Morning all.
That was the perfect result for us last night as City and Leicester played out a 0-0 draw which ensured we go into the New Year as league leaders but the season is only half way through and there’s a long way to go before we can start believing this is our time.
Arsenal have faced a few of the big boys at home and done reasonably well, especially beating both Manchester clubs, which does make a pleasant change. But points were dropped against both Liverpool and the Totts so those two away fixtures alone will be very tricky, let alone the reverse fixtures in Manchester.
January kicks off with:
2nd Newcastle – H
9th Sunderland – H (FA Cup)
13th Liverpool – A
17th Stoke – A
24th Chelsea – H
30th – FA Cup 3rd round if we beat Sunderland.
That is a tough tough month of fixtures and the next month is no better, in fact no fixture this season should be looked at as being less difficult because there’s been all sorts of odd results taking place and right now, any one of 6/7 clubs really could win the league.
As said, the season so far has been really strange with so many results not going the way one wouldn’t expect them too and just looking at last weekend when Stoke beat Everton away and we suffered a hefty loss at Southampton, is enough to make every Arsenal fan realise that the battle ahead will be nothing but difficult.
The neighbours concern me and it pains me greatly to say they look strong but they’ve been fortunate with their squad and injuries, unlike City and ourselves who are still missing key players and will be for a while yet.
Which is why it’s so important for Arsenal to add one or two next month.
It’s looking highly likely that Mohamed Elneny is soon to become an Arsenal player amidst reports that he’s undergone a medical. Some reports suggest he could be confirmed today but I don’t think he’ll be enough. A pacey winger who can add to our goal tally wouldn’t go amiss, or even a ‘fox in the box’ striker who could bury more of the chances we are creating.
Javier Hernández has been linked to us and I personally think he’d be a great signing, a perfect signing, certainly for Mesut Ozil. A few headlines suggest Alexis Sanchez is keen him switching cubs too. Cavani is another but when isn’t he linked to us and every other PL side?
Anyway, fingers crossed we finally see Arsene Wenger kick into ‘signings mode’ and we can sit pretty at the top for another five months….
Have a great day guys…
Good Morning Lovelies and Hunkies.
One game at a time Rico.
Next is NUFC. the rest dont matter yet.
Arsene Wenger has said he ‘will be busy’ in this transfer window….
Wonder what he’s got planned? Washing the car, cleaning, ironing etc?? 😉
Isn’t that what I said Devil?
I for one am not jumping ahead as this season has shown, no game should be taken lightly. Merely pointing out that we have a tough schedule, but not enough depth and strength to deal with what’s ahead…..
Spurs are Spurs-perennial losers who always find a way to shoot themselves in the foot.
They’re not an issue.
We are our main enemy.
If Arsene gets the TW right (we live in hope), and we have some normal luck with injuries, the title is ours to lose.
Morning all.
Wenger did not comment directly on reported transfer target – Basel’s Mohamed Elneny – but said that there will be new arrivals at the Emirates.
“We cannot announce anything at the moment. Nothing has been concluded,” Wenger told journalists at his press conference.
“I will be busy that is for sure. I have already said we are short.”
I wouldn’t be so sure this time Scott, they are different under Poch…
But you are right, our worst enemy is ourselves – especially if we produce the kind of football we did at St Marys again…
This is a very good read mates. A very good read…….
http://untold-arsenal.com/archives/49096
I agree with HRD – one game at a time, as you never know what others will do or what injuries will strike. We MUST strengthen in at least two positions. Midfield and a forward would be my priority. Fingers crossed. As for the stains at the lane – here’s hoping that Lloris has his head turned as he is the reason they always scrape a win.
Debuchy could be off in Jan according to Wenger…
Morning Rico and all. Interesting and tense times ahead. Quality CM and a goalscorer with that nose for where the ball will be in the box would certainly help. But massive changes ahead at the club perhaps.
Iceman, as I said to Devil, I’m not jumping ahead..
Just pointing the fixture list, how difficult it is and how the squad we have won’t cope imo…
Rico, they’ve had Bugger all injuries yet are behind us.
They’re not our danger, IMO.
Maybe next year /)
Morning Adam..
By the sounds of t, Wenger is ready to spend. Maybe he wants the PL before a summer departure…. 😉
By next year, we’ll be stronger too Scott so hopefully you’ll be right about this season…
Rico. That is an eminently possible scenario. Then again….
Thanks Devil, a top read indeed.
Yes, I’m counting on it, Rico.
Agree Rico, we must break with tradition and go for broke. With our injury luck, an already stretched squad will be at breaking point if no players come in. Hoping RM pick James ahead of Isco today and push him to the edge.
Sure, every other club are having tough run of games too. We handle/play one at time and we’ll be alright.
In August, Wenger said he and his team were working round the clock am not very optimistic when he says the same this TW.
Adam, as is AW staying if the season ends well….
I’m just glad AW has said he’ll be busy, instead of the usual stuff about who from inside the squad can come through…
I’d love a goal scorer, but honestly, I don’t see one arriving, not in Jan…
Did anyone read what Cech had to say about the footballs used today?
They fly through the air faster, and are much less predictable in flight.
I said that 3-4 years ago, but what would I know 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
I’d say that too after the Southampton opener…. 😉 😉
Lol Rico, but there is no doubt about it…the ball just wobbles through the air like they never used to.
Skill of the strikers of the ball Scott… 😉
Forwards win matches but defences win titles. We have plenty going forward especially when Alexis comes back.So stop the goals against be a little more pragmatic and it’s up for grabs as they once said.
Nah Rico, not when they drift in different directions.
That’s impossible to do off the boot.
Potter, it’s definitely up for grabs 🙂
Hi, Rico,
I love your comment regarding AW being ‘busy’ in the transfer window!
— “Wonder what he’s got planned? Washing the car, cleaning, ironing etc??”
The answer, of course, is that he will clean the car — the rest of it is too hard and only women have the strength and technique to do cleaning and ironing! 😀
I’ve just been told the same Potter, so I’m forgetting the striker idea for now… lol
I was kidding Scott… lol
Hb, I knew someone would read it and perhaps comment… Thank you.. 😉
Rico. Yes. Wenger must think about the immediate future etc while the board, as we know, are looking at what happens next and the coming few years.
Adam, but are they?
4 or 5 new signings this January!!!
It’s so exciting…
Back in the real world, Tomas Rosicky should be fit by the end on next month. ?
Afternoon All, Rico, Adam et al…
And a full season with Ozil in the team would make a very nice change as well !
Afternoon all.
Hiya Kev.
all ok?? better now?
Afternoon Micko and Kev..
I reckon 2, maybe 3 if Aw means what he says about being busy, although to get one in means he’s been busy by his standards….
If we lose Ozil Micko, we’d be half the attacking force we are imo..
Yes Coach, I feel more normal today…
Thanks…
It was quite a bad virus, and losing to Southampton didn’t help mate…
Miserable Xmas…
Anyway, watching Mesut Ozil gliding over the Emirates pitch, playing a one-two with Giroud and slipping home a perfect finish vs Bournmouth was a real tonic…
Simplicity, beauty and sublime technique, what a wonderful goal…
Good to hear you are better Kev..
Great win in South Africa too….
Yes Rico. They are. 🙂
Great result in Durban, good to see Nick Compton and Steven Finn playing so well…
Thanks Rico…
You’re getting cheeky, Rico 🙂
John Cross say’s they are Adam so it must be true.. 😉
I guess Woakes will make way for Jimmy in the next one Kev…
‘Getting’ Scott, just ‘getting’? 😉
True 🙂
Hi all
I think the Spuds will find it hard to maintain their momentum and luck. Teams that play that type of all energy pressing game eventually run out of legs. Remember Pochettino’s Southampton having a great first half of the season and fading badly after February. Think Klopp will have the same problems with his style of play. English football is too fast and physical to maintain that over a season in my opinion.
Hi Bob. Hope you are right. Would hate one of those two to pip us to the post…
I’m slightly concerned about our game against Newcastle… They play very phsically and make tough tackles and fouls… And we’re already short of replacements if any one gets injured… Hope we come out of this game with all three points without any injury…
Afternoon,Possible good news so Rico, Considering we,re top going in to the new year, with no Sanchez, Wilshere, Welbeck, Carzola, Rosicky, Coquelin. What a statement it would make to the rest of the League, Never has there been a better time to actually go out and show ambition, with a few genuine world class acquisitions, It would definitely be exciting times ahead.
Are Newcastle ‘that’ physical Madhav?
Afternoon Dublin, you hoping for world class, in a January transfer window? 😉
Although Man city and Chelsea are possible front runners for Peps signature this summer, could the story get more interesting,
Trevor Sinclair made a claim on twitter, insisting sources had told him the news:
Trevor Sinclair ✔ @trevor8sinclair
Not left my phone or a new story but reliable source @Arsenal have been chasing Pep for years and Arsene could be moved upstairs this summer
9:28 PM – 27 Dec 2015
It could explain why he might go out and try bring in the right Quality that he feels could win him the Title, before he moves upstairs.
Probably putting 2 and 2 together to make 5, but stranger things have happened.
I wouldn’t be too worried about Newcastle Madhav, we usually smash em at home, always plenty of goals, a good game to get to if you can, it’s Sunderland in the Cup i’d be more concerned about, no sure what sort of team we’re put out, on the plus side Merts only scores in the FA Cup so there’s always hope.
Moved up-stairs, I’d stick him in the attic !
good one micko,
Silly season starting,
Debuchy could be loaned to Roma,
another Tweet suggesting we,ve approached Chelsea, regarding Remy.
AW maintains we are especially short in midfield, could that open up the possibility of a big money move i.e Isco, Rodriquez, Gotze perhaps.
catch up later.
Wouldn’t it be funny if Pep does replace Arsene after all the City speculation….
🙂 Micko, not the roof?
Remy?? Thought he was off to Villa…. 😉
Remy???
Oh please!!!
Say it ain’t so… ?
Remy?? Remy Martin you mean? Champagne cognac? Make mine a double! Very smooth tonic wine!!!
Remy the footballer? Rough as a dog’s bo…..s! Not for me, just not good enough!
I think there may be some mileage in Pep to the Ems, it has a certain ‘ring’ to it. It would appear to be so distinctly unlikely that it could be true! And the scene is set, win the Premier League, Arsene will retire successfully and with grace, leaving a well constructed team and squad that the best manager, currently available could coach to greater success and sweeter achievements. And, he shall have a crock of gold to invest with! What could be more enticing than that?
Interesting points Wavy…
Mathieu Debuchy’s imminent departure, may in the short term allow for the return of Carl Jenkinson next summer, who, for all his perceived technical shortcomings, could and would do a similar job to Gibbs as back-up. At least until another option comes along.
Flamini could double as cover for Bellerin for the rest of this season, on the back of Elneny + 1 or 2 other arrivals…
Arsenal want Riyad Mahrez then… No chance… 😉
Wavy/Kev – the Remy ship has long sailed…. hasn’t it… 😉
Hope so . Got to be better out there not so over priced too
I’d rather Charlie Austin..
Evening, Maybe Remy could be the new Kalou, linked to us every T.W now for the the next 2 or 3 seasons, hopefully that,s all it is.
AW will have really put the cat amongst the pigeons now with he,s “I,ll be busy thats for sure” comment. all thats done is to give the media and agents a field day, to link us to every available player that they can.
Maybe test Dortmunds resolve with a bid for Aubamayeng, Him and Ozil could make magic
Read somewhere Sanchez wants us to sign Hernandez.
The whiff of transfer window familiarity has arrived again. The same old names, same daft rumours and Arsene playing his arched eyebrow games with the press. He seems to enjoy it though.
Tsk Dublin, the Sanchez story is in the post… 😉
I think Arsene gets cheesed off with it all really, everyone expects big names yet he has other ideas…
And so many pundits telling him what he should do must really get on his nerves, especially when most haven’t got a coaching badge, let alone managerial experience….
Gary Neville is doing well… 😉
Elneny has failed his Visa application apparently…
Seems that the weather up there is having one helluva party mates. Just read that planes cannot land due to gales.
If Debuchy leaves his departure could create the same trouble that happened when Sagna left. True we have Bellerin now, but Hector pales in comparison to both Ludivine Sagna and Ludivine Debuchy. Imo AW should force him to go to France and find another Ludivine immediately.
Goonie and Ginge will not be pleased that now there is no Ludivine in the WAG department.
Here its described better Rico……..
http://sportwitness.ning.com/forum/topics/elneny-fails-initial-work-permit-criteria-for-arsenal-transfer
No party Devil, it’s destroying lives and homes up in the north of England… 🙁
Knew i read it somewhere, Rico Lol. silly me.
Certainly seems to be having the last laugh on United. scoring for fun now.
Says the same Devil, the permit seems a problem…
🙂 Dublin
I think he loves it Rico. He was full of his own shrewdness last week. Just before the Soton game in fact.
I just think he plays with the press Adam. And everyone who loves the club…
But there’s something about always being told what to do which makes people do the opposite…
And one only has to around all the football blogs to realise that we all have different views and there’s plenty who think that their view is the only view..
Bit like Arsene really….
Not for everybody Rico. Just the stubborn, edgy ones. I know a couple. 🙂
To believe that would be illogical Rico. 🙂
Mind you, all life is on the blogs.
Sadly Adam, I know more who think they are right than who have an open mind… Mostly men of course… 😉
That’s life, social media and blogs rule the world these days… I prefer the telephone… 😉
Nothing wrong with having a logical argument to support an opinion though.
I agree about men though. 🙂
Night Rico.
Night Adam. But shouldn’t that be a logical discussion rather than argument… 😉
I’m off too, night all.
Liverpool winning 1-0 with which was surely an offside goal.
http://goonerholic.com/2015/12/book-review-itv-seven-james-durose-rayner/
Not really Rico. 🙂
So rico you’re finally seeing the light with mahrez r what.. Lets hope he gets it on the second try
All the English players in our squad are average and injury prone. Theo has only one thing, blisting pace and he doesn’t even use it well. He can’t run with the ball at his feet. His runs are predictable and when given time and space to shoot, he panic and miss. Ox is just frustrating, so poor, brainless and lose concentration way too easy. Gibbs is the worst, so shit. Wilshere and Welbeck, we all know their story. Cambers for 16 million is a total waste, he will never be a good CB or a quality DM.
Bellerin? Nobody seems to be talking about him. He has only one thing, he’s a flash. He can’t cross, he can’t dribble, his positioning is poor, his attacking run is tame (does he even make any?) . We have so many average players in our squad. Winning the title will be a miracle.
Silly what’s with all the negativity. Yes they’ll never reach the potential or the hype which the media overrate all the English players but I see lads who put in work, who try their best and fight for the team best way they know how.
Morning Sukky, Marshall and all…
Did you get out of the wrong side this morning Sukky? lol
Good morning lovelies and hunkies.
I am with Sukky on Bellerin. He is so crap that he had to offer Bendtner an extreme make over so they would look alike. Bendy still wants to play for AFC so better as a RB than nothing. And he offered Theo some money so that when they race yo see who is the fastest the former would slow down allowing him to pass and win.
Aye hector is crap. Debuchy is better.
And we are so average and lightweight that we are allowed to sit on top of the table by the stronger looking Manure, Chavs, Dippers, Spuddies and Shitty.
Can I detect a bit of irony there Devil? lol
Morning Rico and all. Last day of the year then and our RB is crap, the English players are average crocks. Ox is terrible and there are no words to describe Gibbs. As for Theo? He is blisting (sic). No future at all then.
Happy New Year. 🙂
Sukky, that’s post SUKKKKKS.
Fair dinkum, you have no idea lol.
Morning all.
Adam, I’m about to end it all after coming to that realisation 🙂 🙂
Morning Adam, I’m off to slit my ankles… 😉
Morning all.
So, where does that leave the non English players?
Giroud crap, can’t run, can’t score can’t do link up play! Merts, as tall as Nelson’s Column, can’t head the ball, has absolutely no positional sense, can’t pass the ball beyond two yards etc etc. Ozil, lazy, says it all! Flamini a windmill waiting for grain! And so on…….
With a team so full of losers it is truly remarkable how we have outperformed our abilities!
Give me strength. What is it that others see that I never do??
If I didn’t know better I should say that in all probability the only race we shall win this year is the wooden spoon and Championship soccer!
With all our players not been up to the task of even playing football our manager must be brilliant.
Our we really are lucky Arsenal ?
Or we…..
See you there Scott… 😉
Nice one Wavy…. lol
Steady on Joe re Arsene… 😉
New post up now…..
I say it all the time…..so many fans only see the absolute obvious.
I forgot to add some see nothing at all.
I mean, Gibbs was terrific the other night.
Someone the other day (elsewhere) actually stated that the reason we won v Bournemouth because Wenger FINALLY replaced Merts with Gabriel.
This person basically implies they attend every game and know the game backwards.
How the hell do you argue with someone like this??
Well, I managed hahahahaha.