Aggressive or foolhardy? Will Arsenal regret withdrawing Aaron Ramsey offer?

The most curious thing about Aaron Ramsey’s much-discussed contract drama is the way in which the club appears to have torpedoed the deal, an unusual move in the Gunners’ recent history. Over a period of many years, we have seen marquee players such as Robin Van Persie, Samir Nasri, Alexis Sanchez, Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, Cesc … Continue reading Aggressive or foolhardy? Will Arsenal regret withdrawing Aaron Ramsey offer?

It’s a team of two halves as Arsenal continue search for consistency despite Newcastle win

When Arsenal put together a complete 90-minute performance, they will be capable of giving almost any side a run for its money. They are not fit to the vie for the league title just yet, of course, but they are playing some good football and picking up points where they have been dropped in seasons … Continue reading It’s a team of two halves as Arsenal continue search for consistency despite Newcastle win

Defence will be the best form of defence for Arsenal in testing trip to Newcastle

The only thing that stands between Arsenal and victory at Newcastle today (Saturday) are the wiles of Rafa Benitez. A man managing far below his high level, Benitez has the nous and knowhow to exploit the weaknesses that remain within this fledgling Arsenal side. There have been improvements in Unai Emery’s Gunners, no doubt, but … Continue reading Defence will be the best form of defence for Arsenal in testing trip to Newcastle

Arsenal hoping slow and steady will win the race as they edge past Cardiff

Inch over the line as Arsenal did against Cardiff on Saturday, it did feel as though the Gunners made progress at last in their efforts to move into a new era. The progress may have been microscopic in relative terms but progress it was, even if the way the match played out bore a lot … Continue reading Arsenal hoping slow and steady will win the race as they edge past Cardiff

Arsenal continue to roll the dice as search for balance at the back goes on

Since the start of the Unai Emery era, Arsenal’s polished PR team has been keen on projecting an image of radical change around the squad, led from the front by the whistle-toting Spaniard himself. Once or twice week, in the pictures released from training sessions, we see Emery heavily involved in proceedings, directing his players, … Continue reading Arsenal continue to roll the dice as search for balance at the back goes on

Arsenal’s individuals must act as a whole to cut out the mistakes and turn promise into results

Individual errors and a lack of focus defensively were big contributing reasons behind the downfall and eventual departure of Arsene Wenger. For all the attacking verve and incisive passing football he championed, the Frenchman struggled in his last five seasons or so to balance that with the need to master the more practical, defensive side … Continue reading Arsenal’s individuals must act as a whole to cut out the mistakes and turn promise into results

Trip across capital will give Arsenal the chance to show what they have learned

Will Arsenal have learned enough in the last week to propel them to points at Stamford Bridge this evening? Last Sunday’s season-opening defeat at the hands of Manchester City was a timely reminder of the amount of work there is for Unai Emery to do in order to shape this team in his image. But … Continue reading Trip across capital will give Arsenal the chance to show what they have learned

Arsenal 0 Manchester City 2: An anti-climactic start but more to come from Emery’s Gunners

There is no escaping the fact that defeat to Manchester City on Sunday had a real anti-climatic feel about it. That’s more, perhaps, because I had allowed myself to get swept up in an excellent pre-season campaign and the general feeling of positivity around the new manager, more than the outcome. I had convinced myself … Continue reading Arsenal 0 Manchester City 2: An anti-climactic start but more to come from Emery’s Gunners