Head Scratching And Soul-Searching
May 6th, 2012 by 'holic
The look of resignation on so many faces at the final whistle was there for all to see. Little reaction, some half-hearted booing, but generally utterances of having seen it all before. Under different circumstances the six goal thriller might not have provoked the backlash that will surely come from some quarters. However, a tense affair with the underdogs deserving a share of the spoils was not what was needed with two wins required to clinch Champions League football next season.
The sumptuous strike in the opening minute by Yossi Benayoun proved to be something of a false dawn when set in the context of what was to follow. The temptation to be critical is almost irresistible. However if one is to take pot shots at those who erred yesterday then some of the untouchables come into the frame. Wojciech Szczesny, Thomas Vermaelen, Kieran Gibbs, all were guilty of lapses of concentration, but otherwise gave their all, and one can appreciate what they tried to do whilst ruing their basic errors.
Ahead of them the likes of Aaron Ramsey and Gervinho, devoid of the spark that confidence brings, admirably tried to play through their funk, never shirking responsibility. At least the latter sprung to life in a second-half that first lifted the spirit, and then tore a gaping hole in the soul.
But supporters need scapegoats. It’s human nature, unavoidable. Something went wrong so there is blame to be allocated. I generally try to avoid adding to that culture, but there was one non-performance yesterday that stood out. There is one amongst us who doesn’t do average. Alex Song is either super-efficient (sorry for the Arsene-speak there), or as yesterday he stinks the place out. With consistency he would have been the stand-out midfielder of this season. Even yesterday he conjured up one superb chipped pass for the skipper to finish. For the main part though he ambled around the park providing neither accuracy of distribution, or any degree of protection for those behind him.
Alongside him once again Tomas Rosicky and Benayoun were left to create the spark. Norwich overshadowed them with a team work-ethic that we could neither counter, nor replicate until the depth of our plight sank in after half-time. Strangely the turning point came with the arrival as substitute of Marouane Chamakh and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. A lift in tempo, a slightly different attacking threat, and the balance of the contest swung in our favour.
The skippers brace put us in a position we have been in before. A goal to the good in a must-win contest. Too often in the past our failure to close these games out has proved to be our Achilles heel. I think many of us had allowed ourselves to believe this group of players had overcome that costly fault, but concentration and intelligence needs to be displayed as well as sheer effort, and on this critical day we again fell short of what was required.
There remained time for the referee, Anthony Taylor, to cap a spectacularly incompetent display, with the non-award of the clearest penalty you will ever see. To allow that to take blame away from Arsenal would be wrong. He was equally as clueless for the visitors, particularly when Koscielny should have had the second clearest penalty you will ever see awarded against him for a first-half push. The man in the middle really should get some sort of special award. In a season of clueless refereeing performances he stood out. Quite an achievement, that. A whole season we went without a penalty being awarded to us at home? Hmm.
I have steered clear of the controversy surrounding the broken leg suffered by Bacary Sagna. I think I made my feelings known about Bradley Johnson’s challenge on Twitter last night. I’m sure it will be reviewed by those responsible for making excuses, and pointing out how Arsenal don’t like it up ’em. The apologists will say he didn’t mean to do it, he’s not that type of player, and probably mock Arsene Wenger’s reaction (see below) for good measure. Will another referee say the incident was seen so no further action can be taken?
“It is a broken fibula, the same leg, he was kicked on it, it has not happened alone. When he was kicked, he has broken the leg. The guy closed him down and walked on him. I don’t know if it was deliberate or not.”
It would be wrong though to close on such a negative note. The visitors produced the sort of ambitious performance we see so rarely from away teams at the Grove and earned their point. That has been lost in the reaction of many to Arsenal’s performance, and that, let’s face it, is all we cared about yesterday. It didn’t seem like all of the millionaires on the park shared that desire.
330 Responses to “Head Scratching And Soul-Searching”
Way-hay!
Niosey neighbour.
Morning neighbour.
Wotcha ‘holic, good meal last night I take it?
Come on the Villa!
….and Man Shitty of course!
Fair write up holic, I share all these sentiments, good to share a block with you and your neighbour too (late arrivers π ).
Got the card back OK too, off now, a bientot!
Good write up holic as ever you take the sting out of this bad feeling..
Balanced analysis as usual Holic.
I agree that Norwich deserved their lead at half time and ultimately their point. However I remain astonished that (1) with everything that was at stake, we played like such zombies in the first half after Yossie’s birthday goal and (2) we still cannot see a game out despite the possession football that we play when we need to push on and win games.
I think we need a psychotherapist to replace Pat! I certainly need a psychotherapist this morning.
Old school gammon steak, neighbour. First in years, and it was very, very good.
I was lucky with my pig products yesterday π
Afternoon all. Not looking forward to the rest of today. Hope the head has cleared Ollie π
What i just don’t get is as with Stoke last week Norwich have been laying down in recent games to the likes of Liverpool and Citeh and with nothing to play for they produce their best game of the season?
Well written, balanced article – unlike some of the other usual dross I’ve been reading this morning.
Where does the blame really lie though? Is Wenger really trying to prove some financial point here (a 7 year long experiment…), or is he being held back by the board’s spending policy.
Either way though, someone needs to step up. It’s the same old story every season, and the annual CL qualification simply keeps the critics at bay – no other reason for qualifying.
Cheers, ‘holic.
I don’t know why anyone would be surprised that the attitude was lacking yesterday. It’s par for the course.
And as for Aaron Ramsey and Gervinho, it’s not confidence they lack, it is talent. Ramsey runs slower than I do and I’m twice his age. He should be shipped out, unless we’re going to give him the excuse of the broken leg for the rest of his career.
Let’s hope Villa turn up to save their premiership status v Spurs and that Citech are still fighting for the title v Newcastle. If neither of them win, yesterday’s draw will feel much better. But even them, we’re limping over the line rather that closing with a flourish.
Played ‘holic
Song, the midfield, indeed the the team as a whole look leaderless without Artetetetaaaaaaa to me – RVP’s our inspiration, but no one else makes the whole thing tick like our old MA does . And I think it’s trite to suggest that that shouldn’t be the case or that’s unacceptable or that that’s an excuse , or … whatever – but the fact is, it is the case – IMHO!!!!!
And i’d rather have a stab at trying to understand – even if i get the wrong end of the S – why/where things have gone wonky in recent weeks – than grandstand, beat my virtual chest and TAAALK TUFFF!!!! – in the manner of certain bloggy types – so there.
The stats, and what we can all see on the pitch tell us we miss MA badly – i think. Of course, along with all of us i’m sure, i wanted others to step up and see us home in MA’s absence but – for whatever reason/s – they weren’t able to (there’s a difficult debate to be had there, maybe?) … If we don’t make the champs league the little Spanish midfield maestro limping out of the fray v wigan the other week may be viewed as the major down-turning point re our end of season loss of form – i reckon.
If he had proven himself to be truly indestructible i don’t think we’d have effed things up like we have these last few weeks…
http://youtu.be/kwJWr_Zk1R8
Oh, and – Bollox!
Good balanced post ‘holic and agree with all of your observations!
I’ll await the results of the LWCs’ and Barcodes’ matches before laying down further commentary. Still very fecked-off on several fronts! :-s
Come on Heskey
AL @17,
Heh! π Nice link! Has drawn a small smirk, at last!
Agree about Arteta but all his absence has further highlighted is EXACTLY where the defensive problems in our midfield lie – Alexander Song and/or Aaron Ramsey when he plays! Obvious concerns which should have been resolved long before now by a modicum of off-field and on-field intelligence!
‘holic….good summary
I sense it was as hard to write as you feared though? It is going to be very tough to swallow if we do fail to secure CL football in seven days time.
I was negative yesterday, only slightly less so today. Struggle to understand why we were so sloppy on the day and didn’t seem to have a plan in place once we’d got off to such a bright start. With respect to Norwich we should be passing them off the park with an early lead and then dismantling them when we hit the 60 min mark.
I think we’ll still be alright, I don’t know if lessons are being learned, but I hope so. We have to rotate more and not run the same eleven into the ground next year.
Good article! Personally, I’m going to think of the worst that we will now lose CL football next season…that way in not expecting it, anything else would be a blessing!
Clear-out required urgently now. Ramsey, Diaby, Djourou, Fabianski, Chamakh…time to seek football elsewhere.
As for loans Vela, and Bendtner, tata also.
Save on the above wages (Diaby Β£60k a week for example), and replace half of them for Quality!
Wishful thinking me thinks, and if we DO fail to secure CL football, Wenger will just not have the funds (taking the Β£25m+ hit), to splash out on quality replacements.
I’m trying to be positive, but feel more like a headless chicken arghhhh.
Arteta is most underrated player, people thought he will be Fabregas, but he is not he is good at what he does in a very subtle way, keeps the ball well he moves around the pitch without exposing the back 4 too much, now we know what we miss. He has been around in the premiership for years and knows it well.
Come on Heskey, he never scores when he wants.
AAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG !
Why ? In our hands once again but again we used a teflon coating as hand wash prior to the game.
AW can be as upset as he wants to be but this isnt a new occurance in his reign. It is as sure as the sun rising in the morning yet still not attended too ! How do we do this every season, to work ourself into such a position after such a woefull start is fantastic just to throw it away again is no longer funny.
If we go another season without any silver ware I think it will be time to re-think AW position as no other to manager at any other to European team would still have their job and we know thats a fact !
The same failings are prescent every year even with a change of playing staff so I can only think the manager has to take the blame.
Angry but a Gooner til I die !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“Clear-out required urgently now. Ramsey, Diaby, Djourou, Fabianski, Chamakhβ¦time to seek football elsewhere.”
Yes, but only one of those has been a first team regular this season. The rot is deep and major surgery is required on the starting eleven, before you even think of the squad.
Vermaelen is a massively over rated defender, we are not great at left back (and the back up, Santos, is worse than Gibbs) and our central midfield is poor. There’s no strength in it, no pace and no power. Nobody to drive it all forward, nobody who can make an incisive pass without Arteta, who has been great but playing too deep because the other options there are so weak.
Wide we are not reliable. You can have Walcott looking like a world beater one week and beaten by the world (and his wife) for the next two or three. Gervinho hasn’t worked out and it wouldn’t surprise me to see Podolski used wide left, rather than up front, next year.
It is a mess and instead of sorting it out gradually, it has all been allowed to build up to a point where we need to almost buy a first team, and even then the backups will be poor. So much work to do due to mismanagement for the last five to ten years.
Ridiculous situation to be left in and I don’t expect any significant improvement in quality in the transfer summer.
Seems like Ramsey is the new Eboue AND the new Denilson all in one go.
Lars is right.
Moaners have to moan. Haters have got to hate.
Some of our “fans” are an embarrassment.
Good analysis as usual Guv’nor.
Petey @11 why did Norwich suddenly put in this sort of performance after being crushed by Man City & L’pool? Probably because they rightly sensed that we were there for the taking.
But let’s finish on a positive note we ended up with a point we didn’t deserve….
Afternoon all, after a few bevvies and a nights sleep, the doom and gloom is still here.
I’ve said what I wanted to say about yesterdays performance on the previous drinks so I’ll leave it at that. Something else did dawn on me this morning though as I re-watched the game.
We’ve been accused of being a one man team throughout the season, having a over reliance on RvP, to do the business. On one hand there is some truth in that statement, afterall he does score most of our goals, on the otherhand, if you have a world class striker then why would you not utilise him to the fullust? His achievements this season have been phenominal, however there is one player that has proven by his absence to be just as important……. One Mr M Arteta.
I’ll be the first to admit, that I felt a certain sense of “Meh” when we captured his signature on deadline day, I was truthfully far more excited about the prospect of Bennygoon, it’s not that I didn’t rate him as a player, he always did a decent job for Everton, it’s just that I couldn’t see him in the same role at Arsenal. It took all of a month for him to convince me otherwise. His contribution to the team was obvious in an extreamly understated manner, he was not flashy, did not take unnessecary risks, almost always choose the simple option and hardly ever surrendered pocession. For reasons I can still not fathom, he was not as loved by all, some even started slating him, questioning his worth even. I wonder how they feel about him now? The simple fact that we haven’t won a game he hasn’t started in surely tells us all we need to know.
RvP may well (deservedly, may I add) recieve all the plaudits, but if there is one player that is vital to the way that we play then it’s definitly (IMHO) Arteta. We are just not the same team without him, our defence looks shabby and the midfield lacks bite. Hurry back Mikel, please.
DanC @20 of course the basic tenet of your argument rings true – but specific solutions re an unplanned for absence of a key player are – i think – not necessarily all that straightforward
It’s not just his defensive qualities that we’re missing MA for – we miss his leadership, his calmness under pressure, important goals, creative qualities, dead-ball delivery, hair-do and all-round know-how too – to name but a few. These are not easy qualities to hold in reserve elsewhere ready to roll out when it all goes a bit wonky.
If jack had been coming back to fitness as hoped – then maybes. But when teams lose key personnel at difficult moments in the season then they suffer…unless they’re the oily Manks maybe – but then even they dipped without Yaya and Ko
AL @17.
Oi, you got there before me.
I started by one finger typed transcript before I saw your post.
Honest Guvnor.
A round on me to cheer us all up a bit.
“his hair do”
Heh π thanks for that AL, cheered me right up.
Cant believe I gotta cheer for ManCiteh, wishing that na$ricunt will have a good game. Urgh…
Zico @ 26
Totally agree.
Ramsey has had a tough few months, is playing out of position and looks gassed. He was far from the worst player on the pitch yesterday but it seems that minds have already been made up.
His final couple of mins yesterday were instructive. He was instrumental in creating a couple of decent chances, the first from the skipper off Gervinho after the Welshman slashed a fine crossfield ball into the space behind the full back, the latter for Rosicky (i think it was) after the ball came back to Ramsey in the box and he laid it off neatly to put Mozart in.
The ball then returned to Ramsey for a presentable chance which he didn’t take. Moans and groans everywhere, abuse shouted and, near me, a group of lads who celebrated like a goal had been scored (high fives and all) when he was taken off shortly after.
I know we all need to vent, but I don’t understand this mentality at all. Vermaelen, Chesney and Song each had world class stinkers yesterday. It’s been mentioned (quite rightly) and we move on. They won’t, however be elevated to some sort of fan lead shit list at the top of which sits the whipping boy of the moment. At least they won’t while Ramsey is in the team.
I thought the lad looked gutted during the lap of honour, and was clearly getting a gee up from Chesney.
Aaron Ramsey chose Arsenal over Utd. He returned from an injury that might have ended his career. He plays where he’s asked without complaint, he shows for the ball even when things aren’t working for him and he always puts a shift in.
As long as all of the above remains the case, I won’t be getting on his back. And I suggest that those who currently are have a little think about what they’re doing, because just as there are faint hearts and soft touched out on the pitch there would also appear to be a fair few in the crowd.
To be clear – i’m not for a moment suggesting that fans should hide their feelings or cheer on crap performances. I’m talking about sustained abuse of individual players, week in, week out, regardless of how hard they are working.
Come on City, come on Villa and COYG.
my pleasure H2H @ 31 and Sorry ’bout that H2H @30 – still it’s always a pleasure to find meself on the same side of a bar-room debate as thee
AND you watched the game again already – manalive you have the constitution of a major world super-power thing (i don’t what i’m on about either) old bean
One of your well-famous BM’s please…to help shift this bastard from behind the eyes – ta
32 Derrick.
Cheer and hope for a draw, won’t make you feel so dirty π
N7 @ 33
Many thanks – you saved me from having to put down all of that but I agree with every single word.
And DanC – glad you liked the link
And what Zico said @ 36 about what N7 said @ 33
UREDS!
Well said N7.
BM on the counter AL, chin chin. I had to watch it again just so I could believe what I thought I saw. Unfortunatly I was right π
AL @29,
Agreed regarding the loss of key personnel!
But for many a season now, I have been questioning the pride in defending that out reputed “defensive midfielder” takes in his role?
With or without Arteta, Alex Song is the problem in the centre of our midfield! He lacks the positional and technical discipline which he should have acquired by now! Young Aaron I can excuse because of his youth and fledgling inexperience with our style of play but Song cannot escape such criticism! Ask yourself this question; if Cheik Tiote was playing in our DM role would we have conceded 40+ goals this season? Some might say “but Song has contributed so many assists this year”. However, if you balance that with the goals that we have conceded, some which arguably could have been attributed to him by being out of position or being caught on the ball, has his net contribution to the side been a plus throughout the whole season? Personally I don’t think so and I would consider selling-him-on and bring in a truly disciplined DM who loves to defend and another more technical and quick-footed creative-midfielder (like Tomas or Jack) who does that job more proficiently than Song is trying to become! Coquelin could perhaps even play the DM role if the discipline is ingrained into him from day-dot of his switch!
Song has become a Jack-of-all-trades and a master on none and that is not what this side needs to stabilise its defensive shape in front of that back 4! Claude Makelele should have shown many a DM of how critical that role is in a successful side (France, Real Madrid and Chelsea testify to that!). A DM needs to have total pride in his defensive duties over anything else and if he does not have that, or wishes to be something else, he should not be played there as the whole side suffers!
what’s doubly galling is seeing the passion with which newcastle are playing with, they’re chasing 3rd. It appeared yesterday we thought we already had it
DanC
It’s pretty easy to point the finger at Song, or any of the other players for that matter, but we have no idea how they are instructed in the dressing room.
Has he be instructed to stay back at all costs or hass he been given a licence to stray forward?
Can you really imagine that he’d still get into the team if he week in, week out blatently disregarded what the manager/coach was instructing him to do?
Zico –
another terrific post from you at the end of the previous drinks.
I guess I’m with the guilty here in naming Aaron Ramsey as one of the problems yesterday. I did say it in the context of our defensive midfield function, and I also said it was the saddest comment to have to make and that it gave me no satisfaction to make the comment at all.
I have also already echoed N7 Gooner’s comments on Ramsey in earlier drinks and I hope he can return to the levels he was achieving before his injury.
No malice intended, and I’m not normally a negative type.
I was trying to convince all around me yesterday at 1 – 2 that we would still win it 3 – 2. Oh well, nearly.
HT Barcodes Citeh. 0-0.
Great to see all the top Gooners zico mentioned too –
‘Holic, zico, TS, And Lester, Tabs, Snowy, Ollie, a hello to the Arseblogger and Akhil, and a brief glimpse of cfpb’s head.
Cheers all – here’s to the first meet of next season.
I’m already counting sleeps, Trev π
Good day to all. Took care of a very special patient over night. This person was born with a spinal deformity leaving him/her paralyzed from the waist down. Despite this cruel fate, this patient had the most beautiful smile and endearing manner I had ever encountered. No ‘poor me’ attitude. Only 24 years old. Reminded me how fortunate I am…
That does indeed put it all into perspective, nurse abb.
DanC@40 i don’t think the solutions to some of our difficulties are quite as straightforward as you suggest – and i don’t know enough about Tiote to make an informed judgement re his abilities. I do know that he plays for a team that we beat recently (can’t remember whether he was playing), and one we have taken 4 points off of this season. And as things stand – a team that are still below us in the league (may it remain that way today and onwards – please Dennis) despite our form collapsing in Artetetetaaaa’s absence (imho, of course).
And i have say i find the twin notions that our midfield woes should, in the main, be plopped at A. Song’s size 10’s (granted he’s not the complete player by any means), AND that the aforementioned has had a bad season – odd ones
An interview RVP gave about his talks with Arsene at the end of the season give me some very real cause for concern.
He states that whatever the future may bring he will always be a gunner, not exactly a ringing endorsement or statement of intent to stay with us.
I really hope yesterdays result is not a small push in his mind that it will not be us in the CL and he needs to push on a level which is unattainable with us.
Really hope I am reading too much into one comment.
PS Trev @ 43 thanks.
I wasn’t putting you in the same bracket as the Ramsay haters.
The hostility aimed at Ramsey would be more understandable (but still pathetic) if he was an experienced veteran bringing everyone else down, when in fact he is a young man trying to make his way in the game, after an horrific injury and struggling for form.
Interesting view from the roof yesterday, btw, I was able to stand up for the whole 90 minutes, was like the old days. 8)
H2H @42,
I’m not pointing the finger at anyone else just Alex Song!
I doubt that any manager would tell a deeper-lying central midfielder to stray forward at all costs unless it is absolutely necessary.
A DM is usually in the deeper-lying central midfield position for a reason – to provide defensive cover as required as start the attacks! Minute-by-minute managerial guidance should not be necessary if you know your primary role! If Song still needs to be told what to do or baby-sat by Arteta at this stage in his career, then he has a big problem that will continue to disadvantage the defensive cohesion of our side!
Villa SCore!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Get in Ciaran Clark!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh gawd – hope rising again…now i’m gonna have to watch the thing
AL, Hope is a terrible thing. π
Didn’t see the Villa goal but judging by the BBC description it could be a case of the deployment of Agent Gallas. C’mon Willie Boy!!!!!
AL @49,
I think it’s sometimes difficult to see where the problems of a player lie when he appears to contribute so much by his physical presence (i wear size 12’s by the way) and power. I’m weighing up his net-worth and if there are others that could do his job better.
Of course the Barcodes are beneath us and the table does not lie but they arguably have a weaker overall squad. I have seen alot of Tiote both before he came to the EPL, since and during the African Cup of Nations. Has all of the attributes of Alex Song but is quicker of pace and more disciplined.
Villa 1 – LWCs 0 – Feckin’ get in there!
All I’m trying to say Dan, is that we have no idea what Song is or is not instructed to do.
8Ball
It did indeed deflect off Gallas, double heh, all we need now is Adeboywhore to put past his own keeper to brighten up our weekend.
McLeish I’m sorry about everything I ever said about you. Just do this one favor for me!
Clark hit a long range shot against Gallas’ head, looping the ball deliciously over Friedel’s reach. Not too dissimilar from Holt’s goal yesterday. Funny that Gallas is wearing the captain armband as well. Time maybe for another legendary sulk? Hope is a terrible thing indeed I’m afraid π
Nasri subbed for de jong in the 60th minute. What?
DanC
I watched Tiote when he played for Twente. Would agree about his pace, although strongly disagree about his dicipline (although not positional) he is as mad as a hatter and is prone to making extreame challenges. Point in case, he’s already on a yellow today for taking out David Silva from behind.
HT A Villa LWC’s 1-0.
Back to the Geoerdie game.
DanC @ 58 – not sure if i’m fully appreciating your point – you seem to be suggesting that it’s difficult to fully appreciate how negative a player’s contribution is when it appears to be so positive – hmmmm – i’ll have to take your word for that
psed congratulations on your size 12’s, bet you have to watch where you put those – and i was referring to Songy’s feet by the way (though between you and me, i don’t actually know what size they are)
off to bite me nails now – and possibly other bits and bobs – in front of the footie
Up The Arse – may we stay thired!
Oily Cunts score
Goodness me what a goal by yaya toure… I’m too scared to hope all this goodness will last for 90 minutes…
Greetings Holics
I agree with just about everything above and don’t hold out much hope that we will be rescued by the likes of Villa, who are the 2nd worst side iv’e seen at the Ems this season.
Why oh why, having hauled ourselves back into the lead with an enterprising 4-2-4 formation and with10 minutes to go, did we not revert to a holding game, closing down the space and the opposition. Instead we continued to play in a cavalier fashion, with Song and TV5 still on the attack and we were left totally exposed at the back .The absence
of Arteta said it all, we had no one who was capable of holding on to the ball and keeping Song in check.
Too many important players, had nightmares of a game and even though we had the luxury of an early goal, we looked nervous in the first half and my friend Szczesny just didn’t recover from his error for the first City goal. His distribution was erratic throughout and his walkabouts halfway up our half give me nightmares.
The Ref, who had previously escaped my examination ,was pathetic. There were 3 penalty claims, all of which appeared valid , let’s hope that was his last appearance at the Ems.
The journey home developed into an inquest which resulted in very
pessimistic conclusions.
1) We expect to have to qualify for CL at best, Thursday night/Sunday football at worst.
2) Robin will look for a move to Spain but not another PL club.
3) Great fears that we will not see LJW in an Arsenal shirt again.
4) Having to wait until CL football confirmed at end of Aug, there will be another last minute Xfer panic, providing of course the Chavs don’t win the CL.
5) We will be making do with what we have got, plus the returnees from their loan spells.
You can tell the mood of 4 avid Gooners with more than 100 years support under their belts!
My “Canaries” friend , who came to the match for nothing more than a day out , went home the happier bunny.
Latest from today’s games still gives us hope, both City and Villa ahead!
As always COYRs
The footballing Gods are listening to my prayers !!!!!!!!!
AV 1-0 Spuds
New 0-1 Shitty
Come on
Wohoooo danny rose cunt got sent off….
What an appaling tackle from rose. Absolutely ghastly.
Spuds down to ten.
Dennis is good.
Holic, Yes and no. Mostly, the former. But your last thought…well I really believe the opposite. You see, I think they might have wanted the win so badly, coupled with the knowledge of the ramifications if they lost…they panicked. Not a legitimate excuse, but what I feel happened. Frustrating, when we know what each player is capable of singularly and collectively, as a team. Really appreciate you sharing your ‘take’ on yesterday with us. How I enjoy different points of view!
H2H – Remember the link I posted about Redknapp admitting he’s a Gooner (from when he was a Bournemouth manager)?
I think he’s doing us a favor π
Thought that the worst missed call yesterday was the all-too-obvious reaching up with the arm to the ball handball in the box by Norwich late….did anyone else see that?
‘holic, you’re right in mentioning the faults of two of our untouchables — Chezzer and Vermy — but to simply cast their misfortunes as lapses of concentration but otherwise giving their all is being generous; need some objectivity here.
Vermy, for all of his braveheart moments, suffers from a malady that’s not great for defenders to have — he just doesn’t defend all that well on a consistent basis. The way he was taken to the cleaners on that one move by an ordinary Norwich striker was Squillaciesque. Shows a bit why the BFG has been missed and may be better suited to partner with Koscielny or Vermy….
And Chezzer — if any other Arsenal keeper gave up that first goal in that manner, he’d be crucified. And the third goal was awfully reminiscent of the third by Swansea. His save percentage this season in the prem is actually in the bottom portion, and he’s been slow to react to a lot of goals (Walker, Mata, Fletcher, even Crouch last week). You have to like how he takes command of his box, and the times he has come up big, and for his confidence, but again, some objectivity. And some real competition and less time on Twitter and in the newspapers might do some good.
Heh Snir.
There I was yesterday thinking that we were doing our very best to keep him in a job by blatently refusing to take third place. π
2-0 Citeh
Newcastle done.
1 down, 1 still to fall.
there can be no excuses we had our chance again like many times before and again we blew it .
is it tempting fate to say we might have been handed a ‘get out of jail free’ card today?
Come on Villa…don’t fuck this up.
Please lay off Woj, he’s saved us way more times then he has let us down.
Or would you prefer to return to the scare a minute days of Al and Flappy?
Probert you cunt.
Adebayor from the penalty spot.
1-1
Let’s stop this denigration of Song and Ramsey now. It is clear that they don’t click in midfield in the way that Song and Arteta do, a combination that has been an unexpected bonus for us. But Song and Ramsey are a makeshift midfield duo. I suspect that Diaby, if he were fit, would start with Song in Arteta’s absence. It is tough to expect 21-year old Ramsey, who has played fewer than 100 top-flight games, to exhibit the maturity and experience of 30-year old Arteta, who has played more than 350 top-flight games. I am with Zico and N7G in saying that Ramsey exhibits all the character, application and pride in wearing the shirt that the critics so readily blame the team for lacking. As for Song, if he was to be sold there would be the usual teeth-kneading about the club being unable to keep our world-class players.
Stooopid Villa
Fuck… Another dodgy penalty for the white cunts. And adebayor scored. Surely Dunne got the ball first. Fuck.
What was Dunne thinking?…come on Villa.
That was a penalty….sadly…let’s be honest. Never got to the ball.
More importantly, why are Villa inviting the spuds onto them (beside the fact they are shit)
H2H@80: quite right. Woj made a couple of mistakes, which were costly, but that is all. Even the best keepers have the odd bad game. And Woj will be the first to hold up his hand.
Dunne got the ball first. How refereeing decisions continue to cost us is an enigma. Not that it is anything new really. Come on Villa. Come on Given…
ItΒ΄s unbelievable how shit McLeash has made Villa.
YouΒ΄d think they were the ones with ten men while watching this.
Come on you sissy villains!!!
WTF who has 11 men ?
AV do not look like they will hold out. Bastards !!!!!
Are own fault ! we should be sitting back laughing !!!
Villa truly were bad enough to go down this year….they’re softer than McLeish’s face
Come on you Villains!
They’re fucking terrible.
chimpy B*le – the big s.winger – jus’ changed his feet according to the co-commentator…
if they were a man down you’d be proud of Villa this half….with a man advantage it’s been a scandal.
On the other hand, if they had attacked more perhaps they’d be losing
6 mins ET – ffffffffuk it!
You’d have to be a massocist to be a Villa fan, because this is pure fucking torture.
Gosh Stephen Ireland is such a lazy player.
Lobs it in the box
YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Could you Adam and Eve it, it’s still in our own (slippy as fuck) hands.
AL @65,
My point is this:
Defending is just as important as attacking and ALL players should appreciate and take as equal pride in that as the “Hollywood passes” or goals that everyone reveres! This is doubly more important when you are defined as a “defensive-midfielder”! However, if Song is no longer a DM, then what exactly is his role? If a creative or box-box midfielder, there are considerably better-suited individuals for those roles in the footballing world!
H2H @64,
Yeah I agree, Tiote did have flaws at Twente but that cunt Pardew seems to have ironed a few out (still prone to the odd yellow though as most DMs are)!
Looking like the Gooner Gods are smiling on us this weekend! 3rd still in our hands! Sweet as a feckin’ nut! π
Well in Imp’1
How can such a shitty performance from Villa claim a draw. Unbelievable stuff. Ireland and Nzogbia, their two flair players, were probably the worst on the pitch. The others were clueless.
Ps. Yeaass final whistle. I guess the LWCs prove their bottler mentality as well! COYG!
Fuck me .. still gonna finish third.. hahahaha
The strangest season of all continues. We remain in 3rd place and in control of whether we stay there.
I really hope every Arsenal player watched today and realises they’ve been granted another chance.
Congrats to Sp*rs and Newcastle. Well played you mugs.
Droped pints for sp@rs – one ‘Arry Yappyapp, there’s only one ‘Arry Yappyapp
Jesus, what a painful two hours that was.
Come on now lads, it’s back in our hands, DO NOT FUCK THIS UP.
COYG.
Thank Dennis!
Is it really over? I couldn’t bring myself to watch the LWCs game. Fuck them…
Had to watch BBC live updates….Bolton are so unlucky π
LWC 1 – 1 Villains. Back over to you Arsenal. Please take the f***ing gift that was just given to you and throttle WBA next week.
Wow another chance
Get in! Songesque lobbed pass turns shot. Still in our hands, Dennis is really with us this season.
DanC – He is a DM. It’s just that his midfield partners aren’t doing their defensive duties and making him play two roles.
We play a fluid midfield three where the player who plays in the hole presses with RvP and the box-to-box is supposed to cover the middle of the park along with Song.
Ramsey/TR haven’t been doing that as well as they should, leaving Song exposed.
Well I told a big lie – at 4pm yesterday I said I was going to ignore what happened in today’s games, but as soon as I heard the Totts were behind, the TV went on.
As tim said above, thanks mugs!
A word of caution – West Brom came from two behind today, so are not on their holidays yet.
Well in my delirium last night & this morning I don’t know what I promised God or the Devil, but thanks guys!
What a crazy season…it’s like we’re juggling grenades and swords with blindfolds on at times….blind luck we’re still alive….
Gotta keep it together.
More drugs please, more drugs…..
Decided to skip both the matches today. Had the most ominous of feelings. Went out only to find Alex scumbag Mcleish doing us such a huge favour.
The importance of third finish is crystal to all with the chavs in the finals and still all three contenders bottle it. Quality of bottom sides or lack of mental toughness of the top teams??
Anyways come on Arsene wrap it up without giving us all a minor cardiac arrests at the baggies please.
H2H,
Nice finish mate! Well timed and much needed this weekend! π
N7 @108,
Well said! π
Off to my local for a few drams! Laters!
Another chance. the west Brom is really like a cup final now. We simply have to win it.
Thank you Villa, thank you Given for giving us 1 more week of hope/agony.
It’s on!
We are going to do this. I know it. 1-0 to the Arsenal. Gibbs to get it (if he is allowed to start after that last game).
And yes, I do feel a bit for Bolton. They are playing Stoke away on the last day, but on the other hand QPR are playing Man C so they, I’d almost say, have it in their own hands. If not Manchester Utd blows it today which would, in effect, seal the titel today.
That was horrible, Villa are by far the worst team in the PL this season, I don’t care what the table says, they were absolutly clueless and even though they had an extra man they couldn’t keep hold of the ball for less then a minute. If Alex McShrivelledcrotumface is still in charge there next season then I think they’ll be relegated.
Briliant result for us though and that’s all that matters, who would of thought a few hours ago that we would now be a point extra in front of The Toon, still be above the LWC’s and still have our destiny in our own hands? Somebody up there really must like us.
So come on Arsene, don’t let this divine intervention go to waste, drill the lads for the whole week on their defencive duties, get us defending as a unit and the goals up the other end will take care of thenselves.
I think we all deserve a drink after that.
Barman, line up some voddie shots please sir.
I knew Mcleish will get his double decker bus out. It could’ve been even better but can’t complain. We have another chance now and we have to take it. West Brom are no mugs and any of that defending againt Norwich will cost us. Lets be positive and finish the job. a point would secure 4th but that is not the aim. 3rd is vital.
Nice assist Derrick. Thanks H2H, you are a top man.
still down to the wire,why cant someone put us out of our misery?how the fuck can we still be third,and still all to play for!Can we beat WBA like fuck …THE WORST SEASON EVER
Someone call Batman.
Or Robin even π
Think he spelt his username incorrect
Stroker
Swansea fans are singing “8 points and you fucked it up” at Old Toilet. Hilarious!
Snir @114,
Whether he’s a DM or not, I no longer feel he prioritises his defensive duties, or voices the lack of such amongst the central midfield characters during matches, over his attacking desire and intent!
Song is no longer a DM but he’s become a box-to-box midfielder (and we can further argue if he’s actually a good-enough one of them for our side) whether by accident or by design!
The team no longer has a dedicated deeper-committed midfielder when Arteta does not play and only he possess that awareness and discipline! Bear in mind though, that that was not his role when he played for Everton! Fluidity in midfield movement is fine but it requires intelligence, awareness and discipline! The fact that that is missing defensively when Arteta is absent is very concerning to me!
H2H @123,
Cheers! π
Amidst the euphoria created by the results today, i feel even more frustrated by the lack of guile shown by us after RVP’s second yesterday.
Had we kept our heats for those 8 minutes third place was as good as done and dusted today.
But maybe getting third after such a scrape will make Arsene delve into the transfer market more than he would have done otherwise. Blessing in disguise? I hope so.
Ok people, start confessing – Who made the Lasagne?
As previously stated I’m only guilty of having bought fresh lasagna plates. They will make it to next weekend. Also, I have bought red wine to go into the pan with the meat. Sadly, the wine is gone by now and I have no idea where it went…
Danc @ 102 the bunch false premises you establish @ 102 either cannot genuinely be backed up by you, else, in the final analysis, they’re a tad trite – imho, of course. As H2H has said you don’t know what Song is sent out to do on the pitch by the boss; in Arsene Wenger Arsenal sides no player is ever genuinely restricted to one role – certainly not in midfield or attack (in fact world-wide the one-dimensional Makele-like DM is pretty much obsolete at the top-level – more is expected offensively from that area of the field – these days); the Hollywood passes thing is a bore – not all AS’s long-balls come off, naturally, but plenty do – see his assists this season. Yes he has areas of his game that he could improve, AND yes of course there are other players elsewhere in world football who are better than him in his position. It’s easy to say that about any player who isn’t the very best in the world in his position – so that’s all but 11 then – and only RVP, possibly, in our current side who you couldn’t apply that truism to.
You clearly don’t rate Song, i think he’s much better than you suggest, and i think he’s had a pretty decent season overall. He’s dipped a bit lately – i think – and as i said way back @ 17, he badly misses what Arteta brings to the team. after all Song and Artetetaaaa were a partnership – and a good one too.
Anyway, in short, we disagree. And our points – i think – are becoming a tad circular now. Apologies if we’re beginning to bore anyone else
I don’t want to criticize Alex Song too much because he has done well for us but he needs to develop a level of consistency in his game. Some games he plays like the world class player that he has the talent to be, while in other games,he is dire. Nevertheless, I think it is time for him to show the leadership qualities to dominate that midfield technically and tactically. It’s time for him to be that general who dictates the other midfielders and hold the game together.
RvP is a great club captain but I want to see a team captain that sits at the back! We keep making the same basic mistakes by being too gung-ho in attack…after our third yesterday we needed someone who could take charge at the back and secure the game…weak defensive organization is still our Achilles heel..
Someone up there is looking down on us having a right old laugh villa are terrible thank god for shay given great goalkeeper ramsey was shocking yesterday my granny could run faster everthing changed when he went off !
Impeccable1: I believe that Song is a lot like Vermaelen in that he takes personal responsibility for creating chances (scoring in the case of TV5) when things are not going well, but they sometimes neglect their defensive responsibilities. The team needs to do more to cover for each other – City does this quite well…
SPEEDOES BACK FUCKING ON !!!!!!! π
Heh
Liar, liar.
8Ball @ 56 – just when i was becoming resigned to its absence – Bollox! (in a good way)
Onward and staying exactly where we are!
UREDS!
What a weird rollercoaster.
I barely dare hoping.
Ollie,
are we still doomed?
Nice capture on Tollie twitter pics btw π
GT @137, I agree with that sentiment and that’s why I think Song as the senior midfielder need to develop that leadership and organizational skills required to hold the team together. Additionally, we need one of the centre backs to assume this role as well. Even though the BFG is relatively new to the team, I think he possesses this organizational attribute that this team desperately requires.
AL @135,
I guess that’s why football is an arena of opinions and conjecture.
I agree, there is no need to continue this cyclical tit-for-tat as our views on Song’s role, and his concomitant attributes or lack off depending on one’s point of view for that role, are irrelevant in the current scheme of things. We shall have to wait until next season to see if i can “genuinely back-up” my opinions when Arteta returns by his side. That is if he decides to remain at the Grove?!
Regarding the obsolete nature of a “makele-like midfielder”, at the top level in the modern game; i kind of have to also disagree on that. Granted, the rigidity of that role has now disappeared (however, the occasional likes of De-Jong and Barry do still practice the fine art with the Champions-elect when called upon) but the basic tenets of it do still remain amongst the very top sides but have evolved into a more fluid patronage! The last four sides in the CL this season, plus the World and European Champions – Spain, should hopefully provide evidence of that evolution! Germany too are now mastering this evolved state of affairs!
GNNT & Impeccable,
Couldn’t agree more with you both.
Tabs @140,
Heh! π Touche monsier! π
Ah, the usual suspects.
Someone should make a film of…
What?
Oh…
‘holic @148,
Heh! π I’m Der Kaiser Soze!
Evenin’ Guvnor!
And what a nicer one than it was yesterday too?! Sweet as…..! π
“a more fluid patronage” i’ll have one of those please barman, and a large one for my drinking chum DanC … – ’twas a fairly enjoyable exercise in exorcising the “bastard behind the eyes” i’ve had about me all day – ta.
We’re back in it and it’s a bank holiday…the pub p’raps!
Pub?
Not for us athletes
AL @151,
Heh! Heh! π Cheers matey!
Have another ready for me-ol chum AL bar-keep otherwise my size 12’s’ill be itching to park at the proverbial! π
Feck the bastard behind the eyes! COYG! I feckin’ love this club! π
Athletes, heh π
Fullers 1845 here. First of the day, but this stuff is like rocket fuel. Don’t think I will get through the gallon, nor should I try methinks…
Afternoon ‘h and returning gang members.
Heh at Keiser Soze.
I’m always in the pub, athlete? me I’m a marathon man.
Zico – 5-ASIDE!!! – after the erm, condition(!?!) i saw you in yesterdee – why that could prove to be SUICIDE!?!!? I tells yer!!!
Although I prefere a twix. π
Ahhh DanC & AL are ‘kissing & making up’ – that’s so nice to see on a Sunday where no Gooner should be pissed off at all (0;
AL,
What you saw yesterday was a training regime.
Results are going my way again, tonight’s game will be a cake-walk. 8)
I see a trend developing.
Worst Arsenal side in 15 years beats best LWC’s team in 50 years 5-2.
Worst Villa side I have ever seen holds best LWC’s team in 50 years.
Whoever is third this time next week deserves it, but will owe a great deal to their neighbours inability to hold their nerve.
H2H: I am still reading Fever Pitch. Hornby said that he so wanted to be like the tough kids from the poor neighbourhoods like Holloway & Finsbury Park – I think that he was talking about us mate – the cunt!
‘holic @154,
Heh! Lots of pride their me’ol’ chum π
H2H @155,
Heh! Though that was you with the Paula Radcliffe moment! π
GNTT @158.
Heh! With matching speedos and cream glasses! π
GT ’twas a fwank exchange of views that’s all – points were made and pints’ll now be drunk. Many of the posters i enjoy reading most on here are those that i enjoy debating with the most. Why that’s where it all began, deep in the mists of time, ‘tween me and thee GT – or have you forgotten already – you heartless brute !!!!
ta for the reciprocal DanC
imho Dr. Zee a cake and a walk might be better for your health at this point in time – jus’ sayin, as they say. It is of course none of my business…
OOH TO BE AH GOONAH!
# WTF???
1729: YELLOW CARD Manchester United – Wayne Rooney
It may surprise you to read this, but that is Wayne Rooney’s first yellow card of the season. He picks it up for a little lunge into a tackle on Leon Britton. Almost the whole season, but not quite.
Unlike you AL,
I awoke this morning without a bastard behind the eyes. Thnks to Roxette’s homing device. π
@160,
Heh! Well said ‘holic! π
GNTT @161,
Speak for yourself mate! I is nails me with my aquamarine speedos and size 12 platforms! π
“Come on then if you think you’re hard enough”! Easy there Wind – not as “hard” as you mate!
AL: Not forgotten mate! But you and Dapper DanC are my current favs (along with TABs & H2H of course) so I get kind of anxious when the tables & chairs starts getting kicked over (0;
GT @ 167 – Fair play to you fella – but be assured i’d never start a fight i didn’t think i could run away from
And Zico @ 165 – small mercies, ay?
Didn’t see those Tollie twitter pics, zico, where are they to be seen?
But yes, still doomed. I think.
And the Guvnor’s about the place with a gallon
*puts pint glass on bar* fill her up please ‘h – could yer?!??!!
Dr Zee: Please paste a link to those Tollie pics for us non-Twitterites (0;
So, the Football Gods gave us one last chance to save the season. Please do not blow this one up. Thank you Dennis.
AL, I was most disappointed that you weren’t still around when we came back to the Tollie π
On second bottle. ‘King good drop this…
Christian in London texts: “Time for Redknapp to leave Spurs. It’s been a pathetic season. Need a new manager who keeps his eye on the ball.”
…Well I hear that the cunt from Villa might be available (0;
Heh! Nice one Tel π
161, GT.
He wouldn’t have lasted 5 mins on the ‘arvest or Andover mate. π
172 Lurky
please do not blow this one up
They’re not terrorists mate, but if they manage to secure third that would be da bomb (in the vernacular of the urban yoof)
174 ‘holic.
What you sippin’?
Ollie @ 173 – if you’d SAID you were coming back i may well have made the effort to stay…as it was i drank that pint with tabs that i got you just as you were going – basking triumphantly and semi-coherently in the knowledge that once again us ‘holics had seen orf your pals over at Arseblog – then waddled orf somewhat unsteadily into the night. Unaware that yous lot had taken a timeout and gone the big cissie solids route…
Oh gawd i came over all italic – down know how that’s happened…GT @ 161 heh!
But i like it – why it feels fancyyyyyyyyyyy!
Heh AL. To be fair, we didn’t know if we would come back or go somewhere else afterwards. The Big Red had a private party so didn’t let us in.
I have to admit that eating pizza meant I didn’t feel as fucked as after the Chelsea game π
psed – all round mine for the west brom game?
Is that my fault?
I started the italic thing when I was quoting Lurky @177, since then everythings slanted.
Apologies if I banjaxed your site ‘holic.
H2H, I am drinking https://twitter.com/#!/TheGoonerholic/status/199169822410551296/photo/1
yes, like that π
6.3% good stuff.
Strongest I got behind the bar is Duval (8.5%)
Yoooou’re not italic anymore, yoooooou’re not italic anymoooooore…why i miss it already i do
Was my bad AL, won’t be doing that again in a hurry…
Or will I…?
A good day, still annoyed that if we had our act together yesterday 3rd place would already be locked up (barring a major swap in goal difference next week).
It’s been such a strange season who knows what’s next. After about 32 games I was amazed (and it was the reason why we were in 3rd) that we’d only had 4 draws all season, an incredibly low number. I’ve been saying for years that avoiding draws is key to getting up this table and you have to allow for an extra few losses each year as the price of going for it. It sounds bloody obvious of course but we’ve had seasons where we’ve lost fewer games and finished lower. Anyway, I wondered then if we were going to finish the season with 4 draws and then this recent run began. With all that said we’re due a win next week and will do so.
At the risk of sounding like a broken record – our goals against has to improve greatly next year to avoid spending 8 months scrapping for 4th place. For all the talk of flair and width, goalscorers and depth up top – I want to see a return to an Arsenal team that can defend like a top 4 side. We still attack like a title contender.
He’s italic when ‘e wants, italic wen ‘e wants – H2H – ‘e’s italic wen ‘e wants
GNNT @167, 170,
Heh! I like the cut of your jib too matey! π
Don’t worry buddy, I’m a lover not a fighter! π
Besides, that AL fella sounds kinda large like that barcode fan I see on the telly every now and then! π
Heh, the LWCs are imploding! π
What a lovely May Sunday evening this has become! π
I wish I could have sat next to Arsene on Saturday. Like every other supporter, I could have told him exactly how the game would pan out, when we were going to concede etc. Most of all the idiocy of not starting with the Ox. I must admit I thought Thursday nights were beckoning until today`s results. We have been given a reprieve. Unbelievably, it`s still in our own hands, but un fortunately, with our defence worthy of a Mack Sennett short, I cannot see us keeping a clean sheet at West Brom, however hard I try. That won`t stop me celebrating down the pub tonight though.
‘holic @184,
Nice! Must say though, currently enjoying H2H’s purveyance – the stronger continental brands! Ahhhh! That’s hittin’ the spot!
Like every other supporter, I could have told him exactly how the game would pan out
Bravo for predicting early goal, Szczesny fuck-up, last minute goals, etc.
Wow.
When I say goals I mean saves, heh
192 Biscuit.
Next time you’re off to the bookies, give me a shout mate. π
Floats an Alex Song style chipped pass over the defence.
Takes it on the chest and heads it on….
Only in your wildest dreams Danc…
a Song like cheeky wee back-heel
As he stumbles in laughter, it somehow hits appendage and passed the despairing dive of the keeper!
Heh, they all count, DanC, well done!
In utter embarrassment, he just raises a hand in acknowledgment to AL!
And Ollie for his kind words! π
“This side has real spirit and belief”!
A. N. other Song assist – well, well, well…how f-f-f-fitting!
well in danc – kinda like your style – f-f-f-fitting too
Mon Dhieu! President Bling has lost in France! π
First “Woy” for England, now this?! So many exploding heads! π
AL @204,
Song now resumes his “normal defensive duties” as the mighty Gunners defend their breakthrough! π
At the hotel now, had a rather quiet day. Played footie at the Emirates in the morning, and bloody hell that pitch is magbloodynificent! Less than 24 hours after the game and it was in near-perfect condition.
All that can be said about the game has already been said, I feel, so no point in me saying the same things all over again. But what can be said is that the Tollie was, as always, the place to go to lift the spirits! Massive thanks to all involved, I have no idea how many pints were consumed, but I know I have very sketchy memories of how I got from the Tollie down to Spitalfields… I do remember getting on a bus going in the opposite direction to where I was going, getting off at a tube station ony to find it closed, getting on another bus, finding a tube station that was open, going past Mornington Crescent (but tabs said that did not mean I won, have to trust him on that one) and then of course having more pints with Martin down at the Golden Heart!
But again, thanks everyone – a slight boilk is a cheap price to pay for such fun!
Quoting yourself Danc – that way madness may lay old chap…be careful
DanC — I disagree about Song. In addition to his assists and forward play, he helps us defensively more times than not. But I agree that he needs more defensive discipline, especially in absence of Arteta or someone like Arteta besides him who can cover for him intelligently.
Interestingly, against oppositions that are perceived to be important, he shows excellent maturity is joining the attack when he needs to without sacrificing the defensive duties. Think of the home game against Dortmund for example.
Yesterday’s lack of discipline was systemic and stems from an attitude of not taking the opposition seriously enough. Think of the Liverpool away match, after the team got the winning goal even though being the second best on the pitch, entire group of players showed intelligence and discipline to see off the remaining minutes without any panic, Arteta was already out being injured at that time.
Sagna’s unfortunate injury puts everything into perspective though; really feel bad for him as he will miss out on the Euro.
Anyway, one more chance. Surely no underestimating the WBA, consciously or subconsciously …
Juve score.
abb must be happy
And Inter score.
Not smelling good for AC Milan.
Certainly appears as if the much needed mood-uplifting was had by all (who can recall that is) at the Tollie yester-afternoon & eve! Great stuff ‘holics! π
Being a rather superstitious, yet dapper, fellow, i shall await the positive end of term report, and the engraving of yet another St Tott’s day, before making my “cherry-popping” entrance into that the most revered of quakeries! That is of course, if one’s rather bespoked attire shall be permitted by the Guvnor and the regular holic-sters?!
AL @208,
Heh! π
Dr F @209,
Interesting points and, akin to AL, I do agree on some of your points regarding Song’s merits!
Wrt complacency against the smaller teams, spot-on! Certainly more of a psychological issue rather than one of ability!
Very sad about Bacary but hopefully he won’t take as long as 4 months, on this occasion, before his crucial return to the squad. Arguably the best right-back in the EPL and one of the best in world football!
Well in for the double C Dan.
zico, is that the series of pictures you were referring to? π
http://www.flickr.com/photos/77698666@N08/7147975409/in/set-72157629612824916/
Just been doing some back drinking and found this;
on 06 May 2012 at 4:34 pm133Snir Geuli
Ok people, start confessing β Who made the Lasagne?
& approx 24 hrs earlier
on 05 May 2012 at 3:54 pm215Snir Geuli
Does anyone here know how to make a good lasagne?
====
Secret agent Snir has been busy π
All square in Milan after penalty.
Inter’s keeper tried to plasy some major mind games with Ibrahimoshit, but the big nosed one was having none of it.
Ollie @215,
Nice link! I’m sure all’ll be more euphoric in 7 days time!
Looks like the Milan derby will kick-off in the second half. Lots of winding up going on, referee as incompetent as the twat we had yesterday.
i’ve been back-drinking too – a most entertaining set as the afternoon’s events followed on from the early morning despair…
H2H i didn’t thank you for the BM, sorry ’bout that – it went down real well fella – do please have a drink on me
and psed me @ 199 was a response to DanC at 191 – but then who cares bar me and the aforementioned game fellow …
And Still Thired – who’d have thought – UREDS!
H2H – Ain’t nothing secret about me π
*whistling smiley*
219 ‘holic.
I thought they were gonna mass brawl before the HT whistle, missed the last 15 mins or so, back behind the TV now.
220 AL
You’re welcome sir and cheers.
I’m sampling a fruit beer I swiped a crate of at that expo I went to a few weeks ago;
http://www.duvelmoortgat.be/data/uploads/brands/packshots_DMC_liefmans.jpg
It’s a bit girly and a little sweet, but it’s still got 4.2% so I’m giving it a go, should be nice for the beer garden for the ladies in the summer (if the bloody sun ever decides to shine here.)
221 Snir
Heh.
222
ps, it’s from the same brewery as the Duval I mentioned earlier.
Classic beers, H2H. Proper Belgian π
abb will be happy 4-2 Inter, 2-0 Juve. Game over.
H2H!
OOOh, fetchin’ that! Think we’ll try some o’ that fruit-beer ‘omoro with the management!
Indeed Ollie, or as they say in Vlanderen, zeker weten.
It’s good stuff Dan.
All over bar the shouting in Milan, looks like the Old Lady will be champion.
Evening boys and girls
What a roller-coaster of emotions from pre-K.O. until now. This is what we all sign-up for when we tick the box that says “supporter”, right?
Yesterday was my first time in the East Stand, right next to the pitchfork and smock brigade. After listening to them for 90 odd minutes and watching one of them make a w*nker sign to a 7 year old boy who was the son of the top Gooner who had sourced me a ticket, all of my goodwill towards them vapourised. I hope we score the goal next season that sends them down. Plus the fact that one of their ‘players’ broke Sagna’s leg. GET WELL SOON BAC!
Great compnay in the Tollie as always, you know who you are, and a decent sesh in the AST Bar pre-match.
Big props to Lars for managing to play footie at The HoF today after drinking his own weight in alcohol π
I shall miss the Tollie and the regulars until next season. May get to see a few of you over the summer period.
Nothing to say about the game that hasn’t already been said. All that matters is that 3rd place is in our own hands.
PS: Edwin assures me that the HT Mk II reaches St. Tott’s Terminus next Sunday afternoon. I know Ollie will hate me for typng that but Edwin is an irrepressible optimist.
TS: I hate you π
Lars @207,
Congrats mate on the kick-about at the Grove! π
H2H @228,
Sweet! π
Ibrahimovic is a a feckin wanker and couldn’t happen to a nicer cunt! “I’ve won the league for every club i’ve played for in the past million years!” Well looks like you’re not going to do that this year are you, you fecker! π
I have to say I’m absolutely terrified by next week’s fixture.
WBA are 5th in the form table and have lost just 1 out of the last 6 at home.
It’s gonna be a battle.
To be honest, I have more faith in Fulham to pull it off against Spurs than in us to win. :\
iPod scored for Koln today, couldn’t keep them from getting relegated though.
Snir.
Aren’t they managed by the new England Boss?
We should be alright. π
DanC and AL – About your Song argument.
Please put it on hold for a week.
If Coq starts at CM next week, then I wanna see how Song plays defensively and then you can keep arguing π
I have a feeling Song would have a good defensive game with Coq as the box-to-box midfielder.
Once again, I think the reason he’s been poor defensively is because he’s been exposed to play two midfield roles (defensively) ever since Arteta got injured.
Coq would change that.
H2H, are you sure? They played yesterday, lost 4-1 and I’m seeing ‘Novakovic’ as the Cologne goalscorer….
And Fulham are managed by a fellow sp@rs pretty publicly stabbed in the back just prior to dumping him … hmmmmm
Snir @232,
Why is it I wish to pull-out a razor blade and a bottle of paracetamol tablets (actetaminophen for all the Yanks amongst you) when i read your posts?! π
Martin Jol sadly has past history when it comes to his team bottling a London derby on the last day, crying ‘food poisoning π
Ollie, I just saw it on Sport1, to be honest I was only half watching and all I really saw was a player taping the ball in, but the commentater said it was Podolski and also commented on his departure to Arsenal.
Looked like it was pretty much going off in the stadium at full time, it was full of black smoke.
food poisoning and sp@rs blowing a champs league spot on the last day of the season – why that wouldn’t just be history repeating itself…
Our Ray of Sunshine @235,
Good points regarding Coq! π
AL @233,
Exactly, and i’m hoping that the Jol-lie fellow and his lads are planning to leave the LWC’s “lap of dishonour” is a memorable one to remember on the same scale as dodgy sandwiches pre-match! π
MoTD about to start and to see Arsene’s blow-off of the BBC post-match interview. All the sweeter after the LWCs’ and Barcodes feck-ups today’s! How do you like them apples you “jug-eared, potato-chips eating cunt”!
TS- the kid you’re talking about is who I think it is?
@ 215
Yes.
And Wolfie incognito?
So, Woj to score the winner against West Brom in the 95th minute after RvP gets the equalizer in the 94th? It’s been that sort of get-out-of-gaol season.
Abb is very grateful for what transpired today. Seeing Gigi smile was such joy. How I want Woj smiling like that in our last match. Nothing sweeter than redemption. Come on Arsenal, we do believe in you! Nite all you gooners.
Comentater on MOTD.
“Sagna’s mystery injury”.
Nothing else said about it. Cunts.
Funny commercial Dapper DanC but not as funny as this: http://youtu.be/aoRD1wmvwUc
H2H @ 247 – that was beyond belief – total fukwittery on that programme’s part…
H2H @247,
My sentiments exactly and even Lee Dixon said absolutely nothing! Cant believe he’s become a feckin’ BBC whore! The anti-Arsenal xenophobia and bias is well and truly institutionalised and blatant now! End of!!! :-s
How the hell our glorious club and Arsene Wenger has achieved all that they have over the years is quite incredible when so many cunts are contriving to stop you! Feckers!
GNTT @248,
Heh! Heh! Top stuff mate! π
MotD is officially full of incompetent feck-wits!
H2H @ 222: That reminds me of the stuff we used to drink at the King’s Head with Blackcurrant in it – Black & Tan wasn’t it? Miracle I didn’t turn out to be a poof like Wolfie (0;
I remember Black and Tan GT, not my drink mate, I would down a lager and lime every now and again in The Globe though………..
When I was 12. π
Evening all. Managed to catch up on a lot of posts. My first thoughts are that this is not the time for the end of season post mortem. I am sure we all have our own opinion, but surely this has to wait until after nexy Sunday.
My view of yesterday is one of extreme disappointment. I have sat and just re watched the extended highlights from Sky. Many have commented above about not singling out individuals. I completely agree. However, I do thing the word individuals is a lot more valid. I mentioned years ago that I felt that we lacked leaders. With the absence of the likes of Arteta and Per we do not seem to have the players who lead. At times we look so disjointed it is untrue. It is almost like we are playing rush football. We gave centre halves thinking that they are strikers, full backs thinking they are wingers and central midfield players who just think they can play anywhere and be absolved of all responsibility. At times yesterday it seemed as if we were headless chickens.
Our defending was very poor but again I think this is a team problem. All too often we seem to get caught on the break. All too often I just watch players almost jogging back. If we had true motivational leaders I just don’t think that happens. Can you imagine an Adams, Keown, Vieira, Gilberto etc allowing that to happen? No nor me. I just think that is a problem that we have had for a while now and one that needs addressing. We have one game left and have to sharpen up. A week working on our organisational skills may not be time wasted.
One to go. Now go out and win it Arsenal for fucks sake.
Our kit has blue in it, not black.
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/arsenal-reveal-home-kit-for-2012/13-season
It still think it’s a bit Meh, I suppose I’ll just have to get used to it.
The tracksuit top wasn’t too shaby though.
Must say I am not sure about the new kit at all. I hope it grows on me.
For all those clicking on the link above also have a listen to the music. A really really top tune by a very underrated band. Well worth a listen.
Snir: I don’t think I really like that kit at all…)0;
Oh look mystery solved MOTD – you incompetent bunch of cunts…surely that programme is supposed to have some journalistic integrity – in spite of the smug, cosy, fake-jolly suburban golf club tone of the thing.
Anyway the Norwich player almost certainly does not let his left foot fall in the place it was naturally headed – i suspect he pushes backwards on purpose the bastard – and so did Bacary apparently. Not pleasant viewing but interesting to check-out what the BBC’s flag-ship football show didn’t deem important enough to follow up
http://youtu.be/m2MDLMWRUfY
DanC @ 166, haha you cheeky sod, no-one’s harder than me mate π Well, maybe Master Tabs 8) Wait, wait, wait.
Wolfgang Smallballs, he’s the hardest of ’em all π
N7 Gooner, And Lester, & the Goalscorer Dan C @ 197/199/198&200, take a collective bow lads π You could lead a line of attack with that fluidity and Chemistry π
Lars @ 207, heh π
H2H @ 236, π quality.
G(NT)T @ 248, brutal π
DanC @ 250, I’m inclined to agree with you, pretty poor from Dixon, was more concerned with plugging his Bike Ride for Charity than the actual football involving his old team π
Snir @ 255, its a great team video and I’m liking the kit more and more, Charcoal collar, Blue Hoops, at least they aren’t black like I had thought after the Norwich weekend game, initial images made it look like a Man Utd kit, I may just go out on a limb and buy the full kit for the 1st time, I like it and I need a normalish one similar to 2010-2011s, this one does it for me π
AL @ 259, agreed.
I have to say, I love the fact that they put the WM on the back and the fact that the blue is a homage to the blue socks we had in the 30’s.
watching it again trying to go frame by frame on me apple – in all honesty i can’t be anything like sure of intent etc – only the Naaaarrrrich lad can know that for certain what happened there…but in the absence of MOTD using their much more sophisticated machinery to explore the thing i’ll go along with what Bacary said as he clearly got too good a look at the incident – the poor sod
oops – scrap that “that”
and poor “lad” sounds more decent under the circs
AL. it is indeed hard to tell, there’s no way that I can say for sure that it was intentional. MOTD are still cunts though.
Night all.
I do not like the hoops on the sleeves and the stockings at all!!!
Looks like some tit-tat designed by Tommy Hilfiger!
Not classy or stylish enough for our cultured club that prides itself in its quality of presentation! Imagine Robin picking-up 4 trophies next season in that regalia?! :-/ With all that said, i’m sure my little boy’ll be wanting one!
Pure white sleeves and stockings would’ve been perfect!
Quite liked last seasons home and away kits – superb in its simplicity!
Steve T,
Nice track!
AL @259,
It was as disgraceful as it was shocking in its incompetence! How does a young footballer break his leg, again, in the process of controlling a routine ball without even questioning why that happened? Duh!
If it had been Wayne Rooney or Joe Hart, the entire programme and beyond would have been dedicated to it! Feckin’ cunts!!!
Too true H2H – for surely it’s part of their remit to take a good look at such controversial/important incidents, pay back time cos Arsene refused an interview? Nah. can’t imagine TV types would work to such petty agendas and clearly they have too much respect for Arsenal and AW to…oh, no they don’t particularly do they, do they??? – Anyway an abrogation of their responsibilities re the game IMHO!!! – Double cunts. FACT!
Wind @260,
Good to have your “hardness” in the bar buddy! π
Not too sure about your taste in attire though?! Charcoal collar?! Blue hoops?! Ahem, if you weren’t so hard i’d question you more candidly!
AL @262 & H2H @264,
Regardless of whether the Norwich player meant it or not (and no one ever admits that they ever do anyway – unless you’re Roy Keane of course) MotD should’ve at-least explored and discussed it further! Aren’t footballers, even those that have retired, supposed to analyse and highlight such events when one of their own gets badly injured?! They didn’t even mentioned that his leg was broken, yet again, and that it was the very same one as before!
too true DanC re the Rooney e.g.
And that kit – i’m almost pissed of with myself as i say this – cos i want to like it – but we’re red and white. Our shirt is one of the most recognisable in world sport…what are these cunts playing at – leave the thing moreorless alone you fucking vacuous snake-oil selling nit-wits
On a lighter note – i must knock chocolate and other fattening foods on the head. Night all. Still thired. Phew!
that’ll be “pissed off” right, now to erm – piss-off
“the playing kit features a blue hoop detail inspired by the home kit socks worn in the 1930s under legendary manager Herbert Chapman.”
Jesus, that’s really scraping the barrel, whatever next?
“the kit features a blue hoop detail inspired by the December day Gus Caesar’s arse got frozen to the bench at Roker Park”
AL @268, 268,
“Vacuous snake-oil selling nitwits” Heh! π
The “bastard behind the eyes” is well and truly bring exorcised! π
A wee dram of your finest please bar-keep for all of the remaining reprobates in thanks for what has transpired to be a fortunate penultimate weekend! Salut one and all and I bid you good night! π
Unhappy @270,
Heh! π
GT@252: that was rum and black. Turns you northern. Black and tan is Guinness and bitter. Nectar of the Irish gods. RamRod and Spech is the nectar of the London gods.
H2H: Lager top? No. no. Sherry top. Now there was a drink.
AL@262: I also looked at it frame by frame. It is hard to tell exactly what happened, but the Norwich No 4 clearly intended to clatter into Sagna. Not sure the trailing kick was deliberate, but not sure it wasn’t either.
Various above: MotD stopped being a journalistic programme years ago, as has much TV coverage of the game. It is now all about entertainment and ginning up faux controversy.
That was close today.
I must so though, M’villa is under a lot of pressure for a 23 year old.
DanC @ 267, you can’t complain that much, the video was funny, especially the end and blue hoop aside, its similar to a standard Red & White Arsenal Kit, at least the sleeves are in a horizontal format like 2010/2011s kit, although I have to admit I’ve always been attracted to our kits that stray from the normal template more, dunno why… π
Personally,
I think that strip is……
Horrific.
Really? Again. I much prefer this shirt to the one of 1992 in fact.
It looks nice. What really bothers me though is the collar. Same thing with a white collar would have been just nice despite the unnecessary blue band on the sleeves.
Blue collar is just silly: collar has to be white. Although I know we did have kits when the collar was only red or with red&white strips, but full blue seems rather wrong.
Sleeves remind me of the Dutch flag ??
Out all day yesterday from early to late indulging one of my other hobbies. Heard the footie scores on the car radio on the way home. “Lucky Arsenal!” Our future is once again in our own hands.
Quote from previous post, “Is Wenger really trying to prove some financial point here (a 7 year long experimentβ¦), or is he being held back by the boardβs spending policy.” Who is the highest paid manager in the EPL? Answer; Arsene Wenger! on only about Β£7.5M per year! Wry smile crosses lips.
The arsenal kit’s sleeves should not be tampered with. They are consecrated as far as i am concerned.
Fugly shirts them.
Potsticker: indeed: clever ploy in the RvP negociations.
Apparently, we have not won a league game all season without Arteta in the side.
Sobering thought for next weekend.
@283: Heh π
I saw the early photos of the kit that were released onto the interwebs and decided that this kit would not be purchased by me.
I still haven’t changed my mind, but I will say that it looks better when it’s worn by the actual players…
As someone said on some Arsenal forum or the other, if we win something in this kit people will probably still buy it π
Oh and fuck MOTD and that big-eared cunt Lineker.
I’m off to get a cheeky Monday drink
Ned @ 275 If what you say is true, and that is how those that produce the programme decide on its content – then surely an incident where a top player, from a top club had his leg broken in what may have been a sly stamping, would have been deemed worthy of following up. I find the whole thing a bit mystifying – in part because i think there is some truth in what you say.
I suspect – if asked – the programme makers would blame a lack of time…but i still can’t help thinking it was too important an incident – by whatever criteria you judge it – to gloss over (Trevvvv!) in the way that they did – showing a brief, replayed clip that seemed to imply that our boys leg popped when he stood up to trap a loose ball. And i don’t think i’m being particularly red-tinted (with wholly unnecessary and tasteless blue bits included) about it.
Anyway – get well and come back soon Bac,
Still Thired!
UREDS! (still)
Steve T, nearly happened this weekend, but the next one will be the perfect opportunity to put that annoying stat to rest. At last.
*touches wood*
And on the Artetetetetetetaaaaaaaaa front – i’d like to put it on record that if there’s a body part the club/player needs someone to donate to get the wee midfield maestro back on the pitch – then i’ll be more than happy to donate it (except for that part, obviously) for the cause. Though there’s an athlete i know who gets on here, whose parts are probably more in tune with those of a top-class footballer than mine.
Still, Still Thired!
Still, Still Red!
Ollie @ 279 – did you lose the argument with your self there???
Parts are staying where they are.
All of ’em.
Try Drs T and C – they’ll have bits lying around everywhere.
Morning all.
My mission today – Try to find something to like about our new shirts and try to understand why MOTD can’t be bothered to cover incidents properly. (behalf from the obvious fact that they are cunts)
I see a Tom Cruise production in there somewhere.
New kit ? We’ll look like a bunch of liquorice Allsorts !
tabs @ 292 – nailed it!
Now that’s proper negative, tabs.
Still, the ‘liar, liar’ chant is picking up in the Tollie so there is hope π
Bertie Bassett is a gooonah, Bertie Bassett is a gooonah…
heh AL
Heh AL , Ollie , great to see you guys on saturday and the rest of the gang .
Still laughing here after yesterday , though if I’m honest , still hugely doubtful we’ll get the needed result at W.Brom .
On a more positive note , the new tracksuit top is awesome .
Arsenal Allsorts.
I like it.
And Lo the team is rebranded for next season with all of the commercial opportunities that presents.
Actually I think the old boys will love the socks. Sadly the collar and sleeves on that shirt…
Tabs, at least we’ll still look better then the Chav’s as Clitorus Allsorts aka a bunch of cunts.
Nailed it, ‘holic.
Will this be an assist or a goal?
Dribbles
*celebrates speculative effort going in*
Well in Ollie.
*hands AL a napkin*
Played Ollie! Damn didn’t score, would have been an opp. to run to the crowd, take me new blue hooped Arse shirt off and throw it away into the celebrating throng – though i suspect they’d have thrown it back.
Thanks folks.
Too kind Ollie – *hands Ollie his shirt, plus 20 quid, in exchange*
A marketing opportunity indeed Holic π
“One too many and you might turn Bertie !”
Arsene as Bertie Mee in the following ….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gA2yEvWgdWA&feature=related
Heh H2H π
Well in Ollie . Btw I was secretly rather humbled at the reception “Liar Liar” got in the Tollie on sat , not to mention the Let it Be Podolski song π
Mental strength aplenty there Ollie π
Quality TaBS.
My best commercial brains are on it already.
Mee Bertie, no – Mee Bertie, Mee Bertie too, Mee and my wife are both Bertie, I’m Bertie – mee…
re 311 – please remember it takes allsorts to make a somethinng or the other (ifankyou!!)
π
Heh AL
@ 311
Barking. π
You were correct last night Ollie, iPod did not score for Cologne, I just saw it again and the commentater says it’s Poldi, but is obviously mistaken.
AL @288
You may want to rethink the exemption you made to which body parts you’d donate to Artetatatata – have you seen his wife??
Guys… have a look at this foul by ex Spud Zokora…. it’s fantastic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=AAQQ3BqI1sY
Apparently there was a bit of previous between them. You’d never have guessed!! π
…. and here’s the reason for the foul.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17784555
I feel justice has been done!! π
Dr C
It’s from the new Uefa “Kick Racism in the Balls” scheme.
I hope Anton Ferdinand was taking notes.
H2H π
http://www.football365.com/news/21554/7735276/Terry-And-Lampard-Plan-To-Lift-CL-Trophy-Together
Plan, plan, plan all you fucking want. Let’s really hope you can still be thinking about it when Lahm lifts the trophy.
A profound thought from Beijing, Holics:
1. Liverpool had their Cup Final at Wembley
2. Chelski their’s at Wembley and Munich
3. Manure didn’t have one at all – club in crisis?
And ours?
4. West Bromwich, of-course.
Profound? I think I’ve been spending too much time in the company of TaBS.
CG @ 317 – i was careful not to stipulate any particular part – you know – wiggle room and that…
Heh H2H @ 320
Ollie. Here’s hoping that the only thing JT will be lifting in Munich is Fat Frank’s girlfriends skirt.
Komm Bayern.
New kit special >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Excellent review as ever.
We are still a complacent team who underestimates weaker opposition.
Yossi was ambling back when Norwich’s right back was bombing down the wing for their first goal.
Song and Ramsey were doing their best Denilson impressions too.
Gibbs didn’t do enough to pressurise Holt for the second goal and Vermaelen seems to have a lot of credit in the bank, because he has been inconsistent of late.
Back to Song. Had we had a less injury ravaged squad with genuine competition for midfield places, Wenger would have had the luxury of resting him for a few games. He is a big unit who probably has spent too much time doing weights in the gym and has lost speed / acceleration as a result. He doesn’t seem to gel well with Ramsey and there were times on Saturday when neither were making themselves available to receive ball from the defence.
SzczΔsny had a stinker too. Another player who doesn’t have to fight to keep his place.
A good (not even great) team would not have got themselves into such a mess and, after turning it around, sabotaged a win.
There is still something brittle about this squad, which Wenger has still not yet addressed
Okay, the kit video actually made me laugh, it is good to see lads having such lighthearted fun and my god Wojciech is just so damn funny π I really did burst out laughing when he hits Arsenes car and did that “little boy caught doing mischief” kind of runaway.
As for the actual kits, they are terribad, I agree that they look better when actually worn by players but still…meh, the stripes are awful. I wonder what Nike will come up with on away kit (and I am one of those who like this years one..I even own long sleeved one with RvP on its back), but I am kind of afraid it will not be much better.
Regarding the game, Saturday was day of me being really angry fan since after I watched the game I went to pub with friend to watch our national ice hockey tean play Sweden on world championship which didnt end too well.
Anyways we are surely lucky that third is still in our very own hands and I really hope that lads will be focused enough to not screw this chance. I would personally love seeing Ox starting instead of Ramsey, I do like the lad but he seems to be out of place lately and I somehow have the gut feeling that having he would gel with Song better than Aaron. Then yet again, Song would have to stick much more to his defensive role since both Ox and Tomas are having intense forward drive and we have seen what happens when back four is not protected.
Also I am quite torn about Marouanne now,I really liked him when he was in Bordeaux and yes, he has had terrible time this season given RvPs awesome run of form, but late cameos shown that he still might be worth something when used right. However I think he will be one of those going on loan at least, he deserves regular first team action and with Poldi coming in, I sort of cant see him high in pecking order for our attack.
[…] bench he will be in an Arsenal squad for the first time since Bradley Johnson broke his leg in the Grove fixture last season. The shame of that incident was that it soured a very impressive performance by the visitors. Have […]