Morning all.
Everyone in the training ground, everyone in the team knew he was going to stay.
He is a guy that loves London, loves Arsenal and he always gets really angry when things don’t go well so you know how much it means for him to win or lose for this club. So I think everyone in the club, the dressing room was sure.
It is as exciting as a new signing. To have a player with his qualities and all he brings to the team to sign for a few more years, it is really exciting for Arsenal and for the fans.
All that worrying over Mesut Ozil for nothing eh and for totally different reasons than the concerns this time last year with Arsene Wenger and his contract situation. I’ve accepted he’s with us at least until the end of the season and then I hope we’ll see change. There’s talk of Joachim Löw replacing him but I’m not sure I could cope with watching Germany’s very own advert for ‘scratch and sniff.’
A while ago now, when the only topic the media were interested in was the future of both Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, Charlie Nicholas was in the Sky Sports studio on a Saturday lunchtime and he was asked that out of the two players, who would he keep. No brainier I thought, especially as at that time Ozil had seriously gone off the boil, it had to be Sanchez. So it was a surprise to me when Charlie Nic said Mesut Ozil. He must be bonkers I thought to myself but now, and only after the Chilean has gone, I can see why he came to that conclusion.
I knew Ozil was a top top player but only when it suited him. He didn’t appear to be interested in working for the team and boy did he deserve his criticism. Meanwhile, Sanchez was stealing the limelight with his goals. I’m not too proud to admit I got it wrong hoping that out of the two the Chilean would be the one to stay but I’m seriously pleased the club/Arsene Wenger saw things as Charlie did.
Watching Sanchez play for his new club, the penny dropped as I saw him for the first time without my Arsenal goggles on. He’s predictable in the way he plays, he’s demanding and although it’s through gritted teeth I type this, he’s selfish. A great player yes, but he’s not what I’d call a team player.
Mesut on the other hand is totally the opposite. Everything he does is for the good of the players around him, sometimes to his detriment too because if he was a fraction more selfish, he’d have more goals to his name. One could say something similar about Dennis Bergkamp because like the German, he too was about giving a teammate the opportunity to score goals. Wrighty, Henry and a few others benefited from the Dutchman and Ozil is now doing for those around and ahead of him. Bellerin is right, keeping Mesut Ozil is just as important as signing a player such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
By the looks of it though, not only do we have an unselfish Ozil, we have another player who plays in a similar way, certainly as far as being a team player goes and that’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan. To set up three goals on his home debut was incredible and if this is just the beginning, then Jose Mourinho will end up wishing he’d not tried to get one over Pep Guardiola at all costs.
Yes, Alexis Sanchez might have a great time up north and good luck to him but closer to home, I’m actually quite glad he’s gone because with Auba, Mikki, Ozil and Lacazette, we have a group of players who will work for each other and not just for themselves. There’s no ‘I’ team but that’s not Wenger’s concern anymore.
As many of us have said after Saturdays victory over Everton, they’ll be much tougher challenges to come over the last four months of the season starting on Saturday lunchtime but if this group of players are as united as they appeared to be at the weekend, then who knows what we can expect from them.
One thing I do know though and that’s the midfield and defence will have a lot more work to do on Saturday than they did in the last game. The way we defend is our major stumbling block and that’s the one area which lets the team down time after time. Game after game. That’s one of the reasons Arsene Wenger gets so heavily criticised, yet he seems to take little notice. A smart manager would seek assistance. A smart manager would realise that there’s no ‘I’ when it comes to his coaching team.
The Totts were dreadful against Liverpool yesterday afternoon and it took a dive from Kane to earn them a point at Anfield. Perhaps for once the FA will do us a favour by taking retrospective action against him. I doubt it though.
Our players have a week of rest now, a week which will hopefully see Petr Cech and Nacho Monreal recover from their injuries. Totts however have an FA Cup replay midweek, one which I hope goes to extra time and penalties.
Still, I’m sure the ghastly Mike Riley will have one of his little helpers ready to assist Poch once again….
I like him as a player but as we have proven again and again no player is bigger than the club. I want him to stay but if he thinks he ‘ll be better off without us then it’s all good. Sven ‘ll find us another gem for less money too. ?
I missed that goonie, where is Ramsey off to then? Does he need a lift? 😉
Hahahahaha Rico that was mean? it’s all speculation so far but according to reports he has his eyes on Madrid juve and barca. Lol he ‘ll be sold in 3 months. Madrid fans are the worst.
Morning Rico – I am not sure that I would classify Sanchez as being selfish, but rather that he probably didn’t really trust a lot of teammates to do the right thing, so tended to take on a majority of the responsibility himself. Of course, in the end, he just wanted to leave. I think that at Utd, he will go through a de-Arsenalization the longer that he stays there. He is a brilliant player, but I will agree that Miki may suit our style of play more. He played really well against Everton, but it’s only one game, so we need to see a bit more before passing judgement.
I’m not sure that Sanchez has not jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire. If his complaint was that his arsenal team mates were on the wrong side of poor in quality, coaching and resolve, (he may have had a case as well!), then he may find that the quality at manure is little better. Not sure he’ll fare much better there than here. Citeh would have been a different kettle of fish, I think.
On the other hand our newbies performed very well on Saturday, despite the fact that they were confronted by a National League 1 level of defenders! It is too early to judge how good the team may become, yet. After our trip to Wembley we may have a clearer idea of where we fall in the pecking order. Presently we,are 6th can we finish in the coveted 4th or above this season? It’s possible but given there are only 13 games left and our next two games are against the scum and citeh, by the end of February we may be looking to hang on in there for a 7th place finish!
The one real danger of finding good form and a higher finish is that Wenger and the board will feel that the old wrinkly one is worth another year, perhaps his last but, yet another year of his bizarre decision making his picking only of his personal favourites and probably indifferent tactics and results! Not a crystal ball I really want gaze into!
Morning all. Another bright and blue skied day!
Another fine read, Rico, thank you.
There maybe no “i” in team ,but the letters for “me” are in there !
🙂
Big statement, but imo in Aubameyangadingdonggooliegooliewatchyergingganggoo we have the nearest thing to Thierry since Thiery !…………………..I`ve no doubt he will score goals on a consistant basis !
We are however too top heavy and untill our defense is sorted out we will be on a rollercoaster ride of not knowing what way a game is going to go !
Afternoon guys.
Ok, maybe selfish was the wrong word. Maybe I’m trying to convince myself that him being gone is a good thing….
Good post Rico.
I had a passing interest in how Alexis did for ManU and despite his goal I wasn’t overly impressed, but that’s ManU under Mourinho, functional, dull and a decent defence. They’ll win more than they’ll lose, but who really wants to watch them play?
Tottenham vs Liverpool, two clubs I loath put on a good display, it was watchable and the draw was good for us. Whether we’re able to take advantage is another matter?!
At least Arsenal were worth watching and we’ve not been able to say that very often this season.
Afternoon Rico and All
Like I said a couple of weeks ago
when Sanchez opens his wage packet
and the rest have a look,
green eyed monsters will appear.
As a player Sanchez is nearly world class,
you build around these players,not the other
way.
Sanchez will dictate how he wants to play,
he gives the ball away,more than anybody
but still keeps most fan’s on side.
Do you not think Ozil and Micky are the same
type of player?
Afternoon Kev, Fred and thanks Kev.
It was quiet so I nipped off and pruned the apple trees..
Definitely more watchable on Saturday but let’s see how we do against a team which really parks the bus. For some reason though, I don’t think even a parked bus will stop our forwards now. Maybe I’m getting ahead of myself but I reckon they are going to be good.
Shame about the defending though….
Fred, he’s predictable too as nearly every time he got the ball playing for Utd, he more often than not cuts in rather than take on the player down the wing. More often than not too, his pass had to go sideways or backwards because like with us, Utd players didn’t either make space for him to go on a run into the box, or make themselves available for a forward pass.
A great player yes, but I’m not sure he’s any better suited to Utd than he was us. I bet he’s wondering why he didn’t wait for Pep because I sure as heck would be…
We all cope differently rico, I poured all my Chilean wine down the sink when the move was confirmed !
Ha ha Micko..
Emirates shirt deal and Puma deal expire this summer Rico.
Losing Alexis AND Ozil wouldn’t have made Arsenal such a happy, shiny attraction for new or existing sponsors.
I wonder if that concentrated a few minds during January?
Good point Kev but Ramsey and Iwobi will attract a big sponsor deal… lol
Wonder if we’ll stick with Puma, I’m sure I read something about changing to a different brand. Umbro I think it was…
If Kroenke had any proper input he would get his wife`s Walmart to sponsor us for a astronomical amount seeing as he doesn`t put a penny into the club himself.
I`m sure if CFG and PSG can flaunt FFP rules then a bit of slap and tickle from syrup to his wife wont be too bad a loop hole !
Evening Rico and the House
Replay of Sat game.
Its Arsenal1 Everton 0
Scorer Captain Joe Willock
Mistake It was Eddy Didn’t take him long.
Reiss 2-0
Lets all hope the recent behaviour at
Dortmond by the PEA is a one off.
I can just the headlines:
Taxi for uber.
Evening Rick, good start for the boys..
Ha ha Fred, I’m sure Wenger will keep him under control… lol
H/T 2-0
Heavy tackles flying in.
We are playing very well
Mavropanis is looking better every game he can give as well as he takes.
Nelson is at his best and with other results going our way we are 2nd just 2pts behined the dippers.
Who do I send the Brasso to Rico.
Eddy makes it 3-0
Great play by Reiss and joe Willock
They are kicking lumps out of Joe.
Things have got even better
The spuds are beating the dippers 1-0 and they are down to ten men.
1 point behined
You’ve lost me with the Brasso Rick..
Eddy Eddy Eddy 4-0
To clean the silverware Rico. LOL
Ha ha Rick, not silver cleaner then.. lol
Finished 4-0
Great night for the boys.
Spuds beat the dippers 1-0
Dippers 2 red cards Lallana was one of them
Silver cleaner hard on the hands Rico .
Great result Rick..
Night to you Rick, and all.
Night Rico
With tonight’s Chav result we shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that 3rd place is now within sight. Despite all reservations ,the laSt 12 games could be interesting.
Potter, what time do Spec-savers open in the morning lol !
Spurs,Chelsea and Liverpool are losing games. Lets see how things stand after Saturday. Despite wanting change at the club I can’t help but wanting them to win matches.
Yep, the classic conundrum Potter.
Rick, another impressive result, but unlike Chelsea and ManC our youngsters, or a lot of them, are from within our own academy and if good enough will be given a chance in the 1st team.
ManC and Chelsea have dominated youth football but none of their own young players have really progressed into the 1st team.
New post up.
Morning Kev.