Belief Growing As Arsenal Just Held At City
Sep 24th, 2012 by 'holic
A strange day for all kinds of reasons. I have to say from the hotel where I was imprisoned by foul weather that news of the skipper’s absence was not well received. That was nothing to do with the quality of his replacement, our best defender last season, but more the scramble to repunt the ‘holic pound. Still confident I piled on Arsenal to win at 4/1.
The release of the team selection at around three also prompted a sigh from your blogger. Aaron Ramsey on the right ahead of the Ox? Surely not. If any reason were needed why Arsene is worth his weight in gold while some bloggers bemoan his reward, this was one such instance. Ramsey was outstanding, and supported superbly on the right flank by the improving Carl Jenkinson.
On a surprisingly constant stream the iPad displayed an Arsenal side playing with confidence, almost a swagger even, at the home of the reigning champions. On another day we might have had a nice cushion before City, against the run of play, found themselves ahead.
That we didn’t obviously owed much to Gervinho, a better first touch away from a fifteenth minute opener. He is the marmite figure of the moment, a point demonstrated when Lukas Podolski squandered a wonderful Jenkinson set-up. It was the Ivorian who copped most of the flack on social media sites when we turned around a goal down. The rest was reserved for Vito Mannone, not commanding I will accept when Lescott headed home at the far post, but hampered at the very least by Yaya Toure jumping at him.
The opening period of the second-half served as a reminder that we were playing a side that lifted the Premiership trophy that was once the preserve of their neighbours and ourselves. This was City’s best spell by far, but we showed resilience, and the central defenders were outstanding as we stood up to the challenge before once again assuming control of the ball for long spells.
Gervinho refused to hide and remained a frustrating figure, unable to provide the one finish that would have been a just reward for his efforts. Santi Cazorla was denied by a less than convincing stop from the England ‘keeper, and then Laurent Koscielny popped up with the goal I had predicted from the man he replaced.
The mass pile-up that celebrated the equaliser in front of the awesome travelling support speaks volumes of the spirit of this squad. It also provided a powerful comment on where we see ourselves in the greater scheme of things right now.
I urged last week that we review where we are only after the consecutive Premiership fixtures against City and Chelsea. That remains sensible given I genuinely believe we may be facing a stronger opponent next week than this. I have to confess however to feeling much more convinced of our ability to challenge for the big prizes this season, right now.
We will know more next week, but with the return of a couple of key players on the horizon, and with us coping so well today with our squad strength being tested, I think the more upbeat mood among sections of the support is not unjustified.
We do have to start winning games like today when we enjoy the lions share of the possession, but all that stands between us and that aim is the confidence in front of goal that will surely come soon. Won’t it?
324 Responses to “Belief Growing As Arsenal Just Held At City”
Played ‘holic – one all to The Arsenal – i reckon.
A nightcap? Oh go on then!
Evening AL. I have a reason to be up at this late hour. You? 😉
…and Mr TaBS 🙂
Played AL, one-all indeed.
‘Holic, you’re right. We need to start winning more games by being more clinical in front of goal. As encouraging as the start to the season has been, we’ve dropped 6 points in 5 games and drawn more than we’ve won. We’ve got the talent, time to prove we’ve got the goals and the squad to match.
Good stuff Holic.
Agree completely on Ramsey. Absolutely outstanding. Bfg my MoM, but Ramsey Jenks and Kos not far behind.
Well in AL.
…and TS. Now where is zico?
Still buzzed up and basking ‘h …
Haha, why is everyone up?
I’m suffering from nicotine deficiency but what is everybody else’s excuse? 🙂
Lagavulin 😉
🙂
You too ‘h …
Hmm. The title is a little misleading because it was not as if we dominated play. Possession yes. Clear cut chances. No.
But a point at etihad is quite a statement of intent.
Hats off to the entire team.. Everyone played their part.
And tabs off the, err tabs. Well done Sir! (Darn, who’ll i ponce orf now when i’ve had one too many under a brollie in the tollie post match now.)
Before the match I was thinking if we could get a point and get out of there then we would have “won” the day. Really proud of the boys as they really fought hard. It could of gone either way but I’ll take the point. The boys know they can play with anyone in the Prem now. Probably thought that prior to the game but it’s the results that count.
I don’t know what to think of the man vs. zone marking debate. We played zone, they scored, they played man, we scored.
Really like how we are getting back and defending, seems to be much more of a focus on that this year….or perhaps the deadwood has gone and we now have players that can play from end line to end line.
Next saturday still a long way away AL. Much can change 🙂
Can’t sleep, watching Green Wing on 4OD on YouTube and there are new drinks… I have an important question.
Has anyone tried Sopcast for Mac?
Fraid not Nonny.
Green Wing is good though 🙂
And on that note I shall bid you all a good night.
I freely admit that when Kozzer’s shot whistled past Joe Hart and into the net, I squealed like a delighted little girl getting her first Barbie doll. Hell, I had no idea my voice could go so many octaves higher than its normal Barry White-esqueness.
Fully deserved the point, would have had all 3 had Gerv not gone out for a few croissants and forgotten his shooting boots at the team hotel in Montpellier.
Still, it’s a good result and we can look forward to the weekend with keen anticipation.
nonny, i tried it, and took it off. At rest it served 65 GB of data in 18 hours over my home connection. it also used my application support folder as storage of all sorts.
well in, holic, and again to the lads.
keep at it, tabs. i quit 8 years ago, my son told me he didn’t want me to die of cancer…
Tabs off to bed already? And here I were, hoping for an 80-pass move to the Century 😀
another thought: 1/8 through, if we keep this defensive pace it will mean 16ish goals against…can i get a witness?
This team can win the league assuming somebody starts converting those chances Gerv is missing. Would have been nice to get Mirallas to agree to play second fiddle, but he didn’t want competition sadly. Another rotation friendly striker signing in January, especially if Walcott is sold, would be ideal. Demba Ba for £7.5m anyone? What’s the worst that could happen?……
Jenkinson continues to impress – so good to have several proper Gooners in the squad and i believe his crossing from open play is second to none squadwise (likely i’ll get slated for that view, but there you go). Working on the defensive side of his game is a positive step and i’m comfortable that in 2 years+ he will be ready to take over fully.
For the first time in a long time, our central defensive options are phenomenal. I’d comfortably say we have the best trio in the league, ahead of Chelsea, United and City.
Exciting times ahead and the sale of Alex Song looks FULLY justified now i believe, especially if his eyes were wandering as was rumoured. If you imagine that we have Sagna, Wilshere and Rosicky to come back it’s scary. People overlook that the first 3 months of the season are very tough indeed with us playing most of the difficult away games the season has to offer in that period. If we are 3rd or better come Christmas, you can take it to the bank that this will be a serious title challenging year, as almost everybody has to come to us after that.
That team spirit you saw in the celebration comes from having a squad made up almost completely of players who WANT to be at the club and how Wenger fosters it despite selling key players is absolutely beyond me. I suspect not having flaky wantaway selfish personalities like Adebayor, Gallas, Nasri, Hleb, Song and Bendtner in the team has something to do with it…..COYG!
Very good game. Jenks played well.
Too few crosses once the Big Frenchie entered the game.
Excellent performance
A very decent result against the champions.
Excellent defensive works by Mert & Kos – Mert wonderful reading of the game and Kos for his attitude and goal. Jen and Gibbs did very well too.
The only thing that can be picked on is AW’s reluctance to change the game with substitution fast enough. Makes me think its kinda like his match-superstition thingy that changes are made with only 15mins left…
I thought Diaby got worn out towards the end of match and perhaps putting on Chamberlain in to run unpredictably at them would be more of a threat to City. Or put in Coquelin to pair our 2 Spaniards further up might open the doors.
Overall, a very impressive collective effort. The goal celebration spoke volumes about the team spirit and how much we wanted it together.
Keep up the spirit boys!
Was able to catch the second half in the replay this evening while here at work. Even though I knew that Kos scored to tie the game I still got goosebumps and screamed out loud while watching the team celebrate and the away fans go crazy. It was awesome even on a replay!
Allo ‘Holics,
After so long away, I almost am loathe to bring this up. Almost. So I was replaying a Tuesday Club from the start of the season, and a point Alan Davies made has me worried.
So what is the team/management gonna say if, come the end of the season, we find our selves looking up at ManUre by a margin of 3 points or less? By selling that Dutch Bloke to our rivals for $24mil, instead of putting him on the shelf, we given the dirty bastards the one player who has saved their bacon.
But for that Dutch Bloke’s scoring, Manure would have dropped 3 games already. Given the way we’re handling Fee-O, it’s disingenuous to say we have no choice to sell a player who refuses to sign a contract.
Now, I’m not saying that Dutch Bloke would not have been a negative influence in the dressing room, but, truth-be-told, given his productivity, I would rather the team have paid that Dutch Bloke his salary to not play and eschew $24mil and let him leave on a free than to sell him to an English team.
I hope this doesn’t come and bite us in the arse.
BMBD.
I said in my last set of drinks that I will not single out anyone, since the whole team did the red and white (and blue hoops!) jersey proud. Well then, I’ll just say something nice about each and everyone since they deserve it.
Don Vito – third choice GK that makes missing SCZC forgettable at times. Made a number of excellent stops, the Kompany bicycle kick comes to mind. Words blaming him for City’s opener are a little harsh. Should be proud of his valiant performance nevertheless.
Jenks – Jinks past City players like they don’t exist at times. But for Poldi’s effort going well above the bar, Lescott would have had nightmares about him. Sinclair had an ineffectual game, comfortably kept quiet by Jenks. Embarassed Javi Garcia near the end of the game, showing him a clean set of heels before being brought down. Tireless performance, solid defensively, brilliant going forward. Will give AW something to think about come Sagna’s comeback.
Gibbs – growing more confident by each game. Made a very good block in the first half as far as I can remember. When was the last time he played six games in a row for us? Much better now than last year in timing his forward runs and keeping the balance between attqcking and defending.
Per – earned the mythical nickname Merteceptor for a reason last night. Outstanding game for him. Countlessly intercepted passes as the last man, slowed the tempo of the game at the right moments, and commanded the backline well with TV out. Always the coolest head in the pitch, it’s hard to imagine playing without him now… Take a bow Merteceptor.
Kozzer – bossed the defence in his first start this season, and picked up where he left off from last campaign. Remember his goal against West Brom? Defensively superb against probably the most fearsome attacking line in the PL. His superbly struck equalizer gave me a bruised knee after I spontaneously jumped and slid in front of the telly to celebrate his goal. Has an immense presence not unlike TV. Great to see him back.
Arteta – had a big job to do last night, and did it with aplomb. Oozes class, and does the dirty work effortlessly and with so much grace. Has there ever been a more graceful DM? Fantastic to see him with the armband, a very able deputy to pur TV. Will be a little disappointed at a couple of misplaced passes in the second half, if only because he set the standards so high by himself. Mr. Reliable.
Ramsey – earned his first start in such a big game, and more than lived up to the occasion. Linked the midfield well, showed match sharpness and blistering change of pace. Looked comfortable out right as well. He was still going strong at the end of the game, even after it seemed like he did so much work for one game. Indefatigueable. AW will be proud of his performance, and so should us Gooners.
Diaby – looked committed to showing his ability against worthy opposition. Had a bery interesting battle against Toure and co in midfield. Was quite superb in the first half, but looked a little jaded in the second half, understandably. With more games he can only get better. A scary thought for oppositions, that.
Cazorla – a joy to have wearing the Arsenal shirt. Always looking for the ball, never short of ideas, and a nightmare to mark for City defenders. Was so good that the one overhit pass to Jenks in the second half stood out like a sore toe. Always smiling during the game, it looks like he is very much enjoying himself. And why shouldn’t you, when you’re this good…
Poldi – had one chance on his weaker foot, smashed it over the bar. Had a relatively quiet game on the left, but did nothing wrong. Interchanged positions effortlessly to the middle at times, and always looked to release Gibbs out wide. I think his great sense of positioning and willingness to defend provides the foundations for Gibbs to flourish. Looked very comfortable on the counter as well, as Arsenal threatened to score numerous times during the first half.
Gerv – must have struck a nerve for many Arsenal supporters. Sublimely released by Ramsey, only to touch the ball like he was putting a golf ball to Joe Hart. Always willing to run at defenders, and looked like he was very much up for it. Unfortunately, he knows he should do much better with the opportunities he had. Finishing was rather wasteful, and his decision making is very questionable at times. Showed enough raw skill at the very least, though. Could, and definitely should perform better in the future. Will be lucky to avoid the wrath of Bouldy come post match analysis.
Theo – first touch was still worrying, but looked positive going forward and running at defenders. After seeing the team strive without him playing, will he realize that Arsenal should not be held ransom over his contract? There’s still a place in the squad for him if he buckles down, works hard, and sign the contract.
Giroud – was a breath of fresh air when he was introduced. Linked up plays very well as the targetman, he enjoys being the pivot of our attack. Enabled the option of a long ball from defence, winning headers gallantly and always looking to knock it down to dangerous positions. He has so much to offer to this team, and did not look a single bit out of place against the best defence in the PL last season. Looking forward to see him get more game time for us.
Arsene – knows best. He puts so much trust in his squad, it was nice to see them give something back to cheer about. You could see this game matterred much to Arsene. Well done Le Boss. CapitalOne Cup game to fiddle with his youngsters, and then the London derby against Chelsea at the Ems. Arsene still knows best, so there’s nothing to worry about.
MOTM? The Arsenal.
Cazorla worth the price of admission all by himself.
TS – While we drew more than we won, we have to remember that we have already played three of the five toughest away fixtures in the PL (Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge) at City, Stoke, and Liverpool.
We are definitely in with a shout, and I am extremely confident we’ll be challenging and I’m backing us to win it.
A lot of great drinks in the bar and I agree with most of what’s said. A great point was earned, should’ve and could’ve been three but that’s football. I have to admit drinking to excess blurred my ability to analyze what I saw last night but I remember being greatly annoyed to concede to City. Also remember being very upset at seeing a closeup of Lescunt’s face. Almost brought back up my Zubrowka. Pleased to see the Koscielny equalizer and the celebration was heartwarming.
On paper, all of the next few fixtures (Chelski, West Ham, Norwich, QPR, Manure, Fulham and the LWCs) seem quite challenging but I’m still quietly confident in our platoon of red and white commandos. I’m happy to see what they are capable of over the next few weeks and backing them to do well. Results notwithstanding, the most enjoyable thing about Arsenal 2012 is being able to see that everyone wants to be there. Makes a huge difference as a fan to see that.
Coventry up next, no rest for the wicked…
I wonder if we’ll see our Conor Henderson play against us? Loanees are allowed to play against their home club in cups right?
And who will be in goal? Martinez or Shea?
Btw, not sure if anyone noticed but Park has just become the first Korean to score in Spain…
http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2012/09/24/2012092400806.html?
I wonder what really happened with that signing? Seemed like it was forced upon Arsene. Anyway, hope he does well over there.
Gervinho oh Gervinho. On the tele they said the way he has played so far is the form Gooners anywhere have hoped for yet have not gotten. It would be easy to pile on right now and I want to but he did not give up and kept making a menace of himself. I wonder what Arsene will do with him next week. All this being said, he should not have missed the plays he missed and I expected more considering his start. Thanks again Holic for your words.
Nice review ‘Holic – I expect you will wake up with the flavour of peat from such late partaking of Lagavulin.
Excellent team performance with special plaudits to Jenks, Kos, Mert, Gibbs, Mikel and Rambo and routine veneration of Santi.
Criticism of Gerv is too strong – he should have scored 2 goals, sure; but he never hid and worked his socks off. He’ll find his scoring boots again. Criticism of Vito is wrong. He is growing into a top keeper.
The answer to your final question? Olivier Giroud.
COYRs. Bucks Fizz on the bar this morning – yours Holic, has a wee tot of Laavulin in it.
Cheers for that mate. We were by far the better team. Bodes well for rest of season if we kep it up.
@ 7
Trust me to miss a lock-in. 🙁
Still happy with a point.
Lonestar @ 27 – the problem is, if we’d kept him as Davies advocated, then the 10 man dog-pile you witnessed after yesterday’s equaliser arguably doesn’t happen.
Disgruntled, disenfranchised players, especially senior pros need to be removed or the effects are cancerous. That, I believe would be Arsene’s thinking.
Anyone else who doesn’t want to be there can do one as well. (That’s my thinking, not Arsene’s) 😉
Excellent performance by all of the team without exception.
Hopefully someone will speak to Gerv about passing the ball into the net a la Bob rather than taking a lash and more often than not missing.
Finally props to Jenks and Ramsay – for me their best performances for the club that I have seen.
Scuz @20 – Thanks for the info, I’ll stick to browser streams then 🙁
Morning holics,i’m absolutely buzzing,the boys did us proud yesterday. I always love it we have so many candidates for MOTM. Yesterday showed me their is a very little margin between winning,drawing and losing a game. Bring on Chelsea.
Didn’t see the game but from everything I’m reading I’m glad to see Mankini is still shit scared of us. And maybe his players too?
Verry good win gays!
-win
+draw
Quick stop for a drink…
Lonestar, I understand where Davies is coming from with his thinking, but he makes the same mistake everyone does in just deducting RvP’s 30 goals for us last season and saying “ok, Arsenal are going to score 30 fewer goals”. Yes, RvP scored the winner yesterday but it was a penalty that he had no part whatsoever in winning them. Also, there are no guarantees that they wouldn’t have won those games anyway. Maybe they would have bought someone else? Maybe Welbeck would have scored as many with as much playing time? Etc etc. Fact of the matter is that RvP has mostly been useless apart from when he scored that hat trick v Southampton, it’s a long season and if he keeps being as shit as he was yesterday and on Wednesday he won’t be scoring many goals at all because he’ll be on the bench.
Derrick: the save from Kompany’s bicycle kick was a good stop, not a good save if you catch my drift. He pushed the rebound straight into the middle (had any City player been there it would have been an easy goal), something he does far too often. He did the same with the Aguero shot in the first half for example, this is an area where Szczesny (and Fabianski, for that matter) is miles ahead of Mannone.
Right, busy day today, better get going again.
Lonestar the moment the “dead to me star” released his statement I wanted him gone, something about a rotten apple spoiling the other lot and all.
Derrick @ 28 fantastic summary.
Something else I noticed when Giroud wasnt playing, all our long goal kicks were going to waste, I’d suggest playing it short from the defence if he is not playing and reverting to the long goal kicks when he is playing as he is a monster and always wins his duels or makes it impossible for those covering him to reach the ball and it ends up to one of our players.
I know it was a draw but it felt like a win to me, I watched the chavs on Saturday and I am confident we can get a win against them but first things first, we have a curling cup game to win first.
Morning ‘Holic & ‘Holics.
zico @ #36 – NOT fuelled by Lagavulin and aware of the diminishing hours of sleep available to me, I passed out mid lock-in thinking Holic, AL, Nonny & tabs would carouse until the early hours. It didn’t transpire so, fret ye not. You didn’t miss a ‘heavy’ session but I’m confident you’ll make up for that in a bar in N5 soon 😎
Snir @ #30 – Yes, fully aware of that sir. However, taking the rose-tinteds off for a minute, the reality of yesterday is that if a certain Ivorian (or German) had taken their chances then we would have secured a memorable win as opposed to a memorable draw. Also, there really are no easy games away any more. In fact, Stoke and Liverpool were about as easy a ride as we’re likley to get away for a while me thinks. I’m with you re: Manure. That’s the one away fixture that will tell me how far we’ve really progressed since last year. Then again, the fact that I’m whingeing that we didn’t win yesterday also speaks volumes.
Lars @ #42 – Spot on re: Davies (it’s a deeply flawed argument) and Don Vito (that’s why he’s No.3, in theory).
bath @ #34 – I’m convinced Giroud will become a key player for us as the season moves on. If he can’t score on Saturday then perhaps he could flatten JT and help him to pre-announce an end to his domestic career to match the demise of his international one?
UTA and good weeks to one and all.
Morning Holics
I have to admit that I viewed the match after spending 2 hours drinking Abbott at my local, so my recollections may be somewhat clouded.
I was surprised we played Rambo out wide and didn’t start with Giroud. However. we outplayed Citi in the first half, should have put away 3 good chances and fell foul to an avoidable set-piece goal.
We were so in control of the proceedings that Mancini bolstered his midfield for the second half and we were put on the defensive for 20mins or so. During this time Diaby became less effective and tired He should have been subbed earlier. Our play picked up on the introduction of Giroud, it gave Kompany and Co something different to think about and with the move of Rambo to the centre.
Hart had only the one save to make in the second half, from a rasping drive from Cathorla .This resulted in the corner which brought our equaliser from a very fine effort from Kos ,as he lost his balance.
Both sides had really good chances to win the game, theirs better than ours, Aguero missing a sitter and Gerv blasting over the bar. I suppose a draw was a fair result BUT we could and maybe should have won the game in the first half when we were well on top and when Gerv and Podolski missed good chances.
On the positive side, Mert and Kos were both excellent and young Cpl Jenks was full of running for the whole 90mins and looks the part at RB. Ramsey had another impressive game and together with Arteta gave nothing away in midfield.
It was up front where we let ourselves down. Podolski and Gerv had left their shooting boots at the Ems and Cathorla couldn’t use his skills to the same extent as in previous games this season. We were up against much stronger opposition than of late and apart from our woeful finishing, Kos excluded, we gave a very good account of ourselves, which bodes well for the future.
Hopefully, I will be able to find a decent stream for the Cup match this week, as am looking forward to seeing some of our kids do their stuff.
As always COYRs
Is Wind around?
He seems very active in this part of the world.
If I had an umbrella, I would probably be flying.
Hola Holics,
Cheers Scruz @20.
The Law @21 – I’m ready for the century when you are ! 🙂
Arsenaldna @23 – Like you, I’d take Demba Ba for £7.5m, but I think if AW was interested it would already have happened. I’m surprised that no one has activated that release clause – you’d think Tottenham, Liverpool and even Chelsea would be interested – perhaps there is more to his underlying injury condition than is publicly known? I would also add that judging from the recent comments of his agent, Mr Ba would not take kindly to being rotated.
Lonestar @27 It’s a fair point but I don’t think the issues can be reduced so simplistically like that. Are we better or worse without a disgruntled Van Persie? Did we have any options to sell anywhere else? Would we have bought the marvellous Cazorla without the assurance of VP sale monies? I don’t pretend to know the answers but nor should Alan Davies. I can’t take anything Alan Davies says seriously these days. If he wants to play the screaming buffoon, then I’m afraid I’ll treat him like one.
Ah, upon further reading, I see I agree with Dr Z @36 and Lars @42 (what a surprise! 🙂 ) , who both expressed the point far better than me.
Derrick @29 Epic post, agreed with it all, though I am one of those who is prepared to be harsh on Vito. I know I shouldn’t be, but i thought he was massively at fault for the goal (as Schez was last week admittedly), and he still gives me the raging collywobbles (which Schez doesn’t and never has).
Bath, I have to disagree on the aforementioned Vito. I don’t think he’ll ever be a top keeper, but I will obviously be ecstatic to be proved wrong. Cheers for the Bucks Fizz Sir, just the ticket. 😉
TS @44 Yep, fraid I crashed soon after the Barman shouted “lock in”. Must be getting old I’m afraid 🙁
Ollie as Mary Poppins? Nah! 🙂
Ollie
So, if you were Wayne Rooney (I know, I know) you’d be wearing a hair-net?
@Derrick28, good breakdown of player ratings, spot on.
Great game, the *little boy in me* made me scream my voice hoarse on that kos equaliser.
Ramsey seems the kind of player who keeps his mouth shut and let his play speak for him…who honestly knew he’d start?
tabs, I promise to think of something really stupid to say one day so we can disagree on something 🙂
When I saw Ramsey starting thoughts of Yossi last year immediately came to my mind and as I said yesterday, it proved to be another masterful descision by Arsene. Was bit surprised to not see Ox there but Aaron justified his picking to the very best.
It will be interesting to see who is going to start in Carling Cup, I presume lot of youngsters involved but I wouldnt be surprised if Ox and Theo both received a nod from le boss.
Lonestar:
I too am with Zico, Lars and Tabs. The spirit we have at the moment is wonderful and refreshing. Anyone who wants out or thinks differently should just get the f*ck out and that includes highly talented Centre Forwards who think they can freely disrespect the club they supposedly captain and the manager who has stood by him over the years of injury. RVP is prick and nothing more and Arsene was right to catapult him out the door.
Same goes for Theo as far as I’m concerned. Rewarding players who have failed to deliver is thankfully part of the past. BTM has mentioned this in some recent posts in relation to the wage policy which were absolutely spot on. We are currently seeing a major shift in wages policy IMO. While RVP’s behaviour was classless, there is certainly a problem with the wages policy at the club. In order to ensure that we retain players like Jack and Oxlade in the future – we’re going to have bridge the gap in potential wages being offered by other clubs. And in order to do that, it means that we don’t recklessly reward players who have not delivered (and that we now cannot sell) and we all know who they are..! If you give Theo 100k a week, what will Oxlade think when he’s getting 40k a week and is being chosen ahead of Theo for both club and country..? As far as Im concerned, Theo doesn’t even deserve the 75k on offer..!
As to what Alan Davies thinks, you could theoretically apply potential permutations like that against a myriad of differing players or circumstances…….what if this……what if that….
We’re a far better TEAM than we were last season, even without RVP. And I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of Wenger being active in the transfer market come January.
Still smiling. Holic, Kinda spooky the way you predicted TV to score and his replacement does. Then the whole ‘Joy of Six’ business. I will be monitoring this unfolding psychic phenomena closely. Don’t have anything thing further to add (the holics did a mighty fine job already) except this. Aguero could have gone down when clipped by Kos, but he fought to stay on his feet; would have been awarded a PK if he went down. Last season I called him a ‘brat’. Like to rectify that now. He is an admirable opponent.
Heh Lars 🙂
Joe, agree with all of that.
Abb – Yep thought we got lucky there. Clearly a pen in my view.
ESPN at 11 pm in Shanghai for last night’s match for me. Woke the whole hotel up when Kos scored. What a great Arsenal team this is! We have had similar quality in recent seasons, but we have not had this level of drive, passion and commitment. I thank the transfer ‘ministrator in the sky for the departure of several who were hugely over-paid, overly impressed with their own self importance, prone to a never ending stream of errors, and completely without heart when the going got tough.
Talking of whom, the Adolf Hitler hairstyle that Clichy is sporting definitely needs the ‘tache to set it off completely. And Shitty were, unfortunately strengthened by Na$ri’s absence yesterday. His presence might just have been the factor to swing it in our favor.
Holic, then Derrick @ 28, excellent summaries that said more than I could have mustered about exactly what I thought of the game.
Sweeper, re our recent exchange on the Welsh Wizard, Aaron of Aragorn – THAT was what I was talking about.
Joe, Heh! Zico, Saturday’s coming around fast. Looking forward to it.
Lovely.
https://twitter.com/BJWGooner/status/250207166282203136/photo/1/large
I haven’t seen Aaron Ramsey play so well since I can’t remember when. Is he on to the same multivitamins as Diaby, Rosicky and Gervinho?
No doubt Jenkinson is taking them too, despite their being taboo in the military ….
Abb. Just so long as nobody calls us an “admirable opponent” which is a sure sign someone has just done one on you. 😉
Arteta does he never put a foot wrong?
Mertesacker once more silences his critics …
Does the away club boss the midfield like that at Middle Eastlands every week?
You going for the century 8Ball? 🙂
Some levity for everyone. Hope you enjoy it. Not my work unfortunately…
http://arsenalcomics.blogspot.no/p/the-dawn-of-new-age.html
surprised to hear a hotel hasn’t got sky.
Just finished watching the replay. Two things:
On the City goal: not going to revisit the merits of zonal vs man marking, but would take issue with Arsenal zone SHAPE. Starts with five (5!) defenders all lined up in a straight line and bunched on the six. This would always seem to play to the advantage of the attackers to get a running start and leap on a ball whipped in just outside the six. And yes, keeper was at fault; when you leave your line for a punch, you have to get there, or else you’ve failed, regardless of outcome. But the zone design almost forces a keeper to stay back most of the time to avoid congestion; had Mannone stayed back, that ball was going in anyway.
Second: Giroud makes a big difference, not only with the size and hold up play, but with movement and POSITIONING. If you watch Gervinho’s blast over the bar at the death, if he instead lays it off to his right, Giroud is well open one on one with Hart. Granted it would have been on his right foot and wound up in with the Arsenal supporters, but was perhaps a better option.
CoR. Excellent pirate ‘toons. 🙂
Heh good stuff Canons. 🙂
Tabs. Last season I might have gone for the century by myself. This year though it’s all about the team. 😉
Good to hear 8Ball 🙂
tabs does the double at ’71.
Charlie Georgesque Ollie.
I am now lying down on the floor. Sadly there is no-one to pick me up again!
🙂
Have some more bucks fizz mate. That’ll revive you.
Ollie as Mary Poppins heh….what a mental image.
Afternoon Bath and good idea! 🙂
Finally home from HellHole Hospital. Exhausted but I am sure watching the game will keep me up.
I think we should win but I’ll go with a conservative 1-1 draw with Kos getting the equalizer late, say 80+ minute. 😉
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1170185/theo-walcott-still-hopeful-he-will-stay-at-arsenal?cc=5901
Fair play to you Theo.
“I’ve never said I wanted to go, I’ve always wanted to stay. I want to be an Arsenal legend. Thierry joined the club when he was 22 and I want to become an Arsenal legend like him, playing up front as well, which is a big factor for me.”
Please come back…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ionvcsIRsBM
Evening all.
I found this piece over on the Independent website by Sam Wallace about the The situation.
Does anyone have any idea who this Wallace guy is? He doesn’t appear to me to be saying anything that isn’t bleeding obvious© but he’s saying it in such a way that you think he knows what he’s talking about. Must be a journalist, I guess.
COYG ICDDR
*reads Theo quote and thinks – well sign the stuffing contract then !*
oh yes, forgot he wants Thierry’s wages before he has actually done it though ……..
*regrets getting involved in the whole schimozzle again*
interesting word ‘schimozzle’. Originates from the Austrian / Swiss mountains and relates to the start of a ski race.
All participants would climb up the mountain, in the days before ski lifts, and there would be a mass start, where everybody skied off at once and the first one to the bottom was the winner.
Simples. Schimozzle. Just sayin’. Thank you ……. 😉
Ollie @ 46, I’m around, but I might as well be chained to a desk *work* Oh when, will I get to see the Emirates again… 🙁
Ahh, thought we played great in the 1st half before those oily cunts equalised & not so great until we made our subs and great after we started applying the pressure again which resulted in the Santi Drive and the Laurent Rocket 🙂
7 times Merteceptor was my personal MotM, Ramsey a close 2nd because he was simply immense, wonder if he’s got it in him for 2 games in 4 days 8)
Poldi & Diaby shaking off the flu is a viable theory for me, Lukas was less immense than usual & Abou wasn’t as beast as usual but as the days pass I’m sure they’ll get back up to Gunner Speed.
And I didn’t believe my eyes when I saw Cazorla & Arteta misplacing passes at all, let alone in the same game 😮 They have played a lot of games in succession though, hopefully they’ll both be rested on Wednesday so they can recharge and reach their lofty standards for the visit of the Russian Mob.
9 points in 5 games, Joint Highest Goal Difference in the League, Still Unbeaten, Come on you Reds. 😀
Just a thought ‘cos I cannot get that Jenks run down the right wing out of my head. The one where he wrestled the ball away from Lescott and burst into the area.
Now, if he can shoot, or learn to, there is a guy with all the attributes to play up front, through the middle, in the premier league.
Just thinking with my Arsene hat on – he says pretentiously.
Not meant as a put-dowm to OG, btw.
@ 79 Oxon
As a semi-regular reader of the Independent, my impression of Wallace is that he is likes a bit of a bitch about the Arsenal.
That article has all the hallmarks of a “source close to the player” ie his agent, even more ie the player himself, ultimately.
There is another Metro article where Theo says he’s not bothered about money and it’s about playing as a striker but I am somewhat sceptical. AW said recently he’s going to be a striker ultimately, so what’s the problem.
Oxon. Sam Wallace is a cunt. It’s all you need to know, really.
Whisper it, but I suspect the problem may be that Theo, you know, isn’t quite good enough?
Trev – Good word “Schimozzle” 🙂
I intend to use it often, both in context and completely randomly.
I too can’t be doing with all this schimozzle about Theo.
The shimozzle about his playing position is in my view a complete smokescreen to keep the fans onside, and disguises the true position – the whole schimozzle is about Wonga.
If the Club agreed to pay him what he (or his advisors) think he’s worth, then that contract would be signed quicker than it would take Theo to say “I’m not going in goal again you bullies”.
Even if the schimozzle about his playing position were true, it is completely unworkable. You can’t have a contractual clause, nor even a manager’s assurance about where a player might play. That would be bad schimozzle.
Nope, it is the same old pre leaving nonsense we heard from RVP and Nasri.
Theo, if you want to be a legend, sign the contract and buckle down. If you don’t want to stay, then hurry up and bugger off.
Either way and in the meantime, keep it buttoned.
What Ollie said. With one qualification. Sam Wallace is a fucking Lily White Cunts cunt. And a fucking dwarf come to think of it.
Ollie @85 🙂
Esso 🙂
Great team performance yesterday.
Although Wenger moans about Spain and Barcelona’s ‘sterile possession’, Arsenal 2012-13 (replacing Gervinho and Theo for LFG and Ramsey in attacking wide positions) gives us a more Spanish style than his usual team formation. No longer reliant on wingers to provide width, both Jenkinson and Gibbs are given the freedom to go forward with Ramsey and LFG playing more narrowly. Gervinho was essentially a false number 9; unfortunately he had his false football boots on too.
I can’t wait for the Chavski game.
Evening all.
What a great result and performance yesterday eh?
Almost done with the backdrinking some good stuff up above.
Trev.I actually hadn’t seen your 31 & 32 (previous drinks). Spooky.
Although Wenger moans about Spain and Barcelona’s ‘sterile possession’
Er, really? I’ve heard a lot of British journos saying that, can’t remember Arsène much.
‘sterile domination’
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2012/jun/30/euro-2012-spain-boring
A bit of a crap article that Oxon and the guy is obviously a Spud. Who the hell else would use the fact that Defoe has been tied down to a long term contract as a boast?
Cheers Jez.
Although by the sound of that, he said it once, about a particular game, only about Barça… 😉
Trev. Let me get this straight. Jenkinson is above Walcott on AW’s depth chart for playing center forward?
PIcks it up by the halfway line and sprays a pass forward Santi Stylee……….
Assist? *Olliesque*
Bammm
Free-O goin public with this stuff – mmmmmmmm. Sign on or sod orf Skippy. Oops, pardon – that’s a little brusque. Schimozzle – you say Trev – niccccce. Wanna stay out of it for now too in case i say summat silly/i might regret (oh well – too late, already).
In other news – there’s a lovely moment on ArsenalPlayer at the end of The Arsenal citah match-up between Su-Per and little Santi… Funny+FineSignOfVGoodOngoingTeamSpiritStuff
Still basking – Up The Arse
Get in?
heh, well played Cent-(icazorla) and H2H: good finish.
In where, Eandy?
Although you might just get in the pile with the rest of us to recreate the goal celebration from Sunday.
Well in H – seems i tabsed it in slow-mo
“AW said recently he’s going to be a striker ultimately, so what’s the problem.”
He’s been saying it for six years and Theo has never started a game up front in all that time, in any competition, despite being a top class finisher.
Trev @ 80 & 83
I agree completely about this Feo Schimozzle. Sign on or piss off. I share the suspicion that we are getting a smokescreen about the reasons for the delay. Wallace (LWC) does sound like he is regurgitating stuff fed by ‘someone close to the player’ and his suggestion that Arsenal need to get back to the table is at odds with what Arseblogs picked up – Feo’s people are being difficult not Arsenal.
Ollie @ 86 – spot on mate.
Tabs @ 87 on the nail:
“Theo, if you want to be a legend, sign the contract and buckle down. If you don’t want to stay, then hurry up and bugger off.”
On a more cheerful note, Trev @ 83 – I am getting the same flashback on Jenks’ run – I still cannot believe how he ate up those yards and then outmuscled Lescott and laid back that perfect ball. Pity Poldi had a rush of blood and a right foot pop – deserved a great finish. I think Bacary is going to have a fight on his hands for that position. We have a stallion there who is going to outhorse ‘the horse’. I also thought that if this boy learns how to hit a rocket, e’ll get a few goals for us over the next few years.
O2B etc!
Mines a Macallan, mine host!
Nonny @106 – developing a first touch to allow him to control a ball pinged into the front man with two large defenders sitting on him would be an initial advantage.
Well in H2H.
Ollie @103 haha,dont make me want to change my name.
Nonny Arsene knows the best position to play Theo,playing center forward isn’t all about making runs,don’t talk like Theo doesn’t miss clear cut chances. If Arsene thinks he is ready he will play him there,i feel Arsene wants to tie him to a long term contract playing him there though.
Well in H2H.
Ollie @103 haha,dont make me want to change my name.
Nonny Arsene knows the best position to play Theo,playing center forward isn’t all about making runs,don’t talk like Theo doesn’t miss clear cut chances. If Arsene thinks he is ready he will play him there,i feel Arsene wants to tie him to a long term contract playing him there though.
Bath Gooner @108 well said.
BtM @ 56
You have mail, comrade, I hope you are able to pick it up.
*before playing him there though*
BathGooner @108 well said.
As for yesterdays game, I took great pride from the perfomance of our team and lets be honest this was a great team effort. We were on their turf, yet we took it to them and quite frankly made the PL champs and most expensively assembled team in the history of the PL look quite ordainary.
Okay, I will agree that Vito should of done better with that corner, yes he was impeded by Toure, but if a goalie decides to come, then he really should get something on it. Still, Poldi and Kos should of done a little more to challenge the oncoming Klingon, it was basically a free header, I’m sure Bouldy will rip them a new one for that. Manone redeemed himself by making a few great saves and a very good stop (see Lars’ explaination above) that kept us in it.
I’ll also admit that the air in the room did turn a little blue on a few occasions when our roaming CF really should of done better, but as has been mentioned, he didn’t shy away or hide and was in the thick of things all game long. The passion and the effort is there, but, he really does need to do a lot of work on some of the aspects of his game. I also thought (like Tabs, I think) that he should of been pulled instead of Poldi and as others have said that the changes came, like in midweek, a little on the late side (especially with Diaby).
The plus points have been highlighted well by many above, some great individual showings. I was surprised last season that the BFG took so much stick, I’ve been a long time fan of his and was delighted when he decided to join us. Yesterdays game showed his worth. Arteta was my player of the season last time around and once again he’s the bees knees No mess, no fuss just solid proffesional performances.
Santi a joy to watch again, but special praise must be reserved for Ramsey and Jenks, not everybodies cups of Rosie last term, but are visably improving game by game, Master Gibbs too.
All in all a fab team display. The goal celebration was just epic. I did have to laugh at Kos shoving our BFG outta the way so he could do his little run and knee slide. Poor Per looked a little confused after running after him and fell the wrong way at the pile-up before joining in, funny stuff, and great to see how all of the outfield players joined in the goal celebrations in front of the away fans who once again were magnificent and outsung the blue mooners throughout the entire game.
A great point and a big fat smelly middle finger to all the critics and doubters.
Bath @108 –
So would keeping his foot movements down to the same speed as his maximum brain cycles so as not to then fall over the ball.
Bit unkind, maybe, but not that unfamiliar a sight.
8ball – Don’t know who’s where in the pecking order, but that burst of Corporal Jenks was daammnnn good !
Well in H2H.
And congrats AL on the glory position. 😉
Well said Bath. Feo hasn’t got a hope in hell of playing lone centre-forward in our system. Do we completely change the system to accommodate him, and play him off someone like Giroud? Not in my view. You end up squeezing Cazorla’s space.
And Nonny, Theo has been played centrally. Not often I grant you, but played there 3 or 4 times in 09-10. He was singularly not up to the task then, such that we ended up playing Arshavin centrally, and I remain unconvinced that he has sufficiently developed those parts of his game to enable him to play there.
Bath – We really don’t play like that though. We’ve had our spells where Wenger has tried a lone front man holding the ball and it’s not worked, and from memory we usually played that way in Europe. Our game is, and always has been, about fluidity of movement. So I take your point about a first touch but don’t think it is really that relevant, especially with Gervinho in the side, who has a first touch even I’d be ashamed of.
H2H @113 – Arteta = bees knees alright. Should have signed him 2-3 years earlier so that he would have mentored young Cesc.
I think we have already demonstrated that there is life beyond Walcott.
I think he knows it as well.
His last contract took six months to sort out? Maybe he should ask Kos how it’s done. (I haven’t read Blogs today yet, so if he said this before me, apologies to all for rehashing old sentiments).
I’ll have a pint of schimozzle please Barman.
Here, here H2H,
Ramsey had his best game since being Shawcrossed.
The likes Of Theo, Song, Diaby, van Pursestrings should look around and be hugely grateful to Arsene for his faith in them, over long, long spells of under achievement, for whatever reasons.
No suggestion, of course, that Diaby is not grateful. For some of the others, the ship has already sailed. For Theo, there nay be one last chance.
He will not encounter such patience again in his career.
Ice, slice and brollie in that Schimozzle, z?
Esso @88 –
Bah, get off the fence, will ya ? 😉
Nah, baff, just a big motherfucker of a straw…..
Esso @88 via Trev @121 – and he’s a smug little cunt too – thinks he’s an interrlectuarl – a cut above the red top journos sitting with him on the Sunday Supplement.
Good stuff H2H.
Evening Trev, Dr Z .
I’ll have one one of those schimozzle thingies Bath, easy on the green.
On Lars of course.
Zico @122
this one do?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nick_bl/5022379077/
Evening tabs,
Are you allowed to schimozzle and drive?
Feeling rather pleasantly discombobulated by the multifarious deployments of my ‘schimozzle’. 😉
Baff, does it come in blonde?
I can see that a lady would need a good pair of lungs to schimozzle…..
Do we have Schimozzle on draught?
Evening Z. 😉
Rum schmozzle or gin schmozzle?
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=schmozzle&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1278&bih=626&tbm=isch&tbnid=eijwCi42ROfh8M:&imgrefurl=http://www.ontheforecheck.com/2011/10/7/2476365/predators-blue-jackets-3rd-period-game-thread&docid=pxxkFpQGrRr7FM&imgurl=http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/8512/schmozzle.jpg&w=400&h=388&ei=L8dgUM3oKIKT0QXBs4HQCg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=114&vpy=135&dur=22&hovh=221&hovw=228&tx=137&ty=139&sig=103515509838695838021&page=1&tbnh=132&tbnw=136&start=0&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0,i:73
Snoop Doggy Dogg said that Schimozzle was the shizzle my nizzles.
Or so I heard.
I think it cannot be on draught but has to be concocted fresh. The base probably has to be Guinness in honour of the Guv’nor’s default bevvy.
When I was a student (first time round) we used to drink Cobalt Bombs based on Broon Ale – replacing that with Guinness and adding the other ingredients – Fowlers Wee Heavy and Champagne – might work.
Worth a try, gentlemen?
Dr Z, to schimozzle and drive (or not) is one of the burning debates of the day.
I am not qualified to answer such a philosophical conundrum.
I do however leave you with this. After an evening’s schimozzling, is it surely unfair on a chap to expect him to walk?
Tabs @134, definitely unfair to expect a man to walk after more than one schimozzle. Driving? Larfs.
Seems to be a Schimozzle schimozzle going on in here !
These boys have been on it…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulr2cP48zjA
That’s what I thought Bath 🙂
Based on the lady @ 125, driving is out of the question.
I was thinking “get a room”….assuming I get an answer to the original question does it come in blonde?
*waves to Trev*
Tabs @137 – well spotted. 🙂
Heh tabs – the real definition is revelaed
handbags, pushin’ and shovin’…..
To die for if you’re Wolfie 😉
Bloody hell, you really can find everything on Youtube.
*revealed* 😳
I am sure we can get a blonde to help you. Getting a room would be a good plan – but more than 3 schimozzles and the blonde would be redundant as a friend of mine discovered with a certain white powder.
I don’t have to read all the drinks, just the names. I can see much quality in here again today. Thanks for looking after the place while I have been slacking.
Now, do I have to get schimozzle into the Coventry preview?
…and as you observe Dr Z @128, a good pair of lungs on the blonde would be an important and useful accessory 🙂
Not too worry about Schimozzle ‘holic, I’ve heard he’ll be out for a few weeks, a virus or something.
Nothing to do with him not signing a contract though.
Schimozzle and white powder?
I’m in. 8)
Nah H2H @147 – not a virus, simply pissed.
Holic, that’s a good idea.
Yes you do Holic 🙂
Schimozzle AND white powder? Now you really are talking!
ITV4 (i know, i know) doing a Bundesliga round-up right now. Watching as it’s now one of AW’s fave shopping-centres. Swear a bloke called Schimozzle jus’ banged one. Plus Jonny Ball on mogadon soundlike (i fink) doing the commentary – BonusBonusBonus!!!
The question is, do you add the white powder before the champagne or just sprinkle it on top?
Dr Z, Some of my fondest memories are made up entirely of schimozzling. 😉
Shame it’s mostely jibberish. 😉
Pardon – “Schimozzle just banged one in”. (Why, that works whatever way you look at it.)
AL , just put it on – hilarious!!! 🙂
Is it a programme teraching kids to count?
Alan Partridge meets Johnny Ball 🙂
You could combine preview and history Holic. I’m sure you’ve been involved in a schimozzle or two with Coventry.
Esso can doubtless help, if not 😉
I’m there on ITV4. 😉
Barking, the lot of you.
Pass me a straw…..
Haha tabs – someone needs to put half a quid in the man’s meter (if you’ll pardon the expression).
Oh ‘ang on – seems he’s been subbed.
Ivanschitz ? This is gold !
Ivanschitz is a very fluid mover.
Right – two hours ahead here and a long drive on crappy mountain roads tomorrow, so I’m going to crash now and dream of a ‘right good schimozzle’. Nytol.
Nite Baff.
Just spotted Wolfgang’s mate, Helmet Gobbler. 😉
Nite bath.
Night Bath.
This programme is great.
“This kid wants to be a rock star”
“He got the crossbar”
Hahaha
Ahhhh Trev, as they say never look a van nistlec*nt in the mouth – this is right up your strasse …
Trev @163 and@166 🙂
AL I will be gutted if he doesn’t return !!!!
Heh Trev@166 – psed – Our man’s back i think
AL – our man ?
“Hamburg in the red pants” – Aye???
Hey Al did you see that? Nice try.
Sorry Trev – lazy punctuation as per on my part. Ourman being the AlanPartridge/JonnyBall on mogadon combo. He came back for the Bayern game
To commentate that is, Trev
Haha – I did nurse
First time ever that I feel slightly peeved that I don’t have ITV.
H2H, Do you have GOLTV?
The entire commentary sounds like an old episode of ‘Allo ‘Allo.
Brilliant.
I can’t get over these commentary links …
“The game was end to end, sometimes us commentators say end to end, forget it, this was end to end.”
Meaningless nonsense as art! 🙂
Bad luck H2H 🙂
The Dortmund coach, Klopp !
Afraid not nursey.
I’ll just have to watch the Bundesliga as ize Germans intended;
Dry and humuorless. 😉
G’nite Bath
Heh H2H – we could be witnessing the start of their long over-due fightback from outta the bounds of utter piss-poorness (seriously doubt it though)
@180 – Haha. An earlier game showed a shot of 2 women eating chips during the interval. Commentator: “These ladies are obviously expecting a hefty second-half” Ay???
Hey, These fellas performing some pretty niffty manuevers. Free spirited stuff. Anyone know what I mean : ) And Cor, really enjoyed that toon!
They’re taking the p shurely. You saw the ice-cream shot and heard the sweet things comment, right???
AL@184 heh 🙂
I particularly enjoyed the shot of the Werder Bremen lady sucking her lolly too !
Yeah. Don’t see this kinda play much in the EPL, too regimented at times.
I think there must have been an element of pisstake AL. Can’t believe they were serious.
That programme’s going in the diary for a weekly treat.
True Nurse v watchable on all fronts …
Well that’s most Mondee nights sorted for the foreseeable…fankU ITVsports #fings you never thought you’d say
There for a second I thought this was a Laverne and Shirley blog with all the schimozzles going on. But I just found out they are saying Schlimatzel. So much for my Yiddish.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDPQl5_axIQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Not sure all the commentators were in on it tabs – some seemed genuinely dodgy, but who knows. Maybe some good casting by the production people OR maybe everyone involved is just a bit bonkas/bad. Seems we’ll be watching that space for a bit though …
Santi Shimozzla.
Goodnight.
@189 – ditto, Klopp !
Nite Ollie.
AL, would that be Tad Bonkers you’re talking about ?
Haha! The very same Trev. And until i know better that’s what i’ll be calling the AP/JB on mogadon combo commentator from now on.
“And now over to Tad Bonkers for the big Bayern Schalke match-up”
Nite Ollie
What a goal!!!
My God, what a blow out!
Bamm
H2H, congrats. Man, are you missing one hell of a match.
Tabsed it !
Bugger ! Well in H2H.
AL, that will be the ‘schoene Schalke Schimozzle’ then ……
Ah well, just have to take solice in my two bamms in a row.
Evening Holics
The full Theo interview.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/arsenal-theo-walcott-wants-to-stay-1342053
Heh Trev – You know it makes nonsense …
Is that a brace for the man from Holloway??? Well in sir.
And unlucky Nurse looks like you hit both posts and watched it roll along the line …
Lester, watching this unfold, German efficiency doesn’t come to mind. Very Brazillian. HEY Snir and Goonertown (waves).
Same interview but with a video.
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11670/8107318/Theo-Walcott-wants-Arsenal-stay-and-contract-wrangle-not-about-money
Hi abb!!!
2 for 2 H2H, very nice with abb in the mix *waves at Nurse & Snir*
Hey Wind. From what Ollie described earlier, you’ve had one busy day (grinning). Snir, what can I add about Theo, that hasn’t already been said. He is a really likeable chap, dearly would like to see him stay and grow his game. He’s guilty of being young and nieve (‘eyes larger than stomach’ at meal time). Wish him the best.
Think your prog of Bundesliga highlights went longer than mine Nurse. From what i saw tonight – you’re the lucky one.
Lester, I must make room for more Bundesliga, somehow! Must bone up on Chelsea this week. Their new additions are troubling. And Ashley is being bandied about as the best ever (part of me is proud of him, he does put in a shift). But we’ve got the most promising squad in recent memory, can’t help but be very optimistic. Nite holics.
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11994/8107280/Weekend-Analysis
Arsene Wenger – You are a genius.
Out of Sky Sports Weekly Analysis
Ramsey gives Arsenal control
The selection of Aaron Ramsey in a wide-right role for Arsenal on Sunday was perceived by some as a negative move for the trip to face Premier League champions Manchester City. But while the Wales captain does not possess the speed, or pose the same direct threat as Theo Walcott, his inclusion gave Arsene Wenger the control he wanted at the Etihad Stadium.
“We were in danger a few times on the counter-attack but overall we were solid,” said Wenger after the game. “We are a bit frustrated because we feel we had the chances early on and late in the game. But you can see that we are a team and we are a strong team.” Strong and solid – those were the qualities that Ramsey’s astute use of the ball helped give the away side at the weekend.
Remarkably for a player taking a wide-midfield berth as his starting position, Ramsey received the ball 64 times in the first 72 minutes – at which point Walcott was introduced and he reverted to a central role. The 21-year-old was constantly looking for the ball into his feet and used the ball effectively, completing 58 of his 62 attempted passes from that position – one of which should have brought the opener but for poor control from Gervinho.
In contrast, Walcott played the role very differently. He received the ball only six times in the final 20 minutes of the game and completed just three passes. Of course, the England man’s strengths lie elsewhere and the Gunners actually equalised during that period.
But Ramsey’s narrow interpretation of the right-sided role allowed Arsenal to more than hold their own in Manchester – completing 561 passes. That is over 200 more than their hosts on the day and 50 more than any team has managed against Roberto Mancini’s side in the past two Premier League seasons.
Snir. Ramsey looked a different player at Eastlands. A player unleashed, you might say. A player forgotten, returned from the dead.
….. Oh my GOD,
he is eating the flesh of the Manchester City players. 😉
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0r7L8tS2L0
‘morning all. Sorry I wasn’t about last night to thank you for putting me straight about Sam Wallace.
It’s seems almost as though someone is actually orchestrating a meeja campaign to get the Theo situation sorted out in double-quick time. The idea that Theo’s fairly happy where he is, but a little impatient to get to play in his preferred position and is being manipulated by an agent seems reasonable. Other credible explanations are available.
Looks like life is about to get in the way again… I must to work…
Have a good day one and all.
COYG ICDDR
Hello everyone. Still basking or worrying about Theo?
If you leave it up to the non-Arsenal supporting masses, any chance they get they’ll try to disrupt the even keel of us gooners. Meh…
I’ve been thinking of getting an Arsenal tattoo btw. Any suggestions?
If Theo could admit at the minimum that its a little bit about the money in terms of matching up to his England Teammates’ salaries then things would go smoother in contract negotiations. 😐
And inserting a CF clause into his contract is as ridiculous as the previous Dutchman staying on the condition that he gets to lead the club in his direction by player-managing a League Cup 3rd Round game per season 🙄
Morning all. A bit late to the party I know but I actually feel we dropped points on Sunday. Like most I guess, if we had been offered a point before kick off then we would have taken it. But after a great performance I just felt that we should have Nicked it. We can not expect to create too many chances against the likes of Citeh so the ones we do we at least have to make the keeper work.
Overall some excellent stuff. I thought we passed the ball really well. Citeh could not cope and looked exhausted at the end. Another silly error for their goal sadly cost us as well.
Both full backs have come on leaps and bounds. Rambo looked full of confidence and santi is just different class. All in it was a very good performance and a great platform to build from.
Re Theo. I think he has actually seen the light. I think that he realises that if everyone is fit that he may be struggling to get a game. I would not be surprised if this playing more central line is purely a smoke screen to make his departure less acrimonious.
I agree with those above. Sign or go.
Like I said last week. In case Theo does sign a contract, I still don’t see him as a starter in this team even after signing.
To be honest, he’d probably be my fourth choice for CF after Giroud, Poldi, and Gervinho.
He’d be my fourth choice as RW as well after Ox, Gervinho, and Cazorla (after Jack’s back. I really don’t want Diaby out of the team, and I’ve always said I want Jack as AM).
Re Theo and money – people have very short memories. He was wanted by loads of clubs when he joined us and it was made clear at the time that he’d joined Arsenal purely for footballing reasons and offers from other clubs, including Chelsea, were worth more financially. I see no evidence at all either in the press over the years or on this interview video, that he’s turned into a greedy young man or even a self-important one, as is being suggested elsewhere (personal bias on behalf of the writer I reckon)
All we have is a player who, most unusually which may explain why some people can’t accept it, cares more about his career than his bank balance. You can take his interview two ways – he’s demanding this and that and thinks he is better than he is (the wrong way) or that he feels his career has stalled a bit being forced to play wide and it’s time he moved centrally rather than be stuck out of position in what may be the peak years of his career (the right way)
I’m a big Theo fan as you may have guessed, but even I can see that h has trouble ahead, because he is not a winger and he should be playing up front for someone, and that is increasingly unlikely to be Arsenal. He may have to go and play for a top six/top eight club to prove he can do the job, but I have no doubts he will succeed. All he needs is the chance.
Henry gets mentioned a lot in relation to Theo. Imagine Arsene Wenger had not moved Henry central when he did, and stuck him wide for six years… I’m not suggesting Walcott will be the new Henry, but suppose he was even half as good, and we missed out that because the manager decided to get rid of him rather than play him?
Or put another way, do you see the likes of Gervinho as anything more than flash in the pan players, here for the short term? I genuinely think Theo would stay for his whole career if things were ok and he might well turn into a club legend. He might completely fuck it up and be the next Kaba Diawara, but we’ve seen enough of him from the wing to suggest (only suggest) that he is capable of doing that putting the ball in the net thing that some forwards find so hard.
Another thing regarding money. I don’t suppose it has ever occurred to anybody that it might be the club who are being greedy with this contract?
Supposedly well placed sources have suggested that the commercial department are desperate for Theo to stay, so it’s not stretching the bounds of possibility to suggest that perhaps the sticking points are that the club want him to not only take a “low” salary, but also want to grab as much of a percentage of his image rights as they can get away with.
Just a thought.
That the club is being greedy in this situation is not the first thing that comes to mind Nonny because our best player (and possibly the best in the PL) whose name I never mention in public, is getting paid around that mark. Surely it would be impossible to offer wages in excess to that unless they have to restructure the whole wage scheme?
About Gervinho, we all know he can dribble but seems to need a few chances to finish. Theo seems more accurate in front of goal but can`t dribble. Why would you put more importance to one over the other? 😉
@ 106 Nonny
I’m a Theo fan, too, but….what bathgooner at 108 and Cent at 109 said.
Also, what about playing for the team? If the cultured and creative Arteta can play defensive midfield for us, Theo can play wide. It’s not as if he’s not allowed to come centrally. And look how successful Poldi has been playing wide left. Didn’t do his career any harm.
He’s 23. The question Theo should be asking himself is does he want to carry on improving? If so, sign.
@ bathgooner
“I am getting the same flashback on Jenks’ run – I still cannot believe how he ate up those yards and then outmuscled Lescott and laid back that perfect ball.”
Incredible engine. He’d make a fantastic 400m runner or an elite rower.
@ 219 Wind
If Theo could admit at the minimum that its a little bit about the money in terms of matching up to his England Teammates’ salaries then things would go smoother in contract negotiations.
ha ha!
Snir @215 – Cheers for the link. I have to admit to being one of the many who questioned Ramsey’s inclusion out wide prior to kick off. I thought it would deny us width, and was mindful of Aaron’s less than successful stints out on the flank (albeit on the left) against Everton and QPR last season.
Proved massively wrong. Those stats bear out what a fantastic game he had both out wide and when he moved centrally to give us extra impetus in the last twenty mins.
And @222 – Your loyalty to the boy Jack is admirable, but there is no way he will be displacing Santi as our attacking fulcrum any time soon. Jack still has some way to go. Even prior to his injury he hadn’t reached the level shown by Santi these last 5 games. Great player, full of potential to be right up there, but as yet he doesn’t make me giggle. Jack’s way in this season is to compete with Diaby for that 3rd midfield spot, and possibly some games out wide a la Ramsey last sunday. In my view Cazorla and Arteta are our two indispensables, and Cazorla won’t be shoved out wide for anyone.
Blogs on the money as regards Theo this morning I thought.
Nonny – Nice, heart-felt posts on Theo. I enjoyed reading them. I have also read Blogs’ latest post, listened to JC on The Fans Forum and had an interesting conversation with a top Gooner this morning to balance the perspective.
My hopeful, possibly pragmatic, expectations for the remainder of his contract are as follows:
1) He stays for the duration thereby precluding the possibility of Arsenal strengthening a rival in the title run-in -> for me this is paramount.
2) He maintains his professionalism (another reason to admire Theo) and performs to the best of his ability whenever and wherever Le Boss chooses to deploy him this season.
3) Le Boss uses him strategically and intelligently for the remainder of the season -> that’s probably a given.
4) Next summer, club and Theo part on good terms and we don’t talk of him in the same breath as Snakey van Snake, Na$ri, etc.
For me, the die is pretty much cast. I’m yet to be convinced that Theo has the ‘learning curve’ or innate ability to be a true great. I am convinced that he’s a valuable member of the squad and while he wears the famous red and white I will get behind him 100%.
Overall I’m a fan, I’d rather he stayed but I can’t see it now as things have dragged on for far too long. He may well need a fresh challenge to release his full potential. If he really is a natural central striker, why has a man with the experience of Arsene not played him there on a regular basis?
As always, I’d love to proved wrong on the relevant points above.
In the meantime Walcott is discovering Arsenal can live without him
Blogs on the money but I said it first 😉
http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/arsenal-mascot-makes-the-grade-8175198.html
Sweet.
Per tabs above, Blogs pretty much on the money for me re: Theo….
….and, NO-ONE is displacing Cazorla unless he suffers a massive drop in form or (heaven forbid) a long-term injury. He is this year’s first name on the team sheet. End of.
Whilst the bar is busy, anyone care to take a guess at the squad for our season defining COC-tie against the midland giants tomorrow night?
Just for larfs… 😉
Walcott is not, and never will be, technically good enough to play up front as a single striker. Not really in the slightest bit bothered whether he goes or stays. I’ll give him the 2 goals against Sperz last season, turned to my neighbour after he scored the second and said, ‘he did just actually do that, right?’, and very litle else in the time he’s been with us.
Esso, made the Chavs look quite silly at the bus stop last season as
well 😉
Morning all.
Forget Feo, (imho) he’s more likely to be a goner then a gooner this time next year. If Arsene saw him as a central striker then surely he’d be playing him there, but he isn’t and who are we to question his judgement? Afteral, hasn’t he seen him in training day in and day out over the last six years?
It’s all well and good wanting to play in a different position, but what makes Theo believe he can lead the line?
– His major asset is his speed, but that alone is not enough.
– His record in one on one situations is not too bad, but given time to think he sometimes makes the wrong choice.
– His dribbles are hit or miss.
– Heading ability virtually non exsistent.
– As far as I can see has no real propensity in ball holding/holding up play, which is vital to one leading the line.
Please don’t see this as me having a go at Young Theo, because I really like the guy and maybe in time he could become TGSTEL, but at this moment I just can’t see it.
Central midfield might need some fighters so I figure Coquelin will start as he loves a good Coq-fight 😉
He’s had his moments – many of them – but he needs to be more consistent and he’s only half “cooked”. That’s why I think it would be as much of shame for him as for us if he leaves. We’ve invested a lot in him and it would be good for both sides to see that bear fruit together in the future. My feeling is that his priorities need rearranging.
He seems to want to have his cake and eat it. Or he’s already decided to leave, as many think, and the media chat is really about his image. If this really is the end, I do agree that it would be good not to let him go mid-season to a PL rival, if that can be avoided.
No hate here, just wish players would stay away from BS.
@ 235 H2H
Agreed.
A good quality which he always seemed to me to possess was the ability to make a realistic assessment of his own capabilities at any given time, which is another reason why the insistence on the central striking position seems like a smokescreen.
@ 236 COR
Le Coq in the COC
Rumours that Walcott, Djourou, Arshavin and Chamakh will start. Hope Miquel, Gnabry and Eisfeld feature in some way. Yennaris looks likely to.
Yennaris and Miquel with maybe Koscielny in defence?
I think Shea might jump in goal. I wonder if they’ll consider throwing Toral in the mix to get a taste of big boy action? He scored a great goal against Norwich the other day…
Dr Z, apologies. 🙂
TS, agree with most of that on Theo, though I would prefer to see him leave in January if he’s going.
The central question that those of Nonny’s persuasion have to answer is (a)do Arsenal change their system to accommodate a good but not great performer who is consistent only in being inconsistent, or (b) is Theo good enough to play the lone frontman.
It has to be one or the other. The first is a non-starter. Clearly Arsene will not change the system. The idea of a two-pronged big man little man attack of Giroud and Theo is fanciful at best. In terms of playing off a striker, I would put Cazorla, Diaby, Ramsey, Wilshere, Ox and Rosicky all in front of Theo.
The second scenario is possible I suppose, but it is at best unproven, and at worst ridiculous. Anyone that has ever watched Theo, and anyone that has ever watched TH14 will know that comparisons between the two are both facile and futile. Similarities start and end with pace. Theo possesses neither the strength nor anywhere near the footballing skillset of TH14.
So if Theo moves for the much vaunted “footballing reasons”, where does he go? My view is that if he moves to a non Champions League Club that would clearly be a step down in footballing terms.
City? – If Theo thinks he’ll get past Tevez, Aguero, Balotelli and Dzeko in the shake up good luck to him.
United? – Again, if he thinks he’ll get past CvC, Rooney, Welbeck and Hernandez, then I salute his confidence and snigger at his naivity.
Chelsea? – Possible but unlikely. One can never underestimate the Gangster’s willingness to stockpile players but Di Matteo rarely plays with 2 strikers and I just don’t see Theo getting more games in his preferred position there than at Arsenal.
The next tier of Clubs is more possible, as a replacement for Ba at Newcastle, or to supplement striking options at Liverpool or maybe Everton but it’s all speculative.
Smokescreen. He knows he can get more money by seeing his contract out and pocketing a nice big juicy signing on fee. Nor do I particularly blame him for that. I just won’t put up with his self-indulgent, transparently false rationale for that chosen course of action in the meantime.
TS, my best stab …
Martinez,
Yennaris, Djourou, Kos, Santos
Coquelin, Ox, Eisfeld.
Walcott Chamakh Arshavin
Subs Shea, Miquel, Aneke, Gnabry, Bellerin, Watt, Ollson.
If he wants to play then he’ll end up at Liverpool, otherwise he’ll be collecting splinters on the bench (or in the stands) at one of the oil fueled clubs.
@ 239 Cannons of Rhetoric
I would guess NOT Kos, because of TV having been ill – even if he has recovered, he may have a bit of post-viral tiredness, so I don’t think AW will risk another of his top three.
What do you think of:
Bellerin Djourou Squillaci/Miquel/Santos (hedging my bets, there!)
Coquelin Yennaris
Eisfeld AOC AA
Chamakh
Bellerin at RB is a bit of a stretch, I know. We seem to have lots of attacking possibilities but a bit short of fringe/up-and-coming defenders. Maybe Eastmond at RB?
I don’t know, I think Theo could very well play up front. He’s very accurate when through on goal. He’s not as big and strong as a typical number 9 but I think he could be an asset if he stays with us, and a possible option. Ian Wright was the same height and around the same build at Theo’s age and he did alright in a much more physical time.
Forgot Walcott. Oh dear. Hope that wasn’t Freudian. If he plays, he’ll start instead of Eisfeld, I would think.
@243: FunGunner, if that’s the case I guess we might play it safe with our defenders then…
I think we could see this starting line-up (pretty similar to tabs’) 8):
Martinez,
Yennaris, Djourou, Miquel, Santos
Coquelin, Eastmond, Ox
Walcott, Arshavin
Chamakh
Subs: Shea, Gnabry, Watt, Eisfeld, Toral, Squillaci
I would have loved to see Miyaichi play in the COC though. Great place to blood the youngsters.
tabs, I am liking that squad, nice pick. 3/4 first teamers is about on the money. Would like to see Akpom given a chance but I am hugely biased.
BTW, are Chamakh and Arshavin still allowed to play? I thought they were each in a cotton wool lined box marked ‘sell at Xmas’ 😉
My guess as follows (very similar to yours):
Martinez
Yennaris, Miquel, Djourou, Santos
Coq, Ox, Eisfeld
Akpom, Giroud, Arshavin
Two big lumps up-front, missus.
Should be a real fun night out at The Ems. So nice to got to a game feeling totally relaxed about the outcome. A little like our tie against Citeh last season only against (even) poorer opposition.
BTW, selling Theo at Xmas means we’ll get some decent cash in which would be highly consistent with all recent board decisions.
Canons, can’t see it. I would say that Wright had a much greater range of skills than Theo, not to mention a much more aggressive outlook, which more than made up for his lack of bulk. As far removed from Theo’s “after you” attitude as it’s possible to get.
Nor did Wright play much up on his own, save for the odd away european fixture.
Played with Campbell or Smith in his early days, and then more latterly with Hartson and Bergkamp.
Nonny,
Good piece above on Theo. Where I part company with you, is that I don’t believe it would be AW’s fault if Theo were not given a chance centrally.
You make the comparison with Thierry Henry, but it was Arsene Wenger who persuaded him to persevere as a central striker when Thierry didn’t think he could do it.
If AW thought Theo was capable in a central role, I’m pretty certain he would be playing there. Strikers are, after all, the hardest of all players to find. AW would hard,y pass one up from right under his nose.
For the record, I have always really wanted Theo to succeed at Arsenal. I just wonder if he really learns enough to make it though.
For example, Carl Jenkinson has learnt and progressed so far in 12 months that he is almost unrecognisable as the player from last season’s ManUre defeat.
Theo, however, still makes far too many of the same mistakes that were happening three or four years ago.
To me, today’s radio interviews sound like a verbal version of van Persie’s summer schimozzle.
It’s not the money (possibly true), it’s football matters, I really want to stay but negotiations etc etc etc.
Heard it all before, unfortunately.
Fun @243
Chamakh up front on his lonesome? I would really like to see some goals….
TS, Canons,
Yep, like both those line ups.
My rationale for including Kos is that he’s only had the one 90 minutes, and another one wouldn’t do him any harm, as well as bringing some real solidity to the Defence.
TS – No Theo? I think that really would spell the end. I like your shout for Giroud. You may well be right. As for Akpom, agree, he is very highly rated and I had forgotten him. Reckon he’ll have to settle for a place on the bench though.
Ramsey’s game at Man City was a lot like Diaby’s game at Liverpool, the curtain raiser for the rediscovery of a long-forgotten talent that could play a major role in a long-running smash hit.
I don’t remember which game last season was the equivalent rediscovery of Rosicky’s great talents. It probably was previous to the home game against Spurs, but that was the one that sticks in my memory. In any case, Rosicky is going to need to have another rediscovery game soon too, not to mention a couple others.
Isn’t the COC a good opportunity to get Giroud off and running on the scoresheet?
Trev, completely agree.
It’s also worth pointing out to those who seek to blame AW for EVERYTHING that it is not just him who has had a good look at Theo in training and decided that as yet, he is not a central striker.
Hodgson, Capello and (ahem) McClaren have all spurned the opportunity to give him a run out in that position.
I guess TS you already thought of that about Giroud …
I was presuming that Theo wouldn’t be bothered about playing in the COC squad BUT it could be the perfect platform to experiment with him leading the line.
Lovely to have so many permutations to choose from. I wonder if Arsene is relaxed enough to let Bouldy make the team selection?
BTW, if Frimpong-Frimpong is fit does he need some competitive match minutes?
Tabs, I think maybe we should include a clause stipulating MMA training in Theo’s new contract for aggression training. He’d be scaring defenders with his rage in no time!
Good Tuesday. Enjoyed reading the submitted lineups and have faxed them to AW. This question is for Tabs and FunGunner. How are your interviewer skills? Please humour me 🙂
I did 8ball. Let him get a goal or two against, in theory, easy competition at The Ems and then see the confidence flow..
TS – Answer to your second paragraph … No! 😉
Answer to your 3rd para – In an ideal world yes, but I thought he was still a bit off from actually playing?
Canons – Indeed 🙂
Abb – Not sure I follow your drift. Depends who I’m interviewing I suppose 😉
Today Tabs, I play the role of provocateur. I’ll take your answer as an emphatic ‘yes’. Now just waiting to hear from Fun.
Role play? Excellent.
Just give me a mo to change into my speedoes. Bagsy I’m Duncan Goodhew.
Laughing now. Ok, I’ll spill the beans. Just thought you two would be ideal candidates to interview Goonerholic…whatcha think?!
I thought Holics wasn’t taking interview because he was getting his back waxed today???
Interviewing Holic in my Speedoes and as Duncan Goodhew?
Test…
Good day everyone,i think our line-up for The COC game will be
Martinez
Yennaris ,Djourou, Miguel,Santos
AOC,Le Coq,Eastmond
Theo,Chamakh,Arshavin.
I think who we will see on the bench will depend on how much Arsene rates Conventry,we might have some first teamers on the bench to bail us out if need be but if he is convinced that Conventry won’t threaten much then expect some youngsters like Akpom,Ollson and Eisfield to come off the bench to make their debuts.
Fun, You’re killing me here…test?!
And Cor, you’re not helping matters much either (got a visual on what you said).
Yosh, making a move to get some food and water.
I leave you with some laughter (I hope) 😀
http://www.talksport.co.uk/magazine/features/120925/ronaldos-open-goal-gaffe-and-other-amazing-misses-including-giggs-dalgli-181738
Tabs – Theo not playing up front for England is irrelevant.
McLaren saw him in the U21s as Eriksson had clearly promoted him too soon to the full squad and he never started for England under him.
Capello chose him in his club position wide, gave him his debut there and he scored a hat-trick on only his second start at that level, so he was hardly likely to shift him to the middle if he wasn’t playing for his club in that position, especially when he had Rooney to play there.
Hodgson is an unimaginitive plodder who prefers work rate (Milner) and as Theo hasn’t been starting for Arsenal, that also counts against him.
My last word on the subject (for the time being);
The only reason that TW is still with us is because no one came in with a half decent enough offer to take him off our hands.
That in itself speaks volumes about this situation.
For some reason I thought the game was tonight.
You have to love the fact that Yennaris may be playing tomorrow, having been the Arsenal mascot last time we faced Cov’ at Highbury!
In other news, October is in limbo.
At 2pm I was definitely not going to Qatar (but going to Norwich 😉 ).
At 4pm, I’ll know next week, so 4 days before I depart or not, whether I go.
I have a big headache now.
A bit of a weird situation to be in that, Ollie. They expect you to make all your arrangements in three days prior to leaving, that’s cutting it tight.
Have a drink on me to sooth your noggin.
Nonny, my view is its not irrelevant at all.
Fair enough on McClaren , my mistake.
Interested however to see that you consider your player assessments to be more perceptive than not only AW (that’s a given, he’s “past it” after all), but also Capello and “plodder” Hodgson.
In regard to Capello one would have thought an early hat trick from the flanks might have encouraged rather than discouraged him to try TW through the middle. If Capello had seen that TW was capable of playing the role, he would have tried it out, irrespective of Theo’s club position.
As for Hodgson, I really don’t get your drift. Walcott was a certain starter all last season for Arsenal (fitness permitting). Yet at The Euros, Hodgson preferred both Milner and the Ox out wide. That is not the point however. You wish to see him up front. Carroll, Welbeck, Defoe and Rooney all had game time up front for England and in the view of the manager, and presumably after countless training sessions, Theo was deemed not good enough to play the role.
I make no comment as to whether I agree with Hodgson or disagree. I merely make the point that it lends yet more evidence that he is not, at present, good enough to play a central role, and that it not merely a case of missing out because “the manager decided to get rid of him”.
The situation is far more nuanced than that.
I ask again. Do Arsenal change their style to accommodate him up front or do you think he’s good enough to play up front on his own?
H2H bang on. No-one wanted him badly enough to pay a transfer fee for him. Theo is gambling on the big Clubs coming in when there’s no fee involved. Possible, but a gamble nonetheless.
Ollie- have another Beer on me. Not a great situation.
Vidic out for 8 weeks.
Good news. (Not for him, obviously).
Cheers for beers.
And agree with 275.
No one thinks that Gnabry gets a look tomorrow?
On my bench NorCal.
Good news Dr Z. Shame it’s not 8 years 😉
Yes Gnabry has a chance NorCal. I would guess as much of a chance as Akpom.
Looking at the training photos, it might be more like a front-line of Theo, Arsh, Chamakh.
Who knows? Err….. Arsene.
Dr.z, are Manure rapidly becoming a one-man (snake) team?
Scrub that, they have Valencia, he’s a bit good IMO.
Now that I can read arseblog at last, I think he covers the Feo situation well 😉
Ollie
Plenty of alternative headache cures in the ol’ CMC.
Just don’t tell your boss 😉
Re TH14. My undetstanding is that he was always a striker. When he was in the youth team at Monaco it was also with Trezeguet and Sonny Anderson. I am sure that I read somewhere that all were just too good to leave out hence TH ended up out wide. It was always AW’s plan to play him in the middle.
Re Theo. If AW really believes he has a career as a central striker you have to wonder why he bought Park last season. Surely that would have been the golden opportunity to play Theo in the middle rather than waste money?
Ladies & Gents
I believe there is, more or less, a consensus of opinion in the bar re: Theo on the big issues. Could this be a first?
Whatever it is I agreed with TS, I take it back. 😉
I agree with Zico. 😉
An unicum indeed, TS.
How to make enough time to backdrink adequately??
How? Have another drink before backdrinking.
Sorry. I now see most had Gnabry on their benches. Missed that when I was speed drinking with a funnel.
I think one of the young wings/strikers gets a start. Eisfield hopefully does too.
I do agree with most on Theo. He is a luxury at the moment and if he stays will have to show much more to be a regular. Maybe give him a start down the middle tomorrow and tell him he must impress or he will not get many other chances.
I do think in some situations he would do well as a single striker, but his “consistency in patches” will not earn him the opportunity to prove that at Arsenal.
Either everyone’s busy tonight or the lurk in the bar is strong indeed… 8)
May the lurk be with you, young paddawind.
Throwing caution to the ‘Wind’ heads the ball to H2H…
Heads back to Nursie, makes way into penalty box………
Trips over her own feet, but does a no no and elbows the ball to…
Bammmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Diving header!
H2H, We’re lucky the linesman wasn’t looking. Well in. Most unconventional.
I need to re-train as a striker it seems! Going after the wrong kind of prize :p
Well in H2H, your lurk was indeed stronger than mine 🙂 Lovely assist Nurse 😉
Thank you Wind. Been very impetuous today, blame it on not heeding my horoscope and being a Yank. I hereby resign my role as provocateur, effective immediately 🙂
A lovely 3 player move for the Goal. Even if it was a handball, offside, stumbling, obstruction kind of thingy that led to it.
Hazard said he considered the LWC until they missed out on CL. I think it was a few million more reasons but I guess I’m cynical.
Cheers Wind and thanx for a most excellent assist ABB.
Three outta three, a hatrick, a TriPod-olski. 😉
I read that too NorCal and my thoughts weren’t a million miles away from what you just posted.
Ollie – Saw your Qatar news. Not sure whether to commiserate or congratulate you on a narrow escape. It’s a definite bummer that you don’t know for certain one way or the other this soon before your planned departure date. If you have any say in the matter – don’t travel out on a Friday – the Islamic weekend is Thursday/Friday, so you get the opportunity to work 4 days, travel and work 5 days. Good for the bank balance, assuming you are paid sensibly, but a bit of a bugger if you like a little time off now and again – not that there was anything to do in Doha, ahem, 28 years ago.
Classic move for the triple hundred above and massive props to a certain adoptive Dutchman for his triple.
COYG ICDDR
Oxon,
Not sure if I ever got to buy you that drink we talked about during the mayhem of the transfer window. Seeing my reaction to the selling of Theo at the time and the perspective of a good start to the season ( basically without theo) I feel foolish that I ranted about his loss at all.
The drink I owe you is on the bar. Please enjoy it. 😉
That was quite a combination, H2H and abb. Nice hat-trick for H2H too.
Re possible teams for tomorrow,looks llike Akpom is in Estonia with England’s youth team so he’s definetly out. Word on twatter(no typo) is that Ollson tweeted in swedish that he’s f*cking dissapointed so people seem to think that’s because he didn’t make the cut for the 18 man list,make of that what you will.
Oxon. Qatar, like Dubai now has a Friday/Saturday weekend. It was still Thu/Fri when I went in 2006, but it’s changed a few years ago to help business.
Why thank you NorCal. I must admit I had completely forgotten about the conversation. I’m just passing a few minutes in the bar – sheltering form the rain while waiting for a virtual bus, as it were – so will have to down your generous drink quickly and rush out again. Do tell the barkeep to set one up for you on me.
I look forward to a longer chat in the not too distant future :-). I’m glad to hear you’re getting over the Theo-angst.
COYG ICDDR
Ollie – I don’t know, you turn your back for 28 years and they change all sorts of stuff. Whatever next, wasn’t like this when I was a lad.
Right, I’m really off now. Thanks again for the drink NorCal.
COYG ICDDR
Oxon,
Haha. I think Theo was just the ” straw that broke the Camels back”. Interesting figure of speech since we are speaking about the middle east. Anyway, I do think Theo has a place in this team, but just not the one Theo thinks he has. My frustration culminated this summer with the Theo incident but I am soooo over the past and like where the future looks to be going.
Forward
Did somebody ask why we bought Park last season ?
Do keep up chaps !
“Shirts” is why, old boy, “Shirts”.
Ollie. Thanks for the suggestion @293. You keep everybody larffing. 🙂
I see Swindon are 1-0 up.
test
@ abb
irrelevant now, but I did try several times to reply! My comments just have not apeared.
Indeed they are Ollie, looking for a repeat of the 1969 Final, perhaps. 😉
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Interesting, to say the least, that Garth Crooks chooses Javi Garcia and Gervinho in his team of the week. Having actually watched Man City v. Arsenal I’d have to say those are the last two players I would have expected …
Fun, cannot find any missing posts, but as a rule if you try to include 3 or more links in a comment that will cause the spam filter to blast your contribution from the ether. Could that be it?
…and I don’t do interviews 🙂