Pradeep Kachhala
It's rainy outside, so by default it must be the cricket season; speaking of which, I urge all Gooners, cricket fans or not, to watch the excellent documentary entitled "Fire in Babylon". It tells the story of a talented and entertaining West Indian cricket team who, during the 60s, were seen as the entertainers of cricket without actually winning anything. Eventually, they abandoned the cheerful losing mode known as "calypso cricket" and became formidably aggressive winners. Proof in sport past that adding steel to a talented side can reap tremendous results - are you reading this, Arsène Wenger?
The term calypso cricket is almost the football equivalent of "total football". While Barcelona are an example of how to play good football, there is no arguing that the likes of Abidal, Busquets, Puyol and Mascherano more than complement the flair of Villa, Iniesta, Xavi and Messi. Hence, Wenger's comments that we are not great defensively because we are an attacking side gives further proof that his footballing philosophy has become skewed and needs correcting toward a balanced central ground.
Our defence was almost tragically comical last week against the Chinese side Hangzhou Greentown. A simple free kick missed by all our defenders: common error number one. The ball makes its way to the keeper, Mannone, who inexplicably chests the ball back into the box, a goalkeeping howler: common error number two. Defence fails to clear or, to use the technical term, to "hoof it": common error number three. Greentown score and take the lead. Is it any wonder that writers on this site tear their hair out in literary form? While I don't share the pessimism of all Gooners, it does annoy me when the likes of Djourou come out on the Pravda with comments such as "we need to concentrate for 90 minutes" or something to that effect. Are they paying lip service or is something being done fundamentally on the training ground to correct this? Gooners cry out for a new central defender, but there will be times this season where Vermaelen and/or his new central defensive partner will be unavailable through injury or suspension; hence the quality of 3rd and 4th choice players needs to improve through hard work.
A player who possibly should be given a handful of games, in my humble opinion, is Kyle Bartley. He stood out in the Scottish league as a physical combatant. Now, while I’m fully aware of the level of the SPL, if the likes of Koscielny can come from Ligue 2 in France, why does Bartley not get a chance after impressing in Glasgow? Surely he can be in ahead of Squillaci and even make Djourou and Koscielny sweat a bit? After all, competition for places with players hungry to wear the shirt is one of the first steps in building a committed and resolute defence.
Also, there is talk that Lansbury could be leaving Arsenal. Again this disappoints me. Players such as Rosicky are given ample chances to impress, whilst our so-called youth policy graduates are moved on without opportunity. One player given ample opportunity was Denilson: the cynic in me thinks that if he was an Englishman called Dave Nelson, he wouldn't have got anywhere near the first team and, by now, would be plying his trade at Aldershot. As it stands, we can't even persuade a club to take him off our books, a reflection of our flawed player-strategy.
No panic at my end at the lack of new signings bar Gervinho. There was talk today that even AFC executives are becoming weary of the lack of activity. Their concern is no doubt triggered by the lack of uptake in season-ticket renewals. Perhaps they are waking up to the idea that no one wants to pay 6.5% more, which stands as the highest prices in England, to watch Rosicky, Diaby and Eboué ply their trade! Only Man Utd and Liverpool have made their business in the transfer market. Chelsea, Man City and even Tottenham have yet to make their strikes. However, with three weeks left until the start of the season, it will become critical fairly soon, and the fans’ complaints may well become even more vocal. I just hope that we do not wait until August 31st at midnight to complete our business.
The Cesc saga drags in for another week but do Barça actually have any money? Reined in by a tight transfer budget, their desire to buy Sanchez from Italy, and global pressure on Spanish banks, it was little wonder that the best bid they have made is a paltry £26m. I have also heard on the grapevine that they wanted to pay in instalments, with £5m upfront. This is laughable, and proof that they do not have access to the funds to buy Cesc, who doesn't seem to be the top transfer priority. Cesc, meanwhile, skulks at the AFC training ground wondering where his future lies. I have an inkling that he just might stay one more season out of necessity rather than choice. Whether this is a good thing is open to question.
