Will Gunners Survive The Storm, Heads Held High?
Feb 7th, 2014 by 'holic
So the pointed end of the season looms into view. If anybody last August had offered us top place in the league with fourteen matches to play I’m pretty sure we would have been both surprised and delighted. To remain in the hunt for a fourteenth championship we have to negotiate periods like the one we now face. It’s a welcome situation to find ourselves in again.
On the face of it there is a case to be made that we could just be facing Liverpool at Anfield at the right time. For starters we are unbeaten there since 2007, and they are missing what might be regarded as their strongest back four of Johnson, Agger, Sakho, and Enrique. However they boast a powerful in-form pairing up front of Sturridge and Suarez and are currently just eight points behind us in fourth place, ahead of Everton and Tottenham and a full seven points clear of Manchester United.
The only returnee from the treatment room for us is Jack Wilshere and that will give the boss an interesting decision. I suspect Jack will slot in alongside Mikel Arteta, preferred for his big match experience, but Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain impressed last week and may start in a more advanced role. The defensive midfielders will need to remain aware of the threat Liverpool pose on the counter-attack these days, as neighbours Everton can attest having been thumped 4-0 in the last Premiership fixture in front of the Kop.
Last season we won at Anfield with a goal in each half, first Arsenal strikes for Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla, who ironically will be competing for the left sided attacking berth on Merseyside. We will have to be similarly resolute and decisive on the break to get the points that would keep us on top this time around. With Manchester City and Chelsea looking to have every chance of three points at the weekend this would be a good time for us to send them a reminder that we are ahead of them for a reason.
The ‘holic pound is following the desire for a double over the rejuvenated scousers. Having shopped around I am swayed by the 14/1 available for a good old-fashioned one-nil to the Arsenal, but I will have a back-up quid on 1-2 at twelves.
To those making those early morning trains to Lime Street, have a great day if you can in the forecast wind and rain. Here’s hoping the journey back will be another happy one with three precious points secured.
Have a good one ‘holics.
309 Responses to “Will Gunners Survive The Storm, Heads Held High?”
Drink.
And 3 points, please.
I’m a simple man, with simple requests.
An example to us all, zico 😉
CL?
Oh to be…
Let’s go lads. 3 points. This month is tough but I think we have the team chemistry to succeed. March looks to be the title deciding month. Let’s get the momentum started tomorrow. I think we can get at them and dominate the midfield again.
Liverpool are strong up top, have a limited, yet hardworking, midfield, their defence is definetly their week point. Mignolet, although a good shot stopper, is awful in his distribution and is prone to rushes of blood.
I’m not trying to imply that they will be a pushover, far from it, they are not in te top four for nothing, however I do believe with the right application a win is doable.
To those making those early early morning trains to Lime Street…..
Does it still say “Kill Cockneys” in 4 ft high letters?
Ahh, the early 80’s…happy days…..
I enjoy this kind of nervousness much more compared to the one when we needed the points just to keep in touch with fourth place.
Bring on the big games, we can do this!
Cheers holic! Anyone know the odds on a Arsenal win? Evens or better I’m taking it.
Rush the Yankee Bar! Now those were the days my friends.
“It’s a welcome situation to find ourselves in again.”
Very much so. Just like Datsyk says it’s a very nice change from the past few seasons to go into these games hoping to stay top of the league instead of just hoping we won’t drop too many points in the hunt for fourth.
We definitely have what it takes to win this game, but Liverpool on their day is a match for anyone so I am expecting a very tough game.
Thanks very much Holic.
I’ve been looking forward to this all week.
I really think we need to win this game – and I think we will. It’s the start of the business end of the season and its imperative we begin positively to maintain momentum.
I didn’t realise we were unbeaten at Anfield since 07..!
Odds against Esso, around 12/5 or 9/4.
The transfer window is closed, let’s get behind the team until it opens again, what else would you suggest?
What Zico said.
Re. post 9. The Arse are massively overpriced tomorrow, Ive had a score on us at 5/2. I`ll be well pleased with a draw though, a nice boring nil nil will do me very nicely. If we can take 12 points from our next 6 games then we`ll put ourselves in a right good position to attack the rest of the season. Come on The Arse.
lets go gunners…we are goin there to take our 3points and wait 4 trophy.
Mesüt to püt one where Mignolet can’t see??
Well said Fin. Now is the time to support the team whatever reservations we might have about last week’s transfer action of lack thereof. The point Holic makes about the Liverpool back four indicates we are not the only team with injury problems. They have also lost Lucas and Sturridge for long periods and Suarez missed the first six games so although they believe their squad is inadequate and I understand are unhappy about the lack of signings too.
We are desperate not to sustain any more serious injuries, especially as there are rumours that Ramsey and Kjallstrom are out until April.If we can then we really do have a shot at glory. I asked a Liverpool fan which of their two upcoming games with us he wanted to win most. He answered tomorrow. We could lose tomorrow, win next week and still win the league but I wouldn’t bet on it. We need momentum and belief and the pressure will mount every week as the prize gets closer.
It’s been a long time since we won a big prize and I can remember each time we did expecting to slip up. I’m much the same now. Logically we can do it but it seems such a big ask. Let’s just get behind the lads and give them every chance to deliver what would be a glorious prize.
The preview says it all for me guv. I’ll go with 2-1 to the Arse. May I point out that I’m not afroid of the dawn?
COYG
I am a sycophantic zombie.
Be afraid.
Boo!
Cheers Holic. Was about to post something along the lines of….
Hola
Good stuff, ‘holic.
I would go for a 2-1 win for us. We score 2 first then concede 1 that will give them hope for an equaliser which they won’t get despite putting us under all sorts of pressure in the final 7 minutes. That way it will look like an unconvincing win, the press will continue writing us off while we go about our business of winning the title under the radar.
Matt! You in Espana permanently now?
Brendan Rodgers says Liverpool expect to win every match they play at home as they attempt to beat Arsenal in the league for the first time since March 2007.
That’s three points in the bag then, cheers Brentan. 😉
Good one H
Must admit i was unaware we had only lost only 1 of our past 13 league fixtures against the Pool,and you have to go back to the 70’s for the last time we won 3 in a row at Anfield.
I think we are in for a Cracker.
They won’t know any other way to play in front of their own,than to come at us full bore form the kick off and try and get the early goal.
So we will have to be on the front foot from the off.
We didn’t handle the pressure when City did the same thing,albeit in different circumstances.
This will suit our counter attacking game,as their defence is definitely vulnerable.
I just want to see a great game of Football,free of controversy,and our team gives 200% for the Cause regardless of the result.
I also love the fact that we are playing a massive few games in Feb whilst challenging for the Title,rather than our usuual Feb position of trying desperately to secure a CL spot.!!
Cheers
The Sweeper
Aw Holic, you deleted ‘im.
Now no one will know why I’m a sycophantic zombie.
Well, the sycophantic bit anyway…..
@Esso in between jobs shall we say. Extended vacation. Currently in Andalusia, here for two more weeks! I’m thinking 2-1 or 3-1 to the good guys tomorrow?!
What a day tomorrow promises :
The ‘Pool at Anfield..
The Welsh in Dublin…
And then the Flower of Scotland…!
Perfect.
One out of three ain’t bad joe!! 😉
Matt,
I sang the Flower against Ireland last week.
One of the really great anthems.
You can be partisan and still respect it.
Great preview Holic …. Thanks. I’m going with 1-2 to the Arsenal.
Just shy of 13 hours to until kickoff.
COYG
Night all
Cheers, Holic.
Arsenal to win two one. 😉
Well written, ‘Hols.
Bit bullish here meself. 0-3.
Win the next match.
BMBD
Just watched Fever pitch again. For most the tale of a magical night at Anfield. Pray we experience such emotion in May. Fuck, please.
Evening Holic!
Saw fever pitch for the first time tonight. What a complete OTT ending. That would never happen in reality. That’s Hollywood for you.
Diet Iron Bru please.
HH
Lotw
God. I cant stand liverpool. Neurotic but true.
I’ll take he good guys from London 3-0.
They shall not pass the BFG or Kosser. Arteta to have another massive (but unsung) effort. Poldi to show yet again show he is The Man.
Cannot wait for this one.
Come on you gunners!!!
‘Holic…
Fever Pitch? The night before a lunchtime kickoff? Come now, you know you geezers need your rest 😛
But, it is a great movie…
BMBD
I fear this is going to be close run; a 1-1 or a 2-1 either way. Neither side has scored more than two goals in any of the last five league encounters.
Has to be two nil isn’t every match we play nowadays 🙂
cant wait for the game. no one is giving us a chance. nice as the ox would say.
COYY !!!!
This game requires 100% focus and 100% effort plus a couple of bits if genius from Mesut and Santi. If we can do that we walk away winners.
COYG
psychologically we have the edge…but both teams have it all to do to keep thier twin objectives alive…heres what i think we need to do http://gidigooner.blogspot.com/2014/02/match-preview-liverpool-vs-arsenal.html
I’m with Homer. I can’t stand Liverpool. The Gunners to overcome them with their teamwork/solidarity. I don’t like to single players out but the intelligent Mert and the imperious Koz with the greatness of Ozil to show the way. 3 points will show the detractors and under estimators we’re in the title hunt for real. I’m so up for this game because of it’s importance until the next. We’re at Anfield but with relatively fair officiating we’ll get the chocolates!
I thinks it’s one of those “any result possible” games. My money is also on a 2-1 win…keeping fingers and everything else crossed. Should be a good game to watch, although if the weather is as bad as predicted, it may lower the quality of the game. Here’s hoping only Bathgooner is on the slippery slope today 😉
Off to the local juicer shortly – Saturday will start with a bang. Enjoy it fellow ‘Holics where ever you are.
Arsenal team: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Wilshere, Arteta, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cazorla, Ozil, Giroud
Subs: Fabianski, Jenkinson, Gibbs, Rosicky, Gnabry, Podolski, Bendtner
Liverpool FC:
10 twonks and Agent Kolo
Hello everyone,
very nervous about this one, but here is hoping we can pull off similar performance and result like last time we played them. Can go either way.
streams here
http://livetv.sx/en/eventinfo/211963_liverpool_arsenal/
and
http://www.wiziwig.tv/broadcast.php?matchid=241725&part=sports
No surprises there, but I was rather hoping to see Podolski for Cazorla for Wilshere.
Here’s to 3 points!
Howdy ‘holics.
Was supposed to g to Volendam this afternoon, but the other half isn’t feeling up to it. Damn it….. What to do? 😉
Thanks for the team news, Z. Isn’t it nice not actually being responsible for picking the team?
Agree with many above that practically anything is possible. I think the odds slightly favour Arsenal, but then I would, wouldn’t I?
A few years ago, just about the time they emerged from mediocrity into an era of almost challenging for things, my less-rabid Spud mate said that the problem with their improvement was that he now believed they were capable of beating anyone. This meant that he was nervous before every match, instead of being able to relax in the expectation of getting a good stuffing, so that a relatively narrow defeat would represent a good result.
Whilst we have never declined that far, as long-term table-toppers these big games are more important than ever – a good performance is no longer enough. We actually need a good result too (or instead).
Fun, isn’t it?
It’s on
COYG
Interesting line up, I will go this far and call the subs even now:P
Rosicky for Ox, Poldi for Santi, NB for Giroud in closing minutes. 😀
Let’s do these scousers.
Cmon Arsenal!!!
Or rather Poldi for Jack and Santi shuffling into the middle..in the end shows I know fuck all:D
“I know the truuuuuuth,
I tell you straight,
We’re gonna beat the Scousers
We’re gonna beat the Scousers, mate!”
Morning ‘Holics
Satisfied with the starting line up, but when is Rosicky going to start? Feel must more comfortable when he is in the starting 11.
Anyway, expect them try to hit us on a counter. They have pace and trickery on both flanks. That is why I am not sure about Monreal defensively, but once he gets on the attacking third I can see Sterling and Flanagan teared apart.
A big match for arsenal.
Really looking forward to seeing ozil and cazorla do some damage
COYG.
COYG!
Come on you yellows!
good morning all. looks sunny and dry there. COYG!
Ready to rumble
Come on you Gunnersssssssssx
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
FUCK
yeesh.
Fuck
Shit!!!!!!!!!!
Well well well
Damn, that Flannigen geezer is ugly.
OOooooooooooooo
who was it said pool would fire out of the gate? hat tip.
FUCK FUCK
Bollocks this is getting fucking silly!
This is going to be a great comeback
FUCK ME this is really bad
Terrible defending set pieces.
that was me scruz. 🙁
I said that we needed to contain them in the first 45, because they are a first half team.
we were very lucky there!
They should call it zonal watching
Not good. I think we might get spanked.
Sort it out fellas.
we are all over the place, get it together lads
We’re all over the place. 🙁
Wtf is going on
Fuck me, we were lucky there.
what a strike by Suarez ..whoa
Can we start again, please!
We need to wake up quick!
We need to score quick.
We look shell shocked.
Unlucky Per.
ooo Mert
Gight, I’m not watching this, but I’m listening to the radio. I must say, if Arsenal were two up and the commentators were sounding like this, I’d be very nervous.
It’s still on
COYG
Oh shit. Maybe not
Ok, this is not funny anymore.
Jesus fucking christ what the fuck are they doing?
Embarrassing now
That was just too easy.
We are being made to look pooh.
damn damn damn
Three goals in 15 minutes.
What the fuck are our fullbacks doing?????
hmmm.
what the hell?!?!?!?!?!? want to turn it off but so bad i can’t look away now. this sucks.
Where is Arshavin…we need four!
That is 4.
Ozil has now got two assists.
4-0 ??? oh my fucking god this is nightmare
laughable. what is this team?
Problem is it should be 6-0
Carnage.
Can’t watch any more.
Disaster strikes what the fuck are these players doing?
just walk off the field now. they can’t look any worse than they do at the moment.
I can’t believe what I am seeing.
Unbelievable!!!
Don’t worry we have kallistom back in 6 short weeks .
This is what you get when you have a pacey forwards.
Shite!
This is dreadful.
They are killing us.
Timid. Walking. Fucking wake up.
at least we will see what kind of grinta the lads have. do they start playing or fold?
We cant even pass the ball nothing is working!
What the hell is wrong with us?
shoulda signed arshavin in the window.
If our players cannot get pumped up for this game when we are top of the league then nothing will
Wilshere need to be subbed off. Instantly.
quit looking at the ref, lads.
FUCK SAKE WAKE THE FUCK UP!
No movement off the ball.
Fucking wake up!!!
Wenger stated at the beginning of the game! Control the pace at the beginning of the game. That was an order!
Goal was a little off side and then a foul on Ozil!
Mix that with the pacey strikers and you have complete carnage!
Sub three players now obviously something is not fucking working!
Off to get some booze. Be back in a while.
Need at least a goal before half-time.
Incredible this.
Wilshire and artetta being run over
Arteta and Wilshere need to be subbed
Almost forgot the feeling Arsenal destroying your weekend.
Jack needs to be subbed in half time
True enough, Lurky. And perhaps we should give them credit for that, if not this.
The away support are playing well mind
COME ON ARSENAL
Looking at this score line really hurts it has be said!
Scorelines like this happens from time to time. Them getting a goal inside two minutes, makes it easier for the next one to go in, and after two quick, the next is almost inevitable. We didn’t get our act together, and I can’t really blame them for that. We can’t talk about the importance of the right state of mind when it comes to sport if we can’t entertain the possibility that we can have days that that doesn’t work, as much as we can have days where the pure skills doesn’t work.
We are getting beat by this scoreline because before that, we were getting beat by 3-0 and before that 2-0… This is not in any way any excuses for the team. They have failed today. They have not done what they were supposed to, and they have not done what was expected. But as Lurky said, “almost forgot the feeling Arsenal destroying your weekend”. That is something. And we are not the first team to lose by margins such as this.
Every game is its own universe.
We might have to beat United now, but I was dearly hoping for that anyway.
Bad day, we’ll be back. And it’s not as if they are doing the double on us, and it is not as if they are a bad team. This is what Liverpool are good at, and they just got it together quicker on the day.
If you will excuse me, now I’m off to scream at this fucking letdown of a team, in private.
To rectify: I can absolutely blame them for that, and I’m fuming at them, but I can also see that this is what happens at times. C’est la guerre.
Wanna beat arsenal – just press them high and hard and constantly
Blown away by power and pace in contrast we look laboured in our play although we seem to be having more possession but not in effective areas.
Jack needs to go off at half-time..or he is going to be sent off.
Ok boys, just keep your heads about yourselves (both on AND off the pitch).
Work yourselves back into the game…
step by step…inch by inch.
We can still get something out of this match.
BMBD
Stopped watching the game here.Needed to take a break but holy hell Liverpool have obliterated us so far. They should be 7-0 up easily. Arteta,Wilshere,Ozil,Monreal have been abominable so far.I thought Arsene should have subbed Ozil or Monreal after the 3rd goal because both of them are actively assisting Liverpool’s attacks so far.
Liverpool have given us back possession as they are tired of attacking us
Well, that was painful!
L’pool out done us in every department, in every area of the pitch. We were second to every ball, but fair play to them because they took us apart and made it look easy.
We have to give it a good go at the second half. We won’t win it, but could save a point.
Jaysus….
In the words of the fox sports commentator – a 45 min horror show for arsenal.
I can’t imagine the meltdown among we arsenal fans after this. we are going to destroy ourselves.
still, game of two halves, eh?
correct H2H, that early goal really helped them and I am really pissed about conceding opening two from set pieces.
You could always expect goal from open play from this Liverpool team given their pace, but we really shot ourselves in to our back by letting them score from set pieces and giving them the platform to attack at will.
I still believe we can get something out of this match, Reading taught me to never stop believing …but we need to improve at everything and need an early goal in the second half.
Ouch !
shit happens..just hope they give a right good go in the second half
meanwhile, time for some donuts!
No half measures with this team; when we play badly we play horribly.
Ned knows. sadly, in this case.
Played off the park. Not a shot on goal. Embarrassing for a team that tops the table. Maybe this puts everything into perspective. Maybe we’re not as good as we think we are and perhaps a little lucky to be top of the league.
I’m well aware that Ozil plays in an understated way but I haven’t been as impressed with him as others that have cost as much.
6-3 and 4-0 at half time, not the score-lines of champions…
This was rather embarrassing to be honest we look as if we didn’t get off the coach yet!
Decent second half and we just might get a point hardly unlikely but I still have a hope!
Come on Arsenal!
Bad day at the office. OK, bloody awful day at the office. It sounded as though we did ok after the first 25 minutes, mind you, I had to turn the jizz filter up to 11 to carry on listening. Didn’t hear anything to make me doubt that we were good enough to score a couple, with quite alot of luck – okay, ahell of a lot of luck – we might still salvage something. Maybe. Perhaps.
COYG
Liverpool are a first half team.
We usually do better in the second.
Game on…………..
Well, if you can’t dream then what’s the point?
COME ON YOU GUNNERS.
The mindless sending off by Flamini has really hit home. I suspect he and Arteta would have started and the approach would have been completely different.
Liverpool’s forward movement is superb. Defensively and especially in defensive midfield we have been awful. It is in games like this where our lack of pace upfront is so obvious . I did think Ozil passed brilliantly at times ( like to Gigoud just after the first goal) but we haven’t moved with any pace upfront .
Let’s see what Arsene can do at half time
No injuries no red cards in the second half please
Bayonne – you might be on to something, Jack/Arteta combo is not working at all, especially Jack is all over the place.
Pangloss, it may sound better then it is to watch, because although we had a bit of possession we did nothing with it.
It is three points after all. They can beat us 10-0 I could not care less at the moment.
But, I can only hope some lessons will be learned from this one, however knowing Arsene’s consistence in doing thing his way I doubt. Here is my list whatsoever. The keyword is obvious.
1. It is not a coincidence that City scoring 6 and Liverpool 4 when Monreal was playing. Lacks pace and defensive awareness.
2. Wilshere is not suited playing in this role. Once again Arsene. He is not suited for this role and will never be. He lack pace and is to indolent.
3. We lack pace.
4. We lack big strong and pacey DM.
5 Arsene needs to adapt the game strategy according to the
opponent. They have pace, let them have the ball, we need to be patient and wait.
6. We lack a striker of Suarez or Sturidge profile. Little bit of pace upfront
7. Cazorla plays 10 times worse on the wings and some (including himself) still thinks that his natural position is there. Well, it is not. He lacks pace and strength to play as a winger.
8. Whatever the reason Wilshere is playing in front of Rosicky, can we hear it? Rosicky has pace, Wilshere doesn’t.
9. As much as I love Bacary, we need a good pacey cover for him. Belerin maybe is a solution.
10. Mertesacker’s lack of pace.
COYG!! play this half like the title depends on it.
All teams can have a bad day but the apathy and lack of effort was the most disappointing part
How the fuck do we not get to the ball first in our box
How the hell is that a corner?
how is that a corner?O.o
OX is having a mare as well
FFS
FUCKING HELLLLLLLLLLLL
laughable, really.
no ..just no
Speechless
Oh, dear. Oh, very dear.
Our midfield is just not working at all.
Get some fucking subs on Wenger have you got no eyes?
52% possession. 5 conceded and not 1 shot on target. Oh well, never mind.
I’m off to look at the Puma logo.
At least we had a very good series of excuses for OT 8-2. There are no excuses for this — it really has to be one of the most complacent and fucking appalling performances I’ve ever seen.
Shameful. No other way of looking at it.
Gibbs for Monreal, gnabry for jack, move ox to midfield.
please.
Was that our first shot on goal !
First shot on goal?
I dont normally do social media during matches as I,m too engrossed in the action. However, I feel I’m going to waste the next hour of my life watching this farce. All credit to the team for being top after 24 matches – they have succeeded all expectations in that regard. But the obvious flaws in the side have been well same truly shown up today, hitherto.
The startling fact is that we have zero pace, and therefore no out-ball when having to contend with all-out bombardments. Giroud whilst not a great finisher is all-out effort personified, however he has no pace whatsoever so in matches like this the ball will constantly keep coming back unless it sticks to him. The central midfield two are just too one-paced to contend with players of real pace and movement, Ozil and Santi refuse to track back therefore our full-backs have to contend to two players doubling up against them on both flanks, which allows for crosses to be flung into our box.
Also when we lose the ball, both full-backs are too high up the pitch, this as a consequence splits our centre-backs and thus disorganisation sets in. The only players who tried to go forward in the first half were Jack and AOC.
Please can someone explain what Ozil brings to the side, as for me he is far too lazy and one-paced – his attitude stings. I don’t like Michael Owen but he has just summed up Ozil in a nutshell on the tv. We have far too many matches like this against good sides away from home, as Wenger sets the team up wrongly. Like I said above, the side has been excelling even with its limitations but after this (5-0 now) anyone who thinks we can challenge for the league is sadly deluded. Goodness, even Man Utd will fancy taking us to the cleaners in the week.
But hey why am I still watching this match, because I’m a fan come win or lose. All credit to the fans who traveled today and for backing the side, all deserve to be fully refunded after this shambolic affair.
Wilshere’s acting like a twat.
And wherefore art thou, Theo? So so sorely missed…
oooor bring in Gibbs, rozza, and poldi. ok.
This is an embarassment.
What a bunch of fucking tossers this team is.
No bottle. Title chalenge is a joke.
These three should have started this game!
TOO FUCKING LATE NOW!
and like clockwork, David is back in the bar.
Poldi TR7 and Gibbs on.
watch out, homer, there’s some baby in your bath water.
Bet arsene wishes he raised a few million more above his smart ass 40+1 for suarez.
He is truly some player with an unbelievable shot
Disagreeing with what I say then? Ozil just refused to shake Risicky’s when substituted – shocking attitude but all too familiar. When will Wenger drop him? Forgot to say, our keeper has made some good saves despite those in front of him being all over the shop
We still look shambles nothing to add here!
Wilshere wound up, with a booking, and the clock is ticking…why is he still on the pitch?
We distinctively lack pace up front and when the other team shows more desire and press, we are lost.
Maintain that if we are to win the league, we do really need a proper striker.
We have been playing with midfielders in most of our matches (giroud is great at holding the ball but to me just doesn’t cut it as this league is fast and he’s off pace consistently to be a striker). And to be fair it has worked for the most part, we could still win the league with this plan but it really depends on the other teams dropping more points.
Having said that it’s just a game and i fully expected us to lose a few so let this be the one. Hopefully, we either get the players we need next season to be more comfortable or our players improve.
We just seem to lack some urgency in matches like this. Very frustrating indeed.
keep picking those spots, David, especially when we are down.
penno!
PENALTY
The fact is we didn’t turn up for this one end off and it’s rather embarrasing!
And where is the yellow card for Gerrard?
ARTETAAAAA
nice!
Game on ha ha ha ha 😀
4 goals in 20 minutes?
It can be done. 🙁
good penno, come on, get another rather quick..
Liverpool’s pressing has been very impressive. They have pressed as a team all over the park.
Arsene has no answers today
Why wasn’t Gerrard booked for his mistimed tackle?
Scruzgooner: I think David actually has a point. I’ve always been positive about AW and Arsenal, but come on… please (is it okay for fellow Arsenal supporters to share their disappointments here?).
We are being ripped apart and I can’t see nor have seen, the difference that Ozil makes to Arsenal. Aside from a load of fucking umlauts, I’ve yet to see the difference he actually makes. I’m sure he’ll improve of course, but for £42M, I was expecting a little more, a little sooner
That’s more like it Jacky.
FUCKING RED FOR THAT STAMP!
Matt, David has many points. it’s his tendency to share them seemingly only when we are down that I object to.
ATG: Totally agree about that stamp
The top 4 scorers in the league are Suarez, Sturridge, Aguero, Toure.
So it’s not really surprising that they are over running us when we are complacent. City and Liverpool. How many goals have these two teams put past us!
So it’s not all negative, we’re still in it if we can pull off some upsets at chelski and city!
heh, kolo panicking. here we come!
Matt (2), appreciate the praise! I should have mentioned our pressing and closing down (again) has been pitiful. Any surprise the tempo of our play has quickened since the mastro-German went off…I think not. The Ox and Jack have had no support in trying to drive us forward – those two deserve credit.
We really miss theo! 🙁
Scruzgooner, you are right, i tend to raise my head when we under-perform. Why is that, because quite frankly we should win more often than not, so therefore job done, mission accomplished most of the time. A final thought for now, why is it we never start matches in the fashion Liverpool did today. Sadly, it is down to Wenger’s tactics and philosophy which offers no variation.
BTW, the away support is immense yet again even in abject defeat – that we can all agree on no doubt! 🙂
Need some pace up front???????? Very controversial that. You don’t want to be saying things like that too loudly I can tell you. It’s bordering on being mutinous.
Credit where credit is due.
Liverpool steamrolled us in the first twenty minutes, we were never coming back from that. We weren’t on our game, but they were very very good.
Where is our midfield
Completely agree H2H, we were not at the races but Lpoo played really well at the start, as I said, leaving them score two from set pieces was recipe for disaster.
Media lockdown for me from now on and I hope this performance was our proverbial nadir of the season, and we will bounce back quickly.
yep, h2h. back to London to paste the mancs on Wednesday!
Total horse shit, from start to finish. No tactical plan, no agression, no desire, no fight, defensive ineptitude, stinking attitude. Pitiful.
So disappointing from so many of our players. And a day to forget for AW. Or maybe not. I hope he learns the lessons. But one thing is certain, he really is no master-tactician (unlike that Portugese burk).
Will we get Top 4? Not on this evidence (and please, that is no over-reaction — we had no excuses for this dismal performance. This has to go down as one of our worst games in the past 10-years — maybe even longer).
Write this off as an anomaly, beat MU and we’re still good!
This team is shit. I cannot brloeve this.
Embarrassed by fuckkng liverpool.
Spineless. No attack. Nonheart.
Disgusting.
Well done, ‘Pool, really, really bad day for us. Bring on Utd.
Steve T, you saw it coming with your comments last week. Everyone in this bar seemed happy enough with our Transfer window business. Announce a big money Puma deal and bring in an Injured Player to “help”.
Dear sweet mother of god
Matt and David only sing when we’re losing…
It’s actually time to keep those cannons firmly facing outwards.
BMBD
@ 225 Matt (2)
Spot on! No desire in any department!
Total shambles today and embarrassment!
I don’t mind loosing a game but in this fashion it’s just laughable!
United will bully us Wednesday night as they always do. We’ll be lucky to get a point from that game.
Never really thought we would win the league but any small chance we did have went west with no new arrivals in Jan, Pitiful performance today but its alll still to play for, Id hope they want to re pay the favour in the cup, We are 2-3 Players away from having a really good side but who knows if those at the top want to really kick on.
Matt, agree with all your points made in comment 225, though AW never learns his lessons alas. I would sign for top 4 finish now.
With this performance we’ve not got a glimpse of hope of beating MU
We have coasted for the last few weeks. We have not got out of second gear. The difference is that we haven’t needed to until today.
Everyone is entitled to an off day but quite frankly that abuses the privilege. Someone somewhere needs to have a serious conversation with some of those today or this could all about to be turning very sour indeed.
3 points missed…..why dwell…win the next match
We recovered after getting stuffed by City and we’ll do it again
The two quick goals put us in shock and were unable to focus.
They outplayed us in every way after that.
Poor by afc. No spine. No fight.
Its disgusting.
It’s going to get toxic now, but before I go.
Let’s not forget that this was our first defeat this year. Our last reverse was in December against Man Citeh.
One defeat against a top four team doesn’t make you suddenly shit and clueless, I’m disapointed too, but calm the fuck down.
I can’t think of anyone here who was satisfied with our transfer business in January.
Fucking horrible result and performance, but shit happens, Wengers going to need to get them right for the visit of the Manure scummers. We’ll have next Sunday to put this one to rights.
Up The Arse.
H2H
you mean mid week!
We played pretty poorly, yes, but it really isn’t the end of the world. This time last season we could only dream of being in this position at this time. Having said that, this could just be the kick up the back side the team needs if there is going to be an end to the trophy drought.
as always, h2h…
We can debate the deficiencies of our team and some were glaringly obvious today but I want Gooners to go to the Emirates in Wednesday and cheer that team to the echo.
We are still well in contention and we have to keep going or the season will go flat very quickly. There are some in this bar who only pop up to criticise and while I think there is plenty that we could do better in the transfer market particularly none of that is going to help now. Liverpool were outstanding today. They had a complete reserve defence and we couldn’t exploit it because they overran us in midfield. Congratulations to them and well done our lads who kept going especially the Ox who never let his head drop.
Tim is right. We need to recover for Wednesday and if we do let’s give the Mickey Mousers a taste of their own medicine next week. Arsenal fans it’s time to show class and true support
As I said, everyone is entitled to an off day. We have coasted in previous weeks and today was a massive shock to the system. There needs to be a reaction on Wednesday night. A massive reaction.
Agree with ttg@244. If there was ever a time to prove you truly love The Arsenal, ’tis now. No need for recriminations at this point for it would do little to no good.
We’ve lost today, yes…..by a big margin, yes….and our players never showed up, yes….but c’mon guys…don’t give up on winning the title!! If we do, what abt the players?? They need our support now more than they did last week!! We r The Arsenal! Class, that’s us!! Not the time to rip them apart… And yes we will beat those scums from Manchester because We R The Arsenal!!
Roll on wednesday
Right there with you H2H. It’s about to get foolish in here. A few modest observations based on the game and the season:
Ozil is NOT shit.
Monreal is NOT shit.
Carzorla is NOT shit.
Wilshere is NOT shit.
Winger is NOT shit, or clueless, or whatever disrespectful adjective you’d like to insert.
Arsenal are NOT shit.
We can still win the league, or the Cup, or Europe.
Liverpool are not shit…they are not world beaters either. They are a strong attacking team who got on the right foot from the start.
Lastly, I really want all the bar to remember the whingers today. The folks who ALWAYS Go beyond objective assessment to denigrate the team after a loss. To you lot, when this team wins something this season, I hope you sit back, hide in your miserable hovel and shut the fuck up. Because if I see a celebratory post from your lot after all this moaning…I’ll do my best to find a way to rip out your digital tongue.
I’ll check back later.
Win the next match.
BMBD
United on Wednesday will tell us a lot about this team.
Will tell us a lot about Ozil too. Was so thrilled when we signed him, didn’t like what I saw today, in many aspects, not just football.
ATG, no I don’t.
Midweek we’ll play United.
Sunday we line up against the Mickeys again and hopefully put this one to right, ie get our revenge.
Speechless. Watched the game in a pub filled with Liverpool, ManU and Spurs fans. Never had to withstand so much abuse in my life.
Uggghhhh
iLonestar Gooner 231: Yawn… A little sensitive about the loss are you? Cover your eyes and scream its not happening? I dip in and out of here and have done so for many years. A little tired of the likes of you refusing to engage with anyone who has a different opinion to you.
I suspect I was cheering Arsenal for many years before you too and I am just as passionate, loyal and positive about Arsenal as most on here. Just honest enough to appreciate a total sham of a performance.
You call it any other way my friend and your opinion is laughable…
iLonstar Gooner: You are so self-righteous — its actually funny. get of your high horse — if people are disappointed with the performance who are you to say otherwise.
I don’t think I have ever called any Arsenal player shit (Gus Ceaser accepted) — so please don’t make out anyone who justifiably criticises today’s performances, is calling any player shit.
So steady with the judgements on others
Looks like we are losing Sagna : http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1708508/wenger-says-sagna-leave-arsenal-free-transfer
Shit performance, worst in ages.
No sense singling out individuals – the whole team, bar the keeper and maybe Jack, were god awful.
Not going to take too much from this, just got to move on. Weds might is now a must win, three points there and we can still do something. Lose it, and we can start to draw some properly negative conclusions.
Seeing a lot of “I told you sos”. I can only assume those folks think that a better third choice striker and a still crocked Julian Draxler would have turned this one around, because nobody has been calling our defence shit lately, yet shit they were today.
Time for a bit of ze mental toughness. Chin up, and on we go.
COYG
“I dip in and out of here and have done so for many years.”
And for some obscure reason, only on days like this. I wonder why…
Shit result. Yes it fucking hurts, but I’m not about to get all stroppy. Let’s see how we respond on Wednesday and next Sunday. Come on you Gunners!
The problem I have with today is our seeming inability against the teams at the top.
As for Ozil bit of a strange one. He can’t perform his magic without the right players around him. With no one to run in behind a defence he’s gonna look indifferent.
This is perhaps more worrying from the management perspective as we were unable to defend against a team that has lots of pace and lots of movement.
Arteta legs have gone. Jack can only thrive in we boss the centre of the park. Today we were given a lesson. Unfortunately I don’t think this will be the last lesson we get in the next 11 days. Leta just hope the manager and players fix up. I would take this wake up call now and be switched on for the remainder of the season.
Anyone remember the lane last year.
Glory to the arsenal.
Don’t panic Mr Mainwaring. (Also, don’t panic Trev. I don’t intend ever posting again under this name.)
Well, that was bloody awful, wasn’t it. I haven’t knurd and I don’t think I will. At present, I plan on steering clear of this bar until around Monday.
Let me respond to some points that I anticipate have been made, or will be made in the next day or two.
Yes, we were poor. It’s hard to recover from going 2 down in the first ten minutes, and even harder after going 4 down in twenty. If we’re prepared for Wenger to take the praise when things go well (and I am), we must be prepared for him to take the blame when they don’t.
So, what fingers can we point at the manager?
It was well known in advance that Liverpool would come out of the blocks quickly. So well known that I cannot believe that Wenger didn’t tell his team to expect it. I have no inside knowledge on this point, and I may well be wrong, but I don’t believe that Wenger is an idiot. You may disagree, and you may be correct, but I have seen no evidence of it. Yes, he makes mistakes, but I haven’t seen him do anything crass. Thus, I believe he warned the team to expect an early onslaught and they failed to respond.
Team selection. I don’t known the game well enough, but I don’t think the selection was miles off. Many here said he should have played Gibbs rather than Monreal, and many would have liked to see Rosicky start, though I don’t recall a consensus over who should have been dropped to make way for him. I don’t recall anyone saying that the defence was likely to give away two goals from set pieces early in the game. Maybe I’m suffering from selective memory loss.
Failure to buy in the transfer window. Can’t argue with this one, Wenger certainly didn’t buy anyone in January. I have no idea how hard he tried (and neither do you). I’m not sure, however, how a high-class striker or midfielder would have stopped us being down 2-0 inside the first few minutes.
Different times, I know, but I recall Arsenal being on the wrong end of two big scorelines in 1970-71. One of them was a 5-0 defeat at Stoke but I can’t recall the other one. That year we went on to win the League and FA Cup.
So, I repeat, don’t panic. It’s still in our hands. It’s still on.
COYG
Jesus what has happened to this bar. I used to come in here for peace-of-mind and perspective, very few provided a more balanced and upbeat assessment of Arsenal then ‘holic.
I loved the old-timers here: their positive and balanced understanding of opposing points of view.
Seems like there’s a new generation who shout others down and twist words — over to you ‘inflaton’
Fair enough all of you out there saying Wenger should have brought a striker in during the transfer window? But please suggest someone then….The truth is, no world-class attacking player who could add something substantial to a team top of the Premier League and challenging for the Champions League was available. And to cut Wenger/Gazidis some slack – we suffered a cruel blow when arguably our attacking ‘game-changer’ and x-factor player, Walcott, was ruled out for the season in early Jan (no such injury has happened to another top side yet). There’ll be so many twists and turns between now and the end of the season (let’s not forget Man C and Chelski go to Liverpool in Apr, while we’ll be playing home against lower-table teams), so let’s get behind Arsenal and take a sober – or maybe just, champagne-inflected, reflection of how the season went in mid-May!
Bad day at the office for sure but what’s most surprising for me is the fact that there was no warning that a performance like this was coming.
I felt Gibbs and Pidolski should’ve started (as I always do) but besides that, I felt our team looked strong.
Fuuuuuuuuck.
Lack of first half (opening period) urgency cost us dearly.
I can’t claim to know what goes in Ozil’s mind but he did look like he expected an easy ride today.
Big wake up call for everyone connected with the club today,
Nothing to do now but pick ourselves up and move on yo the next game I reckon. Personally, I think I’m about to go into a Mugabe Media Lockdown till Wednesday…
I want to see the positives and all that.
Professionals who get paid loads should have the ability to shake off two quick flukey goals and get to business. This was not AW’s fault. (of course, TR7 should have been on the pitch from the start, as should have Poldi. and as I’ve said before, AW doesn’t do rotation. He’s simply incapable.)
This was a total collapse and failure against an average lfc side. We made them look awesome and truly, they are not. Fucking spineless weaklings – that’s who showed up today in the AFC kits. We couldn’t complete a string of 2 passes for near 60 mins. And it easily could have been 7-0 in the first half if not for a bit of poor finishing and the post. I’m embarrassed to support such a bunch of half-asses rihgt now, and that is the painful truth.
Good teams, title winning teams do no ship 5 goals and then collapse against a rival. Arsneal did just that today. Abysmal showing. On today’s evidence, we are in a fight for 4th place. Again. We’ll take no points off the top 4 and end up fading in Feb. and Mar. Fan-fucking-tastic.
I’m exiting the bar as its only going to get worse and I can offer nothigh positive. My only hope is that this is a wakeup call to Ozil, OG, Santi, Jack, Ox, and the rest of the dross who played today. You all shamed the club and embarrassed yourselves.
Act and play like fucking professionals you nitwits. I want maniou’s scalp at 4-0 nil.
I think Wednesday becomes even more important now. Many have been waiting to see how we react after a poor performance. Well now we will see. We have an incredibly tough period coming up. I just hope and pray that my thoughts and opinions don’t materialise.
I never have been, and never will be, ashamed to support the Arsenal.
Just saying, like…
BMBD
I remember ManU losing 5-0 to Newcastle then still winning the league back in the day…
Well we have had two outright poor performances (no surprise they were the games we shipped lots of goals in) in the league before today – we responded well to both, hopefully we can do the same here. Wednesday was always going to be an important game even if we’d won 10-0 today, we need to bury this complex we have against Man Utd.
And talk of the transfer window ignores one obvious point – the players out there today are capable of much, much better.
Or embarrassed, even.
Today was simply a very poor day at the office. No more, no less. Let’s see where we are in May. I, too, remember shite hart lane…and, more importantly, I remember what happened afterwards.
Win the next match.
BMBD
This virtual bar is still one of the most reputable in the business. One can understand the depth of your angst and the overwhelming disappointment especially when you can’t do anything(directly) to effect a change. Having said that, most of the reactions to your posts have come as a result of the full blown negativity you are peddling. At this time most true gooners would like to look at what went wrong and why and find solutions. You dear sir, on the other hand, have not proffered any solutions. You are only stating the bleeding obvious. If you are a true fan, please be constructive in your criticism. Your post @225 is a glaring example. For the record, we will surpass 4th place by a country mile. Thank you.
We’ve made a habit of not turning up from the kick-off of late. Today we were punished and how!
Let’s see what can be done to tighten things up for Wednesday and hope for the best. Some of our “stars” need to have a good look at themselves, they gave up. Credit to the Ox and a very tired LJW for trying to have a go in the second half.
Best to forget this debacle and move on.
Lonestar. 268 is very sensible. Kind of make your post at 248 look a bit of a knee jerk reaction. Very Keegan like if I may say so.
The whole idea of this bar is that it is an establishment for opinions and the debate that follows. Regardless of what those opinions happen to be.
Just saying.
I think the team deserves some slack considering how well they have done so far this season.one thing that won’t/can’t happen on Wednesday is a slow start.
CoR @ 262: Yes, I too had hoped to see Gibbo, Poldi and TR7 start this match, TR7 especially because he is the best in terms of pressing we have who can also control the tempo of the game. Someone needed to lift the speed of passing early on.
About Monreal, a performance drop of this type was only expected as this is his first season ever playing without a winter break. His energy level has dropped off significantly in the last few matches.
For matches like this we always look in need of a fast ball-playing defensive minded midfielder. IMHO, it remains the weakest aspect of this squad — Giroud is not pacy, but we do have a fast goal-scoring striker in Theo, and we terribly missed him today to stretch the game and to effective use counter-attack — and until the end of the season we will have to work around that problem, especially given Arteta’s speed of recovery track backs have dropped significantly this season after the injuries.
Having Rambo by his side — just how much are we missing that extraordinary work rate now? — would not have magnified this problem, but I think we should simply play TR7 in that box-to-box role in important matches for the rest of the season. TR7 has a level of tactical maturity and discipline that neither Jack nor Ox come close to, and he will be able to play this role much better for the need of the team.
Hindsight is 20-20, but maybe we should have been a bit more careful about not running Rambo to ground in that period in December before the inevitable injury happened.
Bad day at work, hopefully we will see the title contenders again in the next match and not their worst imitations …
Can I also just say that those who think a top four finish is nailed on then I would suggest that they do not start counting too many chickens just yet? Yes , I fully expect us to finish in the top 4. I expect us to do it with a lot more time to spare than in recent seasons. But I can’t see how any one can even consider complacency after a result like today and with a look at the fixtures that are on the horizon. Perhaps a bit of complacency may well have resulted in the first 20 minutes today?
This is now the time to analyse and learn because if we don’t switch on and sharpish then all the good work done do far this season could rapidly disappear down the pan. Today needs to be a blip. A one off. Take it on the chin and move on. But please people, get complacency a million miles away from here. Nothing is even remotely nailed on just yet I can assure you.
Bit of a left-handed compliment Steve T. I have no problem with contrary opinions, never have…for example, you believe my comment at 248 was knee jerk, I disagree…fair play to ya.
I DO have a problem with individuals who only “pop-in” to slate the players after a loss. Never hear from them when the boys claw out a dogged draw or win.
Our team did not perform (not singling out anyone, we win and lose as a team). Liverpool did. But the folks I have a problem with don’t even evaluate the season to this point. Someone posted that on the strength of today’s performance, we’re not even worthy of fourth place. Now you’re honestly telling me I should countenance that “opinion?”
I don’t think so, but then I guess we’ll have to agree to disagree.
Still, win the next match.
BMBD
Yes we had a bad day ! But let’s be honest we all have one whatever job we do , we all have one ! Put it behind us , rally around and move forward let’s get behind them and move forward ! Oh to be a gooner !
269 Solid Gooner: Hey mate, if I could offer a solution to that shambles, I wouldn’t be here, I’d be in a dug-out somewhere. My footballing brain is nowhere near as good as others on here, so if you don’t mind, I’ll refrain from offering an opinion on team tactics.
I’m hugely disappointed. Gutted. I read Arseblog a lot and ‘holic and they rarely offer ‘solutions’. But i had no idea, that ‘solutions’ were the prerequisite for comment on this site.
I’m here because I love the positivity. But I’m not so sure about this self-righteousness that seems to pervade the bar when someone shares their disappointment. Even Arseblog described this as a ‘clusterfuck’ and no-one, not even some of the holier than thou’s in the bar can call him ‘whinger’
I thought we could win the league this year, but it looks a little beyond us. And I’m disappointed with Ozil. Apologies to all if that causes offense.
Not a great day. But I’m still Arsenal. And the sun will come up tomorrow.
Gonna watch Engerland batter the Chilly Jocko Land inhabitants now.
And by the way Arseblogger’s a great guy, and I can really vouch for that. But just because he says something, and quite possibly in anger, does not make it gospel.
God speed everyone.
Wasn’t first and fifth an offside?? Just saying
Of course today was a charlie-foxtrot. Anyone who watched the game knows that.
But before you go placing yourself in the same company as ‘Blogs and ‘Holic, mate, (speaking of self righteous) you should appreciate the fact that both of those individuals share honest assessments of the team on good days and bad.
Perhaps, if you did more than “pop-in” and if you exhibited a modicum of the positivity you enjoy experiencing in the bar, your contrary opinions would be received more warmly.
Win the next match.
BMBD
ABB, is that you darlin’? If so, I hope you’re well. And if not, you are indeed correct, first and fifth goals were offside, and third goal came from a fouls on Ozil, but that takes nothing from an inspired Liverpool performance. They outplayed us in every facet today. We’ll pay it back next Sunday.
Win the next match.
BMBD
iLonestar Gooner 281: Respect for that comment. I’ll leave it at that and see you next time, hopefully, we’ll both be a little more charitable to each other.
Anyway, we’re still second!
Well well…. City Drew… so not all bad! Will take that positive!
I’ll drink to that Matt. Cheers.
Win the next match.
BMBD
Matt @277: We goofed today. True. You also have every right to be down in the dumps after that totally abject performance. No one will deny you the right to air your opinions and to the best of my knowledge, the only prerequisite for commenting here is having something to say about Arsenal. All I tried to point out is that we all know that things didn’t go down well today and that the root cause should be established. This is the same team that has remained at the apex of one of the toughest leagues in the world for the better part of a season that has 15 matches left to be played. Surely they must be doing something right. As for the title being beyond us this year according to you, I heartily disagree. We are after all, entitled to our opinions.
City dropped points again. Without Aguero they will drop even more.
Chelsea seems unstoppable at the moment. No injuries, big and fresh squad, Hazard the best player in the EPL at the moment, manager who is familiar with winning titles, they strengthen their midfield a lot with Matic this January….
The title is theirs to lose.
13 matches left. sorry.
Speaking of Matic, what a player he is going to be. It strikes me, why we didn’t go after him this January. He would have been a perfect solution at DM. Don’t think Arsene wasn’t aware of his qualities because he was last years player of the year in Portugal.
At least we should have try and go into bidding war with Chelsea and let them pay twice they did.
Instead we signed Kallstrom. And there were some here that said that Kallstrom transfer makes sense. He was injured ffs, and they knew that. It doesn’t makes sense. Matic does.
This time last year we were in an awful mess and while not shipping goals like this we looked down and out. We regrouped to show the resolve and character, and no little ability to leap over the LWCs. We obviously need to do the same again. We have real character in the side , lots of top- quality experience and the professionalism to be hurt by this performance.
Frankly while I was very critical of Wenger in another wasted transfer window I would not have advocated him investing heavily in midfielders and I felt that it was in midfield we lost the game today. Last time we played Liverpool we overran them in midfield , Rodgers was criticised for his naivety and we locked up their front two easily. Today we began very slowly as we did at Southampton and the game was out of sight after half an hour. That could have happened at St. Mary’s as well.
Wenger obviously saw an issue with our midfield given the absence of Ramsey and Flamini but unfortunately had so few options at the eleventh hour that we went with a 31 year- old Swede with a bad back. I must confess I hadn’t seen a defeat of this type coming despite Southampton and didn’t expect him to go after midfielders. Very few obvious candidates were around. My concern like the world and his wife was with the lack of striking options. That was where my worries lay and I am still very disappointed by his inability to strengthen.
Before today our central defenders had not lost in 31 games where they played the ninety minutes together and we have multiple midfield options. I think today showed that we need a much more dynamic ball- winner in midfield , more pace in that area as well and if we play Giroud we have to get around him because Suarez he ain’t . He needs players running off him to give him options. Flamini’s suspension cost us today and may on Wednesday but as Wenger pointed out he played at City. Let us hope Liverpool have not given the rest of the league a template on how to beat us. Frankly even if they have I’m not sure many teams can replicate what Liverpool did. And City ( unimpressive today) and Chelsea have to go to Anfield. All is not lost but Wednesday is massive psychologically
@Lurky
We couldn’t have signed Matic last month in a million years. He had a prior relationship with Chelsea, so did his club and they have far more money than we do.
That said, I do think that def mid may have just moved up the list of the areas we need to strengthen this summer.
Roll on Wednesday night and a chance to put things right. I would hope that some harsh truths are being doled out this evening.
Still plenty of road left to run. The question is whether the lads want to fold like the Arsenal of 2011 after the carling cup final, or respond as we did after WHL last season. The choice is theirs.
Chelsea are the team to catch. As has been pointed out in the bar for a good while now.
@TTG
A spot on post from where I’m sat.
Lurky@287: But aren’t Chelsea becoming a little too dependent on Hazard for the creativity? I understand mathematically it is theirs to lose now, but I think they have at least a few more draws coming. And fully agree with you about DM, that is the position we really should have gone for in this window. If we get Rambo fit early enough we maybe able to work around this problem. But it is a huge problem on this team now that gets magnified against high pressing sides.
TTG@290: Well summarised. Some of us have felt the need for a fast and technical defensive minded player since the beginning of the season, actually since last season. We have a great collection of midfielders but other than Flamini none are instinctively defensive minded and Flamini is technically limited and single-paced to be the kind of pivote we need. As long as Rambo was covering every single blade of grass offensively and defensively the problem didn’t appear so obvious but a high pressing team would always present a challenge. Playing both Arteta and Flamini in those matches seem a reasonable compromise but it then greatly affects our midfield control and creativity.
Chins up fellas …
@295
You calling us fat?
Doctor Faustus,
Hazard is their main outlet yes, like Messi is Barca’s.
But, their DM’s are quality, their defenders are winning 80% of the duels, and Ramires, Willian and Eto’o are running their socks off for the cause.
But, their real strength is the pace. In every part of the pitch, excluding Terry they have pace. Loads of it. Pace and physical strength, that was and still is Maureen recipe. And now he has some of the most talented young players like Hazard, Salah and Willian at his disposal.
Hate Maureen like no one before, hate Chelsea even more than Tots but, they are favorites not only for the domestic title, but I dare to say Europe, this year.
Lurky @ 297: Yes, Eto’o despite his age and all that I think will turn out be a very valuable signing. Chelsea is looking very solid, organized and physically up for it as Mourinho teams always do. But I do not think they are unbeatable or unstoppable, and a sudden drop of form or absence of Hazard would still see them struggle to score.
Hopefully we will see Rambo soon. And hopefully TR7 will turn on his end-of-season speed injecting performances. The Jack-Santi-Ozil axis always betray a tendency to overplay and delay things a bit, which is almost never a problem because they find the right solutions at the end, but we need pace-setters in the next few matches. Ozil can step up and speed up proceedings I hope as well.
The first goal set the tone for a bad day. A nothing foul for the free kick. Skrtel offside but not given. The mishit off his thigh. And then, as a result, the ball not having enough pace to loop over the bar after it hit Woj’s shoulder. But we never looked like getting off the back foot after that, even though when Surridge and then Kolo missed open goals at 2-0 I thought Liverpool’s luck was broken and we’d claw our way back to a 2-3. Not to be. The fifth goal so soon after the break snuffed out any hope of a second-half turnaround. All ugly. But we are still second, a point off the pace and still have a game against the leaders to play.
http://www.vg.no/sport/fotball/engelsk/artikkel.php?artid=10129021
Arsene really had a bad day at the office today.
I’ll take the goal since nobody else wants it
Guess not lol
Popped into the doorway of my gym to light up a cigarette…and was told the score, 5-1…gutted…probably a good reason to give up smoking, eh?
onwards and upwards lads! don’t let Chelsea get away with it 🙂
on another note…the scuttle butt is that Wenger has a list of top quality players to try for in the summer…does this confirm that Boss has signed a new contract to stay on?
Sagna contract negotiations have not reached a successful conclusion? (actually, even though I think he’s wonderful, I think it only fair for us to look for some younger legs, and for him to move on to his next career experience…)
Mertesacker contract negos also not reached a successful conclusion for him to stay with us? (this Boss really should try to do!)
Sorry, just getting off topic for a minute…
Back drunk a bit … Guys, Guys this Holic on Holic action isn’t quite as sexy as it sounds 🙂 Everybody relax. Every match exists in it’s own vacuum. If a team falls behind 2-0 in ten minutes, sometimes they come back and other times they get punished. We got punished. Make no mistake, we sucked the knob today but that doesn’t mean we are scrapping for top 4 now. That’s just nonsense. We are 10 clear of Everton in 5th and they aren’t playing the way they were in December. Spuds? Please. Mancs? No chance. Still all to play for. Everybody has a bad day. Even the once unbeatable Man City lost 3-1 at bottom Cardiff. That’s every bit as bad as this result. You can also make a case that it’s good this happened. We’ve been coasting along but still getting results. That gives a false sense of security. Maybe a good old fashioned kick in the teeth will wake the boys up. Let’s do the Mancs then look for revenge next Sunday. And BTW, it could be worse. You could have gotten up at 4:30 am for this crap show. 🙂
The worst part of this loss is now Rodgers is going to hang a second portrait of himself in his house.
Greetings all you hölix, sad to be away for so long and even more sad that my return coincided with such a heavy defeat from a bunch of twats. Sincerely felt it coming for reasons I’m not sure of. Can’t blame anyone now and all the ideas about the players and the manager may be correct.
As for me the only way is lay in wait for the Mancunian dolts, get them devoured & repeat it at Ems street for Rodgers & his men.
One advice for those who’re over the top with respect to this one. Go get yourself loads of booze, afterwards get into a dark basement, let out a good cry & sleep there. You’d be fine in the morning.
Good night fellas
Arsegonian knows!!! We’ll put fella! Perspective please! Still second ffs and only one behind the chavs! Everyone has a bad day at the office and it’s how you respond that matters. Manure on Wednesday the perfect platform! COYBG!
Uggghhhh, my throat hurts from smoking too much in the pub during the game and my head hurts from drinking too much to dull the pain!
Still in a state of shock here…
Did the players think the game was starting at 1:45 or something? Lol