Its time to analyse Gallas’ performance as captain last season. His appointment at the start of the season was controversial. Gilberto was supposedly the better candidate, he was arguably our player of the previous season and a calming, experienced presence amongst the younger kids. Wenger felt that a defender was a better judge of play and hence, would make a better captain. It didn’t help that Gilberto came back late from Copa America, and not only lost the captaincy but also his starting place to Flamini. There were a few minor voices who felt that Gallas was the ideal candidate, and I have to confess, I wasn’t one of them. However, if Wenger felt that he made a better captain, the least we could do was give Gallas a decent shot at it and evaluate his performance.
The season started very well, and one could see the tangible impact on team spirit. The squad looked together with their huddles (apparently Gallas’ idea), pre-game team talks etc. It certainly seemed to be Gallas’ influence. Performance-wise, the team started off with a few wobbles but still got the points. The resilience and fighting spirit was widely admired as the same situations last season led to dropped points. During the season, Gallas popped up with some crucial goals (Man Utd, Wigan, Chelsea, Bolton) to lead the team by example.
One marked improvement was overall in defence. The earlier part of the season saw a more organised defence, with Gallas largely pulling the strings. There was also a significant improvement in defending set pieces. The team didn’t look as vulnerable as last season. Gallas would bark instructions to the others, especially Clichy and Sagna, the junior partners in defence. Ironically, the team looked solid defensively when Gallas partnered Senderos during the ACN. The relationship between Gallas and Senderos was clearly defined, Senderos being the junior partner. Gallas could be clearly seen instructing Senderos on the finer defensive points. This may have been a small problem with Toure, as he is experienced at Arsenal and one of the senior players at the club.
All of the above positives were applicable till February when things were going well for the club. Then things went pear-shaped. The team lost all those points, starting against Birmingham. Clichy went AWOL in the dying minutes and an incorrect penalty call saw the team drop 2 points. Then came the response from Gallas. He didn’t defend the penalty, kicked a hoarding and was extremely upset with the result, sitting down after the game. The reaction was a bit over the top, but I believe that too much was made of that incident. The fans want the players to be passionate, but when we see such a display, we criticise it. Certainly not a reflection on his captaincy.
Silly, defensive errors crept in and we were looking more vulnerable. The Boro game saw Toure & Gallas culpable for the conceded goal, when they were more intent on claiming off side than dealing with the ball. The team displayed a lack of composure defensively in the game against Chelsea.
How much of this was Gallas responsible for, as a captain ? Certainly not for the individual mistakes that every member of the defensive unit committed. Gallas was also individually responsible for conceded goals. We must realise that the team as a whole, let the fans down with their performance since the Birmingham game.
I believe that Gallas has done a very good job as captain this season. The team would not have been on top of the Premiership till February without his captaincy. He could have inspired the team more during February-March, but thats really not a criticism. I don’t believe media reports that claimed he had lost the faith of his team, or that he is disliked by them. Some of the media reports about him were extremely mischievous (one about him not having any friends in Arsenal come to mind. Gallas was referring only to ENGLISH mates, but the media twisted his words). There have been several negative reports about him, and gooners would do well to take them with a heavy pinch of salt.
As for next season, that’s a different issue entirely. Is Gallas the captain who can take this team upto the next level, i.e. Premiership Champions? Maybe not. I trust Wenger to make the correct call, in the same manner that he made the correct decision to make Gallas the captain this season over the more obvious candidate, i.e. Gilberto.
There has been a lot of media debate about how Arsenal have a ‘rigid wage structure’ and are stingy employers. These are all far off the mark. The most recent available numbers pertain to 2006-07 and the wage bills of the top 4 clubs are under:
1. Chelsea at 133M
2. ManU at 92M
3. Arsenal at 89M
4. Liverpool at 77M
Now, these wages comprise all the employees of the club – playing staff, ground staff, stadium staff, administrative staff, public relations, Board of Directors etc. These numbers prove that Arsenal are competitive in the wage market.
There is simply not enough information to analyse which club pays an individual player better. There are media reports that claim that Ronaldo and Rio are paid in excess of 120K per week, which has Arsenal fans are up in arms complaining why our club doesn’t pay more. This debate has surfaced solely due to Mathieu Flamini, who left Arsenal for Milan for higher wages. I don’t know what the thought process of the Arsenal Board was, but I can guess. They made what they thought was an appropriate offer to Flamini, and Milan simply offered more. It happens.
In my opinion, it was not just the extra money to Flamini that was at stake. If the Board had given into Flamini, how long would it have taken for others players AT HIS LEVEL to demand similar wages? It would have had a knock on effect on wages at the club. Let me remind you that Arsenal offered Thierry Henry a significant contract to stay at the club – this, along with the total wage bill above, proves that Arsenal do not have a ‘rigid wage structure’. It simply proves that Wenger didn’t rate Flamini higher than what was offered. With Henry, there was no such risk, as he was clearly the senior-most player and the captain. So an exception could be made for him, and the club could afford those wages.
Another important indicator is the wage to revenue ratio. The norm is generally considered 55-60% and is an excellent indicator of sustainability - whether the club can afford the wages offered. The top 4 rank like this:
1. Chelsea at 70%
2. ManU at 44%
3. Arsenal at 50%
4. Liverpool at 58%
Chelsea are over the top, and its only Roman’s roubles that are bankrolling the club. So it makes little sense to even discuss Chelsea wages, as they are ridiculous. Arsenal are placed in a good position at 50%.
Now, from what I understand of the club’s policy, contracts are evaluated periodically and players are offered improved wages if their performances warrant it. During the last year, Eboue, Hoyte, Diaby. Adebayor, Almunia & Sagna have all signed improved contracts (read: higher wages) while Cesc & Clichy are currently re-negotiating theirs. So the club WILL improve wages regularly which is another indicator that media reports are off the mark.
Recently, media reports have suggested that the Nasri signing was held up due to wages. This was a clever manipulation of Wenger’s quotes as he answered two separate questions, one about Nasri’s signing, and two, about the wage levels of French players in general. These two were combined as if to confirm the myth that Arsenal don’t pay well. All I’d like to say to fans is – learn to separate fact from fiction. I hope this post has gone some way in doing just that.
Some fans are extremely concerned that players might quit due to a lack of wages. But a deeper analysis of past departures proves that’s hardly reason for concern. Of ALL the players who left Arsenal in the recent past, I can only think of two (Cashley & Flamini) who left for monetary reasons. Players like Vieira, Henry, Ljungberg, Pires etc were all satisfied with their wage levels.
I remember another concern of Arsenal fans last summer, that if Arsenal won nothing in the 2007-08 season, there would be a ‘player exodus’ and all our important players would leave. Well, we won nothing this season and Cesc, Ade, RVP have all affirmed their intention to stay put and there has been no such exodus. Yet, I hear such concerns being repeated this summer, only with the added concern of the wage level not being satisfactory. All unfounded.
The Board and Wenger are doing an excellent job in managing wage levels. Leave it to the professionals who know what they’re doing. They have proven that to us in the past and there is no reason to doubt their competence. Of course, there will come a time when we cannot afford a certain players wages and he will be transferred, but hardly reason for any alarm.
The concept of loyalty is changing in football. From a players’ perspective, it certainly seems to have changed. They are constantly on the look out for greater challenges, more money and are less likely to stay loyal. But is that such a bad thing? We, as fans, demand loyalty from the players to the club, whereas the only loyalty the players owe is to their career and to their family.
So, is it then fair and reasonable to expect players to be loyal to their club?
In my opinion, its not. Clubs are rarely loyal to players when the players have served their usefulness to the club. Wenger is ruthless in determining when players need to be let go – Pires, Vieira, Ljungberg and a whole host of others will all attest to this statement. So why do we, as fans, expect players to be loyal to the club? After all, loyalty should be a two way street.
That’s why I find it strange when fans quickly turn on their own players for expressing a desire to leave. Overnight, the player was ‘never that good anyway’ which surely hides some obvious bitterness, that of being betrayed. Perhaps, this is the way we’d react if a woman scorned our love.
The only loyalty that one can find in modern football is of the fan to his club. The club is loyal to itself, frequently increasing prices and testing the fans’ patience. Players are loyal only to themselves. It’s the fans undying loyalty that keeps this game alive and kicking.
The concept of loyalty has not changed that much from a club’s perspective. Even in the 80s & 90s, players would be sold on by their clubs if they were no longer considered useful to the club, or the manager didn’t like them or didn’t think that they would fit into his team. During such times, contracts aren’t sacrosanct and are broken at will by clubs. Even with Arsenal, during the George Graham era, he sold players who he was suspicious of, for various reasons. Mostly, it was the players that had flair (Merson, Limpar) or the players who would stand up to him (Kenny Samson). Such incidents have happened during the reign of every Arsenal manager. So why are we outraged when a player wants to break his contract? Why cant fans thank the player for his service and wish him well?
Of course, this depends on how the player handles his exit. Recently, Flamini handled his departure well. There should be no bad feelings towards him. He got a good offer from Milan and moved there. Perhaps he moved for the money, but given the option, who wouldn’t? In everyday life, we weigh up decisions constantly, and I can personally confess to money being a major factor in a decision to change jobs. So why begrudge players that choice?
Another example is Hleb (I know he hasn’t quit yet, but I would prefer if he left now). I have no problems if he wants to leave Arsenal. He may have his reasons. But his agent talked such utter shite in the media – there was a veiled threat that he wouldn’t perform well next season if he stayed at arsenal, the city was too noisy for him (he realises this after 3 years in London?!!). All rubbish excuses, and that has led to me losing a lot of respect for Hleb. I had a lot of time and respect for the player, he offers some real skill on the ball and contributes in many ways to our overall play, but now, I would like him to leave simply because of the way he handed it.
Sometimes, I wonder, why do players hesitate to simply tell the fans that they want to leave for better opportunities? A lot of resentment towards Henry was created solely because he lied to the fans about the reasons for his departure. There would have been a lot more respect and a lot less resentment and bitterness had he been honest with us, his fans.
So, to summarise:
1. Loyalty should not be expected from players
2. Clubs are rarely loyal to players
3. Fans should not begrudge a player’s choice to move to better pastures
4. However, it all depends on how the player handles it and how honest he is with the fans
You've got to read this. 365 can trusted to come up with those occasional gems and here's one of them -
If you listen carefully to Manchester United's remarkable management duo then not only would you believe that the FA condones the multi-media abuse of their officials but you'd also find yourself acquainted with some of history's most controversial figures.
Just last week, Sir Alex of Redface name-checked General Franco as he disparaged Real Madrid while Carlos Queiroz has now condemned Spain's claims on Christopher Columbus as he strives to persuade Cristiano Ronaldo to stay in Manchester. That Ferguson has highlighted the work of a dictator and Queiroz that of an innovator is - as an aside - an interesting window into the success of their union.
There was also a geography lesson as Queiroz angrily declared "they will never take Olivenca again" in reference to what we are told is a 'small town on the disputed border' between Portugal and Spain. "Cristiano Ronaldo will never be Spanish!" he continued. "They already did the same with Christopher Columbus, and it now seems they want to naturalise Cristiano Ronaldo. Have they already forgotten what we did to them in the past?"
Of course, what seems to be forgotten is that Columbus was actually born in Italy, hence most listings referring to him as being an 'Italian navigator'.
There is also the small matter of Queiroz's naturalisation. If all it takes to become a Spaniard is a move to Real Madrid, then ManYoo's assistant manager has been Spanish since 2003, the year in which he left the world's rainest city to take over as Real's manager.
As he said at the time: "The Madrid offer is like one of those trains which comes along once in your lifetime that you have to take."
Over to you, Cristiano.
So it's over! Season 2007-8 is done and dusted and packaged off to the
annals of time and memory, along with the hopes, disappointments and tears
of many a fan... and quite likely, an outgoing Labour Government. So the
arsenal didn't have it all their own way then!
Seasons come, and season go, but much has been seen and learned from behind
a barrage of misty eyes and an ever-growingly cynical public.
''They earn too much money'', they cry, but come in their droves to top up
those film star bank accounts.
''They've lost touch with their fans'' they boom, as the detached ones are
shuttled around in a fleet of Bentleys at speed, offering a cursory overhead
clap to punctuate a four hundred mile round trip.
''We're losing interest'' they cry, but come July, the eagerness to pay for
that new season ticket will be burning holes in a number of itchy palms.
You see, we're hooked, and no amount of therapy of will ever treat our
addiction. It's what keeps us coming back, and don't the 'suits' just know
it. The only loyalty in football is ours!
But if nothing else has been learned from 2007-8, it threw up a number of
questions in my mind, leading to a deluge of dilemmas...
For the last few years, I've listened to the taunts from fans of the usual
big four.
'Winning is EVERYTHING!'. 'We're BIGGER than you!' 'You've WON nothing for
years!
All reasonable comment, even if despatched with the gusto of a gloating
four-year old because he's got the biggest and best sweet - size an ever
debatable male issue.
So take the outgoing season for instance; Chelsea came second in the title
race, lost both the Carling and European Champions' League finals. Arsenal,
by consensus, played the most entertaining football, coming exceedingly
close to fulfilling their managers' [sometimes myopic] dream. Tottenham
Hotspur, on the other hand, were average at best, inconsistent at worst...
yet won a cup... at last!
So which is best, and which acceptable?
A retrospective look at the history books in ten years time will not show
the beauty of the gunners free-flowing play, or the passion of Chelsea's
assault on three fronts. Neither will it show the Factor 5 stains from
Tottenham Hotspurs' early sojourn to the beach after their impressive
Carling Cup victory...
Dilemma One; Football or win at all costs?
I promise you, nobody is more cynical of the same old top four than I. Good
luck to the usual suspects for their ability to fill those positions, but
please forgive me if I find it a tad tedious at times watching the same old
fare - and unfortunately, the same old petulance that follows them. So what
happened when the all-consuming quadruped got unceremoniously dumped from
the cup? Of course, I took the kids to the zoo, somewhat disinterested in
what the two [albeit deserving] protagonists had to offer me.
Dilemma Two; So-called 'attractive' teams in the final, or turn off
completely? - in my case, in favour of the meercats and ring-tailed baboon!
Dropping down a rung, I watched with great interest and excitement at the
relegation and promotion battles, totally consumed by the morally unfair,
but visually compelling play-offs. But what happens if Hull finally get
their [deserved] day in the sun? Will I feel compelled not to miss our games
with them? Will the pleas of my kids overpower my compulsion to travel to
the far end of the country to watch them play? And will Bristol City prove
as much as a spectacle as the meercats and their mates?
Dilemma Three; 'Big-name clubs in the Premiership, or a chance for everyone?
And so I wave goodbye to 2007-8 and all it had to offer; the winking
Christiano Ronaldo; the underdogs having their day; Didier Drogba, with his
middleweight boxer build and fairyweight ability to stay upright. Barnsley
beating Liverpool, and the delight on the faces of those free-scoring Havant
& Waterlooville boys;. Fernando Torres and his ability to take our breath
away; Michel Platini, and his interest in taking English cup places away in
Europe. Arsenal entertaining, Chelsea's powerhouse assault, Spurs ability to
offer the most impressive suntan!
So it's goodbye m. Flamini, and possibly messrs. Drogba and Berbatov. But
don't worry lads. We'll all be back in 2008-9 for more of the same, win or
lose.
Anyone who has followed my posts regularly can tell you about my fondness for stats. So I simply cannot let this one go. The season end Opta stats package has a few interesting aspects to offer when it comes to Arsenal.
The top awards have 2 Arsenal players – Cesc as top passer with 2318 passes, and Adebayor with something more dubious as the one with most off sides (66). No Arsenal player features in the top 5 tacklers, while 3 Arsenal players (Cesc, Clichy, Flamini) feature in the top 5 passers. Cesc has an astounding 81% accuracy rate.
Adebayor is the 3rd top scorer in the Premiership with 24 goals. What’s revealing here is the goals / shots ratio. Torres has a ratio of 25% (24 goals in 96 shots) while Ade has a ratio of 23% (24 goals in 104 shots). Of course, Torres has only scored 2-3 of those goals away from home, whilst Ade has scored 11. I would suggest that evens things up. Yet, Ade is still not accepted as a striker who is good enough for Arsenal. Granted, he is not world class yet but he has shown a significant improvement from season to season, and deserves every bit of praise he gets (and a little less of the criticism, one hopes).
Cesc has the highest number of assists (17) and an (another) astounding 95 key passes. Not one player comes close to him on these counts together, and this only signifies what a special player Cesc is.
In terms of team stats, Arsenal have the 2nd highest goals scored (74) behind ManU (80) but only the 4th strongest defence (31 goals conceded) behind ManU (22), Chelsea (26) & Liverpool (28). Arsenal have only kept 15 clean sheets (5th in that table), well behind ManU (21). Its clear to me where the problem is.
In terms of shots on target, Arsenal is 3rd (208) far behind ManU (260) & Liverpool (214). However, its an exaggeration to say that Arsenal try to pass the ball into the net when such things are not mentioned about Chelsea who have lesser shots on goal than Arsenal. We have seen significant improvements on that aspect this season. Arsenal hold on to the most successful passes (15672), more than ManU (14026). No other teams come close.
Arsenal’s shot accuracy can improve, however. Its only at 44% with several clubs ahead, ManU at 48%, Everton at 47%, Spurs at 46% (probably the only thing they did better than Arsenal in the league this season), Villa & Birmingham at 45%.
Arsenal has the 2nd best home record (47 pts) compared to ManU (52) and ahead of Chelsea (43). Arsenal also has the 2nd best away record (36 pts) behind Chelsea (42), but ahead of ManU (35). For all the home advantage that Chelsea boast of, they only have one point more at the Bridge as compared to their travels - they can take their unbeaten home record and shove it up ‘you know where’.
In the disciplinary table (decided solely by the red & yellow card count), Arsenal finished a respectable 7th at 63 points, far behind Liverpool (49 points). No surprises on who finished bottom – its Blackburn with a whopping 92 points (6 red cards and 74 yellows). Chelsea finished 18th with 83 points.
If one considers the fair play table (which is more elaborate than the disciplinary table as this involves 5 parameters – red & yellow cards, positive play, respect towards opposition and the ref, behaviour towards officials), Arsenal finished 4th, behind Spurs, Liverpool and ManU.
For the fans, Arsenal had the 2nd highest average attendance at 60K, behind ManU at 75K. Understandable given the differences in stadium capacities, but on an average, it looks like Arsenal sold out every game which is heartening to see.
In terms of appearances, Clichy has the rare honour of appearing in all 38 games, joining a select group of 12 footballers who have done so this season. Kudos to the monster machine that is Gael Clichy – what tremendous work rate this lad has.
In terms of fouls, Flamini is the 17th largest fouler with 56, but far behind John Carew with 93 (what exactly is a forward doing with so many fouls?). The useless Alan Smith of Newcastle is at 4th with 78 fouls, probably the only notable thing he did all season.
That’s it – hope some of you are still awake and not reeling from this stat attack. The source for this information is Opta stats on Skysports and the stats section on the official premier league site.