Morning all.
It’s a big day today. On the 11th hour of the 11th day in the 11th month, there’s silence. A time to reflect, a time to remember those who lost their lives while fighting for their country.
Tonight at Wembley, both England and Scotland will play out a tough battle on the football pitch, but not before their own moment of silence, one which will no doubt be impeccably respected by both sets of fans.
After the whistle blows, all love will be lost between the two sides just as it always has been. England v Scotland is on a parallel with Arsenal v Tottenham as neither side will want to lose this one. It’s a WC qualifier too which makes a victory all the more important for both. Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere are the only two Arsenal players in the squad.
Last night, Chile and Columbia played out a 0-0 draw. Alexis was nowhere to be seen thank goodness, and I hope that continues next week when Chile play again, although Arsene Wenger fears that might not be the case as he’s quoted as saying:
“We have to get access for our medical staff to the MRI scan to see what grade it is, how bad it is and make absolutely sure they don’t make any suicidal decision that could harm his future for two or three months.
“That is absolutely important. It’s a grey area between the national team and the club team and of course they look at their own results which I can understand but we have to preserve the health of Alexis Sanchez”.
I know we’ve all said it time and time again but a club is more important than playing for a country. The latter is an honour for most but it’s a club which pays a players wages and right now, Alexis should be back at Arsenal. But I guess the flip side is that if Alexis is declared fit to face Uruguay next Tuesday, he should be fit for the Utd match. Either that or as Arsene says, he’ll be out for a long period of time.
At least Hector Bellerin is back at Arsenal but then his injury is reported to be bad, one which could keep him out of the game for a while. I guess that means either Mathieu Debuchy will come in from the cold, or Carl Jenkinson will start at Old Trafford. Either way, it’s far from ideal but if Carl Jenkinson really is hoping to push through in this Arsenal team, here’s his chance. A very young Hector Bellerin took his chance once Debuchy was injured a couple of seasons ago, it’s down to the Englishman to do the same. I don’t think Jenks gives us the attacking threat down the right which Bellerin offers but he can deliver a good cross which will suit Giroud should he start.
Germany and France play tonight, not against each other of course, but Mustafi, Giroud and Koscielny will all be donning their international shirts and all we can hope is that none of the trio suffer injury. Both of the Germany fixtures are qualifiers for the World Cup but for France, tonight’s is the only one as their second match is a friendly against The Ivory Coast and one which I hope our two chaps watch from the bench..
Man Utd have a few injury, suspension concerns of their own before we head up there next weekend. Ibrahimovic is suspended and Chris Smalling has suffered an injury which keeps him out for a few weeks. Valencia has a broken arm, Bailly has ligament damage and that horrid bloke Fellaini has a calf injury. I’m surprised it’s not Fellaini who has the broken arm considering the amount of times he shoves it into an opposition players face! Him missing for our match would be big bonus.
Santi Cazorla is pencilled in to return for that match which is good news…
There’s an exit at the club this month. Don’t worry, it’s not from the first team. It’s the ladies defender Casey Stoney. Casey helped Arsenal win two FA Cups and a League Cup in her four years back in north London.
I bet you were hoping it was Debuchy……
Have a good Friday guys….
Perfect timing how Ozil rumors have started huh
Isn’t it just…
Afternoon All
Lets all hope we treat the game with the Manc’s
as if it’s a strong 1st team..
Last season was a joke performance,from us.
Can never understand why we at times over the
years we revert to walking football,
I hope Arsene pulls up the players socks
this time.
Last seasons performance up there was atrocious…Did we have a strong team against their reserves?
Manchester United: De Gea (7), Varela (7), Carrick (6), Blind (6), Rojo (6), Schneiderlin (6), Herrera (7), Mata (7), Depay (7), Lingard (6), Rashford (8).
Subs used: Fosu-Mensah (6), Januzaj (5), Weir (5).
Arsenal: Cech (6), Bellerin (6), Gabriel (6), Koscielny (6), Monreal (6), Coquelin (5), Ramsey (5), Welbeck (7), Ozil (7), Sanchez (6), Walcott (4).
Subs used: Giroud (5), Elneny (5), Iwobi (5).
Rico ………..Spot any Manc Centre/Half’s
Pretty strong then Fred, better on paper than their team…
Nope, not one…
(Got pud – iPad correction) Giroud (as typed) to get his first start of the season? There doesn’t seem to be much aerial power to be found amongst the manure!
Good day to you all.
Man Utd away will be a good test of character for us, especially as the doomers are out in force following the draw against Spurs.
Certainly will. I’m looking forward to Arsene beating Mourinho in the PL for the first time…. lol
Rico, I can’t see Wenger beating Mourinho, any time soon, no matter how bad things get for the Portugese Prick, he’s got Wengers number…
Arsene will walk into another trap as he always does…
To me, a draw would be a fantastic result for us…
It’s the players who have to do it for him. I will be interested to see if they really lift themselves into that game.
Kev, it has to happen one day… If the players are behind Arsene, then they should make sure they put in a strong shift….
Evening all
Other than the 3-0 win last season, Manshafter have regularly embarrassed us, is it that they are more up for it than us ?………..we must press them !……….. is it a coincidence that two of our finest performnaces of recent times have been the 1st half performances against Manshafter and Chavs at home when we run them ragged !…………..shame we only do it once in a while and Liverpool at the moment do it nearly every game………….oh for a Klopp !.
The Klopp factor does seem to paying off….
Catch up tomorrow guys, I’m offski. Got a concert to go to in the dark… ??
Night…
Well I’ve heard of a concert in the park, but never a concert in the dark…
Gnasher gets 3 Vs Mighty San Marino
Le Coq, never thought I’d say this in my life time but that put’s him up there with Wrighty for me.
Chris Coleman reminding us tonite that Aaron Ramsey could play for any team on this planet, last time I checked he hadn’t scored a goal for us since last march against the scum…..can’t say I agree but admire his honesty lol.
This grave yard shift ain’t half hard work…….nite Gooners.
If Ramsey were a striker, I’d be concerned with his lack of goals.
If he were playing his best position for us, I’d be worried with his inconsistent performances.
When he played for Wales, anyone could see he was superb.
Why?
Well, that’s obvious.
Morning all.
Quiet time, as always, during these stupid interlulls.
Morning Scott and all…
I know it was only San Marino, but we should never have let Gnabry go. Imo, he offers more than OC…..
Rico, San Marino offers little decent competition, but he’s done well the last few months.
Bloody shame to lose him, no question.
Still have to tuck away the chances though Scott….
Absolutely.
And as I said, he’s done well not just in that game.
Still, I can’t blame him for wanting regular game time.
Catch up later Scott, things to do….
No worries, Rico….have fun….
Still blame Pulis , went out of his way to destroy Gnabry and probably had Wenger in mind as he did it.
Thank Rico! for all your comments. Am a strong Arsenal fan we have to do it on our upcoming game
Wenger is ready to do any thing to win united game. But Chamberlain must not wait for long on the bench.
Psssst, anyone there…. lol
Nighty….
Morning Rico and all.
Morning Adam and all..
Not much to talk about really…
Morning guys.
Rico, I envy you and your work during these time more than ever.
What’s to talk about?
Bugger all 🙂
True.
Envy me Scott, you should feel sorry for me… 😉
New post up now.
That too 🙂