Arsene needs a new captain.

Right this is my first blog so bare with me. I'm going to give my opinion on what I think is wrong with this team.

Firstly what we lack in abundance is leadership. Now cesc is are captain and contrary to popular belief I think he is an excellent captain, but not for this team. I don't think all captains have to be shouters and screamers or have to resort to physical violence to get your point across to certain players. For example Tony Adams would have been done for attempted murder for what he would have done to eboue after the Liverpool game. But would that of Helped the helpless eboue? I think not.

Cesc Fabregas

But I do think you have to have someone like that in your team. Especially when Cesc is the kind of captain who would put an arm around the shoulder and say "don't worry eboue you'll get em next time". We desperately need someone to balance that and to tell eboue and almunia " if you do that again I will kick you so hard your head will go inside your backside and you will be turned inside out". We miss that. Plus what happens when Cesc backheels the ball at the edge of his own area in the nou camp? Who is going to tell him that that wasn't ok and you were stupid for doing that.

We had the perfect balance in Arsene's early years with the likes of Henry and Pires counteracted with Viera and Keown. I think those kind of personalities would be good for the dressing room and we would cut out those silly mistakes ie Manuel at west brom. Also if when we are drawing 0-0 at home to Blackburn someone has to go around to the players individually when there's a break in play and say "calm down and relax. Don't try and force it. Just play your football and the goal will come". When we have a goal kick you never see our midfielders talking to each other! It's always heads down and trotting to the halfway line. Which is so incredibly frustrating and disheartening.

One thing that struck me recently was Tony Adams saying "as captain I felt one of my responsibilities was to convey the managers ideas and tactics to the other players when I was on the field" read that statement look at our squad and that it sums it all up.

Tony Adams

Another thing I have come to realise on what we need is an ENGLISH centre half! I didn't think nationality was an issue especially when we signed Vermaelen. But then just when I thought Djourou reinforced this. Sunday at the reebok came along.

When you think about Arsene's centre back singings they haven't exactly been great. When he arrived he had Adams, Bould and Keown three top notch defenders drilled in the art of defending. All of them English. He's signed Cygan, Senderos, Squilachy among others. But the one he did buy, twice no less was Sol Campbell who was superb when he was at the Arsenal. Again English. Coiencedence I think not. I'll leave you with this from Patrick Vieira "when I signed for Arsenal along with some other French players we had all the technique and skill but we wouldn't of won anything without those English players who put there head in where it hurt"

Follow me on twitter @piersarsenal

Piers Moyles

Reflecting on Arsenal's first part of the league season.

Just wanted to reflect on Arsenal's first part of the league season.

It all started bad in a 1-1 draw againstt Liverpool, we didn't even score there, Reina did us the favor in the last minute, Koscielny got sent off in that match.

Rosicky showing his joy after Arsenal got a draw.

As games kept on rolling Arsenal got back to their best and win some important matches, we won 3 consecutive matches, Blackpool, Blackburn and Bolton. And convincing all the fans with those performances, 'this could be the season' we thought.

Then the game against Sunderland at the Stadium of the light came, Arsenal started winning 1-0 on the 1st half, Cesc Fabregas scored an awesome yet lucky goal, unluckily for Arsenal he got injured. In the second half Alex Song got sent off and everything was going down. Then, suddenly, Arsenal were awarded by a penalty, again, unluckily rosicky sent it to the sky. Then it's all history, the ref gave 3 or 4 extra minutes and the goal came in the very last minute, a blow. FT score 1-1.

West Brom's goal.

Another disappointment came, we were facing West Brom, at the Emirates, and it was just a DISASTER. What a bad game from Almunia, but oh well, we are accustomed to that. West Brom were winning 3-0 at the 60th minute, Nasri scored two goals then, but three points lost. FT score 2-3.

Another blow to our title hopes came, we were playing against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, and couldn't come out with at least a point. FT score 2-0.

In the next week, Arsenal were playing against Birmingham at the Emirates, a must win. And yeah, they did it, 2-1, still we were not watching our best Arsenal, just average.

Nasri celebrating his goal.

Then we went to Manchester to face Manchester City, a difficult game to call. At the first minute the citizens had a golden chance to score but Fabianski saved us, then Boyata got sent off because of a tackle at Chamakh. 10 vs 11. First goal came with an awesome play between Nasri and Arshavin, Nasri scored, he was on top form. Second half came and Arsenal kept on playing good football, Alex Song scored the second goal with a stunner. Then, in the last 10 minutes, Bendtner did an amazing run after a Nasri a pass, and scored brilliantly. FT score 0-3. Great performance.

We got visited by West Ham, then. Frustrating game, goal never came and Arsenal were creating chances just didn't convert. Alex Song saved us in the last minute with a stunning header after a Clichy cross. Oh yeah!

Newcastle came to visit us, they won 1-0. Goal came in the first half by Andy Carroll, our home performances were so average.

Then we had to visit Wolverhampton Wanderers, tough game, Chamakh scored a goal in the firsts minutes though. Wolves started to create chances and they deserved a goal, in the last minute they had a golden opportunity but Fabianski saved it brilliantly, just after that, Chamakh scored another goal, after a bad performance we won 2-0.

Arsenal won the next two matches away, at Goodison Park and at Villa Park, FT score against Everton was 2-1 in favor of the gunners, and against Villa it was 4-2 in favor of the gooners as well.

Before that Aston Villa match, we played against T*ttenham. Yeah, our shadow. The match started brilliantly for us, scored two goals, Nasri and Chamakh, and then I can't tell you what happened as I went to English school at that hour, but the final score was 3-2 in favor of the scum. Disappointment.

Samir Nasri scoring one of his goals against Fulham

Then Fulham came to visit us, Nasri scored an awesome couple of goals, it was just WOOW. Anyways we won 2-1. Nasri was on top form, he made himself the opportunity and then scored brilliantly, top player.

We needed to face Manchester United, Fabregas couldn't play in that match, and Van Persie was coming back from an injury, anyways Arsenal lost 1-0.

Then Chelsea went to visit us at the Emirates, I must admit that that was such a top performance by Arsenal, that's all. Goals were scored by Song, Walcott and Fabregas, Ivanovic scored for them. 3-1, everyone was proud of the Gunners.

To finish this post and that year (2010). We played against Wigan at their home. We were winning 2-1 for most of the game, but Squillaci scored an own goal when the game was dying. 2-2.

In summary this first part of the season was a roller coaster. Arsenal won and the next week they lost, we had some disappointing performances as again West Brom and Tottenham, and brilliant performances as against Chelsea and Aston Villa.

2nd part to come soon.

Bolton vs Arsenal: Match analysis and player ratings.

Hey.

 

Today's game was nothing but a disappointment for Arsenal.

First half started well for us, having great opportunities, great passing, and all that, but then after the 20th minute, everything changed Bolton had great opportunities to score and only Szczsesny could have saved us, then at '38 goal came for Bolton and it was well deserved, Sturridge scored it after Nasri cleared a header off the line. Almost forgot it, Cesc hit the post, same old luck for Arsenal, same old.

After the goal Arsenal tried something new but eventually didn't convert.

HT came and people from Twitter including me started to complain about the team, because they were not showing the spirit and determination needed to challenge Manchester United.

The second half started brilliantly for Bolton as they were awarded a penalty, which in my opinion was a dive, but then Szczesny saved us again, yeah thanks Chezzer.

Then at '48 Fabregas and Van Persie created the best play of the game and Van Persie finished it with a great goal, yeah hope had just came back.

Arsenal kept creating chances, kept passing and the same things as any other match, but what's the point of doing that if they are not shooting in the end? Tell me..

Tamir Cohen ending Arsenal title hopes.

We had some good opportunities in their box but failed to shoot, always trying to make a pass, they just seem like they want to enter to the goal by passing and passing, you can't do that. When you have the opportunity to shoot, you must SHOOT.

Tamir Cohen came on for Bolton and then scored the winner in the '90, emotional goal for him.

And that is all. This game again, reflects our season, bad luck, bad refs and of course lack of determination.

Arsene Wenger said that he is the one to be blamed, not the players. I disagree, Arsene Wenger looked gutted and frustrated, but the players what? Did they try their best to win it? Hmm I don't think so, the only two players who played well today were Szczesny and Van Persie.

Player ratings.

Szczesny 9/10. He was our best player today and if you look at his reaction after Bolton's goal he knew our title bid was over and he was gutted. Saved a penalty and denied Bolton a couple of times.

Sagna 7/10. We are accustomed to this Sagna he is a rock at the back 4, needs to improve his crossing a little bit.

Djourou 5/10. He was a disaster today, clearly in fault for Bolton's last goal and made a couple of mistakes that are unacceptable.

Koscielny 6/10. He was just average today.

Clichy 6/10. He showed nothing special and needs to work on his crossing.

Song 6/10. Was substituted early in the second half, nothing interesting shown in the first.

Wilshere 6/10. I might be criticized but that's what I think, he was not at his best and you could notice that he was tired, substituted in the second half.

Fabregas 7/10. Assisted Van Persie for his goal and hit the post in the first half, still he looks out of form.

Walcott 7/10. Was a threat in the first half and don't really know why Wenger substituted him.

Van Persie scoring his brilliant goal.

Van Persie 8/10. Top Dutchman. Scored a top goal, and broke a record, I wonder what would have happened if we had him available for all the season?

Nasri 6/10. Average, very average. Missed a great chance and seemed lost.

Substitutes

Arshavin 7/10. He was great and injected Arsenal what they needed, couldn't score though.

Chamakh 6/10. A lot of people have been missing him, but he's just like any other player, prefers to pass instead of shoot.

Ramsey N/D.

There's always another season.

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPod touch]

Match Preview: Bolton vs Arsenal FC.

Hey, this is my first ever post for my own blog, will do a match preview for Bolton vs Arsenal. Just wanted to thank pablocamden who gave me the idea of this name for the blog.

Arsenal team news.

Abou Diaby has been ruled out for this match with a calf strain. He was replaced by Jack Wilshere early in the second half in the North London Derby, besides that we don't have any fresh injuries, so the only ones who are out are Vermaelen, Fabianski and Diaby. Rosicky is doubtful for this match because of his illness. Almost full team.

Bolton team news.

Striker Daniel Sturridge returns to the Bolton squad. The on-loan Chelsea player was cup-tied for last weekend's 5-0 defeat by Stoke in the FA Cup semi-final but is expected to go straight back into the starting line-up. Mark Davies is also in contention for a starting spot after recovering from an ankle

Predicted Line up.

I think we'll see the same attacking line and defending line as we saw against Tottenham the only change would be Jack Wilshere in Diaby's place, so it would look like this:

Szsczesny
Sagna-Djourou-Koscielny-Clichy
Song-Wilshere
Walcott-Fabregas-Nasri
Robin Van Persie

Not much to talk about it, we all would have guessed it.

Form guide

Bolton last 5  league matches:

Newcastle 1-1 Bolton

Bolton 3-2 Aston Villa

Manchester United 1-0 Bolton
Birmingham 2-1 Bolton
Bolton 3-0 West Ham

Arsenal last 5 league matches:

West Brom 2-2 Arsenal
Arsenal 0-0 Blackburn
Blackpool 1-3 Arsenal
Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool
Tottenham 3-3 Arsenal

*Arsenal have gained only 7 points out of 15 possible, Bolton have gained 9 points out of 15 possible.

Match facts

The Trotters have lost their last eight consecutive Premier League games against Arsenal. Their last victory over Arsene Wenger's men was a 3-1 home victory in November 2006.

The hosts have conceded 1.34 goals-per-game as opposed to the opponents' 1.03 ratio. They have kept only five clean sheets, while the Londoners have done the same on 12 occasions

Arsenal have scored 66 goals in the top-flight so far. Only Manchester United (70) have scored more. During this time, Wenger's men have hit three or more goals in a game on 11 occasions.

Bolton have scored 46 goals in the league so far and have conceded 43 goals this season.

Things happening on the league.

Chelsea won 3-0 against West Ham and now they are three points ahead Arsenal, obviously Arsenal have a game in hand, Manchester United also won 1-0 with a Chicharito goal in '83. Lucky lucky Manchester United. So Arsenal are 9 points behind now. A must win, huh?

Arsene Wenger is keen to convince Nasri and Clichy to sign new deals in the summer, he said: "We are talking to Nasri and his agent already and we have the same situation with Clichy" "We have agreed to speak about it during the summer". And finally he added: "I am very optimistic (that they will stay.)"

Score prediction.

Arsenal players should and MUST show the spirit that Wilshere, van Persie, Fabregas and Nasri have shown in the last games, they are the ones who seem like they really want to win this. Arsenal players should think like this: "First believe in yourself, then try your best to win it".

This is a really must win match, I must admit that if we don't win this match, title hopes will be gone and we'd have to struggle for the third place, we don't want that, right Arsenal? The players should play with spirit, giving all they have and more importantly trying to SHOOT when they have the opportunity.

No matter what the last scores say I think Arsenal will win this one and it will be a tough title race in the end and if we believe in ourselves and then win all the matches left this could be the season, just keep hoping and believing.

Bolton 1-4 Arsenal.

Nasri is recovering his form and I can see him scoring alongside Van Persie, Fabregas and Walcott.

Sturridge to score for Bolton.

Keep the faith!