Morning all.
First up, The Mirror believe Arsene Wenger is ready to go head to head with Manchester United for Mats Hummels.
I like that story, I like that story very much and if true, surely the big German would prefer to be together with a few of his International team-mates, in the capital of England and of course in the Champions League than to be up where it rains and no European football?
Sell Thomas Vermaelen to Barcelona Ivan and then go make it happen with Hummels….!
The Sun however, believe Fabian Schar is going to be the centre-back signed to replace our captain. The 22 year old Swiss international is valued around Β£6 million apparently..
Ok, back to reality and The Emirates Cup. Didn’t really take too much notice of the first game of the day and missed most of the second half of our game, but I did see Joel Campbell and Yaya Sanogo’s goals and the maturity of Bellerin didn’t get missed either.
Five goals in one game and against a highly rated Benfica side was a pretty good result.
Yaya Sanogo, we;; what a surprise performance from him. From being the pantomime striker at times last season, he played really quite well. Four good goals will have done his confidence the world of could and I strongly suspect that if Arsene Wenger had any plans to send him out on loan, he may just be having a re-think.
Arsene Wenger on Sanogo and Cambpell’s potential:
A headache is when they don’t play well. We have some decisions to make when everybody plays well, that’s true. But when everybody plays well that’s what we want. They need to play of course but they need to play here.
Sanogo came last year on a free and we worked very hard for six months with him and from January onwards he was slowly getting better.Β Now that we have worked very hard with him, we want him to stay here.
Joel Campbell scored a cracker too after some lovely play down the right by Bellerin, the latter was another who had a very good game. Perhaps now, it’s become more clear as to why Carl Jenkinson was allowed to leave on loan.
Calum Chambers didn’t do a lot wrong either in his first game for us.
Do I dare whisper just how good it was to see pace and energy out there? Especially in the first half.
Annoyingly, I missed the introduction of Alexis Sanchez, but I could hear the cheers from the fans when he entered the big stage and almost every time he touched the ball. I won’t miss him today though, no way…
All in all a very good day for the players, just a shame Yaya Sanogo limped off down the tunnel…..
Joel Campbell picked up a knock too, hope neither are serious..
Finally, some things never change with the standard of referee do they. Campbell should have had a penalty, and a few of the Benfica players should have been booked….
I do hope the chunky Lee Mason doesn’t officiate many of our matches this coming season…..
AS Monaco up today then and a much tougher test for our players.
Should be good game and we may just have another trophy in the cabinet by the end of it…….
Have a great day all…..
Hummels story is nonsense, we won’t buy Shaar and we won’t need any new CB we’ve got Chambo, morning all
I saw glimpses of the game and could agree more about Lee Moron Mason. Exactly what was it about the blatant push in the box on Campbell that wasn’t a penalty. The porky old git could barely get up and down the pitch.
well*
Morning all,
Was a great day at the Emirates yesterday. What a day to go we saw 10 goals. Arsenals were all of the highest quality as we made the Benfica side that made Spuds look average very poor. Stand outs were Campbell (lacking natural fitness though) Bellerin, Chambers, Martinez and obviously Sanogo but everyone had good games.
Getting home from the game was a nightmare and it’s safe to say after wanting a season ticket I couldn’t handle it every week lol.
Lovely post Rico.
PS was devastated I didn’t get to see our
Main man Diaby in action
Didn’t need a striker before this game, and don’t need one now. Sanogo is a very interesting prospect, and I’ve backed him to come good… let’s hope he keeps up the habit of 4 in a game, his second so far.
Very pleased with Campbell’s inclusion in our squad.
Luznic, I’m not so sure re Hummels. Merts may struggle to have another season like last, Chambers is still young and surely he mustn’t be over played and TV is probably going.
Hummels would be perfect π
As usual, great post. Aptly summed up yesterday’s games.
Yeah, it’s easy to forget a referee’s cock-up when you end the game 5 – 1 in your favour. Apparently Mason or Moron thought the Premiership was already on where NEVER award Gunners a penalty seems the unspoken order.
Like we’ve been responding all of last night…Bellerin was great. So were Chambers and Campbell…our new two starters. Ramsey, Rosicky and Gibbs gave what we’ve known from them, so no need mentioning. Flamini too. Nacho surprised me…as a player not always assured on the ball, I never knew he could put on the shift he did from CB yesterday. Quite interesting…every player could be converted then…
He was woeful Adam, just how he ever passed a fitness test I never know..
Morning Nickie, thanks re the post, it was knocked up in a bit of a rush this morning.. π
I envy you being there, slightly.. π
Ha ha re Diaby, he’s set to play today I think, well according to AW.
Savage, let’s hope you are still saying that at Christmas… lol
Thanks Tai. Monreal = versatility… π
I’ll have to pay over the odds for more tickets outside the emirates! lol it was amazing Rico….We were 8 rows from pitch, I prefer mid tier but wanted the gf to be up close to the players, we got to see a lot of Campbell as he was switching left and right all throughout the game.
In the second half we fell a bit with the introduction of Arteta, Cazorla and Wilshere. Ramsey puts so much work in. He, Rosicky and Flamini work well together.
Tai,
Monreal seemed very calm and composed yesterday, didn’t really put a foot wrong. Some good tackles, interceptions….he was even winning headers! just like a dominant CB. Really like Chambers in there too
great post.
morning all
Its incredible how much better we look with pace in the team.
Good read.Hummels is not leaving Dortmund this summer.
It’s been a long time we’ve seen that sort of pace in the team, very exciting.
Morning Ts, Kt.
Hi kt, long time buddy…
Nickie, CC21 is getting raving reviews on twitter.
No mention of Monreal at all..
I thought Nacho played like a natural no.5
Kt- do you know why Diego Lopez was allowed to leave RM?
Bonjour.
Good summary of some of the individual players’ match performance and transfer news.
Hummels is a smokescreen. I wish he would come at AFC but cannot see AW shelling out that amount of money for a CB. Schaar is a gd player and will surely improve us and at the purported 6Mill will be a bargain snip. With Bellerin as an understudy rightback we will have a very good reserve combo in Chambers and Schaar.
Where that leaves Miguel and Hayden is open to speculation and guess work.
Regarding the attack I cannot see AW getting a new player. So that leaves only a DM.
Thanks Kt/Ts..
I bet Hummels would leave if a club offered Dortmund enough and the player a big wage….
Good morning all, Rico, an accurate post of yesterdays game, really enjoyed it and looking forward to Monaco. Had to read your 10:57 twice…
Morning all, another fine sunny one here with a bit of breeze.
Good game yesterday, you saw the best of it Rico, the first half. When the 1st teamers slowed the pace down and we didn’t look half as effective.
I notice you claim to have been ‘knocked up’ , congratulations!!! (I jest!.
Potter, 82 before the next revision, excellent. They say last 20 years! Good luck not a pleasant experience until you are back on your feet. I have one or two friends who have had replacements and they are still playing first division golf, and hardly a limp in sight! It’ll make a world of difference to your temper too!
JC28 yesterday against Benfica who are ranked 5th and Arsenal 9th in UEFA’s coefficient team ranking.
evening team good week for all?
But why would you ask Bang goes our striker hopes Rico? Imo both Campbell and Sanogo will be good reserves to Giroud and also good for plan B…….yesterday we saw plan B.
I know ts.its incredible how madrid do business these days.Lopez is much better than Iker but he is getting the boot to make way for Navas.
Nickie, glad to here you had a great day, what did your gf, think of whole experience?
Rico I am sure Hummels is not coming, you know AW will never satisfy us completely and that’s why I know its Chambers and Bellerin will cover the RB, didn’t watch the match BTW, but I rely on the ever reliable analysts I have on twitter and they kept raving about Bellerin
He did Ts, was very impressed by him. Wasn’t afraid to get stuck in. To be honest when he came off Benfica become a bit more composed when building attacks in and around our box
Hey oz.. how are you Sir?
lol Kt… sometimes it defies belief…
ts i like this 4-1-4-1 formation we are using.I think its better than the double pivot.thoughts?
A back 4 of Debuchy, Kosser, hayden and Miquel today?
King Abou and arteta in midfield
Akpom may get another outing me think…
Nickie, Arteta will change all that later… π
Thanks Bt…She loved it lol she was straight onto Arsenal website looking for tickets for today haha. I couldn’t do it again, I was shattered. The whole experience, the cheering, the players up close, the atmosphere, the actual game, everything, she really enjoyed it. She’s banging on at me now to get red membership!
ps. she got me my shirt π lol
Morning Bt – π Perhaps I should have worded it better. lol
Morning oz..
great post!…totally nailed it…..i never for once doubted yaya sanogo…i followed him while he was at auxierre and he seemed pretty decent to me…now he is showing his quality….chambers was awesome yesterday…hmm and not to forget campbell….we really have a great squad going into the season in our hands….can’t wait for the community shield cuz we sure are gonna win this emirate cup
Yes Kt… with Ramsey it is perfect formation.
Without Ramsey we have a problem… only Diaby in our squad can play that role…
As I have been saying since last season, we need a replacement for Ramsey big big time.
Luznic… I still rue us missing out on Ginter; hummels I am not sure will move but with AW paying Β£16m for a defensive player you never know… albeit the going rate for an English player…
Bonjour Dev and Bt
Rico, i thought as much, champers back in the fridge…
Hello rico ,who will our captain?
Nickie, sounds like a resounding result all round….
Luznic, maybe he’ll surprise us all this summer.. lol
the defensive issues of last season being torn apart by speed don’t really seem to have been addressed at all so far or is that unfair?
And to my main focus…. who else but Yaya Sanogo…
The only thing the towering striker did differently yesterday was score those goals. In the matches against Bayern, Liverpool and Hall at Wembley, he offered more in composed play.
In this era of ‘false’ and ‘holding’ 9, Yaya is a born centre forward. He has height, pace, presence and fight. He is fearless and despite his age attacks the ball without bathing any eyelid on who is challenging. And most important – he has that natural instinct to be at the right place at the right time …this last bit is what is missing in Giroud. Most times an inviting ball is floated into the opponents 18 without Giroud in sight. Another is Giroud loses hope too early. Once he loses the ball first time, he gives up, and many times the chance represented itself. But not Yaya…he goes after any ball until it is truly lost.
If I were Giroud, I’d start worrying. Sanogo will shut him out and pretty soon! I have a feeling Sanogo will play better with Sanchez than Giroud would. Unlike most tall players, Yaya is not clumsy. But annoyingly, Giroud can be. Where Giroud is clearly a master is in aerial ability and hold-up play.
I don’t see Wenger wasting funds looking for another striker when we need just that DM and good CB to truly challenge for everything.
On Campbell…pretty much what we saw in the World Cup…he’s eager to impress, perhaps too eager or he would have scored more goals…still scoring your first goal on your debut is not a common feat. These two boys give me all the excitement to approach the new season. Sanogo just has to stay off the mender’s table.
Wavy/Bt – I have now inserted an ‘it’ into my comment π
ts thats why I believe we are after khedira.he can play that Ramsey role very well too.we however need a more youthful player for the Arteta role too.If only Abou could stay fit…
Ts, how goes it? Do i see a pattern emerging, you go to Chelsea away, we loose 6, you didn’t go to the match yesterday, we win 5, em, food for thought….lol
Also how good is Bellerin on the ball???…so so good going forward.hope he is as good defensively since i’ve not seen much of him.
Nickie. 1.02, I’d rather be where you were, glad you had a great day..
Hi Devil. I had hoped for another striker, however, I think AW will settle for who he has now. But who knows what can happen between now and 1st Sept..
Hi kyawmgmgtun, no idea, but hope it’s not Arteta…
ts this formation is also Bayern’s and Germany’s default formation.I like it.
lot of press concerning this sporting lisbon lad
I know folks are saying we lost composure when Arteta came on..
but fail to realise imho that Ramsey, and TR07 came off too…
A midfield of Le Coq and JW supporting Arteta is going to be on the back foot..
The system we play relies on the box to box and central midfielders infront of our DM to make spaces when we have the ball and also close the gaps when we do not have the ball…
Le Coq although will always be good on the ball is tactically inept; imo…that is why Streich and Christian Gourcuff never played him in central midfield but on the wings…
Typical Bt… that is why you are in the same book as Micko… with comments like that. π
Ts, lol..you know..
Oz, fingers crossed the right DM will be in to rectify that kind of problem this season, and of course the way AW set’s us up against those quick sides.
The price is right Oz.. π
At least he’s 6′ 2″ ish, well, just under…
Coquelin sadly for me doesn’t look Arsenal quality.when he first came he looked so good but he seems to have stalled.
ts I like Arteta.Tactically and technically he is the leader of the team.However I think we need to look for a youthful alternative to him.we will benefit from presence in there if Alexis is to play at CF in order to maintain balance in the team.
A Busquets type of player would be ideal
Oz, re your 11:27 comment… that is why most top teams have stopped playing 2 attacking fB in their back 4..
AW on the other hand prefers kamikaze football…
kt- BM systems works well with boateng and martinez in central defence.
bm have played 3 at the back in the last 2 weekends… without kroos 4-1-4-1 wont work with alaba and who ever plays rb ie Rafinha bombing forward.
bastuder is back and he and martinez are proving decent combo…
11.27 Tai.
Yaya was a huge surprise yesterday and now, imo, it’s over to him. Continue the way he did yesterday and how could AW leave him out.
Campbell the same.
It may just be that both will seriously threaten Girouds place and thankfully these days, AW isn’t afraid to drop players who don’t perform.
The only issue with Yaya is whether or not he can remain injury free and of course, if he can repeat what he did yesterday after his two awful blunders…
Rico – i like the look of him for sure – prefer Khiedra but very good young player the lisbon lion
kt- asier is on the cards… π last minute
I agree re Arteta… he is not blameless.
bm have promoted Rode to replace Kroos…
tsgh – good points mate yes.
Tai @ 11.27 you are spot on and I agree totally with you. I always say that CB, DM and CF (and Rico says GK π ) should be specialised positions. IMO they should also be a minimum of 6 ft tall or better with a good technical and tactical level.
I saw that ts.Bayern are moving to a 3-4-3 system now.I watched the 2nd half of Barca vs Nice last night.they were playing 3-4-3 too.Man utd are playing 3-4-1-2.it seems the back 3 is making a resurgence.
Rico,
My only fear for Sanogo is on the injury front. He’s a player that gives plenty…he keeps CBs on toes all through…more than Giroud does. His goal scoring will continue to come as long as that instinct of being there at the right time keeps coming.
i remember a certain brazillian who constantly raised questions about why he was with us and then banged in 4 goals in one certain cup game – unfortunately his regular form was what got him sent home
I’ve not seen much of Rode ts but so far he looks promising.Lewandowski looks like a superb buy already.he is the perfect CF.
it is kt- its either you sacrifice one of your attacking fbs or you play 3 at the back.
only pelle and AW are playing the traditional back 4 set-up…
brenda has gone 3 at the back too…
rode played in the u-20 world cup last summer…
baptista-oz
3-4-3 is an excellent formation if you have the players. When I played it I used the wide forwards to drop back and become a 3-4-2-1 (or rather 3-6-1) to defend but when the team attacked we went to 3-4-3.
I can tell you that it is a beautiful formation to see…..but only if you have the right players.
Ginge – you and Rico are too optimistic about Wenger kill that hope a defender from Evian maybe but we will be praying for his end of contract like squilacci eventually, don’t forget Chambers is 19 and getting 20 matches this season is an achievement, per will surprise you Rico I know that bloke is made of iron and……..just forget about a defender and Ginge look into that crystal ball of yours who are we signing next I bet you can see it Crystal clear……. lol
tsgh – spot on – i hope Sanogo steps up but my word, he needs to improve out of sight on recent showings in real games
Exactly Oz..
Sorry Oz, I thought you meant the Swiss defender..?
Once Sanogo and Campbell start banging in PL goals on a regular basis, I might be convinced.
I’d still rather we signed a striker who is proved in the PL…
Thanks Dev…
Ts, I don’t really think Wilshere won’t do what Ramsey does. I strongly believe Wenger has real dilemma regarding both box-to-box players. These are two emerging world-class players …but he can’t truly play them together. If there’s a way either could play well in DM, Wenger would make Ramsey and Wilshere his first choices in the middle.
But he has to do with one starting from the bench if he wishes to get the very best out of them. Interestingly, that’s Diaby’s best position too. And for my money, it’ll take Diaby staying fit till November to become first choice box-to-box. Say whatever you like about him, I know the talent Diaby has, add that to his appreciable physique and get your monster when fit. I repeat, if Diaby was three weeks earlier in coming back, he would have made France’s World Cup team. And if he did, he would have been first choice in that middle…a feat Schneiderlin could accomplish.
i am not convinced either in Sanchez up top in this physical league at only 5’7, tough ask. We are expecting plenty off him and after ozil might be an error – coming in wide with Walcott as targets for Ozil i see plenty of goals, just wish Arsene would buy that world class striker the squad is STILL missing
It is Devil.when executed with the proper players its very good.If not it can be suicidal.
Guardiola seems to be favoring it since it allows him to form triangles all over the park which can allow combination play then they can switch play to the other side of the pitch when they have sucked in the opposition.we executed this tactic several times yesterday for example right before the scuffed Campbell effort in the 1st half from a ramsey scooped pass.
Tai, I’m far from convinced yet by Sanogo.. Or Campbell for that matter but it’s early days. Just hope that if AW relies on both this season, we’ll not be saying the same thing as we did last season…
‘If only we’d signed a goal scorer’…..
Yesterday was my first time ever visit to the Emirates and it turned out to be the best in my life as an Arsenal supporter anyway, as to the performance of our team, I was very pleased with all the players who featured in the match against Benfica but my credit goes to Hector Bellerin, Calum Chambers and Joel Cambell I thought the three were acceptably on top of their game, Bellerine took the fans by surprise and produced some display that made the manager to think twice why he had to bring in another right back, He was tireless and look dangerous in every run he makes, great skills too.
Calum also performed as if he’s been with the for over four season and then Joel Cambell produced equivalent of what we witnessed in the world cup, very strong and read the ball very well but it’s a shame that he let the hat trick eluded him but all in all since it was his debut he was very good.
As for the premiership, judging from the window activities I think it’s gonna be a very tough season ahead as all the big clubs have done a great deal of shopping but I think Arsenal hold the edge in skills department and their playing style make it very difficult for opponent to defend against them. We stand a very good chance of lifting the cup at the end but we’ll have to wait and see.
On bringing in another CB well, since the Boss have covered every area where we had problems of injuries last season, I believe we need a stand by CB just in case one of them get injured.
On buying another striker, I some how find myself failing to understand why some fans as well as the media keeps going on and on about bringing in another striker when we have Alexis, Giroud, Yaya Sanogo, Cambell and akpong to cover for our needs in that area.
And finally what I can say is, the new season is going to be the mother of all premiership battle.
Have a good day Lads !!
12.04 Oz, couldn’t agree more. The same thing happened when we signed Ozil, so much was expected of him and when the winter came, he struggled a tad..
Like Ozil, Sanchez is used to a winter break and will need a rest no doubt. A wonderful wonderful player but he can’t work miracles on his own…
Rico, with you on that,’if only’ should not be happening again,this season.
Sanogo has a touch of Adebayor when he first came here.he will always keep defenders on their toes since he keeps on coming and is immense physically.he helped us turn around the FA Cup final and was very good against Bayern at home.his progress will be interesting to watch.
Oz, Carvalho, took me a while but I got there… π
that’s my point Rico – Arsene has actually added only one proven quality player so far as far as squad depth goes – nowhere near enough. Campbell and Sanogo are real gambles again and he hasn’t done that well playing those games as one cup in 10 years indicates. We need more. Not sure the big money spend on the Saints kid was necessary either considering our other needs. Agree on the winter break as well, good point
Morning all, good post Rico. Yesterday it was a good 1st half performance from AFC, but I still think Sanogo needs to be loaned out to get regular playing time, it’s a big risk to start the EPL with Campbell, Sanogo & OG who is clearly not good enough. For AFC to challenge for the PL we need 2 more WC player to complete the spine of the team. Marco Reus & DM preferably and if TV leaves a CB is a must, it would be suicidal to start the season with a 19 yr old as 3 choice CB. With money in the bank Arsenal need to take advantage because most of the big clubs can’t spend because of FFP.
Barcelona is my second team in Europe…so, I know perfectly what Sanchez has brought along. Nobody should entertain any fear. We got a warrior in our fold!
Any player can be bought, at a price,and whoever wants to pay up will get their man.
Just hope it’s not going to be a “what if….” next season.
Bellerin along with Sanogo, Chambers and Campbell was in the hat for MOTM. Good speed, defensive work, great technically, great going forward. I can understand why Jenks is the one sacrificed now.
On coq…he really needs to go, he’s just so messy. I said it before it’s like he purposely loses the ball so he can win it back with a heroic tackle which 50% of the time comes off lol. Why does Wenger persist on giving him these chances.
A note on Sanchez when he came on…His quick touches turns and movement the second he got the ball was great, a cut above many on the field. Everytime he done something the crowd were like ooo aaa wowwww lol. Upfront on his own is an issue when the ball is punted long. Would like to see him work off Giroud today
It shouldn’t Bt, it really shouldn’t….
Kt, you been listening to AW, he said the same about Sanogo… lol
Iβm a recent graduate with a 1st classification in a medical degree and iβm obviously very happy. However, i have to admit that since the opening of Transfer Window, Wenger has been one of the major reasons why i smile everydayβ¦βcos he is defo getting it right this time.
Wowβ¦Bless you Le Prof!
Another advantage of pace is that teams like pool and the saints will have to think twice before pressing us in our half.Ozil is going to have fun with all the movement in the team this year.
I don’t believe in the 3-4-3 formation, the dutch played it at the WC and apart from their Spanish encounter they were boring, I prefer the 4-1-4-1 formation, I am not a coach but with this formation you can change to the same 3-4-3 and also you can give quick counter attacks and also be fast to recover in defending, my opinion anyway but what do I know
The parallels between Sanogo/Adebayor are unavoidable rico.they are so similar in their early stages of development.
I can see it Kt….I’m just glad Sanogo doesn’t carry the same shoddy attitude
Agree Oz, although I personally rate Chambers quite highly, my worry is he is still young.
Thanks Gdna, DM, Striker and CB for me still. I think AW has pretty much confirmed no striker will be signed though and imho, big mistake if he doesn’t…
Lee, totally agree, money talks.
Regarding FFP many on here are failing to notice two things.
1) the money spent in the January transfer window also counts for the season.
2) the money that remains from this year’s FFP’s audit will be added to the money next year if AW wants to spend it.
Imo, that money could also be saved to increase the stadium capacity and I believe that the club is heading in that direction. I think the stadium will have a 75k capacity come 2018.
so if money remains there it means something else is boiling up.
Luznic I prefer 4-1-4-1 too.it seems so much more balanced both in offence and defence.it also encourages combination play in all areas of the pitch.you can also easily switch to a 4-2-3-1/4-4-2 if circumstances deem it necessary without changing the players.
KT, yesterday Kev and I discussed it a bit. Yaya is more in the PV04 mould. Same body type, same way of running, same way of opening up the body and the same way they stretch their legs to control the ball.
Yaya and the Togolump???? the latter had the first touch of a rapist.
Maybe the initial attitude when Ade used to work his ass off is similiar to Yaya’s. but that is where the similarity ends.
Luznic.. I think AW is done in the CB position… unless AW does not believe CC21 can step up immediately…
I thought Cc21 was good but Laurens highlighted some defensive positioning naivety he believes may get him exposed in certain games…
Yaya being French might help, he won’t want to let his fellow countryman Wenger down… Maybe.. π
Tai- ditto your above
sometimes I don’t like when we say we need to buy more and more, I did a one on one man to man comparison with AFC players and LFC and we can say we are better than them, has man utd strengthened No, is Chelsea complete I will say a big NO, Man city are the champions but they haven’t even added anything serious, we are going to have lapses going into this season but what will see us through is our heart and determination, I don’t need a striker and that Southampton kid is very good he bought him with England national team in mind, Wenger and Brenda the only two coach doing such thing, for me a DMF maybe a CB and we will challenge and believe me I am very sure we will challenge…….. this group wants to prove a point just let them
Kyawngmgton. I would give it to Mertesaker.
No brainer imo
Arsenal need to win the PL first and foremost before thinking about stadium capacity or anything else. Spending money on players is removing asset from the bank to the pitch, the attendance for the Man U vs Real Madrid games yesterday was a record for a preseason game, it only happens because of trophies.
Dev, stadium increase to 75,000?
we played 4-1-4-1 against Liverpool, chelsea and Everton away…
The box to box player who is played infront of the DM is the key in this role…
That is why Gattuso was so essential for Pirlo durng AC Milan’s last reign…
Last season Ramsey played like a young Rijkard or even Viera with either or both Flamster and Arteta…
Without Ramsey we are dead considering as TR07 is not preferred there…
I guess that is why AW may be after Sami K.
π rico 12:34
yes Bt62……….I believe that is where the club are heading……first they go to 70k and then increase 5k more some time later.
Devil, we didn’t spend any money in January… lol
Nickie just the reason why that formation is the one the more experienced coaches in EPL like Arsene and Pelle still use, coaches like LVG are the same with Maureenho because they always want to say it was me me me, its always about them and 3-4-3 even Martinez alternates between it to 4-1-4-1 and I might be wrong but Martinez will be one coach every one in the world wants to listen to soon, to me tactically he is just the best and you can never predict him he is just too intelligent……whatever LVG does I don’t care
Luznic I think Fernando will be a big player and a revelation this forthcoming season…
I think Chelsea are compact… maybe they could do with another striker but there ain’t another Costa or Drogba around… we have OG12 and we dont rate him…
Ramsey will captain the side at least 10 times this season me think…
maybe I hate the English press darlings and for now LVG is their darling and why they keep praising him then I will always loathe him
Ts, who have the better strike force AFC or CFC?
Who remembers this headline…
August 5th last year:- we got soldado, you got sanogo.
Dev, that maybe a hard road to travel, can we fit 15,000 more seats in the Emms?
Him or Kos Kev…
Dna- On paper we have..
Remember Torres scored 5 goals last season…; 5 the season before…
Imo-The advantage I believe Jose has is he will be more streetwise in the crucial games whilst AW considers every game equally important from what I have heard
Dev, Islington council is not Bavaria or Manchester City Council… imo. π
Aw has never beaten LVG… just a thought.
Ts, I was amazed they sold Lukaku, think that’s going to haunt the midget…
Ts, exactly, and put that tongue away…..
Sorry Torres- 8 goals in 36 games the season before in EPL
Ts, how is arsenal stronger on paper?
ha ha Bt…
Well Rico, AW did not sign Lukakau so…
Dna- just speculating; note I am the one who believes we need Balo’ as well…
I think:-
Sanchez will give us 14 goals if he stays fit…
OG12- 20 goals
Yaya- 5 at least…
JC28- 5 goals
Chelsea..
Costa 15 goals
Torres 8 goals
Drogba- 8 goals max
If Ramsey and Hazard score 10 goals each and Cesc and Poldi, Sc19 score equal goals we will be fine…
Way, way too many conclusions being drawn from a meaningless friendly.
We can raise the roof Bt62. Literally.
in the initial plan of the stadium there was this option mentioned.
Adam, soo true..enjoyed it for what it was.
Dev, i thought we were max’d out in that department.
not forgetting Theo, Ox chipping in hopefully 12 goals minimum between them…
Schurle/Oscar/Willian will score 12 goals at least too…
there was Dev, but i believe islington/camden opposed it…
Ts, you are a brave man. Lol.
Possibly Rico, but BFG would be my choice (you know that π )
BFG has a great record for retaining his fitness.
His game is based more around reading the game, because of his lack of pace.
Therefore he can read situations and maybe guide his team mates better than anyone in the team.
He is German.
And he is intelligent.
The perfect package.
Of course not Ts, no way would they have sold to us…
Just discussing Adam, not concluding… π
I do Kev, I do and you are right about his ability to read the game.
But up against pacey strikers, he does make my nerves go a little… π
dna, note Chelsea scored only 3 more goals than us last season.. where we faltered was in defence were we conceded 14 more goals.. with 23 of the 41 goals we conceded coming in 4 games…
That is why I am stilll crying over the spilt milk of Sagna leaving…
we will be living in denial if we believe like AW Debuchy is an upgrade on Sagna imho…
Arteta 5 goals also, 5 penalties minimum I think this season with the pace we have
Lol Rico…
it should have read Jose did not buy Lukaku so he never fancied him.. and AW failed to convince Lukaku before he joined Chelsea…
Ts, I think you might need to double your tally for Costa..
Mind you, how do you come up with such figures? Crystal ball again or an abacus attached to your armchair? π
true nickie… and not forgetting the boss Ozil himself with 8 at least too…
Let’s see how Debuchy performs before judging him or writing him off…
Rico, note this page for this time next year God willing… lol
Nickie, if Mason is the ref often, we’ll not get any penalties…
Still not convinced Arteta will be on the pitch that much…
I’ll leave that to you Ts, then you can say ‘This time last year I said Costa……..’ π
However, I think it’ll be me reminding you sadly…
The only issue for us is that Aguero/Dzeko/Negredo have 50 goals in them..
if Yaya and Joveric plus Nasri chip in 20 goals then only a mean defence will take us beyond them…
Ts, was there a clairvoyant plying their trade, near Hever Castle?
Debuchy is a solid solid defender. I’m happy we’ve signed him. I think people are just shocked/blown away with the fact we have an up and coming youth product who looks above decent :). It’s nice to know we’re looking really strong in that RB area, as with LB Monreal looks to have gained confidence by playing CB in friendlies, master stroke by Wenger? There was such a feel good factor about Arsenal yesterday.
if anyone could provide me with a stream for todays game i’d be grateful, preferably one that doesn’t get blocked by Virgin! lol
Ts, give it up bro, Man City & CFC squads are the truth, AW will have to invest on 2 more WC players to have any chance, every manager know arsenal weakness. #12, 08, 04. It’s seems exciting but the reality is 3rd or 4th.
π Rico; good sport…
Ok… let me backtrack and make it 22 goals.. I am talking about EP goals only for Costa…
Rico. I would beg to differ there. I didn’t see much ‘discussion’ over our loss in NY. All this stuff is just to earn the club some money and increase fitness. Tony Pulis and his team will not be that interested if we employ a single or double pivote system. They will kick us anyway and they will test Arsenal’s resolve and strength in a way that the pre season games won’t even approach.
True Dna… that is where we are… but I am surprise you do not rate Per.
Bt.. my weekend job is as a puppet master… π
Nickie, try Firstrow sport, Vipbox and Wiziwig, can’t say about Virgin blocking though, good luck.
Is anyone doing the u-21 game at emirates on 28th?
Ts, It’s not that I don’t rate BFG, he had BS covering him last season who is no longer at the club, with a MA08 who runs fast like Mud and mr attacking Debuchy it’s worrying.
BFG just likes to keep you on the edge…
It keeps you slim… π
lol…
Nickie, just what Monreal needed…
Adam – dead right, we got rolled by an ordinary Red Bulls just one game ago and again if we don’t add some pace to that defence and tighten up our tactics i can see more record losses on the horizon no risk
Ts, did you re-watch last season games on the player?
Someone said to me that the roof of Emirates could be taken off and the sides built up to allow for another 10/15k seats…….could be bollocks though!
Adam, could be that many didn’t see the NY loss, I know I didn’t.
Yesterday was good though, regardless of the fitness, money etc, there were plenty of positives to take from the game, and it’s good being positive especially as we haven’t had too much to be positive about often..
I suppose that all depends on Islington Council……
just a question everyone…….compare Joel at 22 and Theo when he was the same age.
Do you see any difference???
Lee, the problem with Islington Council, is that there are no votes in it, for them to help Arsenal…
Islington is full of Oxbridge professional types and assorted champagne wots it’s, who can’t stand football…
All the traditional working class Gooners moved to the suburbs years ago.
Yeah Kev I know…
15yrs ago today TH signed for us……
get carvalho. forget hummels as that won’t happen as he will need to dislodge bfg and kos. i’d take schar for Β£6m once the verminator leaves. with a month to go we have had a great window for a change. great to see utd fans crapping themselves over a perceived lack of activity and van gaal doing a wenger and saying he’s happy with what he’s got.
Yeah, it’s obvious Coach, one is from Costa Rica…
The other isn’t..,, π
Arsenal could be limited as to how many foreign players that they can add to the squad…
I read somewhere that we’ve only got room for one more ‘foreign’ signing…
Be that Carvalho or Khadira or a centre-back to replace Verm…
Not altogether sure that Wenger will replace Verm…?
He seems to be experimenting a lot in that dept…
Dev, Theo is another player Arsenal fans don’t truly value…if only Theo could stay fit for a season! His pace, positioning and goal sense are invaluable assets. He’s a big game player too.
lol Kev
I think that at 22 years Campbell has more tactical awareness than Theo
Lee. I think you are right and that it was part of the original design.
Not yet Dna
True Tai. I used to criticize Theo a lot due to his lack of tactical nous. But Joel seems more mature with regards that aspect.
And he has got speed as well.
1 big problem with Campbell is his fitness, he looked so drained after every move. Maybe Shad can put him on a personal fitness course, get him up to scratch. Against the bigger teams if his fitness falters whatever side he plays on is going to be punished
that is something that can be rectified and brought up to standard
Atm Joel is not ready to lead the line by himself or start matches. However I feel that if he comes with 20 minutes to go and starts the CC matches and some of the EPL matches I think he will be fine.
Shad can work on him in the same way that the club worked with Sanogo (or better). The most important thing is that the technique is there and the tactical awareness is there as well. Strength will come.
Lol Dev…
Marcuss Stevenson
rellend I like Schars too…
Kev, but if TV goes, that makes 2 places π
1.46 Kev π
Devil, and neither is Campbell which is why I still believe we are short of a striker.
One injury to Giroud, one of them, if not both will have to…
Off to cut the grass… Laters..
My concerns over Yaga are the couple of times he got in good positions and miscontrolled. The French league is full of big African centre forwards who look like George Weah one week and Ade Akinbayi tbe next! Hope he is not one of those. He is not short of self belief though. The Black Bendtner!!!!!
Aftrenoon Rico and the House,
Good write up on the game Rico.
Pleased you are all now seeing how Bellerin has improved.
I first noticed how good he was getting in Feb/march last year.
However he has a lot of work to do on the defence side of his game.
On the squad size at the moment we have 16F/Players and 8 home produced , meaning we can only sign 1 more F/P
But as i posted in march next week Arsene must make some big decisions. what is he going to do with Coq,Martineze and Miqual if all 3 stay they will have to be in the squad .
Martinez and Miguel are under 21….which means they can be named as youths. Yaya is also U21
Le Coq will not though as he is 23 years
Sortry coach you are wrong .Both of them were 21 last Sept and as they were over 21 on Jan 1st this year they must be included in the squad.
Should be Sorry Coach.
you are right mate……but Yaya can still be classified as under 21
Ramsey already playing more minutes in pre-season than almost all our players…
CC21, Monreal AS17 all start
Dennis Bergkamp is still the third in the all time list for goal assists in the Premier League with 94.
Arsenal XI vs. Monaco: Szczesny, Debuchy, Chambers, Koscielny, Monreal, Arteta, Ramsey, Wilshere, Cazorla, Sanchez, Giroud
It appears Diabolic is crocked again… lol?
That is a good line up imo.
Ts…this ur goals calculation…aren’t you being very conservative? If Walcott starts up to 25 games this season, I’ll bet he’ll score no less than 15 EPL goals. Ramsey same…If Yanogo played in up to 25, start/subs, I’d give him 10. You didn’y consider Wilshere would score too? This is Wilshere’s season…he’ll do better than Ramsey this season, as long as he stays fit.
If Theo comes back and stays, he’ll compete seriously with sanchez in goals. Both will score more than Giroud.
Indeed. does that mean Ramsey starts as the no.10
subs are not bad as well….that is a strong bench….
Subs: Martinez, Gibbs, Rosicky, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Flamini, Sanogo, Campbell, Coquelin, Akpom, Bellerin, Miquel.
Wilshere playing Ozil’s role then…
yes Ginge……I hope and think so. This game will see how much Jack is going to stay back and hold fort in front of the defence, or if he abandons Arteta and gung-hoes into attack.
who knows the scores between Benfica and Valencia?
Tai.. Theo starting 25 games after coming back from inuury is a bit optimistic imo based on past history..
If he plays more and scores more, its a bonus for all of us…
Chambers again at CB. I just hope he stays there.
What about Diabolicus???
any news???
Benfica 1 – 3 Valencia
Valencia winning3-1
Hmmm…thanks Dev…
Hope Valencia is not trying to rubbish our performance yesterday. Meanwhile, they have nine points already!
Afternoon Rick and all – thanks Rick…
AW has said Diaby is not injured and that he can only select 22 players,,
Perhaps he’s off….
As it stands Valencia have 9 pts. So in essence Arsenal need only to draw 1-1 to win the Ems cup.
Ts…I factored that…he might miss first four games…I’m expecting him to start the fifth around mid September.
Rico, Wenger said that as of yesterday…you know Diaby, he could easily get a metatarsal from just waking up from his bed
Not much pace in our line up today…
He did Tai, but I suspect it’s the same today…
He’s either not fit, or maybe being kept fit for sale…. imo.
I’d forgotten Bt Sport have the CL rights this season. Means we have to listen to that little Scouse midget….
So, where is Diaby?
Hopefully having a medical somewhere Wavy… π
Not necessarily, Owen is not. On today nor yesterday, I think it was/is Gary McCallister, oh yes, I remember, he played for the dippers too! FMS! (F**k me sideways!)
Ricooooooooooooo!
McCallister is better than the midget, not quite so Scouse biased…
Yes Tai? lol
Benfica really are rubbish… No wonder we scored 5 goals… lol
Martin Keown is on the panel too. Phew..
Not much will change from this line-up against Man City…just Gibbs taking the place of Monreal…and Diaby coming in for Arteta if fit.
game over for Benfica vs Valencia?
We wait and see Tai. there are so many permutations with regards team selection. I would not be surprised to see Monreal begin the game against shitty.
Rico, any cuttings going spare?…
I hope a new DM will come in for Arteta between now and next Sunday.
Blonde moment Bt, cuttings? π
Off to watch our game. Catch you guys after the game.
Keown record on the panel… we haven’t won with him there… π stupid stats
Your gardening, activities,,
Nickie did you get sorted?
I think arteta and TR07 will start against city.
Arteta doing his coaching job on Sanchez… lol
I can be dim sometimes Bt… π
I hope one of those two don’t Sukky.
Sanogo on the bench, must mean that he is fit..,
Og12 goal.
Arteta will start… there is no DM available better than Mikel imho of course.. not the Carvalho and Benders of this world
You sure Kev, we are talking Arsene here… lol
Diabolic injured…
what a curse…
Sanchez will provide the pace…
Ts, have to 100% disagree. I really hope he doesn’t start against sides with pace, he’s far to slow and sadly, clumsy….
And OC Kev but other than that…?
Kongogbia gets a start…
Ha ha, Rico, yes, you do have a point…
Chambers, Ramsey and Monreal all start again…
Not sure that I would have risked Ramsey…
lol Rico but Bender and Carvalho may be younger and fitter but aint better…
Even JW can’t take Mikel’s place in the squad yet… π
How did Valencia finish up Rico?
I hear we are blessed with Owen’s ‘insights’
Stack me, it’s a good job o don’t pay for BT Sport!
Typical AW started to run Ramsey into the ground…
Arteta will look better with AR16 today.. Rico. π
They won 3-1
Owen’s pronounciation of Giroud is a piss take???
That’s in your view Ts….
3-1 Kev, we need a couple of points to win…
Owen is a piss take – period!
we only need a 1-1 draw Rico to win the Ems cup
He’s a gnome!
Even a 0-0 will be enough as we take the Ems on gl diff
5-1 to us
5-3 to Valencia
Precisely Devil, two points.. π
What a pass from Mikel…
he may be 19 years old but Chambers is already giving orders at the back
Kev needs a couple of pints too…..
He’s good Devil…
So do I Lee, then I might watch Arteta and think he’s the best DM in the world of football… π
So, TV on his way to Barca then….
normal services resume.
It is now obvious that Tommy V is on his way. Not even included today. I guess he will be announced that he is gone when a new DM is announced so that the supporters will be happy with the new signing.
Chambers is so so composed….
Ah Giroud….. That’s why we all love Sanogo π
Not 1-1 drew.Any drew will win us β Μ₯ΡΖΊ emirate cup.
Great marking….
Oh my!!
Dna, your player
That free kick should not have happened.
Owen.. geez what a twat…
So that goal from falcao will convince RM to spash the cash… lol
The og12 bashers are out..
His first game in pre-season… π
Where Ts?
Monaco, no doubt, are playing better right now
Ts, I happy u r watching, some of these players are overrated.
Snap- Kondogbia looks good on the ball..
He has learnt from Toulalon… it seems.
We need to keep TV.. we can’t get a better player on the market now better than him… imo.
Owen picking on Nacho as usual…
He does not see Nacho gets no help from the lw
Hummels is better than Vermaelen.
Ts, ignore that idiot, he talks bollox and hates Arsenal….
Everything is coming down our left hand side….that’s not bollox!
Put like that…… Who is to blame then?
Jenks injured in WH’s friendly….
I need a couple of pints of Peroni, get them in Lee… π
Gibbs and rosicky should come on for Monreal and JW10.That will do it I think.Am not watching but I know they are β Μ₯ΡΖΊ weak link.Am I wrong?
Sad for Cpl Jenks…
It is well known in top tier football that with Poldi or Sc19 playing on the lhs it is our weak spot…
Aw needs to work at it or move to 3 at the back like our managers are doing…
keeping an eye on Miquel and Kosser combo…
I’m not watching the game, so I can’t judge, but having a look on LG it seems that Monreal, Giroud, Wilshere and Arteta are coming in for most of the criticism.
Two goals conceded, both from free-kicks…
Sukky, you are not watching – how on earth can you suggest changes?
Sukky.. it depends on who you ask re 5:26. lol π
Is it the fault of the individual defenders or is it another example of poor defensive preparation and coaching?
Why is Ramsey still on? he will need to play next weekend!
Good save..
Kev, Merts would have stopped their goal…imo
If I knew Arsene Wenger, then I would ask him?
I wonder what he would say?
Probably ‘Mind your own business’…
It’s a pity nobody on here knows him personally and could ask him what kind of defensive coaching they do?
Rico, re: BFG, I rest my case…
I don’t pretend to be a Coaching expert, it’s just my opinion, for what it is worth…
sweet from Ox
The majority of this team are midgets…
Miranda was available…
I don’t think this team/squad needs a lot Rico…
It just needs to be coached and organised properly…
Maybe we needed a game like this to concentrate a few minds at the club.
Better we learn in this game than experience a major fcuk-up against Palace…
You have Kev.. π
Lee, do you have something against midgets? π
But it’s same old, same old set pieces Kev. Not one player tracked Falcao.
The tackle by Jack for the free kick was stupid – absolutely stupid
Adam can ask Ivan…
midgetism, that’s what I call it…
Good point Lee, Adam can.
Where are you Adam???
He conceded the 3rd highest number of goals from set-pieces last season…
Per was number 4 behind Og12, Sagna and Kosser in defensive header clearances though…
He= We*
Yeah one doesn’t fill you up…. you need two and chips to make a decent meal! π
Arsene just needs to get a couple more Jerries…
Das ist der answer….
Laters
The Ox has had an impact…
Armchair stats again Ts, Zzzzz π
Big impact…
Good rugby tackle.
Hummels Kev π
Not sure why Sanchez is still on….
good tackle Miquel
Ramsey should be off, he’s knackered…
we really need another midfielder…!
That was a stone wall penalty! Why did Atkinson change his mind??
That wasn’t a penalty…. fuck off, how bad are these officials???
And a red card!!
That’s embarrassing….
Atkinson pointed to the spot ffs!!!
Is this the refereeing decision he are going to be facing this season?
Definitely a penalty, teribble decision by Atkinson and his assistance. Blew for a penalty, and then changed his mind. Poor decision making..
Fucking hell the season hasn’t even started and the decisions are going against us…..
Keystone officiating!
That started yesterday Lee.
We were shafted yesterday too…
Reckon that Yakki lino is on work experience!
π Rico
Maybe Sanogo isn’t 100%, or I suspect that he’d be on.
Robbed! π
What a daft tackle by flamini…
Ts, where are the goals u was telling me about this morning?
ha ha ha.. Dna.
Calm down mate…
You were optimistic yesterday… lol
We need a midfielder and a winger (reus/Turan) and Balo’ and a defender (CB)
Nothing new there then. Come up against a strong team that tackles quick and doesn’t give time on the ball and we can’t break through.
Hi all, late appearance here. Sanago and Cambell were not sub’s. We were two sub’s short. Linesman in the money to be so sure to over rule the ref.
Thanks again Asian Goooner, link worked again.
note Monaco were beaten well by Valencia yesterday…
AW going into the season with a 19 y.o who has played at CB only 6 times is a tad worrying/optimistic.
We cant just sell TV. He is wanted by Barca for a reason…
The midfielder to help out Ramsey is a necessity.. even Kim Kolstrom would do…
*assistant
we all come crashing back down to earth. What a drab affair, so glad I went yesterday and not today lol
Team for next week…
————-Scz————-
Deb–Cham–Kos–Gibbs
——-Flam—-Ram——
Ox——Rosicky—–Camp
———-Sanchez———
They weren’t Ts, they drew..
Potter, spot on..
Nickie, agree, drab indeed and I wonder now what yesterdays starting 11 could have done. Apart from Sanchez, and latterly OC, no pace…
Dinner calls….
Reality check!
Is it that Monaco were so good or that dear Gunners were so poor? I think it’s a mixture of both. Monaco definitely were no Benfica and Arsenal’s starters lacked the pace that was on total display yesterday. Imo, Sanchez had a very poor match but we know him…he’s far better than what we saw today. And he’ll prove it.
Giroud? Terrible! Despite Monaco wee better than Benfica, Sanogo wouldn’t have been that poor.
We need a tall defender!
You wonder why i believe that English officials are corrupt just look at everything around today’s non penalty decision.
Also don’t forget Mason’s yesterday I could list a number of penalty decisions made last season that were not given or given against Arsenal enough to win PL.
Without PM04 and Giroud in the line-up, any corner/set piece is a differential penalty against us.
To solve the problem? Get a 6’2”(at least) DM and same height CB! That said, Chambers has proved how good he is.
GJ, I think its the Japanese linesman who may have made a few quid.
Ts, Quality is always gonna be the problem until we get a manager who is ruthless to include some of these players in deals or tell them they aren’t in his plans. The harsh reslity is this team is not as good as most believe.
*reality
Evening all. Just finished work and I notice that the euphoria seems to have subsided a bit as the excremental Atkinson creature has his usual say.
AndrewH
Ok they are all bent…. π
Adam, this game wasn’t about that penalty…it wasn’t about the cup either. it was for us to see our team, particularly the new ones and how ready we are for the season…Wenger should understand that we may draw Lille in the UCL prelim…and they finished behind same Monaco. We have the players…how he knits them together in that time is open to debate.
But I wondered if this Emirates Cup meant much to Wenger. Why did he risk Sanchez that long on the pitch? A player who is clearly not fit and dangerously struggling to impress? What if he had cupped a serious injury? Again, what was the meaning of changing Debuchy in the 90th minute when we were struggling to equalise? Why wind down the clock for Monaco?
Debuchy looked to be struggling with a calf complaint Tai, that’s why he subbed him.
Tai, a fine article about the game from you would be welcome…. π
The referee, the score line & the Ems cup was secondary, the problem was how Monaco dominate the MF.
Ok, Nickie…didn’t notice it.
Hey, Rico…please, I’m so tied up…can’t do a good article now. Would have loved to but … running damn behind deadline.
Agree Gdna, all far too easy…
Tai, just kidding and just me being lazy… lol
Thanks, Rico…always love to write though. Soon, and very soon, I’d be begging you to let me write….
Dna, we are where we are?
I have been consistent in my views that this team is not equipped
the to win the title unless lady luck smiles on us…
To me this window activities have been lacklustre but hey folks are happy so…
As the season draws to a start I will stop the questioning myself and just back them… we have what we have…
Still 28 days or so more in this window so…
You don’t need to beg Tai…. π
Yeah Ts…imo, we need just that solid DM and another CB if TV goes.
I’m off guys, enjoy the rest of your day…
Night all…
Ts, we are where we are because of the manager mentality.
Thanks, Rico…for that assurance…
Night, Rico…night All.
night rico and tai
Adam, lucky you, thunder storm here, lecky out 5 mins in, drove to a mates, saw second half. Should have saved fuel, stayed at home and got groogy.
Night all, we are probably taking this a bit serious, I know I was f’ing the referee and annoying my wife. But if its worth playing, if its worth people paying out, then its worth winning. And not being cheated out of it, good performance or not.
Wilshere has a lot to learn about the basics of football . He needs to know when to commit and when to stay on his feet . Today he dives in giving away a free that in a premier match could easily have seen red. When you can’t win the ball , don’t sell your position . Once you go to ground ,if you don’t get to it you are finished . It’s all about coaching and the willingness to listen.
Typical Arsenal fans; always complaining, moaning and finding reasons to slate their players or manager when a game, even a meaningless one, is lost. You just never satisfy them.
Oh dear! I broke my rule of not reading all Arsenal blogs when a game is lost until after three days. Reason? They are gonna bombard me with unhealthy negativity against the Manager and players. And I just want to love the Manager and the players and not slate them for losing a game. Afterall, most of us are not any better in our professions. Criticism is the cheapest job in the world, building is difficulty and most fans are not building, but the manager and players are doing the most difficult and the fans do the cheap one.
Going to all Arsenal blogs after a loss won’t again. Trust me.
I did not see the game…..but I saw the highlights. So I cannot comment overall.
However, that was a stonewall penalty. Red card to the keeper. And it happened about a foot inside the penalty area.
good evening by the way.
I meant difficult,
happen
the only time I go to other blogs is when we win against the spuddies……and I go spuddie hunting on their own blogs. But I never go on other blogs…..not even Gunner ones.
The chavs also lost 3-0 to W.Bremen… just a thought with their pragmatic and better manager and all… π
The chavs have won 4 of their 6 pre-season games … losing 3 and drawing 1.
They beat wycombe wanderers, Wimbledon 2-3, and goonie’s Arnhem 3-1
Its true the likes of Owen say bad things about Arsenal and fans call them names. Yet, I have heard and read worst things said about Arsenal from Arsenal fans than Owen. Yes, even on HH and Le Grove. I would tolerate non-Arsenal fans saying derogatory things about Arsenal than fans. Unfortunately, many Arsenal fans are worst than Owen.
Ginge….its all preseason. yes I rave about individual performances, but the team will start to gel. The results do not count but performance does.
the problem here lies in the fact that some supporters pretend and expect us to win every game 10-0.
and even then they will complain that the opposition was crap
but I am still trying to figure out how 4+3+1 make 6 Ginge
so true dev
lol rejoice
you said….The chavs have won 4 of their 6 pre-season games β¦ losing 3 and drawing 1.
Damn….the calculator is giving the answer as 8.
must be a bad one.
got to go to the shop and complain.
hah ah ah Dev… its a sunday…
Rejoice I would think my criticism of Jack’s tackling is fairly constructive. He has a problem that needs sorting. Personally I am not bothered about the Emirates Cup one way or another but i watched both games from a tactical rather than a heart on my sleeve stand point and it indicates to me that despite the euphoria surrounding the club , there are still things to be sorted and Jack giving away needless and expensive free kicks is one of them.
Lol Dev… the counting is the hard bit…
WYCOMBE WANDERERS 0 – 5 CHELSEA
AFC WIMBLEDON 2 – 3 CHELSEA
RZ PELLETS 1 – 1 CHELSEA
NK OLIMPIJA LJUBLJANA 1 – 2 CHELSEA
VITESSE ARNHEM 1 – 3 CHELSEA
W.Bremen 3-0 Chelsea
Potter, despite being younger, Seb Perez is more tactically aware than Jack is and ever will be.
Jack needs someone to harness him. until that happens, Jack will never achieve his true potential fully.
ditto that potter; that was my view after nyrb game..
it does not look like AW has done any tactical work with the team..
we are crying on from where we left off last season…
crying= carrying
Losing 1-0 to a team kicking off their season next weekend is not a bad thing…
The question we should be asking is why we have played 2 less games than our rivals up till this stage?
Dev, you really miss Seb!
I honestly believe that Jack has this season to sort himself out and make it at The Arsenal , if he doesn’t listen to both the praise and the critiques he will go down the route of so many wasted talents that have gone before him. I believe the worst thing that happened to him was his early call up into the England set up and exposing him to the self centred likes of Terry and Gerrard et al.
as a coach yes Ginge.
Because Perez is a dream….my dream of the ideal defensive midfielder. Tackle, win the ball, distribute it, go for the return pass, make yourself available, dont overplay it, two/three touches max,, destroy the opposition’s build up.
I go on you tube sometimes…..to see how he is getting on. granted, you tube only gives you a false pic, but I keep following him. Just like I followed Ospina since he was 20.
i wonder why wenger did not attempt to sign Seb this window/
Potter, honestly I don’t believe or rate comments made by keyboard tacticians, experts and ITKs that sound like they know everything about coaching, the technicals and tactics.
You can imagine someone who has no coaching badge trying to convince me on what tactics a manager of 10 experience should have used in a game. It does not make any sense to me. That is why I don’t take it serious when fans try to question any manager’s tactical ability.
The only people whose tactical opinions I respect are the managers, not even most ex footballers except very few like Gary Neville or Henry. Fans, oh no.
I don’t have problem with anybody criticising, but most fans’ criticisms are too harsh and overboard and sometimes even unnecessary. Anyway, fans talk with more emotion than reasoning and logic. Trust me, most of us won’t take kindly to the same comments we make about managers and players.
Just look at how the free kick was given away and who committed the foul for their winning goal . Put your fingers in your ears and sing La La La all you want and trust in who you like but the facts speak for themselves.
Effectively his tackling is just as big a liability as was Alex Song’s. Someone needs to put a word in his shell like and if he chooses not to listen then it’s time to rethink.
A bit of a duff way to finish what started as an encouraging weekend…
Positives for me are how quickly and how well Calum Chambers has settled into things.
Ramsey looks fit and raring to go.
Sanogo and Campbell have made a good impression.
Sanchez has had a steady start to life at Arsenal.
Debuchy has settled in and one we have BFG and Gibbs back our defence will look quite solid. Just need to work a bit harder on defending free-kicks, at training.
AOC looks sharp, Bellerin has made his mark and Akpom also…
Yep, some of our players aren’t up to speed yet, well let’s see how we do vs Man City before we cut our wrists…
My only major worry is the PGMOL and it’s cabal of fcuking useless referees…
And, the next Zidane was nowhere to be seen! Diaby down Southend looking for he Kursal?!
Believe me Diaby is the solution, but where the FA is he?
FA = f**k
Morning All
Very briefly on hols
Tackling very difficult to coach,so we coach touch tight.Simples Jack
Blinkered supporters…got to love ’em!
Good Morning sunshines.
AW had this to say…..
βI heard they want to buy five clubs all around the world. I donβt know the rules well enough.
βThey bought the New York franchise for 100m dollars in the States to play next season and at moment the players they sign cannot play until next year.
βThey will register in the clubs where they will put them and they can get out on loan.
βIs it a way to get around the fair play? I donβt know.β
So in essence AFC should buy clubs from around the world as well and manipulate players’s registrations.
Why doesn’t the club buy a club in Brazil, or Scotland, or Spain, or France, or Italy? Surely they can buy a club and do like Barca do…..keep it in the secunda division. Not to do like Shitty have done…..to get oldies. But to get the best young talent and give them competitive games. Barca B’s youngsters get to play at least 38 games in a season and its a far better level than the under 21 league in England. Surely this is possible imo. They can buy a club in Brazil……..they get the best youngsters……loan them out to the club in Spain until they get work permits…..for three years…..play them regularly in their position……and after 3 years they get them to the Ems. Joel, Wellington…..would all have benefited from being settled. Eisfeld for example would have played more regularly. Ryo the same.
Imagine that.
Fred enjoy your hols mate!
Not so much to wax lyrical about yesterday…..
http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/transfers/arsenal-to-offer-sporting-e30-million-for-william-carvalho-o-jogo/
Morning Lee.
Did you see the game yesterday? I did not see it so cannot comment. I only saw highlights.
What is your opinion mate? Where we crap? Or did you like what you saw? How about the young ones?
Morning coach…. we created not a lot, Chambers looks a good prospect, Alexis worked hard, Ox was good when he came on, Debuchy looks solid, Jack was jack, I think it’s shit or bust for him this season. They were in our faces quickly and we couldn’t really handle it….we desperately need a DM!
Morning Lee, Devil, Fred and all..
Have a fab time fred…
Morning Rico and all.
Have a great holiday Fred.
If we had stuffed Monaco 4 nil yesterday, the resultant whooping would be unreasonable. Yesterday’s loss could be a blessing. Wenger still has the money and the opportunity to equip the team for a good season but it will require bravery and imagination.
Morning Adam.
I’d like to think yesterdays loss made no difference to the clubs plans, after all, the problems we have with the squad have been clear to see for a while…
I had hoped to see Sanogo and Campbell again yesterday….
tbh….I was much more concerned with how Chambers does in games than in the result. It seems we have got a good Englishman in the defence and that always bodes well for the team. I am not expecting him to be 1st choice immediately (well who knows) but its good to know that Bellerin is ready to step up while Chambers is excellent cover for Debuchy.
While Monreal is ok I would like to see someone like Chambers covering at LB. Young, good, excellent prospect and already solid. As it is we have the back four covered well…….
Debuchy,Per, Kos, Gibbs
Belelrin, Chambers, Haydn/Miguel, Monreal.
That is nine defenders.
We played a hard working team that took control of the midfield and didn’t give us room to play. In open play there was little difference between us but once again we fell to poor marking at a set piece. If we go man to man we are too small to carry it off and zonal we have ball watchers and no-one attacks the ball. or tracks the movement of opponents in the area . It was just too easy for Falcao ,he just slipped off the back of our line of defenders , ran into space and had a simple header to goal . It was like a training exercise against a row of dustbins for a striker we could have bought as a youngster 4 or 5 years ago..Not particularly bothered by the result per se but the next few weeks will show whether we are going to address the problem of firstly giving away the free kicks and secondly defending them.Having said that with a stronger Referee we could have had the penalty , the goal and the point that would have kept the feel good factor at the club but then it has to be asked how in a competition run and hosted by us we manage to get Atkinson and Mason to officiate. Still could have been worse Riley might have come out of retirement and bought Dean and Dowd with him.
Adam I have to agree with you. Had we won it would have had a negative impact on the transfer front.
So it boils down to Carvalho or Khedira I think.
Potter………is it the FA that sends the refs or the club chooses them?? I mean were Atkinson and Mason asked by AFC to referee or is it the FA which sends whoever they wish?
Here in our country its the FA which decides. In Italy its the club which decides. In England who decides??
Both?
I believe we are required to ask the PGMOL and they appoint the officials. Whether we can request a change I do not know.
Rico. I doubt he wants to overplay them in pre season. Our needs in the middle of the field are obvious and big money will need to be spent there. But I would out Giroud ( I know it is unlikely to happen) and buy another major striker to completely revamp our options up front and change our whole ethos.
I think Riley picks which referee gets which game from under whichever rock he is living. Obviously he would be instructed by Ferguson in the past, but now I imagine it’s a wad of money in an offshore account. When Howard Webb is officially earning over Β£100k a year, I think that tells you where we are regarding officials.
I would like us to buy both Khedira and Carvalho. Imo that would give us a great midfield department. Where that would leave Jack is open to question. But if TommyV goes than it opens up a new place and with the one remaining place its two foreign players who AW can buy.
But why didn’t we go for Eric Dier…..at 4million he is a snip. He is English and would have provided cover for us at the back.
Double pivot didn’t work then? π
the only players who can play better than Giroud as a foil, hold up play and score as well are Van Persie, Falcao, Ibrahimovic, Lewandowski, Dzeko, Gomez, Huntelaar and Drogba.
The only two which could have been available were the last two. Huntelaar could be obtained but Drogba was only going to sign for one team.
Both for me Lee…
Lewandowski would of been a cracking buy for us…
Did you see on Twitter, the bloke that said if Sanogo scored a hatrick at the weekend he’d fashion a moustache from his pubic hair and wear it?!?!? He welched on the bet…….
It depends Rico…..AW could buy a DM+CB and move Chambers to midfield, or he could buy two DM and leave Chambers there. however it is possible that he will buy only one more player…..a midfielder only and leave things as they are.
Imo the latter is the more plausible.
Watched the film Captain Phillips last night…..
70 more comments and we would hit 500 comments and keep up with the average of the last four weeks…….an average of 450 per day.
Come on lads and lasses.
Do the house proud.
this made me laugh.. ‘It was like a training exercise against a row of dustbins for a striker we could have bought as a youngster 4 or 5 years ago;.
Vidal is still dragging his feet at joining yanited… AW show some ambition and buy Vidal…
Morning Rico et al
Adam, how’s the “khat” crop coming on???
AW rejected the option to sign Kroos because of JW… apparently.
Vidal deal to Yanited is delayed again…
Adam, agree, but I would have loved to see what both could have done against a stronger defence. Shame Giroud didn’t play Saturday instead…
Lee. It was destroyed in last week’s storms. How was Captain Phillips? I watched Limitless with Bradley Cooper and now realise where you got those eyes and your astonishing wealth. π
Arsene Wenger on Joel Campbell “I have made up my mind,he is not available for transfer, or loan”
Vlaar is an AFC fan… how much will it take to get him?
The right type of defender we need against Costa and Drogba imo…
It was watchable Adam…… Somalians have small heads, don’t they?
”Khedira and Carvalho”; I will go for Vidal who can play any position at level rating at least 7/10… I bet he can also double as a goalie… π
Lee. π
We need some height in midfield alternatively Cazorla could sit on Jack’s shoulders whilst wearing on of BFG’s long shirts?!?! Hey presto…
So it is as I thought……Giroud, Campbell and Sanogo will be vying for the CF spot with Campbell also able to play on the right.
Forget AW signing a new striker my friends. Upfront we have Giroud, Theo, Podolski, Sanchez, Campbell and Yaya. 6 players for the three positions. Cazorla and Ozil will play for the advanced midfield spot while Cazorla can also play on the wings. The OX can play as a winger or lateral striker but he can also play CM.
That leaves Ramsey, Wilshere, Arteta, Flamini, OX, Diaby,
So that only leaves the midfield as the area where AW might (MIGHT) strengthen.
That means only one player will be bought in.
The cheque book will be closed then.
http://www.footballeconomy.com/content/former-arsenal-directors-big-tax-saving
We need players that’ll mix it with chavs citeh et al…. no more vertically challenged!
It was wife no3 wasn’t it Adam that had height issues?
Yes Brudder. I chose her for the most sickening reasons imaginable. π
Campbell will mainly play from the rhs though me think…
If I was Aw, I would go with the following players next weekend:-
Scez
Debuchy CC21 Kosser Gibbs
Arteta
JC28 TR07 Ramsey Ox
Yaya/Sanchez
I’m worried about Cazorla, he really looks out of form. Slow, sloppy, poor decision making. We certainly need a CDM. The difference in midfield 3…Flamini Ramsey and Rosicky was so dangerous and fluid in the first game. In the second game you had Arteta Wilshere and Ramsey which seems so disjointed and unbalanced.
Good film that Capt Phillips…
Ts i’d go with that but rather Flam instead of Arteta, he looks so much sharper
Morning Dev. Without more quality up front I think we will be left wanting as the season progresses and injuries take their toll. More square pegs etc… Just a thought. I do hope that Arsene comes up with a more fluid tactical approach this season as well.
Nickie, If Diego Simeone was interested in Sc19 which he won’t be btw, I would swapped Turan for SC19…
SC19 like JW are both technical superior players but just maybe the ain’t evolving under AW properly…
Jack seems really lost, I’m not sure he will ever get out of this rut. He still tries to overcomplicate things. I think i’d rather a direct pacy winger than cazorla on the lhs
Morning all.
When is the draw for the Champions League?
Scott. How’s it going mate?
Arteta and JW don’t work…
Flamini against NYRB playing with JW was as bad… and against Benfica it was the brains of TR07 and Ramsey that held the midfield not Flamster imo…
JW still has a bright future with us.. he just needs to be learning and be a bit part player for now imo…
Hey Scott, have you been on your annual fishing trip again?
This friday
Friday the draw.
Ginge……3X8 still gives you 3 doesn’t it.
The catch of the morning
Thanks
Devil, I guess we’ll find out soon enough. I hope anyway…
Morning Ts.
The Guilavogui rumours are not going away.
There is nothing more AW likes than a Freebie or a flop.
Morning Scott and Kev..
I might have a ticket for the Charity Shield…
Not sure if I really want to spend a day in Brent tbh?
Hiya habib.
u ok???
Fuck that Kev….
Guili-who?
Tell me Coach, where, what age, position, nationality, is he good or shit?
Morning Rico, and Lee and Adam and All…
the fluidity of Flamini, Ramsey and Rosicky can’t be ignored. Sure Ram is the work horse, rosicky is the clever creative mind. But imo in the games i’ve seen preseason flamini is sharper and we look better with him in instead of Arteta.
Lee π
You read my mind amigo.
Hiya Coach…
I quite fancy a day off today, but……
lol Dev… when Wath was asked if he would take JG, he said he had not seen enough of Josuha since his move to Ath to take him yet…
Asier or Josuha… last minute; it has been said before… π
Guilavogui plays for Atletico Madrid. He is 6’2. He is 24 years old. French. Played for St Etienne. and is a French international. He plays as a DM or B2B player.
Atleti paid 10 mill for him but he has not set any houses on fire and they seem interested in selling him.
Seems to tick AW’s right boxes imo.
Josuha should have signed for us last minute for Β£7.5m but AW opted for Flamini.. he is the closest to Seb Perez in the DM role…
That is 3 octopuses today. And each is a good foot and a half long.
Got them early this morning.
Nickie its not Arteta and Flamini or Wilshere.
The missing link is always TR07. Trust me…..Ramsey, Ozil and whoever there is will always work better with Thomas.
Morning Nickie, Flamini over Arteta for me, but even he doesn’t fill me with confidence.
Devil. Are you going to eat them then?
Dev, we made a bid for him last summer… wath and I talked about him a lot last summer…
He even delayed joining Ath last summer hoping we will finalise a deal but the moment Ath out bid us AW walked away and went for Flamini…
A fine specimen of a deep-lying playmaker…. unfortunately he does not press like Gabi so was not going to displace him or even Garcia.
We should have a better younger, Arteta/Flamini replacement already sorted!
Pulpo a la Gallega.
so 3×8 Dev? π what kind of friends do you hang around with?
I didn’t get your 9:32 initially at all buddy… π
Of course Adam……First I marinate them well. then its Octopus stew.
re Guilavogui….I feel that he ticks the right boxes in AW’s thinking frame. He always like flops, fringe players etc. Remember the state of TH14 and PV04 when he bought them.
Atletico want Santi.
We want Guilavogui.
Hmmmmmm… lol
Arsenal have played three pre-season friendlies…
Abou Diaby hasn’t featured in any of them…
Is he gonna spend another 12 months in the shadows?
Can Wenger really afford to waste one of his 25 squad places on someone who isn’t fit and who is never fit??
eight legged friends Ginge.
and two legged friends which lay eggs as well.
Agree Lee. I honestly wouldn’t be fussed if both left and we signed Carvalho and Khedira…
Diaby has played 68 minutes in 2 out of our 4 games thus far…
Borehamwood and Nyrb…
π Dev… you are dev for a reason then… lol
Poor Octopii
The octopus is boiled, sliced and then garnished with paprika, rock salt, olive oil and served on a wooden platter…..
“Use a large pan, and fill with enough water to cover the Octopus completely and bring to the boil. To the pan add a couple of copper coins. Traditionally Octopus was cooked in copper pots and giving the end product a more orangey colour and minerally flavour. Also to the pan add a large slug of Aguardiente or Brandy. This will help to tenderize and flavour the Octopus further. At this point you may want to consider adding a wine cork to the pot. Apparently there is an enzyme in the cork which helps to tenderize the meat.”
Sorry my maths is bad…. Diaby has played 2 x 45 minutes
A big powerhouse would certainly make us all feel a little easier. I’m surprised Sanchez got MOTM yesterday. Didn’t do anything special nor did he play very well. I guess it’s because he’s our new star. The fact we couldn’t break down that Monaco team unsettles me
Hi guys….I had a busy weekend.
Work and Sean’s football…..that’s life ATM lol.
Poor Jenks…..he he recovers ASAP and has a great season.
Lee. You heathen. π
Well let’s see if he plays 68 minutes between August 16th and August 31st?
Nickie, and that was without their best DM Toulalon as well…
I remember sitting on a beach in Greece when this rather hirsute bloke emerges from the sea with an Octopus. He then proceeded to smash the poor thing against the side of a boat for what seemed like an age to tenderise it. Then he turned it inside out. It turned my stomach.
Or even two 45mins…
Sorry Diaby but you are the weakest link….. au revoir mon ami!
Hmm sounds delicious Adam…
Vidal is available and we have the need for him..
An ambitious manager unless he is concerned about the home grown numbers would have put Β£25m to Juve and offered then Β£10m in 2 instalments… imo.
Vida would jump at the opportunity to join his compatriot in North London…
A midfield of Ramsey, Vidal and whoever is available out of Arteta/Flamini/JW/TR07…. now that is a EPL contending team…
Is that right, the Mickey mousers have made 8 signings? I hope they fall flat on their faces or faeces!!! Or both.
Octopus and lentils sounds quite enticing…
He’s one of them…. Think we have a couple more weak links too..
Still wonder why he didn’t feature this weekend…
It’s purely a cultural thing as I move closer to being a veggie 7 days a week.
Well as they talk out of their arses, you could be right on both counts Lee
I’d become a vegetarian, but I’d die of starvation π
Yep, eight.
Where’s our eight… lol
Kev, that sounds disgusting, waste of good lentils… lol
lol Scott…
not of hydration though… π
I’d miss a bacon sandwich too much….
What no fish either Adam?
Scott, you wouldn’t honest… lol
Quorn bacon is good….
Bacon…..and processed meat are bad for your health Lee.
I prefer to cook raw meat and fish.
Bacon is just a cut of pork……….grilled in a sandwich, divine!
Some fish Rico, as long as I didn’t have to catch it. But I moving toward veggieness as I can’t bear the idea of killing animals any more. If I was trying to survive somewhere then hunger would no doubt take over though. I did chloroform Kev once but couldn’t bring myself to eat him.
but its salted and processed with preservatives mate. So be careful.
dont get me wrong……..the Italian ones are delicious to taste and I go mad for it once in a while. but that is all for me.
As I said…..cooking raw meat is better than salted or preserved ones.
Eating the odd bacon sandwich is the least of my worries Coach…..
That’s what happened to me Adam, and the way so many live, or exist is perhaps the better word. I enjoy certain fish, although I’m slowly going off of that too…
π re Kev, poor chap..
New post up now….
On Aug 3, 2014 10:38 AM, “HIGHBURY HOUSE” wrote: > > rico posted: “Morning all. First up, The Mirror believe Arsene Wenger is ready to go head to head with Manchester United for Mats Hummels. I like that story, I like that story very much and if true, surely the big German would prefer to be together with a few of ” >