An important summer ahead for Wenger and Arsenal

After another defeat against a fellow top four side, it is clear that Arsenal have a fair amount of work to do that will enable them to challenge for the end of season silverware once more. Defeats from Manchester United and Chelsea have shown that the Gunners are a long way from being a championship winning side once more, but the manner of the losses were far more telling.

Going into the Champions League semi-final tie, Arsenal were in great form and most people thought, coming up against a Manchester United side that were in the middle of a blip, the Gunners would provide a very stern test and possibly even cause a shock. This was not to be as they were out fought, out shot and out gunned by a far superior Manchester United side.

Serious failings in the backline were exposed by a United side lead by Ronaldo, who was at his imperious best. Manuel Almunia was a shadow of the goalkeeper that performed heroics a week prior. Kieran Gibbs let his mistake, which led to the opening United goal, affect his game, and from that point he looked fragile. Fabregas, Van Persie and Adebayor were all overran and handled with ease by Vidic, Evra and an imperious Darren Fletcher, my man of the match despite his red card.

Another devastating home defeat against Chelsea highlights the defensive frailties in the Arsenal line up. Going forward you may not see a better example of passing and movement from an attacking unit in England. Contrast this with a defence that cannot deal with the pace and power Chelsea showed when attacking the frail Arsenal defence. Mikael Silvestre is clearly not up to the job and cannot perform at the highest level, Fabianski does not inspire confidence and the midfield are reluctant to help their defenders out.

The age of Arsene Wenger’s team has often been used as an excuse of kind, but I advocate that most of them are established international players and almost all have plenty of first team experience. A sentiment shared by Manuel Almunia, “The young players are internationals and have been playing for Arsenal for a long time, they have played many games. They should have the experience now. We need to be criticised,” he told the Sunday Express.

My problem with Arsenal is the extremely visible ‘soft centre’ they accommodate. Fabregas, Nasri, Song and Diaby are all reluctant to track back and help their fragile defence, they are far more interested in how they can next attempt to score the perfect goal, Song is probably the most defensive minded of the four but he cannot be commended for his tackling. He reads the game well, but has only just broke into the first team and cannot be relied upon to nullify top quality attacking players such as Frank Lampard every week. A world class proven defensive midfield player should be top of Arsene’s wish list, Denilson is not the answer.

Along with a midfielder, a top quality centre back should be a priority as well. Djourou and Silvestre are not up to the task of replacing Gallas and Toure in the big games. Experience players of quality are essential if Arsenal are to progress from the stagnant state they find themselves in. It seems Arsene is already on the look out for two such players, “We will try, of course, to bring in one or two players to strengthen the squad but we have plenty of strikers. And if we buy, it certainly won’t be players who lack experience. We have enough of those.”

A make or break summer is in the offing for the North London club. Will players like Fabregas and Adebayor stick around to see if Arsene’s plan will come to fruition or will they move on to pastures new, where the chance of silverware may well be higher.

http://www.epltalk.com/apr/7157

Tevez will be missed at Manchester United

As Manchester United moved closer to their 18th championship, it was Carlos Tevez who made the back pages of the Sunday papers with the revelation that he probably wont be a Manchester United player next season. After months of speculation it appears the Argentinean has ran out of patience with United’s lack of urgency in making his loan move permanent.

In an interview with the News of the World Tevez said, “I do not feel wanted. I feel bad over my situation, I do, but it’s very, very difficult to stay any longer. I guess what I’m saying is goodbye.” Words that indicate his intentions and also stressed the fact he hasn’t been offered a contract by United. He goes on to say, “I don’t think I will be a Manchester United player next season. I have done everything I possibly can but they have never made me an offer or given me a contract, so I have to leave. I don’t think I deserve to be in this position but you realise if your time is up you have to go.” Thus fuelling the fire with regards the speculation.

“Realistically, my time is over and I think I will be at another club next season. It’s very, very difficult to stay any longer, so I have to finish this season the best I can and move on,” he explained. But he did thank the fans for their support, “The fans treat me like family, but United have not signed me so they do not respect me as a footballer.”

Where he will end up at the end of the season seems to be a matter which looks less shrouded in mystery and a move away from England appears less likely, “It’s not true my family are unhappy in England. It’s not true I want to leave England for Spain. My four-year-old daughter Florencia is learning English and my wife is very happy living in England,” said Tevez.

“We want to stay. I want to play in England because it is the best league in the world and it suits my style. Any club I join, whether it be Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool or Everton, will be a rival of Manchester United. I would like to thank the United fans for their support. They will always have a special place in my heart.” Tevez explained.

A few questioned must be raised after such a frank interview by the United forward. Firstly, Will Sir Alex Ferguson allow him to move to a rival, knowing full well they will also have to stump up the £20 million United are believed to have been quoted. Secondly, Tevez, to me, is a vital cog in the Manchester United machine that could go on to dominate Europe of years to come. He scores vital goals, adds an urgency and snap to the United attack, that is somewhat lacking especially in the absence of Wayne Rooney.

I feel it would be a mistake to let Tevez leave a club he has become admired and loved by the fans. They love his work rate and passion for the club. Something that Dimitar Berbatov should take note of. It should not be forgotten that in United’s recent double winning triumph Tevez scored a number of vital goals, notably, a late equaliser against Blackburn late last season. He also formed a fluid and devastating attacking trio with Rooney and Ronaldo.

It could be argued he has not delivered this season, but his lack of playing time or prolonged run in the first team will have an effect on a players confidence and match sharpness. In addition, when he was given the chance, no matter how he performed, he almost knew that in the next game he would be benched. A prime example was in the Carling Cup where he scored four goals against Blackburn yet in the following match he didn’t start. The mind boggles.

Maybe the writing was on the wall all season, maybe Ferguson has grand plans in the summer, or will he promote one of the promising youth strikers he has uncovered. As most would say letting the little Argentinean leave is the wrong decision, one must feel Sir Alex knows what he is doing and most definitely has Manchester United’s best interests at heart.

http://www.epltalk.com/tevez-will-be-missed-at-manchester-united/7146