Daily Bits and Bobs

Walcott is wrong! Finally we have a leader in the pack.

Posted on by rico

Morning all.

Perhaps today’s opposition will be the toughest challenge for this Arsenal team so far this season and it’s worth having a bet on who will come out winners at best gambling odds. Well, since the opening two games anyway but in those, we had a makeshift defence and a few players missing. Now we have a pretty much fully fit squad barring Ramsey, Welbeck, Mertesacker, Giroud and Coquelin but apart from the latter, I’m not sure the other three would be top of Arsene Wenger’s team selection. Maybe Ramsey but this current starting eleven really are working well together and when the Frenchman makes his substitutions late in the game, even they have so far slotted in and looked comfortable.

Arsenal have been scoring goals for fun recently, four at both Hull and Nottingham Forest, three against Chelsea and two in the Champions League against Basel. But let’s be honest, in each of those matches, we really should have scored more, especially against Basel and as much as we look good going forward, we need to be far more clinical in front of goal.

Theo Walcott, who is surprising many so far this campaign has been talking about the challenge ahead of this afternoons fixture:

Burnley don’t give you a moment’s rest, but I don’t think we do either. We don’t give any team the benefit of the doubt anymore, and that’s the mentality throughout Arsenal Football Club at the moment. We are very positive going into games and I don’t think Burnley will look forward to playing against us right now.

I think he’s wrong, Sean Dyche and his players will be very much looking forward to playing Arsenal today, especially in front of their own fans. This is the kind of fixture clubs like Burnley love, a chance to spring a surprise and knock the stuffing out of a ‘top four’ club. Just look what they did to Liverpool a few weeks ago.

Walcott nor any other player should be complacent this afternoon and I doubt they will be.

Walcott was asked why the boys are in form:

The new additions have definitely helped. We are more and more experienced in the league now and it [the intensity] starts from the front. We act when the opposition gets the ball and we do it as a unit, everyone acts together, not just one or two. We are all clicking at the same time and it bodes well.

We are working so hard in training as well and it’s nice to see it paying off. Myself and Alexis are linking up very well and that seems to be clicking as well. Everyone is on a high at the moment and we have to make sure it stays that way.

Exactly, there’s nothing to get overly excited about just yet but if when Christmas arrives, it’s all going just as well, then maybe we fans will start to believe. There’s a long way to go and it’s going to be tough. Facing Burnley today will be tough.

What about new defender Mustafi:

He especially gets people up for games. If you’re not doing something right he tells you. He’s a German international and that’s the way he is. He and Koscielny have been fantastic centre-backs. They have a very good relationship and it bodes well.

Good, about time we had a leader in the camp and I like the fact that he’s in defence. Mustafi can see what’s ahead of him and his international experience with Germany is clear to see each game. He’s calm, confident and works well alongside Koscielny.

As players we don’t think we have anything to prove. We are experienced and we know this is such a big club and we need to do better. It’s easy to say that, but you look how we performed last year and finished second even though we didn’t have a particularly great end of season. We are playing well at this moment in time, but we’ll see.

Wrong Theo! He and not just he, have a lot to prove. So many times in the past have certain players looked disinterested in playing, not prepared to work hard from start to finish and appeared to have a couldn’t care less attitude when we concede a goal or lose a game.

Judging them on the last few performances they appear to have a very different attitude this season and long may that remain. Whether it will or not, only time will tell.

It’s a big weekend for Arsene as he celebrates 20 years at the club, but today all that has to be put to one side.

Three points matter today, that’s all!

rico

137 thoughts on “Walcott is wrong! Finally we have a leader in the pack.”

  1. Alex says:

    I completly agree with you. I mean this guy Theo just had a couple of nice games and he completly forgot that he was relegated to the bench and not even in England squad.
    Teams like Southampton or Swansea they bit us regularly is because is clear to see for everyone the mentality of his.
    In my opinion he should be relegated on the bench and bring other who are more focused .

    Never been my cup of tea anyway.

  3. allezkev says:

    I don’t think Mustafi or Xhaka would allow Theo’s level to drop without giving him a flea in his ear…

    Both Alexis and Iwobi are on fire as well.

    Competition for places in the best motivational tool any manager can have and we currently have that and what’s more we have a few strong characters in the dressing room now who’ll speak up and we’ve badly missed that since we lost some of our old Invincibles back in the day…

    Theo is in the middle of a hot scoring streak and in good form so use him. If and when his level drops then put him on the bench.

    Ramsey and Giroud aren’t gonna stroll back into the team and that’s what we’ve needed since Vieira and Bergkamp were at the club.

    Maybe the Hi-Di-Hi holiday camp atmosphere at Arsenal has finally been consigned to the waste bin of the 2006/2012 period of cost cutting..?

  4. rico says:

    I doubt they will either, I forgot Kev, we have two leaders. When did we last brag that?

    About time the yellow coats syndrome was banished….

  5. kelsey says:

    The thoughts of everyone at Arsenal are with the family and friends of David Herd, who scored 107 times for us between 1954 and 1961who passed away yesterday.

    Many of us will have seen him especially in that 4-5 Home defeat by United (who he later joined) the last domestic game United played before The Munich Air Crash which I happened to be at.

    Sorry to interupt our post but Herd was a great player,a real CF

  6. kelsey says:

    I can’t agree with Alex but I think it might be better for Theo to give less interviews and concentrate on his form over the last two matches to show the majority of us that he is actually worth a place in the team.

    He was at the cliff’s edge last season and somehow managed to crawl back on land and something has been said and as far a i am concerned I think he is very lucky that AW didn’t get rid of him.time will tell if he is in fact the real deal.

  7. rico says:

    That’s sad Kelsey. He was before my time…

    Agree re Walcott, he and all of them need to stick to playing. Leave the interviews, selfies etc etc until the end of the season. But I suspect his interview comes from the official site as they do like to chat to players…

  8. rico says:

    Just been reading about David Herd, funny how all those years ago he left Arsenal because we weren’t a club likely to win anything. Instead, he moved to Man Utd and won the league and other trophies…

  9. Bob John says:

    Hi all.. Really sad news about David Herd. Another one we let go too soon. If he had stayed he could have paired up with Joe Baker with George Eastham supplying them. Then again we had no trouble scoring goals in those days. The defence was another thing altogether!
    Can”t say I am looking forward to today. Burnley looked really awkward and aggressive on Monday and you can be sure they won”t be dwelling on the ball in defence or playing a high line.

  10. potter says:

    RIP . David Herd , Yes he left to go to United to win things but we were poor at that time and the library was well named then. Except that day ,we were behind but came back the old stadium was rocking , I was about 9 -10 years old stood on the clock end with Dad and Uncles. A game that I will never forget for the atmosphere .

  11. Obi says:

    Morning Guys, I think this competition for place is way over blown. For years AW have selected his favorites forget form. Look at Ramsey keeping a place during his horid form, Per been outpaced game after game, Campbell on the bench – really, Chamackh was in good form was dropped and never recovered, etc, etc , etc. I can’t wait to see who he drops when his favorite Ramsey comes back. Then again maybe AW has changed his old ways, and I could be wrong. ARS 3 – BUR 0

  12. allezkev says:

    David Herd was a bit before my time, I can’t recall seeing him play, didn’t he join Stoke after ManUre?

    Yep, Herd, Stapleton and Van Persie, there’s a bit of a pattern there and shows how more ambitious ManUre have been since the War in comparison to Arsenal.. r

  14. Bob John says:

    Actually Kev apart from the three you mentioned and Sylvestre our transfer dealings with Old Toilet haven’t been that bad. We offloaded a past it George Graham and memorably Ian Ure to them and also signed Brian Kidd and Jimmy Rimmer who basically kept us up in the mid-70s. Viv Anderson was another we sold them but we replaced him with Lee Dixon so that worked out well.

  16. allezkev says:

    Yeah Bob, you make an excellent point…

    I liked both Jimmy and Kiddo, both cheap and typical Arsenal.
    Viv Anderson was great, gave us a couple of superb years then we flogged him for a profit, typical Arsenal.

    Silvestre was embarrassing…

    Typical Arsenal…

  17. kelsey says:

    potter

    That was my first match I attended in 1958,maybe i know you 🙂

    There is a comparison with Herd and Rvp except we were really dire when he left us to go to United. not many leave Arsenal and long term do better at United whilst we usually get their washed up players.

    Ian Ure doesn’t count as he was more or less washed up by the time Mee sold him to United and great things were in store for us just around the corner.

    For you younger folk it must be hard to believe that all teams in those days were made up of players from the UK and ireland with the odd one from abroad..

  19. potter says:

    That was my first match I attended in 1958,maybe i know you ?

    63758 was the official attendance that day. , so chances are that we didn’t meet but if you want to swop history get Rico to give you my e-mail . I was born in Gospel Oak if that helps.

  20. rico says:

    Afternoon guys…

    This match should be a cracker, hopefully they’ll be a winner as both are undefeated this season I think. Can’t have that….. lol

  21. Obi says:

    Chelsea and MU, as I have, will struggle to finish top 4…… I know the season is early but it will b hard to fix everything in the January TW for them. N btw, why Jose keeps experimenting with his midfield, just play Blind next to Pogba – problem solved. Anyway that’s their problem. GO GUNNERS. City and Tottts draw.

  22. Obi says:

    Man City really miss De Bruyne, Pep shouldve started Gondogan…… I hope De Bruyne is gone for a long time.

  27. Marinello says:

    The Spuds are 2-0 up at half time. Listened to first half on radio, fitness levels at Spurs appear very high.
    Afternoon Rico and everyone else. Sad to hear about David Heard, he must have been in his 80’s. I remember him at Stoke.
    Tough game later at Turf Moor. A good test though for us. I fancy a 0-2 win.

  34. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Buon Pomeriggio Lovelies and Hunkies

    I told my dad earlier this week that as much as I hate the spuds I would want them to win this one. For many reasons. One so that it would stop Shitty from winning all their games. Two so that it would lessen the advantage they have over us at the top provided we win, three so that they will not remain unbeaten (the spuddies will throw one game eventually) and four so that it would show to everyone that shitty can be beaten. Yes a draw would have suited us better but in the grand scheme of things it would be better if shitty lost today.

  35. Le Coq Monster says:

    Expect a big win today to set me up for a happy 5 days in St Ives from tomorrow………………….anything else and I will be kicking sand in faces !.

  39. Le Coq Monster says:

    The 3 defenders are on the bench so they can all come on in the 2nd half to defend our 7-0 lead !.

  40. Le Coq Monster says:

    Are the injuries starting to sneak up again ?…………first Chubby and now Perez in a week !.

  42. allezkev says:

    Coquelin will be back after the Interlull…

    Reine-Adelaide is a good player, he can do a job in several different positions…

    Maitland-Niles was in the party traveling to Burnley.

  45. Hell Raising Devil says:

    yes, they are all senior pros, but why not pull out a defender and put in Malen or Madividi as a wild card??? Imagine putting them on (if we are winning comfortably) for the last 5 mins. it would do their confidence a world of good.

  60. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Why we not shoot?
    same players are tired. Why the same team again?
    We haven’t many solutions at the bench

  63. Hell Raising Devil says:

    we have had 57% possession, but no shots on target to show for all our efforts. Only 5 shots off target. However we are not operating at our sharpest and I think concentration levels are 70%.

    If we are not careful, Burnley will drag us down to their level and then beat us with experience.

    I still think we should pull it though. 1-0 would be enough. 2-0 would be great. Anything else in this match will be a bonus unheard of.

  76. Hell Raising Devil says:

    we are shooting Ginge…..already 10 shots. the thing is they are off target with only one on target.

    Ozil is aiming for the stars it seems. lol

    then again…..he might squirm a shot in.

  82. Wavy says:

    Burnley have been very, very busy. Will they last the pace or will they tire towards the end of the game, giving us a chance of 1-0 to the Arsenal?
    Ox on, Elneny on too, Xhaka and Iwobi off. Ox to win it then??

  86. Bradster says:

    I just realised that this away kit is exactly the same as South Africa’s national kit. I would post a pick if I could.

  97. kelsey says:

    Well after that the gods are on our side to win something this year. It was a typical hard match up north but sometimes like the Alamo.Did we deserve it /Who cares

  99. rico says:

    I actually feel a bit sorry for Burnley, they made it very difficult for us and we had no way through their defence. Talk about lucky at the end…

    But yes, three points, albeit stolen….

  100. Bob John says:

    Sorry Rico I don’t feel the slightest bit sorry for Burnley. I just nred to imagine their supporters cheering when we lost the cup final to Birmingham. Even better that it was last second offside and handball. Perfect!

  101. Bradster says:

    Champion material. Win at all costs. Seems to be our season and why not. United did that so many times

  104. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Irregular goal?
    Wasn´t Kos offside?
    His arm hadn’t influence in the goal?
    But, the ball touched by OX were in or not?

  107. Le Coq Monster says:

    Obviously Arsene was not listening to me about defending a 7-0 halftime lead !……………….must have been listening to Dev` instead !

    After 40 years being married to a rich ugly wife, I more than anyone will accept winning ugly !……………….winning ugly is better than losing or drawing with beautiful football, just like being married to a rich ugly woman is better than being married to a beautiful skint woman !……….fast cars, yacht`s, rolex and trimmings is better than being stuck at the job centre where everyone wants to shag your missus !………………………………….One nill to the Arsenal !………………………….fcuking ugly !…………………..love it !

  111. kelsey says:

    Exactly Cockie.kos scored by sticking out his boot then hitting his own elbow and going in,The assist was Walcott’s header.

    I felt sorry for iwobi to be taken off he was as good as anyone whilst on the pitch.Burnleu really defended well.Not sure they hit the post,i thought Cech got a finger or two to it.

    Spurs had an hour to celebrate their win they must feel sick now.

  112. Le Coq Monster says:

    That is the icing on the cake, Kelsey !………………………………Spuds will be so sick ! hahaha

  114. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Kelsey….taking Iwobi off, while it seemed cruel at the time, is important as at his age his body is not yet an adult body. bones, muscles and cartilage and tissue are still developing. if left for the full game everytime it will impact his body and injuries occur more frequently.

    this time AW is more careful with Iwobi than he was with JW.

  115. Hell Raising Devil says:

    And after quite a loooooooonnnnggggg hiatus lost somewhere in the grey matter which exists in Le Prof’s head…..out came the famous sentence…..”I did not see it” when referring to Kos’ handball.

  116. Hell Raising Devil says:

    expect more of the same as today this season….especially against Manure both games. I can assure you that Josay will play and set up his team in the same way Burnley did tonight.

    And the only player who could have made a great difference today was not even on the bench….Ollie.

  117. Hell Raising Devil says:

    today Alexis and Ozil were rendered sort of inefficient against the robust Burnley CBs. There was no focal point in attack from whom to feed. Yes, Alexis, Ozil, Theo and Iwobi switched places at will and attacked from all angles. however the two CBs in particular refused to give in and stood their ground. They were disciplined and tactically very wise.

    yes the goal might have been fortunate and controversial, but it had to be a defender or a deep lying midfielder who had to score. simply because the attacking department had been measured and was controlled. their defenders had the measure of all the attackers, but when a defender popped up that was something they could not predict.

    And that is why its important that the goals are shared around……as defenders will not know who to pick.

  119. allezkev says:

    I’ll take those 3 points anyway they come, and it’s about time after roughly 10 years of being stitched up by referees, that we’re finally getting the rub of the green. And I love it, love it…. ?

    BT, nah mate, I’ve not seen Jeff recently, but I think that he’s gonna be in and around the squad on a regular basis this season.
    Maitland-Niles as well, it seems…

  120. scottfromoz says:

    Hiya Kev,
    I just watched 20 seconds of highlights……our goal wa sbloosy lucky, but we had an absolute stonewall penalty knocked back for handball, so justice was done I reckon.
    Still, these bits of luck are starting to fall our way after years of doing the opposite.

  122. Marshall says:

    Morning all, it was a tough game yesterday. Good thing lady luck owed us big-time and it was time we collected few of those. It was nice for Arsene to say we were fortunate. how many times has he said we were unlucky?

    I hope the players don’t get carried away with excitement and start talking to the press – this’ fuelling our opponents. Let’s go about our business quietly.

  123. Kel says:

    A typical tough game up north for Arsenal in which the tippy tappy was nullified quite easily and we had no plan B because unfortunately Giroud, welbeck, Perez were all unavailable.

    I agree with the penalty shout, if Burnleys manager is saying kos handballed it etc then it’s fair to say the no.5 keane I think also handballed.

    Walcott played well again loving the new attitude from him finally the penny has dropped.

    Mustafi another solid performance.

    Ozil pretty shit tbh Just one of those days.

    3 lucky pts in the bag before the international break I’ll take that. 😀

  124. rico says:

    Morning guys…

    3 very very lucky points after a dull display but i’m not overly fussed, not away from home against a very very defensive side. But, it yesterday was a sign that the last few fixtures were a fluke, then we should worry imo…

  125. allezkev says:

    Morning Rico, I think we have to take into consideration what the CL took out of our team when assessing our performance.
    Compare our result with the others who played in Europe and you’ll see that we did quite well.

    If Koscielnys handball was deliberate then so was the Burnley player in the first half.
    The experts can’t have it both ways, it’s either ball to hand or deliberate?

    We won, so sod ‘me all…

  126. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Buongiorno lovelies and hunkies

    Kev ….whether it was ball to hand or deliberate does not matter mate……as you said, we won. And that is what counts. How many experts are saying that we should have had a penalty?? Or that Mustafi was elbowed in the face (give at least a foul)….nobody seemed to notice that.

    that should have warranted a red card.

  128. potter says:

    I thought there was a handball a few moments before the goal ( not given ). I reckon the lino knew he had missed it and so didn’t flag for the goal itself.
    Bit worried that Iwobi is gettng overplayed , although he played well in flashes I thought his ball retention in the first half was suspect. We have a real diamond on our hands , he reminds me of a young Rocastle ( high praise ) but we don’t want to burn him out too early.

  129. allezkev says:

    Morning Dev, it’s quite cold this morning over here in Blighty…
    Double standards is something as Arsenal fans that we just have to live with.

    I bet that Guardiola would have been happy with 3 points if Kolorov had scored the winner via his elbow…

  130. rico says:

    Morning Kev, agree. They certainly run their legs ragged in midweek. Shame so many were injured yesterday, otherwise Wenger could have rested one or two…

  133. rico says:

    Just been writing that Kev, not too many I think. Not sure if Bellerin has been called up, or if the under 21’s have any fixtures for Holding…

  134. rico says:

    Potter, agree re Iwobi. He’s still young and growing, we don’t need him to start picking up little niggly injuries through fatigue. Hopefully he’ll have two weeks off now, unless Nigeria have fixtures.

  136. potter says:

    I thought that Vokes elbow was quite deliberate , it was the reaction of a big man whose physical approach had been out played throughout the game. Mustaphi was just too good for him and he resorted to his elbow to teach a lesson to the leagues new man .

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