Gunning For A New Dawn: An Arsenal Exposé

[alexdesouza]

First go at one of these - please feel free to suggest anything to improve the blog!

04/06/2012

For Immediate Release

Contact

Ivan Gazidis
+44 (020) 5555 5555
ivan.gazidis@arsenal.com


Arsenal Football Club announces that current manager Arsene Wenger has decided to resign effectively immediately. The club is deeply saddened by the loss of a such an influential figurehead within it's ranks however we do fully support the manager in this decision.

Arsene Wenger has been manager of the club for 16 years and since then the club has won three Premier League titles, four FA Cup titles and four Community Shield titles. Along with those achievements Arsene Wenger brought both style and substance to the team that of which we as a club we will look to uphold this tradition for the years to come. We wish Arsene all the best in his future endeavors.

The club will now look forward to the future and will continue to progress.

Current training sessions and matches will be held by Assistant Manager Steve Bould. Boro Primovic and Martin Keown.

We will soon announce who will take over the role as Arsene Wenger's successor. We expect this to be in the next 24 to 48 hours.

# # #

[alexdesouza]

Arsenal Inside Right
Arsene Leaves, possible replacements.

Manager Arsene Wenger has quit! So we here at Arsenal Insider decided to put together a shortlist of possible candidates to take over Arsene's role for you guys! We hope you share your opinions on who you think should be appointed the new manager and also click on the subscribe button to keep in touch with future updates.



Jose Mourinho - Currently with Real Madrid the feisty Portugese manager has made it clear in recent times of his desire to come back to England to manage. Will it be on the Red side of London?

__________________________ 2.25


Marcelo Bielsa - Known for his unique managing style and highly personal training methods Marcelo is a perfect candidate for the Arsenal but could his explosiveness clash with the Arsenal board?

____d______________________7.00


Michael Laudrup - Having only just joined Swansea the much lauded Dane is not only tactically astute but he is one that the players all look up to. Could his leadership take the Gunners to new heights?

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Sahin Dilhan - Currently the Under 18s head coach after replacing Pat Holland earlier in the year. An unknown, however due to being the only internal choice that's available, we have to assess it as an option.

____d______________________21.00

Who will you be putting your money on?

[alexdesouza]

06/06/2012

For Immediate Release

Contact

Ivan Gazidis
+44 (020) 5555 5555
ivan.gazidis@arsenal.com


Arsenal Football Club would like to announce that manager Sahin Dilhan has successfully signed for the club. He will be taking over first team duties immediately and the backroom staff will remain as it is. We are delighted to welcome the former U18 coach to the first-team and wish him all the successes possible.

We also wish the the team the best luck for the upcoming year and hope all fans will support the team to the best of their abilities. We are striving to make our team stronger than ever and will persevere to make the viewing experience more enjoyable for you, the fan, also! We're working to lower season ticket prices for youths as well as embarking on a new quest to upgrade the facilities available to both the senior and U21s squad.

We expect there to be extensive work to both the defensive and attacking elements to our team as well as building a strong British core that can represent the club in years to come. Arsene has left an array of young talent both in and around the first team and it is expected of everyone involved with the club to behave in a professional manor. We also would like to take this time to thank everyone involved in helping make Sahin welcome at his new club.

# # #

[alexdesouza]

So this is my first day! Not really, I've been in the bosses ear for quite some time now and the pieces have slowly been put together over a 24-month period that began with the break-in of potentially one of the greatest players of our generation. But I'll get to that later. More on the boss. Arsene. Mr Wenger. Chief. An enigma to some but to me he was my best friend and confidant. He taught me so much about the beautiful game that I really owe him everything.

Then one day he comes into my office and drops the bomb. He's going to retire. Not take up another club but leave the game entirely. Naturally I tried to talk him out of it. But before long he begun to lay out his plans for the future which involved me taking his place after he'd managed to bring in a few players of which I can base my future with the club on.

And these players were Theo Walcott, Alexandre Oxlade-Chamberlain, Aaron Ramsey, Wojciech Szczesny, Serge Gnabry, Carl Jenkinson and Kieran Gibbs. I was to build my squad around these players and with that a new Arsenal dynasty was about to let unleash. The leader of this group? Jack Wilshere. A young, enigmatic midfielder had it in him to become one of the true greats. And it wasn't like I was getting a group of kids either. There was already talent in the squad and a hierarchy already established.

What could possibly go wrong?

Well, while I'm here on my first day, I may as well set out the two tactics (and one defensive variation) we're going to be using this season. It may not make sense to the vast majority of supporters to begin with but rest assured if we get those results they will be behind us one hundred percent.


Main Tactic:

This is the main tactic I want to use for this club for the players that's available. I believe in creating a strong, workman like atmosphere till we get the wins on the board while players can adjust and take on board my style and ethics. It's actually a higher press than my other tactics and involves keeping possession, interchanging between short passing and utilising the wings and finally a strong presence in set pieces both defensively and offensively. I will adapt a more fluent style as the season progresses and adapt the tactic as the matches see fit. I have often enjoyed changing to a more controlling tactic once we're in the lead but this specific counter-attacking tactic should keep me solid at the back and allow for players to have a bit of creativity up front.





Secondary Tactic:
The point of this was to have a deeper press from our defenders but the striker is actually pushing their defenders as far back as possible. This should allow us time and space to work with the ball and spot a few low crosses in as well as take advantage of our pacey striker Theo Walcott and attempt through-balls regularly.





Experimental Tactic:
I'm going to try and adopt this as my experimental tactic to begin with. I'll be changing quite a bit but not using it just yet. Most of my findings and statistics from the first two tactics will go into making this third one a little stronger. I decided to stick with the current tactic that was in use at the club which incorporates the use of a defensive midfielder which might be of some use. We will see how if ever this tactic actually becomes useful.




Tomorrow I will go through the players currently at the club that are in my plans and possible transfers for the first window. Also results from my friendlies and the first match of the 2012 / 2013 season for our club.

[alexdesouza]

I'm quite positive about the squad. We have a strong base but there are improvements to be made there. But more important than the improvements themselves is the ORDER because there is a bunch of potential in the team but that won't help with the here and now. Also, as an Arsenal fan myself, I will try and remain impartial however I do not think that some of the senior players there are fit to wear the jersey. These are the players I would like to get rid of as soon as possible as I believe in having players who want to play for the shirt and who want to play for the fans.

Goalkeepers:
Wojciech Szczesny, Lukasz Fabianski, Vito Mannone and Damian Martinez

Defenders:
Thomas Vermaelen, Laurent Koscielny, Per Mertersacker, Johan Djourou, Sebastien Squillaci, Bacary Sagna, Carl Jenkinson, Kieran Gibbs, Andre Santos and Ignasi Miquel.

Midfielders:
Abou Diaby, Tomas Rosicky, Mikel Arteta, Jack Wilshere, Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain, Aaron Ramsey, Santi Cazorla, Francis Coquelin, Emmanuel Frimpong and Craig Eastmond.

Forwards:
Oliver Giroud, Theo Walcott, Gervinho, Lukas Podolski, Andre Arshavin and Marouane Chamakh.

Best Youth:
Chuba Akpom, Serge Gnabry and Kristoffer Olsson.


There are also a heap of players on loan that will need to be addressed next season. Now the players that I've decided don't have a future at the club and will be sold or loaned out who are currently with the first team are the following players:

Lukasz Fabianski - Would like someone more consistent and could push Szczesny.
Sebastien Squillaci - I don't see a future for him at the club.
Ignasi Miquel - Loan to get some match experience.
Emmanuel Frimpong - Loan to get some match experience.
Gervinho - Isn't good enough to push for first team and too good to sit on the bench every week.
Andre Arshavin - I don't see a future for him at the club.
Marouane Chamakh - Keeping him will block youngsters from developing.
Craig Eastmond - I don't see a future for him at the club.

Positions we need to address for first team: Defensive midfielder and striker.
Positions we need " " " for rotation: Goalkeeper, left-sided defender and winger.
Positions we need " " " for youth: Both fullbacks, central defender, defensive midfielders, winger, striker.

Next entry will be the transfers and fixtures!

[jukilo]

Nice introduction mate.. Following!

[alexdesouza]

TRANSFERS IN :








Left to right:

Marouane Fellaini: Brought in from Everton to play as my main ball winner in midfield. He'll play alongside Jack Wilshere in the centre of midfield. I've been looking him for a long time and truly believe he will be a success at this club.

Steven Jovetic: A young striker who can play either up front, behind the striker or on the wing. Very well balanced with great technique and physical attributes. Looking to rotate him with Giroud and to offer some rest time to my midfielders. Will come in use against tougher opponents as it will allow Cazorla to play on the wings and keep possession and not lose quality going through the middle.

Wilfried Zaha: Come in take the place of Gervinho but won't demand as much game time especially the first season or two. Will be very important against weaker teams and some Champions League games with the high levels of training involved which we will go through later on.

David Ospina: My number two keeper. Will rotate with Szczesny despite me not enjoying rotations I'll try bide my time till Szczesny is of at least Premier League quality. I really like the fact that he has really balanced stats and asks for low wages.

Vegard Forren: Fourth choice defender who can help also on the left side. Will be third choice left back as I already have a 3rd choice right back (Koscielny) so that we have even more increased depth. I think all these players are quality so long as they're playing near 100% of their capabilities/conditioning.

Paul Pogba: When I first walked in the doors at Arsenal I received a call from Alex Ferguson. He laughed at me and said that he's enjoying watching Robin bash them in at training and the train-wreck that Arsene left me with. The smug ba5t@r!] who does he think he is?! I knew I needed another midfielder as I was looking to loan Coquelin after signing Forren for cover in defense so I decided to give his agent Paul Cope a call. Little did I know he was mislead on his transfer to Juventus and was told he'd see little first team action if at all and that he might be loaned to Genoa. So after a few more phone calls we agreed with Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli to take Paul on loan for 12 months with a 10.5m sign on clause.

Youth team signings:

Mason Bennett: Young English striker who can also play on the wings or the #10 role.
Sergi Samper:: Barcelona prodigy, deep lying playmaker who can play in central midfield, great passer.
Jamaal Lascelles: Young English defender who looks to have a good future.
Zakaria Bakkali: Belgian striker from PSG... setting the pavement for an even bigger signing next season...
Joel Pohjanpalo: Finish midfielder, recently scored a hat-trick in 3minutes, has cool hair.


TRANSFERS OUT :

Gervinho - 9.75m (CSKA)
Andre Arshavin - 4m (PSG)
Marouane Chamakh - 4m (Napoli)
Sebastien Squillaci - 750k (Malaga)
Johan Djourou - Exchange (Fiorentina)

+ a lot of loans including some of the new youth arrivals like Bakkali, Pohjanpalo, Samper, Akpom, Fabianski, Lascelles, Yennaris, Mannone, Frimpong, Miquel, Gnabry, Olsson, Bellerin and more! If you're interested in the exact list please don't hesitate to ask and I'll fax them right over!

[alexdesouza]

Time for some current squad analysis then before the years fixture list hits us. Now that we've got what seemed like before like an entirely new squad it seems a whole lot more balanced now with the youngsters going out on loan for first team action. There was a lot of ins and outs lately but the squad mentality is good, not great, but good and they're all enjoying the first few weeks of training which will be listed below the list of players. This is the final list and won't be changed again till January.

Goalkeepers:
(1) Wojciech Szczesny, (21) David Ospina and (30) Damian Martinez

Defenders:
(5) Thomas Vermaelen, (6.) Laurent Koscielny, (4) Per Mertersacker, (24) Vegard Forren, (3) Bacary Sagna, (25) Carl Jenkinson, (28) Kieran Gibbs and (11) Andre Santos.

Midfielders:
(2) Abou Diaby, (7) Tomas Rosicky, (8) Mikel Arteta, (10) Jack Wilshere, (15) Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain, (16) Aaron Ramsey, (19) Santi Cazorla, (26) Marouane Fellaini and (44) Paul Pogba.

Forwards:
(12) Oliver Giroud, (14) Theo Walcott, (17) Wilfried Zaha, (9) Lukas Podolski and (18) Stevan Jovetic.





Week 1-4
General training:

Focus: Fitness
Intensity: Very High

Match training:
Teamwork


Week 5
General training:

Focus: Tactics
Intensity: Very High

Match training:
Varied (attacking movement and attacking set pieces)


Week 6-7
General training:

Focus: Tactics
Intensity: High

Match training:
Tactics

Week 8
General training:

Focus: Tactics
Intensity: Average

Match training:
Varied (defensive positioning, defensive set pieces, team work and tactics)




I'll carry on running similar training drills and keep you all up to date on what's happening with the squad in terms reactions and improvements. I also keep a very close eye on individual training and the coaches involved in all areas of the club very early on. I'll go through the list of coaches I've appointed to help me on this great journey a little later on. But firstly a little about my approach on individual training. Whilst I think it is imperative to have your squad train together the individual training, along with mentoring, will help both young and older players develop different parts of their game. I will focus on strengthening certain players to be all-rounders whilst others I will be focusing on certain parts of their game if I don't see a point in attempting to make them into something that they are not.

Now as for the backroom staff? You asked for it here it is:

Gianpiero Ventrone - Coach
Marc Overmars - Director Of Football
Martin Keown - Coach
Dave Parnaby - Coach
Warren Joyce - Coach
Andy Renshaw - Fitness Coach
Phil Cannon - U18s coach
Lievan Maesschalck - Head Physio
Rodolfo Borrel - Coach
Valter Di Salvo - Coach
Grant Downie - Physio
Pete Friar - Physio
Aurelio Pereira - Scout
Stephen Pears - Coach
Anselmo Sbraglia - Coach
Jose Segura - Coach
Nick Worth - Physio

Added to that the ones currently already at the club.

We've unfortunately had to part way with the following however:

Pat Holland - U18s coach
Lew Colin - Head Physio


Will go through the early fixtures next time as well as attempting to do some analysis of a couple fixtures.

[alexdesouza]

So here are some of the match day fixtures for the first couple months. So far as you can see we've started pretty well with a few big'ish hiccups early on and a defense that's letting goals in! Also hopefully will be able to show that my midfield isn't doing a good job of limiting their chances despite having majority of the possession at times with great albeit "loose" passing. I call it loose passing myself, not sure if others do, and I don't mean passes that aren't completed. I mean just passing in areas sometimes players "shouldn't be" but that's because of the fluid system employed that they're given a little more creative license. Also, I forgot to mention, it will be hard to keep track of which statistics are valid to which tactic because I can change it as often as five or six times throughout a game depending on how the game is going and who my opponent is. If it's a straight-forward game I shouldn't need to change it.


(Friendly) Huracan @away:________________________________________________Won 1-0
(Friendly) Ajax CT @away: ________________________________________________Won 3-0
(Friendly) New England @away:____________________________________________Won 3-1
(Friendly Cup Semi Final) FC Sochaux-Montbe @home:________________________Won 3-1
(Friendly Cup Final) Galatasaray @home: ____________________________________Won 3-1
(Friendly) Levadeiakos @away: ____________________________________________Won 4-2


So that went well. Won all our preseason games and no major injuries. Going into the season we will be missing Tomas for two months as well as Giroud who got a little niggle in the last game which might rule him out of the next game IF he doesn't recover. However I would like to start with what is essentially "my perfect 11" if I have all my players fit which I seemingly do. The first three games of the season is West Ham at the Emirates, Wigan at the DW and Swansea back at the Emirates o n the 1st of September which is also the end of the transfer window. After that we have a decent break before games against Chelsea at home and our first European Cup tie against Dynamo Kyiv.

By the way our Champions League group is already drawn.

The group includes:

Galatasaray
Basel
Dynamo Kyiv
Arsenal

Pretty kind group if you ask me but I'm sure the players won't enjoy travelling to Kiev or Istanbul!

[Logorex]

This looks like it's gonna be good.