Daily Bits and Bobs

Ramsey Finally Arrives.. Squad Depth Is There Arsene, Use It…

Posted on by rico

Morning all.

Since the beginning of the season we’ve been some what flummoxed by the lack of rotation of players by Arsene Wenger. Our old boy Gervinho has told the media:

Arsene Wenger never spoke to me enough. There were 11 players for him; not 25. Rudi Garcia isn’t like that.

Perhaps this remains the problem with many players today, certainly Rosicky, Podolski and Campbell who just don’t get enough playing time. Two of the three started last night in Turkey and both more than proved that they should be playing more, a lot more.

Scott has written a post with a twist for today……

I rarely miss games, although the Champions League ones are hard to watch because being in Australia, work gets in the way…….work sucks!!

When I am at work, I jump on and off HH and Facebook every few minutes to catch updates and if I’m driving between jobs, I’ll call a mate or my Dad and it’s a very interesting exercise.

For instance, this morning started with the general feeling about the game being a must win, simply because a draw or loss could potentially see us fall straight back into a poor vein of form which, after 3 wins on the trot, we all hoped we’d climbed out of until the debacle that was Stoke at the weekend.

There were small pockets of people, mainly on FB, talking up the fact they were going to be protesting during the game and that their “Thanks for the memories” banner would be on display at the ground. At the risk of taking us back to the Wenger in/out debate, even on game day, that was their line of thought, which is something I just find incredible, but again, it was a small minority.

Short of a miracle, we were always going to finish second in the group, so a good, comfortable win was what most fans hoped for, if for no other reason than to have something other than abuse of Wenger to talk about. 🙂

Arriving at the office , I missed the first few minutes, and to read we were 1-0 up already was heartening, especially when I found out Podolski was the scorer.

Fast forward a few minutes, and Rambo is in……better still, the lads were, apparently, playing with fire in the belly and a sense of purpose, so what had changed in a few days?

2-0 and we are in control.

I was thinking that either Wenger has fired the lads up, or the lads had fired themselves up after the abuse thrown at their manager, or simply that we had some players on the pitch who have a hell of a lot to prove, but whatever the reason, we were doing a number on Gala and I was missing the show!

Now the Facebook WOB’s starts to warm up….”it’s a non event game, it’s irrelevant and why couldn’t we do this on the weekend?”.

On the flip side, the AKB’s are responding with “where are the haters now”, so an even spread was to be had.

I absolutely concede that at half time, I was a little guilty of the latter, asking why they couldn’t just enjoy the game, as I’ve copped my fair share from them of late, but hey, it was mainly in response to their jibes and they were being very quiet about a seemingly damn fine performance, so I asked why couldn’t they just enjoy it?

Anyway, back to the game, and to Aaron’s second goal. What a strike!

Firstly, let’s pay tribute to Campbell, possibly our only player who can deliver a bloody corner – well done lad. Left foot volley from nearly 30 yards out very, very rarely happen, but if they do, they’re usually from a man like Podolski who is armed with a cannon, they just don’t come from right footers and certainly not on their so called weaker left foot! In what was one of the cleanest strikes I’ve ever seen, it was never going to be anything but a goal, and I thank whoever it was that posted a link immediately on FB!

If you want a laugh, find footage from behind Szczesny as his reaction is pure gold, as is the look on Sanogos face.

Half time came and in stark contrast to Stoke, we are 3 up!!

For the better part of the next 45 minutes, driving to my first job meant being on the phone to Dad who guided me through the second half, while he constantly asked why Podolski doesn’t start more games lol.

The game rolled on and apparently “some bald guy” named Schneider scored a ripper free kick and Podolski nailed another. Arsene Wenger then blooded some good kids who my Dad had never heard of, and the win was ours.

Everyone in the House seemed happy with the performance, but again, the Facebookers were split, though it did make for some fun reading.

I truly don’t get the attitude of some during the game and I never will, but that will never change.

The single best thing about the game from what I know of it, was the fact Podolski ran over 10 kilometres. If he did that week in, week out, nobody would be asking he doesn’t start, because he’d be one of the first players picked for every game. He performed like this late last season, leading to World Cup selections and I only hope he isn’t going to put up similar performances so as to impress potential suitors in the January transfer window. The guy is quality, and when he puts a shift in, he’s a superb footballer for Arsenal.

Aaron is nearly back to his absolute best, and though Adam wants him sold while the going is good, we also need him as he’s pivotal to our performances….kidding, Adam 🙂

So, next time you can’t watch a game, have your phone, IPad or PC handy, forget the streams, as the House and Facebook are bloody entertaining, and an exciting way to “watch” a game unfold.

Then, if we do win, you can always try and catch a replay but if not, don’t bother 🙂

Back to the reason we out on a decent display. My theory is simple…….this is the Arsenal, and who the hell knows what is going, but it’s never boring!!

Written by Scott From Oz.

rico

53 thoughts on “Ramsey Finally Arrives.. Squad Depth Is There Arsene, Use It…”

  3. allezkev says:

    Good post Scott…

    I suppose, if I was gonna put in my 3p worth, it’s that we’d like to see Arsenal put in a display and have a result like that at Stamford Bridge or Wastelands…

  10. rico says:

    Evening Kev, me too. Its all well and good showing up when the pressure is off but how about doing the same when the pressure is on….

    Credit where it’s due though, 4 stunning goals…..

  16. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Evening habib. Just became an uncle for the first time. 🙂

    I liked the fact that AW made 2 subs during half time. That gave them a good run out. I liked Niles but was not impressed by Zelalem. Last year he showed much more promise.

    O’Connor had only around 15 mins so not enough to judge him. However, it will be good for him.

    I would have given Akpom a chance ahead of Sanogo. So I was disappointed that he did not get on.

  18. scottfromoz says:

    Morning all…..
    Seems the House was closed for business overnight 🙂
    Sell Aaron…..our future skipper?
    Terrible thing to say lol
    Kev, I agree we need to be winning not just when it doesn’t count.
    The positive is it shows we are capable of playing good football, but again, the boys need to do it when it counts.

  24. scottfromoz says:

    Nope lol.
    They played their part, no doubt, but we have to admit, we were a hell of a lot better than at Stoke.
    I even saw Merts throwing himself into midair challenges…..finally used that size of his.

  25. rico says:

    But did we play better because they let us? It’s a tough call but I think they were awful and our early goal just killed any ounce of belief they may have had….. But look at their results in the group, woeful….

  31. rico says:

    I’m off guys, early night for me…

    Sorry about the post situation Scott, I feel you have been hard done by. Perhaps you can do the Newcastle one…. 😉

    Night all….

  34. allezkev says:

    Monaco, Porto or Atletico Madrid, in that order, would be my choices from today’s draw…

    Although it’s Hobson’s choice..,

    Barcelona, Real Madrid or Bayern are more likely to come out of the hat for us, given the absolute shit luck Arsenal tend to enjoy in poxy European competition…..

    Night All

  37. scottfromoz says:

    I am spent, Rico, that was my best work…no great accomplishment, I know hahahahaha.
    If Aaron bangs three in, I’ll do them for the next week 🙂
    Morning all.

Leave your comment.

Discover more from Highbury House

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading