Morning all.
We have learnt something this season, we went to Sheffield Wednesday in the League Cup and got quite a severe defeat.
I’d have thought he’d have learned that lesson long before our defeat in the Capital One Cup as there’s been a number of times over the years that the team have underperformed against lower league opposition and suffered a defeat.
Arsene Wenger is right though, that League Cup loss was a real battering and pretty awful. I know a number of younger players turned out but still, I don’t think we should have lost the game in the fashion we did. Perhaps the manager underestimated how good Sheffield Wednesday were, perhaps too many changes on one day upset the balance and belief.
I saw them on Monday night beat Derby 4-1 and I realised when I watched them that all their players played in the Premier League, we played against most of them.
They have Gray up front who is very efficient, they have other players like Barton, Arfield, Boyd – they have all played in the Premier League.
They have Vokes up front with Gray, they have good players. We know that we have learnt in the Premier League that the teams who have come up from the Championship, it is not like 10 years ago – they compete at the right level.
While I think they’ll be a few changes today as we have a league fixture in just a couple of days time, I can’t see the manager risking wholesale changes as he did in the Capital One Cup, not when there’s so much at stake. Wenger will want to win the FA Cup for a third year in a row as I suspect most Arsenal fans would and thankfully, he’s already confirmed he’ll play a ‘quite experienced’ side.
David Ospina will start, as should Gabriel, Gibbs and Elneny. I’m really looking forward to seeing what the new guy is like, especially after the manager’s high praise of him yesterday during his press conference. Defence minded, very mobile and moves the ball around the pitch quickly he said. Great, just what we need in our midfield I’d say! Somewhere between Ramsey and Flamini said Arsene. I think we’ve needed someone between the two recently… ⚽️
Alexis is expected to continue his return after injury and Francis Coquelin should at least be on the bench. As for the rest though, we’ll soon find out.
“We have to earn the right to go through this round and qualify. If you don’t do that, we’ll have a bad surprise.” – Arsene Wenger.
Absolutely Arsene and whoever plays today has to realise that because as Kev said yesterday, Joey Barton, Burnley’s version of Costa, will make sure he and his teammates are.
The FA Cup is ours right now and long may that be the case..
COYRRG’S…..
Morning all nkawali is the kid you should follow his development(a yaya toure in terms of style of play) wont be shocked if he is introduced into the 1st team next season…i would be worried if i was wilshere not forgetting that jon toral too is on his way too
Good post Rico and Morning again…
Morning All…
I got a feeling that Arteta could start alongside Elneny today…
An experienced head to help guide our new man…
Coquelin and Arteta to get run outs from the bench?
Morning all.
Morning all
Rosicky not play today?
Morning all,
Arteta starting then Le Coq coming in the final half an hour would nice tact – alongside Elneny. Sanchez and the ever fit Giroud to keep the sharpness upfront. Not sure who’d start on the left, Joel needs a rest though. Ox and Theo coming on later maybe.
On the right I mean.
Rosicky should get 30mins too.
Start arteta thug barton will have fun there is no tact there,since we are home why dont we go for it…ramsey and elneny for me
I’m with you Drake & tbh I’d rather not see Arteta playing. Even if it is the cup !
Jack Wheelchair not coming back until March….. get him fit and sell him!
Alexis gets a run from the bench with Coq I meant, not Arteta… ?
Come On You U’s
You never know Lee, if Jack gets fit, has a great Euro 16, then a big offer or offers, might come in for him?
He’s set for a bumper new contract apparently.
Good Afternoon Lovelies and hunkies.
I have mixed feelings about this team……..
Ospina, Chambers, Gabriel, Koscielny,Gibbs, Coquelin, Elneny, Iwobi, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Alexis, Giroud.
Subs: Cech, Monreal, Bellerin, Arteta, Rosicky, Walcott, Campbell.
What a joke that is Brudder?
The bloke is going to be blighted with injury throughout his career and we’re putting him on massive new contract!
We need to sign more robust players and get shot of the sick notes…..oh and sign a couple of African embryos, that should clinch the PL, FA cup and CL!!!
The treble is on after that “busy” transfer window!!!
Campbell and ramsey should be in the starting 11…but i hope iwobi does have a good game
Arsenal starting XI: Ospina, Chambers, Gabriel, Koscielny, Gibbs, Coquelin, Elneny, Iwobi, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Alexis, Giroud
Arsenal substitutes: Cech, Monreal, Bellerin, Arteta, Rosicky, Walcott, Campbell
Read more at http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20160130/team-news-elneny-makes-debut#8wxiRacZ4ijmbpPh.99
Interesting starting XI…
Great to see Alexis and Coquelin start…
Strong bench…
Enjoy the day Adam…
Lee we had a chance to send jack to valencia on loan dont know why wenger blocked it because that where he could have fun and stay injury free.you look at ineasta ,james and isco it way too simila to jack…i dont think he will ever make it in the epl,if i were him i would force a move but it looks like he is happy getting new contracts without putting any work or contributing to the team success
1-0 Chambers
Kev……have you noticed Elneny??? He makes himself available all the time for one twos. He is constantly forming triangles. But he has not yet been involved in a crunching tackle a-la Coquelin.
Coach, I’m listening to the footie on Absolute radio…
Does Elneny look good then amigo?
Elneny movement off the ball so far is impressive. No hiding and makes himself available.
Le Coq is raw.
So far this game is an open game.
1-1
Could have been avoided.
Elneny is still finding his feet Kev. He does make himself available, however I feel that he is not yet the answer to Coquelin’s absence. He is playing the Ramsey role of B2B but he does hold back. He is disciplined as well. And I feel that AW has instructed him to play in the same manner as Aaron does. And its holding him back from expressing himself more. Early days imo.
I feel he will be taken off in the usual 60 minute sub to make way for Aaron.
No easy ride for Arsenal.
Alexis is the one that is making things happening.
Shit, what happened?
Good goal or poor defending?
2 v 2 in our central backs?
they pressure very high and we were not able to start played since Ospina.
We were better but we must shoot when we had chances and not said excuses when we can do it.
However, were to easy to Burnley be in our area.
Elnely is good but I think Coquelin is not fit and probaly is (or could be) injury again.
Coach, do you think that Wenger has brought Coquelin back too soon?
Sorry mates……it should be an easy ride.
Stats……
Possession 66% AFC…….34%
Shots on target……4 AFC…..1 Burnley
Shots off target…..8 AFC…….2 Burnley
Dangerous attacks 23 AFC…..14 Burnley
The goal was soft….a free header…..Chambers did not get goalside of Vokes. Should have been prevented. Gibbs and Chambers should mark more when defending. Both of them are defending their zonal area instead of defending against the attacker.
yes hell : 2 v 2 in our central backs!
It should be an easy ride but right now it is not. Every time they are in our box I am thinking something might happen.
He is a bit raw…..and seemed to have recovered quicker than expected. But I feel that it would have been dangerous putting Elneny to defend the back four. Maybe Coquelin will be subbed in the 70th minute. I just hope AW makes the correct subs.
But I hope Coqueling grows in the game.
So, if I understand you Coach,
Coquelin remains our one and only defensive midfielder still, and that Wenger has wasted another transfer window…
So if Coq gets injured again, we’re in a world of shit…?
Alexis is the one that makes things happen…
Alexis is back….
Amazing what £35 million can buy you…
Like a bit of quality…
Not exactly mate. Atm it is too early for Elneny to do the same job as Coquelin. He will do the same job, but needs time. Coquelin’s job is not easy with this AFC team. Only two players would have fitted seamlessly in there and both are retired…..Petit and Gilberto.
Enough qualities in this team to put this game to rest, but we all know Arsenal does things the hard ways.
Davil. Every time they are in our box they come close to score.
Welcome back number 7. we missed you big time.
Afternoon. Akpom hattrick!
Arsenal most threatened player is off for Theo.
Will be lucky if there are no injuries Burnley were allowed to be filth by a soft ref. Meantime, Walcott again justifies his exhorbitant wages!
Finished. should have been a more comfortable win. Stats say that.
However, I feel that Burnley gave their all……still they are far from EPL standard. I liked the look of their keeper though. He makes himself bigger than he actually is.
Motm….Alexis.
Elneny I liked but its early days. Still……he managed four shots, three of which where from outside the penalty area. I hope that its not coached out of him by AW.
Chambers played well imo….except in their goal.
I would have liked to see Barton get a whack……just a pay back.
Gibbs was ok as well…..but there where moments when Kos looked a bit unsure. Whether its because he had three new faces around him and two new, or else he prefers Per, I am unsure of.
Iwobi I liked as well.
The OX was his usual self. Good in fits and spurts. But if he continues to listen to what the papers and everyone has to say he will never cut the mustard. He needs to work harder and become more aware.
With regards Walnut…….he aint TH14.
The sooner everyone returns, including Danny, the better.
Ospina was quite secure.
Been a long while since we actually had a squad again to choose from and allow Rams and Ozil a break. Only two missing!
That’ll do, in the draw, and that’s what counts…
We won then… 😉
Evening guys…
The Daily Mail report of the match suggests Elneny was pretty good, and they don’t do praising Arsenal….
Just got home. Shocking traffic and freezing cold.
All worth it though Adam to watch the boys win…. ?
1-0, 2-1, 3-0 or 10-0 the best thing is as Kev said……what counts is that we are in the hat for the next round.
Elneny was ok Rico. Not Motm standards, but he was tidy, mobile and has good technique. Tactically he is quite good, but I cannot state how much since he was given licence to go forward and roam the pitch like Aaron. He was not playing as a pure DM like Coquelin. It remains to be seen when Coquelin is given a rest how well he performs as a DM shield.
Coquelin is still a bit raw, but he did well.
I would like to pass a comment with regards Koscielny, Coquelin and Ollie. They were surrounded by different faces than usual. No Cech in goal. For all his lack of agility and slow turning Per’s calming influence was missed. No Aaron and no Ozil also contributed to a raw performance from Coquelin……especially as he has been a long time out and had a new partner plus different outlets in Chambers and Iwobi on the right.
Ollie led the line well but he had no Ozil and Theo/Joel behind him. True he had Alexis on the left however just one outlet for him instead of having Alexis, Joel/Theo, Bellerin and Ozil to feed him and be fed by him contributed to having a slightly difficult game.
All in all I am satisfied with today’s result……we should have had a better result but we are still there.
I missed the game……massive day at work yesterday and an early start today, but I went to be confident we’d get it done.
I look forward to a replay-can’t Eli to see Elneny strut his stuff, to be honest.
Rico. Oh yes. There’s nothing quite like a win. 🙂
I’m pleased for him Devil, pleased he got his start anyway. It’s bound to take him time to settle in and get used to the PL but as said, when the Mail suggest he did well, he had to be doing something right. Lol
And he’ll only get better..
Same here Scott, I’m looking forward to watching the game to see the new boy and the goals of course…. Lol
Absolutely Adam, a win is all what matters on cup day..
Here is Elneny’s debut….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZ24nX5Sqy0
Hate to criticise but Chambers needs to start spreading his goals about, can’t go his whole career just scoring against poor ole Burnley.
Good win, looking forward to our next home draw, no real shocks today, tottenham aside, from what little I know about Elneny he’s not really a replacement for Le Coq, will cover ever blade of grass for the cause, always looking to get involved but not over physical, rarely picks up a yellow card !
You old hoot Micko…. Lol
Howdy rico.
Kev 4.17, spot on, he’s up there with Andy Carroll mate.
How rude of me, evening to you too Micko…
See the Dippers struggled to get a 0-0 v West Ham..
Adam, at this rate you’ll have no credits left on your season ticket lol !
Off out to play, laters rico.
The treble’s still on Lee, Isco to be announced tomorrow !
What happens now that Debuchy is leaving??? Chambers to cover the RB, CB and DM positions?? Mainly as RB over the other two. Over one or two games yes but not over a good run of games should Bellerin get injured.
Do we have a RB in the stiffs who can come in and provide good cover???
If AW gets Isco as well, does that mean that besides TR07, MA08 and MF one of either Cazorla and Aaron is going to be sold in the summer??? Or is it that AW knows that JW’s nuts are going to remain unscrewed???
The midfield will have Coquelin, Elneny, Aaron, Cazorla, Isco, Wheelchair, Chamberlain, Chambers, Reine Adelaide, Iwobi.
Have fun Micko…
Debuchy leaving worries me Devil, unless Wenger signs a replacement…
Andy Carroll, now your talking Mick
Makes me all misty eyed and brings back fond memories of Chris Whyte leading the attack in those good ol’ days of the green and blue away shirt…
They don’t make ’em like that anymore…
Rico, Debuchy going, frees up a spot in the 25 man squad…
Isco in the summer, if ManCity don’t take him…
Jenkinson should be fit to understudy Bellerin by next August…
Gnabry back at Arsenal from West Brom.
Wenger to loan him out again
Kev, I get what you are saying but who plays right back if Bellerin gets injured?
Having to listen to a pair of twats on the feed in the pub go on about how every attack from Burnley made Arsenal look uncomfy and that the ground was silent apart from the Burnley fans it was a half decent result.
Elneny looked busy and made himself available all the time for a pass and he was full of energy, Coq looked a bit rusty but at least got a good run out. Ox and Theo flatter to deceive as usual and i’d flog both if a decent offer came in……… It won’t…!
If only we had another couple of Alexis’s………. the bloke is just top top draw..!
The one thing i will agree eon with the twats on tv was the atmosphere, yes there were a good few thousand empty seats but really what’s the point going over there if your gonna sit there like a lemon…? The tourists on their mobile phones taking videos is one thing but if you going over there as a fan at least get involved and sing and get behind the side otherwise whats the point in going over there….?
Yes it seems the same at many grounds but fuck me you could hear a pin drop and all i heard for 90 mins was the away fans…. If the players are thinking it’s like a morgue in here they hardly gonna get up for a game if the fans ain’t….!
Kev, if Jenks out for 6 months mate he ain’t gonna be back playing before October…! where does that leave us…!
Hi Wath, I haven’t seen the game but Alexis shone according to most reports I’ve read. But when doesn’t he? The man is incredible…
You make a good point about the atmosphere, not today as I don’t know but the place has been like a morgue for a while and it’s not until the big teams roll up do the fans get motivated…
Alexis will always shine. He is quality and very few players, yes even in the EPL, match his workrate and skill.
I cannot comment on the atmosphere as the TV is different to being there.
Just read that Elneny had 100 touches of the ball. Incredible. And he played a lot of one twos or quick passes. He also had 4 shots, three of which where from out of the penalty area.
He will grow in this AFC team. But we need to give him time.
I can’t understand people paying good money Rico to sit there like they watching the opera…?
Get involved make some fucking noise for gods sake it’s embarrassing !!! Why waste money just to sit there..? 50,000 silent Arsenal supporters……….. Joke…!
People say the crowd feed off the team but also the team feeds off the crowd and you go up north they don’t sit around like a happy clappy sunday morning out down the local church do they so what’s wrong with our lot…!
As said all the tourists don’t help but they still a very small minority…!
Agree Devil and said the same earlier, give the guy a chance…
Wath, I don’t get it either and you make a good point. Sunderland, Newcastle, Stoke etc etc, none are brilliant each week but their fans sure get heard and the atmosphere is hostile. Hate to say it but just look at the neighbours, their place is noisy from start to finish..
The Emirates is more of a library than Highbury….
Good evening Rico and All.
Elneny did well. R7 and Le Coq are raw as to be expected. But my concern during the game was Le Coq went down without anyone touching him. I hope is nothing serious.
You may of watched only on TV Dev but what did you hear………… Only the Burnley fans…!
The commentator knob even said oh the Arsenal fans have woken up to actually clap their goal….!
Says it all…!
Evening Ng. I read somewhere that Kos needed treatment after the game too. Did Coquelin go off after he went to ground?
Not really. After a few minutes he was up again but slow. I think the same way AW introduced Alexis against Chelsea, he should have done the same for Le Coq. Let in come in during the second half.
All of his ground tackles weren’t successful. You could notice some of his mistakes if your expectations were high of him.
Easy for us though, perhaps Coquelin has been training great and felt good to go and to be fair, this should have been a good starter for him. Hopefully he’s fine and no set back…
Offski now so night all….
We’re in the pot 🙂
Sorry Rico, just got home, a long long day…
Right back???
Well first of all, pray that Hector stays fit.
But if he needs a rest, Chambers or Flamini can fill in…
At a push, Monreal could switch to right back and Gibbs come in on the left…
No perfect I know, but these guys are footballers and should be able to adapt…
Gabriel was shakey, I think I understand why AW prefers Per. Elneny’s movements were great and full of purpose! He spent more time upfront and further ahead than Iwobi.
Iwobi is still raw, has lots learn. Sanchez was top quality. Theo seems to get worse by the game, he was piss poor at one-on-one. Elneny was available, he’d have passed to him. Ox keeps shooting into the sky. Nice win though, the team fought for each other.
It was worringly silent at the Emirates! At the second goal the camera guy zoomed in at just two kids who stood to cheer the goal. Never been to le vrove but God knows when I go there I’ll scream my lungs out! Coyg! Cheer/back your team!
Glad to see Coquelin was back to patrolling his midfield. Therw was one tackle even the crowd roared in appreciation.
Nice Ozil, Ramsey and Joel got the much needed rest.
Elneny is no Coquelin understudy, more of a Ramsey replacement. Makes you wonder if the Barcelona rumours are correct and the club is ready to swallow £60 million.
I wasn’t there today but the guy who is next to me says that he hardly recognised anyone around him. The place was full of kids which on one hand is good but if their adult is just there as a chaperone they are unlikely to burst into song.
MOTD were tight with their highlights as usual…
Two great strikes for our goals, dreadful defending for Burnley’s…
Morning all..
Bloody Arsenal fans make more noise on social media than they do in the stadium.
Morning all
RIP Sir Terry Wogan.
What a shock that is….
Bastard Cancer yet again…
Stop blaming us tourists, Wath 🙂
Nah, I’m kidding we cause you are right.
Here’s a very simple remedy.
Make all tourists collect their tickets 3 hours before the game from a local pub.
Seriously, think about it……..
Morning all.
So your plan Scott is to get us all drunk.
I think that’s a great idea
Joe, no, the plan is for “tourists” to spend some time with the locals.
They’ll get more feel of what it really means to be a Gooner then what they will talking on forums.
As a “tourist” I speak from experience.
Ps…..the locals will, or should, also give some respect to the “tourists” once they realise how much money is spent to see one or two games.
I spent approximately the equivalent of 3 season tickets to see three games.
And you only got to see one win didn’t you Scott? 😉
Rico, no wins.
2 draws.
A 6-0 loss.
Even the bloody girls got beaten hahahahahahahahaha
Still, I had a few hundred Gooners on the Away Boyz cruise singing “Big Fukken Aussie”, had a curry with a few locals 🙂 🙂 sat in Kevs Taxi, got pissed with Rocky Rocastles sister, met Charlie George, and basically had the trip of a life time.
The Queen was too busy to meet me, though.
Well, Elizabeth was fine but Rico…..well, I needed to book a year in advance hahahahahaha
🙂 Scott, I didn’t realise no wins, sounds like the rest of your trip made up for it though…
Morning All
Morning Rico
Yeah Rico, MotD was a bit rubbish last night…
Anyway, sod ’em, we’re into the last 16.
5th Round draw later today.
Anyone at home will do.
A year ago Chelsea and ManCity had been knocked out, the scummers were already out and we did ManUre in the 5th Round.
This year it seems like it’s gonna be more difficult with all the big clubs in it still…
Morning Scott, yes that was an interesting visit Digger…
Eco, I’ll never forget it, that’s for sure.
Kev, there wasn’t a dull moment to be had lol
Morning Kev. With a bit of luck we’ll avoid one of them later in the draw and then a few, if not all, get knocked out next round… 😉
Eco? That’s a new one Scott.. 😉
Rico, I have absolutely no control over this bloody IPad!!
Useless, absolutely useless.
The IPads shit as well lol
I thought it was ‘Rido’ Scott!
My iPad’s a clone or clown of yours!!?
Morning all.
🙂 Scott, they are funny old things aren’t they….
Wavy, poor Rico has ten alias’ lol.
It does my head in, Rico.
And mine Scott… 😉
Some say Rico, some say Rido,
Some say Eco some Ricco,
Rico, Rido, Eco, Ricco,
Let’s call the whole thing off… ?
Ha ha Kev, good idea..
New post up now..
Kokorin goes to Zenith
11pm GMT, Monday 1st February, deadline…
Not that it’ll make any difference to us…
The only transfer business will probably be players leaving on loan;
Debuchy,
Gnabry,
Crowley?
Willock?
Macey?
Pleguezuelo?
Love it, Kev 🙂