Morning all.
Apart from the 6-3 hammering at Manchester City on a day in December when our performance was as bad, if not worse than the officials, we were doing well in the league as far as results go..
Some of our performances left a lot to be desired but we were picking up maximum points quite often which kept us up and around the top of the Premier League through into the new year.
We’d beaten the neighbours and Coventry in the FA Cup and the next challenge in that competition was Liverpool at home.
Before that though we headed to Anfield for the league fixture and it was awful. There’s no need for me to go into great detail as I’m sure that game is still fresh in all Gooners minds. The game had barely begun when it was over…..
Just a week later came the FA Cup fixture. What would happen? Would Liverpool arrive at The Emirates full of confidence and blow us away on our own turf just had they did at Anfield?
Hand on heart, I thought we’d struggle, especially if the players heads were still in Liverpool and a midweek bore draw against Manchester United did little to settle my nerves…
Liverpool started that game well but couldn’t get the breakthrough and it was us who went into the lead thanks to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Young Yaya Sanogo played his part in that goal too….
Fabianski made a crucial save just after the break and then we hit them again, this time through Lukas Podolski. 2-0 and this was a day to defend like our lives depended on it and the boys didn’t disappoint.
Liverpool did get one goal back after Suarez, yes Suarez and I know that’s hard to believe, took a tumble in the box. Gerrard scored the spot, the first goal at The Emirates for 695 minutes.
But they weren’t going to get another, not that day and not even Howard Webb was ready to spoil our party by awarding Liverpool another penalty late on in the match……
There was something about that day. The boys had been battered, truly battered at Anfield but they weren’t going to be beaten by the same Liverpool side twice.
I know we’ll never know the answer but I wonder if the result at Anfield made the players want the FA Cup victory over Liverpool even more. Revenge was needed and revenge was quite sweet that day wasn’t it?
Even more sweeter now as we have the trophy in our cabinet……
Gossip:
Maarten Stekelenburg is the latest goalkeeper linked to us. Having been relegated, it’s quite likely that Fulham will want to cash in on a few players who are on higher wages and it’s reported that Stekelenburg is one of them.
Couple of outs making the back pages today with Fiorentina reported to be eyeing a double swoop for Thomas Vermaelen and Mikel Arteta.
That’s it for another day, have a good one….
Roma looking to sign Jackson Martinez. He’s banged in 60 goals in 91 appearances for Porto. His contract is close to expiring. Please Wenger, get moving!!
Echo that Adk, get moving Arsene!
I’m trying not to get my hopes up rico.
Did Wenger talk about getting in a few players before the WC? Or was I dreaming?
Morning all.
Anfield…..it was just one of those day that, unfortunately, happened 3 times this season 🙂
It should never happen, but can be forgiven if a one off.
Three times though?
Unacceptable.
The FA cup was massive for the Arsenal, but let’s hope it does not erase the shortcomings that caused our League challenge to die.
“Get moving Mr Wenger.”
Blimey – is it the end of August already ?
He did mention something about getting players in, not sure about before the WC, he hasn’t even signed his own contract yet, so lord help us re new players…. lol
Morning Scott..
I do wonder though if it gave us the drive to get a result in the cup…
But losing to Chelsea, City, Liverpool and Everton in the manner we did was a disgrace…
I think We are in a mess if we don’t sign some really class players. And i’m talking about Özil type class. Not Santos type class lol. I think that United will be contenders for the title too this season. They will bring in players, and they won’t have any european cups to worry about…
Morning All,
Playing at home was not a problem this season,
getting up and playing a good side in the morning was our problem.
So for me this team lacks a leader,we have a few what I would call
Mini Leaders(sort of geezes who would join in if we have a front man)we need a player/s who would A: Walk through a brick wall for us.B: A player who would tell wenger whats going on the pitch and he needs to do,when certain players are not up for it.
On the keeper debate,what did we gain by playing flapper,
did we win because he played so well,
flapper will now leave the club a winner,
mean while our number 1 keeper has to wait,
we keep saying that the monkey is now off our backs,
It’s not for our number..is it.
It might have, Rico, and I’m sure the mid season injuries to Aaron and Ozil helped them in the final…they were nice and fresh,
Then again, if we had more squad depth………
Fred, Fabianski deserved his spot, so I’m not sure why you’d find a downside to that.
I’ve backed the guy, but on the weekend, he showed me we are better off without him.
Sczesney is the better keeper, and confidence is something he does not lack, so absolutely no harm was done in not starting him.
In fact, Wenger may even have showed him again that he’s not indispensable.
Not sure we’ll see many like Ozil – but as long as we get the ‘right’ players, I’ll be happy…
Scott, just meant in the dipper game at the Ems…
Rico, I knew what you meant, and it definitely did spur them on.
Hi fred, agree re the getting out of bed to play early, why they couldn’t perform on Saturday lunchtimes I don’t know..
I was all for Fabianski playing as he’d got us there.
Just checking Scott 😉
You are as cynical as us Steve… 😉
morning all……can’t argue too much with the post nice read Rico..agree with scott 10:18….
Hi snap, thanks…
We would have won the double if you hadn’t dissed all my stats Rico.. 😀
Nice post and a good topic for discussion…
Morning again HHers…
Must be me,I just don’t do sentiment,
Flapper can decide if he wants to go or stay,
flapper decides to go,
doe’s that mean flapper thinks his second best,
or wenger thinks his second best,
You couldn’t make it up ..could you.
Wasn’t sentiment for me fred, just Fab was our FA Cup keeper and all through the competition he’d proved he was good..
I can see what you are saying though…
Arsenal appear to be in pole position to sign French winger Antoine Griezmann from Real Sociedad, El Mundo Deportivo has revealed.
The Gunners are currently in talks with the La Liga side over Carlos Vela, who is being linked with a return to the Emirates.
And while Arsenal do not appear to be interested in the Mexican, they aim to take advantage of the fact they can still sign him for mere €4 million.
As a result, they want around €12 million plus another 50% of the future sale if they are to remove the clause from the player’s contract, which is likely to prove too expensive for La Real.
It is for that reason that Real Sociedad ponders selling Antoine Griezmann to Arsenal as that would allow them to keep hold of Carlos Vela.
The French winger appears to be on PSG radar as well, but the Gunners clearly have the upper hand at the moment.
Signing only martinez will be a huge statement.Adding remy or bony and a) will be a perfect summer.
Did someone mention Bony……………..!
Poor old Clyde.
Oh and Morning/Afternoon/Evening you lot…………..
Seems some people here rate manduzkic(spelling) more than Giroud.Pathetic
Cg- you remember what you asked me a few weeks ago, and I said I would get back to you in due course… 😉
Well apparently, we are just buying a striker/winger first …from what I have heard…
Unfortunately, no (DM/box to box signings) Morgan, Khedira, Martinez are under evaluation AW will wait to see on JW’s fitness during world cup, access Aneke in preseason before making a move for CM at the moment…
Obviously Flappy and Sagna’s position too if required…
Sukky, it’s not pathetic for someone to rate a player it just means you don’t agree with them….!
I think Mandzukic is a yard dog but it’s certainly not pathetic if someone else rates the bloke it’s just a difference of opinion…!
.. oh and Diaby too if he comes out of pre-season…
A different midfielder will be brought in if contract discussions break down with MA08 and he decides to move on now instead of next summer…
OM are reportedly interested in flamster so… if that materialises then…
Hey Mr Wath…
Hope I don’t sound to arguementitive rico,
and without seeing many of the so called,
arsenal have made enquires players,
are any of them better than what we have.
We now have the money to go big time…Don’t we?
..hope you can read top line…
Hi Wath.. Spot on about differing opinions….
fred, you don’t sound at all argumentative… It’s good to have differing views…
I think Griezmann is meant to be pretty good, nippy left winger and we really need one of those..
Afternoon Ts….
On e of the best things about the cup game against the dippers was the fact that we had a pretty under strength side out and still beat them. Watching Saturday’s highlights again made me realise how well Giroud played once he had some support. Some of his touches and flicks were a joy. Defo food for thought for next season.
Good point Fred… a lot of the players we will be linked with will neither be better or even on equal standing to what we have in terms of talent or even work ethics…
I personally rate Bony higher than someone like Benzema but only because in my view we need players with better work ethics than skilful or marquee players…especially this summer.
In the last 3 years of Bony playing in the Eredivisie and this league he has played more and scored more than someone like Karim…
If we factor in that la liga is less physical and the fact that he had better players next to him then to me someone like Bony makes more sense…
A big foreign import with a prize tag to match will appease lots of fans but will then be the first to jump on the said players back if they do not fulfill fans expectations immediately
BJ…. think your spot on with the Giroud observation… Thing is he needs a speedy tricky player playing next to or off him in my opinion…! Then i think we’d see a lot more goals and end product.
Didn’t see you there Ts, Hi and thanks re the post…
Agree Bj, who made the difference, Sanogo, Tomas or Jack?
I’d say all three….
Sanogo is far from being an end product but he’s a pain in the butt for defenders… Agger in the FA Cup game really struggled against him
Ts, for once we agree 😉
Bony over Benzema for me too….
Ok, I’ll get my coat…..
Ts, for me the club showing ambition isn’t just about the price tag… It’s about buying the players we need for the positions where we need strengthening…! If they do that then I will be happy.
Yes the attraction of a World Class players does great things for morale BUT it’s not always the right move IF the player not right for us.
I think we can buy any player on the planet… Our accounts show this… What we won’t do is pay that player what other will and that will always be our problem…! A star player also needs to want to come to us for us to be able to compete on the wages level.
Just my opinion of course…!
I mentioned Connor Wickham on the old post..
Now he’s a workhorse….
Rico…………… Connor Wickham………..
Yes, he’s a workhorse alright… Bit like a shire horse….!
I am thinking more along the lines we need an Arabian Stallion… !
Wath, that’s harsh on the poor lad….
😉
Giroud is our Stallion…. lol
No Rico, Giroud is our workhorse he just not a shire…..! 😉
I’ll wait for Adam to tell you what a stallion he is but that’s def not on the pitch 😉
That’s what I meant Wath, a 2am Stallion 😉
On the pitch he’s a donkey 🙂
Wath, can you see Mikel Arteta leaving in the summer?
I would hope that someone at Arsenal has the sense to keep Mikel on as I think he will be an important squad player for the next year or two BUT we need a younger player to be 1st choice… quicker stronger and taller…! Mikel is important like TR7…. Hope Wenger realises the cock up of letting all the older players leave at once circa 2005/2006…!
Wath,your not hoping for much.Afternoon one and all.
Every once in a while Rico agrees with me to give me a false sense of security.. 😛
My worry is that keeping Flamini, Diaby and Arteta would stop him signing the midfielder player our squad desperately needs…
Unless Aneke is going to get a chance, he’s a ‘Diaby’ kind of player isn’t he, just fitter…
Bt, I am ever the optimist although most will say I am a grumpy miserable bastard…. Shut up Kev….!
I agree Wath re 12:32
I say you have an eye for a bargain like Mr Wenger of course. 😛
Arteta is at the age where he needs to play and if he sees his chances diminishing he might. Same for Rosicky . If we buy early it might spark an exodus.
Hi Bt.
‘If we buy early’ – now that would be a novelty potter… But we should be doing just that…
I guess things might start happening once the CL final has been played…
Wengers bargains are cheap skate Ts….. Mine are quality at a good price…. Big difference 😉
Potter, think TR7 knows his game time will diminish per season but he’s still contributing to the team which he seems to enjoy..! Mikel may well look at it in the same way but yes new signings could well have a bearing on definitely Mikels future plans..! Also depends if they offer him a 2yr deal or 1 yr roll over..?
You all know I like Arteta but in some games we need 2 ‘Ramsey’s’ capable of running their asses off with the brains too…
Even though Arteta is amongst the top 5 tacklers in the league I find he is very much like Og12… who they both play next to make a huge difference to their performances…
Wath, what do you think of the idea of using Flamster as the RB cover and putting extra money in for Martinez or vidal or Khedira instead? I know its not his natural position but he has played more games at RB than at CM… especially in Milan
😀 WAth… you are legend
Do you think Mikel will sign a similar 18 games minimum per season contract with us like TR07 in order to extend?
Just read Ivan G, is doing Q&A on June 4th at an AISA event and bring the cup along for photos. Bless him.
I thought that ’18 minimum games’ was denied Ts?
Good post rico, good morning HH.
I think at the end of the day Ts that Potter is right… they professional players a lot will depend on what they think they have left in the tank to offer… do they still think they can manger a 40 game season…? or they they accept the legs not what they were even though the brain is willing…?
I think Flamster defo an option for RB BUT purely as a makeshift the odd game here and there NOT as a season long option…!
A legend Ts…. Not sure where that one came from…! Only in the history vaults of the Grey Goose archives maybe…!
Lol WAth..
Hi Dna
🙂 Bt, bless him indeed 😉
Afternoon Gdna, thanks. Hope you are still in a good mood?? 😉
Wath a leg-end, now now Ts ……. 😆
I was waiting for a comment from RIco…. didn’t have to wait to long did i………
Ain’t you got some carrots to attend to..?
Haven’t got any left Wath, used them all up in a soup yesterday 😉
Very good mood rico, winning the FA Cup still have me buzzing. My basketball ball team is not playing well and i don’t even care. Arsenal winning the FA Cup have to go down as 1 of the biggest moment in afc history based on the pressure of not winning for so long. I constantly have to check the afc website to ensure i’m not dreaming, omg it’s real.
Corriander to i hope, Rico.
Swedes obviously as well I hope Rico…..!
Absolutely Bt, nom nom 🙂
No Swedes Wath…
Good Dna, you’ll be nice to us all then… 😉
Rico does masterchef……..!
ts/Rico I like benzema not that his a pure goal scorer but he is someone who participate in team play also and that is very crucial in our set up bony on other hand is more of traditional 9 and we have giroud for that…the same reason I will pick Benz over falcao and cavani…he has always has double figure assists tally in his time at real..I can understand he is lazy and all but if we are going to go thru dat bony rout then I prefer we get benteke IMO as he can give us dat physical presence and also help in build up play also imo
would prefer benteke to bony….just feel bony doesn’t offer much in terms of team play and better us the better option imo
I wish Wath, I wouldn’t have a scooby doo on there though….
Bony for me snap, fit, strong and scores goals 🙂
Off out with Fido now..
Catch up in an hour or so….
And AW too rico. lol
Afternoon Rico and the House.
Another excellent posting by the lady of the house to start the day,however do you do it Rico?
There has been a lot of speculation about who we will sign and if the boss will do it before the world cup.
Allthough for the first time since the introduction of the 25man squad rule Arsene is in the ideal situationto do just that I do not expect him to make his big moves untill the start of August.
I think Ginge’s post at 12.11 to be spot on.
Arsene has got to decide what he is going to do with, Campbell, Ryo, Coquelin, Martinez, Miquel, Afoba and Aneki . I see the first match of next season is the 26th July followed by the second on the 1st Aug and i expect all of them to play.
Thats how I see it but then again I could be totally wrong.
Good Afternoon Rico and All
Nice Post and It’s always good to track back and remember how we got to the finish line.
We’re determined not to allow L’pool to get another victory over us in our own pitch. Come to think of it R.Webb helped to save their butts because, StevenG should have received his second yellow card that day. Webb gave him a pass.
Btw, Tsgh-The Hidden Hand, where were you yesterday when I was battered by Gjoe Rico Potter Scott and Wavy who gave the final knockout punch? I was hoping you’d show up with all your stats and Your youtube videos to help me make my case about ‘how much we missed Song’. You can’t believe I was so cornered I spelled Song name as Sony twice yesterday. 🙂
All season we said we needed another forward as Giroud was our number 2 . Are we now saying that Remy/ Bony should come in as number 1 or 2. I think Wenger is going to wait until after the first three matches of the World Cup and follow Joel Campbell’s progress. If he gives the England defence a hard time he may well decide to keep with Giroud , Campbell and Sanogo and promote Akpom to the Carling / F.A Cup squads. This would leave him with the cash to spend elsewhere which in turn means that should Campbell fail then it will curtail other spending. So I don’t expect to hear anything concrete until halfway through August.
Nothing personal Nashua , but !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Interesting Snap…very interesting view…
Ng, I took over from you this morning from the previous page… lol
You are a big man I suspected you could handle them… Micko’s post was funny.. ‘are you being held hostage by Syg?’ lol
Lol Potter.. I do realise your views on Song as well as many on here is set in stone… but it is always an interesting debate nonetheless…
I call it The Feel Good Factor moment. AW knows once again how it feels to win another trophy and Stan sees and feels how the fans/supporters feel and cherish trophy. My heart tells me there will be changes come this new season. We came so close but now we have to go for the killing.
Just a thought; I dreamt of the return of the prodigal son.
Moaning good people….what’s new?
RVP Ng?
hi Adonis or is it Tammuz?
Howdy ginge…what’s going on brother?
Nothing much… just waiting for the first signing like every other AFC fan.. or Sagna to extend…
Ts. The master of lub, the maestro that makes other players shine like RVP, JW, OC, the best assists for goals, the master of killer passes…
Nah ginge…let sagna go. Aurier is the shit. He ll be better than bac ever was in 2 years.
Ts, any connect on the FA Cup jersey?
Goonster. BS is like a fine wine. I always have my doubt about new players in the EPL until six months.
Hey DNA where have u been chico? I was in VA for a month. Dang wish I ran into your ass. How are you though?
Luis Enrique: “Cesc? No need to ask for individual names. We won’t talk now. Decisions will be made later.”
I’m still in VA bro, Rico give me a 6 month sentence for violating hh rules, so i was in the bin. But i could see, u have been a dad. Congrats!! How is your ol lady doing?
Lol… that is the point Goonie… its always 2 years with AFC…
We have a solid foundation to push on… how long will it take for Bag and Kos to form an understanding with him…
😀 Ng. you know we agree on that one…
I like the way the pundits said during the match against Milan 3-0 3-4 aggregate loss at the Emirates that Ox was the sensible one sitting deep whilst Song was the careless one…
The funny thing was that Ox even said he was made to play there last minute as he was unwell and Aw thought him sitting will be less draining as Song will be doing the bulk of the work…
Fans and pundits still ignored that though for obvious reason… 🙂
Dna 3:22?
how long will it take for Bag… should read Per*
Ts, Dna 3:22?
where could i get it to buy?
Ng-Its like a few fans saying we should buy Khedira to play DM when he does not actually play DM for both RM or Germany..
For Germany Schweinsteiger sits whilst Khedira does what Song use to do i.e win the ball up field. It use to be Fringes sitting before
For RM Alonso/Asier/Modric sit…
@Hassahmy
No Cesc in Barca kit launch, Luis Enrique avoids question on his future, Shaw apparently agreed, Van Gaal confirmed and Kroos likely.
Check
http://arsenaldirect.arsenal.com/
I doubt the limit edition FA cup jersey is out though?
AW should buy Kroos
Ts, can u believe Cesc Fabregas is deemed not good enough for Barcelona, i would welcome Cesc back with open arms, he is a baller.
Lol.. Cesc made his bed mate…
As I always say is it really about trophies?
Nas or Scarface never won a grammy but still got street cred more tha those bubble game stuff…
Teh players make the money anyway…
gum*
Oh how did I miss Mr Rick logging on…
how are you Sir?
Cesc good player but I believe his back heel was deliberate!
Ts, “Lol.. Cesc made his bed mate”…
lol..
If he leaves Barcelona, i hope we put pride aside and resign him, can’t imagine Cesc wearing another PL jersey other than AFC.
@ Nash
I forgive him. lol. He will end his career at AFC because he realize he made the wrong decision to go back to Spain.
if we still have the clause Dna then yes…
But if Barca sell him for £40M we may make more from it..
No sentiments in this cruel world my friend.
At the end of the day I think it will be about the salary… money talks
Lol Ng… the back heel
Ts, lol. Sentiments?
Every afc fans love Cesc. lol. He could play false 9. lol
What about the mother of his child? Is she still in Eaton Square? If she is will she draw him back to London Town? If she does he may well re sing, if Wenger has forgiven him, his prodigal son!
She loves Barca now… she is best friends with Mrs Messi Wavy…
@DNA. As Wath said the other day, if he comes back fine but I wont lose sleep over him. Being grateful is a virtue. The same goes for RVP after our game in Old Toilet.
At the moment feeling good thanks Ginge. Really enjoying the banter going in the House,and felt sorry for Nashua yesterday.
But I ask Song no way.
Should be I ask you
Afternoon Rico,
Same here Rick re Song… my only argument is when fans say he was a bad player for us…
Afternoon all, thanks Rick….
Gdna, even Arsene Wenger?? I’ll give it until the end of the transfer window 😉
Afternoon Adam, busy day?
Rico. Yes. I went to Salisbury today instead of yesterday. Lovely drive once you get off the M25 and M3. Weird patches of mist on the way giving way to bright blue skies and sunniness. Bashed out a couple of guitar tracks and just got home, having left this morning at 5.30am. I have to confess I was a little groggy at that time. 🙂
Have we signed anyone worse than we already have yet?
Rico, you are so wrong. lol. When was the last time arsenal won a trophy? I asked for trophy and AW delivered, so he is in my good book at the moment. I’m relax, no more talk of 9 years without a trophy. lol
Yeh, but it’s 4 days since we won a trophy! I’ve got a taste for it now. I want more and I want them now!
The players now got the taste, so we will get more now..
Ng
The only thing I battered yesterday was the fish I had for dinner:)
🙂
Still working on my smiley face
That’s nice to hear Adam. We too had mist this morning. At 5.30 ish the sky was blue and the air cleared but within an hour the mist had fallen… Lovely day in the end though, albeit it’s looking quite stormy again….
🙂 Dna, glad to hear that…..
You all left me alone??
Been checking in whilst I put together tonights quiz.
A quiz night, football or a mix and match?
Regular general knowledge , silly question quiz . It ranges from serious stuff to captain Pugwash. Followed down by a gamble with Play your cards right , £1 a head winner gets 50% Macmillan Nurses the balance,
Not to mention the odd pint of over refreshment as I ask the questions.
🙂 Potter, sounds like a fun night out…
I’m off guys, have to be up with the sparrows in the morning…
Night all….
+Evening all, I have just watched our u17 beat holland on pens to become uefa champs. Our Tarif Moor had very good game .
Tafari Moore ? Right back isn’t he.? Don’t let him get fast tracket to replace Sagna. smile
Interesting table re Injuries.
https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/pitchside-europe/proof-arsenal-were-unlucky-injuries-weren-t-only-185533568.html
evening house….Rico we have to agree to disagree on bony….but I get your point though
potter the injury thing is an interesting one…I think Wenger said he was going to look into it????
Played left back tonight Potter. He might replace Sagna in about 5 years .
Rick, any goals in normal time?
Solanki gave England lead on 28min the dutch scored on the stroke of half time and thats how it finished
Very good game.
Morning all.
That injury table shows we were terribly unlucky on one hand, but also highlights the fact we need more squad depth, and that IS in own our hands.
Scott i think the injury table also shows us that our medical team or our training ideas and conditioning of players is way out of date or way off centre… It’s not like this season been a once off for injuries so something at the club is very very wrong….! One area or a bit of everything…? who know’s but it needs to be sorted and pronto..!
Goodmorning peeps,I guess ‘nine years’ have been the most 2 common words in this week.But I love
Morning all….
Morning Rico.
Morning Adam, chilly one this morning….
Sukky, I bet we hear them for a while yet…
It’s quite sultry here Rico. 🙂
And groggy Adam? 😉
New post up now….