Fourth Time Lucky! Scrappy, Combative & Rewarding….

Morning all.

Well what else did we expect?

An easy Game?

A four or five goal romp to victory?

Neither of the above was ever going to happen, well not in my opinion.

I thought we’d win but not without a fight and we certainly got that. And credit to Burnley too, I’m not really sure why or how they sit in the relegation places because they work hard for each other and never accept a game is over until the final whistle is blown. I hope they battle on and stay up. Their manager seems a good guy, an honest guy and one who deserves to remain employed at the top of the English game…

And he says nice things about Arsene….

One stat from yesterdays game for those who are interested:

Francis Coquelin made 11 interceptions yesterday which is more than any other player has managed in a single Premier League match this season.

No surprise really.

Francis

Anyway, Arsenal aren’t a one man team and yesterday everyone worked hard and got their reward.

An Aaron Ramsey goal on 12 minutes was enough to take all three points back to London and see the boys clock up an eighth win in a row, the best run since The Invincibles team managed it in 2004.

It seems the ‘don’t like the physical game’ label is disappearing. This season we have won at Sunderland, Newcastle, Manchester City and now Burnley, drawn at Liverpool and Everton and of course, beaten Manchester United in the FA Cup at Old Trafford.

The biggest blip on the road was at Stoke when an awful start saw us 3-0 down and without a clue but even then, we were unlucky not to nick a point before the final whistle blew…

Turf Moor is a tricky ground, the fans are loud, the team dogged and determined. Sometimes perhaps a bit too determined!

Burnley

Our goal came after Alexis Sanchez initial shot was blocked, Mesut Ozil’s shot was saved by Tom Heaton, Alexis Sanchez tried again but hit Michael Duff in the face and at then it was fourth time lucky as Aaron Ramsey blasted the ball into the roof of the net – his ninth goal of the season.

And that was enough. We had further chances, Burnley had theirs too but the entire team dug in and defended really well.

[Our defence] was a very important factor because our back line played very well defensively and anticipated a lot. Overall, they certainly played a big part in the win, goalkeeper included.

It was a little bit scrappy but combative, and was more down to desire and organisation than fluency. That’s the kind of win we need in this league and I’m happy that we did it  – Arsène Wenger

The manager is right, it was a scrappy game at times but that’s life – not every footballing side is going open up and let us carve them open time after time and certainly not a side who is desperate for points. At times it looked like there were fifteen Burnley players back defending they were so determined to keep us out…

Now we sit just four points behind Chelsea and with our next league match being against them at The Emirates, it’s getting very interesting.

Before then though, we are off to Wembley for the FA Cup semi-final against Reading FC…

Let’s hope QPR are on form later today and Joey Barton gets stuck into the Chelsea players, fairly of course… And a draw at Old Trafford would be good with a few red cards thrown in…

Have a good Sunday guys….

156 thoughts on “Fourth Time Lucky! Scrappy, Combative & Rewarding….

  1. Adam says:

    Morning Rico. Sorry, I had to pop out to the garden centre. No, I didn’t enjoy the game but it was a generally low par yet pragmatic performance for me. When the players can’t lift themselves you need those.

  2. rico says:

    Morning Adam.

    I enjoyed the game after the final whistle had been blown. 😉

    Can now see how Burnley beat City and caused other sides problems, they sure know how to defend….

  3. allezkev says:

    Morning Again Rico… 🙂

    A nice upbeat post that pretty much summed up the game…

    Thank God for Google… 😀

  4. bripriuk says:

    Hi Rico
    I agree about the game – if Burnley had a goalscorer they would be mid table.
    I think we’re beginning to appreciate how much of an asset Ospina is. His calmness and efficiency spreads through the whole team from the back – how did we ever magage with Syzyzyzny.
    Brian

  5. rico says:

    Hi Brian.

    They could do with Ings finding a bit of form and I hope he does for the rest of the season.

    Ospina – love him. Wish he was 4 inches taller though…. 😉

  6. Wavy says:

    Morning all.
    No hangover although the Grappa was flowing freely!
    Yesterday the result was never really in doubt. A dour game but 1-0 to the Arsenal is always a heart warming reminder of years ago, when we really did know how to defend. But we were solid, again!
    Hope this rich vein of form remains and we slay the dwarfs Sloane Rangers!

  7. Adam says:

    I thought Burnley were awful. Niggling fouls and pushes all over the pitch. I hope they are relegated. Mind you, I hope all the other teams are relegated.

  8. goonster says:

    Morning guys….great win yesterday. Here’s hoping the mancs kick the shit out of each other amassing a few red cards and a 2 months injury to wooney. A guy can dream no??

  9. Dublingunner says:

    Afternoon, Sign of a good side, not playing well or be allowed to play, and grinding out results. thats what we did yesterday. I,m happy with that. Ye Rico 11, interceptions and was successful in every one of his tackles. Impressive, but where has this current form come from. some articles saying, Has Wenger finally found his new Gilberto. Maybe so, eh.

  10. goonster says:

    hey bt thanks my man….I ll be watching that with keenly. I think qpr may take a few points off them. You just never know.

  11. allezkev says:

    As an exercise, the Burnley game was good practice and preparation for the forthcoming Chelsea game and the anticipated rotational fouling we’ll get from them….

    Yes Rico, you are certainly an upbeat kinda gal….

    And for that, we are eternally grateful… 🙂

    Hiya BT…

    Nice to see you’ve recovered so well Wavy.
    I admire you’re resilience….

    Adam, are you cruising up the M11 today, the sun shining, the wind blowing through your long flowing locks, Justin Timberlake blasting out of the CD player…. 😀

  12. goonster says:

    Howdy Dublin how true is the story making the rounds that van prick has been offered 10 pounds to quit manure and find a new club??? Oh please tell me it’s the truth 😀

  13. goonster says:

    Bt I doubt we ll win it but I ll love to put maureen in a position where he shits himself. Ha that ll be a sight.

  14. rico says:

    Hi Goonie…

    Totally agree Dublin, the Chavs and Mancs have been winning that way for ages… lol

    Kev 🙂

    I hope Adam hasn’t got the window open, someone might think Timberlake is in the car.. He’s wanted by police… 😉

  15. Joaquim Moreira says:

    morning all!
    So we stay ont the second place this weekend
    There are two fundamental differences between Coquelin and Arteta (and Flamini): Coquelin do not mind “dirty shorts” and is concerned about more to defend.

  16. rico says:

    Chelsea could be willing to let Petr Cech join rivals Arsenal this summer, Matt Law told the Sunday Supplement.

    The Daily Telegraph journalist believes that after 11 years at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea would allow the goalkeeper to move wherever he chooses at the end of the season.

    Cech has fallen behind Thibaut Courtois in the pecking order at Chelsea this season but, at 32, he remains one of the Premier League’s top ‘keepers and has made it clear he will seek a transfer in the summer rather than spend another year as an understudy.

  17. Dublingunner says:

    Ye paying van persie off, to leave is too good for him. but proves he is definitely surplus to requirements, on the flip side of that, rumour is they have their sights set on Cavani, dont like that story, I could see Cavani as an arsenal player.

  18. goonster says:

    Rico never gonna happen. No chance in hell. maureen won’t sell us a cold let alone a world class keeper at his prime. That poison dwarf hates us. He won’t even let us have ba remember? ?

  19. goonster says:

    Nah Dublin let them have cavani am not too worried. We already have CF. Need another defensive minded midfielder and a keeper but I doubt we ll get any. Unless if we sell. Knowing arsene he won’t. Lol

  20. allezkev says:

    All ok BT…

    Working, but it’s a beautiful warm sunny day in London Town mate…
    I trust you are all well in the Emerald Isle…

    Adam, of course, how tacky of me….
    Abba are, obviously, the perfect a compliment to any cruising n groovin’ 🙂

  21. allezkev says:

    JT is wanted by the ol’ Bill, so you say Rico…?

    A common theme seems to be running thru that nickname…

  22. Wavy says:

    Kev, it’s due to my sunny disposition and a cheerful ability to never dwell in the past! In fact I have phenomenal ‘bouncebackability’. Just like Wenger!

  23. Dublingunner says:

    No I dont think cavani was ever going to happen anyway. goonster. I actually think its goin to be a long summer of no transfers, maybe a keeper, Wenger might deem this current squad good enough. You know what he,s like. so i definitely will be taking transfer rumours with a pinch of salt. Unless Walcott leaves, which i think is a real possibility, thats the position that he could make he,s “Marquee signing.” in.

  24. Bt62 Gooner says:

    Kev, all good here mate, though not as sunny or warm as London…

    I expect to see you in the next edition off Forbes rich list..

  25. allezkev says:

    Adam, I can only imagine the crossover between ‘heavy Blues’ and Swedish pop…

    Thoughts like that can keep one awake at nights… 🙂

  26. allezkev says:

    BT, I am working every hour God has sent, just to get close to Bruvver Lee who sits somewhere between Ursmanov and Abramovitch…

  27. allezkev says:

    Rico, we are getting a constant flow of mixed messages re: Cech…

    Personally I wouldn’t believe a word that comes out of that shithouse of a club on Fulham Broadway…

    It’s a near certainty to me, that Mourinho would be happy to drag any negotiations for Cech to drag on up the the end of August to either block the deal last minute or force Cech to move abroad…

    He’s done it to Wenger before, so there’s no excuse for Arsene getting caught out again…

    I’d love us to get Cech, but I’ve pushed it to the back of my mind, and maybe Wenger should also…

  28. allezkev says:

    Retaining the players we have and keeping them fit, is the way to go for me…

    I’m sure that Arsene will bring in another marquee player this summer…
    I’m also hopeful that there could be a player or three more who could come from where Coquelin and Bellerin came from this season.

    I’d be happy to see Wenger keep everyone this summer, with the major question mark being Walcott…

    Replacing Szczesny is important unless Wengef thinks Martinez can step up…

  29. rico says:

    Totally agree re Cech Kev. When it comes to that under tall manager, he’ll doing anything to get one over Arsene Wenger.

  30. rico says:

    Bob, would Fabregas miss our game with another booking? I read something earlier which suggests no bans now for bookings unless a player tots up ten…

  31. Bt62 Gooner says:

    Rico, according to the commentator after today, bans don’t count and offenders will only get a letter of warning, if they reach ten.

  32. allezkev says:

    Rob Green, what a fcuking cnut….

    Always had a couple of those in his locker, every game….

    Pillock…. 🙁

  33. goonster says:

    Rico am so pissed rob green deliberately kicked that ball to a chelshit player. Same thing happened against stoke begovic kicked it out to hazard. Something fishy is going on around here. Call me crazy but I think it’s fixed.

  34. allezkev says:

    Rico we don’t really want the distraction of Fabregas, we need our fans behind the team, not bothering with Cesc…

    A gap of 5 points and we had a chance, but 7 is just too much with the games running out…
    If they win their game in hand it’s 10 points, game over….

    I really hope we beat them bastards on the 26th…

  35. rico says:

    I wouldn’t give him the time if day if I was at the the Emirates Kev, but he won’t read my comments on here… 😉

    Can’t see them dropping enough points for us to creep in, but I do think wr’ll beat them at home…

  36. rico says:

    And it might stop Ts going on about how Wenger has never beaten Mourinho, still, he can’t say the same about LVG anymore…. 😉

    Bugger, utd 2-1

  37. allezkev says:

    One-Man-Team, Rico…

    Hazard FC…

    He’s the only piece of true quality they have.

    The rest are all Replicants…

  38. goonster says:

    manure right side is there for the taken you stupid pellegrini. Just double team Valencia and bam you have a goal. God am so angry.

  39. goonster says:

    I ve seen this manure team. Trust me there’s nothing to fear. We ll turn them over again at old toilet.

  40. Wavy says:

    They’re talking about shitty looking after Fellaini, if I remember the cup game properly, Le Coq had him in his pocket, all game! Where has it all gone wrong for the Manchester clubs?
    A draw would be good!

  41. rico says:

    Anyway, and rather annoyingly, I have a beast of a sore throat and a bout of the chills so I’m off to find a hot water bottle and paracetamol…

    Catch you all tomorrow- hopefully…..

    Bye all…..

  42. Joe says:

    Oh well looks like city have bought so many Arsenal players they are now trying to take our forth place trophy. 😉

  43. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Headline for tomorrow……….Deja-vu for Arsenal Old boys – fourth place trophy beckons.

    Well they were so used to it that they would be welcome to stay there.

    Good Evening Lovelies and Hunkies.

    Good match report Rico. Balanced and objective.

    Sore throat???? Lemon and ginger tea m’Lady. Every morning and evening whole year round.

  44. tsgh says:

    A very concise match report..

    Goonie… watch out for ole’ LvG; if we beat Yanited; 2nd/3rd will be guaranteed…

    After the game against the chavs, we need to start concentrating on goal difference.

  45. Joe says:

    Looks like chelsea are going to win the title thanks mainly them scoring 3 late goals thanks to 3 goalkeeping errors I hope it’s because they are jammy bastard’s and nothing else.

  46. tsgh says:

    Morning Rico et al,

    What’s all this talk of hot water bottle…

    Soup laced with big chunks of meat always does the trick for me. 😉 😛

    Scott, we signed King Abou what more do you want? The only player who is prophesised to win the Ballon d’or.. 😉

    Joe- Its all a conspiracy… I blame Aw for all of it…. he needs to toe the line and be giving interviews left right and centre and telling everyone who he is going to sign. Letting the drunk pundits and journos’ know your next move wins you the trophy. 😉 I think… lol

    Dull morning here in Amesbury…

  47. scottfromoz says:

    Abou is back?
    About time, Ginge lol.
    Rico, my golf is my handicap….very average, Indeed!!
    What a unique place to visit.
    Watching people driving and riding motorcycles was a holiday in itself.
    Dad riding……2 year old on the handlebars…..mum behind dad, and 6 year old hanging on to mum.
    It’s amazing stuff and you see it every minute.
    What a culture shock it was, but damn, they love their football.

  48. tsgh says:

    Ah… Scott, I thought you looked like Jordan Spieth when I met you. 😉

    Falcao is a tad world class maybe; another of my submissions that got ridiculed for merely saying he was over rated… 🙂

  49. tsgh says:

    Dev, if you are around it looks like Carlo is being hyped up for the wastelands role…

    The media love the rumours; odd how the Yanited loving media are out in full swing this morning… 🙂

  50. scottfromoz says:

    Ginge, I figure that I get my money’s worth each time I play golf 🙂
    Falcao…..no questionng his talent, BUT, it takes more to make it in England.

  51. tsgh says:

    I agree mate…
    I was reading the memoirs of an American football doctor/physio… he reckon when sportsmen sustained certain injuries at certain stages in their career it was nearly impossible to retain to the same summit of performance…
    Oh and just send some of the money my way when you clear the winning cheque from the masters. Scott. 🙂

    As Joe said earlier how 3 goalkeeping errors has handed the Chavs the title on a plate. Hull, Stoke and QPR. Their next 5 games is against Man U, Us, Leicester, Palace and Liverpool…

    I can’t see any of those gifting them the title

  52. scottfromoz says:

    Ginge, Plenty criticise Untold Arsenal, but I will say this……they provide too many FACTS that show the League has stunk for a long, long time.
    Too many anomalies that simply can not be explained away as anything but dishonest officiating and biased decisions by the FA.
    Others can judge if they believe the site goes too far, but facts are facts.

  53. Joe says:

    Imagine if Chelsea came out of that lot with only a couple of points it would take us back to the old days a title decider at Manu.

  54. tsgh says:

    I concur Scott…; I just want my Creator to grant me a long enough life to witness all the corruption that has unfolded in the last 20 years…

    At the moment it is all conjecture and speculation I guess… 😉

    Joe, at the moment I have us picking up 2 points from Yanited and Chavs game…

    I would love us to stick one to Jose btw as I will be at the away side…; hope I don’t get lynched by the chavs fans when we score our winner in the 92nd minute

  55. allezkev says:

    Morning All

    Morning Rico. Hope you are better?

    Morning Adam.

    I am a bit fuzzy-headed this morning.
    But a very enjoyable weekend…

  56. allezkev says:

    Wenger is going to have a very interesting selection decision to make this weekend…

    Wilshere/Gibbs/Oxlade-Chamberlain/Walcott/Rosicky/Debuchy???

    Any or all starting??????

  57. tsgh says:

    Scott- the league has stunk for a very long time…

    Dein being strong armed away from becoming FA chairman was another tell, tale sign for me… he was the best qualified person imo; irrespective of his affiliation with Arsenal.
    That is why when the FA slate FIFA it makes me laugh…

    The fact that Mendez has made nearly nearly Euros 1b from player sales in EU and paid less than 10% tax says something too but that is a different subject I guess…

  58. tsgh says:

    Scott- if when you have time google some declassified info on the CIA’s admission on their influence on Super bowl and their ties to certain rackets on global sporting events..

    Astonishing to say the least…

  59. allezkev says:

    Nope, didn’t touch a beer…

    Wine n Cidre… 😉

    Hi Ginge…

    Rico it’s gonna be interesting with the Chav game pending…
    Mourinho can’t rest anyone…

  60. joe says:

    It’s happened in Italy why not England it wouldn’t be the first time there’s been corruption in England.
    it happened in a game between man utd v Liverpool about hundred years ago.

  61. tsgh says:

    Jeez, Joe- how old were you 100 years ago? 😛

    On a serious note… France,Germany have all had their issues… only good holy England… 😉

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