Wenger to Madrid? Diame confirms he's ready to join us & into the next round of the FA Cup, just!

Morning all…..

We were good in patches and were pretty awful in patches too.

Our defending was shocking as usual. Santos is just a walking liability and should never be allowed anywhere near an Arsenal shirt again. He is like a cart horse and every attack down their right caused us problems. He was either out of position or just to slow to catch his man.

Their first goal game from his side, poor defending led to a corner which we failed clear and Szczesny was guilty of waiting for the ball instead of attacking it.

This came after we had opened the scoring with some good counter attacking football, which was rounded off with a good finish from Giroud, but we were not moving off the ball like we did against West Ham game so we looked slower in the build up play.

Our general play was not incisive enough apart from the goals.

Ramsey had a decent game but far to many times when he received the ball, there were very few options for him to make a pass. Oxlade-Chamberlain had a poor game  and Jenkinson looked rusty but grew as the game went on to be fair to him.

Our second goal was class, great movement, a very good pass from Diaby and Giroud took the ball down one touch them smashed it into the back of the net for his second of the day…! Superb.

Again awful defending followed which allowed Brighton back into the game. Santos was miles from his winger who had ages to pick out his cross. Mertesacker was the wrong side of his man and Ulloa headed home from just six yards. Pathetic.

Giroud nearly got his 3rd, only a good save from the keeper prevented it. He had another chance a bit later but his standing leg slipped just as he went to shoot. He then was unlucky again with a bicycle kick which resulted in a corner, from which we would finally seal victory.

Brighton’s keeper punched away the corner kick but it went straight to Walcott on the edge of the box, he lobbed the ball straight back towards the goal and their keeper could only help it into the back of the net.

All in all, we just about deserved to win but only just and as for the defending… shambolic is being polite.

After the game:

‘We did our job but had to fight to the end’ 

Brighton are a good team. They made it very difficult for us. We had a little bit of a slow start. They were sharper than us in the first half. In the second half, we were much more in the game and created chances. They [Brighton] play a game that is a very positive, technical game and they had a great spirit today. On their right flank, they gave us many problems. In the end, we’ve got that extra bit of quality that got us through. It’s a cup game – you need to go through and that’s what we did. We did our job but we needed to fight until the end.

On the team’s character…

We needed to score a third goal but they twice came back and you have to give them credit for that. They play great football and played a great game today. You could see why they knocked Newcastle out.

On Giroud…

It’s good for his confidence [that he scored twice]. He’s scored four goals this week and he had a few more chances today. He gets there. He has a presence in the box, he’s dangerous and his physical presence was very important today.

On if he needs a new striker ..

Quality-wise no, number-wise, we could be a bit short maybe. Gervinho is not here at the moment. We have Walcott, who can play through the middle and then of course Giroud.

On if he’ll try to sign a new striker…

You do not find them in the street, the strikers that can play for us and strengthen our team. It’s difficult in January.

On if he’s made an offer or enquiry for Stevan Jovetic

No!!

On if he’s confident of signing a midfielder…

I cannot tell you that. In this kind of job it is realism that is important. Realistically I cannot tell you I will sign anyone tomorrow, or Tuesday, as we are not close to doing it.

Forgive me if I don’t get euphoric after beating Brighton but as much as the result was great for OUR club, we showed too many moments of rubbish to get too too excited.

On the positive, we won and we are in the pot for the next round draw which takes place later today.

Sometimes, especially when it comes to the FA Cup, that’s all that matters….

Onto the gossip:

Diame is reported to have had a bust up with his current manager and has told friends he wants to join us. All it takes is a call from Wenger.

Talking of the manager, Real Madrid are hoping that they can convince Wenger that he is the man to take over from Jose in the summer.

That’s about it for today, have a good one…..

0 thoughts on “Wenger to Madrid? Diame confirms he's ready to join us & into the next round of the FA Cup, just!

  1. rico says:

    Morning all…

    Good bits, bad bits but a victory and through to the next round and that’s what counts.

    If only Wenger would sort out our defending, that alone would make us a much better side….

  2. rico says:

    If Diame has said he wants to join us ben, that usually means Wenger doesn’t want him 😉

    Five more days of this window left…

  3. marcus says:

    I only have two things to say. Giroud is turning out to be class. Secondly santos needs to be sold. I’d even settle on him being given out for free.

  4. frednerk says:

    Morning All;
    Had a bet before the game,think there still running
    talking of cart-horses,…….Santos
    is he the player wenger has included in ..
    I have two for each position crap.

    Wenger say’s that he had to gambol a little bit with the squad,
    but then realised that he needed a bit more quality..Yes
    Against Brighton…so
    Is he saying the squad is not good enough?

    Is it me going round the twist,or

    is wenger on the Pork Pie’s again

  5. W.A.T.H says:

    Morning All,

    Well least we in the hat for the next round so that’s the positive, So to the way Giroud put himself about and the two cracking goals, he was unlucky not to get a third.
    Less said about the donkey at left back the better, he should at the very best be sweeping the dressing rooms out and never ever allowed near an Arsenal shirt the bloke is an insult to our intelligence and yes Fred for AW to mention two players for each position when u see yesterdays game it’s pretty clear we may have the numbers but thats it….!
    Another positive, Santi got a rest.

  6. frednerk says:

    Be wrong of me not mention Giroud,
    against west ham the other night I thought he looked an average player in the first half,along with the rest of the team.
    second half he looked a different player…
    Class…he looked very confident for about 20 min’s
    I even got up to clap him off,
    After the game he came back onto the pitch,and done a lap of honour,with an arsenal flag wrapped around him waving to everyone,you know he looked a gooner

    Giroud I thought yesterday he was as good as that little-boy(inside)
    who was once a gooner.(can’t think of his name)

  7. GGG says:

    Ramsy did not have a decent game, but a bad one. He did some useless moves and you should know if you watched him carefully. Sometimes he recieves the ball from one side and instead of going forward he just turn around and go to the other side, even though no one covers him, this is just one example.
    Furthermore, he did several wrong passes and just lost the ball easily. Defencively he was not that good either. So the usual Ramsy.

    I’m not against him or anyone else but he was very far from himself against West Ham and still far from himself before the injury.

    Rosicky was very good and deserves the credit for being a fighter in the game and for his high spirit, he was running all over the pitch although he just came from long injury. He is really a great player. All Respects to him

  8. rico says:

    I’m hoping that was Wenger giving Santos a last chance, he couldn’t even cope with Brighton so now he goes….

  9. W.A.T.H says:

    GGG, maybe look at why Ramsey didn’t go forward then… Were the passes on… were the players moving to make the pass an option did the players move into spaces… The answer is no…! If the pass not on you can’t make it…!

  10. useroz says:

    Wenger…what a disgrace of a football manager on 7m+ per year!

    Not only he has not apparent ambition (except to make money, I suppose), he keeps feeding us BS year on year..

    Of course, strikers on the street won’t improve our side…they are at top tier football clubs such as Juventus, Dortmound, RM, etc. You have the phone numbers of their managers and chairmans so call them and pay up.

    Don’t tell us you knew how to sell for 20, 30m but doesn’t know how to pay it….

  11. Steve says:

    Ah, Andre Santos !

    Well our beloved leader paid £6.5m for his services plus a contract of £50k per week.

    If it’s true that our Board is stingy, perhaps they are not stingy enough.

  12. Steve says:

    ‘Every picture tells a story’

    Brighton’s first goal – a perfect illustration of why Wenger will never win another football trophy !

  13. rico says:

    It’s all spin useroz, spin that i too am fed up with hearing…

    Maybe he should go and sign a defensive coach and scout and listen to both..

    Hi Steve, Santos is hopeless isn’t he, how anyone thought he’d be worth £50K a week I never know..

    We missed out when we could have signed Enrique imho

  14. allezkev says:

    Morning Gooners
    Morning Rico, good post boss.

    Wenger has alternatives to Santos, but both Meade and Coquelin are injured.
    Gibbs is a vital cog in our back-four and given his history of injuries, cannot be overplayed, for now.
    He’ll be ok eventually, but for now he needs to be protected, as with Diaby.

    Santos will be gone by the summer, as will Squillaci.
    There are some great players coming through the Academy, players with a connection to the club, who’ll have the same feeling for the club that Jack has…
    Patience is a moot word I know, but I’m regaining a bit of my optimism again….

    Now for a home draw in the 5th Round.

  15. rico says:

    The second wasn’t good either Steve…

    Morning Ak, thanks.

    I’d rather have seen Squilli at left back than that lazy lump of Brazilian lard!!

    We seem to be always waiting for those players to come through though and seldom do they get their chance….

  16. allezkev says:

    The youngsters come through in dribs and drabs Rico…
    Gibbs, Jack, Meade, one a season, two if you’re lucky.
    We still need signings of course.

  17. Brass B. says:

    pls my lovely wenger dn’t sign any player! I so much adore ur policy and it has been so beneficial to the club’s concern. And u, Kabiru musa, jst lock ur lips with pad-lock if u got no sensitve coment! Have u ever watched arsenal being religated in the history of epl? Bitch!

  18. allezkev says:

    With all the rumours of Villa and Jovetic, it figures that the forward Wenger signs (if any) will probably be Lopez…

  19. tsGH says:

    Afternoon all,

    A nice bright day down here in my patch of Surrey…

    On transfer news I am certain AW will buy Jovetic, as his ame brought that same smile Santi Cazorla’s name brought to Wenger’s face when asked if he was interested in signing him a week before he signed officially.

    Now even Poo-lis is following the players that are linked to us … Shea of MLS is the name…lol

    And AW must be brewing inside after Padrew made a bid for Thauvin last week.

  20. tsGH says:

    Fiorentina signing Rossi and Matri this window is a good indication that if the price is right a deal can be made imho…

  21. agirlagunner says:

    Boooo!! I’m unduly excited by news of potential signings. Which is why I reckon I would be very, very, very cross if AW signs nobody. 🙂

    Hiya, rico. Hello, all. 🙂

  22. Adam says:

    Hi Agag, Ts and Kev. I am literally bursting with excitement with our new signings. It’s extremely lucky I have a strong bladder or I don’t know what would happen. 🙂

  23. Scott from Oz says:

    Morning all.
    Very early in the morning here.
    We are away for a few days, and the sleep patter is amiss from yesterdays game.
    I always say i will never criticise a player for a poor game if he is putting in the effort.
    Andre, i am criticising you big time.
    Go!!!
    GGG….so Ramsey was terrible and Rosicky was great, hey??
    Better get someone to run through the players numbers mate, else i am sure you had them mixed up!!!
    Rosicky worked hard, but was very rusty and it shoed big time.
    Strange post, that one!!

  24. allezkev says:

    Another line is in order Adam…

    Don’t worry mate, the champagne is on ice for Thursay’s celebrations…

  25. Scott from Oz says:

    I just read Diame wants 75k a week.
    Is he worth it guys?
    I suppose the 3.5 million fee softens the blow a fair bit from our end.

  26. allezkev says:

    Jovetic for £20 million sounds a bit far-fetched to me…

    You pay a fee like that and you have to play the player to justify the amount paid.

    Can’t see Wenger leaving either Giroud or Podolski out of the team on a regular basis…

  27. allezkev says:

    Scott, I don’t see Diame as a £75k a week player.

    Are West Ham prepared to pay that amount???

    Where did that rumour come from anyway?

    The Transfer Tavern or some garbage site like that

  28. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Jovetic at 6 ft 1plays as a second striker and his impressive dribbling, close control, flair and technical qualities has drawn many critics to compare him to Dennis Bergkamp………

    The man in the hole?

  29. allezkev says:

    Ah, so it was The Bleacher Report we to thank for that rumour Adam.

    What name are you currently writing under for that revered organ of fantasy???

  30. allezkev says:

    Hmm, that sounds interesting SYG.

    Still can’t see Wenger paying £20 million tbh.

    Would be delighted to be wrong though…

  31. Adam says:

    My usual nom de plume Kev. Hiram T Knobnosher the third. My next article will be entitled Do Arsenal Need A Winger When They Have Ramsay?

  32. southyorkshiregunner says:

    The Mighty Whites ……
    …..My best mate used to be a season ticket holder there… I remember us winning them 5-0 at Leeds and 7-0 at ours in the late seventies … brilliant…

    They had some great chants at Elland Road though….
    “Tony, Tony Currie ….”

    “You’re gonna get your fcukng heads kicked in …”

    “We’re Leeds Utd, we are supreme … we’ll never be mastered, by no, by NO Southern Bastard … Cos Leeds Utd are the greatest team…”

    and the classic…
    “The referee’s a bastard…”

    And there’s fans on here who want terracing back lol !!!

  33. agirlagunner says:

    Hi, Adam, Rastaman. 😛 Hiya, shopping buddy. Hello, Ginger and SYG.

    Scott, by the by, I really do like AW’s “playing with the handbrake comment”. It is a completely Wengerish thing to say. It’s his euphemism for playing poorly. 😀

  34. southyorkshiregunner says:

    nice one. My mate will be chuffed. He went to see them against Bristol City last week and said they were dire …. Their best player a kid called Barkley on loan from Everton

  35. Joaquim Moreira says:

    ox it’s a completely desilusion for me. Not give anything to the team.
    We need a DM. I thing is not the right player but I hope i’m be wrong.
    In the start of the season AW fights for Salim and now he is on Dortmund…
    Probably, will not sign another player.
    Well, for the moment Leeds 2 – Totts 1 (94th minutes)

  36. potter says:

    Valencia midfielder Fernando Gago has expressed his desire to join up with a club with a ‘big reputation’ according to Marca.

    The 26-year-old has struggled to settle at Valencia since his 3.5m euros transfer from Real Madrid in July 2012 and wants to leave- but only for a big club.

    Manchester City have been heavily linked with the defensive midfielder, and reportedly bid £15m for his services two years ago.

    However, Arsenal look like the club most in need of the Argentine international and could confirm a loan deal soon, after loaning Emmanuel Frimpong to Fulham for the rest of the season. Injuries to Jack Wilshere, Frances Coquelin and Mikel Arteta have meant that Arsene Wenger is facing a midfield crisis as the club aim to qualify for the Champions League.

    Gago has excellent experience for club and country- making 43 appearances for Argentina and 119 games for Real Madrid but left the club for Roma on loan after Jose Mourinho signed Xabi Alonso and Sami Khedira in 2011.

    But it’s Marca so unlikely to be true. Goes to show that Spanish journo’s can get 5 from 2 + 2.

  37. Adam says:

    I hope that Liverpool play like this on Wednesday.

    Kev, I could really do with a bowl of tripe right now. 🙂

  38. rico says:

    I have to disagree there Adam… 😉

    Maybe Ak is right, we need a home draw, just not one of the Mancs or Chelsea…

    Draw is on now….

  39. southyorkshiregunner says:

    1952-53 season
    1 WBA 27 15 3 9 44 40 48
    2 Sunderland 27 13 7 7 47 43 46
    3 Burnley 26 11 10 5 39 27 43
    4 Wolverhampton 27 12 8 7 53 45 44
    5 Arsenal 24 12 7 5 54 38 43
    6 Preston North End 25 12 7 6 52 38 43
    7 Manchester United 27 12 6 9 41 40 42
    8 Tottenham Hotspur 27 11 7 9 49 34 40
    3pts for a win

    2012-13 season
    1 Manchester United 23 18 2 3 57 30 56
    2 Manchester City 23 15 6 2 45 19 51
    3 Chelsea 23 13 6 4 47 22 45
    4 Tottenham Hotspur 23 12 5 6 40 28 41
    5 Everton 23 9 11 3 35 26 38
    6 Arsenal 23 10 7 6 46 27 37
    7 Liverpool 23 9 7 7 40 28 34
    8 WBA 23 10 4 9 33 32 34

    Arsenal Results from New Years Day

    03 January 1953
    Sunderland 3-1 Arsenal
    Att: 54,912

    FA CUP 3rd rd
    10 January 1953
    Arsenal 4-0 Doncaster Rovers
    Att: 57,443

    17 January 1953
    Arsenal 5-3 Wolverhampton Wanderers
    Att: 57,983

    24 January 1953
    Charlton Athletic 2-2 Arsenal
    Att: 66,555

    FA Cup 4th round
    31 January 1953
    Arsenal 6-2 Bury
    Att: 45,071

    07 February 1953
    Arsenal 4-0 Tottenham Hotspur
    Att: 69,051

    FA Cup 5th round
    14 February 1953
    Burnley 0-2 Arsenal
    Att: 52,122

    18 February 1953
    Arsenal 6-2 Derby County
    Att: 32,681

    21 February 1953
    Blackpool 3-2 Arsenal
    Att: 30,034

    FA Cup Quarter-final
    28 February 1953
    Arsenal 1-2 Blackpool
    Att: 69,158

    02 March 1953
    Sheffield Wednesday 1-4 Arsenal
    Att: 32,814

    07 March 1953
    Arsenal 0-1 Cardiff City
    Att: 59,780

    14 March 1953
    Newcastle United 2-2 Arsenal
    Att: 51,618

    19 March 1953
    Arsenal 1-1 Preston North End
    Att: 33,597

    21 March 1953
    Arsenal 2-2 West Bromwich Albion
    Att: 49,078

    28 March 1953
    Middlesbrough 2-0 Arsenal
    Att: 25,911

    03 April 1953
    Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal
    Att: 72,614

    04 April 1953
    Arsenal 5-3 Liverpool
    Att: 39,564

    06 April 1953
    Arsenal 2-0 Chelsea
    Att: 40,536

    11 April 1953
    Manchester City 2-4 Arsenal
    Att: 50,018

    15 April 1953
    Arsenal 4-1 Bolton Wanderers
    Att: 35,381

    18 April 1953
    Arsenal 3-1 Stoke City
    Att: 47,376

    22 April 1953
    Cardiff City 0-0 Arsenal
    Att: 57,893

    25 April 1953
    Preston North End 2-0 Arsenal
    Att: 39,537
    1st ARSENAL 2nd PRESTON both on same points

    01 May 1953
    Arsenal 3-2 Burnley
    Att: 51,586

    ARSENAL CHAMPIONS

    1 Arsenal 42 21 12 9 97 64 54
    2 Preston North End 42 21 12 9 85 60 54
    3 Wolverhampton Wndrs 42 19 13 10 86 63 51
    4 West Bromwich Albion 42 21 8 13 66 60 50
    5 Charlton Athletic 42 19 11 12 77 63 49
    6 Burnley 42 18 12 12 67 52 48
    7 Blackpool 42 19 9 14 71 70 47
    8 Manchester United 42 18 10 14 69 72

    Coming home off that 0-2 defeat at Preston … Dennis Compton got off the train at Doncaster and got the Doncaster Evening Post or Green Un to find out that Wolves and WBA couldn’t catch Arsenal and all they had to do was win at home v’s Burnley….. They made had work of it but they did … 3-2

    “The Clarets were ahead inside ten minutes when Arsenal captain Joe Mercer diverted the ball past his own keeper. The title seemed to be on its way to Deepdale but the Gunners roared back with goals from Alex Forbes, Doug Lishman and Jimmy Logie.

    Arsenal’s nerves were frayed once more when Burnley reduced the deficit to 3-2 in the second half, but the home side held on to the delight of a crowd in excess of 51,000. The title was back at Highbury for a seventh time.

    Arsenal and Preston finished with identical records of 21 wins, 12 draws and nine defeats. Goal average was needed to separate the sides and Whittaker’s players were rewarded for their attacking ethos. Arsenal’s goal average was 1.516, Preston’s was 1.417. The margin of victory? A mere 0.099 of a goal.”

    I love football history … Everything is possible!

  40. southyorkshiregunner says:

    v’s Blackburn Rovers
    Overall
    Games won: 58
    Games drawn: 31
    Games lost: 30

    FA Cup
    30 Jan 1926 Arsenal 3-1 Blackburn Rovers
    24 Mar 1928 Blackburn Rovers 1-0 Arsenal
    22 Jan 1966 Blackburn Rovers 3-0 Arsenal
    10 Mar 2001 Arsenal 3-0 Blackburn Rovers
    16 Apr 2005 Arsenal 3-0 Blackburn Rovers
    17 Feb 2007 Arsenal 0-0 Blackburn Rovers
    28 Feb 2007 Blackburn Rovers 1-0 Arsenal replay

    Last match played
    04 Feb 2012 Arsenal 7-1 Blackburn Rovers

  41. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Back when Adam was a lad there was equality of sorts … well more or less….
    Now the financial gap is massive …..

  42. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Biggest Win
    Arsenal 8-0 Blackburn Rovers
    25 February 1933
    Att:27,576

    Highest Scoring Game
    Blackburn Rovers 5-5 Arsenal
    03 November 1962
    Att:15,400

  43. allezkev says:

    The 6th Round is gonna be tough…

    Not counting my chickens (that’s Rico’s job) but we should put Blackburn away without too much fuss.

    I expect Arsenal to be joined by Chelski, ManUre and Arabia City.
    The three teams we’ve failed to beat this season.

  44. stevepalmer1 says:

    Evening All,
    Nice one Rico, i was also happy with the win, i would be a lot happier if Wenger showed a bit of intrest in the transfer window. I must say that i wasn’t best impressed with Santos or Czezesney. Santos is just not good enough or doesn’t show the interest i like to see, and Czezesney, stand and the ball will come to you . A keeper should command his area and i don’t believe he does. apart from that i’m happy.

  45. stevepalmer1 says:

    Hi Rico & JM I reckon Czez will turn out to be a good keeper, but i would like someone in there that doesn’t make me take a big breath every time they attack.

  46. rico says:

    Agree with you both Sp and JM…

    In time he’ll be great but in the meantime, we need an older head between the sticks….

    Talking of oldies, I am done for the day….

    You all have a good night…

    Til tomorrow, night all…..

  47. Scott from Oz says:

    Morning all.
    Personally, i think Szczesny was left out to dry in the first goal.
    Brighton had 3 players who could have made contact with that corner, yet we had none…….why is that??
    Look at the flight of the ball….quite low….it should never have been a keepers ball anyway, yet Szczesny was forced into action because no other Gunner bothered to make a contest.
    I may be wrong, and have NOT seen my usual replays, but that was what i thought at the time.
    Kev, others may frequent Transfer Tavern, i don’t.
    I very quickly worked out which sites are run by complete muppets.

  48. allezkev says:

    The Transfer Tavern is a beacon of common sense and integrity Scott.

    You shouldn’t cast it aside like a disposable boomerang…

    Other notable organs of truth and fortitude are Caught Offside and Here in the City.

    You can fully rely on the information that they share among the ‘Great Unwashed’…

    You are in danger of becoming a cynic like Adam.

    I have tried my best to keep him on the side of truth.

    But he has strayed to the Dark Side. That is Goal.com…
    A sad tale indeed… 😉

  49. allezkev says:

    Less than 4 days to go Scott.

    I believe that the Window closes at 9pm UK time.

    Hopefully we will be out of Mangel’s by then, or else Lee & Adam might kick-off and barbecue the chef….

    I don’t really wish to witness bloodshed, not on too of a Shesh kebab.
    Not good for the digestion you see.

    I just hope that Rocky doesn’t run amok at Liverpool St Stn if we don’t sign Diame…

    It could be a rough end to the evening…

  50. Lee says:

    I’m getting bored of AW and his myopic ways, if we don’t get whats required this window he can fuck off, imho.

  51. Lee says:

    We beat a team from a lower division and a piss poor hammers suddenly everything’s ok…..I’m bored of our lack of ambition and the general decline of the football side of things! Still we make a profit…ho fucking hum!!

  52. Adam says:

    Agreed Lee. I liked the bit when he said that Arsenal’s ambition and aim should be to be at the very top. Easy to say I know but it’s better than the deafening silence coming from The Syrup and the double talk that Arsene spouts. Wasn’t he going to be “very busy” with transfers? Wasn’t he looking to strengthen “everywhere”?.
    Raising hopes before dashing them will probably make the fans grateful for the return of Rosicky.

  53. frednerk says:

    Must be very frustrating to be one of riches geezers in the world and you cant have the toy’s you want.
    Not sure who to feel sorry for
    Me or Him

  54. Adam says:

    He seems to have become Arsenal’s potential saviour, waiting in the wings. What seems almost certain is that we aren’t going to move forward under Syrup. So, what’s the alternative?

  55. frednerk says:

    Silent stan has no passion for us,
    I’am not sure he would cross the road..sorry…pond
    to see the us play.

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