Daily Bits and Bobs

Terry out, Ramsey out, Ollie to return. Xhaka and who?

Posted on by rico

Morning all.

Back when I was young, very young I hasten to add, I quite liked Chelsea. Well, Peter Bonetti and Peter Osgood actually and they nearly had me supporting the ‘Blues’ at an early age, something which I’ve never confessed.

But thankfully, it wasn’t to be as Arsenal stole my heart.

Back then though Chelsea were a ‘decent’ club and by that I mean they didn’t have managers like Mourinho in charge, and they certainly didn’t have the mega riches they have today which is probably why they won very little. They had to sell their better players in order to survive, something which pushed them into relegation. Their fans were awful, they still are today but nowadays, with Roman at the helm, they are cash rich and spend as much as they can in order to win trophies.

Managers have come and gone since Roman bought the club and if Conte doesn’t get things right, goodness knows who the club will turn to as they are running out of options…..

During Arsene Wenger’s early years, beating Chelsea was easy but recently, they have been one of our bogey sides and other than a Community Shield victory last summer, we haven’t beaten them for a long long time. The two worst results against the west London club were in 2005 when Arsene lost 500th Arsenal match 1-0 in 2005, and then just two years ago, as Arsene headed into his 1000th game, we got battered 6-0!

It’s hard to believe the two clubs have faced each other fifty four times since Arsene Wenger arrived at Arsenal. The first 27 matches saw us: W15, D9, L3. But the next 27 meetings were not at all good: W5, D5, L17.

Conte started well at his new club, but his last two league matches didn’t go to plan as they drew against Swansea and then got torn apart by Liverpool so they are beatable. Arsenal have gone the opposite way, started poorly but have recently found some form.

The key today is to firstly keep all eleven players on the pitch for the entire match which is something we haven’t always managed to do against this lot and more importantly, don’t get involved in Costa’s childish antics. It’s a given that he’ll try and wind our players up and when he does, he needs to be ignored. Our boys need to be the bigger men, walk away and leave anything which needs dealing with to Michael Oliver – perhaps the most honest referee in the league right now.

I think many of us would agree that this current squad is the best Arsenal have had for a long time and Arsene Wenger may not have a better chance of breaking this awful record against Chelsea for a long time. The likes of Xhaka, Mustafi, Perez, Holding and even Elneny are facing Chelsea for the first time, they are not handicapped by previous results and incidents between the two teams. Hopefully Mustafi will keep Costa in his pocket and Elneny, together with Xhaka will boss the midfield. I’m not convinced this is a game for Santi and Coquelin. Perez and Walcott ooze pace and could if on form, make Luiz look stupid. Our attacking unit really have to get at him as he’s a liability.

As far as the team news goes, Ramsey remains out injured and Ollie is set for a late fitness test but could return after training during the week.

Big team selection for Arsene Wenger today and we all know Chelsea will be physical against us, I hope he picks the players who are ready to stand up, be men and match the boys from West London on every level!

The Emirates needs a lift today, a big lift and if the boys come out firing on all cylinders, it will.

rico

201 thoughts on “Terry out, Ramsey out, Ollie to return. Xhaka and who?”

  5. kelsey says:

    Morning Rico and all and I remember Chelsea in the second division or in the relegation zone of the old first division, and you could park outside the ground..A nothing club (with with a minority selling The Bulldog Magazine)t for many years. I hate them, always have done and Mourinho has added to that hate.

    Having one only one of ten of our last games against Chelsea, selection is the key today, though one can never second guess what’s in Wenger’s mind.

    .A few famous victories Away at Chelsea, the Kanu hattrick, The Winterburn screamer and the van Persie hattrick, spring to mind, all at Stamford Bridge. and The Cup Final in Cardiff also live long in the memory..(Ljunberg and Parlour)

    Arsene Wenger has a selection dilemma on his hands ahead of today’s mammoth Premier League clash .

    The Frenchman faces a decision to make over who will start in central midfield, with summer signing Granit Xhaka pushing for a place in the XI after scoring in his last two games.he needs to get it right and if subs are required to make them earlier rather than later,if required. Ollie could play, depends what you read but Chelsea are not the Chelsea of old, no Terry and a new manager who tends to play the Italian way.

    Having said that I really think we can beat them with the odd red card for de Costa and a couple of well taken penalties 🙂 Joking apart I think we will win.

  8. Micko says:

    Count ya blessings rico, I could never picture you standing in the Shed lol !!!

    Peter Osgood once said that Ron ‘Chopper’ Harris invented football violence and only when he retired it spread to the terraces……..thought that was very good.

    Anyhow’s according to Wath, Big Frank always had Peter in his knicker pocket back then on match days !

  20. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Afternoon all!
    I’m Arsenal fan since I was born
    In fact, I think I was an Arsenal fan, before birth.
    hope we play with our best players and the right players today

  29. Obi says:

    Morning All:
    Scott @ 10:35, you are 100% right Chelsea is crap. I think they will struggle to make top 4th. So AW just have to get it right, should be a walk in the park.

    Rico, @1:12 it took the midget 6 games to get it right with Herrera, Mata and Smalling, imagine that. They will still not be good enough against better team. As Devil been pointing out LC is crap this year, I thought they were crap last year too AW just gave it away. Imho Maherez has always been overated and average players played above their skills for them.

  33. rico says:

    They couldn’t have been that bad Obi, they beat us to win the league… 😉

    Me too Jm, on TV of course…

    BT, did you see that about Kodi TV boxes?

    Afternoon guys…

  34. Obi says:

    Actually Rico, they beat the league. We beat them twice. But as I said, AW gave it away because on paper and in ability we had better players even though the team was short. Coaching was the problem.

  47. BT62 Gooner says:

    Rico, the seller won’t be alone you can buy boxes everywhere….lol

    It’s not Kodi in it’s native form that’s the problem, it’s the unofficial addons…Though a European court said the end user was doing nothing wrong,

    Ts must be on the fizzy stuff early…

  52. kelsey says:

    I think he’s aiming for forth again.I would never have dropped those two regardless that it was Notts Forest.It would boost their confidence now they will be on a downer.

  59. goonster says:

    This guy is the thickest cnut there ever was. How some people still defend him is beyond me. Who ll replace him they keep asking??? For this shit?? Anybody can!!! Even Martin O’Neil ll do better. Kroenke this kroenke that. I guess kroenke picked that team and set up the tactics today. Ozil has been shite for a month now. Santi is in his 30s and lecoq is a limited central midfielder. Yet we have elneny and xhaka on the subs bench. When we lose and guys like me moan. They dub you a spud or go support another team. The sooner this cnut fucks off the better. Afternoon everybody.

  79. tsgh says:

    Come on Rico…I am sure Goonie knows it’s in jist.G Goonie and I share loads of jokes
    I am getting tired of you the prejudice you show towards me.l loads of folks say more serious stuff and I don’t see you talk that way with them! Reason I don’t post often anymore!

  85. Obi says:

    it pays to have WC players, man!!! Alexis took two players with him with just1 shouldet move…n the way he told Ozil to wait…. wow….

  88. goonster says:

    Lol ts that’s what you get for sticking in my craw you old git. Rico is my mama bear she ll rip you to shreds. Great game so far. COYGS.

  89. goonster says:

    Rico ginge was only messing with me. He didn’t mean it. It was all in jest maam. Please don’t be like that. We re all family here.

  90. rico says:

    One of the best first halves at the Emirates since we played Utd. Top top quality…

    They’ll come out stronger as they did in midweek, so we have to be very careful…

  91. Kel says:

    What a display from the gunners particularly Walcott he’s worked his socks off its great to see..

    More of the same please in the 2nd half … 🙂

  93. kelsey says:

    The Chelsea defnce is really poor but havng said that all our players are playing with confidence.mustafi looks the answer and kos is as always a rock. bellerin,Sanchez, iwobi,Ozil and Walcott working really well.

    I would be tempted to bring on Perez fr 30 minutes as he is the type of player to exploit ther defence.

  96. goonster says:

    We look good don’t we rico ????? iwobi is a genius. Come on you gunners. 6 more in the second half and we re done.

  99. Kel says:

    It’s all about intensity… if we keep it going well score another 2… if we drop off it could get uncomfortable..

  113. AndrewH says:

    Found bar on holiday in Es Canar, 5 mins BT picture froze. Great Barmaid worked and got a Kodi box working just to see 2-0. Loving it!

    Last time saw us v Chelsea on hols we let in six. Didn’t expect this.

  122. rico says:

    Very well played Arsenal, awesome! Well done Arsene too!

    Long may that kind of performance continue…

    Great game, great performance, great result….

  123. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Good Evening Lovelies and Hunkies.

    Fine result. Fine game. Fine refereeing.

    This week told us many things. It told us the level of the team and what its capable of. It told me the level of the players in important games. It told me a lot about the supporters. It also told me a lot about who speaks out of their heart, who speaks out of their mind and also who speaks out of their arse.

  125. Joaquim Moreira says:

    I didn’t played with this line-up.
    Giroud is not fit. Hopefully , don’t play in the Champions.
    Santi must rest. If not will be out soon and for a long time

  126. rico says:

    So who speaks out of their backside Devil?

    Surely it’s all about taking things game by game these days, especially after recent years…

  127. Kel says:

    Great result and performance… we had a first half performance like that against Chelsea yrs ago which we all talked about, it wasn’t seen again until the utd game last season and now today… let’s hope we kick on with these type of first half performances.

    Iwobi man of the match… brilliant.. 🙂

  128. scottfromoz says:

    Well, well, well…..seems Arsene got things right, and good on him.
    Now, 32 more games to do the same.
    I haven’t seen any highlights, but something awoke me from my sleep-it must have been the overflowing of joy on HH sending me a message 🙂
    What a result!!
    That’s a belting, no question.
    That team is capable of wonderful things, I really believe that.
    Morning all.

  129. rico says:

    It sure was Marshall…

    Jm, I’m not sure where Ollie fits in really, not when we play with pace…. He looked a real donkey when he came on….

  130. rico says:

    Scott, we were good. Very very good. The first half was the best in a long long while. Costa was given nothing, nothing at all… Superb!

  131. Hell Raising Devil says:

    I will just flip up a coin and see the face…or lack of. Sometimes the mirror mirror on the wall will be more truthful than I can be.

    Time for rotation…..JM is right. Cazorla will soon be in the red zone. He needs a rest. Hopefully Coquelin’s injury is not serious and its just a knock.

    What I enjoyed most today was the clean sheet we kept.

  132. Marshall says:

    Theo really turns up in big games, rarely put in foot wrong, won the 50-50s intercepted… So was the rest of the team.

    Mustafi was immense!

  133. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Ollie will not be useful to us in games in which we are already 3-0 up and winning is practically in the bag. Ollie will be more useful if he is played against teams that park the bus. Coming on with just a few minutes left and cruising to a 3-0 win will not give him or anyone, the motivation to do anything. I agreed with the substitution though. Ollie was intended to hold the ball and keep the CBs occupied.

    People have to remember that players are humans too. they cannot run all the time at top speed rushing here and there. Ollie was bought in to slow the game down from attack.

  134. Hell Raising Devil says:

    If I had to name a man of the match it would be difficult as everyone played very well. But Iwobi was great while Cazorla, Ozil and Alexis were up to their standards.

    Theo has upped his game and despite his limitations really impressed me today.

    At the back Mustafi and Koscielny did their job greatly and while they did not shine on Iwobi’s, Ozil’s etc levels they must be commended on a solid display.

  138. rico says:

    Scott, I think this squad is the best in a long while. Walcott was bloody good and I only mention him because he usually gets so much stick. If he carries on like he did today for entire season, then it’s only good for Arsenal… A big ask I know but….

    Simply loved that game and the performance… Best in a long while.

  139. Hell Raising Devil says:

    this kind of performance should not be expected every week. next game we might play crap and still win.

    we have to be realistic. The most important thing is that everyone gives 100% and we get 3 points….and clean sheets.

  140. scottfromoz says:

    Rico, when Santi arrived, he was a good player.
    The 2 months leading up to seasons end saw him out to Impress his national coach, with the WC looming.
    One thing changed-his work rate.
    That change made him a superb player….near on World Class.
    Theo may never be that great, but us he keeps it up, he will go a long way to being the player we’d all hoped for.
    This is merely my theory on Santi, and an opinion of what changed with his game, naturally, but for his own sake and the clubs, let’s hope Theo continues down this path.
    Devil, well said.
    As long as those points keep accumulating, all is well.

  141. rico says:

    I wouldn’t have started Santi today Scott, proves a lot eh.. Proves why there is little point in playing musical chairs with our team selections each week… After all, we don’t know how fit, ready or confident they are feeling.

    If Theo had played for the last ten years like he did today, he’d be a fans favourite imo

  142. Hell Raising Devil says:

    In the games between now and the two games against the spuddies and Manure, AW must rotate and keep the players fresh. The most important thing is that points are piled up Scott. Against Burnley AW must try something different. For example today Gibbs played. Why not play him against Burnley as well? Perez did not play today….but he will surely need to play either next game in the CL or against Burnley. Ollie the same. I think that Cazorla needs to be rested against either Burnley or Basle. Even Coquelin. Theo is playing well……like Alexis….so leave them there.

  145. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Rico….supporters are fickle……they will forget. if he continues playing like he has done up till now this season he will become a fans favourite. There is still time left for him to do so.

  146. Obi says:

    I don’t know if AW got it right but it work so let’s give him credit. Amazingly thou after Coq went out our midfield opened up a lot. I said it before and I say it again if Stone is worth 50m then Mustafi is 70m n that’s before we bought him. This team is special people lets enjoying it, I know it’s only 6 games but we are deep and physical. And btw Perez is gonna be something to watch, I was wishing AW will play him.
    We can play well or ugly and get results.

  147. scottfromoz says:

    Yes, Rico, fans will always love a scrapper, someone who puts in each and every week, and if that effort comes with speed and finishing, all the better 🙂
    On Santi, is he that over burdened?
    He missed the Euros so would have had a decent break for a change.
    Not that we need to play him every game, mind you, and not to suggest rotation shouldn’t happen……

  149. kelsey says:

    Hand on heart did we really believe this morning we would win.We knew the new manager and a defence without Terry would or could be beneficial yet I alwas feel that the players don’t always feel relaxed when we play at Home as the crowd can very quickly turn on thrm or individuals.

    Maybe a mourinho side would have been different but one can’t fault any of the players as they started as if they meant business.Why do they so often just fall out of the blocks from kick off.

    Wally suddenly can play after years of being an almost nive player.I agee with HRD about Giroud,today he wasn’t needed and Perez should have had a run out.We have a run of good looking fixtures coming up and if we keep improving, who knows.

  150. Obi says:

    Good insight by Lee Dixon, he said that he had a good oconversation with some people at Arsenal last week and especially the equipment manager, and the problem with Xhaka is stamina in training, that is the reason AW is bring him from the bench.

  152. Obi says:

    Scott on Kozzer the guy has to be top 3 CB in the world atm. Lee Dixon talking about the partnership between Kozz and Mustafi, said that Mustafi will bring the best out of Kozzer because Kozz doesn’t talk or organize but Mustafi loves to talk and organize.

  159. rico says:

    No Devil, fans talk about the most recent performance imo, credit where it’s due, criticise when it’s due too – and you have given Theo a hard time, just as we all have….

  161. scottfromoz says:

    Theo has deserved most, if not all the criticism he’s copped.
    In stating that, he should also get plenty of credit for how he’s going about business now.
    Devil, Rico…I agree with both of you…..Arsenal fans are, generally speaking, fickle, but enjoying and appreciating Theo now is very acceptable, I reckon.
    Anyway, let’s hope this squad continues to grow because we can challenge for the League.

  162. Obi says:

    Hey Marshall where you at? We said it will be an easy one….. Am watching it again. Btw as good as Iwobi is Jeff Adelaide’s overall talent makes him better, especially his decisions and vision, is scarely. Imagine the two together in 3 yrs ……am just saying .

  163. Obi says:

    Scott especially when you consider the way we play, our CBs are usually on an island. As I have always said bro, most fans are emotional so they become FANatical but our CBS have played most games with no protection. But now things are different.

  164. Hell Raising Devil says:

    yes….I know……I gave him a hard time……but I only said I was impressed with his commitment this season. Given the opportunity I would change him.

    If you were to ask me who would you play I would prefer Iwobi and Alexis on the wings. Theo is playing there simply because Ollie is slow while Perez is still finding his feet. If we had a CF who is mobile and knows where the goal is he would not be there.

    I still say that Theo is a player not a footballer. Iwobi is a footballer. That makes Iwobi indispensable. Theo is dispensable.

    I still say that the positions which are still questionable atm are LB (Nacho and Gibbs are good players) and RW. These two positions are not occupied by footballers they are occupied by good players.

    Theo was good today. and has been for 90% of this season. But the team still needs a footballer in that position.

  166. Malaga gooner says:

    Evening Rico and the house

    Fantastic performance

    The back 4 were immense….

    We finally have strength in depth, but that can all change if granit gets injured

    Very happy

  168. scottfromoz says:

    Obi, I agree, again lol.
    Our back 4 have been so exposed over the years, that no matter which back line you choose from history, they’d collapse under the pressure.
    Our backs have never been as bad as people made out, IMO, the guys in front lacked.
    Theo…case in point.
    His current work rate assists our backs.
    On Coquelin…..for the first time in years, if we lose a DM, we have decent cover.
    Let’s hope it’s not as bad as they think.

  172. Micko says:

    tsgh, take as long as you need, we all miss Mikel but life goes on, stop being so grouchy lol.

    It’s only been 5 years since we last beat the chavs, 3 and a half years since we last scored against them in the league…..we done it in style today.

    Adam, I’d like to think you dined out in a Michelin starred restaurant tonite with the Mrs to celebrate and put the take away on the back burner on this occasion !

  173. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Giroud was sent off in Paris. How many games will be him out? 2 ?
    Elhemy in versus Basel?
    Cazorla rest…
    Giroud came from a injury but I hope, he must be fit soon
    we must rotate the team. In October, november and december we have 6/7 games.

  175. st1g2013 says:

    No penalty today ?………………..back to bloody normal !……………and where was Elneny ?, we paid bloody £5M for him !…………..keep playing like that and 2nd is nailed on again………….which means nothing as only 1st matters !.
    I have given Theo my backing for years, but thought he was done because of his lack of workrate !………..shame it`s taken him so long to work it out but if he keeps it up then all good.
    Even though like everyone I want and still want a top striker, I did champion Alexis as an option, so thankfully my great insight is in fruition and lucky for you all that I also am a football coach as it`s only the likes of me and Dev who have this knowledge………………………probably due to my total football sounding job/name…………………it`s the van bit which makes me part dutch……………….Van Driver !……………when I get technical I talk just like Schteve McClarenschh !

    Great result and love it !…………………………….yes hand on heart, I thought we would get mugged again !. 🙂

  176. Le Coq Monster says:

    In bloody mod` because I forgot to change name !……………………….my previous comment wont come out until Rico wakes up !………………………….WAKE UP RICO !!!! 🙂

  178. ScottfromOz says:

    Wath, you should be 🙂
    I can’t wait to see a replay of the game.
    How lovely was it to stick it to those bastards??

  179. Obi says:

    I guess AW is doing tactics now. Watched the Hull game then watched the Chelsea game, again -lol. He picked the same team but played them very differently. The movements, positions, tracking, etc, were all different. Maybe AW got his mojo back.

  180. kelsey says:

    I wouldn’t analyse too much if Apkom gives more to the side than iwobi, just enjoy the win,the flow,the pleasure, not seen for a while.

    iwobi is an intelligent player learning from his mentors all the time. Ozil can actually smile and can last 90 minutes and Sanchez even when below standard is far superior to most in the PL. Bellerin gers better and better and as I said after the game has the penny finally dropped with Theo or has Wenger become more ruthless.

    Where that leaves The Ox who knows.

    Coquelin news is bad and can Granit do exactly the same job as to me he is more attack minded.

    Now lets brush Basel aside and we then have Burnley,Misslesborough,Sunderland and Reading next so expect rotation.

    If only we could have bought Mustafi last Summer as it is obvious his partnership with Kos will be awesome.

    As for Chelsea a poor a team that I haven’t seen for ages and we literally ran rings around them.

    Just watch our movement again for our second goal.Vintage Arsenal.

  182. allezkev says:

    Morning All

    Just goes to show what a bit of completion for your place can achieve…

    Iwobi has certain shaken up a few of our players, who seemed more interested in snapchat and twitter than what they did on the pitch.

    Let’s not see loads of pictures on facebook, just focus on your job.

    Tweet to your hearts content when you’ve won a trophy or two…

    Perez gets two goals at Forest and doesn’t even get a run out from the bench!
    Strength in depth, a wonderful thing and what many of us have been crying out for these past few years…

    Even Akpom can put in a shift on the flanks, he’s big, strong and fast, with a sure touch.
    Competition for places, I luv it…..

  184. Le Coq Monster says:

    Morning all.

    Watched the first half again and MotD with my neutral coaching technical dutch eye and Wenger now has a big dilemna !…………………how does he fit in Sanogo when fit ?

  186. rico says:

    Ha ha LC, he doesn’t. Fingers crossed he’ll be gone in January and we sign a replacement, although replacing him with someone better could be difficult…..

  188. Le Coq Monster says:

    I`m impressed how you Aussie`s watch anything up side down !……..the richest person in Oz must be the person who invented gravity boots ! 🙂

  192. allezkev says:

    Morning Rico, loved the Iwobi/Walcott post-match interview, especially Iwobi saying he ‘couldn’t believe’ he’d won the MotM award.

    Feet on the ground, that’s what I like to see…

    Also the ‘brand new Theo’, good to see him so focused…

    Now if Wenger & co can get into the head of Oxlade-Chamberlain as well, then happy days…

    Wilshere looked quite good for Bournmouth from what I saw on MotD.
    Can’t say the same for Chambers at Middlesbrough but it’s early days…

  194. allezkev says:

    Sanogo….?

    We might all be a bit odd up here, but give me a break Cocker…

    Chuba Akpom, he’s the answer, forget the postman, strewth…..

  196. rico says:

    Love him Kev, old head on young shoulders. He’s got a great career ahead of him if he stays grounded and I strongly suspect he will.

    Who needs Fabregas eh….. 😉

    Or Kante – he was dreadful, funny that…

  197. allezkev says:

    Yeah Rico, I was talking to Adam yesterday evening, and taking into consideration how intolerant he is of opponents and their foul play, he did mention that Kante got away with several bookable offences and probably should have been sent off, not least for his assault on Coquelin…

    Ivanovic, that snide, once again escaped the full force of the referee…

    How sweet it would have been to have seen Chelsea reduced to 10 men…

  201. Adam says:

    Morning Rico, Kev and all. Oliver reached for his card after calling Ivanovich over just before the break. I saw the realisation dawn that he was going to send the ghastly brute off so he let it go.
    Yes, Kante preferred to play the man instead of the ball yesterday and was very lucky. Dragging players back when they are breaking into a promising counter attacking situation is usually a yellow card offence but apparently not for Kante. Add one or two over the top challenges and stamps and he could have gone. But the fact that they finished with a full quota of shitheads means they can’t use that excuse.
    It’s been a while since I have heard the Emirates bouncing like that. Long may it continue.
    And a last word for the Kos/Musafi pairing. Looks very promising to me.

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