Lauren Koscienly has been talking about our up and down performances, the player had serious doubts about our season after the 8-2 drubbing at Old Trafford:
The beginning of the season was a catastrophe. We’d lost players who were key to our system. We recruited late, and it took a while for us to gel.
We were whopped at Old Trafford. Everybody thought we were dead and buried. But you don’t lose your football like that, like snapping your fingers.
It can happen that a grain of sand falls in the machine, and the machine stalls; then you start to have doubts about your qualities, your club, your coach, everything…..
There is no doubting that the team picked itself up well after that awful result but they still lack what if takes to get through and win matches that can go either way and too many of those have ended up with us dropping points, we can’t afford another day like that tomorrow.
There are suggestions that Szczesny has a bad back and is a doubt for tomorrow but I think we can safely say that it would take more than a little backache to keep our Pole out.
We have to hope he’s fit as the thought of Fabianski or Almunia stepping for such an important fixture is scary, neither have played in months.
One player who is fit and raring to go for tomorrow is Francis Coquelin, he says that he’s been pleasantly surprised by the number of first-team opportunities he has had this season:
When I look back at this season I would say I am really happy. I didn’t expect to play that much in the first place and I had my chance this season to show what I can do on the pitch.
Obviously a few injuries have backed me off a bit but I am generally pleased with the season. The manager trusts me as a right back or a left back. At some points in the season we had a lot of injuries so that helped me to get a lot of games.
I really hope he starts tomorrow. Song has become far too gung-ho over the last few months and he’s leaving gaps behind him, gaps which Ramsey hasn’t been able to fill but Coquelin no doubt would but knowing Wenger, he’ll stick to his rigid formation, play the same eleven as last weekend and make his substitutions at the same time as usual unless they are forced.
Bit of bad news for us, Peter Odemwingie has returned to training and should feature for the Baggies tomorrow and Clint Dempsey is out of the Fulham game…
We could have done without that….
Have a good day all, not long to go……..
First….. 😀
Morning Rico,
Morning Gooners,
Evening Scott.
Fabianski…….. NO NO NO……
He’s the kiss of defeat…
Morning all…
😆 AK
Really hope the Ches story is b****x….
Coquelin might get a game at right-back, therefore Wenger will pick an unchanged midfield?
Thats what i fear too, why play him there though when we have a Rb in Jenks, also Yennaris…
I really don’t want to see Ramsey playing tomorrow….
I posted last night, that Mannone is the only candidate whose played regular 1st team football recently and has had a good season at Hull with a string of clean sheets…
I really do not want to see Fabianski between the posts, that guy is just walking disaster…
Yeah, i can see your point Rico, and i tend to agree about Coq in m/f with Jenks at r/b, but we all know dear old Arsene eh?
I watched Hull play West Ham AK, Mannone made a great save then made a right hash of things…
Also, did you see the bit about Martinez? He went on an emergency loan to oxford, played in their playoff match, let three soft goals in and was returned to us straight after…
Not the best…
Don’t we just AK, he’s a stubborn one sometimes….
So basically, what you’re saying Rico, is if Szczesny doesn’t play, that we’re buggered…. 🙁
That’s exactly it AK 😉
Fabianski is the best option and he’s dodgy to say the least… When did he actually last play, must have been one of the cups…
Here we go again then….
Arsène Wenger expects a relatively quiet summer in the transfer market – at Arsenal and beyond.
The Arsenal manager has already snapped up Cologne striker Lukas Podolski ahead of the 2012/13 season and he has been linked with many more potential signings. Wenger admits he may add “one or two” new recruits but he thinks that clubs will be restricted by squad quotas and economic troubles.
“We have already bought Podolski and we have bought five players during the season when it had already started,” Wenger told Arsenal Player.
“Our job will be focused on inside [matters] now we have Podolski. That means to get Jack Wilshere and Abou Diaby back in a healthy situation and then I believe we have quite a big squad. It will be [our intention] to trim a little bit and if possible add one or two players.
“I believe that the summer will be quiet for many reasons,” he added. “First of all in England you have a 25-man limited squad number. Secondly the financial situation all over Europe is really bad and in some countries they have other worries than football. Therefore I expect it to be quiet.
“In our job, and this is like a football match, it is not completely predictable. But on the vibes I get even from the clubs who are big spenders, they all want to slow down.”
Got a few things to do this morning so best get on whilst the sun is shining, catch up in a while….
Wenger sometime is our problem , play coqullin in midfield with Song & Rosicky instead of Ramsey and play Jenkinson at Rb and if d team is nt playing well he should stand up and shout at them like Fergie use to do.
I dont think playing Coquelin ahead of Song is the answer. Song is a better player and can make something happen in the final third if we are struggling.
Wenger just needs to grow a pair and tell him to hold his position. Wenger is way too easy on the players, Song has been wandering for the last few games but i would bet the house that Wenger hasnt taken him aside and told him to stop doing it. Its the same with Vermaelen.
I can’t AW is going to do it again. He’s lost his balls for the job its so clear its painful. Either the board are telling him not to spend or he’s lost it, it can’t be both. He’s like an old women with a virgina ham under her arm who’s crying because she has no bread. I wonder if the share dividends have been paid yet? I bet until Kronke gets his money then the fans will be left out to dry. Does AW realise this really is his last chance, spend or go has got to be the chants. We are going so mediocre next year if soemthing doesn’t change. I’m really dpressed now I really thought it had sunk in.
gambon,
i hope Coq plays alongside Song, leaving out ramsey, no way can we afford to leave Song out…
Welcome Epl, that’s my hope too…
Scravaldio – lets get tomorrow done, the right result and finish ahead of the totts – then let’s see what he does in the transfer window – as we keep saying here, the window is not even open yet…
Ches is fine 🙂
Wenger is hopeful that Theo Walcott will pass a fitness test on his hamstring and return to the squad after three weeks out. Despite suggestions to the contrary, Wojciech Szczesny is fine. Bacary Sagna had surgery on his broken leg this week so Francis Coquelin will deputise at right back.
wenger should play yenaris at RB nd song,rosicky, benayoun in MF, then rvp,chamberlain, gervinho up front. Walcot shld be on d bench 4 an impact late in d game wen d oponent ar tired
Morning all nice one Rico,
Scravldio, You poor hard done by Arsenal supporter Top four for sixteen years and champions league football on top of that, just think of the 16 17 teams under us and some being relegated their wages being cut and some sold of to cut their costs and you feel hard done by, consider yourself lucky that as a boy you chose the right club as things could have been so much worse stop whingeing at how bad Wenger manages and realise he’s one of the best about, all of us would like to see us winning the league and champions league but we support a sport that is extreamly competative, and although we are a rich club we have to realise that the people holding the purse strings are more concerned with turning a profit that actually winning things. I have no doubts that if Wenger had had mountings of cash at his disposal for all those 16 years we would of had a lot more trophies in the cabinet he does his best with what he’s given and to be quite honest how many other managers would give us the longevity that he has so by all means have a moan but don’t crucifi one of the best managers Arsenal have ever had.
Scravaldio :-The board for whom I have no love actually do not take share dividends , this is something that they voted against and one of the stumbling blocks to Usmanov coming on board.
You can take Wenger’s squad comments to read that he has tried to set up deals to make space in his squad for new players but that the financial position throughout Europe means that no-one is buying what we are selling and that natural wastage i.e. ends of contract will be the only way to pare them out.
Shame to see our eggs back in the Diaby basket but if and it’s a big if he stays fit for more than 5 minutes he is potentially a £15 million player.
wenger should not play Ramsy at all.Ramsy is a flop ever since he came back from injury.He looses ball and he never give a correct pass.i will like to see the like of coquiline,song,rosicky,ox,wallcot at the mid-field.with ramsy at that mid-field,arsenal might lose the match.up gunner 4 life.
Morning Potter good comments there, Diaby being spoken about and all we see in this player is injuries all the time but as you have rightly said a season like Robins had would elivate Diaby to a highly sought after player I’m sure Wenger can see that in the future the only trouble is getting him fit to play the next game 🙂
Morning Steve –
‘although we are a rich club we have to realise that the people holding the purse strings are more concerned with turning a profit that actually winning things.’
Certainly seems to be the case….
One more day and then we can all put on our amateur psychiatrist’s hats and work out the difference between what Wenger says and what he actually means. I must say I find him increasingly negative and quite boring these days. He is a man in his 60s who finds himself earning a fortune and in, what seems, an unassailable position. His legacy will be the early successes and of course the Emirates stadium but I think that his performances over the past few seasons have been average. He is the figurehead of the club and it’s face to the outside world. I know he is well respected by many but he has made enemies of officialdom everywhere and I think that this is why we regularly get shafted by officials at home and abroad. But I also believe he has played fast and loose with the team by being too loyal to many players and by not having enough strength in depth to really sustain a serious challenge for the PL championship. But my major problem with him is that he has failed to address our defensive frailties for years and years. Look at how many goals we have conceded. Some say that Bould will sort this but I am not so sure. After all, he has had access to quality defensive coaches for all this time and has never really used them. I have always supported Wenger but I really feel as if he isn’t going to change much now and his press conference yesterday was a real downer. Surely the club needs an injection of new ideas, energy and some financial backing too. I want to hear our manager say that he is fed up with being second, third or fourth best and he wants to put the club back at the top and will do absolutely everything required to do that. I really don’t want another economics lecture.
Hi Potter
I see the problem being that now AW has acted early and agreed a deal for Podolski, many expect more deals quickly but that isn’t going to happen until the TW actually opens, and certainly not before Monday when any player that AW is after wants to know if we will be in the CL…
I still believe/hope that we will get 3rd tomorrow and Vertonghen chooses us.
I know the Pod deal has been agreed, but not convinced he can actually sign until the 1st July….
Morning Marshal, that seems to be the trouble with the Arsenal team they all have a tendancy to give the ball away too often, and i can only think i have seen us play two games this season where all the players were realy backing one another up with at least two options to lay the ball off many the time has come where a player has no where to go that should never be the case lazy play puts us straight under pressure and were off our guard we have a good team but the effort they sometimes put in is scandelous
Hi Adam
That’s the way AW is, you know he tells nothing to the media and nor will he knock his players in public.
Saying he’s fed up with not winning anything just isn’t ever going to happen, I strongly suspect inside that is how he feels.
Totally agree that he stays too loyal to many average players and he should be more ruthless when it comes to selling them but if the board won’t give him the money, his hands are some what tied….
I’d still love to see what AW would give us under Usmanov….
Welcome to those just joining HH today..
marshal – i tend to agree with Steve, its not just Ramsey who has been off, the whole team apart from one or two need to take a good look at themselves in the mirror, and before tomorrow….
We can’t afford any bad apples turning up for the Baggies, otherwise we will be beaten…
Is he wrong??
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/i-like-the-europa-league-says-wenger-worryingly-for-arsenal-fans-7737886.html
Hi Rico. I think he would get the money if he asked. Don’t forget that, when asked what he would do if given £100 million, he said he would give it back. Do you really believe that if he went to the board and said, “we are light in strikers, Chamakh has been a disaster and Park isn’t going to make it” or “we have a major problem brewing in CM as Wilshire won’t play this season, Song is ill-disciplined, Ramsay has lost his way and Diaby is forever injured” that they wouldn’t give him what he wanted. I don’t buy it I am afraid. They know he has put the club in this advantageous financial position. But, let’s not forget that when he was asked if he would buy Kompany, before he went to Man City for £6.5 million, he said he knew him well but that we didn’t need him. As for Usmanov? I say yes, but doubt that Wenger would take advantage of his riches. It would be more flakes from the French leagues I think.
Fair point Adam but I never beileve anything that man says….
Blinding comment Adam, i must admit this team do have a tendancy to bore the hell out of me on several occasions and although i support Wenger he could definitly improve in many ways his leaving substitutions till the 70 minute could do with refreshing , and as you say his defensive strategy is nowhere as good as it should be, you make a good point about our defensive coaches and from what i have read not much time in training is given to defensive play that in itself is suicidal and has hurt us badly this year, Maybe it is time for fresh new idea’s and perhaps someone that can bring more enthusiasm to the team but would i take that chance, i don’t really know
Rico. Who? .Wenger?
Steve. It’s a conundrum that many Arsenal fans are caught in.
Morning. smashing day.
i am also not keen on Fabianski (joey from friends) between the sticks. Also we deffo need song on the pitch….He just needs a stern talking to about leaving gaping holes. You can imagine the WB team talk and if they have any sense they will look for space in behind song, possible areas down the left and set pieces. So dont let them. Cant believe Dempsey is out..Dang! But anyway. we are BETTER than west brom and thats a fact.
Hi Thorny. Unfortunately mate we are better than many teams who have beaten us. And there lies a big problem.
I fear the risks are greater than the need at the moment Adam, lose tommorow may just be the time to start.
Thorny Morning mate, Song gives me the impression of arrogance he has to have the most outragious hairsyles and the brightest colours, whats all that about, he gives me the big i am attitude and i read recently that he has been sought after by other clubs, personally i think he does on the whole a good job but he also shows me that he thinks he’s better than he really is.
Yes Adam – Wenger
He gets asked daft questions by the press and for him it appears to be a game when answering them – but he forgets the fans read his reply.
I find it all a bit childish tbh.
The reason I would like to see what he would be like under a different owner is that he would finally become accountable, someone like AU would not be prepared to watch what/who we have to suffer and AW would have one of two choices.
Rectify what is desperately needed, or let someone else come in and do so….
Steve. You are perhaps right in that it is the easier way through the muddle. Is Arsene going to change? I ask myself that all the time. I have grown old asking myself that and yet he has never disappointed me by doing so. He has made the same mistakes year in year out though this should not detract from the many good things he has done. Is Arsenal a young, vibrant club with a winning mentality? They certainly have the means to compete, but are we stuck in the middle of Arsene’s World Economic View which is why we wait 2 seasons for Chamakh on a free? I would love a rejuvenated Wenger to buy the players we need and ship out the rubbish, even taking a loss on them if I could look at the squad on the eve of the first game next season and think that we had a real chance of winning the PL. I haven’t felt this for years and years and I have been proved right as I am sure many of us have been.
Morning thorny
On paper we are better, but WBA will have something that we lack so often and that is the desire to fight for victory…
I hope of course that we win but if we turn up thinking the game will be a breeze, we will probably end up 5th by 5pm tomorrow….
Agree completely about the accountability Rico.
I’m off to bed guys.
My backs playing up,so I’ve doped myself up….waiting for it to kick in.
Talk to you all tomorrow.
Devil,my boys had only 3 players v 4 today.
The 3 rose to the occasion and won 19-1(we scored an own goal).
Quite incredible performance considering its a 30 minute game!!!
Sean scored two with his left foot,so I was ecstatic.
Catch you later guys.
What’s sad is that we have all been saying the same things for goodness knows how long, how/why nothing has changed within the club beggars belief….
Night Scott, hope your back gets better….
Rico. You are right of course and it does get rather déjà-vu doesn’t it? Rather like the last few years under Wenger really.
rico, adam. Absolutely bang on…we have been beaten because we expect a win against those teams. How about that champs league game last year against that little Portugese team Braga. We flew in 2 hrs before and didnt train on the pitch, got beaten because of that very point. however look how we raise our game against city etc. My point is that after fluffing it up 4 times rcently we should be treating this match like a game against city or something. If we dont raise our game and Expect to win then lord knows what the coaching staff and the players minds have been up to this week.
Morning,
I hope wengers press talk about moving and replacing players was just
a desperate vote of confidence to the players, after all you can’t say I will replace you lot once we finish our last game of the season, and you expect them to perform.
Agree though its boring all that economic shite!
Adam that last comment is me down to a tee,I honestly can’t imagine Wenger being responsible for our lack of buying quality as he has seen real quality in this team in the past i feel his wings have been clipped but if its proven that the money has been there and he had decided to ignore it he would have to go in my eyes.
Rico, i can only see a very long slog for Usmanov and i feel he could get pissed off before he gets there it seems intolorable to supporters that for the want of a few players we have reached a sticking point, i don’t and can’t understand why when its plain to see in our eyes that we are so close to a team that could win things only for the purse strings to stay shut. last season broke my heart christmas we needed a couple od defenders and we could so easily have kept our momentum but they do nothing only for us to fall away so drasticly.
Ok. Here’s a question for you. Do you think that, if we do get CL football next season, Wenger’s plans will be different to those if we don’t qualify?
4/5 years now I think Adam….
thorny – sheer arrogance and complacency on the clubs part, shocking
Hi Rokabox,
I’d like to think the same, but…..
Us fans are expected to see heavens through the eye of a needle, each season.
I mostly underline my opinion with what Adam and Steve Palmer already mentioned. Thanks mates.
But what I would like to add is this.
In my observation the Arsenal today tries to beat competitors in direct confrontations. While ages ago, it seems, we would have an assembly and squad spirit that made any competition irrelevant.
Henry Ford once said: If I had asked my customers what they wanted, they probably would’ve said “a faster horse”.
My point is if you can’t identify such visionary you shouldn’t be allowed to own a world brand, such as our beloved club. Silent Stan is an anchor around our necks. Wenger/The Aristo Cats or Gazidis aren’t our Club President. To me the prick Yankee, (sorry US regulars on HH), should be weekly involved battling for our minds. Then, he would quickly experience that words only can’t prolong the life of dodgy affairs. If he speaks any himself that is, rather than advisors outlining his speech.
I look at it this way. He, Kroenke, is no equivalent of a Steve Jobs in sport ventures. Not the man that takes our product to the next level. Not the man who whips an organization into world beaters shape. Just a business man with a portfolio that secures financial backing. Needed to grow the scale of his own investments and the family’s treasure. Bernie Madoff got nothing on this greed thirsty bastard. I tell you. If Stan was in it for the glory he would concentrate his resources at one place. At any sport venture of choice. Instead he’s spreading the risks. As with the accountability he leaves to others.
Reason for Wenger earning a whopping 7 mil is cuz he’s considered a project manager now, with an economic degree, cleverly disguised as a coach. No naming-and-shaming involved here. I don’t blame him solely.
My grudge is that this is a preferred win-win situation many cash rich entrepreneurs and power puppeteers use. Whether AW fails, hangs his coat or succeeds next season they will always take credit for their savvyness. Either for diligently building a structure in which the next appointed coach thrives. Or sticking with a plan that everybody lost faith in.
Win-win at the cost of sacrificial reputations is taught at any academic business school. Hence, why old boys networks rotate board positions even though they broke the spine of several companies. As is the same in coaches leaving clubs in shambles. Sacrificial lambs for the public.
It’s a strategy that stains people not business models where the real problem originates. So charades may continue. Nothing new under the sun. Brand Image can always be recharged and restored. People/fans (read consumers) and media alike are suckers for a good mythology story. A Phoenix rise from the ashes. Heck, even Apple balanced on the sharp edge of a knife before Steve-The Messiah-Jobs returned and took it to former glory and beyond. Leaving the company richer than the US government.
Our day to day lives are egomachines to the powers that be. It sells leadership to us and our next generation. Failure is its self-sustainable model. The indestructible core.
Fresh ‘talent’ just around the corner. Feeding off our recent disappointments.
Those days where sports, or any sorts of competition, were anything else than financial ambitions are long behind us. Too many bread and butter depends on it.
So our season now depends on whether our one and only goalkeeper is fit tommorrow. Can you name another professional football club which allows it’s manager to make such a pig’s ear of a simple job.
Simplest thing is to pick an 11 out of what we presently have: Coq for Sagna and Ox for Ramsey. Though I’ll prefer a little shuffling with the pattern anyway: say Rosicky to play the Arteta role (which demands a cool matured head), Benayoun behind VP and Ox on the left. Sadly, Wenger will complicate things and will only bring on Ox later.
Adam
Thats a tough one
If we get CL the board and the club will treat it like a EPL or cup win. Wenger will say “look how we fought back from adversity, we were 17th” as if it was not his fault we were down there in the first place.
He will then strengthen the squad a tad and we will challenge for the league next year.
If we lose CL he will make some excuses and the fans will go a bit ballistic and demand spending and the intro of Uzmanov. The board will have to opt to buy and say that we are going to challenge as they know its last chance saloon with the fans this year.
SO
Not much difference….I see some buying anyway and I see a deffinate effort to improve things simply with the addition of Bould.
We have mindset issues and Bould can help there.
Remember we won jack s..t with Fabregas and Nasri. we lost CC to Birmingham.
Rico, 10.34;
HOOOORAAAAAY… 😀
Stevo Palmer, 10.48;
You just talk so much common sense mate….
Thorny. You speak a lot of sense. Do you think Arsenal will ever win anything again under Wenger? If we accept your logic then perhaps a failure to qualify for CL might introduce a more focused mind-set amongst the powers that be. After all, we know that Arsene regards CL qualification as vindication for himself and success for the club. It does seem crazy that many believe real change could only be born through failure when I always think it is better to grow and improve from a position of strength. I feel sure though that Wenger would condemn my view in a World economic context. Incidentally, how’s the surf today?
wenger is always playing dat nonsense ramsy i don’t why he loves dat flop so much believe if he play ramsy 2morrow god 4bid we might not win..
Hi Kev.
Potter, 10.50;
Ditto my 12.51
Dutch gooner
Yes its very much a political race.
I find it amazing that the employment figures are always released around August by the govt. My shop is seasonal and I employ 8 people as opposed to 2 in winter. They claim my extra 6 workers on the books as an economic success and fail to mention when I go back to 2. they do the same at xmas. The difference is that gooners are’nt about to go and support another team like voters do. We just continue to pull our hair out and the board know it.
My question is; do they invissage a constant stream of fans? whatever they do (or dont do) ?
Hi Adam.
Just catching up.
You ok?
Hi DG – good comment 🙂
Not bad Kev. Interesting debate here at the moment. Seems like if we win tomorrow we might win th battle but lose the war as good old Arsene, the economics graduate, will offer up more of the same. Surely the fans want to feel part of something progressive and ambitious. Personally, I don’t feel that and I have been a season ticket holder since time began.
Adam, 11.03;
Balanced and heartfelt comments mate.
I could feel your frustrations coming out of post.
We badly miss Dein mate.
He was the conduit who insulated Wenger from officialdom.
The rest of our Board are cowards when it comes to supporting and protecting their manager…
Adam – in answer to your 12:00 – i haven’t a clue but, should we not get CL it may force Stan’s hand but then again, after reading the article i posted above, i doubt it…
Adam….surf is junk…1/2ft but wind is North so messy.
Alot of gooners ARE saying that its better for us to lose CL so the current plan is not vindicated. I hear them on talk sport. These are the ones who know that this will nudge Uzmanov slowly closer. The powers that be know it. They have to win it and win more next year to keep themselves safe. The wolves are near the door. (imagine if we were playing wolves, far out)
Steve (not palmer)
Wenger has faith in fabianski, its just most fans don’t, how many sides have two class keepers to count on??
Thorny. You sound like a hippy surfer there. Surely the Usmanov thing is purely financial. Offer enough money and people will sell their shares and Usmanov has plenty of dosh. He won’t be looking toward running a vastly profitable business either I don’t think. Making money isn’t a problem for him. But he will absolutely want to win and I understand he has enormous respect for Wenger. He will certainly want to put one over on Abramovich. The only problem I see is, looking at him and considering his age, I sense arterial problems in the near future from too much Foie Gras and rich food. So, the potential fo less long-term stability perhaps?
It’s easy to point fingers at the places we feel to be wrong, I have just watched the Norwich game again and am appalled by the lack of awareness of certain players. I was with my son ( also a season ticket holder ) and as we discussed certain aspects of the build up to the Norwich goals my wife ( not a football fan) said about both Song and Ramsey that they seemed more concerned with what they were doing and not watching the Norwich players. The ball watching and not following of runs was our undoing. As I said earlier it’s easy to say that Szczesney didn’t dive or that Gibbs was too far from his man but usually we are getting caught in 2 on 1 situations because of the lack of midfield covering. There is no discipline. I think it was Man City that had a scouting mission report leaked to the media, it said “” Draw Vermaelen out of the middle of defence and you can get in behind because no-one will follow back and cover. Says a lot !!
Stevie.P, 11.55;
I think, by and large, that we already have a strong enough squad, with Podolski on board.
Not saying that i don’t want to see more quality brought in, as i do.
But to me, the problem is not enough time spent on coaching a more discipline defensive system…
Adam, 12.00;
Qualify and Wenger will spend…
Fail to qualify and he won’t…
Good afternoon Fine Guys and Chicks.
Nice day here.
We are all smiling, safe in the knowledge that premier lge status is with us for another season. Hope we will do better next year. The town is awash with celebrations. And we just avoided relegation. Imagine what it would be if we won a tin pot.
See mates. I told you yesterday that the whole chesney thing is a smokescreen. Sunday will tell us the reality.
We will be third by 3pm. Will we still be 3rd by 5pm?
My feeling is that we will remain where we are.
allezkev says:
May 12, 2012 at 1:13 pm
But to me, the problem is not enough time spent on coaching a more discipline defensive system…
Strong point AK. That is my feeling also. However I do feel that the players are not mentally disciplined to play like that every week. They do it for an odd game or two, but not week in week out. Mentally I feel they are weak.
Kev. More of the same then. If we don’t and he won’t then where is the future? A new broom could sweep clean. The old one just brushes the dust under the carpet and there’s a lot under there already.
Nice chatting to everyone. I am off out to the land known as Waitrose.
Adam…ha, yeah. If he did get into the chair and we did win he might not live through the excitement.
Just sit back and watch a bit of J W on you tube. Man we deffo missed him.
Waitrose Adam!!!
Wow, you know how to live it up buddy… 🙂
Coach, a strong mentality can be worked on if certain defensive drills are repeated enough times, so that they become second nature….
I hope it is like that Sir AK. But AW does not work like that. 🙁
Off for now. Back later.
Cu fine people.
Yes Kev. I am slowly ramping up the tension toward tomorrow. They are the only place round here that stocks decent saffron.
Adam’s off to Waitrose and i’m off to do some weeding….
Too much excitement…. 😕
Potter – and neither Song or ramsey have speed on their side, its a shame Diaby is injured because one thing he does have in those long legs is pace..
If he could get fit and taught how to defend properly, he is someone who could make a difference, the problem is, he is seldom fit and we don’t seem to coach such defensive methods
I and bye devil – i sure hope you are right..
Adam, can you take Wenger, he seems to be stuck in Aldi…
AK – we could do with you at the club, there are a few weeds there that need pulling out and binning….
Hiya Thorny.
Sorry for the delayed reply. Made myself some sandwiches.
I take it you’re from the States. I’m from Holland but the world has become a global village. The issues you mention are on equal comparison throughout Europe.
On your question. It does seem the Arsenal board has some sort of warehouse packed through the roof with cans of uninformed Arsenal supporters, ready at their disposal. Fresh out of the box with ready to go believe systems.
No Rico. He is a turmeric man. Saffron is too expensive for him. He has studied the World production figures and decided that the market cannot support the current retail prices so he will wait until the 31st August before visiting Waitrose.
I’m off for half an hour too…
😆 Adam, i meant for players but then you knew that 😉
Hiya Devil congrats to your town club. They seem to count their blessings against all odds.
Greetings Rico. 🙂
I feel CL spot will only sell us prospects of competing for 4 trophies next season. While failing would have people climbing the barricades shouting AT LEAST HAVE THE DECENCY TO GO FOR THE CARLING CUP!!! Which would take a major overhaul and investing in ambitions.
Don’t let yourselfs be fooled. Few stumble over a mountain, many are flat faced by a rock. Our win over Shity was sandwiched by loses. 19 points from rivaling first place shouldn’t paint a picture being ‘close’.
Adam you enjoy your dipping in luxury. 😉
Hiya DG. Back from the supermarket I couldn’t help but notice that all the recent rain had turned my garden into a kind of mini Amazon. The grass had to be mowed but my old rotary mower proved inadequate as it couldn’t be coerced through the morass. The only way was to wield it rather like a Samurai sword above the ground in a number of sweeping motions with me at the fixed point of the fulcrum. Bloody hell it was hard especially as my wife couldn’t stop laughing at my efforts. I am now having a well-earned rest on the sofa. No peace for the wicked.
Dutchgooner
Nah im from Cornwall mate.
It does seem just like that. but its a dangerous way of thinking for the board
Whats everyones views on injuries? I hear some folks saying that the Colny training pitches are too accomodating, i hear others blaming the medical team for miss diagnosis.
Wiltshire out for this season
TV out last season
RVP bits and bobs and out alot prior to this season
Diaby
its bad!
One thing is for sure; Missing the above and no coach with a serious winning mentality and we are firing at about 70% only.
I have hope for Steve bould.
Hi Thorny. Are you hiring or selling surfboards down there?
Will Wilshire be back for next season?
As for the injuries? There does seem to be a problem doesn’t there. I am also of the opinion that Wenger is an unlucky manager and you know what Napoleon thought of such Generals.
Afternoon all….
Adam, you should be happy the grass is nice and green, stop moaning 😉
Usually when a man retires like Pat and a new man gets promoted with the words from the Manager that he will fit in well and has learnt the Arsenal way of doing things is a bit like nepatism bring in someone from the family and nothing changes, i believe that the changes we need are more than what Steve Bould brings to the table, just ticking over nicely and a top 4 finish is in itself amazing but for the supporter top4 is simply the 4th best team in the league, and lets face it it has become too easy, tomorow i don’t think will make any diference to how we will perform over the next season, Podolski signing has been arranged early as they don’t really know what Robins doing yet if he stays the Pod can give him restbites or play along side him the clips i have seen of the Pod was like looking at a mirrow image of the silk Purse so robin staying or going probably won’t affect us to much, but if Wenger buys another two thats linked i may start to get excited
In the meantime Steve, assume that all will stay the same 😉
True Rico. I have left my wife to rake it up but I see that the terrible twin cats from somewhere over the back have arrived and she is playing with them and a piece of ribbon in the grass.
And why not Adam, much more interesting than raking up grass 😉
I’m lucky, all the grass cuttings go straight tow the chickens, keeps them amused for hours ….
afternoon all
Changes come from making changes Rico, and i don’t think we will see too many, i do hope i’m wrong though
What do chickens do with the grass Rico?
Afternoon JM, whats the news where you are??
3 more changes would do me Steve….
Adam, they scratch it around and eat all the fresh bits rather quickly…
Adam. Yes mate, we have a massive hire fleet and bundles of new and second hand…..lots of hardware.
I think jack will be back….summer helps. We seem to make glass players.
The thing i always think about wenger is that he has had the feeling of winning. doubles. Unbeaten season. etc. He must be desperate to do it again.
Steve. If we don’t make changes the surely we will see no change. And I won’t see any change out of £2700 for two season tickets it seems.
Thorny, at least you are not in Newquay, you’d be bombarded with kids real soon 😉
How many years have you been going to Highbury and the The Emirates Adam?
Thorny. One would hope so, but he has become the master of spin. He has convinced many that 4th is the new first and that we are a pauper club who cannot compete at the top. I think this is rubbish, for the 4th richest club in the world, Wenger should be doing absolutely everything to win the PL and he should be telling us that he is absolutely furious at the way the team has capitulated recently and that he intends to address those problems. After all, why build the Emirates and set the prices so high unless you want to give yourself the financial clout to really compete. No-one would complain if he got rid of the under performers and changed the club’s crazy wage ethos. But then again, that was his idea in the first place wasn’t it?
I think I first went to Highbury just after the Boer War Rico. Or perhaps it just feels that long.
😆 Adam…
Get those eggs ready Rico. I am heading westwards soon.
Just let me know when Adam…
You know what they said in Field of Dreams Adam, You build it and they will come, they will all come, well he has them coming but they haven’t seen what they hoped to see, Yet 🙂
Afternoon all,
All Wenger is doing is making a rod for his own back, he’d be better off keeping it zipped, it’s boring.
I rather he came out for a change and said something like nothing less than a win is acceptable tomorrow, every player is playing for their future at Arsenal instead of molly-coddling them like he does every week, might get the desired reaction we’re all praying for.
Steve – if you were Wenger, in which positions would you buy players ?
So that was you down the other end Adam.
Afternoon Micko
agree, either be positive or keep it buttoned, his words are so frustrating at times, and like others have said, very boring to listen too….
He is so predictable….
He’s already making comments about the Europa League and how good it is… 🙄
Some would say we only built the emirates to keep the directors in Beluga caviar.
And PHW in big fat cigars….
rico, be fair, he needs something to hold onto at his age.
I could give him a few suggestions Micko and none would be a cigar 😉
Do i sense a sense of negativity on here today???
Rico, I’m sure when Fulham reached the Europa Cup final a couple of years back they played more games than any other team in the premiership, he’ll soon change his tune, we’re struggling to put back to back wins together playing just the one game a week at the moment, it don’t bode well.
Micko – They play more group matches don’t they before going to knockout, our puny squad wouldn’t cope, you are right….
Its down to him now, choose the right team for tomorrow and send them out onto the pitch with a rocket up their jacksie…
By Telegraph Sport
2:27PM BST 12 May 2012
Comment
Arsenal head to West Brom tomorrow knowing destiny is once again in their own hands, with victory guaranteeing automatic qualification for the Champions League.
Given the disastrous start to the domestic campaign which saw four defeats from seven matches – including a humiliating 8-2 thrashing at Manchester United – to even be in this position is an achievement in itself.
Despite both Tottenham and Arsenal being able to point to opportunities missed to have already sewn up third place ahead of what is set to be a nail-biting final day, Wenger feels the way his squad responded through such times is testament to their character.
“It will be a great achievement if we manage to do it. I believe it would be reward for a group which has exceptional strength,” Wenger said.
“They have come through some difficult times, always recovered and always battled. Therefore I will be extremely delighted when we do it.”
Kev, the bouncy castle, ice cream and jelly are on hold.
Wenger added: “There is even more uncertainty because fourth place is not this time necessarily in the Champions League.
“Let’s make sure we finish third and win our game – that is the only answer we can give.
“To do that of course you need a full, committed performance from everybody.
“On that front I am quite sure we will get that from our players and then we will have a very good chance to do it.”
Arsenal lost full-back Bacary Sagna to a broken leg during last weekend’s thrilling 3-3 draw with Norwich.
Fellow Frenchman Francis Coquelin stepped in against the Canaries and the 20-year-old would relish another chance to impress tomorrow, which will be the final game for long-serving Arsenal assistant manager Pat Rice before his retirement.
“It is the last game of the season and all the staff and all of the players want to end up with this third place,” Coquelin said.
“It [third place] could have been finished after Norwich because after the other results we could have qualified for the Champions League, but we drew and now we need to win this game against West Brom.
“When we came back to the training ground on Monday everybody knew it would be a tough week.
“Everybody is concentrating on West Brom and I think everybody is ready to fight for this third place.”
Mick i had my ice-cream cone an hour ago….
Think i’ll pass on the bouncy castle….
Spoil-sport.
Look what you can get for £500million;
http://www.independent.co.uk/incoming/pg4cityplangraphicjpg-7737869.html
Bit over confident if you ask me AK…
Egg on face could be tomorrows outcome…
Yeah Rico, i know what you mean.
Would rather he said nix…..
What did we get for our 72 million besides a good interest rate ?
I’m reading the newspapers and watching tv (the “giro” ansd basketball). Not many important news for the moment
Ditto AK….
Guys, i’m having an early one, off out shortly to friends for dinner…
Have a good evening all, see you on on the big day 😉
Nighty….
See ya rico, early night remember, big day tomorrow.
JM, calm before the storm.
yes micko.I’m calm but confident for tomorrow.
NB is ready for others Leagues… he wants to go to germany
NB wants to go to Germany..?!
How jolly for him…
Give it a year and it’ll be Nick who?????
Boo!! A bit worried about tomorrow, to be honest. Our boys need to be working their socks off from the first minute to the 90th plus ET. And no point tippy tappying about.
😀
rico, it seems I missed you. Have fun! 🙂 Enjoy your Stella. 🙂
JM, is there a sport you don’t watch?? Boo, AK! Howdy??
hello agag
I’d like to doing things and watching sport on tv
Hiya, JM. 🙂 You watch most games, it makes me laugh. You’re just like KT. 🙂
AK, even now, it’s Nick Whooooo???
Hiya fine Guys and Chicks……….
………..Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker is on course to anchor Germany’s back four at UEFA EURO 2012 after impressing during the first day of the Germans’ training camp in Sardinia today. The 27-year-old centre-back has not played for the Gunners since February following ankle surgery, but he is on target to be fit when Germany open their EURO 2012 campaign against Portugal on 9 June in Lviv, Ukraine.
“He is incredibly focused, has worked hard and the European Championships have clearly made their impression on him,” said Germany team manager Oliver Bierhoff. “Perhaps the only advantage to his injury was that it allowed him to concentrate on getting fit.”
Mertesacker has made 79 appearances for his country and played a key role in the Germany teams which finished second at EURO 2008 and third at the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa.
Bierhoff also revealed Arsenal-bound striker Lukas Podolski is feeling the effects of Cologne’s relegation from the German league last Saturday. “He is not yet over it,” admitted Bierhoff. “He is not moping around the hotel, but he is not yet back to playing the joker we all know, but I’m sure he will be back to his usual self soon.”
Why isnt he at AFC for the last game??? He is much better option than having Djourou or Squilly???? Is he fit or not???
Theo Walcott (hamstring) faces a late fitness test, while Sebastian Squillaci and Park Chu Young (both irrelevant) are major doubts.
Ferguson was in Berlin Stadium (German final cup Dortmind-Bayern).
ok. Kagawa (Dortmund) probably in MU squad next year.
Morning all.
Wengers attitude towards winning or just competing MUST be blamed on the board.
If he’s happy finishing 4th and not spending the money to improve our squad sufficiently to compete for trophies,then its obvious he’s working under the boards directive.
The board tell us regularly that they are rapt with Wenger,and the job he does.
We’ve heard them say the job is his for as long as he wants it.,
Why would anyone blame Wenger for a lack of ambition when the board tell us he’s doing EXACTLY the job they want?
If he had the money to spend but fails to spend it,as plenty of fans seem to think,the board is responsible for allowing him to simply roll along without competing for honours.
I’m still amazed people blame Wenger.
The man is an employee,doing a job under direction from the board.
He does the job they want to a tee.
It’s pretty obvious that the board lack ambition,and Wenger is doing his best.
He doesn’t always get things right tactically,who does though,but the lack of spending is not his fault.
Wouldn’t we all love the board to come out and say that Wenger has 80 million to spend and WILL spend it,because we want to win something next year???
No,they make us live on rumours and inuendos,leaving Wenger and Wenger alone to answer for it.
The board are our leaders,but they dont lead at all.
They’re to blame.
news:
The game this Sunday against Fulham to Tottenham may be the last of the American Clint Dempsey sweater with the team of Martin Jol.
According to the Saturday edition of the Daily Mail, Arsenal, Everton and Liverpool are leading the race to secure the loans of the attacking midfielder of 29 years.
This season, Dempsey scored 23 goals in all competitions they participated Fulham.
Eboue won the Turkish League (GAlatasaray)
Wake up Gooners.
The boys need you!!!!
Morning Scott
Good to see ya on duty.
We need your lucky vibes today Digger
Morning all
Are you ready for this day 🙂
Scott – the board and Wenger are to blame but that’s for another day hopefully and not 5pm uk time today….
New Post up….