Morning Gooners…
So, yesterday, the NLD, the game we all wanted to win and Thierry Henry flew in to offer his support. Now there is a man who could win NLD’s on his own…
Sat just a few rows in front of him was Big Sol, would we be sat thinking about how we desperately need a defender like him when the final whistle blew?
We lined up with:
Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Arteta, Wilshere, Cazorla, Walcott, Podolski, Giroud
Subs: Mannone, Jenkinson, Coquelin, Arshavin, Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Santos.
You just knew something was going to happen with Ade didn’t you, before the game he was looked like he’d been popping Prozac he was so lively, add that to being snubbed by his ex team-mates in the tunnel and he was certainly itching to get stuck into Arsenal. And he did in more ways than one.
First he tapped home from close range after Szczesny couldn’t get a good clearance after a shot by Defoe.
Secondly, with seventeen minutes on the board and after pumping his chest with absolute delight, he was heading off down the tunnel following a shocking studs up, feet in the air, leg-breaking tackle on Santi Cazorla. Thankfully, Cazorla got up unscathed, how I do not know.
Mertesaker was guilty of poor defending to concede the opening goal, but he soon made up for his error. Theo Walcott had the ball out wide on the right and just as it seem the ball would run out of play, he whipped in a wonderful cross for the big German to head home. Everything about the goal was superb and not a bad game to get your first goal in.
We really could, maybe should have buried Tottenham before half time and I mean buried! Hugo Lloris made a acrobatic save from Giroud’s header and then Cazorla let fly a wonderful shot from distance which looked as if if was going to burst the back of the net, somehow it went over the bar!
Giroud had another headed opportunity but Lloris again kept the big Frenchman out.
Our second came with a little help from Tom Huddlestone who deflected a ball from Arteta into the path of Podolski. He nipped in front of Gallas, scrambled a shot towards the far side of the goal and it crept over the line. What made it even sweeter was seeing the ball get a slight deflection off of Gallas before it was goal bound. Another happy German.
A third came soon after through Giroud who totally deserved to add another to his rapidly growing goal tally. Kyle Naughton tried to stop Cazorla on his run towards the penalty area by knocking him over, but our Spaniard managed to stay on his feet and played the ball into Giroud who made Gallas look passed it, before firing home just inside the post.
Half time came and we beating our nasty neighbours 3-1.
AVB changed tactics after the break and dropped defender for an attacking player in hope of getting back into the game and it seemed to throw us off balance for a while. Either that, or our players thought it was all a bit too easy. Tottenham enjoyed a few breaks but made nothing of them.
On the hour, we made it 4-1. Giroud won the ball and found Walcott. He then played the ball out to Podolski on the left and as we have seen him do before, he whipped a ball right across the area to Santi who timed his run to perfection. Lloris had no chance of stopping Santi this time. Another wonderful goal which would have made Henry smile no doubt.
Bale then scuffed a shot with his right foot which went through the legs of Koscielny and passed Szczesny to make the score 4-2 and no doubt many fans were begging for a fifth, just to be sure and we got our wish.
Oxlade-Chamberlain robbed Tottenham of the ball near to the halfway line, off he went on a run down the right, looked up and passed to Theo Walcott who are touch, made sure all three points were staying on the right side of North London. Not that there was any doubt of course but it got a bit nervy!
Last season in the same fixture, we won by the same scoreline.
Just prior to that fixture, we had been on a rotten little run, losing five out of ten fixtures, including a battering in Milan and a defeat at the Old Toilet, a bit similar to what we have been going through of late really.
After the victory back in January, we steadied the ship somewhat and went onto to win our next five fixtures which included Everton and Aston Villa, our next two league fixtures.
We needed that victory yesterday to get a bit of confidence back, learn how to hold onto a lead, and take our chances when they come along and we now need to go on a good run.
The Premier League is about more than just winning a North London Derby, it’s about being at or near the top in April and with a chance of still being there in May.
Players stood up yesterday, they need to stay standing, not shrivel away when they are up against brick walls or finding things a little tough.
Ok, there were a few things that need to be addressed on the training field on Monday morning but for now, let’s just enjoy the victory……
And what a victory it was….
Now let’s batter Montpellier and get into the next round of the Champions League, if only to get a few more £’s for Wenger to spend in January.
That’s it for today…..
A very nice Sunny and Smiley Morning to you all, my Esteemed Bragging Gunners.
It feels great to have bragging rights.
Awesome in fact.
Great match report Rico.
The line I liked most???? Well it has to be this…..Half time came and we beating our nasty neighbours 3-1.
NASTY NEIGHBOURS!!!!!!
Could not have put it better myself.
Morning all…
I couldn’t be bothered to list all the subs 🙂
Nice morning eh…..
Always glad to please devil 😉
It’s funny really, AVB says that they were in total control before the sending off. For me the start of the game was similar to Chelsea away last season. Totts had a few good chances but didn’t take them. Just before Lardy got the red card, we had woken up and started to look a little sharper.
In so many ways I wish we’d played and battered eleven players but I guess I’ll cope with battering ten…
Boo!! Oh what a wonderful day. What wonders a win does for us all. Heck, I didn’t even mind working today. 🙂
rico, have you managed to “bump” into your Spuddy neighbor yet?? 😀
I am enjoying murdering my spuddy friends.
That is one of the greatest feelings.
Lardy???? More like LUMPY.
It is a wonderful day agag, and no, not yet but i will do my best 😉
Funny enough, he hasn’t walked by my house this morning, nor did he yesterday afternoon….
Hiya, dev.i 🙂 I wish I had Spuddy friends, too. 😀
You MUST, rico. If I were you, I’d be off to walk Fido now. Haha.
haha agag, cooking at the moment so he will have to wait. the sun is out here and its a beautiful day, give it a few hours and he’ll be washing his car. Bingo….
I thought henry and sol sat together? Never thought i would say this but howard webb was splendid yesterday.
Morning all.
What a great result.
I probaly said it alread,but i was pumped from kick off til the final whistle.
Devil…did you read about my encounter today…..classic story.
Oh I have a lot of spuddies as friends. To begin with the CEO, Secretary and DOF at my club are all spuddies. Then there are a couple of others as well at the club.
This morning I have already sent them HIGH 5 – 2 YOU messages.
yes mate I read it. but only a bit quickly. I was refreshing all the time waiting for this report to come out.
Webb was fair….it is all we ever ask.
The old boys eyes just lit up telling me about his dad taking him to games in the 40’s…….great moment for any football fan.
Scott…fair is probably the right word to use but considering webb’s credentials i still insist he was splendid. Spreading the play wide and crossing the ball might just be the way to beating bus parking teams at the emirates. Well done giroud.
Joyweds, must have just been the shot I saw…
Webb was ok, but don’t forget it was a NLD, no Fergie involved 😉
He allowed Sandro (i think) too many fouls, another day he would have been off, two yellows. But that so often happens when a player has already been sent off and it shouldn’t…
Jeff,we are learning how to provide Giroud with what he needs.
That was a very class finish from a big guy…very impressed.
Actually,a few of our finishes were top drawer.
But, Webb played a few advantages which were spot on, so credit where its due..
Rico,i agree on Sandro,but i thought he deserved a yellow even before he send off.
He was at it from the start.
Yes,Webb did a brilliant job.
I wasn’t understating his job when i said he was fair…that is the biggest compliment i could give any referee.
I marvel at your restraint, rico. I could never put off the urge to gloat. There is always a sense of immediacy to rubbing it in. 😀
It is a glorious day here as well. Giroud is growing in confidence, I like!! 🙂
And with the Chavs and Mancs losing… Oh my!!
Agag,sometimes it is better to say nothing and let them wallow in their defeat lol
Then again,sometimes it isn’t 🙂
Who Scott, Lardy?? He was at it before the game, as I wrote in the post, he was up for the match, but in a totally wrong way.
Even Redknapp said there is no telling players like him 😉
Oh, and Arry reckons the Totts will finish above us…
Silence is sometimes golden agag…. 🙂
Do we ever listen to ‘arry?
Finish in front of us,my arse!!
Good morning all,
Thanks Rico for a fair summation of yesterday’s events. It’s a beautiful sunny morning made even better by the reflection of another 5 – 2 win over the spuds.
Perhaps the wintry gale of criticism that has been howling around our club of late is about to turn into the warm zephyrs of spring.
Never mind Zaha, keep Walcott at any cost, he’s just beginning to show his worth and let’s not play Ramsey on the right wing again, if we need somebody there put Oxlade-Chamberlain out wide, his run and cross for Walcott’s goal was sublime.
It’s a little bit chilly in the marital home this morning, my lovely wife of forty-six years is feeling a bit aggrieved because her beloved Spurs got smashed for five for the second time in two seasons. Ah well! In the words of the song,”Into every life a little rain must fall”.
I was going to wait until 10.55 to post ( you know 5 to ) 11 and what a great performance from both the team and the crowd yesterday.However don’t let it delude ourselves, until stoopid got sent off we were not looking too good. Lots of work to do yet on that defending but at least we can look ahead with a smile on our collective face.
Looking at the other results,and suddenly we do not look to bad.
The only i defeated side were outplayed by us,though we only drew.
We are going fine,and will improve.
Players to come back,new signings in January…..ok,maybe not 🙂
Webb was really good yesterday… guess it was the influence of our English boys on him… Theo, Wilsahre, Oxlade-Chamberlain,… soon u’ll see ramsay, jenkinson and gibbs out there that would be 6 english youngsters in our squad… and i think wilsahre has that effect on the refs like rooney and gerrard.
Sorry Terry,
Ramsey’s Welsh. 🙂
Maybe Webb sees himself as British and would encompass Ramsey as well.
Goodmorning gunnersphere
What time is it? Is it 5-2 yet?
Kudos to the good guys. North London is RED
Vermalaen did very well yesterday. Looks like he is getting used to life on LB. He handled lennon with aplomb. The worrying was Mert, but just hope it was a one-off. After yesterday I hope this team now understands that if there is a fighting desire to win they can achieve it. We need to see this type of performance for 90mins and not 10mins to the end of the match.
My pleasure JW, have to agree re TW 😉
Potter, nice one re five too 😉 Would I be right in thinking it was your birthday yesterday??
Agree on Merts emma.
He has never been the quickest and I guess he’ll not change now and some of his positioning let him down yesterday.
But, he played 90 mins in the week, maybe those long legs were tired, what a goal though 🙂
TV was better but Gibbs would have eaten Lemon for lunch…
Good morning Emma,
Yes it’s good to see Vermaelen settling in to the left-back position, also it’s good to see the same back four in successive games, stability is what we need as well as consistency.
I think that the “fighting desire to win” that you mention is embodied in Jack Wilshire hopefully it will rub off onto one or two more of the team.
Looking at the fixture, we are heading into a period we will be playing matches every 3/4 days. We need all injured players back now.
Having english players in our squad we help us a lot in the referee department. Hope we don’t lose Walcott. I am not a fan of his but looks like he doesn’t overrun the ball as often as he used to and has improved alot in his finishing.
Morning all,
Good post Rico,
Personally i thought a little diferent to the majority, Spurs started the game off well i thought they scored a very good goal through our bad defending, and should have been 2 up before the sending off, i never felt we were ever in control until the sending off. i felt that although it was a foul i thought the ball was there to be won, i think i must be the only person that thought a sending off at that point in the game was a bit harsh i felt perhaps a yellow but that is just a personal thing. it seems that everybody is adament that Adebayor was too pumped up for this game i felt that he was just looking forward to playing against us, Yes he caught Cazorla and he went in with his studs showing but the ball was 3 feet off the ground and Santi’s foot was there as well he rolled over and over but got up after the sending off and ran all day Jack made a big thing about it but nobody was injured, i dont think we ever looked in control up till then and then we continued as if we had brakes on, we looked frightened we looked nervous and even at 4.2 i still felt that it could end in a draw, we went 5.2 up and with ten minutes left we tried to waste time we still looked nervous I dislike Spurs but admired their resolve they never gave up and they still tried at half time instead of shoring up the back which we have seen many times they still tried to win the game yes we took our goals well and in the end we deserved the win but don’t forget we played 70 minutes against ten men there could and should been ten goals for but our nervousness held us back, our defending is no better and although Giroud took his goal well he lacks pace and that is noticable Merts also lacks pace and that will hurt us down the line a goog result but not nearly good enough in my mind. I know i’ll get slated but i feel i’m right but 3 points all the same.
Rico :-No probably me getting old and addled it’s Montpellier that I get to retire on. Finally getting something back after all these years of paying in.
I loved Jack giving Bale what for after Lardy’s tackle, he may be small, but he’s full of fire 🙂
They had a few chances Steve, but they didn’t take them all and at 1-0, we’d just started to settle into the game.
We’ll never know now though and to be honest, I don’t care, we could only beat the side that was in front of us and we did that well..
Yes, we still have a lot of things that need addressing in our defensive set up, but imho, only signing a player or two will resolve that…
emma – I think Gerv, Rosicky and Gibbs could be back on Weds….
No arguments there Rico.
Hi Steve,
I can’t agree about the sending off, Santi had already played the ball, that’s why his foot was in the air, Adebayor went in late, with both feet in the air and studs first. A text book example of how to get yourself sent off.
Morning all…
You know when Rico writes a post with a smile on her face.:D
Hmm was Webb excellent yesterday?I think not.Sandro should have had a card in the the first minute.The whore should have had a yellow card for celebrating in front of our fans.All these he let go but awarded the first foul against us.
We all know Arteta does translation for SC19 but should they only pass the ball to each other everytime?I don’t like it when they do that because we lose matches when 1 of them is marked out of a game and then they decide to pass backwards because they can’t pass to each other.
Steve, in my opinion,whether an injury is done or not is irrelevant mate.
I thought it was a bad one.
On the game itself,we were not brilliant yesterdy,but it was a brilliant result 🙂
I am off to bed guys….have a Great day.
stevep – Points well noted. The ball was there to be won but that doesn’t give Adebayor the license to maim someone. The tackle was reckless and two footed. He wasn’t in control when he went for the tackle and that could have ended someones’ career.
There were some periods in the game we played with the handbrake on otherwise we could have got close to a double figure if we had played without reservation. That needs addressing by AW
Nte Scott
Rico,
If they are back where are they going to play? Are we going to disrupt the budding togetherness of the back four to bring in Gibbs? Can we afford to drop Cazorla or Arteta to accommodate Rosicky? Which of Podolski, Giroud or the resurgent Walcott would you drop for Gervinho?
Phew Potter, thought I’d missed it…
Sleep well Scott, bet you don’t though…
Hi Emma, I agree about the right to injure but i watched the tackle many times and yes it was a rash challenge but it was his first one and although the other leg came in later i didn’t think it was a two footed tackle
If Santi hadn’t been so astute, he’d have had his leg broken yesterday….
JW – I think we will then see the switch in formation, we can’t play TV, Merts and Kos every game, if we do, we are one injury away from seeing Djourou, two away from seeing Squilli…
Merts really needs a rest..
Santi needs a rest too…
And I
wouldwouldn’t drop anyone for Gervinho, much rather see Arshavin get more chances if Podolski needs a rest…Emma thats why i like this site ( where its ok to disagree) 🙂
Rico,
“And i would drop anyone for Gervinho” Really!
I’m surprised at that Steve, both his feet were off the ground and studs up… Leg breaker…
Gotta go now. Exit singing five two to the Arsenal, five two to the Arsenal. Under my breath of course. 😀
Not up front JW, not right now, no….
Woops, that should have read ‘wouldn’t’ 🙂
rico – ‘we can’t play TV, Merts and Kos every game, if we do, we are one injury away from seeing Djourou, two away from seeing Squilli …’ That name makes me cringe ‘Squilli’ =)
steveP – I couldn’t careless if it’s rose, orange/yellow or red. We still would have maim them. 😉
It does me too emma, we seriously need to sign a DM in Jan, and one who can play centre back too…
Can’t think of anyone off the top of my head 😉 😉
https://twitter.com/m8arteta/status/270131887232663553/photo/1
I’m off to walk Fido in the beautiful sunshine, might have to go Spud spotting on way 🙂
Back in a short while….
Keep smiling…..
That’s easy rico, they’re the one’s crying in their beers.
Scott, you must have been running on adrenaline all day, it was just a matter of time before you crashed and burned.
Arsene Wenger out!, Pep Guardiola in please. Come on cavani!!.
Good morning hh, the haters are out, but who cares if it was 10 vs 11, i wish every time afc plays 5pur2 they have 10 players on the pitch. What matters is NL is red5pur2
Arsene Wenger out!, Pep Guardiola in please and Come on cavani!!.
Spot the difference…………….. 😉
A bit quiet here. Seems like everyone is nursing a hangover. 🙂
What a lovely photograph of the two Spanish with the great Henry…
Afternoon guys and gals….
Gosh, it is quiet agag…. Tomorrow they will all be back…
Such bright smiles, rico. 🙂 So. Were you able to corner the neighbor?
They will all be back when there is something to complain about, rico. Lol. Men are such moaners. 😀
I didn’t agag, there is always tomorrow 😉
Oyyyyyyy. I am not.
I dont need to have something to complain when I come here.
grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
🙂 Sadly, there is something to moan about, our defending….
Ha ha devil….
Nag Nag Nag…. Give it a rest Agag… 😉
Every man’s middle name is “Moan”, devil. 😆
I think our our back four just have to keep on playing together; and they’ll find their groove. I am ever worried about injuries though. We rack up too many, as it is. 🙁
rico, I’m sure the neighbor is making himself scarce. He’s probably keeping his peepers peeled for you, so he can vamoose pronto!
What a good thing it is to have our depth back just before the fixture list gets congested. I for one have no qualms about rotating Rosicky and Santi. Or putting Gibbo back on the left. Or giving Gerv a start. If nothing else all least he provides speed down the left. I just don’t want to see him at striker. These are all quality players and any 11 we put out, as long is doesn’t include Santos at LB, or Djourou anywhere on the pitch, should make us confident of getting a result against the vast majority of PL teams.
Afternoon Gooners.
Afternoon Rico.
Did you enjoy writing that post? 😀
Ah the defence, I still think that the midfield are not protecting our back-four.
Look at how Bale just strolled thru our m/f for his goal.
Where was the challenge?
Still smiling Kev??
It sure is agag…
I think it’s the midfield – something is not right there, cut the supply out and the defence would be redundant..
Sit back and relax, no need for arguments today
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOBraPkftLQ
Afternoon Kev, I did funny enough 😉
Great minds think alike….
Hi Kev.
Until we get a player who is a Gilberto+Xavi combo then our midfield will always be suspect.
And Jack thinks he’s not back to his best Vida, he’s not far off eh….
I reckon we’ll get one in January devil, well, some kind of defence minded midfielder, especially as now AW knows Diaby just cannot be relied on….
No player in his right senses should ever think he is back to his best. I am never at the top. Not because physically I am not there. But mentally I always need to improve in all aspects. Yes I might be on top of the league, but believe me Rico, I am always trying to find ways and means to improve myself.
The first moment I think that I have reached the top will be the first day I will start going downhill.
yeah, and he has to build chemistry with arteta and cazorla..talking of carzola
Whether and how much we might like him or not, Diaby is finished. A great pity but all the signs are there. Rosicky and RVP cases are different. Diaby’s injuries are all in the chassis whereas the other two where in the body.
🙁 Kev (not that that isn’t true) 😉
Where is Adam?? Haven’t seen him in a while.
Hiya, vida.
our midfield needs to be more aware of their rotation. To often we find our midfielders not anticipating the play. They must always be proactive and on their toes in order to react quickly and correctly when we lose the ball.
devil, i meant back to where he was before injury, in everything we do in life, there is always room for improvement and we are learning new things every day….
I just think we lack an out and out defence minded midfielder Will,
Arteta is doing quite well, but he’s not a defensive player. We need
someone who can read the game really well like Gilbert O’Silva could and cut the through balls out…
Rico, in an I/v I saw, that Wenger gave to ESPN, I got the distinct feeling, that AW is coming to the end of the line with Diaby.
Basically Wenger admitted that Diaby cannot do it in as physical a league as the EPL.
So don’t be suprised if Wenger doesn’t sign that big strong midfielder, either this Window or the next.
Especially if Frimpong doesn’t make any progress while he’s on loan.
Not sure if AW is convinced by Coquelin either…
Agag, I don’t mind you nagging me really…. 🙂
I never listen anyway… 😉
I think I saw an article about that too Kev, tbh, it’s been a long time coming. Thing now is, do we keep Diaby as a luxury player like we did RvP or let him go.
The same has to be said about Rosicky.
I believe both should be sold, we cannot afford them the two places in our squad…
Not sure if we’ll ever be able to sell Diaby either?
How can you sell a player whose never fit?!
It’s such a bloody shame as he started the season so well.
Ah, Coquelin, I am far from convinced, I wouldn’t shed a tear if he left….
Frimps needs a while yet before judgement day doesn’t he and I hope Wenger gives him that time, he certainly has the club in his veins…
But in a less demanding league, he’d probably cope easier. Certainly think we should cut our losses.
Diaby is another Eduardo…..
Look at how the Spuds handled Ledley King.
Maybe Wenger should have done likewise with Diaby and Rosicky?
Saving them for the really big games, then wrapping them in cotton wool.
Just saying…
Eduardo, yeah Rico, your probably right.
Ok i’m offski before Agag comes back to start nagging again. 😛
Rosicky was beyond even that wasn’t he Kev, when at his worst?
I get where you are coming from but players need to be match fit, keeping them back for the odd game could be worse.
Remember when Sol was having an awful season with injury and the Totts kept him back for the game against us. He was injured soon into the game and we battered them 😉
Think he left them the following window and went to a proper club….
Go steady up there Kev….
I’m agree with Steve Palmer1, except Adebayor must be sent off.
Jakelska sent off too. I’m watching Fulham-Sunderland (0-0 at 34th minutes)
We only play well when we are 11 versus 10. Until that, we have no ideas. That’s dramatic in my opinion.
Hangeland is off too isn’t he JM??
I’m not sure I agree re our play though, we were just starting to get into the game when Lardy was sent off
The Dane is currently on loan in Turin but has struggled to win a regular place in Antonio Conte’s starting line-up.
Now Bendtner, who spent last season at Sunderland, insists he wouldn’t rule out a move to Spurs out of any blind loyalty to his current employers.
‘History is filled with examples of players moving between rival clubs and I can’t rule out clubs due to where I might have been in the past,’ Bendtner said.
‘It might not be the best idea but if the project matches my ambitions I would have to be interested.’
He added on bold.dk: ‘I still have a great relationship with London, which is a city that I adore.
‘I have a lot of friends in London and there are a lot of great clubs in London, so I wouldn’t rule out a return.’
Bendtner has not scored in his seven appearances in a Juve shirt, and it’s unlikely the Italian champions will move to sign the Danish international on a permanent basis at the end of the season.
The self confessed world’s best striker is really clutching at straws isn’t he???
Just adding that to tomorrows post devil, what a knob he is….
Fulham 0 Sunderland 1
Nicklaus Bendtner of The Lane, has a certain ring about it.
Dare I say hilariant… 😀
No Tsgh today, or Wath, Lee, Dg etc – its been quiet….
Fletcher again JM, he’s doing well in a very average side…
I know which ring you mean kev 😉
Bendtner and Adebayor in the same dressing room, again…
Interesting. Hope it comes off. 😉
Great save by Swarzer
Me too Kev, will make the NLD’s easier… 🙂
Rico, if we had lost, then this place would have been a war-zone…
Lets hope that it’s quiet on Thursday and next Sunday eh? 😉
Lata
1-1 …
1-2 Cuellar (Fulham with 9 players at the moment)
I know Kev, but it’s the weekend too and the weather in the UK has been beautiful, I suspect many gardens have been sorted out today…
Funny how we play Villa and Everton next, we played them after the 5-2 in January too..
Next though, it’s beat Montpellier and then I think we are through to the group stage aren’t we?
1-3 now, Sessegnon….
1-2 Sessegnon.
no, we must beat Montpelier and hope Schalke beat Olympiakos. In that case, Schlake and us go ahead. Other score, we must wait for the last game in Athens…
Sunderlands keeper has been very very good JM…
Ah, ok, thanks JM… How about if we win, the other two draw and then we win in Athens. Would we top the group?
yes. with more two wins (:-) ) we reach 13 points. Schalke 11 or 12
Then that should be the aim ….
And that is the only results which will help build confidence…
The Totts dressing room………season 2013-14
A player enters AVB’s office.
Player “Boss can I talk to you for a bit?”
AVB “Yes Nick. Need any help?”
Nick “Yes boss. Manny has just given me a wedgy (pulled up the shorts while one is wearing it). And it is really hurting me”
AVB “Seems as if you felt a lot of pain then!!!”
Nick “Yes boss. The pain was so excruciating that my head shot through the roof.”
AVB “Is it possible? How can this be. It’s already there. Let’s hope you did not manage to damage the stadium roof!!!”
Mannie bursts in “Oh boss. I did not mean anything malicious.”
Who is Mannie devil, pat him on the back 😉
Guys and gals, as it’s quiet, I am going to take the opportunity to watch a DVD and chill for the rest of the day…
Have a good one all, and catch up tomorrow….
Night all….
Mannie is Lardy Rico
Good night Lady!!!!
Oops, I should have known that devil, Nighty to you too….
JW, i think we need gibbs because verm hates playing full back, and we need to rest our cbs occasionally, and rosicky is needed i think santi and mikel never get a rest. A busy schedule coming up, need to rotate if possible. And jack not 100%yet. gervinho will be back just in time for africa cup probably. We are not as deep as i once thought.
Morning all.
I feel much more human today…..a decent sleep will do that!!!
Nigel,i have thought all along that we have great talent,but yes,the lack of depth is our killer.
Plenty complain about spending to get top players in,but i think we must spend to bring more decent players to the club…….we have the top quality,but after our top 14 or 15,we do drop away.
Can Wenger really be considering letting Walcott run-down his contract & not selling him in January?
Could be an interesting ploy to persuade interested clubs to increase their offers. Thought to be in the region of £10million.
After all, if Theo is on a free, the likes of Liverpool will have no chance.
The lure of playing abroad may lessen the blow of losing him on a Bosman?
But it sounds like Wenger seems resigned to lose him…
Only another 44 days to go…..
To the January Window. 😕
Kev,i reckon he will stay,i really do.
How’s work mate??
Hi Digger. Just had a nice bath and am turning in now.
Work was ok mate, thanks.
It’ll be a gradual build-up from now until Christmas.
Btw, I cannot imagine celebrating Christmas in a pair of shorts, on the beach, cooking on a barbie. Just doesn’t seem like Christmas, if you’re not freezing your knackers off… 😉
Good to see Miyaichi fit & getting 20 minutes for Wigan.
I’ve still got high hopes for that kid, he has a lot to learn, but the talent is there.
Frimpong linked with a loan to Charlton.
He needs games and maybe he has more of a chance of a regular game at The Valley than at some struggling EPL club.
He’s still a way off returning to the level he was at, at Wolves, before his last serious injury.
That’s me done. Night Digger.
Morning Lee.
Xmas in summer is nice,but i have never seen a white christmas!
Ryo…yep,i reckon we all have high hopes for him.
Frimpong…get him out,let him learn and get his touch,then get him back.
See ya Kev.
A very nice and beautiful Morning to you all, my Esteemed Bragging Gunners of the NASTY NEIGHBOURS.
Just read some of the comments while I was not here. Some I agree, some I do not.
Yes Scott…… 😉 …….I do not agree with you. Christmas is NOT nice in summer. It has to be winter, snow, rain, fireplaces etc etc. And CHRISTMAS not Xmas. 😉
Now that I got that off my chest let’s discuss AFC business.
It seems that the partnership between Cazorla and Wilshere is getting on well. They are growing into it. However we do need to give one of them and Arteta a breather. We cannot keep playing them game in game out.
I think that Arteta should be the one who rotates with Jack and Santi. Not be behind them as a DM. But as the one who plays to rest them both. It does not necessarily mean that he plays less. Rather he should be played frequently enough giving both Jack and Santi a rest. In the meantime he should also be rested himself.
That is why we need a proper DM suited to the English game. Believe me if this AFC team was playing in Spain or France it would be in the top two every year and winning trophies. However, I think that the flaw in this team is that while the midfield is suited to Europe and playing lower league teams (like last Saturday), having a stronger beast in DM helps a lot when facing the likes of SRFC, WHU, etc etc. Adams, Bould, Petit, Vieira and Campbell used to win us games in the tunnel long before kick off due to their intimidating and monstrous physique. Having four or five 6’4 players in the team is enough to make mature men reach for their pee wee nappies quicker than saying Totts are crap. 😆
Imo we need Capoue, Wanyama or M’vila. However I think that the mistake AW must not do is release Frimpong. I do hope he gives him a contract. Ok he is not a beast, but his tackling and strength should not be underestimated.
Lastly………..the seeminly increasing number of British players is helping us a bit with the referees. So AW please, get some money out and buy English lads. They will surely help us in the ref dept.
Devil,enough on Xmas champ…..nothing wrong with some sunshine lol.
Are there many good English players around though 🙂
Love the “lower league teams” it mate!!!
I am surprised you rate the Spuds that highly though.
Seems that I have to hold fort alone and soldier by myself.
So any one who comes now must support Arsenal and only Arsenal. If not that person will be hanged, drawn, quartered, weighed and measured before being thrown into the eternal damned place. 😆
About last Saturday.
Chesney had a good game imo. He did his job well. However I should think that AW must give Mannone more chances as this will surely help both keepers and be beneficial to AFC in having two good keepers. Neither of the two is yet verging on the great. However I think that both will turn out to be better options than getting another keeper. Vote 6/10
Sagna seems to have got back in the swing of things. Jenkinson is a player I really like, but Sagna has got that touch more experience. Ok, granted, it is games that Jenks needs. And AW should give them to him. However in both the scum games during this calendar year Sagna has proved how important he is to our defence. He was defending well and attacking wisely. I just wish that one day AW should start him in front of Jenks as a right winger. But that is just my imagination running away with me I think. Vote 6.5/10
TommyV is not a left back and never will be, although he did well enough last Saturday culminating in setting up Santos who gave him a very great through ball and with better body positioning he would have at least got his shot on target. But it is irritating that he keeps on slipping. Maybe they should put up a sign near the pitch with a warning….slippery when wet. Vote 6.5
Mertesacker got his first goal for AFC in the best possible game. Planting a typical centreforward header after managing to make yourself a chump in the opposition’s goal is the best way to redeem oneself. His calming inluence makes him important to the team and he brings out the best in all his defence. TommyV may be the captain, but the real leader and organizer is Mertesacker. Vote 7/10
Stan Laurel, errrrr sorry, Koscielny (he does look like him though) does his job without any fuss. No fancy pancy tricks whenever he sees a skirt (like Goonie). He tackles fairly and squarely and rarely looses one on one challenges. He is like a mosquito biting here, there and everywhere. However he does seem to let his mind wander a bit and there are moments when he is in no man’s land. Maybe his switch has a weak spring and needs to be pringled time and again? Vote 6/10
Ah good. Another soldier has joined the fort. Watch my backside mate.
And no………Christmas is not nice in shorts and sleeveless shirts.
Yes there are good English players Scott. The problem is maybe their attitude. On the other hand I think that players like Zaha, Austin should be given a chance by AW. Better having them than someone like Chamack (although I still think he is a good player). At least they can identify with the club. Foreigners dont. Take Lardy the Lump as an example.
I’ve got ya back devil.
I reckon you sold Kozzer a little short mate.
True Devil.
I was just joking about the poms though.
Any country producing the likes of Jack and Jenks is doing something right.
I thought Ox was excellent v Spuds after a few very quiet games.
Now the midfield.
Arteta had a sound game. As usual. Well, he does have the odd clanger about him, like the time he committed a penalty and did not score the winner, however it is a fact that he commits so few mistakes that it is easy to remember each and everyone of them. Count them on one hand and there will be loose change. But last Saturday he was back to his best. He made up for it and helped the other midfielders a lot. He was covering and making good interceptions. Vote 6.5/10
Wilshere is slowly getting back to what many consider to be his best. I am not sure. He is still faraway from what one day will be his best. If he is so good now, imagine what would he be when he reaches 100%. It makes one sweat to even think of it. He is a box to box tough tackling midfielder. He reminds me of one of my favourite player, Roy Keane, minus the stare and the theatrics. I was going to give him 6.5, but since he stood up to horse jaw who took the mickey out of him regarding his height I will give him 8/10
Cazorla…..Vote 9/10. Enuff said.
Ahh that’s better. Guard it well mate.
Regarding votes I am not one to dish them out easily. When I have to analyze other coaches and teachers everyone says that I am hard with marks. Getting 6 or even 5.5 out of 10 means you have done well. It is rare I go above 7. But then yes, I might be a bit too stingy.
Its when I go lower than 4.5 that it means trouble. If I give you a 1 it means you are a pile of……!!!!!!!
Harsh on Arteta as well,imo.
Agree on Jack.
He is nearly back to what he was,but he is still a baby.
This kid will be a top 4 or 5 players on the world one day!!
Santi….yep.
Let me take a stab….
Theo….8.
Gioud….8.
Podolski…..7.5
The attack.
Podolski had a glint in his eye since the moment he emerged from the tunnel. One of the HHers even commented that he was going to score on saturday and he duly obliged. He defended TommyV well and even helped in the defence. He supplies passes, pulls the trigger himself and even managed to book himself for the cause. But he should cut out the Shearer like running after he scores. The Cantona celebration methods suit his Germanesque demanour better. Vote 6.5/10
Giroud is getting better by the game. His aerial prowess is there for all to see and as Scott has pointed out he makes a lot of runs without the ball. He is the master of the area between the Penalty area and the centre circle minus the flanks. What I do not like in him is his low self esteem. Yes, his self esteem is low. He does not need to prove himself to anybody because the skill and ability are there. So no looking towards the stars when you do not put a goal away. Just look determined and scare with your stare. Vote 7/10
Theo is improving game by game. But he is far away from what he can achieve. Yes he is a good player. The ability is there. But he is like AW himself. Stubborn and wants to do it his own way. While that is a good sign, Theo must remember that he is working in a team and not for himself. Jenkinson put him a little bit to shame with is contract. I would like to give Theo a better mark, but unless he starts to love the club I will see him not beyond a 6.5/10
I told you Scott. I am a little bit stingy with marks.
But we can agree that they are a matter of opinion.
Devil,the numbers don’t really matter….it is all relative.
I will claim the Podolski prediction!!
He really worked hard for us on the weekend.
I agree on Giroud to a certain extent….he does put undue pressureon himself,but his confidence is growing.
I can’t wait to see him in 2 years time!!
Theo was great….sign it,keep this momentum up and your next contract will be a cracker!!
Morning all….
The thing I am afraid regarding Theo is that once he signs that contract he will go back to what he once was.
Ahhhhhhh. The lady of the house has arrived.
We can rest a bit now.
Rico,it was Devil saying bad things about Theo…i am innocent (this time) 🙂
That is the truth Scott. GUARD MY BACK NOT STAB IT!!!!
lol
I was just watching my own back there mate lol!!
Good morning Lady.
Rico does not mind me commenting about Theo, as loooooonngggg as I dont say anything about how much I like stuffed chicken.
Hi Scott and devil…
You can all say what you want about Theo, finally his boots are doing the talking and I just smile… 🙂
New post is now up….
Righto LAdy. See you in the next post.
Off to read it
Morning fellow gunners,
Where is the new post lady Rico. I am having cold sweats…
Morning tsgh, it’s up 🙂