Morning all.
When Rick posted last night that eight of the players in the squad which played against Red Star yesterday evening it was music to my ears. Arsenal could very well become a club like not many other in the league again. A team full of proper homegrown players and not those plucked from sunny shores at a young age.
Just how good would that be should it turn out to be the case? That day won’t be tomorrow but give these younger players a couple more years and who knows. It’s certainly a possibility. English grit with a mix of skill together with a few overseas players might just be the way our squad will look one day in the future. Who knows eh but it would be nice…
The game itself wasn’t the most entertaining but it had its moments. Walcott had a couple of chances in the first half, one of which he’ll probably be kicking himself for not taking. A touch too many on the ball and the opportunity was gone.
Petr Cech made a couple of outstanding saves, perhaps the best was the one when Reiss Nelson then blocked the second shot in the same move. The woodwork helped us out once too but other than that, I thought Red Star hardly showed why they are top of their league in Serbia.
The game was won by us with a goal of quality. It was Jack Wilshere at his best, Giroud with a stroke of magic and Walcott with an assist. An amazing goal really and one which will be talked about for a while I’m sure.
As said, it wasn’t always pretty to watch but I thought we did ok, especially the younger players and it couldn’t have been easy going into this game after the weekends pathetic showing at Watford. But this was a totally different team and one which worked hard to earn a massive three points in Europe against a strong team in a hostile atmosphere.
Wilshere gets stronger each game, better too and although at times he struggled to weave his magic, when he did, it was great to see. Wenger is going to find it hard to deny him a place in the side on Sunday.
Elneny in defence was at times a master stroke, others, not so reassuring but hey, give the guy a break I say, he’s not a central defender and all things considered, he did ok. After all, we did keep a clean sheet! Debuchy lasted the full game which is a big bonus imo. He’s not everyone’s cup of tea but he too did ok. As for the younger players, well I didn’t think they looked out of place at all. Nelson did a few good things playing out of position as did Maitland-Niles but Willock was the one who stood out for me, just.
Giroud and Walcott were hit and miss and I don’t know if it was just me but it seemed that nearly every time Ollie was involved, he was fouled. Walcott too was on the end of a late tackle but thankfully after a bit of TLC on the sideline he returned to the pitch.
The most pleasing about last nights victory was everything we saw was so far removed from what we witnessed at Watford, certainly as far as attitude and effort goes. In front of 55,000 Belgrade fans, the boys worked darn hard. They deserved the victory, they deserve to be top of their group and they should be proud. Just as we should be to have Jack Wilshere back and pinging the ball around, doing things that the first team is seriously lacking. Love or loathe him, he’s ours. He’s our present day Mr Arsenal, or certainly the closest to it we can get and when he dons the Arsenal shirt, he gives everything.
Arsenal are doing ok, well, they are in the Europa League and long may that continue. It’s no more than this young group of players together with the fringe players deserve…..
Our next European fixture is against the same team at The Emirates.
As things went well for us, up north Everton had a night to forget. They’re firmly stuck to the bottom of their group and again they lost. Not only that but a massive brawl broke out between the players. Ashley Williams kicked things off apparently. Ronald Koeman has admitted he’s feeling the pressure and there’s talk of him losing his job if things don’t change.
With us going there on Sunday lunchtime, I hope we can finish him off rather than help him turn things around. Perhaps if Wenger plays a similar team as last night, we might….
Finally, Mesut Ozil has allegedly told his team-mates he wants to join Mourinho at Utd and he’s confident he will. Well that move can’t come soon enough for me…..
Have a good Friday guys, stay safe as Storm Brian breezes in….
Good morning Rico
Legally Feo assist ….yes because he was the last player who touch the ball before Giroud
Assist …….as he put it on the plate for Giroud ??? …….hell no
Giroud has to do a spectacular body twist and and flexes to score that goal Rico.
That is a clear cut story of what endure good players when lined or forced to play among donkeys.
So that donkey player does not meant at all even to pass it as fluffing easy chance it is the history of his decade stay at Arsenal.
Not long before that *assist* look at what sort of pass was receiving Giroud from the.Arsene donkey.He was waltzing it at 100m/h to Giroud when it was needed was just a gentle touch.
The likes of Willshere and Giroud and specially the youngsters has to adapt their play according to this donkey.
Willshere stays fit after ages does what he suppose to do in that midfield take the game forward thread a fantastic pass to whom………??? The donkey and the rest is what we have seen 10 year in repeat.
Hope i am right on this as Willshere never gave him a ball after that.Well done son and a bit a shout and kick in the dressing room will be good.
Theo Wallcot is fraud and no question the manager that bought him and kept him for a decade.
Morning Alex,
I thought you’d know me better by now to spot the irony in my posts. I did though say that Walcott and Giroud for that point were pretty darn poor. Only a spectacular finish spared Ollie’s blushes imo, Walcott on the other hand has nothing to smile about after his performance.
Although he did smile when surrounded by Serbian police officers, just a shame they didn’t lock him up and throw away the key. Wenger too.
Wenger said that we can afford to lose him at the end of the season for nothing and if that’s his plan then let him go now.. Let Mourinho have him on a free and get his wages off the bill. Jack looks like he could be growing into the midfield player we have always wanted him to be it could be that his time has finally come.
It wasn’t the best most scintillating stuff last evening but the effort and desire that has been missing of late was on display. A credit to all those on the pitch.
I understand the criticism of Theo, he is frustrating but he was clearly rusty last night, his first touch was off and I believe that had he been more assimilated to first team foot ball he would have scored at least one of his chances. He’s always been a conundrum but when he’s sharp he scores goals , it’s the balance of whether the good outweighs the bad. I can’t make my mind up.
This Hale End group is somewhat reminiscent of the Rocastle, Davis , Thomas days . The board now needs to ask whether as they get into the first team they need a Graham type manager that will bring them on individually or retain the status quo and expect them to develop on their own.
Just what I was thinking too Potter. If these younger players coming through really have all the right attributes, our future could be good…
The big problem for Wenger regarding giving the youth a go idea is that he made a right old Horlicks of doing that with his ill-fated project youth. Also he lacks the tactical nous to know who to play when and his silly fixed substitutions do not help either. I recall AOC having a good game against United when he was a kid and we were chasing the game a goal down with 20 minutes to go when much to the anger of RVP and the bemusement of the home crowd Wenger took AOC off and replaced him with a defender ! The clown did a similar thing last Saturday when Jack was warming up but after Watford equalised Wenger told him to sit sown and sent on a centre back instead .No wonder the away supporters were chanting you don’t know what you are doing at Wenger. They were right because Watford scored that late winner.So I go along with potter’s view that a new manager is needed who can get the best out of young players and not as in the case of Wilshere ruin them physically by over-playing them or mentally by destroying their confidence. Wenger should stick to being an accountant and let a proper football coach take over. It will be interesting to see how he gets on against under pressure Koeman who along with the scouse park bench painter has a decent record against the Frenchman .The Dutchman is a better coach than Wenger but is struggling to get his players at Everton – who look more like little Chocolate Soldiers than tough Toffees to play the sort of football that he wants them to play. The bookies are offering evens on Wenger winning the game . However this is Wenger so do you feel lucky is the question.
Jeff. After watching the brawl on the touchline last night where an Everton fan, clutching a child in one hand, attempted to assault the Lyon goalkeeper, I reckon they will put it about against us myself. I’ve never seen a Koeman team that played clean football.
Alex, on this site calls Weed Walcott a fraud and a donkey. I totally agree but the words I think about this “player” would have me locked up, if used in public. Suffice to say that over the last decade, Walcott represents everything that is bad, feeble, idle, overhyped(by fools) and vastly overpaid. I think he should pay US to stay at the club. That Wenger indulges this weed and fraud and keeps him on the payroll, to ponce around doing nothing of any good, is a total disgrace and that alone – even without all his myriad other faults – marks Wenger out as a man not fit to manage at senior level
Jeff, I’m hoping Wenger will be gone soon so won’t be the one looking after the young players career…
The problem with Theo is he manages to hit a run of form just at the right time!!!
We all start to think maybe, just maybe he will become the player we all hoped he would, but it’s a fleeting glance.
Morning all.
The words Alex used Jon were hardly offensive. In fact you then used them yourself… Can’t work that one out.
I hope that you are right Rico. Wenger has stayed too long for any good that he may have done.
Nice post Rico, it wasn’t perfect by any means but it was our reserves and to have a 100% record in any European competition with your reserves should really be a cause for feeling at least positive and I do feel positive about our young players.
Watching the 1st XI gives me no pleasure at all, but I enjoy watching our stiffs progress in this competition. It’s so pleasant watching Arsenal players performing as if it really matters to them, never mind the errors, young players makes errors, it’s obvious, they’re learning their trade.
I couldn’t give a toss about the Everton game, but I’m really looking forward to seeing our lads perform in the League Cup next week.
Too many players in the 1st XI are a lost cause, I’m not invest8ng anymore emotion in them, Ozil can fcuk off, if that’s what spending a shed load of cash gets you then we’re better off trying to sign up the best young players around instead and there’s a lot of good young players in the current England set up from U17 up through to U21, and many of them are at unfashionable clubs where we could actually sign them – like Holding for example.
Adam ,Probably also a more rout one approach by Koeman will be employed he knows that Wenger needs to win the game so there will be , unlike against Chelsea away , more space for his players to run into than the Chelsea crew had . A draw is not much good to Wenger who has prioritised this game over the Ropey Cup one due to his need to try and win another 4th place trophy in the Prem.It’s a big pressure game for both managers who look stressed out already and a case of let’s see who blinks first.
Walcott is certainly not everyone’s cup of tea, but his pace affected the way Red Star played and set up.
He isn’t one of my favourites, but he is what he is, and scoring over 100 goals for us isn’t too shabby is it?
End of the season if not before I reckon Jeff. Just a hunch.
Morning Kev, thanks. I’m with you there, watching the fringe players show a bit of something the first team can’t is refreshing. Yes, it wasn’t pretty but the younger ones will boost their confidence knowing a clean sheet and three points were earned. Ok, Red Star aren’t the best but the atmosphere must have been one of the worst they’ve experienced..
While it is true that Wenger’s later years have somehow become completely wrapped up in flops like Ozil and malcontents like Alexis, I see us slipping ever further away from the footballing elite- almost as a direct result. Unlike most apparently, I thought we were awful last night but saved by a great goal that gave us the points. I judge us against Man City and Barcelona or Bayern, not Red Star Belgrade.
Sometimes you just have to rip up the current plan and start again. New management, top to bottom, new players and a fiercely competitive atmosphere and new motivation and tactics. It might not work so I can see us running through a few managers before we get the right on. We might get lucky but surely short rolling contracts must be the way forward to drag us out of the doldrums we are sinking into.
But on nights like last night Kev, Walcott should have been stating his case to be in the first team. He frustrates me to hell but your point about his goals is a good one. Shame he didn’t score early last night, he might just have had a better game..
Morning all
Giroud’s goal was a ‘proper Arsenal goal’. Great play from Jack and a brave header from Feo culminated in an unlikely but successful finish. By Giroud.
I only watched the last 20 minutes or so, it was all pretty uninspiring football on the whole. A typical Arsenal performance. Good to see the young guns giving it a go. They at least look promising. Hope for the future? Let’s hope they are not too influenced by the old guy as has been already said, he will do little for their future development, I suspect.
A win is a win but the manner of the win, apart from the goal was nothing to write home about!
Rain has stopped and we are currently experiencing a sunny interval! Looking forward to Brian’s wind, tomorrow. Hope it’s not too devastating.
Rico, I think you misunderstood Jon.
I reckon he meant the words he, himself, would use about Theo would have himself locked up 🙂
Poor old Theo.
Never learnt how to be a footballer.
Shame, because those glimpses were brilliant.
Oops, sorry Jon… 🙂
Thanks Scott, you’re right, I did.
Theo looked rusty and off the pace , his first chance would have settled him and scared Red Star to death. I take Kev’s point about the bigger European teams but in many ways we are starting from scratch again and it’s a little bit exciting.
Potter, 10.44; that’s a great point regarding this group of youngsters.
And I agree totally on the manager question, maybe a bit of discipline and direction is what they need to go along with their obvious talent?!
Rico, I had to read it a few times to get it right lol
With this group of kids showing good potential coming through, there’ll probably never be a better time for a new manager to come in-either in January, or at seasons end will be good, IMO.
Even if/when Ozil and Alexis go, we will still have the basis of a good squad, plenty of talented youth coming through, so a few top ups and we can be damn strong.
Jeff, the major difference between Project Youth and now is that the present group have come up from schools football, the Hale End Academy and into the senior squad, with more of a connection to the club.
The previous group didn’t quite have that Arsenal DNA in their make-up and whilst people will scoff at that in these money-mad days we’re living through I do honestly think that having a connection to the club can mean something…
But then I still believe in Santa Claus
Afternoon posters, and good opener as per usual Rico.
Whilst it wasn’t a technically brilliant game, I was quite happy watching. I wanted to see how the younger set played, in with the experienced players, and they did OK.
What to do with Theo. He must want badly to prove his critics wrong, but fails every time he’s had a run out this season. I can’t help but think it’s because he is frightened of making a mistake, whilst under scrutiny. That it’s more a psychological issue rather than footballing ability IMO. He must want to get back into the England set-up before next years WC.
He reads the reviews, he knows he may be dumped, but doesn’t seem to be able to do anything right.
I will stand firm though and say I believe he has something to offer when fully fit. He has scored some excellent goals for us. I like him, and I believe he loves Arsenal. More than we can say about some. Ahem! Ozil?.
Does Ozil really feel he could be in the first team at manure under Napoleon? We’ll see. Sooner rather than later. Wenger was a mug to have faith in that lazy soab! He is a mercenary, that’s all. As is Sanchez, but at least he tries a leg for the team when he plays.
Glad to see Jack playing well, he could be good example to the youngsters (as long as he gives up smoking, lol).
Yeah, Koeman eh? Who’d of thunk it. I had him down as a potential manager for us! And Bilic, and Eddie Howe, lol. What do I know???
After Rico and All
Great to see our young lads get a game,
clean sheet thanks to Cech,and the win down
to Jack.
Red Star are a Grade 3 team now adays,but
this Cup is good for the youth players,50,000
crowds should bring them on a bit.
The Quif and Walnut got out of jail for me,
with that goal.
The standard of the premier league,is so high
these days,its unlikely we will see the 3 Degrees
again.
From what I know most of these young players
will have to go on loan at some point,that will
either keep them focused on The Arsenal or
turn them against us.
Up to now with Arsene in charge,most parents
have seen through him.
The point is that if our so called superstars go and we regularly field the kids I think the atmosphere would be more forgiving, the crowd more supportive and with a manager leading from the front more of The Arsenal we all miss.
We were spoiled in the early Wenger years during which we were top dogs and as supporters we demanded and expected to win things. Sadly those days have gone but I would be happy to watch young talent supplemented with the likes of Monreal,Kolasinac,Giroud etc if they were giving their all.We can’t afford the Messi / Neymars so we will have to breed our own but we need the right general in charge and I am sure that Wenger is no longer that man.
allezkev ,I can see your point regarding the current crop of kids being more of a GG type era thing than Wenger’s
failed attempt to cherry pick kids from other clubs academies. Regarding loyalty to the club by kids you never know until someone waves a big pay cheque their way. Wally Walcott and AOC were Southampton academy players and of course Cesc quickly departed Barca , something that the aficionado of that club never forgave him for, when Wenger offered him more money and play time . Agents of course don’t have any loyalty to anyone other than themselves and they play a big part in young players lives and futures.. United soon tied Rashford down by paying him big wages when he popped up .Whether or not he would have got them under this current AFC regime is another matter . Because of the demand for success in the game and that means a top 4 place for our porno mustachio syrup wearer major shareholder I don’t believe that we will see a home grown young player side on the GG scale or Sir Ferguson’s way back . It’s interesting that since the Giggs ,two ginger dwarfs days and Beckham days back in the 90s the only home grown player to come through of any note at United is Rashford. I guess that Cashley was Wenger’s only academy success and look where he ended up ! I don’t think that Jack can be rated a success tbh, he has been out on loan twice,once to Bolton and last term at Bouremouth .I can’t see a true top player such as young Rashford having to endure that nonsense . The again he doesn’t have Wenger for a manager !
Afternoon Fred, Meerkat and all.
Is it fair to say that other than a few young prospects coming through, it’s pretty grim being an Arsenal fan these days. Just had an enjoyable conversation with a Totts fan… not.
Fred, it’s all about bringing the youngsters on gradually, maybe have one of them on the bench in the EPL from time to time, giving them 15/20 minutes at the end of a game, if the circumstances allow.
As far as loaning players, Arsenal need to be more rigorous about the terms of these loans and what clubs they loan to. Don’t leave it to the bloody player to decide, as with Gnabry and West Brom, what fecking idiot at Arsenal thought that that was a good fit..?
And if loanee clubs are just plonking our youngsters on the bench, then Arsenal must ensure that they have it in the agreement to recall that player, for example, Bramall at Birmingham, a total waste of time.
Potter, I think that there’s enough old-time fans left still going, that would be prepared to have patience with the youngsters at the Emirates and you’re right that could improve the atmosphere, although Wenger leaving is gonna be the real catalyst for that I feel.
Totally agree re the loans Kev, most other clubs players actually get game time, unlike ours..
Unfortunately its not like that Kev,
when a player ain’t been given a chance
the cherry pickers opinion on who,s a good player
and who ain’t, is miles away from what people on
the outside think.
Unfortunately 100,s of young players are unable
to get loans or get a chance on the bench.
Its not easy to say who can make it at this
level.
Rico, it’s makes you wonder how much thought and care goes into vetting teams who want to loan our players?
I guess it all depends how you view any particular player.
Do you see them as a future Arsenal 1st teamer or are you loaning them to put them in the shop window, getting their wages off of the books temporarily or just loaning them to earn a fee?
Well Fred, I guess that the cherry pickers are the professionals and know best, although I do wonder how much they actually know and whether it is football knowledge, guesswork or plain old bullshit…
Kev, the way we do loans it looks like no thought is given at all. When did the last young player get a string of games I wonder? Think it was the guy who went to Rangers but I’ve forgotten his name..
Zelalem, and he’s injured again Rico.
I also think if your face fits has a lot to do with getting an opportunity.
That’s the fella Kev.
Don’t think it helps coming from Arsenal either, other managers certainly don’t seem to want to help us. The wat Pulis treated Gnabry was a disgrace.
Thanks Rico…you gave me a good response early sad i couldnt say it a bit early.
In regard the so called 100 goals in a full decade i dont see anything to brag about it.
I trust my eyes to be honest and i can judge the difference between a good footballer and a sprinter.Feo is the latter and he should only be judged when in competition with sprinters.
No positional sense
No understanding of reading games
Is an absolute waste for a player who had the opportunity to learn among Henry Cesc and all but fail miserably.
Hey…there are his admirers and no wonder after a decade of shambles Le prof has still his believers.Byt they are fraud of the same coin just the other face.
There was Jon Toral said to be a vetter bet than Bellerin when we knicked him from Barca , got injured and then had a few loans and was a fans favourite wherever he went , see Birmingham and Rangers got sold on for £ 3 million or so. My friends in Spain say that it is a great waste of what might have been.
You tell me Kev
The youth ? ? ?
I watch the entire game and seems to me they luck intensity in their approach and that youth aggressivness of wanting more.
There is nothing i see yesterday that make me thing…… this the one…..yeah.Sorry no.
This is not being harsh ….but ….when i see Rashford coming from the academy and making mokery of Gabriel and never look back.
I am just asking who did you saw yesterday that is ready to jump to the next level ?
I am in no doubt that they are going to be first teamers not on merit …..but……for saving money.
There is nothing to criticise the youngsters as they learning but a club that aspire to win the league after a decade of emptyness deserve more of estabilished ones and not this kids.
Merida too, he was expected to do really well but we all know what happened with him…
I reckon one or two might end up surprising you Alex…
It’s easy to be disparaging about the kids which we saw last night . Obviously none of them are ready to take on the might of the top premier league clubs at the moment but remember half the players out there last night had hardly any first team experience but managed to do the job in hand. They deserve our support , we are quick to criticise but they all contributed and bear in mind the players that they had supporting them . Wilshere , Walcott ,Giroud , Coquelin , Debuchy and Cech , hardly world beaters in their own right for a various number of reasons.
I wish more ….but….under the tutileage of the French man and poors players all over…very doubtfull
I said that earlier at 1.59.( but we need the right general in charge and I am sure that Wenger is no longer that man.) But that doesn’t detract from the situation that these kids handled correctly could go on to better things and hopefully with us.
Well said Potter…
As said earlier, by the time they’re ready, Wenger will hopefully be gone.
Calm down Alex lol..
Rico, tony pulis, Sam allardye, hughes, and mclealish, have always been furgeson”s ass lickers and hate arsenal….they won’t do any favours to us especially looking after our youth players..the club shouldve never done or do any deals with them imo
It’s not the kids fault so hopefully they do better than What the seniors are doing now!
Haven’t they just Kk…
Evening all and thanks Rico for a fine post…………..except for the blasphemous 2nd sentence from the end ! hahaha
I shall sei up a HH confessional box and paray for Mesut`s soul and that he doesn`t meet any of you down a dark alley !
🙂
Haven`t watched the highlights yet, so will give my expert opinion when I have so, now for some food as I`ve been driving all day around Cornwall, but it does give me a chance to think tactics which I will confide to Lord Wenger as I have him on speed dial as given to me by a friend, although every time I dial it I get through to a Kia dealer !.
You’ll need to do more than pray Lc. Lol
I’m offski, night guys..
Morning all.
If watching Nketiah and Nelson doesn’t get people excited, very little will 🙂
New post up.