Daily Bits and Bobs

Arsene In For German Misfit? League Title Soon To Be Arsenal’s…..

Posted on by rico

Morning all.

After 13 or 14 games, you cannot say that the title race is over. You cannot say Chelsea are not catchable. I think we are creating something special inside the club but our job is to win football games and that is the best way to unite everybody.

Arsene Wenger is right of course, Chelsea are catchable but not by us, not unless some kind of injury crisis hits Jose’s lot in a huge way! City might catch them, they might even overtake them but us, no chance. In any case, I thought just a couple of weeks ago, Arsene said that we couldn’t catch Chelsea?

The manager does go onto say that he’s confident that before his contract is up, we’ll have lifted the Premier Trophy which is all good and positive but until the day arrives that he has a full and well balanced squad and a few new ideas, I can’t see that prediction becoming a reality.

The Daily Star report that Arsene Wenger will try and sign  23 year old Christoph Kramer. He’s a 6′ 3″ defensive midfielder who’s currently playing for Borussia Mönchengladbach, on loan from Bayer Leverkusen. He’s made eight appearances for his country so he must be pretty good but he can’t get into Leverkusen’s first team right now.

Enough of all that, it’s back to business tonight as Southampton arrive at The Emirates. Tough fixture I’d say…

Head-to-head

  • Southampton have only won two of their 37 league games at Arsenal (D12, L23).
  • Arsenal are unbeaten at home against Saints in the Premier League (W11, D4).
  • Saints won the last game at Arsenal, a 2-1 League Cup victory in September, and have only lost one of the last four meetings (W1, D2).
  • Arsenal are unbeaten in their last nine Premier League games against Southampton (W5, D4).

The odds are in our favour if history is anything to go by but we are a very different side, so are Southampton who apart from being ripped apart by Man City at the weekend, are having a very good season. They will of course be without their main man in midfield.

We have yet another injury crisis and if both Nacho Monreal and Kieran Gibbs fail late tests, we’ll have no left back. Fingers crossed at least one has recovered and Arsene has hinted that Monreal will be. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain faces a late fitness test too after picking up a knee injury against West Brom. Szczesny also sits this game out but should be back for the weekend.

Some good news though re our injuries, Debuchy is back training and could be back next week and David Ospina is also just a week away from returning. Sanogo is fit, hoorah!

Well, if we are going to try and catch Chelsea we need to build on our last two victories and go on a good run and we certainly need to be winning at The Emirates.

COYRRG’S!!

rico

162 thoughts on “Arsene In For German Misfit? League Title Soon To Be Arsenal’s…..”

  8. Adam says:

    Slightly odd that Wenger came out with that title winning stuff yesterday. Was it to placate the fans or does he really believe it could happen?

  16. Nickie says:

    Wenger makes me laugh. Title out of reach a couple of weeks ago. An away win to West Brom and we’re back in contention. Joke.

  18. frednerk says:

    Morning All,
    Was that Berlin.Not Bellerin..rico.

    Everytime I make a prediction and a week later,
    come out with the opposite to what I said(denial).
    The wife wants me to go round the doctors.

  20. Wavy says:

    So we’re stuck with the old geezer for at least another 2 years, yes two years! And a half! Can’t see the present squad winning the EPL this year or next, the year after? Only if he makes some significant signings and doesn’t, for what ever reason, consign the improvements to the bench!

    Morning everybody everywhere! Blue skies galore, but cold here.

    Beat Southampton, piece of piss!……..or not???

  22. Lee says:

    We couldn’t even beat a shite manure how the fuck are we going to win the PL? 2.5 yrs = £20m of course he’s going to say we’ll win it, he’s got to try and justify his salary!

  25. frednerk says:

    What if we did win the league this season,
    and we do catch the Chavs.

    Probably………..the biggest load of rubbish we have heard,
    so far from Mr Wenger.
    Wecome to our new sponsers…………………..Carlsberg

  28. Lee says:

    We’ve beaten a team that had already qualified for the CL and WBA a win tonight and the happy clappers will be out in force blowing smoke up wenger’s ‘arris! Not so many about after our worse start for decades….

  33. rogerbij says:

    Indeed Henry is loved in England. Best foreign player ever in the PL, and in fact best ever imo.

    Just a year ago we were top of the table, and if Wenger said then we could win the thing in 3 years there would be some sense of hope. But without that golden striker in January last year, and still no DM thats not going to happen is it.

    We still need our ‘Aguero’, or the new Henry if you prefer
    We need our Schniederlin or Vierra if you prefer
    We need A massive fast scary football playing rock to put beside Kosh and move Merts to the bench.

    Thatll get us quite far. Maybe even to the title I would think.

    ps Who still wants Klopp? They’re Klopp bottom.

    And thanks for the post Rico!

  36. goonster says:

    Hahahahahah I blame you adam….Lord God thanks for highbury house. Even when there’s little to smile about I can still smile whenever I come on here. God bless your hearts. Thanks for all the laughs. Adam ak lee micko rico agag scotty oz DG ts wavy nickie potter roger…you guys put the sunshine in my cloudy sky. I feel honored. obrigado.

  38. goonster says:

    Am just hanging in there kev…can’t wait for Christmas. Need a change of scenery. Arnhem is calling. How are you kev?? And the missus? ?

  42. allezkev says:

    So, if the reports are correct, Liverpool want to sign Joel Campbell…..!

    Really, what are they smoking up there???

    Arsenal sell a player to Liverpool after their behaviour over Suarez….

    I don’t think so….

    Or, at least, that’s what Wenger SHOULD be thinking….

  43. allezkev says:

    Two weeks is nice Stan, you’re Mamma will be delighted…

    Yes, I’m sure we (especially Adamnant) could arrange for something in your honour if you decide to visit Islington… 🙂

  45. goonster says:

    If we sell joel to loserpoop I ll go up in arms and trust me a whole bunch of people ll follow me. I have the power to incite and instigate people.

  46. rico says:

    Hi Stan, glad HH gives you something to smile about at times…

    Spot on Kev, no way should we even entertain selling to that lot!

  49. Lee says:

    Stan the family on here helped me too through a shit time! I’d be pissed off if you came to London and didn’t meet up with us!

  54. allezkev says:

    I’m sure even Scott would fly in to see you Stan, but you’d have to be prepared for a heavy session on the grog if he does…

  64. Lee says:

    Couldn’t we use the Pod as a make weight for a German DM or a CB?
    Sanogo shouldn’t be anywhere Arsenal first team…

  65. Lee says:

    Nothing really going on Stan, just getting ready for the match. I hope you and Brianna are coping well mate, I reallly do!

  71. Lee says:

    My 10 yr old son is looking over my shoulder and wants to type!
    ” I think AW should start spending some money and buy a CB and why did he not get Cesc back?”

  79. tsgh says:

    Kramer has taken our old boy Noidvert’s place at Mong’blach.he is not really a holding midfielder though…

  117. Micko says:

    Don’t get me wrong kev, I’d love us to leap frog Swansea tonite and would happily take a nose bleed.

    rico, can’t help but think of Boddingtons when I see Melanie Skyes on screen ! She’s a tough cookie.

  123. Wavy says:

    Superstition won tonight. I had my lucky boxers on as well as my very old reddish polo shirt! God it was hard work. The shirt was smelly and the boxers weren’t much better!

    The problem is the last ball, it’s never quite good enough, it used to be but not anymore. That’s why we are not scoring goals, the strikers are only as good as the delivery service allows and at present its second class, a blue stamp effort! When Ozil returns we can only hope that he brings back the red stamp and delivers accurately and on time!

    Still 3 points is three points, and I didn’t think we played too badly, but then again I was watching on my iPad with the sound on mute!

  124. Joe says:

    The performance by the ref was world class how about playing the BELL as Sanogo has been christened if we want to score more goals.

  126. allezkev says:

    I suppose it’s a case of you get what you pay for…

    Sanchez cost £35 million and scores 9 gls so far…

    Welbeck cost £16 million and scores 3 gls.

    Sanogo cost zip and scores 1 goal…

  131. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Bonjour Chicks and Ducks

    Great win yesterday. Even though by 1-0 make no mistake….it was a great win.

    I am thrilled for Martinez…..another clean sheet. He was not caught out, he did the correct things and his decision making showed the promise of a great keeper. And those drop kicks on the opposition penalty box!!!!! Even the goal kicks were good ones. His distribution was good as well.

    Monreal soldiered on despite having his ankle crushed at one point early in the first half. The right hand side and left hand side were solid. I liked the look of the Chambers/Ox combo. On the left Monreal/Sanchez combo was good as well.

    But what left me amazed was the way OX/SAnchez/Cazorla switched positions with ease behind DW23 and later on when OG12 came on instead of the OX DW23 did it as well.

    All of the attacking department got into good goal scoring positions. It was only Forster who saved Southampton from a battering. And this time, unlike when faced with De Gea, we did not shoot straight at Forster. Some of his saves were very good, especially with the DW header and the OG shot.

    Yes it was 1-0 but I enjoyed watching the game.

    The only thing I wanted was for DW23 or OG12 to score instead of Sanchez. Yes its enjoyable to see him score. But I want the others to get into the act as well.

  133. Hell Raising Devil says:

    It may be, it may be not Lee. I would like to see Jack in the CDM role he occupies for the English team. But AW will not let him.

    But its a good point you make. Cazorla and Aaron seem to function better without Jack.

  134. Adam says:

    Morning Rico, Brudder, Dev and all.
    In the flesh it was a slightly curious and somewhat directionless game. The first half drifted by, offering only the occasional spark while we ebbed and flowed our way through the second with energy levels up and down. We would turn on the pressure and then relieve it a few minutes later. Their goalkeeper was amazing. The save from Giroud in the latter second half was something to behold. Wanyama didn’t stop fouling our players all game but little was done. The goal was through persistence really but overall we deserved it. The boos when Ox was substituted were unfortunate I think as he wasn’t expected to play. Big plus from Martinez as he was calm and commanding. A bitty report about a bitty game.

  135. tsgh says:

    November blues is officially over!

    Lets maintain this run at least until the March slump.. ;(

    Scott, the boy wonder may not have scored a hat-trick of goals but he is back to winning quadruple of tackles per game like he should. lol

    Dev, what do you think of Chambo’s positioning defensively? I know he is learning but from the few games I have seen him play he seems to like to drift in-field when we have the ball. I guess he is still learnng so…

    Morning all btw…

  136. scottfromoz says:

    Morning all.
    Ginge, how goes it mate?
    Aaron should be tried at DM, IMO……..he can tackle and his positioning is impeccable.
    Devil, for app. 3 seasons, Ginge has said our wn/loss ratio is far far better when Jack doesn’t okay, and he’s right.
    Maybe not Jacks fault, but Wengers for not working out how best to play him??
    Hi Adam! my old man is no football guru! but he was gobsmacked at how much Wanyama got away with.
    Anyway, that was a fantastic result.

  138. scottfromoz says:

    Why the hell do the “experts” keep saying we are average without Alexis?
    We have the bloke so who gives a shit??
    It’s like banging on about Cesc, who we do NOT have.
    Who cares?
    We have who we have………..and we have Sanchez!!

  143. Hell Raising Devil says:

    The only player who has not been rested from the attack so far is Sanchez. The OX, DW23, Cazorla, OG12, have all been rested. But Sanchez has been rested only once if I am correct.

    Is AW scared of resting him?? Maybe Alexis threatened to shatter his office if he is subbed or rested??? lol

  155. tsgh says:

    I am good Scott… how about you?

    Now the mention of Vidal gets me creaming like a younger goonie. lol

    rico reckons she has got news on Kramer for us.. 😉 Kramer was always on the cards I guess last summer. The issue was how to deal with the Dfb rules on S04 ownership of him.

  157. Hell Raising Devil says:

    I know Scott. But massive engine or not, the bones and muscles need a rest now and then. His legs will surely need it. Yesterday Wanyama kicked him all over the place. More than once. One of them in the first half was vicious. Sanchez outran him and all Wanyama could do was kick his shin.

    Had Wanyama been in a red shirt yesterday he would have been sent off by the tenth minute.

  159. Hell Raising Devil says:

    With regards to the question about Chambers I think the answer lies between two options. It might be that AW wants him to do so because of the formation. Or else it might be that he prefers the centre and that is why he drifts inside. If we compare his performances in the centre to those on the flanks we can see that he seemed more assured in the centre, although Per’s form dipped slightly. Per seems to prefer Kos beside him.

    I think that once Debuchy returns, AW should rest Chambers for a couple of games and then rest Per and allow Chambers and Kos as CB. I think it would work well.

  160. scottfromoz says:

    Lee, no Sanogo! we are relegated bud! and you know it 🙂
    Devil, I agree mate…..trouble is, we need to be 2-3 up after 45 minutes to spell him, and it’s not happening.
    Ginge, I have not seen much if Vidal, but heard plenty and it’s all good, so let’s hope….

  162. Joe says:

    Aguero has been involved with 55% of man city’s goals goals and assists
    Sanchez involved with 50% of Arsenal goals and we are the team dependent on just one player don’t know Costa’s stat’s.
    Maybe Tsgh does 🙂

Leave your comment.

Discover more from Highbury House

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading