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Diaby out until Christmas, at least!! Wilshere wants to stay forever and Fulham are todays test…

Posted on by rico

Morning Gooners

Bit of good news doing the rounds today and that’s about Jack Wilshere. He said he never wants to leave the club and wants to emulate Tony Adams. He also said he totally understands why Cesc Fabregas forced his move to Barcelona as having family close by makes life so much better and nothing for him is better than Arsenal.

Not such good news comes from the Daily Mirror. In a long article they slip in that Wenger has ruled out a Diaby return until after Christmas. I haven’t seen that anywhere else though. The  article is quite interesting, Wenger talks about Vermaelen’s lack of confidence and how Podolski is struggling with life in the Premier League.

Onto today.

Fulham are the one’s heading across town to try and achieve something they are yet to do, and that’s beat us at our own ground.

I strongly suspect they believe they will too.!

We however, need to to ensure that we get back to winning ways fast and it’s about time we stopped conceding goals!

Last weekend we were dire with no pace to our game and very few chances on goal, again that is something we need to change.

Midweek we were better against a strong Schalke side, but there were still too many errors all over the pitch to convince fans that today will be an easy game. Unlike a few years ago when this fixture was a certain three points.

We now sit 7th in the league, just one place above Fulham, goal difference being the only reason for that. As said earlier, we are yet to lose to our London neigbours at home in any competition, winning 22 and drawing four in 26 meetings.

The last time we met though, Martin Jol got the better of Wenger at Craven Cottage and he’ll be out to get another one over the Frenchman today.

Unlike us, Fulham are on an unbeaten run, but they have only won one of their last four games, drawing the others of course and last weekend they held Everton to 2-2 with Arsenal old boy, Steve Sidwell, snatching a last-gasp equaliser.

Jack Wilshere is out after being sent off last weekend, Diaby, Gibbs, Rosicky, Gervinho and Fabianski are all still missing, while Ramsey and Oxlade-Chamberlain face a late fitness test. However, there is some good news surrounding Tomas, he was back training yesterday, albeit alone, but maybe that was to keep him away from Diaby in case his 3 week, going on 7 week injury is catching.

Fulham midfielder Mahamadou Diarra is a doubt for today and Simon Davies misses out after undergoing a hip operation.

Stats from opta:

  1. Arsenal have made their worst start in the Premier League under Arsene Wenger, taking just 15 points from their opening 10 games.
  2. Fulham have lost 12 points from winning positions this season, more than any other side.
  3. 38% of the 13 Premier League own goals this season have benefited either Fulham (3) or Arsenal (2)

Well those stats are interesting aren’t they!!

Arsene Wenger has apparently told the players that it’s about time they changed the atmosphere amongst the fans. He wants a display which will give the fans something to sing about.

We just have to play good games. The atmosphere comes from the team, not the fans, and we have to think like that. The vibes come out with the quality of our game, the fans are behind the team. That is what is about us.

I agree we had one or two flat games at home, especially against Schalke, even the game against QPR. I believe that it is down to the quality of our game – that is our responsibility.

Fulham can score goals, they have chalked up far more than us so far this season, their tally of 21 league goals is only bettered by Manchester United and Chelsea,.

They have Rodallega and Berbatov, both experienced players who will hurt us if we don’t take control of the game from the off. We need to get some pace, quick passing and urgency back in our performance, not just all possession and no end product.

Use the wings and feed the ball into the big guy up front and in the air, give him chance do what we witnessed against Schalke. Start Walcott and use his pace, no playing Ramsey on the wing, he’s not a winger.

If Wenger doesn’t want to start Walcott centrally, then give Podolski a try, what have we got to lose? Santos is no defender, try him on the wing where he can use his Brazilian skills and punish the opposition.

We are at home, let’s mean business! We must take the game to Fulham, not sit back and let them batter on our defensive doors.

Something has to change and we all know that. We need a great performance and a convincing victory before the old enemy come visiting next weekend!

That’s it for another day…..

I truly hope for all of us, it’s a good one……

rico

0 thoughts on “Diaby out until Christmas, at least!! Wilshere wants to stay forever and Fulham are todays test…”

  1. rico says:

    Morning all….

    I must have typed some of that post with my eyes shut this morning, some of it doesn’t make sense so just going through it again 🙂

  3. W.A.T.H says:

    Smudge recovering from his late night dj stint obviously with huge hangover… Micko sipping a pint of the black syuff laughing at him…!

    AK is stitching up some tourist and Lee is doing the hoovering again no doubt. Adam will be having morning “tea & Brekkie” with Mrs A, Dev watching his team win no doubt, AGAG shopping….. Scott getting smashed at a wedding and of course the rest are all waiting for the game and to see what Arsenal actually turns up.

    Oh and good morning you rabble 😀

  5. JW says:

    Good morning all, well W.A.T.H, JM and Rico anyway.

    Didn’t expect to be here this morning, but the annual village duck race has been rained off, at least as far as I’m concerned.

    I expect Wenger to stick with the same back four as against Schalke, perhaps Coquelin to come in for Wilshire alongside Santi and Mikel. Podolski, Giroud and Walcott up front, Could be a toss-up between Mannone, who hasn’t done too badly, and Szczesny if he passes a fitness test.

    Oh! and Diaby could be fit by Christmas? He’ll be like a new signing then! 🙂

  6. Scott from Oz says:

    Wedding over and i am finally home,it is game day,Rico’s promise of no pessimism lasted but a day and i am almost certainly coming over next year…..a mixed bag,but plenty to be positive about,as always 🙂
    Morning all!!

  7. Scott from Oz says:

    Wath,i did remarkably well today…….10 or 11 beers,a few glasses of champers,but i am truly in charge of all my senses!!
    Bring on kick off,though i may have a little kip before hand.

  8. JW says:

    Don’t forget to set your alarm Scott. You may wake up to find you’ve miised the first twenty minutes and we are four nill down. 😯

  9. W.A.T.H says:

    Morning JW,
    Could always have the duck race through the streets…? 😉

    Scott, I’m impressed with the drinking mate least you not done a Smudge… Go get a kip then you can have a few during the game then back to kip again…!

    Mannone for me JW purely so it doesnt really kill his confidence, make it look like Chez least has to fight for his place back and isn’t just given it.

  10. Scott from Oz says:

    JW…more worried about missing us 4-0 up lol.
    Funny,i am reading plenty on the net worried about the threat Berbatov poses.
    A mere two monhs back,most thought he wasn’t good enough for Arsenal…..i really do not understand some people.
    For the record,i am not talking about HH members……the majority here were open to the idea.

  11. Scott from Oz says:

    I am with you Wath….Mannone has done nothing to warant losing is job and is definitely improving.
    Also,Szczesny must earn his spot back.

  15. W.A.T.H says:

    Enjoy the kip Scott and see ya later JW, that’s if I am not down the pub…! Enjoy ya day and don’t forget ya wellies mate.

  16. W.A.T.H says:

    Here’s one to throw out there…….. Why don’t we offer Cashley 150k a week for 18months in Jan………?

    Awaits the abuse……………….

    😀

  18. Lee says:

    Afternoon WATH, I can’t stand that prick BUT what a fucking good LB…..we gotta Diaby fit a sell him and go get Capoue. I’d still like M’Vila he’s value must of plummeted!

  21. W.A.T.H says:

    Pub with the chaps Lee, our fav sat boozer is the dogs….! Least I don’t miss a game in my self imposed absence from going into the concrete bowl 😉

    A complete and utter cnut mate BUT as you say still a great player how ever much I detest him and while Gibbs still fragile and filling out with his growing pains he’d be proper.

    JM, Maureenyo will never ever sell or loan us a player…? there lies the problem.

  22. emma says:

    Good afternoon gunnersphere

    Apparently Fat toad (dowd) will be officiating today’s match. Hope we are back to our winning ways today

    COYG!!!

  27. W.A.T.H says:

    It will need all your powers of persuasion JM, is Coentrao not another full back that isn’t really a full back JM, doesn’t he also prefer to play left midfield ? IS he good enough defensively and have the discipline ?

    I’m confident of getting a few pints of GG and lemonade in a short while 😉

  36. goonster says:

    morning good people…..strong team there. here’s hoping we get the 3 points. anyone with a good link? haven’t paid my cable bill. hey DNA, how’s it going fella? you feeling confident i see. good my man am really proud of you.

  37. tsGH says:

    Good afternoon fellow gunners,

    Very good line-up. If they can’t win then they will need to get frog marched to Saadi Gaddafi to capitol punishment as Emma has said. 😉

  39. goonster says:

    come TSGH, give me a link my man. i ve gotta watch this game. come you fucking gunners. men i need me a drink.

  41. goonster says:

    morning maam, got any link for me? Whatever happened to SYG? come on fellas its almost kick off. where’s the stream already? come on!

  44. goonster says:

    that’s the spirit my man! God bless ya. we havent really beaten fulham in a while right? we should whup them easily. they ve lost both dembele and dempsey. here’s hoping the lads come out fired up. big game for coquelin. he needs to step up.

  65. rico says:

    Tsgh – – I was just thinking, i wonder if Wenger is pacing up and down thinking what a difference Capoue would make. We are losing the ball in the middle of the park…

  73. rico says:

    That was simply shocking defending….

    Hadn’t noticed that Ts,

    Up front, TW has made at least 3 good runs into the box and no-one is finding him, instead we go sideways or backwards…

    Lets get another now….

  80. Scott from Oz says:

    I am watching the game and have perfect coverage,but it is ruined by commentary of Stewart Robson….what a wanker.

  89. allezkev says:

    Ah, I can remember when Arsenal knew how to defend…

    Twice now, we have wanked away 2 goal leads…

    Sagna, Vermaelen, Mertesaker, Koscielny….
    How can that lot play so crap…..

    Wtf do our coaches work on during training???

    Amateurish…

  90. gunnerdna says:

    @goon we need a defensive midfielder asap, arteta can’t do it, he is staying too deep because he lacks pace.

  93. tsGH says:

    Sidwell is being allowed by Santi to dictate play for Fulham and Le Coq is allowing Ruiz to play like Gullit for Fulham.

    Who is working hard in midfield? Ramsey is much better in that position period

  95. eastsidepaul says:

    Vermaelan needs to have the captains armband taken from him, he has been awful since he has got it.

    If this is what Steve Bould is bringing to the team it isn’t anything helpful. Zonal marking?!

    Defence is a sham, 5 midfielders not pulling there weight, I’m afraid its wengers fault.

  96. goonster says:

    i just dont get it…..am never the type to freak out over our team but twice in one week? christ in heaven.

  98. gunnerdna says:

    @rico i’m not blaming the defenders the ball is coming back at them too quickly, the midfielders are crap, AW should put ma8 at CM and let le coq play as a DM, MA8 playing DM will never work

  100. rico says:

    I’ll second that Lee..

    Wasn’t that long ago either Kev, I think we are losing it further up the pitch, but the back four are poor too…

    Where is Jenks, he knew how to defend…

  101. emma says:

    Vermalean needs to get his head sorted. Though i don’t blame him since he is not a left full back. His positioning could be questioned. Fulham have observed that he is the weak link and are concentrating on the RHS. Coq is not suppose to be on the pitch. He is just clueless. Stop arteta and you stop the supply to cazorla.

  102. rico says:

    I blame them all gdna, defend as a team, attack as a team…

    Lee:

    Substitutes: Szczesny, Jenkinson, Santos, Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Arshavin, Chamakh.

  103. tsGH says:

    They are stopping Arteta so why is Santi not stopping Sidwell. As I have said SC19 is not a number 10. He is clueless in that role.

  104. gunnerdna says:

    @tsGH thats the problem with the team atm, players swapping position and unbalancing the team, i notice pold, theo occupying the cf position sometimes, but if they continue to do it we are bound to fail, this is a team sports and whoever don’t want to play where AW put them they should be dropped, this is not about who wants to play where and making them happy…gutted

  105. rico says:

    esp – not sure he needs the armband removed, maybe just ‘rested’..

    But our problem is who then do we play at left back??

  109. emma says:

    I see Poldi and walcott on the left. No cover for sagna on the right. If walcott doesn’t want to play the forward right position he should be substituted.

  110. tsGH says:

    We blame our fullbacks all the time but even Cafu and Roberto Carlos will struggle with Theo and Poldi playing in front of them.

    Do we think CJ25 would have been called to the national team with TW14 playing in front of him? I will say NO.

  112. tsGH says:

    DNA please M’vila is very overrated. 2 years ago yes but he has been very poor. Anytime I watch him he reminds me of Denilson.

  115. emma says:

    Why was giroud leaving that ball for Poldi. Should have headed it in. Sorry folks seems we are not up for it today.

  126. NashuaGunners says:

    In those days of the Real Arsenal we would have been four goals up by now. Every year now is the same thing; we slack-off.

  141. allezkev says:

    Actually, they might as well put Chamakh on and go 4 2 4.
    We haven’t got a fecking midfield so we may as well go Stoke RFU…

  145. allezkev says:

    Stan, I am not laughing, believe me…

    But ask yourself Stan, can you really take Arsenal’s defending seriously???

    We’re defending like a team in lower mid-table…

  161. goonster says:

    that’s what you get from a seasoned pro…..we had an opportunity to sign shwarzer years back but we declined. he save them from returning home empty handed.

  163. gunnerdna says:

    @east MA8 should do better he use to score them for everton, last kick of the game that ball should be kick in the top corner

  164. goonster says:

    beats me ESP….we tend to make even class players shit these days. arteta of everton would have scored that. even santi is looking like a shadow of himself. what do they put in their tea or coffee? i just dont get it.

  165. Scott from Oz says:

    We should never have been in that position.
    3 goals is enough to win any game.
    Our defensive 4 were ok,but we had a massive open paddock in the midfield……….
    Has anyone seen a replay of the penalty we conceded….at first look,i thought the guy trailed his leg and actually made the contact with Arteta happen.

  166. gunnerdna says:

    @goon i certainly would buried that penalty without a doubt bro, those 2 points could cost us in the long run

  167. eastsidepaul says:

    In all fairness though, a draw against fulham is decent, it where we are as a club. This club has been dying for the last few years and we have all been happy to sit back and watch it happen. Arsenal are a parody of the team they once were.

    Time for the fans to do something and demand Wenger gets the sack.

  169. gunnerdna says:

    @scott its a pen before ruiz goes down, all MA8 had to do was try and put him to an angle that’s in the 18 yds box, that’s common sense, MA8 can’t play where he is being asked to play

  170. emma says:

    Based on form Arshavin is miles ahead of Podoski. I don’t know how he does it but Podoski tends to disappear from games He offers nothing on the left. Wenger should decide if he should be starting Giroudl/Podoski

  171. tsGH says:

    Yeah Scott it was a soft one that was why fried chocolate bars gave one to us and we missed it. I guess we have not had a penalty for a long time so we are out of practice

  172. goonster says:

    DNA even if we had messi pele zizou and bergy right now……..they ll still be shit! christ what is going on? i actually thought bould had finally rid us of our defense lapses.

  173. tsGH says:

    Emma our whole performanace issue can be resolved by swapping SC19 with Poldi (vice versa)but will that idiot do it no.

    I keep asking what Boro does on the 10k p/w he is on. He is the one sitting in the stance who should be seeing what most of the fans are seeing but no…

  174. gunnerdna says:

    @goon once any team watch any video before they play afc we r fucked, our midfield with ramsey, MA8 and caz can’t compete in the PL, i know people say M’Vila is overrated but no midfielder at afc is better than that guy defensively

  175. tsGH says:

    Capoue DNA. If that guy plays one match for us the whole premier league will fear us. He is like Feillani on E piles.

  176. goonster says:

    still twice in one week my man, twice in one week? we re the arsenal ffs. what happened to our “none shall pass” moto? gosh i need me a binge…..see ya fellas.

  177. gunnerdna says:

    @tsGH i disagree, i watch them both and Capoue is not better than M’Villa, the media change AW mind from the player, if u watch when MA8 get the ball its always a back pass, watch M’Villa its always a wall pass forward and creates an outlet to receive the ball back

  178. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Ruiz was the better play on the pitch.
    Did you say we are much better in defence then last year? Where?
    We were much better in attack then now, The first error, is our pressure on the midfield. The opposite team plays always in a normal way. The second is the errors in the line-up. What is it much necessary for AW see Podolsky is in the wrong position? With Coquelin in, he must be the DM not Arteta. Ramsey was so weak and could be sent off. The team was tired and like I said in the starting of the seson, the team is short for all ours challenges. After this match, we will be relegate for the 10th 0r 11th position. Next week, will be our big challenge in this season. If we not win, we will be the 4th London club. And we can say bye bye to the CL next year.

  179. emma says:

    tsGH – You are right never thought about it. Poldi should pair up with Giroud and move Cazorla to the left hand side. Cazorla is finding it difficult to acclimatise in the attacking midfield role. If AW persist on playing cazorla in the CAM role it will take a complete season to acclamatise to it

  180. tsGH says:

    Very true DNA. What I like about MVilla is his long passes which we need. But he is not defensive. DNA if he was good why was MVilla dropped to the U-21’s even before he was suspended.? And remember Capoue was in the french league 11 for last year. MVilla was not and even L’Equipe asked why M’Villa was selected for the euros instead of Capoue.

    We just have to agree to disagree.

  181. emma says:

    Sorry to say this mates but I think it will be better if we don’t qualify for the CL next season. Things need to change

  182. eastsidepaul says:

    I kind of respect RVP a bit more now, I like the fact that he wasn’t happy being in a team whos main ambition is not to win. Same with Cesc, Nasri and Clichy. All of those players want to win, and that will never happen again at Arsenal with the current board and manager.

    But Arsenal fans don’t care about the club, most are happy with the zero progress we have made in the past 8 years. We can sit here and argue about which players we would like to see join. But why would any of them want to join us now?! What does Arsenal have to offer anyone??

  183. tsGH says:

    Hmmm but the board will not change.With money coming in they are not spending with less coming in well…

    I rather we finish 3rd in our CL group so that we can concentrate on the league.

  184. gunnerdna says:

    @tsGH u have to remember that the guy became a bad player overnight because of his off the field issues, his value was 25 mil compare to capoue 5 mil in the last transfer window that says it all, even Desailly was saying he would be a success in the premier league

  185. gunnerdna says:

    @emma i need things to change, but not at the expense of finishing out the CL, i honestly agree that change is needed but being out the CL is gonna make it worst.

  186. tsGH says:

    Ok Dna like I said lets agree to disagree.. 😉

    Even Denilson was rated and wanted by Real and Porto before he joined us.

  187. emma says:

    gunnerdna – That is the only way things will change.

    We need a proper DM not the sideways and backward passing by arteta. He is gradually becoming a denilson-esque

  188. allezkev says:

    I have an awful lot of sympathy with that view Emma.
    I am sick of Wenger’s obsession with the CL.

    But the downside to not qualifying for the bloody thing, is in the quality of player we can attract, being out of it.

    And that would only give our poxy useless Board even more of an excuse to sell players and either replace them with inferior quality players, or not replace them at all.

  189. Scott from Oz says:

    Give Arteta a break.
    The guy is stuffed.
    How many minutes has he already played,and the same goes for Santi and Podolski.
    Once again,our lack of spending and squad depth is biting us on the arse.
    A month ago we were all saying how well they were playing?
    I can not believe what i read sometimes.
    They haven’t forgotten how to play,but they are merely human!!!!

  191. Joaquim Moreira says:

    If we don’t qualify for the CL is the end of everything, emma.
    The CL makes the differences between the teams, the contracts, the merchandising, the broadcasting..
    In mostly of the Leagues, the clubs in the CL, even only in the first stage, are much stronger then the other ones. In those countries, which theirs teams can reach the last 16, they are always at the top.
    Examples:
    Spain: R.Madrid,Barcelona,Valencia. Sevilha, Vila Real were there, but where are they now? Even A. Madrid, with many fans, are completely out for win La Liga.
    Holland: where are dutch football in CL and specialy, where are the historic teams in the Europe context,nowadays ?
    Ukraine: Schacktar – Last ten year won the League… where id D. Kiev?
    Portugal – Porto and Benfica are normally there, but Sporting with so many funs?
    And wahat about France,Belgium,Servia,Croacia, etc, with so good teams before the CL?

  192. allezkev says:

    There is only one thing that’ll enforce a change in policy at the top of our club.

    Empty seats, lots of empty seats.

    Lata

  193. tsGH says:

    Scott I have been saying since september that SC19 slows our game down and I will say it until he is played on the wings. Yes Santi has played 23 games already this season including 5 times for Spain.

    Most will disagree as usual but even when Rambo was playing in that position we created more chances and he worked hard not to make opposition DM have their best games against us.

    I am watching Bayern and they look very solid..Schweinsteiger is dictating play

  195. Scott from Oz says:

    Tsgh,yes,you have been consistent in your opinion,but you are in the minority.
    I just think plenty allow their emotions cloud their judgement,and the actual problems get confused.

  196. tsGH says:

    Hey Sir Kev- I am with you there. I was offered a ticket for todays game but I would watch a slow stream than go watch an EPL match at the Emirates

  197. Joaquim Moreira says:

    I’m watching Villa-MU now and I ask myself the same question: Have MU better players then us? I say that the quality is very similar but with big two differences: a) The squad management is completely different , with more rotation and unbalance the team b) The way of playing is completely different, much more physical, must more united and with must more pressure.

  198. Scott from Oz says:

    Kev,i hate to say it,and am loathe to admit it,but you might well be right.
    The target must be Stan and the board……the club really needs to be rid of them,and then if Wenger can’t produce,him as well….he must be given his chance though,imo.
    Anyway…night all….see you all in a few hours.

  199. tsGH says:

    If we are honest with ourselves even Everton, the scums have a better starting 11 than us. Unfortunately this is our position and what are we doing about it?

  200. eastsidepaul says:

    It must be hard for Cazorla to get motivated to play in a team scrapping for mid-table mediocrity, can’t blame him for his slump in form.

    JM- United don’t have better players, but they have a far superior manager..

  201. tsGH says:

    I totally agree JM. I said that after the Liverpood game that the momentum was there to make 1 or 2 changes. The best time to make changes are within the first month in the season to keep every player match fit imho.

    SC19 will play in Panama next Wedenesday and still be played at 12:45 on saturday.

    On the other hand Kagawa was slowing manure team down so what did RedNose do? He dropped him and played someone else.

    Arsenal fans want the same starting 11 every match and still expect someone who has not played in 6 weeks to play like he has never been out when he is brought on.

  202. tsGH says:

    Esp- Cazorla has played in mid table teams all his life. 😉

    He is a good player but the number of chances he has missed thus far is suicidal. 3 against the chavs which all went over the bar. 1 against Norwich, 2 against Fulham and the champions league games too.

  203. tsGH says:

    Villa 1 up.

    So is Bould still the best signing of the season? Like I said from day 1 No.

    He is inept and he and AW are like two blind men. A 40 year old man who claims to have a headache sitting on the bench is not fit to be there. Bring Lehmann or DB10 asap.

  204. LJB says:

    This is Arsenals worst start since 1982. Taxi for Wenger.Can’t compete with the sugardaddys? Can’t compete with flippin West Brom and Everton! Still,7th is the new 4th,as i’m sure Wenger will tell us.Are you sure you won ‘t be here when we finish 15th,Arsene? Even fuckin Villa look better.

  206. tsGH says:

    Yes 2-0 Villa. The first time manure dont get an extra day after a CL game.

    Still 40 plus 7 minutes extra time to go for united to score

  211. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Everton and WBA have 20 points now. Last year, we were completely disappoint at the beginning but in this time, we were almost in our normal position. Now, with only 16 point in our pocket, what can the future brings? With this average, we don’t reach the 50 points at the end. And behind us, with one,two or thee are the majority of the others teams.

  217. smudge says:

    Big Santy

    Winning mentality ….Wenger wouldn’t not what that was if it hit him right in the face. Didn’t I say that Bould couldn’t organise a piss up in a brewery.

  220. Micko says:

    Evening all,
    Reading through the comments on here this lunchtime no-one predicted a win against Fulham at home today, expectations at an all time low.
    Worst start to a season in 30 years, wasn’t it also the worst start to a season in 58 years last campaign, Wenger is breaking all the wrong kind of records these days.

  224. Micko says:

    Rico, Tsgh, my mate was at the game today, a fulham supporter, he was telling me Arteta scored a last minute penalty against them for Everton just before he joined us, Schwarzer done his homework, wasn’t gonna get beaten again, ESP mentioned it earlier, why didn’t Giroud step up, he was on a first hattrick and match ball, we’ll never know.

    Anyway, I’m off for my feed of pints, catch you tommorrow.

  225. tsGH says:

    I know rico. If AW starts Cazorla on saturday after he plays in Panama Wednesday night considering we have a must win game on wednesday too then AW has really been cloned and we have been given the imitation one.

    Ox should be fit and at least Arshavin should start.

  226. tsGH says:

    Hi Micko your mate is spot on. Strangely enough Arteta put Wooney off last wkend by pointing to where he normally places a spot kick ie on the LHS. That caused wooney to change his mind at the last moment.

  227. rico says:

    I thought similar Micko, about blasting into the net. I was surprised Arteta took it too but Giroud is better with his head than his feet 😉

  228. rico says:

    I’ve given up guessing what AW will do Tsgh, am really dreading next weekend….

    Enjoy Micko, have one for me…

  231. vida says:

    the previous international break killed our momentum. hopefully this one will do us some good.(if there are no injuries.)

  237. nigel tufnel says:

    Tsgh, im so upset i didnt even feel like commenting, but i have to say your comments about our rotation vs how manu do it– are excellent. And u can see the effectiveness and squad strength it encourages there. Unfortunately u can see what our lack of imagination brings. Tired and stale.

  238. Scott from Oz says:

    So many changes are required in and around Arsenal,it just is not funny.
    Stan MUST go….has to…back to yank land…..he does not care about the club or the fans.
    The board….piss them off and get some fresh blood with fresh ideas.
    Wenger must change his attitude……near enough is NOT good enough…..merely competing is NOT good enough…..4th is NOT good enough.
    Stop mollycoddling yourlauers….they are professional sportsman and grown men,and sometimes,even they need a rocket,so give them one when their performace is not good enough.
    The players need a change in mentality…..shove your whining and complaining about which position you would rather play,shove holding out for an extra 10k a week……..shove hanging around like a love sick puppy waiting for an ex teammates shirt…….shove speaking to the media about ex players,about the clubs ambition and about the envy you have for ex players now winning trophies.
    Get YOUR ambition right,get YOUR effort right and the rest will take care of itself.
    Personally,i am sick of hearing exuses from Wenger.
    I appreciate the fact he wants to back and support his players,and it would be enviable if not so stauch,regardless of the circumstances.
    Maybe Wenger does need to publicly announce his intention to quit if the clubs spending policy is not modified……Wath has suggested this,and may well be spot on.
    Let the owner and the board then let us all know exactly who has been holding back on spending…..they constantly announce funds are available,but i believe 100% if it was there to be used,Wenger would love to use it to strengthen the squad….no,i can not provide evidence on this,but it is what i think.
    It is time things changed,but exactly how does this change come….how does it start and how can fans force it?

  239. W.A.T.H says:

    Spot on Scott…………. Am so fuckin pissed off I ain’t even gonna mention todays game suffice to say are any of us actually surprised by the result or the way we played and 90% hand on heart will say no… doesn’t that sum us up at the moment……!

    Sorry state of affairs…! The Board need to feel the heat and fucking quickly…! pompous bunch of arrogant money grabbing pricks…!

  240. Scott from Oz says:

    Wath,i am swayed on everything that most think,but i stll believe IF we get a new owner,Wenger deserves an opportunity to again prove himself.
    If getting a new owner and board means losing him though,so be it.
    3 goals………should never drop points.
    I will say this,and it is not meant to make anyone feel better,nor a desperate attempt to fond a positive,but if Jack playes,we just win!!!
    Wath,i am nearly certainly coming over next September…….shit,i hope Stan is gone by then!!

  241. Scott from Oz says:

    I am not pissed off woth the players today though,i really think they put in,and could not fault the effort of anyone.
    Note i said effort,not performance.

  242. Scott from Oz says:

    It was exactly like the Schalke game.
    We scored two soft goals,though we were not playing brilliantly at the time,and maybe players,manager AND fans got a false sense of bravado.
    I know i was cooking at 2-0……..how far will we win by??
    Looking back though,things were much more evn than 2-0……that goes for both games.

  243. W.A.T.H says:

    I thought they were better than us Scott, we were 2 up and I had no idea how when they had had all the ball.They looked dangerous we on the other hand looked scared to make a forward pass, we ran about but created very little..! we have no penetration what so ever we don’t put pressure on the ball and no one takes the game by the scruff of the neck, we lack tempo and self belief…!.

    I dont think Jack would of made us win Scott I really don’t we are more than one player away from being able to beat an average Fulham side who to be honest played better than us.. why the lack of effort when we are strolling through a game…! I thought we played ok for about ten mins out of the 90…!

  244. W.A.T.H says:

    Scott, when you look at the team and the way we playing there are just so many things not right it’s where do we start…?

    I looked at Arsene mid 2nd half and though he looked an old mad who looked beaten and clueless….. May be harsh but just what I thought…!

    Am off to me pit mate, enjoy your day and chat in a few hours..!

    Cheers fella.

  245. W.A.T.H says:

    The fans need to turn on the board and put pressure on that yank to fuck off…..!

    He said at the AGM ” I don’t know why I am here” well I say nor do we so do us all a favour and piss off…! Pronto would be good and take the divs on the board with you.

  246. Scott from Oz says:

    I reckon Jack would have tightened up the middle of the park…there was room for a semi trailer to drive through it.
    Anyways……ifs,buts and maybes do not win games.

  247. Scott from Oz says:

    Rumour has it we are in for Cavani…..30 million is the stated fee….would we get him for that??
    Don’t other telling me would never pay it….we all know it would be highly unlikely.

  251. rico says:

    You know Scott, it’s sad to say but I feel nothing really, I’m just accepting this is where we are at right now and as someone yesterday said, 3-3 at home against Fulham, just about sums up where that is….

  252. Scott from Oz says:

    Rico,in all fairness,Fulham are a handy side and played well,but yes,we were well below our best again.
    I really think our midfielders especially looked very,very tired yesterday.
    Towards the end,Cazorla looked as buggered as any player i have seen…..he could barely lift his legs.
    Arteta was the same.
    Too much football,too few players to spread around.

  253. rico says:

    We gifted them all 3 goals Scott with shoddy defending from what I could see.

    I don’t begrudge a side points when they play well but 2-0 up and play like we did, was poor…

    But yes, much is down to a weak squad, who are overplayed and done in. And it’s not even December…

    Deep joy!

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