Morning all.
No sooner have the Chelsea players clubbed together in order to get their manager the sack, a few hundred miles away in Manchester, the Utd players appear to be doing something similar. Another defeat on Saturday leaves LvG hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons and apparently, he’s just one game away from getting the boot.
Then up in Liverpool, the man who just a few weeks ago every sports pundit were raving about, is also having a tough time. Jugen Klopp and his players were back after their 4-1 battering of Man City just a few weeks ago but Watford put them in their place at the weekend. A 3-0 loss and suddenly ‘the players aren’t good enough’, according to those same pundits!
Football really is a funny old game but the pundits are even more funny. Whichever way the wind blows eh…..
Meanwhile, Man City rolled up at The Emirates for what turned out to be a Monday night treat, but it could so easily been ruined by the referee who imo, allowed City to get away with far too much.
We’ve been in good form having beating Villa, Sunderland and Olympiacos recently but last night’s match was a very different proposition. Arsenal against Man City, a proper test and how we faired against them would tell us more about where we are in comparison to one of the ‘bigger and better’ sides. A side heavily tipped to win the league.
The first half an hour or so was a bit of a cat and mouse game as neither side really got going.
City came close to going ahead when De Bruyne fired just wide on 31 mins. Just minutes later, a wonderful Arsenal move ended with an outstanding goal and Ozil with yet another assist. As Ozil played the ball out to the left, a ball which looked like it was meant for the player behind the Englishman, a ball which Theo intercepted. One touch inside the defender and a rocket into the far side of the net. Stunning!
Just before half-time, Mesut Ozil popped up with another assist. This time for Ollie. The angle for the big guy looked difficult, but no, a firm shot through the legs of Joe Hart and we went into half-time 2-0 up.
Great stuff.
Man City had a bit more purpose about them in the second half but for all their possession, they never really threatened Petr Cech. In fact it was us who had the much better chances and before Aaron Ramsey went to sleep, allowing Toure to peg one back with a stunning strike, we really should have put the game to bed with a 4-0 scoreline.
City had all the ball as the clock ran down and even when we got it, back it came as the away team were desperate to earn a point. Toure came close right at the death but it was our night. Three massive points won.
Chambers, Gibbs and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were the subs used, on for Campbell, Ozil and Walcott and I think the changes made it easier for City. Gone was the defensive work and and the attacking threat of Campbell and Walcott and yet two defenders entered the pitch. The defensive work of Ozil together with his ball control, was also gone and it showed as City bossed us with ease.
But we held on.
I thought the first eleven, once the game got going, were superb, absolutely superb as not one attacking player shirked their defensive duties. Walcott robbing Sagna on the right of our penalty area was a joy. Flamini nullifying Silva has to be mentioned, as does Campbell’s work ethic. Ramsey needs a couple of tins of Red Bull (other energy drinks are available) before a match so he stays awake for 90 mins..
The back five were darn good too..
Mesut walked away with the man of the match award but imo, it went to the wrong guy but who cares.
Great result and a great night for Arsenal.
Just four days for the boys to get some rest and to recover and I think they’ll need every minute of it….
Finally, and back to the pundits, well that idiot Carragher to be precise. He said after the game that this is Arsenal’s best chance to win the league because next season, other clubs will strengthen in the summer and be much stronger.
Err, what makes him think Arsenal won’t do the same? Pea brain!
Have a great day guys…
Very good read.
Jamie carragher is just a paid mouth piece; none of the pindits do their own research; analyst give them the data and in most cases they just interpret it from their ‘vantage point.
re. the swiss midfielder. i consider him the best we can afford; as I think he has the best combination of being comfortable on the ball and being combative.
Xhaka received his 5th red card in just 95 appearances for Monchengladbach last night, thus putting him well on the way to breaking the all-time Bundesliga record of eight.
Carragher is a sad, jealous scouser who can’t stand the thought of us winning the title – a possibility for Liverpool less likely than the Beatles making a comeback. He has the chance to spout almost without reply – but in doing so just makes himself look a bell end.
Did you guys listen to him. He went on to slate Ollie, before Henry kind of shut him up..
We all know Ollie isn’t the quickest or the best striker in the world but who can fault his effort…. Certainly not after nights like last night…
Best we can afford Ts?
With £200 million in the bank, we can afford any player who wants to move and is right for Arsenal surely….
At least our game is not kicking off on till 7.45pm on boxing day.
Tsgh Arteta is not the real Santa
Good job Joe.
lol Rico… Ok I should have written best who could be available.
He is top top quality…
I can’t see Mong’bach qualifying for the UCL next season as Hertha and Wolfsburg will finish ahead of them so I am hoping Xhaka not being German will be the easiest to buy as he is also guaranteed his placed with his national team.
I still can’t see AW spending £35m on a CDM.
The transfer window is likely to be slow as Barca are doing well without Turan even playing.
Juve are getting players in place to replace Pogba. If they sign Ever Banega then Sevilla will want the full release clause value for Gregorz…
I’m fairness to Carragher he did point out that the isn’t a better striker outside the top three teams in Europe.
Add Kun Aguero and I think he’s right.
🙂 Joe. Are you sure… I saw him on Arsenal player dressed as Santa.
Oh I am so so disappointed.
Well if he’s good, he’ll do Ts… 😉
I’ve not ever seen him play…
Lukaku, Vardy, Kane? 😉
Lukaku is looking a top player.
We still have Welbz though
I really like him Another one Mourinho sold when he shouldn’t….
Another funny article.baseless i must add…
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/arsenal-transfer-rumours-grzegorz-krychowiak-says-premier-league-not-dream-amid-january-rumours-1534342
Good Morning to The Lady of the House and all fellow Gooners in residence.
Another good game summary Rico.
I had to agree with Lee Dixon, one of the colour commentators on the feed I was watching, Aaron Ramsey was spending too much of his time attacking and leaving Flamoney isolated; especially since he was raked with keeping Silva quiet. Nothing wrong with Aaron going forward, but he wa slow or a no-show in getting back to help in defence.
As for Carragher, he wasn’t the only Scouser pea brained pundit. We also have the Mersey-side Mental Midget Michael Owen.
Michael Owen so angry at Ozil assist in Arsenal game he swears on Twitter;
http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2015/12/21/michael-owen-so-angry-at-ozil-assist-in-arsenal-game-he-swears-o/
What a sad and bitter lot the ex-Dipper players are.
I’m sure he’d move for the right money…
Lol Cg. I missed that one from Michael.
Interestingly Michael is not welcomed or considered a legend at either Scouseland, RM nor Yanited…
He should be commenting on horse racing instead…
Morning Cg.
Spot on re Aaron Ramsey. There will be games where he can push forward but last night wasn’t one of them, especially during the second half when City bossed the possession. Flamini did rather well last night I thought but he and Ramsey don’t defend as well as Santi and Coquelin imo…
Agree re the ex Liverpool players too, Redknapp is probably the only one who talks a bit of sense but even that’s rare. Bitter and twisted lot…
Ginge – Who is your new avatar?
Christmas came early for me. My younger son and his wife had a bouncing bouncing baby Gooner (8 lb. 8 oz.) on Thursday the 17th. Mother and son doing well.
Luis Boa Morte is the Arsenal scout in Portugal..
Afternoon All
Afternoon Rico, nice post…
Rocky is very very busy since moving jobs.
He still comes on to have a read occasionally…
Gotta hand it to Flamini, we were all suicidal when Coq got injured, but Mathieu hasn’t put a foot wrong since he came into the team…
It would be nice if Wenger was quick out of the blocks this January, get a couple in early…
Michael Owen is paid to talk shit…
He is a wind-up merchant, he says these anti-Arsenal comments then just sits back and chuckles whilst we all get offended…
The best way to deal with Michael Owen is to ignore the boring creep…
Congratulations CG, how many grandkids do you have?
Congratulations to them both Cg…
Afternoon Kev..
Would be quite refreshing to see some early business done.. If he really is going to sign someone, you’d think he’d be in quite quickly too..
Hi rico, Citeh looked a bit like a pissed off Chelsea side……dare we get exicted.
Think Terry Henry holds the record with 20 assists for Arsenal in a season, Ozil now has 15 with half the season still to go, think he might just be in with a shout !
Kev – “The best way to deal with Michael Owen is to ignore the boring creep…” – Spot on!
Four grandchildren – two boys and two girls.
Hi Micko, if we win our next 3, I think I’ll start to believe we can do it…
Ozil should smash Henry’s record to pieces… lol
Off to play Santa so catch up later….
Hi CG, 4 young Gooners then? ?
Nice one rico, one less job for Arteta Ho Ho Ho !
I got a bad head cold so I’m off, back to bed to sleep it off…
Lata
Cg- congrats.
its non other than my idol Stepanovs. 😛
They should be, if their dads, aunt and me,of course, has anything to do with it. The older two (3 1/2 yrs.) already sit and watch the games with their dad and cheer for The Arsenal.
Ginge – Stepanovs????
You sure know how to pick them. You have so many legends to choose from. Who’ll be next? The mind boggles.
Lata Kev. get well soon.
Get well soon Kev.
With that I’m off. I have a lot of Christmas shopping still to do.
I’ll take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, as I’ll probably not be back in the House until after our Boxing Day game. I trust Santa Claus and/or someone very special is good/generous to you over the holidays.
Merry christmas too Cg. have a good one and stay safe.
Good info Jm re Boa Morte
A smashing Post, Rico, and passionately written as usual, thank you. 🙂
That was a superb win, and totally justified. What would have been even better would have been to put Citeh to bed earlier by taking our other chances which could have made it 5 : 1, and would have stopped my heart beating faster in the last 10 minutes.
To have drawn would have been against all justice – but it matters not, as we defended well and kept them out more easily than I had expected.
You are right about Carragher being limited, altho’ he did say Giro was not in the top tier with Suarez, Lewandowki etc, but he was the best striker in the world outside that small group.
Anyway, I loved the game, and it has made my Xmas. 🙂
Tsgh got news for you all are players dress in red and white suits. ? ?
Rico as your out being Santa can you also fix our broken players
Joe… you come with nothing but bad news for my ears…
I thought I had finally found out who Santa was until you told me it wasn’t Arteta. Now you are telling me all our players are santa too… 😉
Is that why they go missing sometimes. 🙂
Car rather is really familiar with Giros, all the dippers understand the talent in a giro, once a week. All they have to do for it is sign on!
Car = Carragher my iPad understands giros too. It has suddenly been made redundant!
Good result last night, but games like that are not good for my well being. The old heart was going 20 to the dozen! Never good, that! And for all who said it before, it would have been daylight robbery if we hadn’t won.
Evening guys..
Get well soon Kev…..
Evening Rico. Good and interesting game last night. I enjoyed it.
Sorry tsgh I figured you where old enough to face the truth at this stage of your life ?
Santi is not really injured he’s currently at the north pole carrying out his elf duties
Evening Adam, I did too apart from after Toure scored….
We should have had it wrapped up by then Rico. We missed too many chances in that early part of the second half and that made the final minutes tricky.
As you say, some very weak stuff from Mariner too. But the discipline and organisation was impressive.
Agree Adam, Campell missed one, Ramsey’s hefty touch let Hart in and I’m sure there was another..
Thought Flamini did a good job on Silva..
And can’t believe Walcott, he’s suddenly become a man… Lol
A couple by both players Rico. How Kolarov and Fernandinho were still on the pitch will remain a mystery. :). And the pulling and tugging on Giroud just seemed silly.
Evening Rico/Adam
Didn’t John Radford miss one…
Flamini was very disciplined. Silva was niggly little shit and Theo looks to have found an all-round game.
I’ve never forgiven him Kev. 🙂
That’s quite interesting Adam, because short of being kicked in bollocks, I really don’t know what Giroud has to do to get a free kick..?
I knew there were more Adam… Lol
Evening Kev, how are you feeling?
Kev 🙂
🙂
Think Ollie would get really cheesed off if his crown jewels were kicked….
Rico, I still feel as if I’ve got a wooly hat on inside my head, but one has to be stoical and soldier on…
What’s on menu tonight Adam – or was?
Rico. I am sure they are securely cupped in a protective apparatus. 🙂
Yes Rico, Giroud’s appendages are a valuable part of what makes him the magnificent beast he is… 😆
A salad Kev with Tuna and a poppyseed dressing with a dab of vinaigrette on the raw diced sprouts. Followed up by a cup of green tea and a mince pie. Rather splendid actually.
🙂 Kev..
Not always at 3am Adam… Lol
Rico. We are all Commando at 3am. 🙂
Not his quiff Kev? 😉
Hmm sounds delicious Adam…
But nothing from Hotel Chocolate I see? 😉
Tmi Adam… 😉
Rico, his Quiff can be repaired, but the Quiff below, I’m not so sure about? 😀
After the chocolate extravaganza that was Kev’s cake recently I need a week or so off. Although Mrs Adam got stuck into a stunning, but different, version of a Black Forest gateau last week. Cherries in Kirsch in a dark choc tower where the spirit ws soaked through the inner sponges in a delightful way.
🙂 Kev.
Blimey mate, that sounds wonderful…
But Mrs Adam deserves it…
I’m off to have kip, lata Adam/Rico…
Kev. She made me promise to get you one the next time you drop by. As cakes go I have to say it is ludicrous.
Lata Kev.
Night Kev….
I’m heading off too so night Adam, Joe and all…
Me too. Night Rico and all…..
Hi Rico and All.
Howdy Nash, I’ll do first watch and you can do second, if Kev needs a hot water bottle he need look no further.
As for Carragher rico, easy gal, not his fault he’s a few carrots short of a stew !
Nite Gooners, Keep it real.
Night Rico hoped your Santa duties went well
Time to defend Ramsey.
OK, he pushes forward, and plenty say he shouldn’t….or at least not as much.
Plenty also say we looked weaker when we took guys who press forward off and subbed them with others who sit deeper.
Confused…yes I am..
How often when we defend a lead to people want attackers brought on to keep the opponents on the back foot, worried about a counter?
We always say it.
Confused…I still am.
I think Ramsey took his chance well in the absence of Santi.
The current squad has the hunger for success now especially since 10+ years with no league title.
If only……and just if only AW reinforced the depleted squad with DM and ST……hmmmm…..
Kokorin?
I would prefer Ighalo, proven well with already 10+ goals in premier league.
His well build strong physical body is also completed with his strong determination and character.
Wanyama and Ighalo will be great additions to our current depleted squad.
Orfevrerie, a signing or two would make us near certainties, if they’re the right players, I reckon.
Of course Scott.
I am not bragging for world class players like Lewandowski and others.
Simply Wanyama and Ighalo would add reinforcement to our crocked players.
And I am fine with that, if only wenger nice enough to wear santa suit and give the fans that similar two additions, he will be a real santa.
Let’s hope he does what he really should’ve done In the summer.
It could be said that we are sitting second in the League, but what would happen right now if Flamini or Ramsey copped an injury?
We’ve done brilliantly well without Santi and Coquelin-better than we could have hoped for-but we really are thin right now.
Come on Arsene….shut us up and make us smile 🙂
Yeah, crossed our fingers that if flams and rams somehow got down injured,
please AW, do not come to our skinned bare bones to install Chambers as DM and Bielik too as if you’re too stubborn or too tight to spend.
Hope that will not happened.
We all do mate.
Arsenal are doing TWICE as well against the Premier League’s top teams this season.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/row-zed/arsenal-doing-twice-well-against-7057823
I like the way we play against big teams now. Let them maintain most of the possession and ping the ball around midfield with the same sterile possession that used to be our MO. We bide our time and wait for our chances. I am nearly 100% confident that having 35% of the ball possession is not really part of Arsene’s pre game plan but there is no doubt that its been highly successful in the last 12 months. This is the second time we have done the same thing against City. My own belief is that teams tend to lose focus on the defensive end when they have 70% of ball possession and are not scoring. They get impatient and try so hard to score that concentration is lost at the back. Our record against teams like Man City and ManU and Chelsea was abysmal over the years because we did the same thing over and over and over again. We would have 65% of ball possession and lose because they scored on the first shot. Fergie and Mourinho have beaten us dozens of times doing the same thing and hopefully Arsene has finally learned his lesson.
The difference is the Gunners’ record against sides at the top of the table suggests this might finally be their year as per Mirror. Let’s hope so.
Morning you two and all…
I reckon we’ll get one in for sure, maybe two… 🙂
White coats for Arsene if he doesn’t sign a midfielder….
Id say the biggest difference isn’t tactics, it’s just work rate.
Theo V Citeh was just everywhere, and he wasn’t the only one.
It’s the Sanchez Effect 🙂
Morning Rico, and I agree.
I guess we must give him a pass on the summer because we are doing so well, but damn, if he does no business in January, surely we can’t survive.
Morning Rico,
Can’t wait for your new exciting post.
Any Santa story?
Anyway as I am an Indonesia Christian, I wish you and everyone here:
“Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.” from me, lady and my two little kids.
May the Good Lord grants our gooner wish to get us the league title at May 2016.
Amen.
🙂 Orf, from what you said this morning, I think you’ll like it… 😉
I wrote it a 6am, guess Christmas is exciting me…. lol
A pass Scott? Not from me… 😉
Agree re Theo, I want some of what he’s on…
And a Merry Christmas to you too Orf and your family…
So far, Rico, only so far 🙂
Orf, stay happy and well mate.
That goes for your family and friends.
🙂 Scott…
New post up now..
Scott I am not knocking Ramsey per se , It’s all about balance and when we set up at the beginning with him and Flamini holding their positions there is room for him to go forward and support the front players. Against City we had guile and pace but took it off for defensive players and lost the momentum going forward . All that did was invite City on to us and once Toure had his goal for which unfortunately Ramsey’s ball watching didn’t help , they had a freedom to attack at will because we could not keep the ball because our balance was off. The experiment with Gibbs as a left sided midfielder perplexes me his goal against Tottenham doesn’t make him a forward and his tendency to stop momentum and pass inside doesn’t make him a winger and when he plays in front of Monreal they seem to take similar positions and leave a man free. Chambers wasn’t on long enough to make a judgement but when Wenger does this it puts a defensive mind set into the players and they drop deeper until we get trapped on the edge of our box , can’t get out and have a last 15 minutes on the edge of our seats. For 75 minutes we had a pattern of play that they could not get through and then “WE ” change things and let them in.
Potter, fair enough, but it seems Ramsey is the only player singled out in a fantastic performance.
There must be one, there always is.