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Post Updated! Wenger confirms summer transfer plans! Reading come to town & The Boys blow it!

Posted on by rico

Morning all…

Disappointment yesterday for the under 19’s in the NextGen series.

Having been in total control of the game in the first half, but unable to score more than one gaol, Chelsea knocked the stuffing out of them to take a 3-1 lead. Like their senior counterparts though, they fought back in added time to make it 3-3. Then, and again like the men, they took their foot off the gas, allowed Chelsea to score another and that was them dumped out of the Cup.

Will they learn from that?

Well if the first-team are anything to go by, no!

Talking of them, Wenger has been talking about the summer transfer window.

We have five players for the England team and 22 international players.

So we have to analyse. What will decide our attitude, my attitude, is how we do now until the end of the season.

What is important is we look at how we finish the season, how well we play – and make the decisions on who to buy and who to sell at the end of the season. This will be influenced by the way we play in our last nine games.

Sorry, but if Wenger is truly basing his summer transfer activity on how this current crop play out their last nine fixtures, then we really are in trouble! Any summer signings really should have been identified by now and the club should be ready to negotiate for such players at the earliest opportunity.

As for the players he will choose to sell, well a season is about ten months (roughly) of football and how a player commits himself week in week out, not just during a nine week stretch when he knows he’s playing for his future.

That players future with Arsenal started the day he signed on the dotted line, he should play for his future and for the pride of the club each and every time he puts an Arsenal shirt on, not just for nine games at the end of this season when we happen to be outside the top four.

If players can’t be up for facing the Blackburn’s and Bradford’s in football, then why should they be given the chance of facing the top European sides in the Champions League?

They don’t!

I am sure each and any fan not only has a wishlist of players we love to see signed in the summer, but I am sure we have a similar list of those who we want sold.

We don’t need the nine games to convince us otherwise.

One of those nine is at home against Reading today, a side who are in a nasty relegation battle and really are looking likely to be back in the Championship next season.

Annoyingly though, they have appointed a new manager this week in Nigel Adkins, a manager who knows all about getting the best form his players. He did it enough times at Southampton.

So this game will be far from a ‘give me’, in fact it could be a banana skin if the players don’t show up in the right frame of mind.

I think we all know the injury situation, Walcott, Wilshere and Diaby are sidelined and Gibbs has man-flu so he’s also a doubt.

Her’s a few match facts for you all, courtesy of the BBC:

Head-to-head

  • Arsenal and Reading have already met twice this season, with the two games at the Madejski Stadium producing an incredible 19 goals. The Gunners won 7-5 to reach the Capital One Cup quarter-finals in October (despite being 4-0 down after 37 minutes), and then won 5-2 in the league in December.
  • Arsenal have a 100% record against Reading, winning all 11 times they have met in league and cup.

Arsenal

  • Arsenal have won four of their last five Premier League matches.
  • Among top-flight clubs, only leaders Manchester United have been in better form than Arsenal over their last eight league matches.
  • The Gunners have led at half-time in seven Premier League matches this season – and have gone on to win them all.
  • According to Opta, Arsenal have scored six goals on the counter-attack this season, more than any other club in the Premier League.

Reading

  • Reading have lost their last five Premier League matches.
  • They have the worst away record in the top flight, earning just five points from a possible 45.
  • The Royals have conceded 57 goals, more than any other Premier League side.
  • Reading have the worst second-half record in the top flight; Arsenal have the best.

So there you have it, on paper we should win, in reality it will nothing so easy as that.

We maybe fighting for a top four place to secure a huge payout Champions League football, but Reading are fighting for survival in the top of the English game.

The team who wants the victory more, will be today’s winners.

That had better be us!!

Update.

Tomorrow is the anniversary of the passing of David ‘Rocky’ Rocastle, and in honour of his memory the BSM & Redaction have organised Rocky7at7 for fans to sings Rocky’s name 7 mins into todays game for 7 mins….!

So if you are going to the game, let your voice he heard, let Rocky’s name ring loud and proud around the stadium.

That’s no more than the great player and the great man he was deserves…

Let’s do it today for that great man…..

RIP Rocky……..

That’s it for another day, have a good one all…..

rico

0 thoughts on “Post Updated! Wenger confirms summer transfer plans! Reading come to town & The Boys blow it!”

  1. leye says:

    to d blogger, wenger isn’t basing his transfer dealings dis summer on d last 9 games, he’s simply trying to motivate d boys to TRY n secure top4, we all kno dah wateva happens wenger is gonna sign a DM dis summer with diaby being 9mnths out…wenger is doin d right ting here, if those boys play @ deir very best securin top4 n UCL wld b a piece of cake…UP GUNNERS!!!

  2. Dick Swiveller says:

    I’m sure there are players earmarked to come in already, and those earmarked to go out are pretty obvious to all too; just a few that might be able to save themselves.

    I’m thinking Gervinho, showing us who the real Gervinho is might decide if another attacker comes in (in addition to the striker…)

    Fabianski, if we believe he’s over his injury problems, could get a new contract if he’s willing to fight it over with Szczensy, otherwise a keeper is needed.

    The Ox and Coq, both youngsters and if one of them really steps up it’d affect the kind of player we’d get too.

  3. rico says:

    Morning all..

    Hope Reading lose this one today, then go on and win all of their remaining fixtures and stay up…

  4. rico says:

    DS, we say that every season …

    We need a keeper in any case imho, neither Ches or Fabianski are good enough to be first choice…

    Wonder who will start in goal today, Fabianski has done little wrong and deserves to keep his place.

  5. Dick Swiveller says:

    Because it’s true every season, rico.

    Funnily enough, I believe Szczesny is close to good enough and Fabianski looks to be. based on his last dozen or so performances, but I’m pretty sure he’s on his way regardless.

  6. rico says:

    We’ll see what the summer brings Ds, it’s all very well having targets, unless we sign a good few top players, next season will be no different to this and the last 5/6..

    I don’t see chasing top 4 in the last few weeks to be very ambitious..

    I’m sure Fabianski will be gone in the summer, his contract is up in any case, as are a few others. If Wenger had any plans to keep him, he’d have been offered a new contract.

    Same with Mannone…

  7. W.A.T.H says:

    Rico, you never mentioned Rocky in the post nor the Rocky7at7 also people trying to get #RememberRocky trending on twitter…!

  8. Dick Swiveller says:

    Aye, we need a few. Frankly, I’ll join the Wenger out campaign if our only new attackers are Campbell and Miyachi.

    Top 4 is the only ambition we have now, so I don’t see how we could be any more ambitious atm.

    Build in the summer, for once we won’t have a devastating exit (maybe Theo, but given his form it’ll be more of a PR disaster than a footballing one), and with the right buys we’re there again.

    As you say though, easier said than done!

  9. emma says:

    Goodmorning all gunnersphere,

    leye – ditto

    I love the ruthless Wenger. Hope he continues with this attitude into next season
    My take on keepers. Szczesny is still very young and prone to the odd errors. There is every likelihood he will be staying. Question mark is on Fabianski as his contract expires in 3months. Will arsenal renew his contract? Only Wenger knows

    COYG’s lets get those 3pts

  11. Arsenal Hug says:

    I have been following Arsenal and Arsene Wenger for one and a half decades. When I here the le professuer talking about “what is important is we look at how we finish the season” just know that he is reluctant to spend. Anyway, we do not need to bring in so many new players to suppress our young talents. Two new players I would like Wenger sign are: a top striker and a holding midfielder. Squailaci, Djourou, Chamakh, Park, Denlson, Santos, Arshavin, and Gervinho can be shown the exit.

  13. W.A.T.H says:

    I now that you plonker BUT BSM & Redaction have organised Rocky7at7 for fans to sings Rocky’s name 7 mins into todays game for 7 mins….!

  14. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Morning all. Nice post. In fact, very well said. In fact very, very well said.

    It looks like the Jovetic thing is a more or less done deal. That is one world class player. We need four more.

    Re: Gervais – it would be great business if someone would pay money for him.

    Unfortunately it looks like Denilson’s on his way back.

    leye – try and write in English, pal. I’m no gangster rapper nor am I a mugger from Streatham.
    Dis n dat is bullshit speak.

  15. rico says:

    Ds, Miyachi is a strange one, injury after injury seems to be finding him. Can’t see him having a future in the PL – but that’s just my own view..

    Agree re the right buys and we’d be there, but annoyingly, that’s something else we seem to say each summer…

  16. Joywedsjeff says:

    Morning all. That statements means one thing and it is what i expected him to say in November. Better late that never i suppose? Wenger is just trying to motivate his troops… Even he knows we need a new spine which means at least four new signings and no major player leaving.

  20. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Nice one Adam – piss the Yorkshireman off – Lol

    Hope you and Mrs Adam are doing fine and we get 3pts come game end. 2-0.

  22. Danish Gooner says:

    Hi Emma !! He is not getting ruthless,he is trying to give himself an excuse not to spend,if they perform to the extent that we get third or fourth he will have a ready made excuse for not signing anyone in the summer and another fiscal year will be saved.hallelujah !!!

  23. southyorkshiregunner says:

    It’s a ballsy post Rico and you’re spot on.

    off up to the cardio room to do 40km…. be back in an hour …

  24. rico says:

    Hi Jeff, July for me, they should know what a season ahead means and that message should be drummed into them all through the season.

    Many will say he’s only trying to motivate the squad, well maybe he is, but I am quietly confident that he’s doing that to get the CL money….

  28. Adam says:

    Cheers SYG. Funny that as I always thought of you as a tunnelling Gangsta Rapper. 🙂 thanks mate. Mrs A and I are hooking up with Kev for the game. He will whisk us there in the back of his cab where we will raid the cool box for the Cava on ice and nibbles of grilled Halloumi and English Asparagus that is always held in reserve for the visit of Rico. 🙂

  29. rico says:

    Hi Danish, I think I lean towards your view too.

    Bet he’s gutted the kids got knocked out, that was another excuse in the making….

  32. allezkev says:

    Hey Adam, don’t dis the bro…

    SYG, they’ll be trouble at mill.

    Morning Gooners.

    Gertcher, Rico…. 😀

  33. Joywedsjeff says:

    Yeah Rico… He needs the champs money and i need the football. I want to give Le boss the benefit of doubt. He needs to read the riot act to himself this summer, get rid of underperforming players, buy genuine quality, stop the stupid sales yes even Thomas Vermaelen must stay… Only then we will have truly turned the corner. But until the summer we need to support the team whether it is Gerv or Ramsey on the pitch.

  36. rico says:

    Sagna is another one Jeff, rid the deadwood yes, but selling off quality experience sends out the wrong message. As does selling another captain.

    But, selling quality, experience and a captain and replacing them with better players sends out a stronger message…

    Wenger has got to get it right this summer, IF of course he is planning on staying…

  38. Adam says:

    Rico. If we can’t beat Reading at home then we are doomed. But I also said that about Swansea and Blackburn. Mmm. It’s nice to be doomed. 🙂

  41. frednerk says:

    Morning All
    Liked the post

    Just shows you once again where wenger’s head is he,
    comes out with the same old rubbish month after month,
    if he don’t know by now who can cut the mustard,
    regarding players contracts what hope have we,

    He go’s on to say:
    “What is for sure is that we didn’t fight for the championship. For the rest, it is quite close [Arsenal are nine points behind second-placed Manchester City]. And, honestly, Man United ran away with it, but no one understands why and how.

    Well Arsene I will answer that for you.

    Rvp.

  42. rico says:

    He fred, thanks. and spot on, doesn’t take rocket science to work out does it.

    Mind you, had we replaced him properly and replaced Song with a proper DM, we’d have probably been challenging Fergies lot.

    I don’t think they have been that good, more like we have been bloody poor all too often…

    And, the man who could have help the defence has been shoved to the side.

    Until of course, now. Now that the CL money is looking lost….

  44. rico says:

    Thank goodness fred, but leaving it until this stage of the season is simply madness…

    Or plain stupidity and ignorance….

  46. Wavy says:

    Or Rico, Wenger’s talent……his stbborness or his continual reference to incidents on the pitch, “i didn’t see it…..” The same applies to his player partiality. He loves Diaby, he used to love Arshavin, but he doesn’t any more. His stubborness prevents him from picking Arsh, his stubborness prevents him from buying a wc defensive midfielder. And so it goes on.
    Having watched the children yesterday, really there were no standout players, maybe Gnarbry, but Wenger expects them to replace the likes of Cesc and RvP etc. it ain’t going to happen, and yet he still will not act, he will do nothing to remedy the situation.
    The man is a cycloptic, stubborn fool, who refuses to take any advice from anyone because, Arsene Knows Best!

  47. frednerk says:

    I get the feeling wenger fancies us to do well from the last 9 games,
    5 home 4 away..all are win-able.
    By his statements ,he seems to be laying the foundations down and covering his backside for failure,
    squarely on the player’s.

  49. Logic N Proof says:

    Yet many more so-called “supporters” who are top class football managers and tacticians with an intimate knowledge of confidential matters concerning the dressing room, diplomacy and the boardroom…………sorry, my mistake, just another bunch of pathetic know-it-alls who want instant success and think they have all the answers.

    And before you call me an AKB, I’m not. My point is that I had my first season ticket in 1968 and still do a 200 mile round trip to home games and live and breath Arsenal BUT it does not mean that I have the knowledge to make some of the ridiculous judgements that the dissenters do. By all means have an opinion but don’t keep spouting out some nonsense you heard in the pub or read in a tabloid as though it’s a fact when you don’t have a clue.

  50. southyorkshiregunner says:

    I still feel a bit sorry for Sagna. The lad broke his leg twice in one season and that takes a bit of coming back from. Diaby is a completely different case – He was broken down before May 2006. That “tackle” just broke him down even more.
    If Sagna can get a full preseason under him without the bullshit of a pointless tour to Mongolia, Taiwan or Congo to “boost our profile” he could get his form back …. He’s always been a fairly solid performer. …. saying that Jenkinson has really improved as a player and he can cross a ball….
    I wouldn’t like to see Sagna go.

  51. Joywedsjeff says:

    Wavy… How do you know which youth players will make it? Rvp was patheitc at their age and Mikel Obi was a hot talent.

  52. rico says:

    Syg, one of the best in it’s day…. and still makes me laugh today…

    Wavy – hope you don’t expect me to disagree 😉

  53. rico says:

    Welcome Logic..

    What I write is my opinion, what bloggers on here write, is there opinion.

    Please refrain from coming on here telling us what YOU think we should be writing, I am sure many other blogs might welcome your manners, but this one doesn’t.

    And sorry, no Blue Peter badges handed out here for the amount of time you have held an Afc season ticket or how many miles you travel to a game.

    Fans on here travel further to watch the club, they just don’t feel the need to brag about it ….

  54. southyorkshiregunner says:

    You don’t JoySheffWed. You can only see what is in front of you.
    Gnabry looks like he could be a prospect as does Eisfield; but whether or not it will be with us debatable.

  55. rico says:

    Syg – I don’t want to see Sagna go either, but I have this feeling he will…

    We usually have a sacrificial lamb, Sagna even Vermaelen could be this summers……

  57. southyorkshiregunner says:

    lol.
    Arsenal have never had instant success.
    Over the past 40 odd years Arsenal’s success has been founded on good home-grown youth talent supplemented by prudent purchases, even though the club has employed some right fcukng lemons during its success.
    At the moment common-sense tells you that Wenger is “spinning” the same old tripe and his failure to infill that void in midfield and not buying a proper goalkeeper has been part of his undoing. That in itself has cost us about 20pts.
    We have the basis of a very good side, but some decisions he has made throughout the season have been juvenile to say the least.

    Gervais centrally? Walcott centrally? Chasing a game and he unleashes Gnabry? Diaby the new signing? Arshavin – MOM v Coventry and publicly Wenger recognises the false 9 is his best position then he never plays him? An issue with Mertesackers speed and we play a high line? Coquelin moans and he gets a game?
    I could reel them off for the rest of the day …..

    Madness?

  58. allezkev says:

    Yeah Rico, I am well wrapped up…

    Yep, the new manager syndrome, we need to get an early goal to settle the nerves.

  63. Wavy says:

    I’m with syg on the prospects of the youth team. Most of the players on show yesterday will all go on and have a good footballing careers, however, most will not have that blossoming career in the first team at AFC. Only the outstanding talent marches through the lower ranks, the rest stick around for a while and then make their way to other less highly achieving clubs, Fulham, Birmingham, Southend, Orient etc etc. historically I don’t see many outstanding footballers who started at nine and are now playing elsewhere who would find their way back into the squad at Arsenal. Any buy backs anywhere? With the exception of Cesc I can think of none!

    Time will tell.

  64. southyorkshiregunner says:

    With the club being “run as a business” Henri Lansbury was an amazing prospect, with the potential to make the club MILLIONS in image rights alone.
    The lad was passed over by Wenger and unfairly put in a queue behind a load of inferior midfielders (dross) and continually loaned out to promotion winning teams … All he wanted to do was play for us ….. Wenger dumped him.
    I think this was a massive mistake as I think the kid had just as much as Ramsey in his tank – if not more and could have been playing regularly for us and making the club millions in endorsements and shirt sales…..

  66. rico says:

    Afternoon folks, see the old badger needed a lucky deflection to get a goal. Won’t be credited to him though, it was going well wide 😉

  70. southyorkshiregunner says:

    He was no magical midget neither. 6ft0.
    He could have been coached into the void that we currently have. He’s a damn sight quicker than Coquelin, and he lived and breathed Arsenal… and “not the next transfer to set him up for life”…..

    Manager partiality? That manager is said to have £75M to blow on new boys…

  72. southyorkshiregunner says:

    “Michael Caine”

    Can you remember when he bitchslapped Alf Roberts out of Coronation Street….?

    “You’re a big man but you’re out of shape – With me it’s a full time job – Now behave yourself”
    Slap

  73. southyorkshiregunner says:

    16 Madness The Prince Sep 1979
    7 Madness One Step Beyond Nov 1979
    3 Madness My Girl Jan 1980
    6 Madness Work Rest And Play EP Apr 1980
    3 Madness Baggy Trousers Sep 1980
    4 Madness Embarrassment Nov 1980
    7 Madness The Return Of The Los Palmas Seven Jan 1981
    4 Madness Grey Day Apr 1981
    7 Madness Shut Up Sep 1981
    4 Madness It Must Be Love Dec 1981
    14 Madness Cardiac Arrest Feb 1982
    1 Madness House Of Fun May 1982
    4 Madness Driving In My Car Jul 1982
    5 Madness Our House Nov 1982
    8 Madness Tomorrow’s (Just Another Day) Feb 1983
    2 Madness Wings Of A Dove Aug 1983
    5 Madness The Sun And The Rain Nov 1983
    11 Madness Michael Caine Feb 1984
    17 Madness One Better Day Jun 1984
    18 Madness Yesterday’s Men Aug 1985
    21 Madness Uncle Sam Oct 1985
    35 Madness Sweetest Girl Feb 1986
    18 Madness (Waiting For) The Ghost Train Nov 1986
    6 Madness It Must Be Love (re-issue) Feb 1992
    40 Madness House Of Fun (re-issue) Apr 1992
    27 Madness My Girl (re-issue) Aug 1992
    10 Madness Lovestruck Jul 1999
    38 Madness Shame And Scandal Aug 2005
    23 Madness Sorry Mar 2007
    24 Madness NW5 Jan 2008

  74. Rohan says:

    Logic – it would be pretty pointless if we didn’t share our opinions on blogs. Nobody claims to be a tactical mastermind or a football genius but we are simply posting their views. If you want to make a constructive criticism of arguments then that’s fine, but it’s pretty pointless to say that just because we don’t work in football we’re not entitled to express our opinion. Part of the whole joy of football is to be able to analyse and critique decisions that have been made or anticipate decisions that will be made.

    Rico – a well-written article – although, I doubt think that the performances in the last 9 games will be the sole factors influencing his transfer decisions – I imagine he already has a shortlist.
    In fairness to Wenger, 9 games are around a quarter of the season. Given that our squad has been “re-building” for quite some time – I expect that wenger feels that some players may begin to step their game up. If that was to happen, it would have to be acknowledged and impact his transfer policies in those respective positions.

  75. tsgh says:

    Afternoon all..

    A very good post Rico.. you should spend more time with your outlaws more often… 😉

    SYG… you can’t mention Yao Gerv ygv name in vain… lol

  76. rico says:

    I don’t remember him doing that Syg…

    Madness – great group, not sure they still had what it takes to be part of the Olympic ceremony though…

    Hi Rohan, thanks. I’m sure it isn’t either, but it’s just another one, in a long list of things that AW comes out with that make him look silly.

    Imho of course 😉

  78. rico says:

    Why drop Jenks????

    SUBS
    Szczesny, Vermaelen, Jenkinson, Gibbs, Coquelin, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Podolski

    ARSENAL
    Fabianski, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Rosicky, Arteta, Ramsey, Cazorla, Gervinho, Giroud

  79. DutchGooner10 says:

    LIVE STREAM SERVICE. WAIT FOR 30 SECONDS TO START. DISCONNECT CHAT ROOM IF YOUR CONNECTION IS SLOW. ENJOY. COYG!!!

    BLESS DAVID ROCASTLE. GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN. REMEMBERED FOR HIS TALENT. HONOURED FOR HIS LEGENDARY GOONERDOM. R.I.P.

    http://cricfree.tv/setanta-canada-live-stream.php

    Very busy peeps. Speak lata. Greetings to all Housers. Cheers.

  84. DutchGooner10 says:

    Hi Ginge, sorry mate got some important stuff to wrap my mind around. Speaka soonish. Enjoy the game. Common Red & Whites!!!

  86. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Hiya Ginge – my fave poster …..

    Have a good game mate – i’d gladly take a 1-0….. scrambled goal by Gervais ……
    …..then Wenger can tell us he told us so and give him an 8-year contract ….

    Personally 2-0 if I was a betting man. Giroud to score.

  93. southyorkshiregunner says:

    ha ha ha ha ……. 8-year contract here it comes ……

    Wenger: “I told you all”

  95. rico says:

    That header was so poor from Gerv Syg, make that only a 4 year contract 😉

    I couldn’t hear the fans on 7 mins, did they cheer for Rocky??

    RIP Rocky – what a footballer, what a man……

  102. southyorkshiregunner says:

    “The Referee’s a Bastard,” sang the crowd as Foy waved away the appeals….
    In the crowd Ginge commented, “The Referee’s Association hate the Arsenal.”
    The crowd picked up, “Egghead, Egghead give us a wave…”
    And Gervinho gladly gave a Zieg Hiel and flashed his choppers to his adoring fans, knowing that the eight-year contract was in the bag.
    Wenger the fcukng muppet…..

  104. rico says:

    I hope we are not left talking about that w****r in the black at the end…

    It’s bad enough knowing the forehead has missed two easy chances…

  108. southyorkshiregunner says:

    “I hope we are not left talking about that winker in the black at the end?” stated Rico whilst violently stroking her poodle. “It’s bad enough knowing the forehead has missed two easy chances.”
    On the pitch the Arsenal players were getting lumps kicked out of them by the Berkshire cloggers
    “Mental strennz!” Wenger shouted. “Show mental strenzz.”
    “Sit down you wally,” snapped Bould.
    Bould knew that the clock was ticking and that within three months Mourinho would be in Charge and Gervinho’s contract would be put through the shredder.
    Arsene gave Bould a glare – but Bould didn’t give a shit.
    “What’s going on in the dug out?” asked Rico
    “Don’t ask me,” answered the poodle. “I’m just a fcukng dog.”

  111. EastSidePaul says:

    Wow Gervinho, 2 in 2 games! Do I sense a large contract extension in the not too distant future?! Sign him up Arsene!

  112. southyorkshiregunner says:

    I’m a good lad Rico – I don’t smoke.

    I’ve been known to dabble Ginge ….. S5 (ISSN 2045-6239)

  113. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Them “killer” stats are like Song’s “killer” passes and are clouded by the fact that he miscued 400-500% more ….

  114. rico says:

    Ts – not on the link i am watching, can’t think of his name but an ex hammer i think. He said reading need to get crosses in because that is where we ‘really are weak’… What a k**b…!

    Esp – that isn’t even funny, not remotely 😉 How many has he missed, he’s really awful isn’t he…

    SYG, must be chocolate cake then 😉

  115. rico says:

    Those similar stats made Denilson look as good as Paddy… on paper…

    Gerv off and Podolski on for me…

  118. emma says:

    How did we end up the first half with just 1 goal. Gerv, giroud and santi should have had a hattrick each

  119. Joywedsjeff says:

    Bad referee but at least gervinho is gaining some confidence. I expect the OX to come in on 70 mins and add pace to our attack

  120. eastsidepaul says:

    I’m just gonna put it out there Rico, we all start the “Gerv, sign da ting” campaign! 2 in 2!! Messi stats right there! 😉

  121. emma says:

    Gerv is putting on a MOTM performance. How Chris Foy didn’t deem keepers tackle on Giroud a penalty has left me scratching my head

  123. tsgh says:

    wait until he has 9 months left on his contract and even Robson and Merson will be saying he was always world class… lol

  124. southyorkshiregunner says:

    “I’m the fckng boy,” Robson exclaimed whilst looking in the mirror and sweeping back his locks with his trusty black comb and giving an arrogant flick of the chin.
    “Wenger knows fcuk all,” he chortled whilst trying to back comb a fringe. “Talksport is the future. It’s where I’m at.”
    Stewart knew he was the best midfielder of his generation. The dogs bollocks. The Major-General, the enforcer.
    “Better than Diaby I am,” he told the mirror, “And far better looking than Pascal Cygan.”
    He gave himself a wry smile.
    “Are you fcukng talking to yourself again you bald headed twat?” asked his wife.

  125. rico says:

    It wasn’t just the chocolate I meant Syg haha…

    Don’t you dare Esp 😉

    emma – but all the good Gerv does, he undo’s by sloppy sloppy final shot..

    2-0 😛 🙂

    Santiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

  126. southyorkshiregunner says:

    I’m in gym now Ginge…. Freezing my knackers off watching the Sportinglife refresh as the internet link and stream is as slow as Coquelin ……

  143. southyorkshiregunner says:

    It’s not just this Arsenal side, Rico – it was the same with the other Arsenal sides before them…. including the Invincibles …. The Foot off the Gas Syndrome (FOGS)

  144. southyorkshiregunner says:

    A forehead measuring 17 inches the kid should really get his headers on target, Rohan.
    A bit like having a four foot arm and not being able to scratch your arse….

  151. rico says:

    Well played Gervinho, but that was a top finish by Giroud. Thought for one minute the pass was too wide….

    3-1 😮

  155. tsgh says:

    So Monreal is injured and the commentator reckons it is due to him being embarrassed about his defending? shocking.

    Ramsey is very tactically aware… he just slotted into lb

  161. rico says:

    That was outside the area on the Ox, but who gives a toot. Foy missed one earlier so justice.

    4-1, game over…

  162. Rohan says:

    Commentator’s really pissing me off now. He’s asking why ox didn’t start over gervinho, despite gervinho’s two assists and a goal!

  164. southyorkshiregunner says:

    I would have asked that same question Rohan. I may have also asked why Rosicky was constantly overlooked.

  166. Rohan says:

    southyorkshiregunner – before the match yes. but not after gervinho’s contribution today. I haven’t been overly impressed by Rosicky this season, but credit to him, he’s looked sharper today.

  168. southyorkshiregunner says:

    He’s trying to get his Euro.15M move to Galatasary …. 10% of that is a cracking carrot.

  172. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Thanks for the company …. a great afternoon. logging off. Have a good night everyone.

  173. agirlagunner says:

    You got your wish, Lady rico. 🙂 🙂

    God, the way the commentators went on and on, you would think we hadn’t scored four. 😡

    And Chelsea lose. Woot.

  175. tsgh says:

    2-2 against Brighton… I am sure Lansbury will still make a career at the top level…

    My uncles follow forest so I keep with their progress… they are sitting 6th ish me think
    He just missed the bus going to Fat Sam Essex Boys Utd instead of going up nort… which he claimed he hated in the first place…

  176. rico says:

    Good result agag and the commentators were just so anal….

    We really could get 3rd if we can win all of our remaining games, but I don’t think we will.

    Really thought/hoped the Totts would drop at least 2 points today…

  179. Joywedsjeff says:

    Two points behind chelsea, four behind totts with a game in hand… And both teams still to play each other. Its looking nice. We should have scored more goals today. If it comes down to goal difference between us and chelsea then we will be in serious trouble.

  180. agirlagunner says:

    We should have scored at least ten, ginge. Plus a pen should have been awarded to Giroud. Grrrr.

    rico, I think we can keep on winning. Oh and, by “anal” you do mean “arse”, don’t you?? 😛

  183. rico says:

    I meant they talk out of their ‘arse’ agag 😉

    Jeff – we could have had double figures today…

    3rd is up for grabs. Have we got the balls to go and get it.

    Time will tell….

    emma – 🙁

  184. Rohan says:

    emma – it saddens me as well, but I have to agree with you, I think it’s difficult to play santi and jack together without a more powerful(strong and fast) DM.

  185. emma says:

    rohan – You are not far from it. Can’t have two 5’6 and 5’7 players in midfield. Hope we get a DM(Capoue) in the summer

  186. emma says:

    Walcott will struggle to get back into this team now since Gerv is on fire. Gerv knows when to come in field and stay on the wing which Walcott lacks

  189. Rohan says:

    Rico i’m going to have to agree with emma, again. while he did mess up a few times, he produced a lot of exquisite play. Measure a forward on his moments of magic – and today gervinho produced a few. I dunno if i would agree with emma’s notion that gerv knows when to come in-field more than walcott.
    I still worry about him though, because this is the same gervinho that we saw at the start of the season – one that disappeared into obscurity

  193. tsGH says:

    Emma, Rohan- ditto but you can’t say that about our Jack… lol

    Watching the Everton game… I find it funny that the commentators never mention how the blues struggle on set pieces… if it was us playing against the Stokey… they will be talking about how AW does not practice defending…

    Has anyone realised that Stoke have sown a towel underneath their jersey’s to wipe the ball before throw ins…

    No dissing on Ramsey today… what is happening… where is the quote of the unsubstantiated stat that states we never win a game with Aaron playing?… lol

  196. tsgh says:

    it will be interesting to know how we set up today… at times it looked like we were playing 4-4-2 and at times a traditional 4-3-3…

  197. Adam says:

    Just back from a freezing Emirates. Gervinho is not a top class striker. He scored one and missed 4. Fantastically weird cranium though.
    Reading are really quite awful and for 65 minutes we made hard work of them. Some nasty stuff on Sagna too. How Foy is a PL ref is a mystery. Three points and frostbite. That’s about it.

  198. emma says:

    On a day I decided to watch Toulouse, Capoue scores and with an assist. He is being brilliant so far. 30mins gone 🙂

  200. emma says:

    tsgh – Gonalons is good but not there yet, he will struggle in the EPL. Capoue has it all. he is epl ready(physique, strength, dribbling skills and high level of concentration)

  202. tsgh says:

    😀 but those are the same guys always going on about AW buying cheap french imports but they can’t help themselves… the other players being touted are Pierre Aubameyang and Gomis… have they seen them play? lol

  203. tsgh says:

    Emma … Capoue looks a different player… his passing looks on point… Cassanova has done an AW by playing him out of position for months…

  204. agirlagunner says:

    I would never diss Ramsey, ginge. 🙂 Ever. He could have scored two earlier. 😕

    Hiya, Adam. 🙂 Enjoyed that, did you? 🙂 emma, I’m looking forward to seeing Capoue in our colors. You rate him so highly.

  205. tsgh says:

    Welcome back Agag… Emma has a crush on Capoue I suspect… maybe it is the cornroll and his light skin… 😉

  207. tsgh says:

    I like Aaron… for a player from a rugby nation he has footballing brains… I liked the way he just slotted into Monreal’s position temporarily even though Gibbs was about to come on…

  209. Adam says:

    Hi Agag. I think that when you are there you get a different view of who is playing well, especially if you are watching the game through a sheet of ice. 🙂

  210. agirlagunner says:

    Fair enough, ginge. 😛 I have always liked Ramsey; but he has to calm down; he gets in good positions, but has to be able to score for that to mean something. At least, he tries from distance. And he has to cut out the silly back flicks. I haaate it when our players do that… and almost invariably lose the ball.

  214. agirlagunner says:

    How can it still be snowing there, Adam? Eeek. Who did you think played well? I will say that we look much better with Koz in over Vermaelen.

  215. Adam says:

    I wasn’t too bad Rico but Kev had underestimated the weather at altitude and was very cold. Mrs Adam tried to warm him up with a banana and a mandarin but it did little good.

  216. agirlagunner says:

    Adam, sorry, no can do. I have asked AK to help me build a fence around him. 😀 😀 No chaps-ing around, I’m afraid. 🙂

  217. rico says:

    Re Gervinho.

    I thought he was lively. He showed a few good touches, maybe even some nifty footwork here and there.

    But that’s all….

    But he could have had a bag full of goals, in fact he should have….

  218. Adam says:

    Kos was good Agag but had little to do really. The defence was ok but turned off for the goal. We lacked pace for long periods and have a number of average to decent players.
    As an aside, I watched a film called The Great Raid about the 2nd World War in and around Manila. Quite harrowing.

  223. tsgh says:

    most don’t go for the horse but to show their new flock… 😉

    Mathew street or Victoria street… ?

  224. agirlagunner says:

    . I’ve never seen thatAh, the Japanese occupation is one of the darkest periods in our recent history.The things that people are capable of…

    Hiya, rico, what was for dinner? 🙂

  225. rico says:

    I hope so Adam

    One thing struck today, and that was about Fabianski. His kicking is 100% better than Ches.

    Every time he took a goal kick, or drop kick, which I know wasn’t that many, it flew past the halfway line, in fact it landed nearer to Reading’s penalty area…

    Ches cannot do that and it was clear players weren’t used to it going that far either….

  227. rico says:

    Hi agag, I had Cod with steamed vegetables – wasn’t too hungry… 🙁

    Looking forward to tomorrow though, Lent is over and I will be scoffing cheese….. 🙂

  229. Adam says:

    I agree Agag. Such depraved behaviour makes me despair for mankind. Fortunately I have a cup of tea and a hot cross bun to cheer me up this evening.

  231. Adam says:

    I said to Kev that Ches would have made at least 2 roll-outs in insane positions where Fabianski kicks it long which allows the gorgeous Giroud to leap like a giant salmon into the air at least a second too early. Unfortunately Kev was encased in a block of ice and never heard me.

  232. agirlagunner says:

    That sounds yummy, rico. I remember watching a feature where Cristiano ronaldo says cod is his favorite fish. 😀 😀 Useless bit of info. Now, you can have all that manchego and tetilla with a bottle of cava. 😉

    Adam, 😛 You should have a more celebratory drink than tea.

  234. Adam says:

    Aga. I had a bottle of Pink champagne ready but Mrs Adam drank it for breakfast with some Balut. I had cornflakes.

  235. rico says:

    Good job he was Adam, he may have kicked your shins….

    No Cava for me agag, not tonight. Just having a coors light, then a cup of tea i suspect, bit of rubbish television and then bed.

    Clocks go forward here tonight and those chickens of ours will be waiting to get up early 🙁

  238. Adam says:

    It’s been fun chums but Mrs Adam has ordered me out of the house and into the garden shed as a punishment for my appalling behaviour so I am off for the evening. ‘Night everyone.

  241. agirlagunner says:

    Poor Kev. 🙁 BUt he’s a young ‘un and should be fine. 🙂

    rico, I’ve been meaning to say that about Fabianski; his distribution is that much better. Ches didn’t look too happy. Good, maybe he will work harder to keep his place.

    Adam, I agree about gorgeous. ;P I wonder how many goals Giroud has scored for us with a header. Maybe he should consider using his foot more. That was a good strike. And his first in the league since January according to the commentator.

  244. agirlagunner says:

    I love Manchego with a good rioja. (salivates) Good night, Adam. Best of luck with the cold! Some hot balut would warm you up soon enough.

    emma, well-done to your boy. 😛

  245. rico says:

    In some things agag, Ches and Fabianski are gulfs apart. if we could put both of their best qualities together, we may have a really good reserve keeper 😉

  246. rico says:

    🙂 Adam

    I too am off for the day, been another long one…

    Some old rubbish on TV and an early night for me…

    Night all, stay safe and catch up tomorrow…

    😛

  247. allezkev says:

    My God, I was frozen to core up there in the stratosphere at the Grove yesterday.

    It took a delicious mixed grill and a bottle of Efes beer to thaw me out.

    That mandarine was exquisite, as was the banana.
    Mrs Adam is quite a vocal women at a football match.
    I told her that she and Adam should join me in an away game, I am sure that they would enjoy that extra intensity of travelling away, having a few pints, and then smashing some northern team…

  248. allezkev says:

    It sure is getting interesting at the top of the table.
    Two points behind Chelski.
    Four behind the Scum with a game in hand…

    Thought that Fabianski did ok.
    No blame could be attached to him for the Reading goal…

  249. Scott from Oz says:

    Morning all.
    My first missed game of the season…very disappointed but great result.
    I can not believe the camp site knocked back my request to hook up Foxtel for the night, but what can you do?
    Can’t wait to get home and watch a replay!!!

  250. useroz says:

    On man utd running away surely that’s RVP effect; just count the number of times he scored at vital moments…that’s what theo can’t do (for now at least) little impact scoring a brace when 3 or more up under little pressure, except for fun.

    As for replacing RVP and song. Let’s park song. To get someone close to robin could easily be 30m in the marKet: wenger/ afc would never do that so it’s a foregone conclusion wenger weakened our team for fucking footballing reason only he and the board knew.

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