Arsenal chasing Doumbia? We’re in the pot, that matters most….

Morning all.

January has been awful for high profile deaths hasn’t it and yet again this morning, Cancer has taken one of Britain’s most favourites, Sir Terry Wogan..

RIP big man, you’ll be dreadfully missed…

I didn’t see the game yesterday and only caught the highlights on Match of The Day which to be fair, didn’t go on for very long.

Three goals scored, two of which were pretty special, the other was down to shoddy defending by a few Arsenal players.

Elneny made his debut and by all accounts did pretty well considering it was his first in a new country and against a tough Championship side in Burnley.

Francis Coquelin also returned, albeit looking a bit rusty but that’s only to be expected after being out injured for so long. Alexis though, looked like he’d never been away, he really is a special special player and his winning strike was stunning. So many times in football, chances like his are blazed over the bar and into the crowd. If that was good, Chambers strike was perhaps sweeter and as Jermaine Jenas said on MOTD, had Henry or Bergkamp finished in such a fashion, the football world would be raving about the goal. The ex Tottenham man said he could watch Chamber’s goal time and time again as it was so good.

Another boost yesterday was seeing Tomas Rosicky back in an Arsenal kit and on the pitch. Great to see him return and I think he’s got a part to play between now and the end of the season, despite getting on a bit these days. lol

Theo Walcott has been on the end of a bit of stick again and his miss at the end of the game will hardly help his cause. He only had to beat the keeper and the goal would have been gaping but his footwork let him down. Bad from Walcott or smart goal keeping?

Anyway, the most important thing from yesterday is that we won, that’s all what matters on FA Cup day because as we know, lower league clubs often cause an upset which is why everyone loves the competition. That didn’t happen to us thank goodness so we are in the draw for the next round which takes place this evening.

Fingers crossed we get another home draw…

The transfer window closes tomorrow night at 11pm which doesn’t leave a lot of time for Arsenal to sign anyone else but that doesn’t stop the rumours. In what has been a relatively quiet month for all clubs, not just ours, the next 48 hours could see a few late deals go through. Arsene Wenger said he was going to be busy but that again seems to be looking like a big fat fib with just one player signed so far.

Apparently he’s got £70m burning a hole in his pocket but will he spend any of it?

Let’s hope so but somehow, I doubt it…

Marcelo Brozovic is the latest linked to us, as is Seydou Doumbia. Exciting isn’t it, especially as reports in Italy suggest Arsenal have made enquires about the latter.

Have a good Sunday guys and gals….

107 thoughts on “Arsenal chasing Doumbia? We’re in the pot, that matters most….

  1. allezkev says:

    Good post Rico…

    Tbh, I’ve found the whole circus that surrounds the transfer window a bit tedious and I’ll be glad when it’s closed…

    God knows what all those rubbish sites on NewsNow are gonna do now…

  2. allezkev says:

    Hi Stan

    Rico, what’s with all that rubbish about Alexis being Chelsea’s main transfer target…

    Yeah, just because they let us have Cech, we’re gone sell them Sanchez… Garbage

    Off out, lata boss

  3. rico says:

    Why goonster?

    I read that too Kev, apparently the ex Chile manager ants the Chelsea job and will sign Alexis… Yeah right!!

    Have a good day Kev..

  4. goonster says:

    Nothing maam one minute you want the window closed next minute you re hoping we get someone in before it shuts. Lol

  5. The BearMan says:

    Gibbs, Walcott n The Ox is getting much stick from fans. But they will regain their form soon. The Bear feels confident about that. All they really need is us fans to “give a little love”.

  6. goonster says:

    Morning scotty Oz I read that somewhere too but won’t jump the gun yet until it’s confirmed by arsene. Let’s keep our fingers crossed but if he’s truly injured I think that might be it for our little Mozart. Sad huh?

  7. goonster says:

    Howdy bearman I share your optimism. I ve been championing the ox on here for ages and I won’t stop. There’s a player waiting to break forth in that kid. He’s just one game away to super stardom and am patiently waiting for that day. Beware that day ts 😀

  8. goonster says:

    Is anyone concerned about kozzer lately? He’s averaging a mistake a game and that’s not a good sign. He’s our best CB we need him to be on his game before trips to the wastelands old bog and shite fart lane. Get it together boss. Come on.

  9. goonster says:

    For his sake scott I hope it is because they might just be it. What a player. Never really lived up to his full potential. I ll always remember his first game for arsenal I was in the stands that day at Hamburg. I screamed like a cnut when that shot flew in. So sad he never lived up to his billing.

  10. goonster says:

    Oh yes rico yesterday he was spurned by Andre gray!!! No offense to gray but if kozzer can’t handle a championship player then how on earth are we suppose to cope when kane comes calling. Am very worried about totenham rico. Those cnuts look really good and they ll only get better. I don’t know what I ll do if they finish above us or win the lottery!!! The horror.

  11. scottfromoz says:

    Rico, I get things right every now and again lol.
    Kozzer will be fine.
    Every player has a slump at some point.
    When it happens to and defenders, it’s magnified ten fold compared to a striker or midfielder.

  12. goonster says:

    Leceister ll fade am sure about that but the spuds look a frightened team lately. Had to break down and scores for free at the other end. Plus they have alli *shivers* someone needs to snap that little cnut’s ankles in pieces. By George am freaking out. Look at my nerves jangling. If totenham wins the league that’s it I might kill myself!!!

  13. goonster says:

    The rate at which their players are improving is alarming. Even Carroll looks a handful these days. A big team needs to nick poch away from those cnuts. He ll make them unbeatable in 2 seasons. They are well covered in every department. Lloris is a world class keeper. They have Toby and vertoghen plus deir and alli and up front they have kane. That’s it. It’s official am terrified of the spuds. Hope I don’t shit myself when we meet them at the lane.

  14. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Good Afternoon Lovelies and Hunkies.

    Good match report boss.

    Poor Tom. I really like him as a player but he should retire from AFC. His body is not built for the EPL.

    The injury sustained by TR07 is both a blow and a blessing. A blow because I wanted him to play for the rest of the season. However, if it means getting in an extra body now in the two days remaining it will be a blessing as well.

    Hopefully one of Isco or Brozovic comes to AFC.

    But I have my doubts.

  15. rico says:

    Sunday/Thursday will hopefully sort he Totts goonster 😉

    They only beat Colchester yesterday though…. lol

    Makes a change Scott… lol

  16. goonster says:

    With a second string team rico. Second string. We need to take those guys serious. No more forever in our shadow nonsense. Those cnuts look formidable. Am worried rico. Really worried. We won’t hear the end of it if they win the league. I might stop watching the EPL altogether. Yikes am freaking out.

  17. rico says:

    Trust me, I’m taking them serious. But I still think they’ll slip up a bit yet once Europa returns.. We just have t go on a strong and winning run until May… That’s what concerns me more, it’s ours to lose imo…

  18. goonster says:

    I hope so rico but we also have the cl to navigate too. Both legs against a strong Barca side ll be energy sapping. I hope we come through that fixture unscathed.

  19. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Rosicky is our for 4 weeks – Daily Maul source.
    Kokorin was signed for Zenith.
    From yesterday game: a) We must have to get a quick antidote to the way teams are playing against us: pressure high (because only Kos can leave more or less with the ball played). The other central back give the ball back (to the GK), kick forward or give no progression; They play 4-4-2, with both advanced along the central. They play 4-4-2, with both advanced along the 2 central backs. Then, attack with more 3 -4 players where we are completely out of our positions. The goal is obviously: Take us to the initiative of the game and the high percentage of the ball. Without the ball and initiative. Arsenal is much more fragile, with little physical presence and much less pressing.
    b) Elhemy was ok. I think will be a good add to the team
    c) Gabriel is awfull with the ball in their feet.

  20. goonster says:

    Credit where credit is due. Poch is doing a marvelous job with those lot. Even their second string team looks good. Plus they actually have a good squad. I hope you re right rico. A world where the spuds are the champions of the EPL seems warped. Wouldn’t want to live in such a world.

  21. dublingunner says:

    Afternoon Sad news of Terry wogan,s passing. done remarkable work for childrens charities. Jeez, you,d be forgiving for thinking the T.W never opened.
    Looks like a new thigh injury for Rosicky, pity.
    With wilsheres setback too, i,m just waiting for the window to close and for Arsenal to come out with the inevitable “Welbeck setback”
    Still, good win yesterday for the lads in what was always going to be tough game and fantastic to see our new boy in action too.
    Home draw please for the next round.

  22. goonster says:

    JM I totally agree with you ala Gabriel. I know per isn’t a lot of folks cup of tea but I feel more relaxed with him at the back than Gabriel. That’s me though. My own opinion. Gabby looks a bag of nerves each time he has the ball. I ll rather mert with either of them than both of them the same time.

  23. goonster says:

    Lol rico gibbo actually had a good game. Best I ve seen of him in a while. He was an outlet going forward and steady in defense. He stood out in the midst of mediocrity. Lol

  24. rico says:

    Don’t want to think about that goonster, hopefully Poch will go off elsewhere…

    Dublin, that Welbeck scenario is written in the stars isn’t it…

  25. goonster says:

    You betcha Dublin. Mert might be a tad slow and ponderous but he’s a remarkable defender. I ll say it again you re not shit if you can manage to garner a 100 caps for the German national team. He’s not getting any younger but I don’t believe he’s shit. He reads the game better than any arsenal defender out there. Plus he’s actually great with his for a giant. Per stays 😀 lol

  26. dublingunner says:

    Written in the stars is right, Rico, gutted for Rosicky,same oul story, Just bad luck, you can,t plan
    for it. He,s definitely the most experienced defender we have, goonster, like him or not.
    Interesting that the pato deal was done over Hiddink,s head, he didn,t want him, Apparently Classy, as ever. Desbicably run club.

  27. Hell Raising Devil says:

    I am with goonie regarding Per. Yes he might be ponderous and has a turn more awkward than a battleship, but his organizational skills and defence marshalling are second to none. He is the calmest of the three. Both Gabriel and Kos play better with him than together. Gabriel is still young in terms of CB…..25. Kos is more at ease with Per. Likewise Gabi. Give the latter time.

    But Per should not be moved on yet. He still has another season besides this one in him.

  28. goonster says:

    Spot on dev I even forgot his organizational skills. He famously gave ozster a hairdryer treatment after shitty shipped 6 past us 2 seasons ago for not applauding the away support. He’s a gooner first and last.

  29. goonster says:

    Each to his own rico lol each to his own but get ready for me to say I told you so when Gabriel and kozzer starts shipping in goals for fun. Lol.

  30. dublingunner says:

    thought i,d share this tweet i read during the week, before his first appearance,
    Made me laugh.
    “Great transfer window so far eh? A bloke who combs his hair with a toffee apple and can’t get a sniff of an appearance.”

  31. goonster says:

    Lol hahahahahaha Dublin that was cold mate
    Hahahahahahah. Poor old elneny 😀 I actually thought he did well for a debutant. Kept it simple and available for the return pass. We ve found a younger mikel arteta. With him in the side we ll be able to control possession better when closing out a game like the game at arnfield. An elneny would have helped us claim all 3 points. An astute signing if I may say so myself. Good job arsene.

  32. potter says:

    If you stand behind the goal and watch Per’s movement to cover space you will realise what an asset he is. Plus when he plays with Kos he helps organise Kos’ play as he does with Gabriel . It’s when the two play together that the guiding light is not there. At the moment it has to be Per and one other.

  33. dublingunner says:

    Looks a good deal, goonster, already making headlines.
    Apparently “Elneny saw more of the ball than any other player – with 100 touches – on his first home debut.”
    He,ll bring a lot of energy to the team imo.

  34. goonster says:

    Dublin he’s going to be huge for us in the coming seasons. I actually think we could develop him into some kind of deep lying midfielder. He just needs to be cautious that’s all. A 100 passes on your debut? That’s a star waiting to shine.

  35. dublingunner says:

    lets just hope the Arsenal injury curse doesn,t limit his appearances and he proves to be one of Arsene,s genius buys, fingers crossed, goonster.
    laters, off out to participate in the consumption of a few alcoholic beverages and hopefully watch MK Dons cause an unlikely upset.

  36. tsgh says:

    Hey goonie…

    I have been awaiting Ox to break through longer than I have been waiting for Elvis and Tupac to return.. 😛

    I agree with you though Per is so so under rated…

    When we signed Gbriel I mentioned why AW always went for the poorer version. Gabriels’ partner Mussachi or even Victor Ruiz. Good thing is that Gabriel played his best games at LB so he could slot in there if needed..

  37. Micko says:

    Gotta love the benefits the Emirates sponsoring the FA Cup brings to the table haven’t you guys.

    Alright Malaga, hows it going, the Ox speaks very highly of you as well lol, see Henry’s in town tonite………swim for your life.

  38. tsgh says:

    The Mozart should have given up playing for teh national team 2 or so years back…
    He is not helping any party involved including himself…

    Morning Rico and all…

    Scott- take your beer googles off! Per is Per; always has been slow but reads the game superbly 🙂
    Something this team lacks when the likes of MA08, TR07, SC19 are missing…

  39. tsgh says:

    Agree with you both…

    I have reservations about Gabriel. We can’t go back to having 2 reactive defenders i.e Kosser and Gabriel as our first choice imho…

    Gabriel is also very suspect in the air as well…

    Maybe AW needs to enter the market next summer (if he is still around) for anotehr defender. Howedes will be a marvellous one imho…

  40. scottfromoz says:

    Ginge, Gabriel has seemed pretty dominant in the air from what I’ve seen.
    He launches himself at the ball where Per, with all his size, goes In Half hearted.
    I can look right last his lack of speed, but that is one thing that’s always annoyed.
    He should never lose a challenge in the air yet rarely wins one.
    Anyway, you’re right-we do need one more good level CB.

  41. allezkev says:

    Morning All..

    Ginge, you have to give Gabriel a chance.
    It takes a defender a run of a few games to get into their stride.

    It’s as much about reading your team mates and what they are gonna do, as your opponents…

    Look at Debuchy, in out in out, and his form and confidence has vanished…

    Bellerin struggled initially and now he’s a sta leal of our defence…

    Not sure that Howdes would wanna be :Rd or 4 th choice at Arsenal, but he’s a very good player. Who can fill in in midfield, I believe…

    Morning Rico…
    The Rosicky news has sent Lee into a deep shock. Who would have thought it? ?

  42. allezkev says:

    Spellchecker can come in handy but it can also make what you’re writing look like gibberish…

    Useful but ‘effin irritating…

  43. rico says:

    Have to disagree re Gabriel being weak in the air too Ts. Some of his defensive stuff against Chelsea showed how strong he is in the air. I’d say give the guy a run in the side and he’ll become a very good defender.

  44. tsgh says:

    Fair call Kev, Rico.

    In my view Gabriel has not always been convincing in the air. Not just talking about his time in the EPl has AW unfortunately hasn’t given him enough games forus to judge him…

    On his second game/debut against Everton (I was with Syg) at the Erm when he missed timed a header that led to a goal..

    Last game (burnley) he flaffed his lines as well which led to the goal.

    Not saying Gabriel should be sold or dropped. He is a very good defender and very versatile but I think his game also suits playing against European type strikers…

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