Morning all.
Another from AllezKev to finish off the tour of Australia before the next step of pre-season fixtures which begin today.
Well there I was, just home from the Lambeth Country Fayre, when it hit me, those glorious Gunners were again playing a second game of footie in the land of the Antipodean Colonies.
I logged into YouTube this time in search of tasty snippets of the game.
Another 80,000+ crowd of excited sports mad Aussie fans squeezed into the ANZ stadium – what a great country to live in if you love sports – which left Arsene to remark how memorable this tour was for him personally as the interest in these two games have outstripped anything he has known in his long experience of many pre seasons.
A big thank you to the footie fans Down Under for sure…
The Gunners will have left Australia with a lot of fond memories, the 163,000+ Aussie football fans will certainly encourage Arsenal to return a lot sooner than the 40 years it’s taken since the clubs previous tour in the country.
So what of the Western Sydney Wanderers FC game?
The Wanderers are recent A League champions and put on a strong response to a fitter more competitive Arsenal team.
It was another open game played with a bit more of an edge than to it than the Sydney game. Fitness remained the issue for both teams but Arsenal looked a lot sharper than the previous outing.
Arsene brought Ramsey, Ospina and Koscielny into the starting XI as he went with a more experienced team yet still there was room for experimentation as Elneny played in an emergency defender role in the back-three, where he did ok which certainly gives us another option if needed this coming season. Most of the youth were on the bench but Maitland-Niles and Oxlade-Chamberlain did a good job as wing-backs, more interesting options in the season to come for Arsene?
Giroud with a trademark near post flick opened the scoring and then Ramsey from a Monreal pass of Beckenbauer proportions, soon doubled our lead. Arsenal were in control and after Elneny, in classic Lampardesque style, gave us a 3-0 lead it looked a very comfortable half time lead.
I thought that Monreal looked absolutely superb in the back three, Nacho is like a fine vintage bottle of wine, he just gets better and better with age.
Wanderers got a goal back via a free kick early in the second half but a raft of changes, young legs and the mercurial quality of Mesut Ozil took the game away from the Aussies as the game wore on.
Elneny hit the bar, Ozil hit the post and Eddie Ntekiah hit the post again as the Gunners ran out comfortably winners with importantly no injuries and although I heard that Donyall Malen has picked up a slight knock in training, it all looks good on that front.
The new additions to the fitness team already having an influence perhaps?
Now we are in China where tougher propositions in the form of our ‘old friends and rivals’ in Bayern Munich and Chelsea await.
Just how Arsene will juggle his resources will be enlightening. Will he use our youngsters fully or will they get only fleeting appearances?
Hopefully he’ll give them a chance. Winning these games are good for morale but I’m more interested in seeing Arsenal win their opening half a dozen Premier League games if I’m honest.
On the transfer gossip, yesterday Arsene Wenger again reiterated the clubs stance on Alexis Sanchez. He’s not for sale and that’s that! A bold statement, especially if PSG really do hope to sign the player as I doubt they’ll muck around with an offer. If a big one, certainly one in excess of the reported £35M we paid for him a couple of years ago comes in, the club will have to think long and hard before rejecting it.
There are many stories which concern exits this summer and to be honest, no one really bothers me. Perez is the only player I’d like to see stay and play, the others like Jenkinson, Gibbs, Wilshere, Debuchy, Ospina etc, well perhaps it’s best for all involved that they move on and play regular football because they won’t if they remain at Arsenal.
Szczesny leaving for Juventus is an odd one though. If he’s good enough for them, why isn’t he good enough for us now? It can only be down to his attitude that he’s being sold, and on the cheap to.
Oh well, good luck to him and any others who leave. Right now it’s more important to focus on who is staying, and who is still to come in because the future matters, not the past.
At least Arsene Wenger has said the club are still active in the transfer window, unlike in summers before when all we’ve heard is that only if there’s another Messis out there, he’ll sign him. Or something like that….
Enjoy the game guys….
Good post again Kev. I hope one or two of the youngsters get to play in the remaining friendliest, certainly Nelson and Eddie… Against a tougher opposition, it’ll be interesting to see how assured they are. As you said the other day, we may already have our very own ‘Mabappe’ in Nelson…
But we won’t know unless they play…
Morning again all..
Morning guys.
You’ve done well, Kev.
We Aussies salute you 🙂
I thought you’d have written one Scott.. ?
Rico, I’m still drying out lol
Kev seems to have covered everything, and I reckon everyone’s had enough of Oz as the topic 🙂
People keep saying they’re okay with Gibbs, Debuchy, Chambers and Jenks leaving.
But without bringing in another fullback, we’ll be short if we switch back to a back 4.
🙂 Scott.
Neal, there’s no way I want Gibbs gone.
Chambers, is keep for one more season.
I didn’t mention Chambers Neal… 😉
My guess is Aw is happy with Gabriel atvright back if we drop to a four. We are ok on the left I’d say though..
Hi kev, from down under, down under,
There doesn’t seem to be any noises being made about off loading Santi Cazorla!
An interesting post, thanks. I hope to see a bit more of the kids in China but it seems unlikely given the opposition.
With the news about Szczeny I have a feeling Ospina could stay. Cech looked decidedly poor at times last season and Ospina may see an opportunity to take the starting spot this term. The real concern right now must be how the contracts are coming along. The club are making noises about keeping Alexis to his, but if Ozil, Ox and Ramsey all fail to sign too, we have a huge problem. There is no way the club are letting 150m walk out the door next summer.
Thanks again All Oz Kev……………………….I take it you will be doing more of these after the China visit with plenty of stereotype Chinese gags ………………some Benny Hill stuff etc` hahahaha
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1d0mh
Seems PSG are dreaming about Neymar.
Is it happens, what’s the chance Alexis goes back?
If it doesn’t, maybe PSG chase him.
Bloody transfer windows 🙂
https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/887616570171826176
Morning all, another great post Kev.
Is the Arsenal game on Arsenal player today? I know the others were so hope this one is aswell, that’ll be my lunch break sorted if so.
Scott – PSG nearly 200M for Neymar, he’s good for sure, but not 200M good!
Bumba, I agree, and I don’t think he’s near the level of Ronaldi and Messi,
but PSG have plenty in the bank, and imagine the shirt sales?
He probably pays for himself inside two seasons,
to be honest.
Is that Sanchez out of their grasp or will they see them together.if the Neymar fee is true then 50 million on top is sweet f.a.
Potter,
I reckon if they don’t get him, they’ll go hard at getting Alexis.
Agree Scott, Especially seeing as the rumour is he wants to step out of the Argentinian and Uruguayan shaped shadows he currently steps in. Would you really pay 200M for someone who is the 3rd best striker at a club (no matter the quality of the other two)
Although, yes, shirt sales probably would pay for him a bit like Ronaldo did with Madrid when he went all those years ago!
Morning All, just…
Morning Rico, thanks for the makeover, made it a lot better ?
Scott/Gnarly, glad you enjoyed my scribbling cobbers.
Good post Kev…. I share your Perez opinion and I would add Chambers also.I think they both will stay and Perez will get playing. I really don’t see the need to keep Theo.
I think Holding and Chambers can be a formidable pairing for club and country for years to come. Champers is a good CB, imho, better than Stone, they should just let him concentrate on playing CB under the coaching of Per, the kid has all the attribute.
The talents and the abilities of the youngsters are awesome they really should be given a chance. Their desire and determination is a lot different from previous youngsters, Nelson can be integrated into the senior team right now. Hard to believe but Nkatiah’s positioning and movement is better than Walcott, crazy.
Morning Kev, my pleasure… ?
Obi, I’ve heard that Arsenal are willing to sell Chambers but want a buy-back clause inserted in the deal, which makes a lot of sense.
Calum needs games to fully develop, so maybe the club will retain Bielik and sell Chambers but with an eye to buying him back as the finished article.
It’s maybe a better option than loaning players out?
Rico, on AFC website they’ve said that BFG has pulled out of the starting XI with sickness and Elneny starts.
Kev, I hope we don’t cut all ties with Chambers.
Bielik looks pretty decent.
Arsenal substitutes: Giroud, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Iwobi, Martinez, Malen, Nketiah, Walcott, Bramall, Nelso
Arsenal XI: Cech, Bielik, Elneny, Monreal, Maitland-Niles, Coquelin, Xhaka, Kolasinac, Ozil, Welbeck, Lacazette…
Agree Scott
I like the fact he’s gone with some kids.
It’s a pre season match, so should be treated as such and lest see how they handle things.
Who the fuck dives In a pre season match???
Damn, this sport needs a kick up the arse.
Even in a pre-season game the filthy cheats of Bayern are given a dodgy penalty from a blatant dive!
Scott. Its in-bred into this scum. They get kudos for it.
Bob, I genuinely am amazed.
I shouldn’t be, but I am.
Still, it’s a trial, so I guess all clubs are trialling their “tactics”.
Scumbags.
Can the game be watched live anywhere?
Where are you watching this?
He was just using his “professionalism” ?
Have we any diving champions? Oh yes, Sanchez, and where is he when we need his ability to fall over in the box? Where was the video ref?
Oh me, oh my…..c’est la vie!
Wavy, don’t get me started on divers-too late hahaha
Pay TV showing it in Oz, not that it helps you guys.
BEIN Sports.
Premier Sports in UK
You Tube
Bayern bossing it
Damn near their first squad though, Kev.
I’m liking Ozil and Lacazette together already.
I never knew you could watch live on Youtube. In all your posts i thought you meant you watch highlights on youtube. Thanks
Yeah, I appreciate that Scott, Bayern seem as if they’re fitter at this stage of pre-season…
Ah Lacazette should have scored
Two clear chances missed. Ozil volley from 8 yards and Laca one on one saved! Some things never change!
I never knew you could watch live on youtube either !…………………..does that include EPL games etc` ?
Good save from Cech…
At last my internet has settled, bloody storms!!
Premier Sports for £9.99 a month, is that the channel for all PL matches on Sky from now on?
Pre season or not Could be 5 for Bayern.. poor.
TBH I’d fancy playing agsinst a back three of Bielik, Monreal and Elneny!
Just watched a bit on YouTube. Shocked at how naive we look.
Very impressed with Elneny as a sweeper, he doesn’t waste many passes…
Three great saves from Cech
Bob, spot on.
We will never see this back 3 start an important game.
Reiss Nelson on for Kolasavic
Kolasinac off injured ?……………………………………since I started watching, we could be 37-0 down !……………………..it`s hot out there, bit like Cornwall !
We look like a powder-puff outfit in the heat
Look on the bright side, it’s been a good workout for the defence…. 🙂 🙂
True Rico. But not for midfield because it doesn’t look like we have one. Again.
Don’t laugh (much ?) but I wonder if there is a bug going around the Arsenal camp?
We look lifeless, lacking energy, or is that just normal Arsenal, what do you think Mr Adam..?
Lets not beat about the bush……………we look shit ! hahaha
Two ways of looking at this……………..or maybe more !……………………………………………it`s a good workout for the defense……….or we play so badly it gives Wenger a kick up the arse to know that he needs to sign more quality players !…………………..we can also have a good old moan about him too ! hahaha
Gawd knows Mr Allezkev
How closely does our starting 11 resemble our best?
Not even close.
Bayern, on the other hand…..
At the moment, they’re a class above us as a club.
We’ve scrambled well, which is something we’ve failed to do in the past and Cech has been brilliant.
Kev, Merts is out through illness……you could be right .
If they have a bug, then it`s probably all down to them dodgy English take-aways in China !……………………..I bet the Chinese people all take the piss out of our take-aways !…………” They eat lamb and beef with potatoes and vegatables , have mint sauce and their chicken is rubbery!”
“and they use knives and forks hahahaha”
Asia belly instead of Delhi belly Kev? Lol
Gertcha Mr Adam
Referee is bloody terrible lol
Elneny just won that challenge, the other guy, who came in late, gets injured to Elneny gets a yellow?
The more things change….
These Chinese officials are fcuking useless, don’t bet against an Arsenal red card.
Our young players are doing quite well…
Good experience for them.
This ref is so far out of his depth! Apart from the penalty there have been two clear fouls on our players that he has given free kicks to them for! Even just booked Elneny when he got to the ball and their guy caught him late!
Much better so far in the second half.
Ramsey.
Brilliant.
Iwobi-well deserved.
I wonder if Wenger has told him to lift the work rate because he’s tracked back all night.
Scott @12:42, they are practicing their dives for the regular season, that’s why they dive during the pre season…..lol.
I don’t know why AW insist on converting Bielick as a CB. This kid is a very good DM with Poland, his natural position…. it kills me, you buy the player as a DM but insist on turning him into a CB.
Bayern confirming what utter wankers they are by not shaking hands at the end.
A fine goal at the end…
great goal !!!
Obi, and Bielik can pick a pass!!!
Another strange one lol
Obi, very good point. Maybe he’s just in defence as part of his journey, a bit like Ramsey playing right and left before going central…. Lol
Iwobi started it and finished it !…………..an improvement from the 5-1`s hahaha
Going to pens !
Martinez just saved Walnut the embarrassment of missing the final penalty
Good job Cech wasn’t in goal for the shoot out. Do think Wenger made a tactical change there?…hahahahahahaha!
Good win, buried a few ghosts of some of our past results against BM even if it was only a ‘friendly’!
Cruel Bob… lol
Great farewell comment from Sir Chesney.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWuxOvAFjGb/
Not bad considering the sickness bug !………………………………………..Wenger on Kolasinac coming off…
He was sick as well. We have a little virus in the camp, Aaron finished [feeling] bad, Walcott, Mertesacker, Giroud.
That’s not good Lc, hope they all leave it in China. And the Chelsea players all catch it… ?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjEpC1MKfyo
That’s good…
I saw it on facebook and wasn`t expecting the ending !…………………….now if only I could make one like that but with squirrells going through numerous obstacles to finally parade their nuts saying……………………………………… Kroenke Out ! 😆
Is it chop sued pizza gate? Or did Bayern send our boys some dodgy sausage?
Still won though. Turning into a good pre season. Hope I haven’t spoken too soon.
Chop suey gate. God, it’s the way the iPad tells them!
Chelsea have Morata then.
Seems like it Rico.
Shame Adam.
Night guys…
Morning…
New post up now.