Back to the Premier League today with Wigan coming to The Emirates.
News is that Szczesny is to continue in goal today with Fabianski still ruled out with injury but Chamakh and Denilson have recovered – good news about Chamakh but the latter, well I hope he doesn’t start anyway. I hope we field the same side we watched hammer the Hammers and not the side that dropped two points in the away fixture at Wigan a few weeks ago.
Again we have the matter of a Carling Cup semi-final in the week, so let’s hope this side today can kill the game off early then bring off a few to rest their ageing old bones! I really hope Wenger doesn’t pick his side with Tuesday in mind; he can worry about that at 5pm today and no sooner.
We have played Wigan eleven times in the Premier League, winning eight, drawing two and losing just the once but they have never beaten us at home. In fact we haven’t been beaten in the league since our trip to Old Trafford in December and we haven’t conceded a goal this year either. We have the strongest strike force in the league, scoring 45 goals in 22 games, if only we had conceded a few less, eh!
Wigan
They have Victor Moses and James McCarthy missing today, despite recovering from injury and being back in training they are unlikely to feature today. Another doubt for them is goalkeeper Chris Kirkland – he’s recovered from his head injury but today may have come too soon for him to return, Al Habsi is his deputy. Tom Cleverley is also out for the visitors with a hamstring injury. They have lost just one of their last seven, league fixtures but have the weakest strike force in the league – scoring only 19 goals in their 22 fixtures. For those who love stats, Wigan are the only side not to have conceded a penalty so far in this campaign. Hope Theo is reading 😉
Players to watch are Hugo Rodallega who has scored 6 goals and N’Zogbia who has 4. I know that is not many but we don’t want them adding to their goal tally today.
Kevin Friend is today’s referee, don’t think I’ve heard of him, at least it’s not Howard Webb. Talking of which, Manchester United have a tricky home fixture today against Birmingham, Manchester City head to Aston Villa in another tricky fixture – I hope Darren Bent hits the ground running at his new club and proves he is worth what Villa paid for him.
Tit bits – Jonathon Woodgate is the latest defender linked to us, I won’t even comment on a rumour which really only deserves to be printed on the 1st April! Wenger tells Fergie that his side are lucky to be unbeaten so far and there’s a long way to go before the word ‘Invincible’ is on their mind and finally, Vela, Ramsey and Lansbury are all going back out on loan. Rambo is to be a short-term; Vela and Lansbury are yet to be confirmed.
BBC’s Friday Focus presenter Dan Walker was at Arsenal’s training ground yesterday doing a preview of today’s fixture. He talks with Terry Butcher and Arsene Wenger – this is being shown today on Football Focus 1215 GMT on BBC One and their BBC website.
That’s it for today, three points up for grabs for this fixture, so best Wenger makes sure we get them too as the others around us at the top could just drop some….
morning
good point about wigan
the last two games have shown we have been our own worst enemey..
fielding weakend teams, capable of scoring goals but incapable of repecting our opponents and in the end dropping points due to a lacklustra attitude..
100% commiment and playing to the wistle should see us through today
woodgates a brilliant defender, one of the best but he aint played since jesus was born and we dont know if his legs have what it takes to handle the PL anymore
next silvestre me thinks..
Is he fit ? and for how long. ??
Morning folks…
jj, woodgate is a typical wenger kind of signing 😉
Potter, he’s never fit – i don’t think he is even named in the scummy 25….
Hope Kirkland doesn’t start, he usually has a good game against us….
rico
re kirland
only when nikki ‘thats why your 52’ plays 😉
i dont think we need cesc for this one
a midfield of song jack and nasri would be fine
rvp up front
we have enough we just need to stay swtiched on and play to the whistle..
Morning all.
Woodgate could be just the man we need, Spuds have spent money they cant afford, and are still looking for a replacement for Crouch, they must be looking to recoup some of that. Woodgate has hardly played, and would struggle to get in their side, so if there is any truth in these rumours, we could get him on the cheap right up Wengers street. He needs a thorough medical though
jj, i read that about Nikki, so so funny….
good point re cesc, and jack is a more than able fill in 😉
Morning Steve – we wouldn’t get five games a season out of him, he would be heck of a risk and a waste of wages unless it was a ‘pay as you go deal’ 😉
steve
silvestre mark 2????
brilliant defender no doubt about that but he hasnt played for a long long time
if we get the woodgate of old he would be auto choice in the first team but hes spent so long out of the game we dont know what we are getting…
I don’t think that Kirkland is Wigan’s regular GK. Al Habsi has been their no. 1 all season as far as I know. I may be wrong but Kirkland’s been warming their bench…
At least Woodgate was a brilliant defender at one time, silvestre….. i don’t think we need another crock, we need to look to the future….
hello joshua
wigan could play kirkland and al hasbeen between the sticks and they still wouldnt stop nasri and robin
jonjons key word of the day is ‘application’….. 😉
we apply ourselves and we win…and win good…
i had a dream last night it was 5-0… 😉
but if we go into our ‘comfort zone’ it could be alot different…could be a struggle..
I think it’s been injury keeping him out though joshua, he’s a good keeper on his day, always thought he would cement the england place….
silvestre was a brilliant dfedner though rico
in his prime at utd he was a top top cb and a decent lb..
we just took him when he was over the hill and hadnt played for 18months…
fergie knew it..he wouldnt have got rid of him otherwise…
jj, the fans are key aswell, they need to be in as good a voice as the aways always are..
you sound like wenger ‘application’.. what about mentally strong and sharp’ 😉
i never really rated him jj, i don’t get why wenger gets players from sides when they can leave for free and over the hill, if they aren’t good enough for red nose, whay are they good enough for us?
woodgate is no different imho…
thats my theory on woody, rico
5 years ago yes defo id snap their hands off
but now???
its a massive massive risk…
we could end up with another player who eats into the wage bill who spends half his time on the physio table and when hes actually on the pitch its like playing with 10 men
like i say woodys a top defender in his day but have those days gone
if hes not good enough for arry why should wenger take the risk…
I have to say that I don’t really understand this whole “Denilson thing” with some of our fans and bloggers. Wenger rates the guy and the guy has played over 100 games for the club. He has played at every level for Brazil except for the full national side and is a reported target for a club like Barcelona but to read some blogs and listen to some fans you’d think that the guy was Steve Morrow!
All of us have players we don’t like, my own is Bendtner (and I absolutely disliked Silvestre), but I fail to see what is achieved by the constant denigration of a player who the manager, who after all knows waaaaaay more than any fan or blog, deems essential to his side’s success. The adult thing to do is surely to accept that you are powerless to effect any kind of change and either hope that the manager comes around to your view or that the player proves you wrong. To constantly target one player for derision and scapegoating is lazy, counter productive and basically unfair. And anyone who thinks that Wenger is going to either sell or drop Denilson because of what bloggers or fans say about him has not been paying attention. Wenger did not sell Eboue, or Gilberto or Fabianski or any other of the players the fans had chosen as scapegoats in the past and he will not do it in this case either.
Wenger sees our players in training almost every day and he knows them personally is aware of what they each have to offer in a way that no fan or blogger can ever begin to match… so let the man who is paid to do the job decide who is good enough for Arsenal and let the team get on with trying to win.
jj, you remember when the spuds bought him? Just as they broke the news, Sky Sports announced we had nipped in and pipped them at the last minute – i was so chuffed that day, well, for abaout an hour until i realised it was all rubbish…
🙂
joshua..
We all know we cannot change who Arsene buys and plays but that’s what makes the blog world go around and around. It’s good clean honest fun and debate, thats all…
Like you say, you don’t rate Nikki B, neither do I, nor do I rate Denilson. He is slow, passes the ball sideways or back and other than his ability to shoot as well as he does, I don’t know what he truly brings to our side.
At least Eboue is a decent back up for Sagna….
hahaha rico
wengers right though
commitment is the key to success in any walk of life
if you have high commitment and high drive…as well as the skill, your skill is what gets you through in the end
outwork your opponent, no matter who they are, go out there and be commited, apply yourself and the gulf in class and quality is what wins you the game essentially..
its all the fans ask for…we know they are all talented we just need them to give 90mins pure sweat..earn the right to play, dont just think the other team is going to roll over and let us play..
sagna is my favorite player at the minute…if they all play like sagna does we would win every game…
JonJon…
I think that you underestimate the very nature of the game of football itself when you appear to dismiss any team in the Premier league that lightly. I think we will win given the fact that we are vastly superior but in any “team sport” psychology, luck and performance on the day have a huge impact as well. We struggled to beat Leeds at the Grove and it wasn’t down to just a lack of application either. And to be honest I don’t trust our fans to be of any help to the team if they struggle at any point in the game. So I have to politely disagree with you.
I’m confident we’ll win but I’m in way or manner taking it for granted at all. Football is a funny game and only those who’ve never really played it think that it is “easy”.
Sagna is an Ox jj – he went through a tough time after the loss of his brother but this season he has to be the best right back in football – and he’s ours! He’s not looking to leave, loves the club and just does what he does best…
I can’t pick one out if i’m honest, so many have stepped up over the last few months…
Fair enough Rico. That’s your view of Denilson and you are fully entitled to that view. My point really is that there’s enough Denilson bashing going on for some of us to give the guy a break…honest debate I have no problem with, casual derision is something else. In any event it is a minor quibble so let’s just hope the boys do well this afternoon.
joshua
we struggled to beat leeds at home because we wasted chance after chance and if we do that today we will struggle again…..
no team is a walk over in the league anymore, the way this seasons results have gone throughout show that, but the reality is, on paper we have far superior players than wigan but if they don’t all play well it will mean nothing…
If every player plays near to their potential today we should batter wigan, the question is, will they or will they themselves think ‘this is going to be easy’ – just like they did at home to newcastle & west brom ….
joshua
i must say im confused by your last???
i think im saying what your saying to be honest,,forgive me if im wrong
and for the record ive played football..i played football for a long long time…
but you contradict yourself when you say you cant take any team in the league lightly, and then use leeds as an example..they are not a PL team
i also agree with you on the team sport mentality
the game v leeds was ‘just one of those days’ as i called it at the time
but to be honest not all of the team applied themelves that day..we have certain players in the ‘comfort zone’ and its those players who drag the team down when it does come to the team…
application is needed…by all the team..i agree with you…
i dont take wigan lightly at all…but i think certain players in the squad do…its those players i want to see work a sweat…otherwise..like you rightly pointed out..the ‘team thing’ doesnt work
joshua – i don’t know if you read HH regularly but we are all fair – if denilson has an outstanding game we say so – i don’t believe that any blogger here just chooses to dislike a player then regardless of how they play give them a hiding…
Every player who wears an AFC shirt gets supported but i can’t sit and watch a player play badly and then say ‘ wow, he was good’ – what would be the point of that?
rico
i saw an interview with sagna where he apologised to the fans for being sent off for that headbutt..
but he said in his defence that he doesnt like it when ppl say things about his family
i think that dirty little turd said something about sagnas bro and bac attack flipped…
no apology needed monsuier sagna…you should have kicked him in his nuts.. 😉
joshua, would like to write a post about our young brazillian and what you believe he brings to the side and why he shouldn’t be subjected so much battering?
if so, send to me at the address in the contact us page and i’ll post it for a debate??
Morning all.jj Aw described nasri as a half-winger and half-midfielder.in some quarters he is a central winger.in our system as i see it we play a lopsided 4-3-3 with theo playing further ahead of nasri closer to rvp.nasri plays almost on the same band as cesc but he tucks in hence wgy he is a central winger.this makes nasri more integral to the midfield while theo is more of a forward.when rvp drops deep and nasri tucks in we have nasri/rvp/cesc linking up and theo moving in to play as our CF.any thoughts?…
josh
i have no beef with denilson, hes a good squad player but thats it
my problem is with the fans who make out deni is the best midfielder in the league and hes auto first choice when he isnt..its just a love fest for an average squad player..and sometimes i think that certain bloggers just use this love fest to provoke a response from the bloggers who hate deni
we have much better options and when everyones fit deni struggles to get into the team..thats a fact…
so for me the constant bashing is too much…but at the same time the constant love fest is also too much
its a tit for tat mentality and to be honest its aload of childish bollox
i think i saw that one too jj, that ‘dirty little turd’ is lucky to be walking – fancy stooping so low…
morning kt, talking of nasri, i’m beginning to worry about him not signing his new contract yet…..
i would love to read a post from joshua
morning ktr..
yeah i see where your coming from with that one..i think your right…
i would also add that nasri although a winger/mid, i think his composure makes him a striker…
its becoming obvious in this current form hes quite unplayable…he can play wherever… its like hes got a free role in some aspects..centrally he links up, on the flanks he takes ppl out and in front of goal hes very composed
hes just unbelievable at the minute…hes very composed and very clever and he passes the ball into the net most occasions
Rico he’ll sign.have you ever seen happier?let him win the PFA awards and some trophies first.
JonJon…
The point I’m trying to make is that football is complicated. I used the Leeds example because it illustrates my point about assuming that any game will be easy. Our Reserve side is probably better than Leeds man for man. In my humble opinion none of their players has the talent of someone like JET or Lansbury not to talk of Bendtner or Arshavin.. and yet they almost beat us!
And I disagree that it is all down to the players not applying themselves. Application is not just about running around and putting in “maximum effort” in a physical sense… it is also about KNOWING when to run, where to run and observing what your team mates do in an intelligent way. The effort has to be coordinated and intelligent or else it achieves very little and in some case even makes things worse, that’s why football is complicated. And TBH most fans have no idea about what a good run is… a player who makes a run that creates the space for a goal scorer is hardly ever acknowledged by the crowd, a player who closes down space that enables another player to win a tackle is never acknowledged either and on and on.
So my point is that it is quite wrong to say that none of the players applied themselves against Leeds. Arshavin for instance was trying his heart out but nothing came off for him. Bendtner was really trying but his touch and positioning let him down… and Denilson despite giving away the penalty played very well and was unlucky not to score at the death as Schmichael made a terrific save from him.
My point is that football is quite complicated and it is not always as it seems… sometimes there are no easy explanations for how a match turns out and it may be the same against Wigan. I don’t think that we will have too much trouble against Wigan BTW but one never knows in football. That’s my point really.
yeah he’ll sign hes happy here and he wont leave wengers guidance..
hes just waiting to see how big a contract he can get after an incredible season…
the more he plays like this the more hes worth
i think hes on 35-40k at the minute he’ll be looking to be on a par with cesc and id have no problems with that
I also forgot to mention that when theo drifts into the space vacated by rvp sagna takes charge of the whole flank and thats why he is so vital now as he allows theo to make diagonal runs.clichy on the other hand seems to have been instructed to be reserved and JD covers for sagna.with one of song/jack staying back we have 4 men at the back always and thats why we are conceding fewer goals.
KT, then up his wages and make sure he signs for another five years, as every other club will want him….
JJ at the wc we saw iniesta and pedro play quite similar to theo and nasri.i think thats nasri’s best position to be honest.
JJ nasri is a superb finisher because he has the composure to aim for the top/bottom corners giving the gk no chance.cesc should learn from him.
i agree joshua…
there are so many variables in football nothing is guaranteed…
as you pointed out earlier luck plays a part as well as referees influence…etc
but arsenal are a very talented bunch and as long as we apply oursleves the skill will shine through…
nothing is guaranteed in football, all we can do is do our best…
if we do our best we are a force for anyone..
im not afraid of any team..not even barca…
all i want from the players is 110% commitment…if we have one of those days then so be it, we cant ask for no more..
defeats happen but im one of those who cant accept defeat if is see certain players strolling around waiting for something to happen
im one of AA’s biggest fans but even i will admit his application has not been there recently…although he did turn a corner v leeds at hostile road
i will also say that i was at that game in midweek and nikkis movement off the ball was none existant…and the reason chamakh came off and not niiki is because cham was knackerd from all the running he had to do cos nikki wouldnt move…and its not the first time…
nor would i jj, he deserves a big wage rise….
KT, a few should learn from Nasri too, he is so clinical in front of goal…
ktr i love chatting ball with you we have the same theorys
yeah the reason why theo is doing so well is because sagna is the one whos making the flank his..it allows theo to make the ‘freddie runs’ on the slide and his pace is making both the CB and the LB not knowing whether to double mark him or leave him
if they double mark him sagnas in acres of space and rvp is in acres of space..
if the one man mark him theos in…its lose lose when its at its full flow
its becoming a formible axis on the right and its worrying the shit out of defences…
its why i get worried when eboue plays instead of sagna becuase eboue has a tendancy to run the diagonal..it takes theos room and theo finds himself stuck out on the flank and he cant play there..
theos pace also makes him a good foil for sagna defensively …theo cant tackle for shit but his pace allows him to get back..cover the space and sagna is then able to mark his man without the worry of an over lap because theo is in the way or any spcae left..he doesnt have to tackle he just has to get himself in the way and sagna does the rest…
Wish it was a lunchtime KO, means i have to watch Wolves beat the binny dippers 😉
I understand what Josh is saying about ganging up on certain players, and he’s right, i am a culprit, but even Wenger must see the incompetance that some of these playera are guilty of, and 60 thousand plus see it all the time, there must come a time that Wenger see’s it too. there comes a time when a player will play better somwhere else, or fit in better, lets hope its soon.
JJ i also love chatting tactics with you as you say we think alike.what do you make of our defensive play?
Howdg people JJ nice to hear from you
Steve – i understand what joshua is saying too, but we don’t witch hunt, we just say it as we see it…
when they are good we say, when they are not, we say that too….
i think the defensive play is improving and is alot to do with the fact songs sitting back more and we dont have almunia in the sticks conceding the simple goals… 😉
hey erick its been a while dude hope alls well…
Howdy Erick…
The defence is also better as JD gets his head onto anything near him, too many seasons now we have been losing the aerial challenges…
i gotta dash guys i got to go pick the little one up but we’ll be back in time for the game..
Catch up later jj, don’t spoil her 😉 😉
See Harry got mugged in Spain, while on the way to watch Forlan…. Then he found out how much he would cost and said he was mugged twice ….
I have just seen that rico.lukaku’s agent has said that lukaku will not join city as they don’t need him.
Good, he’s meant to be the mutts nutts isn’t he, the so called ‘next drogba’ – did you see balotelli has said he will be gone by summer 2012, back to italy..
also kt, did you see jose has had a bust up with the madrid board and could be on his way….
Connor Wickham has signed a new contract at Ipswich, not that that means much other than any club will have to pay a bit for him….
Rico i thought i mentioned that in your post yesterday in the midst of all the b’day celebrations.
Zidane reckons nasri is the future of France.
JET and Rambo both at Cardiff on loan now…..
The Daily Express report we have agreed a deal with Oxlade-Chamberlain…..
Sorry KT, i must have missed it and I’d only had one glass of bubbly stuff 🙁
Zidane is right too, just so glad Domenech didn’t think that and left him out of the WC…..
I was just reading that rico.guess we’ll have to wait and see…
I can’t find the article though KT, could be rubbish…
Arsenal are on the verge of winning the race to sign the latest Southampton whizzkid Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
The Daily Express understands Oxlade-Chamberlain, 17, has rejected Liverpool and Fulham, and told the Gunners he wants to move to the Emirates.
Arsenal are prepared to pay an initial £5million fee for him with the promise of £5m in performance-related add-ons.
The Gunners are reluctant to sign striker Oxlade-Chamberlain and loan him straight back to Southampton, but are close to reaching a deal.
Mind you, it still could be rubbish 😉
Morning guys.
Re: Denilson. I see him falling down the order as Rambo and Diaby get fit but I agree, we need to support the players on the pitch.
Nik B is not just not good enough but he doesn’t try and that is the biggest crime for any player.
I hate Sky.
Thanks for listening.
Morning Will, you watching the BBC Footie Focus?
Yes I am Rico.
Hate Sky because in the opening montage, they showed Man Utd scoring, they showed Man City scoring and then cut to Grant throwing hos scarf into the crowd and concentrated on that.
Sky just can’t show us scoring or winning can they?
I’m used to them by now, they are Man U TV is disguise …
It is shicking the level of bias.
I couldn’t care less anymore to be honest, they won’t change now – once we get a trophy or two that will shut them up….
good to see a lady lines-person at wolves today….
Back in a bit – few things to be doing 🙁
mancs 1 up already then and Nasri has missed a chance, who would have thought that….
Al Habsi needs to stop saving our chances….
1-0 RvP oooohhhhhhweeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Theo – shoot!!!!
Roll on half time, someone might come and chat with me 😆
Do you think this is going to be one of those games?
Al Habsi kind of a day Will….
Hey, rico! That Wigan keeper is up for this one… Save after save after save after save after… 🙁
Will, please reconsider if you’re watching… 😉
And is that ref bent on not giving us any protection. Wigan players keep clattering into Cesc :X
Theo needs shoot on 1 on 1 🙁
Boo agag, and i thought Kirkland always did well against us, this guy is a pain….
As for the attempts to batter Cesc, surely the cards have to come out in the second half??
Hi Stef, can’t believe Theo didn’t just go for that chance, thats the trouble when your captains in the box too 😉
I can see them getting a free kick or a corner, scoring and taking the draw. To make me happy, we need to come out hard, get 2 goals quickly and kill all of their hope.
I am watching Agag but I have broken that jinx (I think)
Again, far too many of our shots are aimed at the centre of the goal and why Theo didn’t shoot, I will never know.
How much have we missed RvP 🙂
spuds 1-0 down…
2-0, no way will we surrender this today….
Arrrgggggh RvP, what a miss 🙁
Wigan down to ten, so anything can happen 😉
I want a few more, greedy I know but we need to make these chances count and start building an aura.
Haha@rico someone might talk to me.
We should and could be in double figures here, why is keepers come to the emirates and play like lev fecking Yasmin and go to old Trafford and play like Frank Spencer??!!
Oh shawcross has been sent off…..strange one that, cos he’s not that kind of player…..
Yashin even…damn iphones
3-0, all to Robin 🙂
Game over, good result…..
Hi rocastle – Frank Spencer 😆 😆
You at The Emirates Rocastle ??
Shawcross…. Corker, is he as bad as Caldwell 🙂
Come on you gunners, I want 4…….
Too late Rico.
We need to make these games 5’s and 6’s.
jammy spuds…. 1-1
9 or 10 today Will, but three points, job done now lets hope no injuries and play the same team against Ipswich….
Gr8 game today, lovely hold up from Theo for the third goal.
3 goals 3 points that’s all it counts 😉
Hi Rico,
I know I am greedy, but we should have scored 10 today but in the 2nd half our performance dropped.
Could you lend Song some studs for the next game? He fell over at least 5 times during the game.
Jammy Spurs dodgers!
It is great. 3 goals, 3 points and a clean sheet but we need to turn this dominance into more goals to create a fear factor around the team.
rico, to be fair, our boys tried to give you your sweet sixteen!!! 😛 I’m not complaining, but Robin should have scored 5; Cesc, three, Sami, 2… and so on and so forth.
And since we won, I’ll choose to forget our little Russian’s nth lacklustre performance. 😉
I think you really have broken your jinx, will. Goody. 🙂 🙂
Indeed Stef, and three points is what matters, that means we are creeping away from the scummy ones behind us too – we have a good run to come, we need to continue in the same vein 🙂
I think I have Agag.
Hi RA, he always slips over but was he good today?? 🙂
agag, multiply that by three and you are spot on 😉
Great result, Robin robbed them, we should have had a hatfull, probably the worst penalty since the last miss, we are still not taking the chances we create, does anybody practice shooting, whats the point of playing wingers, if when they cross theres no one there. 3 goals are great but o so many missed. just thought i would mention AA only on for a short time but gave the ball away everytime, rico, you sure about him
Rvp should get married to the post!…congrats to his first hattrick!
Steve, but a good day to get that kind of miss out the way, we don’t want that to happen at home v the mancs…
oh, and did you all know that that penalty is the first wigan have conceeded this season???
You should do, it’s in the post 😉 😉
😆
As I keep saying, we need an our and out goal getter. Look at Theo today, clean through and he passes sideways, do you thnk Wrighty would have done that?
So if I heard the commentator correctly, its’ now 3 games and 6 goals, in 8 days for our No. 10. 🙂 Ahhh, that chocolate leg (thigh for rico) gave him his hat trick. 🙂 🙂
Rico,
Song was OK, but falling over against better players may not go unpunished.
I am delighted and oddly relieved at the same time. Theo is rapidly becoming the next Eboue. Clueless! Sorry. 🙁
Will,
i think had it been any other player than Cesc in the box Theo would have shot – i have always said that cesc is like henry used to be – he commands the ball regardless of where he is or what is happening – and just like with henry, most of the players always try to find him….
agag, i don’t mind which bit of his chocolate body scored 😳 he’s just awesome….
Will. after scoreing 3 goals and winning, sounds stupid to say that doesn’it, but i have to agree with you
I was being serious RA, he did slip over a few times…
Theo/Eboue, next you’ll be saying Nikki is a world class striker RA…. 😉
RA, that’s a bit harsh Theo set up so many chances today he made one wrong move and he is Eboue come on!?%&
RA, but if Theo’s square pass to Cesc had worked, we’d have been proclaiming him a genius. 😉 Some days, it works, some days it doesn’t, I guess.
Johann injured his shoulder in the 2nd half and spent the next 10 minutes playing and holding it in some pain.
I thought it might have been curtains for him at one time. AW would have had to buy a CB then!
How good was lil jack in midfield?…spuds drew but lost the welsh messi to injury.
agag, i’m with you on that – and if Theo had shot and their keeper made an outstanding save agsin, we’d be shouting ‘why didn’t he pass’
We have just won and got three points…. isn’t that what we all wanted??
RA, he needs to buy one anyway and i still believe he will…
Talking of which, re the Woodgate rumours, he actually played 45 mins in the week….
KT, how bad is ‘Messi’s’ injury….
Steady on Rico, I would never, ever say B52 was even an ordinary player! 🙂
You are entitled to your opinion, Stef, regarding Theo, and that goes for me too.
What makes you think it was just the square pass that made me say that anyway?
Rico knows I am not his greatest fan. Well I am not any sort of fan of his I’m afraid.
Sunderland want Nikki B…….
I read somwhere today that Sagna has been staying behind after training to practice he’s crossing and shooting, not got it yet then!
KT, our Jack was steady and did his job without being outstanding.
Seriously, we could have weasily scored 10 goals today as we played them off the park in the first half.
Second half? Not so much.
Rico,
I can understanf AW’s reluctance to buy, because JD and Kosser played well again, though there wasn’t much for them to do.
It’s injuries that worries me.
RA – you have never liked Theo, was he really any more guilty of chances missed today than others??
Rico,
Excuse my manners, I have been at sixes and sevens recently, anyway a belated happy birthday to you! 🙂
I cannot understand any recluctance for Wenger to buy – he said JD cannot play every game, now he needs to back that up with a purchase…
This is where Wenger takes too many risks, we needed another CH before the season kicked off……
Steff would say no. I am just frustrated with Theo. He could be so good but ……. isn’t.
AW has just said in the i/v that he was frustrated too, but the team played superbly. He is right! 🙂
Thanks RA….
RA, we should of scored double figures in the first half and yet we have scored 1 more goal in the second, go figure.
What is happening with Rosicky there r zilch reports about him he is not injured maybe his not fit, who knows?
Le Tiss reckons we could have broken a record today with the highest possession ever in the PL 🙂
All we need is a greedy bastard up front who doesn’t aim at the centre of the goal. We would score 5 most games.
Stef, he’ll probably play on Tuesday…
RA, re missed chances RVP missed a penalty today 😉
by for now have a gr8 day all.
Rico, Stef,
That’s why I said I am being greedy. We could have got at least 10. I always just want us to squeeze the the most out of our dominance.
I have been told I am nice but ruthless! Well forget the “nice”. 🙂
Agree Will, and that will never be Theo, especially when he is always being played on the wing, get him in the middle and get him used to it, it may just be him…….
RA, you just have your fav’s, just like all footie fans and Theo is not one of them, another is Eastmond 😉
See you Stef, enjoy the rest of your day 🙂
Will,
You are my man. V.sensible, we need to ship B52 out and get a proper CF. 🙂
4 cleansheets in a row!not bad for a ‘soft centre’
Rico,
Eastmond? I love him. He delivers my local curry takeaway. 🙂
Arsenal is his second job! 🙂
Nik B needs to leave in this window and we need to bring in a greedy, goal hungry striker that can put this 15+ chances a game away.
Goal scoring CF to replace who exactly?rvp has just scored a hattrick and his movement and passing ability created chances.would torres play wide?NO.I wouldn’t move rvp from the middle for anyone maybe bar messi.
well another game closer to the league title, Spuds another 2pts behind us, and we are still not happy, shows what Arsenal fans expect from their team.we win or lose and we still moan. We have a few weaknesses and a few outstanding players,but whoever watches this game today will not be eager to play us. The weakness we had at the back has quietened for the time being, and only time will tell if its a problem solved, but at the moment the gardens green and flourishing and I’m a happy fan, good evening all
RA, 🙂
See Bent has just scored, maybe he is worth the money…. 😉
KT, yes woo hoo, we score three. How many should we have scored?
Rico,
He is if Villa win!! 🙂
KT – i’d be happy if we got a beast of a scorer in to compliment RvP, but no way would i move robin anywhere, he’s on fire…
i think we are being picky here to be honest, we have just won 3-0 and should be happy….
yes we have players who some want gone but they are squad players, can we just not enjoy the good performance and job done??
Will,
had we drawn or lost i would share concerns but we haven’t – like i said, i think we are being picky and looking for errors rather than enjoying a good win and three points….
KT,
How quickly you forget RVP’s chocolate legs.
There is no one better when he is in full flow, but what happens when he gets injured again?
See I disagree RA, he can score 3/4 goals but be on the losing side, that wouldn’t be his fault – he is doing what he gets paid for and thats scoring goals…. 🙂
RA – no-one forgets his chocolate legs but right now he is fit and on fire, do you hope he gets injured just to prove he is not reliable??
Trust me i want more goals but we should be happy we won.i have just bought our away kit and i’ll print rvp on it asap!
RA give the boy a chance mate.6 goals in 3 games is pretty good.Aw just needs to fine tune our shooting accuracy and some poor team will concede 8.
Theo Van Nasregas!!!
KT – i am the first to be so cross and frustrated when RvP is injured and yes, we don’t know when he’ll breakdown again but right now the boy wonder is on fire and i’m going to savour every moment…..
Not sure what you are disagreeing with Rico?
KT, I have previously said, many times, that I hope Theo proves me wrong and tells me to stuff it, but today he did not.
Did you watch the game? Any of you?
Your Theo view RA and being doom and gloom about RvP 🙂 🙂
And I’m going to watch it again later 😉
RA i watched the game.theo’s pass was infuriating but he was not as bad as you are trying to make him out to be.watch how much space his off the ball movement created.
so we win three nil against a team who weve previously had problems with
rvp gets a hatrick we keep a clean sheet and we still want a ‘clinical striker’ and a dm that doesnt fall over???
jeez
rant over
hello everyone 😉
Is becks our new owner?the cameraman should be sacked!why did they have to show him so many times.he should have followed the shit spuds to newcastle…
Exactly jj….. i’m just bloody happy to win and right now sit second in the league….
JJ i guess there is no pleasing some.it was interesting to note how different nasri was in the 2 halves.in the first he stayed wide as a ‘half winger’.in the second when we had a slow start he moved next to cesc as a ‘half midfielder’ and then bam!the engine started purring again.nasri deserved a goal today but it wasn’t to be.
Cesc missed some, Sami missed some, Theo missed some, Robin missed some, but Robin did net three, and signed, sealed, and delivered our three points. I am having a rather good Saturday, I must say. 🙂
Hello, KT and JJ. 🙂 JJ, the Clinical Striker of Anfield had a good night, too. 🙂
Rico i am beginning to appreciate theo more and more.when rvp and cesc play he doesn’t have to think as they lay everything on a plate for him.his off the ball movement was devastating but its sad fans rarely appreciate such qualities.
a couple of theos passes was ‘piss off-able’ 😉
but theos pace gives defenders problems and rvp space..
rvp gets a hatrick..
not saying its down to theo but he played his part in a subconcious way. 😉
agag, well said – anyone would think we got beat and missed a hat full – what do fans want… blood 😉
I saw Senor Torres had a good game 😉
KT, i think it goes back to this mornings debate with Joshua, he rightly critisised fans who just ‘pick’ on players – i think theo could be one of those players….
And that’s why i hope Diaby can get fit, come back and play so well he shuts people like me up…. 🙂
Koscielny also looks like a proper defender.he took a bang in the head but got up and continued to play.top lad.
ktr
although nasri didnt score he caused problems…
hes not going to score every game..neither is theo or cesc but we have the players who play their part and today rvp benefitted..
tomorow it will be nasri next week theo..etc etc
we ripped wigan apart..
im a happy gooner..
Except for the slips song had another top class game.dangerous going forward and steady in defence.
koz is having problems adapting with certain aspects of PL
sometimes he looks like senderos others he looks like sol..but hes getting there..
consistency is key..
JJ it looks like our theories are right after all.rvp’s role as a false nine cannot be underestimated.when he drops deep he leaves space for our runners to run into.defenders hate marking space as they’ll either have to push up to close that space but will as a result be vulnerable to a quick break similar to theo’s.if they stay deep they risk being overrun by midfield runners who are a nightmare to defend against.the penalty and rvp’s 3rd goal show just how valuable a false 9 is.am glad he had a hattrick and pray he doesn’t break down again.
Rico, KT, JJ,
Can I just make sure I have understood this blog correctly?
The House Rules say, I believe;
“just respect others views while blogging, the views may differ to yours but it doesn’t mean they are wrong…..
No ‘C’ word please, I don’t like it and nor do many others…
Otherwise, crack on, blog about Arsenal or whatever you like, it’s a free world….”
It would appear that I am the “fans” you are referring to in your comments.
Perhaps the “House Rules” should also include the phrase, ” .. and don’t put words in other fans mouths”.
It is unbelievably disappointing to have people I thought were friends, especially you Rico, treat me as if I was a leper. Thanks a bunch.
hey RA..its been a while dude hope alls well
its also ok to disagree 😉
dont take it to heart matey…
ive had run ins with all my closest blog friends..
avenell, rico included…
we cant agree all the time fella
i have row ups with everyone…it doesnt mean i respect them any less…
sorry if you feel offended…
Rvp is absolutely magnificent volleys.we must not forget the pass…fabergasm at its peak.
RA – nah, you have it all wrong…
i’m just saying, why are we picking holes when we have just beaten a bogey team, several players are guilty of missing chances, not just one…
And as the heading says, ‘Its ok to disagree’ – I am certainly not taking a swipe at you….
Because of our past friendship I accept your assurances Rico, JJ.
KT, this is the last time I speak to you.
RA – good, trust me, I don’t work that way, if i have something to say, I wouldn’t do it here, you know that… – I like a happy house 😉
Sorry RA if you felt offended but if thats the way you feel fair enough.
Harsh words from Martinez for Cesc… Losers and grace do not good partners make. The way Cesc was continually fouled though, surely Martinez sees the just deserts-ness of it all. 😉
What did he say agag??
Agag,
Martinez usually comes across as a “good guy”.
Managers are often poor with their comments as a result of frustration, despite having been stuffed. Human nature! 🙂
Excellent, Villa have won!! 🙂
he reckons cesc showed gamesmanship..
fuck him i always liked martinez cos hes a fan of the pure game but bollox to him if hes a sore loser
weve gifted him points in the last few matches it was only a matter of time before we pulled his pants down
boo hoo get over it
So Bent earned his wage RA 😉
yeah spurs and citeh drop points
its between us and utd..
bring it on
jj, you put things in a way that i wish i could – love it 🙂
We are 2nd then 🙂
Rico,
I always said Bent was brilliant ……….. NOT! 🙂
Rico i wrote what i felt but RA got angry.fair enough but if he took it personally and may cause disharmony i may as well quit this blog as i hate such things.if i never come back don’t take it personally but i don’t see the need to pick a fight over Arsenal.later all.
JJ,
Seems like we agree about Martinez then. 🙂
Actually, JJ, it is true that the blog fizzes when you come on. Always liked your forthright take on things! 🙂
ktr
going back to our earlier convo
i remember a while back when we were talking about rvp and saying he is now peaking..
hes in the world class bracket and his role as a false nine is vital to the way we play and also the way others pla around him…
we just need him to stay fit like he did in 09..
if he does and nasri and cesc stay fit the title is on
not only does robin enable the players around him to come into the attack but he is deadly in front of goal…
his match sharpness is back hes the best at what he does
No need KT.
I don’t hold grudges and your input has always been very valuable and you know I have also tried to encourage you.
I was disappointed, but I’ll get over it. 🙂
I’m gutted after that comment KT…..
Which is why, I’m disappointed, RA. He’s one of the friendlier ones. But to bring “culture” into it is embarrassing, impolitic, ungracious, and turns a blind eye on the glaringly obvious. I’d love to hear his defense of Stevie Me and Rooney, since it’s a “culture” thing.
Agag,
It seems we all thought much the same about Martinez being OK when compared with Pulis, Fat Sam & co.
When he reconsiders his unfortunate comments in the cold light of day he will regret what he said and apologise.
ktr your not going anywhere we had a disagreement ppl get wound up and say things
it happens on blogs
im the worst culprit sometimes but its all ok in the morning
bygones be bygones and all that jazz
friends fall out all the time…it makes the make up more special… 😉
RA
im known for my way with words… 😉
i cant help it, it just reels off the tongue..
i think i spent too long listening to my grandad 😉
some of the things he used to say when it came to arsenal would make a nun cringe but laugh at the same time
JJ,
🙂
agag, martinez has surprised me….
Rico,
Just watching Mexes in the Roma v Cagliari game and he looks a bit lightweight.
Not sure he would be right for us, but what do I know?
KT,
I’ve got to go, but I accept you did not mean to offend and I repeat my 7:46.
We’ll compare notes on Barca and Real tomorrow/Monday.
It’s been a good day apart from Manure, so let’s all enjoy! 🙂
And thats just what i was saying RA, we won didn’t we…… and i don’t think KT will be back to talk barca/madrid anymore and that really saddens me…..
Oh, KT, we’ll miss you too much if you leave. Who else will tell us about “furbizia” and false nines and the up and coming stars of Euro footie??? 😉
Rico, JJ, Agag,
I bid you a fond nite, nite (you must be getting up Agag).
Tomorrow, guys. 🙂 Three nil to the Arsenal, three nil to ….
i really hope KT thinks again agag….
KT is far too sensible Rico, and he is a major part of this blog.
He has many friends here and won’t want to disappoint them by staying away over some hasty words.
night RA
enjoy the highlights tonight and we will live to disagree another day 😉
KT will be back rico/agag
who else is going to help me make you lot look like mugs when it comes to tactics and formations 😉
get your arse(nal) back on here mate i cant cope with these lot without you 😉
jj, i’m keeping my fingers crossed….
you calling me and agag mugs, pfff 😉
rico, I am confident KT will. 🙂 Just last Sunday he asked “Why would I leave?”
KT: I don’t have a head for figures, formations, stuff but I do have a keen memory and you did tell rico her blog is fantastic; so no, you’re not leaving.
I have decreeed it.
There, rico. Sorted. 😉 😉
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBCpcSvxYeo&feature=related
agag, thank you for sorting that out… 🙂
Haha. Ow. Snap. JJ, you’re terrible. 😉
bent is now joint top scorer overall in the PL current strikers…
did us a massive favor today the man scores goals whoever he plays for
im a big fan of bent and im a bigger fan now 😉
‘MAN CITY IN STILL SHIT SHOCK’….lol
Ha ha jj, but lets remember
Bent is a Gooner at heart 🙂
the titles between us and utd guys…
citeh and spurs dont have the legs and chelsea hahahahahahahahaha
the game at the emirates is a massive one and you know what??
if we can field a full first 11..we’ll smash em..
jj – if we are still where we are in a month, i’ll agree 😉
I’m off for the day guys/gals…
catch up tomorrow…
That goes for you too KT if you are reading ….
Nighty night
morning….
morning 😉
New Post up…
Hi jj, see you on the new one 🙂