The Soccer Blog: Jack Picks the Right Role Models; van Persie Tug of War Continues; Players Return from Injury

Friday, 5 November 2010

Jack Picks the Right Role Models; van Persie Tug of War Continues; Players Return from Injury

By: Martin | November 5th, 2010

A couple of things today:

First off, our little Peacemaker has been talking about who he wants to emulate. He has said his role model is Liam Brady, Arsenal’s playmaking midfielder from the late 1970s who now heads up Arsenal’s youth development program. Brady is justifiably regarded as a club legend, so it’s a savvy choice, showing a good sense of the club’s history and traditions. He also said that he wants to emulate Patrick Vieira in part, because, “I was on the books when Patrick was still here and I think the way he tackled and intercepted play is something I would add to my game.” That’s all well and good, and I like the sentiment, but (a) Vieira had about 8 inches and at least 50 pounds on Wilshere; and (b) if Vieira were playing today like he did back then, he’d be red carded every other game. And given Jack’s propensity for reckless challenges himself, I think that impulse is one that needs to be reined in for the time being until he gets some savvy and learns what he can get away with.

But I do love that he seems dedicated to being a complete player and is still seeking to improve. I think all too often at Arsenal in recent years, young players have been given a lot of trust early in their careers, and have gotten too complacent after earning their first-team place, thinking that since there wasn’t much competition for spots, they do not need to improve. If Jack can keep that attitude, he’s going to be a very good player indeed, for a long, long time.

Elsewhere, the spat between Wenger and Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk over van Marwijk’s surprise call-up of Robin van Persie continues. Sayeth van Marwijk:

Has there been any contact with the medical staff of Holland and Arsenal? I don’t know. I don’t care, because I spoke to Robin personally and I just made the selection and will wait for any comments to come.

Well, then. What a d-bag. It honestly boggles my mind that an international coach thinking of calling up a player who hasn’t played in months because of a serious injury wouldn’t even consult the medical staff of the player’s club who have been treating him the entire time. I can’t imagine even the staunchest Dutch supporters don’t see anything wrong with this. As I said yesterday, Wenger’s hands are somewhat tied, since the club doesn’t have the authority to keep a player from international duty. But I would hope that Robin van Persie would step in and say “Actually, I’m not fit, so while I’m honored by the call up and would love to play, I am not physically able to play and want someone else to have my roster spot.” But it’s a bit worrying that van Marwijk said he made the decision based on a conversation he had with van Persie, which makes me think that van Persie will do no such thing. We shall see.

As pointed out by Arseblog and others, John Cross reported on Twitter that Belgium coach George Leekens took the exact opposite approach, saying of his not calling up Thomas Vermaelen for the mid-month friendly:

We are not going to take a risk for a friendly game. His health is most important thing. I have a great relationship with Arsene Wenger and completely respect him and what he tells me about his players.

That’s more like it, eh?

In team news ahead of Sunday’s match against Newcastle, we have some . . . wait, this can’t be right, can it? Is this right? Hm. We have some . . . GOOD injury news, if you can believe it. According to Wenger’s Friday press conference this morning, Cesc, Arshavin, Song, and Denilson are fit and will be available for the match against Newcastle on Sunday. He also said van Persie was now officially back in squad training, and that Vermaelen would be back in training “in a matter of days.” Gibbs and Frimpong are still out, and there’s no word on Diaby. But it sounds like we’ll have a pretty full squad, and we may need it, since Newcastle is riding high and has a lot of confidence coming off of last weekend’s derby mauling of Sunderland.

Newcastle preview coming up tomorrow.

(UPDATE: Yes there is word on Diaby, and it isn’t good. Wenger says he really has no idea when Diaby will be able to play again, and said they had consulted with two surgeons but have not opted for surgery yet. Honestly, with the emergence of players like Wilshere and Ramsey, the quality of Cesc, Nasri, and Song, guys like Rosicky and Denilson playing well when called in, and players like Lansbury and Aneke coming up through the youth ranks, I am starting to have serious doubts about Diaby ever having much of a first-team future at Arsenal. It’s a shame — long-time readers will remember that I used to detest having to watch Diaby play, he was my least favorite Arsenal player by far just a few seasons ago. But he’s really started to show that when he gets a decent run of games, he can be a very valuable contributor to the side. If he hadn’t suffered that horror tackle from Paul Robinson, and hadn’t had so many recurring injury problems, who knows how different the last few years of his career might have gone.).

********************

Don’t forget to follow the Arsenal Offside on Twitter for the latest news, links, and updates: www.twitter.com/arsenaloffside

Kanye West Tweet of the Day: Never do coke with an intern … they may not be 21 LOL

Some Related Stories:Eleven Gunners Get Call-Ups; Cesc Nears Return; Pires Back; Nasri Speaks Out; Wenger Sticks Up for JackVela in Agua Caliente over Party; Cesc Eyes Chelsea Return; Wenger Conciliatory Towards WojoWenger Gives Injury Update; Cesc Says Team Lacks “Winning Mentality”JET in Talks to Go to QPR on Loan; Vermaelen Injury Now “Long Term;” Cesc, Rosicky Talk Ahead of Man City Clashvan Persie Injured, + World Cup Roundup

Category: Arsenal News, Arsene Wenger, Injury Report, Jack Wilshere, Robin van Persie

Tags: Arsenal News, Arsene Wenger, Injury Report, Jack Wilshere, Robin van Persie
« Wenger Blames Complacency for Defeat, But We’ve Heard That Song Before | Home | MartinPeevish is absolutely right -- the system is set up so that clubs and countries are pitted against one another, and the player is caught between a rock and a hard place. If only someone could come up with a solution. Oh, wait -- I did:

http://arsenal.theoffside.com/team-news/remembering-why-i-hate-internationals-and-a-modest-proposal-to-fix-them.html

I know it's so lame to be impressed with something that you yourself wrote, but you'll have to indulge me, because this is one of my favorite things I've ever written:

"This is a situation where everyone — the clubs, the players, the fans — wins. Everybody, that is, except the federations, who would be less able to shovel cash into their gaping maws, “Hungry Hungry Hippos”-style. But fuck them. They make Chelsea and Manchester City look like Mother Theresa."ladyarseIt sucks that VP has been called up and the fault of all this lies with the Dutch FA, however, if he is not fit to play when he reports our medics will have noted that and you can only hope the Dutch FA docs will note the same. He has been called up, he has to report, butt it isn't a guarantee that he will play. If a player is called up and states he is injured he still has to report to be tested and if it turns out they are fit they get a three match domestic ban. I imagine failure to report would carry the same sort of penalty.

The rules giverning club vs country need to revised, but until then, there's bugger all we can do unfortunatley. Do we ship Van Persie out because he can never stay fit? It's an option, but I don't think we're there yet.SairaxLook everyone. van Persie is probably my favourite player on the team when he's fit and playing so I am right there with you on this callup thing. I should point out that this is a provisional squad. Also, RvP has just completed his first full training session so I suppose he's fit to a certain extent. Nevertheless, I agree it's stupid for him to go and risk his health, but the fact is that he was called up. He's not going to refuse to go. Players very rarely do that. I know some don't understand the meaning behind representing your country and what it means to the people in the country, but unless you 'retire' you are in a position to be called up and take the offer.

Let me remind everyone of FIFA rules on this matter:

Clubs are obliged to release their registered players to the
representative teams of the country for which the player is eligible
to play on the basis of his nationality if they are called up by the
association concerned. Any agreement between a player and a
club to the contrary is prohibited.

The release of players under the terms of paragraph 1 of this
article is mandatory for matches on dates listed in the coordinated
international match calendar and for all matches for which a duty
to release players exists on the basis of a special decision by the FIFA
Executive Committee.

As a general rule, every player registered with a club is obliged
to respond affi rmatively when called up by the association he is
eligible to represent on the basis of his nationality to play for one of
its representative teams.

http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/affederation/administration/01/06/30/78/statusinhalt_en_122007.pdf

Do you understand what I am saying now?PeevishYes. And I as much as I think it stinks that he has been called up, I would be disappointed if RvP refused the call up, and anyone who thinks he should. A call-up for your country is a big deal, regardless of being a friendly or a meaningful game. Its unfair to expect him to turn it down. The problem lies with the whole setup of football, which breeds bad feelings between the national and club setups.Darren_VUnless your English and have 'injuries' that prevent you to play for your national side, and then play 90mins for your club.
Ala, Gerrard, Lampard, Rooney....

I would prefer RVP not to play for Holland, but anyone who has loyalty to their nation, they go, and with pride.
The Dutch are full of pride, I can speak first hand on that one.GUD NYARInt bad jack
JacobsfemiI stand to disagree your point that Wenger doesnt have option. If the national coach speak with Van Persie and he agreed to play for them, then Wenger should bench him as long and then sell him at a ridiculous price. Because we arent enjoying his pay anywaySairaxIt's not that easy. There are rules that can be enforced. Wenger does not have pull in this area. Plus you have to understand that RvP is put between a rock and a hard place.GoonerbenI dont really think it is a hard situation... He's not fit enough to play for his club who have trained him and have his long term health to worry about not just his fitness for the odd couple of games so why should he even be considered for selection? At the end of the day Wenger is boss and if Van persie trots off to play for Holland without his blessing he is risking a serious falling out. Van persie has become more of a luxury player and when asked who our best player is I always say that I think van persie is the best but realistically if I had to choose between him and someone like chamakh there is no contest. To the best of my knowledge Van persie is up there with only a couple of others on top wages at the club and if we aren't even getting 15 games out of him a season (I think we've had 1.5 so far this season from a possible 10 PL games and another 6 cup games) then we might have to go a la eduardo and sell him to a club in a less physical league who is prepared to pay decent money and meet his wage demands. First time I'm considering this but now I am it seems like a real option... if we could get 25-30m for him that would be quite good business and if that could be reinvested in another top quality striker... Perhaps eto'o. I know it may not seem like Wenger's style but a guy like that who has won things and is still playing at a high level could really do great things for younger guys like theo etc...
rant over :)Goonerbenps - jack wilshere IS like jesus with a footballblog comments powered by Disqus

Russia gets Nasty in World Cup Bid Panic on the Streets of London, Panic on the Streets of Birmingham Injury List Lengthens Ahead of Montenegro more news...

Search The Offside

The Soccer Blog

Pages

Friday, 5 November 2010

Jack Picks the Right Role Models; van Persie Tug of War Continues; Players Return from Injury

No comments:

Post a Comment