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No wonder we can't defend & Santos on his way out?

Posted on by rico

Morning all,

I’m sure we have all read that Brazilian side Gremio are claiming they are in talks to left-back Andre Santos. All depends on us being willing to let him go apparently. Come on Wenger, do the decent thing and just give him away. He is no use to us and it’s a chance to offload his salary!

What is with Arsene Wenger, he’s obsessed with attacking football isn’t he?

We have great technical quality and that’s why I believe we have such an important number of players that assist and score our goals.

Everybody is allowed to go forward. Everybody contributes to our offensive play. Because the players are quality, you find many of them involved in our goals.

To be honest I was not convinced at the start of the season that I would play [all the attacking players] together, but I am happy that slowly they understand each other well and we are efficient in goalscoring. In some games we score plenty of goals and we are certainly scoring more than last year.

What about everybody is allowed to get back and defend too, we don’t always see enough of that. In fact sometimes it’s our defenders on the attack getting us into trouble as they can’t get back in time or are caught out of position.

Maybe Steve Bould is having a quiet word, out of Wenger’s earshot of course. Last weekend certainly looked as if he had as we defended much better. Or did it appear that we were much better because Stoke really didn’t have a clue how to attack and nor did they try too.

Today should be a very different test, we are the away side and I’m sure Martin O’Neil will want his side to go for goal in front of his own fans. But they defend so our forward play will have to be at it’s best to break them down.

I’d take a 1-0 away win right now that’s for sure. Three points are three points so I don’t care how we get them today either, just get them.

Sunderland have had a few good results of late so they will be feeling a lot better than they were and they have a few good players who can cause us problems. Adam Johnson, Steve Fletcher and of course Danny Graham who knows how to score passed us, he did for Swansea. James McClean and Stephane Sessegnon can also cause problems on their day, so this is going to be a tough test today.

Team news:

Sunderland: Cuellar (doubt – hamstring), McClean (ankle), Cattermole (knee), Brown (knee)

Arsenal: Koscielny (doubt – calf), Vermaelen (ankle), Gibbs (thigh), Fabianski (ankle), Coquelin (hamstring), Gervinho (rested)

Wenger said yesterday that Jenkinson, Miquel or Sagna would be the ones used to replace Koscielny should he not pass a late fitness test.

He also said that he hope the pitch has been especially prepared for our arrival:

Hopefully the pitch is good, the conditions are right and we can play our game.

We all know it won’t be but let’s not make that an excuse. Go out there and play the game we need to do in order to win.

That’s all that matters!

rico

0 thoughts on “No wonder we can't defend & Santos on his way out?”

  1. rico says:

    Morning all…

    Back in a bit, off out with Fido before I get snowed in….

    And yes, I am being serious… 😛

  3. stevepalmer1 says:

    Morning all, Nice one Rico.

    To be honest I was not convinced at the start of the season that I would play [all the attacking players] together, but I am happy that slowly they understand each other well and we are efficient in goalscoring. In some games we score plenty of goals and we are certainly scoring more than last year.

    Is he trying to tell us thats why he sold Van Persie

  4. W.A.T.H says:

    That’s his next cracker that he will come out with SP…..! Justifies the fact we not missing him….

    It won’t be that with him we would not be in 6th place and a lot stronger..!

  5. agirlagunner says:

    Boob! Hello, all. 🙂 rico, careful, you might slip. Hiya, SSP and WATH. 🙂

    Our defense is not looking good, is it? 😕

  8. agirlagunner says:

    😛 WATH. Moving on, moving on…

    Just realized the game is not on here. Who wants to watch the Chavs? Ick.

  9. agirlagunner says:

    Santos has had a series of shockingly amateur performances, it’s best for both parties to just let him go. At any rate, it would be unforgivable if AW were to play him again.

  10. rossiman!!! says:

    Wenger said that when he was asked about his opinion on Podolski,Theo and Groud’s involvement in 75% of our goals or something like that.He was not making excuses,he was answering a question.

  14. smudge says:

    Sorry rics 😉 Sometimes I get carried away with emotion. I reckoned that vids after 12pm wouldn’t cause that much annoyance. But I will abide by the rules. Hope our guys are up for the fight today. It’s not going to be easy especially if Kos is out.

  15. emma says:

    rico – We know what sunderland does to their pitch.when arsenal is in town. Get some oxen to plough the pitch. We will need to win ugly today

  17. agirlagunner says:

    But rico!!! Some of those vids are great. And smudge is romancing you. 😆

    Hiya, emma. Teams are known to dig up their pitch as a welcome gift to us. 😉 Tsk.

  23. agirlagunner says:

    smudge, you can’t give up now. Can’t. 😀 Although, naughty vids aren’t exactly the way to rico’s ticker, either. She likes The Osmonds, you know. And Gary Barlow. Haha.

    rico, I’m just being cheeky. Don’t bin me.

  34. allezkev says:

    Boobs, romance, eh???

    I thought Stan was on here, but no…. 😉

    Afternoon Gooners.
    Afternoon Rico, nice post boss.
    Hey shopping buddy, you ok? 😀

    Come on the Frenchies….

  37. rico says:

    I think so too Ak, but I think we missed out on a couple of the Newcastle signings too…

    Dilly Dallying costs us….

    Holtby is off now for Lardy….

  40. rico says:

    ARSENAL

    Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Arteta, Wilshere, Ramsey, Cazorla, Walcott, Giroud

    SUBSTITUTES

    Mannone, Jenkinson, Miquel, Diaby, Rosicky, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Podolski

  46. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Koscielny out> Jenkinson in….. and so it begins …. all we need now is Metresacker to cop a bullet

  50. DutchGooner10 says:

    Tnx Rico

    I’m already beginning to recover. Much shorter period then last time. Doctor says some viruses linger and hide which take several cycles of flu to abolish from your system.

    Speaking of defense. Doesn’t look good. Much needed 3 points. 🙁

  52. Scott from Oz says:

    Morning all.
    Wtf is this bald headed, two bit version of Webb doing??
    Jack has ben smashed three times already!!

  55. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Hiya Dutch I’ve had it twice and I felt like shit… the wife is currently m.i.a with it and barking like a seal throughout the night

  60. Scott from Oz says:

    I do not want to preempt anything, but if we get another, we could tear this mob apart.
    Sagna is doing everything right at this stage.

  65. Scott from Oz says:

    Agag, it is half time…….

    Syg, i can never understand it.
    This keeper has kept Sunderland in it.
    We could easily have 3-4.
    That is some of the best football we have played in a long time.

  69. potter says:

    They always seem to. Arsenal,s history is loaded with geat opposing keeper performances , although it could be less than clinical finishing from us.

  73. Lewis says:

    This game should be dead. Now down to 10 men. Some of that Mental strength we keep hearing about will be needed here!

  84. Scott from Oz says:

    Well, we wanted mental strength and grit shown…there you have it.
    Sagna was brilliant.
    Ramsey to RB…who saw that coming?
    He was fantastic after Jenks made that, lets say naive, challenge…that is being very kind.
    Brilliant result.

  88. potter says:

    Got to see it from Wilshere going off. Our shooting is shocking , Giroud and Cazorla wastefull. I’m not going to have ago at Ramsey but some of his passing was to say the least suspect. However he was patching in and did not have a lot to aim at. Sagna however looked our best centre back perhaps the fact that he isn’t having to make the supporting runs is more suitable to him at this stage.

  89. EastSidePaul says:

    Whatever Walcott earns Grioud should be earning double. Guy never stopped running, a class act.
    Cazorla was fantastic once again, Sagna played a blinder ar CD.
    Any news on Wilshere.

  90. Will XL says:

    How many chances can we miss in one match? Even when we were down to 10. Thank heavens we got the win. Sagna looked a better cb than Gallas was. He was huge for us. Jenks showed why he’s still not quite ready. Santi stepped up when Jack went out. Everyone played well apart from the finishing and the red card. Motm is shared between santi and bacary

  91. agirlagunner says:

    We really should bury our chances. Too profligate in front of goal. But I am very, very happy we held on for the win. 🙂

  92. agirlagunner says:

    ESP, Ramsey wasn’t half bad. 😀 Giroud should have scored two. Jack has a thigh injury, it is reported. I don’t know how serious though.

  93. eastsidepaul says:

    Giroud may have scored two, but what he does in our own box is priceless, how many goals has he stopped the opposition scoring this year, the guy is a work horse.
    Think Walcott may have missed a few too.
    Ramsey did a good job a RB.

  94. Scott from Oz says:

    Jack was taped up around the thigh, so probably just a little niggle.
    Honestly, he looked absolutely stuffed to me when he went off more than injured.
    Paul, i won’t bag Theo, but yes, Giroud is so much better than people think, or were thinking 2 months back, it is amazing.
    His work rate for a big man in phenomenal.
    Now many clearing headers from corners?
    How many flicks on, some with a player on the end of it, some none.
    A few shots…not so great, agreed…but overall, an absolute workhorse.
    Santi its one shot on the ground, it goes in.
    Santi hits ten off the ground, and none were close.

  96. Will XL says:

    Jack will probably be out 3 weeks. Thigh strains, even slight ones, are easily worsened and so maximum rest is required.

    Giroud and Ramsey worked hard for us.

  97. agirlagunner says:

    Not knocking, Giroud. He’s turning out to be my favorite player of the lot, if I’m honest. He is a work horse and holds up play well.

  98. Will XL says:

    Im surprised jack was even out there with a bandage. Maybe it was a bruise and not a strain. That would be good news. Everyone should be happy with our showing overall. The finishing apart.

  99. rico says:

    Jacks bandage was for show I bet. After Wengers comments about him playing 90 mins for England. He may miss BB in the FA Cup, but I bet that’s the only game he misses…..

  100. Will XL says:

    Agag. He is one of the best at holding up play. Excellent. He needs to put his shots on target. I feel like he tries to be too precise when simply working the keeper might provide a better result. Look where the goal went in… Nowhere near the corner.

  101. DutchGooner10 says:

    When will Wenger watch some officiating harassment tapes from Fergie? The boys got shamelessly kicked and smacked. F#ck banning and sanctions. Atrocious refereeing, missed a few off sides as well. Part from the Jenks second yellow, it leaves much to debate. Crooked cronies.

    Anyways, chuffed about the result.

  102. stevepalmer1 says:

    Evening all,
    The boys hung in there well, Sagna at centre half not bad I felt Jenks was a little unlucky but did well while he was on Giroud as you say worked hard Theo still a work in progress, over all good solid display and a great 3 points.

  103. Scott from Oz says:

    All things considered, those guys deserve a massive amount of credit.
    They all did an incredible job, and deserved the points.
    Jenks has barely played of late, and is a baby, so i am not too worried about his mistake, though i am bloody relieved it didn’t costs us.
    Maybe if we conceded, my tune would change.
    Anyway, off to bed now.
    Catch you all in a few hours.

  104. agirlagunner says:

    Get well soon, Dutch. 🙂 I hope your little event went well. All those ladies must have gotten you too excited, eh? 😀

    Kev, I missed your earlier posts. Hello! 🙂 I’ve been “trying” to not to shop.

    Will, I agree. He gets into good positions all the time. Here’s hoping he becomes more clinical.

  105. potter says:

    He got hit in thigh as he went past their player, I thought he might have got a dead leg, if so he should be back after the bruise has gone. Lots of hot and cold, hopefully he will be o. k.

  106. emma says:

    What a way to test our defence in preparation for bayern munich. The first half was about the arsenal way, the 2nd half was about digging deep and reaching for the inner soul to secure us the 3pts. Sagna at CB is a beast. Ramsey way better than Jenks on the RB. Jenks still has a lot to learn. 2 unnecessary yellows

  109. allezkev says:

    Hi Agag, you must be strong buddy.
    Cut that card up…

    Alternatively, go out on a spending spree… 😛

  110. DutchGooner10 says:

    Tnx Agag.

    Already been a few hours vertical today, after 4 days in bed without a night nurse. 😉 The ladies event is 28 February. Brainstorm deadline was last week. I’m not invited. Only women allowed full stop. You girls are ruthless when comes to feminism.

    SYG
    Wish the lady a speedy recovery. She must feel like coughing up her organs at times. The old herb lady tricks are weak medicine for this virus. Better ask a vet what they treat horses with. 😛

  115. rico says:

    Looks like RvP will get a PL medal then…..

    But I hope Madrid batter them in the CL…

    Me bitter, of course I am!!

  118. agirlagunner says:

    Kev, I celebrated our win with a few small online purchases! Yay! 🙂 🙂 😉

    Dutch, at least you’re in good spirits. 🙂 rico, RvP may yet be injured and Citeh may catch up. But mygod, for such an expensively assembled team, they are playing some really shitty football. I struggle to understand how we lost to them.

    emma, up-to-date as always. 🙂

  120. allezkev says:

    That’s the ticket Agag… 🙂

    I also hit the plastic earlier this week for some shirts.
    Very nice they are as well… 😉

    I wonder if Wenger has stumbled onto a new position for Sagna???

    I believe that he played in every position across the back-four for Auxerre…

  121. DutchGooner10 says:

    Monkey boy Bale single handedly delivers totts win against Newcastle with a double. Benitez whips his prima donnas to a 4-1 win over Wigan.

    We leapfrog Everton into 5th. Fellani cum sui are playing ManU tomorrow. Dippers play Monday night football opposing WBA.

  122. allezkev says:

    Rico, I try not to give RIP a thought, difficult as it is as he scores almost every game.
    Redal Madrid will lighten the atmosphere, i’m sure of that boss.

    Agag, have you got your Giroud quilt cover yet??? 😛

  123. rico says:

    Dg – I watched the last 40 mins ish of the Totts, without Bale, they are nothing….

    I sure hope you are right Ak, nothing like a bit of Jose….

    I also hope we give in to Bayern….

  124. agirlagunner says:

    It would be awful, rico. Just awful. I’d hate for him to feel validated. How come no one has been taking it to him though?? He needs a good bruising, he does.

    “Shirts”. Plural. Well done, Kev. You’ve been to the outlets, have you?

    Dutch, don’t forget, Harry’s lot lost. Haha.

  125. agirlagunner says:

    Kev, nah. I haven’t replaced the Torres one yet. I still think there’s an amazing player there somewhere. We should buy him. He would look sooo good in our kit. 😀 😀

  126. allezkev says:

    Hey Dutch, you a bit Tom & Dick then???

    You need a pint of Guiness mate…

    A good friend of mine, swears by it. 🙂

    Not literally you see. 😉

    Back to work, lata…

  127. DutchGooner10 says:

    Shitty should take a leaf out Hollywood’s do & don’t book. A-list actors on payroll don’t guarantee blockbusters at the box office.

  128. potter says:

    Port and Brandy before bed and a hot bed , if you can wear a bin liner as well you will just sweat it out.

  129. DutchGooner10 says:

    AK 🙂 Drive safe mate. Maybe a Heathrow job tonight, Santos on loan. Can’t stomach Nigerian Guinness, heard a lager from Burkina Faso does wonders. 😉

    Agag wish twitching Arry was still at totts, the way its going for Mankini at Shitty, he would be on the wire for the job. Causing unrest among swampy ranks. QPR probably relegate candidates.

    Rico got that impression as well from reports. Journos barely mention the other 10 fielded. Calling Bale the next big thing and challenger of Superman, Ironman, Spiderman and the likes.

  132. DutchGooner10 says:

    Hiya Potter

    Really tried that mate, does wonders if you look to loose weight by dehydration, doesn’t kill the bug though. Got the central heating fired up to 24 degrees but still shiver uncontrollably at times. That meteor that killed dinosaurs is bollocks, it was this virus. 😛

  134. agirlagunner says:

    “24 degrees” is fired up, Dutch?? In the Phils, that would be our version of winter. 😀

    Drive safely, Kev. 🙂 Try not to think of the approaching spring sales. 😉

  136. DutchGooner10 says:

    Agag LOL. I’m double wrapped though, so that takes it to summer tropical levels. I feel like an egg being cooked instead of hatched.

    Chelsea Launch £46m Plus Player Offer for Atletico Madrid Striker Radamel Falcao According to Spanish Reports. Good chance Torres comes available next transfer window. 😉

  137. DutchGooner10 says:

    Chelsea have launched a €55m (£46m) plus keeper Thiabaut Courtois bid for Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao according to Spanish source Sport.es

    The West London side, who have been linked with interest in Colombian forward Falcao for some months, are ready to make the big money offer for the 26 year old as Roman Abramovich looks to snare a ‘marquee’ signing in the summer and such a move may well lead many to wonder where Fernando Torres’s future lies.

  139. rico says:

    That’s me done guys and gals…

    Night all, wherever you are, enjoy the rest of your day/evening/night…..

    Catch up tomorrow….

  141. DutchGooner10 says:

    Signing off as well. Night all.

    Enjoy your Sunday Agag. Sun basking, chillaxing and pink drinks with umbrellas…..

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