Daily Bits and Bobs

Santi Cazorla set-back. Criticism will motivate the team as will the many leaders in the camp..

Posted on by rico

Morning all.

Santi Cazorla could be out for the rest of the season.

Santi is not doing too well. He has some Achilles problems that hold him (back). His knee is doing well but his Achilles has inflamed a little bit and we have to put him off impact.

It is a reaction to him coming back. We have to see now how he responds. He had always a little tendinitis on his Achilles and we have to see how he responds to that.

If there’s one player we are missing, it’s him…

And so it begins….

Well it doesn’t really as we’ve heard it all before after a humiliating defeat and the criticism which followed. We need a big week says the manager, the criticism can motivate the players, the team is full of leaders and we need the fans behind us….

This team isn’t full of leaders, in fact I’d go as far to say it has no leaders. Not one player can be seen to take control, organise his team-mates and get them to turn a bad situation into a good one. Yes Mertesacker might be the organiser at the back but he’s error prone, just like so many others these days.

Motivation doesn’t come from losing and being criticised, it comes from desire and passion for victory. It comes from a keen and hungry manager, from players who want to win at all costs and will give everything they have for 95 minutes each and every match day! Winning breeds winning, it becomes a habit, a habit top professional footballers don’t want to break.

Wenger wants the fans onside, of course he does and the players need them each match but the fans need the players to turn up in the right frame of mind and play well too and that’s back at the manager, that’s his job.

Where’s the motivation before the game?

Come on Arsene, wake up and get this group in the right frame of mind and send them out onto the pitch with every single one knowing what his job is. Especially Ramsey because if he thinks he has a free role which appears to be the case, it’s not working. Every good team has two midfielder’s who know what’s expected of them, and their playing partner. Personally, I’d rather see Elneny and Coquelin together but I don’t pick the team, Wenger does and he should know by now which is his best option. (cough) If I did, Walcott would be nowhere near the starting eleven.

This time last year, we lost to tonight’s opposition in typical Arsenal fashion. Fabianski had a decent game in goal, referee Kevin Friend denied what looked like a clear cut penalty after a foul on Alexis and each chance Arsenal created was wasted, the worst perhaps from Walcott when it looked easier to score than miss from close range. Then, with 86 minutes on the clock, Gomis nicked a 1-0 victory for Swansea.

Arsene in right in one sense, we do need a big week, we need a big three months and that’s because he and the players have so royally cocked up far too many times previously during the season.

Leicester dropped two points last night which was unexpected and if we can secure maximum points tonight, the gap between us and them will be back to three.

And for one night only, I’ll be cheering for the Hammers as much as I will Arsenal…

rico

288 thoughts on “Santi Cazorla set-back. Criticism will motivate the team as will the many leaders in the camp..”

  1. Kel says:

    Great post Rico.

    It’s time to Stand up and be counted.
    No more excuses mr wenger.

    3-0 till the Gunners tonight

  2. Adam says:

    Rico. I completely agree re the Southampton game. I watched them last night and they made Bournemouth look good. Utterly toothless. I know that the loss down there is somehow typical Wenger but the players have to take a huge portion of blame. We went there and strolled about as if a win was our divine right. That attitude has permeated this and many other seasons too and Wenger seems at a loss when it comes to motivating the team.

  3. tsgh says:

    Good read Rico.

    Adam surmised it up with ”.. We went there and strolled about as if a win was our divine right. ”

    How many times are we going to hear Theo and per say we will learn from this?

  5. Steve says:

    Who couldn’t see in the summer that it would end up like this ?

    Who couldn’t see that relying on Arteta, Flamini and Rosicky as midfield backup was a recipe for disaster ?

  9. tsgh says:

    Rico, unfortunately Bould already spends loads aof time with the players before games. He warms the player up before the matches and he sems to have no impact… if we asume a coach/manager needs to motivate Professional Players…

    Bould seems even more laid back than Bob Marley after a spliff.. 😉

  12. Wavy says:

    When Wenger said, “we have enough”, what he meant was we have enough crocks to keep the medical staff busy! And in that scenario he was absolutely right! Except of course, now we are short.
    How many of us knew that we wouldn’t be seeing Cazorla play again this season? How many of us know that the Ox will not be seen again this season? Nor Rosiky, nor Arteta (more’s the pity).
    Poor planning and preparation Mr Wenger. That’s Ofsted speak for you’re crap!

    Morning all. Big game tonight. Can we rise to the occasion or will it all be too much for them?

  13. rico says:

    Ts, I’d imagine that’s down to AW too, can’t have his assistant stealing any thunder…

    That’s one of the things which Fergie got right imo, I think he listened to new ideas from those around him…

  14. David Rumack says:

    What to say.
    Same old, same old?
    Last 2 weeks of Feb, first 2 weeks of March come to define our season. Again.

    Doesn’t matter what we do before and after. We always do enough to be in the mix by MidFeb and then by MidMarch we’re out of the Champs League & playing for 3rd/4th in the Premier and probably still in the FACup. Again.

    We were 1st in the PL early Jan. Should have run away with it. But no, silly defeats (Southampton, etc) mean we’ll do well to stay 3rd now. Again.
    Silly defeats in the early Champs League games mean we end up 2nd in the group, again, and face Barcá, Bayern, etc and probably go out. Again.
    And to add insult this year, we, the Holders, play a weakened team in a banker home FACup win and now face a tricky away at Hull.

    Players to blame? Manager to blame?
    I say both. Again.

    Players who seem to take certain wins for granted.
    Manager who can’t see what most others can see.
    And now we’re told AW has £100,000,000 to spend this summer. Really?

    I say, and have been an AW supporter, we need serious change. New blood.
    A younger more dynamic manager.
    Players who have a ‘winning’ mentality.
    How long can The Ox, Theo, Ramsey, etc be emerging talent?

  15. scottfromoz says:

    The Season isn’t over yet.
    I’ll concede when we can’t possibly win it because we hardly have heavyweights above us.
    We aren’t chasing an In form Utd, Citeh or Chelski.

  18. Iceman says:

    @Wavy – we haven’t had enough for many years now. Poor squad planning has led us to this point. If you don’t re-invest in a company, then ultimately, given time it will suffer. Also, if you don’t move with the times the same can happen. This is Arsenal.

  19. scottfromoz says:

    Rico, as suddenly as they did for Leicester this morning, we can improve.
    West Brom….who’d have thought that?
    As I said, our biggest advantage is who’s above us.
    We shouldn’t be relying on other teams frailties but we are….and they are frail.

  21. rico says:

    Welcome David. Our season has been so very predictable hadn’t it. Same old dips, same old injuries, same old errors…

    Southampton, Utd was a shame, dropping two points at Anfield so late in the game was shameful as was a couple of othercshoddy performances and results on the road…

    As said, so predictable ….

  25. scottfromoz says:

    Rico, I know but as I said, who’d have thought Leicester would drop points at this stage against them…very few I’d suggest.
    We beat Leicester twice 🙂 🙂

  26. andrewh1313 says:

    Morning all. Good post rico. Scott, not sure I agree Leicester are frail. Every time they were tipped to fail, they have surprised, like Man City away. Only a last gasp defeat at Emirates could be seen as failure similar to us at Liverpool. But if you mean, take out two top players for months or from Spuds then I agree with you. Mahrez, Vardy, Kane missing would dent them like we have suffered from Cazorla, Wilshire, Sanchez.

  27. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Good Morning Lovelies and Hunkies.

    Rico…..we are going to miss Santi. Big time. I said it when he got injured…..we will miss our brains with him gone.

    Now more than ever we do need a double pivot. We need Coquelin and Elneny in the middle. Both can tackle and Elneny can pass more quicker. He also does not run with the ball but knows where to pass it and his body language in that manner is already good.

    As I said….we cannot accommodate Ozil and Aaron in the centre. So it has to be Ozil begins and then change him with Aaron.

  29. Hell Raising Devil says:

    My take is that AW knew in January about Santi’s situation. So he kept it to himself because he knew that if he spouted it then he would have been forced to buy a replacement. He knew that fans would be up in arms if he did not buy a player other than Elneny. So he kept the cards to his chest and revealed it now.

  32. Lee says:

    Wenger’s squad management is appalling, constantly gambling on players!

    Putting faith in injury prone wankers!

  33. rico says:

    Devil, weren’t some of our better performances when Ramsey played on the right. Perhaps it would be an idea to put him back there…

  34. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Yes Rico…..but Aaron has stated that he does not want to play there. He wants the centre.
    My opinion is that if we continue playing Coqulein, Aaron and Ozil we will fail in the fun in.

  37. scottfromoz says:

    Devil, most were up in arms in Januray anyway, so he failed there 🙂
    Andrew, I do believe Leicester are frail.
    The pressure will increasingly burden them, and they’ll crack at some point, though it’s much, much later in the season than I tipped.
    Hats off to them…well, except that diving little shit, Vardy.
    Sounds always founder when the pressure is on, so let’s see if history repeats itself.
    The problem is, we are frail as well.

  39. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Cazorla, Ox and Rosicky are out for the rest of the season. In theory, 3-4 weeks is much more. After recover, they must be preparing for the competition. At least, two more weeks So, the season it’s finish for them.

  41. scottfromoz says:

    I reckon he’s spot on with this line, Rico…
    “Given the esteem he holds Arsene Wenger in and the influence the manager has over every aspect of the football club, is it reasonable to assume that this is going to change when a new man is brought in? I don’t think so.”
    I realise most disagree, because I’ve been shot down a thousand times when saying similar.
    Nothing really changes until Stan goes.

  42. Hell Raising Devil says:

    I am not that type of coach Rico.

    If you tell me that you do not want to play there I put you on the bench and play someone else instead.

    I did it more than once. you come to me telling me you did not want to play in a certain position, I listen to you, empathise with the fact that the said position makes you happy and I promise you that for now you will not play in that position.

    The game comes……and you are on the bench.

    Once I had a player telling me that he wanted to play in a different position and did not expect to be dropped. I told him that since the player who was occupying the position he wanted was playing quite well it would have been unacceptable to drop him to accommodate someone else. So I played someone who wanted to play there.

    SAF would have done exactly the same.

  43. allezkev says:

    Morning Rico, Adam, Lee and All…

    Agreed Rico and it’s a massive worry…
    I have absolutely no faith whatsoever that the people ‘in charge’ (ha fcuking ha) have the knowledge or ambition to pick the right man to replace Wenger…

    We know it and worryingly they know it…

    When Wenger leaves I fear that we could be in the doldrums for quite awhile, as we haven’t got a David Dein to guide those at the club’s helm.

  44. goonster says:

    Morning guys nice to see lecnut talking from his ass again. This guy needs to be hanged by his balls. “Immune to arsenal fans complaint ” who says that?? Is that a sign of a man who gives a FUCK about us?? Wenger out now. I don’t care if we win the league or not he needs to fuck righr off. What a cnut.

  49. goonster says:

    That’s Bullshit scotty Oz a different manager ll get this team firing on all cylinders. Men can we all cut this crap. Wenger is shit. End of story. How much did leceister spend? What about the spuds? It irks me when folks talk about life after wenger. It ll be utopian. A new manager ll send Ramsey Walcott Sanchez and that cnut flamini to the gulags. We need a new manager. Am FUCKing tired of his excuses. We have ozil for crying out loud. How many chances had he created this year? Did you see the disgust on his face after the final whistle? He’s gone. He won’t be here next season. Wenger has ruined us.

  50. rico says:

    Kev, I worry big time too. It’s better the devil he knows for Kroenke because he has no idea what he’s doing in relation to football…

    Just why I blame him for so much…

  51. allezkev says:

    Coach, when Wenger eventually retires/resigns – he certainly won’t be sacked, then if those ‘in charge’ (ha fcuking ha) get the succession right, I will not only be surprised, I will be amazed, astounded and flabbergasted…

  54. scottfromoz says:

    Stan, You’ve missed everything I’ve said recently, so once you catch up, then you can carry on about what exactly it is I think or at least, what you say I should think!!

  57. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Kev…..its not following SAF or Guardiola is it??

    Its following AW, the man who for the last 12 seasons has finished 3rd and 4th. So yes maybe they will get it wrong or maybe right.

    I think like you do and agree with what you say. But I would love to see a young manager being given a chance. And for heaven’s sake…..No TH14 please.

  58. scottfromoz says:

    All good Stan, it’s now 1001.
    Nobody has ever said there’s no good managers out there, but can Stan pick one?
    I doubt it, so what exactly is I said that is so wrong?
    Wenger goes, Stan stays……I say nothing changes, or maybe very little.
    If Stan goes, plenty will, IMO.

  59. rico says:

    Arsenal star Hector Bellerin has revealed he spends his downtime with a weekly trip to the pub.

    The Spanish defender, who signed from Barcelona five years ago, has established himself as the Gunners’ first-choice right-back over the past 18 months.

    As well as learning how to “defend the English way” from mentor Steve Bould and cockney-rhyming slang from Arsenal ‘s kitman, Bellerin has also been sampling traditional favourites on offer down the boozer.

    He told FourFourTwo: “I love going to the pub for a bit of food. My dad loves fish and chips. Every single week our family go to the pub. Oh, and roast dinners, too – they’re great. They kind of feel English now! Maybe not the warm beer, though.

    “Our kitman in the U18s and U21s taught me some rhyming slang, too. Like, instead of the stairs you go ‘up the apples’, or say ‘the dog’ for the phone.

    “At first, I didn’t understand a word he was saying, or even believe anyone would create that kind of language because it’s difficult to learn. It’s a brilliant thing to understand.”

  60. scottfromoz says:

    Devil, I’m with you on Thierry.
    I can’t see a single thing that’d give me confidence going forward.
    Dennis on the other hand would be an outstanding manager, I reckon.

  61. goonster says:

    Scotty Oz we made an 18 year old look world class! The funny thing was that the little cnut was on a yellow card! Varela or what the hell is his name?? A savvier manager would have forced lvg to hurl him off after 10 minutes but what did we do?? Sit on our asses and twindling our thumbs. The penny has dropped lecnut has been found out. I hate koeman but right now will have him at the helms. He needs to go. No more excuses.

  62. allezkev says:

    Scott, Vardy is everything that Theo is not, he’s self- motivated, he’s a fighter, he never hides, he never stops working, he has a bit of the Ian Wrights in him, he isn’t pampered, spoiled, full of himself like so many of our over rated players…

    Yes, he pushes things to the edge, but that’s because he wants so much to win…

    Compare that with Ramsey, who only showed a bit of aggression when someone hit him in his finely manicured mush…

  63. Lee says:

    Wenger is such a liar it’s unreal.
    he said this on 29th Jan…

    Jack is starting to run,” Wenger said. “Once you move out, from the first day, you count six weeks to be competitive and build up stamina and intensity. You need six weeks to be ready fitness-wise.”

  65. bradster says:

    Afternoon all,

    I watched the Leicester game yesterday and I thought WBA were lucky. Great free kick from Gardener and crap finishing from Ulloa as well as great saves from the WBA keeper.

    I’m sure they will miss Kante but King did a good job yesterday.

  66. scottfromoz says:

    Kev, I wouldn’t want Ronaldo at the club.
    I can’t cop divers.
    Never have.
    Stan, you are missing a few points entirely.
    Do you trust Stan to being in the right replacement??
    If he does, do you believe the new guy will be given free reign to spend what he wants….I mean, according to most, Wenger has always had plenty to spend.
    Never thought I’d say this, but even the Russian would be a better option.
    I’m not saying Wenger should stay, and as I said earlier, if you’d seen what I wrote of late, you’d know I stated two days ago that Wenger must go at seasons end, no matter what happens.
    That aside, I don’t see much changing while the Yank is in charge.
    I hope I’m wrong.

  67. goonster says:

    Our players are not half as bad as lecnut makes them appear. Theo is not a Passer or a dribbler. He’s a deadly counter attacking specimen. Sanchez does not do well in combination play. Sit him where he won’t disrupt our game at CF. Ramsey is shit for 2 seasons now sit his ass on target bench till he sorts himself out. Set up the team to play one touch counter attacking football and just maybe we might have something to show for it. Why drop Campbell when the lad has been one of the shining lights of our season? Why AOC or walnut before him?? This is personel problem guys it’s managerial.

  69. goonster says:

    Like i ve said a million times scott a different manager ll work wonders with this same bunch of losers. A team is a reflection of its manager. Pound for pound how many of the leceister players would make it into our first 11 or heck even totenham??? But who’s more easier to beat?? I thought so.

  70. goonster says:

    Adamant…am sorry mate just been so FUCKing livid for months it’s time to let off some steam. How are you and Mrs A?? I feel for you brudder. Paying through your nose to watch such tripe.

  71. allezkev says:

    Scott, if the Baggy Greens played cricket, the way you want Arsenal to play football, then they’d play like a bunch of pooftas.

    We ain’t gonna agree…

    But all I’ll ask you is, what did you think of Bobby Pires?

  72. goonster says:

    Scott the new manager don’t even need to spend much. We have a cracking first 11 if fit. Just sign a FUCKing striker and an additional ball playing DM and set up according to the opposition. Don’t play the same way every fucking time. We re not as bad as lecnut make us appear.

  74. goonster says:

    Dele alli in one season went from a fucking unknown to almost world class. Carroll dembele and heck even Danny rose looks incredible this season. We have an oxlade chamberlain who could potentially be the best English player of his generation stagnated and people say it’s not a coaching problem. Very funny.

  75. Adam says:

    Hi Stan. We are well mate and send you and Brianna our regards.
    The team getting disappointing results is nothing new really and as season ticket holders you can’t expect to get by without some suffering, painful though that may be. But the club is in a state of suspended animation now and there are some wild theories flowing through the online fanbase as to why. As per usual, most are a bizarre mix of personal animosity, half-baked conclusions, convenience, lunacy and mood. The truth lies in the points column and the rest is just supposition as nobody is in possession of the facts about what is actually happening at the club. I think I feel about the same now as I have done for several years but I see that the drama is going to have to be played out so I will just have to sit and watch.

  78. goonster says:

    Tr7 used to score from 40 yards during his time at sparta Prague and dortmund. Ashavin was the best player during euro 2008. Now they all look in shambles and fans turn on the poor players. Why play an aging ashavin on the wings? And in the toughest league there is? This guy is an AM whose best position is behind the striker. Wenger made him look shit so off he went to Russia and has never been himself again. Same thing is happening to every other player we have. They regress instead of progressing. Wenger is a cancer that’s slowly eating us all up. The players are not the problem he is!!!

  79. goonster says:

    Rico a new manager ll call back hayden from hull. Won’t sell afobe and keep sanogo. Won’t persist with almunia fabianski and manone. A new manager won’t play Rambo every fucking game. A new manager ll set up according to the opposition. And the list is endless. This guy is a fraud. He’s fucking nicking a living. I don’t hate van past it anymore. He saw the hand writing on the wall and jumped ship. Heck I ll do the same thing. Fuck wenger. He’s a cnut and a sore loser.

  80. goonster says:

    How much did kante cost rico?? What about mahrez? The thinker man is showing wenger for what he is… a joke. I pray leceister wins the league. But if the spuds end up winning it there ll be hell to pay. Maybe that’s a good thing. Maybe that ll force lecnut to resign. Man I hate that old senile retard. I don’t wish evil on anyone but sometimes I just…..arrghhh.

  82. rico says:

    goonster – you are peaching to the wrong person, I’m one who doesn’t think the club have to spend £30m + on a player and never have. For me it’s about the right player, not what he costs..

  84. bradster says:

    I feel tonight’s London derby may be cagey and end in a draw. If we have our wits about us, we can be 3 behind Leicester and 1 behind Tottenham going into the London derby.

    Merts will have to come back for today and Giroud will at least do something up front and offer space for the rest of them. Let’s hope their movement is better tonight.

  85. goonster says:

    Rico it’s not players it’s managerial. Season after season we change players yet still fall short. Here’s a thought why not try something new….a new manager and see if results ll change. Our 2008 team was the best arsenal team I ve witnessed yes better than the invisibles ( there i said it) but we still fell short. In 2 weeks we were out of every competition. The fa cup cl and the league. Yet those same players have moved on won titles with other clubs. The only problem with arsenal is wenger. Everyone else’s sees it except fucking akbs and maybe the cnut himself. Merson Adams and even McClintock can’t be wrong.

  87. rico says:

    Goonster. Again, why are you telling me something I know? I’d like to see change as much as most fans do but until Kroenke calls it a day with Wenger, the Arsenal life will carry on in the same way…

  88. goonster says:

    Brad we won’t win the league don’t put yourself through this torture anymore. Wenger is a bottler he should be working for Coca-Cola. The spuds ll win it and all hell ll break loose and I for one can’t wait to see the spuds finish about lecnut maybe that’s the only way he ll leave. We re not winning the league imo

  89. Lee says:

    I was with you Stan until you mentioned Sanogo……….. someone described him as a baby giraffe chasing a coconut down a flight of stairs!!

    Rather harsh on giraffes..

  90. rico says:

    Brad, I’m hoping the Hammers can win it, gives us more of a chance. That is of course if we can pick up with our results…

  91. goonster says:

    Then stop saying players maam 😀 it’s all wenger. He’s a cnut. Kroenke doesn’t really care who’s in charge. That moustached cnut face just wants a yearly income! Any manager ll achieve that and much more than wenger.

  92. rico says:

    Wenger may be a poor manager these day Goonster, but to keep name calling him is a tad ott isn’t it. Can’t you express yourself without using the c word quite so often?

  94. Adam says:

    Anthony Martial seemed ridiculously expensive last summer but, when you look at his quality, his age and factor in the inflation in prices that is coming, I would say that he represents better value than a few of our buys.

  96. bradster says:

    Like someone here said before goonster, Until it’s mathematically impossible for us to win, I’ll keep hoping and wishing.
    Still my team even though I’m not happy with the way things are going.

  98. bradster says:

    I’ve seen Francis Jeffers to know that risking big money on a promising youngsters is a gamble. Martial looked good against us last season but not world class for that price.
    Draxler looked like that kind of a price player and stalled in his game last season. this year his form looks to be returning.

  100. rico says:

    With you there Brad, always want them win regardless of who sits in the dugout…

    I guess that’s a little easier on the eye Goonster. Lol

    Although name calling seems odd really… To me anyway…

  101. goonster says:

    Rico that’s just pent up anger that has been building up for monthly. I just had to let off some steam. I feel 10 pounds lighter now 😀 alright wenger in 😀

  105. goonster says:

    Wenger talks out of his ass maam. I won’t be surprised if he’s hand picked his successor already. This is the same man who said we ll be really busy the past window 😀 I take whatever that loser says with a pinch of salt. He’s a liar.

  108. Kel says:

    I don’t know rico. But as goonster says the man like to tell lies.

    As much as I dislike him for being a bit of a prick and basically getting the better of wenger numerous times, mark Hughes could do a job at Arsenal imo…

    Ok Tin hat is on.. 😉

  109. goonster says:

    20 years is enough rico. Really it is. My little cousin was born the year wenger took the helms now she’s a mother of a 2 years old! What does that tell you? Lol

  110. tsgh says:

    Not making excuses for Theo or any of our lethargic players but Vardy is nearly 30y.o.

    Where was Vardy last season?

    Vardez and Mahez have caught the eye this season but Inler, Schmeichel,Kante and Walker have been the backbone of that squad.imho

    Last season pensioner Cambiasso carried that team; He could not stand Ranieri and so he left when Ranieri was appointed.

    The Tinkerman has been lucky this season and although i and several people always wanted him to do well because he has been poorly treated at Chelsea and Monaco, he gets sacked quite often for a reason…

    I guess what goes around comes around. Mostly Ranieri builds a team and then gets sacked for someone else to get the glory; this time around someone has built the team and he might just be lucky…

    But still he kicked off at 3pm on match day 1 and so… 🙂

  111. goonster says:

    Lol kelsey even pubis ll get us a top 4 with the current team. There’s nothing special about wenger. He’s a has been. Washed up, found out and incompetent 😀

  113. rico says:

    Just every time he opens his mouth Kel…

    Hope your tin hat kept the rotten tomatoes I just threw at you out…. Lol

  116. allezkev says:

    Seems that Cazorla is claiming, on Twitter, that he’ll be back on April 1st…

    Not sure if he actually realises what April 1st means in England, but let’s hope it isn’t an April Fools joke…

  118. allezkev says:

    Ginge, didn’t Vardy come into the top proffessional game late in his career?
    Much the same as Ian Wright…

    Yeah, he is 29/30, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s approaching the end of his career.

    It’s notable that he isn’t often injured, and for such a dynamic performer that’s worth taking into consideration.

    I suppose that next season will be the true test, whether he is still at Leicester of not.

    It’ll be interesting to see how he performs in France this summer, assuming that he gets picked for the England team and God only knows if Roy will take him of not…

  119. allezkev says:

    He said he would be ready, I think Rico, so your guess is as good as mine…

    Tbh, by April 1st it might not even matter anymore…

    He could be useful for the FACup though…

  123. allezkev says:

    Yeah Rico, we’ll go all the way again in the FACup…

    And we will beat Hull, even if it goes to penalties Lee…

  125. Bob John says:

    I would say the only time we have shown the required desire was the first twenty minutes against the Mancs at home And look what happened………..

  127. Micko says:

    So Wenger isn’t happy with the stick he’s been getting over the weekends result, his response,

    “We live in a society where the excess is permanent but when the excess is permanent it becomes ineffective”

    He has a great rapport with the fans doesn’t he considering he’s only been around for the last 20 years.

  128. tsgh says:

    Kev- you are spot on; that was whta i was attempting to allude to…

    This league has produced a lot of one season wonders.

    Next season the Foxes will most probably have to compete in the UCL and EPl. The expectations wil be different and he will be older as well…

    LCFC priorities changed in december when they realised the league or European football could be a possibility..

    AW should have prioritised 10 years ago when he realised he was never going to be equipment to fight on 2 frontiers…

    Hi Goonie, how is it hanging bud?

  131. Micko says:

    I don’t really understand it rico, if you tell me what you think it means I’ll tell you what I think it means lol.

  138. Wavy says:

    Arsenal to win……..spuds to lose
    You heard it here first?
    Our time has come and the time is now! Or some such drivel.

    More nonsense during match time.

  143. Wavy says:

    So long as he doesn’t rotate the match winners out of the starting line up and then we lose or draw as a result. Like he did in the first two CL games. A body can be too clever, you know!

  147. scottfromoz says:

    Morning all.
    Kev, you have never, and will never hear me defend a diver.
    End of.
    I don’t make the rules, but and I’ve never, ever been a win at all costs person.
    Pires, Eduardo…..they were what they were at times, but have you ever heard my say they weren’t?
    I detest cheating in sport, because the game is bigger than any one player.
    FIFA are like Stan.
    They can do something, but don’t.
    You know what i’d do with them 🙂

  151. allezkev says:

    Fair enough Scott, but how can you pick and choose mate?

    A cheat is a cheat, whatever the shirt…

    I mean, did you celebrate when Sol Campbell scored against Barcelona in 2006?

  167. Joaquim Moreira says:

    the english refereed are so bad!!! Was a clear foul on Ozil but why doid not defend quickly?
    We must play much better in all senses: defend, attack, shoot, etc
    with this fottball we don’t go anywhere.

  169. Kel says:

    HT… same old performance atm Giroud, Sanchez can’t finish their dinner…

    Swansea showing yet again they like playing at the Emirates.

  172. Kel says:

    Sorry guys but that little bit of luck just alludes us…
    We seem to lose every 2nd ball.. so so frustrating

  175. tsgh says:

    without Sc19 or someone of his ilk in CDM, Per has to bring the ball from defence… no off the ball movement either as he takes too many touches…

  198. tsgh says:

    if cech has saved us 10 points this season; then we are seriously in trouble…

    All from that poor pass from Coquelin…

  209. Lewis says:

    Tottenham and Leicester give us a chance and what do this bunch of chokers do. They’re a joke!

    Whoever wins the league this year will be the worst team ever to win it. Leicester deserve it.

  214. Joaquim Moreira says:

    With Gabriel in the team we don’t win a game!
    It’s so evident our midfield needs new blood. Fresh blood. another game lost in the midfield

  215. rico says:

    What a load of rubbish!

    One of the best on the pitch and the goal scorer subbed was the most bizarre decisions, unless he picked up a knock..

    Night all…

  217. tsgh says:

    All the so called saviours are shite.

    Coquelin absolutely Denilson-like.

    Cech.. well I see nothing special. 10 points saved? lmfao

    AW clueless; over stayed his welcome unfortunately

    Ramsey needs his on fileld generals..- TR07, Sc19 and MA08

    OG12.. usual barren spell..

    AS17 same…

  218. Bob John says:

    I’ve supported this club through thick and thin and at times like the mid 70’s we were really shit fighting relegation. I can honestly say I have never felt more dejected than I do right now.there is absolutely nothing in this team to give me any encouragement that things can change. We are playing relegation football and showing a relegation attitude

  221. Wavy says:

    According to Wenger we were unlucky tonight and last Sunday. I mean you really couldn’t make it up!
    The truth is, HES LOST THE F**king PLOT. IS IT DEMENTIA? Has he lost the power of sight?

    Last straw tonight. He’s lost my support as well.

    Next season? Same old. How can it be otherwise?

  223. goonster says:

    I literature haven’t been happier 😀 I said it all day. The problem is not personel but the manager. We have a joke for a manager. Go check out the spuds blog. They are laughing their asses off. It’s official we re shite!

  226. potter says:

    I haven’t seen or heard his post match ramblings and I don’t really want to. I know what I saw and in fairness it was little different to what i have been watching for what seems like ages. Tonight sanchez hit the post following a tricky move including an air shot which completely confused Flappy and Giroud took the crossbar challenge when a little composure he could have rolled it into a corner.
    As the minutes ticked by in the 87th we had the ball on the corner of the penalty box with players around the penalty spot. Monreal passed inside to Ozil who passed it on 8 passes later Monreal tried to cross and it went out for a corner. This is symptomatic of our play , we work our way into a position then work our way back out and even when the chance arises we never seem to pull the trigger . We have no real killer instinct and until we do we ill get more of the same.

  228. kai says:

    Its kinda sad ramsey yet again in the middle Sanchez playing like shit ever since he came back from injury its like he was kept out for too long. I say put Sanchez as striker drop girioud starts welbck on the right drop ramsey for elnneny . but come Saturday that won’t happen ramsey will be back in the middle.

  231. Marshall says:

    Haha am not even mad. I suppose tomorrow Rico you won’t be in the mood for another post :D.

    Spuds will skin us alive and flash us down the sewer. Lets’ finish number 5. Maybe the board can ‘persuade’ Wenger to leave.

  232. Marshall says:

    Walcot still sh*t
    Ramsey sh*t
    Sanchez getting the arsenal rot.
    Giroud- gave up on him since last season.
    And there are/were no players to improve this squad.
    Let’s not get overboard 🙂

  233. allezkev says:

    Wenger will be without Laurent Koscielny (calf) and Petr Cech (groin) for Saturday’s derby at Tottenham Hotspur. Koscielny did not play here while Cech appeared to pull up after going forward for a last-minute corner. “Cech had a little groin problem before the game and I think he struggled a bit,” Wenger said. “I don’t know how bad it is. He will not play on Saturday. Neither will Koscielny.”

  234. allezkev says:

    I’m not making excuses, but Ozil was fouled in the lead up to Swanseas first goal.
    And Williams was off-side for their 2nd goal.

    Whatever the pros and cons of Wenger’s management, it’s clear that Arsenal are experiencing some wretched luck atm…

  235. scottfromoz says:

    Kev, I say all divers should cop 12 months, not just those NOT in an Arsenal shirt, so I am not having it both ways.
    Now on to the game……didn’t see it, and probably lucky about that.
    Plenty will get their wish, especially those actually celebrating an Arsenal loss which to me is just the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever read.
    Wenger will go soon enough, so all that’s left is to ride out the last 10 games of the season.
    I said to a mate earlier, I can handle any calls for Wenger to go.
    What pisses me off is the personal insults and disgraceful name calling.
    People I know are doing it and it’s embarrassing.
    Yes, call me an idealist….I mean, I hate cheats as well…. but how some can call themselves an Arsenal fan and keep a straight face is beyond me after using such insults to a man who has given the club 20 years service-decide for yourself whether or not it was good service, but that’s irrelevant.
    Arsenal, a club with class??
    Well, so the stories go.
    It’s a crying shame so many fans have none at all.
    I’d love to push forward 12-18 months and see where are positioned, and if it’s where I think we will be, how many are calling for the new guys head.
    You won’t do it, you say?
    I call bullshit because so many are silent when we win, and bloody vocal when things go wrong.
    Respect………plenty need to have it explained.

  237. bradster says:

    What have we done that refs don’t want to give us fouls and penalties? I agree we were so unlucky hitting the frame that often but still so stale and predictable in attack.
    Ramsey has no discipline but gets into good positions that Ozil should be getting but can’t finish.
    Good to see Sanchez passing instead of aimless running and losing the ball.
    At this stage Chambers might be a better option, Gabriel looks like a deer on ice and has his eyes stuck in the headlights.
    I would drop le Coq for Elneny, tell Ramsey to play box to box but concentrate on passing properly. We need his late surges into the box, it’s the only unexpected thing we do.

  238. scottfromoz says:

    Bradster, I’d keep Coquelin in but why don’t we try Chambers alongside him?
    His last few games have shown a massive improvement.
    His failing is silly, petty fouls that he gives away.
    Shirt grabbing and the like.
    Get that out of he game and he’s suddenly much better.
    Ramsey either needs to play wide or higher up the pitch Or, on recent form, not at all…..he’s flat.
    Sack Sanchez.
    Put some bloody kids on that will be out to impress.
    We simply have a lack of real Arsenal players.
    They’ve all shown themselves of late to be mercenaries and little more.

  239. Lee says:

    Terrible substitutions by Stan last night!!

    Why take our best player off?

    Petr Cech pulled a muscle when he went up field trying to salvage a point at home against a Swansea side that rest 6 players!!!

    Wenger is done, finished, thank fuck!!

  242. Lee says:

    Have we got any kids anymore Scott???

    It wasn’t that long ago that our kids used to get to the Carling Cup final, wtf has happened??

  243. scottfromoz says:

    Who knows Lee?
    No passion for the shirt.
    It’s all about the pay cheque.
    I didn’t watch the game, but I guarantee you’d agree the vast majority didn’t give 100%.
    What the hell do they need to make them compete??
    Cash……tick.
    Possible chance at a title…..tick.
    A chance at redemption……tick.
    A pair of balls…….naaaah.

  244. scottfromoz says:

    Oh and I reckon that goes for the kids as well, Lee.
    A mate in London…mad Gooner….reckons our kids are too busy showing off the fact they are at Arsenal instead of working their arses off.
    There’s no hunger, it seems.

  245. Lee says:

    I just know if you or I were privileged enough to have the opportunity to play for The Arsenal we’d work our bollocks off…… seems that Campbell was the only one that put a shift in and he gets substituted!!

    Maybe Wenger’s lost the dressing room????

    Maybe Wenger is ill???

    It’s truly pathetic what’s happening at Arsenal, it really is.

    Brudder (if you’re about?) What was the atmosphere like last night???

  246. scottfromoz says:

    Lee, from all reports, there was no atmosphere.
    Usually I’d be disappointed to hear that, but can we blame them?
    Hunger is what we need in our players.
    I saw an interview where the guy nailed it.
    He said too many fans think we should be grateful that Ozil and Sanchez play for us.
    Bullshit, they should be grateful they can play for the Arsenal.
    He’s right.
    Why is it we fans even tend to think players do us a favour joining us?
    We almost have an inferiority complex.

  247. Adam says:

    It was like some sort of macabre horror show at the Emirates last night, played out in front of a sparse crowd. As soon as Campbell scored the whole team turned off- immediately. Square passes were the order of the day and as a pale and drawn Wenger continued his customary berating of the fourth official the team began to melt away before our eyes.
    A 5 yard pass to feet became an impossible task and Swansea pressed higher and higher up the pitch, sensing that Gabriel and Per might be suffering some sort of footballing breakdown. They were spot on of course and as the post and the bar were rattled Giroud decided to show us what a bulging net looked like from close range. I, like he, could sense the morning’s headline picture as he reeled away, nostrils flared, quiff tall and proud, glistening in the fine evening rain. Oh, he missed. Never mind. There’ll be another chance along soon.
    Quite how a whole team evaporates like that is one of football’s greatest mysteries, but I saw it last night and not for the first time. Some players emerged with a micron more credit than others but, in general, this was about as bad as it gets.
    Now, did anyone see it coming?

  248. Adam says:

    Morning Brudder. The atmosphere was tetchy although the crowd did get behind the team to try and lift them. This produced no response though.

  250. Lee says:

    This team is a true reflection of Wenger…..moaning at the 4th official, moaning at the curvature of the earth, moaning at the type of rain! Try looking in the mirror you deluded has been, you’ve neglected the squad for ages, it’s your fucking fault we are so shit!!

    Just leave, give another manger a crack!

  251. Lee says:

    Wonder what bollocks he’ll come out with at his presser?

    I seriously think he’s lost the dressing room!

  254. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Morning Chips and Chops.

    Its not a good one tbh. A bad one to be exact.

    I saw all the game yesterday………and have mixed feelings on it.

    Like Kev….I am not going to make excuses but Ozil was hauled down prior to their first goal. While their 2nd was offside. That is poor refereeing.

    But that is papering over the cracks….or chasms now.

    First…..I feel that AW has lost the dressing room. He does not motivate them anymore. He just puts the players out and they are not scared anymore of him.

    Second….I feel that while initially the Sanchez effect of giving all rubbed on the players, the reverse effect is now rubbing off as well. If others are crap why would I work my ass off?? That is their mentality.

    Third….Why not take Sancez off and replace him with Danny instead of Campbell. That left me open mouthed.

    Fourth….why continue to play Aaron when its not working???

    Fifth….why don’t we do a double pivot so that Ozil and the rest can work how they want??

    Sixth…..I am continuously saying that certain results are bent. On yesterday’s results all around I would dare say they are fixed. Don’t bet on Manure finishing the season above 3rd. ABOVE 3RD…yes you read it right. After all its only 10 points between them and Leicester. Shades of the past….when the top placed teams falter….Manure win by the skin of their teeth. Far fetched??? lets wait till the end of season. And bdw….I am not blaming the refs, the media etc. I am blaming everyone for bent results…..including those closer at home. the people we support. They do not go from being good players to bad players overnight. There must be a reason.

    rant over

  255. rico says:

    Cech had a groin injury before we played Man Utd, why on earth did he play??

    Now he’s out for the NLD – superb management Arsene!

    Marshall, I’m contemplating one, but I think you might be right and not only for today…

    Seems to me there’s a changing room problem…

    Morning all..

  256. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Are all the players blindfolded??? if no why do they keep running down blind alleys???

    Definitely Rico……there is a problem in the dressing room. If its between players themselves or else between players and Manager that is another story. But there is a problem.

    Imo that is the same problem which forced people like R VP, NAsri, Cesc, etc etc to walk away.

  258. rico says:

    Well Devil, I strongly suspect it’s the manager. I don’t think his ‘style’ of football is pleasing them any more. He’s trying to play like the team did years ago but without the players to do so.

    His days are long over for me, there’s no way he’ll ever change now…

  259. Lee says:

    It’s sad Rico BUT inevitably it was going to pan out this way.

    I just see the team as an extension of Wenger, no one else!

  261. rico says:

    As do I Lee, everything on the pitch reflects the mans approach to football and it’s been the same story for a few years now.

    But I cannot understand for the life of me, why the club/Kroenke gave him a new contract two years ago….

  263. Kel says:

    With or without wenger mid table looms… that’s how fucked we are.

    With cech and kos out I honestly think we’ll concede 2 or 3 at spurs. We’re the gift that keeps on giving.

    But sure let’s not go overboard…

    Get fucking mourinho in. He’s a twat yes but he’s still a younger and hungrier manager than wenger.

  265. Lee says:

    Kel, Mourinho will never manage Arsenal, imho that is….

    There’s plenty of managers out there that could get this lot playing NOW and add who they want in the summer to make us contenders! Not spineless, pathetic losers that just make the numbers up….

  267. Lee says:

    Le’s hope something drastically changes otherwise Ozil & Sanchez will be following in RvP, Nasri and Cesc’s footsteps!

  268. Kel says:

    Lol rico… The way i see it is there is no perfect answer to who succeeds wenger, of who’s available he has to be the best imo.

    Right now if gazids is not looking or contemplating at possible replacements for wenger then this club is fucked.

    And Stan should be aware, europa league footy will mean a price drop in his beloved shares….

  271. Lee says:

    What about a strategically shaved Colchester zoo chimpanzee? They’d do a better job than Wenger right now!!

  272. Kel says:

    Who knows lee he might like the idea of getting one over wenger lol.. but you’re probably right.

  273. rico says:

    Kel, I detest the man with an absolute passion, but Arsenal come first and I reckon you are right, he’d sort us out but as Lee says, there are a glut of managers who could do just as good a job as him.

    Neville would be interesting, especially after the way he’s turned things round in Spain… 😉

    Simione (spelling)

    But this is where Kroenke comes in for me. How high will he aim? Will he go for a man who won’t demand mega wages? (although AW earns a bloody lot) – a manager who won’t demand huge funds?

    I don’t know the answer but if Pep wanted Arsenal, why didn’t Arsenal want him? After all, he’s deemed to be the perfect solution by many…

  274. Kel says:

    Firstly kronke wouldn’t even know who mourinho is because he’s a stupid fuckin American. I’d rather have donald trump ffs…

    Imo Arsenal is shit scared of change for fear of falling outside of the top 4 I understand that but we have been scraping into the top 4 in recent yrs and imo with the status quo a drop outside of it is inevitable.

    I think simmone is in love with Atletico but yes I like him a mourinho type tbh.

    Neville I dont think so just yet plus I think he’s lined up for the utd job in a few yrs.

    Mourinho for me I know his history isn’t perfect (who’s is) but he has proven with porto he can achieve without big spending but if wenger has any input to who succeeds him then it won’t be him…

  276. Kel says:

    If those pep stories are true, then I have to say Arsenal fc is a very silly club.

    They no longer deserve the support they get from us.

  278. Lee says:

    Fucking hell untold are talking about the referee………. how about Wenger not buying a lethal striker?

    Or starting the season with Arteta, Rosickly and Flamini?

    As long as the red hat brigade defend the loser we are in shit street….

  279. scottfromoz says:

    Hiddink for one season with Dennis as his understudy.
    Didn’t I say that 2-3 season back??
    Perfect.
    Guys loves a short term gig, and it puts a space between Arsene and Dennis.
    It’s a no brainer for mine.
    Morning all.
    And if ONE person mentions flying………….. 🙂

  280. Lee says:

    “If the players at Arsenal could be counselled properly before and after each game so that they are prepared for the incompetence and general antics of PGMF employees they will be more relaxed, will be able to see if they have in front of them a Type III match fixer or a gross incompetent, and adjust their game accordingly.”

    fucking hell….

  281. scottfromoz says:

    Lee, if and when we get a new manager, and he spends, what will you say when we keep copping bad, even corrupt decisions that cost us points?
    You say don’t blame them, which is fair enough.
    I say don’t disregard them.

  283. scottfromoz says:

    A year under Hiddink will help mate.
    Whoever it is needs to be a big name.
    We need someone who will demands respect immediately, from players and fans alike.

  285. Kel says:

    If i were a premier league money man and went out a secured billions in tv deals, each club getting 100m each etc. . And then they don’t invest it on talent then I to would dislike Arsenal I would be saying them gits are keeping all that money for themselves…

    Just a thought.

  288. Lee says:

    Scott why will a new manager “keep copping bad?”

    How about a new manager with new ideas makes us competitive again and we win proper trophies???

    Strengthens the team where stubborn bollocks has refused to.

    Or at least make a fist of it trying and not choke or bottle it at every opportunity….

    Not keep making the same fucking mistakes season after season and expect different results…

    The list is endless, there will be life after Wenger and we will fulfil our potential or at least give it a better shot than this loser!

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