Daily Bits and Bobs

Mannone set to replace Szczesny?

Posted on by rico

You would think not, but he’s up for the fight to do so.

Credit where credit is due, Vito Mannone has made a few pretty good saves in our opening three fixtures and as much as we are all praising the hard work put in by Steve Bould, Neil Banfield and the defenders for not conceding any goals, our Italian Stallion has been part of that.

The player himself, although only 24 years old, considers himself to be one of the squad’s ‘elder statesmen’ having been at Arsenal now for seven years. No doubt he thinks the same as most goal keepers when he suggests that all he needs is a run of games to demonstrate his true credentials.

Talking to the official website:

I think I have improved in every part of the goalkeeper position. In my mind as well, I came back stronger and stronger[from my loan spell. Especially after the mistake at Olympiacos – it’s never easy to come back, but when I’ve got my back against the wall, I don’t mind. I just roll up my sleeves and try to work because I know I can do well.

It’s a good fight between the keepers because we know the level is quite high and you need to keep working and improve yourself to get the first spot.

The most important thing for a keeper is to play. Only one plays and it’s difficult for the ones not playing because you lose your sharpness, your game time, your game experience. So when you do get on the pitch it’s not easy to be at your best straight away.

Last season, Mannone had a pretty good spell at Hull City and he was appreciated by the club and fans alike. At one stage he kept a record-breaking six consecutive clean sheets – and nine in 11 games. It was a time he enjoyed.

When you’re No 1, you feel important and like the happiest man in the world. That sort of feeling gives me the chance to go onto the pitch with confidence. I had some good games at Hull and it was a great experience for me.

The Hull defence was good and we all played together and tried to get better every time we went on the pitch. For me the best thing was playing senior football and playing consecutive games and getting the mentality of the No 1.

Vito Mannone may not be the goal keeper that most Arsenal fans want to see between the posts as the whistle blows each match day but it would seem that Arsene Wenger sees something good in him.

Maybe so much that he is the reason that we didn’t sign the much called for goal keeper in the summer?

There is an old saying in life, if it’s not broken, don’t fix it.

So what happens after the International break when Szczesny is fit?

Does he walk straight back into the first team, or do we carry on as we are?

Having not conceded any goals in three matches, it’s a tough decision to make isn’t it?

What is your view?

One thing for sure though, we now have three goal keepers all competing for top spot.

Not many clubs can boast that can they?

That’s it for another day guys and gals, have a good one…..

rico

0 thoughts on “Mannone set to replace Szczesny?”

  2. Canadian Gooner says:

    Good Morning Rico and fellow Housers.

    Interesting article today, I think I want to think on it for a few minutes before commenting further.

  5. Satan to Saint says:

    For me its simple. If you call someone #1 then if that person is fit you give him his spot back else the whole dynamics will change.

  8. rico says:

    Maybe S2S, anywhere else on the pitch the best player always comes back straight into the side…

    Tbh, I’m surprised Mannone didn’t move on in the summer. If he was told he has a future with the club, then what happens to Fabianski.

  9. Goonerboy says:

    Why? Mannone is rubbish – you obviously didnt see him stutter when coming out to meet crosses or high balls in – the guy has no composure or command of his box. You are only writing this article because no goals have been scored against us – and to put things in to context, he really didnt have much to do against Stoke or Liverpool – the defence is doing its job well enough.

    Szczeny definite 1st choice

  10. martin wengrow says:

    Mannone has done well, but it has all been pretty elementary stuff. However he has shown hesitantcy at times in collecting the high ball. Chesney finished the season in poor form for club and country. If he regains his confidence he should definitely be first choice. Wenger’s decision could depend on what he sees at the training centre. Wish them both well, and let the fight begin.

  12. Canadian Gooner says:

    No player should think they are an automatic pick for the teamsheet. I’d give Mannone the Sept. 15 game against Southampton to make sure Szczesny is fully recovered. Chesser can return for the Sept. 18 ECL game away to Mont Pellier and for the 23rd away to Abu Dhabi Citeh in the PL. Mannone’s run in the Capital One Cup starts on Sept. 26 and Chesser continues with the PL,

    Mannone has weak areas to his game, particularly high balls and crosses into the box. He needs games to work on these and develop his self-confidence . He should be able to do that in the COC and, if elligible, the NextGen Series. It’s great to have competition for the goalkeepers, but I can’t see Mannone getting an extended run in the PL &/or ECL, if Szczesny is fit, until he is closer to Chesser’s level

  13. davi says:

    Thanks for the link Rico. From the article:
    “Critics of financial fair rules argue that it will forever favour those clubs such as Manchester United and Arsenal who make a profit and rule out wealthy benefactors such as Roman Abramovich and Sheikh Mansour putting money into clubs.”
    It’s amazing that they can turn it around like that! So it’s ok for a lack of regulations to benefit clubs by rich people, just because they’re rich, but, at least according to “critics”, it’s not ok for the rules to benefit the well-run, responsible clubs who do not spend above their means!? It just amazes me that they’d put this on their site.

  14. rico says:

    davi – and don’t they always report that we are tight, stingy and AW is always too reluctant to spend etc etc…

    Just because Fergie is jealous of Citeh spending, the PL are starting to have a little chat about it….

  16. Satan to Saint says:

    @Lee, Almunia just had t-shirt of #1 while Scez was everyone’s #1. Still Almunia is one of the nicest guys ever to play the game, may be it was his downfall.

    @Rico Even I thought the same. I like Mnone and he seems to have musceled up quite a bit. Still for the team dynamics’ sake I’d go with Scez and be glad there is someone to keep him on his toes all the time.

  17. Adam says:

    Morning Rico and all. Ashley Cole, who recently changed his middle name to The Best Left Back In The World, is staggered to have been only offered a single year’s extension to his current contract with Chelsea. I think it’s a shame he didn’t hear about it while negotiating a slippery, high mountain road, drunk on alcohol and a warped sense of his own magnificence.

  18. rockyrocastle07 says:

    Morning all. Chesney has to come straight back in. Vito has done well for us, but he is really nervous about coming for balls and was a bit too uneasy a few times at Liverpool for my liking when deciding whether to come or not.

  19. rico says:

    CG – agree re no player should expect to walk straight back into a side..

    my own view is that all three keepers have their own probs, Ches is his kicking, Fab is his confidence and Mannone like Fab, flaps on crosses…

    Thankfully, AW has that decision to make 🙂

  21. Bradster says:

    I feel less nervous with Mannone than Sczez in goal but that could also be due to the change in the team defensively. I also like that he can kick further than the halfway line so the opponents don’t come straight back at us.
    Schez is an amazing keeper in other areas though.

    I’d stick with the if it aint broke idea.

  22. Canadian Gooner says:

    Rico — Interesting article regards spending limits. davi’s post covers most of my thoughts on it. I would add that I can’t see the need for the Pl &/or the FA acting on their own as it could put as at a disadvantage regards wages and transfer fees within Europe. No league in Europe works in isolation, they are interlinked. We have to give UEFA’s FFP scheme a chance to work.

  23. emma says:

    I still see Ches as the Numero uno. Quite rightly like most of us observed in the liverpool game. There were 3/4 high drop balls that Don Vito was hesitant to stir clear in our 18 box as well as corner kicks. Most saves he had made so far are routine saves which needed to be made. He doesn’t have command which is also missing. Thank God the defence has being solid and offering enough protections. Like rico pointed out all 3 keepers have their deficiencies but Ches kicking will improve with time

  24. lolly legs says:

    Sagna: ‘When 2 best players go, you ask questions. Fans come up in street, I understand frustration. Like them I dont understand everything.

    ‘I’m the only starting player left from 2007. In May, I watched City’s parade on TV. I saw Samir & Gael lift the trophy. I want that’

    He also confirmed that Arsenal has not offered him new contract, which expires in June 2014.

    Another exit on the cards ??

  30. MothGun says:

    Rico – Between a keeper with kicking issue and one that flaps, I will definitely chose the former. Distribution of the ball is a necessary skill for a keeper, but its probably less critical than having the confidence and assurance of claiming high balls or crosses in the box.

    P.S. First time posting, but a regular reader here.

  34. STV says:

    We should all be happy by the fact that we have three world class goal keepers in the team at the moment. So nice to see this after some horrendous goal keepers and goalkeeping we had in the near past. Chesny still the no.1 imho.

    (btw dont call him italian stallion 😉 )

  39. Adam says:

    Rocky. I love the first quotes where he sounds like Chief Sitting Bull.
    “when two best players go. You ask questions”.
    For Chrissakes, the bloke has a contract for another two years, he has broken his leg twice in the last year. Does it make any sense to offer him a new contract until you have assessed his recovery. And it is amazing how Song has now become one of “two best player”.
    Mmmm, him like wampum.

  41. Scott from Oz says:

    No goals on 3 games without Sagna!!
    No,i do not think he’s not a great player,but as we constantly find out as Gooners,no player is irreplacable!!

  43. rockyrocastle07 says:

    haha! It does sound like that! And you’re right. If Song is one of our 2 best players, it shows how far the decline of AFC has gone! He was good, no question. One of the 2 best? I think not.

  45. rockyrocastle07 says:

    Agree Scott, he’s great. WHen fit. I’d love him to stay as his workrate and ability are not in question. But there’s always someone ready to take their place somewhere.

  48. Scott from Oz says:

    I just read Hendersons comments,and if they are accurate,i would absolutely drag his arse over the coals.
    The kid has done nothing,yet wishes to old the club to ransom??
    Who advises these players??

  53. Adam says:

    Scott. It’s all those twitter morons with baked brains and nothing better to do with themselves. In their micro minds they are in-the- know sports journalists, spreading the word to their adoring followers. In reality they are semi literate leeches but, no doubt, part of David Cameron’s “Big Society”.

  57. W.A.T.H says:

    Morning all…… Remember one thing with all these quotes the TW now shut so idiot journo’s have to sell papers and stories so they take things out of context etc etc as they normally do…!

  59. STV says:

    Ok, I used the term loosely 😉 But I would def call chesny world class

    Agree with all fellow gooners Song will not be missed.. what’s Sagna bragging about?

    Frimpong is twitter obsessed Id like to see him coming back and put some good performances instead.

  60. Scott from Oz says:

    Interesting read SYG.
    Now,you all know i look at the positives in anything,but at least the club has recognised an issue and allowed Diaby to get help outside the club.
    The club and Wenger have most definitely made changes in their approach to different aspects this season,and we have already seen the benefits.
    Better late than never.

  61. E9 Gunner says:

    I’ve always liked Vito Mannone he’s a very good shot stopper, but he needs to work on commanding his defense in the box and be more confident when coming out for crosses in the box. For me Wojech is better. Mannone should be number two though.

  62. Scott from Oz says:

    Lee,i’d imagine they meant long term when saying it would help us compete.
    They are bloody naive if they didn’t.

  63. allezkev says:

    Morning AKB’s.
    Great post Rico. Thought provoking!
    Sagna is what, 29?
    In two years he’ll be 31..?
    Just looking after his future I suppose?!

  65. rockyrocastle07 says:

    I still don’t see Chesney as world class. Yet. He’s very good, but even by his own admission, he has a lot to work on. He still allows far too many silly mistakes to creep in. He WILL be world class, but not yet.

    But then again, if people can call Pepe Reina world class, then who knows! That word gets banded around far too readily these days!

  66. rockyrocastle07 says:

    I agree re Twitter though STV (and also what Adam posted about it earlier). Twitter is just one massive shitbomb.

  67. STV says:

    Fabregas is sad because he realised what everyone of us knows. Going barca was a bad choice for him. Manager not happy with him and some fans booing him. It’s a matter of time for Song too..
    I’d be surprised if he becomes a world beater at barca, more chance to become another hleb.

  69. Canadian Gooner says:

    AK — I think you hit the nail on the head regards Sagna. He is trying to start the negotiations on a new contract. However, as someone else has already mentioned, I doubt the club will initiate negotiations until they see how well he has recovered from his injuries.

  70. W.A.T.H says:

    Sorry for the delay MothGun and E9 all first comments go into moderation…..! Your now free to chat away…! Welcome..!

  72. Canadian Gooner says:

    W.A.T.H. and Adam — The same thing happened to me the other day. I had inadvertently changed my e-mail address in poster’s details below the Reply screen.

  80. W.A.T.H says:

    CG, sometimes wordpress decided someone goes into Mod and for no reason then only the Mod who loaded the post can get you out of spam permanently !! Very weird how it works…. I’ve tried to break it plenty but it does seem quiet idiot proof…! Just so you know Lee 😉

  84. Micko says:

    Morning all,
    After his cock-up against Olympiacos last year I thought we’d seen the last of Vito but he’s obviously worked hard and stuck with it, been rewarded with a call up again, will always be a number 2 at Arsenal though.
    Sagna will get his contract extension, the media probably didn’t think it was worth mentioning that he’s looking forward to getting back into the fold next month, too boring, would rather shit stir.

  91. vernat1066 says:

    Interesting Article on AA showing expenditure below is the average pay per week by club

    2011 Average sports wage from around the world.

    * Highest paid in that league.

    Rank (last year) Ave pay per year (week)

    1 (1) Barcelona * £5,260,313 (£101,160)

    2 (2) Real Madrid £4,724,662 (£90,859)

    3 (10) Manchester City * £4,486,580 (£86,280)

    4 (6) Chelsea £4,118,227 (£79,197)

    5 (4) LA Lakers * £3,804,441 (£73,162) Basketball

    6 (3) New York Yankees * £3,748,831 (£72,093) Baseball

    7 (14) Milan * £3,699,411 (£71,143)

    8 (12) Bayern Munich * £3,579,961 (£68,845)

    9 (13) Philadelphia Phillies £3,525,612 (£67,800) Baseball

    10 (7) Internazionale £3,454,681 (£66,436)

    For reference points here are some other clubs…

    16 (22) Arsenal £3,199,678 (£61,532)

    18 (20) Liverpool £3,169,631 (£60,954)

    51 (110) Tottenham £2,308,494 (£44,394)

    172 (163) Celtic * £1,065,304 (£20,487)

    213 (-) Blackpool £435,640 (£8,378) Lowest paid

    227 (229) Sporting Gijon £230,664 (£4,436) Lowest paid

    277 (272) Hamilton £55,548 (£1,068) Lowest paid

  93. rockyrocastle07 says:

    I thought the Boston Red Sox were supposed to be one of the worlds big spenders (surprised the Phillies are above them….)

  94. vernat1066 says:

    You can see why Utd etc… are agitating for cuts and the Spanish clubs cant get the banks to bail them out any more so they are not going to rock the boat on it either in UEFA

  96. W.A.T.H says:

    I didn’t drop anything Scott I just took my eye off the screen…! That’s you going in the bin with the others for being bloody cheeky 😀

    The stick I get for letting you lot chat……. Outrageous… Best I have another drink..!

  97. Canadian Gooner says:

    W.A.T.H. — Yes, as has already been mentioned; with the closure of the transfer window and an international break the press are looking for stories to print. I’ve learned to take a lot of it with a grain of salt, you can’t take much at face value these days.

  98. Ben says:

    Vito doesn’t look like he could cut it under pressure. It was only the hard work of the defence that saved him against a very average Liverpool attack. Szcesny’s recent poor performances could well be down to over exertion so maybe this rest will restore his senses. Get him back in against the Saints.

    Also it’d be just our luck to lose some first teamers to injury in this break. Should have lied and said they all had knocks!

  100. Scott from Oz says:

    Ben,Szczesny will be back bigger and better than ever.
    Vito did a good job,but he is a back up keeper…no doubt.

  101. Adam says:

    Wath. I know why.it’s my fault. Delete all the stuff in moderation please as I have regurgitated most of it anyway. Cheers.

  104. Canadian Gooner says:

    W.A.T.H. — Be careful with the GG or we’ll all be stuck in moderation. Bang goes Rico’s posting count.

  105. vernat1066 says:

    Not sure about looking smarter Scott as our revenues increase i am sure our average spend will increase, and it is no coincidence that the teams with the highest spending on wages and transfers are the most successful over a period of time.

  108. rockyrocastle07 says:

    Man City haven’t been successful over a period of time. A few months hardly counts! A lot of those teams are still clearly paying for their past glories.

  110. Scott from Oz says:

    He is smart because he understands that big spending can’t actually continue over an extended period of time.

  112. rockyrocastle07 says:

    Phillies have won the world series once in 20-odd years. Hardly prolonged success! But yet they still pay a fortune. That league table of wages is fairly deceptive in my opinion, and doesn’t show much.

  116. vernat1066 says:

    Fair point Rocky but they have had more success in the last two years than before, and Chelsea also go with the trend, as for paying for their past glories if the big teams who cannot now spend what the noveau riche can stick together then we might see a change i think in the recent floatation for Utd will have to cut their spending on transfers by half from this year. But time will tell

  117. Canadian Gooner says:

    After looking at vernat’s list, it’s easy to see why Fergie’s pushing for spending limits. I’m assuming ManUre are somwhere in the 11-15 positions. I’m sure if the shoe was on the other foot you wouldn’t hear a peep from Fergie on this. What an A1 hypocrite he is.

  118. W.A.T.H says:

    Scott, the scotch is always on the rocks mate but rarely touch the stuff… GG for me mate.. Grey Goose vodka.. mothers milk..!

    As you say CG, stories are ten a penny to sell a paper and made up from drunken journo’s propping the bars up round fleet street and wapping… I see them often 😉

    I let them all out Adam so your talking doubles mate………. Hmmm I like doubles..!

  122. rockyrocastle07 says:

    Man City have Vernat, but they went from players like Stephen Ireland and Michael Johnson to Yaya Toure and David Silva in the blink of an eye, so their wages jumped astronomically. I doubt many of the others on that list have done the same. Chelsea would have done when they foirst started buying the league, but since then, they have always been high spenders so have maintained the status quo. Again, with the Phillies, they have only tasted success again recently (2008 – so they still maintain really high wages 4 years on from that).

  126. Canadian Gooner says:

    W.A.T.H. — I’m not a great vodka fan, especially after a vodka soaked train trip between Prague and Ostrava in the Czech Republic. It is still a hole in my memory. Glen Dronnach (Sherry Cask) with the lightest touch of water to open it up. Aqua Vita!

  129. W.A.T.H says:

    Light the Drambuie Rocky, just watch ya eyebrows…..!

    Mmmm I prefer mine with coke Adam gives it that subtle sweetness 😉

  130. Adam says:

    Sprite. Yes, it’s very good for you. I have a friend who is a plasterer. He could drink one after the other, all day, every day. He had a heart attack at 30. Still going strong though but has left out the Sprite now.

  131. rockyrocastle07 says:

    CG – I can no longer have Vodka. A trip to Portugal 6 years ago, and a 5 hour Raspberry Absolut slammer session put paid to that! I still wince every time I see that on the shelf on the supermarket! I still have the vision of seeing my entire day’s food intake going in reverse in the small hours of the morning……!

  132. rockyrocastle07 says:

    I can only have the diet stuff Adam, so its not THAT bad for me! Great stuff for clearing hangovers though…

  133. Adam says:

    Yes Wath. A decent claret, say a 1982, or even a 1961 if funds permit, just tastes so much better with a Sprite or a Coke.

  134. vernat1066 says:

    I think the bigger point here is that the clubs who have grown their revenues like Utd, RM and Barca have reached a point where increases will be smaller in proportion than before, they will see an increase due to TV revenue but again after that where do they go, whilst the sugar daddy clubs can keep on spending on wages and transfers which has a knock on effect as other top players will then want comparative wages. This means that at some point and to a certain extent you can see it now their position of dominance which has been secured by their wealth will go and then well the only way from the top of the hill is down.

  135. rockyrocastle07 says:

    Well with Real and Barca, this has, as far as I can remember, always been the case. Probably since before a lot of us were even born!

  136. vernat1066 says:

    Cant do whiskey after a session at University with Bushmills and Jamieson, Vodka however is an old friend of mine but i prefer a nice unfiltered LBV like a noval or a Dows LBV.

  138. Canadian Gooner says:

    rocky — It seems we had similar experiencnes with vodka. The worst part for me was the Anvil Chorus in my head the next day. That was in 1995 and I have’t overindulged since.

  139. Adam says:

    Regardless of what happens to the clubs on a financial level, unless they start re-engaging with their fans, it will be academic. Where are the next generations of supporters going to get their love of the club from?

  141. W.A.T.H says:

    Am with you Adam, can’t mix the coke or the sprite with any old crap… wouldn’t be right…!

    I hear cream soda is also a nice option…!

    Rocky you slammer slut…!

  142. vernat1066 says:

    Tom Petty got it right

    As we celebrate mediocrity all the boys upstairs want to see / How much you’ll pay for what you used to get for free

    Clubs no longer see fans they see customers and revenue streams I am afraid and that wont change as turkeys don’t vote for Christmas and as long the wages go up then the clubs have to generate more money.

  143. W.A.T.H says:

    ST your supposed to me on my side………………. 😛

    CG, i only ever get headbanging after a session on the vino…! GG never kills me the next day it’s why I drink the stuff…!

  147. Bob John says:

    Hi all,
    2 quick points – Taggart wasn’t whingeing about financial fair play when he was spunking £28m each on Veron & Rooney, £30m on Ferdinand & Berbatov, etc, etc!
    My biggest worry about Vito has always been that nost shots he saves come straight back out into the middle of the area.

  153. rockyrocastle07 says:

    Wath, having got out of bed at 6am, still pissed, having chundered my whole life up over the duvet, and then taking said duvet with me as I sat in the bath with the shower on in a lame attempt to clean myself and the duvet and drifted back into sleep, I can assure you, my first thought was not “where the hell did thiose carrots come from”?! That came later!

  157. STV says:

    On vodka + sprite WATH 😉 you can even attent a seminar with those inside..

    RR why did u do a 5hr session mate..!

  158. W.A.T.H says:

    That’s funny Rocky…. Least it wasn’t an outside bath for you to then get baked in the sun…………… nasty 😉

  159. rockyrocastle07 says:

    STV – It was holiday, everyone in the villa had gone to bed except me and my mate. The more pissed we got, the better the idea was to finish the whole litre bottle off. So we polished off a whole one between us (as I am a non-drinker – I only drink a couple of times a year really – I was quite impressed until the chundering incident!)

  160. W.A.T.H says:

    Vodka and sprite work wonders ST, vodka and cranberry are also really nice also vodka and passion fruit….! All these flavoured vodka’s are nice but get a little sweet for me after a bottle or two…!

  161. rockyrocastle07 says:

    It would have been wath! The sun was just coming up when we went to be at 5. I lasted a whole hour of sleep! Luckily, it was a private villa in the middle of nowhere (near Silves) so there was just my 7 mates who witnessed my pain the next day! Fortunately the 2 lasses that were with us took pity on me and provided me with Virgin Mary’s all afternoon!

  162. W.A.T.H says:

    They should of took pity on you and made you a proper big greasy breakfast that would of sorted you out mate 😉

  165. Micko says:

    Rocky, you never did say what came of the duvet ?

    Wath, did you ever see Nicolas Cage in Leaving Las Vegas, you know you got a problem when your drinking bottles of vodka in the shower.

  167. rockyrocastle07 says:

    We put the duvet (cover and actual duvet) in the washing machine 3 TIMES! STill the red stain of lasagne vom remained! I like to think the owners thre it out

  174. Will XL says:

    Old faithful Andrei. I hope he has a rebirth this season. I think having an in form arshavin would be a huge boost to the squad.

  175. vernat1066 says:

    A friend of mine at University made the mistake of availing himself too liberally with regards to the special offer on Absinthe at the bar and woke up eventually the next day to find out he had s#@t himself and not realised, dangerous stuff

  177. rockyrocastle07 says:

    It’s generally cheap Lee, so I don’t have to wait until pay day to go out again! AK… Over to you mate!

  179. rico says:

    emma – I would have though AA would rush back to Russia, maybe he’d see it as being disloyal to Zenit joining moscow…

    Bit like Freddie coming back to England and joining the Totts…

  182. rockyrocastle07 says:

    Just relax rico, feet up, cup of tea and a bit of rubbish tv… That’s the order of the day from now on!

  184. rockyrocastle07 says:

    Oh Rico. I know your tv standards are pretty low (Doctors for example) you you’ve really disappointed me with BB! I thought you were better than that! Not only do you read the Daily Mail (and pretend you only do it for headlines) you also watch BB!! The horror!

  185. rico says:

    Ha ha rocky, I’ve only been watching BB because of Coleen Nolan, Martin Kemp and of course, Julian Clary…

    Honest, I don’t usually bother…. and, I am starting to tire of Doctors too, what is my world coming to eh…

    Oh, and my favourite newspaper is not the Daily Mail, it’s The Daily Star as I do like to keep tabs on PHW…

  186. stevepalmer1 says:

    Evening all nice posing question Rico and good post by the way, Is anyone of our players No one i feel that anyone can be left out and i also feel that that is a good way to be in a squad of players, goalkeeping is quite hard for the keepers as what Manone has said it must be tough when you sit on the bench week in week out, As he has played quite well i would make Czez wait, teach him to get injured and thats how it should be may even make them recover quicker.

  187. rico says:

    Evening Steve and thanks…

    You are a hard man re poor old Ches 😉

    Must be tough sitting on the bench, in fact I’d rather leave if i was Mannone or Fabianski and join a club where I know I am going to play each week

  189. stevepalmer1 says:

    Being an Arsenal player for as long as they have, they must think their time will come soon, and as long as they don’t make to many mistakes i don’t think it hurts them to fight for a place after all they have been more patient than i would be, Hi Emma don’t like the sound of that.

  193. Will says:

    Great question today but the real question is: When do you drop Mannone not if. If you drop him as soon as Ches is fit, it could kill his confidence but if you wait until he drops a huge clanger to drop him,it will stay with him. I say play him one more game and then explain that ches is no1 at the moment but keep working hard and that spot will be yours.

  194. rico says:

    Trouble is though Steve – we have 3 keepers fighting it out, if i was one of them, i would want to be playing – Fab and Mannone are not young – albeit young in Gk terms but ….

  198. Will says:

    Not at all, I thought it was a great question but Mannone looks a fantastic keeper in the making and I wonder when th ebest time to drop him is. Do you do it while he is playing well or straight after a ricket?

  199. hakzah says:

    good evening Rico & all gooners

    competition in goalie spot can only help them to improve(hopefully)
    with these 3 ,we are in better position than a lot of other teams in the league.

    don’t we just hate this international breaks…..so boring…..and it looks like has its first casuality ….Giroud ruled out here in France
    with muscular problem..grrrr…he has outside chance to be fit for tuesday’s game..really hope so.

    dare i say it ! having Chamack might work just alright,only for him
    to miss Morocco’s game with illness….
    i pray Poldi comes back in one piece …

  202. stevepalmer1 says:

    everybody is entitled to an error Will, i reckon he should have a run and should he mess up should be given a little time, i see nothing wrong whith job sharing thats the way to keep them all happy after all they have all been patient

  203. emma says:

    It’s good to have competition for places. I guess that’s what Wenger is being paid to do. Vermalaen/Koscielny/Mert thats another one. When JW10, Rosicky returns that will be another tough decision making for the defence. Ramsey has looked very sharp in his substitute appearance. Santos is breathing on the neck of Gibbs. Jenks wants to keep his spot even when Sagna returns. We ve not had a team for ages that has 2 good players in one position. So competition for places is healthy for the team.
    I still wouldn’t want to write off chamack. If only he could regain back his confidence and be aggressive as he was that saw him scoring 9 goals in his first 16 matches

  205. hakzah says:

    hi Emma
    yes..i hope Chamack will gain form/confidence back ,we will need him at some stage..even AA…if he performs up to his talent..the two might just be good back up

  208. stevepalmer1 says:

    I would watch him and see how his body language when a player makes a mistake you can often tell a lot by that, i believe every body deserves a good chance and if i speak the truth Czez hasn’t convinced me yet, i was one of many calling for a new keeper i now reckon i may have been wrong our keepers seem to be getting better

  211. rico says:

    JM – I’m not confident about Chamakh either

    hakzah – we should loan Chamakh out to gain confidence, with a recall option included in the deal. he won’t gain confidence by not playing, if he is able to get it….

  212. stevepalmer1 says:

    You know what Will if we can keep the 3 new guys fit i reckon we have what we need, i always thought Chamakh was harshley treated he was doing pretty good till Van Persie came back and Robin wasn’t that great at that time, he put robin back in and Chamakh struggled after that, cant knock Wenger after the season Robin had but when Chamakh came in he never seemed the same, I’m a bit afraid of the same situation when czez is ready to come back same thing with Sagna and Jack i think we should try rotation and if it looks like its not going to work have a rethink. I always think a player should fight for his place not just step back in Jacks a prime example a lot of fans whould put him straight back not me i would want to see commitment. Youngsters no matter how good they are learn from fighting for their place.

  213. stevepalmer1 says:

    Jack would have been out for 18 months i reckon Wenger is wrong when he says Jack will be back in 2 maybe 3 weeks i think he would benefit a spell in the reserves before he plays for the first team.

  215. rico says:

    Have to agree on Chamakh Steve, he pretty much saved our skin when he first arrived and with Nik and Rvp out but not sure that him being left out ruined him, I heard it was a trip to Las Vegas and he’s never been the same since.

    Rotation is good imho, just not too many at once…

    Jack may well have to fight hard and that has to be a good thing..

    Tomas – i think he’ll be mainly on the bench but a massive part in the CO Cup and FA Cup…

  217. Will says:

    I agree on the Chamakh attack ( I am trade marking that name) and I think he can make a name for himself but that said, I would like another player of Podilski’s stature in the game being brought in.

  218. stevepalmer1 says:

    Will XL He probably did see him play and at the time the price was tempting only had to pay his wages. But given who he had to chose Robin or Chamakh who would you choose.

  219. Will XL says:

    Jack will definitely have to re-earn his stripes with all the quality competition in the midfield. His layoff was huge. I’m a huge fan of Tomas however, and no matter how unlikely, I’d love to see him right back in the first team… Not out wide either, but right in the middle. He was brilliant last season.

  220. rico says:

    Steve – imho, this time, Jack is really ready to come back….

    WXL – I think he did when he first signed him but now – no, I think he hoped he could sell him or loan him out….

    And, had he been able to, we may just have seen a replacement come in, maybe even Mirallas…

  221. Will XL says:

    steve, i can understand the temptation to bring him on a bosman, especially with him being the top scorer in a championship winning team, but his style of play is so unlike any other player I’ve ever seen Wenger bring in. He shows no individuality and he has zero creative spark.

  223. rico says:

    WXL – but he was a different player to begin with, he looked up for it and got himself in the right places and scored many important goals, but after that – awful…..

    How much are we paying now for doing nothing I wonder….

  226. Scott from Oz says:

    I am getting a bit tired of players coming out and questioning anything about the club.
    Seriously,i hope Wengers sits them all down and tells them the next to do so will be docked 6 months wages!!

  227. CowboyGunner says:

    If Bacary goes…then I will poop myself. And to think I just put my hair in bleached braids…enjoy your zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz’s.

  234. Canadian Gooner says:

    Good morning Rico and fellow Housers.

    Rico — It’s has to be bad if it is boring before it has even begun.

    Scott — Good evening. How are things down under? Good plan by the way, but the maxixmum fine the club can impose is two weeks. If Arsene could save six months wages I’m sure he would have done it by now.

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