For more than an hour last night, the man who led England into oblivion was threatening to do the same to Arsenal’s hopes of qualifying for their 11th successive Champions League campaign.
But just when McClaren was daring to dream of outwitting the great Arsene Wenger, his bubble was burst by the kind of sloppy defending which proved his undoing as an international coach.
Chased out of the country after 15 miserable months as England boss, McClaren is now looking to rebuild his battered reputation in Holland.
But even he could not have imagined it would take him just one match to go from the Wally with the Brolly to the Man with the Plan.
McClaren must have thought someone up there had it in for him when his first competitive match as FC Twente coach pitched him into direct opposition with Le Professor.
After all, the last time their paths crossed McClaren’s Middlesbrough team were buried underneath a 7-0 thrashing at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal on this occasion, though, were a very different proposition to that Thierry Henry-inspired team of January 2006.
With his squad decimated by the absence of nine key players, Wenger was forced to rely on his kids to do a man’s job.
The 17-year-old Aaron Ramsey was handed his Arsenal debut in place of injured Cesc Fabregas and fellow teenager Theo Walcott also landed a place in the youngest midfield Wenger has ever fielded.
With a �20million windfall hanging on qualification for the Champions League, it was a bold gamble by the Arsenal chief. Yet he had no other option.
And, for much of this testing first leg in Arnhem, it looked as if the Gunners would pay the price for failing to strengthen their squad with major signings this summer.
Wenger knew his young rookies were going to face a huge test of their nerve. What he could not have been expecting was a flash of inspiration from McClaren.
For McClaren had identified Robin van Persie as Arsenal’s danger man and assigned the powerful Cheik Tiote to shadow his every move.
If only he had employed the same tactic when Croatia’s Luka Modric came to Wembley last November, he might still be working for the FA today.
With Van Persie under lock and key, Twente were quick to take advantage of the visitors’ nerves.
When Walcott lost the ball cheaply in his own half after 17 minutes, the speedy Eljero Elia bore down on goal.
While Manuel Almunia raced out to block, it still needed Bacary Sagna’s clearance to deny Twente the lead their early efforts deserved.
McClaren knew his team had to capitalise on their domination and another glorious opportunity went begging in the 24th minute.
This time Denilson allowed Romano Denneboom a free run at goal. Fortunately for the young Brazilian, Denneboom blasted his shot hurriedly over the bar.
Ramsey relieved the pressure with Arsenal’s first shot after 31 minutes. But his optimistic effort from distance was high and wide.
Just when Arsenal were beginning to look like a team who would happily settle for the draw, they claimed a crucial 63rd-minute lead. William Gallas was allowed to turn in Van Persie’s free-kick at the near post.
Twente’s fate was sealed eight minutes from the end. Walcott’s low cut-back was bundled in by Emmanuel Adebayor.
McClaren knew the game was up. The fixed grin had given way to that familiar look of resignation.
Oh well, Steve, it was nice while it lasted.
FC Twente: Boschker, Wielaert, Tiote, Franco, Braafheid, Wilkshire, Brama, Arnautovic (Gerritsen 90), Janssen (Heubach 90), Elia (Huysegems 86), Denneboom. Subs Not Used: Paauwe, Zomer, Wellenberg, Chery. Booked: Janssen.
Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Djourou, Gallas, Clichy, Eboue, Ramsey, Denilson, Walcott (Randall 84), Adebayor, Van Persie (Bendtner 88). Subs Not Used: Fabianski, Vela, Wilshere, Hoyte, Gibbs. Booked: Denilson, Van Persie.
Att: 20,000.
Ref: Alberto Undiano Mallenco (Spain).
Source: TheSun
Jack Wilshere needs a breather, according to Arsène Wenger.
The 16-year-old midfielder burst into the Arsenal first-team picture during pre-season. He scored goals against Stuttgart and a Burgenland XI as well as putting in numerous eye-catching performances. He was rewarded with a first-team squad number and there is every chance he will be used in the coming campaign. But, for now, his manager wants him to take a back seat.
“He has had very hard physical preparation for a boy of just 16 years-old,” said Wenger. “He looks a little bit tired now.
“We have to give him time now to recover from that intense preparation but, in two or three weeks, he will have done that and might play as well.”
Wenger added that Wilshere was in the 18-strong travelling party for tonight’s game at Twente but only “as a squad player.”
[Wednesday, August 13, 2008]
Source: Arsenal.com
The pre-season form of Nicklas Bendtner and Carlos Vela has re-affirmed Arsène Wenger’s belief that he does not need to sign another striker.
Both players scored with classy finishes on Wednesday night in the 3-1 win at Stuttgart. In addition the Dane hit four and the Mexican three against an admittedly weak Burgenland XI two days earlier.
If you add these two players to Wenger’s pool of forwards then suddenly it appears the manager has many options for the start of the campaign — Emmanuel Adebayor, Robin van Persie, Theo Walcott, Vela and Bendtner. While Eduardo is well on course for a return by November.
“We are not as short of strikers as people thought,” said Wenger after the Stuttgart win.
“We have Vela, who has integrated well into the team, and Bendtner was a force at the end of last season. He will confirm that again this year.
“In all the areas in total we are perhaps one player short. But up front we don’t need anybody.”
[ Thursday, July 31, 2008]
Source: www.Arsenal.com
Arsenal can today confirm the signing of midfielder Amaury Bischoff. The French-born Portugal Under-21 international, 21, was a youngster with French clubs SR Colmar and Strasbourg before moving to Werder Bremen in 2005.
Bischoff, who can play either in the centre of midfield or on the right, was a regular at youth levels for Werder Bremen. His one senior appearance for the Bundesliga club came against Celta Vigo in the UEFA Cup in 2007.
Amaury has played for France's Under-18 team, however in 2007 he elected to train with Portugal and to date has appeared for their Under-21 side.
Everyone at Arsenal Football Club would like to welcome Amaury, who will wear squad No 28, and will join up with his team-mates for pre-season when the squad returns from their training camp in Austria.
Nasri agrees to join Arsenal from Marseille French international midfielder Samir Nasri has agreed to join Arsenal from Olympique Marseille on a long-term contract for an undisclosed fee.
Nasri (21), who made two appearances for France in Euro 2008, was voted as the French Ligue 1 'Young Player of the Year' for 2006/07 and was also Olympique Marseille's Player of the Year for 2007.
Nasri, has made twelve appearances (scoring twice) for the French national team, making his debut for his country in March 2007 in the 1-0 friendly win over Austria. He was also a French Under-21 international and part of the French Under-17s who won the European Championships in 2004.
The young attacking midfielder made 145 appearances (scoring 11 goals) for Olympique Marseille, during which time he won the UEFA Intertoto Cup in 2005, was a French Cup runner-up in 2006 and 2007 and helped his side into third place in Ligue 1 last season, thus securing a UEFA Champions League place for next season.
Manager Arsène Wenger said: "We are delighted to be signing Samir Nasri. He is young, quick and technically an outstanding player. He has shown great potential with his performances for Marseille and the French national team over the past two seasons and he will add great quality to our squad."
Nasri added: "I'm very happy to become an Arsenal player, it means such a lot to me. This is a very important step in my life as a football player because Arsenal is a massive club. I really hope everything will go well for me here. I will do my best for Arsenal and its fans and I am honoured to be part of such a great football club."
Samir Nasri is due to join up with his new Arsenal team mates for pre-season training on 21st July.
Source: www.arsenal.com
Arsenal New Home & Away 2008/2009 Kit
Thanks JAFO! This is the kit which was in the earlier post, but in its actual form. It is based on the 88/89 kit, as you can see from the blue v-neck collar. I like it, it’s great to see us back in yeeelllllooowww.
I just hope this kit sees more success than the last one we’ve had!
You can buy football kits and other sporting goods from our partners Kitbag. Just click the link below.
