So the transfer window has come and gone and on the whole I have to say I'm pretty pleased with the results. We lost Cesc, who was always going to be hard to replace, but ended the annual Favreish indecision with a good financial result. Let's hope the Gunners can do as the Packers have in moving forward.
We got rid of two players who think so much of themselves but provided no sustained effort in Nasri and Bendtner. Both were outspoken and generally did not contribute to the harmony required of this team's motto. Also, the Nasri deal had to be done. To get that much for him in his last year was a coup. Bendtner's on loan, so maybe he'll learn something about this club and what it means to be a teammate at the Stadium of Light.
We brought in two solid, world class, national team capped defenders in Santos and Mertesacker, who coupled with Vermaellen and Sagna, I think will provide an imposing, organized defense in front of our ever improving bat-crazy young keeper. Well done, but with the funds remaining I would have like to have seen another player in Samba, Dann or the elusive Cahill to add that bit of depth we sorely lack at times.
In the midfield the coupling of Benayoun and Arteta is pure magic. I look forward to seeing how they gel, instruct, and mold our younger quality midfielders. Provided Benayoun stays healthy, I wouldn't be opposed to trying to keep him at the end of the year. Again, with cash available even after all those signings, we could have used another player here. I will admit as an American and a Gooner, the prospect of having Clint Dempsey make a London switch would have put me over the top. His physical play under mental control and Texas heart would have made this fan extremely happy.
As for the forwards, we lose Bendtner and bring in Park Lee Kim. Hopefully he will get to be a KATUSA when he goes back for military duty in two years. The prospect of him sitting in some dirty, forlorn northern outpost near the DMZ eating canned kimchee and cleaning his rifle strikes me as a little silly. I really hope this motivates Chamakh to get back into a little of the form that made him our best scoring opportunity until RVP returned last season.
Now on to the big question that seems to be the major topic of the day after: what the hell took so long. Stubborn Arsene? Board interference? Or is it as Piers Morgan suggested on Fox Soccer Channel's, Goals on Sunday last week after the ManUre beating, that Wenger is lost without David Dean. That Wenger holds on too tight because he can't make decisions about players. Is that what took so long to pull the trigger yesterday and why we got Arteta at the death?
I also have another suspicion that the players themselves are involved in the delay. Why did we ultimately get Arteta? According to Moyes, he couldn't turn down the Champions League exposure. Were players waiting to sign all summer to see if we would make it to the CL?
Were they waiting to see what the Fabregas/Nasri situation would do? Not sure but at least worth a shot. See you for Swansea, lets hope nobody gets hurt this weekend.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
New Beginning
So this morning things are looking pretty bleak on the Arsenal front. Perhaps I picked a bad day to start a new blog. I changed the name and the design and seeing how I hadn't posted on here since 2007 it was needed anyhow.
8-2. 10 Goals. Could have been 14 from both sides, honestly. I thought our offense looked pretty dangerous or at least artful in the first half. Should have had the penalty, Robin. Captain. Leader.
All credit to De Gea, it was a great diving save but in all fairness RVP's attempt was much like the performance in total, a little lacking in vigor. Not sure the penalty or Arshavin's bungled breakaway would have changed the end result, highly doubtful really.
I don't want to rehash the whole thing. It was a team that was outmatched and outclassed. There can only be one thing to blame. We simply need players. Strong, experienced, reliable, and dare I say it, older players. They are out there to be had. Cahill can be bought. Mertesacker can be bought. Schweinsteiger can be bought. Samba can be bought. We have the money, we don't have the will. Arsene's only flaw is that he is too much of an economist. His valuation of players based on age, ability, age, potential resale value, age and birthday will be the downfall if not corrected.
My best friend suggested securing the services of Henry after the MLS season. I say, why wait. Red Bulls are in a free fall. Thierry can't be happy losing, get him now. The fact of the matter is we need help and need it immediately.
I am two weeks out from seeing the Gunners v. Swansea. It will be the fourth game of the season and we will have four players suspended, most likely no Jack Ramsey, and I have the chance to see our first win, first home goal and fist game without a red card. Or I may see Wenger get sacked. Which if we loose to Swansea may happen. I hope not. I think Arsene has earned the right to leave on his own time. But a failure to spend the money this team has just earned from Champions League/Nasri/Fabregas will be unexcuseable. Yes, we will have to overpay. Yes, you are getting bent over a barrel. Yes, its humiliating. So is 8-2, which if something is not done we will see a lot more of this year.
8-2. 10 Goals. Could have been 14 from both sides, honestly. I thought our offense looked pretty dangerous or at least artful in the first half. Should have had the penalty, Robin. Captain. Leader.
All credit to De Gea, it was a great diving save but in all fairness RVP's attempt was much like the performance in total, a little lacking in vigor. Not sure the penalty or Arshavin's bungled breakaway would have changed the end result, highly doubtful really.
I don't want to rehash the whole thing. It was a team that was outmatched and outclassed. There can only be one thing to blame. We simply need players. Strong, experienced, reliable, and dare I say it, older players. They are out there to be had. Cahill can be bought. Mertesacker can be bought. Schweinsteiger can be bought. Samba can be bought. We have the money, we don't have the will. Arsene's only flaw is that he is too much of an economist. His valuation of players based on age, ability, age, potential resale value, age and birthday will be the downfall if not corrected.
My best friend suggested securing the services of Henry after the MLS season. I say, why wait. Red Bulls are in a free fall. Thierry can't be happy losing, get him now. The fact of the matter is we need help and need it immediately.
I am two weeks out from seeing the Gunners v. Swansea. It will be the fourth game of the season and we will have four players suspended, most likely no Jack Ramsey, and I have the chance to see our first win, first home goal and fist game without a red card. Or I may see Wenger get sacked. Which if we loose to Swansea may happen. I hope not. I think Arsene has earned the right to leave on his own time. But a failure to spend the money this team has just earned from Champions League/Nasri/Fabregas will be unexcuseable. Yes, we will have to overpay. Yes, you are getting bent over a barrel. Yes, its humiliating. So is 8-2, which if something is not done we will see a lot more of this year.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Madrid
I have made it to Spain.
Mike Wigal and I (see his blog to the left) had an unveventful flight and arrived in Madrid with no problems. Driving is interesting with a lot of traffic circles and we got lost in the largest underground tunnel system I have ever seen.
We did touristy stuff the first night and staying in a youth hostel. We were in a 14 bed room. Do you like the smell of old socks and beer?
We went to the markets and saw alot of street perfromers but had to run back to the hostel for forgotten cameras (mistake #1) and by the time we returned they were gone. All except the Bolivian folk band outside the
Puerta del Sol metro station. They were all that was left of a number of interesting mucial performers that were in and around this "Sol" area. We did manage to get some cool pictures and even had a couple "small beers" and tapas bocadillos (ham sandwhices on french rolls) while watching the Real Madrid futbol team on the TV with the locals. Tapas bars are a big deal in Madrid and they are excellent. It's very common to see the hog legs hanging in the Tapas windows where they cut it right up for you. We had lunch at a place like this that was kind of interesting because you get to eat right out on the street. 
Madrid has a very cafe style life. Many people are alwasy out eating and drinking on the sidewalk cafes. Our sidewalks are too small in American to allow this. Tomorrow we are going to finish in Madrid and heat to the real Toledo. One of the first things mike and I saw when we pulled in Madrid was the Plaze del Torros. We heard the bull fights are Sunday night....
Mike Wigal and I (see his blog to the left) had an unveventful flight and arrived in Madrid with no problems. Driving is interesting with a lot of traffic circles and we got lost in the largest underground tunnel system I have ever seen.
We did touristy stuff the first night and staying in a youth hostel. We were in a 14 bed room. Do you like the smell of old socks and beer?
We went to the markets and saw alot of street perfromers but had to run back to the hostel for forgotten cameras (mistake #1) and by the time we returned they were gone. All except the Bolivian folk band outside the
Puerta del Sol metro station. They were all that was left of a number of interesting mucial performers that were in and around this "Sol" area. We did manage to get some cool pictures and even had a couple "small beers" and tapas bocadillos (ham sandwhices on french rolls) while watching the Real Madrid futbol team on the TV with the locals. Tapas bars are a big deal in Madrid and they are excellent. It's very common to see the hog legs hanging in the Tapas windows where they cut it right up for you. We had lunch at a place like this that was kind of interesting because you get to eat right out on the street. 
Madrid has a very cafe style life. Many people are alwasy out eating and drinking on the sidewalk cafes. Our sidewalks are too small in American to allow this. Tomorrow we are going to finish in Madrid and heat to the real Toledo. One of the first things mike and I saw when we pulled in Madrid was the Plaze del Torros. We heard the bull fights are Sunday night....Wednesday, October 17, 2007
The Best Show on TV
No...not "Dancing with the Stars". "No Reservations with Anthony Bourdain" on the Travel Channel. Some of you may recognize him from the Top Chef series on Bravo. This series tracks his travels around the globe visiting friends, eating new foods and generally having a great time. I know the show appeals to me for the things he gets to experience and see, as well as the good foods. But generally, I just like his style. He's funny, brash, a little bratty and just plain comical. The show follows his travels and hilarious misadventures between visits to the best restaurants and some out of the most out of the world locations.
Best episodes: Beirut (Emmy Nominated), Korea, New Jersey
Enjoy!!
Best episodes: Beirut (Emmy Nominated), Korea, New Jersey
Enjoy!!
Friday, October 5, 2007
Murderball!
I have a new favorite movie to add to my list. Murderball! Its essentially a documentarty that follows the American rugby team for parapalegics. The game they play does not resemble rugby in anything but name, but they have rugger spirit and what they do while confined to wheelchairs is amazing.
This film is inspiring, funny, sad, and hopefull. One of the best sports movies I've ever seen.
See the trailer at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kaT5dDiISw
This film is inspiring, funny, sad, and hopefull. One of the best sports movies I've ever seen.
See the trailer at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kaT5dDiISw
Monday, October 1, 2007
THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF NEWPORT: God doesn't speak English#links
This is a funny video I found at the PRN blog listed above. He's a atheist and I'm not but the video was pretty funny. It says alot of the same things that those of us that travel internationally think and feel. The American culture is pervasive, people want our music, food, and cigarettes all over the world but complain about us all the same.
My friend Jason Combs explained this quite well in his blog: http://advintrec.blogspot.com/2007/03/americanistic.html
One of my favorite examples of this is this picture from Bangkok. If only Ronald Mc'Thailand was so good for you as his blessings upon you. Sawasdee!
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Livestrong!!
I've been riding my bike pretty hard for a about three months now to loose some wieght. It's easier on the kness but not so much on the posterior. One of the things that I've noticed in my rides on our local "rails to trails" path is the superiority complex of other riders. I call them "Livestrong's" instead of "Armstrong's", in deferance to Lance who I have a great deal of respect for. Here is the typical "Livestrong": 1) very expensive bike, preferably something Lance rode, sometimes Italian, but always top of the line. 2) some colorful jersey, bib, or riding shirt with the appropriate recognizable name (US Postal, Discovery Channel, Joe's Subs, or again anything French or Italian). 3) Complete disregard for any other rider not meeting the imprortant factors described in 1 and 2 above.
I generally try to make eye contact with other riders, acknowledge their presence, or otherwise exchange in polite human behavior. I guess the Livestrongs are too busy "training." They are hustling along on our 13 mile out and back trail, which I think for most serious riders is the distance at which they decide whether they are going for 50 or 75 miles that day. But, man are they serious. Gear all shiny, clip in shoes appropriately matched to either bike or riding suit, just in case they run into a wayward "Tour de Northwest Ohio" that just happens to be on our bikepath.
Look, I don't have a problem with people riding for fitness, pleasure, or just generally getting out in the fresh air. But give me a break Livestrong!! I see you already!! I like your bike, you gear is better than mine, you look better and are in better shape, but do you have to be so snotty? Say hello to somebody, embrace the rest of us in your personal peleton. Your'e not that great or you would be in Europe where they actually care. Especially you thirty plus guys like me, who are you kidding? Do I wish that I had the cash to get the $1300 cyclo-cross bike at my local shop, of course. But can't I wear underarmor shirts and running shoes with no wind channeling, air cooled, shaved leg, padded bike shorts with ballistic impact resistant uv-blocking sunglasses and still be a rider? Do you even remember the fun of riding? I really wanted to send this in to Bicycling magazine but as this post would I'm sure, piss off all thier advertisers who make thier profits off the "Livestrong's" and rely on thier having all the "best" gear for thier 100 mile a month training schedule.
So if I see you I'm going to keep trying to say hello, but most likely I'm just going to greet you with a falsely enthusiastic: LIVESTRONG!!
I generally try to make eye contact with other riders, acknowledge their presence, or otherwise exchange in polite human behavior. I guess the Livestrongs are too busy "training." They are hustling along on our 13 mile out and back trail, which I think for most serious riders is the distance at which they decide whether they are going for 50 or 75 miles that day. But, man are they serious. Gear all shiny, clip in shoes appropriately matched to either bike or riding suit, just in case they run into a wayward "Tour de Northwest Ohio" that just happens to be on our bikepath.
Look, I don't have a problem with people riding for fitness, pleasure, or just generally getting out in the fresh air. But give me a break Livestrong!! I see you already!! I like your bike, you gear is better than mine, you look better and are in better shape, but do you have to be so snotty? Say hello to somebody, embrace the rest of us in your personal peleton. Your'e not that great or you would be in Europe where they actually care. Especially you thirty plus guys like me, who are you kidding? Do I wish that I had the cash to get the $1300 cyclo-cross bike at my local shop, of course. But can't I wear underarmor shirts and running shoes with no wind channeling, air cooled, shaved leg, padded bike shorts with ballistic impact resistant uv-blocking sunglasses and still be a rider? Do you even remember the fun of riding? I really wanted to send this in to Bicycling magazine but as this post would I'm sure, piss off all thier advertisers who make thier profits off the "Livestrong's" and rely on thier having all the "best" gear for thier 100 mile a month training schedule.
So if I see you I'm going to keep trying to say hello, but most likely I'm just going to greet you with a falsely enthusiastic: LIVESTRONG!!
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