Four goals was the minimum, not conceding was imperative, we just couldn’t quite manage one of the two.
We all hoped for an early goal and we got it, around seven minutes on the clock and from a Chamberlain corner, Kos lost his man and headed home.
Shortly after, Robin had a chance from a tight angle which Abbiati saved with his feet! Robin had another chance which was very similar to the one he scored against Tottenham, only this time an acrobatic save from the keeper kept it out.
We were up for this game, big time!
Just before the half hour mark, Walcott burst down the right and cut the ball back into the area, the move looked over as the pass found a Milan defender but a half-hearted attempt at a clearance found Tomas Rosicky who ‘passed’ the ball into the back of the net.
Quality, with precision and calm….
2-0 and just half an hour gone…
We were battering Milan and they had nothing to give back. Any chances they did create were seldom threatening.
Then came the third – Chamberlain powered his way into the penalty area only to be flattened by Daniel Mesbah. The ref hesitated but finally pointed to the penalty spot. Even Gary Neville couldn’t believe how long it took the ref to make up his mind.
Up stepped Robin van Persie, 3-0!
Then, seconds before the half-time whistle it was heart in mouth time, El Shaarawy should have scored but instead blasted wide.
The way we performed in the first half, we looked like a side who could score fourteen goals against Milan, not just the four needed.
The second half started and Milan had a little bit more about them.
Within minutes, Chamberlain pulled up and needed a bit of treatment from Lewin. It wasn’t long before he was back on and running again but he looked as if he was struggling a bit a times.
We had a wonderful opportunity to level the aggregate just before the hour, Gervinho’s deflected shot on goal was kicked away by Abbiati, only to find Robin lurking, the latter tried to chip the ball into the net over the keeper but Abbiati denied him with a point-blank save.
Huge moment in the game…..
The tempo slowed as the game went on, it was clear a few Arsenal legs were tiring. Chamberlain, who had bossed our midfield looked as if his legs had gone, he was struggling but he never gave up.
With approximately fifteen minutes of the game left to go, Chamberlain trudged off and on in his place came Chamakh.
It was s*** or bust time and Milan nearly hit us on the break but Szczesny wasn’t letting the back of his net be found last night..
With minutes remaining, Walcott hobbled of and Park came on as we desperately tried for that 4th goal but it wasn’t to be.
That was it for this season’s Champions League.
Arsenal shouldn’t be down after last night and neither should we fans, the team showed up and gave everything they had in them to try and turn the tie around but it wasn’t meant to be.
Robin shouldn’t beat himself up for not taking his chance to level the score either, if it wasn’t for him, we wouldn’t be where we are now in the league.
Chamberlain and Rosicky were magnificent and our defence was solid, ok Milan had a few chances but they didn’t convert any and we should be proud.
If we can now take that performance into our remaining league fixtures, we’ll definitely be back in the Champions League next season.
Next up, The Geordies at The Emirates, same again please Arsenal…..
Ahhhhh. There it is. Well done Rico, for replaying the game in my head for a couple of minutes. And made me feel proud again.
I was open mouthed yesterday. Never in my life have I seen AFC tear into a game like that. It was on from the start. Do that same stuff in the league and we will have team running scared the minute they step in the dressing room before the game.
BDW…Gd day guys and chicks of the PROUD GUNNERS’ FAITH.
Dunno about you guys but i wasnt impressed with gervinho or walcott last night…. Gervinho is panics in front of goal and for someone whos meant to be a forward its a bit of a concern!! And walcott on the wing is football dense, needs to be told to fix up! Song was another player all over the place last night!
On the other hand Rosicky is like a new player, and chambo was amazing !
Dare I say it, but I think that the Ox will be a far greater all round footballer than Cesc.
yeah can’t help but agree with allegri none of our starting 11 would get in his team…NOT!!
Morning all btw…..yids we’re coming for you next!!
Morning all..
Bloody proud to be a Gooner – the team gave their all but…
The ref was shocking again, too many decisions went to Milan, the cheating diving idiots!
Matt – i wasn’t overly impressed with Gerv or Theo either, and what is the point of Park and Chamkh, absolutely rubbish the pair of them….
Devil, I am glad you liked it, just wish it had been a 5-0 report….
The Ox was awesome, the world is at his feet, in red and white of course….
Lee, who in that Milan side would get in our team 😉
Sup Rico…. Gervinho needs a boot up his arse and be told to go for chances… like walcott they both dont want the heat on the them and wait to off load it to RVP!! yea chamkh is defo off in the summer and i think park has some potential though, wenger just doesnt play him!
Well i hope the flids keep dropping point and white shite lane wont be singing anymore 🙂
Who have the yids got next, is it the Chavs?
everton!
Morning all.
I think our chance went when AOC went down injured. Even though RVP’s chance came after that we didn’t get at them like we did in the first half when the Ox was everywhere. Jeff Stelling summed it up at half time when he asked if Oxlade-Chamberlain was really only 18. A very assured performance until he pulled up. I’m sure he would have been taken off soon after if we had had anyone worthwhile on the bench, but there you are.
Those saying the ref was bad though are wrong. He was alot worse than that. Absolutely out of his depth.
Morning all.
Next 4 games – make of break before we hit the Easter Weekend:
1 – Arsenal vs Newcastle
2 – Everton vs Arsenal
3 – Arsenal vs Aston Villa
4 – QPR vs Arsenal
Win all these 4 games = 49 + 12 = 61 points and we are 60% confirmed 4th spot.
And we need 2 more wins out of remaining 7 games to nail down 4th spot…..provided we remain Unbeaten for these remaining 7 games.
61 + 2 wins + 5 draws = 72 points, more than enough for 4th spot.
Key point is to keep the momentum going and win..win..win..win..win..ad infinitum..
Thanks Matt
Agree there Billboy, from the moment he picked up that injury, Milan started getting some joy in the midfield, and with a bit of help from the ref of course…
Hi Merlin, Everton away could be a tricky one, the others from that four, we ‘should’ win
Call me a sceptic but after our first half domination i couldn’t believe that we couldn’t muster a goal in the second half. With a depleted bench and the Ox getting injured we bring on Chamakh and not Jenkinson i didn’t understand that decision last night and i still can’t understand it now Jenkinson would have delivered a lot more from midfield than Chamakh, and even when Theo limpped off we bring Park on that has hardly played and is not as far as we know a grafter, maybe its me but when we needed to force a goal Park and Chamakh have proved inafective in the past while Jenks has shown he will run through walls
Sorry Rico great report as always 🙂
Morning Steve
Milan had a kick in the pants i suspect at half-time, our boys had run their legs off and getting that 4th was not to be….
I don’t think anyone understands what Chamakh is doing being on the bench let alone on the pitch but when you need a goal, you expect a striker to be able to do that…. but he can’t these days…
Ozyakup – Wenger could maybe should have bought him on when Chamberlain went off??
Thanks Steve 😉
great performance last night
i think zlatan is still in koscienly’s pocket
very strange to feel gutted after a 3-0 win against the Italian champions – the difference between the two teams – a clumsey djouorou!!!
lots of positives, we got a good few days to get ready for the toon army – play like we did yday and we will smash them!!
having nothing on the bench killed us really – wenger must go and get a quality attacker that CAN make the difference – hazard, gotze, podolski
The point i’m making Rico is that we take off a grafter like the Ox who was injured while defending which was as important as attacking on the night only to bring on Chammy who is neither an attacker or a grafter when we had JD Jenks and Miquel who can all do what we needed and they sat and sat on the bench while we fielded Park and cham i was absolutly distrought at those decisions am i a bad loser or what 🙂
Yesterday I was neither pessimistic nor optimistic. Well tbh, I was a bit more optimistic than pessimistic but I was more in the middle to be exact. I was hoping for a miracle…like the majority of us. But deep down I knew that it had to be a miracle of gigantic proportions for us to go through.
If anything yesterday proved that those who think we have won the battle but lost the war are mistaken. No mates we have won a skirmish lost a battle but overall I feel we have won the war. I feel that upon yesterday’s game hinged a lot more than just qualification. The way we approached the game, which I felt was seen not only by supporters but also potential future players, would have an impact on whether or not these players would sign. If for example, Podolski might have had any doubts whether to sign or not, yesterday’s performance would have made his mind up. He would surely sign. Another winning point is that I think that after yesterday’s performance RVP would sign up the contract. And likewise Song.
Rosicky has finally emerged from the double shadow hanging over him…..the shadow of injuries and more importantly the shadow of Cesc. The team revolved around Cesc. Now it revolves around our new found number 7 and boy, I am enjoying it. That is why I would like him to be given a new 2 year contract.
I do not think that we need a new creative midfielder. The answers are all there at the club. Maybe a winger is a better bet than an advanced creator. We have Thomas, Ox, Aaron. So I feel that we need a winger because TR07 and the OX yesterday ran the show against one of the top italian sides’ midfield.
The defence finally showed that when they work together and for each other they are one hell of a defence. They are not that bad and yesterday their understanding and attitude was first class.
Personally the signings I want to see are those that give us strength in depth. We had Chamack and Park comingon and tbh they were not going to do more in ten minutes than they have done through the season so far.
And yesterday’s game gave us a smile back on our face.
Yesterday the team turned the corner. And I can assure you that it is no false dawn. It is not a false spring. It is the start of a new adventure. And lets all enjoy it. But please…..we need to keep patient. It takes time.
In the meantime…..let us praise great performances like yesterday but at the same time criticise negative attitudes and performances.
BECAUSE WE CARE.
Hi Gaffer,
How long have we all been saying we lack depth…
Merts, Santos, Jack, Arteta, Diaby, Ramsey, Coquelin & Yossi…
Had they been on our bench instead on the sick bed, we’d have battered them last night, even more than we did….
This will make you smile and appreciate his story.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2111029/Arsenals-Carl-Jenkinson-reveals-Gunners-themed-bedroom.html
I understand what you are saying Steve, honest – i wouldn’t ever play Chamakh let alone in place of the Ox, but by the time he came on we had to go for another goal, it was inevitable that Chamakh was going to come on and Park…
Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker has revealed Cologne striker Lukas Podolski has contacted him to ask about a potential move to the Emirates.
Podolski, 26, has been strongly linked with a move to the Gunners at the end of the season after expressing frustration with life at Cologne, who are currently 14th in the Bundesliga.
Fellow Germany international Mertesacker, who left Werder Bremen in the summer, has now said Podolski has been in touch.
“He has shown a lot of interest in recent weeks and has sent me a text message,” Mertesacker told Sky. “As you can imagine, I’ve told him positive things.”
Asked whether a deal was done, he said: “I haven’t been told that, and Lukas hasn’t called me. I have written to him, though, to tell him how well he can do here and what a great club it is. I think it can happen.”
Meanwhile, Mertesacker remains hopeful of recovering from injury in time to help Arsenal in the run-in and represent his country at Euro 2012.
He underwent ankle ligament surgery last month and was expected to be out until the summer, but he said: “I hope I can still play this season.”
Devil, your right mate blinding statement mate says it all really.
Good comment devil – thank goodness chamakh and park want out in the summer, as does Nik and denilson – so that’s 4 vast salaries gone….
Merts is a little tinker, anyone think he knows more than he’s letting on 😉
I agree regarding Ozyakup. He would have sat in front of the defence and pushed Songinho up more.
Regarding Gerv and Theo I think that Theo was at 60% while Gerv was at 75%. Both did the job they had to do, however I feel that Gervinho should score more while Theo should use his brain more. The problem was that Milan were trying to play a high line and I could not fathom out why Arsenal never played the ball behind their defence for Gerv and Theo to run onto. I mean, both are faster than the ageing Milan defenders. So why not put the ball there and outsprint them?? Once a ball was played not in front of Theo or to his feet, but BEHIND him. And the move fell.
Morning all,
Gutted, its all been said already, a fantastic performance by the lads, the team ran their socks off but when they started to tire the quality on the bench wasn’t there to replace them and give us the injection we needed to push us over the line.
We lost the tie in Milan, as bad as we played an away goal would have seen us through.
The question has to be asked why can’t we play like that every week.
Rico, merts and podolski are good mates, i’m sure they swap a few texts.
All Arsenal Fans judge Arsène Wenger for no trophy but we are always playing 13 against 11. The three match officials in all competition are most of the times against Arsenal. For the club to be standing is a miracle. The last time we were trashed by Manchester United we bounce back the following year to win the league. I see the same thing next year with this squad from the response we gave Tottenham and Milan. I enjoyed the game. Also when we lost to both Milan and Sunderland the world forgot to mention the bad pitch. The type and style of our play cannot survive a rough potato plantation surface for a football pitch.
devil, i always say that we don’t use Theo in the right way, why he was stuck on the wing again last night i don’t know – love to know if he’s told to stay wide or not….
he’s not a winger….
Morning Micko, a million dollar question you have asked, we seem to give more when our backs are against the wall, just like so many times in the PL, goal down, 20 mins to go and we start playing..
Why?
Hopefully Merts will get that deal clinched for us then 😉
Flavout – i don’t think fans judge wenger on not having won a trophy, personally i judge him on the players he buys, the tactics he plays, and the lack too often of motivational skills…
devil – going back to Theo and Gervinho – imho they should change sides, let Theo come in from the left, i think he’d be better….
that is the way I play when I go with wingers Rico. A right footer on the left and a left footer on the right. then when they cut in they can shoot better. I agree with that, especially as the full backs are going up the wing. that means we can keep the pitch wide and have the strikers based inside. The only problem I have with Theo is that he should be more near RVP instead of staying out wide when Sagna is on the touchline. Yesterday we had both of them within 10 metres from the byline.
ala ljungberg and pires.
that’s logical devil, then when they cut in the ball is naturally of their stronger foot – both would proably find themselves in better goal scoring positions….
Theo needs to think more, as soon as Sagna is off down the wing, he needs to start making himself available, and not just a two fot tapping pass, where ever he runs, he will always take players with him because they are scared of what he ‘can’ do, which in turn frees more space for sagna….
Ok,I’m knackered,so won’t be here long.
Firstly,Rico….great article,bad title….It WAS a night to remember lol!!!
A month ago,I desperately thought we needed an attacking,creative midfielder…….shove that,we’ve got them…..Ox was awesome,TR7….well,I asked during the game who our New #7 was…..he’s going super atm.
When we have Any pairing involving TV5,Kozzer and BGF in central defence,we are solid.
I’ve honestly thought Kozzer was potentially world class for 18 months,and now he is.
Sagna was great,and,injuries aside,I don’t get the constant battering Gibbs gets.
He’s still a baby,but has a lot to offer.
Give Gervinho a little more time.
Theo is Theo……..what more can anyone say?
Once again it was our movement on and off the ball that was the difference between us carving Milan up,and being carved up.
Picture that side with Podolski alongside RVP and Jack running the midfield….maybe with one or two other little tweaks………its a scary proposition.
I am being totally honest,and plenty may disagree here.
I am glad we won 3 nil.
If we had got 4,it was still no guarantee of getting through.
3 was enough to show EVERYONE what we are capable of against one of the worlds biggest clubs,even with so many players out injured,and minus Cesc and the French shit.
With our Injury list,we’d have struggled massively to keep going with our top 4 challenge and CL games.
We can now recover,fresh from a sensational win,and know exactly what the job at hand is.
I know the CL is there to be won,but I’d rather be out now and finish top 4 then limp out next round,or final 4,whilst missing top 4 in the league.
Let’s finish this season with a flurry,refresh the squad,get RVP signed and win something next season!!!!!!
Don’t look for negatives from me guys,I am on a high with the run we are having lately.
How many honestly thought we’d finish top 4 after Old Trafford???
I did.
exactly Micko, look how many goals they used to get, the oppo couldn’t keep up with them… There was a game earlier this season when they both kept switching sides and it was effective, can’t recall which game it was now ….
Theo played narrower in the 2nd half v Spuds,and it worked wonders.
I can only put it down to his instructions.
Morning Gooners
Morning Rico. Great post.
Injuries have killed our season. When your losing 30% of your squad, it’s gonna have a knock on effect.
To me, last night was Chamakh’s last chance. I wouldn’t use him again this season. When he comes on we play with 10 men.
regarding the crossing by Theo and Gerv, I would like to point out that being professionals they should be able to cross with both feet and shoot with both feet. I agree one of the feet is always better, but both should be able to cross with both feet. So yes, I would switch their sides. Or else play Theo up front with RVP behind.
AK,I genuinely feel sorry for Chamakh.
I reckon his last chance was 15 months ago when RVP returned from injury.
Chamakh lost his place and every single ounce of confidence with it.
Best for both parties that he goes.
Most wouldn’t realise it,but he invariably covers more metres than any player on the field when he’s on.
His lack of success is definitely not due to a a lack of effort.
Let him go,and he will be a new player elsewhere.
Park has been a gamble that hasn’t worked out.
Move him on and forget him.
I can’t criticise any of the starting XI. We played a risky game at a high tempo in order to knock Milan out of their stride. It worked for an hour.
The referee was Milan’s secret weapon, constantly stopping play and stifling any momentum we built up.
Night all,bring on the Geordies.
Theo is a weapon that has to be aimed and fired by someone else. There is no point in playing to his feet he needs the ball where he can run.With The Ox playing inside last night and the return of Wilshere they have the brain to do the thinking for him. It is noticable that since Rosicky has got to his international position there is more speed in our build ups and that theo’s contribution has improved.
TBH, Scott (good day bdw) after the 8-2 mauling I was afraid we would be battling in the lower half. and after the 1-2 loss I wanted us to finish lower than europa league.
And you said it right….Theo against the spuds was playing more in the channel between the left back and the centreback, thus allowing Sagna to push forward more and he tortured their defence. He was better that day and I feel that instructions are killing his assets
Hiya Sir AK. Still proud as a peacock today?? I am still with the head held high. Unlike the scum from the slum.
Boom, in comes Scott with a good comment… 🙂
I didn’t give top 4 a thought back then, and we still haven’t finished the league there…. but i’m hoping 3rd…
Morning AK, thanks – add bringing on Park and we were down to ten…
Agree on the injuries, but we get that every season it seems….
devil, i still say play him in front of rvp, ball through the middle, ahead of theo, goal 🙂
Hi potter – TR is having the time of his life isn’t he, best he’s played in a long long while, and good to see him scoring too…
As I said earlier Rico…..Thomas had two shadows hanging over him. Fitness and Cesc. Now he has none at the moment. And he is flourishing.
Or playing for a new contract with us, or elsewhere, his runs out this summer doesn’t it?
Maybe yes maybe no Rico. But not all players are like that. I do not feel that Thomas is one of them. I gather he is one of us now. We have stood by him all this time. Maybe he is one of the few gentlemen who agree and stand by their handshake. RVP may be one also. we can only wait and see.
The problem is that we had been bitten many times with the likes of the barndoor, Na£ri, Hleb, etc etc etc. players who played for money not the club.
Righto. Off for now. Laters today. Got to screw some Milan and scum necks at the training ground after I finish here.
Till evening mates.
@devilgunner I agree, Wenger keeps Rosicky areound for a reason, he highly rates him, injuries or not. Rozza is decent and always has been really, just injuries have blighted him. But at present we are seeing to Rozza of old, hes rampant when hes in that kinda mood, the side foot finish for the 2nd goal summed him up.
Ive said this often, but Cesc has clearly learned a thing or two from Rozza, which explains why they are close. Both have ability to pick a pass, make great runs and have great close control and technique. For me, Rozza has the best turning ability I have seen, He can turn out of trouble and change gears effortlessly at times. Hope the goals will give him more belief in his shooting
My issue is actually with Chamakh and Park, Theyre just….put it this way I now realise why Wenger doesnt play them. They are simply not up to the pace of the game, Im going by what Ive seen, and that is waht is most apparent for me. Add to this, that their first touches leave something to be desired, and you ahve two players who just take up space but do not add. Wenger needs to take a serious look at these 2, among others, in the summer.
We have devil, which makes us a tad cynical but i honestly dont believe that Rvp will leave us, and if TR is offered a new contract i think he will accept it too…
Both do seem like ‘gents’ in todays game….
Catch you later devil, take it steady…
For a change, TV has done us a favour, switching our next game to Monday night.
Six days for our players to recover from last nights effort and hopefully any niggling injuries to clear up.
Arteta should be ok as well.
Take one game at a time. Each one a vital must~win.
What i really enjoyed last night was the unified spirit.
We were all in it together, the fans and players, feeding off of each other.
Just goes to show that despite the differences of opinion between fans at the club.
Ultimately we all want the same thing.
hello!
Like I wrote yesterday, the moment of the fixture was in San Siro, when Abiati saved a shot from RVP after the 4-0. Without a goal in hand for the second leg it always very difficult and dangerous.
Merlin, with 75 points we reach the 3th place.
Let’s not be too harsh on our regular 1st teamers.
Fact #1:
They all are playing togetehr for the 1st time;
Fact #2:
That perennial Horrendous Injury List disrupted any rhythm or understadning being developed amongst the players.
Fact #3:
Ramsey simply fialed to develop as envisaged by Wenger last year, and the main reason why we struggled so much without any creativity and playmaking ability. That is, Wenger failed in his gamble by playing Ramsey as starter.
Lucky Arsenal #1:
Van Persie is unbelievable this season and I will call anyone a liar – including Wenger – if they can said with a striaght face that Van Persie can survive till March without a serious injury, and scored 30+ goals without Fabregas and Nasri.
Lucky Arsenal #2:
We bought Mertesacker and he helped to calm down the Defence till Vermaelen recovered from his long-term injury and only in the last 2 games that we saw a resemble of that 2010 Vermaelen.
Lucky Arsenal #3:
We saw the old Rosicky circa 2008 in February and let’s pray he will last till May during this run-in for a Top-4 status.
Lucky Arsenal #4:
THanks to all FOotball Gods that we got Oxlade-CHamberlain as an alternative to a desperately off-form Arshavin, “QUnincy” Gervinho and a blind-alley runner in Walcott.
Lucky Arsenal #5:
Chelski imploding; Liverpool can’t score and Tiny Totts doing their annual challenge of coming down faster than X’mas dressings in the new year.
DO you all observed that this is the first season since 2003/04 that Arsenal did not imploded in February/March period, but instead, we hit a purple patch winning games with that fickle wench of a Lady Luck sitting on the lap of Arsene Wenger?
JM, that is my dearest hope..to celebrate St Totteringham Day..
that extra two days could mean a lot AK…
I think so Rico. The guys looked drained at the end, both mentally and physically.
We really could have done with a Diaby or a Santos to come on instead of the two jokers AW had to use.
Spot on AK, what a waste of space they were….
JM, 3rd place is up for grabs, we just need to win all our games now 🙂
Merlin
we were always due a purple patch, we started badly this sseason which is unlike us, but had AW got off his butt and made the signings he did before the season started, we may have had a lot more points on the board than we have right now….
Off to walk Fido whilst the rain has stopped….
Coquelin, Diaby, Santos and Wilshere could all be ready in the next 2 to 3 weeks for consideration for the 1st team.
A welcome injection of fresh legs.
Chamakh has hardly kicked a ball in anger for 18 months.
Fitness, a lack of energy isn’t an issue for him.
A lack of heart is his problem!
He had 15/20mins to give it everything.
Chase lost causes.
Put defenders under pressure.
Kick fat Mexes for example. Buy a yellow card for the cause.
What did he do???
What he usually does. Mince around…
Jenkinson was a gamble. One that has paid off.
Park was a gamble. He didn’t pay off.
50% success rate! I’ll settle for that. And a few thousand shirt sales.
Kev, bet you were going mental last night, we can lift the roof off the house when we want to.
AK, i hope we don’t see Jack too soon, don’t want Arry to be thinking of taking him to the Euros…
Micko, even on the television you could hear the fans, like the team though, why can’t they always be like it….
Mick it was brilliant mate. I thought we were going to get 6.
But Milan showed their experience and did a spoiling job in the 2nd 45.
The referee was clearly not up to CL standards.
Some numbty at UEFA blundered big time putting him in charge.
So if you combine a referee who was clearly out of his depth.
With a streetwise Milan.
And our lack of punch from the bench.
You get what we had in the finish.
But it was a night that i’ll always remember.
And lets not forget that we thrashed the Serie A champions 3~0.
15 goals in 3 home games.
A tangible unity growing among our squad.
It promising mate, very promising…
Gary Neville thought we were going to get 6 at least AK….
The Spuds are under huge pressure.
Their fans are wearing brown trousers.
Chavs are in turmoil.
Scousers are crap.
3rd spot is, as the man said. Up For Grabs
Will be interesting to see what happens with the Chavs, Di Matteo may just get them back as a team again….
Newcastle will be tough….. Just hope the back five from last night are well rested and fit….
we wait and see.
Bolonha 1 Juventus 0 for the moment. With this score, Milan is the first, with all the teams with the same games played.
we must be focus on the next match now. In a couple of weeks, probably we have the returning of a few palyers. New fresh air. Chamack and Park are outsiders of this squad.
JM – agree, one game at a time, one result at a time and see what happens….
Funny isn’t it, we absolutely battered Milan, yet it’s so quiet in the blog world…..
Wenger has been charged by UEFA after his ref rant…
maybe UEFA should take a look at the replay and see just how cack their official was….
Off to get dinner, catch you later…
Rico, firstly great report on the game. I was also at the game last night and the noise coming from us the fans was the loudest it has been for somewhile, even given the recent result against our North London rivals. The team were emense last night and played as a complete unit give or take one or two scary moments – and I don’t want to single out any player in particular, but AOC was just unreal and he gives us that extra edge when he plays even at his young age…
Just can’t wait until the end of the season now, so that we can clear some of that dead wood and excess baggage out of the squad and hopefully replace it with some proper experience in one or two positions, where its required.
And like you, I’ve just seen that AW has been charged by UEFA for his ref rant – and boy was that ref poor or what…
Hi Andy, thanks re the report ….
I totally understand where you are coming from re getting to the end of the season – just get 4th or above and then finally shift the shirkers and bring in some hard workers…
hard work is what we all witnessed last night, and look what it got us….
I’m done guys, catch you tomorrow…
Nighty all….
Evening,
everybody seems pretty happy with the way we played last night,yet not many have said to much about the things we did wrong. I am amazed that some of our players are still giving the ball away so easily and so often i felt that Song was guilty of this, although Song has a very awkward style of play which at times is very effective i feel that he often holds the ball for a few seconds to long befor he passes where if he passed it quicker he would keep any moves going smoother. Walcott still lacks a football brain we keep persevering with him and he is not getting any better he loses the ball and stops never fighting to get it back, Chamberlain has surpased him already in the short time he has been with us. many have said that we are not passing to his strengths some say that he’s in the wrong position, Theo walcott is just not good enough he hasn’t got the brain and he will not find it, he thinks he’s the bee’s knee’s but he’s not, he will always be how is is now a luxury that we can’t afford. we have Jenkinson who is down as a right back but he can play in many positions even Theo’s he can cross a ball as well why is he not playing.
That’s it,get through to the end in 4th or even 3rd,then build on the momentum.
Jack will be like a new signing next year(thought you’d enjoy that one),a few new boys and unleash the fury next season.
Steve,I guess after the last twelve months,we are all enjoying the ride.
I could return serve and ask why you’re concentrating so much on the negatives.
We all know about the ordinary stuff and the errors,but we did just smash one of the biggest clubs in the world,and with a better bench,would have scored more.
Sit back,smile,and most importantly,enjoy.
I’m reading more and more on Podolski this morning,with agreed fees and wages being given.
I know we’ve seen plenty of media hype before about players,but there’s more constant speculation on him than any target I’ve seen.
Let’s hops its all absolutely correct.
Podolski, 26, has been offered a four-year contract worth £100,000-a-week.
Despite hoping for £20m, Cologne have accepted this latest offer, having turned down an initial bid of £8m.
Arsene Wenger’s lack of strikers — other than Robin Van Persie — has been obvious this season.
Emirates defender Per Mertesacker admitted in Germany yesterday that he had been quizzed by his international team-mate about life in north London.
Mertesacker said: “He has been very interested for the past few weeks.
“He has sent me a number of text messages, and I have told him this is a great place to work and that Arsenal are an amazing club.”
Arsenal are also interested in Dortmund star Mario Gotze and are tracking West Brom’s Peter Odemwingie, who is seen as a squad player.
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How true is this from The Sun?
Odemwingie i do not want. I think we can do better than him.
Gotze is fantastic, but out of our price range.
I did hear that he isn’t too keen on leaving Germany yet.
Hazard is probably a more realistic target than Gotze.
Podolski and Vertonghen would, imho, constitute a good summers business along with the re~signing of RVP, Song, Rosicky & Walcott.
A veteran goalkeeper as No.2 would also be good business with the prospect of Almunia, Fabianski & Mannone all leaving.
Finish 4th or preferably 3rd to finance it along with the sales of we know who and chums.
Then attack everything next season. Simples. 🙂
Good morning Guys and Chicks of the Proud Gunners’ faith.
This morning I found this………
Lukas Podolski is poised to join Arsenal from Köln at the end of the season after the clubs reached an agreement in principle on a £10.9m transfer. The Germany striker is expected to sign a four-year contract worth £100,000 a week, according to sources in Germany.
Arsène Wenger has been under pressure to bolster his attacking options because the cover behind Robin van Persie, the captain, has looked thin, with neither Marouane Chamakh or Park Ju-young having convinced.
Van Persie, who is close to the final 12 months of his Arsenal deal and has placed new contract talks on hold until the summer, must also be persuaded about the club’s ambition.
Podolski’s arrival would represent a coup and it reinforces Wenger’s shift in transfer policy towards more established players. Still only 26, the Poland-born forward has played at the highest level since his late teens, when he broke into the Germany squad. He has enjoyed a positive season, with 16 Bundesliga goals so far, but he has grown disillusioned at Köln’s direction. They languish just above the relegation places, with 25 points from 24 games.
Podolski, who was at Bayern Munich from 2006 to 2009 before rejoining his former club, has been quiet about his possible move to Arsenal but the Köln manager, Stale Solbakken, admitted last month that he feared he was set to lose the forward to the London club.
Lokomotiv Moscow and Anzhi Makhachkala were also understood to have been chasing Podolski, and could have offered bigger money, but he said recently his move would not be determined by the highest bidder. “Money is not the most important thing for me,” he told Sport-Bild. “What is crucial is the development of my game.”
Per Mertesacker, a Germany team-mate who moved from Werder Bremen to Arsenal last summer, told German television on Wednesday that Podolski had been asking him about life at the Emirates. “He has been very interested for the past few weeks,” Mertesacker said. “He has sent me a number of text messages, and I have told him this is a great place to work and Arsenal are an amazing club.”
This story went gangbusters overnight,all over the net.
I know its still nowhere near official,but I haven’t seen so much news about a player,with so much detail coming from so many sources before.
I would not say its done and dusted,but gee,it looks bloody good.
This guy is a weapon.
Oh,and word has it he’d agreed to personal terms already,the clubs just needed to nut out a fee.
You always up so early Devil???
Yes mate. Around 5.00am. that would make it around 4.00am in Britain and around 13.00 in OZ.
Morning, New Post up…..