Morning all.
Back in December, we travelled to St Mary’s having not lost a match in twenty two. Admittedly, we’d not always played scintillating football but what we were doing is grinding out results. Unai Emery was animated on the sidelines, the players responded and the substitutions were having positive impact. During that good run though we drew a few matches which we really shouldn’t have. We’d also played really well at home against Toots and Liverpool. Chelsea too but that came much later.
Southampton had had an awful start to the season, so much so, Mark Hughes was sacked with Ralph Hasenhuttl replacing him. That night was his first home fixture in his new job. Much to everyone’s surprise, he pulled off a victory and by doing so, ended our unbeaten run. The cracks had been showing but then again, Unai Emery had to field a make-do defence thanks to injuries hitting us hard.
Anyway, since that awful evening on the south coast we’ve been pretty average at best. Still are really but at least now, Bellerin and Holding aside, we should have a better back line than we had in the away fixture. Koscielny should be ok, Sokratis is back and then we have Mustafi, Mavropanos and Medley too. The right back problem remains and with AMN a doubt, I’d imagine it’s a toss up between Lichtsteiner and Jenkinson.
Lacazette returns to the squad and the rest bar Welbeck are fit I believe. Whether or not Mesut Ozil gets another game or not remains to be seen. If he doesn’t, perhaps we’ll get to see Denis Suarez start for the first time. Or Ramsey. We need a bit of creativity that’s for sure and personally, I’d like to see the Spaniard has to offer from the start of a match.
Southampton remain in the relegation places but something from this game could change that. It’s all to play for for them. Premier League survival and it doesn’t come much bigger than that. Financially I mean.
It’s no different for us though. Slightly different reasons of course but in principle, it’s about the finances too. We are desperate to secure the fourth spot and we really can’t afford to drop many more points. Certainly not at home.
Long, Ings and Austin have caused us problems in the past and they will again if we’re not at the races. It’s all very well breezing past a side like BATE but it’s these kind of matches which matter most. The grit of the Premier League, an opponent who will fight from start to finish for a point knowing it might make a difference, the rough and tumble from big players, the scrap for a bit of pride together with a decent end to what’s so far been a very mixed season under a new manager.
I’m one of a number of fans who believe Unai Emery needs more time in his job, more players of his own choosing but it’s been a while since an Arsenal performance has convinced me that I might be right.
The next three months are crucial to how our season ends which I know sounds crazy as a season starts in August but if we can finish well, with confidence and much better performances each week, next season might be a more settled one. A more productive one too.
Finally. Not a good day for the women yesterday after they lost to City on penalties. Over the 120 minutes though it was a fair result as the woodwork spared us on more than one occasion. When City had their second spot kicked saved, I thought 2005 all over again. However…
Have a good Sunday guys, a good performance and three points will do just fine.
Good morning Rico and what a lovely morning it is here in sun drenched Norfolk.
Effectively every match from now until the end of the season is a “must win”. Two home games, Southampton today and Bournemouth Wednesday, before the trip to Wembley for the second leg of the NLD. We’re four two up after the first leg and wouldn’t it be great to do the double over them?
Nine points from those three would set us up nicely for a trip to Rennes before welcoming (?) Man U for what will be a six pointer shoot out for, hopefully third place in the table.
If Ozil doesn’t start today then let Suarez show us what he can do, forget Ramsey he’s yesterday’s man.
Morning all from sand dune Cornwall and thanks Rico.
An EPL record home win today if we play like Dick wants us to play with so much pressing the Saints will have the smartest looking kit.
Still dont get why Medley is constantly mentioned as he has been on the bench for the U23`s lately and Ballard and Spanish chap have been in front of him !……………………….so lets mention them more , unless, Rico, you are Medleys agent ! 😆
Time to stop this agenda with Ozil, Dick, !…………………….he`s our best player, play the fcuker !
Morning Cicero, it’s lovely here too. It’ll be warm for the players.
True re Ramsey but the same could be said of Ozil. If he’s at the club next season I’ll be amazed. Could be that Suarez is the creativity of the future so if that is the case, play him. Definitely need to be winning all our home games. I’d take a draw at Wembley but that one will be tough.
He’s our future Lc. Did you watch the couple of times he played? Had you, you might have seen how strong and confident he was in the team.
From what I’ve made out though from your previous comments, you don’t often watch the team.
We are sure to win today. Its my Birthday, so the Mighty Gooners CANNOT let me down.
COYG
Happy Birthday VCC, a landmark one with no room for more candles on the cake?
Happy birthday Vcc. Points are in the bag then… lol
If we won them games Rico I would have seen him…………
Unless you have access to watch games live which I dont………………for the life of me I have never seen the point in watching highlights if we have lost !………………..then again some are into masochism ! hahaha
Happy birthday Vics ………………….letter from the Queen ? 🙂
morning all!
Ramsey on, please!
No Ozil, he’s on the bench.
Ramsey starts though…
I do it seems Lc. Via the App Store with Apple you can see all 3pm matches.
That team selection is screwy, in the absence of Ozil why Ramsey and not Suarez.
Two largely ineffective players, Ramsey and Iwobi. with almost no output. So it’s back to p*****g about in front of Southampton’s defence, getting sucked forward and leaving ourselves open to a long ball over the top for Armstrong and Redmond to run onto. God help Lichtsteiner, Mustafi and Sokratis in a footrace with either of those two.
I think I’ll spend the next couple of hours pottering about in the garden. 😕
I quite enjoyed that half. Game should be done and dusted though… lol
Just back from an hour’s walk over the meadows and pleasantly surprised to find we are two nil up at half time.
Two good goals Cicero. Lacazette could have had a hat trick…
Rico, I do hope we don’t go all gung-ho and leave the back door open. 😉
Emery has seen the light, Ramsey hooked off, Ozil on.
Now an injury to Iwobi gives Emery the chance to hook him too, Aubameyang on.
Two goals, a clean sheet and three points….up to third as Man U and Liverpuddle draw nil nil.
A clean sheet
We have a today a right side
Ramsey is much more effective then Ozil.
Well okay not third….yet, fourth not bad though. 😉
Complacency runs through this Arsenal team like a virus. We should have won by 4 or 5.
I’m watching Rennes v Marseille, Rennes 1 nil up after 7 mins. Lovely near post header from an excellent corner. They have a couple of speedy wingers and look dangerous.
Could we get 4th and win the EL ? 🙂
Not sure what tech stuff you are talking about, Rico………..is it a smart phone ?……………I have a cheap £10 phone, Rico…………………it does texts and phone calls thats all, to get a football match on it would be somekind of witchcraft ! hahaha
Would actually be good if Rick could give us an appraisal of Medley, Ballard, Spanish kid or any other young defender we have seeing as he writes a lot about the youth…………………………..over to you Rick if you`re reading this .
Man$our Citi£$ bench is ridiculous………………………..all of them would get in our team ! 😆
Had lunch on the Bure , watched second half in pub now back on boat back to moorings. Defending looked better but they were doing too much of the attacking for my liking
We didn’t really Cicero, second half wasn’t as good. As Adam said, a bit of complacency seemed to set in..
Lc, Rick often gives his views on the younger players. I think he too believes in Medley..
Ditto Potter. Would suggest the midfield isn’t balanced.
I watched all of the match on BEIN Sports, the commentary was in Arabic and the picture kept stopping, flickering and replaying the previous action a couple of times. (who needs replays?).
We should have had….4 or 5, and apart from the two goals which were nicely taken we appear to have reverted to to walking it into the net. Again!!! Failing of course. Lacazette could have had 3, Auba 1 and Iwobi just can’t seem to adjust his style to having a shot instead of ALWAYS laying the ball off!
If you look at the numbers we need MORE goals so when it comes to the end of the season if we are tied we win by goal difference. We are fractionally ahead of Man U & Chelsea’s goals.
Can someone explain that to the team??
That’s something, Andorra, that pervaded the Arsenal psyche during the latter part of the Wenger era and seems to have become the default tactic for our attacking players.
Potter, I’m guessing either The Kings Head or The Rising Sun.
Stokesby ferry (very nice ).
What a mess Chelsea are in..
Rico, I’d sack the keeper.
Tear up his contract right now.
Utterly disrespectful.
Apparently it was just a misunderstanding Scott. Sarri thought Kepa needed to come off with cramp.
🙂
They’re a mess either way lol
Impatient and a bunch of arrogant players…
Absolutely.
Sarri needs to take control, crack some heads and see who Roman supports.
Alternatively, do a Jose and tear the place apart lol
Evening Rico and the house.
.
Have only just seen the results of the last few days,and
I am looking forward to watching MOD for todays game.
Have just spent the last 72 hours at my better halfs bedside
in hospital. Completely overwhelmed with the kindness and expertise of
the staff that looked after the pair of us.
MOD about to start see you tomorrow Good Night all.
Evening Gooners
Evening Rico, MotD just coming on.
Had a lovely day at a cousins birthday celebrations just outside Dereham.
Driving in East Anglia made a change from driving in London, I guess, although it was a bit busman…
Good result, listened up till it was 2-0, disappointed that it wasn’t a more convincing final score but the clean sheet was welcome.
Now to do a similar job on Bournemouth.
Chelsea are a basket case club, it’s funny but at another level symptomatic of the modern footballer, overpaid, full of their own self entitlement, lacking in any discipline or any sense of responsibility. It’s all me me me, never mind the team it’s all about me…
No wonder so many hard core football fans are turning off…
Hey Rick, sorry to hear that mate, please wish your ‘better half’ a speedy recovery from darkest Essex and you also, of course….
Yes, our NHS are overwhelmingly fantastic, worth every penny and a lot more.
Take care the two of you…
Best wishes to you and your wife, I hope things work out for you both.
Just watching a recording of the highlights on Sky. Back shortly.
That didn’t take long, Good first half, two good goals, should have had a hat full.
Second half we spent long, long periods defending and were lucky not to concede at least one goal, we still had a couple of good breaks and should have added to the total.
Iwobi would be so much better if only he could get his crosses in a bit quicker instead of trying to dribble round three defenders every time.
Three points, a clean sheet and an improved goal difference, what’s not to like?
Morning Rico and all.
Rick. I am very sorry to hear that. I wish your wife better.
Fingers are crossed, and thoughts are with you and your wife, Rick.
Morning all.
Morning Gooners
Morning Rico.
It’s a beautiful day again.
Wednesday then Saturday, the games are coming thick and fast, it’s a major issue keeping everyone fit as we saw at Man Utd yesterday where they dropping like flies.
Surprised that Emery hasn’t utilised Jenkinson more, then he use Maitland Niles in centre midfield where he’s less likely to have a nap.
Ozil, Monreal, Aubameyang, Suarez, Guendouzi into the starting XI vs Bournemouth?
Save Torrieira, Lacazette, Kolasinac, Mkhitarayan and Ramsey for the NLD?
Terrible grammar, I do apologise Adam…
Morning Adam, Kev, all.
It is indeed a beautiful morning. Three points in the bag, two good goals instead of five or six but points matter I guess.
Same against Bournemouth will do for me..
Rick. Really sorry to hear you’re wife is poorly. Hope she’s healing well and back to herself soon. Thinking of you both..
Morning all………………………….best wishes and golden rays of sunshine from Cornwall to you and missus, Rick !
New post up now