This wasn’t a pretty performance, but our players delivered a win – one that brought us up into tenth place at the conclusion of this weekend’s play.
They overcame a moment of madness from our ‘keeper, a sensational equalizer from opponents who had literally, just one sniff until the moment they scored, another injury, and a second half they completely dominated while appearing they would not score.
So credit where credit is due…
I had piled on them plenty during the past several months, and they have often deserved it. Yes, our opponents are struggling in the bottom three at the moment, but how many of these type matches have we recently come away with a point or less? This time, we didn’t give up, and eventually got the win. So credit to our players for making that happen.
Will this lead to – finally – a prolonged run of wins and good performances? Or will it be another false dawn? Who knows? It could just as easily be one, as it could be the other.
I’ll worry about that in a few days, for now, I’ll say “well done” to the players…
Two weeks of no club football feels like an eternity, and this past two weeks felt longer than the usual international break eternity. It did, however, give our players a chance to recuperate and return to fitness. While the international fixtures were taking place, Arsene announced that Kos, JD and Squillaci were back and available for selection; we went from one fit, recognized first team central defender to four.
Other players who have been missing since the start of the season may not be out for much longer: a certain Vassiriki “Abou” Diaby is only another week or two away from returning to the first team, and TV is perhaps about a month or so.
We certainly have many more problems than just injuries, but it is very difficult to try and build momentum when plugging this hole, and that hole. Having these players back should at least provide cover, allow us to play certain players in their proper (loosely defined) positions, and perhaps, in the case of Diaby, add something we have not seen for several months…
So we lined up Szczesny, Gibbs, Kos, Mert, Jenks, Arteta, Song, Rosicky, Theo, Robin, and Gerv.
Fab, Santos, JD, Frim, Arsh, Benny and Ju.
Ramseys omission from both the starting lineup and bench may have drawn attention; I suspect this is more of a case of Arsene accommodating the returning defenders, favoring Rosicky to start and making sure we had adequate cover in the forward slots.
In other words, there was no room in the squad for Ramsey today. In any event, Rosicky was one of our better performers yesterday and, in my opinion, fully justified his selection. On the other side, Bruce was denied the services of Nik Bendtner, who, thanks to the Premier League rules, was ineligible to start against his parent club. His scoring the winner against us would have been a bit difficult to take…
Our recent home matches have often seen us start quickly, maintain a frantic pace for ten or so minutes without scoring and then gradually drop intensity and focus. Not so today – Rosicky and Ger combined straight from kickoff, with the latter playing the ball across the box for Robin to find the net from 18 yards. This was the ideal start and surely portent to a real battering for the Mackems…
If only…We certainly tried, as we completely dominated the first 25 or so minutes of play. We went right at Sunderland, looking to extend the lead. Ten minutes later, Robin’s chip beat Mignolet but came back off the woodwork, with Gerv unable to turn the loose ball into the empty net.
Still, we looked far more threatening and created all the chances. Robin was at it again, shooting just wide from twenty-plus yards out. Gerv then took a couple of pops, sending them wide and over the bar.
So it was quite a shock to see Szczesny rush from his goal into no-man’s land right at the half hour mark. Sessegnon beat him to the ball and then beat him to our goal; fortunately, Song was Johnny-on-the-spot to intercept the cross and clear to our keeper. Now, when Almunia did something similar against West Brom at the Hawthorns last season, he was rightly pilloried, and as I remember, he never played for the Arsenal first team again. I don’t expect Szczesny to suffer the same fate, but neither will I give him a pass; that was very, very poor from him and should have cost us a goal…
If we didn’t concede a goal at that precise moment, it still managed to unnerve the team, and we paid the price just a couple of minutes later. Arteta’s handball gave former Arsenal youth player Larsson a prime shooting opportunity right about 20 yards out and he cashed in, whipping his kick around the wall into the right hand side of Szczesny’s goal. A super set-piece, one that left me wondering “Why can’t we ever do that?” Well….Watch this space…
Another characteristic of this Arsenal side is to get rattled after conceding, and so it proved here. Having lost our lead out of nowhere, we should actually have fallen behind just a couple of minutes later. Jenkinson dawdled out on the right, Larsson robbed him and fed Sessegnon, who brought the ball down the line and crossed for the completely unmarked Cattermole, who waited on the back-post. From barely three yards out, with time to pick his spot, Cattermole could only force Szczesny into an excellent save. Credit to our keeper there, but Cattermole really…I mean REALLY…should have scored…
One man’s misfortune can be another man’s profit…
For the next few minutes, both teams cancelled each other out, and then we started to dictate play again. We had a chance a couple of minutes prior to the interval, but Song could only head Robin’s corner straight at Mignolet. The whistle went shortly after and we found ourselves right back at square one…
Arsene did not make any changes at the start of the second half. We started the second half on top, but it soon descended into a litany of free kicks and bookings. The first 20 minutes of the half features a seeming constant procession of set pieces, most of which were poorly taken. There was also a 12 minute spell where Webb dished out five yellow cards, all for fouls, and all looking reasonable from what I saw. During this period, Gibbs picked up a knock and Santos had to come on in his stead. We controlled the play, but didn’t do much with it.
With 25 minutes to go, Robin should have restored our lead when Rosicky played him through, but Mignolet was able to save. Arsh replaced Gerv shortly after and then had a chance to score, driving into the box and beating Turner, but shooting marginally wide. Arsene then made his final sub, bringing Benny on for Rosicky.
At this point, we had gone close a couple of times, but created little else.
We pushed Sunderland deep into their half, but it was starting to look as though only a point would be on the offing. Then, with seven minutes to go, Brown fouled Robin on the edge of their box. Our Skipper took the free-kick and curled a peach into the top left corner to finally pull us back in front. These are the sort of free-kicks I remember from him up until a few seasons ago. Until this moment, they had completely dried up but hopefully he will be able to replicate a few more of these – and perhaps show some of his team-mates the way as well…
Within seconds Wickham played Ji into our box and the latter put the ball into our net, but it was disallowed for offside. Two minutes from time, Colback went down in our box under a challenge from Theo, but Webb rightfully ruled their appeals away, as Theo got the ball first. We held on with little difficulty through five minutes of injury time and claimed a valuable three points, taking us all the way up to tenth in the table…
While we got a much-needed win, we still have many issues that are all too apparent. Right now, only Robin looks as though he can score for us. Arsh threatened on a couple of occasions when he came on, but virtually nobody else. Rosicky had a great game from midfield, and Gerv threatened with zero end product. Ditto Theo, who added a couple of dreadful free-kicks as well.
At the moment, we appear to pretty much be a one-man show – much as we were during the end of last season and I just don’t think we are going to accomplish much without others contributing goals. Theo was our leading scorer for a couple of weeks into early September, since then, nothing.
Arsh, Gerv, Arteta, Benny and Song have contributed solitary goals but nobody is consistently scoring, except for Robin.
I continue to feel that our formation and our style of play get plenty out of our captain – but it comes at the expense of most of our other players. Should he go down, then what are we going to do? Play Ju or Chamakh on their own there?
I thought the defense was generally better – forget Larsson’s free-kick, that was brilliantly taken and one of those things that will happen. That is not to say, however, that the defence was perfect.
Szczesny was very, very lucky to get away with his brain lock and Jenks’ inexperience was evident on several occasions. Regarding the latter, I am starting to see him as a more proficient attacker than defender. With Bac out for an extended period, he needs to work on the defensive side of his game, particularly positioning and decision-making.
Those are my observations.
While I think we made heavy weather of beating a side below us in the table and seemingly way low on confidence, it is worth remembering that last season’s corresponding fixture saw no goals, although two dreadful refereeing decisions had more to do with that than anything else.
So let’s enjoy the win for now and see what happens from here, we are up to tenth for the moment and six more points should take us in touching distance of the top four.
Let that take care of itself; for now, just look ahead to our next game and try to win it.
We’re not back yet – and won’t be back until we are actually in the top four (or better) itself.
So please, Arsene and players – keep quiet for a change. No more “season starts now” or “now you’ll see the real Arsenal” quotes…
Do it first, and talk about it after – for once…
Written by Oliver
Morning all! Reporting to you live from the UCD library this morning! Exciting times…
Anyone else feel more confident with Santos as left back? Seems a lot more solid than Gibbs.
Morning all
Great write up oliver, thank you..
I agree too – we are far from being back, it wasn’t pretty at times, too many times but credit where it’s due, we earned 3 points when on another day we could have easily had nothing in the end.
I too fear an injury to RvP and he’s playing many many games, he could prob do with a rest, maybe that would force other strikers to step up a bit and stop being so reliant on robin (excuse the pun)
All is far from being perfect but a win is a win and we neded one, now we need to beat Stoke next weekend after a difficult trip to France on Wednesday….
Morning ESP, I sometimes wonder about Gibbs – he get further forward than our strikers sometimes, and doesn’t seem to see when it’s time to drop back…. Dangerous games…
I have to go out first thing, back around lunchtime….
Gd morning guys and chicks
Gd post Oliver. And quite a good analysis of the game. I agree with everything you wrote except the piece on Jenkinson. He is learning fast and games such as Blackburn, Stoke, Wolves, QPR, Norwich, Sunderland, Swansea etc are games where he should play. He learns a lot, gets experienced, gives Bacary a breather, and will prove an adequate and perhaps a good replacement.
Remember he is still a lad who has played only a handful of games. Time will show that I am right about him. Compare him to the early development of Dixon and you can see what I mean.
Paul, Gibbs was playing with a stomach inflamation. He is a professional and like Jenkinson he is learning his trade. Santos is experienced and an international. Arsenal are lucky to have a good combination for the full back places.
Give them both time and they will be the Dixon/Winterburn of this decade.
Yesterday was a tense affair. I would have preferred a claen sheet though
Somebody please shut wenger up. He has started talking from his ass again. Take the games one at a time don’t the fucking media a rope to hang you on every occasion. He needs to cut out this “we are back” crap. Its beginning to stick in my craw! Off to read the post.
Great post Oliver…..just what I was about to rant about. Good to see rosciky back to his best. I only hope he ll be consistent though. Played out of his skin. How about that chip over the top to theo who as usual wasted it…..robin!robin!!robin!!! Where do I start? He’s simply the best striker in the world presently. Get him gourcuff in january then maybe he ll stay. Santos over gibbs any day of the week.
Hiya Goonster……gd day.
I agree. Wenger should shut up and let the players do the talking
Sometimes I think as you said that he speaks out of his ass.
Morning rico…..I can see you smiling…beaming ear to ear aint ya.
Hi ya DG….slept like a long after the night out with me pals. Got to work late and got an earful from my boss but who cares, fuck him! Its arsenal all the way!
I have said it before that this group of players is good enough to get us to 4th spot and possibly further but only under a manager that can inspire the team. Right now we don’t play as a cohesive unit and it is so obvious when we fail to press the opposition when they have the ball and how we crumble mentally when we concede a goal. This are issues that can be dealt with on the training ground(how many years have we be saying that?) and by a manager that gets his players geed up and their blood pumping before a kickoff instead of yoga classes and poetry reading in the dressing room before the fucking game starts or at the half time interval!
Peotry reading at half time??? lol. I can imagine Wenger doing that. Can you imagine Allardyce or Pulis doing so???
If the walrus or the rugby coach did read poetry to their team before the game or at half time it would be “Mine is not to reason, why mine is just to do or die….
Some poetry I read
for minds to relax
during half time at home
I type them on my fax.
Sagna your crossing is poor
t’should be on Theo’s head
just improve on it
or i’ll put you to bed.
Squilly you need to read more
not books idiot, the game I meant
Poor Kos he looks an idiot beside you
More of that and I will rave and rant.
Theo, please do think and play
A headless chicken you are
I paid a lot of money for you
maybe Oxo is better by far.
Ok lads you’re done and rested
Off you go to play
and please do not concede
My hair is worryingly grey.
And that is Wenger Style
And the Pulis/Wallrus style
Fuck this
Fuck That
Fuck the ref
Fuck the mat
The linesman’s shit
The others are shit
in their faces you shit
either you score or you are all shit
Now off you go to play you all fucking pieces of shit
I agree, no other team’s players talk to the media as much as ours. Let’s leave the talking to on the pitch by our performances.
Thing is we need to stick with Jenky on the right as there is no one else. I agree that he needs to work on his defending and the cb’s need to guide him when they need him to stay.
I also see Gibbs attacking too much and not wanting to or fit enough to get back, if it’s the experience then the cb’s need to communicate more with him too. Mert needs to learn English and command in the back. Hopefully TV will when he’s back.
Theo going forward is still one dimensional and needs to work on his finishing, i like his work rate and commitment though.
I also agree that RVP needs a rest before he’s gone for months and then try a 4-4-2 and use Walcott and Park or Chamakh and Park or Gervinho and Park and see what they can do with Arsh, Ryo or AOC on the wings.
Great post Oliver.
Good post Oliver, morning all. 3 points, just what the doctor ordered! We could really do with a creative spark in there…problem is who is good enough and willing to come?
lol Devil “Byron” gunner
I could do with being Byron TT
He was a lord…..meaning a lot of money
He had many ladies running after him
He had property in England, Italy, France and Malta
LoL at Wenger talking out of his ass. He should find plenty with simerler ‘virtues’ out here in blogland……..
Welcome Bradster – i hope wenger is monitoring rvp’s gps and takes note, unlike with jack last season….
Hi sam, i’m hoping that wengers ‘we’ll keep rvp at all costs’ means we’ll see one or two signings in jan, good ones too – he’s got £50m, thats enough 🙂
Gd morning Rico
morning devilgunner, hows you doing?
i’m out at the moment, just pinching someone elses laptop 😉
I am ok today. Better than in the last few days, thank you. Did you read the Wenger style poetry half time talk?? and the Pulis half time poetry rant??
I am also happy because AFC won but slightly miffed because with a bit more attention we could have got at least 4 to 6 more points with the game vs Newcastle and blackburn winnable ones while with the scum we should have got a draw. 6 points would have put us at 4th and the scum a further two points below us.
As it is I am not worried yet since I feel a gd run plus a couple of good signings can see us getting a knockout cup and 3rd or 4th should not be out of reach.
But I still feel frustrated that we dropped points which with a slightly better attention we could have got. This team is too lackadaisical.
Where’s AK??? Still galivating all over London??
Hey DG, I think Gibbs is far too lightweight to be a LB, he has the same frame as Walcott and is pushed off the ball far too much, that is something that time won’t solve.
And right now we don’t need to be putting inexperienced players in our team when we can avoid it.
ESP, Gibbs is still filling up, but you are right. But then so was Cole and they are the same height and weight. But that is why I would put Arteta or Santos ahead of him in left midfield.
Eventually we should play with what we have.
Gibbs is 22 now, i don’t know how much more filling out he has in him, I would actually put him in left midfield ahead of santos, nut Santos for me should be left back.
There is no reason to play either in midfield though, as we have both Miyachi and Oxo who can play in the position.
I think come Jan we will have to bring in a right back, Jenks is good, but he is only back up, and we are not a club that should be playing with back up players.
Hey Bradster,
What about AA and Park up front? I think AA should be given a run in his natural position.
ESP
Winterburn was not a bulky player by any stretch of the imagination. Its not the light weight that is the problem its the approach. If Gibbs had a rep as a no nonsense player that was up for a scrap then his frame would only help him as more weight = less speed. As for inexperience tactically that’s down to the manager teaching the player….ooopppss! We dont do defensive training do we?
Actually he was 1 inch less than either Gibbs or Cole. But he had a good defensive coach………….wheareas now we do not do defensive ttraining.
But you have hit the nail on the head TT.
Oyyyyy mates. Did you notice that Almunia has achieved something yesterday?? HE KEPT A CLEAN SHEET!!!! vs Blackpool. But then again he has walrus as a manager…..who knows how to defend.
Morning you lot…….
Good post Oliver and totally agree with wenger and the players keeping quiet and none of this we’re back or have turned the corner crap, we have clearly not turned any corner at all, we were lethargic and pedestrian for a lot of the game yesterday, no urgency at all but you can’t blame the midfield entirely for that when walcott and gervinho spent most of the game rooted to the spot…! Players need to want the ball and to want to get into positions to hurt the opposing team, we have forwards and players that want to hide and noone wants to take the game by the scruff of the neck bar RVP…! Why of why oh why is wenger such a stubborn egotistical man…. we are clearly crying out for a change of formation yet Mr I’m never wrong stick to this painful 4-5-1… anybody tells me it’s 4-3-3 is as delusional as wenger…! We have players more suited to 4-4-2 we’d be a better compact unit playing 4-4-2 and we may just become a lot more useful going forward and more solid through the spine like that. Then again what do i know I merely pay for the privilege to watch my team play….!
Initially its 4-3-3 WATH. Its the ineptitude of players like Theo and Gervinho which make it 4-5-1
BDW …… afternoon WATH. 😉
I think wenger likes to spout it’s a 4-3-3 DG but when you look at how the supposed wide two sit deep into the midfield three it’s obvious thats what they have been told to do, hence why is that…? wenger knows the midfield 3 can’t cope and are not strong enough to control a game so why persist with such a ridiculous formation that doesnt suit the players we have. Strengthen the spine play with proper wingers/wide men and play 2 up front…! Hope your feeling better DG….!
Don’t get carried away with the Almunia stat DG he prob never had a shot on target to save or a corner to deal with hence a clean sheet 😉 I wonder if he dropped the half time tea tray….??
Oui better today WATH. So its either the ineptitude of players or coach which makes 4-3-3- look like 4-5-1. What I find galling is that its so simple I could cry…….the players themselves are screaming for a 4-4-2/1-1 formation with RVP in DB10 position. Even their body language is stating the obvious. So why not scrap it and put 2 of Coquelin, Song and Frimpong to share the duties of 4-4-2/1-1??? Gervinho, Park, Theo, Arshavin and RVP to share and rotate the front two spots. While Ramsey, Arteta, OXO, etc share the wide berths. When Wilshere returns than change it to suit our needs.
Until then play to our strengths.
Me?? Carried away??? By Almunia??? NOT. I am afraid he would drop me mate.
Yep totally agree with the permutations of who could play in a 4-4-2 its not difficult is it…? and change the players to suit the opposition as well depending on if they are a footballing team or a hoof ball team… wenger says we never look at the opposition well its time you did its why you earn 7 million a year pay attention to the opposition it may well help us get back on track…!.
While the full backs are young and inexperienced sometimes they need a grafter in front of them to help out and yet other games we could play Oxo and Ryo wide as we’d get plenty of the ball maybe this all depends on the opposition so why is this obvious element ignored by our management..? it plays a huge and important factor in team selection and formation surely..?
Hi guys…what did I miss? Fill me in WATH.
You ain’t missed nothing Stan… how’s you fella..? All good I hope.
Afternoon …
Have you guys heard? Talk shite is linking us with our erstwhile captain….william gallas! Laughable ain’t it. Those mugs ll do anything to sell a story. Hahahahahaha. As if….
morning all…thanx for the comments…to dg at 9:03, jenks is a bit of a conundrum for us. i see your point about him, but i still think he is defensively naive and needs to greatly improve this aspect of his game if he is not to become a liability. unfortunately, circumstances have forced arsene to start him probably before he is ready.
his crossing is rather good – certainly he is far better than bac in this area. but he is a defender first and foremost…and perhaps, that is the heart of the issue: i see him as a defender, while arsene may simply see him as an attacker who lines up in a defensive position. i am a bit concerned right now that his defensive awareness and skills may be neglected because of arsene’s emphasis on attacking football.
Oliver, Jenks was caught out a few times and is naive for sure but he’s still a baby we must remember that, what he also needs and what we need is for the centre backs to keep in his ear keep telling him position position position…. don’t get caught out jockey and don’t dive in it’s all about talking to him and keeping him in check and thats their job as well, stuff what wenger says they on the pitch and they can see the game someone needs to take control and talk to the boy, he’s full of passion and drive and you can see the kid has heart cos he’s Arsenal we need to channel that and maybe we’ll get away with Bac being out for so long but the older heads need to talk to him far more than they did yesterday.
Am good WATH just can’t wait to see the lads against marseille…..what winning does to ya. Just last week I was so distraught I didn’t wanna be near anything arsenal…oh well hope we stuff them like some are predicting then come home and finish up stoke city.
Hi oliver…
If we had a proper leader at the back, they would, but sometimes i wonder if they talk to eachother at all…
Jenks ll come good you guys. I love the fact he can cross with both feet. He’s also calm in possession. He just needs more games, on loan preferably.
wath, you just made my point for me – namely, that he is a “baby” in footballing terms. i think this step up, and the associated minutes, has come a bit too soon for him. and i am concerned that he will not develop his defensive skills properly under arsene.
i think it’s wonderful he has such passion for the club – indeed, we need more like him who will give their all for the badge…i just hope he does not develop into a defensive liability. at this moment in time, we need stability first and foremost.
if only we had the luxury of sending him out on loan. we don’t, so we have to make the best of bac’s absence. jenks was signed as a right back – as bac’s deputy – so he is the one who should play there until either bac returns, or jenks shows he is not ready – which hopefully will not occur.
but rico, we have how many captains in our side? surely that means we have no leadership problems? after all, arsene said as much last week…
maybe, just maybe, being a captain in name does not always equate to being a strong leader…maybe too many of the current/former national captains we feature in our lineup were bestowed that privilege more due to status than demonstrated leadership…
Anyone have any news on Patrice “baby” Evra accusation leveled at Suarez for racist slur during the L’pool and manure game?
Agree Oliver, is Arsene the kind of person you want coaching any defender trying to learn his trade…? Answer on a postcard please….
Oh how silly of me we know AW doesn’t do defensive training…. In that case we know Jenks is going to have to learn in practical terms and that menas during game time hopefully with TV and Mertesacker shouting at him for 90mins and where he should be and what he should be doing…! A harsh lesson lets hope they and him are up to it…!
TT evra is a little prick who wants to stir up shit….he should be ignored. I hate that little punk.
we may have captains on the pitch oliver, but they are certainly not ‘leaders’ – not imho anyway, and that showed yesterday after Larsson scored – every single player went back to the same old nervous way of playing…
An Adams or Paddy kind of leader would have shaken them up a bit…. You would have heard their voice above everything else….
I watched some of the liverpool/manc game and every set piece or corner etc the dippers conceeded all i could hear was Carragher shouting and screaming at his players, and that was over a very noisy anfield crowd….
TT – nothing other than Suarez has denied it…
http://arsenalyouth.wordpress.com/2011/10/15/yennaris-set-for-first-team-involvement-during-sagna-absence/
to follow your point rico, what did the captain of the czech republic national side do when larsson struck the free kick? by his own admission, rosicky started to walk to the centre circle before it hit the net, because he knew it was in…that is not to pile on rosicky, who had an otherwise excellent game, but to highlight the lack of fight we sometimes see in our side. while he couldn’t have done anything to stop the set piece, trudging back to the centre circle before the goal is official confirmed is not likely to inspire his team-mates to respond…
i think we do have some leaders – our sorely missed current belgium/former ajax skipper is one…i think our germany vice/former bremen skipper is one who we will see evolve into a larger leadership role when he gets his feet under him…but i think we have too many other passive personalities at the moment, and i think it becomes glaringly evident at the worst possible times.
evra…pfff…he and bernard hopkins can cry us river…
Bernard Hopkins, oliver? How’s that? I love him. He’s a great boxer.
merts had a few mad moments yesterday imho, he nearly gifted them a goal too – he got caught out ambling back totally unaware that a player was near him, shocking….
He may have once been a captain, but i don’t see him as a leader… not in the true sense of the word….
gs, b-hop may be a legendary fighter with a storied list of achievements, but he is also a chronic whiner with an exaggerated victim complex. i’ll be the first to say that saturday’s fight at staples ended unsatisfactorily, but b-hop was the one pushing down on dawson’s neck/back, and chad had every right to push him away…unfortunate that b-hop landed as he did, and his injury was legit…but the whole thing – imo – was caused by his preference for spoiling, grabbing and wrestling…
rico, mert certainly had his oops moments, but he also made a few timely interceptions…i think he can grow into a leader as he gets more and more comfortable here…
Afternoon Gooners.
Hiya Rico, just popping in thru the back~door. 🙂
Great post Oliver, as sweet as Mom’s apple pie.
Glad all you ‘sickies’ out there are better.
Gibbs still needs time Paul. I know he’s 22, but in terms of playing time he’s probably 19, due to all the time he’s missed thru injury.
Poetry……! Do me a favour DG.. 🙂
Stan, as usual. Chill out… Lata
Oliver, who’s the better between B hop and roy jones jr. Me pal thinks roy jones ll wipe the floor with b hop but I disagree. Where they even in the same weight division?
Hey kev am chilling…..how re you doing my man?
Btw Rico, Yennaris looks a good lad. Probably better in midfield but he’s ok. Reckon he might get a run out vs Bolton in Carling Cup. Offski.
Agree rico, the team is calling out for a leader that will shout, threaten and sweet talk the players into playing as a team and to prep them up once the chips are down. We have not had a leader like that since Paddy and Adams. Also there is no togetherness visible in this squad. Could you imagine Adams and co hugging that little shit Barton after the game? Or standing idle by while RvP was surrounded by Bolton players after he played on when one of the Bolton players was having a siesta? No hardly.
gs, roy is a spent force…he has nothing left and should not be allowed back in the ring…put them together in their primes and roy beats him easily…he comprehensively dominated b-hop in there first fight some 20-odd years ago…put them together when roy was dominating 168 and b-hop dominating 160, and roy stops him around nine or so rounds…my opinion…their second fight, a couple of years ago, both of them had little left…
supposdly cleverly lost a huge payday with saturday’s result…after he beat bellew earlier in the day, b-hop was supposedly going to fight him next year at the millenium…that is off, pending the california state athletic commission review of dawson – hopkins…even if the latter result is overturned (which is possible), i don’t think cleverly – bhop is feasible any more…
hi kev and thanx…
Hi AK, catch you later….
TT wilshere won’t take that shit from Barton and he won’t definitely leave Robin alone with those bolton thugs. wilshere and vermaelin are the only leaders I see in that team. They are both feisty and won’t stand about and they both love getting stuck in. Can’t wait for their return especially jacky boy…we are different proposition when he plays.
Agre re Yennaris, CC match looks likely and if anything happens to Jenks, he’s the next in line – unless Kos moves over when TV is back….
Spot on TT – Adam/Paddy would have been waiting in the tunnel to nut the little s**t, just look at the pre match tunnel wait – even Roy Keane could look Paddy in the eye…
We need that back in the side, a few with fire in their belly….
So roy jones whupped him twice…..wow. He looks like he could handle his own. him,barrera and carver were my favorite boxers. Don’t follow the sport anymore since the eastern europeans took over the heavy weight division. Did you hate nassem hammed back then? God I hated that turd back then. Couldn’t stand him. Whatever happened to him.
Frimpong will grow into a leader too goonster, Lansbury for me is another – spot the obvious eh, all gooners….
Lansbury rico but frimpong? I have my reservations.
Yep goonster, in time, Frimpong, it’s clear he has fire in his belly, if that is used in the right way, he’ll become a leader…..
anyone ever hear a song in a movie or commercial that you just cannot get out of your head? a few days ago, i saw the roaring twenties for the first time in ages, and i cannot get priscilla lane’s rendition of “melancholy baby” out of my head…that song is from way…WAY…before my time, but i cannot stop humming/thinking…
too often to mention oliver – it’s even worse when it’s just the advert tune that sticks in the mind instead of a ‘proper’ song….
Oliver you need a large drink my friend lol 🙂
no drinks for me wath…i have been dry for several years now…
i should, however, probably lay off the cagney/bogey movies for a while…
jingles are the worst rico…my kids seem more susceptible to those than i am…
i’ll send over a virgin cocktail Oliver it’ll do the trick…. As for Rico she just going senile…!
It’s worse this time of year for me, the Christmas adverts really stick …
Wath, you watch your lip 😉
Oliver it’s called ‘ear worm’ and I suffer from it all the time, songs, jingles, tunes and always when I am trying to sleep…..
Rico, going back to what you said earlier do you really think Wenger will spend in Jan? Just can’t see it to be honest even if he wants RVP to stay. Did you hear his comment about commitment being playing every game to your best, sounds like excuses for when he leaves to me.
Am sorry rico frimpong looks like the kinda fella who ll get a whole lot red cards. Am not sure you ll wanna make someone that rash the captain band.wilshere,vermalin and to an extent jenk…yeah I said it jerkinson. He ll make great captain. The great tony adams didn’t show promise in his first season did he.
Oliver, AK will have it on 8-track…. good post btw!
Oliver you don’t drink! Whoa you missing out my friend…..ask LEE. He’s the brewery on here.
thanks sam and lee…it’s a great movie and miss lane is certainly worth admiring, but this is starting to get annoying now…
Wath… Haha. Rico you can see he’s getting better. 🙂
Ahhh tea break.
What’s the latest? Not listened to radio or read a toiletnewspaper today.
Lee i’ve got it on gramaphone
gs, i did…at one time…but i am off it now and a better person for it.
I do Sam, i think he missed out on one or two that he really wanted in the summer…
Funny that Oliver, i’ve aquired a taste for shandy these days.
Could be something to do with drink/driving and it’s avoidance.
why did you stop? Am thinking of quoting too but my friends won’t let me…..crazy bunch of fellas. Gunners all of them. Bless them all I say.
goonster, that’s just how jack was, like i say, if frimpong is managed right, he’ll be good – it’s the whether or not he is managed right that will be the biggest thing….
i’m not talking about him being a captain, but a leader – Paddy was a huge captain and a real leader, but he also collected many red cards….
Give me M’Vila and Cahill Rico/Sam and i’d be a very happy man.
Think Afobe might be the answer up front when he’s fit & matured a bit.
Drink not my big thing, although I do have my moments…. smouldering now there’s a different scenario!! 😉
Hi Lee, i think stanley is being harsh on you 😉
AK, i can and he’s due a slap 😉
i needed a lifestyle change…that is the best way i can describe it…i did not have the disease of alcoholism or anything as drastic as that, but it was something i strongly felt that i should not be doing.
drink driving leads to spilling….
Well am still skeptical rico. Frimpong might be feisty and all but him being a leader? I don’t think so.
Lee, how did the game go yesterday?
Lee my man how about another round of martinis? Its on the house. Come on my man you and I know you just can’t resist a swig!
Tea break over.
Where’s agag….??? Shopping…! 🙂
And SP.
See ya lata.
We’ll see goonster, neither of us know right now 😉 and i think you are the HH boozer 😉
lost 3-1 mate…
I would go for one of the defenders as our future captain probably Verminator or even Jenkinson. Jenkinson has shown that he is not afraid to shout at his team mates and that is something we are so sorely lacking at the moment.
Nah rico am just the apprentice..Lee’s the MASTER. Yeah rico we ll see. Remember you still owe me 50p
Yeah actually Rico….. windscreen springs to mind!! 😉
that’s WATH’s patch…..
Spot on TT….I like jerkinson. I think he’s gonna be huge for us in the coming years.
TT – i’d go for TV too but we all know the way wenger works…
a captain should never be a striker imho….
jenks? that’s one to think about, didn’t see that coming but i like the guy, i can’t batter him for anything yesterday, a year ago he was playing non league football so in my book he’s doing ok….
if anyone is to blame, we know who that is but as Wath said earlier and being the pompass arse i am, so i have i been saying it, he’s a gooner, a fan, he’ll give 100%
😆 Lee, exactly…..
All quiet so off to cook dinner…
Back in a while…
Do you think Wenger actually gives the captain thing much thought or basically thinks the best / person he wants to keep happy the most gets the arm band?
Apparently in the Invincible days he used to not even do the half time talks broefings it was Viera et all that did them….
So one has to question is he a great coach or is he just good at finding players??
Perhaps I’m being harsh?
Sam the ideal captain for me will be vermalin. Call me old fashion but I ll like to have a leader that leads from try back. Most great captains led from the defense. Tony adams,lothar mattias, paolo maldini just to mention a few. Vermalin ll make a wonderful captain. Vocal,tough and takes no prisoner. He’s my no 1 candidate with jacky boy just behind him. Take nothing from robin…he’s been wonderful but I ll rather my captain leads from the defense.
Meant “that leads from the behind…pardon my touch screen phone.
Evening guys and chicks. How are you all??
Gooner Sam. I think you are right.
Evening all, Good post Oliver
I think you interpreted the game very well, the start was very enjoyable to watch, I must say although i do not like to criticise lone players unless they stand out for me, and Theo did, he seems frightened to take a man on and takes up some very bad positions he never seems to be in the right place and i felt his contribution was negligable, I would like to say that Jenkinson is on a par with Robin for his enthusiasm and some very good attacking runs just as well with Theo taking a back seat. I have to say that the free kick we conceeded was a long way out of the box and i feel that Czezsneys positioning was dire, although taken very well, but again from a long way out. But very pleased with the 3 points and as you stated a long long way to go.
Agree 100% Steve. I think it would not be amiss for me to say that Larsson’s freekick was similiar to the one conceded by Seaman from Gazza way back in 1991.
Sam, imho, he gives it to the player he thinks could be the next to leave…….
Evening Steve…
But why does he do that Rico?? If it were for me it would mean that the captain is the one who does the most talking and leading not the best forward or the one who is next to leave!!!!!
This smacks of ignorance or stubborness or crass craziness!!
Evening LDBG, both cracking free kicks i agree but yesterdays one would still probably have gone in but how can you position yourself so far left even i knew where the ball was going.
That’s why I earlier said that WS was a bit suspect in his positioning. But that comes from experience. For heaven’s sake he is only twenty and barely has 40 league games under his belt. So we have to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Evening rico, a good result but still shakey wouldn’t you say.
Evening all!
We’ve had enough players sent off already this season…….
VP, besides his heroic efforts, got a yellow for stupid shirt-removing behaviour which could have cost him later in the game but will cause a loss of him at some point in the future – senseless!
Song, another of our best performers yesterday, seemed intent on getting a second yellow by checking someone, intentional handball and a very dodgey foul which with another referee (Dowd etc) would have been a second yellow and off……very worrying!
Great to see us in the top half of the table but not happy 🙁
Fair coment, i hope he learnt somthing from that, having said that he did make a bliding save as well
Work in progress Pat7, we seem to retaliate after being shoved around a bit but normally at the wrong time.
devil, i have no idea….
Definately Steve, a bit shaky but three points all the same, but we clearly need to improve…
Hi Pat, long time no hear from…
Just like to say, i now cook with coconut oil, and i love it, thank you for that great tip….
Your comment is spot on…
I’m off to catch up on the soaps, and no i don’t mean the washing kind 😉
Catch up tomorrow guys and gals…
Nighty all….
Goody for you Rico….if you cook with coconut oil. That is the best oil one can find. Are you into healthy food??
Evening all, SP spot on re Theo, the boy wants to take on no responsibility what so ever, Jenks bombed forward wanted the ball made himself available and yet what did theo do….? very sad when he could be such a potent weapon…..!
Think the call on Chez is a little harsh you position the wall to guard one side of the goal and he did that if a player is good enough to get it up over and down again and on target thats the way the cookie crumbles…! Chez would of been lucky to of saved it without a wall….! pin point free kick not a keeper around would of saved that…!
I’m an avo oil cook now, that coconut oil is crap 😛
Greetings Pat hope your well mate…!
Lord Byron……!!! Are you sure DG..? 🙂 🙂 🙂
Good comment Pat. Song was reckless when what we needed was cool heads. He’s experienced enough to know better. Thought he had a good game overall. And he’s not one of my favourites, so he has to play well for me to compliment him on his performance.
Glad to hear so much positivity on here re; Jenks. It would be very easy to crucify the kid. Yes he is very raw, but he gives it 150%. I’m prepared to give him some slack.
Any idea who Stoke have got this week in europe?
Are they home or away?
No idea AK not looked mate….!
Hi Wath. Home to Maccabi Tel Aviv.
That’s not gonna kill ’em.
Who is Paul Pogba.?
Is he any good.?
If he is then would Fergie let him go.?
Answers;
I don’t know.
Probably not.
Definately not.
And so, it’s good night from me…
New one up….