After the disappointment of losing the Carling Cup final on Sunday, we thankfully had another match within a few days to focus us and hopefully start the recovery process.
Under ordinary circumstances, an FA Cup home replay tie with Leyton Orient may be considered straightforward; but these are anything but ordinary circumstances. Amid Arsene’s admission that Szczesny and Kos were “devastated” over their 89th minute mix-up which cost us the Carling Cup, team morale and confidence were suspected to be fragile.
A suspect mental state was further compounded by additional injuries, none more significant than Robin’s knee, which rules him out for a minimum of three weeks. Song and Kos also reportedly suffered knocks, ensuring that tonight’s lineup would be much changed from Sunday – as if anyone really doubted that it would.
Our starting eleven was Almunia, Gibbs, Squillaci, Miquel, Eboue, Rosicky, Denilson, Diaby, Henderson, Chamakh, Bendtner.
Bench was Szczesny, Clichy, JD, Sagna, Wilshere, Samir and Arshavin. Ten full changes with only Rosicky retaining his place from Sunday’s starting eleven.
I had hoped the changes would not be so complete, as I felt the best thing for some of our Sunday starters would be to play quickly – particularly Szczesny and Kos, but with the latter being ruled out through injury, he would have to await his return. Nevertheless, even a side packed with such off-form players would be expected to comfortably win this match. Surely some of these players had to come good soon, right?
We started quickly, taking the game right to Orient. The players looked up for it, starting with little apprehension and plenty of energy. Rosicky came to the fore for our opening goal, making a good run down the right, before cutting back to a waiting Chamakh, who tapped in from close range. The quick start was just what we hoped for, and hopefully Chamakh’s first goal since November will finally get him going again. Orient tried to hit back, forcing a quick corner, but nothing came of it. Bolstered by the quick goal, we settled into a passing and probing rhythm, without creating any real clear chances. But we stayed patient and moved to ball well.
A small spell of sloppiness then set in and we began to give the ball away frequently. Fortunately, most of this took place in advanced attacking positions, the forwards and midfield the main culprits and Orient could not do much when they did get the ball. We then stepped up a gear and the second goal quickly followed. Gibbs crossed from the left and Nik planted a firm header beyond Jones.
With just half an hour gone we already were 2-0 up. We kept the boot on Orient’s throat and the third goal came just a couple of minutes prior to the interval. Nik intercepted the ball on the right side of Orient’s area and bent a shot inside the far post for his second of the night. Good to see him score again, and a great time to score, giving Orient something to think about for the interval. In stoppage time, Orient captain (and Arsenal reject) Chorley saw yellow for an ugly, studs-up lunge on Henderson. That was the last action of the half and we went into the break in complete control of the proceedings.
No changes were expected at the restart, and none were made. We started the second half in pass-pass-pass mode, which was the sensible thing, as Orient had to chase the game. Denilson had an early pop on goal, but could not trouble Jones. Diaby executed a great turn to get free in the box, but couldn’t finish the move.
About ten minutes in, Orient had a brief spell of pressure and won a corner. McGleish headed it over to end that particular move. They earned another corner, but couldn’t do anything with it.
We waited Orient’s mini-flourish out regained control. Rosicky sustained an injury which required his coming off for treatment, so we played with ten men for a few minutes. Ironically enough, we scored our fourth with the man disadvantage. Gibbs made a smart run, Revell fouled him for a clear penalty and Nik dispatched the spot kick for his hat trick and a 4-0 lead. As this took place, Rosicky was deemed unable to continue, so Nasri took his place on the pitch.
With 25 minutes remaining, Slade made a double swap, bringing former Arsenal youngster Crowe and McGleish off for Spring and Tehoue, scorer of Orient’s late equalizer at Brisbane Road. A minute later, Arsene brought Nik and Diaby off for Clichy and Jack, clearly deciding four should be enough and the clean sheet was now more important than further goals.
I was wrong – with 15 minutes remaining, we were treated to that rarest of sights – a Gael Clichy goal. Jack dummied an Eboue cross, allowing Clichy to latch on and finish into the far corner. At 5-0, the game was up now, and it was safe for Arsene to call the dogs off. Clichy earned our first booking by tripping Revell, who was then substituted for Mpoku.
We forced a couple of corners in the final ten minutes, but did not look as though we were going all out for a sixth; rather we seemed to be more interested in keeping the ball, which was the sensible thing to do. Right at the 90 minute mark, Al made his only save of the match, tipping Cox’s shot around the post. That was as good as it got for Orient and the whistle went shortly after.
So it was job done with a minimum fuss. There were several encouraging aspects for us. First and foremost is that there was no apparent hangover from the Sunday’s events on the Wembley pitch. The players responded and put in quite a solid performance.
Secondly, this was a strong performance where many of the much-maligned second squad featured and played well. One may argue that it is only Leyton Orient, and we should beat them at home. A counter-argument is that the team which started tonight is largely the same side that struggled to score at Brisbane Road two weeks previous and the conceded a late equalizer; a team that has generally struggled regardless of the opposition; a team that contained numerous off-form players.
Tonight they breezed it and looked quite good in the process. There were a few shaky moments at the back and one spell where we were very careless with the ball – but overall, the players on show did a fine job. When I saw the starting lineup Arsene named, I immediately thought we would struggle, based upon the number of off-form players. Fair play to the side – they proved me wrong and strolled this one. Finally, when Gael Clichy scores for us, you know things are going well. That is only his second competitive goal in Arsenal colors (the first was at Stoke City in 2008).
I have a suspicion that this may be the last time we see this particular side for a while. We have a very big stretch of games, most in the league, but also the CL second leg at Camp Nou and the FA Cup quarterfinal at Old Trafford. Under ordinary circumstances, I think Arsene may try and field a similar squad for the FA Cup tie, but the opposition is Man United, and I do not think we can afford to bring an under-strength squad up there. The FA cup may recede in importance, particularly if we continue to win the league, but I think we will have to play our strongest available squad up there. My reasoning is the psychological payoff from a win at Old Trafford may give us a huge boost; and the reverse is true. I hearken back to the 2007-8 season where we were neck and neck with United when Arsene brought an under-strength squad there for an FA Cup tie.
We were uncompetitive, losing 4-0, and even though some may not have minded that we were no longer in the FA Cup competition, we found ourselves pretty much out of the league and CL in quick order as well. The last thing I think our players need is for history to repeat itself.
Of course, the way our players are dropping – Rosicky the latest casualty, although Arsene does not seem to think he will be out for long – the squad we saw today may well be our strongest available. Regardless, it will be Arsene’s call on how to approach the FA Cup tie, and I am sure he will carefully consider the competing requirements of going for the three remaining trophies and squad fitness…
Not much time to come up for air. Saturday we are back in the thick of it with an important league fixture against AFC Sunderland.
The Mackems visit the Ems with injury problems of their own, but should not be considered pushovers in any way. I would expect to see most of our available starting eleven restored. Aaron Ramsey should be available for selection, and it would be very, very nice to see him play again. We’ll have a better idea of who will be available and who will not, as this week winds down. I am sure March 8th at Camp Nou will also figure in how Arsene approaches this match.
All-in-all, this was a solid win and a step in the right direction. I won’t say we are back on track, as tougher tests remain, but we got a composed, professional performance from our second team this evening, and that is certainly a good sign after previous abject displays.
We’ll know more about where we really are in another week.
Written by Oliver
morning all, back in a bit 🙂
Morning all.good read and it was nice to see our forwards scoring as we need them in the next couple of weeks with rvp injured.we also have 103 goals in 45 games so far this season.
Morning guys.
KT, still not good enough. In those 45 games, how many chances have we created
Still a decent win, one that we expected and showed that this team does have some pride left.
On a side note, seems that Man Utd are imploding.
Will thats true but 103 goals is still an excellent tally considering we’re at the start of March.
whatever will be will be as regards to the barca game-it’s THE MANURE fa cup tie that cocerns me-p.god do not put out a wekened side to that shower of c***s like last time-it’s an insult to us as fans-as you rightly point out-the psychological aspect is huge-& it’s always great to dump on them at anytime.and let’s face it.we owe them BIG TIME for the last couple of seasons…
Hi all – great read again oliver 🙂
Chuffed to see the goals scored last night, now take them into saturday…
on and off again today guys, stuff to do… 🙁
Morning All, great result yesterday unfortunately I didn’t saw the game 🙁
Will, you are a hard man to satisfy 😀
Howdy, can’t get myself to talk footie after sunday…forgive me for being such a cry baby thanks
Where do we go from here folks??
Sunderland our Bogue team up next
I agree Will but at least a step in the right direction!Cham and NB need to play like that and better for the balance of the season…
Can’t shake off this feeling we have a chance at the nou camp…oh sunday too lol
When is Theo coming back the nou camp is crying for him
Next Sunderland. I will not be at home but i’m trying to watch the match. We need 80 points for win the League. Let’s go Arsenal!
I’m not be also at home next Tuesday, but sure I’ll watch the match.
No, for the Fa.Cup we wiil go there towith the best team possible. I’m quite sure of that.
Cesc says he can make saturday, Aw quicky rules him out…PL or the CL what the priority
If the mancs lose at Anfield and we win against Sunderland we’ll be 1 point behind them with a game in hand.with our next PL game after Sunderland being 3 weeks away it should be sufficient time for our wounded soldiers to heal ready for the run in.we just need to get through mackems/barça/mancs unscathed.
Mambo erick.i think Aw thinks diaby/jack/nasri will be enough for Sunderland who have a lengthy injury list.
KTR-7 thats the first positive thing I have heard since sunday thanks Bro
Poa sana KT, Cesc on the bench is enough to scare sunderland eh
Erick if we score at the Camp nou barca will need 3 to qualify.if we score twice they’ll need 4.we can’t afford to park the bus because if they score first it will become very difficult to change the gameplan to an attacking one as they’ll peg us in our own half looking for more goals.
How many are out for sunderland??
A whole bus I hear Rico
Kt its going to be a fun game for the neutral but I will nervous as hell
Erick i’ll be nervous too.i also think that we should surprise barca by putting crosses in for bendy/chamakh who can have a field day in the abscence of pique.i also found it interesting that Aw played gibbs and clichy on the same wing.i think its a preparation for barca to strengthen that flank.it will also help in the counterattack as both players are very fast.gibbs is also a good crosser of the ball which will serve us well with bendy/chamakh in the middle.
Sunderland are on a 4 game losing streak.
KT- we have not taken advantage of Nikky and Chamaka ability its about time
Got to run KT will be around later enjoy
Sunderland’s injury list includes Michael Turner,Nedem Onuoha,Lee Cattermole,Fraizer Campbell,B.Zenden,Danny Welbeck and David Meiyer.
JM, do you really think 80 points will win the league?
As for me not being happy, I am but I hate scoring two and still be hanging on at the end of the game. We create double digit chances every game. We need to be more clinical.
I am telling you guys, if we start being clinical, we will get that un-beatable aura that all great teams have and then teams will play us hoping to hold us to two goals. As of this moment, teams know if they have a go at us, they can get a result.
😆 Erick – for sunderland i mean
Aw has set a target of the Blackburn game on April 2nd for rvp’s return.
4 weeks KT, thats optimistic of Aw
The papers were saying 6 weeks.
Rico its almost similar to nasri’s injury earlier this season which sidelined him for 3 weeks after surgery.rvp’s is a tear so he doesn’t need surgery and 4 weeks is sufficient time to heal provided no more setbacks.it therefore it looks like he’ll miss 2 PL games,1 CL game and FA cup tie against the mancs.if we get through these and the international break unscathed we’ll have a full squad to choose from by April 2nd.
Will id rather trust our official site than the papers who were just speculating.
True KT but it is something we didn’t need right now.
Will we did not need that but what can we do?rvp put in his leg where it hurts to drag us back level and as a result we paid for it.im just glad it isn’t a season ender.it also means he’ll miss the international break which is an added bonus.
I wish he could recover as quickly as Nasri Kt…
I would have rather he hadn’t 😉
Arsène Wenger hopes Robin van Persie will be fit to face Blackburn when the international break ends in four weeks’ time.
Van Persie suffered ligament damage in the process of scoring Arsenal’s first-half equaliser in the 2-1 defeat to Birmingham last Sunday and soldiered on for half-an-hour before being substituted with 22 minutes left.
Earlier this week Wenger told Arsenal TV Online that the Dutch forward would be sidelined for “a minimum of three weeks”. Speaking after the 5-0 win over Leyton Orient, the manager elaborated on the cause of the injury and Van Persie’s expected recovery time.
“I am not a specialist but he overstretched his knee at the back when he made the volley [to score on Sunday],” said Wenger.
“He got kicked or blocked by the defender and overstretched when he hit the ball. In fact we lost Van Persie after 30 minutes, we tried to keep him going in the second half but he was injured.
“It is a ligament at the back of the knee, a tear in the ligament. It is three to four weeks, I take the short delay because I am an optimist but it could be four. As well it is the international break during that period so whether it is three or four [weeks], for us it is the same.
“We have two weeks to play now and then there is a two-week break because of international games. We have to hope it is only four; he cannot play before the international break, that is for sure. Let’s hope he can play after the international break.
“I listen to what the medical people say to me and you never know, he can have a setback. You can never guarantee.”
Van Persie will definitely miss the next four games – Sunderland at home on Saturday plus consecutive away trips to Barcelona, Manchester United and West Bromwich Albion. Arsenal’s first fixture after the international break is a home game against Blackburn on April 2.
We are now left with Nik B. We ccan just hope his hat-trick helped his confidence……
morning all…we’ll see what happens with robin…i am expecting he will be out longer than 3-4 weeks – if that is all it takes, then i will be pleased he returns for the start of april…if it’s longer, i will have expected it…
Is this a normal three weeks or an Arsenal three weeks?
moring oliver – you and i both, fingers crossed he suffers no set back…
got to pop off again, later guys and gals…
Diaby had a 100% pass completion rate.orient passed the ball more than all teams that have visited the Emirates bar 1.
Relax guys.its a slight knee ligament tear.4 weeks is more than enough to heal.rvp was also having a stormer of a season and it would be cruel if he had a setback when we’re so close to glory.he is due a break.
Isn’t that what AFC said about TV?
i’m with will here. robin has had too many prolonged absences…i am skeptical that it will only be 4 weeks. his records – indeed, afc’s recent record with injuries – suggests a longer absence…
We’ll just have to wait and see then gents.
Messi has 40 goals and 18 assists this season.Ronaldo has 37 goals and 13 assists.
Achilles injury are very difficult to diagnose.as is the case with ankle injuries there isn’t lots of blood flow there and the healing process varies from one individual to another.
Will we ever see football and players like this again?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyRy0C9dxe8&feature=related
Afternoon all,
Fast attacking football i dont think so Will not with this team of crab passers
See the off the ball runner? Who does that now for us?
Even last night Will i noticed the holding player was looking for somone to pass to. At times Eboue had three men to pass to and wouldnt release it, whats his problem.
Ramsey may be back for Sunderland.kozzer has a small chance due to a hamstring injury.cesc is out.song has a knee problem and is out.he is also a doubt for barça-Aw.
Guardiola has been admitted to hospital with a back injury.
Steve, what annoys me is when all the players front up and drop off for the ball, no one runs behind the defence.
My Arsenal dream has evolved over the past few years to more than just a trophy obsession!!!
My dream is for us to have a fully fit squad!!! We have not had that luxury for at least 5 years coinciding with our lack of trophies.. The thought of what would happen if this season for example we had TV5 fit and the attacking quartet of Theo-Van-Nasri-Gas fit for more than just a few games is a haunting one because it seems like it would never happen and that frustrates me a lot more than loosing to West brom or surrendering a 4 goal lead in 25 minutes!!!
Will/steve nasri has improved on this aspect and thats why he has scored more.theo is also pretty good at off the ball movement.
You are right there KT and I stand corrected but we need more players like that.
Do you think anyone does the Pires style follow up teh shot?
Will the henry/pires/ljunberg/bergkamp axis were so fluid upfront due to all the movement with bergkamp most of the time distributing the ball to the runners.the closest we have to that axis is when we have rvp/cesc/theo/nasri play.cesc plays the bergkamp role as he is so good at spotting runners as games against wolves and barca show.rvp drops deep allowing theo/nasri to make those runs which cesc spots and it works like clockwork.however when that unit is broken the synchronisation isn’t there anymore and we struggle as a result.theo especially is very critical to making it work.
kolo has been banned…came up positive in a test for a “specific” substance..
reporting i see does not specify whether he came up dirty for a performance enhancing substance, or something such as a recreational drug…
Hi oliver.i had not heard of that.
Kolo doesn’t look like doing that?
Hoyte out for 6 months.
Evevning…
Kolo likes a little bit of talc up his nose by all accounts….! Evening all
KT….. Is Diaby ur love child or something….? Seems in your eyes he can do nothing wrong…??? For me he is a nightmare, disapears up his own backside trying to beat 10 players slows the game down far to often never ever does the simple thing and yet he has the potential to be a very very good player but we have also been saying that for 4 years now…! Enough is enough, produce or piss off….! One last yr in my book as we have plenty coming through who are ready to take his place.
WATH, is that for real about Kolo?? Was he up to that when he was with us?
Re Kolo, Yes its real Rico…….
eveving peeps..
WATH just stating the facts.he has a tendency to dally on the ball sometimes and injuries sure don’t help him as they occur when he is about to hit momentum.i believe he can be a very good player.
KT, they not facts mate they very misleading stats thats all and we been waiting for him to become a very good player for far too long…! He is prob top of my most frustrating players list as yes he does have the potential but 95% of the time he is a bloody nightmare…!
JJ you been out leading Kolo astray…? 😉
Ah, I never knew that WATH, surprised he stayed that long with us then, Wenger couldn’t have know…
i think it broke a few hours ago…
diaby just did a denilson last night..
he was piss poor just kept running into blind alleys..
the passes meant nothing…
theres no point running with the ball for 30 yards and totally exposing the defence and then when you get to the pen box, stop, and turn back..
eboue does exactly the same thing..except he falls over
Hi jj
lol yeah wath..
thats it now tho whatever hes taken its a banned substance he wont get off they never do..
at his age as well..its over..
JJ, least Eboooooooooooooooooie falls over in a very spectacular fashion… Always 😉
The pair of them should go headline for Billy Smarts Circus…!
my team for sunderland
——–ches
sagna–jD–squidge–clichy]
—rambo—jack
–niki–nasri—aa
——chamakh
Its my opinion.i believe in diaby and i hope he fulfills his promise no matter which club.not all players blossom at 24 some are late bloomers.cesc/jack are exceptional talents which have made most fans think all players fulfill their promise at that age.most players come good in their late 20s.Aw is boss and am glad he agrees with me….rant over.
fergies been charged by FA??? lmao
No way will rambo start.maybe a sub appearance.
i think diabys a great player ktr
the only problem is he has 2 bad games then 1 good then 5 injured..
he doesnt get enough games to get the consistency and i dont think he ever will
that and hes got no energy and drive when he doesnt have the ball..hes no midfielder
rambos been playing regular for months..
denilson and diaby havent played regular for a year so when it comes to match sharpness rambo gets the nod for me and when it comes to a must win game we need match sharpness and not players who need a ‘pre season’
Late bloomer late 20’s KT means their footie career is nearly over….! It’s nice you believe but how long do you carry on carrying th candle…? The fella flatters to deceive time after time…! and your stats are misleading dont tell me you watch him and dont feel frustrated, most important stat how many game shas he started the last 3 seasons….? 20…? says it all, always injured never fulfils the potential…! Shame but true…!
What a crock of shit JJ, he sits in the stand if found guilty, boo hoo…. So what, he has said his bit now the pressure is on the ref for sunday knowing Fungusbum has had a rant watch every big decision go the way of the mancs sunday cos of that twats rant after the chav game, he been doing it and getting away with it for yrs mate, sky the fa the league and the refs are all shit scared to upset the Mancs brand and all their worldwide supporters… utter bollox…!
hes right tho wath
AW is boss and AW loves diaby hes determined to make him a star, diaby wont be going anywhere
Well done FA then… about time too…..
yeah its shit but you take fergie away from this current manc side what have u got??
a rabble..
if snotty nose gets a 3 game ban he misses anfield and us and with phelan barking the orders utd aint guna do shit..
fergie intimidates every fucker in a 10 mile radius when hes on the touchline
he dont have that effect in the stands
WATH ive just said that earlier.it also frustrates me but some of the flack he receives is unjustified.ever since his ankle was broken he has always struggled.eddy suffered from the same but he never got abused as diaby is.he is an Arsenal player for christ’s sake.Give him a break.
Does that make Aw right all the time JJ.. think not mate, IF we wait for Diaby he will be 34 and cost how many millions in salary and how many millions to be sat on the sick bed…? joke…. as said, mega frustrating player but at 24 long past waiting to mature or show something 25/26 ur in ur prime he aint got off the sick bed to find his prime…! 1 last yr to get sorted of get him out simple as that, plenty others to take his place.
rambo for me to start too, can’t wait either….
fergie controls rooney as well..
shreks just a big girl on the pitch, temper tantrums and lot..
fergie wont be there shouting to tell ‘wazza’ to do as hes told… he’ll blow his fuse..
yeah wath i dont think hes gonna make it but AW will keep him no matter what..
diaby will be at arsenal for life on a very good wage making less minutes on the pitch than the physios that treat him..
frustrating but true…
Give him a break what for 4 yrs KT get real mate….! Eduardo was a 2 yr thing not a 4 year thing simple as that…! Dont blame the ankle for basic things that he does badly your not blind so dont defend whats plainly obvious !! He doesnt do the simple things well at all, I love RVP but his injuries are also becoming a real ptoblem when do we draw the line…??? we in this as a football team not as a sentimental boys club…!
Oi Oi – reality is, we have rosicky, diaby, rvp and even Theo is heading down a similar route- we pay their wages and none of them give us more than twenty games a season – can we afford to keep giving them time??
i think we need a top top striker in summer..
or at least someone who can open up a defence..like hazard
rvp is class but chamakh and niki are not in the same league and we rely too much on robin..
when hes in the team we tick when hes not we stumble..
id keep him all day long but we need to add something to help out
No need to resort to insults WATH.am frustrating just like any fan.its my opinion anyway.
we can afford to give rvp a break.. defo..
he adds so much to the side and does make a difference..
the rest??
i dunno..
rosicky..no
diaby..no
theo..maybe..most probably yes if he does what hes done this season every season but the jurys still out..
Sorry KT but ain’t insulted you at all fella….! and your entitled to your opinion just as I am entitled to mine so we’ll just say we disagree over Diaby end of…!
JJ, prob is someone like Hazard isnt a top striker he’s a player with greta potential who is a wide player 2nd striker he isnt a 20/25 goal a season man… thats what we crying out for, we may have scored laods of goals BUT how many have we missed how many have we missed when its really mattered and how many do we miss when we should be ruthless…!.
Madrid 1 nil up.
hes not insulting you ktr..hes just being wath
ease of him wath..not everyone can handle your ‘in yer face kinda style’
and im getting jealous you normally save that for me 😉
Diaby can be a world beater, he just needs concentration and a final ball. He gets lost as he gets to that last decision.
JJ as much as i love rvp id sell him if a good offer came.soon theo,diaby and cesc will join that list.
thing with hazzard is that no he aint a striker but he creates for fun..
we could do with him anyway but even if rvp out hazard will still run rings and rvp creativity wont be missed, we’ll still look dangerous and not tippy tappy
see thats why i say hazard
reason being is if we sell rvp who do we actually replace him with??
he cant be replaced unless we spend mancity money so we need to add other dimensions…
I respect everyone’s opinion.if i feel insulted it may get ugly but i don’t want that.a few months ago RA and myself nearly tore up the place and i don’t want that to happen again.
oi oi peoples, this is a nice house 😉 😉
Funny that Kolo goes with the money and then gets caught doing that crap.
As for Man Utd and Demento. Does anyone seriously think he will get done?
JJ I don’t care who it is.he may not be in rvp’s league but at least we’ll have him for majority of the season.with rvp out for a month he’ll have missed 4 months this season alone…its a joke!
KT, i don’t need to insult you this is the internet anyone can talk shit there was nothing aimed at you what so ever merely at your comments re Diaby which i replied to on Diaby, if you took offence then pls read what was said as nothing was an insult to you I dont need an internet to insult anyone and if I had or have a problem with what you say i’d ask rico for ur email to sort it out with you in pvt simple as that…! JJ you’ve just contradicted yaself you plum, if Hazard creates that exagerates what I said, we need a proper goalscored who will get us 20/25 goals a season with his eyes shut… hazard will create like the rest adn we will then still miss chance after chance after chance…!
Will, what does it matter if Fungusbum gets a touchline ban..? so what….?? The fact he gets to say what he wants acts like he runs the league the FA and what refs they get is actualyl pretty close to the truth…!
why rvp is so important is cos he can shoot without taking that extra touch
none of other strikers have that..they need an extra touch and it gets crouded in there so by the time they set up their shot theyve been closed down and they misfire..which is why we miss so many..
to buy an out an out clinical man like robin we need 50mil..and that dont always work (torres)
so my answer would be to buy someone who can take 3-4 defenders out of the game, create the space for the likes of nikki and co to take the extra touch and hit the target..
we need a tricky pacey winger/striker who can actually dribble..
No problem wath.we are all Arsenal fans at the end of the day and its all that matters here.
WATH – steady on, whats got your goat?? can’t we just all chill a bit please…..
and dont say we got nasri cos he never beats anyone on the wing and dont say theo cos he couldnt beat an egg…
you ok wath??
JJ if rvp got rid of his injury problems it would be fantastic.he has already shown us what he is capable of when fit but he is missing 4 or more months a season.i have a new rvp kit but he frustrates the hell out of me.he is a top top player and i hope to God that he gets that break to ensure he fulfills his potential.
Rico, no need to chill at all, don’t think for one second I aimed any kind of insult at KT merely discussed his thoughts on a player that he rates and as said if I have a problem with anyone I’ll go thru you 2 to resolve in pvt not gonna do it in public like a little nancy boy…! KT and I disagree on diaby thats fair play we both have an opinion and we stating our case nothing wrong with that and it shows we have passion does it not, as said many many times on here shame the fuckin players dont show as much passion as we do…!
JJ you 2 faced git………….. 2 weeks ago you said and I quote “Theo is top banana” lol 😛
We need a hardy, clinical striker, that is a fact without dispute.
As for Demento, it sickens me that he and his club can pretty much do what they want. Look at Rooney, openly elbows someone from behind and gets away with it and the thing that pisses me off is the fact that Man Utd fans feel as if they are being unfairly treated. They have no idea.
Read this today and it sums it up for me:
It was the Eduardo question – which really annoyed Arsenal supporters – and is now the Walcott question. Was Theo brave or naive to admit publicly and apologetically that he dived in a match, and is it time anyway to abandon high-minded principles about cheating and accept it as part of the modern game?
I don’t see it in those terms. For Walcott to admit to diving was to say “yes, I dived but I won’t be doing it again”. He was admitting it was wrong and making himself a marked man on that front. I don’t know that it’s to be applauded. All it involves is Theo Walcott, not a general point. I have to say that one of the chants that really, really winds me up, and there is not much opposing supporters can do to get me going, is “Same old Arsenal, always cheating” because I look at Arsenal as probably the most honest football team, and as honest now as they’ve ever been. It does seem that Arsenal play the game to different set of rules than everyone else. You only need to watch when we play, say, Birmingham City or Stoke City, the whole thing of getting in Arsenal’s faces, and I am not getting at Tony Pulis who is a good mate for whom I have a lot of time. Their players sometimes seem to be judged on a different form of refereeing so that a foul by an Arsenal player is not the same as a foul by one of theirs. Because they are Stoke it’s considered “all right”; how else can they play against Arsenal without being murdered? But Arsenal are judged in a different way.
Arsenal supporters certainly seem to have remembered the name Dan Smith long after Sunderland supporters have all but forgotten him.
You say Dan Smith. Then there’s Martin Taylor and Ryan Shawcross (who did his best to break another Arsenal player’s leg the other night) and it doesn’t seem like a coincidence. OK, if it was just Dan Smith, you might say that’s one unfortunate event, Then you get Martin Taylor and Shawcross and it looks different. I don’t just blame the players, but the whole attitude on what is acceptable as a way of stopping Arsenal playing. It is not really a conversation worth having with supporters of other clubs but there is something very English and very regrettable about the way that within five minutes, the perpetrators of these assaults become the victims – “he’s not that kind of player”, “he didn’t mean it”. Yet the lad who had had his leg broken suffers in his long term career. Abou Diaby has never really recovered, physically yes but not psychologically, from his injury. Look at the recent game at Newcastle: people would stick up for Joey Barton and not him.
Read more: http://salutsunderland.com/2011/03/arsenal-v-safc-tom-watt-wenger-and-of-gooner/#ixzz1FZnj53Eg
Join FootballUnited.com for Real Fans & Real News
hes only ever had one fit season ktr and i think he hit 20 goals and 9 assists that season..
hes absolutley vital..
but 1-6 is proof we need more options
wenger went for chamakh but hes just another nikki really
Good to hear WATH, i know it’s tough going right now and some so called second string players are showing how cack they are but lets not fall out 🙂
KT what your saying re RVP is 100% correct but at his age yet again how can we keep clinging to this concept of “fulfilling his potential” ???? we all know how good he is BUT and its a massive but the bloke cannot give us more than 1/2 a season, what fuckin use is that…? do we wait for him to give us a season or do we sell him cos he cant play a season or do we find another proper out n out goalscorer knowing full well RVP will never ever be the player we want him to be so we use him as and when he is fit…!?!?!? million dollar question…!
lol wath
theos been growing on me this season cos of his goals and assists
he has contributed for once and hes added more then just his pace to his game..
hes got along way to go but he has scared the shit out of defences this season..
weve needed a clinical man for ages will..
but with andy the loaf carrol going for 35 and fernando i cant buy a goal torres going for 50 our options are pretty much limited now..
unless we get a 17 year old and wait 10 years but im not prepared to do that anymore…
I am with you JJ. When I hear that Wenger has made another coup for some wonderkid, I get pissed off, we need people now.
YEs it’s great getting them in for the future but if we are a mid table team by then, how many of these great prospects will stay with us?
Win now, build the brand.
JJ this season alone rvp has scored/assisted every 52 minutes.theo is 2nd at 76 minutes and berbatov 3rd at 81.those stats are fitting for a Ballon d’Or contender.he put his leg in the line for us where no other striker would.he is as Arsenal as it gets.please just stay fit.
JJ, wonder how much truth in the fella from L’Orient and no not Orient you lot…! Kevin Gameiro…????
and thats a bloody good read you just posted..
its true..
if arsenal foul we are dirty if anyone else does it its ok..
thats just how it is..
arsenal are known as soft so the slightest challenge is seen as aggression..
whereas anyone else are known as toughnuts and their challenges are ok cos their just being themselves they have to break someones leg before they get sent off
32 goals in 58 games the fella….. RVP aint played 58 games in three seasons has he..?
i dont know about that kevin bloke..
i suppose if he was any good he would be playing for a better team than he is already..think hes 28..
just seems another nikki to me..like chamakh..
just an older version whos having a decent season in an average league.
rvp too brittle
he scores those goals on instinct and the fact he doesnt give a shit about getting lamped but gets lamped he does and his legs are like twigs so….
we need someone like a drogba who has the exact same instincts but legs like tree trunks..
Th ething I hate is the excuse that you have to be physical with Arsenal to make it a fair contest otherwise we pass teams off the park.
Here is a thought..
GET FUCKING BETTER PLAYERS.
He’s 23 JJ……………..!!
theres a lad playing for anderlecht called lukuka..hes pretty good and hes a young lad but hes built like a shithouse and hes drogbas double..pace power the lot
hes the only kid id buy for that position at that age..19 i think but hes tearing the belgian league up
really wath??
thought he was older..
benzema
Hmmmmmm Benzema will cost us how much and our lot won’t pay a penny over ten quid so we stuffed…!
Lukuka is the fella that the Chavs n Madrid are apparently going head to head over so there again no chance we gonna get him unless for a change a player isn’t looking at the shekels but am sure the club will step in and want to accept the highest bid so then again we lose out
who else is there??
the clinical out and out striker has pretty much dissapeared in the modern game
the best ones are already at the best teams
Just once this summer, we need to make a statement and but a top class striker who WILL get us goals.
We average what, 12 goal chances a game? We need 3 goals a game.
JJ rvp is a very rare player.he is a mix of an attacking midfielder,winger and forward.i hope his brittle body hardens soon.
theres always vela?? 😉
I need some sleep, you all be good will you 🙂
see you tomorrow, i don’t like all these busy days …..
it’ll never harden ktr..
his body is built that way.
only way he’ll stay fit is if he dont get hit but a player with robins skill will always get hit..
Sinclair from Swansea, the ex chav…. bit of training, he’d knock 20+ goals in a season…..
night rico..
JJ, Vela is another one……. I look at hima nd think hmmmm in there is a superbly talented playing hising away… IF only he would show himself more often…! Is it the prem league, is it attitude, confidence……? what ???? Again for me prob a yr to prove himself or I’d reluctantly get rid of him…!
Rico u said abt him the other day, u been watching to much footie on TV…..! 😛
Ni nite…!
r madrid are knocking pony out of malaga..
Vela is wasted with us unless we stick him in the centre and give him service.
Its a shame jj because he has so much talent.
Malaga, r they playin a beach bum 11…?????
vela dont fit the system..hes another eduardo
cant lead the line cos he cant hold up the ball and cant play wide cos hes games all about shooting
unless we play 442 he wont get a sniff
Vela can’t lead the line.he looks lost wide.i don’t think he’ll make it here.
Right I’m off got a dvd I need to watch so a rather large GG to be poured and off to watch some blood n guts n action. Be good all and chat 2moro…! JJ go change your tights and no dancing in front of the mirror…! 😉
benzemas got 2 ronaldos got 3
malaga have been shit and ade still cant score 😉
night wath..
ive got my lucky tights on and i aint changing em til we win the league..
Vela is good at one thing. Scoring.
JJ i think we should surprise barca at the camp nou by playing through the wings.with pique and puyol out bendy/chamakh can have a field day in the air.they won’t see it coming.
I think that was the aim of the gibbs/clichy experiment at the end of the orient game.
if we play the wings then clichy and sagna need a good day with crossing..
if we score the first goal then we got a chance but if we conceed early we will be in trouble chasing the game
We need to score 1st jj.parking the bus isn’t an option.if we score 1 they’ll need 3 if we score 2 they’ll need 4.we must attack but also stay tight and compact at the back.
I agree. score one, keep it tight and hope to hit them on the break.
I would have really hoped theo would be fit for this one.i really do hope AA is up for it.he’ll get space on the counter and we all know in the final third his decision making is good as it gets.lets hope we see AA the Ballon d’Or contender.
theres no point parking the bus..its never been an option for us anyway.
we need to play like we did at home..
they’ll come after us early so we need to get a few pieces of luck and go after their defence..and not take 10 shots to score..it needs to be early..then we can use the counter as they go gung ho
sunderland are more important tho
JJ then lets take care of mackems first then we’ll see.
i was worried at first but i read they are injury hit
new post up