Morning fine folk…
Alexis Sanchez has been ruled out for tomorrows big match. I’m gutted, we are all gutted no doubt, well apart from all those who support the Toots….
Well, I will be if he doesn’t play but during this mornings press conference, Arsene Wenger has put the cat amongst the pigeons:
“Sanchez wants to play, he wants to defy medical advice. We will see how he trains.”
That could be a clever move by the manager, not so much playing Alexis as if he isn’t 100%, I doubt he will but this news will certainly given the Totts manager something to think about ahead of the game.
Mind games eh…
One person who certainly didn’t expect to be involved in tomorrow’s derby is Francis Coquelin, in fact he didn’t expect to be turning out for Arsenal at all this season:
It’s weird because the way it happened was so sudden, so I didn’t expect it. I trained with the team all week and on Monday I was going to see the Charlton manager with a few other people about a change of formation.
He explained what he wanted me to do and told me I would be a big part of the formation. Then on the Thursday night, I was at home watching tv and got the call from Arsenal. That’s football and you just need to take it.
I felt a little bit bad about Charlton because we had trained all week, were ready for the game and it was so sudden.
It’s part of football and my [focus] went to the Newcastle game as soon as Arsenal called me. I tried to give my best when I came on. Without Charlton, I probably wouldn’t be here because I wasn’t performing that well but they gave me the chance to play and I wasn’t out of fitness when I came back. I think that helped me a lot.
From being pushed out on loan time after time, the right call at the right time came and his career looks like it’s really kicked off. From being a player who not many fans thought would ever make a Premier League footballer let alone an Arsenal player has suddenly become one of the first names on their team sheet.
And Arsene Wenger has confirmed that both he and Chuba Akpom have signed new long term deals at the club so that’s great news!
Jack Wilshere has responded to the media coverage of his night out. Last night on Instagram, he posted a video of himself in training along with the message:
Worry about your character not your reputation, because your character is who you are and your reputation is only what people who don’t know you think about you!
Take that eh. Arsene Wenger has said Jack has apologised and that’s the end of it.
Finally, apparently the transfer of Calum Chambers is being investigated by the FA. The FA are refusing to say why though. The Mail Online say that the surprising probe for a deal that went through with no problems from either Premier League club follows a complaint made to the FA by, it is believed, a disgruntled third party to the deal.
Arsene has of course said it’s all poppycock…
That’s it for Friday, have a good one….
Excellent summary of the vagaries of being an Arsenal footballer, Rico, thank you.
I guess if they play at a big club, the players can expect to get a lot of attention. They are important to us Gooners and the media know it — that’s why they concentrate on our guys because they know it sells papers.
I read that Sanchez was once spotted by one of the trainers (?) while he was at Barca, wearing weights around his ankles and perched between the walls of a corridor.
It was after he was told that he would be out for a long time because of a hamstring injury, and he designed his own recovery programme. He was right!
That might explain why Arsene said that he (Alexis) was difficult to keep quiet, because he was always so keen to play. Who knows, he might be available to squish the Spuds after all!
What a guy! 🙂
Sounds like a disgruntled agent trying to get a pound of flesh :- Parasites.
Thanks Henry.
Alexis is an amazing guy with an incredible work ethic and his arrival has certainly set the bar and others seem to be trying their all to get to his level. Just need Theo and Mesut to cotton on… 😉
Well said Potter.
Whether Alexis plays or not tomorrow, I love the fact that AW has hinted he could. Old Pochetino (spelling) will be ripping up his plan of action as we speak…
When I posted ‘Usual Suspects’ on the previous post, I meant in the Press/Media, I wasn’t digging anyone out on here…
Hiya Lee, now wtf is Rocky… 🙂
He’ll grafting at the coal face Kev….
Kev, and there was me thinking……. 😉
Morning all…I just don’t get the comparison between ozster and that spurms cnut eriksen. Ozil is miles ahead of that tosser. No contest ozil wins hands down plus it’s not a battle between both of them. It’s actually against him and santi 😀 :
Hey brudders lee and kev how’s London this lovely morning?
Fucking cold Stan! What you reckon the score tomorrow?
Goonster, it’s only because he’#s grabbing all the Totts headlines, after and Kane, who is any good over there?
Hi Rico, Lee, Kev. Henry, Goonster etc..;
Shame that Alexis cannot play, but be good to have him on the bench.
I think that form will go out of the window tomorrow and it will come down to the basic
who wants it more. Hope its us.
Rico, 😉
As if I would? 😛
Hi Marinello….
Just glad to see you back Lee, I was a bit worried.
Rocky is a family man now, big responsibility.
He has to work every day God sends…. 🙂
I got the T-Shirt…
Can’t believe how well Kane has done for the Spuds. I watched him a couple of times at Millwall and he looked a bit lightweight. Still it is his first season. When you think of the money they have spent on players, and he cost them nothing.
Predictions for tomorrow Kev and Lee….
Hi Marinello, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s fit and plays…
Hiya Stan, it’s crisp and cold in Llndon Town, but the sky is blue and as long as your wrapped up its ok mate..,
What’s it like Stateside?
A small point, went to the Villa game. Can’t believe the price of the pies on sale. Coffee at half time was £2.50… Pies were £4.50. Not that I wanted one.
🙂 Kev, as if…. lol
A narrow win Marinello for the South London team, 😀
Not sure if Wenger will risk him Rico. Have a few other games coming up that he’ll be needed for. Champions League for one. Such a good signing for us and his work rate is something else.
Hope Rosicky gets a run out tomorrow.
What breed of dog do you have Rico?
Tbh Marinello, there are so many decent eateries surrounding the Grove, at a far more realistic price, that eating inside the ground just isn’t necessary imo…
It’s not as if the food is ‘that’ good anyway!
Overpriced and tasteless
Yep Kev, I think we might just nick it. Although, I feel a draw.
Hows business Kev?
Business is a bit slow Marinello, time of the year and all that…
What about you?
I went to the cafe on the corner Kev, fairly opposite the Armoury. That was okay and quite reasonable. Bet the Staff behind the jump in the Stadium don’t get paid much, going by the dour look on some of their faces.
I work in an Advertising Agency Kev and its extremely quiet. Last year was the same.
I think he was just rested last weekend Marinello in preparation for this weekend… 😉
A rotti… lol
Open up Google maps and type in “The shithole” ………………
A draw or 1-2 to the good guys!
Lee, that’s hilarious…
I had a feeling WHL would pop up..
Rico, my partner has taken on a 3 year old German Shepherd from an animal rescue. Lovely natured dog who loves the long walks…. She’s not too sure about my partners two cats though….. Could be some fur flying.
Lee, I typed it in and Luton Town centre popped up…….
Marinello, my son goes into The Rocket, the bar in the University.
The beer is very reasonable and it’s quite comfortable in there…
My only concerns tomorrow is that it is an early kick off… although so was the Villa one last week. We gained a bit of bad press last year in losing a few of the early kick off games.
Have a stroll down Holloway Road Marinello, there’s some really nice restaurants and cafes down there…
Have to laugh Kev, my brother used to take me into the Finsbury Park Conservative Club opposite the Mosque where old Hook hand used to preach. He would sign me in, I’d pay a pound and we would enjoy a cheap pint in a pretty run down place. After going there for a few years, I asked him how long he had been a member. He said “I’m not.” “I just turn up, they just think that I am a member…”
I often pop in there still, sign in…..
🙂 Marinello, hope all goes well with the three of them… And not too much fr flying I hope…
Things have changed when pints are dearer in England than they are in Ireland.
Petrol is still cheaper than beer Joe….
I don’t drink petrol 😛
I don’t drink petrol either, but I’ve been told that methylated spirit is an acquired taste, that can grow on you…
Do you drink diesel Kev??? 😉 I prefer the real VINO.
Good afternoon Whiskeys and Brandies.
Sanchez wants to play???? even in pain??? or injured??? give him table soccer then. 😉
Good for the guy. His enthusiasm is infectious.
Kev,I saw you drinking from the hand sanitizer dispenser the other day! Does that count?
Francis Coquelin says signing a new deal at Arsenal was an easy decision and shows the “magic of football”.
The French midfielder has agreed a new long-term deal after establishing himself since his return
from a loan spell at Charlton Athletic.
The 23-year-old is delighted to commit his future to the club and says he now wants to concentrate on cementing his place in the team.
“I’m really pleased, I’ve been here since 2008 so it feels like a second home for me,” Coquelin told Arsenal Player. “It wasn’t really a tough decision, I have been here long enough and I know everyone here.
“Everyone makes me feel good every day, and hopefully there will be more good years to come as well.
“This is what is magic about football: one day you are unknown and the next day you are a bit bigger. I think the most important thing is to stay the same as I have been doing for the last few years.
“If I stay the same I am not worried, I know I can help the team and hopefully I can do that in the coming years.”
Coquelin is one of a number of young players to sign new contracts recently, and he says it points to a bright future.
“It is a good thing to try and keep the players who have been there for a long time,” he said.
“Everyone’s been here for a long time and we all know each other so we help everyone on the pitch and off the pitch.
“It’s easier to tell someone off when you’ve known him for years than someone who’s just got in the team, and I think that’s why at the moment everything’s going well.”
Afternoon Rico and the House,
Good summary on a good news day Rico.
Chuba has stated ” Delighted to have signed a new deal with Arsenal.Lots of hard work to come but very excited about the future”.
You are not the only one who is delighted Chuba looking forward to seeing you score many goals. starting with the winner on monday.
AW should have given Chuba the number 9 shirt immediately after signing his contract. Maybe its been promised for next year after all. It would be great if one of our own, a homegrown talent, beats the curse of the number 9. Up till now, it seems as if that number has been cursed since Alan Smith wore it. It seems to carry a jinx. Hopefully one day it will be beaten and we will have our own legendary number 9. Like we have had with the number 5,6, 7, 10 and 14.
Afternoon Rick. Really pleased too about Chuba, he’s got a great future ahead of him…
He might get the number 9 in the summer Devil…
Chuba as new no.9? Does that mean Poldi is definitely ‘denched’?
Excellent read rico…
Thanks Ts, I suspect he’ll be gone in the summer. You don’t loan a player his age to gain experience… lol
Ginge, Poldi will never play for AFC again. Even though he was one of my present favourites, his mouth has seen to that. His words when he left made sure that he will never get a game for AFC again.
I hope he gets it in summer Rico. OG seems to have the number 12 as his own, so he can stay with it if he wants. And it would be great to see a homegrown talent wear it. Anyone….except Sanogo.
I hope Sanogo will be gone in the summer too Devil, now Chuba has signed, can’t see where he fits in other than 4th down the order of strikers…
ha ha Rico.. you never too old to gain experience. 😉
I concur Rico/dev
You know me Lee, i’ll try anything once… 😉
Ok, that’s Coquelin and Akpom sorted…
Now let’s get Bellerin signed up on a long deal because Barca and Real will come sniffing around if he continues his improvement.
Hayden had to be next into the team…
Of Bellerin, how long will it be before we hear the fateful abbreviation……DNA in relation to Barca? Don’t hold your breath but it won’t be long, I reckon!
,afternoon all
Rico I have sent you a email can you check.
Kev I think both Bellerin and Hayden are under contract untll June 2016
but I agree with you Arsene should give them new contracts asp.
I have read that some are already sniffing around
Agree Kev re Bellerin and Hayden, the latter surely has to be the next youngster to be given a chance…
I see Akpom has signed a new contract till 2020 the was a time 2020 seemed to be along way in the future not any more bloody hell I am getting old. 🙂
Evening all
Hayden needs a loan imho…
He is no better than Ignasi Miquel imho… his saving grace is that he is English…; he is behind Chambers currently
Aneke goal-
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/video/football/video-1115213/Zulte-Waregems-Chuks-Aneke-scores-stunning-volley.html#
Would that be San Miguel?
Night all, bit of oval ball throwing to watch…
Rick, once Debhcy is fit, Bellerin will probably be out of the team, and that’s when the vultures will try to unsettle young Hector.
Wenger or whoever is responsible, should be working on a long-term deal NOW, not leave it until this time next year…
Hayden should be given a new deal also, maybe until 2017, just to keep him on board.
I have read (on J.Bird) that Willock hasn’t signed yet, does that mean that he’s gonna walk in the summer?
Big night ahead guys, so I’ll catch you all in a few hours.
We will just win!!
Morning all….
Catch up later Scott..
Morning Rico…
Quiet on here today…
Do we have a game??? 😉
My team for the Slum;
Ospina.
Bellerin, BFG, Koz, Monreal,
Le Coq,
Ramsey, Santi,
Walcott, Giroud, Ozil…
morning All..
I will go with that line-up too… with the Lil Mozart coming on as the first sub..
Just got my hands on Syg’s book… chapter 1 is too good.
I’ll go with that team too, Kev and Ts sub, later in the game.
Score? 1-2 to the good guys!
Morning all.
Morning Ginge, Wavy…
Clean sheet for me Wavy…
I’d be happy with 0-1 to Dial Square.
Is it Willock’s brother that is at Man Utd ?
Morning Kev, just a small game…
I differ to you, wouldn’t play both Ozil and Walcott. We can’t afford two passengers…
Morning Potter, Wavy & Ts…
It’s the Willock who used to be on our books Potter, Matthew…
1-0would do me too, a clean sheet is everything! I just can’t see Ospina keeping his fifth none conceded stat! It has to go sooner or later, later is preferable, but though the defence has improved immeasurably recently I just can’t see the spuds not scoring, sadly! Their defence, on the other hand, whilst it has improved, is still like a colander and we should be able to score several against them with our offensive front men with pace and ability! Etc etc.
We should win today, if only to show them who is the boss in North london! A defeat is unthinkable and a draw would be disappointing! So, we must win. There is no alternative!
New post up now…