So to the late Sunday kickoff, where we visited league leaders Man City.
By the time kickoff rolled around, City were nudged into second place by virtue of Man United’s early kickoff win at Loftus Road. A win or a scoring draw would restore them (City) to the summit, while a win for us could potentially move us ahead of Chelsea, based upon how many goals we could win by.
Spurs and Liverpool won their matches earlier, so there was no chance of us moving into third, while we could potentially slump back down to sixth (behind Liverpool), with a heavy loss.
My thought was win the match and let the rest of that stuff take care of itself.
After a week in which we drew AC Milan in the Champions League first knockout round, and Arsene give his classic “we have funds to buy a striker in January” while revealing nothing about actual intent, we brought a squad to the Etihad which the starting eleven pretty much picked itself:
Szczesny, TV, Mert, Kos, JD, Arteta, Song, Ramsey, Theo, Robin and Gerv.
Al, Miquel, Frim, Rosicky, Arsh, Benny and Chamakh made our bench.
A goalkeeper who should no longer be at the club and only one recognized defender among the subs show that squad depth remains a problem, even with some extraordinary injuries.
City kicked game off and both teams spent the first ten minutes probing and looking for openings. Aguero created some space for himself just outside our box, but shot wastefully over Szczesny’s bar when he probably should have at least got his shot on target. Song had already committed a couple of fouls when he earned the first yellow on 12 minutes, for fouling Silva.
We started to get the upper hand after that, and Gerv got our first shot on goal, forcing Hart to put it behind for a corner. Hart had to tip Ramsey’s effort from the set-piece over, and then the City keeper gathered TV’s soft header from the second delivery. As the match moved past 20 minutes, Theo started to work himself into good positions, but his touch and crossing were poor yesterday, leading to several turnovers.
On 23 minutes, City had another chance to score, as both Mert and JD hesitated, giving Balotelli an opening. Fortunately, Szczesny was able to save his close-range shot. Just over 10 minutes later, we had a good chance to open the scoring, as Robin’s mis-hit shot squirted to an unmarked Ramsey. Under pressure from Kolo, he could not turn the ball in.
Aguero then worked Szczesny with a shot from the edge of the box. Just before the half-time whistle, we got a scare when Zabaleta caught Robin’s ankle – I held my breath, but our skipper was fine after a few seconds. There were a few almost-chances, but nobody came close to scoring and we went into the break level, having more than held our own…
We kicked the second half off with no changes, but that didn’t last long. As the first half wound down, JD pulled up lame, and it took only a few minutes after the re-start to see that he would not be able to continue. So Miquel – our last available defender – replaced him. Already short at both full-back positions, we just lost our emergency replacement right back to a groin strain. So it looks as though it will be Miquel’s turn to fill in, at least for a few weeks…
Seven minutes into the half, City made the breakthrough. Nas picked out Balotelli, who had plenty of space down the left to run. He cut inside, and although Szczesny blocked his shot, Silva was on hand to put the loose ball away. Instead of folding, we almost produced an immediate equalizer, with Hart tipping Theo’s powerful drive away.
A couple of minutes later, Gerv got free down City’s left and found Ramsey, who fed Robin. Our captain chipped Hart for the equalizer, only for a debatable offside flag to wipe the goal off the board. That was as close as can be, and one where the call just didn’t go our way…
City regained the initiative and came close to doubling their lead couple of times, before Nas produced a moment reminiscent of his Arsenal form during the second half of last season. He suddenly found himself through on goal, but instead of taking the shot, he opted to cross to a light blue short shirt and put the ball out of play. Robin then had another chance, but produced a fine save from Hart. The ball went back down the other end, and first Szczesny had to save Silva’s free kick, then Zabaleta intercepted Kos’ sloppy pass and drove his shot against the upright, with Szczesny beaten…
Arsene made his second change on 70 minutes, bringing Arsh on for Theo. While I can appreciate the latter not being happy about being substituted – nobody should be happy about that unless winning comfortably or injured, he should look in the mirror…Or at least look at his performance on the afternoon, which was overall poor, to say the least.
Now, if what upset him is the fact that Arsh is the player that replaced him that I can sympathize with…Arsh’s effort – even by his woeful recent standards – was shockingly poor. A cross that went absolutely nowhere from a good position, then a weak, shouldn’t-have-bothered shot after Robin had set him up…
As the match entered the final fifteen minutes, Aguero was booked for a late foul on TV, and then Arteta quickly followed for a foul on Yaya. When the former chopped Barry down a minute later, Dowd could have shown a second yellow, but opted to give Arteta a final warning instead. That was a break for us, as he could easily have reduced us to ten – I think many other referees would have…
If we caught a break there, then City caught a huge one 13 minutes from time, when Richards’ extended arm caught Kos’ cross inside the City box. I thought it should have been a clear pen, but Dowd waved the protests away. Scoring the penalty would not have been a given, considering Hart’s form on the afternoon, but I think we should at least have had the opportunity…
As the match entered the final ten minutes, Szczesny had to save from Aguero again, and Arsene made his final sub a few minutes later, with Chamakh replacing Mert. This meant that Song had to drop back to the center of defence. Chamakh’s latest cameo was no different from his recent appearances: ineffective and shot-shy.
Right on 90 minutes, Arteta took a short free kick, feeding TV, who drove in a fierce shot with Hart just barely – and I mean BARELY – tipped over the bar.
In the four minutes of stoppage time, we pressed while City tried to hit us on the break. Late on, City sub Dzeko came close with a shot from an Aguero cross. Then in the fourth minute, TV shot narrowly wide after Robin set him up. As the shot went just past Hart’s post, you knew the game was up, and the whistle went seconds later.
So City passed a gut-check, responding to United’s win, and getting themselves back on track after the loss at Stamford Bridge this past Monday.
We returned back to North London empty-handed, but performed credibly in a very entertaining match. I think we were worth at least a point, and on another day – against another keeper – we could have done anything from win 3-0 to lose 0-3…It was one of those kinds of games…
As I said, the performance was credible and losing narrowly at the home of this season’s title favorites is hardly the worst result in the world. We got the doubt instead of the benefit on the goal-erasing offside, and Richards’ handball. But we also got a break when Arteta did not get a second yellow, and City hit woodwork and had several chances to add a second (or more) goal…
We started the day in fifth and ended the day in fifth, so we take this on the chin and look to put things right on Wednesday at Villa Park…
The bad news was, of course, JD’s injury, he’s looking at a minimum of three weeks on the sidelines, during the busiest part of the season’s football calendar. None of our four first-team full backs are due back in the near future either, so we are either looking at Miquel to fill the gap on the right, or to try and bring someone else in as cover.
I expect it will be the former, as Arsene seems to worry more about what do with everyone when all players for a position are fit, rather than trying to bring in someone to fill an immediate need. Miquel has not looked that bad, but this is not his normal position and I am not convinced he is ready for the high-pressure minutes he appears he will now get, at least until one of Bac/Jenks/JD returns…
This defeat exposed two other problems the squad has. The first is that there is no consistently reliable source of goals other than Robin. Arsene bristles at the suggestion that we are a “one man team”. Of course we are not – we have plenty of excellent players who contribute regularly.
We are, however, a team with a solitary source of goals. Robin was not at his sharpest yesterday, even though I think his goal should have stood but other than Theo’s strike immediately after Silva’s goal, and two fine efforts from TV, we really didn’t look like scoring. If we are going to accomplish anything this season, we are going to have to find some reliable and consistent secondary scoring from somewhere. Otherwise, if you blank Robin, you will blank Arsenal…
The other problem is the lack of impact substitutes. The JD sub was injury-enforced, but later subs were both predictable and predictably ineffective…
Arsh and Chamakh have been arguably the first team squad’s worst players through the first half of this season, yet they are almost always the first two players off the bench. One looks and plays as though he wants to be anywhere but here, and the other looks and plays as though he wants to do anything but score.
We don’t have the resources to field a bench similar in quality and experience to City’s – I think everyone understands that. But surely we can do better than bringing in two players who have done absolutely nothing to merit squad places since the start of this season. We still have no clue as to whether we have an actual player or just a prop in Ju. Surely Benny gives us far more than Arsh is willing to.
As long as Arsene persists with what seem to be hierarchal substitutions, we probably shouldn’t expect much. When Theo was hauled off, we still looked a decent shout for at least an equalizer. Arsh’s introduction effectively reduced us to ten men, and Chamakh’s later introduction pretty much brought us to nine. Yet we still had two good chances to draw level – how would things have turned out if we brought a player on who actually contributed something…
Enough about that…We have a quick chance to put this result behind us and get a win with a mid-week trip to Villa Park. Lest anyone forgets, we owe Villa. Both for Bent’s two goals which ensure a miserable loss in our final home league fixture of last season, and payback to Eck.
We are unlikely to face Birmingham City this season, as they are in division one and I expect them to be out of the FA Cup before we have a chance to be drawn with them. But we will face the man who managed the League Cup Winners side on February 28, 2011. So this is our chance make a small repayment to Eck.
If that is not motivation enough, then the league table should be. Arsene has already conceded the title – wrongly, in my opinion, as we still have half the season to go and who knows what can happen to the sides around us. We’re still in fifth, but Liverpool has just drawn level on points, by virtue of their win at Villa today, and Newcastle is only two points behind us. So we need to keep picking points up, as much to fend off those below us, as to climb the table.
Villa have been more or less dreadful for most of this season. Eck appears to absolutely be the wrong man for that job – as I think most Villa supporters knew at his appointment. So that is a winnable game, much more so than yesterday’s.
Who knows, perhaps even Arsh and/or Chamakh can score in that one…
Wouldn’t that be nice?
Written by Oliver
Hi Rico & all
now we know the difference between Man U and us. Man C too this year
Consistency
AW has to buy if we are to stand a chance. City and United will not drop too many point this year
Morning alan and all…
Robbed, we deserved at least a point and we had a good goal disallowed and a def penalty turned down…
But, I thought we did pretty good considering a few players were off form yesterday…
We are snookered at the back now with JD out, and have to admit, I thought he was better yesterday 😉
The cheque book needs dusting down, that’s for sure..
Another quality match report oliver…
Utd will get stronger and kick on now, they always do in the second half of the season – straight race between them and the money bags for the title imho…..
And, I’d much rather Fergie win it than all our cast offs….
thanks for the report Ollie.
I wish Gallas had not left. He was a tryer with some talent
Serious alan?
He had a massive ego problem and i’m sure he is why there was a divide in the camp, imho he is best gone…
I’d say we need two defenders in Jan now, maybe try and get one on loan and get Vertonghen for keeps…
Actually, I read we have a call back option on Bartley so that could be on the cards…
Good match report Oliver, we definitely didn’t deserve to lose that game however we did….so AW do the right thing and strengthen the team in Jan!
Vertonghen is a must and wont break the bank..
Arseshavin & Chamakh must be replace with a quality goal scorer not a bargain basement last minute purchase
morning all..
Rico
Yes I believe Gallas was talented. Part of his trouble was he was sick of those around him not achieving
We certainly need defenders
Morning Lee, I’ll second that!
I’d still take Goetze even tho he’s injured….vertonghen and a striker.
What you think about TH filling in, Rico?
Such a deluded match report…you can take off the rose tinted specs now.
I’d take TH on a loan Lee, at least he knows where the goal is, agree re JV too – he was a must before, def needed now, i fear we will see Squilli in the squad for the Villa game….
Back in a bit…
Morning Rico, the table doesent lie,we are where we are because that’s where we are!
I thought that we just came up a bit short yesterday in defence – and up front – and I suspect that this will be the story of our season.
I agree that Villa looks a winnable game – if not then we really are in trouble.
Morning all,
Top report Oliver as usual, and your observations sound as normal, Theo has been disappointing and Chamakh and Arshavin, They offer very little. Injury seems to follow us around and srikes at the worst times, JD is just not up to the Premier League Pressure He needs a month off everytime he playes, Disabled Diaby the same cut our losses and move them on, let them sit in someone else’s sick bay. Pretty obvious in what we need so Wenger get the cheque book out and put us out of our misery.
Steve, I didn’t think there was much difference in the two teams yesterday and on another day we’d of won it! They’ve got a good bench we’ve got arshavin & chamakh warming ours and if robin has an off day we’re pretty toothless…all can be rectified!!
Hi Lee, yeh i thought the same our bench is woe full i must admit, we were pretty toothless Rambo gives me the hump with his stupid flicks he needs talking to about that, Theo and Gerve were very poor.
What’s frustrating is that with the right additions this team is close to wining something but will AW do anything about it? Surely he’s got to show some intent in the transfer market to keep RVP? Fingers crossed!!!
I must admit Lee if i were Robin i would want a bit more help, makes you wonder how he has scored so many goals doesn’t it
It is frustrating, if we had another top class striker and defender, we would be in the top three right now, if not higher…
Surely the ox and Ju Park would have been the better option, Ryo i think is injured but he must figure soon six month’s of watching must be enough for them, it certainly is for me.
Morning Rico, Forward i agree with defenders we seem to be over laden with them, granted we have four out injured but do you really think we need another or was you saying that as you want cover for sqilly
Offside or not is not a matter of opinion. Last night on MOTD 2 it clearly showed that Robin was onside when he chipped Hart and that goal should have stood. I also cannot work out how Dowd didn’t give that handball by Richards as a penalty, although, knowing Dowd’s history with us, perhaps I can. We were certainly unfortunate with decisions yesterday. One thing that was really nasty though was the way that Richards, after Song had just been booked, ran straight at him with the ball, knocked it past him and then literally threw himself at Song in an effort to get him sent off. Dowd, for some mysterious reason, didn’t buy into that particular con but should have booked Richards for simulation and gamesmanship. Barry who should have been off after a second foul, worse than the one he got booked for, also did the same to Arteta later in the game. Like many of these ” big” matches, it was a game decided by small details and they never went our way yesterday. We lost out on the big decisions and Man City got the benefit. Chamakh and Arshavin must be shown the door in January. If Wenger makes the right squad adjustments I still think this could be a good season for us. But I think I have felt that way quite often at this time of year.
Spot on Steve, would they have been any worse than AA and Chamakh?
No – in fact they would have been much better…
Morning Steve – how rude of me 😉
yes, get rid of squilli…..
morning adam, how we didn’y get a penalty i will never know, it was clear cut… and rvps goal. well its just one reason of many why we need technology imho….
Adam totally agree with your assesment, I must say that this is normal in premier league football, i watched a game yesterday that pundits comentators and anybody that wanted to talk only saw one team, we were only there to make the numbers up, After we lost they gave us a bit of praise where they said we made a good game of it. some things never change. football is bent allways has been. but it makes a lot of money, and you know what money makes (decisions)
Hi Rico. Couldn’t agree more. I believed that Robin was offside when I watched it live but realised later that it clearly wasn’t. As for the handball? Well it got a deflection but the ball had travelled 30 yards in the air and Richard’s arm was clearly away from his body and towards the ball and it did enable him to control it. I can’t think of a bad decision against City but we certainly had a few yesterday.
We’ll continually be linked with all and sundry, how refreshing if AW showed real intent and purchased the necessary player(s) at the start of the window…. I suppose we can dream 😉
Steve. I’d like to think you were wrong about that, but can’t. Souness and that smarmy git Redknapp both dismissed the handball as not a penalty and nothing was made of the wrongly disallowed goal. It took Dixon, late last night to make right calls supported by video evidence.
Morning can I just ask one simple question, as we all know AA is having a shocker and to be honest I can’t see that ever changing now. Has AW forgot about his most expensive summer transfer the Ox who has shone in everything he has done but can’t get a look in! Can anyone shed some light on this?
Thats all i do Lee Dream, Catch you all later.
See ya SP
Wenger is used to it Adam, he very rarly coments on it now he knows, and we know, the FA have their favorites and were not one of them. Later.
if wenger doesn’t make a few changes in january, i think those who were calling for his head back in the summer, will be doing so again very soon….
off for a bit, laters….
I agree RIco but it is not a scenario I want to see. In all truth we need at least one full back, a good goalkeeper and at least one striker of quality, preferably two. Out should go Fabianski, Manone, Chamakh, Arshavin and Squillaci. I fear though that this will be several steps too far. I think Wenger has his mojo back and really hope that he makes the right moves. Also Robin must be offered lots of money to stay. If FFP has any teeth it seems to me that Man City will not be allowed to qualify for Europe. I cannot believe this will happen once the brown paper bags begin to change hands. Any club that is loosing close to £4 million per week could hardly be considered to have met the requirements. But then again Chelsea are still running at £70 million a year losses. It is confusing but I imagine most of us can see what will happen.
Morning Gooners.
Morning Rico.
Top post Oliver.
Good points re; substitutes.
Gotta seriously consider recalling Bartley methinks.
Adam, i’m on me way home.
You’ll have to get the bus tonight. 🙂
Hello all.. We did’nt deserve that !
Kev. It’s my Christmas dinner at Benares in Berkeley square later in the week and the Victoria Line from Green Park is very unappealing. I was hoping to catch you in Piccadilly.
Bloody black cabs!!Never one around when you need one Adam!! 😉
Rico
this is no time for the AKBers to be comfortable
I shall seek solace in the lovely tones of Don Estelle & Windsor Davies
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAATxhOXH_A&feature=player_embedded
I cant understand keeping Chamberlain off the team sheet and including Arshavin. the only thing i can think of is that AW doesnt want to reduce the player value, it is coming to money again and not footballing decisions.Sad really.
Adam. 4 mill a week is small change for the bloke that owns it. It’s all relative
The amount is nothing under the circumstances
Haha Adam/Lee.
Sorry boys, i’m halfway home now.
I’ll see ya in the ‘Kipper season’… 🙂
Lee, i’m not sure that i would lump all or any of the blame on Wenger for the lack of activity and delay in doing transfer business last summer.
David Dein got business done.
Edelman was fcuking useless.
Whilst Gazides gives me no reason to think that January is going to be any different than the summer.
Gazides is a suit. Dein was a fan.
Grazidis poked his nose and fucked up one….
Lee, we all have a good idea what is needed this January.
Wwenger knows for sure.
Now lets see how much of a dogs dinner that Gazides can make out of it.
Gd afternoon guys and chicks of the Gunners’ faith.
Good post Oliver. Even those who have not seen the game, can say that they can imagine it simply by reading your report. A qualitative report.
We played a good game yesterday however two erroneus decisions went against us. Both the goal (which was’nt offside) and the penalty decisions were split second decisions influenced by the home crowd. Dowd has confirmed that he is a homer.
However he did use some common sense with cards. He could have easily sent Barry and Song off. However he elected to give them a quiet word in their ear. And if he had sent off both of them remember that we could have suffered more with Song off than shitty with Barry off.
The problem as I see it is the 4-3-3 at the expense of Robin’s goalscoring form. 4-3-3 is good against sides like Stoke, Blackburn, Norwich, Swansea etc who like teams to play narrow and not wide. However with a team like shitty it is better to play 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1. The reason being that Robin has two centrebacks to contend with alone, while with 4-4-2/1-1 their centrebacks have to contend with two forwards. So it could have been RVP and Gervinho with Benayoun, Ramsey, Song and Arteta behind him.
The substitutions were also awful. It should have been Benayoun not AA. Benny needs games and surely he is much better option than AA right now. At least he is a teamplayer and does not play for himself.
Personally I like Chamack, however there are many players I used to like in my career and my head overruled my heart when choosing teams. It does not mean that if I like a player than he has to play. Yesterday it should have been Park. Even Oxo, who is a wide player, would have had more effect on the game if he was introduced as a forward besides RVP.
Hiya AK. good day amigo. gd to see you off to home and the missus.
I agree 100% with allthat you said above.
Does Gazidis have balls?? We wait and see
Afternoon fine folk…..
Welcome Dan and Ahmed, sorry for the delay, first comments go into moderation, any futyre ones will go straight up now….
Why Oxo doesn’t get his chance is a strange one, I hope he makes the bench on Wednesday, if not the starting eleven….
There’s no way he’d be as bad as AA….
What Andrey arshavin doing s very shocking.. woeful,
how the world that was not a penalty. micah were rolling over him and there like a pig in the mud
Agree lee, i hope he’s gone on the 1st Jan!
Hi STV, he just doesn’t have any interest anymore, we should dock his wage!
Love the Gravatar by the way 😛
true Rico, he played like he wants away.. iam losing interest in him after each game
thought you’d like it 😉 no words for that man..
Hi ya folks,arteta really shone like a million bucks last night. What a player. I said this in October and I ll say it again. This team will win the league next season. Remember we ll welcome back sagna wilshere Santos and maybe a new striker. Players like mert and Santos ll be into their second season. Boy I can’t wait. We ll qualify for the CL this year but wait for it. We ll be smoking next year. Come on you gunners.
The ever pleasent goonster 🙂
I lost interest in him a while ago STV, i know it can’t be easy being on the bench each week but it’s his own fault he’s there…
Why he came on I don’t know, Yossi gives a lott more than him, or Rosicky – like oliver said though, Wengers subs are all too predictable, may as well left Theo on…..
Hi goonster, totally agree about Arteta, not sure about the rest of your comment though 😉
That’s me STV..great game huh?
Mert did OK, Verm was amazing, Arteta worked hard, kos played well in the first half, Ramsey anchored well but final ball/play not that gud, Gervinho inefficient.
There is this Argentine dude we are apparently looking at…matias suarez? Men this boy can play. Saw him over the weekend for anderletch. He’s just what we need. Good dribbler, wonderful passer and can play anywhere up top. A
Ruined by a shocking referee….
There is this Argentine dude we are apparently looking at…matias suarez? Men this boy can play. Saw him over the weekend for anderletch. He’s just what we need. Good dribbler, wonderful passer and can play anywhere up top.
And you what the best part is…he’s within our price range. I ll snap him up now cause in a few years he ll be ripping up the leagues in Europe.
Whoa what’s that about? Sorry guys bloody touch screen phone.
Where is everybody?
I’m here goonster 😉
Alright that’s it…am off too.
me too…
Oh there you are…so so, have you seen the New Guy play? I think he’s the one Steve rowley’s been watching not that Lucas biglia dude. Suarez is it Rico. Take it from a guy who knows a talent when he sees one. He’s the next big thing.
I’ve still got a feeling the Goetze situation is not dead and buried…
Hi ya lee….
But he’s injured and do you see wenger stumping 30 odd million on a single player? I don’t think so!
they can have chamakh & AA plus £…
he was only out for a month or so but the £25/£30m fee is the stumbling block unless they want our world beating bench warmers! 😉
Add squilaci and big Al to the list lee. Hey have you heard? Denilson is begging sao paolo to permanent his deal with them. Apparently he does not want to return to us. Yikes.
Now there’s a waste of internal organs….
What price is he though Lee, can you see wenger paying what DB want?
I think it’s the guy mentioned yesterday, the african playing in Portugal….
I see that suarez fella more of a realistic target. No chance wenger ll spend 30m on one single player. Question, has he ever spent 30m in one TW?
Oops, you already anwered the cost question
F5 rico, F5 😉
No I can’t but, he’d be a really good signing for us imho….with all the fall out at Ajax, we should go get JV and DB10, you think with a decent pay rise and the Dutch master joining the coaching staff RVP would sign??
When the dust settles we’ll see clearly
There’s always a first time Stanley…..
He hasn’t spent 30M on two 😉
I think it’ll be JV and TH…….
Ederzito – that’s the guy 😉
Maybe lee…but I think RVP ll sign regardless of whatever we do in this TW or the next. The guy is arsenal through and through. Besides he has siad previously he wants to win trophies but only at arsenal! I don’t know why folks are losing sleep over this. He’s not nashit who by the way is a coont!
I’d be happy with that Lee – but TH has to return to the states in Feb….
Then Ederzito for free in the summer….. another Chamakh…
Rico, who the hell is that? Edel what? No way, no more Africans. We need eastern Europeans instead. Besides what does he do? Sounds like a butcher to me.
Who replaces Song on Wednesday then, Frimpong or Coquelin?
Rowley watched him the other day goonster, at least he scored for his club yesterday, I think JM watched him
g’ster lol.. why eastern Europians /?
What’s with the clamor for Henry to return? I don’t want him too. He is an arsenal legend probably the greatest player to wear the glorious red and white but he’s done let’s move on. I wouldn’t want him to fail where he once excelled. I might die of grief. He’s better off being in our glorious past. Wouldn’t want his lengendary status tainted. Please guys enough of this “bring back Henry” crap.
Cause they ve got grit and flair STV. We need a few in the arsenal.
It’s not “Bring back Henry” crap it’s just what’ll probably happen Stan and by the way AA & Chamakh have performed of late he can’t do any worse…..
Rico chamakh was burning up the french league before he came to us. Your edel whatever dude is doing the same in an inferior league. Besides he’s a nobody. We ve been promised a marquee signing and by God we deserve one!
He’s not my first choice goonster but we are talking wenger, he’ll go for the cheapest option and players are over priced in jan…
Pires,Viera,Ljungberg,Henry etc all unknowns…..
Rico, that’s why TH ticks boxes…
Lee am scared he might struggle. The next time I wanna see Henry in an arsenal shirt is during his testimonial. I ll kill myself if we sign him and he fails!
goonster – don’t shoot the messenger – I haven’t a clue who this guy is and the comment about him scoring is me being ironic 😉
We haven’t been promised a marquee signing……
Arsenal are considering a January swoop for Anderlecht striker Matias Suarez, according to Inside Futbol.
Arsene Wenger is likely to make a centre-forward a priority in the transfer window with Marouane Chamakh and Gervinho off to the African Cup of Nations.
Suarez, 23, has been in good goalscoring form this season with 14 goals in 25 matches and the Argentine has the ability to play on the left or right of a front three as well as the middle – suiting the way Arsenal play.
The forward has a contract with Anderlecht until 2013 and is likely to cost Arsenal around £7m
I agree lee and tbh, it wouldn’t bother me at all if we got him until Feb, maybe even Shea will be signed on a loan for the same period, both will cover for the loss of Gerv and Chamakh in Jan, by the time TH’s job is done, they will be back…
Well, Gerv, I am hoping Chamakh doesn’t come back 😉
TH would still score goals for us…
Only 14 goals in 25 Lee, is that good enough 😉
Now that’s what am talking about lee…matias suarez? What a prospect.
He reminds me off Jose Antonio Reyes.
Rico with the amount of chance we create, he ll score more. He could be our very own chicharito!
He’s ideal to cover for gervinho…
I was jesting again goonster, 14 goals is more than Chamakh and AA have scored together in the last two seasons…
what a load of bull, why wenger buys players and not play them!?
not ready after 4 months is not excuse! Arshavin is not ready by anymean & he keeps playing him, waiting for a miracle to happen!
Ramsy is not ready in my opinion and not effective on that playmaker position, he should have brought in someone to replace him! Rosiscky or even Park instead of Arshavin for Walcot.
Diaby is another dead wood and we not gonna see any effect from him in the near future, and where is the OX for goodness sake!!!??
Rokabox, thats harsh on Ramsey, he was one of our better players yesterday and for the last few games he has been doing well….
I just don’t get why folks are having a go at Ramsey. This boy is a huge talent still learning his trade. He ll come good. He’s got a huge stamina and touches every blade of grass on the pitch. He ll come good. He’s arriving in the box at the right time and once he perfects his art he ll be a handful for any team. A whole lot of people slagged off song all those years now look at him. Ramsey was a better player than song at the same age. Cut him some slack that thug shawcross deprived him a whole year. It was due to that injury we had the w
I just don’t get why folks are having a go at Ramsey. This boy is a huge talent still learning his trade. He ll come good. He’s got a huge stamina and touches every blade of grass on the pitch. He ll come good. He’s arriving in the box at the right time and once he perfects his art he ll be a handful for any team. A whole lot of people slagged off song all those years now look at him. Ramsey was a better player than song at the same age. Cut him some slack that thug shawcross deprived him a whole year. It was due to that injury we had the we had the privilege of seeing wilshere. Get behind the team dammit!
Goddamn this touch scree phone…argghhh.
new phone then goonster 😉
Boo! Lots to catch up on… rico, I keep seeing HH on the NN sidebar!! Great job!
Howdy, goonster?
I noted his performance is better against big teams goonstr
AGAG arrves with a blast !!
Hi
oliver, I would tell you to go offer your services to some publication, but… I don’t think rico would like it. You do this stuff fantastically well. 🙂
Other than the inability to finish, for which we dearly paid, there really wasn’t much to moan about re: last night’s performance. 🙂 That Dowd though… Grrr.
STV, your gravatar!! That man is sooo inept!
Ramsey at least tried to go forward. It is a credit to him that he gets into good positions. His finishing needs work though and I don’t care for the fancy flicks. He is twenty years old for crying out loud!
Is woijech a legend or what? We hate totenham he says. Hi ya agag
Boo to you agag, yep, i saw that yesterday, steve’s fine work 🙂
At least thrice last week, rico. 😉 Brilliant! Chesney was fantastic yesterday (bar the goal); I had reservations about him after that embarrassment at United, but he has picked himself up, and has found great form. Has to refine his distribution; and avoid charging out of his box unnecessarily.
Kozzer continues to impress. He looks like a very confident player now. A far cry from last year where he was often nervy and rash.
Everyone had a shocker in Manchester a few months ago 🙁
Ches was darn good yesterday, sadly, so was Hart….
Hart was no match for Robin’s goal yesterday, which should have stood. 😉 😉 I don’t think anyone looked more relieved than Hart hen the final whistle sounded!
All in all it was a gutsy performance from the lads. I ve never being prouder after a defeat. Where are all the arteta bashers now. Mugs lot of them.
agag – you are probably right, he tipped a couple away… Theo’s rasper was really unlucky… As for RvPs goal, well, it was a goal 😉
AA so pees me off, 3 players waiting for a cross and a simple tap in for any of them, all he managed was a soft pass to Hart, hopeless!!
What I ll give to see the backs of big Al squiily ashavin chamakh bentner and denilson. To be replaced by sorensen JV gotze suarez and dembele. Wow now that’s some team.(licking my lips)
Glad he didn’t see red, he’s now on 4 yellows, next one and Arteta is out for one game….
Actually, Arteta needs to get booked on wednesday, wolves is our weekend game, we can afford to lose him for that one 😉
Rico I felt yesterday that even if we scored a legitimate goal that git dowd and his henchmen will disallow it.
He really does need a breather. Poor guy.
Have we finally found a… spine? 😉 Good job all around; and our defense stood firm even when at times it looked like Citeh could run riot.
I thought Aguero was very wasteful and kept knocking into our players trying to draw fouls…
AA is a shadow of himself… He doesn’t even look frustrated or angry… just defeated. We cannot indefinitely keep on hoping that he would rediscover form. Maybe it is time to let him go…
I’ll nick AK’s line re: you’re 4:50 goonster… “Calm down, Stan.” 😀 😀
Maybe? Are you crazy agag? He needs to go pronto. He’s keeping better players on the bench. Ben ayoon the oX and TR7 should be starting ahead of him.
Yeah yeah agag…where is KEV by the way?
Isn’t it obvious that Podolksi is *exactly* everything we need up front?
If Wenger doesn’t get him, he’s an lunatic.
here here, calm down stanley 😉
AK is on his way home 🙂 Hoorah…..
Evening you lot.
Chillax Stan….[ Lee’s line ]
Hey, you home AK?? 🙂
Good, now get writing 😉
Wow red army…that was uncalled for.
Hi Rico.
Just relaxing gal.
Getting PC out tomorrow.
But i will do a bita scribbling lata boss… 🙂
This phone is crap. Don’t waste your dough on a Samsung folks. Useless!
I was at the match yesterday and may i say you are by a country mile the best outfit we have faced this year, and was unlucky not to get a point, great game, great suport thanks lads.
Red, i’m not sure he’s the one……
You scribble when you want AK, you need rest time for a few days 🙂
Ihave a samsung, it’s pants! due an upgrade but they won’t let me have the latest iphone for free 😉
wonder why……
hi bluericky, welcome and i happen to think we were unlucky too 😉
a draw would have been a fairer result but for dowd it would have been….
I’m off! Boo, AK! In fairness, goonster’s been behaving. 🙂
rico, go get that upgrade! I hear iphones do all sorts of high-tech things! 🙂 Ahaha. I haven’t the head to manage anything more than a phone that rings, takes calls, sends out texts. 😉
bluericky, when your lads visit The Emirates, it ought to be another cracker. 🙂 We’ll get the results next time though. 😉
Nighty agag, rest well….
Upgrades, i would never work one out….
Evening all,
Does anyone else here think Chamakh looks a little bit like Ronaldo but plays like ronaldo’s grandad or is it just me.
Walcott didn’t look very happy either making way for AA23 yesterday, surely it’s just a matter of time before we ship him off to Siberia.
That’s enough of my whinging.
Lee, re your 10.21, we say it every year, wenger needs a toe up his arse !
Evening Micko, you mean he looks greasy 😉
Hey Rico. Are iPhones that much better then?
If yes, then i might treat myself to one in the sales.
Lee, you got one mate ain’t ya, are they the dogs or not?
Btw, where has Wath got to these days.
Must be having a snooze. Poor dear…. 🙂
Agag, missed ya…. Booo.
Glad to hear that your ok.
No rico, your mixing him up with john travolta.
With the risk of getting one of devils granma’s saucepans over my head I’d go as far to say I’d take villa with a broken leg over chamakh anyday.
That’s it. This phone is going.
Hello Mick, uok?.
That’s it, i’ll see you Gooners lata.
Just off to the garage to smash a phone to pieces.
Ta ta.
AK, the iPhone is the bollox…..
Seems as if Barca and Shitty will be paying for the stadium them guys and chicks of the Gunners’ faith.
bluericky just a short point……it wont last mate. Enjoy it while you can because that was what we thought the chavs were all about in 2006. Look at them now. And I tell you this….it wont be long before they start going back where they belong. So enjoy it while you can. And do not forget to send us a postcard and a note when you are back where you belong……oblivion.
Evening dear friends. Here its freezing and today we had hail and later on snow.
AK, iphones are the bees i heard… 😉
Micko 🙂 That is the only JT i liked 😉
bluericky – you have no chance of getting RvP, he’s loyal and its not about being paid the largest salary, he prefers a club with some history… not just a suga daddy…..
and trust me, you are welcome to those you have bought to date….
Night AK, you go sleep, you need it 😉
Hi DG – don’t let them get to you, the chavs bought what they have won, now it’s Citeh’s turn, maybe the Europa cup will keep Mancinni in a job, or the Carling Cup…
Sure as heck Fergie will win the PL…
I’m off too now, got a rotten cold so off for some hot lemon and honey and a pillow….
nighty all
Evening guys seems we ll be getting this suarez fella. The story seems to be everywhere in the media. Even the Belgian press has picked it up. Hope we get him though. From what I ve seen he looks the part.
Nighty night Rico!
Are you off too lee? Looks like you Brits like to sleep early except kev. That’s one wild fella but hey lee I thought you were the wild crazy one? Oh well I guess I was wrong.
Nite rico, pour yourself a hot toddy, that will warm the cockles of your heart
Hello Kev, i’m holding my own matey, hanging in there.
Good night mates.Its been a very tiring day today. And I am knackered.
Good night Kev to you all at home.
I’m still lurking just read my 3yr old daughter two bedtime stories…..”The history of The Arsenal” and “why are sp*rs so hated?” 😉
Night DG
This Javier Pastore’s not up his own arse much is he? And I quote, “If I want a team bigger than PSG to contact me, then it depends on me.”
hello
Arsenal 0 Chelsea 4 (resreves) !
Sleep tight all…
How did Nasri get mon of the match?!?!
I don’t understand either.
New Post up