Well i think last night’s match gave us lots to debate and discuss it also showed us why we are all so torn over our team at the moment.
In retrospect we really should of lost the game and possible been on the end of a hammering to a PSG side that’s in all honesty decent but nothing special (what does that make us) they missed a bucket load of chances and we were not at the races for huge portions of the game.
Having said that, yes we were pretty poor, we had lots of possession where it didn’t matter and where we didn’t hurt PSG at all, we looked unbalanced and they seemed to open us up at will and despite this the players kept going, Ospina made some great saves, we rode our luck and we kept plugging away and in the end grabbed a draw from a match we should have lost.
The arguments rage about team selection and rotation yet I didn’t see a team that was balanced, if we going to rotate then surely give the side balance. We were all over the place at times and players were isolated Sanchez being a prime example, we had players playing tippy tappy just outside the opposition penalty box yet not one shirt actually inside the penalty area…. The idea is to score is it not…… players in the box helps…!
I for one wasn’t chuffed to see Ospina start as I don’t rate him very highly in regards to commanding his box, he’s a good shot stopper but has me cringing when teams get a corner of a free kick near our box as I wonder if he gonna stay rooted to the spot or coming out and flap but credit to him last night as te saves he made were crucial to keeping us in the game.
I thought Koz didn’t have a great game at all last night, maybe his head was still spinning from Saturdays kick but he wasn’t his normal assured self at all, Ox yet again looked lost and showed very little going forward and I won’t mention defending. Why when we are away from home is Wenger not more pragmatic with his team selection, Would Perez not of offered more than Ox both offensively and defensively..? Sanchez through the middle without any support is a waste of time so we are nearly always chasing the game.
The second half for me changed when Giroud came on Alexis was on the left and happier and w started to look a better side. Having rode our luck we got an equalizer could even have nicked a winner late on of Iwobi had been a bit more clinical.
We drew, we didn’t play well but stuck at it and managed to salvage a point.
When do we stop getting lucky? we scraped a win on Sat and last night a draw but should we not be better than that..? We have battered sides before and drawn but they normally sides that we should be beating are we now saying PSG are better than us and we should expect to be beaten..?
I think we have a very decent squad, I think we have very good players but whats evident to me is we don’t have a manager picking the right balanced team, some will argue we didn’t lose so he did pick the right team but am sure if they watch the game and are honest with themselves the will see for themselves the balance of the side isn’t there and as said how long do we continue being lucky…?
Pick the right players in the right positions, set the team up better and we’ll be a match for anyone, sadly I can’t see that happening but i can but hope.
I must just say this that I don’t wish to offend anyone as i am mainly negative at the moment about so much at the club that I love but there are different ways to comment to others and some comments to me and others are rather abrupt and offensive just because my point of view differs to the other blogger or bloggers.I will use my words more carefully and in any case i am not qualified in some respects as I don’t have a football background but my eyes don’t deceive me.
Kelsey, everyone has eyes everyone has an opinion and yours is a valid as any be it from a managerial perspective coaching or armchair fan. Anyone with a footballing brain will have a valid opinion in my mind and it matters not what your background is if the input is one of perception and from what you see think and feel.
All this positive and negative crap is utter bollox in my mind, if someone only wants to see the good and take those points from a performance then that’s fine with me and i have no issues what so ever. If others express a point that they see as being realistic then that’s not negative at all. If realism is a negative then it’s drawn from conclusions of what we have witnessed. All well and good being positive and trying to be constructive but not to the point of glossing over whats blatantly wrong.
Think we lucky on here that for the most part when ppl disagree it’s done so in the right way but the negative and positive rubbish is going to start ending up in the bin very soon as it’s giving my arse a headache and i really can’t be bothered with such childishness…..
You’re to negative…
You’re to positive….
Enuff….!!!!
Kelsey you’ve as much right to share your thoughts about what’s happening at the club you’ve loved for over 50yrs as anyone…… I’m in your camp and totally see where you’re coming from!
Negative no realistic yes.
Brudder Umbongo would of put us to the sword if he was up front for PSG hier soir!
Peace.
WATH that was sent pre your posts!
Point taken and let’s move on, HH is better than this…
Well said Wath, all it’s doing is creating a nasty under current on here ! Bin ’em.
Now onto the positive side of things at least your starting to get the hang of this “New Post Up” malarky !
Micko you funny fucker!
Can I start writing new post down…?
Micko, I’ll let you into a little secret…. I just copy n paste from Rico
Buona sera Lovelies and Hunkies
That is quite a PosNeg post Wath.
I like to dip my wick in the middle Dev….. also more like a happy realistic post as well…!
Evening all
The only positive thing is, there is only 34 PL games left and the tyrant will be gone…
Hallelujah
Wath…that is why its PosNeg….because its realistic. But its not all doom and gloom.
MG…..be careful you don’t end with an egg in your face and a humble pie mashed all over your nose, cheeks, mouth and eyes. lol
MG, I bet you a dollar that AW will be here for at least 3 more years. Given his character, that we have all pointed out, what make us think that his stubbornness will reduce? The more we want him out, the more likely he will apt to stay- given SK unwillingness to fire him. The dude will have to be wheel out of AFC. Quiet a shame really because AFC is missing out, and hes is ruining his legacy.
I believe that a two year contract has already been offered to him way back in march but like 2014 he waited until after The Cup Final to sign, and in all probability he will see how this season pans out before committing himself.
Kelsey… I was having a good day until you mentioned contract extension
I love it. There’s football everyday since Saturday just past.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but Wenger did say that Jack Wilshere is in his LONG TERM plans !…………………the LONG TERM part of that sentence tells me he will not be going anywhere soon !……….in fact even if he was to kick the bucket tomorrow, he would probably haunt The Emirates and possess Stans Syrup !……………..actually, I have it on good authority that Stan has a Syrup cupboard in the board room at The Emirates where he keeps 366 wigs, one for every day of the year and a leap year one, so a good place for Arsene to haunt !…………………..there`s a rumbling in that there cupboard Stan ………wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo……………………the spirit is good !
Stall the digger Malaga, we finally have a team of men that can win the league this year, that’s straight from the horses mouth !
Brad, try telling that to the Celtic supporters, I’d say they were all praying for a big storm cloud over the Camp Nou last nite !
Just watched the highlights again. Did anyone notice the ref show Giroud a second yellow? I could only see him show a. red. I know I probably just missed it but a straight red can be appealed!
Monaco 1-0 up against the spuddies
Leicester also 1-0 up
I am watching the spuds play…..collectively. after 19 minutes they have played so well. They have already had 3 shots on target…..but Monaco went up and with their first shot they scored…..smash and grab style.
Puts our game in perspective doesn’t it.
Monaco 2-0
with only their 2nd shot on target
Kane yellow carded…..he will loose his head I bet.
Spuddies pull one back now….1-2
Gawd, listen to you lot, Ya soft bastards.
What’s happening to this world?
Where have all the men gone 🙂 🙂
tell them Scott. don’t be negative or Wath will bin ya
you can only be realistic……or PosNeg
I’ve been binned before, Devil…by myself Hahahaha
Bugger negativity, positivity and realism.
The true realists are those who look at every topic and discuss it fairly, but there really aren’t many Gooners are like that at present, miserable bastards.
Nobody claiming to be realist can look at the negatives every time.
Smile…..your face won’t hurt after a few practice runs 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Off to work now…..14 hour day yesterday-there’s realism, as no ther bastard will pay my bills, and though that’s a negative outlook, it’s fact, so hi ho, hi ho….
Later Devil and all….
Come On You Spurs
http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/10577938/eddie-nketiah-signs-professional-contract-with-arsenal
Good news Rick/Fred
Re Scott @ 9:01, most of the time I disagree with Scott, but not this time..lol. The sensitivity level this past two days is high here. I wanted to say something about it but didn’t want to offend anyone, after all is just sports. How ironic? we want tough and hard players because our players are deemed soft, but we can even discuss topics without someone getting upset/ offended. We are reflection of our team… men/ women up pepole. We all want AFC to do well bottom line.
Btw…what happened to Goonster speaking of sensitivity or the lack there of….lol.
Wenger and retirement?
I’ll start with a question:
How old, to the day was SAF?
Wenger will retire at the same age plus one day! His last goal , to be the oldest ever EPL manager in history. I don’t think he could care less about cups or silverware. His only aim is to achieve something his great rival can no longer achieve!
Win win for Wenger. All he has to do is to achieve this goal is, stay alive! And he’s reaching or reached a very vulnerable age. Old Father Time may yet play a part in his success or demise.
Contract extension? Absolutely certain. How long for? I estimate at least another four and a half years! And then………we’ll get a new one!
Well hurrah for that. I hope this theory ends all the speculation so we can all get back to the easy banter of the blogasphere down Highbury House way.
Goonster is that positive Obi he’s swinging from the lampposts by a rope…….
Now if you really want to wet your pants………………………………………………….being serious !….. I should put a health warning before this as someone may actually die splitting their sides !
https://twitter.com/Coral/status/776137752945561607?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Wath so Goonster finally lost it, huh….lol.
No idea Obi, will drop him an email and see what he’s up 2….
‘What their players forget is to shoot. They don’t even know what a chance is any more, they don’t recognise a scoring opportunity. They are trained to pass.”
Super Mac
Obi,
On your 10.02, I’m quite hurt and distraught that you usually disagree with me.
What did I ever do to you to make you hate me so much?
Hahahahaha, kidding mate.
Let’s just enjoy each there comments, and there’s nothing wrong with agreeing to disagree.
LC, now that’s DELUSIONAL lol
Sensational clip!
As offensive and obnoxious as I already find you, your 9.01, Scott, just sits uncomfortable with me, I feel that childish innuendo was directed toward me among many other bloggers, and to be quite frank, I don,t take kindly to be called a “miserable Bastard,” your way out of line there. .you should choose your words more carefully, you define A true realist as a person who looks at every topic and discuss,s it fairly, I define it, as having a grip on reality and seeing things for what they really are, so we differ, and for the 10.02 who thinks he,s been equally as funny, there,s no softness here, let me tell ye, you’re the one that wanted to say something about it, but didn’t want to offend anyone,……. Take people for fools.
DG, you’re a bloody sook.
Nobody else is bitching like a stuck pig.
Join a kids forum on One Direction.
Embarrassing and funny, all at once lol
Is this feasable
——————-
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s future at Arsenal has been plunged into fresh doubt as manager Arsene Wenger stalls on offering him a contract, according to a report.
The 23-year-old is into the penultimate year of his contract at the Emirates and the Gunners were open to offers for their versatile attacker during the summer.
The Independent have claimed that Oxlade-Chamberlain did not want to leave and interested clubs were advised that he had little desire to leave one of the Premier League’s elite outfits.
It is said that Wenger making him wait on a new deal at the Emirates, despite starting four of the Gunners’ five competitive fixtures this season.
The Gunners manager has shown plenty of patience in Oxlade-Chamberlain since buying him as a 17-year-old for £15million, but decided last year that he had not made sufficient progress by the time of his fifth season at the Emirates.
Oxlade-Chamberlain is one of three English players facing an uncertain future in north London, with Kieran Gibbs appearing to be frozen out and Jack Wilshere shipped out on loan to Premier League rivals Bournemouth.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has made 154 league and cup appearances for the Gunners since joining as in 2011 when they beat a number of other clubs to his signature.
With 15 goals, and another 21 in assists, the attacking midfielder has shown that he has both an eye for goal and the vision to create one but manager Wenger could perhaps see the Portsmouth-born star as expendable.
The report claims that the 24-time England international has been advised to find pastures new by those closest to him, and although he wants to stay in North London, he may be forced to change his mind.
Kelsey, for him, I reckon it’d be a good move if he left, to be honest.
He’s a decent player, but I thought he’d end up a superstar.
Seems he will remain a bit part player for us.
Buongiorno Lovelies and Hunkies
The spuddies gave us all a good chuckle yesterday. I saw the game, and tbh they played really well. Monaco were not bad but they sat back and allowed the spuddies all the possession they wanted, the lion’s share if you want, and believe me…..they had 63% possession. Spuddies had 11 corners while Monaco had, er, none. They also allowed them to shoot (15). When they had enough, Monaco did a bit of smash and grab and with their two shots on target they scored twice to win 2-1.
Spurs played well and lost to Monaco. Last year they beat them 4-1 and shit hart lane
We played (no comment) how we played and got a 1-1 draw against PSG. Last year we would have lost against PSG
Which one would you prefer???
Roll on Hull FC. 1-0 to the Arsenal
1-0??
We are ready to explode, Devil.
3-1 and Aaron will score all 4 goals!!!!!
Wilshere, now the Ox, closely followed by that waste of internal organs Walcott then replace Wenger with a strategically shaved chimpanzee and we’ll be set to go!!!
Lee, is it possible?
Could Wenger finally be growing a pair and culling those he needs to??
It just struck me-why is it so many of our English contingent are so injury prone??
We talk about our crocks, but Jack, Theo, Ox and even Gibbs have had more than their share over the years.
Are they worse than the overseas lads?
Morning All
I quite enjoyed watching the Champions League highlights on ITV yesterday evening, not least seeing the Scum come a cropper…
Watching Man City and comparing the dynamism of their team with the stuttering performance of Arsenal only served to increase my feelings that our reactive Board and owner have made a massive, massive mistake in allowing Guardiola to slip through their fingers…
Man City players who were quite average last season, now look motivated and driven. It’s actually a pleasure watching Man City even if it’s tinged with regret because of the cautious conservatism of my own club, er, franchise….
It was interesting listening to Lee Dixon yesterday, a player who knows what it’s like to play in a defence that’s organised, as he explained and showed the Arsenal defence and midfield being taken apart by PSG.
Morning All
The ox’s was punted around last august
his agent wants him to play abroad.
He always looks pissed off.
So those that have played/coached or managed
You play a team and beat them 5-nil
the very next week you play them again…
cup game………. you get beat 1-nil
…………Positive/Negative.
When you win Hunky-Dory
When you lose..It’s all Bollox
…………..Funny Old Game…
Sorry Wath..Got a bit carried away
Kev, seems it’s now a young man’s game, management.
How many managers improve over a period of 20 years?
Scott That geezer at Leicester.
Fred, has he improved?
Not so sure……..everything, and I mean everything, fell into place.
This season will tell us more on him, I reckon.
I mean, they hardly changed tactics all year…..
Talking of managers
That geezer at Man sh+ty
Not looking to bad after 5 minutes
……Is he…
Not sure it will last scott..But
Not bad mate.
Last season I thought they
would be playing Millwall.
Pep would of sorted this Arsenal team out, we missed a massive trick by not getting him on board…the bloke is a class act.
4 games, we are no good and a Pep is god lol
Trust me, if Citeh win the League AND go close in CL, after spending 180 million, mind you, I’ll be the first to say Pep is a top class manager.
If they don’t win the League, after spending 180 million, will you concede he’s not, gents??
There’s a long way to go.
Sorry Scott
Can’t keep quiet that long.
All good, Fred.
He may win with a leg in the air.
With that squad and expenditure, he probably should, but still, I’ll congratulate the effort first time in the PL.
Have you seen this.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/former-arsenal-and-crystal-palace-star-ian-wright-says-he-nearly-threw-away-career-through-drug-use-a7308411.html
Played a london cup game donkey’s years ago
on the East Marsh Hackney
Broadwater north london.
On the pitch freezing cold waiting for them to
come out.
The Ref asked one of us to go with him
to the dressing room..I went
He tapped on the door.
This Rasta open’s the door.
Never been in a Smoked Kipper unit before,
But I think it would have been something.Like that.
Lol Fred.
I Played cricket one year with a team who had some wild lads in it.
5 minutes before the GST ball was bowled each week, a VW Kombi would pull up, the doors would open and a cloud of smoke would engulf the area.
This is also interesting and must be taking a lot of the managers time and possibly the players thoughts.
ARSENAL CONTRACTS
‘If we had £1 for every time we’ve heard about Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez being very close to signing new deals, we’d have upwards of £10,’ read a line in Wednesday’s gossip. Well chuck another quid into the jar, because we have more Arsenal contract news on Thursday. Sexy.
‘Arsenal are trying to bring a swift conclusion to protracted contract talks with Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil,’ writes Sami Mokbel for the Daily Mail. Considering negotiations have laboured on for months, ‘swift conclusion’ is a generous description. Both have under two years remaining on their current contracts, as everyone surely knows by now.
There is an expectation that Ozil will sign a new deal with no complications. He will see his £140,000-a-week salary increased, and is happy at the club. With regards to Sanchez, on the other hand, ‘there is not so much optimism’. It was claimed on Wednesday that the Chilean wants a pay rise. Mokbel supports that theory, and adds that he also wants to insert a buy-out clause into his deal.
Mokbel adds contract news on three other players. Jack Wilshere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Kieran Gibbs, who are each entering the final two years of their contracts, are no closer to extending their deals. That leaves the possibility that each will have just a year left by the end of the season – a scenario Arsenal never allow when it comes to first-team players.
Just my opinion here…..
Keeping Ozil is an absolute must.
Alexis…..he seems to only ever stay a few years at clubs, so I’d say keeping him or not depends on his attitude.
Gibbs I’d keep.
Jack and Ox….i wouldn’t be devastated if they left.
Ozil and Sanchez will stay providing that the senile one can deliver the right messages to the team and get them playing successfully. If the Arsenal win the EPL or Chams League the pair of them will stay. They both lack gold medals and have sufficient ambition to move on to find some of the precious metal.
No progress we can kiss them goodbye.
As for the three Englishmen, they are all good squad players but none will progress further if they stay put. Sadly Wenger seems to have lost his ability to raise the level of performance of ordinary players and make them extraordinary. They would be well advised to move on.
Morning all.
Arsene might be going a bit Bonkers
But..A £1 note has become famous.
Thanks to him
Add into the mix Cazorla and Mertesacker who in both cases might well leave, we are possibly looking at quite a turnaround of players and short in quality..
I still think if we added another one or two quality players that might convince Ozil and Sanchez to stay.Quality players play better with like minded players.We don’t have to break the bank but as I have stated often we are very near to being a trophy winning team again but AW maybe the stumbling block looking to find players we hardly know and hopefully make them into stars.I don’t expect others to agree with me as there is never a guarantee regardless how much one spends.
Kelsey, I’d say we should see how these players we bought turn out, and what they bring to the table.
We can’t disregard them or their influence this soon.
Of the newbies, Perez is the question mark, for mine, but only because I’ve barely seen him play.
Scott, I don’t think it’s the new players that we need to see how they get on I think the problem is the deadwood that Wenger stuck with and didn’t ship out…! if those had been replaced with players who gave us even an extra 10% in quality we’d see a difference…!
Wath
you are right.AW does tend to hold on to players far too long by giving sometimes loyalty before performances.
I would also like to know what a Socialist Wage Structure is meant to be or words to that effect that AW has often used..
Time will tell, gents, no question.
The wage structure is “supposed” to create a level playing field Kelsey, no superstar earners no a happy group of players all in the Fu shwaaar zone of happiness and contentment that no one earns way more than them……
Scott, 8.40; Claudio Ranieri springs to mind Digger…
I watched Leicester, now there’s a squad of players who are together and fighting for each other…
Kev, he was mentioned, but my thinking was he had a season where everything fell into place, they played the same basic, but effective, game plan each week and good on them.
This season will show if he’s improved, I reckon.
He won the league though, so we can’t take that away from him.
Wath, it’s a ridiculous system lol
It is indeed Scott and one which says reward mediocrity and reign in paying the going rate for the best….!
I do not get the theory behind it, unless you’re a mid table club, or worse…
I’d say it matters not what kind of club you are Scott, all players know who the better players are and they should be rewarded accordingly.
Did Wenger devise this crazy system.What happened to the words reward incentive.all players should be on a basic plus bonuses of differing kinds as in business as football is now a business.
Kelsey can you imagine if they players were on a basic and a win and draw bonus….. Ah the good old days…! I always though you rewarded results and quality but then again I don’t have a degree in finances like our manager so I know nothing.
Wenger is French! ,libertie’ ‘fraternitie’ ‘egalatie’. So all men are equal and travel through life earning more or less the same. There are no special cases, well not many. As Orwell pointed out, “all animals (footballers) are equal but, some (the proper stars) are more equal than others”. Pigs in the case of AF.
That’s Wenger’s creed I believe and why, to an extent the pay structure is so, seemingly, confused.
Walcott got a massive pay hike for two reasons, a, he had been playing quite well and b, the club could not be seen to sell one of our rising stars to a rival (Liverpool, I think). The fans, at that time would have gone into meltdown and the club would have found themselves deep in the soft and smelly!
Should have said, and that’s why, despite playing really poorly he’s currently earning but, not deserving, a kings ransome. Should he want to renew his contract now, he should be advised that he would face a severe pay cut! Won’t happen, of course, but footballers pay should be infinitely variable according to results, performance, attitude, etc,etc.
I’m rambling again. Think I’ll venture off to my counting house and count out all my money!
Buon Pomeriggio Lovelies and hunkies
I am still smiling at the thought that 85k were watching the spuddies getting stuffed.
Wath ideally it would be that way….win you take home a bonus, draw and the bonus becomes less, loose and you just take the basic wage.
Football became mega money when Berlusconi enrolled Milan FC in the 80’s, bought Canale 5, Italia 1 and Rete 4 and the rest is history. He began it all when he began transmitting live matches and people had to pay to see them…..which in football mad Italy they do as football is religion there. They were the first small steps, but where enough to allow him to pay Gullit, Riykaard and Van Basten wages far better than the rest. Soon he began paying Baresi and Maldini the same wages and the rest is history. Needless to say that Milan Channel was the first one to be owned by a football club.
now its not the same anymore.
I cannot see anything different than the present system….much as I hate it since it does not reward those who have quality and play well week in week out….I still cannot see any type of wage structure which would be different and accepted. Players nowadays will say…..you don’t give me what I want….no problem…..I will go to another club.
this is why the club’s scouting system has to be questioned imo. the club should have players ready in case plan A fails.
So let us take Theo into consideration seeing that Wavy mentioned him.
AFC’s manager offers Theo 90kpw. Theo wants 140kpw. Fine…….the manager should have plan B ready….no problem, I have Perez who wants to come and take your place and wants a 70kpw wage. he is your same age…..so either you accept or bugger off. The dippers come and are willing to fork out 25mill. The manager goes out and gets Perez instead.
AW does not work like that though
as I have always said….Gibbs, Theo, Jack, Danny, Ox are there simply because they are English. That is why they always have a strong hand on the club. Take that away from them and suddenly they will be surplus to requirement. Right now I have higher esteem for Holding and Chambers.
Having said that I have a bit of reservations for Gibbs situation. And I feel he will soon get his place….since I hold him in higher regard than Theo, JAck and Ox. Danny is injured.
Kelsey @ 10:52, good point. As simple as it may seems, quality players want to play with quality players because average players make quality players look poor, obviously. I watched the Southhampton game again last nite and it’s unbelievable how poor Theo and Ox made Perez look: their backs turned when he’s expecting a pass, heads down when he makes a run, on a give and go and they take 2 extra touches. Horrible stuff, at this point they are not even squad player. Release those type of players, scrap the socialist wage structure and pay the right amount for the right players. AW has no problem being one of the highest paid managers so what’s this socialist wage crap.
At the end of the day no player is bigger than the club.
Take the keeper situation…..both men will have to be on their toes as even though Cech is the first choice Ospina is a very good keeper as well. Take the CB situation…Kos, Mustafi, Holding, Gabi and Per is not going to be getting a new contract. Take the midfield situation….Xhaka, Coquelin, Elneny, Cazorla (?) Aaron and Ozil. So these are three departments which in themselves are very strong and competitive atm. However at RB there is no one to offer Bellerin competition, while the LB situation needs to improved 100%. NAcho has been targeted in every game this season while Gibbs cannot seem to offer him any competition.
That leaves Alexis, Ox, Perez, Ollie, Theo and Iwobi. Alexis needs to be kept as he is WC. Its still early days for Perez, while Ollie is not getting any younger and while I still feel he is important as a focal point he is now nearly 30. Iwobi is still learning.
AW should not tell us that if he finds better players he will buy……tell you what….Campbell would have offered more than Theo…..and he cost just £1mill. Sell Theo for 25mill and play Campbell. That would have left AW with money to spend and still have the same amount of squad players. And surely there are more good players who can play…….Leicester showed that as a host of players have been bought cheaply and from lower divisions for a total cost of 27 million. So there are better players.
Theo wants to leave??? Ok mate….if we get 25mill for you you will go. someone else will come in.
Obi…..I would love to see Perez play with Alexis, Ozil and Iwobi behind him. He would appear a different player for sure.
Scott you know only too managers spend big money… 😛
Harry and Jose,Pep, Someone all come to mind….
Pound to pound I am still brainwashed to believe Wenger is an elite manger
Devil, I hope that’s AW plan. Because their collective movement (with a purpose) will be hard for any defense to cover.
Dev Theo is part of the British core…lol
I think Monreal gets targeted because of the lack of cover in front of him. As teams attack down their right flank towards me you can see the number of times he has two men to mark . He often tries to cover space and hope that support arrives before he has to commit.
Exactly Potter, and thank you for that point @ 4:15. And then AW insist on playing Sanchez as striker, so now both backs are being exposed, because at least he tracks back. Case in point, at PSG, watch the difference when Sanchez was replaced as a striker.
Agreed Potter.Monreal’s predicament reminds me of Clichy’s before he left. AA23 offered Clichy no protection. and then we got Santos and the same happened.
Theo’s knee injury has seen to that…..hopefully for now he will not play. It is much better to play Alexis on the left, Iwobi on the right and one of Perez or Ollie as striker.
both track back and help their backs.
Aparrantly some Whales and Dolphins got beached around Wembley last night !…………..they mistook the whining from 80 odd thousand Spuds as a mating call !.
I heard the wailing caused a wall at Bounds Green station to collapse.
Morning all.
We need to destroy Hull.
Joe Say will be out with the excuses after that performance…..
Scott, he was making the excuses at the pre game conference saying, ” he and his players don’t want the Europa”.
Oh I dunno Jose could always take a leaf out of Arsene’s book, he’s been getting away with it for the last 10 years, a puppy for the pavement and an old dog for the road !
tsgh, a bit harsh on Santos, you try running up and down the line with lead in your boots !!
And 8 burgers plus a few pints in your gut!
Poor old Santos. He was a bit of a character off the pitch though, with his strange choice of cars and stuff.
But he was a crap footballer! Another of Wenger’s useless panic buys!
And well done to Leicester, making their debut in the CL last nite, no other team in the competition has less experience than them player wise on the pitch and that includes the likes of Bruges, Ludogorets, Rostov and Arsenal FC who are only in it to make up the numbers.
Wavy, your very quick to knock Santos but conveniently choose to brush aside Denilson and Baptista who were both Arsenal legends, when it comes to scouting Brazilians Arsene is better known as “dead eyed dick ”
Lets face it even Gilberto was rubbish until he hurt his back !!!
Nite Gooners.
Santos-not sure whoever told him he was a defender lol.
Best crosser if a ball we’ve had for 10 years but the effort for him to get there was immense lol
Joe Say-specialist in failure, himself hahahahaha
Beaten in Europa League, we draw in CL, and still, our boys will cop the criticism from within our own ranks.
Sensational.
Staunch.
http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/arsenal-were-a-disgrace-vs-psg-and-are-not-heading-in-right-direction-with-arsene-wenger-says-frank-a3345136.html
A good read from a former player I admire.
Kelsey, I’m mates with one of his sons. The man is Arsenal through and through, now that’s the type of person we need on the board!!!
Morning Brudder, Kelsey and all. Frank’s right of course. Unconvincing is the word so far this season. Perhaps a few good results help pull the players together into a team.
We can but hope.
Morning Kelsey, Lee, Adam and all.
So far this season, I’d say we have been truly dreadful. Frank is spot on re Wednesdays game imo and not just that one. Why sign a solid central midfielder and not play him, or Elneny, the one guy who did make us look a little better going forward last season at times…
The Queens back 🙂
Howdy, Rico.
Lee, did a beer label for Frank a few years back….still got some lying around here.
A Double malt ale, in celebration of the double.
We even got a picture of him with one of our bottles.
Unfortunately, a less than honest Aussie Gooner claimed credit for it all, even had dinner at Frank’s place and was given a signed boot from the great man….all on the back of my idea.
Ask Wath, he knows the scumbag Aussie I’m talking about.
Yes, a man like that who has nothing to gain and simply wants what’s best for the club would be fantastic on the board.
Morning Rico.
Welcome back. 🙂
Agreed.
Hi Scott. Not quite back, just killing some time as I woke up early, we had a dreadful storm in the early hours..
Thanks Adam. Still have a drive home to do, just waiting for the fresh fish order to be prepared at the local harbour, hopefully their boats were ok overnight on the rough waters… 🙂
Drive carefully Rico. It’s cats and dogs here.
Will do Adam…
Buongiorno Lovelies and Hunkies.
Howdy boss. Glad to see you back.
You got rain again up there??? now that’s a big surprise. 😛
It would be great to have old players on board….that is how BM operate. And that is how it should be as they would be Arsenal through and through….they want what is best for the club. As Scott has said many times….the problem is not AW or the players….the problems come from the top…SK and his cronies on board. they set the standard and the rest follow.
Yesterday Manure lost…..and they did that with a very strong team. As usual the excuses begin coming from Mourinho himself…..but the fact remains that they lost when they had a team which was not to be scoffed at. And they conceded when they had Ibra on at that time as well….plus Pogba who played all match.
Again I ask the question…..both spuddies and Manure had the lion’s share of possession… Spuddies 63 and Manure 57, had the lion’s share of shots and yet both lost. We played as we played (not good enough) and grinded out a draw. What is most preferable??? playing badly and getting a point against PSG (a wealthy club) or playing well and loosing?
And that is why I feel that atm I would prefer it if we grinded out a win against Hull instead of destroying them since if we destroy them in the long run it would not be beneficial…..it would hinder us as it would lull AW and the players into a false sense of security that all is well (which is not the case). winning ugly atm is paramount at this time of the season…..winning beautifully should be reserved for the latter part of the season.
Safe journey Rico!
Hi Devil, with the greatest of respect, I couldn’t give a toot about what happens to the other teams in Europe or in the PL. The reality is Arsenal are frankly quite poor right now and are in desperate need of vast improvement. Perhaps a better team selection and tactics might help…
Thanks Lee…
I bought up other teams’ results simply to put ours in perspective. at least we are grinding out results.
better team selection??? I am astounded boss. we used to call for depth ….. we got it. we used to call for rotation……and now he does it we are calling for better team selection?? lol. he is giving his players chances to play so that they will be kept fresh for more time……and in the meantime grind out results.
do you honestly prefer to play the top 11 every time, run them into the ground and then whine when they get injured???
tactics yes, I agree, but not on team selection
Devil, you make a fair point, but Xhaka isn’t getting much of a run, for mine.
Like I said earlier, why sign Xhaka and not use him, why is Elneny not being played but preferring to play Santi again?
Funny enough, I get rotation is required but what about fielding the strongest team when required?
Nor Elneny Scott but it’s ok as poor old Santi is getting flogged to death already…
Rico. I believe it is part of some greater plan that is cunning in its obscurity. 🙂
🙂 Adam. Funny how Wenger says ‘this team’ can challenge for the CL but then fields the team he did. Talk about lucky on Tuesday eh….
Personally I rate Xhaka, Elneny superior to Coqulein and Santi atm. So rest them now and play the other two to grind out results. AW will say that all four are WC……but he knows that physically and tactically both Elneny and Xhaka are superior to the other two. Well not technically as Santi is vastly superior, but imo AW is playing Coq/Santi for the simple reason that right now its important to grind out results. Leaving the best two as option to come later on is a big plus imo.
Maybe some will not know this….but a professional football season is broken into micro cycles….the whole season is known as macrocycle but coaches break the season into 4. If there was a winter break of one month we would have two macrocycles in coaching. so a coach breaks the season into 4 cycles of 9 games. that means that for the first 9 games this lot play, then the next cycle sees some of the players rested and the others introduced. So maybe it is that Xhaka and Elneny are kept for later on in the season. They will be rotated with the others but AW will play them at the right time.
yes we might say he is saying to us ….sod you I do it my way…..but that is only said by those who manage to see up till the tip of their nose. I have a hunch that later on we will begin seeing an axis of Xhaka and Elneny more often.
yes Rico I agree with….I get rotation is required but what about fielding the strongest team when required…..but the fact remains the team got a point. I thought the same as you when I saw the line-up but other teams fielded strong sides and lost while we rotated and gained a point away.
I know they got a point Devil and I’m glad they did but for me it goes deeper than that. It’s the performance which was nothing sort of dreadful, especially in the first half.
If Wenger really wanted to rotate, why not play Akpom up front, after all he’s big, strong and an out and out striker? No, stick Alexis in there and then wonder why he struggles…
The mind boggles at times.. Well, mine does..
I thought micro cycles were bicycles for small people….. lol
Seems to me that he is still looking to find out who works with who. You’re right though. We were quite lucky to come out with a draw though this was largely because of Cavani’s wastefulness. As ever, we still look very vulnerable and there are worries over the intermittent form of some of our players.
Still, a Simeone revolution next summer? 🙂
not playing Akpom is irritating me as well.
I’m looking forward to seeing Xhaka and Elneny together in midfield, have a feeling they could be the strongest pairing or either with Coquelin.
Interesting stuff re Simeone, he wants an Italy move according to the newspapers but right now, I’d welcome him at Arsenal. 😉
Catch up later guys, got a long and soggy journey ahead….
Wath, thanks heaps for looking after HH for the week…
Morning Rico and all.
Lee, I met Frank McClintock at a charity golf dinner in Marbella and he really is a nice guy.I believe he has 4 sons,none of which went down the football route.
We discussed Arsenal and he said first and foremost was that we need another type of player like Tony Adams, and that conversation was about 7/8 years ago.
Atm AW is playing a lot of players who did not play in the Euros…Belelrin, Mustafi, Nacho, Cazorla, Coquelin, Theo, Ox. that is 7 out of 10 players as GK is a different matter. So it makes sense to play Cazorla and Coquelin….which worked very well last year and before. Maybe this year they are still gelling together and they are being found out, but the others are getting a sort of preseason with game time….resting here and there and keeping them fresh. We looked better against PSG when Ollie and Xhaka came on.
Have a good journey Rico. Would the board take a chance on Diego, knowing his Latino temperament will get him in trouble sooner or later?
Devil, you may well be right, and I hope so-the theory is very sound.
Morning All
What a change from yesterday, t-shirt and shorts weather.
Tipping it down in South London, it’s gonna be a wet/dull weekend.
The Hull game (that is next isn’t it?) has banana skin written all over it.
If our team rock into Humberside with that Wenger inspired arrogance, expecting just to turn up and take the points, then we’re in for a big shock. Likewise Nottingham Forest a few days later.
This could be a sticky few days as the career of Arsene at Arsenal winds down….
Morning Rico, drive carefully…
Scott….that is how many coaches operate….but this is AW we are talking about lol
Kev…..the next two games are two banana skins. Hopefully AW fields a strong line up in both games….not essentially our strongest line up but a line up with a strong mentality to do well and take their chances……and keep clean sheets as well.
I expect Cech to play for Hull and Ospina for Forest. Infact till the end of September we will be seeing Cech play weekends and Ospina play midweek. And if we progress in the LC we will see the same throughout October as well. Till the group phase of CL finishes we would see that till December as well.
hopefully none of the AW inspired arrogance will be on show.
as for the career of AW at our club winds….I am not counting any chickens mate……as I feel he will be here beyond June.
Thomas Tuchel would be an interesting choice and probably safer than Diego Simeone, who I like very much but who is probably too edgy for a conservative board like Arsenal…
You would hope that Ivan Gazides and certain board members, maybe the ubiquitous Josh or Stan himself, are drawing up a list of candidates who can be tentatively approached over the next few months whilst Wenger dithers over his future, bless his cotten socks….
Dev, I’m sure that Arsene will pick a strong side against Hull.
He picked a strong side against PSG, it’s just that they were set up in a loose manner, pulled all over the place and Arsene was flummoxed as he usually is in those situations.
The Forest game will see Chuba Akpom & pals, plus a few of the fringe players will get a game, if fit.
Paulista might return?
Gibbs, Debuchy, you get the picture?
Morning Rico, welcome back.
It’s the performances that irk me, not the results, well the first one against the dippers sort of set the tone. We are grinding away but, it’s not a pretty sight. Our build up play is slow and pedestrian, boring really and wholy predictable. If Devil is right, we have get through the first 9 games and then go from there. Interesting. However, the level of play has to improve if we arse to finish in the top 4!
Wavy….expect more of the same especially where performances are concerned…….grinding results and winning ugly can go on till January. I hope not though.
of course the level of play has to improve….every game not simply to finish in the top 4. you mentioned the game against the dippers as the yard stick…..but if you go through all our games till now its noticeable that certain areas are already improving and the game against Southampton and Watford we were much better than the dippers. Even against PSG we showed some sort of improvement though not at the level required.
We might thank Cavani for missing clear chances…..but we have to congratulate Ospina for stopping them as well. Ospina will never win…..if he saves…its Cavani’s miss. If he lets it in its his fault. He stood big and saved us….everyone awarded him MOTM. Its not our fault Cavani missed….its his fault……and for those who keep barking for a WC finisher like Cavani…..keep in mind that he is human after all…..and imo he and neither any striker currently in the world is worth more than 35mill. And I am being generous.
Did you see Pogba in the last two games??? Even Coquelin was better than him. Pogba cost how much??? Pogba played his best football with Vidal. Since he left Pogba has become hhuman again
I don’t understand heat maps and all this technical stuff and as Arsenal fans we also get highlighted about our possession stats (but that’s the nature of Wengerball) but I don’t believe everything AW says,he has admitted he lies but I honestly don’t think he knows his best team.
using The Euros as an excuse doesn’t wash with me,then Sanchez goes to S.America and back but he plays him iin a CF position which the world and his dog knows,doesn’t suit him.
If we could muster together a back four that plays regularly together that would eliminate a lot of our problems,but I do agree with several that our build up play is ponderous and predictable and speaking for myself not only do I want us to win but be pleasing on the eye, which we see far less of than we used to.
McClintock got it spot on yet Wenger doesn’t see it.
Hopefully mustafi and perez will get a good run in the team, but for the moment I reserve my judgement as to how the season pans out.
Arsenal press conference delayed(BBC)
Football
Posted at 10:20
Arsenal’s press conference has now been set back to 12:30 BST.
The reason is given is that Arsene Wenger is stuck in traffic. That must be some serious traffic. I know London is a bit of a nightmare, but a three hour delay isn’t fun for anybody.
Land slip near Watford. Mainline LMS closed. Everyone knows our frail road infrastructure cannot withstand the least disruption before all roads around the surrounding area, for miles and miles will morph into car parks. I expect the old boy is part of the temporary parking experiment!
Does that mean SB is in sole charge of training and preparing our lovelies for tomorrow’s game against Hull. Perhaps we’ll see a change of tactics and a bit more freedom on the pitch. Here’s hoping
He lives in Southgate which is miles away 😉
Relax, TfL will sort it out. ???
He obviously got his ‘tactics’ wrong then. Must have taken a wrong turn somewhere!
Probably he kept cutting inside and took the wrong lane lol. 😉
Kelsey….its not only the defence that must be stable….its the DM as well. However, as long as the RB/LB keep on bombing forward at the same time the CB and DM have to cover a lot of spaces. If Bellerin goes up, then NAcho must hold back and vice versa. Otherwise it will remain the same. And one of the two DM must hold back, in our case Coquelin.
And the Euros are not an excuse…they are a valid reason. Alexis is a one off….not everyone is like him. Players need to recover and rest…..as mentally they can become dull after a certain amount of games which leads to complacency.
For years, we’ve blamed our back 4, yet they’ve been offered Bugger all protection from those in front of them.
PSG game, same thing.
its a bit of both Scott…..the back four need to learn how to work as a unit…..not both RB/LB bombing forward leaving the two CB exposed. one of them needs to hold a bit back. While at least one of the CDM needs to hold back in front of the back four providing a triangular cover in case the AM and the other CM are on the backfoot. its a question of team dynamics
I love the 4-2-3-1 formation, but also love the 3-5-2 which in essence is 3 at the back, 1 DM, two wingbacks, 2 CAM and two strikers. that always leaves 3 at the back which is easier to defend. both Bellerin and Nacho/Gibbs would benefit immensely from 3-5-2.
Devil, all 3 you named are superb going forward, so 3-5-2 would see them do some damage, plus it sees 2 up front.
Why won’t he try it???
I’m off for the night…..big morning ahead.
I’m heading out to measure up a job for a Spuds fan, so the Arsneal jacket is already out!!
Night all.
Ginge and I would have a field day and would love it if AFC play 3-5-2
Imagine this line up……
………………….Cech
……….Mustafi, Kos, Gabriel
Bellerin……….Xhaka……….Nacho
……….Cazorla……..Ozil
……….Alexis……..Ollie/Perez
that would wreak havoc with some of the PL teams
like Hull for instance. Or Stoke, or WBA, or Watford.
Maybe even the spuds for instance.
Trouble with that is devil
It only works against 4-4-2 teams
Not many play that way.
Hi All Good Friday:
Wow tough bunch on HH. What’s all this about build up play and winning beautifully etc, etc. We are getting results! I rather grind out 1-0 ugly win, than a beautifully build-up played football of 4-3 lost. We want trophies but are complaining about grind-out football. Yes selection and rotation is questionable but as Devil is pointing out all week, looking at other teams, selection don’t guarantee results. Call it lucky, if you want, but we are getting results and luck is part of sports. I rather be lucky than unlucky. I wish Iwobi was lucky on that last shot.
Fred, not exactly because didn’t LC played that way last season, Atletico uses similiar formation, and Juve with Sandro practically in the wing position????
Sorry Obi not sure what you mean.
Atletico..Grezy played in the hole
Torres up top’s.
Vardy played off the shoulder
5 across.
Late in the game a lot of teams revert to a
4-4-2
Stick a lump on.
Fred, I was referring to the idea that the formation Devil suggested only work against 442 team. My point was basically it does not because those teams I mentioned played nearly most or all part of their games with that formation or similar. I think the problem with that formation is that you must have a collective effort from all the players and most teams can’t play that way because they don’t work hard together.
For Instance with your examples: LC 5 across is essentially the wings and the DMs morphing into that with movement with Vady playing off the shoulder hoping okazaki pulls his man away,Toress does the same thing for Griz to fill the hole and Sandro and Lechsteiner bomb forward while Keidra and Lemina hold. They are all similiar formations but morph into something else.
In any formation, teamwork and collective hard work are of paramount importance. Even if you play 5-5-5 vs 11
Fred that’s what I have been saying for years . The team needs to be able to adapt to change formation in mid match to suit the circumstances. All we see are like for like subs with the same result but different personell. They should be able to switch then switch back . The are professionals after all.
Potter the team or the manager??? For me it’s the latter and its been that way for ages.
Check the comments about Wenger Wrighty’s book and before the digs at Wrighty commence, he is so Arsenal it’s unreal.
540 Games
462 Goals
216 Assists
36 Hattricks
29 ?
5 Ballon d’Ors
3 Golden Boot
2 UEFA Best Player
It’s not Sanogo…
Or Giroud…
Baptiste otherwise known as Messi 😉
Kalou..?
Here we go again , this time it’s Xhaka . In Wenger world you buy a defensive midfielder at a premium price then you don’t play him because :- “”I prefer him as a box-to-box player. He has the engine to have an impact with his runs.””.
Buy him , change his natural position and leave him on the bench until he assimilates or doesn’t.
Gotta admire Frank, a former player not afraid to throw a few truth bombs out there and another one in our ranks criticising Arsene lol.
As for Xhaka, I think Wenger had to act early, he had a big gap to fill with Flamini, Arteta and Rosicky all retiring from football or at least they should have.
It’s Deja vu with wenger.. experimenting with players positions..Arshavin, Bendtner, walcott, ox, and now Alexis and Xhaka..I just wish if he plays them in their prefered position and change format and tactics. .then it might work..
Mental solidity ..another wenger jargon from his presser today ..I feel sorry for “strength “
You would think that a man who speaks 8 languages,is educated,articulate sometimes, would stick to the basic rules.he sees a player countless times,signs him then takes the player away from his natural and best position and wants the player to play two or three different positions.
Soon we might have ospina in goal and cech as CF 🙂
Not as crazy as you think Kelsey !…………………….remember when he played Arshavin up front as a the big nmber 9 holding it up ! 🙂
You beat me to the punch Le Coq, although he did manage to score 1 goal on that memorable run, think it was against Liverpool !
Saved us a fortune in the January transfer window as well !
It must be like having my 4 year old grandson up against me, Micko !…………….trying all the tricks getting no where then saying he wants his potty !. hahaha
I`m sure Arshavin is Tyrion Lannister`s stunt double !.
Although I must say Arshavin saying ……….” I am Gooner !” ………..endeared him to us straight away !.
Buona sera Lovelies and hunkies.
Kelsey and all…..I have been saying it for 4 years now at least….Ginge will confirm it for sure….AW wants 5 defensive minded players and 5 attack minded players. All of whom can interchange positions at will. you can see it with his obsession of signing not too much tall players, all slightly under or exactly 6 ft……as the centre of gravity is best when a person is between 5 ft 6″ and 6ft. Above that the centre of gravity is difficult to manoeuvre while below 5ft 6 the centre of gravity is very low. but you loose strength and size.
That is why AW wants to experiment with positions….simply to have them playing the way he wants.
Personally I do not agree with that since only a few positions can be experimented….for example a RB can be transformed into a right winger…and LB the same. For example an AM can be transformed into a 2nd striker or a winger. But certain positions imo need to remain specialised….GK, CB, CDM, CF The spine must be players who are specialist in their positions.
Imo when you are trying to change a player’s position to adapt one is mentally weak. Simply because he does not have the balls to tell a player…listen your position I have another player. the best one plays. end of.
AW is a genius he sees the things non of us see. If that’s the case why don’t he just buy the player that he needs rather than buying someone to convert? Mind buggling. It’s all Henry and Lauren fault. I cant believe he’s ruining Gabriel like that, this dude had all the attributes and qualities as a proper CB at Villarreal.
Cockie….if I was your grandson I would let you have the ball, allow you to turn your back and then pee against your leg.
😛
lol
When it comes to Arsene Wenger, how can anyone actually believe they know what he thinks, wants, or plays?
I’m not sure he has a clue these days….
Evening…
Buonasera Capo (boss)
are the chickens in the coop ok or have they all been made into an exquisite stew??
Hows you rico,
I’d go as far to say he’s not exactly playing with a full deck anymore, the lift definately doesn’t go to the top floor anymore.
8.30 and it’s pitch black outside, winters on the way.
I’m good thanks Micko, how are you?
I’d have to agree, perhaps his card is the joker…. Well…
Devil, why do you feel the need?
Dippers are winning 2-0 against Chavs.
It’ll be interesting to see if we can score two against them in a couple of weeks… Somehow I doubt it…
That brings back memories Devil !……………..not sure how old you are ? but if you are of a certain age you will or may remember or had the privilage of being up the North Bank with your leg being used as a urinal !…………………had it happen to me by a mate, the first I knew of it was the welcoming warm glow on a frosty night game !………..absolute truth !
Bet Rico never had that experience ! 🙂
stranger things have happened boss. two weeks time??? even a day is long in football nowadays
I am no granddad Cockie. not even over 50 yet. though if someone peed on my leg he would have his balls popping out of his mouth
lol
Keeping my best side out as usual rico.
You’re spot on LC, I never did. Phew! Lol
Well, we haven’t for years devil and I doubt we will unless something changes within the squad..
Of course Micko…….
Were you being squashed against the bars at the same time le Coq, happy ole days lol.
Hahaha……….dont be silly Dev` !……………….testicles were great as hand warmers on a cold night up the North Bank ……….not to be wasted hanging out of someones mouth ! 😆
The everlasting debate on what Arsene is thinking continues.
Who bloody knows-that’s the answer.
Does he?
That’s another lol.
Well, they’re also questions but he is one unique individual, and even is biggest critics must give him that.
Obi, what has happened to Gabriel is incredible, and IMO, shows Wenger at his worst.
That guy had attitude and fire, and I thought that was why we bought him.
He’s a playful puppy now, with no intimidation factor at all.
Two weeks Rico……in two weeks the government might be overturned and an election recalled. a third world war might begin and end in a single day. We might find that there is life on the moon and go and live there. AW might have a change of heart and walk off suddenly….or he may opt to stay. Kroenke would decide to sell his shares or actually come to a game of football. Dein might return and fry Sir Chips.
many things can happen. The world will continue to turn around and around.
I don’t agree with what I see, but will not be negative in my criticism.
we just have to wait and see.
Lucky for Conte he will be pulling someone elses hair out of his head not his own !
Exactly Scott, who really knows what the old man thinks or knows….. Not sure even he does.
I bet Ornstein knows what Wenger is thinking ! 🙂
And what does all that gave to do with Arsenal Dev? The football will always be rubbish..
We have the players to be great.
Let’s hope Arsene can lift for one last big effort this season..
He definately knows more about Arsenal`s transfers than Wenger knows !………………..we get it quicker from Ornstein than the club ! 😆
For years, he had a valid excuse-financial restrictions-which made things very tough.
The last few years have been tough because we’ve lacked the squad depth and quality, though that’s because Wenger failed to adequately strengthen, so there was a reason, but no excuse, as the money was there but he just failed to spend it, so his responsibility.
Now, though, for the first time in 10-12 years, there is absolutely no valid reason, nor excuse for Wenger not to succeed.
He’s bought well, younger players now have experience, and we have ample quality.
It’s all on him.
I wasonly speaking mmetaphorically Rico. The world in two weeks time would be totally different than it is now. Even Arsenal’s world will be different. Even AW world will be different. The past is never a guarantee for the future.
I hope Rico has more luck with the Chickens than I have with my fish. Despite nets and fences those delightful reintroduced otters have reduced my koi from 32 to 2.Thanks a bunch Natural England.
Will it Devil? From what I’ve seen over the last few years, Wenger will never change in his world..
Potter, that’s so sad for your little swimmers. Life is cruel…
I need my pillow, night guys..
Your lucky rico, you ever get a sick chicken and you can send it on a hen party, a couple of cocktails later and everything is hunky dory again…….ok I’ll get my coat, nite matey.
Potter, life, dont talk to me about life……..as the old saying goes.
Good to have you back Rico…
Things alway slip a bit when the Camden Town boy is in charge…
Night All
Buongiorno lovelies and hunkies.
Do you think one of Debuchy\Gibbs will play today? I would put Gibbs in team. He will get today and against Forest.
Doesn’t matter, Devil….we will destroy Hull 🙂
Morning mate, hello all.
I’m confident, but not overly confident….if we show up, we will do a job on them.
On paper we should beat them easily. Its the mental state which determines whether we do. I would go for this team….
Cech
Bellerin, mustafi, kos, Gibbs
Coquelin, xhaka
Alexis, Ozil, Iwobi
Perez
I would rest Nacho as he has not been up to standard, while Cazorla needs a rest
Morning Rico and all. Good to be back? 🙂
Morning Adam and all..
Yes and no Adam. It was lovely to be by the coast in the sunshine but it’s always nice to be back in my own home and see the feathered ones… 😉
Nice to be away from football though… 🙂
Thanks Kev..
Micko, you do make me chuckle… lol
Morning
Hull always takes me back tto the 2014 Cup Final when overwhelming favourites we were 2-0 down and if it wouldn’t have been for Gibbs goal line saver it would have been 3-0 and then we woke up.
Come on Rico, surely you missed us 🙂
Hard to forget that Kelsey..
No Scott, not one bit… 🙂
Morning All
Love the stuff on systems
yesterday,
I played around with them yonks ago
Point is you have to have the right player’s
to play any system.
Would you believe the first system was 7-2-1
one at the back….1860
The Pyramid 1880……………………. 5-3-2….
Then 1925…..W-M 3 at the back.. 3-2-3-2…
1950..M-U..3-2-5..Hungarians
1960…4-2-4..Brazilians
3 at the back has been around longer than me
I mentioned GG with Leeds on how to get at
the best back 4 in history.
Now these coaches have all the help they need
most listen.
I know one who’s Mutton Geoff.
Nacho is like marmite to me.I keep changing my mind if he is good or not so good,LB has produced some very good players for us, one still playing up Norf.
Kelsey
So your blaming Gibbs.
Rumour had it Arsene was off if we lost.
Fred, don’t let Wenger know teams used to play just one at the back, otherwise he’ll have another excuse not to sign a defender…. lol
New post up now..
More than rumour Fred. He was waiting for the result and then signed his latest contract.
When he’s 95 will he still be able to not unzip his coat as the zimmerframe might get in the way and several of the squad will still be there.He doesn’t like change for the sake of change 😉