I am probably indulging in a personal fantasy here. Either that or I am turning into Arsene Wenger, but in the worst case scenario, are we that badly off at Arsenal when we really do have such amazing young talent?
Is it stretch to believe that if we secure two or three experienced defensive reinforcements and perhaps a seasoned keeper, that our attacking talent, even minus Nasri and Cesc, will score a bucketful of goals next season? If we keep the remainder of our experience in RVP, Verminator, Sagna and even Arshavin, just maybe we can achieve something.
For years we have marvelled at our youngsters beating more experienced opposition in the Carling Cup and the media have hyped these youngsters. But in 2011 we are not talking about Denilson, Muamba, Larson, Hoyte, Merida, Bentdner, Coquelin, Vela, Simpson, Aliadiere, Ogogo or Randall. These are just some of the players hyped between 2005 and 2009 to go on to greatness and as we know it has not happened.
However, let us go back to the side that destroyed Wigan and Sheffield United in 2008, because some of the Carling Cup squad that season fulfilled their potential. Theo Walcott, Alex Song, Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere are now established first-team players and regular internationals, and also represent four of a five man midfield that totally out thought and outplayed Manchester United only a few months ago.
I don’t think that many Arsenal fans would argue that Ramsey and Wilshere are more than good enough to play together as a midfield pairing now. Not since Vieira and Manu Pettit have we had a potential midfield pairing in a 4-4-2, both of whom can mix it and both of whom can play!
Now add into the mix Henry Lansbury, who scored 4 goals in 15 outings during Norwich promotion campaign, and in my opinion, excelled for the England U21s recently and. Lansbury himself is determined to emulate his colleague Jack Wilshere this coming season and force his way into Wenger’s plans:
‘I have to go back and give it a go from there. It’s a chance for me to show the boss that I’m capable of a first-team place and it’s up to me to do it.’
Next we have the tough tackling Emanuel Frimpong, who starred for us in pre-season last year before suffering the hammer blow of a cruciate ligament injury. Frimpong is now back, fit and raring to go:
‘I’m just going to wait for my opportunity. If Mr Wenger comes to me this pre-season and says ‘Emmanuel I want to give you another opportunity’ then I have to show him I can do.’
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No it bloody isn. You keep bringin up these names, and yera after year thye fail. So basiclly this yera again we lose our better players, and more kids, so whats the difference? The kids that were playing lats year will be playing with even more less experinced kids this yearnd the loop contiues, hell its just a never ending full circle. You mix kids with top quality players, and they get experince that way as was shown by Mn utd countless years. The lieks of ronaldo, bekhamn,nevilles,scholes etc etc, were mixed in with top quality players, and they got the winning mentaility through winning trophoes, and they have just cntinued it. We havnt won anything with these players, so they dont even know what it like. Case in point the carling cup final, and other carling cup finals the past 6 years. exeprience of top quality players beats kids, which has been proven over and over again. yes they may win a game here and there agasint top teams, but so what?
I won the Prem and Champions League with kids. Oh wait that was a videogame. =(
Excellent article. With the current crop we can stay top four and hopefully win some cups. I think it’s going to take a bit longer before the league comes back to us, simply because of the quality of the opposition, but I still see good times ahead, especially with financial fair play on its way. You may say that I’m a dreamer…..
Mr Creosote
Unlike some others you actually read the articles and thanks for the second thumbs up this week.
twitter.com/daveseager66
Too much negative nonsense flying around at the moment. It’s nice to read some positive articles.