Match Preview

The Emirates is Becoming a Fortress!! Make a Statement Arsene!

Posted on by rico

Morning all.

I don’t know about you guys and gals but I am seriously concerned ahead of our lunchtime fixture against last seasons Premier League Champions…

We have no midfield anchor man to stop Yaya Toure and his side brushing through our midfield like they aren’t even on the pitch. Mikel Arteta is back but he hardly settles my nerves and neither does Mathieu Flamini. But, if by some miracle, we can take control of the midfield battle, our attacking force is pretty darn special and since we beat City at Wembley, we have added a very good striker with oodles of pace….

Ramsey, Alexis, Welbeck, Cazorla, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ozil – how good can they be together?

Over the last few seasons we have really struggled against the clubs who have always ended up finishing above us, well, apart from Liverpool until last season, and that really has to change if we are to make a proper challenge on this PL title. We are at home and we should be thinking of nothing other that winning this match today!

Head-to-head

  • Arsenal have won 52 of their 86 home league games against Manchester City (D20, L14).
  • However, the Gunners have won just one of the last five home league meetings (D3, L1).
  • City have only lost two of their last nine games against Arsenal in all competitions (W4, D3).

Arsene Wenger needs to stop the rotten draws and losses against the sides who think we are an easy target and a walkover. He needs to pick a team, pick the right team and get them playing the right way. Please, not one which plays sideways and backward passes, well not unless there is seconds to go and we are winning of course! The manager needs to have done his homework and send the team out to stop every strength City has and one which will exploit any little weakness on show…

If he can do that, and the players make it all fall into place, we can win this game just like we did at Wembley!

This game can be ours, IF we want it…….

It’s time to step up our game, play with a bit of attitude, passion and a lot more pace.

City are beatable, we all know that but we need to give them nothing. Keep it tight at the back, use the wings and when we go forward, do so with a purpose and cut out the 20 passes around the box. Shoot on sight too, test Hart from the off until the end, one or two might just go in!

We have pace in abundance now, we need to use it and take our chances!

Finally, look at this one fact:

Arsenal have not lost a home league game since the opening day of last season (W14, D5).

Keep that record going but it’s time to increase the wins!

COYRRG’s – 3 Big Points Please!

Hope it’s a great day folks….

 

 

rico

255 thoughts on “The Emirates is Becoming a Fortress!! Make a Statement Arsene!”

  1. Bt62 Gooner says:

    Rico, rally the troops, you and i are on the same page, go out keep it tight, defend as a team, attack as team and hopefully win as a team. We must not let city have the midfield, press hard from the start, win the ball and use our abundance of pace on the counter…Good post me Lady……O2 O2B O2B A GOOOONER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  4. Wavy says:

    Yes Rico, spot on! That should gee them up and get the team going. Have you thought of developing a new career? Pre match pep talk preparation? You’d be brill at it!

    A win today would be excellent, 2-0 to the Arsenal will do me, and a few others too, I expect.

    Hoping for the best and not considering any negatives.

    COYRRGS

  10. Geziah says:

    Yaya Toure hasn’t looked too interested this season. I hope that continues today. Hope to see Ozil in the number 10 role as well

  11. HunGooner says:

    Danny Welbeck starts up front for Arsenal against Manchester City, who give Frank Lampard his debut. The former Chelsea man is in for Yaya Toure in midfield.

    Arsenal: Szczesny, Debuchy, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Flamini, Wilshere, Ramsey, Alexis, Ozil, Welbeck

  12. tsgh says:

    Good morning Rico and all,
    Super layout.. I am ‘liking’ the new site… my first time seeing this.

    Come on boys…
    Welbeck to score before the 37th minute…
    Surely TR07 has to start…

  13. tsgh says:

    ON 12th Sept 2009 Adebayor stamps on RVP, scores & gets booked for ridiculous celebration as Man City beat Arsenal 4-2 at Eastlands.
    They deserve a thrashing from us…

  21. agirlagunner says:

    Well, well, well. 🙂 I return to a beautifully wallpapered living room, it seems. 🙂

    Come on you, Reds!!!

  28. agirlagunner says:

    We aren’t playing poorly, but we need to be more clinical; just pump the ball into the box, for crying out loud!!

  29. Gunnerdna says:

    No matter what formation is used to accommodate our two garbage DM, we will get stuff by the proper teams. BFG is so overrated and playing MF or MA only adds to the problem.

  32. Gunnerdna says:

    Our most expensive player is being played out of position to accommodate the lack of signings of a defensive midfielder, when there is money in the bank.

  37. agirlagunner says:

    I like it, rico. 🙂 🙂

    Zabaleta needs to be sent off. Lampard is fat and trying to make up for lack of speed by being a thug.

  44. rico says:

    I actually thought that half was the best we have played in a while. City have kicked us to pieces and been allowed to carry on doing so.

    More of the same in the second half, but just get 2 or more goals….

    Too many passes around the edge of the box again imo….

  48. Luznic says:

    sometimes I wish there was no interval in football now I have to listen to Tim Sherwood and Andy Townsend blabbing

  49. rico says:

    Our tracking back for their goal will have left Bould furious!!

    Far too much Bt..

    Welbeck already on the new ‘pick on me list’ – I hate these pompous pundits!

  51. Lewis says:

    Anyone criticising welbeck already needs their head checked. He’s been with the team 2 days and needs time to adjust to our tiki taka go Knowhere football

  52. ozgunner says:

    still no that class finisher don’t we – especially in games as important as this one – lose this and the gap is opening already – evening all

  62. agirlagunner says:

    We need to plod away, dig deep, come on!! I am not disappointed at how the players are going, but we need goals!!!

  80. agirlagunner says:

    Really quite scrappy now. I think we have it in us to win this… COme on, boys, your confidence will be soaring if you nick this one!!!

  91. agirlagunner says:

    Very funny, rico. 😛 😛 I like our HFB with the quiffy do and the tattoos. Don’t you think we miss him?

  92. rico says:

    So, now we are down to the bare bones in defence…

    AW really needs to snap up one of the defenders who are available for free…..

  111. agirlagunner says:

    I thought Ozil put in a great shift in the second half, dublin.

    Lewis, so disappointed we conceded that header. Our defense was nowhere. 🙁

  112. Gunnerdna says:

    Scz should have save that header, it’s not even well placed, It’s always if and buts with AW teams. CL game on Tuesday and the 1st change came after an injury, what’s wrong with this man only god knows.

  114. ozgunner says:

    We’re under huge pressure now – one more injury in defense and it gets really tough. Wenger no doubt will blame bad luck rather than poor squad strengthening.

  116. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Hello everyone!
    Another Two point dropped.
    Someone must says this to AW: we have played 4 games for the League. 4×90=360 more 10-15 minutes of extra time = 370 minutes.
    We were ahead: 1-2 minutes against Palace; 5 minutes against Leicester; 9 minutes today. The sum is arround 20 minutes. So we were winners arround 20 minutes. Against Palace we won (we scored ay extra time); versus Leicester we were ahead and for five minutes after they draw; at Goodison Park we scored the second goal close the end; today, we are winners just for 9 minutes.
    So, with lucky we can have more 4 points; if we were unlucky, we can have 2 points.
    At he begginiing, we were at the list for be tha champions. With so many dropped points, it will be impossible.
    Moreover,how can a team be a serious candidate if in 4 games (and not with direct competitors) have been only 20 minutes ahead or in a winner position?

  118. ozgunner says:

    chambers will now cover rb Lewis my question is injury to a CB then what? Monreal i mean seriously and what of the ever injured Gibbs?

  119. rico says:

    Forget Ches should have made the save, who the heck was marking their player??

    No-one!

    Bould, sort it out!

    Wenger won’t because he’ll be too busy working with his 100 midfielders!!

  120. rico says:

    I’d get Bellerin in at Rb and leave Chambers alone, otherwise, one injury to the central pairing and we are fooked….

  121. ozgunner says:

    Rico – there were 3 of them actually – Bould’s been around long enough now to have eliminated that basic tough – not happening

  122. Joaquim Moreira says:

    AW had made too late the subs. We have a game next tuesday. mostly of the players were player na international fxture.
    Debuchy probabbly will be out for 6 weeks. Chambers, for me, didn’t come in in a good performance today. Besides, we didn’t sign anyone last week. even he can’t play at the CL.
    Swansea is a very strong team

  123. Gunnerdna says:

    If AW knows what he is doing I’m fucking senile, we were lucky not to be embarrass by City, 4 match in the season & we are already looking like a team that’s going to be fighting for 4th. I pretty sure he didn’t see the difference between Fernandino performance as a DM compare to his country man. A draw plus MD injury sums up a bad day, luckily Messi & friends play later plus the money mayweather fight to look forward to.

  126. rico says:

    JM, doesn’t he always?

    Gdna, ‘lucky not to have been embarrassed by City’?? I absolutely disagree, I don’t think you are giving our performance enough credit….

  129. Gunnerdna says:

    Rico, City hit the bar 2 times from open play and created more/better chances than Arsenal, if it wasn’t at the Ems it would have been another accident. You also have to take in consideration that City was missing some key players & still manage to dominate in the center of the park. I watch the replay and my god, why we have the 2 worst captain in club football? BFG was terrible in the last game and was even worst in this 1, he doesn’t tackle, no interception, he just stands looking scared.

  130. agirlagunner says:

    Pellegrini has some nerve complaining about the refereeing and about our goals being allowed to stand. He fielded thugs today.

  131. rico says:

    What did you say earlier about goals and chances Gdna?? You can’t have it both ways.

    Yes, we lack in certain areas and that won’t change because the TW is shut but there were plenty of positives to take from today’s performance… imo of course…

  133. Gunnerdna says:

    Ag, isn’t that a tactic by the opposition to impose their physicality on our players because we crumble under such circumstances? Physicality is apart of the PL why complain because AW refuse to employ players of that nature on Arsenal playing staff? It’s not netball, lets do the same if teams do it to us.

  134. agirlagunner says:

    GDNA, we were missing some key players as well… We scored as many goals as they did. It’s not as if we were rolled over, and Clattenburg was atrocious. The way you spin things, it’s as if our team doesn’t do anything right. 😉 🙂 Give us some credit, come on now.

  135. rico says:

    Gdna, there is being physical and fouling! City repeatedly committed fouls and were allowed to get away with it..

    You might want us to play that way, I certainly don’t!

  136. agirlagunner says:

    GDNA, go have some of your green tea, haha. Or hot choco. If we had hit the crossbar twice and not scored, you would be complaining about our lack of a killer instinct. Why is the fact that they Citeh missed their chances a credit to them?? That team cost an embarrassing amount of money, and Aguero has only scored what? Twice in xxx months? Please.

  139. agirlagunner says:

    rico, I agree with your 3:59. I am annoyed as all heck, and we really should start winning against the glamor sides, but there is no shame in that performance bar the dodo defending for Citeh’s second goal.

  141. Gunnerdna says:

    Ag, which key player was missing for Arsenal? lol. Rico, it’s a male sports, the referee have the whistle for a purpose, lets stop acting like politicians and correct things we have control of. We have control to employ a proper playing staff and we didn’t, it’s a new season give the referees break. We spend all week talking about rainbow laces when we should be watching videos and doing work on the training pitch. Our second goal could have been disallowed because on DW slight push on VC. Imo

  143. Gunnerdna says:

    Ag, so expected of you my dear, to be singing the same song for the last 10 yrs. It’s time for your dear leader to retire its a young man sport. How long are you going to sweep AW decencies under the carpet. Lol

  145. agirlagunner says:

    Theo and Giroud, GDNA, they can score goals! You talk about could haves; if the ref were competent, Citeh would not have finished with 11 men.

  146. rico says:

    I give up with you Gdna, no matter what we do or how we play, you see nothing positive..

    You crack on but I will not be drawn into your negative way of thinking…..

    You say that goals win games not chances and then go on to suggest City could have embarrassed us by taking theirs. Well we could have embarrassed them had we taken ours but hang on, that means we have a crap forward line…

    I really don’t get your agenda when it comes to Arsenal…. Still, as long as you can keep up with your own changing view, that’s all ok….

  148. rico says:

    It is Bt and that should be the focus on the training field, but sadly, I am not sure we have the right players to make anything change..

    Merts lack pace was highlighted today, Flamini is just Flamini and always will be and imo, neither he or Arteta will ever be the solution to our midfield when defending…

  149. agirlagunner says:

    It’s no secret I like AW, GDNA. 🙂 I love Arsenal though and wish we could have brought in better, bigger players. But it is what it is. I always just feel like if we’re playing well, you’re never here to comment, and if we are playing poorly, you’re the first person to rant. Plus, you seriously cannot be praising their ‘domination of midfield’ because that was thuggish behavior there; and they were allowed to go on with impunity.

  150. rico says:

    JM, we sat top of the league for so long last season but we all know where we ended up..

    A lead so early counts for little. The PL is a marathon, not a sprint….

  151. agirlagunner says:

    Bt, I just now bought a bag. 😀 😀 I should not be allowed to check out online shops when Arsenal lose.

    Deep breaths, deep breaths.

  156. rico says:

    None of us do Gdna but you have to be consistent in your views and not change them to suit your slating of Arsenal and Arsene Wenger…

  159. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Diego Costa is the jewell of the crown of Chelsea and Mourinho.
    Rico, we know how and why was ended up but we are in September and I think we must play now, for the 4th palce

  161. rico says:

    4th JM?? We need to be higher than 4th…

    If we play like we did at times today for the rest of the season, we’ll be good…

    Just need to sort out the defending and rapidly….

  162. agirlagunner says:

    Nighty, Oz. 🙂

    GDNA, you don’t like our coach; are always quick to slate our players, think other teams are so much better (the Chavs and the petrol Chavs) so I do sometimes wonder why you ‘support’ AFC. You certainly son’t sound supportive to me.

  165. agirlagunner says:

    GDNA, on your (admittedly infrequent) lucid intervals, I do see sense in your comments, but 99% of the time, yours are the rantings of a mad man.

  166. Joaquim Moreira says:

    rico, what is our position at the table, now?
    I posted before: in 370 minutes of Premier League played, we were winners only for more or less 15-20 minutes. We didn’t played against Chelsea,m.city,M.United or Liverpool. How can be this team the champion? We have a lack of confidence and nobody respect us like a champion.
    Unfortuntely, Chelsea is must more stronger and specially a real team.
    How can we drop a player like Remy?

  168. Gunnerdna says:

    Ag, lol. I get it, u are so right because I’m actually talking to somebody who don’t have a fucking clue about the game. It’s like talking to a lawn chair and after realizing I fell stupid. Birds of a feather flock together, fucking bright. I wouldn’t even walk on your stupid ass.

  169. rico says:

    That’s enough for me Gdna. You are gone. Go and chat on LG, because that’s where they all talk sense eh…..

    Your last comment to Agag was rude and insulting!!

  172. agirlagunner says:

    “I wouldn’t even walk on your stupid ass”, rico. What is this a fourth grader?? Loooool. Made me laugh though.

  176. agirlagunner says:

    rico, he talks to lawn chairs, come on. 🙂 Loool. And he feels offended that he’s called insane. He’s having one of his ‘episodes’, that is all. 😀 😀

  177. AndrewH says:

    Travelling home in car while match on. Down, up, level. Hey its not that bad, City were favourites with the bookies so a draw, while not what we wanted …… it could have been a hell of a lot worse! Had we held on, everyone here would be upbeat. Lets not over-react as it sounds we didn’t play bad at all. I still don’t get zonal marking though and it cost us again?

  180. agirlagunner says:

    There’s a typhoon here now, Andrew. 😉 Howdy? Well, I enjoyed the match esp. Alexis’ goal. Stunning.

    rico, haha. GDNA’s a Cesc fanboy not an Arsenal supporter. He should stop pretending he is.

  181. AndrewH says:

    At one nil down and thinking of the consequences to morale, the press, our new signing, I was just thinking, please, please just a draw.

  182. AndrewH says:

    agag, that in Manila or on HH 😉
    I don’t get BT Sport anyway, so will look forward to the goals on Match Of The Day.

    rico, any news on Welbeck injury, they said maybe just cramp on radio?
    Steve Claridge was most annoying to listen to on 5 live.

  183. bradlop says:

    Hi all,

    I agree Rico, many positives from that game.
    Our problem last season was getting whipped by the top teams so mission accomplished there.

    Ozil for me is still disappointing especially seeing Cesc giving Chelsea what we want from him.
    Good start from Welbeck, not bad for only been with the guys for 2 days.

  184. rico says:

    I’m saying no more Agag as he’s gone and not able to defend himself… 😉

    Andrew, the way we started, I thought we’d win….

  185. Lee says:

    GDNA what the fuck do you know? You’ve gotta be the most negative person that ever used to come on here! Constantly picking fights and generally being a fucktard!
    Go on le grove and get busy with the experts (cnuts) on there…..

  187. agirlagunner says:

    Manila, Andrew. 😛 I’m happy to give people the benefit of the doubt, but— no two ways about it— GDNA is a troll. I’m glad he’s reading and can’t comment. 😀 😀

  190. Lee says:

    He’d be trying to have a fight with someone that’s 15000 miles away…… His parents really need to monitor what their kid gets up to on their computer!! Tut tut…

  191. AndrewH says:

    gaga, oh dear, just looked at weather map, some large yellow storms about, keep safe!

    rico, must have missed it, when forums change, looks quite different?

  192. AndrewH says:

    oops sorry, agag, didn’t mean gaga !!!!!!!

    rico, there is no editing of posts on here once you have pressed send is there?

  194. agirlagunner says:

    Lee, GDNA was a dropped on his head as a baby, ingested paint chips with lead, missed out on hugs growing up, and turned into a troll. 😀 😀

    Andrew, I know. Drip drip drip here. So difficult to be out and about.

    rico, I did say, men tend to miss out on wallpapers and new stuff in the house. 😀 I am kidding, Andrew.

  198. agirlagunner says:

    Haha, there’s no comparing Adam the wordsmith with that… never mind… or rico will be binning me next. 😀

  199. rico says:

    Pellegrini moaning?? Jeeze, how many times did his players batter us, they could easily have been down to 10, if no 9!

    Milner???

  203. AndrewH says:

    But, but …. the headings are different, the fonts ….you’ve changed sanchez, everything?

    agag, my excuse is I’ve only looked on a small phone last few days and now I’m at home and using a PC 🙂

  205. agirlagunner says:

    rico, The troll will be logging in under a new handle, new IP… Ugh. 😀 But the truth will out and if it’s someone spewing toxic stuff, you or WATH will just have to bin him again. 😀

  211. agirlagunner says:

    Sorry to have to make you go through additional policing duties, rico. 🙂

    Adam, he’s shit at penalties. 😛

  216. Sukky says:

    ♍Ɣ beloved arsenal fans,seems you guys are pissed about †̥ђƺ dropped points.Well,to me it was a point gain because I wasn’t expecting this performance.But we have †̥ђƺ opportunity to win this match but a man ruined everything.That man is ARSENE WENGER.Why is Ramsey playing?why no substitution after †̥ђƺ 2nd goal?why is ozil played out wide,why is flamini even doing at arsenal?I think arteta for flamini when we were leading would have won †̥ђƺ match.Like I said,Wenger will never win †̥ђƺ title again,he can be lucky with cups but premier league is not for non tactical,rigid,clueless manager like him.Cheer up mate,at least it isn’t 5-0.

  223. Adam says:

    Agag. Yes I was. I first had breakfast with Kev and Mrs A and we went together. It was an interesting game dominated by the failings of Clattenberg to do his job properly.
    Sukky. Ok, I see.

  226. agirlagunner says:

    thank you for that, Adam. 🙂 I’d be happy with fish and chips though. 😛 Might have to give jellied eels a swerve. 😛

  229. agirlagunner says:

    Saving up, Adam. 🙂 Got sidetracked by an online purchase today, ick. 😕

    JM, I’m not filled with confidence either. 🙁

  231. Lee says:

    Adam how was Dishoom? Surely it was too early for Mrs A to get on the fizz? I heard there was a small altercation in the seats near you……please tell me it wasn’t you know who!?!?!

  233. Adam says:

    Agag. Can’t see that myself. 🙂
    Lee. It was excellent Brudder. Egg and bacon nan with some spicy masala beans and mushrooms. Kev gave Mrs A a few Bucks Fizz that was that….

  234. AndrewH13 says:

    I can’t see past Chelsea for title, then with money spent, the two Manchester’s. Leaving our main rival Liverpool. Losing with ten to go looks like at least two points dropped at home to Villa. So our result looking better. And with Spuds also letting lead go I’m feeling better by the minute.

  235. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Next travel to Birmighan. Villa won today in a important stadium. They are the 2nd on the table. Only Chelsea, villa and Arsenal haven’t lost games. We go there after a CL game.
    Probably must more difficult then in normal circunstances…

  237. potter says:

    Just got back and have been reading the comments earlier. In many ways I am in agreement with Gdna. Referees are given instructions to try and keep all players on the pitch because the television has dictated that it’s what they want . ( I know this from an ex referee that mixes in their circles.) What it means is that when like today teams use rotational fouling as a tactic they get 10 to 15 fouls in before action is taken and abuse of the advantage rule which in general is misinterpreted holds us back . The only way for us to combat this would be to introduce more height and physicality to our set up. After today I do have to ask why we didn’t need Cesc ? If as suggested it’s because both he and Ozil are the same player , why the hell is he being wasted on the wing .£ 42 million going down the drain taking the same route as Arshavin. Put him in the middle to dictate play or drop him and put a better winger on the pitch . Many people in the ground were totally baffled by Wenger’s set up , a lot of muttering going on . Wilshere , Ramsey, Ozil as a three is too much of the same thing. Ramsey is reverting to the player of two years ago by not doing the obvious , flicking the ball too often and not doing the simple things.Wilshere holds on too long doesn’t have the pace to get away from people , again overdoing things . One or two moments of brilliance isn’t enough I’m afraid. One of them has to sit things out . Lastly we really have to sort out the defending at corners and set pieces , if we are to continue marking space instead of players then at least nominate one of them to attack the ball. As much as I accept that having to defend against 5 or 6 players that are much taller is difficult we need to devise a system which is more efficient than just standing still and leaving the responsibility to someone else. As my son put it today , we mark space that doesn’t move unfortunately opposing players do.

  238. Bt62 Gooner says:

    Potter, our defending at set pieces and free kicks, has been scaring the life out of me, for years. As for Ozil, i don’t know what’s going on there, gone from being one of the best no10’s in the world, to being one of the least effective winger/mf around.

  240. Rick says:

    Evening All,
    Good 3-1 win at Norwich for the U18 Team today .
    Mavididi scored a hattrick making it 7Goals in 4 games for the youg C/F,
    Like the U21 team they are Top of the league.

  241. Joaquim Moreira says:

    potter, I’ve posted there a long time ago. We have many players doing the same thing. Maybe good, sometimes for the public (and telespectators), but we haven’t a real team in the pitch. We have players not in their right positions but adaptations

  243. Rick says:

    Ginge .Last week playing for England at U20, U18 and u17 level, Hayden Akpom Moore Willock and Hynds did the club proud. By the looks of things we have a very good squad of young players.

  244. tsgh says:

    Indeed Rick… not sure they necessarily have a future with us though… I would love it if Aw could get a striker to come through the ranks… in the 16 or so seasons he has been with us only Aladiere and B-something have cme close to first team but none were Arsenal true and true…

    Hope you are well btw?

  245. potter says:

    To get forwards especially to come through they need playing time and that’s something they won’t get at the Arsenal .

  246. Scott From Oz says:

    By far our best performance of the season this far, and we are on the improve.
    Wengers failure to buy more defenders could derail our season before it really starts.
    Plenty of positives to be found….two sublime finishes.
    Welbeck looked sharp, and if his brilliant chip was an inch to the right…..
    Sanchez was definitely much sharper than he has been.
    Ozil…well, he wasn’t great by any means, but also wasn’t as bad as the critics are suggesting, but at his price tag needs to do better.
    All in all, not a bad result, but it means we can’t afford to lose to them away.
    Rico, I love the upgrade……it looks fantastic.

  247. Scott From Oz says:

    Oh, and WTF does Toure have to do to cop yellow cards!?
    He’s dirty, grubby piece of shit that simply gets away with blue murder, and he certainly was not alone.
    Our guys receive yellows on their first offence, yet opponents cop warning after warning.

  248. Scott From Oz says:

    Anyway, for next game I’ll be in yankland……oh well, i must to the good dad thing, though Sean still would rather see Arsenal than Mickey Mouse 🙂

  249. LJB says:

    I wonder why the youth teams are doing so well this season? Could it be that the long outdated set up has been replaced by the new Dutch coaches ? Amazing what a change can do ,and they have only been here since july.Makes you wonder what would happen if similar changes were made at first team level with a new scouting system,new coaches and a new manager.Won’t happen though,unfortunately.Tell you what though,if the take over of Tottenham goes ahead then we will have to buck our ideas up,especially Stan and wenger ,or they will be faced with a very disgruntled fanbase.You see those yanks mean business,they will invest hundeds of millions into the playing squad to get to the top.And FFP means nothing.All they will do is spend 250 mill one summer,get a slap on the wrist by UEFA by way of a 50 mill fine and being “only” allowed to spend 50 mill the following year ,which means jack as they will already have bought most of the players thay need.Genius!!!!! FFP,what a joke. If they overtake us it will be the end for Wenger,maybe for Stan too. Mind you that 42.5 mill waste of space Ozil coupled with Wengers ridiculous stubbornness in not buying a defensively minded midfielder or another CH,is helping lots of teams in their quest to overtake us.His own stubbornness and concern for Ozils feelings seems more important than the good of the team on the pitch,and is wasting the talents of players like Wilshere and Ramsey who deserve to achieve so much more.Sad,really sad.

  250. scottfromoz says:

    Morning all.
    Before anyone corrects me, it was Kompany, not Toure, obviously, who was cutting Our boys to pieces.

  251. scottfromoz says:

    LJB, Wengers stubbornness was surely the reason Welbeck played wide then.
    I mean, plenty suggest he wanted nothing to do with the kid, so being so stubborn, he threw him wide, right?
    Ramsey was being played and everyone moaned, yet long term, it was beneficial.
    No I can’t answer why Ozil is played wide, but I can’t see how it’s Wenger being stubborn.
    He may be just wrong.

  252. rico says:

    Morning Scott and all, glad to like the new layout Scott..

    If that is true re the referee’s being dictated to by the likes of Bt and Sky Sport, then what’s the point of playing the game…

    Wonder how long into the game we were when Gibbs got sent off against the Chavs…

  253. potter says:

    It makes commercial sense when you think about it , the Premier League want overseas viewers as they want world domination . The T.V is their chosen vehicle for this. If you listen to any commentator / pundit they all spout the line that they want players kept on the pitch and how often have you heard them say that a game was spoiled when a player went off ?. Look at yesterday Clattenburg could have produced cards a lot earlier and would have been forced to send off one or two City players in the first half for two yellows but chose not to in his quest to let the game flow and not spoil the spectacle. I have no reason to believe that my friend made it up . The T.V pay the league and the league pays the PGMOL , in turn they pay the referees. Q.E.D.

  254. rico says:

    I don’t really care about sending off’s spoiling a good game, not when they are a justified sending off. I don’t care what the pundits think either. The most important thing is the players body and they should be protected by a referee, that’s his job…

    Potter, I don’t doubt the credibility of your info, just think it stinks that the game has gone this way. I bet if one/two of our players had made the number of tackles that two City players made yesterday early on, they’d have been booked at the first opportunity…

Leave your comment.

Discover more from Highbury House

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

Continue reading