Morning all.
According to Sky Sports, Villarreal have confirmed their defender Gabriel Paulista will sign for Arsenal subject to a work permit, with forward Joel Campbell joining the Spanish side on loan as part of the deal. This work permit issue really concerns me as when do we ever get those decisions go in our favour?
And what happens if Gabriel isn’t granted one, does Arsene Wenger have another idea up his sleeve? I sure hope so, he has to…
What about our much needed Cdm?
Francis Coquelin is apparently faffing around regarding his new contract offer and will only sign on if the return of Jack Wilshere won’t push him back onto the bench and who can blame him. This is one time I hope Arsene chooses French over English as Coquelin has proved he’s far better suited to role. Well, in the last couple of games he has.
Well well, what an FA Cup Saturday that was. Chavs out, City out, Toots gone, Swansea out and to top it all off, Yaya Sanogo, thanks to a huge deflection, and old boy Chamakh made sure Southampton were on their bike too.
Who’d have thought that eh…..
But let’s not join them!
Beating Manchester City raises the belief and the confidence of the team but it also questions your ability to repeat that kind of performance, and to keep that tenacity in your concentration.
That’s what will be questioned at Brighton. Let’s show that we can produce exactly the same level of focus and the same dynamic in the team- Arsène Wenger
This is the FA Cup and every lower league club fancies causing an upset! If whoever plays today think this game is won before kick off, they are very wrong! In fact, anyone thinking such a thing should not even be playing….
We are the holders of the big jug, respect it and respect the opposition too!
Today’s game is our first away fixture in the FA Cup since our last visit to Brighton which was almost exactly two years ago to the day. On that occasion, a cracking fourth-round tie was settled late in the game by a Theo Walcott goal.
Things have changed for Brighton since then. They were doing well and looked strong in the Championship but sadly for them, their challenge for promotion faded away, as did a few managers. Three to be precise with Chris Hughton being the current man in charge since December and he’s no stranger to Premier League opposition having managed both Newcastle and Norwich City. Since his arrival, Brighton have won four of their last five fixtures so they go into this tie in good form.
Mind you so do we after last weekends result and we’ll need a similar disciplined performance this afternoon if we aren’t to head out of the competition.
Hector Bellerin (ankle) and midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (groin) face late fitness tests. Danny Welbeck remains on the sidelines, as do Mikel Arteta and Jack Wilshere.
Theo Walcott and Mesut Ozil are tipped to start this fixture but I can’t see too many changes other than forced ones and we don’t play again until next Sunday lunchtime so they’ll be plenty of time for rest and recovery.
I really hope we see a very strong side today, one which will ensure we are in the draw for the next round as I love the FA Cup. There’s no other competition quite like it.
COYRRG’S!
First 😀 :
Stan!
She wore….she wore…..we are going back to wembley guys. Am estatic
Morning rico….Am having a ball. Forget about it. The fa cup is ours. She wore…she wore.
We certainly have a good chance goonster but as yesterday’s results reminded us, no game is a forgone conclusion, regardless of which league the opposition plays in…
I agree Rico, cannot have Brighton who are managed by an ex Spud player, pulling off a shock win. But Arsenal will have to be on their game today. The cup is a great leveller as Chelsea found out yesterday.
I fancy a 2-0 today…..
We’d never hear the last of Marinello….
Come rico we ll smash those seasiders. 4 .1 theo with a hatrick. Trust me the boys are fired up. Theo didn’t feature in the last fa cup final at wembley. He wants to this time. She wore she wote. COYFGS. Yeeeeeeaaaaaah
Why are even having this discussion. I told you it’s in the bag. Not Even Manure Can Stop Us From Winning the Fa Cup.
Campeones campeones ole ole ole
Time will tell goonster…
Theo hat-trick?? What are you drinking this morning… 😉
A cuppa 😀 :
No scratch that some brew from KwaZulu-Natal 😀 : or is that the Nigerian guiness micko talks about. COYFGS. Yeeeeeeaaaaaah. When’s the game rico?
Well put some brandy in it and calm down…. 😉
She wore she wore….hahahahah I just pictured maureen’s face when we win the fa cup and cl and he’s stuck with the mickey mouse cup. That’s hilarious. Turd faced bastard.
In 4.5 hours time…
Nah rico it’s Sunday. It’s God’s day. No liquor for me. Maybe just a smiggle 😀 :
hey rico do they have a good pitch or is it some potato patch we ll be playing on today? Hey you re from Brighton right? So come get off your butt and go cheer on the lads. Uhhh this whiskey is working already. She wore she wore.
No idea re their pitch goonster but I’m not from Brighton….. and I live 100 miles or more from the place….
What I would say to Coquelin is: If he has ambitions to be always listed on the Arsenal first team sheet, he must go on putting in the kinds of shift and performances he has been currently putting in. That’s the only way to keep your colleague on the bench in any club.
But I would also say to Mr. Wenger, it is time he found a better method, fairer system of rotating the squad so that each player can earn their wages and not spend a year-in-a-day on the bench and become rusty or suffer burn out.
The role of each team member is to raise their game so that they would not be over looked.
This weekend is a “Giant Killing Weekend”. Arsenal has to be ready and fully focussed.
She wore she wore….
BM, rotation, fairness and Mr Wenger don’t go together… 😉
Afternoon All
Afternoon Rico, great post M’Lady…
Yes, the Coq Question? 😛
As had been said already, we cannot blame Coquelin for waiting…
I actually don’t blame Wenger either, it has just been circumstances that none of us expected or predicted…
Coquelin is playing at the top of his game and good luck to him.
If he stays, then great.
If he leaves, then Bon voyage.
We should keep him in the team, play him every single game, rinse him, see how he stands up to the constant game time, see if he really is as good as he seems or if it’s adrenaline that’s seen the New Coq come to the fore.
And the prospect of a nice new fat contract.
And if he is as good as he’s been, up till now, then offer him improved terms?!
Keep Wilshere back, put Jack on the bench, just like Ozil/Walcott, nobody is indispensable, except Sanchez…
Campbell is in the way to Villareal. He wrote in his twitter .
So, Paulista is comming.
Goonster, Ajax-Feynoord 0-0 at half time.
Hope we win today.
Totally agree re the giant killing weekend, if we aren’t up for today, we’ll be another casualty..
What part of Brighton do you come from then Rico??? 😉
Stan, when you come over to the UK.
Adam, Lee, Rocky & myself will take you down to visit Old Compton St, and you may well end up in Brighton yourself…
Afternoon Kev, thanks.
Totally agree re Coq – I think a bit of both are responsible for his career. Coq never really proved he was ready for the responsibility even when he did get a chance to play, which was not very often.
Then on loan, nothing really clicked.
His return smacked of desperation to me but thankfully, it looks like it might have paid off.
Stay or go it matters not to me, as long as if he goes, we sign a proper midfielder in his place..
Under one of the pebbles Kev… 😉
Wilshere is due back by the middle of February…
Gnabry must be close to a return…
Welbeck due back week after next…
Wenger is gonna have a selection headache.
Good isn’t it? 🙂
Rico 😆
🙂 re Old Compton Street Kev….
Yeah, good points Rico…
If Coq stays then great.
If Coq leaves then we should get Schneiderlin anyway.
I bet Wilshere has a setback….
The return of Welbeck and Gnabry is good news. Wonder when Arteta will be declared fit…
Schneiderlin and one more for me Kev and have a clear out… 🙂
Talking of which, is Diaby walking yet?
I’m off to get a few things done before KO, catch up later….
Hahahahahah rico leaves under a peeble. Go figures. Hahahahahah she wore she wore 😀 :
Kev old Hampton street calls to me even in my sleep. I long to walk down the paved sidewalks and call out to all dem ladies. I ll have me a handful 😀 :
Afternoon, good post. Hoping that all yesterdays upsets work in our favour. If there was the slightest complacency after our City win, the players know only too well now that focus and commitment are needed for 95 minutes.
Rico, Arteta and Debuchy are due back in the middle of April…
Diaby, who knows?
Jay Emmanuel Thomas has the chance to make his name today.
Come On The City (Bristol, that is)
Luke Freeman, another ex-Gunner playing for City
And Luke Ayling
rico, is it very blustery down on the South Coast today ? 3 nil to The Arsenal.
Kev, lets see how they come out of the traps. We need to put in a full shift today. FA Cup games are not games where one can hide, its a one off and anything can happen. On paper we should walk it but……..
Looking forward to a good match with Czesny keeping a clean sheet if he plays….
If you go to Brighton Kev stay away from Kemp Town….
Ha ha Marinello, not going to Brighton mate.
Only went to the Goldstone once.
Arsenal lost…
Not been since.
Afternoon All
Todays team
Chessny Chambers Kossy Monreal Gibbs Flamini Walctt Ramsey Oszil Rosicky Giroud
Subs Martinezs BFG Bellerin Le Coq Santi Alexis Akpom
Hungry Years Gathering Place. in Brighton, great pub if still in existence….Well 20 odd years ago…
Afternoon all……
Keep it tight and play a mature game and we’ll be smiling, dick around and any thing can happen…
She Wore, She Wore!!!!
Afternoon all..
Odd team, hope it’s strong enough and focussed enough..
Strong bench though but hopefully won’t need Alexis or Santi to save the day…
COYRRG’s!!
Brighton’s big loan player misses out then…
Home fans are up for this…..
Bloody heck Theo 🙂
Happy Rico……Get in!!!!
Rico, odd team indeed….
Not sure about Monreal at centre-back or leaving out Coquelin tbh…
Hope I’m wrong, but I sense an upset…
Well, as I was saying, we’re gonna win 3-0 today… 😉
He made it look easy Rico
Happy but surprised Bt…. Lol
I’ll get my coat… 😀
If we keep the pressure up Kev it could be ok but if they come into the game, I’ll worry…
He sure did Rick, super finish…
It’s ok Gibbs and chambers playing like wingers during this period but they need to know when to defend….
Turning cold Kev? Lol
Rico 🙂
Wicked ball, wicked finish….
Tomas, you are superb…..
The ones newly returned from injuries are keen to impress!! Theo and Ozil, wow!!!
Well played Captain
Hello, all. 🙂 Hello, Lady of the House! Hi, Kev, Goonie, JM, rick, BT!
That was close to being a Brighton goal
Hi Agag.. Still need another two lol
Make that 3, rico. What was Koz doing?? Just listening to the commentary at arsenal.com…
🙂 Agag..
It’s all a bit too easy right now and that’s a worry as our boys will switch off…
Giroud looks like he’s not really woken up…
Hi Agag, great to see Ozil score, getting plenty of space….
What ever Thomas is on I would like some of lt. He has been great so far.
Perhaps G Rod had a late night, Rico…
Shame Theo didn’t spot his run Rick, would have been 3-0
G rod Bt, how fitting lol
After yesterday’s insane results, we definitely know we’re not out of the woods yet. Giroud blows hot and cold, it’s frustrating. At least, he still has forty five minutes to redeem himself. 😉
He’s so lethargic today Agag…
Here we go then……
Grrrrr
Book him the cheat!!
🙂
I’d change flamoney for Coq right now…
Great strike Tomas…
What a blatant piece of diving drama…
Rosicky!!!!
Chuba on 🙂 🙂
Oh, and Alexis… Lol
Bloody hell!
FFS!!!
Twitchy bum time again!!
Good move Arsene.
Phew!
Phew In deed,Rico.
Job done, next round here we come…
She Wore, She Wore…
Sounded like a classic FACup tie on the radio…
We’re through and that’s all that counts…
My only grumble is, Coq on when we go 3-1…
It’s so obvious
Things we learned today. Flamini and Chez spread panic. Despite a great goal Walcott is as wasteful as ever
I like Kosser worldclass he ain’t yet,
asleep switched off is not world class……is it guys.
Kev he had to come on mate 3-2 it was.
Very impressed with him,sharp in the tackle he has improved a country mile.
Wins a win…..sleep well to -nite.I will
Fred, I wouldn’t have even dropped Coq..,
For me, he should have started.
He’s a young guy, 24 years old, let him play…
Too many players switch off and go through the passing routine when we are winning too easy. , Ramsey , Walcott and Flamini lost the midfield and with Giroud doing nothing and Ozil playing within himself admittedly to get back we were lucky that Captain Tom played out of his skin and led us through.
What I once again cannot understand,
Quote from wenger in the week.
I noticed in training Coq had improved leaps and bounds,
so decided to loan him out to charlton.
Our right back gets injured,wenger decided to bring Coq back,
was to cover for the right back?
Or has he just got lucky..what a stroke of luck?
Potter. That’s just about how I saw it.
The top players don;t switch off..winners/medals
inbred mentality.
You have to give credit to Brighton, they gave it everything, and as Chelsea and Man City found out, you just have to ease up a bit and get sloppy and you get dumped out…
Now, we need a home draw, against Leicester or Crystal Palace would do me…
Potter, spot on, said similar earlier. It got all too easy in their minds and the switch off button went on. Sloppy!
Supporters want to win every game,managers try to forget a loss,
and think next game I will change a few things around,
players..who knows..what the fuxk is in these geezers heads.
Kev, Brighton were poor, we should have battered them in the first half. We gave them their lifeline but thankfully held on…..
It did sound as if the usual suspects, Giroud, Walcott, Ramsey, were a bit wasteful in the 1st half…
That’s football, Drogba didn’t score yesterday, nor did Aguero or Dzeko or Van Persie or Falcao or Stirling, so it’s not just the Arsenal…
As Fred said, who knows what goes on in the heads of these millionaire footballers?
All I know, is that Arsenal are in the hat for the 5th Round..,
So I’m happy… 🙂
job done but why not a clean sheet?
always the some
That’s true Kev, on a weekend which saw so many pl clubs go out, we didn’t join them.
And that’s what matters….
JM, always the some, is what makes the FACup what it is…
And long may it continue amigo
Night folks, early night for me after a dreadful nights sleep last night…
We are through and I’m happy. Now let’s get a home tie tomorrow…
Ttfn….
Night boss, stay of the booze……
Horlicks Bt, I’m cold and have the shivers……
Gone now….
Sorry to hear that, Rico….sleep well..
Evening all but goodnight Rico.
Today job done and we are in the hat tomorrow night.
I thought Tomas was superb and by far the best player on the pitch.
In an interview after the game Arsene stated the Transfer of Paulista should be competed tomorrw and asked about the work permit there is no probleme it is good.
rico, I take it your other half will be doubling up as a hot water bottle tonite !!!
Bt, don’t know why but I always had you down as a Mod !
Anyone at home next round will do me as well.
Rick, if it all goes tits up we can always loan him out and release him on a free in 3 years time.
Evening folks…
there was me thinking at 2-3 that BT might be right. I shouldn’t be attending games… we managed to hang on..
Damn, Flamini is Shite!
What a privilege it was for me to see my ‘joint fave’ player La Mozart score… absolutely top player.
Top goal.,Ts….. but the law of averages…..
Micko, did you know The Hungry Years?
No Bt, I only ever got as far as The Dell in my youth, know more about the famine years if I’m honest matey !
I know the Wonder years Micko and Bt…
The years ain’t fast going that’s for sure tsgh ! Nite Guys, here’s to a good favourable draw tomorrow.
Ts, would that be 96-05?……
Night Micko….
nIght Micko..
ha ha Bt.. no the TV wonder years..
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094582/
Lol £14m for Paulista…
I hope Aw has his magic wand ready..
He is not very good in the air.. at least another body in…
Night Bt and all…
I know Ts, Kev and family…
He’ll be in good company.
Night Ts… I still think you may be a jinx…latta
So Kozzer isn’t world clas because he had a lapse in concentration.
Mmmm…..seems Citeh and Chelski mustn’t have any world class players as their entire squads fell asleep lol.
Come on Frednerk…..name a single player who never makes a mistake…..thats ridiculous!
Ginge, his aerial duel stats suggest Paulista is very good in the air, if those I saw are accurate.
Apparently he’s very quick and aggressive, and has stiffened Villareals defence so let’s home he’s up to it for us.
Job done down South, let’s see who we get in the next round.
Yes Scott , job done but our tendency to go to sleep when we are obviously better than another team will come back and bite us on the arse.
Potter, every team is guilty of that.
We are still in the cup.
Chelski, Citeh…..”world class” squads worth a fortune aren’t, so are they suddenly no good?
It’s football, and if it was decided on paper, they wouldn’t bother playing it on the pitch, and that’s what’s great about it.
We are still in the cup and in itself that is great , but it shouldn’t mask the fact that we allowed a far inferior team to get back at us . All I want is to see is the players that we know to have the ability show the application to ensure their talent is not wasted.
Two things….. Dennis Wise’s syrup! Fucking hilarious!!
Phil Neville’s comments are a disgrace and need dealing with by the authorities!
Neville is a k**b, what a dreadful thing to say….
Potter, they showed a week ago they have it In them.
Lee, I honestly can’t see why Neville took exception to Tommy’s no look pass…..it was brilliant and well above anything he was ever capable of on the pitch.
Morning guys.
Rosicky has been doing that ‘disguised’ pass for years and we all know about Neville’s inclination to ‘two-foot’ opponents as he made a living out of doing it for years. The cretin.
As for Dennis Wise? Jeez, what is he thinking.
Morning all…
I feel sorry for Phil Neville really; His older brother seems to excel at whatever he does whilst Phil always falls shorts..
Dennis Wise, well that Cockney geezer that the Geordie’s hounded out.. lol
I can’t believe some of the comments these guys make almost as much as the fact they get paid to make them.
Did Jose actually show a little humility after the Bradford match?
Mesut has built up a bit in his break, hasn’t he?
Mourino? Humility? Your having a laugh! He always has an agenda, and it’s always to do with HIM!
Nevilles remark about 2 footed tackles should lead to his demise as a football pundit. The FA should charge him for bringing the game into disrepute and the Beeb should sack him for un gentlemanly behaviour and incitement! Shocking statement, a truly appalling thing to say on TV and he wasn’t joking, he was lethally serious.
Didn’t see the game yesterday, caught a bit on the radio and watched Motd2 last night. Easy game made more difficult by some dodgy defensive lapses and some lazy midfielders, unlike last week when all were tuned in, well mostly.
Finally Paulista? Wenger has spun ked all our available cash on him, if you include wages as well. He better be worth it! I think we have all the new players in now!
Morning all hope it’s turns out to be a good week, starting with the Cup draw, later.
Morning all…
Just seen Dennis Wise new hairdo, just what is that all about…..
Wavy, that’s why I offered it up as a question lol.
Seemed to good to be true.
I am hearing we will “definitely” be getting he more player in.
Anyone else hearing similar?
Apparently he went into Bradford’s changing after the game and shook the entire Bradford team/staff’s hands and congratulated them…..however he’s still a vertically challenged moron!
Bit like Dennis and the new piece!!
Lee, I give him credit group that, but not too much….
He’s deflecting a lot of criticism of himself, I believe.
Hio Scott, lets hope Paulista signs for us and does well..
My view is that his central defensive partner Victor Ruiz would have been better for us in complimenting Kosser and BFG.
Also Paulista has the second-worst stats in terms of aerial duels won amongst the CB placing in the top 6…
TS do you know anything about Paulista? If David Luiz keeps him out of the Brasil team that’s fucking worrying……….
Perhaps Mourinho detected that the media love-in with him is dwindling and he wanted to reaffirm his credentials as a sporting God. The ghastly little prick.
There I go being cynical again…..
Ginge, I’ve read his aerial duel stats are terrific.
What to believe lol.
Adam, whatever the case, he’s a prick 🙂
Lol… Lee.Honestly not enough as I referred his partner Victor Ruiz whenever I had watched the yellow submariners.
In my view, Paulista is very similar to Kosserwhich means that he can’t play with Kosser; the same way TV could not play with Kosser…
A mate thinks AW has him earmarked for the DM role actually in future as AW thinks Young Chambers is our reserve CB…
SS’s have just been doing a run down on him Lee, Charlie Nic reckons he’ll be a decent signing but will need time. Reckons he’s strong and physical. Their stats suggest in certain areas he’s better than Merts, in others, not..
Ts, Charlie Nic reckons he’ll be good alongside Kos…
Ginge, well if he’s similar to Kozzer, which is what I’ve heard as well, and I always thought Kozzer would make a DM, then you could be onto something.
Paula a DM doesn’t that mean that Wenger will be thinking ‘outside the box’? Unlikely, imo!
Wavy, yet we all say Wenger always tried playing players out of their position???
Scott, fingers crossed he does the business for us…
Adam, you a cynic? Never… 😉
He’s no oil painting is he?
Hi Rico, the main thing is he is another body in… and I agree with Charlie that Paulista will need time..
I have in the past mentioned on here that ideally we should not be buying CB or defenders from La Liga not considering Le Squids’s last implosion having arrived from La Liga as the best CB alongside then BArca captain Puyol…
CB’s should be from the EPl only in my view.. it shortens the familiarisation period needed.
Could that £14m plus CJ25 been better used on Reid?
Nor was Keown I suppose, let’s hope his as good as Keown was at defending!
Le Squid arrived at the Emirates as a multiple title winner in Ligue 1 and been voted into La Liga’s team of the season after he helped Seville qualify for the UEFA cup for the first time in several years…
At that time Le squid had a face you would not want to see in an alley way .. lol but as they say looks can be deceptive.
I hope history does not repeat itself…
🙂 Lee, he makes Ollie look good though…
Hi Ts, I’d have thought Reid would have made a lot more sense for so many reasons. I hope Gabriel isn’t a £15m flop….
Dennis Wise comes from Hammersmith, he ain’t no Cockney, he’s just a small syrup.
He’s young, quick and aggressive….I reckon he might end up a ripper, Rico, but until he does it, fingers remain crossed.
New post up now…
Yeah Lee, I read that about Mourinho, going into the Bradford dressing room…
Any other manager, you’d think, ‘well that was big of you’…
Mourinho does it and you think ‘what’s his agenda?’…
He doesn’t do anything off the cuff.
There always seems a reason behind it.