One of the biggest ‘Arsenal Marmite’ players over the last few seasons could do himself and his ‘real’ club some good today!
In fact, if he and his team-mates secure Sunderland a victory today against the Totts, Nik could very well be back in the Arsenal fans good books too, now that would be something.
Nik has found some form of late but that is no doubt down to him being played as a centre forward and not a left winger and today he could really do us a massive favour today, let’s hope he does. This is possibly the toughest fixture on paper for the team sitting 4th in the league and we need them to lose.
What a boost that would be before we face the Rich Kids tomorrow….
Talking about the kids, one of our best – actually, he’s not a kid, he’s a Dad and that’s Jack Wilshere. Arsene Wenger has been talking about his potential return:
We will know in the next two or three weeks if he will play this season. We try to keep the hope alive for him and not take too many risks. That means we adapt day-to-day, to manage him, to improve his physical state and get him fit as quickly as we can without taking too big a risk. That means when he has irritation or discomfort we stop him.
We are now at the end of March, that means to go to a big competition without having played at all is impossible. The next three weeks will be decisive. You would think a player who wants to play in June, at the end of April they will have to be competitive. The next three weeks will decide if he can go to the Euros.
Word of advice Arsene, not that you need it from me – but don’t let him return for us, and don’t let him go to the Euros!
Say NO to Euro!!
Next season should be his aim, have a summer of proper rest and get back to being our Jack, not England’s, there is plenty of time ahead for that.
We need you more Jack....
His country may need him, but that’s tough, his club needs him more and we pay his wages!!
I’ll leave you all with something to make you smile, it’s from The Daily Mail.
Look out for Martin Keown playing the piano… π
Have a good day all……
Morning all…
I just love that new Citroen advert, and what to make of Keown with them, Arsene’s new right hand man maybe? Hopefully π
G O O D M O R N I N G!
G O S U N D ER L A N D!
Tear the cocks asunder
Let them sit and stare and wonder
How quickly they wobbled and fell and went under!
Rico not being funny I was thinking the same thing too. I saw the mighty Keown representing Arsenal in full Arsenal suit and tie at some football seminar last week. Is this him getting into practice for next season….
Morning CD & Big Al- lets hope they do us a favour…
Keown has to be the favourite, fingers and toes crossed…
Dirty Arry on Nikki B:
Redknapp said: βIf Arsene Wenger thought he was that good, he wouldnβt let him go out on loan would he?
βHeβs not overloaded with strikers at Arsenal. Obviously he thought it was time to get him out of there.
βHe seems to be playing well at the moment. William Gallas knows him from playing with him, so he knows him well.
βOn his day heβs a good player. Heβs got bags of talent but itβs just getting it out of him on a regular basis. When heβs playing well he can be a problem for anybody.β
That should be enough to inspire Nik …..
england have no chance of winning it,so why bother bringing a young lad who hasnt played all season?england have no manager,no captain.i dont think jack will make any difference anyway,he has only played in a handful of international matches and shouldnt be under pressure to return quickly so that england can crash out in the group stage again,i hear on sky and bbc every week that england has world class players,well,,were are they?
hi irish gooner, seems the FA are to appoint the new england manager in the next two weeks…
regardless, jack shouldn’t play in euros or olympics, even if he does play a couple of games for us, thats imho of course…
Off for a bit as it’s so quiet…..
It’s not quiet it’s dead…………………………….. π
It’s bloody well murdered.
Evening all.
Big day has been had by me,off to bed now,so catch you all tomorrow night.
good morning
Not many comments today
Sund-spuds kick off
I support sunderland today
lucky subderland… was a penalty in penalty area. hand ball…
Afternoon all, nice one Rico blinding Video. π
I get the feeling that Wenger is taunting Wilshere he seems to be saying that he has to prove to him that he is fully fit before he gives his permision for Jack to join he’s countrymen. I believe that Wenger knows how much Jack wants to play but he knows or should i say has Known that the chances of Jack playing for the Arsenal in these last few games is doubtfull. I have been of the opinion that if Wilshere does not show for us this season then he shouldn’t play for England but i must admit i am now feeling differently. If our medical people say he is ready and he’s not suffering any problems i now think that playing for England may be beneficial to Arsenal in as much that he will have been put through he’s paces in a pressurised situation should he breakdown we would be claiming he’s wages from insurance company and we would also have a little time to get him right for us, if he should go on and have a good competition at least his fitness should not be questioned after all these players are proffesional and we do want to know if he can uphold he’s position before we challenge for honors next season.
PArker handball? probably yes… 1-1 in penalties…
That was a definite penalty JM he brought the ball down and cleared
yes, maybe
Afternoon good people, what’s happening between the spudies and the mackems?
Anybody home? Hello…
Afternoon, well that wasn’t a too bad a result…..
0-0 goonster
Hiya mama bear, good huh?
Anyway here’s hoping we whup the tar out of the abu dhabi boys. They ve had it coming. Naming samir nashit as man of the match was a slap on our faces.
Whoa, guess she’s gone again. Where ββIΜ Μ²ΜΆΜ₯Μs everybody? Kev, lee, wath, dg….come on guys its too quiet out here.
All good thanks goonster π
It’s Easter, everyone is busy with other stuff I guess…
I get why everyone else ββIΜ Μ²ΜΆΜ₯Μs busy…but why ββIΜ Μ²ΜΆΜ₯Μs dg? He’s the devil for pete’s sake!
The Boat Race was entertaining today π
The oxford/cambridge boat race? Who won this year?
Cambridge, the race had to be re-started as some twit decided to go for a swim and nearly got crushed, then the two boats clashed and oxford broke an oar…..
Then at the end, one of the oxford crew collapsed and is having medical attention, not looking so good for him either….
Does the oxford/cambridge boat race today?
Hahahaha what was he thinking? Β₯ΟΟ brits sure know how to crack people up. Swimming during a boat race! Who lives like that? Hahahaha.
Villa are 1-0 up against the Dippers at Anfield π
Hi JM, yes it was…
goonster, not sure he was a brit…
Great! How about the chavs?
Chavs 0-0
Dempsey has just scored a scorcher of a free kick for Fulham π
Back in ten, off to feed the chickens….
Afternoon Gooners.
Afternoon Rico. Loved the vid.
Stan, what’s going on in de Nederlands?
Great result at The Stadium of Light.
Now, lets see us take advantage.
Says a lot about the Boat Race when someone jumping in the Thames is a highlight.
Dempsey scores again. 14 in EPL this season.
Am sure he was rico. Hahahahaha what a dope.
The guy who jumped in the Thames.
It’s been reported that he was wearing cloggs and have an Edam under his arm…. π
Shut up kev.
Grand Sam Sunday: Ending Nasri’s title hopes provides Arsenal extra incentive against Manchester City
The Frenchman is the latest in a long line of Gunners to leave north London for the Blues in the past three years but his money-driven transfer is arguably most resented by fans
Was it you Stan…..?
ANALYSIS
By Miles Chambers
The bile that will be aimed at Samir Nasri on his return to Arsenal with Manchester City on Sunday is inevtiable but, with his new club’s title hopes hanging by a tentative thread, the stakes have been raised and the Frenchman can look forward to an even hotter reception.
Nasri already experienced the hatred that fans of the north London club harbour for him when City visited in November for a League Cup match, which they won 1-0.
The game ended with an ugly confrontation between him and Emmanuel Frimpong, while the incessant chanting left little to the imagination. But why so much animosity towards Nasri in particular when so many have fled north London for the Etihad Stadium in recent times?
The answer is relatively straightforward. When Nasri trotted out the old line about “wanting to compete for silverware” and conveniently forgot to mention his decision to reject Arsenal’s improved contract offer in order to double his money at City, the die was cast.
Players will always want to win trophies but what was it about Arsene Wengerβs side that made the talented Frenchman believe that he could not achieve success in the capital? The club were fighting on four fronts for a while last season before a spectacular collapse scuppered any suggestion of silverware.
Admittedly, so far the former Marseille man can point to the Premier League table to justify his Β£25 million transfer as City sit second, 13 points but just the solitary place above Arsenal.
Catching the Blues is impossible unless Roberto Mancini’s charges completely capitulate. But Arsenal, three-time Premier League champions, can reap a measure of revenge on their former team-mate by denting their opponents’ title hopes with a win or even a draw on Sunday.
There will be many an Arsenal fan who would argue that gifting Manchester United the trophy is not something to be celebrated. But, with City having rendered the red half of north London a poaching zone in recent times, Gooners seem to have taken a more relaxed attitude towards the prospect of the Red Devils landing their 20th league title and appear at peace with the prospect of helping to make it become a reality.
It is worth stepping back and remembering that the Blues are no unique case – countless Premier League clubs have been boosted as a result of a cash influx. Blackburn’s solitary Premier League title was funded by the millions of Sir Jack Walker and that blueprint was followed by Chelsea following Roman Abramovich’s takeover in 2003, which turned the west London club from also-rans into European heavyweights.
Despite the much-changed landscape, supporters still reserve a special brand of hatred for players whose major motivation would appear to lie in the health of their bank accounts.
Another key factor in understanding why Arsenal appear to resent Nasri so much was the timing of his departure.
When club captain and heart of the midfield, Cesc Fabregas, finally took his flirtation with Barcelona to its logical conclusion and hitched a ride to La Liga, Nasri appeared certain to inherit the Spaniard’s role in the side as chief creator. That he shunned the extra reponsibility in favour of additional money two games into the season served as a knockout blow to Arsenal’s vague title hopes.
And then came the capitulation. One of the craziest results in Premier League history – Manchester United 8-2 Arsenal – prompted an unprecedented trolley-dash on deadline day and encapsulated the mess that the club was in at the end of August.
Thankfully for the sanity of Arsenal fans worldwide, the squad recovered and now sit a respectable third in the top flight, thanks in no small part to star striker Robin van Persie.
BACK WITH A VENGEANCE
10/1
Samir Nasri is 10/1 with Bet365 to score the first goal in Arsenal – Manchester City
Holding on for dear life to the Dutchman, who has scored 26 goals in the league campaign alone, will be the clubβs top priority in the summer.
The overtures of Manchester City are anticipated but, should Nasri and his new team-mates suffer defeat at the hands of the Gunners this weekend, any potential exodus could be stalled, as Arsenal players might notice that the grass is not always greener at the Etihad Stadium.
Professional footballers exist in a realm far removed from the realities of everyday life and it never ceases to amaze when players are booed at their former clubs and act hurt or surprised.
Football is fuelled on emotion – fool about with the fuel and you have to expect a violent reaction. Nasri should be prepared for one such reception on Sunday.
yes, Cambridge won.
It’s not a great result. It’s a good result.Where tots can lose more points?
Liverpool if lost, are out of the first four. However, Newcastle is a trouble.
Are you going to the game kev?
No Stan, i’ve got a ticket for the Chavs.
How are you mate?
Back to normal now i trust….
Hi JM, how are things with your favourite team Benfica?
benfica???? rubbish!!!
Milan 1 Fiorentina 2
Celtic π
JM, i think you are a secret fan of The Eagles, ;).
Hopefully ak hopefully…
Glad to hear it Stan….
Do you ever go to any Eredivisie games?
Offski for a bit…
See ya lata Stan.
Keep a low profile mate… π
Nah only watch my local team anytime they are on tv. Not a big fan.
not a secret or an assumed fan of the Eegles and their “cousins” the Lions.
Later kev, gotta run too. See ya jm.
Afternoon AK, love it too, think you might be the only one here to watch it π
hi goonster. Isn’t duch cup today?
I wanted Oxford to win JM…
Us to win 2-0 tomorrow π
a clear offside in chelsea goal.
I prefer Oxford too
I wonder, did Roman press a few Roubles into the palms of the officials at half-time???
1-1 at the Bridge…. Justice….
Come on Wigan…
The Lions JM…?
Do you mean Millwall?
No, Sporting
I’m teasing JM….
But i didn’t know the Lions was the nickname of Sporting..
What is the nickname of Porto?
Shit, Chavs have scored….
Lucky bastards.
The Dragons
Where does that originate from JM..?
Lucky lucky Chelski
My internet crashed π π
Back down to 4th, it’s all doom, we’re doooooomed !
Anyone see the Ox interview on soccer AM earlier, that might be one for you to did out kev.
Lucky Chavs again then….
Still, another two points dropped, we really need to batter the Arabs tomorrow….
From the badges of the Clubs
Not got Sky Mick.
But i did hear that he is impressive for one so young.
Rooney he ain’t..!
Newcastle are on 56 pts from 32 games.
Identical to Chelsea!
We can’t ignore the threat they pose.
Beating Man City is an absolute must…
AK, do you know Newcastles run in??
Sexy Footballβ@SexyFootball_EUReply
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Espanyol 0-2 Real Sociedad Carlos Vela with both goals. Under 20 minutes played! Scores when he wants. Hat-trick coming up π
Shame he’s going to be gone…..
Guess he’s found happiness at last….
Mon 9 Apr 2012 – Premier League NewcastlevBolton 15:00
Sat 21 Apr 2012 – Premier League NewcastlevStoke 15:00
Sat 28 Apr 2012 – Premier League WiganvNewcastle 15:00
Wed 2 May 2012 – Premier League ChelseavNewcastle
This is they’re next 4 games.
Premier League
Newcastle V Man City
Sun 6 May
13:30
Show
Premier League
Everton V Newcastle
Sun 13 May
15:00
Home advantage kev, we gotta make it count especially after last week, if we bottle it or choke again I’ll go banana’s, the Ox has to start tomorrow.
http://twitter.com/#!/Tom91AFC/status/188663291365699584/photo/1
Mick, i don’t think any of us saw that QPR result coming.
Although to be fair, Rico had bad vibes before the game…
No more of ‘them’ from now on if you please boss….
7 games and confident in all of them, ok. π
Couple of tricky ones in there AK – good!
Afternoon Micko….
Mick, it’s in our hands.
No excuses.
All 7 are winable…
I don’t expect anything less than 18 to 21 points from them.
Our team is good enough.
And yes, i agree Mick, Ox to start.
AK, i think we will win tomorrow, so much is going on a citeh and our lazy lardies would have been hoofted up the jacksie after last weekend…
i reckon we’ll see the best of our boys tomorrow, well, i bloody well won’t, i’m out all day, hopefully back for the second half….
Hi rico, easter weekend, bet you’ve been down the garden centre already.
Stoke away ain’t gonna be easy kev, but like you say the others are winable but Arsenal don’t do things the easy way.
I dunno what to make of these fair weather supporters.
That was last weekend Micko, verything as seedlings or planted now π
Keep meaning to ask you about ‘High Stools’ ? I’m sure its not a bar stool with long legs….
verything = everything π
Ok, i’ve got to rustle up a curry…
See ya lata…
Don’t forget to put the toilet rolls in the fridge for the morning kev, they’ll be nice and cool.
Enjoy AK, go steady….
rico, i’m off out to play, catch you for the 2nd half tomorrow.
C’mon Arsenal.
yes, we have the 3thr place in our hands. However, our fixtures are worst (in theory) then the others
See you Micko, have a great evening….
COYRRG π
Goddamn Chelsea, they are sneaking up, Newcastle too. Huge game tomorrow.
Hoping for the best!
Too true JM, win all ours and 3rd is a cert…..
Hi ESP, massive, and if we turn up, we will win….
Offski to eat, laters
Bloomin chickens, they do like to jump fences π
I’m done guys, have a good one and stay safe…
Nighty Night all…..
CORRUPTION…… Does it exist in the EPL..???
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17647367
Best League in the World..??? π
We’ve got the Denchman,Stoke have the Henchman,Citeh have the Benchman………
I hope Frimpong sticks one of his crutches right up Nasris fat arse.
Morning all……….the vineyards and their resultant products are proving are more than worth adversary at the moment.
I had my nose in front early,but I reckon its all square…….I shall keep you informed.
Scores of the over night games anyone????
Tomorrow is our cup final so lets give a little of what we know
This one is for rico’s band! Com on The Arsenal!
Guys on overdrive!
This one is for rico
Wee hour in the morning all……
My thoughts on today “must win” match.
Will Wenger insists on putting his faith in Ramsey as in:
……………………………..Szczesny
…Sagna…….Koscielny……….Vermaelen……Santos
……………….Song………………………Arteta
….Walcott………………..Ramsey………………Rosicky
……………………………..Van Persie
On paper, this is our strongest team as Kos-TV5 had develop a fine understanding in our 7-wins-on-a-trot run.
Sagna-Walcott pairing is doing fine at right-flank with Walcott tracking back more and doing a decent shift in defenisve duties.
SImilarly, when RvP is haivng a blip, Walcott picking up the slack by socring, cutting more and more towards centre and developing an understanding with RvP.
DO notice RvP is playing deeper in recent last 5 games with Walcott occupying a more central posiiton.
Wenger’s instruction to avoid RvP being man-marked out of the game as “Lone Striker”?
Rigid discipline must be imposed on Song to sit deep with Arteta-Ramsey doing the “play-making” and link-up work high-up on the pitch.
Else the pacy counter-attack by Nasri or Adam Johnson or David SIlva or Dzeko or AGuero or Balotelli or Tevez will destroy Arsenal’s “high-up on the pitch” Back-4 with SOng and/or Arteta nowhere in sight to provide cover.
Gibbs is utterly useless on the elft flank in providing cover during counter-attacks as in every game he played, he simply does not have that CLichy Engine or FLamini Engine to track-back immediately to provide cover at left flank after our attackes broke-down.
How many times have we all seen Gibbs nowhere in sight at left flank when we are being counter-attacked?…..with Gibbs slowly jogging back?
Therefore, Santos-Rosicky pairing wil provide us that defensive cover at left flank with Rosicky trakcing back…and both experienced campaigners in Santos and Rosicky will know how to break-up swift counter-attacks there by hook..or by crock….unlike a clueless and badly-out-of-positioned Gibbs.
We will “win-or-lose” this game via our troublesome left-flank.
Our right-flank is becoming more and more like that ‘Lauren-Freddy” pairing in Sagna-Walcott, especially Walcott is improving on his defensive duties.
But Santos needs to improve more to emulate that “Cole-Pires” or “Flamini-ROsicky” pairing down left-flank.
Gibbs?
I had already written him off as he can’t developed further…and is as good as Jusitn Hoyte as RB or CB. We need a better LB than Gibbs as he is no better than Armand Traore nor better than Clichy.
I will stick my neck and predict:
If we lose, it is down our vulnerable left-flank..which every team manager knew that.
If we win, it is because RvP and/or Walcott are playing to form with their shooting boots on.
Likely outcome:
Abu DHabi will score at least 3 goals as they will attack Arsenal incessantly knowing a draw will not do them any good. Anything less than a win, Abu Dhabi City can kiss the title goodbye if ManU beats QPR.
It is up to RvP, Walcott and MIDFIELD to score 4 or 5 or more goals to beat Abu Dhabi City….like beating Chelski 5-3 and Tiny Totts 5-2.
Can you see Abu Dhabi City scoring less than 3 goals against ours leaky defence with no protection from MDIFIELD?
This game will not be a draw as both teams are going in for a win.
If Mancini decided on an all-out attacks, throwing caution o the wind, then expect thsi attacking setup in an attempt to overwhelm Arsenal’s Defence:
……………………………………Hart
…Micah Richards….Lescott…..Kompany……Kalarov
………………….Yaya Toure………….De Jong
……………………………….David Silva
…Aguero……………………Balotelli……………..Nasri
David SIlva is most dangerous if given a free role behind the Front-3.
Nasri, with his intimate knowledge of Arsenal’s style of play plus Arsenal players is teh greatest threat as with him and Aguero interchanging to attack Arsenal weak’s left flank, I fear that dreaded “Arsenal’s ex-player” syndrome where ex-Arsenal players tend to score against us in league games..at Emirates.
I can only hope a ultra-cautious Mancini will revert to kind and play defensive football to counter-attack Arsenal only.
Ironically, a Manu-draw will only fire-up Abu DHabi as they knew that if they beat Arsenal, they will only be 3 points behind…and then beat ManU at Eithad Stadium on 30-APril to win the title.
Let’s hope that ManU slaughters QPR then!..
Find it hard to wish Red-Nose all the best just to ensure those assholes will go trophyless this season..like Arsenal.. π
New Post up….