Fine Margins And Perspective
Sep 23rd, 2014 by 'holic
This won’t be a long piece, or a conventional report on the 1-2 defeat to Southampton in tonight’s COCup 3rd round tie at the Grove.
In this, the least valued of the domestic cups, we like many others choose to use the squad available to us to give them first team experience in front of a big crowd. Down the years invariably we have found we have sufficient quality to progress, sometimes to the amazement of many.
Tonight we have seen the other side of the coin. Actually I saw about an hour of it. Another story altogether. I joined the contest at 1-1. Broadband providers are not infallible. As far as the goals were concerned I caught up at half-time. Alexis nailed a wonderful free-kick to give us the lead. Tomas Rosicky caught the quick to collapse Mane and a penalty levelled matters. I had the fortune, or misfortune, to join the match live as Clyne thumped an absolute beauty in from somewhere far south of the North Bank. It was a goal fit to win a game.
If you followed me on Twitter tonight you already know my take on the match. We wondered beforehand about the capability of a makeshift back five to hold out to a full-strength Saints side. Despite the result the answer has to be yes, they did. Debutant goalkeeper David Ospina was protected by four kids, effectively. Hector Bellerin, Calum Chambers, Isaac Hayden, and at 23 the only non-teenager, Francis Coquelin, could not take any blame for a soft penalty conceded by the skipper, or a long range wonder strike. I thought them one of three positives to come from the evening.
Another was obviously Alexis Sanchez. I read some comments at the weekend that we were better for him not being available. I could say poppycock, but I’ll call ‘bollocks’ as I have had a bad day too. The man’s workrate, given he is our second most expensive signing ever, and a true world class star, is astonishing. I cannot wait to see him, Danny, and Theo, playing ahead of Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey, with maybe a match fit Abou Diaby in behind. (OK, I’m a dreamer, I’ll grant you.) Big teams will be ripped a new one.
The final positive is actually a result of the negative of the night. Given that the new-look back five held up pretty well it follows that our defeat owes much to the inability of an experienced front six to produce a match-winning performance. Don’t tell me that a combination of Abou Diaby, Tomas Rosicky, Jack Wilshere, Lukas Podolski, Joel Campbell, and Alexis, couldn’t have found a way to get us through if all were match fit. It was painfully clear that two or three of those need a game under their belt. No names, no pack drill. Now they have a game behind them and will be better if required in the big couple of weeks to follow.
What more needs to be said? Of course nobody wanted us to go out tonight. I think it a bad thing because if we keep the squad largely fit (and therein lies the rub), this competition provides serious football for those now playing a back-up role. The other side of that coin is that if you do get a first team start, in the three competitions that remain available to us, you had better be prepared to give your all in a bid to keep the cannon on your chest.
Not a good night, maybe, but worse things could have befallen us. The next three matches are much, MUCH, more important.
162 Responses to “Fine Margins And Perspective”
First.
Anndd… wayward pass out of bounds.
Without having watched the game (to be recorded and watched later), some positive thoughts based on reports here and in other places:
– As winning the League Cup or not makes no real difference to the season, lesser number of games to play especially in Nov and Dec with CL and PL fight going on is not a bad thing. Particularly given our habit of picking up key injuries in meaningless games.
– The immediate aftermath. The consequences that Spuds will need to be at the receiving end of.
– Ospina getting a feel of the English football. We will need him.
– Diaby gaining some game time. Never a bad thing.
– Hayden’s qualities and the match confidence he will gain, we will definitely need him, especially once FA Cup comes (assuming no new defensive signings in Jan) , but probably even before that (hopefully no injuries).
– Now we need to do the Saints twice in the league. Naturally. Teams just don’t come and beat at home without suffering consequences.
– Alexis becoming fully comfortable and enjoying being the key man in the match. Watch a few more of those free-kicks going in.
– TR7′s professional pride would be hurt. Next time we see him play he will press and pass and be generally dangerous the way he is always supposed to be. Just with twice the intensity, to make up for today.
…
1st, what???? Didn’t care for the match anyways. Would have loved to win it though.
Homer beat me to 1st
What Holic said above to the bone landlord!
Fair assessment ‘holic and this might be a season where additional games in the league cup are best avoided as I think we’re in with a shout at the league (say it quietly).
We definitely lacked someone to take the shot on during those final 25 minutes where we had seemingly endless quick short passing around the edge of the Saints’ box but nobody seemed willing to pull the trigger, that was a frustration as although we weren’t good tonight I thought we had enough of the ball to have forced a second goal.
I watched Campbell with interest and although he received the ball a good 6-8 times in a great position his decision making (relying just on pace) was never enough to outfox a smart set of opposing defenders. Not sure if he is amongst those you considered rusty or is better served playing regularly elsewhere in the short term. With that said and our injury record I can see why he’s still in the squad.
As for Podolski (one great chance aside) he just doesn’t seem to fit with the way we play does he – I’d dearly love to see him be a rotated option for ten goals in limited appearances this season but it’s looking less and less likely – or am I being unfair?
Bellerin is more than ready in my humble…let him get some games.
Good stuff, Holic.
You say you’re a dreamer – well you’re not the only one.
I hope some day we find out …… 😉
Battery’s gone – G’night !
Agree with DF
As always I hate Arsenal loosing a game especially at home. In fact any game!
I still believe we need more rotation during premier league games especially when we are about three nil up let Diaby and Joel and others take to the field let the tired legs that have pretty much have done the job. To me our down fall is not using our subs to our full potential the first eleven players getting injured etc.
I know the EPL will be even tougher this year and it will be really hard to use these players but when when opportunity arises they need to the to the field.
Most off the So’ton players were good, but what an marvelous player Schneiderlin is. Ronald Koeman is doing a very good job with this side. Hope they win this competition.
As for Diaby, I really liked what he had to offer to our game. He faded away in the second half but played some wonderful football in the first half. In contrary to Arteta, he seems to have multiple solutions under pressure. We lack that in midfield. Arteta is to predictable, especially if pressed high when we play well organized teams, he always passes safe, lacks speed and rarely opts for a long ball.
Diaby needs to improve his positioning and to work on his fitness, but if he could stay fit, he has a big chance this season
winning would have been great for the team and moral. But lets face it, we don’t have a squad capable of competing in all 4 competitions.
Cheers ‘holic.
The first part of the match that you missed saw Southampton waltz through our back 4 a few times, luckily they got better as the game progressed and were pretty decent in the second half.
A bit dissapointed that we, once again, kept looking for that perfect pass, when a simpler option, or and forgive me for such blaphesmy, a shot might of been taken. A few of those players will have better days. (I hope).
All credit to Southampton, who many had completly written off before a ball was kicked this season. They had their spine ripped out but are still a real team, a proper club they are and I wish them all the best in this competition.
Great report Holic. And thanks!
I’d endorse everything you say to a letter about alexis.
I do hope some of the others learn that attaining that standard is all about effort and hard work.
I was disappointed with our midfield who coughed up possession far too easily I felt.
The highlight of the 90mins was Bellerin.
What a player that lad is going to be.
pretty much all of it, holic. h2h points out the porous nature of the defense, and w were nearly down more than one as a result. that said, neither did they give away the penalty nor give the shooter a free hand for their second. where were our leaders?
alexis exemplified his nature when he ran down a corner kick that went a foot from out, having run all the way from the goalpost on the same side. kept it in, skidded to a stop, and brought us back into play. surely that has to catch on with the rest of the squad.
Cheers Holic.
I started watching at exactly the same moment just as replays of their second goal began (and the moment I got through the door after a truly horrific return to work) and agree completely with your assessment.
I enjoyed what I saw- good game. Didn’t really think they were lucky but maybe we were a little unlucky- if that makes sense.
Definite positives but not the result we wanted. Oh well, we don’t have a right to win matches. Fair play Saints.
I’d rather win the next one.
H2H,
Good to see you again at the bar!
I could be wrong on the shooting front but i remember reading somewhere that the statistical chances of converting outside the box are supposedly miniscule. Hence the objective of getting the ball into the box to increase the conversion factor….Which I think is one of wengers mantras.
I do see your point though especially when the tippy tap passing doesn’t go anywhere that it would be nice to another option. For me the midfielders didn’t make it happen and in many cases the possession was squandered.
Joe, I am sure Clyne has read that statistics article of yours as well 🙂
3 positives, Holic, from a game we lost. I’ll take that. But do you worry Alexis might suffer burnout, at the rate he is pushing himself. Like Giroud, last season. Anyway, looking forward in earnest, to seeing the match.
Comments thus far by the holics, receiving top marks in my book.
Good sportsmanship! ♥
Clynes shot should have been saved. It a very soft goal to concede from that distance.
abb — Alexis has always played football like that, high pressing high energy fully committed. This is not new. I am sure Arsene will not play him full 90 minutes in all matches and will give him rest like he was given at Villa. His work rate is exemplary.
I think Tevez was the last forward in PL to have that combination of technical abilities and work-rate. Alexis is technically better IMHO, but in his ability to fit in tactically much superior. Tevez was rather prone to ‘let me just run at the defense even if there is a pass’.
I’ve just returned from the match which despite the result I enjoyed. Holic highlights the positives very well as is his wont. I thought Coquelin and Hayden were excellent too but Rosicky needed the game as did Abou who nevertheless had some excellent moments. I also like Joel Campbell who is a class act and a very handy member of the squad. Sanchez deserves huge praise for a superb free kick- totally unsaveable and his enormous efforts to press and harry. That is where Southampron were better in that their match tight first team pressed us more effectively than we did them . The one major disappointment was Podolski. When I see people on this board suggesting he is an option to play through the middle I can only presume that they have never actually seen him play there. I have and it is a role he is unsuited for. His work rate was poor and his general involvement in the game negligible.
Another slight negative was that Chambers gets caught in possession too often but he has a crisp and impressive passing range. Ospina might on a superlative day have saved Clyne’s winner but it was a wickedly swerving shot that zipped past him. But overall the options we have at the back looked better than one might reckon. I still don’t believe Wenger should have left us this short but I enjoy seeing young players of this quality in our colours- and lovely to see Abou come through sixty minutes seemingly unscathed
TTG @ 21: Haven’t watched the game yet — being recorded as I write — and thanks for that summary on top of Holic’s fine report. Do you think Coquelin still has a future in the club? His versatility from the bench is something that successful squads need nowadays, but at the same time neither the club nor him would find it ideal to be a bit part player at this key stage of his career when he should be playing regularly.
A bit more reassuring to note that with Bellerin, Coquelin and Hayden the defensive area has a bit of depth.
While watching I would particularly look out for Campbell; as you said, an efficient player.
Ttg,
Surprised to see your comments on Campbell. I thought he looked totally out of his depth.
Agree completely on poldi.
I thought we lost the game in midfield where we failed to use of the possession we had.
Dr Faustus, reassuring to know that about him. Suppose once others start scoring regularly, that will alleviate much of the burden, as well (smiles xx).
No coverage here so didn’t watch the game, but I was pleased to see AW took my advice and played the kids. Although he should have gone the whole hog and also rested Alexis and Jack as I suggested (and was proven right in the event).
Good to see Abou starting, even if he did fade which was to be expected. Disappointing to read TR7 comments. And hard to judge Poldi if he wasn’t getting any service.
But I did enjoy watching Cesspool struggling against the smoggies, and the penalty shootout was great fun even if it did have to end eventually with the wrong result. 13 successive successful pens for Boro after missing their first deserved to win it. But extra mid-week games for Poo can’t be all bad. Nor can less midweek games for us.
Öskar
Not sure what efficient means in this context, Dr F.
Despite all the silver linings being found, it would have been better to win. These games do give a runout to the regular first-team benchwarmers, who we keep saying need games to be match sharp, and something for the youngsters to play for and look forward to.
Who was the defender who ran out to block the Clyne shot, but stopped prematurely and turned his back?
Hate losing but I’m too fussed about the result of this match to be perfectly honest. I’m too busy thinking about the North London derby.
We need to destroy those filthy bastards!
NBN @ 26: Efficient as an euphemism. Like “he is a very efficient chef, he makes food that fills your stomach quickly.” 🙂
Joking — I meant that he tends to make the right decisions and do not overplay or make things complicated. As Arsene had said earlier, good balance between individual ability and team play. But as others are pointing out, maybe creatively limited compared to other young turks we have. We will see.
To answer your question, “Who was the defender who ran out to block the Clyne shot, but stopped prematurely and turned his back?”, based on reports that seemed to have been Jack. I will watch later at night and then can confirm. 🙂
re: Campbell. Selective directness wouldn’t go amiss on occasion.
re: Jack, if indeed he is the culprit, I await your further dispatches, Dr. F.
I still think I just don’t like losing games.
Ned, it was Jack.
NBN @ 29: So saw just the first half, the rest will have to be consumed some other time before the weekend. As Scruz reconfirmed, it was Jack indeed. He was a bit tentative in going into challenges and pressing, though his forward movements were decent. Was visibly playing within himself.
And if Jack’s pressing were tentative, Poldi’s was non-existent. In a few occasions Alexis was visibly pleading him to join to press high up, while Poldi saunters up the field. It is a testament to his extraordinary efficiency and solid technical abilities that despite being such a misfit to our system — he is a pure old school second forward in 4-4-2 — he has chalked up such an impressive number of goals and even assists in his couple of years with us.
Campbell — at least the first half I saw — was somewhat disappointing in his lack of adventurousness. Did the basics right about positions and passing, some lovely flicks and neat exchanges with Jack and Bellerin, but lacked the directness of say an Ox or even Gnabry and a bit predictable in the final third. Whether the timidity was due to lack of confidence or simply a desire to not commit mistakes, the end result was a bit disappointing.
TR7 was visibly upset by the penalty and I think it affected his game after that. He was working hard and interchanges with Jack and Diaby were decent, but he has hardly played with Alexis and Campbell and they were on different wavelengths. Poldi’s lack of movements didn’t help.
Diaby solid for the first 45 minutes. And Bellerin excellent. Coquelin started a little iffy, but got settled very quickly. However I thought Hayden was outstanding, in reading the game as well as in quick early interceptions a la Koscielny. Definitely learning from the big boys.
@31: three instances of “…visibly…” in five short paragraphs! That is disgraceful. 🙂 Good night.
Plenty of effort within the drinks to make positives including holics summary out of what was basically another inconsistent effort against an average and inferior opposition.
Luckily this is not one of our main goals for the season, but as holic rigtly points out, surely an arsenal 5 made up of Tr, jack, sanchez, poldi and joel should be able to handle a team such as southampton. Abou is saved any critique based in his horendous run if injuries.
The others however all train each week and most feature for the countries in international friendlies. It is quite amazing just how unpumped and not ready we were. Someone on here recently said they are amazed at how often the opposition seem faster, fitter, sharper , stronger and more hungry.
Southampton Are a team who have seen the spine of their side ripped apart and cut off at the knees and not only didnt we win, we were not able to dominate a team such as southampton.
We should simply be able to win this type of game, classic shots or not.
I would honestly have thought we could quite comfortably have won this game given our squad is deeper than any other time in the past few seasons, but still we put in a basically low par performance.
Much bigger matches coming, but once again we will hear the squad suggesting on arsenal.com how we must win these types if games in future and learn how to do something better…. Surely Even the journos at arsenal.com must be sick of writing the same stuff about losses like this.
Only positives for me are match time for abou and confirmation that bellerin is way above the rest of the younger brigade.
A bigger positive is that we’re out of this pointless cup, Aussie, and saved extra midweek games which would jeopardise our fragile squad’s bigger goals – Premiership, FA Cup and CL. Those comps are more than enough to keep us fully stretched.
Kudos to the Saints, thoroughly burnt in the transfer window and rising from the ashes like a phoenix. Ronald Koeman has done an amazing job.
That said the loss is another wake-up call for us. Our ‘depth’ is seriously shallow.
Öskar
All I can say is that last nights starting XI didn’t gel very well. We need to focus on saturdays Derby. I see slightly bigger fish.
Joe/ Dr. F
Thanks for your comments.
I think Coquelin is someone who might have a future at the club. His versatility is a huge asset and he is a decent defensive player although not anywhere near as gifted as Bellerin going forward.
I saw a footballer in Campbell but thought he was too conservative but I put this down to a lack of confidence in his first proper game. He has a silky touch and is tricky but as Wenger would say he played with the handbrake on. We need to see more of him before commenting but it is rare that you see an Arsenal midfield outplayed which it was last night although I thought Jack’s commitment and attitude were spot- on ( so unlike Podolski)
I now read that BFG and Gibbs had small injuries( when has Gibbs not?) Why on earth even put them on the bench then? I think an experienced free agent might be a useful acquisition if someone with experience and the ability to shadow several positions can be obtained. But we should not be in this position.
Diaby should grow a hair.
And a beard too…
So he will scare the shyt out of Eriksen and Hazard.
@34 agree on each point as disappointing as it is to see us lose without much of a fight, just a lot of wasted pointless possession.
Excellent perspective, Holic and, if I may, I’ll join you as you ‘dream on’. SO good to see Abou back. I do hope his body can carry him through this season. If there is any fairness in this football world, it will.
Good positive atmosphere in the ground last nigh, supplemented well by a very vocal band from the south coast. What a fabulous first goal! The perfect strike by Alexis which capped an excellent evening of endeavour by him. His work rate and attitude are a fantastic example to all around him.
Really disappointing to lose the lead within five minutes though. What was TR7 doing back there? Bellerin had his man covered and he was heading away from goal before that headless chicken moment. I too thought that the second Saint’s goal was very saveable. It was struck beautifully, but I suspect that our number one would not have let it pass.
I thought Haydn had a very good first start and that Bellerin grew in confidence as the evening progressed, demonstrating the benefit of minutes in front of a big crowd. Coquelin acquitted himself well in a left sided role not perfectly suited to his ‘preferred right foot’ style. I don’t think he’ll let us down when called upon to cover at full back or DM in more important games.
Lukas Podolski remains a major disappointment for me and I’ve reached the point where my heart sinks when his name is announced. I didn’t think Joel Campbell did enough on the evening to raise his prospects of starting again anytime soon. He’ll be reliant on rotational subs I think for opportunity to impress. Like ttg, I think there’s talent there though – but a right wing berth for such a left footed player is perhaps not the best position in which to shine.
And, as usual, Holic is absolutely correct. The next three games are MUCH more important.
Great write up BtM.
Agree completely with all that (but then again, I usually do anyway) 🙂
Hate losing any game but at least we did against a classy outfit instead of some horrible dour Northern long ball cluggers.
And when we win on Saturday and I will forgive them everything.
In the meantime come on Forest – team with a bit of class :
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/sep/23/brian-clough-tribute-forest-green-jumpers
Why the hell does jack jog out to clyne so slow and then stop and apply no pressure and allow volume to just straight out strike the ball with all the time in the world.
What a waste of beautiful alexis free and what naive and casual arsenal play from both TR and jack.
Last but not least- Gibbs
As suggested above by TTG, does he truly ever not have a small tear.
FFS he is as soft as a matshmallow
After the League Cup defeat by Chelsea last season Bendtner and Miyachi were never seen again. The same fate may fall on Podolski and Campbell and to a lesser extent TR. It was utter stupidity for an experienced player to concede in such a manner. The young inexperienced 4 defenders, with Diaby in front, did well and exceeded my expectations of them against the team selected for Southampton.
Lurky — I am sure Diaby would have grown a beard if only it didn’t scare the likes of Eriksen and Hazard. 🙂
joeos @ 46 — It would be very disappointing and unfair if TR7’s last meaningful action would be captaining Arsenal in this defeat. I am sure he will get his fair share of chances.
Despite being anti-Bendy in terms of general attitude — don’t expect Lukas to make love to a car in the middle of a Cologne night anytime soon — you may be right that after this match Poldi’s chances would get further limited especially when Theo, Gnabry and the later Giroud are back. Barring a serious injury crisis.
Campbell is in a more advanced stage in his career compared to Ryo, who also had a few injuries after the league cup ruling him out for loan moves as well I think, and I personally would love to see more from him in an Arsenal shirt.
On the other hand, Afobe’s excellent loan spell continues. Ninth goal for the season already (two last night), and with five in League Cup top scorer in the competition currently.
Cheers Joe. Not much of a statistics kind of guy myself, just get a tad frustrated watching the ball being zipped around to and thro and ultimately being squandered. All those flicks and whatnot are great when they work (ala JW v Norwich) but sometimes I just want to see a player welly it towards goal when the chance presents itself.
Having watched yesterday’s match once more, I hope Arsene reverts to 4231 on Saturday again. Diaby was doing a great job in midfield yesterday, but it looked quite unbalanced again.
There are three reasons for that, the way I see it.
One of the reasons is the formation as we played 4141, again. Not going to bother anyone with that one, all is said.
The other is Wilshere’s positioning.
I think that he has a good season so far and he has improved himself over the last season especially in the offensive aspects of the game, I still feel he unbalances our midfield as he lacks positional awareness sometimes, goes into unnecessary dribbles in dangerous possitions and is often found on no mans land.
Desire is there, form is good, he retained some of the lost speed, but maybe box-to-box is not his preferred position. I have my doubts when I see him in England as one of the double pivot pair, too. So, for me at least, number 10 is the position I would like to see him more often when Ozil is rested, like it was the case yesterday.
The third and final reason is Alexis losing possession.
I like him, he is a fighter, runs a lot, covers lot of ground, finishes well. There are countless things to like about him to be honest and I think he is our best player in this season so far, with Kos close second.
However, he has some tendency to misplace to many passes and lose the ball in dangerous areas. This Arsenal team is not prepared for that, yet. Any lost ball in the middle of the park means potential dangerous counter for the opposition and a big chance to score a goal. The part of this problem is of course his lack of understanding with other players, so I think it will come good in time.
Evening chums. Who are we watching tonight?
Evening guv’.
Spuds v Forest the only choice on my sports channel tonight.
Poor sod. Sorry about that H2H.
Ha Ha.
It’s not all bad, I’m never a few feet away from a beer tap. 😀
Dortmund vs Stuttgart. Watching a pub team twice in one week would be far too much of a test of my patience with fools.
Swampies are pants, I’ve had enough of this crap.
So Tottenham have tied with Forrest! Gee, it’s gonna break their tiny ♥, when we put them in their rightful place (in our shadow). If you haven’t listened to their theme song yet, ‘One Club’ please google it. Most adorable!!! 🙂 We must cherish our rivalry with them and nuture it, every chance we get 😉 ha ha!
Lurky, see you’ve done it again @51. Can’t wait to see the game and match your observations (and others) to what I’m seeing.
H2H @ 50, Xactly, (as Sir Rodney Marsh would say) 😉 We’d all love to see our lads just cut loose in a while, and fire a cannonball shot! Don’t overthink it it, just DO IT!
Dr Faustus@ 49 Can we get Mr Ofobe back, pretty please! He’s got dynamite in his boots 🙂
New Day Raisons, just have to say ‘hello’. I smile whenever you pop up 🙂
Of course, it would be better if I’d spelt your moniker correctly! ☺
*Raisins 🙂 I eat them on cereal a lot, for goodness sake 🙁
So,it’s ‘Open Mike’ nite @ this quaint pub. What’s on your minds, holics!
Where in tarnation is bt8 ? A quirky chap, who tickles the senses 😉
And cba, who transports us to a magical place, full of little folk, up to no good. And wonderful animal tales (tails if you prefer!) xx
Ok, so you want footie talk! Well, then you best post something, and right quick!!! Cause, I’m all about feelings, lovely feelings 🙂
*kisses Nurse Abb’s forehead*
Oh Centy, a true Gentleman xx Thank you for tweeting about Wind’s (Alex) accomplishment. So proud of him and you xx
Here you go, abb…
SCG, Dr F.: thanks for the confirmations above. I do wonder if Jack had kept going whether it might have made Clyne take another touch rather than get the shot off.
Hi NBN, hey (waves)
I saw his glorious strike, truly beautiful. Don’t think Ospina or our lads at fault. Who could have anticipated that, from that distance.
Did you know, that Mr Clyne said this (about his goal)
“what a glorious feeling, to score at the Emirates” (paraphrasing).
Brought tears to my eyes. Such respect we command from other clubs. xx
I prefer not to be involved with CoCups anyway.
Hi nursie!
OMG, Lonestar Gooner! A sight for sore eyes. You won’t believe this, but I’ve been thinking about you. xx Hope all is well with you and yours.
abb, thank you for coming back tonight. 😉
Oh Holic, this magical place holds so many good memories for me xx
Hi, Nursie. *waves back*
Clyne also noted that no one shut him down so he took the shot.
.
He did, well (laughs heartily), that is fighting words, don’t ya think NBN. He will regret that (won’t he Jack!) Gotta love it!
ABB, good to “see” you darlin’. I hope all is well. Everyone is fine, but I don’t get in here as often as I’d like. Keep sending the good vibrations, and I promise to do the same.
Cheers, ‘Hols.
Will do Lonestar, will do! xx Give your little gal, a big hug, please xx
I AGREE WITH 70
Hey sydneyred, just what happened @ 70! Spooky 😉
Have a good one mate, way down under!
Nite Holics. Remember to look up, ‘One Club’ will put a smile on your mug, for sure! Catchy tune, I must confess 🙂 Now to get it out of my head!
@70 knows
I wish the oeople reporting on Kroenke’s transaction would report it accurately. As I understand it! it is not a dividend , it is a consultancy fee . The tabloid educated football public clearly feel that club owners are altruistic characters who are a footballing version of Father Christmas and should pump whatever money is required into clubs they own. While I have some reservations about Kroenke’s ownership this news does not surprise me or particularly alarm me
£3m is peanuts in the great scheme of things and Kroenke’s company (not Stan himself I believe) is entitled to payment for ‘strategic and advisory services’ whatever they are, if indeed they were performed.
Personally I would have done the work for half that, but no-one asked me. 🙁 Next time perhaps? 🙂
Öskar
Me too OTD!
Oscar is surely funny @79.
No need to name the price at which I would perform said duties because no one will believe me.
So it is you who was battering the prices down all the time, Oskar? It doesnt pay out to be a honest strategic advisor anymore, certainly not under the current prices. Shame on you!
Anyone can be honest, Lurky, but dishonesty invariably brings greater rewards.
Öskar
Oskar, on a serious note, 3m is maybe a “peanuts in the grand scheme of things” but I think it is just a start and certainly a thing to raise some eyebrows.
We missed on Gary Cahill for much less then 3m in the past. Arsene confirmed that we wissed Ronaldo for much less too. We negotiated with Theo for 4 months or more over 10k a month difference.
Those were different times, I agree. But don’t forget what we’ve gone through over the years as a club. We were forced to sell our best players every year, to pay lower wages then most of the clubs, to buy cheap and do many other things we didn’t liked to. And that was not a century, but just a couple of years ago.
Now, we pay 3m for strategic advices, and many of us reffer to that as “peanuts”? When exactly we became so spoiled? Are we Chelsea maybe?
I don’t approve it, not for Kroenke, not for anyone else, and I am not even a ticket holder. Think about it.
Frustrating game on Tuesday, especially as we struggled where we had the experienced players. Maybe that’s down to lack of fitness, but our front 5 laboured throughout. Would have liked to have a cup run, but ho-hum. Only concern is that in our two losses so far both Dortmund and Soton played two holding players and were efficient on the break… Big game a week Sunday. At least it was a competition we can get over quickly.
Roll on Saturday 🙂
Good morning (afternoon) to you ‘holic. Fall leaves on and off the trees but summer is said to be returning this weekend to the urban chicken homestead at the edge of the north woods. Been visiting with my widowerof a dad so missed the cocup cockup but now getting ready for a cocks stuffing. COYG.
Sunday will be a tough game for i am certain pochetino will not come all guns blazing and trying to beat us at our own game. He is a shrewd manager and i am sure it will be two defensive hackers in the midfield with clear instructions not to allow Ozil/Sanchez/Ramsey time on the ball. These are clear tactics that every team will employ when they play against us, specially at the Emirates.
Arsenal need to use this game as the momentum builder to the season. The team still seem to bits and parts and the cohesion is missing.
One terrific analysis i read recently suggested that it is not that Ramsey and Jack together will not work, it will provided they play a bit deeper and start from the back than being in an advanced position always. This isolates Arteta to many times and leaves the defense horribly exposed. If this could be addressed, i am sure those two can co exist for they are to talented not to.
1-0 to the Arsenal seems a fair option for the game for i doubt spurs will come to match us, the way they are currently, they will take a draw eyes closed. So it is upto us to force the issue and beat them.
?
bt8b, hope your dad is doing better!
‘hol
ye haven’t zapped me
can ye please ?
cba
Vinay @ 87: Hope you don’t wait for Sunday for the NLD. 🙂
Lurky @ 84: But what if that 3 millions worth of consultancy gives the club 10 millions worth of additional revenues through steps that would have otherwise not been taken?
Capitalism. Works in mysterious ways.
Shareholders actualy want to make money?
Please don’t tell anyone on Wall Street, it may all get out of hand.
Arseblog makes a good point about the concern not being with the money, but what is being perceived as a lack of transparency.
Footballing finances are far removed from transparency. I think our club falls on the better side of the spectrum of financial fudging.
Thanks scruz he is doing as well as you could hope for which is good news. The visit was in Minnesota, marking the first time he has been on an airplane in many years. I’ll look you up next time I’m out there. 🙂
If shareholders wants to make money out of Arsenal, they can. Sell the shares, get twice the money you invested and get the hell out of here. Don’t use other ways to soak up the money out of the club.
Can we still laugh at United about the Glazers or that has changed too in the meantime? What’s next?
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20140925/ox-new-boys-are-up-for-it
“Alexis and Jack played 90 minutes the other day and they’re usually on second-day recovery,” he told Arsenal Player. “But today Alexis really wanted to train and people had to tell him to take it easy.
————
Take it easy Alexis, plenty of chances to play round the clock!
All that running every single game and still wants to train?! What a player! Hope he can maintain this over the season/s.
The rest of the team better have what he’s having… 😀
On another note, Bellerin if given ample chance may even keep Debuchy out!
Here’s a thought, how about moving Debuchy into DM role, assuming of course Diaby hasn’t assumed it by then?! He looks fiesty enough for it!
Chambers can then be a proper back up for CB and DM, although he’ll probably be playing CB over the season when Per/Kos is out.
All this is with the assumption that Flamini/Arteta would probably be replaced next season.
😀
Lofts an Özilesque cross in the direction of a Welbeckesque run by …
You are zapped cba 🙁
Fuck me, you’ll be missed old son.
Be lucky, big man.
Now, who want the ton? I’ll roll it across an open goal…
cba wannabe
Nice one bt8 🙂
Thank you holic. 🙂
***tips his hat to the crowd***
As this is a Wenger, the only thing it will be missing is a DM:
http://www.amazon.com/Wenger-16999-Swiss-Knife-Giant/dp/B001DZTJRQ
Brave man, cba. Out there in the Goonerholic pantheon of drinkers.
well
in
bt8b
NBN. 🙂
I miss cba already.
NBN @ 103: Now does Wenger carry a Wenger then? Especially in secret missions in far flung corners of the banlieue of Paris or towns of Northern England?
Lurky @ 96: To be honest the world of finances has become so murky and so much of the domain of the crook and the fantasists I think we will be disappointed if we expect full transparency and ethical behavior from the money men — whoever that might be at a given point of time — that would own the majority of the shares. We can laugh at the Glazers for their greed and questionable management but others can point their fingers at us and guide us to the utterly atrocious business practices and employee abuses of a large company with which our majority owner is deeply associated.
Better not to open that can of worms, in my humble opinion.
It could also be that I have become too cynical to care about any of this, and you are right in expressing indignation.
Spent last night having dinner with a worried Spuds fan. He says that the fans have already had it with Pocchetino ( seriously) and that they are dreading Saturday. I had two choices – be magnanimous and sporting talking up their chances or stick the knife in about the failure to start work on the new ground and the two home defeats already. When Forest went one up Im afraid I lapsed into the latter option.
I genuinely get the impression morale is low set the Lane and the manager doesn’t know his best team. So let’s hope we can deepen the gloom on Daturday ( not Sunday Vinay!)
Thundertiny. Seriously? Can that be really used in adjacent sentences with Spuds fan? 😉
What the heck does “zapped” mean?
Lonestar. Some possible clues.
http://onlineslangdictionary.com/meaning-definition-of/zap
Not sure about the exact applicability of this to the cba saga tho.
Which brought me to this. Purely subjective list, surely.
http://onlineslangdictionary.com/lists/most-vulgar-words/
Apologies for 114. My bad.
@114…wow, 8ball. Heh. Good to know everyone’s keeping the bar rolling.
Thought’s on Saturday? Bit nervous actually. I’d like to be in a pub watching it live, but I have to coach BLG’s soccer team later that morning.
Lonestar. Maybe a list of the top 100 words that should be applied to Spuds fans?
I’m not sure what to expect from this group of players yet, and it is probably because many of them are just getting to know each other. I’m just hoping all our pieces eventually gel into a destructive force and hoping this week will be it.
@cba
Do what you have to do big man…
but…
having been away from the drinks for a few days last week and trying to piece together where this has come from I can only describe my reaction as ‘dismay.’
No matter what you have written, what state you have been in or how much of it I have I understood- I have enjoyed every word.
The idea that you have ever owed any of us an apology for any of it is not one I can agree with at all.
Good luck. And thanks.
Hear hear, GSD.
Thank you.
*shrugs*
I guess I’ve not been participating enough. I don’t get what any of this is about.
Back to the footie.
word, gsd.
lonestar, good luck with little miss hamm and her game 😉
evening everyone
cba, you kept me company on many a lonely nite xx
bt8b, hope your dad’s ok xx
ttg @110 yes, they are worried (I visit spur’s website)
but like Lonestar, I’m more than a tad nervous.
several holics have observed (rightly so) that the league this year is tighter than ever. Aston Villa much better when not ‘sick’!
lurky, with you on Stan.
on the ‘up side’, have Saturday off, so I can be here in the bar, lending my ‘expert’ commentary on the game 😉
looking forward to your company ♥
nite holics
cba please reconsider, your flights enhanced this place. I have not read one of your posts that would cause offence to anyone. If anything you have stimulated and entertained. If anyone has taken offence they should look at themselves rather than you.
Joeos @124, now let’s not go too far…
Now I get what’s going on. Just my opinion (and I don’t know what exchange was the proximate cause of cba’s self-imposed exile) but I tend to think that people who might have taken offence would have a right to that view as well.
If cba wants to deprive us of his contributions, that’s his right as well. Sunrise, sunset. I’m sure everyone’s favorite drinker will eventually return.
Drinks on the bar to tide everyone over until his return…
Cheers Abb
Dr.Faustus, agree about the can, even though I don’t know anything about our majority shareholder business outside Arsenal. I don’t even care, to be honest. One thing I am sure, I want that type of people, like him, Usmanov or Abramovich, away from the football as much as possible.
There were two things I appreciated about Kroenke though. The first one was that he doesn’t take away any money from the club. Until he did that actually.
The second one is that he doesnt seem to interfere with what is going on the football pitch. So far, that is. I wouldnt be surprised if that changes too, especially when Arsene leaves us after 25 years or so:-).
And I sometimes wonder, does he even know who our next opponent week in and week out is. I know he is a big sports fan, but does he care to watch our games sometimes as other owners do? At least Abramovich is at every home Chelsea game, and it is evident that he watches the game like many real fans do, almost like a child, with lot of emotions, showing that he cares about his team. Will I ever see Stan getting nervous when Welbeck misses a sitter, will I see him full of joy when Ozil strikes a winner? Will I ever see that he cares?
Cheers, Scruz… thanks for that. Hope all is well with you. BLG’s back in goal scoring form for her YMCA team. She’s also bedding-in pretty good with her select team (every girl is at least a year older, some two years older) and had her first assist last weekend. Quite proud of la chica.
Bedtime.
But before I leave I will observe that the thing about a self-imposed exile is that there is only one person who can lift it.
Here’s hoping…
Nightcaps on the bar for all.
abb, miss you too, lots. 😉
And, cba, I remember those drinks, there was nothing said for someone to find offensive, I really can’t believe you are serious, this bar is not the same without you.
abb. Your expert commentary makes more sense than my expert commentary. 😉
cba – what did you do?
Did I miss something?
I may be thicker than a whale omlette, but I have never noticed any kind of hateful invective of any kind in your extensive and entertaining contributions.
Sure, you may be as mad as a snake, but some of us feel that is a plus rather than a minus.
If youve disgraced yourself while I wasnt looking, so what?
This is a bar,buddy – we’ve all done it,with drink as our only accomplice.
Come back – dont be a silly arse.
Lonestar, there are too many people in the current world who are waiting to take offence at anything that does not accord with their view and too few who are prepared to live and let live. I have never seen anything offensive in the posts of cba and do not recall any postings claiming to be offended. If there are some that I missed then I would suggest to them that they ought to join the Taliban or the Tea Party.
Lurky – in answer to your quistions – No,no,and no.
Yeah, I’m not sure what’s going on either.
If cba is signing off permament like, well that’s a downer. Hope you reconsider.
Either way, godspeed.
You may disapprove of Stan’s dip into the club funds, Lurky, but your approval isn’t required. He owns the joint and can take out as much as he likes. Or at least, I assume, up to whatever his percentage of the club amounts to.
Since no-one seems to know what the £3m of ‘advice’ was for specifically (perhaps it’s too sensitive too publicise?), we have to assume it’s a legit expense. So, until proved otherwise … tough.
I’m well aware of the narrow margins AW likes to negotiate within, and perhaps the Ronaldo example is proof positive that parsimony doesn’t always pay. I just don’t believe, if he’d wanted to, that he couldn’t have found the extras necessary to have brought in Ronaldo along with Hazard and Mata (when he was playing well) for example. And I know Theo is still with us because he has a bed with his name permanently engraved on it in the physio room.
Öskar
Come out from behind that bottle of Green Spot, cba, you can drink but you can’t hide! The bar is very dry without your metrical master classes.
Öskar
Joeos @ 133, I was unaware of your arbiter status such that your skepticism regarding the validity of anyone’s offense to any posting would consign such objector to the taliban. Your analogy of such objector to hateful fascists is juvenile. I do not recall anyone censoring cba or anything of the like. But if someone did take offense and express such sentiment, your disagreement of the validity of such offense + $4 will just about buy a cup of coffee at Starbucks.
Personally, I think all this pleading for someone to reconsider frequenting the bar is a bit unseemly. However, as per usual, folks are free to post as they wish.
Unseemly pleading iLonestar?
Where?
Impressive Failage, I do believe a long line of frequenters have asked cba to reconsider “leaving” remarking the bar will not be the same in his absence. Fair play. It’s their feeling and their right to voice it. I just think enough already (which I do believe is my right to feel and voice).
If the man wants to leave, then he is free to do so. My feeling is he won’t be gone for long anyway. But I think all this lamentation over his choice to take his toys and go home is unseemly. Just my feeling.
Anyway…roll on Saturday.
Dr. F: the Wenger 16999 is larger than several towns in the north of England.
cba: we’ve all had a sherbert or two we’ve regretted. Best to pretend it never happened and return to the fray. You are only as good as your last post. So get a new last one up there and move on.
GSD: and a nightcap on the bar for you in return for your @128.
140 iLonestar, folks here are just being supportive of cba who may be going through a rough patch. And to be honest, he has balanced out this place in some really tense moments.
I would love that he returns.
And happy birthday to our Gibsy – stay fit please!
#FuckSpurs
110 – Good work mate.
Bit worried for Saturday. We are playing a shit mid-table team who are well off form, lack quality, and in the process of doing their usual fired by January routine in the manager. They are absolutely ripe for being spanked silly and sent home in tatters. We should win this 3-0 with our cocks out. As a notorious mug gambler, it is never a good sign when I start saying “I have never been so certain of anything in my life.”
#FuckEm
I am trying my best to not think about the game tomorrow but failing miserably. Form goes out the window in these games (usually, anyway) so not going to try to predict anything but I do of course hope we send them home crying into their evening cuppa.
What’s the hashtag for the north London derby?
#NorthLondonIsRed 🙂
#61NeverAgain
We won the league. We won the league. We won the league at…
Quick tip, on the house, for the discerning trawler of transfer tattle. If you register with Newsnow you can block up to 500 publications. Just been through and taken out anything with block capitals in the headlines. Daily Star and the Metro gone as well. This will be a huge timesaver when January arrives.
Also:
My Old Man Said Be a Totnumb Fan, I Said…
Puno that is quite interesting but any word yet on how many pointless articles you can block by not going on newsnow at all? 😉
The eve of every NLD puts me in mind of the biggest regret of my (still relatively nacent) time supporting the Arsenal. It all boils down to one question that I will pose to the bar:
Why the hell was Nike EVER permitted to foist that closet-Tottnum strip on us unsuspecting, naïve Arsenal supporters?
You have to understand.
I had only recently fallen in love with the boys in red (and already bought a home kit) and would buy any old shit with a cannon on it. I wanted a shirt with Theo on the back and the white shirt with maroon (or whatever reddish color) on the sleeve fringe beckoned.
It had coolish cursive writing across the chest…but it was white.
It had the “accessible” (meaning non-polo) collar with the burgundy fringe…but it was WHITE.
It had the gold accents (which was interesting)…BUT IT WAS WHITE.
and i bought it anyway, because i didn’t really know any better.
And I didn’t yet have access to the historical knowledge of the denizens of this bar to show me the way. Anyway, what a waste of dosh.
The shirt resides in the cold, outer bands of the spiral galaxy that is my closet with only the Spanish bloke’s O2 kit for company. Sometimes I wear it when I’m working in the garden. Sometimes I wear it when I’m coaching BLG’s soccer practice.
Once, I wore it on Bourbon Street, Nawlins, during a bachelor party (not mine). Throughout the night dozens of ladies came up to me and kissed the badge — no way were they Sp*rs fans.
I look great in that shirt.
Damn you, Nike.
Lonestar,
If you find yourself at the wrong end of the Seven Sisters road tomorrow the colour of the kit won’t matter.
That is an Arsenal kit.
We do everything better than them. No Spud has ever looked great in one of their white kits. When we win tomorrow put it on and rub their noses in it.
I mean, seriously, who expects to look good walking around in a shirt with a cock on it?
GSD – my thoughts exactly. But I still feel unclean when I wear it.
Did any other patrons of this here bar buy that shirt? Will anyone admit it?
lonestar, i have the same shirt, given to me by my son for christmas. with fabregas on the back. there’s *nothing* wrong with it 🙂
Some genuinely mad derbies across the world
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/29242557
I have first hand experience of one of those, and the day of the match and the following days the atmosphere in a giant family split by divided loyalties is surreal in display of extreme feelings.
Was nervous about the game but a completely unjustified sense of calm seems to be settling in. Could it be a premonition of an Adebayor red card in the first minute??
Scruz – you’re son is a keeper indeed 😉
8ball – I doubt Adebayor will work hard enough to earn a red.
7am Kickoff’s tactical analysis of the NLD is right up there with our own Dr. Faustus. Great stuff. Guv, please pardon the link:
http://www.7amkickoff.com/2014/tactical-preview-the-north-london-derby/
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