The Champions League returns for another season and this time the final will be played at Wembley.
It’s a classic case of so near yet so far at the same time.
We have been in the Champions League for over a decade with consecutive appearances but are yet to win it.
During the draw when teams from pot 1 were being introduced it was embarrassing to hear that all the teams in that pot had a combined 32 wins in the tournament yet none of them was ours. All they said about Arsenal was that we were in the final in Paris in 2006.
I would love to see us change that statistic.
Speaking of Paris, every time I watch a Champions League game I feel nostalgic of that final.
I remember that day very well, I was in boarding school at the time and that day I was very ill to a point I never attended classes that week. When the match began, despite how weak I felt, I just had to watch it since I was so psyched up for the game.
We started very well until that red card. When the 4th official lit up that substitution board I was heartbroken to see Pires was the one being sacrificed. He was my favorite player in the invincibles squad and to see him trudge off the pitch was sad since you knew that was it for him at our club.
We tried our best that night, we even took the lead but the Barca pressure was relentless.
Henry had chances to win us that game but it wasn’t to be. By the time Larsson and Iniesta came on to change the game our boys were exhausted. What happened after that was one of the most painful experiences a football fan can go through but we are Arsenal and we live on.
As we begin another campaign I ask myself, do we have what it takes?
We may not be favorites but that hasn’t stopped underdogs from winning it, just think Chelsea last year. When Lavezzi scored the 3rd goal in Naples in the Champions League knock out rounds 1st leg to put Napoli 3-1 up you would’ve thought they were down and out. However, weeks later they were crowned champions of Europe, they showed that there are several vital ingredients you need for a Champions League triumph.
You need a strong team spirit and tough mentality, you need some inspirational players.
Chelsea absorbed so much pressure during their victory but they knew that when they won the ball back they just needed to hoof it up to Drogba and he would do the rest.
In that final I recall Cashley making at least 3 vital blocks to prevent Bayern from winning and after each block their belief grew and deep down they knew that they were going to win. You also need lots of luck too and they had their woodwork hit several times en route to becoming Champions.
I believe we have the right ingredients to win this competition but we have to hope lady luck is generous to us this year to finally get our hands on the cup for the first time.
We start that journey against Montpellier today with stand-in manager Steve Bould leading the way.
Giroud returns to his former club and I hope he finally gets his 1st goal for us.
Whoever plays must give their all to ensure we keep the momentum going. Our opponents have not had the ideal start to the season. Belhanda thinks they could be in for a hiding against us and their owner said three-quarters of their players are arse***** recently.
Nice!
By all accounts, theoretically it looks like we should win easily but the players shouldn’t be complacent.
I’m sure Montpellier will want to impress on their Champions League debut.
Here’s the travelling squad:
Vito Mannone
James Shea
Carl Jenkinson
Kieran Gibbs
Thomas Vermaelen
Per Mertesacker
Laurent Koscielny
Abou Diaby
Mikel Arteta
Santi Cazorla
Francis Coquelin
Aaron Ramsey
Theo Walcott
Andre Santos
Olivier Giroud
Gervinho
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Lukas Podolski
No Arshavin which is quite odd and no Szczesny, the latter picked up an injury prior to the Southampton game.
Injured or dropped after his ‘little mistake’?
We’ll never know will we but with Mannone in fine form, why did Arsene Wenger take a risk with the Pole?
That discussion is probably for another day, tonight the Italian Stallion needs to do what he has done so far this season…..
Here’s hoping for a great game, Giroud to run rings around one of Wenger’s transfer targets Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa and break his goal drought.
Oh, and of course, an Arsenal victory.
COYG!!!!!
Written by K-TR7
Morning all,
Good read Kt, thank you..
2006 does still hurt. Think this is the strongest, deepest squad we have had since that final and it’s one with far more experience.
We have to win are group, hope lady luck draws a few of the big guns together in the ko stages and who knows, we could be at Wembley…
But, that’s a long way off – Montpellier are going through a really tough time, but they will sure be up for this this game as you say.
oh 2006…don’t just like thinlkin of what happened then cos it stil hunts me till 2day….anyway,anotha gud win for the arsenal 2day…COYG
Morning all. Yes Lee. Music day today though I am parked up in Mile End at the moment.
1.st
Morning all…great read KT!
Life in the fast lane, eh Adam? 😆
Mannone played very well in the first two games. he needs a chance.the competion will be good. come on you gunners. nice win please
Wonder why AW bothers to face the media when he’s banned, I’d tell them to take a hike…
Sadly not Sigurdur…..
Morning all,
Well well well a post from KTR7 and a blinder at that, seems like only yesterday that we looked forward to a KT euro post well done mate. I too am excited for tonight we have a decent enough squad now but can they travel allways a question mark when good play on home turf, but i am confident that Bouldy will have been well briefed and Wenger won’t be to far away, hopfully this will be the last year we have to start our European jaunt without our Manager they have certainly tried to put us at a disadvantage for the last couple of seasons just make sure we do the handshakes before the game right, or the whole team may not be eligable next year,This must be a European record for bans to one manager but then again i feel we may break some more this year.
Morning Steve..
I too am looking forward to tonight, another test for this squad…
What to make of no AA though?
Is the Russian TW still open 😉
Home again Lee. Yes, I really know how to live on the edge mate. Mile End was really “happening” this morning.
Morning Rico,
If he’s not included he can’t figure much in Wengers plans he has been a lazy player in my mind and i have no sympathy for him every player needs to remember that 100% commitment is what is required and if you cannot match up to that then you end up an outsider. not sure about the Russian window and to be honest don’t care either 🙂
I am envious Adam….
Kind of feel the same really Steve, just annoying that we are paying him for nothing…
I’m losing patience with Walcott too….
You would have loved it Rico. Thousands of hippies grilling Halloumi cheese and dancing around Staddle stones with their silky clothes blowing in the Autumnal chill.
The Metropolis “Mile End”…..that’s how you roll!!
He’s refusing £75k per week,nice!!
The Российская transfer window closed on the 6th of this month unfortunately. AW23 featured for us on the first day verse Sunderland. I thought he looked very determined.
He can still do a job for us in the cup games before January.
1st??
Bugger,Sigurdur (and 12 others) beat me 🙂
Morning all…evening here.
Big day tomorrow…or today.
haha Adam…
Hi Tsgh & Scott…
Popping off for an hour, catch up in a bit….
Starting to think this Rico and Scott from Oz are one in the same person!
One comes on,the other heads off.
Have any of you actually seen both people in the same room at the same time???
75 grand a week Lee? That’s not too shabby is it? I’ll have to ask Kev what it’s like to earn that sort of money. Or you of course. 🙂
Earn more than that,but Aussie dollars aren’t worth as much as pommy pounds 🙂
😆 Scott, you will now, my plans have been changed, no point in going to see someone if they don’t answer their phone …
Is that how much TW has been offered?
What a plank he is if he thinks he is worth more….
I strongly suspect he’s waiting for a move to the club he has always supported as a kid, and on a freebie he can ‘demand’ more….
He’s a fool, we are on the up…..
That’s the amount quoted in the Torygraph this morning….
I just saw the goal we conceded on the weekend from a different angle.
It seems to me that at the very last instant,Szczesny seems surprised that (i think) Jenkinson was nearly underneath him,and seems to pull out of his attempt to take the ball…..he definitely pulls his hands away.
After seeing it from this angle,i can at least give a little leeway,as i have always thought he has the cleanest hands i have seen for a young keeper.
Where he let himself down though was it is his penalty box,and he should know exactly what is happening,and where everyone is…..his awarenss was not great,which is like him.
I didn’t answer the phone because i am sicking hearing about your chooks,Rico 🙂
I wouldn’t mind £75,000 a year, of course I realise that some of you know what it’s like to earn that kind of salary 😉
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2204916/Theo-Walcott-warned-Ray-Parlour-contract-issue.html?openGraphAuthor=%2Fhome%2Fsearch.html%3Fs%3D%26authornamef%3DSportsmail%2BReporter
I haven’t mentioned them for ages Scott…. 😉
Some of these red (gutter press) top jounalist will write any gibberish to fill a column. The sun even reported that we are still in for him a week after reporting he turned us down because he wants to go to AC Milan.
They are even saying AW will be scouting Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, tonight?
Morning all
2006 doesn’t hurt half as much as 2004, when Chelsea put us out of the competition.
That year we were awesome and should have walked the treble… We were well capable of beating anybody in World football, That was the best Arsenal team in the history of the club… well so far anyway… Every player we had was at their peak….
,, In the FA Cup semi final we were undone by not playing our best eleven and even then we should have been 3-0 up in the first ten minutes- and we had already done Chelsea twice in the league and dumped them out of the FA Cup … so complacency once Reyes had put us 1-0 up may have had some bearing on the outcome..
Some of the highlights of that season was seeing an Ashley Cole diving header rescue our Champions League hopes and set us up for the 1-5 drubbing we gave Inter Milan in the San Siro … and never have I seen a finer Arsenal performance in the first hour of us battering Portsmouth 1-6 away in the FA Cup quarters finals …
As said, that year we were awesome…
…But the football history books will not say that ..
Rico,move down to Oz,where things are still affordable!!!
Romford is right Lee…
I read that certain fans booed Theo on Saturday and chants of ‘sign up or F*** Off’ were heard….
Popping off now, back in an hour or so….
AK, has that kind of loose change down the back of his sofa!!
Scott. Everyone who goes there, tells me how expensive Australia is.
The price goes up when you have an accent lol.
Adam,in all seriousness,my wife and i don’t earn huge dollars,but have a bloody good lifestyle.
Then again,i don’t have season tickets to The Emirates lol.
Sydney real estate is exorbitant,but it honestly amazes me why anyone would want love there anyway.
Other than that,the cost of living is pretty reasonable.
I was in Australia in 2010 and thought it wasn’t overly cheap….
Fair enough Scott. I guess London is pricey but, living here, you don’t notice it so much and get used to being ripped off on a daily basis.
It’s all relative i guess.
Tourists will always pay top dollar as well.
SYG,
Was that performance at Pompey the best football ever played? It was absolutely brilliant, even the Home fans cheered us!
Henry’s 2nd half miss in Paris still haunts me. Was in the 2nd row behind the goal so the bottom of the net was blocked by hoardings. When he shot we just expected to see the net ripple. One of the worst moments ever!
Re: tonight.Szczesny must be injured. No way would AW risk having James Shea going in goal. Unless there’s been a bust up………………….
Afternoon….
It was Billboy. It was explosive football full of power, fluidity and pace. We eased off in the last twenty minutes…
I think this new side could be like that. I’m not a fan of overall rotation – one or two, yes, three if needed, but no more than that barring injuries. A settled side is key.
It would be nice to see Diaby, Giroud and Koscelny start tonight. They’ll give an extra 20% playing the champions of their Country….
Hiya Bob John –
Two policewomen killed in Madchester… 🙁
Just reading that lee, has the second one now died – 🙁
Just seen the update 🙁
SYG. That 2004 team was the best I team. I think the worst match that team played was against Rosenburg when we drew 1-1 and Lauren and PV4 had a bust up on the team coach.The media had a field day.
I think the 2008 team had potential to be as good but Hleb, Flamini and the Adebawhore deserted like the rats they are.
50th……..?
That Dale Cregan would have been better off putting one in himself as he’ll never get out of prison … Throwing grenades into pubs and murdering police officers ….?
Once he starts talking, the police will start arresting everyone around him and charging them with perverting the course of justice and quite possibly, conspiracy to murder… !
Think so Ak 😉
If he talks Syg…
Lauren and Viera …. I’d forgot about that TSGH …..
Islington, Shoreditch, Clapham, Mile End, it’s all happening out there man, it’s a groovy world we live in…
Get in there Adam, your just one of the ‘in crowd’, and then there’s Colchester, man alive, that is right off theRichter scale for a hedonistic lifestyle….
And don’t talk to me about Berkshire, all the jet set hang out in Berks… 😉
Sad about Brian Woolnough dying. RIP.
Plus one or two ordinary folk Ak 😉
Just had The Royal Berkshire Show at the weekend, spiffing event….
He’ll go “no comment” for the first few interviews and then he’ll talk Rico.
“Where have you been living?” seems an innocuous question but it will lead to the arrest of everyone in that property … and it will be one of the first questions thrown at him…
And if your really in the mood, put on your ‘loons’, your ‘love beads’ and put flowers in your hair and head for Rotherham…
There’s a ‘happening’ up there….
Er or something?????
Something about a large hole…. 😉
Afternoon Gooners btw….
Hey KT man, that post was real cool man, freaky, outta sight man… 😀
Excuse me, i’m just gonna have a lay down and stare sky… 🙂
That has stunned me Adam, I didn’t even know he was ill….
SYG. Those were the days when our players had passion. At that time I thought PV4 was being hush on Lauren because I thought Lauren was always reliable whilst Veira even though he is and will always be a legend let the team down on a number of occasions because of the number of red cards he received.
The only year he wasn’t sent off was in 2005.
Hiya Kev… Rotherham? Doesn’t have the ring that San Francisco does… LOL
Re: Brian Woolnough, Adam – It’s always sad when someone goes – especially by cancer….
As a journalist, I wasn’t really that bothered about him, but he did help make Jimmy Hill’s Sunday Supplement very ‘watchable’ ….. He also commended us on being very worthy champions in 2002…
What? No mention of North Chingford? The former playground of the Krays? and a few other showbiz notables. Every Eastenders aspirational home!
More seriously, of Wallcot, you don’t think he might have ‘signed’ a pre-contract with Reading, do you? A bit closer to home! Or maybe even Southampton!
I liked Lauren. Nice steady and dependable … He played his part after the Van Nistlerooy penalty miss … You can’t beat passion in football …
Hiya SYG, all good news today eh????
Considering that Woolnough was a journo, the Press kept pretty quiet about his illness.
As a rule, cancer doesn’t do it’s evil work quickly, so he must have been ill for awhile…
No Wavy, Chingford Mount is where ‘it’s at’….
Maybe he’ll want to be the ‘big man’ Syg, hope he does talk though as everyone and anyone who has been involved in harboring him should be locked up
Arsenal to run the rule over Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa in Champions League tie
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will use tonight’s Champions League clash with Montpellier as an opportunity to get a first hand look at top target Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa.
Read more: http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/football/912305-arsenal-to-run-the-rule-over-mapou-yanga-mbiwa-in-champions-league-tie#ixzz26pNWmlhI
The 23-year-old Montpellier captain is widely recognised as one of the best young defenders in Europe, having shot to fame last season after helping the club edge big-spending PSG to the French title.
Yanga-Mbiwa has since attracted interest from the likes of Chelsea, Newcastle and Juventus, while AC Milan are thought to have had a bid rejected for his services last month.
That has left the door open for Arsenal, with manager Wenger a huge fan of the powerful and versatile centre back.
Indeed, the Gunners even made a last ditch attempt to sign Yanga-Mbiwa on transfer deadline day three weeks ago, but time ran out on a possible deal, with Montpellier’s £10 million valuation proving a major sticking point.
Arsenal remain in the hunt though, and Wenger plans to use tonight’s clash at the Stade de la Mosson to get a closer look at the France international, with trusted scout Giles Grimandi also likely to be in attendance, to further add to his dossier on the defender.
Serie A club Milan are also expected to have a representative at the game as they continue to show a notable interest.
Both clubs are boosted by the knowledge that Yanga-Mbiwa has entered the final 12 months of his contract, and would be free to negotiate a pre-contract in January.
Read more: http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/football/912305-arsenal-to-run-the-rule-over-mapou-yanga-mbiwa-in-champions-league-tie#ixzz26pNgi0tg
J.Sanderson…..
Ak, it’s reported as having been a long battle, and only three months after Daily Star’s chief football writer Danny Fullbrook died from cancer.
What a horrid day for news..
Sound Kev. We should come away from France t night with a 2-0 or 3-0 win … but I’ll always take 1-0 with an o.g deflected in via a Kieran Gibbs shot …
I think the French lads in the side have something to prove ….. We all love to go home to where we came from and show how well we have done …
Ak, if we are to believe reports, we were after him in the summer but he turned us down as he wants to join AC Milan…
If that is his only goal, then we should give him a miss, he’s only 23 years old and would no doubt want to move on swiftly for a better wage….
Wavy – Liverpool is the club he supports, that’s where my money would go on betting where he ends up, if he doesn’t sign a new contract…
Trusted scout Giles Grimandi ??????????????
Where do Chamakh and Pak Doo Ik fit into the adjective “trusted” ..
Re Brian Woolnough. A true gentleman. One of the few journalist who gave balanced opinion.
Ak, Rico that Yanga-Mbiwa news is old news. I will be very surprised if AW went back for him after admitting he prefers AC. I think Miquel deserves a chance. I can’t be dealing with adebawhore type players anymore.
Yeah, i agree SYG, Bouldy would have been in the earholes of the defence after conceding that sloppy goal vs Soton, so i expect a very resolute back-line from the Gunners tonight…
2-0, 3-0, yep, not unreasonable from our boys…
TSGH, i didn’t know we bid for him tbh, although i was aware of our interest…
I suspect that Wenger was hoping that Montpelier would panic as the deadline approached and AFC could pick him up for £5mill or something?
If he’s on his last year, then he’s gone, we won’t get him.
He’ll move for mega-wages…
But as Rico said, at 23 i wouldn’t be interested.
Look for someone around the 26/27 age, then he’ll stay with us!
The Mount eh? Well that’s where Mrs Kray is + one, I think?
On clear day you can see for miles from the Old Church! Ah, those were the days!
I agree Tsgh…. like i say, he’ll just use us as a stepping stone, unless of course we start winning things which is a possibility…
The last comment was for Allezkev, ‘the Mount’ etc.
Rico – How would he feel, Wallcot that is about playing in The Championship though – Liverpool are not the club they were!
I don’t think we did Ak, AC did but we made contact and he said not interested….
That is of course if we believe the player…. AW has never confirmed or denied it….
The Mount, a nice part of the world Wavy…
Watched the 2000 celebrations from the park and then went to a party…
Good times…
Wavy – no, they are on the way down. The Chavs or Citeh might try for him on a freebie. If he wants football he’ll sign. If it’s money or about playing central, he’ll go imho….
But I think he’s happy at the club and they’ll come to some agreement soon…
The reaction of Ralph Lauren after Van Nistlerooy’s penalty miss was pure class. Hopefully Jenkinson will turn out to be as good as he was.
SYG.re Pak Doo Ik I will let you on a little secret.That was AW little retaliation on Lille for renegading on the Hazard deal last minute during the summer of 2011. AW I heard was very pissed off with Lille because all they had to do was say no deal but they told AW to wait until they have a replacement for he. Lilles behaviour was one reason why we missed out on Carzola and Mata.
Tony Adams: Arsenal are just a feeder club
– Legend blasts Wenger for selling star names
– ‘Unprofessional players’ won’t win big Euro prize
– Wants to manage the Gunners and no-one else
James Olley
18 September 2012
Tony Adams today branded Arsenal “a feeder club” and insisted they will never win the Champions League unless they change their mentality on and off the pitch.
In a wide-ranging interview with Standard Sport, the former Gunners and England captain revealed the extent of his frustration at seven trophyless seasons which he believes is explained by the regular departure of leading stars and a lack of professionalism among the players.
Adams retired in 2002 having spent 19 years at the club and will tonight begin work as a Sky Sports pundit covering the Gunners’ European opener against Montpellier in France.
And although the 45-year-old is confident Arsenal will start their Group B campaign with a victory at the Stade de la Mosson, he claimed Arsene Wenger will have to modify the club’s playing style to ensure they are more resilient before lifting the one major trophy that has so far eluded the Gunners boss.
“I expect Arsenal to roll them over because I don’t think Montpellier are the talent they were last year,” he said. “This time last year, it would have been a very interesting game. It’s a bit like us playing Manchester United before we sold our centre-forward, Robin van Persie, to them.
“It’s the same scenario with Montpellier and Olivier Giroud — we’ve become a feeder club and it’s like different levels of clubs all of a sudden.
“My experience is that when you play away from home in Europe, it is very important to be resilient and Arsenal are not known for being resilient.
“That can change but I’d say that in games they haven’t won, they haven’t done a professional job.
“We’ve not had the greatest success in Europe but I do feel that the whole team have got to be defensively solid away from home and I don’t think it is in a lot of these guys’ nature. Hence, when you open up, you can concede.
“There is no way in a million years Arsene is going to change his philosophy but I don’t think this team are good enough to win it.
“I expect them to score goals but they cannot win the Champions League with their current mentality. I hope they prove me wrong but against the better teams I think they will fall short again.
“I am not alone here — I think most of the Arsenal fans would agree with me. Strange things happen, like Chelsea winning with not the greatest team in the world, but they did have the whole team fighting to keep clean sheets.
“To actually think you are going to play Barcelona or Real Madrid off the pitch . . . I don’t think this team are good enough to do that.
“I think they will beat Montpellier but in recent years you just fear they cannot go away from home and do a professional job.
“The thing is, they have to do it for two or three years before they get that reputation back as a resilient side.
“They have sent out the wrong message piece by piece for seven years and it chips away at your credibility. Selling your best players is part of that.”
Adams is working in Azerbaijan as an advisor to Gabala FC, whom he also briefly managed last season. Although not in a rush to return to the Premier League, Adams admits he ultimately would like to take charge at Emirates Stadium in the future.
“I’ve done the lower leagues and it’s a different style of managing,” he said. “No disrespect but I don’t want to be Swansea boss, either. They probably don’t want me. Aston Villa? What’s the point? What can you do with them? So it’s the Arsenal or nothing and I’m not ready for that.
“But I’d love to manage Arsenal one day. Not at the moment because they have a very good manager who is off selling all their best players so I’d better not go there next week!
“I need something in between, maybe in Europe. My reputation as a coach is very good in Holland.
“I worked there for a long time at Feyenoord and Utrecht as a first team coach. If a mid-table team became available in Holland, although I wouldn’t do it in England because of my playing career, I would do it there.
“I see some managers that would take any club and get on the conveyor belt but it is not for me. I’d rather go and watch my kids play football.”
Tsgh – i though we signed him for merchandise….
Wavy , I was in Chingford on Saturday getting a lift to the match. Few of my pals live that way….wrong-uns the lot of em!! 😉
Wow Big Tony, that’s from the heart…..
Ak, that quote from Tony Adams smells of bitterness I am afraid. No pun intended but he is forgetting that he was part of the so called back four who could not get out of the group stages when we was captaining us.
He was a good footballer but I am afraid when it comes to management he represents many of the great players who become bad managers. He was the same person who said because the Verminator was not over 6 feet tall he was not going to be effective for Arsenal.
His only chance of managing Arsenal is being a number 2 to Bould.
There has been another explosion in Manchester, hope it was a controlled one….
I think those criticisms from TA06 are not meant as a cheap shot, but to elicit a positive response…
Maybe to make people at the club think?!!!
Rico. I was going to write a post on that so I am not going to go too deep into that.
Word for thought, If AW was ever going to sign a player for merchandising purposes he would have signed a Japanese player. As an example he would have signed Nakata instead of Inamoto in the early 2000’s when he was as big as DB7 in the whole Asia.
TSGH, fair points, but he was also part of a team that won the Cup Winners Cup aginst a far superior opponant.
Yes he was part of that Champions League team that failed.
But he wasn’t responsible for the tatics mate was he???
I love Wenger, but his record in europe is poor.
And he’s had some great squads to work with…
What did i miss? Have we scored? COYG’s!!!!
Sad about the 2 female officers killed in Mancs 🙁
Lee, Chingford..?
Are you sure?
Thought i saw you in Camberwell…..
Seymour Gardens, Chingford AK…..
TalkShiteGingerHater says:
September 18, 2012 at 2:58 pm
That’s interesting TSGH… very. I love to read stuff like that…
Kev .. Adams was a great Arsenal player … as was Wright … But, like Wright he does talk bollocks a lot of the time … which is SUCH a shame
Read TSGH 3:17 comment – para 1…. In fact I’m getting to be a bit of a TSGH fan ……
At the moment we look as good as anyone in the Champions League. We have a great first 18 and I don’t even included Coquelin, Djourou, Chamakh or Jenkinson in that …
We improved the team the day we promoted Bould and shifted on Song. The discipline, the fluidity and movement are all there …
We should have won the Champions League in 2004, Kev..
As a team, we had everything and were 45 minutes away from a piece of piss Semi-final and Porto in the final …..
Next to Epping Forest, that’s really the place to be – close to the station too. And bus terminus! what a mecca N Chingford is!
Wouldn’t want to live there though – not now. Too many chavs and spivs and old lags!!
Sooner live in New, old, Highbury Apartments (note – not Flats!!)
Ok Tsgh, I look forward to that post….
Fair point Ak. Like I said before no pun intended re TA06. AW has his flaws, some believe he is cursed and will always be second best. Those who knew him in france during his Monaco days say he was caught in two minds. He was not sure if he was managing a team or acting as a development manager.
SYG, yes i understood what TSGH said mate…
But Adams alluded to how AFC would approach Real or Barca, would we attack them and try to outplay them, or grind them down and nick a result…?
I thoroughly enjoy the way Arsenal play…
But at the same, i’m no illusions concerning europe.
Not unless Bouldy can arrest us awfull record against the top sides in the latter stages…
EPL is a different matter, less tatical and technical…
I think we can win the EPL.
CL, no chance mate.
But i’ll still enjoy watching our Gunners try…
Hi emma, few hours and we might 😉
Sure is sad…..
Rico, i also look forward to TSGH’s post, i’m sure it’ll be intelligent and a good debating tool for that day…
SYG, 2006 and 2000 are burned into my brain….
Two finals, two defeats, not sure that Arsene is cursed in europe, but i sometimes think Arsenal are…
hysel in 1980 remains one of the most frustrating and heart-breaking Arsenal occassions i’ve witnessed.
Real Zaragoza, Winterslag, Red Star Belgrade, any Russian/Ukraine team, nightmares the lot of them…
But i live in hope, a hope that Steve Bould will influence Wenger’s cavalier approach and introduce a more pragmatic style…
Otherwise, we’re in for more Quarter-Final disappointment this term…
SYG I can’t agree more re. current team. AW is a flawed man. As you may agree all men are creatures of habit. To understand Aw you have to probably go as far backas 1988-1989 if you can.
What has always made a gifted coach such as AW play second fiddle to others who are not so gifted are his loyalty to players and most importantly when he chooses to rotate his squad.
In 1992 he had an opportunity to win the Cup winner cup with Monaco but like 1989 and in 2010 he falls into the habit of messing up his line-up 2 or 3 matches before any important match.
Lets look at 2 seasons ago against Barca at the Nou camp. Why did he start Fabregas when he had been out for a few games and had not trained. The answer is simply as he did with klinsman in 1992. He agrees to his star players request to play against a team on sentimental values when everyone knows that, that particular player should not be playing.
No chance Steve Bould wearing shorts tonight. Lets see if he will be comfortable on the suits 🙂
Impossible to explain Van Persie loss
By Eurosport | Arsene Wenger – 8 hours ago
Robin van Persie is the kind of player you rarely meet in your life: an exception, the very definition of the word. He has everything a coach dreams to have in a single player: he’s smart, classy, clever when he moves, has killer-instinct, and is focused during 90 minutes.
He has a deep love for football. He watches matches at home, analysing everything. It’s so rare for a single player to have such a quest for perfection, allied with such talent and class. It’s fortunate. He spent eight seasons with me, and he never stopped developing himself. We could never imagine he would become the player he is right now. It hurts to see him wear another shirt when he is at top level.
He’s not difficult to manage because he is an ultra-pro. He’s at home every night. If you ring him at 10 in the evening, he will answer, because he will be watching some game or preparing himself for some match. With those roots, he is easy to work with. You can have different views to him and, because he has a strong character, he expresses himself like the Dutch usually do when talking about football. But it’s pretty easy to discuss things with him because every movement, every gesture has to be done with perfection for him.
Now he’s gone, don’t ask the fans to understand what is not understandable. Even I do not understand, and I am deep at the heart of the decisions. You have to deal with it. That’s life. We are here to help people to express their talents. A coach must have a positive influence on their players’ lives.
I would have preferred Van Persie to sign for a club in a foreign country, in order to avoid playing against him several times per season, but it’s a fine challenge for us to prove we can exist after such a move, to show we can score goals, play well and survive everything.
RVP and Wayne Rooney have everything to play together. Sometimes, great goalscorers don’t really fit together. But if you analyse the pair’s technical skills on the pitch, it can work. It will require some understanding, from the technical and from the personal point of view, but their separate success will increase the links between them. If those links exist and if they both score, it will be very, very strong.
😆 emma, forgot he’ll be all suited and booted…
Wenger : “We will make one or two changes but we will try to keep the stability of our team with seven or eight players around them.”
Wenger on Olivier Giroud : “Forwards sometimes go through a rough period but maybe he just needs a goal to get out of it.”
Wenger : “After that, everybody has his own personality & I have chosen Steve Bould because I think he will add something to our team.” #AFC
Arsenal’s comic legend Eboue(Galatasaray) will be in town tomorrow v Manure 🙂
Ak, “We are here to help people to express their talents”, that is exactly what I said at September 18, 2012 at 3:42 pm.
Can you ever imagine ‘Maureenho’ or the ‘Red Nose’ ever saying that. It is honourable of him but not at top level management I ‘m afraid.
I still believe we should have kept him for this season just to show the world we are not a selling club but I guess I will never get to be a football manager.
Kev – I remember Pat Jennings saving Kempes’ penalty and the lump I had a right in my throat …. I thought we’d done it … Then Brady missed ….
….And I just knew the de-permed Graham Rix would miss …. As a player I loved him – He was brought up in the Askern / Campsall area of Doncaster – I used to work with a lot of his school mates ….
I have a feeling we will see a very different CL campaign this time…
And I wish the media would stop asking Wenger or anyone else about RvP, he’s a Manchester United player, ask Fergie!
TalkShiteGingerHater says:
September 18, 2012 at 4:02 pm
Totally agree. Pandering to the marquee/top players is something that such as Brian Clough never did … ask Archie Gemmell !
…. Fabregas was crocked and helped lose us the tie ….
Rico @4,23pm
And I wish the media would stop asking Wenger or anyone else about RvP, he’s a Manchester United player, ask Fergie!
…….. that is a cool “mega-bitch” answer ……
TSGH, agree mate….
As i said earlier, i love Wenger, but…….
Maybe i’m greedy, but i just think, with the players he’s had, that we could, and should, have won more, notwithstanding the post Highbury years, but i will always blame the Board for the recent times…
SYG, one of the worst days of my life as a football fan…
But that, in essense, IS, Arsenal in europe…
hi guys….still havent paid my cable bill so will be needing a good stream. am looking at you SYG and emma….COYGS!
hey AK, how’s things?
You calling me a ‘mega-bitch’ Syg 😉 😉
Hi goonster, did you see the link for Saturdays game?? That was quite good…
Goonster, Haven’t you got a decent pub you can go and watch it in? Soak up the atmosphere along with a couple of pints, you could have a pie with them and make an evening of it. Much better than watching on a sticky stream.
yes maam, it was awesome….can i still use the same link maam?
Certainly not Rico …. a mega-bitch answer to a pissy-off question, yes … most certainly….
JW, its bloody”football” season few creeps wanna watch “soccer”….i was laughed at 3 different pubs cause i wanted to see the mighty arsenal play.
hey SYG, how is it fella? you barely come on HH like you used to. are you alright?
allezkev says:
September 18, 2012 at 4:29 pm
I think it was iBob John that said he went to every game that season bar the Magdeburg 2-2 away game ….????
We got thumped in the last remaining match of the season 1-5 up at Ayresome Park ……. He even went to that !
Mind you, we often play garbage in the last game of the season after there’s nothing left to play for ….. I was gutted after I picked up the Daily Mirror on 10th May, 1973 …. we had been thumped 1-6 by Leeds…. Armstrong scored for us ….
…We should have won the league that year but faulted at the back end of the season away v’s a bottom of the table WBA side 0-1 and lost at home 0-1 v’s Derby ….
I am not accusing anyone of any actions for obvious reasons but what fabregas did that day if he was from Columbia he would have been ‘Escobaed’
Goonster – Good link to watch the match http://cricfree.tv/live/index.php
I’m fine Stan …
I feed off the blogs mainly in pre-season to find out who we are after and who we are getting shut off …. We’ve done well this pre-season … We are a lot better side than last year ….
We should win easily over there 3-0, 2-0 …. The French lads in the side will play like their lives depend on it …
I’d certainly try it Goonster, you still have the link?
🙂 Syg, they should be asking about Gervinho master blast goal and Podolski’s free kick, maybe something like:
‘Don’t you think it would have been good to have seen RvP despatch a free kick like that, that was one part of his game that let him down’ ??
😆
i will maam but i think emma’s look more promising. when’s the game again?
Tonight Goonster 😉
7.45 UK time…
How many hours are you behind Goonie?
i think 5 hours maam…..its 12.15 now.
How is my fave rapper ‘goonster’ doing ;lol
so in 2 hours time we ll be lining up? classic! i cant wait. let me stick my neck out…errrr i think we ll win this one 4.1. i was close for the southampton game wasnt i mama bear.
hahahahaahah rapper eh? TSGH how are ya? wetting your apetite before the big game huh?
i just had me a huge pint of bear.
bloody iphone….meant “BEER”
2 and half Goonster…
I don’t remember your prediction for the weekend.. I’m not sure on tonight…
See what i mean….you never listen to me. grrrrrrrrrrrrr check my prediction before the saints game…..i said ” we ll pulverize them 6.0″ go check it out maam. cause i wont let you take my shine. enough already sheesh.
What beer? The States are renowned for their beers are they?
goonster, was just kidding with you re the 6-0
finally i got my recognition….anyway have you seen the team news maam?
Goonster, I will let you do all the creaming as usual
TSGH, you ll bet there ll lots of creaming tonight cause i have a good feeling about the game. gervinho to rip them a new one. continental teams dont park the bus against us so am expecting a fairly easy game like against the saints but with less goals. 4.1 to the good guys. come on you rip roaring reds.
About to leave the office. Will tune into TalkShite to listen to some drivel from the ginger man.
See you fellow gunners later
alright man…..take good care of yourself and watch out for a crazy cab driver. that’s AK by the way.
Too early goonie…
Safe journey home Tsgh – enjoy the game….
for what maam???
i dont get it……
good evening
buzzing here in Montpellier….3/1 to de only arsenal…COYGs
Good read. The champions league has not been kind to us at all. But the past is just that. Let’s focus on this year. It’s all that matters right now. Coyg!
Getting this weird feeling like I had on saturday that Gerv will tear montpellier apart tonight. COYGs!!!
exactly what i said emma…the gerv monster ll be unleashed later tonight. watch out guys…..we ll win this one easy.
too early for team news goonster…
oh ok…..not to long to go now maam….are you exited yet?? COYGS. that’s my 5th pint gone. God help me. i just cant wait. the anticipation is killing me. come on already. yeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh.
https://twitter.com/ESPNFC/status/248115012361666560
Hi Wxl..
Goonie, 5 pints of what beer, I am waiting? 😉
emma – you that confident?
Experience then….
Looks like le proffeseur wants the match wrapped up in the first 45mins. COYGs !!!
wow, that’s a cracking team. we ll roll them up guys. COYGS.
Off for dinner, back in a bit
dont stay too long maam….i cant hold down the fort on my own. COYGS.
Evening all
I only watch the game later…
Hope we win 🙂
COYGss
I am disappointed Kos is not starting. This is what AW does to fringe players that causes them not to perform when needed.
Hi Rico and All.
So we’re using the same team we used against Liverpool. This is a very good lineup. Today is no concern for me but the wkend is my concern. I hope we come out injury free.
TSGH. Don’t be disappointed mate, this is a good team, Kos will be on the lineup over the wkend.
I’m all set for the game. 2:0 or 3:0 for we.
Morning all.
You’d think they’d schedule games round my sleep patterns….4.30am,WTF??
Here we go.
come on you rip roaring gunners
Just read a cracker.
Sports stores are now selling Wellbeck and Young shirts with grass stains already printed on them…for authenticity.
Evening Scott, good man.
On the CL…..why would anyone say we can’t win it….Chelsea did last season 🙂
Hi Steve.
Diaby…..silly.
Hello again…. are we playing tonight 🙂
What???????
Bugger…..
Ref is quality then…. totally conned….
Our boys can’t complete a pass atm.
Hoooooooooorah 🙂
My man again!
They have now Scott…..
Who the hell is this Gervinho?
Gervinhooooooooooooooooooooooooooo 😛
Great cross Jenks, simply cracking
Anyone got a link?
emma left one earlier Ak…
Steve Bould is hanging on my every word,Rico 🙂
http://cricfree.tv/live/index.php
😆 Scott, aren’t we all??
Well that goes without saying Rico lol.
Ha ha Scott….
Finally, the ref doesn’t get conned….
That unnecessary pressure by Giroud. Simple pass please
Not sure its working for Giroud….
Gervinho has had a very good game….
BFG very assured, Gibbo doing well…
Giroud is working hard, all he needs is a bit of luck and he’ll be away…
Not sure about that referee….
A Spanish Mike Dean..?
Not bad. Goonster your 4-1 prediction may still come true.lol.
I think Arteta needed a rest today
Theo could prosper against that Montpelier defence?
Diaby doing well, whilst Mannone is looking very good again…
WTF are we playing at, playing the ball in our own half passing back more than forward shit passing Giroud needs to be replaced its not working for him
AK, spanish Mike Dean.cant stop laughing
TSGH, don’t laugh too soon mate, we’ve got him at Wastelands this weekend… 🙁
COYGs …..electric atmoshere inside the Mosson….more of the same please in the second half
Imho, neither Diaby or Giroud are having a good time…
Lets not forget though, this Montpellier side will know Giroud, they know how to stop him…. I’m not beating him up before anyone thinks i am 😉
Like I say, Diaby is not having a good game….. we got lucky there…
And more dodgy stuff from our number 2….
Mbiwa is quite good though isn’t he…..
Rico. Not yours only. The two frenchmen are not clicking.
Time for Yheo to warm up imho – get them pegged back a bit….
Yeo = Theo… 😉
NG – Theo and Ox I say 😉
Diaby must have heard us 😉 Great play by him there…
Since when did Mike Dean have a thick mop of black hair guys??
Its a syrup 😛
Time for subs and Diaby has to be one of them, he’s tired and he will get a second yellow if not very careful…
Citeh up 1-0.
Bring Yheo on,we want Yheo….he scores when he wants!!
Rico,is he our new Nepalese kid 🙂
Citeh are beating Real Madrid 1-0 😮
Yheo, Yheo, Yheo 😉
You saw the update too then Scott…
I know everything Rico 🙂
Except who this Yheo is…fill me in,please!
Ramsey is coming on…
It’s a brand of milk here in the UK Scott 😉
Gervinho tracking back….Giroud tracking back…Podolski tracking back…..it isn’t just the back 4 who are learning….it’s the entire side.
I am going to say this…..David Silva is the best player in the world….he simply must be!!
So the kid already has sponsorship…that is impressive.
Who is David Silva??
Real have equalised.
It’s so huge, it’s passed your eyes Scott….
Well Rico,if Cazorla is a poor mans Silva,then the bloke just has to be a world beater!!
Good! Hope they go on to win….
was jesting Scott….. 😉 I knew what you meant….
Lord forbid Santi gets a bad injury…
Isn’t the word pasteurised Rico??
Mannone, you little star….
I know Rico…i was hoping to get someone in though!!
Why is Bouldy still keeping Diaby in? he’s tired.
David Silva is one of the best but not before Iniesta.
What a save by the Italian
haha Scott, your turn to tease…
I don’t want to tempt fate,but Cazorla seems very strong and durable for a little bloke.
Nashua,read on all will be revealed on Silva 🙂
I’m going to say goodnight now as off to bed as soon as the final whistle goes, shattered….
Nighty all, and just hang on Arsenal, or go and score two more…
Til tomorrow, stay safe guys and gals….
Gee Arteta is copping some.
Seeya Rico.
I will be off to work when it’s over.
“Well Rico,if Cazorla is a poor mans Silva,then the bloke just has to be a world beater!!” Missed that; spot on.
I am glad i sucked someone in Nashua…thanks mate lol.
Real 3-2 up!
Not a fantastic game,but a fantasic result.
Catch you later guys.
A very frustrating match made hard by our own play.
Mannone looked solid to me, never panicked, strong with crosses, good positioning…
Back-four had a great shape again, luv our back-four…
Diaby did ok, with Jenks, Gibbs, we have more height to defend against crosses.
A good defensive display, a bit of luck, but at times you make your own luck by working hard…
No gung-ho brainless charging forward looking for a 3rd…
Sometimes you just hold what you have…
it’s not sparkling football, but it does the job…
Montpelier huffed and puffed, but i was very calm supping my twa watching it…
Stevo, calm down… 😉
http://twitter.com/Matias_Henry/status/248159731020095489/photo/1
http://twitter.com/SkysportsPics/status/248141162106474496/photo/1
http://twitter.com/Matias_Henry/status/248163784584204288/photo/1
3 pts thats all that matters, Tony Adams is a wanker.
For me. Very, very dodgy in the second half. Giroud cannot be as bad as he looks….Can he? Well, we won anyway, but blimey. Perhaps the International break caught up with them.
http://twitter.com/GoonerTalk/status/248164841846632451/photo/1
SP — Yes, three points is all that matters, but we they certainly nade it hard for themselves in the secon half.
Painful to watch CG, i know they were hanging on for a win but………
AK — You were waxing very lyrical about the sixties this morning. Did you have a fare to Itchycoo Park?
Just heard Adams being unnecessarily negative about the Arsenal team in general and the defence in particular.
So, so negative – so, so sad. Do you know I think he’s envious and jealous of their style and success so far this season and, he is neither wanted nor needed by the club. They’ve all moved on and left him behind.
You should always look for the positives Tony Adams sees only half empty glasses.
His attitude has really disappointed me.
dont think city will qualify
SP — Better that it happened now rather than later against a stronger team. Our defensive play saved the game for us, but I wouldn’t want to have to rely on it against the likes of Farcelona.
Me to Wavy, just how i felt
Wavy — Maybe he’s jealous that it is Steve Bould being groomed as Arsene’s successor and not himself.
Good to see us hang on for once! Bit lucky but there will be days where the reverse can be said. Belhanda looked a good player. Roll on Sunday.
First game, was a little negative in the second half and i was swareing my head off but 3 points.
I think we’ll hammer them at home
Hopefully we regain our composure for Sunday’s game at the Wastelands. That should give us a good indication of how good the squad really is.
This team is a lot better than we saw tonight, i have no doubts that we will be lifted for Sunday, a few days rest and we’ll be back to our best.I knew this game would be difficult as soon as Diaby was booked for his first tackle and a penalty was awarded for Virmins first tackle but what else do we expect were not liked and thats that.
http://arsenalist.com/video/?id=T54DZEmYMkQ&t=yt
Sign up, Walcott… and focus on fulfilling your potential at Arsenal before it’s too late
By Neil Ashton
PUBLISHED:00:01, 19 September 2012| UPDATED: 00:01, 19 September 2012
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Judging by the standards of like-minded players all over Europe last season, Theo Walcott ranks above-average when it comes to creativity.
He’s not a world class player. He’s not a great player. He is though, with 11 assists in an Arsenal shirt, a very good one.
If cups were handed out for creative players in Europe, then Walcott would make it to the quarter-final stage each season.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2205102/Theo-Walcott-sign-new-Arsenal-contract–Neil-Ashton.html#ixzz26sGAGaXm
Real Madrid’s menace Mesut Ozil had 19 assists during their title winning season at the Bernabeu. Team-mate Angel de Maria weighed in with 15.
In England David Silva, rewarded with a new five year contract worth £200,000 a week at Manchester City on Monday, had 17 assists.
Over in Germany, Bayern Munich star Franck Ribery (19) finished well clear of Marco Reus at Borussia Monchengladbach (12) and Bayern’s Thomas Muller (12).
Eden Hazard, playing at Lille in his final season before moving to Chelsea, was the architect of 18 goals in Ligue 1.
In Italy Andrea Pirlo – who else? – was the creator supreme during Juventus’ unbeaten run to the Serie A title with 13 assists from midfield.
Alex Song, who moved to Barcelona in the summer, was involved in as many assists as Walcott from the centre of Arsenal’s midfield.
They are impressive statistics for a team finishing in the top four every year, but they are not mind-blowing.
Walcott’s assets have been recognised by other players, notably by Robin van Persie during his final season at the club.
The former Arsenal striker, who scored 30 goals in the Barclays Premier League last season and assisted with 12 more, always made a special case for Walcott.
He made a significant contribution to Arsenal’s goal tally, but he is in danger of being left behind during his contractual dispute.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2205102/Theo-Walcott-sign-new-Arsenal-contract–Neil-Ashton.html#ixzz26sGSU400
Arsene Wenger’s team are moving on at a pace, changing the shape of the team and the personnel during his absence.
In the time it takes to reject a new contract at the club, Walcott has been shunted down the pecking order by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and the flexible midfielder Francis Coquelin.
After starting the opening game of the season against Sunderland, Walcott has been on the substitutes’ bench for games against Stoke, Liverpool, Southampton and Montpellier.
They coped just fine at Anfield without him, left on the bench as goals from Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla secured an impressive win.
When Walcott made it on to the field against Southampton last weekend, his 88th minute strike was of little consequence, other than personal satisfaction.
By then he had been jeered by a hardcore section of Arsenal supporters at the Emirates, making their displeasure known when he replaced Gervinho 15 minutes from time.
These are troubled times for Walcott, watching on as Arsenal settle into the rhythm of the season with an established starting line up.
He has been an Arsenal player for more than six years and has developed into a solid, dependable professional.
No-one can doubt his enthusiasm and work-rate, admirable qualities in an era when fast cars come ahead of fighting for a place in the first team for many young players.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2205102/Theo-Walcott-sign-new-Arsenal-contract–Neil-Ashton.html#ixzz26sGrNEJW
It is highly debatable whether he is even close to fulfilling the potential that Wenger and chief scout Steve Rowley spotted when he was at Southampton.
Then he was noted for scoring special goals, just as he did against Luton in December 2005 when he darted in from the left touchline before lobbing Dean Brill from the edge of the area.
Seven years ago he was a striker, and he was putting pressure on Wenger to restore him to the frontline at the beginning of last season.
That, publicly, is his preferred position, but he lacks the awareness and the schooling – but not the pace – to play up front.
In the past, there have been flashes of Walcott’s ability, but the very fact that they are on instant recall suggests a problem in itself.
The hat-trick against Croatia in Zagreb. The breathtaking run and cross for Emmanuel Adebayor’s goal against Liverpool at Anfield in the Champions League. The clever execution of his pass for Andrey Arshavin to score a fourth at Liverpool.
Those are special moment in his career for club and country, but the danger is that this flexible Arsenal team can finish teams of without him.
Coquelin’s emergence, along with his ability to play in a variety of different positions, has affected Walcott’s standing.
Oxlade-Chamberlain continues to make progress and even Gervinho, who had a difficult first season at the club, is back in the team.
At 23, he should be in the team, a huge dressing room influence after such a long time at the club. Instead he has been sidelined until further notice, dropped by Wenger and given a deadline to signal his intention to stay.
The sooner he signs, the sooner he can start his career again.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2205102/Theo-Walcott-sign-new-Arsenal-contract–Neil-Ashton.html#ixzz26sHNFXnF
AK/Rico…..being honest,Theo going would not be a great loss at all.
Yes,i’d prefer he stay,but if the little boy inside is telling him he is worth 100k a week,then the kids needs a smack on the arse.
If we have learned anything in the last month,it’s that Theo is nowhere near as indispensale as we all thought…Theo included.
He is a very good footballer,but not a great one.
I hope he realises that football isn’t all about money,and with decent advice and budgeting,he can manage to scrape by on 75k a week,because if he doesn’t,he will definitely be setting himself up for a rather large fall.
If this post makes no sense,it is because i have been up since 4.30 and had a few beers.
If it does indeed make sense,i offer the same excuses 🙂
Morning all, did we win?? 😉
Say all that again Scott 😉
New Post up…..
Good morning all,
Lets enjoy the win guys. Every team needs luck and we got ours last night.
This was the head line after the Chavs beat Barca on 24/04/12 -‘Barcelona boss Guardiola left to rue Messi penalty miss after Chelsea KO. & ‘Drog gives Blues the edge’
The headline this morning by sky after we beat Montpellier last night:- Arsenal ‘were lucky’
Question marks remain over Gunners’ defence, says Adams