Will Gunners Shuffle The Pack And Trump Palace?
Apr 16th, 2016 by 'holic
I thought I would wait until the late game before doing this preview. I wish I hadn’t. City’s comfortable win at the bus stop in Fulham has highlighted the fact that we must be aware of being overtaken ourselves as we set our sights on Tottenham. Temporarily at least we sit in fourth place, and those who heard this week’s A Bergkamp Wonderland podcast will know that isn’t a place we want to be occupying in a European Championship year.
Crystal Palace at home. When we thought we were title contenders this looked one of many easy games in a favourable run-in. It has become however a rotting banana skin on an icy path to the final day of the season. Before we get more depressed than nervous let’s just understand that we are undefeated in four Premier League fixtures and have scored eleven goals in those matches. That we conceded five in two derby matches and lost four valuable points in the process is of concern.
The team news is that the squad likely remains unchanged from the trip to Upton Park. It would be a surprise if Petr Cech and Per Mertesacker were not recalled given that Palace will have seen that we wilted under an aerial bombardment at West Ham which they are capable of replicating. It would not be surprising to see our old friend *cough* Adebayor promoted from the bench for this reason.
With 38 points to their credit Palace are probably safe from the threat of relegation but Alan Pardew has not taken them up a level after saving them last season and starting this one so well. They are just two places above the relegation zone which probably says more about the strength of the sides fighting for mid-table safety this season. There is a pointer to their current form. Their last away match was at West Ham where they drew 2-2. Now I’m nervous again.
The ‘holic pound
If the defensive shape is right the hosts should have too much for Palace. Francis Coquelin and Mohamed Elneny have proved to be an accomplished platform from which Alex Iwobi and Mesut Ozil can be free to create and torment the visitors. Alexis has shown signs of coming back to his best on the right hand side and the only other question the manager will have to answer is whether Olivier Giroud has recovered sufficiently to challenge Danny Welbeck for the starting berth up front.
Going forward we have looked a match for anybody of late so I’m punting on 3-1 to the Gunners at a market best of 11/1. That isn’t too generous a price and reflects the bookies’ view that we are a sure thing to triumph. Let’s take that as a comfort ahead of the match.
As usual I will see a few of you in all the usual places tomorrow. Let’s hope we will be celebrating a return to the top three. It says a lot about our situation that I really don’t know what would be a good result in the lunchtime fixture between Leicester and West Ham. I think I’ll concentrate on getting behind the Arsenal and helping, not hindering, them in the run-in.
Have a good one, ‘holics.
131 Responses to “Will Gunners Shuffle The Pack And Trump Palace?”
Trump Palace? Has Her Maj sold up? π
Nice preview guv’na. We should be too good for the Eagles.
Would like to see Cech return to the line up. Ospina has done little wrong during his stint but Cech is our no 1 with the addition of giving a tad more confidence to the under pressure defence. Danny boy to remain as I think pace is what will unlock them at the back. Our favourite old boy Adepaymore has been relegated to the bench for a reason but am wary,
should he get on the park, of the old boy returning to do damage syndrome.
Play to our potential then 3-1 should give you a nice return.
Time to turn the guns outward and support the team.
COYRRR
Someone made an excellent point on Twitter earlier re only Leicester.
They have lost three matches all season. Did we expect to be close to that level of consistency? Doesn’t matter who it is, we would have been second at best.
Evening both π
Finishing second would be considered a success if they only lose three all season.
Unless Leicester decide to lose another three games.
Because then … THEY will win it.
Hence my confusion re them tomorrow, Cynic.
I think,the Arsenal support is the edgiest I’ve ever known it. Even the cool veterans who’ve seen it all I’ve Holic are betraying signs of nervousness.
I think that the new team shape with Iwobi and Elneny in has led to us playing our most creative football of the season and I think we will beat Palace if we can starve them of possession. I think Zaha has a knock but Bolasie is a big danger on the counter attack and Nacho will need to be alert. But I think we will win 3-0 and will soon be breathing down the necks of the LWCs. Have faith Holics!
Nice one, Holic !
“a rotting banana skin on an icy path….”
that has been covered in oil spillt from a can found by a pack of angry grizzly bears …..
What could possibly go wrong ?
4-1 Gunners ??
Arrived in London this evening and will be Tollie bound tomorrow if not Emirates bound so hope to run into a stray holic or several. COYG.
Trev π
Do say hello bt8 π
Nice one, Guv’nor. two of those three loses have been against us.
Have a good one neighbour. Let me know if Poor Old Pete turns up
Giroud has to start, if only to add height to the defence for corners and frees. I’d also like to see Jack at some point to see what he’s got to offer in the run-in (if anything). And if Ollie starts I would of course start Theo alongside him on the right wing. They work better together than any other combo we have and both have major points to prove.
If the neighbours end up winning the Prem because we took six points off the foxes we should all get together for a Jonestown party. π
Chris – if they neighbors win it will be on goal differential because Welbeck scored the 95th minute goal and denied Leicester a point. Because that’s the Arsenal way!
Pragmatic review ‘h!
It’s going to be an interesting, if not nervous, day. Arsene’s team selection will be telling following the West Ham defensive debacle.
Up the Arse all day and all night!
Malaysian gunner … 4th place will only miss out on CL next season IF Man City wins CL this year, but doesn’t make Prem top 4, AND Pool win the Europey League but doesn’t make top 4. If City and Pool both win their comps and one of them is in top 4 EPL will have 5 teams in the CL next season.
Good preview H. Let’s hope Pardew’s team don’t have any resurgence.
Chelsea were abysmal against Citeh. Mourinho really did neuter them deep. How low have they sunk, from top dog to 4th London club. Conte may be young and hip, he is looking at an uphill battle for next season.
Nice preview H.
Yet another game that I miss to satisfy the TV schedules.
On paper it’s an easy 3 points. But we play on 97% grass and so that means anything can happen.
Cech has to play for me along with Per.
For those going, enjoy. It looks like being a nice day in the capital. Hopefully we will all have something to celebrate, and I’m not just talking about a Leicester win.
Enjoy boys and girls.
Forgot to say, as it is a late Sunday there will be no report until tomorrow (unless it is so dire that a one worder suffices). π
I’m with Cech and Per today. Palace fans are the best in the league and could well be worth a goal. 3-1 to us but I hope we score first otherwise the atmosphere could become putrid.
Here’s hoping for a fun afternoon.
COYRs
Nice preview Guvna. I share your jitters. Petr and Per have to return for me as our aerial capitulation last weekend has to be dealt with.
I agree with Delia that we have to score the first goal, to open up the game as Pardew will have them sitting deep and hitting us on the break, but we are going to need more than one or we will all have the jitters for the last half hour.
COYGs
Holic, you’re slightly mad if you want West Ham to beat Leicester today.
That would be handing the title advantage to Spurs and putting our own Champions League qualification in jeopardy.
I hope Leicester win every game. The fight is for second and third for us, at best.
Barack, isn’t everyone slightly mad? π
I’m not mad and neither is the eight foot tall white rabbit that nobody else can see who travels with me?
Vardy sent off for diving. Is this where things start to turn against Leicester?
Jon Moss is going to have an interesting weekend.
Sent off Vardy (correctly) for a dive, doesn’t send Reid off for a few fouls after his booking, gives Reid a penalty and now West Ham score what is probably going to be a winner.
Ogbonna puts Huth in a Japanese stranglehold (one for Esso there) and gets away with it, as Moss is having an anti-Leicester afternoon
Terrible penalty decision from Moss, but justice done in the end.
I see nobody gives a toss about our game. It has been a real yawnfest anyway.
Sanchez!!!!’
Get In Alexiiiiis!!!
π
Right on the stroke of half time. Hope we don’t concede today.
We’ve got the worst goal difference in the top 4.. hope we can get a couple more!
Oh dear, I think Cech must have fallen asleep to let that in
A rare Cech error…!
COME ONNNN!
Yes, great substitution. Ten whole minutes to try to do something.
Petr Cech would have saved that!!! What’s Ospina doing in goal again?!
Wagner ahht
Cech not with his best moment but poor defending from Le Coq and Gabriel.
It’s all just so very average.
Same old same old nothing to add here!
I refer you the comment of good old Arthur.
Just not good enough.
Just waiting for the happy train to pull in with the details of who is to blame this week???
Complete junk.
Tip tap, Tippy Tappy, tip tap boring insipid tip tap,tippy Tappy utter shit – Same again next year.
‘Holic, what’s your one word that will suffice for that?
Utter shite.
*shuffles in quietly and slips the barman a handful of notes so the regulars can all have a double Highland Park*
*wishes everyone well*
*necks an orange juice and leaves before the serious drinking starts*
Still, let’s be positive. If Leicester lose all of their games, and the spuds lose all of their games, and City lose all of their games and we win all of our games, we will be champions.
Just remembering all of those conversations back in August.
Cech is a left sided player and he has this weakness on his right side. West Ham exploited this in the season’s opener and we saw him fail again today. His kick off the right foot is weaker compared to the left.
Anyway, another two points dropped and fourth spot finish is looking really uncertain. Same old all attack and no defence and one lucky shot is enough to derail us.
Robbie Savage is a massive cunt.
What a horrible season.
I wish it ends as soon as tomorrow as I have a legitimate fear that not only we will not finish above that lot, but we could easily miss the top four.
We need fresh ideas, all this is too familiar. Time for a change.
Who would blame Sanchez or Ozil to look for another club ? So they deserve to play with such idiots and under this manager ?
We all saw this coming. Leading 1-0 we were happy to play tippy tippy slow football and get into that comfort zone. Adebayor was allowed to run 40 yards without a tackle. Where was our midfield to block it ?
But hey. We have the best manager in this world. No one can touch him
Very frustrating.
Not at all surprising.
Insipid football, creating next to nothing.
When Giroud came on all he wanted to do was cry about fouls he never got (as usual)
We need – Two new centre backs, a new DOMINANT midfielder, a wide player and a striker who just does the job he is in the team for. Scoring goals.
We need a clear out. Never going to happen though as the manager is already talking about not spending any money because the players aren’t available. You fucking MAKE THEM available by β¦. making sensible, market forces led, bids instead of thinking you can buy second raters and still compete.
And yet the prevailing view in here all week has been to give Wenger a new deal?
It’s just lacklustre shit. So awful to watch.
Don’t be fooled into thinking this is another one of those one offs. This is typical of how we have played for ages. This is yet another performance that has been 5 years plus in the making. Perhaps now that more and more seem to be removing their blinkers that more might actually see it all for what it really is.
Very glad I wasn’t there.
I can preempt the press conference. ” they just had 1 shot on target and they scored. We were unlucky. We had the right spirit and desire. But we were maybe not sharp in final third”
Cynic. Just remember what we were told at the start of the season? There is not one outfield player available that would have made this squad better?????
If that were true then there must be some absolute garbage knocking around world football at the moment.
All I would say is don’t blame Cech completely for that goal. Yes it wasn’t great but the defending was poor. Just typical of the way we have played for some time now.
No wonder there were bucket loads of empty seats.
Can’t wait to see what internal solution is going to be put forward this summer at the Emirates Cup, Less goals than Newcastle at home says it all, Whole club needs shaking up from top to bottom but it will be a case of same old same old
TG
You are also very right to raise the point about keeping both Ozil and Alexis.
Been reading without posting… Not wanted to infect the place with my bile!!
But today’s the day… I’ve been supportive of the manager throughout his tenure as he has done amazing things, not least keeping the team top 4 while we moved grounds and the ensuing financial restrictions it brought.
But this season… From refusing to strengthen I’m the summer, when we’ve needed a DM and striker for years, to the oh too regular piss poor displays and bad results has done it for me now.
The manager needs to go.
It’s all very simple.
It’s Wagner’s fault – must be.
For consider the alternative: It may not be. And this clearly won’t dooo!!!!!!!!!!
I know there are favourites in this team for everybody but let’s be honest, we have a team of very very average players and unknown wannabes (and I include Iwobi in that, who is flavour of the month at the moment but I wouldn’t expect him to play a whole season. We’re in trouble if he does.)
I can’t think of too many players in the squad I’d be unhappy to lose.
Cech, Bellerin, Monreal, Sanchez⦠any more?
Theo summed up what Arsenal have become – Comes on gets the ball in acres of space runs directly at two palace defenders then trips over the ball whilst claiming a free kick if it wasn’t so sad it would be funny π
I think Bellerin needs a kick up his arse. He has been below average for too many games now. His crossing has been school level. His runs have slowed down. His defending has deteriorated. He needs cover. What has Campbell done to be out of this team?
Steve T, why not blaming Cech? Because you or many others wanted him on goal today? The goal is his fault 100%.
It doesn’t mean that he is a bad GK, it happens, that’s it.
Chippy – it sums up what Arsenal have become because nobody made any kind of run ahead of him. And that’s not an excuse, because he froze anyway once nobody else moved. It’s like a fucking kid’s party game where you all have to stand still if the music stops and he looked like he was the last one caught moving.
At least the ladies won.
*yay*
Cynic,
Haha that scenario has tickled me and wouldn’t be out of place at the Emirates these days π
Adding two center backs and a dominant midfielder won’t change anything because we will continue to play the same way with 9 in the opposing half and no defence worth the name. We keep getting buggered game after game but AW doesn’t believe in keeping the back door shut. Unless we learn defending we will get the results we are getting now and as other teams improve we will keep sliding down the table. Since AW won’t change we, the fans, must learn to curb our expectations. No hope no disappointment.
Hi Lurky.
Respect your opinion but don’t agree. Yes Cech was at fault. Yes it was poor from him. But the defending of Le Coq and Gabriel in front of him was also poor. He should never have been allowed to get the shot off. That said, Cech should still be saving it.
For the record, my opinion is that Cech should play in every game when he is fit. I have nothing against Ospina in the slightest, I just think Cech is better.
Thing is though, Wenger has always (on his own admission) relied on the players to do the in-game “coaching” so you’d hope that the right centre backs and midfielder, acting as a trio, might be able to hold some sort of shape.
It makes me laugh when Steve Bould is talking to the sub and showing him pages of whatever it is. He might as well be showing the poor bastards wallpaper patterns for all the difference it makes.
Go on pitch.
Pass ball slowly.
Wander about like Tom Hanks after he nearly got blown up in Saving Private Ryan.
What we need more than anything is to acquire the ruthlessness to kill off games. Leicester have scored only three more goals than us and conceded just one less, yet they have 13 more points.
Well Steve, my opinion is that Cech has been distinctly average since the turn of the year and Ospina very clearly better every time he had the chance.
This is a routine save from a shot outside the box, there’s no deflection. He has to save it.
As the final whistle went today I finally admiited out loud for the first time that it really is time for a change of manager…
Sad but there it is in black and white aswell.
Evening Matt.
Yes, he should save it. It is an error. But I think that saying that his error is the only reason that they scored is not correct.
I have never had a problem with Ospina. He did little wrong last season as well as this. I don’t agree that Cech has been average though. I think he has proved to be a top quality addition and has had an impressive season.
You know Steve I was initially skeptic and was easily convinced as Cech was impressive until early this year. But since then he’s let in goals a keeper with better reflexes wouldn’t have. Ospina may not have his positional awareness nor authority on crosses but he makes up for it with better anticipation and reflexes. He’s more alert and more mobile too.
I’m not talking about today, it’s a freakish error but it’s a fluke.
Incidentally, how can we expect a manager to buy the right players when he doesn’t even know how close his own players are to doing well in the first team?
He signed Chambers and Debuchy to play right back for a combined fee of around Β£26m (please don’t rewrite history to say Chambers was always signed to play CB) when he had Bellerin, who was ready and he didn’t even know it.
Now I realise you can’t always know for sure how ready a player is until he plays, and Bellerin has surprised people, but if you add him to Coquelin suddenly appearing from nowhere after being farmed out and only used as a very last resort, it does somewhat suggest that the manager and coaches aren’t even aware of what they already have at the club.
That may be slightly harsh, but we have spent Β£26m+ on two players who cannot get into the side and won’t be around next year (although Chambers might go on loan rather than be sold).
Cynic speaking of rewriting history now?
Debuchy was bought to replace Sagna which he did well enough until his injury. Bellerin took the opportunity to make the RB position his and was certainly helped by Debuchy playing below par after his return.
As for Coquelin, he may appear from nowhere to you but it’s not the pope who kept him on Arsenal’s books and recalled him to the team.
Overall it looks all over – non?
Matt. You won’t hear me criticising Ospina. I think he is a very good keeper. He was a calming and steadying influence last year and performed well. He has played well when asked to perform this season. My own opinion however is that Cech is better. As I said, it’s just my opinion.
Cynic, the whole transfer policy has been a shambles for many years. You forgot to add Jenkinson’s name to the list of right backs. I have been slaughtered on here by those who tell me that Chambers has also been bought to play at centre back and as a holding midfield player. Now, that might have some credibility if the only two outfield players that we had bought in the last two years were not a centre half and a holding midfield player???
Le Coq should not even be at the club. He was due to leave but we paid him too much and no one would match his wages. That’s why he went out on loan. If we had not suffered our usual multitude of injuries then he would have probably left last season on a free.
I’m with Steve T.
Cech fucked up today, but in my opinion he’s been excellent this season. Ospina is a fine keeper as well.
Le Coq should have done better defending that. If he’s tighter to the man, the shot doesn’t some off the same and it Bolaise hammered it. A shamble of a goal to concede but we all saw it coming. And what about all the dicking around from minute 46-until then … where’s the urgency? That Palace side is atroscious and AFC should have been looking to hammer them and put in 3 or 4 goals.
What the fuck is going on?
79,
Indeed but the only issue we have is the best two candidates for the job now manage Liverpool and City – Maybe they can go the RKoeman route or bring in De Boer and DB10 as s partnership more left field will be going for Low if he feels club football is calling after the Euros – Whoever it is will be taking over a strong squad and should be able to add at will, And sad to say I don’t think they could do much worse with the tools at their disposal – Would also give players, Fans and club some fresh impetus which is badly needed.
“He was due to leave but we paid him too much and no one would match his wages.”
Interesting, where do you get that from Steve? From what I recall he was one for whom the jury was still out, the Freiburg loan had been a mixed bag with a manager playing him out of position at RB and Charlton was his last chance to prove himself. Quite a few french clubs were after him too.
Matt. Like many I know people who are connected with football and connected with the club. I had it from good authority from those I trust implicitly that the club were trying to offload Le Coq. He did not feature in the plans. With one year left on his contract we effectively put him up for sale. There were no takers, mainly due to no club being willing to match his wages. So very much like Nicky B, he stayed. He would have seen out his last season and left.
He went to Charlton to effectively play football. From the reports from there, he was hardly setting the place on fire. Then, due to numerous injuries he was recalled.
I obviously can not disclose the sources of this information. But if you still doubt it then just ask yourself one question. If we really wanted to keep a player and viewed him as a player for the future then why did we not offer him a new contract? It was only when he came back and played as he did that he was offered a new deal.
I don’t know why people are so surprised. I saw that goal coming from a distance, when we started passing the ball all around the midfield going no where. No cause for alarm though, 4th place is our birthright. I don’t see any team taking that away from us, or do I? same oh Arsenal. Nothing new to see. Different players each year, same end result and who’s to blame again? I will leave that to you guys to answer.
Holic will need a good evening in the Tollie and the benefit of some Valium before he is able to make his usual constructive but balanced take on today. It is so hard to argue with the conversations all around me today, at the match in the tube queue on the tube on the train and driving home with my colleagues.
There is such a strong Groundhog Day about it all and the natives are restless . I am even considering not renewing my season ticket such is my frustration with following a club owned by Kroenke. I know I will mellow as time goes on but the club does need some new thinking, some fresh impetus and maybe someone different at the helm. I’m still not in the AOBs yet but today we were very slow to grow into the game, overpassed continually, played in front of a massed defence and failed to build on a lead that itself came after a very poor half of play.
We were much better in the second half but two of the three subs made lamentable contributions. Ramsey worked. Hard but Theo is totally shorn of confidence and Giroud is a slow lump. To take Elneny off was a silly move, he was very decent today and I really do fear that our elite players will find it hard to work up much enthusiasm for another season of this toil. And yes Cech should have saved the goal but he is still a super keeper and I believe in him. It’s just a lot of the rest of the set up I struggle with
As for Coquelin, he may appear from nowhere to you
He appeared from nowhere to his own manager as well.
What the fuck is going on?
Arsene Wenger.
Simple answer to a simple question π
So NOW it’s time to blame Wenger for everything.
What about ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five or four years ago?
All this would be avoidable.
Yo Cynic, are you Holic in disguise.
Some of us would have fired him a long time ago.
Anyway it’s not relevant as the board won’t fire him and he doesn’t have it in him to walk away, so he will continue to do what he does and it’s not healthy.
Holic – Suggest dropping the coverage of current side next season and do an Arsenal history blog. It would be far more interesting.
You read my mind TTG.
Furthermore those around me in the Tollie were not convinced that Arsenal missing out on the top 4 would be a bad thing.
Sometimes a cold shower is therapeutic.
It would be a bad thing if we were trying to bring in really top class players, who have to be in the Champions League.
But we ain’t so…
Doesn’t seem to have affected the teams above us in the Premier League at the moment.
Or the last two teams who drew with us.
And we are clearly not buying at the very top level anyway.
It may be better to sign the hungry aspirant who has something to prove than the complacent flick monkey who thinks he’s made it.
Can we not just buy the complacent flick monkey who HAS made it?
So who would you definitely sell in the summer?
Should we play that game?
Giroud – awful
Walcott – awful and stagnated
Oxlade-Chamberlain – same as Walcott but needs to get away before he ends up EXACTLY like Theo. It would be a shame if he did ten years here and hadn’t improved one iota.
Campbell – di ok when called upon but I don’t see him as part of a title winning side
Chambers – should never have signed him
Mertesacker – time to go, best days gone
Ramsey – never been as good as he thinks he is, should command a healthy fee to stick in the bank
There’s a starting list. Any more?
I will be amazed if there is a mass clear out the summer. As I said earlier, this is a squad that couldn’t be improved in the summer. I don’t see a sudden U turn now.
Groundhog Day is spot on. This has been going on for years now. But whilst the fans continue to pay the prices demanded and the clubs makes massive profits then nothing will ever change. Stan has all but admitted this. It is a business first and foremost. Whilst the business remains top priority then it will take a massive change of heart from Stanley for things to change.
We have stood still for a number of years. We have allowed others to catch up whilst we have sat back and done virtually nothing. What I find strange is those that continue to try and defend this policy. My view is that this is the weakest premier league that there has ever been. There are those that have disagreed by saying other sides have got stronger because they now have more money?
So, what we are saying is that the league is not weaker because those so called lesser sides have used their money to buy better players and to strengthen their squads??????
Oh, the irony of it all.
I am going to self assist. Sod it. It’s been one of those days.
Bang.
Top corner.
Ave it.
And I’m having the next one, just in case someone above gets deleted.
Cynic,
I can’t really argue with any of those choices or descriptions if I was a new manager coming in and reviewing what we have. A Simeone or a Koeman or whoever needs to put his own stamp on the side.
But if Wenger remains and I think it is almost certain that he will- there will certainly be no pressure from Kroenke to fire him- it is impossible to see him disrupting the squad that much.
I already see Arteta, Flamini, Rosicky and Ospina leaving. I think Gibbs may want to go . I personally think Giroud is expendable and we could do better than him, but he is French and a squad player.
If it were my team ( and God help us if I was in charge) I would get rid of Walcott who will never justify a place in the squad and is injured for half of every season, but would he get the same contract anywhere else? Ramsey who wouldn’t get in ahead of Elneny, Cazorla, Coquelin , Wilshere ( remember him?) or any new CMs in my team. He can’t play wide and might fetch a silly fee.
I would retain Ox because I think he has it in him to be an excellent wide man, Chambers because he has improved significantly and provides a range of cover, Mertesacker as a squad player and mentor and Campbell who is good squad back- up. I would let Gibbs leave if he wants to and Jenkinson and I would loan out Akpom for another year.
I would bring back Szczesny as back- up , and look to buy one more top CB to start with Kos. I would look for a mobile CM, a top wide player and a striker. That’s more change than is ideal and much more change than Wenger will countenance but this is a wish list. I don’t think you can scrap the whole shooting match if you are the incumbent. It is unlikely the squad would settle down in time for the new season
It’s a bit of a mess really.
Cynic@97: how could you forget Sanogo?
Ned, he clearly wants to keep him. π
Cast your minds back a few seasons. After yet another summer of inactivity the happy train rolled in with its disciples proclaiming the window an unmitigated success as we had not had to sell anyone. I suggested back then that this was because there were no jewels left to flog. Don’t be stupid Steve, the squad is full of world class talent and world class next best things.
A few years down the line and it would appear that the squad is not full of world class talent after all and the huge array of next best things really aren’t that good after all?
But let’s not worry about that. Let’s blame injuries? Or, let’s blame officials? Or anything else we can blame.
The fact is that we are just not good enough. We haven’t been for ages now. It’s just very sad that it’s taken this long for people to get it.
We are in a big rut and we need a major rethink if we are going to get to where we could and should be.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-H9G3XmQ03c
For CBA and anyone else that fancies a musical interlude.
TTG – According to Henry Winter, who knows about as much as my dog’s arsehole and possibly less, Wenger will be signing a two year extension with Arteta (yes, really) being groomed to take over after that.
Cynic@97: how could you forget Sanogo?
I’d be more worried if I had remembered him.
What a miserable afternoon. I was bored to tears in the first half and we could all see the Palace goal coming in the second.
There was no pace, no passion, lack of ideas and no leadership. Even the lovely Hector who usually cheers me up had a very off day with his crosses. Only Elneny looked on top of his game and as for the HFB and Theo words fail me. Are some of these players minds on the Euros, they are certainly not giving of their best for the club and the fans.
Can’t think why I agreed to go to Sunderland next week must have been drunk at the time. Feed up from Kings Lynn
Think that should have been “fed up”.
Disillusioning experience today attending my first Arsenal game. Lethargic atmosphere in the stadium but Delia must be correct about the Palace fans who were up for it from start to finish and lost no energy after their club went behind by a goal. I know because I was sitting in the next section over from them and the Arsenal fans never started singing for disinterest.
About the only highlight was a post-match visit to Piebury Corner for a delicious Lamb Mint Pie. Would have liked to drop by the Tollie to say hello and hope to be able to do so in future but was feeling too gloomy, as must have many tens of thousands of Gooners.
Hector applauded the fans in our section at the start of the second half but most other Arsenal players seemed as detached from the fans as the fans were from the players, a chicken versus egg scenario that needs scrambling, big time.
Seen it all before, and before, and before, and before. Please refer to previous post mortems.
Clearly a clear-out in in order, Cynic, including all your suggestions. And we won’t be the only ones having bargain basement sales cum summer. Perhaps we should save all the bother and just do a big swaperoo with the chavs … we’ll take Hazard, Courtois, Costa, Oscar, MatiΔ and Willian, they can have your list.
Not sure I’d blame Cech wholly for their goal. There were several bodies leaving him partially unsighted and the obvious shot was into the other corner. And it wouldn’t have mattered anyway if we’d had a proper CF and the odd player with even a mildly killer instinct.
Apparently this is our worst return in London derby matches since 1963-64 season, just one win.
I though it might be longer than that.
wow, we are truly so boring.
I find myself resorting too fast forwarding our match replays to the goals only, but end up watching full match replays of Leicester each week.
shameful display from such a wonderful club, we are almost nearly unrecognizable from invincible days.
Our games are very watchable at x2, Hemi. Any faster and they look like they’re speeded up.
Damn.
A lot of resignation here. And I gave some folks trouble abiut Stan The Yank (being one meslf) but this clib needs an overhaul and he apparentlu has zero interest in it. Very frustrating.
Did anyone watch the game between Valencia & Barca today? There was some serious defense. I think there was a guy called Shkodran Mustafi. He is only 24. It would be nice if we go after him and someone else in defense from Athletic Madrid.
And in other news.
Stan’s other team, the NFL L.A. Rams will be playing the NY Giants on October 23rd right there in London.
http://www.therams.com/news-and-events/article-1/Rams-2016-Schedule-Released/d2f6c9d3-3ea3-44f7-99b2-297496d017ec
http://www.therams.com/news-and-events/article-1/Hard-Knocks-Training-Camp-with-the-Los-Angeles-Rams/91cf4257-f609-4a67-bbc9-67ca3b3e65e7
There you have it.
@Tapera: watched the second half, indeed the lad looks good. That said I can’t really judge, only time I have seen him and Valencia was only defending.
wengers habit of going for the absolute minimum and nothing more is coming to haunt us.
does’nt matter what you do in the first half of the season. its how you finish.
for a top manager he has been badly exposed.
he said judge us at the end of the season. think its over as half the players are on their holidays already.
The Liverpool game this week demonstrates for me what a complete failure Wenger has made of the stadium move. The atmosphere is a disgrace, of course related to the product on offer, at an over inflated price. Is this simple fact – before even getting into transfers, tactics or man management – not enough on it’s own ? He was trusted with reconstructing the club and creating a product and team worthy of the new stadium and of which we could all be proud. Not bloody Stan. Go, in God’s name, Go. We want our club back. COYG.
Tapera
LA Rams coming to London?! Our owner might deign to see us play- depending if course if it doesn’t clash with his priority the NFL game.
As for ScGooner’s point I suggest there were 5-10,000 gaps yesterday in the ground but Krienke won’t care as they were all paid for seats not filled. He gets his money.
One interesting point I read recently was whether Wenger’s bonuses are based on achievements or profits ( or financial reserves as profits look relatively small). I think we should be told. Don’t publish his tax return, let’s see the contract. If he was remunerated on saving money it would at least make some sense. I don’t think he can be but the fact that it is being lustily debated around me yesterday suggests there is real disillusion.
Last week we had the first pre- emptive strike.Wenger probably miming to what he said in 2010/11/12/13 etc said that it’s hard to buy players and it isn’t necessarily the answer. That’s not a message he should be giving before season- ticket renewal time. Expect a few lavish rumours planted by the PR department
Scgooner @124,
You’ve said all that needed to be said after that drivel with that drink!
Apparently the attendance was a full-capacity 67,000+ Yesterday. Garbage! The Grove was only 2/3 full from what I could see. Fans have now started to show their discontent with their feet at home matches. That’s not a good sign for any Manager and the owners of a football club. The atmosphere at the West Brom match on Thursday’s going to be tough on the players.
Up the Arse all day and all night!
Arsenal Football Club only forever! Not Arsene Wenger, the Board or the Players forever!
It won’t make any difference to him or to the board. He thinks he is doing a fantastic job (after all, he built the club single handed you know) and the board will be ok as long as people buy tickets. The thing to do is not buy them, but that will never happen.
Be interesting if Vardy gets extra matches tacked onto his ban for not leaving the pitch and abusing the referee.
Stoke are already on holiday, so they won’t beat Spurs tonight.
I have a horrid feeling that Leicester might just blow this.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Someone offered me a last minute ticket for yesterday – I turned it down – Never done that before in 30 years of support.
The seat remained empty even though my contact tried moving if for way below asking price.
Tells it’s own story…
Cynic,
Never underestimate the power of the fans of any club once they start showing their discontent at home. That’s now started with real consistency and regularity at the Grove. How the players react on the pitch to this will be the key parameter to look at and not the way that Arsene Wenger or Kroenke and the Board react. After all, the players are the ones who are on the pitch being watched match-in match-out. Fans can, and probably will, still buy their season tickets for next season but they won’t all attend match days out of protest. That’s also a powerful statement of discontent.