Lads Beaten By Old Lady
Aug 2nd, 2008 by 'holic
So the first day of the Emirates Cup has passed, and if we are to retain the trophy we will need at least a three goal triumph over Real Madrid.
The side that started against Juventus was so young that someone should report the linesman to childline for not seeing the blatant offside when David Trezeguet notched the only goal of the game.
That starting line-up revealed clearly the thinking of Arsene Wenger as the season approaches. This was very much the second string. I fully expect ten changes for the clash with Real, 2-1 winners against Hamburg. Djourou may get to keep his place while Kolo Toure returns to full fitness.
Even in defeat there was much to admire about Arsenal. Fabianski started well in goal, Hoyte and Gibbs looked comfortable against experienced opponents, and Wilshere and Ramsey again impressed in midfield. In truth though, the Italians defended superbly after enjoying good fortune with the goal. If only we could combine our flair with the solidity they showed at the back.
Six second half changes couldn’t produce the equaliser, but Diaby looked like he enjoyed the chance he appears to be getting to claim the central midfield vacancy.
Emmanuel Adebayor appeared after half-time, and if there was a crowd reaction it was very muted. He looked like he needs games to regain his sharpness, but didn’t hide and was unlucky on a couple of occasions.
Theo Walcott had thirty minutes on the flank when Emmanuel Eboue departed the action with grass burns, and we would hope to see a little more of him running at the Spaniards.
Samir Nasri, like many before, will probably take a while to adjust to the Arsenal style. I’m sure he will start the second match of the weekend on the left hand side. He has yet to play with Cesc Fabregas, who may just bring the best out of him.
I’m looking forward to the second contest of the weekend. Despite the scoreline today there was much to suggest that we may have a little more depth than the sceptics would have us believe, and in all honesty we will not play many sides in the Premiership who possess the qualities of Juventus.
Have a great Sunday all.
31 Responses to “Lads Beaten By Old Lady”
The qualities of Juventus Holic? Boring Italian football more like it. They could barely keep up with the English speed, only for moments at a time. Honestly our midfield scares me. I think Nasri will need more time to adjust than we think he does. I fear this will be another transitory year. Lets see what happens with the final days of the transfer season.
Is Karen Gibbs really that good as a left back? I was really impressed with him…I hope we get to see him in that position again.
Test in IE7.
If anybody is reading this in another version of IE can you just leave a comment to let me know. Thanks.
I’m in Ireland ‘holic. I don’t know what the postcode is
The internet is falling apart, and who do I get on? Val fucking Doonican.
Cheers mate.
Actually ‘holic, the brother in law says this thing is on ie7 and is ‘grand’
Thanks Jackster. Looks like the problems of this morning are solved then. I didn’t realise you were visiting this weekend? Have a good one.
Great game in the first half, second half went down hill a bit. What a talent Wilshere is proving to be ! Looks like the future is bright and we have a good bunch coming through …. I only have 2 questions :
1) Why is Eboue still in our side ? what does he bring to the side ? what does Arsene see that I and many gooner fans fail to see ?
2) Where are we going to get our leader from ? We need a Paddy or Big Tone type player to get the team going, clapping thier hands and encouraging ! (ok today was only a friendly, but it was missing last season) Cesc is a giant in midfield for us, but we have no one organising, geeing up, stepping up to the mark and rousing the players to make a difference and to change / drive the team forward in a game that is going away from us. Maybe the way we play these days doesn’t warrant that type of player anymore as they are all so talented – who knows ? But when I see the likes of Terry, Ferdinand, Gerrard putting in 110% to get a game back, or go down in a blaze of glory if they do loose, I feel that is what we are missing at times – someone to show some fighting spirit over and above just trying hard …..
Those 2 disappointments aside, I think we are building a brilliant side and one that will hopefully dominate for a long time to come, as long as we can keep them ….. I’ll be there tomorrow geeing them on – maybe that’s the answer, maybe the crowd could start making more noise and we could be 12th man that make the difference ?
Cheers ‘holic. It’s great here, They’ve got a fridge full of Beamish and I don’t have to drive anywhere
Next time can you pick me up on the way?
video highlights at: http://www.arsenalspot.webs.com
Great title ‘holic! IE7 by the way.
what a predictible shower of ass lickers you lot are, beat stuttgard and as usual our beloved Arsene passes a stiff test and is the bees knees, but lose to juve and as usual hes just experimenting. This con man just cant lose can he, you shower of nerdy fucks who obviously never kicked a fucking football in your lives havent a clue have you?
Let me put you straight, Arsene Wenger is the biggest con man greedy fuck to ever manage our great club, hes been shown up again tonight by his total inability to buy top class sighnings, I fear for the season ahead. Im sick to the fucking teeth of Arsene telling us that from 23 pionts behind the previous year we’ve progressed to 4 pionts behind last year. Big fucking deal Arsene, we still won fuck all again, im just waiting for your excuse when we lose by more than 4 pionts this year, does that mean we’ve gone backwards Arsene, bet according to Arsene it will be everybodys fault but his and deflect the blame while he accepts another fat raise and im sure all you Arsene knows clowns will again suffer your selective amnesia. You guys get under my skin, you havent a fucking clue. This is just another typical Arsene knows site and if you need proof just watch the way my truthfull post is removed, truth hurts.
ps. hello to marcus the fag, my crazy internet stalker or otherwise known as wanker.
Evening ‘holic. Good to see that Jackster has been in.
Nice constructive comments Paulie.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, even a moron like you.
I not sure you deserve a crazy internet stalker.
Big Ernie, I think you answered your own question. Cesc is the one who rallies, he doesn’t need the armband to be our leader in my opinion. Those sorts of players who lead by example make themselves I guess captaincy or not. But I always thought Paddy was better when he didn’t have the armband. Shit he got sent off all the time but he had the fire you know?
But it’s not on Fab’s shoulders alone. Here’s hoping the rest of the squad step up as well.
Paulie – Your comments are null and void due to your inability to spell the word “points”.
BTW – Your football “knowledge” is laughable, and clearly that of a twelve year old who reads The Sun everyday.
Bell End.
Let me get this straight Paulie. At 10.49 on a Saturday night you are trawling internet sites to leave abusive messages. And I’m the nerd?
Mind your hand doesn’t fly off the end tonight fella.
I agree completely with Paulie absolute bang on-these gooners dont realise whats going on–why do you think Eboue the village idiot and senderos and hoyte are Wegners star players–he keeps picking them–does it mean they are better than lansbury/jaysimpson/and bazarate? of course thats why he keeps picking them.
I dont like Wegner either.Saw Lohengrin once.It was like watching Bolton.
Do Lansbury Simpson & Barazite play in the the same positions as Senderos Eboue and Hoyte?
With the exception of Eboue ….Hoyte and Senderos rarely get picked and only when there are injuries.
Seriously, think about what you’re saying before you say it.
The result was disappointing but all the performances by our players were good. Juve were really lucky to win with their offside goal, other than that they never really troubled us. But they do know how to defend a 1 – 0 lead. Overall I’m pleased with the progress of all our players.
Gosling 151.King of Rums.
I think we are in much better shape than the tabloids would have us believe and the Juve game showed why. Cesc has been quoted as saying that we could emulate the great Ajax side of the 70’s. Now that would be something special. Looking at the crop of players that have played pre season there is massive reason for optimism. Ramsay, Wilshere, Vela etc etc. I would be happier with a bit more cover at centre back, a holding midfield player and an experienced back up to Almunia. But if we start with what we have then I say bring it on.
Lets also hope that we get rid of all the poor decisions pre season this year rather than have to put up with them when we start for real. If that is the case then the Juve goal can stand all day long as far as I am concerned.
paulie
your a fucking idiot
we played a strong juve side
half our team was kids or players who are on the fringe Mr wenger is argueably the best manager in our history and you sir ….. drum roll please ……….. are a prick
oh and paulie …. one other thing ….
according to you wenger dont make top class signings huh i ll leave u a list for you to browse though
viera
henry
cesc
kolo
petit
clichy
sagna
anelka
correct me if im wrong but they are all quality signings
ok one last thing paulie
against juve we played a kid called jack wilshere…… 16 years old
a product of our youth academy that mr wenger revolutionised
stand a little further back and you might be able to see the bigger picture
I think you’ve pulled ‘holic
Yeah yeah nerds, “TRUTH HURTS” lol
‘Trust those seeking the truth, doubt those who find it.’
-Andre Gide.
So they put the Wilshere show on hold for a day, and the Bendtner and Vela show too.
If those 3 come on today and each score, that’d be awesome.