Morning all.
We’re off the mark. Three points in the bag and boom, up the table we have gone. Hey, we even sit above that classless club from West London, so all’s good… And wasn’t it great watching that pile of poop get thumped 3-0 by City and then listening to the Pygmy trying to justify the loss… Ha bloomin ha…
I digress. Back to Arsenal and wasn’t that an entertaining match?
Alan Pardew has a very attacking side, mixed up with a committed defence and midfield and I actually think they’ll cause many a side a good few problems this season, especially in front of a raucous home crowd.
From the off it was clear our players were of a very different mindset compared to the opening day. We were bright, buzzing and zipping the ball around with purpose. Mind you, so were Palace when they could…
The big talking point from the game was about Francis Coquelin. Should he have stayed on the pitch after his first booking. Well my answer to that is simple. Lee Mason made a decision and that’s fine by me and I say that because time and time again, we’ve played sides who have committed far worse tackles on our players but sometimes, they’ve not been booked let alone sent off so so be it. For once we had lady luck on our side.
Thankfully Arsene Wenger finally took Coquelin off and a good job too, we need him against Liverpool. Arteta came on later in the game and did well but whether he could do that for ninety minutes is another question and I don’t think he could. This area is still a vulnerable one and that’s something which will only change by signing someone. (imo) As good as Coquelin is, unless he curbs his enthusiasm, a lot of referees won’t be as lenient as Lee Mason.
Giroud had the first chance but couldn’t find the net after a ball from Ramsey, Ozil set up Sanchez but when he finally got his shot on goal and passed the keeper, James McArthur cleared off the line..
With all the pace on our side, I was sat wishing Theo Walcott was on the pitch as not only would he have halted Palace a bit, he might actually score and then at that very moment, Ozil fired a cross into the box and there was Ollie to volley home. What a super strike that was and apparently his first league goal since Thierry Henry said he wasn’t good enough to lead the front line. Give him better service and perhaps he’d score more but we like to pass to death around the box and that doesn’t suit the big fella…
Our lead didn’t last too long as just before the half an hour mark, Palace equalised. A sloppy goal to give away really from that kind of distance and as much as others could have done a lot better before the shot came in, what was Koscielny doing turning his back on the ball? Not what you expect from a defender of his quality.
Wards goal gave Palace a lift…..
Half-time came and went..
More of the same in the second half, Palace attacked, we attacked, they defended, we defended and all remained even. A few fouls here and there which in the main, Mason let go unpunished.
We took the lead when Alexis popped up at the far post to fire a bullet with his head towards goal, well ok, it was missing the goal but thanks to Delaney, the ball ended up in the net after he attempted to clear it.
Jason Puncheon tested Cech with a low shot and up the other end, Ramsey came very close to making it 3-1 with a wicked shot which went over the bar.
Finally, having being booked and a few further let off’s, Arsene Wenger replaced Coquelin with Oxlade-Chamberlain and shortly after Mikel Arteta then replaced Alexis as Wenger looked shut up shop. Gibbs also came on before the final whistle, replacing Mesut Ozil who had a game to remember….
Palace had a few chances to secure a draw but it was our day….
Stand-outs for me were Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla and the hyperactive Alexis Sanchez….
All in all a good day with three points on the board but there’s still room for improvement, just as there’s room for a couple of new signings…
Gossip:
According to The Metro, who cite Spanish media for the story, Arsenal have made a £35 million offer for Edinson Cavani.
With just two weeks left in this transfer window, let’s hope we soon get some positive news..
Have a good Monday all….
Reg Varney!!
Who’s he?
Our new signing….
Stephen Lewis will be the new DM
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_the_Buses
Morning all No bid made but d*ck law will meet his cavani agent this week
Drake, that’s a done deal then…. 😉
One of aubemiyang,benzema or cavani will be signed on the weekend we were taking to aube agent…we just like last minute deals
That’d be nice Drake!
No lee you cant trust arsenal maybe they are testing avaliability of the player
I read that Lucas Silva will be surplus to requirements at Madrid, weren’t we linked to him last year?
I knew really Lee… 😉
Did you see the main man from On the buses died last week? Can’t remember his name…
Aubameyang has just signed a new contract hasn’t he Drake?
Pretty sure we were re Silva, through my grey matter I can remember writing something about another Brazilian… Cdm I mean…. lol
Lee
August 17, 2015 at 10:13am
Stephen Lewis will be the new DM (That’s Blakie who passed away!)
That’s him, Blakie..
Isn’t Stephen Lewis a striker… 😉
Yes rico he signed but that doesnt mean he cant move clubs do that to increase the price but if the buying club is able to pay asked price,they selling club cant stop the player from moving samething happened to suares and pedro who is about to move to manchester
I know Drake but now his club will be asking for even more money… What’s his ‘buy-out’ clause…
Lee- yes we were after Luca Silva before he joined RM.
Rico, he is the same one you wrote about. 😉
Good read Rico.
Drake- I am not sure PEA will move or AW is interested in him…
P.E.A represents Gabon instead of France and so AFCON next season might be a
Thanks Ts.
Morning all we could have scored more CP played really well and i wonder how many top five teams will leave there with a point this season… the beginning of the end in second reign of the “DISILLUSIONED ONE”….. By the way,great post rico.
Thanks Bondex, I hope Palace take a few points off the top half of the league side and I think they’ll get stronger.. Agree re Mourinho, he’s digging his own grave imo..
Nice one rico, two games in and Coquelin has been substitued around the 60th minute, see a pattern starting to develop here, when your on a yellow you can’t jump into every challenge, that will only come with experience, until then we’ll all be living on the edge of our seats me thinks !
Morning all
I really think too much is being made of Le Coq not being sent off. His first foul was a clear attempt to win the ball and on first showing I thought he had done so. The second was a very slight push on Zaha which he milked. A few minutes earlier Zaha had done exactly the same on Monreal and the Palace fans were up in arms with the ‘Same old Arsenal’ chant. Imagine their reaction if Zaha had been booked for that! Again in the second half it was debatable if it was even a foul but such was the pressure being put on Mason, he did well not to cave in. Remember also Pardew’s teams have a history of getting our players unfairly sent off!
Thanks Micko..
Just think Coquelin needs to wise up a bit, if he can be a bit more careful he’ll be a darn good midfielder – at least he doesn’t give away free-kicks in dangerous areas like Song used to… lol
Trouble is though Bob, we all know what other referee’s are like, had Atkinson been in control of the game, Coq would have gone. I hope AW/SB have a word with him and try and calm him just a bit otherwise, it’ll be his and Arsenal’s loss. One or worse, three matches out and we’ll really struggle imo…
Good Morning to The Lady of the House and all fellow Gooners in residence.
Rico – Great game report. I’m sorry I missed it. I got the game times mixed up.
As for the transfer rumours, I’m tired of all the bullshit and am trying to ignore it all. I’ll be glad when the window closes, regardless of who we get or don’t get.
Hi all,
Perhaps ts is right there that Coq has poor fitness and dives in as a last ditch. Like i said here yesterday, we missed out re. Cabaye, especially for 10m and prem experience.
Morning Cg, thank you. I think we’ll all be glad when the TW closes then we have who we have and just get on with it….
Not for me re Cabaye Brad, we can do better than that imo..
Morning all.
I honestly reckon Coquelin was hard done by when receiving the yellow, but after that, was very naive.
In fact, a challenge later on was at least a yellow, but I wonder if Mason regretted the original card, so went soft.
Either way, Coqeulin adds starch that we’ve all wanted, so while he needs to use his aggression more wisely, I don’t want him to go soft on us.
Good result.
Decent performance against a pretty decent side who’ll give plenty of good clubs trouble this season,
Brad re. Cabaye, Rico managed to persuade me that Cabaye was average. 🙂 even though I rate him highly.
I think Cabaye vs Barca trio of Xavi, Rakitic and Busquet was too much for one man to counter especially with him just coming back from a 6 months lay-off.
Not soft Scott, just more wise… 😉
Coquelin is a type we need in the team.
He reminds me a bit of frimpong even though Frimpong was stronger and fitter. However, frimpong was disliked by the media even though in all the game she played he shone and then got carded. lol
On whether Coquelin should be our first choice, I think we can debate about it until the second coming…
In my view, he is a very tactically naïve. His limitations are covered quite often with the likes of SC19 and Ozil sweeping up around him.
The game yesterday highlighted his limitations imho… without santi we would have been stampeded over in midfield.
The yellow card debate is irrelevant to me. What has troubled me and continues to trouble me is his fitness and his reactive nature and positioning when we are on the offensive
I guess the argument is what actually makes a good defensive midfielder. I would probably say someone you don’t really notice until they are out of the side. Gilberto was such a player. He also had the knack of getting away with fouls apart from when scumbag Robbie Savage got him sent off at Blackburn! If you notice the DMF too much it means they are having too much work to do aor are committing fouls!
Morning all, again, just!
For the older generation I give you Peter Storey! A thug and not a gentleman but if you were an opponent and moved you got kicked and not gently!
Arsenal need a physical presence in midfield, Coq fits that role, perfectly at the moment. He will get penalised for over zealous interventions especially when he gets nowhere near the ball! I don’t see another player in the squad who is remotely like him, Maitland Niles may be in the future, we’ll see on that one. As has been suggested in the House by countless different bloggers is that we need another thug and must buy one or we will find ourselves in the soft and smelly!
As a post script, I have no idea who we should attempt to buy, or who is available, or who may be willing to join the Arsenal family, but we do need a first class back up DMF, now!
An off day for cesc or more signs of troubles at the Bridge?
The Cesc Fabregas Conundrum
http://www.chelsea.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=555948
Good call Rico lol.
He’s still young though, so hopefully time sorts him out….
Bob, and I reckon we’ll appreciate Coquelin more when he’s out injured/suspended…
Bob John – Spot on about Gilbert O’Silva. I can remember many fans questioning what exactly it was that he did for the team. Then he was out injured for some weeks and people began to appreciate what the Silent Wall did do for the team.
Ginge _ i understand what you’re saying about Le Coq’s tactical naivete, but he does bring that bite that we have sorely missed in our midfield. Hopefully the rest will come with experience and some real competition for his position.
Rico, funny you say that……I was just thinking that for all the concerns and issues with Coquelin, where are we without him?
Ok, we shouldn’t be In the situation where we are so reliant on him, but we are ATM.
Wavy, got to hope AW feels the same….
Yes Scott, and he’s only been playing a few months in the PL, he’ll learn…
Good Afternoon Lovelies and Hunkies.
Fine post after a good win.
So after two games played we have lost one and drawn one. and we have 3 pts. the chavs have 1.
Fabregas condundrum???? Well after the CS match I told you that Cesc is not the same player as he once was. And I still hold that opinion. Is it Cesc??? Or is it Hosay’s stifling tactics which are resulting in the Cesc we are seeing??
And how much did our squad cost compared to the Chavs??
Ginge, my mate, so you reckon that Frimps was fitter and faster than Le Coq?? I happen to do so as well. So what made AW sell Frimps and keep Le Coq?? nothing to do with him being an extrovert or due to the media. Imo the reason was simple. The writing was on the wall the moment Frimps choose his nationality. Frimpong had played for the junior English teams. then he choose Ghana and the rest is history.
It was within his right of course. and he did the best thing in following his heart. However i feel that AW did not like it and that was that.
sorry lost one and won one not drawn one. lol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-J_3Gvmj04
On 3:45 is my favourite piece of skill…
I agree, Rico.
Thanks Devil..
If and it’s a big if, AW got rid of Frimpong because he rejected England, that’s crazy and I’m not convinced by that theory.
Frimpong was simply a clown off the pitch and let go imo, where is he now? If he was that good he’d be back in the PL by now…
The great Paddy got booked a few times
and sent off a few…………didn’t he.
What about that sweaty sock..Souness.
What about that Gipo……Keane
I could go on all day about feared mid/fielders.
Do we want a pussycat or a tiger.
How do you win a mid/field…
Prehaps someone with experience
……………………………..can explain.
I think at moment The Coq looks raw.
But he won’t learn anything on the
training ground..He has to compete
real time.
Not sure how many on here have
played defence/mid..
The Coq has proved 90mins plus.
He will get sent off,he will be booked
That’s the point……….To be feared
Matic looks the nuts..
But he didn’t first time round…Did he.
imo if that is the real reason Frimps was shown the door then its a stupid reason. but personally I feel it that way.
secondly I am with Fred with regards Le Coq.
When we get steamrollered we grumble. when we have found someone with a tigerish tackle and very robust then the media grumble. and the opponents grumble. the worst we can do is grumble as well.
its like having a coat. damned if we put it on and damned if we take it off.
Honestly…..I prefer us to have Le Coq then have a team without a cock. 😉 Geddit???
Isn’t Joey Baton or Robbie Savage available? :-d
bradster – Hopefully we are never that desperate.
Rico- Le coq was not getting into Charlton team 8 months ago… bare that in mind.
In my view, its not as simple as if one player is good they can make it in another EPL or Championship team. Sometimes its to do with the style of play.
Frimp was wanted by Fulham, Wolves etc but maybe rightly he thought he needed to get out of the country and away from his non-footballing friends to concentrate on football. He is playing at a decent level in Russia. Whether that league is relevant is beside the point as only a few players can play for a top 6 team.
Frimpong was a clown…. another selfie obsessed bellend!
I’m quite aware of that Ts…
Spot on Lee.
Also, one must bear in mind what so many managers have said about loans, seldom do many players get a chance because managers won’t drop their own for a loanee…
What ever happened to de Jong? he was in the flavour once upon a time.
Randall was touted as the next best thing even before JW and played a few games for us.
He can’t even make MK Dons squad this days.
Could he have made it if AW had persisted with him possibly.
Same can be said of Lansbury even though he is doing ok at Nottingham Forest currently. or even Craig Eastmond…
Maybe if either was French they might have gotten more chances.
On the other hand those said players asked to move; they were never pushed. Maybe they believed in their own hype.
Then again, maybe they were never good enough. 😉
That is why we need to have another club Rico. we need to have our own feeder club. A club owned by Arsenal which will not go beyond the 1st Division or else a club outside England to whom we can loan our players. Like Barcelona B. Then we can play our own players in the team.
Can we buy a club in Spain? Or France? and we can send our under21 players over there to develop.
Fred- I use to talk about Matic on here with Wath before he came back to EPl. Matic was playing box to box.
The reason he was sold from Chelsea was because he was a no.10 at youth level.
It was under Benfica manager Jorge Jesus who converted Matic from a playmaker into a defensive midfielder.
Currently at Chelsea he plays ahead of CF04 similar to how Aw played Song…
Matic has never been a sitting CDM.
Its all MotD talk to say Matic is a DM imho…
Now he was a brute Brad…
AW touched on that in an interview the other day Devil and apparently the FA are looking into it. Possibly a ‘b’ side to compete in league 1 and down…
But would a lower league club in Spain, France etc be beneficial? I’d say players are better off competing in the lower leagues here because they are tough…. Europe is possibly more skilful, but there’s nothing like the rough and tumble here to toughen players up…
Fred, really good points made earlier…
Witsel was the DM for Benfica when Matic and him were in the same team. Matic was turned into a makeshift box to box player when Witsel left to join St Petersburgh..
Agreed Dev… in the ideal world we will have a B team but it never works even in Europe and so its difficult to judge.
How many Barca B team make it to the proper Barca XI.
Watching Sergio Roberto against Bilbao a few days ago goes to show the gulf in class between B teams and A teams imho…
Good day house. I disagree about Le coq being tactically naive and not good enough etc. the game is all about partnerships so if he plays well with santi then that’s a partnership that has formed and works. Just like playing Merts with Kos as we have seen that Merts and Chambers doesn’t work too well or Kos and Gabby. Plus how can u be so tactically naive when you make so many interceptions by reading the game?
Le coq makes the transition from defence to attack extremely smooth plus with the ball at his feet he pings some Xabi Alonso type passes out to the wings. He also has great feet at times to wriggle out of trouble.
Another point I disagree with is that is a dm is playing well you shouldn’t notice them. We all notice Fernandinho yesterday who I thought was MOTM. We all noticed Gattusso, Roy Keane, Dunga, Makelele in their prime.
I’m starting to think that if we had bought Le coq for a huge price tag just like Wenger said then a lot more people would be on his side and say what a great signing. Next time Arsenal play just focus on what he does to break up the opposition play by tackling and intercepting and then look how easily the ball is moved ‘forward’ by him.
Since he’s being criticized so much then list out who is better than him right now. If you can find 5 players better in that position I’d be surprised and I mean DM’s not deep lying playmakers.
Good Afternoon Rico and All
Good Match Report.
Yesterday was a different day. All hands were on deck:do for me and I do for you. What was so impressive was like the Arsenal of old, our transition from defense to attack. And that was how we got our first goal. What was not so impressive was how we didn’t put the game beyond reach.
Yes, Palace did very well, but we should buried our chances. Even though OG12’s goal was a classic I still think we need another striker in the mold of Luis Suarez or even RVP of old.
With Le Coq, there is no doubt in my mind that we need world class or first class DM, with the complete package of tackle and distribution. This will allow and give SC19 more option in going forward or assist in the attack.
Lots of ex-players and Arsenal fans consider Paddy a DM.
AW never did and even recently Paddy described himself as different to dacourt and Maklele who were proper CDM.
When asked why he allowed Paddy to leave he said because he had Gilberto. Cesc took Paddy’s place with a different skillset/flamboyance.
During Paddy’s time at Arsenal Petit, Edu, Grimandi and Van Bronchoist all played the CDM.
When Paddy moved to Italy again, Olivier Dacourt was the CDM. Paddy was never the sitting or holding midfielder…
Also Paddy was a no.10 at Milan before he joined us…
Dev may correct me if I am wrong but in Italy Pirlo is considered a deep-lying playmaker/last midfielder/modern libero; In the last great Milan team Gattuso who was more thuggish played behind the striker with the less mobile but skilful Seedorf and Pirlo sweeping behind Gattusso.
When Milan lost Gattusso and Flamster was considered not to be good to replace gattusso Pirlo was allowed to leave as he was exposed defensively…At that time Montolivo was the best midfielder of his type…
Pirlo then went to Juve who had bought vidal who could replicated AC Milan’s Rijkard or Gattusso’s style and the rest was history…
I think the English football view of a CDM is different now even amongst the pundits.
It was interesting how Alonso had to correct Souness several times live on TV by telling him that Khedira is not a DM but still Souness persisted.
I would have thought Alonso who played with Alonso at the time would know…
All in all it depends on the style of play the manager wants to deploy.
In my view the old fashioned 1 CDM and one creator in the centre of the park is not played by any other top teams in Europe.
Geziah, most of us are not saying Coq isn’t good enough, just he needs to be more smart…
Geziah- Maklelele was never noticed by fans or supporters both at RM and at his earlier years at Chelsea
If he was noticed why did RM sell him for peanuts.
What did Perez say when he was sold and his countryman Zidane compared Makelele to a RR engine?
“We will not miss Makelele. His technique is average, he lacks the speed and skill to take the ball past opponents, and ninety percent of his distribution either goes backwards or sideways. He wasn’t a header of the ball and he rarely passed the ball more than three metres.”
At Chelsea in his first 2 season he was never voted into fans player of the year.
re. Gattusso watch a video and see where he played most often…
Paddy had to leave us ts
because wenger was pissed off
with him over the cashly-gate payrise=Fact
As said before and repeated many times.
Paddy could do any job anywhere on the pitch.
Stats on players may win you most debates
on here,ts
But what you see, forms a more
educated opinion.
Afternoon Ng, give Alexis another week or two and he’ll be burying the kind of chances he got yesterday…
If AW signed a midfielder as good as or better than Coquelin, our midfield will be really strong imo…
It does indeed depend on the style of play in the team and we are talking about Arsenal and a Pirlo type player would not work at Arsenal in this system as when asked if Jack should play there as he does for England then everyone says no we would be too exposed. Would a Gattusso type player fit there or Makelele then yes he would. Would Roy Keane fit there? Yes he would.
You can play different positions for different clubs but that doesn’t mean you are being fully utilized.
Paddy always had a DM playing with him as listed either Gilberto or Petit or Edu etc which gave him the licence to roam all over the pitch. The majority say Diaby in his prime was the closest player we’ve had to Paddy and we all agree that Diaby is not a DM.
But the debate remains who is this World Class DM we should replace Le Coq with? Busquets? Matic?
Haven’t we done the ‘Paddy wasn’t a DM’ discussion before?
Geziah, maybe AW has the answer to your question, or maybe not but I sure hope he signs someone to bolster the midfield options. Whether he’s older, better or similar to Coquelin, who knows….
Stats Fred, they mean very little… 😉
Laters, walk time for me…
Agreed Fred re paddy had to leave; lol
I would respectfully say though that you are wiggling out of rebutting my point made about Paddy’s position by referring to stats or saying you say what you say…
None of my arguments have brought up stats
If my point that Paddy played with a proper CDM in Petite, Edu, Van Bronchoist, Grimandi, Dacourt, Makelele is wrong then lets discuss.
Its funny how fans who support the Le coq influence bring up some stats about Coq winning tackles to back their assertions even though it never holds water…
Sc19 in the last 8 games made more tackles and interceptions than Coquelin in game sthey both played in…
So imho I see none of the so called defensive contributing he is purported to make… lol
I have always argue we needed another CDM even when my so called favourite player Arteta was winning MoTM performances for us..;
I’m not sure that Arsene necessarily picks French players over English youngsters. I think its more to do with their off the field attitude and behaviour. David Noble looked a cert to make the grade in the youth team but turned into Billy Big Bananas when he went on loan to Watford and started going out drinking, etc. Same with Jay E Thomas. Even Jack is still up to no good at times!
TS it’s not where a player plays most that makes it his best position. Is Ramsey a right winger? Was Henry best at being a left winger?
And evidence shows that Madrid missed Makelele when he left despite what was said about him. Madrid fans only really recognize Spanish players anyway.
We all know Coq’s not the
Beez knez.
But wenger thinks he could be
£40 million player..He did say that.
And to be fair to Coq.
I never thought of him in that position.
When I see him it was always on the right
He will have to learn to tidy-up
around the back-four,but comes with
experience.
Ts with respect
I answered your question on paddy
ages ago.
My point to you was,
Watch games when we were down to
10 and tell me if you were at the game,
did we miss that man who was sent off
Paddy could hold the fort one handed.
Agreed Fred.
I for one has never demanded that Arsenal needs to finish as EPl champions…
But in my view, if we want to win the EPl then Coquelin is not the answer even if he could play the 37 or so EPL games on his own.
If as Ng and several on here have alluded to earlier about partnerships, then it goes to show Le Coq is not good enough or experienced enough…
I have always feared and asked on here that can we see Le coq and Ramsey or JW playing against a decent team without a TR07 or Santi next to him?
He made his debut in 2008 and has played over 80 games over 40 for us and played in 3 European countries.
At 24 he is not much younger to the Bender’s and the likes fans want us to sign for big bucks
Even though Ramsey is not a CDM, he has been able to win Ox and JW in games on several occasions. Albeit before Ramsey made goal scoring his main aim…
I personally would like Aw to make a serious bid for Sissoko of NUFC; I think he is very similar to Paddy; Similar background and build etc…
I’m with Fred, opinion wise, Coquelins rise to prominence has been swift and sudden, caught everyone by surprise and probably Coq as much as anyone…
He has been a regular for us barely 5 months, before that he was kind of drifting out of the club…
He is, in essence, learning on the job.
He is still young in experience and games and will probably make mistakes, but I luv his energy, his will to win, his enthusiasm and I think he luvs being an Arsenal player.
I believe, that in the majority of cases, when he challenges, he is going for the ball and not to foul. Most sensible referees can see this and manage the situation, that’s why he hasn’t been sent off…
The thing is, the tackle has been eradicated to such a degree in football, that we’ve all become conditioned to thinking that a physical challenge for the ball, is a foul. That’s not help by the desease of diving that now infects our game…
As I’ve written before, I’d like to see another def/mid join us, but only to compliment Cow rather than replace him…
As I’ve said, he’s only been a regular for 5 months, give him a season and we might just find that we have a top top def/mid on our hands.
Lol Bj. I think you are spot on..
true Geziah. That was exactly my point. RM fans never rated makelele because the galatico’s were the Beez nees…
I get you know Fred; that is why I like Sissoko… but on the other hand PV04 was more likely to be the one sent off than the one
But is simply that we do not have hard workers in the team or leaders or both…
Compare the work ethics of Ljunberg or Pires or the Romford Pele to Ox or Theo who paly similar positions.
Do you remember the game Paul merson scored against us when we were 1 man down and we came back to win 3-2?
know= now
And as for the Reg Varney rumours, bullshit, bullshit, bullshit…
The whole transfer window is a boring waste of time and energy…
NewsNow is a fcuking joke…
Lee, text me a day and time…
Great report Rico. The only addition I would make is a slap on the back for ‘Monreal, who is looking very solid.
I am a big fan of Coquelin, I think he was the main reason we turned last season around (with credits to Ospina as well). However I think he started well because he knew his limitations. I may be wrong, but he looks to be coming a little more adventurous to me (Song?) and I am not sure that’s a good thing. As many have pointed out he needs support and the clock is ticking.
Nice to have a win under our belt.
Gezaih i would love to have Matic, he was great last season and never going to be sold to us.
I mentioned earlier that I felt we lost out on Cabaye especially at 10m.
I loved de Jong a year or so back and I still think he would be good for us.
Morgan was an obvious choice but Southampton wanted big money for him.
Wanyama for me was also very good for Southampton last season.
That’s 5 right? there are others I like: Gonalons, Bender, Martinez…
Will do Kev….
Keeps coming back to experience, we’ve got a good’un in Le Coq.
Retsub, Alexis deserves a special mention as well, great to see him back in the starting 11 yesterday, brings so much to the team.
Brad- Apart from the obvious players, I will add Tadic and Canas too to your list who are all EPL based
I think even James McCarthy of everton will be an option
Maybe Aw wants the hybrid type CM instead of the enforcer most crave for…
Wanyama I’d say yes. He keeps it simple, but he’s almost like Le Coq. He’s to have a Distributor in front of him. He tackles, breaks up play but lack the speed to track back when he goes up stream. What we need is A-Commander-Chief. Someone with the ability to do what SC19 does with the ball, ‘Distributions’, long and short. Incorporate both SC19 and Le Coq roles while sitting in front of the back four. M. Arteta, is such player with the brain but lack the legs.
For those who bash Le Cock…….
http://sabotagetimes.com/football/amazing-stats-show-arsenal-linchpin-is-playing-even-better-than-last-season
It’s not a case of slagging him off for me it’s more a case of who can complement him or replace him for a full 90 minutes. Yesterday Arteta took the role and did well for about 20 minutes my fear is whether he can do it for the full match. I said yesterday that we use him and Cazorla to do the job in the middle , one to break up play and the other to set up attacks . We need to find a player that can do both when he is not there . This would either free up a forward place or else enable us to shore up the defence . Stats show that he is starting to do that but my eyes tell me that he will pick up injury and he is more than likely to come across less lenient refs than the one that realised that there was a concerted Palace effort to get him a red card and obviously suggested his removal.
Evening all..
Still moaning about poor old Coquelin then… 😉
Have we signed anyone?
Potter, isn’t is sad that footballers/managers go out in attempt to get a fellow sportsman sent off….
Has football really sunk that low…..
Have we signed Olive yet?
Rico. Football is in the gutter but, Arsenal supporters are still looking up at the stars.
If Liverpool beat the mighty Bournmouth tonight, you can bet that the Scouse Mafiosi who infect the media, will go into apoplexy and that most overblown club will rock into the Emirates, full of their bloated self- importance and feelings of entitlement on a wave of media expectations, that those fantasists are gonna win the EPL, CL, Boat Race, Grand National, blah blah blah. 🙄
Evening Adam, how’s things mate?
Well said Potter. That was what I’ve been trying to say but you did it better.
Not bad Kev. Just sitting and strumming mate. You busy?
No mate, day off today, just lazing about.
Things to do, but there’s always tomorrow mate 🙂
Isn’t it just Adam….
Evening to you Nash and Kev…
Bender?
Gregory!
Good Evening Rico.
There was once a player who incorporated both SC19 and Le Coq roles, but I’m not allowed to say his name.:-)
Evening All…
Good post Rico…
I see Coq is under the radar…well, I’ll always support a young player who is giving everything on the pitch…
He may be 24, younger than Matic but he just came into the side…it will be unfair to expect him to start exerting such Paddy command within so short a time. As per avoiding cards, come on…haven’t we all been clamouring for a hardball DM? To win tackles, get stuck in and generally fight?
In most teams, the DMs hardly escape 90 minutes without cards…Coq is only doing his job…he needs encouragement to get to Ts’ level, not condemnation…the boy did okay yesterday…give him a break!
Javi!
Ng, Song? Lol
Evening Tai, thanks…
Perhaps the level Coquelin needs to get to is what the manager wants or even the player himself?
I’m a fan of his and as many have said before, it can’t be simply down to a coincidence that after he returned, our midfield looked stronger…
At 24, some might think he should be better, but at 24, he finally got his chance. By accident or good fortune maybe, but at least he’s taken it with both feet….
Suarez?
You can say those again Rico…
Morning all.
The Coquelin debate rages on 🙂
Good or bad, he is ours, so not much more to be said, really.
Olive!
Better park the bus!
? Tai..
Rages Scott? Lol
Rico. Le Coq is ours now, just like OG12. But, If you think of Le Coq roles, to break up play, stay close to the back four and retrieve the ball from the opposing team and then give it to SC19 who spear the attacks. Long and short killer passes to setup the attack in a quick transition, didn’t we have such a player who was playing both roles not too long ago?
Just ask Scott, Potter and Syg they will agree with me. 🙂
I agree with Ginge on some points re: Coquelin, and disagree on others.
I think he underrated him, and he knows that 🙂
I do also think he’s right in that Couelin needs an older head alongside him, though I don’t see that as a negative or shortcoming of his, because any player will be assisted by a top, experienced man along side him, IMO.
He will improve, as well, I reckon.
Rico 🙂 🙂
Ng, it’s not me you need to convince, I really like the player….
Business as usual at Anfield…
Opponents have good goal disallowed.
Liverpool goal is offside.
Ding ding, Cemetary Gates!
Evening Rico, good post btw…
Same old same old then Kev, guess the officials are dazzled by Brenda’s shiny teeth…
Or by John Henry’s ironed face.
Or mesmerised by the fact that the only thing that moves on Brenda’s face these days are his eyes and his lips. The rest is frozen in a Botox-induced rigor.
Thanks Kev… Always nice to write a winning one lol
Kevin Debruyne staying put then…. Good on him.
I’m off guys..
Night all..
Night Rico
Nite rico, who’s the fcuk’s Cavani lol.
Whose having a biriyani?
Night All
Lee Mason demoted to fourth official role this weekend!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/11808838/Arsenal-transfer-news-and-rumours-Edinson-Cavani-could-join-in-next-few-days.html
Hi Lee.
I’d much, much rather Cavani than Benzema.
Lacazette would still be first choice though 🙂
How are you bud?
I’m ok mate, apart from I’ve got a trapped nerve in my arm and it hurts like mad! Luckily not my drinking arm though….
You ok?
I’m good mate.
Family is well.
Football is back.
All positive ATM 🙂
Nerve pain is something that can’t be described…..hope you get sorted ASAP.
Yeah I’m starting to agree re Benzema ,I still believe he’d be an upgrade on L’Oreal but we need a speedy clinical finisher…………Ozil threading killer passes through for him to bury!
Most chances created so far this season…
Cazorla 9
Ozil 9
Shelvey 9
Tadic 8
Albrighton 7
Kolarov 7
Silva 7
And Arsenal have only scored two goals (one was an own goal) something really doesn’t add up?!?!?
I still reckon Giroud is a little hard done by, but as with Ospina/Cech situation, if an upgrade is available, why the hell not grab it?
Giroud will do a job on plenty of games, but someone who can create a goal from thing is what we need.
Straight up, if we’d got a Suarez or Aguero, we’d be bloody unbeatable in the League.
I’ve seen a bit if Lacazette and id love to see him join us but it doesn’t seem to be a chance, so Cavani is class, and would be brilliant.
Benzema……at that price, not for mine, not when better options are available at a similar price.
What I reckon are better options, anyway 🙂
Morning you two…
Trapped nerve – ouch! That’s nasty Lee…
Cavini, does it come with a cork or a screw top? 😉
Roman has rubber stamped at least 3 signings for Chelsea then…..
Just smash the top off and dig in, Rico 🙂
So Joe Say gets his way again…what a cretin.
🙂 Scott..
So the papers say, yes but looking at all the goings on there, who’d want to sign for them?
Lambrini, Lambrusco , Asti Spumante , Cava and Prosecco all good in Rico’s eyes! 😆
Let’s hope it’s three Cuadrado’s, he really really looks shite….. although I think it’s Stones, Rahman plus A.N. Other.
Give me some credit Lee, the first three are mixers…. 😉
Morning Rico and all. What a curious decision to demote Mason. I wonder if the ref and linesman who fitted Bournemouth up last night will also get punished? What about the ref at Chelsea last year who failed to send Cahill off for his dangerous assault on Alexis? Or the ref who should have sent Fenandinho off on Sunday?
Something very odd going on here.
I reckon they’ll get Stones too Lee, but at a hefty price…
Morning Adam. Has he been demoted or is him being 4th official being blown out of proportion? Michael Oliver was 4th official the other day and I just thought they rotated…
If it’s rotation then fair enough. I guess it depends which paper you read. I am strictly a gutter-press man myself.
Adam, dare we say the word conspiracy?
Seriously, have the media even asked the question you raised, or are they too in love with the Scousers?
Poor old Bournemouth should feel well and truly filthy today.
You know what the back pages are like Adam… I believe them all… 😉
They’re on about video reviews immediately after a goal is scored, in order to support or invalidate the refs on field decision. They reckon it will take no longer than the ‘celebration’ time. I’m in total agreement. Had they done that last night Bournemouth would’ve won 1-0 last night. However, what can you do when the ‘fix’ is in and there’s no video to turn over a crass decisions?
More technology need, not a lot, but a little. Too much at stake if the refs are fallible, and they are!
Morning all.
Be afraid Lee… 😉 😉
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3201564/Hackers-reveal-flaw-100-cars-kept-secret-Volkwagen-TWO-YEARS-Bug-used-unlock-Kia-Lamborghini.html
Wavy, I’m dead against technology EXCEPT goal line, and offsides.
Anything that’s NOT subjective, but definitive for mine.
Morning Wavy, I’m all for technology myself, nearly every other sport uses it, why not football…
That’s the only way the game will be fair…
Fairness, that’s the key Rico! Benteke’s ‘goal’ last night should not have been awarded last night, it should not even be a matter for discussion, it was a no goal! Technology would have corrected the situation via the fourth official, the result would have been fairness seen to be done! What’s wrong with that?
If Bournemouth are relegated at the end of the season because they are a point short of the team above they will look at this result and think themselves very hard done to, about £50m hard done to! At the other end of the tables few finish fifth. (Heaven forfend) and the dippers 4th by one point and a poorer goal difference we too are going to be many pennies short and will feel we’ve been cheated too?
Technology for all black and white decisions?
Exactly Wavy.
I am for technology as long as that tosser Mike Riley has nothing to do with it and it isn’t funded by Abramovich.
The problem with technology is the way it’s used.
When used on subjective calls, the game is stopped, and the decision is usually only deemed to be correct by half the fans.
Use it when the technology can guarantee the correct result.
You cynical old sod Adam. But I agree, no third party intrusions especially those with an agenda that differs to fairness, equality and democracy!
🙂 Adam..
Scott, it should be like cricket/tennis imo. Each manager is given a certain number of reviews and after that, everything left to the officials…
New post up now..
Where do you find independence nowadays. It seems that every one has an agenda of some sort.