News Roundup: RvP Stuff, Injuries, etc.

By: Homey | October 17th, 2011

There’s not a whole lot of new stuff since Darren wrote his recap to the Sunderland match, but we’ll see what we can find for today. On the injury front, Gibbs and Ramsey are the two we’re watching at the moment. Wenger said both were minor injuries – Gibbs with stomach muscle inflammation, and Ramsey with a slight hamstring issue. I would think that Santos would be in line for a start on Wednesday anyway, so hopefully Gibbs can rest this week and be in action against Stoke next Sunday. A few fans were hoping Ramsey would see the bench regardless of his health, and Rosicky had a nice showing in his last match. Perhaps Rosicky gets another start on Wednesday, and Ramsey comes back against Stoke as well. Hmm… do we want Ramsey against Stoke? I could see that going either way, but I’m sure if he has a healthy share of moxie, he’ll want to prove something to Shawcross and company.

Mertesacker recently said that it’s vital that the team end up in the top four, so apparently, he didn’t pay much attention to Gazidis’ comments about the top four not being a big deal at all. Ok, so I exaggerated what Ivan had to say, but at least the players are focused on the job at hand. And after all of our struggles, the standings don’t look so grim anymore. I’m on record as saying that the team I’m most concerned about, in terms of a top four finish, is Liverpool. I’m sticking by that, and we’re now only four points behind Liverpool, and I’m not particularly worried about their form right now either.

In other news, lots of fans were trying to make something positive out of RvP’s recent statements, saying he’s 100% committed to Arsenal. My first reaction was to say, “Sign a contract extension, and then get back with me on that commitment stuff.” In other words, I didn’t put much stock in it. And as it turns out, Wenger felt the same way. Basically, Wenger thinks that commitment is simply a player giving his best for the club he’s at, rather than a statement about future plans.

My other RvP thought for the day, and something I’m sure many fans have thought, is that our over-reliance on him is a bit scary. As Darren wrote in yesterday’s recap, RvP is our best outfield player, and it’s not even close. I would have to agree. But he’s also our most historically injury-prone player too. Well, except for maybe Diaby. But I have a major concern about what we’re going to do if/when he goes down. Bendtner is gone, Chamakh has been in poor form for pretty much all of this calendar year, and Park still hasn’t gotten a chance yet.

Looking at the schedule ahead, I have to ask the question – when will RvP get a rest? Against Marseille this Wednesday? I would think not, since advancing in the Champions League is a top priority, and we’re taking on the group leaders away from home. What about against Stoke next Sunday? Well, we’re still struggling for every point we can get in the league, and another three points would be very important. After that, he could rest in the Carling Cup on October 25, but then he’d probably be needed against Chelsea on October 29, Marseille again on November 1, and West Brom on November 5. And then we’ll have a wonderful international break, where he’ll no doubt be needed for crunch friendlies against Switzerland and Germany. Can’t miss those either, right?

I’m not sure the answer to all of this. I’m certainly enjoying the run that RvP has been on since the end of last season, and I want it to go on and on. I just don’t know what Plan B is at the moment. We don’t really have a dynamic midfield. Our wingers go hot and cold. We’ve had injuries across the back line, and we’re not the best defensive outfit in the first place. If you remove RvP from the equation, there’s not a lot of brilliance left.

Well, now that I hopefully gave everyone a good ray of sunshine for today, I’ll be off. I’m not sure who’s handling the duties for Marseillle, but I know I won’t do the preview. I’m trying to defend the defenseless in trial tomorrow, so, uh, wish me luck on that one.

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“When He shall come with trumpet sound, Oh may I then in Him be found.” -Taken from a hymn by Edward Mote-

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Category: Arsenal News, Arsene Wenger, Injury Report, Robin van Persie

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brenton

For a man of faith you have very little faith, and instead rely on substantial proofs.
Georgedb1

Mark my words: RvP wants to stay at Arsenal! But he needs at least 2 serious, world class moves to the club during January. That's what all this nonsense about resigning is, and has been about.
Rico

TV5 signs extension on his contract, that's one good player we know we've got for the future if he stays injury free. I have faith in him as his first year at the club he was or close to have the most appearences for Arsenal.

I would like to see Santos becoming more first team. Gibbs is good but is fragile to say the least.
Martin

Very, very good news for the club. Vermaelen is a great player, and just as importantly, a great leader. Hopefully this will also have a positive affect on negotiations with Theo & RvP -- if they see other good players committing to the club, maybe they'll realize this isn't a sinking ship after all. (Because it's not a sinking ship . . . right? . . . Anyone?)

Disagree on Santos, though. Nothing against him, but I think Gibbs is better if he can just stay healthy.
Rico

You disagree with the comment that he is fragile or that Santos should get a go run in the first team?
Am not saying Gibbs isn't up to scratch but it just the defence suffers due to the amount of injuries and changes. Santos seems a bigger stronger lad. How many games has Santos had? Can't say if he's better or worse than Gibbs yet, also was just an idea, thought I'd put to the collective audience.The first 25 mins at Sunderland proved we aren't a sinking ship, just a few holes to plug.
Martin

No, he's definitely fragile. But, based on what I've seen of Santos so far, I think Gibbs is the superior player, and at his age, he's only going to get better if he's not derailed by injury.

But then again, I think I like Gibbs more than just about anyone -- people vehemently disagreed with me when I said he should stay first-choice after we signed Santos, as well. So maybe my opinion should be taken with a grain of salt on this one.
brenton

I haven't been impressed with his defending at all so far this season. He makes one or two good defensive plays every game, but I wouldn't rely on him to shut anyone down. Moving forward he's good, but doesn't offer the same attacking threat that Cole or Bosingwa do, and at this point I don't rate him over half the fullbacks in the league.
Martin

Gibbs, or Santos?
brenton

Hmmm, good question. Gibbs. Santos hasn't had enough games to really judge him yet, though his confidence on the ball is nice to see. If he's not running, Gibbs is quite unimaginative.
ballyanking

I look at Theo Walcott and I see a frustrated figure. To me, he is in danger of becoming as stale as the loaf of bread that's been in my bread bin since 2007. Though he isn't as mouldy. At the moment Theo doesn't look like he is enjoying his football. His body language is worse than my French and his face looks like a smacked arse. Walcott needs a new challenge. Bad. Not necessarily one away from Arsenal as I have seen written on some websites, but a new one with us. On the wing he needs to use his footballing brain. Many have said that he lacks one of those though and that the Scarecrow from The Wizard of Oz has more savvy. I'm sure Chris Waddle has had a pop at Theo in the past saying 'he doesn't understand the game'. To be fair I can't understand what Waddle says full-stop and how a man who had the dodgiest hair-cut of all time can say anything I don't know. So piss off Waddle. The notion that Walcott has no brain is unfair because I know for a fact that he must have at least 1 brain-cell. After all, he goes out with Melanie Slade who is an absolute winner. Walcott is all about instinct. He needs to act and do things without thinking. Not because he thick, but that is just the player he is. That's why he needs to be in the box. On the end of things and not trying to create stuff because it usually ends in frustration. Or row Z. We will see the best of Theo when he plays upfront, getting in behind defences and finishing moves off. It can be said that Walcott finishes better than Ron Jeremy in a porn-film. I'd like to see him given that chance more often. His pace would scare the shit out of defenders. Honestly they would resort to wearing nappies. That should be Theo's new challenge. Not making defenders mess themselves, but playing upfront. Its down to Arsene Wenger and I'm sure he is just waiting for the right time to move Theo up alongside Robin van Persie. For me that time needs to be sooner rather than later or Walcott might stagnate
Georgedb1

Wenger will move Theo up front when he sees Theo stop missing 1 on 1s against the goalie. Walcott has been groomed from the start as a Thiery replacement, but if he put in a fourth of the shots he took we'd have silverware last year, and be top 2 this year (and if he put in half of what Henry put in when he was at that stage of his career with Arsenal we'd likely have another undefeated season). I say this and I am a fan of Walcott, so I can only imagine what the naysayers are rambling about. Theo needs to prove that he can do more than run very fast.
caligunner

I enjoyed your post, but I really don't see Walcott as capable of playing up front in the current system. He is not good a holding up the ball and bringing others into play. This is an esssential skill for a 4-5-1 or 4-3-3 striker. I could see him playing in a Man U. style 4-4-2 in a Chicharito/Walbeck type of role, but not in this system.

When did Chamakh disappear as an option up front for Arsenal. Last time I checked, although his individual goal scoring form has been spotty, the team plays pretty well with him starting up front.
Tomisin

How did we ever cope before all of Homey's doom and gloom?
Darren_V

Plastic wrap and tape to make our little bubble?
Tomisin

God Knows
Lachlan

When RvP goes down, bring Arsharvin front and centre. Simple solution.
Orion

Yeah, cos that's worked wonders in the past..
Perry S.

110% agree, Lachlan.
brenton

Shocking.
Perry S.

I'm not predictable at all ;)