Arsenal Under New Management
And so to a new era for Arsenal Football Club: Arsene Wenger was released from his position as manager after a non-perfect start to the season and a little known manager named Daniel Wilkinson was put in change of the club. When he arrived Llungberg had already left for 10m and Babayaro was in for just under 2m.
The current transfer window had ended, and so he looked to strenthening the squad for the future and at christmas:
Future Transfers In:
01.01.04, Juninho from Middlesbrough for 2.1m
01.01.04, Hatem Ben Arfa from Lyon for 725k
01.01.04, Loic Nuyts from Charleroi for 210k
01.01.04, Robin Kieft from Ajax for 375k
29.06.04, Bo Storm from Heerenveen for 300k
These have been agreed by both sides, and so excluding surprise factors should go ahead on the dates mentioned.
There were no transfers out apart from a few loans: Stack and Bentley to lower division clubs.
After sorting out the current squad, and getting training and match tactics sorted out for the players involved, Wilkinson found himself preparing to watch Arsenal versus Fulham, his first match in charge. Here is how that game went, and the rest of the games so far under Wilkinsons management:
ARSENAL3 - 0Fulham
Henry 7, 34p
Pennant 32
Attendance: 38381
This match was all about the first half, where Arsenal dominated with all the goals coming from moves down the left wing. Robert Pires and Ashley Cole had excellent games. The pick of the bunch was Arsenals second which came from a 50 yard run of Cole who fed Pennant to slot home. The only downside to this match being Henry's dislocated jaw, which would rule him out for 2 weeks.
Partizan0 - 2ARSENAL
Edu 9
Alliadiere 20
Attendance: 16212
Again Arsenals early pressure paid off, a super free kick right on the edge of the box from Edu and then Alliadiere capitalising on a defensive error sorted the goals out. from then on Arsenal just sat back and PArtizan didnt really pressure. A simple victory made sweeter by Alliadiere proving he can cope in the first team.
Leicester0 - 1ARSENAL
Pennant 30
Attendance: 32940
This was a very tough game for Arsenal, Leicester had the early run of the field and forced Lehmann into some good saves. Pennants goal came against the run of play but was a good team move and an excellent finish. As the game worse on, it became more and more Arsenals.
ARSENAL0 - 0Portsmouth (Human)
Attendance: 37730
Throughout the game Arsenal were always the better team, making many more chances than Portsmouth, but not managing to put any away. This was Henrys first match back from injury and he was playing well, the pompey defence were just hoofing the ball anywhere at times. Portsmouth did have one very good chance though, which was wasted too. This game could have been 0 - 1, although it was more likely to have been 4 - 1. Well done Pompey, a resolute defence.
ARSENAL2 - 0Olympiakos
Henry 70, 80
Attendance: 38406
This game was fairly even until the last twenty minutes where upon Henry sprung into life. His first was a dart through their defence and a slot home, the second however was special indeed! Henry was lurking outside Olympiakos' box at an Arsenal corner; no one had picked him up to mark. He drifted further back to 30 yards, where upon pires crossed the ball to him and on the half-volley Henry struck a curling rasping shot into the Olypiakos goal! It was truly fantastic!!
The result was good too.
Charlton3 - 1ARSENAL
Pennant 6
Attendance: Not Reported
Oh dear! A major slip up for Arsenal, and a genuine management error. Charlton is not the place you can go and rest Key players but with a big game against Newcastle thats what Wilkinson decided to do. Patrick Vieira wasn't 100% so it was he that was dropped, and the midfield was bolstered by Gilberto and Edu protecting youngster Djourou. Djourou didn't have a bad game but he is no Vieira. Arsenal were quick out the blocks, but without the midfield anchorman Arsenals defence was used to they were put under a lot of pressure by the Charlton attack and conceded two before half time. At half time in an attempt to dominate midfield Ray PArlour was brought on and this helped considerably. Charlton did get a third, however Arsenal were the better team in the second half. A truly dissapointing result, but a valuable lesson.
So at the end of this session Arsenal are in 6th in the Premiership (which is the same place as Arsenal were at the start of the session) although with recent dropped points the fans will be wanting a good improvement soon.
Thats all for now,
Daniel Wilkinson, manager of Arsenal Football Club.
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