The Special One, The Chosen One & The Tactician trinity; Louis Van Gaal

Right after Moyes sublime passage on the Theatre of Dreams, wearing his victorious red pelerine with “The Chosen One” glittering letters on it, we’re about to witness the upcoming revolutionary Van Gaal era on the Red Devil’s glorious history.

Some say he’s an oracle. Some say he’s a master to the human psyche. And some others just have a blind trust that he can save the sinking ship and lead it to its so-longed glory.

If we’re about to make a review of his World Cup journey and his Oranje team, we can conclude he did pretty well. Actually he did reeeally well, clinching the third-place by defeating the wounded hosts, still slightly howling after that German blitzkrieg. 
Personally, I’d mark Van Gaal’s substitution as the highlight of the tournament, a brave and clever decision taking off an exhausted/inexperienced keeper for an experienced and rested one. Obviously, that would create a psychological block on the opposition’s penalty takers, so thumbs up for the genius, nailed that one!
But, I must admit, while sitting intoxicated on a corner drinking the last drop of the gin and listening to psychedelic music, I wonder why that genius didn’t sub on Krul instead of Huntelaar in the 96th minute of the semi-final. Captain Robin is the leading spirit of the squad and he possesses all he needs to stay on the pitch until the end of the battle. 
Couldn’t Louis see the semi-final was destined to be solved by penalties?
Practically, he left out the hero of the previous match, whose vital saves gave a boost to his greatness as a manager, and let Cillessen on goal (never saved a penalty in his career). He subbed on Huntelaar to produce some scoring chances and wrap a positive outcome early with the intention to prevent the penalties…
Okay that’s clever, Huntelaar’s qualities cannot be underrated and a pair of fresh legs always can make the difference, but except that crucial penalty of his, Huntelaar started and ended the World Cup journey in the shadow.
As a result, subbing on Krul would have been a lot more vital, Louis. It’s not very tactical to use the same action for the second time in a row, but it would’ve been a lot more efficient me thinks. Krul would petrify Messi, and we all know how a petrified Messi acts. He felt like a small ant ahead of a goalkeeper such as Petr Cech. Great keepers collect great results against great goalscorers.
This is sincere from an anonymous goonerette trying to create a good writing profile by writing bad articles about your undisputed reputation of a genius tactician.

Back to the Premier League now!
The arrival of Van Gaal into the Red Devils army may have provoked some panic among the rivals, just the exact way the former ‘Chosen One’ caused. There were predictions at that time United to challenge for the quadruple… 

Following United’s fat £75m a season deal with Adidas, one cannot avoid thinking this team can get back on track attracting World class players by offering juicy offers and wages.
They already have reinforced the area of defence by securing Luke Shaw’s signature from Southampton for just  £27m, and Ander Herrera for £29m. But, it doesn’t end here.
After Conte’s resignation, a door seems to be open and calling for Manchester United to jump on the chance to get the Chilean virtuoso Arturo Vidal. You think it ends here? No.
A thrilling fact to get all the Man United fans happy is the World Cup medal their sensational academy player Ron-Robert Zieler got.
Enjoy it mateys! Most of us don’t have the minimal idea how that feels. 

Manchester United seems to offer a lot of comfort to the fans with the recent movements, no one can deny that but the principal worry of the manager clearly it should be the defence. 
The departure of veteran players such as Vidic and Evra is a serious threat to the squad balance and needs to be sorted out. Bet you pray for them to end up with Jonny Evans and Phil Jones holding the back four while the latter scores the 93th minute winner in the Europa League final. Tempting, no? I’d love to see that, probably even pay. 

However, apart from all the positives and negatives awaiting for LVG, the thing that must not be missed is the unenviable task to get along and control the Wayne hurricane. 
Given the great relationship between Louis and Robin, Rooney will need to struggle a bit to get his sultanesque wishes fulfilled. His preferred playing position as a centre-forward unlikely to be considered by the Dutch as it’s obvious who stands at the top of his list. 

Maybe we will get to witness Rooney playing into a deeper role, considering the fact that the no. 10 role is already covered really well by Mata.
As a hardworker, Louis demands rigorous training and clear results. Therefore, he hardly would tolerate any mistake by any of his players, so all of you prepare for a long season and don’t get your eyes off Twitter as we all know Rooney can be very entertaining when he tweets, especially when angry & confused.

On behalf of all gooners, we hope Van Gaal won’t disappoint the fans expectations for a demi-god to walk in and contribute to the rising of their beloved club to the highest pedestal of the English and European football. 

Welcome to Premier League, Louis!

 

Danielle Carter: Arsenal Ladies sensational young striker

Speed. Pace. Unique technical abilities.
She’s a goal hunter that makes any midfielder’s job easier. Her huge potential it’s not difficult to be noticed every time she is on the pitch.
It didn’t take much for the 20-year old to be transformed into the fans little talisman.
That way she continued the golden tradition of a series of great and gifted strikers wearing the club’s red/white shirt.
The stunning Danielle Carter is a technically gifted forward who is capable of unlocking the strongest of defenses. Her speed and the great positioning give her quite an advantage whenever she’s near the box, always ready to cause some real trouble to the opposition defense.
She broke into the Gunners’ first-team during 2009/10, having joined from Leyton Orient’s Centre of Excellence and made her first debut with Arsenal Ladies on November 11, 2009.
Danielle was principally deployed on the wing last season before she made it to become the spearhead of the Ladies attack.
In the first couple of matches, she featured as a substitute to eventually become an established first-squad member. Her faith and patience paid off, but Kerr’s support and faith in her played a vital role as well in her development as a player.
“It is very reassuring that she feels I can play in big games – not only on the wing but centrally.
It’s good to have that versatility.” – said Carter
“I started off playing as a No 9 then got moved out on the wing. I think I prefer playing centrally.”

Last season she has been in a devastating form, impressively netting a total of 16 goals in 14 games, including five against WFC SSHVSM Kairat in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
Her performance cannot exclude the double she scored against Glasgow City, and again a brace against Doncaster Belles, with the match ending 6-0 to Arsenal.
She was a strong element of Kerr’s squad in Champions League, scoring a brace against FC Bobruichanka before adding another against Rayo Vallecano the following round.
Danielle fired home her seventh goal of the season from  inside the six-yard box against the rival Chelsea, that way scoring the one and only goal, good enough to close the gap between Arsenal and the last-year champions Liverpool to two points.

The highlight of the pre-season friendlies for the youngster is the hat-trick she scored against Derby County, just to warn us about the spectacular season in front of us and her continuing form.
You simply cannot expect Danielle to score less than 2 goals, she’s a terrific goal hunter and the fact she’s only 20-years-old makes even more special and promising prospect for the future.
Her development into a precise and effective clinical finisher is impressive and admirable, a nightmare for every goalkeeper and a difficult task for every defender to keep an eye on her.
I can swear I don’t see any difference between Danielle Carter and a male striker playing in BPL. She automatically provides sensation, comfort and pleasure when watching her perform.

The debut in Champions League dates from September 11, 2009 (Round of 16) in a 2-0 win for Arsenal against Sparta Praha, while her international debut dates earlier in 2008, featuring in UEFA European Women’s Under-17 Championship (Second qualifying round), March, 25, helping England win against Czech Republic by 4-0.
An England U-23 international, Danielle has been called up to the Three Lionesses squad for the first time, for World Cup qualifiers against Belarus and Turkey in September.
Previously she has featured for England at Under-17 and Under-20 level (World Cup)  scoring 12 goals in 39 youth internationals.
My expectations are high for this remarkable youngster and in my opinion she is the typical Arsenal striker, completed in every aspect, ready to carry the cannon and lead the team up front.
In the following 2-3 years she will transform into a key player for Shelley’s squad.
The understanding and the partnership that exists among the girls in midfield and the forward line will be the key to this season’s success.
The new contract she signed in November, 2013 keeps us satisfied of course, and bounds her with a long-term stay to the best club ever featuring in the Woman’s football.
We wish Danielle good luck on the new season, and a collection of 20 exquisite goals, scored Danielle style.

Thank you for reading!

Anouk Hoogendijk: The sweet no.6

Arriving as the first ever overseas signing, Hoogendijk has raised the fans expectations for the new season.
The departure of key players as Kim Little, Stephanie Houghton, Gemma Davison or Ciara Grant, raised many question marks on whether Arsenal Ladies will continue with the same dynamics and intensity as before.
Arsenal Ladies responded quickly by signing 6 players, lately two experienced Japanese internationals Yukari Kinga (INAC Kobe) and  Shinji Ohno (Sayama FC), both silver medalists of London 2012.
However, the signing that thrilled all of us, no doubt it was Noukie. She didn’t fail to get the attention of our manager, Arsene, as he immediately asked if she was special.
Well, Mr. Wenger, eyes can give you a fully vivid picture on that how special she is.
Our stunning defender Thomas Vermaelen  also posed with her, holding the Arsenal shirt in front of the lens.
The 28-year-old Dutch arrived from Ajax this transfer window, completing 27 appearances for the Dutch side.
It’s not the first time Anouk features in England. She has experience formerly playing for Bristol Academy, an eight-month spell in 2011, appearing in 13 matches.
She’s an experienced player in an international level as well, having 94 appearances for Netherlands and scoring 8 goals. She played in every single match for Netherlands national team during UEFA Women’s Euro 2009, scoring the final penalty in the semis against France.
Her natural position is central defense, but she can play as a defensive midfielder as well.
Surprisingly, in the early years Anouk’s playing position was a striker/right wing. Her strong point were the dribbling abilities, she dribbled past many players and scored a lot of goals.
After that, she admits she switched to a number 10 position, then eventually turning into a controlling midfielder.
Her first coach names her as one of the most talented players she have worked with.

The WSL fixtures have been announced already, and Shelley Kerr’s side will face Notts County away, on Wednesday, April 16.
But, fortunately, for the impatient fans to see Noukie in action, will take only two days, as Arsenal Ladies play Derby County in pre-season friendlies, February 18.
Currently having our no. 6 at men’s side on fire, we all hope this number will carry the same consistency, solidness and bossing to our stunner new signing.
Apart from her immense passion for football and her talent, obviously she has another ability; hypnotize us with her exquisite hazel/green eyes, and force us drool over her athletic in-shape body.
A dream for every striker to be a target for the new Dutch goonerette. Hopefully she gets to celebrate the new season in London with a trophy.
Expecting the attendance to quadruple, Arsenal better get the ticket prices high.

Welcome to Arsenal, Anouk!

Thank you for reading.