Morning all.
Three clubs in the top four have won nothing, zilch, zero! Yet Arsenal have been the ones who have been almost laughed at having missed out for the first time under Arsene Wenger. Yet I wonder how many of those three managers would rather be sitting in Arsene Wenger’s seat this morning?
The FA Cup is massive favourite for me and although some maybe even many might disagree, I prefer the historic competition over every trophy apart from the Premier League, so I’m happy that’s for sure. Not just because we won it though but the fashion in which we did. Not one player let themselves down yesterday, not one.
The day itself was glorious with warm temperatures and bright sunshine gracing the Wembley Stadium, the neighbours new home for next season. Little did we know that unlike them who struggle to perform at the big stadium, we were in for a treat. The kind of football which was last season somewhat thirteen years ago. This was the Arsene of old, the Arsenal of old and I loved it!
The Chelsea players were too obsessed with which top to wear whilst going through their pre-match routine, they forgot to wear their black armbands in the first half out of respect of those who lost their lives in Manchester. If that was bad enough, Victor Moses throwing his armband to the ground after being shown a red card later in the game, was disgraceful!
The minutes silence before kickoff was honoured immaculately by all and rightly so.
Then the game kicked off and it wasn’t long before all was clear to see that this Arsenal team were up for the big occasion. Alexis Sanchez opened the scoring within the first few minutes in unusual circumstances. A hint of handball in the buildup, an offside flag and a conflab between the linesman and Anthony Taylor, left me with my heart in my mouth. Danny Murphy on the Beeb was saying repeatedly, ‘it’s a goal’ and he was right, it was and we’d grabbed the first goal of the game.
This Arsenal team were on fire. Each and every one of the them were chasing down everything, they were on the Chelsea players in a flash and going forward we looked good, very very good. This wasn’t going to be a day like when we rolled over at Stamford Bridge, no, we were going to make a game of it and that’s just what we did.
By the time the halftime whistle blew, the game should have been all but over as we had chance after chance to increase our lead. The woodwork stood in our way three times and I thought those misses would come back to haunt us. Chelsea were really poor during that first half but that was down to us, not them. We simply didn’t allow them any time to find their rhythm.
The game opened up a bit in the second half and Chelsea had a few decent chances but either good defending or goalkeeping, preserved our lead. A special mention for Per Mertesacker who shone, as did his young prodigy alongside him.
Then came a big moment in the game for Anthony Taylor. Moses, who’d already been booked, went over in the box. Taylor stood crouched with a perfect view and after a split second, blew his whistle. Just as I was about to lambaste him for awarding a spot kick, he’d given us the free kick and Moses was off. Brave call, a strong call and the right call. Chelsea were down to ten, surely this was going to be our day.
But then that ghastly man Costa beat Ospina with a shot the Colombian really should have saved. 1-1.
What now, was the question on my mind. Another collapse as we’ve seen so many times before? Well, before I could even answer my own question, Ollie, who’d by now come off the bench for Welbeck, did really well on the left and with his left foot, (ok, he’s only got a left foot) sent a ball into the box. Ramsey did what he does best and timed his run to perfection and popped up in the box to nod home past the helpless Courtois to restore our lead.
And that’s how it remained…
I wasn’t expecting that! A defence down to it’s bare bones, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain thrown in on the left and a midfield pairing of Ramsey and Xhaka – who’d have thought that group of players would have totally bossed a Chelsea attack in the way it did? Not to mention David Ospina who apart from their goal and being too quick to release the ball towards the end of the game, had a solid performance. Mesut Ozil tackling, one of which he got away with made me smile. He and Sanchez really were great to watch.
To be fair they all were, even Arsene Wenger who for just one day held a beaming smile for ages at the end of the game. The old and tired looking face had disappeared, he had a spring in his step and no doubt joy in his heart.
Yesterday was a very very special day for The Arsenal. Not just because we won the FA Cup for a record number of times, not because Arsene Wenger won it for a record number of times either but we won it having played the team who had been superb all season, the Premier League Champions. And we played them off the park! 2-1 was enough, but 5-1 would have told the real story….
What a wonderful to say goodbye to what has otherwise been an awful season but give me the FA Cup trophy over a top four spot any day of the week.
Thanks Arsene, thanks Arsenal and a special thanks to all the Arsenal players who made the next few months more bearable.
Have a great summer guys. HH will keep going but after we’ve milked the FA Cup victory, the posts will be scaled down a bit. Unless of course there’s some exciting news to talk about. Talking of which, Arsene Wenger has said he future will be made clear this week but today doesn’t seem to be the right day to talk about that.
Tomorrow maybe… 😉
Fantastic post, Rico and I`m on your side……..FA Cup all the time for me !…………..show me someone who says they get this excited with a 2nd, 3rd, 4th place and I will show you a liar !………………………..I feell GREATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT !
hahahaha
Thanks Lc.
I think I’m still in shock. I really am. I thought we were absolutely fantastic…
Morning from Spain Rico, good opening post and straight to the point. We are FA Cup winners 2017!!! Yaaaaay.
The atmosphere must have been electric in that stadium before, during and after the game, perfect weather. there is nothing like the FA Cup when it all comes together like that.
As Le CM said, it beats a top four ending hands down, and every prem player must have been envious yesterday. Two great managers, both real gentlemen (shame they are both foreign, lol).
So, is fat Spam waiting in the wings? Moyes? Both resign just in time to be on standby if Stan the man calls them.
Greedy Fireman Spam the spiv, might be a saviour to some, but please not Arsenal.
Morning Meerkat. Thanks, just wish we’d battered them as they truly deserved…
Top self post rico that reflects a top shelf performance,
Up The Arse! They would have beaten any team in the world yesterday. And that’s saying something. I watched the Barca/Messi Copa del Ray show straight after the big one, The Arse would have torn them another one yesterday?
Morning All
Thanks Gg. Not sure we’d have beaten a Barca side, but I get your point.. 😉
Love it that they are singing my current favourite song of the moment at the end !
I know I might get howled down for saying this but Xhaka would make a gr8 captain. He still needs work I know but yesterday showed he can adapt!
Quote of the day, yesterday that is, care of gnarley g.
“All things bright & beautiful, all creatures gr8 & small, Arsenal won the FA Cip?
& Tottenham win fuck all?
And don’t we all agree?
Brilliant.
Cheers Wavy?
John Terry finished his Chelsea career as he started it, on the bench & getting flogged by The Arsenal!
That’s for the highlights Le Cornwall?
Xhaka has got better as the season has gone on has’t he. It’s been funny reading around the blogs, many of which suggest he was a waste of money. He seems to have curbed his rashness and is looking like a very good player. He’s clearly taken time to adjust and maybe next season he’ll start dominating our midfield.
Who is right man to pair him though? Is he already at Arsenal or do we need to sign someone whose job is just to protect the defence and break up attacking play…? I’d say the latter…
With a CDM, a proper one, we’d have a very strong midfield imo…
Xkhaka, Elneny, Ramsey, Santi & AN Other..
*Thanks
When costa equalised, I went & had a ‘snakes hiss’ & thought to myself @ least we won’t get flogged, when I came back Rambo did an Alan Sunderland?
Goooooooood Morning Rico and all ya trophy lovers…
It really really change my take of the season …..
Fantastic to beat the Chavs as well.The only regreat is we should have battered them at least 5-1.
Morning Alex.
Will have to watch the game again later after I`ve exercised, grass and sunbathed !………………the score may say it was a close game, but we really did outplay them totally and I dont want to hear the …”Chelsea were poor”….excuse………we were superb….. end of !
Still cant stop grinning !……….enjoy it…………..Despacito………………………… 🙂
Let’s not forget we beat Man city to get to the final….. I hope for heaven’s sake we carry this into the next season…. The noisy neighbours have no trophy to show for their troubles as their only trophy this season was finishing above arsenal…. FA Cup over top 4 any day.
I’ve yet t watch Motd Lc, seeing Linekars face again will bring a smile to my face…
Fantastic post Rico… Morning all
Morning rico, House. Great report making me smile continually.
After watching at home, my daughter said she was in a pub 5 miles away in Leigh-On-Sea filled with Arsenal fans. Well, we needed a drink after watching that, as pretty drained by it all! After parking, cheers went out from some as Barbara and I walked past another pub with our old JVC shirts on, mine with Rocastle on the back! As we walked into the pub where my 30 year old daughter was, people I’d never met jumped up, shaking hands and hugging me, and discussing the game. It took about 10 minutes before I managed to get away and say hello to my daughter. Never in my life have I been so proud to wear an Arsenal shirt.
Just read the post Rico, it was one of your best, from the heart, well done…
I spoke to my Kev awhile ago, who has now seen Arsenal win 8 FACups and has never seen us lose an FACup final.
Keep it up my son…. x
There is a part of me that cannot help but wonder where this team has been hiding all season?
Myself and many on here have opined at how good this squad really is and have been frustrated at their ability to underachive.
Well they’ve set the bar, there’s no bloody CL next season, nothing to overload us and exhaust the players so maybe Arsene does have one more league title in him?
Thanks Bondex, Andrew. Morning to you both…
Nice one Andrew..
Thanks Kev and morning to you.
I enjoyed writing that one, albeit it was half way through the night… 🙂
Totally agree, bar set now and now to push on. I’m not convinced Arsene Wenger is the man to do that, far from it but if this useless owner/boar give him a new contract, then all we can do is hope that yesterday was a sign of how we’ll play next season, although I think I’ve written that before to no avail.
Get Ozil and Sanchez signed up, the left back too and then fill the gaps which need filling with proper footballers who are real winnings and battlers…
Great reading the happiness of my fellow Gooners and although we may not know each other from Adam……….well, apart from Lee, Kev and Rico who know Adam 🙂 ………………………and we may disagree sometimes, but it`s great when it comes of to perfection like yesterday………we have a bond as we are a family of Gooners from all corners of Earth……………………….and possibly further like Uranus !
😆
Odd that by far our two best performances of the season, should be against the same club, Chelsea.
Although I’ve been brought back down to earth after reading The Sun Dream Team ratings. MOTM, Ramsey with SEVEN out of 10. Same as Hazard and about 5 other Chelsea players! Merts not worth an 8, Sanchez, Ozil, Monreal? Must have been usual poor Arsenal after all…….
Love to hear from the hyperactive duo of Scott and Goonster about yesterday !
🙂
Great post Rico.
Andrew you must be a neighbour of Mr Allezkev then!
It wasn’t the Peter Boat in Leigh on sea was it? 🙂
No, the Broker just off The Broadway. Do spend a few warm summer afternoons and evenings at the Peterboat though, and buy a few cockles!
https://twitter.com/AFCCentralHQ/status/868577623928172544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.arseblog.com%2F2017%2F05%2Frob-holding-you-know%2F
https://twitter.com/AFCCentralHQ/status/868740205406294016
Cockles? An acquired taste. 🙂
I have taken the sea walk from Chalkwell to Leigh many times and indulged in shrimps when I got there.
Yep, I’m looking forward to visiting the seaside very soon…
Prawns with vinegar and pepper, delicious
The Sun Lc, what do they know eh… lol
Thanks Adam… 🙂
Winkles , Prawns and cockles , brown bread and a cup cake . Sunday tea when I was a kid.
Excellent vid
The oldest football cup competiton in the world and we are the Kings of it………………The Arsenal.
😉
I thought so too Adam… ?
Meanwhile elsewhere the hunt still carries on for some silverware……………………
https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/styles/article_small/public/thumbnails/image/2017/05/15/14/spurs-lane-1.jpg
BBC News a few weeks into the future………………………………………”Diggers at White Hart Lane finally come across some silverware !……having been digging for weeks on end they broke into Arsenal`s FA Cup trophy room causing major disruptions to the Piccadilly and Victoria lines !…………A spoke person for THFC said…..” we were so close to a trophy in our best season for 56 years, we thought we would borrow one for the fans !”
Am still ecstatic!
Seeing Per, Holding and Monreal throw themselves for this block is the kind of commitment and desire I’d like to see often. Personally was my highlight of the game.
Oh and Kev, good one on Per assessment. He was outstanding!
https://twitter.com/FFArsenal/status/868771922812829696
Marshall, we have a bloody good squad of players, keep Alexis & Ozil, add a couple of quality players and the potential is there to really go places.
We’ve all said this on here ad nauseam, that’s what pisses everyone off…
Excellent post Rico, one of your best.
As an athlete and a fan, I will take winning a one and out tournament over any season long trophy at anytime, simply because it is more difficult. Not the least of it is the intensity and the Mental Strength (lol) that is required. Moreover, this year FA was a lot better than recent years; as Bondex said lets not forget we beat City in the semis that had 3 top teams (Arsenal, City and Chelsea – all proven trophy winners and one mid-table team, that I think doesn’t have any throhies).
The team was great yesterday and showed confidence from the beginning to the end. AW thinks we need 3 players, I hope thats with Ozil and Sanchez. I will get: LB Alex Sandro, MF Ratikic and ST Adrea Silva or Aguero since Pep don’t rate him. I still believe that with proper coaching Chambers will become good and will also give Jeff a chance he’s better than Iwobi.
Afternoon Rico and All
Pity really…The chance to rub the silver wear into
our brassed Off neighbours,with the open top bus.
Amazing the yids CD is still not out yet.
Yer squad looks Ok to me,
We got touch tight for a change,back behind the ball
and aggressive,The chavs like me thought it would be a stroll
great to be surprised and wrong,just wish me and the lads got together
yesterday..We never fancied us.
So we all hid behind the Sofa.
If we can find a leader out of this lot,a Striker and at least
another strong midfielder.Not much wrong..Me thinks
Would nice if Arsene joined The Darby and Joan Club Now.
Another Arsenal- Chelsea, a cup for win and another game in Totts “stadium” at next Charity Shield (is not the actual name, I Know).
If AW hope he recorded last European Cup final and understand this: Ajax had the best attack, the highest number of shots and the highest number of goals, to reach the final. It was inoperative, had no opportunities and did not shoot to the goal. He had greater percentage of possession of ball but the best opportunities were for MU. Analysis: a) MU played in the Ajax error and above all, in the disposition when attacking. B) The MU full-backs, do not attack. There are tight defensive lines that do not give way to attacking initiatives. C) Defense and the midfield form a block. They attack in counterattack and in the fouls and the corners.
The differences when Arsenal meet Mourinho’s teams are nil. Other teams, whose coach asked for information from Mourinho, play the same way against Arsenal.
I hope AW (if it continues …)readt the game carefukky and get a perfect antidote to overcome this issue.
Kev, true we have a good squad. Always 2-3 players away. As I said afew days ago I think a left(wing) back, a mid and a striker will do us good.
Keep Per to tutor Holding and Chambers.
I’d like a Kross type of a midfielder.
I like the idea of getting mr 90+4 min from City. About time they paid us back for all the players we’ve sold them. Aguero is easily a 20+ goal striker. Add 20 more from Sanchez. Sell Theo.
Problem is such players wont come cheap (fee + wages). And Arsenal love cheap.
Yes Marshall, both Per and Holding showed what commitment means..
Thanks Obi. Haven’ we already snapped up a Lb? A Mr Utility man he is too, something which I forgot, so no CDM then, well, that will possibly be AW’s thoughts..
Afternoon Fred.
I didn’t mention him because I dont think we can get either but, but imagine Claudio Marchsio or Verratti with any pairing of Santi, Xhaka or Elnery.
And there`s always Sanogo !……………………
Yes LC……leading the line. At least 20 goals….lol.
Isn’t his contract up this summer?
Heard today in Spain, that a newspaper over here is saying that Le Prof is definitely leaving. The personal, disgusting comments and abuse he has suffered from Arsenal fans, in person and online, have really shaken him and he didn’t believe it possible.
It is something he will never forget, and is the reason he is leaving.
There is a board meeting on Tuesday to discuss it, but he will need some convincing to stay now.
He must have been reading Lg Meerkat… lol
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/05/27/arsene-wenger-says-will-never-forget-disgraceful-criticism-has/
https://twitter.com/MesutOzil1088/status/868857478452314118?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.givemesport.com%2F1064421-mesut-ozil-responds-on-twitter-to-experts-who-backed-chelsea-to-win-the-fa-cup
I think many of us thought it would be a comprehensive victory too…
Yes, Rico.
I too thought we were going to get stuffed, but when I found out Wenger was going to use my idea of Ox as a left wing back I thought we would win 2-1 with Alexis and Ramsey scoring ! hahahaha
Well Lc, you had more faith than I. I was simply left most pleasantly surprised… 🙂
Rico @6:30, yes but discussions are on going for an extension beyond June 2017. We are holding out for Theo like money……lol
AW might be going because Emre is about to be let go by PSG, if they can find a high profile manager.
Ha ha Obi, thank goodness I know you’re kidding…
Are you suggesting Emre to Arsenal r Wenger to Psg? Lol
Night guys.
Arsene to PSG is our only hope rico and might be worth a flutter.
Meerkat 6.54 “There is a board meeting to discuss it, he will need some convincing to stay now”…..funniest thing I’ve read in ages.
Rico, AW to PSG they want him…..
Wow! Super day, super performance!
I think that falls into the category ‘Didn’t see that coming!’
My opinion on the team is –
Ospina – 6.5 Got over his first-half injury scare to make some crucial saves, but was marshalled well by a strangely solid defensive unit.
Holding – 7 What a fantastic first season for the young lad. A natural who will only get better and should serve Arsenal and England for years.
Mertesacker – 8 Only played 56 minutes all season before yesterday, but delivered a commanding Captain’s performance. He shackled Costa superbly.
Monreal – 7 Wrongly booked in the first-half, he held himself together and gave another solid performance to cement what has been a decent season for him.
Bellerin – 7 Seemed really up for the challenge yesterday, and he seems to have regained some confidence too. A lot more to come from him.
Xhaka – 8.5 On another day he would’ve been man of the match. He stepped up where Coquelin had previously failed by brilliantly nullifying the threat of Hazard. His best game yet (for me).
Ramsey – 8 Another energetic performance from a player who continues to divide opinion.
History will record that he now has two FA Cup winning goals to his name, and you can’t knock that.
Ox – 6 Contributed to the cause and got a third Cup winners medal without looking over-threatening, but it was an unfamiliar position.
Ozil – 5 Peripheral for most of the game, did have a couple of chances which he wasted and hit the post when it looked easier to score. Has to be a candidate for the exit door.
Sanchez – 9 Everything that’s currently good about Arsenal, and very much a player to build the team around. Brilliant as usual yesterday. What handball???
Welbeck – 5 No-where near clinical enough in front of goal, he might improve, but goal-scoring is often instinctive, and he doesn’t have it. I’m beginning to think Louis van Gaal was right about him.
Subs – 6.
Arsene Wenger – 9 For trumping us doubters and winning his seventh FA Cup.
A weird, crappy season, but a wonderful end. We now have as many FA Cups as we have titles.
Funny perhaps, but true nevertheless micko.
It seems likely that he will be leaving because of the personal abuse.
It’s unlikely they will convince him to stay apparently, even though the owner and board want him to.
It’s good to laugh, so help yourself to another chuckle.
Even though I want him to move on, I don’t find it even slightly funny, (a bit sad actually that it comes to this) and will find it even less so when a good replacement can’t be found and we settle for a crap one.
Let’s all have a laugh about that shall we, we are already being laughed at here in Spain for, in their opinions, being disrespectful and treating Wenger like a piece of shit.
Fat Spam is waiting in the wings for the call.
https://video.flhr2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t42.1790-2/18780938_110081302866680_2154896228976951296_n.mp4?efg=eyJ2ZW5jb2RlX3RhZyI6InN2ZV9zZCJ9&oh=13f6634cb5529936d1b66527e534bf04&oe=592B7E4D
It would be sad for him leaving due to abuse I wouldn’t want that for him tbh…
although Wenger himself and the board played their part in all of this..
We haven’t been challenging for the title for yrs constantly collapsing in Europe.. with embarrassing results… that has been repeated yr after yr… Wenger hasn’t been able to fix it and the board are just fucking pathetic.
It was inevitable the fans would get fucked off..
Why did it take banners, planes, abuse etc to get a response from the players/club?
I’m not sure he’ll leave just yet I think he’ll stay for 1 more yr and if he does I’m sure the fans will get behind him for his final season but him and the club need to state that…
all this secrecy carry on has been frustrating the fans all season imo.
Just wanna apologise Meerkat, think we got off on the wrong foot, I had no idea we were a laughing stock in Spain, I fell terrible now.
It’s not like the Spanish are a disrespectful lot are they, you’d never catch them waving white hankies or throwing pigs heads on pitches when they want a new manager in.
And by the way I’m with you we’ll only end up getting a crap replacement, no-one can replace Arsene.
I don,t know personally, the sooner he fucks the better, Great day Saturday, so much so that he,s decided to keep his medal but 13 years of consistent failures and countless humiliations cannot be swept aside for a cup win that came on back of an abysmal season. And the “I invite you one day to live with me and one thing you cannot question is my commitment, comments, I now find fucking odious and boring
Even in victory, some cannot show enough class to simply congratulate the man.
LC, If by some miracle you see this, I’m ecstatic for the man, and really couldn’t care less how happy or unhappy the abusers are, because they aren’t worth worrying about.
WOW Flipping heck Scott…; thought I will check HH this a.m and you are back from the living dead…;Nice one if this post comes through…;
Micko I must say you are losing your punch line 🙂
Donde estas Meerkat .?
For years we have been saying that it’s possible that Wenger has been pushed up front as the fall guy for he board , now it seems that he has had enough and is putting the blame on them. We have all been aware that there was in fighting in the club this season and thought it was with Sanchez and the other players but maybe the Wenger/ Gazidis rumour was the true one after all.
Morning.. Scott & Tsgh nice to see yous back.
just looked at the 3 at the back system since its been introduced we’ve played 10, scored 20 conceded 7…
This lad kolasinac could be a nice addition to that system.
Morning all.
Yes, rumours of my demise were slightly exaggerated 🙂
Perfect time (again) for Arsene to retire?
I said that after the ’14 final yet he soldiered on.
The old bugger has 9 lives but seriously, he’s done a fantastic job of late, albeit too late to save the season.
My tip remains he will leave, but again, based on gut feel alone, though him keeping his medal does raise intrigue.
What a performance!!!!
Players we’d written off recently have shown that with a change of formation and attitude, anything is possible.
Whoever manages us next season has a very solid basis to build from.
Mertesacker starts one game this season and wins more silverware than Tottenham.
There’s a stat we should all love!
Hi Scott , got a new hamster to power your electicity supply ? Nice to have your succinct comments back. No doubt you can keep us informed on the upcoming trip to Sydney and any fall outs that we should know about . You could be our honory ITK or share the job with GG.
More bodies , more opinions , more chat , makes the world go round .
Good to see Tsgh posting again too.
Problem is if he has decided to leave it has left us at a bit of a disadvantage… the club could have been working on a replacement months ago..
Pre season is only 7wks away..
I think he’ll stay anyhow put us back in the champions league and walk away.
Morning Rico and all. Herb. Surely that score for Ozil is a touch on the low side? 🙂
I thought he was excellent when picking the ball up from the defence and turning it into an attack. But you’re right in that he should have scored and he does tend to look a bit ‘leggy’ toward the end of games for sure. After a particularly shocking period when he was not alone at being generally awful, he finished the season well. The whole team did actually.
Morning Adam, all.
Similar with Welbeck imo, worked his socks off all game, put big pressure on their defence but when it came to it, he fluffed his lines in front of goal.
Shame for both really as a 5-1 scoreline would have been quite sweet…
Kel. I think they all know what’s happening with AW by now..
That is a worry with welbeck his goal return, a great worker no doubt his attitude is second to none but ultimately it’s about putting the ball in the net.
I’d love to see Arsenal go on the offensive in the transfer market rather than sit and try to fend off bids for our players.
Go rattle Bayerns cage or Dortmud with 60m offer for muller or Aubameyang…
And the latter of those two is up for sale Kel, I read he wants to move on to pastures new…
Well money talks Rico… we need a top drawer striker to fire us back up the league to show the fans and the likes of Sanchez and co we have ambition..
The money is there we’ve been hoarding it for yrs offer him a big salary and go for it….
But of course this is Arsenal and I’m dreaming. ?
It does Kel and that’s where it falls down for us. If Wenger is still manager, he’ll be too frightened to spend the kind of money it would take to get a top top striker…
Morning all and I dont know about you lot, but I still feel Greattttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt ! hahahaha
Come on Herb !, that`s a bit low scoring for Mesut !………………..they all get a 10 from me and Wenger only gets a 5 because he got the Ox at Left Wing Back from me ! hahaha
Great to see Scott has been released from a Kangaroo Colony !….it`s been a while, but when your as slow as Mertesacker it takes time to get around all them good looking `roo`s.
😆
I think I`ll watch the game again as I`ve only watched it 5 times so far !.
😀
😀
😀
😀
😀
Morning Rico, Adam, Scott and All
Cocker, just watched that tunnel cam from Wembley, great to see TR07 in the tunnel.
Known looked as excited as any fan, the Mertesaker Final indeed.
I’ve not seen any news today, but Tuesday/Wednesday could be interesting.
I’ve believed all along, and still do, that Wenger will stay, but a very good mate of mine has maintained that he’ll be leaving, not sure if he has any inside info or not, but a part of me is beginning to think that he may well be correct and despite some rumours im not sure that I’ve seen categorically that the Max Allegri has re-signed at Juve and to me, he’s the stand out candidate – or should be….
Looks like Mansour Cty have spent over £80m already on two players !……………….come on Arsene !…………….need to get you on the stretch rack for them arms, so you can reach down into your deep pockets !
Yes, Kev………loved seeing Tomas again and with out any bandages/splints/crutches/treatment table/life support machine etc` ……….
😆
Morning Kev. Hope your mate is right. Ditto re Allegri, many rumours but nothing concrete although is was suggested that he’d announce it after the CL final…
Wenger staying imo too.
Yes Cocker, Tomas looked very well, what a shame that injury robbed us so much football from not only Rosicky, but Eduardo and Diaby, we’ve certainly not been lucky on that score.
It’s looking that way Rico, two more years, two more FACups perhaps? ?
I’ve not read any of it as it’s probably crap, but I don’t like seeing headlines attributed to AOC and how he wants to be the new Gerrard.
Why would Alex want to be a chav..?
I’m 90% sure he’s made up his mind to leave. His going now will leave the King makers, at the club, in a bit Of a quandary, IG, who will have to find and install a DoF urgently will be in the soft and smelly if they can’t find a suitable replacement for the pensioner. Allegri or Jardim would be my fantasy picks but, I suspect neither will be appointed. We are far more likely to end up with Gary Monk or possibly the Crowleys! Cheap and available!
Leaving could be Wenger’s final revenge. A vacuum to be filled by a workman like manager/coach who dispassionately will not ‘love’ the club like he does/did and not ‘love’ the players either. I may be wrong but, I think the club will see itself slide away from the top of the league and Wenger will watch on, telling all and sundry that it was his club and he knew how to run it efficiently! All said with his most sardonic grin and Gallic shrug to send us on our way.
Revenge is sweet but best taken cold! And it will be cold at the end of next season,
Please don’t even think for one nano second that I want him to stay, I do not! It’s time for a change and, the time is now!
But, don’t get carried away with the mistaken belief that the hirers and fires at the Arsenal are proactive or persuasive or even generous enough to find and appoint a first rate replacement. Imo they are not savvy enough or I suspect, clever enough to achieve anything more than an average journeyman chef!!
Morning all. In keeping with my post, it’s dull, cold and wet here!
I can see where you are coming from Wavy and it’s easy to be cynical, as I often am, about Gazides, his competence and those around him, but Arsenal is one of the biggest jobs in world football, so getting a top man to take over from AW wouldn’t be an issue imo.
Evening all,
Just a bit off topic, but a question to Le Cornwall. Is Tintagel Castle actually the site of King Arthur’s Castle, or just myth like Tottenhams supposed last 1st Division tiltle?
Hahaha GG…………………..over hyped shit hole, just like Shite Fart Pain if you ask me !……………………the only decent thing in Tintagel is Granny Wobbly`s Fudge Shop !.
Not an expert, but just hype imo for tourists.
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/tintagel-castle/history-and-legend/
Thankyou LC ?
Hate to break the news wavy but we have fallen away from the top of the league.. ?
Cocker are there still witches around your manor?
Should be more clear………………the Castle and coast are ok, but the village of Tintagel it`s self are an aquired taste………..well, apart from Wobbly`s ! hahaha……………………it`s a weakness of mine !
https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/05/ae/20/c6/granny-wobbly-s-fudge.jpg
Morning guys got married(again) over the weekend. Arsenal gave me the greatest wedding present ever. I ve gone back and watched that game again and believe me folks, we were immense. Rambo played out of his skin. My man xhaka whom most fans were bad mouthing even though its his fucking first season showed a glimpse of what to come. Ozil was unbelievable. God that has to be his best game for arsenal. Per the BFG was a monstrosity at the back. Much like Leonidas and his band of 300 spartan warriors. God we were purring like a well oiled german tiger tank. God bless the Arsenal. I ve got tears in my eyes. The question is why dont we play like this often? Why?
My Mother-in-Law lives in the annexe next door, Kev !……………………………..Boscastle for witches normally !
Two FA Cups would be nice Kev… 🙂
Just read a comment from Ox on the official site, he’s talking about next season etc etc so hopefully, if he wants to be the new Gerrard, it’ll be in an Arsenal shirt…
I think he’ll stay now he’s playing a lot more and he seems happy.
I like Tintagel Lc, had a photo taken of me in the suit of armour just a couple of summers ago. There’s also a nice picture Aden Turner in the tourist information centre… 🙂
Congratulations Goonster on your Sentence…………..sorry…………….marriage !
😆
Actually the time was 6 months ago. The decision should have been taken then but all the procrastination has left the club short of time to find a replacement. I still believe that he wll get his two years because of the boards incompetence which will leave them totally unprepared. I reckon Gazidis’ changes relate to bringing in his replacement for two years time.
LC ???? sentence indeed. Thanks mate.
Congrats Goonster, I hope that poor lady knows what she’s letting herself in for… 😉
Shall I give you the phone number of my Gooner Chef mate at Charletown, Rico, for when Aiden turns up for some filming ?………………………..
🙂
Geez rico am not that bad am i?? ???
Absolutely Potter re Wenger, if as suggested the final decision will be made tomorrow then it’s shocking planning by the board/owner. Like you though, I’m sure he’s staying.
Yes please Lc.. 🙂
Tell you what Rico………………..I`ll get Bryn to have him get you a signed photo if he turns up……..only problem is I think that the Charlestown harbour put up the prices for filming there by a substantial amount and they may go else where…………..but I`ll let Bryn know just in case !.
That would be fab Lc, thank you….
🙂 goonster.
https://twitter.com/mikesanz19/status/868939928960471044?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Farsenalarsenal.net%2F2017%2F05%2F28%2Fin-the-merry-month-of-may-player-ratings%2F
https://twitter.com/_AndyHa/status/869122882592485376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Farsenalarsenal.net%2F2017%2F05%2F28%2Fin-the-merry-month-of-may-player-ratings%2F
Out of the box thinking here, but wouldn`t it be great for Arsenal to come out at the Ems to this song !……………………it was being played in the Wembley dressing room after the win !……………………..I`m also in negotiations for the main woman in the video to be a season loan exchange with my missus ! hahaha
Bet the Spuds wish they could play as well as we do on their new home ground !
🙂
https://twitter.com/NickVann1987/status/868863240079626240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Farsenalarsenal.net%2F2017%2F05%2F28%2Fin-the-merry-month-of-may-player-ratings%2F
Today is Arshavin`s birthday !…………………bet he takes a slow walk upto his cake and is too knackered to blow the candles out ! 😆
Cant understand the excitement, I`d much rather have got 4th place !
https://twitter.com/afcstuff/status/868883165808656384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Farsenalarsenal.net%2F2017%2F05%2F28%2Fin-the-merry-month-of-may-player-ratings%2F
😆
Obviously I`ve got nothing better to do, but in my defence I`m still on a massive high ! hahaha
https://twitter.com/flxrrp_/status/868937123822436353?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Farsenalarsenal.net%2F2017%2F05%2F28%2Fin-the-merry-month-of-may-player-ratings%2F
You enjoying yourself Lc? 😉
Hi All.
Been very quiet recently, but, that game Saturday has rekindled my hope, zest and excitement for Arsenal’s future.
Where that performance came from I will
never know. Thoroughly spanked them. Could have easily been five or six.
Herb, good to see, like me, you give praise where it belongs. Nice reply buddy, respect.
Le Cock. Loving the music. I agree totally, would be fantastic to hear that bellowing out at the Ems when our warriors run through the tunnel.
I start training my Sons team this Wednesday, trying to get them fit and ready for the new season and I am going to have that playing while we do some Brazilian samba stuff. LOL.
Like Cockey, I’m off to watch the replay AGAIN.
This will last until Wengers announcement come Wednesday or Thursday, Rico ! hahaha
Hahaha………..great stuff Vics !
The word here, from my “sauces”, is that Stan will leave it up to AW as to whether he goes or stay; not surprising. If he leaves, their man is Allegri. In January Allegri refused to resign with Juve and IG meet with him in February to discussed a possible move to Arsenal. Whether is this year or next, Allegri is their man.
Ironically after the cup win AW said that we will know after the weekend. I have heard that if Allegri wins Saturday and AW leaves, Juve would let him out of any contract.
AW to PSG is very possible, Al-Khelaifi is not happy with Emre especially after the French cup.
If am wrong then my “sauce” will be wrong for the first time.
The Royals ko in an hour, i’m hoping for two great victories over this BH weekend…
VCC, if anyone can’t praise that performance on Saturday, they must be living up there somewhere with the Clangers… 🙂
Tomato or Brown Obi? 😉
Ditto Lc, my happy bubble will burst if AW stays for another two years….
Rico a little if both.. and highly placed. Top shelf. Lol
Congratulation Stan, what’s her name, where did you meet her Stan, come on mate…
Ha ha Obi…
Is that your Cilla impersonation Kev?
Brown on a sausage sandwich/roll.
Red on a bacon sandwich/roll.
Lorra lorra laffs Rico… ?
Kev`…………………I have a bacon and sausage roll ( all cooked on my George Foreman grill so it`s healthy 🙂 )
so what do you recommend ?……. a bit of both ?
Big Tones not happy !
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4552160/Arsenal-legend-Tony-Adams-Arsene-Wenger-blocked-return.html
Also possibly one slice of a cucumber short of a picnic ?…………………………
http://dailycannon.com/2017/05/tony-adams-i-used-to-smash-bottles-on-my-head/
How about a surprising stat ?
Most Arsenal goals in a season:
135 – 1930/31
124 – 1934/35
121 – 2016/17
Hi all.
My marks reflect my feelings of the game, I’m not suggesting that Ozil is useless, but at Arsenal he has been a bit of a passenger who has been over-indulged by a manager desperate to prove he spent wisely.
He was okay on Saturday, not blindingly brilliant. He cost more than Hazard, but he never owned the game or dictated our pace of play, as expensive players of his ilk are supposed to do.
The euphoria of winning the Cup in the way that we did can hide many issues, and it’s too easy to go with the line that everyone had a great game.
Some had a great game, most had a good game, a few were average.
There are valid reasons for Ozil’s languid often insipid displays, so I don’t lay all the blame at his door, but I’ve been as fair as I can be.
Apart from enthusiasm and willingness to run, I see Welbeck on the same level as Giroud.
I can understand why Wenger bought him – cheap home-grown international – but I don’t think he’s good enough, and he proved this again on Saturday. If he wants to be part of a successful club he needs to spend the summer working on his end product.
We’ve had him quite a while now, most of that time he’s been injured. When a player comes back from injury after so long, it usually creates a ripple of excitement, I’m not sure that’s the case with Welbeck.
I agree Rico, he did have a good appetite and work-rate, but you or I could run around the park looking busy, it won’t turn us into Messi. He was allowed to get away with being poor on Saturday because of the whole team performance, but in isolation, he needs to bring more to the table.
Hi VCC, good to see you blogging and fighting the cause. Seen you here a couple of times but somehow missed you. I hope you’re keeping well.
And the feisty Ausie is back because there’s always a few cages that need rattling. Bring on the battle of the cage-rattlers!
I`ve just had a brilliant, but simple idea of how to keep the AKB`s and the Wenger Out`s all happy !…………………………………Arsene is kept on as just our FA Cup Manager !
😉
Tabasco sauce Cocker
Herb, re Welbeck, it could be that his injuries are the cause of much of his misses, a good run next season without injury might just be what he needs…
What about the goals conceded Lc? ?
Now lets not be negative, Rico ! 😀
In other words …..I dont know ! 😀
🙂 Lc, I suspect it’s a lot…
?
Catch up tomorrow guys.. Have a good evening..
Welbeck and Giroud are perfect 70 minute subs , they have their uses as teams tire . Welbeck has pace and Giroud is good in the air and defends well from set pieces. Strangely you can say the same about Walcott although I think he is a better one on one finisher than Welbeck but doesn’t have the same instinct to be in position , too often caught on his heels.
We have 3 nearly players but I think Giroud is the best of the three , what we need is a step up from him.
Hi Herb !……………your comments seem to be delayed and I only see them if I look back !.
Re- Welbeck, I thought he caused Chavs problems with his running and was constantly fouled, he adds pace up front and has a decent workrate, but he cant hit a barn door !…….but is definately an upgrade on Sanogo !. 🙂
………………….actually, if he had Walcotts finishing he would be half decent !
Hope you enjoyed Arsene`s singing @ 6:42pm
😆
6:42 Very funny Cockers
Knew you`ld like it Vic`s…….. 🙂
How`s the new pup ?………….same breed as George ?
Herb. Can’t agree re Welbeck. …yes he needs to sharpen up on his finishing but Saturday was a game plan, clearly.
Wenger must have told him a high work rate is required as you will be coming off after 60-70 minutes. After watching the game a few times now its clear. The plan worked perfectly. Hats off to Wenger.
I remember a while back you recommended PEA. would you still go in for him? or would you buy someone different?
Cocker. Yep, another fine Boxer. He is 19 months old now and an absolute cracker. Doesn’t leave my side. Love him to bits.
Hope you and the Mrs are well.
All OK……………..there is something special about the unconditional love of a dog and yours has a great dad to love !
🙂
Shame Reading didn`t win the play off as they are one of my favoured teams to come up and watch at the Em`s for a nailed on victory !…………………….but it`s nice that Hudderfield are back as they have the Chapman connection and also nice to have a team back that`s won the League Title more times than Tottscum !. 🙂
Ha Ha cheers Cocker.
Off to bed now. catch you latter.
Damn, I really thought Danny as terrific and Ozil had one his best games for us.
Not sure if people hav noticed, but he’s copped a few yellow lately for sticking the boot in when needed, so I think he’s finally realising he needs to make his presence felt more often, especially when off the ball.
I really can’t find a player who didn’t perform, though naturally there were some glaring errors, but at least none were made out of a lack of effort or care.
The passion our lot showed was first rate, and whether it was Wengers doing or not, there once again shown what they’re capable of, so there are no excuses for them, as individuals, when the new season begins.
Jul 13 Sydney FC. TBC ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Jul 17 Western Sydney Wanderers 20:00 / 11:00 ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Jul 19 Bayern Munich 20:05 / 13:05 Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai
Jul 22 Chelsea 19:40 / 12:40 Bird’s Nest, Beijing
Jul 29 Benfica 16:20 Emirates Stadium, London
Jul 30 Sevilla 16:20. Emirates Stadium, London
Aug 6. Chelsea. TBC. Wembley, London
Those are some seriously difficult pre-season games, topped off with the Charity Shield clash and 2nd game in 15 days vs Chelsea…
The English Premier League kicks off on August 12th…
That’s 19 days before the transfer window closes!
After a week or two of training Australia will be the first stop for Arsenal, where they will play two friendlies in Sydney against local A-League sides Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers. Both will take place at the ANZ Stadium, which has a capacity of 83,500 and was the main venue for the Olympic Games in 2000.
From there the Gunners will take a 10-hour flight to Shanghai, China, for a meeting with Bayern Munich at Shanghai Stadium. That match is part of the Chinese section of the International Champions Cup, but given it is the only ICC match Arsenal play it does not appear there will be any tournament or league table like in the United States.
Another flight a couple of hours further north to Beijing follows after that, with an FA Cup final rematch between Arsenal and Chelsea scheduled for July 22. That will be played at the Bird’s Nest – or Beijing National Stadium – venue that hosted the Olympics in 2008.
And that is it as far as Arsenal’s trips abroad go. They will be back in London in plenty of time for the Emirates Cup and will take the opportunity to get in another couple of weeks of solid training around that tournament, which takes place across one weekend.
The Gunners will split their squad in half for the doubleheader against Benfica and Sevilla on back-to-back days, with RB Leipzig also invited but not taking on Arsenal.
As FA Cup winners, Arsenal will meet Premier League champions Chelsea in the Community Shield. A date for that match has not officially been announced but it is almost certain to fall on August 6, the first Sunday of the month.
It had been speculated that the Gunners could arrange another friendly after the Emirates Cup depending on the European qualifiers they faced, but that will probably now not be needed.
The Community Shield will instead lead them into the start of the Premier League campaign, which will kick off on Saturday, August 12. As one of the division’s bigger clubs, the Gunners could be handed a televised date on Sunday or Monday.
The last two posts were from Goal.com
Hi Cornwall
Yeah for some reason all my comments go into moderation and don’t show until Rico or one of her admin team release them. I think it might be an issue my end but I’m not teccy enough to fix it.
I don’t dislike Welbeck, I just don’t think he’s what we need.
Hi VCC.
Hernandez is a strange one.
He was on fire when Fergie bought him, second season his form dipped and he was on the bench.
Same story at Leverkusen, his goals alongside Keisling propelled them to 3rd in the Bundesliga.
After that he flopped again.
He’s not good enough for Arsenal now.
Another striker I mentioned a few years ago was Mario Gomez, who has just had a decent season with Wolfsburg. Fiorentina only paid about £13m a few years ago for him when he was about 28, similar to what Arsenal paid for Giroud.
It’s pure conjecture on my part, but I think Gomez would have been a major up-grade from Giroud, and you can never have too much of that German winning mentality.
Who would I go for now?
If Arsenal want to be taken seriously by their competitors, in reality they should be looking at the likes of Dybala, Aubameyang, and Mbappe. But this is Arsenal where everything is budgeted, so essentially we’ll be relying heavily on the manager to pull a rabbit out of the hat.
Kev, tickets are all sorted for the tour, of course.
Sydney FC is the family game, the Wanderers is a day/night for the boys.
Arsenal Australia will also have plenty of meet and greet opportunities, and a little birdie tells me Ray Parlour will be over!!
Tickets sales have been massive, and football fans are excited.
Good Morning Herb.
Totally agree with Mbappe. If only Wenger/Arsenal would pay out for him. I think we would then make serious contenders. With back ups of Welbeck and Giroud our strike force would be sorted.
I still think we need a monster in mid field. As good as Xhaka was on Saturday I still have my doubts weather he will fit into the premiership.
I would also take a punt on Joe Hart.
Interesting stats from Serie A :- http://www.foxsports.com/soccer/stats?competition=3&season=20160&category=goalkeeping&sort=10.
Maybe we have Cech’s replacement in house.
Apparently he’s off to Napoli Potter..
Morning all.
Bugger practice matches Scott, I want the real thing?
Evening all,
so today is the judgement day for the Board & the current manager, yes? The perfect scenario for me would be the current manager is replaced immediately by Allegri & big name signings are made to compliment Alexis. Of course my but feel is that the incumbent will get an extension, which I will go along with, so long as his tenure extension involves the search for the best candidate for the next Arsenal manager, in short Allegri. For me, the Club comes first, end of.
*gut feel
Quote from the Pole in Goal ,”” He told BT Sport: “Staying at Roma? I’m happy here. I feel I’ve grown as a goalkeeper but for me the time to make a decision will come in the summer.
“For now I’m an Arsenal player, as soon as my loan finishes, I have to come back [to London]. I’ve always said I’d love to be back there.
“Like I said, what will happen definitely won’t be decided now but in a month or two months’ time.”
Looks like he may well be waiting for today’s decision too.
I have no confidence in Silent Stan, I don’t trust him with footie matters. I hope he proves me wrong?
Can anyone really see Arsene being pushed out?
Stan and his cronies don’t have the intestinal fortitude.
On Szczesny, he’s an absolutely brilliant keeper in the making if he gets his head straight.
Seems to be on the right path.