Another Weekend, Another Trophy
Jul 26th, 2015 by 'holic
Arsenal landed their second tournament trophy of this pre-season by lifting their own Emirates Cup for the first time in five years.
Only Mesut Ozil remained a starter for the second of the Emirates Cup fixtures against Wolfsburg and not surprisingly the rhythm of yesterday was lost in the early stages, partly as a result of the wholesale changes.
The most interesting of the selections was that of Jeff Reine-Adelaide in midfield after his cameo as a substitute yesterday. There is a danger of being too appreciative of a precocious young talent (Gedion Zelalem, anyone?), but it is clear to see why we moved to bring him in from Lens this summer. Let’s hope he continues on his sharp upward curve.
Under leaking skies containing considerably more than fifty shades of grey the Gunners struggled to escape the shackles of expectation. The German Cup winners settled fastest, their pressing game giving us problems we didn’t really solve until the opening half was nearing it’s end.
Their selection hinted at their intent, including as it did a well-known attacking trio of De Bruyne, Schurrle, and Hamlet, er, I mean Nicklas Bendtner. The former gave Petr Cech his first meaningful save, a straightforward catch from a cross.
The visitors continued to threaten as the half took shape. Gabriel and Nacho Monreal blocked efforts from Jung and Trash respectively, while Bendtner, possibly confused, played what appeared to be a side footed back-pass to Cech, and strangely opted for a potentially spectacular airborne volley when a cross seemed destined for his forehead.
Midway through the half Arsenal finally threatened to open the scoring themselves but Theo Walcott, in his preferred central striking role, was denied by Benaglio. Cut to Arsene Wenger who appeared to be less than impressed. Ten minutes before the break he did get the finish right but was rightly flagged offside, however Theo would go on to have the last laugh.
With Ozil, Jack Wilshere, and Santi Cazorla to the fore Arsenal finished the half slightly the stronger. From Monreal’s clever cut-back Ozil placed an effort just wide of the far post. The German international was withdrawn during the break and replaced by Chuba Akpom. Four minutes in Reine-Adelaide put Walcott clear and this time Theo did produce a well-placed finish. They nearly repeated that success, but Benaglio was quickly out of his area to slide the ball to safety.
Although Arsenal were now in the ascendency Wolfsburg were far from finished and just after the hour Guilavogui gave Cech his sternest test of the afternoon. The cat in the hat threw himself to his right and saved superbly to earn some serious applause from his new fans.
The substitutions were coming thick and fast for both sides. Among them, Reine-Adelaide was afforded his first ovation when replaced by the Ox. It was no more than he deserved. Isaac Hayden replaced Jack Wilshere and came close to adding a nerve-settling second for the hosts, but Benaglio was equal to it.
Bendtner was finally hooked in the closing stages to a sympathetic round of applause. Not for the Prince of Denmark do we harbour the dark thoughts reserved for the dastardly.
The match limped to a close, the referee’s whistle signaling Arsenal’s second trophy in nine days. In truth it wasn’t the sort of spectacle that we saw yesterday but Wolfsburg were considerably better organised than Lyon.
Both teams go on to meet the respective champions of their leagues next weekend. The start of a new season gets ever closer, and confidence is surely building in this Arsenal squad. Lest we forget we still have Alexis to add to the mix. Bring on Chelsea!
204 Responses to “Another Weekend, Another Trophy”
Watched all of the game today on BT Sport a station that at one stage spent about a minute with the camera on one Wolfsburg defender with the inset camera firmly fixed on his brother – while the game went on unshown.
Wolfsburg as befits a side that finished as runners- up in the Bundesliga were no mugs and were the better team until the first half although we went closest to scoring. In the second half I thought the introduction of Akpom( aka Afobe;)) , Ox and Ramsey wrested control away from the Germans whose shooting was very erratic.
Thought Cech did very solidly, like Gabriel enormously, worry that Arteta is not the right back- up for Le Coq and think LJW always promises more than he delivers but is a beautiful player to watch. As for Reine Adelaide one can see why that old has- been Wenger might feel £50 m for Sterling a tad OTT. He is a real thoroughbred and looks much older than 17. Nice also to see Hayden back, I think that boy can play and could be the right back- up for Coquelin.
Wenger seems keen to keep Iwobi and JRA at the club next season with Akpom. I think Iwobi and Akpom might benefit from training with us all week and playing for Bournemouth at the weekend.
Can someone sort this?
Hayden certainly does look a better back-up for Coq than Arteta. At least Arteta managed to survive 60 minutes. I had major doubts.
*Off to read the Guvna*
Nice report Guvna.
Heh @ ‘the cat in the hat’.
Good run out for the boys with ample practice defending corners – much needed if I remember the stats from last season.
Cheers Guv.
Indeed, a totally different perfomance then yesterday’s shock and awe, but it’s good to know that this team, or should I say squad, can grind out a result against a stubborn opponent.
Even though ze Germans controlled a large portion of the first half, I never really felt worried, I believe that’s probably due to our new keeper who was proffessionalism personified from the off. He will bring a calmnes and stability to our defence that has been absent for way to long.
I thought Arteta was a bit off the pace, I hope it’s just down to ring rust, but I fear if he has to play against the better teams then we may be in Barney.
Young Reine was a breath of fresh air, mature beyond his years, physically and footballistically.Hayden looked good too, Apkom should be loaned out though, definetly needs more playing time to improve his decision making.
Theo fluffed his lines a bit in the first 45, but did well with the goal. Like in the F.A Cup final he hit the back of the net after he’d made way as CF. I feel he is at his strongest when he comes in from the wings, but I got a feeling he sees himself as the main CF, that may very well be the reason he hasn’t yet “signed da ting” as he may want assurances that he will get a chance through the middle.
All in all a satisfactory weekend, next up the artificialy minted, petrofueled undesirables at Wem-ber-leee.
Let’s retain our shield!!!
Well done Arsenal but we still needs more tropies and preven striker
TTG — thought Hayden looked good too. The tackling and athleticism makes him a possible understudy to Coquelin, the distribution not too shabby either. For all of Arteta’s passing brilliance, in this match at least his relative lack of ability to cover runs and reach to the tackle first was a bit worrying. You have been saying for a while that Hayden would have a greater future in DM than CD, based on last two games it seems Arsene sees it that way too. 🙂
trev
best not to try and scale
that particular hill of zen treacle
as soon as i was accused of
letting my ‘serene’ mask slip
i knew I wasn’t dealing with
inciteful genius
who could see in my soul
.
and
cheers h2h
appreciate that a lot
was exhibiting my well documented serenity
with two scumbags
and got stuck with some
cop carry on
worth remembering
the chelsea nazi on the paris metro
who wouldn’t let the black guy
on the train was an ex-ruc man
.
but for me
all came good in the end
and
i am free to return to that big lump of serenity
i never was
🙂
H2H @ 4: Agreed about Theo becoming less effective centrally especially if the opposition is sitting deeper and he is forced to play with his back to the goal. I think we will start the season (with Alexis out and assuming no signings in the next couple of weeks) with Theo on the left cutting in, Giroud down the middle, Ox on the right.
Dr.F
The chap I sit next to is a friend of Hayden’s father and it is fair to say a combination of injury problems and Wenger have frustrated his progress( in his view) but he may be at the stage where he can push for a place in the squad.His flexibility is very useful and he could push on from here . Wenger may now see that he is ready where he wasn’t before.
I think we can now see why Wenger has taken the course he has in the transfer market. He really only needs to consider world class stars if we can sign them because of the range of options open to him. I have been frustrated by lack of action in the past( like failure to sign a CB this time last year) but the squad is coming together well. The key is fitness and freedom from injuries. Ox for example looks unstoppable but can he play thirty EPL games and in Europe? Can LJW with his style stay out of trouble with his ankles. Will Ramsey be able to play all season in the box to box role? And can Theo stay fit? If they can we are in a great position
cba,
No worries, mate.
I can see through all that perspicacity. 😉
*cacchinates*
Nice report maestro.
TTG: Were you able to give TGSTEL that lift you were promising him the other season?
COYG
..and another match report. Nice one, ‘Holic. Proper football not too far off, now. Bring it on.
aaah ned
howdy
quick question if i may
never had raksi
not feckin sure what it is
what is it?
🙂
It is a grain spirit made from millet or rice, a bit like sake in Japan.
Take a look at no 41 on this list, cba:
http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/drink/worlds-50-most-delicious-drinks-883542
Cheers,Holic,
another one I completely missed. Waiting for Player now.
right o
intrigued
my homemade is similar heatwise
in a good way
.
that list is entertaining
.
guess which one
i went
FUCK AWAY OFF
to
😉
😉
😉
Pangloss
Funny you should mention that.
We had the sack ready to throw over him but it split!
He is a big lad now and appears to have spent too much time at Puebury Corner.
Certainly no “goal vest”( fest) today.Opposition a tad more PL like and they gave the back five a bit of a work out. Thought Chambers in particular played very well and Nacho had his hands full.
The MF without Le Coq and Rambo was less effective and Feo was outnumbered while in the middle and only looked the part when he moved out wide.
Adelaide is a big ,strong youngster and took the eye again, laying on a lovely ball for Feo’s goal, certainly one to watch but I doubt we will see much of him apart from the League Cup.
The queue for the Armoury was horrendous so gave it a miss and will attempt to buy a new shirt on line, fingers crossed.
Can’t wait for next Sunday.
COYRs
if max’s iron shirt
can chase satan outta earth
what the holy merciful st christopher
can yer goal vest do , delia
.
roll on this season 🙂
The Emirates Cup is always a strange tournament for me. Two games in two days and nothing more than a nice run out for the entire squad.
I joined the hoards of tourists yesterday at The Grove for what was definitely the better of the two days. But as soon as the Mexican wave starts you soon realise what the weekend is all about. I can’t be the only one that really hates them, especially at a football match. If that was not enough at half time we welcomed back an all time Arsenal legend. The one and only Gus Ceaser was introduced to the crowd. The pantomime was complete.
On the pitch there was not much to complain about. The pleasing thing for me against Lyon was not just the score but how clinical we were. That said the Lyon defence were like statues at times.
Good performances all round and more importantly, no injuries. AOC looks like a man wanting to make up for lost time. Adelaide showed glimpses of real ability. I just hope he can develop and does not fall into the next NBT that ends up looking for another club in a few years.
I was pleased to see an obvious hunger amongst the squad. At times there was a quality and cohesion that hopefully bodes well for the coming months.
Very impressed with Cech today. He already looks like he has the presence of a world class keeper. Hopefully we are able to add to his signing with the quality we need and make a genuine fist of it this season. I am very much in the minority I know but for me the jury is still out with Le Coq. I hope he can continue to develop but I also feel that we need to bring in real quality for that area. Like many others I would also like to see another top quality striker brought in. Hopefully those in charge are able to oblige.
Had a big catch up over the last few days. Some great guest posts I must say. Very enjoyable reads.
Interesting that places could be found on the same team for Jung and Hamlet – lucky Freud was injured I guess.
Apparently Jung once said that “everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.”
Good advice?
Maybe.
UTA.
Great news. Apparently Reus has injured himself in pre-season. Our kinda guy … grab that cheque book AW!
Interesting that Theo went to left wing after OG came on. I can’t remember him there much before, presumably because his pace is of greater value on his ‘natural’ side, but we’ve had plenty of success with ‘wrong-footed’ wingers in the past … Sir Bob, RvP, TH14, Overmars, Freddie L, Poldi (perhaps less so).
Öskar
Ah, so TGSWEL did not score against Arsenal after all. Match fixing allegations retracted then. 😉
Trev, Dr F … get a ring guys, sort it out!
For the record you’re both right. Alexis did look a little selfish on occasions last season (though circumstances were such that I was indifferent to it at the time), but pre-season, when he hasn’t been a part of anything discussed here, is hardly the time to mention it.
Enjoy the trophies, Dr F, and the promise they presage for the season ahead. And cut Dr F some slack, Trev, he’s been a gooner for less than 20 years and needs time to fully mature. 😉
Öskar
“inciteful genius” wouldn’t make sense in a regular bar but is a phrase well coined. 🙂
Agreed with the several who already commented on Hayden looking more the backup to Coq. Arteta reminded me of our away thrashings two seasons ago at Liverpool and Chelsea.
Noosa @ 22: Jung’s good friend Herr Pauli, one of my favorite physicists, had once famously said “The best that most of us can hope to achieve in physics is simply to misunderstand at a deeper level”.
An epistemological truth of the highest order, if I may, and applies to all knowledge: from physics to football to others’ opinions. 🙂
Applies to the quote itself, evidently, otherwise we would have all given up on understanding. 🙂
Speaking of Pauli, cannot resist quoting his famous remark after the great young physicist Dirac ended a passionate speech about perils of religion and how it is manipulated for evil political purposes etc.: “I would also say that our dear friend Dirac has found a new religion and the first commandment of this religion is ‘God does not exist and Paul Dirac is his prophet'”” . 🙂
A witticism that was not meant to offend others, and not said in irritation, but simply to highlight the absurdity of strongly held opinions.
Everyone in the conference reportedly burst out laughing, including Dirac.
Oskar @ 25: Thanks…and as I said I was simply imagining the effervescent Alexis in a line-up that is showing far greater cohesiveness than the disjointed and injury-plagued group he had joined last season.
Last season was also one where he had some doubts cast over his career as in many quarters — not by us, but by people in Spain or Chile — his move was thought to be a backwards step and on top of that there was the doubt about whether he can crack it in “a wet Tuesday night in Stoke”, so to speak. So there was the need for him to prove to himself and to the rest of the world. As much as his abilities and attitude, which were well known to all of us who have seen him for Udinese or Barca, it is his quite phenomenal physical fitness and stamina that stood him apart from almost any player making the move to PL from Spanish league.
Despite all of that you could sense in many games he is still finding his way through the team and figuring out the strengths and weaknesses of his comrades. Enjoying at the Lyon game yesterday I was simply wondering how would a rested, happy and by now well-settled Alexis gel with the team? Would he continue to play the high-risk (and high-yield) maverick role or would he mix it a little bit more and fit in more with the interchanges and movements?
Anyway, we will see. I think we will see a slightly different role for Alexis this season, but I could be wrong.
Woj’s move to Roma seems set.
Apparently the year-long loan does not include an option for Roma to buy.
Cheers Holic
Urgh. Riddled with flu for the first time in about 15 years, forcing my carcass to work the meeting I simply cannot miss.
Thank god I have the fine musings of this organ to distract my mind while every cell in my body screams ‘Nurse!’ More of the same please chaps, it’s more effective than Panadol.
*whispers lethargically* COYR…
Dr F @ 28/9
With regard to the misunderstanding of opinion I suggest the following :
1) “Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.” – Marcus Aurelius.
2) “My psychiatrist told me I was crazy and I said I wanted a second opinion. He said okay, you’re ugly too.” – Rodney Dangerfield.
Either one works for me, although it is a fact that Arsenal are by far the greatest team ……………….
UTA.
Get well soon Porco.
COYG
Cheers Boss.
TTG- The coverage of the brothers that you mentioned was mind-boggling. Who decided that viewers had tuned in for that? Madness, I say!
And I would love it if every team we play this year was ‘the better team until the first half’…
Alexis was great last year. I hope he is better still this year. A few less stray passes would be good. I see the Doc’s point that if the rest of team is clicking then he won’t need to be such a one man band and may become even more effective. I also see why that was the way it happened last year and I am glad he hauled us through to Christmas.
It’s good to see a few Holics returning from their hols. Nice posting. Porco, get well.
cba- even by your own standards ‘hill of zen treacle’ is a lyrical turn. I will be on the lookout for a chance to drop that into a conversation somewhere.
NBN- nice list.
I was surprised by how seamlessly Hayden slotted in. And his confidence levels were marked by a shot from outside the area that I don’t think he would have taken on previously. Well played.
Ox looked great.
Callum played well. He does send a few long through balls straight to the opposition at the moment. He is a good technical player, especially for a defender but, much like Gary Cahill, it does mean sometimes that he fancies himself a bit. I hope that he can learn when to try these things because in the future, if he can execute, I could see his unusual vision from his position being a great way to put Feo etc. through on goal before the opposition can say “Ahhh- Walcott’s scored.”
Gabriel has settled nicely. He also has an eye for a long pass but must use it wisely.
Adelaide excellent again, the assist was a great bit of end product to go with his lovely footwork- looking forwards to his development.
LJW is set set for his best season if he is fit. A unique player for us and a joy to watch.
Akpom has been quiet in the last two days. Just keep working Chuba.
Monreal over Gibbs every time for me.
And Petr Cech makes our whole team better. I trust him in goal. And so do they. And great distribution too.
Bring on the chavs!
I am in the minority who still would want an upgrade to coquelin before the season starts. I just feel at times we are vulnerable in the middle of the park and do not necessarily have the tackler in need before the counter attack hits us. With Per being slow( fact), this is double trouble and hence i believe a DM must be paramount for us to win the league. Coquelin has had a great year so far but being so reliant on him to last the distance for an entire season looks foolhardy for me.
United selling Di Maria made me wonder whether we live in a sane world, i know its mad out there but this was preposterous. Here is a player touted to be among the best wingers in the world and he doesnt last more than 1 season? The so called philosophy of a joke called van gaal makes me thank Dennis that we have Arsene at the helm. I do not see united winning the league even if they sign ramos and pedro but then if they dont, i expect van gaal to be sacked and his philosophy shoved up where there is no light.
Jose will play the community shield game as if his life depends on it. He wouldnt want to lose against us ever so i expect a tight affair on sunday. This should also give us a chance to announce our chances for the league and i do hope we have our best performance lined up before the season starts. Here is to one more trophy this sunday.
It is better to ship a player out if you have doubts than to let him hang around for years, confirming those same doubts.
As football gets close and some of the summer sports relax their grip I would like to say how proud and in awe I am of Chris Froome. Few champions are so underrated. His achievements are truly epic and his attitude and behaviour are a shining beacon of how to stick to what you believe in, no matter what trials you face.
And his team is filled entirely with men who follow his lead in being class acts every single day.
This year’s TDF victory has been simply stunning. Well done to everyone involved.
GSD @41.
Couldn’t agree with you more about Froome! A truly outstanding achievement, and I thought his ‘showdown’ with Quintana on the Alpe D’Huez on Saturday was one of the most gripping sporting dramas I’ve seen for many a year. No doubt the British public will vote for that epically uncharismatic F1 driver from Switzerland-cum-Monaco who just happens to drive the best engineered car on a given year as their Sports Personality of the Year, but it’s Froome all the way for me.
As for the Emirates Cup…Caught up with the highlights on Arsenal Player. Everything augurs very well for the new season, and the competition in the squad seems unprecedentedly huge. When Wenger names his squad of 16 for the upcoming league games there are going to be some outstanding players who don’t even get in that matchday squad (at the moment we have 8 defenders Wenger has to somehow half into 4). This leads me to believe more and more that we won’t see any additions before September, bar a serious injury in the next month, a surprise team loss of form in August, or a major acquisition opportunity that just can’t be turned down. I was even a bit suspicious about Welbeck’s “injury” that has kept him out now since April, almost as if Wenger doesn’t want to run the risk of him getting genuinely injured so that he can be shipped out should he sign a Benzema, but I think the injury’s bona fide, and he probably wants to give Welbeck more time to establish himself given his relatively young age and promising raw materials….
Re: Vinay #39. I believe the only reason Man United appointed Van Gaal in the first place is it would be easier to fire him if and when things went wrong again. Just my misinformed opinion of course. 😉
#43 forgot to say considering his 63 years of age.
Di Maria may be just the first in a long line of recently signed players clamoring for the exit once the new manager is appointed.
No doubt that if Van Gaal prematurely leaves in 2015 or 2016 there will be a public announcement that the desire to be with his wife, until now interrupted until 2017, was the cause.
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/33670851
I don’t think Di Maria leaving Manure has much to do with vaG.
He obviously hasn’t settled into Blighty and his girlfriend/wife is on the record in saying how much she dislikes Manchester (can you blame her?)
Add to that the attempted burgulary of their house and that does not lead to domestic bliss/stability.
And like Cynic says, if it’s so broke then why try to fix it?
I hope he does go to Paris, another world class player bombing at and then leaving the Old Toilet can only be a good thing.
Next out, De Gea please.
Wolfsburg. Isn’t there a FIFA rule about turning up and playing in your pyjamas?
Cheers PGD II and GSD
Well it’s job literally done now so home I go to feel sorry for myself. Fevers suck!!
H2H you could be right but hasn’t van Gaal signed nearly an entire team of players this summer who could play in di Maria’s position? As to why they should try to fix it, they can always make it worse. 🙂
Cheers Porco.
Not really bt8
vaG might have played Di Maria through the midfield, but I wouldn’t call that his position. I believe he’s much more effective as an old fashioned winger. Considering that Manure had RvC, Rooney and Falcoa as strike options last term, I’d say that vaG’s misuse of DiM borders on the criminaly negligent.
The only replacement type he’s brought in is Depay, but he’s only ever done it in a far weaker league.
The Sch’s are midfielders, I would of liked to have got Schneiderlen, but it wasn’t to be. Sweinsteiger is, sorry was, an awesome player, I would of loved to see him in an Arsenal shirt too………. five years ago.
Cheers ‘H.
Good weekend of Football. Superlative at times against Lyon, and dug it out against Wolfsburg to secure the second part of the fabled pre-season treble.
Early indicators of which way the wind is blowing…
– Santi and Ramsey will battle it out for the box-to-box role. Jack will have to wait his chance, whether that comes through injury or loss of form. In the meantime he will have to settle for game time either out wide or from the bench.
– Ox tremendous both days. Has nailed down the wide right position for the foreseeable short-term,fitness permitting, certainly in games where we are expected to be on the front foot.
– Cech was as solid as you like.
– Ozil has started where he left off last season. Just a fantastic footballer. Particularly enjoyed the line still being repetitively trotted out in the last drinks that he somehow still needs a “turning point”. Comic genius!
– Wrap Coquelin in cotton wool.Arteta shouldn’t be Plan C let alone Plan B.
– Full back rotation on both sides likely to occur dependent on who they have playing in front of them.
– Akpom still some way off. Needs to go out on loan imo.
– Reine-Adelaide looked the real deal, some very nice touches indeed. Iwobi did well on the Saturday. Whether either will be able to impose themselves upon anything more than League Cup games at this stage is unlikely, but who knows.
– Far too early too to write off Zelalem. Played in the U20’s World Cup, in which he reportedly excelled. His involvement went on until June 15th, so a late return may have hampered his pre-season preparations. Still only 18. He has plenty of time. Out on loan would be the next natural step for him now.
Amongst all the discussion about the young talent on display in these braces of friendlies, have not heard a word about Serge Gnabry.
Is he injured? In AW’s doghouse, or his witness protection program? Any word on what’s up with him, or where he may be off to?
This is probably old news, but may be of interest.
When BT decided to add a £5 charge to everybody’s BTTV bill if they had the previously free sports pack, unless they opted out, I thought that was pretty mean and petty.
However… Virgin Media has decided to follow suit and will be adding £3 to their XL package price, when they add BT Sport Europe. Your only option, should you wish NOT to pay this charge, is to downgrade your entire package. So if you don’t want any sport but want to keep XL because you like the HD channels, you have to pay to subsidise the Champions League stuff.
“Pre-season is there for everyone to show what they’ve got. I’m hoping that this pre-season goes well for me and that I can establish myself.
“I came here with the dream to play for Arsenal’s first team and I did that before my injury. I’m hoping to get back to playing for the first team next season.”
That was from Gnabry in May, after he was just coming back from an injury that had sidelined him for a year.
Last piece of “info” I read was that WBA were interested in a loan deal.
Have no idea why he wasn’t around last weekend.
Everything that tabs said.
Absolutely no news about a DM has me worried. Benzema training alone due to a “slight niggle” makes me wonder but still wont believe real will let him leave. Guardian and telegraph so called experts states we will finish third again this season. Well a lot said we wont finish top four last season as well, so never mind the experts. The mind games from mou will start from today and i wont be surprised if he starts with one aimed at Arsene soon. Well just Ceching Jose, time to shut up and play the game.
Vinay @ 39
After getting aload of the tactics we employed on the weekend, it’s easy for me to see why Arsene would believe that our current squad has enough to go into the start of the season. Especially when you consider that Alexis is due back next week.
For me though, the question that still remains is, can we sustain that level of competition we displayed on Saturday, throughout the whole season, playing two -three games a week against world class opposition at times? The answer is, possibly not. The team will fatigue at some point and injuries will kick in, not to mention possible suspensions.
So for me, strength in depth would be a good solution. High level depth to be exact. DM would be a sensible place to add a player. Clearly a world class out and out target man would be another. Then if we are lucky, another centre back.
Of course, the obvious questions for me would then be, who would you bring in, and how would you keep everyone happy? The answers to me would be to add somebody of like ability or better for each required position, on the basis that everybody would compete for their place.
So in conclusion, for me, if there is ‘exceptional talent’ out there and we can do a deal, we should do it.
Btw: contract negations are ongoing for our next signing I hear. This indicates that it could possibly go down to the wire. Let’s hope not. But as long as it gets done, then it would have been worth the wait.
Let’s just hope that, the temperature in ‘that’ players feet, do not drop!
😉
No football today. Feeling empty.
Oh, and thanks Cynic. Virgin haven’t written yet. My bill goes up to over £105 a month then even with a loyalty discount. 🙁
Getting fucked by a Virgin used to be a good thing.
Hehe. Indeed H2H. 🙂
The full back positions are going to be very interesting this season (assuming that all four first choice full backs remain fit for a considerable length of the season). GSD @38 mentioned that he would prefer Monreal over Gibbs in every game and I would completely agree with that. The spaniard lifted his game tremendously last season and the onus is now on Gibbs to match that. Tabs @53 mentioned that the full backs will be rotated based on the opposition. Whilst the personnel we have at the moment in the full back positions certainly allow us that flexibility, I doubt that we will see that kind of targeted rotation from Wenger. In recent seasons whenever the team has found itself on a good run, Wenger has never tinkered with the back four. If there is a settled combination working in the back four,Wenger rarely changes it. Although it could be argued that he never had such capable options in recent seasons to allow for such type of rotation.
I am quite curious to see who Wenger sees as first choice for right back. Does he go for the experience of Debuchy or the exuberance of Bellerin? If he goes for Debuchy then it might be detrimental to Monreal because Wenger always uses one marauder and one more defensive full back. So to complement Debuchy, Gibbs would most probably get the nod as the more marauding full back on the opposite flank. I would personally prefer the Monreal-Bellerin combination. A right flank comprising of the Ox & Bellerin would be absolutely lethal with their pace.
So the full back position is going to be fascinating… and these are indeed great problems to have for the manager…
Gnabry played for Germany in the U21 Euros and is not back in training yet. Iirc he’ll join the team this week.
I get a discount from them as well, H, but every time I try to negotiate a lower price or tell them I want to downgrade to save money, they tell me they will have to remove the discount, so I’ll be paying more money for less of a service.
They are shites, but the broadband is so good…
Exactly that, Cynic.
http://www.broadbandchoices.co.uk/news/broadband/virgin-media-increases-xl-tv-package-price-00570
That link is about the price rise.
The one below is the new channel numbers. The absolute twats are making a lot of changes.
http://my.virginmedia.com/customer-news/articles/TV-updates.html
Bugger. I put a comment but it didn’t post.
New channel numbers
http://my.virginmedia.com/customer-news/articles/TV-updates.html
Basically making a Horlicks of everything. The great berks.
By the way, on Wednesday on BT Sport 2 at 8pm, there’s an hour of classic Arsenal match highlights. It’s old ITV stuff from 1971 onwards.
I think Van Gaal is a blowhard and an embarrassment.
What is he achieving at United? He is spending the GDP of a medium- sized African nation to buy players who don’t perform. A better manager could have got a tune out of Falcao ( watch Mourinho) and RVP.
They will lose a stack of money on Di Maria and are overpaying for almost everybody. Agree with H2H on the midfielders. Good players but Schweinstiger is past his best and they are so dependent on De Gea. United are a club that have lowered their horizons drastically in two years. At the risk of repeating myself anyone who wants Wenger out should look at United because that will be us when he goes unless it is a phased succession.
Those who would disparage Wenger cite his unwillingness to spend as a weakness not appreciating that depending for its own sake could be a major error bringing in players we can’t/ won’t use and destroying what is a highly positive team vibe- competition in the club’s interest.Thats why I hope these stupid Llorente rumours are just that. Our big imponderable is injuries. If we can reduce the days players are out by half it will make a staggering difference.
This might seem an oddball thought, but Gabriel may be in AW’s mind as the long-term replacement for Koscielny. Kos is 29, has two years left on his contract and is reportedly a target for Real Madrid should Ramos, who is the same age, go to Man Utd. I, for one, would hope that Kos is tied to a long-term contract as I reckon him to have become one of the best CBs in Europe. Gabriel seems more like him than Mertesacker, though i also think that AW will rotate him with the BFG this coming season, but it will be either Hayden or Chambers who will be his eventual replacement.
Point not missed, tabs (*53) but there’s a difference between maintaining the guy is a genius, end of story (you) and recognising the genius but disappointed in its inconsistency (me). End of last season and this pre-season (so far) I’ve noted a greater consistency, and that for me suggests a ‘turning point’. I’m sure we both want to see him finally prove his real worth to everyone, because he can’t be happy about some of the press he’s received and happy players make better players, imo.
As for Zelalem I watched all his U20s WC matches and there was no doubt about his ball skills and vision. However he looked physically lightweight to me and until he fills out a bit I’d worry about him up against the Terrys and Shawcrosses of the Prem.
Öskar
Agree about van Gargle, Ttg. I’d love to see him break the bank bringing Ronaldo back to OT. Truly the most OTT transfer imaginable. He wouldn’t, would he? Not a bad player, but now in his 30s he’d find the going a lot tougher in the Prem than when he was a young buck. Not the best way to spend a squillion, imo.
Öskar
A nice compilation of Adelaide’s involvement on Sunday. (You may want to turn off the sound)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuDLiZTQqm0
If Mourinho reckons we are ‘big-spenders’ in the transfer market, what does that make his club? Over the past five years, Chelsea’s net transfer spend has been £186 million versus Arsenal’s £99 million. Even on the gross numbers, we’ve spent ‘only’ £253.6 million (so much for AW’s reluctance to flash the cheque book) against the Chavs’ £416.5 million.
Morning transfer buffs and wannabe tacticians (sic)
I have been watching Van Gaal from afar. I just laugh, as he uses De Gea as a bargaining tool to get Ramos, whilst blowing the poo out of the Utd owner’s capital, just to appease the supporters. Another clear case of fcuk FFP.
As I understand it, players choose to go to Utd for the extortionate salary (RVP, Falcao, Di Maria), then said player chooses to leave within 1-3 seasons, as they realise, that Utd is and will be for at least a couple more seasons, a sinking ship!
They have had to bow down and follow the lead of their so-called noisy neighbours by trying to pretend that they too, have a bottomless pit of money. Only to over pay, for average players or better still, piss off world class ones.
I would love to see anyone of their current forward line, try to get a goal past Cech next season, if Wayne Rooney becomes unavailable!
(Talking and sounding purposely smug) 😆
I have never seen a more overrated coach than Van Balls. I don’t get it- he must have been really good at certain points in his career (he’s won lots) but now its like he is a parody of himself. I wonder if the real Van Balls is trapped in a tabloid cartoon somewhere while the comic version ruins Utd step-by-step.
He had success with the Dutch using 3-5-2 and was hailed as a tactical genius. He then flogged the same horse at Manure for months despite the fact that they had no centre-backs. Blackett, Rojo (waste of money) and Evans will win you screw all- he proved that. Unnecessarily.
Wenger talks about judging managers based on them getting the most out of a squad’s potential. Anyone reckon he got the most out of Di Maria and Falcao? Rooney in midfield? At least Fellaini got some good minutes…
He is arrogant beyond belief. Every move he makes seems to be for effect. I think he ceases to exist if no-one is looking at him and re-animates as soon as someone starts paying attention again. He has turned Manure into ‘The Van Balls Show.’ His man-management is shocking- he has kicked Valdes out for no reason other than to show his authority and that he is the boss. When someone is genuinely in control they do not need to say so. Let alone make a media-pantomime of it.
I could go on and on and on. I won’t bother. I’ll just wrap up by saying that I am not worried about Manure whilst he is at the helm. And that they deserve what they get. They fired Moyes for a big-name manager and they got the ultimate big-name manager. Not a single manager on the planet believes their own hype so dogmatically as Laughing-Stock-Louis. And no matter how many fools follow his lead and gasp in wonder at his brilliance this is an Emperor with no clothes on. And the rest of us can see his balls. *shudders like Mr Burns*
Thank you for telling me my own opinion Oskar@73, and in such reductive terms too! Perfect.
Whenever i’m in need of another crude and simplistic opinion which I wish to repeat ad infinitum in a wearyingly tedious way, i’ll be sure to give you a shout. You seem to have more than enough to go round.
Putin reckons Blatter deserves a Nobel peace prize. I disagree.
In fact, without reading the article, I must still insist on disagreeing in the strongest of terms.
Possibly he should be recognised as a unifying force in world relations only insofar as people from around the globe can join together in despising him.
well thank you gsd
hopefully the last time
louis van heid-the-baws baws
get a run out in the bar
.
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=u83uj7flPQY
Agreed cba. I’m sure a lot of Holics have (mercifully) been holding fire on what a tit he is since he started at Manure. After TTG@71 I cracked. It won’t happen again…
If anyone can mock up a cartoon of Butthead crossed with Randy from South Park (and you know which episode I mean) then I reckon that will be the final word on the matter…
I luv vaG.
Hope he stays forever.
Jose as ever started with his mind games stating Arsenal have spent quite a bit and no one one says anything over it. Well does he even have half a brain? He also says Hazard is as good as Ronaldo and Messi, well he is good but he is no where close to them. He also believes there will be 5 teams competing for the league, i wonder who is the fifth??? I dont see even city with what they have currently being in the mix. I just hope and pray we win the league this time and laugh at him so hard that he collapses and buries himself somewhere.
I must say, Moyes’ tenure was more excruciating for Manc supporters and therefore more laughable.
Mwafh!
🙂
Vinay,
Maureen is just bitter about Cech!
Mwahf!
🙂
Saying that…
…Van Gaal, is equally as funny. It’s just that the Manc supporters have not quite caught up on it yet.
But they will!
Mwarhf!
Vinay@84: see my@76 above for some comparative numbers on Chelsea and Arsenal net transfer spend over past five years. Mourinho talking out of his, as usual.
GSD@80: if Blatter deserves any Nobel prize (which he doesn’t: Putin is just Mourinho with no hair and a better torso) it would be the economics prize for contributions to creative accounting.
Is there a Nobel prize in the field of cuntdom?
If so, then give it to him.
cunt’d probably rock up to collect it too
Ofcourse he would.
He bought the vote.
“I think, therefore I am.” – Descartes.
“I do not think, therefore I am not.” – Mourinho.
Hello chaps ! 😉
vinay’d be there to part his hair with a shovel
by all accounts
🙂
howdy trev
nice to see you
to see you, nice
🙂
H2H @89. Surely some sort of lifetime achievement award would be in order?
Hehs
Benzema rumours gathering steam.
Should be all out speculation mayhem this time tomorrow.
For all this talk about Benzema, Arseblogger in his latest Arsecast extra posed pretty accurate question.
If we do buy a striker, anyone, how does he fit into the squad. Inevitably, if we buy someone, someone has to be moved on, either on loan or permanently, it just does not add up number wise.
Even now some players which we used to see play for us on regular basis will not even make matchday squad. I personally still do not think that we will buy anyone just for the sake of it and only if special player becomes available and as I said before, for me, Benzema is not that player (but I will happily eat my piece of humble pie should we buy him and he bags 30+ goals for us during the season 😉 )
Thumb in Mourinho’s face.
Put to good effect too, I must say. 🙂
Well in 8ball.
I agree Eandy.
Don’t believe CF is our most pressing need, however…… he is the best of what is currently available. Although again, not so convinced that he is a major upgrade.
As you can probably guess, I’m a little torn.
Signing a DM on the other hand…..
Yes please.
Exactly H2H,
and with DM, do you buy an upgrade on Coq which might stifle his development on less proven player which would be happy to be on the bench and fill in when needed. Also where does Arteta fit in this scenario.
Also who that player would be? Sergi Semper was mentioned few days ago but I have not really seen any of him to be able to draw any conclusions.
As for the striker, nail on the head, he is best of what is available (reportedly)..but still..I would not be really surprised if we did not really buy anyone esle and actually, would be quite okay with it.
As with every position, buy the best availble, always look for an upgade.
Although, not really sure that’s possible considering Coq’s extreamly impressive stats from last year. But, at the very least buy someone who can compete with him. It doesn’t have to be a 20mill plus player, just someone who isn’t a complete Carlton Palmer. I don’t know who that player may be, so wouldn’t wish to speculate, but we have an extencive scouting network so surely they should be able to dig one up!?
As for Arteta, hard to say, but I think he’s had it. Keep him around for the experience, with a few cameos in the cups and against the lesser lights (Norwich, Watford, Villa, Spurs etc) at home.
I truly believe that this squad is finally ready to challenge, all the pieces are almost there. It’s only the DM position (Ie Coq injury) that has me worried.
If he is available then AW will buy him. He’s been trying to upgrade the CF position for two years. No-one has done enough to change his mind. I am sure we have scoured the planet looking for the next Aguero, Lewandowski or Drogba and we must presume there is no-one more convincing than Sanogo (!) or Akpom. Therefore if Benzema comes on the market, we will buy him.
He’s played second fiddle to Ronaldo for the last few yearsjust as Alexis did with Messi and may step up when released from the support role in the same way if he is made first choice striker as he surely would be.
However I still think we will sign no-one else but kids.
Wenger has responded to Maureen!
Good stuf it is too!
😉
Source, please King GT@106
Wenger responded: “We spend when we think we have to spend and do not listen too much to what people think or say.
“We just try to make the right decisions. When we have the money available, we spend it. When we don’t have the money, we don’t spend the money we haven’t got.”
Not really a Bazinga, is it!?
That was from the beeb.
I just saw that there’s more to it.
Check the Guardian website.
As blogs said this morning the meedja are simply trying to whip a story out of a diddly squat statement by the Translator about Chav spending in recent years.
Not even a storm in a teacup but they are whipping it up as much as possible.
Ignore it, gents.
Mourinho is the highest profile troll that I am aware of.
8ball. Stunning finish.
Just typical boring Maureen mind games. 😉
Mourinho taking it upon himself to slate Pellegrini now for giving interviews during what he supposes to be his holidays because Mourinho himself does not.
Why ?
Two reasons I suspect.
One, Pellegrini might steal a couple of minutes of Jose’s limelight and, two, Mourinho probably having to give his face an enforced rest as he never shuts it for the rest of the entire year.
GSD. It’s been a recurrent dream most of the summer, actually. The only variation has been the degree of his blindedness. 😉
Oh and apparently Abou Diaby signed for Marseilles, good luck to you Abou, I really hope you make a grade in Ligue 1 and finally actually play football for prolonged spell.
The pre- season is warming up nicely! Lots of people to despise ( Moaninho, LVG, Daniel Levy, ) and lots of completely ridiculous transfer gossip ( eg Busquets to Arsenal). I’ve always been of the view that I could do the Busquets role at Barca in a chubby, out of breath and unsatisfactory sort of way. Imagine getting the ball , knocking it square to a genius, getting it back and knocking it forward to another genius and if you really get into trouble whacking the thing at Messi( or Neymar or Suarez) . That wasn’t an option available at the Dog and Duck where everyone was permanently out of breath, their second touch was a tackle if the first wasn’t a throw- in) and their was no such thing as a preferred foot because no- one had a good left or right foot( nor could they head it) . That sorts out the wheat from the chaff. It’s all chaff.
That Busquets is extremely ordinary and I speak as someone who has made an art form out of it.
Thanks H2H form 5 hours ago (!) I’d read the Grauniad piece and overlooked AW’s splendid response. Now I come to look at it again, I hadn’t.
Roll on Saturday (well, Sunday) week and real football.
COYG
TTG @117,
Hee! Hee!
Benzema would be a very welcome addition indeed! You can never have too many selfless, world-class strikers! He’s definitely up there with the best of them, and there aren’t many proven and ready around and available. He can play alone as a highly mobile and technical target-man centrally or in a two upfront! Sign him up Arsene as the chance won’t be there again, and the very much spoken of cover for Le Coq and everything’ll be on on all fronts. Sweet as a feckin’ nut!
Up the Arse!
Benzema hasn’t travelled with the rest of the RM squad to China.
he has posted on his Instagram account a picture of himself on a private plane heading who knows where. ??
With the post ‘ let the past be the past. ‘ or some such.
Make of it what you will.
Steady on tabs, I was endeavouring to rationalise our difference of opinion without resorting to simply bollicking yours as you continually do mine. If you prefer to keep it personal please feel free, but I won’t be responding in like kind.
Öskar
PS. Maureen is a cunt and always will be a cunt! Once his vile and odious offspring reach our 13 league title tally from their five (4 bought with Russian Mafia money, you oily cunt), I might partake in one peep of flatulence as a recognition of your achievement. Just FYCorrection, over the past 4 years we’ve spent only a third of what you’ve spent at the Bus Stop so get your facts right you wanker before you toss off! Apologies for the language if there are any ladies (Wolfie!) and children in the bar tonight. 😎
To be fair to Moaninho (and that’s something that sticks in the gorge) since he returned to the bus stop his net spend has been only about a third of AW’s…
Gunners transfers … IN: £142m. OUT: £36.8m. Net: £105.2m
Chavs trannies … IN: £216.8m. OUT: £179.2m. Net: £37.6m
Of course he inherited a vastly more expensive squad in the first place so it’s really just semantics, and another example of his oily logic.
Öskar
I nominate Van Gaal for the Noble Peace Prize for Economics for his work on “Bankruptcy”. Yappy Rednapp would’ve won it in previous years but Portsmouth was just too small a club for such an accolade! 😎
Above is since Summer of 2013, and Moaninho’s second chav’s coming.
Oskar @123,
Maureen stated that we’ve spent more than Chelsea have in the past 4 years which is wrong in both gross and in net spending terms. Maureen’s just being Maureen; full of false deflective shit! Boring, boring, boring!
If he’d stuck to his own (recent) spend, DanC, he’d have been right, but sticking to facts has never been his strong suit! I hope he’s practising his excuses for Sunday.
Öskar
Oskar @127,
Yes indeed! Smug cunt! Bring on the McDonalds Cup.
Third trophy Up the Arse!
Dapper DanC et al. warming up nicely for the new season I see. 🙂
Otd: the choice of time period for the comparison makes a big difference. Over the past five years, the numbers are:
Chelsea:
In: £416.5 million
Out: £230.4 million
Net: £186.2 million
Arsenal:
In: £253.6 million
Out: £154.6 million
Net: £99 million
Here are the recent season by season numbers :
Net transfer spend Chelsea vs Arsenal
15/16 (to date) -£3.5 million vs £8.2 million
14/15 £5.1 million vs 65.4 million
13/14 £49.3 million vs £32.5 million
12/13 £72.0 million vs £8.6 million
11/12 £63.2 billion vs -£17.5 million
10/11 £82.6 million vs £6.8 million
09/10 £17.5 million vs -£31.0 million
08/09 -£10.8 million vs -£3.5 million
07/08 £7.5 million vs £13.4 million
06/07 -£6.8 million vs -£17.0 million
… which I make a total net spend of +£276.1 for them and +£65.9 for us – a difference of £210.2 over ten seasons. In short the chavs have spent more than four times as much as we have ‘in recent years’.
Nice work the monks!
Öskar
Good morning transfer buffs.
Clive @ 54!
Good spot! 🙂
Oskar
The figure quoted in the ‘meedja’ yesterday, is that our net spend over the last 3 years, is 8 million less than Chavskis.
So…
Maureen should chuck that bloody calculator away, if that is the case!
😆
Sorry Clive 54 @ 120
Talking of calculators…
😆
117 thunder T 🙂
.
.
129 8ball – can ye blame ’em
.
they aren’t the only ones 🙂
gonna be a cracker
Dappar Dan C @128,
Look here, old chap, i may not always agree wirh Oskar but there was really no need for you to call him a ‘Smug cunt’ ! 🙂
Nice one(s) Ned.
So it turns out that Clive is King GT’s source …….
Heh! 🙂
Hi Trev
Trust you and yours are well.
I see Tabs and Oscar have taken over the handbags at 10 paces,from yourself and Dr F.
God help us if the Eviscerator returns to the Bar full time,the floor will be running with Rivers of blood. !!
Yes thanks, Clive,
and your good self.
No need to reiterate my issues, Clive, I just remember when it was serious and fun in here in equal measure. Probably, because the club and the team were going through a tough period, the reaction was even towards a lot more fun than serious.
And great men like Terry who was more subtle with the boxing gloves than I am.
Who, pray, is your Eviscerator ? I’m probably overlooking the very obvious.
@121 – Oh Oskar, do stop bleating and playing the wounded soldier, it’s unbecoming of a grown man. If you can’t stand the heat …
I just don’t like being told what my opinion is. Stick to your own. If however, you feel unable to stick to this basic template and are minded to ascribe to me more opinions in the future, a handy hint for you to remember is that my opinions are not as reductive as yours and that I don’t use the phrase ‘end of’.
Intrigued as to your use of the word “continually”. I think i’ve called you out on your relentless Ozil bashing twice in 12 months. Does that count as “continually”? Does the word “continually” not apply then when you post, for about the hundred billionth time, your extreme and unchanging opinions on Ozil or Theo every single time that someone dares write a counter view?
Don’t get me wrong, sometimes I enjoy the comedy – your description of Theo’s lack of defensive nous as ‘mythical’ was by any standard a classic- but even Fawlty Towers begins to pale when the default setting is ‘rinse and repeat and then repeat again again and again’.
I don’t anticipate any change – better people than me have constantly asked you to change the record without success, but heh ho.
And just for the record, no need for your last line, delivered, one assumes, from some self-approbated and fabricated moral high ground. A reply is neither requested nor required.
*lurks*
*silently watching*
*silently waiting*
*passes catalan hip-flask*
*considering philosophically what to do*
By the way,
Q – Why should you take riding classes before studying philosophy?
A – Because you can’t put Descartes before de horse.
😉
*ignores the fact that cba hasn’t passed him the hip-flask*
ssssshhhhhhh trev
we’re not really here
*re-lurks*
*it’s ok, i never drink in the morning anyway*
Trev @ 139 (yes, it is 139, I think) 🙂
Clive is one of a few limited reliable sources around! 😉
*hoe the feck does one ‘re-lurk’*
Shut up, King GT ! We’re not really here !
it’s ok trev it’s only scotch
it’s far to early for whiskey
.
*actually begins to believe we are silently re-lurking*
*double re-lurkifies*
*splutters silently, trying not to GUFFAW! at cba*
*offer cba my hip-flask – but he doesn’t care for peach schnapps*
*realises Oskar won’t be awake for another seven hours*
*is confident in his masculinity – accepts flask*
160 trev
right o
good point
.
lurk ye later
😉
*accepts empty flask back from cba*
*heads for beach*
*pops in, half inches and empties all flasks, scarpers out again*
🙂 *not here either*
This bar is lacking a leetle bit the spirit……looks like we will have to go “dutch” now 😉
I’m here all day!
Just as a matter of interest
Doe anyone know where ‘ Girls have the curliest hair ‘. ??
Mourinho launches multiple insults at Benitez and his wife. Astonishing.
That his attention has not turned to Arsenal yet, I mean.
Somebody ought to get a yellow card for excessive lurking. Especially those guilty of re-lurking. 🙂
Clive, yes thankyou. 😉
Hate Mourinho, love what he is doing –
Showing he is really worried about his rivals for next season.
Guess he’s not too impressed with ManUre …. ?
Enters bar.
It appears to be empty.
Secretes self behind coat rack to await developments.
Clive@169: The answer is either between their toes or Fiji.
Pangloss@174: in the discharge or hide sense of the word, or shouldn’t one ask?
“Don’t ask. Don’t tell.”
always a good time to remember this clusterfuck of a summer transfer activity from our nearest and dearest http://www.skysports.com/football/news/15122/9928110/tottenham8217s-magnificent-seven-how-have-the-2013-signings-fared
*contemplates pre-lurking, assuming it is not likely to be adjudged a yellowcardable activity.*
Woj to Roma confirmed.
No ciggerettes, but he does get to play with Ash(ley Cole).
*grabs coat and legs it*
H2H – So Woj is doing his best to cut out Lucky Strikes 😉
Coat for Uply too.
😆
Peers out.
Exchanges nod with Uply.
Makes curious hand gesture towards H2H.
Ducks back behind coat stand.
*collects coat from stand to leaving Pangloss exposed*
Some numbers on the Opta Joe stat that Woj has the worst Premiership goals concede per game record of Arsenal keepers:
Szczesny 1.17 goals a game (154 in 132)
Fabianski 1.16 goals a game (80 in 69)
Martinez 1.00 goal a game (4 in 4)
Almunia 0.91 goals a game (99 in 109)
Seaman 0.85 goals a game (291 in 344)
Lehmann 0.84 goals a game (125 in 148)
Cech 0.73 goals a game (242 in 333)
Ospina 0.61 goals a game (11 in 18)
Clean sheets:
Cech 50% of games
Martinez 50% of games
Ospina 45% of games
Seaman 42% of games
Almunia 40% of games
Fabianski 38% of games
Lehmann 37% of games
Szczesny 36% of games
On those numbers, if Cech keeps goal in all the Premiership games, we should concede only 14 goals in the league this season but if Ospina keeps then just 13. Woj’s number would have been 28. Little wonder is he not Ospina who has been shipped out.
Exposed Pangloss still making curious hand gestures?
@ 185 – is that the answer or the clue for 10 across?
Hopefully not the picture clue, zico
Picks up beermat, which he pretends to read to cover his confusion.
Pangloss
If a beer mat is adequate to cover your ‘confusion ‘ no wonder you are hiding behind the coat stand.
Good day for England in the Test
*sends Pangloss a packet of asterisks in which to enclose his running narrative comments*
* 😉 *
I’ve just been out and caught crabs ……..
over the quayside in Appledore, and jolly good fun it was too. 😉
*thanks Trev*
*informs Pangloss he is welcome and wishes there was some actual Arsenal news to talk about*
Sorry, Ned, missed your @184.
Interesting and endorses my ‘fancy’ for Ooooooospinaaaaaa !
Pssstt, cba !
Time to start double re-lurkifying again …….
*stands in the corner and pretends to look the other way*
So Abu Dhabi is in France now? That’s fucked my Geography O level
🙂
Pubic lice? Ugh… >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Very interesting stuff there @184 Ned.
It pretty much confirms the sense most of us had in the later part of last season that the defence looked more confident and that Ospina had spread an air of calm despite being a ‘short-arse’.
There is no question in my mind that Cech is an upgrade. Here’s hoping he does have a major impact on our points haul.
*stares inquisitively at Holics hiding behind bar stools and hat stands*
What’s going on, Fellas?
2 TON BOOOOOOOMMMMMM
.
” you ain’t seen me , right “
Cheeky bugger.
*laughs in the face of chevrons*
*laughs at the happenings in this daft and wonderful bar*
*gets lonely and plods to next one*