Daily Bits and Bobs

What’s best for Arsenal? Puel to do his old mate a favour, or end any hope of a top four place?

Posted on by rico

Morning all.

Here we are again then, just four days after battering Man Utd at The Emirates, off we go to St Marys to face Southampton. The South coast side haven’t been kind to us in the past, certainly not a couple of seasons ago when we travelled there on New Years Day 2015. Worse still was the following season when on Boxing Day we succumbed to a 4-0 battering. That result hurt us badly as at the time we were in with a chance of winning the league with just two points between us and Leicester at the top. Ronald Koeman was the man in charge but now of course he’s moved onto pastures new with Claude Puel taking over.

Earlier this season we beat tonight’s opposition 2-1 at The Emirates in the league. They got revenge in the EFL Cup but then when the two sides were drawn against each other in the FA Cup, we ran out 5-0 winners. But that night, the two sides were very different to what will be on show later this evening.

For Southampton, there’s little to play for tonight as they are safe and European football is not achievable, for us there’s still hope for a top four place, albeit slim. We have two games in hand over Liverpool but as it stands, their goal difference is superior to ours and even if we win both matches, they’ll remain one point ahead of us if they win their final two fixtures. There’s a chance we could overtake Man City but they’ll need to drop a few points if we’re to do so.

However, if we don’t win all of our remaining fixtures then whatever anyone else does is immaterial. If it wasn’t for the fact that Europa League looms, I wouldn’t give a toot about getting top four because like many, I believe a season away from Europe would do us the world of good. All the time we don’t have a squad or a manager capable of competing with Europe’s best, what’s the point? Apart from the money that is and we know this club under Arsene Wenger likes to hoard lots of it.

But it shouldn’t be like this should it? A last minute scramble to get top four and it’s a shambles. A bit like our transfer windows really, a last minute dash to sign a player or two which is hardly a sign of this Arsenal being an ambitious club. But we’ve been there and done that so many times, I’m sick of writing it. As another summer looms, we can only hope for change. Change in management, change in coaching staff and change in the clubs approach to the season ahead.

Do us a favour Claude…

Arsene Wenger knows Claude Puel well as the ex midfielder played under the Frenchman back during his Monaco managerial days. Together they won Ligue 1 in Wenger’s first season with the French side, a feat not to be repeated.

Puel’s Southampton side have been described as being pragmatic, occasionally defensive and a side who tend to put more of a focus on avoiding defeat than they do chasing victory which makes sense after they managed a draw at Anfield.

If the win against Man Utd taught Wenger and his players anything, surely it would be to fire shots in from distance at every given opportunity although the 6′ 7″ frame of Frazer Forster will be hard to beat.

I personally can’t see us getting much at St Mary’s. Maybe a draw at best but you never know, Claude Puel might do his old mate a favour and set his team up so that we can win…..

Then again, if a lack of CL football rids Arsene Wenger, I’m all for Claude doing everything he can to beat us and succeeding…

 

rico

121 thoughts on “What’s best for Arsenal? Puel to do his old mate a favour, or end any hope of a top four place?”

  7. rico says:

    Agree. If fans who want change don’t renew, the club will never get them back in the stadium. The place will be full of tourists…

  8. Wavy says:

    After his out burst yesterday, claiming he would not let any body tell him what to do, I’m not sure that he has signed anything yet. If he’s as good as his word and then Gazidis employs a DoF where does that leave the old curmudgeon? Pretty much up shite creek without a paddle. He’d have no alternative but to resign or not ré sign! A bit of a conundrum for him but looked at from the other point of view it may be the lever needed to get him out! Is Gazidis playing a bit of Russian roulette here, I wonder?
    Let’s hope so, although frankly how a DoF would enhance the Arsenal problems I’m not sure, however, any change has to be for the long term good of the club and its future successes.

  10. rico says:

    As do I Wavy, I really hope you are right and Ivan goes ahead and does what’s best for the club.

    With Kroenke’s blessing of course…

  11. Adam says:

    When you think about the contract situations that are coming to a head this summer and factor in the fact that only a hardcore number of committed Wengerites want him to stagnate the club even further I can see problems ahead. All sort of secenarios could play out. Ozil, Sanchez and Ox want out perhaps. Hector? What will happen with Jack? Will Theo be sold? There’s gonna be a lot of shit heading Wenger’s way and a lot of potential flash points with the board.

  20. frednerk says:

    Afternoon Rico and All

    We have been here before with Arsexit.

    I think Wavy its the FA Cup.
    Talk about The Fifth Amendment and Poker.

    How can he after all this time not have an answer to a basic
    question.
    He knows whats going on,He reads it in Seven Languages
    the Wenger Out posters are everywhere.

    I always thought he would go when he won the Champions League,
    but thats not happening.
    The players have upped they game to be fair..But

    Is it because Arsene has rolled up his sleeves?
    Is it because of the media?…..
    Or…..
    Is it because the fans all around the world,
    Now want Arsene to Go?

    One thing I do know..
    The players read the lot..Everything.

    You can just see whats going on in Arsenes Crust.
    I will the FA Cup for a record time.
    What more do you Stupid people want from me.

    Now wheres that Contract Ivan.

  21. rico says:

    Afternoon Fred. I don’t think even winning the FA Cup will hush those who want him out. Not that we’ll beat Chelsea imo….

  22. Le Coq Monster says:

    Evening all.

    Arsene been coming out with some more crap today………well crap to me, you can make up your own minds !………….I`m sure he talks to the hat and coat stan(d) in his office !.
    He`s now moaning about Leicester(last season) and Chavs tactics, basically saying they dont play nice football and defend and counter attack !……………….moaning like it`s not right or fair that his team had 70% possession against W Brom and C Palace and got hammered !……………obviously the hat and coat stan(d) agrees with him ! hahaha…………….put these words in some order…………..plot has he lost the …………………….

  23. Le Coq Monster says:

    Remembering that the spuds have lost their last 7 or is it 8 semi finals and Arsenal have won their last 8……….and a few charity shieldsgames !……….I think we have one thing as an advantage to winning the FA Cup…………………..pitch size !……………………..Spuds have one of the smallest pitches in the EPL, so Wembley did not favour them !………………………..we have one of the biggest pitches and maybe crucially……..240M2 bigger than Chavs pitch !…………….a difference that could help……….one off game who knows ?………………………..

  28. Herb's Army says:

    Hi Rico and HH.

    Hi Cornwall, I saw those headlines and couldn’t believe what I was reading.
    Essentially he’s criticising Chelsea for being more efficient with their use of the ball than his team.
    He is a fraud of the highest order.
    Someone on Le Grove earlier compared Arsenal and Juventus since 2006, because we reached CL final and moved stadium at the same time Juventus were being relegated to Serie B for match-fixing. The difference between where the two clubs are now is staggering, and it is all because of Wenger.
    I quite literally hate him for what he’s done to our club.

  29. gnarleygeorge9 says:

    Morning HH, it’s sparrow fart here, & a bit fresh.

    The current stand off @ The Arsenal is a classic example of the “tail wagging the dog”.

    I’d like a win this morning tho?

  31. gnarleygeorge9 says:

    I think the noose is closing in on the French old fart judging by his Hitler style rants circa 1945.

    Even if he stays for another 2 years he will always have 100,000’s of finger pointing, at him & at the door. He is effectively in the final straight of a 20 odd year journey. I just hope in his retreat he doesn’t invoke the scorched earth policy, & the Club end up like Spurs, struggling for 56 years ?

  32. rico says:

    Hi Herb.

    Each time that man opens his mouth he makes himself look more and more stupid.

    Lc, he’s right, he’s nothing like other coaches, and not for any good reason.

  33. Le Coq Monster says:

    Hi Herb…………if he doesn`t accept that nearly all League winning teams are hard to beat and have great defences then he really is losing it !………………..it`s about getting the right balance !………le sour grapes if you ask me ! 🙂

  34. gnarleygeorge9 says:

    rico

    What are you doing up this early? Oh, that’s right, somewhere in the world it’s beer o’clock!

  35. Le Coq Monster says:

    I remember Michael Jackson saying he`s not like other guys before turning into a monster in Thriller ! hahaha

  39. gnarleygeorge9 says:

    That could be the title of a new Disney movie, Herbie goes Ballistic, & it could be based around NL, a bit like the 1930’s classic Arsenal Stadium Murder Mystery

  44. gnarleygeorge9 says:

    Who said the current manager doesn’t do tactics? Today it’s, let Southampton tire themselves out with all this passing, then score against the run of play!

  48. Kel says:

    Southampton really do know how to contain Arsenal we’ve played ok but haven’t created anything…

    Apparently we haven’t won in the league at Southampton since 03. ?

  51. Kk says:

    Ox hamstring injury
    Ozil and ramsy way below average
    No one want to shoot the effing ball ..
    Pathetic really.
    Southampton attack is more dangerous and cech is having a good game so far
    Ref decisions really worrying!

  73. Lee says:

    Was going mention a few players that would improve The Arsenal from the derby but it’s pointless with Wenger as the manager…..clueless,washed up, egotistical, selfish, greedy, arrogant git that he is!

  77. Lee says:

    You should get a jail broken fire stick off of evil bay…. all the games on there and loads more!

  88. Kel says:

    Yes BT you do… not much though.. if you ever want to…. get Rico to give you my email… I’m Bt5 btw lol

    This Will be a big result tonight if we don’t fuck it up… good for confidence

  91. rico says:

    I didn’t hunk we’d get anything tonight. A really good win if we hold on.

    Adam, Sky Sports are showing the match later if you’re interested…

  95. Lee says:

    Top four is on, chance to win the FA Cup and bony bollocks signs a new two year deal…… FFS!

  98. andrewh1313 says:

    Rico, you harsh on Giroud! Give him correct service, he doesn’t do too shabby at all. And useful defending corners. And doesn’t complain publicly at lack of starts.

  104. gnarleygeorge9 says:

    Gr8 result. Those little pokes @ the ball when defending on the edge of the box make me nervous tho. Just hoof it @ 2-0?

  105. rico says:

    Just teasing really Andrew. I know he gets a rubbish service as we can’t cross a ball for toffee…

    Absolutely Adam. Lol

  109. gnarleygeorge9 says:

    I’m off to taunt my Scouser mate about the pending top 4 finish, Up the Arse!!!!

  110. Lee says:

    Those massive earrings you had that stretched holes in your earlobes looked very fetching….

  112. Kel says:

    Happy they got the win… but tbh this team lack intensity… first half just lacklustre not a shot on target that absolutely has to change…

    Away to stoke now another tough one…

    COYG.

  117. potter says:

    Morning on this fine and sunny day on the Norfolk Broads , all is well in the world , well here at least. 3 more points keeps the dream alive and in some sort of pervasive way I hope we catch Liverpool , not so much because of a top 4 finish rather just to upset the whinging mousers. If we can’t piss of Spurs Liverpool are nearly as good.

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