Evening everyone.
A great part of Arsenal squad has flown to the USA yesterday and there are some glaring omissions among the 20-man roster.
Everything's pretty obvious with the goalkeepers and defenders (most haven't returned from their prolonged holiday) and we have a couple of surprises in midfield (both Wilshere and Cazorla have been included), but up front only Chuba Akpom has been elected.
Well, that's a bit unexpected. While Oxlade-Chamberlain's omission can, to an extent, be explained by the Englishman's short fitness (Santi has travelled though), Gnabry staying behind is definitely strange. Could this be an indication that his future lies elsewhere, at least for the next season? There were whispers the German could be loaned out to Southampton or Newcastle and, should this happen, I find it appropriate. Even last season Gnabry found his chances limited (and remember, we had a severe crisis in midfield in March and April), what are the odds of him playing regularly now we have bought Sanchez? Gnabry is obviously very talented and a loan spell may help him just like it may help Jenkinson. Rumours of Manquilo joining have died down, but even if we don't add in the right-back department before the window closes, Jenks can be loaned out. I'm sure Bellerin is capable of providing decent back-up to Debuchy and to him it'll be more valuable than it would be for Jenkinson for the second year running.
Further in our attacking department, and Sanogo is left out. The much-talked up by Wenger young striker hasn't travelled to New York and here your guess is as good as mine as to the reason behind that decision. Could this also be an indication of a loan move? Again, I'd find it a wise thing to do. The Frenchman is raw and, though he has shown glimpses of promise last year, he still needs playing time to improve. With Giroud and Sanchez, he'll find chances hard to come by.
Finally, Campbell. The Costa-Rican is not on that flight to New York, much to the displeasure of a healthy portion of Arsenal fans. Truth be told, I don't quite understand them. While I'd choose Campbell over any young prospect at the Club (strikers only), his talents have definitely been overplayed (pardon this pun). Yes, Campbell had a good World Cup (that's it: good. Not marvellous, not outstanding - good. Like, say, Chicharito), but that doesn't mean he's going to fire us to the title with the wave of his hand. Campbell is no star, no super-sub, rather, he is an exciting prospect, that, given the due nurture, can grow into a very good player. For now, he's definitely behind all the regulars (like Podolski, Walcott, Sanchez or Giroud) and to suggest otherwise and say that he's the player to make an immediate impact is foolish.
However, don't take any of the omissions seriously. They may have been left behind for entirely different reasons (like the most banal explanation that comes to mind: giving the chance to others) and it won't surprise me at all. It's all pre-season at this stage, which is mostly about whipping players into shape and seeing what youngsters can make the step-up, so don't overthink some of the decisions. They may not have any solid reason behind them whatsoever.
In the transfer news world the wheels slowly continue spinning. The most concrete bit involving Arsenal is an out-transfer. Thomas Eisfeld has joined Fulham on a permanent basis and it's a bit sad to see him go. The German was signed from Borussia two years ago, but failed to make the grade at the Emirates and featured only on two occasions which I can think of: 7-5 against Reading and last year's 1-1 with West Brom (in the cup). It's hard for me to make any definite judgement on Thomas, especially since I've missed both these games, but one thing is obvious: at this age, the German needs palying time and it's hard to see him getting it at the Emirates. We have an overpopulated midfield whichever way you look at it and it's fiendishly hard for the youngsters to compete, when even some seniors struggle. So I think all parties concerned have made the right thing to let Thomas go and I wish him all the best at Fulham. Hope he delivers on his promise there, cause here, unfortunately, he had no opportunity.
In other, more speculative news, we've been linked with a slew of players over the last couple of days. Among the most prominent are Matija Nastasic, David Ospina and Iker Casillas. Balotelli, fortunately, was ruled out, after Galliani denied receiving any bids for the striker. He did so on Twitter, if I remember correctly, but I just couldn't find it.
Nastasic link is a weak one, but he could be up for grabs after an unconvincing season at City. Should Vermaelen leave, we'll talk about this link again, but for now it seems unlikely. I just have that feeling that Arsene is comfortable with three centre-backs, so talk of someone else joining Arsenal before Thomas leaves seems a bit far-fetched.
However, Casillas transfer is more likely. The Spaniard has fallen behind Diego Lopez in the pecking order, didn't have a good World Cup (though it's hardly his fault alone) and, if Navas joins the Blancos, Iker may well find himself fighting an uphill battle for the second place. Not a pretty picture from his point of view.
Problem is, I'm not sure he won't be doing the same at Arsenal. If Ospina joins us (and his transfer is the most probable of the lot), would Arsene prefer Casillas to the Colombian international? I'm pretty sure Szczesny will be our №1 when the season kicks off, but who is going to be stepping on his toes? However cynical it may sound, I'd prefer Ospina to Casillas.
He's younger, his form is on the up, he had loads of practise with Nice. He may even be less prone to errors and we all know Iker has made some blunders this year. As I've said, he's not to blame for Spain's failure (had it not been for him I actually think La Furia Roja would have lost to the Netherlands by a greater margin), but he's still not at his best. Iker is not the keeper he was, say, three years ago, so I don't know whether he'll make the right choice by joining us.
All of that may change, however, as Ospina's signing is not yet announced, which casts doubt over it's actual existence. I may be seeing the problem where there is none (the hour is late, so forgive me), but we may not be in for Ospina. It'd strange, given all the talk, the Colombian's availability and his wage demands, but if that's the case, then Casillas signing makes sense all of a sudden. And, as our №2, he'll be watching Szczesny closely, eyeing up his chance. Competition, eh?
Finally, for those of you who have missed it, I've changed the design a bit. You can see the "Archive" section at the top, greater variety of social networks to choose from at the bottom and, most importantly, you can subscribe to my blog via email and get all the updates the minute they are out. Feel free to go ahead and do any action from the above. Or all of them.
That's it for today and I'll most likely be back on Saturday with all the usual goodies.
Until then
A great part of Arsenal squad has flown to the USA yesterday and there are some glaring omissions among the 20-man roster.
Everything's pretty obvious with the goalkeepers and defenders (most haven't returned from their prolonged holiday) and we have a couple of surprises in midfield (both Wilshere and Cazorla have been included), but up front only Chuba Akpom has been elected.
Well, that's a bit unexpected. While Oxlade-Chamberlain's omission can, to an extent, be explained by the Englishman's short fitness (Santi has travelled though), Gnabry staying behind is definitely strange. Could this be an indication that his future lies elsewhere, at least for the next season? There were whispers the German could be loaned out to Southampton or Newcastle and, should this happen, I find it appropriate. Even last season Gnabry found his chances limited (and remember, we had a severe crisis in midfield in March and April), what are the odds of him playing regularly now we have bought Sanchez? Gnabry is obviously very talented and a loan spell may help him just like it may help Jenkinson. Rumours of Manquilo joining have died down, but even if we don't add in the right-back department before the window closes, Jenks can be loaned out. I'm sure Bellerin is capable of providing decent back-up to Debuchy and to him it'll be more valuable than it would be for Jenkinson for the second year running.
Further in our attacking department, and Sanogo is left out. The much-talked up by Wenger young striker hasn't travelled to New York and here your guess is as good as mine as to the reason behind that decision. Could this also be an indication of a loan move? Again, I'd find it a wise thing to do. The Frenchman is raw and, though he has shown glimpses of promise last year, he still needs playing time to improve. With Giroud and Sanchez, he'll find chances hard to come by.
Finally, Campbell. The Costa-Rican is not on that flight to New York, much to the displeasure of a healthy portion of Arsenal fans. Truth be told, I don't quite understand them. While I'd choose Campbell over any young prospect at the Club (strikers only), his talents have definitely been overplayed (pardon this pun). Yes, Campbell had a good World Cup (that's it: good. Not marvellous, not outstanding - good. Like, say, Chicharito), but that doesn't mean he's going to fire us to the title with the wave of his hand. Campbell is no star, no super-sub, rather, he is an exciting prospect, that, given the due nurture, can grow into a very good player. For now, he's definitely behind all the regulars (like Podolski, Walcott, Sanchez or Giroud) and to suggest otherwise and say that he's the player to make an immediate impact is foolish.
However, don't take any of the omissions seriously. They may have been left behind for entirely different reasons (like the most banal explanation that comes to mind: giving the chance to others) and it won't surprise me at all. It's all pre-season at this stage, which is mostly about whipping players into shape and seeing what youngsters can make the step-up, so don't overthink some of the decisions. They may not have any solid reason behind them whatsoever.
In the transfer news world the wheels slowly continue spinning. The most concrete bit involving Arsenal is an out-transfer. Thomas Eisfeld has joined Fulham on a permanent basis and it's a bit sad to see him go. The German was signed from Borussia two years ago, but failed to make the grade at the Emirates and featured only on two occasions which I can think of: 7-5 against Reading and last year's 1-1 with West Brom (in the cup). It's hard for me to make any definite judgement on Thomas, especially since I've missed both these games, but one thing is obvious: at this age, the German needs palying time and it's hard to see him getting it at the Emirates. We have an overpopulated midfield whichever way you look at it and it's fiendishly hard for the youngsters to compete, when even some seniors struggle. So I think all parties concerned have made the right thing to let Thomas go and I wish him all the best at Fulham. Hope he delivers on his promise there, cause here, unfortunately, he had no opportunity.
In other, more speculative news, we've been linked with a slew of players over the last couple of days. Among the most prominent are Matija Nastasic, David Ospina and Iker Casillas. Balotelli, fortunately, was ruled out, after Galliani denied receiving any bids for the striker. He did so on Twitter, if I remember correctly, but I just couldn't find it.
Nastasic link is a weak one, but he could be up for grabs after an unconvincing season at City. Should Vermaelen leave, we'll talk about this link again, but for now it seems unlikely. I just have that feeling that Arsene is comfortable with three centre-backs, so talk of someone else joining Arsenal before Thomas leaves seems a bit far-fetched.
However, Casillas transfer is more likely. The Spaniard has fallen behind Diego Lopez in the pecking order, didn't have a good World Cup (though it's hardly his fault alone) and, if Navas joins the Blancos, Iker may well find himself fighting an uphill battle for the second place. Not a pretty picture from his point of view.
Problem is, I'm not sure he won't be doing the same at Arsenal. If Ospina joins us (and his transfer is the most probable of the lot), would Arsene prefer Casillas to the Colombian international? I'm pretty sure Szczesny will be our №1 when the season kicks off, but who is going to be stepping on his toes? However cynical it may sound, I'd prefer Ospina to Casillas.
He's younger, his form is on the up, he had loads of practise with Nice. He may even be less prone to errors and we all know Iker has made some blunders this year. As I've said, he's not to blame for Spain's failure (had it not been for him I actually think La Furia Roja would have lost to the Netherlands by a greater margin), but he's still not at his best. Iker is not the keeper he was, say, three years ago, so I don't know whether he'll make the right choice by joining us.
All of that may change, however, as Ospina's signing is not yet announced, which casts doubt over it's actual existence. I may be seeing the problem where there is none (the hour is late, so forgive me), but we may not be in for Ospina. It'd strange, given all the talk, the Colombian's availability and his wage demands, but if that's the case, then Casillas signing makes sense all of a sudden. And, as our №2, he'll be watching Szczesny closely, eyeing up his chance. Competition, eh?
Finally, for those of you who have missed it, I've changed the design a bit. You can see the "Archive" section at the top, greater variety of social networks to choose from at the bottom and, most importantly, you can subscribe to my blog via email and get all the updates the minute they are out. Feel free to go ahead and do any action from the above. Or all of them.
That's it for today and I'll most likely be back on Saturday with all the usual goodies.
Until then
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