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Three out, three in?? Josh wants rid of Arsene……

Posted on by rico

Morning all.

There’s a spurious story doing the rounds which suggest Josh Kroenke, he’s the one without the wig, wants to sack Arsene Wenger and appoint Thierry Henry. Whilst the sacking of our manager kind of makes sense, replacing him with his good friend and footballing great, who is yet to get his coaching badges and has no experience of management whatsoever, does not!

I’m sure many Arsenal fans would one day love to see Henry on the sidelines barking his orders as the Arsenal players, that day is a long way off imo.

Perhaps Josh should carry on doing what he enjoys most and that’s reading Harry Potter and having breakfast at McDonalds. Leave the footballing side of things to someone who knows what they are doing. I guess that’s Ivan.

2.05pm kick off today, it’s early but not as bad as a 12.45pm so no excuses! Hopefully the players have had a kick in the place that hurts most and they are up for this match.

David Ospina had a big wobble on Wednesday but whether the three goals conceded were his fault is hard to judge as those players in front of him did very little to help his cause.

Bring back Szczesny? Not imo….

Per Mertesacker – who this season has been nothing short of dire during some matches and I think it’s time he was moved aside for Gabriel. Gabriel is quicker, stronger in the air appears to have more about him than our big German.

Gibbs is another who needs to drop back to the bench and let Nacho Monreal carry on doing what he has been doing at left back which imo, has been more steady and disciplined than Gibbs. Monreal seems to know when to go forward and when to stay back, something which Gibbs struggles with.

As we know, we had a dreadful Wednesday, Everton had a fruitful Thursday and despite Lukaku going off with what looked like a hamstring injury, he’s expected to be fit for today’s game. He’s big, strong and quick, he’s dangerous but hopefully, our boys know that. They darn well should. Lennon is quick too and being a toots player, he’ll want to win.

I’d start Theo in this game, he’s been on the bench long enough to make him realise he needs to step it up. Leave Welbeck out, or play him central and bench Giroud after his horror midweek showing.

Rosicky, Santi and Alexis – they have to start as when they click, boy do we click so much better.

Coquelin, Bellerin and Koscielny make up my eleven.

Ospina

Bellerin Gabriel Koscielny Monreal

Coquelin Rosicky

Cazorla

Walcott Welbeck Alexis

That would be my eleven.

Pace and width on both flanks up front and enough to keep their full backs in their place, Rosicky and Santi to give us the creativity in midfield and Coquelin to patrol the midfield but with a bit more discipline with his tackling.

Welbeck needs a goal more than I need a cup of tea each morning, but playing him wide restricts his chances and as we’ve seen, he’s leaving his wide role in a desperate attempt to score. Give him the right pass and fingers crossed he’ll do the rest.

Then we have a strong bench with Ozil, Giroud, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Chambers, Gibbs, Merts and even Gnabry if he’s fit and ready. Flamini and Ramsey remain on the sidelines but they’ll be back real soon.

A nice early goal would be ideal to settle the nerves and then go and give Everton a bloody good hiding!

Only that might help us fans put the Monaco debacle a little further back in our memory…..

Have a good day folks, I’m hoping for a much better showing and all three points in the bag…

rico

184 thoughts on “Three out, three in?? Josh wants rid of Arsene……”

  1. allezkev says:

    Morning All.

    Morning Rico.

    The atmosphere at the Grove could be interesting.

    An early goal to settle everyone’s nerves or else it could all get a bit acrimonious…

  3. bripriuk says:

    Hi Rico
    I agree with your team (for once :-)). Ozil has played well in the last few games before Wednesday, but he’s a confidence player and Monaco will knock him back for a few weeks.
    As for Thierry, I agree – perhaps one day. Kroenke has never been the same since his double act broke up (or was that the Krankies).
    Everton played a poor team on Thursday, it may make then over-confident.
    Brian

  4. rico says:

    Hi Brian, we agree? Well that makes a change eh… 😉

    Agree re Everton, Young Boys are hardly Leicester, and Everton struggled against them….

  5. Judge me in May says:

    Good morning all,
    I like your line up rico, but I reckon AW will start with both Ozil and Giroud, then same subs as usual..
    I didn’t fault Ospina for the goals on Wednesday, however I thought he could have done better in the third goal if he made himself a little bit bigger, I guess we asking too much.. lol
    I really hope to see Paulista in place for Merts, lukaku and Mirallas pace upfront could cause problems..
    Coyrgs..

  6. Joaquim Moreira says:

    good morning!
    Henry is a legend but he isn’t a coach.
    Have been a good player does not make a good coach. Mourinhoe Leonardo Jardim are examples.
    Today, a good coach has to study hard, have great communication skills, have “pulse”, etc.
    Let we see what’s will be happen today

  9. allezkev says:

    The thing about Giroud, was that going into the Monaco game, he was actually in a good run of form…

    But when OG12 has a bad night, he has an absolute stinker…
    And that’s what transpired Wednesday Rico…

    I like you line-up, but I think that Giroud will start.
    Not really sure which way Arsene will go re; Welbeck/Walcott?
    Can Arsenal start both and rest Sanchez???

  10. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Good Morning Lovelies and Hunkies.

    Good observations Rico. But I would still persevere with OG12 and rest Danny. Then sub Ollie and put on DW23.

    Kev….and Rico…….an early 5 goal haul will settle our nerves.

    Ollie missed 4 clear cut chances which normally he would have buried instead of skived but I think he will score 3 with his first three shots on goal and be subbed immediately by AW on the 18th minute for DW who will score with his first two shots on goal between the 18th and 24th minute. AW wil haul him off to give Chuba Akpom a crack at the CF position for the remaining 66 minutes plus the customary 4 minutes till Everton score to deny us a clean sheet. 😉

    imo the team today SHOULD be…..

    Ospina
    Bellerin, GAbriel, Kos, Nacho
    Coquelin
    Theo, Cazorla, TR07,SAnchez
    Ollie

  11. Bt62 Gooner says:

    Morning all,

    We have the ability to give the Toffees a ‘bloody good hiding’ but have we the desire? remains to be seen.

    Rico, you mentioned Leicester, i don’t think we covered ourselves in glory when we played them either.

    Keep it tight and be bloody professional and watch out for the antics of Naismith and Marillas seems full of confidence at the moment.

    How many chances does Danny Boy need?

    Beware of Josh the Evil…

    Good post me lady and top o the mornin’ to ya…..

    O2, O2 B……

  12. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Lets get down to being a bit serious now.

    Henry as the next manager??? Sorry mates….but he can fuck off to another club. Not Arsenal. Yes he is a legend but as a player not a manager.

    Arsenal deserve someone of the ilk of Ancellotti, Simeone, Mourinho (yes we despise him but he is successful), Guardiola, Conte. Not a wannabeeeeeeeee like Henry.

  13. Wavy says:

    JM you’ve omitted Wenger from your list of bad players, good coaches!
    Henry and DB10 one day perhaps? Dream team? Or could we call up Gus Caesar?
    I like your team too, Rico but, like several others I can’t see the old coach dropping Giroud. I can see him starting Walnut in place of Dannyboy though, to add with power and finishing if he’s got his boots on the right feet! Monreal instead pf Gibbs, for today’s fixture, at least.
    Yet again this is a game we should stroll through and win comfortably………..but will we?? I’ve given up predicting Arsenal’s results as they are just too unpredictable!
    See you all for the warm down, after the game. Off out for lunch again, yet more Sunday football on the record button!
    Hope we all have a good day today. St David’s day you know! Lots of lava bread on toast for lunch! Yum!

  14. rico says:

    Good point re Ollie Kev, he was scoring well before Wednesday. Dropping him may not be the best answer, but I think we’ll need him more against Qpr on Wednesday, they’ll be tough away from home…

  16. rico says:

    Thanks Bt, you have a point re Leicester… 😉

    Devil, I wouldn’t – I’d rest him, or at least leave him on the bench. But it wouldn’t be good to agree… 😉

    Enjoy lunch Wavy, hope your done and dusted by 2pm or you might suffer indigestion…. lol

  18. allezkev says:

    5 goals Coach? Not sure about that mate.

    A clean sheet and a win will do me…

    6 points from next two games and no goals conceded would be great…

  29. allezkev says:

    Basically, he’s sent out the same team, and hopefully told them to put right what they fecked up on Wednesday….

    I wonder what Monreal has done wrong?

    Theo Walcott must be wondering if he is still has much of a future at Arsenal..?

    Is he now behind AOC in the pecking order???

  67. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Your observation is right Rico. We are defending in numbers. The players are no longer with a zone…..but marking the players. In one instance we had 8 players to their five in our box.

  83. tsgh says:

    Chambers as DM…
    Hope coquelin is well…
    Hi ng…
    Ozil move ment of ball is super.he is just not in tune with team yet imo

  94. allezkev says:

    Listened to the game on TalkRubbish…
    What a shit radio station!

    3 points and clean sheet…
    Job done…

  97. allezkev says:

    Nobody can criticise Coquelin for a lack of effort and bravery after today…

    Now Wenger needs to rest and rotate a few for QPR…

  99. Joaquim Moreira says:

    2-0. well but…
    Alexis had a good game but he must appear more in the penalty área
    Ozil is always the some
    We can won 2-0 or lost 0-2….
    Going ahead Arsenal!

  101. eduardo says:

    2 assists for Ozil today

    Ospina solid apart from one shaky moment

    Gabriel brings the covering speed to our defense that Per just does not posssess

    Ox and Alexis messed up many good positions today with poor passing and crossing

  104. rico says:

    Eduardo, couldn’t agree more re Gabriel. Tbh, ever since the Boro game, I’d have started him ahead of Merts…

    Thought Ospinas charge out the goal and his crucial tackle was super lol

  105. Micko says:

    Was a great time to play Everton, 1 win in 11 premierships games now, the 3 points today was vital with everyone breathing down our necks, can see Liverpool pipping Man U for the 4th place trophy this season, they’re welcome to it !
    Next up Rangers, programmes in the post Bt.

  107. rico says:

    Micko, apparently Everton have been good since the turn of the year.. Well, that’s what that little squirt Owen said when it was 0-0 and they had all the ball…..

  109. Micko says:

    rico, don’t take any notice of what Stumpy says, full of this, full of that, full of shit and full of crap.

  118. Judge me in May says:

    Good result, so and so performance..
    Ospina was assured today..
    Gabriel needed few minutes to settle down I guess, but kos was a bit rash in his decision making ..
    I think the stats would say Ozil’s two assists, but are they really clear cut assists? One is hit and hope corner and one a superb pass outside the box, credit to TR07 he scored..
    Agree alexis and ox hard work, lots of runs and poor end product..
    Hoping for totts triumph today.. To see Mourino, John Terry, and cheating Ivanovic celebrate would be too much..

    lol.. .. 2/0 now.. O well..

  119. rico says:

    I don’t celebrate when I collect a couple of egg shaped things each day…. Lol

    I didn’t see that Kev, just thought Coquelin was battered on his nose. 🙁

  121. rico says:

    Judge, I hoped the totts would win, although that’s hard to say, but I hate that other lot from the top to the bottom….

  123. Rick says:

    Afternonn Rico and the House.
    Good win today thats how we should have played against Monaco.
    I like the look of Gabby at last we have a real defender.
    Sorry for Coq he has a broken nose.

  125. Bt62 Gooner says:

    Rico, let’s not get into such a delicate issue of egg shaped things in one’s hands……Ooch

  126. rico says:

    Afternoon Rick, his nose did look a bit squashed, hope he has a batman mask already being made… lol

    And red cards Kel…

    Bt, oooooeeeerrrrrrrrrrr lol

  127. allezkev says:

    Good to hear that Ospina had a good game.

    Re: Coquelin, it was just the radio saying about his teeth, not sure about the accuracy.

    Rick, broken nose means Coquelin will be defo out of QPR and maybe ManUre?

  129. Adam says:

    Tedious game Arsenal v their nerves really. Everton are awful. That Gabriel tackle was worth a goal and gave the team a bit of a lift.

  130. Rick says:

    Kev in his post match pressie Arsene said it was broken but will have to wait to see if he needs an operation. I agrea defo out at QPR not sure about Man u.

  134. tsgh says:

    I must say Bellerin was excellent. Ox offered no help at all the whole game but he still did a splendid job…

  136. allezkev says:

    Mourinho made sure that his mob shut out Kane…

    He learns from every reversal, unlike Arsene…

    Mourinho is a top coach, but as a man he’s a cnut….

  137. Wath says:

    Well done to the chavs great win… wouldn’t pee on that shit from down the road if they were all on fire, fuck em… Now the chavs can piss off back to fulham…! End of my 90 mins of wanting then to win….!

  140. Wath says:

    I don’t ever struggle where the vermin are concerned Rico, I don’t care how much I hate a team anyone who plays the sheenies I want them to win… 10-0 today would of been good… Fuck em…!

  142. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Good Evening Lovelies and Hunkies.

    The team played well overall. I was really with the performance of Ospina, Gabriel, Bellerin, , Cazorla, Chamberlain and when he came on TR07. Not that the others were a let down, they played ok. But the performance of the former group was very encouraging.

    I really enjoyed Thomas’ goal. I like that player a lot and feel that he always gives the team a lot of options which the others do not. His footballing brain is on a superior level to those around him. And had he not suffered the injuries he had he would have been far more influential in his career.

    Ospina was good once again. Correct decisions, good positional sense and a superb tackler (lol…on just one tackle). But he needs to improve his distribution kicks.

    The defence was not zonal today. It was a flat back four with everyone chipping in to help at the back. And this helped keep the team compact. I lost count of the times Everton fell offside. I was going to check if the TogoLump was playing for them as he used to be a record offside breaker in his time with us.

    I really enjoy it when Alexis does not score and we win. That shows we are not a one man team. Yes I like his enthusiasm, and what he gives to the team. And I do enjoy it when he scores. However, I enjoy it more when others score and the goals are spread all over the team.

  145. rico says:

    Devil, I thought we were inhibited – perhaps a result of the Monaco game. But some goods things went on at times, just not enough….

    Tomas – just wish he was 24 again…..

  146. Hell Raising Devil says:

    We were cautious Rico. not inhibited imo.

    However, that caution should be present in every game. That means respecting the opposition.

    Against QPR the team should be as follows…..(Coquelin out injured)

    Ospina
    Bellerin, Gabriel, Kos, Nacho
    Flamini
    OX, TR07,Ozil,Sanchez
    Giroud

    I would have liked to include Cazorla….but imo he needs a little rest. We have a big game against utd.

  152. Joe says:

    Just in from spending the day at the rugby in Dublin and small amount of time in the pub. 🙂
    I’ll have to watch what they show on match of the day.
    I see Micko no loves the Americans…….

  154. potter says:

    In my house if Chelsea won it , it’s Abramovic that bought it , If spurs win it I am physically sick.

  155. scottfromoz says:

    Morning all.
    Ok…..I haven’t seen much, but what I saw was solid.
    Merts will be sold at season ends, IMO.
    Rosicky should stay for another 2-3 years at least…seriously, he’s playing with the energy of a 23 year old, and every time he plays, we have exactly what we always need….movement and energy.
    Gabriel….he will do bloody nicely.
    Tough and uncompromising…..exactly what we need, and if we can swap Merts or keep him but get in another, back 4 is set.
    Coquelin in was immense…he could barely breathe but toughed it out.
    Terrific result and if we can win again midweek, we can get back on a roll.

  156. tsgh says:

    Morning Scott, Rico et al

    Talkshite not happy we have climbed up to third… lol

    Hope Coquelin recovers swiftly… not nice having a blood clotted nostrils….

  157. tsgh says:

    Lets keep Per. He still has a purpose. For teams who will provide aerial bombardment, he will still be better suited that Gabriel imo…
    AW should however, go out and buy Miranda plus a DM and make as a top club…

    Its excellent on here after a win btw… 😉

  158. rico says:

    Morning Scott, Ts and all…

    Can’t see Merts playing much between now and the end of the season, IF Gabriel stays fit..

  160. Adam says:

    Morning Rico. Anyone expecting a nervous, stuttering performance yesterday will not have been disappointed. If we had played a serious team who were in-form then we might have been in trouble. As usual though Martinez got his tactics entirely wrong for our fragile state and we should be grateful for his ineptitude.
    As for Per? Yes, he is getting slower by the day but mentally he seems shot too and his negativity and nervousness with the ball at his feet transmits through the team and particularly the defence like a virus. Add to this Gibbs’ increasing flakiness and inability to concentrate and there are enough defensive conundrums for Wenger to deal with.

  161. Lee says:

    Morning all….
    How are you Brudder?
    Monreal has looked better than Gibbs when I’ve seen him…..
    Merts, his days look numbered……

  162. tsgh says:

    Not bad at all Scott..

    Agree with 9:41 btw…

    Another Everton team with Mirallas etc would have caused us a bit of problem… Even a fitter Gibson would have caused us a few issues as Barkley ended up doing Gareth’s job for him on Ozil and Sc19
    Ox, is a very gifted player but defensively he seems as uninterested as a super-star …

  163. Adam says:

    Morning Brudder. Hanging in there. Hope you and the family are well. Thing is with Gibbs, he doesn’t really seem to be moving forwards quality wise which is in contrast to his game play where he seems to me to be moving forwards rather too often. I have preferred Monreal, who is a more rounded pro, for a while now. As a unit our defence is flaky both positionally and on the ball. Bellerin looks interesting though as he gets more used to first team action and his confidence increases. I could sense his determination yesterday.

  166. scottfromoz says:

    Hi guys……
    Bellerin has plenty of upside.
    Gibbs seems to have lost all confidence since coming back from injury, whilst Nacho has blossomed with a decent run of games.
    Ox is another we can add to the names Szczesny and Wilshere who just haven’t improved in a few seasons.

  167. tsgh says:

    Per has 2 more years to go on his contract.. I think on his 75k/week salary he can still be useful for the dressing room and can help the likes of Chambers or even Hayden if he ever got the chance.
    Last summer I wrote in one of my post that we would be lucky to get a similar sterling performance as he did last time this season… The concept of utilising attacking fullbacks every 3 days is also very draining on personal.
    Sagna going has really exposed Per as a defender; Also without MA08 we do not have the traditional no.6 or deep-lying play maker to start our attacks from midfield/defence and so Per looks like he has been burden with this;

    My worry is how we can replace the ‘brains’ of MA08 and TR07 going forward. Gundogan and Pjanic or maybe Kramer will be excellent starts imo…

    Juve are going through a similar issue with Pirlo on ‘reserve gas’…
    Barca have been lucky by having Rakitic to learn from Busquet and Xavi before they are return…

    next summer all the top teams will be after Strootman, Pjanic, Gundogan. All players we need to take us to the next level; but will Arsenal compete?

  168. potter says:

    On the way home we discussed the squad and tried to pick a 25 for next season. Just as we did for the last 5 years we concluded another centre back , a true stay back midfielder and a forward . In other words a new spine to add the guts to the obvious talent we already have.

  169. tsgh says:

    Scott- you are an honest man.. admitting to Ox’s form..

    I know you love the boy but you always give an unbiased opinion on players performances… apart from the boy-wonder of course. 😛

  171. Adam says:

    If, after several seasons at the club we are still no closer to knowing AOC’s position and he has fallen into the circle of picking up injury after injury then it is hardly surprising that his form is so patchy. He is walking the same path trodden by others. Walcott to name but one.

  173. tsgh says:

    Potter, don’t you think Coquelin is a ‘stay at home’ type midfielder?

    There ain’t any CF’s on the market or in football at the moment imo…

  174. scottfromoz says:

    Nah Ginge, Aaron has been shit this season lol.
    He was starting to hit a bit if form before his latest injury but until he can string games together, he’s not going to get near what he was last season.
    I love Ox but he should be much better, IMO.
    3 players with the same issue…….no progress.
    Maybe I’ve been wrong all the time and it is the coaching, or is it their attitude?
    I know the other two , Jack and Szczesney are cocky and I’ve not seen much of that from Ox, but then I’m a million miles away lol

  178. tsgh says:

    Scott- Like any game I have seen live; Ox never listens to orders from fellow players.

    Bellerin never spoke with Ox the whole game; when LA Mozart came on he even took orders from young Bellerin.
    How is it that TR07 can come on and make space playing in the same position Ox was playing?

    Is it the coach? No coach is perfect as we all know.. not even Sacchi or Cruyff where fault free…

    When Ozil loses the ball fans are on his back like a pack of vultures but when Ox did it wasn’t the same…
    I have always maintained tactically he is no where near Serge Gnarbry…
    Ox is super talented but the difference in my opinion is that he is not as hungry as some other 21 y.o imho…

  180. tsgh says:

    Not sold on Ospina either.. he seemed world class playing for a club fighting for survival in ligue 1 but I guess a different mindset is needed for a top team… Matt poom comes to mind! He was so good against us TH14 asked AW to sign him but when he joined us, he was like stepanovs with gloves on…

  181. Lee says:

    I’d do that deal in a heartbeat however, the vertically challenged one that hails from the Iberian Peninsula may throw a spanner in the works……

  182. tsgh says:

    Scott, I don’t think Ramsey has been that shite…maybe inconsistent

    I think he has been playing like he did last part of last season when I use to slate him for being more interested in playing further up than being the tactical player he will be great at…

    As we both agree he needs to come back to earth and keep things simple..

    It does not help though when sections of fans judge a player on goals scored only…

  184. rico says:

    Ts, judging a midfielder on how many goals he scores would be daft imo, yes we want players other than strikers to contribute but as AW said recently, Ramsey shouldn’t be obsessed with scoring…

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