Key midfielder ruled out? Big weekend for top four challenge….

Morning all.

The ‘sign the thing’ saga has started all over again with Theo Walcott as Arsene Wenger has confirmed contract talks are under away…

The first contacts have been established with the embassy! We will see how that progresses politically.

Walcott was difficult to convince (last time) and that’s why it took us much time.

We started very early with him but it was slow progress. He is very quick on the pitch but off the pitch not always.

I want him to stay and be a regular player and fight for his place but no matter where you go if it is a big club you have to compete for your place.

I too want Theo to stay but he’s got to start performing better, he can’t keep on jogging around the pitch waiting for the ball, he’s got to want it more, go and get it and do something with when he does. He’s also got to put a shift in when he plays as right now he’s a luxury and Arsenal can’t afford to have those.

With Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain out for up to a month with a hamstring injury, Wenger added:

It is an opportunity for Theo. He is ready to play.

I think he’ll start today.

West Ham have a few injury concerns – striker Enner Valencia cut his toe after standing on a broken teacup and Alex Song has a knee injury.  They’ll miss him just as they will James Tomkins and Winston Reid who are injured and of course Carl Jenkinson who is ineligible for this game.

Head-to-head

  • Arsenal have won their last nine league and cup games against West Ham, including eight Premier League matches.
  • The Hammers did the double over the Gunners in the 2006-07 season but since then are winless in 14 league and cup games (D2, L12) against them.

Our fixture against the Hammers at Upton Park was a tough one. They sat above us in the league and were playing good football whereas we had been struggling to really click. Nevertheless we came away with all three points. Three big points.

Since then, we’ve been better, well certainly results wise (apart from St Marys and SHL) but West Ham have slipped down the table after a poor 2015.

West Ham United

  • The Hammers are winless in their last seven league and cup games (D3, L4).
  • They have recorded just one victory in 11 Premier League games since Christmas Day (D5, L5).
  • Sam Allardyce has yet to win a Premier League game away to Arsenal in his managerial career, losing seven and drawing three of 10 games.
  • They have kept one Premier League clean sheet away from home this term – against Southampton last month. It is the joint-lowest total in the top flight along with Burnley and QPR.

On paper, today’s match has an Arsenal win written all over it. Monday night was tough, no doubt physically and mentally but these players are professionals and they need to do it all over again today.

2nd place is still up for grabs, as is top spot if the Chavs slip up a few times although that’s highly unlikely now that’s all they are competing for but City face a tricky trip to Burnley tonight and with the home team fighting for the Premier League survival, anything could happen there.

Chelsea face Southampton tomorrow and Utd play Totts on the same day and with Liverpool facing an awkward trip to Swansea on Monday night, points are going to be dropped by those around us so we just have to make sure that come 5pm tonight, three points for Arsenal are on the board.

Do that and they’ll be just one point between us and 2nd place, for a while at least….

COYRRG’S

200 thoughts on “Key midfielder ruled out? Big weekend for top four challenge….

  1. Adam says:

    Ah, humour. I think he’ll leave. For what he costs the club have had limited value during this contract. He’s been in a comfort zone for years.

  2. Brian Price says:

    Hi Rico
    I think its good news about contract talks, players always try harder both to impress Arsene and other managers. I hope he doesn’t sign until the Ox is fit again 🙂 – he’ll go back to sleep once he signs.
    I thought it was a turning point for us when he signed the last contract, it was when we started paying big wages to sign and keep players – we let RvP go because we wouldn’t pay him what he wanted. It was just as we finished paying for The Emirates, since Theo we have competed to some degree in the transfer market, and have not had young players pinched.

    Brian
    ,

  3. rico says:

    Hi Agag, Jm and Brian…

    Theo is a bit of a crock Agag, but he’s not alone in that department… 😉

    Brian, it’ll be interesting to see what he plays like once he gets a start, especially after what AW has said and he’s right…

  4. Wavy says:

    Morning all.
    Theo will go because he is third choice behind the Ox and Gnabry. Perhaps even further back, down the middle there are Le Quiff, Welbz and Sanogo! He may get the odd game playing in the ‘cup’ teams, Milk Cup and or FA Cup, early rounds.
    If as we hear he is losing his pace and that was his only real weapon, he will not last much longer at the club of the gun! Imo, of course.
    2-0 today, workmanlike performance rather one full of excitement, I think. Holding a bit back before our stunning win in Monaco, 0-3 to the away team, I reckon.
    And then I woke up and it was all a dream

  5. agirlagunner says:

    Hello, all. 🙂 Was waiting for you to start defending Theo, rico. 😛 😛 Surprised about AW’s comments, tbh. A bit loaded, they are. In any case, Theo should start playing out of his skin again, if he wants a good contract. He certainly did the last time. 😉

  6. Adam says:

    I imagine That Wenger is pointing out that a new contract is a two way thing and that his reluctance to use Theo lately has rather underlined that fact. In other words, Walcott needs to earn the contract rather than it just being handed to him because of what he ‘may’ do sometime in the future or has done in the past.

  7. agirlagunner says:

    Hello, Adam. 🙂 How are you, sir?? ANy new outfits of note? 😀 I quite agree about Theo needing to earn his pay, his place, etc. He is capable of much, but often delivers little. 😕

  8. rico says:

    Rightly so Adam. For too long we’ve been soft when dishing out contracts.

    But I’d imagine AW does want him to stay as it would cost a lot of money to replace him as I can’t see any club paying £20m for him as has been suggested…

  9. goonster says:

    Don’t sell theo….don’t sell theo he ll come back and bite us in the butt. Keep him at all cost. this ll not end well. He may be limited and atrocious sometimes but you can’t doubt his finishing which has improved tremendously. He ll score for fun against our high lone defense. No current player bends the ball like Pires and titi used to do than Walcott. This will not end well. Mark my words. The Oracle haa spoken 😀 : morning housers

  10. agirlagunner says:

    Adam, no new chartreuse coat with red lapels? 😛 Hello, to Mrs. Adam. 🙂

    rico, I myself can’t see Theo selling for megabucks, when his injury record is against him, and his speed is in question.

  11. goonster says:

    Rico theo improved massively prior to his injury against the scums. He was harrying the opposition players tracking back and making himaelf a general nuisance up top. Plus his finishing is off the charts. Go look at his goal against shitty at the wastelands. What a peach of a goal. We need to keep him. Don’t let those scummy scousers get their dirty minks on him. #don’t sell theo

  12. goonster says:

    There’s a compilation of him on YouTube granted youtube can make gerwanko look like the reincarnation of Ronaldo de lima but theo has really improved. We want to cast him aside now because we have alexis right? An alexis that goes missing away from home?? An alexis that is not a team player. He’s a beast of a player don’t get me wrong but he tends to play as an individual not part of the team and his cutting in and shooting is beginning to piss me off. Theo has scored against all top 4 opposition and against barfa. He’s got big balls and steps up in big games. Alexis goes missing. Don’t sell theo alexis and theo ll make us a stronger team. A “theo less ” arsenal team is every bit weaker. You don’t know what you have until you lose it. #don’t sell theo

  13. goonster says:

    49 49 undefeated 49 49 I say 49 49 undefeated playing football the arsenal way….come on you fucking gunners. Yeaaaaaaaaahhhh. Am so chuffed. I ve got my mojo back guys. We hate totenham we hate totenham. Come on. 😀 :

  14. rico says:

    Agag, I don’t think his speed has gone really, he’s just not using it enough..

    Goonster, I don’t want him sold, just to improve when he gets his chance. If he wants to stay, he’s got to fight for his place and with OC out, he might just get his chance…. But, if Wenger plays Welbeck on the right, we know we’ll get more from him defensively.

  15. Adam says:

    I doubt many want to sell him but there is a business side of things to take into consideration Stan. He earns about £5 million a year which is nearly as much as Lee. Could the club get a better deal for that position? I don’t think that Theo holds the aces this time round. Having said that, I would like him to stay.

  16. goonster says:

    morning AK how are ya this lovely morning? Arsenal is doing well life is good. Oooh to be oooh to be oooh to be a be a

  17. allezkev says:

    I agree with Adam, I think that Theo could leave…

    I suppose it all depends on how realistic his demands are, or the demands of his Embassy…

    Wenger has to go through the charade of negotiations, but I suspect that the ‘powers that be’ are tiring of the contractual games…

  18. goonster says:

    Nah rico adam makes a cool million every week off his book. What a miser still won’t buy me a meal at the turnip. Adam you shylock you.

  19. goonster says:

    What embassy kev?? Wenger sometimes speaks klingon (spelling ) what is he talking about? ? Explain please adam.

  20. Wavy says:

    Morning all.
    Theo will go because he is third choice behind the Ox and Gnabry. Perhaps even further back, down the middle there are Le Quiff, Welbz and Sanogo! He may get the odd game playing in the ‘cup’ teams, Milk Cup and or FA Cup, early rounds.
    If as we hear he is losing his pace and that was his only real weapon, he will not last much longer at the club of the gun! Imo, of course.
    2-0 today, workmanlike performance rather one full of excitement, I think. Holding a bit back before our stunning win in Monaco, 0-3 to the away team, I reckon.
    And then I woke up and it was all a dream

  21. goonster says:

    Wavy it’s all a myth. He can’t lose his pace yet the boy is not even 26 yet. His best years are ahead of him and I hate it when people bunch aoc gnabry and theo together the aforementioned are all mid fielders while theo is a striker. Wavy my man theo’s best years are still ahead of him. I ll hate to see him peak with the scousers or worse still with the chavs#spits

  22. goonster says:

    Yeah right adam and am one eyed gnome. Dude you ve got cash stashed away. A quarter million here a quarter million there. Just spare a few change that’s all am asking you mong. A few millions with my name on it is a start 😀 :

  23. Wavy says:

    Rico, it was a joke! Sanogo is light years behind Walnut! Well maybe not that far……watch the space up front!
    Agree about Theo. he needs to perform more consistently and become a crucial member of the team. At present he is a bit of a loner stuck out on his wing without any mates to help him! However, when he gets the ball and there is only fresh air in front of him you know that something special is going to happen, either he will run like the wind and cross the ball for a goal to be scored or he will run and shoot, he will score or he will miss or he will make a goal. One thing is for certain, when he gets the ball and is given Theo space, he raises the heart beat, increases the excitement and gets the adrenalin rushing. Trouble is he doesn’t do it often enough! He has his moments! Just not enough of them!
    Has he earned a new contract? Not yet, and I think that’s what Wenger was implying!

  24. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Sanogo has playing?
    Pod was out Inter team since the first two games…
    Hope someone in Germany wants him at he end of the season

  25. allezkev says:

    Stan, I can confirm, that Adam does in fact, rely on the charity of friends…

    But we don’t mind as he is such a decent fellow… 😉

  26. Lee says:

    Adam recently bought a Caribbean Island and had it carpeted…..
    I think his surname is Branston or something like that….

  27. goonster says:

    Qpr down by 2…good I can’t stand those scummy bastards. Their ground looks like a potato patch….Hahahahahah I typed this and they concede a third. Oh lord.

  28. goonster says:

    Howdy lee….I have that feeling too. The boys are on a high but i ll take a routine one nil to the arenal.

  29. allezkev says:

    32,000 tickets for the semi-final…

    Probably less for the Final…

    Well the FA can stick their cup where the sun don’t shine…

    The TV and setee for me.
    A few chilled beers, maybe some spicy noodles…

    A good view of the game.

    No travelling to that armpit of London, Brent…

    No queing for the bog or the bar…

    No brainer!

    Plus save a fortune into the bargain…

    Hiya Lee…
    Was it Tobago?

  30. Bt62 Gooner says:

    Nice post, Rico.
    3pts is a must today, can’t see anything else, maybe hard fought but a win it should be.
    Regarding Theo, i’ve already giving my thoughts on that situation and nothing has changed.
    Watched Monaco last night win 3-0, quite interesting, played against 10 and then 9 men,

    Afternoon to you all..

  31. goonster says:

    Bolasie too good for palace.. .what a player. Watch the scums put in a bid for him in the summer. Lol. Forever in our shadow.

  32. Bt62 Gooner says:

    All good Goonie, i trust you and The Princess are keeping well?

    I’d take a mauling but you still only get 3 pts…..

    Though it would swell the goal difference.

  33. goonster says:

    We re in high spirits bt thanks….ordered for her arsenal kit last week. About time brianna know she is of gooner stock 😀 : I think theo ll have a stormer today bt just to prove a point and strengthen his corner. Theo is no mug he ll take his chance today I feel for cresswell. Is he going to get it today.

  34. goonster says:

    Lol….you said it bt don want het growing up watching baseball or American football. she needs to know she’s of gooner stock. Plus if she ever refers to it as soccer I ll disown her 😀 :

  35. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Arsenal: Ospina, Chambers, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Ramsey, Walcott, Ozil, Alexis, Giroud

  36. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Good Afternoon Lovelies and Hunkies.

    Just saw a very good build up which began from Koscielny. That was simply superb.

    Hiya Goonie. How are you mate?? Theo should have buried that….but did not do so. Chance went abegging.

  37. goonster says:

    Devil he’s really not doing himself any favors….but why do we always shoot directly at the keeper….giroooooood

  38. goonster says:

    What a goal….he’s been plugging at it all day. That lay off to theo is world class. Now I see why maureen wanted him to be the new drog. He’s world class I don’t care what anyone says.

  39. Wavy says:

    Goo id, Theo has had a hat trick of misses! I’ll settle for just one from him. We’ll wait for the hat trick on Tuesday!! And happy to defer my gratification!

  40. allezkev says:

    I wouldn’t mind seeing Akpom get a run out today…
    If West Ham are chasing the game, his pace could be very useful…

  41. Joaquim Moreira says:

    monaco played very well yesterday
    Walcottt cofirms what i’ve been saying this season.
    The most difficult is done,…

  42. Wavy says:

    Explain my dear ipad. What the f..k is Goo Id? Is it some kind of psychological typing or is it another unacceptable intrusion into my use of language?? Let me tell you, you stupid data based idiot it was supposed to read what I wrote NOT WHAT YOU CORRECTED. I wrote:
    Goonie, it was/is the name of someone………Pratt of an Apple product!

  43. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Some stats to help you with the match report LAdy.

    Possession….AFC 74% WHU 26%
    Shots on target……AFC 6 WHU 1
    Shots off target……AFC 5 WHU 0
    Corners AFC 5 WHU 2

    Number of chances missed….Theo 3, Alexis 2

  44. goonster says:

    Alexis try too much dev he’s not my kinda player. More of an individual than a team player. Plus his passes are erratic. Needs to release the ball earlier. Somebody needs to talk to him.

  45. goonster says:

    Hahahahahah wavy tell me about it. Stupid touch screen phones. I ll give anything to have a normal phone again. Lol I feel your pain my man.

  46. Hell Raising Devil says:

    To know how much good are WHU players….just ask yourself this question……Which of the WHU players would you take for the AFC team???

    Remember……..to put in a player you must take off an AFC player.

    imo I would not change any player.

  47. Wavy says:

    3-0……can we produce the same result on Tuesday or will we freeze? I believe we can win away from home and do enough to go through!

  48. kel says:

    Good win today played with a good tempo and the competition for places at Arsenal is fierce but healthy. the only negative is wastefulness, could have been 6 or 7 easily imo…

  49. goonster says:

    Mickooooooooooooooooooooo where have you been my Irish friend. It’s saint Patrick’s day here
    What are your plans?? Just saw a few Irish bums walk past me all drunk and reeking of ale.

  50. Micko says:

    Howdy Stan, busy shopping for tsgh, need to find him a green hat and white socks for Saint Patricks day to match his ginger beard.

  51. joe says:

    Evening from the sun burnt and drunk correspondent from Tenerife yippie Özil on the pitch for 80 odd minutes Flam comes on and scores with he’s first touch. 🙂

  52. goonster says:

    Can’t wait to watch the game again on arsenal player. giroud had a stormer. One of his best games in an arsenal shirt. 53 goal since we signed him. Things are looking up. Upwards and onwards. Victoria Concordia crescit. Come on arsenal.

  53. Hell Raising Devil says:

    just by looking at our comments you can draw up the game report Rico. We were great in possession, trememdous going forward….very poor in finishing. We should have been 3-0 by the first half hour Rico. As it is we were only 1-0 up.

    Theo???? that is another story.

  54. goonster says:

    Dev atleast he made runs behind the hammer defense your boy sanchez did fuck all for 70 minutes. He’s a world class player not just a team player.

  55. goonster says:

    OG has really settled into this team. He’s form lately barring the Monaco debacle has been sensational. Is there a target man with his silky smooth touch any where??? I don’t think so. OG is class. So glad he’s finally repaying the faith I showed in him. Top man.

  56. rico says:

    One of the sky sports pundits was defending Cesc Fabregas recent form, suggesting that any player who is just back from injury will always struggle for a while..

    Fabegas has been out for a couple of weeks hadn’t he? Must be even harder for a player who has been out for nearly a season…

    Look at how long it took Ramsey and then last season he was on fire…..

  57. goonster says:

    flamini scoring makes it 17 different scorers for us this season. One man team my ass. Come on arsenal.

  58. rico says:

    I love Sanchez and think he’s very much a team player.. Wasn’t long ago he didn’t go for an open goal, instead choosing to pass for Welbeck (I think) to score….

    His work ethic for the team is immense…. Imo

  59. goonster says:

    DG I love his altitude and never say die spirit but I feel he hugs the ball way too much. A simple pass would have made a difference instead of trying to dribble pass 3 players. OG’s and ramsey’s goal was sublime but trust me had that been sanchez we wouldn’t have scored both. wengerball is based on passing and movement not trying to beat 7 players.

  60. Micko says:

    Hi rico, the doubles still on ! that was Rambo’s 7th goal for us this season, still possible he’ll hit doubles figures.

    As for mid-week, if anyone isn’t fully committed to the cause don’t bother getting on the plane to Monaco……simples.

    Think Burnley got a draw at the Wastelands earlier on in the season, there’s hope yet.

  61. allezkev says:

    Yeah Stan, I love his altitude as well mate. 🙂

    Saw the goals, brilliant combination play and quality finishes from Giroud and Ramsey…

    Flamini had an easy task, but he was there!
    And the bums up play was excellent…

  62. andrewh1313 says:

    Starting to dream of runners up. If we are playing for second, top four will just fall into our laps and actually be a less pressure situation.

    How many teams this season don’t have to pre-qualify for CL? Know we are losing points as a country.

  63. Joaquim Moreira says:

    well just one point behind citizens…
    when walcott was replaced I said for myself: “yes, we will win the match now!”

  64. Micko says:

    Ha ha rico, fair play, but it must be hard getting yourself motivated to play in a stadium with a 5K capacity when your used to playing in front of 60K every other week.

  65. Hell Raising Devil says:

    OMG OMG OMG

    Burnley beat shitty????? 1-0

    just one point behind shitty then???

    If the chavs get two consecutive draws and we win then its on as well.

    but one thing at a time.

    unbelievable…………but joy all the same

  66. joe says:

    Are we starting to dream again, maybe it’s just me but I thought Walcott should have had a penalty. For his first chance didn’t think Collins got anything on the ball but you know what I am like and referring decisions.

  67. scottfromoz says:

    Until Aaron bags 3 in a 3-1 win, it means nothing.
    Well, it actually means plenty 🙂
    Giroud is on fire…..14 goals from 24 games is not bad for a donkey, though nowhere near as good as that shite arseholes who has 17 from 32 🙂 🙂
    Giroud has become a little more clinical this season leading to a damn fine conversion rate, and it’s good to see us winning games we SHOULD be winning.
    Burnley are my new second favourite team.
    Morning all.

  68. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Joe…..I felt that way too re Theo penalty. Contact was made definitely however its not so clear cut it was a penalty.

    The question is this……..did Collins make contact with Theo and the latter fell as a result…or….Did Theo make contact with Collins and fell as he saw contact was made?

    Or was it a 50/50 with both going in and only Theo fell?

    We can have the hindsight of a replay…..but Foy, being old as he is and therefore cannot keep up with play, only has half a second to make a decision.

  69. Micko says:

    Like Arsene, a lot of my comments get lost in translation !

    Enjoy the Voice, I’m off out to play.

    Have a good evening Gooners.

  70. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Good Morning Lovelies and Hunkies.

    Such a good morning it is. And I wish it to you whether you feel it is a good morning or whether you feel its a morning to feel good in. And a morning is always good when it comes after a good evening.

    Imo……this is the formation AW should go with vs Monaco……

    Ospina
    Bellerin, Gabriel, Kos, Nacho
    Coquelin
    Danny, Cazorla, Aaron,Sanchez
    Giroud

    Why Gaby and not Per??? its to give speed at the the back and quickness of thought plus we need a high line against Monaco.

    Why Cazorla and Aaron when Ozil is shining??? Yes Ozil is shining and giving great balls. However imo Aaron is more direct and when Ollie brings him into play he usually scores.

    Why Bellerin and Nacho and no Chamberlain and Gibbs??? Bellerin will fly against Monaco while Nacho holds a bit back to protect the back. And yesterday he nearly was on the scoresheet again only to be flagged offside.

  71. scottfromoz says:

    Morning all.
    Hiya Devil.
    Whoever we put out is capable of doing the job,
    It’s a matter of finding those whose attitude is right, and I can’t disagree with your list.
    How are you champ?

  72. allezkev says:

    Morning Rico, Scott, Coach and All…

    Had my cab broken into last night. Mess all over the place, and the cnut stole my radio (worth about £5)…
    I could have committed murder!

    Still, we won, City lost and it’s looking like its gonna end up a good season for us Gooners, so look on the bright side…

  73. allezkev says:

    Thanks Rico/Scott, yeah it’s all good other than the broken window…

    It’s not as if I leave anything valuable in my cab, I ain’t that dumb.
    I guess whoever broke in, didn’t find anything worth stealing and just took the radio as an afterthought, that’s how thick these wankers are.
    The radio is worthless, but there ya go.
    We’re dealing with morons here…

  74. allezkev says:

    Now if Southampton can beat the Chavs…
    And ManUre draw with the Spuds…
    Then I’ll be a very happy chappie…
    Also if Swansea beat the Scousers on Monday…
    And Reading beat Bradford… 😉

  75. allezkev says:

    There’s some tasty fixtures coming up for those teams around us…
    If only we’d had a better start to this season, we’d be right up along with the Chavs….
    If only!

  76. rico says:

    Just think, if we had been able to turn just three of the draws against the ‘lesser’ sides into wins, we’d be top of the league…

    Still, anything can happen yet I guess… 😉

    New post up now…

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