Phil Brown’s Dirty Tactics Fire Blanks at the Emirates

It took 60 minutes for Phil Brown’s side to realize that they have been defeated at the Emirates Stadium. From the beginning of the game, the Tigers threw themselves into the game with little regard for how much they would be able to keep up with this high level of play.

They made it clear that they would fight tooth and nail for the three points. But that’s where tooth and nail became too literal for football’s standards. The tactics were obvious: direct play, closing down all around the field, and Craig Fagan alone on the front-line.

Now, there is nothing wrong in being more direct, or making harder tackles than usual; it has actually been proven to be the right step in neutralizing technically superior teams. But the Hull City players were trying to come up with a new definition for the word DIRECT (adjective in this case).

Steven Hunt attempted to push Manuel Almunia’s buttons with a couple of improvised provocations. Sparks started to fly as the Arsenal goalkeeper responded to one of Hunt’s challenges. Referee Steve Bennett, however, kept thing under control with a few strict words to both of them.

But the match almost got completely out of hand when just before the end of the first half, Arsenal won a controversial free-kick 10 meters away from the arc of the penalty area.

As referee Steve Bennett was trying to affirm his decision of awarding the free kick, the strangest of things happened. Seeing Samir Nasri walk slowly toward him, Richard Garcia identified and seized his chance. He crumbled on the ground as soon as he felt the slightest touch by Nasri.

And that’s when it started to look really odd.

As if stung by bees, at least five Hull players reacted violently. Led by Steven Hunt and Nick Barmby (who was substituted on break), the Tigers jumped forward at Samir Nasri to seek justice.

Nasri stumbled backwards, some Arsenal players rushed in to help him, and then the melee unleashed. It took a full five minutes for Bennett to reinstate control of the game. What was strange in this situation was that Hunt saw the whole incident happening just before his eyes and nevertheless impulsively dashed forward.

Bennett summoned Nasri and Barmby, showing them the yellow card.

As the game progressed the fog around Fagan’s role started to disperse as well.

He created practically nothing for the duration of the entire match with the exception of a few well-performed simulations. It was obvious that the reason why Phil Brown had chosen to field Fagan instead of the much more powerful and adept in the air Daniel Cousin was because of the striker’s highly developed artistic talents.

And it almost gave result, when in the 56th minute Fagan fell on the ground, claiming that he was held by a surprisingly well-performing-on-the-night Mikael Silvestre. The Arsenal defenders were surprised to see referee Steve Bennett point towards the spot, repeatedly pulling his shirt in response to their astonished expressions.

Higher powers were at work on that night though and justice was served.

Manuel Almunia guessed the direction of Giovanni’s shot and parried the ball, only for it to land on the head of oncoming Hunt, who along with a couple of his team-mates made final attempts to net the ball, but miserably failed to do so.

That defined the turning point of the match and from there on, there was only one team: Arsenal. With two more goals, the match was pushed into formality—3-0.

Nevertheless, the result was not the most important thing this Saturday night.

It was the resoluteness and intelligence the Arsenal players showed to deal with a very tough opponent, especially at a period of time when their captain, Cesc Fabregas, was missing.

As for Phil Brown and his side, they gave it all—maybe even more than that. That is football.

Arsenal: Old Faces Seen at the Training Ground; Sol Campbell Back?

One of Arsenal’s most successful centre backs, and a significant part of the “Invincibles” team, Sol Campbell, has been seen at the Arsenal training grounds.

Back when Arsenal completed their last trophy conquest, Sol managed to blend in perfectly with the Arsenal squad, forming a solid partnership with Kolo Toure who is now at Manchester City.

Campbell, 35, was released by his last team, Notts County, by mutual consent of both him and the club, and is now free to pursue a new contract. His presence at the Emirates, however, should not be read much into, according to Arsene Wenger:

"I don't know about that yet," said Wenger. "I haven't thought about it.

"At the moment we have four centre backs and we will always have four. If one would go I would consider it but at the moment we have four. There is no need to sign anyone else.

"I love Sol Campbell and the fact he came back here and wanted to practice with us shows that he loves the Club as well.

“You never say never in this kind of situations. He can still do a job in the Premier League especially now he is fit but at the moment we have no need to sign anybody."

However vague the situation is, a certain question arises: Can Sol Campbell help the team, or at least, can his tons of experience help in some way for some of the youngsters to improve themselves if he is re-signed by Arsene?

With the presences of the new summer acquisition Thomas Vermaelen, the ever-solid William Gallas, and second picks Philippe Senderos and Mikael Silvestre, one might begin to wonder whether Sol is really needed at the moment. Another defender, Johan Djourou, may be out until the end of March, which only puts more emphasis on the question.

One thing is certain; Sol would love to come back to Arsenal. It’s an entirely different thing, however, whether he will fit into the squad at present time.

So, here comes your opinion.

Do you think he will come as a plus to the current squad?

Time to Look Ahead: Arsenal’s Youngsters May Provide Needed Moral Boost

Flowers may not seem to be blossoming for the Gunners at present times. Two losses in a row in the Premier League—one against a supposedly inferior team. Understandably, the spirits of the team have been lowered. Nobody wanted to record a defeat, especially two, that’s for sure.

But all is not lost. While Arsenal is currently trailing 11 points from the leaders Chelsea, there is still hope as a significant part of Chelsea’s team is to leave for the Africa Cup of Nations in January. Same goes for a lot of other teams.

Nevertheless, the source of hope and uplift may come from the most unexpected places. The youngsters at Arsenal, ironically, can be the ones to provide the team with a significant moral boost.

Players like Carlos Vela, Jack Wilshere, Sanchez Watt, Armand Traore, Fran Merida, Jack Wilshere, and Vito Mannone are more motivated than ever to prove themselves.

The injury epidemic at Arsenal brings them one step closer to their dreamed first-team participation.

And what better motivation than seeing what you want just in front of you, only an arm’s reach away; and the only thing you have to do is just reach and grab it.

Just recently, after the match against Chelsea, Wenger announced that the youngsters will get their chance to prove themselves.

On Wednesday, Arsenal is playing Manchester City in the Carling Cup. A good performance by either of the aforementioned players can put pressure on the first-team starters to perform better.

Eduardo is one of those players; undoubtedly, he feels Carlos Vela breathing down his neck. This may prove beneficial to him. Even if it does not work, it is a good chance for Vela to apply for a regular first-team place, in case he provides several good performances, of course—a chance he will definitely have in the coming weeks before Niklas Bedntner returns from injury.

Similar is the situation on the left-back position. Personally, I was tad surprised to see Kieran Gibbs being chosen over Armand Traore during the last year. I have always considered Traore to be the more progressed player. But this still is beneficial for the team. Competition will always raise the bar for its participants.

With Clichy out for another two weeks, and Gibbs out for a significantly longer period of time, it is a golden opportunity for Armand Traore—an opportunity which he surely has waited for a long time.

Another positive sign can be found even in the much tormented and problematic front-line of Arsenal.

The absence of Van Persie is certainly a big blow for the Gunners, and Eduardo’s current form does not help as well. But here’s where two relatively new faces will see their chances.

Carlos Vela has been talked about a lot, ever since the time he spent loan spells at Salamanca and Osasuna, where he gained invaluable experience and was often involved with the first team. Now, he is prepared for Premier League football. His fitness is top notch, and he is more eager than ever to prove himself.

Recently, he stated at the Arsenal website:

"I really want to improve on last season," he said. "I want to score more goals than last season and play more and the main aim for the team is to win something."

After an injury-stricken beginning of the season, the hunger for improvement for Carlos Vela is there. There is only one way for him: up. And what better than that for the team.

Another new face that may become involved in Arsenal’s attack, and most likely will be seen in the game against Manchester City, is Sanchez Watt.

I have always been an admirer of the youngster’s skills. Skills he demonstrated during the team’s preseason preparation. He is tall, technically apt, and reads the game very well.

He recently signed a new contract with Arsenal which proves that he has what it takes to remain at the club.

"This is a contract that gives me more time to prove myself and hopefully I will," he said.

"I want to get a few first-team chances, even just getting in the squad because you know you're improving if you're getting on the bench because there are a lot of players in the team.”

He is still quite young and is ever-improving, but if he is able to grasp his chance against Manchester City, he can be a contender for a first-team spot, or he can provide some pressure on the first-team starters, and maybe push them to improve their form.

Vito Mannone is a young player who has already proved himself to a degree. Now that he has tasted first-team football, the motivation to come back will be even stronger. He is a more than decent goal keeper who could become the next big thing, but at the moment, his drive to get into the first team can be beneficial for the first team.

Even in an injury-stricken squad like the current one of Arsenal, the youngster can provide Wenger with a headache or two. But that is only if they perform well.

They will have their chances, as Wenger said. It’s up to them.

And at times like this, their determination to prove themselves is exactly what the team needs. Ironically, the source of problems that the age has caused for Arsenal can be the source of hope and inspiration as well.

Good luck, young Gunners.