Morning all.
Its hard to believe that there’s just eleven Premier League fixtures left in this seasons campaign and after the first half of the season, it’s perhaps harder to believe that we sit 3rd today.
Everton, Leicester, Man City, Utd, Totts, Stoke City, Hull City, Swansea and even the Dippers away from home – all of those matches were either drawn or lost when they shouldn’t have been….
A massive twenty one points dropped and that was all before Christmas.
December 12th, and Arsene Wenger did something so very typical of Arsene Wenger. Aaron Ramsey had suffered a hamstring injury during our Champions League victory over Galatasaray and reports suggest this prompted our manager to recall Francis Coquelin from his loan at Charlton….
From that day on, we started to look a little better in midfield, a little stronger because we finally had a player who protect the back four.
He couldnt stop us from dropping two points at Anfield I know but he only played eight minutes in that game as he slowly made his return. We lost at St Mary’s too, in what was a dreadful night for many an Arsenal player but, apart from the loss at SHL, we haven’t lost a league match since.
On Sunday, Francis Coquelin showed exactly what kind of player he is and even after suffering a broken nose, he wanted to play on but of course, he had to leave the pitch for his own health and safety but not until the game had been won .
All too often we see players hobble off with injury, but finally we have a guy who really wants to give his all for the team and the club, regardless of how much he hurts….
Francis Coquelin may not be the best central defensive midfielder the world of football has seen or will see, but I do think he’s helped us string a good run of results together in the league.
What with him in midfield, Ospina in goal and more recently, Gabriel in defence, we are looking just a little bit more efficient as Arsene would say…
As for Aaron Ramsey, well he’ll be back in the squad tomorrow and then he and Francis Coquelin, who Arsene says will play in a face mask against Qpr if fit, can carry on doing what they did at The Etihad and that’s to look after the back line and play the ball to the creative and attacking players to do their best..
That’s it for Tuesday, have a good day folks…
Morning all.
All we need is Aaron back to his best and we can do some real damage from here on in.
At least he’s back tomorrow Scott, who makes way will be interesting…
Good read…
I think Ramsey’s form may have deterred the likes of Juve (no money), Barca, FC Munich coming for him…
All those teams need a tactical player with the likes of Pirlo, Xavi, Iniesta etc all in their twilight.
Even city had to get old lampard…
This summer the tactical CM’s like Gundogan, Strootman, Pjanic, Grenier will be hot cakes for a select few…
Fc Munchen may even come in for Ozil as he is not so highly rated here… imo.
Scott- my friend from your patch tells me Awer Mabil will be making a move to Europe top teams very soon.
Good post rico, think you are right, Wenger’s masterplan by accident. I would start Rosicky in more games. If he starts to tire take him off, but he is a bundle of energy and makes us tick. And he only looks 23 anyway!
Thanks Ts, Andrew…
Me too re Tomas….
If we can’t get Kramer or Morgan, Aw should go to Chile and poach the DM version of Sanchez- Charles Aranguiz from Internacional; saying that his joint ownership issue will make us stay away.
I take Aranguiz back.. Rico and Wath will tell me he is too short. 😛
Hi Ginge….Mabil goes well mate!
Morning Brudder.
AW said in his conference that Ramsey is back in the squad for tonight’s game…
See, there’s our problem, the manager doesn’t even know when we are playing, no wonder we lose lunchtime ko matches…. 😉
Afternoon All
Afternoon Rico
Afternoon Kev, lovely day today….
Good post Rico…
Agree on Coquelin totally.
He might not be Vieira, but he’s the only one in our squad who does the job, a vital job, and does it well…
And he has a detirmination that shames quite a few of his more technically gifted teammates…
A balanced football team needs its ‘water carrier’ and he fulfills that role and gives 150% in doing so…
Thanks Kev. You are spot on about his team-mates…..
Good post rico…… Any news on arteta?
Good post Rico.
I always thought that Ian Dowie should have worn a mask when he played. Many a child would have been prevented from having nightmares….
I agree that we should start with Tomas, he still has pace and is such a canny little player.
Thanks snap & Marinello..
Arteta is still a way off from returning I think…
🙂 re Dowie, poor chap…
Yeah good point Kev and Rico, you do need those players in the team – when the going gets tough the tough get going! Alexis gave us the drive early in the season, the likes of which Ozil never will. Ok thats partly an Ozil style thing, but the point is he helps bring out that extra effort in those around him. I believe thats the same with Le Coq – organising, urging teammates on, getting stuck in and fighting for the messy balls. And another one is Flamini. A lot of fans have fallen out of love with Flamini as he lacks top quality, but his enduring characteristic is to drive the team on and fight too. You need those players in the squad to complement the Rolls Royce Ozil or Ferrari Walcott.
Roger, I think there is a difference between Flamini and Coquelin – the latter actually does his job quite well whereas the other tries to organise etc but too often forgets what his job is…
Catch up later, off out with the woofa…
Hi Rico, Im not referring to Flamini and Coq’s quality or ability to do their job – only to their fighting attitudes
Snap my bud; wanted to ask you about Fekir of Lyon… he looks super good. what do you thing?
I wonder if Wenger will have much of an eye, on his possible team selection at Old Karsey, when selecting his team tomorrow?
Does he start Rosicky or save him for the FACup?
Ramsey could play a part at QPR and then be a starter at the Mancs?
Gibbs/Monreal?
Bellerin/Chambers?
Koz/Gabriel/BFG?
Hi ts he is a very good player reminds me of nasri…….he is playing in a good lyon team having a great seasons as well I’m not trying to knock him but it’s his first season and I think consistency at the top is so vital so I think he needs to stay at lyon for another year at least imo but his price tag might be too much for us by then as well as he has massive potential.. ….his dad is an arsenal fan and even prefers his son move to us in the summer…. but he needs to perform on a regular basis and be consistent imo as he isn’t there just yet
Ramsey has to face Blind if Sc19 is going to be rested.
I think because of di Maria I will go with Bellerin as RB.. no disrespect to Chamber btw…
Monreal needs a start.
Yes, Snap. I read the bit about his dad saying his son won’t move to Man city and sit on bench…lol
I didn’t know how to interpret that. Did Mohammed want to use as a stepping stone like Nasri did? 🙂 or his dad was genuinely a fan like Pjanic’s dad and AS Roma.
Maybe Gabriel at rb?
Gabriel plays LB; never seen him at RB
Really had to tell…. Man city is not really popular around here so…… I’m guessing he is a true fan as he is a huge wenger admirer but that might just be wenger and not Arsenal as a club so…..do u rate lacazatte?
Hard*…….. Also ts fekir said he won’t come to Arsenal to sit on the bench also
lol Snap- So so true… its like AW is Arsenal when players and agents talk about Arsenal.
we have discussed Lacazette for 3 seasons now.
Initially I didn’t rate him but for him to be doing it for 3 seasons now is worth considering. I think he could improve under Aw.
Since Papin, trezeguet, TH14 I have not been impressed with French strikers.
Gomis, Gignac have all failed imho…
I rate 90% of the midfielders including Mavudo (spelling), Grenier and even Gonalon…
of course my current faves are Cabaye and Morgan.
Good Afternoon Lovelies and Hunkies.
Good observations regearding Coquelin Lady.
And a smart point with regards his team mates Kev. Coquelin is similiar to Gilberto in many ways. Not a great level of skill but 150% work rate.
A good spine. Ospina, Gabriel, Kos, Coquelin….Giroud. I left a space between OG and Coquelin simply because I feel that we can improve on Cazorla/Ozil/Wilshere/Ramsey. I still feel that CAM is still a weak link. They do not impose themselves much on the game. Only SC19’s level is high but still not high enough.
🙂 Oh and I like Benzema at £18m tops but never at £35m+
I agree Ginge. Atm Giroud is in good shape and Benzema will not improve what he gives much. So it will be like for like, to rest and rotate. If AW buys a striker and he does not give different options than more than 18 mill will be a waste. Imo Benzema will simply improve our strength in depth and a like for like substitution. Or else more firepower if we need to play with two central strikers.
Hi Dev. I am a Benzema hater according to my pals so surprised you see it that way… 🙂
Don’t mean this wrongly but not sure we can compare the great Silva to Coquelin imho…
hopefully, after end of this season when he keeps MA08 out I will change my mind. lol
The invisible wall Silva was a CAM before he was converted to DM by Dunga and Carlos Alberto after Gilberto came back from injury.
Coquelin has always seen himself as a DM except only AW has believed in him there; He has played RB/LB and RW at all 3 teams he has gone on loan with…
Le Coq was not even trusted as a CM at youth level unless JW or Frimpong or Lansbury were out injured or suspended.
Le Coq has been good thus far but he has always been good however he has never been able to sustain that level.
Lets hope he is a late bloomer as he is all we have currently; but I think we are getting carried away a bit imho…
I have seen him play live 3 times since January and SC19 and TR07 have covered him tactically in all the games I have seen imho… moreover anyone keen on vital stats will notice his distance covered in second half reduces considerable; reason most of fouls he has conceded have been in 2nd half of games…
Against Kondogbia he suffered; at 23 y.o I expect him to be fitter than he is…
Love his attitude though…
He took his knock at freisburg very well. He believes that was where he learnt to develop his game.
That assessment is a scathing review of the clubs youth system; something dev in particular has commented upon…
Freisburg were in a relegation battle after selling most of their top players including Kruse the summer before; but Le coq still says he learnt a lot there than anywhere else…
Give him time Ginge. Gilberto was not a great when he was 23. He became by time and experience. One thing you cannot deny……he has managed to knit the defence and CAM much more than we had up till he came in. And certainly much more than Song used to do.
I have a feeling he will be a late bloomer.
You are right Dev.
I am not knocking Le Coq at all… I saw the boy play at 16/17 y.o in the flesh and I wanted him Lansbury, Sunu, Henderson, Frimpong all to make it so…
At 24 y.o Gilberto was a 1 goal in 20 CAM.. lol
Dunga made him I guess… and Aw improved him tactically too as he was willing to learn.
Fergie thought he had gotten the better of the 2 brazillian CM’s in Kleberson when they both moved to the EPL after the world cup…
Roger, phew re Coq/Flamini… 😉
Kev – Gabriel and Kos for both tonight and at OT for me with Bellerin and Monreal. Play Merts, Gibbs etc against Monaco and let them be the ones to put right their wrong doings…
Oops, Afternoon all…
Afternoon Rico…
Nice walk?
Ts, Gabriel can play anywhere across the back line, Arsene Wenger confirmed that when we signed him…
“Gabriel can play right-back or left-back, that is another factor which was important for us.”
Afternoon Ts, very nice thanks, lovely in the sunshine.
Lol Rico… possibly
Didn’t realise you believed a word AW said. 😉
When AW says a player can play all positions it means he plans to use in across the back 4 not that he has seen him play there. lol
Like AW said Chambers can play DM and across the back 4 when he had only seen him play RB.
I don’t Ts, but AW is not the only quote I read about Gabriel playing across the back line… As for Chambers, he started out as a DM I think so your theory is kind of flawed..
Oh, and I strongly suspect Francis Coquelin will keep an ageing Arteta out for good… Not that that would be too difficult imo….
So that is why RM are prepared to let Varane go…
Otamendi has reportedly agreed in principle to join them. lol
Apparently we were after Otamendi the best CB in La liga outside Miranda but when we got knocked back we quickly closed the deal on Paulista.
He looks like he will be a top defender.
Rico, yep, kinda agree re; Minaco game…
Arsene should put out his second string, especially if we progress in the FACup…
Minaco… 🙄
Monaco of course…
Akpom to get a run out tomorrow?
He’s in the squad again, so I hope so..,
Not sure I understand your last Ts?
Agree Kev re the FA Cup, if we can beat Utd, forget Monaco….
Being a ‘stat man’ s you are Ts, Otamendi is 7th in the Opta ratings for last season in La Liga, Gabriel was 2nd….
Laporte was considered to be the best…
Jeez rico, 4:44 was meant to be a joke btw…
Fair enough… if you have time check any site that logs position he has played in and you may see he played LB 3 times for Villareal and not RB…
I guess logic says as he is RB he can play RB too…
AW says Kosser can play across back 4 but Kosser says he hates playing RB…
If Coquelin keeps Arteta out it is only good for the club as MA08 is/was still the best DM at the club.
Same discussion we had last season on here re Flamini vs Arteta and got told off being the only one slating Flamini for being nothing not a flappy… lol
Not last season, this season re Gabriel and Opta. Oops.
he is right footed even*
Not all stats sites are credible… lol
Squawka is super as EFS share their database too…
http://www.squawka.com/news/arsenal-target-gabriel-paulista-how-does-he-compare-to-la-ligas-best-defenders/281943
Ts – I didn’t take offence by your 4.44 – just defending my views… 😉
Tbh, Gabriel is a defender, he’s right footed and as you say, logic says he should be able to play rb if we are desperate, but I hope that never happens. Just like Chambers, he’s a cb and that’s clear to see for all but playing him right back is something AW seems lo like to do. But once Debuchy is back, I think Chambers will be the one to step in and rest Kos…
Kev, I liked Minaco 🙂
You are right, which is why most fans choose to trust their eye in order to judge a player, but just thought you, being a fan who uses stats to rate a player, would appreciate the Opta rating… Lol
True re using eyes…
the consolidation is that man still have to validate the computer generated stats. lol
Well, from what AW said recently, stats play their part but for him and his scouts, the human eye has the final say…
There is a lovely Casini in Minaco!
Champ will eventually be a CB rather than a DM, I think. But he does seem to be adaptable and versatile, which is a good thing. We haven’t really had one of the since Peter Storey, who was an honest footballer with a passion for gold, if memory serves me right!
Peter Storey Wavy, far too long ago for me…. 😉
Mm. Champ?? Potato and spring onion mashed together with milk or olive oil. That has nothing to do with what it should have been, Chambo. There my iPad os now obedient and writing what I want it to. Sadly my hand is rather painful as I have just given it a thoroughly good thrashing, which hurt me more that I hurt it!! How many more times…….???
They put him away for far too long too, imo. He was good though, in a very rugged way.
🙂 Wavy, you need to be more patient when typing on the iPad….
Peter Storey :- Ice eyes ! . Could put a free kick taker off just by staring at him.
Tbh, it shouldn’t matter whether a player is left footed or right footed…
In the majority of cases they should be able to play in most positions.
They are, after all, professionals, and paid an awful amount of money…
Today’s trouble making so called hard men are pussy cats when you read Storey’s autobiography.
Could do with him now Potter….
Flamini proved that Kev back in 2005/06
I was at Hillsborough for the FA Cup semi against Stoke back before the dawn of time. Two nil down and then 2-1 and awarded a penalty on the edge of injury time. Storey put the discussion as to who should take it to bed when he just took the ball and smashed it in. A draw and a replay at Villa. The rest is history. I doubt there were many stats available at the time. Just sheer balls and willpower, two things that always used to be associated with Arsenal. Before we became all soft and weak willed.
Soft and weak willed…. Just why I love Gabriel Adam – I don’t care whether he can play right back, left back or centre forward, what I love about him is he looks like he’ll be a proper player, a bit like Martin Keown perhaps. Not fancy but won’t take no s@@t!
The Man Who Broke the Bank in Minte Carli
Rico. It sure looks like it. He has an intensity about him that you can see from the warm-up into the game. That psychological aspect of a players make-up is equally as important as their playing ability. Wenger used to study this sort of thing from what I can gather.
Some players, like people are just wrong-uns.
🙂 Kev
Hi Adam…
Hi Kev.
Adam – I like him already, I really do. Yes he made a couple of mistakes but ‘that tackle’ which in the end, saw us get a corner and take a lead, was superb. It’s all too easy to be critical for his errors but this guy was playing his second game from the start? He just seems to have something, an edge maybe but whatever it is, I sure hope he keeps Mertesacker on the bench….
I don’t subscribe to all the stuff about us trying to sign someone else before we signed him….
Rico. Yes, me too. The whole team needs to develop a harder edge and he looks like he has bought it with him from Spain. Like you, I give that other stuff little real credence. It’s all internet bilge. To be frank – does it matter anyway?
Evening all, Good post rico,
Agree Le coq has done a decent job so far, shame that Giroud decided to smash his nose.. lol.
It’s true that some players getting more concerned about their stats than their actual play and it’s ruining the game imo..
A player jogs around doing nothing and the stats. Come as he covered 15km or whatever grounds..
Also they duck from 50/50 challenges because it would come as miss tackle or whatever..
They spent a good 60 mins passing backwards and sideways so they get the highest successful pass completion..
etc … etc..
Stats on its own means f**k all imo..
Monaco played PSG the other night… and yes.. you guess it… Bored them to 0/0 draw..
So I guess you’re right better to keep our best players for the fa cup and the Pl..
Good evening Lovelies and Hunkies.
How’s life???
Adam, no, it matters not at all….
How positively Shakesperian of you Rico to express it thus. 🙂
Thanks Judge – just why I hate stats, as Paul Walsh said not so long ago about a player who covered many blades of grass in 90 mins – ‘all that proves is he can run’….
What’s important is what they do with ball…..
🙂 Adam, but I havent a clue… Lol
I know that Rico. But we can pretend. No-one will notice. 🙂
🙂 Adam, are you sure………?
Not really.
On that note of levity I wish you a good night. 🙂
Night Adam…
I’m off too, my pillow needs my head on it….
Night all…..
Alas dear Adam, I knew him well…
Rico!
Where for art thou Rico?
I’m y’ere Kev… 😉
Morning all….
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/row-zed/arsenals-francis-coquelin-more-defensive-5263919
Good Morning Lovelies and Hunkies.
A touch of Willy who Shakes the Spear it seems.
I could have sworn that I saw around 4 dozen shades of Riceo and Keviet in the penultimate couple of comments.
So, at last AW has seen light and commented how Coquelin was a surprise. Actually, imo, its not Coquelin who is the surprise. But the fact that we needed a water carrier for the team, a player whose sole intention is to stop the opposition, a player who has the balls to put himself on the line an not run with the ball but simply to win it and distribute it. A player who plays for the team. A player who defends the defence.
And we have been clamouring for that type of player for a loooooooooonnnngggg time. And to think we had Song. lol
Now we just need Ramsey to stay fit and find some good form alongside him Devil…
Rico, the problem lies in the fact that Ozil’s stats are very good, Cazorla’s stats are very very good as well. So if Aaron is to play then its one of Sanchez or Wellback or the OX or Theo who will make way. And we know that Alexis will play. So That would mean that Ozil will go on the left wing while Alexis goes to the right.
Imo, Cazorla, Ozil, Aaron, TR07, Jack should all play for the CAM role. Its wrong to try and fit someone like Ozil or Cazorla on the wing simply to accommodate someone like JAck or Aaron. Simply let them fight it out. If we work it out this way only OG12 has no competitor for his place as a CF, while we need to replace Arteta and Flamini asap so that we will be strong in that dept as well.
Morning Rico, Dev et al…
What is this world coming to… apparently angling/fishing has because the most popular hobby in the UK for the first time…
Rico, you love stats really. 😛
Good on le Coq, re the stats from daily mirror. I wonder where they got those figures from btw…
What this stats is saying is Le Coq is the best DM in the league since January… lol
Did Flamini not get a similar stats in January 2014 before Pep and Dixon highlighted how shite he has been?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30571842
Without putting a damper on that mirror article.. the 3 players he has been compared to are not even in the top 5 in the league.No mention of Wanyama even..lol
Note Morgan and Jedinak have not played much since January
This was the link I should have posted earlier… saying Flamini as important as Ozil…
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/10327025/Arsenal-midfielder-Matthieu-Flamini-is-as-important-to-the-side-as-record-breaking-42m-signing-Mesut-Ozil.html
https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/pitchside-europe/chelsea-have-europe-s-best-defensive-midfielder-in-nemanja-matic-153129379.html
Our eyes tells us Matic is the best though… lol
Devil, that’s a good problem to have and one which the manager has to solve and rotate accordingly. It’s been a long time since we’ve had a deep squad, just a shame we don’t have another ‘Cdm’ in there, although AW has hinted that might change in the summer…
Morning Ts.
I care very little about stats as you probably know.. lol
angling has become* even. lol
I need to go back to school. 😉
Lol Rico. If I did not get the odd tickets for games I would quit this stats stuff…
That mirror stats makes the difficult job of gathering stats very laughable.
How can any journalist and editor publish an article comparing a DM to 2 attacking players?
Morning to the house………let’s hope for a good Derby performance from the boys
Just leave them off here Ts… 🙂
With Saints winning last night Snap, we need it…
I think angling has always been the biggest pastime in the UK….
Campanology is a close second….
Didn’t know Saints won last night Rico……. I’m sure our boys will use that as extra motivation………… Saw the stat on coq and it’s impressive we can only support him while he improves imo
Philately in third……
Morning boys and girls.
Let’s hear it for the grizers. (Train spotters)!
Should be comfortable tonight, buti bet it’s not!
A very Good Morning to thou, Rico… 🙂
Gadzooks, tis Coach from abroad the great sea… A Good Morn to you…
Morning to you All, I say…
And Arsenal fourth….. 😉
Morning Kev…
I think we’re gonna get 3rd this season Rico…
Ginge….according to stats the brits rank very low in love making….. 😉 And thinking of England is very high on the list.
Its quite perplexing really…..seeing that they used to be told to lie back and think of England.
lol
Morning Kev.
2nd Kev 🙂
I am with Kev. I have a feeling it will be a top two position for the Gunners this season.
New post up guys..
Catch you there later, got to get one of my chickens to the vet….
Ooopppssssss..
I am with Scott……wrote Kev by mistake.
top two for us
Stupid bloody fouls!
What. A. Goal.