It’s everyone else’s fault we lost!! Dreadful start to 2012…

Just 48 hours after the win against QPR which took us to fourth place, we headed to Craven Cottage to face a Fulham side which we needed a late TV equalizer to rescue a home point against several weeks back. With Chelsea winning at Molineaux earlier to move back ahead of us, we needed to win and reclaim fourth place. That required the strongest team we could field and for everyone in red to play well…

We lined up Szczesny, Coq, Mert, Kos, JD, Arteta, Song, Ramsey, Theo, Robin and Gerv. Other than Coq becoming our latest left-back due to the TV’s calf strain on the weekend, and Gerv returning to the starting eleven in place of Arsh, our starters were unchanged.

The bench consisted of Al, Squil, Miquel, Rosicky, Benny, Arsh and Chamakh. In other words, the usual suspects. Still no places for OC or Ju…

Instead of covering every event in detail, I’ll just say that we started quickly and dominated the early exchanges. Ramsey shot directly at Stockdale in the first couple of minutes and then Gerv shot way over after Robin’s corner found its way to him. A few minutes after that, Senderos chopped Gerv down in Fulham’s box after Robin had put him in.

This was the third penalty in three matches that we should have had…

Undeterred, we continued to dominate and just after 20 minutes, we made the breakthrough. Ramsey’s cross deflected off Kelly to Kos, who headed home from a couple of yards out. We went right back at Fulham and almost doubled the lead immediately, but Stockwell made a great save from Ramsey. The Fulham keeper then had to react quickly to keep Sidwell’s errant clearance attempt out.

Right on 30 minutes, Ruiz shot narrowly wide as Fulham began to pose a threat. We continued to get the better of the exchanges, however, and Ramsey drew another save from Stockdale right before the half-time whistle…

There were no changes at the break, but the second half was a marked contrast from the first. Fulham started better and immediately started pushing us back and keeping play in our half. This pattern continued throughout the half, as we could not keep possession.

By the 65th minute, when Arsene brought Rosicky on for the once again disappointing Theo, Fulham were in control and looked far more likely to equalize than we did to extend our lead. Within a minute of Rosicky’s introduction, Dempsey should have equalized, but headed wide. On 75, Benny replaced Gerv, who also disappointed.

Twelve minutes from time, we were reduced to ten men. JD was booked shortly before Rosicky’s introduction for a late challenge on Dembele; on 78 minutes he tugged Zamora back as the latter burst through. Zamora’s fall was theatrical, and more than a little distasteful, as was his frenzied gestures for a penalty, despite the fact that contact had clearly happened outside the box.

Probert could have kept his card in his pocket; he chose not to and dismissed JD. Certainly a tough break. Harsh? Possibly but JD was already on a yellow and he clearly obstructed Zamora. Probert made the call he did…

Arsene responded by sacrificing one of our better players on the day, Ramsey, to bring the oft-maligned, rarely-used Squil on to play right back. The Fulham pressure had been intense at 11 versus 11; now with a man reduced, an equalizer was virtually inevitable and it  duly arrived five minutes from time.

Song conceded a corner, Ruiz delivered it from the right and Szczesny flapped at the ball, diverting it to Senderos, who headed it back across for Sidwell to head in from close range. The fact that two Arsenal failures combined to score the equalizer was perhaps just as galling…

Fulham were not quite done there, the officials signaled for three minutes of injury time and Fulham kept the pressure on. In the third minute, Squil tried clear the ball but his header went lateral, directly into Zamora’s path and the latter could hardly miss from eight yards out. 2-1 down and the game was pretty much up.

We had barely posed any sort of attacking threat in the second half, and while Probert blew for full-time while we were moving the ball in Fulham’s half, we probably weren’t going to do much with it…

Afterwards, Arsene had a right old go at Probert, citing the penalty on Gerv that he wrongly ignored, and stated JD should not have been booked either time. I will agree that Probert had a poor game, and he certainly got no change out of him but he’s not the only one.

Arsene himself had a very poor game, particularly with his lineup and substitutions. Theo was frankly appalling for much of the match, but Arsene refused to change anything until after the hour; and the player he brought on (Rosicky) was just as bad, giving the ball away cheaply on countless occasions…

I don’t think too many of us are surprised that Squil had a hand in Fulham’s winning goal. He rarely plays well for us and probably should not be anywhere near the first team…

When you have a manager who responds to a massive injury crisis by fretting about what is going to happen when injured players return and he has too many players at certain positions, perhaps this should not be a surprise. Blame Probert, the fixture list and whatever else you want, but do have a look in the mirror while you are at it…

So we ended the evening back in fifth place.

If Liverpool should win at Eastlands today – unlikely but not impossible – we will be back down in sixth again.

With a massive defensive injury crisis and many of our first teamers looking jaded and off-form, things may become worse before they get better. We did remarkably well to get ourselves up to fourth, but the effort of doing so appears to have put such a strain on our resources that it is now starting to come apart at the seams.

We have a week off before the FA Cup Third Round tie versus Leeds United. Surely that is the opportunity to do some rotation.

Between now and our visit to Swansea, we have almost two full weeks, so hopefully we will get some good news about players returning from injury.

If you are hoping for good news in the form of Arsene bringing in reinforcements via the transfer window, my advice is “don’t”…We’ve been down this road before…

Written by Oliver

355 thoughts on “It’s everyone else’s fault we lost!! Dreadful start to 2012…

  1. rico says:

    Morning all..

    you and me both lee – no matter what it will cost in wages, stan has to give wenger money to buy cover at the back, we are done for otherwise….

  2. lee says:

    nah, I’ll look on my phone….wtf was squid a) doing in the team b) heading the ball into danger? Gotta be sold he’s shit along with a few more…. can’t keep blaming everyone else, he sticks with these shit players because he doesn’t like admitting he’s wrong!

  3. rico says:

    Chamberlain should have been on the bench, he is the only player we have that will put pressure on a defence in the same way Theo does (although he was cack)

    Take off the pace and it hands the momemtum to the opposition, exactly what happened yesterday and what always does when Walcott goes off….

  4. adi says:

    Well, we might get KIERAN RICHARDSON!!!!!!!!!!! OMFG can’t hide my excitement. He used to play for manyoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  5. rico says:

    Squilli sold, i’d give him away – we were saying we were just one injury away from seein that idiot playing and here we are!!

    We need cover, we can’t have him playing against Manure…

    Why didn’t Miquel come on instead of him? At least he defends and has some pace…

  6. lee says:

    I read somewhere Rico, that the reason the ox isn’t played is because his transfer fee rises relative to goals/appearances…. dunno wether it’s bollox or not!

  7. stevepalmer1 says:

    Morning all,
    Shit team shit result shit performance
    But a great post Oliver
    Record breaking Rico
    And still blinding supporters
    They don’t deserve us do they.

  8. W.A.T.H says:

    Read on the right hand side the PL scorers for 2011/12 so far and our 2nd leading scorer is a defender who has played not even half the season…. Also says it all… wasteful in front of goal, fail to get stuck in when needed and noone to bring on who can worry defenders with pace if we take of theo or gerv… piss poor really and as said Rico, wengers normal drivel about “when” everyone is fit is lets face it just utter crap… “WHEN” have we ever had everyone fit and a top club gets in quality and if someone isnt getting a game or is then not as good as someone in the team its easy you sell them… winning and footie isn’t about sentiment… Play to win..!

  9. Andy says:

    If Gervinho could finish he would be so good. I heard somewhere that the ox isn’t playing because Arsene Wenger doesn’t want to bring him on and develop him when we haven’t got a comfortable lead…

  10. rico says:

    I read that too lee, but it said that was in 2011, he should be playing now and in any case, if they agreed that and he’s not been playing, what an idiot the club are if its just to save a few pounds…

  11. rico says:

    Morning Steve and Wath..

    And what will Wenger do, or moreso, what will that idiot who lives over the sea do?? Give Wenger money to spend and rectify our needs or just pat wenger on the back for saving him money during another transfer window….

    Can’t score
    Can’t defend

  12. lee says:

    Trouble is the Arsenal Gravy train is too good to get off…50k, 60k for being a shit player, why leave? A fckin joke!!

  13. rico says:

    I’d start Ox instead of Theo too Andy

    lee – and don’t we love it 😉

    Seriously, wenger should be getting who we need in the next day or two, we can’t afford to wait…..

  14. stevepalmer1 says:

    Its the third day of the transfer window, and we have recruited one washed up player of 34 years of age. we have lost our first game of the year after being one up in the first half the Ox has played one game and i have one hell of a headache we have one record breaker in Ricolicious and i am one hell of a sick supporter, we have one Manager that plays one way and the way things look there is only one way to go.

  15. colin says:

    why are you all so surprised, did you think we were going to win the premiership, we never will with this manager and board. can’t they really see what you and i see .why we keep looking at second rate players we will be second rate. dupiaza

  16. rico says:

    Record breaker Steve?

    Wenger wouldn’t sign players when we are playing – he doesn’t sign them when we are not, he best his arse out of gear now and sort things out, otherwise we will carry on this year the way it started…..

    Aldi and Poundstretcher too Lee 😉

  17. rico says:

    Haven’t seen the Lumpard tackle but the paps are full of he, he was a luck man then…. and JD gets sent off for a softie….

  18. colin says:

    i wish i could get a decent price about robin van persie leaving, because i can’t see a single reason that he would want to stay.

  19. colin says:

    thanks rico enjoying your comments too, would love rvp to stay but am angry because you don’t see any positives coming out by wenger and fear for us. colin

  20. lee says:

    i wouldn’t blame RVP if he fcked off….where’s the world class signings? Kieran Richardson? Do me a favour FFS!

  21. stevepalmer1 says:

    Cesc went Na$ri went Clichey went,I know what makes you think Robin will stay rico, He looks over his shoulder and see’s somebody older than him must make him feel he can stay with us for ever, as long as he doesn’t want to do any polishing a hundred odd grand a week plenty of rest breaks all he has to do is score the odd goal as none of the others can, job for life i’d say.

  22. rico says:

    you are not alone colin, i really fear for the up and coming few weeks, we have a skeleton defence which prob means we will have to suffer watching Squillaci play against Leeds when the guy should not even be at the club!

    We have no proper left back, no right back, no-one who can score goals other than RvP and we are in a mess…

    And, we hear from Wenger that he doesn’t want to be having to pay players for 3-4 years if he signs them, what a joke!

    But, I push a lot of that blame on those above him, they should be giving him the money and the reassurance that he can spend it…

    Oh, and shift a few out asap who are cack!

  23. rico says:

    hi alan..

    JD just isn’t the player he was for a few months last season and he should never be played at Rb in any case – for a manager who goes on about youth, why not give Yenarris a chance, at least he’s actually playing in his proper position….

    lee – who with any sense would do that? ginger 😮

  24. colin says:

    i can’t disagree with a single thing being said on this site today and am enjoying it because it echos our feelings.i also think aw probably wants kevin richardson as a makeweight for bendtner and feels its the only way he’ll see any of the money generated from that sale. my reckoning is that we could offload eleven players and maybe they’d give him more than ten bob (mind you would we make a profit). well done all. colin.

  25. rico says:

    And a cheap replacement for Gerv whilst he’s away at the ACON’s colin, just hope he doesn’t think about playing him at Lb!!

    That is of course if the story is true…..

  26. rico says:

    Got some shocking weather where I live, if I dissapear, it’s because the power has gone off, already lost Sky reception 🙁

  27. D.A. says:

    Wenger must be suffering from early signs of Alzheimer’s. OK – Senderos did just about touch, but the theatrical nosedive made it look as if it was a complete dive.
    As for the sending off – he should have gone earlier, but for the patience of the Ref with him! He was an accident just waiting to happen all game,

  28. W.A.T.H says:

    Sorry Lee had to run off, morning to you mate and SP, how did I know your were gonna have a hangover SP 😉

  29. rico says:

    Hi DA – I didn’t think it was a penalty in real time, but after seeing replays, there was a definate trip..

    As for JD, every time he plays these days he’s an accident waiting to happen….

  30. lee says:

    We’re becoming even more of a joke…AW blaming the ref, no mirrors in the Wenger household then?
    FFS, do something about it…

  31. lee says:

    players coming back are like new signings blah blah…cant get gourcuff as it will get in the way of diaby, was the biscuit for me…maybe if these wankers got paid if they played or performance related, they’d liven up!

  32. Rockyrocastle07 says:

    Afternoon all. The disappointment of last night’s match still hasn’t worn off yet.

    Am I honestly reading reports right that we may be interested in Keiran Richardson?! Seriously? And apparently as full back cover?! If that happens, there is a strong possibility we could have at some stage (if injuries continue to happen and we sign those we are reported to be interested in) a back 5 of Almunia, Richardson, Squid, JD and Bridge. That would be the end for me. Richardson’s not even a good winger, let alone a good defender. Shocking.

  33. rico says:

    Naff lee 😉

    That old new signing comment he makes has worn thin… Surely the club must see how desperate we are at the back??

    Wath – maybe he’s been signing someone this morning, must be a reason for the horrid storm we have had here…. 😉

  34. Rockyrocastle07 says:

    Totally agree Lee. Why is Diaby not now on a pay as you play deal like any other massive crock (Dyer for instance)?

  35. rico says:

    Hi rocky,

    yep, Richardson, but i would suspect thats cover for Gerv rather than the defence..

    As for Lb, I would rather Coq or Miquel than an ageing old Bridge who hasn’t played football in ages….

    Granero is reported to have been allowed to leaved Madrid on loan…. Where’s stanley 😉

  36. STV says:

    Afternoon HH.. Good read Oliver.Nicely written article.
    The lion’s share of blame should be for ourselves. We were that poor in the second half after a nearly perfect first half.

  37. Rockyrocastle07 says:

    Hi Rico

    If it’s cover for Gerv, then that is disgusting. If Wenger is moaning that Gourcuff coming in will stop the progression of the perennial crock Diaby, then what will an average at best Richardson’s arrival do to Ox and Ryo?

    I agree about Coq at LB or RB as cover. And as I said to Goonster yesterday I’d actually rather have Coq at LB permanantly. I’d take Santos as a winger over Richardson!

  38. lee says:

    Again though we’re linked with shite palyers or other team’s cast offs…we should be buying 2/3 quality players and outing 6/7 wastes of internal organs that are on our books….and we might still have a little bit in the bank!
    TH12 + 2 would do, (Goetze & Vertonghen)

  39. STV says:

    What a player diaby must be! coming after injury, 20-30 minuts of play, out injured for another 2-3 months!

    Dont know why Richardson’s and bridge’s name even came up!

  40. rico says:

    Hi STV, we surpassed our usual low standards in that second half and why Wenger didn’t take off JD, i don’t know, i think we could all see his red card coming…. even wenger said he could!

  41. rico says:

    How Gourcuff could prevent Diaby from doing anything is a joke Rocky, the man is a crock and should be sold on, as should many others like denilson, Almunia, Squilli, Nik… the list goes on….

    Spot on re Ryo and Ox too.. Good point mad about Coq and Santos – Coq was the only bright thing from yesterdays game…

    Lee – agree there, or JV, TH and Reus

  42. Rockyrocastle07 says:

    Rico – That really wound me up this morning reading the report. The fact he even said he saw the red coming. WHy then do nothing and moan when he is sent off? In that one sentence he showed what a cock he is. He can blame no-one but himself.

  43. alan b'stard M P says:

    Rico

    Drogba would be great. I know I have a problem with Africans re the ACN, but there are exceptions.

    Drogba is one chav who has his nose out of joint with Roman, and perhaps a point to prove. A great finisher for sure

  44. STV says:

    Hi Rico..

    even I saw that coming.. Remember frimpong brought a cheap yellow which culmnated in a red which culminated arsenal conceding two goal latter… same happened y’day. .was expecting miquel,

    When you watch the fulham games against spuddies and dippers you’ll know they’re gonna press hard in the second half. Totenham escaped, we were not prepared for challenge. It looked we took the game for granted.

    Wenger outrage after was fair afterall but he would know he did some mistakes as well.

  45. W.A.T.H says:

    Wenger just contradicts himself time and again to cover up the inconsistencies of his team, his selections, his tactics (or lack of) and his formations….. Oh and HIS buys……!

    This is nothing new is it, we are hardly talking about something that has happened over night its been going on for years, all the signings in Aug did was paper over the cracks a little…!

  46. Rockyrocastle07 says:

    I know Lee. He just acts like a petulent child when things don’t go his way and blames anyone. Really gets me riled up sometimes. Instead of saying they tried to get JD sent off, why not tell the truth and say that Frei tore Song, Arteta, JD, and then Squid a new one everytime he got the ball. And that Dembele strolled through the ineffective midfield at will.

  47. EastSidePaul says:

    Would it be too much to demand that any player who spends a lot of time on the sideline has to sign a pay as you play contract? The Diaby situation is ridiculous ..

    Gourcuff and M’vila should be brought in and the rest of our centre midfield except Arteta and Wilshire should be shipped out on the cheap.

    Also lets get what we can for walcott and let Ox and Ryo Play.

  48. W.A.T.H says:

    ST, wengers whinging is fair on only teo counts, firstly it looked like we should of had a penalty and secondly the 2nd yellow on JD was harsh, shoulder to shoulder Zamora over runs the ball goes down and cons the ref…. simple….. Is/Was the ref responsible for our poor finishing…? our lack of creativity 2nd half, our poor defending from set pieces, our inability to hold onto a lead, our poor substitutions and tactics…? none of the above mate and all wenger does in moaning like that is make himself look an even bigger tit…. Admit he got it wrong shut up and get on with putting it right…!

  49. Joaquim Moreira says:

    good morning
    I read all the frustation comments. I can’t understand yesterday line-up specially the players on the bench. if TV wasn’t sent off probably we had played with the same team 48 hours after and after two games in a week in a short period. I know we have many injuries but if we have only 14 players, all of them must playing in the last two games. Even Chamack. Bad management of human resources. So in this season, 7 point and drop 5. Normally, it will be perhaps,12 points. And we will above the 40 points on the middle of the League.

  50. W.A.T.H says:

    Not sure Gourcouff is the answer ESP he’s always injured as well but am totally with you on M’Vila…! The spine is STILL to weak…!

  51. Rockyrocastle07 says:

    ESP – I think it has to be introduced. Paying him thousands every week is criminal. Regarding the rest of the midfield – I think Rambo has been pretty good of late – I’d give him a bit more time. I’ve been more impressed with him than I have of Arteta.

  52. STV says:

    Hi WATH

    Right again mate .. especially with hiis formation and buys.
    he is well known for sticking with a proven flop time and time again
    😮

  53. Rockyrocastle07 says:

    Would you honestly come to us if you were Goetze, rather than the other big name clubs that are in for him?

  54. EastSidePaul says:

    We need a 4-4-2(1-1) formation, M’vila is a must to make that formation to happen, we can play Wilshere or Goetze/Gourcuff beside him.

    But guys we can talk all we want about it, but the simple fact is that its not going to happen under Wenger and his merry group of yes men.

  55. rico says:

    Lee – Wenger is a stubborn fool when it comes to playing rubbish players – any other manager would have shipped some of ours out 2/3 seasons ago….

  56. EastSidePaul says:

    Rocky I sure wouldn’t, why come to Arsenal? We can’t pay you, we’ll play you out of position, you’ll have to play alongside sick notes and some of europe’s finest z-listers. And you sure aren’t guaranteed success!

    Lee: We’ve had more casualties than Vietnam at this point..

  57. Rockyrocastle07 says:

    If I were RVP I’d wait until next year when Bendtner comes back. Who could resist being part of that mouth-watering partnership?!

  58. EastSidePaul says:

    Just read the Arsenal in for Kieran Richardson story.. about to lose my mind.
    Why on earth would that make sense?

    I’m sure RVP is well excited about playing beside another United reject.. wow we really are a club going places..

  59. rico says:

    Wenger :

    on the key decisions…
    I think it was 100 per cent a penalty on Gervinho from Senderos in the first half. The referee had a massive influence on the game like that. We have played many games recently where if it had gone our way we would not have been in trouble and would have stayed with 11 on the pitch.

    You want the right decisions in a game of that importance. But I do not want to speak about that anymore. We had the chances to kill the game off before that and to win. I think it’s very unlucky for us to lose the game with 10 men. When you see the game today that we finished with 10 men, it’s very difficult to take. That makes a massive difference when you have played 48 hours before. It’s too difficult.

    on losing another defender…
    I think we have done well being short. We have lost three left backs, two right backs. What can you do? You cannot buy 10 full backs to make sure you have one in case of injury.

    on trying to climb the table…
    There was too much at stake in the game today, we needed absolutely everything to go for us, to be right. We are guilty because we still gave two goals away, I felt, in a stupid way and we didn’t take our chances. Nothing went for us from the referee today, nothing at all. We cannot change that and we have to live with it unfortunately.

    on the lack of penalty decisions in their favour…
    We [should have] had a clear penalty in the last game against QPR with a clear handball, a penalty at Man City and we had a penalty at Villa Park. You should not ask me, I don’t know.

  60. rico says:

    Lee 😆

    I hope he nevers wears an afc shirt again….. In fact not just him, i hope a few don’t wear the club shirt ever again…. but i bet they do…

  61. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Milan is agree for moving Pato to PSG. Milan wants Tevez and Bolotteli.
    Richardson…?
    Sagna was yesterday in the bench. Am I right? So, probably he plays against Leeds and normally, he is the owner of the right back position.Miss the left back. Coquelin doesn’t play with the left foot. Miquel is ok but not lack experience. Gibbs is almost fit. Does he really a need left back? Or we must concentrate in a good striker, a goal scorer. In this season, with four consecutive games, Chamack and Park didn’t play one minute…we just score 5 goals, with maybe, more then 20 opportunities. Where is the lack of this team?

  62. allezkev says:

    Afternoon You Happy Gooners
    Afternoon Rico, is it still raining out West?
    Oliver, a brave attept with your post today.

    As the song goes
    “Things, can only get better, can only get better yeah” 🙁

  63. goonster says:

    Reading through your comments you ll think this is LE SHITE. Come on guys you all know by now the kinda manager we have. He’s so Stubborn it hurts. Come on get over it already. All this moaning hasn’t changed much in 6 years! He ll never Change people. I ve learnt to ignore him and support the arsenal in my own little way and by the way, I ll take Richardson!

  64. W.A.T.H says:

    No JM, Sagna wasn’t on the bench… 2/3 weeks away still they say, same with Gibbs, then the problem is can you be sure Gibbs will last more than a game before he gets injured yet again..???
    We need a Vertonghen kind of player who can play anywhere in the back 4 and def mid if needed and that allows us to get rid of squilli and JD in my opinion…!

  65. Rockyrocastle07 says:

    Gibbs’ feet appear to be made from dried pasta. Slightest touch and they break. It’s a shame, but I don’t think he’ll ever play a full season for us. And for that reason, we need someone else (and before you say it Goonster, NOT Santos!!)

  66. Rockyrocastle07 says:

    €20m Lee? I’d be all over that like a rash. Wenger on the other hand, will not. So next season when we line up against Man U, we will no doubt have Denilson up against M’vila in the middle.

  67. rico says:

    Hi goonster – why should fans put up with it?? We are not asking for the club to spend what they don’t have, just add a defender and goal scorer

  68. rico says:

    Wath, i am not sure how long Gibbs career will last, how many breaks and fractures can his frail body take??

  69. allezkev says:

    Kevin Richardson, wow, i’m so excited………… 😯

    Wath…. 12.17… 😆

    Maxwell….. 🙄 Not forgetting his fcuking silver hammer!

  70. Rockyrocastle07 says:

    That’s the thing Rico…. can you see SAF spending money on dross like Denilson?! It doesn’t happen often with him (Djemba-Djemba, Kleberson and Bebe aside….!)

  71. goonster says:

    Its sad maam but what can we do? The people running our club don’t care about you and me. They are only interested in lining their own pockets. Wish usmanov could take over and kick that moutache wearing yank back to the states. Him and his henchmen. Bring dein back and sack wenger…..but that’s not going to happen any time soon.

  72. allezkev says:

    Hiya Lee, busy on the train this morning?

    Hope all your mates are back from their holidays, as i’ll be up there Thursday. 😉

  73. allezkev says:

    Well, i don’t want to repeat myself, but i doubt that Wenger has access to all the money brought in from the sales of Cesc, Nasri and Clichy……

    Gazides is a spin-doctor.

    And Kroenke is an ass hole [for Oliver] or arse-hole [for us 😉 ]….

  74. EastSidePaul says:

    “What can you do? You cannot buy 10 full backs to make sure you have one in case of injury.” ….. er why not?

    M’vila for 20m? Here is 25m for your troubles, job done. No more penny pinching.

  75. goonster says:

    Hiya kev laugh all you want but I ll take Richardson Cause of his free kicks. He’s scored a few over the years besides he’s English, pacy and CAn play multiple positions. Or would you rather we sign an unknown!

  76. rico says:

    I tend to think you are right AK about the money but instead of telling us, Wenger just takes all the flack but he has to take a look at some of his own tactics/decisions during a game too ….

  77. allezkev says:

    M’Vila for £16.6million is a sound investment.

    Dein would be in Rennes now, deep in talks.

    Gazides is probably in bed…….

    Kroenke is probably watching NFL, NBA and Baseball DVD’s…

  78. allezkev says:

    Stan, i’d rather stick with Le Coq….

    Richardson is ok, but that transfer news is just symptomatic of the clubs downmarket ambitions….

  79. STV says:

    ..watching a shitty Denver nuggets game..
    He could tell how good glacer’s ownership is and it’s impact on man utd..

    But for his team he done nothing.All he does is praising wenger up to sky !!

  80. goonster says:

    Stv my man, am chilled ain’t I? I have to everybody and their mama seem to be losing theirs even the ever chilled allezkev!

  81. Rockyrocastle07 says:

    If we are going to get a LB Lee, Baines would be my choice. Does that seem like a lack of ambition though? I really don’t know anymore……

  82. W.A.T.H says:

    I think you’ll find Stan that the comments are all 100% correct and ppl are merely saying exactly what they think !! No over reactions here nor bad mouthing anyone just facts pure and simple and sorry mate but him being a stubborn egotistical plum doesnt make it all ok to sit here and be quiet about it.

  83. goonster says:

    Priests,stv? What priests? Its just the effect of having a cold beer first thing every morning. Calms the nerves. Try it sometime!

  84. STV says:

    rico is one sensible fan !! she praises the team when they plays well.. Rants on em when they plays shite.. Pleasent and full of hope next day again. surprises me.

  85. goonster says:

    Tell that to wenger lee….that’s how he sees things. Crazy old fella. Like a fellow gooner said after last night’s game “why won’t this man just die!

  86. STV says:

    goonster I tried it yesterday. surprisingly does the opposite effect 😛
    (often happens when they lose. agag n wath consumes a lot f gg 😉 )

  87. rico says:

    Still like a goal scorer though Rocky, TH12 isn’t going to solve all our problems up front…

    Tbh, i’d love to see TH and RvP playing up front together, not one or the other….

  88. Rokabox says:

    Its easy to blame the ref, the pitch, the FA, the weather, the loch ness monster, reality is Wenger lost his footballing brain if such thing exists anyways!

    He knew the team was thin and fragile, and he bought players in panic after the storm at Oldtraford. failing to play them by saying they need time to adapt and instead plays inconsistant players and brings the same substutes constantly that had no impact and will never ever ever have impact on any game, is to say the least stupid and dellusional. Not just this season, he did the same things the last four seasons wherer he could have added one or two players needed then and probably would’ve won something, and the momentum would’ve kept going. but either he is just stupporn french or there is some financial conspiracy on all that. I hate him and I think he has to go soon. enough is enough!

  89. STV says:

    you kind are 😉

    It looks podolski is not on his way.. he is focusing on playing fr germany 2012!
    Damn! that would be a decent addition

  90. Rockyrocastle07 says:

    We are desperate for a goal scorer Rico. We cannot sign Richardson OR Bridge. We need to try and make statements of intent. That will only happen with signings of the Podolski/Goetze/Harzard/M’vila ilk. NOT a washed up Bridges and an average Richardson. And if I’m brutally honest, I don’t know if Podolski is the answer. Ok, he’s had a good season so far, but the past few season’s have been pretty iffy. Still, I’d have him over all our current lot (RVP aside obviously)

  91. allezkev says:

    Rokabox, so you lump it all on Wenger?

    Fair enough….

    Do you think Kroenke/Gazides are blameless.

    Gazides fcuked up the Mata transfer.

    How was that Wenger’s fault……

  92. Rockyrocastle07 says:

    Gazides is a massive douchebag, AK. He seems to lack the understanding of how things work over here. Far too relaxed about everything. Far too smarmy as well.

  93. allezkev says:

    Not sure Lee, he could go to Feyenoord at the end of the month.

    So could a few of our prospective loanees….

    We need the fringe players for the FACup…..

  94. allezkev says:

    Awww Rocky, please don’t remind me……

    It’s gotta be Almunia, couldn’t handle Mannone between the sticks again…

  95. rico says:

    Rokabox –

    I’m in the ‘i want the owner out’ first and his slimey side-kick Gazidis, if then he conducts his transfers in the same way, then yes, it’s time for change….

    But right now we have an owner who cares very little about our club and who appears to be using our club to line his pockets…

  96. rico says:

    Totally agree re Bridge and Richardson but we know the way the club runs itself…

    And agree on Podolski too, i’d rather a big strong lump up top, even someone like Kenwyne Jones or The Yak? But, because we are so desperate, Podolski seems a good idea

  97. DutchGooner10 says:

    Wenger Confucius. Operates as a space frontier throwing paper planes at the sky.

    Justin Timberlake said it best: Bringing sexy back! Are you ready?

    Well hell yeah. Get those clowns of the stage out of my sight. Dressing room frenzy changing football socks for nylons after the game.As they prepare another kiss and make up. Let it be a crime of passion. Kill the debate.

    Glaring obvious.

  98. rico says:

    Almunia for me AK, but that certainly shows just how cack the others are, we should sign Jussi or Sorrenson….

  99. STV says:

    Rico spot on ! why would we exite about money gained from transfers! financial gains! all of it just used to swell his pocket not to improve the team !!!!!

  100. allezkev says:

    Hiya DG10, pass it around mate, Lee is a connoisseur of the coffee shops finest, and i don’t mind the odd Camberwell roll-up.. 🙂

  101. Rokabox says:

    I think wenger have the last word in everything at Arsenal, if he wants something, he gets it, it’s his philosopy not to break the bank for over-priced players which is fine considering Tores/ Caroll and similars, but there were so many players that he could have and should have bought in with reasonable prices and get rid of the dead wood in his team, it is ok to be loyal and have faith on your players, but to pretend things are gonna improve and that they will pay back that blind loyality is a joke. he is taking the team one step forward and two backword, that regression in my book, he also gets the credit bringing in talents like Song, Wilshere, RVP, TV, Kosielney on his current team, and obviously the greats on the previous teams, but he should learn they will alwyas seek other clubs if he keep playing them with the other lots!!!

  102. Rockyrocastle07 says:

    That’s the thing Rico…. we are so desperate for someone it almost seems that anyone will do. WHy else is everyone going crazy over the Henry returning story? Yes, he was amazing. Yes, I love the guy. Is he the saviour? Absolutely not. Like I said yesteday, I hope to god I’m wrong, and will be the first to admit if I am. He is a great morale booster and it will be great for him to work with the strikers / young’uns to help them improve. Even if he shows Theo how to actually get the ball off the ground when he crosses, that will be a bonus! But we need someone big, powerful and can get in people’s faces. I think that alan b’stard M P has a point with Drogba. He’d be great for us. Yak is on fire at the moment, you’re right, but would anyone seriously be happy with him at Arsenal? Look how shite he was for Everton.

  103. rico says:

    Hi DG10

    That’s just it Stv – if we sold players like the three that went in the summer and re-invested every penny, we would all understand and accept them going but what did we get, £60M ish??

    How much of that did we actually put back into the side and it’s not the first season that has happened….

  104. rico says:

    Trouble is Rokabox, if Wenger is given £35 Million (for example) and he knows he’s got to buy five players, he can’t blow most of that money of one hefty price signing…

    He has to divide it up and get what he can with the money…

    That’s why i get chessed off with the owner somewhat, they should give him more, we know they have it, and let him spend it on two great signings and 2/3 like we did buying Arteta, Merts and Santos….

  105. DutchGooner10 says:

    @Lee

    Lol comment.Got me rolling on the ground laughing.On the tube riding home.People calling 911 😉

    @allezkev I am into the anti-depression tablets since yesterday.

  106. allezkev says:

    Rokabox:

    I don’t know how long you’ve been an Arsenal fan, but if you aren’t au fait with the clubs history, let me help ya.

    MY knowledge of the club, in my lifetime, and thanks to my Father goes back to 1946, when my Dad first started going to Highbury.

    And Rokabox, there is one constant theme throughout….

    That is, whatever generation, a Board of Directors, averse to spending money.

    We as a club, are tightwads. And that my friend, hasn’t changed…

  107. rico says:

    Henry is just another cheap option (apart from 70K a week), once a great player and i am sure he’ll get us a few goals but long term, he isn’t the solution…. and after the spud game he’s gone back anyway, then what do we do if we are sitting 3rd in the league and RvP gets injured?

    Back in the summer we all hoped for Drog when rumours were he wanted away from the Chavs, The Yak was poor at Everton but it’s all about the service and he’d get plenty of chances with us. Henry was struggling to hit a barn door, then looked what happened when he joined us 😉

    The great Dennis Bergkamp was labelled a flop, we took a risk and the rest is history 😉

    If we could prized him away from the bottom of the league, i’d be a happy bunny 🙂

  108. allezkev says:

    Rocky, my Dad used to tell me about all the players we missed out on in the 1950’s and 1960’s.

    Apparantly Jimmy Greaves was an Arsenal fan and would have walked bearfoot to Highbury to play for us.

    We should have got Dennis Law, Blanchfower, Cliff Jones and whole host of others…..

    Tightwads Rocky. It’s in their DNA….

  109. W.A.T.H says:

    AK, we have sometimes shown a little ambition BUT it was many moons ago… broke the then transfer record for SuperMac and for Clive Allen/Kenny Sanson a month lata with the swap deal lol…… he’s never gotten over that the twisted yid…!

    Since then when have we really showed ambition and intent in the transfer windows…? Bergkamp was the last one that set the heart racing……. Hand on heart who since then..?

  110. Rockyrocastle07 says:

    AK – I hate to think of the players we missed out on when I started supporting Arsenal (born in ’78, started supporting them in about 81/82). So while I grew up watching the Steve Williams and Chris Whyte’s of the world, we could have jad some real world beaters! And we really missed a trick selling Clive Allen! (am I right in thinking that’s when we got Sansom though?).

    Anyway, yes. Massive bunch of tight-arses.

  111. DutchGooner10 says:

    Demba Ba was on a free transfer in the summer.Yet we bought Ju.And the Yak wouldn’t have stretched too many dollars either.

  112. Rockyrocastle07 says:

    Demba Ba has been a massive shock this season. I don’t think many people would have thought he’d have done so well. He does look pretty good though! I still wouldn’t have Yak.

  113. Rockyrocastle07 says:

    WATH – Not many that have set pulses racing, although for some reason I was really excited when we signed Davor Suker! Then again, I remember when I was at school and we signed Glenn Helder, I thought he’d be the next best thing!! He just turned out to be a massive fuckwit!!

  114. allezkev says:

    Wath, i know what you mean mate

    I was delighted when we got Overmars, but even that was on the cheap.

    Rocky, ’78 was a good year mate 🙂

  115. Rokabox says:

    Allezkev, I aknowledge your Arsenal heritage, and respect man!
    you should be in the board.

    what I said is irrelevent of how long I supported Arsenal, having said that its just over 20 years or so, so I know little bit of history!
    and I agree with you that the board is to blame, but only partialy, as I said it’s Wenger and his scout network who brought all these useless players and kept them on the club book.
    I understand that you will not always get it right with players even if they are very very good, as there are other factors might hinder their performance. BUT HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU GIVE THEM!

  116. W.A.T.H says:

    Rocky, i think we paid 1.2million for Clive Allen and then a month lata swapped him for King Kenny,showing ambition and intent would of been to of bought them both….!.

  117. DutchGooner10 says:

    Ju was also a shock who still hasn’t proofed to be a blessing in disguise. And his capture pissed off a club we expect to sell their priced assets to us.I fail to see we made a cheeky signing.Even back then.

  118. W.A.T.H says:

    AK, he was a great signing merely as it so pissed off the swampies but in all honesty i was happy for that reason but it wasnt a signing that made me overly excited like getting DB10….!

    DutchGooner, seems Ju is merely there to sell shirts, sad but true why else does the fella not even make the bench, it’s a disgrace the fact we have stooped so low to sell some f’kin shirts in the far east, maybe they have forgotten winning things also sells shirts and gets you fans….??

  119. Rockyrocastle07 says:

    Hi Rokabox

    I agree with you for the most part. Wenger has a nasty little habit (something I know Rico has mentioned lots of times before) of getting players in and doing his best to ruin them! The scouting network does its job pretty well in my opinion. They tell Wenger about an up and coming player, He then sets the wheels in motion and they become an Arsenal player. He then shafts them by taking them and playing them well out of their position. You can’t buy someone who has played all their youth in a position, then play them in the first team in a position totally alien to them. Even some experienced players struggle to adapt to that (Arshavin anyone?). The youngsters then have bad games as they are not in their right position. They then lose confidence, meaning they play worse. They then grace the bench only to be brought on for the wrong player at a ridiculous time, as Wenger is tactically inept when it comes to substitutions. Then they sulk, and inevitably leave. However, as the summer showed, no-one has a clue who is actually signing players. I agree with a few people that none of the signings made on deadline day were Wengers choices. Does he even know how much money is available to him? Something is rotten at board level, and needs to be sorted one way or another. I’d rather heap more blame on the board (Gazides included) than Wenger, although he doesn’t totally escape scot free. He needs to change things around and quickly,

  120. allezkev says:

    Rokabox;

    Respect to you mate, and you make some very good points and fair comments, and i don’t disagree with your sentiments.
    In fact i have a lot of sympathy with your view.

    But if the Board starve you of funds, then how can you possibly go for the top players???

    Wenger’s scouts are constantly forced to shop in the bargain basement because of our Board.

    A Board that contains one Billionaire and in the near future could have two…

    Wenger is to blame for some of his tatics and his stubborness in sticking with certain players, who it is clear, are not up to the required standard.

    But is he forced to stick with some of them because he hasn’t been given the funds to replace them???

    One day Rokabox, it will all come out, and a right shit-sdandwich it will be…

    20 years eh, you’ve had some good times then…. 😉

  121. allezkev says:

    Wath/Rico i LMFAO…..

    It remains one of the highlights of my Arsenal supporting life.

    I still larf when i think of it now…. hahaha.

    Rocky, you bet mate……. 😉

  122. rico says:

    Rocky – i look forward to hearing a few truths but i strongly suspect Wenger will get paid to keep quiet…..

  123. DutchGooner10 says:

    I wear my arsenal kit head to toe every day.It’s my skin.You can’t put a commercial enterprise on that kind of fanship. Trophies will attract more shop revenue but more importantly a better position at transfer cue.

  124. Rockyrocastle07 says:

    Rico – Like he’s not paid handsomely enough already?! Or maybe that explains his bumper £7m a year deal!

  125. rico says:

    I think it probably does Rocky, Tbh, i think thats why he’s prepared to so much flak…

    But, as you pointed out earlier, he is the one responsible for all things on the pitch and right now we are getting that wrong…. Too many square pegs in rounds holes and i don’t just mean the defence, he can’t really help that right now other than playing Yennaris at Rb instead of JD

  126. allezkev says:

    I know Rico, i know…… 🙁

    Am off for a spell. Great on here again, keep it up lads [ and lassies 😉 ]

  127. DutchGooner10 says:

    @allezkev

    No eredivisie team. I am Gooner DNA to the bare bone.I envy you guys for the history you build with the club from a young age.

  128. Rockyrocastle07 says:

    But like you said, even he’s a CM, not a LB, so it’s still playing people out of position.

  129. DutchGooner10 says:

    I am from the hometown of RVP. Ajax is like what the Spuds are to us. I never felt that rivalry. That’s how I knew I didn’t belong to the Feyenoord flock. My parents hedged a co co egg I guess. found my true feathers when my intrest was mature enough to cross the pond.

  130. Rockyrocastle07 says:

    Fair enough DG10! As long as you feel the rivalry with the spuds and hate them with a passion, that’ll do for us!

  131. goonster says:

    Evening guys…DG just like you I don’t support any Dutch side but I have a soft spot for my home town club vitesse arnherm. So you re from rotterdam? I ve got family in roterdam. Maybe we ll hook up soon. It will

  132. goonster says:

    Evening guys…DG just like you I don’t support any Dutch side but I have a soft spot for my home town club vitesse arnherm. So you re from rotterdam? I ve got family in roterdam. Maybe we ll hook up soon. It will be grand to meet a fellow Dutch gooner. Yeeeeaaaah.

  133. EastSidePaul says:

    I think this rot is going to continue until the fans let their voices be heard, enough with Wenger, enough penny pinching from Stan Kroenke and enough with Ivan Gazidis sitting on his ass while the club falls apart. Sick of it.

  134. goonster says:

    Hi ESP that’s not gonna happen anytime soon kroenke is only here for the money am afraid. We are his little cash cow. K

  135. smudge says:

    rico says:
    January 3, 2012 at 5:05 pm
    I’m going to pop off for a bit – back later….

    A bit of what rico? 😉

  136. DutchGooner10 says:

    Oeps sorry, Goonster. A bit confused by the nick name.Accustomed to the English lingo.

    Except my sincere apology.

  137. goonster says:

    Its alright my man….apology accepted. Its just that DG agag kev and wath ll have my hide if they see that.

  138. goonster says:

    Oh no Rico….DG ll kill me. Please don’t I beg ya. Ok I promise to buy your woofie a brand new gold collar. But please just don’t tell them especially DG kev and agag!

  139. rico says:

    Either way i don’t think we’ll get him this month smudge, maybe in the summer as he doesn’t want to move….

  140. goonster says:

    Thanks mama bear, you re the best. Speaking of which haven’t seen DG all day. I ll bet he still coaching.

  141. allezkev says:

    Actually Lee, i’m suprised you didn’t beat me to the draw mate…

    Stanley, i have to say, tonight, you look, divine…… XXX 😀

  142. Lee says:

    I just got in otherwise both barrels mate….. I don’t think WATH or Devil will let him ‘ave it tho…. 😆

  143. allezkev says:

    Smudge, i think he would really suit us, i’m just worried that it’s Podolski’s agent trying to push up his salery.

    Mind you, Wenger hasn’t refuted the story…..

    As you say, let’s hope so….

  144. rico says:

    And I’m tiptoeing off for the day guys, it’s been another good one 🙂

    You all stay safe and be good, catch up tomorrow…

    Nighty all

  145. goonster says:

    Guys is nashit playing? I lo bet mancini ll be having second thoughts about that little prick now. Haha poetic justice huh? What’s the score AK?

  146. allezkev says:

    Refering back to DG10, and being from Rotterdam, i’ve gotta say that i’ve always had a like for Ajax…

    Just love the way they play, the way they bring youngsters through and the heritage of the club….

  147. Lee says:

    Sad AK, but true….that’s a sad indictment of where our club has gone! There’s no ” our” about it though…..

  148. allezkev says:

    Staninho, your mate Nasri isn’t even on the bench…..

    Clichy is in the starting XI……

    Shittie 1-0

  149. goonster says:

    Roterdam is fun Ak me dad’s family reside there. Can’t stand ajax and psv I ll rather feyenoord wins the eredevise every year. Hate both clubs so much. They remind me of manure and liverpoop.

  150. allezkev says:

    Stan, i first saw Ajax, in the flesh, when we beat them 3-0 in the Fairs Cup Semi-Final, 1969-70….

    Charlie George was unstoppable that day, but there was this young skinny Dutch guy called, er, um, oh yeah, Johann Cryuff, he looked quite good Stan

    Wonder what happened to him??? 🙂

    Been a bit of an Ajax fan ever since, sorry mate… 😉

  151. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Jimmy Greaves was an Ansenal Fan? Great 🙂
    city is tired…Of course, Mancini has doing a few changes.
    spurs 0-0 WBA 44.40 of the fist half

  152. allezkev says:

    Now if we can get hold of that Ajax version of Phil Jones, a certain Jan Vertonghen, then that would make my January, Stan….

  153. goonster says:

    Well good for you Ak…anyway how are the spuds doing? Hope they lose get a few injuries. Come on sunderland come on.

  154. allezkev says:

    JM, i read his book, and yes he was a Gunner as a youngster….

    Good book.

    I thoroughly enjoyed the bits concerning his childhood, Chelsea and AC Milan.

    Then i stopped reading and never went back to it….. 🙂

  155. Lee says:

    He used to drink in the king’s head in hornchurch AK…..then go and play for west ham!!! According to my old man!!

  156. allezkev says:

    Lee, i hope Shittie smash the Scousers and ruin their goal-difference.

    We’re dreaming, if we think we can catch The Oilers

  157. allezkev says:

    I know the Chequers Lee, TA used to sink a few Guiness’s in there i believe.

    The King’s Head, was that the big pub in the middle of the road, on the High St..?

  158. Lee says:

    Nah coming from Romford towards the big pub in the middle of the road take road to upminster and it’s just there on the left….

  159. goonster says:

    I don’t wanna talk about it AK but when I was young those mugs thrashed my home club vitesse arnherm 8:0. I saw my dad cry for the first time. I hated them from that moment. Psv too are cheats too. Bloody Eindoven club. Anyway what’s the current score AK?

  160. allezkev says:

    OK, don’t know that one…..

    Squirrels Heath Road, from Romford?

    At the other end, just on the right, the pub just before the A127, that’s where Parlour was know to have the odd pint…

  161. goonster says:

    Hope the scums lose. Shitty 2 up? Wow. Now that puts our result against them in perspective. Come on sunderland.

  162. alan b'stard M P says:

    Allezkev

    Hi So the reserves have injuries too. Great! So where does Wenger go now for uninjured players?

    What a circus this present board and manager is

  163. alan b'stard M P says:

    exactly. It is the defference between quality players and boofheads.

    Gervinho may have potential, but are we in a position to afford the time for him and those like him to perform.

    No We need competent players now. Strikers and midfielders who can actually score and not suffer from whoie line fever, or take a fucking measurement before shooting and defenders who can defend

    Wenger would not be allowed to run the Wallabies or All blacks like this. He’d be run out of town

Leave your comment.

Discover more from Highbury House

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading