Keeping Cesc Fabregas in the summer was a symbolic one, if not already indicated by his position
as captain of this side. Fabregas is the talisman; the highest profile player and a leader of his
generation. If he ceased to believe in Arsenal Wenger's project then what hope does a youth
development policy have?
England's love-affair with the "big man" or target man perhaps transcends practicality. As a
position, they are hoisted up proudly in the air like a totem, therefore, when one emerges, like
Andy Carroll of Newcastle United, it is no surprise that they dangled over the balcony like one of
Michael Jackson's babies.
Cesc Fabregas was in talismanic form as he helped dismantle Sporting Braga 6-0 in Champions
League Matchday 1.
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On the face of it this was another quintessential Arsenal victory against Sporting Braga but
this 6-0 demolishing of the Champions League débutantes was built on clinical attacking play
and a solid defensive foundation.
To most people, Andrey Arshavin would have registered on their consciousness in the summer of
2008. He was boyish in his looks; his plum cheeks and fluffy hair were never going to hide his
impish charm but it wasn't before long he displayed all his cunning trickery. Suspended for the
first two games of the European Championships with Russia one of which included a 4-0 defeat to
Spain Arshavin made an instant impression.
The addition of Laurent Koscielny to the back line and two screening midfielders is anticipated
to help win the ball back quicker.
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As soon as Thomas Vermaelen kicked his first ball in the Premier League Arsene Wenger would have
known he had a bargain in his hands.
The addition of Laurent Koscielny to the back line and two screening midfielders is anticipated
to help win the ball back quicker.
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As soon as Thomas Vermaelen kicked his first ball in the Premier League Arsene Wenger would have
known he had a bargain in his hands.
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your bookmarks to the new address for the latest Arsenal analysis starting with the 1-1 draw at
Liverpool. Happy reading!
The retaining of captain Cesc Fabregas and much of the core of the side means Arsenal have an
attack to mount a serious title challenge.
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So what has pre-season taught us of Arsenal so far? That the Gunners, through all their ability
to weave patterns around the opposition, still tend to overcomplicate things despite obvious
attempts by the manager to introduce more directness to the play.
The efficiency that holding midfielders provide teams makes them very important in the modern
football.
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International competitions are always fascinating tactically if anything for the inflexibility
they confront managers with.
Eduardo style may be seen as a luxury to some but his ability to make the difficult look simple
makes him brilliant.
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Gary Lineker may have loathed to be stuck out on his unfavoured position of outside right for
Barcelona but he begrudgingly accepted that a job had to be done for the best of the team.
Samir Nasri's delightful brace helped Arsenal on their way to a 3-0 win notable for the side's
continued progress on their defensive strategy.
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It was close to this time last season when Arsene Wenger hurriedly paced the touch-line against
third-place Hungarian outfit Szombathelyi Haladás, anxiously trying to knit together his changing
plan for the coming season.
Jack Wilshere showed just what he can bring to Arsenal this season as the Gunners recorded an
impressive first pre-season win.
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It has almost become impossible to find a dissenter to the view that England have had their most
gifted footballers of a generation compete for world football's biggest prize however this summer's
failings in South Africa have shown that, that may not be the case.
Laurent Koscielny's technical style and ability to mix his game up will perfectly complement
Arsenal's style.
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When questioned on how the centre-back may develop in the future, Thomas Vermaelen was
unsurprisingly diplomatic on the subject, especially after having such a barnstorming debut season
for Arsenal displaying the virtues of both extremes of the modern defender.
Brazil have been practising their own pressing game while the Netherlands, have taken a leaf out
of Dunga's side and adopted a more pragmatic approach.
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There's not been much talking between the Brazilian team and the country's press.
Andrey Arshavin is likely to start on the left of Arsenal's attack which opens up many
possibilities on how the Gunners may line up next season.
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In the summer of 1997, the back pages of the national papers were adorned with the photographs
of Arsène Wenger's and his two new signings for the club Marc Overmars and Emmanuel Petit.
