The pressure on Arsene Wenger has never been greater after four straight Arsenal defeats, culminating in Sunday’s reverse against Brighton and Hove Albion.
The ‘Wenger Out’ debate has raged on for the last few seasons but the calls for him to step aside are now as loud as they have ever been.
Many Arsenal fans want their board to take the bull by the horns and dismiss Wenger – or at the very least reveal that he will be moved aside at the end of the season to allow him the sendoff that he deserves between now and May.
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Any Gunners supporters hoping that Wenger will resign with dignity look set to be disappointed as the Times report that he has privately admitted to staff that he plans to stay on for the next campaign.
The report adds that Wenger still believes he is the right man to take the club forward and if the club wants to sever their ties with him, they will have to sack him.
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With the inertia at board level, the Frenchman’s stubbornness might well see him stay on as there is no force behind him pushing him to leave.
Hot off the press this morning, according to the Daily Mail, Raheem Sterling is in no rush to sign a new contract at Liverpool, despite the Premier League side being more than prepared to offer him an improved package on his current deal.
The Reds attacker currently takes home £1.5m per-annum and has two years remaining on his Anfield contract, but coinciding with reports that Real Madrid are targeting his services, has raised concerns over his long-term future by insisting he won’t be hasted into contract talks.
We at Football Fancast however believe the 19 year-old is making a grave error; Liverpool have transformed him from an anonymous teenager into the Premier League star he is today. And to prove our point, here’s FIVE reasons the England international should sign on the dotted line.
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REAL MADRID ARE IDIOTS
It can only be assumed that one of the underlying reasons Raheem Sterling has stalled on contract negotiations is because he’s allegedly emerged on Real Madrid’s radar:
They may be the reigning European Champions, but when it comes to young players and transfers, the Bernabeu outfit are complete idiots.
Take the recent plight of Isco for example – a former Golden Boy award winner, brought to the Spanish capital in summer 2013 after impressing at Malaga.
Since the attacking midfielder signed on the dotted line, Los Blancos have forked out no less than £152million on players in his position, specifically James Rodriguez and Gareth Bale. The rise of the latter saw the 22 year-old miss out on a place in Spain’s World Cup squad, and he’s made just two out of a possible six starts in La Liga this season.
Likewise, despite emerging as perhaps the most potent creator in Europe last season, as shown below, and bagging the Man of the Match award in the 2014 Champions League final, Real Madrid flogged Angel Di Maria to Manchester United this summer.
In part due to the Galacticos policy, in part due to a presidential system underpinned by the audacious demands of the fanbase, the Spanish giants churn through vogue players at a remarkable rate, like junkies addicted to footballing fads.
Moving to the Bernabeu could be the making of Sterling, but it could also waste several years of his career.
THERE’S CURRENTLY AN OPENING FOR LIVERPOOL TALISMAN
With Luis Suarez moving to Barcelona and Steven Gerrard’s influence naturally waning with age, Liverpool are in need of a new talisman – a player the starting Xi can be structured around.
Of course, a key role of that calibre must be gained rather than gifted, but having produced sensational form since the start of 2014, Raheem Sterling is already upon the periphery of such status.
He’s already proving to be Liverpool’s most potent entity in the Premier League this season, as shown below:
And as the Reds endure some troubling form at the start of the campaign, the stage is set for Sterling to emerge as his club’s new hero – one can already envisage him wearing that famous No.7 shirt one day.
The England international certainly possesses the potential to become Liverpool’s latest long-term talisman – no teenager in Europe played a more crucial role, in a challenge as tough as a Premier League title race, at a club as monolithic as Liverpool, than Sterling last season.
Here’s a look at some of the attacker’s highlights from 2013/14:
ANFIELD IS A FANTASTIC ENVIORNMENT FOR YOUNG PLAYERS
Anfield has always been a hotbed of young home-grown talents, but even more so during Brendan Rodgers’ tenure.
The Ulsterman has proved himself a fantastic developer of young talents – the Liverpool squad that finished in second-place last season was underpinned by the likes of Daniel Sturridge, Raheem Sterling, Jordan Henderson, Mamadou Sakho, Philippe Coutinho and John Flanagan, all of whom are 25 years of age or younger.
Likewise, he’s issued competitive debuts to Flanagan, Jack Robinson, Jordan Rossiter, Jordan Ibe, Connor Coady and Andre Wisdom to name a few.
Rodgers appears to have greater faith in young players than the majority of Premier League managers, embracing their energy and enthusiasm rather than fearing their inexperience.
The Anfield gaffer is unquestionably the right man to continue moulding Sterling, assuring him regular game time and giving the England youngster the freedom to express himself on the pitch.
He trusted Sterling enough to utilise him in the No.10 role last season – a position of enormous responsibility going forward – and clearly plans to continue in that vein for the foreseeable future.
THE SAS
Luis Suarez may have departed for Barcelona, but there’s still an SAS partnership in Liverpool’s midst; Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling.
The England duo aren’t an out-and-out front two but they share an intrinsic, almost telepathic bond as an attacking tandem, linking up well and working off each others’ movement.
Both can act as scorer or provider, albeit from different areas of the pitch, and Sterling would be wise to preserve that partnership by signing a new contract.
Sturridge remains one of the most potent goalscorers in the Premier League; he can make even the most wayward of passes look like a world-class assist.
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Here’s a look at Sturridge and Sterling in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/LITt3wB58R4?rel=0
Also, from a personal point of view, ‘SAS’ is fantastic headline fodder, so for the Liverpool pair to stick together would make my job considerably easier.
His agent, not Liverpool, are causing all the problems
As Jamie Carragher quickly pointed out on Twitter, it’s Raheem Sterling’s agent, not the player or Liverpool, causing all the trouble:
Obviously, the attacker believes he’s worth more than his current £30k per-week salary, and in the context of the Premier League, he certainly is.
But is it really worth holding the club to ransom and subliminally threatening to leave for Real Madrid just for the sake of a few extra pennies?
Liverpool is clearly the right club for the 19 year-old to continue his development, and at this point in his career, nothing else should matter.
Brendan Rodgers and the Reds have propelled the England international upon the verges of super-stardom; he owes them a show of loyalty, and it’s quite clear Sterling’s agent doesn’t have his client’s best interests at heart.
The problems are rapidly starting to mount up for Andre Villas-Boas. In a week where managerial upheaval has gripped West London, the Portuguese strategist must be looking perilously over his shoulder. Four defeats in their last five games have hit Spurs hard and they now sit eighth in the table, seven points off the Champions League pace. It was at this point last year that he began to unravel as a manager down the road at Stamford Bridge and theres a danger of history repeating itself at White Hart Lane this season. There is no reason why he shouldn’t with the calibre of players at his disposal, but his tendency for convolution in his tactical strategies could prevent him from meeting the set objectives. And worse cost him his job.
This week on FFC will £20 million be enough to improve Spurs in the January transfer window and who could be set to swap White Hart Lane for the sunnier climate of Spain?
[divider]
Best of FFC
Time has come for Villas-Boas to be brave with his selection
A transfer risk worth taking for Tottenham Hotspur?
Time to make the change permanent at Tottenham?
Will £20m be enough for Tottenham?
Time for Villas-Boas to brave and throw starlet into the fray
Out of touch with reality at Tottenham?
Tottenham keen on £10m winger
Spurs and Chelsea set to battle for Brazilian
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Best of WEB
Not all 5-2 defeats are the same. – Spurs musings from Jimmy G2
All The Way From New York – Harry Hotspur
From Wankdorf to Wembley – Dear Mr Levy
Levy Refuses To Buckle : AVB Project Will Proceed As Planned – Transfer Tavern
Between love and madness – Dear Mr Levy
Bad News For AVB Haters – Harry Hotspur
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Quote of the Week
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“We’re all frustrated about the way things are going. I don’t know what’s not clicking. Hopefully it will start clicking as soon as possible otherwise, trust me, we will find ourselves in difficulty. My friends tell me to keep positive so I don’t really want to think about how bad it could be. If we get badder (sic) than this, I think we’d be dead. It was our lucky day against Lazio. They got so many chances. At the moment, things are looking bad, but we just have to find a way to get through this. We have to improve because we’re not playing the best game at the moment.” Emmanuel Adebayor says Spurs need to improve quickly or their season will be over before they know it
Tottenham fans have been discussing a possible swoop for Real Madrid playmaker Isco, and a whopping 90 per cent of fans want Levy and Pochettino to make their move.
Despite winning the Champions League just over a month ago, Real Madrid seem to be in a bit of turmoil at the moment.
Zinedine Zidane stunned the footballing world by announcing his departure, and Julen Lopetegui’s switch from the Spain job hasn’t exactly been a smooth transition.
Isco hasn’t expressed his desire to leave, but he has been linked with moves to North London on countless occasions ever since Pochettino heaped praise on the Spanish superstar.
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”257647″ player=”12034″ title=”Three reasons we love to hate… Brazil and Argentina”]
The 26 year-old has been strutting his stuff at the World Cup, and his performance against Iran in particular drew huge praise.
Valued at £67.5m by Transfermarkt, Isco wouldn’t come cheap, but he would make the rest of the league sit up and take notice.
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There is a real feeling that Pochettino’s side is just one superstar signing away from really challenging Manchester City, and fans clearly agree, as the vast majority backed a big money move for Isco.
It is not difficult to understand why Christian Pulisic is attracting attention from the football world.
The USA international has starred at Borussia Dortmund over the past couple of seasons, despite only being 19 years of age.
The teenager has made 29 appearances in all competitions, contributing with four goals and three assists.
According to the Daily Mail, Chelsea are one club interested in securing the attacking midfielder’s signature in the summer transfer window.
The publication adds that both Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich and Liverpool are keeping tabs on the talented teenager.
Steve Nicol, though, thinks that none of the suitors will get their way and that Pulisic will remain at Dortmund.
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According to the Liverpool Echo, the former Reds full-back, who works as a pundit for ESPN, suggested that the German club will hold firm.
“I don’t think he is going to join Chelsea. I don’t think he is going anywhere. Any of the top sides in the world would want Pulisic right now, in their squad if not the starting XI. I think he has made it very clear that, for now, he knows Dortmund is the place for him. That is the place he will progress the best. I don’t see him going anywhere.”
Pulisic made his debut for Dortmund in 2016 after spending a term in the club’s youth system following his switch from the United States.
According to Mirror Football, Arsenal have been given a boost in their plans to sign Angel di Maria, with the Real Madrid admitting he’s unsure of his future at the Bernabeu.
The news comes as some surprise, considering the Argentine featured heavily for Los Blancos in a new-found central midfield role last season as the Spanish giants marched their way to a Champions League title.
The 26 year-old also lead La Liga’s set-up charts, with a stunning 17 assists in 34 league appearances.
Several Premier League clubs, including the Gunners, Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham have been eying the South American for some time, but it’s believed the Emirates are currently his most prevalent suitors.
But with Arsenal’s new sponsorship deal with Puma reportedly giving Arsene Wenger the largest transfer budget in Gunners history this summer, it’s unlikely Di Maria will be his only purchase in the coming transfer window.
With that in mind, here’s a list of SIX players who could follow the Argentina international to the Emirates – some inspired by his arrival, others more coincidental.
[ffc-gallery]CLICK ON ANGEL DI MARIA TO REVEAL ALL
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SAMI KHEDIRA
//www.youtube.com/embed/6GMNjPao7Ew?autoplay=1
Angel Di Maria could soon find himself joined at the Emirates by Real Madrid team-mate Sami Khedira, with the Daily Express claiming the Bernabeu star has emerged as a transfer target for Arsenal and Manchester United…
Widely considered to be one of Europe’s top ball-winning midfielders with a powerful 6 foot 2 frame, the 27 year-old would certainly address the Gunners’ need for a more defensive element in the middle of the park.
Compatriots and former Los Blancos team-mates, having both earned their moves to the Spanish giants after the 2010 World Cup, the Germany international has a strong on-pitch understanding with Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil, as demonstrated below…
Furthermore, the Spanish press have speculated that the former Bundesliga winner will be moved on this summer to make away for new recruits…
That could see him arrive in the Premier League for between £15million-£20million, but along with United and Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool have been strongly linked too.
KARIM BENZEMA
//www.youtube.com/embed/2LvJ2Z-owQ8?autoplay=1 Another Real Madrid star often mooted with an Arsenal switch is front-man Karim Benzema.
The France international has shown unbelievable form in the World Cup, with Whoscored.com ranking him the competition’s top performer thus far for his three goals and two assists in just two appearances…
That includes this tidy finish following an Emile-Heskey-esque clearance from Philip Senderos…
But unfortunately not this incredible strike, with the referee blowing the final whistle just before it left the 26 year-old’s boot…
Arsene Wenger will be keen to tap into the powerful striker’s ability to score and create – during his last season with Mesut Ozil at the Bernabeu, the attacking duo racked up 20 goals and 25 assists between them in La Liga.
Recent speculation suggests a summer switch involving Liverpool’s Luis Suarez could be on the cards…
MARIO BALOTELLI
Karim Benzema isn’t the only frontman Arsenal are reportedly targeting this summer, with the North London club also strongly linked to AC Milan’s mercurial star Mario Balotelli.
Just in case you’ve forgotten how disruptive an influence the former Manchester City badboy can be, here’s a video of the 50 Craziest things he’s done so far in his career…
//www.youtube.com/embed/BepDexjVfG0?autoplay=1
But there’s no doubt the Italy international has the quality and firepower to address Arsenal’s desperate need for a dependable goal scorer.
The 23 year-old contributed a vital twelve goals to the Citizens’ first Premier League title in 2012, and since joining AC Milan in January 2013 has netted 30 times in 54 outings, not to mention this dream-crushing header for Italy against England..
Here’s a shot clip of the Azzurri star’s top ten goals:
//www.youtube.com/embed/hZ2GEP2pPX8
The Metro believe a deal could be imminent…
But surprise interest from Napoli could prove a stumbling block:
Which brings us nicely onto…
GONZALO HIGUAIN
According to the Express, Arsenal are set to revive their interest in Angel Di Maria’s former Real Madrid team-mate and current Argentina ally, Gonzalo Higuain.
The Albiceleste forward is famed for his potency in front of goal, with an international record of 20 in 37 and a La Liga record of 107 in 190, subsequently firing Los Blancos to three Spanish titles.He’s a short vid of Higuain’s best goals for the European champions:
//www.youtube.com/embed/jtJXvedyY7Q
Arsenal were strongly linked with the 26 year-old last summer before his £34.5million move to Naples, where he’s since claimed 24 goals and eleven assists in 44 appearances, helping the Serie A side claim last season’s Coppa Italia.
And following news that he could again be made available this summer by Rafa Benitez, the Gunners are reportedly considering an offer.
But recent speculation from Italy suggests Barcelona are currently leading the race for the 6 foot 1 striker’s signature.
EZEQUIEL LAVEZZI
Another Argentine said to be on Arsenal’s radar this summer is PSG winger-forward Ezequiel Lavezzi.
The 29 year-old offers a blend of pace, creativity and firepower, as demonstrated in the below video:
//www.youtube.com/embed/Uz2G4u0RiEo
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He’s been in good form this season too as the Parisians marched their way to a second consecutive Ligue 1 title, finding twelve goals and ten assists across all competitions – including this strike against Chelsea in the Champions League…
The Daily Star believe the Albiceleste international, who provided an assist to Lionel Messi against Iran on Saturday, has emerged as one of Arsenal’s priority targets from the World Cup…
But long-term interest from Chelsea, as reported by the Metro, could prove to be an issue.
JUAN CUADRADO
Another winger option the North Londoners are believed to be strongly considering is Fiorentina’s Juan Cuadrado.
The Colombia international was in sensational form last season and is now transitioning his talismanic displays into the World Cup, as seen below…
In fact, only Daley Blind has matched the 26 year-old’s three assists at Brazil 2014, and he was unlucky not to mark his first World Cup goal with this effort against the Ivory Coast..
Arsene Wenger will be keen to tap into the South American’s versatility too, having featured in no less than eight different positions this season…
And his mixture of pace and trickery would certainly address Arsenal’s lack of natural penetration out wide. Here’s a short vid showing Cuadrado’s fancy footwork…
//www.youtube.com/embed/yWhmdK5YCA8
The Daily Star speculate the Gunners have already opened talks with the winger’s agent…
But they’ll face stiff competition from Juventus, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Monaco for his signature.
It’s proven to be a testing season for Mark Hughes and QPR so far, following some hefty pre season spending. Hughes has seen his side take just two points from their opening seven games, and the Welshman has already become odds on to win this seasons sack race.
Many have voiced their surprise at QPR’s current predicament, considering the money they have spent during the last two transfer windows and the appointment of the highly rated Hughes last season.
Personally, I am not so surprised, being of the opinion Hughes is highly overrated. I have never really understood the hype surrounding Hughes and his coaching ability.
Press and pundits almost simultaneously gathered to mourn his sacking at Manchester City, as if a managerial great had been cruelly snatched away from the Premier League. The brutal nature of his dismissal surely played a part in the outpouring of sympathy, but the harsh truth of the matter is that Hughes didn’t do nearly well enough at the Ethihad.
I have struggled to see any particular playing style Hughes brings to the teams he coaches. None have ever been hailed as particularly exciting, interesting considering his own skillful and flamboyant playing style. His sides are infact often considered overly physical and aggressive. When in charge of Blackburn, Hughes saw his side finish bottom of the fair play league in all four of his seasons in charge. Let us also not forget the seemingly never ending list of red cards QPR received in the second half of last season.
Off the pitch I have also struggled to warm to him. Hughes’ post match interviews are never the most interesting or exciting, and more often than not consist of blaming match officials for a lack of result rather than providing answers for his teams shortcomings. His resignation from Fulham in 2011 showed a distinct lack of class, claiming: “As a young, ambitious manager I wish to move on to further my experiences”. His struggles at QPR since prove he may have been better staying at the club who rescued him from football wilderness after his ill-fated spell at Manchester City, for slightly longer than 11 months.
Looking back at his managerial career, there has been limited success. A top six finish with Blackburn in 2005-2006 is arguably the highlight, alongside narrowly missing out on qualification for Euro 2004 with Wales.
But since his spell in charge of Manchester City, Hughes has struggled. The problem I think lies in Hughes dealings in the transfer market. His most successful spells in management came at Wales and Blackburn, where on both occasions he had to simply work with what he had.
He did very well on a limited budget at Ewood Park, bringing in the likes of Benni McCarthy, Roque Santa Cruz, David Bentley and Christopher Samba for a combined total of roughly £9 million. It is my opinion that Hughes is better working at smaller clubs where there is less pressure, as his strengths appear to lie in galvanising a team that is struggling and scrapping for points as underdogs.
It is when Hughes has had money to spend at a bigger club that he has been questioned. Hughes was responsible for spending over £100 million during his time at the Etihad. Of all the players he bought in from 2008 to the present, only Gareth Barry, Vincent Kompany, Kolo Toure, Joleon Lescott Pablo Zabeletta and Carlos Tevez (just about) remain.
The likes of £32.5 million man Robinho have long gone, alongside other expensive acquisitions such as Emmanuel Adebayor, Roque Santa Cruz, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Wayne Bridge, Nigel De Jong, Shay Given, Craig Bellamy, Tal Ben Haim and Jo. Of all the names in that list, how many were successful at the Ethihad?
It seems Hughes has bought that unpredictability in the transfer market with him to QPR. Last season saw him tasked with keeping Rangers in the Premier League, and was given money to spend in the January transfer window. It went to the last day, but following some superb home performances QPR avoided the drop, and served as another example of Hughes galvanising a struggling side.
But this season, having been tasked with taking QPR to the next level as an established Premier League side, Hughes has once more looked out of his depth. He has virtually started from scratch at Loftus Road, purchasing almost an entire new squad, in what looks like something of a scattergun approach.
The likes of Park Ji-Sung, Julio Cesar, Fabio, Ryan Nelsen, Andy Johnson, Jose Bosingwa, Esteban Granero, Stéphane Mbia, Samba Diakité and Junior Hoilett have all arrived at Loftus Road, with the vast majority being free transfers over aged 30 or above. January signings Djibril Cisse and Bobby Zamora are also reaching the latter stages of their careers.
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It is hard to see any sort of vision Hughes is outlining for the future, and looks more of an attempt for a quick fix. After a disastrous start to the season, it is time for Hughes to step up and get his team fighting for points as he has done before deploying the underdog tactic, a tactic that has served him well before.
It is only when Hughes is able to show more than this, that he will ever be considered anything more than a mediocre manager in my opinion. QPR should have enough to stay up this season, but the clubs owner Tony Fernandes, as well as Hughes himself would have been hoping for far more this time around.
Do you think Mark Hughes is overrated? Follow me on Twitter @LukeGreenwood89 and let me know your thoughts.
Tottenham Hotspur should try to sign Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez if the club’s pursuit of Manchester United star Anthony Martial fails.
What’s the word?
Mahrez and Martial play on opposite wings, but if the North London outfit struggle to get a deal over the line for the United attacker, then they need to focus on other transfer targets.
The Leicester star is regularly mentioned in the transfer gossip columns, and has on two occasions tried to leave the King Power Stadium.
Manchester City are the most recent club to be linked to the Algerian’s signature, but Tottenham should join the conversation.
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”255571″ player=”12034″ title=”Watch Five outrageous World Cup stats you won’t believe are true”]
Last season, Mahrez scored 13 goals and created 13 assists for the Foxes.
He would slot in well to Mauricio Pochettino’s system and could potentially form a strong link-up with Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli.
Would Leicester do business?
The 2015-16 Premier League champions have stood firm in the past on refusing a sale for Mahrez.
The Algerian has made it clear numerous times that he wants to move on, but Leicester have been stubborn in negotiations.
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Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy also tends to stand by his guns when it comes to transfer figures.
If both clubs are unwilling to budge on certain aspects of a deal, then it could reach an impasse.
It is certainly worth Tottenham seeking information regarding Mahrez’s availability and if he would be open to joining Spurs this summer.
Dundee FC today confirmed that they have pulled off a signing coup by bringing defender Steven Caulker to the club.
The former Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool man joins on an 18 month deal and will help the Dees in their fight to avoid relegation to the Scottish Championship.
Caulker had previously been linked with a move to Celtic after the player opened up publicly on the personal problems plaguing his career, but it appears any road to Celtic Park will travel through Dens first.
It’s certainly an intriguing deal and with over 100 Premier League appearances, his experience and quality will undoubtedly be a benefit to Dundee.
It’s also one which is capturing the imagination of Celtic fans, with some believing he’s a better signing than last month’s capture of former Dundee man Jack Hendry and others predicting that joining Dundee will only last until end of the season, simply a dress rehearsal for a move to the Hoops this summer.
Arsenal may have just ended their nine-year trophy wait, but the manner of the victory over Hull has raised a fair few questions. The Gunners were slow starters at Wembley as they fell behind to two efforts from James Chester and Curtis Davies and struggled to truly get going even though they took the win with an extra-time Aaron Ramsey effort. Hull are by no means a poor side, but as a team only just out of the second tier, the Londoners should really be dispatching them with a little more ease than they eventually did. Arsene Wenger could be about to pen a new contract at the Emirates Stadium, but here are three reasons we think the club should take their paperwork off of the table.
Poor signings
It’s easy to forget that Yaya Sanogo looked likely to be one of Arsenal’s major signings last summer. The cumbersome forward was thrust into the FA Cup Final even though he is yet to open his Gunners account and looked more than a little out of place on the Wembley turf. Mesut Ozil also failed to shine despite costing over £40m, while the less said about Kim Kallstrom – who didn’t even make the bench today – the better.
Tactics out-dated
Even though they came back, Arsenal were more than a little lethargic against Hull. Much of their attacking play was predictable, and it looked as if Hull boss Steve Bruce knew exactly what he would be up against.
Arsenal need a fresh start
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While Arsenal were huffing and puffing to a first trophy in nine years Diego Atletico Madrid lifting the La Liga title with a fresh and imaginative coach in the shape of Diego Simeone at the helm. Gunners fans could be forgiven for wishing they had the Argentine in the dugout.