Andrey Arshavin is likely to start on the left of Arsenal’s attack which opens up many possibilities on how the Gunners may line up next season.

In the summer of 1997, the back pages of the national papers were adorned with the photographs of Arsène Wenger’s and his two new signings for the club – Marc Overmars and Emmanuel Petit. They looked like European pop music producers but that was not to underplay their importance to Arsenal for the coming seasons as their arrival signalled a tactical change for the club. In the previous campaign, Wenger’s had delayed the first step of his revolution – or at least the revolution on the playing field – as he persisted with his players’ preference of sticking to the rigid 3-5-2. The signings of Overmars and Petit, however, gave Wenger the appropriate tools to implement his vision.

Petit was moved from centre-back to defensive midfield and Overmars, an archetypical winger in the Dutch 4-3-3, was given a loose role on the left. With Patrick Vieira in the middle also, Arsenal played with a “double-six” which had the same capability of halting attacks as it did the ability to springboard the side’s own. It was the perfect launch pad for the team. But perhaps it was Ray Parlour who was Arsenal’s most important player as his job on the right of midfield allowed the Gunners to move from the 4-4-2 to a 4-3-3, affording Marc Overmars to freedom join the attack. ”Look at his medals. It tells you he is one of the biggest-ever players for Arsenal,” said Wenger on Parlour’s contribution. ”He is better in the last minute than the first. Ray’s an engine that never stops.”

Since then, the 4-4-2 in it’s different guises has remained synonymous with Arsenal until last season when Arsène Wenger finally decided it was time to move to the 4-3-3. The question is, with the signing of Marouane Chamakh, does the option of returning to the 4-4-2 present itself once again to Arsenal? Indeed, if that is the case, it is more likely it would be closer to the 1997 version rather than the “Invincibles” model because of  the various strengths of the players. (Although like the 2003-04 model, the formation is likely to change to  a 4-4-1-1 in the defensive phase to allow for the more efficient covering of space). Robin van Persie has found his true position higher up the pitch while no one forward is capable of filling – apart from Andrey Arshavin – Dennis Bergkamp’s number 10 role. Nevertheless Wenger is adamant that Arshavin’s best position for the team is on the left of the forward attack. “I just love Arshavin as a footballer because he has things that are just down to him,” he says. “He is intelligent and he looks like he is a shrewd street-player because he creates something always in unexpected situations. He has a low centre of gravity, great pace and tricky dribble. He uses all that he has in the locker in an intelligent way and don’t forget he is a winner as well.” However after a stint as the central striker last season Wenger added: “But I do not deny as well that our plan in the future is to put him back where he was – playing on the left.”

The question in a 4-4-2 is, however, whether the forward line would be too top-heavy. Can Andrey Arshavin fulfil his defensive duties while at the same time not inhibiting his freedom to create? That best answer in such a system is to give him a “Marc Overmars” role and deploy a more defensive wide man on the other side (Nasri or Eboue) to balance the side out.


A possible 4-4-2 for next season. Andrey Arshavin is given the freedom to join the attack so a balancing midfeilder on the right, in this case Samir Nasri may be required to tuck in to retain shape and compactness. Robin van Persie or Marouane Chamakh must start the pressing game after which one drops back to control zones better.


Of course, as underlined by recent trends in the modern game, the 4-4-2 is becoming hard to play in it’s most simplest form. The team must have subtleties underneath to avoid the opposition from revelling in between-the-lines while at the same time not to have two similar strikers up front. The “Invincibles” and before played with a 2double six” – two controlling central midfielders – and indeed two forward thinking midfielders in the middle is suicidal and one of the reasons Wenger thought suit to let Patrick Vieira go. ”When Cesc Fabregas was 18, 19, I would play him in a 4-4-2 with Patrick Vieira and I saw it did not work,” said Wenger. “Then I had the decision to make about letting Patrick go, because Gilberto Silva and Vieira worked, Fabregas and Silva worked, but I could not play Fabregas and Vieira.”

Because pre-season is yet to get underway, there are no immediate signs as to where Wenger wants to go although if last season is anything to go by, continuing on from the relative successes of the 4-3-3 is the most obvious option. Experiments at the end of the season can also be used to gauge Wenger’s thinking for the coming campaign and it was particularly interesting to see the manager try to instil a greater defensive efficiency in the side in the trip to Blackburn and the 4-0 win against Fulham. Eboue and Nasri played to the side of the holding midfielder rather than both in different bands so, in all likelihood, we should see a continuation of the 4-3-3. Abou Diaby had a stint as the deepest midfielder so the Frenchman can improve his speed in the pass and tactical acumen indicating a more prominent role for him next season (an article on that soon). Chamakh will surely be embedded in slowly on the right hand side of a three-pronged attack or as a sub, Johan Djourou should partner Thomas Vermaelen at centre-back and youngsters Kieran Gibbs and Jack Wilshere will want to push on for a place in the match day eighteen. Andrey Arshavin should still be afforded the opportunity to roam inside as the best wingers in the world are being afforded nowadays and that will be balanced out by a more conservative right-sided option.

By Football Talk.

Joe Cole’s agent has denied his client is bound for Italy and hinted that his likely destination will be either Arsenal or Tottenham. Speculation today suggested Cole could be on the verge of joining AC Milan but speaking to ESPN Soccernet, Cole’s agent David Giess says a move away from England was “pure speculation” and claims champions league football is still of vital importance to his client.

Quote:

“Football is the most important thing to Joe and continuing to play in the Champions League is high on his priorities.”

Given that Cole has just been released by premier league champions Chelsea, and Manchester United appeared to withdraw from the race last week, it leaves only Arsenal and Tottenham able to offer Cole champions league football.

Several media reports have also suggested that Cole and his wife Carly are keen to remain in London to keep their new baby near their families, so everything now points to a head-to-head battle between North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham for Cole’s signature. Cole and his family are away on holiday leaving David Giess to negotiate transfer dealings.

BARCELONA target Cesc Fabregas insists he has not ruled out staying at Arsenal next season.

The Gunners' skipper has been strongly linked with a move to the Nou Camp and Pep Guardiola's side had a Ј29million bid for him turned down last month.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is adamant the 23-year-old — who is in South Africa as part of Spain's World Cup squad — will not be allowed to leave.

But despite admitting it would be a dream to play under his boyhood idol Guardiola, Fabregas says he could yet remain at the Emirates Stadium.

He said: "I haven't said that I will definitely leave Arsenal. Everything is possible. Now I have my head and my focus on the World Cup.

"I am very proud to be captain of Arsenal and I love the club and have respect for them. It gave me such pride to be made captain."

Fabregas has also admitted he has been frustrated by Spanish coach Vicente Del Bosque's decision to leave him on the bench for the finals.

Barca duo Xavi and Andres Iniesta are filling Spain's creative roles in midfield and Xabi Alonso and Sergio Busquets are the anchormen.

And Fabregas added: "I always want to play. I'm not used to sitting on the bench and I want to be playing at this World Cup.

"I'm always competitive at everything — even on the PlayStation — but that's my desire to win and I have that even in training.

"I've never been a player happy to settle for what I have, I always want more but I respect the coach's decision.

"I know to be in midfield is going to be difficult because we have a lot of good players but I will never give up.

"I've won a lot of caps but if I've not played three quarters of the game then it's not so valuable to me.

"I still don't think my best time for Spain has arrived and I still must carry on working to improve."

Самуэль Галиндо сегодня вечером станет игроком "Арсенала". Боливийский футболист подпишет с "канонирами" 4-летний контракт, но уйдёт в аренду, так как клубу не удалось получить для него разрешение на работу в Англии.

Галиндо тренировался с первой командой Арсена Венгера, начиная с января, когда "канониры" сумели перехватить его у "Эвертона", подписав предварительный контракт. Однако, переход не был завершён, поскольку официальные лица захотели узнать подробности обвинений с обманом возраста со стороны Самуэля, которое появилось в боливийской прессе. Когда они убедились, что молодой игрок имеет возраст, соответствующий паспорту, трансферное окно уже было закрыто.

Боливиец подписал специальный контракт в марте, который означал, что ему будут платить зарплату, но Галиндо не сможет играть ни в каких матчах. Вместо этого Самуэль тренировался с первой командой, и даже сумел поучаствовать в двусторонке 5 на 5 перед матчем Лиги Чемпионов против "Барселоны".

В мае боливиец вернулся на родину, чтобы подписать документы, нужные для заявки по испанской визе, хотя разрешения на работу в Англии сейчас также не было дано. Предложение было отклонено, и теперь уход в аренду в Испанию неизбежен. "Арсенал" первоначально пообещал "Саламанке" возможность подписать игрока, но Самуэль заявил La Gaceta de Salamanca, что планы поменялись.

"Две недели назад, казалось очевидным, что я еду в Саламанку, однако "Арсенал" сказал мне, что хочет моего перехода в Сельту".

"Канониры" заплатили "Америке" за капитана сборной Боливии U-20 500 тысяч евро. Левоногий атакующий полузащитник придерживается стиля "box-to-box", то есть может сыграть в центре, позади нападающего или на фланге.

Барселона" приготовила окончательное предложение по трансферу Сеска Фабрегаса, предложенная сумма составляет 40 миллионов фунтов, но у "каталонцев", в случае отказа "Арсенала", имеется альтернатива.

Сейчас Сеск Фабрегас выступает на чемпионате мира, вчера сборная Испании обыграла Португальцев и вышла в 1/4 финала, сам же футболист хочет после мундиаля вернуться на родину.

"Барселона" может отложить покупку Фабрегаса, и приобрести более дешевую альтернативу, но это только в том случае, если "Арсенал" откажется от 40 миллионов, которые будут предложены на днях.

По сообщениям El Mundo, если "Барселона" получит отказ, она намерена подписать полузащитника немецкого "Вердера" Месута Озила, чей контракт истекает уже в следующем году.

Сол Кэмпбелл настаивает, что не будет торопиться с решением о переходе в "Селтик".

35-летний ветеран во вторник прибыл в Глазго и уже успел побывать на "Селтик Парк". Напомним, что после того, как закончился контракт с "канонирами", Сол стал свободным агентом и начал искать другие варианты трудоустройства.

К тому же новый босс шотландского клуба Нил Леннон назвал бывшего игрока сборной Англии одной из главных трансферных целей клуба в это межсезонье. Однако сам Кэмпбелл не хочет торопиться с принятием решения и проведёт переговоры с "Арсеналом", прежде чем определиться со своим будущим.

"Я просто приехал сюда, чтобы ознакомиться с городом, ничего большего", - сказал Кэмпбелл в интервью газете Daily Record.

"Я также должен обязательно поговорить с руководством "Арсенала", так как они всё ещё заинтересованы во мне. Однако сейчас для меня самая важная вещь - это моя свадьба и медовый месяц".

"Не думаю, что приму решение по поводу своего будущего до того, как закончатся мои праздники".

Кэмпбелл, которому, согласно сообщениям, предложен двухлетний контракт в "Селтике", признаёт, что шотландский клуб должен доказать свои амбиции, если они хотят, чтобы он перешёл к ним.

"Я встретился с Нилом Ленноном", - добавил Сол. "Клуб знает, что завершит Чемпионат Шотландии на первом или втором месте. Всё зависит от того, чего они хотят добиться в Европе".

Theo Walcott admits he's endured a difficult time after an injury-hit season with Arsenal and missing out on the England World Cup squad.

The winger was unable to play regular football for Arsenal due to repeated injuries, and hopes he can finally show what he can do next year.

He added that if a few of his Arsenal team-mates can also improve their fitness, then the team can go that step further towards winning silverware next term.

Speaking at Arsenal.com's kit launch, Walcott said: "[Last season] was a disappointment, personally, with the amount of injuries I've had. We had a lot of players out and that stifled our season quite a lot.

"Hopefully I can have an injury-free season - that's my first target, and to try and help this team win something. We want to win something now instead of using the excuse that we're young players.

"I think it's difficult to have a whole season without any injuries, but it's football, we've got to live with that. I'll just be trying to concentrate on having a better season than last year, because it was a disappointment not to play as much as I wanted to. Hopefully I can give something more to the fans this year.

"We're very close [to winning a trophy]. We always tend to be that touching distance, but we've dropped quite a lot of points where we shouldn't have.

Alex Song has spoken of his appreciation for manager Arsène Wenger, for giving him his chance in the first-team last season.

Song stepped up as a consistent performer and key player for Arsenal last season, with some solid and mature defensive midfield performances.

Speaking at Arsenal.com's kit launch, the midfielder spoke about his individual displays last season, as well as the team's bad luck with injuries.

The Cameroon international believes if Arsenal can keep their players fit next season, they will be a different prospect both in the league and in Europe.

He said: "This season we lost very many players [to injury], very good players. It's very difficult when you lose so many players, but I hope next season we won't have any injuries. I think if we have everyone in the squad fit we will be a different team.

"Everyone wants to play the big games, I think for next season we will be ready.

"Everyone can see [that I've improved as a player]. They can see I'm more confident and the other plays have more confidence in me. That's why I just try to give my best in every game.

"I would like to just say thank you to the boss because he has given me a lot of credit, that's why today I'm very happy."