So are we Jenks!! At least the 'next lot' know how to spring a surprise….

Morning all,

Poor old Carl Jenkinson, Gooner from head to toe and all things in between is pretty naffed off after the weekend:

I’m distraught, to be honest. I know this match’s importance.

In history, we’ve always tended to come out on top but it wasn’t our day. We beat them at home and they beat us at their place. But it’s really disappointing that we haven’t at least picked up a point.

On our day we can beat anyone. I genuinely believe that. When we play to our potential, teams can’t come near us, but we need to do that consistently. If we do that we will be fine, but we just can’t find the consistency at the moment.

We played well against Tottenham in patches but then we’ll have 10 minutes where we’ll drift out of the game a little bit.

There are 10 games left and there are plenty of points to play for. I think in a couple of days’ time, we’ll get our head around this and realise that we’ve bridged a gap like that before and can do it again. Everyone is disappointed we lost.

We will be positive and we will come back from this.

We’ve  just got to work our socks off because we need to be in that top four at the bare minimum.

I’m not going to make this into yet another post about ‘getting into the top four’ is all Kroenke and Wenger care about. We all have our views and to be fair they are pretty much the same. Top four really is a trophy!! (NOT)

This is more about Carl Jenkinson, who in my view was one of a few players on Sunday who really wanted to win. I don’t think he put a foot wrong did he? His crossing was the best on display, but sadly and as usual, there was seldom a player in the area to attack any of them.

As much as some believe he’s not yet first team material, I strenuously disagree. Ok, he’s not as experienced or ‘game wise’ as Sagna, but what players like him will do is go that extra yard, push that little bit harder and no doubt, he would actually put his body in front of a ball that looked destined for goal.

I doubt very much we’ll ever see him turn his back on a free kick. Unlike some over the years and still today…

We had a few more like him on display last night as the Next Gen series.

Yo Nico......
Yo Nico……

Nicholas “Nico” Harry Yennaris was one. The goal scorer, from 20 yards no less, was enough to see his side knock out current holders Inter Milan. CSKA Moscow await them in the next round in the last eight.

For many a season we have heard about young English players on the cusp of a break through into the first team but other than Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs, there’s been no-one really.

We’ve seen moments from Frimpong, Gnabry, Eisfeld and Aneke but reality is, we need all of them to make that step up, we need them to supplement the first team squad next season. They can cover the players we need to clear out and there are many.

Tomas Rosicky

Abou Diaby

Andrey Arshavin

Nicklas Bendtner

Denilson

Craig Eastmond

Fabianski

Vito Mannone

Andre Santos

Johan Djourou

That’s just me naming those I can think of off the top of my head. I’m sure there are quite a few others who are out on loan who need to be off loaded.

They will never get a chance, so why keep them dangling.

Anyway, well done to the Next Gen, they worked hard on a dreadful pitch and got great rewards…

Good luck for the next round I say…..

That’s it for another day, have a good one.

0 thoughts on “So are we Jenks!! At least the 'next lot' know how to spring a surprise….

  1. W.A.T.H says:

    Morning All, Maybe adding Vermaelen to that list if we believe the papers…. Would we really be that bothered on his form over the last two seasons…?

  2. arseweb says:

    I really hope we cash in on Vermaelen, he’s massively overrated. Reagardless, we need to bring a top centre back in. But we also have the option of Jenko at right back and Sagna at centre back. Bacary’s 2 games there this season have been 2 of the best performances we’ve seen in that position by Arsenal players this year.

  3. kel says:

    it actually depressing looking at that list, the money being wasted is shocking! that list is probably costing Arsenal £350-400k pw (without chamakh & gerv) Scandalous. 🙁

  4. The BearMan says:

    Until Arsenal sort out the weekly mess in the defence. Strengthen the midfield / defensive midfielder and add a few class players upfront Arsenal will remain in this position, (fighting every season for forth position.

  5. George says:

    Kel, we have written off park already apparently…lol

    there will be a 20 man exodus.

    From the next gen, I beleive the only ones that will get a look in will be:

    Yennaris
    Gnabry
    Afobe
    Aneke
    Eisfeld
    Olsson
    Angha
    Meade
    Akpom

    the rest will be loaned out or released.

    Really disappointed Ryo hasnt made the grade on loan.

    We should get a few £ from the above list.

  6. W.A.T.H says:

    Don’t forget Denilson Kel…………….

    Quite a few of that lot are free to walk away at the end of the season it’s a shame that we have wasted so much money on such very average players for the last few years.

  7. George says:

    Frimpong , Miguel, Sanchez Watt, Roberts, Anthony Jeffery wont cut the mustard and be moved on

    Really hope Diaby is finally moved on…he is Arsenals Darren Anderton

  8. kel says:

    unreal, we must be paying in and around a half million a week to a bunch of tossers! probably something in the region of 23-26m a season wasted… thats 4 world class players ffs, players like cavani, inler, subotic, ozil, etc

  9. Scott from Oz says:

    Good morning everyone.
    A quick one from me.
    I would much, much rather we did give all these kids a fair crack and have the club tell us that is the plan.
    Tell us they do not want to spend any money…for whatever reason.
    Let these kids have every opportunity to represent the club they love rather than buy guys looking at the club as a stepping stone.
    If Stan, Ivan and Arsene did this, and made it clear, we may notlike it, we may hate them, but at least we would respect the fact they told us the truth and indstand the path we are headed down.

  10. kel says:

    wath.. how could i forget the crab denilson lol,
    george, i hope we do get a few quid for them, altho yennaris and eisfeld i like 😉 pity about ryo tho.

  11. Scott from Oz says:

    George, Ryo has been out injured for a while mate…only yesterday was he declared fit again.
    Night everyone….catch you tomorrow.

  12. Lee says:

    The whole squad needs sorting out all the dead wood sold and at least four top draw players bought! After all we were promised world class players at the Emirates. Then we will become more competitive.
    Actually while they’re at it the BOD’s could do with some of the same

  13. George says:

    Ive seen Yennaris play against Manure and he did not look out of place. for me he is a 1st team squad player.

    I like Miguel as well, but when will this guy get a run in the side?

    Good morning, evening all..

  14. Steve says:

    Don’t worry about all the useless players leaving at the end of the season. With £70m to spend Wenger will be anxious to replace them. Then we can loan out Gervinho, Giroud, Walcott etc ( while still paying their wages of course)

    Just to prove I’m right, I see in the Express we are favourites to re-sign Song from Barca, ha ,ha ha.

  15. W.A.T.H says:

    The Express…. there’s another reliable source of information Steve…. Song is to big headed to rejoin us in any case..!

  16. George says:

    Steve…thats not gonna happen. Song is likely to be loaned out somewhere other than us..

    Barca take from us and give f all

  17. W.A.T.H says:

    They can keep him George… Wouldn’t want him back in a million years he was never good enough in the first place… Another great bit of money we nicked from them… makes up for getting Cesc on the cheap.

  18. George says:

    W.A.T.H I don’t think they have paid us yet and they owe us money..

    Your right Song isnt good enough.

    I ownder if that Toral we nicked from them is any good?

  19. Bradster says:

    Hi all,

    We used to be able to bring the youngsters on for 15-25 mins in games quite a few seasons ago. Sadly it was when we had stars to protect and a comfortable lead.
    Youngsters used to play the league cup, now it’s so vital to win that we use our first team and still lose and to teams that the youngsters used to beat.
    Boils down to the rubbish we have settled for now as first team players.

  20. Judge me in May says:

    Afternoon…
    I see it’s a toss between our captain and D Agger for Barca… You know whom
    they will get already…

  21. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Afternoon all….

    There’s a great piece on Le-Grove this morning …

    “Think what you like about the Emirates, its importance cannot be understated. Arsenal can stomach a £150m wage bill with terrible commercial deals in place because we have a fan base willing to fork out big money to watch the team.

    “Arsenal are a club in decline, but we’ll never be a club that can’t resurrect the good times. Again, it comes down to the infrastructure. At the moment, we’re an incredible London night spot being run by your grandma. That doesn’t mean the spot is bad… it just means the wrong people are in charge. We’re antiquated in the way we operate, but that won’t always be an issue. Bring in a man with a vision and new ideas and you’d be surprised how quickly we can make up the ground.”

    Absolutely first class and absolutely right.

  22. W.A.T.H says:

    George, Toral has been playing very well apparently, Barca owe us money as the Cesc and the Song deal like most are spread over the length of the contract. Normally payment is made over 4yrs. We also owe clubs 30 odd million as well so it’s not just money owed to us as all teams do it.

  23. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Most people backed Kroenke and hated the Russian …..
    Hill-Wood originally wanted neither….
    After seeing Kroenke’s impact at first hand, most people now want the Russian and hate Kroenke .. Everyone hates Hill-Wood, they always have.

    As for Song …
    Song is shit. Always was. In business for himself. Eboue was as shit as Song. Gervais is also as shit both of them – more skillful – but shit, and even Wenger won’t be able to make money on that one….

    Give Wenger £70M and we should get more of the same … Why buy three world class players such as Jovetic, Gotze and Capoue when he can get 20 well drilled Africans who will pander to his every whim and for less than half the money ….

    We could have the dazzling skills of unearthed gems such as Koffi Foba Stevens and Amadou Wonkoye to look forward to …. Or Victor Wanayma as our saviour protecting our back four …..

  24. rockyrocastle07 says:

    Kel; @ 10:18 – everyone forgets about Park! Does Wenger even know we still have him?

    I can’t believe Eastmond is still even here. He’s never going to get another chance.

    Afternoon all!

  25. rico says:

    I never wanted Sk….

    If AU buys out SK and keeps Wenger on, there is no chance imho that we will see anything other than top top players being signed.

    He wouldn’t accept anything less ….

  26. rockyrocastle07 says:

    SYG – Thing about Eboue is he loved the club and still seems to. We need more like him… But with more ability!

  27. rockyrocastle07 says:

    And on Verm…. If a £15m offer comes in, ditch him. Use that money plus another £10m or so and get Hummels. If he’s mad enough to come….

  28. rockyrocastle07 says:

    I know Rico. Me and Kev were discussing that over a coffee a few weeks ago regarding Randall. Surely they actually want to play football at that young age?

  29. rico says:

    I didn’t dislike Eboue… And I blame Wenger for so much fan dislike towards him now.

    I bet Eboue didn’t want to play RW or LW…

  30. potter says:

    I see your list and the additions suggested, Personally I would keep Rosicky , why he is not getting more playing time is a mystery.Other than Jack he is the only positive player we have that drives the team forward. he is the perfect foil for Cazorla and they could share a 60/30 minute game plan.

  31. rico says:

    Something I don’t understand either Rocky. Such a short career, you’d think they putting playing first.

    But are all these kids fed the ‘you have a chance here’ line and they believe it so they stay….

  32. potter says:

    They know where they are well off ! Just look at their careers when they eventually leave , Lower division football at best and some that have disappeared without trace.

  33. rico says:

    I did hesitate over Tomas Potter, I really like him but if he’s not playing because of fitness, then we can’t afford to carry him, he’s not getting any younger….

  34. rockyrocastle07 says:

    Potter – I agree re Rosicky. I was praying for him to come on sooner against the scum.

    Nice vid Emma. Scandelous decision to sub him (unless he was injured…)

  35. emma says:

    Substituting Jenks was one of the decision that baffled me over the weekend. Would have brought in Rosicky for Arteta. The moment Jenks left we lost our treat on the right wing. There was no better crosser of the ball thereafter

  36. ozgunner10 says:

    hello gang! Jenks was one player that was clearly up for the Spuds game, was working his socks off and we drag him. Not a great incentive for hard work is it?

  37. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Sad about Afobe. Not that I think he will ever do anything for Arsenal.

    Rosicky coming on v Spurs was a good move – at least we moved a bit quicker. Jenkinson being subbed was a weird one, I have to agree. He was playing very okay.

    Eboue loved Arsenal? Most players who have played here always have. Most of them, anyway…. in recent seasons Diarra and Adebayor were exceptions …. I’d love to know more ….

  38. W.A.T.H says:

    Bad news for Afobe, had hopes for him but as you say Emma could be another for the list as just doesnt seem good enough.

    Oz Jenks wanted it as he’s a gooner and knows what it means to play and beat the swampies he should never have been pulled off and agree with the Rosicky for Arteta move…!

  39. allezkev says:

    A lot of those young players on that list, Watt, Eastmond etc, are only back at the club, because of effin injuries…
    Look at Miyaichi, virtually lost the whole season…

  40. allezkev says:

    Alright Wath, you know, I sometimes wonder if all these new fangled boots contribute to so many injuries?

  41. allezkev says:

    In my day, we had brown leather boots with rubber studs you nailed into the soles, and the boots protected your ankles.
    I also had shorts down to my knees.
    You know, like Charles Charlie Charles…

  42. potter says:

    I have often wondered whether the combination of the boots and the plastic reinforced grass weave on pitches is somehow upsetting the balance.

  43. allezkev says:

    We used to get changed in the ‘Cattle Sheds’ Hackney Marshes…

    Yes, that was the good old days…

    When men were men.

    And women were glad of it… 😉

  44. W.A.T.H says:

    Funny you should say that AK, A very good friend of my mate used to manage a prem lge team and the first thing he did was ban boots that were blades… He ordered all the players back to normal screw in studs no blades allowed as he said the info he has was they caused ankle and knee problems…! Interesting fact and 100% true.

  45. potter says:

    Ah Hackney Marshes ,11 oclock rememberence Sunday , 2 minutes silence , the wind ripping off the river Lea. That was cold. So cold you couldn’t untie your laces. Still there was always a nice cold wash down if you could find a tap that worked.

  46. George says:

    I fear Afobe is another who will be released….

    is his mate Aneke a better prospect?

    WATH, If Toral is developing well, why dont we hear or see much from him..

    SYG could agree more re Rosicky for Arteta…I think Wenger doesnt approve of his off the field extra curricular activites and there has been words between them. He begrudgingly puts him on and inside 5 minutes finds Ramsey on the right with a beaut of a pass. Did you see our mgr’s face after that? wtf…?He wasnt best pleased. Id like to think he was psd at Ramseys effort or Giroud volley to the moon after neat control

    Emma is spot on about Jenks..

    Rico, I think Lansbury coming back would be a boost in all honesty. He was the closest we have had to a ray parlour in years. Mark Randall …what a waster, as for eastmond, overrated.

  47. W.A.T.H says:

    I can always remember watching me Dad play over the marshes potter and it was f’kin freezing…. I used to love going to watch as a kid but it was always ice cold.

  48. W.A.T.H says:

    George, Think Toral only just turned 17 and like most has had a few niggles this season but seems to be doing ok so we’ll keep an eye. As for Eastmond… overrated you say…? by who…? i don’t think he ever been rated lol another one who I fail to see why is kept on and not sold off…! He’s one of many…! When you realise we have 71 on our books it’s pretty ridiculous

  49. George says:

    21 too many WATH…

    Eastmond is no better than the tosh I play against at Fairlop Waters on a cold Tuesday night… Fair dos if Toral is 17, but Fabregas and JW were 17 and…;)

  50. rockyrocastle07 says:

    SYG – I vaguely remember a few quotes from Eboue lately when the shit was hitting teh fan. A few about RVP when he was leaving (along the lines of him being a traitor etc). Nasri had no love for us when he left. Nor did Bentley. Doubt Bendtner will either!

  51. stevepalmer1 says:

    Afternoon all.
    Because Arsenal reserves have won a game they all deserve to be in the first team, is that most peoples thoughts. Cobblers, Because Song Nasri and whoever else has gone and they are sitting where ever on the bench do we want them back. (Of course not) lets face it if there not good enough to play for the teams they run to why on earth would we want them. Because a player has said he is an Arsenal man doesn’t mean he is going to make it . Players whether they play in the first team or the reserves, even the ones farmed out are all earning a good living but that doesn’t mean they are good for the club. Its my opinion that we should be doing what Wenger has said He’ll do and replace players with better players. that way we are always improving. But Wenger is not doing that, he keeps playing players who are plainly not good enough. We shouldn’t pin our hopes on reserve players to come and get us out of the mire, we should invest in quality as and when we can afford to. Players out on loan only tells you they are not good enough so they should be let go.,They are lets face it draining the resources and helping us not to invest. If Wenger cannot do this we need a new broom..Its not loyalty we lack its top class players.

  52. George says:

    Eboue was a likeable fella, albeit a very average footballer. He werent a bad RB actually.

    Bentley, Ade, Nasri were bitter and had no class.

    RVP was very good for us in his last season, the others mentioned were never really that good for us. RVP could have gone anywhere , and been welcomed back anytime but UTD. Sell out of a man who the club paid for when injured, supported through his rape case, and allowed him to develop into the goal machine he is today. RVP should have gone to Juventus…

  53. George says:

    SP , you have a point but: Gibbs went on loan to Norwich – was poor then bang – better left back than A santos the kebab man full brazilian international

    Loans are still essential, 1 loan only. Remeber A cole went to Palace before making it as a world class LB

  54. stevepalmer1 says:

    George i understand what your saying but players like Gibbs has a history of injuries, and although i am not sold on Nacho at least he’s been there when he’s called on. Ashley Cole wasn’t handled well in fact i think he was conned by us and that’s Wengers fault

  55. rico says:

    Afternoon again all…

    Poor old Afobe, how many of our players tear their cruciate ligaments….

    Ak, 2.47 😆

  56. stevepalmer1 says:

    Alex Oxlaid Chamberlain was brought for £12 mill hardly plays he may turn out good but if we had saved that money and not brought Giroud we could have afforded a pucker centre forward

  57. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Stevie @3:22 pm. Spot on, but George@3.29 with Cole and Gibbs has a point.
    I like Gibbs, but his concentration waivers and his attitude is questionable… still, that could be put down to both age and immaturity. Hope he gets better, we could do with another player as good as Ashley Cole was – he may learn off Monreal.

  58. rockyrocastle07 says:

    I kind of agree Steve. But I’d rather have had Ox and (this probably won’t be a popular statement) not bought Cazorla. Then used THAT money along with Girouds cash and bought someone better. Cazorla really hasn’t done enough. Far too hit and miss.

  59. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Ashley Cole wasn’t handled well in fact i think he was conned by us and that’s Wenger’s fault ….StevieP

    He would have helped win us the title in 2008 ….. Glichy was/is like Gibbs …his concentration waivered.

  60. rockyrocastle07 says:

    It’s such a shame Rosicky is such a mess physically as we wouldn’t need Cazorla if he was fully fit all the time.

  61. George says:

    we have no physical power in our team. Vieira and Petit were like tanks of strength compared to our soft middle nowadays Steve

    Ox is rotting away on the Bench.

    Giroud is not bad, but not the answer…

  62. rockyrocastle07 says:

    Clichy has a mistake in him every game that you were just waiting for him to produce!

  63. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Ginge mentioned something similar re: Carzorla the other day, and made a comparison to Arshavin.
    Arshavin was a mega-player when he arrived and regressed.
    Carzorla started on fire but regressed.
    Chamberlain has regressed.
    There’s a pattern, here which has been picked up on.
    We have a good solid first 14/15. We need 5/6 world class players to complement that, with 4/5 youngsters promoted.

    Cull the deadwood and buy 5/6 world Class players.

  64. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Lol. Clichy has a mistake in him every game that you were just waiting for him to produce!

    Nice one.

    I think it stems from the first 13 seconds on the pitch when Chelsea took the lead against us at the Bridge back in 2004 through to the penalty decision against him away at Villareal to the throwing away the title game at St. Andrews… big games; dropped bollocks ….

    Since then our left backs have sort of followed suit … Gibbs at home v’s United in Champs league ….. Santos v’s ………………………..

  65. stevepalmer1 says:

    Hi Rocky, Santi’s a good buy but the way Wenger has us playing allows him to be swamped. we need to spread our play out wider and stretch defences but we often play down the middle and our midfielders are stiffled Jack has the ability to take the ball and change direction quite unique he gives himself room but the likes of Ramsey Arteta and Santi are gobbled up. Tactics are our problem and our defence have trouble as well training i put that down to. watching their zones instead of watching their marker.

  66. rockyrocastle07 says:

    It’s true SYG. I think TsGH stated months ago about Santi not being used properly and that he was being wasted. That’s kind of been the case, but add to that the fact he seems to be shattered midway through the second half these days and has really been flitting in and out of games. It’s like watching Nasri again in his final full season.

  67. southyorkshiregunner says:

    I’ve no idea, Rico.
    Would he admit up to it if he was?

    Ashley Cole should have never have been sold. I never minded Gallas coming our way – a bit of a miserable bastard, but a sound player …

  68. potter says:

    Steve, Ashley was conned alright but I believe that it wasn’t Wenger but someone who is no longer with us that caused the problem.

  69. rockyrocastle07 says:

    That was NEVER a pen at St Andrews though. My main problem was him dicking about with the ball only to fall over it against the spuds in that 4-4.

  70. rockyrocastle07 says:

    Gallas was a beast on his day. I loved the fact he came to us. Made himself look like a massive wankstain that day at St Andrews though!

  71. stevepalmer1 says:

    I feel we have a winger in the team that does not want to play there. He posed problems to every left back, it appears to me that he still favours the wing but when the ball is played there he cuts inside, i feel that an out and out winger who can cross is a must. Theo may come good but i don’t think we can wait for him, he has needed to hit the ground running and although he has scored a few he is quiet to often for me. We waited an age for him to come good on the wing and i don’t think we should wait for him now, we need someone now.

  72. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Frank McLintock was asked at the time of Abramovich & Ranieri which of the Chelsea players would get into the Arsenal 2004 side as Chelsea were “interested” in a few of our lads …..
    “Gallas,” he said. “Apart from that, no-one.”

  73. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Theo is a boy, SteveP. You saw that v’s Bayern.

    I went to a cancer benefit dinner where Tommy Smith, Norman Hunter and Nobby Stiles were the speakers a few years ago…
    Tommy Smith told a tale re: Leighton James – the Welsh winger that played for Burnley…. Smith said he was a flash bugger, but gutless. Smith gave him a kick and threatened him after he’d been nutmegged by james, and after that James played in the left back position for the rest of the game … Walcott is no different.. Very easily bossed….
    ….Most of our lads are very lightweight.

  74. George says:

    SYG , our Cook has to involve more potatoes at the emirates…get Delia down from Norwich and we’ll have some muscle again…We cant blame Santos (who probably ate all the pies lol)

  75. rockyrocastle07 says:

    Right gang, I’m off to start by (birthday) weekend early. A long weekend in the Dales of Derbyshire await me. Have a great weekend, and catch you all on Monday

  76. stevepalmer1 says:

    Syg, you have hit the nail on the head, Jack is about the only one who has a bit of fight in him and he’s only small. I really believe we need tough defenders who impose themselves. It seems to me that we pass quickly because nobody wants to feel a tackle. We back off which infuriates me, hit them and hit them hard. Speed up front used to work but defenders will take you out now even if it means a rugby tackle .

  77. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Totally right.

    Tough doesn’t mean you have to be a dirty bastard. It’s only a case of standing your ground…. Adams, Keown, Campbell, Bould, Gallas would never allow themselves to be bossed ….. The spine with Viera, Petit, Edu, Gilberto all 6 footers… was the same …. even Fabragas was a nasty schyster …

    …Generally the gay boys play on the flanks … That’s why we currently have about seventeen wingers in our first team squad !!!

  78. southyorkshiregunner says:

    No matter what the situation Rocky … Never squeal like a pig ….. it’s demeaning lol

  79. Kevin KJ Downton says:

    SYG I am not sure why you always post stuff from LeGrove. You must have massochistic tendencies 🙂 LeGrove is a poor excuse for a forum, it has lost it’s way and has been hijacked by aggressive, opinionated, foul mouthed idiots.

    It has become a home for so called fans who all share the same views. A lot of factually incorrect stuff gets churned and rechurned.
    If you disagree you get abused.

    I came on HH because there was more intllectual capacity evident, less swearing and abuse and no use of the ‘c’ word. I don’t agree with all that Rico or the regular posters on here say but I am allowed to disagree without getting abused.

    It is my football club too and one I have been supporting since the 1960’s. II am not having some intellectually challenged, glory hunting chav abusing me. or calling my clubs manager the ‘c’ word every 5 minutes. Thats LeGrove. I know several people on LeGrove who have pretended to be Arsenal fans, because they say it is so easy to wind up Arsenal supporters on there.

    Personally, I am sick and tired of negativity for negativity sake. yes debate key issues but don’t just churn out the same old nonsense every single day. Thats not a forum for shared views, it is just a place to vent your feelings. Go buy a stress ball or pick a fight with a small bloke.

    Maybe I am overly optimistic and pragmatic but I believe the 8 years wil be looked on possitively in the future. Blimey, i have seen some barren years and some rubbish over the years. That is my opinion, I am looking at the positives and negatives.

  80. rico says:

    Kj, I’m not sure many think that way about LG, they are probably the longest running and most read/commented on blog….

    And you don’t get to be there without reason.

    Pedro and Geoff deserve a lot of credit for being where they are….

  81. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Hiya Kev KJ

    The author Pedro, talks a lot of sense. It maybe classed as being “negative”, but that is our club in general at the moment.

    You are right about the comments section though. I have posted there about three times in all my time on the internet… and that is only stats … I would hate to be called a cnut by someone who’s name and address I don’t know … Perils of blogging … You have to be careful

    We’ve also had several window-lickers posting on this blog over the few seasons, but they come and they go….
    …Westyorkshiregunner in my mind was the worst …. He was never, ever who he claimed to be …. I’d ask Rico for his email address so I could get a locate on his IP server but she’d only refuse me LOL

    That’s why I never hide my identity …

  82. southyorkshiregunner says:

    I am not having some intellectually challenged, glory hunting chav abusing me….. That is a classic KJ…. loved it

  83. Kevin KJ Downton says:

    Rico Believe me, there are loads who think like I do. How many times does the ‘c’ word have to appear before you question the intelligence of the posters? And wonder what society has come to.

    In fact, there are people on here who have called the posters on LeGrove, Sociopaths.

    I guess it depends which side of the fence you are on. If the LeGrove posters are saying things you agree with, then your view will likely be swayed.

    HH has the opportunity to be different and increase its following. There are some great posters on here who seem like decent people, so don’t miss the opportunity and become a clone of LG and attract some of those idiots on here.

  84. rico says:

    Kj, I’m purely talking about Lg, as in Geoff and Pedro. The comments, well I don’t like a lot of them. Exactly why the ‘c’word is banned on here….

  85. Kevin KJ Downton says:

    SYG –
    At the end of a tiny deserted bar is a huge Spurs supporting Chav male, 6ft 2 in tall. He’s having a few beers when a short, well dressed gay man walks in, with his hand on his hip and sits beside him. After 3 or 4 beers, the gay fella strokes the chavs leg and finally plucks up the courage to say something to the big Spurs fan Chavster. Leaning over, he whispers “Do you like a blow job?”
    At this, the chavvy Spurs fan leaps up and smacks the man in the face. Knocking him off the stool, he proceeds to beat him until he is black and blue. The Spurs fan returns to his seat as if nothing had happened. Amazed the bartender quickly brings over a free beer on the house. I’ve never seen you react like that” he says “Just what did he say to you? Was he an Arsenal fan trying to wind you up? “I’m not sure” the Chavvy Spurs fan replies. “but he mentioned something about a job.”

  86. Kevin KJ Downton says:

    Rico – Geoof and Pedro that’s fine. And good for you, keep those morals and HH will go far imo.

  87. southyorkshiregunner says:

    99% of Arsenal supporters all want the same “end product”. To win everything. That goes without saying.

    Its the “means to the end” that supporters disagree on.

    Me, i’d take 38 1-0 wins in the league with scrappy goals, penalties and whatever it takes as all I want is Arsenal to win everything. I don’t ask for much.

    Certain supporters want different things to generate that … opinions?

  88. stevepalmer1 says:

    Got to say that most of the people on this blog are posting because they care about the club, many have strange idea’s but when you look at what they say on the whole they have a point. Wouldn’t be so enjoyable if we all felt the same all the time. This blog is run by a woman and in my mind she does a good job,Just in respect to her the c word should be omitted, plus some of our other ladies as well as most of them are more informed than some of us. We have some of the most wittiest and while it stays like that it will always be the one i go to first.. Just because i may not agree with someone’s point of view should never bring the calling of names, after all we all want Arsenal to win and that’s the point at the end of the day. If you don’t like what they say or call you on other blog’s it sounds like this is the place for you 🙂

  89. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Well said StevieP.

    Nowadays four letter words are accepted as the norm – I blame the cockney gangsters on TV – I am as culpable as anyone for them in the right (or wrong) company if you like – I was a miner/tunneller – I am still in the industry but in a different capacity – and I own a gym that is full of cussing and swearing – But I’d never use them in front of people who I don’t know… especially ladies and the elderly …. it’s called respect ….

  90. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Adam hasn’t been on here today…. Is he ok or as he just gone AWOL for the day?

  91. Kevin KJ Downton says:

    Steve – Shame we don’t have a like button, you may have got a few thumbs up for that comment. You and SYG have perfectly demonstrated my point with your articulate posts. Better class of people on here. Fact.

    I won’t apologise for being an optimist. I think that 8 years was a sacrifice worth making however much it hurts. I guess time will tell. I suppose I am a glass half full type, not half empty. I agree with a lot of the comments about team selection, players, contracts, etc but think that is a seperate issue. The gamble was taken for us to become a selling club to create the finance for the stadium/Highbury. And compete in the future. Could never compete with Man City, Chelsea and Megabrand, let alone when building a stadium. Thats why they raided us for our players. I think we massively over achieved with the players we had and the constant selling of our best players. Lucky Spurs and liverpool were hopeless.

    I hope I am right, now that the future is secure and we will be a dominant force again. I genuinely believe we will be, as long as we avoid instability through too much negativity.

    PS: What can you do if International centre halfs can’t do their job. Those two should hold their heads for those errors, they get paid enough to be able to do a basic. Sometimes the players deserve the abuse – they are soon asking for money when they have a decent season! Like Theo, gets his new deal and next thing you know he couldn’t hit a cows backside with a banjo.

  92. southyorkshiregunner says:

    @6:06pm Better class of people on here. Fact.

    Goonster should be on soon … That should lower the tone a bit.

  93. rico says:

    Kj, there isn’t a like button, get over it 😉

    Bless ya Sp, and thank you, same to you Kj and Syg………

  94. stevepalmer1 says:

    Kev, although i agree with what you say, i must point out that in those 8 years we could in my mind have done better. Your right in saying that with the players we have had we have over achieved, but with just the right buys at the right times we could easily in my mind over achieved more. Going back a couple of seasons and we had defensive problems at Christmas and we was at the top of the league Cahill and Samba were available and quite cheap and we refused to buy subsiquently we fell away. I honestly believe we could have won the league that year.

  95. rico says:

    Ah, Sp, I totally agree, we could have done better, a lot better. Just as today, we could, should be doing better and, I know this will cheese many off, if another manager came in today, he would be able to get more from our players than AW is right now…..

    That’s how Arry has made his name 😉

  96. southyorkshiregunner says:

    There have been a couple of seasons like that Stevie.

    The Eduardo incident…. 2-2. 23 February 2008

    The Almunia incident – 1-1. 27 March 2010

    both away v’s Birmigham, and both draws from winning positions… with Birmingham scoring in the very, very last minute

    A team with World Class players but inferior squad players …
    Now it’s the other way around …

  97. Scott from Oz says:

    Morning all.
    Interesting comments on boots and their part in injuries.
    The stud patterns nowadays grip too well, meaning their is no give in them at all, and the give comes from an ankle or knee.
    The other factor, and this goes for all sports, is that these guys are now more of an athlete than ever before.
    They are faster and stronger, meaning impact is harsher.
    Also, because they are so finely tuned, there is no give….something has to give, and it is the joints.

  98. stevepalmer1 says:

    Wenger has been very good for Arsenal i have always held him in high regard, but as a fan i feel he has let me down. We have always been linked with good players but time tells us that we won’t get them. How many of the players we have brought over the last few years had you honestly known, yes you may have heard of some of their names maybe you have watched them playing for foreign clubs but if i’m honest with you i have not known any of them. Our last buy was Monreal i hadn’t heard of him but one thing i did know was he would be reasonable but also fairly cheap. I sit there watching teams around us picking up the Mata’s Hazards and the Aguero’s of the football world only for us the 5th richest club in the world buying cheapie’s. I believe i have a right to moan and complain when the only quality players we have Cashley Cesc Persie are being sold to our competitors. especially when they come back and still play good football.

  99. stevepalmer1 says:

    Evening Scott or morning whatever it is there, are you saying that the sponsorship is more important than the player 🙂

  100. Scott from Oz says:

    Hiya Steve,
    I think the boot manufacturers have got their stud patterns TOO right.
    The players themselves choose their boots, or do they choose the boot that brings in the most cash 🙂
    As i said yesterday though, i believe the lhysical side of training is too soft when their bodies are growing.
    Young bodies that cop joint injuries recover, and the joints end up stronger than they would if there was never an injury.
    Any greyhound trainer will look at an 18 month old pup and see swollen toes etc,etc.
    If they were done a month ago, big problem.
    If it were 8 months ago, good news.
    Keep in mind there would not be many more finely tuned athletes than greyhounds.
    We need to toughen our kids up earlier, imo.

  101. Kevin KJ Downton says:

    steve I agree that we have missed opportunities and that woudl have been an even bigger over achievement. fact is, we were fishing in a different pond. The club decided to have a player trading program to generate cash. agree or disagree it was what happened. so he gambled on potentials and got some of it wrong. no way would we have bought Aguerro or players like that. it isnt just the obscene £200k per week he gets you have to add the transfer fee too. And if we did got to £200k they would just outbid us. You read the post on the true cost of YaYa Toure compared to what Arsenal made, it opens your eyes. RVP is on £250k per week, Rooney the same, Silva, Aguerro, Teves, Kompany all £200k per week. but affordable because Man City don’t have to balance the books. where I do disagree with Wenger is on his socialist policy of trying to offer parity of wage. That is a nonsense, you pay your best players more. Hopefully, we have a load of dross leaving us at the end of the season. we also have the money being released. no excuses now, we can afford World Class players but there has be some sanity over these wages. FFP is there to stop clubs going bust, whether fans like it or not you cant always spend more than you make. Players are benefitting from the cash coming in from TV money, most of the income is on players wages that is why the authorities want to address it. It is obscene. Off to football training now, Au revoir.

  102. Scott from Oz says:

    I still wonder if Wenger was ever really a great coach though.
    Better man manager, and was ahead of the game as far as scouting is concerned, but now every half decent club has scouting to match.

  103. tsGH says:

    Evening all,

    Better late than never… lol

    Interesting comments as ever on here. I need to get frank Maloney to fix a fight between SYG and Gerv ‘billboard’ 😀 box office classic. I bet Gerv will trip over his laces in the ring too.

    AW mojo was sold to the rapper.lol

    The most blatant double agents or inside traders in history must be DD and AW. The 2 Deins and AW have asset stripped us to the bone.

  104. tsgh says:

    Scott, personally I think AW has always been an excellent coach. Arguably the best since Cruyff. When you consider the number of players he has improved as players from Thuram, Forfana to Klinsman to JW who most forget was never a CM until AW converted from a winger 3 years ago. Even Glenda Hoodle admits he improved under AW during his short spell playing with him

    AW is a very good manager but he does not have that something that makes a manager feel like every match is his last atch in charge or in football. AW has always seen football as an evolving project but unfortunately football has become like horse racing. You win or you walk home.simples.

  105. rico says:

    Scott, possibly attacking when he had the right players, but these days, he tries to make players fit the way he wants to play. It doesn’t work…

    He was good and he got lucky with the keeper/defence he inherited.

    But right now, something is seriously wrong…

  106. Scott from Oz says:

    Hi Ginge, mate, you could be well and truly right….probably are.
    Is he better at the one on one stuff though?
    Maybe it is his team tactics that are a weakness.
    As with Barca now, all he had to do was point Dennis, Thierry and the others towards the pitch.
    I am not trying to cheapen his efforts at all, but every manager has strengths and weaknessess…maybe his were there, but not noticeable.

  107. Scott from Oz says:

    Rico, no money spent, lower quality players, lower quality squad strength…..kind of spells trouble lol.
    Still, considering the money “spent” over the years, not many could keep a side competitive.
    Oh to sit down for an hour and have a beer with the man.

  108. tsgh says:

    But his best team did not have any of the back line he inherited if I am not mistaken.
    Jens Lehman
    ‘Ralf’ Lauren, Sol, Kolo, Cole had nothing to do with GG at Arsenal.

    AW has always converted or played players in their un-natural positions even from his days at Nancy. He even converted the best defender in recent times (Lillian Thuram) from midfield to the position he came to be known far. Petite was moved from lb to DM…the list goes on and on. The issue is he has failed to adapt when he needed to.imho.

  109. rico says:

    Hi Ts..

    Come on Scott, look at what is in the here and now.

    You either have to say our players are rubbish

    or

    Wenger isn’t getting the best out of them,.

    Which is??

    😉

  110. tsgh says:

    true but so can be the case of Rednose dropping Wooney and getting eliminated.As I always say the win ratio between who people consider to be the best manager ever in this country AF and AW is about 7%.

    If you factor that Giggs has had his contract renewed but will probably play less than 20 games next season…. but our fans mourn and moan about Chamhakh a free agent who is happy to be a sub ( as Solkjaer and Sheringham were at united) as compared to Torres or an 18M kagawa who is not even needed.

    I know we all get emotional, but no team or manager can rebuild a team 5 times in 8 years and expect to win anything. Everyone is entitled to who they blame for that there btw.

    Comparing us to the teams in the top 4 now, which team has the most new blood. In fact apart from RVP who out of the 3 or 4 Rednose bought over the summer who is contributing to the team?

    Chavs have only Hazard and possible Ba contributing… whilst the scums are counting on their squad of last year whilst we have a whole new team or at least a midfield who have never played together until this October…

  111. tsgh says:

    His best team in my opinion was the 2007-2008 team but it got dismantled and the Masood turned up.

    So AW is rubbish and GG is better but GG spent more money than AW at the lane and in leeds and was unable to replicate his success. At least AW has recreated teams and a legacy at all the 4 teams he has coached.

    Even when we were winning trophies AW was buying Van Bronquist and Edu for less than the total purchase of what AF paid for Hargreaves.

  112. rico says:

    But Scott, the main culprits are TV and Merts. I knocked Merts a few weeks back and you made it clear that the German camp knew how good he is.

    Either he is rubbish, or Wengers tactics playing him are all wrong.

    If the latter, then that says a lot…

  113. tsgh says:

    The BFG is Stepanovs in disguise.lol

    TV lost interest in August last year after putting in a world class performance for his country to beat Belgium…

    Anyway, I have an early flight to catch tomorrow. Its good catching up. Stay safe all. Bless.

  114. Scott from Oz says:

    Ginge, you know i am with you on Wenger.
    I know i am a broken record, but i think most Gooners would just love to hear the truth, whether the news is good or bad.

  115. tsgh says:

    to beat Holland I must say.lol…

    Food for thought Scott, realistically where should the team be sitting on tghe EPL table with this squad?

  116. Scott from Oz says:

    Rico, i am not sure how you can think a players career and ability can be judged over any short term period.
    Early this season, Merts was on fire.
    He is not rubbish, and that is a fact.
    Vermaelen is not rubbish, and that is a fact.
    For whatever reason, they are playing like rubbish.
    As for the reason, well that is for everyone to make up their mind on.

  117. rico says:

    That’s me for another day folks…

    Chat tomorrow, hopefully a post from George 🙂

    Night all, be good and stay safe ….

  118. Scott from Oz says:

    Exactly where we are Ginge……4th or 5th.
    If you take it further, on money spend, we should be about 16th 🙂

  119. stevepalmer1 says:

    Adam, Rico said you were shopping, thought you may have run out of dough for the bus fair 🙂

  120. potter says:

    I’ll try and answer that one I believe that our players are not all rubbish and that yes we don’t get the best from what we have. The trouble is that they are all of a standard and the players that make a difference are just not there.

  121. stevepalmer1 says:

    why is it that when Merts and Verm are not playing well he still plays them. What’s the point of a squad

  122. Joaquim moreira says:

    Totts close for the next round…
    Why Inter has playing with red shirt? They are blue and black!

  123. DutchGooner10 says:

    About our Young Guns, hope they go all the way to the final played at Smirnoff Bridge.

    On the physical part, noticed talents and breakin through players elsewhere being super-sized by NASA’s protein program. Ours seem a bit underdeveloped and lightweight if their natural gene-pool lacks the athletic Spartan DNA.

    Fangled boots, I’m a part-time nutty shed professor/product developer, took on the stud pattern in an attempt to improve its ball control – and indeed minimize its injury effects. You see the studs, nowadays or whatever period you prefer to recollect, were/are all relatively the same length. Basically imitating an Indian nail bed underneath your feet.

    What I imagined was a stud pattern molded to fit a sphere, mimicking a ball-joint connection similar to the ones found in a human body. (I know, I know, don’t give up my day job, just yet. LOL)

    Nite peeps, chatty chatty 2morrow.

  124. allezkev says:

    Sir Stevo… Sorry I missed ya mate.
    I am good thanks, but also quite busy, fortunately.
    Hope you’re tip top, and doing your ‘J.R.Hartley’ with gusto… 😉

    Everyone in bed now, except the Antipodeans…
    So goodnight.

Leave your comment.

Discover more from Highbury House

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading