Morning all.
An injury to Gabriel just before the final whistle blew last night, took the gloss off of a 3-2 victory over Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side. The injury looked serious and I feel sorry for the player, especially if he’s out for a long time which looks likely. But let’s put his loss into perspective, Gabriel is indecisive, he has zero confidence, he looks like a rabbit caught in headlights…. He’s certainly no Franz Anton Beckenbauer is he? If him getting injured pushes Wenger into signing a top quality centre-back, then it could be a blessing in disguise.
Already in dire need of a centre-back, we now need two. Yes we have Holding, Bielik and Chambers, but neither of those should be expected to fill the void until Merts, Gabriel and Koscielny return, it just wouldn’t make any sense whatsoever, not if Arsenal are serious about challenging for the Premier League and Cups. That’s not me criticising any of the younger defenders but a few losses with them in defence and they’ll be ruined. Confidence levels will drop and they’ll struggle to get it back.
Three really good goals were enough to beat City but as so often happens, defensive frailties were there for all to see.
Wenger has just six days to sort this out and he simply has to sign at least one top to central defender in that time, two before the window of opportunity shuts but I bet he doesn’t. He’ll make do with what he has, just has he has done for the past few years….. Disgraceful and negligence of the highest order if that turns out to be the case…
We hear Wenger saying things like ‘we are in the market’, ‘we are monitoring the transfer window, we aren’t afraid or transfer fees, we are trying to find the right player’ etc etc
Well why is he just monitoring it????
Make transfers happen! He should have know long ago exactly who he wanted yet as usual we are heading for another reactive last few weeks. We seldom make a transfer happen, we sit, wait and watch on as other clubs snap up players who could very well have been good for Arsenal. Then we get left with the scraps or players who are not available as it’s too late in the transfer window for their club to find a replacement.
We act like such a small club with a lack of funds, a club who cannot push through deals for the players we actually need…………..
It really is pathetic for a club ranked the fifth wealthiest in the game..!
Spending £100- £150 million doesn’t give you guaranteed success, as so many clubs in the league have proved, certainly last season but sometimes it’s necessary in order to be ambitious and really give us a chance of winning the league. Heck, we might even get past the knock-out stages of the Champions League too. Even if we get pipped at the post for the league but gave it a real go, spending money on top class players would increase the fan-base, sell more shirts and other stuff the club shop sells and that in turn, together with all the TV money in the game, would go a long way to recouping what has been spent on those players. Money sitting in the Arsenal bank is no good, not for the people who really matter, the fans!
But no, this transfer window has yet again shown a serious lack of ambition, and the inability to get transfer dealings over the line has stifled the pre-season excitement and expectations once again..!
Its going to be a long and tough season ahead…..
1st
Bet we end up with Juan Mata , he’s just what we need.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jose wouldn’t sell him to us I bet…
Morning Rico
Bet we end up with noone before the liverpool game, our young defenders will be destroyed and panic buying players before the window closes, a la Kim Yung Park.
And here I thought I was an optimist. Our transfer policy will not change until Wengert is gone, not just as a manager but the building. He is cheap, always wanting a bargain, negotiate. Not saying we should over pay but if we fall out of top 4, we will not recover! We do not wan to spend like Chelsea or MC and to not have the pull and history of a MU or LFC for that matter!! We had a chance when we became teh invisibles to establish ourselves as one of the top clubs in the world but the new stadium, the selling of all our top players and the lack of vision of Wenger has made Arsenal a tier 2 club.
I believe in the youngsters. Bielik and Holding can do, dare I say it, a holding job. Kos will be back soon and with Xhaka and Le Coq or Elneny the midfield can support. No panic, no need for childish insults of our brilliant boss.
Morning TT – I’m starting to think that too. So wrong for a club such as ours..
As long as he remains manager it will stay so. Can’t blame the owner from pure business point of view as the manager gets the minimum required every year.
You sound a bit frustrated Rico…….Monday mornings, eh, not my favorite time of the week either.
Matt, just need to spend within our means, and there’s plenty of money…
Morning all.
Matt, 2nd tier club?
What are you smoking champ?
It obviously has the desired effect lol
Go Pep lol
Oh dear Stuart, you need a large piece of paper for those cracks…
Theo said to the world
I’m a winger.
Wenger said your a striker.
Theo said I’m not Arsene.
Wenger said Ok Theo
Your both then .
Because I have been envolved
with 1.4 million games Theoooo
You will see I’m right.
So I’m 100% certain
Wenger has’nt heard a word
Bouldy has said.
I can imagine Bouldy taking
a training session.
Git tight..up is arse
don’t let him turn.
Then wenger shouting out
to Bouldy.
Steven please don’t talk to
the players like that
they will get all nasty.
Morning All Again.
Thanks Rico.
This “new” thing of Wenger`s criteria for buying…………..Age, Talent, can they improve the team and resale value is just a premeditated prepared excuse for when he does not buy the players he is supposedly looking for !…………………..there are plenty of players out there, he knows it, we know it, every fucker knows it and what we all know is at the end of the day it`s down to ……………….the price !…………………the problem is that Wenger amongst all managers has his own non negotiable value of every player and he wont budge a pound !.
I cant wait to see him contradict himself on his “new” criteria for buying……………he loads the gun for us to fire !.
I am Steve, very…
Spend some money ? Wenger you too mean
Morning all
Is Terry Mancini available? Get him in, he fulfills all the criteria required, cheap, experienced, brittle boned and already receiving a pension so he’ll be on a very low wage!!
You couldn’t make Wenger’s inertia up, could you?
This year’s mantra: to finish 6th is the new 4th!
LC, the trouble is there are so many Arsenal fans willing up the trigger, it’s embarrassing.
Fans of other clubs don’t laugh at Wenger, they laugh at our supporters.
Of course, Gooners DO load the gun.
That should say willing TO PULL the trigger…bloody IPad 🙂
The fans used to be the lifeblood of the club.
Hahaha Scott…………………personally I`d prefer to use a water pistol, but fill it up with piss !……………………..someones taking the piss and it aint us supporters !.
True, Adam, but now, most fans are too busy whinging about what we don’t have, instead of appreciating what we do.
You’re spot on.
LC, Arsene won’t change so we may as well accept it….for now.
He won’t be here forever.
Social media….it changes everything…as does money.
Sport aint the same….. it’s not changed for the better, and that includes how most support their team.
It’s not whinging Scott, it’s talking over what a mess at the club..
Is it just me, but does Eric Bailly have all the makings of 3 or 4 red cards this season?
Rico, when it comes to those whinging 365 days a year, I don’t see it as a discussion.
We finished 2nd and plenty can not see any positive in that at all.
That’s ridiculous, for mine.
Yes, we could’ve done better, but so could 18 other clubs.
He won’t be here forever.
Just seems like it.
no need for childish insults of our brilliant boss.
There’s never room for insults but logical criticism over a long period of time there is. I fear the brilliance you see may have blinded you from reality.
That’s my rant…done and dusted.
Wenger must act.
He must.
If he doesn’t, we can not win the League.
If he does, we most definitely can.
In a results-based endeavour it’s hardly surprising that results are almost everything.
Potter, I never thought Wenger was as brilliant as most did then, but nor do I think he’s anywhere near as bad as most do now.
Yes, it’s the disgusting insults that let people down.
Scott, it’s not the fact that Arsenal finished 2nd, it’s who we finished 2nd to…
Kev
Add to him.
Rooney..Boxing
Ibrahimovic..Martial Arts
Pogba..Kick Boxing
Filliani..Street Violence/Pitch Bully
Put your money on any of this
lot.
Kev, who did Chelski finish 10th to….or whatever they finished 🙂
Spuds 3rd……Citeh 4th.
I promise not to mention our 2 penalties awarded to their 15 as plenty tell us it’s fair 🙂
Scott, those set of circumstances last season, will not occur again in a hurry…
We failed to capitalise and that is a damning indictment on Wenger and his management…
Why use other clubs failings to justify ours though Scott…?
Scott the brilliance bit was responding to Stuart Tibber at 11.09 , who has not come back to back up his statement.
It’s also a damning indictment on officials but Gooners don’t like admitting that.
Why??
We get robbed consistently.
Why is it fans turn on our own manager and players, yet say nothing about the thieving scum running the game?
15 penalties to 2.
How can anyone with half a brain say that doesn’t stink?
Wenger played his part but I guarantee we spend 10 times the effort and time talking about him than we do the officials.
Rico, fair enough, but why do we use other clubs successes as a barometer for our failings?Can’t have it both ways, though plenty do when it suits.
Potter, fair enough mate…..
Because the aim should be to be better than those ahead of us Scott..
Fred, in Mourinho they have the perfect manager…
I actually thought that Leicester should have won, I thought that ManUre were shit.
I’m quite looking forward to seeing ManUre self-harm and Mourinho be his usual charmless self…
They were made for each other.,.
Good Morning to The Lady of the House and all fellow Gooners in residence.
I was really enjoying the game yesterday. Abu Dhabi Citeh were certainly taking it very seriously with their tackles flying in from all angles. Then Gabriel was felled and all the joy went out of the game.
Can Bielik, Chambers and Holding cover in defense? Possibly for a few games, but it is a terrible risk for a likely fragile start of a new and probably crucial season. Not only does it put the clubs league position at risk, it puts the development of three young players at risk. If they get blitzed and lose their confidence now, they may not recover this season.
Confidence is a very important part of a player’s makeup, especially for the young that are trying to impress the manager and challenge for their place in the team.
The penalties thing is one of understanding the referees and their instructions. There are certain fouls that are never given , Holding , Blocking , pushing etc. whereas falling down spectacularly usually is . We know that our style of play means that we rarely enter the box at speed so in consequence we don’t get the fouls that other teams do . Perhaps if our players saw the way that Sterling , Hazzard , Vardy, Rooney etc are treated and did the same we might get more, however I think that the reaction to the Pires incident all those years ago has caused the club to eradicate this from our play.
How come everyone was raving about the dippers win over Barca 4-0…..but not even a squeak on their loss to Mainz. by the same score 0-4. And they changed only 5.
True they played youngsters as well. But so did we. Yes we thrashed Viking 8-0. But we won against Pep’s City as well.
Get a grip on yourselves and stop yourself shitting in your pants on purpose.
We have our problems yes…..and some of them are AW’s fault. But so do other teams. The dippers are unsure about 4 or 5 first teamers as well.
A game at a time.
I cried a few, very few, crocodile tears over this;
http://dailycannon.com/2016/08/samir-nasri-placed-on-manchester-citys-transfer-list-report/
Couldn’t happen to a ‘nicer chap’!
What a shambles.. Mr arrogance at it again he knows he can’t win the league so he does what is best for him, spend a minimal amount aim for 4th and stan will still love me…
Scott, you may well be right about favouritism from the referees, so maybe Arsene should spend more time in Press conferences going on about that and concerning himself with the transfer policies of other clubs.
It just smacks of diversionary tactics away from his own transfer inactivity…
1 more season and the tyrant will be gone…
Morning Rico and the house
To put in context
and among fellow Arsenal
supporters.
It’s because of sites like this
that views are expressed.
I love to hear fans sticking up for
wenger..
I did for too long.
No one wants him flogged.
But over the years,him and the
club have lied to us fans.
I was one of them fans who
never wanted to go to work
when we lost.
Coming back from away games
after fighting to get to the station
then fighting other supporters
getting off the train…
It felt like life or death to me then,
We wasn’t that good then.
So we are a much better club now
mainly down to wenger.
Don’t need lectures on who The arsenal are.
But among The Arsenal fans that I know and
I know a lot..I stuck up for wenger the longest
all of the fans I know have given up the season
ticket,so I would say we have a lot of new fans
under 40 who have not seen what I have,so
my opinion is bound to be slightly different.
Kev, let’s be honest….in the eyes of plenty, Arsene is never right and that’s how it is.
Rico, as I said, we can’t have it both ways.
Devil, I noticed that.
Scousers beat a Barca 3rd 11 and they’re winning the League, yet lose to Mainz and it’s only a trial lol
MG…tyrant?
And we all thought you had his ear, what with all those guaranteed signings you told us about over the years bahahahahahahahaha
Oh the glory days lol
Scott – I agree with a lot of what you say, but I fear we will have as much influence with the game officials as we fans do with Wenger’s transfer policies.
The reason we never got so many penalties is down to the style of play..
Leicester got so many penalties because they ran at defenders
We got our fair share of penalties in the invincibles era when we played counter stacking football
Morning Cg, Mg.
CG, yet we spend a hell of a lot more time on one topic than the other.
MG, if you believe we only deserved 2 penalties, then I’m stunned!
It’s got nothing to do with style, as the rules are the rules, no matter what style you play.
I blame Stan. Lee does too. 🙂
The commercial media and press are just another cross for The Arsenal supporters to bear. I hope that most of us will remember their biases when the worm turns and they gift us with their favour. It will happen and those same commentators/journos will conveniently have forgotten all their previous bile and rubbish.
Did I say that Scott
We never deserved 15 penalties
I too smiled hearing the Nasri news Cg….
Good Morning Rico. I was hoping that yesterday’s game result would have raised the mood in the House, but the unfortunate injury to Gabriel has us all refocused on our transfers or rather our lack thereof.
Go Pep 🙂
MG, nice backtrack lol
CG, we are seeing absolute and blatant favouritism in Rugby League here in Oz.
Players copping suspensions for exactly the same offences others are given warnings for,meet the media are saying nothing…true to their convictions lol.
It’s a farcical situation.
Rico – I didn’t smile. I had a good belly laugh.
I thought the charmless little twerp would have woken up after most of his former France team mates turned their backs on him, but he just doesn’t seem to be able to understand.
Nasri….another who won a trophy, but was never the same player after he left.
A great bank account, but a wasted talent.
Me too Adam, he should have sacked the old has been long ago… 😉
WAY too much negativity as usual from Arsenal “fans”…
Firstly I cant understand the thinking behind anyone being embarrassed at finishing second behind Leicester! Im sorry but Leicester lost 3 games, 3 GAMES!!!! All season, two of which were against Arsenal, which means, yes you guessed it, only one other team (Liverpool I believe) actually managed to beat Leicester all season!! I’m sorry but any team that can play in the PL and only lose 3 games all season deserves credit especially in an age where teams are so strong throughout the division that anybody can beat anybody!
Last night Gabriel suffered an unfortunate injury, I’m sure before that Arsene COULD have been forgiven for thinking that a partnership of Gabriel and one of Chambers/Holding would not have been too bad for a couple of games whilst Kos gets back up to speed, both Holding and Chambers have had very solid pre seasons, Holding especially considering he’s only recently joined us from a relegated Championship club has looked very assured and very comfortable in his new surroundings!
What will happen against Liverpool? I wouldn’t be too surprised if he played one of Monreal or Debuchy at CB alongside one of Chambers/Holding, I’d be even less surprised if he just threw Koscielny back into the thick of things but Debuchy played a few games at CB just before he got injured and looked very assured himself, could he find himself in a new position for the next few months?
One thing I know is that I am an Arsenal fan and whether or not I think Arsene has passed his sell by date, whether or not I think we need 1 or 5 new players I will always back the players and the team that we have rather than constant moaning and whinging!
COYG!!
That’s harsh Rico. 🙂
Just watching a show on Arsenals 10 best ever players.
Up to no. 7 so Aaron must be in the top 6 then 🙂 🙂
Scott – I know how you feel. I’m so disgusted with most sports governance, officiating and regulation that I have given up watching much other than our beloved Arsenal.
The whole doping situation, most especially the Russians state sponsored cover-up, and the resulting lack of back bone of by the IOC and other governing bodies in particular. I haven’t bothered to watch any of the Summer Olympics, except for some highlights of the women’s football.
It is now all about money and nothing but the money. I just wish I could get onto one of the related sports gravy trains with my representative’s vote for sale.
🙂 Cg, I can imagine..
But true Adam.. 😉
CG, I’m a football fan first, Arsenal fan second.
I love the way we play, and I love the way Arsene wants the game to be played.
Divers and cheats will never, ever have my full respect, no matter how talented they are, and that goes for Arsenal players, as well.
Yes, I’m naive.
So be it.
No doubt there will be plenty of debatable decisions this season too.
Can’t wait.
Of course Rico. 🙂
£15 million would probably get Ashley Williams…. Just saying.com…
West Ham boys moaning
friday night,
about the atmosphere at
the new ground..Sounds Like
Rico. Didn’t we look at him 3 seasons ago for £10 million and decide that it was too much and/or he wasn’t good enough?
He’s an old fashioned CB who throws himself in front of the ball and hates conceding.
Dawn isn’t far off, so I’m off to bed before the Whinge Police pick up my trail and track me down.
Have a great day everyone. I’ll talk/type to you all soon. Onward to the new season and a win against the Dippers.
And not all involving the officials Adam.. 😉
Adam – Yes we did. Another opportunity missed. Whoops, I’m whinging again.
Gone now.
Rico. He can put it about a bit too. But what about the resale-value component to the deal? 🙂
I think so Adam but he’s just the kind of guy we need…
CG. He who hesitates is lost.
Probably. 🙂
Night Cg…
🙂 Adam.
Rico. I tend to agree. He can get down and dirty in a way that we haven’t had for years.
Scott, that’s very true mate, and in the eyes of many he’s never wrong…
The point is, he isn’t an idiot, or at least that is the general view. So why keep on going on about what other clubs and managers do or keep or claiming that he could have signed this guy or that guy….
Does it make him seem good or does it make him look defensive…
He needs some lessons in how to deal with the media…
For example, when asked a question on Mourinho or what players he’s signed, why doesn’t he just say “I don’t like to comment on other clubs”, it’s easy Scott, but no he makes comments that can be twisted and used against him…
And is all that rubbish about the players he could have signed, is that supposed to make Arsenal fans feel better, or make him look smart, or doesn’t he think, or care?
What do you think Digger?
Because I think it’s dumb….
Exactly Adam.
Spot on Kev…
Hmmm ………Football fan first and Arsenal fan second, Scott !…………………………….55 years a Gooner and I`m still torn between whether I hate The Spuds first and love Arsenal second or Love Arsenal first and hate The Spuds second !……………………………….hold on a sec`……….. through my window I can see my Spud neighbour walking up the hill, a really nice and pleasant chap who would do anything for anyone………be back in a minute whilst I look for my knuckledusters, now where are they ?……….oh yes I remember, they are still wedged up his rectum !.
Football remains very tribal doesn’t it LC? 🙂
Scot,
Is it even controversial what the earlier poster said about us being a 2nd tier club? Which tier 1 club can go more than a decade without winning their domestic league and barely scrap past the round of 16 of the tournament of the supposed best clubs in the world.
Personally it’s like this for me;
Tier 1; Barca, Bayern, Real, Juve, United(for the last 20 yrs) and Chelsea.
Tier 2; Atletico, Dortmund, City, us plus a few others.
True Adam !.
I`ve just reported my neighbour to the police for the illegal possession of my knuckledusters and after kicking him in the Jacob`s I`ve also reported him for being in possession of swollen goods !
Perhaps Tier 3 for Arsenal then Ben…. 😉
Although we should be up there with the best.
Never mind though, £250 million (ish) in the bank….
Half my family are Spuds, my Spud Uncle Bill on four seperately occasions got me tickets to see Arsenal in cup finals…
All of my friends at school were Spuds.
Mind you I did live in Tottenham… ?
I’ve probably had more Spud mates in my lifetime than Gooner mates.
But beating them is still the ultimate high all the same…
You did well to swerve following them Kev… 😉
Let just say for argument sake Holding, Chambers and Belick all get injuries within 4 weeks of the season, not probable but possible, who plays CB then. It’s not AW bashing but no matter how much one admires the man, we can’t overlook the careless nature to which the club is being run.
Obviously Kev, you are the one with the permanment smile whilst your mates and half your relatives are miserable deluded potential knuckleduster thieves !. 😆
Were you lacking vitamin D as a child ?. 😀
So Wenger is now saying he’s scared of retiring and he spends the clubs money like it’s his own…
I wouldn’t want to go for a drink with him then… 😉
Last year we finished 10 point out of first. AW only have so far added Xhaka, so logically one is to believe that we were only Xhaka away from the EPL title. Really?
It’s negligence Obi….
Would you kick him under the table like you did me Rico?
No…but don’t forget Holding and the man from Japan… 😉
No Adam, I’d kick him in the doo daas… 😉
I got off lightly then. 🙂
According to Sky Sports journalist Kaveh Solhekol, Arsenal are in talks with Lyon over a transfer fee for striker Alexandre Lacazette.
The 25-year-old is one of French football’s most lethal frontmen, boasting 76 goals in 138 appearances over the last three seasons – including 21 strikes in Ligue 1 during 2015/16.
The Gunners’ pursuit of the France international, who wasn’t selected by Didier Deschamps for Euro 2016, appeared to end in July after Lyon revealed they’d rejected an official transfer bid from the North London club.
But Sky Sports journalist Kaveh Solhekol revealed last week that Arsenal had opened a dialogue with the French club, who finished as runners up behind PSG in Ligue 1 last season.
And Solhekol has been discussing the Gunners’ approach for Lacazette on Twitter once again today, claiming Arsene Wenger’s side are in talks over the striker’s potential transfer fee.
Recent reports have suggested Lyon value Lacazette, whose contract expires in 2019, at around £40million.
🙂
You did Adam… 😉
I thought he was injured Rico.
Good afternoon all.
Let this eternal optimist who always predicted Arsenal will win the title at season start (if only title was awarded during Christmas period) … and will always believe Arsenal will win the 2016/17 title, starting by beating Liverpool FC 2-0.
When did Liverpool last beat Arsenal at Emirates Stadium?
I am not worry as Arsene Wenger had strengthen the glaring weakest in the team by signing Xhaka and with Elneny coming to term with English Football, we had added real steel in the middle.
This means that back-4 is well shielded and will be less exposed to quick counter-attacks during last season where Mertesacker and Koscielny were left exposed to many 1-on-1 situations.
Plus our flanks were exposed with many accurate crosses and lobs swung into the box.
Last season, Mertesacker was geriatric with even a midget can out-jumped him to head the ball.
With Holding-Chambers, we have a quicker pairing and more muscles that will jump and stand up to those battling rams charging late into the box to win headers.
Both Xhaka and Elneny will be able to dominate the middle as well as quick enough to protect the flanks when our attacking FB are caught high up on the pitch.
Both Walcott and OX are now putting in a defensive shift and understand the need of attacking football and the willingness to track back and put in a hard shift.
Ramsey?
he will surely start and Euro2016 boosted his confidence to no ends knowing that he can, and had, done it in the middle and no more felt inferior to Fabregas or Ozil. His box-to-box and knack of arriving late into a goal-scoring position is always a goal threat.
Plus Coleman seemed to knock his show-boating and Hollywood stunts out of him by teaching him K.I.S.S. when playing for Wales.
We have a team that is starting to play together, with Arsene Wenger knowing his best players now … and Brit Pack are highly motivated to do well, some of them knowing it is their last chance saloon to salvage their Arsenal career.
…………………………….Cech
… Bellerin …Chambers…Holding … Monreal
………….Xhaka…………………….Elneny
………………………….Ramsey
… Walcott……………..Alexis………….OX
An energetic Ramsey is preferred to Cazorla who is better as a supersub.
The Front-3 can switch flanks and inter-change positions at will to give man-marker a nightmare in following them.
The key to beat Liverpool is for Ramsey and Elneny coming in late through the gaps created by the movement of Front-3 to score, as well as accurate shooting just outside the box.
We have the game to beat Liverpool.
But will we remain profligacy in front of goal (again)?
Forget about new signing(s) playing this weekend.
Even if we sign them today, it will take a day to complete their medical and a few days to obtain international clearances.
The team will be selected from existing squad.
C”mon cheer up. Season has not kick off yet.
All the better Adam… 😉
I think you are underestimating Klopp Merlin…. And overestimating this Arsenal squad…. lol
Off for an hour or two, catch up later…
No Cocker, my Dad was an Arsenal fanatic, I was never confused as a child…. ?
Adam, maybe Wenger thinks he can get a discount if Lacazette is injured… ?
Kev. 🙂
Rico, Liverpool may be in a worse situation than us.
If you think we got it bad, Liverpool got it worse with the following players most likely not to play this weekend:
Klopp could be without Sturridge, James Milner, Dejan Lovren, Loris Karius, Lucas Leiva, Mamadou Sakho, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip next weekend.
And they sold Joe Allen.
We have Holding-Chambers and Liverpool’s availability of experienced CB will be in the same situation as us.
There is always hope Rico.
And Hope is the last creature out of Pandora’s Box.
Very funny Kev but probably not too far from the truth…..
Merlin, did you see them thump Barcelona? Just saying…..
From the Guardian :- A word of caution, though. Barcelona were some way off full strength, showing all the signs of a team that remain in the embryonic stage of their preparations. La Liga does not kick off for one week after the premier league and numerous key figures, including Ivan Rakitic, Gérard Piqué and Andrés Iniesta, only returned to training in recent days. All three were introduced an hour in with the game already put to bed .
Liverpool are well in advance of Barca in preparation , the win was as important as our 8 – 0 demolition in Norway.
I know Potter but they still had a few of their stars on show… Lol
Mind you, next game, Liverpool got thumped 4-0 I think..
Obi….how many CBs does a team need??? At beginning of preseason we had Per, Kos, Gabi, Chambers, Holding and Bielik. That is 6. Now Per and Gabi injured. Per long term while we do not know the extent of Gabi yet.
Imagine AW had all those and has already bought Shkodran. The TW closes and Shkodran gets injured. Who will you blame then??? Because it seems one cant have enough players.
Finally its good to see Merlin getting answers from you lot for questions I asked but did not get answers to. Thanks Merlin. I thought I was the odd fish out. But at least I am getting answers through questions you and Scott ask all the time.
Devil, but it’s just numbers… How many of the defenders you list are really top notch and able to perform at the level we need?
How many who write here thought Bellerin and Iwobi were top notch???
I was banging the drum for Bellerin long before he made his debut. I had the utmost faith in him. the same with Iwobi. Yet today Bellerin is one of the first names on the sheet while Iwobi fills us with hope when he gets on the pitch. And the same with Holding, Bielik and Chambers.
And if they perform against the Dippers??
Merlin pointed out something that I was pointing out this morning…….the dippers are without a good number of their players for the match against us. That evens things out no?
But we are talking about about the central defence, one of the most important positions on the pitch….
Out of interest Devil, how many times had you seen Bellerin play before he made his debut?
Sometimes it`s not the quality of the players missing but the quality of the tactics and technigue that a club like Liverpool train to all their players from juniors upwards. I expect Klopps passion for high pressing will have whatever team Liverpool turn out running around like screaming banshees…………………….a bit like residents of N17 running amok to the Haringay border after seeing the bright sunshine of Islington !.
In theory any Arsenal youngster who has been at the club for years could fit in like a glove into Arsenal`s first team as they have been taught the same football technigues as the first team.
Our way is to pass pass pass………………Liverpool`s is to run run run ……………without dropping the hub caps !………it`s in their DNA !……………….if they turn up on Sunday with black curly and tash`s, were in trouble !………………..better all Islington residents park their cars in another borough !………………no !!!……..not Haringay, that`s BBQ fuel to them !.
Arsenal going for Lukas Klostermann according to the media….
Is he any good rico ?
No idea Micko… Lol
Devil @ 6:09, coming into the season we knew Mert was not dependable and aging, Gabby still unproven in EPL and Kos is injury prone. So ideally we would need one proven CB rather than hoping to catch lightening in the bottle. Granted Holding is legit, but Chambers and Bielik, I think are at best 2 yrs away. Coach we are really taking a gamble. And your point is well taken you can’t manage injuries but you can prepare for it.
LC, kind of agree there. Perhaps that’s why Ox, Walcott and chambers haven’t progressed much, if at all..
Rico….I saw Belelrin play twice for Watford and four times for the Spain under19/21. I watch many youth international games and was banging the drum for him long before he made his debut.
Kev can tell you that I spotted Benzema, Ben Arfa and Nasri at under 19 level. And immediately texted him about them. Even Ospina I knew before everyone else……when he was around 20 years old and was already a regular for the Columbian national team.
I wasn’t trying to be smart Devil, I just wondered as he’d played very little football before his debut… Certainly at the level he’s playing now.
if I lived up there I would not loose a youth game from under21 down. I would attend them all. Much more enjoyable than the seniors sometimes.
Do you follow Jeorge Bird Devil?
yes I do, but reading Jeorge Bird reports is different to seeing them myself. Seeing them means I can form my own opinion first hand
Of course, but his stuff is a good way to keep up with the youth. In fact it’s the only way really…
Hi Rico and the House.
An interesting few days of football, a nice easy run-out that allowed us to smash Viking, and scoring lots of goals is always fun, and a nice confidence-boosting win over City.
It was nice to see Cazorla back, Elneny and Iwobi looking sharp, and Xhaka looked very confident in his first-half cameo against City.
It’s just a shame the positives are always over-shadowed by avoidable negatives.
I’m not as shocked as some concerning Coquelin being trained as a Centre-half, but simply because of his size, I’d have thought Elneny was a more ideal candidate.
Ball-playing centre-backs aren’t new, but are essential to play with the fluidity that Pep demands, and Wenger has flirted with this idea before too, with Grimandi and Kolo Toure. Ferguson did the same at United with Keane and later on Carrick, van Gaal did it more recently with Daley Blind.
Duncan Edwards must have been among the first with United back in the 1950’s, Bobby Moore was another, and he captained the country to World Cup glory. Perhaps the best example is Franz Beckenbauer, who I’m sure influenced next-door neighbours Holland to evolve their ‘Total-Football’ philosophy, which Johan Cruyff took to Barcelona where he would teach the young Catalan captain, Guardiola.
There’s a lot to commend and applaud Wenger for, because most football pundits and journalists make the game too complicated.
Those of us who can just about remember the World Cup in 1974, will recall how Rinus Michel’s Holland lit up the tournament with a brand of football that seemed way ahead of its time. But it was a simple, uncomplicated philosophy of technically gifted footballers being allowed to show-case their natural ability with the ball on the pitch. The idea that if a footballer can really play football, he can play anywhere on the park (except Goalkeeper, naturally). A philosophy of complete fluidity, and players never looking awkwardly out of position wherever they are on the pitch.
Obviously the attacking roles are a bit more defined, but Holland have produced quite a few world-class strikers down the years to compliment their brand.
If I was a City fan, I’d be extremely excited about the immediate future, because Guardiola will fundamentally change the whole club and take them to the elite level.
Wenger has a similar football philosophy to Cruyff and Guardiola, and it is indeed very noble, but Wenger doesn’t have the required level of analytical ruthlessness to follow their success.
When Holland, and much later Barcelona played players out of their ‘natural’ positions nobody raised an eyebrow or muttered a single word of complaint, because it always seemed like a seamless transition, but when Wenger does this it often backfires on him, because the players he plays out of position often show him up terribly. And part of the problem with that is that Wenger likes to make himself heard within the media, he’s got an opinion on everything, and obviously loves his punditry at major tournaments, which often attracts vitriolic critical ridicule from Arsenal fans because he hasn’t achieved anywhere near the same amount as Cruyff or Guardiola, nor does he acknowledge the many mistakes he’s made in trying to execute the same philosophy.
When you look at some of the dross he’s forced on us and how far away Arsenal are from being CL contenders, as Kev says, the last thing the supporters want to hear is Wenger reeling off a world-class team of players he nearly signed because it comes across as an insult.
A big part of Wenger’s problem is his lack of humility. If he had more of that,he’d have a lot more sympathy and support from the Arsenal family.
Another goodie Herb. Good evening to you….
Night guys, catch up tomorrow…
Hello and goodnight, Rico.
Good obsevation Merlin96 at 4:14
I AM abroad in holidays. So Szesc.
again in Rome; Gabriel and Mets out; se nerd a.central. defender quickly!
And where is Sissoko? Rel Madid?
JM- where are you on holiday?
Just got back from porto… off to Greeces in a few days
Greece*
Morning all.
Kev, on your 1.40pm, Arsene digs a hole for him way too often, that’s a given.
Yes, he’s asked loaded questions, but why he engages the journos is beyond me.
He should just ignore plenty of the questions fired at him.
Living the dream, hey Ginge 🙂 🙂
Yes, I can confirm that Devil/Coach was telling me about the Belgian players, for example, long before they became fashionable and Ben Arfa and co when they were teenagers…
Coach, didn’t you do your coaching badges with Ally McCoist..?
Who were the others doing the course in Scotland ?
JM, you on your holiday, where’s that then, Eastbourne?
Rather you than me… ?
Exactly Scott…
Ginge, were you really in Porto, or was you on duty in Syria ?
Your secret is safe with me… ?
Good Morning Lovelies and Hunkies.
Who are we going to sign today??? I think it was Messi and Hummels. Or was it a dream???
Kev that was 14 years ago mate when I did my final coaching badge at Inverclyde. I had some illustrious names amongst whom were John Collins, Ally McCoist, Mixu Paatelainen, Kevin McCallister. I stuck up a good friendship with John and Mixu, esp as in the evening it was quickly down to the pubs after the sessions and dinner. Aye…..those were happy days.
Dick Campbell was my tutor….a good laugh but on the field he was like Big Sam. you do as he says or its a kick up your arse.
On my first day there it seemed like it was going to be a hot day. So I prepared myself and went down for the session in shorts and T-shirt. The rest of the boys were all with windcheaters and rain jackets.
“Blimey,” I thought to myself. “This lot must be corpses. All of them feeling cold and I feeling so warm.”
They smiled and said nothing. We did warming up and the session began.
Suddenly the weather changed. and from being a warm day it went to the other extreme. Wind, rain, cold. I was soon running around madly trying to keep warm. I was literally soaked to the bones (not to the skin mind you). Dick Campbell was all the time taking the mickey out of me.
The session finished and before you know it I was in the shower a good time before the others where half way up to the training centre. Good thing I had central heating in the room to dry the kit and football shoes.
If that was bad…..lunch was worse as they all kept taking the mickey about a headless wet chicken who ran around as if the sky had fallen on his head.
Afternoon session came. And this time it was the rain jacket on and a sweater under it.
Yep you guessed it. Sun came out. And it was bloody warm. And I was soaked again…this time in sweat. And the banter began again. And when one of the moves we were practicing was done well and I managed to score the other lot celebrated with me……by going to their bags, taking out their rain jackets and putting them all on me.
Dick Campbell nearly died that day. But he was a great man……as he paid for all the wine I took that evening.
for the game against the dippers…….
Referee: Michael Oliver
Assistants: S Burt, E Smart
Fourth official: C Pawson
Morning Dev,
I like Oliver, seems to give us a fair game usually.
I was wondering why Wenger doesn’t hijack Mourinho ‘ s plans to buy Bonucci. He’s experienced, looks solid at Euros and Juve are already prepared to lose him.
Also might be able to pick up Mangala or Blind at a reasonable price.
Happy Birthday Lee, you’re slowly catching me up……. 🙂
Morning Devil, Bradster and all…
That’s a funny story Devil. You should know it always rains in Scotland… 😉
Mustafi is younger than Bonucci Bradster. Therefore would give us more. Blind is ok for me but I doubt that Jose would sell to us. Remember Cech????
Then again….woudnt it be great to see him having a strop like he did when the chavs sold us Cech and then he got sacked…..only to have a strop if Manure sell Blind to us and then sacking Jose around Feb. That would be fab. lol
does it rain in Scotland??? That was four seasons in one hour Rico. It went from Spring to Summer to Autumn to winter and then a few hours later it was summer all over again.
Spain and italy
That’s Scotland Devil, especially in the summer. You are fortunate your coaching course wasn’t in the winter… lol
Pogba has gone back to Old Toilet. 105million Euros.
Madness imo.
Looks like lately like ignoring youth is coming back with big price tags. Mustafi, Dr Bruine and Pogba.
Maybe Wellington Silva has a chance a then. 😉
Devil, did you see Wenger’s comments about looking further down the leagues for players?
nope. can you send me the link pls.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3729735/Arsene-Wenger-looking-lower-league-stars-admits-good-players-now.html
What wrong with Eastbourne?
Morning Rico and All….
Morning Kev…
Eastbourne is lovely….
Great memories there Coach and morning to you…. ?
Agree Brad, Oliver usually is very fair to us…
Morning Rico and all. Value for money where footballers are concerned is entirely relative and I imagine that the MU fans are delighted that their club has shown such a willingness to get a player like Pogba.
Morning Adam.
I bet they are thrilled to bits….
A list of Bosman strikers available…..
•Dani Osvaldo
•Emmanuel Adebayor
•Marouane Chamakh
•Victor Anichebe
•Hal Robson-Kanu
•Ivo Ilicevic
•Carlton Cole
•Miroslav Klose
•Dimitar Berbatov
I wouldn’t want any of those Devil…
Wouldn’t mind Javier Hernández though…
Neither do I lol.
I though Robson-Kanu had found a club…
Frank de Boer has been officially confirmed as Inter Milan’s new head coach following Roberto Mancini’s departure on Monday.
The 46-year-old Dutchman, who will be unveiled by the Serie A club at a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, was approached to become the next Inter boss after Mancini left by mutual consent due to a breakdown in his relationship with the board.
De Boer’s appointment as his successor has now been rubber-stamped, with a statement on Inter’s official website revealing he has signed a three-year contract to guide the Nerazzurri under ambitious new owners Suning Holdings.
Another good manager goes elsewhere..
New post is up now.
I prefer Brighton, Rico, but Eastbourne is ok…
Morning Adam
Is it the birthday of Bruvver Lee today?
Many Happy Returns mate…