Some People Are On The Pitch, They Think It's All Over
May 3rd, 2010 by 'holic
Perhaps the lazy bastards should think again?
The month from hell rumbles on. For the sake of balance one clutches at crumbling straws. Was Martin Atkinson poor today? Yes, but when the best referees in the land are incompetent you can’t rely on anybody as far down the pecking order as that man to get the big decisions right.
Would another referee have awarded free-kicks for the blocking of the goalkeeper seen in both goals. Well I think the answer is almost certainly yes, and particularly if the goalkeeper had another badge on his shirt. Should we have had a penalty when van Persie was fouled by Salgado in the box? Of course we should. (And yes, I do think there should have been one at the other end, but not for the first time Pedersen’s theatrical tumble counted against him.)
Did Blackburn take the laws of the game and ride as close to the edge as possible? Well, yes, but don’t tell me anybody in the away team dressing room hadn’t been prepared for that. It was hardly a surprise. Teams like Blackburn have to scrap against us and, Pedersen’s ‘challenge’ on van Persie aside, there was nothing that could have been expected to cause serious injury.
Were we decimated by yet another raft of ‘injuries’? Yes, of course. Where the hell were Clichy, Song, Rosicky, and Bendtner? Why did Vela start ahead of Arshavin? Valid questions I think. But there is one other question that vexes me tonight.
Where were the best away supporters in the League? It was clear long before the end that those who had made the trip were dispersing rapidly. Empty seats have not been a feature of Arsenal’s travels this season. A season in which for eight months we were competitive, challenging for the two biggest prizes, and the squad united supporters behind them by their efforts despite a crippling injury list.
What they have witnessed in month nine of nine has been a huge disappointment, however. For the second trip to the north-west running, those who have spent an absolute fortune following the side this season were treated to watching a team that seems to be devoid of pride or commitment. Those empty seats should send a message to Highbury House not to take supporters for granted.
Given an early lead by Robin van Persie’s header, you would have thought the side would have pushed on, and built on that advantage, to at least ensure the point that would have secured third place beyond all doubt. Not this lot. An ineffective midfield shorn of Song and Denilson provided no cover for a makeshift defence and a liability of a goalkeeper.
Regardless of your view of whether or not the impeding of Fabianski for the goals was foul play, there is no doubt that Jens Lehmann, or David Seaman, or any one of a dozen ‘keepers I have seen in an Arsenal shirt, would have hit ball, man, and anybody else that would have got in their way in such situations. Fabianski has the consistency of a Tesco value jelly, and surely Mannone must be given a chance to produce a second heroic performance against Fulham this season, next Sunday?
Harsh? Probably. As I have said, for eight months we were value for money, and on that basis we are not far from getting where we all want to be. But, the spineless displays of these last few weeks of the season are light years away from the six goal performance at Everton on the opening day, and many others that followed. We have lost at Tottenham, Wigan, and now Blackburn, purely and simply because an inferior side wanted it more, and earned it by their application.
Next Sunday can’t come soon enough for some, and after today that probably includes me. I’ll glad to see the back of shitkickers football, and ‘they don’t like it up ’em’ mentality. I’ll be glad to see the back of the lowest standard of refereeing I have witnessed in a lifetime. I’ll be glad to see the back of the worst home shirt Arsenal have ever been forced to wear. Most of all though I will be glad to see the back of the last month that has tarnished all of the good that went before.
It’s time for a rest. It’s time for a summer of reinforcing and strengthening. It’s time to ship out the uncommitted and the downright incompetent. Before all of that though it is time to put the final three points of the season on the board against the Europa League finalists, and provide some evidence that there is a degree of pride and belief left in that bloody dressing room.
150 Responses to “Some People Are On The Pitch, They Think It's All Over”
Sounds like your hurting as much as me holic some of them players should feel ashamed at the so called effort they’ve displayed recently, Wengers got to stop making excuses for down right lazy bastards and cut them out of this great club before it’s to late đ One seriously fucked off Chippy !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ooh pint please ‘holic
Diaby loosing too many balls in mid-field…Fabianski having jumpimg jellybeans in his underpants….downright incompetence from Traore…..Vela’s pathetic attempts to burst past Salgado…Walcott looking devoid of imagination…too many negatives for me ‘Holic.
Hey Chippy. Hurting isn’t even close…
One pint for the Seawarrior…
Large Cooley for me…
the ref was joke fab was constently fouled and got nothin one player would hold fab back and the other would get the ball any other keepr would of got the foul but not us. refs are a joke one rule for other team and one rule for arsenal Ales song will do 1 foul striaght yellow and the other team can get away with shit. also all the fag so called arsenal fans who want wenger out can f off they are a joke
I have this terrble vision of those fucking Spuds taking third spot away from us. I don’t want to believe it can happen, but…….that would really really hurt.
It’s a damn shame, ‘Holic. If we were boxers, the referee would have stopped the fight long ago. We’re knocked-out on our feet, and a ripe mark. I dunno what else to say. I am ashamed. The players should feel ashamed. And Wenger SHOULD feel ashamed; such obstinence is no virtue.
BOYCOTT THE SEASON TICKET,IT IS THE ONLY WAY THE BOARD AND ARSENE WILL LISTEN.
Feeling a bit pissed off with this team. After 26 years of going to the Arsenal I don’t think I’ve ever felt less optimistic about the coming season. There’s such a gap between us and the top two teams and whilst we can all see the problems in personnel, training and motivation, the one man who can’t always seems to find blame elsewhere. If he can’t see the faults, how is he going to fix them?
Yes, we’ve had a few bad decisions, but we should be comfortably beating the Wigans and Blackburns of this world. We need a different approach now as the natives are getting restless.
It’s not as if we’re even watching beautiful football any more.
A bottle of Shiraz and I’m off to bed!
The good .
I can’t remember the last time I saw us score from a front post flick on.
Lukus Fabianski R.I.P.
The Bad.
Fat Sam gets to give it large again, and that’s unforgivable!!
Babysham holic if you please ( two cherries)
Spineless bunch of overpaid twats, I just don’t know where to begin now it’s a very sour taste to the end of the season for sure. Very disappointing as it is it’s even worse when you look at the stats. What’s all this possesion worth when we onlyt had three shots on goal? It pretty simple to me it’s fucking useless if we can’t beat the likes of Blackburn and as much as it hurts it’s true.
Facts = Results
Results = Facts
PS. Blaming Fabianski is one thing but please let me now if Diaby was any better?
l am bitterly disgusted in this team,no effort,no teamwork.what happened to Wenger’s brain after a bright start at Arsenal,he has manhandly destroyed my beloved club.Would Diaby and Sagna play if they were not French?could the board do something this French co. and get us Jose from Inter?
Well said ‘holic.
Clearly, we all hurt.
I anxiously await AW’s reaction transfer market wise. As most will agree, ‘something must be done’, then the signing of fresh blood, even if it’s another clutch of Pascal’s, will be better than saying ‘they have promise, but they are mentally tired’.
Or words to that effect.
No signings equates to either deeper financial problems than we know of, or a manager that can no longer see the way out of the woods, blinded by his dogmatic desire to be right.
Corona with lime cos I had a blinding time in Mexico đ
I hear you Arthur. The problem is that the midfield trio that sauntered through that game have earned some leeway by playing a lot better elsewhere. No doubt they were as culpable today as Lukasz, but when opposition managers come on tv afterwards and admit they targeted an individual, you know he is finished in the Premier League. I hope he makes it elsewhere, but we cannot afford to wait for him to come to the fore now.
‘after a bright start at Arsenal,he has manhandly destroyed my beloved club’
I know things are pretty stinky at the moment, but calm down, you’re hitting about 11 there on the hyperbole meter.
I’ve got an additional reason now to be thankful for the World Cup, it means six weeks or so less of transfer rumours and people bickering over who we should buy etc. And it takes my mind off the last month or so! Now hurry up June 11th.
I’m disgusted that Wenger is now “blaming” Blackburn’s tactics & referee for our loss. If we had a “proper” GK, neither of those 2 Blackburn goals would have been scored. I’m afraid we will have to see another year of Wenger NOT addressing our weaknesses. I’ll bet anybody, we DON’T have a new GK come August. Let next season be Wenger’s last, and Arsenal need to get to work to find his successor starting the 2011 / 12 season
Paulie, you can call yourself what you like (why not sad prick from Dundalk?) but you are wasting a few seconds of both our lives by trying to post your shit here. Why bother, numbnuts?
hahahahah
fucki*ng love how no one gives a flying fu*k about visionary
guiness please
While you’re at it being a psychic Bernard, can you give me next week’s winning lottery numbers and the World Cup winner?
The thing I find hardest to understand is some of these players have been given a chance over the last few games to stake a claim for a position next season and not one has stood up to be counted I find that bizarre, Youve been given a chance to represent a great Football institutaion and you stroll around like you having a kick about on the beach, But then again if your earning 40 – 50 k and getting told every week you’ve got great ability and mental strentgh you probably start beleiving it,
Should have put in my early post the away fans were there again in big numbers dispite the recent poor performances and I salute each and everyone of you for spending your hard earned to make the trip to that shit hole your a credit to the club shame some players haven’t the same passion for the shirt,
Before my ranting finishes if I hear Wenger utter the words mental strentgh one more time this season I will fucking cry a team with great mental strentgh do not lose 7 away games in a season,
To be honest – I thought the ref was okay. It was a lack of physicality in the defence that undid the team. Maybe he could have blown up for one or two but that’s about it.
One thing – I don’t usual criticise AW – but when you’re away at Blackburn – expect a hard ariel game and set the team up accordingly – everyone else in the Prem does.
All I can say is….here, here, ‘holic.
Unable to watch the game on even a dodgy stream because of an outing with the in-laws. I was forced to stick on Skum Sports News and wait for the result to come up on the ticker.
I saw the League Table first and, somehow, that we’d played another game and yet had no points to show from it!
A swift “WTF?!?!” and I was onto the net to find the result as dissapointing as the end of this season has been.
For a few years now, the more optimistic amongst us had believed that the change was “just around the corner” and that “next season” things would get back on track and the lads would really get it together.
With the standard of performances and early consistency that we’d recently shown, many more of us really started to believe in the players in the squad and the Doomers grew quiet, aside from the results against the other “top” clubs we were looking like outside bets for the title chase.
Then Barca happened, Jesus got injured and the rest of them seemingly decided that they just did’nt give a toss anymore. Those who looked like they cared (Sol/TV5/Theo/Bac/Song/Add your fave) were mired down by what has become obvious is the dross of the squad.
I almost can’t believe its me saying this but Arsene needs to really think about the legacy he leaves this club now, I’m not saying he’s gonna be sacked or anything so ridiculous, but even the greatest of his fans must realize that Le Boss has less years in front of him at Arsenal than he has behind.
Whilst we have a beautiful stadium, awesome youth and training facilities and have both had and currently have some of the greatest young players on the world stage. In terms of what we’ve done on a football level, we lag FAR behind the clubs we see as at least equals.
If the current squad don’t realise just what it is that they’re squandering, then that makes me saddest of all.
If you read this, then cheers for your time and I hope I did’nt depress you more than you are already. More than anything, I love the Arsenal, am in awe of Wenger and will never change either of those things.
Back to you, esteemed ‘holic
shooy, trust me, it won’t happen.
Fabianski and Silvestre can’t help simply being a bit shit, but at least they try their best. Then you have someone like Diaby who has so much talent but just can’t be bothered, what the fuck is his problem?
Ah, fuck it – I’m off to bed.
Sad to say we really do not deserve 4th spot, even that just serves to mask our problems. Watching the mighty Arsenal is just so painful, what a bunch of losers we’ve become.
Arthur: “Whatâs all this possession worth when we only had three shots on goal? It pretty simple to me itâs fucking useless if we canât beat the likes of Blackburn and as much as it hurts itâs true.”
Yikes. Scathing assessment made all the more painful because of it’s truth. This lay down and die attitude leaves one concluding that there is little to no pride or resolve coming from the dressing room. The silence of self-critique from the players to me is all the more disturbing.
Thanks for the great write-up, Holic, and expressing so much of what’s on all our minds. Now if only AW and Co. would swing by the bar and have a drink or two….
Warm milk, please. And a double Jameson.
What fuck me off the most was when Sylvestre thought it was hilarious when he nearly scored an own goal the cunt, who the fuck does he think he is Terry Mancini.
Charlie, wake up mate, I’m no psychic but I can tell when all’s not well at Arsenal. You’re just another “Arsene knows” numbskull.
all season I’ve been looking forward to the next match,now,I’m dreading them.
@ Lars: I have to agree that Diaby’s erratic performance this season is problematic. It is too difficult to really assess whether the greatness is sure to come or if inconsistency will be his M.O. throughout his career.
He was such an exciting prospect years ago, and continues to be at times. But as the seasons wear on, my hope is slowly fading. It’s not gone- he’s too brilliant at times for me to give up- but f*@$ing frustrating at times…
sigh.
for all who be feeling down
http://www.101greatgoals.com/videodisplay/5539226/
sp*rs ballboy
bernard,
Cut the personal please.
Thanks.
@ Gunner X
Bit harsh mate! The points in the table point to exactly where we deserve to be. I’m not sure what your argument is. Arsenal have been more successful than Totterhm, Man City, Aston Villa, and Pool. While one could argue we have been ‘lucky’ to win some games, it is more easily arguable that we have been ‘unlucky’ in terms of both injuries and heinous personal errors.
I’m agonizing here as well, but don’t bash with broad strokes this team unfairly or inaccurately.
I hear you too Holic and agree with you on not so Fabianski, but my point is we have nothing going forward absolutely nothing.
We tried to outpass them and Diaby was loosing balls all the time. He was scared to bring it forward with Nasri too.
To be honest with you I don’t give monkey toss anymore, with such performaces they should be docked wages. Only then they would start playing for what’s their money is worth.
I suppose they never had to work hard in their lives and take a lot of things for granted, and if this is the case then they should be summond by wither Wenger or the Board.
If Arsene will not put this right in the summer, and the next season will see such displays like the one tonight, not that I want this to happen but his stay for few futher seasons could be some could say not guranteed.
I hate football now and if we won’t get a grip we will definitely end up fourth.
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Very good write up holic. I also agree with a lot that has already been said. Chippy, i am with you on a lot of your views. To be honest i am massively pissed off. Lack of effort and passion is alarming. Massively disappointed with certain individuals. In recent weeks diaby and nasri have been massive disappointments for me. Both had real opportunities against average opposition. Both have been woefully short. The likes of silvestre, traore and fabianski are just not good enough.
70% possession and only 3 shots on target. Just not good enough. The ref? Average. We have had worse this year. Blackburn? Anti football but again we have had a lot worse. Neither are an excuse for that abject shite. We started the game with 10 internationals. If they had wanted it then they as a collective should have been good enough by a country mile.
You cant buy passion and desire. I wonder how many of those in an arsenal shirt today genuinely wanted it? Not many i guess. But when you have another 60k waiting for you in the bank why should they give a fuck?
If arsene thinks we only need 2 or 3 signings he is in dreamland. He has a massive summer coming up. If he gets it wrong then i fear next season could be his last. Lets hope that the scum and citeh draw so at least we can enjoy sunday. Lose that and they can stick their lap of honour up their overpaid and pampered arses.
“Bah” is how I feel, though I am a bit pissed that AW seemingly (I say seemingly) refuses to see this team’s short comings. (Appreciate the “don’t criticize in public”-philosophy, though, but his actions speak too).
Again, bah!
Anything with gin for me, please.
They still have their fans to play for who pay their wages and they should get this through their thick skulls!
I forgot. Would you believe it but i have just had my season ticket renewal through? After that and all the previous bollocks do you think they will offer me a discount???? Answers on a postcard to……
@ Gunner X- I might have over-reacted. In (the last few games’) reality, we have become losers. I hate that.
Arthur. I am not being rude but if you think that the players care about that then you are in la la land. Very sadly those days are long gone. Recent performances only go to emphasise that.
SteveT,
Dont go telling to many people that mate the men in White coats will be after you for agreeing with me lol
Ditto think we probably do share many views I’ll defend players for most things and I’ve watched some shit but they were our shit and they tried their bollocks off everytime they wore the shirt and those players always had my total support, Im afraid some if these just don’t seem to care and that’s the worst trait in a player for me!
Anyway Im of to kip as I’ve had a heavy weekend and this could turn into another right session,
Onwards and upwards,
Up The Arsenal.
Arthur: âWhatâs all this possession worth when we only had three shots on goal? It pretty simple to me itâs fucking useless if we canât beat the likes of Blackburn and as much as it hurts itâs true.â
But does anyone actually think that we played better, or with more desire today, than against Spurs?
I mean, after Wigan, the riot act should have been read.
I hate to admit it, but AW has problems, many of his own doing I suspect.
BTW, someone above cites Traore, IMO he didn’t have too bad a game, as in at least he appeared to be ‘trying’.
Leave the ‘yes, very trying’ jokes please.
calm down! calm down!
10 players out = squad depth question! The fringe players at arsenal are not of the required standard.
We have quality players out on loan who could do better!
Obviously we need a new keeper – fat sam tried the same tactic against jens but jens punched the ball (and anything else that was in the way) to get the ball away! Flappy looked tiny against samba today and hes shit to boot!
Should the board issue a threat to wenger about his job security to wake him up to the fact that the keepers are not good enough- we deserve better!
he seems a bit too comfortable for my liking- like hes under no pressure to deliver!
Any cu next tuesday who can catch a ball would be better than flappy!
Well said bro. We need 2 off load many under performing players & replace them with trial & tested playes. But, I’m sure dat is my wish, not Wenger’s.
Why blame the referee? I thought he had a good game. What was wrong with Blackburn’s first goal? Nothing. And their second? Samba just stood there, that’s not illegal – standing there.
This club has so much wrong on so many levels, but I don’t see Wenger remedying them. I am afraid he will be given a new contract and the supporters will be forced to chuck him out, when really the board should chuck him out if one more season is like this one.
Our 41 goals against in the league this season are the same as Fulham, but more than Liverpool, Spurs and Villa. Not sure if I should mention that we have allowed only 3 more goals than Stoke City.
That should be 3 goals fewer than Stoke City, but the fact we are that close to them is shocking enough.
very dissapointed with our end of season but some real nonsense being spouted about how we don,t deserve 4th and how its down to a lack of spirit that we have lost 7 away games.
under george in 94/95 we lost at leicester and sheff weds and that whole season we lost 11 away games with winterburn,dixon,seaman,schwarz,wright,parlour,bould,keown,adams ,merson,campbell.nobody would question there spirit.
there is work to be done in the summer but i don,t believe its major surgery.we need to get back to basics as far as defending is concerned.we have lost out this season to stupid goals conceded.today was a point in question,once in front we should have seen out a scrappy 1 goal win but were undone by terrible defending.nobody questioned our spirit when we won late games.
its about getting back to drilling a defence.
how did our defence get its mojo back if wenger is so bad at it.
refuse to believe it was just diet and stretches.
Bad ref or not. A good team should be able to win this game against Blackburn. And yes, a top keeper would have won us 3 points today. I dont think Fabianski is bad. he is just not Arsenal good. He is probably “going on loan to a smaller club” good. Hopefully he will do that next year…..
When Holic calls the gunners lazy bastards you know how far things have gone.
Every invective. Every insult – they deserve all that and more.
I can’t watch anymore. Same old excuses for pathetic weaknesses that the world can see, but the old man minimizes and defends utter rubbish. Without our 1st team players we are not good and can be beaten by any premier team. If I was Gallas I would be off with this lot if they did not give me what I wanted.
Holic I have one question for you mate. What will your thoughts be if he doesn’t ship out those players and they are part of the same squad next year? What if the only people to leave are Gallas and Silvestre?
What do you think, stonroy? My support is unconditional. I can blow all the hot air I want tonight. Next Sunday I’ll be back there roaring my bollocks off for them. Same in August whatever happens.
I can assure you it will not be the same squad next season, but quite how different it will be will be determined by others, not just AW.
Holic
Our best player this w/end by a country mile,was having an absolute blinder for Bolton against the Spuds.
Dominating midfield,riding tackles,great vision,fabulous passing,he made Bolton look like Barcelona.!!
If Fab decide he’s had enough and wants to go back to Spain,we won’t even notice he’s gone,because Jack the Lad is Fab Mark 2.
If Fab decides to stay,imagine the 2 of them together in midfield.!!
I can’t wait.
Wake me up in August.!!
its a bad day.and i totally agree with whoever said earlier when they used to look forward to games now they dread them.
i just wanna say a couple of things ,,1 when will we ever learn aginst the likes of fat sam and his cavemen,,,was song injured?we missed him so bad,,diaby i think was sauntering through the game avoiding injury,,,already in south africa methinks.
because of this result we will now have to endure all the arsenal dont like travelling north because of the weather ,fans,,the friggin pies,,convieniently forgetting ,,goodison,anfield and the stoke place.
second point is ,,i think wenger needs another voice beside him,,somebody who is not a yes man somebody possibly a young coach,,dont care what country but somebody who would command respect and kick ass,preferably a defender,,poor pat rice all he seems to do is look gormless and hand out bibs before the match.
in 8 months we suddenly havent gone bad overnight but in 8 games we are in serious trouble of undermining everything gained previoulsy
Time to plan Arsene’s replacement. His era is near.
We need some tough discipline, new coaching team, new training & medical team & at upto 6 new experienced players.
Capello after the WC or Hiddink with Dennis & Bouldy.
Much ado about nothing.
A new dimension in mediocrity.
Utter shite.
The Christopher Sambas of this world are not expensive. But our scouts are too busy looking for the Velas. They have a directive – small, technical, useless.Â
The Christopher Sambas will die for your club. The Velas will die if their hair is out of place.
The best football team in the world was outplayed, out thought and out fought over two games – no not us, but Barcelona. Pretty versus gritty. No conclusions drawn. Just an observation. A similarity, a parallel with today.
I’m biting my tongue writing this because it’s too simple to spew “Arsene out” and it’s not my gut feeling. He could do us all a favour and buy a world class stopper. Shelve Fawlty and Flappy and promote our fourth choice to two.
 1 Keeper
2 CBs
1 Striker (Chamakh)
0 ExcusesÂ
Did I tell you we had an easy run in?
Has there ever been a season where some of the highs at the football we have played, have been countered with the kind of lows that displays like today’s have brought.
How can such an amazing start to the season have ended in 9 league defeats – assuming we don’t lose to Fulham. of course.
Actually, it does feel like it has ended – at this moment I wish it had ended.
I don’t feel like going next week and sitting stressed out at another performance that looks like it’s all too much bother for too many of our players.
I don’t feel like watching Wenger waving his arms in frustration at boys trying to play among men. Just buy some bloody men.
I don’t feel like walking down the ramp outside Entrance A after the game, past the players’ car park stuffed full of machinery that can be purchased by only the very highest earners in our society.
I don’t feel like buying a paper tomorrow to see more pictures of Arsenal goalkeepers with bemused and beaten looks on their faces.
I don’t mind losing to a better team when we have given our all, but i can’t stand trying to justify our losses to cocky Spuds fans when we have been sloppy, uncommited and lazy.
Did anyone count how many 50 – 50 balls we won today (Sol, as usual excepted).? Virtually every bloody one we did actually win resulted in a yellow card, thanks to one of the weakest referees ever seen.
I did have some moans about Pederson / Nelsen sniding at the over- the-top challenge on RvP, and the disgusting slob dressed up as a football manager in Blackburn’s dug-out, but do you know what ? I don’t feel like it.
Evening Holic & Holic`s
I am glad no one seems to be trying to find a positive out of this performance, why ? because there isnt fucking one !
Now I think we have one win in 8 or is it 7 no matter its relegation form any way you look at it. Once again after the match I couldnt bare to listen to Arsenes usual excuses, Arsense please just once come out and say that its unacceptable and dam right embarrassing. We could seriously lose 3rd place WHAT THE FUCK ! Why has this bunch of players turned into a load of invertebrates not a back bone between them. Has this team lost its pride ? has it lost its direction ? do they even give a flying fuck. From what we have all witnessed in the last month i am seriously worried about next season as the 2/3 players Wenger is talking about wont even scratch the surface of what is needed at this moment.
I must commend wenger for his patience in some of these players because if it was me 6/7 may find them self on the transfer list. I would play the youngsters as i bet they would have given it a go.
Are only glimmer of hope is that Fulham have a big final coming up so they may not play their full team and we may scrape the point needed to keep 3rd as in world cup year you do not want to go through the qualification process for the CL.
Thats how bad i feel at the moment that im hoping Fulham dont put out a full team and we cling to 3rd.
Injuries have hurt us two fold this season. The obvious being the players that are out. The second issue this has caused is that player that would not be getting this much time on the pitch have almost gotten used to it and subsequently are not fighting as hard to impress the boss. If you look at our roster almost everyone has gotten quality minutes. What typically keeps teams going are those guys that are frothing at the mouth to get out on that pitch and then play every minute like it is their last. We have seen plenty of that against us in the past couple of matches. It is almost like the argument that many are using to explain why Almunia doesn’t give a damn. If you don’t have competition for your spot those of weak character get lazy. This is a bad situation. We have too many players that are not good enough to wear the red and white either because of talent (a few) or because of character. We have far to many of the latter for my liking.
Easy to blame the ref, not so easy to dig out your own players.
If those two keepers are our first line of defence next season we will win nada.
The passion has gone since the Barca 2nd leg. We focussed too heavily on the CL, and came up short. When that was off the menu we weren’t interested in the second best.
It’s criminal that we’re looking over our shoulders at the chasers when a few games back we were in with a shout of the League.
My fucking God, I keep trying (unsuccessfully) to forget this last month of play- it’s like a nightmare that’s still there when you wake up!
Arsene’s ‘better than anyone expected from us’ line is sounding thinner and thinner in my ears. Mostly people wrote us off not just because our team was young but because he didn’t replace Adebayor AS WELL AS strengthen the squad. No one can predict the injuries he’s had to manage- and I feel for him on that completely- but sometimes we might just stand up and say: actually, ‘they’ in a way were right. When it has counted most- in this final stretch- we were no better than what ‘they’ expected. And it’s fucking annoying to have that fate be validated.
I said it a few blogs back and i will say it again. Pay the players a grand a week. Then factor in a 50k win bonus. Then we will see a few grow some bollocks and a back bone. They might show some passion then. Who knows, we might even win a 50/50 or even the odd 2nd ball?
Just an idea.
Pete. I agree entirely. It is just unacceptable.
Firstly never posted b4 on this site and ‘holic you write an excellent blog which provides a good positive contrast with a bit of history so cheers!
I have just returned from Blackburn and would like to say that the upper deck was full of traveling support the half empty lower deck was in my opinion more to do with ESPN’s poor choice of moving a nice Saturday lunchtime kick off to a 5pm bank holiday monday ko! really really poor we were not traveling from Burnley we were doing a 500 mile round trip!
As for the match, no urgency, no commitment, no respect!
The players trudged off with only Sol clapping the away support from the halfway line!
The ref was not so bad in my opinion we had our usual share of the ball while they played their dirty game of anti-football and fair play to them!
Their club really have no alternative to football yet we do, Wenger for me is the leader of the malaise affecting the molly coddled footballers plying their trade in the red and white, I would not have noticed Theo or Vela for much of the 1st if it were not for Carlos’s horrific miss while Arshavin and Eduardo were equally ineffective.
Thank god that Agent Silvestre is leaving at the end of the season as he has completed his mission with great aplomb.
There are positives if we can keep Cesc and RVP for another campaign but how much longer will they want to stay?
Sorry for the rant but that was as poor an Arsenal display as the capitulation to Wigan!
oh and make mine a Pastis
Please
Think you need to rethink your tag ‘woodpile’. I for one find that offensive. I bet you still throw bananas at black players?
Never mind, back to school tomorrow.
‘Hols – your filter needs changing pal.
It hurts,defeats like these,absolutely lacking in pride. I am not fortunate enough to come visit my beloved team weak in weak out,I do not spend as much as most of you do, but I sure throw in a quid here and there and am more than willing to buy whatever the club sells,but when they give me dross like that on a monday morning it irks me. You know your keeper sucks when a 50 year old receptionist in phoenix can see what a tense thou-shalt-flap-at-everything bloke this fabianski is.I have put up with the likes of eboue-diaby for long now, I cant take this humiliation, I want to feel proud once again when I stride out to a pub in that jersey,I want a team that may not be the most talented in the land,but sure does fight. Give me the team I fell in love with 13 years ago.
And just for the record, Jens Lehman would have bull dozed his way past both sol and samba to get to that ball, Arsene need not look elsewhere for what is needed or how things on the pitch are to be done,he just needs to look at our past,great manager are those who overcome their shortcomings and are willing to address the deficiencies,at the moment Arsene has not done it since our decline started in 2005.
AFC1974
Could not agree more.
I was out all day today (my boy’s 18th) so had to choose @ 17.00 tonight do I try to stay awake to see Arsenal beat Blackburn because surly thatâs going to be the only outcome? Or do I get some shut-eye before my impending night shift, it turned out I had no option as the sleep fairies came to my aid so the choice was made for me (thanks guys).
Because it sounds like from what I’m reading we turned-out another non-committed performance all round with our Goalkeeper again showing why AW must now go out & spend (whatever) it takes to bring-in a world class or even premiership class (that would be a start) no1 keeper.
We have had a problem there now more years then Iâm comfortable with, & this just MUST to be rectified in the close season or AW credentials as ONE of the best managers in the world for me will be seriously questioned. This just cannot go on!!!
Cheers 74, done.
Depressed, welcome and thanks. Hope your travels next season will lead to better than we have witnessed these last few weeks.
Hey Depressed. Bad luck mate. Watching that then having the journey home to think about what went wrong, well….
I don’t get to many away games these days. A few seasons back went to Old Trafford when we got murdered in the FA Cup 4th round. The whole experience left a bad taste in my mouth. I reckon 9,000 Gooners turned up that day to watch a reserve team meekly surrender to United.
The past few games remind me of that experience. The team don’t look bothered to put a shift in. When you’ve got up early driven through a traffic jam, had to put up with the Mancs singing the Paedophile song on the tram to the ground, then decided to spend an evening amongst the unwashed it really f@cks you over that team didn’t give a sh!t.
I know this won’t hold an water with the powers that be at Arsenal, but the players should cover the ticket costs of the fans that went to the game for a lack of effort. Let alone the petrol / train fares etc……
relegation form? 11 points from our last 8 league games.
its been a huge dissapointing last 5 weeks but nobody has ever gone down with 52 points
I’m 40 years old and have never played competitive football. And yet, if I were in Ewood Park today, I would have been the best available Polish goalkeeper.
But I can’t put all the blame on Fabianski. Once again, most of the team was outworked by a 35-year-old centreback who was all but given up for dead not that long ago.
I began this game thinking, “Today, we will find out who wants to be with Arsenal next season, and who doesn’t.” Well, a lot of them don’t really want to be there.
I read all the comments. Expected a nightmare. Couldn’t make up my mind whether 2 watch or 2 pass. Decided 2 watch. Not sorry I did. Not a great game but NOT the horror show it’s painted here by most of you. A fighting home win against a badly depleted Arsenal eleven.
Fabianski – good game. Some excellent saves. Nasri should have stayed on the post and the first goal wouldn’t have gone in. Second goal, Dunn pushed Campbell into Fabianski. Foul. No question. Watch it again on the highlights.
Our mid-field? Without the triumvirate of Cesc, Denilson and Song – the platform on which the team thrives, the mid-field was average. Eboue is a fine athlete. He is neither an attacking nor a defensive mid-fielder. He’s a good full-back. Arguably better than Sagna at the moment. Diaby played well, if not inspiringly. Nasri disappointed.
Theo and Sagna, together, as an attacking force just about add up to one player. Theo MAY not make it. Time will tell. Same is true for Vela who failed (again) to impress. Good 90 minutes for RVP, with little/nil support from either winger or the MF.
Vela missed an open goal for 1-0 after two minutes. Definite penalty when RvP went down. Arshavin should have done better at 1-1. On a different day, all would have resulted in goals.
Expect Spurs to lose to City on Wednesday. Third place is secure, ‘Holics. Our season ended, unfortunately, when the spine of the team disappeared after the home game versus Barca. In the circumstances. Third is good – what’s all this pish about 52 points and relegation?
Great post ‘holic — and shared frustrations. That was so poor that naming names seems more than a bit pointless.
I enjoyed our goal – and can’t believe that route one nonsense by Sam (as confessed post match) was all it took to grind us down. I miss having the foundation of a great backline and goalie so much right about now. If we only buy two players this Summer please let it be a GK and a central defender – and PLEASE consider Adams/Bould/Winterburn/Keown (or bloody Pates) as a defensive coach. Our biggest signing this Summer might well be on the coaching team – how can Pat Rice stomach that.
Fabianski…I almost thought for 41 minutes that you were turning the corner…you had me fooled mate. Very saddened in the loss of form by so many, bring on the Summer as this feels like 1983 or 1994 Arsenal at the moment.
I completely agree in that we need to get rid of the incompetent AND the uncommitted. And to me that means we need to cash in on Arshavin. He is clearly skillful but he is downright lazy and has shown no commitment/workrate this season. I think Wenger needs to start putting passion/commitment/workrate ahead of skill/fanciness, because we have too much of the latter without the former.
All the skill in the world will not help you, if you can’t be assed 50% of the time. Look at RVP, he is skillful but also has passion for the club.
I think it says it all when I say I’d rather see Eboue in an Arsenal shirt than Arshavin/Nasri/etc at the moment.
Can this season end please! Put an end to our collective misery.
Honestly , holics – do you think this team deserves our constant and unerring support?
I dont think so!
Dont take us for granted – that should be the message that should go out on the final match day. A message that can be conveyed only be lots and lots of empty seats at Emirates.
They are taking us for a ride here!
if Arsene were the manager of barca,he would complain of the unfair tactics employed by Mourino.He shd stop moaning about BR .
You see football is like war. We know there are no fair means in a war which is to win. If he doesn’t want to play foul,by all means keep it to yourself. You dont expect big Sam to play according to your own set of rules.
Be realistic and grow up and stop deluding the gunner fans.
Scary stuff:
Unless we @ least draw with Fulham @ home & the way both teams are finishing the season it’s no given by any means.
We could end-up 4th, after being contenders to win the thing not 3 weeks ago, itâs beyond comprehension if you ask me….
Pos Team P W D L F A +/- Pts
3 Arsenal 37 22 6 9 79 41 38 72
4 Tottenham Hotspur 36 20 7 9 64 37 27 67
5 Manchester City 36 18 12 6 72 43 29 66
Not sure if anyone posted this before:
http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2010/05/04/1907618/gianluigi-buffon-should-i-leave-juventus-it-will-be-for-the
“Should I leave Juventus, I think that a move to England would be my next destination.”
Can’t think of any reason not to go for Buffon. He’s 32, so in 2-3 years if Szcezney is good enough he can start pushing him for #1 spot (and learn from him in training).
No pace, no power, no imagination, no REAL desire and no penetration. AW still has my support but the players are letting him down with their lack of application.
However as someone else said HE buys the players, HE picks the team, HE decides the tactics and the formation, HE decides on the substitutions and HE decides what cover he needs in the squad for injuries.
I understand the need to support the players publicly but the time has come for him to loudly proclaim ” THIS IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH ! YOUR FUTURES AS PLAYERS AT THIS CLUB ARE UNDER THREAT IF THINGS DON’T IMPROVE. I AM SIGNING SOME WORLD CLASS PLAYERS NEXT WEEK ( OH PLEASE GOD ! ) SO YOU WILL HAVE A FIGHT TO KEEP YOUR PLACES ”
If there’s been no money ( and I suspect there hasn’t been ) then the board MUST find it to support this manager. If that means a Kroenke buy-out so be it.
Its the end of an era, the old man is out of ideas. Hes shot. Time for him to disappear into the sunset im afraid.
Five years of Wenger telling us the same bullshit. I question his ability to be ruthless. He use to be, but with the youth policy it seems like it has made him softer. He booted Lehmann for two mistakes over the course of TWO games, not a half dozen shockers and a dozen weak performances over an entire season, as with Almunia and Fabianski. I think he has lost his competitive edge and if the players aren’t properly motivated then that falls on him to do get them ready. If he sees that they aren’t fully prepared for football at this level then he has to sit them or get rid of them. If he can’t do that then most coaches get sacked. It happens at every big club in every big league.
In saying this I don’t think he should go, let him see out his contract this season and then take stock. I also question the board and their inner workings or should I say motivations. Arsenal are sitting pretty financially and if no one pressures Wenger, it looks like they are happy for the gravy train to keep rollin in. To the board, finishing in the Champions league and being good but not the best keeps them happy but not the fans. I do wonder why the club is being run this way. Its like a runner in a marathon who’s just content to take part and finish the race but not win it.
What gets me most is his transfer policy as of late. Hear me out because he is a genius but also has his shortcomings.
– he got ride of Pires for Reyes’ development.
– he got rid of Sol for Senderos and/or Djourou.
– he sold Adebayor ( thank god) for Vela.
– he got rid of Gilberto for Flamini and Diarra.
– he ditched Jens for Almunia
– he ditched lauren for eboue.
I think you see my point. Besides Tinkerbell at the bottom, these other players have left. Also Hleb left too. Yet they were the ones who were groomed to take the mantle. His commitment to youth over experience will never create a balanced team. I think the trend will continue. Whether or not the players who left have gone on to do anything is not in question, as I am sure most will want to point out. My belief is that his policy of regenerating the team hasn’t worked to plan and might not ever if he doesn’t change his perspective. Experience wins you the Champions League and pulls you through when the games are title deciders not youth nor playing the game in the right spirit. ( Insert derogatory Mourinho line here.)
Lastly, I hate hearing from other supporters that we just have a bunch of spoilt kids, but they are living up to that title. Which pains me.
Sorry everyone for venting.
gin and tonic, please
Wastside Gooner, the bar is closed mate. Sorry
Eastside I meant. As you can probably figure i was here nice and early and am pretty err intoxicated
Truly we all know that refs have bn against us bt that should not be an excuse.Players need to push on bt with uncommited players,playing out of position with a rubbish strategy that is the consequence.Wenger needs to look at himself first b4 whining or better yet retire and let someone else take the reigns.Am totally tired of being told to trust him n judge him at the end of the season.Well its the end…Go home.
need:
two gks and kick out our existing duo, keep manone.
1 dm for alternating with song.
2 new forwards in addition to persie and bendtner. eduardo, vela out.
a guy similar to fabregas. we play fool when he isnt there.
maybe lucho gonzales can fill in there.
then we need three centrebacks in addition to vermaelen because i am not so sure about djourou, and keep gallas we need him.
and lastly new manager at the earliest.
Im agreeing with BtM.
The game was bad, but it wasn’t as bad as many are making out. Our place in the league isn’t so terrible either.
Its easy to get disheartened after these losses, but when things are put in perspective, its not all doom and gloom.
Fabianski had a decent game. When a keeper is put under so much sustained pressure, with little support from his own defence, a goal is sure to eventually come. This was an interesting read:
http://www.comeonthearsenal.com/2010/05/03/blackburn-2-arsenal-1-fabianski/
@ Feijoa: interesting read, thanks for the link.
This is not a football club. This is just a money making club or Arsenal is running a business here.
What the shit is this ??
Please wenger, one request for you.
Please don’t cheat people supporting Arsenal by saying we have young and strong squad.
Please don’e cheat us again, by saying we have enough money to buy players and we will buy players this season.
Please don’t cheat us by saying you have not found any better player in the market.
Can i ask one question to you ….
U are thinking we can win a title with Campel, Silvester and these all worst GKs ??
Or you are not still able to find some better players than these players ??
Are you really cheating us ???
Hey hey Gents. I can see this last loss has really taken it’s toll on the mighty support of Arsenal, fair enough. Heavy criticism has it’s place, and won’t argue it’s not warranted.
But let’s not get carried away and shoot ourselves in the face. What it feels like watching the games of late is that the belief is gone. We can call it lazy and spineless and greedy and pampered- and it may be true, but they too have seen the culmination of all the hopes of the season felt prior to the Barca match crumble right before them. After 8 months of fighting- and serious injuries along the way (let’s not forget young Ramsey and their response)- they let it slip. And now they’re sliding. Have there been mistakes and mis-managements? No fucking doubt. But let’s not toss our lot off a cliff after a whole season because the boys are starting to crumble right at the end.
This is not a confrontation to those who demand to see more effort for the shirt, and may rightfully show this coming weekend. I completely agree that they need to be shaken from their slumber and fight. But’s let’s not line up the whole team and shoot them. Total waste of rage, if you ask me.
@ Pires is King…
I’ll buy that….there’s just a lot of frustration right now. The Summer can’t arrive soon enough. Confidence is (as you say) a giant part of a club’s success. Let’s get back to that very soon!
Fabianski aside, why did AW not play Eastmond in the middle to provide some semblance of defensive cover. He wasn’t to blame at Wigan and at least he tried which is more than you can say for some of his teammates.
Diaby needs brain surgery if he is to become defensive minded and more importantly put in the effort. Diaby, Eboue, and Nasri in the midfield wasn’t a good choice and that’s AW’s mistake. Then, taking off Eboue for Eduardo (I think) was the other mistake. Diaby offered far less than Eboue but he never seems to be subbed in games.
Very disappointing result and the hope now comes from the eternal spring of summer signings. Sigh.
Weird.
Yesterday I saw someone say that Diaby was the best player on the pitch against Blackburn.
The only thing to hope for now is that Wednesday the wannabees draw themselves into a stupor and Saturday Fabianski (twice) messes up big time again. (Albeit it a six-two Arsenal win).
Not a nice thought I know, but right now AW is not in the market for a new GK. He really thinks Almunia and Fabianski will pull through this like Eboue has done.
Another weird.
So, what’s going to happen at the ES next Sunday? Any idea what Hodgeson’s tactics are going to be? After yesterday, the only saving grace is that it’s not going to be broadcast live.
Oh, and an afterthought.
It’s just possible that there’ll be no St. Totteringham’s Day this year. If we thought the defeat at WHL was miserable enough, Sp*rs taking third might just spark a riot.
At least next season we will be rid of these horrendously ugly Charlton-ish shirts we have been playing in for the past two seasons.
See, there is something positive to be found after all…
I really think they should be playing for their money, if you show no grit, no desire, no heart – NO FUCKING MONEY!
I have had enough of this bullshit they get up everyday and think they are special they have another thing coming.
For the love of god where were defenders prtecting Fabianski and if it wasn’t for him we would have lost that game 4:1
In all these years that I have supported this team, I have never seen such an uncommited bunch who don`t give a damn. This summer SHOULD be a ruthless one. Arsene` should sort it out ASAP. not by just buying good players, but by kicking some lazy strollers butts outta the club. Oh how I miss The Invincibles. How I miss all that hard work. How I miss David…Safe hands….
What do you have to say if AW is kicked out of Emirate?Surely he will be in Madrid huh.That is a fat lie.He can never be in Madrid 5yrs without a trophy(his case would have been long gone).He cant go to Madrid he cant.He should leave the club cos his technicality is questionable.I want to appreciate him for the record that he has set in Arsenal(five yrs without a trophy).He is not good enough(he is still living in old memory)
You’re last few paragraphs really have a good aura to them of motivation. But I’m afraid it will never happen aslong as Wenger owns this team, they are his babies and they can do no wrong!
Morning Holic & Holic`s
I cant say good morning as I dont think it is a good morning to be a gooner.
@ Pires is king : I do understand what you are saying but you have to remember that we are not on ÂŁ50,000 a week and scrimp and scrape to make some of these games, sacrificing other things to pay to go to these matches ( well I do any way ) and I dont find it acceptable to pay to watch a team go through the motions when they dont give a damn then go home in their Bentley. Yes they are the ones out there playing and the defeats must of hurt them, well if it didnt then they should be sold. But that is it, they are the ones out there and its up to them to put it right with hard work and determination. Two things I did not witness on Monday evening. It shows alot of disrespect to the fans and once again only Sol could give the travelling fans a clap, disgusting.
Please do not think I am in any way having a go at you as I wouldnt as I really enjoy your posts and have also enjoyed are previous interaction on this blog.
Its just that when this team gose out onto the pitch is it to much to ask for a 100% commitment.
To think only a few weeks ago we were right in this race it is very very frustrating to think the manor of are total capitulation in the last 4/5 games is a bitter pill. And that is down to the players and manager. We have had some terrible injuries but that shouldnt stop the players that are picked given it their all. So many of us have said that we will accept defeat ( including me ) as long as the team give it a 100%, but that just hasnt been the case.
I think Pires this is the first time I havent totally agreed with you but im sure it wont be the last, so heres to more discussions.
Two pints barman please for me and Pires is king
What ever happened to our easy run in !
Wenger has one more year to get things right
He knows this and so do the board.
Defensivley we have been poor for 4 sesaons
Make mine a Vodka lime ice and a dash of coke
Whatever happened to our supposedly easy run in? We have been an absolute shambles these last few weeks. I appreciate we have had our share of injuries but even then we’ve been abject in most of the last few games. If Spuds win against City we’re going to have to pull ourselves together to get a result against a good Fulham side or we’ll be condemned to fourth.
I know AW said he will look to bring in “two or three” players in the summer but we clearly need five or six. The lack of quality cover in so many positions is frightening – ‘keeper, centre back, defensive midfield, centre forward – the spine of the team. Our squad needs a massive overhaul between now and the start of the season. And I hope AW’s recent encouraging of Fabianski “to do an Eboue” doesnât mean he will be staying for next season – I know he’s stubborn but surely, surely he won’t be retaining the hapless Pole.
It may be expensive but we need this summer a top class keeper, two quality centre backs, a competitive midfielder and a striker. I’d go for Hart, Cahill, Subotic, Parker and it looks like we have got Chamakh already. I’d love Milner to come to Arsenal but doubt we would be able to afford him. Doesnât AW remember when we were winning things our team had some steel and physicality, and a top keeper? This powder puff experiment has had its day, I just hope things change next season before the fans’ goodwill towards AW may just start running out, which would be an almighty shame.
God Bless mr ‘holic.
“Before all of that though it is time to put the final three points of the season on the board against the Europa League finalists”…..
RUBBISH….we are not going to face the team that took themselves to the Europa League Finalists…Instead a set of aspiring footballers from the reserves…And we are going to get anything less than 3points – then Put the matchday Squad UP FOR SALE !!!
Again, fellow Holics, perspective. Before you fire AW, sell the team, sack the stadium, bomb the training ground, emasculate Pat Rice, and make love, one more time to Ade……just remember:
Only ONE of the team who played at Blackburn will be a guaranteed first picks for the first game of next season. Robin Van Persie. Of Monday’s players…..
Fabianski, Campbell, Silvestre, Traore, Eboue, Diaby, Walcott, Eduardo and Vela will NOT start.
Sagna, Nasri and Arshavin are “on the bubble” (assuming the haircut hasn’t gone off to Barca).
CHILL! We’ll finish third. And that with the entire spine of the squad missing since the Barcelona home game. Sixteen other teams in England would love to be The Arsenal.
‘Holic,
Whatever our respective views, I feel we all owe you a big Thank You for providing the platform on which we can vent steam. You must have prevented a fair few heart attacks through pent up frustration!
A pint of whatever you fancy sir!
We have conceded 40 goals in the league already this season. That’s averaging a little bit more than 1 goal per game. Now, we supposedly have the best defensive pairing in Gallas and Vermaelen for quite a while, but yet, we’ve shipped in 40 goals. Okay you could argue that the last few games we’ve been without either the two of them, but at a club the stature of the Arsenal, it is NOT too much to expect to have backups that are good enough to cover the absence of first teamers for a few games.
So where lies the problem? Is it the personnel? Vermaelen has been voted in the Team of the Year. Gallas, a World Cup & Euro winner, plenty of experience. Campbell? Well he has been our best performer in recent weeks. Silvestre, well to be fair he’s our 5th choice behind Song, 6th if you count Djourou. So why 40 goals conceeded?
Dixon has recently said some of the defending erros that Arsenal have been doing are BASIC errors. Surely it is not too difficult to notice some of the goals we’ve let in this season can easily be prevented by for example, marking our opponnent better, or having the desire to really have a go at heading the ball away.
Therefore, I really believe that it’s the defensive coach that we’re having isn’t up to the level that’s required. Martin Keown worked as the defensive coach in our fantastic run in the Champions League 05/06 season where we set a DEFENSIVE RECORD OF TEN CLEAN SHEETS!! That’s a REMARKABLE 995 minutes without conceding. What happened there? We had Flamini playing left back, and Senderos (!) partnering Toure at centre-back! Surely this is no lucky break. So why was Keown deemed surplus to requirement then?
The defensive flaws of our team are very very obvious. It does not take a footballing genius to notice that something is wrong. Every team in the country now knows that Arsenal are very vulnerable at defending set pieces. This is just one of MANY MANY reasons to why we are at where we are now. I could go on but it’s just too painful really…
My thoughts have been dark since the game.
Thank you for putting it back in perspective BtM.
’twas all thoughts I’m smart enough to think but emotional enough to forget after the last few weeks. Problems are there, has to be solved, preferably in the summer and with the help of the right amount of money (not too much mind you, I’d like this club to continue to be financially healthy and preferably have money to spend the next summer after this and the summer after that…), on the right players.
I’m not even asking for better players, we’ve got good players. What we need is the right players and players that will fit into the grand master plan a bit better. Make this team work. Just a player or two that will fight to the whistle to help drag those less prone to doing so over the finishing line. And a goalkeeper. And CBs for the future (future starting now).
But we’ve got the makings of a hell of a team, we’ve got a hell of a stadium and we’ve got fucking great supporters (at least the ones frequenting this bar).
I know it’s outdated, and I know you’ve given up on it, ‘Holic, but since the next match is the last match of the season I’m going to say it anyways –
Win the next match.
Roiscknote: Totally agree about the foolishness of dispensing with Keown, and I would also say the standout reasons why we have conceded so many goals this season is the Almunia / Fabianski axis from hell (AW’s quote that goalkeepinging is an area which “not necessarily needs adressing” is exasperating beyond belief but hopefully he isn’t being entirely sincere) and our buffonish kamikaze tactics, best displayed in our home thrashing by Man Utd, the away outclassing at Chelsea and the 2-2 draw at Everton, all of which featured goals scored easily as you like against us when most of our defence had gone AWOL up the field or when some of the defenders had taken leave of their senses. Must do better next season.
(I meant 2-2 at home to Everton)
@ 110- I like your analysis. I noticed your keen not to mention a keeper in there, but I think you’re right that a new keeper is only a part (albeit essential) of the problem.
@ 1971 and the bar- actually, my friend, I agree with every word you wrote. In reality, my last post was in response to one right above that’s been deleted where he explicitly said they all needed to be shot, AW and down the line. It’s a fine fucking line getting to express complete outrage without stoking the idiotic fires of some of our so-called ‘support’.
1971, Mr. Holic, Arthur, Sajit, and all- thanks for creating a fine bar where real passion and opinion can be shared without having to wade through all the headline seeking nonsense.
And with that said, The Professor needs to stand up and take responsibility. For the amount of faith he has put in this team- and the return he has gotten- it’s a fucking shame he still focuses on the ref and pays homage to Fabianski. It’s not that (as usual) his points don’t have insight, they’re just useless when looking at the sinking ship behind him. There is a distinct flavor emerging of young, skillful footballers with way too much money way too young. Business is leading the game, and we are watching it’s deleterious effects. Arsene must know and accept that fielding young guns and cheap OGs may bring hearty profits to the board, but it starves the base of the club- us. As stated several times above by many- it’s not all trophies. It’s passion we respect.
Injuries aside, I think it’s only fair to look back at the end of this season and say we’ve punched over our weight- too many late winners when games should have been killed long before kept us believing this team had the firepower and resolve to be champions. That never seemed more obvious to me than when Robin stepped on the field at the Lane and had a real go at those fuckers. His passion was so contrasted by the display of virtually everyone else on the pitch it was disgusting, and heartbreaking.
I truly hope those without commitment are shown the door immediately.
Cheers.
Does Wenger not understand complaining publicly about tactics just encourages more of the same? I have never been one of these “sack Wenger” knee-jerk types, but, while he’ll go down as a legend, I think it’s time for a change. Does PH-W have the # of a certain Mr. Hiddink?
Give me a Mexican beer, LA style, as a send-off to Vela…
Cheers, Tim.
Good blog, holic.
Our form since Barca has been shocking.
I frankly don’t give a damn about any injury excuses, and the fact that so many of our first choice players are out. It’s totally irrelevant in terms of mentality and attitude of the remaining players.
The simple fact is that a top class club should have back-ups who are just as determined to fight for the shirt as the first choice players are. This has nothing to do with disparity in quality but everything to do with disparity in willingness to fight. Blackburn and Wigan are inferior to us and yet they fought like hell, far FAR more than our weak-minded prima donnas did.
Fixating on Fabianski is wrong – he was deliberately targeted and fouled twice. What’s shocking is that his teammates did little to support and protect him. Would Adams, Keown, Dixon have just left him out there to be deliberately targeted like that?
The other point is that — unlike Fabianski and our current players — Lehmann and our former players would all have fought like hell against the physical, intimidation tactics of Blackburn. They would’ve scrapped, pushed, shoved and not been intimidated.
This team just takes it – they’re so easily bullied, it’s laughable. It’s why Fat Sam just laughs at AW and our players.
holic, you said “there was nothing that could have been expected to cause serious injury” re Blackburn’s tactics. I disagree. I think Grella’s deliberate elbow assault on RVP could’ve seriously injured him.
With nothing to fight for, the only thing that matters to players is not to get an injury just before the WC. Out of the 11 starters only 2 are sure not to play in the WC (Traore and Silvester), all the others have a reserved spot or a probable one. Considering there’s at best 3 to 4 chances in a career to play in a WC you’d think everyone with a football-oriented brain would understand where any WC-bound player’s priority is, even more so considering the odds of getting injured when playing full throttle at Arsenal. The only difference between 3rd just behind the 2 leaders and 4rd just ahead 4th is another bunch of injuries, some of them spilling over next season.
It’s been the same all over Europe in WC years for as long as I can remember. It also happens in EC years to a lesser extent.
I’m not even watching the games or just bits there and there and the only thing I look for in reports is the confirmation that no one has been injured (which has never happened this season, not even once, until we gave up the chase for the title). And I confess I have a lot of fun to see how some of you get so worked up for nothing.
@the beast, pires
Well I’ve really given up on the goalkeeper. No point in arguing. I’d rather argue my case against something that we can work on, which is glaringly obvious. The goals that we’ve shipped in are just ridiculous. Even if we played with a 40 year old Tony Adams, those goals would have never happened in a million years.
I do not expect a defense to be as magnificent as the likes of Adams, Keown, Dixon, Bould etc2. But what I would want to expect is a defense that does not commit basic defending errors on a regular basis. It is simply unacceptable. I know that Wenger prefers his football to be free flow attacking. But by God, some of the goals conceeded can easily be prevented (prime example: Blackburn’s first goal), and does not require a compromise of Wenger’s vision attacking flair one bit.
In my opinion, working on improving the defense would go a long way than just conceeding fewer goals. We could go back to the days where we used to sit back and defense, and unleash our counter-attacking abilities the minute where the opposition lose possession and kill the tie off with a classic counter attack goal. Don’t need to look far, see Henry, Pires, Cole, Ljungberg.
No team can win the League if they’ve got a defense that conceeds an average of a goal per game. Sometimes it is just not possible to outscore the opposition. Games against the likes of Birmingham, West Ham, Burnley are prime examples.
Arsenal are not dead. Proof: an admittedly out of context quote from an article on Arsenal.com: “Our passing was an illusion today,” said Wenger.
For fuck’s sake, 8 ball. Morbid humor is all we got now. Well robbed, mate.
Even in the context of the article, I’m not exactly sure what Wenger was trying to convey, but I suppose something along the lines of “our passing was shite today” I can only imagine what the players must think if he says not to pass like an illusion.
This bank holiday weekend I witnessed 90 minutes of passion, perspiration, non-stop energy, sweat, commitment, talent and individual genius …. unfortunately it was when I went to see Iggy Pop and The Stooges on Sunday evening.
I think Lippi described Arsenal last year of playing narcissistic football and the last few brittle team performances and Wenger’s tendency to locate blame elsewhere is making think he has a point!
As far as I’m concerned, the game’s up.
We’ve been sussed.
Park the bus and they don’t like it up ’em works.
Time to get rid of the pretty passing triangles and the quest for the perfect goal.
One nil to the arsenal was more fun in a squeeky bum way than I realised!
Easy with hindsight đ
A couple of hoodies in the spine I think.
Anything less is just robbing us really.
Wish we could go back to just turning up at half three on a saturday and paying at the gate. Stumping up a grand before we know if new signings are coming or not is a real test of faith, one that I remember saying at the beginning of the year… ok, one more year of the learning period and then that’s it. A consolidated third place by now, given the injuries, would have been enough for me. The capitulation of the last few games has done my nut though. đ
Should be half TWO of course above lol
Re: Matt @118, many of our WC-bound players are indeed playing like the main priority is avoiding injury, so let’s see if the reserves put out a real effort on Sunday, including Mannone, Eastmond and a few others.
I say bring back JET, Simpson, Lansbury and Bartley back to the team. Surely they cant be worse than Vela, Traore and diabolical
Catalan Gunner @ 109, good point, have made it myself in the past, and it does help, somehow, to vent off on this platform – also to see and share in the thoughts of other Gooners who clearly care.
A problem shared etc.
BtM, love the optimism, would dearly love to share it.
The problem at the moment, for me, is that although Monday’s team would not normally be starting games, WHOEVER plays for The Arsenal should give every last atom of effort to that team.
Any one of us writing on here, were we given the chance to play for this club, would run ourselves to the point of collapse to win for the team. We’d be rubbish, but would we f***ing well try.
Some of this team, sadly, will not. They are not lifelong Arsenal fans, they are paid king’s ransomes to play, and are prone to human nature, I guess. If they have no intrinsic desire to win, well that appears to be our loss.
Ironically, the players most likely to be making lung-bursting runs in the 94th minute, just to make a tackle, are our 3 BEST and MOST TALENTED players. I give you Fransesc Fabregas, Robin van Persie and (at the moment) Sol Campbell. Probably add Gael Clichy.
That, were they here to see it, should make scary reading for the rest of them.
Cheers ‘Holic, something to clear the throat for Sunday please.
@Trev (118): “The problem at the moment, for me, is that although Mondayâs team would not normally be starting games, WHOEVER plays for The Arsenal should give every last atom of effort to that team.”
That’s exactly the opposite, the season is over, there’s nothing to fight for and whoever plays for Arsenal should be extra-careful not to pick up an injury that could jeopardize next season’s preparation. And no, anyone of us given the opportunity would do exactly the same as the players: be extra-careful and avoid taking any risk. If a player was stupid enough to injure himself until after the beginning of the season that would be simply totally unprofessional.
Our season has been over for a few games already. Time to get over it.
Matt, if you take a look at the league table, you might agree the season is not over, unless you think finishing 4th makes no difference, given that we would then have a CL qualifier to play about 5 minutes after the world cup ends. That would certainly jeopardize next season’s preparation.
Most people seem to think that 3rd place is extremely important – for that reason, and the fact that it could be Sp*rs that finish above us!
Or would that not matter to you?
There is also something called professional pride which was not greatly in evidence on Monday, and a bit of respect for those that made the trip up there wouldn’t go amiss.
Maybe it’s time to Arsenalise the Arsenal players as much as the stadium.
No I’m not too worried Trev. Like 90%+ of punters I’m of the opinion we will finish 3rd.
That’s not the point anyway, had we secured the spot earlier the same people with the wrong expectations would still be fuming.
As for professional pride it’s alright when it doesn’t come against professionalism. It’s in the interest of everyone (player, country and also club) to have our players perform as best as they can in the WC. It’s good for their market value if not always for their spirit.
I remember this scenario happening as far back as the late 80s (that is after obvious corruption was stamped out, before teams would simply agree to a favorable outcome beforehand). We have a lot of WC-bound players so that makes it more obvious (and painful to watch too) but there’s nothing specific to Arsenal in the current sequence of events.
I’ll have some of what behind the 8 ball is drinking.
Matt – glad to have you back. And a welcome rosey view to boot.
Got to question 90%+ punters thinking 3rd place is a shoe in?
Our form would beg to differ.
I hope you were saying you weren’t worried that we would finish 3rd and not that you weren’t bothered about the Spuds finishing above us? Because, whoa Matt! I would have to say your Gooner radar has taken a knock there pal. I can most accurately say that most Gooners here would not accept that!
Your WC angle doesn’t sit well with me.
I’ll use Arsene’s angle. You are paid by your club to perform for your club with 100% effort every game. There is no coasting, preserving oneself – not while you the wear the cannon.
Club first. Country second. No grey areas.
Matt,
I could understand your point of view although not like it if it was just a case of the Blackburn game but im afraid certain players put in the minimal effort in Both the Tottenham and Wigan games when we still had a chance albeit a small one of the Title
I was listening to Henry Winter and others on the radio this morning, banging on about tonight’s showdown between City and Spuds, he called it the “ÂŁ100m game”, after the presenter called it the ÂŁ20m game. What they forgetting here is that 4th merely entitles you to a play off against some of the stronger other teams in the qualifiers, last year Fiorentina, Atletico Madrid, Stuttgart and Lyon were amongst our potential opponents until we got drawn with Celtic, which in hindsight was a kind draw as they were completely terrible. In light of City and Spuds’ pisspoor Euripean record of recent years, what makes anyone think they will sail through the qualifier? I’d love it for Spuds to get 4th, thus deraiiling City’s world domination plans for a while, only then to fall flat on their face against Sevilla or Sampdoria or Ajax, teams they could be facing in the qualifier. I hope it’s a draw tonight, otherwise Sunday against Fulham could be rather nervy.
the beast,
Yep it would certainly be funny if top four tottenham finally made the top four only to be knocked out before the start of the actuall season đ happened to Everton didnt it a few years back think they drew Villareal or similar who at the time were a good side,
Morning Holic & Holic`s
@Matt I am in the 10% range and I wrote in a previous post I am glad Fulham have a huge final coming up were they may not play all the first team against us and i for one am glad for small mercies.
You have always brought a very positive spin on the trails and tribulations of this seasons ups and downs but in this case I disagree with your world cup scenario.
Barca,Real,Inter,Roma,Man U,Chelski among others have a huge amount of internationals playing for them I think you would agree and are also fighting for the title in their selective countries and have been doing so for the most part of the season. The name missing from that list is of course the Arsenal because of the last 4/5 games in the PL have been nothing less than a complete capitulation on our behalf. Having watched a awful lot of Spanish football this year and still doing so I do not see these players laying down and dieing on the pitch without a fight. All seeking win after win to get the title regardless of the upcoming WC. You could argue that we have just given up as it is no longer possible to win the title and the WC is just around the corner. Well if we look at the results you could argue that we gave up about a month ago then. I do not buy into this team focusing on the WC for the past month when the league was there for the taking at that time. For me if thats the case the whole team needs to be replaced if they are more interested in the WC than the winning trophies with the team that pays their wage as you dont see the teams listed above doing that.
@Pires is king sorry pires I didnt get to see that post, I am sure if I did i would have understood your thoughts better.
@Steve T,Marcus I agree with you.
Matt, interested in your thoughts but totally disagree that there is nothing to play for. Thery are playing for The Arsenal. They are still earning vast amounts of money. They have everything to play for. Anyone who plulls on an Arsenal shirt and steps out on to that pitch should have everything to play for. If your theory is correct can I expect a refund on my season ticket and compensation for the away trips? That’s assuming that these last few games do not matter??????
3rd is not settled yet although it bloody should be. Hopefully Citeh will do the spuds tonight and it will be.
Matt, they pull on the red and white shirt, then they should give their all. No argument.
Much as I dislike the man, can you imagine the Knight of the realm standing for the “couldn’t give a toss” attitude of certain players in one match, never mind the last 4 or 5?
Wenger is loyal to this group of players to a fault and he has (in my books anyway) one more season to put it right.
For the big wages we pay, we should expect 100% commitment from every player from the 1st minute to the last. Certain players saunter about the park as if they are playing in testimonials. Its just not acceptable.
Its about time some of them learned some of the dark arts of the game as well, as we are never going to get anywhere with Arsene constantly complaining about us getting kicked, and just rolling over and accepting it.
Where is the next Patrick Viera?
@Matt: I wouldn’t have given a toss about the Blackburn result if we in fact had been secure in third – but we are not and we are in serious danger of throwing away immediate qualification for the group stages of the CL. It’s not just that we get two more games (and, of course, the risk of being knocked out), we will also have a postponed leage game because of that which means that we’ll be playing catchup right from the start, not to mention having to play that postponed game somewhere in an already tight schedule. And if we should fail in the qualifier – could you imagine what it would be like with the Spuds in the group stages and us in the Europa League? ‘Holic would have to quit work in order to find the time to eject all the gloating Spuds from this bar.
And don’t think it’s just a matter of “well, if we have to we’ll just beat Fulham” – it’s not that simple. Once you switch off and think the season is over, it is very, very difficult to get the whole team to switch back on again.
I am desperately hoping for a draw at Middle Eastlands later tonight, and if that is not to be then for City to win it by as little as possible. But I have a (very unpleasant) feeling that Spuds will win.
As much as I cannot stand Adebayor, I hate Sp*rs even more.
Win for City please. Delusion at WHL will reach the stratosphere if they reach CL.
Just over 40 minutes played at Middle Eastlands and I hate to say it, but Spurs are playing City off the park. How it can still be 0-0 is almost impossible to understand. Crouch has had on off the post and King had a goal disallowed for something no-one but the ref saw.
Adebayor’s main contribution to this game has been standning in an offside position about a gazillion times.
1-0 Spurs with eight minutes to go. Fuckin hell…
Unbearable pain, Lars. This season is turning into a living nightmare
Earth calling Matt…
Earth calling Matt…
3rd place is no shoe in.
Oh crap, here they come!
1-0 Spurs, final score. City were shite all the way through and Tottenham should have stuck four or five past Fulop.
I we fuck this up on Sunday… well, let’s just say I won’t object to any booing coming from the home crowd.
1974, I still still think we will get third.. but have to bear a summer of unbelievable arrogance from Sp*rs supporters.
Sajit – unfortunately my brother-in-law is a Spud and I might just have to bitch slap him. Heh!