Diaby out for the season? Under Pressure. Time to kick on again….

Morning all.

First up is the news that Abou Diaby has undergone keyhole surgery in attempt to rectify his knee problem. Apparently his knee kept swelling up and he couldn’t even run. Arsene Wenger has said it will be March at least before we can expect to see him. To be honest, I can’t see him coming back then, not unless the player is desperate to get a few games under his belt and hopes that will be enough to secure him a place in the French World Cup squad. I can’t see that happening though.

Diaby will then be heading into the final year of his contract, probably, his final year at Arsenal.

Back to the good stuff today as the Premier League kicks off again and we are at home against Norwich, a side who are down in the relegation places and with a manger who is under serious pressure to get his side out of it.

I read this comment yesterday from Mark Lawrenson. Must have hurt him to give us some praise:

Canaries manager Chris Hughton is coming under pressure but I hope the board look at this game and realise that Arsenal are top of the league for a reason, which is because they are playing better football than anybody, have loads of creative players and are scoring goals from all areas.

Few facts for the stats fans:

Head-to-head

  • Norwich’s last victory at Arsenal was on the opening day of the newly-formed Premier League in 1992. The Canaries fought back from 2-0 down with 21 minutes to go to win 4-2.
  • Norwich have since visited Arsenal five times in the league without a win (D2, L3).
  • Arsenal have scored 15 goals in the last four home league meetings with Norwich.

Arsenal

  • Arsenal are unbeaten in their last six league matches and haven’t lost in any competition since the opening day of the Premier League season, when Aston Villa beat them 3-1 at the Emirates.
  • The Gunners have scored in every league game in this campaign. Only Manchester City (17) have scored more goals than Arsenal (14) in this season’s top flight.
  • Arsene Wenger’s side have only managed three clean sheets in their last 14 league games at the Emirates.
  • Nine years ago this week, Arsenal racked up a 49th Premier League game without defeat. That run ended in their next match but remains a record.

Norwich

  • Norwich have lost three of their last four league matches.
  • The Canaries have scored just three goals in their last six Premier League games.
  • Norwich have kept more clean sheets than Arsenal in the league this season (two, compared to Arsenal’s one).
  • This is Norwich’s eighth league match of the season. Last season they had to wait until their eighth league match for a win – that was a 1-0 victory over Arsenal.

What a game we have ahead of us today, we could finally get to see our two magicians on the ball in the same team as both Mesut Ozil and Santi Cazorla have been declared fit to play. Having Cazorla back is a huge boost to the squad, as is the speedy return of Bacary Sagna, especially as this is a huge week for us with Borussia Dortmund coming to town on Tuesday.

At the same time in last seasons football calendar we travelled to Norwich and came away with nothing.

This is how we lined up that day:

Mannone, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Santos, Arteta, Ramsey, Cazorla, Podolski, Gervinho, Giroud.

What a difference a season makes. Today we will line up so much stronger, regardless of who Arsene Wenger selects and our players are in much better form than this time last season.

The goalkeeper is enjoying a great spell, Giroud has improved no end and Ramsey, who was pretty average back then is enjoying the form of his life.

At left back we have two solid players to choose from and our central defenders have formed a very strong partnership. Sagna is playing like he’s gone back a few years and the additions of Flamini and Ozil have already shown what they bring to our game.

There maybe a tasty Champions League fixture on Tuesday but that needs to be forgotten about today.

Today is about two things, Norwich and winning and I really hope Arsene Wenger isn’t thinking of anything else when he makes his selection.

Go get the goals and only then start thinking about taking players off for a rest.

Oh, and the referee is Lee Probert, so expect very little whistle blowing and he’s branded just one yellow and one red card so far this season….

COYG’s…..

0 thoughts on “Diaby out for the season? Under Pressure. Time to kick on again….

  1. Adam says:

    Morning Rico and all.
    It’s a grim weather day in London but I look forward to the Emirates this afternoon with a good, convincing win.
    Just had a chuckle reading about Spurs vainly trying to rid themselves of the burden and financial liability of Adebayor. When you think of the clubs that knob has screwed, Wenger must have a discreet chuckle and rub his hands together at being the only person that ‘read’ him well enough to get him out the door. Getting £25 million for him must rate as one of the best transfer coups of all time.
    What a revolting mercenary he is! The fact that he is bleeding Spurs and Man City (still), just makes it that much better.

  2. rico says:

    Me too Xrs but we are at home and AW will want us to kick on again, and of course, we are not going into a break…

  3. rico says:

    Morning Adam. It’s horrid here too, dark, wet and miserable!

    I’m chuckling at the Adebayor story but obviously for the reason you mention, £25 million for that lump has to be one of Arsene Wengers master strokes….

  4. Adam says:

    Agreed Rico. To think how smug all those Spurs muppets were when they got him too. 🙂
    Watching all that money go down the toilet must break Levy’s heart. 🙂

  5. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Morning all!
    Sorry for Diaby. He his a good player and with a new surgery, his season is definetely finish. This season and his career. No chances to go to the world cup if France win next play-off.
    So, is dedfinetely out of the squad.
    Come on Arsenal!

  6. BrainwashedKev says:

    Morning All….

    Morning Rico, great post Madam…

    Xris, I think you should give West Brom a bit of credit for that last game.
    They are a very good side, well organised, who have won at OT this season already…

    Today is another day, our team will be just fine…

    Adam, how’s the sponge taxi coming along?

  7. rico says:

    🙂 Adam…

    It is a shame for him JM, but it’s time now for us to say goodbye imho…

    Morning Kev, thank you and agree re the Baggies, they are a good footballing side and we earned a good point

  8. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Chelsea plays ont he 29th October versus Arsenal one day after Manchester City game?
    Mourinho interview and lament…

  9. Micko says:

    Morning all,
    Football is back.
    Anyone else remember the last time we sat above Liverpool on goal difference, what a season that was ! C’mon Arsenal.

  10. BrainwashedKev says:

    Not read the news, what has Adebayor been up to/said, now?

    What a tragic waste if talent, that plonker could have been a fantastic centre-forward, he had everything, except a sense of professionalism…

  11. BrainwashedKev says:

    Marzipan, hmmm, lucky I haven’t got one of those in my cab…

    I can’t wait to see it mate…

    A sponge Bridge of Sighs could be your next baking project, what do you think buddy?!!!

  12. tsgh says:

    Morning happy people,

    Good read. you love your stats. 😛

    I wonder why the spuddies are trying to re-new Paulinho’s contract 3 months after signing him?

    Hope the fans going to the Erms have a good day out…

  13. Adam says:

    You know Kev, I think I could make a Bridge Of Sighs from a Garnache covered merengue. I could then decorate it with some piped frosting and sprinkle some icing sugar over the top to portray a winter scene. It would be running over a river made of etched and coloured puff pastry like the stuff I use to make my breakfast millefeuille.
    Yes, I shall get cracking on that straight away I think.

  14. Micko says:

    rico, 25 years ago….scary stuff !!!

    Just heard depending on results today all of the top five have a chance of going top, it’s a great game to have after the break.

  15. Wavy says:

    BK aka AK:
    As a cabbie, do have a black cab? Can we still say this? Or do we have to call it a Hackney Carriage now?
    If we do not beat Norwich today we will not win the EPL, imo!

    Butwe will 3-1. Oursolid defence will have one mental moment and will concede a goal. Very exciting but careless, as usual.

    Coyg

  16. rico says:

    Thanks Ts, I was going to right, ‘here’s a few stats for the stats geeks’ but thought you might be offended… 😉

    It just a simple way of filling the page, I don’t even read them as they mean nothing to me….

  17. rico says:

    Wavy – I watched Eastenders last night and somewhere on there used the ‘monkey term’ for another character in the series.

    Just waiting to see if there are any complaints about that, somehow I doubt it!

    Farcical eh…

  18. Adam says:

    Micko. Tempus certainly does Fugit doesn’t it?
    Any Arsenal fan, old enough to have witnessed it, will remember where they watched that game, who they were with and how they celebrated afterwards.

  19. rico says:

    Popping out now, shopping to do and dog walking to get done before KO..

    Adam and anyone else going, hope it’s a great game, loads of goals and 3 points to the mighty Arsenal of course….

  20. Steve says:

    Thanks for the post Rico. Your last sentence, about the ref, has me worried. Last season Norwich made Stoke City look honest. I expect 3 points today, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see a few hobbling off and out of our mid-week clash.

  21. tsgh says:

    Rico, I heard Perter Herbert is against the word ‘geek’ too…

    L:isten out for your name on Talkshite later.lol

  22. Micko says:

    He’ll never be as good as Metal Mickey !

    Even without the likes of Mannone, Santos and Gervinho I still fancy us strongly today rico.

  23. Bradster says:

    Afternoon all,

    We’re confident bunch so they’ll stick it to the relegation boys.
    I hope Gnabry plays, we can use a player in behind their wall of 4-4, Walcott would’ve been useful in this one.

  24. Cheadle says:

    KEEP ON FIGHTING!!!
    We cannot ask this guy to give up. He must fight on. The story of his triumph must be told. Rosicky was all but forgotten and RVP had his name engraved on the treatment table. Both are in their thirties now and still playing top flight.

    Eduardo, Ramsey and Wilshere were once long-term absentees and Wenger never wavered. He bravely fended off the vultures as they circled until the kids were able to pick themselves up and repay him on the pitch. Wenger must also stand firm and not allow the vampires at Diaby.

    In life we fight tough battles and few can be as tough as fighting for one’s health. Our role is to put ourselves in his position and ask would we want people to quit on us when we are not ready to quit?

    If there is the slightest chance that he will recover he/we should embrace it wholeheartedly.

    (A healthy fully fit) Casillas speaks of his deep frustration at not being played between the sticks even threatening to leave RM. to get playing time..Well take that frustration of being sidelined and multiply it by XXXXXXXXX to know how Diaby probably feels because unlike Casillas he would start every match for both Arsenal and Le French team WHEN HE IS FIT!!!

  25. BrainwashedKev says:

    Adam, 10.42; mate, I am lost for words in admiration…

    I did try to make a Fender Telecaster shaped bread pudding recently, but it ended up looking like a banjo… 😉

    Enjoy the game today mate…

  26. BrainwashedKev says:

    Wavy, I must confess, when people say to me that I drive a bl**k cab, a shiver runs down my spine, as I expect to have my collar felt by the PC Thought Police…

    I deal with it by calling my bl**k cab, a licenced taxi….

    It works for me… 🙂

  27. bradlop says:

    Diaby is a Kewell or Smith problem. Great when available but never are.
    Man U and Liverpool realised to cut their losses and Arsenal should too.
    Placenta fixes ligament problems like VP’s but won’t on broken ankles and one leg shorter than the other.
    At least Wenger isn’t talking like he expects 40 games out of him.

  28. W.A.T.H says:

    All good AK, I had a few hours having a butchers for spandex strides but failed dismally I’ll ask Adam where he gets his…!

    I thought you drove a passion wagon AK..?

  29. Wavy says:

    But BK, “taxi” by association is directly related to bl**ck and so therefore will be deemed, by the pc thought police as an unacceptable english word. I would suggest that all the bl..ck cabs be resprayed light grey and then the problem would disappear! How much better would it be if we could say “I’m just going to hail a grey cab” or might that be ageist? Omg!!
    Think of the ramifications if the word black was removed from our lexis. Eg. No more Black pudding, no more Black Country, no more Blackpool, no more Blackfriars. Heaven forefend.
    And what about the monkey race? Apes all! Stack my vitals, we are apes, all of us! Every colour, creed and race. Who the fcku do they think they are the language censors? They (whoever they are) are desporting the worst excesses of the pre war national socialists! Where will it all end?
    Anyway we have to play Norwich today. The ‘canaries’ can I say that?

    Coyr

  30. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Agree. Cabaye is a player who every team wants: good in defend; good in attack; wise in organize the game and with big shot outside and inside the area.

  31. tsgh says:

    Its funny how Bender, Sahin & Reus are all fit to start for BVB today; with Hummels suspended that means he will be fresh to face us with the full BVB squad against us next week…

  32. tsgh says:

    Norwich team. WoW? Hooper starts…

    Ruddy; Martin, Bassong (c), Turner, Olsson; Tettey, Fer, Howson; Snodgrass, Pilkington, Hooper

  33. tsgh says:

    JW dropped for SC19 but both Flamster and MA08 start… hmmm

    Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Gibbs, Wilshere, Arteta, Flamini, Cazorla, Ozil, Giroud

  34. tsgh says:

    Hmmm, not the line-up I expected; without AR16, La Mozart should be starting. We are going to be playing into Norwich’s hands by playing infront of them all day.

    Lets hope I am wrong 4-1 to the good guys

  35. tsgh says:

    RAMBO REWARDS: Aaron is receiving his third consecutive Player of the Month award pitchside – and his Barclays award too. He’s got his hands full…

  36. tsgh says:

    Of course its unfair but we have a winning formula going …,
    when all players are fit Serge is not quite there even though he brings other pros to the side…

    He is also quite injury prone too so I would rather keep him for cameos if need be…

  37. tsgh says:

    Thus far.. this performance looks like the best ever after interlude performance in 6 years… we are like piranhas.lol

  38. tsgh says:

    Serge has featured in 3 games after Poldi/Sc19/TR07/Theo were injured…

    Note he only started against Stoke because Theo got injured an hour or so before the start…

  39. rico says:

    Ts, not being funny, but I know all of that. My point is he’s been playing, playing well, and we’ve been winning.

  40. tsgh says:

    Before Serge scored in the 2nd half how many posters on here were complaining he was playing too narrow and was not ready? 😉

    He will get his chance, long to go yet in this season…

    Hope Flamini’s injury not too serious against BVB..

  41. rico says:

    I just love the way you pick and choose comments to recycle when it suits Ts… 😉

    At least it makes me chuckle….

  42. tsgh says:

    Most of my comments are meant to be light hearted;
    I agreed with you at 3:24 that it is unfair for him to be dropped so I am not sure whats happening…;)

    Still 1-0 lets hope we can re-group and up the tempo in the 2nd half.

  43. tsgh says:

    Dna, MA08 was poor… we have been lucky that Flamini and Ramsey have clicked this season.

    Arteta has always been a slow starter; maybe his base stamina is not not good; that was why he could not make it at BArca and Espanyol.

    I still think Per, Arteta, TR07, Sagna, Ramsey are crucial to the way we play…

  44. tsgh says:

    done now…

    I like te way TR07 decided to sit next to Arteta to help him out in the last 10 minutes and moved Ramsey forward…

    Rosicky is just a tactical genius… he should be given a coaching role after retirement…

  45. rico says:

    I did warn you folks about Probert, compare his free kicks, pens, bookings and sendings off to the other PL refs, he is well down on his figures…

    Daily Mail did an article on it the other day, it was quite interesting.

  46. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Wasn’t another penalty?
    We didn’t need it (if we scored it) but probably two consecutive games with probably two penalties not “watching” by the ref.

  47. tsgh says:

    I am happy too…

    Ozil got a game and a rest… Ozil looked better when Ramsey came on…

    Ramsey’s engine paid dividends… but Arteta hmmm; I love him but I will say a match fit Frimpong will take his place soon if he is not careful.. still he reads the gme as good as any other player out there…

  48. tsgh says:

    Hi Oz… nervy but; our quality paid of in the end… especially having Rosicky in MA08 with their tactical awareness re-jigging things in the last 10 minutes…

    B-52 looked very sharp too…

  49. GunnerDNA says:

    Ts, Ramsey and Oscar are the early contenders for player of the season, i called it as i see it. Remember i was 1 of Ramsey biggest critics. lol

  50. tsgh says:

    Ramsey is just behind Alex Sanchez in tackles across the whole europe…

    5 players this season… Reus, Ramsey, Oscar, Vidal, Cabella in Europe are just ahead of most players…maybe the one’s I follow

  51. ozgunner says:

    The commentator said we had had one single clean sheet so far Rico in the EPL? Not great but then again, awesome firepower up front with the magic man pulling the strings

  52. tsgh says:

    Dna, I am surprise you rate Oscar lol
    … I always thought he is a genius… better at no.10 than MAta…

    You remember our debates last season about SC19 not being a no.10 whilst Oscar was…?

  53. ozgunner says:

    tsgh – agree the heads of both MA8 and TR7 are invaluable. Very cool customers, took us a while to adjust after flam went off though

  54. ozgunner says:

    Benzema – won’t be at all upset if we don’t go this road – over rated big time as Real are finding out

  55. tsgh says:

    Oz, re your 5:20 that is why I question the over the board praise of Flamini…

    Don’t get me wrong he is doing well but even today when MA08 and MF20 were on the pitch, MA08 was head and shoulders above MF stats-wise…

    Rico going to bite the bait…lol

  56. ozgunner says:

    tsgh – Flamini is the teams best talker by some margin but if your talking technique well…. 🙂 He’s saved Wenger millions though hasn’t he?

  57. rico says:

    Oz, it’s ok when we are scoring more but I’d still like us to cut out the silly goals conceded as one day it will hurt us. Imagine if we come second on goal difference…

    Other than that, no complaints from me, not when we win…

    Not at all Ts, that’s the kind of comment that makes me chuckle, along with your love for Ramsey of course 😉

  58. ozgunner says:

    off to bed smiling again although mindful of the tests that lie ahead – you can only beat what the fixtures put in front of you and we are doing that, with some style at times as well. Night all

  59. tsgh says:

    Lord Sugar (@Lord_Sugar) believes Arsène Wenger deserves credit as he pokes fun at Morgan: “@piersmorgan are you ready to concede Wenger is best manager in the PL and you are a double barrel pr.. for slagging him off in the past”

    😀 😀

  60. AndrewH says:

    Evening. Going to save watching until MOTD. Arsenal on 3rd but will enjoy watching it sandwiched in between Liverpool And ManU!

    (Sorry been away since starting to chat here last week. My wife ,also a Gooner, received some sudden bad medical news and it knocked us for 6. But realised must try and get back to normal, and nothing better than an Arsenal win to pick us up!)

  61. rico says:

    Hi Andrew, really sorry to hear your news, hope all is getting better for your wife and you all of course…

  62. rico says:

    I’m done for today, have a good evening all.

    Great result again today, and great results elsewhere too…

    Night all….

  63. Nashuagunner says:

    I just love HH when you can feel and sense the good vibs.When the Housers are communicating and no hard feelings.

  64. Nashuagunner says:

    Chris H thought he has cracked our code but he was wrong. He beat us before he got fired at NC. He then went to Norwich and beat us again. Who said Arsenal don’t do tactics???
    AW any day any time, the best in world football.

  65. Scott from Ozil says:

    NG, it does coincide with winning, no doubt, but the worst is ver and we ae definitely on an upward spiral.
    The best thing for me is the football we are playing….Jacks goal cold well have been Dennis, Thierry, Bobby etc, etc, etc.
    Oh, and how good were some final alls from that big donkey, Giroud 🙂
    Tnue in cheek of curse, because plenty HH members saw something in him, but plenty around the world labelled him useless.
    We are a very, very good side, and getting better.

  66. AndrewH says:

    Thanks for the good wishes, good that routine scan picked up, hopefully early. Moving on .. Arrys face after the equaliser would have been even more of a picture!

    Night, just think, eight points ahead of United, who would have thought it!

  67. Scott from Ozil says:

    AndrewH, missed i what is happening mate, but best wishes to you from down under.
    NG, you know i am always full of good vibes 🙂

  68. Adam says:

    Just checking in late after going to the game today.
    Andrew H. I was sorry to see your earlier post and wish you and your wife my very best for the future.

  69. AndrewH says:

    Thanks again guys.

    Adam, bet it was fun there today. Sadly only get up once or twice a season now, different few years back when our kids were Junior gunners, made 10 matches a year at Highbury. Last visit at Emirates was Muse!!!

    Scott, like to turn clock back a year to when we visited my Daughter who worked in Bondi for a year. Smashing 10 days there.

    Lovely seeing Bergkamp interview on TV, he’ll be back!

  70. Wavy says:

    Just watched the norwich game on MotD, have I got my Arsenal back?……………yes I have!
    What goals? TH14, sadly has been replaced…..? At last!

    Hurrah hurrah, hurrah!!!!!

  71. BrainwashedKev says:

    Results are really going our way.
    Lets hope it continues all the way to the Spring……

    Andrew, keep strong buddy…..
    We’re with ya buddy….

  72. tsgh says:

    Morning Kev,

    Your boy Reus was magical yesterday for BVB; his master TR07 must start mid-week.

    Morning all btw…

  73. potter says:

    Just up folks, the atmosphere in the local pubs when I got back last night in rainy Norfolk was subdued to say the least. Didn’t stop me going on a bit though.Coffee and toast needed now though soak up the straw dogs.

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