The group stage of the Euros has just concluded. Okay, it concluded yesterday but I couldn't bring myself to write a post as I had had a hectic day at work. Okay, I spent my day stealthily reading ZM and calculating the speed at which the cursor moves in excel (measured as cells/min). Okay, I felt lazy.
So, Arsenal. (Yes, that is my smooth segue into the piece) How have the Arsenal boys been faring at the Euros? Have the shit-ones become less shit or more shit? Have the good ones become better or morphed into shit ones? Is RVP going to leave or is he going to leave? Is Rosicky alive? Such questions need answering and as the Arsenal writer on the blog it becomes my duty to answer them.
1. Theo Walcott. As many would have noted by now, Walcott is a footballer best used from the bench. When the fullbacks are tired and the game is slowing, bring on Walcott to do the one thing he knows best: run. That was exactly what he did against Sweden. His goal was flukey but his assist showed exactly what he is capable of. His quick burst of pace achieved what Milner had been trying to achieve throughout the game, to beat his fullback and put in a decent cross. Walcott's speed took him past two defender with absolute ease and this, to an extent, excuses his poor dribbling. If RVP stays (of course he is leaving), then the much vaunted RVP Walcott combo would be something to watch out for next season.
2. Ox: Started England's first game against France. England did not see much of the ball and as a result the Ox was not fed, but for a debut he showed excellent composure and was lively when he had the ball. Far from being the end product, but I think Wenger will bring out the best in him. Totally different from Walcott.
3. RVP: RVP looked very average in a very average Netherlands team. Whether they deserve to be called a team is something that can be discussed given the way the played. I thought his movement around the box was very good and showed glimpses of what he did throughout last season. He showed his quality when he deftly turned Hummels and shot with his right foot (right foot!) past Neuer. Will he leave Arsenal? I don't think so. I cannot see him going to another EPL club, and at the rate at which Arsenal are buying players it might even be that we end up convincing RVP of our ambitions.
4. Bendtner: With the purchases of Podolski and Giroud being confirmed I don't see any place for the Bendtner in the squad. It is a pity because I quite liked him for he gave us another option when we found it difficult against teams that parked the bus. Like Messi for Barcelona if you get my drift. The Euros have been a good advert for this guy, an out and out striker who was wasted by Wenger on the wings just to accommodate RVP as the central striker (and a refusal to play with two strikers). Hope we get a good price for him this summer.
5. Rosicky: Didn't watch the game he played, didn't play the game I watched. He was absolutley godlike.
6. Koscielny: A sudden bout of writersblockolepsy meant I had to abandon this post midway and resumed writing it only today, post Spain-France and this means Kos gets to be pilloried and rated and slated in front of a demanding public i.e. the other guy who writes non-Arsenally things. Kos was the only guy in the French side who looked like he knew what he was doing. Although pairing up with Rami for the first time, he showed excellent awareness and concentration to put in a good performance. He tackled, he covered, he intercepted (joint highest interceptions in EPL) and he cleared. A centreback who is calm and confident on the ball. His performance would have helped boost his confidence although his first game at the Euros turned out to be his last game as well.
7. Giroud: Played the last 10-15 mins I think after replacing M'Villa. A striker needs the ball to do things. France needed balls to have the ball. They didn't so he couldn't.
Italy, like a fungus, have grown on me as the tournament progressed. A formation that is an exciting departure from the same ol' same ol', players who look more virile than two schwarzeneggers rolled into one on a strict diet of testosterone (I mean like me), a dreamy midfielder in baggy shorts with pin point passes, and a defender with a calf that could sleep with your mother. How can you not like them?
I hope England get thrashed mercilessly today. And maybe lose the game as well.
6. Koscielny: A sudden bout of writersblockolepsy meant I had to abandon this post midway and resumed writing it only today, post Spain-France and this means Kos gets to be pilloried and rated and slated in front of a demanding public i.e. the other guy who writes non-Arsenally things. Kos was the only guy in the French side who looked like he knew what he was doing. Although pairing up with Rami for the first time, he showed excellent awareness and concentration to put in a good performance. He tackled, he covered, he intercepted (joint highest interceptions in EPL) and he cleared. A centreback who is calm and confident on the ball. His performance would have helped boost his confidence although his first game at the Euros turned out to be his last game as well.
7. Giroud: Played the last 10-15 mins I think after replacing M'Villa. A striker needs the ball to do things. France needed balls to have the ball. They didn't so he couldn't.
Italy, like a fungus, have grown on me as the tournament progressed. A formation that is an exciting departure from the same ol' same ol', players who look more virile than two schwarzeneggers rolled into one on a strict diet of testosterone (I mean like me), a dreamy midfielder in baggy shorts with pin point passes, and a defender with a calf that could sleep with your mother. How can you not like them?
I hope England get thrashed mercilessly today. And maybe lose the game as well.
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