Tuesday Evening News Roundup, Plus Malaysia XI Match Thread

By: Homey | July 12th, 2011

Malaysia trip Well a few more (mostly) useless tidbits have come in since the last time I wrote, which I’ll attempt to address today. Also, this blog will serve as our match thread for the first preseason match, where we take on the Malaysia XI. I might update this blog with some lineups and such, but I’ll probably just leave it all for the comments section. If anyone knows something about the Malaysia XI, please feel free to leave your remarks. It will also mean that you have way more time on your hands than the rest of us.

Sorting through the latest transfer news, it seems that Alex Ferguson doesn’t figure he’ll sign Samir Nasri. So I guess it’s probably either Man City or he’ll stay with Arsenal. And I suppose Man Utd will be looking elsewhere to replace Paul Scholes, who Fergie figures was still one of the top midfielders in the world, right after Xavi and Iniesta. Hmmm… I’m really not sure what part of one goal and four assists in all competitions last year screams out great midfielder, but I guess Fergie is entitled to his views. Maybe he rates Scholes so highly because he’s the king of dirty tackles (non-Ryan Shawcross division, of course).
Anyway, I’ll come back to Arsenal news now, and get off that tangent I was just on. I keep reading various reports linking us with Per Mertesacker. And he’s also made some recent statements about being open to a move to the Premier League. Some reports show his price closer to £11 million or so, that still puts it about even with what we’re hearing for Samba. So again, I’m still interested. Hopefully there’s something to this. Also, it turns out that Mertesacker is in the final year of his deal with Bremen, so maybe they’re feeling a need to either sign him or get what they can for him. That dilemma sounds familiar.
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goals-per-game graphic
Following up on the Gervinho news from yesterday, I decided to do a little more work with my handy calculator. There’s been a lot of discussion about how the French league is lower scoring, and so by scoring 15 times last year in France, Gervinho recorded quite an accomplishment. As you can see from the graph on the left, Ligue 1 is, in fact, lower scoring than most of the top leagues. (By the way, I stole this graphic from a blog Brenton wrote a while back on his MLS page.) Anyway, you can see that Ligue 1 averaged .48 fewer goals per game than the Premier League. To put that another way, there was just over 20% more scoring in the EPL than Ligue 1. If Gervinho could score 20% more goals this season than last, he’d record 18 goals. So there you go. Not quite the 58 goals Brenton suggested in the comments section recently, but still a few more.
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DV893618 <
In other news, van Persie came out and said a lot of the same things that the rest of us have probably been thinking lately. Basically, he doesn’t see why we can’t go out and buy a player for £25 million, he doesn’t see why having to compete for a starting role is such a bad thing, and he thinks Cesc is a really good passer and player. Nothing too shocking in all that. At least he didn’t say anything about wanting to leave if things go poorly for us in this transfer window. So I think we can all still keep our warm, happy feelings about RvP. Until he gets injured again in another international friendly, that is.

Getting back to baseless transfer news, I was planning to ignore the Hugo Rodallega rumors, but since someone mentioned it in the comments section recently, I guess I’ll write a little something here. Like most fans, I’m not excited about it at all. He reportedly would cost about the same as Gervinho, which again seems to represent the premium we’re supposed to pay for guys with Premier League experience. He’s nearly 26, so he’s a little older than Gervinho, and he only scored nine times in 37 competitions last year. If that sort of return excited us, we’d be much better off keeping the younger Nicklas Bendtner, wouldn’t we?

Speaking of which, there are more rumors swirling about Bendtner. I think it’s promising that a Hamburg sporting director has come out and said it would be a small miracle to sign him. That has to mean his price should be decent. I mean, nobody is coming out and saying it would be a small miracle to sign Denilson or Almunia. So let’s hope we get something good sometime soon.

Turning our attention to the friendly with the Malaysia XI, the word on the street is that Nasri will get a chance to play in the center of midfield, between Ryo and Walcott. Oh, and the same blog also said that Ryo and Walcott recently had a race against each other, and they finished pretty even. So that’s some good news about Ryo. Let’s just hope he comes with a little more deftness with his feet and technical ability. (Oops, shame on me… I’m supposed to be the big Walcott defender on this blog. Please ignore my snide remark.)

OK, well that’s about it for now. Again, please leave your comments about the friendly tomorrow. And if you have any links for viewing online, that would be good too. I do have one last note, which is that I think we’ll be posting a really super cool blog in the next couple of days. I won’t say anything further, but I’m excited about it. So keep reading.

Come on, Arsenal.

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In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1

Some Related Stories:

Category: Arsenal News, Manchester United, Pre-Season, Samir Nasri, Transfer News and Player Movement

« Gervinho Signs with Arsenal | Home | Shocker! Arsenal defeat Malaysia XI in pre-season »

AlexM

@FredJacob: Mmmm... I don't know. It's not like we haven't been here before (Almunia after West Brom for one); it just sounds too... convinient, and I have a hunch that there's something in it. Maybe Wenger just came to the logical conclusion that Denilson doesn't have a future at Arsenal?
FredJacob

Well have to wait on Saturday and see, the sad this is no one wants to buy him
AlexM

btw whatever the heck happened with Denilson? Word's everywhere that he stormed off into the tunnel after being subbed out. I don't know the entire story as I didn't watch the game, but if the storming off part was real then we might have seen the last of Denilson at Arsenal. From what it sounds like, Wenger practically humiliated him in public by making
him the substituted substitute, and after all the "come and get me" words at the start of the summer, this might just be the final
straw for both sides.
So what do you guys think? Is Denilson's days as a Gunner coming to an end?
FredJacob

Wenger said he had a knock, you can watch below

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
SJGgumby

Liverpool signed Downing! Best news of the day.
FredJacob

and why is that good news
AlexM

Umm, because imo he's an overrated one trick pony who couldn't even get a game for the national team; at best he would be a impact sub for us. And yet Liverpool was ready to get him for 20m, so I'd say they did us a favor.
FredJacob

you fell wenger would have bought him, i doubt once Nasri and Cesc stays he wouldn't have gone through with that deal
AlexM

Hey I didn't notice that Wojo changed his number to 13!
perryvs

pretty sure by August 13 it will be #1
FredJacob

yes loyalty i love those words

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
FredJacob

here what the boss thinks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
Chicago Gunner

anyone have a link to the highlights?
FredJacob

here you go

http://allsportslivenow.blogsp...
AlexM

Nice. Gutted that I couldn't watch the game (damn you education), but this will do. Thanks!
Bublatross

for some reason i so want a comeback from rosicky. hope he gets to play this season
brenton

Highlights from the Malaysia game:

Goal - Ramsey from a penalty created by Wilshere
Chance - Walcott flicks over from close after Wilshere's scooped pass over the defenders
Goal - Lovely pass from Ramsey to Walcott, who puts a nice chip over the keeper
Chance - Good run from Ramsey into the box on a good pass from Vela, shot is high when he could have rounded the keeper
Goal - Excellent pass from Rosicky to put Vela free into the box, who chips it beautifully over the keeper
Chance - Vela took too long in the box after great work by Nasri
Chance - Rosicky puts it over after good work from RvP and Vela
Goal - Vela good pass to free Arshavin out wide, a flicked high pass finds Rosicky, who puts in an easy header
Darren_V

Vela shows up after the game is decided once again. I'm stunned ;)
Homey_Mills

This time I don't think I'll blame him. He came off the bench and played after the team was already ahead.
brenton

Vela seeming to have a lack of confidence with the ball near goal, though his backheel in the box was pretty stellar.
brenton

Interesting to see Rosicky wearing the armband.
Darren_V

He wore it a few times last year. I'm not surprised.
Benjamin Dockter

It hasn't been the first time. There really weren't any other candidates at the start of the second half.
brenton

Yah, I just wonder what role he'll have with the club this season. Commentator called him the "elder statesman" of the club. Dressing room leader?
Benjamin Dockter

He is a good, experienced player. Just crazy inconsistent the last year or so. Goal and assist today for him though. He has something to contribute.
brenton

An interesting bit from Wilshere re: loyalty, in response to a question about Cesc and Nasri while on tour in Malaysia:

“Loyalty is a big part of football and it shows if you are a real man or not,” the midfielder said, from his position on the stage. “There have been a few players who have shown Arsenal great loyalty and, hopefully, we will get a few more like that. Then we will see if we can get a trophy or not.”
brenton

Vela missed what should have been an easy goal. Doesn't bode well for him.

Thoughts on the away shirts now that you've seen them in action?
Homey_Mills

I actually like the away outfit.
brenton

Yah, me too. I was not impressed at all when they first showed up, but seeing them in action, I don't mind them.
FredJacob

here a link for who need one

http://atdhenet.tv/37961/watch...
brenton

It's also available for free on player dot arsenal dot com, if you want a legit stream that won't cut out.
Homey_Mills

Theeeeooooo!!!! Nice chip finish for 2-0.
Benjamin Dockter

Wilshere is really bossing the midfield. It amazes how physical he's gotten in one year. Shirking off tackles and pushing players off the ball like boss.
Homey_Mills

I'm able to watch about 10 minutes of today's action. We're up 1-0. I believe it was a Ramsey penalty, but I didn't see that part.
Benjamin Dockter

Oh man, did anyone else just see Ryo burn that defender and leave him in the dust?
Rico

Anyone know the starting line up yet or where I can listen to it as am at work and unable to watch it?
Can't wait to see how we get on, feels like so long ago since I watched our last game.
brenton

It's also available for free on player dot arsenal dot com
FredJacob

Arsenal Starting XI v Malaysia XI: Szczesny, Jenkinson, Gibbs,
Koscielny, Vermaelen (c) Wilshere, Song, Ramsey, Miyaichi, Walcott,
Chamakh.
Sairax

Hey, sorry I haven't been around. I thought I'd just lay low this summer. But I'm still reading, so don't worry! :)

Come on Arsenal!
Homey_Mills

Yay. Mommy and Daddy are both alive to see what a mess their kids are making of the site.
FredJacob

http://www.arsenal.com/news/ne...
FredJacob

here an interview with Sagna

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
iaiaia

The malaysian xi has is good at attacking but their defence are weak when pressured. And their secret weapons are their speedy wingers .
Orion_saidwiseguy

That sounds EXTREMELY familiar ..
Darren_V

I sometimes wonder why we allow Sp*rs fans to write Arsenal blogs and make snide remarks about our players.

Not talking about anyone in particular. At all. No one
Alexinho

First friendly of the new season! Dear God that's cool.
Homey_Mills

Please feel free to post comments and so forth. I don't think I'll be able to watch any of it, but I'll try to read all I can later.
Homey_Mills

So did anyone click on my "nine times" link yet?
Alexinho

Save Ferris
Ian

hey dont hate on scholes. he was and is a great midfielder. sure he had a ton of horrible tackles but still hes great.

i hope ryo gets a work permit :/ does any1 have any news on wellington? does he have a work permit yet or is he gonna go back on loan to spain?
J___V

I've heard that his attitude stinks.
Orion

I saw a post on the official website this week; it said he has just been loaned out to Levante. It's a shame really, I'm looking forward to having that sort of player in the first team.
Homey_Mills

I saw that Wellington would be loaned out for the season. I should have mentioned that somewhere along the way.
And how do we not hate on Man Utd players? Can we not be biased Arsenal fans? =) But seriously, his stats don't really measure up with the sort of praise that Fergie heaped on him, so I thought I'd have a little fun with it. Plus I got to squeeze in a Shawcross remark, which is blogger gold around here.
Colombian Gunner

RvP goal average (Wikipedia) 110 goals 301 games - average 0.36!
Homey_Mills

I just looked at that. But of course that includes his first several seasons, when he was still a teenager. In his years at Arsenal, he has 95 goals and 53 assists in 230 appearances. And in the last 3 years at Arsenal, he has 52 goals and 30 assists in 97 appearances. That's an average of .413 per game at Arsenal, and .536 per game in the last 3 years.
I had a professor in college who had a great line: If you torture the numbers enough, the WILL confess. haha
Colombian Gunner

I´m not sure what kind of attacking player it is that arsenal needs...I´d go for a better sub than what we actually have. I do think Rodallega is a very good player,and its not an even comparison having Bendtner in a team as Arsenal vs Rodallega playing for Wygan...sometimes (if not most) players are turned into great players because of the rest of the team...I know he´s no that young, but he does have an average of 0.39 goals per game (I really dont know how that compares to other players though)...Dont see it happening anyway
Don McMahon

Thierry Henry had a 0.22 gpg average before coming to Arsenal so that shows you what can happen when Wenger gets his claws into you....its called success!
Homey_Mills

Yeah, fair point about the difference in the teams they play for. I did think about that a bit. I've somewhat thought of Anelka that way in the last couple of years - a product of what a good group around you can do. I guess I wouldn't mind having him on the team for a lesser amount of transfer money, if he didn't expect to start all the time.