Arsenal's resounding defeat of Everton at Goodison Park last weekend has prompted your author to write (and gloat) of his club's outstanding start to the season. This weekend's romp exceeding all expectations as Arsenal displayed qualities reminiscent of, dare I say it, the Invincibles of '03-'04. Their passing was superb. The workrate was excellent. And the usual creativity and movement was a joy to watch. But something else was present, something that has been missing in the four seasons Arsenal has gone without a trophy. A quality that the man pictured on my profile possessed a great deal of: determination.
While I'd love to claim that Andrei Arshavin is the sole catalyst for Arsenal's revival, it would not be entirely accurate (though the Russian is the most exciting player in the squad and probably my favorite footballer in the world). The fact is, whether Wenger is responsible or not, the team is playing like they want to win. The desire and determination is evident. The past four seasons have lacked that will. It seemed as though, in the past four years, that the team was playing merely to impress. They lacked the emotional and physical maturity to cope with the pressures of world-class football. But now the likes of Alexandre Song, Denilson, Theo Walcott, Aaron Ramsey, and Jack Wilshere are proving that they have the maturity to play, not just to impress, but to win.
There are myriad reasons for the change in form. The addition of Thomas Vermaelen is substantial. Having a poised 23-year-old left-footed centre-back is an outstanding addition to the club. Contrary to the opinion of most, I expected his play to be this good. I think he will only improve, and will do nothing but impress at the club. Having Cesc Fabregas fit and well aged and experienced at 22 gives the team a host of advantages. And to top it all off, the team can expect to see a healthy Eduardo and Tomas Rosicky this season. While critics are skeptical considering Wenger's decision to not reinforce at the striker position, I feel Arsenal is all the better for the deals they made this summer, both financially and compositionally. They have the best mix of talent and personality in the squad since the '03-'04 season. I think they are ready to begin the dynasty that Arsene Wenger has touted for so long. I think Arsenal will win the league this season, and not because they are necessarily the best team, but because they have the morale and the determination the other big clubs lack as result of their enormous payrolls and the egos that receive those checks. I look forward to tomorrow's match against Portsmouth, a team in dire straits that I think will be routed by a supremely engaging Gunners squad.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Post-Confederations Cup: All Things Transfer
After a surprisingly riveting display in the Confederations Cup final from both Brazil and the United States, there is much to discuss concerning the direction of European football and the transfers that have occurred to date. Since my previous post, Michael Owen has signed for Manchester United. Yuri Zhirkov has signed for Chelsea. Thomas Vermaelen has signed for Arsenal. And what should be of great importance to American soccer fans, Oguchi Onyewu has been signed by AC Milan. While there are many other deals worth noting, there is something afoot in European football that is scarcely being recognized.
Beyond discussions of national quotas and salary caps, what is apparent in this summer's trasfer market is that the game truly is global. It has been said since soccer's inception that it is "the world's game." While I have always believed that to be true, many, especially those in the States, have had little reason to believe so, or care for that matter. The Premier League's high-profile signing of two marquee Russians in the past year marks a shift in the European conception of football, and whose fit to play. Of course, South Americans and Africans have long been an integral part of professional football in Europe, but together, they have become the predominate demographic in European football. It will not be long before many kids in Russia, Turkey, and Asia will break through the European ranks.
Onyewu's signing represents a similar trend. How is it that a formidable, yet clumsy center-back formerly of the Clemson Tigers is now of Rossoneri pedigree? While it may prove a waste of money, my bets are on Onyewu to continue to improve, learn the game from a different perspective, and eventually defeat any critics, much like Brian McBride in his stints with Fulham and Everton. That said, he's no Paolo Maldini, nor will he be. But, this marks a huge step for American players in that it proves that they can garner attention from top clubs and be given a chance to show their quality day in and day out on Europe's biggest stage, not just on relatively meaningless platforms such as the Confederations Cup.
Oh, and a quick note on Owen. Like everything else, the British media has sensationalized this move entirely too much. (Frankly, they're just excited to see a former great British player with even the slightest chance of being great once more. Very wishful thinking in my opinion). I wish him the best, though I can say as an avid Arsenal supporter, I hope he doesn't score too many goals for United (and I don't think he will). The fact is, while he does possess talent, he has a lack of confidence that he has yet to restore ever since he left Liverpool for Real Madrid. I doubt it will re-surface at United, though I am curious to see how it all pans out.
Beyond discussions of national quotas and salary caps, what is apparent in this summer's trasfer market is that the game truly is global. It has been said since soccer's inception that it is "the world's game." While I have always believed that to be true, many, especially those in the States, have had little reason to believe so, or care for that matter. The Premier League's high-profile signing of two marquee Russians in the past year marks a shift in the European conception of football, and whose fit to play. Of course, South Americans and Africans have long been an integral part of professional football in Europe, but together, they have become the predominate demographic in European football. It will not be long before many kids in Russia, Turkey, and Asia will break through the European ranks.
Onyewu's signing represents a similar trend. How is it that a formidable, yet clumsy center-back formerly of the Clemson Tigers is now of Rossoneri pedigree? While it may prove a waste of money, my bets are on Onyewu to continue to improve, learn the game from a different perspective, and eventually defeat any critics, much like Brian McBride in his stints with Fulham and Everton. That said, he's no Paolo Maldini, nor will he be. But, this marks a huge step for American players in that it proves that they can garner attention from top clubs and be given a chance to show their quality day in and day out on Europe's biggest stage, not just on relatively meaningless platforms such as the Confederations Cup.
Oh, and a quick note on Owen. Like everything else, the British media has sensationalized this move entirely too much. (Frankly, they're just excited to see a former great British player with even the slightest chance of being great once more. Very wishful thinking in my opinion). I wish him the best, though I can say as an avid Arsenal supporter, I hope he doesn't score too many goals for United (and I don't think he will). The fact is, while he does possess talent, he has a lack of confidence that he has yet to restore ever since he left Liverpool for Real Madrid. I doubt it will re-surface at United, though I am curious to see how it all pans out.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
An Introduction
It seems a peculiar time to begin writing a soccer blog, given that the major European leagues have shut up shop for the summer. But, there has been a great deal of football to appreciate this summer. The Russian league, the Scandinavian leagues, and the MLS are in full-swing, and the trial-run of next summer's World Cup, the Confederations Cup, has garnered the most attention for its competitive and entertaining matches. Brazil and Egypt provided the best match of the group stage with their 7-goal thriller. Iraq, despite social and political turmoil, competed well. Iran, in the midst of its greatest political upheaval since 1979, reminded everyone that the game serves as more than sport and entertainment. And hosts South Africa reached the semi-finals, albeit with lackluster performances. Beyond a few excellent group games, the semi-finals have been riveting. South Africa gave Brazil their money's worth this afternoon, losing 1-0 on a well-taken 88th minute free kick by Danny Alves. Perhaps most surprisingly, the United States ended Spain's 35-game unbeaten run in yesterday's semifinal with a hard-fought, well-executed 2-0 win.
As an American, I must admit that I am happy to see my team perform well, though I think the outcome of the match was due more to Spanish underachievement and American opportunism than American prowess. With regard to South Africa's semi-final performance, I witnessed a team reaching its potential, one that will compete dutifully next summer, but will be lucky to progress from the group stage. Both the United States and South Africa can be encouraged by their performances, but they must gain far more composure if they are to progress in next summer's tournament, as the anticipated competition of the 2010 World Cup can hardly be compared uneven nature of this summer's Confederations Cup.
Many have pondered whether these performances say anything about the state of football throughout the world. Has the Confederations Cup's success justified Sepp Blatter's decision to grant World Cup 2010 to South Africa? Are we in for big surprises and a legitimate change in the hierarchy of world football next summer? The answer is no. Every four years there is the same discussion concerning a shift in UEFA's policies concerning group selection. While this year's qualifying process has been a bit more egalitarian than in past years, the fact remains that Europe retains its dominance in football politics. And until that changes, we will not see a marked shift in World Cup performances. European teams will continue to dominate, the Western Hemisphere will continue to be derided, despite holding two of the best footballing nations in Brazil and Argentina, and Africa and Asia will remain off the map, despite the continued growth of players from both continents making their way onto the elite European clubs.
All that being said, I look forward to this summer's transfer market hysteria, as there will undoubtedly be some big moves, on top of the ones that have already taken place (i.e. Kaka and Ronaldo to Real). I have a sense that the coming season will in fact hold many surprises for football fans, though I do not think that any upsets or shifts on the club front will translate to the international game.
As an American, I must admit that I am happy to see my team perform well, though I think the outcome of the match was due more to Spanish underachievement and American opportunism than American prowess. With regard to South Africa's semi-final performance, I witnessed a team reaching its potential, one that will compete dutifully next summer, but will be lucky to progress from the group stage. Both the United States and South Africa can be encouraged by their performances, but they must gain far more composure if they are to progress in next summer's tournament, as the anticipated competition of the 2010 World Cup can hardly be compared uneven nature of this summer's Confederations Cup.
Many have pondered whether these performances say anything about the state of football throughout the world. Has the Confederations Cup's success justified Sepp Blatter's decision to grant World Cup 2010 to South Africa? Are we in for big surprises and a legitimate change in the hierarchy of world football next summer? The answer is no. Every four years there is the same discussion concerning a shift in UEFA's policies concerning group selection. While this year's qualifying process has been a bit more egalitarian than in past years, the fact remains that Europe retains its dominance in football politics. And until that changes, we will not see a marked shift in World Cup performances. European teams will continue to dominate, the Western Hemisphere will continue to be derided, despite holding two of the best footballing nations in Brazil and Argentina, and Africa and Asia will remain off the map, despite the continued growth of players from both continents making their way onto the elite European clubs.
All that being said, I look forward to this summer's transfer market hysteria, as there will undoubtedly be some big moves, on top of the ones that have already taken place (i.e. Kaka and Ronaldo to Real). I have a sense that the coming season will in fact hold many surprises for football fans, though I do not think that any upsets or shifts on the club front will translate to the international game.
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