Daily Bits and Bobs

Two reasons for optimism ahead of kick-off.. Bring back the Pizza days….

Posted on by rico
Now throw it!!
Take aim!!

Morning all.

Don’t you miss those days?

The days when we we faced Utd and the rivalry was immense. So much so I’d say a fixture against that lot was equally if not more feisty than playing the neighbours.

Fergie v Wenger, Paddy v Keane, Keown v van  Nistelrooy and Wrighty against Schmeichel and of course, Pizzagate. There were more, but those stand out for me during Arsene Wengers reign.

But those days went,  they went when we moved from Highbury to The Emirates. Our financial situation changed and as Fergie did all he needed to to keep on winning, we really struggled to compete with the big spenders and Utd were certainly one of those clubs who spent….

Gone was our hardcore, the likes of Keown, Adams, Vieira, Petit, Lauren, Campbell etc and in came players who were either short, soft or simply didn’t know how to win matches against Utd.

Fergie had Wenger in his pocket and as far as he was concerned, playing Arsenal meant three points and sadly, usually it did. The trend carried on when David Moyes took over and again earlier in the season at The Emirates.

  • Manchester United are unbeaten in seven Premier League meetings between these sides (W5, D2) and they have lost just one in 12.

Stop, forget the rewind, let’s press forward!

Finally, after far too many years of being on the wrong end of a result, Arsene Wenger broke the trend of losing at the old toilet just a few months ago and boy was it sweet to see Danny Welbeck secure our progress in the FA Cup, a result which helped us to the final again…..

So here we are again, heading to Manchester, having won up their twice already this season and in need of three points.

Unlike so many times in the past, we have nothing to fear. Well, other than Fellaini’s elbows, hair and forehead! Oh, and that idiot Mike Dean!

One more victory is all we need to be certain of 3rd place, a draw would probably be enough too as our goals scored tally is far greater than theirs and never will we have a better time to break our dreadful run at OT in the league against a depleted Utd side, one without it’s leading goal scorer and one which hasn’t kept a clean sheet for yonks.

But as said yesterday, David De Gea is a top goalkeeper and he’ll be hard to beat and to do so, our boys need to get their shots fired in high and wide and if they see the goal, shoot and do away with that one last pass which lands them into trouble.

Today we have to be disciplined, pragmatic and patient then when the chances comes, take them. Remain focused and organised at the back with none of what we witnessed on Monday against Swansea.

Play like we did just a couple of months ago and we won’t lose….

By the way, today is a good day for Arsenal FC as back 2003 and then again last year, we won the FA Cup!

COYRRG’S!

rico

148 thoughts on “Two reasons for optimism ahead of kick-off.. Bring back the Pizza days….”

  1. Tai says:

    Morning, Rico…

    Good post.

    If we didn’t lose against Swansea…then we wouldn’t have been Arsenal…

    I have high hopes today…we’ll not lose this one.

  3. allezkev says:

    Great post Rico…

    I’d take a draw, in fact I think it will be a draw…

    Giroud badly needs a goal and a good performance.

  4. Paul b says:

    we will know within ten minutes what Arsenal turns up, Giroud has been awful recently, shame Wellbeck wasn’t playing, I think we will draw today as CL is already guaranteed

  5. rico says:

    Thanks Kev. I’d take a draw and that would do us just fine, think we are 7 goals better off than them.. But I think we’ll win our two remaining home games in any case…

  6. allezkev says:

    Referring back to that mass exodus predicted by TalkRubbish.

    Did you notice that Podolski wasn’t on the list Rico?

  11. rico says:

    Arsenal scout Brian McDermott was present at Lyon vs Bordeaux yesterday watching a number of Lyon players.

    According M365, Nabil Fékir was the player that he was watching, but Get French Football News has been informed independently that Arsenal were also watching Alexandre Lacazette and Samuel Umtiti very closely.

  20. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Good Afternoon Lovelies and Hunkies.

    Good post Rico. Will be a great one if we beat that lot.

    Predictions anyone????

    I think we will run out 6-4 winners today. you heard it here first.

  24. Canadian Gooner says:

    Good Morning to The Lady of the House and all fellow Gooners in residence.

    Rico – I to prefer to look ahead, not back.

    Scott – As a fellow colonial, I can sympathise with you on the time difference. The noon games are the worst for me – kickoff @ 04:45 a.m. local time and I’m a night owl.

    I have a sneaking suspicion that after our slip-up against Swansea, Arsenal will win this mornings game handily and make a statement for next season. ManUre are there for the taking.

  25. Wath says:

    I’m with CG, I think Swansea was the kick up the backside we needed to show us we not as good as we think so now to start again and beat the mancs….

    An Arsestralian Dev, that’s a thought….! I would ask Scott what he thinks but he’s nodded off cuddling his fluffy toys….!

  27. Canadian Gooner says:

    I’d comment on the loud snoring emanating from the wilds of New South Wales, but it looks like Scott isn’t the only asleep.

  32. Wavy says:

    Thought we’d win the cup game, today I’m not so sure. I feel a draw is on the cards. The van Gaal 58 seater is going to be parked across the penalty area and you know how good we are at past one of those!
    Afternoon all

    2-2 at Swansea……..maybe we will win!

  36. rico says:

    Arsenal team: Opsina, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Cazorla, Ramsey, Ozil, Alexis, Giroud.

  37. Wavy says:

    Yes I do. He’ll work the counter attack strategy, see if he doesn’t! They have no credible forwards fit, I hope I’m not texting providence saying that!?
    Not long to wait now, we’ll soon see.

  41. Joaquim Moreira says:

    welbeck still injury?
    with Swansea-Cty score, we only can fight for the third place…
    The final balance at the nd of the seasozn,

  70. Wath says:

    So it seems the team in yellow ain’t turned up at all again, fuck all in midfield, ball watching and not getting stuck in and making a very average manc side look good. If you can’t put your foot in and make a tackle and go with runners you shouldn’t be playing the game. Piss poor, utter bollox…!
    Fuck watching anymore of this gutless shit.

  72. allezkev says:

    You know what, we go a goal down at Old Bog, and you kinda think that it’s only go one way…,

    I can’t see Arsenal scoring twice.
    I can’t see Arsenal not conceding again.

  73. Hell Raising Devil says:

    we always keep loosing the first ball when the distribution is from Ospina. we are not challenging their players enough. we cant seem to give good passes, we have not yet mustered a shot on or off target.

    crap

  78. potter says:

    Watch it again Rico , Monreal follows his man all the way , Herrera came to the box late and unmarked because Sanchez let him run.

  81. rico says:

    Kev, we are lucky it’s just 1-0. We are absolutely rubbish…

    Coquelin is having another mare, but then they all are…..

  84. kel says:

    What a Brutal performance… completely clueless no fight no energy just a pathetic performance so far.

  85. rico says:

    Monreal ended up marking nobody…. Both he and kos concentrated on fellaini and in the meantime, Herrera nipped in….

  88. Joaquim Moreira says:

    why we are playing with the same team again? We need fresh blood since the begginning not only since the midlle of the second half.
    This line up was the same who didn’rt scored last monday and didn’t shoot on the firs half in that game. Another opportunity?
    We haven’t a squad or just those 11 players?
    They were played in the same way 3 or 4 matches ago.
    AW didn’t see the obvious? If we have players afresh, fit and able to the line-up we must put them since the begginning.

  91. rico says:

    I can understand playing the same team Jm, well, until the Swansea game because that one showed changes could and perhaps should be made….

  92. Wavy says:

    Think it’s us who’ve parked the bus! It’s a single decker and it’s stopped at a request stop! Manure only have to put their arms up and we let them through!

    We have been very poor. Are we going for the 4th place trophy unchallenged. That would be shite!!

    Come on arsenal, this is piss poor!

  103. Bob John says:

    Whenever we go to this shithole we make their defence look good. They could have Stephen Hawkin and Ray Charles as centre backs and we would still struggle

  113. Micko says:

    So just a point needed from our 2 remaining games, they won’t do us on goal difference…tried our best to fcuk it up today but job done happy to say !

  116. Micko says:

    rico, are your rose tinted glasses steaming up again !!! At best we’ll fall over the line lol.

  118. allezkev says:

    I really thought it was gonna be business as usual, as in underperforming at Old Bog…

    But I actually thought that replacing Santi with Jack, made the difference for us.

  120. allezkev says:

    Also, food for thought for Wenger as far as considering whether he needs to strengthen in the summer or not…

  121. allezkev says:

    I wasn’t too impressed with Thierry Henry’s criticism of Olivier Giroud a few weeks ago.

    But you have to admit, that as unpalatable as those comments were, that on his last few performances, Giroud has proved Henry’s point!

  122. rico says:

    I’m with TH on Giroud… With him as our main and only striker, we’ll never win the league…

    Mind you, with only Coquelin in midfield we wont either and all the time we play like we in the last two matches, we’ll win bugger all….

  123. Canadian Gooner says:

    Kev – To be fair to Olivier, he wasn’t getting much in the way of service. We were constantly being bullied in midfield and turning over the ball. The team always struggle when they can’t get into their rhythm. Once Ramsey was moved into the middle to replace Santi and give us more physical presence things settled down and the team started to come together. Jack then gave us some fresh legs and some impetus and pace going forward.

    Interesting to see that Arsene wouldn’t bring Theo on until he had someone more experience at right back. Young Bellerin is good but still lacks the experience to deal with pace down his wing, especially with Theo ahead of him. We could have used Debuchy today.

  124. potter says:

    Lots of pointers towards next season displayed today .Where we are strong and not . Despite his goals we do need more pace in a centre forward or at least around him . Goonie is correct Sanchez has been studied and he is getting caught in possession too often. We are still over passing especially when a half chance presents. Our goal came from a deflected cross , lucky ?? yes but you have to get there to get that luck , just ask Lampard, I wonder if Gabriel has the legs to go half and half with Coquelin who seems to be running out of legs as the season finishes.

  125. rico says:

    Not only tonight potter but last Monday too. I think Alexis is burned out. Giroud too. Coquelin needs a mate in midfield and we certainly need an injection of pace….

    AW needs to make changes now so to ensure our best 11 are ready for Wembley… Imo

  127. Wavy says:

    Well I didn’t see that result coming at half time. I thought we were woeful, but the second half from about the 57 th minute we were tuned in and turned on, much better. We were all over them, why such a slow start though? Manure are not the side they were, not by any means, but they trade on former glories , I think. Next year we will do the double over them, their bubble has burst!
    What a shame we had such a poor start to the season!

    Not a bad day then, in the end. A win would have been better though!

  128. Micko says:

    Nite rico.

    CG, don’t think we were bullied in midfield today, just weren’t at the races for the 2nd time in a week, looked unbeatable before the Swansea game, 28 points out of 30, now we look like a team running on empty.
    Have to agree re Bellerin, been a revelation this season but is still learning his trade, gonna be a fantastic player for us.

    Kev, Jack was the driving force for us today, should have come on at half time, united were hanging on at the end, we could even have nicked it with a bit more luck, still delighted with a draw and as for rvp his days look well and truly numbered, all together now aaaaaaaaaaah !

  129. Canadian Gooner says:

    Micko – We were being out jumped, out fought and beaten to the ball resulting in way too many errant passes and turnovers. The team just couldn’t penetrate ManUre final third. Whether that was due to lack of ambition/concentration, tiredness, etc. is open to debate.

    I think too many players had their minds on the FA Cuo final and were unwilling to put their bodies on the line and at risk. That changed when Jack and Theo came on as both were desperate to show that they deserved a place on the starting lineup for that game. Arsenal still lack that killer instinct.

    Why didn’t Ozil take some of his half chances? It’s as if he is afraid to shoot and miss. When no team mate is in a better position, he should shoot instead of continuing to look for a pass. You can’t win the lottery if you don’t buy a ticket; just like you can’t score if you don’t shoot. Some of our players need a good kick up the Arseeeenal. Where is Tony Adams when you need him? If not him, then his old mate Uncle Bouldy.

  130. Canadian Gooner says:

    Well I’ve had my say. I’ll leave the rest for another day. Have a great evening everyone.

    Keep The Faith!

  131. Micko says:

    CG, it’s not all bad, we ain’t beaten manUre at Old Toilet since 2006 in the league, we had the last laugh today, no excuses when the transfer window opens……Arsene will have to get the party poppers out at this rate lol.

    Time for my bunk, nite Gooners.

  133. goonster says:

    Folks bang on about how theo is a one trick pony. Well news flash people sanchez ain’t got more than one trick too. He’s so fucking predictable. Everyone and their dog knows he’s going to cut in and shot. He’s been bang average for a while now yet you won’t get people criticizing him just because of his so called “work rate ” had theo been fit all season he would have had more goals and assists than sanchez. He’s selfish and erratic. And don’t start me on his touch and final ball. Plus release the ball earlier you square headed mug. God he’s so infuriating.

  136. allezkev says:

    Morning All

    Morning Rico/Adam

    Apparently we’re due some heavy showers in a hour or so….
    Dull n grey in London Town…

    ManCity did to Swansea, what Arsenal should have done Monday…

    Still 3rd is progress!

  138. tsgh says:

    Good morning Rico, Kev and all…
    These away games are beginning to take its toll mentally for me…
    If a team who are playing 1 game per week has improved then well we are in for

    Goonie, you are doing a good job of sounding out As17..lol

    As for Le coq and our midfield….., only AW knows.

    Still yet a draw was fair result…,

  140. tsgh says:

    Apparently Psg and us have some purported deal allowing them to get Mogan S. whilst we get soon be pensioner cabaye. Rico will love that. 😛

  141. Adam says:

    Rico. Only two games left then. A win on Wednesday and that’ll be it. I know a draw will do but we really should and must win our last two games.
    After a season of Ramsey on the left it seems that Ramsey on the right has also run its course. 🙂

  142. rico says:

    Thankfully that’s only ‘apparently’ Ts… lol

    Adam – I’d like to think we can beat Sunderland at home, Pulis and his bus might be a bit different… 😉

  143. tsgh says:

    Rico- Advocaat has a £1m bonus to earn if he manages to keep Sunderland up btw… lol

    Another old boy goalie will be in goal for them or most probably Pantilimon if we are lucky.

    Yanited also has their old boys Brown and Oshea amongst the sunderland ranks who will want to hand Yanited an advantage…

  144. Adam says:

    Rico. That last game will be all about avoiding injury for the Final. Pulls will use that to inflict pain. Presumably before crawling under a slimy stone for the close season. 🙂

  145. rico says:

    He’ll be left poor then Ts…

    Agree Adam, but I don’t think Pulis plays that way these days, well, not quite so rough.. 😉

  146. kel says:

    Morning… so is Ramsey on the right working? I think we are losing a lot by playing him there.

    still pisse that the Ox and Danny missed that game yesterday i think there energy would have caused utd a lot if problems.

  148. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Good Morning Lovelies and Hunkies.

    Well well well. Theo popped up and was lucky enough that his cross hit Blackett and went in the net. Dont know why but Valdez’ positioning and his attempt at saving reminded me of Almunia.

    Imo AW should ring some changes for the remaining two games. Gabriel should be given a game, Theo should begin, Jack should begin as well while Aaron and Santi should be rested. Rosicky should also begin the game, he could rest someone. We have a squad no??? so AW should use it.

    Anyone knows if Debuchy is fit or not??

    Jack did well when he came on and Aaron went in the centre while Coquelin went to right back.

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