Players full of belief. Good, they’ll need to be as history stacked against us…

Morning all.

This fixture seems to have taken a long time to arrive. It’s a huge game with a trip to Wembley on offer.

Arsene Wenger:

It’s a big game, and every big win in a big game has an impact subconsciously in the belief of the team.

Once you get to the quarter final you think that’s a good opportunity to win a trophy. Winning the FA Cup last season gave us energy. How much, I don’t know.

But it gave us energy because we had a few years without winning a trophy and on that front it was vital. The change after winning a trophy is more linked with belief.

History is not on our side, not one bit:

  • Manchester United have kept a clean sheet in each of their last four FA Cup games against Arsenal.
  • United have won 11 and lost just one of their last 15 matches against Arsenal in all competitions.
  • Wayne Rooney has scored more goals against Arsenal than any other player in Premier League history (11) and has found the net in all three of his FA Cup appearances against Arsenal (in the 2005 shoot-out and in normal play in the last two ties).
  • Arsenal and United have net twice in the final (the Gunners coming out on top both times) and three times in semi-finals (United progressing each time).

Ouch!

But at some stage in life, things have to change for the good for everyone and football is no different, after all who’d have thought we’d have gone to Man City earlier in the season, kept a clean sheet and come away with maximum points?

Utd are without Jonny Evans and van Persie, Luke Shaw is also a doubt with a hamstring injury.

Gabriel misses out but Ramsey and Monreal return. Wojciech Szczesny is back fit too and is expected to start with young Martinez on the bench. Arsene has a selection headache, does he finally give Theo Walcott a start over Oxlade-Chamberlain – Will Danny Welbeck drop to the bench for what could be an emotional return? Does Ramsey go straight back into the side? Ozil, Santi, Alexis, Rosicky and Giroud – who get’s rested because they can’t all play? Monreal or Gibbs?

When did we last have so many options without seriously weakening the side?

Arsenal v Utd isn’t what it used to be. Utd certainly aren’t the team which only had to turn up for Arsenal to buckle at the knees. They might be on a very good run but they are playing dreadful football and have been getting an awful lot of luck and stick along the way.

Our results have been a bit up and down, as have the performances but apart from the dire performance at the neighbours, and another earlier in the year at St Mary’s, we haven’t lost a match on the road…..

I personally don’t think we’ll have a better chance of breaking that awful record against Utd, I really don’t, as long as our players are really up for this match and are prepared to do whatever it takes to be in the semi-finals.

I’d say our defence is better than theirs as is our attacking unit and if Coquelin and Ramsey can boss the midfield as they did at City and the rest close down their players just as they did Silva and Aguero, then we can and will win this game.

The back five, especially the full backs, need to think twice before bombing up the pitch because Di Maria is desperate to improve so he can’t be given an inch. On the other side will be the diving cheating Young so don’t give the referee a sniff at pointing to the penalty spot.

Talking of cheats and the referee, Fellani, give him nothing! Same with Blind, we must keep them quiet.

Defend from the front with purpose, get an early goal and silence the home fans, then may the 10,000 travelling fans be heard and I hope they can be our 12th man tonight and see us into the pot for the semi-final draw…

“It’s not just another game because it’s the quarter-final of the FA Cup. We fought until now to be in there – now we want to stay in it and go to the semi-final.” – Arsène Wenger

He’s right, it’s not just another game, it’s the FA Cup quarter finals and right now that Cup is ours and tonight, each and every Arsenal player has to give their absolute all to make sure we have a chance of keeping hold of it…..

COYRRG’S!!

297 thoughts on “Players full of belief. Good, they’ll need to be as history stacked against us…

  1. HenryB says:

    Super Post, Rico, and a rallying call to our players. 🙂

    How many times over the years have we out played old red nose’s teams only to somehow dredge a loss from the maw of victory.

    And it is not only us. I saw Manure play Newcastle recently and be well held. Right at the last knockings 3 Newcastle players somehow got into a nonsense with only Rooney sniffing about, and a pass to the GK saw him pass the ball perfectly to a Utd player standing by himself in the centre of goal – and he passed it into the net for the winner.

    I laughed at how ridiculous it was – and then remembered how we have been just as stupid over the years.

    Maybe it is voodoo?

  2. HenryB says:

    I have watched another round of games ruined by refereeing rubbish recently, and I could not believe that the Spuds beat QPR despite genuine penalty claims against them, and that Kane scored his first goal from an offside position, so I cannot but help think that the game may be decided in Manure’s favour by yet another howler from the ref astray are always scared by the crowd up there?

  3. rico says:

    Thanks Henry.

    Just hope the players are up for this one, if they are not, we are doomed..

    Bt I think they will be as they have nothing to fear from this Utd, they are nothing like Fergie’s teams and the football they play is awful. Giroud needs to be alert tonight, he could intercept one of the many passes back to the keeper they make… 😉

  4. rico says:

    I couldn’t believe Qpr were denied those penalties either, I guess the ref had to help the Toots somehow and in hope they nick 4th ahead of us….

  5. HenryB says:

    You are right, Rico, as man for man we are far better than the Manure team, who everyone is saying have played consistently poorly.

    And yet……… somehow they keep on getting the luck.

  6. potter says:

    Morning all, So it’s finally here , the match that defines the season .Win and march forward heads held high or lose and slink back home with tails between our legs. We are better than them , we have better players but that’s not always a good thing when The Arsenal’s bunch take the field .If they feel superior they shrink into an inevitability mode and play within themselves in the belief that it will happen . Tonight they need to be fully committed and play to the final whistle and be ultra careful not to get careless and allow Rooney time to stumble in the box or Fellaini room to move his non malicious elbows to plant stitches in the face of our defenders . For the first 20 minutes the place will be a bear pit , so no silly tackles , do not give the ref any excuse to decide the outcome of the match . Do all that , play football and come out with our name in the hat for the probable meeting with Villa and no doubt Anthony Taylor lined up to be the arbiter of fairness and light.

  7. HenryB says:

    Off for some physic on my knee – but at least it takes my mind off worrying about the game for a while. 🙂

  8. rico says:

    Somethings never change Henry when it comes to that lot…

    Exactly Potter.

    And Arsene Scott, he’s got to make them believe. Need a big game from Alexis and Ozil tonight… Well, them and all others…

  9. rogerbij says:

    Super rallying cry Rico!! Just cant believe our recent record is sooo bad against them. Ouch. Definitely agree that the time has come to mark the turnaround. We were desperately unlucky to lose the earlier game this season (that deflected shot) and I truly believe we are the better team. So lets see the better team win!!

  10. rico says:

    Thanks Roger, hope AW has a similar one up his sleeve… 😉

    Utd have been jolly lucky for a few years now, lets hope that luck runs out tonight….

  11. allezkev says:

    Morning All

    Morning Rico, great post…

    The key man in tonight’s match, is without doubt, referee Oliver…

    Does he have the courage to take those difficult decisions against ManUre, or will he bottle it…???

  12. allezkev says:

    Interesting to hear Peter Moores being interviewed…

    Basically said that he didn’t wanna discuss his future, as it was ‘out of his hands’….

    Really…?!!!

    Well, how about resigning you Drongo…

  13. allezkev says:

    Nobody resigns anymore…

    Nobody accepts responsibility when they fcuk up….

    From Politicians down the cricket coaches…

    Not me guv….

    Wankers!

  14. potter says:

    Half my post got lost :- should read ,
    English cricket is a little bit like The arsenal , it is run by ” the establishment , if it’s not down to earth hard nosed northeners that know best it’s old school tie wearers from the south.Until these people lose their grip on the game and allow everyone to have a go we will get nowhere.

  15. Wavy says:

    Too true Potter, too true.
    Teflon is a wonderful material, absolutely nothing sticks! The I’m in charge brigade are great for taking ALL the credit when success comes passing by but the powers that be are nowhere to found when failure’s all around! Like now down under!

  16. Wavy says:

    Should have added. Watch the chinless wonders run for cover blaming everyone else except themselves, the decision makers!
    They have already surrounded themselves in a stick free Teflon zone!
    Oh, and watch the Board sack the players the coaches all the other support staff and then reinstate themselves as overseers of their precious sport. Plus ensuring that all their time is supported with unlimited expenses and other perks for such arduous tasks and time they put in whilst maintaining the integrity of the sport!!
    Rant over…….for now.

  17. Bob John says:

    Hi all
    Just catching up with the last three posts so sorry if I’m a bit late with this!
    Paul Scholes – The B@stard son of Billy Bremner.
    Paul Scholes – The man who really cost England in the 1998 world cup when he missed from two yards when we were 2-1 up
    Paul Scholes – The man who makes Paul Merson sound intelligent!
    Paul Scholes – The latest member of the TV Northern Mafia
    Paul Scholes – Listening to him speak is a medical breakthrough in the search for a cure for insomnia
    Paul Scholes – I don’t like him very much!

  18. allezkev says:

    Rooney, Falcao, Young, Fellaini, Di Maria…

    Is there a bigger bunch of diving, cheating, elbow throwing cnuts in football???

    Theatre of Dreams, pah…

    More like the Salford Diving School…

  19. Lee says:

    I just asked a pal of mine what he thought…. he just said if we knew which Arsenal were turning up we’d know! 1-2 to the good guys I’m going for!!!

  20. Adam says:

    The players I think Brudder. Watching Wenger recently, he seems to have made something of a mental comeback. Or perhaps it’s just my wishful thinking. 🙂

  21. Bt62 Gooner says:

    Lee, are you home alone?

    Go to a pub round here and it’s likely to be empty or full of manctards……

  22. Lee says:

    No unfortunately wife and kids will be lurking at chez Lee……. I have to curb my language, which is a tad difficult being an Arsenal supporter, as you know only too well!!!

  23. Micko says:

    Nice post rico, lets smash these Northern Monkeys tonite, we are the holders afterall.

    Arsene taking the FA Cup seriously, sounds like he’s given up on the Champions League as well lol.

  24. Micko says:

    Lots of good vibes on here today, hopefully we’ll all be singing que sera sera later ! Catch ya for the game.

  25. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Arsenal: Szczesny, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Cazorla, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ozil, Alexis, Welbeck

    Substitutes: Martinez, Gibbs, Chambers, Ramsey, Giroud, Walcott, Akpom

  26. rico says:

    Full team: Szczesny, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Cazorla, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ozil, Alexis, Welbeck

    Subs: Martinez, Gibbs, Chambers, Ramsey, Giroud, Walcott, Akpom

  27. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Good Evening Lovelies and Hunkies.

    Good Post Rico. It will be a great one if we beat the Northern Monkeys in their own backyard.

    It is a good line up. I am a bit sceptic about fact that DW23 begins up front instead of Ollie. However I think that AW wants to stick it in by playing Danny in his favoured position knowing fully well that he will need no motivation. Secondly he knows that with Evans suspended their backline will be more slower so he opts for speed in the shape of DW23, Alexis and the Ox.

    Shit weather here today. The cold I do not mind, but raining heavily at one time.

  28. rico says:

    Thanks Devil, true, Danny gives us more pace, just hope he has his shooting boots on and doesnt try too hard, as in fluff things up, to prove LVG wrong….

  29. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Theo is no longer a guaranteed starter. With Alexis, Ox, Danny who can man the wings Theo has gone down the pecking order. That means that AW holds all the aces when offering him a contract.

    I like the fact that Nacho is in the starting line-up. It shows that AW does know a bit of tactics after all. It is crystal clear that when Bellerin starts a game, Nacho has to play on the left so that the defence will not be exposed, while when Debuchy recovers he will play with Gibbs. In this manner it will always leave a three man defence with Coquelin in front of them.

    Let’s hope that Ches has a good game as well.

  30. rico says:

    Just what I mean Devil, just hope Theo is taking note…

    Andrew, I think you know the answer to your own question. Leadership on the pitch is missing imo…

  31. Hell Raising Devil says:

    I do not know why but I feel very calm. A funny feeling……but on the whole I feel quiet. Yes Andy you may be right, something may go against us. However I feel that the team will give some answers on the pitch.

    i hope i am right

  32. Geziah says:

    Good evening ladies and gents. Is anyone else feeling nervous? I can’t keep still. Well I’m normally confident of an Arsenal win against manure and then we lose. Today I’m not so confident

  33. Bt62 Gooner says:

    ’79 Cup Final shirt out of moth balls for this one…….

    Bring it on, play for 90mins+, give no quarter, Danny take the chances when they come.

  34. Hell Raising Devil says:

    I think that even though there is speed in the attack, the chances are that we will give them little space to work and do damage.

    Imo, going with three speedsters up front means that we will sit back and hit them on the break. AW knows that the united backline is a slow unit and thus will look to make them come out to leave spaces which can be attacked.

    I feel the attacks will come mostly from our right.

  35. Hell Raising Devil says:

    I have noticed one thing. With Per in the team its back to zonal marking. Without him its man to man. Shrek scored due to zonal marking being applied instead of marking the man and attacking the ball. Shrek lost Kos who was ball watching and just marking his space with Per around 5 yards behind him.

    Even in corners….look at the positions of the defenders. its pure zonal set piece marking not marking the players.

  36. HenryB says:

    That Rooney goal was too soft, and I think you are right Hell.

    We were not really at the races in the first half, despite our goal.

    Not really looking forward to this, as they are closing us down when we have the ball, and we are standing off them when they are in possession.

    Prove me wrong boys!

  37. Hell Raising Devil says:

    So…..the OX gets injured (hammy) and Aaron goes on without any proper warm up. I know it was short notice but I hope he does not get injured again. Otherwise it shows that AW has not learned anything about Aaron’s injury situations.

  38. Hell Raising Devil says:

    It depends Lewis. If Debuchy was playing Gibbs would shine more and be covered since Debuchy will hold slightly back. However Gibbs with Bellerin does not work since both like to attack and can easily be exposed.

  39. Micko says:

    Same ole Arsenal taking the pish !!!

    Chesser trying his best to get an assist, you’d think he’d fancy a trip to wemberlee after last year.

  40. Micko says:

    If he’s got any sense Lewis, Ospina will be knocking on Arsene’s door tomorrow looking for a pay rise.

  41. Micko says:

    What’s going on, all the conspiracists might have to have a re-think after tonite !!! This ain’t on.

  42. Micko says:

    rico, an all too common last minute break away goal would break my heart, we gotta stay strong.

  43. tsgh says:

    Santi world class effort
    Alexis relentless
    Ozil so cool…

    Aw’s tactics…priceless
    5 hrs drive back south.well worth it…
    :

  44. Wavy says:

    Le Coq! What a game completely bossed Foulany! Magnificant game from him. The rest of them did, probably better than ok!

  45. Micko says:

    Que sera sera
    What-ever will be will be
    We’re going to Wembley
    Que sera sera.

    Ooh to, ooh to be, ooh to be a Gooner !!!

  46. Micko says:

    I dunno rico, Ospina has the canny knack of being in the right place at the right time for us, pulling off some very good saves, he’s doing ok don’t you think ? Would you wield the axe ?

  47. rico says:

    I much prefer Ospina Micko, but I worry he’s a bit short. Martinez looks like he could be good but he’s still very raw and young. I’d love us to get Cech…

  48. Joaquim Moreira says:

    🙂
    when Debuchi is recover?
    Giroud never appears in those big games
    TW is out of the team like I’ve posted a couple of weeks ago. Did we lost his speed? Moreover, he never fights for the ball now. He is afraid of playing.

  49. andrewh1313 says:

    Unbelievable, two big big wins in Manchester. Thank you Di Maria for the grab! Composed performance except for Sz when he stupidly dribbled past Rooney. He never learns. But fact is he never had to make much of a save except shots straight at him. Which speaks wonders for our midfield and defence. What a take down by Sanchez when ball looked past him. Wow, he nevervfails to amaze.

    Sweet journey home TS. Must have been great being there.

  50. rico says:

    Footballs funny isn’t it, Danny Welbeck was having a terrible time and I honestly didn’t think he’d stay in the pitch much longer then up he pops with what was our winner…

    Just goes to show eh……. Good job I’m not the manager.. 😉

  51. Wavy says:

    Wasn’t Oliver the character who asked for more? He should ask for more Arsenal games! I thought he was scrupulously fair, unusual at the toilet. The twelfth man had no influence over him at all neither did the shadow of Fergy the unfair!
    He was all the things a Ref should be, totally unbiased and unflappable MARVELLOUS

  52. Wavy says:

    Wasn’t Oliver the character who asked for more? He should ask for more Arsenal games! I thought he was scrupulously fair, unusual at the toilet. The twelfth man had no influence over him at all neither did the shadow of Fergy the unfair!
    He was all the things a Ref should be, totally unbiased and unflappable MARVELLOUS

  53. Micko says:

    Nite Gooners, it’s official, summer holidays should only be booked after the 30th May ! You know it makes sense.

  54. allezkev says:

    Yes Wavy, gotta say, that Michael Oliver was superb…
    We can a think of a dozen other current refs who would have bottled it, but Oliver showed great courage and honesty…
    I hope he gets the credit he deserves…

  55. allezkev says:

    Wenger got it right, his team selection, his tactics and his substitutions…

    Arsene Knows (on this occassion)…

    As Adam mentioned earlier, maybe Arsene is getting his mojo back?

  56. potter says:

    Listening to the United supporters ripping each other apart on the radio as I drove home was quite amusing.

  57. allezkev says:

    Great great team performance.

    Maybe a bit too much over elaboration at the end of the game, as a bit more of a direct, ruthless approach may have seen a 1-3 or even 1-4 scoreline, but I’ll settle for a 1-2 result…. 😀

  58. allezkev says:

    I thought that Nacho Monreal was absolutely fabulous.
    A top top performance…

    Bellerin wasn’t far behind…
    And Chambers looked safe as houses when he came on. What a great squad we have…

  59. allezkev says:

    Mesut, Santi, Alexis, we’re all magnificent, covering every blade of grass, working their arses off, a superb effort by these three supreme technicians..,

  60. allezkev says:

    I just felt that it wasn’t happening for Welbeck, nothing seemed to go right for him, but he was Johnny on the spot when it mattered…

    Or rather, Danny on the spot.
    Great composure to finish so clinically, it must have been an emotional roller-coaster for the ex-United boy, but he did it and credit to him…

  61. allezkev says:

    Had to laugh at Dermot O’Leary, he was smiling like a Cheshire cat, especially when he drew out Arsenal to face Reading/Bradford….

    We surely cannot fcuk up now…

    Gotta be Arsenal vs Liverpool final…

    We owe them!

  62. allezkev says:

    BT, the final is back at Wembley….

    1950, 1971, 1987….

    We’re coming for you, you Scouse gits…

  63. potter says:

    No I went to my son’s to watch it , just as well because the recording I tried to do did not happen according to sky it failed because of a power cut but my alarm clock is ok so i don’t know where that happened.

  64. HenryB says:

    Stand up and take a bow, Rico, the lads obviously listened to your rallying call and hey presto – they did the business.

  65. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Good Morning Lovelies and Hunkies.

    Its a good morning simply because its a morning which is good to enjoy. And whether you want it or not its also a morning to feel good in. And the morning is so good that it feels good to say good morning.

    There you are smiling.

    After all its the morning after the evening before.

    Mondays!!!!!! Ahhhhh I am beginning to like them.

    Rico………..the ref showed his balls yesterday. Well not in the literal sense. Yuuuukkkkkk. But in the whistling sense.

    Can you imagine a ref like that at OT with Fergie in charge???? He would have been apoplectic.

  66. rico says:

    Morning Adam and all.

    I have a smile from ear this morning – had a dreadful nights sleep, I think I felt a bit like a kid on Christmas eve…

    That was a very special night for everything that is Arsenal.. It actually feels like we’ve just won a trophy because that hoodoo, and dreadful run at OT has finally been broken….

  67. Hell Raising Devil says:

    The Girl……Hi Angel. Can you come over tonight?
    Angel………No sweetheart. I have a game tonight. Against Arsenal in the FACup
    The Girl…..I am home alone. I feel sad. I need a hug.
    Angel……..I’ll be there as soon as possible honey.

    (in the 75th minute Angel was thinking…..What the fuck am I doing here with these arseholes. I cant even score against a shaky keeper. Time to go and score somewhere else)

    Oyyyyy ref……….SLAAAPPPPP

  68. scottfromoz says:

    Morning guys.
    I had a great day today, even though work did it’s best to spoil the party.
    It’s half time in the replay now, and as I missed the game, I’m enjoying it now.
    Very much so, to be honest 🙂

  69. Joe says:

    Morning all morning Rico, just woke up and boy do I feel great it was a very good win.
    Did anyone else see Wenger’s beaming smile as he was leaving the pitch.
    As for LVG what a toad “Arsenal didn’t win the game Man utd lost it” sometimes I wonder are people watching the same match I am. If they hadn’t the best goalkeeper in the world it would have been 4-5.

  70. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Good Morning Lady.

    My grin is wide as the bay of Biscay.

    and my tongue is more notorious than the rocks in the same bay this morning. I am on the lookout for the Northern monkeys who have an uncanny knack of disappearing whenever they loose against us.

  71. Joe says:

    Is that why Angel is not playing well spending to much time with the girl that can take it out of your legs you know. 🙂

  72. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Seems that Ches is on his way to Inter………12 to 15 mill

    That means that MArtinez will be promoted to cup keeper while Illiev will be waiting in the wings as the 3rd keeper.

    And forget it those who think that Cech will be coming to the Ems.

  73. Adam says:

    Hi Rico. Too much adrenalin to sleep perhaps?
    There were so many subtexts to last night’s game and I would love to know what was said to Oliver at half time. The fact that Fellaini committed more fouls in the first half than the entire Arsenal team, if true, is staggering. Quite how he and that moron Rojo stayed on the pitch will remain a mystery.
    Still, Oliver did generally quite well I thought. Di Maria made a career out of diving while at RM and has decided to carry on at the toilet. Rooney is in the ref’s ear at every break in the game, no doubt inspired by that old dog Ferguson’s philosophy.
    I thought that MU were classless and incredibly one-dimensional. Launch the ball up to Fellani and let him elbow someone out of the way and lay it off to Rooney (what is going on with that geezer’s Barnet?) and see what happens. Throw yourself down looking for a penalty or a free ball into the box for Fellaini..,blah, blah, blah.
    Now, what about a cheeky bid for De Gea? 🙂

  74. tsgh says:

    Morning all…

    Funny how there is no mention of AW tactics…
    AW set up the team PRAGMATICALLY.
    Monreal you beauty… 😉

    Le Coq & Santi were super last night…
    Ozil made Blind earn his cash…

    Micko, well I am a law-abiding citizen so I stick to the speed limits. 😉 😛

    Hey Bt you can’t blame me for jinxing the team anymore…
    2 wins in recently.. 😉

    Funny how Talkshite chose to talk about Cheltenham instead of our win… lol

  75. tsgh says:

    Re. AW tactics meant the radio pundits…

    From their perspective Yanited were unlucky as they played better and scored well in all the stats.. lol

    If it were the other way round they would be highlighting how we have no end products…

  76. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Hi Ginge. Morning.

    Correction mate……I spoke about tactics yesterday. did not mention AW but still I talked about the way the team was set up to stifle the northern monkeys.

  77. Lee says:

    Gibbs should be extremely worried about his Arsenal career….
    If ches is off to Inter that’s good news in my book, he was shite last night, distribution was appalling and he flapped at everything in the air.
    Great marking for Shrek’s goal…..
    Great result and a great draw!

  78. Lee says:

    I’d rather have our £42m flop (hahahaha) than their diving cheating £60m one….. let the media commence a witch hunt on him now!

  79. rico says:

    Morning Devil, Scott, Joe, Lee, Ts.

    Adam, just writing that in my post because he was different in the 2nd half and that’s not the first time we’ve seen that happen.

  80. Adam says:

    True Rico. Referees usually get worse in the second half when they go card crazy but Oliver was rather good. I would hope that the Granny pin-up boy’s constant bitching and Ashley Young’s pathetic bleatings about who should and shouldn’t be booked finally pissed him off. But I imagine that another official, who had been watching some of then crap United were dishing up on a TV screen probably had a word. I am still baffled as to how Fellaini wasn’t sent off too. He gave Coquelin a dig after a couple of minutes, straight in the nose and continued unabated throughout the game.

  81. tsgh says:

    Ozil.. covering an average of 6 miles each game is nothing short of remarkable…

    When he was moved to the rhs he also covered young Chambers very well..

    And the away fans were just as amazing as always…

  82. Lee says:

    Januzaj has been given 8 yellow cards since arriving at that shit-house team…….. 50% of them for simulation. Add in the mix Young and Mary throwing themselves around like Tom Daley after a night on the piss with WATH! Fellaini should of got two red cards… Rojos should of got his orders too.

  83. allezkev says:

    Good Morning Everyone….

    Some mornings are just better than others and today is flippin’ marvellous… 😀

  84. allezkev says:

    I think that Ozil finally put to bed, all that Media inspired rubbish about him being lazy…

    Morning Rico, Adsm, Lee, Coach and All

  85. scottfromoz says:

    Gibbs can’t be in trouble…..he’s not playing ATM, and is always better wth games under his belt.
    He’s a super player when fit.
    It’s great to have two top Lb’s.

  86. Lee says:

    Don’t want to be a smart arse but……

    Lee
    March 9, 2015 at 4:12pm

    “I just asked a pal of mine what he thought…. he just said if we knew which Arsenal were turning up we’d know! 1-2 to the good guys I’m going for!!!”

  87. allezkev says:

    Shame about AOC, he wS having a great game…
    3 weeks I suppose for that injury…
    Company for Gabriel…

  88. allezkev says:

    Yes Rico, I can confirm that you said 1-2 after I suggested 2-2….

    Now Rico, just text me the lottery numbers. 😉

  89. scottfromoz says:

    Lee, a few months back, Monreal wasn’t playing much, and when he did, looked average so plenty wanted him gone.
    I reckon it’s all about game time.

  90. allezkev says:

    Tbh, Adam has been bigging up and bending my ear for the last two years, about Monreal…

    Well Adam you are 100% correct…

    I like Gibbs, but Monreal is a far better player, more composed, reads the game better, technically superior and most important, more disciplined…

  91. Wavy says:

    Nice to see the House so full of ecstatic mates this morning. There’s nothing like a win at the toilet to buck the spirits!
    With the exception of Chesney Allen in goal, and even he wasn’t that bad, the team, all of them played really well. In a way singling any player out for particular praise does a bit of a disservice to the rest. A fabulous display, from a 100% performing team who, I have to say, we’re playing a against a side that has fallen a long way from grace! But they still had to be taught a lesson….and were!
    Now Arsenal get up for the next game and perform as well as last night. We may well finish 2nd at this rate. I have rediscovered my faith! Although I’m not yet convinced that AW has returned to his Messianic best, but a little of the old Arsene must have turned up last night. And that is a good thing!imo, of course.

    Have a great day and bask in the glory and the sunshine!

  92. allezkev says:

    It’s gonna be one hell of a game when we go up there in the league…

    There will be less Arsenal fans for a start.
    The atmosphere will be electric, like a Roman amphitheater, a beatpit….

    We’ll do well to get a draw as those cnuts will be diving and cheating and fouling like crazy…

    Riley will also ensure we don’t get Michael Oliver again…

  93. scottfromoz says:

    In attack, Gibbs is better, but in defence, Monreal is the man.
    Funny though, both play much better when the wide player ahead if them puts in a shift….strange that lol.
    I’m happy when either is there, of they have some games under their belt.
    Gibbs in front of Nacho would be good to see, that’s for sure Kev.

  94. allezkev says:

    And Bellerin, Lee, what a terrific player he is looking…

    I really cannot see Debuchy getting back into the team…

    Well, not straight away!

  95. allezkev says:

    That is a position that Wenger needs to sort out in the summer, Lee…

    Give us a goalkeeper of De Gea’s quality and we’d be in with a shout of really challenging the Portugese Prick…

  96. tsgh says:

    Glad folks are appreciating Monreal…

    Poldi playing infront of Roberto Carlos could make him look like Santos at LB.. 🙂

    No disrespect to Poldi btw… but he is just idle… and AW’s tactics didn’t quite cater for his laziness. 😉

  97. allezkev says:

    Hmm, you might have point there Lee…

    You could easily mistake them for brothers, or Brudders….

  98. Adam says:

    Cheers Kev. Monreal is a better pro with much higher powers of concentration. This allows him to get forward when the game allows and he is pretty solid and seldom panics.

  99. rico says:

    No for me too. De Gea is superb..

    AW should do all he can and get Cech imo, or another top class keeper. Rob Green is better than Ches imo.

    Either Ches isn’t improving or our GK coach is letting him down…

  100. Adam says:

    Lee. Ches, perhaps unsurprisingly, looked nervous last night. I would say that striking that balance between confidence and cockiness might prove difficult for him.
    A new top, top keeper for sure at season’s end.

  101. tsgh says:

    Debuchy should not have been bought imho…

    I aways sussed it was a panic buy; and he was not tactical enough for his age too…

    Saying that he can cover central defence so if needs be he can do the job…

    AW playing Monreal at CB really switched him on…
    Before Monreal joined us he was rated higher than Alba btw…

  102. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Hiya Kev.

    What did you make of last night???? I could not sleep immediately after.

    What do you think of the Theo situation. Someone….I think Lee…..sees him sold in the summer. The Ox preferred to him says it all. And let’s face it…….he has more in his locker than Theo.

    get Diaby out asap……he is becoming contagious.

  103. Hell Raising Devil says:

    I do not think AW will get another new keeper. Even if he sold Ches.

    He thinks the world of Ospina and rates MArtinez and Iliev very high.

    So get it out of your head regarding a new keeper.

  104. tsgh says:

    I think AW will see how well Serge comes back before deciding on Theo…

    imo, Serge is ahead of Ox and Theo. although Theo is a big game player … IF he can be bothered. 😉

  105. scottfromoz says:

    Szczesny has every bit of ability De Gea does and more.
    His shit stopping is equal as are his reflex saves.
    No football brain, too cocky and makes absolute dumb arse decisions, though, and even with experience, he’s making the some mistakes he was a Few years back.
    Ospina makes better decisions and that’s the only reason he’s getting the gig.
    Sell Szczesny…..he will be wasted talent.

  106. Adam says:

    My understanding is that a new keeper is very much at the forefront of Arsenal thinking. A wide man too possibly in a p/ex deal with Theo.
    Just rumour though started by Lee or Kev I think.

  107. scottfromoz says:

    Ginge, I just don’t see ANY improvement at all on 3 seasons back.
    He always had the clean hands and shot stopping, but brain snaps are still regular.
    Poor decisions on coming out to crosses as well.
    Maybe he just does need some decent coaching.
    I’ve got no doubt he could be the best keeper on the world if it all came together, but I don’t see it happening.
    If he stays, I hope I’m wrong 🙂

  108. tsgh says:

    De Gea was slated for 1.5 seasons when he joined. He is having a decent season but even Almunia could pull off reflex saves.

    He struggles against the stokes of this world anyways so not different to what we have..

    Rumours are he will be swapped for Varane or Isco next season anyways.

    At one time fans rated Scez higher than De Gea.

  109. tsgh says:

    Scott- I think Scez was decent before last March last season; like Flamini the FC Hollywood defeat exposed them…

    We need a squad imho… I always say we have the money; if the player wants to be a squad player let him stay.

    Every team needs 5 or 6 quality players who know they will be called upon to deliver when needed and are happy to do that.

    Imo, if we are going to go buy a keeper; the best outside Chelsea is the Scum’s Lloris. He is a goner too…

    His wife tweeted she was looking forward to joining Dev’s fave WAG Ludivine ;)… little did she know her husband was joining Middlesex FC instead of the proper North London club. 😉

  110. tsgh says:

    Lol… they say King Abou has been out injured a grand total of 222 weeks since he joined us 9 years ago… lol

    I blame Smith and Essien for that.

  111. Hell Raising Devil says:

    The slimy toads are still hiding with their tails between their legs. And the few I have met have all admitted they were crap.

    Its very unnerving…..to see a northern monkey supporter being gracious in defeat.

  112. potter says:

    Just got up , this retirement has advantages. Monreal is a better player than the credit he gets , you need his type in a squad. Theo is being bought down to earth , no doubt his agent has been talking silly money. Like Rico , I am not sure about the quality of the goalkeeping coaching we seem to have a glass ceiling that since Seaman we have not gone through. Lehmann was good but only because of his German-ness and his single minded approach meant he was able to coach himself whilst watching Khan .I have great hopes for Martinez but then I did for Flappy and Szczesney , Manninger and a few others . All seem able to play a great game but have a concentration problem the next , it has to be in their preparation. We got our just desserts last night so it’s time to capitalise on it , onwards and upwards from now then.

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