Pick Your Poison - Arsenal

The Challenge

Pick 3 players who you believe have left your club and gone on to bigger/better things and you want back at the club. Then make a choice between the 3 players as to which you'd take back in the current squad. Judge all players on the time of their sale, not currently.

Challenger
Frankie Hobbs, 16, London.

Player 1:

Mathieu Flamini
July 2004 - July 2008

"The French workhorse, with the scraggy locks and old fashioned aura, whom went about his business with little fuss, is a player most Arsenal fans would take back in a heartbeat. This man had a work ethic like no other, and would literally leave it all on the pitch. Coupling this with the great versatility Mathieu possessed, and you have a fine player. The type of player trophy winning sides are built around. Sure, he won’t score 15 goals from midfield, but he was simply the perfect foil for the emerging star Cesc Fabregas.

But Arsenal now have Alex Song? Despite this, I still think that Mathieu was a big loss. Simply for the fact it was so avoidable. Arsene Wenger made a mistake by not showing any sort of care for his future and didn’t really have any significant plans for Mathieu. He left for Milan on a free later that summer."

Flamini was certainly the perfect central midfield partner for Cesc Fabregas during his time at Arsenal and the fact he was allowed to leave by Arsene Wenger on a free transfer tells me it was a case of "you don't know what you've got till it's gone". Personally I feel they've only just properly replaced him with the emergence of youngsters Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey, as players who can do the business offensively and defensively. 

He's struggled to make a massive impact in Milan since his move, with injuries and rotation but I'm sure had he stayed at Arsenal he would have been a key fixture and would have been successful at the North London club.

Player 2
Patrick Vieira
September 1996 - July 2005

"Vieira was simply a machine. He had everything to his game - pace, power, leadership, aggression, height, and even popped up with important goals. The fact Arsenal haven’t won a trophy since his departure, simply shows how much of a key asset he was. I’m not saying that we would have won a trophy if we had kept Patrick, but it would have given us a much better chance in doing so! 

The fact we even considered the offer is what seemed to force out Patrick, and a clear rejection to Juventus would have shown to Patrick Vieira that he was wanted at Highbury (later the Emirates), so this was again, an avoidable transfer, and yet again, we seemed to mess this up."

As has been said, this man was a monster. A true machine he had everything in his game and was the glue that held the Arsenal side together through their most successful period. He was their lynchpin in defence and sometimes offered that spark in attack that led to goals. Went on to Juve and won the league (before they were demoted) and then went on to Inter and Manchester City before retiring this summer. A true icon in his time, it's no surprise Arsenal haven't had a leader like him since his departure.

Player 3
Cesc Fabregas
September 2003 - August 2011

"Cesc Fabregas, a player whom was brought through the ranks from the early teen years, to becoming captain of the First Team, is a world class performer. He epitomized Arsenal. He was the heartbeat of Arsenal. At the age of 23, younger players looked up to him, as ‘the man’ of Arsenal.

Many Arsenal fans were open to the fact that Cesc would be leaving to go ‘home’, yet for the fee to be so low for a player of his world class ability frustrated a lot of us.

Despite this, it’s frustrating the player has so much power. Why couldn’t Arsenal just shut up shop and not let him go? The fact Arsenal didn’t exactly squeeze Barcelona dry for our captain and best player is the reason he makes it into the list."

 Possibly the best Arsenal player of his generation, he was the focal point of all of Arsenal's supreme football in the Premier League and Europe. His move to Barcelona this summer was much expected, but nobody realised the huge effect it would have on the Arsenal side now. Replaced by Mikel Arteta, it's noticeable how much Arsenal miss their Catalan superstar. His vision was amazing and was capable of spotting most things others couldn't dream of, but he had the ability to make it happen too. A truly world-class player.

Conclusion

FRANKIE HOBBS

"We saw in the summer, that clubs do not have to sell their best players (Modric to Chelsea) yet it feels like every time an Arsenal player is wanted, he will eventually go. Here’s to hoping that Robin Van Persie isn’t the next one to go, and that if I was to do this again in 5 years, Robin will not be on this list.As for who I would like most in our current team, I would have to go with Cesc Fabregas. The man was the focal point of everything good with Arsenal. He created chance after chance, and after all, he was just coming into the peak years of his career, and he was a player the fans loved. He fitted our tactic perfectly, as it was built around him, and as you can see, Arsenal are not the same without him. It is without doubt that Cesc will always remain in Arsenal fans’ hearts, but had he stayed, he would have simply gone down as a legend of the club. It’s a shame that his move to Barcelona had to happen so early in his career, but since it has, I wish him all the luck in the world, and hope we can see him back at the Emirates one day."

DMF

Looking at the team right now, they're clearly missing a playmaker capable of spotting a pass and playing it but also being able to produce that moment of magic  to score themselves. They've got a midfield enforcer in Alex Song and the link man between defence and attack in Jack Wilshere. However, although they've got Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta as playmakers - neither are on Cesc's level and it's showing in their league performances this season. So for that reason, if I were an Arsenal fan I'd want Fabregas back in a heartbeat.

 

Do you agree with the choices @FrankieH_ made? Let us know in the comments  section or on Twitter.

DMF. (@dmf180593)

Class of 92 vs Class of 2011 - Part 7/7

Ryan Giggs during the 95/96 Premier League winning season

Ryan Giggs is arguably the greatest product of the Manchester United academy ever. After 12 Premier League titles, 2 Champions League titles, 4 FA Cups and 3 League Cups. He holds the record for the most appearances for Manchester United (885 as of this article) scoring 161 goals in all competitions. He's captained the side on numerous occasions, although he's never been appointed the team captain officially. He also had 64 caps for Wales, with 12 goals before retiring in 2007. He was Wales captain from 2004 up until retiring from the national side. 

He made his name as a lightning quick left winger, but was often used in a more advanced central role - but in recent years has begun playing a deeper playmaker role.

Danny Welbeck is a local academy graduate who has a bright future ahead of him at Old Trafford. On loan last season at Sunderland, he scored 6 goals in 28 games for the club spending most of the season out on the left wing. This season however he's been played through the middle and has bagged 5 goals in 9 games so far, including goals against Arsenal, Tottenham and a brace vs FC Basel in the Champions League. 

Forward vs Forward
Ryan Giggs vs Danny Welbeck

 

Ryan Giggs started his career as an out and out winger, providing assists and scoring goals for fun in the top flight. His ability to adapt to different roles has without doubt led to his incredible longevity, the Welshman is still a regular figure in the Manchester United side 21 seasons after making his debut. He has scored in every single season, and is the only player to have scored in every single Premier League season ever, although he's yet to score this season.

Danny Welbeck is a striker with great pace and composure. However during his loan spell at Sunderland last season, United legend Steve Bruce decided to put his pace to greater use on the left wing with Darren Bent and Asamoah Gyan ahead of him in the striker positions. He did well there getting 6 goals showing he can be versatile too.

So with both capable of playing on the left wing and in a more advanced central role, the final comparison of the series will see Ryan Giggs vs Danny Welbeck.

PACE

RG: Ryan Giggs has been known throughout his career for his blistering pace and even at the tender age of 37 he still has that burst that is enough to take him past his man and deliver something magical.

GRADE: 9/10

DW: Danny Welbeck has proved to be very quick this season and it's one of his finest attributes as a footballer. He often uses that speed to shut down defenders when defending and also when being apart of one of United's legendary counter-attacking moves.

GRADE: 8/10

FIRST TOUCH

RG: Ryan's first touch has always been one of his strongest attributes and has got him into so many fantastic situations throughout his career and got him out of so many potentially horrible ones. It's become more important as football has evolved in the last 20 years, but his touch is still up there with the best.

GRADE: 9/10

DW: Danny's first touch is decent, but can be suspect in tight situations. When he has time, he can bring the ball down well and attack the defenders but when under pressure he can sometimes misplace it and have to use his strength to keep the ball.

GRADE: 7/10

HEADING

RG: Winger's aren't usually renowned for their heading ability, but Ryan Giggs has always been able to head a ball accurately, especially when it comes to goalscoring opportunities. His best header (in my opinion) coming from the edge of the area and going over the goalkeeper and curling inside the post vs Coventry City in 2001.

GRADE: 8/10

DW: Danny's heading ability is superb for a young striker. Two superb headers come to mind when I think about it, his goal for England U21's during the summer and his magnificent header vs Spurs in the opening home game of the season. His ability to leap matched with his height gives him an advantage against defenders and he usually takes his opportunities.

GRADE: 8/10

FINISHING

RG: Ryan's finishing for a winger is sublime, hence his fantastic record of 161 goals for Manchester United since his debut. Left foot, headers and even sometimes right foot he has great awareness of the where the goal is and knows exactly how to put the ball away.

GRADE: 9/10

DW: Danny, as a striker, has a natural ability to put the ball in the back of the net so it's no great surprise that this is one of his finest attributes as a footballer. Right foot, left foot, headers and from any range he is capable of scoring and provides a great threat to the opposition.

GRADE: 8/10

CREATIVITY

RG: Giggs' creativity is what has made him such a legend at Old Trafford and throughout the world. His ability to turn nothing into something is something not many others can match and it's won many games for Manchester United over the years. The finest example being his legendary goal against Arsenal in the FA Cup.

GRADE: 10/10

DW: Welbeck's a creative force in the making, who will only improve as he gains more match experience. His one touch passing is sublime and it often brings the midfield into the play well. His involvement in Anderson's goal vs Tottenham at the start of the season is more than likely the best example of his creative play. A real prospect.

GRADE: 8/10

TOTALS

RYAN GIGGS - 45/50

DANNY WELBECK - 40/50

So as expected, Ryan Giggs comes out on top of this encounter fairly comfortably. The Welsh Wizard is a world-class winger who has somehow managed to adapt his style of play from speed demon winger, to laid back deep playmaker but is still involved in the team regularly at the ripe old age of 37.  

"His talent is God-given.He will have wonderful skill even when he's got his bus pass, because that sort of ability never deserts you." 

Brian Kidd - Former Assistant Manager at Man United.

How Can England Replace Wayne Rooney?

This red card vs Montenegro means Rooney will miss at least 1 game of Euro 2012

A vintage performance from Wayne Rooney in his new found #10 role was spoilt after  he was sent off for England during their 2-2 draw in Montenegro. After starting the move that led to Ashley Young's opener and playing the through ball for Ashley Young to set up Darren Bent for the second goal everything looked good. However after mis-controlling the ball, Rooney lashed out at Montenegro defender Miodrag Dzudovic and received a straight red card from referee Wolfgang Stark - ruling him out of the start of the European Championships next summer.

The Manchester United hitman will miss the opening game of the Euro 2012 group stages without doubt. It then came to light that he could miss the first two games or even the entire group stage as a whole if UEFA see fit to extend the ban. So how do England cope without their best player for the group stages of the European Championships? Mr Capello has stated since the sending off that Rooney will not start again for England until he has served his ban in the tournament next summer  - meaning he will not start the 5 friendlies in the build up to the tournament (including vs Spain and Holland), so that Capello can find Rooney's replacement. The question is, who and what are Fabio's options?

CHANGE OF FORMATION?

Fabio was a huge fan of the 4-4-2 during the disastrous 2010 World Cup, but since then he's leaned more towards the 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 with Rooney leading the attack up until the 2-0 win vs Wales in Cardiff where Darren Bent led the line with Rooney playing just off him. So is the 4-3-3 an option without Rooney?

It certainly is. With Steven Gerrard set to return for Liverpool this weekend he will be looking to put in some good performances ahead of the upcoming internationals in order to force his way back into the side. England haven't really missed his dynamic approach to the game due to the stable partnership formed in midfield between Scott Parker and Gareth Barry and Wayne Rooney's emergence in the #10 role for England. However a fully fit and firing Steven Gerrard and a fit Jack Wilshere would surely be enough to displace that partnership and do enough to replace Wayne Rooney. With Ashley Young, Theo Walcott and Darren Bent in the front 3 the team will still have plenty of pace and ability, add Gerrard's finishing ability and Wilshere's passing to that and it could be a very good balance in midfield and attack.

Could this midfield pairing be the answer?

Another option could be the 4-2-3-1 which has featured prominently in European football for the last few years but England has yet to really catch on to so far. This formation seems to suit the majority of the team, with Parker and Wilshere/Barry playing deeper in the double pivot, with Gerrard playing in an advanced role (where he spent his most successful season in this role behind Torres), with Bent ahead of him as the poacher playing on the last man.  When defending it could transform into the previous formation (4-3-3) so is very flexible.

POTENTIAL PERSONNEL REPLACEMENTS?

After the game in Montenegro, Capello said he would look at other striking options and that Rooney wouldn't be guaranteed a spot on his return from a ban. So who realistically could replace him in the England set-up in the upcoming friendlies/European Championships?

Daniel Sturridge - Chelsea
Apps: 3 | Goals: 3 | Assists: 1

Since his return from a loan spell at Bolton, Sturridge has settled in well to Andre Villas-Boas' new look Chelsea side, featuring more on the right hand side of a front 3. He's scored 3 goals in his 3 games so far this season and got himself an assist showing he can be creative and a goalscoring threat at the same time, much like Wayne Rooney although not on his level.

Danny Welbeck
Apps: 4(2) | Goals: 5 | Assists: 1

Danny Welbeck spent last season on loan at Sunderland but this season has broken into Manchester United's first team and staked his claim for a starting spot in their team too. He made his England debut vs Ghana at Wembley in March and made his competitive debut for England in the game vs Montenegro as a substitute. His form could see him get a chance to stake a claim for a starting place.

Andy Carroll

Apps: 5(2) | Goals: 1 | Assists: 0

 Andy Carroll has struggled so far this season, but his goal in the Merseyside derby last weekend may be just what he needed to kick start his season. That was his only goal so far this season and he has 0 assists but he offers something completely different to Rooney and that may be something Capello will look at if he can pick up his form.

Bobby Zamora

Apps: 4 | Goals: 3 | Assists: 3

Bobby Zamora's had a superb start to the season, with 3 goals and 3 assists in his 4 games this season. Although he isn't anything like Rooney in his style of play he's starting to prove himself as a good finisher as well as link man getting assists too. Surely competing for a spot as the 'big-man' with Andy Carroll it's hard to see him not getting a chance with his current form.

Jermain Defoe
Apps: 4(1) | Goals: 2 | Assists: 0

Jermain Defoe seems to have struck up a good partnership with big man Emmanuel Adebayor for Spurs as a typical poacher. 2 goals so far this season doesn't seem much, but his work defensively and his off the ball movement is enough to cause Capello a few headaches when it comes to the selection process - and the Italian has already noticed Defoe's performances this season.

CONCLUSION

A number of potential replacements are at Capello's disposal then, it's just a matter of what formation will the Italian play to decide who could be the man to replace England and Manchester United's #10. Either way it will make for fascinating scenes when the situation arises, especially if the ban gets extended on Thursday.

Do you agree with the points made? Have I missed someone out? 

Post your comments below!

I choose you! Who will Fabio pick to replace Rooney?

*Stats taken from WhoScored

Class of 92 vs Class of 2011 - Part 6/7

David Beckham during Gary Neville's testimonial in May 2011

David Beckham is regarded as one of the best midfielders in English history. His stunning right foot was and still is capable of sweeping 70 yard passes, curling free-kicks and wonderfully accurate crosses throughout his 18 year career.

The England midfielder was at Manchester United for 10 years, where he made the legendary number 7 shirt his own and won 6 Premier League trophies, 2 FA Cups and 1 Champions League trophy. He scored 86 goals in 399 games for the club and was even made captain of England while at Manchester United. His passing/crossing was without doubt his best attribute and has made him a legend worldwide. 'Becks' left Old Trafford in the summer of 2003 for the sunshine of the Bernabeu in a £25M deal after a row with manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Ashley Young signed from Aston Villa in the summer of 2011 for an undisclosed fee. The tricky winger has enjoyed a fabulous start to life at Old Trafford, bagging 3 goals and 5 assists in his opening 8 games for the club.

Wide Midfielder vs Wide Midfielder
David Beckham vs Ashley Young

 

David Beckham started his career as a central midfielder capable of dictating the game due to his superb passing ability. He always stated that was his favoured position, but made his name on the right hand side of midfield for both club and country. His amazing accuracy made him a threat from set-pieces (both direct and indirect) and made him a key figure in the Manchester United and England sides for years.

Ashley Young started his career as a striker, using his rapid pace and good finishing to make a name for himself as an upcoming striker. He was signed by Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill as an out-and-out striker, but was soon moved out to the wing to use his great crossing ability and pace to better effect.

Although different types of players, both were wide midfielders (of some form) and both have the same strengths (to a large extent). I'll compare those strengths and see how the traditional wide midfielder has transformed into a regular winger playing slightly deeper.

PACE

DB: David Beckham was never renowned for his pace, but he was certainly no slouch on a football pitch. His game never relied on pace to beat players as he usually just shifted the ball to give himself a yard and hit a pass/cross/shot, but when he needed to he was able to take players on and won his fair share of foot races.

GRADE: 7/10

AY: Ashley Young's pace is possibly his greatest asset and he often uses this to his advantage. Regularly squaring up to the defenders and shifting the ball onto either foot he regularly outruns an opponent before playing the final pass to create/finish a goalscoring opportunity.

GRADE: 9/10

CROSSING

DB: Beckham's crossing is what has made him such a legendary figure worldwide in the world of sports. He has the ability to put a ball onto a silver platter for any team-mate and helped him to get an amazing tally of 44 assists in the Premier League during the 8 seasons he spent at Old Trafford.

GRADE: 10/10

AY: Young's crossing is an essential part of his game as an advanced winger. Often deployed on the left hand side he likes to cut inside onto his right foot and whip in crosses towards the goal and they're usually of very good quality. 

GRADE: 8/10

SET PIECES 

DB: David's set pieces are the reason he has legendary status within the sport of football and worldwide. His trademark free-kicks have often seen important goals scored and sometimes even great assists come from it. His most legendary free-kick, was in the final minute at Old Trafford for England vs Greece in a World Cup qualifier. He scored, England qualified for the World Cup. He missed, they didn't. The rest as they say, is history.

GRADE: 10/10

AY: Ashley has always been a set-piece taker at every team he's been at and seems to have taken on that role at Manchester United too. His free-kicks usually have a good end product, however there isn't enough consistency in them to put him on Becks' level. He also seems to do better with set-pieces where he crosses rather than shoots directly.

GRADE: 7/10

FINISHING

DB: David Beckham's finishing was top quality, although often he lacked the composure to finish chances. That's probably the one area of his game he could have improved when developing his game, as his best goalscoring season was 16 in 01/02 season.

GRADE: 7/10

AY: Ashley started his career as a striker, so his natural finishing ability is better than Beckham's. He naturally has an instinct to get into those goalscoring positions and finish chances which gives any side he's playing in that extra edge in an offensive sense as they possess a "goalscoring winger".

GRADE: 8/10

DECISION MAKING

DB: Goldenball's decisions were superb and he always seemed to make the best decision when in search for a goal or crucial pass. Often players get over excited with minutes to go and look for an extra goal, but Beckham knew when to retain possession and when to play the killer pass, making him a huge threat to the opposition.

GRADE: 8/10

AY: Young's decisions sometimes make you ponder, however they are regularly very good and are the best for the team. Sometimes he will pass the ball one time too many or try to cross the ball in too early but he will learn that with experience of playing the United way and will only benefit from finally playing games regularly for his country too.

GRADE: 7/10

TOTALS

DAVID BECKHAM - 42/50 

ASHLEY YOUNG - 40/50

So with Ashley Young about to enter his prime, he isn't far from emulating the legend that is David Beckham. Of course they are different types of players, but they both perfectly fit the teams they play(ed) in. Beckham was key to the success of his Manchester United team and Ashley Young will hope to be successful at Manchester United too. Beckham grasped legendary status at Manchester United during his 10-year tenure at Old Trafford, and Young will hope to replicate his success at Old Trafford in the coming years.