Gunners Bounce Back On A Good Night
Nov 27th, 2014 by 'holic
Well that made for a much better day. An afternoon taking in the delights of the South Bank, including a German Christmas market which provided some amusement for wandering Dortmunders, was followed by a leisurely journey to the Tollie to imbibe and chew the fat with friends. The vibes were positive until the team news was announced. “Sanogo? Really?”
Two minutes in and that had changed to a booming chorus of “Yaya Sanogo, he scores when he wants”. Controlling a throw-in from Calum Chambers he found Santi Cazorla with a clever backheel and advanced on goal to take the return pass and slot the ball under Weidenfeller in the Dortmund goal. Just the start needed to settle any nerves that might have been felt on and off the pitch.
What followed was as good a match, and performance, as we have seen in a while. The young Frenchman might have doubled his tally but Ginter recovered to block his effort. Although Arsenal had dominated the opening phase of play the visitors came strongly back and no quarter was asked or given. Subotic and Arteta traded yellow cards, and Mkhitaryan fired high and wide when an equaliser seemed possible. The same player was denied by Emiliano Martinez, making a second winning Champions League appearance of the season.
Both sides impressed with their defensive discipline, so often the undoing of both in their domestic leagues this season. At the start of the second-half Mkhitaryan and Alexis Sanchez traded efforts on goal before Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, so impressive on the night, hammered a glorious volley against the crossbar. One sensed that a second goal was both coming and needed. It duly arrived in breathtaking style when Cazorla found Alexis in the inside-left channel and the Chilean curled a delightful shot inside the far post from the edge of the box.
Dortmund introduced Ramos and Kagawa and set about recovering the situation. There were groans followed by sympathetic applause as Mikel Arteta once again broke down and departed injured. For how long, one wonders? We will miss him, and it once again raises the question of an additional defensive midfielder being required in January. The Gunners remained disciplined however. Per Mertesacker took the captain’s armband from Arteta, but it looked from the west lower as though Nacho Monreal had taken charge of the rearguard action. Full marks to him if so.
Subotic for the visitors, and the Ox for Arsenal were both off target as a fascinating match entered the final phase. Gündogan shot straight at Martinez, and so too did Ramos either side of an overhit Santi free-kick. Even at two down the visiting hoardes in the south-east corner of the stadium produced noisy and well-choreographed support for their team. Personally I would have stuck something sharp through the drummer’s instrument, but full marks to them. They never deserted their team when needed.
The result ensures our passage into the knock-out phase of the Champions League, which makes it nine years in a row. Mathematically we could still group but that will require Anderlecht winning in Dortmund. Realistically we should be preparing to draw the likes of Barca or Bayern again. That’s for another day. For now let us savour a couple of days before looking to reproduce this form at West Bromwich on Saturday lunchtime.
83 Responses to “Gunners Bounce Back On A Good Night”
First
I like Martinez.
Top four?
4th?
Great game yesterday.
“I would have stuck something sharp through the drummer’s instrument” – and what about his drum, Holic?
Thank you thank you, you’ve been great. I’m here all week folks – try the veal!
By the way, great report Holic 🙂
Great summary holic on one of the good nights.
Top result for the gunners.
Very happy for the arsenal family and fans for the first time in a while.
Lots of gunners must still be out on the turps or recovering from celebrations.
Unfortunately also a truly sad day for all Aussies and cricket fans alike around the world with the sad news of the passing of Phil Hughes.
Fine account maestro. We looked so much better defensively. Hopefully we (and especially Rambo) can maintain that focus in the absence of Arteta.
I also like Martinez
Like all obsessive compulsive people I like clean sheets. When Merse is happy we should all be happy!
Hope the Arteta injury doesn’t prove too detrimental to our chances of going on a decent run over the next few weeks. Contrary to a lot of you on here who seem to bracket Arteta and Flamini together in the same generic sideswipe at our lack of defensive midfield options, I actually think there’s a reasonable discrepancy in quality between the two. I think Arteta reads the game superbly, is nigh on the best passer in our team – so he’s very safe in possession and sets the tempo, and he’s no less robust in the challenge than Flamini. Of course, Flamini is a tad more mobile, but that can often be to the team’s detriment as he often presses too high up like a ‘headless chicken’ and gets bypassed a lot….I recognise ultimately that the acquisition of a truly authoritative DM would upgrade on Arteta and take us that final step, but sometimes in life it’s easy to latch on to the lure of an exotic name doing the rounds in the papers and internet as the solution to all our woes (who was the last one – William Carvalho?!), when in reality it will take quite a substantial footballer to improve on Arteta.
My only hope is that the team seem to have finally taken on-board the importance of maintaining a rigorous shape throughout the game, and I like the intelligent interplay of Ramsey/Cazorla ahead of our DM. Cazorla keeps the ball so well, and late in the game – Ramsey’s superior engine and ability to press, led to Cazorla consciously dropping back into Ramsey’s role, essentially swapping positions.
With Kos coming back, plenty of options up-front (HFB, Welbz and Sanogo), and class options coming in from the flank (Alexis, Theo, the Ox), I really like our chances of having a good December – as long as the Arteta absence can be negated.
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20141127/martinez-i-had-to-take-my-chance
I hope Martinez gets a few more games with us, really liked his composed performance for us and he can only get better! Always good to have depth in the squad!
🙂
Spot on account.
Last night clearly demonstrated that we CAN do shape, we CAN play as a unit, and we CAN resist the urge to flood forward in numbers.
Now can we please see more of the same over the Xmas period?
I thought young Martinez had an excellent game, looked very assured and will hopefully put some pressure on Woj, because that’s what the keeper needs to stay sharp.
Chambers looks more accomplished with every passing game. Excellent last night.
Santi appears to have woken from his winter slumber – it’ll be a huge plus if he runs into some form in the next few weeks.
Ramsey had his best game since the cup final – properly balanced his duties in attack and defence for the first time in ages. The guy’s number one strength is his tireless running – if he can focus on that, rather than just looking to score goals, we’ll be far better as a unit.
Thought Monreal was once again very solid. For all the worries about the fourth choice centre back, I’m fine with him playing the role.
Where I do hope we look to address matters is the DM position. It has been a glaring hole in the team throughout the season, and has consistently cost us games. Arteta was excellent last night, but he’s at an age where he’s racking up injuries and his legs are simply not up to the very toughest games. If there is quality available in the position come January, I really hope that’s where our money gets spent – a Schneiderlin or a Carvalho would potentially make an enormous difference to the balance of this team.
Single best thing about last night was the clean sheet. We need to get back to keeping them – with Alexis in the side we always have a goal in us, so if we can just start to defend properly again we will have no problem going on a little run. Strikers win you games, defences win you trophies.
I expect Saturday’s game at West Brom to be extremely challenging, given the relatively short break and stretched squad. We will undoubtedly have some tired legs out on the pitch, so my hope is that Welbeck is fit to play, that Giroud has at least an hour in him and that we look to carry over some of the good habits we demonstrated last night.
COYG
A fine report, Sir! Enjoyed meeting up – sorry, I didn’t make it back to the pub last night, I had to explain Sanogo’s worth to Steve T. Took longer than I expected 🙂
Excellent Arsenal performance. Completely turned the first leg annihilation on its head.
And how good was Nacho Monreal! Superb centre-back performance. His best ever game for Arsenal last night. Did you see him spend minutes with our young keeper as the team’s came out for the second half, cajoling and encouraging? And you’re quite correct, Holic, he had indeed “taken charge of the rearguard action” and so deserves full marks and would also receive the BtM MoTM award if it hadn’t already gone to The Ox. That boy is getting seriously good.
So, the advent of January will see Debuchy and Gibbs anchoring the FB roles while BFG, Kos, Nacho and the supremely impressive Calum Chambers competing for the two CB slots. We won’t see a new CB in January, we don’t need one and the CB Shop on Holloway Road is sold out completely (I looked again last night, not a single CB on the shelf, so there’s no one available!) Just think, Nacho is probably worth about 30M in the second half CB market at the moment 🙂
DM is a different story with Arteta, Diaby and JW issues. That’s where the focus will be, the money IS available, but who will sell?
Big win at West Brom on Saturday please, boys.
Am glad Sanogo scored a goal and relieved tons of pressure, especially on himself. While one swallow does not make a summer, to me he definitely provides genuine competition for Welbeck.
The way i see it, Welbeck has the edge on movement and pace over Sanogo, but Sanogo capitalizes on his chances better and that’s what we need, better finishers!
Both will still start behind Giroud (..and Alexis should he play there)!
However they can only get better and to do that you will need more games (plenty of chance of that over the course of the season..), so it augurs well for us!
What’s the latest on Theo? Anyone know?
🙂
Great game, terrific approach and a sense of we will win this prevailed throughout the game.
Alexis Sanchez is simply put the best in the league. For all the dna so and so’s assists, Schneiderlin, excellence, costa’s scoring etc, Alexis has been the stand out performer and may it long continue. He is pure joy.o
Gibbs for me was the man of the match though. Great game, great engine, the boy is turning into an excellent player and if he keeps himself away from injuries and the odd out of position mistakes, we do have a very solid left back in him.
Santi and Arteta had solid games and it is sad to see Mikel injured again. Ramsey had a good game but i agree to the commentator who said he does not need to have this gung-ho approach all the time. His basic role yesterday had to be to sit along with Arteta and protect the center backs, at times he was all over the place.
Special mention to Chamberlain, magnificent again, 100 games for The Arsenal and this kid is turned out to be some player. If i may say, he is better than Theo and will only continue to be better.
Round of 16 for 15 seasons now i believe, i know a lot will feel what so for we are bound to lose but then ask the value to a city or even a pool and then realize how difficult it is. Only Barca i think have done it more than us and i sincerely believe among so many achievements of Wenger, this consistency definitely deserves a mention.
Can we get a scrappy 1-0 win at the hawthorns please.
A scrappy, 1-0 Vinay? Nay! This is The Arsenal. 2-0 at least 🙂
Time will tell whether the Ox contributes more to the cause than Theo. I think he may – but more importantly, it’s only a matter of days before we see them both in the same team (Ox in MF). How good is that? How great is Arsene Wenger?
BTW, where are of the droves who stood in line to berate the boss in here when we only took four points from six from Anderlecht? Maybe they’ve slept in? Dreaming of a CL final?
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20141127/wilshere-undergoes-surgery-to-left-ankle
Wilshere out for 3 months it seems…!
Sorry I didn’t make it to the Tollie. Ran into some Cambridge Gooner friends on the train, who seeing I was on my own, whisked me off with them for a drink!
Just made the kick-off, unlike many who must have missed the Sanogo goal, which was the platform for what followed. We were very disciplined throughout and kept our shape. Training since Saturday had obviously concentrated on the defensive side of the game, I wonder who was in charge!
There was no weak link in the side, everyone gave their all and Santi, Rambo and Nacho, who had all had a bad press of late, showed the form we have come to expect. Arteta was superb, what a shame he is sidelined yet again, makes the signing of a DMF in Jan even more essential.
We are so lucky to have Sanchez, I was right in line for his goal. He brightens up the gloom and brings a smile to all our faces, I love him.
Wasn’t it great to hear the cheers all round the ground at the end of the game, how fickle some fans are.
How do away fans get a drum into the ground?
Well done you Reds, just carry on the good work at the Hawthorns.
Consummate summary maestro-perfect report as far as I was concerned of events and back drinking some good contributions.
I am torn between admiration for those like Monreal who asked to fill in in an unfamiliar role have acquitted themselves admirably and frustration that he was ever asked to do this. So many Gooners tell me they don’t think Chambers (who was top drawer again last night)should be playing out of position at right back when he is a centre half-he manifestly is not a centre half in terms of experience and all his PL games were played at right back where he was competing with Nathaniel Clyne! We ought to have a better customised option at CB to push BFG and Kos simply to keep them up to the mark just as Martinez and Ospina are putting pressure on Woj.
The big downer last night was two serious injuries and the news following about Wilshere (and we have Diaby and Ozil out too) leaves us very short in midfield. Clever to have loaned Coquelin out wasn’t it???
It slipped under the radar that Gnabry has had a setback, Theo is injured without playing and that Hayden appears out for some time. When interviewed Wenger showed real anguish at this but it has to be sorted out. We are not functioning effectively because we turn over a whole team in injuries every five games. I also agree with N7 about the DM-we ought to at least try to loan Cabaye this January.
But big props to Sanogo who will probably reappear after Christmas and Ramsey who had a really strong game. I mentioned the other outstanding lads last night
Positive piece ‘holic! Loved the defensive discipline, strategy and shape without the ball! That’s what it’s all about! 🙂
BtM @17,
We’re all still here mate! One swallow a summer does not make but it’s a start! 😉
Regarding the DM position, I actually think we’re covered there for this season and don’t need anyone unless they’re truly world class such as Vidal in the summer! It’s the same for the CB; only truly world class starters need apply! Le Coq will be back next month after Le Prof’s sojourn request to attain competitive match-fitness in the old division 2. Youthful and more impressionable legs to be indoctrinated by the back four seniors will be a relief. Let’s go all out for the CL this year and I’ll settle for top three; and the FA Cup since you’re asking! 😉
COYBG!
For those who don’t think AW does any tactics-related coaching, here’s this from the Arsenal Player post-match Martines interview:
“We were working on it during the week,” he said. “The boss was organising the defence to try to block counter-attacks early and I think we did a fantastic job.”
For all the high marks being given out to the players for their display, AW merits one as well.
@TTG
The injury issue remains the root of a large number (but not all of) our problems.
We actually have a deeper squad than Chelsea, in terms of raw numbers, but any comparison between the respective injury records of the two clubs makes for painful reading. It’s as if we’ve agreed to take their share of the knocks.
We will never properly compete for the title, or realise even a fraction of our potential, with the sort of injuries we are currently sustaining. Not just because of the way the first XI is decimated (an actual understatement if you look at the genesis of the term), but also because we are constantly nursing players back to form and fitness. You need only look at Chelsea this season to see how much it helps players to enjoy a run of fitness, and to play alongside the same faces each week.
We are at the stage now where we have to accept some degree of culpability with the injuries. I’m sure it’s not all our fault, and that some of it is just pure back luck – how much, none of us have any idea. But the fact that we top the injury table season after season means it’s safe to assume that we are doing something wrong. Again, I have no idea what that might be – I know the internet is full of people willing to have a guess, but if we exclude the likes of Trev (who has some actual expertise in the area), then – really – guessing is all they’re doing. Highly trained professionals who see the players every day cannot solve this riddle, which makes it unlikely that some bloke on Twitter who watched the highlights last night is going to figure it out.
If we can somehow resolve the issue, and add a top quality DM to the squad, we will be in a very strong position indeed. Those two issues loom large over absolutely everything as far as I’m concerned. Next to them everything else that we discuss on here: the timing of Arsene’s subs, the form of the goalkeeper, what the players have on their morning toast, where Aaron Ramsey should play, etc, is really pretty trivial.
By my count, we outplayed Dortmund last night with our third choice keeper, second choice right back, fourth choice centre back, third choice centre forward and Mesut Ozil out of the side. We simply have to sort the injuries, and the rest will fall into place sure enough.
Great report Maestro!
Great to see Holic again and meet other Holics, you know who you are, unfortunately BTM has done a runner on me. 🙂
Great work around from everyone, you could sense there was togetherness in the team and defensive awareness. I hope we continue to play like this going forward. It was really nice to see it with your own eyes, Alexis is just a work horse he’s everywhere! Chambers, OX and young Martines had a really good game too.
Thanks for the report Guv’, glad to hear a good time was had by all.
Some great posts above by the usual suspects.
TTG.
Isn’t Le Coq back next week?
I believe that it was only a short term loan.
Good stuff, TTG.
I’m not quite with you on THE CB situation. Let me precede these comments by saying that IF (huge IF) Mats Hummels is available in the next 10 months and wants to come to Arsenal, I’d like nothing more than to see him in red. He is the kind of quality that Arsene wants. I am firmly opposed to the “just buy a CB, any CB will do” school of thinking. I think that was exactly why we ended up with Squillacci (who’d played for France) but was an unmitigated disaster at Arsenal.
BFG and Kos don’t appear to me to be the kind of players who need to be put under pressure to play out of their skins. I thick they were the best CB pairing in England last year and can be for the balance of this season. When Chambers arrived, I didn’t think he was ready for prime time either. Out of position at RB he has grown by the week, has the self assurance of Wolverine, and the potential of Wilshere without mental or physical frailty. He’s an excellent signing (as good as Alexis IMO). So, I’m looking forward to seeing him start or sub at CB when Debuchy is fit. I think we have two outstanding CBs and one bubbling just under outstanding in terms of potential.
One of the problems about buying in more talent is the impact on development. If Hummels comes, Debuchy, Ajayi and Haydn will all fall back one peg on the ladder. A good problem to have? Maybe.
Why didn’t Arsene Wenger buy a CB in the summer. He DID! He bought three fine defenders. That three are all injured simultaneously is a problem and I can’t add a word to the fine post by N7 on injuries that precedes this one.
Not a single doubt in my mind that we would have won the title last year but for the simultaneous absence of five of our very best at a critical time in the run-in. As N7 points out in his usual impeccable style, the curse in still with us.
Take two of the best defenders (Terry and Cahill), their two top scorers (Costa and Hazard) and their MF general (Cesc) out of the current Chelski team and where would they be? Nowhere. But all we hear from the BBB when we have (Debuchy and Kos), (Giroud and Walcott) and Ozil in the infirmary is “Arsene Wenger can no longer lead this squad and he’s lost the dressing room”.
They’re having a laugh, they’re having a laugh…….. 🙂
ATG,
I waited as long as I could, bumped into Trev on the way to the pizza joint but missed you. I’ll look forward to next time. Your round 🙂 Always!
And yea, though I must fix my gaze beyond the huddled ranks of infirm children who, for some reason continue to think that giving dad kisses while sick is good for his health, in order to gaze upon the chaos and disorder that must be remedied prior to today’s 3pm Thanksgiving festivities with friends, yesterday’s comprehensive victory and your quality report thereof, ‘Hols puts me in mind of an obscure saying Jesus himself Christ might have uttered:
Don’t tread on me.
(That’s American exceptionalism for you…)
Happy Thanksgiving (even if you don’t celebrate it). And my condolences to the Phil Hughes family and cricket followers. Absolutely tragic.
BMBD (where’d the jester go? – but better to have his company than negtive)
All well said, ‘Holic. What is so frustrating to fans about this team is that if it had played like that against the Mancs that game, too, would have been done and dusted, as it should have been.
Martinez is highly regarded by the coaching staff. He is unobtrusive which is often a good sign in a keeper: doing the basic things right which minimizes the need for heroics.
Interesting line in the interview with him BB refers to is:
“The boss was organising the defence to try to block counter-attacks early.”
Seems to imply an answer to which of AW and Boldie is doing the defensive coaching.
Negative Nellies who only show up to moan after losses.)
To secure peace is to prepare for war, Lonestar. Happy Thanksgiving.
BtM.
To be fair, Squillaci ticked all the boxes when we brought him in, that it didn’t work out can be filed under “shit happens”.
Chambers, contrary to popular opinion, is and always was a RB, it’s the only position he had ever played in top flight football before he joined the mighty gunners.
I agree that we shouldn’t just buy for the sake of buying, however, I do believe it was a mistake not to bring in competition for Merticielny and the need is still there regardless of how well Monreal has done. We are the Arsenal and we shouldn’t need to be going all “square peg”
BFG, bless him, has been showing signs that he is not at the top level any more. I’d never question his passion, effort or will, but that’s sadly not always enough, he didn’t quit the International scene for nothing, he himself knows that he is winding down. We need to start planning for the future sooner rather then later (imho).
Arteta is a very good player who has the misfortune to be Spanish at a time when Spain has had some of the world’s greatest midfielders keeping him out of the national side. Otherwise he would have 80+ international caps to affirm his talent. My only concern about him is that his legs aren’t getting any younger. He doesn’t have a full long season in him anymore and he is getting injured more frequently. We do need to bring in a DM who can first share and then takeover the role.
Bad news for Wilshere then:
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20141127/wilshere-undergoes-surgery-to-left-ankle
BtM
Holic did mention you were doing your celebrity tour 🙂
Looking forward to the next one already whenever that will be
A very nice evening’s work and also some credit to the mad Dortmund fans.
Ox is reaching a level we’ve never seen from him before, long may it continue.
Funny how so many of the doom merchants suddenly forget how to find this bar after a good performance.
H2H,
Fair do’s. As I said, I’d have Mats Hummels in a heart beat. He would be a superb successor to BFG who has, at the very most, two seasons left at this level. The problem is that CBs are not exactly 10 a penny at the moment. If they were, Manure back four would not be the shambles that it is. They knew Rio and Vidic were leaving but were completely unable to bring anyone in. Likewise, Barca would’t have parted with 15M for a second-string Arsenal CB, who was, and still is, lying on the injury bench.
I don’t think Chambers has the straight line speed in the long term to be an out-and-out RB. I think Kline is a better RB and deservedly plays in England in that position ahead of Callum. AW is quoted as saying “I decided to buy him the first time I saw him play against us” Maybe that happened to be in the RB position but I interpret the decision to have been made on the (famous) quality metric rather than as a replacement for Sagna. He’s absolutely top drawer and will be excellent at CB. I think he has the engine for DM too by the way.
A superb signing at a time when most bleat why didn’t AW buy a CB? In my book, he did 🙂
NBN,
Then what does Bouldie do? I’d love to see Martin Keown sitting in that seat beside Arsene, he’d certainly spice up the half-time talks when the team are playing like sh*ts in a trance. But then we never know what goes on “Behind The Arse” 🙂
Very good posts as ever by N7, BtM and H2H.
My views are similar but I do believe that if we ignore trying to find someone eligible for CL we could sign a decent CB in the last year of his contract. Fabien Schar is in this situation. I agree with H2H in that BFG seems to have declined a bit and while I think BtM’s comments about Chambers are spot on if we have to settle on a position for him I’m wondering if he could be a really good DM. He has skill, strength , drive and presence and his one flaw, a lack of raw pace will be less of an issue there. He is certainly a stonking signing.
N7 and I are completely agreed on the injury situation. It is spooky how different the position of Chelsea and Arsenal is. Costa gets a hamstring strain which is chronic, sits out a couple of minor games, skips the internationals and hey presto he is fully fit! We would find our player having to undergo surgery probably after the rest period. I suspect we may have seen the last of Sanogo this year which would be a real pity as he came of age last night and looked a player. There is undoubtedly something there and Wenger knows that although I’m not sure if he can sustain that level unless he is able to play a string of games without injury.
Finally I would like to extend my sympathies to our Australian friends in particular following the death of Phil Hughes. Losing a football match isn’t a tragedy, seeing a fine young man in his mid-twenties killed playing cricket is.
I like the idea of Chambers in the DM roll, certainly seems to have a lot of the qualities needed. Only ever having seen him once live, I’d like to ask the regular Em’s attendees, how is his positional sense? Does he have the discipline to stay where he is supposed to?
Of the current set up, only Monreal (as far as I can see on tv) has that, well, before last nights game then.
A very fine win last night.
The question now is if we can build on this and find some consistency in the league as well. Let us hope so, because we really need it.
Martinez impressed. It’s hard to believe that this is the same keeper who was a bundle of nerves in that League Cup game at Reading a few years ago.
Won’t comment on the injuries. Just makes me too depressed…
Some great drinks there, thanks all, and lovely to see Pip dropping by. 🙂
I have to agree with BtM. If Hummels is available, let’s get him.
Interesting re Chambers and the DM role. Hugely different job to what he has experienced to date. From memory the last player we so converted was Peter Storey, and that was a huge success.
Since then we have moved a couple in the opposite direction. John Hollins saw out his days at right back when past the rigours of midfield combat, then Lauren when the team that would become the invincibles needed a replacement for Lee Dixon.
From the other defensive roles I remember George Graham making Martin Keown a man-marking midfielder when the occasion demanded.
Happy for anyone to point out anyone I have missed/forgotten.
Positive patsies in and negative nellies out!
N7 @23,
The injuries we have are more than Chelsea because the conditioning and training work undertaken differs between both coaches. Chelsea work less intensly on physical conditioning than us but work alot more on team tactics and strategy in training. Their full physical demands are spared for match days. Expend less on attritional physical conditioning on training and off days in order for full physical exertion on match days. Taking to Fabregas about the different training methods of Arsene and Maureen would reveal alot.
Hummels is a no-brainer, and never ever has it been!
A world-class CB starter with either Kos or Per is what Arsene’s been seeking and couldn’t get in the summer. Chambers was always meant to be a work in progress this term. It appears now that the senior signings Arsene will be making from now onwards will once again be world class signings only for starting berths. Very good indeed.
‘holic @42,
Gibbs from left midfield/winger to left fullback.
Holic @42 Petit from LB to DMF.
Dapper Dan @ 44
Good stuff – can you let Arsene know? He’s been trying to crack that problem for months now, without any joy ; )
Ttg,
Have only got as far as your first post but I’m pretty sure Coquelin was only loaned out for 1 month.
Should be nicely warmen up to fill in for Arteta.
Buy class whenever you can.
Window shopping and going back later never works – they’re always sold out.
Good one bath 🙂
My tuppence on injuries, a few points. 1/ Yes, we may be unlucky in total injuries but fortunate so far that we’ve had (acc to my calculations) only 2 defenders out, compared to also 2 goalies and 9 midfielders/strikers. it could have been so much worse. 2/ I think this has been mentioned before but surely smaller, lighter players as we “favour” get injured more often ? Especially with our high possession percentages and style of taking ball into contact. 3/ Does AW’s penchant for a really keen entry price with a player possibly lead him to take punts on already slightly injury prone players ? Ospina, Kallstrom, Sanogo…are these players with injury histories þthat other clubs would have steered clear of ? Maybe bit of a stretch and a bit harsh but I’ll leave it in as I’m a cynical shit. 4/ If a group of players are injury prone relative to other groups of players, that’s not cyclical, it will repeat each year. Our Young British core for example ; Why would the likes of Wilshere, Gibbs, Walcott and Ramsey suddenly stop being injury prone ? Regardless of all the above, it’s still bloody heart-breaking and I’m especially sad about Arteta. I honestly think he was by far the main reason for our storming finish to 2012/13, he’s a great captain and example (why Verm and not he was captain last year remains one of the great Wonders of the World) and we will miss him badly, even if the old pins are nearly more generally giving up at this stage. Come back soon oh Lego-headed one. COYG.
The Daily Fail up to its old tricks. What a shiterag it truly ishttp://sportwitness.ning.com/forum/topics/sex-lies-and-alex-sanchez-how-a-british-newspaper-made-a-story
Holic at 52, Stevie Morrow !? Defender cum midfielder ? Hardly an all time great but an honest versatile pro and who’ll ever forget that broken arm.
Been a while since I posted on here. Great win yesterday, hopefully the start of a good run.
On the defensive midfielder issue, I simply can’t see Monreal even being considered for the role. In a team like ours that relies on controlling possession the dm plays a big role in this and also sets the tempo for the game. Knowing when to slow it down, recycling the ball, and maintaining the right position. Arteta is reasonably effective in this role, Flamini relies more on athleticism which rarely works as well. Monreal offers neither, and isn’t physically imposing enough to offset this.
Javi Martinez is probably the best option of possible acquisitions (since Bayern have Alonso and Lahm who are excellent). Of our current players outside of arteta and flamini, I’d guess Chambers, Coq (when he returns), Wilshere and even Diaby would be considered before Monreal. Hopefully Arteta is back soon and we never find out…
Happy Turkey Day Lonestar.
Felix juris thanksgivingus texicanus. 🙂
Spot on, N7 (#23). It is impossible to gel a team properly with injuries constantly disrupting it. When if ever have we seen our best XI together for a single game, never mind a run of games? And that goes for any ‘best XI’ you care to choose.
I have said before that perhaps we should question whether persisting with players like Jack and Theo is even in the club’s best interest. Ned’s monks will have all the stats but off the top I imagine you could count the number of games they’ve appeared together in on one hand over the past few seasons. But who is to say that any replacements wouldn’t inherit the jinx?
As for the CD debate, if we hadn’t sold TV5 would we be better off? Apparently the football gods say no, having allowed him to pick up a minimum 5-month layoff playing for Belgium in the recent interlull (never having yet played for Barca). Sound familiar?
Saturday? Depends who is fit and the mind-set they turn up with. On paper it’s a cruise. On grass it could be WW1 trench warfare. I fear a draw but hope someone (other than Alexis?) to inspire something more. Time to struggle into a semblance of cohesion, build on Dortmund, and go on a run, no?
Öskar
Evening all, Morning some,
Unfortunately a somewhat skimmed back drink due to a really busy day but clearly a lot of really good drinks.
Last night was fun again, pre-match and match alike !
Walking down Isledon Road I was a bit surprised to suddenly hear my name shouted loud and clear by who it transpired was BtM hurrying to grab a pre-match pizza.
The greeting was so cheery and positive, coming from BtM, that my mild trepidation towards the game was immediately elevated to certain positivity.
I would imagine that even the pizza was looking forward to being eaten by this man !
Meeting more fellow Holics under a Tollie brolly was a further pleasure and then off, with new found optimism to witness our certain victory.
Seventy-two seconds in – and job done courtesy of a first competitive goal for Yaya Sanogo. “He scores when he wants !”, sang the crowd.
I wish he would just score when I want. 😉
Plenty of good match reports and comments above. My own brief observations –
Martinez – calm, assured, safe handling, very sound kicking, no dramas.
I have to say – a view shared by my neighbour – that the defence appeared calmer than of late with him behind it. Maybe the better defensive performance by the whole team was a contributory factor, but Martinez had a faultless game.
Monreal – has only been bullied once – by Swansea – and it isn’t his fault he isn’t a 6’3″ natural centre back.
He has filled in admirably for Koscielny and with Sanchez, The Ox and Chambers was one of the stand-out performers on the night. He will justifiably feel very hard done by if he is dropped as soon as Kos is fit. Kos will naturally reclaim his place but personally, and I know I’m in a minority, I currently prefer Monreal to Gibbs.
Chambers – improves with every game. Calm, great use of the ball and, considering his experience, has integrated incredibly quickly.
The Ox – great to watch – direct, strong, great crosser, really unlucky to hit the woodwork, again !, and worried the Germans all night.
Alexis Sanchez – Fan. Tas. Tic.
Big sympathy for Tomas Rosicky and Podolski. It is a real failing of our system that we cannot find a way of getting them on the pitch more. We do seem to play the same players over and over again until they are injured. When players like TR7 and LP9 then fill in and get almost inevitably injured themselves, there is no one left to come in.
Gathering a few thoughts on the injury situation before I say anything, and sorry the other comments didn’t turn out to be that brief.
I’ve been reflecting on my pre-season suggestion that we should offer Özilla and TV5 to Dortmund in exchange for Hummels and Reus. Not one of them currently available, or have been most of the season, or likely to be in the near future. I sure can pick ’em!
Who shall I jinx next…
Öskar
Another here for the minority preferring Nacho to Gibbo, and I think Dr F feels the same.
Öskar
Great report and many a fantastic posts above!
Happy Thanksgiving Day to the fellow US gooners.
Awful news about Phil Hughes. Condolences.
Esso, in the previous set of drinks you expressed concerns whether your son would shy away from Cricket after this news. Show him these samples of what cricketing battles involving great fast bowling can rise up to:
A helmet-less Kallicharan taking on Lillee: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8lfKm0NRnQ .
Another diminutive un-helmeted warrior taking on the great quartet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OA5sndE_9I8
And probably the best that ever was: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUDQimDIU6k
Okay, I give up. Not sure why my innocuous cricket celebrating post is awaiting moderation. 🙂
(Edit. Three links maestro. Over the limit for autopost.)
Oskar — Yes, I prefer Monreal to Gibbs too. Tactically more composed and technically more assured. Has a better delivery in the final third.
Gibbs has fantastic pace and because of his athleticism and reflex is a superior last-ditch defender as well as better tracking back from forward runs.
Dumb question perhaps, but do Poldi and TR7 play any competitive football at all between the odd few subbing minutes AW gives them occasionally? I’m a bit vague about Reserves and Academy games (as I am on many things, I hear you say).
Öskar
Looks like TV5’s out injured for another 5 months and needs surgery! Not played since joining Barcelona! The Arsenal curse follows you for the rest of your footballing life it seems! Talk about bad luck!
Wrap ’em all up in cotton wool Arsene! They’re a right delicate lot, aside from Alexis of course, touch wood, who’s a Hulky-tuned Chilean machine! Just be sure to rest that engine up before the Turkey in 4 weeks time! Up the Arse!
Something’s definitely not right at Colney! Get the voodoo dolls out barkeep!
I come down on the side of Gibbs in the left back debate and feel on a couple of occasions on Wednesday he quietly covered across very effectively. He has matured as a player and is putting serious pressure on Baines for England. It’s really healthy that he has such a worthy competitor in Nacho for the shirt. Nacho is troubled more by really Lacey wingers but I agree going forward his delivery is more consistent. But our priority is full backs who defend and trying to get forward injudiciously has cost us on the breakaway. Nacho’s very creditable effort at CB may well have broadened his game
I think the competition between the two is exactly what Id like to see all over the pitch and Monreal has been a very useful addition and I would have no problems if he had an extended run at left back – which with Kieran’s injury record he almost certainly will! Sorry gallows humour about our injury record is the only way I can reconcile it.
Looking at physio room.com Chelsea have two players out and one of them , Costa is reckoned to be fit for Saturday! The other one , Ake , is not an integral member of the squad.
Good article in the Times today on the fact that no Academy player has ever broken through at Chelsea ( or Citeh for that matter). I guess it’s all to do with culture- or lack of it.
Lacey should read pacey! Don’t know any wingers called Lacey( or Cagney for that matter)
The best conversion of all was Sol Campbell. From Spurs captain (spit) to Invincible. 🙂
Since he’s left the bosom of the club however Sol has sadly turned into a whinger of the Tory persuasion, bleating about he can’t afford to pay mansion tax on his £25m house.
Sol who?
That was clearly a Freudian slip about the days when you used to dream about Freddie Ljungberg in women’s underwear, TTG.
Just back from a day out at the Australian Open Golf in Sydney.
Spent the morning watching Adam Scott ply his trade and then the afternoon watching Rory Mcilroy weave his magic around the course.
Rory wore a black ribbon on his hat in tribute to Phil Hughes.
Class Fella.
Today’s Sydney newspaper featured some of the global tributes to PHIL Higjes including Arsenal FC.
Nice touch Arsenal…
Apologies for a bit off topic
That’s a good summary, TTG. Both Gibbs and Monreal are quality players. I think Gibbs defensive play is stronger, Monreal is the better going forward. I have been hoping too that his spell at CB will have improved Monreal’s game overall. Arsene has often said that he likes his CBs to have some time t full back to broaden their appreciation of the importance of the inter-relationship of the roles. I’m hoping that the same holds for FBs moving into the centre.
More importantly, their competition for a place is a step change over the days of a constantly injured Gibbs being replaced by an over-weight and ‘in a different time zone’ Andre (the elephant) Santos.
AW is constantly criticised for an unwillingness to spend, but pretty much right across the squad, he’s built excellence and quality into the second string. DM, of-course, is the gap that needs to be plugged. I think availability rather than will was the issue in the summer. I’m not so sure that the will of others to sell will have improved mud over the past three months.
@Aussie, we in india can relate to this incident more for we had one of our players some years back named Raman Lamba who died after being hit by the ball while fielding at silly point. It is truly a tragedy for Phil and his family and i also believe that Sean Abbott is devastated to.
No Theo for tomorrow as well and i wonder if that initial euphoria of seeing him back is short lived. WBA are on a bad run so i just hope we score early and they give up easily. The more the game goes on, the belief will return for them.
Kos available for selection is the best news of the week for we have a fixture pileup coming up with mid week game against the saints after this. Hence a solid Kos is the need of the hour.
Lastly, how can i end without Sanchez, DM has an article about him and his humble roots. One glaring point is, he is used to winter breaks, which he wont get this time. Will that affect him??? time shall tell, till then let the magic continue Alexis.
Gibbs does have qualities I like, namely his pace and ability to intercept passes, but when the interception doesn’t work – and he does attempt some rash ones – it leaves him a way out of position.
I don’t think his positional sense is that great anyway and on Wednesday night, again, Dortmund were allowed far too much time and room to get crosses in.
It’s always best to see an Arzenal player come through the ranks and I hope Gibbs eventually makes the position his for a long time. At the moment, I just feel Monreal is the better defender.
Only my opinion, of course, and I know plenty don’t share it.
Maybe the two of them could alternate in the postion but that would require a bit of Gibbs and take. 😉
Nice one Trev! Mon real preference would be for Nacho at LB too…
I haven’t been able to post after the Manu game as I’ve just been so busy but a short note of thanks to Holic for keeping some balanced perspective amidst all the negativity, BtM for being his inimitable and insightful self (must have missed you in the Tollie – I was in the adjacent beer garden with Tabs & Snowy. So sorry to hear about your friend, I sincerely hope all goes well for him), Tabs & Snowy for their ever warm friendship & hospitality (my liver is still in detox). Belated B-day wishes again Tabs.
Kudos for the usual brilliant contributions from Trev (agree with you on Gibbs), N7, Bath, H2H, Ttg, Ned, Faustus et al…….
Cheers Joe, hope you’re well,
and congratulations on even surviving Tabs and snowy 😉
Sound like a right pair of cats, don’t they ? 😉
Cynic
Yes I’d forgotten old Freddie he was a Lacey winger!
Many, many years ago I played in a friendly match ( I played twice a day on occasions then – burn out ….ppphhh!) and noticed our right winger was very pacey and skilful and duly scored a clever goal. He was known as Haze and after his goal I just touched him casually in congratulation. I felt rather odd but couldn’t think why. Later on someone explained that Haze was Hazel and she played for QPR Ladies and England! Never been turned on by a teammate before or since …even Freddie. And no she didn’t join us in the bath!
Joe
Sorry you couldn’t have witnessed a win. Wednesday night was much better!
Ttg,
You “touched him casually in congratulation” …… Your Honour! Pffftttt !
As you do ! 😉
Preview time. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Was that mutual congratulation, Ttg?
Öskar
In every company, there will always be some downsides.
As mentioned earlier, Visalus seriously isn’t a gimmick.
Ryan Blair is the CEO and is the embodiment of the Vi – Salus vision.