Shalke Preview And New TH14 Biography Competition
Nov 5th, 2012 by 'holic
Let’s get the team news out of the way. Aaron Ramsey is ruled out by injury and his place in the squad is taken by Johan Djourou. Hallelujah, the solution to our lack of creativity has been found.
That is the gratuitous cheap shot out of the way. Now to make a case for the shell-shocked troops who traipsed off at Old Trafford on Saturday an utterly defeated side. The wider issues surrounding our performance, or rather lack of one, at the weekend can wait for a couple of weeks. If you think discontent was in the air yesterday just wait until you see whichever of the North London tribes is left licking its wounds after the derby.
What is more important, however, is the next match. This is not just a matter of putting ourselves in a position to top Group B. Indeed a second consecutive defeat would leave us very much looking over our shoulder as a home win for Olympiakos against Montpellier would put them level with us on six points. It is also a test of character. Can a side smarting from the harsh condemnation it attracted at the weekend react positively and lift a fractured fan base again.
Human nature suggests the disaffected will be sceptical and the optimistic will be, well, optimistic. Somewhere between lies the reality of a very talented group of individuals rebuilding confidence in each other. A fortnight ago I could make a case for us beating Schalke had we been able to cope better with the rampant Farfan and Affelay targeting our left flank. It beggars belief that we could go into the away leg without defensive changes to correct that.
There are a couple of options. Switch Bacary Sagna to the left and recall Carl Jenkinson is the one I championed before the weekend. Equally we could summon Laurent Koscielny to partner Per Mertesacker and switch the skipper to left-back. Either option would be popularly received by large numbers of the away support heading to, or already in Gelsenkirchen.
Assuming we are not going to spring a surprise 4-4-2 to disrupt the home side’s preparations then the midfield trio will pick itself. Unchanged, but in need of creating more than it has done in recent weeks. To be fair I don’t think the blame lies just with the engine room. The players up front have to make intelligent runs and make themselves available to be hit. Lest we forget, Lukas Podolski, Olivier Giroud, and Santi Cazorla are all still working out how to play with each other and fit into the Arsenal system.
If Theo Walcott has got over the sickness that Arsene spoke of earlier then he simply has to start on the right. Whether he makes it or not I think there is also a case for starting Andrey Arshavin. Podolski in particular has not taken advantage of his positive start and seems to be struggling to get involved at either end of the pitch. Arshavin may not be the most enthusiastic at covering his full-back, but showed at Reading last week that he will still attempt to get us moving forward and has assists in his locker even when his distribution is inconsistent.
After their two goal triumph at the Grove it is not surprising that the bookies have Schalke as odds-on favourites. If the Arsenal of that night turns up they will have their justification, but Arsenal are better than that. The Arsenal that won at Anfield, that won at Montpellier, and that won at West Ham, can win in Germany. The serious punter wouldn’t touch them, but I am having some of the 13/4 offered by Gunners Gaming against the away win as my ‘holic pound. If you feel like joining me click on the banner ad above, and don’t forget a £10 bet puts you in the draw for four fabulous hospitality box tickets against Montpellier in a fortnight.
I realise some will accuse me of blind faith, but the truth is we have had years of going from the sublime to the ridiculous and back again. We most certainly can produce another memorable night, but if the squad don’t pull together and put in a proper shift then yes, it could be another frustrating evening. You can torture yourself with visions of negativity, or look forward to a return to some semblance of the form we all know we are capable of.
Come on Arsenal, don’t let us down again.
Thierry Henry Book Competition
We are in need of a bit of a lift, aren’t we? What better way to take your mind off things than by reading a brilliant biography of Thierry Henry? I thought that might attract your interest. Yes, that was the prize I hinted at on Friday.
Philippe Auclair, a popular freelance journalist on both sides of the channel, sees his latest book published on Thursday. Thierry Henry, Lonely At The Top: A Biography, is published by Macmillan. Those of you who were at the launch of the Arseblog Anthology, So Paddy Got Up, last year will have met Philippe. He will talk Arsenal with anybody, is engaging company, and has drawn from numerous interviews, trustworthy sources, and his own personal observations taken during the course of Henry’s career to produce this work which you won’t be able to put down.
It is the most concise and accurate portrayal of the enigmatic striker’s life and career ever to be written. The book will take you on a journey through the highs and lows of his career; from his early days growing up in a Parisian suburb to the glory years with Arsenal and France’s ‘golden generation’, from the infamous ‘hand of gaul’ incident to his passage through Barcelona on his way to his current club, the New York Red Bulls.
Philippe explores the life and career of this most complex and enigmatic of global megastars in a great deal of colour. He depicts a man who lives and breathes football like no other, who tasted the sweetest of successes and the bitterest of failures, and who inspired admiration yet seemed to polarise public opinion.
To win a copy courtesy of Midas Public Relations and Goonerholic all you have to do is answer this question. Study the photograph below and tell me who was Thierry celebrating scoring against.
Send your answer to competition@goonerholic.com by 6pm UK time on Wednesday and I will announce the winner on Wednesday night. To save time include your name and address on your entry and I will send the book on Thursday. Your details will not be shared with any third party. If you are not lucky then I have linked to the book on Amazon in the sidebar so you don’t have to waste valuable seconds finding it. I’m too good to you lot!
Good luck, ‘holics.
390 Responses to “Shalke Preview And New TH14 Biography Competition”
Here we go again……….
‘Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes his players have lost their belief even though his side still have “the best defence” in the Premier League.’
The poor darlings.
Oh, there’s a blog. Back in a mo.
Thierry vs Knuckledraggers 😀
Great preview Holic.
I can smell a result but I think we have to make the changes that you suggest to get one.
Come on Arsenal!
Book sounds a great read.
If it wasn’t for blind faith then there wouldn’t be any. 😉
Seriously though, Schalke are no mugs and even if we were on top of our game this would be a hard tie. Whatever the reason for the funk we’ll have to shake it off and play a shit load better then we have over the last few weeks.
Come on you gunners!!!!
Europa league! Now to read the text!
You can share my details with lots of third parties – as long as they’re female and under 30.
Sublime to the ridiculous and back again?
Can we not just cut out the middle man?
😀
Sage words as ever ‘Holic and thank you for yet again encapsulating the mood without condemning any of the sides of the debate.
Contrary to recent popular belief, I quite like the idea of giving Schalke a good rooting up the choccy starfish and then heading in to two obviously winable home games (;)) with a bit of a wave of confidence.
I don’t believe, as some do, that the best thing for our wonderful club is to have a totally disastrous season to show ’em good and proper.
I don’t believe that sacking everybody from the ball boys to the chairman is necessary either.
And I certainly don’t believe that Arsenal would be better off without Le Boss, although that is a belief that I am struggling more and more to justify with every passing season.
What I DO believe is that we need something to change. Whether that comes from a huge slice of luck, a rousing performance, a couple of buys in January or even a couple of players dropped right now, we need SOMETHING.
So, off to Schalke, lots of points to make and prove, lots of potential to provide a season-changing springboard after a decent win with a hard-working performance to match and, dare I say it, the chance to throw in a couple of new-ish faces in the process.
Why not Gnabry or Walcott on the right wing, Jenks, Miquel or Meade at left back and maybe even throw Eisfeld in and give JW10 a half or so on the bench or push Santi out to the left to make room for him?
Not like the kids did any worse against Reading than the grown-ups did against ManU now, is it?!?!
My pound is going on a 3-2 away win with us getting an early goal through Giroud. Giroud again?! Well, I am going to have to be right at some point, aren’t I?!??!
COME ON YOU GOONERS!
Hhhhmmmm…
And while I am trying to actually engage the brain, I guess the main reason why half of my kids choices aren’t actually going to play is that they are not registered toi do so!
How do you do the “blushing like a twat” smiley here?!??!
😳 oops with : on either side TW
Nice one ‘holic! From the sublime to the ridiculous indeed!
I’ve a sneaky feeling that Arsene’ll go outfield with the captain at left back and Podolski ahead of him on his return to Germany. TW14 (if fit) will be ahead of Sagna, otherwise it’ll be AA23. Kos’ll partner our BFG in the middle and hopefully enjoy a deserved run and partnership in the side to rebuild his form. The usual 3 in the centre comprising of Wilshere, Cazorla and Arteta, and up front, big OG.
Tactics: Keep it tight for the first 30 mins to quieten the crowd and then build from there. 13/4?! I’ll have a piece of that; 2-1 to the “sublime and the ridiculous” as we get back in the saddle ! Come On You Beautiful Gunners!
Can I play here tonight Holic,there is no one at home.?
You will always be welcome here George.
Only on loan mind. I don’t want to upset Yogi 😉
Thanks H2H…
😳
😉
its the melbourne cup here today
any tips
“red cadeaux”?
I don’t know why young Miquel doesn’t get more consideration in the LB berth. He seems to show more comfort moving over there from his natural CB position than the captain, but alas he isn’t in the squad sheet. Le Coq or Sagna in the LB berth please!
Nothing to disagree with in that preview, a loss could be quite devastating but we know that this team can swing very quickly from brilliant to incomprehensibly poor and back to brilliant again so I would honestly not be the slightest bit surprised if we nick all three points. Maybe getting the first goal for once would help? We have only scored first in four games all season which is not really that good.
And that picture of Thierry celebrating that goal is probably my all-time favourite sports picture.
Loving some of the early entries. Mention of marshmen, swampdwellers, inbreds etc won’t get you any favourable treatment in the draw, but I am smiling again.
Bearded, Miquel’s injured.
Played ‘h.
With ollie et al over there roaring us on shurely the lads’ll rise to the ocassion and give Schalke a good shellacking.
I’ll have one of them cheap shots with you ‘h.
Thanks for that Holic. All I can wish for is tgat every blogger would be like you.
As for tomorrow, I am 100% certain Kos will start with BFG and the skipper at LB.
I say that because JD replaced Ramsey in the squad and AW could have opted for Gnabry.
That means JD will be on the bench and AW very rarely puts two CBs on the bench.
As for the wings, it will be Arshavin and Poldi, simply because I think the Theo situation has gone too far and even if he’s fit he’s not gonna start.
If he does start I’ll be very happy though.
He deserves the nod.
Excellent tone for the preview holic. Changes should be made tomorrow night…the team needs a good shake (not a good schalke). Maybe 442 would be worth a try and anyone at LB other than Santos / Bacs or TV would be an improvement. The wide midfielders must also fully assist the full backs as that’s where Schalke will focus their attacks after this strategy previously worked for them. OG up front to hold the ball up while support arrives. 100 per cent effort should bring its rewards!
Up the arse!
Hey Holic, I take heart that you feel this way about our lads, being very talented. Many of us thought this could very well be our year and it still might be. Last year I despaired a bit when you referred to our lads as the worst Arsenal side in quite awhile. But they had fight in them! If we can get that ‘we can do this’ mentality back, we just might prove Harry Redknapp wrong 🙂
Thanks for the heads up Dapper.
Snir – Not a big fan at TV5 at LB but I do think Kos deserves a look to partner the BFG and I don’t think the boss would drop the captain. For me Sagna really is our best option out there with Corporal Jenks playing so well at RB. He (Sagna) is incredibly diciplined and versatile and nullifying their wing attack is more important in my mind than any drop off in crossing that would come from having to use his weaker foot or having to bring it back to his right and slow down the early balls in from that wing.
Bearded – preaching to the choir.
I hate TV as LB. He’s piss poor there.
I just don’t think AW will put Sagna there.
With his previous experience in mind, could it not be feasible that Kos might get a run out at LB?
Pardon me ‘holic, but i’ve just been catching up over the post, and would like to acknowledge those folk that were kind enough to respond to some things i said.
Thanks for the generous ones Lars, Tabs, H2H and Trev (and your mate ron).
Tabs and Esso – ta for those fine tales from the front.
And NBN thanks for the seriously well-informed stuff re the anomalies of the US tax code/system thingy.
And re that F1/tennis-type football circuit model you mentioned – how ‘bout instead of lugging a cumbersome 18 or 20 or 22 team league around the world, why not go the other way: This damned football thing could be franchised in much the same manner as Macdonald’s, Starbucks or say Toni & Guy is.
That way we would have an Arsenal team, or two or three, in every town, on every high-street, worldwide. We’d maybes have the sc*m next door, and possibly the manks etc. over the road, and say chelski down by the bins.
Hell, we could all PLAY FOR ARSENAL – let alone effin watch them – no matter where on the planet we were – (for a smallish annual fee, and the price of a home and away kit or two, or three, each season, of course). It would be kiss my butt beautiful – no?
Remember folks you herd it hear first. If this thing spreads and catches on I’ll be looking for my big fat juicy peace o’ the piiiiie.
Up The Arsenal!
Don’t think so.
He has never played there. He has played RB.
Our only options are TV, Santos or Sagna.
I don’t see any chance of Sagna at LB. I don’t think AW would do that and shatter Santos’ confidence up until the January window.
I hope he does ’cause that would mean he won’t play for us anymore but I just don’t think that’s a possibility.
Snir @29 – Agree re Santos and therein lies the problem. If a player has the right attitude he will respond to being dropped by working twice as hard to get his place back. It wouldn’t shatter him it would only make him better. Unfortunately I agree with your assessment of what would happen to Santos if he were dropped.
Snir, I realise that his “other” position is at RB and not left back, but, as as been stated, Wnger tends not to have two CBs on the bench, so extrapolating from that we get two of either Kos, TV5 and Djourou playing tomorrow. TV5 has not really been that succesful at LB, Per isn’t getting moved for anything on earth and the idea that Wenger would be quite so foolish as to entrust the right flank to Djourou whilst moving Sagna over is, well, hopefully, unthinkable!
Wouldn’t surprise me if he didn’t give Kos a run there although would prefer Jenks and Sagna as the full back pairing for tomorrow, for sure.
Bearded – there is a difference between getting dropped to a left footed CB than to be dropped in favor a right footed LB who’s only played that position twice in his career (Liverpool at home last season and Udinese away)
By the way Thierry Wrightkamp – I was talking on Saturday at AW finding a way to bring back the creativity and make us create chances again with the players we have.
He always does. We always create. He’ll find the solution.
Nice preview Holic,
the work of a master politician (that’s a picture painted by a parrot, btw) 😉
Djourou on the right wing then ? Problems solved. 😉
Sagna at left back solution for me, and a quick rub down with the Sporting Life for Theo.
AL, get yourself in here more often mate, a superb @28.
Zico @7. 🙂
Snir
Like any true Gooner, I genuinely hope that you are right. I never once suggested actually getting rid of the man, just that I am worried that he will get rid of himself if things keep going the way that they have been.
Fingers crossed for tomorrow night. Toes too 🙂
Snir – no real argument here in regards to what replacement would be perceived as a stronger rebuke to Santos. I was only commenting on how I feel that rebuke, whether it be in the form of TV or Sagna, would further highlight the deficiences in Santos’ current attitude and work ethic.
AL,
I’m looking to start an insect collection, and heard you did a post on Fine Ants this afternoon.
Where can I get some ?
Wasn’t that the exact same last season? We couldn’t create to save our lives but finished second after City last season in chances created.
As opposed to general perception, AW is anything but tactically inept.
It has just become popular to knock him but to never compliment him.
Recent example? Yossi against the big teams. He replaced an in form Ox and was excellent vs. the big teams.
I can think of so many more examples, just like I can think of examples of the opposite outcome, but I could do the same for Fergie, Cappello, Mourinho, Pep and so many other managers.
This article seems to agree with your assessment Snir but I still find it amusing that the writer states
“Wenger is set to move Thomas Vermaelen to left-back, in place of Santos, and recall Laurent Koscielny in central defence.”
But I didn’t see anything in Arsene’s statements actually confirming this.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/nov/05/andre-santos-arsenal-apology-shirt
I am rapidly coming to the conclusion that AL needs to be headhunted by the Arsenal PR boys.
Has given me so many chuckles this weekend and tonight.
Naughty boy 😉
Can I throw in here that I could not possibly care less about Santos’ feelings after he so blatantly demonstrated that he has none for either the club or the incredible away support. As for his confidence levels, I am fairly confident that he is confident that his confidence is generally in doubt!
Snir@38
I SERIOUSLY do not want to get into a pissing contest over Wenger again and I hope that you appreciate the need for us all to get behind the team, regardless of the flaws (both obvious ones and those less so) but I do wish to say that the idea that I am the sort of person that LIKES to knock Wenger would simply demonstrate how little of me the internet allows you to perceive.
I am a staunch Wengerite and I am not ashamed to say it, but I am also not afraid to speak up when I feel that the mistakes that are being made time and time again by the club, from the directors down to the players themselves, appear to be bearing some fairly sour fruit.
This squad is the worst we have had for a decade or so…Easily. If the cause of that is a gravy train running right through the middle of the directors box and the team is suffering for that, do we not have a duty to speak up?
It’s the toilet smashing, seat slashing, marsh gas farting Tottenham !
Oh, got to do it by email ….
Awwww Trev…
You gave the game away fella!
HEH 🙂
I admire your blind faith but all around the country it’s eroding by the day.
Thierry Wrightkamp – that’s where we differ.
I don’t think this is the worst squad we’ve had in a decade.
I don’t usually do this, but here goes;
Santos has to be droped, putting aside the whole shirt fiasco, he’s been absolutly pants and a total liability over the last few games, at this moment in time he shouldn’t be anywhere near the squad, let alone the starting XI, the cuddly maverick, great game you guys thing has got him this far, but there’s a time to draw a big fat line under that and move on and the time is now.
Not anywhere near as bad, but suffering a terrible run, is the Captain. His performance against the Chavs would have been enough to get him axed from most teams, but he stayed in and hasn’t improved, his clangers are costing us big and frankly that one at Old Toilet was embarrassing. You could argue that it could have happened to any player, and I’d agree, but it’s happening way too frequently and for that reason I think some time on the bench and relieving him of the heavy burden of the armband may be the best solution for us all. I know he’s also a cult hero, but I think that makes many turn a blind eye to his obvious defiecencies.
Finaly, Poldi. Oh Lu Lu Lu, what has happened to you? He’s a shadow of the player I know he can be. He’s yet to finish 90 mins in a PL game in an Arsenal shirt, but there he is again at kick off every time. Somethings not right, I’m buggered if I know what is, but can anyone honestly argue with me by claiming that all is well? From the three I’d give him the most chance of bouncing back, unless there is indeed an injury that we are not privy too, but to be brutally honest if I were the decision maker (thank gawd I’m not) I’d probably be tempted to let him sit this one out.
Believe me, i’ve taken absolutly no pleasure in typing those former paragraphs and Í realise that I’ve just taken out almost our whole left side, but it’s just the way I see it. I’m also not going to offer any solutions as to who should replace them because quite frankly I don’t know.
To join in the discussion above, I don’t see moving TV to the LB position as a viable solution.
Sorry about the negativity and nothing would make me happier then those three players proving me wrong by going on a great run of form.
COYG’s.
Too kind ‘h, ta. Though when you mention being headhunted in a football context i’m still liable to get a little nervous
Ahem, and Trev – You could of course always try the world wide web. From what i read there – this morning fine ants rose 6 points on the footsie …
(Apologies – that’s what happens when you get all puffed-up cos people have said kind things about yer).
i’ll get my cocoon.
Trev and AL 😆
@39 – Has he apologised because he jumped the queue?
Mcnab at left back please (or should that read Nelson?)….
‘Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo, 27, has revealed he would vote for himself to win the Ballon d’Or if it was allowed. He added: “I am what I am and I’m delighted.”‘
Jesus, that’s funny.
Nonny,
He’s always been a well ground lad. 😉
and sad.
All I can say is, if I had been going to Gelsenkirchen I would already be there now, drinking large quantities of beer.
Not going to say who took the weekly honors in the You Ropey League. It wouldn’t be seemly. I’ll just say that today’s WBA win over Southampton gave me a boost. 😉
OK, Snir – You knew this was coming, so I guess you’ve had plenty of time to plan for it…
Which was the worst squad we have had in a decade?
Let’s start with options of 2 players in every position of the formation of that year. Seems fair enough, right?!
I’ll answer that when I wake up, but before I go to sleep, I have to say this.
I have a feeling AW will put Coq in and put Santi on the wing.
Surely he’s seen the lack of understanding between JW and Santi.
He’s probably seen the effect it has on the team, causing the team to look more for JW and not involving Santi in the attacking play.
Santi on the wing would give us many options to create chances. Both through the middle and from the wing.
What a polite posting on a day of sorts!!
I too don’t want to criticise my own team but a pessimist as i learnt is a well informed optimist.
Reality check santos is a flop n aint no gibbs nor clichy nor cole..he is just poor!
O.G Aint no thierry nor v.p or even anelka he just aint clinical nor does he make defenders fear him..
We are facing a side that beat us pants down afew weeks ago with players wenger said didnt have enough quality to join us in the transfer window!!
Ugh.
Morning.
Is it match day again already?
*Gets back on metaphorical horse*
PS – great stuff above from AL – Arsenal in every town will save me a fortune in airfares 🙂
Catching up a bit here.
Fine post in@422 in the last drinks tabs. Ricky sounds a real card. RIP.
Nice one Esso @435.
Well it appears that I will be an optimistic sceptic then. I think tonight really dies depend on what arsenal side turns up.
Santos can’t play tonight. I would rather start with 10.
If fit Theo has to start for me. He is in form and his pace can kill teams, just as long as it works at the same speed as his brain.
Good solid post Holic, its imperative that we seize Group B by the proverbial nuts, I haven’t been confident about Matchday 6 against Olympiakos for a long time and with reasonable reason, the way I would be bricking it if we need that game to finish 1st or maybe even 2nd *gulps* 😯
Agreed with Bath @ 60 tabs, excellent post and sometimes the need to get what you feel out of you to somewhere is just indeniable, To Ricky.
Went to the kitchen at Half-Time on Saturday so I missed it, but I’ve only just seen ‘Shirtgate’ between Santos and the March House Building Skunk on Google Images, its unbelieveably poor & the Nail (that constitutes Santos being dropped [his poor form and fitness]) into the proverbial coffin that shall be placed on the bench 🙂
The competition has just had me revisiting some of TH14’s goals. What a goal that one was and what a player he was. Will we ever see the like again at Arsenal?
I guess the only thing to do is remember the joy that watching him live brought and thank our lucky stars that we were of the generation that got to share in it.
Thanks ‘holic, my day has started brighter than it would have otherwise thanks to you!
Blimey, even some of the praertorian guard over at ACLF are holding their hands up and acknowledging that praps all is not well at the club right now.Maybe AW really is in trouble then, and as we’re about to play the best team we’ve played this season (inc the manks and the blue russians) away from home, things might yet get worserer all round.
The boys owe Le Prof a performance – i reckon.
ComoN you Eurorpean RedS!
psed – re over the post – i always knew that one day Steve T would be feted as a visionary
Christ, Ramsey and TW both out? What the fuck is going on – can we not keep any of our wingers fit this season?
It’s going to be a tall order tonight. Fervently hoping that Arsene gives Santos a rest, as much for his own sake as for ours. His confidence must be rock bottom (if it isn’t, it fucking should be), and it’s already been made abundantly clear he can’t handle Farfan.
Regarding shirt-gate, I don’t care if it’s a tradition in Brazil to suck off the opposition centre forward at half time, he should have had more sense, given where we were, how we were playing and the other individual involved.
Hoping to see the real Arsenal make a return tonight. It’s been a little while now. Schalke are a tough outfit, but if the midfield three can start to click then they can get the rest of the team going.
COYG
Heh, AL
I’m hoping for a draw at least tonight. Schalke are a tough side and the atmosphere is amazing over there
First thought when hearing of Walcott’s illness was “You are making it up so you don’t have to pick him”.
We are 16/5 to win this. If Theo plays it’s worth a bet.
AL, re: franchising your Arse
“…and say chelski down by the bins.”
In your parlance:
FeCkiN HeH! YoU rEdSssss… FAct!
AL @28 Haha, excellent! 🙂 🙂 Can I play please?
@37 Fine Ants Trev? If we lose another couple of games, it’ll be high time for another Behind The Arse 😉
Snir @38 No, Arsene is not tactically “inept”, you’re right, but neither is he a master tactician. Even the biggest Wengerite, ie me, would not say that. AW’s strengths lie in other areas, his eye for a player, his ability to foster talent, and his man-management. Arsene manages with an eye to the bigger picture, and in that respect his Management has always been macro. The more micro management of Maureen and Villas Boas with their opposition dossiers is anathema to him. In as far as Arsene’s management becomes micro, it concentrates on his own players, their fitness levels (the machine must have been faulty the day Santos was measured!), the time it takes them to release the ball etc etc.
Nor do I buy your example of Benny replacing Ox “for the big games” as an example of tactical genius I’m afraid. The Ox made 6 Premier League starts last season. In his first season he was always going to be a bit part player who was introduced slowly by Arsene. Benny got more starts in the second half of the season because Gervinho lost his form and his confidence after returning from the African Nations, and not because of any tactical masterplan.
Thierry@41 – You are absolutely right. It is entirely possible to be a staunch Wengerite, and yet be critical of certain decisions both now and in the past. The two things are not mutually exclusive. Blind support is no support at all.
Snir @45 – Good luck with finding a worse one! The jury is still out on whether we are improved from last season, so I’ll lend a sympathetic ear as regards 11-12. An argument might be made for 06-07 and 08-09 though I wouldn’t agree with it. Beyond that, you’re pissing in the wind.
H2H @46 – Don’t disagree with any of that mate, except that as seen in the last drinks I would be far far harder on Santos. The shirt-swapping thing provokes the emotions and had I seen it I would have been as riled as the next man. But it is a sideshow. Far more important is his fitness or lack of. I realise Arsene’s options are more limited for Champs League, but every time Santos Plays, Arsene loses just a tiny little bit of me.
Cheers Bath and Wind for the kind ones.
Right onto Germany. I agree with those that say Jenks and Kos in for Santos and TV5. Sadly I think we’ll get Verm at LB.
In the midfield I will be surprised if Jack starts. 2 games in 4 days is a tough ask for someone just back so expect Coq to get the nod.
Up front I guess its OG, a poorly Theo, and an out-of-sorts Poldi. Oh dear!
Tough, very tough.
Interesting that it is just the shirt-swapping that is the focus of discussion and need for an explanation.
What do we make of Arsene’s “warm handshake” with the berk?
Was it a poorly hidden message that the decision to let him go had nothing to do with him?
Am I stating the bleeding obvious?
In any case, that wound me up just as much.
Missed ’em both Dr Z, luckily.
All I would say is that he’s never blanked an ex-player yet, even the ones who routinely slag him off in the media.
I wouldn’t have expected anything else from him, to be honest. It was what it was, I don’t think there were any hidden messages.
Zico @ 70
I read the handshake as a “Hey – another player the board sold out from under me” statement.
I didn’t much enjoy watching the entire XI bar Sagna greet him warmly in the tunnel either, although Jack at least had the decency to look down during the handshake.
I’d have hoped, given the circumstances, that Arsene might have pinned some of RVP’s parting shots to the dressing room wall pre-match: read this lads. He thinks you’re not good enough, he thinks he’s too big time for you. Get out there and show him how fucking wrong he is.
You can shake his hand at the end once you’ve given his team a good hiding. That’s the moment for happy reunions.
Tonight doesn’t look too promising to me, given the previous encounter and absences. I’d take a draw right now, although I suspect in the long run the performance may end up mattering more than the result. We’ve got to start to pull it together, regardless of who finds themselves in the starting XI and where they end up playing.
Mannone, Bac, BFG, Kos, Verm, Arteta, Coquelin, Cazorla, Podolski, Giroud, Arshavin for me, although I’d swap the latter for Walcott if he’s anywhere near capable of playing. I’d also have a look at a 4-4-2, but I think we all know that’s not on the cards.
tabs@68: “2 games in 4 days is a tough ask for someone just back so expect Coq to get the nod.”
On the other hand, Jack only played about 65 minutes on Saturday and won’t play on Saturday so I don’t think it would be too much at all to start him tonight.
More Behind the Arse?? Well worth losing another game or two, I say. 🙂
Lester 28…..hehehe good one!
Yeh, maybe Lars. Had we got a result on Saturday I don’t think he would have played. Given how it went, it might be a case of needs must.
That said, I do think AW will be exceptionally cautious in his case. 65 mins on Saturday must be right at the outer limits of what we can reasonably expect from him right now.
N7 – Good stuff.
Heh 8Ball. Made a rod for my own back there! Yet another reason to cheer on the Gunners tonight!
Hold up…
More behind the arse AND a rod for your own back?!!!!
TABS…EASY FELLA!
😉
🙂
Tabs – I’m still half asleep so I might miss something.
I didn’t say he’s a master tactician, I just don’t think he’s useless.
Come to think of it, I don’t think of anyone as a master tactician.
As for Yossi, one of the criticisms leveled at AW is that he picks form over players who would be suitable against the specific opponent.
Ox was in great form after scoring a brace, but Yossi was preferred for his defensive work rate.
This continued against Liverpool but was stopped against Newcastle at home and Ox returned to the starting eleven. I can also point to starting Song and Frimpong together at Udinese. Something we did to avoid conceding and if the regular criticism would have been right, he woulda put an attacking player instead because “it only matters how we play.”
Recognizing our need and putting TR at HT won us the game, but he will never get credit in the media because the perception is already set in stone since its a lot more fun to bash trophyless Arsene.
And as for weakest squad? A strong case could be made for 09-10. A squad which dragged the title race to the 33rd game.
Re: Arsene the tactician, I find it curious that where we lose badly, as on Saturday, it’s all his fault, whereas when we come back from 4 goals down to win a cup game that looks all but lost, largely as a result of two very smart subs an hour in, his contribution is overlooked and the game is treated in the press as a freak result over which neither manager exercised any control.
I wouldn’t say that in-game tactical changes are the gaffer’s forte, but you don’t achieve all that he has in the game without learning a trick or two along the way.
Snir old Chum, Morning,
“I didn’t say he’s a master tactician, I just don’t think he’s useless”.
Fair enough then, we are completely agreed, but is anyone actually saying that he is “useless” other than on the usual fuckwit sites? It seems to me that most people, certainly on here, are just voicing a frustration with the tactical rigidity and some of the personnel, which in the light of recent results, is fair enough in my view.
The Ox/Benny thing we’ll have to agree to differ. As i said above, Ox’s games were always going to be limited. Is it any surprise that the bulk of his games would be at home? You will no doubt correct me if I’m wrong but I can only remember him starting the one game away from home at Bolton. Benny came in, did well, and largely stayed in until the end of the season.
“I can also point to starting Song and Frimpong together at Udinese.”
Not really mate in my view. If you remember, we were the walking wounded at that time. AW had very few options. And from memory, that game only changed in our favour when Rosicky replaced Frimpong in the second half. If Frimpong’s inclusion was tactical it didn’t work. We conceded and he was replaced.
“Recognizing our need and putting TR at HT won us the game, but he will never get credit in the media because the perception is already set in stone since its a lot more fun to bash trophyless Arsene.”
Sorry mate, but that is just ACLF self-pity. I don’t like the media any more than you but they weren’t to blame for our non-show on Saturday. Arsene has acknowledged that we were shit (albeit in less industrial language) himself.
“And as for weakest squad? A strong case could be made for 09-10. A squad which dragged the title race to the 33rd game.”
You’ve just answered your own question mate. The 09-10 side wasn’t the strongest, but they dragged out a challenge until the 33rd game which only floundered with a last minute goal up at Birmingham and a shade unfortunate defeat at SHL in the space of a week. A significantly better side than the one we have now.
AL@28: I like your vision. Thinking not just out of the box, but off the entire pitch and half way up the Holloway Road. The only flaw in your plan that I can see is, where to find as many injured players as you would need to fulfill it?
N7 – That’s because bashing the trophyless Arsene sells more papers.
Plain and simple.
And anyone to tell me otherwise is lying to himself, or doesn’t know how the press works.
We all know the press have agendas, and they press hard for them.
AVB at Chelsea can attest to that.
Àfternoon all.
A decent tactician would always have a plan B for when Plan A is not working. Our plan B must be an exreamly well guarded secret, because I haven’t seen it yet. Or, maybe we just don’t have one. Make of that what you will.
Ramsey replaced in the squad by Djourou …
Think I’ll make a cheeky punt on Djourou to score a brace. 😉
N7,
I agree completely with what you have to say, the truth always lies somewhere in the middle, but some of my frustration on Saturday was borne of the fact that at Reading he had changed things around, went pretty much 2-3-5 in the second half, and came out laughing against all odds.
At Old Trafford there seemed a reluctance to make any change to the team dynamic at all. Arshavin for Poldi and Theo for Ramsey were like for like replacements in terms of their positions.
Tabs – How is that self-pity?
Did I say that we weren’t shit on Saturday? All I said, is that AW never gets praised for his tactical decisions even when they make the difference.
As for Ox, he played vs. Blackburn, scored a brace, played at Sunderland, and was dropped at home vs. Spurs.
We mighta been the walking dead, but he still chose a more solid (on paper) central midfield to prevent us conceding instead of putting Rosicky in.
As for the 09-10 side, I don’t think it was significantly better, and I don’t think that we can’t drag the title race to the dying stages.
Like I said, 9 points is nothing, and if we were able to come back in 09-10 from 11 points down with AA at CF, then this is possible as well.
I have to study for a test, but I’ll write the options we had then to now and we’ll decide. 🙂
8Ball.
A punt like that could make you a millionaire. 😉
H2H – I can think of numerous games, where the Barcelona cunts didn’t score/play well for Spain, and Del Bosque looked completely void of a plan B.
That doesn’t make him a bad tactician. The only thing it does make him, is super confident in his plan A that it will prevail.
Tabs, SG & others@various above: I go back to a quote from Michael Cox’s piece in So Paddy Got Up that I posted in an earlier drinks: “Wenger is the manager that every fan wants to be in control of their club long-term, but arguably not the man to win individual contests.”
Another way to express it is that AW believes system trumps plan; the best players with the best system will always win. Those are the Arsenal teams that has sought to build. (Find the talent and ingrain the system. Keeping the best players is another matter….) Brian Clough, in his pomp one of the greatest managers, used to say something about tactics were what the other side used when they weren’t good enough to beat you. I suspect AW shares that view.
Do teams like Spain and Barca operate a plan B?
bt8b@86: It is a masterstroke. Schalke defenders will think he is Theo in disguise and race back so fast Djourou will be left with acres of space between the lines to wreak havoc. Your punt on just a brace may be conservative…
Snir @88 Because to look for scapegoats elsewhere (the media), instead of closer to home for answers is to abrogate Arsene’s responsibility. Self- pitying was perhaps the wrong phrase, I’ll go self-excusing, where “self” actually means Arsenal.
@90 Wrong comparison my friend. Last time I looked, Spain were World Champions and double European Champions. He doesn’t need a Plan B.
Apples and oranges, Snir.
Do you have confidence in our plan A at this moment in time?
I’m having my doubts, I’m afraid.
As for which was the worst team, that’s just mostly conjecture, but if this is indeed our worst start under AW then the only stats that matter (our points tally) would suggest that the current team would get that dubious honour.
Ofcourse it is still way too early in the season and this is a relativitly new team, so they’re gonna need time to gel etc. I fully understand that Rome wasn’t built in a day and I don’t expect us to win every game, I never have. All I ask for is a bit more pride and passion from those who don the shirt, because at the moment I feel we’re being a bit short changed.
Hi Ned, yes I agree, I was trying to remember who it was that posted that quote yesterday, and what that quote was.
I think that AW is very much in Clough’s court. The problem is that we no longer have the best players.
I just want to let everybody know, for the avoidance of doubt, that if anyone wants a punt on Djourou getting a brace, I will offer the best odds in town!
But someone’s coming in in January, aren’t they? That’s what Arsene implied when the mystery man (? Gomez) didn’t arrive last window.
chips the ball over to tabs.
Hopefull header forward………..
full length header
Tabs – I’m not just talking in these times when our form is shit.
AW doesn’t get credit for tactical decisions. Ever. Even where we’re riding high.
They are world champions, but every game is a single game, and he got bailed out by having the best players in the game. At other times, it looked like he’s just waiting for them to do the trick. So, when Spain aren’t killing teams, he does need a plan B in that specific game, does he not?
H2H – I agree. I do feel we’re being short changed at the moment. The urgency United showed in their pressing and we showed in ours against City shoulda been the urgency in our pressing at the weekend.
I just feel like they’re lacking in confidence so much that they’re waiting for the other team to make the gaps for them, and until they do, they just pass it around.
Well in Bath.
Get in
Thanks for a great (hopeful) assist H2H.
🙂
Well in Bath.
Snir, I couldn’t give a flying fuck what the media says. I know Arsene gets a lot right, you don’t need to convince me. At the moment, however, I think he’s getting some things wrong, some of which is tactical. That is my only point. What do I know anyway? I’d have us playing 2-3-5 every week if it was down to me.
Tabs@96.
Don’t tell me his teeth are injured as well?????
SteveT – haha 🙂
Reckon the odds on Djourou turning up in a dodgy green brace are significantly tighter than the odds on him scoring twice! 🙂
Heh @ 107
I’m in the camp that accuses you of Blind Faith, Holic. 🙂
There have Ben occasions when I have enjoyed similar appraisals.
Great band, mind, whatever happened to Rick Gretch?
I have never known a club use lack of confidence as an excuse as much as Arsenal does. We had a 49 game unbeaten run, lost one game and after that people, including the manager, used lack of confidence to excuse bad results and performances. We had three draws and a defeat in our next five matches and it was as if the previous 49 had never happened.
It seems as if this club has been filled with pampered little souls ever since 1997. Even the ones that were good enough to win stuff were given the confidence excuse when things were not going well. Do you ever hear another manager use lack of confidence as a reason for losing?
2-3-5 TaBS? NOW you’re making some sense. Give that man a haddock.
Tabs.
Just remember Zinedine Cygan.
Anything is possible. Highly unlikely I grant you but it is possible.
And hope it batters Shalke BTM?
Roc on Steve T.
Yes. The entire international world of sports, Nonny. It’s why nearly every single professional has access to a sports psychologist, I never hear a single sports broadcast in which confidence of the participants is not mentioned.
There is no plaice for that h2h.
Haha , I’ll take the haddock BtM cheers. So what pray tell is it you don’t agree with earlier?
Cygan got a brace Steve? I remember Keown banging in 2 very late one year in the Champs League, but Cygan? You’ll have to refresh my memory I’m afraid.
Until Herr Ing is soused, Steve.
I am sure it was in a game really early on. Late August. It was at Highbury. From memory, at that time he become the top scorer in the prem for the season so far.
Wimpy fragile girly neurotics, the lot of them.
Epitomises the generation who didn’t believe the ‘spare the rod, spoil the child’ mantra.
Should have had more childhood games getting kicked up in the air on frozen pitches. Not wearing gloves or tights!
Meh, wimps.
Theo has to play then BTM. Eel do it for you.
TW@9, Agree that Eisfeld should contribute.
Got caned regularly at school Bath. We used to get a little chit saying what our crime was and how many whacks we had been sentenced too.
I once got caned for “The Sin of Joshua”.
I still have no idea what that means, but I’ve got a grudge against that Joshua, that’s for sure 😉
Not in Champs League Squad Btm, as far as I am aware.
Arsenal squad for Schalke:
Vito Mannone
James Shea
Bacary Sagna
Thomas Vermaelen
Mikel Arteta
Johan Djourou
Per Mertesacker
Laurent Koscielny
Jack Wilshere
Olivier Giroud
Santi Cazorla
Andre Santos
Lukas Podolski
Theo Walcott
Andrey Arshavin
Carl Jenkinson
Francis Coquelin
Marouane Chamakh
SteveT, fair play to you mate. Just Wikied Cygan and he scored a brace in the opening game of the 05-06 season against Fulham.
There was also this little gem …
“He was named in the FIFA 100 by Pele who cited Cygan’s legendary ability to score own goals.”
🙂
Hoo-ray! Fish puns again!
Was hoping to catch a few rays this afternoon, but it’s ray-ning again, so might as well chip in with the haddocky stuff.
Trev can smell a fish pun from miles away 🙂
In fairness Tabs, if you are there it is not something you forget in a hurry.
Santos in the squid, sorry squad, shock.
Would be skateing on thin ice to play him though. Too often out of plaice and not enough huss-le back.
Djourou will be lacking a little bit the sharkness but Giroud to hammer head home the winner.
A win for The Arsenal to bring some pleasure back into our lives and get thos endolphins going again. 😉
No more carping on about Saturday’s performance.
Now Trev, I do believe you do serve a porpoise here at the bar today, to make us smile 🙂 Speaking of purpose, Chamakh should have a go today, both his goals at Reading, taken from distance and quite lovely. C’mon Arsene, mix it up a bit !
Anything to help relieve the tenchion, Abb. 😉
Sorry, that was ruddy awful !
OMG Trev, How do you do it 🙂
You just learn them over time, Abb, in bits and pisces. 😉
He piked them up on the net, abb.
🙂
Work now. 🙁
If I was AW, this is what I’d do. Corporal Jenks should play on the right. Bac can play left, oh yes he can! AA should start as well as Chamakh. Leave Poldi on the bench with TV to keep him company. Kos to play with BFG 🙂
Hi H2H! 🙂
Good call abb.
SteveT @130, Pretty sure I was there, (I still had the season ticket at the time), unless maybe I was on holiday, it being the start of the season.
I have absolutely no recall of the game. Think I’ll have to dig out the DVD. It appears that my brain cells are now jumping off the cliff in their droves!
Trev @various 🙂
AL @64 – Blimey you weren’t wrong. Just took a sneaky peak over at ACLF, and today’s post by Bob who I’ve always regarded as one of their most sensible has really put the cat amongst the pigeons. Civil War. The Arsenal Taliban are scurrying hither and thither, and using ridiculously overblown phrases like “ACLF orthodoxy”, and that the post undermines the site because “we are major shapers of opinion”.
Bloody hilarious. Those guys need to get a grip. Some of them are just the flipside of Le Grove. Only downside is that we might get a few more of The Taliban over here, if the “schism” (you couldn’t make it up) proves permanent.
Thanks H2H, It takes courage TO DARE to be creative. AW needs to stop being so gosh darn stubborn! He is way too predictable and Schalke will be counting on that tonite 🙁 He should see himself as our twelfth player on the pitch, if you like. Dream and scheme Arsene, please.
Trev’s really taken the bait.
All these fish puns….rather a load of cods wallop to me 😉
I agree Up – We’ve had Roes and Roes of it now.
First thing I read this morning was the post of the Apostate over at ACLF.
Haven’t had a spare 20 hours to read the fall out in the comments section that it must have spawned, thereafter.
But if the disciples are turning into Sir Thomas of Doubt, then we are indeed living in strange times.
Btw, how many times this season have we resurrected the piscean puns and its not even January transfer window?
Not sure Zico, but on a scales of 1-100 it must be pretty high.
Well, from my perch, the puns are quite pungent.
And pardon my ignorance but what in the name of pisces is ACLF?
Tabs @ 71, this may not count since it wasn’t the 1st time the ex-player in question had faced Arsenal, but against Man City this season Wenger avoided Clichy as his back was turned in the tunnel after embracing Vieira and talking to some of the City players I think, slipped right past him! 😆
Homer – ACLF – A Cultured Left Foot – Arsenal Blog.
Wind – Yeh I saw that and I know a lot was made of it, but in my view Arsene just didn’t see Clichy. Nothing more to it than that. Clichy’s ” the least he could have done was say hello” just shows how ridiculously pampered these footballers (whatever their strip) have now become.
You started it. You’ve made a rod for your own back.
Don’t think I can take sole responsibility Steve.
Homer, ‘A Cultured Left Foot’ aka ACLF is an Arsenal blog 🙂 Now I have justed finished reading a study the journal ‘ Hormones and Behaviour’ published in 2009. Men with lower levels of testosterone, excel in competitions requiring team cooperation. Vice versa with those who have higher levels, they do better in sports such as tennis and golf.
Hmm Tabs, This study also mentioned how men are very competitive 🙂 Oh dear…
Sorry Abb, gotta be quick in this game 😉
Oh Tabs, Cheers. Since you’re here, I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed your tribute to your mate Ricki. Very much so.
How much testosterone have you got if you’re good at needlework, cup cakes, and catwalk strutting?
Thanks Abb – cheers.
Heh Wolfgang, Not sure but I’m sure you have enough to be a ball boy 🙂
Tabs, You’re most welcome. You are a gentleman and a scholar.
Breaking news, Kos and Theo start 🙂
WS@160: Isn’t the question how much do you need?
But really just stopped by to say the monks at Castle Ned have cranked up the prayer wheels and are predicting victory by four clear goals.
tabs @ 153, oh, Wenger saw him alright… 8) 😛
Theo, Laurent and Olivier all in the starting line-up tonight, Thomas to left back as predicted by nearly all, hope the Captain is up for it for his sake at the minimum 🙂
Thanks gents.
TV is not a LB, we’ll miss width on the attacks I think.
Hope I’m wrong.
COYG’s.
ps The cable has been fixed in the bar which means Arsena l can be viewed from the beertap.
Could be a heated discussion with the Ajax fans later. 😉
Arsenal: Mannone, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen; Arteta, Wilshere; Walcott, Cazorla, Podolski; Giroud.
Subs: Shea, Santos, Djourou, Jenkinson, Coquelin, Arshavin, Chamakh
Schalke: Unnerstall; Uchida, Howedes, Matip, Fuchs; Jones, Neustadter; Farfan, Holtby, Afellay; Huntelaar
Subs: Hildebrand, K Papadopoulos, Kolasinac, Hoger, Moritz, Draxler, Marica
Come on you Arsenal!
Abb @162 🙂
Ned @165 Oh I got what I need big boy! Check you out with all yer fancy talk of four clear goals. You should pop by sometime. 😉
Good team selection but that bench is piss weak, so fingers crossed we don’t have to rely on the bench! Had a bet on Arsenal at 16/5 anyway.
Right off to the juicer, good luck everybody.
Come on The Arsenal!
H2H, didn’t TV play left back when he captained Ajax?
To my mind, the BfG and Kos are our best central defensive pairing anyway.
Is the absence of Gnarby and Eisfeld a sign that AW expects us to be on the back foot most of the game, regardless of what he said about needing to rekindle our midfield creativity. That is a defensive looking bench. And does Shea being on it rather than Martinez have any meaning?
Nonny, if the bench is so weak maybe we should have left Theo on there to strengthen it you know? Maybe leave a pen on there as well… 🙂
Price comparison revealed 45/1 for 1-3 and 2-3. We are on it.
Have a good one all.
NBN, I don’t think Martinez has been qualified for Champs League play.
I just hope that Theo, with his dodgy guts, doesn’t do a Lineker on the pitch.
At last a game at reasonable hour! (Its Wednesday morning here in Auckland, and as a self employed musician I am available,awake,loaded with caffiene and raring to go!) Aw’s pre game teamtalk should include a diagram of the goal and an in depth explanation of the concept of putting the ball in it. Johan’s dazzling wing play could well turn the game in our favour, and , while we are in experimentation mode lets try Arshavin in goal.
We have to win! We will. we will…..cue mad scientist style maniacal laughter.
Ned, not really, he was a CB at his time at the ArenA.
Evening everyone, team selection looks decent, I hope that both Kos and TV are going to have a good game, both need it badly. I would love us to win this one but I wont lie if I say that I could settle with point too. Come on lads!
And to add to good pre-game mood I found good stream without any commentary, yay for just crowd and football noises:)
Ok….
Looking at that line-up I have to say that I am actually feeling VERY optimistic.
I think that, although it may have gone on for a game or two too long, Wenger has seen the gaps and is trying to plug them.
VERY attacking line-up…Just what was needed.
Early goal and plain sailing from there on in to a 3-1 (although I bet on 3-2 so let’s wait and see!)
COME ON YOU GOOOOOOOONNNNNEEEERRRRRSSSSSSS!
PS – BtM: Not sure that Eisfeld is actually regsitered for the group stages although I expect him to get a look in once we win the group and go off and stuff Barca in BOTH legs! 😉
OOH TO…
OOH TO BE…
OOH TO BE A…
GOOOOOOOONNNNNA!
…and of course, SANTOS IS DROPPED!
May have made quite a hole in the floor when that happened!
…amd for anybody else that is condemned to streams…
http://www.atdhenet.tv/54179/watch-schalke-vs-arsenal
is quite good today.
Although dutch director should stop shoving Huntelaar and Affelay to my face constantly when they warm up *gags*
Text from Ollie. Hello to all in the drinks from Gelsenkirchen.
Alright…what price an Obama and Arsenal double?
Oh…TABS…that post on the last set of drinks was brilliant…says it all.
Come on you Rip Roaring Reds find the Arsenal spirit and put it right up Em ! Pretty Please 🙂
Enjoy the game all..
COME ON YOU GUNNERS!
Beer, curry, football. Is there a more natural combination.
Come on Arsenal.
Holic, Tell Ollie we’re waving back 🙂 C’mon Arsenal, strutt your best stuff, and we’ll win 🙂
Dangeorus counter…heart in mouth moment heh
Good job Vito!
Good stop Vito!
Good save Vito!
Romanian commentry on sopcast! Come on Arsenal!
Heh Eandy, post often, as I’m just able to listen on Player.
Arsenal Arsneal Arsenal!!!!!!!!!!
Feo, keep it simple!
ATG, Happy Belated Birthday, chap 🙂
Corner, free header, lucky we got away with that.
Thanks arsabeatbarca !
I’m never drinking again 🙂
Verminator come on!
ATG, That’s what we all say! 🙂 C’mon Arsenal !
well done Jack..corner for us
Come on Jack thats much better! Anothr corner!
Keep the pressure up, sounds good! 2nd corner already! Good possession.
Same from me ATG 🙂
When the backdrink calls you… 😛
Theo¬!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GET THE FUCK IN THERE!!!
FEOOOO!
Hi there Wind 🙂
Come on Arsenal get in Theo!
Theo! 🙂
TW14 … WTF you beauty!!
Anyone know where a good free stream can be found? (i’m just full of questions today)
Theo on fire!
Manchester C. 0 – 2 Ajax Amsterdam
http://www.wiziwig.tv/broadcast.php?matchid=177401&part=sports here Homer:) and needless yellow by Santi.
Score?
I’m stuck in the OR with no live feed. Help!
Homer:
http://www.atdhenet.tv/54179/watch-schalke-vs-arsenal
Enjoy 😉
NorCal 0-1 to us, courtesy of Theo.
ATG 1-2 now 🙁
OG scores 🙂
Get in son. That’s about his range.
GOOOOLAZZZZZOOOO!!!!!!!!!
girrrrrroooooooooooooooooooooo
Come on Giroud!
GIROOOOUD!
I love Giroud…keeps on going
Ge the fuck in there!
Something is working keep it going lads!
I said Giroud would hammer head it home ! COYRRSSS
Keep it tight lads at the back!
2-0?
NorCal, We’re up by 2!
http://www.ass—-sportsnettv.blogspot.co.uk/p/channel-1.html
Is that Manc score real Arthur. 😆
another needless loss by Poldi…keep it tight guys!
Oh no, Giroud down, hamstring?
o noes ..Giroud injured:(
Looks ok, he trotted off anyway
Sounds like Kos is getting the job done 🙂
Trev they pulled one up!
Good defending come on Lads!
Verminator is not having a good game!
Almost ! Come on Arsenal!!!!!!!!!!
Shame now ..free header for Olivier.
That should have been a yellow!
Mine is!!!
We Schalk overcome!!! Oops, pardon – am getting a little lionel.
UYelllllllllllllllloWWWWs!
Sagna getting back to his best…faultless so far
Poor by Cazorla
Fuck fuck fuck!
Can’t believe Cazorla messed that up :O
FUCKIT!:( right before half time ..worst time possible
I cursed Sagna…I’ll shut up now
Cazorla lost the ball! Not very clever!
2-1…
I knew they would score…
Don’t worry Gooners…All is going perfectly to plan 😉
Poor by Santi..also players should check their boots…Poldi, Santi and Verm all slipped needlessly.
HT Manchester C. 1 – 2 Ajax Amsterdam
HT Real Madrid 1 – 2 Borussia Dortmund
Apart from that last second blunder, much more positive display. Shalkes defensive fuckup helped us to get in to the game. We are more compact and direct, I like. And my word, how good Bacary is, Jenks was doing great on right back but Sagna is just magnificent today.
Much better from Arsenal, even though it was an error on their part for the first. The second goal was good work by Podolski and Giroud!
I know, I know, aaargh 🙁 But hey, in the offensive department, we’re better then we’ve been in quite some time (sorry, but Reading isn’t Schalke). Just need to apply concentration and communication in the back.
What annoys me is that Santi jumped up & complained when we conceded! Don’t lose the ball then mate 🙁
Did not need that. Poor goal to concede at the death. Not sure we are playing that great but we have found ourselves in front. Both goals well taken. We need to be strong in the second half. Time to see some leaders chaps.
Is it me or at times do we look like we are playing on ice? More than one ending up on their arse.
Best we’ve played in a month….more of the same please…but keep the ball Podolski…lots of sloppy possession
One more please boys 😉
TV not playing much better but less obviously so when he’s not in the middle….
BFG is on his game
At least we’ll have to play our game now, rather than defending a 2-0 lead
Wilshere and Santi looking better together than they did on Saturday
Shame by Giroud and Jack not looking good:(
Vito, Bless you!
THANKS VITO!
What a save from Vito!
Good for you Bac! Cmon lads, FIGHT!
Re: ATG @196. How is that Romanian commentary going to help me, pray tell?
Oh God help me!!! Clear the ball like you mean it!
Are we going to stop one single cross coming in from our left hand side ?
Very nervy moments now
On the back foot come on Arsenal!
The goal smells all the way from Gelsenkirchen to Prague…get grip on the game again lads!
Is that ref for real?
Poldi keep your cool please!
Horrible refereeing…that was our best chance this half….fucking hell
Vito, again, good stuff!
He fell got up and Poldi is on yellow for it!
Vito has been very alert tonight…excellent so far
too much space fuck same come on close em down!
Need to be pressing the edge of our box more. Too much space
Let’s help our goalie out, shall we? Rumour has it, their keeper is feeling mighty lonely 🙁
Fucking shit.
Vermaelen has been learning from Koscielny…
jesus bloody christ
Awful defending. They all got sucked in to the ball and left a man over
And here goes…seriously was just matter of time.
Don’t panic…
I have 3-2 with Giroud to score…
I couldn’t possibly be wrong, could I 😉
atmosphere is now their 12th man…come on Arsenal
Wake the fuck up !
Bloody hellfire. Get some fresh legs in the middle, we’re getting overrun.
Well we can’t say that has not been coming.
Another Fucking slip. Have we not taken any studs with us?
Christ what boots do they wear! 4th slip in dangerous position.
How much are we going to have in this game they all slipping fuck sake!
Cazorla off would be my choice. He’s been yellowed, we can push Jack on with Coq on
Here we go…..
We need a leader or two. It all seems a bit rudderless to me.
Bugger!
Oh Santi! Sounded like a terrific buildup…
Agreed Steve. Thinking that there aren’t too many sitting on the bench though 🙁
Schalke will be more than happy with a point…let’s take a chance or three
Come on Cazrola get your shooting boots on please 🙂
Two six footers in the box and nobody attacks the cross
I reckon it is time to get Chamakh on…
Cannot BELIEVE I just said that!
Hmm..who to sub, win would be great but honestly 2-2 would be good enough for me right now.
Bollocks. Offside.
Unlucky Theo…..Montpellier are level…this is good
Offiside …bah!
1-1 in Greece at the moment so all is not lost.
AA or Chamakh, something needs to be done quickly, please.
Poldi should come off before he gets booted off.
2-1 Olimpiakos
Again Vito, thanks kiddo.
3-1 Olimpiakos
3-1 in Greece now 🙁
Awful passing again and we get let off gain jesus!
Fuckign great!
How come we didn’t play any subs?
Did we just get cheated out of a PK?
arsabeatbarca i think we did!
Keep us in this Vito!
No we Santos on! 🙁 Where is AA and Chamak?
ATG, what a shame then, if that’s the case. 4 minutes, C’mon you Reds!
Schalke are bringing on Ian Rush?
bring Santos on that is bloody keyboard!
Santos looks tired already……
Oh Theo…
I believe Wenger is happy with a point to be honest!
Sorry. Looks like someone just said they brought santo ON?
That cannot be right.
Ohhhhhhhhhhh FEOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO 🙁
Theo nearly stole it…..nice game Walcott.
Rough performance 2nd half…a good point. We control our own destiny at least though I doubt we’ll win the group.
Should have scored at the end, but a point beforehand would have been a good result. Gutted though.
Well, even though we were two up I think we got away with that.
Lucky lucky reds but why couldnt Feo get a 2nd
It’s a tough place to win at, I’m happy with the result
If only we hadn’t fucked up at home! We’d still be top
After the development of the game, 2-2 is fair result, hard work put in to earn that point and hey, if you told me before the game we are going to get it at schalke, I would be pretty okay with it, especially after latest performances.
Seen many improvements today but yet again, personal errors costed us, should not Santi lose that ball just before half time, might be different result, all in all I am pleased with the development, still not really there but seems we are getting better.
Mannone MOTM…I’m thrilled to type that
Better than it could hae been.
Theo cost me a pretty penny with that miss at the end. Why didn’t he pass it?!
Anyway, not a total disaster and at the very least we saw some passion there.
Manonne had a great game, I don’t think anybody can argue with that. I also thought that Per and Kos looked the better centreback partnership of the three possibilities.
Santi and Jack were a little anonymous, Arteta worked as hard as ever and was probably the unsung hero of the night.
Giroud didn’t do much wrong and Theo must surely get the contract offered to him that he wants now, mustn’t he?!
I thought that leaving the team unchanged until the sacrificial substitutions was a little odd. Clearly we needed some more presence up front and Chamakh cannot do more than he did against Reading to convince the boss that he at least deserved a 20 minute run-out tonight.
All in all, a point before the game would have been snapped up by most. That is what we got. Cannot complain much in the great scheme of things.
Don’t fancy going to Greece looking for a win though so gotta do the business at home next week.
2-2 for Citeh as well is something of beauty!
I liked the look of both holtby and huntelaar. Both could be available for not big bucks.
Worth thinking about.
Farfan is worth thinking about.
Can I open my eyes?
No worries Wind and I will be at the Montpellier game to pull us over the line.
A point in Germany after the past few weeks is a step in the right direction.
Theo is worth thinking about 🙂 Vito, kisses and hugs coming your way. Proud of you son!
I wouldnt want Huntelaar anywhere near our dressing room Steve, he is a quality striker no doubt, but given his meeja presentations and big talks, I just think he would be Bendtner mk II personality wise. Farfán looks tasty though, handful for any left back.
TW – Theo cost me a bundle as well. I had us to win at 16/5, us to win with him scoring at 7/1 and him to get two or more goals at 22/1 🙁
Wow! I am like Giroud…
No, not devastatingly handsome, nor French, nor an Arsenal player…
I scored my first goal in the bar tonight @ 300!
OK, so mine may have been a fluke but I picture myself throwing myself across the six yard box to hammer it home with me bonce just like Olly!!!
We can all have a dream, right?!
Lurky@344
Don’t even THINK about it.
Blows hotter and colder than Theo, trust me.
Nonny…
Sorry to hear that mate. I had 3-2 with Giroud to score…SO FECKING CLOSE!
Can I just add that I am furious with Wenger for bringing on Santos at all.
Totally unnecesary substitution and seeing that fat cunt in an Arsenal shirt again almost made me sick up in my own mouth.
I thought I was angry with Santos after the United game, but seeing him in the shirt again was actually MORE infuriating!
Huntelaar is 29, a pain in the ass in the dressing room and no better than Giroud in my opinion.
Holtby, well that is a decent shout, but who would make way for him? Not sure he would want to leave Germany to warm our subs bench.
…Tumbleweed!
Would have more than settled for a point before kick off but slightly disappointed after going 2 up but a far better performance than those of late onwards and upwards !
The group table is accurate. On current form Schalke is better — albeit not by much — than us though given their propensity for conceding late goals they are also likely to drop points in the next two matches.
Going to the round of 16 as the second from the group would be fine IMHO. Based on current standings, Dortmund or Malaga or Porto or Juve or Bayern or Barca can be our opponents, and they are no harder – excepting Barca — as oppositions compared to Madrid or Milan or Shakhtar that we would otherwise get. Being top of the group doesn’t matter that much anymore with the continuous evening out of qualities across the leagues.
Our attacking play was still very tentative, the release passes away to Theo a few times far below our regular standards. Cazorla-Jack combination need a lot of time together in the training ground and teams are figuring out that pressing Arteta deep in our half pretty much cuts of the supply line. An alternative midfield strategy would be needed where oppositions has central midfielders that can match Arteta for skill. An old style DM with Arteta release up front with Cazorla/Jack/TR7 , unless Diaby comes back quickly and gives a better balance.
Poldi-Giroud-Theo — like the combination, has potential and we should persist with that. Hope we are not going to lose Theo in winter.
Must say, I would take huntelaar every day of the week at the moment.
TW – gutting for you. No more football betting for me.
Cazorla needs the weekend off I reckon.
Evening all,
In the end I thought the result was fair.
First time I’ve seen Don Vito perform like a real Arsenal No.1, he had a really decent game.
I thought we were going to win tonight, just a feeling, nothing logical but a draw is a result considering our really poor current form, what looked like a total lack of confidence and the fact that Schalke are a really decent football team.
Great that Giroud scored another important goal for The Arse. Theo a constant threat but we couldn’t sting two passes together for much of the game and our lack of pressing invited them onto us time and time again.
Charlie George on Arse Player at half-time and post match was absolutley brilliant. Old school defined right down to Arsenal blazer.
Our CL future is in our own hands still and I’ll take that. We should be able to thump Montpellier at home.
Hahaha at Citeh. And a very loud rendition of “sacked in the morning” to Snr Mancini.
Nonny
Yes. Him and Jack should spend some quality time together so that they get a better understadnijg of one another. Do them both the world of good.
Now, how are we going to beat Fulham? They’re also a very decent side this year.
Despite the draw I still believe we should have made them pay in the first half! We didn’t start well but it was a slight improvment for sure.
First goal after their mistake gave us belief, second gave us belief and confidence and we should have used it against them instead we allowed the to score on the verge of half time. I agree with most it’s a tough place but we are The Arsenal and we are the better side by miles!
I thought Cazorla had a semi decent game, Verminator came through after few early shockers with slips. Heses what boot where they wearing tonight?
Second half we wee lucky not to concede a third! Hats of to Vito for being 100% tonight same goes to Sagna, Kosc and BFG!
Jack looked out of pace at the end and I was zmazed that subs were not introduced sooner and more attacking one for that reason too!
Big penatly shout on Theo at the end too and what a shame in the dying seconds! Poldi worked like a horse well played to Giroud as well!
It could be worse but it also could be a lot better!
Come on Arsenal!
TS, Looked like Citah got robbed, blatantly. Agree with your take on our game. To think that Theo had been ill with plumbing problems and still put forth such terrific effort, speaks highly of him.
Nonny, I agree both mikel and Santi could use a break but with all our injuries( again) we are very short in midfield and need a good performance this weekend to snap out of the doldrums.
Nonny he looked kanckered as well! But who we play in there on Saturday against Fulham?
That’ll cock’ll doodle doo – wan’ it!
@ #366
Keep it your pants my friend. We’ll still get a happy ending. Helmut didn’t take a beating but we nearly brought it off.
What Chippy said @355. Havent seen it but must at least have been better than recent shit clearly. Off home to see the game.
Thanks abb. Plumbing problems? Was his Wanger Out?
Can I just say this – the reports revealed that the football operations is losing money and the only reason we were 35m up was because if player transfers.
With that in mind, and the stadium debt to pay for, do you really think Theo and Sagna will stay? C’mon.
That’s what AW meant when he said he had to make a profit even before going into the market.
TS @ 367 – i see where you’re comin’ from.
Up The YelloWS!
This trend will keep going until after next season when we have our commercial deals up for renewal.
Until then, we’re gonna keep selling.
Theo and Sagna will be the last one though because the Dutchman and Song go into next year’s report.
NorCal — against Fulham we can play Coq in the DM role, and keep Arteta at an advanced position and play Arshavin as the no.10 with Santi getting a breather on the bench. I think Arshavin in a free roaming role in the opposition half still can cause plenty problem especially with Theo and Giroud both making such intelligent runs.
Then we can bring Santi in the second half either for Poldi or for Arshavin depending upon relative performance and the state of the game. I think Arteta needs a game or two to express the creative side more freely. He has had to be too defensively disciplined and is entering a predictable pattern of playing where opposition are finding it easier to cut off the supply line.
Oh TS! NO, gastric/intestinal difficulties. You know how you feel when you must have a toilet in plain view. And a change of undies 🙂
Just home from the pub so no back-drinking done so apologies if I repeat what has been said before but I thought that was a really good game of football. We could have won it, they could have won it and it finished 2-2. Maybe we were even a bit unlucky, I thought it was a clear penalty when Theo was barged down in the area, and why the ever-loving fuck did the ref blow up when Poldi was clean through? 3-1 there and it would probably have been three points to the Arsenal.
But one point is not a bad result at all. It’s still in our own hands and quite paradoxically, Olympiacos winning might actually play into our hands because that means that Schalke have more to play for in the next game when they play Olympiacos at home. If we do the business at home to Montpellier and Schalke beat Olympiacos then we’re through. This one point was infinitely better than no points, let’s not forget that. We also played with a lot less inhibition than on Saturday, and I thought it looked like we deliberately sat back and invited some pressure so we count hit them on the breaks and it wasn’t far from paying off.
All in all I am fairly happy with this game. We also have to understand that the Premier League is no longer as far ahead of most other leagues as we were a few years ago, just look at Ajax getting four points off ManCity and Dortmund (who are behind Schalke in the league) got four points off Real Madrid. Schalke are a bloody good team, they moved the ball really, really well and did so with pace and determination. I am perfectly OK with one point from this game.
Yes, AA in his natural role and Arteta and Le Coq. That’s not half bad. Arteta may need a break as well as he’s been working hard and playing really well lately.
But as they say – always listen to the Doctor!
It concerns me that we had virtually nothing on the bench that could change things.
Snir. I don’t know about Theo but I would be amazed if Sagna stays. Why on earth would he if he is getting offers elsewhere?
Just back from the game. Left early to beat das traffichousen
Faustus,
I don’t think this weekend is the time to rest Santi. Let him start. If we are in control then give him an early shower. Jack can’t play this weekend and Fulham are playing pretty well. We need to start picking up points in the league. Fulham is where we need to start. If we are in control then bring in the Russian in the hole.
Tuesday/ Saturday/Wednesday is not a horrible schedule to play and after Jack sits out this weekend then he can give him a spell.
All our other midfielders seem to be a temporal oddity: 3 weeks from anywhere.
Need to play theo every game. If he is gone in January I don’t care if he is exhausted.
Steve, with you all the way regards the bench.
This squad has no strength in depth at all and anybody bleating on about injuries is just kidding themselves. As we have said a million times now, the injury list will always contain at least 3 or 4 players that are “new signings” and will just continue to be a drain on the wage budget that could be better spent on players that actually play 5 games in a row in any given season.
Scary stuff, but at least we got out of Schalke with a point today and get to choose our own path over the next 1 or 2 ECL matches.
Could have been MIGHTILY worse.
Sagna is the man, i think I’ve expressed my admiration for him before. He’s one of the most underrated defenders in world football.
Utterly reliable. Great decision making. He brings calm to the defense when he’s in the side. His crossing is for shit, however, and this makes him a bit less of a break the bank target for european sides that could afford him (Inter, Madrid, etc.) At least that’s one little rationalization I’ve cooked up!
Theo … well hard telling there. I like what I see of him this year. Should keep him, and I don’t think Theo’s status necessarily depends on Ox’s status.
And agree with Lars; after the horror of a halloween season we’ve had so far, a point of Schalke, away, is bloody well done.
(alright this last paragraph of attempted puns was just deplorable.)
Fair result and i’d have taken a scoring draw pre-match if offered.
Liked the front three combo supported by Jack and Santi! Bac, arguably the best right back in England!
If not for the added-time Huntelaar finish, the three points were ours. Nevertheless, first half was an ecouraging display against a very good German side away from home.
Second half; unecessarily tentative, yet again! All still to play for though and one foot back on the saddle!
P.S. Arsene, feckin’ get those feckers on the board to sort out that Theo fella’s contract as soon as feckin’ poss ffs! If we’re gonna do anything this term, he’s crucial! COYBG!
P.S. Sort out Bac’s at the same time too, for double fs!
What’s the sale value on Theo and Bac at this stage?
Pish all, i’d guess.
TW. It could have been a lot lot worse.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I say give Theo what he’s asking for and let’s crack on.
Presumably not only will we get the new commercial deals in a year or two but contracts will also expire/have expired for Chamakh, Arshavin, Squillaci, NB52, Denilson etc, freeing up the best part of 300k a week off the wage bill.
Good result tonight against tough opposition. No fuck ups in the last two games and we’re through.
COYG
Balls!
NorCal — I wouldn’t mind Coq-Arteta-Cazorla as well. I just have a feeling that Cazorla can do with a break from having to ‘carry’ the creative burden, so to speak, and watching Arshavin — however frustrating it could be — could be liberating.
Have you seen how the otherwise perennial smile has disappeared from Cazorla’s face? I think that is crucial to the way he plays.
I think Arshavin — based on recent performances — has a very good match in the making. Fulham may be playing well but a fast and accurate passing game they would find hard to handle away from home. Cazorla is carrying a bit of tentativeness, I am sure it is psychological .
I think Wenger would play Coq-Arteta-Cazorla.
A moderately better performance but nothing for us gooners to feel excited about. At 2-0 I turned to my sons and said at least we’ve given ourselves a chance of a draw.
Positives?
Manone looks better with each passing game.
Sagna, wow!
Per: calmness personified
Theo? Give him a signing on fee and £100k a week (fund it by culling any one of Santos/Ramsey/diaby/rosicky/Chamack/squillaci or preferably all, either dross or perma injured.
If Theo is allowed to leave after all the effort and patience of the last 6 years it will be the final nail in The current regimes coffin.
And as much as I admire giroud’s attitude would he scare you if he was playing for the opposition?