Daily Bits and Bobs

If It’s Not Sanchez, It’s Ten Men……

Posted on by rico

Morning all.

Darn media! Darn internet – mines been off this morning so this is a rushed post….

Back in the days when the old badger used to get his foot on to any ball heading his way, firing it into the back of the net, we labelled a one man team. It matter not about who had dug their heels in to protect our goal, or which players were involved in the build up etc, it was all about one man, the goal scorer.

It’s happening again with Alexis Sanchez. He’s the player who goes about his business professionally and when he see’s the right moment to make his move, he does and so far, he’s taking a good few of those chances. No-one knows that if he wasn’t there, someone else wouldn’t be, but he is there and that’s because he’s an Arsenal player and he’s doing his job. He really is a stunning player who never gives up!

Overall last night the team did well. Defenders defended, the goal keeper was calm and confident and even Flamini did well, apart from his crazy pass back to the keeper. The team collectively stopped Southampton from scoring and when a clear cut chance came, we took it. It just happened to be Alexis… ( ok, it’s usually Alexis)

Overall, I think we deserved the win and but for a fantastic performance by Fraser Forster, the victory would have been much greater.

But of course, we could only score against ten men, something which is being highlighted by all the journalists this morning but so what, no one really takes that into account when that happens to us.

The game wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t too exciting most of the time either but sometimes that doesn’t matter as long as when the final whistle blows, the three points are ours.

Our game picked up a bit once Olivier Giroud replaced Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and how Forster made the saves to prevent him from scoring, I just don’t know, especially Ollie’s header but that’s what a top class keeper does. Sadly for him though, he couldn’t stop Alexis Sanchez….

I’ll leave you to chew over the game and the constant fouling by Victor Wanyama!

Have a good Thursday folks….

 

rico

125 thoughts on “If It’s Not Sanchez, It’s Ten Men……”

  1. Dick Swiveller says:

    Not technically rotational fouling if it’s only one man commiting them all. It’s a shame because aside from that and the penalty (maybe he would have given it if we hadn’t have scored, experience teaches me otherwise), the ref had a decent game as he didn’t buy too many dives and actually gave fouls when we were fouled.

  3. Wavy says:

    Good morning to all in the House.

    Good summary Rico, as always!

    Whilst watching my silent ipad images care of BT, in the 87th minute I became acutely aware of the fact that I had not noticed Flamini, he was completely invisible. Was that because he played really well, without the ball, or was it because he just watched the game pass him by?

    Good win though and, despite the views of others I thoughtwe played quite well. Certainly better than Southampton! We won, after all!

  5. rico says:

    Morning Wavy, thanks..

    I asked the same question about Flamini at the weekend. I’m starting to think someone has had a word in his ear….

  6. Dick Swiveller says:

    A little pedantic maybe, but it’s good to appreciate the difference between a smart/dirty (delete according to whether it’s your team or not) policy and one guy getting away with too much.

  7. Dick Swiveller says:

    Incidentally, I think it’s Flamini doing well rather than being invisible, remembering the last guy we had that did a good job there was renowned for his lack of visibility. Arteta rarely gets the credit he desrves for his work there too, it seems like people pay lipservice to how important a guy mopping up can be but then don’t think about how it affects a game or which guys are actually doing it well.

    Although, we have players that need the rest of the team to comply in order to truly be effective, there is scope for a slightly more visible wall to be added.

  8. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Flamini did well yesterday. He cut out various options for Southampton. Apart from that crazy back pass he did well. And complemented Ramsey and Cazorla as well. He has a run of games now. So its easier to get into stride and settle the team.

    The worse thing that AW can do atm is that when Chez, Ozil, Arteta, Jack etc come back, is to put them in straight without blinking an eye. He should let them earn their place. And trust those who soldiered on and did well.

    I would love to see Martinez against Stoke.

  9. Adam says:

    It was actually quite a boring atmosphere last night. There is a crushing inevitability about the way we approach games these days. A lot of banging away while trying to keep the back door closed. 🙂
    The balance is jus not quite happening and I look at our central midfield for some inspiration yet little is forthcoming.

  11. Joe says:

    Got to love the great big world of Arsenal fans one wants to replace Wenger with Allardyce and he made the statement on BBC radio. 🙂

  15. Adam says:

    Rico. For sure there is a better defensive shape with defenders sitting a bit deeper now, but why we need Kos and Per in the opposition’s box for corners I will never understand. In the second half we at least tried short corners occasionally. Martinez looks assured to me and a bit less likely to do something stupid that Ches.

  16. allezkev says:

    Didn’t see the game, except brief highlights on MotD (I wish that they would show moreof the game, do less talking in between, yawn, and do less pyrotechnics between all of it)…
    I thought that Fraser Foster was excellent, to me he prevented about 3 certain Arsenal goals. And that, is the point, Foster was the reason, from what I sae, that Arsenal didn’t win 3-0…
    Giroud looked sharp, Ramsey seemed to be regaining some form, Sanchez is fantastic and Carzorla is impressing in his proper position.,,,

    I also agree re: Martinez…
    But Wenger ‘will’ bring back Szczesny and Arsenal will start conceding immediately again….

    Good post Rico

  18. scottfromoz says:

    Kos can at least get back but Merts…….he should stay back.
    Szczesny has been an extreme disappointment.
    He’s very good, but no better than two or three years ago, IMO, and that is a massive worry.

  22. Wavy says:

    Chesney Allen, a former member of the ‘Crazy Gang”, a troop of comedians and aging Music Hall entertainers, seem to have been re-incarnated and one has become our goalkeeper flapper! I think he has caused more confusion in defence by racing to the edge of the six yard box and attempting to punch or catch or deflect or mostly miss the ball consistently that he has become a liability. He needs a little more assertiveness training. He must learn either to come and collect or to ‘stay at home’.
    Leave Martinez where he is, in goal. He has been a breath of fresh air. Assured, safe hands good distribution and a prodigious kick! He seems to be the business! And the defenders in front of him also seem to be far less jumpy, calmer and cooler!
    Wenger won’t pay much heed to Martinez’s form and team play because he is only 3rd choice and Chesney is number 1!

  26. allezkev says:

    The majority of the top goalkeepers in the World tend to be the calmer variety…

    Cech, Casillias, Seaman, Barnett, Wood, Furnell, 😉

  28. Joe says:

    Enjoyed the the game last night thought we deserved more than just one goal. By the way can anybody tell me what constitutes a penalty these days cause I thought we should of had two last night.

  30. allezkev says:

    The agent of Jackson Martinez has categorically stated that his client will not be joining Arsenal this January…. Zzzzzzzz

  31. Hell Raising Devil says:

    you were right Kev. Forster was the difference between 1-0 and a bigger scoreline.

    Would I like Forster as our keeper??? You can bet on that. Yes we have Ches, Ospina and Martinez however I believe Forster is superior quality.

    Plus he is English. I also believe he is a better quality than Hart, who is apt for the odd clanger or two. Forster is calmer and had he been playing for us, Manure, Chavs or Shitty he would get more calls than he is getting now.

    With regards Martinez I honestly hope that AW has the balls to keep him there for a good run of games.

  33. allezkev says:

    Untold have a piece about ticket prices at Arsenal, that’ll have Adam in raptures…

    Have a look mate, enjoy 😉

  38. agirlagunner says:

    Boo! Good little wrap-up, rico. match reports are infinitely easier to read when we win. 😀
    Howdy, Lady of the House?

    Giiiiinge!! Been a while. How are you? Hiya, Lee. 🙂

    Can I just say, our team looks sooo much better Now tht Ollie is back!! And wht a relief to have Kozzer playing again. 🙂

  42. tsgh says:

    Hey Agag.How are you? Indeed it has been awhile.

    Joe. ‘re Costa he has scored 33% of the 33 goals the Chavs have scored thus far but had no assistance as you would expert from a white player. 😛

    Oh yes Rico.I must have skipped that line. :

  43. potter says:

    Most of the spectacular saves from Forster were at a good height for a giant keeper. The goal went in at his feet , much harder for him. to get down.

  44. agirlagunner says:

    rico, I’m good; having a hard time getting into the holiday spirit though; there’s just so much work!
    🙂

    When is Theo back from his nth injury, btw? I’ve missed seeing him score. 😉 Whuda thunk, eh?

  46. agirlagunner says:

    Costa will be injured soon; I am sure of it. 😀 Still watching Atleti, Ginge. Koke is such tidy little player. And Turan, of course.

    Hiya, Potter. Only saw parts of the game, I kept nodding off, haha. But Foster’s performance was great. Martinez wasn’t too shabby either. 😉

  50. tsgh says:

    either koke or Vidal will get bt52 and wath happy for a long time.
    Saying that Koke is another CM and not DM.

  53. agirlagunner says:

    In fairness, rico, Theo does score some stunning goals. I hope he gels well with Alexis; imagine the two of them running at oppo. Such a mouthwatering prospect. 😀

  54. rico says:

    Vidal would be great but not for the amount suggested last summer….

    Agag, me too and he looked good when he came on the other week….

  55. bradster says:

    hi HH’ers,

    I only caught the last bit of the game after rugby. I really thought Giroud’s header was going in and started celebrating before Foster kept it out.

    I must admit Giroud makes a big difference to our game and was unlucky not to score.

  59. rogerbij says:

    Its nice to see the positivity around HH on the performance and result 🙂 Good win, hard win against a good team. But we had 60% possession and 19 shots and a good number on target. They had 1 on target, so says a lot about decent defending throughout the team (rather than Martinez being spiderman).

    Special shout out to Aaron Ramsey on the goal. It was an obvious handball and I dont think it was going to be given. But he didnt stop and appeal, as though he knew this, powered through under the attention of a couple of defenders to cross to Alexis on a plate.

  60. George says:

    Hii all

    We made hard work of Southampton at home. Yes they are a good side but we are Arsenal. Every week we make opposition goalies look like worldbeaters. The legend has to return and coach Welbeck into becoming more clinical. Sanogo is well sanogo, Poldi is off as is Campbell….

    We have a tough game at Stoke. I would play a 4 2.31 dropping all our technical players and going for the draw. Martinez, Chambers, Koz Mert,Gibbs ….Flam and Rambo in front of them Ox and sanchez on flanks with Giroud in the centre mid to win headers all day and Sanogo up top as a donkey chasing long balls. While Stoke have improved their style of football , they are still a dirty side that will kick lumps out of us. Will take another 1-0 all day.

  62. agirlagunner says:

    Makes for a refreshing change, eh, rog? 😉

    Hello George, I hope you’re well. Because confidence is high at the moment, I’d rather our boys go for the win. I have had my fill of Arsenal draws, and we’re not even halfway through the season. 😀

  71. joe says:

    Thanks Tsgh for 33% so 3 of the bid teams depend on one striker but it’s Arsenal is a oneman team. Not sure Vidal could play he’s normal game without racking up yellow and red cards

  74. rogerbij says:

    Positivity is my creative interpretation Rico.
    George, you nearly had me until you put Sanogo up front 😉
    In general I agree – need tough lads who wont get pushed around and who will get stuck in. I cant see why we cant get another win and keep the roll going!

  75. goonster says:

    Ts that’s racist you creep…Morning housers. What’s good?? How soon is debuchy back?? Chambers looked knackered. Por fella. Why do arsene run young players into the ground. Fit’s it was Denison then wilshere rambo now chambers. With the exception of denilson all have suffered long term injuries. God help us two and a half years of this shit. I ll sooner shoot myself.

  77. goonster says:

    Gee driving and texting sure ain’t my thing. Did you lot make sense of the gibberish I posted earlier. Forgive me. Lol

  85. George says:

    Hi Agag, Rico I’m good ladies. While we need the win -Stoke are ^#$@#%#$%”s

    , Roger like Adam mentions Stoke are a horrible club a draw there would be good. Sanogo could run like a headless chicken for 60 mins holding the ball up getting kicked about, then we could give Campbell a cameo , before they kick lumps out of him and we replace with Poldi for his obligatory 10 mins hahaha

  86. goonster says:

    Hey agag…how’s manila? Rico we re winning alright. Almost gave me a coronary. The Sooner He Fucks off so a better younger more dynamic manager takes over the better.

  87. George says:

    Stan- its a return to “one nil ….to the Arsenal ….One nil…………….to the Arsenal” to the tune of Go West

  92. goonster says:

    You know what stinks Bruce rioch got fired for less than this and with no money to spend yet arsene can get away with blue murder. It’s our worst start in 32 years fellas! Yet He Still Has A job

  98. scottfromoz says:

    Morning all.
    3 wins on the trot, Stan….smile ya bastard 🙂
    How’s things at home bud?
    I hope the little one is giving you more grief than Arsene hahahahahahaahha
    Stoke……another win, for mine.
    And a decent one.
    Aaron will nab his hat trick, and I’ll be cashed up.

  103. scottfromoz says:

    Well that’s a positive, Stan lol.
    Rico. One thing we know of Arsenal over recent years is once the confidents builds, they can definitely have a decent run of wins, so here’s hoping it continues.

  117. Bt62 Gooner says:

    Morning all, a quick hello and a wave good bye.
    Off to stick a hedgehog in a beemer!
    Theo out, now there’s something new…not..
    Latta folks…

  118. allezkev says:

    It’s a bit chilly in East London…

    But the skies are blue over Wesrfield, Stratford…

    And this Cuppa is delicious… 🙂

    Morning All…

    Morning Rico

  121. Wavy says:

    From the latest pronouncements, Lord Wenger of Holloway Road said of his players for tomorrow that:

    Arsene Wenger on the other injury problems in his squad: “Wojcech Szczesny should be in full training today.
    “Matthew Debuchy is also back in training, but it’s too early for him.
    “Theo Walcott has an injection today, so he will not play. Galatasaray is also too early for him in midweek.
    “Abou Diaby is on the brink of returning to training. If he’s fully fit, he’ll have a new deal”

    I draw your attention to his final statement……..I’m speechless!

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