Morning all.
Football fans amaze me. Some are never happy and the social media websites are living proof of that.
I’m not going to both copying some of the fans rants about Mesut Ozil’s performances since he’s joined us, nor those relating to Santi Cazorla, Olivier Giroud or any other player, after all they are not my view.
Over the last few seasons, quite a few to be honest, we have had cause to have a rant because we had players who despite how hard they tried, for whatever reason, they simply couldn’t cut life in the Premier League. But let’s be honest here, those players are no longer at the club, apart from Park and Bendtner of course but they will be gone in the summer, if not before.
I think back to that day late in the transfer window when Arsene Wenger confirmed that we had signed Mesut Ozil, the ‘Arsenal Internet’ went mad with fans full of absolute elation. £42 million on one player, not any old player I hasten to add, it was something we’d never heard of at Arsenal, it was something we’d been asking of the club in a while.
Since Ozil signed, many of his Madrid team-mates have expressed their shock, disappointment and even anger at losing a player who was considered to be one of the best at Real Madrid. Even their fans were pretty cheesed off to see him go and Bale sign in his place.
Suddenly, that same player who so many were elated to see sign for us, is being criticised for his ‘average’ performances.
He’s already shown that his cute and accurate passing create us goals and he’s already scored 3 goals which is not bad for a midfielder after just three months in a new and very different league. Let’s not forget he didn’t have a pre-season with his team-mates either so he, and the rest of the players are still getting used to each other. How many times to we hear players who start the season well suggest that having a good pre-season made the difference? Many is the answer.
Suddenly, his £42 million price tag is deemed to have been ‘not worth it’. I actually believe that £42 million was too much, not just for Mesut Ozil but for any player but that’s life in this mad world within the game of football, after all, how on earth was Bale valued at double that amount?
Comparing the two costs, Ozil was/is worth every penny of his signing fee.
What Ozil did is add something quite different to our already competent and ever growing midfield, he lifted the hearts and minds of all the players around him and most of the fans and I strongly suspect he’s sold the most shirts since we signed Dennis Bergkamp so him joining us in the summer was nothing but a win win situation in my humble opinion.
Most players from overseas need a season to adjust but I believe Ozil has settled in just fine and as the season progresses he’ll just get better and better. I also believe him signing will attract a better quality of player. Mind you, so will the players he joined as they just get better and better with time……
We may not be seeing the best of him right now but surely there is no need to be critical of him.
In fact is there a justifiable reason to be too critical of any of our players right now?
Our last few months have seen great improvement and if the league was played through a year instead of August to May, we’d be the best in 2013 by far….
Here is the table thanks to The Mirror.
We sit top of the league, top of our Champions League group and we still have the FA Cup to look forward to so all is pretty good.
Of course there is room for improvement, there is always is football as there is in life but I don’t know about everyone else, but I’m thrilled to bits with where we are right now.
That’s my moan over for the day…..
No doubt Ozil has gone quiet and yes at times his effort has been questionable lately. You set a high bar at 42m in fairness. No doubt he has the ability but the state of mind is supposedly why they let him go. Most of his team mates would argue this of course and his stats are amazing. Couple of assists the Theo and he’s back in business. Its not unusual after all the fan fair for a player to let down a bit. He has to much ability to stay quiet for long. The season is looking very positive I agree. don’t agree with Arsene (whats new) that we don’t need another striker, you don’t make do when you are the best, you improve further.
Hey Rico and everyone,
How are you all? Miss you all.
About the other night, I thought we were not so special. We were ok and still we scored 2 and had that chip and/or back heel got in we would have had 4. Both of them were just sublime piece of skill. Lets hope next time they go in.
Morning again…
A very interesting and good post;
I think the SC19 part was written with me in mind.. :P; I guess I may be the only one who moans about him…
I however, stand by my views but open to be corrected if I am wrong.
When we signed him and some fans were wondering why RM and Barca were not interested, I said then that SC19 almost always went missing in big games…; I also said I considered him almost as good as Iniesta…
I do not think I have been wrong so far on his performances against top teams but again I may be wrong…
The TEST for a world class player to me is how effective that player is against the very top teams and in crucial games; Ronaldo, Ribery, Pirlo, Gerard, Lavezzi, Ibrahimovic,Lew and Messi and the likes 9/10 perform in big games…
Your boy Theo performs in the bigger games but maybe does not motivate himself against smaller teams imo and that is my only grip e with him…
Hi s2s how are you buddy?
Hi Oz, I agree with you mate; this is Ozil’s game. It is his nature and that was why when we bought him I mentioned that some of the fans that fans worshiping will be moaning come December and I guess I was not wrong.
I have no problem with Ozil at all because I had watched him at u-21 level and at Bremen so he will always have his magical and lethargic moments…
On the striker front, most teams have 2 strikers only apart from the oilers, Yanited and chavs; even the mighty RM have only 1 natural striker; BM and BVB have only 2 strikers with only 1 that can be considered a starter…
Strikers are very had to find at the moment so we just have to do the best with what we have; if we are lucky to find a striker of Dzeko’s quality somewhere then lets make it happen…
tsgh – hi mate. I would like to see the Pod given a run centrally with his mate in behind i must be honest and very likely now i think at some stage
Morning All.
Morning Rico. A good if rather depressing post.
We are 4 points clear, at the top of the EPL…
We are top of our CL Group with one foot in the Knockout Stages..
We have a wonderful team full of exciting and technically gifted players.
We also have a strong squad. A squad with a winning mentality…
And still, some, so called, Arsenal fans are not happy.
We fcuk them. They must be cretins…
I am very very happy with our squad and manager.
I am very happy with the football we are producing.
Yes, there is room for improvement, but there always is.
Some people need to get a life…..
Oh, and ignore the Press/Media. They’re all wankers!!!
Er, ‘well fcuk them’ that should read, phew!!!
Angry typing… 😉
As far as I am concerned I think we tend to play five games in one game and that would be
1) First 20-25 mins: Here we would go absolutely silky and all out attacking and look for goal/s.
2) 20-45 mins: We will slow the tempo and see if opposition makes mistake and punish them but with only one intent not to concede. We would defend as a unit and focus on not conceding.
3) First 5 mins of 2nd half: If we have not scored in first half we’d do the same in first 5 mins of second half.
4) Up to 67th mins: Here again the handbrake approach. With this we shall try and lure the other team in false safety. And play like foxes and play on counter.
5) The last 20 mins: These are the most fun mins to watch in Arsenal game, opposition tires and we just put them to sword. Just eye catching.
Morale of the story: Don’t miss Arsenal playing in first quarter of the game and especially not in the last quarter.
Too much, but not here for weeks, so understandable.
Hi S2S.
Thanks Ts but no, I didn’t have you in mind when mentioning Cazorla.
Over the weekend I just saw a few headlines about how ‘average’ some of our players are performing and I just don’t understand why.
We have had a load of injuries, players have had to play in most games, added to that their international duty and how many sickness bugs have we had this season? Three is my count.
We are doing the best we have for many a year yet ‘some’, and I dislike using such a word, still want to pick holes in individuals..
Yes I agree there are matches where the likes of Theo/Santi etc could help out more defensively, but none of us know what their role is, maybe Wenger tells them to do something different to what we expect…
Morning Rico, couldn’t agree more. Easier to moan than praise, especially on the internet. I think we are used to being critical because we have had good reason in last few years. But let’s all enjoy it at the moment. How many of us would have even dreamt we might be four points clear approaching the end of November?
Talkshite and the Ginger Cretin have the footballing ‘gospel’ though. 😛
The AVB bashing has started this morning. Its never Levi’ nor Franco Baldini’s fault for buying players for the sake of it when it comes to the sperds…
When ‘arry – the media darling was in charge pf them, it was never his fault but Levi for not spending £35M on Damaio to enable them to finish above us… Jokers the lot of them!
Morning Kev.
It is depressing and right now I feel like packing my bags and heading off to the sunshine…. 😉
I think your comment says it all 🙂
Hey Ts,
Been good mate, way too much work and have too read a lot to be in this profession but I tend to miss there. Hoping to have few interns so that can share my work load. Hopefully soon enough.
My sentiments do not apply to any of the regulars on here btw…
No subtle messages from me, just despairing at the attitude of some so called Arsenal fans on phone-ins and certain other blogs…
No offence meant to anyone on here…
I actually quite enjoyed last night tsgh to be honest for more reason than one hahahah
how obvious is the shift in the water since Fergie left – did you hear the commentators going on and on about the Rooney foul, would never have happened a season ago – says a lot about the levelling of the game IMO
I agree about Poldi; – Oz; I suspect AW has him in mind for that position. Hopeful his intelligent play will help the likes of SC19 and Ozil lift their game…
Lowe also has Poldi in mind as a striker I suspect, as he is now playing either Ozil or Kruse as the no.9 for the krauts.
Morning Ah.
I certainly didn’t which is why I am enjoying all things Arsenal right now. But I’m not daft either, I know we can play better than we do sometimes but as the weekend showed, sometimes the opposition need to be credited.
It’s easy to say Boruc gifted us, but like I said yesterday, how many strikers would have given up on that chance because it looked clear-cut that the keeper would clear it…
The only two games I think annoyed me were Dortmund at home and OT – we could so easily have not lost either…
The reason I posted the ‘alternative league’ is because it shows how much we are improving – if those bufoons who batter twitter etc can’t see that then they will never be happy…
I know I so often say why bother mentioning comments from those who are not on HH – but I guess my feathers have been ruffled….
Thanks Rico, some fans just have no idea how to enjoy themselves…
I have seen positives in every game this season, even the defeats…
The ref stitched us up vs Villa…
A couple of silly mistakes vs Chavs, which will be put right next time.
Dortmund was bad luck.
ManUre was equally bad luck plus sickness…
I am totally optimistic about the rest of this season and am thoroughly enjoying it…
I am sure you did Oz;:D no pun intended to anyone but does Moyes look more ‘ginger-haired’ when results don’t go his way? lol
Rico, you have a very valid point about AW’s instructions… but on the other hand in SC19’s case he is dropped for Spain all the time even when Iniesta is missing in the crucial games in favour of Mata even though I think SC19 is a far better player…
Sc19 is started when Spain are playing 3rd tier teams like Tahiti and co. in my view… 😉
Exactly Kev….
Cardiff next weekend away, another tough tough game but I bet there are fans who believe we only need to turn up to get the points.
Wrong, they will fight from start to finish and if we get all three points, that will be a huge victory imho…
@Rico:
That OT game. Nightmare. I would really want to see that smugness wiped off that smug’s face.
But Spain is Spain Ts, Arsene is Arsene and we all know he likes creative attacking football.
Interesting comment s2s at 9:36; last season roughly 77% of goals conceded came between the 15th and 37th minute of both halves. Whilst we won over 65% of our games scoring in the last 20 minutes.
I guess Mr 75 minutes has a reason. 🙂
On Ozil’s’ below par performances’, AW needs to play him in his proper position too. Rico, made a comment on saturday about not playing a proper right footed winger like Serge on the RHS instead of JW and I agree…
there is nowhere in this league you just turn up to now Rico – that we can be sure of. Amazing season in so many ways. The manager changes have caused havoc, the lessor teams have strengthened well in many cases, the ball park is more even on calls now, probably one of the most entertaining seasons for many years in process.
S2S, me too but with the bug in the camp, it wasn’t to be…
I look forward to them coming to The Emirates.
Totally agree Oz and it’s good really as players know every game they have to fight…
Off for an hour, Fido needs a walk…
Morning all, Good post Rico.
I am as some people would say, one of life’s moaner’s yes i hold my hands up. Arsenal FC stand proud at the top of the league and they are top of their group in the Champions league and yet i still moan why. Being a lifetime supporter of the Gunners i have seen some very exciting Arsenal greats i have also seen some magical victories i have seen doubles i have seen Champions league finals i have been a very lucky football supporter over the years, As a kid i can remember many Arsenal players who turned my head players who i still hold in esteem George Armstrong was one of my favourites along with Radford Charley boy also floated my boat Peter Story an absolute animal i felt in those days sent shivers up my spine watching Bob Wilson also made me realise that putting a good keeper in was very important and Seaman showed me later on that you seldom win things if you have not got a good keeper Bergy Henry Viera Adams and i still see Keown glaring at Van Nistleroy yes i have been a very lucky supporter but nowadays i expect to see that all the time Greedy yes i am. Mesut Ozil may prove me wrong he may become an Arsenal legend and i certainly hope he does but where we have had greats in the past, not many of the Arsenal Present team is ever going to stand in my mind like those players of the past. Van Persies last 2 seasons with us will last in my memory for some time, many supporters see him as a traitor now but he was and still is class Giroud can work his socks off all day long but i know who i would rather have . Getting back to the post and people like me moaning i would just like to point out that high transfer prices mean very little its what players do in their 90 minutes that count for me. If you look at players like Torres and Carrol high prices indeed but what have they given for that money, very little indeed sure in time these player may improve but how long do you give them me i would offload both of them but thats just me. At present The Arsenal are not doing bad but supporters have got to push for more and more talent never be satisfied with what we have when we win push for more goals expect these players to their all in every game after all when are you ever going to earn a hundred grand a week . I expect to see Arsenal players busting a gut every week i expect to see Arsenal win and i expect them to beat teams like Villa Utd and the Chavs i push for cups i push for our empty Emirates cabinett to be filled i dont want to hear about we don’t need a centre forward, we all know we are desperate for one all i ask for is a player to be able to give his all for 90 minutes every week is that too much to ask 100 grand for 90 minutes wouldn’t you bust a gut for that, I expect Ozil and the rest to give me that in every game, when they don’t i moan. 🙂
Good day all, i think Ozil is a class act, i normally watch with my son, and every time Ozil gets the ball i will tell him that is sheer class, it seems that time stands still when he has the ball, only players with class has so much time. Now that Theo is back you will see more of Ozil, because Theo will give us more options going forward. Come on guys, we have the best team in the PL, be positive and enjoy. COYG’s (My dream is still to one day have your privilege, and watch my team live @ the Emerates, you lucky devils.)
Hi Sp, be careful, some of those greats you list, like Bergkamp, Henry, Paddy, Rvp are all overseas players…
You know the ones, the ones you suggested ruined the England national team….
😆
Laters..
Rico,
Lets hope Dortmund/Napoli draw and we win tomorrow. If that happens then on 12th we can go to Italy with our 2nd tier team since we are playing City on 14th. We have two hardest game within 3 days and if we lose any people will moan even more.
Good Morning to the Lady of the House and all fellow Gooners in residence.
Rico – Another great article. I can’t add or subtract much from it. There is no pleasing some people though.
I miss Gervinho! At least he was an obvious target. 😛
Hi SP1, as I said during the summer even before we bought Ozil or Flamoney, I think we can win the league with luck being on our side but I can’t see us winning any cup tournaments because we have too many players who are worshiped by sections of fans who go missing in top games… ; I personally do not believe in spending on players unless they are special as most players are overrated in my view. If I had it my way Aneke, Afobe, Frimmy and Yennaris will be given a chance but its not an ideal world.
My biggest concern is that this team is pivoted on Ramsey at the moment. When he does not turn up we struggle to even score. And injury to him could be very derimental to our midfield imho…
I am more interested in giving a younger player and opportunity to do what Ramsey does for the team in terms of ground/distance covered.
What Ramsey is doing for us is what Fletcher did for Fergie in 2008 or 2009 for them to win the league and CL. He is doing what Vidal did for Juve last season and Gattuso did for Milan for a long time. Rijkaard also did a similar job for Milan in the 90’s.
This season Kroos is doing the same for BM whilst Bender is not doing what Gundogan use to do for BVB last season with Gundagun injured…
Thanks ts,
The best time to watch Arsenal is after 70th minute. The way we play after that is breathtaking. Against BvB at home after 65th minutes, I had texted my friend our game starts now and just after that we conceded but I still maintain that you shall not miss out on last quarter of game when Arsenal play.
Hi Cg how was your wkend?
Hiya BFL were are you based?
Kev – I’m in total agreement with your 9:33 a.m. post.
Some people just don’t apreciate what they have. They can only focus on what they don’t or think they don’t have. They have to learn to stop and smell the roses and begin to enjoy life.
Too many ‘prawn cocktail’ fans instead of true supporters. However, that doesn’t mean that we can’t offer some constructive criticism when needed.
I too am enjoying my football this season. Not all our games are classics, but which club’s are?
what a good series of posts, most enjoyable reads all of them
Ts,
I don’t think it is our only problem. Last season our top goal getters were Theo, Giroud, Poldi and Santi. Out of those 4 only Giroud has been one who has preseason and luck with injury. Theo got injured just when he was getting in grove and same goes for Poldi which rules out 2 of our 4 best striking options. Then there is Santi. He hasn’t had preseason or luck with injury so in a way he is having his preseason right now. I see him going on rampage after or around Christmas.
Because of this we have had to rely on goals from everywhere else and thank god Rambo stepped up since for all the awesomeness of Rocky, Jack, Mesut, Arteta and Co. they are not natural goal scorers like some of above mentioned are.
Once we get those mean front three back, we’d not have such situation. I suppose.
Top of the League.
Best i can conjure up 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Actually….0-6.
Even better hahahaha
100m for 6-0 has a ring to it actually hahaha
Super Post Rico, thank you.
Ozil’s blistering start to his Arsenal career showed what he can do, and no one can say they were not impressed.
But he brings more than his own performances to the party, because so many of our squad have said what an iconic player he is to them, and it is no surprise that many of them seem much more confident and have lifted their games.
Coincidence? Maybe. But I rather think it is his presence that has made the whole team so much more confident in themselves, and with this renewed confidence has come success.
Personally I am not bothered by those who moan.
It is their way of letting off steam borne from anxiety.
We have all met many different types of personalities outside of football. You know, from the always cheerful, positive and outwardly going people who always see the best in everything, to those who are chronically gloomy and introspective who always fear and see the worst.
We all slot in there somewhere.
No one can change another’s demeanour, and most of us cannot change our own, and why should we?
It is all part of life’s rich tapestry. 🙂
HenryB – Glass half full or half empty hey mate?
Ginge – I had a great weekend.
I was up early Saturday morning to watch our game versus Sotton. It wasn’t a classic, but after a hard fought must win game away to Dortmund and an international break, I think the team did well. I then tuned in to watch the Merseyside derby. That was a real hammer and tongs game which I was glad to see the Toffees get a point from.
Sunday, I was up very early again to watch Abu Dhabi Citeh give the Spuddies an absolute schooling. AVB’s face late on said it all. Then in the afternoon, I ran the lines for my older son’s men’s game. He was playing at left back, but went up for and scored a great header off a corner kick and his team won 4-1.
So all in all, short of having my wicked way with a bevy of young stunners, I had a great weekend. Now, on to Tuesday and a good/great game versus Marseille.
Ozil is sensational.
Watch when Theo and Pod get into gear with him feeding them.
s2s- On theo, fans have rightly missed or appreciated what he brings to the squad due to his absence; but I call a spade a spade, Theo has scored less than 10 goals this whole calendar year even though his assists and goals during the beginning of last season covers this vital fact. Gerv has scored more goals than Theo this year… 😉
I agree with you on Rambo but it is not just about the goals in my previous post.
I like and rate Arteta more than probably alot of other fans who rate Flamini but to me based on stats and results, Arteta can’t play with Flamini but most importantly Arteta can’t play without Ramsey covered the ground.
Teams who win the league always have more than 1 of their players running the most distance in the league.
When you look at our team only Ramsey and Sagna consistently appear in the top 4 in that stake when we play. Maybe it is just work ethics or a lack of but as I say when Iniesta and Pirlo who are over 30 by the way cover more distance in games most weekends than our wingers and most of our players then something is not quite right imho…
Maybe we lost to Yanited because some players were unwell but Rooney has ‘single-handedly’ out ran all of our players in previous fixtures. But maybe as I wrote in a post a wek or so ago AW bottling it has something to do with it too…
It sounds like you are having all the fun Cg. How cold is Canada now?
Locally it was a high of 9ºC (48.2ºF) today, but we are generally the warmest part of the country at this time of year. Further east it positively freezing with many bad snowstorms and low sub-zero temperatures.
It’s a big country (4-5,000 miles wide).
Ts:
I love Arteta. He is the catalyst for a lot of things and he is way better than Flamini. But I am just addressing the goal scoring issue. And I think Theo fits that bill. He scares the hell out of his full back and hardly will his full back go on attacking. Not saying he is very good player but for us he provides something different than what we have and with WC on the horizon he would definitely have rocket up his arse.
On the Theo comment above if that is put in a different light such as 11 goals in 37 games in 2013 then it is still an impressive return. In fact it is quite impressive considering about 6 of those goals were important such as the one that broke the deadlock at OM away.
Morning all.
Great post. And completely agree. I saw some twats video post on youtube being critical of Ozil and how we aren’t creating enough chances. We have the equal second highest amount of goals scored in the league, pretty decent. Ozil can play better than he has of late, we know that, but he is still settling in a new country. Give him time to flourish, not get on his back after 3 months.
As Kev said earlier, these people are fucking cretins.
😀 ”It’s a big country (4-5,000 miles wide).” very true.
I have been in your country in the past Suffield, Alberta ( the British Army training base) to be precise where it may be warm but snowing in Quebec.
😀 s2s, not a lot of people will agree with you on Flamini vs Arteta but I guess it is what it is. I agree with you btw; I know it may appear that I dislike Flamini sometimes but during the summer I was one of the people who thought he would be good for us even before he played for us even though I preferred Cabaye.
Additionally, I know stats do not paint a perfect or the whole picture but when the team conceded less goals or keeps clean sheets with Arteta in the side than with Flamini and also Arteta makes more successful tackles and covers more distance in a game as compared to Flamini who is younger and is deemed much more mobile then I think it is reasonable to assume so…
Top of the league.
Love it.
Not liking the Nacho rumours, hopefully all just rubbish. I don’t think it will be too long before he and Gibbs both start.
Hello again all, and thanks re the post guys….
I think part of the problem(s) the team are having is that Arsene and the coaching staff are still trying to figure out our best lineup and the best positions for some of the team. Add to that our misfortune with injuries to the likes of Oxlade-Chamberlan, Podolski, Sanogo, Vermaelen, Walcott, et al and we are doing well despite al this.
I’m looking forward to the day when Arsene has the massive headache of deciding who plays when everyone, Diaby excepted, is fit. The team has a good mix of promising young players (e.g. Gnabry, Ox, Zelalem) through seasoned veterans (e.g. Arteta, Rosciky). We now have the economic muscle to buy great/top top players. All is not great, but the present looks good and the future looks even brighter. What is not to like?
Maybe, Arsene or Santa Claus will bring us a few pleasant surprise for the new year.
10.17 S2S – can’t Napoli then get top spot if they beat us in the final game?
We need to top the group for a change….
Morning Cg, you have had a busy weekend 😉
Well said CG.
Hi Rico, Bilbao? No… I thought they only bought Biscay born players. Do they have money to match his 60k a week salary?
I was more concerned about Manuel coming in for him as Cliche is back to his comical self.
Goodmorning all
Good post rico
Back soon, need to scan thru the comments
Good News:
https://twitter.com/MailSport/status/404932358832279552
I hope so too Cg, even if it’s just a striker on loan.
Can’t see too much going on in January though, not with it being WC year. Unless we sign players from a country which hasn’t qualified of course and there are a few….
Hi Ts, good point about City, but I can’t see Nacho moving there, he’s really happy with us. So he says…
And Ozil has said he wants to stay at Arsenal for ever…. Good.
Hi Scott, you keeping a low profile?
Thanks emma..
Finally our bench is looking much stronger, all we need now is OC to get back.
Tsgh, I am from south africa, i agree with you that Arteta and Flamini should not play together, as it restricts our attacking part of our game. I too prefer Arteta as he brings more to the party, and with our defence playing so well at the moment, do we really need to play Arteta and Flamini together. Although i think the boss will play them together against the “bigger” teams and maybe in the CL.
Cg, re 11:24, a valid point you have made… additionally, it could be said that AW is too soft on certain players.
Some examples.
Flamini: he left for a number of reasons including not playing as a DM/CM; but when he went to Milan he almost always played as a fullback
Le Coq: He complains about playing FB but when he was on loan with L’Orient he played RB and RW; he has never been used as a DM at Freisburg either in fact he has even played LW on loan.
Nasri: He claimed he would sign a contract with us if he is guaranteed a CM/CAM role but at $hitty he is playing as a winger but is not complaining…
JW: He played as a RW at youth level and LW at Bolton on loan but he says on TV that he is not used to playing on the wings just because he prefers to play as a no.10…
B-something: played as a winger on loan on a couple of occasions and never complained as far as I am aware
The list goes on and on; or it could be just that the media are reporting things out of context as they do… 😉
Seen BFL, same as Bradster
Morning, good post rico, i think the other MF have a lot to do with Ozil performance, some of our MF don’t know when to pass or dribble, thus shutting down spaces for Ozil to create chances. JW is one of the main culprit, if the MF allows the ball to do the work, Ozil will create more. MA08 should watch a tape of Medel performance yesterday that’s what is required in this arsenal team not slowing down the flow of the game and allowing the opposing team to get there shape back. Imo
In the next few weeks, one of the main stat sites/databases will be publishing stats on the number of times JW loses the ball or gets fouled compared to similar creative players like Holtby, Oscar, Ozil, SC19, Lamela etc ; it will be interesting to see the views of JW’s staunchest fans.
Hi Ginge, there is a lot of action happening down under atm 🙂
Scott, I bet there is with the Cricket and all… 🙂
JW gets the most fouls because he don’t know when to dribble or pass. That’s the same reason AVB drop Townsend to the bench yesterday, it’s a notable trend in the PL this season with most young English talent thinking they are Ronaldo. Lol
Ginge – I think Arsene has put the Mr. Nice Guy persona behind him this past year. Players who don’t perform well or are returning from injury have to play their way back into the team and are no longer automatic picks. We’ll have a clearer picture of that when everyone, well nearly everyone, are back fit.
Thanks Gdna – I think as the season goes on and they all get used to each others game, we’ll see things improve… And now that TW is back, hopefully we’ll see a bit more pace and width in our attacking game..
Afternoon rico and all.
Excellent post rico. I really don’t know what the moaning is all about. We can certainly improve individually and collectively but, our position is no fluke and is not down to Ramsey and OG alone. What people should realise about Mesut is that he rarely gives the ball away in the final third. This either helps us create an opportunity or, ensure that we’re not caught on the break especially when we’ve committed numbers forward. We should cut him some slack.
Ha ha Cg, Diaby is a starter when fit. 😀 His performance in the sick bay is the reason we are top. lol
Hiya Dna, I thought that was what excited you about JW?
Hi ginge. Sorry about your german half. Told you I feared for her…but hey, sunday’s chicken was well roasted.
Ginge, it is Arsenal related….much more important than cricket 🙂
S2S About missing the last quarter of the game, when would half the crowd get into their fire drill routine and head for Arsenal tube station, I reckon half the crowd spend more time queuing up than watching the match. I always walk by and if I am getting on public transport walk up to Manor House , if your heading into the city you get a seat on an empty train.
However today’s subject :- Arteta makes our midfield tick but needs rapid players around him as he is getting caught for speed quite a lot. Flamini marks tighter and goes to ground to tackle and is always a yellow card in waiting. They really can’t play together. Ramsey needs to play central which impacts on JW ‘s game. TR07 is the missing link when we need to pressure teams in the last 25 minutes and Theo needs to learn German because if he listens to Ozil he will become 10 times the player he is. Like Kos who is tied to BFG’s piece of string , if Theo allows Ozil to tell him when and where to run he will become the dangerous weapon we all know he could be.
Finally should we moan when things don’t look so stunningly brilliant , we are top we have a 4 points lead which means that we can cock up once and maintain our position . We are approaching Christmas from a position of strength , moaning about the football , No way we are on a precarious trip but at least we are in a strong position to ride it out, everyone is saying we need a forward , I am not sure with Podolski and Theo coming back we will have goals around albeit not from the sources that we have had up till now. It’s the other end where we can’t afford the injuries. Should the keeper or BFG be out for a few weeks the panic button would be well and truly hit.
Ginge – Diaby is why I said “…well nearly everyone, are back fit”. He is great when he is fit, but that is as rare as a virgin in a bordello.
It is a shame, but I don’t ever see him as a regular player for us or anyone else.
Well it has been a long and busy, but very enjoyable weekend. I’m off to bed to dream of our victory in the Champions League tomorrow.
Have a great afternoon and evening all and good night to Scott and OzGunner in the the land down under.
Kev – It’s great to see you back to your old positive self.
Till tomorrow fellow Gooners. Keep the Faith!
Some so called fans are just not satisfied with anything. We are on top of the league and CL and we are still complaining. Ozil’s criticism is just insane. This is a guy that comes from a league that’s less physical and more tactical into a league that’s the opposite. If you watch the spanish liga you will observe that what is regarded as a foul there is easily deemed as no foul over here. He is just 2+months old in this league and adjusting to the physical nature/speed of the league and some fickle fans are moaning ;). He is still getting to know his teammate, characteristics of each players, body language of his teammates when to receive/give a pass or make a run etc. We might not see the best of him this season or probably we will in the run in next year if he is able to adjust quickly.
If you can’t see what he does and analyze it properly then you are not observant enough. He cuts out the channel in the AM area when we are defending, makes runs into spaces when we are on the front foot. We’ ve operated without natural wingers with pace who can get behind the defence line since injury to Ox, TW and Podolski. That is where Ozil comes in. Ozil has that ability to play thru those slide rule passes behind the defence. Unfortunately for the last 2 months we lost this players who can get behind the defence line thru injuries. I can still recall Theo’s last match vs Sunderland before the injury when ozil played 3 slide rule passes to him but was unable to score.
Ts, I call it as I see it, I’m not going to complain too much because the injuries we had from the start of the season and our position in the league, all our players should be commended. I’m taking the time out to give god thanks for what these lads have done so far. Points win the PL and so far these set of players are doing brilliantly, I’m praying they continue the good work and give me 50 points after 20 games, which ever way I don’t care. A win is a win. Imo.
Ozil is the key to TW and Podolski. Let’s not forget both players had 35 goals with 21 assist last season. That’s a huge miss and we are still top of the league without them. Hope they both get to full match fitness quicker.
Thanks Chills..
Potter – think you are spot on re Ozil/Theo and if both stay fit now for a long while, we cna enjoy watching their play unfold before our eyes..
emma, you missed out the bit where he occupies any space he’s see’s us missing in, left, right or central, Ozil pops up everywhere… 😉
Night Cg…
rico – 😉 he does pops up everywhere. That will afford TW to pair with Giroud in attack.
Fans look at the small picture but refuse to see the big one
https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/404950539151998976
Night Cg,
Dna, I was just iisting btw…
https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/404953300757278720
jist * even
https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/404951526918991872
https://twitter.com/wilshere_team10/status/404954000514371584/photo/1
Emma,
I love your passion and loyalty, but those who want to moan will continue to do so, so sod them. 🙂
Just continue being your self and don’t let them wind you up.
I’m with Hb emma, stuff em 😉
For those of us who did not see the bigger picture of what ozil did vs Southampton I advise you watch Breakdown on arsenal player. It’s free just register and you will be able to view the video
https://twitter.com/adrianjclarke/status/404960289482739712
Interesting that AW has spoken about Ozil. Was he asked about him does anyone know?
The midfield selection is surely going to give a headache now. Good un though.
Great post Rico, straight from the heart.
Who would have said at the end of last season that we would be where we are now, ie; top of the league.
Looking at the Spuds and what they have spent on transfers, we are doing okay. We do need another striker, deep down Arsene knows that, lets see what he does in January.
I for one, think that signing Ozil, will reap rewards in the short and long term, he just needs to settle in over here.
Well done Kev, for speaking your mind, no need to apologise.
Thanks Marinello, as said earlier, I didn’t expect us to be top of the league at this stage, and I certainly didn’t expect us to be doing as well in the CL…
We are definitely on rise, just 2/3 more strong additions and we’ll be even better…
I agree Rico. A top striker and perhaps a long term look at the RB situation.
I really hope Monreal stays. He is a really good player I think.
I don’t think any of us expected to be where we are at the moment but we do have to strengthen the squad either by purchasing or developing the ones coming through.
In a sense our past financial prudence should enable us to buy the right players. The lack of action in the summer means that we will have to pay through the nose for the right player in January but the rewards, long term, could be worth it.
In as much as I share our optimism of getting in a striker in January, I still don’t think we will get one. We will need to make do with the players we’ve got already and hope that we don’t have any major injury setback in the course of the season.
Sorry, I popped of to to Drs….
Adam, agree re the rb situation too, I truly can’t see Nacho leaving so soon, especially after what he’s said recently.
All o.k I hope.
Agree Potter, this is not the time to stand still, standing still was the cause of all our troubles. SK needs to ensure AW has the money available.
emma – I’m not convinced we won’t sign a striker in Jan, especially after Ivan Gazidis recent comments..
Good Afternoon Rico and All.
Very interesting Read Rico and I do share you frustration.
We’re on top of the table with 4 Points to spare.
For once, we spent 42 Mils on a single player in Arsenal history.
We got rid of the so-call deadwoods
We didn’t sell any of our main player last T/W
We’re top of the table in the CL
What is there not to be proud of if you’re a true Arsenal fans/supporters???
Are we not good enough?
This is our moment and let us enjoy every bit of it. “It better to light a candle than curse in the dark.”
Afternoon Ng.
And still in the FA Cup 😉
https://twitter.com/premierleague/status/405002990257709056
https://twitter.com/premierleague/status/405003205027041280
Rico,
AW did make an Important proviso to the comment when he said that he was not under any pressure to buy a striker in January.
He also said that it was often difficult to get a quality player in the Jan transfer window because other clubs were naturally reluctant to release them.
I think we all know that really. The inference is that if they are available then like Bendy they are rubbish, and if they are good quality then their team will also be going well in their league and the club would not want to weaken their side.
The best hope would be to get a ‘Bosman’ player and pay money to get him in January, rather than wait and get him for nothing in the summer.
Maybe Villa will sell Benteke in Jan as they are not playing all that well? But then he has not been playing all that well this season either, and is a bit too similar to Giro.
(I am glad I am not a manager – it would do my head in!) 🙂
rico- probably get a backup striker but not a top top top striker we all desire. We might be patient till the summer in my opinion
Walcott back…
Podolski back in December…
Sanogo back in January….
No new striker in the January Window?
Yes thanks Potter, just went about my headaches, been told to use the computer less!!
Two of the FA’s finest there emma… You could be right about the striker, but I hope you’re not 😉
Kev, I don’t think AW believes Sanogo is a ‘this season’ player, I still live in hope we will get someone, we must surely.
Hb, I agree, it’s very difficult but we all know too well that money in your pocket is a wonderful thing and we have plenty of that 🙂
Unfortunately Rico, I cannot see Arsene signing a top quality striker in January…
Don’t be suprised if he signs nobody, because it won’t suprise me…
But Kev, you have convinced me that Llorente is on his way 😉
AW has ruled out a return for Henry today….
The club had 100 days to sign a striker in the summer and failed. How much harder can it be in January? Money makes all things possible in football and we have bundles of it. Not to do it and then lose Giroud to injury and fail to win anything will be unforgivable.
Strengthen ASAP I say.
I have to agree Adam.
Off to get some dinner now…
Yes Rico, Llorente would be my choice for sure…
Not sure if Arsene shares my enthusiasm for the player…
Spaghetti hoops on toast??? 😉
I doubt he does Kev 😉
Alphabetti Spaghetti 😛
Evening folks,
Marica is being linked to us again. lol
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1865082-transfer-rumour-rater-ciprian-marica-to-arsenal-in-the-january-window?
I saw that this morning Ts, what a load of rubbish that story is..
ha ha ha… you got to laugh though Rico… we did not buy him when he was free during the summer but it is seemingly sensible to pay for him instead.
Sure does Ts. Think i saw it in The Metro and seems the BR have jumped on board. Crikey, even I didn’t re-print that one 😉
I’m off for the day now, have a good evening all…
Night Ts, Adam, Kev and all….
Night Rico..
Marica sounds just the kind of striker (and interfering agent) we don’t need…
What’s Romainian for ‘jog on’…???
I’m with Adam on the mineral situation. There is absolutely no way he can be allowed to leave, even on loan. You can be certain that if he does leave, that Gibbs will pick up a season-ending injury…
It’s up to Wenger to give him some games, to keep him from getting too unsettled…
Tomorrow night vs Marseilles looks a great opportunity for Nacho to be given a start…
Mineral?????? 🙄
Monreal….. 😉
F.A Cup coming up Nacho will play in those matches. He would have had the other cup if we hadn’t got the Chavs and played into their hands.
this is ten years ago today……….
and if we all hate Mondays imagine what it feels like to be a spuddie supporter………….the day after getting thrashed 6-0 😆
Good Morning everyone bdw
Morning Devil and all..
Kev, I think it ends in ‘offski’ 😉
Morning Lady.
how are you??
still sick???
righto……..offski for some workski
laterzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Catch you later Devil… Have a good day..
Morning peeps,
A nice bright day in my patch of the South East.
The ‘pundits’ reckon anything win less than a tennis or cricket score line against OM will be a failure on our part. phew
I am not so sure about that even if OM do not have one of the Ayews’ due to injury…
Its a shame this did not happen imo… I know he was not as revered as Hig but…
‘In-form Manchester City striker Alvaro Negredo came close to joining rivals Arsenal in the summer instead, it has been revealed.’
That is a great shame Ts.
New Post up now