Morning all.
Back here, I feel I am in my home. We are one family and you work really hard with people who really love you. – Mohammed Elneny on returning to Arsenal after the ACON’s.
I know that headline sounds stupid and no doubt I’ll get slapped down for saying this but sometimes I’m glad when certain players suffer injury. Not because they are hurt of course but only then do others seem to get their chance.
Right now I wish Walcott would break his toenail or something because I’d sure as heck rather see Lucas Perez start ahead of him. Similar with Danny Welbeck, he’s a much better option in our attacking unit than either Walcott, Iwobi and even the much out of form Mesut Ozil. Perez and Welbeck have oodles of energy, movement and work rate which is something seriously lacking in the current side. Add to that, neither are afraid to get stuck in when it matters. I know Welbeck has returned from a long injury but he’s fit, so why not play him? And what does Lucas Perez have to do to earn a start over a lazy, lacklustre and static Theo Walcott?
Ozil’s form is a big worry. On his day he’s a match winner but when the going gets tough, the German often goes missing but I doubt Arsene Wenger will take him out of the firing line, because he doesn’t do that kind of thing, not with the big players anyway. He doesn’t pick his team based on form, otherwise one, two, maybe even three of his current starting eleven would have been watching the Hull City game from the bench rather than being involved on the pitch. Well that’s how it appears to me.
But one player can strut around with his head held high and that’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who for the last few matches has made that central midfield position his own imo. This is the best he’s played in a long while and long may that be the case. But my concern is what will Arsene Wenger do once his favourite Welshman returns to fitness? Will the Ox get dumped back on the bench or out to one of the wings just to accommodate the Welshman, or will he do what seems much more sensible and make him work for his place? And let’s face it, Ramsey was hardly in the best form before getting injured was he?
Bayern Munich will be a tough test for the Ox if he starts and with Granit Xhaka and Mohammed Elneny back for this one Wenger may be tempted to leave him out but for me the Englishman is showing signs of being able to emulate the work rate which Santi Cazorla gets through when he plays and I just love his surging runs and directness when the chance presents itself. One might be tempted to suggest I’m bigging up the Englishman but I don’t think I am. Yes it’s only been a few performances from him in this position but once he replaced Ramsey against Watford, we didn’t concede another goal and despite getting battered by Chelsea, Oxlade-Chamberlain was one of a few who came out of that game knowing he’d played well. Yes they’ll be bigger tests than Hull City although Liverpool and Man Utd might disagree, if he remains strong against Bayern, Wenger might just have to think twice about what he does next, certainly with the Welshman.
Hector Bellerin took his chance when Mathieu Debuchy got injured, Coquelin’s Arsenal career was saved by an injury to both Ramsey and Arteta so perhaps now, and finally, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlains career in north London is taking a much needed step in the right direction too because of injuries, the ACON’s and suspension.
I just hope Arsene Wenger doesn’t go and ruin it by dumping him on the bench for any other reason than a drop in form or to have a breather but I doubt he’ll need the latter….
Have a good Monday guys, Chelsea dropped two points yesterday so you never know, we might just catch them yet….. 🙂
Pundits suggesting Ranieri should be sacked?
Wtf has happened to football?
If that doesn’t make you sick, nothing will when it comes to this game.
Morning all.
Football is just full of scumbags, and those with class are an easy target, or so it seems.
Sorry about that non Arsenal related comment.
Football is a results based business though Scott…
Call me old fashioned and out of touch, Rico, because I’d rather live in a world where loyalty means something.
It’s obvious it plays little or no part in football.
Very sad, though I wonder what Leicester fans say.
You’re old fashioned Scott…. 😉
All the time Leicester are in the CL I suspect Ranieri is safe…
I know 🙂
Imagine he won it???
Morning all, good post rico. Ranieri performed a miracle and has 5 gallons reserved in the tank. That’s how I felt about for Wenger. He had done so much for us, so for 5 or 6 years after really competing, I suffered the staleness and believed some things were due to the new stadium. But a tank can only hold so much petrol. That’s where it’s gone wrong when AW didn’t retire on a high after the first or second Cup win. Like Ranieri and its insulting to suggest you dump him after will be Leicester’s incredible achievement.
Scott, I would have liked them to win it, had Vardy not played us along so long to get a fat new contract.
Can’t see that happening, they are playing really badly. Nearly as bad as us… 😉
Rico, you Miserable bugger lol
Andrew, 2014, May-there will never be a better time for Arsene to have gone.
What a shame.
Thanks Andrew. I bet Vardy is wishing he had joined us now… 😉
Scott, I’m sure he’s thinking that too. Now there is ‘one’ fan against him 😉
Rico, we will never now know, nor will Vardy, what would have happened this season. 50/50 I would say, either scored 20 goals or struggling like he is at Leicester now!
Lol Andrew.
It almost would have been poetic.
Our first trophy playing out of the Emirates-what could have been more fitting?
Oh well….
Silly though it sounds I don’t think Vardy, if he’d been bought would have displaced any of our forwards. And, I include Feo in that role.
Morning all. Sunny here. Lovely day. Still a bit cold though.
Wavy, Walcott playing like he is now, keeping new signing Vardy on subs bench for 20 matches! Now there’s a thought that makes me chuckle, Then again, Perez might be having same thoughts only not chuckling?
Andrew, I reckon they are all burned out as most of the team played every match last summer..
Anyway, who cares? 🙂
Just amazed Sanchez doesn’t burn out … or combust!
Neither do I Wavy, Wenger would have to rotate then, and he doesn’t seem to do that regardless of how certain players are performing…
Sacked?
And why do not ask for the resignation?
Just been watching Jon Moss decision making in the Swansea/Leicester game. Huth, already on a yellow card, elbowed a Swansea player in the face and received a stern talking too…
Funny really considering he was the idiot who couldn’t wait to send Xhaka off…
Arsenal Jm?
Morning from a blazing sunny day in Kernow .
Thanks Rico and you dont have to convince me as I`m in the …,.In Ox We Trust…group, always have been . 🙂
Just see this headline on newsnow…….”Australia has been accused of crimes against humanity”……….haven`t read it, but I`m sure it`s got something todo with them sending us the likes of Rolf Harris and Peter Andre !…………. 😆
Ha ha Lc, or should I be calling you Iuf now?
You`re the Guv Rico, so you can call me anything !………………just like my other Guv does ! 🙂
Testing to see if my problematic avatar is back !
Back to normal ! hahaha
Anything Lc? Mmmme, I might offend… 😉
Normal LC? Normal….?
Morning all
I recently heard from a friend who knows the Ox’s whole immediate family, that he has said that Wenger often goes weeks cold shouldering him and The Ox’s Dad is desperate for him to leave. Remember the Ox is out of contract soon.
Wenger has this habit because regardless of ability he has his favourites,
No, Leicester
There is no justification for AW to drop Ox…I actually think he will play much better with Elneny next to him.
Rico, I don’t think you are wrong, re wishing the injury on certain players since that’s the only way we get some type of meritocracy in the selection.
I will actually drop Ozil (my favorite player) and start Alexis in the #10 role and Perez up with Welbeck for Bayern. This way we play with a striker, unlike when Sanchez drop so deep to get the ball as a striker. Play him as the #10 he gets the freedom he needs, i.e., Couthino, Messi, etc.
Lc…Kernow…What a place.
Afternoon Rico and All.
We have a good squad.
I think the defence could improve a bit
I think we have a good attack all round,
we seem to score most games.
Keeper’s pretty good.
But this Midfield gets me.
when I think back to when we were winning
the big stuff,
we had players who could get forward,get back
and stick the boot in if needed
Paddy,The Pawn Star,Romford,Silva,The Three Degree’s
all had an edge.
We now have Granite who so far looks a yard slow
late tackles red cards..thats the price.
The Cock once booked begins to try out his B game
spraying balls into the crowd.
We also have The Curly Geezer
who just seem’s to be a Rhubarb at the moment.
Then we have the wide mob,
Flavour of the month:
Walnut,Iwobi,Ozil who lets be fair couldn’t
tackle afternoon Tea,forget about a roast dinner.
Santi’s walking around with a size 40 boot on.
That just leave’s The Ox to carry our Midfield
and to be fair him has looked half decent.
Surely Danny and this geezer Perez have to come in
both of them look like fighters from what I’ve seen
is it us being scared of booking’s/sending off’s that’s
reduced us to sticking out a leg rather than leaving
The Calling Card.
Arsene has just said..We want to keep in the game
for the second leg at home.he hint’s of a defensive
game away to Bayern.
Look’s like Finger’s crossed again time.
Kelsey that is terrible if true given AW’s reputation for nurturing young players.
Did anyone see the farce that is Goals on Sunday? Two unemployed Scousers (Reid and Jewell) along with another professional Northerner Kamara ripping into us and particularly the first goal. Interesting how they were demanding a rule change so the goal wouldn’t be given because it was handball but the ball hitting the Hull player on the hand just before wasn’t a penalty! Paul Jewell (remember him) thought he was being such a scouse wit by taking the piss out of Arsenal and Arsene. Hope he enjoys his life on the dole!
Kelsey, why am I not surprised.. Just another reason Wenger needs to leave…
It shouldn’t be that way though Obi as we know. It’s really stupid to just play the same old players regardless or form or opposition. The only change Wenger really makes is whether to start Giroud or Alexis up front…
Morning Fred, good points in there.
Defensive in Germany, does he know how too? We saw it once against City and it worked so what did the silly old fool do? Not play that way again…..
Bob, I think his reputation of developing youngsters is a myth. Who has Wenger really made into a gem having signed them early in their career?
Fabregas, Bellerin… After that it gets tough….
Afternoon guys, quiet old day. Darn post didn’t go onto newsnow… 🙁
Catch up tomorrow guys…
Night all.
Oh well, trust Citeh to travel down south and spoil a good day at the seaside for all us Gooners eh !
rico, I couldn’t imagine anyone slapping you down and living to tell the story lol.
Afternoon rico1 & all,
Now I know the Bayern game isn’t till Thursday morning, but I’d still like to wish those away fans going the best of luck.
COYRRR
I don’t know what you mean Micko… lol
Morning George and all..
Evening rico
Geez its quieter on here than White Hart Lane around May (except if The Arsenal are winning Titles there)!!
Morning Rico.
Very quiet today George, guess we’ve all said it all… lol
Morning Adam.
Yes, a quiet, contemplative period before the club gives us a reason to grow furious again.:)
You mean tomorrow Adam? 😉
Valentino’s tonight and we have dodged the bullet . My mates in Norfolk though are knee deep in it as Norwich play Newcastle tonight. Late table bookings are scarce .
I hope not Rico. 🙂
I think it’s highly likely Adam…
Table bookings tonight are a rip off Potter…
Whinge when it’s quiet.
Whinge when I liven things up.
Can’t win 🙂
Morning all.
A 16 hour work day on Valentines Day and she still loves me???
What do I have to do 🙂
Not whinging Scott, just what is there to talk about until tomorrow? There’s very little positive news, but plenty of negative… 🙁
There is a new post up. It’s a sponsored one so I wouldn’t bother reading it… That’s if you do ever read them in any case… 😉 😉
Just winding you up, Rico, and it worked 🙂 🙂
If Arsene chooses wisely, we really can give Bayern some stick.