A good article on last night's match about Arsene Wenger's Philosophy

Friends, the following is a good article on Arsene's philosophy. I believe this is spot on with what i believe and mentioned in my previous email. Guess, he could have bought Mouroune Chamakh but he blatantly refused to pay extra 6 million pounds for the striker and see Chamakh is already proving his worth with his stellar performances in Ligue 1 and CL when his wonder goal downed Juventus. I am not saying go and pay over the odds like those Man City rich bastards but at least be ready to pay something more, at least do what your favourite manager Pep Guardiola (Arsene has invited Pep Guardiola to Emirates for a match and gifted Pep a set of DVDs of Arsenal's matches) when he bought Ibra on one side (which Arsene you never do and would have never done) and promoting a player like Pedro from inside (which Arsene you always do or whom you would always have done). Sorry Wenger, you have lost the plot and I dont know if my friends from America would agree to this, but, fact is fact.

Article follows

Just two wins now in 15 against Chelsea, 11 points behind the leaders, the title as good as conceded and another humiliation to go with the 4-1 thrashing by the same opponents at the Emirates late last season.

We are not even in December and Arsene Wenger's side have already lost four league games out of 13. At this rate, it could be a record-breaker under the Frenchman - for all the wrong reasons.

"Five years and you've won f***-all," sang the gloating Chelsea hordes.

And that was even before they had scored their first.

I said on Friday morning this was the same old Arsenal - flakey, inconsistent, lightweight up front without Robin van Persie and, as ever, an accident waiting to happen at the back against Didier Drogba.

And so it proved.

Yes, the Gunners had vast amounts of possession and were typically neat in their build-up.

But once they got anywhere near the Chelsea area, their confidence evaporated. The ball was either lost in possession or lumped aimlessly into the box.

They also had no one in that box with any idea of how to find the net.

All their attacking players seem the same - especially with Wenger unable to utilise the height of Nicklas Bendtner as any form of alternative.

So, instead, we had the introduction of Theo Walcott at half-time in a desperate attempt to try to claw back the two-goal advantage Carlo Ancelotti's men had established in the last three minutes before the break.

It made little difference.

Arsenal then took off the woefully ineffective Eduardo, a man obviously still suffering the mental fall-out of the broken leg that kept him on the sidelines for so long.

His replacement? Carlos Vela, like for like and with a similar propensity for going down in the box under the merest of provocations.

Then came Tomas Rosicky for Samir Nasri. Again like for like - and lightweight with it.

All this against a hugely experienced Chelsea side in which John Terry and Ashley Cole were outstanding.

Terry played the ball out of defence with huge dexterity and Cole laid on the two crosses which saw the game won before half-time.

Afterwards, Wenger seemed lost in a world of his own.

He appeared to think the whole game hinged on Andrey Arshavin's disallowed goal just after the break, rather than admitting this was the only time his side ever looked vaguely close to breaching the Blues' defence. And he conveniently ignored the video evidence plainly showing Eduardo's foot up in the region of Petr Cech's throat.

Then there was the business of it being men against boys, just as it was last season.

Before the game he claimed his players would show they had grown up, that they were ready for matches like this.

Despite compelling evidence to the contrary, Wenger came out with the remarkable assertion: "There was never a moment when I thought we couldn't win."

The Frenchman has clearly run out of excuses. And reasons for either Arsenal supporters or himself to believe there is a future for this team.

Yet his most outrageous post-match claim was that Drogba 'doesn't do much in games'.

Except he even topped that for nonsensical tosh when he suggested the Ivory Coast star's opener - letting Ashley Cole's centre run across his body before flicking it wide of Manuel Almunia with a superb right-foot volley - wasLUCKY!

Come on, Arsene, it is time to lie down in a darkened room for a week or so.

Mind you, not even he could deny Drogba the power and precise placement of the brilliant free-kick that wrapped it all up at 3-0 with four minutes left.

So, once again, the giant striker made a meal of the Gunners' defence.

It does not matter who Wenger sends out, it always ends the same.

The partnership of William Gallas and Thomas Vermaelen has been much lauded in certain quarters, despite Arshavin admitting in the match programme that set-pieces were Arsenal's 'big problem'.

I thought it was only a matter of time before it was found out by a strong, mobile striker.

If the two central defenders were caught ball-watching for Drogba's first, Chelsea's second three minutes later exposed the entire home back four.

As the cross came in, there was no shout whatsoever from Almunia. Now in a state of panic - and with Drogba lurking behind him - Gallas slid in, missed the ball and saw it glance into the net off Vermaelen. What a mess.

So where does Wenger go from here? It is a question we have been asking for a couple of years and one currently being posed by a growing number of Arsenal fans for whom Le Professeur is no longer the man who can do no wrong.

He has been told time and again to buy an out-and-out goalscorer - one who has been tested at the highest level.

Ditto an experienced ball-winner in midfield. Ditto a commanding, physical centre-half.

Yet he takes no notice. He even suggested he would not be using the January transfer window. As ever, Arsene knows. And that is the trouble.

He is so determined to prove everyone wrong, that his way is the only way, he continues to ignore the blindingly obvious.

Five years winning f***-all could well become six. And then seven. And then what?

Arsene Wenger: Great Manager but not a LEGEND!

Mates, accepted this is a long one, as usual to my style but i was waiting for this one for a long time. Comments most welcome!

Chelsea:3 ; Arsenal: 0

What does this suggest? People have been talking about Arsenal philosophy which I respect and respect to the core. I have said all these years [with some interesting arguments from Messrs Amit Singh and Ravindra Kumar] and will shout from the tallest tower in Hong Kong that ARSENE WENGER is not going to win anything. Yes, he is an excellent, excellent manager but may be he will never be a LEGEND Manager as a Fergie or a Johan Cyruff or Fabio Capello. NEVER!!! What Wenger has done for Arsenal is fantastic but reality has dealt a cruel blow to his philosophy. Somehow, he is walking in the tight line that differentiates between a excellent manager and, a LEGEND! No doubt that he will keep trying.....albeit, maybe another year. All three of you will definitely agree to the fact that Pep Guardiola plays the same style of football, may be better. And today, I regard Pep Guardiola and Laurent Blanc (former ManU defended), current Bordeaux coach (FYI, Laurent Blanc has transformed Bordeaux and the way they play their football. Bordeaux are current French League champions, already in knockout stages of CL and recently defeated Juventus 2-0. Blanc is a highly regarded coach is already considered to be one of the best coaches in Europe and one of the TWO best football managers under 45 along with Guardiola). By the way, shy do you think Barca are winning and ripping apart their oppositions left, right and centre? (last night was no exception with a 1-0 victory in an El-Classico). Because they have Messi? Iniesta? Xavi? Henry? No, because they have a team, a team which has two or may be three individuals who are senior pros (Marquez, Puyol, Xavi and Henry), with a leader, who leads from the front in Puyol. For winning trophies, you not only need to have a good bunch of talented kids but a leader, a senior pro, who, when speaks, others listen. (I am not talking of the manager here but a central, senior pro or leads from the front and who commands respect amongst the team members). Accepted, football is not cricket i.e. Captains dont play a big role but then, you have someone who is well respected and highly looked up to by his fellow mates in the team. Who do you think of that stature in Arsenal? Tell me. Cesc? Gallas? Arshavin? Gallas would have been a natural leader but for the way he has conducted himself, within and outside the team is total shame and probably, that is why he was stripped of his captaincy and the arm band was given to Cesc. But do you think Cesc to be a leader? Not now at least. Arsenal won during the days of Tony Adams, because they had players of that stature. They were invincible (and mind you, I accept this fact) during 02-03 years, when they won premier league twice, FA Cup, etc. etc. Why do you think so? Because they had guys like Bergkamp and Viera. Viera made a mistake leaving Arsenal, he would have been true legend, had he stayed with Arsenal, may be he would have even won a champions league with them. Henry? what do you think drove him out of Arsenal? You think players like him are content with winning just the league and FA cup after he has already won a world cup (though he was a real junior then, but, he still was i guess part of the french team of 98)? He wanted to win that elusive trophy of Champions League. and that is why he moved to Barca. Did he win there? Yes, of course! Barcelona is not a mad club like Real who will spend more than 200 million dollars on trasnfers and hence hope that money would buy success. But, then, if required, they do buy one or two odd players who are finished products. Example: Henry, Ibra, are those kind of buys. Friends, accepted, you need to have internal talent to come up and no club can become a success without that way. Barca have Messi, now Pablo, et al, Man U has Scholes, Neville, Giggs, and now Wellbeck, Macheda, etc. but then both bought players as and when necessary. Wenger is an arrogant man and he never wants to buy anyone matured. What is the harm in that man? Yes, Yes, you guys would give me example of Vermalean, Arshavin, but then, these are good, great players but not legends in the making. why not you can buy a Henry or a Viera or a Ibra? May be this is the catalyst that you need my friend to take you one step higher.

I am not saying Chelsea is a great team. Not at all. Definitely not. They have yet to achieve a lot, a lot of course! and highest of the radar is Champions League. Chelsea know that unless they win it they will not attract best of the best talents, may be they can buy a Drogba i.e. an African star but may be not a Latin american superstar. You can tell me the reason? Those latin american stars prefer going to Lyon or Porto or Benfica and from there go to Milan, Barca, Juventus rather than go directly to Chelsea. Why? Because, Chelsea has not won a champions league. They need to make a name for themselves in Europe before they will even be considered as a real TEAM. And friends, i accept this bitter reality. Even Porto, PSG, or Lyon have won a CL but Chelsea is still dying to win it, yes, dying to win it. Thats why they have hired a coach in Ancelloti. And boy, what is he? I am not rushing in judging him but whatever he had done for Chelsea to date is a GREAT thing. Jose Mourinho is miles, miles behind Ancelloti. Give Mourinho a team full of stars and bag full of money and he will manage to win a trophy or two for you. He is not a Manuel Pellegrini who even after having spent tons and tons of money, is not sure of winning the La Liga. I bet Mourinho would have done wonders for Real Madrid than Pellegrini. Anyways, coming back to the point, see how Chelsea is progressing. I accept mates, these are still early days but whatever i have witnessed to date is really pleasing to my eyes. What has he bought in the summer? Zhirkhov? Thats it right and that too was more of a Hiddink's reco than his buy. He has transformed literally the same team which was lagging for the last two years, into a serious performers. and above all, he has given the young turks a real chance to play in key matches. Example: Kakuta (i think he is a real talent, Frank Arensen should be awarded for this), Fabio Borini and Sturridge. and they have Di Santo already getting polished playing in the Premier League every week. What do you say now?

Friends, at least I am gracious enough to accept that Chelsea need to win a Champions League to go to the next level where they, I guess, truly deserve to be. But what about Amit singhs and Ravindra Kumars of this world? They still will say that it is pleasing to their eyes the way Arsenal plays. But at least accept that your boys are not men yet to win a trophy and i am sticking my neck out dudes. They are already crumbling under pressure, Sunderland last week, now Chelsea and soon some more. Even Wenger accepts this,albeit silently. Two years ago when Adebayor was going great guns, Arsenal were progressing in similar fashion when suddenly they crumbled under pressure and ManU won the title. This year's story will be no different. Ian Wright, another Arsenal legend, has recently wrote in a column that as much as he is fan of Wenger's style of play he is not a fan of his sheer arrogance of not buying grown-up men, just one or two MAX but that will transform such a team which oozes talent. I accept that Arsenal is arguably the most talented team in EPL but definitely it will not be a team of WINNERS of TROPHIES! (Now please dont give me an excuse that RVP was not playing and Chelsea played a football which actually closed Arsenal's movements. I saw the match, yes, it was not a pleasing to eye as a Barca plays, but yes it was not a boring match either as Jose Mourinho used to play.)

Go Blues Go!

Indian student beaten up, robbed in Australia

Pursuant to my previous writing on the biasness of FT and foreign media towards news from India, following is the news that came out of Australia and barring some Indian news websites, only one news website has reported it from Australia to date (mind you this is just one of the many incidents). What to say now?

The article follows:

An Indian student was beaten up and robbed by a group of teenagers in a moving train, media report said on Monday.

Sourabh Sharma, 21, who came to Australia a year ago to study hospitality, was brutally bashed when six thugs confronted him in the train.

"They asked me for cigarettes. I said I had none, then they said, 'Why the f--- did you come here?' then they were saying 'Kiss my foot' and started kicking me and punching me," he was quoted as saying in the report.

"I was crying out for help but nobody would help me. They punched me in the teeth and kept kicking me. I said take my watch, take my wallet, but there were five or six of them and they kept just beating me," Sourabh said.

He said the gang, all aged about 16, then jumped off at a western suburb station.

Sharma was left bleeding with fractured cheekbone and shattered teeth. He was taken to a hospital.

The attack follows a growing number of assaults on Indian students, particularly in the western suburbs.

Is reporting in Financial Times really unbiased?

People say that Press/Media should be one thing that should stay completely impartial. But I am aghast at the way Financial Times (strangely the Business Newspaper that I admire the most) reports with bias, specially when it comes to Indian Business News (and I am 100% sure that my Chinese friends will have the same comment too).

Last week, there was a news item on the first page of FT Hong Kong, which read "Hyundai Motors to shift part of its operations to Europe"(I am not quoting here but the essence was the same). The content was more appalling that with foreign car companies considering India as a hub for their global operations, the recent strike in the Chennai, Tamil Nadu unit of Hyundai Motors has further tarnished the country's corporate image. 

What the f&#* is this? Does a small strike actually tarnish the country's image at the same extent as it would have actually done when the news was considered worthy enough to be published on the front page of FT. The same news article mentioned about other incidents like Tata Nano factory was forced to close down because of labour unrest in West Bengal or the murder (yes murder) of the CEO of an Italian automotive company in the northern Indian city of Noida. The correspondent said that these incidents are to have a deep and long lasting impact on India's claim of having a free market economy. 

My question, is it really the case? Should these incidents be touted as worthy and important incidents to really harm India's image? Why anytime when we have news which may be reported but not be given too much importance is given so much importance by FT? Why? In the past one year, at least 3 Indian students were murdered in the US. Then should we say that these incidents dent US image as the favourable destination for many Indian students? Absolutely not! one or two incidents like this (I share my sincere grief towards the family members of these students who have lost their beloved ones) does not dent US image at all. Does the FT or WSJ represent this news with the same intensity? If FT or WSJ says that the news that we report is to do with the world of business, then, even the Indian students' murder or today's news of an Indian student being beaten almost to death and robbed thereof by some rowdies in Australia, has long term impact on the business world of the respective countries. Knowing the fact that a lot of Indian students studying in US or outside India take jobs there only and become a part of the new system and new order, knowing that a lot of Indian born and American/British/Europe/Australian educated students take jobs in that country and even rise to the top (Vikram Pandit of Citi, Arun Sarin of Vodafone, Indra Nooyi of Pepsi, are just a few) the murder of students should also be a news item worthy to be reported as the Hyundai factory shutdown news item is. If the former is not reported, then why is later? Why the double standards?

Same was the case during Satyam fiasco when the fourth largest Indian IT services provider USD1 billion scandal broke out. The FT carried half page front page news for this and followed it up with countless editorials, opinions from their journalists/external parties for days to come saying that this incident will dent India's image as an outsourcing destination. The kind of publicity and coverage that FT gave to Satyam's scandal, I wonder why it didn’t give same amount to USD50 bn plus Madoff scandal or closer home, the 'so called' scandal by RBS, Northern Rock, etc which guzzled billions of dollars of taxpayers money to pay hefty bonuses and salary to their chiefs and also to sponsor the shit called Newcastle United or Williams F1 team. Mind blowing this is. When World Bank came out with a list of suspects that it believed worked in an unethical manner by offering either a bribe or a near equivalent of a bribe in getting outsourcing contracts, FT again carried the news, about India's 3rd largest IT services company, Wipro, with same intensity and gave an amazing coverage. Mind you all, this was a list of just suspects and no solid proof was there. Three factors here must be considered:

1) Wipro was just one of the probably 11 global suspects but only Wipro's name was mentioned(the others were from Europe and the US);

2)Rules of World Bank on gifts had changed in the interim and under the changed rules, what was not considered a bribe earlier, started to be considered as a bribe. Strange!!!

3)Wirpo still got its name cleared after some time from the World Bank, but the FT didn’t care to even cover that news. Why? If you report the news of malpractice then also report the news of the accomplice getting absolved from any wrong doing.

4)Finally, considering Wipro was at fault, why was only Wipro mentioned? Why not also the officials or the World Bank mentioned who had taken that bribe. I believe both the bribe payer and the accepter are equal partners in crime.

These and many incidents have really shown that the Western media is not unbiased at all in many aspects when it comes to reporting or creating a hype about the news (especially anything bad) in the same manner when it comes to India/China (I guess with China it is the same). This trend has increased in the recent times. I believe this is mostly to cover-up the shit in their own backyard rather than anything else. Isn't it so people?

 

Arsenal will NEVER win anything MAJOR under Arsene Wenger

I was waiting for this game (Chelsea beaten 1-1, net, by Barca in UCL Semi Final at Stamford Bridge) to happen to write something on the topic. Ok. I never doubted Barca's capability and ability for God damn sake. And I had a bet in the office that Barca is going to win the CL because whosoever wins the SF clash between Chelsea and Barca will win the UCL. Reason? Coz, Chelsea don’t have any obligations of EPL so they can play freely without any tensions and can play safe with their best players in the EPL. So, if Chelsea would have won I can bet my life that they would have won the league. Barca, why? because they can be assured of the La Liga title and hence no headache for them as well. Hence, the same Chelsea logic applies here.

The other SF clash b/w Arse and Man Poo winner would go on to be the Final loser. Why? Man Poo have one eye on the EPL and they have to do both EPL and UCL a very difficult task (not impossible though) but I just say a difficult task and Arse? More I say about them, more I will keep on saying and saying and saying....Why? My most learned and soccer educated friends in the US had a halo about Arsenal being the team of the future and blah blah blah...exciting football and all.....What happened? I declared that Arse are not going to win anything means they are not going to win anything. I still stand by my words and ready to shout it out loud from the topmost floor of 72 floor IFC building in Hong Kong. Arsene Wenger's policy can’t win you big trophies. You think, Cesc is gonna stay for long? In the transfer market in the summer and you will see the rumour mills floating around with demon called Real Madrid looking like a hawk and ready to pounce with slightest of hint. If not this season, Cesc will surely move ahead next season. Come what may. He is a class player to be without a trophy for long. How long can Arsene convince him to stay with a promise that no wait my child this season for sure you are gonna win something. Bloody they are not even able to win even the fucking Carling Cup. Adebayor is going to go this season for sure to 'Beyonce' like Milan. Cesc for sure by the end of next season. My friends of the holy state of America, let me tell you, Arsene will again start building a team, promise again and deliver nothing. You can’t keep good players for long without a major cup or trophy. Even Gerrard has accepted that he considered quitting the club of his life, by his life and for his life, Liverpuke because they were unable to win anything. But, then came Rafa and suddenly out of nowhere they were winners of the UCL. This year they are even fighting for the title. This motivates players like Gerrard. Its not always about money honey, it’s also about recognition. And even talking about money, let me tell you Arsenal are not one of the best pay masters. Walcott earns meagre 10,000 quids a week I believe(meagre I say because its peanuts by EPL and current standards)....I believe Arshavin, Cesc and Gallas are the highest salary getters but definitely not of the standards that their mates in Chelsea, ManU or Liv, Real, Barca get.

Mates, you need matured players along with good balance of young promising youths to win something. How much I hate Fergie....even I dont know. but I am a fucking great admirer of the astute skills of that guy. He bloody knows what he is doing. He somehow convinced Ronaldo to stay for a year so that he can have a look for his replacement and see, he has Ribery lined up for this summer and is not scared of breaking the British record of transfer fee. And he knows, that Ribery would not go to Arse or Man City, he will come to Man U because not only Man U will pay him more or a bit less than Man C but Man U will win trophies.. Arsenal were the invincibles around 2002-03 because the other teams were not up to the mark...Man Poo was in a re-building phase after departure of its own brand of world beaters of 99....Chelsea were never there and Liverpuke? Do I say anything? Even then, did they do well in UCL?Never. because, they were too much dependent on Henry. See where is Henry today. He is sure to write his name in the history books with La Liga already in his pocket, one hand away from UCL trophy and moreover he is the part of what I call TRIMURTI of Barca strikers who have scored more goals between them than top Italian league side.....Do we say more? Barca is the team to beat this year. I never doubted Barca's ability but just as a Chelsea supporter wanted them to win.

Now coming on to the beautiful game called football. Let me tell you my friends, as much as I love the beautiful game, I also love teams winning the trophies and achieving results. Miss World or Miss Universe is the lady who is not necessarily the one with sexiest assets but one who has the most balanced mixture of sex, beauty and intelligence. Same way, only promise won’t win you anything. In the international arena, for me, the all time favourite teams have been Brazil and Argentina. Why? Because not only they play beautiful game but also between them they have won [how many] world cups? 7?8? and countless other cups. Spain is another team which plays beautiful game but this team has been very much like Arse i.e. promising and not delivering before came Luis Aragones and cut the ego of the team into pieces, built a nice team, selected players based on performance rather than reputation and sorted out the defense besides also 'willing' to play, at times, what you guys call UGLY football but I call 'EFFECTIVE" football. Result? See they won for the first time in decades a major trophy. Spain are even favourites to win the FIFA world cup next. Arse is a team which will never win anything MAJOR until Arsene Wenger is at helm. What will you do with Beautiful game? Dribbling and short passes, if it ain't gonna fill your trophy closet even half for 15-20 years of your playing career? And what to do you say about so called Chelsea's 1-0 football attitude? I think it was only under Mourinho (that too in his later part of Chelsea career) that they played like that. Under Avram mostly and even under Scolari they didn’t play that way, they either thrashed the lowly opponents or got thrashed by the other big three of the big four. Even under Hiddink in the league they dont play like that. My friends, if effective football wins you trophies and which will give you money and which will inturn help your club return to breakeven early, so be it the case. I am game for it.

I always believe institution is always bigger that’s why I favour Chelsea come what may and dont flip flop between Arsenal-Chelsea-Arsenal-Chelsea-Liverpoorl-Arsenal. No never. A fan and is a fan. I dont desert India cricket team and start supporting Australia because India cant even make it to Round 2 of the Cricket world cup in 2007. When in the Nagpur test against the Australians MS Dhoni adopted a pakced 8-2 offside field to stifle the Aussie batsmen and provoke them to make mistakes, people started crying for his head and accused him of killing the beautiful game called test cricket,...but MSD a sucker punch that he is and the astute personality that he is, answered in one sentence, that "this approach helped my Team India win the series against the Australians and humble them to one of their most lowly points in Test cricket in recent times, so be it." And I supported MSD. For me result matters but if you get that result with nice flavour then that flavour is icing on the cake but can never be the cake itself. Most teams in the world in whatever sport they are have to deliver results to stay afloat but also to attract best of breed talents. Italy and France, two of the most unexciting teams in the world, but they have been able to win 2 world cups of past 3 due to their so called effective and ugly football...I dont like it either but for Italian and French fans, if it gives them a reason to celebrate so be it. I am not a purist but I am pragmatic when it comes to my idea towards life and my approach towards life and this is reflected in each and every act that I do, be it soccer, cricket, Formula 1, Indian politics, Investment Banking, any thing under the sun.

Newcastle United: A Poisoned Chalice

(This is a bit old though, that I had written long time back and kept it on my desktop rather than posting it, but it still holds good)

Bloody hell!!! This toon army is one of the most vibrant football army in the UK but what do they get. That fat arse Mike Ashley and before him Freddy Shepherd ruined the club with their theatrical and comical management antics. But, still cant understand why the team which is one of the richest in Europe, cant perform when poorer derby rivals are doing equally good if not better for the resources that they have. People thought Big Sam will do good....Did he? Fat Sam is an average style manager, who can do wonders with limited resources. Not necessarily every one can realize the plethora of resources at his/her disposal. He couldn't do with tens and tens and tens of millions of pounds with Newcastle that he could do with a fraction of that money with Bolton. His set pieces theory was good with the likes of players at the Reebok stadium not with some of the flair players at St. James. And I bet my life, Mark Hughes will be the next one to be kicked out by your highness of Abu Dhabi, a manager of same class as Big Sam. Anyways, without digressing from the topic, even the flair of Kevin Keegan management style couldnt satiate the rotten arse of Mike Ashley guzzling beers and peeing them back in the glass and drinking it back as if it is the holy water. He fired King Kev. Now, he cannot find a buyer for the club that he want to sell and even my granny has rejected to manage the club now. And the Mother FUCK*R now wants double the money that he spent in buying the club to wipe out the losses that he has made with his business like selling Dracula Underwears. Bastard.

May be the toon army can get some 'Tantriks(Special class of People in India who use Mantras to wipe out the evil spirit) hired from India and clean up the mess.