Morning all.
A minutes applause. Fitting for a man who was so important to Arsenal. An Arsenal man, so important to football. Don Howe who passed away just a few days ago……
Well what a night that was. Not the 2-0 victory of course, although that result was most welcome, but the achievements of two Arsenal players.
First up was Gabriel scoring his first Arsenal goal and as the final whistle blew, Petr Cech surpassed David James record of 169 clean sheets.
Mesut Ozil continued totting up his assists by firing in the corner which Gabriel headed home and if that wasn’t enough, he only went and scored our second which ensured all three points belonged to Arsenal. Ozil is right on track to surpass Thierry Henry’s record for the most assists in one season and had a few players been wearing their scoring boots last night, he’d have left the pitch very close to breaking it.
There aren’t enough words to describe how good Mesut Ozil is and the words there are, have already been said. The man just oozes class and he’s nothing short of a footballing magician. He can spot an opening from nothing, in fact he’s very similar to Dennis Bergkamp (I wrote that before Arsene spoke…) as what he does, others don’t dare to even think about trying…
Kieran Gibbs, Gabriel and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all started in place of Nacho Monreal, Laurent Koscielny and Joel Campbell which is understandable during such a busy spell but perhaps the biggest shock was Callum Chambers coming in for Mathieu Flamini, but the boy did good! In fact all the players who came in did well.
Here’s Devilgunner’s view of the game:
The first twenty five minutes were a cagey affair and Arsenal couldn’t muster up a single shot on or off target. As the minutes ticked by I began sensing that the opposition were dragging us down to their level, concerned that they would beat us as they have other sides of late. However, the team grew into the game and slowly began to dominate the possession while the players began finding their shooting boots.
Arsenal’s slick passing style began growing and soon it was pegging the opposition back. Oxlade-Chamberlain and Bellerin in particular were prising Bournemouth apart on the right hand side and Giroud was keeping the defence occupied all the time. Theo missed a good chance, however he was getting in the right places. Surely a goal would soon follow.
Our opener came from an unlikely source. This season’s assist king, Mesut Ozil took a corner and the ball dropped on the head of Gabriel who stole in from the far post to head home. I still don’t know which was more surprising, Gabriel scoring or Arsenal scoring with a header from a corner.
A few minutes later Per Mertesacker was guilty, perhaps, of the miss of the season. Another corner, another Gabriel header which this time hit the woodwork, ricocheted off the post into the German’s face and then out to safety. Perhaps we should excuse him as he had little time to think let alone direct the ball in the net.
Walcott, Gabriel and Giroud all spurned chances as Arsenal continued to pump crosses and corners into the box.
Half time came and Arsenal were still only 1-0 up despite dominating possession, dangerous attacks and shots.
The second half began and Bournemouth started to peg Arsenal back in search of an equaliser but their pressure soon eased off and around ten minutes of the re-start, Arsenal began to dominate possession again.
Just past the hour, Ozil scored the second goal. He began the move, passed to Giroud who flicked the ball back in the German’s path and the latter made no mistake, firing the ball through Boruc’s legs to make it 2-0.
That was the final score although Arsenal should have scored more since Theo and Ollie contrived to spurn more chances. In reality it should have been 4-0, however 2-0 was enough to take all three points which matters most.
All the players had a solid game and I was very pleased with how Chambers performed. It was the first game he started in the CDM position, however, after a couple of little errors and some wayward passes he soon settled down and gave an encouraging display. Yes he was not facing Wanyama, Touré or Matic, however, he kept things tidy and also tried to pass or dribble his way out of trouble by thinking out options. He should be given time imo and hopefully he’ll turn out to be a very solid and dependable CDM.
A 2-0 win, top of the league and let’s hope Leicester and City flog out a draw later today…
Next up for us is Newcastle on Saturday 2nd January…
Have a great day guys…
Oops, something has gone wrong with the layout, bear with me….
Morning Rico. My comment has shown up on yesterday’s post. 🙂
Morning Adam. Then go and find it and paste it here… 😉
Good joint post guys.
Nice analysis, Devil.
Poor old Per never even saw that ball, so yeah, we should forgive him.
Morning all.
Merts doesn’t see a cross when he’s in lots of space and with plenty of time. He had no chance with that one yesterday… 😉
Rico, honestly, I don’t think he’s prepared to throw his body into those areas.
nice post hope wallcot cant finish those chance bt d 3 point is best we can ask 4 in d space of 48hrs
Neither do I Scott..
Merts did well to even be there! I reckon if he knew the ball was coming he would have ducked! As it was he just received a red face, from embarrassment! He had no chance of directing the ball but, if it had gone into the goal it would have been “Merts scores with deft reaction header” and as he didn’t he gets, “Merts misses a sitter”. No win, no win. Poor old sod!
Good result though and it’s good to miss shed loads of chances, at least they are there to be taken or, in this instance not! Save the goals for another occasion, when we really need them!
Morning all.
I like your way of thinking Wavy.. lol
Elneny having a medical today… Apparently… 😉
Catch up later guys…
A really superb Post, Rico, and picks out all the main points very much the way I saw them too. 😀
When Mesut plays that way it is hard not to believe he is in the top 5 best in the world – but without the arrogance.
I watch him in awe at how fantastic he is and how lucky we are to have him at Arsenal.
Great post.
Ian Wright hit the nail on the head summing up Ozil’s performance. He said “I would have loved to have played with him.” “He creates so many chances for strikers” to quote Alan Shearer, “and if Giroud was a tad more clinical with his shooting, he should be scoring 25 goals plus each season with Ozil feeding him.”
Pleased for Cech reaching his record clean sheets.
Still want to see Arsene add to the squad in the transfer window.
Good afternoon lovelies and hunkies.
I am still feeling on top of the table. I hope we remain there till the beginning of August at least.
Yes we do need additions. A midfielder and a forward are a necessity. But all should be in the 23-25 age bracket. They will give us depth and will come in to rotate. We must remember that Per, Kos, Nacho, cazorla and Ollie are all 29+. So they need to be rested and at the same time with a thought for the future.
I feel Elneny and Kokorin will be added for less than 10million combined. So if AW gets an extra player its either another midfielder or a defender. Both Eleny and kokorin are 23-25 age bracket.
Oh for a ‘proper’ finisher. And a midfield powerhouse of course.
I agree Adam. But I don’t think AW will buy those two type of players soon. He believes more in the collective than the individual. IW08 and TH14 put paid to that. Everything went through them. Stop them and the team does not score. So AW will not get a player who does not work within the team’s parameters.
We each have our opinions Devil.
Elnenny good to go then
I’m sure I heard Wenger say, with reference to the injury situation that ‘we are short’, however, he went on to add, ‘so we must look inside the club for alternatives’. From that I think we can conclude he won’t be buying many new players this TW. Same old, same old. But, Wenger knows best, or so they say!
If Debuchy leaves we must have another right back
Afternoon All…
Afternoon Rico…
Good post Coach…
Interesting comments be Adam this morning.
Notable that Gabriel and Chambers played well, fresh legs and minds.
But pleased about Chambers in particular.
Hi Kev. They had a point to make too. Which they did I would say.
Afternoon, great win, delighted for Cech and Gabriel. Must be more clinical though,
Personally I don,t see the significance in comparing Ozil to Bergkamp, 2 different type players, I feel, maybe it,s the assists ratio are similar but that,s where it ends for me.
Picked this out, I read during the week, thought was silly but funny
Oxford dictionary (New Word Alert) Ozil (noun): An assist or a help. Usage: Can I Ozil you? How may I be of Ozil?
DG…..the Ozil alert cracked me up. 😀
Adam, that seems to support Wenger’s view of the youngsters, we have enough! New DM = Chambers, new Def = Gabriel, new forward = Ox, Iwobi, Jeff, plus any loaned returnees. Were swamped I tell you, swamped.
He will keep his cash in the famous piggy bank of Wenger.( it’s like a Russian doll, except you can never reach the centre where the gelt is kept!).
For the older generation and Rido! Ozil is like a modern day version of George Eastham, of whom it was said that he was two passes ahead of all the players around him! He could see things, passes his team mates could not envisage! A bit like Martin Peters who was ten years ahead of his time! All nonsense of course, but Ozil is visionary in his manner of play and it’s up to the others to read his mind! Theo can I’m not convinced that Giroud can, Campbell hasn’t caught on yet, but may do, given time, as will the Ox, oh and Alexis can and he can do what Ozil does too, although not so often.
We are blessed just at the moment, long may it remain so! New players in one or two squad players and that’s your lot!
Thanks Kev. Did you go to the game? If yes, what do you make of Chamber’s positioningwhen not in ppossession? I can only comment when the ball was near him as the TV only focuses on the ball. Is he better than Coquelin on a tactical level? Do you see them playing together?
Apparently Arsenal have a serious interest in 2 players, obviously Elneny must be one, who the other is, is anybodys guess.
But that tool, Emanuele Giulianelli who all but started the Benzema to Arsenal rumour,
tweeted last week ,”Arsenal want James Rodriguez from Real Madrid. Big offer expected.”
Doubt there,s anything in that either.
DG…..the two players are Elneny and Kokorin IMO. Both of them will cost around 10ml combined. Typical AW signings
But do not file out a 3rd signing….a defender we have never heard of. Plucked from the earth’s obscure pits
With George Eastham in mind,; I was walking to the pub past the old stadium and George got out of a car with Alan Skirton. I must have looked like a nutter because Skirton stepped between George and me and waited until I had passed. The worst I would have done is got down on my knees as George went past. Who was England manager then, I can’t remember, because Eastham only got one or two caps in an England team that begged for someone who could pass the ball.
Chambers – DM? He was a “patch”. He is not a solution.
Afternoon all..
RIP Pavel Srnicek…
Re the striker – will Akpom be that player I wonder?
Afternoon Rico, Srnicek definitely taken to early, Heart attack at 47, I believe, Sad news.
Villa supposedly looking at bringing Debuchy in, Can,t see im wanting to move there at this moment. but it is a position AW will more than likely look to strengthen,should Debuchy move on.
Afternoon Dublin..
Far too young….
I wouldn’t be surprised if Debuchy moved there tbh, the ‘French connection’ lol
And at least he’ll play every week which is what he needs and wants..
Could do worse than go in for seamus Coleman, I still yearn for the day when i see an Irishman don the Arsenal Jersey, It,s been a long time.
We just don,t produce them anymore, unfortunately
I wonder if AW will snap up Sergi Guardiola as he’s free? 😉
Adam hoped we’d sign Coleman a couple of years ago…
Can’t see a big name right back replacing Debuchy if he goes because of Bellerin. Could do with Rick/Kev’s views on the right backs coming through the academy….
Tough lesson, Sergi Guardiola has learned, just goes to show, how Texts or tweets sent as far back as 2 years ago, can come to haunt you.
Be interesting to see have we got genuinely anyone of note coming through that could push Bellerin. Good point.
RIP. Too young at 47. Born only 2 months before me.
Is Guardiola any good Dublin?
I,m not sure Rico, just read about im yesterday, supposed to sign up with Barca b team.
the tweets were apparently pro Real Madrid\ anti Catalonia, didn,t make it easy on himself
I think were still looking at Samper, though. maybe that deal could be dead now, after signing Elneny, both similar styles i think.
On 28 December 2015 Guardiola signed a one-and-a-half year deal with FC Barcelona, being assigned to its reserve team in the third tier.[9] However, just hours later, he was released after the discovery of offensive tweets about the club and Catalonia made in 2013
Maybe yes, they were offensive. However one has to ask why he tweeted them in the first place. I mean, you may get a red during a game for retaliating, but when the ref writes retaliating he is condemning himself as well……means he either failed to see the initial foul or else choose to ignore it.
So for a player to write offensive tweets about a club means that the club might have done something to him.
Stupid boy then Dublin, he had the world at his feet… Lol
All the stuff about Nellie, surely there’s some truth in it so you could be right about no Samper. Weren’t we linked to him in the summer?
All quite odd Devil but the player has been quite daft by the looks of it…
Just back from the game, if you need a post rico, I’m your man, I’m good like that !
🙂 Micko, feel free to email me….
Devil, I too thought maybe they were being a bit harsh towards him as he would,ve been only 21 then, still naive and said he always wanted to play for Barcelona, but no second chances were given.
Anyone read that John Cross book yet,
I decided to treat myself before the xmas and buy it, ended up trying every book shop in Dublin city centre, all sold out, everywhere.
It,s obviously a good seller.
Those tweets from two years ago… I bet he didn’t know that one day……. Lol
Ozil was pretty special again last nite but so was Giroud’s flick to set him up for his goal, very nonchalant, not too bad for a cart-horse.
Bellerin, getting on a bit now, what is he 20, if he does pick up a injury, poor ole Chambers will find himself playing right back again, that’s assuming Debuchy is really off.
As for Arsene, I’m sure he’s had some kind of make-over, can’t quite put my finger on it, obviously paying him too much.
Dublin, not me re John Cross. He talks big yet probably knows very little…
Micko, Ollie has be doing that flick for ages, last night it worked. Finally..
Arsene always looks different when he smiles. Just don’t see it enough…
Your right Rico, re John Cross.
not gone on him myself, but I would like a little ponder through it.
Just thought it strange, It was completely sold out everywhere, here.
Laters all, talk soon.
We must have two right backs. Bellerin had played many games consecutively. He must rest. Chambers is not a right back. His again a “patch”. If Debuchy leave , we must have a new one. Look yesterday: Monreal was replaced by Gibbs and he is not injury or suspend.
Can anyone tell me the accounting of the yellow cards of those 13/14 players we have now? Who had a yellow card yesterday? Ramsey I remember…
Jm, Arsene likes to do things by the seat of his under-pants, wait and see.
Chambers and Ramsey got booked Jm.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/arsenal-set-complete-5million-mohamed-7087012
On that jolly note, I’ll bid you all a goodnight…
Night Micko, Jm and all..
JM…..the official website has all the stats……..you will know the amount of yellows, reds etc for this season
http://www.arsenal.com/fixtures/first-team/stats-centre
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!
We stay top of the pile at the end of the first round.
Would you believe it????
I DO!!!!!!!
Good night Lovelies and Hunkies.
Watching the ridiculously theatrical performances of the scum that are Citeh players, I found myself hoping for a Leicester goal.
Damn I hate cheating shits.
Leicester simply play the game.
One thing sets them apart from all other clubs.
It’s not class.
It’s not skill.
It’s not ability or talent.
It’s work rate-they do not stop.
When we play that way, we are jus about unbeatable, because we have the other traits to go with it.
Still, a good result for us.
Best team of 2015 plus an fa cup win now get some bloody injured players back and push on.
When is welbeck back?? ? I heard its in January would love a date thou
Newcastle then fa cup.. .. Then sanchez is back. .. Yea baby. . Ozil on the bench for the fa cup.. .. Lets beat Newcastle. . Celebrate the New year first
thanks Hell. It’s not so hard I supposed
Let’s beat Newcastle next and stay at the top in new year.
COYG.
RIP Lemmy.
Bass player in Hawkwind & Motörhead…
Coach, I had a ticket, but have spent since Tues 22nd till today, quite unwell and couldn’t attend the Bournmouth game…
But Adam said that Chambers did ok, so I guess he played well…
Fortunately I’m better now and have a ticket for the Newcastle game…
Considering that Arsenal, have to visit Liverpool, Stoke, ManCity, ManUre and Tottenham, among a few other banana skins, we’re in for quite a stressful 2nd half of the season…
I’m not sure of ManCitys fixtures, but I doubt that they’ll be as difficult as ours…
Hopefully City will go to Wembley in the League Cup and go a long way in the Champions League. We’re gonna need all the luck we can get…
Good Morning Lovelies and Hunkies.
Kev….we have already played Liverpool (0-0), Stoke (W), Man City (2-1), Man Ure (3-0) and Tottenham (1-1)…….so we have already taken points off them. Yes they are away, but if we go there with the right mentality we can get results. Good ones as well.
And remember……they still have to play each other as well.
The reality is that after the first game we were 3 points behind the leaders and at the bottom of the league……now after the first round we have made up the three point deficit and we are on top of the table. India have spent 75million and have managed to reach space…..Manure have spent, what, 200 million and cannot even reach the top of the table. Meanwhile, with our Scrooge of a manager we are sitting proudly on the perch.
For all the criticism we give to the team AFC are now Winter champions. Not that it matters much but they are there mate.
On another note………acc to the papers the medical has proved successful and Elneny will soon be an AFC player……..in the meantime play with a daisy…..will he, wont he, will he…….
http://soccerlens.com/arsenal-transfer-news-mohamed-elneny-completes-medical-in-paris/184963/
We have done very well until now.
It doesn’t mean a lot on the scheme of the overall season, but it does mean we are capable.
Morning Devil and the rest of you lot still asleep 🙂
Seems that Barca want around 4.4mill for Samper. So that with the 5mill that Basel want for Elneny could see two midfielders (20-23 age group) come for less than 10 mill. Sounds like AW signings.
I think the Samper rumour has legs as well.
http://www.allarsenal.com/2015/12/arsenalrumours/barcelona-set-asking-price-for-arsenal-target/
If AW gets Elneny, Samper, Kokorin and a defender this window (far-fetched but its a possibility) then I can rightly predict that next summer will see no signings. Especially as it is Euro year. And we know how much AW hates buying after a summer tournament.
I feel that AW will get these 4 players for less than 18million, because Kokorin corst 4.7. And with the players he has on loan coming back AW will have a good squad with depth. Whether they are the necessary quality remains to be seen, but certainly not the high profile costs that many want. In the meantime remember that with the crocks we have, with Flamini past it, with stars sidelined….we are sitting at the top.
True, we are not as strong as Villa seem to be (they are so strong that they are holding the others up) but we are on top. And that means we are very lightweight. As light as a feather in fact. 😉
Morning Scott.
Lol Devil, you’re on a roll matey 🙂
Two or three of those signings, and we are good to go if they’re the right players.
Do you rate them?
Honestly, I’ve never heard of any of them….not that it means much at all as I hardly watch non Arsenal football.
Have you seen anything of my long term choice from a few years back, Tommy Rogic, Devil?
Damn he’s doing well for Celtic.
Morning Scott, Devil and all…
I’d love to see Hernández snapped up…
Yes Scott, I have seen him play about two times. He is a good one, for Celtic and Australia…..but still a bit of a long way from the EPL level. But he is still young mate. If he puts his heart in it he will grow.
Morning Rico. For the price of Hernandez AW will get the above mentioned 4. Yes I would like him to come as well…..he is good, a great finisher (Adam will be pleased) plus he has a point to prove to LVG. But I would be surprised to see him in our kit.
I’d be surprised to see AW sign 4 players next month too Devil… Not a hope in hell imo…
Agree with you Rico.
The chance of AW signed 4 players this jan window is like the odds put to bet for me to have a chance to shag a victoria secret model……5000:1……hahaha…..
Morning Rico, Orf.
Devil, Rogic very, very young In Footballing terms.
He was basically playing park football with his mates until the age of 18 and is 22-23 now, so has plenty to learn, but plenty of time.
Aaaahhhhh the transfer window is nearly upon us.
Happy days 🙂
I would be surprised Rico and Orf (you remind me of a Blyton character mate….PC Goon) to see AW sign 4 players.
But we have to keep in mind the age and cost of these players…..all less than 5 mill. Samper (20..4.4) Elneny (23…..5) Kokorin (23…..4.7). That is three. Who is to say that AW will not unearth a young one for around that price as well. A defender.
Stranger things have happened.
Happy days indeed Scott.
First quick grab with Elneny is OK I guess.
Expect to see one more signing though.
Thanks a lot Hell RD.
But stick with my guess, it would be no more than 2 signings.
Kokorin is valued at £18 isn’t he Devil??
Bit early for that Orf… lol
that is what I think as well Orf. Two signings seem enough.
But remember that Arteta, TR07, Flamini will all skedaddle off in summer. So he has to think about their replacement. Plus no one knows when DW23 and JW will return. If JW ever returns. Yes AW may say Feb for DW23 but i feel it is longer.
One thing….Elneny, Samper and Kokorin can all play in the CL. so their availability plus the price are enticing to AW
No Rico…..as he is on a Bosman next June.
We’ll see I guess. I got my pounds and euros muddled. 18m euros is his valuation…
Devil, he never said WHICH February 🙂
New post up now..