van Persie, Fabregas and Arshavin > Henry, Pires and Bergkamp?

After Arsenal’s 4-1 Champions League cakewalk against the Eredivisie champions last night, Arsene Wenger was moved to compare his young team to the unbeaten Gunners squad of 03/04:

We’ve never had as many options on the creative side. We still have Nicklas Bendtner and Theo Walcott who are offensive players who are not available.

Denilson, Eduardo, Tomas Rosicky did not start - that is why I was amazed when people said, ‘Buy, buy, buy’. And Carlos Vela as well… I forgot him!

Fair assessment, or another one of Le Prof’s attempts to tack an extra psychological boost onto an impressive performance? Ljungberg, Henry, Pires and Bergkamp had racked up 16 goals and 10 assists in all competitions by this time in 03/04 season; while van Persie, Arshavin, Bendtner and Fabregas are already on 24 goals and 23 assists.

In terms of depth, Wenger has a point - as backups go, Eduardo, Rosicky and Nasri are a more desirable trio of reinforcements than Reyes, Wiltord and Kanu were. But does the overall attacking quality of the squad match up?

Things get even harder for Rafa, Arsenal stroll to victory…

Arsenal 4/ AZ Alkmaar 1

Cesc Fabregas (angrily) opened the scoring 25 minutes into Arsenal’s televised training match against the Dutch champions; Samir Nasri doubling the Gunners’ lead with an exquisite shoulder drop. Second half strikes from Fabregas and Abou Diaby wrapped up the win, although Alkmaar bagged a late consolation in the form of a Jeremain Lens toe punt.

At the final whistle, there was only one question on the lips of a half empty Emirates… what the f**k has happened to the Dutch league?

Lyon 1/ Liverpool 1

Last minute comebacks are meant to be reserved for Liverpool, although it seems Lisandro Lopez didn’t get the memo. The Argentinean striker took advantage of some suicidal injury time defending to cancel out Ryan Babel’s impressive 83rd minute strike, signaling most Reds fans to start checking which TV channels are still showing Europa League football.

In a game of stark contrasts, Andriy Voronin plumbed new depths of unacceptable wankery, while Lyon keeper Hugo Lloris did a lot more to justify his billing as Football Manager-endorsed Keeper of the Future than Igor Akinfeev had on Tuesday.

Also appearing on a computer near you…

South Africa’s Bernard Parker enjoys the best miss of his career at the Confederations Cup
[Off The Post]

Internazionale are confident of landing Deco and Ricardo Carvalho
[The Independent]

Cheryl Cole looking good on holiday
[News of the World]

Michael Owen over-estimates himself in a glossy brochure designed for prospective employers
[Pies]

Zlatan Ibrahimovic: yours for a mere €90m
[Sport.co.uk]

Holiday buddies: Djibril Cissé and Samir Nasri in Miami
[Kickette]

Cristiano Ronaldo takes a weight off of Zinedine Zidane’s shoulders
[Goal.com]

Wolves preapre for the Premier League by signing Serbian defensive midfielder Nenad Milijas
[ITV]

“Tek a bow, son(s)”

With the end of the 2008/09 campaign only 24hrs away, The Spoiler takes a look back at the season’s finest goals and reveals our picks for the twenty greatest efforts. Part one documents goals 20-11…

#20: Ryan Taylor - Wigan 2-1 Newcastle, 26/12/08

Arsenal/Villarreal, Champions Lge QF L2, 7.45pm, Sky Sports 3

Arsenal’s biggest worry tonight is how their defence will cope without Manuel Almunia, Gael Clichy, William Gallas and Johan Djourou. It is with that in mind that we have decided to stick with the 4-2-3-1 formation from the first leg, ensuring that the patched-up back four are adequately supported:

Emmanuel Adebayor was isolated at times in Spain but with Villarreal needing to commit bodies forward, there should be more space for Samir Nasri, Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott to exploit, while Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner will be ready to do damage off the bench if the visitors score.

Do you agree with our formation or do you think Arsenal should start with two strikers? Let us know who you would pick with a comment below.

“Ze beautiful women, I am like sugar to them”

As tennis star Tatiana Golovin and this girl’s angry boyfriend will testify, Samir Nasri has a way with the ladies. While many Premier League stars love filling their plates at the hot model buffet, the French/ Algerian star finds that his blessing is also a curse.

Nasri admits that he has so many female fans, he finds it difficult to leave the house:

‘I spend lots of time at home playing Pro Evolution Soccer. Ever since I have been a professional footballer it has been harder for me to go out and not be noticed.

‘Especially by female fans. I have never had any problems with women I often get letters from girls, who send me their phone numbers and photos. They want to contact me because I am a footballer.’

Some people will find make a problem out of anything. Is it really that bad that girls want to send their phone numbers to you, Samir? It’s the equivalent of Nicolas Anelka complaining that he has scored too many goals this season, or Harry Redknapp complaining his wallet is too small for all his money.

[Daily Mail]

Arsenal winger introduces hot tennis pro to world of Waggery

The summer departure of whiney winger Alex Hleb from Arsenal was good news for two reasons - not only did he make way for Marseille’s Samir Nasri, but the Frenchman introduced another top class WAG to the Premiership. Professional tennis star Tatiana Golovin - better known in London for upsetting stuffy Wimbledon officials with her bright red pants - has been dating Nasri since May.

If Wenger doesn’t need new defenders, then what does he need?

While Tottenham have got to work early and spent big on Luka Modric and Giovani dos Santos, Arsenal are still on the starting blocks, with the first sign of any transfer activity at the Emirates being quickly shot down by Arsene Wenger:

“I have been interested in Vincent Kompany ever since he was 16, but I am not interested in him this year. There is nobody I need for my team’s defensive department.”

Which of course prompts the question: what’s the point of tracking someone for six years if you have no intention to signing them? By acting much like a flirtatious girl who makes you believe she’s the one but who will quickly break your heart, perhaps Arsene is telling us he simply enjoys the thrill of the chase.

Anyway, Arsenal’s reticence to invest has spurred The Spoiler to consider where each London club needs to improve next season.

So we did a think and then gone wrote it down:

Chelsea

Top priority:
Flair players - Big Phil hasn’t just been brought to Chelsea to win trophies, he’s expected to bring some Brazilian flair to the job and make the Blues exciting to watch as well as being scarily efficient.

Fitting the bill: Ronaldinho, Kaka, Franck Ribery

Arsenal

Top priority:
Depth in midfield - Diarra then Flamini have gone, Hleb’s inconsistent, Rosicky’s injured, Gilberto’s past his best and Fabregas got tired last year so it’s clear that Arsenal need to bolster their midfield, and potentially bring in a new keeper.

Fitting the bill: Gareth Barry, Samir Nasri, Hatem Ben Arfa, Bastian Schweinsteiger

West Ham

Top priority:
New medical team/left-winger - Take away the dozen injuries West Ham had for most of last season and they’ve got perhaps the biggest squad in the league.

The left wing is a problem though: the fans turned on Boa Morte and he wants out while Etherington is always injured.

Fitting the bill: Stephen Hunt, Damien Duff, Pablo Aimar

Tottenham

Top priority:
New goalkeeper and striker