Morning all.
I know the injury to Mathieu Debuchy was a fluke and it could have happened to anyone who plays football but it’s happened to us, again! There are mixed reports about the extent of his injury, the player suggests it’s not too serious, whereas other reports quote 2/3 months. Fingers crossed it’s not the latter.
What does Arsene Wenger do, pull on the huge experience and depth he has in the squad? Err no, we don’t have them do we? Why? Because Arsene Wenger truly mucked up our transfer window when it comes to have a deep and strong defensive unit.
Playing Calum Chambers there seems the logical answer but then what happens if he, or one of Koscielny or Mertesacker pick up an injury?
Well, the simple answer to that is, we are stuffed!!
I personally don’t think that Chambers looked anywhere near as assured at right back on Saturday as he has done whilst playing in the middle of our defence but then that could be simply down to the fact that he’s not played there with this group of players.
Meanwhile, back in the under 21’s we have Hector Bellerin, a proper right back who maybe considered young at just 19 years old, but then so is is Calum Chambers! We also have a very capable CB/CDM in Isaac Hayden, who again is 19 years old but he too is strong and very confident.
Our Saviours….
If you look hard enough at the team photo, you’ll see not only Isaac Hayden and Hector Bellerin are in there, but also Chub Akpom and no doubt all three are being considered to make the step up. Either that of they were just thrown in there to make the photo look better!
I know they are all young and inexperienced at this level but if they really are good enough, they are old enough, after all, Calum Chambers is a similar age and he hardly looks out of his depth at this level.
On the 20th February this year, Yaya Sanogo, a player who is far from being the quality to play for Arsenal FC right now, was selected to play against Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Well in my opinion, both Bellerin and Hayden have far better footballing brains than him so perhaps it’s now time they are given a chance – especially Bellerin when we are so in need of a right-back…..
To be honest, I’d rather see those three play for the first team than a few of their fellow team-mates who are also in the photo!
I hope Arsene Wenger thinks the same because there has to be a reason somewhere for him not signing extra defensive players in the summer…
This is far from being the perfect situation and we can only blame the owner/board and manager for the club being in such a mess but it is what it is and now it’s about getting the best out of what and who we have in the squad and to be honest, there’s plenty of room for that…
That’s it for another day….
Bellerin for me, keep Chambers for the middle of the back four. We will need him to play there, sooner rather than later! We are a bit short for CBs after all! I wonder why?
We are reaching the point after only a handful of games, of scraping the bottom of the squad, already!
Wenger has got to give youth a chance, simply because we are fast running out of first teamers!
Oh I say……1st!
Rico, it’s heading the usual way for Arsenal, crsis looming on the horizon, who would have thought.?……Good post, read last night, BM preparing 32m bid for Ozil, and finally, morning all.
Bellerin was excellent in preseason so why not give him a run of games.
Im all for giving the young ones a go – Bellerin, Hayden, Akpom… but here’s the thing, blood them in against QPR, or Burnley, or in the League Cup. It is absolutely mental to send them into the fire against a champions league or top premier league team. Same goes for Chambers. I dont know what basis there is for saying throw him in at DM. Has he played there for us ever? How many times for Saints? If you want to experiment, do it, but not when it really matters.
Seeing Chambers twice at RB for us i’m not convinced that’s the position for him. He suits CB most. I’m with Wavy, get Bellerin out there for some 1st team experience. Maybe even recall Jenko?
Nice post Rico
Hi Rico,
Please have a look at 2013 team photo too. You can find some of these players in that too. I guess there is no actual clue in these photos. Many players featured in 2013 team photo were not involved in first team throughout the season.
I think Jenko is injured as well at the moment, Nickie!
Ozil has to play centrally otherwise he’ll be ruined the same as the little Russian fellow was. If we don’t get the best out of him it’ll be an absolute travesty and a waste of a unique opportunity.
Oops, sorry. Should have said good morning first. Please forgive my poor manners, anybody would think I was a spuds fan!
Thanks Bt & Nickie..
It is heading the same old way Bt, but if AW grows a pair and gives Bellerin and Hayden a chance, things might not be quite so doom and gloom..
Chamber 19 years old and trusted, why not the other two.
Akpom is ahead of Sanogo imo too, at last he scores…
Hi lolpundit..
🙂 Gbdb…
£32 m for Ozil, Bayern can take a hike…
Do the team fly out today to Germany?
I hope all three of Akpom, Bellerin and Hayden travel, and I certainly hope they all face Southampton in the CO Cup…
Good Morning Dolls and Studs
Nice of you to point out the fact of Akpom, Bellerin and Haydn Rico. Good post.
Imo its Hayden and Bellerin who are nearer to the first team. Akpom has Sanchez, Welbeck, Giroud etc in front of him.
But I hope you are right.
Imo…..Bellerin should be the one to play on the right not Chambers. Chambers should play in the centre.
I know some people who would take 32m for Ozil and buy Fabregas with that money. Oh… wait.
Thanks Devil.
Agree – but right now it’s Alexis, Welbeck and Sanogo ahead of Akpom, but im, the latter of the 3 is showing he should be ahead of Sanogo…
Play Ozil in the right place and perhaps we’d all see why he cost us £42 million. He might even crack a smile whilst playing then…
Roger that ship for whatever reason has sailed ,the club has made our bed and we collectively lie in it. Bellerin and Hayden have to play in selected games if not for 90 but at least more than 15 minutes otherwise they will stagnate as so many others have before. To achieve the position to do that we need a change of philosophy and instead of passing round teams until they are tired , we need to go for the throat early and going 3 goals up should allow time for the kids to develop into the team. We are capable of doing that but just like the hierarchy at the club we are reactive and never take the positive route that others have done to us in the past.
Coquelin could play there, but he should play in midfield over Flamini.
There’s attacking players like Podolski, Rosicky, Diaby, Gnabry, Zelalam who don’t look like they’ll be getting a game, while the entire defence spend the season overplayed or injured. I imagine Bellerin and Hayden are being brought into the first team on merit and not to make up the numbers. Wenger wouldn’t be willing to sell Miguel and loan out Jekinson otherwise.
Roger, i’m surprised that there are people who think that (maybe I shouldn’t be that surprised). If that happened however, Wenger would put him on the left (to accommodate Wilsh and Ramsey in the middle) where he would be much less effective.
GBDB
Pulled a hamstring in pre season, should be on his way back to playing very shortly. If things get terrible which it looks like they are he should certainly be called back. Chambers to remain CB back up, Jenko/Bellerin 1st choice while Debuchy injured. I think that’d be my preference.
Ozil should play centrally but I read somewhere last night the reason he’s out wide is to gain match fitness in a place that’s not really detrimental to the team (although I am aware it’s like playing with 10 men lol) He hasn’t had a preseason and this helps him, once fit hopefully he moves more central.
Also, when is Rosicky going to get game time?
I think that it would be incredibly stupid to risk Chambers at RB against Dortmund, but we know what Wenger will do. Please roll on 3 years from now to get rid of this dinosaur in charge.
Funny isn’t it. Liverpool lose at home to Aston Villa and its ‘early days for them’ – we draw at home to Man City and the critics going wild…..
Morning all …. interesting post
Morning All,
Watched Bellerin a couple of times this year,not sure if his up to premier league standard yet,big risk to play him,
we lost two players Sagna and Tommy who could play centre back and fullback,both matured internationals,this is the top of the football tree and here we are again hoping to get out of trouble with the kids,this is why the big clubs don’t fear us.
Don’t want to moan but,but but……..
lol Rico
Typical media.We could win the league by 30 points and we’d be lucky.
11.16 Potter. Spot on re the young guns..
No Chambers or Monreal in training this morning..
Nickie, two games for his country put pay to Tomas playing…
Syg, interesting is good… lol
Morning all. Bellerin will be given the right back position now that Debuchy is out injured. Arsene is too experienced to use Chambers as back up both in right back and central defence. Ozil will soon be back to form that’s if we fans are patient enough to see this happen. This squad has this die- hard spirit I saw in the invincibles, though they may not be as good….
Welcome Ashley, have to disagree re Coquelin, he was awful for the under 21’s against Villa imo.
But what Fred?? 😉
Paul Walsh reckons we are showing a bit more grit this season….
Hi all
Think we all agree that Chambers is a class act but the one thing I think he lacks is pace. Not so noticable at CB because he reads the game so well but at full-back…….
Interesting is very good Rico x
Bob, just why I’d leave him to be the 3rd defender, although I wonder how long it will be before he displaces Merts… (Tin hat gone on)
🙂 Syg…
Clueless Clueless Wenger
Morning rico, all,
Nice post.
Long time, isn’t it? Well, been really busy in a movie production.
I think besides the Community Shield triumph, we’ve struggled in all other six matches this season. It’s simple … Wenger, for that reason that tells him not to do a thing when every other person out there believes he should do, refused to sign a real combatant midfielder with height and weight.
I didn’t watch the Leicester game but all others could have yielded better results had we that DM in place. Against Man City, Flamini contrived to ruin the inspired performance of Jack Wilshere. Without Yaya Toure, City was there for the taking but we let them off after that wonderful volley from Sanchez.
However, it’s not really bad yet…the only poor result came at Leicester. Drawing against Everton and City wouldn’t be termed disasters…what worries me, and I guess, everyone else, if a Gunner, is Debuchy’s injury. Of course, Chambers can always play RB…I’ve no doubt he’d deliver. He a very intelligent and confident player. My worry is playing him RB means no CB cover…and if I knew Arsenal…all our defensive players won’t stay fit until Debuchy returns.
I’ve heard things good about Isaac Heyden, though never seen him play but from his physique(6’2”), I’d very much want to see him involved straightaway. For those who would think height doesn’t matter in defenders should just replay all the goals we’ve conceded this season…only Aguero’s had nothing to do with height. (Naismith’s was an offside effort!).
I just think about having to defend a corner against Chelsea…Costa, Terry, Cahill, Ivanovic, Matic, Schurle(not forgetting Drogba) all clear six feet. In our ranks, the line-up against City had only Per and Welbeck(6’1′) towering over six. As a big club that should challenge for titles, such glaring disadvantage shouldn’t be contained. It’s now known that however well we play, all that is needed is for us to concede a corner and it’s 50% certainty of conceding!.
Morning Tai, thanks.
Not sure i’d suggest a player be played just because he is tall, Conner, who partnered Hayden the other night is also tall, if not taller but he was nowhere near as confident and composed as Hayden who is actually nearer to 6′ 3″…..
Weren’t Djourou and Senderos 6′ 2 +?
Hope the movie was fun?
Obviously not just because they are tall though Rico, I think Tai means its a characteristic that we are missing, and is important…
Tai has this strange fascination with tall players…..
£42.5m man O’zil .
Should sell.
Welcome young players Bellerin,Hayden,Zelalam,Akpom…
They are our future.
Benik Afobe scored again at the weekend….
Bellerin should be the right choice or coquelin who has played there before, chambers should be kept on the bench as backup.
I am feeling real confident that we will win the match.
I think our youngsters should be given the chance to show their ability, whether its the CC, FA Cup, EPL or CL, we rave at other team youngsters, but do not show confidence in ours who train with the senior squad basically everyday.
I actually think Hayden should be looked at for the DM role and not the CB role, he reminds me of Gilberto silva calm and collected, has the physical presence, technical skill and pace needed for that position
roger – I think we all know we lack height in our squad, we have been saying that not only all summer but for the last 5/6 years I think…
My point to Tai was, he hasn’t seen Hayden play, so suggesting he starts for the mere fact he is tall is an odd one. Ok in the case of Hayden, he looks very good for the under 21s imo, but I suspect there are plenty of fans who may believe the step up is a season too soon…
Sadly, the situation is not far from being forced on Aw and that’s be all of his and the boards own making….
Unless Monreal is to be our 4th CB……
Tai welcome to the world of realisation. Zonal marking with small players will never work and teams work on it before they play us. We don’t have the players to do anything other than mark man for man and block runs as they go for the ball. We have to nominate 1 player to attack the ball in the air , put our biggest player other than Per at the near post to make them lift the ball and then it’s down to Kos, Per and the keeper to cover the back post and put two players on the posts to narrow the target . The rest have to keep their arms down , don’t give away fouls but get in the way of players going for the ball. It’s the only way at present. January Wenger hasd to do the decent thing buy a couple of bigger players or leave.
So who was attacking that corner???
Per Mertesacker believes the key to zonal marking is an emphasis on attacking the ball.
Martin Demichelis’ late leveller at Emirates Stadium on Saturday was the fourth headed goal scored against Arsenal so far this season.
Mertesacker was disappointed to concede from a set-piece but was encouraged by the team’s spirited display.
“When you play zonal, you need to attack the ball and try to get the best players out and mark tightly when they are in front of you,” Mertesacker told Arsenal Player.
“We lacked a bit of that intensity but we suffered a bit, especially in the last 10 minutes after Mathieu Debuchy got injured. It was a bit of a blow for us but we gave everything and came out with a draw.
ruelando, a few of us talked about Hayden playing CDM yesterday too, that’s where he started his career.
Like I said in the post, it’s not ideal but we have options and now it’s about making the most of who we have and getting the best out of them…
We can all guess what will happen in January. We’ll be up around the top, injured players will start to return and Wenger will believe we can push on and win it and he’ll prove to the world how good he is…
Diaby will be like a new signing, as will Giroud….
Reality is though, we might be near the top but we’ll go out of the CL in the knock out stages and the Cups (if we beat Southampton) and it’ll all be down to no signings in January just as always..
Then come May, we may just scrape 4th place and go through the same old same old next summer……
Happy days… 🙂
Exactly rbj. There are great players all over the place. We once had Adam, Keown…then later Campbell…still had Vieira, Henry, Bergkamp, Pires, Parlour, Petit… the same manager still got Gilberto. why should our team suddenly go down to almost every other player under six?
Still Wenger notices the importance…that’s why he won’t keep Giroud on the bench whenever fit and won’t try to make him his second striker…not necessarily because of his goals but actually to help him defend corners and set pieces.
rico, there might have been Senderos and Djourou but what about Kompany, Yaya Toure, Fernado, Fernadinho, Zabaleta? Height doesn’t guarantee you being great a player or failed basketball players would have been playing football but neither is it an impediment. Everything in life is about balance…as good as Messi is, no one would play him at CB.
People talk about zonal or man-marking but I say think again. Get enough height in your defence and clear your aerial balls. Once you have less than four players over six feet, you’d struggle in the EPL defending set plays whatever tactic you employ. Check every other of the 19 teams and check their heights!
In the match against City, Wilshere elbowed Nasri mercilessly off the track. He should try that on Yaya Toure when next we meet.
And Syg, I think you’re getting me wrong. I still admire and love the qualities of Ozil, Wilshere, Ramsey, Sanchez, Walcott, Ox, Arteta, Debuchy…but come on…Wenger should help protect their sublime efforts by getting some macho men to help them get over burly sides.
Yeah, rico…it was all fun, as usual…thanks.
Good morning to you all!
I’ve been a fan of this blog for months. I visit here each day to read the daily posts and comments. I must say the level headedness displayed in the posts and comments kept me coming everyday.
I have to agree with Potter that the boss is reluctant to give the youth some bit of experience in the senior side lately due to our inability to kill games off. By the way, does any of you follow Joel Campbell on Facebook? He seems to be disgruntled about his situation at Arsenal.
Zonal marking,a lot of the teams play this system at the moment,
so why do we have a problem,
We don’t stop the run’s from the edge of the box,
it’s called obstruction,or being streetwise.
Tai – I wasn’t disagreeing re the height issue, totally the opposite… Been banging that drum for years and have always said we have too many midgets in the team…
Just re read the headline Rico, “Is There A Clue In The Squad Photo?
I’ve reached a conclusion. The answer is, art from the goalkeepers I haven’t a clue who most of the rest are, and that goes for a few others that are dotted about nearer the front!
I bet Wenger doesn’t know who half of them are either! He couldn’t even remember Akpoms name the other day when listing his strikers! He referred to him as ‘….and several others.’
If he doesn’t know who he’s got how in the name of a flying f…. Can he possibly pick them to play?
Is it early onset….??
No Hummels tomorrow night..
fred, but if we did that, the whistle would blow…
Early onset Wavy, could be, maybe he forgot who he wanted to sign in the summer…
he’s flown on a wing and a prayer a few times over the seasons – he just might get caught this time around – the defense has many questions and i doubt good enough to win any of the big ones. Add injuries (the norm each season) and god help us. Ozil so clearly needs to move, he’ll wreck his game if it continues like it is
Ozil does need to move Oz, into the middle….
Rico watch the Italians,do it
we so lack a leader on a dead ball.
We so lack a leader full stop Fred. I get where you are coming from but who could be that player? The only one with the height is Merts, but not sure he has the pace/athleticism to attack the ball…
trouble is Rico if we keep playing him like this he will lose his edge, its not the first we’ve seen this happen is it?
The same can be said up the other end of the pitch, who actually gets in the box and really, I mean really, attack the set pieces or corners we get awarded?
Same answer for me, no-one….
No Oz, it’s not. That’s why he needs to be moved central asap. My thought is that once Theo is back, he’ll move..
no question the long argued tactical questions are in full swing again. We really do seem to struggle in this department
Patrick Vieira left in the summer of 2005…
That is 9 summers ago…
Nine years that has seen Wenger do bugger all to solve that glaring gap in our midfield…
But is anybody suprised???
I still would love to see Campbell given a chance. Him and Sanchez work so hard on the flanks.
I think Bellarin would offer so much width to our game as well in our formation last season.
Oyyyy Tai. Long time no see amigo.
you made the right point regarding height. Height, weight and speed are three basic needs in modern football matches. Esp in EPL
I still remember Sanchez tried to obstruct Hangeland in our match against Palace…but what happened? Sanchez was too small for the giant defender and the corner played so high for our little Chilean to achieve the impossible. Zonal or man-marking, the ball is played in the air…and you can’t nod it if you can’t reach it. And Szczesny, despite his impressive build, doesn’t command his area fiercely enough to ward off those attacking the ball in set piece situations.
I always see things from the position of cup being half-full but at the moment, I’m not committing until we play Dortmund, Spurs and Chelsea…then we start talking of top 4!
Afternoon Rico…
Good post…
Bellerin is a classic Wenger full-back, great attacking, a bit lacking in defence…
But that sums up Arsenal….
Coach, Mourinho went into Stamford Bridge, first thing he did wax to re-sign Matic…
Not rocket science, but seemingly beyond Wenger…
Hello Dev…really missed HH…even goonster wouldn’t believe it but I missed him too. What would this beautiful game turn to if we didn’t disagree regularly!
kev – and what a return he’s getting from Costa and Cesc but again never really rocket science was it?
those three attributes are always the first three I look for in the teams I coach. And the spine is usually the tallest and the ones with the most weight. Esp the CBs and the DMs.
I remember once telling Kev that at under 19 I had a team of midgets.and by midgets I mean real midgets. The tallest was the GK at 180cm. The average was 168cm. And for U19 level that is simply too lightweight
We did not do badly. We were awesome when having the ball….no one could take it away from us. but when the opposition lofted their passes we were awful. And when crosses came zipping in the box we suffered.
So you need a good combination of tall and short ones. Especially in the spine of the team.
Few players if any of the AFC team are taller than AW.
Does he have an inferiority complex and wants to see everyone beneath his nose?
Tell me about it Oz, totally pissed off mate.
Come to think of it, I didn’t recognise HH when I came on board…just kinda thought something was missing when I couldn’t see Sanchez’s pic holding that jersey…and to think he’s just scored threein three! Lol.
And by the time we draw at Villa, we’ll be 8points behind Chelsea.
Yeah Oz, same old, same old.
Matic, Terry, Ivanovic…….all are three tall guys. imagine them bearing upon you. and if you are a midget you will not dare to rise for headers.
plus they are strong
You know what Coach, I really like Sanchez, he’s a fabulous player, never stops working, fantastic technique, wonderful team player…
He deserves to play for a club that actually competes for the League and Champipns Lge…
Dev…say that again and again…if we’re talking of a national side, then you may be forced to use what you have. But how come a big club like Arsenal can’t purchase players that combine brain and brawl? I was almost giving anything that Wenger would get tall DM and CB. Only Per is taller than Wenger!.
For me, my two CBs, my DM and CF must clear six feet…and when I say clear, I mean 6’3” at least…And of course, my GK. I can now sign other players based on technique.
Afternoon Kev, thanks.
No, I am not surprised because that’s the way he’s changed.. So very wrong though….
its nice to see Wenger finally exposed though. He has lived on so many excuses for so long – the squad depth is very poor and for years the obvious has been overlooked – well past time for him to go but you have heard all this from me before
give it time Kev. Sanchez, Welbeck, Aaron, Jack, Debuchy, Gibbs, Kos….they never stop running. So we do have them already. We need to cut out those who walk back. Having said that the present team’s attitude is already better in this regard than last year.
Bradster, me too re Campbell..
On Ozil…I’m afraid…one of the problems of our team is Wilshere…not his fault but Wenger is bent on making sure his next successful Arsenal side must include Ramsey and Wilshere in starting 11.
My little understanding tells me both are great b-to-b midfielders that shouldn’t really play together without unbalancing the side. At the moment, Ozil is suffering for it. And now that Wilshere is back and getting to his best, Ozil may be permanently sacrificed…and that is Wenger for you. Never does whatever he is expected to do.
I hope you are right Coach, but this summer finished me off as far as Wenger is concerned.
Chelsea have hardly beaten a top notch side yet guys….. 😉
and we’ve hardly beaten anyone at all 🙂
Rico, neither have we….
I know Bt, but sadly, the emphasis seems to be on how good Chelsea are and how crap we are… lol
rico, Chelsea whipped Everton 6 – 3. We struggled against same team to grab 2-2 at the dead, losing Giroud in the process and apparently lost signing a CB as that shifted attention to Welbeck.
We may wish to underline their scary form but Chelsea can beat any side on current form…any side in Europe…of course we know no team stays in form all through the season…what happens when they’re off form is what we wait to see. For now, they deserve every respect.
Ozil’s heat map vs City suggests he wasn’t a LM at all.
This Chelsea team are strong attacking wise but have conceded the same amount of goals as us. They look frail at the back and I’m sure as the season goes on teams will get points off of them.
Nicki, where can I see the heat map?
I know ours and their results and who we have both played Tai. It’s Wenger and the clubs fault for us being in this situation but regardless, we have in the main a great bunch or players, some absolutely world class…
There’s no reason for me to be downhearted just yet and if AW and his coaches changes a few things on the pitch, we could improve very quickly..
Kev 1:52, completely agree re Vierra, Ive been saying it like you for 9 years.
Rico, “if”, being the appropriate word.
I guess it’ll take injuries to see Rosicky, Campbell and Podolski get any playing time.
Isn’t it always Bt. I’m livid that AW has done this to us, and that the board have sat back and allowed it to happen…
But I’m not going to write us off though…..
I’m off out with the four legged one.. Catch up later…
Monreal out, “short term”,. Gibbs fit enough to start tomorrow!
That’s all sorted then!
We are down to a wafer thin back line already!
Deep, deep joy!
Rico, 1.25. You would have thought the senile one would have written………..OH, I’ve forgotten the word…………….oh yes. A wanted during the TW list. I guess he just forgot!!
Hmm, Francis Coquelin @ left-back is becoming a definate possibility…
Or Flamini Kev, he was good there a few years ago.
Wavy, you’d have thought so….
Evening folks….
Hi all, Wenger’s got exactly what he deserves happening. Unfortunately us fans don’t deserve it. Joke management, but what’s new.
Andrew, and if it costs him his job, then so be it, he can’t complain…
fans don’t deserves it and neither do most of the Arsenal players…..
Cost him his job? No, he’s just been a trifle unlucky!
Yes, good point Rico, Flamini left-back…
But look on the bright side, Diaby will be back soon. 😀
Then, in the blink of an eye, Diaby will be gone again… 😉
Only 4 months or so, before the 31st January and Wenger’s transfer window opens…
Yep, jam tomorrow, you can’t beat it for edge of your seat tension… 🙁
bellerin will start tomorrow as chambers is 50/50 because of tonsillitis, Gibbs will be at left back, AW is pushing his luck, never watched Bellerin play tomorrow is a good opportunity for me, that means no defender on the subs bench for tomorrow…….. evening everyone
Surely Diaby can play CB, less running to do! I would be happier with Flamini at full back than midfield. He did OK in the past there. Its right back that worries me against Dortmund, Chelsea, Spurs. Good job we are prepared for our annual injury crisis.
Montreal can play CB? How tall is he, we already conceded three or four headers!
Imo…..the Debuchy injury and the Chambers tonsilitis may be a blessing in disguise. It will force AW to put Bellerin there and in doing so we can see if he is up to it or no. This is similiar to the sending offs between 1998 and 2004. Once I told a friend of mine that sending offs are a blessing in disguise as they force AW to rest players and play others instead. Now its injuries. So hopefully HB will have between now and November to stake the claim for a place. And in doing so we will be getting another right back from within.
In the same way as Giroud’s injury proved to be a blessing seeing that we got DW23 we now get the opportunity to see HB stake his claim. He is the same age as Chambers.
So Kev, in your opinion Diaby should become a magician by trade. now you see him now you dont.
Monreal won’t play CB, he’s injured… 😉
He’s got to be the best option Kev…
7.29 Devil, good point…
Andrew, of course he won’t lose his job, that idiot American will make sure of that….
the worse thing would be for AW to put Flamini or Coquelin there
I would really like to see Bellerin and Haydn play. otherwise if they are not trusted by AW they should have gone to another club.
I meant Flamini at lb if things get really stretched Devil. Bellerin at Rb for me every day of the week….
Evening Rico and all.. I totally agree with the post and majority of views above.
Fred at 11:44 am.. top point imo…
Unfortunately, as rico, and Syg asked leading to the final day of the transfer window; why were we allowing Miquel to leave when there was no or little chance of us signing a CB…’
The funny thing is we are an injury aware from Brandon Ottewill featuring a LB for us… over the last 3 or 4 season how many times have we ran out of LBs thereby requiring TV05 to come in and do a job?
Sagna and TV05 going was bad business and a sign of shortsightedness.
Rick may confirm too that Hayden has featured only 2 times at CB this season for the u-21… before the window closed he was featuring even at RW…
Has he been pushed back there just to make sure we can use him for emergency? imo, depending on if the BFG or Kosser is injured I would use Ajayi instead as he is more of a Per type player whilst Hayden is very similar to Kosser or TV…
Evening Ts..
I haven’t seen Ajayi play. Did he against Villa?
Miguel, well how stupid was that eh….
Hi rico, He didn’t play. It was O’Connor who played.. I believe Ajayi was dropped to accomodate the captain Hayden at CB due to Le Coq and Abou Dhabi featuring in midfield.
Another one is Julio Pleguezuelo who like Miquel showed promise initially but were played everywhere and with every one at CB and so they lost form…
Miquel could have covered LB and CB at emergencies but again Aw has gone to teh stage where he is bottling playing young ‘uns.
As dev was saying above play them or move them on…
Without been a doomster.. we have also had a player sent off 4 times in our last 5 UCL games…
thread bare comes to mind…
That’s what I thought Ts and Connor was awful…
Who is that defender we signed back last summer/Jan. Big and strong and meant to be the next big player but I can’t find him anywhere on the official website…
Imo Bellerin playing tomorrow he will be a better bet against Drum, or even Groskreutz if he is used on the lhs in place of injured Reus…
Rico- Julio Pleguezuelo
Thanks Ts..
Bellerin for me too…
Lol… indeed Connor struggled next to Hayden last week. I guess sometimes its combinations that don’t work…
I would love Hayden to get a chance at CB; I think it is his best position;… it just cheeses me off that one minute he is a CB the next he is a DM… those are specialist positions that in my view young players need to get used to instead of being utilised everywhere that is needed.
Ts, you know a lot about Dortmund, perhaps you could do a pre match post about the game…
After all, you owe me… 😉 😉
Rico, have you heard Emmanuel Adebayor is now one of the vice-captains of the sperds? My neighbour just texted me… lol
Will sort out a post…
CB/ to DM – that’s Wenger, that’s what he does…
I like Hayden very much, if he doesn’t get him chance I’ll be surprised, very surprised…
Mind you, we are talking Wenger……
At least Hummels will miss tomorrows game..
Kagawa was on form last weekend though…
Cripes, I didn’t expect you to give in quite so easily Ts… 😉
Lardy, vice captain. That’s funny!
Reus is out too.. We won’t get a better chance surely…
Rico, if we can’t control bvb’s midfield of Kehl, Jojic tomorrow.. AW needs to really look in the mirror.Kehl makes Arteta look like Bolt… 🙂
We will get to see Sokratis; fans will get to decide if he was worth more than the £19m AW bidded for him.. lol
Lardy a vice captain… lol…
One man’s meat is another mans’ poison indeed. 🙂
Tottenham HotspurVerified account
@SpursOfficial
Mauricio has announced that Younes Kaboul has been named our new Club captain with Hugo Lloris and Emmanuel Adebayor as vice-captains.
I know nothing about Dortmund Ts so I can’t comment on any of those you mention. Other than Kagawa…
Bender is not fully fit either…
Plus Adrian Ramos and Immobile are not yet up to speed of Lew yet… none of their front 3 apart from Mk’taryan have UCL experience…
We need a good performance nonetheless… for an european manager Aw’s record is deterioting as time goes on…
we have only kept 3 clean sheets in their last 28 Champions League games away from home. shocking imho…
Looks like turning out to be a question of squad strengths.
AW’s results are deteriorating… full stop… 🙁
Ts, even your neighbour doesn’t talk to you….lol
With Reus out Kev won’t have any dipper to comment on.. 🙂
Pierre Aubameyang was a sub last weekend so I guess he will come in for Ramos up front..
Anyway night Rico and all.. I have another early start so…
It does…
🙂 Bt… well watch it mate…
The reasonable ones don’t its the sperdies who do… they come out when we lose or draw… 🙂
Night Ts, don’t forget the post 😉
I’m off too… Night all..
Night,Ts…
Night Bt and Potter…
Night Rico…
Debuchy would not have played anyway. So it would have been either Bellerin or Chambers. as I said earlier……its good that Chambers is not feeling well. hopefully AW will have the balls to play HB and not put MF or le Coq as right back
I never see Bellerin or Hayden played.
How long have I ask, if we buy any defender?
One of AW problem is not make a team; another, is never ready for replacing a player, without we have the feeling the team wil be much more weak.
Now, he said we need another Vieira or Petit. Of course. And not because only we haven’t enought muscle in that position,
The real thing is this: Kos and Mets are not able to building the game since the beggining. However, this mission usualy can be made by the DM. For instance, Fabregas in the last years. Vermaelen can do it, because he is able to do it. Flamini can’t do it. Arteta maybe, but is not a DM, because he is not strong enought for that position. And the times were passing.
So, AW have now a dilema: he must find a player who is a DM and can be able to build the game since the begginning.
We didn’t sign Yaspas?
Flamini at left back??? Why not Podolsky?
It seems that Chambers is 50:50…
So expect him to start…
Rosicky, Podolski, Cazorla, all missed out Saturday.
Rotation or not?
Good Morning Wolves and Red Riding Hoods.
Looking forward to seeing Bellerin play tonight. I hope he is given the chance.
Knowing AW he will either put a 50/50 Chambers at RB and work him till he injures himself, or else put MF.
But I would play HB.
Fingers crossed HB plays.
When did you guys started watching arsenal?if your answer is ‘very long time ago’,you would have know arsenal Wenger hate rotation and tactics.We will probably see †̥ђƺ same line up expect chambers for debuchy.you guys think Wenger will play bellerin or hyden at DM?keep on dreaming.lol.And am I †̥ђƺ only thinking about dropping WS01 for ospina?
Sometimes if you dream enough it might become a reality Sukky.
Haydn at DM is a long shot. It would need MF, MA, JW all injured or suspended for Haydn to play. Or the Carling Cup.
But Bellerin is another story. Debuchy is injured while Chambers is 50/50 and might worsen. My only fear is that AW puts flamini or Coquelin at RB.
Otherwise imo Bellerin should start the game.
We argue all day long. But it would be futile. Let’s wait for the line up and then comment.
I really don’t know what you lot are panicking about, our glorious leader has a master plan plus some dynamic ground breaking tactics….. I think we’ll use the play everyone on the left hand side ploy myself!
Onwards and upwards……….. cue the “happy clappers!”
COYRRG!!
you like playing on the sides????
Amazing-Lee
I like playing through the middle my friend. And working my way upwards where I look at my nemesis in the eyes. 😉
As for Ozil class is permanent form temporary…..
I hope Ozil doesn’t go the same way as the Russian…. it would be a travesty!
the only problem with Ozil does not lie now. It’s genesis lies in the Cesc/RVP era. They were the main men. And everything went through them.
Now it seems that AW wants to do away with the main man. And thus Ozil is not any more the focal point. He is not the main man. Put him as the main man, where everything goes through him and he will flourish. But then Aaron and Jack would dip.
If you noticed, Lee, Ozil was not actually playing on the left wing. But he kept coming inside while Monreal/Gibbs hug the touchline. But he is not central and focal.
morning HH’ers,
I think we will be very poor in midfield if we field Ozil left, Wilshere and Ramsey middle, Sanchez right with Arteta behind them.
I still want the double pivot of Ramsey and Arteta, give Rosicky a game on the right, Sanchez left and ozil as the number 10. Yep, Wilshere alternating with Ramsey.
I too hope Bellarin gets a start and has someone who will track back on his flank.
If on the flanks there are Sanchez and Ox then both Gibbs and Bellerin will have a good game and be solid. The problem will lie if Ozil/Cazorla plays on either flank. None track back.
Morning All
Morning Rico.
Ah, the great play everyone down the left flank ploy…
Lee, I think you might be onto something mate…
Morning campers, should be a very interesting game tonight.
Szczesny as rush goalkeeper perhaps?
Aaron and Jack are the new focal points of the AFC midfield. And imo the reasons why AW persists with Arteta and Flamini are two. If Hayden or someone in the academy is already earmarked for that position then that is the first reason why AW is waiting and not splashing money on a new DM.
The second reason is that AW considers that both AR and JW are there to stay. Hence the reason why Ozil is shunted on the wings, although he cuts inside and plays inside.
Imo…..the following players are assured of their place…..Per, Kos, Jack, Aaron, Sanchez. That is already half a team. The rest….AW has faith in them, but they are not the nailed on players whose name is the first on the teamsheet. So they still are up for grabs. Chambers is still young but in a year’s time he will be with those 5. Maybe Ox as well and hopefully Welbeck.
But those who like me think that Jack and Aaron cannot work together, we should as well give up. They are there to stay in AW’s opinion
Bongu habib. you ok??
That’s very disappointing Devil. Reminds me of the lampard – Gerard combination that they persisted with for England.
Rosicky, Podolski and Cazorla should’ve left while they had the chance.
What/who’s bongu Habib?
Away win, nothing less!
Kif int Habib
TR07 does not play more for the simple reason of his age and injuries. Had he been between the 26 and 29 age he would be playing on the right of the 4-1-4-1 formation. Podolski and Cazorla are the subs for that formation.
With regards Lampard and Gerrard I am sorry mate……..our two are vastly different and they will surely iron out their differences. It takes time, but I am hopeful it will come good.
Where’s the Vapemaster?
hehe Bradster. that is reserved for Kev. It means How are you my friend in my own language.
I am fine Kev.
Coach, I suppose that if Wenger believes that Akpom, Hayden and Bellerin are gonna break into the squad this season, then that kinda explains his inertia towards the end of the TW….
Doesn’t make it right though!
I think the Lampard / Gerrard issue is more an example of a manager persisting with something in the hope that eventually it will work. I believe that Jack / Mesut and Aaron is too much and one of them needs to be benched. At the moment it has to be Ozil if we are to persist with the other two in the middle and bring in a proper winger / wide player to play on the left.
I thought that as well Kev. It was only the departure of Sagna (he was only offered a 2 year contract remember) and Giroud’s injury that forced AW to get Debuchy and Welbeck. On both counts I think they were a blessing, yes even Debuchy’s injury so early…..it leaves AW with no choice but to play either Chambers or Bellerin. Chambers tonsillitis adds spice to this in that Bellerin has to play now. The worst thing is if AW puts Flamini or Coquelin.
Hopefully Bellerin gets to play
Potter, the Gerrard Lampard situation is more of the fact that they were not playing week in week out for the same club. Then it would have worked as they would have had time to iron out deficiencies.
And the fact that one of them was fat and the other spoilt rotten did not help either.
Morning Kev and all….
Coq or Flamini at right back would be a disaster, especially Coquelin….
Morning Boss
Morning Devil..
Le Coq right back then it seems…. Can Welbeck play centre half…?
Oh and Morning….
Scott :- well here it is Arsenal’s final comment on the ticket saga. They are blaming your mate totally it would seem. Suffice it to say I will not be doing it again it cost me too much.
Thank you for your e-mail to Arsenal Football Club.
I am sorry that I was unable to contact you on 13th September as requested
Unfortunately, a paper ticket was issued and held at the South West Collection Office on 27th August 2014 and also for Mr Sleeman Bailey to collect on your behalf for the UEFA Champions League Qualifier against Besiktas. The Collection Office is facing Turnstile S.
A third party instructed to collect tickets/membership cards on a match day, must give the name of the person whom has left the ticket/membership card for themself to collect. The third party must also produce their own photo ID.
I am sorry that the Club cannot assist you further with this matter.
Kind regards, Mandy
I hope not Wath!
Potter – Scott is away on holiday for two weeks…
yeah……he is enjoying himself at Disneyland. last night he invited Minnie Mouse for a romantic candle lit dinner. and the day before he had lunch with Porky pig.
Perhaps you could further move that on by pm then please. Time is of no importance as they obviously are not prepared to do anything about it.
Potter…I find it amazing that Arsenal would employ a jobsworth! NOT!!!!!!
Potter, been there, done that, some things never change. Never accept responsibility for their cock ups, they have the money and don’t give a flying fook…
I’ve mailed it to Scott Potter..
New post up now..