Daily Bits and Bobs

Arsene throws the towel in. Mustafi back but two ruled out….

Posted on by rico

Morning all.

What an awful year 2016 was. So many lives have been lost, not all from natural causes and yet again this morning we wake up to the news that yet another terrorist attack has killed many more in Istanbul whilst ordinary people were innocently seeing in the New Year. This is a cruel and ghastly world we now live in and I doubt 2017 will change that. I really hope that this New Year keeps you all safe and healthy.

2016 was a mixed bag for Arsenal really. We ended up coming second in the league after a season which was full of disappointment on so many levels. Out of the League Cup early, a shock home defeat to Watford in the FA Cup and the Champions League, well it was more or less the same as so many seasons gone by. The Premier League was there to be won, but no, injuries, naivety, complacency, call it what you want, saw us fail again and gift the big trophy to Leicester. But so did many other teams I hear you say, well yes, but only Arsenal failed to sign a single outfield player in their attempt to become champions. Arsene wanted to do it his way, and he failed.

Last summer was different. He signed a few goodies and for once we went into the new campaign with a good looking squad, albeit with a few key players missing after being in action on the international scene which resulted in us drop five points in our two opening games of the season. Things got a little better as we went on a good run of games without losing but after Santi Cazorla suffered injury, it all changed. Draws against the neighbours and ‘Boro at The Emirates, Utd at Old Trafford saw us drop more points but even so, other clubs did too and we remained right in the title mix. That was until two dreadful performances against Man City and Everton away from home resulted in us dropping down the table and here we are now, twelve points off the leaders and Arsene Wenger has already said it’s now Chelsea’s title to lose. What message does that send out?

Liverpool beat Man City yesterday, Chelsea and Utd both won their fixtures and with the neighbours playing Watford today, a match you’d expect them to win, three points against Big Sams Palace are crucial if we are to remain in with a slim chance of pipping those around us to the title.

We all know how Palace will play, defend, defend, defend because his team are in a relegation battle, so every point is precious.

Theo Walcott and Kieran Gibbs miss out today but Mustafi is back in the squad which is great news especially with the big lump that is Benteke up front.

Anyway, Happy New Year to you all, let’s hope it kicks off with an entertaining, imaginative and solid performance from this Arsenal team and three big points to go with it….

Ok, just the three points then…… 😉

rico

115 thoughts on “Arsene throws the towel in. Mustafi back but two ruled out….”

  4. Le Coq Monster says:

    Condolences to you Andrew…….. a terrible start for you. 🙁

    In reality there is only one thing in life that matters and that is good health and like you all I am selfish in wishing it all for for my family and friends first !

    Thanks Rico.

    Yes, 2016 sucked !………..as above, 2017 has started badly as well and on the Arsenal front !…………… we haven`t got any points since 2016 !……………………bought no players since 2016 !………………….and are 12 points behind the leaders !

    My head says as long as we finish above the Spuds and fail to get in CL or EL I will be fine as I think we will win the EPL next season, just like Chavs or `Pool will do this year, but for that to happen we need to lose and might heart cant take it, but with hindsight I bet the Chavs and Bindippers are secretly glad they are not in CL or EL …………….I honestly believe 4th trophy has been a curse for our title ambitions for years although Kroenke will not see it that way due to the extra revenue, but Manshafter and Chavs hve not stopped buying for lack of CL money because of their owners foresight…..and riches…..at the end of the day our non investing majority shareholder is our Achilles Heal………… we blame Brad Pit as well then !

  7. Wavy says:

    Happy new year to you all.
    A death in the family is hardly the best way to start the year. Sorry to hear of your loss Andrew.

    Took a bet last night: Arsenal will be in the top 4 at season’s end whilst Manure won’t! £1.00 stake. I’m still convinced the mancs are not a good side and the last few results have been far more luck than judgement. They are poor and will respond appropriately!

    Arsene’s New Years resolution? To spend, spend, spend! The transfer window’s open now. Dip your bread and buy some quality………..NOW.

    Raining here.

  8. rico says:

    I’m not convinced Wavy, Mourinho seems to have his lot winning again, mind you, once European football returns, things might change for them and the Totts…

    And us… 😉

  9. Le Coq Monster says:

    Dont know about you Rico, but when watching The Arse` I have always keet a sly eye on the lesser teams players, always wondering if any would bring something to our squad and N`Zonzi always looked the best player for Blackburn and Stoke !
    Unless we get some bad injuries I dont see us buying anyone…………………you know what as well ?……………….It still grates on me that we never bought an outfield player when Leicester won the league and that was one of Wengers biggest failings ever imo !.

  10. Le Coq Monster says:

    Can we have a running total and players names who are linked and rumoured in this TW ?………………………we can then see how accurate the BBC was with saying we bought what was it ?……….something like 25% of players rumoured !…….(it was Kevs link)………….so far that`s one of N`Zonzi`s limbs we have bought !…………….shall have a butchers on newsnow. there must be more !.

  11. Le Coq Monster says:

    Nope !……………..no rumours………………I did have a look back at Kev`s link and aparrently according to BBC, we bought 23.4% of players rumoured !…………..so by my calculations we need 3 more rumours and we have a player !…………………….obviously, none of you coming on here saying we are going to buy a player will count………………….well unless it`s Kelsey !……………… definately not Goonster !

  13. Le Coq Monster says:

    Found one !………………………£50,000 for Cohen Bramall !……..yes !, I did say £50,000 !………..about as much as a Chinese Super League club pays in tips for a take-a-way !

    Just two more and we have a player…………..I like this game !…………….hunt the rumour,…………get 4 and you get a player !

  14. Le Coq Monster says:

    Wonder if this hunt the rumour game works in other ways ?………………………….can some one put up 4 rumoured supermodels I`m having an affair with !.

  15. Le Coq Monster says:

    Just had a look on Ornstein !………nothing on there, not even a mention that percentage wise we have half a player ready to sign on the dotted line !.

  17. Le Coq Monster says:

    Just a rumour Rico………are you not listening ?………………we need 4 rumours before he signs ! 🙂

  22. kelsey says:

    A Happy new year to you all and very sad news for you Andrew,Condolences to you and your family.

    So it’s catch up time again today and two teams will miss out on the top 4 trophy.Chelsea and Liverool look the ones to catch IMO and we need a dramatic change of form and consistent results to keep up,Of course the others have to play each other.

    Expecting another tight game today and I can’t believe the Chinese want Sanogo for 50 million and 400K a week on a ten year deal.

  23. Le Coq Monster says:

    It`s getting closer !……………Telegraph say`s we are interested in Ross Barkley along with Chavs and Spuds !……………….one more rumour and you buy the shirt !.

  25. DB10 says:

    Condolences Andrew – no words can really suffice.

    Agree Rico that the world seems to be on a collision course where the value of life is minimal. How very sad.

    As for Arsenal – I still remain positive that we can, injuries and suspensions permitting, win the league. We are only half way through. Yes, Chavs are doing the business at the moment, but football tends to peak and trough and all peaks do end eventually.

    On a grander scale – how worrying and completely crazy that there is now a league that is paying a 32 year old £615,000 A WEEK! This madness needs to be stopped before our fabulous game goes down the toilet!

  28. Le Coq Monster says:

    Lets hope this madness doesn`t transcend to other sports or even life, jobs etc` !………………….if the Chinese start up a Bowls league then we will lose Kelsey !………and what if they are on the lookout for Cabbies !….that`s no more Kev !…………………Goonster is probably out there now on £100 per week as an Adonis model !

  31. Wavy says:

    According to Sir Bob Wilson, speaking on 5 live this morning, the Arsenal financial model, so admired as being self sustainable, in the business world, disallows the club from buying any players during this window because they can’t afford them! Money in the bank, what money?

    So, all this talk of transfers and or new players coming in, rumours on the back pages, news now or my mates best friend has a friend who knows an agent…..etc etc can all be discounted now.

    You heard it first on HH, we have no dosh so we won’t be buying!

  33. allezkev says:

    Cocker, there’s probably Chinese money invested in Uber, so they’re trying to kill me off already…

    Rico, weren’t we linked with N’Zonzi when he played over here…
    Mustafi played here, went away and came back a complete player, so who knows?

    I ain’t sure that we need to buy anyone anyway.
    We just need the players we have to perform to their best, consistently and we’ll be ok…

  34. Le Coq Monster says:

    Hi Vic`s and happy new year………………………..where did you get that rumour from ?……..or is it just your opinion ?……….it needs to be from a reliable source such as The Sun, Daily Star, Guardian, Sky Sports etc` to be considered in the ” “23.4% ” stakes as to whether it gets us a player…………………not The South Okendom Gazette !. 🙂

    Wavy, your comment justifies what a few on here think in that Kroenke will be the death of the club as a competive force !…………………self sustainability will not win us the EPL or CL and if Bob Wilson is right, then we are on a crest of a slump where our current world class players of Ozil and Alexis will be the last we buy, because how the fcuk do we get a top player nowadays with no money and the likes of an aging Tevez commanding £615K per week and what ever his ridiculous fee was……..if the likes of Mansour City and Chavs cant compete with the Chinese then what chance has a self sustainable club like ours got ?……………………..it will only get worse and that`s without the cliche of before it gets better…………..it wont ever get better if China gets even more powerfull !……………..yes, they can have all the best players eventually, but if it goes back to mainly British players, we will be getting the scraps of them, only Kroenke being wiped from the face of this Earth will save us !…………………………..and we are only into day one of the new year !……………………..364 depressing days left in the gooner year ! hahaha………………………definately need a win now !……………..mind you, how juicy will the Arsenal Blog World be if we dont win a MWG today ?…………….nothing like a good old moan ! hahaha

  35. Le Coq Monster says:

    We need a Chinese owner then Kev !……………………….how you liking a shirt with Uber on it ?……………………steady Kev…..put the gun away !. 🙂

  36. Le Coq Monster says:

    That`s it !………………..4th rumour !…………..Dailly Star says we are monitering Isco !………………so that`s a player signed, but considering Wavy`s comment, it will be Cohen Bramall @ £50, 000 and that will done on a Provident Chegue……………..I never never see that coming !.

  38. potter says:

    Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger has dropped little hints over his plans during the transfer window but could be looking to build towards the future with an eye on Red Bull Salzburg wonderkid Dayotchanculle Upamecano.

    Mecano ,hope Lewin has got the right spanner to fix him.

  41. kelsey says:

    : Cech, Bellerin, Gabriel, Koscielny, Monreal, Elneny, Xhaka, Iwobi, Alexis, Lucas, Giroud

    Ozil not in squad on his way to China for talks 🙂

  47. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Subs: Ospina, Maitland-Niles, Mustafi, Coquelin, The Jeff, Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain
    Ozil not in the squad. Probably keep him to tuesday.

  49. Tsgh says:

    Kev stop diverting the attention from your friends at Goldman Sachs onto the Chinese. ? Your shares in Goldman is still secret…
    Image those bankers owning arsenal.

  50. Tsgh says:

    Our win record or should I say AW’s record against fat Sam when fat Sam has just taken over a team is only 24% .
    Hope we smash him today.
    2 goals win today

  61. rico says:

    All started with Lucas winning the ball in defence….

    Gary Neville has already rebuffed such stuff Ts… instinct he called it…

  64. Tsgh says:

    Hey Goonie…I bet bolt could not have kept up with giroud’s pace for that goal.. ?
    Perez has got the ‘poldolskiastic’

  66. allezkev says:

    Ginge, I live in hope that those responsible at Goldman Sachs get run over whilst crossing the road…. ?

  67. allezkev says:

    Cocker, there’s more chance of me wearing a Scum shirt than an Uber shirt….
    I wouldn’t wipe my windscreen with an Uber shirt.

    But Uber are coming for all of us, they want to take over the world and have us all working on minimum contracts….

  68. Tsgh says:

    Rico Gary is almost always honest.it’s the screeching Scouser Jamie who will probably say he has seen that done in training loads of times. ?

  70. Tsgh says:

    Kev…If there is a ‘hell’ then I bet those thieving banksters have cell block A.
    All jokes aside they have their fingers in everything.
    They even sponsor Tesla with their driverless cars nonsense…

  74. Tsgh says:

    So true Lewis.How the media and pundits can forgive and forget that crook so soon baffles me to say the least.
    He must be quite generous at the pub..?

  95. rico says:

    Ha ha Potter, like I said……

    Alexis looked dead on his feet, won’t be long before he picks up an injury…..

    Bournemouth in two days time…!

  103. allezkev says:

    Night Rico…

    Now for a bit of rotation for Bournemouth….
    Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Coquelin to start….

    Mustafi was only on the bench and we keep a clean sheet.
    His influence is amazing…

    Night All…

  105. Le Coq Monster says:

    Bournemouth is MWG, so Alexis has to play………….he can be rested against Preston in FA Cup if need be.

  111. Marshall says:

    Happy New year to you all HHers.
    Sorry for your loss Andrew, my deepest condolences.

    It was a nice way to start the year at the Ems. Hope we have a good one this time.

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