Wenger's Special Children

It certainly has been an interesting year for Arsenal. Whilst every gooner worth their salt will tell you this is the calm before the revolutionary storm of the new stadium era yadda yadda it's clear that something a bit weird is going on at Arsenal. Despite the result last night, with Vieira gone and Henry potentially on his way, things seem to have gone a bit rotten.

However, as much as it pains me to say this, any chicken counting is almost certainly premature. I don't like him, but Arsene Wenger is responsible for discovering and resurrecting some of the finest talent we have seen in the Premiership; Henry, Vieira, Ljungberg, Pires, Toure, Petit, Anelka, and co were all plucked from obscurity or the realms of underachievement. Arsenal is certainly going through a transitional period, and the theme is clear…investment in youth. With the old guard getting on, with perhaps only Henry still at his peak, a new wave has emerged.

Despite Wenger’s cleverness, for every Vieira there has been a Francis Jeffers and Stephan Malz (do not overanalyse this- a one in three record of risk-taking is bloody impressive), so in this blog I would like to give my impressions of the current crop, and (probably foolishly) predict who will be the Ljungbergs and who will be the Christopher Wrehs.

Emmanuel Eboue - Strong, looked great last night, but seems a bit dodgy on the ball. Unreliable.

Johan Djourou - A poor man’s Emmanuel Eboue

Senderos- After being promised he was the new Adams, Senderos is slowly but surely showing that he has the right to be mentioned in the same sentence as our favourite ex-alcoholic.

Gael Clichy- Essentially a worse version of Ashley Cole, will always be in his shadow whilst cole remains at Arsenal.

Kerrea Gilbert (left)- From what I’ve seen, looks like an excellent prospect. People seem to agree, but opinions do suffer from the over-exuberance that is inevitable when anyone talks about an English right-back who isn’t Neville.

Vassikirri Abou Diaby- Apparently the new Vieira. Big boots. Chelsea were interested. Very much a wait and see.

Sebastian Larsson- Have only seen him play a few times. Really impressed me in an interview recently. A very mature head on young shoulders, but don’t think he has the quality.


Cesc Fabregas (right)- A little shitbag, but a very talented little shitbag. Fantastic passing ability, but suffers somewhat from small man syndrome (perpetual laryness). The syndrome will make him a better player, but will not make him any bigger. Small central midfielders have to be pretty fucking special to make it in a Premiership midfield. I can’t think of a single example of a lightweight CM who has done well for a big club. Unfortunately Fabregas isn’t even stocky.

Mathieu Flamini- Wnger seems to have a lot of faith in him, seems like a bit of a headless chicken whenever he plays. Has not excelled in any of the various positions he has been played in. Wenger’s apparent faith is the only thing stopping me from saying outright that he’s shit.

Theo Walcott- God knows, but the most hyped player since Rooney, and they weren’t wrong with him.

Robin Van Persie- Yup, yup and more yup. Can see him getting better and better too. A true Wnger coup.

Emmanuel Adeyabour- Can see Wenger having trouble with this one, has a history of being a prat. Has been very hyped both internationally and at club level, and would seemed to have extended his nose up his own arse.


Arturo Lupoli (left)- pinched from the Parma youth academy when pinching from the Parma youth academy was all the rage. Aren’t financial crises great. Wait and see.

The most obvious thing is the shear volume, 13 players under the age of 21 flirting around the first team, and there are 5 others who I have never heard of on the official squad list- Anthony Stokes, Nicklas Bendtner, Matthew Connely, Alexandre Song, and Fabrice Muamba. And Justin Hoyte on loan at Sun’land (but he’s shit).

Conclusion: If Wenger’s past record is anything to go by, at least 5 of these players will turn out to be the business. My 5 are Senderos, Gilbert, Van Persie, and any two from Abou Diaby, Walcott and Lupoli.