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.
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…
Mortning all and thanks Rico.
Got to go and will read later, but first a couple of links ! 🙂
https://twitter.com/kickarseHD/status/861842836999856129?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Farsenalarsenal.net%2F2017%2F05%2F07%2Fgeorge-best-merinho-wouldnt-have-picked-him%2F
Ospinaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa has the same chin up/dip station as me !
https://twitter.com/D_Ospina1/status/861962680109854721?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.offthepost.info%2Fblog%2F2017%2F05%2Fvideo-arsenal-keeper-chin-ups-home%2F
Shame Ospina doesn’t just hang on those bars, he might grow a bit… 😉
The rumour mill suggests Wenger has already signed a new contract.
Yes Adam. I heard that rumour too. Worrying times…
It’s the end of something, if true.
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…
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.
I hope you’re right Wavy.
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…
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.
Good Adam. Let him try deal with all the stuff coming his way. He’ll sink…
If he stays, best put a tenner on him being sacked before Christmas… 😉
Great planning from the club there Rico. Taking all possibilities into account.
It’s ridiculous Adam. What other top club in Europe would behave in such a way?
Tottenham
I said top club Kev… 😉
I jest ?
I know. 🙂
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.
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….
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 …………………….
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 ?………………………..
Mustavaleak returns at the back tonight..
Kos out Bt?
http://dailycannon.com/2017/05/wenger-im-not-like-other-coaches/
One change……………….
https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/862362994029858816
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.
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?
Still no Elneny….
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 ?
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.
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 ! 🙂
rico
What are you doing up this early? Oh, that’s right, somewhere in the world it’s beer o’clock!
I remember Michael Jackson saying he`s not like other guys before turning into a monster in Thriller ! hahaha
Sorry Rico, no kos but you probably already know that..
Cocker, I often turn into a monster like Michael Jackson, it’s usually after being cut up by a van driver…
Cheeky Gg, it’s only 7-20pm and not a drop has past my lips… lol
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
I do Bt… lol
Le Cornwall
Chamoneee!!
I do intend on writing him a very strong worded letter, Gnarley, though it will be polite, naturally.
I`m not like other Van Drivers……………….hee…heeeeeeeeeeeeee 😆
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!
I enjoy your work Herb!
This is better by The Arse!
Is Ox injury a bad one?
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. ?
Yer to have a shot on target ffs….
Only five matches though I think Kel, lost two drew three I think it is…
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!
Cech has kept top 4 chances alive.
That’s not good Kk. He’s out for the rest of the season then…
We don’t know the OX injury just yet… could be precautionary
Think he was grabbing his hammy wen he came off and looked really distraught
Alexis
Alexis.. 1-0
Sanchez….
What a goal by sanches. .world class. .
He was having a stinker and then boom..brilliant. .
Yes!!!
Is it on the TV?
No Adam
No not on tv.. watching online
Awful awful Ramsey. .
That’s good ‘cos I’ve lost the remote. 🙂
What stream are you on , I can’t get a link.
Anybody here using iptv?
The Madrid game is lively….
No
I’m watching the Madrid game Lee
Potter have you Halow TV or look for a being sports 2 stream
BT. Anything for the iPad?
Which one kel?
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!
You’re not keen on him then Lee?
Flawless Bt
Adam i’m. Just using my usual Adam
You should get a jail broken fire stick off of evil bay…. all the games on there and loads more!
I’ve never used one Kel is it free?
How did you guess?
0-2 !!!!
Do yourself Lee,it’s pretty easy
I use a firebox and a app called smart iptv. It’s pretty good.
BOOOOMMM. GIROUD
Giroud
I’m watching at Sportv-3 – Portugal 🙂
Grid 2
I sort of sensed it Lee. 🙂
JM I was on Sportv 3 earlier
It would be a good win.
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
That’s a turn up for the books… Ollie scored. ?
He outpaced the Southampton defence Rico.
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…
🙂 Adam. It’s those fresh legs…
Two more years
Two more years
Kel…had a feeling you might not be that far away..lol
Top four is on, chance to win the FA Cup and bony bollocks signs a new two year deal…… FFS!
Terrifying pace always frightens defenders Rico.
Brudder do you still wear your Alice band? Seeing Griezmann tonight reminded me….
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.
That and poking his tongue out…
I do, but less so these days as my entire torso is covered in tattoos Brudder.
Andrew he’s always been a good plan b striker but Wenger used him as plan a….
The big end off season bonus is on..
The piercings healed up?
Gr8 result. Those little pokes @ the ball when defending on the edge of the box make me nervous tho. Just hoof it @ 2-0?
Just teasing really Andrew. I know he gets a rubbish service as we can’t cross a ball for toffee…
Absolutely Adam. Lol
Very nicely thank you. Just awaiting the implants now.
Night guys, catch up tomorrow….
Me too. Night all. A good win.
I’m off to taunt my Scouser mate about the pending top 4 finish, Up the Arse!!!!
Those massive earrings you had that stretched holes in your earlobes looked very fetching….
Agree Lee. Has a very good record as a sub! Solskaer in an Arsenal shirt.
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.
but BT62 I’m in front at Tv 🙂
Good one JM….
Night Rico..
Morning all.
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.
Totally agree Potter. I don’t like either club…
Morning Rico. A somewhat dull and overcast day here but the three points are welcome.
Morning Adam. Similar here although the sun is peeping through. Rain later which will be most welcome…
New post up now.