Failure To Strike Costs Arsenal Dear
Sep 30th, 2012 by 'holic
Judge us after we have played City and Chelsea. Not only I suggested that. Those two matches are now out of the way and we can be forgiven for feeling this morning that we may not be as close to the finished article as we had hoped.
Both matches were dominated by the visiting midfield. Difficult to accept though it is yesterday saw Chelsea’s five get back behind the ball when we had it, but get forward in numbers and with pace when they nicked it off us, as frequently they did. It is that pace of attack that we displayed too rarely.
The fact that we have only one point from those two fixtures however owes everything to our own failings. Despite being second best in key areas yesterday both goals were surrendered by errors, both individual and collective. I have seen, and understand fully, criticism of the dropping of Per Mertesacker, but at midday yesterday who would have been upset at the inclusion of the usually excellent Laurent Koscielny? Certainly not I.
As for Mannone, we have little option but to persist with him given the two ‘keepers ahead of him in the pecking order are out with injury. There is a reason he is third choice and it is not unreasonable to say that until yesterday his shortcomings had not been exposed. A jittery ‘keeper and an out of sorts central defender does not make a happy partnership. It was an off day, and those errors can be worked on in training.
More concerning to Arsene this morning will be our inability to score the goals that would have put a rosier glow on this morning. We were the better side at City, and chances went begging. Despite the fact we were not at our best yesterday a point should have been secured in the closing stages. Only Olivier Giroud will know what is going through his mind at the moment. Having broken his duck in the week he squandered a golden opportunity to level the game. Once again his arrival in place of Podolski rather than Gervinho raised eyebrows. The Ivorian scored a wonderful goal, but otherwise struggled against an organised defence.
It wasn’t all doom and gloom. Both full-backs, and particularly Carl Jenkinson, were outstanding. I spoke earlier of our failure to switch from back to front with pace. It was something taken on board by Jenkinson, eager to burst forward at every opportunity and lifting the crowd in the process. Bacary Sagna will not be a shoe-in to replace him when he is fit again.
I don’t know about the rest of the ground, but at the final whistle I expected some to express their disappointment more vocally than they did. There was more an air of resignation around though. Acceptance that for the first time this season we had not performed, but hopefully it was a one off. October brings with it fixtures that look winnable. We must not let the month pass without making the most of the kindness of the fixture computer.
Afterwards pints were quaffed in excellent company. It was fascinating to get an American perspective on Stan Kroenke and Ivan Gazidis. The result may not have been what we had anticipated beforehand, but the day either side of the match itself was thoroughly enjoyable. Arsenal people, thank you for that.
298 Responses to “Failure To Strike Costs Arsenal Dear”
I for one couldn’t understand Mertesacker’s dropping and said so pre-kick off. Made no sense then and less post match.
Points thrown away.
First drink of the day for me is usually tea.
Unpopular post warning.
I love Santi to death, but he has one problems which will trouble us in these kind of games.
He is an excellent passer with immaculate vision, but he needs people to make the movement and doesn’t “force” them to make a movement with his passing.
If others aren’t moving then we have a problem.
We played at walking pace today, as we did against Sunderland. There was absolutely no movement and Santi couldn’t thread a ball to anyone because everyone was static.
Jack (or any driving player for that matter) on the other hand, could help us with unlocking defenses when our players are static. He glides past people at will, which means the opponent’s shape gets ruined. If he woulda glided past Mikel and then Terry woulda come to cover him, that leaves space for Gervinho to exploit even though he was static and didn’t make any movement.
This is one of the hardest things to do in football, but we have to find a way to do it.
Or we can just get a moving centre forward… Giroud? Could be. But he’s gotta settle down or his teammates would stop passing him the ball.
I’ll have a coffee please.
This makes some good points:
http://www.football365.com/faves/8120782/16-Conclusions
The hangover doesn’t seem to bad this morning, strangely enough.
As someone suggested in the pub yesterday, Giroud will probably need counselling after that miss.
I was kind of hoping we got rid of mental problems, but not quite.
Shit defending though, is it all Bould’s fault now? 😉
Fine margins in the game yesterday I thought, but what a difference a goalkeeper makes….
I believe the game showed how much we miss Diaby.
Let’s just hope he’s not broken for too long.
Beaten at home by a rival thanks to some shambolic defending and toothless attacking.. Really, what fantastic progress this team has made!
2 wins out of 6. That’s not even top-7 form.
Certain players already starting to show their true colours.
They said we’ll know more about this Arsenal team after City and Chelsea games. Yep, just a solitary point tells us all we need to know.
And God help us once our injuries start kicking in.
Giroud needs coaching rather than counselling 😉
Seriously though, it does sort of indicate a lack of ability that he gets such clear chances and can’t even force the keeper into a save. I didn’t see much of him playing for Montpellier, but are his wild lashes at the ball typical of the way he plays? “If I hit it hard it might go in” stuff won’t work at most levels, but especially not at the top level.
I didn’t watch too many Montpellier games, so can’t really tell. But as far as I recall, this didn’t strike me as a typical Giroud thing.
All I know is Chamakh was very good at Bordeaux 😉
Mind you, he started better at Arsenal than Giroud so far :p
Morning all.
That Ollie, bad influence.
I hurt…
Morning all. Holic, Wasn’t Jenks amazing. Gibbs very industrious as well. Good stuff by them, as you point out. I feel Gervinho was engaged and not terribly undermined by Chelsea. I say this with good conscience after watching the game for a second time. Two of his passes to Santi (around the 9th and 85th minute) were potential goal scoring opportunities, both squandered by the usually brilliant spaniard.
Slow, tentative, no movement, third choice goalkeeper, predictable substitutions, naive defending and a host of other faults left yesterday’s viewing difficult to watch.
Exceptions were Gibbs, Jenkinson and Arteta.
Also, thankfully, there was good company in the shape of BtM and his rellies to keep me in good cheer. And of course, Arthur. 😉
Need to come out all guns blazing on Wednesday.
[From Last Drinks]
Got to watch the match uninterrupted stream-wise mostly for the 1st time in months, and we put in a poor performance. Maybe its like firstlady says, we hadn’t lost in so long before this that we aren’t used to it & its hitting some of us harder than usual. Me, I still feel a bit devastated  This is my face when both balls went through the defence unchallenged – :O for about a minute & a half after. Doctor Who cheered me up  (it was a sad episode  ) along with general Saturday Night TV so the Saturday wasn’t ruined. Didn’t know how to feel about the Tiny Totts beating Manure, but I think the last time they won at Old Toilet in a season we won the league did we not? 
One thing that genuinely worries me is the Ox’s inability to track his man & stay with him at times, let Fox go lose in the box against Southampton & we conceded for the 1st time in the league & tge season. Doesn’t stay with Luiz, Koscielny has to double up & Torres scores the opener. Its like he defends for a bit of time then is already trying to go on the attack or is readying up for it before the danger is quelled in our final third. Wonder if this apparent lack of defensive discipline can be worked out of him by Bouldy, you’d expect him to have some from Southampton but he’s still young 😛
It may not surprise anyone if I say that I thought, apart from the pass for the goal, OX was very average when he came on, particularly second half. Very slow, passing poor and he left a few things he should have got and gave away the ball in our own half as a result. Also Gervinho is getting loads of praise for his goal, and the finish was great, but when two defenders run away from you and give you all the time you need, half the job is already done. He didn’t make space for himself, they gave him it on a plate. Still had to finish it though and he took it very well.
3 – Offsides for each of Gervinho and Torres¹
4 – Total number of times Gervinho has been flagged offside this season
And this is exactly why I didn’t get some people saying ‘Gervinho is always offside’.
He’s been offside once in all the previous games….
Nonny, what about Feo? 😉
I had to be reminded that he actually was on the pitche.
I’d have kept Poldi on.
Nice succinct report holic…sums up the mood perfectly. Twas a dsappointing result / performance – Chelski were just that bit stronger when it mattered. Cech made the saves…Don Vito did not. The centre backs seem to have played with last seaon’s mentality and they will know that’s not good enough. It’s was a good wake up call to the players, management and supporters that there is still some way to go.
On a positive note, the improvement of both full backs is really noticeable. The engine and pace of Corp Jenkinson is a real boon and he can cross a ball!! – maybe he should be promoted to a seargent with this seasons performances. And has Gibbs bulked up a little – he appears stronger in the tackle (down wolfie ) and this must already be his longest injury free run.
Well some bubble & squeak next on the agenda…don’t think we will find that too much on our plate to handle 😉
arseblog’s view of the game on today’s blog is just right IMHO.
Fullbacks definitely our best players yesterday.
Morning.
Stayed away from football last night, recorded MotD and will watch it with tonights broadcast later.
Thanks to Trev for his post on the previous drinks, it’s always good to hear the opinion of someone who was at the game as tv offers a limited viewing angle.
BM on the bar for those who feel the need.
Yes, we didn’t play well at all. Yes, Cuntski look pretty good this year. But, yesterday’s loss hurts badly. Losing at home to a rival. It’s a blow IMO
Let’s see how we recover from this
Never thought we got going at all yesterday,there didn’t seem to be any urgency about us,kos had an off day maybe rusty,tv wasn’t much better,like u said I thought the two fullbacks were excellent,too many of the rest didn’t seem up for it,in the last ten when I’d expect us to throw the kitchen sink at them it seemed we went out with a whimper resigned to defeat,very unlike us let’s hope it was just one of those days.let’s hope Europe can put the smile back today.
If ever a side was crying out for a change of shape it was this one.The “sweeper system” utilising all 3 centre-backs and two full backs who are far better going forward than defending would seem to be an ideal fit.in this way we wouldn’t have to worry about “missing” Diaby as and when he is injured.The front two could also play more effectively in tandem and could be rotated according to form and opposition.Similarly the midfield 3 could also rotate thus ensuring that no one individual is over-played and shouldn’t be as liable to long term injury problems.
Unfortunately nothing can be done about our short term goalkeeping problem.Mannone found his level at Hull last season and Chesney has been too prone to making cardinal errors of late.Wenger should certainly have brought in an experienced keeper during the transfer window,as back-up; but at this stage we are stuck with two keepers (Mannone and Fabianski) who couldn’t catch a proverbial cold between them!
One crap game does not tell you very much about a team. It’s the game after the bad one that does, if we bounce back immediately and hammer Olympiakos (or at least beat them convincingly) and then get a result on Saturday then there probably isn’t too much to worry about.
And quite frankly, that we played as badly as we did yesterday and still actually very well could have won the game does fill me with some confidence so let’s keep our toys in the pram for now, ok?
Ollie.
I just checked out Arseblog, I agree with a lot, but not all, of what he wrote.
I thought Chelsea were better then many are giving them credit for, they may not of been that threatening, but neither were we.
He also points out that the defence was in a shambles (which I agree) for their two goals and the BFG wouldn’t of let that happen, but wasn’t he on the pitch against Citeh when we also let in a soft set piece goal?
I do however agree that the defeat was mostly of our own making.
That’s enough negativity from me, time to look forward to our next challenge.
Bring on the Greeks.
H2H. You kow, I was gobsmacked yesterday because I thought a lot of people in the pub were giving Chelsea MORE credit than they deserved.
The views similar to that of arseblog seemed to be in a minority.
To be fair, I rarely remember a game where opinions on what happened were so divided.
And to be, as someone else said, it was all about fine margins.
When you see the sudden shift of momentum when we equalised in the first half, I am convinced that, had Cech messed up one of his saves (heh, I did celebrate on the deflected shot until I realise it was a corner), we could have got momentum again.
For all the talk of the Chavs not having to try hard and controlling the game well (which is essentially true, I agree), it wouldn’t have taken a lot to shift the momentum.
I thought we lacked urgency, and yes we certainly weren’t at our best, and made too many wrong decisions with the ball, but I wasn’t THAT impressed with Chelsea.
We could have got at least a draw, I don’t think it would have been flukey.
And yes, mostly agree on the Mert. Surprised he didn’t play, but there’s no guarantee it would have changed anything to the goals themselves.
Still, I would have fancied him to add something to our defending.
Ollie. What impressed me about the chavs (I think I just puked in my mouth) was their movement, they always seemed to have an extra man, with or without the ball. Thay stiffled our play without having to park the bus and looked menacing on the counter although admitedly pretty toothless with end result.
Maybe that’s also what’s so frustrating, because from open play we snubbed out their threat pretty well, but undid all our good work with two lapses of concentration from set pieces.
Maybe I should watch the game again in it’s entirity because I was pretty pissed at the final whistle so that may influence the way I reflect on the game. Don’t think I sit through that again though.
I’d say he went with kos and tv for there mobility over merts reading of the game against mata Torres hazards bit of pace.backfired look very unorganised again on set pieces,have to say they never let us settle in the midfield and get our game going so for that they get credit,but I don’t think there miles ahead of us.
Ollie @ 15 – He should have started 😉
Just a reminder that Arsenal Ladies need a point today to win the WSL and that it’s live on ESPN from 4pm UK time. I wish they’d change their Twitter thingy though, because ESPNUK looks too much like ESPUNK, which sounds like an online sperm bank service. 🙂
heh Nonny
It is painful . But the truth , we are against the best players in the world : Torres , Oscar , Mata . Chelsea and Man City have the best players in the world .
Hopefully Arsene will tidy up thing and we will be there again , in the top 4 of the EPL .
Nice review Holic.
Disappointing outcome. Particularly so as we so clearly contributed to their two goals.
Can’t help feeling that we suffered in MF from the early departure of Diaby, particularly in dealing with the high balls coming in from those free kicks.
This season is going to be as tight as a duck’s arse, so we have to knuckle down and, as you observe, get those winnable points on the board. Last season’s gap from the top was down to our profligacy in those very fixtures. So let’s do better this year.
And, Bouldy, sort out that fuckin’ defence please.
Nice ZA Shiraz, anyone? Liquid sunshine!
Interestingly it looks as those who watched on the small screen had a different impression of Chelsea to those in the ground. Maybe you had to be there to see the way their midfield controlled the game and held their shape. If they had a more confident frontman than Torres we could have been in more bother. I did agree with Chris as well when he spoke of Chelsea looking as though they could have gone up a gear if they wanted to. On the day, sadly, we did not.
That is a bit more disappointing, Holic.
It may well have looked a lot different from inside the Stadium indeed.
Being a lazy cunt means I couldn’t know 😉
A certain ‘@Bosscielny’ brought up that exact parallel Holic, players he thinks did badly when he’s at a game such as yesterday, Twitter think they did alright, and vice-versa :s Matter of wide view perception perhaps? [Steve T ;)]
‘Twitter’ thinks. Oh dear. We’re doomed.
Even watching on tv I thought we were out played. Like I said, it always looked like they had an extra man.
It’s all about perception I suppose.
===
Heh, Ollie.
Morning Holic, good to see you yesterday, as ever.
H2H –
Judging by your posts from yesterday and today, I reckon that from your “narrow” viewing angle you saw it all just about dead right.
Zico – hate to have to agree with your assessment too. Not because it’s yours, but because it was a very poor performance all round, with the three exceptions you mentioned, who were excellent.
“We will know a lot more about this team after the Man City and Chelsea matches”, Arsene said.
I was feeling very positive about the team and the squad before yesterday’s game. I’m not giving up on all that after one poor game, but the fact is we have taken 1 point from the 6 possible.
The players, I believe, are good enough. They have to develop a mentality that will capitalise on the opportunities that they create.
Time and time again, over too many years now, we have created chances to win big games and not taken them.
Time and again, we have clawed our way into potentially winning positions in the league, only to immediately then throw it all away.
Mental training – micro and macro level, is what this team, or club, needs. We now have a team and squad which should be more mature than in recent seasons.
They have to get a lot stronger if the frustration is to end.
Anyone else think Jenkinson will be booted out in favour of Sagna, when he’s fit, regardless of his form and wondering who is going to be sacrificed to get Wilshere back in?
Nonny –
Looking at the Jenks situation interms of contract issues, players making public statements and the like, my answer to your first question is “no”.
The answer to the second question is fairly obvious if you think about it, but it will be a very gradual process anyway.
Cheer up mate, life’s too short.
Trev, maybe because I have a big screen tv. 😉
I think what’s most disapointing about yesterdays result is that we all thought we would do better. Expectation was high after last weeks performance when we bossed the champions on their own turf.
We wanted to know how far we were and now we do. We know we’re not quite the finished article , but we’ll also see how strong we are mentaly if we can pick ourselves up and get decent results in our upcoming fixtures. (as others have mentioned)
I haven’t seen any of the other games from this weekend yet, but from what I’ve seen of the season so far there’s no team that sticks out head and shoulders above the rest. There’s no need to panic just yet.
Nonny I understand your frustration, I feel the same too sometimes, but you act as you are actually exited for us to loose so you can be proven right on Wenger’s ignorance issue.
Uplymipan @16: spot on about Cech and Don Vito. The Chelsea keeper pulled off two goal saving saves and Don Vito didn’t. It made the difference.
‘Holic@34. Chelsea midfield looked to be bossing the midfield as much on a stream as they did from the ground, at least from my point of view. Their pressing of Santi was particularly effective, and especially after Diaby limped off.
Have to agree with those who felt leaving out the BfG was a mistake. The defense does seem so much better organized, and thus calmer, when he plays. I understand the fear that he might be caught for pace by Chelsea’s nippy attacking midfielders, but you don’t play as many games for Germany as he has and not know how to deal with world class midfielders. Big game experience is invaluable in big games. Kos, played like someone coming into a team and trying to secure a place. Trying too hard and thus being a bit frenetic.
from where i watched the game, all of the chelsea fans were of the same opinion that they shouldn’t have won the game. the statistics help to tell the tale, but we fashioned enough chances to not just tie but to win the game outright. podolski forced a really good save, giroud had two good chances, cazorla had three that you would normally expect to put on target. chelsea had a single shot on target that didn’t result from a softly conceded position and poor subsequent defending. chelsea did in fact sit pretty deep and try to hit us on the counter while plugging the middle of the field. this is not at all surprising considering their history and manager of limited imagination. i don’t know how anyone is getting this impression of incredible attacking nous. di matteo is not a good manager. look at the drop off in form at the end of last season despite the champions league lotto win.
here are our problems though. i do think that on balance chelsea has a better team of players, and that was evident with the players we had on the field and their deficiencies as well as those we brought in. we missed out on a gem in mata. in fact, almost any player from the spanish first or olympic teams could probably fit right into our squad so it’s disappointing that wenger was willing to let that one go. a few of our players just aren’t that good. ox is still struggling in my opinion despite having a lot of physical assets, ramsey is well, ramsey, who actually seems to be more direct and confident than diaby. gervinho is just disappointing though he did create the space for himself on the goal. gervinho is clearly just not a smart player. i mean, if we’re going to play gervinho in the middle of our attack, why not play arshavin? it’s ludicrous.i mean, if we’re going to play gervinho in the middle of our attack, why not play arshavin? it’s ludicrous. he should have been flogged for not loosing the ball to the other side of the pitch with the one counterattack that i can remember us having. i will give him some benefit of the doubt as his runs into traffic on the sides of the field were often due to lack of movement him by others. if gervinho plays anywhere, it should be out wide. lastly giroud is looking a little short of ability though he should have started as anyone could tell we were going to have opportunities come from out wide, witness our goal.
without much width, and no threat for converting crosses in the middle, we were always going to struggle. i am very disappointed after yesterday. the team was looking like it was as good as city and better than united this season, which would be oh so tasty considering the van persie situation. i still hold that we were not outplayed but outplayed them, and that is something. that the chelsea fans i saw were far more nervous throughout the game than the arsenal fans spoke volumes.
Afternoon Holics
I agree with much that has been said and although I hate to admit it , Chelsea for me, were the superior team in just about every department. The only time we were in control of the game was immediately after scoring the equaliser, when I expected that we would go on and win the game. Sadly, we came out for the second half with the momentum lost during the interval and again I hate to say this but we gave up the fight in the final 20mins.
Cpl Jenks, Gibbs and Arteta are the only players who can feel any satisfaction from their performances, everyone else was either below par on the day or was stifled by the tactics of our opponents. I could see why AW chose to play Kos rather than Mert, nippy attacking players could have been seen to be his achilles heel. In the event, it looked as though Arsene had made the wrong call.Who knows!
It was criminal to gift that lot two goals but that need not have been a disaster had our attacking players put away just some of the chances that went begging. Gervinho’s goal was the highlight of our game but that was about all he contributed to the match, I would have subbed him for Giroud at a much earlier stage.
This sounds terribly negative but we didn’t do ourselves justice on the day. I suppose, like many of you, the performance at middle eastlands had lead to expectations that at last we seemed to be putting together a credible title challenging side. Yesterday was a reality check and we must hope it was nothing more than a blip and that our defensive deficiencies can be ironed out and fast, Bouldy over to you.
The journey home on the 15.45 was not a jolly one, however Gooner Gary on seeing how despondent I was, graciously handed me his ST so that I might attend Wednesday night’s encounter with the Greeks and Gooner Kevin is driving me to Ely so that we can stay to the end and catch a later train, which unfortunately does not continue on to West Norfolk on mid-week nights. Gooner friends are the best in the world. See you all on Wednesday.
As always COYRs
Really enjoyed that Mr.Foley. Always good to get alternative viewpoints. Please visit us again soon 🙂
Good summary, goonerholic.
I was disappointed that our passing was not crisper and quicker. I can see why Gervinho stayed on, though. I thought he provided more in an attacking sense than Podolski, who had a quiet game overall.
However the important thing now is to bounce right back, not just with a result but with a performance.
***
Having seen the Giroud miss at the end, I am surprised to see/hear it being described as a great chance in some quarters, inclding by the ArsenalPlayer commentators. Perhaps it looked clearer in real time at the stadium, but on TV you can see that the angle is very tight and apart from the keeper, there is one defender on the goal line and one about a metre behind him. My criticism of Giroud is that he failed to hit the target, I certainly wouldn’t *expect* him to score directly from there. At least he worked hard and made his presence felt.
Incredible how one poor result can put such a different complexion on the season to date.
I going with the judge us after ten games mantra now.
Trev’s bang on, life is far too short.
Lars too re: one bad game.
Bring on The Greeks. That’ll blow the melancholia away.
Looks like Arsenal Ladies will have won the WSL before their match even starts. Birmingham are drawing at Bristol.
Confirmed – Arsenal Ladies are WSL champions. And with two games to go, they are still unbeaten.
TS @50 – it is extraordinary how the mood swings from incautious optimism to deepest doom at a single bounce of a ball. People are so emotionally labile these days. Where has that inner grit gone? We expect it from the players. Can we not display a bit ourselves?
I really didn’t think that we played that badly, apart from the defensive errors that led to the two goals and to Torres’ airshot – though take on board Holic’s observation that it looked a different game to those in the ground. I thought we were going to push on and win the game when we scored that great equaliser. That might have happened but for the unfortunate own goal and but for the renaissance of Czech we would have got the point that I think we deserved.
I still have faith in Giroud coming good and am disappointed he didn’t get a longer run out against the Chavs.
Sadly, we came out for the second half with the momentum lost during the interval
I really can’t agree. We lost momentum when we gifted them the second goal. We were looking markedly the better team until then in that half. Admittedly, that goal came early enough for people to forget this….
It is a bit of a curate’s egg start to the season. Only two wins in six league games and one point out of six from teams we will likely be challenging for the title is the bad part. A sense this is a better balanced team than we have had for some seasons, one that is better defensively and one that has been made stronger by the summer signings, especially Santi, is the good part. There isn’t much between Chelsea, the pair of Mancs and ourselves in terms of player quality. It is likely to be a tighter battle for the title than last season. Any one of the quartet could end up in any of the top four places. Suspensions and/or injuries could be what decides it. I’m with Trev in the sense that seven points off the leaders with 32 games to play means it is still all up for grabs.
Hey Ollie, How ya doin’?
NBN@55 I am with Trev on that too. Long way to go. It’s going to be tighter than last season at the top. We simply have to be up there.
Yes, I have the same kind of feeling, Ned.
The balance is still fragile, but you feel that we have more of a team, and also a better squad. Somehow maybe still a bit short on firepower, but we’ll see. A consistent run before the next Mancs game could do wonder.
Doing fine, baff, though I suspect going to work tomorrow is going to be particularly painful.
Are you still in Greece?
I see $hitteh and Scunts are allegedly making statements that will lure Feo with the promise of a striker’s role – saying nothing about a first team starting striker role though. Hardly seems likely with $hitteh.
Good point @54 Ollie. Bathlet No 1 who was there said we seemed to run out of zip with about 30 to go. Nonetheless I thought OG added something when he arrived and had too little time to have a proper impact. Feo added the usual – maybe he’ll do more oop norff -t’would be typical.
Nope, back in Blighty since late Thursday – brrrrrrrrrr.
I wasn’t at the game because I’d bought tickets for the Ring Cycle and Siegfried started on Saturday at 3pm at Covent Garden. I had missed Rheingold and Walkyre because we were in Greece so a tough call but Wagner beat Wenger on Saturday. Looking forward to Gotterdammerung tomorrow.
Holic @ 34 Yeah, their midfield did control the game…but surely it would have been less had we done better ourselves. So Chelsea is better than last season, but so are we. I still believe Cech won the game for them. FunGunner @ 49 Appreciate your take on Gervinho and Giroud. As usual, you are spot on. Ollie, my goodness, agree with just about everything you said (except you are not lazy 🙂
Ollie@54: that is how it looked to me, too. Before their second goal, it seemed like a game we would win; after it, one we’d be lucky to draw.
ibid @58: there is also the question of a new team bedding in. If we’d played the Citeh and Chelski games at the end of the season, I suspect we’d likely have won both. At least I hope so.
(smidgin of Latin above just for you, Oxon)
BG@57: absolutely. I think we shall be. There is little doubt in my mind that the current squad is top four calibre. The question is, is it top three, top two or even, dare one dream, top one.
Feo not looking like someone overly bothered about fighting for his place. Ramsey, on the other hand, does. He put in a decent shift yesterday.
Evening all. Back from a few days away. I have only seem the briefest of highlights and read reports. I was surprised to see big Per omitted from the starting line up. As soon as diaby limped off we looked very small again. The two goals we gave away were poor and we are suffering from not investing on a top quality second choices keeper when we had the chance. Giroud really needs to find his shooting boots. It may sound harsh but two shockers may have already cost us 3 points this season. As a top international striker he needs to discover some form.
I will watch the full game later. Then press delete and look forward to Wednesday.
Ah well. My 2 pennies worth.
Chelski played well enough. I still think a draw would have been a fair result. Both their goals were “soft” and on ours they too made a mistake. Both JTcunt and Luis dropped off Gervinho leaving him wide open in the middle.
It is easy to second guess the dropping of Per, but if we had played both those free kicks like that I am not sure Per would have made the difference, there were mistakes by more than just Kos.
I think where we failed to use proper personnel is by waiting so long to bring in OG. Chelsea gave us the wings. As many have noted both Jenks and Gibbs had great games. Part of that was because Cheski gave us the outside. More on our right than left. They begged us to find the right cross and the right finish. We would have been better served to play OG the entire second half.
I don’t like to compare us to manure but they lost yesterday at home to a team they really were dominating. They to missed opportunities even with shrek
Continued…..
Even with shrek and CvC playing. My point is each team will have opportunities throughout the season. Let’s hope this was a one off. The true test will be to see our response in the next month.
Ok that’s it holics. Snap out of this funk right now! Looking at our upcoming fixtures should give you real hope of a sustainable run of wins. These teams are perfect for OG to play against, and start he must. Odd that some of you who were carrying on about his potential early on, have now given up on him. For me, it has been the opposite experience. The more I see him play, the more convinced I am he is a promising aquisition for our team.
Well said abb @67 both re funk and OG.
Hi bathgooner! Being paranoid and not the sharpest tool in the shed work against me. But I do believe that is a complement 🙂 Does anyone have the stats on our passes completed ?
Good evening ‘Holics,having rested for 24 hours and reminiesced about the game over and over again,my thought process is as follows:
1. Our defenders (Kos and Verm) in particular don’t trust Don Vito enough so they didnt seem to want anything to get to him,E.g. For the second goal,if Kos trusts his keeper he would have shielded the ball and let him catch it instead of trying to block it. Verm was eager not to let Torres get into a shooting position so he made a rash challenge and conceded the freekick tht led to the goal.
2. Giroud should be starting games,his movement favours Santi and Poldi’s style of play. (The chance he missed is NOT a sitter for me)
3. Walcott is no good coming off the bench when we are chasing a lead (especially in tight games)
4. The Ox is buying into his own hype and no longer works hard as he used to,his passing was so so off yesterday.
5. Gervinho. I think Arsene leaves him on because of his unpredictability. In as much as he frustrated me yesterday i cant act like i didnt see the two chances he created for Santi. He needs to learn to dod the simple things well.
Overall i think some are tried to hard to impress (Kos,Verm,Gervinho,Giroud,Ramsey,diaby and Santi) while some are not doing/didn’t do enough (Manone,Theo,The Ox) the rest(Gibbs,Arteta,Jenko,Poldi) found the right balance between the two groups. When we find this balance and as a team and learn to trust each other,that’s when we will achieve our potentials. Up The Arse.
P.S. Excuse my typo’s,typing from a phone is a problem.
Hi abb…..with you all the way on OG. He needs a run of games to get upto Premier League speed..believe he’s gonna be a favourite with all the supporters….not just the female ( and wolfie of course ). 😉
No funk with me…we are a better squad than last year but still with room for improvement in the next window. No top team frightens me..they all look betable -it’s all down to how we play on the day.
Bath…how’s the Shiraz going…might join you in such a good choice.
You are a diverse person…going from a German left wing at The Ems to a German right wing at Covent Garden 😉
While I wait for those stats (becoming a firm believer they do not lie), I’d like to point out something about Gervinho. Around the 50th minute, he was surrounded by 3 blue shirts. He managed to thwart their efforts to muscle him off the ball, and got off a pass to Jenks (think it was him). Tricky stuff by the Ivorian. Try to enjoy these moments. Their what the game is all about.
Hey Fellas, Dig what you had to say. Good stuff there!
Evening all. Just a fleeting visit from the golf. Nice to see the regulars showing bucketloads of common sense.
Thank you.
ABB, as you and predicted before the season started, this is going to be Gervais year.
But defending him, it is like Sisyphus task. I stopped couple of weeks ago when I found out that whatever he does, scores, assist, make chances just for some others to blow … he is always the weakest link and a scapegoat.
abb @69 the numbers courtesy of arseblog:
http://news.arseblog.com/2012/09/arsenal-1-2-chelsea-by-the-numbers/
heh at Uplympian @72, happy to share the Shiraz – Porcupine Ridge – very moreish
Cent 70, very good points
what Ollie said @ 78
Good the bar is filling up. Thanks for those numbers, bath. Going to study them right now. Holic, you’re a wise man. Lurky, may I buy you a drink.
What I find encouraging about those numbers is this; #of touches by Torres 52 and one shot on goal. # of touches by Gervinho 34 and one shot on goal. I interpret that to mean Gervais was the more efficient, of the two. Don’t know if that is an accurate assessment, on my part.
ABB,
I think the stats show that we were not that far off from our season averages to date. It also points out what most have said above in that Gibbs and Jenks had a great game and I think Chelski gave us the flanks knowing that Poldi and Gervinho are not a threat from crosses. That’s why I would have liked OG to come on at the half.
I personally didn’t have a problem with the switch of Kos for Mert. Chelski had 4 advanced players that play well and quick with the ball at their feet. In open play we were not troubled but we all know what happened on the set plays. Also I will say that we had no height once Diaby went off.
I will say it again, if we are going to be contenders than we must shrug off this game and improve over the next month against teams we should beat. If we instead have a month like last January then we will be fighting for 4th again.
Discovered a great getaway not far from the city. Pleasant Sunday leaving unpleasant Saturday far behind.
NorCal, Agree that OG should have been brought on much earlier, just not at Gervinho’s expence.
Interruption for golf news
WOOOOOOOOOOOOO
But unles Molinari gets a half, I don’t win my bet 🙁
ABB – I’d rather have an inefficient striker and three points.
Forza Europa
When the chips are down, rely on a German.
Sevvy smiles.
Prost
Nonny – you win your bet!
I see the Americans choked. Haha. Well done European team.
Thank you Tiger Woods for conceding that putt. Only got 5/1 this morning after not taking 9/1 last night, but the lemonades are on me.
Fuck the Football.
I’ve watched some fantastic Ryder Cup’s in my time,but that was absolutely the best of the lot.
And to think it was kick started by a lifelong Gooner yesterday,Ian Poulter,who birdied the last 5 holes to get us to 10-6 and give us a bit of belief.
Astonishing golf all day,Astonishing.
Cheered me up no end.!!
The Sweeper
Good punt Nonny. Well in.
Crunching challenge in the box to regain possession then flicks ball out to the wing and powers forward into midfield.
Fantastic comeback from them Yooripeons.
It’s enough to want to make you go clubbing….. 8)
ABB,
I would have pulled Gervinho for OG at half time. I think Poldi plays off of OG’s movement better than Gervinho. Easy to make changes after the game is over. I am sure since Gervinho got the equalizer just before half he would not have been pulled.
While we are playing Monday morning quarterback, I would also bring in Arshavin instead of theo when chasing the game. He is much more likely to create something when defenses are sitting deep and protecting a lead than theo is.
Amazing spirit. Much like a fine malt. Talking of which…….
I’ll flick on bath’ s flick
Picks up NorCal’s flick in midfield and pushes ball through to the right side of the box.
Across the middle low and hard( just for Wolfie)
Get in
I dedicate this ton to Seve Ballesteros. Never met him but all his contemporaries have such respect for him that he must have been one hell of a guy.
Thanks for the assist NorCal.
Haha. A fine two man fast break Bath.
And I am sure wolfie’s words were just that …..” get in “!
😉
Nonny and Nor Cal, saw this and thought you 2 would enjoy. ‘His forehead is immense. He will murder your defence.’ Now seriously, does it make any sense to take out your lone goal scorer, when you are behind. NO. Theo never should have come on and AA always wets my appetite (poetry in motion).
Cheers NorCal – those were the days – the old’ Th14 and RP7 one twos.
Night, night. Off for a nightcap.
Nite Bath, thanks again for those figures.
My pleasure. You are most welcome, abb.
ABB, I said it would be difficult to take off Gerv since he just equalized. I think he is an asset and don’t mind him playing just out on the wing is a better spot to me. I think Cheski was mindful of Poldi and Santi on the left but if we had brought in OG earlier, I think his movement may have opened up space.
I am not a Gerv hater. I just don’t feel he should be our starting striker every game. I want OG to get more time and hopefully more confidence and consistency will come with it. I hope that happens over the next month.
Why oh why does it have to be one or the other? Simples, play them both, with Poldi.
Fair enough just please move Gerv out wide and not Giroud.
Vito. Jenks-Per-Kos-Gibbs. Arteta-Diaby-Santi. Gervinho-OG-Poldi.
91 The sweeper……agree with every one of your words. Absolutely immense for the Europeans to come back and win the Ryder cup.
Fantastic sporting entertainment & achievement.
Well in Bath for the ton and the interplay with Norcal ( wolfie will be jealous).
Nurse, OG should be given a run as the main striker for now. The forehead has many skills for which a suitable spot in the team should be found by the boss.
Right time for my sweet dreams..good nite to all this side of the pond and a good evening to those on the west side.
Sweet dreams uply!
After Vermalen’s tackle outside te box led to a penalty which led to a goal against Montpellier, he said he has to be more careful with such tackles. Now both the goals came from his rather rash challenges in dangerous areas. Not sure if its a cause for concern but niggles a bit. And, does Kos score more own goals? Maybe that needs to be addressed.
dennis10, Notice that I had Kos instead of TV in my lineup. Think Kos was trying to provide the coverage all by his lonesome.
Still in bits. Seve, that was for you. Bar ninety minutes yesterday this has been an awesome weekend…
“Sure I may be tuckered, and I may give out, but I wont give in”. Molly Brown, after being questioned about her undying support of Gervinho. Well, only in the make believe world I inhabit. Nite all.
“Now seriously, does it make any sense to take out your lone goal scorer, when you are behind.”
No more than it makes sense to take your defensive rock out of the side, but it didn’t stop Le Genius 😉
@abb: yes, it makes sense. Actually you could see him yelling to Ox to cover, while struggling with Torres. Guess a wake up call now is better so all these holes can be sorted and fixed, from defence through the front. Can’t afford to drop points like this.
People, stop over-analyzing the game. We didn’t play well at all, that happens sometimes.
Seems I missed out on something spectacular last night by not being a golfing fanatic, but well done Europe!
Quick back drink… Love Lars´ summary @119. I think I´ll go with that.
Unlike Lars, I didn´t miss out on the spectacular events in Chicago (thank you BOTH teams)… and now I am sleep deprived.
Cést la vie..
Auntie Beechams please…
Just read AW’s comments saying it was a gamble to play Diaby???? I don’t quite get why he is saying it was a gamble? Is it because he was carrying an injury or just purely because he is the injury prone Diaby? I must say that whatever the answer that I am not massively impressed. If he was not fit then don’t play him. If he is that fragile that after only a few games back that he already needs a rest then I am not massively inspired by that either. All seems slightly odd to me.
How to foster Team Spirit.
Conversation between AW and the Big German prior to the game against Chelsea .
AW ‘ Now Per,i know that you have been our defensive man of the match in all 5 of our league games so far,and i know that you have
helped us keep clean sheets at Stoke,and at Anfield, something we haven’t managed for many a long day,and last week you were outstanding in the big game at the Etihad,indeed you kept those nippy Argies Aguerro and Tevez,and the little Spaniard Silva goal less,which is a rare feat in itself.
Indeed your leadership skills in marshalling the defensive unit have been a sight to behold.
I also know that collectively over last season,you conceded less goals in the games you played in,than Kos and TV did when they played together.
Unfortunately for you despite all the evidence to the contrary,i am dropping you to the bench for todays game.”
The big German’s response is not recorded here,because apparently he was so gobsmacked at the decision,that he was lost for words.
Cheers
A very baffled Sweeper
It’s a bit funny how Arsene now gets slated – to a large extent by the same people, though that is not so much the case in this bar it must be said – for making the exact same decision that many wanted him to make for the Liverpool game. It’s not the decision I would have made but there IS logic to it and at some point the BFG would have had to rest anyway. I would have rotated on Wednesday, but for all we know Per may have had a slight knock or had been ill or whatever. And for all the mistakes Kos made for the goals, let’s remember it was Vermaelen (who had an all-round stinker in my eyes) that gave away both free kicks with needlessly rash challenges. Let’s also remember that Cazorla had an off day shooting-wise and failed to hit the target from a few good positions, and so on and so on.
I can’t believe we are still analysing saturday’s game,okay,i apologise on Arsene’s behalf,he was “too stupid” to have played our best defender of last season as well as our top scorer of this season in place of everyone’s sweetheart,Per and our great goal scoring sensations Theo/Giroud,pls find a place in your good gooner hearts and forgive him,he admits he was been stupid and should have asked for your priceless opinions before picking his team. Now can we all move on?
Roll on Wednesday! There are some Greeks to be crushed!
Well said Eandy.
Random stat: even if Arsene loses his next 100 games incharge of Arsenal he will still be the manager with the highest win percentage in our history.
– they were aided by United’s slow start and a shocking Robin van Persie miss that should have levelled the scores late on.
Shame it was against Spu*s but heh 😉
What Lars, Cent and Eandy said.
Welcome all to a new week.
Caught up on all the weekends action from the PL in the early hours of the morning by watching the pre recorded MotD & MotD2. Had to laugh at Ol’ Beetroot face complaining about not getting enough time added on so that his team could win, what a twat. He’s a bit like the old stereotypic drunk grumpy relative that always acts like a bit of a cunt at family gatherings because he knows no one will be as rude as him or they’ll be too polite to call him up on it because he might not be around for the next get together.
I’d mentioned in a previous post that no one team had really impressed me yet this season, but if I had to pick one then I must admit that Everton are looking better then I can remember them being in a long time. (Don’t tell anyone I said that though.)
Just when I thought MotD couldn’t possibly get any worse, someone at the Beeb decided to put Gary Lineker in a blond wig and a dress ,put Mick Eckythump McCarthy on the pundits coach and flash random tweets from illiterates after every game, thank the lord for the ff button on my remote. Just over two hours of football related “entertainment” viewed in less then 50 minutes.
Wilshere is playing for the U21 team as we speak!
Is it me or are the arse text update from that game conspicuous by their absence? :s
https://twitter.com/arsenallive
It works now.
Jack just completed 62minutes of football without any niggle,seems he’s still a little bit rusty (as expected).
Lars @ #130
I reckon he’ll get some first team minutes this month. That’s really encouraging.
On the flip-side feeling gutted for Diaby. It seems that he just cannot stay injury free. Massive shame for all and another three weeks of his career spend rehabilitating instead of playing.
UTA!
Insteresting how Arsenal loses one match and the resulting blogosphere is rife with comments of how crap we are and that AW has lost the plot. Not so much in the bar, but I’ve seen a lot of negativity in the last 48 hrs. Krikey!! I’ve even seen folks slagging off the Verminator. That’s surely off base! As expected, its clam here in the bar. Thank the maker.
WHile Arsenal has looked better, we weren’t total crap. Three goals were scored. Two by Arsenal players. Yet we lost 2-1. Someone said above, generally speaking I think, cest le vie. Got the one loss off the chest, no more pressure. Agree that OG needs to play more. The Ox looked off the pace by a large margin. Seems we’re still settling a bit. Were were silky at times. Sandpaper-ish others. Felt like we outplayed the chavs for most of the match. But isn’t that how it goes sometimes.
A brutal month at the office for me and a weekend family visit. Isn’t that tiring sometimes – family I mean!
Cheers all, and a round on me for anyone game.
calm as a “clam”.
right, i’ll get my coat.
A bit quiet here in the bar this am. Maybe a good thing. Glad to see Jack is back playing competitive football. We are going to need all the midfielders we got to compete in all competitions.
Diaby’s injury record makes me sad. I’m afraid he is never going to make it. He wanted to stay on the field Saturday but his body is just not up for it. Too bad, he coulda been a contenda.
The only thing I will say is that I don’t agree that Gibbs was outstanding. His best game so far this season was away at Stoke, but against the blues he was efficent most of the time with a few surges of excellence thrown in here and there.
Gervinho is always a problem for defenders, in particular, right backs, but does need to improve on his vision in front of goal at times.
And that’s it
(shout out to the usual in the bar)
One other thing re; easy & hard fixtures. Every team who plays their rivals reckons they have their hard games out of the way. So that will put us in the same bracket as the chavs and Citeh in terms of advantages.
Personally I think every game is hard
I would have liked to have been a fly on the wall, at The Tollie after our loss. Bet Free Speech was in fine form from the holics gathered there. But for the rest of us, this is our only place to vent, plot strategies, and do a post mortem. I don’t question anyone’s loyalty here. If they didn’t love The Arsenal so much, they wouldn’t bother to visit. Rant officially over 🙂
abb, that was a rant? 😉
Nice one abb.
People, in case you hadn’t noticed, this is an Arsenal blog. The most recent game is likely to be discussed here by people who you don’t agree with. As long as they debate with respect I have no issue with that.
That is a double edged sword. Please take care to be respectful when you argue a different view, whatever the subject matter.
Cheers all.
Hey H2H, How you doing? I support the ACLU. I’m a Yank. My Zodiac sign is Cancer (the most emotional of them all). Enough said 🙂
I am hoping I didn’t discard my return ticket from Köln for november. I do not completely exclude having discarded it by mistake instead of a used Eurostar ticket.
I should think not, but a superficial hasn’t ‘t yielded results.
I’ve got the way out though, weirdly…… :s
My place is a mess….
Now then, now then, now then..
Any 14 year olds want sorting out?
Not too bad thanks, abb. Hope life’s treating you well.
G’Town. I agree with your – there are no easy games – staement. Nowadays underestimate any team at your peril.
Essoooooooooooooooooooooooo 😉
Esso!
Gooner Terry, I might need to borrow your bat 🙂
Hooray, found the train ticket. It was, indeed in the bin. Or more precisely in the plastic bag which has stuff for the recycling bin.
Bit less smelly, but still: oops.
Finders badge for Ollie.
A bit more work needed for the Housekeeping patch though. 😉
heh, cheers H2H
Turned on Monday Night Football.
After 26 minutes have gone off to watch some paint dry in another room…..
The only thing that would tempt me back into the room would be to see Allardyce and Hughes thrown into a pit of vipers.
2-0. East End Cunts.
Hey Esso, interesting story about the bloke in the Brixton pub, I bet he knew he was going to get the smack-down in any debate and cleared off sharpish! 🙂
abb @ 142, my star sign is cancer too, who knew :p
Was shocked when I saw on the Evening Standard that Europe won (retained?) the Ryder Cup. Not in a bad way, don’t understand how the USA managed to cock it up from their supposed secure position.
And being a Young Man, I do NOT follow gold much. Plenty of time when I’m as old as most of you lot 8)
“do not follow golf* much.”
I mean, who wouldn’t want to follow Gold! (Not Fools Gold btw, although I’d take Mctivies Gold mind you 😉 )
153 Zico.
I’d pay to see that.
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wilshere-returns-at-wba-picture-special
Went looking for the Arsenal Player Highlights of the Under 21s game (will probably have to wait until tomorrow), found these instead 🙂
Might go and watch the 12 Min Highlight Package of Saturday’s Game, the quality on the Stream on the TV (watched it on our PS3) wasn’t the same as the laptop quality I’m used to hehe. Do want to see Giroud’s chance again though to make a proper judgement, still think he can do the business from a start 🙂
Master Wind,
Perhaps we can introduce you to Moroccan Gold 😉
Feelgood Foundation at your service……
Evening zico.
That reminds me. Got somewhere to visit…
Something for everyone to think about; in five starts for Manure Rvp has scored five goals for them(he has taken two penalties and some free-kicks).
In five starts for Arsenal Gervinho has scored four goals for us(has taken 0 penalties or free-kicks)
Hey Wind. Yes I remembered you’re a Crab 🙂
Cent@161, well worth thinking about. That also made me think of a somewhat related stat: we have yet to be awarded a penalty this season. We haven’t even had any credible claims for penalties that I can remember which perhaps would suggest that we spend too little time in the penalty area.
On a student’s budget Mr Feelgood? Have you introduced yourself to the Moroccan Gold by any chance? 😉
Cent, Good work finding those stats. Gives me hope.
Erm @ 163
Wot was that thing Giroud missed last week? 😉
@ 160
Marrakech?
zico, don’t destroy my fine theories with all them there “FACTS”…
Wind 164
Ofcourse he has, all DLL execs test the product before sales and as his comment @166 proves his memory is still intact. 😎
Queens Park stRangers pull one back.
Just finished playing catch up.
Cent@161. I am intrigued. I have read your post several times now. Am I missing something here? What relevance does that have? Ate you saying that Gervinho is more prolific than RvP? Apologies if I am being thick here.
Hey Steve T, Can’t speak for Cent. What I gleaned from those numbers, is that Gervais scored with a higher degree of difficulty required to score (open play).
ABB. Evening. I managed to get that bit but on the first day of October I fail to see that it has any relevance at all. I remember getting to September in a season at Highbury when a brace from Zinidine Cygan had him top scorer in the league at that early stage. Now I will stand corrected but from memory old Cygan did not end up the most prolific scorer that season?????
Thanks, I just wanted to make sure I had not missed something.
Yes Steve way too earlier to be handing out medals. But given that much of the buzz in the bar had been about Gervais (pros/cons), I thought it relevant.
sorry ‘early’ 🙁
Lars @163 even though we’ve been awarded a penalty this season (vs Conventry) i still feel we don’t get enough bodies in the box,it might also interest you to know that we didn’t get any penalty at home last season in the league.
Abb @165 the pleasure is mine.
Zico@166 thanks for pointing that out.
Steve T @171 am not saying that mate,it’s still too early in the season to make such daring statements,i actually said it’s something for us to think about and before forming our opinions on Gervinho staying on/off the pitch.
Abb @172 i’ve definitely thought about that,maybe Gerv get’s himself in good scoring positions and is more efficient at tucking away clear chances than creating them? Still early days though.
Cent, Appreciate your insights. Good job.
Despite the negative response to my post @ 122,i do not resile from the comments.
I have no objection to rotation/resting players over a long season,but i stand by my assertion that you don’t rest your best,most experienced international defender,who was part of a defense that had conceded 1 goal in 5 PL games, for a crucial match against the league leaders.
By all means rest/rotate against the lesser lights,but not in a big 6 pointer like the Chelsea game.
AW got this one badly wrong.
You know what is interesting? I know my view of the game was not shared by those who watched on the small screen. Tonight I watched the highlights on Arsenal Player. Not sure I can face the whole thing again.
We look very unlucky. That doesn’t detract from the view I had in the stadium. The Chelsea midfield was quite the best (other than us at our best, which we were not on Saturday) I have seen in a while. We were lucky they have little to work with up front. Torres may have scored, but he is a shadow of the player that left Spain.
Having said all that the title is not won in October. As we found out last season it can be lost by then, but that isn’t the case this time around. We have to put four good results on the board in October before meeting the challenge of Robin van Stapleton et al. Win that and we can dream again.
Until then let’s play nicely and hope we get to the pointed end in range of the big prizes.
G’night all.
Nite Holic.
Thanks cent. I would be interested to know how many they have smashed miles wide???
Abb thanks and goodnight.
Goodnight ‘Holic.
Steve T,i don’t have the stats for this season but i do know RvP missed the highest number of clear cut chances in Europe’s top five leagues last season (25).
Apart from the chance Gerv took a heavy touch against City can you think of any clear cut chance he’s missed this season? From The Manure games i’ve watched this season(2)RvP has missed 2 clear chances (1 against Sp*rs and the Penalty against Southampton) maybe folks in this bar can help us by reminding us clear cut chances they’ve seen both players miss this season (and last in Gervinho’s case).
P.S. I’m not trying to slate RvP,i’m just comparing both players performance as forwards as well as trying to guess/theorize on why Arsene moved Gervinho closer to the goal when we all think he’s wasteful.
Mr Sweeper, Don’t want you to feel like your thoughts are being ignored. Remember when we played WBA at the end of the season. Woj was very poor. I was upset with his performance. Then I learned (after the game) he had been playing while dealing with a nagging injury. I felt like a fool, dissing him. My point is, none of us know what goes on behind the scenes, only AW and company do. I do agree with you and others who pointed out Per’s invaluable contribution to our defence. Point well taken.
I also disagree with the way Giroud has been relegated to the subs bench after only 3 league games.!!
he was instrumental in the win at Anfield with his movement on and off the ball,creating uncertainty in the Liverpool defense,and yet the following w/end against winless Southampton at home,he gets relegated to the bench.
Why.??
I could have fucking scored that day,such was the paucity of Southampton’s defending,so why not start with Giroud and give him a golden opportunity to score his first league goal.??
By dumping him to the bench,you increase the pressure on him to prove himself,when you should be backing him with a starting spot.
How can you bench a new player after only 3 league games,none of which we lost.!!
How does that improve/help his assimilation into the team.
He caused more trouble for Luiz and Terry in the 25 mins he played,than the previous hour without him.
Prior to him coming on,I lost count of the number of times we played balls into the box from the wings and we had 1 and at most 2 players in the box, and they were surrounded by at least 6 blue shirts.!!
The whole attacking emphasis changed for the better once he got on the pitch.
I couldn’t care less if he scores goals or not,as long as he is creating opportunities/space for others with his intelligent play.
He is also very good in the air,and he adds an extra,positive ingredient to our attacking play.
You will gather form the above,that i am convinced he is our best option up front by a country mile and it is no coincidence that Podolski doesn’t look the same player without him.
Hold on Mr Sweeper. Stay put. Need to read your comments 🙂
H2H @ 169, 😆
Personally, I was disappointed to find out that Per was dropped on his birthday 🙁 Could of been the motivation he needed had he started for him to get his 1st Arsenal goal, all the other August 2011 Summer Transfer Window Signings have scored.
Well, I’m delighted (and relieved) to endorse what you said. What do you think of Gervinho, OG, Poldi out front.
The Sweeper knows! 😀
Oh Wind, really? His birthday, well that bites.
good evening, all.
Interesting discussions above.
@ 178 The Sweeper
What I’d say to your 122 is…
I agree that PM is our best defender this season. But Kos and TV are not far behind and are a tried and tested partnership.
Per was being rested, not dropped. If we want to keep all the CBs fit all season, we have to rest them occasionally. The Merterceptor has played the most games of all of them.
He was also rested for tactical reasons. The pair who played made mistakes, is all. That doesn’t vitiate the decision to play them, it just reminds us that they are human beings.
What would people have said if Mata had tricked his way around PM and he had given away a free kick which we failed to defend?
If Rosicky and Cazorla were both fit, would it be crazy to rest Cazorla and play Rosicky for tactical reasons? I don’t think so.
***
I’m all for OG starting up front, but also really like Gerve in that position. Another case of horses for courses. They’ve all got to learn to get the best out of each other because there will be times when the ideal partnerships can’t be fielded because of injury or fatigue or suspensions etc. That will come with greater familiarity, I feel.
And good night. Just a swift head around the door tonight.
Fun, Goodnite and terrific points made.
Must say that I am very much with The Sweeper. I love AW to bits but occasionally I find some of his decisions quite baffling. One of those is leaving Per out. This was arguably our toughest game of the season. So why leave on current form our best defender on the bench? It is not just his personal performances, it is his organisational skills and leadership that we also miss.
I also agree re Giroud. I stated earlier that he needs to find his shooting boots. Well I have great sympathy because he is unlikely to find them sat on the bench.
Re Gerv.I must say that I am not comfortable with him in the central striker role. I hear what you are saying Cent but in my opinion Gerv and RvP are not even in the same ball park. I struggle to see why he is playing in that central role, despite his 4 goals. For me we are still at least one top class striker short this season.
Brilliant post as usual, FunGunner @190.
Yeah – I’d agree with that too.
Leaving Per out was a big mistake in my mind.
As for Giroud up front……..
Well I think he works his arse off and creates opportunities for others and has done great since he’s arrived. We always need a big physical option up front, especially against certain teams. But I think Terry & Luiz would find it much more difficult against fast pacey players like Gervinho than against the more physical players like Giroud. Their template is always the same playing against us, they defend deep and play counter attacking / set piece football. And its a template that has served them well.
I feel 4-3-3 is more fluid with fast and technical players. Gervinho frustrates me as much as anyone, but he’s scored more goals and has also made chances each time he’s played in the centre.
Holic Bar
Virtual Bar
Real Friends.
Somehow it seems to matter even more when we lose than when we win.
🙂
BTW Steve, my defence of Gervinho does not in any way take from the fact that I believe we may well need a better option in the centre as well.
The thing about top class strikers is that they cost alot of money. And if we look at how Wenger has operated over the past 15 years, he’s brought players through, or converted players into strikers. He has never bought proven names.
I think Gervinho and Giroud will get chances to lay a claim to that spot, but considering that we also tried to sign Mirallas – it gives some idea to Wengers mindset and maybe January might see us pick up another striker.
Beautiful left footed crossfield pass by the semi-rusty midfield maestro, Wilshere.
Good discussions about the squad. I was not upset about leaving Per on the bench. Hind site says that maybe Per should have played. But who says Mata et al would not have turned him too? We just don’t know. Maybe the game at the bus stop will show us.
As for Gerv, I like him and think he adds an unpredictability to the team. That’s positive and negative. I however don’t feel he is a great option for striker against every team. He should play out wide. If he is starting striker material, then so is Theo. Theo is actually a better finisher than Gerv.
I really hope Giroud gets the starts he deserves over the next month.
Lob assist
Damn thing bounced off my block head and right onto impec’s foot for a lob cross off the post goal.
Well in Impec
Well in Impec, and it goes to show that if you don’t shoot you can’t score, even if you call your shots “Lob assist”s
Thanks NorCal. Heh @8ball.
FG@190: You are right in your implication that hindsight is 20/20. We don’t know how Mertesacker would have fared. Perhaps he, rather than Kos, would have got to play the goat as a result of Vermaelen giving away a couple of free-kicks when racing back from being upfield and caught on the break. I have, however, cast my die with those who think the BfG should have started. My main reason is not that it was capricious to drop/rest Mertesacker; there was logic to AW’s decision; and that it did not turn out for the best was not the result of the decision itself but defensive mistakes. But I would argue that there is value in playing a stable defense, notwithstanding your point about the need to rest players. I also think that appointing Vermaelen as captain has made picking a back four more difficult. His name has to be first on the team sheet, leaving room for only one of Per and Kos (a back three with wing backs is not a feasible combination week in week out). It is far from clear what our first choice pairing is: TV5 and Per or TV4 and Kos? Arguably, it is Per and Kos, which would leave the captain on the bench, also not feasible.
Well in, Impec1.
Gervais and Theo provide contrasts in inconsistency. Theo tends to be either on or anonymous. Gervais is mostly in games, but swings between being good and bad. AW has previous in turning wingers into sensational strikers. Not sure that either Gervais or Theo is in the same class as TH14 or the flown Dutchman, but if anyone can work that magic on those two it is AW.
Agree with the sweeper all the way!
Anyway, I think it’s time to close the book on the Cuntski game. Let’s look forward to stuffing the Greeks at home
Guinness anyone? 😉
Nice one Holic.
25 sleeps. 🙂
24, in fact. 😳
Morning,all.
The sweeper knows @184 but i don’t agree that resting Per was a mistake because the man who made the decision didn’t have the benefit of hindsight rather he had the benefit of his experience and his experience obviously told him that playing a not so pacy defender against fast and skillful forwards isn’t the best option,i would have faulted his decision if he played someone like Djourou or Miquel in the name of playing fast defenders,check Bale’s goal against Manure,see how he skinned Turdinand for pace to score,now ask yourself this questions; is Ferdinand not experienced at the highest level? Does he not have loads of international caps? did his experience and international caps stop Bale from burning him with pace? If Hazard/Mata or Oscar had done that to Per will we be here applauding Arsene for going with Per’s experience?
I love Per’s style of play and i agree that he has been our best defender this season BUT i don’t agree that resting/benching him for our best defender of last year is a mistake,it’s more like a good strategy that didn’t work out on the day.
The whole debate on the centre of defence was summed up for me on Arseblog:
We have three quality centrebacks but only two partnerships. And both include Per Mertesacker.
My personal view is that you should only rotate an edfective back four when it is forced on you – totally different scenario to rotating in other parts of the side.
Anyway it’s gone. Remember we get the same number of points for beating West Ham as we do for any other side – lets go get ’em.
A quick Good Morning all,
Sweeper et al,
A french chap I know who lives and breathes football reckons that Giroud was never seen in France as a prolific goal scorer.
Sure, he scores goals, but equally is known for creating chances for others through his link play and movement.
So far, that would seem to be true.
Three or four games really is a bit early for folks trying to prove things with statistics.
Ollie knows a bit about french football too. Would you agree with that, Ollie?
Right, work.
@190 – “Kos and TV are not far behind and are a tried and tested partnership.”
A tried and tested partnership that has conceded shed loads of goals and been found wanting time and again.
Sometimes managers can try to be too clever when all they need to do is pick the player in form.
My theory regarding Gerv playing upfront is explained with the following closely related points; Gerv is a good dribbler and can go past any defender with his pace and/or skill but gets confused when he is crowded out,if you noticed last season almost everyime he cuts into the right or gets into the box he is usually faced with many defenders ready to block his shot or intercept his pass maybe the idea is to move him closer to the goal so that when he gets the ball he will have just a defender or two to beat or out-think before having a pop at goal.
Secondly,for all his frustrating turns and blasts over the bar can anyone think of many clear cut chances he has missed in his Arsenal career? Off the top of my head i can only think of two last season (an absolutely free header in a home match and one time he tried a back heel and failed but RvP was behind him and scored) and this season the one against city when he took a heavy touch,so maybe he isn’t as wasteful as we think and is actually efficient when he has just a defender and the ‘keeper on him.
Thirdly,now let’s assume that he is actually wasteful,he still has to be intelligent to get into those positions to miss this chances,RvP missed more clear cut chances than any premiership striker last season but still managed to finish as top scorer,what that tell’s me is that he is almost two times more intelligent than other premiership strikers to be able to miss more chances than them and still score more than them,so the thinking might be that instead of having (for example) a player like Theo who is only intlligent enough to get into a clear scoring position on an average of once a game and score that once why not have Le forehead who gets into a scoring position on an average of four times per game and score two?
P.S. Note that the above assertions are just my thoughts and may be right or wrong so i will be glad to know what you all think.
Morning all
Sorry if it´s been touched on already, but I thought this piece about Coq getting a chance in Diaby´s abscence was worth a read…
http://sulia.com/channel/arsenal-fc/f/8c200301-7860-4bf8-9c5b-9bd16e86db62/?source=twitter
Hope that´s ok Guv?
Trev @212 that’s what he looks like to me too.
Nonny – Kos and TV were partnered 13 times last season, and conceded 14 times.
5 of those were in the last two games.
How that is considered “shedding goals” I don’t know.
As for who should replace Diaby till he comes back?
One player.
Ox.
I’ve already written in @2 that we need someone who can drive. Coquelin isn’t that type of player, and we need someone to drive us forward and raise the tempo when we play our familiar walking pace.
Snir – thats a very good point..or as strange as that might sound TR, might be good option too. He has that ability to speed up play and drove forward many times last season. Still think that midfield consisting of him, Santi and Arteta sounds pretty tasty to me.
And sorry for poor writing ..kind of in rush today at work:P
I’m not a statto, Snir, but conceding more goals than matches you played in is pretty dreadful for a defensive pairing. If they’d played 13 games and let in four or five, that would be acceptable in my opinion.
In the last couple of seasons we have been disorganised, losing lots of weak goals, being pulled all over the pitch. This season we had looked solid, and had only given away one bad goal against City (where Kos was partly at fault on his return) and then it was changed and we’re back to being a complete shambles at the back.
It’s quite clear that this particular partnership doesn’t work.
Snir@217 if we will see The hardworking and industrious Ox that played against Milan at home lats season then am with you but if it’s The Casual Ox of this season,am afraid i will say a big no to that.
Eandy TR7 is definetly an option i will love to see alongside Arteta and Santi in midfield.
I hate to break it to you ‘Holics but John Cross just tweeted that Arteta missed training today due to an ankle knock,i just pray it’s nothing serious.
Reading whispers that Gnabry will be on the bench tomorrow….
Planning for the future without AA23 / Theo / both?
Exciting talent
Fingers crossed, Cent.
I still hate John Cross though 😉
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/oct/01/arsenal-jack-wilshere-comeback
Well OK, this was before Saturday’s game, but could it be a factor? :s
Holic,
I couldn’t get to the Chelsea match or see it live on Saturday. But recorded it and have just replayed the whole match.
Having read the debate above on our performance, I wanted to get a better perspective on how we played.
Bottom line is, while acknowledging we gave gave the ball away far too many times and weren’t at our best going forward, we lost this game because we gave away two unnecessary free-kicks and defended them very very badly. Two bad moments cost us the points.
Apart from that, Manone hardly had a shot to save, we defended well, we created significantly more chances, we tried to play football while they sat back. Chelsea were not great defensively. Organised yes, calm yes, but we still got enough possession in their penalty area to create chances and with a bit more luck would have scored a second goal.
I’m disappointed but not despondent.
Good stuff, Fishpie. Pie&a pint for you 😉
I had the great pleasure of a home fixture in The Kingdom with Zico on Saturday. Most of the regulars in the Elizabethan were surprised to hear the Happy Train’s whistle at the door (Dunfermline is not a regular stop) and see a bubble-wrapped Dr Z bounce off in “fine fettle”, as they say in those parts.
We saw the game slightly differently. For me, Chel$ki were there for the taking. Arsenal paid them far too much respect in the early stages and the hand-brake (which I thought had been jettisoned) made a surprise reappearance.
Both of the goals we lost were disappointing with a capital D. I was supportive ahead of the game of Koscielny’s reinstatement and a “rest” for BFG. (Zico wasn’t as he has stated clearly above). With the benefit of hindsight, I think it was the wrong decision to make the change at the back – BUT, we’ll never know.
Once we equalized through Gervinho’s excellent strike I was very optimistic that we’d go on to win comfortably. There second goal was a shocker and something of a body blow. We had a couple of good chances, but neither were easy and Giroud deserves no criticism. That boy is going to be VERY good.
Absent Diaby, our mid-field didn’t have its greatest day. Santi was quiet by his standards and Aaron Ramsey wasn’t quite the powerhouse he’d been at Middle-Eastlands.
Regretted loss. We should have had a draw at least. But there’s much more to come from this Arsenal team. I hope to see Giroud start against Olympiakos with Walcott and Poldi up front, BFG and Kos at the back; Santi, Rambo and Arteta in MF.
I have to say I was surprised to hear so many people getting on Giroud’s back about that missed chance on Saturday.
The goals will come from the guy, but only if he gets more game time.
How’s the incredibly dodgy backache, BTM? 😉
If Arteta is out for this week’s fixtures, that will be a MAJOR blow for us. Bad enough Diaby is going to miss a month or so. Oh Arsenal. Btm, about Theo starting. After watching the Chelsea game for a 3rd time, he shouldn’t even be on the bench. Doesn’t deserve it. Eandy, you know how I feel about TR (love him), but he won’t be available for about 2 more weeks. But I agree with you fellas that his inclusion with Arteta and Santi would be awesome, when he is fit.
It’s early doors in the Russian league, but this article is an interesting read for Arsenal fans.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2012/oct/02/zenit-milan-champions-league-strain-defeats
http://www.arsenal.com/digest
Arteta to have test tomorrow
On a lighter note, I have just booked tickets for me and the kids to go to the Reading away match. Total cost for all 3 is less than £30. Bring it on. Hopefully another Arsenal goal fest.
BtM. Does the Dunfermline haddock come up to scratch?
Ollie, Fingers and toes crossed. He’s our super glue.
Goal.com has come out with their prediction of Arsenal’s starting 11 tomorrow. Vito. Jenks-Mert-TV-Gibbs. AOC-Arteta(?)-Santi. Walcott-Gervinho-Poldi. My take is OG over Theo anyday.
With you on OG, abb@235. Perfect game for him to start.
Rambo – AOC – Santi if Artie doesn’t make it?
goal.com. team prediction. Oh dear.
Hey fellas! The Greeks have won all 5 of there regular fixtures, Rafik Djebbour, has scored 6 goals for them. Guess he will be someone to fret over 🙁 Bath, I thought AOC put in a good shift in the first half Saturday, but faded in the 2nd. I’d go with Aaron. Ollie, how about hiring a French Maid, sounds like you could use a little help 🙂
‘a little help in the housekeeping department’ is what I mean, of course 🙂 God help me!!!
A bit off topic, but here we are several weeks in and Diaby is out. Again. Looking at 3 weeks aparently.
In AW i trust. But the steadfast faith in Diaby escapes me. Don’t get me wrong, Diaby is a fine player. Just seems to me there must be a good, reliable option for that role that is NOT Diaby. (And pardon me, but I do not think Ramsay is it, yet. Admittedly, Ramsay is an enigma to me.)
Who here would bet right now that Diaby will play in half of Arsenal’s fixtures this term? I certainly would not. [insert graphic: homer scratching head/pulling at bald spot.]
Arteta out is worrying. Le Coq is a heckofva player, but he’s young.
Agree with many comments above. And that OG should be on the pitch way more than he is currently.
Have got a feeling – and am tipping Theo for a blinder. He is due.
I would put Artie in every game, if fit. In an away game, I think Le Coq would be the best available replacement (until LJW is ready, and maybe even after), but in a home game, we might be able to replace him with Rambo and AOC in MF with Poldi adding defensive cover, as he does so ably. I would certainly start with a front three of Gerv, OG and Poldi.
abb @239, I was speculating on that suggestion!
If Arteta doesn’t start, it’s Coquelin, AOC, Santi for me, ‘cos Coq is a much better defender than Rambo.
Ramsey needs to improve his awareness in defence, and try to develop some “quickness” too. Too often caught out as ge is too one paced.
That seems to be too many “toos”.
However, as an example, just after we equalised against Chelsea, Ramsey was running back chasing Chavs attackers when the ball hit him on the foot and played straight into the path of a Chelsea forward on the edge of our area.
He had time to see the ball coming but it just hit him in his normal running stride. There was no attempt to avoid or control the ball and it seemed another very sloppy piece of play – especially considering we had just got back in the game.
I’m not a Ramsey basher – he had a great game vs Citeh, but you just never know what you are going to get. At the highest level – and that is where we are supposed to be – that is not good enough.
I also wonder whether Santos could not play in the old Gilberto role.
I love Santos as a player – a natural footballer and a real character that we could do with in the side. Not the fastest player but neither was Gilberto, but he seldom gives the ball away, and has a defensive sense to his game.
Chomping at the bit for somebody to get Frimponged …
Bath, I have a bad habit of not making myself clear the first time around 🙁 Will be more diligent in the future (sigh). Agree with your front three, very much so.
Trev, interesting idea about Santos there. Not sure he is disciplined enough for it, though.
Agree with your midfield three, deploy the Coq in a predominantly defensive role and let Santi and the Ox attack. Also, I’d tell them both to shoot as often as they can. They both have really good shots with both feet, so let’s use that.
Trev @ 243, good call there. Even at home, it makes sense and le Coq did have a great game v Coventry by all accounts. Interesting idea on Santos too – never struck me as a CMF player but worth a try – in the League Cup first perhaps.
BT8B @244 He’s been ‘ponging LJW in training already, by his own account!
Don’t we all, abb @245, don’t we all?
Hey 8ball 🙂 Trev, do you mean for Santos to start? Who would he replace. Agree, he does offer pizzazz in true Brazilian fashion.
Coquelin is easily the most likely replacement for Arteta based on recent history, but I want to see Giroud playing with confidence so agree with all those above who said he needs more minutes.
Of course, I said the same thing about Chamakh all last season so theoretically it could still apply to him too. But Giroud looks to be contributing more to the team (holding the ball up, making assists, bullying defenders, etc.) than Chamakh did when he stopped scoring.
Completely agreed on OG, even if he doesnt score, his work for the team is fantastic. As far as I remember he won _every_ single header in game against Chelski, and not only headed it somewhere astray but usually in to the path of someone in Arsenal shirt.
He definitely should start against greeks tomorrow, preferably with Poldi on the left and Gerv on the right, even though I have the feeling that he is not that effective (heh) as when he starts on the left side, seems to me that its more natural to him to do his cut-ins from that side. But since Poldi is doing his job by far the best on the left side, interplaying with Santi and Gibbs I would really like to see this starting front three.
Midfield is trickier, depending a lot on if Artetaplays or not (and I hope as hell he does). If yes, him, Aaron and Santi is our most likely starting line up with Ox being subbed in later on maybe. If not, then Coq in his role and maybe Ox instead of Aaron to support Santis attack, as far as I remember they interchanged quite well in Köln game.
Also, do not underestimate greeks, I have gut feeling it wont be anywhere to easy match, but still can see us winning it should we put in performance like against Citeh.
bah – anywhere near
“… do not underestimate greeks.”
The quote of the day.
Well done sir!
Mr C @223 read that too on @Jeorgebird’s blog,he also said Le coq missed out on saturday through illness.
Ollie @224 he seems to be getting better of recent,read a very balanced article he wrote about a week or two ago on our finances and recent lack of silverware. I don’t even follow him on twitter (someone retweeted him on my timeline) but i like to give credit where it’s due.
BTM AND Zico,am with you gentlemen on Giroud.
@ 192 abb and 194 Impec1
Thanks to both of you and same to you.
@ 204 NBN
Fair point about the value of playing a stable defence – but I don’t feel that making a change to two quicker CBs who had played together a lot was obviously more of a risk, is what I’m saying.
@ 213 Nonny
Goals conceded are not just the fault of the CBs, and so many things were different last season, so it’s hard to make direct comparisons like that.
Chesney had conceded more goals by this time last season than Mannone has this season, but I think we both agree on who is the better keeper.
@ 233 Steve T
Ah, the joy of the League Cup. Great night out, hopefully providing some wonderful and lasting memories for the mini-Steve Ts.
@ 239 abb
fnaar fnaar!
You remind me of an ex-work colleague who would often accidentally come out with hilarious double entendres.
***
I’m praying that Arteta makes it, but if not, I’d like to see Le Coq take his place. If he’s still ill, then Ramsey. Even if his awareness is not the best, he’s willing and he’s a fighter.
Perhaps AW will surprise us all and play Djourou as DM? 🙂
Love Gerve /OG/Poldi front line for Weds.
***
General thought, which some may or may not agree with – just as it isn’t helpful to get personal or over-heated when responding to other people’s arguments, it also creates more heat than light to be sarcastic about the manager. I know he frustrates some of us some of the time, but I feel he has done enough for the club to merit a certain level of respect or civility from Gooners. Rude nicknames and that sort of casual insult can wind up fellow fans unnecessarily.
Can’t see Djourou getting another chance at CMF. He claims it’s his favourite position but the two times he has been put into that role (albeit as a late game stop-gap) that I have seen, he has been awful and if memory serves, cost us a goal.
CF is my favourite position but in truth I don’t have the talent for that either.
Cent, the credit though was just that the guy was at the press conference though.
It’s not exactly ‘exclusive’, ‘ITK’, just the stupid competition of ‘being the first on twitter’. Journalists, eh?
baff: heh. And I don’t see how he would get a chance there indeed, Djourou. Not with Coquelin and Frimpong (soon) around.
Ah, Baff, but can you play defensive midfield? 😉
Qatar is now officially off.
Meaning Norwich is on.
I’m firmly in the -give OG a chance- camp, as I said in my first post after the game I didn’t think his last minute chance was as nailed on as many seemed to think plus we looked better with him on the field.
As for the Diaby dilema, I’m afraid we may have to call time on this one and build our midfield around other players. Hard to say, but even recent history tells us that unfortunatly he may never fully recover from that hanus tackle and we need stability, not a quick fix solution that may only be available for 40% of the time. Sad, but that’s just the way it is.
My starting XI for tomorrow (if Arteta unavailable)
Vito
Gibbs Vermesacker Jenks
Coq Ox
Santi
Feo OG Poldi
Hey Ollie, Happy for you.
Fun @ 255 🙂
Cluj go 1-0 up against the Deeply Indebted inside 15 mins. Come on you clarets! Let’s see McPurplenose chew his own cheeks off.
H2H, I agree about Diaby, fine player when given a run of games but his body just can’t handle playing at this level and it’s time we accepted defeat in that respect – but don’t we already have that other player to build around in Jack Wilshere? Assuming of course that he doesn’t suffer the same sort of niggling injuries that have been the curse of Diaby…
Ollie, in most contexts “great, no Qatar so now I can go to Norwich” would have sounded rather odd but in this case I will offer my congratulations instead 🙂
Camberwell, going back and forth on Manu and Chelsea games. Chelsea held at the moment.
Come on football gods – give us something to smile about. Don’t let either of those monstrous cunts get anything.
Camberwell,Rooney looks very tired already. Mostly watching Chelsea though. Danish team looking hungry.
Mata scores after keeper comes out. Torres the assist.
Well it seems Barcelona are quite happy to do without their shiny new midfielder/centre back, Alex Song, even if he cannot say no to them.
Mascherano and Puyol at the back tonight, and I will eat my seat at The Emirates if Song ever secures a berth in Barca’s super- nippy, midget dominated midfield.
They are doing to Benfica, with knobs on, what Chelsea did to us on Saturday. That is, closing them down with a speed, intensity and relentlessness that I simply cannot see Song ever producing.
Maybe Darren has a plan to move him to Citeh in the summer, for even more money. 😉
Bath – i’ll give you a go at CF, but don’t expect three games to make your point. 😉
Trev,
Don’t our new CF signings only get 15-20 minute cameos to start their time at arsenal. Does Bath deserve more? 😉
In the spirit of journalistic integrity, correction alert. Torres to Lampard to Mata to back of net.
H2H –
I’m going to get some stick for this idea but I would make 3 changes to your team for tomorrow, if Arteta unfit, as follows:
Martinez
Jenks Mertesacker Vermaelen. Gibbs
Coquelin. Santos
Ox. Cazorla. Podolski
Giroud
I saw Martinez vs Coventry last week and he looks like a proper ‘keeper.
I await your disapproval. 😉
Abb @271 –
Good of you to self correct.
Lucky noone gives a toss, in the nicest possible way. 😉
I agree with everything Fun said @255.
Ollie,i actually meant credit to him for the sensible article he wrote on us not for his reporting of the Arteta knock (i don’t want to agree it’s an injury yet)
NorCal –
Bath has earned his chance. 😉
Feelgood –
Have all necessary steps been taken to ensure that the handbrake cannot be even a liitle bit put on on the Happy Train tomorrow night ?
Hey Trev. My pleasure.
Trev, I watched about 20 minutes of Barcelona and I saw the knobs you were talking about.
The biggest one was Busquets….
Trev,
Bath certainly has. But has Martinez?
He is probably 5th choice keeper if everyone is healthy. That’s really going out on a limb. Ah we’ll, whoever it is let’s not piss away a chance to grab our group by the….
🙂
NorCal –
Last week he looked the part.
Confident in the air – I know, it stretches the imagination – authoritative in the box (matron), good handling, and didn’t put a foot wrong or cause any uncertainty all night. I can’t remember a bad kick either.
He may be 5th choice. The question is “what are 1 to 4 like ?”
Dr F – my 🙂 was for you. 😉
Not so fast Trev, Martinez is not eligible to play for us in the UCL until january.
I don’t think Santos is disciplined enough to sit deep,maybe the box to box role will suit him better,knowing Arsene though,i think Yennaris wil play there before Santos will be considered.
abb, Lars; sadly I cannot accept the congratulations as, overall, I’m not sure it’s a good thing.
In a way I am relieved, because I didn’t feel quite ready, and the yes/no/maybe with the late discovery of a ticket for Norwich dangling in front of my eyes was quite tempting.
But for business it’s not really welcome. And it also means I have no fucking idea what I’ll do over the next 3 weeks work-wise….
@ 276
I don’t have time to answer all my fan mail.
So please send your inane questions to my man, Professor Storey.
The only brake I know about is jail…. heh 8)
Not so fast Trev, Martinez is not eligible to play for us in the UCL until january.
I don’t think Santos is disciplined enough to sit deep,maybe the box to box role will suit him better,knowing Arsene though,i think Yennaris wil play there before Santos will be considered.
To all,Re our earlier discussions about Gerv or Theo playing up-front,i found out Gerv has a conversion rate of 29% for big chances,Rvp has 42% while Theo has 10%,on the other hand Gervinho has missed 29 big chances between last season and the current one while Rvp has missed 42,i couldn’t find the numbers for Theo.
Heh Trev @269
I wouldn’t give me a go at CF!
Zico @258 – I can do that as long as mobility is not expected.
NorCal @270 – Not sure I would last 15mins these days.
Cent – why can’t Martinez play? Not arguing, I just don’t know.
I don’t know why everyone seems to rhink Santos is so immature that he couldn’t play a holding role – that he just doesn’t have the discipline ?
He is, I believe, 28 years old, is a Brazilian international defender, is brilliant in one-on-one situations, and rarely gets caught on tne ball or gives it away.
But hey, let’s play a kid there who has had one start in the Capital One Cup.
By the way, I like Yennaris and think he will be a fine player. But now, ahead of Santos ? Really ?
Trev,
Fair enough on Martinez. I wouldn’t say any of the other four have grabbed much of anything lately. A calm, confident net minder would be a nice change. Even Szczceny has looked a bit low on confidence for the past 4-5 months.
Tough call though.
As for the midfield, 2 injuries (Diaby and Arteta) and now we again look thin. I realize we have Jack and Rosicky coming back but just like last year with our fullbacks, will they be back so enough. We can not afford to go a month without. Rambo and AOC need to step up and show some progress. Ramsey has been good thus far this season and Alex has shown flashes but now we need both to show consistency. Ramsey to speed up and Alex to slow down.
Will they be back “soon” enough
Trev, Martinez is not included in the CL list registered with UEFA. That’s why James Shea was on the bench last time (and is on the training pictures I believe 😉 )
Cheers Ollie, let’s play Shea then. 😉
Sorry but Vito gives me the permanent jitters. I hate talking down any Arsenal player, but he seems to ba another Fabianski.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Streaks up field ( down Wolfie, down) waving arms hope someone switches the point of attack.
Yep, everyone saw me streaking and left the field!
It’s just me and Wolfie……….
Wolfie?……aw great.
[…] and disheartening defeat to Chelsea, but that’s been done by bloggers more prolific and far more articulate than I and there’s no point in me going over that old territory […]
[…] pore over the somewhat unfortunate and disheartening defeat to Chelsea, but that’s been done by bloggers more prolific and far more articulate than I and there’s no point in me going over that old […]
[…] pore over the somewhat unfortunate and disheartening defeat to Chelsea, but that’s been done by bloggers more prolific and far more articulate than I and there’s no point in me going over that old […]