SIGN KEOWN UP AS DEFENSIVE COACH

Post by **QuartzGooner** » Sat Jul 30, 2011 9:28 pm

worthing_gooner wrote:Keown was defensive coach when we went on the CL run without conceding, culminating in the final against Barce. That back four was (I think) Eboue, Campbell, Senderos and Flamini.

If he can coach those four into a run without conceding, then the guy is worth his weight in gold.

Agree.

biglunn · Post by **biglunn** » Sat Jul 30, 2011 10:05 pm

"You never want to concede goals, but overall I do not give too much importance to that," Wenger told a post-match news conference.

"What is important for us it to find a collective rhythm. When we could we managed to play at a good pace for 60 minutes, after it was much more difficult."

Interview post Boca match - MIRROR

This quote really winds me up. Yes, I have loved Wengers philosophy of attacking football - "the best form of defence is attack" so to speak, but you CANNOT rely for 90mins every game through a long season.

If we dont priorotise defending higher (which has been apparent over the past 5 years) we will have more collapses as we have seen over recent years. What is stupid is that Wenger himself has seen the benefits of bringing in Keown for our fantastic CL run, but refuses to build on it. Its mindboggling... it works, pay him well and make it permanent! Ive met Martin - super guy, really intelligent, decent and down to earth. Mind... if Wenger had the cheek to buy Squllaci if Keown was at the club, he would have recieved a black eye!

And just look at this transfer window - after last seasons collapse, you would have thought Wenger would be itching to bring in 1 maybe 2 quality defenders EARLY, even if they cost a little more. But no, he brings in an attacking player - and probably not as addition to the squad, but a replacement for Nasri.

Stubborn *word censored*

Nos89 · Post by **Nos89** » Sun Jul 31, 2011 12:10 am

QuartzGooner wrote:
worthing_gooner wrote:Keown was defensive coach when we went on the CL run without conceding, culminating in the final against Barce. That back four was (I think) Eboue, Campbell, Senderos and Flamini.

If he can coach those four into a run without conceding, then the guy is worth his weight in gold.
Agree.

Agree plus I'd bring in Ray Parlour to teach the passion and hard work expected of a true Arsenal player.

Magic Hat · Post by **Magic Hat** » Sun Jul 31, 2011 8:29 am

worthing_gooner wrote:Keown was defensive coach when we went on the CL run without conceding, culminating in the final against Barce. That back four was (I think) Eboue, Campbell, Senderos and Flamini.

If he can coach those four into a run without conceding, then the guy is worth his weight in gold.

My only concern with the emphasis given to that is I don't recall us defending anywhere near as well in the league.

We need a defensive coach badly, whether Keown is that man or no. It's fine if Wenger can't train a defence as long as he has someone in to do it for him. I genuinely believe that if you took our keepers, defenders and dm's then swapped them with Man City or Man U, our backline would look so much better under the coaching staff at those clubs. Whereas the Man City/Man U defensive unit would look a whole lot worse.

Percy Dalton · Post by **Percy Dalton** » Sun Jul 31, 2011 8:51 am

Why does it have to be Keown? Because he was a decent defender?

The man who coached the best Arsenal back four ever wasn't a defender and that man was George Graham.

Getting is some sort of specialist coach won't change anything as the team as a whole is weak.

aussiegoon · Post by **aussiegoon** » Sun Jul 31, 2011 10:29 am

Here here.

Not sure what telecast you guys got over there but Keown's comments on espn down under regarding the defense working together as a unit couldn't be more to the point.

He was asked about bringing specific players in and he said it didn't matter because the defense firstly need to learn to work as a unit. He also seems passionate about defending which is more you can say about anyone else at the club atm.

On a side note, for those who don't know, Franny Jeffers was playing in the A-League for a couple of seasons down here. Whilst he was here a good gooner mate of mine caught up with him for a few beers after an away game and he shared a few tales about his time at Highbury. Of all the tales, and I promise to share the rest when I'm not typing on an iPad, the one that stands out to me the most is the way he talks about Keown's attitude and passion around the club and in the dressing room.

He said that Keown didn't say much at training or around the club and that he pretty much kept to himself but that on match days in the room he was a very vocal leader and irrespective of whether you were PV4 or TH14 he would look you in the eye like he was possessed and say "let's kill these *word censored*". We need a match day leader and we need people around the club that are passionate about defending. Until we get this passion it doesn't matter who we buy we'll continue to have the same problems.

ThomasMitchell · Post by **ThomasMitchell** » Sun Jul 31, 2011 12:00 pm

aussiegoon wrote:Here here.

Not sure what telecast you guys got over there but Keown's comments on espn down under regarding the defense working together as a unit couldn't be more to the point.

He was asked about bringing specific players in and he said it didn't matter because the defense firstly need to learn to work as a unit. He also seems passionate about defending which is more you can say about anyone else at the club atm.

On a side note, for those who don't know, Franny Jeffers was playing in the A-League for a couple of seasons down here. Whilst he was here a good gooner mate of mine caught up with him for a few beers after an away game and he shared a few tales about his time at Highbury. Of all the tales, and I promise to share the rest when I'm not typing on an iPad, the one that stands out to me the most is the way he talks about Keown's attitude and passion around the club and in the dressing room.

He said that Keown didn't say much at training or around the club and that he pretty much kept to himself but that on match days in the room he was a very vocal leader and irrespective of whether you were PV4 or TH14 he would look you in the eye like he was possessed and say "let's kill these c**ts". We need a match day leader and we need people around the club that are passionate about defending. Until we get this passion it doesn't matter who we buy we'll continue to have the same problems.

Fantastic story re Keown. I love that man! Favourite Arsenal player of all time.

BRAZILLIANT 19 · Post by **BRAZILLIANT 19** » Sun Jul 31, 2011 12:08 pm

Never mind signing him up as defensive coach,i'd sign him to f@*&ing well play. Even now he'd be better than the dross that are playing centre half for us at the moment with the possible exception of TV5.

Post by **QuartzGooner** » Sun Jul 31, 2011 2:35 pm

Percy Dalton wrote:Why does it have to be Keown? Because he was a decent defender?

The man who coached the best Arsenal back four ever wasn't a defender and that man was George Graham.

Getting is some sort of specialist coach won't change anything as the team as a whole is weak.

I think Keown is highlighted because of his record coaching the team 2005 - 2006.

Him working with the current defence surely better than him not working with them?

worthing_gooner · Post by **worthing_gooner** » Sun Jul 31, 2011 2:37 pm

Well Keown can clearly coach a defence, he has already done it. Not only that but he is hugely respected as a player and a person and he would command that respect, and provide an influence which is lacking, as a member of the coaching staff.

Rugby Gooner · Post by **Rugby Gooner** » Sun Jul 31, 2011 8:17 pm

I listened to Keown over the past couple of days on ESPN,and to be fair to him,he talked a lot of sense.
Tangentally,did anyone else here go to his Testimonial,just after The Invincibles won The Premiership?
It was a gorgeous late summer evening.Myself and a mate were in the North Bank upper.Beckham played,although,due to an apparent dispute between him and Real Madrid,he was only supposed to kick off,but he stayed on for about 10 minutes,(until it looked like the Madrid staff would drag him off).I think that he was replaced by Paul Gascoine,(or I may have just been pissed).Another memory is Wrighty wearing an "Henry" shirt,and Henry wearing a "Wright" one.Wrighty also swapped his shirt with a guy in the East Stand.A young Robert Green also played,but I would have to look at the programme to remember more.
Keowns sons carried out the Premiership Trophy before the game.

frankbutcher · Post by **frankbutcher** » Sun Jul 31, 2011 8:26 pm

Rugby Gooner wrote:I listened to Keown over the past couple of days on ESPN,and to be fair to him,he talked a lot of sense.
Tangentally,did anyone else here go to his Testimonial,just after The Invincibles won The Premiership?
It was a gorgeous late summer evening.Myself and a mate were in the North Bank upper.Beckham played,although,due to an apparent dispute between him and Real Madrid,he was only supposed to kick off,but he stayed on for about 10 minutes,(until it looked like the Madrid staff would drag him off).I think that he was replaced by Paul Gascoine,(or I may have just been pissed).Another memory is Wrighty wearing an "Henry" shirt,and Henry wearing a "Wright" one.Wrighty also swapped his shirt with a guy in the East Stand.A young Robert Green also played,but I would have to look at the programme to remember more.
Keowns sons carried out the Premiership Trophy before the game.

I think Keown is just another Wenger apologist, too afraid to speak out against the tyrant so as not to threaten his burgeoning media career.

In respect to your memories about the Keown Testimonial, I was also North Bank Upper. What a brilliant night it was.

Post by **QuartzGooner** » Sun Jul 31, 2011 9:51 pm

frankbutcher wrote:
I think Keown is just another Wenger apologist, too afraid to speak out against the tyrant so as not to threaten his burgeoning media career.

I think if Keown only had eyes on a media career he would speak out a lot more against Wenger, but he is angling for a coaching role at the club so keeps his comments moderated.

I do not understand why people are tearing into Keown for his comments, he said there was work to be done at Arsenal and there is.

Post by **flash gunner** » Sun Jul 31, 2011 9:56 pm

franksav63 wrote:
mcdowell42 wrote:http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Ar ... 79041.html
I don't think I've ever hated an Arsenal manager more than I hate this c**t...

Totally agree mate

worthing_gooner · Post by **worthing_gooner** » Sun Jul 31, 2011 9:56 pm

Rugby Gooner wrote:I listened to Keown over the past couple of days on ESPN,and to be fair to him,he talked a lot of sense.
Tangentally,did anyone else here go to his Testimonial,just after The Invincibles won The Premiership?
It was a gorgeous late summer evening.Myself and a mate were in the North Bank upper.Beckham played,although,due to an apparent dispute between him and Real Madrid,he was only supposed to kick off,but he stayed on for about 10 minutes,(until it looked like the Madrid staff would drag him off).I think that he was replaced by Paul Gascoine,(or I may have just been pissed).Another memory is Wrighty wearing an "Henry" shirt,and Henry wearing a "Wright" one.Wrighty also swapped his shirt with a guy in the East Stand.A young Robert Green also played,but I would have to look at the programme to remember more.
Keowns sons carried out the Premiership Trophy before the game.

Yeah I was at that game, remember at full time, staying behind at the end singing we are the champions to some random remaining fans hanging around the stands!

Beckham wasn't able to play for long but I remember him playing a couple of beautiful cross-field passes.

Those were good times