Morning all.
Reading around the Arsenal world of football blogs, the knives are clearly out for Alexis Sanchez. Losing the ball so many times on Saturday against Utd seems to be the last straw. Drop him, sell him ASAP, just get rid seems to be the general consensus. Not only did he lose the ball many times against Utd, it was his little attempted flick which didn’t come off that led to Utd putting the game to bed. That’s the kind of sloppy stuff which the likes of Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil and one or two others get slated for so I guess one should ask why should Alexis escape criticism.
I’m a massive fan of our little Chilean and yes, he does get the odd pass or shot wrong but that happens in sport yet Alexis gets more things right than he does wrong imo. Without him, it’s highly likely that we’d have not finished in a Europa place last season which I know is little to brag about but his goals were winning us points and helping us to, and win, another FA Cup Final. As were Theo’s by the way. Yes yes, and the big lumps of course but other than those three scoring, goals were hard to come by.
30 goals in all competitions last season for Alexis but so far this time around, he’s only scored five which of course means he’s finished, he’s not up for playing for Arsenal, he doesn’t care… blah blah blah..
Poppycock I say. Alexis doesn’t know how not to give his all, that’s clear every week but if his mind is elsewhere and it’s affecting his game, then I can understand that. He wanted out of the club last summer and it looked like he was heading to City only for Arsene Wenger to pull the plug at the last minute. How would that have made you feel if you were in his position?
Alexis is ambitious, he wants to win more than just an FA Cup. He’s no different to any other player who wants to be successful and like many of us can see, the likelihood of that happening at Arsenal is highly unlikely anytime soon. Like RvP when he left, Alexis will soon turn 29 years old so time is running out to win big things. I’ve accepted he’s leaving, reluctantly I hasten to add as players like him are hard to find. Just how Arsene Wenger goes about trying to find someone as good if not better, will be interesting.
But you know what, if it wasn’t for the fact that his contract is up in the summer, I very much doubt there would be as much criticism of our little Chilean as there seems to be these days..
Morning all.
Rico, I said at the start of the season I questioned whether he could give his all.
I never questioned the fact that he’d try, but I just couldn’t see any player in his position being at 100%.
We should have sold him, imo, as he clearly wanted out and things can’t really work under those circumstances, and he isn’t entirely to blame, by any means.
Best for all concerned we sell him in January, imo, as it’s better late than never.
Preferably to an overseas club, though:
Not sure how well Sanchez’s hit and miss, must play every minute of every game style would go down with Pep’s ferocious, yet pragmatic, intensity. It didn’t really work at Barcelona where he didn’t enjoy living within the shadow of Messi apparently.
Any chance he’ll stay???
Suarez did Scott even though he knew he was leaving the following summer.
I just think Alexis is an easy target because of his contract situation. I think he’s 100% focussed on Arsenal too. Crikey, he’s even been passing to Ramsey…
I don’t think he’ll end up at City Adam.
It’s a mental thing with Sanchez he would rather be at City going for the title than just going around in endless circles to nowhere on Wenger’s yawn inducing magic roundabout … he is doing his best under the circumstances but that old fool,i’m being polite here, Wenger ,really did make a complete Horlicks of the transfer saga last summer involving Sanchez and his move to City …how the heck is Sanchez supposed to take the clown Wenger seriously after all of that of what must be gut wrenching disappointment for the Chilean … is it any wonder that he looks so glum !
Wenger made a right old mess of transfers in the summer full stop Jeff. How he let a defender go without replacing him, and not finally getting us a proper midfielder, beggars belief.
Hi everyone. Hope you’re all well. Regarding Sanchez, Wenger was convinced that he would give his all and maintain his performances from last season, helping us reach top four and then leave. Apparently it’s not in his nature not to give his all, no matter the circumstances.. Wenger misjudged, fair enough. But he should definitely have been more proactive and bought Lemar at the beginning of the season, regardless of Sanchez. Then he would have had time to settle in until we sold Sanchez..
I felt the same way about Alexis too, with the attempts to score all getting saved and his loss of the ball, we fought gallantly but if we would move on to bringing in more a capable manager, we do have a group of players who can play better. I feel there’s a Raheem Sterling in our young Reiss Nelson.
Giroud and Welbeck were to my reasoning unnecessary additions to the Man United game, but its all in the past now. We cannot make the top 4 with Cech and a creaky suspect defense. Our most important need is a true DM, a trusted English CB, wide players who can replicate Alexis trickery and industry, if we had 2 similar players, one with a lot of hard work on the wings like Alexis, and another with the trickery to dribble and get past opposition defenders then we would be good to go.
I fear true stability can only come to Arsenal F.C, when Wenger leaves.
Rico. Suarez extended his contract that was though, so it’s a little different.
Still, my opinion on Alexis isn’t a recently acquired one and I’ve stood by it.
I don’t believe eve he’s a team player and I don’t believe he’s ever been a true Arsenal man but that’s the way of the football world nowadays.
Shame, because nobody would ever question his talent.
Watching 89 and GG said he sold some high profile players because he wanted young, hungry, keep players at the club.
Shame we got away from that practice.
Last seasons transfer was superb compared to the infamous “Cech only” effort!!!
Hi Adk, long time and all that.
Agree. Should have been Lemar in early, Alexis out to the highest bidder and the same with Ozil if he doesn’t see his future at Arsenal.
Iari3. And a Wrighty in Eddie imo. I relish the day we get a new manager because only then will our gaping holes in the squad be addressed. I can’t see any other manager not signing a defender or two and a proper midfielder.
In fact I can’t think of a team in the PL who doesn’t have defence minded midfielder in their squad. They may not all be brilliant but they have one..
I know Scott, you’ve often mentioned how many ‘turnovers’ Alexis commits, and that he’s a diver and moaner…
But a dreadful transfer window compared to the clubs we’re supposed to be competing with. I look to them rather than the Cech only summer which was simply embarrassing..
Hi Scott, I support your comment on Sanchez at 11.29. Sanchez’s arrival was a high profile signing from Barcelona at the time, and he exposed Wenger’s typical weakness, while he inspired with his work ethic. The problem is that there is a dictator in the manager, who still insisted in the press after the appointment of Raul Sanllehi, that he would have the last say on transfers.
When will Arsene watch and see that he has been defensively inconsistent for several years now ? When last did we score 3 goals in a season against more than 3 of the top 4 teams consistently in one half of the season ? The reality is that Arsenal is not a mediocre team settling for top 4, It is the manager Arsene Wenger, that has shrunk from being a top coach to becoming a straggler, so top 4 is indicative of Arsene Wenger’s tactical ability, not the team’s collective ability. We might not even make top 4 now, because there are hungrier,young managers out thinking Wenger now. I look forward to our game against Liverpool with a desire to see the repeat of the same tragicomedy.
Rico, I haven’t changed my opinion on him.
I can’t blame him for not being at his very best this season, though.
He’s only human.
Lari3,
Liverpool are that bad defensively that we could well reverse the score line lol
Wenger is too old to change his ways, style what we have is what we have, unfortunately.
Top 4 remains a distinct chance but that’s mainly because Liverpool and Spurs aren’t that great, not because we are.
Rico, how any person, let alone a manager, could think we didn’t need outfield players that season is a joke.
Wenger’s attitude toward Mustafi is also rather odd Rico. Wenger tried to off-load him as well last summer and it is obvious that neither are on each others Xmas card lists ! Then again Mustafi probably doesn’t have any Xmas card list… anyway Wenger bought him but apparently knows little about the player who now according to Wenger has something wrong with him regarding his attitude … it’s obvious also from past signings that many are done just to try and placate disgruntled supporters rather than them being a part of any plan such as managers like Pep and Mourinio indulge in .
Who exactly is moaning about Alexis then Rico?
I’ve not seen that anywhere except here – with Scott. ?
If it’s on Twitter then frankly ‘who gives a fcuk’.
I actually found a lot to be positive about in our response to ManU, at 0-2 you fear that we were going to collapse, but the team and the fans, who recently seem to have reconnected again, kept going until the end. Defensive errors apart what more do we want from them than for the team to give everything and show that they care.
Jeff, was it Wenger who wanted Mustafi gone, though?
Rhenonky rumour I heard was Mustafi wanted out as his wife was homesick.
Do we know the true story?
Rhenonky-fekken IPhone!!!
That’s should read “the only”.
Agree Jeff, really odd stuff re Mustafi, Perez too.
Here and there Kev including Twitter.. lol
Who knows Scott what the problem with Mustafi is but seeing that his wife is Albanian a move to Italy would not have solved her home sickness anyway.The point is though that yet again Wenger obviously did not do his homework before buying Mustafi – whom I personally don’t rate anyway he does look rather moderate along with Keystone Kos whose record of memorable bloopers would make for a comical Xmas DVD . Spunky once did one of GK’s bloopers oddly enough though there were none of his own on it !
Stupid I know that although I am born and bred a Londoner I have not travelled on the tube for many years . I have a friend visiting from Spain at the moment who before she goes back to Spain will be in London doing the sights . What is best an Oystercard or a travel card , can she use buses as well as tube or can she hire Kev as a . personal chauffer. She will be meeting her sister and one other so what will be best ?
Help !
Can she get these things on site or does she have to go online ?
Potter. An Oystercard, available from any tube station, is the way to go I reckon.
Potter. She can top it up anytime, if it runs low, at stations and in shops. Bus and tube.
Afternoon guys. It’s a bit parky outside.
Jeff, perhaps Mustafi’s wife is missing the warmer climates…
Potter, I’ve an Oystercard which I use when I’m over for weekends, no time limit with it, I just top it up each time I’m over, just make sure your friend remembers to scan it at their destination as well as if they doesn’t they’ll get charged full whack whether they travel 2 stops or 25 stops on the train !!! Obviously you don’t have that problem with the buses as you just scan it when you get on.
Possibly so Rico but with the sort of loot that Mustafi is on there are a few others who would put up with our one for awile !
rico, I know it’s a horrible thought but if you were a City supporter right now would you be too sorry you didn’t sign Alexis in the summer, the way their team has gelled up front they look unstoppable at the moment, funny how things work out, saved themselves a few quid as well.
Alexis may throw a few strops but more times than not give him the ball and he’ll stick it in the net when we most need it.
I’m sure Jeff.
Micko, I bet City fans would still love to see Alexis join his team. Can’t have enough quality can you.
Evening all and thank you Rico.
Just back from watching Thor : Radnorak……………..I wont spoil it for you !
🙂
I`m a bit like Kev` in that I dont read or hear much gripes about Alexis ( I dont do twitter) apart from that he`s leaving.
As I`ve said many a time, him and Ozil would be in my best ever Arsenal team !.
Dont know why Man$our City need him apart from stock piling and making other teams weaker as they can do what they like with endles riches !
Alexis likes to play football above anything else imo and he will not be playing every game at MC, why change a team that has won every league game apart from a solitary draw !.
At start of season I was all for keeping the magic twosome so to help us win the title with ease, but since that has blown up then I see no point in not selling them in January as we are not in the title race………….infact I dont think anyone is, it`s a one horse race and I`ll be more surprised if they dont become “invincible” than if they do !.
Pep is proving the great manager (even with funds like no other) that Adam said he was …………………..even though I still think anyone one of us on here could be title contenders with the money he has spent !
Dont forget !…………………..FA Cup draw tonight…………shortly actually !……..7PM ?
Pleasure Lc.
I have to disagree re Pep. Yes he’s spent a lot of money but then so did the two managers before him, perhaps they spent more, I don’t know but they didn’t get City playing like they are today.
Imo, it’s not about how much any manager spends, it’s about who he signs with the money he has and then how he gets them playing..
I have to disagree as well Rico as previous managers Pelligrini and someone else have won them Titles, it`s more about the money as I dont think Pelligrini and someone else would have won them the titles under the former owners !, sorry Rico, but it`s a fact ( please dont mention the leicester anomoly) that the richest clubs win the trophies !………………………….two Mancs and Chavs ( dont mention Leicester) since we last won it and they all have one thing in common, now let me think what would that be ?????
😆
See that Tony Adams thinks Wenger will possibly sign another new contract !…………………..now although he was a great leader and captain, he is definately a boot string short of a football kit and his Statue outside the Ems talks more sense usually, but he may be right !
You honestly dont think you could manage MC with that amount of money ?………………………………..I dont know what your qualifications are Rico, but even if they are just Domestic Goddess, I`m willing to bet my house that you could/would make MC more competitive than any other club outside of Manchester and West London……………….I have faith in you ! hahaha
Someone else was Mancini !
🙂
Mornings all.
Pep spent a bomb upgrading an already world class squad, but is quite obviously doing a brilliant job handling the tools at his disposal, as big money signings brings big egos, and that creates its own problems for a manager.
He’s killing it, no question.
Are other managers capable, given the same quality of squads he’s had?
It doesn’t matter.
He’s doing the job in England and that ticks off the final box.
Meanwhile, we plod along………..
No Lc, you could give me all the money in the world and I know I wouldn’t be able to win the Pl. A bit like Wenger really..
They may have won the league Lc but there’s a reason the owners and managers parted company. Imo, bot were like kids in a sweet shop during a transfer window whereas Pep has signed who he needs.
So you wouldn`t spend it then, bit rich saying Wenger doesn`t spend enough then !
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Just looked up Pelligrini stats and he didn`t win much really, so definately the money helped him at MC.
That’s not what I said Lc…
The reason they parted company is that they wanted to go to the next level…………..CL winners and they needed the very best in Pep, but my point was that with the money any of us on here could make MC competive !………….I ddn`t say win the league, but be in the running !………………………as a van driver with no experience whatsoever in football I would delegate all the coaching to qualified people , one`s that know Peps philosophy and training methods !……………………..one thing I and everyone else knows is a great player when we see one and that`s the easy bit……….” Hey Mansour get me X player !”……………………..Arteta will train them and I will just look good in a suit walikng up and doen the line giving the odd hysterical outburst and eye gorging maureen ! hahaha
“A bit like Wenger ” is not spending the money rightly !………………………….I know you can do it Rico, you talk enough sense on here, apply for Arsene`s job and you have the support of HH and I`ll even be the coach driver………………..I`m good at driving if nothing else !
😆
I disagree. Yes, it’s easy to spend money but one has to know what they’re doing to make a club competitive. We all have our views but if we were that good, we’d be football managers and not white van men or any other career we have.
Delegate is the best word ever for someone who is rich beyond the wildest dreams but knows nothing !
When you think about it The Mansours delegate the running of the team to Pep, so it would be no different if any of us where manager as we would delegate duties to someone with knowledge and experience, so I`m sure Rico that you would indeed make a great MC manager !
🙂
Oops ! nearly made me miss the FA Cup draw bigging you up for the Managers job !
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I think you’ve missed my point Lc.
Away against Notts Forest.
I think you underestimate the power of money, Rico !………………………………..how come no one else (dont mention Leicester) outside of Mancester and West London …………..and us have not won the title ? since 1995…………………………………………………not rich enough !
🙂
Sherwood Forrest…………………………….Wavy will he happy.
🙂
So will Potter..
I’m off to watch Noel Fitzpatrick- night all.
That’s true rico only Asprilla keeps springing to mind, they’ll romp the league either way.
Rumours about the Ozil is extending for 3 years.
Depends on whether you are an Arsenal Fan TV fan, Scott !……………………..oh I remember, you where on it once !
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https://twitter.com/ArsenalFanTV/status/937687841202720770?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fturkish-football.com%2Farsenal-take-social-media-following-latest-report-mesut-ozil-contract-situation%2F
Hope it`s right though !
Only if Wavy can blag a ticket…….there was a time when…….! We’ll see……..last time I went to the city ground it was on a freebie when Forest beat Fulham 5-3. The game was shocking despite all the goals. And before that Forest beat the Arsenal 2-0 Nigel Clough, a substitute change
D the game after half time. I was so disappointed!
Arsenal could send out the U23’s and they’d beat the current Forest side by 5! They’re really piss poor despite Mark Warburton’s best efforts and his own baked sliced white!! Should be looking for a comfortable win. If we lose I’m back to Wenger out again.
What has Ornstein got to say???
Ornstein hasn`t said anything about Arsenal since Oct` 4th and that was an Usmanov statement !
Forrest is one of the few teams I dont hate as much as the rest because of the shirts they donated to us in 1886…………..I only dislike them ! ……………………………other teams I dislike are West Ham because I`m an EastEnder and feel a duty because of Pie&Mash……………………………………I only dislike Plymouth because my son was born there and Exeter because my Granchildren were born there !……………………………I hate all the rest and Tottnumb are up and beyond hate !…………………if there is a word worse than hate please let me know so I can sing a new song about Tottnumb !………………………….in fact I wish they didn`t exist so I could hate ManU and Bindippers even more than I do now !…………………………………..I`d like to change my name by deed poll to……………Mr I Hate Tottnumb.
The only Forrest I know is Forrest Gump lol,
Just looked it up Nottingham is in fact 40 miles further away than Highbury. So looks like tv or a stream. Not the Trent or the Yare either.
Scott 7.59, that’s great news re Mesut, he won’t have to worry about paying off his mortgage now at least until 2020, the future is red and white.
Nite Gooners.
Potter, don’t Hoseasons run a regular small cruiser taxi service between Potter Heigham and The Trent end c/o Forest wharf on Saturdays. I believe it’s an express service, a seven days round trip. We could meet on the toe path!
If you don’t fancy it I quite understand?
Micko, it’s a tough gig, being s professional footballer.
Poor little buggers really do it hard.
Does anyone know much about Sutton UTD?
The first kid from Sean’s school to venture over for a trial has just been picked up by them.
Not a massive club, obviously, but a bloody great achievement.
Love to come Wavy but I believe the first two mlles you have to paddle up hill or get out and push and then like watching the Arsenal it’s downhill all the way.
We beat them in Feb this year Scott..
Morning all.
Damn, that’s right, Rico.
Is it the club managed by brothers??
I think so Scott..
It’ll be interesting to see how the kid progresses.
Smallish club-less likely he will get s big head and from all reports, he’s just a decent young man.
Evening all,
I see The Arsenal ‘tourist’ is copping it again, this time from Ian Wright.
Guess it’s time to put the tourist thing to bed once and for all for the benefit of our antipodean friends.
Someone that comes to the match,goes to the shop and buys their stuff then takes their seat watches the game,gets behind the team is a fan/supporter.
The ones that turn up and spend the first half texting taking selfies and disappear 10 minutes before half time ,try to phone their mates complain about no signal,hardly watch the game and come for the experience are tourists.
I’m surprised it’s often too difficult to work out what ‘tourist fan’ means….
Afternoon all, Christmas done apart from the Brussels ?
Kev/Rick. Seems Bielik is on the edge of a return…
That’s good Rico, maybe the club will start playing him as a def/mid this time?
I see we’re being linked with N’Zonzi.
Let’s hope so Kev. Use him in the League Cup and if fit 100%, give him some game time on Thursday..
I wouldn’tmind N’Zonzi tbh..
Just the Brussels, Rico ?………………………….are you part of the Brexit negotiating team ?
🙂
You know that saying………….” If something is too good to be true, then it probably is”…………………well I thought I had one of those moments thinking I might qualify for a brand new oil boiler grant with one of those adverts which pop up everywhere !……………………turns out though that I am indeed entitled to a new boiler and fitting for nothing !………………….Xmas is coming early, fcuk the Brussels !
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I’d like to be Lc. But like being a football manager, I’m not qualified.
Now Rico, I know we jest about the qualities of being a football manager, but seriously, I know you could do a better job than those pompous upper class oxbridge twats with no common sense and I bet you wouldn`t fiddle the expenses !……………..obviously apart from an Emirates match detour with corporate class perks and legend stadium tour with Olly !
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I’m actually one of them Lc… Perhaps it’s best to be careful what one types eh….
Really ?…………………..oops !
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What next ?………………………………..Gnarley`s the Australian PM !
:lol;
So unfunny…
Obviously ( or is it ?)………….you dont qualify for a free boiler then !
🙂
I`ll go before I get in trouble !……………………….night !
Night guys.
Too late, LC 🙂
I’m dirty you didn’t rate me as a potential PM.
GG wouldn’t be eligible, what with his dual passport and all 🙂 🙂 🙂
That’s an Aussie joke as we’ve had a massive uproar or late with dual citizens being back tied from politics.
Potter, I was,
“Someone that comes to the match, goes to the shop and buys their stuff then takes their seat watches the game, gets behind the team is a fan/supporter.”
Mind you i was @ Highbury that night after ’89 in Anfield. The film Fever Pitch isn’t quite right, there was scaffolding up outside the deco stand, which they didn’t have in the movie. Where was Wrighty, oh I know, having bevvies with his Palace mates. Wouldn’t we all love to have the luxury of changing clubs @ a whim 🙂
S2H
That’s a nice gesture, normally we are said to have dual heads, so thank you for not spilling the beans on that one, oops, i guess i just did!
BTW, Sutton, good luck to the boy, is he a goal keeper 🙂
GG9 That’s what i thought. I have watched so many taking selfies with the clock in the background that it makes my blood boil.
I’m not agree with the post
Morning all.
GG, I’m not sure where he plays, to be honest.
On my trip over, I hardly took photos.
I promised the missus I wouldn’t do any sightseeing as she wants to drag my arse around the tourist joints when we head over as a family 🙂
Fekken selfies-I’m the luckiest bloke alive as I don’t have to look at my head, so why would i want a selfie to look at!?????
Morning all..
It’s another yawn day….
Rico, I can spice things up if you like 🙂 🙂
I think I prefer the peace Scott. Lol
You’re no bloody fun hahahaha
We can talk about the cricket!
Or just go to the new post which is up now..
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