Arsenality chats to 'When the Seagulls...' PART II

WtSFtF: You've been quite vocal in your blog about the Glazer's - which is good to see; opposition fans caring about it seeing as it doesn't negatively affect any other club other than United. So what are your thoughts about the mess, then? And what do you make of Kroenke and his plans?

Dave: I was against the Glazers buying the club in the first place. United are a British institution and I didn't want to see a family of businessmen using it for profit, or starting a trend by turning it into a franchise like their NFL team - even for the most disinterested supporter of another British club, that could have eventually had repercussions. But more importantly, they clearly couldn't afford to buy it without creating enormous amounts of debt, and they simply shouldn't have been allowed to.




I'm not sure how United can get out of it without being bought by the proposed consortium which includes Keith Harris. To buy the club and pay off the debt, a figure approaching £1 billion could be needed - which is why this consortium will apparently consist of at least 50 very wealthy individuals. Many of them are from Manchester or nearby, and they seem to have the Supporters' Trust on board.




As for our own ownership situation, I don't think we're in any serious danger. Like most fans, I was concerned when Kroenke started buying up shares, but I trust our directors and I was reassured by their decision to offer him a place on the board. He's been a director for 15 months now, and he seems to have bought the majority of his shares as a reaction to Usmanov's increasing stake (and there's an owner we definitely don't want). Judging from Kroenke's history of taking over sports teams, he has a professional approach and wouldn't take any risks that could damage the club. I don't think he would be the worst thing that's ever happened to Arsenal, but we'll have to wait and see.

WtSFtF: Completely fictional scenario here, but lets just pretend Wenger actually wanted to spend a bit of money: what sort of player do you need to bring in?



Dave: That's a difficult one, because knowing our system it's sometimes hard to predict who will fit in to Wenger's plans. Our back four is finally ideal and our options in the middle are looking better, but I think we need another true defensive midfielder. Alex Song has been a revelation, but we need a player who can act as direct back-up or play alongside him in a slightly more advanced role if need be.




The centre-forward role needs filling, as was well documented during the window. However, a new signing would have caused a massive headache when van Persie came back from injury, and January isn't the best time to find world-class players - although bringing someone in on loan would have helped. I'm a big fan of Bendtner and, if he can stay fit, I think this could be his breakthrough season.







WtSFtF: Who's most impressed you out of Arsene's tot's? Wilshere? Merida?



A lot of fans might say Wilshere, but I've been really impressed by Fran Merida.



During pre-season, Little Jack ran riot in the Emirates Cup against Athletico Madrid and Rangers, and won man of the match for both appearances. He has great control, an excellent eye for a pass, and a knack for scoring the odd goal; plus his low centre of balance and pace seem to cause problems for full-backs. But judging from his performances against Manchester City and West Ham, he's not quite ready and Wenger did the right thing by sending him out on loan. He's an exciting prospect, and he should make his breakthrough next season.



Merida looks ready to push for a place, and I hope he signs a new contract. He looks like a centre-midfielder who could play alongside Fabregas in the box-to-box role. He's tremendously skillful and creative (it begins to sound familiar after a while!) but he's also quite strong and isn't afraid to get stuck in. When he played against Liverpool in the Carling Cup, he was constantly tracking back and held them off with some great challenges and interceptions - even though he spent some of the match in a forward role. He's taken a while to mature, but I think he will be a great player and he's one we'll want to keep.




There's also some great English prospects coming through from the academy now - Craig Eastmond and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas in particular.







WtSFtF: Who has been your player of the season so far?


Most fans would pick Cesc in a heartbeat, and I would probably agree that he deserves it. When Robin van Persie was injured and the goals could have dried up, he went on a great goalscoring run and really helped to make up for his absence. With four more assists than the next player in the league, and a place in the top 10 goalscorers list, he has clearly been one of the top players going forward.




However, I should add that William Gallas hasn't received the credit he deserves - I haven't seen him put in a below-average performance so far this season, which is all the more impressive considering he's played a few games with an injury. Forging a partnership with the excellent Vermaelen has certainly helped, and I consider Gallas a real spine player nowadays. I would consider him a close second.

WtSFtF: So how about in the Premiership?



Dave: I think I know which player that question was geared towards...! But yes, my overall player of the season would be Wayne Rooney. 20 goals in 23 league games is incredible, and he's still getting involved in other goals with link-up play and a few assists. He's flourished after Ronaldo's departure, and has clearly settled into being the focal point of United's attack. I just hope he plays like this at the World Cup.



That said, Fabregas is certainly up there, and if he gets back to the form he was on a few weeks ago I can see him challenging for Player of the Season.






WtSFtF:  Fine, maybe I was gearing towards Rooney! But it's interesting, because back in November I interviewed the Times's Oliver Kay and for his possible players of the season he mentioned Drogba, Van Persie, Given and even Birmingham City's Johnson. No mention of Rooney whatsoever. Granted, it was only 3 months into the season, but still interesting nonetheless.So finally then: Rooney, England, Englands captain and the World Cup...discuss.



Dave: I cannot wait for the World Cup. Capello has completely changed the national team, and for once there is some substance to the media hype. We're certainly not favourites, but we have a great chance this time and I would expect us to reach the semi-finals at least. That said, things aren't looking so rosy at the moment.




Rio Ferdinand has had a pretty bad season - in the first couple of months it was mistake after mistake, then the injuries, now a ban.




Steven Gerrard's performances for Liverpool are a concern. You would expect that he would be dragging his team through matches, but his radical drop in form isn't a good sign for a player who was finally playing consistently in an England shirt a few months ago.




But John Terry's behaviour has made matters a lot worse. He is a great player and (on the pitch) a good captain, but looking back over his list of scandals you wonder why he is so revered. His team-mates for both club and country would be forgiven for losing their trust in him, and worst of all Wayne Bridge, a good left-back who we might need, could step down from the national team. I wouldn't blame him at all if he did - but I would admire him if he stuck with it and went to South Africa. If John Terry is allowed to keep his own place, Bridge shouldn't be forced out.




As for the captaincy, I think Fabio would be justified in taking it away from him. When William Gallas lost the Arsenal armband, he immediately started his best ever run of form in this country, and it's still going over a year later. It would be a risk to take away the captaincy, as it could cause further disruption in the England squad at an extremely inconvenient time, but if Terry has an ounce of professionalism about him he will respond in the same way Gallas has.




Anyway, the good thing is that this is happening now and not in June. Hopefully this will all be sorted well before the tournament - Gerrard and Ferdinand have another few months to turn it around, and the Terry situation might have calmed down by then.




And there is plenty to be optimistic about. Wayne Rooney is in the form of his life, and he's on a great scoring run for England. Judging from recent games, I have no doubt he will light up the tournament if he stays fit, and I hope we see some more brilliant performances like those in Euro 2004. Whoever his striking partner is, he will always excel in the supporting role and I think he will contribute a few goals. As for him and the captaincy, I think it might be a bit too early, but I can definitely see him leading England one day. He has many of the qualities that made Shearer a great forward captain, and I think he will be a good choice when he's a bit more experienced.




There are also a few players who are not only looking like great back-ups, but knocking on the door for a start. Jermain Defoe is having his best ever season, and James Milner has impressed at Villa - both have kept up their form in an England shirt. Joe Hart has been excellent at Birmingham, and while it's unlikely, I think he would do a great job for England if given the chance.





Thanks alot to Dave at Arsenality for taking time out to speak to When the Seagulls Follow the Trawler.