Bleacher Report - Articles by yatin matta

Calling For Self Respect: Why Do Players Prefer To Be Pawns?

yatin matta — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 08:59:16 -0400

"The day I agree to sell a player one year in advance, I will not be in this job any more."

Well said Mr. Wenger, after all there has to be a way to end this rubbish that comes up in Spanish media once every week.

It's not just about Fabregas becoming the pawn in the next years Barcelona elections, we had seen that with Real Madrid last year when Perez promised to sign Ronaldo and kaka if he wins.

"It does not help football and does not help people to focus on their job and is sometimes destabilising." ( Arsene Wenger)

There are bodies who are there to handle problems like these, but they are too busy in their "ivory towers" so forget about them intervening and not letting football get destroyed.

It should be the duty of a player to put his foot down and say "No" to becoming the pawn. What is the cost of a players self respect? $100 million? or $80 million? What is the cost of destabilising a club?

Everybody starts playing football for their love of the game, and then when they become proffesionals they sell their love, they sell their self respect.

Money can buy everything, but how can any amount of money compensate for destroying team spirit and broken hearts of million players. Maybe Manchester United will go on and win the title fourth consecutive time, maybe, Manchester City will break into top four, maybe, Real Madrid will go on and win the Champions League, but what about a club like Burnley? Not all clubs play football for trophies some do it for the love of the game.

You may argue that money is no bad for a game, I am not against politics in the game, what I am against is making players a pawn in your political regime. Think, the cost of talents being lost. Why is the class of good defenders dying? Why isn't a Vidic or Terry not worth as much as Cristiano Ronaldo?

Come on all you idols of us million football fans, show us some self respect, don't let the beautiful game die

Arsenal; Of Complacency, Interchangeability and Self Sustenance.

yatin matta — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:58:27 -0400

We are about to be ushered into a new season. The rumours this season have been worse than Nicklas Bendtner’s chance to goal ratio (sorry Nicklas). Let us today see beyond the possible transfers and the so-called midfield problem. There are three issues that have popped up around Arsenal FC this month.

Issue No. 1 as pointed out by ‘bleach blonde haired beach ball’ Manuel Almunia; “Arsenal needs a good start.” WOW! As if we did not know it. If there is one word to describe last seasons biggest downfall of Arsenal it’s ‘COMPLACENCY’.

When the fixtures were announced, Arsenal fans were feeling lucky. First five games of season where you can easily take away all three points from all of them; result, we ended up losing the very second game away at Fulham. Clearly, the team was not focused enough. Result was we ended up losing 5 of our first 14 games. Fast-forward to the new season, a tough fixture list for the start of season and Christmas period.

I think this would be good for Arsenal. The team would be focused from the word go, and if the interviews are to be believed, the hunger has increased many folds. We will also have players fighting for positions and that too world class players, young, experienced and looking to prove themselves.

This brings me to point number two on my list of issues; players signing contracts. In a recent interview to www.arseblog.com, Ivan Gazidis said that, “the club's priority this season is to tie down young players for long term contracts to ensure the stability of the squad.” Well said. With players like Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere, and most importantly Robin Van Persie extending their contracts and one or two more signings to come, coupled with Eduardo and Tomas Rosicky hopefully returning fresh from 18 months break we will have a tussle for starting places.

The best part of the current squad, as it stands, is the flexibility. Let me give you a possible midfield and attack line up. Rosicky/Nasri, Walcott, Fabregas, Denillson/Song/Diaby, Arshavin,Van Persie, Adebayor/Vela/Eduardo/Bendtner. They all can play in any attacking midfield position. I believe Wenger was experimenting this last season and did click in one or two games; it was a 4-2-1-2-1 line up.

Nasri/ Diaby/ Fabregas who ever started were interchanging as defensive and attacking midfielders within the game creating havoc for opposition. In the game against Stoke, where Van Persie started alone upfront we saw Arshavin, Walcott, and Van Persie interchanging between them as strikers and wingers.

Now imagine you are a fullback and you are asked to man mark Arshavin. Suddenly, you find him drifting inside and pacy Walcott drifting towards your wing unmarked, the defence is confused and they are all out of position. Even worse, Fabregas and Nari/Diaby/Rosicky have destroyed the postioning of your midfield through their interchanging. And the worst part there are two pacy fullbacks smashing crosses in your box.

This is Arsene Wengers grand idea for next season, and I think it will work. Keep an eye on preseason games for details. The opposition knows Arsenal will play like this, but it will be hard for them to adjust as they need pace equivalent to young squad of Arsenal. However, all of this sounds wonderful on paper unless executed well. So lets hope the hunger will further energise the squad.

Finally, comes the most debatable issue. 'Self sustainability' is the theme of the season at Arsenal Football Club. Usmanov offered the club a Lump of money as rights issue which the club rejected. Newspapers today were saying that Arsene was robbed of 60 Million kitty. A transfer kitty he was never going to spend and would have been led he club into further financial and board instability. Even the likes of Manchester United, whose owners are the least involved in the clubs transfer market had to sell their star asset to finance some of the owner’s debts. They may deny it but you think Sir Alex wouldn’t have spent all of the 80 million by now had he got them?

I know we are trophy less for few seasons but two-to-three more seasons struggle may see us achieve the stability in a turbulent economy called football. We don’t have to look beyond the likes of Leeds and Newcastle where the owner (or Sugar Daddy as Arseblog puts it) has pushed the club from top of the mountain into the deep valley of relegation.

So Arsenal fans, don’t be frustrated at all the 'Melo-Drama' and media rumours, 15^th August is not far away and believe in the bespectacled unknown French guy, after all in Arsene we trust.

Arsenal: Let Us See a Summer Of No Selling

yatin matta — Thu, 28 May 2009 13:33:18 -0400

Why does every end of season start with rumours of key players departing Arsenal?

Why are we unable to hold down the players we need in our club?

Where does the money go that we make by selling these players?

Few questions being raised in the past few summers but nobody is willing to answer. However, last season we saw Arsene Wenger spending more than he had earned during the summer. He spent a possible 30 Million (Arshavin, Nasri, Coquelin, Ramsey, Silvestre) against the possible income of 20 million (Hleb, Hoyte).

We have seen the possible replacement of Hleb in Nasri (I feel he is better than Hleb as he does not pass the ball in front of empty net), and Dennilson was supposed to be the possible replacement for Flamini (he did a brilliant job in the starting of the season as his vision and passing was way better than Flamini)

Another summer has arrived on us and rumours of departure have begun. And the sad part is departure is always plural. Every year we Arsene Wenger has to start from scratch. He thinks the jigsaw is complete and it needs one or two more pieces but then he sees the likes of Barcelona and Milan pick up the pieces they want and force the rebuilding cycle to be restarted. The worst part is these players don’t even see day light for a long time they rot their career on benches and are used as fringe players.

This time around too there are rumours of likes of Van Persie, Adebayor, Fabregas, and even Song and Sagna departing. Well If Fabregas leaves for Barcelona where would he play? If Van Persie leaves for inter will he able to replace Murihnios 4-5-1 formation and replace Zaltan in lone strikers position? Think? These players are worshiped as gods at Arsenal FC it depends on them to spend the rest of their career as bench warmers.

Now comes the key question, who would Wenger sell? In my opinion, no one, no not even Rosicky, if possible bring back Sanderos too. We have lacked the depth in our squad we are playing 4 tournament simultaneously and we should have the capacity to rotate the squad. A feature of “Invincibles49” was that the likes of Keown and Upson were easily able to replace Toure and Campbell when they needed rest or were injured. This season we suffered because the only replacement to our defence when both Gallas and Djourou got injured was Silvestre.

However, I think the likes of Vela, Gibbs and Wilshere should be sent on loan. There was a link up of Vela to West Ham on loan, if it comes good I think under Zola’s guidance this highly talented kid can become our Messi.

Now let us see our squad if we don’t sell anyone:

Forwards:

Adebayor, Arshavin, Robin Van Persie, Eduardo, Bendtner, Walcott, Vela.

Midfielders:

Nasri, Rosicky, Song, Dennilson, Fabregas, Diaby, Ramsey, and one new signing.

Defenders:

Toure, Gallas, Djourou, Sanderos, Clichy, Silvestre, Gibbs, Sagna, Traore and one or two new signings.

This gives us a squad with depth; experience and a squad that can keep fighting if people get injured, squad that can be rotated freely. This is the key to Man-U’s and Barca’s success and Wenger needs to apply this on Arsenal too. Hopefully we do see a summer of no departures.

In Arsene We trust

Learn From Fergie Arsene, You Don't Need to Beat "the Big 4" to Win the League

yatin matta — Wed, 20 May 2009 11:31:44 -0400

Well it's all over; the 2008-2009 season is done and dusted at least for the upper half of the league. Manchester United has won the title for third time in a row. I am not concerned about what Man-U did right or wrong this season, I am not even pointing out that they have the resources to park a 35 million player on the bench. What they have done right is they have won the games they needed to win.

The season started slow for them, as they did not score as many goals in comparison to last season. They started by losing to Liverpool, drawing against Chelsea and then losing a crunch game at Emirates. This season they have accumulated just five points from the possible 18 against the other top 4 teams. This number goes to nine from 22 if you put Villa in. Further they lost game against Fulham and got thrashed at home against Liverpool in what was supposed to be a crunch game.

Wenger needs to take lessons from this season’s performance by Manchester United. Firstly, United has won at home 16 times compared to Arsenal's 10 home wins. Manchester United has accumulated 50 points at home where as Arsenal has picked up only 35 points at home.

Furthermore, United has scored 43 goals at home compared to the 27 goals scored at Emirates this season by the team in red and white. Arsenal has also conceded 21 goals away from home compared to 11 by United.

Arsenal has conceded first 32% of the times while Manchester United have only conceded first only 16% of times

Arsenal does not have a problem in scoring department where 16 different Arsenal players have Scored compared to 15 scorers of United.

Arsenal has dropped 18 points against teams between number five and 10 in the league table compared to just nine by United. United has dropped only two points against the bottom four compared to 10 by Arsenal. These two stats have been the biggest dent to Arsenal’s season.

Thus, it is not impossible for Arsenal needs to win the league they just need to win the games they should. Ashravin has been a revolutionary signing for Arsenal as he has given the flair to break into final third. In the summer we just need one strong and tall defender, a midfield bully and hopefully an injury free squad.

All in all we have to say In Arsene we should trust.

All in all we have to say In Arsene we should trust.

Wenger to Madrid: Who Can Replace Him If He Leaves?

yatin matta — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 02:13:38 -0500

Since the day the rumors of Arsene Wenger to Real Madrid began, I have been pondering upon the fact if he goes then who will replace him?

Here is a list of possible candidates I feel are qualified for the job:

Pat Rice:

The First Team coach of Arsenal and as Arsenal.com puts it, "A trusted lieutenant beside Arsène Wenger on the bench."

Pat Rice has been with Arsenal almost throughout his life. He arrived at Arsenal at the age of 15 and is still one of the best players who has worn an Arsenal jersey. He is one the brains of clubs and Arsene Wenger believes that Pat Rice makes him a better manager.

Pat Rice has also been the clubs caretaker manager before the arrival of Arsene Wenger.

Gareth Southgate:

We all love the Arsenal way of football, and Gareth Southgate seems like a true protege of Arsene Wenger. Both Southgate and Wenger hold similar beliefs in attractive football and youth development.

Furthermore, like Wenger Southgate believes in replacing players through his academy rather than dipping into the transfer market. With experience in the Premier League he could prove to be an ideal replacement for "The Professor".

Martin O'Neill:

Is currently giving Arsenal a run for their money, literally—Aston Villa are now three points ahead in the race for the Champions League with Arsenal's position in threat.

Martin O'Neill has made some smart buys and has also made superstars out of lesser known stars such as Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young. He has also fared remarkably against the top four.

David Moyes:

If Martin O'Neilll wants it David Moyes has already done it, he broke into the top four at the cost of their Merseyside rivals. However failure in European cup and lack of domestic cups is David Moyes' biggest failure.

Frank Rijkaard:

No one knows what happened to the man who was so successful in his first two seasons at Barcelona. The club had become nearly invincible before a horror season that lead to his sacking. Patient board will do him good at Arsenal and maybe he will bring Messi too (...just an afterthought).

Fabio Capello:

He has proved England can play football, the Euro Qualifiers look a distant memory. He has been very successful as a manager with Juventus and Real Madrid to name a few. Maybe he would know enough English by the time he is looking for a new job.

Dennis Bergkamp:

The legend, the genius, the greatest player the Premier League has ever seen, but we are talking about the coaching job here. I think bringing in Dennis Bergkamp will raise the spirits of the spirits of Highbury and now Emirates faithful, it will also allow the club to keep some of the players who would be unsettled after the departure of Wenger.

Bergkamp will also bring in his immense footballing knowledge and experience of playing in the three biggest leagues. Currently learning his coaching trade with the Ajax academy, maybe Ajax should first send him to Inter for two years before coming to Arsenal (sorry, couldn't resist).

Tony Adams:

Mr. Arsenal, he isn't a story of success at Pompey but maybe a move to his old club can inspire success for the prodigal son.

Another "Unknown Bespectacled Foreigner":

It worked the last time didn't it?

Whatever happens in summer, the fact is Arsene Wenger will leave the club sometime and the new manager will have huge boots to fill in.

I have just mentioned these few names because we all know that people will successful at Arsenal because of the board policy and where I am sitting I can't see an adequate replacement for Arsene Wenger.

If I have missed any name please feel free to suggest. In the end i would just like to conclude there can be a million contenders but there will only be one Arsene Wenger.

Arsenal: They Never Meet Pundits Expectation?

yatin matta — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 04:14:31 -0500

A strange thing about media is when they love someone they don't see anything negative in them, and when they hate someone they don't see anything positive.

Arsenal is currently the so called hate child of media. Since the time Spurs got the 4-4 draw at The Emirates, Arsenal have been described on one hand as careless and spineless, on the other as peerless and fear less.

The team has been described as brilliant yet fragile, leader-less but full of bright young leaders. The team has gone from being the potential champions, and all at once marked as the potential absentee from the premier league's top four positions.

Arsenal are the most complex club on the continent at this time and their misery keeps on increasing with major injuries and poor results (sorry all you Real Madrid fans, I know you guys are hurt too).

Some of the fierce criticism is unwarranted, and as the manager of the club, Arsene Wenger should accept the criticism and should not have outbursts like the one he had after the Villa game.

Well here is a small example of undeserved criticism. Chelsea allowed Fulham to come back after scoring two goals against them. They criticised Scolari but also gave the excuse they were missing the main man "Terry".

This is a team that has spent over one billion pounds over the past four years for buying players slips against a bottom table team because one player is suspended?

Then Manchester United has been having one goal wins for weeks now. In-fact in the past five games they have only scored three times and when Arsenal beat Pompy with a 1-0 score line, the team was deemed as lacking flair.

Aren't you the same guys who used to say it is better to play ugly and win rather than play beautifully and draw?

I know we are all anxiously waiting for the transfer window expecting big things, but believe me of all the managers in premier league, Wenger has the best understanding of income and expenditure.

He will only buy who he feels will add value to his side. I really wish I could have the expenditure chart compared to league positions. Dvery Arsenal fan would know spending money is not the solution, we don't have to go farther than 'white heart lane' to understand this.

In the end let us see where the team is positioned at the end of the season. Last year Chelsea were fifth during Christmas and we all know how that ended. In Arsene i trust and "In Arsene We should Trust."

Cheers and a Happy New Year to all.

Arsenal Formation Without Cesc Fabregas: Nothing Looks Right

yatin matta — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 20:45:27 -0500

It's official, we have lost our midfield genius for almost the rest of the season. Cesc Fabregas has been lucky with injuries in the past; however, it seems the luck has finally run out.

There is another week to go before the transfer window opens and Wenger can buy an appropriate replacement (really?). Let us have a look at the possible squad lineups for the Aston Villa game that Wenger is likely to bring out:

Formation No. 1

4-1-4-1

Almunia

Sagna Gallas Djourou Clichy

Toure

Nasri Dennilson Song Diaby

Van Persie

Advantages

a) Best possible midfield combination

b) Extra defensive ability of the squad

c) Nasri and Diaby add to attacking flare

Disadvantages

a) Lack of attacking midfielder

b) Lack of passing ability

c) Inconsistent mid field

d) Van Persie up alone? You never know.

Wenger will never field this midfield—it's not his style. So it's rejected.

Formation No. 2

4-5-1

Almunia

Sagna Toure Gallas Clichy

Ramsey/Nasri Dennilson Song Nasri/Diaby

Van Persie

Bendtner

Well this only looks good on paper. There is no width, there is no good free kick taker, and, well, can Bendtner really score? Ramsey is too young...and, well, we need to take care of the pace of Villa forwards.

Formation No. 3

4-3-3

Almunia

Sagna Gallas Toure Clichy

Dennilson Song nasri

Robin Bendttner Vela

Hmmm...interesting; sorry, though—not Wenger's style.

Formation No. 4 (The One Wenger Will Really Play)

4-4-2

Almunia

Sagna Gallas Djourou Clichy

Nasri Dennilson Song Diaby

Robin Bendtner

Well there seems to be a terrible lack of creativity and goal scorers and pass makers and, well, as an Arsenal fan I am just hoping the magic works.

Note: Wenger may push Ramsey in Fabregas' role, and that would be fun to see.

What do you guys think?

Alonso or Yaya: Do We Really Need Somebody Who Can't Play in Champions League?

yatin matta — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 05:10:09 -0500

Well, another weekend and some more points dropped; the pundits are at it, criticising a young squad and fans have their swords out again. Wenger can not blame anybody but himself, not because he has done anything wrong by not buying in summer, but because he is not coming out in the open and sharing his belief as openly with fans as he should have.

Fans only respond to what is happening, on the pitch and off, and lately, Arsenal fans have been frustrated.

It's that time of the year where teams who have been suffering from poor summer shopping look to redeem themselves by some late Christmas shopping, and this year the most active in rumor mill (apart from Man City and Spurs who never look out of transfer market) is Arsenal Football Club.

Arsene Wenger has never been a winter buyer, but this year he is looking for more than one player and the the noises coming out of the whispers look bright.

Wenger is looking for a tall centre back (which we so nearly need) and a midfielder. With Arsenal linked with a surprise move for Alonso from Liverpool, and Yaya Toure from Barcelona.

However, the two deals look highly unlikely and wasteful to begin with. Arsenal now have a realistic chance in only two competitions, UCL and FA cup, with Alonso and Yaya who have already been a part of this season's competition with their respective clubs, won't be allowed to play for Arsenal in any of the matches in Europe.

Wenger would field a young squad, if not Carling Cup'ish, but still a relatively young squad in FA cup. Any January buy would thus mean the player getting a maximum of 25 games maybe.

This is not a good investment. It would be wise not to ponder in an overpriced winter transfers when you can get the same players at a cheaper price during the summer.

Further, with Gallas looking to leave for Juventus, Wenger needs to be spending money on a defender rather then look at midfield options.

Let us not get our hopes high and be disappointed at the end of this window we know Wenger will buy only who he feels like and he is going to surprise us. Maybe we would see an American come the end of transfer window. What do you guys think?