Arsenal should only celebrate if Wenger spends in the summer

Let's get this out of the way first - I am a Tottenham supporter, so it is very hard for me to watch Arsenal players, coaches and supporters celebrate, especially when it comes at the cost of my own club.

But a thought did occur when I watched the scenes at full time at St James' Park on Match of the Day - just why were Arsenal celebrating so much? Sure, those of us at White Hart Lane would have 'gone f-ing mental' had we snatched fourth place and the chance to test our nerves again in a Champions League play-off, but then again Tottenham have only qualified for Europe's premier competition once (in it's current form). For Arsenal, it is almost a given.


To explain my point, consider the Aston Villa fans when they found out they would be safe - should they celebrate as if they had won the title? No, because a team the size and quality of Aston Villa should not secure Premier League safety with just one game to spare. Relief, naturally, tons of it, but celebration?

Of course, the margins for finishing in the Top 4 are a lot smaller than finishing in the Top 17, but the reaction on Sunday evening in Newcastle continues the worrying trend at Arsenal over the last five years or so. Ambitions continue to slip, to a point where locking in that fourth place finish on the final day is nor a massive achievement.

Now, if it means Arsene Wenger can stop operating in the relative bargain bin of the big teams' transfer market, stops signing one season wonders from France (Olivier Giroud), recently relegated Bundesliga players (Lukas Podolski), inconsistent hair transplant victims (Gervinho), and Sebastien Squillaci, then it would be a cause for celebration. If Arsenal can move on from a collective of young players struggling to meet the hype, established internationals and European stars who cannot establish themselves in the Gunners starting XI, and one or two genuinely world class players, to a side resembling the early Wenger teams, aligning break neck pace with a winning mentality and a rock solid defence, then the finale to the 2012-13 season will be remembered as the moment that re-launched Arsenal Football Club.

I admire the way Wenger has managed to run Arsenal economically and prudently, especially since the building of the Emirates. The stick he gets for an unwillingness to spend money the club doesn't have is ridiculous, however not enough is made of the many he has spent. 17 years in the Champions League and the team has changed from van Persie, Fabregas, Nasri and Toure to Giroud, Ramsey, Cazorla and Mertesacker. The star players shine less brightly than their predecessors, while those around them are of a much lower standard. Arsenal used to have young prodigies bristling for the chance to play, whereas now Wenger has players sat on the bench who he would rather not have to rely on.

This summer we can expect big spending from Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea as they prop up new managers. Liverpool will hope to continue their good form from the first half of 2013, although the likelihood is Everton will suffer in the wake of David Moyes' departure. Arsenal and Tottenham will be going head to head, and whoever has the better summer transfer window is likely to come out on top next season. Both teams could do with a new lead striker, while Arsenal lack fortitude in midfield and Spurs lack a playmaker. At the back Totttenham will be happier with their lot, while rumours persist over the Gunners' No.1 spot.

What gets me is that while the likes of Villas-Boas and Brendan Rodgers look up, Wenger is more worried about what is below. The Top 4 as a trophy did not sit well with ordinary football fans, and while it is a sign of the evolution of modern day football it also demonstrates a worrying attitude from Wenger. Nobody believed him when he said at the beginning of the season that Arsenal were title contenders, and most alarmingly of all was that you did not feel Wenger really believed it either.

It is apparent that Wenger is caught between a rock and a hard place - set targets too high and they will be dismissed out of hand, set them too low and there is a chance the club becomes complacent. However, it is better to fail aiming high than fail aiming low.

Wenger himself needs to demand more from his players, who might not cost the top amount in transfer fees but certainly take home big wages (even by your average Premiership players' standard, and some Arsenal players are very average cough Bendtner cough) but the Frenchman also needs to sharpen up his act in the transfer market. Newcastle signed Moussa Sissoko, a rampaging, physical box to box midfielder, for around £3million with agent fees, where were Arsenal? Tottenham signed Hugo Lloris, Jan Vertonghen, two players who would have loved to have joined Arsenal by all accounts, but Wenger said no. Why? Blind loyalty? Or has the ex-Monaco boss started to doubt himself and worry a little too much about what might happen if the transfer doesn't work out, rather than what will happen if the transfer succeeds?

The one ace in the hole that Arsenal have, especially over their North London rivals, is they have the new stadium already. Other teams will have to restrain their budgets to pay for a bigger capacity, however the Financial Fair Play rules may turn that Ace into a Jack or ten. Still, if Wenger is gambling that everyone else will be penny pinching and Arsenal can take advantage of their financial planning, I fear he is massively mistaken.

So this it, a crucial summer that will either make those last day celebrations to start with more to come, or the final hurrah as the club continues to slowly slip away from the top.

Damiao finally set for Spurs? Maybe not...

ESPN's website today carried quotes from Internacional President Giovanni Luigi indicating that Brazilian international striker and long term Tottenham target Leandro Damiao was set for a move to England.

“If a club want a player, they must talk to the president of the club at which that particular player plays, and not just deal with the agent – that is not correct behaviour,” Luigi told Tutto Mercato.

“Recently we talked with Tottenham, Leandro is very likely to play games in England in the coming year. On the other hand we can exclude Napoli.”

This will come as a great relief to Spurs fans who have become increasingly frustrated at the club's inability to sort out a transfer for the big number 9. The club from North London were first linked with Damiao in 2011, and despite continued rumours of negotiations transfer windows have continued to pass without any resolution.

The form of Emmanuel Adebayor (3 goals in 20 Premier League appearances this season) has been a constant worry for the White Hart Lane club, while Jermain Defoe has only one Premiership goal in 2013. Spurs will need to buy at least one striker in the summer, perhaps two if the rumours of Adebayor's demise are to be believed (and why wouldn't they after his slack attitude this season?).

However, Spurs supporters should not get their hopes up on the back of these quotes. Firstly, Internacional has a tangled mess of a boardroom, it is not like Spurs or most Premier League clubs where there is a chairman or chief executive who is solely responsible for handling transfer talks. Secondly, the club does not wholly own Leandro Damiao's registration, so Luigi is not even the sole negotiator on the seller's side.

Thirdly, and most interestingly/worryingly, Levy has already dealt with the Internacional set-up when Spurs were in talks to sign Sandro. That transfer dragged on but was eventually concluded, and while there may be differences over Damiao's transfer value, you would think the Tottenham chairman had the right guy's phone number having already concluded one transfer with the Brazilian club. Spurs and Internacional also agreed a 'sporting partnership', whatever the hell that means. You'd think that, as a result of all this, Levy and his Brazilian counterpart would be on speaking terms!

Perhaps the most reassuring quote out of all of this for Spurs fans who, like myself, would like to see Damiao at the Lane is that Luigi appears to rule out Napoli as a destination. The Italian team would be flush with cash should they sell Edinson Cavani and will be on the look out for a replacement striker.

Having spent so long chasing Damiao, it would be troubling if Spurs lost out on him now. There is a feeling that Levy should either stump up the cash or focus his efforts elsewhere. One thing is for certain, Tottenham cannot go through another window without improving and adding to their strike force.

Bale double award shows PFA need a rethink

Gareth Bale won the PFA Player of the Year and PFA Young Player of the Year award on Sunday night. Congratulations to the young Welshman who has continued his progress from wing wonder to all out star. No doubt fans of Robin van Persie, Luis Suarez et al will be up in arms that Bale has won, but it is the candidates on the Young Player short-list who should be angered.

It is such a waste to have Bale win both categories. If he is player of the year, he is de facto young player of the year, de facto Welsh player of the year, de facto left footed, side parting and silly celebration player of the year (although Daniel Sturridge pushes him awfully close in the latter category).

You would think the PFA would rather have separate winners as well – Bale wins two more awards isn’t as interesting as Bale is Player of the Year and, let’s say, Benteke is young player of the year. Twice the players, twice the clubs, twice the coverage. The actual number of votes are never revealed anyone so it is not like anyone will care if Bale was technically the Young player winner as well, he’s picked up the big prize and it actually seems bizarre that the Player of the Year winner wouldn’t also win the Young Player award too if eligible – if Benteke was a better candidate for the Young Player award, he would be a better candidate for the full award too, no? It would hardly go against the law of man if the PFA said if you win the full award, you cannot win the junior category as well.

The current set-up is weird. You can argue that these awards are largely meaningless anyway, but if we are to indulge the PFA then they might as well give us the maximum payback.

Tottenham should drop Parker to finish in Top 4

England international does not fit into current Spurs side

After the comeback win over Manchester City reignited Tottenham’s Top Four challenge, there was the inevitable stumble as Spurs were held 2-2 at the DW stadium against Wigan. Despite taking an early, fortuitous lead, Andre Villas-Boas and his men needed a late own goal to seal a share of the points. Fluidity is still lacking in Tottenham’s play, and the lilywhites continue to concede goals.

While the spotlight searches across the side for the cause of Tottenham’s problems, one thing has become clear – this Tottenham side look better when Scott Parker is not on the field. That’s not to pour blame onto the former Player of the Year’s shoulders, for he has done little wrong, but he simply is not suited to how Spurs want to set up at the moment.

Dropping yet more points against teams well down the table could cost Spurs once more, and with games at Stoke and at home to Southampton and Sunderland to come, there is a worry that Tottenham will lose out to London rivals Chelsea and Arsenal for the Champions League places. Spurs had a lot of shots on Saturday, but they still lacked enough goals and it is now nine games since they kept a clean sheet. Stretching back further, Spurs have just two clean sheets in the Premier League in 2013.

It is no surprise this lack of clean sheets coincides with the injury to Brazilian Sandro in early January. Scott Parker has started twenty games this season in all competitions this season in Sandro’s absence, yet has been subbed nine times (45%), and in seven of those nine Tottenham were on the verge of defeat (including on away goals to Lyon in the Europa League). Still to score for Spurs, and hardly high up the assist table, if Parker is not offering defensive solidity then his worth to the team begins to be questioned.

Parker was integral to Spurs under Harry Redknapp, becoming an England starter as well, so what has changed? The loss of Luka Modric and to a lesser extent Rafa van der Vaart has put a greater emphasis on Parker’s playmaking ability, which is not his strong point. Moussa Dembele has impressed since his move from Fulham but is not a classic passer like Modric, and it is to Tottenham fans’ frustrations that Parker is often found bursting forward while his more talented midfield partner covers.

This brings us to Parker’s diminishing defensive value to Spurs. Villas-Boas likes his teams to press high up the pitch, which should play to Parker’s strengths, but the Achilles injury that put him out for the first six months of the season has taken a little energy from his play, while the ex-West Ham and Chelsea player will turn 33 in October and his age is starting to show.

Also, with Gareth Bale’s deployment in the centre and Aaron Lennon’s recent absence, Spurs have continued the evolution away from the 4-4-1-1 system that Redknapp preferred to a 4-3-3 shape. That allows AVB to play a designated holding midfielder but Parker’s positional discipline is terrible and he often vacates his central berth at the drop of a hat, leaving the defence woefully exposed.

Villas-Boas looked to address that on Saturday by playing Tom Huddlestone as the deep playmaker, but given Parker's lack of attacking skill one wonders why Lewis Holtby, who is equally energetic but a far more effective attacking threat, did not start as well.

Tottenham have evolved, and Scott Parker is getting left behind. Sandro has usurped him as Tottenham’s leading defensive midfielder, and the Brazilian’s style and tactical play is far more suited to playing alongside Dembele, who needs to pick up his position off his midfield partner when Spurs defend.

Parker is not offering one thing nor another, and although there are no direct rivals currently available there are better alternatives available. Tottenham are struggling to keep clean sheets, so they might as well focus on trying to outscore the opposition.

 

Spurs can wave goodbye as Adebayor heads to the African Cup of Nations

Tottenham are finding their feet under Andre Villas-Boas. Saturday’s goalless stalemate against ex-Spurs manager Harry Redknapp’s Queens Park Rangers was the first time the lilywhites had failed to score in an away game in the league, and the clean sheet was Hugo Lloris’ fourth in six games.

However, failure to break down organised and determined opponents is becoming a recurrent theme for AVB and his men, and the absence of one of their two front line strikers would exacerbate the problem, you might think. Emmanuel Adebayor, after much to-ing and fro-ing, will join the Togo team in South Africa for the African Cup of Nations, but his departure may actually improve Tottenham’s chances of scoring.

Over the festive and New Year period Spurs picked up 11 points from 15 on offer, however delve deeper and you’ll find a Tottenham team dominating possession but struggling to create clear cut chances, and when they do create a chance their conversion rate is not good.

A goalless draw at home to a defensive and resolute Stoke team was remarkable only for the lack of entertainment on offer and was rightfully the last game on that day’s Match of the Day. The 4-0 win at Aston Villa was 0-0 at half time (this against a side who had conceded eight at Chelsea four days prior) and if Villa had not come out in the second half and attacked the game may have stayed goalless.

Two goals in four minutes saw of Sunderland 2-1 but the game could and should have been far more comfortable, Reading were on top when Clint Dempsey scored to make it 3-1 and put the game to bed, and apart from a couple of chances QPR were barely tested. One of the few clear openings in that game fell to Adebayor but he fluffed his chance.

Two goals in13 league games (3 in 17 in all competitions) is a poor return for a striker, let alone one of Adebayor’s quality. He missed two clear chances against Sunderland, smacking the bar from four yards and missing a one on one with the goalkeeper. When Spurs need a focal point in attack, someone who can offer a physical threat and hold up the ball for others to play off, the ex-Manchester City and Arsenal forward has wilted. His lack of desire and fight is noticeable and as Dempsey returns from injury there has been a good case for Adebayor to be dropped, irrespective of his ACN involvement.

The problem with Adebayor has always been his attitude. When he so desires, he can trouble any defence in the world. Tall, strong, but athletic, agile and with a fine technique, he can offer everything, but when he decides he cannot be bothered his team look like they are playing with ten men.

Adebayor’s departure to South Africa must have been assumed, although the manner in which the will-he-won’t-he saga unfolded will have frustrated the Tottenham hierarchy. Spurs were a striker light when the summer transfer window shut, and with Adebayor’s poor form and his ACN absence confirmed, Spurs are walking a fine line. An injury or suspension to Jermain Defoe will leave them with no recognised striker, which will make it exceedingly difficult to break down teams happy to settle for a point.

Maybe some time away will suit both parties. Adebayor can enjoy being the main man for Togo, find some form, and come back to England firing. Perhaps he will realise what he has at Spurs and show greater desire upon his return. Or could AVB find that his side operates better without a moody front man breaking down attacking moves?

Spurs fans would love to see the club sign another striker regardless, with Leandro Damiao eternally linked to White Hart Lane, but after his recent displays it has to be said Emmanuel Adebayor will not be missed when he sets off on his Cup of Nations journey.

Agent Doherty: The Tactics files - Norwich

File Name: More Open than Jenny Thompson's Legs

Location: White Hart Lane

Date: April 9th

Opposition: Norwich

"Top of the evening to you, G-Doc back with another insight into Tottenham tactics. Bad times down at the Lane, and let's get to the first talking point. The captain, man of the moment, that oh-so-reliable centre back who defies injury to put in performance after performance slipped up badly over Easter, but enough about me, what about my old team mate Ledley King? The King, he is no more it seems.

In isolation it would seem my old mentee struggled, but if we delve deeper into matters on the pitch you'll find more than miles of tattoos and the smell of deep heat. Tottenham's problems, like most issues teams have, stem from the performance (or lack) of the midfield. Ready to go deeper still? Good, here we go....

Like an Ikea wardrobe built by a teenager, Tottenham's midfield did not hold together. The 4-4-2 - that formation closest to Harry's heart - has turned into an adulterous harlot, enticing the manager with its form and shape and simple beauty, only to turn out to be fucked by eleven men from Norfolk. There is nothing wrong with a 4-4-2 in principal as long as everyone works together. Partnerships can be forged between winger and full back, between the two strikers, central midfielders, centre backs etc, zonal marking makes up for the overloading of numbers in key areas, and attacking plans can be effected simply.

However, these partnerships have to work in defence as well as in attack. The centre forwards have to protect the central midfielders, who have to protect the centre backs; full backs should overlap or support wingers when going forward, and wingers should help the full back double up on the opposition's wide men. This did not happen.

Too many first balls were lost, but more critically too many second balls were lost. Norwich played a similar 4-4-2 which, judging by Harry's comments after the game (about his team's openness), the Spurs manager did not realise. Losing the second ball duel indicates a lack of determination and also a lack of team work, with team mates too far away from each other, allowing the opposition to close tightly on the ball and outnumber the Spurs men.

The increasingly ineffective Louis Saha (I'd have to get the stitching of my back pockets reinforced because if I was marking him that would be home for the 90 minutes) offers nothing defensively. He doesn't have the desire to press the opposition's defence nor drop back into midfield. The same can be said for Jermain Defoe, and the two front men were so close to each other both in attack and defence they might as well held each others hands to avoid getting lost. Both are poachers and unless given specific instructions will wait for others to do the work. An error on Harry's part.

The midfield hardly covered themselves in glory. Gareth Bale had one of those games were he thought the world owed him a living, and if he played in League One he would have got a Gazza-boot up his arse I tell you! Tracking back seemed beneath him, and he managed to float in a tear in the space-time continuum most of the time. Rather than put his nose in where others put their feet, the Welsh Wizard was another guilty party, waiting for the ball to be won by others and then laid off to him. In the 4-3-3 of recent times that is more acceptable, in a 4-4-2 the wingers have to put in a shift. I really feel for Assou-Ekotto because he has too many 1-on-1s to deal with.

On the opposite flank Aaron Lennon was less culpable, but had one of those games were he was too wide. I don't mind stretching the pitch but when the ball is going down the opposite flank and an attack is being mounted you need to get involved. As a world class defender I can tell you there is nothing better than having a speedy winger stick to the opposite touchline.

When the attack broke down he was too far away to get back, and uninterested in helping out the central midfielders. Again, in a 4-3-3 that is okay, not in this system. In both cases the wingers should have been instructed to get narrow when the team is defending.

In the centre, Jake Livermore had a good game but he is not yet ready to be Parker's replacement, and it was strange to see Sandro sitting on the bench. I can only assume he was rested. Livermore failed to press Elliot Bennett for Norwich's second goal, but rather than blame the young man I would ask what would have happened if he was constantly dragged out of the middle? A hole you big enough to fit every tractor this side of Ipswich in, that's what.

Even with Parker in the middle, Spurs can be woefully open, and this was exacebated on Monday by the abysmal performance of Luka Modric. Outmuscled, outfought, outworked, the Croatian did little to help Livermore or the defence stem the flow of Green coming at them. Often he was caught jogging back ten to fifteen yards behind the play, and his lax attitude was symptomatic of too many Spurs players.

Changes at half time and 70 minutes improved Tottenham slightly, but the team could not defend and were lucky to only concede two. Redknapp bemoaned the openness of his time but any fool, even David Pleat, could have told you that such a loose team with no clear direction would struggle against an opposition who put up even half a fight. Tottenham's recent results have not matched their performances, and this game was int he same vain, except this time Spurs should have lost by more than one goal.

The manager has to take much of the blame but not for one moment should the players think they have avoided the heat. Redknapp should know better than most that formations and tactics are not the same thing, and while he might point out to the goalless draw at Stamford Bridge or the 3-1 win against Swansea, fact is the other results in the last month prove that it isn't the formation that's the problem, it's team shape, roles given to individual players, and most troubling of all the basic lack of effort put in by too many players.


Spurs face Chelsea on sunday and I would not be surprised if my old team go out there and do the business. A derby match, at Wembley, with the chance to get to a final? You bet the players will be up for that, which only goes to add to the insult of Monday's performance. You can have as easy run in as you like but if you don't match the effort of the opposition, you will not get anywhere.

I expect Redknapp to adopt the tactics he employed at the Bridge, and with good reason, but the top teams have more than just a Plan A. As I said before, when Redknapp puts some preparation in the natural skill of his team does the rest, but when he scribbles down a line up ten minutes before kick off his team will get exposed. People know they are vulnerable, fortunately they face a Chelsea team on sunday who have problems of their own.