All Alongside Kolo Toure

I'm monitoring bbc.co.uk as I write this to get updates of the Arsenal match. It seems that Aliadiere has a brace so far and Arsenal are cruising to a good Carling Cup start against a decent West Brom side.

I've discussed Aliadiere once or twice already on this blog. I like him as a player and have long wished him success but the reality is that he is behind more than a few top international strikers at Arsenal FC and will likely move to pastures new either in January or during the summer.

But the major news of the day must be Kolo Toure's new contract. An undisclosed fee (probably about £450 000) brought Toure to the Arsenal initially as a Phil Neville-like utility player. I'm not sure even Arsene Wenger knew how vital Toure would be to the club when he experimented with bringing Toure alongside Campbell in the defence.

I remember the last time Kolo Toure had a poor match. It was against Inter Milan when we were spanked 3-0 at Highbury. Toure had serious problems marking Obafemi Martins and Inter ran riot. Let's not forget that we paid them back with INTERest (HAHAHAHAH) at the San Siro (5-1 for those of you under a rock at the time... or Spurs supporters... or likely both). The defeat at Highbury was three years ago and such has been Toure's cconsistency since that I defy any Gooner to note another such shocking performance since.

Kolo Toure has been a rock for the club and at 25 forms a formidable spine of the team with Lehmann, Cesc and Henry. He is already the leader of the defence and more than likely the next captain of the club.

Philippe Senderos is 21. Johan Djourou is 18. Matty Flamini is a midfielder. As was Sebastian Larsson. There is Manu Eboue. And Justin Hoyte. Was Pascal Cygan. And Kerrea Gilbert. Consider this... Kole Toure has featured in defence with all of these within the past 12 months. A 12 month period that saw us better any other club (other than Chelsea) defensively in England and break the Champions League record for defensive prowess... all with a sporadic mix of teenagers and midfielders in Arsenal defence.

All alongside Kolo Toure.

Like Cesc Fabregas, Toure did not hesitate to sign his new contract saying “I can see myself staying here for the rest of my career. Why would I want to leave. I love my football here, my family is settled here and the club is ambitious. It is fantastic.”

There's only one Kolo Toure.

I wish there were two.

What is the point of Theo Walcott?

I ventured recently that there was no point to Jeremie Aliaidiere. In a side with Adebayor, Henry, Van Persie, Baptista and Walcott it seems unlikely that we will ever again see Aliadiere play a part in either league or Champions League football for Arsenal Football Club.

But what about Theo Walcott? Where will he fit into the side this year. Given the amount of pre-made Walcott 32 shirts for sale at The Armoury he's clearly part of the first team this season. So much less negatively, I'd now like to pose the question... What is the point of Theo Walcott?

Oh what a player to have in the side! Please don't misunderstand... I've seen the goals against the German Under 21s and like my mate Matthews says, they get better with each viewing. And at 17 he will only get better and better... particularly under the tutelage of Arsene Wenger and alongside the likes of good eggs Thierry Henry and the similarly aged Cesc Fabregas.

And yes, Walcott is almost certainly the long term solution to the quandary of trying to *replace Thierry Henry but with so many top international strikers in the side its rather likely that Walcott will begin his Arsenal career wide of midfield.

Arsene Wenger noted after the 3-0 victory against Watford that...

"He gives the feeling he can be decisive and make a difference. He is not a real midfielder, I played him in a 4-4-2 on the flanks because he is more of a striker - but you could see that if you give him a good ball, you can never catch him.

Walcott made his starting debut against Watford for the Arsenal on the right and played a very impressive 64 minutes. He looks an ideal replacement for Jose Reyes with his frightening combination of pace, finishing and techique and while Wenger may insist that his future is up front he surely must be impressed by Walcott's crossing ability and football brain.

So unlike Aliadiere, the point of Walcott is to add some pace to the wing in advance of replacing Reyes and then later his point is to replace Henry.

Good to be a GOONAH!!

What is the point of Jeremie Aliadiere?

In the aftermath of the fantastic victory over Manchester United (States) at Sold Trafford... beyond gleefully yappin' that I confidently predicted such a performance... I began to wonder just how we were forced into a 4-5-1 with only Adebayor up front. Yes, Van Persie and Henry were injured but were we not stacked with strikers only a few weeks ago? I thought about the loanees Bendtner and Lupoli now tearing up the Championship... and of unused substitute Walcott... I thought also of the not quite match fit Baptista, the retired Bergkamp and of the winter-shy forward (this is a copyright, Dave) Jose Antonio Reyes.

But what about Jeremie Aliadiere?

Im not suggesting the Arsenal should have played anything other than the 4-5-1 that proved so successful in beating Slur Alex and his side on Sunday but surely Aliadiere should at least have been considered. I checked and it does not seem that he was injured on the day.

If he wasn't considered, can someone then explain...

Why a striker older than Van Persie, Adebayor, Walcott (and in fact most of the Arsenal first team) still has a locker stall at Emitates if he is not going to even be on the bench when two strikers are short for a big match.

and...

Why did Arsene Wenger extended his contract to 2009.

I know he played a big during the Zagreb match in Croatia and sat on our bench for the return fixture at Emirates, but he has not be used since. For a player who made his debut in 2001-2002 this is not really good enough progress to retain a place in a club with so many young players itching for a chance to play.

He was sent out on loan last season to what must be a record three different clubs (Celtic, West Ham, Wolverhampton). His time with the Buays and Hammers was unmemorable but he was given a decent run of matches with Wolves where he didn't exactly light the league up with his scoring prowess.

And yes, I too can remember some of his promising appearances for the Arsenal over the years and he does look to have quite a finish on him. But so does Lupoli/Bendtner/Stokes/Walcott.

So where does he fit? Let's list the Arsenal strikers on the back of the vital three points on Sunday in order to see;

1. Henry
2. Van Persie
3. Adebayor
4. 4-5-1
5. Walcott
6. Baptista
7. Freddie/Rosicky
8. Bendtner
9. Lupoli
10. Aliadiere

So what is the point of Jeremie Aliadiere? I simply don't get it.