Everton Preview And Arsenal Family Experience Day Competition
Nov 27th, 2012 by 'holic
A midweek trip to Everton evokes memories of 1975, and a League Cup tie at Goodison. My first trip to the blue half of the city. Three of us went up on the train, and I don’t recall seeing too many other Gooners on the trip. Alex Cropley and Frank Stapleton got the goals in a 2-2 draw, and to kill the time after the match before catching the milk train home from Lime Street we went and had a pint or several in their supporters club. That was not the last time I found myself engaged in conversation with witty bluenoses who loved their football, either up there or at our place. They had their minority of not so friendly supporters at the time, who didn’t, but find a group of Toffees who want a beer and a chat and you have a recipe for an enjoyable session.
Sadly I won’t be breaking bread with the hosts tomorrow. The days of travelling back from the north in the early hours of the morning asleep on the luggage rack, before a full day at work, are long since gone for this old boy. In any case, do the milk trains still run? Those who do make that trip will be looking for a performance from the visitors. We trail Everton by a point and a place, so what better way to get ahead of rivals for a Champions League place than to beat them in their own back yard?
Jack Wilshere looks set to return to the side after sitting out the draw at Villa Park on Saturday. Theo Walcott is also back after injury and would be a popular inclusion in the side. I normally have a feel for who Arsene will pick but I have to confess I’m stumped here. As well as Walcott the boss has a decision to make about the skipper, unlikely to return if current form were the only consideration. Good man-management may mean having ‘rested’ him for a match that you lift his morale again by recalling him.
Everton are looking to end an awful run of just two points from the last ten Premiership fixtures against us, and have the perfect boost of a return from suspension for Marouane Fellaini, so key for them when they are at their best. They started this season by beating Manchester United at Goodison, where they remain unbeaten. Their only reverses so far came at West Brom and Reading. You have to admire what David Moyes has done there with limited resources, and the grumpiness he cannot hide in defeat. Remind you of anyone?
The ‘holic pound has to follow that ten match streak, and although a draw might be a more acceptable result than it was at the weekend, I am tempted by an old favourite. The Pet Shop Boys are performing a live gig in my skull. “One nil, to the Arsenal, one -nil…” I’m on it. Gunners Gaming offer odds that seem unique to them, 42/5, against that. Click on the banner ad above to place your bet. Thanks.
Now, we haven’t had a competition for days now. Let’s put that right.
Emirates Stadium Family Tour Up For Grabs
I am indebted to Experience Days for offering one lucky ‘holic a tour of the Emirates Stadium, with a Gunners legend, for a party of four. These tours run weekdays up until June and you can take up your prize at any time to suit you this season. This means if you are planning a trip from overseas you are obviously welcome to enter the competition. Obviously please only enter if you intend to take up the prize. I may even ask you to pen a few words about your day once you have been, but that isn’t compulsory, so don’t let that put you off!
I have had the good fortune to see just about every nook and cranny of the stadium and can recommend the tour to any Arsenal supporter. There is something to see round every corner, and your legend guide will tell you tales of days gone by that will amuse and delight in equal measure.
It’s a special prize and to win it I need you to tell me which two legends, included on the rota of those who host these tours, scored FA Cup Final goals for us at Wembley. The younger readers may need to do a bit of gentle research, but that is well worth the effort to be in with a chance to win this super prize. Send your answer to competition@goonerholic.com, and include your name, address, and Twitter handle if you have one.
Answers need to be in by 9am UK time on Friday. I will announce the winner on Twitter, and in the Swansea preview on Friday evening. Even if you are unlucky in the draw I would suggest this would make a cracking Christmas present for the whole family at just Β£40. See the Experience Days link above.
Good luck ‘holics.
267 Responses to “Everton Preview And Arsenal Family Experience Day Competition”
As a younger reader I will do some research
The days of travelling back from the north in the early hours of the morning asleep on the luggage rack, before a full day at work, are long since gone for this old boy.
Apart from those home games where you fall asleep on the train home and miss your stop, obviously π
It was 1-0 last season so with some luck maybe again. Rumour is that Eisfield could be drafted into the squad – for me he should have been included since the league cup win at Reading as he was excellent when he came on from the bench!
WEll in Neighbour!
Thursday night on Channel 5?
Heh, I knew the new post was coming ‘Holic. I’ll paste my last drink from the previous.
Coleman is playing a RB this season. Mirallas is still injured apparently, so it leaves Naismith as a RW, which is good imho.
Fellaini will be DM I guess because of Nevilleβs injury, where he is less a menace.
Theo could do wonders tomorrow considering attacking tendencies of Baines.
The bad thing might be the rain though, which will suit Evertonβs long-ball style. But, I must say that I have a funny feeling that it will be our style tomorrow too. Long balls at Giroud as a focal point and long through balls behind the defense for Theo, why not.
Tough one this one, but I am less nervous then with Villa. A good sign.
Now, off to read the post.
Well in indeed neighbour, even though alzheimers seems to have taken its toll on you π
A few years back, one of my Sp*d mates marked his 50th. His wife had got him tickets to their away match at Anfield and amazingly he couldn’t find another swamp-dweller to go with him and asked if I would like to go. Another one of those questions that didn’t take me long to answer.
We had an excellent day with an early start to fly up from Stansted, followed by a meal at Goodison a walk across Stanley Park to watch Liverpool draw 1-1 and a flight back. Slightly stressful as it didn’t seem polite to “come out” as a non-Sp*d, but I managed to get away with it.
The reason this ramble is vaguely relevant is that a tour of Goodison was thrown in which was hugely enjoyable. I can’t believe that a tour of the Ems wouldn’t be MUCH better, so I’m off to research who is on the rota to host the tours.
Nothing to add to the Guvnor’s preview. crossed fingers that the lads demonstrate convincingly that Saturday was an aberration brought on by the lousy weather.
COYG
Great write up ‘holic. The Everton team it seems are a reflection of their fans. They have always been a team that I find it hard to dislike. In general good quality players and a great manager who the club have shown the foresight to hold on to and provide some measure of stability often lacking in many PL clubs. Thankfully I’ll never have to, but if I was forced to support another PL team it would be them.
Of course any warm feelings for them will be temporarily suspended once the ball starts rolling tomorrow, but in the calmness of tonight I can express my admiration for their club.
I am hoping Wenger doesn’t disrupt what has looked like our best back line. My opinion and hope is that the only changes to the 11 that started against Villa will be Theo in for the Ox and Jack in for Ramsey.
Will be entering the Comp – perfect opportunity to blood the mini-Herbs’.
Am up in Liverpool this week but no luck on tickets for the game. An interested in how the city reacts to both clubs playing on the same night with neither on sky.
Any advice is welcome.
Am hoping Theo is fit to start – Chambo doesn’t look to have that same level of pace that we seem to need to pull teams apart. If Theo goes then pace to replace is the main thing for me. It does hark back to the overmars/parlour wide set up – one fast and one less fast. Now oh first choice is Theo and Pod.
My view is that if Theo hasn’t signed by Jan 1st then try to sell him in the window and sign another. I wonder whether Sagna will go the same way in the summer with Corporal Jenko stepping up. Do the regular reserves watchers think that one of the youngsters are good enough to step up as back up? Perhaps that’s Wenger’s view.
Will be a tough test extricating ourselves out of the toffee with maximum points but it’s all down to effort – have to leave everything on the pitch. If we don’t then I can’t see the win and struggle to see a draw.
Come on the Arsenal!
I always love when we play Everton, the games are usually very exciting. I can remember a snowy affair at the Emirates a few years ago where we just snatched a late draw off a Rosicky deflection goal after Pienaar had scored an audacious chip. Exciting stuff, tomorrow should be a much more entertaining affair than Saturday.
Our right vs. Their left will be the key battle. I think Sagna will be the key man and Theo can give Baines fits. We’ll see how the team copes with the obvious signs of fatigue. If we get a win up there it would be absolutely massive but if I were a gambler I’d put it on a 1-1 draw, which I’d have bit your hand off for pre-Saturday.
COYG in any case. And weird enough I’ve ran into several Toffees back in the States and they’re always really friendly.
Is this a trick question? I’m struggling to find the not obvious FA Cup goalscorer :s
PS: When I talk about Chamberlain I see him as attacking central midfield or a tricky winger/wide attacker paired with a pure pace winger on the other side.
PPS: iPhones are really useless for posting long message on here!
Even accounting for tricks I don’t get it, so I guess my list of players doing the Legends’ tour is wrong π
Herbie, apparently Blackberries are OK, ask Wind! π
Herbie, tweet your request for a ticket and I will retweet. A number of followers travel away and may just have a spare between them.
Ollie, the list of hosts is on the Experience days website. Strangely it includes both of the goalscorers in my first live FA Cup Final, both of whom I have been photographed with…
HA, geddit, ‘holic! It is, unsurprisingly, the list on .con that is different (and presumably wrong :D)
Although the experience website can’t spell Groves correctly.
Sack ’em all!
I’m struggling – can only get one out of the list of host legends I can find.
See 17 Herbie…
2 Nonny, that is from the south, not the north π
Well summed up holic….your pound could show some return for a change. As for the compo….I think you like me were stood at the clock end all those years ago when the first legend scored that cracker right down our thoats that put us onto winning our first trophy since leatherarse died and the second legend, I guess he’s over the moon.
Great prize for one of the long distance holics to win.
Charlie George Graham?
I’m enjoying the milk train imagery, Holic! Match is on TV here, but it appears that I’ll be locked in at work so expect to watch the following eleven start on tape when I get home:
Woj
Sagna, BFG, Kos, Gibbsy,
Arteta, Wilshere, Santi,
Theo, Ollie, Gervinho
2-0 in favour of the travelers.
Top 3. One trophy. OllieG 25 goals.
come on you gunners we need this one in a big way
BtM@25: your starting XI looks no more than a Poldi away from the strongest team we can field, and perhaps not even that.
Three points. No fewer will do.
Re: tonight – i’d love a win, but would take a draw.
We have a nice little run coming up after this and we’ll have already been to OT, Eastlands, Anfield, the Britannia and Goodison. I reckon we’re better placed that it might at first appear.
BtM’s team above looks right to me.
COYG
Oh look, Leonardo has invoked ‘fatigue’ to explain PSG’s performance yesterday π
Ned
The players need to show total commitment from the first whistle to the last.
Because that is what Everton have always done under Moysey.
Tonight will be no different,they will fight tooth and nail for every ball on every inch of the pitch.
So we have to meet them head on in the trenches and fight for the right to play our game.
We have to impose our will on them and win the midfield battle,where the majority of matches are won or lost,and then take our chances when they come.
But it has to be a Team effort,all 11 players fighting together.
Forget the fact that Everton are going through a rough patch,so were Norwich,so were Villa,but they still battled for every ball against us as if their lives depended on it, and we couldn’t overcome that.
Result, 4pts dropped.
If we don’t match Everton’s commitment we will be going home with nothing.
We will know after the first 10-15 minutes if we have ‘ turned up ‘.
Let’s hope we do.
cheers
The Sweeper
I have to say I admire David Moyes.
To me, he’s one of the best managers in the world.
I’ve often said that succeeding with bottomless funds doesn’t impress me and Moyes has been brilliant with all the restrictions he has had to face.
To me, David Moyes is better than Mourinho, Pep, Ferguson and the Highbury Arsene Wenger.
While it may sound outrageous – I actually have more respect for AW after the move to the Ems because of the restrictions that were forced upon him.
Just now, Schalke were quoted saying this – “There have been no offers or any sign of Klaas-Jan leaving.
“If someone comes to us six months before the expiry date, and has a lot of money, we will deal with it.
“But from Arsenal circles we hear there is no money anyway.”
That shows that the money isn’t available to AW, or at least isn’t at his full control (although it might be a negotiating tactic, but with a player that ends his contract in the summer and has been quoted at 6m pounds, I don’t think much tactics are needed).
I would like to see any one of the aforementioned managers succeeding at clubs were funds aren’t released at such ease.
I know who I want to succeed AW as Arsenal manager.
P.S – I know Fergie won European honors with Aberdeen and Mourinho won with Porto (which I still think was a fluke), but please don’t compare it to today’s football because it is drastically different.
Gonnersince54 @ 30,
good call mate, we really have struggled when put under constant pressure. Notably last week.
We need to apply the pressure early on and get them making mistakes.
I’d be a tad upset if AW changes the back four, why change a winning formula. Keeping Vermaelen out for a couple of weeks will hopefully make him fight for his spot at training, alternatively it could deal a heavy blow to his already diminished confidence……..hopefully not the latter
‘Moysey’ , Sweeper? :O
100% team effort for 95 or so minutes indeed needed.
Everton are a bloody good side, at least with their first XI more or less intact. A win for us tonight would be awesome, but a draw wouldn’t be too bad. Then we have a month of games where West Brom at home seems the trickiest (if other games are winnable then that one is most certainly loseable, so to speak) but other than that it’s all very winnable games so like N7 says we might seem to be in a slightly worse position than we actually are. But that does of course assume that we do take care of business and get the points that we should get in those games.
Anyway, back to work…
Today’s Joey Barton video is ‘Calendar-speak’. Are people really serious about this shit?
I think I’ll be getting off twitter again….
If only I could be busy at work :s
Morning all
Holic ‘ #17 – Is that you trying to do the funky chicken with Mr. Kelly? Marvellous snap.
Not had the pleasure of much conversation with Toffees but they have to be better than their Stanley Park neighbours.
A point tonight would be a decent result in my mind but out there, in the big bad world, we’ll be a club close to crisis if we don’t win. Plonkers the lot of ’em
Up The Arsenal!
Snir @ #31
Hope the family are all safe and well in the homeland?
I see you’re still struggling to read between the lines. Press stories, esp. those related to transfer activity, are often agent sourced and come served with somebody’s self-serving agenda whether you want it or not. Just saying….
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/ivan-gazidis-appointed-to-key-european-roles
For all you Gazidis lovers.
TS 36, surely in the interest of fair competition your post should be deleted? π
Mmmm…. fair point
Just to add to my post at #36: There are other clubs available in the Merseyside area.
Ahh…. complete misunderstanding Ollie, but quite funny nonetheless.
Ah, funny misunderstanding indeed: I was wondering if both parts of your 40 were linked, but I see they indeed were π
The current rota on Pravda for The Legends Tours is
“1971 FA Cup hero Charlie George
Arsenal centurion and Double winner John Radford
1987 League Cup winning captain, Kenny Sansom
Cult hero and 1989 League winner, Perry Groves
Plus Legendary right back, Lee Dixon”
The comp asks for 2 Wembley FA Cup Final scorers.
Is it a trick question???
Circular conversation there, TS? π
Afternoon all.
Everton started off the season really well, are pretty decent to watch, are been lauded by many, yet have only managed to win one of their last seven PL games. I still think we need to bring our A game to beat them though. A solid defencive showing will be a must, as they have a few players that can hurt us in the final third.
Backdrink time.
I am extremely busy at work. I don’t quite know how I will manage to stay awake for the 1:45 KO with all the exhaustion
TS@43. See the Guvnor’s post @17, the list at the site he mentions there is different.
From previous.
Trev 322, Excellent post.
Joe 329 idem dito.
Quick round up;
It’s great that we have competition for the CB spots, makes a nice change. At this moment in time I feel our best partnership is Kos and the BFG, nothing against the Verm, but he’s had a dip in form and that’s the price you pay in todays game.
I would have prefered Arteta as captain, but as TV had the job of vice last season it was only natural that the armband passed to him, it shouldn’t mean that his place in the side is guarenteed though.
I’m getting pretty tired of all this talk of fatigue. π
Now to get stuck into this bar.
http://www.football365.com/mediawatch/8291909/Mediawatch
Love the Arsenal calendar bit
More FFP flouting ahead:
http://www.francefootball.fr/#!/news/2012/11/28/145657_le-psg-devant-la-dncg-le-13-septembre.html
PSG are rumoured to be signing a deal with some Qatari organisation, giving them over β¬100m per year in return for….. giving a good image of Qatar….
Ollie. Were you left off the calendar?
I agree that Koscielny and Mertesacker are our best combination, but how much of the Vermaelen criticism is due to the one mistake leading to RvP’s goal in the one game?
Nah, bt8, by the sound of it, Ollie is in π
Not much I’d say at 52, I had forgotten about it until you mentioned it.
8Ball, his form had dropped before that.
Oxon
Cheers, I have spotted my errors and made amends. Scan drinking never works.
TS – I wrote that this might be bs this time, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it turns out to be the truth.
Anyways, that was a minor part of the post. It was more about my admiration for David Moyes π³
Thanks for asking mate. Yep, they’re fine, for now.
H2H,
Zico and Tabs had a good chat yesterday about Kos & Verm. For me, I would stick with Verm. Despite his form, I just think he’s less prone to making mistakes than Kos is. And I also think Verm was the obvious choice for Captain. Arteta was only here a year, Sagna refused to be vice captain (which is really concerning given his contractual position I feel) and Jack is too young yet. But the competition for places is nice to see at CB. I also hope we bring in another CB capable of covering left full in lieu of some of the deadwood currently in squad.
Tonights a big game and G-54 says it all for me @ 30 above. We need to arrive at goodison with total commitment and focus from the get go, because Everton will fight like dogs. A real test..!
And I’d endorse everything said about Moyes so far. He’s a top manager and its only a matter of time before he gets a crack at a bigger club.
I’m not sure which Vermaelen you’re talking about really, Joe…… :s
I’ve never really understood all the hype about Moyes, yes he’s done OK, but he’s never really done much of note. One FA cup losing final and one CL qualifying round is about as good as it got.
I understand that he has a restricted budget, but his team are probably (speaking on average) in the position they should be considering the funds available, it’s not like he’s had them punching above their weight year in year out.
Dont get me wrong, I respect what he has achieved, ie being a PL manager for ten years, but I think that’s also credit to how Mr Kenwright runs the club, choosing stability over sensationalism.
H2HKALBAHHF
Joe, I gotta say I agree with Ollie there.
I remember when the news broke over here that Arsenal were about to sign a Belgian defender from Ajax, everybody, including myself, assumed that Jan Vertongen was about to become a gooner. To say that people were surprised to find out it was TV is a gross understatement. A lot of my Ajax supporting mates were shocked and didn’t think he’d be able to cut it in the PL.
He arrived and scored on his debut (away at Everton?) and knocked a few more in not too long after, he immeaditely gained culkt status with the fans. He was a goalscoring defender with the icey stare of a hitman, what was not too love?
The cult status afforded him meant he could get away with little things like lack of positional sense, that others might of got slated for. The gaps in his game have been becoming more apparant since his return last season.
Once again, please don’t misinterpret this as me thinking that TV is a bad player, on the contrary, he gives his all for the shirt and he clearly loves it at Arsenal and for that I love him to bits, but I do feel he’s not as good as many believe him to be.
On recent showings, to say he is less prone to making mistakes is just not correct, he’s made some howlers already this season, but, he’s sadly not the only one.
At THIS moment in time, I feel that Kos + Mert are our best CB pairing, but I’d love TV to give them a run for their money, there’s nothing wrong with a bit of competition for team places, frankly I wish we had that “problem” for every position.
Ollie 60, π
I like the fact that I can put out very few words, and the H2H, once more, put my exact thoughts into words.
*puts tinfoil hat back on*
‘then’, not ‘the’. Although it kind of works with ‘the’ too π
The H2H, I like it it.
Although it does sound a bit 2004 like THE Facebook.
Ok, I’ll just stick with the modern, plain and simple (with the emphisis on simple) H2H. π
Back home. So, what’s cookin in the bar?
I too agree with Ollie and ‘the’ H2H. It’s Mert and Kos for me, for now
Israel has just been drawn into the same group with England for the U21 Euros which will take place in Israel this summer.
I really want Stuart Pearce to call up Jacky now π
Yeah, I know, I’m being selfish! π
Spelling test.
To be fair to the boy Moyes, i think he’s done his fair share of spotting potential and developing talent. He’s often snatched said talent right from under the noses of thoses with biggerer budgets – who apparently didn’t see what he could see.
Fairly sure AW went aknocking on his door several times well before he landed our very own super-slick-haired, midfield mighty mouse – Sir Mikel of Artetetetetaaaa (Jagielka?), and p’raps he’ll be going back for that fine footballing fellow – Fellani sometime soonish. (I wouldn’t say no. Good player, again with good – or at least interesting – hair.)
Anyway, screw them. Big GAME. Bring it on. CoMONUredSSSS!!!!!!!!!!
Failed, BtM π
Heh Ollie,
Had forgotten about the tinfoil hat episodes….
Moyes is Scottish therefore by definition is a good manager, like erm, Darren Ferguson.
Oh, maybe not then. π
Kean, Souness. McLeish, and the list goes on and on ’til da break o’ dawn.
evening all..for those streambound holics like I am http://www.wiziwig.tv/broadcast.php?matchid=176320&part=sports π
Rosicky on the bench. Hope we won’t really need him, but hooray! Welcome back to my favourite player.
Woj, Sagna, BFG, Kos, TV, Arteta, Ramsey, Wilshere, Theo, Giroud, Cazorla.
I think Santi will be on the left with AR in his pre injury position and JW in his youth team position.
No Poldi?
Rambo on left or Santi?
That team looks a bit lopsided to me.
I agree with Snir. Just hope Aaron keeps the ball moving. He’s gonna be pressured in the midfield. Can’t turn it over deep.
It feels kinda rude breaking into what is a conversation between the regular holics but…
On the CB pairings, form aside, I would suggest that the indespensible element is the Mert. Not that he is (or isn’t) the best defender but I think he provides a positional awareness and general reading of the game that the other 2 do not. TV and Kos may have slightly different strengths but are probably interchangeable. On form, I do believe on merit Kos should keep his place. He was excellent at the end of last season and still found himself unable to get a place at the beginning of this one so it’s only fair that if TV has a slight (?) dip in form, and Kos has done alright, he deserves to be picked.
Ok, off to find a bar in Stavanger that will not be showing the United match. Not holding my breath.
Or maybe Feo, NorCal?
B—– auto fill….
Theo will start right but our wings switch places a lot. I think Jack will play as the most forward midfielder. Santi on the wing. Looks like AW wants more forward creativity to allow Jack and Santi to play free in the final third. Aaron and Mikel to sit deeper. Just need Aaron to stay strong on the ball and move it quickly.
Bruce Rioch – Scot – ish
Neversawhighbury. never be afraid of joining the debate, that’s what we’re here for.
I agree as regards to the BFG. What he lacks in pace, he more then makes up in vision and reading of the game.
I hope Aaron will have a good game, frankly Poldi looked like he could use a breather so if this works, its great. Also share Ollies enthusiasm about seeing TR7 back on the bench…with him fit we could play some tasty combos in midfield and as much as he is more direct rotation option for Santi, I might imagine him filling in for Arteta too in some games.
Good to see Theo back.
Start wide and cut inside.
Used to work for the previous owner of the 14 shirt.
Righton Ollie – welcome back TR!!
That’s a funky looking side, idn’t it?
TV5 for Gibbs? Yes…Ramsay! (my new enthusiasm). No AA on the bench. Hmm….
Verm at LB? That’s a shame. Theo makes the starting line up even if he can’t make the calendar.
Let’s hope the real Arsenal turns up tonight.
Up the Gunners.
Hey all, been ‘pre-occupied’ for quite a bit, will probably be like this next week also and whenever I manage to get this Blackberry sent off for repair/replacement to the insurance people π³
If Poldi after being rested can play a full 90 in our next PL game (Swansea at Home?) then it would have been worthwhile. Jack & Aaron starting in the same midfield, the last time that happened proper for me just seems like vs United @ the Ems May ’10, correct me if I’m wrong π Hoping for good things since I’m feeling nervous about this one π , 1-0 to the Arsenal will suit me very nicely π
Thanks H2H.
Interesting line up. Carzola on the left with Jack most advanced midfielder sounds tasty offensively. Also provides 3 central midfielders that with grit. Can’t help wondering if that’s the motivation.
rotation fest…come on you Gunners
oh…my kingdom for a stream?
Slightly worried about what might unfold tonight – But we’ve saved some of our best performances for Goodson in the last few years lets hope tonight’s another !!
Up The Arse!!
oh found one..if anyone needs http://www.vipboxsports.eu/football/108241/1/everton-fc-vs-arsenal-live-stream-online.html
3-1 to us…Arteta brace and Giroud !!
Tim see @74 π
thanks ~ I didn’t scroll high enough!
COYRRR’s
FEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Theo GOAL! OMG π
THEOOOO 50 Seconds!!!
Freeeeee-O!
Give him the contract.
Ok flood..pay him the money elton!!!!
Kos out:(
Kos off, gibbs on.
Looks like we’ll have a different CB pairing after all.
Flood elton …sorry !
Arsene makes an early sub π
Hope Kos is alright…
What nanny said
Nanny…this phone is driving me nuts ..nonny im sorry
Terrific save by Woj!
Don’t fuck around in your own box, Aaron!
H2H – terrific euphamesitc potential at 112.
Absolutely well done, sir!
Glad Theo scored missed the goal was topping car with break fluid took me a while!
FUCK
For fucks sake!
Aaron what have you done!
Can’t keep giving the ball away and expect to get away with it.
Again making problems for ourselves only by our own mistakes …whyy!
What a shit goal to give away
Terrible tackle.
Everton winning most 50/50s. working their socks off.
I don’t see the point of making Fellaini, he won almost every ball in the air
My stream is so bad I can’t tell the difference between Sagna and Ramsey
For fuck sake what are they playing at at the back!
Casual cunt Ramsey. Or was it Sagna? π
last 15 minutes we’ve played some exceptional stuff, only Everton’s persistent fouling has killed momentum.
Here for the taking in the second half, get the ball to Santi.
Sagna made a bad pass but Ramsey started the whole fuck up!
Unlucky Cazorla more of that please!
Ramsey needs to wake the fuck up!
I wish he was as good as he thinks he is
Can we buy Fellaini please?
We need to better in the second half
Now I know this is very high tempo game but Ramsey needs to wake up and I thank him for his assist!
Come on Arsenal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Terrible goal to give away ..although Jagielka should have made it 2-1 for home side after that turn on Mert, crappy unstable streams today ..win it lads please..been a bad day for me so Arsenal win is just the remedy I need.
No we only buy exceptional players or do we’re told π
http://www.vipboxsports.eu/football/108241/1/everton-fc-vs-arsenal-live-stream-online.html
That one was quite good for the last few minutes of the half.
Well, if you were wondering which Arsenal was going to turn up……
It’s both of them, the good and the bad in equal measure. Some briliant passing, looking like we’re a well oiled unit and seconds later looking like a bunch of guys who met in the car park. Keeping pocession well and then giving it away needlessly.
Still plenty twists to come in this game, I’m sure.
COME ON YOU REDS.
they really need to up their game. No agression, no efforts on goal. Credit to Everton they are really having a go. Fellaini has been awesome for them. Giroud has a all the physical attribute to trouble defenders just lacks a bit of aggression in his approach.
A good a assist from Ramsey, but since then he has been his usual, not keeping the ball Ramsey! He’s too slow on the ball.
We are getting done all over the midfield. And I wish we would just lump the ball out of the box instead of ponceing round
With it!!!
And breath….
Come on you second half! We can do this !
Chelsea level, City level, WBA (weird to mention them) are down 3-1
We have to win this match boys!
This is a six pointer for us no questions asked!
COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL !!!!!!!
COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL !!!!!!!
COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL !!!!!!!
COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL !!!!!!!
Holy christ I wish TorrentStream was more stable -_-
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
Everton are not chasing lost cuases they are allowing us to have possession in front of them as soon a pass is made through to the final third they really kick in. lets hope someone shouts at them in the dressing room. They need to up their game, their defending as a team in particular
As much as I like Aaron as a guy ..he needs to be subbed right the hell now
Woj, fantastic save!
I take a point the way things are going.
Per and Felliani…it’s the land of the giants
Is Fellaini really that unplayable or is it for the lack of effort from us?..I dont know but he looks the part tonight for sure.
Woj MOTM for me thus far.
We need to play with more width and have Giroud rattle their back pair…come on Arsenal
Felliani is a unique monster….he’s looked like this all season
Glad Pienaar dove instead of shooting…
Arteta fortunate to get away with that, That was pen
Are we still asleep I bet Wenger will change Giroud for Conquelan
We need a second to draw this one I think
What the fuck was that all about are a Stoke ?
need more movement…take some risks
all these draws are going to kill us
few more of those crosses to Giroud will do us good. Only Walcott can deliver a decent cross
Why is Giroud out wide again…..we’re beginning to carve a few chances now…come on lads
Thats a yellow!
nasty on Jack!
Howard is rattled…put more pressure on him
ROSICKY PLEASE!
I think Everton are out of steam…press on Gunners
Gervinho is just about to come on!
One mediocre player replaces another
Ooooh
Put Walcott on the right and fivehead on the left !
There’s 3 points for the taking here. come on boys!!
shitty passing by both teams
FUCK SAKE FORWARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
come on Arsenal…let’s rob 3 points
Sagna hardly put any pass in tonight
Baines is rather special
Wow Girvinho is slow
fucks sake!!!
Lets get a draw and everyone is happy!
Absolute crap. I really miss having a good team.
That’ll do. Decent result.
Now….someone tap up Fellaini. He looks an Arsenal player if ever I saw one.
Let’s not get this wrong it was a tough game but we are more than capable of winning games like these …….
I’m going to chill my self out….. I’m always too much for a game anyhow!
A points never a bad result at Goodison the Fuck up was at villa park – Onwards up upwards,
How good does that point at Villa look now?
That arrogant substitution (Coq for Santi) was just to show he’s boss.
We’re an average team managed by a manager who is 5 years past his best
Damn we are so average. So so average.
Nonny it wasn’t crap but not the standard we are used to…. they are playing very well we are not!!!!
Over all a ponit was fair. but I felt Everton were there for the taking in the final 15 minutes. they looked tired. We lack pace big time. I did not think Gervinho is that slow. he had a head start and Jagealeka of all people caught up with him.
A draw at Goodison is fine.
We’ve got half a dozen winnable looking games coming up, and Chelsea are faltering. Just a shame the red scousers couldn’t find another goal.
Time to start rattling up the wins and climbing the table.
5 wins from 14 games.
Says it all
Probably a good point….other teams keep dropping points (well done Rafa!). We’re obviously not going to catch the top 2 but let’s focus on those 3-7 –
Geoff-to be fair to Wenger Cazorla had an off day today he got so furstrated as the game went on, few times he lost the ball and started flapping his arms. Luckily he did not Sub Giroud, that would’ve been an insult to the fans.
Pint please barman.
We’re on schedule to concede 11 fewer goals than last season.
There are good things in store if we can find a few more from our attackers / bolster things in January.
Simple aim – to be within 4 points of 4th by January.
In other news the Fulham derby saw the team with class and history get a solid away point at the neighbours.
Now, after today, I think 3rd is well within our means. Seriously.
Hopefully Rosicky can be operational soon enough.
I could only have bits of the games, looks like the result was overall fair and we played much better than on Saturday. Shame about those two points lost then, shame about the errors for the Fellaini goal (from some usually reliable players), but I’m feeling a bit more positive again.
I also got some brief entertainment today, the comedy Spuds own goal was hilarious. Shame there wasn’t another.
Our record against the top 6 above us:
L (a)
D (a)
L (h)
————-WBA not played
W (h)
D (a)
I wish we had played Chelsea a month later.
Wengers coat: fair comment but its not about one decision
I’d say it’s a reasonable and very achievable goal, Tim.
Nightcaps all ’round.
Goodnight folks.
I’m starting to believe the BtM prophecy.
attempts random assist before going to bed?
Cannot complain at that result, but its rather worrying that not only are we still conceding from cock-ups, but we are being outpassed in MF and cannot keep the ball, plus we are toothless up front.
Can Arsene just not start Ramsey for any of the remaining games this season. For the sake of all of us including the young boy.
Tim nails it @ #189.
We’re upper mid-table quality at the moment for whatever reason.
I thought it was a hard-earned draw for a team playing as we are at the moment.
Our defence is looking better, it’s midfield where we are suffering. Too much rotation??? Not enough rotation (tied legs)???
If we can regain some attacking flair (confidence) in midfield then we have a fighting chance of a top 4 finish but it’ll go dwon to the wire. If we can do it consistently (no evidence of that so far this season) we might even squeak third. Top 2 have already disappeared into the distance. There’s a chance for us to lift a domestic cup too.
No reason for D+G. This is what we are these days. I choose to embrace the situation and move on. Sooner or later changes will come and with them the chance to kick-on.
Yeah lurky, frankly that pass for Walcott’s goal was absolutely rubbish, wasn’t it? :s
Well, I see I timed my assist well and there was some biscuit finish.
So this time it’s bonne nuit for real.
Well in BB.
Not convicned we are toothless in attack. I think it’s more down to a lack of service for our forwards. When they have the ball, Giroud, Theo evem Gerv look dangerous. They just don’t have/get the ball enough.
Although TS triggers me into one last action : tied legs? That’d explain a lot π
Slams it in!
And if Cos is fit for Saturday give him the DM position, we need some steel there. We miss Song, and we miss him badly.
very late effort lol O.o
Yeah lurky – he shouldn’t have started him against West Ham and QPR either, then maybe we’d have won …. oh.
You look at the bench and there isn’t much that is going to change the game for you.It is still a big concern that our midfield scoring tally is verry poor. If its not theo or Giroud supplying assists and goals we struggle. Why can’t we get a crossing specialist, Giroud is crying out for good crosses.
Fully agree – our attack is above average, lack of service recently has been the issue with the exception of Spurs.
We have to make hay over the next 5 weeks – plenty of winnable games and the rest of the top six will keep making mistakes. Let’s forget about the Manchester clubs until we have our jaws around 3rd place.
Win the Champions League and finish 3rd. No pressure lads.
Tim@175
Baines is a good player but any idiot that can raise his leg to knee height will stop Sagna from getting a cross in all night. He simply cannot beat the first man.
So, my thoughts…
Truth be told this is 4 DROPPED points in these two games and not, before the “Support Them Regardless” brigade steps-up, two points gained.
Speeding up the passing game but giving the ball away every three or four passes does NOT represent progress in any way, shape or form and anybody here willing to accept the season so far is no more than a part of the reason why the board, the manager and the players continue to take the piss out of the fans.
We MUST make some BIG changes in January, although, as always, I am pretty certain those changes will see more quality walk out of the door than into the club. Walcott is almost certainly gone, Sagna is probably off in the summer (although Jenks can actually get a cross into the box so that may not be the end of the world), and with little or no real cover in any part of the field, we will struggle to qualify for the ECL this season, let alone challenge for the title!
And next season?! Fuck me gently with a chainsaw, I am actually not willing to guess, but I just don’t see this team gelling as everybody says it will, is, can or should. I see a team that lacks some pretty basic qualities like:
– The intelligence to pass a ball to a player who is NOT about to get hammered by two opposing players
– The intelligence to make the runs into space to provide those options
– The ability to actually pass to a player who has bothered to find some space
– The desire to pressure the opposition like they do, week-in, week-out, to us with great effect
– A substitutes bench that actually has a game-changer on it
– A team that doesn’t rely entirely on the opposition putting the match on a plate for us like the LWCs recently did
I have kept pretty quiet and tried to keep positive in these past few weeks but if anybody here thinks that the Mighty Arsenal Football Club should be 7th in the league after 14 games, winning 5 games out of 14, struggling to get a draw out of Everton and Villa, losing to Norwich and, after 21 competitive matches this season, is STILL waiting for “this team to gel”, then we all have VERY different hopes and dreams for our club.
This is not meant as a “doomer post”, this is meant as a realistic post. This team is NOT suddenly going to become more talented. Wenger is not suddenly going to become less stubborn, more flexible and open-minded or even a better manager and Ramsey is not suddenly going to be anything other than a mid-table team player.
The LWCs are, as ever, a disgrace to football, and yet I can actually see them finally breaking their duck and finishing above us this season. What will we hear then? It’s OK, we will have FFP soon?!
Don’t make me laugh.
OK, there you go, that is how I actually feel and have done since the Norwich and Schalke defeats.
Bring on the abuse π
PS – N7 Gooner@180
Why on Dennis’ good green earth would Fellaini join us? He is a genuinely talented player with an obvious determination to succeed. He is a winner. He has a wealth of EPL experience and is currently playing for a team that are higher than us in the league and were better than us today. Surely if he leaves Everton he will go to a club that can offer him the chance to actually compete at a higher level and maybe even pick up a pot or two?!
@210 isn’t stewart downing available?
i kid. i kid.
Lurky is right – we miss song badly. Selling him without a replacement does not look any smarter four months on.
I think it’s time to give Coquelin a start at DM and let Cazorla have a breather.
That’s the spirit Thierry Wrightkamp.
Heh! at Ollie @ #205. There you go, that’ll screw up midfiled domination every time.
“We lacked little bit Scout knowhow to untie the string. We looked sharp for the three-legged race but lacked little bit coordination.”
Ramsay was great for the assist but the faded!
In fact it wasn’t only him to be honest, Cazorla has got this one painful probably drawback of raising his hands to the sky when nothing really happened. Cesc was almost the same but he kept at it he was younger after all and was raised on that factor!
Not a bad point by all the means but it was there for the taking defence still needs some shaping up however you will never come against such a duo like Felliani and Jalovic………..
tough game but it could have been won
Those passes were abysmal under pressure that needs sorting out !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tim@211
Seriously?! You actually believe that this team is going to get it’s jaws around 3rd place?!
I am totally stunned that anybody here thinks that the Europa League is not the best chance we have of getting European football next season.
We cannot beat Villa, Norwich, Stoke, Sunderland, Everton or Fulham…
Where are the WINNABLE games?!??!
Oh brother…This is gonna get urgly!
Midfield is too lightweight – we need someone with some physical presence who can hold the ball and not get jockeyed off it so easily.
Yeah, I know I sound liked a cracked record but …
Fellaini would be very acceptable, but would he want to leave?
Baines too – Gibbs is great but is he on borrowed time?
Great goal from TW – don’t understand why he switched wings – he gave Baines a really hard time last season.
Last thing it’s sad in a way:
Apologies Ramsey but you need to go ………..!!!!!!!
TW @ #212
I think you need to reset your expectations of this team.
Tonight was a point won. Villa was two dropped.
City or United could have said that two draws against those two teams was four dropped points but not The Arsenal of today.
N7Gooner,
Play Coq and give Cazorla a breather you say?
How arrogant of you. What do you think, you are boss?!
Sorry guys but no one mentioned JACK…
HE was the only one who seemed who gave a fuck ……. when things turned tough ………………
Goes to show why he is to be named Capitan!
Holic over to you kind fella I wish I will be as optimistic as you are!
N7 Gooner@215
And that is our biggest problem…Nobody is allowed to criticise the stunningly obvious without being made to look like the village idiot for doing so.
Do you really think that our spirit is going to change anything here? Do you not hear the travelling Gooners every single time at every single away game? The spirit isn’t working because the team simply doesn’t have any.
I am reading comments about Ramsey stating that he is good enough because he started against QPR and West Ham and we won those?!
WHAT THE FUCK?!??!
We were AWFUL against the Hammers for the better part of the game and basically got handed the game by some very poor defending (by some very poor defenders) and as for the debacle at QPR?!??! We were lucky not to lose that one, let alone win it by the skin of our teeth.
This is simply not about whether or not we believe. This is a matter of waking ourselves up and using that new found energy to actually force the club to do the things that we can all see need doing.
OK, so, let’s buy Fellaini. Now we have him, where do we play him? Seriously, with the way things get done around the Emirates he will be a second-string, second-rate, burnt-out winger with a 5 year contract providing 90k a week and nobody in their right mind would be the least bit interested in him.
The only decent players we have had for any length of time are down to about 8 months on their contract and are walking out of the door laughing at the idea of finally winning some trophies.
TIME FOR SOME CHANGES.
@212, said well enough, though the part about Felliani I think you gilded the lilly a bit there! That’s doom/gloomish.
Another disappointing result. Ramsay, Gervinho … no striker to back up or partner OG down the strecth. What to say … ?
Cazorla badly needs a break and will not get one until he is, well … broken. We’re relying on teams effing up so we can win; we’re not beating them. This is most troubling and there is nothing on the horizon (and nothing in the form of the ramsays, gervinhos, or sadly the Oxes) going to fix that. Are these barely average players? Is it too soon to make that judgment?
TR7 … he is going to take a while to get up to match fitness – that’s what, another 2 at least?
Why on earth would we rotate against Everton — a team prior to kick off sitting above us and, are still currently there above us.
AA can cross. He’s ace, but he wasn’t even on the bench. Fuck me but that’s idiotic.
And THAT my friends is as positive as I can be. Chin up though. Game Saturday yet to draw.
Two points from the last two games is half what we needed as a minimum. Feels like a lot of running on the spot at the moment.
ATG – Yep, LJW is re-gaining his form but it’ll take a little more time. The mouth-watering prospect of him and Cazorla in MF hasn’t quite lived up to its expectation yet. Can’t quite figure out why.
TW – I sense great hostility in you. Vigorous exercise might help.
True Storey@221
Sadly, I think that you may well be absolutely correct. But isn’t that the problem? We have to reset our expectations whilst the club get to swan around, business as usual?
And where was the preparation for this resetting of our expectations?
When Wenger said there was a power-shift taking place?
When we were told that we would replace quality with quality?
When we were told, over and over and over again, that we would only buy “Super dooper pooper scooper quality players” (ok, the quotes may be a little optimistic there, but you get the point!)
When the board said that Wenger has money to spend on players?
When we bought Park?
When we didn’t buy a decent back-up ‘keeper?
When we let Santos pull on the red of Arsenal again, even though EVERYBODY apart from Wenger could see what a useless twat he is?
No, there was nothing but a pack of lies, half-truths and profit-sharing amongst the board members.
TIME FOR CHANGE.
@TW
Seriously yes I think we can still claw back to third place. We had our (very poor) 3rd choice keeper for the first dozen games, our new centre forward was struggling to score, our right back was injured and so was perhaps our best midfielder. Walcott sat on the bench.
Ask yourself this – will we pick up more points in the next 14 games than the first 14? I’m positive we will and we can get back to 4th and perhaps 3rd.
Chelsea are imploding – at least long enough to see them fall from a title challenger, WBA will get found out, Tottenham lack more than us so. Everton might be the toughest ones to get past. Turning draws into wins is what will make all of the difference and by the end of January we’ll be in 4th and perhaps 3rd.
The same sentiments were being bandied about last November, we were 12 points off the top after 14 games then as well.
We’re not playing well, everyone will concede that – but we’re putting together an unbeaten run. A run I expect to be maintained for a good few matches yet (in the league). The 180 minutes that Gibbs has been back on the pitch we’ve conceded one sloppy goal. Our back five are now good enough to see us climb the table.
TS@228
Not hostility…Frustration at watching a club that had a literally unbeatable team get decimated and being offered Santos, Park, Squillaci et al as replacements.
Oh I hate the tintertubes…They just never read like you type!
Tim.
Well played sir. That’s the right attitidue and some much needed perspective. Where on earth is BtM when I need his cheer??
A lot of football yet to play. Chins up.
Cheers holics.
Thierry
You’re entitled to your view, I just think it’s a bit melodramatic is all.
We drew 1-1 at a tough away ground and you make it sound like we’ve been relegated. The manager is shit, the players are shit, why would decent players want to come to us anyway?
As a purely emotional response, I totally get it. But the fact is that this is a team that’s been built to finish top four and is very likely to finish top four again. Do I think that’s enough? No. But it’s where we are, until January at least.
If we don’t spend some money next summer and get some decent players in I may well bitch and moan like you. Until then, I’m behind the lads. You’re correct that my support may not help the team at all, but your spitting the dummy certainly won’t.
Here’s to better days. Until then, a point at Goodison is A-OK by me.
TW –
Rather funny…every good result this season was ‘handed to us’
Not realistic or sensible, it rather undermines everything else you’re trying to say. Let’s meet in May – if we finish 7th I’ll put my hands up and say I had too much faith in this squad. If we finish 4th you can admit you had too little.
Tim@230
I see what you are getting at, but I cannot help feeling that we will be having the very same conversation after Swansea and WBA at home.
As for Citeh, Chelski and the ‘Pool in January, well, I shudder to think what we will be talking about after those three games and zero activity to change any of the obvious problems in the transfer window.
And I will STILL be the bad guy!!!
You guys do realize that Everton away is one of the toughest fixtures in England, right?
Wrightkamp – I guarantee you we’ll be in the top 4.
Tim@234
Not true sir. Liverpool was a good result and a decent performance and Citeh was a point gained although we were unlucky not to come away with all three.
But seriously, can we really disagree that Southampton, West Ham and Reading were litmus tests of what we are capable of or teams basically getting it horribly wrong on the day?
I don’t want to get into a “Web Scrap” over any of this, I just want somebody to tell me where the silver lining is.
That is what usually happens here. The trouble is, most of the excuses, hopeful predictions and board level bullshit have worn so fecking thin now.
@TW
Let’s hope we’re talking about how great we look instead.
I’m not worried about Chelsea now, they’ve lost their mojo, we already matched City. Liverpool? Everton are by FAR the better team in that city.
Let’s take it one week at a time – I know we both want the same thing.
Dkgooner,
You are saying that Ramsey had a great game only because of the assist? It was a good one I agree, but after that he gave the ball away for how many times? Denilson was going to be crucified for the same mistakes.
His natural position for me is attacking midfielder, exactly where he made his one and only contribution to the game today. Not at the wings, and certainly not as DM as many think. He lack awareness in particular for that role. And we have much better AM’s in this team than him. Why Chamberlain is not getting his chance there?
He tries, hard, yes we all know that. He needs our support, of course. But why starting him every game ffs.
I support all Arsenal players, but most of all I support Arsenal as a club.
Woj just got my vote π Have YOU voted yet? π
Snir Geuli@236
Actually, the 7th hardest place to play according to the league table.
7th out of 20 is just about top third and we are 10th in the same list.
And we think that a point is GAINED there when we scrape out with a draw?
After playing so badly, I guess you might actually be right.
Tim@238
Well, that is certainly true π
Wrightkamp – I put it as 3rd hardest out of the 38.
Only City and United away are harder in my opinion.
@TW
West Ham – We played well enough for long enough – against a team that are proving to be better than expected.
Reading – League Cup – not our first team
Southampton – We’re going to complain about winning 6-1?
In the league we’ve had two terrible results this year:
Norwich (a)
Sunderland (h)
and two other terrible performances – United (a) QPR (h)
Drawing games we might have lost and winning games that look destined for a draw will set us apart – and that will be forged on giving up far fewer goals than last season. I’m such a huge advocate of Gibbs/Kos/Per/Sagna being as good a back four as any when settled that I can’t throw away all hope in November.
How long does it take teams to gel? I don’t know, but I genuinely don’t think you’ll see everything in sync (all of the time) this side of the new year. It’s also worth noting we’ve played 8 of 14 games away from home in addition to the key defenders/gk we have missed. LUCKILY – I don’t now think that finishing 3rd/4th is going to require the normal points total this season. We can lose 8 games – we’ve lost 3 thus far.
ArthurTheGooner
Jack was absolutely the heart and soul of today’s Arsenal. Great game, was all over the pitch, never hiding from the ball, a perfect future captain.
I was impressed by the young Pole and Vermaelen today. Hopefully they are back on their best.
Did we lose?
Last team to win at Goodison park?
Oh, that’s right……Arsenal. Last year.
Not an easy place to win. Do we all want more? Absolutely.
We have been rebuilding every year for the past 3-4 years. It is not an easy task. Have we made mistakes? Yep. Have we lucked into the knockout stages of the CL for 13 straight years? No. That is not luck. There will be tough stretches that each team goes thru. Our early schedule was actually very tough. We have played both Manchester clubs away, stoke away, Everton away, Liverpool away, Chelsea when they had confidence. This league is very competitive, top to bottom. There are no “easy” games. We will hit a stride and pick up wins. It will happen. And the summer we will spend some F ing money.
Well at least I really hope so.
Lurky@239
I will see all of that and raise you a Chamberlain doesn’t get a shot there because, as we all know, Wenger likes to buy young players with extraordinary talent and then play them out of position until they are so totally frustrated they either leave, sit in the reserves on fat contracts or hopefully waiting for a loan deal to end up in a sale so that can get the hell out of here.
How many times do we have to hear Wenger tell us that a player will not end up in the position that he is currently being asked to play in?
Bendtner may not have been the best striker in the world (although anybody who actually heard him say that would understand the sarcasm involved) but he was NEVER going to be a decent winger. Now look at him. Fecking useless all round after years of being played out of position.
Of course, then there are the Walcott’s of this world that prove time and time again that they only are slightly better than average stuck out wide and almost lethal when given a decent chance in the centre.
Why is Chamakh in the cold again after two great strikes against Reading? What is the point of even giving him the chance to come on and save the game if he is not even going to make the bench when we have NO OTHER STRIKERS ON THE TEAM SHEET?!
And yet we simply cannot apply the same to the old Arsene. The same Wenger who played the likes of Vieira in CM, Cesc in CM, Overmars on the wing and Bergkamp behind a striker.
Those were the days!
NorCal
The problem isn’t really about not beating Everton, it is about the fact that we are NOT a good team any more.
We cannot string together a run of a few passes in midfield without doing something utterly bewildering with the ball which usually ends up with us giving it away or worse.
We seem to have only one or two players who even give a flying feck.
We rely on injury-prone players to build our squad list.
We buy second rate in place of first rate.
We pay more than any other fan in the country to watch those second rate players.
Something MUST change.
Snir Geuli
You can put it where you like – π – but the league table of home results states quite clearly that Goodison is the 7th hardest ground to go to this season.
@tw
Come down off the ledge….
“We seem to have only one or two players who even give a flying feck”
Rather than name the 22 who don’t care about results, who are the two that do? Let me guess…..Wilshere and Vermaelen?
TW, three points a game would be a good change for a start.
Wenger is finished. He dropped Gibbs from his position to play TV5 because he didn’t’ have the balls to drop his captain.
He played Ramsey wide left.
Sorry but he’s totally lost the plot.
@Geoff
Gibbs didn’t start today because he’s just back from injury and played 3 days ago.
Tim
I did not complain once about winning 6-1. I would like to know why or where you think that I did.
What I did say is that they basically gifted us the game from the off by adopting the tactics that they did.
As for the list of awful performances, I would add tonight and Villa to that list at the drop of a hat.
We were genuinely horrible against Villa and suffered from an inability to pass the ball to any of our own players tonight for great portions of the match.
If we cannot get the ball from A to B with any really regularity, what do we really have?
I agree that the team hasn’t had time to totally build up the necessary understanding required to play the type of football we have been so lucky to see at our great club for some time now, but I also do not believe that professional footballers should play a match without any obvious clue as to how to pass a football and simply get their wages and laugh all the way to the bank.
Anyway, let’s see what a belated Santa may bring to us. I just hope it isn’t more of the same old bullshit excuses about super quality whilst buying babies and Santoses!
Tim@250
Actually, I would have said Wilshere and Shez today.
Even Arteta seemed a little absorbed in his homecoming to truly show his best.
BBC Match report:
Substitute Gervinho failed to get a touch on the end of Olivier Giroud’s cross – but there was to be no winner of a largely undistinguished affair.
Steve Wilson, BBC Match of the Day commentator:
“It was a really tremendous game and I think both managers will have enjoyed it hugely. David Moyes will probably be the most disappointed. Really from the first minute to the 90th minute it was end-to-end. It was a magnificently meaty game.”
Those two quotes are off the same page of the BBC site. Don’t they have editors there anymore?
So which was it, BBC, undistinguished or magnificent?
I just don’t buy all this talk of “the board”.
Its illogical, isn’t it?
Most (all?) of the board members have direct stakes in the success of the club, in form of their shares. If they bleed the club dry, sell players needlessly, and make short term moves for the sake of short term profits (what we called in the midwest, eating your seed corn) that directly results in poor performances – poor standings – no CL, and a decided decrease in reputation and marketing value (i.e. value of shares). Why would “the board” do such things that are directly contrary to their own interests? Let alone the interests of the club? They are fiduciaries (I’d suspect) so such acts would be direct dereliction of their duty. In addition to being just plain bad.
Makes no sense.
I think blaming “the board” is convenient. An easy target at which to direct frustration in a vague, gauzy way. Same goes for blaming “the manager”. And, pardon the agressive comment, its just lazy. My own two cents.
Agree with NorCal. Few if any games are sure things anymore.
Being a sports fan is bullshit. Emmotional attachment to a game that is irrational and inexplicable. This makes the lows nearly unbearable. But the highs are so fucking worth it! Arsenal in all its glory is a thing of rare beauty. It is there, lurking beneath the surface. Supporter revolt, pissing and moaning won’t help it get out or furry it along.
Furry it along … ?
That’s so stupid its funny.
TW,
I empathize with your frustrations. We have all had them to varying degrees. We all want Arsenal to come out and take no prisoners. Unfortunately, we are not at that level anymore. There is too much parity in the league now. Even Man Shitty with all their world class talent finds games very scrappy. There are 6-7 teams all fighting to end top 4. Will we be there come May? I think so, but we could also finish 8th. I really hope that AW and the board realize that and are working to make changes.
No one ever guaranteed us that we will win any game or trophy, but now with the commercial money coming around, lets hope we pull out the wallet…….and not just Lars’.
“But seriously, can we really disagree that Southampton, West Ham and Reading were litmus tests of what we are capable of or teams basically getting it horribly wrong on the day?”
‘horribly wrong on the day ‘suggests 6-1 wasn’t a good result. I guess I failed to read your mind.
Tonight wasn’t an awful performance….Everton don’t lose games at home in 2012, you know that right? Three points would have been preferable – but very difficult. Nobody besides Arsenal have won at Goodison in their last 19 home fixtures.
@TW
If the other team uses tactics that result in us winning it’s not ‘gifting us the game’. I don’t understand your logic.
Homer@257: loved your last paragraph. If only we were paid Β£80,000 a week to be fans…
TW – i’m with you in hoping St. Nick is good to us this holiday transfer season.
Cheers holics. I REALLY need to get back to work.
NBN – ahhh … if only.
Alright, now i’m really leaving the bar.
@TW
Leaving the bar…have a pint on me.
This season will improve, keep (a little bit of) the faith.
@Tim, Gibbs played virtually the full match, looked fit enough to me.
How anyone can put a positive spin on where we are right now is beyond me. It’s not being positive, it’s positively deluded.
I watched the whole game in the pub, full of gooners tonight and I can tell you there’s a lot of fans who have had enough of Wenger. And while we’re at it Ramsey (how wenger continues to select him is beyond me) was the target for plenty of verbal abuse. Simple explanation is they can see he’s poor.
They also know who picks him.
Did you honestly think Gibbs looked as sharp (fit) as usual? When a player has been out six weeks you try and avoid running him right back into the ground.
Wenger is damned when he rotates the squad (Sagna, Gibbs) and damned when he doesn’t (Arteta/Cazorla).
There’s a bad feeling that some supporters will only be pleased with a full implosion and removal of Wenger. A depressing way to support the club I’d say. In the good old days on the North Bank when you were surrounded by doom you could simply walk 10 yards to the left or the right and stand somewhere else.