Match review

Birmingham still ugly, we score three, what more can you ask for?

Posted on by rico

Better finishing? Check. Better awareness and organization defending set pieces? Obviously. The European Cup? Of course. But…On the heels of this afternoon’s performance and result, I consider harping on the aforementioned a little churlish of myself. We all know there are things we can do better and we all know precisely what they are. However, nobody executes to perfection all of the time – or even part of the time. In my opinion, we played very well today, and other than frustration over the wasteful finishing, our issues were minor to say the least.

Our first clean sheet in what feels like an eternity and 11 of 18 total shots on goal.

While Birmingham has slid down the table, let us not forget that St. Andrews is as difficult a place to come as any in the league – ask Man United and Chelsea. Or us, for that matter. Previous seasons visits have been characterized by late equalizers, injuries, Billy Gallas strops, and out-and-out frustration.

Not today, nothing of the sort…

Robin opened the score, a goal in the 13th minute through a deflected free-kick. Within five minutes, Fabianski dived full length to save a direct free kick from former Arsenal player Seb Larsson, after Cesc had fouled Gardner. It would be Fabianski’s only save of the match. Johnson’s ugly early challenge on Cesc, earning a yellow card, set the tone and both sides dished it out over the 90 minutes. I am pleased we did not shrink from any challenges, but instead stood up for ourselves as a group. Robin and Theo wasted excellent chances to add to our goal and ten minutes from the interval, we were lucky to escape a penalty against us after Robin seemed to use his arm to clear the ball in the area. We just had an even clearer penalty shout ignored at DW a few days ago, so perhaps Eck can collect from Wigan Athletic next time Birmingham plays them.

I completely disagree with his implication that his was the turning point – we should have been 4-0 up at the point and although they had created a couple of chances, none were even close to the quality of those we casually squandered. As to emphasize the point, Robin immediately wasted yet another opportunity.

We started the second half in the same vein – Theo and our birthday boy (19th) Jack wasted great chances to extend our lead. Even with all these squandered chances, however, we did not look as nervous or shaky as we have on similar previous occasions – Cesc and Samir were running the show so well, perhaps the team felt 1-0 would be no trouble. As it was, the latter finally got our second just prior to the hour mark, a blistering shot into the right hand corner after he and Cesc played a neat one-two.

Seven minutes later Birmingham’s point of no return arrived, after more excellent interplay between Samir and Cesc saw the latter get a shot parried by Foster, bounce off Dann’s back, off Johnson, and into the goal. The latter was credited with an own-goal and that was that.

Not that we didn’t try for more – Cesc, Arshavin (on for Theo), and Robin all should have added to the scoreline. We were barely troubled, although Zigic (who scored at the Ems earlier this season) did hit the crossbar with a stoppage-time header – a reminder that we still need to focus for the entire 90-plus minutes. A late Brum goal would have taken the some of the gloss off this win for me, particularly as Andrew (Arseblog) reminded us that Birmingham have scored 90th minute goals in three of our last five visits to their patch. Fortunately, we kept a clean sheet.

So two out of three excellent performances, and we keep touch with the Manchester sides, who both won earlier today – as did the Spuds. It could have been 9 from 3, and we could be joining the Manchester sides on 41 points but coulda, shoulda, woulda rarely gets us anywhere.

Is it a coincidence that the same side which demolished Chelsea won 3-0 at St. Andrews? Not at all – this is arguably (minus Tommy and possibly Szczesny) our strongest eleven, and I think the players in this group have both a better understanding of how Arsene wants them to play, and how to play together as a group. That is the main reason I was so frustrated that 7 voluntary changes were made to side that went to DW midweek – we clearly needed to rotate and keep some players fresh for this match, but all the changes came at the cost of continuity and momentum.

Whatever…That is past history, my position on that issue is established and I do not think I need to go back over it…Seven of nine is still a good return, and if we should win the league, then those two dropped points will not matter in the end.

Feet on the ground though, we have a long way to go and plenty of things can still happen, particularly key injuries. We have maneuvered ourselves into good positions during the past few seasons and earlier this season as well only to lose the initiative each time. The performances against Chelsea and today suggest (to me) that we are stronger, more mature, and definitely improving.

However, without consistency, we will not win the trophies we are aiming for. At some point, we have to put a winning run together, one that allows us to build confidence, arrive and stay at the top of the table, and make teams fear us again. I think we are on our way towards that, but there is still plenty of work to do.

We are probably not yet as good as we showed on Monday and today and certainly not as bad as we looked in the opening 25 minutes at DW, so I will consciously try not to get too euphoric after a win like today, or too downcast after a result like Wednesdays. We just need to put together a run, and – finally – finish…That will be the moment for euphoria and giddiness…

For now, we can enjoy this result and look ahead to the home fixtures with Man City and Leeds with optimism and confidence. Step by step, one result at a time…

Written by Oliver

I just want to add that Walton got it dreadfully wrong yesterday, ‘that’ ugly tackle on Cesc was a leg breaker – even Jonathon Pearce commentating for MOTD said:-

It was very similar to the Eduardo incident. A Centre Half losing control and coming snapping into the tackle, ill-timed, poor challenge, poor poor challenge.

The ref bottled it, Match of the day ‘pundits’ bottled it too, they discussed how Neville should have been sent off but us, nah, they say ‘he went for the ball’. Call themselves pundits, we ll if they are not going to speak the truth, why bother? Thankfully Cesc was able to walk away and should be ok for Wednesday but things could have been so very different…. Another bad one was the Bowyer stamp on Sagna, at least they called that one….

Finally, a mention for our travelling fans, They were just awesome again….

 

rico

218 thoughts on “Birmingham still ugly, we score three, what more can you ask for?”

  1. rico says:

    Morning all, good write up oliver and thanks, just had to add that bottom bit, i’m furious over that tackle, we could be facing City on wednesday without him….

  3. kc says:

    impressed with how the team handle the physical challenges from the scums. lee bowyer n steve carr in particular. karma is a bitch on R johnson. how on earth he escape with yellow?

  5. Will says:

    Great entry.

    Did anyone see what they said on MoTD? Yes it was over-physical but as that is the only way to beat The Arsenal, it is ok.

    Here is a revolutionary idea and it may just work, instead of being crap and having to resort to UFC tactics, get better at football!!

    It might just work.

  6. K-TR7 says:

    I wonder how ice cream boy felt watch partners in crime,cesc and nasri,ran rings around him and his team.some of the passing and movement between the four headed monster Theo van nasregas was bordering telepathic.long may it continue!

  8. rico says:

    morning KT and Will..

    Will Shearer and Lawreson are cack, Pearce (commentating) was spot on, shame those two weren’t listening….

    we play like that on wednesday, take a few more our chances and we’ll beat city….

  10. K-TR7 says:

    Rvp had a shocker in front of goal but you can feel he is warming up.his link up play and movement continously broke down the b’ham defense allowing midfield runners space to score.our chance creation rate is very high when he starts.i remember last season against pompey when he had a shocker in terms of finishing but he was superb in every other aspect.from that game he went on to score in all our games till he got injured.

  11. JonJon says:

    morning..good write up..

    enjoying your posts oliver..

    does anyone think that cesc and nasri are starting to form a xavi iniesta partnership..yesterday they were sublime

    agree with you oliver that barring tommy and ches that was our best team but the main focuse should be on our midfield..that midfield is our best midfield

    the trio of cesc song and jack is destructive and has everything add nasri to the mix and we are starting to see what we had in the 08 team of rosicky flamini cesc and hleb

  12. K-TR7 says:

    Sagna is a mean machine!over 270 minutes of play this week and solid in all of them.when he got stamped on he just got up and got on with it.you could barely tell what had happened.he is so hard that he doesn’t need to show he is hard.

  13. Will says:

    It just really annoyed me that they admitted it was violent but as it is the only way to beat us, it should be allowed.

  14. JonJon says:

    the paps have gone crazy this morning..

    waiting to see if sunday supplement ‘give it a mention..

    the pundits on motd were so unprofessiona; last night saying they were going for the ball..linekar lawrensen and shearer were all laughing and joking at wengers expence..

    motd have an agenda and thats why i dont watch them..im sick of watching us play last and only getting a 5 min slot and then get dissed by the pundits after the game no matter what the result..

    but its not upto motd its upto the fa and i hope to see action taken..

    ffs eduardo got persecuted for diving after a leg break.. i expect to see something the same for the guys who stamp bite and kick like little girls

  15. K-TR7 says:

    Oh and we are the first top 6 side to win at B’ham.we were also the first side to score 3 goals there since they gained promotion.

  17. rico says:

    morning jj, nah, they are forming the ‘cesc and nasri’ partnership 😉

    and it will get better and better

    that whole side gelled again yesterday and are strting to look really good. we didn’t wilt under the dirty tackling in fact it made us stronger..

    Wenger needs to keep that side together as much as he can, once rvp and theo find their shooting boots they’ll be a tough side to crack. if he starts timkering again too much, well…..

  20. JonJon says:

    sagnas a beast…and he didnt just get stamped on bowyer raked his studs down the back of his leg just before mcleish subbed him..

    bowyer didnt get booked once yet should have had two straight reds..

    ok the ref was shite brum should have had a pen and rvp was lucky to win the freekick but the ref missed most things..brum should have finished with 8 men so its swings and round abouts..yeah brum should have had a pen but johnson should have gone in first ten minutes so brum cant moan too much

  26. K-TR7 says:

    Hi jj.i have just mentioned that how was Alex ice cream hleb feeling watching cesc and nasri tear their backline a new one similar to how he and cesc were doing in 07/08.i just hope we have an injury break from now till the end of the season.if ramsey can return successfully we’ll see less of denilson as he offers more and can rotate with jack to give the boy a breather.

  30. rico says:

    KT, Hleb, was an idiot he was to ever leave, just one of many who thought the grass was greener, well reap what you sow hleb…..

  31. K-TR7 says:

    I don’t even watch MOTD anymore.im tired of hearing biased views.if we can win the league they’ll probably say we were lucky or even we’re the poorest ever champions.speaking of luck how the hell are the mancs unbeaten and top of the league?they have been the poorest team in the top 5 and they were outplayed yesterday but still snatched the points.surely they have already used up their luck for the entire season?…

  32. JonJon says:

    were looking good ktr

    injury free and the only way is up..

    scary thing as well ktr is that the oldest player in that midfield is 23..lol

  35. rico says:

    I’m glad we have got Citeh before they spend all this money, especially with the players they are linked to….

  36. JonJon says:

    thing is with the stamp issue..

    if it was sweet and inocent feltcher or terry nothing would happen..

    but bowyers been around along time and hes hated by almost everyone..

    hes got abot of a joey barton reputation hes known for his off field antics as well ( anyone remember when he played for leeds) bowyers been targetting by the officails all his career i expect them to come down hard on him once again..

  39. rico says:

    i think the new guy at the top of the FA could set an example too, he’ll want to make his mark early on…

  46. JonJon says:

    for what he did to that lad 10 years ago in leeds city centre he sould never be playing again..

    same as barton..

    i dont know how these guys are still allowed to collect those wages for what they do when all theyve done there lives is beat ppl up on and off the pitch

  47. JonJon says:

    i dont see what citeh have got to stop us..

    albeit 10 men we ripped them apart at their place and carved them open..

    they have destructive players but how are those players supposed to get the ball off our midfield??

    if wenger picks em 😉

  48. Will says:

    I just get annoyed that it is not ok to kick teams off the pitch unless that team is The Arsenal as they are that good and it is the only way to beat them.

  51. rico says:

    spot on, others get turned down for ‘ordinary jobs’ for what they have done, it’s morally wrong they can be earning so much…

    city, balotelli and tevez could harm us but not if we play with the same attitude as we did yesterday and at eastlands….

  53. rico says:

    its because everyone hates us Will, always have done, always will do… shame DD didn’t get the post at the FA 😉

  54. JonJon says:

    its been that way a while will..
    its fucking annoying isnt it but i dont worry about the retards anymore..
    kicking us dont work anymore its now a myth created by the media..

    cesc and nasri are tenacious little sods, jacks typical english teenager wanting to fight anything that moves and song, well lol, you ask song if he thinks he gets bullied.. 😉

    dont worry about what the media say mate our players are the toughest in the league..

    its got to the point where theyve been kicked that long i actually think they like it 😉

  55. JonJon says:

    tevez alone wont win them the game though..

    tevez will have to rely on the scraps cos our midfield will dominate like it did v brum and chelsea

    hes a danger..but if we play our collective game we have more firepower than them..tevez wont see the ball

    it will be a cracker of a match but i see mancini parking the bus and even after spending 200mil on there defence i still dont think they will stop us..

  56. Will says:

    AAAARRGGGGHHHHHHHHHH

    Sunday Supplement double standards alert. The Dutch against the Spanish was thuggery but when it is done against Arsenal, it is fair and a great tactic.

  61. JonJon says:

    so over rated its untrue
    achieved naff all at inter even tho he played for inter and jose ( funny that) they won all they did with out him..he was their nikki

    and at citeh hes cost 30mil hardley ever played and got a hatrick from two pens and a tap in..

    i bet JD’S petrified 😉

  63. rico says:

    i hope he doesn’t prove you wrong on wednesday…

    tevez is their main man though but, as long as wenger makes no changes and the team is up for the challenge, we have a great chance to put a space between them and us…

  64. K-TR7 says:

    Balotelli if he starts won’t track back which will expose kolarov.mancini has just watched us score 8 goals in 6 days.he will play cautious hoping to counter attack us.so long as song finds the balance between attack and defence and cesc/nasri to dominate we’ll win.

  66. agirlagunner says:

    Boo! Good morning, all. What a lovely, lovely morning. 🙂 Feeling better, rico?

    oliver, your match reports are always A-rate. 😉

    Balotelli is not all that. And isn’t he still nursing an injury? Silva took a knock too, I’ve just read. I hope neither make a comeback by Wednesday. 😀

  67. Steve Palmer says:

    Morning all, OLY another fine piece,
    We seem to accept these challenges against us a lot easier now and i don’t believe we should, i am all for physical contact as it is recognised as a contact sport, but tackles like the one against Cesc yesterday was disgusting and Johnson’s intention was apparent, Bowyers personal war with Sagna stood out like an inspector Gerrard hunting Richard Kimble in the fugitive, pity the Referee didn’t do what his manager managed to do, and take him off before he maimed him, protection my arse, Sagna well done for not retaliating, skill made the mug look exactly what he is. Not the greatest game but definitely a great result

  68. JonJon says:

    i was just about to say that ktr

    i can see mancini parking the bus away from home..

    we have games in hand manini will not want to lose he’ll be happy with a draw..i’ll be suprised if ballloteli is even picked..

    tevez will be lone front man and they will fill their midfield with barrys yayas de jongs..

  71. K-TR7 says:

    JJ it also helps to have a settled first 11.i think its the first time in what feels like ages that Aw actually knows his best 11.

  72. JonJon says:

    whats to jinx mate 🙂

    we are on a roll..

    utd are crawling their way over the line..they are woeful to watch..lucky win against brom

    we are smashing teams and even when we change our whole squad we dont lose 😉

    utd could never do that..

    be positive my man..the pendulum is swinging trust me the utd fans are shitting themselves for the first time in years arsenal are a definate force..

  77. K-TR7 says:

    Last season when we faced city we were low in confidence after losing to wigan in disgusting fashion.they were in great form but barely tested fabianski.they’ll park the bus again as they do when they meet big teams.

  78. Steve Palmer says:

    Jon Jon, i dont believe they are, with the luck of a cat with nine lives and countless refs in their pockets i can only see a rosey future for them

  79. JonJon says:

    warnock and kamara say we have strongest squad and cant be stopped…warnock things we favs for title..

    even the pundits are beginning to beleive..

    we are third in league set up for a grandstand finish with the CC almost in the bag..

    the transition period is over we still need a player or two here and there but i think for the first time in years ppl are looking at our squad and saying wow..

  84. JonJon says:

    steve they drew at brum and should have won..the refs did us a favor with that handball and utd lost points..

    against west brom they were lucky again..the ref gave brom a pen to put the in the lead..if that pen goes in utd dont win

    utd are stumbling..2 wins in 10 away games and they still have to go eastlands anfield emirates and shite hart lane..

    draws are fair enough on an unbeaten run but if you draw 38 games a season u get relegated..uts are stumbling and up there on reputation..

    as long as our midfield stays fit i cant see no reason why with the 18 games we have to go we cant overtake them..

    they have a period in feb-march were they play 4 away games in a row..lets see where they are after that little spell//

  85. JonJon says:

    and i dont get all this fergie has everyone in his pocket and the script is set for utd to win everything already..

    if thats the case then why have chelsea won titles off them in last few years as well as us previous years???

    its nothing to do with refs and media its all about the strength of your squad and if our squad stays fit for next 5 months i see no reason why we cant win this league

  86. agirlagunner says:

    The Mancs are riding their luck. That will run out soon and with their work horses about to be put to pasture, their Wonder Boy a shadow of himself, and some tough away matches, they will struggle to stay top. 😉 I like the sound of that. 🙂

    Only the highlight reel, rico. Torres’s goal was as pretty as any he’s scored. 🙂 Liverpool are dire, he’s the only reason I am ever bothered to watch them.

  87. JonJon says:

    will

    once red nose retires utd are done

    the financial rules have already got chelsea they no longer can have three world class players for every position and their bench is crap and their players are old..its over

    next two years will see the same happen at citeh and once arry leaves spuds for england thats them done as well

    in two years time arsenal will be top of the league with teams like bolton and blackpool in CL places 😉

  88. rico says:

    It was a wonderful goal agag and a great ball from Stevie me me me, i only caught it on SS this morning, otherwise you won’t catch me watching them, i’d rather watch manure than them and thats saying something 😉

  89. JonJon says:

    agree agag

    but on torres current form of the last 2 years id rather have nikki to be honest..

    i thought torres was the shit when he first came but he seems a one season wonder which is a shame

    cos i wanted him in the arsenal team 😉

  90. rico says:

    I’d swap Torres for Nikki any day of the week, Torres is class and that doesn’t leave a player for always, he just needs to be playing in a better side…

    Nikki, well I don’t think anyone really knows if he’s ever going to be that good….

  93. agirlagunner says:

    Like rico always says, it’s Rafa’s fault for rushing Torres back from injury. And I could go on a “Fact” diatribe about that, too. 😉

    Still finished as Liverpool’s top scorer last season though– and he was out for months on aggregate. 😉

    And he sold the most shirts in the prem last year…

    And he’s… cute. 😀

  94. Steve Palmer says:

    JJ, what about the Southgate blatant foul that was a sending off and a penalty clear as day, and the ref gives nothing

  96. agirlagunner says:

    I just watched the match again; Fabianski’s Larsson save was top-class; and Wilshere really wasted Theo’s and Sami’s deliciously set-up birthday present. Shame.

  100. K-TR7 says:

    JJ The mancs are terrified for sure.they have played 4-4-2 in all their games but when they met us they dropped their top scorer and played 4-5-1 with all their workmen:anderson/park/carrick/fletcher in the side.they hoofed up so many balls to rooney.they have a decent defense though.

  101. JonJon says:

    i dont think anyone will step up or be brought in will

    wenger went on record as saying we have too many strikers and vela needs games..hes basically reducing the amount of strikers

  104. Will says:

    Do we have to many strikers though.

    Van Persie – fantastic when not injured, always a tackle away from 6 months out.

    Chamakh – Amazing first season, like the look of him.

    Nik B – slower than a beached whale with the same turning circle. Better in his head that he actually is.

    Walcott – Can’t be relied on but I think a great wide striker (if that makes sense)

    Vela – Really should be ahead of Nik B as a great natural finisher but just to damn lightweight.

  105. JonJon says:

    lol steve..i wondereed what you were on about i was waiting for a punchline or something..

    we all make mistakes mate dont worry im crap with spelling and names im suprised you guys have kept up with me for so long..

    yeah neville neville mcneville of nevillesville was defeo lucky..defo pen

    but..like i said the game before brum should have lost but got a handball offside double whammy goal in 89th minute and utd lost points..take the rough with the smooth..

    we should have had a pen v wigan didnt get it yet brum had a defo pen v us wasnt given..swings and roundabouts for everyone

    fergies influence in football is momentus but saying that… he pissed the refs off at the start of the year saying they were all unfit and lazy bla bla bla..

    the fa walked on eggshells with fergie for years because of the nevilles, rios, scholes, rooneys, hargreaveas influence in england squad but those days have gone fergies hand is shit he wont get as many favours as he used to

  107. K-TR7 says:

    There have been assumptions that if cesc leaves nasri will step up.this is plain wrong.if you watched the game last night cesc set the tempo of the match.he sets the rythm of play like no other does our El Capitan.nasri is the yang to cesc’s ying similar to how iniesta is to xavi.his role is to accelerate intensity of our play in and around the penalty area.thats where he is most effective.cesc is suited to playing deeper as he is a very good passer of the ball while nasri is more of a dribbler hence is suited to playing closer to goal unlike from deep where his dribbling wouldn’t be effective thus slowing down our play.

  108. JonJon says:

    will..

    i think we do..we only play with one striker..backed up by two widemen and two midfielders

    vela cant get into the team because hes not a lead striker..
    hes like theo so hes vying for the AA/nasri/rosicky/theo role playing just off the striker

    he cant play the rvp/ chamakh/ nikki role hes not big enough and he cant hold the ball up..same reason why aa and theo cant play there..jet is the one pushing for this place

    we have more than enough strikers and its like rico and me said the other day the vela loan move is a good one cos some summer when rosicky and AA leave velas opportunity will come cos there will be a place for him on the left side..

  109. Steve Palmer says:

    Hope your right JJ, as i have watched for years and am staggered with some of the decisions, i would prefer a fair system of refereeing where the best team wins the comps and not down to dodgy decisions and what they call luck, i feel for the lower teams that always appear to be shafted.

    KTR7 i agree although Nas And Cesc are both Quality, there is definitely a difference between them

  110. K-TR7 says:

    Sagna has been the definition of consistency in our defense for the last 3 years.i love the guy and we’ll miss him when messi and co.pay us a visit next month.

  112. JonJon says:

    sagnas the best defensive right back in the PL

    not a great final ball but strong as an ox fit as a fiddle. can tackle and head..

    good rb..eboues a better wingback but defensively sagnas the mutts nutts..

  113. K-TR7 says:

    Steve sagna was red carded when we played Partizan Belgrade in our final CL group stage match.he’ll miss the first leg but will be back for the Camp nou tie hopefully we’ll be in an advantageous position by then and we’ll need warriors in defense.

  116. east finchley gooner says:

    hi rico and oliver i totally agree with the write-ups this morning, very satisfied with the win and the performance in which we played some briliant football,great to see djourou back the guy is awesome and was as good yesterday as he was against chelsea i pray he stays fit and i also noticed how much better koscielny was beside johan-a good partnership in the absence of tommy v.
    As for mcleish moaning about decisions he was the beneficiary of a terrible decision against the mancs when zigic was playing volleyball,not to mention what happened to us at wigan,what goes around and all that.

    overall im delighted with the xmas haul 7 from 9 is pretty good and im confident going into wednesday’s game.UP THE GUNNERS!

  119. JonJon says:

    we play 4-2-3-1..

    we play with one striker the rest feed off him..
    velas role is in the three behind the 1 and we are top heavy with players in this department..

  120. rico says:

    agag, if VDV or Reina had made that save, Sky Sports would be raving about it, it was, it was Fabianski and they say little… It was however top class…

    Hi RA

  123. rico says:

    Will, we do but sadly we haven’t the right players to play that imho – the way we play it ends up

    4-1-5 🙂

  125. JonJon says:

    no

    we used to play a 433 last year but with injuries and lack of form to players wenger went with one up top and the rest feeding

    we said last year the problem wenger has is that he trys to play like barca with the three up top but it wasnt working cos we play with one striker and barca played all three

    its evolved into a lone striker..which is either rvp/chamakh or nikki and the rest play as second strikers..nasri cesc rosicky aa none of them are strikers but they all play behind the lone man with song and jack in the midfield

    weve played that way all year..its why wenger thinks chamakh and rvp can play together cos chamakh can lead the line and robin can do a job as second striker with nasri and cesc

    we dont play three strikers at all sometimes we play with 2 like at minute with rvp and theo but rvp leads and theo comes from deep with nasri and cesc

  127. Red Arse says:

    JJ,

    It is so brilliant to see you waxing so eloquent! 🙂

    Unfortunately, I agree with so much of what you say, it leaves me speechless! 🙂

    Rico, who is that man? 😉

  134. agirlagunner says:

    Did you faint, rico? 😉

    JJ’s on a roll. 🙂

    I think people are so used to knocking Fabianski, they can’t see a good save even if it’s staring them in the face. I think he needs to marshal his defenders more, but I like that he’s growing in confidence.

  135. agirlagunner says:

    Hello, Stef and RA. Stef, you got your third goal!! 🙂 The chavs did very well in letting a hard-earned win slip away. Brilliant! 🙂

  136. rico says:

    Hi Stef, it’s a good one for us, just need the tiny totts to drop a few points to so we can open up a gap…

    I did agag 😉

  137. Stef says:

    Hi agag, rico, RA and JJ.
    I got my third goal and what goal it was 😀
    6 yellows only in the first half well deserved but they played really well too.

    Fabianski was awesome yesterday and Cesc is getting better and better, too bad Jack didn’t score.

  138. Red Arse says:

    Hi Agag,

    You are right about Fabianski. Some great shot stopping saves in recent games. I would still prefer Chezzer tho’. 🙂

  139. JonJon says:

    rico rico rico

    juve are after AA….throw traore in for free as well and we’ll give em both for melo.. 😉

    hey RA..kind words indeed but i think i just piss everyone off lol

  141. Stef says:

    Thanks RA Happy New Year yourself too 😀

    u made me google ‘full of beans’ 😆 what weird expression.

  144. rico says:

    just seen it £18M for AA, that has got to be rubbish, thats more than what we paid for him…

    I don’t think we can afford to let Traore go just yet, not with Gibbs keep getting injured…. Iv’e seen enough of Eboue at LB already to last a life time 😉

  150. Stef says:

    Rico, RVP looked like he lost his touch he was reading the game good as usual and passing was good but something is wrong with his first touch, shouting the ball etc.
    Maybe he needs glasses or is it like some1 said yesterday that he was too nervous?

    What ever it is he needs to sort it out be4 Wenger (hardly) puts him on the bench like nikki b

  152. rico says:

    I think its nerves too Stef, he just needs that goal to kick start him and build his confidence..

    As for the new CH, IF wenger is after one, my money is still on Mexes….. he’s old, cheap and french 😉

  153. JonJon says:

    his contract is up this summer with the option to extend it one more year

    by the looks of things hes off in summer

  154. rico says:

    robin being off form is ok all the time others are scoring but… that isn’t going to happene every game, 2 or 3 he should have buried yesterday…

    the old robin would have….

  155. Stef says:

    Rico, now when Theo’s fit we(AW) can put AA on the bench more regularly he needs to have more rest he played too much game unfit, he needed to put Vela more often on the left as a sub for AA.

    In that way Vela would’ve had a chance and AA would;ve rested his lazy arse.

  156. JonJon says:

    rosickys and nasris is up 2012

    got a feeling nasris the only one who will be offered a new deal and the rest will be moved on so we can give chances to players like vela..

  157. RSD says:

    anyway would want more than melo for traore and aa

    melo aint worth half them

    maybe if they threw in chiellini an’all

  160. Stef says:

    I wouldn’t sell AA he has quality we all know that.
    But letting him on a free is ‘stupid'(couldn’t find a better word :)). It’s better to cash in now until we can, or sign 3-4 year contract and put him on the bench when he is not playing well.

  162. JonJon says:

    losing AA and troare wuldnt weaken our team but getting melo would provide the cover for song that we dont get playing denilson or diaby..

    id get AA off the wage bill now..give his contract to nasri and take melo in exchange..

    we dont need traore…only reason gibbos been injured is cos clichy has been poor and wengers been rushing him back but if clichy keeps form gibbs can recover properly and then we have two shit hot leftbacks..

  165. rico says:

    nasri is on the verge of a new deal, he won’t be going anywhere, ever seen a player look so happy??

    didn’t rosicky sign a new contract back in the summer??

  166. rico says:

    On 4 January 2010, Rosický signed a new long-term deal with Arsenal stating, “”It’s felt like home since I arrived here four years ago and I believe we’re on the verge of achieving something special together.” Manager of Arsenal, Arsene Wenger commented on the new deal with Rosický saying, “I have spoken many times of Tomas’ class and contribution, not only on the pitch but off it as well, and I very much feel that this new contract reflects that.”

  170. RSD says:

    Was just about to write a piece on Andrey on his unseen defensive work.

    Did you know he one of the highest key interceptors in the prem and his tackling stats are pretty good too

  171. JonJon says:

    rsd

    we were shit v wigan lol

    song cesc jack play we keep clean sheets

    denilson diaby play we conceed early and lose two goals..

    denilson not getting any better melo is in the brazil squad for a reason he’d be in the arsenal squad over him as well

    denilson keeps possession but hes a crap out and out dm and when song dont play we dont run the midfield as we should

  173. K-TR7 says:

    Hi all.im not surprised RSD.AA won 15/18 tackles against villa which was one of his best perfomances.he has a knack of sneeking on defenders and picking up loose passes.however,when the ball is behind him he is almost useless defensively.

  176. rico says:

    KT, what about the other games he plays in? He’s unfit and only plays when he feels like it, shame really as he’s a quality player on his day…

    i think he will go home, russia will want him heavily involved in their WC preps i’m sure….

  177. JonJon says:

    personelly i wouldnt like to lose Aa he still gets goals and assists even if his first team place is under threat..

    thing is id rather keep him..but if hes going to walk away in summer then seeing as though he aint a first teamer no more id rather let him go

    a transfers unlikely cos of his contract but a swap deal would be ideal..and if juve are interested lets take melo

  180. rico says:

    Oops, make that three, if both Gibbs and Clichy get injured we are left with Eboue

    Ok, i’ll stop there……

  182. K-TR7 says:

    Melo’s disciplinary record is very poor.in his final Fiorentina season he had 17 yellows and 3 red cards.last season he had 15 yellows and 3 red cards.this led him to win the flop of the season award.

  183. JonJon says:

    this is what ive being saying rico..we are top heavy with technical passers…

    we need more songs

    weve only got one song 😉 but like we saw v wigan its not enough..

    denilson will pass u the ball for fun but he wont control a midfeild for you in other aspects of what a midfilder needs

    jacks in the team cos hes tenacious as well as technical…cesc and nasri are nasty sods as well as technical and song..well hes just song..midfeild beast..thats why its our best mifield cos it has everything from skill to heartbeat..

    we didnt even get into the wigan game until jack came on

    denilson is just a passer and it aint enough..we need more..hes a poor mans cesc and totally out of his depth protecting the defence..

  186. JonJon says:

    good ktr

    then wen we face teams like brum we can play melo keep him in a cage in dressing room give him a pair of bowyers old shorts to sniff and then let him loose and fuck em up as well as win three nil..like wat we used to do with keown 😉

    id be happy to see one of mids take a red for those fuckers and with song we wont miss him wen hes suspended..

    the pl is physical as well refs allow rough tackles not like anywhere else in euro melo would do just fine..

  187. Red Arse says:

    RSD,

    An article on AA’s unseen defensive play shouldn’t take long. I haven’t seen his defensive work either! 🙂

    I think the rest of his game makes up for it tho’.

    Next season he will be much fitter, and incidently his starring role in the new Meerkat advert is priceless!! 🙂

  188. K-TR7 says:

    Nasri is really making defenders shit in their pants.when he has the ball they are afraid to even put a tackle in as he’ll make you look like a fool.he has the x factor about him now.he has replaced Le Bob’s goals from midfield.theo and AA are replacing freddy’s goals while cesc/song are going to outscore gilberto/vieira.

  190. JonJon says:

    we got lucky v brum

    we could have had 3 players out for a while the way they carried on..sagna and cesc were very lucky and they are so important to our season

    we won..but in the past we have lost important players in games like this..a roy keane or a melo would stop all that shit straight away..

    johnson goes in on cesc studs up…next tackle melos breaking johnsons nose arms and legs,….

    you wanna keep tackling or do we have to put u all in hospital as well as playing u off the park?? lol

  194. K-TR7 says:

    I remember the 07/08 fluid midfield was so good that the envious media kept on reminding us we had no Englishman in it.now we have two of the goldenboys as part of our best 11 i wonder what they’ll say.

  195. rico says:

    jj, that was exactly the point i wrote at the bottom of the post, we got very lucky, Dudu didn’t, Ramsey, well only time will tell if he recovers fully but, on the other hand we cannot afford or want to become as bad as the rest, a hard man, yes but we don’t need a player who will be missing for three matches after getting a red card all too often…

    But, just how bad is Melo?? Or is it all just bad press…

  196. JonJon says:

    not only that ktr but we have gibbs pushing the first team and still rambo (yes i know but he still counts, home nation init 😉 ) to come back and the likes of frimpong eastmond etc trying to break in

    the media can fuck off weve got more englishmen than most in 5 years time english ppl will be hailing wenger for the players hes brought into england..

    more chance of winning summat than those tossers from chelsea and manu and liverpool

  197. rico says:

    then, we have Afobe, Bartley, Chuks, JET all coming through too, we can’t count Frimpong, well, they won’t as he has chosen not to play for England 😉

  198. K-TR7 says:

    JJ I remember when Aw was asked why he doesn’t sign scots.he said something along the lines…’well,thats not my fault is it?’…CLASSIC.

  202. K-TR7 says:

    RSD Thats why the dutch sides that contained the likes of cruyff/van basten will always be revered despite winning the WC.The dutch team at the wc2010 was hugely criticized at home and they’ll be easily forgotten despite reaching a WC final.

  204. agirlagunner says:

    I thought, I’d remind you, rico. 😉

    Loved how he celebrated when he scored v. the spuddies. I don’t understand half of what he says on twitter, he may as well be speaking Latin… but there is a good energy about him, and he always seems so enthusiastic. With Almunia looking likelier and likelier to go, he can even pinch-hit as GK. 😉

  207. K-TR7 says:

    It also explains why evra/mourinho show such high levels of disrespect to Arsenal/Wenger.despite the former winning lots of trophies the latter still get glowing praise.Mourinho also hates Ranieri who beat him several times with Roma.Roma play a 4-6-0 formation that can result in some blinding football and mourinho hated ranieri/mourinho all the more as most neutrals loved how they played.

  210. rico says:

    i don’t understand twitter, full stop 🙁 🙁 i struggle with FB aswell ….. all these mod cons are too much for me…..

  211. RSD says:

    what to understand you post people respond think it the best thing i joined last year am able to talk to journo before they even write articles dont even have to look at nn good blogs are reposted so get to keep upto date need i go on

  212. K-TR7 says:

    RSD The Germans have always been there or thereabouts in almost every tournament they enter.Gerd Müller was perfect for them.they like the mancs don’t always please and are often very lucky.they along with the italians are masters of the art of furbizia and it has brought success for them.however,even they have reformed after having a tragic Euro04 they have reformed.they have placed lots of emphasis on producing young players with high technical ability and as a result they played some terrific stuff.players like özil/müller/podolski/Holtby/marin/schweinsteiger/kroos will form the new German spine that will entertain and also win trophies.i see that bunch having a massive impact at Euro012 and WC014.

  217. rico says:

    I’m off for a quiet Sunday evening too, catch you fine folk tomorrow…

    Enjoy the rest of your day…

    Night all…..

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