Sanogo Fitter, Stronger & Ready To Keep Welbeck out! Theo Ready To Face The Neighbours?…

Morning all.

Theo Walcott is fully fit and healthy and just needs a few training sessions and perhaps a couple of run outs for the reserves to check he’s 100% and then, hopefully, he’ll be ready to face Tottenham at the end of the month…

Theo Walcott loves to play against them just like Thierry Henry used to, although the Englishman’s goal scoring record is not quite as good as his idol….

Cheeky Theo...
Cheeky Theo…

Theo didn’t score in our 2-0 victory over them in the FA Cup season last but he played his part. Santi and Tomas stole the limelight that day, well until the horrible visiting fans bombarded Walcott with not only verbal abuse but what was ever in their pockets. White flags and pennies it was then…..

Our English winger/striker has scored some important goals for us, two in particular came in the Champions League qualifying game against Udinise when he scored away from home to give us a strong advantage and then again at home to help ensure we made it through to the group stage.

Possibly his and all Arsenal fans greatest moment was in February 2012 at home against Tottenham. 2-0 down at half time and he’d had an awful first half. So much so, I think most if not all here on HH wanted him off.. (Not me – I seldom do… lol)

The second half was so very different, Walcott tore Tottenham apart, the entire team did and we battered them 5-2 in the end. What a day that was, what a game it was….

Then of course there was the 4-0 down against Reading in the League Cup, to 7-5 victors, a hat-trick from Theo that day was key and he really played well… Another great result, especially seeing Chamakh score a very good goal at the end….

Another hat-trick fell his way in December 2012 when Walcott was deployed as a lone striker. This was his first in the Premier League during a 7-3 battering of Newcastle. The last of his three was absolutely outstanding…

Theo Walcott has it all in his locker, he just needs to remember to take his locker key with him for every game because his performances have been very hit and miss. When he’s on form he can trouble the best of defences, when he’s not, well he’s very average.

A big season ahead for our winger and if he’s stays fit, it could be a very good one. Him, Alexis and Welbeck up front equals pace, pace and pace!

Looking forward to seeing him return? You bet I am!

Yaya Sanogo reckons he’s ready to keep Danny Welbeck out of the side:

He’s going to have to battle for his place in the side. Last season, I didn’t doubt myself. I was more afraid of getting injured. If the coach brought me in, it’s because he has faith in me.

I’ve become more solid. The defenders can be quite nasty. When you have come out of Ligue 2, and you know that you’re going to come up against [Vincent] Kompany, it’s quite a thing. But I’ve gained in experience.

It’s a big club. The fans know that I’ve scored a lot of goals at youth level, they’re putting me under a little bit of pressure. Once I’ve scored my first goal, everything will be fine. It’s their problem if they criticise me. I’ll still be here. I’m going to play, improve and score goals. Sooner or later, it’s going to go in.

Of course he’ll still be here, he’s French!

On that note, have a good day all….

 

123 thoughts on “Sanogo Fitter, Stronger & Ready To Keep Welbeck out! Theo Ready To Face The Neighbours?…

  1. trugun says:

    Don’t think it matters what nationality Sanogoal is, taking on the fans is extremely unwise, someone at London colney should tell him about Eboue. Personally between Welbeck and Sanogoal Danny boy wins every time.

  2. rico says:

    trugun, my point is, he’s French and he’ll always get picked by AW…

    If he is selected ahead of Welbeck for the City game, then AW seriously will lose any respect I might have for him, and that isn’t much these days…

  3. ola says:

    seriously i dont no wat arsene wenger lyk in saNogoal but,i hop he is right.sango 4 me is a very dull stricker,i wonder if he was a chealsea player,he will naver wear there jersey talk more of 2 play.theo can wait 2 see u no d pitch

  4. Scott From Oz says:

    Sanogo is French……I’d suggest his English isn’t particularly great, so it’s quite easy for him to send the wrong message across.
    Plus, he’s young…..
    Morning everyone.
    Good to see Theo nearing a return.

  5. rico says:

    He’s 22 years old, he should know by now that the fans are not to be dismissed in such a way.. If he carries on, he’ll soon realise why…

  6. trugun says:

    rico, yes I understood the point you were making, mine was that French or not as we’ve seen before Wenger crumbles when a player is under the cosh from the fans and doesn’t play them, Eboue and to a certain extent Ramsey when his two left feet were playing are two in recent times that have been pulled off or not played when the fans were getting at them.

  7. Nickie says:

    Looking forward to getting a glimpse of our new star man in his favourite position tonight. Looking even more forward to City at weekend, a result and we could really kick start our season

  8. rico says:

    Arshavin another trugun, well if if stops Wenger from playing Sanogo, then long may the fans give him stick…

    It’s not the players fault he’s sub-standard and to be honest, he should be out on loan imo to prove he has what it takes. Giving him time in the first team to find some kind of form will cost us dear…

  9. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Good Morning Firsts and Seconds. 😛

    Nice of you to remind us Theo is returning Rico. He is like a new signing.

  10. rico says:

    Me too re tonight Nickie, not so sure about the City game though…

    Ha ha Devil, he will be and I bet we hear AW use that very term. And when Diaby finally returns…

  11. kel says:

    good post Rico.

    Surely welbeck has to start for us doesn’t he? Sanogoals is terrible atm he really should be on loan.

    Didn’t see ozil in the german squad last night was he injured?

  12. bondex says:

    Morning all. A bit of bendtner there for sanogo, all the confident talk dont translate to goals. Its best he keeps quite and let his boot do the talking. Taking on the fans is stupid.

  13. Scott From Oz says:

    The kid has a microphone thrust in front of him, is young and under pressure, asked loaded questions….well, the outcome is inevitable, isn’t it?
    Saying that, Welbeck must start.

  14. kel says:

    Agree Scott sanogo is easy pickings for the media atm… and even tho I’m not a welbeck fan yet, he must start he’s 2 yrs ahead of sanogo imo.

  15. potter says:

    THis could well be the reason that Wenger has said little or nothing about Welbeck. If he welcomes him and talks about him with a positive attitude it might “” Kill “” Sanogo’s progress. Rico is right Sanogo’s nationality is a get out of jail free card and we know from experience that those bought into the fold under Wenger’s wing seem to get more chances than those that come from other routes. Wenger’s silence can only fuel the suspicion that this purchase has Gazidis written all over it and to play him upfront straight away would be an extreme step backwards for our extremely obdurate manager.

  16. rico says:

    Scott, he’s 22, hardly a kid though is he.. And even at that age, he should know to keep the fans onside, especially when he’s not really doing it on the pitch…

  17. George says:

    Sanogo will get 5/6 goals in 50 apps before ending up at rotherham.

    If he gets a winning goal in 2 fixtures this season , im happy for him to be our Christopher Wreh.

    Podolski and Campbell say nothing , and when presented fewer chances than this mug will both score more than Yaya.

    I am dreading the mna city game and I am disappointed in us signing Welbeck. God help us if he turns out to be another Silvestre sabotage.

  18. kyawmgmgtun says:

    Hello rico and all
    In my idea,we have many strikers.
    Giroud,Welbeck,Campbell and Sanogo.
    Giroud injury.
    Welbeck 23,Campbell 22, Sanogo 21
    if my choice , Welbeck is first choice
    In Campbell and Sanogo.
    i like Campbell,he can play wing and striker.
    In january window we should sell Sanogo and Podolski.
    Sorry rico and all friends.
    it is my view.

  19. Nickie says:

    I never really paid much attention to Welbeck’s play because I don’t like to watch Man U play football. Looking back at a few games and taking interest in his performances (including his cameo for England) he’s actually not bad and what you saw against Norway is quite the norm. I’m very optimistic he’s going to shock quite a lot of people. He is definitely not a Silvestre sabotage.

  20. Adam says:

    I think Arsene has the hump that the French TV station has blown him out. It must be hard struggling by on just over £8 mill a year though. The extra from his TV job was a bit of pin money for him I suppose.

  21. Hell Raising Devil says:

    So many new signings this year……..

    Sanchez
    Sanogo,
    Campbell,
    Chambers,
    Diaby,
    Dubuchy
    Diaby,
    Theo,
    Diaby,
    Welbeck
    Diaby,
    Ospina,
    Diaby

  22. George says:

    Nickie at 16m , I expect 16 goals at least. England international, from manure , I will definately be harder on him than freebie sanogo.

  23. rico says:

    Guys, my laptop has just broken, screen has gone all strange and I’m not going to use my phone all day.. Lol be back when it’s sorted

  24. rogerbij says:

    I agree Sanogo shouldve gone on loan… but as far as Im aware, no one actually wanted to take him on loan!

    Good luck to Sanogo, hope he plays in all the league cup games and finds his feet – just please dont think we can use him to win the PL any time soon.

  25. rogerbij says:

    hmm poor Reus… Apparently it was from a bad challenge so not really his fault, wouldnt want him to get a reputation as a brittle man.

  26. rogerbij says:

    kyawmgmgtun, I agree, but to sell we first need to replace. Lets buy Reus when he is not injured to replace Podo.

  27. esxste says:

    RE: Sanogo,
    I think he has the right attitude to ignore the fans, even if he was a bit foolish for actually saying it on the record. He’s right. He has to have the confidence that once he gets that first goal, the rest will flow. This is frequently the case. If he can start scoring goals week in, week out, the fans will love him and conveniently forget they ever questioned his inclusion in the team. For him to be successful at Arsenal he does need to ignore the fans right now. Because some of them have an insidious agenda.

    He is being used as a proxy to target Wenger.

    It doesn’t matter to some people that he might have bundles of talent, and that all that is required is a bit more experience playing in the premiership, time to find his groove.

    What matters is that Wenger is the one who picks him and its him they can, and do, criticise for picking him. It’s Wenger they can blame if Sanogo doesn’t make it.

    After all its been nearly a month since we won some silverware and Wenger isn’t delivering.

  28. Gunnerdna says:

    Morning all, good post rico.

    Lol @ Sanogo, a average shit player, who thinks he is better than he is. I would prefer Ospina playing at CF, than that’s lanky looking dude who looks like a giraffe chasing down a coconut down a stairwell.

  29. frednerk says:

    Afternoon All,
    Surely wenger gave the Ok for all our new players,
    Gazidis,what would he know about soccer?
    lets all hope for the sake of our club,he just turns up with the check book when pointed in the right direction,
    we know wenger needs a kick up the Arris to put his hand in our pocket to spend..but he must have the last word on players.
    Surely.

  30. esxste says:

    That Wenger needs a kick up the arse to spend money is a bit of a lie. The purchases of Ozil and Sanchez have shown he can and will spend money on top quality players, now that the money is available. Chambers has shown he’ll spend a pretty penny on promising young players too.

  31. potter says:

    esxste your defence of Sanogo does you credit however apart from a 4 goal cameo in a friendly he has shown very little to convince the fans that he is the goalscoring forward we will need at least until Giroud comes back. You might or even probably be right to imply that he needs games to find his feet . Should those games be at the Arsenal however when every point is important and in my opinion :- No.
    It is true that the points define your position at the end of the season but the ones lost at the beginning count just as much as those at the end. If he started the season needing to gain confidence and would not be ready to fire at the beginning then he should be gaining that elsewhere.
    Finally this is not a veiled critique of Wenger it’s full up front statement of where I feel he lets us down season after season.

  32. rogerbij says:

    On paper, Wenger did well this window in general. All good-excellent signings and even a striker when we didnt think we would get one.
    But Im still a bit horrified we didnt pick up a DM and CB along the way (Carvalho!)… The squad is getting stronger but its still clear where our weaknesses are to exploit. Im crossing my fingers that Welbeck can hit the ground running. He could be a star or a squad player – Im not sure which yet.

  33. Joaquim Moreira says:

    afternoon all
    Did we buy anyone today?
    Loan sanogo? We haven’t enought players. The season is very long and mostly of the players play twice a week in crucial times (CL, cups and national fixtures)

  34. esxste says:

    That’s kind of my point. 4 goals in a friendly suggests that he does have some goals in him. He’s played less than 150 minutes of premiership football this season; its still too early to judge him, and everyone should be getting behind him to support him.

    But some are not supporting him, and are judging him already.

    And it’s because they want to use him to attack Wenger choices as manager.

    Anyone would think its the first time a manager has tried to blood new talent.

  35. Nickie says:

    Ok we’ll give Sanogo all the time he needs to score a few goals….nurturing his “talent” and “potential” is far too important. We’ll give up all the trophies but as long as Sanogo becomes better than average it will all be worth it.

    Sanogo scored 4 tap ins. He’s shown us what he’s all about. How much time before we can make a real judgement Esxste? 16 apps last year, time in friendlies and premier league this season….i’ve seen enough and find it acceptable that I judge him not good enough.

  36. Wath says:

    Think when any players says that the fans view is not his problem and something that doesn’t bother him it makes a rod for his own back, you want the fans on side at all times, doesn’t matter the language you make it clear that your trying for the team and that you want to make the fans happy… that buys you time a little but playing a player in the team to boost them up isn’t an option we not a kindergarten for players who need a pat on the back, get confidence by scoring in the reserves and prove your worth a shot in the team. I think Welbeck won’t be to worried from what’s been said in the papers, talks cheap show your worth don’t talk about it Mr Sanogo..!

  37. esxste says:

    So Nickie, would you care to share your CV of managing Premier League teams to give us the qualifications upon which you make your expert opinion?

    Seriously though, don’t exaggerate my point. Of course I don’t think he should be given unlimited opportunities to make his mark. I’m saying that people have been on his back since he joined, simply because he wasn’t Suarez, and they have an axe to grind with Wenger.

    Regardless, whether we like it or not, he’s going to be given more opportunities to shine. It would be in the best interests of Arsenal if everyone focused on supporting him, instead of some doing their best to undermine him.

  38. Wath says:

    esxste, Having bought Welbeck, Sanogo should have the next few games in the reserves to bang in a few goals…! We now don’t have to rely on him or play him it’s not necessary. As many have said Wenger should not be playing him that’s not Sanogo’s fault he not ready and currently not good enough it’s just fact but now we have other players available so for the next few months he should be nowhere near the starting 11…!

  39. Luznic says:

    Esxste I see no point in your argument, if people target Wenger they are justified to do so after all he is the one keeping faith with that giraffe looking guy who can’t even hit a ball across the rugby post, Chamackh would be better playing than Sanogo, 150 minutes and the other times he played last season without a goal is enough time for people to reach a conclusion, I am tired of AKB’s its annoying sometimes seeing the truth and ignoring it, Sukky the difference between them is Welbeck has scored goals and they said Sanogo can score goals, no one actually has seen him score except Wenger, if you still ask that question again then like Nickie said choose another sport to enjoy…….Afternoon Rico and all HH memeber

  40. Gunnerdna says:

    All the fans/football world who thinks the team needs a CB & DM to compete is wrong, because they don’t have a CV of managing PL team. smh. The moral of the story is, whoever have a CV and play Sanogo should never have 1.

  41. potter says:

    The Sanogo argument will run and run . My feelings are that he is an example of Wenger’s recent management style that always seems to leave us 2 or 3 players short of a tittle winning squad whilst he gambles with players that are not ready . I have nothing against Sanogo , he is a young kid that has spent most of his football career struggling against injuries that have held him back. There are many who saw him as a youth player in France that feel he is likely to grow into the real deal. The similarities with Diaby in this respect show that Wenger is gambling again . I have not had the benefit of seeing his French build up but from what I have seen of him in England I make my judgement that Welbeck is in front of him and should be playing. At under 19’s Sanogo has 9 games for 2 goals , under 20 &21’s 9 games for 5. Welbeck 8 games at under 19 for 2 goals and under 20/21’s 14 games for 5 goals.

    Sanogo’s youth stats are fractionally better 4 games less for the same goals but the rub comes that Welbeck has 27 appearances in the full team often as a sub averaging 18.27 minutes per game and has scored 8 times. That’s why I think he is the better bet.

  42. snaparse says:

    afternoon all esxste while you make a valid point you should also know that sanogo really doesn’t merit a chance over some players in the team and while I agree that he should be given a chance and backed as it is not his fault he should also be put in the team on merit and made to work is he a better choice than Campbell or podolski right now? he should be struggling with akpom for a place that way he doesn’t feel any pressure and can be eased into the team imo

  43. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Top Arsenal blogger Arseblog has just released his latest podcast, and in it details of how Arsenal signed Danny Welbeck from Manchester United are revealed.

    The major disclosure was made by Arseblog’s podcasting partner in crime, Gunnerblog.

    According to his sources, this is what happened early on on transfer deadline day:

    Danny Welbeck is represented by his brother, who acts as his agent, Chris Welbeck.

    For Arsenal, to do this deal, and to not just be dealing with the Welbeck family, brought another agency on board to help managed negotiations.

    And I know for a fact that Arsene Wenger himself made a call at about half past seven in the morning to that agency to express hir urgent desire to push that deal through on deadline day.

    Wenger was directly involved in the [Welbeck] negotiations.

    The reason why these facts are being revealed is that some Arsenal fans, unhappy with the purchase of Welbeck, are spinning rumours that Ivan Gazidis, and not Arsene Wenger, was supposedly the mastermind of the transfer.

    Those conspiracy theorists should now be put to bed.

    Listen to the relevant segment at the start of the podcast, at around 4.50 mins in, above.

  44. snaparse says:

    hi dev IMO arsene is/will always be involved in anything football that is going on at the club because he is the only person who literally knows about football really well I have never thought a deal can be pushed behind his back…..he even said if he feels he isn’t control anymore he would leave

  45. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Fenerbahçe have asked Dirk Kuyt to convince Robin van Persie to move to Turkey. The Turkish side think Van Persie is open to a transfer now that Radamel Falcao has joined Manchester United.

    lol

  46. Adam says:

    Lee. 🙂
    The question for me is the wisdom of playing a bloke like Sanogo as main striker in a team that is supposed to be challenging for top honours. I think those days are long gone.

  47. George says:

    Lee, good 1 @4:09

    Sanogo is a 4th choice striker at best.

    He wins his headers, probably the reason he gets a look in over LP10 and JC28. As for Welbeck, cant say i’m ecstatic. Jury’s out.

    Until Sanogo starts putting them away, I’d button it up. His touch is heavier than Nicklas Bendnter, he shoots like Heskey and like our new recruit Welbeck , is an expert at tackling himself, bit like our Eboue…

  48. Rick says:

    Afternoon Rico and the House.
    Some info to anyone interested.
    Adrian Clark and Tom Watts will be speaking to Pat Rice on the Clock End (arsenal.com) at 7 pm.

    The u21 away game to Aston Villa on Thurs is being shown live on Sky Sports 2

  49. rico says:

    Ah, the good old Sanogo debate has run on today…

    I think he has potential, but Arsenal FC shouldn’t be the club to give him time to find it…

    Send him on loan and if it doesn’t work, oik him out….

    But, I don’t blame the player, not one bit… I blame the man who has thrown him into a deep ocean which is full of sharks….

  50. rico says:

    Another thing. Whilst all the talk is about Sanogo or Welbeck, there is another player who is being overlooked by Arsene Wenger and that’s Joel Campbell…

    He’s way ahead of Sanogo in my opinion….

    Yet still he doesn’t get his chance..

  51. potter says:

    I think most of us agree on the loan situation . I think the boy needs to develop without the pressure that The Arsenal brings. As for Campbell , I think he got caught by the Giroud situation and I believe reading between the lines a possible move by Podolski which did not come off because like so many players before him he only wanted to go to one club. If Podolski had gone Campbell was his replacement.Now however we have them both and in my mind neither are traditional centre forwards both are effective playing wide and coming from deep . We have a surfeit of some positions covered and others not so. Wenger will have to amend his tactics to get the best from what he has rather than try to alter the way they play naturally.

  52. Adam says:

    Potter. I agree. Like many others I thought that Wenger and therefore the club, got this TW spectacularly long. But what Arsene has effectively done, not for the first time, is to back his ability to get the players through the season to a successful conclusion. He seems to me to have left little margin for either error or injuries and I suppose you have to admire his confidence even if it seems a bit ‘edgy’. So, until January, we are stuck with the squad we have and although I haven’t changed my mind, I do feel interested to see what he has up his sleeve in the way of tactics etc… I also feel curiously detached emotionally for the first time in a while and will accept whatever he produces, but I do hope there will be someone at the club holding him as responsible as the fans inside and outside the stadium certainly will.

  53. rico says:

    How long have some of us here believed that AW needs to change his tactics though, and not just for Joel Campbell..

    Giroud takes a battering most weeks, but stick a Eduardo kind of player up with him, and things could be so very different…

    He’s always trying to make players fit…

  54. rico says:

    Well can’t you tell Welbeck is now an Arsenal player? A superb ball into the area which neither Rooney or Sterling could get on the end of…

    Whose fault? Yep, Welbecks, what utter bollox!

  55. potter says:

    Just watching the replay and Townsend shows what a muppet he is . Blaming Welbeck for not finding Sterling when the latter stopped his run as the ball was centered.

  56. Lee says:

    After DW scored his first goal last night he fired two imaginary pistols ran over to the touch line and hugged Chambers & Chamberlain! Nice touch!

  57. rico says:

    Morning Scott, you’d be amazed how the English press are making sure they include ‘off his shin’ for his first….

  58. Adam says:

    Morning Rico, Lee and all. Apparently Levy is furious that Baldini failed to entice Welbeck on a loan deal and may wield the axe.

  59. rico says:

    Morning Adam, I read that at the weekend and I did chuckle. Apparently once DW knew we had made a move, Totts had no chance…

  60. kel says:

    I’d be more than happy for Danny to shin a few more into the back of net this season. The lad played well last night his work rate is immense.

  61. kel says:

    True Scott… so many games last season I sat watching frustrated at giroud for not pressing defenders etc.. wasn’t his fault tho he hasn’t got the pace to do it… Danny looks like he could be very effective player for Arsenal.

    The city game will be different tho, he faces kompany not djourou lol…

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