other way around. Arsenal offered him top monies to stay until 2010; he signed, he declared his future to Arsenal, and then he fucked off to Barca to win. With Arsenal's money. The first camp choses to forget this fact.

Henry's departure is personal. It's personal because he was the first of two Arsenal players to ruin a birthday of mine. Henry made my day in 2006 by stating he would stay till 2010. And then later that same summer he was at Barcelona. Many cite his injury woes before and then after his departure as some sort of justification for letting him leave to our rivals. The rivals who just beat Arsenal in the Champions League final. Independent of football, who the fuck does that type of shit? What type of man says one thing and does another? Not any sort of man I want anything to do with. Also, many cite his personal/relationship reasons for leaving England and going to Barca. Moreover, Henry's wages were very high and I'm sure the Club was happy to offload his salary; no worries he took ~5mil quid with him as he left. Good business. For him. Again, many look the other way or are new Gooners and don't even know about his theatrics...

At the end of the day, Henry had his time and deserves his recognition. Henry isn't the first footballer to say one thing and do another. But Henry was the first Arsenal player to make so many people happy and then disappoint them with his move to a rival. And, of course, Cesc did the same thing. Instead of citing relationship concerns, he used the homesick excuse. And that one worked, too. The first camp's view on Cesc waxes and wanes. Many chose to believe he left cuz he was truly homesick. Others feel betrayed and have thrown him under the bus. This same camp has forgot about Henry's move to Barca, or again, chose to forget about it.

But this blog is about Henry's return. Two months for him to come in and sit on the bench. Where he belongs. I don't want to see him play a minute if it means we don't get to see 'super quality' signings like Park. They say in football sometimes you have to go back to go forward. Is that what Wenger is trying to do here? Inspire the young guys into rising to a higher level by potentially playing a Club Legend again? And how does skipping Park for Henry help the team? Or help this young player gain confidence after he leaves again.

I really do think Henry will sit on the bench and only play if Robin gets injured or Park completely fails. If either or are crocked then Henry will get a shot. And if he plays I'll support him on the pitch. But the man who said one thing and did another is in the past. And I chose to move Forward.

ArsenaLos

Buy A Right Back

There were so many disappointments in today's Arsenal match that I don't even know where to begin. From start to finish it felt like we were never in the contest. My list of major angst is as follows:

- Song couldn't help himself and got booked within 10 minutes. Song had to play 80 minutes in such a contested match and behave himself. From a defensive stand point he put the Arsenal in an immediate disadvantage. And he could have prevented the booking by just moving his feet, and shepparding the opposition away from goal. I don't think he understands that his man can't score if his back is turned to goal. And there's nothing wrong with having the opposition move negatively, backwards. That's what is called defense.

- When I saw that Djourou was starting at right back I wasn't surprised. Who else do we have? Oh, we have Koscielny. And he's much more agile and quick. But, no, let's play Djourou's lanky ass. That makes complete sense. And then Djourou got injured, and we saw that Miquel isn't quite ready, either. This is life without right and left backs. And I certainly hope Wenger is looking to buy. It's an emergency.

- I got into an argument with two dudes on Twitter about Arteta. These two thought he had a great game whilst I felt he was ineffective and absent throughout. Sure, he connected passes. Negative and lateral passes like Denilson. But that's it. I also felt that he didn't provide enough defensive support for Song. On the goal that we conceded Arteta was way too far up and Song had to run all the way back, actually overlapping Koscielny and then was left to challenge Balotelli. It must have been a 40 yard sprint. As Obama says, 'it's just math'. If Koscielny stays in his position and Arteta stays back as Song goes forward then Balotelli is stopped well before the 18-yard box and danger is averted or at least minimized. So, to me, Arteta didn't help Song enough and Koscielny wandered too much from his right back position.

- Theo. Where was Theo? let me know when you find him.

- Ramsey ran around a lot and I admire his effort. But he ran around like a chicken with his head cut off. There seemed to be a fracture of communication or gameplan between Ramsey, Arteta and Song. Often times out of position and ultimately out of sync. None of them linked up with Robin; therefore, there was no offensive threat starting through the middle and then no diving runs from the wings. It was as stagnant a showing as you can muster.

- Gervinho, with all that forehead, sure doesn't make very good decisions. It looked like Gervinho was shy of contact and uncertain on turns of whether he was going to dribble, pass, or shoot. And in this quagmire of thought he coughed up the ball or passed it away. I can remember one run where he beat Richards handedly and passed to Robin who scuffed a clear opportunity. You'd bet Robin would finish that 9/10 times. This was that one time it didn't happen. If Gervinho's decisions improve he'll be a real consistent threat but for now he's just a threat when he gets it right.

The biggest issue is not having fit, top class right and left backs. I think Wenger needs to buy at least one, but probably two. If he doesn't buy then I think he should promote some actual right and left backs and give them a go. I'd rather have reserve backs then to move a first team player into a position they are unfamiliar with. That seems to only work for Vermaelen. And I wouldn't try that with any other player. I feel that there is less risk of error from those who play in that position regularly. Again, just math, just consistency.

At the end of the day a 1-nil loss isn't the end of the world but it's not ideal. I can safely say we're out of the title race. You have to win matches like this versus jammy cunts to be champions. Wenger needs to seriously consider bringing in some back-up coverage in the left-right back area or promote. Also, play Benayoun/Rosicky over Arshavin and then sell him before window closes. Any money made in January needs to be invested immediately. But we've said that for ages now.

We'll see what happens and hope for some quick injury recoveries.

ArsenaLos

I don’t know what to name this blog entry | Arse505

I don’t know what to name this blog entry | Arse505