As we're unlikely to see terraces again at football, this is the virtual equivalent where you can chat to your hearts content about all football matters and, obviously, Arsenal in particular. This forum encourages all Gooners to visit and contribute so please keep it respectful, clean and topical.
Diego Forlan (Uruguay)Architect of the team’s attack, very influential, great impact for his team, provider of quality final passes, goal scorer, set pieces/shots from long range
Asamoah Gyan (Ghana)Huge work rate, efficient, good dribbler, creates problems to each defence, good goal scorer
Andres Iniesta (Spain)Very fine ball-playing attacking midfielder, a star for the team, impressive dribbling ability
Lionel Messi (Argentina)Outstanding in his pace and creativity for his team, dribbling, shooting, passing – spectacular and efficient
Mesut Oezil (Germany)A real talent for the present and the future, quick feet and great vision, good final and decisive passes
Arjen Robben (Netherlands)Very good pace and dribbling skills, wonderful ability to cut inside from the right, effective to his team
Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany)Impressive by his first pass (forward and accurate), very good passer, has moments of individual brilliance, ball-winner
Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands)A maestro in midfield, exceptional work rate, the engine of Netherlands' attacks, excellent passer and scorer
David Villa (Spain)Top scorer; quick, two footed, very good on one-on-one situations, provides good final passes, excellent finisher
Xavi (Spain)The metronome and the engine of the Spanish team, very influential in the passing style of the game, one of the finest midfielders in the tournament
Before the tournament started i thought Cesc going to the world cup and warming the bench would be a good thing for us, as he would realise this was what to expect if he went to Barca.
Now i'm beginning to think it might actually have the opposite effect, having little to no impact or playing time in the World Cup might actually hurt him so much he might start thinking if he goes to Barca he is more likely to be a starter for Spain whether that is true or not....
Vince wrote:Yeah but if he's on the bench at Barca, which is likely (with the Xavi, Iniesta, Keita, ...), it woudln't help him.
I think he has much more chances to play with Spain if he's playing very well at Arsenal. Like he did last season.
Yes but he may be thinking he is going to be playing for Barca and not on the bench..you can guarantee if they are talking to him they will be blowing smoke up his arse giving him the impression he will be first on the team sheet, as they probably did Hleb and Henry..
Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has hailed the influence of manager Arsene Wenger on his career as he hopes to one day emulate the talents of Lionel Messi.
The Holland hit-man will take centre stage when the Oranje take on Spain in the World Cup final in Soccer City, Johannesburg on Sunday.
The 26-year-old has scored just one goal in the tournament so far, but has been an influential figure in coach Bert van Marwijk's system, which has seen the side win all six of their games in South Africa.
Van Persie was quick to heap praise Gunners boss Wenger, who has helped nurture his talents since joining the North London club six years ago.
He told L'Equipe: "When I came back from my long injury back in the spring, Arsene Wenger told me that people will soon be talking about me in the same breath as they speak about Messi.
"I'm sure that would already be the case if I was not injured so often.
"I can feel that the manager has faith in me, but I must remain lucid. I am clearly not in the same league as Leo. Moreover, I am injured too often.
"I'm dreaming about a season with 30 goals and 20 assists. Wenger knows that I can do it, but my body will have to hold on.
"My final objective is to be in the same class as Messi, Ronaldo and Rooney, but Leo above all because he is a giant."
You can do it Robin, just hurdle over tackles and stop twisting/turning at angles no human can when trying to dribble an opponent.
Anyone see the tackle by the german player (agoo or something ) 4 minutes into the game ? Absolutely shocking shocking tackle and a leg breaker if ever I saw one