Daily Bits and Bobs

Incredible Alexis fact. Mustafi opens up & Stoke could hurt us if we are not prepared…

Posted on by rico

Morning all.

Alexis Sanchez has had a hand in 25 goals in his last 25 league games for Arsenal (18 goals and seven assists).

Staggering fact really which shows why he is such a key player for this Arsenal side. As is Mustafi in defence because when he plays, we don’t lose. There’s an article about our German defender in the Daily Mail, it’s good.

If you are an animal lover like me, especially woofas then you’ll enjoy the article about Alexis on the official website too.

Sometimes it’s easy to forget that most footballers are just ordinary people who when not playing football, get on with their ordinary lives. Some have had it tough before rising to fame playing the sport they love but unlike in the ‘real world’, money is ruining what should be a beautiful game. That’s not the players fault though, no, that’s down to the likes of Sky Sports and BT Sport etc, who rip us fans off with their subscription charges, just so they can throw more money at the game. All of which has a knock on effect as players/agents financial demands rise by the hour, and that’s exactly where Arsenal are at with Sanchez and Ozil……

Today’s fixture is not on television for once. Annoying for people like me who can’t watch it live but hey, there’s always Sky Sports later this evening or a dodgy stream.

Stoke City arrive at The Emirates this afternoon in decent form after a dreadful start to the season. They have a few injury concerns and an in form keeper.

“They are a very technically gifted side, they play a very good passing game and they have a team which has all kinds of assets. They are good on the flanks, good in the middle, and can create chances with short passing.” – Arsène Wenger

We have no additional injuries after our 4-1 thumping of Basel but there is a chance that Hector Bellerin could return at right-back.

“Between confidence and complacency is a very short way – top-level competition doesn’t tolerate that. We want to keep our confidence level high but also our urgency level very high.” – Arsène Wenger

Isn’t that so very true, especially when it comes to this Arsenal side over years gone by. So many times it’s looked like the players and the manager believe their presence alone on match day was enough to win the game. Attitudes like that don’t win trophies, they don’t win matches either. Together with Chelsea, Arsenal are the in-form team right now both in the league and Europe and every other club who arrives at the Emirates will want to take our scalp. They want to be the ones to dent our chances of winning the Premier League.

But Arsenal are the ones, who in the past and certainly last season, did that all by themselves. They didn’t need ‘lesser’ opposition to play badly or not ‘turn up’ because Arsenal didn’t and more often than not dropped points because of it.

But this is where Arsene Wenger should step up to the mark, he’s the one who needs to be drilling the ‘no complacency’ message home to each and every player in this squad. Some of our players know it already, but not all and they are the ones who need a kick in the butt.

As Arsene Wenger said, this Stoke team isn’t like the ones in the past, they play football, they have a few very good players like Allen, Shaqiri and Bony who can cause problems, as could Crouch if he plays! Their keeper, Lee Grant is performing better than all others in the league so far.

It’s not going to be an easy game for Arsenal, no game is these days but if the manager and players are in the right frame of mind, it could and should be a very good game. It’s one we have to win of course, just like they all are….

With a trip to Everton on Tuesday, followed by another away fixture at City next Sunday, keeping our players fit and healthy is important too.

Have a great Saturday guys, only 15 more sleeps…..

rico

51 thoughts on “Incredible Alexis fact. Mustafi opens up & Stoke could hurt us if we are not prepared…”

  1. Joaquim Moreira says:

    First.
    I’ll watching the game on Tv.
    possible links: http://www.firstrow1.eu or for those who have Facebook: try Arsenal fans Peru, or Arsenal fans Uruguai or Arsenal fans Argentina…
    They usually have got links to the games.

  4. rico says:

    Today, Arsene Wenger and the players will give up a day’s wages for the Arsenal Foundation.

    You’d think they could afford more than just a day… lol

  6. frednerk says:

    Morning All
    Can Arsene pick the right players for each game
    and keep the rest happy?
    The squad looks strong ie: November results.

    It’s alright saying keep the faith like 1 or 2
    always gloat about when ever we win a game
    forgetting the last 10 years of promise’s and money
    grabbing which the club has done.
    Prawn sandwich and day trippers think it’s great
    queuein up outside the rip off shop,to spend hundreds
    on mug’s,flag’s and keyrings.

    But the true fans who follow the club and live and breath
    every pass,shot and tackle and rant and rave after each game
    are passionate.
    Pumping money and time into every game we play.
    Arsenal Fans TV is a good watch.
    I worked with a Gooner years ago who never turned up
    for work on a monday if we lost to a london club the stick
    you got back then was usual for all the london fans.

    I can’t imagine what it must be like to be a spud.

  9. allezkev says:

    Afternoon All

    Afternoon Rico
    Really enjoyed the BFG and Mustafi articles…
    Both players come across as complete professionals…

    Hi Fred, yes I got your email mate, I’ve been full-on recently and will be pretty much all the way up to Christmas Eve, but I’ll get back to you …
    Isn’t Crowley joining Go Ahead Eagles in Holland? Initially on trial, but hopefully a loan for the rest of the season…
    Go Ahead are where Marc Overmars started his career…

    Maybe a spell abroad and a different culture will concentrate his mind on football and being the best he can be?
    At least in Holland, where the emphasis is more on technique, we might see him begin to fulfill his potential…?

    Wouldn’t it be nice, on so many levels, if we could do a number on Stoke…
    Don’t like the club.
    Don’t like their fans.
    Don’t like Mark Hughes.

    All good reasons to give them a stuffing…

  12. Rick says:

    Afternoon Rico and the House.
    Kev just like you I dislike every thing about Stoke and just hope we do stuff them.

    I cannot understand what is going on with Dan Crowley.
    Last season when he returned from Barnsley there was a whisper that some of our youth team were not happy playing with him now I don’t know if that is true but he really needs to sort himself out

    Some good news today ( I think)
    Reiss Nelson has signed his first professional contract on his 17th Birthday
    I know there were 2clubs waiting to pounce if he was not given one so I am pleased the Club have acted so fast.
    Happy Birthday Reiss

  13. allezkev says:

    Manchester City won the League Championship in 1936-37.
    Manchester City were then relegated in 1937-38…

    The only time this has happened in the top division…

    Until this season perhaps?

    Hi Rick, let me guess, those ‘2 clubs’ are/were ManCity/Chelsea…

  15. Silky says:

    Hi Rico/All,

    Long time since I have wrote in due to work but I read every day!!!
    I still have to read all of this post due to something that caught my attention in the first few paragraphs regarding Sky BT etc.
    I recently rang Sky and did my usual threatening to remove due to the cost, this time however they took me at me at my word ?.
    I decided to follow my friends advice and get a “dodgy box” now I have every channel available thru Sky and have a Netflix type of App built in. However the coolest thing is that there is also a 3pm kickoff which shows all games at 3pm (I think).
    Rico would u mind if I put up the link?

  16. Le Coq Monster says:

    Afternoon all and thanks Rico.

    Works doo last night !……refresh me………..what day, year we in ? hahaha
    Amazing how I should be a “stricly” professional dancer after I`ve had a few sherbets, yet I`m shit when I haven`t !.

    Mate last night was telling about some devise he has which costs pennies and gets him Films and footie for nothing, I will have to investigate next week…………………..wonder if it`s similar to Silky`s dodgy box above ?.

    Right, time to hide behind Sofa, dont like these games, no good for stress etc`…..that will be every game then !.

    Up The Arsenal !.

  17. rico says:

    Afternoon Rick, I detest them too, would love a high scoring victory over them..

    Hi Silky, welcome back 😉

    Please do re the link…

  18. Le Coq Monster says:

    PS
    Love the photo of Alexis cuddling his dogs !……………..goes up even more in my estimation for that, is there anything he cant do or anything to dislike about him ?………………….probably got a pop out belly button, he cant be all perfect !. 🙂

  32. Le Coq Monster says:

    Great result and we find out Rico is cannibal !……………….hope she marinates her company first !. 🙂

  33. Le Coq Monster says:

    Mansour City currently have 77% possession and not making much use of it ! ……………………………………..3-0 to Leicester at mo` !

  36. Adam says:

    Just home from the game. We were ok in the first half but a bit shy in the final third. After what looked a soft penalty we took over. Xhaka is going to be some player if he keeps improving.

  37. scottfromoz says:

    Morning all.
    Adam, Xhaka is most definitely coming to terms with the English game, and his confidence is growing.
    Ox seems to be another on an upward spiral, as well.
    Rico, your concerns in Mason were well founded, but ended up a non event, thank goodness,
    and his decision to allow play to go on in the else up to our hird goal was just brilliant, and surprising, refereeing.
    Good performance, and the run continues.

  38. gnarleygeorge9 says:

    Morning rico & all,

    “We are top of the League, said we are top of the League”.

    Interesting stats as per 2016. The media collectively got juiced up pre-season about a footie power shift to Manchester, just like they predicted Britain would stay in tired old Europe & that a game show host with zero political experience would stand no chance against a seasoned witch with 30 years political experience.

    Collectively, no idea I’d say ?

  39. Micko says:

    Today showed us how important Bellerin is to the team, Jenks and Gabriel have both deputised well but neither would have had the same impact as Hector when he came on, the sky’s the limit.

    The Ox probably had his best game for us this season and Feo has now scored more goals already than he did in the whole of last season !

    Alexis sulking at being dragged off……priceless.
    I’d love to get excited but aren’t we always top or there abouts around Christmas, very tough game coming up on Tuesday against the biggest team in Merseyside, c’mon you Gooners !

  43. allezkev says:

    Yeah Scott, he’s gotta do the job whilst Musi is out, Bellerin being back is a big plus…

    When we’re 4 points ahead with one game left I’ll stop moaning Digger..,

  44. potter says:

    Paulista and Xhaka both had solid games , the penalty incident happened directly in front of me and I have no idea why he reached that conclusion other than Allen having the habit of falling every time he lost the ball. We will miss Mustaphi but if Gabriel is as steady as todayit should be o.k. The team is playing with belief but I don’t think Wenger knows his best line up but the competition for places is keeping all of them on their toes. Incidently Iwobi is beginning to look like one large powerful unit , bodes well for the future.

  49. ScottfromOz says:

    Kev, no question, we have a long way to go, but we are in it.
    Some will say we’re always in conetnetion around Xmas, and it’s what happens afterwards that’s important, but would we rather NOT be in contention?
    It’s a sill point, to be honest but onwards and upwards, and hopefully our bad spell is done and dusted.

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