Morning all.
Having heard yesterday that Danny Welbeck won’t be back playing football until at least February, the news which suggests Santi Cazorla might not return as soon as expected isn’t at all good. He’s been quoted as saying:
I have to be ready mentally to work and hopefully I can shorten the recovery time as much as possible.
I do not want to set a time but I want to play in three months. I do not want to extend it more if it is possible. Arsenal have told me it will be between three and four months, which may be closer to four.
Not quite the three months we’d all hoped. At 31 years old, I hope his body can recover and he’ll come back playing as well as he was but it’s fair to say, the older we get, the harder it is for the body to repair well. For a footballer playing at his level, it’s bound to be tough to get over such a serious injury.
I have already said that I will work hard, I want to make everything I can to play in March but we will see how it goes. We are not going to force it if is going to be bad. But my priority is to play in March.
The club have told me to be calm and that when I return we will be in the finals (laughs). I hope so. The important thing is that the team do well and I recover as soon as possible.
Mikel Arteta is a couple of years older than his fellow Spaniard and it’s clear his body is struggling with the demands of the Premier League. He gets fit, plays, and then suffers injury again and one has to wonder how long Arsene Wenger will stand by his captain because as much as he might be a nice guy, good captain and all that jazz, him sitting in the stands or doing whatever else he does whilst his team-mates are playing football, isn’t going to help Arsenal win the league. Arteta is not 25 years old and able to repair, he’s 33 years old, 34 in March and should perhaps be thinking about his next job….
Another player who’s having a tough old season is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, a player who when at his best, can scare the living daylights out of defences. He’s quick, direct and isn’t afraid to take a shot and when he shoots, he sure gets some pace behind the ball.
According to a report on the Arsenal.com, OC may be called up to fill the void left by Cazorla and Coquelin as and when required and it’s something the player feels at home with:
Sometimes it’s nicer to play in midfield because you get more of the ball whereas when you’re out wide you rely on people to get you the ball, but then when you are on the wing you have then license to attack a bit more and run at people which is a strong part of my game. I’m happy to play in both positions.
Versatility is an extra string to a player’s bow. In the long run it’s probably better to tie yourself down to one position and really become established in one area to be as good as you can in that position.
However, you look at the likes of Philipp Lahm who is one of the best right backs in the world, but he can also go into midfield and play as if he’s one of the best midfielders in the world.
As much as OC prefers to play in midfield, his tendency to give the ball away so cheaply is perhaps why his best place right now is exactly where he is. His career path appears to be taking a similar path as Aaron Ramsey, who also had to experience time on the wings to learn and now, because of other suffering injury, he’s finally playing where he plays best and it shows in his game.
So for now, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain needs to keep on working hard for the team, show he’s got what it takes to be in the first eleven and then one day, he too will will get to play where he prefers…
Maybe….
Have a great day guys…
Good read rico and I concur with your assessment of OC playing through the middle.
OC should recall Lahm was a LB when he was 23 y.o; he only started playing CM 3 years ago under Mr Pep .
Seems to me that the Ox is standing at a crossroads right now.
lol Adam.
In my view Ox has been in a no mans land for over 2 years…; I am not bashing him but with the number of games he has played even with his injuries he should be established by now beyond just appearing exciting and known to be a pacey player.
If he’s not careful, he could end up somewhere else imo…
At this stage of his career he should be starting and flourishing alongside players like Ramsey, Ozil, Alexis etc etc… Injuries haven’t helped but there’s a very good player in there somewhere imo. Funny how he and TW’s career took a strange turn when they joined us from Southampton…
Chambers too by the look of it…
You are onto something Rico.
I think Chambers needed to have been loaned back to Saints with us keeping cpl jenks…
Jenks has been dropped by West Ham now Ts, seems he’s going through a bad patch. I read something the other days and the fans at WH were really slating him…
Lovern isn’t the greatest defender either is he? Or has he improved under Klopp?
Lovern was mentioned on here loads before he joined for the dippers…
He is a no non-sense type but I dont consider him as an intelligent defenderlike Per…
I think what Klopp has done is acknowledge that the dippers central defenders cannot initiate attacks like Brenda wanted them to do…
re. Jenks, he was always a limited player but he always perseverance…
he always showed perseverance* it should have read
I like the no nonsense type of defender, much better than a dithering old slow coach… 😉
Last season the Hammers fans were raving over Jenks, so he was doing well then but perhaps Big Sam suited him more…
True Rico. 🙂
Per is a world cup winner so he can afford to be slow. 😛
Big Sam put little prerssure on his defenders to be footballers.
Bilic being more continental wants his defenders to play from the back.
Jenks has not been able to iron out picking the ball forward before making a decision on what to do with the ball…
Are you now convinced with Wes Morgan of Leicester?
You won’t be saying that after we play Barca Ts… 😉
I’ve only really took any notice of Morgan on Monday, thought he dealt with Costa really well and didn’t rise to his bullish tactics.
Was he playing when we hit 5 past them? 😉
He was Rico. You never took much notice of him though.Maybe he did not have Theo’s features. 🙂
i think at his age he should playing for England as well. He is a real leader at the back too…
He is way better than stone. imho of course
Obviously Huth joining him this season has made him more of a complete defender.
I took notice of him when Miguel joined Leicester 3 or so seasons back
Sad to see Miquel is now plying his trade in the lower Spanish leagues… 2nd division…
What did you think of Inler?
Cheeky Ts… 😉
He plays for Jamaica doesn’t he?
He’s done really well considering where he once played….
“his best place right now is exactly where he is.” Unfortunately that is currently the bench. He has not progressed at all over the past season and a half and he has a very long way to go to make the first choice starting line up. Right now if everyone was fit he would struggle to get on the bench in my opinion, even Joel has move ahead of him. I for one would like to see Gnabry given a chance.
Old… 😉
Old? How do you get away with it Rico? 😛
Exactly Allan, that’s what I meant… lol
Campbell gets the nod for me too right now, just hope he keeps up his good form. I’d all but written him off and thought he’d be a gonner in the summer if not before but I guess I may have to eat a bit of humble pie but I’m not baking it just yet….
We need to see him do what he’s been doing against City etc before I get too excited….
Because they are all younger than me Ts… 😉
Catch up in a couple of hours, have a good one guys…
Agreed there Allan.
2 years ago when Serge and Ox were both fit Serge was ahead of him…
Goonie will come soon and bash me for saying so. 🙂
🙂 Rico. Later
im glad many people think the ox isn’t great at all at the moment. his had like a few good games, blackburn one, ac and barca. and played well the start of the season. but his crossing is terrible, he dribbles to fast and can’t control the ball when he does this, he needs to learn how to run fast and slow in different situations. he hasn’t got no skills to take on a player, he just tries to knock it past the defender every time. although gareth bale was good at this and worked well but ox can’t do it like him at the moment.he tries many long shots that never amount to nothing.he loses the ball all the time. although against norwich his crossing was very very good, never seen him do it like that. he lacks concentration because of his personality, his not serious enough to become a top professional, he loves joking around all the time. needs to calm this down bait and actually see what position his in, millions of people would love to be in his position. needs to get dropped out of england squad and send him out on loan to shake him up. except for the joking around part walkouts the same, they think there better than they are. They do one good thing in a game and think thats it now, I’ve had a blinder, ronaldo messi etc don’t get ahead of thereselfs like this.
I for one like Ramsey playing where he is currently. Also ox in the mid field for me sounds good. With Alexis hopefully back for Monday and ozil getting the rest he deserves we have a solid chance. With all due respect to city, I think we can beat them. Might not be as easy as beating manu 🙂 but I think we should be able to pull through.
Hi all.
You’re spot on Rico, don’t want to sound like am quoting lampard but OC has no defensive displine to play in the mid. Sad to see even a fluke like sterling is developing better than him. Gnabry showed more promise when he played there. OC needs to reevaluate his approach to the game. IMO he shouldn’t be thinking of the midfield while he is not even a finished product on the flanks.
Injury setbacks, it’s so arsenal *sigh*
Morning rico and all.
You took the words out og my mouth re the three players we bought from Southampton and with various add ons Chambers is as yet no bargain.
I think we all thought The O(x woyld have progressed by now to be a regular starter at this moment of time with all our injuries and we really need reinforcements in early Jan as I reckon you can count out Welbeck,Cazorla and Coquelin for the season.Jack is so injury prone, will need time to get full fitness and even then would you play him as a starter with the players actually available at present.
Flamini will do a job but is prone to bookings and Arteat is over the hill.More negativity from me, sorry 🙂
I still think the title could well be between us and City providing we become more consistent and don’t have further injuries.I would play Gabriel on Monday,he needs games and poor pers isn’t the quickest.
I only had to read a few posts to know that Chavs is ginge!! We’ve been waiting a good while for Ox to turn into a Bale type of player. About time he came good!!!
Hiya, Lady of the House!! Hello, gents!!
Mertasackers barely a World Cup winner people, I’m sorry he got drafted in the three group matches so the better defender had more rest for final stages. If he would of played in the quarters semis final they would of lost because of his pace. He played the second half in the semis when they were already 5-0 up. And got like 1 min at the end of the game in the final. He was pivatal guys I’m sorry
Hi Agag… how are you doing?
Good, Ginge. A bit busy. I took so few trips this year. ? And you?
I have been very busy too in the last few weeks plus been unwell.
I didn’t wrap up properly when I went away to catch the boys at WBA and caught a cold which turned into chest infection…
The joys of following Arsenal eh?… 😉
Oh nooooo!! Hope it’s nothing too serious. But London is cold. To think I was there in the summer. ? And you guys were allegedly suffering from a heatwave. You just need to go somewhere warm. you know.
Atleti aren’t doing too bad in Spain I hope they pip Barca to the title. Madrid has looked rather disjointed.
And as for Arsenal. What you wouldn’t do for love, eh?
lol Agag. Just 2 days short of finishing my antibiotics doses…
Re. weather I cant disagree.I need to start saving some cash under my mattress to buy a place in the sun…
Oddly London plus majority of southern UK will be hotter than Australia this christmas. 15 deg Celsius…apparently.
Hottest christmas in over 120 years, all the agenda 2030 folks must be gleeing.
It’s my dream to buy a property near the water, too. I’m sure maintenance would be a bitch. So right now that will remain in the realm of dreams. And the climate change peeps would be right!! A typhoon in mid December is quite strange even for my strangest of cities.
Its quite worrying indeed Agag.
Have you bought yourself any special shoes as a treat for christmas?
I got myself a JVC VHS player plus a juke box… lol
arseblog
arseblog – @arseblog
Lost: One dressing room. If found please contact J Mourinho, London.
Kevvvvvv. Haha. That made my day!!
Ginge, seriously? Just a pair of rockstuds. They were on sale. I couldn’t resist. ?
Hi Agag, how’s tings over there on the Pacific rim….
Rock studs???
Not sure what to say buddy…. ?
They’re a style of shoes, Kev. ? Impractical and not made for walking, hahaha.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been the victim of some horrendous bad luck regarding injuries.
That doesn’t make him a bad player.
That makes him unlucky…
I thought he was excellent in the Charity Shield, scored a fantastic winning goal and looked set for a good season.
Then he got injured…
Why this keeps on happening to our players is what pisses me off, not any given players dip in form.
A dip in form doesn’t make AOC a bad player, it’s just a dip in form…
Or confidence…
Ok Agag, if you say so…. ?
Tbh when it comes to women’s shoes, I’m clueless…
But then I don’t have to wear ’em, ha ha ha.
Agag, have you done all your Christmas shopping yet?
Kev- since AW is a specialist in failure; what will jose call himself if he manages to finish 5th this season? 🙂
I will do it over the weekend, Kev. Good luck to me!! And you? Any new spiffy cardis?
Nice one Agag- didn’t realise Mr Valentino was still making a killing with the rockstuds?
Look at Joel Campbell for example.
He looked a bit iffy to me in his earlier games and I’m still not that convinced.
But credit to him, he’s worked hard, kept his place and is slowly improving, with games.
He might prove us all wrong and turn out to be a really good player by this season’s end…
And he stays fit…
For now…
I agree, Kev. I think AOC just needs to keep fit and keep things simple. He’ll come good. When on form, he always looks capable of something special.
No Agag, but I gotta say, that I look really cool in the cardy that I’ve got…
I might treat myself to some new trainers in the January sales… ?
What have you asked from Santa this year?
He is, Ginge!! And the style has been around a while. And in all those candy colors!!
Hello all still can’t believe I am disappointed that the chavs lost.
Do I feel dirty 😉
Ginge, in ‘Jose’s world’ failure doesn’t exist for him…
It’s the players fault, the ball boys, the club doctor, the referees, leaves on the track, Russia invading Crimea, Sepp Blatter, Arsene Wenger…
But not himself…
A bag. ? Nothing too fancy though. After visiting Bicester Village, I never want to pay full price for anything again. 🙂 Plus non En residents get a Vat rebate. How wasyyour beerday, btw?
Afternoon Agag, Kev, TS and all.
The Ox needs to spend a lot of time with Özil to get some pointers on when to pass rather than always shooting against massed defences.
Goonerjoe!!!! Howdy, Sir? It feels good to be mocking Mourinho. He looks old and lost and grey. And the defiant attitude only highlights his panic.
Afternoon All…
Good post Rico…
The Ox is not a bad player…he’s one of the most unlucky chaps with injuries…whenever he has a chance to have extended starts he manages to get injured as well. Campbell took Ox’s chance and look at what consistent starts does for a player!
Ox can’t just get bad overnight…he needs to stay fit for a reasonable period…and claim his stardom…he’s a great player.
My recent worry in the team is Bellerin…since he got injured he’s seriously nose-dived…never shown any flashes of the player we saw against Bayern at the Emirates ever since…very disturbing!
Adaaaaam. I hope Mrs A is better and that you have been at her beck and call. ? A nice Christmas present would be much appreciated, I’m sure.
Hello, Tai. Re Bellerin, I think it’s just tiredness with a bit of naivete. The talent us there but he continues to mature, so that’s nothing that time won’t fix.
Agag. I am always at her beck and call. Kev was over last week and he will confirm it. She’s had an Apple Watch already but might get a Bridge bag. 🙂
🙂 Agag.
Well Jose pretending to be humble must be killing his soul…
Hey Joe, oddly since September when the chav failure realise that their one trick pony manager could not rescue them they have gone quite and missing from almost all comments section of national papers especially the Daily Fail…
Niiice, Adam. Bridge is a great understated label. Love it!!
Ginge, he’s gagging on his own bile!! Oh how the Special Ones are fallen!!
Hi Adam…
Agag I had a brilliant weekend thanks…
Family and good friends, can’t ask for more.
A bag eh Agag….
You know what that means… ?
You’ll have to get matching shoes…
Agag. It’s a sensible and durable choice really. Saddlebag hide that gets better with age. Not very dressy.
Tai picking on you a little.. 🙂 I agree with most of your post apart from you saying Ox is a great player…
With that comment you can find yourself on ITV being a pundit when england plays international football. 🙂
With me i always say it as I see it…;if Ox was not English the adoration or lack of will be different.
Ox is fast becoming Mr row Z like townsend…
Ox averages over 30 games a season even with his unfortunate injuries. In my view, he is a more than adequate squad member but he is defensively lacking reason AW hesitated playing him and CJ25 on the rhs and he has not improved much when he is played there with young Bellerin against top left wingers…
quite= quiet*
Hi Agag…hopefully so…re Bellerin.
Hmmmm…Ts
Well, with time, we’ll see Ox give out why I said so…he just needs to have a truly consistent run without being dragged back by injuries…
Hahaha, sounds like a plan, Kev. I’m glad you enjoyed your day. ? Forever 21!! Adam, even their canvas bags are nice. Good choice!!
ginge, make sure to get Mrs G a nice present, too. I checked out some indie perfumers in London. I liked Jo Loves at Elizabeth St. No fuss and pretty. None of those scrubber niche scents that cost an arm and a leg. Ormonde Jayne is great, but the price is a little mad!!
Yes Agag, I spent a very pleasant afternoon at Chez Adamski, the tea flowed and the company was excellent…
Mrs Adam was well looked after as Adam buzzed around, resplendent in his pinafore, cutting cake and making tea, you would have been impressed Agag, As would Rico (I think) and the Apple Watch was superb…
Apple products are so pricey here. The apple watch looks so pretty though.I’m surprised Adam wasn’t wearing his puce velvet jacket. Hahaha.?
A bit harsh, Ginge! Oxo ain’t that bad. Hasn’t set the pitch alight but nowhere near as bad as all that. ?
Agag, I really couldn’t comment further ?
Ts…
Love your new slogan…waiting for … Chavs no longer relevant after 2015.
I’m off now. Great to have talked shop. Haha. Arsenal, shopping and HH are my three favoritest things on earth. Night, guys!!? rico, sorry to have missed you.
Afternoon Rico and the house
Im predicting Chelsea finish 3rd next year.
Just hope they don’t win the play off’s
Lata Agag…
Later Agag.
🙂 Tai- I am not saying Ox is a bad player. In fact said in the past on numerous time sthat he is more effect coming on as a sub, and then stretching defenders.
BVB and FC Munchen and krauts fans are happy to accept that Gotze plays better on a consistent basis when he comes on as a sub.
I think sections of Arsenal fans take criticism of certain players too personal…
My neighbour who was probably the only chelsea fan who did not want jose back can’t wait for roman to hire Ancellotti back.
How can one say a player is great and say he will be great if he got more games? lol
Lol ox out mahrez in.
based on current form…
Gervinho or Hazard? Dont be shy folks feel free to say Gervinho.. 😛
when has ox ever been good. barely got goal or an assist for arsenal. his passing crossing dribbling stats are terrible. had a few great games blackburn ac barca
Maybe my man Syg will admit Song made Ox look good for 45 minutes against Milan. 😀
Evening guys..
Sorry for the delay in letting you out of moderation Tony..
Micko- another proof if you have money you can get away with all sorts…
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3361640/Saudi-millionaire-cleared-raping-teenager-telling-court-accidentally-penetrated-18-year-old-tripped-fell-her.html
OC got a big goal in the comm shield Tony and I think he’s nabbed a few other important ones too…
Hazard Ts as class is permanent… 😉
lol Rico. admit it Gervinho is a bargain..;)
A crap bargain Ts…. Lol
What is it about Star Wars?
Never seen it, what’s all the fuss about?
I always preferred Fireball XL5
Haven’t seen, or want to see either Kev….
Kev. It must be an age thing with Star Wars. My mate’s kids like it but I say it is tedious, commercial shite. Then again, I am a Space 1999 kinda guy myself and my old friend Rog was a ringer for Troy Tempest.
Obviously nobody knows whether Ox will really make that big step up to being a rounded and complete player. He started off the season well but injuries and presumably a lack of confidence have taken their toll. In Wenger though he has a manger who looks deeper than the last game and will know how to bring him along.
Funny how every man and dog reckons Pep is off to City…..
Night guys, catch up tomorrow…
Ah yeah Adam Space 1999, that was model spaceships and real people…
A bit like Star Trek…
” It’s life Jim, but not as we know it”…
Pep Guardiola to Man City?
Pep Guardiola to ManUre?
Pep Guardiola to Chelsea?
Pep Guardiola to PSG.?
Pep Guardiola to Arsenal?
rico. even Mr Snuffleupagus, Big Birds best mate knows Pep is off to Citeh !
Adam, don’t like to brag but I grew up living next door to the Doctor from Space 1999 !
Kev, not sure about those Klingons mind ya.
tsgh, you can never have too many money bags, they double up as sand bags you know, without them the house would be 3 foot under water by now.
As for the Ox, gets substituted in almost every game he starts, bound to knock a young lads confidence but that’s Arsene for you.
No-one biting, I’m off before Kev trumps me on the Doctor.
Nite Gooners.
Micky. Was that Barry Morse?
Sorry mate. Micko.
Nah, you got me beat Mick…
I did used to live next door to a drapers though…
Depending on the fitness of Alexis, Wenger could have 5 forwards to choose from next Monday…
My pick to start would be Alexis, Walcott, Campbell…
Invite City onto us and hit them on the break…
Not Giroud then? Cited are crap in the air without their Kaptain! However, if he’s back then Walcott would be the better option as they are crap at running!!
Citeh, not cited iPad’s are crap too!
Sarasota…
Night All
Nite, nite everybody everywhere!
Yes, Sarasota! What does it all mean in relation to Arsenal? Is it Spain? What nonsense! They think they’re so clever, don’t they? These iPads! Well let me tell you they’re not and I’m coming for them with their presumed predictive text. I’ll have their DNA altered by men/women who know what they’re doing! See if I don’t!
Note all
Kin ‘ell it’s done the *ucker again!
Doesn’t it know it’s on a road to oblivion? The iPad is doomed, doomed I tell ‘ee.
Soz.
Note =nite.
I despair.
Morning All…
Morning Rico
England are doing well in South Africa…
New Coach, it’s promising…
I notice that the fact that Tottenhams government subsidised new stadium, which got the go ahead last night, and has a slightly bigger capacity than the Arsenal stadium, is exciting a few weak-headed journalists…
It’s not really an issue because Tottenhams capacity, pre-Taylor report, always had a slightly bigger capacity.
White Hart Lanes record attendance was 75,000, whilst Highburys was 73,000.
So fcuking what?
Didn’t help them win anymore than the two pathetic titles they’ve won, has it?
On the plus side, when the New Slum has been completed, think of the fun that Arsenal fans can have, smashing up their toilets…
Morning Kev and all..
Shame it’s only a friendly in SA. Boxing Day it all begins so at there’s something decent on TV to watch… 😉
I think we’re gonna do ok over there Rico.
Me too Kev, SA have just taken a battering by India (I think) so confidence could be low and we are looking pretty solid, albeit we lost in the UAE
Morning Rico, Kev and all…
Micko, if your tip is to use the extra cash as sand bags then what is your tip on how to use the extra gold bullions? or should I say the gold-plated tungsten bullions? 🙂
Didn’t we draw against Pakistan?
Maybe I’ve got that wrong….
We did thrash them in the one-dayers and 20/20 if I recall…
It’s gonna take time but I think our new Aussie cricket and rugby coaches are going to improve us big style…
Where’s Scott? ?
Morning Ginge…
Yes, what to do with your bullion, that eternal problem…
Adam and Lee worry about it all the time… ?
Morning Ts..
I thought it was only 3 tests Kev, I must have missed one… 😉
🙂 Kev.
Has Jose booked a holiday yet?
New post up now.