Dire Rear, The Story of A Bad Day At The Back
Jan 31st, 2010 by 'holic
Sunday 5.30 am, wake up with Montezuma’s revenge. This is not a good start to the biggest day of the season thus far. I manage a couple of hours of dozing before I am ‘evacuating’ again. The omens aren’t good.
Arse finally settled I am in a taxi at ten heading for the station where I meet up with Darren. We discuss the imminent return of Arsenal-Land on the train, and I persuade him to join me as I look around Highbury for the first time since May 2006. I’m impressed. They haven’t ruined the feel of the old girl. I feel good again.
A few pints are in order and slowly but surely the gang assembles in the pub. There is a slight tension in the air. Nervousness if you like. Some are wondering if ‘only a draw’ will be good enough today and next Sunday. At 3 o’clock I would have taken the draw. At 5 o’clock I would kill for it.
I am extremely fortunate to have a friend’s ticket in Block 32, right behind the visitors’ bench. He is worried I will overdo my greeting to that nice Mr Ferguson and pleads with me not to lose him one of the best seats in the house. He needn’t have worried.
To rip into the purple-nosed one I would have to come from a position of strength. I need to know we will humiliate him on the pitch as I intend to humiliate him off it. From early doors it is clear that won’t happen.
From pretty much bench level I share a perception, a view of the game, with the coaches and managers. It is a bit two dimensional compared to my usual vantage point, and it is clear from the start that our much-vaunted 4-3-3 is in fact reverting to a 4-5-1 today. Arshavin is exposed. Even worse, the five doesn’t seem to think they need to put in a shift because there are so many of them.
The fact that United have started much the better is forgotten a couple of times when Nani hits the deck all too dramatically. The second time Song is booked, and we can replace disappointment with faux fury. No surprise then that the obnoxious one provides the classy cross that Manuel chucks into his own net.
Four minutes later he frees Rooney, to this point magnificently shackled by Gallas, and the visitors are two up, and well worth the comfortable interval advantage. The half-time whisky raises the spirits. We convince ourselves a comeback is possible, until the whistle blows and again we look second best in every respect.
In the second-half I tire of waiting to bait Fergie and exchange pleasantries with the fourth official instead. Clattenburg seems to have had a spurt of growth over what was once clearly a bald patch, or as Del Trotter would have put it, ‘a hell of a parting’. It is only a temporary distraction.
United are three to the good when Park crowns a dogged performance with a far post finish. Those around me are astounded when our response is to add Theo to our lightweight attack. I’m being harsh, I know, but this is a poor call on the day.
Thomas Vermaelen shines a miniscule glimmer of light into our day when he lashes one home with his broken leg, and briefly we wonder if we could nick something if we could add to that strike. After all, United pinched the points off us at Old Trafford when we were by far the better side. But no, it is not to be.
At the final whistle it is back to the pub, and the unusual spectacle of everybody pretty much singing from the same hymn sheet, and accepting we were clearly second best on the day. Nobody thinks it is the end of the title challenge yet, but in seven days time we have to show a degree of determination and effort that was not evident today.
The bus stop in Fulham has suddenly acquired a degree of importance in our season. They will stretch their advantage at Hull in the week. We cannot afford to put in another lifeless display next Sunday. After we have achieved so much over the course of the first six months of the season it seems churlish to be putting so much importance on this one game. Everybody knows though, if we do not produce a performance at the Bridge next week, the title will probably be gone for another year.
Oh, and Arsene, I did play in goal a fair bit in my youth. If you can’t get anybody else before 5pm on Monday, I am available, and cheap.
81 Responses to “Dire Rear, The Story of A Bad Day At The Back”
Excellent as always. I am saddened to hear that for all the grief Le Boss received at Old Trafford in the summer that you weren’t able to exact some retribution towards the gum chewer.
I’ll have a sidecar noting we were clearly second best.
I lick windows
jjh – I think it is you that needs to do that.
Nice post ‘holic – hope the Mexican god has left you alone by now.
I’ll have one of them single malts and I believe I saw a sachet of Diaoralyte in the cork screw draw….
Cheers.
Excellent as usual. Always enjoy reading your blog even though it is impossible to get any enjoyment out of this horrible day. Beating Chelsea seems like a monumental task, lets hope Drogba picks up an injury between now and next Sunday. Let’s hope our impressive mid season title charge isn’t all in vain (again).
Good article ‘Holic. I’ve heard all year that if we hold the good teams even in points and beat-up on the bad ones we can win the title but there will be no lasting confidence with this group until they can put forth consistent results vs. the top four. Tactics need to change b/c we are getting hammered on the counter attack. While Nicky B isn’t perfect, we needed his size in the box for more than 20 minutes to have a chance at the numerous crosses that went into the box.
Guiness, I guess.
A bit two dimensional?
How very dare you
Heh, nice one ‘holic!
Haha, Jackster š
Thanks again maestro. I’ll get the bastard next year š
Thanks Holic. My glass of Shiraz is still half full. If the goals had been two yards wider today we’d have won 7-3. Basically we need a striker on the pitch, especially playing 4-5-1, where the 1 is the focal points of all attacks.
Denilson was lightweight and ineffective. Fabregas not his clinical self in the new formation. Song excellent as always. Arshavin did his best in an impossible task.
We are the third best team in the country. This has now been comprehensively established. It’s not a bad achievement, but just think where we could be if Wenger had spent some of the Ā£45million in his pocket.
As pizza throwing, shoe kicking and water bottle booting outings go, this one was strangely bereft of off-field antics. But some of Arsenalās on-field antics were more than sufficient to divert attention from any absence of comedic side-show.
So far, itās one point out of a possible six in this set of four that everyone believes will make or break the season. Six points from the remaining two would appear to be both a must and also a very big ask.
The doom merchants have already donned their black caps and begun assembling the seasonās gallows as they glory in their Mancunish inquisition. āItās time for Wenger to go, they cry, (again). Sell the whole team and buy a new one!ā
But thatās premature. The fat lady hasnāt even begun to wax her warblers. Weāve seen twists and turns we could scarcely believe. Weāll see many more before she hits high doh.
The day started well. Emmanuel the great showed how to do it. Latching on to a difficult, high, through ball, he showed great control before thumping one of his trademark belters past James. There. Easy. If the triple-Bās favourite target can do that, surely one of our front-five can too? I canāt wait to see them get stuck in.
On paper, Unitedās team did not inspire any degree of fear. In fact, it looked pretty much like a one fat man, Sunday afternoon, sheep shagging outing. āPut the sheep dog on him and stroll gently to a home winā appeared to be the prescription.
We started well and created sufficient good chances to be sitting comfortably, had they been taken, after the first 15 minutes. Had AA looked up a couple of times, things might have been different.
Then, several mad moments turned the game.
Somehow we contrived to make Nani Goat look competent for the first time since his import from Portugal as Gelled Tumbler II. What were Clichy and Nasri thinking? What was THAT, Almunia? Moments later we were two down. Denilson will not enjoy reviewing his amble back with Rooney and his lack of effort to give him anything other than a free shot. AA had an open-net opportunity at 2-0, but contrived to blast past.
Their third killed the game (our defense was woeful) and after that, despite a spirited effort, it was all too little too late. On a different day, the multitude of chances we created would have produced more. But thereās no question, the better side won, as such, a reverse of the situation at Old Trafford earlier in the season.
Overall, United appeared to want it more. Gallas, Vemaelen, Song and Cesc get full marks from me. Most of the others couldnāt make it happen today. Nasri, Rosicky and Arshavin need to do SOME defending. Sagna and Clichy both need to go to crossing school. Not much new there.
Thereās a way to go āHolics. Weāre not out of it yet.
A stiff double anything for me, barman, please.
Once again thanx ‘holic for bringing a down to earth, honest perspective void of the doom factor that many other sites seem to promote.
Of course I’m dissapointed that we lost, especially as I felt before kick off, that on paper, we had a stronger XI out then Utd. It wasn’t to be, they took their cnances, we didn’t. Crying shame but it’s by no means the end of our title hopes, we’ve come from behind this season before and there’s no reason why we can’t do it again.
Hope you get well soon.
A Pint of Lager to drown the sorrows please barman.
Cheers.
It will be interesting to watch the rerun from a different angle tomorrow BtM. You saw more positives from the box today than I saw in the frozen tundra of the Grove. I still think we are good for top two, given we will shortly enjoy the easiest run-in of the contenders.
We need a performance at least, next week though, if we are to be top of that two. Another resounding defeat will shaft us mentally as well as
physically.
I had planned a trans-atlantic two matcher to Villa – Auchterchoochty – Bishop’s Stortford – The Grove. I couldn’t get a ticket for today for love nor money. At 0-3, the view from the sofa was feeling bad enough and the pain of missing out considerably diminished.
I as opposed to others do believe (just like ‘holic) that this team is the best in the premier league as far as ability is concerned, problem is – teamwise we were way outclassed today, and not because Man U is a great team.
Few pointers.
1) Gallas (yes, Gallas, the guy that I don’t really understand why but gets tons of credit for doing what he’s supposed to do – defend, I for one don’t give him extra credit, just what he deserved for doing his job and today he didn’t, he was caught 3 times up front!) should get fined for thinking he has the finishing ability weāve been lacking and going forward irresponsibly leading to the third goal which was an outrage since Clichy the poor fella didnāt know if to go to Rooney, Nani or guard the shot from Park!!! He was 1 on 3, it was horrible, and all because of our naive play, it was the 2nd goal from Pienaar all over again.
2) Denilson should get thrown to the sharks, Iām usually very patient and not a doom and gloom guy when losses come by but the guy has been awful (in terms of effort which is the most important)! That jog against Sidibe was a disgrace and so was the jog today in the 2nd goal, how the hell donāt you run your socks off when Man U is on the fast break?! Disrespectful!
3) So NAIVE!!! O.K, I accept the fact the first goal was once in a career as far as Nani goes, excluding that laughable effort from Almunia who should go in the same path Denilson goes, but to get 2 goals on the fast break after a set piece? Who do you think they are? Hull? How can Clichy be the ONLY(!!!!!!) one who was waiting for the counter attack? Havenāt you learned anything from last yearās 3rd goal in the CL Semi-Final in May 09? Itās the same goal, The saying āyou donāt make the same mistake twiceā is nonsense to you guys?
4) Andrey Arshavin is really starting to piss me off, he is so selfish, itās really starting irritate me.
It started VS. Bolton when he didnāt pass to Theo to make 5-2 and resumed today when he shot 3 times when he coulda put someone in a better position for a shot when it was still 0-0ā¦
Selfishness which is really untolerable.
At least you were on 3Dā¦
Really shattered from this display, canāt see us going back to the title race without a win in Stamford Bridge which is close to impossible with the morale right now in the team.
As opposed to how it may seem, I’m not in for changing the whole team or replacing AW, I just think that this game was very winnable had we treated it like it shoulda been treated, because their goals were way way too easy.
Itās a shame, it shoulda been our year.
All of you are way, way to kind on the players and Wenger himself. It’s like we have given up as a football club to be the best and are happy being competitive, because “there’s always next year with this young team.” Sorry but it hurts, . .. . . . . .. . . . . .. deep in my soul.
double please, keep em coming.
@14 Snir. You start by saying that this is the best team in the Premier League and proceed to slaughter half of it?????? Make your mind up.
I thought today was as poor and as woeful as I have seen in a long time. We enjoyed great debate on here a few days back about personnel and possible forays into the transfer market. My stance was that we were 3 players light of what is a great young squad with enormous potential. For those who disagreed with me watch the re run of todayās game. I can provide no better evidence to support my view that we need a new keeper, holding midfield player and a striker.
What got me about today was the lack of passion and fight. When will we ever win a second ball????? At times we just do not compete. Against lesser sides we can get away with it. But not against the likes of ManUre. All 3 goals conceded were shockers. What the hell Almunia was doing for the first only he will know. The second came from our attack. Clichy was outwitted by Rooney. We then proceed to retreat like headless chickens. Why can no one pick up the runners? Or runner should I say. There was only the one.
The third goal was even worse. Defensively it was horrible. How anyone can defend Clichy in that move is beyond. He was not the only one at fault but there has to be a time when he goes and makes a challenge. He gets further and further away from Park. Almunina is then beaten at his near post.
The balance for me is all wrong. We play so narrow it is untrue. And we then wonder why the middle is too crowded? The likes of Arshavin, Rosicky, Nasri and Fabregas all want to play in the same position. They all push up far too much and allowed the Mancs far too much space. We did not close down anywhere near enough and did not compete. As I have said, against lesser sides our quality wins the day. Today we just were not at the races. Their 2nd and 3rd goals were how we played 5 years ago. Where has that gone? Why do we not break at pace anymore?
What is really worrying is that that was almost our strongest side. Granted some are still a bit off the pace but as a team performance that was woeful.
We have millions sat in the bank. We have obvious deficiencies within the squad. But for some reason we do bugger all about it. I honestly believe that we are nearly there. We do not need major surgery, just a few additions. A few additions of quality. In the workplace they have fancy new sayings or phrases for most things. They normally drive me nuts. However one rings true. I am sure we have all heard of Maximising potential? Well for me Arsenal Football Club are not maximising their potential. And it gives me the raging hump.
We need a massive attitude and work ethic change by next weekend. Otherwise is will be embarrassing.
I gave up the booze sometime ago and it`s forty years since I had a fag. The only vice I had left was an addiction to Arsenal, now it looks like I`m going to have to suffer another withdrawal , at least for this season.
Unless there is a dramatic change of policy during the summer months I`m going to suggest the unthinkable, a change of manager.
Stan Kroenke may well have aquired his 17 shares by then and this could change things but if not I can see Arsene being elevated to the Board as Technical Director (David Deins old job) and someone like Gus Hiddink introduced as manager.
Wenger is almost as much a part of Arsenal as Highbury and we owe him a lot but we need a new mind. He will still play a major role and the club will only benefit from his experience and loyal service.
Holic, people like you have kept me positive but we were barely second best today. There can be no more excuses, we were lucky to only concede three, they looked like scoring any time they went forward and the pessimism is flooding in. I guess any side can have a bad day but you’d think they’d get their act together for this one.
Excellent points about Chelsea and then our run in, a slender slither of a glimmer of hope, but if I close my eyes for a while my eyes might adjust to it.
ps, bring your gloves
I am SiCK TO DEATH of the mancs coming here and making us look like a bunch of limp wristed jessies…!!!!
I was also at the 1-3 drubbing in the Champions League….!!!!
PLEASE WENGER…!!!!! PLEASE!!!! DON’T PUT US THROUGH THAT AGAIN!!!! I BEG YOU!!!!!
Just sort it the f@#$k out…!!!!!!!!!
Oh….and sorry to say this….
Most teams have sussed us out….!
especially Mancs and Chavs!! Don’t be surprised if ‘Arrys lot do as well….that would really be the final straw….!
Sorry guys…I hate being negative….I just can’t stand the thought of the mancs coming to us and making us look STUPID!!!!! And that is really what rooney and his mob made us look…AGAIN!!!! STUPID!!!!
Goonerholic….I love your blogs and I have heard you many times on Arsecast….which is TOP quality…! But, please, how embarassed do you feel today…???
Hey…I know it’s only football…..but ffs…..we could/should have rubbed their noses in it…and instead…AGAIN…they rub our noses in it…!!! And NANI…?!?!?! has the game of his LIFE!!!!
Sorry….I’m going on a bit to much….but that defeat hurt me more than any other I remember…!!!
mojo i feel for u what is arsenal fc doing withall their PROFITS we pay peanuts in wages we have most expensive seating n boxes we have great sponsership deals his the MATH IN FACT summer 09 22million budget-verm11million=11million that + sale of ade 25million n kolo 16million= 52million themoney generated frm this season EASY 20 million =72 MILLION for summer 2010 THAT IS FACT FACT FACT FACT FACT FACT FACT FACT FACT FACT FACT FACT FACT FACT FACT FACT FACT FACT FACT FACT FACT FACT FACT FACT FACT FACT FACT
mojo ifeel same bt many gunners r jus happy with 4th nw the majority infact the fans dnt seem to care bout our demise since we moved to that poxy stadium wheres the benefits ?? so them etonion kikes get richer????
All the Mu goals were scored when the ten gunners joined in the attack.So when the gunners attack breaks down inevitably thru overelaboration and trying to thread your way thru ten players it is committing suicide.Most of the goals Arsenal conceded have happened this way.Other teams do not give the gunners acres of space .Only the gunners do that to show thier pretty soccer which gets you no where. Man,its results that matter not the stylish soccer which ends in a beating.
Btw most teams teams know how Arsenal play and hit them on the counter where it hurts.goals.
I’m afraid AW is still set in his ways and unless there is a radical,repeat radical change Arsenal will continue to be beaten.
@16 Steve. I do think it’s the best team, but I do have some complaints about todays performance, so I slaughtered everyone I did in reference to tonight’s game, not in general (that’s something for sometime different).
I agree as well we need a keeper and a striker but I really do believe we can handle any team with Song, Diaby, Cesc in the middle when all our healthy.
The problem today didn’t come from the middle, it came from exactly what you said – lack of passion and effort, that’s why they didn’t track back on both the 2nd and 3rd goals, and that’s why I slaughtered Denilson.
I still believe in this team, but AW is gonna have a lot of work to do on the players’ minds in order to get them going next Sunday.
Praying for a draw on Tuesday.
Thanks for the reports, both `Holic and Btm.
In case you were wondering c gander is a paid Usmanov hack posting on every single Arsenal board.
Our real problem is that Rednose won the game 2 days ago with his “most important game” mindgame. When I read Arsene’s reply I knew we were going to lack resolve but I didn’t expect us to be so meek. It felt like the worst days of last season. It’s the manager’s and the captain’s jobs two fire up the team, why didn’t they? And where was the hairdrier at half-time?
Arsene and Cesc are left with lots of teamwork on the plate until the Chelski game…
‘Bad day at the back’?, Goonerholic, there was nothing the team could do today to change the result, the better team was just better. Our destiny was never in our own hands.
I’ll take a seat at the bar next to 15 Eastside Gooner.
i canĀ“t help it, but today Nasri and Denilson were rubbish.
I’m afraid Cesc will fly to Barcelona, if AW doesn’t address the situation.
Una de Zacapa Centenario (Rum), por favor!
IT WASNT only a bad day at the back , was “a bad day at the front” really…
Something must be accepted that even if Arsenal are piss poor we still WILL create some chances and they have to be taken – BUT….
this has been happening for the past couple of seasons…AND WENGER seems to have switched off his learning functions…
HE IS TAKING THAT ARSHAVIN ANFIELD COMEBACK A BIT TOO FAR…thinking that it will always happen…
What guarantee do you have that he will not field the same shit side with no strikers next sunday ??? His argument will be that its a big away game…and Arshavin produces at big away games and not at home games…
I must say Eduardo would have fancied playing yesterday with the chances we created…let this hit him to say he should strengthen up a bit…
OH WHEN WILL ARSENE LEARN ???
‘Holic,
It’s been a minute… something is definitely rotten in the state of Denmark. Having seen in the game in crisp FSC HD, and having given my manx-loving best friend and brother-in-law the business on Saturday, I am in no mood for the “glass half-full” musings posted heretofore. Here is a simple explanation of why our season, once again, will end for shite:
our play: song to fabregas to nasri to rosicky back to nasri to fabrigas to arshavin resulting in “ooohhh so close!”
their play: nani to rooney “goal”
Bottom line.
We draw with Everton and Villa and have lost twice an overachieving Manx squad. Who, in their heart of hearts and with dispassionate analysis, thinks this squad can beat the Chavs away? Really. For that matter, who honestly thinks we can currently beat Citeh? We lacked heart and determination, and the worst thing is that by snatching a goal back at the end the optimists can now ignore our sad state and chalk this dismemberment up to – God knows what (just another bad day at the park… “we’ll get ’em next time, bub”)
I am gutted. Those saying “buck up; the fat lady hasn’t warmed up; and we’ve come back before” need to leave the drugs alone. We turned our noses up at the FA Cup and the Carling Cup and we will soon receive our comeuppance. Today’s performance by the usual suspects does not deserve blind support. The worst thing I saw today was the fact that the boys (even Fab) played as individuals looking for their own shot instead of playing as a team. For shame.
I bleed as red as an American Gooner can, but this show was atrocious and Le Boss has made no moves to correct it. I say play eastmond, coquelin, and the rest of the reserves at the bridge before we field the same jokers today that showed no heart, no pride, no ambition, no endeavor… They don’t deserve to wear the shirt.
By the way, I have a surgically reconstructed right knee, but I am ready to join Sol at the back whenever AW calls.
Lemon juice tonight, please ‘Holic. It will taste sweeter than the bile currently in my mouth.
Cesc will go in the summer. Who can blame him?
Wenger has been explicitly clear that this is the year when his project was ready to win silverware. When we do not win anything (which, of course, we won’t) will he fall on his sword, either by resigning or by undertaking a wholesale reconstruction of his squad in the summer?
Cesc will go anyway.
He should also ship out Almunia, Fabianski, Clichy, Sagna, Traore, Denilson, Walcott, Diaby, Eduardo.
Good job once again ! I am an avid follower of your blog and it is good fun reading your blog.
I have been an Arsenal fan for the last 3 years and its been a roller coaster ride for me and I cannot fathom the ride you’ve been on supporting Arsenal for more than a decade!
rocky are u mad? some of the players u listed to ship out is mindboggling. think before you post such rubbish again..
Felt sick watching the game today.
Almunia – nothing short of awful and I hope AW can replace as soon as possible. The looks he gets from Gallas during each self-created catastrophe in goal each game convinces me that this lack of belief extends into the locker room as well. I’ve got a 12 year old sister (well not really) who is as up to the task as Almunia appears to be…
Denilson – started 15 yards ahead of Rooney on goal #2 today and his leisurely jog was pathetic and cost us dearly. There is no room in Arsenal’s XI for a player without the heart to sprint back on defense (especially as a defensive midfield player)! He also got bailed out from heading in an own goal early (a la Diaby) by Nasri on the post and let Nani skip past him on the first. Extremely poor again today. Should we not have started Ramsey?!?
Arshavin – worked his socks off today creating chances and troubling defenders which I appreciate it. However, I agree with others above that his mildly amusing selfishness from earlier in the season has grown to become more worrisome for me. Arsenal could easily have been 1 or 2 nil to the good early in the game had he and others made some wiser decisions in the final third. I still very much like the player and would like to see him running at the goal from a more natural position for him than center forward.
Cesc – Again, played very hard. You could see him trying to will Arsenal back into the game. Finishing was off today and it felt forced as we were trying to play catchup. I pray frustrations at Arsenal to not send him packing for Barcelona this summer.
Nasri – “sound and fury signifying nothing”
Rosicky – seems unaware that there are not style points for making overly difficult or cheeky passes that don’t result in any advantage. Has been giving the ball away too much since his return to fitness.
Bendtner – Not great but he’s just coming back from being away 3 months. Seems a bit clumsy over the ball still. Not the speediest either.
Song – First game back for us, has been in great form. Not his best game and finishing off the mark but not too many complaints.
Sagna – Good on back line, crosses stink. He wasn’t the problem today.
Tommy V. / Gallas – have been a strong center back partnership. We seem to only really get in trouble in the counter attack when they’ve pushed too far up the pitch and can’t get back in time to avert disaster.
Clichy – Punched below his weight today. I think he can be a very good Arsenal player but his last few games back have been sub-par for him though. His regaining his best form will be important if we’re to chase at all for the title.
Eboue / Walcott – game was essentially over when they came on. Walcott looked better than his more recent performances while Eboue left some lingering questions.
Overall Takeway – League title is not gone but stars will need to align to make it more than hope. Those stars aligning need to start with 3 points at the Bridge next weekend to have any chance. Don’t quit yet Gunner fans!
I appreciate your mental agony but still with broken heart you have rightly rated the players. All Arsenal supporters should unitedly criticise AW for not buying players. Arsenal is not his fatherās club. He is an extremely stubborn person. Ferguson is miles ahead of him. The way we conceded the 2nd and the 3rd goal is unimaginable. Just by 2-3 touches they finished and the entire defence was absent. Man U or Chelsea or Liversool will never ever concede such type of goal. Arsene Wenger does not try to understand that Almunia, Clichy, Denilson, walcott, Bendner are worst footballers. I really feel extremely sorry for Fabregas, a truely class footballer, for our two central defenders and Arshavin. Though Arshavin missed opportunities but still he was the only man causing problem upfront. One thing I will never understand that why after conceding the 2nd goal in a foolish fashion, AW did not tell Gallas and Vermealan not to go up. Man U were playing on counter attacks and they could have scored 3 more goals. I have always seen that there were atleast 5-6 footballers jamming Man Uās defence.
AW should resign or else he should apologise to millions of Arsenal fans for not utilising money he earned by buying Adebayor and Toure. Why did he allow Gilberto or Flamini to leave ? Gilberto is still playing for worlds best team. Go hell AW, you are the most overrated person on earth.
It hurts doesn’t it?
Quite simply they were the better team but having said that doesn’t take away the part we played in our own demise.
It seems obvious that we need a striker, a proper number 9. Even when RVP returns we can’t rely only on him alone. Selling Adebayor in the frame of mind he was in at the time was probably a good move but we never replaced him. Arshavin can’t do it and was guilty of some horrendous head down selfishness and not for the first time today. Eduardo doesn’t look the same player following his injury and lay-off, I hope his form and confidence returns.
Defensively we were poor – not just the back four but the whole team. As soon as we had the ball the Mancs all got back and lined up across the six yard box whereas we just left it to the defenders. Clichy being caught one on 3 (or was it 4) has already been mentioned but by then we were well and truly chasing the game. Rosicky, Nasri and Arshavin have to take their defensive duties more seriously as must Denilson who has seemed lethargic in the last game or two – he also needs some sprint training btw!
We are crying out for width and pace and unfortunately Walcott seems devoid of any confidence at all at the moment but like any winger to be effective he must have the ball early and at pace so that he can run onto it, unfortunately he usually has to receive the ball standing still or, worse, he has to turn and go back to collect it because, strangely, our passing is often poor at the moment.
However it isn’t all doom and gloom, Gallas, Vermaelen, Cesc and Song all looked committed and played quite well. Diaby should be fit again soon and I understand that RVP may be back sooner than expected, so lets look forward to a better performance on Sunday and at least a point to help us consolidate third place – I think it would take a minor miracle for anything higher than that. I am also looking forward to a new striker arriving before today is out – no sorry, that’s me being silly!
Why is it that nobody ever blame the board?
to start off with pls fuck almunia off……the guy is old and is actin worse than jens lehmann…..how many fukin own goals against the mancs??….might as well had stayed at home if ur giftin the game away…to top it up at the end he threw the ball straight to rooney as if to say come fuck me ….lucky us it would have been 4…..cumin to the defence i suggest promotin gallas as the frontman and vermaelen in the midfield…..wtf r they doin up top when ur supposed to be playin in defence….the counter attacks of manure made us look like a bunch of loonish kids runnin after thier daddies……totalli fukin exposed….almost as if evry attack looked like a goal for those twats…..me says traore did a far better job than clichy….all clichy does is he runs around players like a wild beast but hes made to look like a tamed cat when hes foxed…… i dont wanna get to denilson cos im wastin my time givin n opinion……arshavin was so fukin selfish as if he wanted to prove a point ……sadly he already has proved to us what a gr8 player he is if only he would be as good as bergkamp to lay it back to nasri or fab….maybe we would have been 2-0 before they wer….fuck it i miss rvp the most…..i think by far the best player for arsenal
mario, get that keyboard checked, would you. Seems a lot of the keys are either missing or sticking.
@14 Snir – couldn’t agree more about Gallas. Take a closer look at their 2nd and 3rd goals – he was still in their half both times. If Vermaelen can bust a gut and get back to defend then why can’t he?? Too old? Too lazy?
I’m a Londoner living in Sydney and I stay up for most games. Last night kicked off at 3am on a Monday…by half time I was knackered, depressed, angry, frustrated and fucking over it to be honest. I can’t even bring myself to mention Denilson or Almunia.
And to think we chucked the FA Cup… for what? The players were supposed to be fresh and up for it – and Arsene said they clearly weren’t. Why? Why???
Heh, great shout ‘Hols. Except for “nobody thinks it’s the end of the title challenge yet” – I guess alcohol blurrs the distinction and it’s a very nice soothing balm thankyou very much! Not only is the towel thrown in it is neatly pressed and ready for next season.
Is 5 years long enough for a “work in progress”? Are we too impatient?
What are Arsenal “Values”?
Do they include:
Esprit de corps?
Commitment?
Passion?
Desire?
Selfless?
Respect?
Ok, now how many players on Sunday truly reflected these values?
Can you guys remember Grimandi? He wasn’t blessed with natural skill was he, but he dug in and he had an indefatigable attitude. You don’t have to be Maradona to play for the Arse, but the fans will never forgive you if you do not try (Denilson et al).
‘holic – thanks! As ever I enjoyed reading your comments.
I have little choice to begin by saying congratulations to the better team who won on the day ~ a team who I loathe with an abiding passion!
For all our faults (most of which have already been mentioned) the one that sticks out for me is the lack of a potent strike force up front, a reliable target man……a weakness that is consistently letting us down imo. I maintain…
* Chelsea have Drogba
* Liverpool have Torres
* ManYoo have Rooney (and before that Ronaldo)
* Arsenal have RvP whose limbs seem to be made of paper mache, plus a plethora of other similarly injury prone players, all of whom are simply not reliable enough in front of goal.
Had the chances we had, in front of goal, fallen to a proven goalscorer (Torres/Drogba/Rooney), we would have won yesterday. What’s more Gallas wouldn’t have felt the need to go wondering up front in an effort to get a goal (I believe he did it out of frustration and for genuine reasons ~ he doesn’t normally get caught out of position).
I agree with everything that has been said about Denilson, Clichy and Arshavin (the latter who, although I was mightily impressed by his efforts, was so incredibly selfish).
I’ll just finish by mentioning my biggest concern, which is that we do not seem to be learning from our mistakes. For at least the last 3 seasons, we have been humiliated in exactly the same way by Manchester United and Chelsea. That is perhaps what hurts me the most!
A very sour lemon juice for me please barman.
nani looks like mj wannabe in thriller.
It’s 3:45pm I drag my other half to come home form her Sunday shopping spree, she’s not happy but hey it’s Arsenal playing in 15 minutes.
We get home at 3:55pm I turn on my TV the satelite box and go for a final smoke before the kick off, I’m thinking lets bloody do ’em!
As soon as they score I’m thinking that not all that bad we can come back from this surely, second one goes, I’m thinking if we can score at least one goal before halftime it’s game on. We can’t score before half time, I’m getting worried and starting to think what the fuck is Amlunia doing?
My other half says they play like a sunday league team and I can not argue with her too much she’s 100% spot on. Second half starts, we can definitely get a draw or even win this one. Not meant to be here goes in the third and it’s all over now. We pull one back but it’s surely too late.
The fact is we deserved to loose today without any doubt, we were SPINELESS, OUTCLASSED AND OUTRUN!
I already got my share of taking the piss this morning and I can’t deny it they are laughing at us…
I don’t blam Le Boss for this one, every player was to blame today apart form WG and TV, if they will repeat this preformance next weekend we can kiss our title hopes goodbye. It was well too easy for the Mancs we didn’t even put a fight.
It was rather a deajvu feeling from the Champions League last season.
The only thing that really pisses me off is the fact they only started playing 15 minutes from time, someone needs to tell them that we play for 90 not 15!
good post holic… wonder what’s it with Denilson? He has looked so ordinary in the last couple of games… against Villa he was the worst man on the pitch and yesterday too he lacked punch. He was just like a passenger in midfield. And Arshavin? He seemed to be chasing personal glory rather than lead us to victory… it was a disappointing performance really and we need to pull up our socks for us to stay in the title race…
btw.. holic… plz add my blog to your blogroll… have added yours…
cheers.
*waves dolefully*
Not wishing to prolong the suffering over yesterdays defeat however I think it is worth mentiong, just to concentrate the mind.
I’ve just heard a radio report (on R5L) from Manchester United Chief Executive David Gill stating that Alex Ferguson will likely have Ā£100mill to spend on new signings in the summer.
I wonder if Fergy will spend it? I wonder if he will make certain their scouts target and find the right kind of special players?
This, to my mind, is Arsenal’s biggest challenge going forward in taking our team to the next level.
Bring back Flamini! He had the right spirit.
I agree Arshavin is too selfish – it’s not Arsene’s way, I’m sure someone is having a quiet word.
Denilson and Almunia have to go, clearly. Also, Nasri needs to start showing something, it’s been a deeply disappointing season so far from him.
Suggest we move Walcott into the middle – or even put him on the left and have him cut in – something, anything rather than what he’s doing right now.
Man U and Chelsea always look much physically stronger than us – I guess that’s been the way for 5 years though they now also look faster than us too.
Damn it still hurts, why is it always when it comes to the crunch we seem to crumble?
Doleful would be an improvement for me this morning, mrs. I am lower than the belly of a snake that has just been run over by one of those three storey earth movers with snow chains on.
š
What gives me the arse is that our failings apper to be nothing new. We have highlighted them for the last 18 months. I think about those who have left in the last 2/3 seasons and have simply not been replaced. It isn’t rocket science is it??????? The horrible facts are that if we stick a Flamini, an Adebayor and a decent keeper in that side then I am confident we could actually have got something from this game. I have no objection to either leaving but surely we have missed a trick by not bringing in replacements?
And some width. Please can we have a genuine wide player. Someone who wants to run at defenders with pace. Someone who drags some of the bodies from the middle thus creating some space for others. Please? Pretty please? Pretty please with knobs on????????????
Oh well……….
This is all Ollie’s fault.
Just a water please, ‘holic.
@35 – LAGunner : Good post, sir. I resisted the temptation to go player by player, but I saw them much as you did.
For those promoting a “sell the team and buy a new one” solution, CHILL!
We’re five points off the lead. We’ve lostly badly in only two games (this and Chelsea). Yes, Denilson has had two poor games by his standard – go back and take a look at the games where his build-up play and goals won it for us.
Yes, we’re missing a world class striker. Many of you urged disposal the great Ade. What a howler that was! Wish he’d been playing on Sunday.
As for Manuel. His head is in the wrong place right now. Having said that, I’m not sure that Fabianski or Mannone are the solution and I don’t see anyone saying “why dont you come and buy my goalie?”
BTM. It was right to sell Ade for all the reasons that have been stipulated previoulsy. The mistake was not replacing him, the same with Falmini.
I’m not being funny but I will be shitting myself against the Chavs, if those Mancs can come over to Le Grove and give us another footballing lesson then I don’t wanna know what they going to do to us at the Bridge.
God I feel so negative, funny enough I went to an Ice Hockey game straight after the game and the Bracknell Bees played agains a Manc team too, they lost 4:5 but they put in a hell of a fight, unlike us!
I really do reckon we’ll see a different performance against Chelsea. Wenger was obviously fuming about yesterday, he’ll make sure there is no repeat! The talent is in the sqaud, Arsene just needs to bring out the application on a consistent basis.
I just hope a different keeper is in place, for Almunia’s sake more than anything else. He looks like a completely broken man to the point of looking ill!
Steve, I’ve watched Flamini play regularly for AC Milan (when he gets in the team, which isn’t often). Believe me, between him and Alex Song, there’s only one choice and it’s Alex.
But your point is well made and, right now, we need another DM, a world class striker and a confident keeper. We’re aligned.
If I could wave my wand, Melo, Villa and Given would magically appear.
However, we may need to rely on the magic of the Wizard of Oz! So, from behind a cloak of character, you can expect to see AW pin a heart on Almunia………etc.etc.
It’s so easy to be wise in retrospect but 1) not spending 17M on Alonso 2) missing out on Given and 3) (and I know nobody else agrees) selling Ade would have put a very different picture on our world.
my optimistic 2cent says we can still win the title, we dont have to win against the chavs ( there’s no way we’re going to win with yesterdays performance anyway) a draw would be enough, BUT we have to WIN against non-top four teams which I believe we’re more than capable of given our easy fixture after the liverpool game.
Cheers ‘holic. I haven’t dared put the gloves on yet, but I shall be wering the Bohs badge!
I don’t think the 3D glasses would have helpe, but I’ll have some more of that delicious whisky please.
I would have played both Flamini and Song together if he had stayed. I said ages ago that we missed a trick re Given. I still think we need a winger as well. I think we missed out with Arjen Roben. Not seen much of Melo this year but I have heard he is not enjoying himself. Right to let Ade go. Wrong not to replace him. Did you realise that Vermaelen now has 7 goals. Makes RVP the only striker with more than him???? Tells it own story.
Alonso was a massive miss at the time. Another one I championed at the time. Can you imagine him with Cesc? At times we lack discipline.
I have said it before but with all this dosh in the bank it really frustrates me……
Steve T
We definitely missed on Alosno, but I think he was too expensive for us, well Le Boss will not spend that much on a player.
We can all sit here now and say buy this, buy that but in reality we won’t so what is the point? Not sure what happened on Sunday but I believe there was panic and some players showed that they are scared of those Mancs who all in all didn’t play that well and could be well exposed. Cesc had an opportunity to play Rosicky on the left he went for it himself and should have passed. We had plenty of chances but we just coudn’t find the net, some may say it’s luck and some may say we are not good enough!
How many of those Nani goals would actualy go in or what are the chances of Almunia doing this again? I say Almunia would probably do it again under the circumstances. He was shyte full stop, I would put Manone in goal for the game against Chelsea.
That miss placed pass was truly the sign that he’s loosing his plot, we know Lehman was a bit of a nutter but Almunia head is completely on a different planet. I say bench him for now and let him work hard to get his place back.
I’m hoping for Hull to stop Chelsea at least to a draw, that would be very nice!
Morning ‘Holic,
I tried to post this last night when the sting of the arse-whipping was still vivid. Here is a concise explanation as to why this season, like the previous four will come to shite:
Our play: Fabregas to Nasri to Song (Gallas / Verm zooms by) to Rosicky back to Nasri back to Fabregas to Arshavin – result? OOOHHHH Close miss.
Their play: Nani to Rooney Bottomline.
Everyone else’s comments on our lack of desire, or selfishness, etc is spot on. Once again, we turned our noses up at the Carling Cup and the FA Cup, and, once again, we will receive our comeuppance. If you think this squad will get a win against the Chavs at the bridge or get any further than (possibly) a semi-final in the Champion’s League, then I have some subprime mortgage-backed securities I can sell you for a good price.
As an American Gooner (whose best friend and brother-in-law both support the Manx), yesterday was about as comprehensive a disappointment possible. Those who think only minor tweaks are required, or “we are only (this many – take your pick) points out of the lead,” or “the fat lady hasn’t begun to warm her pipes” or any of the other like delusions, should smell the fresh pile of excrement those vile wretched Manx (like Chelski) left on our pitch. We’ve drawn to Villa and Everton, lost twice to Rooney, inc. and soon will have lost twice to the Russian syndicate. Major changes/additions are in order – but that can’t be done until May at the earliest… can it?
Grapefruit juice and tobasco, please ‘keep. Might as well continue feeding the ulcers. š
I thought I may fell a little better today about our lose/capulation,, I thought wrong, but in the immortal words of Gloria Gaynor; Ć will survive”, as we all will.
When it comes to our beloved Arsenal, I am not a pessimist and to the younger posters out there believe me, we’ve had it a lot worse then this. However I must say that I am finding myself agreeing with most of what fellow ‘holic regular Steve T is posting, he has some extreamly valid points.
Unfortunatly we know that AW will not be “pressured” into buying and with (at the time of writting) the current transfer window due to close in just over an hour it looks like we will once again have to make do with what we’ve got. Which IMHO is still miles ahead of what the majority of others have, but just a little short.
Now, AW is clearly a highly intellegent man, so if we can all plainly see our shortcomings, then surely they must be glaringly obvious to a man with his football nous? This leads me to ask the following question:
Is there really money at our club or is the promiss of “funds available to strengthen” just a smokescreen?
Good shout Arthur. Go with Manone for Chelski game. Can that area actually get any worse? Non.
Funny Cesc really wanted to partner Alonso ā yes it would have cost, but sometimes you have to take a little risk. Ultimately do we risk losing Fab as we fail to match his ambition? And will RvP seek greener pastures?
If we lose either or both, will it all have been worth it?
Spend a little save a lot.
I don’t like us losing but at the same time the overreaction by some (dare I say many in less enlightened places) annoys me even more. Luckily our wonder captain is there to lift us up:
“I think we have to be positive,” said the Spaniard. “It is very easy to say we lost to Man United and let our heads go down. We have to be strong, be together more than ever and do our best until the end of the season.
“United had their chances to score even more goals and they also missed [them]. They were the better team and thatās it. They competed better than us.
“With all my respect, I really donāt care what people think about us. It’s about what we believe up until the end of the season. People are not going to play for us and it is up to us to show what we can do.
“People watch the football and enjoy it but we must do our talking on the pitch.”
“We have to bounce back straight away,” he said. “We know we have two massive games against Chelsea away and Liverpool at home so it is going to be difficult definitely.
“No-one said it is going to be easy. We just have to be strong and see what happens next week.
“Chelsea is never a good game to have even if you are nine points clear or nine points behind. They are a strong side, they have been playing together for a long time. They know what they do and know how to play. We have to beat them to stay in the title race.
“If you don’t believe, you don’t win things. We want to believe we are still there – I am always realistic and I am not going to lie to myself or to anyone. We know it is very difficult.”
“Chelsea were better than us [when they won 3-0 at Emirates Stadium in November] and Manchester United have been better than us [on Sunday],” said Fabregas. “It is something we have to think about to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
“We started losing at Chelsea last season but we scored twice. That means in football it is so difficult to predict what is going to happen. So let’s be positive and see if we can get a result there.”
Then as an answer to my own question it looks like the 3D version of the game offered to a select few by Sky was mostly a noticeable enhancement over current “flat” brodcasts.
The PROs:
– spectators are more drawn into the game
– sharp feel (don’t know if it’s because it was in HD also)
– perfect for close ups and images with depth (shots from behind the goal for example)
The CONs:
– glasses (and they’re not the ultra-light kind either)
– wide angle shots are meh, not much difference with 2D if any at times.
– takes a while to get used to, strange at first. I had the same feelings when I went to see a few 3D movies recently.
Do we miss “The Orange One”? Are we just too noble in our transfer dealings (I know, I know Mr Graham and a brown paper bag). But from what I recall Dein was a very sharp wheeler dealer who had the ear of quite a lot of people (apart from our Board that is). And most importantly he had the ear and kinship of Le Boss. Have we in some way severed an important connection that allowed Wenger to vent his frustrations and so bridge that gap to the Board? I often wonder if Wenger is a little isolated now. I am in no way suggesting renewing our alliances, but they had a special relationship which resulted much silverware ta very much.
Ultimately should we be more ruthless? Ivan, if you’re reading this then get a fucking move on!
My word! Will you look at the windows in here? Have you been spring cleaning ‘holic?
I’ll have a glass of Sherry, please.
Oh and we’re now 12/1 for the title… Got to be worth a tenner that?
And here we are again.
Our annual dose of humiliation from the mancs and the chavs. Prepare yourselves for another dose this coming weekend.
Season after season, humiliation after humiliation — and now both the chavs and the mancs have made our home ground their playground.
I recommend two excellent blogs on the game. Gunnerblog offers a short, spot-on analysis, esp. the last couple of sentences:
http://gunnerblog.com/?p=2187
It is this point that I’ve been banging on about for 2 seasons now, closing down opponents, fighting for the ball. What exactly happened to that high pressure, collective closing down of opponents that we saw at the start of the season?
Second, Little Dutch has a superb in-person match report here:
http://arsenal.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=517580
It really is extraordinary to watch these players just stand back and do nothing on our home ground, and allow a mediocre Utd side to score at will.
There is something fundamentally wrong with this team mentally, and their training. Gooners should stop fixating on buying new players, that is not the main problem.
And anyone who thinks we’re going to beat Chelsea at the Bridge needs serious therapy.
Big faux pas on my earlier post – almost felt a little sick in my throat! Should read ” I am in NO way suggesting renewing our old alliances” with The Orange One. Phew! Sanity restored. š
I agree with Marcus 120% on everything but the last sentence. I believe we will win at Chelski, we will win against Pool and go on to win another few games and once we start believing we’re back in the race the team will bolt again, in all likelihood against Spuds or Citeh just to make sure the level of drama around the club is raised further.
Matt, I do think we will beat Liverpool — altho frankly my belief is not solid because this team has a habit of cracking up against very beatable teams.
Still hurting. It was a long journey home.
Looks like my diversionary tactic didn’t work. You are still coming back to this painful day š
Apologies to a couple of posters last night who didn’t realise their posts went into moderation, for no good reason as far as I can see. They are now up.
1974, Mistake corrected, no worries.
aj, good to see you again yesterday. Sorry it wasn’t the result we all wanted.
Come on people, time to focus on the bus stop in Fulham and their odious skipper now.
OK ‘holic, just for you.
Capello’s just phoned Wayne Bridge and said “I’ve just spoken to John Terry and he’s lost the captain’s armband………
Do me a favour and have a good look under your bed to see if you can find it”.
Nice one H2H
Good one
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