Morning all.
Stan Collymore, not the nicest of men in this world and not the best informed either. Remember when he said Vidal was heading to Arsenal and his info was 100%? Yes, me too but such a move never materialised. Or was it Sami Khedira? Perhaps I don’t quite remember so well but regardless, neither arrived in London….
Back in the summer, early too, Arsene Wenger made a swoop for Jamie Vardy but the England international turned the offer down preferring to stay up north with his newly crowned Premier League Champions team-mates. And what’s happened, he can score for toffee that’s what.
Last season he scored nine goals in his first 12 games for club and country last time out, and went on to score 24 in the Premier League alone, a tally not matched by any striker at Arsenal. Mind you, we weren’t awarded as many penalties as Leicester were, most of which Vardy himself was key to winning with his cunning, perhaps slightly cheating style of play in the penalty area. This season though, after the same amount of matches for his club, he’s managed just three goals.
Had Vardy joined Arsenal and scored just three goals, perhaps we fans would be thinking, ‘what a waste of £20 million’, although Collymore believes different:
But, rather than think Wenger has got away with one, I’d look at it the other way and say I’ll bet Vardy has wondered, if only once or twice, about what might have been had he taken the plunge with the Gunners.
What if he had ‘risked’ moving to Arsenal, one of England’s biggest clubs, on a seriously fat salary and out of what is a relative comfort zone in the East Midlands?
I bet right now he wishes he’d made the move, and I suspect his team-mate Riyad Mahrez does as well, especially as he too is struggling to replicate the kind of form he showed last season with just the one goal so far.. Perhaps Arsene Wenger did dodge a couple of bullets when both of these players snubbed Arsenal but I still think in a side like ours which creates so many chances, Vardy would be scoring goals for fun.
But maybe the most important thing is, because Arsene Wenger went for both players, Theo Walcott perhaps realised his place at Arsenal was under serious threat and that’s why we are seeing a much improved player so far this season. And I’m pretty sure if one or both of the Leicester players had said yes to Arsenal, Theo Walcott would now be playing football at a different club…
Anyway, while Sky Sports and all get excited about the Monday night fixture referred to as ‘Red Monday’ as Liverpool take on Man Utd, let’s hope Arsenal go about their business quietly, getting three points tomorrow afternoon against Swansea.
Be very aware of the ‘new manager’ syndrome though, the Welsh team might be sitting fourth from bottom in the league, but Big Bob’s boys will be out to impress him……
Oh, and thank goodness Marmite is back in the supermarkets, for just one day I thought I’d have to go and stock up on my best friend….
Have a great Friday guys and gals…
Hi rico, House, yes Marmite mmmm. Would have had to go to Vegimite and that’s more like Bovril!
To be fair, Stan was one of the first to say Sanchez would definitely arrive … and he did.
Hi Andrew. I’ve tried Vegemite, horrid stuff…
Everyone gets lucky once… 😉
Morning Rico + 1 😉
Haven’t been on for a couple of days as there has been nothing of note to talk about.
Ramsey is now yet another week away (sounds familiar)
Perez is fit
Giroud still got a bad toe or not, something smells.
I read somewhere that Swansea have the best record against us than any other team in the last 6 seasons.
Will Sanchez get a game or is he jet lagged.
With regards to Vardy who knows.I think he would rather be a big fish in a small pond than the other way round.
Harry Kane also took a slump
Very few players can maintain a decent strike rate season after season.
A fact on Walcott;he has had about 12 good games in 11 years and cost us over 50 million 😉
Morning Kelsey. I know, it’s been quite slow on news until AW’s press conference yesterday..
Kane had a setback?
Morning Rico and all.
Morning Adam. Looking forward to tomorrow?
Rico. Yes I am. The feel-good factor is returning. 🙂
🙂 Adam, that’s good…
Till tomorrow Adam. Till tomorrow!
However, as we all know…..to,orrownever comes!
I hope we shall see some scintillating football/soccer from our team of’lovlies’ and we emerge triumphantly.
Morning all. After a blue sky start to the day we have now returned to very grey skies! Most depressing.
Hi Wavy. I too worry about tomorrow but only because of what’s happened before against Swansea.
But to be fair, we look a lot more convincing at the back and in midfield this season..
Morning all.
It’s a very quiet time.
Bloody interlulls.
Vegemite is quality-you lot have no taste 🙂
The trick to it is don’t use too much as it’s such a strong flavour.
Brilliant on toast.
Hi Scott, it’s disgusting… 😉
Good Morning to The Lady of the House and all fellow Gooners in residence.
Things must be going well for The Arsenal when so much of the day’s discussion is devoted to Marmite vs. Vegemite as opposed to the deficiencies/quirks of our BOD, manager, owner, players and/or team. I expect and hope we will all still be so positive come Saturday evening.
Vegemite is an Australian thing as Marmite is an English thing; but, like me, most people in North America (if they know what they are) prefer Marmite.
Morning Cg.
I don’t now anyone who likes Vegemite, only Scott… 😉
Evening Rico
I like Vegemite. Cold toast, butter & thinly spread.
Afternoon George,but you live in an upside down world like Scott… 😉
Rico, I agree with your theory that perhaps Theo knew he was about to be shipped out in addition to change in coaching philosophy, like tracking back, is the reason for his form. On Vardy I believe he would’ve been a better fit than Mahrez. Imho Vardy has exceptional goal scoring and ” cheating” abilities that we lack. Mahrez on the other hand is an average player who played above his abilities.
Obi, I’d have liked to have seen both at Arsenal tbh as they clicked so well last season but I reckon their form is struggling through playing so many games last season. Ranieri had a small squad really…
It’s traditionally difficult for teams or individuals to raise themselves for a second winning season. Both Mahrez and Vardy would have done ok for us I would imagine.
Vegemite is another one of those industrial by-products isn’t it?
I’d have thought so too Adam.. But I do think most of that Leicester team are burnt out…
Rico if you look at Mahrez in the big games he disappears, of his goals I think only 3 came against top 4. Yes they clicked but against mid tables. We have plenty of players like that…lol
So do many of ours going missing in the big games Obi, and the so called smaller games…
Evening Rico and the House.
Been let out today for the first time in 5weeks.
Found the the wind very bitter and was pleased to come home, in fact could do with some of that feel good factor that you have got Adam, any to spare mate?.
I have been offline for a long period and have a lot to catch up with,and with 4 games in under 24 hours i have a lot to look forward to.
Rico must say I have missed you all catch up later.
Evening Rick, who has been keeping you away? Lol
Hi Rick. You keep well mate. 🙂
Hi ya Rick, stay well,warm and safe..
Night guys.
Night Boss…..
Hey Rick, what do mean by let out?
Did some woman lock you up and keep you her prisoner then Rick? ?
You take care, glad to have you back, we all missed ya…
Night All
Rick, 5 weeks out, you’ve pretty much missed the main course this September but are bang on for the dessert against the scum in a couple of weeks time, funny how things have a way of working themselve’s out, don’t let the bastards get you down buddy !
Over the past 12 seasons, there have been pivotal points in each Arsenal fixture list where it has dropped out of the Title race. One season in particular, which comes to mind, was the season where The Arsenal were like double figure points ahead on top, with Cesc having the season of seasons for assists, then Fergie started his mind games with Arsene, The Arsenal capitulated & it turned out to be a breakout season for Ronaldo. Oh, & Man U won it ?
So why does this happen I ask myself. Well this morning on my walk ritual I came up with the answer. For 12 years The Arsenal has lacked a Tony Adams type to stand up, to show the way, to be a rock displaying a strength and leadership for the rest to follow. No guts, no glory!
In that particular Cesc season I mentioned earlier, when leadership was needed by the skipper @ Birmingham (correct me if I’m wrong) Gallas spat the dummy, sat on his arse like a sook, after Theo came off the bench & scored 2 goals to come from behind, only for Brum to snatch a draw. It all went pearshape after that, as has been the case for the past 12 seasons at some point.
So, here we are again, quite early in the season, a nice list of fixtures to come that should be positive results & set The Club up for a serious shot heading to May. Do The Arsenal have that X factor leader in the squad this season to standup & show leadership ( not necessarily Kos). If so, there is a long awaited Title awaiting The Arsenal fan base, & maybe even going really deep into the CL.
COYRRR
Morning all.
First of all Happy Birthday to the conductor of our team,Mesut Ozil.
Thank God back to footie,seems ages and also shows how nuch we prefer club football.
Morning Kelsey, George and all.
I’d say we have a couple of leaders in the pack now. Mustafi and Xhaka, even Cech. Mustafi is certainly making his voice heard at the back and a few of the players have said he is not afraid to give others instructions…
Happy birthday Mesut, now go and sign a contract extension…
Morning Rico and all…..
Mustafa & Xhaka potentially have that X factor rico ?
Morning Rico, BT and all.
Oops, George too. 🙂
Morning Bt and Adam.
I reckon so George, it’s been a long time since we’ve had one in the squad…
New post up now.
I hope I’m wrong and that Arsenal rip Swansea apart today, but I’m expecting a very tactical draw today…
Morning All
Morning Rico, Adam, BT and George….
Evening Adam & Kev