Daily Bits and Bobs

Shock Bergkamp move. Slightly extreme Arsene and as December arrives – phew!

Posted on by rico

Morning all.

What’s to say really other than we need a win. Nasty November has gone, December is here so hopefully, Arsenal will get back to winning ways.

I honestly thought we’d win our last two fixtures away from home against sides well below us in the league but no, we royally mucked those two up, getting just one point from both matches. Two points from our three matches is simply not good enough.

Not only did November cost us points, but injuries too and all in all, it was a bit of a crap month.

Thankfully, the injury to Alexis is not as bad as first feared as he could be back to face Man City but Arsene Wenger says ‘he could have been killed’ when Ryan Bennett shoved the player into the camera man and hoardings A tad extreme imo, but there’s no doubt his injury could have been a lot worse. Bennett was stupid, what he did was dangerous and I still don’t know why he wasn’t at least booked. Mathieu Debuchy was another victim of being pushed into the hoardings last season but the injury he sustained was much worse. Referees need to stop this and fast as someone is going to get a very serious, perhaps career ending injury.

Anyway, the team almost picks itself today with so many players out injured. Koscielny and Walcott are back but my guess is that only one will start, and that’s the Frenchman. Alex Iwobi, Jeff Reine-Adelaide, Chris Willock, Julio Pleguezuelo, Glen Kamara and Josh Dasilva all trained with the first team yesterday and it’s likely one or two will make the bench. Not Jeff though as he played last night for the under 18’s in their 4-1 victory over West Brom. Good to see one of our teams can beat the Midlands side!

Anyway, Big Sam and his team arrive in London today and by now, Arsene Wenger should know what to expect from one of Sam’s sides. Defensive, strong in the tackle, determined and bullish. I suspect they’ll do as much as they can get away with in order to stop us trying to play football.

So, over to Arsene Wenger to pick a team which can beat that style of football and win the game. He believed in this squad, he believed back in the summer that the squad was deep and strong enough to cope with injuries etc, so it’s down to him to field a side which can get us back winning ways.

Let’s hope he can….

Have a good Saturday guys….

PS – Reading are hoping to lure Dennis Bergkamp away from Ajax apparently. They want him to replace Steve Clarke who was sacked yesterday. Wouldn’t it be great to see him back in England and I’d love to see him at Reading. Mind you, I’d prefer to see him at Arsenal……

 

 

rico

261 thoughts on “Shock Bergkamp move. Slightly extreme Arsene and as December arrives – phew!”

  1. Iceman says:

    Over at Fat Sam’s Grand Slam Speakeasy, the troops are readying themselves by donning tin hats, sharpening studs and getting expert training as to what the thing with the net is for…

  2. rico says:

    Morning Iceman and all..

    Big test for AW today imo. 3 without a win, a hat full of injuries and the squad he thought was strong enough to compete…

    Well let’s see eh…

  3. Micko says:

    Morning all,
    rico, Sunderland have never won at the Emirates……..can you see where I’m going with this !
    Nice bit of reverse psychology with Kev earlier btw, I liked that.

    Malaga, Storm Desmond is a breeze compared to Arsene’s perfect storm of devastation in November !!!
    36 hours of constant heavy rain and high winds, it’s desperate.

  4. allezkev says:

    Morning Rico

    Morning All

    Sanchez could have been killed, so the blurb goes.
    I’m sure that Wengers meaning was different to how it’s being reported…

    But he could have had his leg broken, that’s for sure.
    It certainly would have killed his season!

  6. Marinello says:

    Hi Rico,
    Hope all well.
    I agree with what you say about it being a test against Sunderland. Big Sam is probably feeling more confident going into this match against Arsenal than he ever has. So many players injured, but as you quite rightly say, Arsene said at the beginning of the season that this squad is strong enough. Let’s see….

  7. allezkev says:

    Not sure if he is injured (yeah, a bit of a shock that) but Krystian Bielik wasn’t in the squad for yesterday’s FAYouthCup.
    Wonder if Wenger is considering including him in the squad today?

  8. rico says:

    Morning Kev, Micko and Marinello

    I didn’t want to mention that Micko, baring in mind the other results this season which have broken records for all the wrong reasons… Cheeky, I was being honest… 😉

    I’m well thanks Marinello, you?

  9. rico says:

    Jeff injured too Kev, can’t make it up eh… 😉

    His is just a cut though so nothing serious hopefully. Good point on Bielik, in the squad I reckon, along with a few.

  10. kelsey says:

    Morning all.

    Another easy game, which makes three easy games in a row.:)

    Go on surprise me and score a brace Giroud 🙂 I don’t fancy Chambers playing,but that’s just my opinion. Defoe is out. I bet there are thousands of empty but sold seats today. Fickle lot, always have been.

  12. rico says:

    Defoe being out is good news Kelsey, another of their players is out too I think, can’t recall who but a first team player..

    Could do with Stoke getting something today…

  14. Marinello says:

    All good this end Rico.
    Kev may remember some of the youth players who came through to make up the double winning team of 70/71. I know that football has moved on and become more athletical with regards the modern player, but I think Bill Shankly when at Liverpool said “if a player is good enough, he is old enough.”
    Barclay at Everton came through at a young age, the Spuds have a few playing each week, we have Bellerin, but it would be good to see some youngsters breaking through into the first team.

  15. rico says:

    Good to hear Marinello..

    Agree re the ‘good enough, old enough’ view but until they get a run in the side we’ll never know and let’s be honest, after ten years of not winning the league, playing the younger players is risky as one bad game and they’ll get lambasted by fans.

    I’m guilty right now of giving Campbell a hard time..

    The best scenario imo is to have them on the bench, get a 3-0 lead and bring one on each game when the pressure is off but as we all know, getting 3-0 up is something we struggle with, other than against Utd…. 😉

  16. Marinello says:

    Yes Rico, 3 up in 20 minutes against United, I was at that match.
    I just hope that Sam gets a little cocky today, pushes his players up and we catch them on the break. The Ox, if he plays, is due a goal.
    It really is a roller coaster ride supporting Arsenal. And there is never a dull moment.
    Here is to a solid 2-0 win today to bring a little confidence back to the squad.

  18. kelsey says:

    Morning rico.

    I meant when we aren’t playing well so many of our season ticket holders just don’t bother to turn up and I know several people who somehow have 2 or 3 season tickers.Back in the barren days at Highbury if we weren’t playing one of the top teams many just stayed at home.
    This might be lost in translation but I read yesterday that AW likes Bob Marley music and at the same time looking at the game today “he is a little constipated”.

  19. rico says:

    Hi Kelsey, I see..

    We have a few regular attenders here on HH and one travels from Norwich each weekend so not many fickle fans here… Lol

  20. Marinello says:

    Hi Kelsey, I have never understood that with fans who have paid for the ticket but do not attend. Why not just give it to someone else or a youngster who cannot afford a ticket. Annoys me.

  22. goonster says:

    Morning Rico another weekend another arsenal game. Still find myself coming back to watch these guys even after I swore never to. Seeing klopp at arnfield breaks my heart. Imagine what could have been. So sad. Am going for a 3.1 win. Giroud ozil and Rambo with the goals. Come on you gunners.

  34. Joaquim Moreira says:

    yes, city 2 down at 15th minutes…
    The same players scored the goals.
    50′ years supporting Arsenal?
    I’m supporting for 45 years ago

  37. allezkev says:

    Marinello, Carmichael was one, he ended up on the coaching staff, and Bobby Harding, Malcolm Webster the goalkeeper.

  39. allezkev says:

    Rico, I will send you some pics from the game/stadium…

    Don’t lose them ? You can put them with my post… Lata

  40. BT62 Gooner says:

    Good on you JM, not far behind you….lol

    Looking forward to the second half of the Shitty game…..

    Will we take advantage if the result goes against Shitty?

  54. goonster says:

    Rico stoke reminds me of arsenal 2008 the movement off the ball is unbelievable. Sparky for the arsenal job. Sign him up.

  56. goonster says:

    Rico I ll take a few of those stoke players. Shaqiri bojan heck even afellay. Yet we re stuck with sanogo!

  59. goonster says:

    Sparky for the arsenal job 😀 I ll take him over pep simone ancelotti even 😀 stoke looks good I tell ya. Shitty looks toothless lately.

  61. kelsey says:

    Nearly 58 years for me and I was there when we lost at Home to Leeds, our lowest attendence ever 4000 odd.Liverpool were on TV that night which was a rarity but even so, can you imagine 4000 at Highbury .

  66. Marinello says:

    Enjoy the match Kev.
    Webster, Jack Carmichael, John Woodward….. Do you remember Tony Burns. He was in goal for a few games in 65 season. He was at Millwall fairly recently as goalkeeper coach.
    Kelsey, I remember the Leeds game.
    I also remember when Billy Wright was Manager. Supposedly a nice man, got 105 caps for England but no good as a Manager.

  69. goonster says:

    God in heaven where’s the midfield? ? Flamini needs to sit. My God somebody needs to tell him he’s a fucking DM. These guys ll be the death of me.

  77. kelsey says:

    Campbell is absolutely useless, Giroud is totally wasted in this system and Ramsey is having a mare.Sunderland definitely look more dangerous than us.

  82. scottfromoz says:

    Campbell IS useless alright Hahahahahaha.
    What a call.
    Funny nobody has mentioned how many stray passes Ozil has given up, but it’s not his turn to cop it, is it?
    That was the first through ball he’s found the mark with, and what a ball.

  89. scottfromoz says:

    Rick, he cops it after a handful of games…..so many expect a guy to come in and be at his best straight away.
    Ridiculous attitude.
    Well said and the kid can play, no question.

  93. scottfromoz says:

    Lol Rico……we just need to give these kids a chance.
    Whether we like it or not, and none of us do, that’s the situation we are in.
    Who’d have thought the kid would be starting so many games?
    That’s on Wenger, but we need to be careful not to take that frustration out on the player.

  112. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Why we must wait 20 minutes for change OX – Campbell side position? Ox plays with the right foot and he was on the left; Campbell only play with left foot and is on the right…
    Ozil not defend;, Ox either; Campbell only with his eyes.
    A long distance between the defenders-midfield-strikers.
    Another a own goal!

  113. kelsey says:

    He can put that OG on his CV , that is OG I am talking about.Why was he even there,he should be up the pitch. We really look like a mid table team.Lucky not to be losing before we scored with our one and only shot.
    Walcott on and the greek God off please, might have a chance then.

  117. scottfromoz says:

    Well, I’d suggest the side will improve as this game goes on.
    I can’t remember seeing anything like this 11 assembled together, so logic suggests they should take time to gel.
    Wouldn’t it be lovely if we supporters gave it to them 🙂 🙂

  119. kelsey says:

    I beg to digger scott. Yes he does defend but take each game at a time.he is our most experienced attacker on the pitch today and needed to be upfield for a breakaway, besides he is playing shite, which is no surprise.I find him the most frustrating player to watch.Sorry, just my opinion and if Campbell a) stays in the team and b) scores regularly I will revue my stance on him.

  126. Lewis says:

    He’s about the only one that looks capable of making something though Scott.

    We’re so average its scary

  135. Wavy says:

    I know hindsight’s a wonderful thing but I said to someone earlier this week that I just couldn’t see Sunderland scoring! And they haven’t, a Giroud og.! Having scored up the right end I expect he’s got a nose bleed having ventured so far up the field of play!
    The performance, as described on Sky sound dire. Same old Arsenal then!
    Looking forward very much to Kev’s first hand, I was there report, tomorrow!

  136. scottfromoz says:

    Wavy, it’s been disjointed, as you’d expect from an entirely different 11 to one we’ve ever seen assembled.
    It has not been anywhere near as bad as plenty make out, and Sunderland have had a crack.

  137. kelsey says:

    Hopefully we can hang on but thank Petre Cech for at least two great saves.A team challenging for the title should have a better squad. We have been second best for a good part of the game,but still grateful if we get the 3 points.

  138. andrewh1313 says:

    If it ends as is, a very relieved day. End NOW. ManU level at home, Spuds away level. City defeat.

    Talk sport were saying it was embarrassing Arsenal taking lead twice!

  142. scottfromoz says:

    Dickhead commentators I’m listening to are saying how disappointing Arsenals been, yet how sensational Sunderland are.
    So we are losing then?
    Go Aaron Hahahaha

  149. kelsey says:

    kelsey
    December 5, 2015 at 4:19pm

    Ramsey is having a poor game, will most probably score. So far cech is saving us, overall a poor show.

  150. scottfromoz says:

    Job done.
    Our defence scared me more than anything.
    Credit to Sunderland for actually playing, and making a game of it.
    Lots of improvement required but for basically a new 11, not too bad.
    4am…time for bed.
    Night all.
    Oh, and Spuds ended 1-1 🙂

  154. andrewh1313 says:

    Even more frustrating, this league was so winnable if Prof had done his job. Who would have believed how badly ManU playing, cities dropped points, Chelsea’s defeats. If we hadn’t just dropped 7 points as injuries hit we could be moving out of sight.

  155. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Those players coming from injuries are 60% of is normal performance: Bellerin,Ox,TW,Gibbs…
    Better the score then the exhibition.
    Fortunately we changed at the 2nd half. Was a wrong system, played for both sides with OX and Campbell and with Giroud alone, playing usually back to the goal, without another player appear at the area. Therefore, we attack with both right and left backs and our midfield and defense were be unbalanced. We can forget that Flamini is not Coquelin in all senses. Besides, ozil, ox,Campbell not help the defense.
    So, on the second half, Ox played at the middle, on the back of Giroud and the full back attack, once a time.
    Anyway, we were very nervous, not confident and in the last 15 minutes we only want to maintain our advantage.
    Not good hopes for Greece

  156. Rick says:

    I think this a very good win for us.
    Its the first time this season we have played without both Alexis and Santi
    In their place we had the Rusty Rambo and The Ox.
    I am looking forward to reading what Kev has to say about it,

    Andrew this league is still winnable.

  157. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Totts and Leicester just one defeat in 15 games. (Leicester with us. Totts could have 2 defeats if we won them at home)

  160. kelsey says:

    Cech was man of the match which tells a lot.the game could have gone either way.On chances not possession Sunderland had more and our keeper was up to it. We haven’t got the squad to win the league, but we should have.

    having a poor game doesn’t mean a player is shite.
    The Ox and theo are wel short off fitness and bellerin has played better but nevertheless a welcome three points.
    I am not on a hate campaign with Giroud I just don’t think he is good enough to score vital goals that win matches against the top teams.it’s a lot different scoring against the also rans IMO

  170. rico says:

    Me too, not that I’m fussed about the CL, but we need to build on today and at least if we are in the CL next stage, who knows, old ebenezer might spend some money in January…

  180. Micko says:

    Villa next week, bottom of the league, we gotta show no mercy ! Leicester have a gimme as well, are we ever gonna go top this season !

  186. Micko says:

    It’s a good’un tonite rico, enjoy.

    Kev, you keep soldiering on mate, talk about dedication beyond the call of duty !

  187. scottfromoz says:

    Chelsea lost…..sensational.
    We may well be in contention by default here, due to other clubs being average, but we’ll take that.
    Get some players back, buy in January and we could win the League.
    If we don’t buy, we will fall short.
    If we’d bought in the summer, we’d be 6 points clear already.
    Morning once again 🙂

  189. potter says:

    I wasn’t impressed Scott , It was a funny game very lethargic stop start and Pantilimon time wasting from the start. Atrocious defending for their goal and despite looking more comfortable at 2 -1 It was Whatmore I think that wasted a glorious chance to make it 2 -2 then we get the third and it looks like a good win on paper. Apart from Ozil who played out of his skin a few had good games Flamini stepped up and Monreal Kos and BFG did ok in a very difficult situation with a hurricane blowing down the pitch. Cech however when called upon saved our skins a few times. best thing to say is 3 -1 , 3 points , lets go home.

  190. allezkev says:

    You got mail Rico…

    Difficult game, the confidence of the team was pretty fragile and I feared the worst when it went 1-1…

    But they dug in and got the result.
    Not playing well and winning will do for me.

    Ozil was, for me, our star man..,
    Cech played well, he makes those vital saves at crucial times..,

    Rick, it was good to see Theo back, I’d like to see him start in Greece…

    But we so really miss Coquelin…

    Night All

  191. scottfromoz says:

    Potter/Kev, Ozil did some brilliant work, but if he passed straight to an opponent once, he did it 7-8 times, easily.
    He was much, much better in the second half, no question, but Cech was MOTM for mine.
    What a buy he’s turning into.
    Sunderland played pretty well….I think people are overlooking that.

  192. Orfevrerie says:

    Well, much needed 3 points deserved at least.
    I don’t know why this season league is worst ever?
    Leicester at the top?
    Can you imagine if AW bought two needed DM and world class ST at that horrible summer TW?
    We would’ve been at the top of the table with safe 6 points different?

    Please wenger, just buy Aubameyang and Xhaka this january FFS.

  194. rico says:

    Morning Kev, Scott and all..

    Thanks Kev, I’ll get onto it asap… 😉

    Scott, I reckon it’s a bit of both too. Other clubs bought well in the summer and I think there’s a few players around in the PL who would ave made our squad much stronger. Watching Stoke yesterday made me think that as two of their players would easily get a game for us imo..

    Bojan and Affellay (spelling) Not to mention their big striker up front… 😉

  195. scottfromoz says:

    Morning Rico.
    One thing has kept us going…stability.
    We have a happy unit.
    Two players wouldn’t have upset that, but Wenger does have a point when he says bringing in too many causes issues-he will never be guilty of that lol.

  196. scottfromoz says:

    My family are home…….I’m a happy Chappy.
    Sean’s side went through the NZ tournament undefeated and most importantly, only conceded one goal with him at RB.
    He scored a few as well 🙂

  197. rico says:

    Sure seems a happy unit Scott, although the papers would have you believe otherwise with stories about Debuchy, Monreal and even Santi on the verge of departing…

    Seriously hope he signs two next month, and if we win on Wednesday, there is more reason to think he will imo…

    Well done to your son and his team, I knew they’d won.. 😉

  198. scottfromoz says:

    Hahaha.
    Stalker lol.
    Yep, the media love to attempt to cause rifts that aren’t there, but so be it.
    Two signings, Rico….seemingly, it won’t be too late, which we all wondered at the time.

  199. rico says:

    🙂 Scott.

    Just hope if he does, it’s not too little, too late…

    Think we’ll struggle on Wednesday but with TW back, at least Ozil has a player to spot…

  200. Adam says:

    Morning Rico and all. With the exceptions of Cech, Nacho, Ozil and Kos plus an honourable mention for Campbell’s energy and enthusiasm the team were absolutely awful yesterday. Sluggish, predictable and boring with a midfield you could drive a bus through. We really should be about 8 points clear.

  201. Tai says:

    Morning Rico, Scott, All…

    I’ve been wondering if indeed it is Arsenal that will regret not having been at least six points ahead of contenders by now…we had no business not winning at WBA and Norwich.

    Or whether it will be the other contenders that will regret not being out of sight while Wenger and his team battled their November monster. City has a big and quality squad, that’s what we hear all day…but without just Aguero and Silva they seem perpetually lost.

    Man U became the only ‘big’ side to survive a defeat against West Ham with their scrappy draw yesterday…but should a near-healthy LVG team be scrapping up those draws while City and Arsenal struggled?

    More competitive league than ever before? Don’t think so…many big teams have been crap all season…European forms all but confirms that.

    Leicester? Great team spirit, great fighters as players…and they’re not just fight…they’ve got quality too. I pray that such admirable bunch make top 4 at the end of the day in May.

  203. rico says:

    Morning Tai.

    City have Kompany and Toure out too and Utd have a string of injuries apparently…

    I’d say it’s us who should be kicking ourselves for not being a good few points ahead of the others right now….

  204. Adam says:

    Is it 5 out of 12 Rico? Seems to me that, the more money the PL big boys put into players, the worse they get. The football this year has been shockingly awful.

  205. scottfromoz says:

    Tai, by competitive, I mean evenly spread-there are no standouts, though we should be one 🙂
    That starting 11 has surely never been assembled before, so I reckon we should give them some latitude.
    My issue was the back 4 who have been together, yet were bloody shaky.
    I still say people raving about Ozil are being bloody kind, as well.
    Good, but error ridden, especially in the first half, though superb in the second, so glass half full for mine.
    Aaron….patchy, but improved as the game went on, and did manage to get into some very decent scoring positions-should have bagged that illusive hat trick 🙂
    Merts….goooooone.
    He is just past it now, of that I am convinced.

  206. rico says:

    Something like that Adam. Just had a hunch a bad spell was coming when we drew at home to that lot over the road….

    Are you talking about the PL in general or just Arsenal?

  207. rico says:

    I’m with you there Scott on Merts. Ts is right imo, Sagna bailed him out a lot when he played and now he’s exposed and we can’t expect a very young Bellerin to do his own duties whilst keeping an eye on Merts too…

    Ideally, we’d sign John Stones to replace him in the summer but I’m sure another club will offer Everton more than AW would be prepared to…

  208. scottfromoz says:

    Rico, I always thought his intelligence saved him, but though he’s always been slow, he seems even worse this season, and his distribution is just atrocious…..he seems to try and hit the closest guy to him and either misses, or puts a teammate under pressure.
    Time to go……

  209. Adam says:

    Rico. About the whole PL with the exception of Leicester who have been good, yet still defences play a high line against them week in, week out. We shone earlier in the season but there have been far too many disasters for me. A top team can accommodate a couple of nightmare days here and there but Arsenal were shockingly poor yesterday. A decimated team out of ideas and with a CM devoid of any sense of responsibility or indeed quality.

  210. Tai says:

    Scott, you’re one of the very few I’d take his match report and go home satisfied. I didn’t watch our match yesterday…the first Arsenal match I deliberately stayed away from watching.

    So, I believe you on Ozil and the rest…

    Ramsey has unbelievable energy to always get into scoring positions even ahead of forwards…and it hurts our defensive midfield in the process…if only Flamini will learn to sit in that position and do the dirty work…I think Ramsey’s scoring boots are on again.

    But on Flamini…who tells a man worth billions in the strongest currency what to do on the pitch? Just wondering…

  211. andrewh1313 says:

    Morning Rico. At 4pm yesterday I thought out season had turned. Talksport said Ozil was having a mare and no way could the team win or on Wednesday. But somehow Ozil and the rest stuck in there and things now look brighter. We expected Coq to get injured as he was so relied upon, but it is unlucky losing Sanchez and Cazorla at same time. Just got to get through December. If AW then doesn’t act again, I’m seeing a psychiatrist to cure me of being an Arsenal fan as i can’t take the waste again!

  212. scottfromoz says:

    Tai, I’ve had to find reasons to give them a pass mark lol.
    On face value, it was average.
    Still, if we really delve deep, circumstances taken into account, and Sunderland playing half decent, I’d give us a tick.
    I will say this….if we were up against a Citeh or Chelksi at their best, we’d have gone down 3-0, but there is nobody about at present of that quality.
    The fact remains we won, and created more chances than Sunderland…easily.
    They had some red hot ones stuffed up, but so did we PLUS we scored 3, and one for them, so we got the result we deserved.
    I can’t be too critical at all.

  215. Tai says:

    Rico…besides Luke Shaw…and Jones who’s off and on…Man U has not really had any first choice side-lined for more than a game on the stretch…

    City’s slump started when both Aguero and Silva got injured at same time for a reasonable period. Kompany had been like that and that’s why they signed Ottomendi. Toure got missing only yesterday.

    However, if we believe all teams strengthened besides Arsenal…then City shouldn’t really miss five starters…with Sterling, Bony, De Bryune…any team should overcome the absence of Aguero, Nasri and Toure…but they didn’t at Stoke.

    Makes one wonder, like Adam pointed out above, if truly spending could salvage any team from the holocaust of this 2015/16 season. Who should Chelsea really buy now to save them from what is now a definite disastrous season?

  216. rico says:

    Adam, I think injuries and overplaying of certain players have seen our own form dip but then we now that and why it’s happened but I don’t the PL has been all bad. Stoke for example, they were really good yesterday… lol

  217. rico says:

    Morning Andrew, book me in with you please…. lol

    Tai, I was referring to yesterday. And Utd have more than Shaw out injured…

  221. Adam says:

    Rico. Yes, there are always exceptions. Stoke were good yesterday but City were awful and Stoke didn’t show up at all when they came to the Emirates. As for the point about our injuries. Who could disagree? But, when wasn’t that the case? The main pleasure at the games is to watch Ozil’s movement off the ball and his balance and skill. He did a couple of things yesterday that were truly special. His awareness of where others are and his ‘picture’ of the game is exactly what is missing with players like the Ox, who is having a lousy time and is probably in a critical moment for his career.
    When you don’t strengthen the squad properly it can mean that when you decide you must, you really need a hefty influx and we know that is not Arsene’s way. It is biting him in the arse right now.

  222. scottfromoz says:

    Adam, where is Ox?
    I honestly thought he’d simply be a superstar by now, but has he improved in the last 2-3 years?
    I’m not sure he has.
    Ozil…..just a sublime player.
    I only raised his name to get a point across last night.
    He made plenty of mistakes but copped no criticism at all, yet others make a single error and cop it.
    Not so long ago, Ozil could do no right with plenty of fans.
    Next week it will be………who knows 🙂
    That guy is simply too good for most of our players.

  223. rico says:

    Adam, City were average but like us, missing key players took it’s toll. Kompany, Aguero and Toure is their spine and any team will struggle when losing such quality but I still thought a couple of Stoke players would be great for us and add something more..

    Injuries have always been the case as most fans know, only the overly optimistic and AW thought we wouldn’t suffer as we always do…

    I’m really pleased for Ozil, so many thought he was a waste of money and lazy but give him the right players around him and he’s just awesome… One of my favs in this squad…

  225. rico says:

    OC seems t take one step forward, get injured, then one step back… Such a shame as like you Scott, I thought he’d be flying by now. Maybe a good run in the side will see him improve greatly…

  227. Tai says:

    Scott…I believe you’re right there…Mourinho is Chelsea’s problem. Chelsea’s current predicament is clear confirmation that karma exists…for Mourinho…and for Chelsea.

  228. Adam says:

    Scott. Ox is absolutely nowhere at the moment. I am sure he can keep a ball up for 36 hours but, as a football player and a member of a team, he is struggling big time. Bellerin? What has happened to his pace? Merts? I have always stuck up for him but he is like a drunken giraffe now. Once he lets the ball bounce my heart is in my mouth. Flamini? Tried hard and maintained discipline against all odds but he probably needs a minder to watch his back and he won’t find that in Ramsey who really wants to play behind the striker. Giroud? Don’t get me started.
    Looking round the PL and the high quality of players that it has makes you realise just how critical a top manager is really.

  229. scottfromoz says:

    I hope so, Rico, in regards to Ox.
    Glimpses of what he can do are very exciting.
    He takes opponents in, and always goes forward…something we often lack.
    Let’s hope this is his time.

  230. scottfromoz says:

    Bellerin is nowhere near 100% right.
    Ramsey was really patch to my eye.
    Sometimes he was exactly where we needed him in defence, but other times he was caught up the pitch.
    He did get better as the game went on, but that was mainly in attack.
    He’d be better with Coquelin, though who wouldn’t?
    Merts is truly a mistake waiting to happen.
    Gabriel needs to be playing ASAP.
    Rather give him game time now than try and test him later in the season.

  232. Tai says:

    City is a perfect example of a side that mocks spending big on strengthening…why spend all the money when just without Aguero, Silva, Toure, Kompany makes you hollow? Ottomendi, De Bryune, Sterling together cost a fortune…not to mention Bony that came last January. What impact have they made in the absence of the spine of the team?

  234. rico says:

    Scott, but it’s the same with us to a degree, without Coquelin, Kos and Alexis, we really drop down a gear. Add Santi and Theo to that list and we are average at best.. Ozil is a world class player but without players on his wavelength, even he’ll struggle…

    But yes, perhaps City’s squad is not quite as good as the media would have us believe but then Sterling and De Bryne (spelling) should have been able to unlock a Stoke defence… 😉

  236. scottfromoz says:

    Rico, I meant to say say we are just like the other clubs…..and they are like us, no matter how big their squads.
    Adam, a world class winger would see Giroud shine, IMO.
    He is what he is.
    Good enough or not, I don’t think we utilise him the best way.

  237. rico says:

    Bellerin hasn’t been the same since his injury has he….

    Wenger doesn’t trust half of his squad players imo, not just Gabriel. If he did, he wouldn’t flog others to death. Flamini, Campbell and even Giroud wouldn’t be starting if we had no injuries..

  240. rico says:

    Scott, but if we played our first eleven against theirs, would we win? I think that’s what AW thinks about and then stops there… 😉

    Sadly he forgets we seldom have a first eleven fit, especially after the first CO Cup fixture….

  241. rico says:

    But wasn’t Gabriel at fault for the Norwich goal?

    Regardless, I’d rather he started than Merts… Give him a run in the side and I reckon he’ll soon be a solid CB..

  242. Tai says:

    My biggest worry is Bellerin…he’s completely a different player after that injury.

    Gabriel? I’d start playing him ahead of Merts…that’s why I was screaming of a monster of a DM last summer. I didn’t see Merts as a title-winning defender.

    However, I’d still give our defense kudos…second only to Tots in the league…

  243. Adam says:

    Scott. I was sitting in my seat and covered more ground than Giroud.
    Rico. Bellerin’s asset is obviously his pace but he got done a few times yesterday and you can sense his reluctance to utilise it. Time, perhaps, might allow him to come back. But then again, he had the Ox in front of him and too often they were sharing the same patch of grass. That’s my point about becoming a team player.

  246. scottfromoz says:

    Rico, not wanting to single Merts out here because he the topic, but I thought he stuffed us v Norwich by ball watching.
    Someone so experienced ball watching?
    That caught Gabriel out, IMO.
    That actually made up my mind he was gone.

  247. Tai says:

    Scott…you’ve come to the point…no team will be the same when they miss any important starter.

    No player, however good, will ever be same once another player is keeping him on the bench…just take a look at Debuchy!

    Most times an experienced manager tries to avoid being labelled the man that diminished a player’s career…if LVG is not careful…Schneiderlin may plummet… a situation Wenger cleverly avoided by not mixing up with Coquelin.

    Giroud? If we can’t win this League with Giroud…then we wouldn’t even win it with Suarez…

  248. scottfromoz says:

    Adam, on the first half, I’d agree, but Giroud did some decent work towards the end of the game.
    Not an acceptable effort though.
    Rico, our best 11 is equal to any around, I reckon.
    Well, I believe they are, having never seen them together 🙂

  249. rico says:

    Just watched the highlights Adam and agree re Bellerin. Too often he was caught up the pitch but as Scott said earlier, perhaps that’s because no-one was covering him, unlike when Ramsey plays ahead of him and Coquelin in the middle who gets everywhere..

  250. Adam says:

    Scott. After he scored he broke into a mind-warping sprint at one point, before leaping like an adolescent salmon, towards the ball. He missed it, but the thought was there. Perhaps now Theo is back he will pick up a bit like he did several weeks back when he thought his place was under threat.

  251. rico says:

    Agree Adam. I think it’s shocking. He won’t let players leave but then won’t play them. Tomas Rosicky is perhaps the best example. I know he’s injured but the way he was treated last season was pretty shoddy to me…

  255. Adam says:

    Rosicky and Arteta’s wages must be around £10 million a year, give or take a few quid. As a detached observer one might think that money could be better utilised.

  256. rico says:

    Then to make him stay is even worse Scott… Especially with his injury record, playing internationals, his age… Beggars belief. And he’s not the only one. The money wasted on wages much be dreadfully high and for what? None play…

    This is what never makes sense to me. AW is a right old Scrooge but he wastes so so much money on players who should be long gone…

  257. goonster says:

    Morning gooners I see you guys are still picking holes in yesterday’s performance and Scott is doing his best to make the ozster look bad. Come on scotty Oz everybody knows ozil is imperious. Yes he gave the ball away one or two times but when push came to shove who was there for us? Let it go slugger 😀 you can’t fault ozil at the moment. He’s world class!

  259. scottfromoz says:

    Stan, nobody has defended Ozil more than I have bud.
    I feel blessed every time he graces the pitch as I’m a football lover, and he’s a footballer in every sense of the word.
    He’s not above criticism though, and I always think plenty of Gooners pick and choose when to criticise, and when to applaud, based NOT on performance, but on who delivers that performance.
    Imagine Gibbs missed 1 or 2 passes, let alone 7 or 8?
    Nah, nobody enjoys watching Ozil more than I do bud 🙂

  260. goonster says:

    Rico that’s why I still maintain we need a new manager. Wenger is infuriating. I don’t want to go into that on the eve of a good win but my God who keeps a player without the intention of ever playing him? Who knows his “best player” is showing signs of burning out yet continues to run him into the ground. It was universally known that Sanchez was due a hammy and needed a rest yet wenger kept playing him every minute. Wonder what goes on in that noggin of his. See what a vibrant young new manager is currently achieving with a less talented squad. Klopp would have us 12 points clear at this moment. Oh well in arsene we trust I guess. Boy I outta….

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