Morning all.
The ghastly under-tall Portuguese man has hit back at both Arsene Wenger and Jurgen Klopp because he didn’t like the comments they made about paying £100 million for Paul Pogba. ‘I don’t talk about what goes on at other clubs’ he says, no doubt with his fat tongue firmly planted in his cheek because ever since that horrid little man has managed in England, he’s enjoyed taking a swipe at Arsene Wenger. And not always have his comments been very nice.
Seems like nothing will change with him this season either and as he gloats over his new summer signings, I just pray it all goes very wrong for him, just as it did at Chelsea. The way he’s treated Bastian Schweinsteiger is disgraceful. Chucking him into the reserves is humiliating for a player with such a great footballing history behind him. Would Arsene Wenger treat a player in a similar way? I doubt it….
Scoring seven goals last night was great and some of them were very good goals too but again, thumping a Viking side with ease does not really tell us anything about the level of football Arsenal are producing, perhaps tomorrow when we face City, things will be a little more clear.
Yes, the boys will have grown in confidence and improved their match fitness but Viking were very very average. Good to see players shooting from distance again instead of opting to pass the ball to death as was watching Akpom react very quickly to poke home a Bellerin shot from 25 yards out which the keeper spilled.
There’s lots of positives from the match, especially watching Santi boss nearly everything, apart from his penalty of course which to be fair, was well saved. Walcott’s goal was taken well too, in fact all seven of the goals were very good. One of the eight was bundled home by a Viking defender but perhaps that was because he was under pressure from Jeff. Santi’s strike was simply stunning and both Campbell and Iwobi took their chances well, nabbing two each although I think Campbell was cheeky to get a touch on Elney’s header robbing him from getting on the score-sheet. lol
As said, they were all very good goals but in the league and cups, Arsenal players won’t be allowed so much freedom and space, defenders will close them down much quicker and much harder and only then will we see whether this squad is ready for the challenge ahead.
After the match, Arsene Wenger talked about transfers:
It’s not the prices, it’s the players. At the moment I’m focused on the players we have. Today we didn’t have Ramsey, Xhaka, Alexis – he will play on Sunday. We still have Ozil at home, and Giroud and Koscielny too. We also have young players who came on and did well. We do not have to panic but we are on alert in the transfer market so that we can make the right move when the opportunity comes up.
The money is never a problem if you have to pay what is requested. The price of a player is down to four ingredients. One is the talent, two his age, three is how much you expect him to improve your team, and four his resale value. If he ticks all four boxes then the price is not that important. You have to find the player.
I’m not convinced by his comments at all really because we know that when it comes to spending big, Arsene doesn’t like it. If money wasn’t an issue then why hasn’t he signed the striker he promised and the defender who he assured us would be in before the Liverpool match?
He still has a week to get both deals done and fingers crossed he does because we all know that by the time November arrives, it won’t only be Jack Wilshere, Danny Welbeck and Per Mertesacker on the injury list…
But, if this group of young players do well against Man City tomorrow, those two signings might just be forgotten…
Good sum Rico
Just one error
You are to polite when
talking about a:
Cheating big mouth diago midget.
I eight it when you short change us rico.
Morning all.
Morning Rico and the house
Your up early micko…. Did you wet the bed.
I am polite Fred.. 😉
Short changed Micko?
Morning to you both and all..
Morning Malaga, am I early or are you late, gotta make the most of the weekends lol.
Morning Mg.
Morning rico, just me being a lickle bit picky over the score 7, 8 or 9….who cares, didn’t watch it but a very good run out for the lads.
Good Morning to The Lady of the House and all fellow Gooners in residence.
Rico – “…If money wasn’t an issue then why hasn’t he signed the striker he promised and the defender who he assured us would be in before the Liverpool match?..” Did Arsene ‘promise’ to sign a striker or give assurances that he would definitely sign a defender before the Liverpool game? Arsene rarely talks in absolute terms. He talks like a politician and nearly always leaves himself room to maneuver or gives himself a way out.
However promising his quotes may be, we have all heard similar comments before. Unless the club(s) of our targets has/have a change/softening of heart soon, we could be in for our usual games of brinkmanship as the transfer deadline approaches. Which, if any, side will blink first and enable a deal?
Good Morning Lovelies and Hunkies
A very good morning. 8-0. aa good game. a good work out. a clean sheet. 5 different scorers.
maybe someone will say…..it was only Viking. I disagree. you can only beat what is in front of you. Remember we lost the title to the teams from the bottom third of the EPL not against the top teams.
Had we lost or drawn to Viking what would have been said??? knives would have been sharpened, many would have been at AW’s throat and all that hysterical paraphernalia that goes with it.
I am a tad disappointed …… we should have scored more than 8.
They scored one for us Micko… 😉
“But, if this group of young players do well against Man City tomorrow, those two signings might just be forgotten…”
It hardly adds up to a strategy.
If we don’t buy our squad will fall short in the spring as it always does. If we do buy, it will be the usual panic trawling through the flotsam of an August 31st low tide, with the team already 10 or 12 points behind the leaders.
Either way we are once again set up for failure.
Morning Cg, he said he expected a defender to be signed before the Liverpool game…
Devil – re Viking, Id imagine most PL, and a few of the Championship sides would have beaten them judging on last night’s performance but that’s not taking anything away from the result, I thought the team played pretty well but until the league campaign kicks off, we don’t know just how well the team will play. imo
Steve, I strongly suspect that’s what AW will be thinking about signings. Hope I’m very wrong though.
As much as I believe a few of the younger players look like they are going to be good, relying on them to play each week would be unfair on them I think.
One our usual injuries hit, we’ll be in trouble again..
Rico – I’m sure Arsene is looking for both an experienced CB and a CF. I hope and believe that we will get a CB before the Liverpool game, but it if it isn’t early in the coming week, I doubt he will be a starter come Sunday.
As for the striker, if his target(s) is/are not under imminent threat of being signed by another team then it may well ho right down to wire.
I don’t know if these Arsene quotes are from the same interview or not, as the press tend to edit to suit their biases;
“The price of a player is down to four ingredients. One is the talent, two his age, three is how much you expect him to improve your team, and four his resale value.
“If he ticks all four boxes then the price is not that important.
“You have to find the player.”
Items one and three are essential, but I think Arsene has passed over experienced players because of items 2.) age and 4.) resale value.
Unfortunately we may not know the final answers until Sept. 01.
I hope you are right Cg.. I’m not sure why anyone would be thinking about how much a player would be worth selling for though, surely the idea is to get a great player and keep him..
I like what Klopp said about Liverpool, and no longing will they be a ‘stepping stone’ club…
I don’t get all the crap about resale value.
Were not supposed to be a bloody feeder club. We buy a player to keep for years if at all possible.if we buy a 25 year old and keep for six years he’s not going to have much resale value at 31 is he. The best only time resale value comes into it is if youre buying young and selling in their prime, which as a so called big club we shouldn’t be doing.
If you buy young and big and he flops you’ll never get your money back anyway.
Resale value is a load of bollocks imo
Gd10 – You miss the point. Arsene wont spend really big on an older player (i.e. 29 and older) like Higuain. Its unusual for him to buy anyone older than 28 unless he gets a bargain. He likes to buy players young and also tends to sell players when they are 30-32 or lets their contracts run down.
If he is still Arsenal manger this time next year, I doubt he will renew Mertesacker’s contract, unless it is a years extension or a pay as you play deal. The last thing he wants is a senior player who is past his prime and one of the bigger wage earners.
He’d unlikely to sign a player like Ibrehimovich for a year, even if it was on a free, and pay him astronomical wages. Arsene outlook is generally a long term one. As opposed to Maureen Yo, who generally moves on after 3 to 4 years, if not sooner.
It was great to see Santi play the full 90 minutes yesterday. A number of reports mentioned that he seemed a bit rusty early in the game, but he improved markedly through the game, scoring one and setting up another.
Cg, I’d say Merts is past his prime now… 🙂
Santi was superb, so good to see him back, we really missed him last season..
Catch up later..
Sleep well Cg…
Rico – Yes, he is and I doubt you would find much argument against that opinion in the House. However, I believe his contract is up next July and he would have little resale value, especially now he is injured, but he has given Arsenal a number of years good service.
I think Arsene had intended to ease one or more of Bielik, Chambers and Holding in over the course of the new season. Although the BFG is past his physical prime he would still be a good mentor for those younger players.
Rico – Good Night from me and Good Afternoon to you all.
Cazorla, Campbell, Ox and Elneny were all close competitors for yesterday’s MOTM. Campbell will surely play a big part this season while Cazorla and Ox will give us a big cheer if they stay injury free.
Not sure if everyone realises but it wasn”t Viking’s first team as they have a league game this weekend. Totally unexcited by the season ahead. We should have known that Arsene’s transfer goal posts would be moved again. Happens every year. An early signing to get our hopes up followed by weeks of inertia. You can predict the comments from the “we are looking to bring in 3 players” to “we will bring in at least 2 players” to ” the market is difficult ” to “we will sign someone if the opportunity is there”, etc,etc.
Rick, is the u19s final being showed live anywhere?
Afternoon Rico and all.
Afternoon Rico and the House.
Its H/T in Durban and The Arsenal are winning 2-0
Mavididi scored 1 not sure other scorer.
More info latta .
Not being shown BT
Cheers Rick, wouldn’t have minded watch it.
10 mins to go now winning 3-1
We have retained the Durban Cup by winning 3-1
Well done bys its been a good 24 hours for our youngsters.
Back Latta
Should be Boys
Well done indeed Rick..
Bob, we can only beat who is in front of us. whether they are the first team, reserves, under 19 or whatever.
a few seasons ago we lost to Blackburn and Bradford and last season it was Sheff utd in the cups. not one of them is the first team.
And remember that we were not with our first full team either plus a sprinkling of youth as well. So we have to take everything in consideration. ITs one thing seeing the glass half empty, its another seeing it totally empty and its another seeing no glass at all.
We have to keep perspective.
Yes I know it was not Real Madrid but out there I saw 11 opponents.
10 years ago I was preparing my under19 team during the pre season. And the headcoach asked me for a training 45 minute game against the first team so that they could get in the system. I accepted.
Throughout the game the first team had something around 65% possession. But I parked the bus mate. and the first team faced two banks of four players each. One of the forwards began dropping back while the CF stayed up . We were controlled and disciplined. Yes they hit the post three times but the ball refused to go in.
And they only beat us on pens after the headcoach and I wagered a bet. I lost the bet…..but my under 19 team got the applause of the senior team for our performance. my team failed to score a single penalty as the keeper saved them all. They scored all 5. but to this day the players still say that we were the hardest team to beat during that whole season. And the first team won the Premiership title during that season.
Did it reflect on the 1st team??? yes and no……because you can only beat what is in front of you.
has we lost 8-0 everyone would have said that we were only the under 19.
In the next game, the first team won 4-0 against a fully fit Premier side.
It might happen it might not…… but what will be said if we thump the dippers to the tune of 4 or 5-0???
Peterborough United 1–0 Arsenal
Barnet 0–0 Arsenal
SC Ritzing 2–2 Arsenal
What would have been said had the above results happened this year?? Oh its only a friendly or probably heavens would have been stormy and hell broke loose?? Imagine the media. Frenzy. and every journo would have wanked himself with joy at these results.
During that summer we had just bought a keeper with other 6 players earmarked for the future and not considered first team material.
what unfolded the season that followed was the stuff of legends and of dreams. beyond our wildest imagination.
we witnessed the Invincibles.
One thing I am sure of…..if this team puts it into its head to stay disciplined, does not turn up for games expecting to win, takes every minute seriously and play as one knit unit…..we will repeat season 2003-2004.
It’s all about attitude , I agree Devil , we have capable players and always we could improve but if the desire is there and they all pull together with just a little tweaking who knows what they could achieve.
You hope mourinho fails but who is the one with a champions league medal? Not Wenger, that’s for sure 🙂
Dwile Flonking all over now , we came 2nd . In true Arsenal tradition we went for 4th but got lucky in the semi final.
Yes Robin. Mourinho is the one with Champions league medal.
And AW has not won it for sure. Up till now. That makes him your equal doesn’t it.
Understand where you are coming from Devil just struggling to see any positives at the moment. Reminds me of the Dippers game a few years back when we went in under prepared Frimpong got sent off and they beat us 2-0 with a couple of spawny goals. We were so short of players Nasri played even though he had agreed to join City. Any new CB now would have to come straight in without any game time with team mates.
Great news re the under 19s Rick, afternoon to you by the way…
Liverpool beating Barca 1-0…. HT…
Bob, dotto, One great summer signing and three for the future hardly excites eh…
Dotto = ditto…
Dippers 3 up…..
Evening all.
I love this on newsnow……………………………”A staggering 26 members of Nigeria’s Under-17 squad failed an age test carried out ahead of an African Cup of Nations qualifier”
I think eyebrows were raised when the 16 year old Nwankwo Kanu needed a defibrillator after losing the toss !. hahaha
Lets hope our new Nigerian signing is not Kanu`s older brudder …………………………or Adam, Lee or Kev`s !
Hi BT, really? Can’t wait for next Sunday then…. Lol
That’s funny LC….
Keep the faith Rico…lol
It’s run out BT….
Rico, how did the cricket finish?
The dippers are playing witha full team. Barca are mixed with seniors, youths and 2nd string.
We have a good lead Kev, with five wickets down.
311 ahead Kev..
FT 4-0….breaking news.. crime wave hits NW London
Cripes, never saw that result coming…..
Its only a friendly. :p
Greetings to all.
As usual Arsene is FOS! He messes about and comes up with excuses because we have allowed him to year after year.
But it’s Barca, a team which included Messi… Lol
What a road race that was at the olympics, those cyclists are incredible….
A week is a long time in football.
Not long enough for Arsenal to get a deal done though…
Night all..
Dev 7.26, you can only play who’s put in front of you lol.
Great for the spectators rico, real bravery from the riders ! Literally gotta pick themselves up outta the gutter at times !
Friendlies are what they are, if a player comes through unscathed and fighting fit it’s job done, the result is secondary, the players left at home have all done their pre-season at the Euro’s, they should all be fit for selection next week imho, too bloody soft.
It’s been reported that The Arsenal
target Alexandre Lacazette has been
injured and will be out till next year.
Wenger has now agreed to meet
the asking price of 42million euro’s.
When asked why he decided to
spash the cash on a injured player.
He said Quote:
No one else wanted him but I know
when he is fit I can sell him for
42million and 50pence
You english mugs,Ha,ha
Morning….
Hiya Rico.
Hi Scott, it’s a quiet one this morning…
Good Morning Lovelies and Hunkies.
Lacazette is injured??? The we are going to get him for sure.
Or is he injured? 😉
Lacazette-who knows??
Love this time of year 🙂
I thought I’d be smiling after a good transfer window, but seems like it’s not to be. Again.
Morning Rico and all. More dull and totally unproductive bollocks from Wenger I see. Criticism of Man Utd’s deal with Ibrahimovich now, plus the annual crap about Theo being a striker. What an embarrassment!
Morning Adam. I laughed when I read his comments about Ibra, ‘age might hold him back’ – well look in the mirror Arsene, because age is holding you back too!
The Lyon president said that he is injured and we have to believe that. He speaks the truth after all.
Apparently he can’t find a striker but is undaunted by the transfer fees. Dear oh dear. We have needed one for a few years now, yet with a week to go before the opening match, he still can’t find a striker. Incompetence or shrewd prudence?
Incompetence!
Guys, IF we had the choice, would you prefer a CB or striker?
Naturally, we’d all prefer one of each.
He has decided to go the same way again it seems (like it has been so successful recently). I have a sneaky feeling he has underestimated the fans – again.
Striker for me I think, but as you say, we need both…
Could be a tricky time ahead for him imo… Ugly too.
Morning all,
I blame Akpom and Walcott. Akpom is too prolific in pre season and now he wants to prove Wallnut’s comment is incorrect.
If he does virtually nothing then, judging by the fans I have been speaking to, that’s an understatement Rico. 🙂
Morning Rico and the House.
Just a short visit tied up with unexpected visitors (had them for 2days)
Trouble in Durban yesterday no power only info coming out from proud parents.
Kev Fred Ben Sheaf was man of the match and 2 goals for Mavididi. 5 in tournament
See you later 9I hope)
Morning Rick.
Ha ha Brad..
Trouble is Adam, they’ll still be his followers at the ground and a few who are just there for a day out…
Morning Rick
I suppose a lot depends on the type of striker Scott , if it’s another direct replacement for Giroud ,Target man ,so that the system doesn’t change then I wouldn’t bother. I want to see us have a squad that can be well versed in different formats so that they can switch as and when necessary. Sometimes when teams are defending deep we could effectively go 3 at the back and go 3 – 5-2 . or if we are under pressure drop back into 5 -3-2 . In my mind it’s not so much the players but the rigidity of our play . our subs tend to be like for like and if we are to get a forward then he needs to be a mobile one ,not necessarily a sprinter but one that moves across the line finds diagonal runs and stretches and pulls defenders about . Another Ian Wright would suit me fine.
Rico. You might be right but it got iffy last year. If he throws the towel in before the season starts again….
Nobody wants dissent in the stadium but who can actually see any sort of strategic plan at work?
why is it the topic of Wenger always leads to commnetary on his critics and his fans, and it always ends up with insults??
Who Is right, and who is wrong??
More importantly, does it matter??
Wenger rolls on, regardless.
Adam, agree and I’m sure if we start badly, a few who are supporting him could easily turn…
I doubt we’d be talking about Wengers comments at all Scott, IF he’d already got the two players we really need…
Rico, that’s not true as we always speak about Wenger and yes, he brings it on, himself.
But why does it always become about the fans who support or criticise him??
Morning all
Forget a new CB and forward
We need a new manager that gives the CEO a list of targets and tells him to go get them.
We need a coach that doesn’t get involved in the money side of the club
You don’t hear Pep, Klopp, the gimp and conte talking about money, their job is coach the team
MG, so you have no idea, obviously lol.
Ask a simple question…….
Probably because it’s been a long time since he’s been truly ambitious in a transfer window Scott and the fact he comes out with so much rubbish when talking about transfers…
Scott, imo I would go for a CB. A dominant one. not to replace Per, but to replace Kos…..who needs a rest dreadfully and is now over 30. His body will take longer to heal. Plus he has been playing with injuries these last two years. Niggling ones yes. but in the long run they do more damage.
I believe in Chambers, Holding and Bielik but they are all young for such an important position since its the spine.
Then I would go for Draxler, not to play him on the wing but to play him as a CF. I was convinced by Ben Yedder…. but not overly convinced by Lacazette.
With regards AW comments I answered Robin yesterday. AW has made many mistakes, yes and has not won any European cups. That makes him our equal doesn’t it? None of us here has won any European cups. So we can understand him much more.
I do criticize him yes. Esp on tactical matters. But would never stoop low to call him names.
Very true about other managers Mg, don’t think I’ve ever heard any of them talk about money publicly..
None of us are a football manager at one of the wealthiest football clubs in the PL Devil, nor are we being paid £8m a year to do a job which isn’t being done to its best….
Rico, I’m not asking why we keep talking about Arsene and his flaws….I’m asking why it always brings the fans into the conversation.
Those other managers don’t discuss money for a few reasons……
They don’t give a shit about the state a clubs in after they’re gone, they haven’t helped build a stadium and journos don’t ask them about finances every second question.
Devil, I’m with you and that’s a great explaination as 5 minutes ago, I’d have taken the striker lol.
Anyone would surely agree when Wenger leaves, whenever that may be, the club will be in much better shape than it was when he arrived so I ask this simple question-how can people say he hasn’t done a good job?
It’s fine to pick periods of his time at the club out, but name me a club everyone’s favourites-Klopp, Jose and a Pep- left in better shape.
They never last long enough to leave a legacy, but they’ve all been wanted by a portion of our fans at some point.
Rico…..how do we know its not done properly???
Is it only AW who is holding back??? Or is he being held back by the board???
A couple of seasons ago Gazidis and if I am not mistaken, Chips said that money was not a problem for us BUT AW said that he cannot spend more than he has available due to stadium debt.
Now we have Gazidis saying that we cannot compete financially with other teams and AW stating that money is not a problem.
Someone is telling porkies.
You might have a point Scott… Lol
He’d be better off just not answering many of the questions he’s asked…
Actually, if you look at their pronouncements Rico, all they say is attempted justification for an untenable position. Each excuses the other. It’s bollocks really.
Rico, I agree 100% he gets himself into trouble lol.
I also agree he’s absolutely open to criticism.
Often, I think the criticism is misguided but that’s only my opinion.
The club is in a better place Scott but just think where it could be with just a few tweaks. Tweaks which Wenger isn’t prepared to make it seems…
It’s just my opinion Devil….
It is Adam…
Rico. And there’s a lot more to come. 🙂
I don’t doubt it Adam… ?
I thought not Rico. 🙂
Again, Rico, I agree…..a few changes and we could and should be a massive force in Europe, but should we all focus only on that, and disregard the great work he has done?
Plenty do and that’s what I find hard to stomach.
Anyway, let’s hope he does what’s required right now.
I agree Rico. And I respect that. I feel that although AW has done and is doing some mistakes, his hands are partially tied down. Whether its by the directors or by something else I do not know.
But I am sure that either AW or Gazidis/board are telling us porkies.
On another note……
I feel the team tonight will be…..
Cech
Bellerin, Gabriel, Bielik, Nacho
Xhaka, Cazorla
Ox, Aaron, Campbell
Alexis.
I still feel that AW will still buy one or two players. Whether they will be in time for the dippers (the above team will face the dippers imo) or before the TW shuts is another matter.
It is a case of who blinks first.
Shkodran right now will cost 40million……but nearer the end of the TW he will be 20million
Ha ha Adam..
Scott, the trouble is, all the good work he’s done he’s undone a lot of it, certainly as far as the football goes. We’ve gone from being a physically strong and feared team to a bunch of wimps which hardly any team fears these days. In fact, I suspect other clubs quite like playing us these days as we’re so predictable…
Devil, I’m convinced that everything at the club is decided by Wenger….
Catch up in a bit…
that is something we will know only when AW leaves Rico.
If the modus operandi of the club stays the same then its not AW’s fault. Its the directors. But if the modus operandi changes then the blame will lie solely at AW’s feet.
Another question I have…….are we really in for all those players we are linked to??? Yes Aulas said that AW offered a paltry 29 million for him but was it real or was it gamesmanship from Aulas who wanted to hit the first blow?? Were we really in for Shkodran, for Ben Yidder, for Draxler, for Evans, for any player mentioned by the press??
If AW is there next season we will have the same debate guys. One player and done in the TW should be the AW mantra. Btw completely off topic, I watched Nottingham Forest played Burton Albion yesterday, they had a RB named Pereira, imho, faster and with a better touch than Bellerin. Am wondering how does NF gets a player like that? The kid should a b2b or an ACM, he’s some player.
Obi….Pereira is only 20 years old. and he is an under 21 international for Portugal. JM can enlighten us more on him. He is a Benfica player and on loan to NF.
Ok, thanks Devil. That explains it.
I thought Oliver Burke looked pretty decent as well Obi…!
That is why recently I said that if AW goes to look down in the lower divisions he will be able to find an entire defence from there. Burke is only 19 and looks promising as well.
If AW wants to penny pinch and not spend much on depth and youth he can do no worse than look down in the lower divisions.
Yes Wath he did. And overall I thought it was a good game better than most EPL matches. Devil you are right because the work ethics is better and there is talent.
Dev, Dixon and Bould prime examples of lower division players, they more hungry and they have had to fight all the way to just make it to youth level not be pampered like out lot are..!
Obi you’re right was an entertaining game and some decent players on show and some decent football played. Lansbury needs a haircut the scruffy git.
That is the difference WATH….our lot are pampered. That is why I feel it would be better if we had a feeder club in the lower divisions. It teaches them to work hard.
F.A rules wont let them do it , instead of realising that the kind of investment a premier club could give to keeping lower division clubs afloat could be beneficial. They prefer to keep their 92 + club pyramid and watch them go under one by one.
Spot on Potter, dimwits cannot see the benefits of such investment and “sister” clubs if it smacked them on the nose..! Short sighted but doesn’t that just sum up the FA in all facets of how they run the game..!
Pampered spoilt and molly coddled Dev, hence the lack of fight and determination when the shit hits the fan.
Afternoon all.
Rico are you watching the cricket?
Are we about to see a fantastic England win.
Kev its 125 for 6 with Woaks and Fin on top.
Not sure why people are still
questioning who pulls the strings.
Wenger even pays the tea lady.
Watching the dippers yesterday
Klopp’s first signing Left footed centre back
I made a point last week about playing
from the back,but never explained the
other problem I know tommy was left
footed and could play from the back
with ease,but have you noticed we
never seem to get the balance right.
Right footed centre backs playing on the
left always stray inside.
Hopefully The Ganite will help.
Afternoon All
Rick/Rico, It’s looking like we should wrap up the 3rd Test after tea…
Great effort by our bowlers, Woakes really is a match winner and it’s great to see Finn get some reward…
Arsenal:
Cech,
Bellerin, Gabriel, Holding, Monreal,
Coquelin, Xhaka,
Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ramsey, Iwobi,
Sanchez
I am a bit amazed that Cazorla or Elneny are out. But then they played last Friday.
I am glad Ox and Iwobi got the nod. A bit sad for Campbell.
Alexis up front. 🙂
Great win Rick/Kev, the boys did great. So pleased for Ali…..
Evening guys…
City are the classical Pep teams…..possession possession possession.
Today we are more direct than usual.
The Ox nearly scored a good goal. He chipped the keeper again. but was just wide
Not nice seeing Arteta on their bench….
How did Le Coq not just score – oh dear. Afternoon all. I still always read but got a lot going on so rarely able t comment.
Hopefully we cn get someone through the door soon, but my optimism is fading daily as it does year on year.
Just the three clear chances missed so far. Now, where did I put that striker?!!!!
Something distinctly odd about Gabriel’s game. Wasn’t he a lot better than this when he first arrived?
He was Adam, coaching?
Caught between two worlds perhaps Rico. Instinct and coaching. Quite worrying with the season just around the corner.
Very worrying Adam..
Finishing is still an issue, as it was for most of the second half of last season.
We should be 2-0 up and cruising, how Ramsey missed that header is a mystery. 3d bit head…
I like Xhaka, but I think we miss Cazorla…
All this game had done so far is reinforced the obvious!
Agree Bob!
Elneny has made an immediate impact
That goal was superb!
Well done Theo, brilliant build up and a cool cool finish…
Both sides have made a lot of changes, but it seems to have affected City more, now let’s see if Akpom can keep his run going?
The fox in the box strikes again…Akpom makes it 3-1
Ha ha ha, he’s done it again….
So now we lose Gabriel
Gabriel injured. That looks two months. So we DO need s CB now
Gabriel’s injury looks really serious… ?
I was happy to see Iwobi and Akpom score. And very happy to see Theo get his 2nd. I am one of his fiercest critics but would love to see him shove a humble pie down our throat.
What the f*** was the ref doing playing added time in a poxy pre season friendly?
3-8 weeks for Gabi.
Now what? Holding and Bielik? Holding and Chambers? Bielik and Chambers?
I would go for Chambers and Holding.
I can’t understand why Bob. It was unnecessary.
Beggars belief Bob….
I would go for a new signing devil.
I would as well Rico. But I realistic…. Those three are what we have right now.
Night guys…
How comes Sagna plays yet Giroud and Koz are weeks behind……………..didn`t Sagna play for France in the Final a well ?…………………………………as for Ozil he wasn`t in the Final………just a semi !
Mustafi`s price has gone up another £5 – 10M !………..or there`s Jonny Evans……………..he has great resale value !.
I hate it when we have a good pre-season as you know it will go out the window when the real games start !…..hahaha
Well we were in dire need of a centre back before today’s game…. Bet Scrooge is crapping his pants at the thought of centre back prices now when we go knocking…! Only one to blame is himself for being reactive as usual and not proactive….
Watch him now rush Koz back who’ll pull a muscle this week or next Sunday…!
Oh well we will just have to hope we can win games 5-4… 6-5 etc etc…!
Yeah but no but, yeah but no but, how come everyone but Arsene could see this coming !
He brings it on himself
every season is a battle
regarding our squad,no one
wants injuries,but they happen
I will have a bet with anyone
that wenger’s arse is making
buttons,he will have to grovel.
Because he knows that our two
young centre backs are not ready.
Poker player….
Francis Coquelin at centre-half next Sunday then ?
Or Nacho?
Steve Bould it is then.
He’s got no choice now, but this is Arsene we are talking about 🙂
I mean it’s like we’ve been here before is it? Another uninspiring TW, Wenger just loves to get that last minute bargain.
Unfortunately the whole footballing world knew we were desperate for a CB before Gabriel’s injury…..prices quoted to us will be even higher now!
The striker fiasco rolls on and on,as our competitors are getting their business done,leaving us fewer options! The reactionary style that Wenger so loves so much is biting him in the arse yet again!
Another flat season awaits, injuries to the usual suspects, bad refereeing decisions sprinkled with some cohesion and a few handbrake induced performances!!
Can’t wait until he finally does one and we get some fresh impetus from a dynamic forward thinking manager…..
Walnut has just suggested that his ‘natural’ position is centre back. Sorted then?
Watched the first half today, seemed the same old same old from the Arsenal, possession, creation of good chances, wasted, concede a goal and then go to lose the match! I mean how many times did we see the same scenario last year, the year before and the last eight years before that? Gave up and went listen to ‘the Archers’ that was just as boring…..zzzzzzz. Then saw we’d won 3-2. I was shocked to say the least! Did we flatter to deceive? Bet shitty let us win. Was the betting bent?
Can Wenger find his purse? I think it’s been stolen by the tooth fairy!
And last but not least…..the side that wins the Charity Shield rarely wins the league….well that’s a relief….the poison dwarf will be seen, yet again, as a success at failure!!!
Kev 11.11, makes me laugh when some so called supporters says Arsene hasn’t got a B plan !
Lee 11.57, top comment, makes you sick to the pit of your stomach doesn’t it.
Wavy, trust you to bring up the Charity Shield, tsgh will be all over it like a rash, it’s the reason we didn’t win the league last season lol.
Nite Gooners, keep it real.
Yeah Adam, Monreal is an option as is Debuchy…
Chambers improved as the 2nd half progressed, but my heart was in my mouth every time he was clearing the ball…
Having seen Bielik, Holding, Chambers and Gabriel share the defensive duties over the last two games, I gotta say that Holding looked the best.
Losing Gabriel is a huge blow, and maybe I’m being unfair, but is he ‘that’ good anyway ?
Whether Gabriel was fit or not our centre-back options were shit in any case…
Jonny Evans, Mick, you know it makes sense…
Don’t have nightmares ?
Night All
Without knowing the extent of Gabriel’s injury I do feel sorry for him. There are still big question marks over his performances though, but he is indicative of a miserly TW, zero credible contingency and a seeming reluctance to establish a serious and effective central defence. In reality I would say we likely need two top class centre backs at this moment and not just make-do replacements.
But, is anyone really surprised?
Good Morning Lovelies and Hunkies.
Adam….two CB? I think that even with the situation as it is now AW MIGHT only buy 1. And if asked he will say…..when everyone becomes fit what happens. Yes I know that this is Per’s last season at the club and he will be released next June but he will not want to kill Chambers, Holding and Bielik.
Deep down I know that Kos and Gabi will be the 1st CB partnership at the club (unless injuries strike) while the Chambers, Holding and Bielik would have been rotated with one of Kos and Gabi at a time.
And I feel Kev is right……it will be only Evans. He ticks all boxes. Experienced, home grown, knows EPL inside out, is an EPL winner plus he is street wise having been coached by SAF. And he will not cost a bomb. Between 10-13million. And he is 28 years old.
on another note……
If I was Juan Mata and Jose told me he subbed me because I am short I would have made sure he would have left Wembley with a bloody nose. Mata was subbed 30 minutes after he came on with Mourinho telling the press that he wanted taller players. Mata is 5ft 7 and was replaced by a 5ft 10.
3 inches do make a difference……but only in the right area you dickhead.
First he mistreated Schweinsteiger, now he embarrases Mata. Well……keep on doing that mate. We always love it when you shoot yourself in the foot. Keep on showing the world who you really are…..you are doing a fine job of it.
Personally I do not think AW will buy a forward. Not with Ollie, Sanchez, Theo and Akpom around. Especially as the last two have scored 5 between them in the last two with Theo picking two assists as well. while Sanchez can play up front.
I will be very surprised.
If I had any doubt that journalists and bloggers spout crap about the players we are about to sign now its completely confirmed……currently we have a very strong midfield in the shape of Coquelin, Xhaka, Cazorla and Elneny. With an advanced midfield of Aaron and Ozil, plus Cazorla can play there as well I find it impossible to believe AW will sign another……Ozyakup, Isco and James have been mentioned recently. The latter two cost more than 50 mill. Will he waste that amount on an area we are so strong???
I still say he will buy only a defender.
Morning Devil. Yes, two CBs but I agree that there is about a 1% chance of that happening. As I have said on here many times, one of Arsene’s enduring legacies has been the dumbing down of expectations and now the fifth richest club in the world is looking to Johnny Evans. An early season injury to Kos (who would be surprised?) and what then? Thoroughly bad planning.
And remember that at the end of January Welbeck will be a new signing. And he plays up front and on the wings.
AW will buy only one player for the forward positions…….if that player becomes available. And he will spend the money to get him……..Griezmann. Otherwise expect ZILCH players to be bought.
Currently even our wings seem to have strength in depth. They are not necessarily the best one can have…..OX, Alexis, Iwobi, Campbell, Gnabry, Theo, Danny (the latter two can play up front as well). So unless AW plans to sell a couple and move someone on loan I cannot see him buying anyone for the CF and lateral strikers position. Unless Griezmann comes in. Or Draxler. But I doubt that.
And he will buy Draxler only to play him as a CF and replace Ollie. That is all
I agree Adam. A club needs four good CB. We have Kos, Gabi, Chambers, Holding and Bielik. Per is injured. That is 5 CB plus one more in January.
AW will buy only if Kos is still carrying an injury, if Gabi has thorn his ligaments (in which case its 12-15 weeks) while Per takes longer to recover. So expect only Evans to be bought in. I would be surprised to see him buy Shkodran…..however much I would love that. AW will not want to kill Chambers, Holding and Bielik. Especially as Chambers and Holding know each other from the U21 English team.
AW would rather play those two against the dippers than buy another emergency player.
If Gabi has just pulled his ankle ligaments its anything between 3 to 8 weeks. If thorn it will be anything between 12-15 weeks.
If there are hairline fractures in the ankle it could be 15 weeks. if there is a break in the ankle its a whole season out.
Yesterday I saw the game. Pep’s city typified the Pep Ethos….possession, possession and more possession. Yes he will do well in the first few games, but wait until teams like Stoke, Palace, WBA etc begin getting in his players faces. Pep will not like it I can assure you…..and unless he plays differently he will have a very difficult season in front of him. It was like watching Arsenal of last three years…..possession kings but allow the opposition to park the bus.
Arsenal on the other hand look mobile, very mobile up front with Theo, Alexis and Akpom. None have the attributes of Ollie, holding the ball and getting others in. In the last games Arsenal players were more direct and did not allow the opposition to park the bus. In the friendlies they scored 17 goals and all the goals were shared. Akpom got 4, Iwobi and Campbell got 3 each, Ox and Theo got 2 each, Holding and Cazorla got 1 each. That is 17 goals between 7 players.
Were the opposition a good level? you can only beat what is in front of you. However MLS have never lost a preseason game against EPL opposition until this year, while City are City. And we still played well to a certain extent throughout all games.
and bdw…..where is SANOGO???
Jonny fucking Evans, do me a favour! We should be setting our sights higher than him. It’s all well and good saying we already have 5 CB’s only one of them is of the quality we need, the rest are not ready yet, will never be at the level required or too slow.
As for striking options we still need a top draw striker, we aren’t wining any major titles with Giroud,Welbeck and Akpom as our strike force. We’ve got the usual suspects flattering to deceive in pre-season games…..
I’m fuming at wenger’s laissez-faire policy, as yet again I thought this would be the TW where he finally adds the last pieces of the jigsaw. What a tool for believing it I’ve been, only at Arsenal can we have an injury crisis before the season has started!
Keep up the good work Arsene!
Devil hopefully been put down!
I hope so as well Lee.
I was relieved to see the line ups and his name never mentioned.
I live in fear that he will be chosen in the game vs the dippers. Heaven forbid. Its a nightmare
Morning all.
No way will we get Jonny fucking Evans as he has no resale value !………..otherwise Arsene would be contradicting himself, he doesnt do that !………………
I bet the thought of having to now spend for a CB is making him sick to the pit of his wallet !.
Morning Adam, Lee, Devil, LC and all.
What a mess this club is in!
Morning brudder. Couldn’t agree more. The circle remains unbroken and it looks as though the whole thing is going to roll on and on.
Fail to plan.
Plan to fail.
I would love Shkodran LC…..but I feel it will be only Evans.
Dev`
I would rather fail with the youngsters than fail miserably with Evans and have him on an outrageous contract where he is sat on the bench when the better players are back and Wenger wont buy for years whilst Jonny counts his 1000`s !………………….anyway, he has no resale value so doesn`t meet Wengers criteria !. 😉
The resale value admittance is quite new isn’t it?
And quite stupid.
had it been 7 or 8 years ago I would have stomached the resale reason…..but not now. Yes you have to have young players in the 24 year old bracket, but you need the 29/30 year olds as well. The latter can still give you a good 3 years.
Imo, had AW got Ibrahimovic it would have only benefited the likes of Theo and Akpom in the long run. Ibra would have given us 2 years at most. But we would have had a presence up front. Resale value on Ibra??? don’t make me laugh. His shirt sales alone would have paid for his salary.
Morning Rico.
Would you worry if Ronaldo became available and had no resale value?? I would not for sure. And would go after him like a shot.
Its this season I would worry about, not those beyond. Yes, we do need long term plans, esp in CB and CM but there are players who you would never turn down.
If I had the opportunity to take the following AM/F line ……I would take it hands down for the coming season
Ronaldo, Ozil, Alexis
Ibrahimovic
Ronaldo and Ibrahimovic would have had their salary paid through shirt sales alone
Morning All
Yes, as Adam says we have gradually had our expectations eroded by Wengers complete lack of ambition in the transfer market, and not for players to embellish the squad but for players who we badly need…
And that policy has led Wenger to the shameful scenario of signing the likes of Yaya Sanogo, Kim Kallstrom and even Yossi Benayoun, because his ambition and transfer policy is so barren…
Am I surprised that it has come to this?
Am I fcuk…
It’s exactly what I expected fellas..,
Morning Rico…
Morning Kev.
Morning Coach
As I’ve been saying, only half seriously, we could be seeing Chuba Akpom leading the Arsenal attack next Sunday…
Gnabry has scored three goals so far in two games. Asano has grabbed two.
if he scores who are we to complain mate???
We aint managed over 1000 games you know.
Morning All
After a very good win yesterday
and the injury to our only experienced
centre back,Wenger called an emergency
meeting after the game.
Who wants to play centre back then
Every player and all the the backroom team
put their hands up…..
Ok said Wenger..Got that sorted.
Ivan get me Johnny Evans Quick.
Morning Kev,
To be honest, I’m tired of him, I wait for the day he pushes off and someone with more ambition comes in, I know Wenger can’t be blamed for the injury to Gabriel (who’s quite average anyway) but by now, he certainly should have signed the defender and striker we already needed. Just a few days to go before we face Liverpool and we are fooked…..
Rico, you are so right, Gabriel is quite average and hasn’t been the same since he got sent off at Chelsea after an encouraging start.
Whether his early displays were off of the back of enthusiasm or he’s had a lot of his aggression coached out of him, I don’t really know.
I mean, what does it say of the coaching of Steve Bould, no mean defender himself, that Gabriel is such a pussycat now..?
Rico. i agree. It’s painful when you read that Arsenal just aren’t a serious club anymore. With a week to go we should have a full, competitive squad sorted. The new players should be bedding in nicely and getting to know their team mates. Wenger should have contingencies for each position and have worked out different tactics and shapes that incorporate our squad. Everyone has known what the club needs for at least a year and this doesn’t mean some crazy, unrealistic list of £100 million players either. Just a strong, talented squad that includes experience and promising players coming through. Wenger clearly doesn’t agree and he’s the manager so off we go again. WTF has he been doing for the past 100 days apart from earning a pile of dosh as a commentator at the worst football tournament for years?
Ivan if Johny won’t come
I will play Theoooooo NO:5
Morning Fred. Don’t tempt fate. 🙂
Good point Kev, if someone who was such a strong defender himself can’t have an impact on Grabriel, then what’s going on? Does he coach, or is he just another guy in place for Wenger to ignore?
Well all this week in training it’s gonna be panic stations…
Chambers and Holding, who’ll have some understanding from their time together for England, look to be the best combination, just ensure that you have two defensive-midfielders in front of them who hold their positions and protect them…
It’s gonna be a hairy 90 minutes and if we get a draw then maybe the best we can expect…
Klopp is gonna be licking his lips and those impressive choppers in anticipation…
Morning Fred.
Totally agree Adam. Just what goes through that mans brain is anyone’s guess. He’s really lost the plot when it comes to addressing the squads needs…
Just the two Kev, I’d play all four of them… 😉
Does anyone want a new post this morning or shall we just carry on here?
Where is Squillachi when you need him ? Still two tickets sold on exchange in 20 minutes last night . I can’t be bothered to go . first game of the season excitement ? What happened to that ?
Morning Potter. It’s gone and all because of one man….
One of the problems is that it has become impossible to have a reasoned discussion about Arsenal these days as Arsene has become such a divisive figure himself.
I am looking forward to the game against the dippers. And yes….if AW does not buy I am looking forward to the following team…..
Cech,
Bellerin, Holding, Nacho, Gibbs
Xhaka Coquelin
Ox, Cazorla, Iwobi
Alexis
That lot can spring a surprise. Mark my words.
And if you lot think that Klopp is licking his lips just go on the dippers websites….they have their own injuries to contend with as well and Klopp will not relish facing us.
Wait and see.
I put in Nacho in CB so that the team will be balanced.
Cech
RF, RF, LF, LF
RF, LF
RF, RLF, RLF
RF
Very true Adam. Arsenal seem to be in the background because of Arsene Wenger.
New post up now..
Rico. Essentially Arsene Wenger is Arsenal. 🙂
We have a thin, shit squad yet we just beat God, aka Pep.
Gotta love it hahahahahaha.
Hey, that is a fact.
No question we need more players, but Pep is God.
Tactically, he is superior.
His squad is superior.
His spending is superior.
How did we manage a win?
I’m stunned!
Devil, it seems you are the only person agreeing with me that, at this point in time, Pep is over rated and unproven.
Of course, it’s only a pre season game, but if they’d beaten us…..well, we’d never hear the end if it.
Arsene must lift his game massively, but so must the believe Spaniard.
Good morning all 🙂 🙂 🙂