Morning all.
Tired of it? Me too.
Just when Atkinson awards us a penalty, I thought that finally we in for a game where the referee has a good performance. Err, no yellow card for Traore?
Up stepped Alexis to pass the ball to Green.. Oh well, that turned out to be one of very few things the little Chilean got wrong…. Oh how I wish we had more like him. Did you spot his international team-mate telling Green which way to dive?
We had further penalty claims but Atkinson wasn’t going to give us another was he and he didn’t.. His performance was woeful.
What he did do though and quite rightly so was to send off Olivier Giroud. What the Frenchman did was disgraceful, there is no place in life for head butting someone and certainly not on a football pitch. Mind you, there’s no place for what Ferdinand did to Giroud after either but somehow, Atkinson missed that just like he did many other bookings for the opposition players.
We were 1-0 up and cruising when Giroud saw red. Gibbs had passed a perfect ball into the box for Alexis to head home and take the lead. It was a super goal.
Qpr came into the game with the player advantage but it was us who scored again, a love finish by Rosicky who surely now will be given more playing time as yesterday, he was good.
At 2-0 up the nerves settled somewhat, well that was until Dubuchy was penalised in the box for a perfectly timed tackle Hoilett. Austin blasted home the penalty and we were in for ten minutes of pressure but somehow we held on.
The substitutions made by Arsene were again weird to say the least. Qpr were pressing forward in numbers and we needed an outlet, a player who would put Qpr on the back foot and we had that player on the bench but no, Theo wasn’t called upon, instead, he made defensive changes, playing into the oppositions plans.
The most bizarre and somewhat stupid imo was Chambers, a player who just a day or two ago, Arsene Wenger said had ‘hit the wall and needed a rest’. A player who perhaps shouldn’t have even been on the bench, let alone the pitch.
We have under 21 defenders who are itching to get a chance and if they aren’t deemed good enough to step in against Qpr, when are they ever going to get playing time? Surely that option would be better than flogging poor Chambers to death….
Coquelin too, what was the point?
We were rather fortunate at the end not to concede a penalty when Gibbs bundled over Zamora…..
I’m livid with Olivier Giroud, he let himself and his team-mates down yesterday and his recklessness nearly cost us three points. That was a game in which we really were battering Qpr in but he gave them a lifeline. Thank goodness we somehow held on..
West Ham up next, could be a day to hide behind the sofa……
By the way, young Kristoffer Olsson has made his loan deal to FC Midtjylland a permanent one.
Over to you guys, have a good day….
first….
We played with 10 men mostly of the second half. Only two days of rest. I think we will not be well preparing fot he game against WH.
Morning all.
3 points.
Sanchez.
Santi.
Rosicky.
Debuchy and Gibbs……my only positives.
I hate to say this, but it was Wenger himself that offered QPR their chance to snatch a result, though the referee hardly helped!
Cole v Daddy long legs!
Scrumptious!
Jm, we don’t prepare well for any match…
Scott, it sure was after the sending off, but Giroud gave Qpr a sniff.. Bleedin idiot he was!
Rico, we still had them cold at 10 men until we tried to shut up shop, I reckon.
Don’t get me wrong, Giroud was bloody stupid for what he did.
I don’t think AW knows what shutting up shop means though Scott, and he doesn’t have the players to do it..
Things are so bad, I start wondering if we should sign Alex Song… 😉 😉
QPR are really shockingly bad though.
How many chances does Giroud get before he’s history?
That’s not funny, Rico lol
We discussed this a week or so back…..it’s the players who usually can’t handle the pressure of the game imo, but why change the tactics in a game we are dominating?
2-0 should have been 4-0.
Why sit back?
We should have been 5/6 up before Giroud went off Adam, Qpr’s defence were dreadful…
Re Giroud, many more I suspect…
that is true but worst for tomorrow.
AW with the subs, made a invitation to QPR to attack.
we have been 20 minutes for had a shot and that was the penalty.
I dread tomorrow Jm, and the trip to Southampton….
I agree Rico (about the score). As for Giroud? I’d out him right now. Nothing much will change until the club grow a pair and get ambitious I suspect.
Same with Arsene Wenger Adam, he’ll remain as long as Kroenke doesn’t grow a pair..
But then what does he care, other than making a few million each season….
As you know Rico, I have nothing against SK earning a few quid from his investment. It’s the general assumption that he seems to have that Wenger can do no wrong that shows the limitations of his vision for me. Hopefully this is the last season of its type. (He said through gritted teeth).
Adam, only 2 1/2 years to go.
Nah, I think Wenger will go at seasons end.
I’m not fussed how much he earns either Adam, but I’d like to see a bit more of that given back by way of ambition to things on the pitch.
I do wonder if he even watches our matches, perhaps if he did, he’d realise that something is seriously wrong.. And you don’t have to be a footballing expert to see that….
Scott, I think he’s too stubborn, unless we finish out of the top four I see him staying longer than next summer….
Oh joy.
Doesn’t Traore look different these days, still useless though…. 😉
Morning All,
Wenger at least got the back four line up right,
switching 3 players when you only need to change one,
wengers gone on all week about the BFG,
Give him a break,as he lectured to the press
it was him who switched him to the left,
fish out of water,square pegs,men against boys,
defenders on away days,
The manage/ment have gone barmy,
effing about with the defence,this season,
in my very humble opinion.
Rico,are you saying that the syrup has a clue about Soccer,
and even he would know,whats wrong?
I hope I’m wrong of course Adam..
But, he could shock us in January and make the right signings… 😉
Morning Fred, no, I’m saying things are so bad, even a guy who knows bugger all about football could see it… 😉
And do what with them Rico? I wish he would make no signings then bugger off in the summer having given Gazidis ample time to secure one of the best 3 managers in the world and give them the time and the finances to succeed. The whirlwind that needs to sweep through that crusty unambitious institution should be something to behold. There is a lot of rebuilding to do and a lot of bridges to be built with the fans because at the moment they feel low and depressed. Wenger’s limitless patience with Giroud is shameful.
This is a dreasful, unbalalnced team that only one man is to blame and he should’ve been sacked 5 years ago!
One of those might come true Adam.. 😉
Rico. One could follow the other and the house of cards could come tumbling down. Sooner the better for me.
I hate those matches which we go there already known to be losers because of running short defensively or in attack. Once again I am reminding Wenger to spend wisely by bringing in two defenders. We lost to Chelsea, Man U, Stoke, Swansea and drew with Man City, Liverpool because of week defense. Use January window effectively and we will be within four. Do as you have always been doing for seven or eight years consecutively. This year, most likely you will be pushed away, out of four.
Of course we already surrendered to become Champions or Runner’s up. Chelsea and Man City can not be overhauled because they spent well and they are playing well. Even when they are to loose a match, they are coming out with all three points.
Its time that we learn how to learn from own mistakes.
Time will tell I guess Adam….
Welcome NH and Richard..
Must dash as have family coming for lunch….
Looking at Arry and Wenger shaking hands before the game,
you couldn’t meet to opposites could you.
One who loves to spend a pound note,
One that likes to save a pound note.
I thought Arry looked less stressed.out of the two.
To top it off, West Ham threw the Chav game to rest for us. I remember when teams did that at Old Toilet. As if the Russian rubble’s aren’t enough, now teams are giving up.
And in the meantime we are performing total shit.
The most annoying thing about the Giroud incident, is he wont be held accountable. He gets three games off, at Christmas / New Year – no doubt he’ll fly to France for a couple of days,
He should be docked wages, when a player does something like that they should be punished.
However, we have gone from the invincible’s to the unaccountable’s. Nothing will happen to Giroud for that.
What a prick.
No a clearly tired and under-performing Welbeck is forced upfront. Lets hope one of Theo or Lukas starts at West Ham.
COME ON THE GUNNERS
Who knows , maybe Podolski will get game time before he leaves for sunnier climes . 2 matches before the window gets under way by then all the injured may well start to return , by the time they are match fit the ones that have been played to death can pick up their injuries and we can can play the other half of the squad for the rest of the season.
Walking in a Wenger wonderland.
I can understand Giroud getting slated for his reaction but the QPR player should have gone for the shove in the back when Giroud was through. Completely ignored everywhere. Also can’t see why people want him out. The team plays better with him in it and his finishing is improving. Far more worried about Welbeck. Podolski needs to replace him against his favourite opposition tomorrow.
BJ it’s long been the problem with referees , they never penalise the first foul and then punish the retaliation.
Agree Potter. Particularly in the Wenger era where teams have been allowed freedom to kick the crap out of us and our players get booked or sent off for first foul or retaliation. Nearly all of Vieira’s red cards were for retaliating against some no mark who was trying to do him. Horseface and Neil Redfearn spring to mind as does PSV away when we had Vieira and Lauren sent off for nothing and van Bommel had kicked everything that moved all game without even a yellow!
Plus ce change! Plus ce la meme chose! – The more that things change, the more they stay the same!
Hi Bob. I am one of those who would like to see the back of Giroud. Apart from having the occasional good game I think he is way out of the loop pace-wise. Plus I think he is a Pratt who has let his team mates and the club down badly on two occasions now. If Wenger wants a big lump up front and the PL does seem to be suited to that, then there must be better options. Purely a personal opinion though.
Maybe there are some legs in the Metro’s report that we are interested in Cavani. We wait on tenter hooks!
I mean le Quiff will have a peaceful new year! He must have been on a promise, with or without his boxers on!
Afternoon All…
A good post Rico…
Yes, as Bob and Potter have mentioned, we do seem to suffer disproportionately to other clubs…
Atkinson couldn’t wait to give QPR a penalty and from the other end, the tackle seemed a good one, no foul, but then my eyes aren’t what they used to be…
I thought that the referee was poor, allowing the QPR the kind of latitude in physicality that our players were punished for, in a game that was quite easy to control for a half- decent referee.
But then Atkinson doesn’t really fall into that category…
What really annoyed me was the inaction of Wenger when it was 2-1 and we were under pressure…
What on earth he thought he was doing sitting down as we came under increasing pressure, I don’t really know?!
I want my manager to be proactive.
Encourage, make tactical decisions, remind players of their responsibilities, give advice, chastise, be a bloody coach ffs… 🙄
I was quite suprised, with QPR pushing up, that Wenger didn’t throw on Walcott for the ineffective Welbeck, in the last 10/15 minutes…
Instead Arsenal seemed to retreat towards their own goal allowing QPR to pressurise our goal…
Kev, you’re forgetting he’s 66 he needs a little sit down, now and then, sometimes he would like a little nap, too! Yesterday was a case in point, I reckon hed over indulged at lunch time with sir chips a little too much port and Stilton so, when he hit the touchline he was a little tired and emotional!
You know, you’ve heard the expression ‘oh, I can’t be arsed today’. Well that was yesterday. He has completely lost the plot.
And I’m being charitable as its Christmas!
I sympathise a bit with Giroud (sorry Adam).
He could have been on the end of another serious injury as he got clattered by the goalkeeper…
Again, the original offender escaped punishment as Atkinson flourished the red card with gusto. Onura (or whatever that idiot is called) made the most of the headbutt, and if you can see pictures of him falling backwards you can see him looking straight at the referee, not in any painful reaction that I could see, but more in satisfaction, as he knew he had succeeded in his intention… The wanker!
Not putting on an attacker to relieve the pressure his now in his coaching manual, written in as don’t get hung ho in the last 10minutes when defending a lead or chasing the draw! You can thank the manure result for his new found belief in our ability to defend a lead by force of numbers, defenders, even! Yeh right!!
Tbh Wavy, I only got excited about the game because my lad had a bet on it…
It pissed down all the first half and we watched out the back, on one of the TV’s as we were getting soaked in our thousand pound seats in Arsenals ‘futuristic’ £300m stadium…
Fcuking joke mate…
Retribution is ipad in instant! Gung ho, not hung ho! Perhaps if was the latter we’d show a bit more composure aka balls!
Wavy, for most of the game, our ‘defence’ had an easy ride as QPR are so poor…
Like you, I was, well, not really suprised by Wenger’s substitutions, I just kinda expected what we got, no imagination.
Kev. Not at all mate. I saw Giroud give a MOTM performance against Spurs last year. When I saw the work he put in that afternoon then it makes me realise that he just coasts most of the games, but then I suppose you could say that Wenger lets him get away with it. Before his stupidity yesterday I was watching him and the way that he expects the game to come to him. He wants the ball to land square on his nut or fall under his left foot. I could sense his frustration. Quite honestly, I know he isn’t a bad player.
Never got wet on the North Bank!
Don’t blame you though, better dry than soaked, I mean why would you want to catch your death as a result of an Arsenal game in which we were made to look so poor in the second half?
The conversation in the Rocket after the game, seemed to focus on Wengers successor, rather than where we’re going this season.
I was sitting with five other Gooners, all different ages. None of us hate Wenger or fall into the category so lovingly portrayed on some Luddite pro-Wenger blogs, as extremists… We all, to a man (plus one woman) respect him, hate the Wenger out banners, but feel that he’s run his course…
Nor a great player, Adam…
Adam, it’s all about opinions mate… 🙂
I also thought that Gibbs had a decent game… 😉
Wavy, I was in the ‘Singing Section’…
9th row of seats. I might as well had been on the touch line, it couldn’t have been any wetter…
When the king dies (metaphorically) who WILL be his successor?
Even Gazidis said recently that they were going to take their time in finding the right man seemed to suggest that the process had already started. But who will fit the bill? It certainly will not be an easy task or appointment! And will we, the fans be happy? I’ll bet diamonds we won’t!
Just want to add I would love him to develop the elixir of permanent youth, wind the clock back 10 or 15 years, and go again! But it ain’t going to happen. Sadly he’s done, and that gives me no pleasure what so ever!
Cavani??
He won’t help the defence or midfield.. Neither will Wenger….
Evening all….
You can be too intimate you know, sitting near the front, it has its draw backs! On the occasions thatI’m went when it had seats I always sat under the corrugated roof! Or in earlier times stood behind the goal, half way back. Stayed dry that way too!
Wishing John Gregory the best for his operation….
Neil Warnock sacked….
Kev, you know things are bad when the bar-man asks you what can he get you and you reply – a towel !!!
Got a good feeling about tomorrow and no I’m not going loco.
Wavy. I got soaked on the walk to and from the car. In my seat I was quite dry-ish. So you sit in the North Bank? Was it you I heard singing? 🙂
Hi Micko, hope you are having a lovely festive time…
I fear the worst tomorrow…
Rico, i fear the worst every time we play.
Actually Bt, so do I…
I hope for the best myself. 🙂
Adam, is Arsenal’s best good enough?
Having a lovely time rico, off for the next week, not back until the 5th, Christmas is a great time of the Year.
I think we’ll be ok tomorrow.
Hear there’s been a shortage of Baileys in the south counties this week, I’m saying nothing.
Nice Claret Adam? 😉
🙂 Micko, but it’s the Aldi equivalent which is out of stock… lol
Glad to hear you are having a lovely time…..
BT. That’s a leading question. 🙂
When I look at our full squad and the team that Wenger could pick I think it looks quite decent but a manager has to do much more than just pick a team. For years now I have been concerned about motivation and have noticed a severe lack of bloody mindedness in our players. I have often watched someone like Gibbs who is obviously talented and has the tools and wondered how he would do under someone like Mourinho or Pep and whether they could iron out the flakiness and weird positioning I see from him regularly.
It’s a curious thing this team/manager chemistry isn’t it?
I just don’t know what’s going on over there any more.
Champers actually Rico. 🙂
Why am I not surprised Adam…. 😉 we are enjoying a bottle too… Lol
It’s not that blue one is it Rico? 🙂
No Adam, that’s being saved 😉
Don’t keep it too long Rico. 🙂
rico, if you don’t get nominated for the new face of Aldi 2015 I think some serious questions need to be asked lol.
I won’t Adam 🙂
Ha ha Micko, I love the place and you make a good point…..
Adam, did you know blue movies are known as yellow movies in China, sorry if I am digressing !
Micko. I didn’t. You learn something new every day on here. 🙂
Atkinson is two and a half times more likely to send off an Arsenal player than a player from any other club
As for the Giroud “headbutt”, all I can say is a headbutt must be different in London than it is where I’m from, cos that sure as hell was no headbutt, anyone who has ever given or received a headbutt will I’m sure back me up on that.
Still it was probably worthy of a red card under the rules, but rules seem to have little to do with how Atkinson refs games. One set of rules for Arsenal and another for our opponents.
I think Wenger was right with the subs, although I would not have put Chambers out to mark Hoilett, I’d have put him more in the middle. It was not the making of subs that put us on the back foot, it was the phantom penalty and the fact we had been down to ten men from a few minutes into the second half that gave QPR the lift to go for it late on. Once QPR brought on Hoilett and Zamora we had to bring on more defenders, it was there for us to drop the points, QPR had nothing to lose going for broke, I’m fairly sure most of you lot complaining about defensive subs would have gone ape shit if we had brought on a forward and ended up letting in a goal, after all many of you whinged quite a lot about how we let in goals v Swansea and Man Utd by going for another goal. but of course that should be ignored in the name of a good old whinge.
I like to think I’m contributing and doing my bit for HH Adam !
Eduardo, Scott is well known for his flying headbutts on here !!! I’d love to hear his version on it !
All I know is if that Jesse went down like that in Grahame Park North London on a Friday nite he’d have to move to another borough the next morning……a bit embarrassing.
Eduardo, not really sure of your point. When they were pressing forward, it was down to us having no outlet, bringing on a knackered young player and a guy who couldn’t get a game in the lower league is hardly enough to convince…
This isn’t just about yesterday, it’s about the last few years…..
Night then all, sleep tight…..
Night Guv.
Just watching Chas n Dave’s Christmas Special…
Reminds me of a jamming session in Wanstead, tbh..,, 🙂
Kev,i know tv is bad at xmas, but that’s an all time low.
Micko, Giroud offered little more than a coming together of opinions…..that was no bloody headbutt 🙂
Damn guys, I just caught up with today’s comments and had to double check the result tl make sure we really won.
What a miserable lot you are and at this time of year lol.
Still, it’s nearly January, and think if the joy that always brings us 🙂
BT, saw Chas n Dave jamming with Eric Clapton…
Surreal…
That is without a doubt…..Surreal
Just watched it on a youtube , Albert Lee as well , wonder where it was shot.?
Wake up, it’s match day 🙂
Morning…..
I’m awake and sober!
Morning all………?
Me too for a while…. lol
Morning guys.
I’m awake and a little tipsy 🙂
🙂 Scott….
New post up now…