A New Theo Book – T.J. And The Team Performance?
Apr 23rd, 2013 by 'holic
If you were watching the SWOL Google Hangout on Monday you will know that the subject of Olivier Giroud’s appeal, and his potential replacements for the next three matches, was the hot topic. Unfortunately today we have the not entirely unexpected news that the appeal has been rejected. Disappointing though that is I don’t feel there was sufficient doubt for the original decision to be overturned.
That gives us a real headache. My preferred option would be to play the experienced Lukas Podolski as a straight replacement, but he was clearly carrying an injury when we saw him for the last twenty minutes or so at the Cottage on Saturday. Earlier in the season we did play Gervinho there but do you see him being the key that unlocks the United defence? For me that is a big question mark.
That basically leaves us with the likeliest option. Theo Walcott went from being snubbed early on as his contract negotiations all but came to a halt, to a run as the central striker which seemed to convince him to stay. It may be, in fact probably is, just pure coincidence but he has not maintained either form or fitness since putting pen to paper. To accommodate him we will need to adjust the way we play, and somewhat ironically how we have been defending of late.
The evidence of earlier in the season is that Theo isn’t one to play with his back to goal and bring others into the game, whilst increasingly this season, particularly when protecting a narrow lead, we have looked to pass long in the direction of Giroud, knowing there would be a fair chance it wouldn’t come straight back at us. Theo’s great strength lies in attacking the space behind defenders attempting to compress the game, but that is not a likely United tactic on Sunday. They like to sit deep, leave little or no space in behind, and attack at pace on the counter.
That is not to say that Theo won’t be able to play his part however. If he can play on the shoulders of the centre-backs and occupy them then the opportunities may well come to the attacking midfielders around the edge of the box. Obviously there is no injury update this early, but regardless of whether Tomas Rosicky or Jack Wilshere is playing in behind Theo, it is one of them who may hold the key to the outcome of this match.
So We Are Better Than Barca Then?
Well, we did beat Bayern 2-0Β in their own back yard, so we must be, no? I wouldn’t mind a pound for every time I will read something to the effect of that on Twitter in the coming days. It has to be said that the Bayern side that beat us hollow at the Grove was the one that turned up tonight. The side we beat in the second leg may be the Bayern that goes to the Nou Camp, seemingly comfortable, but unsure of whether to stick or twist. I hope for their sake they get the away goal that will remove that tiny shred of doubt that must exist, and if they get to the Final don’t make the same hash of their big opportunity as they did last year.
I may never forgive them for that.
330 Responses to “A New Theo Book – T.J. And The Team Performance?”
GetΒ΄s one in…
Get in.
Munich have only lost one in 20 at home. And I was there to see it!!!!
Top four?
Nice one ‘holic.
Poldi is ofcourse the natural replacement for OG, but he does indeed look, for lack of a better phrase, ein bisschen gebrochen. Over the next few days I’m sure we’ll here a plethora of solutions to this problem and many will vary in combinations. I suppose we’ll just have to wait for the visit of the Cunthampions elect on Sunday to see who Mnr Wenger puts out.
I sure hope he can work out a plan B.
Cheers, ‘holic!
How about we spring a surprise attack on them? Arshavin and Malcolm Macdonald.
Oh, top 10.
The best a boy from Catalunya can expect nowadays! π
Heh Boz.
Super Mac, OK.
But Arshavin???? π
I say, Mr Gayle at the gallop!!!
Despite my preferences, I suspect we will indeed start with Gervinho leading the line. The upside is that his use of the ball will be entirely unpredictable to Ferdinand and Vidic. The downside is of course that neither he nor his team-mates will have any idea what he will do with it either. Our criminal lack of options at CF has finally come home to roost. Poldi is clearly unfit and can’t go 90 mins and Feo inspires even less confidence at CF. The suggestion of starting with TV5 up front is imaginative but can’t see it myself.
Just win, Gunners. Just win.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<.
Hehehe. π
Trev’s got a new trick.
I saw that Trev π
Yo Boz π
Arshavin did a job there before, I know, but his arse is the size of the moon these days. Such a shame.
Evening bath. You pinched my best line π
And good evening Scoop, a rare and welcome visitor π
β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β
That’ll stump him. π
Nice post Guv, Gerv is above Theo in my centre-forward pecking order, Theo might be a better finisher than Gerv but playing CF in our system requires much more than that. As you rightly pointed out Theo gives absolutely nothing in the aerially, I’ve noticed he doesnt even contest for aerial balls at all (can any one remember Theo nodding a ball, or even trying to nod a ball, in an Arsenal shirt?) against Bayern at the Ems he chickened out of every aerial challenge.
Theo cannot dribble past a lamp post, his game is based on running unto through balls and we all know United will not give him that space.
Theo is not good at making short, sharp runs, no? Have you ever seen him make a run like Gervinho did to score against Reading and Montpelier?
Let me not even talk about his link-up play, which is non-existant.
This is not me bashing Theo Walcott, far from that, this is me saying Walcott, in my opinion, does not posses the qualities required to play as a centre-forward in our current system.
Maybe Arshavin could jam the ball in his arse cheeks and just run into the goal with it.
Instant penalty if Vidi-nand try to boot it clear.
Simples. π
-in the
Holic @ 14 – I wouldn’t dare, mate.
Trev @ multiple numbers – heh
Heh @ 18.
Evening bath.
@20 – glad to see that comma in your first line. π
“I think chances will be at a premium and if we can manage to thread a ball through their defence leaving a one on man situation, who would you prefer that chance to fall to?” – H2H (previous drinks)
—————————————————————————-
From any position I’d rather see the chances fall to Poldi than to anyone else in the entire squad.
That said I’d still put Theo up front and Poldi on the left with the latter popping up in the right place at the right time to swing that left peg decisively.
I’d like to see a table which shows number of goals scored relative to goal attempts. In my opinion we’d be well down it, individually and as a club, but Poldi always looks the safest bet (once he’s been on for a while).
What AW will do is of course anyone’s guess. He may even roll the dice with Man U while keeping his best to ensure nine points from the last three games. Who is playing well in the reserves currently??
Oskar
Trev again!
Unloan Chamack, Park and TGSTEL, I say. All three of them. Because, we have some strikers in this club, you know. But they are on loan of course. Almost all of them. Let them play Russian roulette. Whoever survives should challenge Arshavin for a shoot-out. The survivor of that duel should be taken into observation to lead the attacking line vs Man Utd.
If there is no survivor I recommend to unleash Denilson, from loan of course. He can score a goal or two. At least an own goal or two. If he is not available bring back Santos from loan. He can’t score though, but he can change his shirt with van Pussy on Sunday, and make a collection of Van Pussy shirts for his grandchildren.
The club of Arsenal calibre with only one recognized CF for about four months. Are we Sunderland? No. Even they bought a backup in January. Now, play Vermaelen at CF, that’s the solution for sure.
It is not FA fault that we don’t have available non injured in-form attacker for the next three matches.
At least Theo has got the raw pace to trouble anyone. He will certainly be quicker than any of United’s central defenders. Giroud holds the ball up well but he is made for the likes of Vidic,Ferdinand and Evans as the game at OT showed. I bet we gets lot of Theo PR in the next few days and in fairness he has scored against United. I have a feeling Ox may play given his contribution in the same match last year. His pace and power is likely to keep Evra much busier than Gervinho will. The big imponderable is Wilshere or Rosicky and I think he will start Wilshere.
Chubs Akpom is sadly too raw to be unleashed and Poldi clearly as an injury. As countless others have said this is an unforgivable omission in planning.
So Theo will have to get a brace and Arteta will slot a penalty given for a foul on the little man.
Talk about a reality check. Maybe Holic and holics we should let United have more of the possession. Then use Theo on the flank for counter attacks. His pace is ideally suited for this. I’m not sure what you meant Holic that to accommodate Theo, we would have to adjust our defense. That scares me, because defending has been our only constant of late.
Gervinho hat trick, anyone? There are sure to be odds, and high ones, out there on that one.
For those of us who don’t know which way we are going, may I suggest:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I see it’s been quite a good week for H2HFC. Looking a little deeper there seems to be an explication in order. Cuntie van Cuntie is your captain, Lowlander??????????? In an earlier century harsh interrogation methods could be expected. Maybe even waterboarding. π
Actually I don’t think we could meet Man U at a better time. For all the bravado about wanting to win the last five in order to beat Chelski’s points total, it is only human nature that after winning the title they’ll be relaxed and lacking the edge they would otherwise have.
2-0 to us.
Oskar
Oskar, You are probably right but the sad thing is it seems like we keep on meeting Man U at a time when we have nothing to lose. Either that or when they have no reason to take us seriously. The 8-2 game being neither of those, of course. π
Looking on the bright side, how about Crouch scoring the winner against Spuds in their next to last match day. At Stoke, mind you, never an easy game.
United will do what they always do at the Ems.
Sit deep and wait for the break.
While they won’t sit on their 18 yard line like Fulham did (which caused us to pass it sideways and not create, even against 10 men), they won’t give us much space.
In games where space is limited, we need players to take players on.
We have three in the team.
Gervinho, Ox, and JW.
While I love both Poldi and Santi, the first goal at W.B.A would not have happened had they gotten the ball instead of Gervinho, they would have just squared it across the goal or passed it backwards.
Evra and Rafael are susceptible to quick, pacy, technical wingers, and both Ox and Gervinho can do a job against them.
The wings should consist of those two, and the center forward position of either Theo or Poldi.
As far as link up play, I’m pretty sure United would concede the spaces in the midfield, which would allow us to have possession in their half, even without going through the front three, but through the midfield three.
For midfield, I would play Mikel, Ramsey, and of of JW or Santi.
Santi is a banker, true, but JW’s ability to glide past people causes players to be drawn out which would allow him to slip a pass into the open space.
Something to ponder…
Also, I would not mind putting Nacho at LB and Gibbs on the wing.
Gibbsy is one of the better dribbling LBs in England, and he would definitely be able to dribble his way past Rafael, in addition to giving the back four better cover.
The 2-0 BM win was a one off and Arsenal were then /are unlikely to set the pulses raising.The defence especially the gk doesn’t inspire confidence.All the top teams have top, top,top quality goalies. Arsenal’s is a star in the making ,not the finished product.Only Wenger is satisfied with second rate quality and Arsenal are paying the price.
His attack is also predictable and must string,god knows why,many passes before shooting. You look at the cl teams and how they score.
If arsenal don’t get the cl soccer,which to him is success,he better go elsewhere to play his bewitching soccer.
I am sure all fans are agreed he has caused to go into decline.
Is this the time to be experimenting, Snir? Leave the dribbling to TR7 and Jack and smack the ball past the backs for Theo and Ox to run on to … allowing Poldi to slip unseen into the middle and thump it past De Gea.
Something like that.
Oskar
Trev on fire last night!
And interesting team discussions. Bravo for my morning read. A cup of black stuff for all of you.
Oskar – I don’t think Ox and Gervinho would be considered experimenting. Perhaps Gibbs would be, but we have to do something to make up for Giroud’s loss and that is one option.
I still prefer Ox and Gervinho on the wings.
And I have to say, yesterday’s arseblog (23.4.13) is exactly how I feel. Every word of it.
Well it’s not how I feel, Snir. I love football, whoever plays it. I hope we win everything, every season, but I don’t get my knickers twisted when we don’t. It’s inevitable … especially when they play better football than we do.
We had our turn for a few years (rather too many years ago, but anyway) and then the playing field changed and we got left behind. Not as far behind as 88 other teams in the Football League’s four divisions … never mind the 68 teams in the Conference or all the amateur clubs. There’s only 3 or 4 clubs above us in the pecking order and the vast majority of those below us have won sod-all in their entire history. Nor are they likely to, unlike us. We will come again and probably in the not-too-distant future.
We’ve done well to hang in following the oligarab invasion. There’s not much we actually need to be truly competitive again. I’ll be looking for some inspirational signings in the summer and hopefully we can do better next season.
As for RvP, has it escaped everyone’s attention that we are pretty much exactly the same position this year without him as we where last year with him? Which means AW did replace him. Not with a single player but a combination of players and tactics, and if they had melded together just a little quicker we might have done even better without him.
The language and hostility expressed by some here strikes me as frankly juvenile. They must live very shallow lives…
Oskar
Oskar
Spot on re the Dutchman.
He’s been replaced and it’s worked pretty well.
The issue (for me) has not been his sale, it’s been that we broke even yet again in the summer after a real near miss last May.
I actually think a lot of credit needs to go to Arsene for having kept us where we are – but for god’s sake give the man some proper dough this summer.
Exactly N7.
Oskar
Oskar – it’s fine that you don’t.
I was merely saying I do.
That’s all.
Give the man some proper dough
But we HAVE money?
Or don’t we? I’m confused.
Thereβs not much we actually need to be truly competitive again
I keep hearing this, and yet here we are again…..I would suggest that there IS much that we need to be truly competitive…..off the top of my head:
An experienced goalkeeper, a proper defensive midfielder (think Gilberto), TWO strikers, full backs who can cross the ball (Jenks, you are excepted), a whole new medical team who can use the sophisticated equipment provided and come up with a diagnosis other than “3 weeks”…..
I agree with one thing – Arsene deserves credit for making a purse out of a pig’s ear but since he ordered the raw materials he has to take some of the blame.
Now, I’m off to get grown men who should know better, to part with their corporate wedge!
Zico
I have no idea whether or not we have money or (more importantly) whether it’s actually being made available for Wenger to spend.
The topic has been beaten to death on all Arsenal blogs. My basic principle, however is this: I simply don’t believe that any manager would watch his team decline while leaving untouched a huge stack of available dough.
I can’t think of any other example of if in football history, I’ve never heard Arsene publicly state he won’t spend money and I don’t believe that a manager who had no problem splashing the cash in his early days suddenly woke up and decided he wanted to spend the rest of his career managing his finances like a church mouse.
The whole thing takes a massive belly flop on Occam’s razor. I therefore believe that “we” have had money but Arsene has not. And I pray to god that situation is about to change, because we are now at the limit of what can be achieved on breadcrumbs (in terms of transfer spend).
Hello ‘Holic and ‘Holics,
I personally would love to see Podolski up front – for reasons unknown I have a soft spot for him (I hope it doesn’t bode as ill for him as my former soft spot for Arshavin) – but suspect we’ll have Gervinho and Theo rotating. I also hope that we don’t spend too much time focusing on this “new” system in training week, if that means a distraction from pinpointing exactly how to take VPL out of the game, but that’s just me.
Scoops 3, and you nearly weren’t, thanks to my ‘friends’ at Eurostar π
If I knew what the whole thing takes a massive belly flop on Occam’s razor actually meant, I would agree with you.
Or not. π
I agree it’s been done to death though.
Heh @ zico!
I meant the simplest answer here is the manager has had no money available.
Everything else requires too many gaps in logic.
Morning all,
Zico @45 – spot on.
Heh! Number of ‘arses’ posted yesterday on the Man Utd piece ?
666 – Oh, yes …….
If it looks like fish, smells like fish ….
@ 54
Then Suarez won’t fancy it, being a carnivore…..
Carragher says Suarez should be helped not criticised. Maybe the officials behind the goals could carry trays of assorted meats from which he could select his in-match snack: Serbian sausage (for which he has clearly developed an appetite), Italian prosciutto, German smoked ham, Danish salami, etc
That might save him any more embarrassing moments when his hunger puts other players limbs at risk.
Heh @ Bath!
@54
IΒ΄ll line them up, you knock them down! π
Did the official Arse website steal the phrase ‘Behind the Numbers’ from 7am Kickoff?
Four games left for us to deal with, three without OG. Simple premise. Want to know more suggestions on this topic. Snir, I only have one other complaint about Gervinho (# 1 is finishing) and #2 that is he is beaten off the ball too easily. Feel he needs to work on strength training more. But I agree he can most assuredly put himself in striking difference and make those around him look foolish π The OX is different, straight forward, but has power. Lovely contrast in styles. Poppet, love Poldi too and if he needs an operation, why be secretive about it… ? Okar @ 41 Never looked at it quite that way re RVP and our current standing. Props for you, kiddo π
Heh @55. π
Has anyone analyzed the video to determine whether Suarez prefers leg, shoulder or rump meat?
Giroud is not a great finisher but can hold the ball up. Mr Podolski can finish but not sure if he can attack balls in the air. I guess this is were the manager comes in. Wenger really need to work hard at this one and come up with a plan. United will sit deep and use the flanks to attack on the counter. this is how they play against us almost every time and generally works for them. One player who has done well against united is Ox, we remember one disastrous decision Wenger made last year by replacing him with Arshavin when we were1-1 and united were on the ropes thanks to the OX. I hope he starts on the left and Walcott on the right and Gervinho upfront or vice Versa. podolski to come on at some stage.
Yes we are better than Barcelona ( well, kind of) π
Barcelona suffer from what Arsenal suffered for the last few seasons and at times this season the difference is, they have Messi and can get them out of trouble . I think Barcelona can actually learn from Arsenal as we have adapted a little this year by using Giroud as a big target man, offers something slightly different when you cannot penetrate through defences. Passing it on the ground alone will not be enough as teams start to work out the pattern of their passings and block all channels.
Wengers coat. Both you and Snir haved mentioned United will sit deep. So you don’t think they will come out in full attack mode? I think they will. Love your last bit about passing. If you watch Pirlo, he lobs the ball often and it is quite an effective maneuver in moving the ball forward. Not his fault the rest make hash of it π
Wenger’s coat,
When you say Farca suffered what Arsenal have suffered from, which problem do you mean? I hardly saw any of the game so I’m interested to know exactly how they got such a thorough hiding.
Also your point about teams working out the passing patterns makes a lot of sense…something’s definitely a bit different about Arsenal this season so if the squad stays together (do we even HAVE a super-shining stand-out player for someone else to poach this summer? perhaps not, for the first time in about 4 years) and they pick up where they left off in August, I can see a strong start to 2013/14.
Whatever happens, I just want the FA Cup. I’m sure we’re due it.
Massive, massive “Me too” to N7 @ 46. (Ichecked up on Google and was devastated to note that you had beaten me to first use of Occam’s razor on this site [Jan 31 to Feb 16], still I’ll take this opportunity to knock in the hat-trick for today.)
N7,
I have seen Wenger make several pronouncements that he would not spend money “for the sake of it” and that the money is there.
Recent evidence would suggest he has tried to buy serious players…Goetze, Alonso, Reina, Ozil, Capoue, Villa, Reus and was gazumped on others like Mata.
Giroud, Caz & Poldi were bought to collectively replace RVP in terms of diluting the goalscoring responsibility.
He tried to buy Villa in January. Villa, like Cazorla, is ambidextrous. Jovetic, who were being linked to, is predominantly right footed but scored 25% of goals with his left this season.
Both these players are creative and can arguably play anywhere across the forward line in a supporting or main striker role. Thats the type of player he’ll buy upfront I believe, alongside a centre half and a defensive midfielder.
Heh @bath. π
Hey Joe @ 66
That’s interesting stuff re: Jovetic, I hadn’t seen that stat.
Arsene’s public pronouncements on money are usually at least a little cryptic. I certainly don’t think he’s ever confirmed that he is sat on a pile of cash in the quantity that the AST are suggesting.
Re; the various players, most of those are unconfirmed (even with someone like Mata, for instance, we don’t really know what was offered – was it simply the money we ended up spending on Cazorla? Would Alex Song or someone else have had to be sold had the deal gone through, etc), some of them would have fallen within or close to our transfer cap and a couple (Villa and Capoue) were this January.
I tend to believe that the purse strings are being loosened, and will loosen further this summer. At that point, I believe he will spend – and presumably if he does so it will indicate that he has not been able to previously.
I should clarify that I can well believe that we might exercise some patience in waiting for the right players; he was apparently waiting on Gotze, for example. But that’s different to “refusing to spend”, which is the accusation that is too often flung at the manager. Perhaps the more accurate criticism would be that, in the absence of a Dein figure, we lack the necessary ability in the transfer market and get deals done. I’m on board with that.
As we’ve said all season – this summer looks like it will yield a few answers. If we don’t see some proper expenditure then I, for one, will consider that we have been lied to about the causes of our prudence in recent years and the point at which that prudence would begin to diminish.
Fingers crossed that’s not the scenario. Jovetic and Capoue would be a really good start.
Maybe everyone else knew this already but it took me by surprise today.
I thought van Dutchbloke was being paid around Β£200,000 per week by ManUre, but The Independent, in an article today, are reporting that Ferguson (Man Utd) paid Β£25 million to sign him ( which we knew), and Β£15 million a year in wages (which I didn’t).
That works out, over 52 weeks, to Β£288,422 per week.
Phew ……
So why did he leave then ?
That little boy inside him is one greedy little fucker.
He was obviously so excited about the prospect of joining Utd that they only had to treble his salary to seal the deal.
Now THAT’s a poor excuse for “football reasons”.
There was no football reasons.
It’s a myth.
Wenger never said football reasons, it was just PHW and since when do we take him seriously?
Wenger said this:
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/arsene-wenger/impossible-explain-van-persie-loss-063243582–sow.html
Good shout Snir.
Either way, he can fuck off.
If he wanted trophies, he could have gone to Juve. He wanted money, so he went to Manchester, and slagged us on the way out.
I won’t boo him at the stadium, but I have zero respect for him.
Zero integrity.
N7,
Well I’ve always contended that Dein provided are more adventurous balance to Wengers innate prudence. But Dein is gone and is unlikely to ever come back.
And of course, your right, no one knows exactly whats gone on when it comes to transfer deals. But the players I have linked are one’s where either there’s been some form of admission from either Wenger or people close to the club. For example, Bob Wilson is categorically clear about the interest in Reina following conversations he had personally with Wenger. Similarly, Wenger has been on record about the interest in Mata, Villa and the bid for Ozil. While we’ll never get the true facts, I do think some semblance of information can be gleaned from the activities and reasonable conclusions made.
In that context – I just don’t think its fair to say that money has not been available. And its certain that Wenger will spend this summer considering the players who will depart, the new sponsorship and the 20 point gap to Manu – that still, imo, does not mean he hasn’t tried in previous transfer windows or that money hasn’t been available previously. And even if he does spend this summer – I can never see Wenger spending exorbitantly irrespective of how much he has at his disposal or whatever club he works for. Such sums on such superstars don’t guarantee you anything and never reflect true management ability or the values of a club. I have far more respect for Moyes or Klopp than I do for Mancini or Rafa.
10 games for Suarez, what a joke.
That’s two more than Thatcher got for trying to end Mendes life.
What did Defoe get for biting Macherano in 2008?
FA all over the place, as ever.
Totally agree re the managers Joe.
For me, it’s pertinent that between the stadium move and this Jan just gone our net transfer spend is almost precisely zero, and has stayed at that level with remarkable consistency.
I simply cannot believe that’s a coincidence – it looks like policy to me.
You may be right that Arsene will never spend Β£30m+. I honestly don’t know. But I look at our behaviour these last 9 years or so and the simplest answer seems to be that we have not had much money to spend, and that we’ve needed to balance the books with player sales.
Missing (not failing) a drugs fest – 8 months
Kung-fu kicking a fan and punching him – 8 months
Failing a drugs test – 6 months
Pushing the referee over (DiCanio on Paul Alcock) – 11 games
Biting a man in the arm (with previous form) – 10 games
Thatcher on Mendes – 8 games
Racism – 8 games
Potential career ending tackle (red card on pitch) – 3 games
5 counts of diving – 1 game
Potential career ending tackle (severity unclear on pitch) – 0 games
Anyone would think the FA just rolled a couple of dice to decide punishments, no consistency whatsoever.
Snir 71 indeed.
N7 74. Are you surprised though?
Darth Ollie – not remotely.
Charlie – you forgot this one;
Being Patrice Evra – 0 games
Well, certainly if you look at it over 9 years – that is undoubtedly the case N7 and its very hard to argue with that logic.
However, I do think that the transfer policy has changed in recent times as we’ve signed more seasoned players, and that more money has been available than earlier when Wenger largely had no choice but to compete with young players.
I always think its Wengers policy to balance the books. That should be the policy of every manager and every club. However I expect that the changes to the socialist wage policy, new sponsorships and FFP will make us more competitive. Hopefully we’ll see some returns this summer.
Cheers Joe – you’re probably right about the transfer policy shifting.
Just to clarify, when I said “balance the books” I meant transfer ins/outs (ie a net zero transfer spend).
A club of our size should be able to balance the books (in the broader sense) and have a transfer pot each summer – we should be able to spend something without selling. The fact we don’t seem to have been doing so is the reason the team has gone backwards (in my opinion).
N7, I was hoping that the ‘biting a limb’ coming on top of ‘dismembering a body’ (I mean, where did that limb come from?), should lead to a lengthy ban for Evra.
Wouldn’t that be right?
The whole ‘balancing the books’ must also take into account wages.
Balancing transfer fees only has a limited relevance.
Hopefully we can be more clever on this too.
I for one have absolutely no sympathy for Suarez.
Completely agree with everybody that the FA get an awful lot wrong, and that there are now such wild inconsistencies within the system that the whole shebang should be overhauled but …
10 games for a biter with previous?
About right. Lenient if anything.
Heh.
http://www.football365.com/faves/8666976/F365-s-Top-Ten-Ridiculous-Football-Incidents
That article is at least 2 days old, tabs.
I have no sympathy for Suarez (I did however laugh when I read an article mentioning that ‘biting in opponent’ wasn’t a case envisaged in the laws of the game….), but you can’t argue that FA punishment scales do seem rather random at times.
Sorry mate! π
Charlie @76 – so who missed a drugs fest ?
Not Feelgood, that’s for sure !! π
Joe @79,
More money has been available recently ‘cos we sold Fabregas, Nasri, Adebarndoor, Toure, Song and van Persie.
But if you look at AW’s public statements about who was staying and going, and compare with who actually stayed and went, those decisions appear not to have been his.
Only logical reason: the board demanded money over players.
Tabs @84 – π
Trev,
Well thats true too.
In some ways I can understand his public statements about “players not being for sale” – to get a good price.
I don’t think the Board really had much choice with RVP & Nasri. If they won’t sign a contract and you can’t pay them 2-300k a week what do you do? Your earlier point about RVP’s wages consolidates the point made here originally by BTM if I’m correct, in that the RVP decision was an 80m transaction for a 29yr old player.
All the others were sold because they were deemed surplus.
And while Cesc was under contract – he wanted to leave and could have bought out his contract if he so wished. Rather than prolong a bad situation – I think Wenger did the only logical thing in letting him go.
There’s a serious issue over the wage levels for the prime players and that needs to change. If it doesn’t we could be encountering the same thing again with Jack.
I would hope that the Gotze transfer (been at Dortmund since 8 years old) would lead the board to pay even more attention than before as to how we keep Jack.
I hope to god there is never a release clause in his contract. I certainly wouldn’t expect there to be.
Trev@88: Alternative logical reason – Wenger was mistaken when he said they weren’t leaving.
TS, has your e-mail been hacked? I have received a rather strange e-mail from you.
Single Mom Makes $89,844/Yr in Her Spare Time on The Computer Without Selling Anything
With a dodgy link to go.
Unless you’ve branched out in an unexpected fashion π
Same as Ollie, but I am now well used to deleting any mail with attachments I am not expecting.
Was she offering anything exciting? π
Heh, TS has been outed for viewing Tottnum porn…..
π
I don’t think anyone can have sympathy for Suarez. The only people suggesting leniency are Scousers . I think 10 games is about right especially considering his past misdemeanours.
On another tack I haven’t seen any mention of Bayern heavily watering the pitch yesterday. I always think Barca deserve everything they get but I thought all their admirers in the media would have mentioned it. It is a brilliant way to negate a passing team . Sourness might have mentioned it but he once narrowed the pitch for a Rangers European game and he has no moral high ground to take. If you watched the close- ups I originally thought it had pelted down in Munich but I understand this was not so.
What can we expect in Barcelona? Our cup will runneth over if Dortmund stuff Real but I can’t see that one
TTG
I’ve had a moan about the pitch watering.
I’m still annoyed that Milan ploughed the flanks ahead of our game in the San Siro last season. I wish UEFA would crack down on this stuff; I want to see proper football matches, not one team trying to gain advantage by turning some or all of their pitch into a potato field.
Come on Dortmund!
Can’t imagine the Dortmund changing room being a barrel of laughs tonight Ttg.
First Goetze and now Lewandoski.
As you say, difficult to see them getting anything out of Mourinho’s mob.
I’m not sure how, but I seem to be very much in demand from our American side of the business.
They even go via Italian colleague now based in Mexico who was visiting people in NJ to call me and ask if I would like to work for them.
It’s nearly tempting, but it’s a bit far from the Arsenal.
What news on Lewandovski, tabs? I have just seen the usual rumours, nothing like the confirmed GΓΆtze transfer.
Yes I was spoofed. Should be free of LWCs and other nasties now. Not the most productive of days but it could have been far worse.
Anyone in need of a bath filled with Dettol? Only one careful owner.
N7/ttg: I also thought it had been pissing with rain, but was that all due to heavy watering? Bloody hell. That is taking legalised cheating to a whole new level. I’ve also always wondered why pitches are allowed to vary so much in size, but to be fair the Premier League have introduced much more strict regulations for this than the Laws of the Game stipulate. The only Premier League ground that is allowed to have a significantly smaller pitch is Loftus road because it is simply not possible to make the pitch bigger without removing the first few rows of seats. But then again that place won’t be a Premier League stadium for much longer.
Lewandowski, tabs? Is he also going to Bayern?
Oh – well in, TS!
Heh @ 100 and well in, you well-scrubbed individual, you. π
Ollie – Confirmed by Heynckes’ agent apparently.
So the rumours say Lars.
Heh! Perhaps it’s been more productive than I imagined ? π
Well in iStorics!
Lars @ 101
Yes, there was a fair bit of Bavarian bending going on. Unlike our Central European cousins to not follow ze rules?
Die, Mourinho, die!
Face-off Ollie? π
Heh. And well in at 111 too:)
Cheers tabs 105 (nearly missed it). Haven’t seen the story relayed anywhere, but then I’m never loking for that type of shit π
Oh bollocks, superb from Dortmund there, should have scored.
Lewandowski somehow wasn’t ready for the rebound.
1-0 yes!!!
Offside then dive. Classic fakenaldo
Ramos is also an uber-cunt.
And Pepe
Ollie. NJ is hardly a lovely garden spot. I have inlaws there who can attest to that. Unless you will have a personal launch across the Hudson to Manhattan and no driving would be required.
From what I understand, Thierry Henry does the reverse commute, Manhattan to NJ, so that could be an alternative.
Fucking cunts.
Could have been a pelanty to Dortmund and Dortmund switch off and concede on the counter.
Doooooooooooooooooooooomed.
My dreaded scenario will come true.
Bayern to bottle vs Real in the final.
Noo Joizee, Ollie.
Does Eurostar run from there ? π
What the fuck is up with the refs in this competition?
I think he tripped but probably because of my lousy stream…
8ball@120, are you suggesting Ollie could be carpooling with Henry?
Which competition has really good refs then, N7 ?
Great question Trev π
so, dortmund 3:1 cunts in white.
moaninho at it again. looooooooose, moaninho!
The Premier League Trev. Utter gents, the lot of them.
and now a penalty for dortmund. how sweet, sweet, sweet it is.
4:1. real who?
this is fun – first Barca cunts, and now Mourinho cunts.
This is amazing. Come on Dortmund!
i think you misspelled cunts there, n7, just after “utter”.
Ollie reverse jinx in operation……
can’t wait to see klopp do the dance and laugh after this one. i think i’ll have to sprech deutsch for the final!
Power shifting? But what a player Lewandowski is. Can we afford him?
wow, lewandowski has a hattrick plus a penalty. cvc who?
If Dortmund stays focused this can get rather nasty for the special one. At least one or two more would be nice and make the tie fully safe for Dortmund. Real would try to cheat their way through back at Madrid.
Fast, accurate, technical combination play. Nothing like this when it works.
Four goals in a CL semi-final, not too shabby.
@ 134
Fucking autocorrect.
@140, π
Apparently, before tonight the last person to score a hat-trick against Real Madrid in the European Cup was Charlie George (for Derby in 1975)
germany 8:1 spain in the semis so far, lars.
ein mas, bitte, if your wallet has the strength.
Heh. I turned the TV off at 1-1. I’m not turning it back on but I like the look of the current score….
(I’ve just jinxed it, haven’t I?)
damn it ollie, it’s now 4-4.
(kidding).
Reus too is having a brilliant game. We were after him for a while.
oooh, very nearly a fifth for lewandowski. nice save madrid keeper.
hey dr. f., been meaning to say “glad it’s all ok” for y’all in beantown.
Ambydex,
Not now. π
Already on his way to Bayern apparantly.
Something needs to be done about this – no idea what, of course.
But just as we have developed and then lost our best players, year after year, so too now will Dortmund.
Goetze to Bayern, Lewandowski to Bayern / ManUre according to earlier rumours, Reus probably not far behind.
It is the survival of the fittest, or richest, of course, but it will be heartbreaking for Dortmund just as it has been for us. Gradually, there will be fewer and fewer teams with any real chance of winning anything, or sustaining a period of success, and you would imagine the consequence will be waning interest amongst the masses of fans.
scruz @ 149: Thanks. Friday was surreal with the entire city mostly closed for the majority of the day.
i’ll bet, dr. f. it was bizarre following it on watertown patch, i can’t imagine what it was like to go through.
hell, if everyone leaves dortmund, maybe we can pinch klopp when the boss’s contract is up and he decides to move upstairs.
Trev @ 150: It is all a question of hierarchy.
Reus, though a Dortmund home boy spent early years in M’gladbach, and his move to Dortmund must have made the supporters of a lower ranked team sad.
Same goes for Theo and Ox in Southampton.
Not that it makes it any easier for us or Dortmund supporters. π
Evening Holic, all. Eh, what a cracking atmosphere they’re making there in Dortmund! Surely the excellent performance is pushing them to the limits, but minute 1 to end they are powerful! We should take inspiration.
And how much for that No. 9? π
scruz @ 153: Klopp is closest to Arsene in terms of footballing principles among the current big name managers. Would be the best option once Arsene leaves (better than Pep whose senior level success is with a team of some of the best players of this generation) IMHO, if he is still available then.
Talk about getting hosed…
Lewandowski’s third has got to be the goal of the year. He’s a very languid style – like a cross between Micho & Berbatov.
Liam Brady really is an astute pundit. He’s been predicting an all-German final for some time now….
faustus, watching dortmund play is pleasing on the eye. a bit of a faster, stronger version of what we offer, with, at least for this game, far more penetration and movement up front.
looks like the special one is getting ripped a new one rt now.. Would love dortmund to win. esp after all the getze transfer talks.. Like Dr Faustus said… its the law of the jungle, you are just food for someone else. Pity, dortmund will have trouble holding on to players just like us. The only thing that could stop is if they win the damn thing.
No late Real goal?
Phew.
This tie is not over, but they’re certainly in pole position.
Slightly worried UEFA would prefer a Spain vs Germany final and might help Real (because despite the past, I see no way they could help Barça get out of their hole).
You know Madrid players will be diving all over the pitch.
If UEFA were that eager to give Spanish teams a helping hand they’d have nobbled Chelski last year!
I guess AW was right when he said the world will change into the German philosophy of football. π
Ollie – the ties were over as soon as they were drawn.
Dortmund and Bayern are just a lot better than Real and Barca.
A lot better.
German football is just like what the Invincibles were all about (although no one comes close to them) . Physical team full of strength and technique and direct attack with quick forward passes. Efficiency in passing is what they are all about.
That’s for the theory, Snir, but in games anything can happen.
Both truly impressive in these first legs though (and well in their own League too, more than BarΓ§a and Real, it’s true)
Tonight got me thinking: assuming a fire sale at Madrid, wouldn’t Benzema this summer be an extremely Arsene-ish signing? Assuming he’s vaguely affordable.
Ollie @ 160: I have exactly the same thought about Real cheating. Jose and the co will try everything that is not in the book to win the return leg and if the referee is not a strong enough personality they can still get their way through.
scruz @ 158: On our day we can still play the game that way. We just don’t have enough quality to do that consistently and haven’t spent enough time together in the team to compensate for that lack by orchestrated team play.
Our last year’s 2-1 home win against Dortmund was one of the best football matches we had seen us play in CL, along with this year’s 2-0 against Bayern. The 2-1 at home against Barca was more of a clever counter-attacking game (works against oppositions better than you) and the 3-0 drubbing of Milan was against a slow Milan side.
Dortmund has more quality in key positions, and a tremendous mutual understanding between players, and a great work ethic. We are getting better with the third in this list, the second will take a bit longer given the team composition being new, and for the first we can only hope.
N7 @ 165: Would you not prefer someone who is more mobile? Not just fast but capable of subtler intricacies in tight situations? Benzema — and Higuain as well — is rather prone to injuries.
Dr F
Benzema isn’t my preference. But I can totally imagine Wenger might go for him at the right price.
The appeal of resurrecting the career of a former bright young thing of French football would be extremely strong.
Benzema?! They should take a picture of him in the dictionary, illustrating the word- overrated.
One person i would love from that real team is DiMaria . π
What lurky said.
He’s one lazy, big-headed cunt. Talented and all, but wouldn’t want him at Arsenal.
Doubt if there will be a fire sale N7. Depends on who the new manager at RM will be and interestingly, Brady thinks it could well be Klopp!
No doubt Benzema will be pissed being overlooked for Higuain though. You want to play in matches like tonight, unless of course you get hosed in which case, your somewhat absolved..!
What was a joy it was to watch both the German victories. There was no “parking the bus bollocks” ala Chelsea, Inter……….Stoke…..etc.
Just an honest work ethic with a focus on attacking football. Refereeing is still a disgrace though. The game is screaming out for the introduction of video analysis.
DiMaria is possibly the worst diver of the lot.
I want nobody from Real. They’re all cunts.
OK, I’d possibly take Varane. And Casillas π
Could I just refer you all back to TaBS’ punditry at #97? π
What GPN said @163
I’m just trying to work out who the fuck we’re going to buy at CF this summer.
All the top tier players are presumably beyond us (Falcao, Cavani, Lewandowski), so I expect we’ll either need to pick up a cast off from one of the other big clubs (Higuain? benzema? Dzeko?), take a gamble on an up and comer from a smaller club (Benteke?) or bring in an unknown gem. We don’t seem to do the latter much these days.
Who would we want?
And who do we think might actually be on the cards?
Dr C: typical Daily Mail π
Speaking of exciting German talents, I would like to see Eisfield and Gnabry as first team starters in League cup next season and on the bench for FA Cup.
AliadiΓ¨re? π
Seriously, I don’t know.
Maybe that turkish guy from Galatasaray?
N7 @ 176: Michu can be an interesting one, PL experience and all and won’t be that expensive. Sure Swans can be tempted easily with a quick 10-odd million profit on a player after one season.
Lars, If Ollie plays his cards right, who knows what could happen? π
Don’t forget about Ryo, his ankle injury is almost mended and he’ll be back for us this summer π
But i like DiMaria π
Yes but they are all cunts , that is true π .. why did we miss Varane. shame about him.
CF for next season? My guess we will get Jovetic for the attack (rumours that its in later stages CL place a catch) a good DM/CM and probably a CB (have a sneaky feeling barca gets Verm) and an explerienced GK. A fit poldi,giroud,walcot,jovetic as options would be my guess.
Don’t we can afford a battle for the Top CFs π
abb @ 182: Unless we are letting Gerv go this summer, Ryo I am sure would be loaned out again. Maybe Swans this time if Wigan cannot beat the drop.
But you are right, in terms of precedence Ryo should come before Eisfield as a potential first-teamer. Different types of player though.
@ 183
Interesting.
If it’s to be Jovetic (and that’s what I’m hearing too), then do we think he’ll play lone centre forward, or move to the left so that a fully fit Poldi can lead the line?
Well that was fun! π
Dr C – Heh! Very true. Didn’t see that coming.
Doctor Faustus, Have you heard the rumours of Gervinho going to Bayern? Please tell me there is nothing but just that. Ryo said he hopes to participate in the Asia Tour this summer. Beyond that, I don’t know.
If the last 24 hours have done anything its to completely destroy the fallacy that there is no one other than Arsene that could manage our club.
No need to call out names but you know who you are. Those that constantly ask people to mention names of managers that could take over if the club ever decided to move Wenger on.
Heyenkes may be old but as purple nose has proved age is not a hindrance in this game. His teams are organised and have hunger. The board pay good money for the right talent: Martinez, Manduzkic, Dante and now Goetze.
And as for Klopp. That team tonight has an average age of 23. The players appear to execute the plan he sets out for them. They press the ball. I mean they actually chase people and harry them. On top of that he’s already had the good sense to turn down Roman and his bag of Rubles.
Sixteen straight years in the champions league and we’ve never played a game like what we’ve seen in the last 24 hours against a teams of that quality. Maybe Inter away but they were not of the level of Barca or Real in personnel (playing and coaching staff).
Almost coming back from 4-0 down when the opposition have started thinking of the next game doesn’t count.
Before I’m misunderstood I’m not calling for Arsene to go. All I am saying is that there are alternatives.
Fourth place and the trend of a widening points gap from the eventual champions is ridiculous. Not adding the quality to the squad season after season is crippling us.
The last 24 hours have provided us with a wake up call. This season the club have to show that they have the collective will to challenge for the league or changes have to be made.
No more excuses.
Dortmund definately the Arsenal of Germany for me. Great players, all of whom are about to be picked off by the big boys. Real shame.
Fucking great team though. Hope they win the CL.
In Yanited buy Lewandowski, then we may as well not bother next term. They may even emulate us and go unbeaten. What a ghastly scenario that would be.
I’ve upset myself now.
What’s this hubbub about some European soccer games??
NB1 @ 188,
Although i agree with most of your points about not strengthening enough, its a little easy to go overboard when we see a team play well. Arsenal has played games like these in recent years. The Barca we faced and defeated at our place was much much better that they are now. Also, don’t forget , dortmund never had a face a situation where all top teams were after thier players. lets see how many they can hold on to this term (i genuinly want them to ). Also, a major factor in our decline was the canabalism within the league with oil rich clubs. These phases of teams getting stronger go in cycles. We were caught up in the wrong time with the right philosohpy. I do agree that maybe we could have been a bit flexible and practical with our financial goals. But to disregard so many factors is wrong.If what the board said is true, we will see a shift in the transfer business this term and will def grow on the current squad.
Sorry for the lack of spell checks π
Abb,
Gervinho to Bayern ?
Maybe for his holidays.
Former Tottenham striker Steve Archibald: “Just a note of interest for Spurs fans, I offered Robert Lewandowski to Spurs when he was stlll playing in Poland, for less than 5m, pity! To be fair, when they said no I offered him to other clubs who also said no.”
@ GPN 191,
let’s see where this summer takes us. I’m hoping Arsene can see what we’ve been crying out for for years. Let’s have a proper go at winning the league next year qnd wipe the smile of Van Scruples smug face.
Well I got that right. Couldn’t see Dortmund beating Real eh! Shows what I know. And no pitch watering. Brilliant to see the emergence of a really attractive style of football. Dortmund’s success underlines that we could still be contenders in Europe.
The Board especially Gazidis and of course Wenger have to think very seriously about what the German clubs have achieved and how.If football becomes a game where the richest clubs always take the spoils it will die but we are the fourth richest club in the world according to the Forbes Report and we are not at anything like the same level.I think a new style of football is emerging based on incredible mobility and quick passing and the Germans are the best exponents of it at present.
I hope Arsene is rethinking his style of play and his recruiting policy.
Lets hope Dortmund can win the final as well although it would be cool to say we beat the Champions 2-0 on their own ground if they don’t.Let’s hope they aren’t raped of their best players- unless we do it!
Trev, I believe someone said that right here! Probably to get me all worked up! π Nite all π
Dortmund are the proof that you can do it, without splashing the big amounts of cash, relying on youth players, beautiful positive attacking football and good manager.
I find them similar to Arsenal in many ways. It kind of pains me to say this, but, as much as I love Arsene, like most of the people in this bar, I also find that they have braver and maybe better manager than ours.
As for the CF we desperately need.
N7 sorry to disagree once again, but, did you watch Dzeko last weekend vs Totts? Poor’s man Giroud.
I think that we do not need that kind of a forward. In all honesty it is proven that Arsene did not had luck with picking big robust forwards in last couple of years. If we are by any case after this type I would bid big money for Lukaku.
Right now we are more in need of Eduardo-before-the-injury type of forward, imho. Fox in the box, fast but with stamina, good on the ball, good off the ball, someone who can finish the action, but also someone who can create a goal chance for himself.
I can think of couple of strikers that fits this profile. Suarez, Falcao are the most obvious, but not our league in terms of money. Reus was a missed chance last year and he is exactly what we need.
There are couple of them in the PL that I like, but still unsure of their qualities to play for Arsenal.
Aruna Kone from Wigan, Sunderland’s Sessegnon, Mirallas (we were connected with him in the summer) and couple of others.
There are some quality young players in other leagues like Saint-Etienns Pierre-Aubameyang, Griezman from Sosiedad, Iker Muniain.
But the player I would like to see in the Arsenal shirt next year, would be Jovetic.
…premature?
Having just seen that we are connected with Fabio Quagliarella, I would add him to the wanted list. Rate him highly, and given the fact that he demolished Chelski in the LC this year at the Bridge almost by himself, is the perfect recommendation.
And this was not typical lurky goal at all.
Well in Lurky.
A quick back drink. Damn work has made me miss both CL games this week. Looking forward to watching the German teams dominate tonight.
Cheers all.
Time to have a gameplan and dismantle yanited this Sunday.
Hey lurky
That’s an interesting list of names.
I seem to recall watching Kone play for PSV at our place a few years back and thinking he was a handful.
I wasn’t nec advocating any of the players I listed btw. Just trying to think what categories might be within our reach and giving some examples.
For me, neither Dzeko or Benteke would make sense – I think we’ll want an alternative to the HFB which, as others have said, means someone extremely mobile.
Re: 199: Indeed. π
Someone said it earlier but it’s worth repeating that signing a superstar brings a whole lot of problems we don’t currently have. When you pay 30m + for a player there’s a correspondingly high salary goes with it … leaving those who were formerly the club’s top earners now getting half what the new guy gets. The temptation to ‘starve’ the new guy on the field has to be enormous. And the pressure on management (threats to leave etc) gets in the way of the football.
Better still would be AW unearthing another TH14 and PV4 for peanuts. He’s due a change of luck in that department.
Or maybe OG will take a giant step forward next season, as TH did after a mediocre first year. He’s certainly got plenty of good points in both attack and defence … just needs to stick a few more away, and that could yet come.
Were we not offered Lemonsquashki a few years ago? Probably not, I just wanted to write that name!
Oskar
In what way would a CL Semi-Final NOT be crucial, thetit?
Oskar
Problem with Quagliarella is age, lurky, he’s 30 already. Also his goal-scoring record isn’t all that … 25 from 65 games for Juventus = 15 goals per 38 (English season), and his career return is worse at less than 12 goals per 38.
Oskar
An unusually exciting day for the John Dortmunders of the world.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Dortmunder
Oh, and Quagliarella has a great name.
GM Holics!
Just finished watching the Dortmund game.. great game, although the one thing that stuck with me was the question…
Does Marco Rues look like a powerful,technical awesme road runner? with his peculiar hairstyle… beeep beeep..
im off to sleep.. gn!
8ball
Story of my life! π
Excellent piece over on Arseblog about the FA and their arbitrary punishment system. That organisation is nothing but a bad joke…in fact, so are UEFA (with their ridiculous bans for Wenger) and FIFA (for electing Septic Bladder).
That blog entry reminds me of another ridiculous piece of ‘officiating’ by the Foolish Arseholes (copyright Arseblogger!). Roy Keane’s book came out, and in it he basically boasted about doing in Alf Inge Haaland’s leg and how he’d been scheming on it for months. The FA gave him something like 8 games (or was it months?) for bringing the game into disrepute, so he happily took this opportunity to have a bit of surgery he’d been planning. The upshot was that he spent most of his ban unable to play anyway, which was a pretty blatant ‘up yours’ to the FA and made a mockery of their ban.
Trebles all round at Soho Square! Another job well done!
Was Tony Adams predominantly used on the left or the right side of the centre back pairing?
I should know this and I’m fairly sure it was the right side, next to Dixon. Anyone confirm this?
Don’t really think Chelsea are gonna make it. As a matter of fact, after they are thrown out of the Europa League by the Swiss part-timers from Basel I am looking for some not inconsiderable internecine strife involving recriminations galore. Come on Basel!!
“I don’t know what the English word for it is, but in France we have a name for the sort of player that runs in front of the defence all the time,” Koscielny told Arsenal Player.
but then he doesn’t say.
I have no idea what the word is…
Liver/Kidney
Reports The BBC Website:
‘Eric Abidal’s cousin Gerard, who donated his kidney to the 33-year-old France defender, has travelled with the Barcelona squad for their Champions League semi-final first leg with Bayern Munich. Abidal made his first start since having the liver transplant last year in the 1-0 win over Levante at the weekend.’
Heh. Is there a doctor at the Beeb?
βI donβt know what the English word for it is, but in France we have a name for the sort of player that runs in front of the defence all the time,β Koscielny told Arsenal Player.
It’s called an Arsenal player. Everything we do is in front of the opposing defence. π
Interesting article in todays Telegraph. Make of it what you will.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/10016200/Arsenal-fans-should-rage-against-their-clubs-decline-not-Robin-van-Persie.html
Ollie, according to Google Translate the word, well the phrase, actually, is:
“Joueur qui passe devant la dΓ©fense tout le temps.” Unless the word is actually slang, in which case the best strategy would be to look on googleslangtranslate.com
Steve T,
I got the hard copy of the Telegraph from our office reception.
You may be interested to know that I made a hat. 8)
Darth Ollie @215,
How can the BBC make a mistake like that.
It’s truly offal.
An FA Spokesman said earlier today:
“I think Luis Suarez was lucky to escape with a mere 10 game ban. He should have been punished for his cannibalism and his racism, as he eschewed (geddit) the opportunity to bite one of Chelsea’s players of a coloured persuasion”.
He has been immediately promoted to Chief Executive.
Interested and impressed at the same time zico.
Steve, that’s the kind of article I’m not going to bother reading.
Whatever one thinks of the club, Robin is a fucking cunt, you could rage at both if you really really want to rage at the club.
That’s kind of the point it makes.
zico 219 π
Then the ‘not’ in the title is a hit-whoring trick.
Heh at zico 219 π
Good article there, revealing too.
http://www.football365.com/spanish-thing/8670953/Spanish-Thing
The Telegraph must regard all bar half a dozen teams in Europe as ‘also-rans’.
Tonight I will be mostly cheesing like a swiss……
I hope.
Afternoon gents, real busy so I’ll have to catch up another time.
Just read that Suarez got a 10 match ban, not enough if you ask me, but I’m glad to announce that he’ll also get sensitivity training;
https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/397939_10151562121149417_1089700392_n.jpg
few thoughts
– i think lurky is dead on about giroud, and i had the same thoughts. i’m not a huge fan of hist, but he’s certainly better than dzecko and significantly cheaper. he still deserves plenty of time for him to improve and become more ruthless in front of goal. he has indeed surprised me with a few of his chances. i don’t think that lewandowski is all that much better aside from being exceptionally clinical at the moment.
– i don’t think that the barca style is dead. i think that the manager got the tactics all wrong and sent out messi injured, which was ridiculous. what’s worse, he didn’t even bother to change things up once it looked like it wasn’t working. and fabregas sits the bench? i wonder if he regrets his move at all. yeah, he’ll pick up a medal, but he still won’t have a champions league or even another final to boast of, and his manager wouldn’t even put him on the field at 4-0.
– i thought dortmund’s performance was actually more dominating than was bayern’s. after all, real was only able to score on a pretty massive mistake from hummels.
– i was a big proponent of klopp being the ideal replacement for wenger, but he just signed a long term deal there. i think he’s staying. that is, unless he gives up and realizes that his whole team is gonna get dismantled by the spanish state-supported clubs or the debt-laden english clubs or the oligarch’s playtoy clubs.
– i really don’t give a toss about suarez. yeah, being bitey has no place in football, but who the hell cares? ivanovic can get a rabies shot in his bum and play another day. eduardo, diaby will never be the players they could have been, and possibly ramsey to a lesser extent…possibly sagna.
– lastly, i think we have some of the perfect components to play in the style of the german teams that were so successful over the last season and especially the last couple of days. we have really speedy wide players in ox and theo and a target man who isn’t especially fast as in gomez or lewandowski. i do think a more powerful pairing in the deep lying midfielders would be ideal so we don’t pair ramsey and arteta in that area.
Quite surprised by this headline on the BBC website and by the whole idea, really, that Suarez has an overbite
“Suarez banned for 10 games over bite”
Come on Basel!!
(or did I say that already?)
http://www.francefootball.fr/#!/news/2013/04/25/190453_anigo-ecuele-manga-me-plait-beaucoup.html
Yes, Marseille are playing Lorient this weekend.
Stay classy, you cunts.
Hope Alialialiaaliadière keeps on scoring.
Would love to have St Etienne and Lille finish 2nd and 3rd rather than Lyon and Marseille.
I think you missed an ali there Ollieollieollie π
Time to watch a bus stop in Fawlty Town.
Today’s Stillman piece is very good if I say so.
That’s on arseblog, no idea what he may have written on Vital Arsenal today π
otherwise engaged
just back-drank three days worth here
yup
i appreciate i do enough front drinkin without the need for a late change of direction
but i must say
trev,tabs,zico,h2h et al
( yup even al – before trev asks )
i laughed my good leg off
.
cheers
π
Evening cba,
I don’t suppose you are related to the Milligans by any chance? π
“Mary Pugh was nearly two,
When she went out of doors.
She went up standing up,
She did.
But came back on all fours.
The moral of this story,
Please meditate and pause.
Never send a baby out with loosely waisted draws”
as a man caught in flagrante in his drawers just recently
i’ll leave you to draws yer own conclusion , ‘H
“I laughed my good leg off”
CBA, you mean you no longer have legs?
i have legs
but i’m no longer
cent
quite the contrary
or should that be contrary
.
anyhoo
was left a load of carling black label cans
i have my hair slicked back and my dancin’ duds on waitin’ for mabel
hoochie mama
Many Hehs
Cba. Be careful about the delicto part. π
Trev @220
Words fail me π
We need to order more medicines for the Quackery again
CBA has ingested them all …
Holic @239
He told you he felt ill…. π
Fenerbahce. Is that what happens when an Italian lawn bowler breaks a French window? It looks like they missed a penalty.
is he napoleon bona’s wee brother ?
easy there catamaran
calm yer hulls
π
Catalan knows π
Heh cba,
Time to spike the drinks with a bit of Milligan –
“Said Hamlet to Ophelia,
I’ll draw a sketch of thee,
What kind of pencil should I use ?
2B or not 2B.”
Trev
Cba,
Your recent catalogue of minor mishaps coupled with a bit of Milligan just put me in mind of this –
“Philip Le Barr
Was knocked down by a car
On the road to Mandalay.
He was knocked down again
By a dust cart in Spain
And again in Zanzibar.
So,
He travelled at night
In the pale moonlight
Away from the traffic’s growl.
But terrible luck,
He was hit by a duck
Driven by an owl.”
π
It seems that CBA shared the medicine around a little….
He did Catalan,
He thought it would be a good idea to give some to a large dog!
But it came back to bite him on the bum. π
we beat barca, acm and bayern. we beat barca, acm and bayern. we beat barca, acm and bayern…better than counting sheep. nite you charming fellers π
honestly
i have no idea what this place has become
π
more tea , vicar ?
Matt Foley @231
I admire your positive attitude mate but Lewandoski is a world- class striker who is much quicker than OG. Possibly not so good at build- up play but a great finisher. I would love to have him at our place but there is no chance whatsoever. Frankly staying at Dortmund is a very sensible option for him if they can meet his salary demands. I hate to see a side of that quality raped in the way that we have been . Unless we do the raping! But Arsene doesn’t work like that.
I keep hearing Jovetic is a ‘ done deal’ but this must be dependent on us qualifying for the CL.Arsenal like to time transfer news to stimulate renewals of season tickets and if we didnt qualify they are going to have to work very hard.I think the Kone suggestions in back drinks were very interesting. He is strong and mobile and a decent finisher. Also as far as Wenger is concerned he would be relatively cheap. But I think we will see a PR statement in our early transfer activity and hopefully they will address the areas where we are not strong enough rather than attempting a glamour signing. For example while Gotze is a fantastic player he would not have been as big a priority as a defensive midfielder or top striker. Hopefully Wenger will address priorities better than he has in the past two close seasons.
one lump or two , thunderT ?
Ttg,
We never seem to be short of PR statements on our ‘early’ transfer intentions. They don’t seem to often turn into actions though, last year being the exception when Podolski, Giroud and Cazorla were signed early on.
I would imagine the need for Goetze evapourated with the signing of Cazorla, and with the return, hopefully, of Jack Wilshere, it’s hard to see where all three would fit into the team.
Lewandowski certainly looks a class act in front of goal but we Gooners are now well conditioned to convince ourselves that we can’t afford anyone out of the top draw.
Not sure about Kone, not necessarily due to any lack of ability, but because of African Nations Cup considerations. Players seem to come back from that tournament so knackered that, once the ideal of holding it every six months has been achieved, the African players will be no use to anybody.
I have no idea who we are likely to sign but, positionally, we need an experienced keeper, a proper defensive midfielder, two strikers and, maybe, a centre half, depending on what happens with Vermaelen and whether Miquel is ready for promotion.
With deadwood and returning loanees to ship out again, it should be a very interesting summer.
Begavic, Capoue, Jovetic would do very nicely.
The ‘second’ striker could be Podolski, if fit and we might then need a winger instead.
The Ox would reasonably expect a lot more playing time, and Gnabry and Myaichi could be promoted to the squad in place of Arshavin and Park. Anyone, in fact, could replace Arshavin and Park.
Right, sleep beckons. Oxon will be telling me off shortly, anyway. π
I’d like to replace Arshavin, Trev. I had a trial with Wimbledon in 1960 and have kept myself reasonably fit (if you disregard the cardiac bypass 20 years ago).
Oskar
I’d want his full salary mind.
Oskar
The old worlders’ productivity seems to have gone down again in the middle of the night GMT hours, a pattern I have noticed repeating itself quite a lot recently. Are they sleeping too soundly, or has the Quackery run out of its “endless” supply of amphetamine refreshers?
No shit, Sherlock … four is more than seven? Try again…
Oskar
Er … 7 is more than 11?! is what I meant to say.
Oskar
Well, Wikipedia has it thusly:
7 for Graham, as follows:
First Division (2): 1988β89, 1990β91
League Cup (2): 1986β87, 1992β93
FA Charity Shield (1): 1991 (shared)
FA Cup (1): 1992β93
UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup (1): 1994
and 11 for Wenger, as follows:
FA Premier League (3): 1997β98, 2001β02, 2003β04
FA Cup (4): 1997β98, 2001β02, 2002β03, 2004β05
FA Community Shield (4): 1998, 1999, 2002, 2004
Even if you take out the Charity/Community Shields, Wenger still comes out on top by 7 to 6. How do you count your chickens, Sherlock?
GG … 2 League, 2 League Cup, 1 FA Cup, 1 Charity Shield, 1 Uefa Cup Winners Cup = 7
AW … 3 Premier League, 4 FA Cup, 4 Charity Shield = 11
Oskar
And it’s not just me who said it!!!
Arsene Wenger two Trophies (3 League Titles-4 FA Cups) George Graham four Trophies (2 League Titles-1 FA Cup-2 League Cups-1 Cup Winners Cup)
And there’s news of Exes from the social pages. I found the pictures more engrossing than the story itself, mind you.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2313990/Cesc-Fabregas-girlfriend-Daniella-Semaan-divorce-battle-ex-husband.html
8ball 274
Engrossing pictures indeed. Thanks for the link.
What was the article about again?
Given that Cesc’s girlfriend lives over here might we expect an emotional return to North London imminently? C’mon lads get tweeting about Cesc having Arsenal DNA and Barca keeping him prisoner.
Ox and Jack on Friday, Santi and OG on Saturday and so on in rotation just like Barca get their players to do it.
Good call TTG @276. Was thinking that myself. Of course the fella wants to come home to London if he’s bid Β£5m for a town house/love nest. Might get the occasional start at Arsenal as well.
Malheureusement les derniΓ¨res places disponibles pour ce prix ont Γ©tΓ© rΓ©servΓ©es par un autre client. Nous vous invitons Γ retourner Γ l’Γ©tape prΓ©cΓ©dente pour sΓ©lectionner un autre tarif sur ce train ou sur un horaire diffΓ©rent. (WDI_0003). Correlation ID: WWW-517a4725471f6_j9AfZi5e5m_ogzgm8h1ygTMWRKzPBTPPLP1HmOFcG7Y
Lovely messages on Eurostar website again.
I haven’t even got to the point when I try to enter my card details again….
And nope, still the same shit.
Over a month.
‘High priority’, yeah we assure you that we take this seriously.
And it’s a fucking regression on their previous website when it worked perfectly.
Utterly useless.
FUCKING CUNTS.
Despite being given a ref number over the phone,this time I didn’t even receive an e-mail and when I’m checking on Eurostar on-line, they don’t find the reference.
Getting on my tits now, I was hoping to get some lunch before leaving today.
It gets better.
So I called them again, and turned out that in the previous call I got redirected to SNCF bookings, not Eurostar. And so Eurostar, despite being well able to see my booking and also being able to see that my Carte Blanche Number was entered and so the points will be credited (they say…), are not handling the booking so I have to call SNCF….
That’s the Societe Nationale de Chemin de Fer,
For anyone like me who can’t speak French ?!? π π
heh yeah.
The person who redirected me there shoudl be sacked by Eurostar.
Frankly.
I think I might write them another e-mail just to complain about their customer service now even more than their IT.
I am absolutely appalled by the way I have been treated this morning.
What are the odds that I will also have to fight to get the points credited despite what the lady on the second call told me?
The irony of it all, as I now realise, is that if I wanted to book via SNCF in the first place, I probably could have done on-line as I assume THEIR system isn’t fucked up….
Trev @ 1:12am, sorry to delay so long. STOP IT. Hope you slept OK despite lack of well-deserved telling off. Oh, and another thing, I’M NOT GRUMPY.
Ollie – don’t forget to vent some more here before you write to Eurostar.
So after all that Ollie, is your complaint finally en train even if you’re not ? π
Ok Oxon,
So, you’re not happy and you’re not grumpy.
So which one are you ? π
Aww, gee Trev. I’m Bashful.
Good day all. Now 8ball, ha ha (you know what you did!) Distracting the holics with that pic of Cesc π …
Were there pictures of Cesc in that Telegraph article too?
Heh anyone else noticed that in the first pic of Cesc in training kit it looks like it was just his head and barca logo photoshopped on one of our players in our training gear for this year, looks exactly the same O.o
Anyways, gotta admit that the lady is quite picturcescque:P
Stop it Oxon! π hmm. HMMM! It’s FFF!
Oh Eandy, you too! Poor Cent, he’s next π
Photoshop my head into a pic with that lady lounging on the beach and publish it in major newspapers around the world and my head could probably get bigger too. Picturcesque?? π
You’re playing with fire 8ball. Of course, would mind using her as my twitter pic π
Oxon @290, – Who cares ?
Now Trev, You should be setting some sort of an an example here. Ah, can’t imagine what cba will think π This is a footie blog! Not a …. well, you know π
Trec@298 – abb?
Meh, my wife has a better body than that.
Ah Fabregas, I wish you would return home to us. You did indeed leave too soon.
Lurks
Oxon, you @ 290 π
Well in H2H. I bet you scored using my favorite goal of the CL (since we exited). The Drogba back heel flick against the Turks! π
Heh abb, nah, nothing that fancy, it was more of a Sunday morning pub league, trip over the ball and wathching it, amazed, as it dribbles over the line……
But they all count. π
An excellent final paragraph from Tim Stillman just gave me the permission I was seeking to disrespect the Guard of Honour on Sunday.
π
Fellas, the game isn’t being broadcasted in the states! Will miss all the ‘excitement’ and have to do w audio on player π Trev, will have to check that out. Remember, taking the high road can be lonely, but the view from up top is awesome π
Well in H2H.
A poacher’s goal I would say.
And talking about poaching, will any of ‘Arry’s charge be a good prey?s
Afternoon lady and gents.
Finally managed to catch up after a few busy days, some good stuff above by all our wonderful (un)usual suspects.
First, if I may I’d like to go back to the Occum’s razor. Now, I am by no means a highly educated chap, but I’ve watched more then enough tv to know that this theorey can not be applied, when used to exprapulate if we had money to spend, to garner an answer due to the fact that there are too many unknown variables to throw the end assumption out of whack. For example, Arsene may have been willing to splash the cash but his desired target decided against joining us. Occum’s razor therefor is severly blunted on the stubbly beard of transfer business. π
==
I’ve been pretty surprised by the general air of shock coming from Dortmonds dismantling of Real. The German teams have been bubbling under the surface for quite some time now. For those that wish to back track to when we beat Dortmond a few seasons back, you will find that I thought that that victory was among the very best we ever had in Europe due to how strong I believed them to be. It was an absolute travisty that they were seeded in pot 4 that year. But you don’t even have to go back that far, this is the same team that totaly overrun Citeh earlier in the season and had already taken points off Madrid and finished above them in the group stages.
===
As for Lemon-dork-ski (whatever), I think he’s a decent enough striker, but the whole world class tag is pushing it a bit. Yes he’s had a good season, but, if memory serves, he wasn’t that effective at Euro 12, when his whole nation was counting on him, that, for me anyway, is the difference between good and world class, but he’s relativetly young, so time will tell.
===
Not too sure what all the fuss is about with that broad that had Cesc’s child, she looks old enough to be his mother.
Trev, exactly my feelings as I was frightened by almost the whole piece. But the last paragraph sort of calmed my fears.
Tim Stillman writes some extreamly good pieces, I very much enjoy his take on things.
Fergie quoted by the BBC: “For Arsenal to have one of their players go to their biggest rivals of the last 20 years doesn’t sit well with their fans, nor Arsene for that matter.”
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22307991
A bit of stirring the pot ahead of Sunday? Or was the Dutch player in question really sold by the board against AW’s wishes?
Ned@310 (4:32 pm): Hard to imagine Chewie McPurplnose deliberately stirring things up, especially in the week of the match. Must be that the Dutch Skunk was sold at the insistence of the board, for financial reasons only.
I don’t know if I’m the only one, but it sometimes seems that you can read almost anything and find that it supports what you thought in the first place.
At this pace tonight’s preview will be a six pinter, with added kung-po π
Cracking points – every one of them H2H @307.
No doubt it will be worth the wait, and marination, H π
Yes H2H,
Cracking points, as opposed to the bricklayer I saw this afternoon who was pointing cracks π
Evening Trev. All well?
Nurse Abb. I plead innocent. It was never my intention to distract anyone. π
Pictures of HWMNBN didn’t distract me in the least. His lady does have a good tan though. π
Re: Oxon @311. Only through intense “concentration, focus and desire” is it possible to “read almost anything and find that it supports what you thought in the first place.” If I may mix quotes from AW and from you in the same sentence. π
Evening bath,
Yes thank you – you too I trust ?
Will you be at The Tollie pre-match on Sunday ?
Snir, you have mail.
Sorry, first chance to go through my emails.
I am from the dark side ,I think change is needed and should of happend a few years ago , But on sunday everybody needs to be one , lets not waste time hissing at the Dutch twat , I think we need to get behind the boys and just focus all are energies on getting 100% behind the guys . And also give the twats a guard of honour because it could give AFC the catalyst they need to move forward .
Agreed Kevin – during the game.
But if RvP walks through that guard of honour he’s gonna geddit !
Here’s my preview:
Just effin’ win it, Arsenal!
π
He will because he is a c””t . But I believe we will have the last laugh
Good evening all. Top drinks from all of you, if I didn’t have one of those days when you never get a full two minutes of free time at a stretch I probably would have contributed during the day.
My last word on RVP and the guard of honour: If RvP has the right to move to Manure “for trophies” after those injured years with us then our fans have the right to show their frustration and get satisfaction from abusing him. Let’s do the guard of honour for them they deserve it.
Abb, Cesc’s baby mama has a nice body for a 38-year-old, I was pleasantly distracted by those pictures *winky smiley*
‘Is it possible to read anything and find that it supports what you already thought’ absolutely possible.
Lar’s your preview is spot on!
let’s focus on are guys that wear the badge not the mercenarie twat that he is . We need a Dortmund atmosphere .He is so not worth it .
abb @ 305: The game is either on Fox Soccer or Fox Sports. Last time I checked the programs it was on Fox Soccer. If not, then it will surely be on fox soccer online broadcast.
Six pinter >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
H2H @ 307: “For those that wish to back track to when we beat Dortmond a few seasons back, you will find that I thought that that victory was among the very best we ever had in Europe due to how strong I believed them to be.”
Absolutely agree. I mentioned that to a response to Uncle Charlie. IMHO, that was as good a win as the less certain but tactically clever 2-1 against Barca.