If they had half the determination and commitment as one of my chickens!
Seriously, clipped wings and a six foot fence doesn’t stop her jumping out of their ‘space’! Most people I know who keep chickens manage to contain theirs without the need of such a high surround but just one of mine seems hell bent on getting out to reach the greener grass on the other side of the fence.
You may wonder why I am chirping on about keeping/containing chickens, well some of you out there might actually be interested, the others, well bare with me.
These days, Arsenal FC are so similar to that one chicken.
We oten seem to have players who think the grass is greener at another club and will do almost anything to get out out, but not too many go on and achieve big things do they, nor do they find true happiness. Well not if all the comments they make after they leave are to go by.
Cesc Fabregas is one exception to that rule, RvP will no doubt be another over the seasons to come but who else?
Some may say Clichy and Nasri but both have felt the need to talk about their old club on more than one occasion since leaving but why? Surely if a player is truly happy, they have no reason to look back, let alone have a moan. But hey, they left for trophies and they both now have one.
The best, or rather most annoying quality of my chicken it’s it determination, dedication and commitment to jump that fence no matter what or how high!
How much would we love to see our squad be full of players with that kind of inner determination, with that will to never give up regardless of what the challenge/obstacle in front of them is?
That kind of personality throughout an Arsenal team seems to be a distant memory.
Never will we have a better chance to beat a Manchester City side which boasts quality all over the pitch. They have a few out, their ‘engine’ is missing, as is their little maestro up front and we need to make that count.
Will we rise to the occasion?
Bacary Sagna, possibly one of the most guilty of under performing this season believes that the fans who criticise Arsene Wenger these days have it all wrong and the players are too blame for the shoddy performances, not the manager:
We see that Wenger is a very, very good coach. When you hear the criticism it’s a bit embarrassing, because we’re at fault a bit. In, fact we are totally at fault.
For Wenger’s sake, we had to react. For him and for the club.
We need that ‘reaction’ to start today from the first whistle to the last….
Man City haven’t beaten us at our home in the league for years, only a top performance will keep that great run going and I have a feeling we will see that…
Have a good day all…
Gooner News 24/7
[...] Sagna blames players for form & Arsenal could be Premier League Champions, IF……… [...]
It is very interesting that we never, ever hear a player, be it past or present, criticise Wenger, yet so many who have no inside news, no actual evidence or reasoning feel free to abuse and insult the man.
Amazing that so many can believe they are in a position to know better than those who deal with Wenger 7 days a week.
1st.
Wenger out.
Morning all
Rico, KFC has less interest in chickens than you.
Hats off to you….
Morning all..
Bit of a fun one today, well, a bit
Thanks Scott, they make super pets..
I think a few players have had negative things to say about Wenger, Nik B for one, but most who leave don’t go onto do great things.
Says a lot really about how many crap players we sign
Morning Rico. When people start taking responsibility for themselves it is always a good sign I think.
Wenger’s a nice man…we all know that,,,,,don’t we.
I would have loved to played for him,
under wenger I think the player’s that have left have all had good pay-day’s…don’t you think
Years ago we used to reward loyalty with a testimonial
But who needs a testimonial at the arsenal anymore..when every payday must be like winning the lottery
for some of them very average player’s we seem to be left with.
Morning Adam.
You referring to Sagna or someone else?
fred, ‘nice’ is not always the best is it. A rocket up players backsides could be a better option sometimes..
Biglia rumours are going round again, apparently he has failed to show up at training….
As Bill Nicholson once said “A pat on the back is only a couple of feet from a kick up the arse”.
and hopefully the rest of the squad.
Motivating millionaires in their early 20′s with planet-sized egos and a sense of entitlement cannot be easy.
I meant Sagna Rico.
Arsene is very loyal to his players and creates a great place to work. Shame that they take him for granted and throw it back in his face.
Rico
Not seen Biglia in the flesh..but the way he play’s remonds me of Arteta
I like that from Bill Nicholson.
Sagna really needs to raise his game doesn’t he, he’s been awful.
He does Potter but maybe if he led with a little more fire in his belly, the players would follow suit.
I haven’t seen him play fred, so can’t comment. He’s been linked with us a lot so surely that says a lot really. No chance of us signing him
Can anybody tell me if they know …or have heard of wenger ever sacking anybody.
I know brady likes a bit of Tin-Tacking
Players you mean fred?
Tea-lady anyone
Morning all…
A top post fit for a Sunday morning…
So how does your battery caged hen fly away doing an AW as described by Mourinho in 2004?
Yes Sagna may not be technically efficient now but he always gives 100% in my eyes!
Additionally, if the players we have had in the past who have left have flopped elsewhere under so called better managers, then does that not tell us that under AW even poor to average players over achieve? Just a thought…
I bet he was behind the sacking of Robson…
Fred… you may be right about Biglia being similar to MA08. I may even say he is like Cabaye on the 5 or 6 times I have seen him.
I haven’t seen much of him this season as he had a serious knee injury….
Cesc to return!
What a clever device for deflecting the fans’attention away from the current inertia that seems to be the Arsenal transfer activity. Getthe fans talking about their “dream player” and focus their attention on a situation that could never occur so that the real situation is obsfusticated! Clever. Very clever. Tactically perfect. Indeed you have to take your hat off to Le Chef, what a tactical blinder! Who ever said he didn’t have a plan B?
Meanwhile, Walcott is busy packing his bags!
An ongoing situation? Or a done deal?
I like Wenger and i believe that we have to blame our player as well, but isn’t the manager job to control and motivate the player??
He seems to have no control over these guys at al, one they they play like Barcer and most of the time like like one of the bottom club how can be?? there is also the way he is using the player fex Rambo, the guy is out of tune but he let him play insead of Rosiscy who every body cry to se him or even Arshavin. We lost player and i will not blame Wenger for that, they al was after money, Even RVP i do not believe he changed the club for selverware only, he was always injured why he did not talk about win something but right after he get ben under him self began to think about!!!!!! anyway what i want to say is Wenger in some point has to bare the blame but i will never se him to sack or leve the club just he began use money to buy good player and be manager insead of financial adviser for the club they say money is there he say we have money now but we still have bought nobody yet . Good luck for Rsenal fans and hope we give another lesson to the Nasri and company.
Thanks Ts, nothing ‘battery’ about the way ours are kept….
Or, had we not signed so many average players since 2006, as a club would have been far more successful on the pitch than we have been.
Depends on which side of the fence a fan sits.
ts
Cabaye gets around the pitch and puts himself about a bit more than the other two I think
Hard ain’it rico
Done deal I reckon Wavy, maybe the club will announce it today, thinking that would lift the home fans
Yes I am a cynic…
Rico..talking of chicken’s..don’t tell me you have a secret cockrel an all
Tough world eh fred..
Used to have a cockerel, stupid neighbours moaned about the noise. Sometimes I wonder why people choose to live in the country….
Talking of buying better players Since the turn of the century, Real Madrid has spent more than €1,000M ($1.4 billion) on players. But Barcelona has not exactly been frugal, spending more than €700M ($994M). And although Madrid has outspent Barcelona consistently — all the more so over the last two years with the return of Florentino Pérez as president — since Guardiola became coach of Barcelona in 2008, the Catalans have spent in excess of €275M($390M). And it hasn’t always been money well spent. The success of the youth teamers makes the failure of the signings even more jarring.
Perhaps the best deal has been the one that looked most outrageous at the time: the €30.5M ($43M), rising to €36M for bonuses, spent on Dani Alves, the right back who is never just a right back. Even David Villa, who at €40M ($57M) is not overpriced, came a year late. On the face of it, €3.5M ($4.9M) looks cheap for Ibrahim Affelay but that is yet to be confirmed, and time will tell whether Javier Mascherano is a good deal at €22M ($31M) or whether €9.5M ($13M) is too much for Adriano. Seydou Keita has been important if perhaps a little pricey at €14M ($19M), while Maxwell has rarely been first choice at left back but cost a relatively modest €4.5M ($6.4M).
But the others are at best debatable, at worst disastrous. Chygrynskiy came for €25M and left for €15M, having barely played. Henrique cost €8M ($11M) and hasn’t played for Barça (he is on loan at Racing Santander as it awaits a buyer). Alexander Hleb, currently on loan at Birmingham City as Barcelona desperately looks to offload him to an uninterested market, cost €16M ($22.7M) and did virtually nothing, least of all build any kind of relationship with any of his teammates. Keirrison cost €14M ($19.8M) in 2009 and is already on his third different loan spell from the club; none of those who have loaned him have been impressed. Martin Cáceres signed for €16.5M ($23.5M). He moaned that he did not play because he was not Catalan. The response was obvious: No, you did not play because you weren’t good enough.
And then there was Zlatan Ibrahimovic. His arrival was conditioned by the desire to find a tactical alternative — one that, a year later, Barcelona seems to have decided that it no longer needs. More important, it was conditioned by then-president Joan Laporta’s dealings with Inter and the desperation to get rid of Samuel Eto’o. So keen was it to offload the Cameroonian that Barcelona was indirectly forced into taking the Swede. And paying a huge fee for him, too.
Inter was the only club that would take Eto’o and could offer Barcelona something in return, while also offering the Cameroonian a destination that he considered worthy. Barcelona took up the deal. Its top goal scorer over the previous five years, one of the finest it has ever had, and rated at €20M plus €4.5M (the “value” of Hleb, who ultimately didn’t go), was effectively swapped for Ibrahimovic. And €49.5M in cash ($70M). Put in stark, if unfair terms, it appeared madness: a man who had scored two Champions League final goals for a man who had hardly scored any Champions League goals, let alone in the final. Oh, and a big bag of cash too.
Taken from 4-4-2 and sportillustrate
Tough world eh fred..
Being an effing gooner is
Morning and welcome allan.
Re RvP, imho he is one of a few who was honest about why he left. Just wish he’d gone abroad but why should he, he’s settled in England.
I could cope with sacking a few for £7 million a year fred
Morning All,
Nice rousing post there Rico. Yes your right Players who leave usuallty praise Arsene Wenger up. Being treated like a person instead of a player is all well and good, but when they were playing and being treated like humans, only gave them itchy feet. Your right in what you said though not many leave and make names for their selves but if you start with Players like Robin and Cesc and you let them go when they are at their best they probay will keep performing for a couple of seasons, the thing is those are the players we should be keeping not selling. Supporters don’t really care if we make a profit or not with players and the way Wenger speaks about Cesc and Robin was that he expects them to help their team of choice to win things, that doesn’t bode well with me, if he thinks these players are as good as that, he should have kept them and added good players to compliment them. Red nose gets the respect from his players by demanding they perform not by being their friends. If a player is performing badly they need a kick up the arse not a pat on the back. We have deadwood at our club who are earning fortunes for sod all, they are the ones to be kicked out not our best players. Where you keep putting your chicken back in the coupe suggests to me that she is a good layer if she wasn’t surely you would be tempted to leave the door open and replace her.
Steve thats what I was trying to say…Think you put it a bit better mate.
Bendtners back another one to feed
As for Rico being a cynic. Yes, I can vouch for that.
I shall hope that TH has signed the deal and it is being kept quite for all our sakes.
A draw today will do us wonders too with still a game in hand
Agree with your country comment. They move out of town and try to change the things that they moved for.
Captain of the arsenal say’s
Vermaelen expects a tight encounter against Man City to-day
Manager of the arsenal say’s
It will be a very open game
Communication breakdown or what
Thanks Steve and
re the chicken, one a day…
Totally agree re the players we sell on for a profit, they are our best, we should be keeping them and selling the rubbish…
Morning all.
Nice post Rico, our team consistently play like headless chickens. Especially in defence.
Nicely put SteveP.
COYG’S!
Hiya Fred, Bentner hates Arsenal, and i can’t blame him, not my favorite player but at least he wanted to play, not the best by a long chalk but if Walcott is not a winger Bendy wasnt either. Square pegs in round holes whats the point.
Later lads
Funny enough Adam, I thought you might. I so often think of you when the chicken gets out, she always wants to know what is going on elsewhere in the garden.
There is a name for that behaviour but can’t think of it just now
Surely the only way the sale of VP could be justified was if the club bought a quality replacement. Very hard to find and very, very expensive but essential if you want to remain at the top.
Rico. I always want to see what is happening over the next fence. I just can’t help it. Funny enough, I can’t think of that word either, but it will come to me.
Catalan newspaper El Mundo Deportivo report today that Arsenal are desperate to sign David Villa from Barcelona but will likely have to wait until the summer to bag the Spanish striker.
Fools aren’t they Potter.
I am going with the open game, Citeh desperately need a victory and they’ll be going for it.
If we defend like clowns it could be horrid but if we are solid and quit the stupid zonal marking which so often costs us, then home win should be the end result..
Today should be a day where Santi comes to life, IF he starts…
Pick your starting 11 then folks
I’m not sure there Ts, still a long time left in this window….
Ches
Kos, Merts TV Gibbs
Arteta
Santi Diaby Jack
Podolski TW
Szczesny
Sagna Kos Verm Gibbs
Arteta Wilshere
Walcott Santi Pod
Giroud
Exactly Adam, but we didn’t do that did we.
Ah, nosey is the word isn’t it?
Would we prefer if AW was like ‘arry coming out at every press conference to state that he has had talks with Yann etc. ?
Adam so re 11:13 so was Maurenho referring to you when he said “I think he is one of these people who is a voyeur,” said the Portuguese coach. “He likes to watch other people.
“There are some guys who, when they are at home, have a big telescope to see what happens in other families”….
I can’t believe that so many come on here and criticise Wenger thinking that they could do a better job.
TS. I could tell you some interesting facts about that little exchange, but then you probably already know them?
I think Giroud is a doubt, but could just be a late test…
Ts, that’s boys just bragging about having a ‘big telescope’
Neither can I Adam…
You and you big Telescopes … ? I do not want to know.
The Biglia rumours reminds me of Wiltord before he joined us…
I’m not telling
Why re Biglia Ts?
Well the window is open…
Arsene, sign him up! Arseme Arsene sign him up!
TS. I use a Camera Obscura myself. Gives me a fuller picture.
Morning all, Adam make sure you and Mrs A wrap up warm today, its brass monkeys out!!
Arsenal 2-1 today.
SOJI.
Kodak Ektra for me….
Holland-on-sea beckons!
Him holding Bordeaux to ransom, not attending training, going AWOL…
Morning Lee,
Hope you have plenty of fuel in the car, engine will be running for 90 mins plus extra time
4-2….
Ah, got you…
Yes, we all know Wenger has signed some shocking players….hell, we get told every night.
Yes, we all know he makes some shocking tactical decisions….that too is shoved down our throats every night.
Does he EVER do anything right these days though.
Pick out the Wenger supporters on here, and we can admit to his errors, but it would be nice to have some fair minded calls from his detractors for a change.
Actually, it wold be lovely if Wenger signed a player to give us another topic for a few days
It is game day, so let’s talk about that.
Are we winning today or not?
I am all for a 2-0 victory.
Disposable Woolworth brand camera’s are the best for me.. AW style. Pick them low use they high..
Now of these fancy Compact system Camera’s and DSLR rubbish..
Scott I will be happy for a draw only because the home support can be quite what can I say ehhh nervy.
The same way the chavs have not scored at home in 3 or 4 matches but win comfortably away. Whilst the dippers ‘never walk alone’ no matter what the situation is.
Of late it’s Wenger’s ramblings in the media or on AFC.com that are just so ridiculous.
3.1 city We haven’t brought, we will play Zonal and we will be punnished. subs about 70 minutes which won’t help at all. hurts me to say it but if you don’t change the results won’t either.
He does get things right Scott, he’s had a long overdue hair cut.
People just speak how they feel, but you know that….
Happy for a draw Ts, no way, we need a win and anything other won’t help AW get his ‘detractors’ off his back…
You read his dig at City this morning Lee…. I do wish he wouldn’t say such things, they so often come back to bite him on the butt….
The only chance we have is if Diaby and Rosiski start
Away win Sp, surely not??
I reckon Diaby will start, but not Tomas….
Lol Ginge!!
We perform better when the opponents don’t park the bus, and their is no way Citeh will.
I am off for a few hours kip…..see you all at kick off!!!
Wer’e done for then.
I don’t think I’ll bother to go then.
Brock, brock, brock, brooock all,
Paddy Power quoting us at 100-1 to win the league, enuf said.
Scott, City always park the bus against us, don’t think it will be any different today.
Wenger’s ramblings in the media or on AFC.com are truly shocking I totally agree.
But to be honest when he talks about potential signings even low league managers tell him and Arsenal we have broken every existing football managers etiquette, whilst ‘arry does that every 3 days during both transfer windows and gets jack all backlash. Maybe its the Jonny Foreigner ‘thingy’ AW portrays.
Which other manager gets asked questions about world politics etc by the press. As Ray Parlour has said about AW his intelligence does not match his common sense otherwise he would realise that he is being set up to fall. The whole Arsenal machinery is quite ‘Sherlock Holmes’ for my liking so…
As we briefly discussed yesterday…. why do we have the person in charge of transfers etc living in America full-time? Most fans know that but would rather blame AW for not signing players and negotiating deals.
Most fans argue that because it is alleged that AW interviewed IG he is the most powerful man at Arsenal. I look at it in a different way based on the fact that AW did not interview Piers Morgan…. That tells me that IG was shortlisted by the board possibly Stan and sent to meet AW to see if they would get on.
Do we all think AW is that stupid to select IG and Dick Law both Americans to be in charge of very important roles at the club?
It was well known that Glen Roeder and the Rangers man were AW preferred candidates but the American wanted to position his people at strategic positions within the club… just an opinion..
Morning Micko, finally back from Santa land or Lapland?
Morning all!
Biglia has problems in Anderlecht staff. He is completely discard by them.
Who have listen the Grove interview to ArsenalBrasil?
morning JM.. please post the transcript if you have it in English
I wouldn’t Adam…. Stay at home and keep warm …
Hi JM, I haven’t seen it…
Is he usually sulky or just with his current side?
To be honest Tsgh, I’m struggling at the moment, not even the Newcastle game could snap me out of it, if Yaya is out today that’s a real bonus.
Must pop off for an hour, want to be back to see the dippers batter the red side of Manchester
Later scott
Its depressing Micko! Hope you had a good break during the festive period?
COYG,s!!!
Watching Joel Campbell of betis right now. This kid is good. He is a consistent performer. Hope we can sort his visa so he could join the first team
Hi Emma.. maybe another reason AW is not buying a forward.
And the kid truly wants to make it under AW or at Arsenal
The mighty Arsenal to win by two goals, at least.
Come on you, reds!
here it is !
Szczesny
“In the club [Wenger's] God,” Szczesny told the Polish version of Playboy. “Nobody can rebel against him. The God is only one.
“It’s not that easy to cross your boss in England. Those who try it usually don’t get first-team opportunities.
“Even not shaking hands after the game has its consequences. You can get away with murder in Poland but not so much in England.”
He continued: “Mr Wenger invited the goalkeepers for a meeting and told us who was No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3. Since then I’ve felt much more responsible for the team and I’ve had much more respect from my team-mates.”
And while the keeper is ambitious, he reveals he would turn down a huge offer from the club’s rivals Spurs in order to build a long and successful career with the Gunners.
“I couldn’t play there – never ever! I can’t imagine any circumstances which could force me to play there. There are some things you can’t do in your life.
“I hope in 14 years we’ll speak about my two decades at Arsenal,” he added. “I know we haven’t won any trophies recently but I can’t change clubs because of that. I just must work even harder to help us win trophies.”
Anyone know how the mighty Benfica got on last night?
Inquisitive is the word I would use Adam…
Have a great day, give those overpaid bums a cheer for me mate.
I shall Kev.
Thanks JM. Very interesting but again flawed in my view.
Kev I think Benfica is playing Porto tonight…
I shall catch it on Eurosat later
Enjoy Adam…
Big ? Which arsenal will turn up today?
I think the interviewed made good points about the way structure and the new salary increments…
On the other hand the moment he said AW was in-charge of salaries it went down hill for me. He said AW has £70M and will not be stopped by the board if he wanted Felliani but we have heard from PHW on numerous occasions that we would not spend £50M on a single player. Therefore if we bid £25M on Felliani and he earned £5.5M a year at £100k p/w over 4 years we are looking at £47M …
The mediocre one Emma… games at home just scare me at the moment. And I heard from someone related to one of our first team players that they do not like playing at home either…
Kev for you…
http://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2013/01/13/portugal/portuguese-liga-/benfica/futebol-clube-do-porto/1316879/
Additionally we know Stan had not paid Nina fully for the shares as of last month… so if Stan is cash shy but money is coming in through TV etc, it is quite obvious to me why we are not spending…
The Glazers come to mind…
JM re the interview when the interviewee talked about poor signings and then mentioned Pep I knew it was pure Le Grove.
We all know Pep was a youth manager at Barca before he became the manager . How many youth have come through the ranks since the 2005/2006 season? Only 2 is the answer.
In fact Peps buys are Barca were disastrous. He spend over £150M on buys and they contributed nothing after their first season… Hleb was still being paid £100k p/w by Barca up until last June…
24 more reason to hate Mr shit Wenger, Afc biggest problem.
he scores again….when will he break that leg…idiot
dna,
50000 more reasons to hate him
So RVP scores his 21st of the season, good thing we sold him to united, stroke of genius.
Kc why should he breaks his leg? When the idiot who sanction his sale is still alive.
Is this really the best team in England? Strewth.
tsGH says:
January 13, 2013 at 1:26 pm
i don’t think they like playing at all…just cares for their pockets…..wish i have the priviledges of these guys…
dna
for calling himself a gooner…he was never,he is not and will never beand cos of any goal he score…it draws me closer to my six feet…wish arsene has d same attitude…i dnt dare him for nt buying…selling our best is y im no longer his admirer
Adam they have ambitions they plays to win, that’s why they r the best.
Gdna. I knew there had to be a reason they are at the top of the league.
Kc being a gooner means u should never have ambition? They leave because of the same reason we are calling for new signings. You can’t lie to grown men.
adam,
they gets result and that is all that matter though their performance is as woeful as ours….the major reason they are league leaders is ARSENE WENGER…he even admitted handing them epl when he sold them d dutch ####
News that arteta has a calf muscle injury. Waiting for official lineup for confirmation
Doesn’t matter how many goals Van Pursestrings scores. He’s still a lowlife.
Emma no arteta, diaby injury after 10 mins…lol
Agrilagunner why vp is a low life?
Thanx Ginge.
ManUre are driven by the Ogre, because he himself is driven, never satisfied, greedy for more silverwear.
Arsenal by comparison, are a parody of what a so-called big-club should be.
We have slipped so far behind the big-three, that I cannot envisage a time when we shall be able to compete with them again.
Today’s result is a sideshow. Dropping points this season, to some of the dross teams, tells us exactly where we are…
For obvious reasons, gdna.
dna,
no matter how ambitious u are….do u see urself supporting manyoo…that make him a ####
emma,
that great news…we got to see our new signing….Diaby….any conspiracy??
Gd – that’s why everyone has being crying for a DM/Box-Box player but Mr. wenger is looking for top top top quality player sadly. Coq still needs to go on loan cause he’s got a long way to go.
Emma what do you think of Serge Aurier the RB… he is a french passport holder so…
kc and agrilagunner its going to get worst if we continue with AW, players soon start leaving for spurs because of AW lack ambition and intelligence.
Diaby was in the middle east training since October…
Hi Agag… how’s the weather down L.A?
Kev you know if you hate Manure you have to hate Juve, OM, and Benfica…
Benfica – Porto is tonight at 8.15 p.m.
Kagawa is everywhere!
Hello and Rico and All. Good read for the morning Blood Rush.
@tsGH, what the reason(s) behind Samuel Eto off-loading??? if you don’t mind me asking.
Ginger, I live in Manila.
Never been to LA. 
Gdna, I know much needs sorting out in our club, not least of which, a DM, and strikers who can score, but our players have as much accountability for our recent failures as the coach. We have a fair number of lazy arses in our team.
lol emma…lets get him…hahaaaaaaaaaaa
agrilagunner i agree with u 100% but who allows this to happen?
So the Mancs lead with an own goal….
Well done Webb and his team of Manc fans…..
Oops, afternoon all….
Maybe that car belongs to Falcao, he’s come to check us out before signing
The worst AFC sale in a long long time Esp….
dna,
to spur…they are not and will never be better than us…ask Sol,Gallas and Adebawhore
Why is Rosicky not in the squad? How long will diaby last?
Afternoon Goonerdom worshippers,
French journo chatting with Le Boss; gotta love the cynicism and ironic analogy Wenga has on a good day.
Wenger said he believes former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola would be the perfect fit for Chelsea if Rafael Benitez’s interim deal is not extended in the off-season.
“Guardiola started his career with caviar,” he said.
“Would he get caviar at Chelsea? Yes, certainly, so it’s a good ingredient again to do well.
“Pep is a great manager, but at the moment they have Benitez who is a great manager as well.”
How does Valencia not get booked then. Ok he should have had a free kick but …..
Adam – the Mancs are only the best because the rest are even worse….
Ginge, i’m not sure that I hate any other club.
I dislike Spurs for historical reasons.
I dislike Liverpool & Barcelona, because of the bull-shit surrounding them.
I dislike Stoke because they’re everything i’ve come to dislike about the dark side of British football.
I dislike Galatasaray because of Copenhagen 2000.
I dislike Valencia because of Brussels 1980.
I dislike Swindon because of Wembley 1969.
There’s probably a few more.
Fhnnily enough, i’ve never hated ManUre.
Envied them yes, but hate, no…
kc its not about being better, they are just showing more ambition than us, remember afc is not about just winning
Afternoon Dg,
AW been talking about his replacement then
emma – I reckon Tomas is off during this window, AW won’t risk him getting another injury….
Team in full: Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Diaby, Cazorla, Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott, Podolski.
Subs: Mannone, Jenkinson, Santos, Mertesacker, Ramsey, Coquelin, Giroud.
rico – It will be plain stupid to sell him during this window.
I quite like that team selection, just hope they are ready!
Ak, I hate Fergie though….
Good to see Jenks back in the squad, about bloody time.
dna,
i understand your frustrations…let just leave it behind.
it is matchday…let support the team or are u among those that want us to lose just to get wenger out..COYG’s
I know emma, but I think they will, why else is he not being used when he’s fit and ready. His experience could give us so much, yet nothing. Same with AA, he has to be leaving too and if both go, that has to be a huge indication that AW is going to sign a couple of players…
diaby is in the starting line up after almost 4 months out, another risk by Mr Insane.
Arteta out…
hope AW and his staff pay attention with Mu: the full back cross the ball on the pitch when at the same time, RVP make a step back….this is trainning during the week
COYRRG’s, play your bloody hearts out!!
Diaby is a huge risk.
I’ll be amazed if he finishes the game.
70 minutes, tops.
kc the results don’t affect me anymore.
on paper…i think diaby-wilshere-cazorla is better than arteta-wilshere-cazorla…..COYRG”s
Promising lineup. Let give them something to talk about… COYG
Afternoon Ma’am,
Don’t be surprised by your ‘eagle’ I’ve seen chickens picking a branch on trees 4 stories high.
I’m amazed he’s starting the game Ak
dna,
it affects me…no matter what i want the best positive result from ARSENAL..
if u want us to lose just to get him out..i may ask…is ur hatred for arsene not more than ur love for Arsenal
dna,
later and enjoy the game
ks as long as AW is at afc i don’t give a fuck what happens. Who rewards failure in life, I’m a young man with ambition and lives a good life.
same to u kc…
On RiP; if you’re dead certain selling a player equals selling the title Wenga should’ve asked 10mln extra.
Is Arteta injured? Or havethey “sold”himtoo?
And how long will Diaby play for, 6 minutes or 67?
LIVE STREAM SERVICE. ENJOY. COMMON YOU GUNNERS!!!!
http://www.ronaldo7.net/live/sports/watch-sports-live-stream.html
Arteta will be out, probably for 3 weeks ?
Couldn’t agree more Dg, if they wanted him that bad, then stick a £40M tag on him…
Tongue-In-Cheek about the Diaby. I’ll reserve my opinion. Good luck to him.
What’s the Arteta injury JM?
Diaby to last 43 minutes. I’m taking all bets here.
Just heard AW say its a muscle injury for Mikel…
H/T folks, lets’ hope its a good display form our lot…
We are well overdue a good one…..
Diaby returns, Arteta injured = utter rubbish imho….
@eastsidepaul, I’m putting $20 on Diaby that he last more than 1st half.
We should be able to overrun their midfield.
Esp, I reckon he’s been fit for ages, 75 mins + for me….
What the feck is that about?????
hahahaaaaaaaaaaaa
Just seen the replay, Dean is spot on for the penalty!! But, we see that every weekend in the game.
Ferdinand did that today at OT, but he didn’t get punished.
Ches, you little beaut!!
Game over then.
Why is that funny Gdna???
the midfield is a joke, thats why the defenders under so much pressure, What else must happen?
Reminds me of our CL Final…..
Hiya mates.
We seem to be a bit under the cosh. No Arteta today??? Pity.
That is a stonewall penalty. Kozzer should know better.
Good for Woy. He saved us there.
Gdna, 12 mins in, come on… give them a bit of a break!!
Morning all.
too much break rico we need a change
What peeves me is the red card, not like it was a dead cert he would score…..
Its woken Sagna up
Maybe Gdna, but at least wait until the end for goodness sake….
Walcott, that’s awful…
Dean is shocking. He had to see that on Jack….
The ref is bent like a used fork!!!
Mike Dean is fucking grub!
He may as well put the ball in the back of the net for them!!
That was shocking defending!!
This is going to be difficult now.
look at him
evening all
How many is it going to be?
I reckon it will be 3-1 to them.
GunnerDNA why don’t you go and comment on Le Grove.. Right now 95% of Arsenal “fans” there are happy we lose.. Pathetic times. Really sad and disgraceful simultaneously..
Penalty yes, red card, no bloody way!!!
Can somebody tell Theo to stop taking bloody freekicks!!
It is debatable Rico……many refs would have given a yellow. Others would have given a red..
Yes we are down to 10 men but where is the organisation? Get some fuckin shape you useless wankers.
How is Diaby playing?
But no way could Dean have been sure that he was more likely to score than not devil.. Maybe I’ll see it differently on another replay but right now i am bloody livid…
2-0 and this is heading for a really bad afternoon….
not sure what we arguing about here – ugly challenge and he paid the price end of…
Diaby didn’t do enough to get back there.
Bugger.
Rubbish Ak…
Dzeko was alone…….and he had time to make sure he would not fall offside.
But did it deserve a red card oz?? I am not convinced…
Walcott a 100,000 per week..Are u having a laugh?
21 points now is the important stat, it ain’t one controversial decision as Wenger will try to make it out to be as usual
Oz, the question is not whether he should have paid a penalty….the penalty was given.
A red card though?
Ricos point is fair.
And the free kick which led to their second.
He plays advantage and they stuffed it up through their own fault…..end of advantage.
Deans is a cretin.
Would he have sent Kozzer off in a Utd shirt…..not a hope in hell!!
Fair enough devil…
Matters not really though does it, it’s happened and we can’t change it.
It’s not going to be a nice afternoon is it….
Unless they get two sent off
i am sure Wenger will support you Rico haha
Evening Rico. From the moment he gives the penalty it’s a foul. It is a clear chance opportunity and a straight red and therefore in my opinion a call which can be given.
SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI SOJI
gunnernet – Podolski £100K, is he worth it?
i am not getting in to these arguments Scott – United are 21 points clear and all this stuff sounds like poor excuses for a team going backwards to be perfectly honest
Gunnernet avoid my comments, it’s my opinion.
I have to agree there Scott, no way would a Manc player been sent off and if anyone who watched their game this afternoon will have witnessed Ferdinand do something very similar and not even get penalised!!
Dean may be a cretin…….and a surefire one at that. But there is a lack of organization in the defence, Theo should show us today that he is worth what he wants and Arsenal should go 4-4-1 now.
We will see AFC rise like a phoenix one day for sure.
But that is another story.
100% Koscielny’s fault. Clear penalty unacceptable defending with both hands. Stupid really. Podolski the only one who really cares till now??
Mike Dean needs to be neutral, no cards for them at all, regardless!!
Cheats!
Arsenal have been down to 10 men plenty of times.
And they have shown great spirit, desire and fight.
And have often won…
Now let’s see how much spirit, desire and fight this mob have???
I’d be far more concerned about their second goal!
better prey for no injuries back there now otherwise the Squil is back into the first team!
2-0 though Ak and a bent ref, they won’t do it today…..
Oz, i am talking about this game and that decision alone.
If i or anyone else suggests it alone is the reason we are 21 points down, then fine.
Until then, not sure what your point is mate.
Almost went 0-3 down….
Just seen the camera pan around the stadium. There are an awful lot of empty seats. Never seen it like that at The Emirates….
Agreed Rico.
My point on the free kick is relevant, but the defending was non existent.
Anyone see any mental strength?
Tommy gets a yellow card.
Any bets that it will be a Squilly-Mertesacker combo next game??
We have a red card and now a yellow.
I wold suggest one or two (at least) very ordinary challenges from Citeh warranted more than a second glance.
Surprised Dean didn’t send TV off then…
If this half does not convince AW and the board to show ambition then nothing ever will.
why is the ref bent for giving what was a 50-50 call Scott?? and think about it, he is known by some as the MU ref, if true he wouldn’t have given a red card there would he? What about the Caz dive was that ref bent as well? It was a rugby tackle in the box mate, we have no excuse
Oh dear, booooooooo’s follow the team down the tunnel….
devil – it gives Wenger his perfect out for yet another non performance and self inflicted loss is what it does, very disappointing.
If it had been a city player we would all be looking for a red.
Why is Walcott allowed to just jog around the pitch like he is the english pele…
Giroud should have been on for him after 25 minutes.
No heart what so ever.
And would any of us expected more from a second rate defender from the french lower leagues?
Caz dive??
Wtf??
Deans not only loves Utd, he detests us.
Any referee should be 100% certain when sending a player off, especially his first offence and so early in the game.
You yourself say it was 50/50……..tell me how it can be justified???
The game is over nearly before it starts based on a 50/50 call!!
What we need now is workaholic not flair. Take out walcott, cazorla, bring in giroud, ramsey.
Like it was said earlier when RVP scored.
You get what you pay for. Buy cheap get cheap.
Paul, must say your last sentence is bloody ridiculous.
Not so long ago everyone was saying how good Kozzer was….he was our best defender.
People forget so quickly and so conveniently.
Agree there devil.
Oz, may I answer that. I watched Rio Ferdinand do pretty much the same as Kos did earlier against the dippers.
No foul given, no yellow card, no red card!
I’m all for stopping the naughtiness in the penalty area, but I’m also all for equality…
Mertsacker the slowest man on the field and he’s up front for everything when wer’r a man down what a plank, Walcott 26 mill he aint worth 26 pence. will a ball ever stick in Czezesneys hands. I think its time to defend for all were worth and rely on the 26 millon man to get us out the shit
Emma, naughty girl…you said the R word
Theo rubbish, SC19 rubbish. Sagna immense on the RHS. Gibbs thinking of faking another injury before going on another holiday…
Ok, I have to eat humble stuff after seeing it again….
Dean got that right
I don’t know about a bent ref….Defensively we are shit, we’re pandering to an average footballer who wants best part of £100k pw. Whilst we sell the best player by a country mile in the PL to manure. You can’t make this shit up can you?!?!
The decline has to stop!
Poldi fire… again Santi does nothing for us but I guess I am wrong as always.
He gives the ball away does not track back whilst his counterpart Silva works hard. Its hard playing 8 v 11
Devil, will Wenger be brave enough to go 3-4-2 second half, can’t afford to sit back like we’re doing, has to gamble and throw caution to the wind.
Oz, spot on, Kozzer wouldn’t have looked out of place on a rugby pitch with the challenge, shit for brains.
I have said all along Theos weakness is scoring against top sides in and in tight games.
He is not to blame here though.
Still, we need him to step up.
We need them all to.
I can even handle a 2-0 defeat here if our boys fight for it.
Sagna has been so much better Ts….
Oh people do forget easily, if we had won this, everyone would have been chanting the usual AKB routine while the club fucking rots.
And would anyone in their right mind thing that was 50/50?? It was a clear red.
Buy cheap buy twice…
It’s mike dean vs arsenal. We see such tackling in stoke week in and week out and no referee has given a red nor a penalty.
Again why are the money men not thinking about forcing AW to spend?
3 drop points. Arteta probably out for 3 weeks. Kos one or two games out. hope nothing more happens.
city hasn’t any yellow card (!). Unfortunately, not 10 x 10 before the second half. But we must be much more stronger on the midfield and try to win the game there
It was the correct soccer decision why must the rule change because its afc.
Yes Ginge….as always lol.
Any chance Stan is watching and will sell the club out of disgust??
More likely his eye is on the bloody share price!!
i made this point after AVB did it against us and he was the away team – lets see the professors response
We need players who should be putting in tackles. Giroud, ramsey and coquelin should come in ASAP
that response was to Micko sorry
tsGH – Wenger is the money man is why mate haha
Anyone remember when we would go down to 10 on a near weekly basis and still win? When players actually gave a shit?
Scott some are fighting JW10, Sagna, Poldi even Diaby and the a lesser extent TV but SC19, Gibbs and Theo please…
What is pissing me of the most is Scez’s kicks… he slows the game down, he waits for the opposition to form up before he releases the ball…
And same say AW does not allow SB to have his way with the defence but I see him warming up the team every match day and catching with them
Was a stonewall penalty, so much for Bould sorting our defence out. I’m getting to the end of my tether with this bunch of millionaire losers! I’d fuck Walcott off and buy a proper striker not a 100m sprinter! Oh we had one of those showed fuck all ambition and sold him!
We definitely need Ramsey to chase things because santi is giving me a …
Oz if you thing AW is then fairplay…
Bould has been put back in his box Lee!
I do not think AW will go 3-4-2. TBH I was thinking about that myself when Kozzer was off. However knowing AW the formation will not change.
Lee, if we sell Theo Wenger is the worst in the world….well, he already is in the eyes of plenty
Don’t tell me these players have given up!!
GET YOUR CHECKBOOK OUT.
GYCO GYCO GYCO GYCO GYCO GYCO GYCO GYCO
Most don’t want TW signed Scott so they’d be happy….
Seasons past I used to be a miserable arsehole for days when arsenal lost or dropped points against ‘lesser’ teams due to half arsed displays, these days it’s the norm and I’m totally desensitised to it. Sad really.
SOJI
Get an owner who really cares!!
Yes Dutch,
The squad looks very thing with 6 more games in The next 21 days.
My God. Cazorla is having a nightmare.. And Vermaelen targets Walcott with long cross. Not looking good enough. Still slightly better than 1st half..
if you had a plan B Diaby (who’s a gamble anyway) would be off and you simply go 4-4-2 what do we do as the home team, remove a route to goal uumm
Very THIN…..
Even if Shitty have a player sent off or two, Mancini is an italian strategist remember that. He has been bought up in a country which relies too much on tactical systems. So forget about getting one or two back.
Sorry folks but I cannot see us clawing ourselves back. Even one goal is a bit far away tbh.
Am I angry?
No. But I am sad at what I am seeing.
4-4-1 sorry
The worst game of Kieran by far this season..
Wenger’s been in decline for a while Scott. Mirrors the team tbh.
This is when we really see what we have in talent and what we have in passion and commitment within the team/squad
And, no matter how much fans want to see things through tinted specs, we really don’t have too much of any of it….
City are a very average side……
Gibbs is the oppposite of Sagna today. Usually its Gibbs good, Sagna poor. Today the roles are reversed.
Podolski off? Should have been Theo.
3-4-2 now….with OG and TW in the middle.
Why take poldi out? Why?
That ‘clearance’ by Ches just about sums us up!
Rico if Shitty are a very average side…….we are very poor.
Chezzers distribution- shite.
Because AW wants TW to sign emma, just like he left him out at the start of the season….
AW does things in a most crazy way…..
see what I told you mates……..We go 3-4-2….and Mancini goes 3-5-2 with a libero behind two centrebacks. And 5 across the middle to stifle our 4. And 2 to contend with our back 3.
Exactly my point devil – we are dire!!
TV is livid!
Diaby off and Ramsey on, that should secure our 2-0 defeat!
Diaby did reasonably well.
Looks like its the CL or the F.A cup….
Poor would be bigging the team up Devil.
If anyone wants to write about this game, feel free to email me….
I’m with Wenger we don’t need any new players this lot are world beaters!
Is it right what i just read?
We have won 1 of 16 games with Deans as ref??
One word précis!?!?
Totally agree Rico. Blatant mistake to take Pod off, instead of Theo. Sagna is trying very hard today.
Scott – reasonably well isn’t good enough, this is the PL and Afc, we need better that him.
Yes, he’ll be a great bench player this season, but that is it.
Lee – in other words, 8 years!
It shouldn’t matter who the fuck the ref is we are dire….declining all the time!
Szczesny did brilliantly there.
The difference between Mancini and AW is simply only two things. One is that Mancini is accountable. The other is that Mancini, for all the ridicule that he receives is a top class strategist who has managed to turn Clichy into a defender.
Deans is confused…..Clichy isn’t an Arsenal player any more!!
There a few hundred million more differences Devil
What is lacking in Giroud is his footwork. very poor
WTF! Giroud should have burried it.. Everything wrong today..
Still hutts we don’t even try for 7.5 m Ba..
Wtf…..not sure that was even a red!!
Dean is a clown in disguise. These refs totally impair PL..
Does it start with ‘S’ Lee
10 v 10 then, now lets see the bigger picture…
Gunnernet, that is an insult to clowns.
What a awful referee!! Wtf
I should have added in this game Scott. And no I am sorry but there are no million other reasons. Certainly not in favour of AW at the moment since there are many bad decisions out there. I will not stoop down to criticizing him like some do but the above two reasons I mentioned are enough to change a manager. If I employed a manager I would make sure he is tactically sound.
Now with Kompany sent off lets see how will we react.
But even if we turn it around now……..I will still stand by what I said.
see now???? Shitty have gone to 4-4-1.
Tevez has a face only a mother could love.
Anyone know about the 1 from 16 with Deans??
Is it correct?
I know many like Giroud, but he is slow and clumsy too often….
Still on red away for Shitty Rico!
one*
Just playing you Devil.
You know i concede often enough Wengers tactics often let him down.
Scott, I think it was red as all studs were showing. Wish he’d done that an hour ago
as Scotty will testify Rico thought he was an awful decision and still do
Shit, doesn’t Jack cop a decent kicking?
One that many others could punch Lee!!
Every game Scott!
Rico, it really was one that could have gone either way.
Two feet up but he got the ball.
Again, a referee must be 100% in my opinion.
Santi has been rubbish, yet again!!!
His face may be worse than a pile of shit but on the football pitch its the legs and the balls between then which count not how squeeky beautiful you are.
These guys deserve at least one goal.
We wanted fight….we are getting it in bucket loads.
If Mertesacker could yell at his teammates like these i would make him captain ASAP!
this*
I think the law states ‘studs showing’ Scott. And for that there is no defence in the PL…
Remember Jacks?
What a pass from Ramsey.
A shame….it would have been some justice.
34 points after 21 games, at least we should survive relegation.
And Deans refereed that day as well Rico
Cheer up Lewis, Chelsea away next week.
Some awful delivery into the box again today.
Average average average
Must grab an hours sleep before work…..til next time…….
Oh joy micko!
And there it goes.
Torture over.
Wish we had more Jack Wilshere in this team. He doesn’t like losing
What a horrid horrid afternoon…..
Headless chickens !
What a load of old shit.
Tell you what….i just saw the Kozzer red card again……Dzeko had given up on the chase…..he went down very bloody softly……if he isn’t going for the ball, which he clearly wasn’t, then no goal scoring position therefore no penalty.
Anyways..night all.
Coach, tell me if i’m right or wrong habib.
Kozzer off. Ok, we go 4 4 1..
Theo goes right, Cazorla goes left, Jack & Diaby sit in front of back four, Podolski goes centre & told to run his guts out.
We play fof a draw & look to score on the break.
As long as it’s 0-0, City need to take risks, to catch ManU?
Seems obvious to me!!!
Amen to that emma….
We really miss a true leader. Cazorla a huge disappointment today. No initiatives whatsoever. Theo apart from late chance struggled against physical game. Wenger uderperformed also. Dreadful decision to take Podolski off and keep Theo just not to disappoint him. Sagna gave his all, Wilshere tried. No comment on Dean..
Scott, don’t try and kid yourself…… not if it means you are trying to justify the loss….
That is what I referred to AK.
But with Podolski left and Cazorla right.
It would have given us more balance. But no we go 4-3-2 weakening midfield.
AW is not tactically sound. Never has been, never will be. He likes to entertain and is ending up boring us all.
night Scott…
Again are the money men at the club too stupid to force AW to spend some money?Are they going to blame the empty seats on the bad weather… comical Ali the lot of them
Dev but we played 3-1-3-2 when OG came on?
Couldn’t count the number of times Wilshere was fouled. He must be the most fouled player in the PL.
Sticking Mert in forward position when he can’t even win aerial balls despite being 6′ 6
I pointed that out tsGH. But it was too late.
After the sending off and the saved penalty I would have gone 4-4-1 and absorb the pressure and keep the team compact. But no we have to attack at all costs.
I would have gone 3-4-2 late on in the game. but not 4-3-2 after the sending off.
SPEND SOME FECKING MONEY
SSFM SSFM SSFM SSFM SSFM SSFM
Rico…..feel free to take any comments I did for your match report.
Ramsey gave the best pass of the whole game..
A comatose TRO7 is better than a I can’y be bothered SC19. AW being weak in the head should never have taken Poldi off. I would have taken SC19 off instead
I’ m with you Dev..
Before the BFG came on and we were still 1 man down, I would have expected Sagna to tack in to make a back 3 instead of Diaby playing as a CB, and keeping a back 4.
Because we do not have a true DM we always struggle against a flat front 2.
What most of you haven’t touched
Milner or Barry both don’t look like thinkers. We on the other hand have plenty brainiacs.
Do……Or do not……….there is no try!!!!!
21 points off untied?
Is that good enough?
tsGH – AW is bereaved of ideas. SC19 should have being the first player to be replaced. Podi was doing ok.
the second half was better but no ideas in attack. Anyway the most important is forgot those 3 drop points and start thinking in next games. The real point is this: we haven’t a squad for them. With so many games in three weeks we must rotate the players and that it’s impossible for the moment. Arteta,kos,Gervinho,djourou,chamack out. AA? Squil? Santos? Fabianski out too.We look to the bench and it is almost empty. We have maybe, 15 players ready or almost ready for those 3 weeks.
The three next games in League are crucial for us. If we not win 7 points at least, we give up the CL. Moreover, the second round of the Cup can tell our ambition,proud, confidence and fight for something this year. Any sign will be wellcome but for this season could be to late
Esp – no F****N way, it’s shameful!!
Thanks devil, but i’m having a rant….
M’vila to QPR
JM – I would have liked to see what we would have had, had Kos not been sent off…
But, in the last ten mins, with 10 v 10 we didn’t really look like scoring…
GTFCBOAW!!!!
Is that done emma? I read it;’s Capoue we are in for
What a joke!
emma – M’vila wants a get out clause in his contract that allows him to leave cheap if Qpr get relegated….
Off for dinner…..
Remy to Newcastle
Like I said yesterday. We are just one game away from Squilly appearing on the bench and one game away from one of the center half to have an injury since kos is suspended for him to make his first PL appearance
rico –
Adebayour is out from Togo in Africa Cup
Jamie Redknapp just said:
If you went to a top restaurant, paid top prices but got served average food, would you complain??
I would!!
And that is Arsenal……
Rico, i made a comment on both red cards….not sure where i suggested the sending off is the reason we allowed two goals.
I just said i don’t think it was a red….still reckon Kompany was unlucky as well.
Sleep…..i will get enough one day!!
Disappointing first half, but the second showed some spirit which has been lacking.
If we play with that intensity each game, we would be in a far better position.
emma, not wishing to sound like some pompous twurp, but I have been saying that for a while.
We are always not far from seeing Squilli, I just want to see the back of him…
Might need to get Djourou back from loan
just wanna f**k that f**kin refree!!!
Not sure I implied that Scott…
Off to eat now…
What can we say?
How many times can we say it?
The squad is very thin, we lack quality and we still do not know the bloody reason we do not buy.
Don’t try and kid myself……you’re right Rico, no implication there…you straight out said it lol.
I was under no illusions though, have no fear.
1 win from 16 under Deans.
Mere coincidence??
Remember the mid to late fifties till the late sixties?
I do not….but I recall Pa telling me that back then we had a lot of heart but we were not a footballing side.
Now it seems we have brainiacs but many heartlacks.
Not trying to stir anything, but i’m going to ask if anyone sincerely believes that Wenger is the right man for Arsenal?
Its not what others think ESP. Its what the board, AW and you think which counts!!!
You want reasons? Here’s one
Have you ever seen Oenited / Shitty / Chav players have a go at PlayStation near the vicinity of their training ground? Not that I know of.
Surely, the sub-sponsor dough is more important than focus on climbing the league table. All smiles and chillaxing at Colney.
Paul,
That is discussed every day and i still do not know the answer.
For my part, i believe our biggest issue is Stan.
He could not give a shit about Arsenal, as long he is making his profit.
I still don’t know for sure why Wenger does not spend.
Plenty will say it is because he chooses not to, but i am still not so sure.
The board keep saying there is money to spend, but they are in charge, they should tell Wenger to spend it or get out.
Until this is clarified, and until we know for a fact Wenger has 30,50 or 70 million to spend then i do not know what to think.
If he leaves, my question remains the same…..which top class manager will come to Arsenal if he has no real cash to spend?
If it is shown for sure Wenger has an untouched war chest and won’t touch it because he thinks the squad is good enough, then he really has lost the plot.
The board have the ultimate say, they are responsible for the well being of Arsenal FC, and that includes who our manager is.
People keep blaming Wenger, but it is obvious to me he is doing a great job IN THEIR OPINION, and under THEIR TERMS.
Nothing is as simple as it seems in my opinion.
Did you read that there was a “suspect package” found in a car near The Emirates.
The Russian is sick of playing games then
I a with you Scott.. I could not have put it any better.
But I would simply add the two above reasons I mentioned….lack of tactical nous and accountability.
I would say that everyone is culpable from the board down.
AW once said….if I could write a book I would clarify many things. Many things which are leaving us dumbfounded at the moment.
My guess is that its a vicious circle….AW knows many things the board do not want to have out while the board know that AW has many faults but are in the know of what Arsene knows. Yes Arsene knows……many things which we do not. And its not tactics.
But what is there to be gained by putting a suspect package?
Even if it was a bomb, what can that achieve?
If people went to games and stayed silent for an hour and a half……..silence achieves many things.
Scott
Wenger quote; ‘In England you’re always under pressure to buy, why? Squad issues can be resolved in other ways as well.’
Scott, I have to say hats off to you to consistently get up at ungodly hours to watch this shower play. Dedicated. I would rather sleep mate.
Devil, we need a massive shake up, but it must start at the top.
No business ever went broke due to the people on the factory floor….failure starts at the top.
If Stan goes along with the board and things do not change quickly, then yes, Wenger must go.
I just do not know if simply changing managers will change anything at all.
Dutch, we know Wenger tells the media plenty of crap to mess with them, but it could also be what i alluded to…..he is carrying the burden of no money to spend, but doesn’t come out and criticise the board.
Maybe he should….back the bastards into a corner.
Scott, there are a few “top class manager” and we don’t need a very expensive one. One of the problems is the hard Wenger’s heritage in wages. Then, we need a modern football manager
Lewis, what can i say….i love watching them play win, lose or draw.
Esp – NO !!!
The Arteta injury may just force AW’s hand…..
I see what you’re saying Scott, I loved Wenger, the guy walked on water in my eyes for a long long time.
But there is something rotting at the club, I don’t know what it is, and no one can say with 100% certainty what it is.
It seems like we have been on not so much a spiral since 06, but everything is stagnant, and arsenal has began to rust in the last few years.
One thing we do know is that we’ve been selling our best players year in, year out. I would like to know why?
To pay stadium debt?
The last few years we have gotten a real insight to what it must be like to support liverpool, always next year..
For so long we were 2 or 3 players off a championship winning side, now losing 2 or 3 players we’re a championship side.
It seems as the push to compete has been lost from the club, and everyone involved seems satisfied with what is happening.
No one expects us to go out and buy Messi, be we need experienced already proven players to push for trophies. So long we’ve lived in the future, where we would develop players into world class players just to see them off for a profit. Potential should no longer be part of Wenger’s vocabulary.
The likes of M’vila, may be a risk he seems to lack discipline, but its a gamble Arsenal should be taking, we all know Arteta is not the solution to our DM problems, but M’vila could be, to let him go to QPR for 8 million, does not show any great ambition.
But then again, I have no idea what is going on at Arsenal, I am however anxious to have it sorted asap. Maybe that solution is Usmanovs money?
Esp – when are you going to write a post for HH???
You make a lot of sense, but then you know that I know that….
JM, i am not saying there is nobody out there, i just do not know who they are.
The names usually thrown around are a joke.
Laudrup would be the one for me right now if a change was happening….even DB10!!!
People must be realistic when nominating managers, and plenty are not.
Paul, none of us really know what is happening.
I guess that is my point.
Too many games going on, me thinks.
The squads not too thin (77ish players on the payroll ) it’s just littered with too many shit players on good contracts! Not enough winners in the team. The whole club needs restructuring from top to bottom….
Scott
Wenger can’t spend cuz too many first teamers are loanees at other clubs but still on our books.
Asap ESP????
Impossible mate.
This situation will not be solved with the click of a finger.
But I liked your last comment. It was not slagging anyone or spouting crap. And that is what I like to read….we are all above such crap here on HH.
Lee, i thought it stood to reason i was talking quality…..
Dutch, he is saying now he will not sell another player until he brings new guys in though.
It is all too confusing.
I am surprised that people talk about Laudrup, as I have suggested before, wait to see where Swansea finish…..
Prayforarsenal Prayforarsenal Prayforarsenal
Prayforarsenal Prayforarsenal Prayforarsenal
If we don’t get at least 2/3 players in we are going to end up 10th
devil – nor was it being rude towards another fans view…
That’s hh….
I’m saying nothing emma…
Exactly Rico. Well balanced comment and full of interesting points. And I am not trying to be paternalistic bdw!!!
Rico, i just mentioned him as he would by choice this instant.
By that logic though, if Wenger spends and we finish top 4 and win the FA cup, he should stay.
The question is easy, the answer…not so much.
I was there today.
Hi Adam, how was your time at The Emirates?
”Jamie Redknapp just said:
If you went to a top restaurant, paid top prices but got served average food, would you complain??
I would!!
And that is Arsenal……”
If I said that I would be consider an AW supporter. STOP lining stan’s pocket is what I would tell my loved one…
Hi Rico. It was completely fabulous, thanks very much.
Stirring the pot again Ginge
I agree devil….
But so do many Scott, and that was my point
If AW signs a DM and a goal scorer at least this window
Wins the FA Cup,
AND gets top 3, he’d get my vote…
eastsidepaul don’t stress too much afc is done, AW is the problem at arsenal. I cant believe this dude is still being rewarded for failure. As long as AW is at arsenal they will never win shit, he is hitler under disguise, he is a control freak who is not intelligent.
Back to boycotting the Ems then Ts. And looking at so many bare seats, it’s happening…
I knew you would have enjoyed that Adam.
Steady on Rico.
I’m not convinced that he alone is to blame Gdna, he and the board all have a part to play..
I congratulate you for injecting levity into the situation Rico.
All sounds good, bar the spending bit, Rico lol.
hiya folks, didnt see the game so can’t comment. hey DNA, still sore huh?
But he would Adam. But then deep down, I know none of that will take pace…. And that’s whet is so sad….
adamant…….
Exactly Scott and without the spending, the rest will never happen!
I try Adam, but underneath, I am bloody livid!
Sad is right. So is outrageous.
The board know the fans are not happy…. the same way Mugabe (who is out of touch with common Zimbabweans) know the regular man on the street is hungry.
So if IG having MBA in Busines from a top US college ( i think) sees that fans are on happy because AW is refusing to spend £70M available to him which would generate Stan more money I am sure he would be hang out to dry…. its simple really.
The policy is the club’s love child. AU said it plainly in his letter last July (and still available on the BBC website)but fans would rather blame AW for not spending money and signing players whilst they know full well Dick Law is the man.
Commercial Revenues were only £4.4m higher now than they were in 2009. Yet, according to Gazidis, a miserable 9% increase in commercial revenue streams over the past three years is acclaimed as “well ahead of our five-year plan”. pure BS
A club that refuses to spend but constantly tell supporters and the media that they have reserves for non-champions league qualifications…
Its like a man saying his roof is leaking and he would not repay it but has a nice marble floor to sustain if the roof caves in…
un happy…
I think it’s Adam’s fault.
Rico. But at least Wenger predicted VP’s success at Man Utd and thinks that Fabregas will come back one day. I do love a man who remains so focused on the job at hand. It fills me with confidence.
I can tell you’ve got the hump Rico. I can read the signs now.
Santos is back soon.
rico i don’t even like soccer anymore because of this guy, Stan don care for afc thats why he is only being in london 2 times, he trust AW to make the right decision because he is not intrested, if AW tells the board that he needs 10 quality players Stan would never have a problem, but AW beliefs is what is causing the club, afc only has 2 fucking player who could be considered quality because of AW beliefs about making stars, i hate him with a passion
Very depression. I hate when Day light robbery is allowed to happen .
Stop the PlayStation competition at Colney. Raise manhood not elevate boy toys.
My son set up the winner at Holland-on-Sea this afternoon….
Lee. You’re the man.
Am I the only person/fool who actually witnessed the game first hand?
I think disgraceful is more suitable Adam.
goon whats good bro?
At least some good news Lee, congrats to your boy and his team….
TS. Do you think Mugabe could be persuaded to take over from Wenger?
Goonster.
Sick to my teeth Adam. And yes, I think you are, Potter isn’t around and i think he goes…
hahahahaaahaah somebody needs to put a leash on legrove…………its getting out of hand there.
‘soccer’ dna, but we play football
I may go and have a read goonie, they might just be saying what i feel….
Comfort of my front room with the log burner roasting! Are you going on weds Adam?
am good DNA, so glad i didnt see the bloody game. was busy with church……yeah that’s right “church”…….some don’t believe anything good can come outta me. am looking at you WATH!
afc is a us franchise so its soccer rico..St Louis Rams is the football franchise..lol
Dna so you honestly think a Billionaire married to a member of one of the 13 blue blooded families in the world would allow AW to reduce his revenue stream?
You leave in the states so you shoud be aware of his policy applied to his franchises…
Usmanov has stated it in black and white for all to see but …..
It does not on the other hand excuse the bad tactics and poor showings that happens 1 out of every 3 matches we play.
… Indeed, in any conversation about conflict, it is clear from a look at the history of the Club in recent years that the Board has achieved conflict without the help of any outside parties, notably the acrimonious departures of David Dein, Keith Edelman, Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith and Richard Carr, who then reappeared on the Football Club Board. You also instituted a lock-down agreement originally to prevent Mr Kroenke from gaining control and then, later, to exclude our involvement even though there were no grounds or need to do so.
The real conflict seems to be between the supporters’ expectations and your vision for the Club and at the heart of this is the policy of so-called self-financing. The self-financing model was created to suit the major shareholders at the time, all of whom subsequently sold their shares.
The previous decision by the Board to fund the building of the Emirates Stadium with long-term debt was, we believe, certainly not about self-financing. If it had been, it would have been funded through a mixture of debt and non-dividend equity. Instead it allowed, in our view, the major shareholders of the time, who happened to all be Board directors, to load the Club with a liability, to benefit from increased future revenue streams and consequent increase in the value of their holdings, whilst avoiding dilution of their equity. The Board of the time then appeared to pursue a policy of increasing ticket prices and squeezing the fans to cover the short term cost increases which allowed them to bridge until all of these shareholders and Board directors sold 100% of their holdings and cashed out at vast profits.
This policy does not seem to have changed. We have sought and been refused any meetings with Mr Kroenke despite the fact that we own almost 30% of the Club or to put another way almost 1 in every 3 seats in the stadium. It is clear that our stated policy for the major shareholders, namely Mr Kroenke and ourselves, to inject non-dividend paying equity into the Club by way of a rights issue to reduce the debt and invest in the future is of no interest to the Board. Mr Kroenke was sold a vision by the Board at the time that the Club could be successful without further investment, so he is pursuing a similar policy which is to run the Club without any investment and to avoid any dilution of his equity, a good part of which was funded by a loan from Deutsche Bank AG to KSE, UK, Inc. at the time of the mandatory offer. The status of that loan and whether it is still outstanding has not been clarified by Mr Kroenke….
Cripes re LG, but can we blame them…..
you didn’t miss a thing bro, it was same shit different day, AW going to give so of those old folks at the ems heart attack, beliefs also kills….lol
Oh to be a Gooner! Oh fucking hell….. Good Spiwit and tenacity in the second half. The Squilster may not of played his last game for us!!
Usmanov…letter extracts
The self-financing model was created to suit the major shareholders at the time, all of whom subsequently sold their shares.
The previous decision by the Board to fund the building of the Emirates Stadium with long-term debt was, we believe, certainly not about self-financing. If it had been, it would have been funded through a mixture of debt and non-dividend equity. Instead it allowed, in our view, the major shareholders of the time, who happened to all be Board directors, to load the Club with a liability, to benefit from increased future revenue streams and consequent increase in the value of their holdings, whilst avoiding dilution of their equity. The Board of the time then appeared to pursue a policy of increasing ticket prices and squeezing the fans to cover the short term cost increases which allowed them to bridge until all of these shareholders and Board directors sold 100% of their holdings and cashed out at vast profits.
Mr Kroenke was sold a vision by the Board at the time that the Club could be successful without further investment, so he is pursuing a similar policy which is to run the Club without any investment and to avoid any dilution of his equity, a good part of which was funded by a loan from Deutsche Bank AG to KSE, UK, Inc. at the time of the mandatory offer.
I’m not sure I can stomach another night of Arsenal.
Night all, catch you tomorrow….
Stay safe all…..
Lee
What’s Holland-on-sea? Congrats on the little prince, thnx for sharing the pride and heartburn glow.
SOJI!!
Lee. That was the question everyone’s lips as we bid yet another sad farewell to each other this evening. The answer is probably yes. Judging by the empty seats today and the positively evil atmosphere within the ground, the managed decline of our once great club continues apace. Still, as long as Kroenke’s teams the Arkansas Arseholes and the San Diego Syrups won, who cares? Over £3 million through the gate again? Happy days.
If we can get five players in we may get Europa football….
I hear that Adam was waving his ‘In Arsene We Trust’ flag with gusto this afternoon…
Adam u didn’t bring any coins with u at the ems?
Dutch, it’s a town on the North Essex coast….it was bloody cold there this afternoon but they won!!
Night lady of the house. Cava time!!!!
What was the “official” attendance on the screen or has that been replaced by a $ total??? Take your Budweiser & syrup and fuck off back from where you came….
Gdna. I did take coins but I bought two hot chocolates and that accounted for them. I just read Wenger is moaning that the poor atmosphere at home is messing the players up. Apparently he s wanting to double the prices to keep the riff raff like me out.
I don’t blame him.
SOJI.
FFS
SOJI
Night Rico…. “Shit” there’s the post, it took a lot of thought, wuu2 do you reckon??
I was wearing my Kroneke syrup all afternoon, in homage to our great American benefactor…
God Bless Stanley Syrup!
Lee. Ya know the Syrup just lurves Association Soccer.
I am wondering who Wenger is going to sell this summer ( to a major rival obviously) to top up the profits. I imagine it will be Jack. I hear the ST increase will only be 2.5%.
Night Rico…
Ah so, I assumed it was some kind of festival or tournament Lee. Been freezing here as well. Toes turning blueberry.
Adam i cant believe that you spent all the coins on hot choc and didn’t tossed 1 in that asshole face…lol
I think the tipping point is here, how long can we as fans allow whats going on to continue?! Sack the fucking lot of them!
Is there any truth that the Syrup is going to have four quarters so that the fans can spend more dough on over priced merchandise??
Now he is blaming the fans who pay top ££ to see a bunch of pathetic clowns managed by a weak poppet on strings 3500 miles long and controlled all the way from US of A.
Arsene Wenger believes that the negative atmosphere at the Emirates is making his Arsenal players too nervous to perform to the best of their ability. At least he has grown some balls to publicise what most of the players then of the Emirates fans.
Read more: http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/130113/wenger-atmosphere-emirates-making-arsenal-players-nervous-189182?#ixzz2HtB9NVKR
Follow us: @talksport on Twitter
Read more at http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/130113/wenger-atmosphere-emirates-making-arsenal-players-nervous-189182?#hTpAO8Bu5EXqmODY.99
Now he is blaming the fans who pay top ££ to see a bunch of pathetic clowns managed by a weak poppet on strings 3500 miles long and controlled all the way from US of A.
Arsene Wenger believes that the negative atmosphere at the Emirates is making his Arsenal players too nervous to perform to the best of their ability. At least he has grown some balls to publicise what most of the players then of the Emirates fans.
Read more: http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/130113/wenger-atmosphere-emirates-making-arsenal-players-nervous-189182?#ixzz2HtB9NVKR
….thick of the Emirates fans I meant…
Night guys.
Gdna. I take it you are not the, greatest fan of our glorious leader?
Lee. I hear they are selling replica syrups and moustaches so we can all look like Kroenke and chant ” I just lurve the self-sustaining model”. I bought one for you today.
Well, i made a light hearted remark about everyone being jovial recently…i do not dare today.
As much as i admire the man and still believe in his ability, given the right tools, to succeed, it may well be the best thing for Wenger to go.
Not only for his own benefit, but maybe then Stan would be forced into spending, else see us flutter ever so slowly down the table.
Hey, i may be totally wrong, and the club may thrive under somebody else, but either way, at least something would happen.
I still say nothing will change unless Stan leaves, but since that is highly unlikely, the only other even that could force change is Arsene leaving.
This post is not anything to do with our performance today, because we were brilliant in the second half, but more to do with the fact we have 6 games in the next few weeks, and i reckon some HH regulars may need to don the boots to help out!!
That is as morbid a post as i can ever come up with, but it also as honest as i can be.
tsGH he always finds excuses
I’ve heard it all now….so it’s the fan’s fault, yeah I told you Adam it was you!! FFS have you no pride Arsene?
Night all.
I can’t even spell… lol
Night all. Have a blessed week
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2261680/Tom-Cruises-wife-auditions-Top-female-stars-took-screen-tests-actually-intended-pick-new-partner-claims-Scientology-book.html
Night Adam.
Nite Ginge / Adam
adam how can i like the guy when he has the club in reverse for over five years, everyday i pray for the supporters to converge and beat some sense in his stupid brain.
I am with you Scott.
AW has to leave not because he is a failure but for the truth to be reaffirmed. Because even though AU has stated it allegedly 90% of fans still choose to blame AW for everything including the slow ATV connection.
With all he has done for the club he should have the balls to say to PHW, IG and Stan to offer him £20M that does not include player salary to add to the squad but the BIllionaire is smart to feed off the love AW has for the club.
I will always believe pound to pound he is the best manager alive as Cruyff will say but time is up.
I see the 1 hour sleep did not happen.
I did try to get an hour in….just didn’t happen.
I would never boo a team if they were putting the effort in.
In saying that, fans should not be held responsible for poor performances.
Ginge, 12 months after he leaves, you and i will either look like geniuses or the delusional morons plenty think we are
I just saw that Adam
TS. Do you think Mugabe could be persuaded to take over from Wenger?
Lmfao
Looking forward to Chelsea next weekend.
It’ll be a toss-up whose fans are more disgruntled, theirs or ours…
42,000 people moaning like Gambon…
Memorable…
But if our second half effort can be replicated, we will spank them Kev.
If,if,if!!
Scott er all love the Arsenal so I would not mind being delusional if we end up winning. But unfortunately, I am certain that maybe in the medium to long term things will go backwards.
Why? Because if I may borrow one of my poor analogies… a pub owner will never allow cheap bootleg booze to be served in his pub if the owner is not happy with the idea.
My restaurant analogy was used by Jamie today… I shall call my lawyers on him for copyright infringement.
finally off..
God Bless…
Ginge, you know i agree with that statement/analogy.
Arteta is a massive loss to the team….AW’s hand forced in the window?
Nervous…. The players were ‘nervous’…..
Oh the poor little dears…
Must worrying over which colour to have on their next Ferriari…
All that worrying over what to spend their £100k per week on, is enough to make anyone nervous…
Lee, who cares what the reason is if it forces the club into spending, hey…
Get some in…..please…..
That is a cop out Kev, and a massive one.
It is also a slap in the face to the fans.
TS good night.
Off to work…see ya guys.
Yeah agree Scott and pronto would be good!
No Lee, Arteta will return just in time to be ‘like a new signing’, you should know the drill by now.
Kev you’ve seen some shit teams/times as a Gooner BUT this shit show must be winding you up?!?!
Have you been indoctrinated Kev?
I’m knackered so am crashing, I’ll look forward to your reply on the 05:23 tomorrow! Take care Kev,Dutch and Goonerdom….
Yes Lee, loads and loads of shit…
But with one common theme…
A HillWood in the Boardroom, living in a world of delusion.
Good night Lee, take it easy mate…
Nite Lee
SOJI
SSFM
Goodnight Gooners
hello there
ht – 2-2 In 16th minutes 4 goals ! I’m writing about Benfica-Porto
I hope AW has watching the match
Night all. I’m going for a late shower, I feel dirty.
Joaquim, toss the remote control out of the window, square eyes. [] []
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has hit out at his side’s fans for creating a negative atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners were beaten 2-0 by Manchester City on Sunday in a hostile environment, and have now only won five of their 10 home matches so far this season.
The North London outfit face a battle to try to get themselves back into the top five, and Wenger believes that the negativity of the home crowd is making his players unnecessarily nervous.
“I felt we started too timidly and with not enough authority,” said Wenger.
“You can see that nerves play a part in our team at the moment when we play at home.
“[The players are nervous] because they feel the scepticism around the team. The players feel that they want to do well. They have a great desire to do well, so maybe they’re a bit too anxious that they don’t respond completely to the expectation level of the crowd.”
Wake up guys….i need something to keep my eyes open.
2 hours sleep last night and the Citeh fans reckon their ticket prices were worth a whinge
Arsenal fans have hit out at Arsene Wenger being a lying fuck and not rectifying his teams short comings, AGAIN!
SOJI.
Morning Lee.
Kev touched on it very late last night your time.
That is a load of shit and a cop out, imo.
They should be used to the big stage by now!!
His excuses are becoming a joke, the decline lies at the board/AW’s door! He has 17 days to sort this shit out, I really think this is his last chance saloon.Looks like M’Vila and Remy have escaped our clutches. there’s still upgrades available out there!
morning all…
Nastry getting abused by some fans
http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/video-marouane-chamakh-acted-as-samir-nasris-bodyguard-as-arsenal-fans-pelted-them-with-abuse/?
Article in The Daily Telegraph.
Arsenal are a nervous, deeply flawed shadow of great teams of old
Arsenal are a club living on the edge of their nerves. With some fans close to open revolt, and the team in danger of missing out on Champions League qualification, this luxury north London theatre is a place of skittishness and angst.
What would the club need least in these trying circumstances? A good answer would be for an experienced international centre-back to wrap both arms around an opposition striker in plain sight of the referee with only 10 minutes on the clock.
No manager can legislate for this kind of aberration, unless he threatens to lock any player guilty of such a reckless act in a dungeon for the rest of his life. And Arsène Wenger, we know, is not that sort of manager.
So Laurent Koscielny is dismissed before backsides have had time to warm on seats and Arsenal spend the next 80 minutes battling against insuperable odds.
But here is the encouraging part. At no point in the inquest did Wenger try to hide from the deeper failings of his side. He had no issue with the penalty (Edin Dzeko, the victim, missed) and no real objection to the red card that forced him to take off Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and send on another centre-half, Per Mertesacker.
Instead, Arsenal’s manager of 17 years deferred to undeniable evidence. He said: “We didn’t start with enough confidence or authority. You have to dictate your personality, especially defensively. We could have done better at both goals. It’s frustrating because the team showed great heart and desire after that, but we’re a bit too nervous to play in a serene way at home and that is costing us.”
As Wenger diagnosed, the Gunners were hesitant at the start, unconvincing in their efforts to answer James Milner’s opening goal for the English champions and a long way short in most departments of a top-four side, which they need to be if they are to extend Wenger’s excellent record of qualifying for the Champions League: itself a comfort blanket against the lack of success in domestic competitions.
Arsenal (sixth) are only six points behind Spurs in fourth and have a game in hand, but no serious punter would bet big on them seeing prime-time European action next autumn. Harry Redknapp, the Queens Park Rangers manager (and not an impartial observer, admittedly), spoke for most observers when he said: “Spurs have a much stronger squad than Arsenal. Much stronger.”
Liverpool (three points back) are also shaping up as credible outsiders for the fourth-place spot and Everton are holding their ground in fifth.
A team who whacked Reading 5-2 and Newcastle 7-3 in December might look pretty enough in the right kind of light. But Arsenal have fewer points after 21 games (34) than at any time in Wenger’s Premier League career.
Often they are missing rhythm, conviction, individual match-changing talent and faith. Wenger has noticed the pessimistic mood around the ground but has been careful not to provoke the crowd. After this 2-0 defeat, though, he was asked whether audience disquiet was affecting results. “I don’t know if it’s linked with that,” he said, “but it doesn’t help.”
In the crowd’s mind is a link between the astronomical price of tickets and the diminishing quality of the entertainment this season. At first Koscielny’s sending-off provided a grievance to hide behind. It was all referee Mike Dean’s fault. By the time Dean balanced things up by ejecting City’s Vincent Kompany 15 minutes before the end it was already plain Arsenal were beset by other problems. A match official correctly applying the laws of the game could not be used as a crutch all afternoon and evening.
First, the defending for both the Milner and Dzeko goals was slack. In each case defenders failed to react to the danger: especially Thomas Vermaelen, the captain, who is increasingly prone to concentration lapses.
A few yards further up the pitch, Abou Diaby made a tortured return to the side after four months out with injury. He can be forgiven his scattergun passing and general disorientation against a strong City midfield. While Diaby was struggling to find his range, Jack Wilshere was chopped and upended with bruising frequency. It was a clumsy challenge on Wilshere that led to Kompany’s debatable red card.
Where we pick up traces of panic in the whole Arsenal enterprise is the use of Theo Walcott as a lone centre-forward. Walcott struggled to make the starting XI until his contract negotiations entered a critical phase. At that point his wish to play as a central striker was suddenly granted.
Meanwhile Olivier Giroud, the latest in a long line of new Arsenal strikers, started against City on the bench. At 2-0 down, Walcott and Giroud played together, but a long way from a three-man Arsenal midfield who were asked to service two strikers who mostly spectated from a distance.
Wenger needs no tactical lessons from a journalist, but perhaps a 4‑5‑0 formation would have worked better, with two players breaking from midfield. Lukas Podolski also gave cause for concern here, presenting himself as a luxury strike runner with no great urge to get back and help with the messy stuff. Santi Cazorla’s creativity is drowned out on days like this.
Wednesday’s FA Cup third-round replay against Swansea and Sunday’s Premier League visit to Chelsea now assume ominous weight for an Arsenal side who bear little resemblance to the cavaliers of old. Bayern Munich are next month’s formidable Champions League second-round opponents.
A good start would be for the centre-backs to acknowledge that bear-hugging an opponent in the penalty box with the referee a few yards away is likely to end in calamity. The smattering of fans who applauded Koscielny might also give it some more thought. The players are in no position to blame the crowd, though. The “authority” Wenger says they lacked in this game has to be found from somewhere. Preferably, within.
Players just need to toughen the hell up.
Morning Lee. Not sure I agree with the thrust of that article.
When a linesman tells man city players to go over to say thanks to the 4hitty supporters then we know the game is in disrepute ….
Kos tackle is seen across the premier league every single 5 minutes on match days across the country but Dean the same man who allowed Walters to stand in front of Flappy and thread on his toes so that our keeper can not come for a corner keep decides to set an example….
Talking about having a laugh
1 win from 17 games with Dean as ref…my new faovurite stat lol.
In all honesty, he didn’t cost us a win, bad defending took care of that, but the question needs to be asked why he is allowed to officiate in games involving us.
It is too big a discrepancy.
I just posted it for something to talk about Adam. I’m struggling to find anything positive to say about this bunch of serial losers at the moment!
I must admit to being stunned upon reading some fans applauded Kozzer!
One word for you on the positives Lee…….JACK.
Please do not ask for a second….
Dean is a very smart person. Knowing what to do best for his career. Hurting Arsenal is obviously a smart career move for Dean. As his record shows and his record of bad decisions against Arsenal. His not reporting the Manchester United manager a few weeks ago is part of the same smartness.
So with 70 minutes gone and with the game won by City he thought it would be a nice thing to help out the most important manager in the PL (and his career).
Morning all, running a bit late, blame the snow
The thick fuck cost us the game along with Vermalaen’s lack of concentration/organisation for the second goal….schoolboy error imho.
Yeah but he’ll be sold in the not too distant…
On their day, Vermaelen and Kozzer are as good as any…well, most…defenders in the league.
Those days are very sadly becoming less frequent.
Inconsistency is killing the pair of them, and in turn, Arsenal.
We can blame Wenger or Bould, or both, but some of the mistakes ae purely down to concentration.
I am struggling with this conspiracy theory….we are just shit and getting worst!
I know Lee. There is a staggeringly self-serving article about Arsenal and FFP in the mail this morning. If I was a cynic I just might sniff the hand of someone from Chelsea or Man City involved. Martin looks like he could do with a decent meal I always think.
But, not being a cynic, I totally reject that idea of course.
***worse***
Oh joy a re-run of yesterday’s game has just started on one of the overhead monitors in the office…
SOJI.
Sneijder……is he worth the risk?
He is too good to be playing in Turkey.
Lee. Agreed. SOJI. It is the only way. Anything else is just treading water.
I should also ask how much he would cost, of course!
He’s another one of Snow White’s gang….oh and he’s on 200k pw.
New Post is finally up….
Lee, would be kind enough to re post that DT article