Morning all.
When asked how much his side’s upturn in results since January 1st has changed his squad strengthening plans, Arsene Wenger replied:
Massive changes. Massive.
Because I believe that some players who were questioned, like Mesut Ozil, have made big improvements in the second part of the season and becomes slowly the leader you want him to be in guiding our game.
We are not in need of absolute change. We have a strong squad. We have some strong young players behind.
He went to talk about how he trusts his goalkeepers, how many players had improved or stepped up their game etc and that Francis Coquelin had been doing so well. He even threw in how many strikers he has like Sanogo, Campbell, Podolski… blah blah blah….
I don’t believe a word of it, do you? Surely he’s just playing with the Press……
Anyway, Mourinho finally got what he wanted yesterday. A penalty and that was enough to make the media, journalists, pundits go into overdrive with praise for this ghastly manager with his boring footballing tactics.
But there you go, Jose and his players have achieved all what mattered to them and that’s the Premier League crown so I guess it’s ‘job done’.
Now the little man says his team will go onto dominate the world of football… Err, I don’t think so…
Why? Because other managers will get smart.
When Arsene Wenger brought proper football to England, he was at his best but soon other managers learned how to nullify his tactics and not always in a fair way but it worked.
Any smart manager will do the same to Chelsea next season and I hope that Arsene Wenger is one of them.
But to do that, he has to find a way to find a way through a parked bus and tonight will no doubt present Arsenal with another chance to show they can.
This match is a repeat of last seasons FA Cup Final but I don’t think Steve Bruce will send his side out to attack us from the off like he did at Wembley, he’ll be pragmatic in his approach with his side desperate for a point or all three. Hull need them in order to survive the drop.
Arsenal on the other hand need all three to keep the chase up for second spot and with City winning yesterday, the pressure is on us. It’s simple though, win our remaining five and we’ll be runners up.
Head-to-head
- Hull famously beat Arsenal 2-1 in the first-ever top-flight match between the sides back in 2008. They then lost the next five league meetings before drawing at the Emirates in October.
- Arsenal beat Hull in the FA Cup final last year and also in this season’s third round.
- Hull have managed just three wins in 21 meetings with the Gunners in all competitions.
That 2-2 back in October epitomised the first half of Arsenals season. We were drawing, sometimes losing matches which on paper we should have won comfortably but with injuries, a weak central midfield and an ‘all over the place’ defence, when Danny Welbeck scored the equaliser on 90 minutes, there was some kind of sense of relief. Although that didn’t impress new signing Alexis Sanchez at the time.
Things have somewhat changed since then, different players suffered injury allowing others in to show their worth, others were no doubt dropped to make way for someone prepared to work harder for the greater good. Players like Cazorla and Ozil caught the Alexis ‘work ethic bug’ and then big Ollie returned around the time Santa was thinking about what presents to get for who… Ollie’s present was a three match ban for head-butting Qprs Nedum Onuoha.
I digress….
Hull have found a bit of form having won consecutive league matches for only the second time this season which is why they are in a relegation battle but not only have they won the last two games, they haven’t conceded a goal in them either.
Arsenal have no such troubles and are on a really good run. In fact the draw with Chelsea last weekend was the the third time in 2015 we have dropped points in the Premier League (P14 W11 D1 L2).
We’ve conceded just nine goals in those 14 matches. That’s nine too many I’d say. Our last four Premier League away games have all been won by a one-goal margin.
So perhaps it’s best not to expect a feast of goals tonight but as long as any goals scored are by us and we come away with all three points, I’ll be happy. Because on nights like this, three points is all what matters….
COYRRGS!
Morning all and great post, Rico.
Arsene says whatever he wants them to hear 🙂
A chav mate….a true! long term fan….laughed today when recalling ANOTHER game won by a dive.
Even some of those guys hate it.
Yes, Hazard is a great player, but he’s even better at milking a penalty.
He had room to move yet adjusted his right leg app. One foot to the left to make contact and voila….game won.
Sorry, it was one foot to the right…….oh, and FIRST 🙂 🙂
Morning Scott and all – thanks…
3rd 😉
One foot to the left to make contact and voila….game won.
Sorry, it was one foot to the right…
You do the okey cokey and you fall around that’s what it’s all about.…
I didn’t watch either game yesterday for obvious reasons.. lol
The Mirror reckon Arteta has signed a one year contract extension…
You told us we had to cheers on a swampies win and then didn’t even watch the game…… Shame on you Rico..!
I actually hoped for a draw Wath…. lol
Potter, and I corrected myself 12 minutes before you posted 🙂
BH here so I’m off for a nice walk along the canal with the woofa…
Catch up this afternoon….
Morning Rico, good post…
Never mind fancy football this evening, get the job done. A 1-0 win for the Gunners will do me…
I think that home advantage will do the trick in our three remaining home games…
So we need three points today and then a draw at Old Bog and we’ll be home and dry in 2nd…
I suppose the same XI that faced Boring Boring Chelsea looks the obvious?
But I wonder if Arsene might tweak his line-up as Hull will present different obstacles to the Boring Ones mob..?
Morning rico, all. Time for Walcott to earn some money tonight and grab a brace?
Andrew, that’ll be 5 then, as Aaron will finally get his hat trick 🙂
Are you still going on about that never happening hat-trick…..?
Have you inherited Micko’s tumble dryer..?
Hey Wath, how’s things?
Busy busy around Camden Lock today?
Good read rico…
Scott- my neighbour has echoed a similar sentiments to your mate down under…
He has supported Chelsea for nearly 50 years but claims he hates Jose’ t the tee…
He hates the football and feels like that as a football fan before chav all he has to do is check results to see if his team won or not…
Walcott must come into the equation for the starting XI at the KC this evening, Andrew…
Wilshere? Gabriel? Rosicky? Diary even?
Diary… 🙄
Diaby even…
Good Morning to The Lady of the House and fellow Gooners in residence.
I can’t see many changes to the starting lineup from the Chelsea game. Once the game is won Arsene will give some cameos to the returning injured players after the 70 minute mark. We might see Welbeck start on the wing, but I can’t see Walcott starting, not against a physical team who are desperate for points to stay out of the relegation zone.
Andrew and Scott – I don’t think we will see braces and hat tricks. Like Kev I’ll be satisfied with three points so keep the pressure on ManUre and Abu Dhabi Citeh.
Rico – Neither one of has the conundrum of how to thank the Tiny Totts for doing us a favour. True to their nature when its to our benefit they bottle it. Once a Scum/Swampie/Tiny Tott always a loser.
Onwards and and upwards to St. Totteringham’s Day.
Greetings Grandad Kev, you all good mate..? It’s always busy round the lock mate you know that.. a few need throwing in for a good wash though…!
zIary playing is about right mate lol
Oops! Tsb “Neither one of us has…”.
Wath, I live on hope 🙂
Ginge, it’s sad that clubs are losing old school fans for any reason.
CG, I do have a feeling we will bang a few in…especially if we snag an early one.
Still, I’ll take a 1-0 win.
All good Wath…
Funnily enough got myself a tumble dryer yesterday… 😉
Where’s my T-Shirt then Digger?
Saw a bit MotD from Saturday and I have to say that Aston Villa are looking quite dangerous…
Grealish looks very tricky and Benteke is on a hot streak of form, everything he touches seems to fly in the net…
Anyone thinking it’s gonna be a cakewalk at Wembley, could be in for a Birmingham sized kick in the bollocks!
Scott – I hope you are right, it would do wonders for the team’s mentality and maybe push us ahead of Citeh on goal difference and still have a game in hand. That would really turn the screw on both Manc teams.
Kev 😀 Birmingham size kick hahahahahahahah what a way to kick off my day. Howdy HH.
Come on guys this is hull we re talking about. They ll attack from from the onset and we ll roll them up like a carpet. 4.1 to the good guys. Am that confident as for villa come on we know how good teams play under a new manager. We ll win that easily.
Maybe that was two tumble dryers Micko threw out then Kev…?
Wath, not unless he lives down Old Kent Road… 🙂
Micko would of known it’s a great choice to throw away rubbish there…!
Afternoon guys and gals – talking of which, where’s Agag these days…
What a glorious day it’s been… 🙂
COYRRGS!!
Rico glorious?? How’s that?
What time is the game maam?
Yeah I miss her 🙁
Sun has been shining goonster…..
Three and a half hours until ko …
Me too re Agag…
Sukky has had to go onto Le Grove as he can’t access HH… 🙁
Hope this is rubbish….
Lyon’s deadly French it-man Alexandre Lacazette will be taking his talents to Liverpool, not Arsenal, in the Summer transfer window, says the Express.
The 23-year-old forward is one of Europe’s hottest commodities and has already contributed 21 goals and five assists this campaign for Ligue 1 leaders Lyon.
Reports have indicated the race for the pacey Ace is between the Reds and the Gunners. But it looks as if Arsene Wenger & Co. won’t have the negotiating firepower to land the in-demand French international. Move over Mario Balotelli.
Under 18 lost again. 2-1 to Southampton….
Dead on here so catch up at ko…..
Wouldn’t pay much attention to the Lacazette story rico, we don’t even know if Jurgen Klopp fancies him.
Micko I thought it was Rafa coming back to replace Brenda…
Not sure why Alexandre will turn down psg and join the dippers who ain’t going to have ucl football next season…
Its’ Juve or us imho…
Hahahahahahaha laccesste to poop??? That’s the biggest joke this century. Hahahahahahah rico you tease. Afternoon guys Can’t wait to see the lads play. Come on you gunners.
Lacazette? Here the media said he is in conversations with Chelsea. They can change Remy for Lacazette. Remy was a Lyon player.
What is our line-up for today?
Jm- I can see that one happening…
Anythings possible tsgh, re Brenda.
230 million spent on his watch and the first Liverpool manager in 50 years to go 3 seasons without winning any silverware hehe……there was a nice little write up about the possiblity of Klopp taking over the reigns at Anfield earlier in the week.
All the OG12 doubters…
Goals Since 2012-2013 in the Premier League
1 Suarez: 54 goals
2 Aguero: 50 goals
3 GIROUD: 41 goals
4 Rooney: 41 goals
5 Sturridge: 35 goals
Anfield is Klopps’ level imho..
As a BVB09 fan; tactically I didn’t rate Klopp…; He will come in and sign Sahin and play him as their CDM… another AW disciple. lol
Ts go wash your mouth out with soap. Lol. Have you forgotten the masterpiece against Madrid. Klopp throunced maureen and put the Portuguese prick in his place. I rate klopp ts I really do.
On this day in 1994 Alan Smith scored the only goal as Arsenal beat Parma 1-0 in the Cup Winners Cup final in Copenhagen.
Yeah I remember that day. Didn’t Gianfranco zola play in that final??
yep Goonie..
Also 13 years ago Romford Pele scored against the chavs to put us 2-0 up…
That was the fa cup final….ljunberg’s was a cracker. I remember leaping up and the ceiling fan almost got my neck. Lol. What a goal.
I find hard to believe it’s been that long. God in heaven I feel so old 🙁
Didn’t Tomas Brolin take up shoe shining not long afterwards tsgh.
Howdy mick….what’s happening.
All good in the hood Stan, 3-1 tonite.
😀 Goonie…
He is prone to kamikaze tactics… As i use to say from 2 seasons’ ago Klop’s energitic tactics were due to his aussie physio o.brien who left to join Red Bull…
Evening All
Tonights Team
Ospna,Bellerin. Merts.
,Kossy Monreal.Coq ,Santi. Ramsey Ozil, Aleexis, Giroud.
😀 Micko… I didn’t know that…
No Welbeck??? WHY
Ospina, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Cazorla, Ramsey, Ozil, Alexis, Giroud
Subs: Szczesny, Gibbs, Gabriel, Flamini, Wilshere, Rosicky, Walcott
Good evening Lovelies and Hunkies.
Nice post Rico.
Very strange that Danny is not even on the bench. WHY????
Micko you sound like the black dude next door….hahahahahah all good in the hood 😀 :
Subs Chessny Gibbs Gabby Flamini Wilshere Tomas Theo.
Danny out with Knee injury.
ts klopp is class before bvb’s best players were poached from them he was statically the best coach in europe. He won back to back league titles and wiping bayern twice both seasons. You don’t go from that to shite IMHO. I rate him ts more than I rate pep tonic guardiola.
Seems as if he has a knee injury!!!!! 🙁
hmmmm. dont know why but I sort of dont believe it.
`Excellent Post today Rico
Under 21 have this afternoon beaten(I kidd you not ) Brighton 1-0.
Iwobi scored the goal Belick and Serge missed good chance’s
Same result tonight please.
Come on you gunners
I am in moderation Rico.
200th league appearance for kosser
Goonie, so where is Klopp not finishing 2nd?
They only lost Lewandowski last season…
Yes but lost gundogan reus bender to long term injuries. Come on ts you know better than this.
COYFGS
Klopp has spent big money goonie.
I think he is a excellent manager but he is rated higher by Arsenal fans who bash Aw than those on Bvb stands weekly imo…
You may recall me saying klopp should have done like AW and sold lewandowski instead of letting him walk…
Anyway.kosser getting well deserved praise from Jamie…
It happened again it happened again ….totenham hotspurs it happened again. I love the away lads. Bless their hearts 😀
Come on arsenal
Come on. Boy wonder and ozil…
April so Alexis back finding the net…
Away fans simply the best.
I have another trip to old blog this month…
They are ts. best fans in the world
Lucky you ts 😀
Santi becoming very tactically…
Covering bellerin on the the as young hectoring pushes further upfield…
Morning all.
Kev, it’s still on the agenda….nothing happens quickly over here 🙂
Train fare is too much though goonie…
Dear oh dear coquelin…
Very unlucky
there goes the nose again. lol
that was nearly a beauty by Huddlestone. brilliant if it had gone in. would have been goal of the season. lol
Lol dev…
Too late for the ex-spuds to try to be a gooner…
Le Coq busted a couple of guts for that run. he began it and nearly finished it.
Well played le coq
Jw..
Ouch. that is one sure injury. Ramsey out….and its not for this game only imo.
imo its TR07 not Jack who should come in for Aaron
We are lethargic…..not good.
And right on bloody cue!!
After April…
Alexissssss
get in 1-0 up
That’s one.
2 to go, Aaron 🙂
AAAAARrrronnnnn
Boy wonder…
What a pass
And you wanted him off, Devil?
Very harsh 🙂
Good time to say evening all…..
Evening Rico..
Think Devil thought Ramsey would need to go off Scott.
Evening Ts…
I thought Hull would play a very game to what they are….
I know, Rico….I was playing hahahahaha.
Also, can you check your inbox please??
aye Scott. I thought he was injured since it did not look like a nice tackle mate. the ankle seemed to turn when I saw it during the replay.
seems as if I was mistaken as since then Aaron has seemed ok.
Damn Ozil is a good player.
Little touches….nobody else plays like him.
Cruyff like control from the boy wonder…
Devil, I was joking bud…trust me, I knew what you were thinking 🙂
is Ollie still playing???
another superb Alexis goal.
That pass from Aaron was absolutely incredible…as was the run.
What a goal!
Lol… Scott indeed what a player ozil is…
Maybe we should have sold him…
So Alexis can’t score when ozil plays…tsk
I’ll check right now Scott…
Ramsey is not even breathing heavily…
His fitness is out of this world..
Imagine what Scott would say if he saw Aaron FART…..”That FART from Aaron was absolutely incredible…..as was the stench!!!!”
😆
No mail Scott..
Ha ha ha…
Rico, give it a few minutes then, as it’s a photo……
Devil, is it a race thing…you don’t like the Welsh bahahahanananananana
two more goals from us and we will jump above shitty on GD
lol Scott. I like Aaron.
And i like Wales and Scotland more than London mate.
Got to love Carragher… Twit!
Still nothing Scott…
he is not putting enough stamps Rico!!!!
or else the mud is not sticking them properly!!! 😛
Rico, you could find the pic on the my FB group and pop it up here 🙂 🙂
Bloody technology.
Devil, North London is ok 🙂
Jamie G…lol
Mate, we’ve had that much rain of late, I have a decade supply of mud lol
Ha ha devil..
Scott, I’ll try, but not now as my head is pounding and I’m battling to carry on watching… Bloody migraine….
that was a bloody soft goal to concede.
the defence were ball watching.
How is that not a foul. Mason is a a complete wanker
Kos looks injured…
Midfield going lame in 2nd half again…
Spot on Bob.
oyyyy wake up
Tr,,07 needs to come on with Ramsay moving centrally..
Guys, I didn’t think we were good at all in the first half….no movement and lethargic.
Same this 45, so far.
Rico, no worries and look after yourself.
Midfield lame… Lol
Thanks Scott.
Seriously if Hull are thinking Kozzer did that on purpose, they’re kidding themselves.
Accidental for me too…
Ref counts out the ten, the wall is three paces in front of it, and he does nothing??
Poor corners today.
We should give better ones than what is served today.
I am not enjoying this half one bit.
very scrappy and silly decision making by the players.
Ollie is the new Gilberto……invisible today.
that was a clear handball in the pen area.
We should have had a penalty……but none of the players even mouthed the word let alone protest.
Theo on for Ollie
what’s the sense in running with the ball and then end up loosing it??? Jack should have kept possession and run down time.
that is how you get injured Jack.
Good result…
Night all…..
Night Lady and everyone.
How rue of me…
Happy St Totts Day 🙂
Gone now…..
Happy St Totts folks
Night, Rico.
Devil, Jack looked damn sharp, but as soon as he came on, we opened up and were vulnerable.
Let’s give him time, but he need to play smarter.
Good result.
Average performance, IMO.
What do you think of tottenham?
Shit.
Cazorla was the best player on the nigth. Not in the ideal League team?
Was a clear penalty for us. Kos must be carefully.
And more 3 points!
Second trophy of the season: St. Totts day!
Happy St Totteringhams Day ………………..AGAIN to you all I’m a bit outa the loop lately, but I like to take time out to celebrate one of more festive days that is such a long standing English tradition.
Well done Arsenal
Happy St Totts day
Mason really is the worst of the worst in regards to PL refs.
Does anyone think we will every get a penalty against Hull.
Scott surely mud is a good thing in Oz 🙂
Looks like Arsene is finally coming around to a bit of Yorkshire pudding after all these years, there’s more to life than Broccoli !
Don’t know if it’s my imagination but just lately we do seem to have been playing a lot of our games after our rivals have played and unlike previous seasons taking advantage of it…….
Wath 7.09, always sweet when I can stick one on ya chin !
Whaddya you think of shit?
Joe are you gonna tell Scott or do I have to, in Ireland we just call it a shower !
A light shower….
A claim that Welbeck walked out when named a sub, if true he can fuck right off and if its not true then this jackson clark can fuck right off
Jackson Clark @JacksonFOXSoc · 1h 1 hour ago
Danny Welbeck’s agent told me he is definitely NOT injured. Refused to sit on bench after broken promises by Wenger. After team news was known, Welbeck stormed out of the changing room shouting, and I quote: “This is AIDS!”. Mertesacker intervened.
Drizzle Bt lol.
Shit stirring eduardo…….can’t see it myself !
Micko, we’ve copped it worse than I’ve ever seen it…..even you guys would be looking for an umbrella lol
Joe, mud is never good….unless it’s in a pool, with two women in bikinis……..sorry Rico hahahahaha
Eduardo, either way, it should never be made public so someone has a lot to answer for.
What happens in the change room should stay there….
Another cracking weekend Gooners and more importantly a good laugh at Totteringham’s expense, roll on Swansea.
Scott, your too soft matey !
Time for my bunk, nite all.
on Danny Welbeck…
It’s a question of days, it’s an inflamed knee.
Read more at http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20150504/wenger-on-the-win-wilshere-and-top-four#2sJEm5IhwUqmsprh.99
Mud that’s what my front lawn consists of.
Two nailed on penalties ignored by the referee…
Our players don’t even bother appealing anymore.
Wilshere was almost laughing after being clearly pushed over in the box and not getting a penalty…
It isn’t really funny, but I suppose that’s all you can do when faced with referees that are a joke…
Overall a really good performance…
Koscielny fouled in build up to Hull goal, so it shouldn’t have stood, but unsurprisingly the idiot with the whistle interpretated it differently…
Strangely enough we have a good win ratio with this referee, despite his ineptitude…
Thought that we should have won 6-0, we really did have enough opportunities to do so and really great opportunities at that.
Giroud had one of his least impressive games, spent most of his time looking sorry for himself. He really needs to ‘man up’…
Ramsey, Santi, Mesut, Alexis, Le Coq, we’re all superb…
Have to say that Jack Wilshere looked very fit and strong when he came on.
More good work behind the scenes by Shad Forsyth perhaps?
It happened again it happened again totscum hotsperms it happened again…..FOYS. hahahahahahahah ooh to be a gooner. Night folks.
Night Stan
Night All
Kev, on Jack……there is another factor worth mentioning.
Because we have a fit squad, there was no need to rush him back.
Things are slowly coming together for us on and off the pitch.
That flick with the outside of the boot on the halfway line from Ozil was pure class…..all those fucktards that rated Eriksen over him, small egg on face!
http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/574780/Arsenal-transfer-news-Arsene-Wenger-Lukas-Podolski-Joel-Campbell-Yaya-Sanogo
Hi Lee,
Eriksen is good, too good for that mob, but our guy is simply a different class.
Morning Rico, Brudder, Scott and all. Good win last night. I watched it with Kev and Mrs Adam who were virtually uncontrollable. 🙂
We were solid, without being spectacular, and that’s exactly what was required.
Glad you were there to temper Kev and the boss lady, Adam 🙂
Morning Lee, Scott, Adam and all..
Very good result…..
Hi Rico,
How is the head this morning?
It’s attached via nuts and bolts Scott….. 😉
See what happens when Micko launches the tumble dryer…. He manages to actually get one right…! Wonders will never cease…!
G’day Wath.
You are in trouble today bud hahahahaha
Still a bit achy Scott, thanks for asking….
Cheeky Wath, but you are right… lol
I am a thoughtful person, unlike some 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
3in1 comes in handy Rico…… 😉 May even help the migraine…..
🙂 Scott..
New post up now…