So it’s not only me who thinks highly of Theo Walcott, our captain loves him….
I love him, I honestly love him, I don’t understand the criticism. On Saturday he gave three very clear assists, two for me and one for Alex.
He was sharp, he was playing fantastically and, like anyone, he misses chances. But I miss chances. Ronaldo misses chances, Messi misses chances. It’s life, you know.
Sometimes I feel that people are a bit harsh on him. I don’t know why. If you look at his assists rate then it is unbelievable. And he will score. Trust me, he will score. He will get 20 goals at least every season. You will see. Have faith in him.
He has given me so many assists. And for me, if you give an assist then it is worth a goal, especially if you give a great assist. It is as important as scoring a goal. For me he gave two simple tap-ins. That makes it more his goal than my goal.
See you lot out there, you are all far too harsh on our English winger… 😉
Seriously, maybe it is time to give Theo a break, if Robin’s happy then we should be too, shouldn’t we?
Talking about breaks, when is Emmanuel Frimpong going to get a lucky one?
At the start of last season he and possibly most of us thought he was in for a first season being involved with the first team, he’d show he meant the business in pre-season and then in the middle of August he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury to his knee whilst training and was out for nine months.
At the weekend during Wolves fixture against QPR, he suffered the same injury but too his other knee and he’s been ruled out for the rest of the season.
What is it with our players, what now for Frimps, will he come back from this injury – mentally as much a physically?
His recent tweets suggest he’s in good spirits but its early days…
On his side is age though and as a regular on here pointed out yesterday, Sir Bobby Pires suffered both injuries and it didn’t stop him did it?
Fingers crossed he can come back as strong, if not stronger….
Finally, it seems Arsene Wenger is on the track of another couple of young gems, one is currently plying his trade at Crewe Alexandra, his name is Nick Powell, he’s a 6ft tall attacking midfielder and the Crewe boss thought he would lose his player in January but the right offer never materialised….
Powell is already playing for England at the level he is allowed and he’s highly thought of and we are not the only English club keeping an eye on him.
£1.2 million is his value, bet he joins us in the summer…..
The other is Nottingham Forest’s promising teenage defender Jamal Lascelles who has already impressed for England under 19’s, he’s nearly 6′ 3″ and its reported we had a bid for him turned down last month. Maybe another one for the summer?
So, whilst Arsene Wenger is hinting about saving up to get Eden Hazard in July, don’t be fooled – the real deals will be a lot cheaper and nearer to home. I strongly suspect the Hazard story coincides with Gazidis plotting another increase on Season Tickets..
That’s it for today folks, have a good one…..
Morning all…
The Hazard spin makes me laugh, it’s become so boring, AW says he must raise the money to sign him (if we believe reports) so whats he going to do, sell Robin? Sell Kos and or Vermaelen?
That’s the only way he’d make that kind of money……
I’m off out this morning, back after lunch….
Good morning Rico
Good points and I agree with them all.
Suddenly its bargain basement of the lower divisions which interest our Monsieour. Lascelles and Powell are the last two to be associated with the club. The latter I have been banging the drum about since last year. He is good. Hiowever the former I still cannot form any viewas I have not seen him at least once.
Why didnt AW start searching the lower divisions since 2006 when we moved to the emirates??? Could have bought 4 or 5 good players with the money he paid for Arshavin. I gather that Hart grew up at Shrewsbury and presume that he was far better than Almunia no????
morning rico, nice one to warm us in the freeze, about theo and robin you can tell love is in the air, say no more the pictures say it all, which great for us.
I think most of the fans give theo hard time because he has no consistancy and sometimes he can be frustrating to say the least.
and when he is in that 5th gear you would expect the manager to sub him and later have a serious hair dryer style kinda talk. everyone knows he has a potential, so I don’t usually have a go at him but at the manager when it is obvious he needs to be subed
Rico,I read it differently,and so do others I’ve spoken to.
I reckon the board have FINALLY allowed Wenger to come out and offer up an excuse as to why he can’t spend…..he is not allowed to,and this is why……15-20 million reasons.
It’s a very measured and articulate statement,offending nobody,blaming noone,but still getting a point across very diplomatically.
Plenty wont see it this way,plenty will choose not to see it this way,but others will read it similarly to myself.
At least think about it fellow Gooners……then make up your mind.
Think of the timing,too!!!
Good morning…
Catch you later
Idiots… Typical pommy fukin whingers! Known the world over for whinging about everyone and thing.
Whinge when were winning,
U all just whinge when were winning…
Mon the Arsenal!
Mon Wenger!!
Morning all, nice one Rico.
I would expect Van Persie to stand up for all his players seeing he is the captain. Even Arshavin would get Robins seal of approvall but at the end of the day supporters watch these players playing and know who puts in the effort, they know who will run through walls and who pulls out, Robin can say what he likes but we know that some of our team do not come up to scratch and that we could do with better players. Wenger may have said that certain players like Hazard and the like would fit in well, players like that fitin well anywhere because they are quality but as you said we will only be picking up young cheap players and that is why we haven’t won anything for a while, but the chances are we will turn a youngster into a superstar and sell him to city and make a fortune.
Thanks Elkieno……just took ALL the pressure off me lol!!!!!!!
Steve,RVP did make a few good points about Theo.
He failed to mention the lack of consistency,but he did seem to be sharing the love when he mounted Theo lol.
Morning Scott, pity he couldn’t fcuk some sense into him.
Elk, you have a way with words, you will go far.
Steve,you what really pisses me off about Theo???
A week ago,I’d have sold him.
After his latest effort,plus seeing the camaraderie the players have,I’d keep him.
The only thing consistent about Theo is his inconsistency,and it consistently frustrates the crap out of me.
Scott have a word with ya convict pal……………. Maybe he’s upset carrying that ball and chain about all day long…!
Mornin SP, we can indeed rely on Theo to be inconsistent but maybe just maybe seeing Ox do what he should be doing is the wake up call he needs…?
Scott The Ox could be a blessing in Disguise theo will see the headlines he will read that The Ox’s direct way of playing and the good head on his shoulders are what supporters like to see, Theo has now got a rival and he will need to raise his game, When we have said in the past that what is needed is competition for places, we now have the Ox Theo and Gerve with Coq and Jenks Theo will have to improve or else he may have to move on.
Morning Wath.
Wath,show me anything that suggest hes an Aussie!!!
Wenger appears to really be injecting speed into the club.
Here we go
The Ox is not only a direct rival for the AFC team position on the wing. He is also a direct rival for an England berth. The last thing Theo needs is for the OX to be taken to the finals of 2012 and not only taking the plaudits but also taking his place.
Theo is an intelligent guy. He knows that he is a player while the OX is an intelligent footballer with a quick footballing brain.
Here we go again.
General Napoleon once said……..Not all battles can be won. Not all battles can be lost. However one battle will always be lost no matter how equipped a general is………the battle against ignorant people.
Well,I don’t understand why some on here play the man and not the ball…..stick to topic Wath and give the cheap shots a miss.
Is it a good thing for the Ox. to go to Euro 12,or not???
Although i agree with you Scott about the speed we have in the team i am a bit concerned at how long it takes our defenders and midfield to advance ,many a time we have a situation where our wingers are on a run and there is no one in the middle, many’s a time, because Theo rarely looks up he launches a ball across only to give it to the defender, we do seem slow to get players in the box
Steve,that’s why we were so good on the weekend……speed going forward.
It was much,much better,and gave Theo a chance to utilise his one and only weapon.
yes Scott……but Steve was referring to the compactness between the defence-midfield-attacking departments. The attack is high up but the defence and midfield departments are still going up and no support is given to the front three. At one time we were lucky that they did not explpoit the distance between the defence and midfield given that it was so big that a 5 a side pitch could have been fitted in there.
Devil,we had more players getting forward earlier than we have all season.
Certainly our midfielders were better.
Our back 4….. maybe when they’re all playing in position we will see improvement.
What i enjoyed from the weekend was how the goals were spread out and the amount of chances we created, our finnishing has been a weakness but as long as we make chances the goals will come. I did feel that we could have had hatfulls of goals but we seemed to be holding back, we have done this in games we have been up in we take our foot off and allow teams a route back in. I feel that if we are pressurising and we are scoreing goals we should pile it on even more after all that has proved that its working why ease off
Steve,leaving RVP on until the end certainly helped us kill Blackburn off,yet plenty questioned the move.
Apart from everything else Ox offers,its his confidence and composure near goal that sets him apart from most kids his age.
Exactly Steve. The same comment I made a few days ago that I was complaining about even when we were winning cups. Manure used to destroy opponents even when they were certain of the win. We used to take our foot off the gas pedal at 4-0 and toyed with our opponents. That is dangerous because beating the shit out of teams with 9-0 wins (Manure vs Ipswich) is one thing and you have destroyed them mentally. but toying and ridiculing someone is totally different and the next time your opponent will remember it and will look to pay you back.
You are right Scott…….but still not quickly going forward . We had more bodies in the box but the departments were still square during certain times and no triangles were available for options and support play. Theo, Gerv and Ox are fast I agree but the rest need to go quickly up otherwise they leave gaps which could be exploited by better teams.
Sorry Scott seems your a little sensitive today….!
Devil, what you reckon on playing Coq right of midfield seeing as the fella certainly gives us drive as well and not being scared to get forward either… He seems to click pretty well with Theo as well….!
Are we graced with the return of Chamakh yet…?
Gut murning mon Amish…. ehh ami,
Nice to hear AW released a pigeon again to have his word out. Not so long ago he released one to fly intercontinental all the way to Brazil. Hoping it would land in Neymar’s window, samba it’s feathers like a carnival chick and shake off a little note which read: ” I come and get you, if I find enough coins between my couch. Jesus Wenger.”
Morning Gooners.
Morning Rico, great post madam.
Elkieno, that’s a bonzer comment mate.
Now go and play with your billabong.
We all know that defenders hate facing pace, thats why when Walcott has come on late in games it has frightened the life out of defenders who have played a full game. but what we do when we take the likes of The Ox off is to give defenders a bit of a breather, i couldn’t understand why we did that as defenders would not want to venture up to far with a speedy winger to contend with. I know the game was done and dusted but supporters want to see goals and lots of them .
I just love Robin. Thats very good of you man. Saying good things about your mate, makes you a worthy captain. I share thesame opinion with Robin about Walcott. He is a good player, he has a football brain contrary to what many fans and the press will want us to believe. His pace is an asset, he just needs midfieders who will constantly put the ball behind the defenders for him to run into.
Might be W.A.T.H. However I feel that his best position is in the centre of midfield. I feel that in a 4-4-2 Ramsey would be better off giving us stability since Sagna will overlap and this would allow Aaron the chance to strengthen the centre of midfield while on the left Santos (when fit) could give us natural width. That is why I would like to see him play in midfield with another solid fullback behind him. Maybe an attacking combo of Theo and RVP would do fine centrally seeing that they click together. However I still say that with all his skills, physique and footballing intelligence the OX can play the role RVP plays and can offer a breather to the captain.
StevieP.
Yeah mate, not only a blessing in disguise, Ox may inadvertantly take the attention away from Theo and not being in the spotlight may allow Rico’s fav’ to relax and perform as we know he can.
The gladiators are coming on thick and fast now.
Rest your swords on ye round table fellow gladiators and offer fruits of your wisdom to the guys with little grey matter between their ears.
Hiya AK. you ok mate??
No Wath,just every comment you aim at me is ordinary,and never on topic.
Just give me a miss…easy as that.
Devil,I think the outside backs are not totally comfortable going forward,Mertesacker just cant keep up,so that leaves Kozzer.
With Santos it Gibbs back,Jenkunson or Sagna back(starting) ,Kozzer and Vermaelen in the middle,and it should be different.
Expectations SP, since he came to Arsenal the expectations on that boy have probably been too much for him to deal with.
Good points DG,
Just changeing the subject for a minute did anyone else notice that the ox has an uncanny resemblance to a young Mike Tyson or was it just me.
Mornin Grandad 😉
Agreed Devil, for me Coq is a central midfielder however the way he has put in a shift at right back I think he could def do a job on the right of midfield ever in a 3 man mid…. he has a great engine gets forward and could cover Sagna when he overlaps… Also Coq could and would overlap like he did on Sat…!
Sorry Scott the comment wasnt made at “YOU” so stop being so sensitive fella simple… the comment was at your convict mate… simples…!
You like to dish out the funny comments yet get all irritated if you perceive one is made to you or at you, as said it wasn’t…! Get over it…!
How do I know he was an aussie… Simple… his IP address told me so…!
My old Pa said the same Sir SP. Not only a facial resemblance but also his physique.
That’s funny SP, OX is Tyson in disguise….! Can you remember what his Dad looks like, wasn’t he tall and skinny…?
Least he ain’t got the face tat yet Devil/SP……….. 😉
Lets hope he keeps to the straight and narrow then DG 🙂
I’m good habib. Just getting a bit of sunshine and vitamin E [or is it D, i can never remember].
Good to hear some positivity today.
Reckon we’re gonna win the Double… 🙂
Sorry Ade David all first comments go into moderation but now your on…!
Theo also has to have the brains to run into the channels for the ball to be played in behind the defenders, far to often he doesnt look to make those runs at all…!
You know what,I may well just be a dumb Aussie to some of you,i may well argue too much,and plenty may not agree with what I say,but i never,ever speak down to people.
I have followed the club longer than plenty on here.
Yes,from a million miles away,but I watch every single game,no matter what ungodly hour its on,and I never,ever waver in my support of Arsenal.
I have ignored so many cryptic,shitty little comments aimed at me for the sake of simply talking to fellow Gooners its ridiculous.
Fuck your sarcastic,smart arse comments.
Steve……though we argued earlier,at least you never lowered yourself to the level of some….much appreciated champ.
I have more respect for someone calling me a prick upfront than I do some of you others though.
Enough from me,I will scan the site,but no comments means no shit from those more learned than i.
I can remember Tyson when he emurged he caused a bit of unease and i’m pretty certain our Ox will as well
SP, Tyson was a machine when he first hit the scene….!
I hope the Ox stays away from the tattoo shop and doesn’t find a tasty ear to do a Van Gogh. 😉
Morning Grandson. Why aren’t you at school.
Not bunking off again i hope. 🙂
Devil i liked your theory of Ramsey wide right, a la Razor, could be the making of the boy?
Its vitamin D mate. Sun gives you vitamin D essential for your body. At least 2 hours a day and that is more than enough. Obviously not for two hours at a stretch but the overall plus of the whole day.
Scott, that’s a bit like the cat calling the dog hairy arse.
Scott, The british humour is somthing that not everybody takes to, you stick in there mate and i’m sure you will soon understand it we are all the same as you mate Gooners that is we shouldn’t be digging out at one another plenty of spuds and chav’e for all that and just as our team are finding form we have to stay the course.
Sir AK…..the present players all have played 4-4-2 before at some other clubs. Take Theo for example……he was a striker in a 4-4-2 at Southampton. He came to AFC and it was as a winger that he was played at. 4-3-3 is good but if you have 10 footballers not having to carry 4 or 5 players. I think that the notion of square pegs in round holes will cease the moment we play the players in their rightful position and with a change of tactics will see us more successful again. IMO I would start with 4-3-3 or 4-5-1 and than change 4-4-2 for the second half. OR vice versa.
I might of bunked off school 30 odds years ago Grandad these days I just try not to work to much 😉 bit like you i may add…….
Sunshine… whats that…? this brass monekys weather is a bit much.
I think Ramsey is a yard to slow to play right mid….! That’s why I say Coq is an option for there…!?!?
Devil, you think Ox is physically strong enough as yet to play through the middle…? I think that be asking a bit much of him to lay alone through the middle.
Devil, it has to be said, no-one knows formations like you.
Come on Scott, don’t be like that mate.
Just as we need to get to know you.
YOU also, have to get to know US.
Now i’ve yet to meet an Aussie who cannot give shit AND take it. So don’t be the first one eh?
And looking at the table last night fourth place is definately back on, its official.
Devil, how about we go back to proper old skool…………. 2-3-5..? 😉
Not yet W.A.T.H. Not ready to play it all the time. What I meant is that during a match AW can rest RVP, play the Ox up front safe in the knowledge that he will hold more than his own and put in another experienced midfielder instead to hold midfield. And do that when the game is put to bed.
Regarding Ramsey that is why I would put him on the right…because he is slightly slow. He will stay in midfield offering support to the centre and covering for Sagna when he goes up thus offering balance, support and more importantly depth in team shape. If all our players are fast with speed we will soon have everyone up and no one offering support.
It seems that you think with the mind of a 4-3-3 yet wants to adapt to 4-4-2 W.A.T.H!!! Am I right or mistaken mate???
I think the Ox is still finding his feet at the moment Wath and he’s still growing , i think he should be left alone for the time being and let him mature a bit. When he’s ready i’m sure he will let everybody know where he would like to play, Personall i think he could play anywhere, and if he grows another 3 or 4 inches look out chez
or more better ………… 1-1-8 😆
the problem is not formation mate. Its whether you have players or footballers. With the former you have to adapt to formations. But with footballers any formation is ok as long as they work as a team.
Devil, i think Wath is in detention for not doing his homework.
I don’t Arsenal/Wenger should slavishly hold to any one system. Having players intelligent or versatile enuf to switch systems during games should be the aim.
Mourinho does it all the time, hench his early substitutions.
AK,I can take it,but not when its simply degrading and snide.
The guys involved are suddenly quiet.
I loved them numbers Wath, all for it
Sir SP………right 1 million per cent. no one can put that any better.
It’s a bit slow today. We need some snow… 🙂
Ok, offski. See all you Gooners and my Grandson lata.
Scott, just chill mate. You’ll be ok. We’re all good guys and gals on here. Honest. We just like to take the piss a bit.
Gone now. 🙂
Catch you guys later oh and be good out there 🙂
See you lata matey. enjoy and have a good day.
The only reason I am quite Scott is i ain’t getting into a slagging match with you, you got the hump over a comment which you took personally and yet seems you can make all sorts of snidy smart arse comments and all is fine long as noone aims one in your direction
Snide and degrading…. lol…….. I take it that was meant at me then
As said, you like dishing it out but can’t take it, if you get all sensitive over something that wasn’t even aimed at you what next..? you were quick to moan and bitch at others on here the other week at what you said was people being over sensitive at your comments and what are you being now..? Call me what you want I don’t care one iota but if a fella wants to come on here and call me a fuckin whingeing pom then he must accept he’s gonna get called a convict..!!
Lets get a few things straight shall we, firstly i really couldn’t give a rats are if your an Aussie, a Kiwi a Bosnian or an Angolan…… Your Arsenal and thats good enough for me, if I agree or disagree with you is also not an issue at all as that’s what it’s all about. You took exception to a general comment made about toerags the other week and kept on and on about it yet when did anyone ever call you a toerag…? If I was going to call you a prick I would but mostly your comments are good and that has nothing to do with whether i agree or disagree with them as said…. If you wanna dish it out then you need to be able to take it and if you think the comments are degrading or snidy I think you really do need take then from how they are written !!
As for being an Arsenal supporter more than plenty on here how would you know that…? You have no idea who your talking to, no idea how old people are no idea how long they been going over the Arsenal for, no idea who goes to what games who spends what amounts to follow our team all over the planet…. people are a name on a blog and unless you know then personally what do you actually know about them..? Nothing…!
Devil………. not a chance am I a 433 man………….. 442 all the way, what I am doing is merely putting the players into wengers 433 to see who would fit best and what other options we have seeing as we know full well he won’t go 442…!
Cheers Grandad drive safe chat lata…!
Lata Sp…………! keep warm mate you know the GG makes sense 😀
Wath,do you even read whats said???
Being called a toerag was never an issue.
The issue was some people could do it with no repercussions,yet each time i said boo,i was the worst in the world.
I’ve been nothing but respectful since,yet a few treat me like a halfwit,though ever so subtly,of course.
Anyway,goodnight all,enjoy.
There’s only one thing for it, the word toe-rag must go into moderation.
GOODNIGHT Scott. SWEET DREAMS.
No obviously Scott I don’t read a single thing on here, thats why I know why you kept going on and on about the toerag thing and to say it wasn’t an issue is one thing but then why bring it up for over a week and say “YOU” were called a toerag…!.
As I said you seem to think it’s fine to have a dig at others yet even a general comment you took exception too.
As i said i don’t treat anyone like a halfwit unless they come across as one, you do not, I don’t agree with your love of wenger but thats your view and opinion and I respect that as well. The fact has been you took issue before over things that were made in general and today threw your toys over a comments I made. It wasn’t made at you at all and yet you decided it was. Come on here and take the piss, chirp people but expect it back…. noone is snidy, no one is degrading it’s called having a laugh. If i called you a f’kin wanker thats personal…. and you would know its personal all other comments made by whom ever are normally 100% tongue in cheek and mean’t to be fun, as I said take the comments from where they are written not how you perceive them to be.
If memory serves me right Micko it’s all your fault this toerag thing 😛
Devil, 4-3-3 with Coq on the right with Song and Arteta could be a really good option in some games…! Ramsey for me being that yard to slow means he’d be a little wasted and the fact he lines to make the runs into the box means we’d lose a bit of shape and balance if he always running in from wide right through the middle…!
You gents have gone all cyber fisticuffy again?? Tut tut. I did say, can’t be left to your own devices. 😛 😛
Mick your so old fashioned…
And a toerag…. 🙂
As am i…….
anybody know Francis Carigão (Arsenal scout)?
Catch you later
JM. He is an ex youth/stiffs player from AFC.
And now our Spanish scout.
Stuck in a terrible traffic jam.
Stay away from the Marylebone rd/Euston rd.
Kev, if i was 10 years younger I’d be down the Euston Road to sort you out !
AGAG behave before Micko calls you a toerag and asks me to put you into moderation 😛
Afternoon everyone, is it safe to come back 😉
Mick, if i was 10 years younger, then i would be very happy.
Hiya Rico.
Typical, you go off for a spell and there’s a tear~up.
It’s all agag’s fault.
rico, it would be wonderful to get hazard, but I’m not holding my breath. 🙁
Scott, there’s a lot of largely good natured-ribbing here. Don’t take it to heart. 🙂 Do come back. You haven’t properly met Goonster yet; you’ll like him he’s endlessly positive. But mind your wind screen. 😀 😀
Hi, AK. Don’t fall asleep on the wheel! Go on an extended tea break if you must, and take a shopping detour while you’re at it.
WATH, go pour yourself a drink. If you don’t behave, rico will give punish you with some cornertime . 🙂 You can’t put me in moderation! I always play nice.
Boo, Micko! Howdy?
Always the same AK, frightened to go out these 😉
agag, i think there is more chance of me signing on for afc than hazard 😉
AGAG = Moderation………………. watch me 😛
Afternoon Boss…. No that’s not you AK 😉
W.A. T.H, The way I see it now, Coq may even displace Sagna from the right full back. Dont u think so? He plays as if that is his natural position. He is mobile. If not bcos of his limited experience and maturity, he is good 4 that position. If he continues the way he is now, he has future in Arsenal. It is good that we have utility player like him.
rico will set me free, anyway. I am not scared of you. 😀
Ade, will you be able to see any of Arsenal’s games when we tour Nigeria in pre~season?
rico, the thing is, the fact that he kept on being linked to us drove up his stock. Now, he would be beyond our meager budget. 🙁 Bummer. We keep on missing out on the good ones because we are too afraid to invest. I watch Mata play and think about how perfectly he would slot into our team.
Ade David,
I like Coq in his natural position which is obviously midfield, I like his attitude and his drive and his commitment and I think that’s why he has done well at right back because he has such a good attitude but for me Sagna still first choice but maybe Coq in front of him on the right side is a good option..?
Afternoon Wath…. You grumpy again i see! You’d have been in the sin bin had I been here!!
I agree agag, how many years now have we wondered if we would sign him?
Scott said the same about Mata the other day, we really naffed that one up didn’t we, but if the chavs offered more we were always going to lose out 🙁
Guys/Gals
This is important as a lot of you/us use Facebook, if you see a news headline about World War 3 could soon unfold, the headline ‘US attacks Iran and Saudi Arabia’ or something similar it is a virus….
Rico, If you threw me in the sin bin I’d escape and then call you a toerag…………. 😉
You kind of get this feeling rico, that the clubs bankrolled by billions just wait to see who Wenger scouts, then goes out to buy them. 🙁 🙁
I told you, WATH, you’d have been given corner time. 😀
In ur dreams AGAG…………. 😛
Me grumpy Rico, Never……………
And you would have gone straight back into spam Wath!
They all seem to work that way agag, i don’t know why all our stories are getting leaked these days, we never used to hear much until any deal was pretty much signed and sealed….
Mata, Ricky Whats his name and we nearly lost out on Joel Campbell….
rico, it’s Alvarez. You used to call him Ricky “Allevez”. You went all runny babbit on him. Maybe he’s related to Allezkev. 🙂
WATH, apart from dispensing drinks, you know you’re supposed to be an avuncular figure here. 😛 😛
Rico, in that case can we put “toe-rag” into moderation and get “cnut” allowed lol 😀 that’s a fair swop 😉
I have to take Fido out, you all behave, well, not all, just Wath! …
Back in a bit…
AGAG…………… I’ll give you uncle you cheeky wench………….! 😛
Me agag, did I – i thought that was Stanley 😉
Maybe my memory is going 🙁
Wath, that is not even a fair swap 😉
Back shortly….
I am so hurt by that derogatory comment Rico….!!!
It really was you, rico. 😉 goonster just changes his mind about who he wishes us to purchase every other day!
WATH, many in here do regard you as an uncle. 😎
Rico.
Put Wath on detention…. 🙂
No one on here is young enough for me to be their Uncle AGAG 😛
Shut up Grandad or I’ll nick ya Zimmer 😀
Call me whatever you like, Wath always does, but don’t call me Ricky…
AK are you Ricky Martin in disguise 😛
That’s it Grandson.
No pocket money for you my lad….
Boo, AK! Did you take my advice?? 😉
Anyway, it’s JJ who likes the spandex.
I’ve never been confused…. :-). :-). 🙂
Agag i wish i was on a long tea break.
Unfortunately, it’s a slow day.
On the plus side it allows me time to catch up with my Grandson and your uncle. 🙂
Aww, that’s too bad, AK. 🙁 I wish I were on a tea break myself…somewhere in Koh Samui. 😀
Even AFC-wise, it’s been a sloooow news day.
Your grandson’s been a bit of a grump today. You must give him his GG ration. 😉
I heard on the radio this morning that Zamora was the 55th player to pull on a qpr shirt this season, if i heard that right then that is just mind boggling !
We moan about our luck with injuries but what’s going on at Loftus Road.
Hi all.good read but no chance with Hazard.
Strange that Remi Garde should be championing AW for the France national job?!
Wonder if Remi has his eye on Ashburton Grove???
Allezkev, surely I ‘ll watch my darling team Arsenal live in Nigeria. What an opportunity. Millions of Arsenal Supporters are in Nigeria. We Nigerians’ gooners are already dreaming of it. If only I can have d opportunity to shake hands with players especially my only RVP, it will be an experience I ‘ll live to tell whosoever is ready to listen.
Hua Hin for me AGAG………….. Although your to young to appreciate it at 5yrs old…!
KT, how’s you fella sorry missed ya yesterday mate good to see ya back again…!
Am fine wath.good to see you too.
Ade, i know it’s a few months away. But don’t forget to come on here and give us a report and feel of how things are going. That would be very interesting. Cheers mate.
It’s a toss between KS and HH, WATH. 🙂 Hua Hin is more accessible from Bangkok, so that’s something to consider. 🙂
Hi, KT. How are you? You’re probably right about Hazard, but it’s nice to think we’d be getting some star name. 😉
Hello, Ade. 🙂
Am fine agag.wilshere will be our new signing… 😉
Don’t forget Frimpong as well now KT….!
Santos and jenks too…
Afternoon again all,
Wath – tough!
agag, i must eat more greens then, sort my memory out 😉
Kt, totally agree, its all spin, no chance of Hazard, like i say in the post, our signings will be cheaper and a lot nearer to home 😉
We are probably eyeing a Lille youth reserve player… 😮
Your so insensitive Rico 😛
I forgot to add ‘Lille youth reserve player with short backlift… 😉 ‘
😛 Wath, me, for sure i am not….
And a fat bum Kt 😉
KT, we have Thomas Eisfeld, he will save us millions this summer.
Jury has been sent home early today then, verdict tomorrow maybe ??
Rico, slap on the wrist and a fine, you watch.
Bloody hope not Micko – I think of what Piggot got sentenced and hope… Can’t remember how much he dodged tax on though…
Arry has made himself look a bit of a dick throughout the trial, he’s clearly told one or two porkies….
Imagine it, a fly on the wall documentary as a treat for us Gooners.
Prisioner Cell Block H
Bring it on.
I’d love it Micko, I’d bloody love it….
Thanks KK, that saying always comes in handy 😉
Hiya guys and chicks. Back again and its bloody freezing. We had hail today. Thank God everything is fixed on properly otherwise parts of me will be dropping here and there and everywhere. 😆
😛 devil, evening to you, its reported to be going down to -18 here tonight 😮
-18????
I’d better go and live in the sea. The sea temperature is much higher than on ground here.
The problem is that our houses are not equipped for such cold Rico. So although in summer they are fine, in winter they do not retain the heat and the humidity makes them worse.
Well well well………look what we have here on the Beeb…..
The true scale of match-fixing, racism and violence in European football has been revealed in new statistical research due to be released on Tuesday.
FIFPro, the worldwide union for professional footballers, conducted a survey of thousands of players in Eastern and Southern Europe.
Almost a quarter of players (23.6%) are aware of match-fixing in their league.
The stats may cause particular concern for 2018 World Cup hosts Russia, where that figure is as high as 43.5%.
The Black Book, a copy of which has been seen by the BBC, shows that 11.9% of footballers have been approached to consider fixing the result of a game, with that figure reaching 30.3% in Greece.
The research found a clear link between non-payment of player salaries and match-fixing.
As many as 41.1% of players have not had their salary paid on time, of which more than half were approached to consider fixing a match.
“These are very worrying results,” said FIFPro Director Anthony Higgins. “A massive wake-up call for football, including in Western Europe.
“In the east, players regularly discover they are not paid by their clubs and then find themselves being targeted by corrupt influences. They are vulnerable.”
Turkey is currently embroiled in a match-fixing scandal that has ensnared some of the country’s top clubs.
Last year, the Uefa lawyer charged with fighting corruption in football, Pierre Cornu, admitted that match-fixing cannot be wiped out.
Despite that, Fifa have set up an early warning system to detect suspicious betting patterns, and Uefa have just announced a link-up with Interpol to clamp down on match-fixing.
Meanwhile, 9.6% of respondents in the Black Book survey reported examples of racism or other forms of discrimination, mainly caused by supporters (65.3%).
Every ninth player had been a victim of a violent act (11.7%). This was caused by fans (55.8%), club management (13.3%) or even the club’s coach (8.3%).
FIFPro say their research proves that Fifa’s current club licensing system is failing.
Designed to improve the way clubs are run, the licensing system is administered by national associations.
It defines the standards that clubs must adhere to in order to be allowed to gain a licence and participate in international competitions.
As many as 100 European clubs were denied licences last season.
Frightening isnt it????
I know, not good eh… not sure if they have it right though devil, its -2 now and i cant see -18 happening, you know the press, bit like when they report on the arsenal doom and gloom – all over the top 😉
That is really interesting devil, especially as you and SteveP have been suggesting that has been an issue in the PL – does it give the breakdown for PL players interviewed?
Mind you, to this day i wonder if Henry’s goal against Leeds in the FA Cup was ‘planned’…..
Not yet Rico. I have to see the report first. If I get it I will send you a report of the link. To you, Sir AK and W.A.T.H..
…obviously you can then send it to all. If I get it as an email I will send the attachment. But if the site says it all in detail I will just copy and paste it on HH.
Funny how those stats that are incriminating are mainly eastern european where “mafia” rulz ok…..! Very interesting though also that players earn far less and also no guarantee of wages at all it seems…!
Thanks devil, i think it will make interesting reading……
Wath – would you be surprised if it related to the PL??
It might get to -18 out there in the stix where you live Rico 😉
Best you get the camp fire lit…!
Its alright for you lot in the city, it’s warmer Wath – no way will it go that low tonight, thers more chance or ‘Arry goin dowwwn’ than -18o hitting the south of england 😉
Although the question has been posed to W.A.T.H I will try to answer it also. Personally I feel that it is all over the world. Everywhere where there is competition. However, if it did happen in the EPL it would be very professionally run. And I would be amazed to see culprits being caught since it will be so professional and subtle that you would not even imagine it.
BDW that article can be found on this link……..
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16923742
Evening all.
What’s a toerag?? A SUV made by Volkswagen??
Was about to make that point Devil. If South-America were included in the survey. It would run front page tomorrow. Guess they want it public without too much fuzz.
it was an open question really devil but wath had said about turkey etc and i just wondered his views on the pl, too many ‘crazy decisions’ are made in the PL, that’s why we all wonder – one day…. one day….
evening DG, toerag here in the UK is a fond way of describing a naughty one, like a kid who knocks on someones door and runs 😉
He/she is a little toerag….
back shortly, i need to eat …..
Wath,
Ok,I will take you on face value then.
Though you won’t believe me,me being pissed off at snide remarks never actually involved you,because your comments have aimed squarely at me with no thought of hiding your thoughts the way the person in question does…..no,I still wasn’t happy with some of your remarks,but they were never snide.
He knows exactly who he is.
Enough already……..I will play the game,but I will stay above his level and simply ignore him.
Ok,match fixing,or at least,biased referees……I watched the Chelsea v Utd game,and I’ve sen Webb ref Utd before….enough said.
I also know of a young ref working his way up…..has done reserve games….who is a mad Utd fan,and has admitted to hating Arsenal with a passion….looking forward to taking them on were his words.
When i told him I follow them….GGGGOOOOOOONNNNEEEE….never to be heard from again.
True story with emails to back it up.
What’s a toerag????
a kid who knocks on someones door and runs!!!!!
Then I am the Prince of the Universe on that regard. Used to do it a lot when I was between 7 and 15.
I think little Devil would have been an apt adjective. But I like toerag.
Oh,he.probably though he was safe admitting these things to an Aussie,seeing we don’t have electricity to watch the games!!!
(Is that better guys)
A VW Toe~rag, yeah i’d drive one of them…
Interesting Devil. You read Untold Arsenal blog don’t ya?
Not sure everything they claim is kosher, but there’s gotta be some truth in there somewhere.
Knock, Knock!
Who’s there?
Spell.
Spell who?
OK, W_H_O.
Rico 😉 Happy forking.
Devil. We used to call that ‘Knock down Ginger’ when i was a kid.. Not sure why?
Scott. Do you have a name for this ref?
Scott…..match fixing does not entail biased referees only. It can also entail players, their agents, the coach, even directors.
Righto. I’m offski. Take care out there.
Chin up Lee…..
Likewise Sir AK. I am hopping off on an escapade now. See you all tomorrow.
Night all. C ya tomorrow.
Devil, the match fixing thing has obviously gone on for as long as people have played the game, if someone offers someone else large sums of money that they think is worth the effort to “cheat” a little then they will take the risks….! We’ve seen and heard of it in England but it’s been a while and was when wages were not as ridiculous as they are now. I would say things could def go on at a lower level although depending on the “offer of riches” it could also possibly go on in the prem lge although I would guess it would be the exception rather than the norm…!. Getting “AT” a ref now thats another story entirely…!
Scott, as you will no doubt find out when you been here long enough I only do face value, i say it as i see it and as i think it…!
Night Grandad take it easy mate, you 2 DG….!
Scott, Don’t you lot have generators at least 🙂
Night Devil…………! No dreaming of formations 😉
and then it went quiet……………………….
AGAG will be amazed but i’ll go make a cuppa while you lot eat drink sleep and watch tv………!
I always wondered how that prick Graham Poll ever got to ref important games in the prem lge when he is a self confessed chelsea fan….!
How can he get to ref them or a game that has a bearing on their rivals in the league… you cannot tell me these people are not unbiased, same as Dermot Gallagher apparently has a manc tattoo on his calf…?!?!? ( unproven i must add )
Guys,ciao how r ya,I have one off topic question: Does anyone have a ticket to Arsenal vs Milan game for sale?… My red membership gives me no chance of getting it(plus I think it’s expired…lol)
Full tummy and back, certainly very happy forking DG 😉
see you soon AK…. be safe…
soup, stew and spotted dick Rico …???? 😉
Sorry Tlai all with tkts on here are going… def none on here 4 sale… Sorry…!
😛 wath, you know a healthy girl like me wouldn’t eat spotted dick….
Oh yeh forgot about that……….
Suet pud then 😉
Its that time of day for me guys and gals….
Be good and stay safe….
Til tommorow…
Nighty night to you all
I’m off to change me deodorant seeing as you’ve all run off on me………..
C’ya 2moro…….!
That’s worse, try fruit salad wath 😉
fruit salad in a cocktail maybe………….. 😉 ni nite
AK,yes,i have the name of the man.
Wath,my Tele runs on mouse power…….they get tired around the 67th minute so I never get to see the finish of games.
Their theory is,if its good enough for Wenger,its good enough for them.
No doubt plenty are involved,and from all aspects of the game.
Refs are in the easiest position to influence a game,but also the most obvious to have fingers pointed at them.
Webb gave at least one horrendous penalty decision to Utd,and being serious,it may have been a genuine mistake.
The player in question,who definitely dragged his door along the ground to ensure contact was made,should be held accountable.
I think anyone proven to have dived,simulated…whatever….should cop a twelve month suspension.
Where did I read….in the last few days….of a ref who did 30 odd games last season,9 involving Utd,gave ten or 12 penalties for the ENTIRE season, yet something like 7 were to Utd???
Forgive the numbers,not 100%,but pretty close.
afternoon Rico n’ all
do we really need hazard? What about a few fine English players
” I strongly suspect the Hazard story coincides with Gazidis plotting another increase on Season Tickets..”
lol perhaps. When will people stop buying these things?
Alan,Belgium is really producing world class players lately.
England……not so much lol.
Morning or afternoon to you 2 over on Oz……
Scott, funny how Belgium is indeed going though a golden crop of players but the national team is utterly shit…. to many ego’s…? to many who think they better than they are…?
Have heard Hazard is very lazy and has a shit attitude…. We’ve had enough of that kind of player and for me I think we have priorities in other areas of the team we need to address first before we look at a player like Hazard and as said yesterday Gotze over Hazard for me all day long..!
As for Englands world class players I’d prob say we maybe have 3 at a push maybe 4…..! That’s it but it’s been like that for decades…! Nothing new…!
Morning early birds….
Good morning Rico.
Go finish todays post Madam ….. 😛 Sturridge…? Nastasic…? Hmm more season ticket transfer hype as they prepare to up the prices yet again and get us gullible idiots to renew on yet more promises of players joining that never arrive..!
oh and yes good morning 🙂 although how cold………….. Brrrrrrrrr
Whiskey in ya tea warms the bones up…!
good morning devil
very cold Wath 🙁 Whats that about Sturridge??
Just seen that rubbish story about the chelsea man, he’d be stuck on the wings for us too if he signed 😉
Wath,there are some great Belgians,but the rest are very average.
Why is it England aren’t near the top of the tree though?
They should be.
New Post up…
Hi Scott, we have the best one though in TV 😉
Rico,agreed.
Vertonghen would be nice,as well.