Daily Bits and Bobs

International Keeper set for Arsenal move. (Not Cech) Wenger says ‘No’ to Alexis! Play him or lose him!

Posted on by rico

Morning all.

Just a few days ago, I’m sure I heard the manager say he knew his starting eleven but was keeping that close to his chest, yet yesterday, he wasn’t so sure and suggested that he’d not quite made up his mind.

Was that because of Walcott’s hat-trick or maybe even Wilshere’s performance and stunning goal I wonder.

On Walcott:

He has shown that he is back in good form but that’s normal. I said that before last week’s game.

What is important is that we do not make too many individual cases before the cup final. It’s the whole team who can win it.

I don’t know who will start yet and it’s not important because it’s just on the day in the FA Cup final. What is important is that you bring the trophy back. It’s always a concern for the whole squad.

I’m sure the manager knows by now who will start but why should he tell the media? And why on earth would he want Aston Villa to know who’s playing because all that would do is give Tim Sherwood more time to work out his game plan.

Charlie Nicholas reckons that if Walcott starts, we’ll win. If he doesn’t, not only will we lose the final, but we’ll lose the player too:

If Wenger plays Walcott through the middle then Arsenal win the FA Cup and Theo re-signs for the club, it’s that simple.

Giroud has been poor and Wenger has been giving people their opportunities in FA Cup. Now it’s Theo’s chance.

He looks sharp and hungry, Wenger has held him back and unleashed him against West Brom. At 26 and fully fit again, Theo is ready to be a top-class player and must start on Saturday.

Giroud has been poor and is too static. If you’re an Aston Villa defender then you want to play against Giroud, not Walcott making those runs in behind.

Arsenal’s passing dies around a static forward and that’s what Giroud has turned into in recent weeks. If Walcott starts then that pushes the defence 10-15 yards deeper to cover for his pace and allows the creative players room to work and cause problems.

I’m not sure that just a start in the final would convince Theo Walcott to stay as I’m sure there are other factors to be considered by the player, and by the club for that matter but all the player wants to do is to be given his chance to play centrally, he’s made that quite clear and to be honest, I think he deserves his chance to start and I think that’s what last Sunday was all about.

Charlie is right, Olivier Giroud has gone through an awful spell and he can’t buy a goal and the way Arsene Wenger likes us to play these days doesn’t really involve lumping balls into the big guy. Speed, pass, movement and Ollie doesn’t fit into that. Yes he’s great at holding the ball up and he’s certainly much better with his back to goal than Theo but if we are to cause Villa problems we need that pace, speed and movement in and around the box, as well as out wide and again I agree with the Scotsman when he says that with Walcott up front, Villa will be reluctant to throw too many defensive players forward and one ball through to Walcott and they’ll be done like a kipper, as long as he has his shooting boots on.

It’s a shame Welbeck isn’t fit or Oxlade-Chamberlain hadn’t had more playing time as a front three with either of those two, Alexis and Walcott is about the quickest we could have up front and they would cause even the best defence problems.

I also believe Arsene Wenger will stand by Ospina in goal as didn’t Fabianski start our final game of the last season to give him playing time ahead of the final against Hull City? Well that didn’t happen for Szczesny this time around.

The manager is spot on too as any game of football is not about individuals, it’s not just about the starting eleven either although if the right eleven start and on fire, anything could happen but the substitutes have their part to play as well because if/when they are called upon, they need to be ready to make a difference, either by defending a lead or scoring a much needed goal or two.

In fact tomorrow is about everyone at Arsenal, the manager, the coaching staff, the players and they’ve all got to get it right on the night if they are to defend our big jug successfully.

Alexis Sanchez – appearing in his first final for Arsenal has been talking to BT Sport for an interview that will air during the FA Cup final pre-match coverage. He loves Arsene Wenger:

He is a legend. He is an Arsenal legend. You learn from him every day. Sometimes we discuss about things like I would like to train more, and he doesn’t let me! But he definitely looks after me.

The reason why I moved to Arsenal is because there were a group of young players with the ambition to achieve things. I thought that Arsenal was the perfect club for me, the perfect club to win titles and compete in every competition.

There is a joyful atmosphere in the dressing room. Arsenal is a magnificent club and I hope to win many titles here. I’m going to do my very best to help the club achieve success.

The FA Cup is a competition with amazing history. Today we watched a video about Arsenal’s previous wins and thanks to the clips I trained with even more motivation. I hope we can win the cup so the Arsenal supporters are happy.

Sanchez said that the support in England has been a massive help for him as he adapted to the English game and how he has a massive desire to get the ball back.

Every time someone takes the ball off me I feel like I’ve been stripped of my toy. When a player takes the ball off me I just want to win it back. That could work as a motivational tool for my team-mates but I don’t think about that on the pitch.

On the season as whole, he added:

It has been a positive season but I have still got ambitions to win more. I would like to be closer to winning the Premier League title and get further in the Champions League.

Every time I play I do it with the same motivation. I want the team to grow more and to compete in every competition we play.

What a guy…..

Gossip:

Arsenal have emerged as favourites to sign Galatasaray keeper Fernando Muslera.The Turkish club are understood to have accepted the stopper will leave the club this summer, but are looking for £15 million before they will do business with Arsenal or any other club. Arsenal continue to track Petr Cech, but could turn to Muslera if they can’t get the Chelsea man. (Talksport)

Have a good Friday guys, tomorrow is a big day!

rico

125 thoughts on “International Keeper set for Arsenal move. (Not Cech) Wenger says ‘No’ to Alexis! Play him or lose him!”

  7. Wavy says:

    Wasn’t the moron a keeper, and he’s microscopic! I know…………..he wasn’t good enough,(still isn’t!)
    Interesting account from Alexis, not sure I believe all of what he said about signing for arsenal but, he came and nobody can argue that he doesn’t give 100% every game.
    Tomorrow’s team, who can say what the venerable old chap will do?
    Walcott to start, for me. Use le Quiff as an impact sub late in the game, if he is needed!

    Morning all by the way.

  8. rico says:

    Wavy – I believe Alexis, can’t forget he turned down the Dippers and Chavs to sign for us….

    Ok, Arsene being a legend might be stretching it, but he sure change the club for the better when he arrived… 🙂

  11. Wath says:

    Fred, you’re right it’s piss funny… It’s my ball and “NO” none of you can have it…!

  13. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Oyyyy. dont be a sizeist WATH. calling players short. tsk tsk

    Have you pose yet Ginge????

    Good Morning Lovelies and Hunkies.

    Lovely post boss.

    time is slowly dragging by till the final. every second seems like an eternity.

  14. scottfromoz says:

    Another ex player who has no management career compared to Wenger yet knows it all?
    Sorry, but Wenger got us to the final, so how about we allow him to do what he thinks is right?
    A month or two back, everyone was raving about Giroud, yet suddenly he’s slow and static and not good enough?
    Theo has earned 100k a week for a few years now, barely playing a game, yet Charlie Nicholas suggests he will leave if he doesn’t start?
    Well if Theo truly is that ungrateful, then let him go.
    I don’t believe he is.
    Morning all.
    Rant over, unless some other ex player starts off.

  16. Snaparse says:

    Nice post or pose? Rico I think Giroud should start through the middle and Walcot out wide….. Morning all

  18. scottfromoz says:

    Rico, I’m consistent lol.
    Still, why is it we hear from these guys when the spotlight is on?
    Tell them all to go and manage a side and show us how much they know about the game.
    It really irks me.
    Even Gary Neville, who is seemingly a hell of a pundit, is taking the soft option, IMO.
    Have a crack son!
    It’s just so easy to criticise from the safety of home.

  20. rico says:

    Thanks Snap.

    I just hope whoever starts gives their all and we get a victory but I have a feeling AW will start TW..

  24. Wath says:

    6″3 Rico, is he really, then I must apologise to the little squirt he looked small when I saw them maybe it was the tv… Dev, I think you need a tall spine in the team mate that’s all, size isn’t the be all and end all but when playing hoof ball it helps and so does a ball tall commanding keeper.

    Shut up Scott how dare you question Charlie Nic…. He’s entitled to his opinion… 😛

  26. Wath says:

    He’s also right and your wrong…. As usual 🙂

    He is of course Charlie Charlie…… Charlie Charlie………….

  29. Wath says:

    Excellent shot stopper Rico can remember that not sure about commanding the box though with crosses and corners not seen that much of him..! Ah the oh so accurate wiki…. thanx for that Rico 😛

  30. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Any Robertson of Hull is being mentioned as a replacement for 29 year old NAcho. Hmmmm. So many left backs have been mentioned.

    I feel that Nacho will not be there next season.

  31. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Arsenal should look no further than Forster of Southampton. Excellent all rounder plus his size is not a problem.

    And he is the right nationality……English. Should Fraser make the move to the Ems he will soon be England’s no1 keeper over Hart.

    I will gladly pay a good price for him.

  33. Wath says:

    Dev, Forster is out until Oct earliest with the broken knee cap…! Will he be the same keeper after such a nasty injury but agree with you he was excellent this season.

    Why would clyne wanna go there Rico, he would have plenty better options I reckon.

  35. Hell Raising Devil says:

    some bits and bobs……..

    Robertson is only 21 years old. He is a LB but can also play LM. He is already a Scottish international and is 5ft 10.

    Uefa has stated that it may consider boycotting 2018 WC if Blatter is re-elected.

    And England’s FA have also said that England’s place will be reviewed if Blatter wins re-election.

  40. potter says:

    Re the 11.17, I am afraid happenings of the past don’t impact on loyalty except in Blatter’s case. Theo will go if his sensibilities are offended, if Liverpool ( his boyhood club ) make the right noises and he feels that he is surplus to regular requirement here his agent will have no problem trousering the fee. The scouse are desperate they know Sterling is going and they have a gap to fill and Theo does that. If they can keep both him and Sturridge fit they have a potent front two however it will be Theo that plays wide and not in the middle that he yearns for so much.

    Charlie is right to look at the teams formation and realise that we need to take the game to Villa I suppose for those of us around at the time going in against West Ham and Ipswich as overwhelming favourites and the subsequent results is fresh in the memory . I know that they are for me along with Swindon and Luton in the other cup as well.

  42. scottfromoz says:

    So one great performance means Theo starts, Potter?
    I remember some the losses when we were favourites, but I fail to see how that’s relevant to my comment.
    Why do these ex players feel the need to comment?
    What makes them believe they know better than Wenger?

  44. potter says:

    Charlie Nick is entitled to his opinion , same as the rest of us. Wenger is not Deity , he makes wrong decisions too . Theo and Jack have given us a refreshed impetus just as we went on a stale run. To go back might be a mistake and in his opinion it would be. If Wenger wasn’t so intransigent we could always change the pattern if things were not working but we and the world’s dog knows that little will happen before the 68th minute.

  46. scottfromoz says:

    I realise and accept he’s entitled to his opinion, but where was his criticism of Giroud two months back when the guy was banging in goal after goal?

  48. rico says:

    I personally think Charlie Nic has been consistent with his views over the years. I don’t think he’s being overly critical just saying how it is. Ollie is slow and he’s going through a baron spell.

    That’s not him or anyone being harsh, it’s factual… 🙂

  49. scottfromoz says:

    Fair enough but it doesn’t take much imagination or football knowledge to tell us Giroud is in a lean spell.
    We all know it, but as Theo and in fact Arsenal showed, things can change very quickly.
    Anyway, Wenger will make his won calls, we know that, so comments from ex players really don’t mean much.

  52. rico says:

    Still, not long to find out who gets the nod. Perhaps they’ll both start as they’ve been training together this morning…

  59. allezkev says:

    Cheers Coach…

    You know, I’m coming around to Theo Walcott starting instead of Giroud tomorrow…

  60. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Sometimes I think it as well. But Jack has to begin the game on the right and Alexis on the left. Or should it be that Alexis goes to the right and JAck on the left.

    However I also like the idea of Ollie with Alexis and Theo on the flanks.

    Midfield of Coquelin, Cazorla and Ozil.

  73. rico says:

    Micko, I met a really nice guy today and we talked about Guinness- he’s really into the good things in life and told me about Gm Corn in beer. Never will I drink the black stuff again… Sad, really sad but true…

  75. Micko says:

    Wasn’t sure if you were across the border in rebel county Malaga !

    tsgh is secretly over the moon to hear from ya, did you know he was rico’s new punch-bag, maybe you could deflect a little bit of pressure off him for the summer !

  79. allezkev says:

    Been listening to Martin Keown on the radio…

    He seems to think that Szczesny and Giroud will start at Wembley…

    Interesting?

  84. Micko says:

    Most think that kev, looking back on Girouds last game against Sunderland, you could see he didn’t wanna bust a gut, there were a couple of times where he could have thrown himself at the ball in front of goal but chose not to, whether he had one eye on the final or didn’t want to mess up his hair, brylcreem ain’t cheap, only he knows.

    I’d start with Theo tomorrow but Arsene will go with Giroud, Chezzer picks himself.

  85. potter says:

    In the United game he could have slid in and taken Jones’ head off . He chose to duck out of it . A hungry forward would have done anything to get that ball.

  86. Micko says:

    Nite Gooners, nite rico, look forward to a real good’un in the morning to set us up for the day !

  88. rico says:

    Mg, I don’t pick on anyone… Unless……

    Night Micko, I’d probably chance it to be honest and I’ll do my best in the morning. Honest. Lol

  94. allezkev says:

    Being the mad impetuous fool, that I am, I’m doing a post for you Rico, so goodnight to you M’dam…

  95. scottfromoz says:

    Morning all.
    No more sleeps for me now…..it’s up for grabs!!
    I’ve got a very long day ahead, but shall soldier on.
    Now, for all the rhetoric on Giroud or Theo starting, I’ll surprise you.
    Plenty have suggested Theo should start as he was brilliant v West Brom, and Giroud is out of form.
    I say form can change in an instant, and a they showed that, so I don’t worry about that.
    I’d start Theo because he will scare the crap out of any defence with his game, where Giroud offers no surprises.
    I haven’t changed my mind in this at all, as I’ve only asked why ex players seem to comment as if they know better than Wenger.
    Saying things in public is what they’re paid for and that’s fine, I just think it’s average.
    Honestly, I’d love to see two up front and have always though Theo or Alexis playing off Giroud would be dynamite but so be it……
    Whatever happens guys, I may or may not get on here later today/tonight so let’s all hope the result is what we want, and all else won’t matter.
    Enjoy the moment guys.

  96. allezkev says:

    Adam, are you listening to your new CD player?

    And where has BT been today?

    Lee will be on the beach tomorrow and God knows what’s happened to Rocky…

  97. allezkev says:

    Hiya Digger, your day is just starting and I’m off to my hammock in a few minutes.

    I haven’t got that nervous feeling in the pit of my stomach yet, which is worrying…

    I worry if I’m not worrying… 🙁

  99. scottfromoz says:

    I’m very content we have a side good enough and professional enough to get the job done, Kev.
    As long as there’s no complacency, we will be fine.
    Keep well fellow Gooners and enjoy tomorrow.

  101. Nashua Gunner says:

    In Arsene we trust even when the going seems rocky. He took us through the tough times now it’s up to the players to show us what they are capable of, and not to let the manager and supporters down.

  106. allezkev says:

    Morning All…

    It’s typical Cup Final day weather today in London Town…
    Blue skies…

    Morning Rico/Adam…

    I still don’t feel nervous enough. 🙁

  107. Tai says:

    Morning Rico, All…

    So the day is finally here…our most important match of the season!

    Great post yesterday…all the way with Scott.

    Giroud is just on a lean spell…Wenger won’t drop him for Walcott…rather they could start together…imo, the should.

  108. allezkev says:

    Big matches are won by big match players…

    Players like Cazorla, Ramsey, Alexis, Ozil…

  114. BT62 Gooner says:

    Top o’ the mornin’ to ya all!!

    If the Big Pole isn’t in goal, what does that say about his future?

    SHE WORE SHE WORE SHE WORE THE YELLOW RIBBON…

  120. BT62 Gooner says:

    Afraid not young Adam, i’ll be watching like yourself, from my plush directors seat….

    Though, would have been nice to have had a good ole chinwag…..

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