A true case of Benjamin Button - Arsenal seem to be Barcelona ageing backwards. The resemblance is striking and with the only difference being the difference of age. And by resemblance I don't just mean style of play, I also mean choice of players and the youth academy setup. Of course our Spanish counterparts are significantly more flamboyant in the transfer market, but a lot of that is also attributed to the fact that Spain's tradition of soccer, mandates a certain flashiness.
Lets start with the defense. Mind you, the comparisons are purely personal and any criticism is always welcomed:
Victor Valdes and Almunia are in my book on common ground as goalkeepers. Brilliant on their day but have sudden costly lapses of concentration.
In Puyol and Pique, Barca have a great CB combination. Puyol is an excellent marksman and commands the backline well, and Pique with his height provides crucial set piece clearance. Now Arsenal have recruited Vermaelen who from the looks of it is supposed to have some level of commanding ability what with his history of having captained Ajax, but we still lack height which neither Gallas nor Silvestre bring to the table.
In the fullback positions they have Eric Abidal and Dani Alves, both of whom are matched if not surpassed by Arsenal fullbacks in the form of Clichy and Sagna. Whats more, even their replacements Gibbs and Traore are as influential and gifted as the current first team regulars.
In the defensive midfielder role, Barca have Yaya Toure who is a technically gifted, strong tackler of the ball who is valuable in set pieces because of his height. He also tracks back a lot and has a stong working rate and stamina. Arsenal's Alexander Song in this case is not really the best competiton to Yaya's abilities. He does not have the skill (though he has shown improvement) to match Yaya and neither is he as fluent a tackler.
As far as the Guardiola role or the provider role goes, I think Cesc is a more than an able competitor and oft considered suitor for Xavi's role. I do not mean he is as good as Xavi was the last season. I only mean that he has every potential to be just that.
Similarly, Rosicky, Nasri or even Wilshere have the potential to be as good as if not better than Iniesta, who has surpassed himself in the last season.
Now as far as the attack is concerned, my next statement might raise several eyebrows, but in my humble opinion, I do think that Arshavin has just the right skill, intent and personality to surpass the great Lionel Messi. Make no mistake, I hold Messi in very high regard. However, someone who achieved all of what Arshavin did last year without a complete pre season, and to have held an unbeaten record in all games in which he has played from the start, deserves that level of faith, atleast from a Gunner fan.
Which brings me to the ex Arsenal legend Henry, and I do believe that there is nobody, not only in Arsenal but in the entire world, who can replace him. Honestly, this is one position which even Barca have trouble filling in when Titi himself is injured. Case in point the disastrous away game with Chelsea (where his crucial role of opportunity creation in the D box was played by the referee). However, in Eduardo, Van Persie or even Carlos Vela we have the next best players. I do know of a certain Dutch international who statistically, appearance-wise and gameplay wise seems to be Henry's heir apparent, but I shall not whisper his name here.
Finally, as a central striker Ibrahimovic is powerful, holds the ball well, has great skill and a superb final touch. Bendtner...hmm not quite there yet, and I dont know whether he ever will be. However what I do know is that Wenger is showing great faith in him. I do feel though that this position is up for grabs and there should atleast be another potentially competent player if not a proven one, to give Arsenal options if Wenger's faith is a little if not entirely misplaced on Bendtner.
So a tall CB, a tall, hard tackling DMF and an aerially powerful and technically sound striker are what we need to be the next European powerhouse. For as good as Barca maybe..... they will never have Arsene Wenger.... And this season we go to whatever end he may take us........ For in Wenger we will always trust.
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