Champions League hopes fading faster than Walcott can get down the wing….

Morning all,

And what a lovely sunny morning it is too here in England, good day to have a Bank Holiday….

I have a feeling that yesterday’s result at Old Trafford has just ended our Champions League hope. Should the noisy neighbours take all three points at Stamford Bridge, and I suspect they just might, then baring a miracle, we will probably end up 5th….

Of course it’s all of the ‘teams’ own doing, and by team I include the manager, as we really shouldn’t be scrabbling around at this stage of the season for points. Not should we be having to rely on others to help us as yesterday, Fergie certainly did us no favours whatsoever.

Surprised? No, not really, in fact not at all!

All we can do is win our two remaining fixtures and hope…..

Talking of hope, 20 goals and counting Theo Walcott, who is desperate to play central is impressing the manager, if not all the fans:

He’s more mature in his finishing. Against QPR he scored a bit of a similar goal to the one against Man United. It’s a short backlift, he makes good runs and he’s calm now in front of goal.

Now you see every time he hits the target. He forces the keeper into a save.

You certainly remember him when he arrived – in front of goal, the ball could go anywhere. Now you see every time he hits the target. He forces the keeper into a save. That’s why his numbers are so much better.

I use him on the flank because I try to put a player in the middle who can score goals and having another one on the flank who can score goals gives you a little bit of security. We finished with him in the middle.

Surely the idea is to beat the keeper, not force him into a save…

Just kidding, yes he’s better than when he arrived, jeepers, you’d expect him to be, he was just a 16 year old kid back then but there is still plenty for him to do to improve.

On Saturday, there was one moment when he really showed his weakness. I can’t recall how the build up played out but Walcott received the final ball in the penalty area. The downside to that was he had his back to goal and for a split second he looked like that lost 16 year old again. He didn’t seem to have any confidence in his ability to turn his man and go for goal.

The ball was lost and that was the end of another goal scoring opportunity…….

He had a couple of other chances too, Green saved both but a bit more power in one, may just have been enough to see it creep inside the post, however….

I just wish he’d have a bit more about him, stop jogging around the pitch like he’s Mo Farrah after he’s just completed a marathon and get more involved. We know he can as we witness it in fits and starts but we need to see in every game, not just when he feels like it, which to be honest, isn’t that often.

If he can do that, those twenty goals will become thirty next season….

But as much as he frustrates us, he’s our leading goal scorer.

That’s something he can brag about I guess.

That’s it for another day, enjoy yours whatever you are up to….

0 thoughts on “Champions League hopes fading faster than Walcott can get down the wing….

  1. devilgunner says:

    Good Morning Lady and Gentlemen.

    Nice post Rico………but whatever happens at the Chavs will determine our finish this season not the result between the chavs and the spuds.

    Just one thing……………………would it matter if we ended up in 5th place? oh yes the CL would have all the prestige. but would we win it?

    the Europa cup can give some of the fringe players lots of chances next season. meaning we can rest the first teamers..

    Finally………..do any Inland Revenue lads read your posts? because if so they might want to examine Mr Redknapp’s bank balance……………………

    ………………While some of QPR’s biggest earners are widely expected to leave Loftus Road this summer, Redknapp insists he is not worried by the prospect of taking a pay cut himself.

    “I’m taking a big pay cut but the money is not why I’m still doing this job,” he said.

    “I don’t have to go to work if I don’t want to. I do it because I want to enjoy it and I enjoy it here.

    “I’ve got too much money to worry about it. It’s not going to change my life one way or the other now is it, at my age.

  2. devilgunner says:

    The reality is that Arsenal need a shake up. If we finished in 3rd or even 4th…………….AW will end up saying I told you so…………..This team has a winning mentality……………This is the best group of players etc etc etc until we vomit with nausea.

  3. rico says:

    Morning all…

    Thanks devil, I think we have been the team to determine our fate, how many matches should, or even could we have won which gutless/spineless performances stopped us from doing…

    If, when we finish 5th, we know who to blame….

  4. Scott from Oz says:

    Hi Devil,
    My worry with missing CL football is Stan further tightens the purse strings, and we will drop further into decline.
    He wants his profit, first and foremost.

  5. rico says:

    I’m not doubting the stats Scott, just saying that stats don’t tell the whole picture. Denilson proved that…

  6. rico says:

    Look at Thoe, perfect example. Looking at his stats alone, 20 goals a season for a winger is top quality really.

    But having seen him play each week…….. mmmmmmmm 😉

  7. Scott from Oz says:

    4th is ours, i reckon,
    Spuds stuff up every year, so why wold it be any different this time?
    Of course, it would be nice if we didn’t rely on it.

  8. Scott from Oz says:

    Nah, Chelski will whooop ’em.
    Spurs were bloody awful and blessed on the weekend.
    Soton had absolutely no luck.

  9. devilgunner says:

    Look at it this way……………

    players like Akpom, Aneke, Afobe, Miguel, Jenkinson, Martinez, Yennaris etc would all get to play on a regular basis till at least January. They would be playing under the watchful eye of AW and his coaches and they would be happy safe in the knowledge that they are having good chances to play. Players like Arteta, Wilshere, etc will get much needed rests and play only once a week or at the most 3 times every two weeks. In that way they can rest each other due to rotation.

    I feel it is much more better if we ended up in the Europa lge. Yes the CL has all the prestige with it. And I have been saying that it would be better for us in the Europa lge since December not now that we are on the verge of it.

  10. Mo Farah's faster brother says:

    It may be squeaky bum time but you’re very pessimistic. It will take a huge effort for Spurs to win tomorrow. Chelsea are really needing to get a result and are in good form,Spurs are in very poor form and totally reliant on Bale.A Chelsea win leaves us needing only four points and we have a much better goal difference. And Spurs have to play Stoke who will kick them off the pitch.

  11. devilgunner says:

    the only downside to it would be to finish the season behind the scum after 20 years.

    but it will turn out the best for us I am already sure.

  12. rico says:

    I hope you are right about the Toots. I didn’t think Chelsea were much good either but what will be will be I guess…

  13. rico says:

    Don’t you think AW would take Europa seriously then devil?

    Agree the the finishing below the Toots, that’s the only reason I want top 4 to be honest. And of course it might help attract better players..

    I’m not so sure now though that it does, money seems to be the main attraction…

  14. Scott from Oz says:

    Devil, i don’t disagree with you at all, but that is one thing that worries me.
    It may well end up for the better, blooding he guys you mentioned, but it will give people even more reason to complain.
    Still, whatever happens, happens.
    It will be interesting whichever way it goes?

  15. devilgunner says:

    No Mo. we are very realistic here.

    While I agree that Rico may already have jumped the gun, imo she is very realistic. And that is a possible scenarion.

    The Chavs still have to play the spuds and Everton besides the final. And what if the chavs (loose against the spuds) drop points and finish 4th or 5th even themselves?

    that is also another scenario.

    I think that in the end the chavs will not want to loose against the spuddies. They may end up loosing an awful lot. they know that if they win against the spuddies 3rd place is almost guaranteed. so I feel that they will win.

    but in the EPL and where AFC are concerned you can never be sure.

  16. Adam says:

    Morning Rico. Whatever way it all pans out, our CL qualification looked in doubt before Christmas for me. We are simply not good enough to win the PL or the CL and I am not convinced that we ever will be with the current status quo regarding our set-up and the competition.
    We all have our views as to who does and who doesn’t go and should come in but I look deeper than that. For me CL for Arsenal is purely a money-making exercise. People say that this is the year that everything changes and talk about £70 million. Perhaps, but I think that Wenger has lost the power to motivate and the whole club needs a massive kick into reality. The only thing these people, who run our club, understand is money. It will be painful perhaps but it just might herald real change and not having to get excited about a player like Loic Remy or having to persevere with players that, through no fault of their own, are not good enough to take us where we should be heading,
    We have stood still or moved backwards over recent years and that means we have a greater distance to move forward. I could see 6 players from the QPR team as being not good enough.

  17. devilgunner says:

    Adam…………Q.E.D. Quod Erat demonstrandum.

    Good morning passion filled oozer!!!! 😉

  18. Scott from Oz says:

    Adam, serious question mate, and taking into account your views and knowledge here.
    If we do finish 5th, how far, at a guess, do you reckon we will fall, and for how long, before we can rebuild to where we should be?
    Easy question 🙂
    Any other opinions will be welcomed, of course.
    I am obviously far afield, but i really worry that missing CL may see us end up like Liverpool.
    Even less money will be made available, meaning more top players will be sold, and we are fast running out of them.

  19. Adam says:

    Morning Devil. I have over-oozed I am afraid. 🙂
    All this stuff with Arsenal clinging on by the fingernails for yet another will they/won’t they qualify for the CL is nonsense.
    We need Usanov in and a manager who has some bloody fire and ambition. Is that Wenger? At the moment- no. But, perhaps it could be.

  20. rico says:

    Me jumping the gun devil, surely not 😉

    Morning Adam.. Just the six, you are obviously in a generous mood this sunny morning…

  21. Scott from Oz says:

    I read our lads had a loss on the weekend, Devil?
    Our little fellas played a side that seemed three years older…they were beasts!
    Our kids were intimidated and fell 2 down inside of two minutes, but they stood up and rolled the big boys.
    I know one thing now…….i can not coach mate……..I just unleash Sean…that is my greatest feat lol.
    I will have to send you some footage one day….you can tell me if i look through rose coloured glasses 🙂

  22. rico says:

    Sagna
    Podolski
    Gervinho
    Arteta
    Vermaelen

    Walcott or Ramsey to make the 6 ….

    Am I close Adam??

  23. devilgunner says:

    I till believe that at the deepest roots of all this fingernail stuffed evil lies one word………..POLITICS.

    Club politics.

    5th place.

    Shares will come down.

    Maybe SK will sell.

    who knows.

    is there a can of worms gnawing at Adam’s fingernails?

    Time will tell.

  24. Adam says:

    Scott. How could I know that? Failure to qualify for a competition we have no chance of winning is a real consequence of this regime perhaps. Unfortunately football in the PL is financially centred. If Usmanov took over now I think we could be competitive next season, under Kroenke, I think we will struggle to hang on. All I can see is an average team who can, on occassion, raise their game but you could never feel confident of them achieving anything, as our recent displays against Fulham and QPR show. I think we are lucky to still be in with a shout.
    Pessimism is not pointing out that the King has no clothes on. For me anyway. But it’s only my opinion.

  25. Scott from Oz says:

    Adam, nothing is for certain, i was just after an opinion.
    If we fail to make 4th, and if Stan stays, i reckon the slide will accelerate.
    If we snag 4th, the stalemate will continue.
    Stan pissing off is the necessary occurrence for Arsenal to have any chance of success, i reckon.

  26. Scott from Oz says:

    Devil, maybe a 4th place finish helping share prices rise will be the probe for Stan to sell…maybe?
    Buy low, sell high…he is an investor, after all.

  27. Adam says:

    Yes Scott. I absolutely agree that Stan is a problem – but so is Wenger. Why did we look so incredibly complacent against QPR? Why did we not tear into them? They were there for the taking surely but their confidence grew as they saw that we weren’t up for it. And one could apply the same logic throughout the season. We really must face up to the reality of where we are as, only then can the team be rebuilt or refocused.

  28. Adam says:

    Rosicky yes, but I would keep Merts. A younger Rosicky type player would be nice though. 🙂

  29. rico says:

    I too would like a younger Rosicky kind of a player…

    A younger, quicker Mertesacker kind of player too….

  30. devilgunner says:

    Back in the 1930’s,when the team was winning league in league out, bless their hob nailed football boots, Chapman took one of his assistants aside and told him………..this team is played out. we need to rebuild.

    That was during the period when AFC where winning 3 leagues in a row……….a month before he died.

    And AFC were on top of the league.

    This team needs to be changed. And quickly.

    3 players only needed to be competitive? someone must be aving a larf

  31. Scott from Oz says:

    Their inconsistent efforts, and that is what is, baffles me, and has done for a few years.
    What makes an entire group, or the majority, of players switch on or off at the same time?
    Anyone?

  32. Scott from Oz says:

    Devil, if they are the right 3, it would make the difference.
    Trouble is, our bargain basement buys means we will never get 1 player of that quality, let alone 3.

  33. Micko says:

    Morning all,
    Too right rico, no point pointing the finger at others, the blame lies much closer to home.
    It ain’t over yet though, there’s still hope.
    Europa league would be the worst thing that could happen to the club imo, I’d rather we weren’t in it tbh, fixture conjestion, games coming left, right and centre, early start to season, distraction to the league, 6th would become the new 4th and Wenger would be in his element, don’t wanna go down that road.

  34. rico says:

    4 top player imho devil, and a couple of squad players and get rid of a lot in the squad/reserves…

  35. The Depressed Moose says:

    as much as i hate to say it i think that things wont change at the club unless we miss out on champions league qualification – lets be honest manchester utd and chelsea enter it each year to win, we enter it each year for the profits.
    As for Theo the last 2 weeks have seen a pattern – score early then do fuck all for the rest of the game. Top scorer or not he should have had double the goals he has scored this season.

  36. rico says:

    Wenger is too soft Scott, the squad isn’t deep enough either, not in strength and players know they won’t be dropped as there’s no better players to replace them with.

    If they really were being challenged by others in the squad, or we had a manager who was ruthless enough to make earlier, much earlier changes when players aren’t working hard enough… Trust me, they would soon shape up…

  37. Scott from Oz says:

    Rico, and i thought we were giving Wenger credit of late for doing exactly that….

  38. Bradster says:

    Hi all,

    So we’re relying on Chelsea’s manager to care more about his cv (that didn’t work Fergie) than CL next season, fixture congestion and lack of focus to get us across the line in 4th?
    Very sad in my opinion.

    I guess it’s program youth if we don’t make 4th.

  39. Scott from Oz says:

    Bradster, regardless of why, how or what caused it, we do have to rely on others.
    Not much point in pretending or praying that we don’t.
    The time for that is at the start of the season, but let’s get this one done first, then pray and pretend we might buy top class players 🙂

  40. devilgunner says:

    Bradster………that is not a guess. its a fact. written in stone if you ask me.

    Its the perfect excuse for AW to get rid of established players and put forward his young ones.

    He is making his damned hardest to show us that project youth is well and truly alive and kicking.

  41. devilgunner says:

    Next thing we will hear is that Cesc has german DNA in his veins.

    that is my feeling. 😉

  42. devilgunner says:

    yes and even Kozzer might discover that some kraut blood and sperm has managed to wiggle its way through to his veins.

    After all 20 million for a player who cost 10 million is too good to turn down

  43. rico says:

    Yes Scott, but not on Saturday and not enough. What I am trying to say is, with a deeper stronger squad, he could. He’s shown he will, but we don’t have too many options.

    Majority of the time it’s just like for like… both in standard and work rate..

  44. rico says:

    Hi Bradster. I’m hoping project youth has long gone, never to rear it’s ugly head again…

  45. devilgunner says:

    wake up lads.

    cesc, yaya, cavani will never come here. not even if we play in the CL

    its the likes of Remy, Schneiderlin, etc………….players from struggling clubs who will come.

    the Europa league is a much better proposition than playing to stay up.

  46. rico says:

    Remy is a cert isn’t he, everything ticks the Wenger box….

    I honestly wouldn’t mind as long as he’s just to boost the squad and AW signs a beast of a goal scorer as well…

    However….

  47. devilgunner says:

    I have that feeling. He will end up at BM.

    Pep is his hero. He is their manager.

    Robben is on his way out. Gotze has replaced him.

    Ribery plays on the left.

    Cesc will be their number 10. Behind the striker. Mandzukic.

    I have that feeling.

  48. Canadian Gooner says:

    Good Morning to the Lady of the House and all fellow Gooners in the House.

    DG – I don’t think the Europa League is the answer. You have as many games to play as in the Champions League and if you treat it like the League Cup and play a lot of the youngsters, you’ll be out early. Lack of Champions League will also make it more difficult to attract top players.

  49. Scott from Oz says:

    Devil, that was my point though.
    3 are enough…..the right 3.
    I never suggested we’d get them, quite the contrary, in fact.

  50. devilgunner says:

    Bendy out…..Remy in.

    Chamack out……….who in?

    Djourou out…………..who in?

    Denilson out………..who in? Schneiderlin?

    Flappy, Mannone out………….maybe promote Martinez?

    Squilly out…………..Adam in 😉

  51. Scott from Oz says:

    We have first option on Cesc.
    Imagine the shit fight if the club didn’t take it up?

  52. devilgunner says:

    CG I am with you. I did not say its the answer. I just pointed out some stark realistic facts and that we had better accept them.

    But do not get up your hopes for the CL. the day we will win it is soooooooo ffffffffaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrr aaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

  53. Canadian Gooner says:

    Rico – Which beast or beasts would you like to see. Realistic targets that is, not fantasy ones like Lewendowski (sp?)?

  54. devilgunner says:

    At the moment practically top tier beasts are fantasy CG. Realistic targets are 2nd or 3rd tier players.

  55. rico says:

    Morning Cg…

    devil – I don’t think we can count some of those you list

    Squilli
    Arshavin
    Mannone
    Fabianski

    Those are the five who will need to be replaced as they are definitely off.

    On top of that, we could see Vermaelen, Coquelin and Sagna go…

    Seven spaces freed up overnight 😉

  56. tsgh says:

    Afternoon all,

    You are on a roll Rico. Maybe its the meatless-bbq you keep having. lol.Very good post

    One question though, was the bit about TW14 meant to be for Gerv or Ramsey? 🙂

    Scott I have some stats of your boy… taken from SWYR
    Aaron Ramsey – 88.6%
    Maxime Gonalons – 87.8%
    Arturo Vidal – 87.4%
    J. Martinez – 87.5%
    Étienne Capoue – 80.7%
    Lars Bender – 79.8%

    Average passes

    Maxime Gonalons – 64.5
    Étienne Capoue – 65.2
    Arturo Vidal – 54.3
    Aaron Ramsey – 52.1
    Lars Bender – 45
    J. Martinez – 41.2

    Key passes

    Arturo Vidal – 2
    Aaron Ramsey – 1.2
    Lars Bender – 1
    Étienne Capoue – 0.8
    Maxime Gonalons – 0.2
    J. Martinez – 0.4

    Tackling success

    Aaron Ramsey – 91%
    J. Martinez – 82%
    Lars Bender – 82%
    Maxime Gonalons – 80%
    Étienne Capoue – 78%
    Arturo Vidal – 70%

    Interceptions

    Maxime Gonalons – 3.1
    Étienne Capoue – 2.6
    Lars Bender – 2.5
    J. Martinez – 2
    Arturo Vidal – 1.4
    Aaron Ramsey – 1.2

    Shots

    Arturo Vidal – 2
    Étienne Capoue – 1.3
    Aaron Ramsey – 1.2
    Lars Bender – 1.1
    J. Martinez – 0.6
    Maxime Gonalons – 0.5

    Goals

    Arturo Vidal – 10
    Étienne Capoue – 7
    Lars Bender – 3
    Maxime Gonalons – 3
    J. Martinez – 2
    Aaron Ramsey – 0

    Assists

    Arturo Vidal – 7
    Lars Bender – 5
    J. Martinez – 3
    Étienne Capoue – 3
    Aaron Ramsey – 2
    Maxime Gonalons – 0

    The key there is Ramsey makes more key passes than a £32M player who is on track to win a treble in Germany… lol

  57. rico says:

    When I say beast, I mean a beast in front of goal, a clinical striker. I’d rather one from the PL as we know they won’t need time to adjust…

    But who in terms of a name, that’s where it gets tricky …

  58. tsgh says:

    Dev, you know Pique is the DNA specialist of football not Cesc… 😀

    Cg fantasy signings? The realistic mans we should be going for are Falcao and Cavani… we can even propose to settle his dfivorce for him if it comes to it… 🙂

  59. tsgh says:

    Rico ………..”He didn’t seem to have any confidence in his ability to turn his man and go for goal.

    The ball was lost and that was the end of another goal scoring opportunity…….” 😀

    Benteke or Michu…. but I believe Michu will be a one season wonder

  60. Canadian Gooner says:

    With all this sunny weather here as well as in England, I must have put my rose coloured glasses on instead of my sun glasses. I’m not as pessamistic as most in the House this morning. Yes, we have problems, but they are not unsolvable.

    We have debt (the stadium), but it is manageable and we are not forced to sell to survive, unlike some in England and Europe. We may even get some top quality players from some of the highly indebted clubs. It should be a very interesting transfer window as only very few clubs seem to have any real money. Many will have to sell before they buy. It may well have a very slow start and finish in a mad frenzy as clubs get desperate and more realistic.

  61. devilgunner says:

    Hiya Ginge.

    Cavani will settle his divorce whether or not he will join us. if he goes to Manure Shrek will make sure he forgets doubly quick by presenting him with his granny.

    But I am afraid that we will end up with both Remy, Schneiderlin, Williams, Hoillet etc. Players from the bargain basement who will not cost an arm and a leg but only a couple of hairs from Adam’s hairy chest or Scott’s bald dome. 😉

  62. rico says:

    That was Theo Ts, but could apply it to Aaron 😉

    Think you might be spot on re Michu, where as Benteke just gets better and better…

  63. tsgh says:

    Aaron makes more successful tackles allegedly than Martinez and Carrick and Obi wow…
    Aaron Ramsey – 91%
    J. Martinez – 82%
    Carrick- 68.29%
    Toure- 73.91%
    Busquet -82%

  64. Scott from Oz says:

    Devil, i still have hair, just not that much 🙂
    Ginge, Ramsey can’t play, so stop defending him 🙂 🙂

  65. devilgunner says:

    According to Calciomercato Mourinho is off to PSG……….Josè Mourinho andrà al Paris Saint Germain. Lo apprende in esclusiva Calciomercato.com, da fonti interne sia al Paris Saint Germain che al Chelsea, il club che fino a questa mattina sembrava quello maggiormente indiziato per l’ingaggio dell’attuale allenatore del Real Madrid. Al Psg, Mourinho vorrebbe portare con sè Frank Lampard, mentre l’agente che cura gli interessi dello Special One, Jorge Mendes, andrebbe a dare una mano a Mou a Parigi, andando ad occuparsi di mercato e assumendo un ruolo simile a quello del classico direttore sportivo (bye bye Leonardo).

  66. devilgunner says:

    I really hope that we get Benteke and Remy. BOTH of them.

    I would like Cavani or Falcao. But these two I think can do a job. As Rico said…………..Benteke gets better and better.

  67. tsgh says:

    Jose smells potential and money like shark smell blood in water…

    So predictable, £80M to spend from Roman when there is Mansour at $hitty or £150M from Nasser with no competition in ligue 1?

  68. rico says:

    I can’t see us getting two strikers unless someone is off

    Gerv
    Pod
    Campbell
    Afobe

    All four of those should go imho

  69. tsgh says:

    Dev you mentioning Remy might wake Adam up from his nice afternoon slumber.lol

    Scott I was hoping if I said Aaron was underrated enough I would start to believe the cr..p. lol

  70. Canadian Gooner says:

    It’s going to be a long summer for some of us if we are wound this tightly already. With the likes of Bayern Munich, Farcelona, Unreal Madrid & Chelski and maybe Abu Dhabi Citeh talking major team rebuilding. That means a lot of good players will be coming on the market. Possibly one of the older strikers like Vila could do the job for us, if some of the Young Guns show real promise and are ready to step up. Unfortunately, it hard to see much of the Academy U21 team here. I’m not sure that Project Youth is dead, just downgraded.

  71. devilgunner says:

    Bosman’s lawyer has taken UEFA to the EU court because he says that FFP violates the fundamental principles of the EU.

    there you have it. Wonder what Blufftini will say about it.

    And for that matter………..will AW throw his toys out of the pram now?

  72. devilgunner says:

    Benteke and Remy would surely be an upgrade on both Bendy and Chamack. Maybe Gervinho as well.

    Giroud, Theo and Podolski will stay I feel.

  73. rico says:

    Cg, if this so called change is going to happen this summer, i doubt AW will be hanging around. He’ll want to get to work early and get the ST’s sold 😉

    Devil, that was always going to be on the cards, if the lawyer wins, we will definitely need AU

  74. devilgunner says:

    it depends Rico. If there is a sort of football tournament it is highly possible that AW will not hang around, but go and give his expert advice on the games we are seeing.

    That will not leave time for him to sign players.

  75. Canadian Gooner says:

    DG – A couple of years ago there was a challenge to the whole player transfer mechanism. It was argued that clubs shouldn’t be able to buy and sell players liked fixed assets. Players should be able to change jobs like employees in any other company. That didn’t go very far. The Bosman case took years to wend its way through the courts.

    If this case goes ahead, it will be very interesting to listen to the arguements.

  76. Scott from Oz says:

    But Rico, you rate Theo 🙂
    Ginge, having seen a bit of Campbell before signed with us, i was pretty happy we got him.
    He was green, but very talented, and with a left foot up there with Podolskis.
    I hope his education has been thorough.

  77. tsgh says:

    Cg, good point about peoples expectations from the club this summer… and what can be realistic acheived. As things stand we can only buy grade B players… maybe B+ (like Santi, Isco, Menez, Pastore) as Dev likes to call it if we are lucky.

    So if we currently have only grade C players as some fans like to believe we have then only a few managers can make grade C into B+ or A-‘s and the likes of Jose, Pep, Moyes and even Laudrup are questionable.

    I know our football has been poor lately but I watch a few matches across football and believe it or not we are not as bad as some fans think we are… it should be better…

    Imho, across European football footballers can be categorised into 3 groups… group 1 are made up of the likes of Jovetic, Capoue, Strootman, Cavani who know they are living and are not giving f… all. Group 2 are players like Villa, Ramsey, Robben, Cesc, Sanchez, who are trying their hardest to prove to their current clubs they want to stay and get a big club to come for them… and group 3 are made up the likes of AA23, Squid who are just in for the money…

  78. Joaquim Moreira says:

    good morning all
    i’ve been off to spain
    We will have two difficult matches ahead

  79. rico says:

    Not this time Devil, he can’t afford to, he’s got to earn a new contract 😉

    Have a good day Devil…

    That’s debatable these days Scott…

  80. tsgh says:

    Hi JM, any cheap Portugese players available? Definitely not strikers of the likes of Póstiga, Nelson as they filled me with dread.

    Any renewed rumours of Mourtinho joining the spuds this summer?

  81. Micko says:

    tsgh aka The Riddler, Gervinho is a constipated greyhound, even Wenger has come around to this realization now, doesn’t play him home or away these days.

  82. tsgh says:

    😀 Scott, I was about to convince Lady Rico, Campbell had potential until you said you rated him… lol

  83. Scott from Oz says:

    Just read an interesting theory….no substance at all, but interesting.
    Fergie plays a weakened side v Chelski to give them every chance to finish top 4, hoping we sneak in leaving the Spuds out, and Bale available to go to Utd!!

  84. rico says:

    Maybe Scott, he certainly needs to, otherwise, cash in on him I say…

    Hi Adam, you managed to get all your work in the garden done??

  85. tsgh says:

    Hey Micko… Guten Tag

    It is a worry isn’t it that even AW has realised that Gerv is like an ulcer

  86. rico says:

    Ts – If Gerv was that good Ts, he’d have scored against B’Burn and Bradford when it looked harder to miss..

  87. Adam says:

    Rico. I have driven out to the wilds of Essex and bought some hardy Fuschia and some Hebe, along with yet more composty stuff and another 100 litres of tree bark. That’s about 1400 litres so far. I spotted a lovely Pear in blossom but need to consult my expert friend before deciding if I should go for it.
    I have, as you well know, green fingers and (now) empty pockets. 🙂
    Still, I have made a fantastic Tortilla for later. Even you would approve of it Rico.

  88. Canadian Gooner says:

    There are a number of our young players and former first teamers who are scheduled to return to the club if their loans are not extended/renegotiated or they are not sold. We have Aneke, Bendtner, Campbell, Chamakh, Denilson, Djourou, Frimpong, Galindo, Jeffrey, Miyaichi, Park, Roberts, Santos, and Wellington. It is unlikely Bendtner, Chamakh, Denilson, Djourou, Park or Santos would want to return. So, we have a lot of business to do regardless of who we buy. If we can sell those six, that should generate some money for buying and wages.

  89. tsgh says:

    I am impressed Micko… didn’t know Guinness was the tonic for linguists 😀

    BND verdeckt arbeiten

  90. rico says:

    Cg, I hope the club just accepts any amount for some those players, especially the older one’s you list…

  91. Adam says:

    Omelette sells it a bit short Rico 🙂
    It is about 3 inches tall and full of veggie goodness. Rather garlicky though with a spicy red chilli thrown in.

  92. tsgh says:

    Owen and Henry’s misses could rival Gervs too…

    Later lady and gents.. a bit of a run in the sunshine

  93. Canadian Gooner says:

    Scott – Good Night.

    tsgh – Like you, I don’t think the club or our players are as bad as some seem to think. The whole of European football is in transition. Many of the old established teams, especially in Italy and Spain, are struggling for money. THis transfer window and next season should prove very interesting.

    If the likes of France, Italy or Spain go into default on there national debt obligations or one of the medium to larger banks go insolvent then all bets are off. Football, and Arsenal in particular, will be the least of our worries.

    Well I’m off to bed. Too many late nights and early mornings this last three days has taken its toll. Keep the faith.

  94. Adam says:

    Rico. I only wish I had your access to fresh eggs though it is brim full of lovely little potatoes and fresh sliced lightly griddled English Asparagus and some Broccolli florets too. Plenty of Sweet Pimenton and a few Fennel seeds, slightly caramelised onion sautéed alongside the finely sliced Broccolli stalks and of course 16 cloves of Garlic all bound together with a handful of freshly grated Manchego.
    I shall serve it with a Puy Lentil salad and all washed down with chilled Prosecco. I could even eat it in the garden if I had a Gazebo. 🙂

  95. tsgh says:

    Night Cg…

    Please share your notes and minutes from this years Bilderberg meeting in June at the Grove Hotel, Hertforshire with me. 😉 😀

  96. rico says:

    Sounds jolly nice Adam, shame you don’t have a Gazebo, it will be raining by later though 😉

    Just 16 cloves of garlic, did you run out??

  97. Adam says:

    Rico. After my experiment with the 50-clove Yucatan fish recipe, I decided never to use more than 20 cloves in any one dish. Mrs Adam likes me to slow roast whole garlic bulbs to bring out their sugars, which she then grinds into a pulp and smears on her roast potatoes in an aggressive fashion.
    She’s a bit like that. 🙂

  98. stevepalmer1 says:

    Afternoon all, good post Rico.
    Champions League, Who really cares, We have had better teams but we have never won it, and lets face it this team can’t even win the capital one cup Fa cup or the league. * years without anything tells us that we haven’t the team to win anything let alone the CL. All the CL does is put money in the Arsenal Fund, its never spent on players so why should we care less about it..Arsenal are supposed to be a top side, its classed a top side because we are seen in Europe every year. Arsenals priority should be the domestic league if Wenger showed a little more interest in that with some quality talent fans would enjoy their football a little more. Look at us worrying whether Spuds will beat Chelsea looking at the United Chelsea game hoping someone messes up to allow us through the door. We don’t deserve to be in the CL our football has been attrocious this season and if were honest we haven’t deserved to be in it for quite a few years. The only reason Arsenal are so bothered about it is the money. And at the end of the day if we didn’t make it ,would ST prices go up to compensate. No of course not, Many want to pay their fees now. Football now has the top teams owned by wealthy men who invest in the team, they all have top players .£20 million players are the norm for these clubs but they are picking up the odd trophy. Whether we qualify or not will make absolutely no difference to the way our club performs. Until they show some commitment why the hell should we care.

  99. Adam says:

    Steve. You are my hero. Couldn’t agree more. Supporting Arsenal has been a one-way street for far too long.

  100. Adam says:

    Wath. No, I drove out Abridge. Tottenham High Road has to be one of the biggest khazis in London. A vile place.

  101. W.A.T.H says:

    We know it’s a khazi Adam it’s why “that lot” reside there…!

    How rude… afternoon all…!

  102. stevepalmer1 says:

    Don’t you get lost down there Adam, You looking for foreign food or something.I hope Mrs Adam is not leading you astray.

  103. rico says:

    Afternoon Sp, thanks

    But that money helps to pay better players… And attract them surely…

  104. stevepalmer1 says:

    Maybe we will work in reverse Rico, miss CL and we buy quality get in and we know what we buy. Give Theo another rise.

  105. rico says:

    It would Adam, if we were a club that signed that type of player. This summer it’s changing, you know that, you have been told so many times 😉

  106. W.A.T.H says:

    SP great day for a GG mate 😉

    Greetings Rico, hope the chickens not getting sun burnt…?

  107. W.A.T.H says:

    Who the hell let Chez off his leash again…. why is he spouting his gob off again about that shower down the rd…?
    Chez shut the fuck up and give it the big un AFTER we finish above them…!

  108. rico says:

    🙂 Adam..

    One decent save Wath and he thinks he’s Gordon Banks

    He gets on my nerves…

  109. Adam says:

    Just when you think that twat Chesney has grown up, he opens his mouth and proves what a total dick he is. Leave that stuff for the Spurs players you berk?

  110. rico says:

    Prize plonker isn’t he. It’s that kind of arrogance that so often leaves the team with egg on their faces….

  111. Adam says:

    And does nothing for the image of the club. We can’t complain about the arrogance of other teams like Barcelona when we have mouth-almighty in our own team.

  112. Micko says:

    Wenger won’t be chopping and changing now rico, Chezzer looks like he’s got his act back together again, about time to.
    Laters, over and out, all eyes on the rocket.

  113. rico says:

    I’m not so sure Micko, but for injury, Fab would still be in goal and AW won’t like Ches latest comment…

    Night Micko, what rocket?? 😉

  114. allezkev says:

    Why you no listen……?

    Thursday night is Arsenal night….

    As Coach has so rightly pointed out, the Europa Cup will give Wenger a golden opportunity to give some youngsters 1st team exposure…

    The Champions League is for the benefit of that stinking parasite Kroenke.
    There’s more chance of Wath drinking Babycham than there is of AFC winning it…
    It’s a sham as far as we are concerned.

    Forget the CL, it’s Fools Gold… The Europa Lge will be a bit of fun.

    Nope, next season Wenger will have to focus 100% on the domestic front…
    The EPL & FA Cup will suddenly become all-important again..,

    Not that we’ll win anything in 2013-14

    Winning is a lost art to Wenger I’m afraid

  115. allezkev says:

    Why is it, that the Spuds still sign quality players whilst being out of the CL…?

    Arsenal have qualified for the last ‘how many’ years…
    And we still don’t sign any top top players!!!
    So what is the fecking point???

    Hit Kroenke in the pocket, then that Syrupy Slug might just feck off?!

  116. allezkev says:

    There’s been an increasing number of empty seats at Ashburton this season.
    You watch that number grow despite the obvious dishonesty of the club viz-a-viz attendance…
    If those cnuts at the club are going to lie so blatantly over the attendance figures, then why should we believe anything they say???
    Rotten to the core… The whole bloody lot of them!

  117. Scott from Oz says:

    Hiya Kev,
    I hope you are righton Stan leaing if we miss top 4, but i still worry it goes the other way…he cuts spending even more.
    What does he care how he gets his profits, as long as he gets them?

  118. Canadian Gooner says:

    Scott – Unfortunately Silent Stan has shown with his other clubs that he is a businessman first, last and foremost. The bottom line drives his decisions.

  119. Adam says:

    What exactly is Kroenke’s connection with Arsenal. Apart from a business one?
    Hiya Kev. You are bang on.

  120. allezkev says:

    No Scott, I don’t think that Kroenke will leave, just on the strength of failing to make the top four…
    But it may speed up his departure.

    Do you seriously think he would spend,what is needed to be spent, if we qualify anyway?
    Has he done it previously??

    I don’t think it make any difference whatsoever to him…
    He doesn’t give a shit about Arsenal being competitive…
    He cares about Arsenal being profitable… Nothing else!

  121. allezkev says:

    Hiya Adam… Hiya Canuck…

    Scott, I don’t give a flying fcuk about the CL.
    I care about Arsenal’s competiveness in the EPL.
    And the ending of our trophy drought…

    Will Wenger get a new contract???

    I’m not altogether sure that he himself is all that confident on that score…

    Whilst an increasing number of fans are frankly indifferent…

  122. allezkev says:

    This time last year I was 100% behind Wenger and wanted to see him get a new deal…

    Now I want him to see out his contract next season, and leave…

    We, as a club, need a new direction…

    Sadly, those in charge of managing that change, are patently not up to the job…

    Could anybody seriously trust Gazides/Kroenke to find a replacement for Wenger, of the required quality…
    I do n’t think that they have a clue

  123. allezkev says:

    Indifference is the Mother of disinterest, isn’t it Adam???

    That’s me done. Goodnight all…

  124. Adam says:

    Kev. You know, as a friend of mine, that I have been for change yet slightly wary of it when I think of the good things that Wenger has done. But I really believe that the fans have been treated shabbily by the club for quite a while. If Kroenke would just bugger off, take his 100’s of millions in profit and do his thing away from us I would be pleased. Let him sit on his bloody ranch and do his sports business thing by all means, but FFS leave us out of it. He clearly doesn’t have either the money or the will to spend what is required so let Usmanov, who seems as if he wants success on the pitch, take over. The fans are indifferent but blokes like the Syrup only take note when the bottom line starts to diminish. Wenger has got to put up or sod off too.

  125. Canadian Gooner says:

    Adam – A lot depends on Stans goals for his investment in the club. Did he buy Arsenal FC as an income source like the Glaziers at ManUre taking management fees annually or has he bought to improve the value of the asset for future resale. There is less of a need for high investment in the playing squad with the former, unless it starts to have a deleterious effect on the commercial side (i.e. sponsorship deals) and the profit margin remains fairly stable. While the latter would more likely require high investment in the playing squad so as to raise the profile and stature of the club and increase the value of the commercial side due to the increase in stature.

    Kev – We haven’t talked in a long time. Business is good I hope?

  126. allezkev says:

    I know Canuck, I’ve been busy mate.
    And my interest in Arsenal has, tbh, been at quite a low ebb for awhile.

  127. Scott from Oz says:

    Stan says silent leaving us to fill in the gaps, and there lies the problem.
    Kev, he has shown he will not spend, but to have the expenditure cut further will see us drift further and further off the pace…that is my concern.
    The further back we go, the longer the climb back.
    Night guys.

  128. Lee says:

    Morning Adam et al, why do our players open their mouths up? That dickhead of a goalkeeper….

  129. Adam says:

    Hey Lee. I have a friend/associate who is a Sociopath and he has that trait as well. Mouth almighty.

  130. Lee says:

    I’d like to kick Pulis’s baseball cap where the sun doesn’t shine whilst sporting steel toe capped boots!

  131. Adam says:

    Perhaps it is just that time of year but, the more I reflect on this season, a couple of things occur to me. Firstly, football fans operate on a very short memory basis and secondly, I am really pissed off at what has happened to our club.

  132. Adam says:

    When that dickhead Gardner went over the top to Charlie Adam in the same way that Adam has gone over the top to many other players, there was a slo-mo camera angle of Pulis exploding with animated rage that I must say was almost as funny as Gervinho bearing down on goal with the ball at his feet.

  133. rico says:

    Adam, this is the summer of change, come on now 😉

    I know, I shouldn’t laugh but all that has gone on would be quite funny…

    If it wasn’t for real…

    Back in a about 30 mins….

  134. Adam says:

    Lee. Do you not buy into Rico’s Summer Of Change theory then? It’s all honey from now on you know.

  135. Lee says:

    We’ll scrape fourth and then Wenger will gloat about the mental strengzz, togederness and tenacity of this bunch of wankers…won’t add the necessary players for us to compete properly! Groundhog summer again, I really hope I’m wrong BUT history has a way of repeating itself!!

  136. Lee says:

    What’s gauling Adam, is that manure aren’t a good side but have pissed the league….shows how shit the rest are!

  137. rico says:

    Adam – it’s not my own theory, honest.

    It’s what Mr G and his believers tell us 😉

    I am just hoping like most….

  138. rico says:

    I actually don’t think we’ll get 4th, Wigan really worry me, and Newcastle away with them needing a win…

    Plus, I see Totts beating Chelsea tomorrow…

  139. Lee says:

    Guy here went to the spud game and reckons they were shit lucky on Saturday and will get ironed out bigtime…..

  140. Lee says:

    Wigan have a game tonight the F.A Cup on sat then us on tuesday…we will of had 10 days off! If we cant beat them then we don’t deserve to be in the top four….

  141. Scott from Oz says:

    After watching the Spuds on the weekend, i can’t see them beating Chelski, but the way this season has gone, who knows?
    Still, this is the Spuds and do they tend to finish their season like a pricked balloon, so let us hope they manage it again 🙂

Leave your comment.

Discover more from Highbury House

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading