Double Serie A swoop on? Elneny confirmed today. Can Arsenal beat the ‘pressing game’?

Morning all.

Liverpool tonight, an 8pm kick-off with live coverage on BT Sport.

Jurgen Klopp snapped up Steve Caulker on loan yesterday as his defensive injury woes continue. A panic signing or just a smart move? Caulker couldn’t get a game for Southampton whilst on loan from QPR, in fact I think I’m right in saying that his last match was a 6-1 thrashing by the side he’s now playing for..

Funny enough, just as Arsene Wenger expected, the home side have four/five players returning from injury in Henderson, Ibe, Sakho and Toure. James Milner could return too but Courtinho remains on the injured list which is only good for us.

Jurgen Klopp has been talking about the game:

Arsenal and Arsene have their own style. It’s possession football, so it’s clear that if we want to play the same way we will be without a chance because they’ve been doing it for longer.

Arsenal are not only a good possession team, they have good counter-attacks too and that’s what you have to be aware of.

It’s always a big challenge to play Arsenal but they are beatable.

I don’t think we’ve been that good of late, not really. Yes we’ve won a few games but look at how easy Southampton out fought and out muscled us and on paper, Liverpool are better than them. If Klopp deploys similar tactics, our boys need to step up and match them. I don’t mean kick lumps out of the opposition but give as good as they get and don’t be bullied off the ball.

Mesut Ozil and Mathieu Flamini both return after a rest and should go straight into the team, certainly Mesut. The midfield battle is between Flamini, Arteta and Chambers but maybe Arsene Wenger will do something different by starting both the captain and the Frenchman in attempt to boss the midfield, something we have struggled to do all too often.

Liverpool’s central pairing are there to be got at as neither Toure or Sakho have a lot of pace in their legs. Campbell and Walcott should be rubbing their hands together. Even Ollie could outrun Toure these days….

Walcott needs to step it up as during the last few games he’s been too static and has not put himself about enough and the defensive work he was getting through seems to have left him. Joel Campbell is outshining our England international right now which is great for the Costa Rican, but embarrassing for the Englishman imo. Walcott likes the big games and boy does he need one tonight against the team he supported as a kid.

Walcott is not alone though, many of our players have another gear to find and they need to find it.

I haven’t watched Liverpool under Klopp, in fact I try to avoid watching them full stop but there’s lot’s of talk about their pressing game, a high line leaving the opposition to play the long ball game. Should they play that way then so be it, we have the pace up front in Walcott and Campbell to make them pay.

COYRRG’s – 3 big points please!!

Transfer Gossip:

Arsene Wenger will attempt to secure the services of Inter Milan pair Mauro Icardi and Marcelo Brozovic this month, according to reports. Football agent Vincenzo Morabito told Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport, cited bySport Witness, that Wenger is particularly keen on Brozovic.

“Yes, especially the second. Maybe something will happen because Wenger feels that this may be the right year to win the Premier League.”

Mohamed Elneny has reportedly landed on English soil and should put pen to paper on a four and a half year deal today. The club have until midday to sort all the paperwork if Arsene Wenger hopes to play him against Stoke at the weekend….

Have a good Wednesday guys…

265 thoughts on “Double Serie A swoop on? Elneny confirmed today. Can Arsenal beat the ‘pressing game’?

  1. Alwaysagooner says:

    I am looking forward to the match. Should be an interesting game. All depends on which of our team shows up 🙂

    Coyg

  2. rico says:

    So do I Scott and if the players turn up, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t win..

    I’d leave Ollie on the bench, he needs a rest imo. Get some pace on the pitch, and batter their back line and Mignolet can be a dodgy keeper so plenty of shooting… 🙂

  3. Canadian Gooner says:

    Good Morning to The Lady of the House and all fellow Gooners in residence.

    Rico – If it’s our men who turn turn up to play a serious game, we should get those three points. However, if it’s our boys expecting a stroll in the park, we’re in for trouble. Unfortunately we wont know until after the kickoff.

    I hate the games where our team have us squirming in our seats. Let’s hope they progress from the Sunderland game. I don’t think I could take another Sotton fiasco.

    On another note, I enjoyed yesterday’s Bar Codes vs. ManUre game. ManUre would have been abject without an aging Vain Wooney.

  4. Canadian Gooner says:

    Rico – I wouldn’t leave Olivier on the bench. He would be very effective holding the ball up and distributing it to Walcott and Campbell/Ramsey, especially with the Dippers makeshift defence.

  5. allezkev says:

    Morning Rico, good post…

    Morning All.

    I know this is unlikely, but if Liverpool are gonna play a high-line and press the midfield, then, for me, leave out Giroud and play Walcott through the middle…
    It seems obvious to me and for that reason, Wenger will start with the jet-heeled Giroud. 🙁

  6. tsgh says:

    Very good read; lets hope the Egyptian becomes our Moses’ in midfield going forward.

    Cg- The imitation Klopp the dippers got has failed to play the pressing game in this league apart from the Man city game in November imho

    Without Barlett who is now at Sarburg, Klopp is more spent than AW fiddling with his jacket zippers.

    Pundits are making it seem like the dippers have not played a pressing game in the recent past.
    Brendan Rodgers did so to such enthralling effect in 2013-14 but as alluded to then without Luis Jaws it was never going to work going forward.

    Klopp’s supposedly gegessen style was mostly only implemented against big teams in the Bundesliga and in the UCL. The media made it out to be like that was the way BVB played all the time. if that was the case why were huge sections of BVB fans calling for Klopp to be sacked even when he was winning.

    I have been in the Signal Iduna park a few timeson a few occasions to see his diabolic formations and the likes of Reus and Lew’ski complain to Klopp when things are not going well..

  7. rico says:

    Morning Cg and Kev…

    One good thing i guess is that Liverpool away isn’t like going to West Brom or Southampton. The boys and manager should see this as a big game… So they should turn up… Hopefully.. lol

  8. rico says:

    Cg, pace for me from the off hence no Ollie. He gets through a lot of good work but with Liverpool’s ageing defence, pace could really win the night…

    Kev, great minds… 😉

  9. Canadian Gooner says:

    Ginge – Thanks for the chuckle, but I take your point.

    Rico – I just see Giroud as our Maypole with our midfielders dancing round him and mesmerizing the Dippers. There was a real rhythm to the team in the second half of the Sunderland game and if we can repeat that, without the defensive lapses of course, we should do well.

    I think we’ll start with Arteta and Flamoney in the DM positions. Chambers will have to wait for a less crucial game to get some game time.

  10. rico says:

    Ts, pundits are saying Klopp does play the pressing game aren’t they?

    Cg – but was the second half better because of the introduction of Ramsey I wonder?

    But as Kev says, AW will probably start with Ollie in any case but at some stage, he needs a break… imo…

  11. Canadian Gooner says:

    Rico – Yes, I`m sure it did.

    Introducing Arteta for Chambers firmed up our defense and Ramsey for Iwobi gave our attack some more bite. Iwobi showed some skill, in fits and starts, but didn’t impose himself on the game. Ramsey, with much more experience, was a more integral member of the team; which is only to be expected.

  12. dublingunner says:

    Afternoon, big 3 points please is right.
    I think we have changed our mentality, in the sense that we now tend to turn up against the so called bigger teams. so I dont think we have to worry so much, in that respect.
    It,s the teams that we think we,ve only to turn to beat, that we have problems against.
    We should be up for it.

  13. Wavy says:

    Afternoon all.

    In terms of personnel starting, I don’t think the captain will toss the coin, he’s too old to play a full game and probably susceptible to being out paced, early on, even by Esio Trot! Wenger will keep him as a late ‘impact’ sub, to shore up the defence when every other player on the field is totally knackered and he will be able to keep up with the pace of the game. As per his last appearance.
    As for the rest I agree with those who want to see pace run the show up front, if Wenger goes with the quick guys then I think we will win 1-2.

    We’ll see

  14. allezkev says:

    Well, I guess we haven’t completed the signing of Elneny yet, so he won’t be playing at Stoke…

    Rico, as Martin Luther King once famously said, “I have a dream”….

    Great minds indeed… ?

  15. Canadian Gooner says:

    What`s this. has the Reverend Kev been resurrected? Will he rise to give an impassioned sermon to the visiting faithful (true believers) and the Merseyside heathens? Tune in later today for the answer to this and other crucial questions.

    With that, I`m off to get some kip before the game kicks off. So, it`s Good Night from me and a have a Good Afternoon to you.

    Kev – Don`t forget a good prayer or two for our team.

  16. Wavy says:

    I’ve just woken up to find that Arsenal have not (yet) won the EPL, it was only a dream!
    But they beat the dippers, comfortably! Hope it doesn’t turn into a nightmare!

  17. Lewis says:

    Good day all,

    Looking forward to the game.

    Anything other than 3 points is not good enough tonight. Bottom line is if we turn up we have enough to beat most teams.

    Will we turn up?!

    Will Arsene make sure we turn up?!

    The dippers will certainly be up for it, we need to better them in every department.

    COYG’s!!!

  18. rico says:

    🙂 Kev, my dream was good too, not as good as yours though…

    Afternoon all…

    If the players and manager aren’t up for a fight tonight, they never will be…

    Anfield 1989 they were….

  19. allezkev says:

    Rico ?

    The next three games will tell us all we need to know about this Arsenal teams title ambitions.

    It’ll also tell us if Arsene Wenger has any future beyond this season…

  20. tsgh says:

    Og12 to score…

    Interesting how Barca have made their first signing for the summer 6 months in advance. Paying 37m euros for Leroy Sané, whilst we have Serge at WBA… tsk

    Come on … 3-1 to the better guys

  21. allezkev says:

    Come on your fcuking sloppy Arsenal dopes…

    Stay level with northern cnuts and wait for their legs to go…

    Then pick them off in the 2nd 45

  22. Bob John says:

    What a mess! Have we been given a free kick yet? Should have been a penalty when Ramsey lobbed keeper who then flattened him a la Robben/Sczezney. Is Walcott playing? Why do players always score wonder goals against us? So many questions!

  23. tsgh says:

    hey Nashua…

    OlivierGiroud has scored nine goals in his last 10 appearances away from home in all competitions.Make it 10 out of 10 please…

  24. allezkev says:

    Nah BT, I got home about 7.45pm, I was eating supper when Firmino scored, nearly choked on my fish fingers ?

  25. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Be carefully with Firmino… we wants an hack-trick today!
    i’ve seen Ox and TW did the same wrong thing, lost the ball and we were down 1-0…
    On the second goal, campbell gave the ball twuce to Liverpool… Im close a heart attack!

  26. potter says:

    Penalty on Campbell too , Jones missing a lot , they are closing us down not always fairly. A few times he has played on because we have picked up the ball but when we lose it he doesn’t bring it back.

  27. Kel says:

    Cazorla is a real miss tonight, we need composure on the ball we ain’t got that atm… and we’re lacking power in midfield imo.. A fit and healthy Diaby type player would grab this game by the scruff….

    Can is a very good player he’s running the show imo.

  28. rico says:

    Potter – the tug on Campbell was a bad miss but aren’t they just doing what Southampton did? Not seen much rough stuff imo…

  29. tsgh says:

    kel- agreed re SC19.

    Rico- Og12 was imitating Gervinho for a moment there…

    We are making who Liverpool have won just 2 of their last 17 Premier League games against us (W2 D9 L6) look like they have Suarez again…

  30. tsgh says:

    We need a MA08 to settle things in midfield later on…

    Worryingly, our record when we have gone behind is quite suspect.
    15-16 W1 D1 L4 Pts 4
    14-15 W1 D6 L7 Pts 9
    13-14 W2 D4 L7 Pts 10
    12-13 W4 D4 L7 Pts 16
    11-12 W7 D3 L10 Pts 24

  31. rico says:

    Lol maybe Ts, but true. It’s always easy to dismiss a bad miss when a player scores after, but misses cost dear…. Hopefully not tonight eh…

  32. rico says:

    Big time Kev, big time and so long left.nif only Ollie had buried his chance eh, I’d be able to come out from behind the sofa…..

    No, I’m not surprised, he’s been superb and hasn’t stopped running….

  33. Kel says:

    Well that is a kick in the balls at the end… subs ox and gibbs didn’t work unfortunately. At least cityl didn’t win.

  34. allezkev says:

    Liverpool never give up, they’ve done this to us so many fcuking times in the past, it’s not exactly new…

    We needed a two goal lead to give us some breathing space…

    I’m not sure if AOC added anything when he came on. I wonder what his instructions from Wenger was?

    We need Alexis back as we can’t rely on Walcott for goals, or AOC, or Campbell even…

    Giroud, Alexis, Ramsey, the only three we have who can put the ball in the net on a regular basis…

    You need to take all you chances at Anfield because those Scouse cnuts are always liable to get a late equaliser…

    Pissed off

    Night All

  35. Wavy says:

    Should have won, Arsene, should have won!
    A team cannot defend on their 6 yard box for nearly half an hour and not expect to hold out, and we didn’t! We needed a fourth goal then we may have won. Too defensive, far too defensive with very little possession.
    Well I suppose we earned a draw from the jaws of a victory.

    Not to mention my palpitating heart! It doesn’t do a body any good. No, no good at all.

    Time for a glass of wine, Midsommer Murders, at least Barnaby always wins and, then bed! What a life!

  36. potter says:

    They had controlled the middle of the park from the outset and our ability to play up to Giroud with players running off of him had kept them at bay. Taking off all of our Giroud support and giving them the initiative was a tactical mistake . Their goal was on the cards from the minute he did it.

  37. Kel says:

    Just how costly will that miss from giroud be he played well no doubt but what a miss 🙁

    Why this team starts so slow I don’t know we could have been 2 down in 10 mins..

    We did show good character to pull it back twice but yet aging we fail to hold on..

    A draw away to Liverpool overall is a good result but losing the lead late on again is frustrating

    2 midfielders needed wenger, flamini and Arteta ain’t got the high energy we really need imo.

  38. Marshall says:

    What a game! Sucks we let the 3 points slip but it was a great game. My problem is with the midfield, we don’t seem to have any. And such games Gabriel would’ve have been better.

    Oh special mention to Campbell, he had a game! He was everybloodywhere! Was he on I think we wouldn’t have conceded the equalizer.

  39. Nashua Gunner says:

    Sometimes game like this, and such changes could have seen us hold on to the three points. But OX and Gibbs don’t cause any impact when they came on. The midfield was lacking, we missed too many chances.

  40. Kel says:

    Coquelin, Alexis, welbeck sorely missed in games like that for the work rate and energy they bring. also Cazorla for composure if they’d been available tonight I’d say we win that game.

    you’re right joe we could’ve been done with Elnenny tonight fs.. I haven’t seen him play tbh all i know is he has a great engine and can run all day lol something that would have been useful earlier.

  41. Wavy says:

    Bit harsh on Gibbs he did his bit, imo.

    Flamini, I never noticed him until he blocked a shot in the 85th minute. Probably need a more involved player!

    Lastly, I’m no admirer of Henderson but he was quite influential tonight! A great shame for us. He needed a good kick early on, he didn’t get one! Sometimes were too nice!

    Two points dropped tonight, could be crucial come May?

    Night night everyone, night night.

  42. Sukky says:

    When will we know how to park the bus away from home?
    When will wenger know how to change tactics during game?
    When will wenger make the right substitution?
    How much point will these average English players cost us before we finally sell them?
    Gibbs was Gibbs again (useless), useless doesn’t describe Walcott enough, Ox is dumb again. Wenger panic again and arsenal slips yet again.

  43. Kel says:

    I didn’t think gibbs done that much wrong tbh, the Ox was disappointing again no doubt, Walcott played ok for me he laid one on a plate for Giroud but unfortunately the french man missed an open net from 3yrds..

    Arteta who came on for about 7 mins literally couldn’t keep up with the game, hindsight is a wonderful thing but I think Gabriel really would have been the better option considering we were just defending :/

  44. Kel says:

    Lee, he has to do 1 year of service before he’s 30
    .. he’s only 23 atm nothing to worry about imo. And he’ll most likely be excused anyhow.

    Maybe wilshere should join up for a yrs service lol he’s doing fuck all for us 😉

  45. Marshall says:

    Good Morning all! Good news from le prof!
    Wenger: “He has joined us. We will see if he can qualify for Sunday.”
    He came a game too late but if we finalise the deal before tomorrow noon (tsk we can’t be that slow) he eligible for rugby at stoke!
    I don’t see him starting IMO, stoke in not an ideal place for premiere league debut.

  46. Lee says:

    Kel, I just flicked through Newsnow and didn’t really read the article….. my own fucking fault!

    I’ve never seen Elneny play but he’s supposed to be ok so I’ve heard, shame he couldn’t of played last night….

    Walcott was bang average last night….

    Klopp always looks like he’s been on class A drugs to me….total nutter!

  47. Marshall says:

    I don’t mind Klopp running the full width of the pitch to celebrate a goal. He is passionate and wears the club colors in his heart. Am sure he doesn’t celebrate like that for banter but yeah Klopp should be tested 🙂

  48. rico says:

    Elneny will be like Park and not have to do his service, let’s hope he plays more than though…

    Morning all..

    Really cheesed off that we couldn’t hang on for all 3 points…

  49. Kel says:

    Klopp celebrated as if they’d won the game he’s a fuckin balloon nut job is right.

    I think we need to look into the fitness of players we were huffing and puffing 70mins in.

  50. Lee says:

    Yeah I have no problem with Klopp tbh, imagine if they’d won! Hahahahaha.

    Arteta should of been replaced ages ago….

  51. Kel says:

    I’m sure they’re good lads and all that but they wouldn’t get into city, utd, l.pool, spurs.. and that’s the hard truth wenger needs to accept, almost everyone on here knew it a yr ago.. but maybe he has seen it himself now with Elnenny being signed and hopefully 1 more..

    Looks like Shaqiri is out this wkend that’s good news I think… 🙂

  52. allezkev says:

    Morning All

    Morning Rico

    Still pissed off…

    I’m not sure you can blame Flamini, because the only alternative to him atm is Chambers, and after his powder puff performance against Sunderland last weekend, he really isn’t an alternative…

    Arteta did well when he came on against Sunderland last weekend, but coming on against Sunderland is a lot different to a Liverpool team, high on EPO…

    My main concern is the lack of goals from Walcott, AOC, Campbell etc…
    These guys have to help, although I’ll give more leeway to Campbell because of all the hard work he does…

  53. Kel says:

    True kev the lack of goals from Theo and Ox is a major problem for us, although the Ox has never scored much. I agree with Campbell that kid works his socks off fair play to him.

    When fit Alexis starts in front of theo and welbeck will compete with Campbell and move ahead of the Ox imo.

  54. rico says:

    Definitely need one more for the midfield…

    Morning Kev.

    I don’t really blame the money minded Flamini, I blame the situation we are in having to play him. A strong midfield wouldn’t have allowed Liverpool so much freedom…

    Stoke will be the same on Sunday…

  55. allezkev says:

    Kel, good points mate, but you know, I still have a feeling, almost like we lost…

    Maybe it’s because I hate Liveypool so much…

    Lee, morning buddy, yep we need another striker, a fox in the box, someone like Hernandez, who can come off of the bench and get vital goals…

    Who do we have who can do that?
    Gibbs?
    AOC?

    God I’m sounding like Wath…

  56. Adam says:

    Morning Rico and all. The subs of Gibbs and Ox seemed particularly ineffective to me. It was clear that Liverpool were just going to pump high balls in to Benteke so I would have thought they should have been told to shut those areas down and not let the scousers pick their passes at will. We allowed them far too much room throughout the game really as a one-man central midfield just doesn’t work in the PL where you have to defend solidly. Monreal was superb, especially in the second half and Campbell is making Theo look like a mug on a weekly basis at the moment.

  57. Sukky says:

    A player with brain will have cross a parallel ball to Giroud instead of the hit from Walcott. It’s a great miss from Giroud But the pass wasn’t great to be honest.

  58. allezkev says:

    You know guys, I can appreciate why everyone on here wants to see Elneny involved at Stoke, but for me, it has to be Alexis…

    Lata

  59. rico says:

    Morning Adam. Said the same yesterday about Campbell, he’s embarrassing Walcott at the moment. I think he’s missing Sanchez, I really do as it can’t be a coincidence that his game has dropped since Alexis suffered injury…

    Doesn’t make it right of course, totally the opposite and if he carries on as he is, he’ll be dumped on the bench.

  60. Kel says:

    I feel the same kev although 15-20 mins into the game we were being over run and I said to myself we’ll be lucky to get a point here…

    But then they dropped a bit and we were able to attack a bit, when we went ahead I honestly didn’t think we’d hold it. As the energy levels dropped all i could see was history repeating itself with Liverpool scoring late equalisers against us 🙁

    Kuyt 102nd min
    Skrtel 97th min
    Now Allen 90th min..

  61. Adam says:

    Rico. That’s the Walcott enigma isn’t it? Scores a great goal against Man City and everyone slaps him on the back, but then there’s very little for a while. He had one excellent run in the second half last night where he flew past the opposition but, as is becoming increasingly the case, there was zero end product. Frustrating player is Theo.

  62. tsgh says:

    Good morning folks,

    This game reminds me of Eboue’s fortunes 3 or 4 seasons back…

    Its amazing how Klopp can always motivate his squad for big games but then the rest of the time they end up playing like constipated pigeons…; he did the same against city.

    Come on AW, I heard Barca are ready to sell turan already…

    Get me Koke at £50m please to help get us goals from midfield

  63. Sukky says:

    Giroud on his two goals…
    It has been a special game for me. I scored the second goal, but after that I missed a chance but Theo did well and I knew he was going to do that but I saw it at the last moment and couldn’t tuck it in, so I was a bit frustrated. But I was pleased to get the third goal that I hoped would win the game but it wasn’t enough. But that’s it, a good performance but we could have done better.

  64. Kel says:

    Walcott didn’t play well, bang average lee described it as and i agree with that. but in this particular instance giroud missed an open goal.

    Morning Adam and all.

  65. scottfromoz says:

    Morning all.
    That was a great game to watch.
    Seriously, I’d rather see us beat those pricks but it was just a fantastic spectacle.
    We had our chances, no question.
    When that Fukking prick Clyne took a dive for the 4th time, and not once was he pulled up for it, I said to my mates this will cost us.
    Well, count the seconds after the free kick was taken before they equalised…..
    Koscielny stood still.
    Clyne actually takes a slight deviation to make contact.
    Saying that, the actual result was a fair reflection of the game.

  66. rico says:

    Timing of their third is what makes the draw hard to stomach Scott. We really should be able to hang on on nights like last….

    I thought Clyne was lucky to stay on the pitch. Don’t recall him playing like that for Southampton…

  67. Kel says:

    In the end of the day we went to Anfield went behind twice, fought back took the lead and almost won the game.

    And did it without coquelin, Cazorla, Alexis, welbeck, wilshere, Elneny.

    I’m gutted yes, but a point at Anfield is not that bad.

  68. scottfromoz says:

    Rico, he’s an absolute filthbag of a player, based on that performance.
    Now I haven’t read back through the comments, but I’m sure Theo copped a serve for the first goal conceded.
    What was he thinking?
    Ramsey has been guilty as well recently of turning the ball over in dangerous positions.
    Sometimes, it just has to be safety first.
    Campbell was superb again.
    Nacho has turned into one of the very best LB’s in the League.
    Bloody Mertesacker saved our bacon on numerous occasions.
    Seems when we bag him he has a blinder, yet when we offer applause, he backs up with a shocker-it’s our fault lol.
    I’d say Klopp had his tactics spot on early, and his players were up for it.
    When we went ahead 3-2, I honestly thought we’d bag at least one and probably two more.
    Wenger stays attacking and we concede, he cops it.
    Goes defensive and the same applies.
    We should never have conceded the last goal as we should have been on the attack at that time, but hey, diving is just part of the game.
    It makes me sick.

  69. Kel says:

    We certainly missed his legs last night scott he gets across the ground quicker than flamini, also massive miss was Cazorla his composure on nights like last would have been a huge asset.

    But with both injured I understand why flamini played in front of chambers. Chambers would have got swallowed up last night in the intensity of that game.

    Next two games are huge imo. Two teams that seem to always get one over us.

  70. Adam says:

    The game changes on decisions. Clyne was correctly booked for the deliberate handball and then gets robbed by Campbell, gets the hump and takes a vicious swipe and kicks him in the knee. Second yellow all day and off. After that he dives for a penalty attempt them and then pulls a player back who is going past him. Yet there he is, still on the pitch. In the first half Campbell gets dragged back by their Spanish left back, in the box while sprinting for a return pass. Nothing seen (apparently).
    On such things games are won and lost.

  71. scottfromoz says:

    Well said Adam.
    Again, that’s not to say we didn’t have chances to put the game away, but damn, this just happens too regularly.
    The commentator had the audacity to say “there was nothing malicious in that” aft the kick to the knee.
    What are they watching?
    What do they get paid for?
    Incredible.
    Rico, spot on with Kozzer……terrible goal conceded that day as well.
    Is Wenger so adamant they maintain possession that they’re scared to just belt it when in danger?

  72. Kel says:

    Maybe if they’d been fit rico we wouldn’t have had to face frimino who at one point was like Ronaldinho fs lol.. he’d been on the bench. 😉

  73. Adam says:

    Morning Scott. It seems to me that whether there was anything malicious in the kick to the knee or not is hardly something to judge if it was a foul or not. Like you I thought that Clyne was irritated that Campbell had mugged him and lashed out. I was surprised that the linesman didn’t see it. Actually, on reflection- I wasn’t. 🙂

  74. scottfromoz says:

    I’m never surprised anymore, Adam.
    You’re right….intent is irrelevant.
    It was extremely high, and obviously at least a yellow card, but that single comment from the commentator showed exactly where Arsenal stand in the eyes of the football industry.
    Why?
    I can’t answer that-maybe others can- but to see such biased officiating followed up with one eyed commentary is disappointing, to say the least.

  75. rico says:

    Scott, you’d like to think players themselves would know when it’s best to hoof the ball to safety, surely they don’t have to be told that… Or do they? 😉

  76. rico says:

    Facing Sturridge would have been worse Kel.. 😉

    I thought the referee did a good job last night, apart from how he dealt with Clyne and failing to give us a penalty when Campbell was tugged over…

    But even if he had sent him off, ten men is sometimes harder to beat…..

  77. allezkev says:

    Linesmen, these days, are pretty much a waste of time when it comes to doing anything other than off-sides, corners and free-kicks.
    Look at those idiots in Europe, 4 bloody Linemen and all of them fcuking useless.

    It’s laughable Adam…

    The referee, Jones, is known for being overly lenient, Liverpool knew this and played on it…

    All top clubs have a knowledge on the referee they’re due to have…
    The clubs will know if a ref is strong or weak on simulation.
    If a ref allows a player a couple of kicks before a caution. Hence rotational fouling.
    If a ref allows holding and obstruction in the box at corners/free kicks, especially on goalkeepers.
    Or if a referee is just a cnut like Dean…

  78. tsgh says:

    Scott- I am with you there. it was a great spectacle…

    Joe- OG12 is doing just fine. I personally find tehcalling of OG12 a second rated striker a bit unfair.
    when a clone of a younger and fitter Sergio Aguero is developed then they can start calling Og12 second-rate striker. imho…

    Not sure there are many so called top strikers in Europe currently? The ones that were available in the 90s or noughties…

  79. Adam says:

    Kev. I imagine that refs don’t like to be second-guessed by linesmen. I can see how he missed the Clyne kick last night as he was on the blind side but the linesman should surely have seen it. Likewise with the pull back in the box.
    What happened to the lady who used to run the line in the PL? As I remember she was pretty good.
    Having watched Dean the other day give soft penalties and then prove that he guesses most of the time by booking the wrong player after a foul I think it is something we have to live with. Mind you, it’s not difficult to detect a little rat like Riley is it?

  80. scottfromoz says:

    Rico, I’d have to say it’s a directive because more and more we see our guys playing out from the back.
    Kids are also taught this.
    It’s great to be comfortable on the ball, even under pressure,but often, common sense must prevail..surely making the correct decision under pressure is every bit as important as being able to hold on to possession, even if that decision is to belt it long.
    Ginge, Giroud is a top class striker.
    Following on from Thierry and that Dutch bastard was always going to be tough on any striker.
    I’m a little surprised he’s copped criticism for the missed goal, because watching it in normal speed shows how very little time he had to react, IMO.
    He’s no Henry, never will be, but who is?

  81. rico says:

    Sian Massey Adam?

    Good question, haven’t seen her for ages. She was always very good. Perhaps she wouldn’t sign up for Riley’s agenda….

  82. tsgh says:

    Scott- An acquaintance who is an opta analyst and detests OG12 always went on about Janko of Basel and Yunus Malli of mainz as potentials who will be better options than OG12. I saw Janko play against Fiorentina and he was absolutely toss…; Malli is not too bad but like Icardi they are all potentially 1 season wonders.

    What i like about OG12 is he is ever present and does not shy away when he misses a chance.

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