Giroud: Superstar at the Emirates

Giroud's importance to the Gunners was once again brought up as Tomas Rosicky stated that he needed to up Arsenal's goal tally this coming season. With him netting 25 goals in 43 game last season, is that too much to ask? His former team mate Robin Van Persie was at the top of the table with 26 in only the Barclays Premier League.

Giroud brings quickness, clinical finishing and great runs to this motivated Arsenal team, but do the Gunners have anyone to set him up? Indeed he does! Arsenal has a midfield with a mix of experience and youth with Aaron Ramsey, Santi Corzola and Mikel Arteta all getting regular minutes in midfield.

If Arsenal can come out with a big midfielder or winger in this transfer window, you can expect to see a lot more of Oliver Giroud on the score sheet. If Giroud can score more than 20 goals in this next season you can expect to see the Gunners finish in a Champions Cup spot, but success lies heavy on Oliver Giroud just like Rosicky stated.

A Replacement for Donovan?

Gedion Zelalem: born in Germany, Ethiopian blood. 

Zelalem is a Center mid for the Gunners at the young age of 16. On this years preseason tour of Asia, Gedion has been playing solid minutes along side Mikel Arteta. He is 6'1" and a mere 140lbs; plus being agile he can move his tall body around quickly. 

Zelalem has a great first touch and incredible vision and the passing to go along with that vision and in a couple years he should be ready to perform on the national level. Hopefully he chooses to play for the US Men's team not the German Men's team. 

Jurgen Klinsman needs to be doing all he can to convince Zelalem to play for the Stars and Stripes and considering Zelalem grew up in the states, he should already have some fondness for the US. The timing would also be perfect as Donovan is reaching the end of his carter and Gerdion could help keep the assists flowing. 

Competition for Howard at National and Club Level

Everton's manager Roberto Martinez has signed Joel Robles, a younger, fresher keeper from Athletico Madrid which leaves competition for the USA No.1, Tim Howard. 

Joel already has a long list of accomplishments that almost equal Tim Howard's, such as winning the FA Cup with Wigan, winning the U-21 World Cup this year with Spain and playing for Spain as every level U-23 and below. He has had great experience and great men teaching him, and he's only 23, Howard is the ripe age of 34. 

Howard did win an FA Cup and League Title with Manchester United in 2004 but was soon replaced by a new GK the next year. He also won the FIFA Confederations Cup Golden Glove in 2009 and had the best save in the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2011. In that light Howard may seem like a better No.1 than Joel, but keep in mind that Howard is 10 years older. 

All USA fans will hope that this new challenge for Howard will only make him better in time for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where he will face all kinds of strikers who will test him in various ways. He has competition on the US Men's National Team as well with Rimando having a great showing between the sticks this CONCACAF Gold Cup. (The video below will show you his acrobatic double save). I would say that this competition for Howard can only mean good things for the USA as they look towards Brazil in 2014. 

Guus Hiddink: New Coach for The Catalan Giants?

Guus Hiddink resigned as head coach of the Russian outfit Anzhi stating on the club website that his reason for resignation was he felt the club could develop on its own without him. I think he feels his future could be better at a larger club such as Barcelona. Considering Tito Villanova resigned yesterday and Guus today, I think he has his eye on the head coaching job for Blaugrana. 

But, the real question is if he is the right man for the job. Guus had a mediocre showing as coach of the Dutch national team but the headlines were more about internal strife than football prowess. Hiddink resigned after a tough loss in the 1998 World Cup to the Brazilian side that was home to a host of stars such as Taffarel, Giovanni, Ronaldo and Rivaldo. 

After his time with the Dutch national team he took Jupp Heynckes place at the Spainish super team, Real Madrid. He was sacked the very next season because of remarks about the clubs board and the money he was allowed. Guus then took over Real Betis and was sacked that same year. 

Where ever Guus Hiddink goes he doesn't stay for very long and has mixed results. So maybe he is not the best choice for Barcelona in wake of Villanova having to take medical leave. With locker room drama following him everywhere he goes, this could be a very bad choice for Barcelona. 

MLS v Europe for Our National Team

One thing that I have come to notice about our USA Men's National team is that very few of them play in a European league. Considering that any team in a top-flight Euro league could crush even our best MLS teams, shouldn't there be more concern that our men are still staying in the MLS? I say no after watching this Gold Cup and doing some research. 

On our current Gold Cup roster we have thirteen men playing in a league other than the MLS, seven in Europe and five in Mexico. However, we are missing Clint Dempsey and Tim Howard. Out of the five men in Mexico are Demarcus Beasley and Micheal Orozco who I think have a very good chance to go to Brazil as they are playing well. So, that gives good marks to our men in Mexico.

Now for Europe, we have one man in Sweden and two in Norway. Alejandro Bedoya plays in Sweden and Mix Diskerud and Joshua Gatt play in Norway. Now, I think I am safe to say that Sweden and Norway are not home to the most elite European leagues in the world and none of them are consistent starters.

We have two men in England, only one of which plays in the top division and that is Brek Shea, who just recently moved from FC Dallas to Stoke City and we have yet to see how that will affect his style and quality of play. 

Even though all of those men play in other leagues, our MLS boys are looking very good this Gold Cup with Beckerman hooking up well with Chris "Wondwoloski on multiple occasions. Also Nick Rimando has put in a very good showing between the sticks for us. With Wondo and Donovan doing most of the scoring and Rimando making solid saves I would say MLS is just fine to develop people who preform on the national level.