Three Shots 2 Tippy Tappy 0
Feb 7th, 2010 by 'holic
Seven minutes. A corner. Terry is given virtually a free header. Gael Clichy is seeing dead people and deserts the far post to hold hands with Samir Nasri at the near post. Alex Song momentarily wonders if he remembered to lock his front door before leaving home, and leaves Drogba unmarked at the far post to put the ball past Fawlty Manuel, who is doing his best impersonation of a jellyfish.
Twenty-three minutes. Counter attack catches Arsenal short at the back (last Sunday anybody?) and Drogba is not challenged by either Clichy or Vermaelen before shooting at hand height just to the left of the invertebrate in goal. He’s not even a shot-stopper anymore. Why is he out there?
That is what I have had in my heart since the end of the contest. It’s what has been festering in my mind while I have been visiting at the hospital. I wanted to get it in the blog for the benefit of those who think I am a blind optimist. Now I have had the moment of reflection that I advised just the other day I can focus on the eighty-eight unimportant minutes that we dominated, with as gutsy a display as we have shown for some time.
Dominating possession is one thing. Doing something meaningful with that dominance is crucial in games like this, and I am afraid that those who feared our lack of a goalscorer would cost us dear against the very best opponents have been proved correct. To win the Championship you need to grind out results as well as comfortably defeat the lesser lights.
Chelsea were battered from start to finish today, but defended magnificently, and when opportunities presented themselves to, let’s face it, the best in the business, he made us pay. As much as I hate Drogba, and it is with a passion, I assure you, he won the game for his side today without having to resort to the amateur dramatics that taint his performances all too frequently.
He produced the only moment of respite for the home side in the second half, when his free-kick smashed into the bar. That could have been three, and as much as we didn’t deserve a heavier margin of defeat, the ugly one was worth a hat-trick.
If you are looking for positives as an Arsenal fan who has not thrown in the towel, I would suggest the performance of Abou Diaby. He stood out, and thank goodness given his partner behind Cesc, Alex Song, chose today to have his one (we hope!) shocker of the season.
Diaby narrowly pipped the travelling support as the highlight of the day for the visitors. Sky sound recordists worked hard to keep much of what was sung from the ears of a tea-time audience, but you could certainly hear the massed ranks of the visitors throughout. They deserved something more.
Cesc showed once more why he should be a serious contender for player of the season. Sensing a couple of his colleagues were perhaps misfiring, he doubled his efforts. I just hope he doesn’t burn himself out before the run-in.
Ah! The run-in. It seems highly unlikely we will close the gap on both teams that are now comfortably ahead of us. Were we a point or two behind United and nine behind Chelsea I would be more optimistic, but they won’t both drop points. There is still a critical top three berth to secure though. In a World Cup year you will not want to be contesting a Champions League qualifier in August when players may only just be returning to training.
The thirteen games that remain start with potentially the trickiest of them all on Wednesday. Who will score against Liverpool? Will we still rely on Almunia as we attempt to keep them out at the other end? This game will tell us more than today’s I suspect. Liverpool are far from dining at the top table this season, and if we do not secure the points, having already beaten them away, then it will say more about our prospects than theirs.
It’s time for the Gunners to stand up and be counted, and to take advantage of that run-in.
170 Responses to “Three Shots 2 Tippy Tappy 0”
I’m entirely confident, that the Boo and Bleat Brigade will, right now, be in vent mode. Sharpening their quills to vilify and vomit verse upon verse of the vanquished’s very venomous vitriol.
– Wenger MUST go!
– Sell the team and buy a new one!
– Move out of Emirates. Back to Highbury
– Spend, spend, spend – debt’s a figment of AW’s imagination!
Rhetoric recycled regularly for no real reason other than the spleen venting of the “I won’t take it anymore – I’ve lost twice on successive weekends – life as I know it is all but over – my toys are out of the pram and I’m not picking them up!” brigade.
Am I disappointed? Yes. Suicidally moronic? Nowhere near.
Arsenal played well for the most part without reaching the heights they’re capable of. Throughout, the mid-field won more than their fair share of the game, setting up some excellent chances against one of the most successful defenses in the league. The chances weren’t taken. We lost an early, very stupid goal. Neither of these are good ingredients of a winning recipe.
Replicating last week’s game, more could have been made of a couple of really good early chances before they scored. That we’re missing a world-class striker isn’t in dispute.
Gael, oh Gael. “What were you thinking?” Six minutes in. We’re looking good. So why did you decide “Sacre bleu….I must barge Le Sulk off la ball? Didn’t you know? 35 yards is Drogba free kick country. But still, you whack Le Sulk right in the rib cage?
Good defending from the free kick, only temporarily delayed a free header for Terry. (He was up there faster than a rat up Mrs Bridge). And then, the simplest of tap-ins. Who was supposed to be on the far post? Our left side looked badly wide open for their second too. But that was a good goal, not a howler.
Did we make sufficient chances to win it and more than they did. Yes. No question. Did we really look like scoring from them? Not really.
Ahead of the “AW picked the wrong team again” diatribe, Diaby looked good (missed header apart). Did Bendtner’s introduction make a difference? Only a little. No one could have dreamed Theo would be 100% ineffective against Cole.
Overall, good performances from Gallas, TV, Song, Diaby and Cesc. Nasri was better this week. Sagna and Arshavin were just OK. AA really should have scored to turn the game on its head. Gael Clichy needs to go to Ashley Cole classes on how to play left back and how to cross a ball. His ballooner over their bar after three minutes killed a very promising move.
So, where from here? Win every game to the finish and hope. It’s as simple as that. A pint of good cheer, please, Barman.
And can I advise everybody that it is a seriously shite idea to leave the pie you have been yearning for all night in the oven for an hour at 200 degrees while you write your blog.
This really was not my day 🙁
More Burned At The Back Pie than Humble Pie?
I think we should give them their day today BtM. Ours will come, but today, let them have the battle for the greater good.
If you understand 😉
I must have been at the wrong game.
Still at least lets hope we make very few changes next year & you Bergkamp the man can hope it all mysteriously turn our way.
There are many Wenger disciples beginning to question him & 100% quite rightly.
He has lost his way & not just now, but from last summer. This nonsense project is flawed.
This should cheer you up a meager amount holic, this could really does have it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOY63kPwFYo
I thought your summary was measured and accurate .This was a heroic effort to get back on terms but it was doomed to failure.
Wenger has failed to realise how crucial the physicality that Chelsea and United have is crucial at this level.Odd really considering he changed English football by the introduction of Vieira and Petit.
Failing to equip us with a proper target man for the key games was criminally irresponsible and above all Wenger is deficient as a tactician when faced with managers who prize winning above technical beauty.
We are in limbo-land.Better than all but the best but incapable of winning honours.If Wenger takes flak for this run of defeats he deserves to.He drew attention to the importance of this spell of games and signally failed to prepare us for them.
We are in limbo with wenger too.He’s a great football manager sadly past his best but probably better than anyone else we could get. Its really difficult to see where we can go from here
Same 2 goal margin of defeat as last weekend – same performance – thankfully no. Drogba (I concur) is the best striker in the league at present, that said we really should/could have snuffed out both opportunities that he took. The shot off of the crossbar however was something else. It was a bruising affair and I think in Diaby we have the central MF that Cesc ultimately needs. Have you noticed that the famed 4-3-3 has really become a one paced 4-5-1 since Nasri is get back in the team – and while I like Nasri, the lack of a winger on either side is patently not getting it done. We play so narrow at times it hurts to watch – and how do we stop teams scoring Arsenal type goals (down the pitch in 12 seconds and in the back of the net) against us? They were our bread and butter for a decade after all.
I’ve defended Almunia for years but I think it’s time for a change. Sad but hopeful, a bottle of Spanish Red please holic.
Just have to push on from all this, starting with making sure that Liverpool get no ideas about catching us. And giving a decent account of ourselves in the European Cup.
How many changes should we make OOH2B? 3? 5? 13? Bergkamp is honest and has cited problems, but this drastic action people like you seem to demand is 1. daft and 2. unrealistic.
Thunder:
We are in limbo, because Wenger runs the club. The board have allowed him to become far too powerful.
His policy is arrogant & an insult to the season ticket & away paying fans.
The board are too scared to even question him.
OOH2B
It may have escaped your attention, but we are all hurting tonight. If you read much here over the season, you would know that BtM is highly critical of Le Boss for, among other things, selling Adebayor.
I don’t share that criticism, but have argued long and loud of late that we should sign a goalscorer and not get to May wondering ‘What if?’, which is exactly what will happen now.
What you won’t see from us is ignorance of the bigger picture and the reasons why we are where we are tonight. Talk of a ‘project is flawed’ is just nonsense when you consider the pressures that the man is working under, and the injuries that continue to blight us.
Ah, the injuries… Where do they all come from?
While our response was good, and the performance was much better than last week when Rooney was taking the piss by the end, bear in mind that Chelsea just sat back after going 2-0 up (they’re all very experienced and Mourinho-trained) so our dominance was partly a consequence of that. If it had been 0-0 after an hour, I’m sure Chelsea would have been more assertive than they were.
I’m confident for the Liverpool game though, after today. I disagree that Song had a shocker – apart from the first goal (for which Clichy was greatly at fault too) I thought he was good, and was back up to speed after his return from Africa.
Evening all,
Cheers ´holic, BtM, you gents always cheer me up.
To be honest I wasn´t as upset as I usually would be after a loss because I felt that at least the boys put in some effort unlike last weeks disaster.
After the game I popped into the bar (last blog) and read a very good post from Harsh (73) in which he compares our run in to those of Utd and Chelsea. The thing that gave me the most hope was that in his list he had games that he called “Gimmes”, not just due to the fact that we have a lot more Gimmes, but because our rivals seem to be dropping points against these so called Gimmes teams.
It´s always nice to beat a top 4 team, but as has been mentioned before these are not the games that decide where the title goes, the games against the teams below will determine the winners.
The fat lady may be drinking tea with honey to warm the vocal chords, but there´s still a whole pre performance warm up act to go before she gets on stage. It ain´t over yet.
Keep them coming barman.
Cheers.
Not sure how to call this as I only saw the 2nd half live and have just watched MOTD. Poor defending (again!) first half, but more positive after the break – wish it had been coupled with more penetration.
Best have a vodka, barman. Thanks.
This was a day where we really, really, really missed RVP. Not only is he a scorer against the big teams, but his set piece delivery is second to none in the Premiership – his service on the umpteen corners we won would have been invaluable.
Not sure about Song having a shocker, 70% possession suggests that our midfield was dominant. Diaby was the star man on the pitch – he seemed everywhere. Clearly Song-Diaby-Fabregas is first choice now and for sometime in the future.
Chelsea were battered? Arsenal only had two shots on target in the whole match. Chelsea did what they had to do and then let Arsenal have the ball.
Wake up. Everyone has Arsenal sussed. Sit deep, let them have the ball, soak up the pressure, hit them on the break.
Arsenal could have 90% possession, still would have lost.
The fat lady may be drinking tea with honey to warm the vocal chords, but there´s still a whole pre performance warm up act to go before she gets on stage. It ain´t over yet.
Trouble is H2H, if I can hear the plump bitch clearing her throat, we are in trouble 😉
hi. i watched the match today. i thought we were awful . they arsenal had absolutely no ideas. they didnt no what to do. the one chance we got to have a shot with nasri on the edge of the box he decides to turn into a chelsea player and loose the ball. he had a half an hour to take the shot on. which tells me a lot about this team. this team are very indecisive. not clinical. and no leaders in theteam. and please dont tell me that cesc fabregas is a captain. he is not a captain and never will be. he is playing very lazy and sloppy in and big match and he tried a back kick today when a cross was put into him and it made me sick. i can gaurantee everyone that captain cesc wants out just like adebeyor did last year. arsene could be on his way. and 2 weeks ago i predicted hat this arsenal team would be very lucky to be in the top 4 by the end off the season. live3rpool will beat arsenal on wednesday nght. and if it does happen i can see serious problems for wenger. they might want him out. i dont think thats the answer. i think we need fresh blood but also some older more experienced players who have been there and done it.
pleas arsene dont let this team go another year without a trophy. and if it happens change it for next year.
arsenal should sign lorris from lyon. quality goalkeeper.
need at least one quality mean center back.
a proper tough defensive midfielder.
another winger. and a striker.
lorris. chilini, xabi alonso, chamak, dzeko. we’ll be the best ion the world then. but not with all these young guys that dont have aleader. we need some older winners.
derek, good luck with the treatment. With the new care in the community initiative you’ll be back out again in no time…
JJ – BBC says we had 6 shots on target to Chelsea’s 3. Only two of them were very dangerous, but then Chelsea only had 3 dangerous shots (including Drogba’s free kick against the bar)
Sorry but I backed him for a long time & even took into consideration the restraints during the building development. I even argued in his defence for 2 years thats there was no money.
Last summer money was available & again in this window.
With exception of the blind or deluded could see what was needed for the last 2 years & even more so this summer.
However, with the exception of Vermaelen & AA his signing in the last 4 years have been poor & none have made their mark.
I’m no newbe fan. I’ve missed 2 seasons since 1967. Wenger is not beyond criticsim & now he has to push these players to ensure they finish in the top 4 then dramatically change thuis summer or its thank you very much but adios from me …& many others now feel the same.
‘and 2 weeks ago i predicted hat this arsenal team would be very lucky to be in the top 4 by the end off the season. ‘
You think two of Liverpool, Man City, Spurs and Villa will overtake us? Thanks, I needed a laugh. And if you thought we were awful today, you’ll need to come up with some new words for describing last weekend.
I’d also add a comment about our lack of strikers – of those available, who exactly would have broken through today?
Huntelaar – Not sure exactly what the allure is
Chamakh – Not really available except at an outrageous price (and probably not in the winter) – and not an out and out goal scorer
Cole – Injured
Van Nistelrooy – Never going to happen
Is there someone I am missing?
No major strikers transferred this winter. Aguero and Villa are still in Spain. Chamakh is still in France. And Huntelaar is still in Milan. Cole is still at West Ham.
Do we really want a second rate striker? Would that really have helped today?
Where do I sign up for the Boo and Bleat Brigade?
The point is that most of us have been having the same conversation for at least 3 seasons now and it’s getting extremely boring.
New keeper, strengthen central defence, defensive midfield cover, striker.
Something has to be done about the organisation of the defence. Something has to be done about the attitude of the team.
If AW had gone out and specifically dealt with those areas and still we failed then perhaps we’d just have to admit the mancs and the chavs are better; but we all know that, this year, they’re not anything special – just better organised/motivated and with more strength in depth. Player for player though we can still compete – we just don’t.
Still an outside chance of the league, but unlikely.
CL? Maybe; but there is the very real problem that the mancs and the chavs are still there; presumably hoping to draw us.
AW made a rod for his own back by claiming this would be the year. Certainly the football has been significantly better than last year but all the old failings are there to be seen.
Unless we get very lucky I can’t see how we can go on like this.
At least I didn’t burn dinner but I have a horrible feeling the Colts are about to win the Superbowl – boo. Another shitty day . . .
‘holic.
I´ve thrown some sleeping pills in her tea, locked her dressing room door and stole the fat cow’s mic.
Come on you reds!!
derek i am afraid you are talking bollocks,one chance.14 actualy the difference at the highest level is conversion rate.Chelsea 3 chances on goal 2 scored.Just like against Man U we were beaten by a team that were more clinical and had forwards.Stop feeling sorry for yourself and get over it.
OOH2,
I hear what you are saying, and yes, we have more money sitting in the bank right now than probably any other club in the world. You are talking though as though the development business is complete, and nothing could be further from the truth. Queensland Road still needs to be funded before we can pump all that lovely lolly into the football side of the business (assuming that by then we have not fallen into the hands of one man who decides to drain the fatted calf).
To take these defeats against the very best opponents we have, and to call for Wenger’s head under these circumstances, is seriously misguided, I think. Look at the season as a whole, and we have improved on last season while increasing that cash in the bank. Quite an achievement, but yes, unacceptable to the ‘I want it now’ mob.
So what that we had 70% of the possession…they scored two early and sat back the rest of the game. Their fullbacks didn’t come forward once they got ahead. Again we get caught too far forward on the second goal (should have been dealt with, though). These lapses can occur in any game but can we at least learn our lesson vs. the good teams? How easy was it for them to contest any ball put in the box?
I love our team but we do need to put forth a more physical and deeper team if we want to challenge on all fronts. Van Persie is world class but if he is gone, who is there? Look, were not going to get through any season unscathed by injuries, so we need depth.
We better gear-up b/c Liverpool is starting to play better football. We have to win just to get four points in this crucial part of the season.
Holic:
So are you saying that there will be no real money to compete as was the ‘brochure’ said until Queensland is built & sold/sales completed ?
Charlie ‘awful today’ i hear you but we outclased the strongest team in the premier league.That is the expectations we have.The rest of the world would have said what a great performance,just a shame about injurys up front.To some of us its the end of the world.Try to see the game objectively and realise we did OK.
Holic, how are Arsenal better than last season? We have already lost the same amount of games and there’s 13 left to play. I think maybe we only have 3 points more now than we did at the same stage last season – not really the improvement we were looking for.
call it midget tippy tappy holic, stubborn Wenger will continue with condescending rhetoric while the Titanic is sinking!
Unless we decide to sell it on, OOH2, yes. You have to consider the recession has completely fucked the timeframe of the development. We should have been pouring money into football now. That’s what we all want, but there is a richer tomorrow, albeit now delayed, and vulnerable to oligarchs and the like.
That’s right AfriX, we are third in the Premier League, in the knock-out phase of the Champions League, and the ship is mortally holed.
Now just relax while the nice nurse gives you a calming injection…
Arsenal fans know Jack about the game, are delusional and fickle.Isnt this the same Diaby that was almost driven out of Arsenal because majority of fans thought he was rubbish. Anyone who knew anything about good players could see his talent but most Arsenal supporters could not. Now I see its Nasri who they have turned against. Lost all respect for you sorry lot!
I want to be reasonable as so many of you above seem to be.
But it has to be said that even with all the injuries and all of his dedication to the job, Wenger has brought this on himself.
I’m sorry, but he has stubbornly kept faith with lesser talents (overating a number of them -Clichy, Nasri, Almunia, Walcot, Denilson, Bendner), he has acquired too many average tippy tappy players who play the same way, who lack strength, pace and defensive know-how and in too many games (not today) too many players have just not wanted it enough.
His tactics are niave beyond belief. His defence is hopelessly organised.
He lost his way a long time ago and lives in some alternative world where passing is all that matters. Building a possesion team around Cesc has not worked; it is nowhere near as effective as the on-the- break team based on two ball-winning midfielders (Viera/Petit, Viera/Gilberto)
I’ll be there on Wednesday but what will force Wenger to stop deluding himself and us?
There may be no-one in the club to challenge or question him. But do we have the guts, as supporters of many many years, not to show up in our seats until he makes changes?
I have just got home from the game and got to say big up to the away fans we were strong. The team were shit. We have 5 passengers out there. It was the first time I see varmarlin with the fear and shakes. No left back hard midfilder no wingers .no keeper and emmmm no striker …it was nice to watch tho …….
Truth is ‘holic you used tippy tappy yourself and unfortunately it fits.
Credit to the team and the manager for clawing us back to a brief stay at the top of the table but the fact that we’ve pissed that away and are now 9 points off the pace does at least suggest we’ve sprung a leak.
Nasri was great today. Imagine an injury free season, with a midfield and front line of Song, Diaby, Cesc, Samir on the right, Arsh on the left and RvP leading the line. And then on the bench, Ramsey, Bendtner, Vela, Eduardo, Rosicky, Theo, Eboue, Gibbs, Campbell, Wilshere and co. Recall Wojcech Sczcenzy! The guy is already betterthan Almunia. Stick him Between the posts.
We have quite a lot of depth up front and in midfield, but why do we get so many injuries?
Keep the faith.
The vital myths that all Arsenal fans are supposed to believe:
1. There are no good players out there – The rest of the world consists only of too expensive superstars who would bust our wage structure, or journeymen who should be at Hull or Wolves. Kindly remove the previously purchased Pires, Lundberg, Henry, Vieira, Petit, Bergkamp, etc. from your memories.
2. You win football games on points not goals – the winner is decided by who has the most possession, shots (even if more of a danger to the fans than the goalkeeper) and completed 5 yard passes. Any concept that it is about taking your chances and stopping the other team scoring at the other end simply shows that you know nothing about football and should go and support another team.
3. When Real Madrid, Man City, Chelsea, Man Utd and Barcelona are all spending heaps of money we cannot afford to compete (despite being one of the most valuable football clubs in Europe).
4. When none of the above are spending any money and most of football is on its knees due to crushing debt, we cannot find anyone to take our stockpile of cash.
And the most important myth of all….
5. There is nobody who could do the job other than Wenger. Any reference to Rjikaard, Hidiink, Blanc, Mourinho, etc. will be deleted.
Just remember this 5 simple “truths” and all of the pain you are feeling melts away.
Cheers
“In Wenger WE Trust”
The man could do no wrong for me!
The game today was beautifuly sumarised by Goonerholic and JJ actually put it in a nut-shell “Arsenal could have 90% possession, still would have lost”. Chelsea don’t have the Man U mentality of going for more goals! They knew 2 were enough and they just sat back and watched us play dinky-winky passes in front of them…Oh how they laughed! They knew that 2 goals were enough and they just took the foot off the pedal! Oh how it hurts to admit it! The truth is, the gulf between Us and Man U and Chelski is vast. We just have to face it! But believe me….still..”In Wenger I Trust”…JUst PLEASE Arsene, don’t put us through to many of those experiences again. I give until the summer, and if no change is happening then I will, unfortunately, begin to seriously lose faith. I hate saying that!
I saw a spirited performance today that lacked penetration and featured a few mistakes. We were playing a full strenght Chelsea side away. Get some perspective.
On another point, hasn’t Terry truly let his country down in a world cup year?
Good perspective ‘holic
I’m not looking forward to the sickening feeling in the morning when I wake up for the 3rd Monday on the trot to a loss. I’ll leave the calling for your manager to be sacked after every setback to Tottenham fans though.
Hey Garrett,
Good to see you. I think we share a frustration about the performances against the strongest sides. Tippy tappy is the way a mate who you probably know has described the intricate stuff we play that rips poor defences open, but doesn’t quite cut it against the best. We are flat track bullies in that respect.
I argued long and hard for a goalscorer for days like today because the three time bandits won’t work against the very best. Sadly, although I am sure we tried to get someone, they were not prepared to move at this stage of the season.
I think we know enough about Wenger, whatever your opinion of where he is now, to know he won’t settle for just anyone. If the player he wanted doesn’t want to come, then move on.
I still believe we could well finish second, and at the start of the season there were a lot of people once again defying logic and claiming we would not be top four. Seriously, that is crazy.
Wenger was right to say this week that much of our weakness is mental. Today we lacked the composure to make the most of our chances, and that’s been a common ill of ours for some time. Chelsea, when they had an opening switched into top gear and were direct, ruthless. We had the spirit, but not the mental power (and we lacked a little physical power too). That’s where I’d like to see Wenger spend come summer.
I’m not sure where Wenger got his 70% possession that everyone is quoting. My Sky coverage had possession at 53-47 to us.
And let’s ease of Clichy a little, eh? Coming back from injury into top of the table games has been a big ask. Yes, he’s out of form. But he is improving, and was better today. Early on his covering tackle stopped Drogba going one-on-one with Almunia; late on one of his crosses had Chelsea panicked. Credit where credit’s due.
It was odd his tearing away from the far post for the first goal, but if you watch he was gesticulating wildly at the others just before that. I’m not sure what he had seen, but clearly he thought a job needed doing that no-one else had noticed. It was a bad call as it turned out, but you could argue that he took responsibility to do the job himself rather than rely on someone else, which is what everyone was urging him to do after he let Park run and run last week. Give the lad a break. Or ‘save the Gael’, you might say. Heh.
@Andy. Yes, a second rate striker would have been enough in the past four games, when he was needed. A goal against Aston Villa and we would still be in this. We didn’t need class; we needed someone to do a job for six or seven games. And some strikers were bought. McCarthy for one. West Ham bought a couple. Yes, we want world class for next season. For now, we just wanted a man for the job.
I must admit I thought today was a shambles. Box to box we looked the better side. But only because the Chavs sat back and let us. As soon as we got near their box we never looked like scoring. The effort and application was a marked improvement from the Manc game. But that was about it. It was the same old inadequacies and mistakes that have been prevalent all season. We batter sides below us and struggle against those above us.
Both goals were a disgrace. The first contained as many errors as we had shots in the whole game. Diaby looks at his boots to allow Terry a free header. Clichy has gone for a walk. Song can not be arsed to go with Drogba. So we give the best striker in the league a tap in. The second was a farce. What was Clichy doing? Gael, you are a left back. That essentially means that you play on the left. Now there is a young man who desperately needs to find some form, and fast.
Almunia has gone. I have never been convinced with him but have always been prepared to give him a chance. But this season he has not even been close to being good enough. The fact that we were apparently trying to bring Sorrenson in on loan tells you how desperate things between the sticks are. For the second goal he seemed to shit himself. And what happened with the Drogba free kick? I would have backed Stephen Hawking to make more of an effort to get to that than Manuel.
Again, we played too bloody narrow. How many times do I have to say it? We try and play through the middle. It is congested with 6 foot plus Chavs and guess what? There is no way through. Nasri, Cesc, Song, Arshavin and Diaby all want to play central. Even Theo started to cut in. Get some fucking width. Please. Pretty please. Pretty please with knobs on. Spread the play. Pull them wide. Make them work.
It is the same old, same old all over again. It really is not rocket science.
A few blogs back many of us debated if we should sign players. My opinion has always been that we are abut 3 players that are ready to go straight into the first team short of being the top side. I have seen nothing since that debate to change my mind. How we have not replaced Ade during either window is bordering on criminal for me. We do have bucket loads in the bank and my understanding is that there is a substantial amount available to spend. So why is it still sat there????
I am a massive AW fan and always have been. But my patience is starting to be tested, and I really do not want that to happen. I will ask the question again. As a football club, are Arsenal maximising their potential? My answer to that would have to be a big fat NO.
Liverpool is a must win game but I sadly feel that we now only play for 3rd. A greater achievement than winning the FA Cup AW said??? Once again I have to disagree.
Right, I am off to get trollyed…….
Clichy is the only player we have who was with us when we won the league in 2004. He has been consistently brilliant week in, week out since then until the last few weeks. We owe him some slack!
Why are people having a go at Nasri? I don’t understand it, the guy oozes quality. He makes things happen (Man United last year and West Ham Fa Cup this year) and works his socks off. Not to mention he had a broken leg to start the season with!
Oh, and it was Vermaelen who lost Drogba in his run forward for the second goal. Big V was on him at half way then headed in field, leaving Drogba free. Clichy at least got a tackle in, in the box, but Drogba was too strong.
I know everyone’s got big ups on the V-man this season, but for me he’s run hot and cold. Some tough, tough tackles and cracking goals, but he’s been beaten a bit easily at times.
holic i don’t really see what pressure wenger is working under. we might not have £40 mil to spend every year, but no one will deny (from inside the club or wenger himself) that if he wants to sign a couple of players (perhaps say costing up to £30 in total) that he would have little problem with such support from the board.
wenger doesn’t believe he has to win to keep his job, because he quite clearly doesn’t and that is simply a fact. similarly half the pressure he has is stuff he is bringing on himself. no one is saying things would be easy if we’d have a couple more top players, but we wouldn’t be accepting 4th or 3rd place as any kind of an achievement. the fact is in the league we’ve only been competitive until the end once in the last 5 years and yet every season we clearly have a very good team. this is why the pressure seems so unnecessary. every transfer window wenger himself says we are basically about 2 top players short of having a complete team and yet in how many transfer windows have we signed these two hypothetical players without probably losing some of our best players in their place? that’s when we sign anyone at all. for example i think most people now accept song is a class player but many think an awful lot less of denilson. so why is it that flamini who we can all generally agree was MUCH better than denilson is now elsewhere and we are barely any better off for it. wenger was right to give song his chance, but did it have to be instead of flamini rather than alongside him? i know flamini wasn’t sold as such, but i really believe he simply felt he wasn’t shown enough commitment from the club and would be taken more seriously elsewhere. one way or another we lost one of those hypothetical players who would make a huge difference to our midfield and what’s worse is that we already had him playing for us.
adebayor genuinely has become much lazier and it was always his work ethic which made him stand out as so good in his best season, so i think wenger got that right. but regardless, he still hasn’t been properly replaced. i think bentdtner is very good, i’m a big fan, but he is a very inconsistent finisher and as a player in general he’s only great in fits and starts. basically he’s not *likely* to be the sort of player who will do a drogba, or a van persie, or torres or rooney and win a game single-handedly with an incredible moment. whilst i respect it’s very hard to get a team full of world class stars on the cheap, it just feels inevitable that if you are banking on a kid with a poor scoring record, who’s finishing is inconsistent to come in and start banging in the goals when the going gets tough, you are likely to be disappointed. the same applies to denilson. i like the lad, but when you need that extra 10% to win the games it is pretty rare that it will come from him. he’s a player in the squad, but he’s no match winner (at least very rarely).
you hear wenger mentioned how he tried to buy alonso years ago and we missed out by a couple of million and it’s just frustrating. as if we couldn’t afford it or as if they were asking something totally unreasonable. i think part of the problem is when we are interested in players our attempt to get them tends to be very half-arsed. we ask them if they’re willing to sell at a stupidly low price, they usually say no then we wait until deadline day just to find out that our offer is still considered derisory. wenger talked of wanting a striker and how we have our first priority target, then second then third etc. to be honest if we fail to get any of those targets i wonder just how poorly we went about trying to buy them (or more likely didn’t even bother). wenger said he tried to sign someone in january, but if he doesn’t get his target whatever happened to the second and third targets? trying and failing to sign one player almost doesn’t make sense considering his explanation of our supposed target system. if we fail to sign player y we move for player x, but no, instead we try to sign player y at the last minute, fail then don’t even have time for player x. it’s as though there’s a mentality of ‘we’ll do it tomorrow, we’re too busy today’ and only when we notice it’s getting late or too late we just got told ‘errr, actually we’re not signing anyone’ even if we have an even worse injury situation.
in some ways wenger doens’t have too much power. he has been behind our training facilities and youth academy and those are both fantastic. but this attitude that he can do no wrong only puts him in a situation where failure is an acceptable option and in that sense he has too much power. i don’t want him sacked for one bad season or for us not winning anything, but a prolonged period in which we’ve challenged for only one league title, reached one carling cup semi final and one cl final is not really good enough to be honest. i don’t want wenger sacked, but this can’t go on and he has to seriously up his game because *evidently* he’s getting something wrong and it’s starting to have a serious effect on the team. i mean if we win nothing again, will cesc want to stay? will arshavin? will rvp? this can only go on for so long. if we were come really close in every competition (or most) then i would be totally ok with it. the season when we just lost the league title a few years ago was perfectly acceptable for me even though we won nothing. but having only the cl left to play for (which is never a realistic expectation for any team) at this stage in the same *again* blatantly is not good enough as this is happening every season now.
Hey back at you ‘holic
Yes I know the source of TT and do fear it’s all too appropriate. 4-3-3 has worked this season but is simply not the right formation for every game.
As ‘blogs in particular has commented of late, it only seems to work when everyone is committed to the plan. Of late that simply has not been true.
I know what you mean re. Wenger won’t just settle for anyone, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to accept this when he doesn’t apply the same logic to the the under-achievers in the team.
Always thought we were in with a shout this season which makes the current situation all the more frustrating. Essentially things are not changing and potentially there are serious questions to be asked in the summer.
Albert Einstein (or maybe, Ben Franklin): “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
Wenger: “I’m not buying anyone. I’ll keep Mania (erm, ‘Munia) in goal. I’ll keep Arshavin up front and center. We’re this close…the boys will repay my confidence.” Yada, Yada, Yada.
I’ll admit that I have only been a supporter for four years (as long as I have been following soccer). Maybe me my lack of experience gives me some perspective. ‘Holic even you now argue we are playing for third.
Wenger’s stubbornness distresses me. If you don’t think Barca will tempt Cesc away, then you have more faith in the boy than I. Don’t get it twisted, though… I’ve settled on the Gunners, and a Gooner I’ll stay.
adwengo clichy hasn’t been himself for 18 months now actually. a lot of under-par performances from him last season. and he’s had a very poor year this season. if he can recover, great, but his being in the squad years ago means nothing if he’s playing poorly now. this isn’t henry or bergkamp who were deservedly legends going through a bit of a rough time, this is a guy who’s had a couple of excellent seasons and a couple of mixed ones.
We are supposedly the third richest club in the world yet we don’t act like it. Wenger sells us too much bullshit. I could be happier in these times if he didn’t try to big up players on the team that are not good enough (and will never be) and then on top of that tell us we need certain types of players to ‘complete’ the team and then never follows through with these statements. Arsenal pride themselves as an institution run properly but their constant public contradictions is a rod for their own back. Wenger has a central role in this. He seems to shoulder the blame for everything because he is too secure in his job. He is not above being criticized. We all are in our daily professions, so why should there be blind faith in Wenger. He has never delivered the Champions League and blew the league a few times when we should have won it. Which means his judgement can be questioned as every other high profile coach in world football. I am sick of people constantly sticking up for him. Especially after his talks with Real Madrid when he got a little criticism last year. He is playing mind games so I don’t see why as a fan we need to stick to this Wenger is ‘holier than thou’ mantra. He was once deserving of it but over the last five years he has continually opened himself up for criticism in all sorts of ways. Folks, one day he is going to have to go, and I am by no means ushering him out the door, but let’s not be so fearful of when it comes to an end. I am reserving my opinion till the end of the season and am curious to what Wenger’s solutions will be for next. Ultimately, I just don’t feel the need to live in fear of Wenger not being at the helm like so many gooners around the world.
i also don’t see a great deal of point in us adding width when virtually no one can cross a ball to save their life (evidently not worked on in training) and when they do we almost never score from them. i mean eboue is realistically your man if you want someone would can beat players and usually keep it wide and he sometimes puts in excellent rasping crosses, but how many times do we see our players busting a gut to make it to the near post and nod it in? there’s a short guy on the centre spot shrugging as it flies past and someone on the edge of the box, both surrounded by 3 players. the width offers virtually nothing of value to us without at the very least a player like rvp with enough class to do something with it.
@50 Ryan. I think you are spot on.
There was story in the paper today that we were going to offer Cesc a new contract. Would you sign it if you were Cesc or would you hang fire for a bit???
If we had actually kept some of the players that have left in the last few years then we would be there or there abouts now. That is what is so frutsrating, We are so bloody close it is unreal. It frustrates the hell out of me.
actually i find the fact that we play nowhere near as good football as the old days one of the most disappointing things (as much as we always get told that we do, it’s nonsense). who here can remember the days where we were quite regularly 3 up by half time and passing it for fun with the crowd counting each pass. oh man i MISS that!
ryan, can’t agree with a lot of what you are feeling, but love the way you are prepared to present it and debate your case without resorting to the lowest common denominator.
I’ll accept Wenger would be given the money that is there to buy players. He has spent it when the right players have been persuaded to join at the right price. I can’t criticise him for having a small number of targets, and to have placed a value on them above which he will not go.
I also cannot accept Denilson is not a better bet than Flamini, who has to swallow his pride and play as a back-up full-back at Milan because he doesn’t have the quality to get into the midfield.
We’re singing from the same hymnsheet up front. This summer we will get one addition up front, if no other Champions League qualifier lines his pocket with more money. I do think departures will mean we need to spend more as well in a couple of areas. We’ll see.
Anyway, cheers again.
If we play with width it does not have to mean big balls into the box. Henry broke wide all the time. It spreads the play. It takes players out of the middle and creates space. Then the likes of Arshavin, Cesc, Nasri etc will be able to make those passes.
Clichy has become a strange one. I honestly felt that if Gibbs had not picked up that injury in the CL then he may have struggled to get back in. I am a big fan of Gibbs and think he has a really bright future. It could have been interesting if he had played.
yes steve literally i think a keeper like brad friedel, flamini and i’m not sure which striker because i don’t watch enough foreign games, but i’m not talking david villa here. just perhaps gignac? dzeko? i couldn’t say who would be the right choice, but i really doubt we have to spend more than £18 mil or so max on the striker. that team wouldn’t be certain of success but it would be damn likely to regularly if not win things be right up competing in everything most years.
certainly i don’t think we need to buy huge superstars for stupid money
true steve, it doesn’t have to mean high balls, but we very rarely put in a good low cross (or convert it if we do either). it’s only one example, but consider bendtner’s sliced low cross which went at the keeper around the 70th minute today. by all means we sometimes do much better, but god knows they mostly are pretty tame, under-hit and easily blocked or intercepted and when they’re not they’re usually inaccurate of the target player
Chamakh is the addition this summer.
On a freebie.
Eastmond is coming through to cover Song at DM, so no go there.
Another centre back maybe? smalling was clearly bid for, so the manager is on the look for one.
Goalie? i don’t buy the sorenson rumours… szchesny may get accelerated this summer if fabinski cannot get his mojo back.
I don’t expect Almunia to be first eleven next season, i am sure of that.
Ryan, I do not think width has to result in a cross all of the time. There should be enough talent breaking forward to pick up a ball played inside. Not that we break with any pace these days. That was something else I wanted to mention. Why do we break and then seem to just stop????? Where did that come from???
fully agree re: gibbs
he is the best left back at the club, and his injury was HUGE.. i voiced my view back when clichy got injured that he may not get back in the team by the time he recovers.. crying shame on gibbs.. as he would have certainly been on the plane to africa this summer…
even more so now with all this terry/bridge stuff.
gooner gas mark 6 and after 23 mins ure chicken pie is well and truely cooked,
last season gibbs was class in so many big games and it was only a slip vs utd (which he mentally recovered from for the next game) which counted against him. this year i thought he was slightly more suspect defensively, but still very impressive and i have big hopes for him. in the final third he is better than any other fullback we have because he was naturally a winger and is very composed and a decent crosser.
and oh yes the slower counter attacks are very frustrating. i don’t know what that’s all about but clichy has been one of the culprits (perhaps told by wenger to stop or perhaps it’s his own decision i don’t know). he used to fly out of defense and carry it halfway into their half before giving it to whoever else was on-rushing. for the last couple of years he seems to speed out of defense, then slow down, then wait, then play a pass or cut back by which time the chance is all but gone.
you are also right that width does stretch defenses even without crosses, but these days it feels like we either stretch teams, pull them wide and give the ball away or stay narrow look for an eye of the needle pass and lose it or the player is offside. neither is doing a huge amount of good for us, but at least if we go narrow someone like arshavin may just whack out one of those screamers into the top corner whereas out-wide i never fancy an end product from us. i remember a game when reyes cut in from the left and scored a fantastic curling shot into the far top corner (perhaps vs everton, i forget). it was outside the box and at a tight angle andit was a wonderful strike. about 15 minutes later henry seemed insensed that his inferior junior team mate had scored what was surely going to be the goal of the game and scored a virtually identical goal but from an even tighter angle almost as if just to piss of reyes.
whilst we’ve scored a lot of goals this season i feel especially without van persie we lack that arrogance which can give that bit extra to a team. chelsea don’t play arsenal these days worried of losing, sure we can beat them and have done last season, but they fancy themselves big time. we go into these games praying PLEASE win, rather than swaggering as we used to and i wonder if that little difference in how the players carry themselves as a team is having a worse impact than if we walked out there expecting to win.
Wenger have never REplaced Sol and Tone or the pairing of Petit and Vieira in midfield or the Pires,Henry in attack,succesfull teams are about seussefull partnerships.Vermaelen/Gallas dont think so,Diaby and Song dont think so and Arshavin/Van Persie dont think.
Evening ‘holic.
Another long, dismal Sunday night. Knowing Monday is around the corner is bad enough without having to digest not just a loss, but the realisation that we are just not good enough. Again.
Just some random thoughts…
Which Arsenal team will show up on Wednesday — the half-somnolent one that only stirs itself awake after it’s a goal or two down or one which is eager to put things right? We live in hope. If it is the former, the Emirates may well turn into a bearpit.
Living with some of Arsene’s decisions or his lack of signings when we clearly need reinforcements is never easy, but listening to comments like 3rd place is better than a cup or how close he came to a signing are becoming awfully hard to stomach. Someone at Arsenal.com needs to have a word.
Maybe Bendtner will show us he’s as good as he says. Maybe RVP will be back in March. Maybe. But away games at the likes of Hull, Stoke, Birmingham and Wigan promise a lot more of the same if we have no width or cutting edge up front.
Is it me or are the manager and team becoming more and more estranged from its supporters? Arsene especially seems to be living in a parallel universe. I know most of his comments are aimed at his players, but the rest of us have to hear them too. Let Pat Rice talk to the press for awhile. Or a different Arsenal legend — free publicity for the Tours, if nothing else. That way if they talk bollocks no one cares. It might even be a laugh.
Chelsea and United are out of the way and Torres won’t be fit by Wednesday. Please, start Fabianski. It’s now or never. Almunia will not be in goal next season — we all know that. This may well be Fabianski’s last chance. Let him take it. Who knows, maybe we’ll get lucky.
This Super Bowl is fairly boring. Mind, a few of these defensive linebackers would look pretty good in midfield or defense. A good tactical substitute if nothing else: a few minutes on to scare/kick the shite out of a Terry or Ballack would be worth it in my book.
danish – diaby was awesome today
he has been awesome all season
he is the player we all expected him to be … and he will only get better.
Danish, please stop spurting your wisdom all around the internet. Football is not about partnerships, this is not “Strictly Come Dancing”.
The team seemed to play considerably better after the introduction of Bendtner and Eboue but Walcott was dire. Diaby was good and Song wasn’t that bad. I felt Adebayor was really missed against both Man U and Chelsea although we haven’t missed him too much against lesser teams. Nasri and Clichy seemed too lightweight entirely. It is too many bad Februarys in a row for my taste.
What actually does Pat Rice do?
Maybe we should get George Graham back as the defensive co-ordinator?
Well said ‘holic. The voice of reason as usual. Valid point made by Andy (24) as well.
It is a World Cup year. Not a lot of players want to move and those that do, wouldn’t have improved the team much.
pat rice was shouting in to our cliche about minding the far post, now gael is a bit mut and jeff and and took a few steps forward to hear what pat was saying but loe and behold chelski took the corner anyway and as they say the rest is history
badly missed jermain today to lead the line, 3 goals in 9yrs at the club the prolific goalscorer was sold by wenger to boro to help finance the building of our wonderfull stadia
a BRADY. sorry brandy for me holic if your buying
and dont comeback and tell me the bar is closed,heard that 1 before
I would just ask the critics to look at this:
http://www.uefa.com/multimediafiles/download/pressrelease/uefa/uefamedia/87/97/76/879776_download.pdf
The future’s so bright!
Why do people show no patience or confidence in the boss?
We’ll be laughing at Chelsea in a few years when we’re all playing by the same rules.
They are a blip; An ageing squad who enjoyed short term success in a club that can’t hope to buy big under the new legislation.
Unbelievable.
Chelsea is making football a hideous sport. I just wonder what it will look like against Inter Milan.
There was a blimp shot of the 16 yard box where we had some players but, Chelsea had 8 (!!!) players in their own box defending and 2 within 10 yards of the 16 yard box.
It was exactly like the commentators said – “Chelsea just sit back and wait for the counter”.
It is impossible to score against them in a normal build up – only set pieces.
I truly believe they will still drop points, but now I’m actually a lot more worried about UTD.
Still haven’t lost hope since I do believe we’re winning (but nothing’s certain is it?) on Wednesday and both Utd dropping points at Villa Park and Chelsea at Everton.
7 points look better, don’t they? :\
This is by far the worst two weeks ever. Unfortunately not winning anything has a direct effect on next season with Cesc leaving in the summer and everybody (most significantly being RvP) getting bitter. DAMN!
Steve T @59…..”Henry broke wide” etc……. Arshavin had five chances versus Man U and Chelsea that Henry would have scored from EVERY time. Had these been taken, both games would have been won, not lost.
Both full backs attempt to play it wide. Unfortunately, neither can cross. Unfortunately squared, our little lads can’t reach most of the crossed balls. I suspect Walcott was picked to play wide today. He bombed. I suspect Vela has been picked to play wide every time he’s picked. He isn’t cutting it, yet. Similar comments on Nasri.
Whether wide or through the middle the team is missing a world class striker. The difference between Arsenal and the two teams we’ve lost to in 8 days is as little as that. Manure have Rooney, Chelsea Drogba.
We had Robin. His injury blow torpedoed the season.
Yes, against United, our defence was poor. Today’s first goal was a shocker. But, these would hardy have mattered if the chances had been taken. There is NO question, we need a world class striker.
But forget all this cock about “just go out and buy anyone”? I even saw McCarthy’s name mentioned! G-o-r-d-o-n B-e-n-n-e-t! He’d be GREAT – at keeping the bench warm for the reserve team. Probably from the same mouth that jeered Ade out of the club. And don’t get me started on how much better we’d have done with him through the middle this season.
To those who think that Cesc will bunk off in the summer, all I can say is, he’s more of a man than you. He’ll be here next season. Put it in a brown envelope, send it to yourself and open it on September 1.
‘Holic, your patience in trying to convey the economics surrounding the club is very admirable. I think many of your readers are suffering from “hearing” deficiencies, unfortunately. Please keep trying. Bigger text might improve the sound quality.
Now, as I was saying to Her Nellieness just an hour ago, it can be quite sunny in May, so don’t forget to pack the Ambre Solaire for the Champions League final. I don’t want to get my nose burned watching Cesc picking up the big jug in these sunny foreign climes.
That’s me till Wednesday. Keep smiling ‘Holics. You could be Spuds fans, remember.
Lol…talk bout parking the bust at the bus stop in Fulham.
More improvements coming up v the scousers. I though Eeeeemanuel Eboooooueeeee did ok when he came in. Hope he gets a start ahead of Walcott v L’pool.
Im afraid you’re just blindly optimistic , Holic. Heroic effort? The only players I saw putting in any effort were Cesc, Diaby and our center backs.
Nasri just slows down our games and Clichy – my god what has happened to him?
Im disillusioned and disgusted. This is Wenger’s project. This is his team. At the end of the day, he has to take the blame.
There are many things Wenger has done for Arsenal FC and I respect him for that – but there are things that are either he choses to ignore or doesn’t care.
Today again he came out with “we are a young team” excuse. FFS! Im sick of hearing about that.
Things have to change.. and maybe starting from Wenger.
What we wanted after the Man U game was a good effort from the players. I think we got that to a great extent.
We also wanted tighter defending – we didn’t get that. Everyone who knows a bit about football has been going on about our defending this season and we’ve paid for it the last two games, if not others. I think that a stronger team defending outfit wouldn’t have seen us 9 points off the pace.
We’ve needed a new defensive coach for a while now – for me that has been the bigger problem than the striker problem. If you’re down a goal early in the game and then down 2 before the half, it’s safe to say that you can throw your gameplan out of the window because the other team parks the bus (sometimes at the stop at Fulham?). (Look at our games against the big teams and see how we’ve been put in a hole in most of those games.)
Even Barca for all their attacking play don’t leak goals like we do. I don’t know who’ll point this out to Wenger but someone should. Gazidis maybe? In the end, what is disappointing is that we knew about these problems, and we’ve known about them for a while now. That is what I find really hard to reconcile with.
ALOT OF PEOPLE ARE NOW SAYING we have an easy run in…and we should be comfortable apart from spurs, man city…
OK…I’m not sure of that..Birmingham away (almost every top team has dropped points), Hull away (Chelsea and City dropped points), STOKE Away (we’ve lost twice there now)….
So there are another 5 games atleast where we can drop points….SO FUCK OFF to people sounding so stupid by trying to be artificially optimistic…spreading false hope….
We wouldnt be this disappointed if people had curtailed their expectations…for e.g – we should know a title ambitious side of the best league in the world – will have a striker to start with for each game… And Arsenal dont !
heheh, great opening para. But, much as I’ve appreciated Diaby all season and he did have an otherwise good game today, he was admiring John Terry’s backside as he rose for the header to flick it on to Drogba. We just don’t like defending and that’s what’s cost us all season.
Still, 39 points remaining – is it possible to bet that we’ll win all our remaining EPL games?
on 08 Feb 2010 at 6:20 am84Magic Hat
Still, 39 points remaining – is it possible to bet that we’ll win all our remaining EPL games?
—————-
Read post above you !
The old ‘men against boys’ once again.
Le boss said they had more experience. Really, Arsene? Average age of 29 vs our 23. Just imagine how good we’ll be in 6 years time.
Give me strength. Literally.
When our two centre backs push up for set pieces, the usual ploy is to have the full backs tuck in and cover. But when one is in such poor form, it’s just asking for trouble.
Does anyone ever read the shit we write `holic ?
Wenger plays his cards very close to his chest which is fne in the transfer business but I truly think he should consider being a little more transparent with the Arsenal faithful; he tends to build his own cross at times. Contrary to what he may believe he needs those fans and needs to be more open and take them into his confidence. The supporters are just as much a part, if not more,
of the family as are his players.
Also, we do have a General Manager (whose name escapes me for the moment) maybe we should hear from him occasionaly.
I`ve changed my name. Ever since I won 20 million on the Pools I`ve had begging letters. One here from a bloke named Kroenke, who`s he? Now ,for all you in Bangladesh and Clapham I`m only joking.
i agree with ryan about arsenal not playing like before. arsenal was the epitome of the counter-attack, and of quick, direct intricate passing. we could get to the other end and score inside 10 seconds and with 2 or 3 passes and 4 players sprinting up. those players were big and strong, and they were freaking quick. other managers would look at our players and wonder how to beat our players as we had it all, skills, speed, size and strength.
now, we have gone the slow route. i know my football, and this is no where as pretty as a lot seem to think it still is. it looks very spanish to me, and the passing is slow. argentina passes slow as well, but they do it just to lull the opponents and then are super quick to pounce and score. arsenal can’t do that. i really do have to say that the style has changed, and the players have not developed quick enough, or developed enough to support the new style wenger wants. it might work if our players were better. but as it is, i cannot see a better system for the players we have. they can’t really play in any other system as well as this one i think.
oh yeah, and sometimes, when i look at chelsea this season, their quick one-touch passing and directness when they want to do so reminds me of the last generation of arsenal.
What is vela supposed to be doing in the team ,he was supposed to be better than the rest of the players in the world ,no?? .I am amazed with results like this ,Wenger threw the cup so that he could concentrate on the Pl,but the truth is if you are good enough ,you are good enough to win everything ,we don`t have the squad depth ,not the right personnel and oh if i could, i would personally slap Clichy!!when he is shit it is terrible to watch!!I blame him for both goals.
The biggest problem is in defence with William Gallas ballwatching and
lapsing out of concentration every 10 or so minutes.The 2nd goal by Drogba was due to Gallas stepping into Chelsea,s half then stepping out again instead of pressing Chelsea back into their half .A quick break left Drogba unmarked on the wing with Clichy and Vermaelen coming in to midfield to try and stop the counter .Vermaelen is the main cenrtral defender and sweeper but try and explain this to Gallas.The incident with Vermaelen and Malouda banging heads ,Gallas again stepping away from the ball as he likes to do ,it,s called ballwatching .Finally why do our defenders backpedal furiously every time there,s a counter attack by the opposition ,step up and commit a foul if need be as long as it,s far from the Arsenal goals?
Despite another loss, this one hurt me a lot less than the one against Mancs last weekend, we didn’t put in a fight last time and clearly did not deserve to get anything out the game.
Yesterday, we should have been in front to start with and AA should be the man to take this onto his shoulders. If he’s as experienced as he thinks he is then he should be taking his chances and he should have scored on many occasions. He should have levelled and even put us in front. I was a bit disappointed in the first 11 that started, I wanted Bendtner to start up front he could have won all those headers for us and I think he should have started, bringing on fresh Nasri would made the difference as well, when Walcott run out of steam. I still think Walcott has a mountian to climb in terms of imrpovement, overall his game was better than last time against the Mancs.
I seriously think our midfield did really well yesterday, Song, Diaby and Cesc ran and ran and ran, no questions there, as to our full back well, Clichy as much as I liked the guy I think he has lost his touch big time, towards the end he did look a bit better than against the Mancs, as for Sagna and his crossing….jesus don’t they practice those in training? Same goes for Clichy, mind you Cesc crosses were as bad yesterday apart from his free kick.
Almunia had another very shaky below par performance, he should of saved number two but he closed his eyes before Drogba kicked the ball. As for number one well it’s one of those pokes, he was there at the right time and it fell for him.
Chelsea were slightly better in the first half no doubt but I think at times they defended like the likes of Stoke, Hulll, Birmingham…. They had all 11 players in their own half so that should put some explanation to why we couldn’t break them. Yes we should grind results at this level and we lost the game due to our own mistakes yet again. We need another world class striker just in case Van Persie decides to injure himself again in an International Friendly.
79 Bergkamp’s The Man
I agree with you on that one TH14 would have found the net with those chances no doubt.
All in all I feel not all is lost we need shape up for Wednesday, just to add if Song got booked yesterday so should have that dirty German – Ballack his fouls were very discreet and stoppe us from playing.
A vanilla Latte for me barman please…another week has just started and we shouldn’t be down about yesterday after all we did loose to a very good Chelski side and the lads did put a fight.
“It’s time for the Gunners to stand up and be counted”
It was time for them to stand up and get counted against Villa. Did they? No!
It was time for them to stand up and get counted against ManUnited. Did they? No!
It was time for them to stand up and get counted against Chel$ki. Did they? No!
Basically, am bored and I just want the season to get over with some eye-candy football against lesser teams, coz that’s what we are good at! beating the hell out of lesser teams with fancy-schmancy football.
I’ve thrown all the optimism out of the window, it was just weighing me down!
Still, nothing changes as far as my support goes, Gooner for life!
Again we are all hurting like hell and my wife’s language was most un-ladylike!
Let’s get one thing clear; Wenger is one of the great football managers in the world and he has proved it many times with the different teams he has built and the trophies he has won. He is also a great judge of talent, not long ago the bleaters and booers were calling for Song’s head and now he is developing into a great player, likewise with Diaby who is now starting to blossom and don’t forget what some of the so-called supporters did to Eboue not so very long ago, he also has shown recently that he can make a decent contribution to the team. Adebayor was another who was magnificent until, for reasons known only to himself, he decided that he no longer wanted to play for us. The club is also solvent and not loaded down with debt which means that our future is assured unlike Portsmouth which looks as if it could go under permanently at any time. And even West Ham,Liverpool and Man U look pretty wobbly financially. It is pointless to look at Chelsea and Man C because they are propped up by benefactors but if those benefactors ever become bored or bankrupt themselves then the clubs will suffer.
What has really scuppered our team this season has been the succession of injuries and especially the serious injury to RVP whilst on international duty. Walcott’s development has also been badly interrupted by a number of injuries and lay-offs as was that of Diaby, and Denilson has had back problems which I suspect are still affecting him on the pitch. There are others I could mention but you all know who they are.
I am certain that Wenger knows what players we need and I am equally certain that when the right players become available at a price we can afford he will buy them. Yes, we need more variation in our style of play, yes we need more width, and yes, we need more power and pace up front. At the moment we don’t have the players to give us those options which is why we play as we do and let’s face it we haven’t done too badly so far. We have lost to Man U and Chelsea (the best two sides in the league), we lost to Sunderland (which we shouldn’t have) and we dropped two points to West Ham (which we shouldn’t have). Apart from that we haven’t done too badly, we have scored loads of goals (but conceded too many), we are lying third in the league and are still in the CL. It’s a shame about the FA Cup and the manner in which we went out.
This is a very good side but it is so frustrating because with a couple of additions it could be an excellent side. It is vital that the supporters continue to stick with it and help our team to secure third place (I think second is probably out of reach). We have the right manager and we must give him our support, he WILL win trophies at Arsenal again.
83 a gunner<
I can understand your frustration but there is no need to tell your fellow fans to FUCK OFF and I really mean it mate, we all wanted to win yesterday and you are not helping.
Did the team play better, mmmm yes ! Did anything change mmmmm no ! We claim to be title contenders every year and every year we come up with a different excuse, injuries, too young, defense maybe next year. I have been a gooner for 33 years and I dont remember being fed the same tired excuses every season. It is apparant that we must now be a selling club, because when we sell we dont replace. How the F%&* AW dosent think we needed a striker and a goal keeper. For all the glamorus football we play, how many of you out there would gladly take the old 1-0 to the Arsenal 1-0 to the Arsenal.
A day on an I am still as gutted as I was yesterday.
It beggars belief that we could concede a goal (the second) virtually identical to the one we lost the previous Sunday. Time and time again we are told that they will learn from their mistakes when it is patently obvious that they don’t!
As for the first goal, that was virtually a whole team sleepwalking when defending a set piece although I am surprised how little slack Diaby got for his lame attempt at getting anywhere near Terry (although I agree that other than that he played quite well) – he’s a big guy and he should be letting the opposition know he’s there!
I don’t often agree with Sky media pundits but the fact is they are correct – we are totally one dimensional. Make it difficult to pass through and we will struggle to break teams down. And then wait on our chronic indiscipline at the back and get caught on the counter attack.
A defensive coach now! There, I am not asking for a shiny new striker or a change in goalkeeper (although both would help) – just do the fecking basics.
A large hair of the dog, please, barman. 🙁
Well scribed opener as always ‘holic. Thanks.
Mostly I agree, although I personally felt Song had a pretty good game.
Have now had opportunity to read through all the comments. The great thing about this blog is that it is an open establishment for fans with a range of opinions, which I really enjoy reading. We all love our Arsenal. I though BTM 79 and norfolk dumpling 95 got it absolutely spot on. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the major issue for me is that we so desperately need to find a replacement for Henry (ok, Adebayor if you like btm). A seasoned goalscorer ~ one who can be relied upon to put the ball in the back of the net. And from wherever ~ in the 6 yard box, 18 yard box, receiving the ball wide or centrally, whether holding the ball with back to goal or receiving at pace on the shoulder of the defender. Liverpool have that player. Manchester United have that player. Chelsea have that player. If we had that player, Gallas and Vermaelen would more better cover their defensive positions instead of being tempted to stray, often too far, into offensive positions…..only to be caught on the break.
And let’s not kid ourselves that they are not out there. They are. We reputedly have a huge scouting network. As an example, if Rooney were to break his leg in the summer, you could bet your last £1 that Fergy would break the bank to get him…..and be successful in so doing! Likewise with Chelsea (although Liverpool are clearly skint). I also feel it was right to let Ade go. Top player, but the attitude was not, and still is not, there as I can see.
But let’s not get too overboard in wallowing in our collective grief after these few weekends. We are third, fairly comfortably. Yes of course we want to be first but come Wednesday evening we have a gilt edged opportunity to pull 8 points clear of a 4th place Liverpool. We are still in the CL. We are financially self dependant. We have a Manager who I consider to be both a gentleman and one of the best in the world.
Keep on believing.
96 ArthurTheGooner ~ I absolutely agree. 83 a gunner….surely we can trade our different opinions with a bit more class than throwing unnecessary insults like that?
Slack, I meant flak!
Anyone seen a certain Belgium?
He has been in contact, Hazza. Call off the search!
Holic, on a much more important front – “It’s what has been festering in my mind while I have been visiting at the hospital”
Nothing serious I hope?
The management again, BtM. Long story. One day I will start ‘privatehealthisshite.com’
When you re view the vilification and vomiting, verse upon verse, of the vanquished’s very venomous vitriol, it validates my view and verves toward:
1. Wenger doesn’t know what he’s doing!
This might have some merit IF:
– Arsenal hadn’t been sitting atop the league only 3 weeks ago
– A superb pre-season squad, hadn’t been injury decimated
(RvP, JD20, Gibbs, Walcott, Nasri, Cliche, Bendtner, Fabski)
– The season was over – it isn’t. Neither is ECL
2. Arsenal can’t defend. Bring back Flamini
Well, then again:
– True – 6 teams have lost fewer goals (calamity)
– BUT – 4 are LOWER in the league
– NONE of us predicted Almunia’s jellyfish year
(Don’t pretend you did – he’s cost us dear though)
– Cliche wouldn’t be back yet if Gibbs was fit
– Flamini can’t get a regular game these days. Never as DM.
3. We need a world class striker
Only ONE team has scored more goals (one) than Arsenal
– Despite all three strikers being absent for most of the season
– Despite releasing 1 of 2 (RvP, Ade) being groomed post Henry
(Stand up, take a bow BBB)
– AW knows the need. He tried to buy (my source says Villa)
– There are few out there. They don’t come cheap
– Presumably we want better than Ade? – so 26 Mill+
4. Financial prudence and good economics as just BS
Did you lose your home in the recent crisis by any chance?
– Buy somebody, buy anybody, forget the price? Hmmm..
– There’s lots of quality, cheap out there just sitting waiting?……
– Ah yes, that why Manure bought Berbatoss for 32Mill….
Would I have liked a new, world class striker? -YES
Will we need to buy in the summer? – YES
Do they grow on trees? – not last time I looked.
Would I have broken the bank to buy? No Way.
Never say die. Come on Arsenal! We’ve got the best coach in the world. Enjoy him. Enjoy the team. There’s still much to be done this season.
Absolutely love the post BTM!
Cheers mate.
btm
The only point I would raise the question is (4). I absolutely agree with financial prudence however wonder whether our determination to stick resolutely to this approach might cost us dearly in the long run.
As a quick example, I got the distinct impression from the to’ings and fro’ings over the Chamakh ‘negotiations’ that he was questioning just how much Arsenal wanted him to play for our club. There seemed no question that he wanted to join us but I wonder how much we reciprocated with the same desire. Yes, of course we need to be driving costs to the absolute minimum. But not at all other costs.
BTM.
I agree with a lot of what you say but if you do not think we need to play with more width then we are way apart. We are so narrow it is untrue. It plays into the hands of teams like CSKA Fulham and ManUre. Our so called wide players all cut inside at the first available moment.
We do need a world class striker. I, unlike you think it was right to sell Ade. He had become a bad influence in the dressing room and his performances had deteriorated. His attitude at times stank. But the big mistake was not finding a replacement. AW came out and said he did not buy a replacement because we had Carlos Vela. I still can not get my head round that one.
I am a big AW fan but sometimes his decisions baffle me. The problems that have come back to bite us on the arse were highlighted by most of us in the summer. And we keep hearing that we have the money to spend without putting the club in danger. It stands to reason that if Wenger has decided not to use it because he feels that the squad is good enough that some locals will start moaning. In the current climate fans make big sacrifices to follow their team. On occasions their frustration will boil over.
The players gave their all yesterday but the manager’s REFUSAL to modify his tactics and approach according to his opponents is the problem.
We are very very easy to figure out — Ferguson and Ancelotti respect our quality, so they thought out their tactics to exploit our obvious weaknesses and one-dimensional play.
It’s not hard to figure out, and they have the players and mentality to pull it off.
Whereas our manager’s only solution is to try to impose our game on others, regardless of the opponent.
It’s staggeringly poor management.
We simply do NOT have the cutting edge to beat a full strength Chelsea (yes, we did last season when they were weak, without Drogba and Essien, and had a poor manager).
It doesn’t matter a damn if we were the better team, we simply have no answer to their physicality, clinical finishing and gamesmanship. Remember that this Chelsea team nearly eliminated the brilliant Barca from the CL last season. Only one moment of magic from one of their major talents and a generous referee prevented that. I thought Arshavin was that game-changing player, obviously he’s not up to it.
Hello , I am an arsenal fan from montreal , canada .
AW and the team need to be supported , there is no other choice . The team is young and mentally fragile , a good consistent support and within a year or two , this team will be very good . AW will eventually make some additions or changes .
Within a year or two , Chelsea will be older and the Ballack , Drogba will need viagra to keep up the running with younger players and Abramovich will need to spend massively to rejuvenate his club , the same with Man UTD , in one word financial chaos .
So guys , cheer up , I guess fans are too impatient , we need one or two steps backward to have rational thinking .
BTW , if is impossible for us , far away , to support chelsea , it is a club artificially glued together with dubious money .
Ooh, ooh, where to start, where to start. Ok, engadge clutch and slowly slip into first gear and pull away gently:
A lot of seasoned Gooners at the bar I see. A lot of hard drinking going on. A lot of money spent on season tickets over many years. Supporters through “Blight & Bright”. And it is these very chaps who funded our beloved club with “bums on seats” way before any “Skyski” money came in. So whether I agree with them or not fill their tankards good keep.
Whilst many of us were nestling down to a tinny and Skyski, these brave chaps were singing their hearts out (well the old clock end was).
And we have the temerity to label some of these fellows as BBBs, just because they are a little too vocal? I have said before that Blogs like ‘Holics are for the good, bad and ugly. I love a good mash up and as long as someone can articulate their point (not in text speak as that really gets my goat) then that’s ok with me.
I mean how would you feel if someone said “oh you’re not a real gooner. California! Australia! Do me a favour!”
I have been a Gooner since ’74 and my mini me since, well he’s 10 now so do your maths. I don’t have a season ticket. I go to a couple of matches every season and take my lad to the summer tournament. I get my tickets from friends who have season tickets. But try telling me I don’t have a say!
Wenger is a genius. But genius is always flawed. There is always an Achilles Heel to be found. And it has been found my friends. That is not to say he is wrong or should go. But his maddening quest for “the beautiful game” could, and I say could just be his nemesis. Ironic huh?
Finally. Ade. I love the way Wenger plucked him from France. Worked very hard with him. Turned him into a much better player. And turned a beautiful profit. We upped his salary considerably as his ego matched or some might say exceeded his ability. His odious agent poisoned everything that was good. And yet I hear that we shouldnt have sold him. That is not the real crime. The real crime is that we did not replace him. After all we had the funds? No one is bigger than the club itself. Somebody please tell Ade.
AFC74: “The real crime is that we did not replace him. After all we had the funds? No one is bigger than the club itself. Somebody please tell Ade.”
Very good, exactly. He became poisonous in the dressing room, destroying morale and team spirit and refused to put any effort on the pitch. He had to be sold but he wasn’t replaced.
Whoops! That should be “engage” as I said “genius is always flawed” heh. 😉
A great post and a lot of fascinating comments. Once Marcus, Btm and Steve T write something, I’ve noticed I don’t have much to add.
@AFC 112: The immense majority of our supporters are great and I can’t say it enough, I have a huge respect for our away supporters. I wish I had half their dedication in all the areas of my life!
But do you read the boards of our opponents? Do you have any idea on how much some Arsenal supporters at home are despised and ridiculed, the worst self-righteous brats of the premier league? I encourage you to go to the boards of Everton, Villa and such just after the games. Then come back and tell us we should praise them. There is a section of our support that is worse than worthless, they’re detrimental to our success. I’m not lumping everyone with what I hope is a tiny minority. But they’re shaming us, hurting us and in the end costing us.
Loving your passion Matt! Would stand beside you any day of the week. That minority is the same same minority that can’t string a sentence together. Posts with CAPLOCK on and don’t get me started on text speak. They vent their vitriol their invective at Wenger, but don’t qualify. Every club has them.
I have stopped looking at other boards for the same reason that clearly upsets you. Excuse my language, but they are tossers.
I’m no one compared to Steve T.
Actually I’m thinking of readjusting my commitment. My passion is intact but there are other areas of my life that require tending and I’ve been spending too much time on Arsenal for my own good these days.
Er, Marcus,
“We simply do NOT have the cutting edge to beat a full strength Chelsea – yes, we did last season when they were weak, without Drogba and Essien”
The cutting edge is Robin Van Persie. Remember his performance in the match you mention? Check it out again. Superb! He too was missing on Sunday – the primary reason we failed to score and why our attack was weak. (And the primary reason we’re not sitting on top of the league)
Yes, I agree, three points from six vs Chelsea and four from six versus Manure last season WAS disappointing and WAY off what this team and manager are capable of.
“Yes, but Wenger should have seen the injury coming and bought a striker”
Please refer to post No 106. Repeat process and keep your chin up.
Come on You Gunners!
‘Remember that this Chelsea team nearly eliminated the brilliant Barca from the CL last season. Only one moment of magic from one of their major talents and a generous referee prevented that.’
And them missing one or two gilt-edged chances. And not even bothering to try and score an away goal.
Sometimes I think the last few seasons is like that game ‘whack-a-mole/rat’ – you keep hitting them as they pop up with a mallet but as soon as you do more pop up. Every time we seem to fix one issue, another one pops up *repeat cycle*
//The cutting edge is Robin Van Persie.//
Yes he is….when fit. And history has proven that ain’t all too often unfortunately. Further to which, the current crop of forwards ~ Bendtner/Walcott/Vela/Eduardo ~ have all been pretty well the same.
Compare, if you will, to Rooney (Ronaldo before him), Drogba/Anelka and to some extent Torres (although to an extent suffer the same problem as do we)…….and we begin to see, more accutely perhaps, the extent of the challenge.
IMO, in order to progress to the next level, we need to address our forward line. For me, it is this position that is most urgent. Plus we all know Wenger is not the kind of manager who will fritter away the cash making wholesale changes. Not that I believe it is necessary btw.
Don, I know where you are coming from, but do you not think that even if we had bought a striker we would not still be lamenting our generosity in conceding goals?
We have been doing it all season and the season before that – we were told that these players would learn but I don’t see any evidence of that.
Before Man Utd came to the Emirates, we gave 2 goals away at home to both Everton and Bolton. It’s basics.
For me, we need to get a defensive coach and a goalkeeper and when we start to defend properly we can stop chasing games from 2 goals down !
I might be wrong again here, but I think we have had the most injury prone squad in the PL for the last 3-4 seasons, If that is not a clue something is clearly wrong then I don’t know what is.
Did I expect us to beat Chelski & Man Utd, Nope at best I prayed for a draw in one if not both, instead we got comprehensively outplayed in one game and punished on the counter in the other.
While we are playing better football in some games, we are just far too inconsistent, Remember the Everton games, huge difference in the effort in both games.
Arshavin has been woeful and wonderful all in the same game, and too many players look seriously disinterested in game after game.
I cannot completely agree with the Denilson bashing as in some games he has been fantastic but in others….see Arshavin
Almunia is just not good enough for a PL team, his confidence seems completely shot and the same goes for Theo, Injuries have restricted him, but it is looking more and more like we bought a lemon.
I have huge optimism for the future of our younger players, But very worried that Cesc, Arshavin, and even RVP may decide the future is taking too long to arrive.
How many of us would blame them for wanting to move on to a team that looks to today and not just all the tomorrows
You make a good point zicoinexile. I personally think our defensive lineup is fine. We have Gibbs as back up (or even replacement) for Clichy. Eboue for Sagna on the other side. Further still we have Traore (on the left obviously). Also we have Djourou and Silvestre in cover for the CD positions. I guess the point I am trying to make is that [more] coaching is probably more required than necessarily replacement of personnel.
OTOH, up front….the only solution I can see is additional or changed personnel. We still do not have a proper reliable replacement for Henry/Adebayor. Nowhere near! It desperately needs addressing.
@DrapedINDarkness: Spot on mate. Even if we were buying instead of building a team of Galacticos, we will win nothing as long as we sustain this injury rate. Nothing else matters half as much.
We can buy and/or grow players, hire a defensive coach, replace Wenger, whatever. If half the team is constantly injured silverware will always remain elusive.
Don,
We’re on the same page.
– Would Chelsea have won on Sunday without Dogbreath? NO!
– Torres injury is the reason for Liverpool’s current position.
– Manure without Rooney? A flock looking for a sheep shagger!
So you need some luck. We have had zilch in the injury department. And it’s just plain moronic to blame the manager for injuries.
At the same time, a balance needs to be struck. You can’t buy ten strikers on the proposition that some are going to get injured.
Last season the cries were: “Sell Ade*. Give Vela and Walcott a chance. We’ve got RvP, Bendtner. Eduardo and Rosicky are coming back. We don’t need him. He only averages 20 goals a season”. (* one tonk even drew up a “funny” sales brochure on the poor bugger).
NO ONE was saying then we needed another world class striker. They couldn’t wait to see the back of one of the two we had. Now the very same voices are complaining we need a striker. ANY striker for f**ks sake!
Hind sight is always 20/20.
That’s definitely enough till Wednesday.
BTW – anyone see The Who at superbowl half time? Bloody brilliant.
BtM, RVP has played against Chelsea before and we haven’t won. The ONLY time we’ve beaten Chelsea in the last few seasons was when Drogba was not on the pitch and they had a poor manager.
I concede, however, that maybe with RVP we might’ve won yesterday–because we did play well for the most part. He may have given us that edge. But he wouldn’t have made up for our defensive frailties.
It’s true we have a miserable home crowd, no question. But that was NOT the issue yesterday (and I don’t buy any of this scapegoating of our miserable home fans for our lack of trophies, it’s pure crap, it’s a convenient way to ignore the failings of the manager and his players). Our away fans are among the best in the league, and they made yesterday’s crowd at the Bodge look like the worthless, shallow nouveau riche cretins that they are.
Anyone who thinks Utd and Chelsea have better home fans than we do doesn’t know what they’re talking about. Ever hear Barca’s or Real Madrid’s home fans? Talk about misery! There is NOTHING uniquely miserable about our home supporters. Miserable, worthless, fickle idiots they are but they’re hardly alone or worse than others.
During Utd’s recent drought (tho they won the CC in 06), there were petitions of Ferguson’s SACKING on various Utd blogs. Utd fans were full of complaints about Ferguson, many were saying his best years were behind him.
I focus much less on the striker issue than the issue of TACTICS, physicality and clinical finishing.
Just to add to what I wrote: the issue I have is the continual EASE that smart, tough opponents have in figuring us out. I’m not focusing on the whole issue of keepers, strikers, yadayadayada. The fundamental fact is that it really doesn’t take a lot of thought to figure out how to exploit our weaknesses, we are predictable and toothless. Ballack trash talks and says it’s easy to beat us, Evra calls us boy (or infants) — and they’re right. It really doesn’t take a lot of thought to come up with a plan against us, we are utterly predictable.
And btw, we were just as predictable and toothless last season with Ade in the team.
Big thanks to all of you , whichever side of the debate your sympathies lie. I have just loved the majority of the contributions on here, not just today, but for a long time. Keep it up fellas.
@marcus: you’re missing the point of our discussion with AFC_1974, it wasn’t in any case related to yesterday’s game and yes in any case we have top away supporters. We were speaking about the BBB or AAC (Anti-Arsenal Cult), they’ve not waited until yesterday’s defeat to undermine the team.
I don’t quite see the point on other teams’ fans. Yes Chelski and United and RM (and probably Barca) fans aren’t any better. But what of the suporters of Liverpool and quite a bunch of smaller clubs?
Other than that I agree 120% with your point on tactics. Actually I even question the strategy. When was the last time we aimed for a draw? Drawing against any one of the big 4 is a good result, not something to be ashamed of. We could have drawn twice against United if that had been our aim and perhaps once against Chelski. And we would still be in the race.
Russians have a proverb around the lines of “A mother-in-law is always right afterwards”. If one of RvP and Bendtner had been fully fit this season we’d be flying on top the league right now and there would be many less mothers-in-law on the Arsenal boards.
Injuries I tell you.
Fair points there Marcus. There was some talk, not so long ago, of Arsenal not knowing how to win ugly, or lacking a plan B, and one or two matches aside (Fulham away, for example) that problem has not really gone away. Yesterday, for the majority of the match we looked like the home side. We seem to get found out in the early stages against these better sides, because they play a pressing in your face game, which we fail to love with, but more importantly than that is they are disciplined and keep their shape. They don’t lose their heads, like we do when we charge forward in gung-ho fashion.
I’ve said before that we need a defensive coach, someone who can teach the basics of shape and defending as a cohesive unit. I read a piece last week about defensive tactics, ball, man or zone, which highlighted AC Milan in the 90’s, don’t know if anyone saw it (or can find a link…it was probably on here, this is my local after all), but it was quite pertinent and served to show that the basics are just not there with our defence in these bigger games, and are sporadic guests against the so-called lesser sides. That was obvious yesterday as well.
There is also something to be said about desire… Talent, Tactics and Desire are all key parts of the big game these days, but you cannot concentrate on one at the expense of any of the others. The whole is greater than the sum of the parts and I think sometimes… oh and Application… these four things… No-one expects…
Oh, I’ll come back in….
Predictable AND toothless but still top of the league three weeks ago! And now, catastrophically, third.
We’re doooomed. Doooomed I say! (in accent of Scots bloke, Private Fraser, undertaker and finest home guard soldier, on “Dad’s Army”)
Just imagine if we had a full set of wallies (teeth) in, with a full squad to pick from. We’d be predictably unbeatable instead of predictably toothless. And the thought of Ade off the bench, makes my white smiley grin bright and I’m lusterine at the thought.
Yeah, your right, Ade was out a lot of last toothless season too. Remember when he (bad Stoke mauling) and Cesc (Alonso) clash both returned on the same day? Cesc free kick to Ade inside half an hour. The big man burst the net with a header. We walked the game and the wizard on the juke box played “The Boys Are Back in Town”. Magic days.
Holic, thanks to you for providing the spark and the sand-pit. Regards to Management and best wishes for a speedy recovery.
I didn’t think Song had such a shocker to be honest, he was rather decent.
First goal just wouldn’t have happened if communication was better and Clichy had just got that silly idea to desert his post to go and check an incoming player.
Anyway, enough Guinness for the weekend, so I’ll have a cognac please.
Thanks.
Seriously though, we can talk about it and analyse it to death, or until the cows come home (I don’t own any cows), but the bottom line is we, as supporters, are powerless to do anything about it. It is this impotence that makes it all so frustrating. The fact is, we ain’t a bad side, and yes, we are one or two players away from being one of the top 5 sides in Europe, which is no mean feat, but for all the flashes of brilliance we see in our side, we know that the final prize, the result, keeps just elluding us, ever so slightly, but if you miss by an inch, you may as well miss by a million miles.
Keep the faith… what else are you going to do?
Oh please, last season was our worst or second worst under AW’s tenure, any notion that Ade was particularly special last season is bollocks. Other than the villareal goal, of course. And it’s very clear from Cesc’s subsequent comments that he wasn’t at all unhappy to see the back of Ade.
fair comments, snail – yes, we’re 3rd in the league and still in the CL — that’s about the best we can expect every season for awhile. I’m sure we’ll go on a good run for several games like we always do.
Until we’re faced with another big test, which we never pass.
What people fail to understand is that we are not Everton or Villa. Those fans are accustomed to not mixing it up with the top teams, not making serious challenges for trophies and winning them. Getting to the FA cup final last year for Everton was a MASSIVE moment for them.
But we are Arsenal. Until recently, we and Utd dominated the PL. We are one of 3 teams who’ve won the most league titles in all of England’s top flight. Yes, I well remember long periods of drought that were far, far longer than this one. But at the very least a great club like Arsenal with our history and tradition deserve a team that is not routinely ridiculed as “meek,” easy to beat, infants.
Marcus…
Hmmm….’easy to beat infants’ hey’? 3rd in the league yet supposedly easy to beat infants. This the same team who the press were queuing up to say we wouldn’t even finish top 4 and Liverpool were going to win the league. And so continues our love/hate affair with the meeja.
Yes I agree some defensive coaching is perhaps the answer. But a team needs the right balance of personnel if it wants to trade it with the big boys. That applies to any team. And I just cannot get away from the fact that we do not have a striker….a reliable, proven, powerful, athletic and gifted striker that will equip us to compete with the rest. If you think we have, then please name him!?
I don’t want to be too down on the current squad. I am merely arguing for ONE position only. Everyone else for me is pretty well adequate.
Keep on believing 🙂
I completele agree with what most of you have mentioned here, it’s a real pleasure to come to ‘Holics bar and read such interesting points of view from everyone.
God Bless the ‘Holics Bar.
Our defence is fairly clueless at reading out counter attacks and I have noticed that it’s usualy the left wing that gets exploited, Clichy is back in that position, Traore was always a third choice, Gibbs perhaps would be first but that does not matter now as he’s injured like most of our squad. Clichy needs to take a step forward espiecially at this level. His wondering around and not reading the game cost the 2nd Drogba goal on Sunday. We all know he’s been out for while and he seemed a bit sharper than against the Mancs but still needs to improve, both him and Sagna need to go on a training course on how to take crosses and I’m really serious about it as they just don’t know how.
I have no problem with WG and TV they are solid enough for me. On the other hand I believe the weakest link in defence is Almunia, fisrt goal for Mancs was awful it should have never gone in, a keeper at this level especially from the Top 4 should be able to stop shots from close range and even from Drogba. During games some times they show how Gallas is looking at him, thinking WTF are you doing mate. For me Manone should be given a run in the squad or even Fabianski.
I have a strong feeling I will be in a minority of one in saying this. Almunia has been poor. He is lacking in confidence. He does not command his area well. BUT…..he is the best we’ve got! Neither Mannone, nor Fabianksi, nor Szczesny (at the minute) would be a better option.
That we could do with a better goalkeeper I will not argue (certainly not as much as we need a striker). Although I am encouraged with those coming through, plus the all needed squad competition.
I just feel that all too often Almunia takes a kicking for his, as well as the fault/s of others.
Is that the men in white jackets coming to take me away I wonder? 😉
140 Don
You are quiet right about the striker we need him more than a keeper but I didn’t want to go into that as it already has been mentioned here many times.
I just feel that all too often Almunia takes a kicking for his, as well as the faults of others.
A fair point, don. I singled him out yesterday, and didn’t labour the point, as I should have done, that his mistakes were the last for both goals. Others should have dug him out of a very deep hole before he was so exposed.
I still think his problems this season are all psychological. You don’t go from being as good as he was the last couple of seasons, to as bad as he has been this time around, without there being an explanation He must have been very close to his mother in law.
Please, any smart arses, don’t make the obvious lame retort to that.
why all this doom and gloom all of a sudden olic, can nobody see the arsene masterplan setting up the chavs and manure for humilation over two legs in quarter and semi final of C/L an outplaying barca in the final coasting to a 3 zero victory
lisen we only had 5 french superstars on show at the bridge, the professor cleverly held back silvester (quiet leadership in dressing room )
Don. Almunia taking a kicking??? He wants to read a book about kicking??????
Few quick points. The defense problems. One of the main problems I feel is again with the midfield. The reason we are being caught on the break is that there is a massive gap between midfield and defenders. That is so easy for others to exploit. We need someone to close that down. And dare I say it but we need to be a bit more switched on. By that I mean how was Rooney allowed to turn, get his pass away and start on his 80 yeard run? Surely he should not have got around Clichy in the first place? Re the Chav game how was Drogba allowed to get into the box in the first place? Sure a tackle should have been put in to stop him??? If you get my drift. It is what every other side would have done.
Next point is that where did all this home supporter bashing come from? Not sure I feel too happy about that.
And Matt, I love you too……
Evening All.
Some excellent debates going on, good stuff.
Don, you may just be right that Al is the best we´ve got at the mo´,
AW see´s the keepers day in and day out in training and because he keeps faith with him I can only presume that Fabianski and Mannone are doing something wrong. This however worries me greatly.
We all know the need for a real striker, but we still have goals in the team so we´ll scrape through. A DM would also be nice, but there again we have players that can do a job, the defence is the same story. The GK position is a major worry though, it´s absoloutely impossible to win anything if you don´t have a strong keeper, and let´s be honest Almunia is a liability at the moment. The poor guy is lost and his confidence is shot.
Confidence is an extreamly important element of any team game, have it and it can make you feel better, perform better even. But lose it and that lack of confidence can spread like a virus infecting the whole team. It is painfully obvious that Al is suffering and his defence has no confidence at all in him which makes them very nervous. With every set piece or cross that comes into our box you can see the hesitation in our defence and this is not good.
I´ll forever be the optimist when it comes to my Arsenal, but if Almunia is the best we´ve got then I´m afraid we are in trouble.
Pint of lager for me please barman and I´ll raise a glass to Manuel and I hope he proves me wrong.
Cheers.
ps Best wishes for a speedy recovery to the “management” ‘holic.
Ooh tom, you know how to hurt a man when he is down! You’re a great addition to the ‘holics 😉
Actually I was well aware how those opening two paragraphs would look when I wrote them. I needed to try and capture what was going through my head when we conceded because some people don’t seem to appreciate the difference between gut reaction in the heat of the moment, and considered opinion once you have taken a look at the bigger picture.
I guess I am not a very good educator!
Steve. Yes Almunia can be his own worst enemy….of that I agree. But I just grow a bit tired of reading the oft repeated critical mantra; targeting him alone where others are just as, if not more, deserving…..at times.
I have another view of the gap between midfield & defence…..something that I too have noticed and commented to my sons. Partly it will happen when we are chasing goals. And why? Because we have no seasoned finisher…..therefore the midfielders will end up pushing further and further forward (intricate passing round the 18 yard box)….thereby putting more pressure on defence resulting in us potentially getting caught on the break. This is something that has crept into our game only in the last few years….post Vieira and co. It can often seem imbalanced.
NB. Of course, in #140, that should have read ‘a MAJORITY’ of one (not minority…although technically speaking both could well apply ~ I’d best stop right there)!
NBB. ‘holic….thanks for easing the hurt of yesterdays defeat. This blog is first class. As they say, a problem shared is a problem halved.
where did all this home supporter bashing come from? Not sure I feel too happy about that.
It was ever thus, Steve.
http://goonerholic.com/?p=1446
…and I see you were a ‘holic back then 🙂
Oi….so was I ‘holic (message 10) 🙂
Anyways, I am already looking ahead to Wednesday night. Sunday’s defeat is a distant memory.
Bring on 3 points against the ‘pool.
G’night fellow Gooners. Best fans in the world….by a country mile 🙂
Holic. I have just checked it out and I think you will find my call for unity at number 6. I really don’t get all this back biting. We all have our own opinions and should be grateful for a forum in which to air them. But in the cold light of day we are all Arsenal fans. We should all be proud of that, and would do well to remember that fact at times.
Keep the faith…..
You beat me to it……..
Wow. That BBC predictor is taking up all of my time 🙂
I’ve actually tried everything and if we do our job we got it.
Now it’s down to us (weird saying it depends on us when we’re 9 points behind isn’t it?), no losing points at all.
My guess is 3 points on Wednesday, loss of points for Chelsea at Everton and Villa beating Man U at the minimum.
‘Holic,
An excellent debate started indeed.
I’d like to go over the five goals conceded in the past two games, because when I did some key things stuck out.
Goal 1: Nani tricked past Clichy and Nasri, ghosted by Denilson, Almunia with the own-goal (although noting ManU were queueing up at the far post).
Goal 2: Denilson giveaway to Park leading to a 3 on 1 with Clichy in no mans land and Almunia conceding at his near post.
Goal 3: Another counterattack off a corner with Clichy giving Nani space, with Rooney ghosting past Denilson and to a lesser extent Vermaelen.
Goal 4: Corner with Diaby outjumped by Terry, Song and Clichy caught in no mans land.
Goal 5: Diaby, Song, and Fab all within 30 yards of Chelsea’s goal, a turnover and a pass to Lampard at the half line leads to a 3v4 (our back 4, Anelka, Lampard, Drogba). Drogba rounds Clichy and Vermaelen.
Three things stand out.
1. The counter. For goals 2 and 3, we had pretty much no one back – it was an all out blitz – only Clichy was covering. I noticed a tactical change against Chelsea – there were very few, if any runs forward by Gallas or Vermaelen prior to the 80th minute, and both of them were back for the counter on 5. Still – Song, Diaby, and Fab were all sitting around the edge of the box opening the space for Lampard to run. Fix that and I don’t think Chelsea scores.
2. Our left side. Clichy has gotten the bulk of the chastising, but Vermaelen is over there too. In my opinion he has a bit of the blame for Nani’s goal, more of the blame for Rooney’s (he and Clichy were back, and Verm followed Park instead of either covering the more dangerous Rooney or at least organizing Denilson), and he was also involved with Drogba’s fifth. Am I the only one who thought going into the game that a back 4 of Sagna, Gallas, Campbell, Vermaelen might work better?
3. Set pieces. Two more goals on setpieces – one on our corner, one on Chelsea’s corner. Another reason I would like to see Campbell on the pitch, especially against a physical team like Chelsea.
I think the tactics improved in the Chelsea game, but were still lacking that last bit of solidity.
Finally, given all the love for Vermaelen (and I like the guy as well), neither Gallas nor Sagna were involved in any of the five goals. Gallas has really, really found his form. He is the form centerback right now.
`Holic, almost too bad we don’t lose more often because it does wonders to your board!
Steve T: I started the discussion about the fans, I agree it’s out of context.
On to Porto now. We need to win that one to get another go at Chelski and/or United, this time with RvP. We’ll see what happens then.
Great reading material.. especially during classes when no one else here would be able tell drogba apart from cech. one point I would like to add that hasn’t really been talked about is how Nasri is being utilized. Nasri is not a winger by any means. he seems to work much better like Cesc through the middle and weaving in passes from deep and attacking the box rather than receiving it up deep where gets muscled off the ball pretty quickly.
Love it, very good prowse
I have just watched Arsene’s pre-Liverpool press conference, he was fuming at one point with statements some reporters made and good on him.
Come on Arsene, throw it back in their faces!
Let’s concentrate on Scousers now….
Has anyone noticed how many youngsters we have now on loan?
Bloody loads… which is good for them I know not everyone will make in our first 11 but just goes to show that Wenger Ball project is certainly making slow progress.
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/loan-watch-gilbert-s-posh-take-on-qpr
Can anyone see this current garbage ensemble doing anything worthwhile for the rest of this season? Arsene – time’s up, the game’s up and we are fu*ked up.
DB10 – if the game is up for AW – who would you replace him with?
DB10
Nothing is up untill it’s finished to my knowledge, 39 points to grab?
Is the Season up?
No it’s not and we are certainly not fu*ked up…look at at other teams in the league for instance West Ham…
Enough said…
DB10 – they may be under-performing, but they are far from garbage. Need to sort out some defensive frailties and we will back in the groove.
Last month it was crisis Liverpool. Its now crisis Arsenal. 3 pts tomorrow and we move a step back to crisis Liverpool. Its just the way of it.
There’s a big difference between questioning AW and coming out with “games up, we’re fu*ked up” nonsense. At least give your solutions.
On some of the many blogs I visit, saw the comment that the board gives Arsene a 2 mi bonus for just qualifying for CL – coz that in turn brings in more money.
Incentives for qualifying for CL rather than winning the FA cup or Carling Cup.
This is just plain wrong.
Sajit, have you ever heard of Chinese whispers?
I only ask because you seem to be responsible for so many…
I think AW and the team are on the right track and would gladly be going through these “lean” years for great years to if not for the Cesc factor. Also I believe we should cut Arsene some because its almost as f he’s had to start rebuildng twice in the past couple of years. for instance the 07 years looked as if his rebuilding was almost complete as we made a great run and the title then, but a few unloyal ***** in Hleb, Adebayor, Flemini, and Toure changed that. also Senderos started many games that year. so basically fiver starters at Arsenal have been replaced in TWO years, nevermind the fact that three starters straight through the middle of our formation have been replaced in two years. Arsene’s rebuilding process has been hit with some unexpected departures so its only logical for a little delay.
So Chicago. Are you saying that we are actually going backwards? Unexpected departures???? With the exception of Flamini I do not get that at all. All players mentioned were under contract. We decide if they go or not. With Flamini the writing should have been on the wall.
Your points would have more substance if it was not for the fact that the sales of these players have left us with 40 million in the bank doing very little.
I know but its bout finding the right players with equal or greater quality. in ’07 there was something special sour that squad, the fans could see it, and even the players themselves have said it. We had a team spirit that wasnt seen since the invincibles. if we went out and bought players theres no guarantee that they will perform as well in this system as the one’s we had, and also they would not have played and developed chemistry with the current squad. we heard rumblings about hleb and adebayor leaving while the 07 season was going on and after, but the departures were still relatively unexpected ( though adebayor left a year after hleb) . I am trying to say is that Arsene rebuilt a very very good and bonded squad together that looked as if would go on and win things . ( and might have done too if not for the eduardo situation and gallos train wreck).
I know but its bout finding the right players with equal or greater quality. in ’07 there was something special sour that squad, the fans could see it, and even the players themselves have said it. We had a team spirit that wasnt seen since the invincibles. if we went out and bought players theres no guarantee that they will perform as well in this system as the one’s we had, and also they would not have played and developed chemistry with the current squad. we heard rumblings about hleb and adebayor leaving while the 07 season was going on and after, but the departures were still relatively unexpected ( though adebayor left a year after hleb) . I am trying to say is that Arsene rebuilt a very very good and bonded squad together that looked as if would go on and win things . ( and might have done too if not for the eduardo situation and gallas train wreck).
And yes we have obviously gone backwards a bit. letting these players Leave was our decision, but its the same with every case with a player being tapped up. just as ronaldo, lescott, and adebayor. you’re obviously not going to keep players who keep stating they want to leave and will not be giving a 100% for their club you have no choice but to sell them.