Huntelaar Signs New Schalke Deal

A weapon of mass destruction.

Good morning!

A merry Christmas Eve to you all! We won’t be posting on Christmas Day, so do have a great day tomorrow, I hope you all get what you asked for! After a day off, we’ll back writing on Boxing Day as normal.

Robin van Persie gets hit by a ball

Sir Alex Ferguson has called for Swansea City captain, Ashley Williams, to be banned for “deliberately” kicking a football at Robin van Persie’s head after the Dutchman had been grounded by a challenge from Chico Flores. Williams, a defender, kicked the ball looking to clear his lines as van Persie looked to weave his way into the penalty area.

I can fully appreciate why van Persie reacted furiously to a ball in the back of his head from close range, as it really hurts and it did so much that the notoriously fiery Dutchman proceeded to fight the entire Swansea City XI. Personally I feel that Williams was just looking to clear his lines to make sure the danger was clear and that van Persie was an innocent casualty, but I understand why he reacted in the way he did. I really hope that Ferguson goes ahead with his calls for Williams to be banned, I mean, you can just see the written letter to The FA now;

“Dear Sir,

I am writing to you regarding an altercation between my player, Robin van Persie and Swansea City defender, Ashley Williams. As is abruptly clear, van Persie is struck in the head by a football whilst playing in a football match. I mean, you just don’t need it. There you are, going about your job and then all of a sudden; BAM! You’re hit by a ball.

Naturally, I will be calling for a five-match ban and Williams can consider himself lucky I haven’t pressed forward with Police charges on the grounds of attempted murder.

Yours sincerely,
Sir Alex Ferguson.”

Not in a million years is Ashley Williams going to get banned for kicking a football, it’s the most ridiculous/funny thing I’ve heard all weekend, Cheers, Ferguson.

Daniel Sturridge has Liverpool medical

With Liverpool and Chelsea having agreed a fee for the transfer of Daniel Sturridge to Liverpool, Sturridge travelled north for a medical on Saturday, ahead of his proposed move in January.

As I said the other day, I think this is a great move for all parties concerned. Chelsea Football Club will be delighted to receive £12 million for a player not considered in their plans, Daniel Sturridge gets a chance to rejuvenate his career at Liverpool and Liverpool themselves get another attacking option, as well as an England international to boot. Sturridge has had to endure a poor three and a half years at Stamford Bridge, in which he’s displayed clear potential, but he’s never fully justified his inclusion in the squad. Moving to Liverpool, under a manager such as Brendan Rodgers, represents an opportunity for Sturridge to reinvent himself and under the stewardship of Rodgers, he will be allowed time in which to develop in ways he couldn’t at Chelsea.

It’s a great move for Sturridge, but I’d love to see how many final third passes will occur between Luis Suarez and Sturridge throughout the second half of the season. My guess is 42, and I’m being generous at that.

Klaas jan Huntelaar

Klaas jan Huntelaar, the Dutch international and Schalke o4 striker has signed a new two year deal ahead of his contract expiring this summer. There had been strong rumours the 29 year old would seek a move to Arsenal in January, with Liverpool amongst the names of those interested in the forward.

Just the other evening, I was asked by a friend if I’d like to see Huntelaar at Arsenal, and upon my response I hesitated, before concluding that Huntelaar, a 29 year old, wouldn’t be considered by Arsene Wenger has a sensible option, nor do I personally think it would be a great deal. Signing Huntelaar obviously guarantees goals, but in terms of physique and style of play, there aren’t too many differences between himself and Olivier Giroud of Arsenal. What strikes me about Arsenal, is that they need variation and by that, I mean a striker who is going to move differently and threaten in different ways to Giroud. If you need a plan b, taking Giroud off for Huntelaar isn’t going to change much in my opinion.

Aged 29, I wouldn’t realistically envision Wenger to splash the cash and give a three year deal to a player of 29. For Schalke, it’s great news that the Dutchman has extended his stay, but I don’t think Huntelaar signing a new deal is necessarily a loss for Arsenal. In my opinion, it’s a bullet dodged.

Right that’s me done for today and indeed until Boxing Day. See you then, until such a time however, have a great Christmas!

Follow @J4goalpostsblog

Posted on December 24, 2012 by Craig in England, Premiership Leave a comment

Lone Udinese Fan Makes Headlines / Schalke Manager and Fans Help Clear Snow

Good morning!

A lone Udinese fan, named Arrigo Brovedani, has won the hearts of football supporters and the media across Italy after he travelled 500km from his home in Spilimbergo to Genoa to watch Udinese play away to Sampdoria in Serie A. Brovedani was the only Udinese supporter to attend the match. We thought Wigan fans were bad for away support! Read more

Posted on December 13, 2012 by Craig in Bundesliga, Germany, Italy, Serie A Leave a comment

Arsenal Earn Point In Germany

Good morning.

Despite taking a two goal lead against Schalke 04, Arsenal could only claim a point in Gelsenkirchen as goals from Klaas Jan-Huntelaar and Jefferson Farfan saw the Germans cancel out goals from Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud.

At the beginning of the evening, I’d have settled for a point against a strong Schalke side. Away from home, amidst some poor form, a point away in the Champions League is a top result, but is it so much when you’re pegged back from being two goals up? No, of course not. Letting a two goal lead slip is bad no matter where you’re playing, what competition it’s in or who it’s against, you should not be letting a two goal advantage slide. On reflection, Arsenal’s result is two points dropped, not one point gained.

Arsenal took the lead against the run of play via Theo Walcott in the 18th minute. A defensive error from Roman Neudstadter (I think) sent Giroud through on goal with only Lars Unnerstall to beat. A recovering defender denied Giroud the opportunity to shoot, who was undecided over what to do with the ball and as leather sphere bounced about, Theo Walcott nipped in to take the ball, round the keeper and tap into the empty net. Calamity defending from Schalke and a precious goal for Arsenal, who looked distinctly second best for the 17 minutes that came before it.

Not even ten minutes later, Giroud gave Arsenal their second goal. Playing the ball to Lukas Podolski on the left-wing, the Frenchman moved into the box to await a Podolski cross, which was met by the diving head of Giroud. A brilliant goal for Giroud and at 2-0 with the clock running down for the second half, Arsenal were looking good for three points, as long as they could see out the first half with a clean sheet.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t to be, as a beautiful pass by Lewis Holtby – a rumoured Arsenal target – set Huntelaar up who finished low past Vito Mannone into the opposite bottom hand corner. That goal made it 2-1 just before half-time, the supposed worst time to concede a goal, as it has more importance than any other minute of the match. Apparently.

In the second half, Schalke dominated play and it’s a surprise it took longer than twenty minutes to actually get an equaliser. Lewis Holtby was once again involved, flicking on a header to the back post from a cross, where the unmarked Farfan was on hand to strike past Mannone. It was on target and going in, but Vermaelen made sure by giving it a nudge into the back of the net anyway, being the sweetheart he is.

Theo Walcott then had a late chance for, but tight angles, little time and an on-rushing goalkeeper meant there was little Walcott could do about scoring. A winning goal for Arsenal would have been incredibly harsh given the way Schalke dominated the majority of the match and when the dust has settled, a point will look good on the face of it, but having been 2-0 up, this is a poor result for me. Arsenal need to finish top of this group to avoid facing a Borussia Dortmund or a Barcelona and letting two goal leads slip is not the way to go about it.

Conclusion

My match report is a little uninspired to say the least, but can you be anything else when the team performance fails to resemble what Arsenal fans were treated to just two seasons ago. That team was technically outstanding and beat Barcelona 2-1 by going toe-to-toe with them, such was the ability of that team.

On his return to action with the Arsenal first team, Jack Wilshere commented that it was a completely different midfield to the one he’d last played in. Previously, Wilshere had been playing with Samir Nasri, Alex Song and Cesc Fabregas. Now, it’s Santi Cazorla and Mikel Arteta and although there may be a period of adaptation to go through, is the Arsenal side now necessarily better than it was? For me, no. Arsenal are no longer capable of dominating a game, creating fifteen chances and winning. Now, Arsenal struggle for chances and concentrate on not losing first, which isn’t what top teams do.

Arsene Wenger said in his post-match interview that in this next month, if his team continue to develop, we’ll see a different Arsenal. I hope so, because for now, I see a pale imitation of what Arsenal are supposed to be.

That’s all from me today, sorry I’ve had to rush it. Guess who woke up late again?

You got it in one. See you tomorrow.

Follow @J4goalpostsblog

Posted on November 7, 2012 by Craig in Champions League Leave a comment

Arsenal 0-2 Schalke / Ajax 3-1 Manchester City

Going, going…gone?

Good morning.

Last night was an embarrassment for the Premier League. Is that too strong a statement? No, not in my eyes, for Arsenal and Manchester City, on paper at least, should have beaten Schalke 04 and Ajax respectively, with relative ease. Instead, both of the latter clubs turned over two of our best teams with consummate ease.

Arsenal 0-2 Schalke

A measure of how bad Arsenal played last night, is to point out that it took until the 90th minute to register a shot on target. The Gunners played like an away side looking for a point. On the right-hand side of midfield, Aaron Ramsey started and Francis Coquelin and Mikel Arteta both started as defensive midfield players. Lukas Podolski starting on the opposing wing to Ramsey meant Arsenal didn’t have the width to stretch Schalke, who found it very easy to defend against a slow-moving, very narrow Arsenal side. Playing Ramsey on the wing is a defensive option to help win the ball back and keep it, not to attack the opposition. Everybody knows Ramsey is poor on the wing, so why flog a dead horse? It’s nearly as ridiculous as playing Nicklas Bendtner, a 6 foot plus centre forward on the wing when he wants to be in the middle winning headers.

As was the case against Norwich at the weekend, all of Arsenal’s play was slow, predictable and in front of the opposition defence, who were able to read Arsenal’s attacks like a child’s novel.

Throughout the match, Schalke looked the more threatening and it was no surprise when Klaas-Jan Huntelaar opened the scoring in the 76th minute, just moments after Arsenal had taken off Gervinho for Olivier Giroud (a poor substitution, for Arsenal were as narrow as the Paris catacombs). Andre Santos, a disaster waiting to happen whenever he’s played for Arsenal this season, played Huntelaar onside and the Dutch international smashed a loose ball past the helpless Vito Mannone from close range.

In retaliation, Arsenal continued to play football at a snail’s pace. Santi Cazorla was ineffective, Mikel Arteta was doing his best Denilson impression and kept passing sideways and Ramsey ran around chasing his own tail (or so it seemed). I’m not purposefully being mean here, I’m just telling the truth: Arsenal were dire. The entire performance lacked fight, desire, heart, pride and ingenuity, it was a mockery, it’s as simple as that, so it was hard to begrudge Schalke bagging a second when Andre Santos left Jefferson Farfan AGAIN who was allowed to pass a ball across the area for Ibrahim Afellay to tap-in from close range.

At this rate, there will be no Champions League football for Arsenal next seasonand although they will probably qualify from this group, I dread to think what might happen if they so much as draw BATE Borisov in the next round.

Ajax 3-1 Manchester City

No success in the Champions League will mark the end for Roberto Mancini at Manchester City. I’ve spoken before of Mancini being sacked by Inter Milan for poor performances in Europe, despite owning Serie A and I feel for certain that City’s owners will now be judging Mancini on what he does in Europe, rather than in the Premier League.

It’s quite simple; Manchester City should have trampled all over Ajax, but now as it stands, City must win at the Etihad in their next match against Ajax to keep alive any hope they may progress to the next round.

I will profess to the fact I didn’t watch this match, but doesn’t the score alone tell you everything that needs knowing about City’s performance? Samir Nasri, according to the BBC, netted against the run of play in the 22nd minute and what followed was a Siem De Jong goal in the 45th minute, Niklas Moisander added a second in the 57th minute and Christian Eriksen completed the three-goal rout in the 68th minute, hitting a shot that deflected off of Gael Clichy and past Joe Hart.

Ajax had more possession, the better chances and outplayed the English champions. Not for one moment do I see Manchester City beating Borussia Dortmund away, nor do I fancy their chances of getting a point against Real Madrid when they come to Manchester. Roberto Mancini’s team are going out of the Champions League, and it may be Mancini’s final nail in the coffin.

That’s all from me today.

See you tomorrow.

Follow @J4goalpostsblog

Posted on October 25, 2012 by Craig in England, Europe, La Liga, Premiership, Spain 1 Comment