Where was the EPL player of the year yesterday then?

It made a surprising change for Arsenal to go into a game with their massively subsidised London neighbours Chelsea, with the ersatz club from SW6 carrying the crucial injuries…

But this is Chelsea, a team constructed from a budget that would normally run a small country, a club that has pretty much run away with the EPL, a club that was lauded as being able to match the achievement of the Invincibles and a club that is certain, and quite sadly, to be crowned champions of England with a couple of games to spare.

Surely Mourinho could come to the Emirates, a club managed by a Specialist in Failure, a team that Chelsea had swatted aside 6-0, just over a year ago, and dominate. Surely Chelsea would hand out a lesson in football, devised by that ‘genius’ Mourinho…

But what we witnessed for most of the game, was an exercise in bus parking. Two banks of four. Chelsea, that’s Boring Boring Chelsea, dished up a master class in defending.

And to be fair, Chelsea are very good at defending, at spoiling, at suffocating, at squeezing the life out of a contest.
Yes, Mourinho is a Specialist in Defensive Stagnation, he is an expert, the best in the business, a genius in his field.

But if I had to watch Chelsea every week I would probably slit my wrists or  have to Vape myself into a stupor afterwards, in order to recover. But enough about those scumbags from Fulham Broadway…

What of Arsenal?

We Gunners fans, have suffered much at the hands of The Short-Arsed Prince of Darkness but I really enjoyed yesterday’s game. I sensed a wind of change as I was going to the stadium. There was a feeling in the air. A kind of anxiety, from the Chavs.

OK, we didn’t win but just take a look at our players at the end of the game and the reaction of the Chavs. The Arsenal players were seriously disappointed, whilst ‘Kick it Out’ pin-up boy, John Terry was punching the air, in relief I suspect, as were all the Chelsea players. It was as if they had escaped.

Arsenal had taken on our bête noir, taken them to the edge, and with a bit of composure in front of goal could, and should have beaten them…

Ramsey, Santi, Coquelin, Alexis, Ozil, all ran themselves into the ground. They competed, they pressurised, they chased and harried the Chavs all over the pitch, including Cortouis who was closed down and on several occasions had to hoof the ball out of play.

Giroud was roughed up, manhandled and given very little from the referee, Michael Oliver, who I thought otherwise, had another decent game.

Monreal and Bellerin were majestic, is there a better pair of full-backs in the EPL?

BFG, yes that’s right people BFG, was immense, whilst Kozzer swept up behind him like an immaculate French vacuum cleaner.

Ospina did everything that was asked of him and has my full confidence for next season, whatever the Summer Transfer Window brings…

Welbeck came on and missed our best chance whilst Walcott came on and ran about a bit without really threatening….

What struck me was the confidence of the Arsenal players, a complete lack of fear or an inferiority complex. Our players went toe to toe with the most efficient and cynical team in the EPL and shaded the game. Drogba came on, but his hoodoo is no more, not against this team.

And was Eden Hazard playing??? I really didn’t notice him tbh…

I came away from the game feeling like I had seen Arsenal announce that they are about to rejoin the title race after a 12 year sabbatical…

If Wenger makes the right additions in the summer and retains all our best players, we’ll be up there fighting it out for the Big Prize in 2016.

Written by Allezkev.

123 thoughts on “Where was the EPL player of the year yesterday then?

  1. Wavy says:

    Good report Kev. At one point whilst reading, I thought it was Adam writing! The cape comment to be precise! Excellent summary.
    As for the PFA footballer of the year, Bellerin had him on toast! Too quick for the little Belgian! Big game and Hazard had the warning lights on!! Never in the game, never a danger or threat to our goal. And the rest of their offensive players were impotent too? Firing blanks!
    Boring, boring Chelsea. If the cap fits, and it does, why can’t the common little Pygmy accept that he is a success and tedium?
    Our time will come, sooner rather than later. We’ll see who are the winners and who are the losers next year. I suspect the roles may well be reversed. I certainly hope so.

    Morning all. A little disappointed we didn’t win but happy we didn’t lose to the thieves of chavdad!

  2. rico says:

    Morning all..

    Good post again Kev and spot on re Hazard. He was kept pretty quiet yesterday. Thought there was some stand out performances from a few but we have got to find a way to get by a bus when it’s parked.

    We are getting stronger physically and won’t be bullied these days but something is still missing…

  3. Wavy says:

    Stack my vitals!
    Cape = vape!
    Just like to thank the iPad word police for the inappropriate and unwanted correction!

  4. Lee says:

    Hopefully Wenger won’t have any browsing problems in the summer?
    Another good read 47…
    To Hull and back up next then?

  5. tsgh says:

    I had some issues posting Friday and Saturday. 😉 Rico

    However, I didn’t not attempt yesterday as I volunteer for Rescue and so got an alert earlier dawn Sunday when Nepal incident happened to help with loading stuff. I was just able to escape from duties to catch the match yesterday…

  6. tsgh says:

    Hi Scott, yes Bellerin was immense… I thought the understanding between Monreal and Kosser was like Maldini and Baressi. They covered each other superbly.

    From kev’s post it seems TH14 hit the spot with us needing another DM. Preferably a ball playing one I thought when Ramsey moved into that role SC19 was freed up a lil’ more…

  7. tsgh says:

    lol… I thought Liverpool had already bagged the league title and were in the UCL semi’s? 🙂 the biggest club and all…

  8. Lewis says:

    Great post Kev.

    There has been a wind of change of late, I’ve had two trips to the Ems this year, once early in the season and once recently. The change in mood in the stands is palpable.

    Something special could be brewing, if we strengthen again in the summer then I’d make us very strong contenders for significant trophies next season.

    Whole team were good yesterday, just lacked in the final third. Couldn’t believe some of the ratings for our players this morning, the mirror gave Rambo a 5, bloody idiots obviously didn’t watch the game.

  9. scottfromoz says:

    Lewis, if I said that re Aaron, it would show my obvious bias, but he was terrific…..he never stopped, but then, none or our guys did.
    Maybe the media are upset he refused the hand of that scumbag, Piers Morgan, so are rallying around the grub lol

  10. rico says:

    Lewis – Alexis brought that change imo and the others have fed off of his spirit and level of energy..

    Lee – sometimes I do have a tendency for missing the bleedin obvious… but grey these days… 😉

  11. Canadian Gooner says:

    Good Morning to The Lady of the House and all fellow Gooners in residence.

    Kev – Another excellent article and it is great to see the old Allezkev back and in fine fettle.

    One comment stood out for me “Our players went toe to toe with the most efficient and cynical team in the EPL and shaded the game.” That and your comments about the reactions of the helski players were happy to have tied and not lost. This shows a real change for the better in our team confidence and psychology. This has to bode well for our team for next season. They are a team on the up and our players and any of our summer targets should see that.

    Our team need a few new &/or promoted players for next season, but our need is not as great as that of our nearest rivals. After watching Abu Dhabi Citeh struggle against Villa and ManUre being dismantled by the determined Toffees, I think the 2015/16 season may well be Arsenal’s.

  12. Canadian Gooner says:

    Rico – It is taking an age for comments to be posted to the site. My initial post took a good 10 to 15 minutes.

  13. rico says:

    Morning Cg.

    Thierry Henry reckons we need a whole new spine and for that to happen, a few need to be moved on in the summer…

  14. virg says:

    Great post Kev. Other than confidence, our players also showed great desire for the win. I’m sure I saw tears in Giroud’s eyes when Sanchez played a bad ball to him in the first half when he was in the box. He’s hungry. The desire was there to see right until the end when Kos pounced on a loose ball on the wing and went full stretch to square it to Santi who couldn’t hit the target. Despite their defending we fashioned quite a few good chances, but rushed the decision at the end.

    I recently read Zlatan’s autobiography and in it he refers to certain matches where he wanted to score more than in any other game but couldn’t. The reason he gave for this was that he wanted it so much that it affected his concentration and nothing he did in the game came off. His natural game was not there. I think that may have been what happened to the Arsenal players in the final third (aka Chelsea’s outfield). The mental block seems to have hampered the killer instinct the Arsenal has shown recently.

    Anyway, I’ve been battling my feelings ever since the game – I’m actually a bit happy we put one of rich Stoke’s players in hospital. Is that wrong of me?

  15. rico says:

    Virg

    Anyway, I’ve been battling my feelings ever since the game – I’m actually a bit happy we put one of rich Stoke’s players in hospital. Is that wrong of me’?

    😆

  16. rico says:

    Another thing I liked yesterday was taking a yellow card for a cynical foul which is something we didn’t used to do. Nothing nasty but just stopped the Chavs from breaking away..

    Something most other clubs have been doing for years…..

  17. Canadian Gooner says:

    Ginge – I haven’t seen any rumours re Kramer recently. The club are reputedly cooling on Schneiderlin and increasing interest in Carvalho and Kondogbia. The commercial media’s rumour/bullshit machines are already winding up to full speed. If this continues they will be in hyper-drive by the time the summer transfer window opens.

    Fasten your seatbelts fellow Gooners and prepare to be inundated by a flood of rumour, speculation and pure fantasy (drug induced or not). Set your spam filters to maximum.

  18. rico says:

    Cg – the site has been having problems over the weekend. My comments were taking an age yesterday too, worse on the ipad.

    I’m hoping things will be sorted soon, please bear with it… Thanks..

  19. andrewh1313 says:

    Afternoon house, very good post Kev, optimism abounds. And so it should, tied 2nd in League and up for the second most important bit of silverwear in England.

  20. Bt62 Gooner says:

    Afternoon all,

    Rico,quick question, i sent a message via HH contact email address, did you get it?

    Off again…

  21. Canadian Gooner says:

    virg – Is it wrong? Yes, but it is one of a Gooner’s guilty pleasures. So, enjoy it while it lasts as we are usually on the other end of such incidents.

  22. Canadian Gooner says:

    Rico – Thierry and Souness’ summary of our needs were very similar to your article of a few days ago. However, whatever additions we make must be top/world class players.

    It was interesting how much their opinions were so similar , especially our need for a world class striker. Both agreed that Giroud was a good player, but lacked that touch of magic that an Aguerro, Henry or Saurez had to get you that crucial goal from a near impossible position.

  23. rico says:

    Cg, agree – whoever comes in must be top class players. AW has no other choice if he wants to win the PL again.

    No more ‘hopefuls’ etc, just class and who will make a big difference.

    I still don’t see where Diaby, Arteta or Flamini fit in next season, Tomas too really….

  24. Canadian Gooner says:

    The upside of Chelski’s negative football is that they are not as attractive to independent sponsors (i.e. those not affiliated with Abramovitch or one of the other Russian oligarchs). This and the more limited gate receipts at Smirnoff Bridge will continue to put a crimp on their future business.

  25. rico says:

    I too think Chelsea are very boring in the way they play sometimes, but how many Arsenal fans would love us to go to their dump and get a 0-0?

  26. frednerk says:

    The chavs have been nicking points the last few games
    the league was won yonks ago.
    But we have changed..we played not to lose.
    The last 15 mins we threw the sink at them,
    and nearly got caught out..3 times.
    But we have changed….we took 3 for the team.
    Not seen that from our team under wenger
    for a long time.

  27. Canadian Gooner says:

    Rico – Posting times are improving. Part of the problem may have been at my end.

    As for Arteta, Diaby, Flamini and Rosicky;

    1.) Arteta and Rosicky would be good squad players and great for the early stages of the League Cup where Arsene gives a run out to the Young Guns.
    2.) I never wanted Flamoney back in the first place, he is well past his sell by date; lacks ambition, determination and technical ability and he has been superseded by Le Coq. Set the man free, preferably by firing him out off one of the cannons outside the Emirates, but I’d settle for Kev driving him to his next club or retirement home.
    3.) Diaby will never be the player he was capable of being before he was laid low by on field thuggery. A series of rehabs, surgeries and subsequent re-injuries have left him permanently damaged. Help him find another club or job sure, but let him go.

    Arsene has also got to make some hard decisions about the club’s loanees and any Young Guns that are aging out and will have to be included in the list of 25 eligible players should they stay. I don’t mind if he takes a flyer on some young promising players as long as it doesn’t prevent us from getting the experienced players the team requires.

  28. tsgh says:

    Hi Cg- Kramer vs Gustavo and Josuha last weekend was a battle which Kramer and Xhaka came top…

    M’gbach beat Wolfsburg (best defence) who are 2nd in the Bundesliga

  29. Bob John says:

    Hi all
    A few observations from my sick bed!
    Every time we play that mob we snatch at chances to take the lead. Even in the 6-0 game Giroud should have put us 1 up. If we could manage to go ahead and force them out it would play into our hands.
    I hear Hazard was late for the PFA awards dinner last night as he couldn’t find his way out of Hector’s pocket!
    The biggest injury miss yesterday was the Ox. We needed quick transition from defence to attack and the only player running with the ball was Alexis but that was mostly cutting inside across the pitch into traffic. Probably after he realised Ivanovic had a green light to take him out when he liked! Would also have liked to see the Ox running at their static defence and midfield. Big cynical lumps like Terry, Cahill, Matic and Ivanovic are fine packing the area and lumping it clear but wouldn’t fancy someone running at them.

  30. frednerk says:

    After watching the great Gooner Ap McCoy’s
    last ride Saturday.
    Came across this.

    David Beckham decides to try horseback riding, even though he hasn’t had any lessons or prior experience. He mounts the horse unassisted and the horse immediately springs into motion. It gallops along at a steady rhythmic pace as Posh stands back in admiration, but then he begins to slip from the saddle.
    In terror he grabs the horse’s mane, but cannot seem to get a firm grip. He tries to throw his arms around the horse’s neck, but he slides down the side of the horse anyway. The horse gallops along, seemingly impervious to its slipping rider.

    Finally, he gives up his frail grasp and he attempts to leap away from the horse and throw himself to safety. Unfortunately, his foot has become entangled in the stirrup, now he is now at the mercy of the horses pounding hooves as his head is struck against the ground over and over.

    Posh stands there frantic, unable to do anything to help as his head is battered against the ground. He is mere moments away from unconsciousness when to his great fortune The Sainsbury’s security guard sees him, leans over, and unplugs the horse.

  31. Canadian Gooner says:

    andrew – Would you really want to go back to the one nil to the Boring Boring Arsenal of old Stroller? I just wonder which team he was at The Emirates to support? If memory serves The Arsenal bought him from Chelsea in his playing days.

  32. Canadian Gooner says:

    Between Bob John’s “I hear Hazard was late for the PFA awards dinner last night as he couldn’t find his way out of Hector’s pocket!” and frednerk’s tale of of an electric steed; the house is full of comedians in fine form. What a change in sentiment from the beginning of the season. Let’s hope this will carry over into the whole of next season.

    Good ones gentlemen.

  33. tsgh says:

    Cg- Le Coq is a bl&&dy good start as a CDM but I am rerally concerned with how quickly he ends up blowing for his age.
    It could be that he had the injury on his nose and he is not breathing properly…

    If we can get another top CDM who will rotate with Le Coq and Ma08 we will go far; I will even settle for Thiago of FC Hollywood if Pep will sell

  34. Canadian Gooner says:

    Ginge – I’m not going to get too involved in all our hopes and the rumours & speculations of the media. If so, and Arsenal are their usual patient, slow and considered selves in the transfer market, I’ll be a babbling idiot before the summer is out. I’ll just keep my fingers crossed, say my prayers and put my trust in God and Arsene that we will get what players we need. Also, the odd pint or two or ?? wont go amiss.

  35. Nashua Gunner says:

    Good Afternoon Rico and All.

    Another very good read, that include yesterday and today post, good work young man (Kev) 🙂

    But did you say “… with the most efficient and cynical team in the EPL..” ?

    If fate had not dished ‘us’ severe blows during the start of the season, we might not be having this conversation or situation where Chelsea winning the league with games in hand.

    Would Chelsea be in this position if fate had dealt them the same blow? I seriously doubt that.
    All these talks about Mourihno being ‘the great tactician’ and all, give him a low budget team and, let see if he can make top 4. Or let him sell his best players every season and see if he can make it to top 4.

  36. Canadian Gooner says:

    Ginge – As you well know, our medical and physio staff are very very well practiced in player rehab. Then again, maybe they are overworked and we shouldn’t add to their workload.

  37. Canadian Gooner says:

    Nashua – We all know Maureen moves on when the owner’s money and patience run out. He’s great with unlimited funds, but would never be able to do a creditable job with a tight budget. FFP will be his Achilles heel and downfall.

  38. Nashua Gunner says:

    CG. We just hope things continue the way they are right now. Not selling our best but reinforce. As you said, we need a DM and a striker with speed, in the same class of Aquerro and Saurez.

  39. Canadian Gooner says:

    Nashua – I think the days of being forced to sell for monetary reasons are over. That isn’t to say that we might not lose a player who really wants to leave (e.g. a Cesc style move).

    I think we will buy some or all of the players we need this coming window. I feel more positive about our chances for the upcoming season than I have done in a decade or more.

  40. rico says:

    Afternoon Ng and all..

    I liked that Fred… 🙂

    Cg – At a push, keeping Rosicky makes some kind of sense because he makes a difference, but for me, Arteta is too slow for the PL now. Let the youngsters learn off the likes of Kos, Ozil and Alexis imo…

    But with Tomas, I’d have thought he would have started against Reading and him not doing so suggests to me he’s a gonner in the summer. At his age he needs to be playing as he wants to carry on for his country…

  41. Canadian Gooner says:

    Rico – A lot depends on the squad size, will they block another player from one of the 25 places for senior players? Do they want to stay? Mikel has indicated he would like to. If they want to stay, what are their contract demands?

    I see your point about Mikel’s pace, but he is a wily player with a great pass completion rate and wide passing range. I see him as a squad player only, not a regular starter. There are a lot of factors to be considered.

    I’d be sad, but not heart broken, to see either or both go. However, much depends on who their replacement(s) may be, who we buy or promote and what their wishes are.

    With that I’m off to bed. The birds have been singing for a while. Have a great day everyone.

    On to Hull. Keep The Faith!

  42. tsgh says:

    If there were top strikers comparable to the strikers that were available in the 90’s and 00’s, I doubt Jose would be relying on Drogba at his grandiose age.

    Klopp tried to replace Lewandowski with 2 strikers and he has failed…
    Even RM can’t find strikers and so are relying on Jesse. Players like llorente have now fallen behind Morato.

    Maybe players like Lacassette or Vienno will become household names…

    I won’t be surprised if a player like Benteke becomes a top drawer next summer.

  43. Micko says:

    Afternoon all,

    Don’t think it’s been mentioned on here today but yesterday was the first time this season we’ve failed to score at home, no coincidence Mourinho’s Chelsea were in town.

    Fact still remains we have now gone over 8 hours of football without scoring against them, have to go back to 2013, that’s pish poor and a helluva lot of bus parking but it’s re-assuring to know Arsene is getting there !!!

    tsgh 1.30, Le Coq obviously went to the school of hard knocks, yesterday must have been the fourth game in a row he’s had his nose re-set for the cause, enuf to make ya eyes water, he a tough little cookie !

  44. rico says:

    FFP and sentiment was no doubt behind Drogba going back to Chelsea.

    Plenty of top strikers out there, just either cost bucket loads or don’t want to play for Mourinho.. lol

  45. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Good Afternoon Lovelies and Hunkies.

    What can I say Kev?? Brilliant report. More enjoyable than the game. I enjoyed reading it immensely

    Yesterday should have seen Danny start the game instead of Aaron. Danny would have kept them stretched instead of cutting in. At one moment there were four Arsenal players in front of the width of the goal post and none on both flanks.

    But I am OK with the result. Its a testament to how far we have come that the hose comes to defend against us with two buses

  46. tsgh says:

    Lol Micko.

    Rico- Playing for Jose or getting some of the big oilers money? 🙂

    Dev we drew against the chavs at home to last season..

  47. rico says:

    Micko, it’s been a long time since we’ve had a tough nut in our midfield. I like Coquelin a lot, isn’t afraid to get stuck in and doesn’t go over easily..

  48. Hell Raising Devil says:

    I think that yesterday AW should have gone with a 3-5-2 formation for the last 20 mins. The pity was that Gaby was not even on the bench

  49. tsgh says:

    Agree re. 3 at the back…

    It’s beautiful watching Pep play 3 at the back recently; maybe forced on him by injuries…

  50. rico says:

    And if we’d have played three at the back and Chavs scored, AW would be lambasted…

    We had chances, just didn’t take them….

  51. Micko says:

    tsgh, did you hear about the Bayern club doctor, was very unhappy with all the injuries and treatment of the players, the club backed Pep, the doctor walked away after 38 years of loyal service !

  52. Wavy says:

    Evening all.
    The poisoned Pygmy is severely hurt by the crowd chanting, “boring, boring Chelsea” his defence of the stats in relation to all other competing clubs I’m sure was correct in every detail, however, he did not address the question of style and finesse, a less stat based quality. Is their football pleasing to the eye? Are they fair in the tackle? Do they play stylish, progressive football? Or do they kick everything that moves regardless of style? Have they shares in a bus company? Do they pay their parking fees? If so they owe arsenal for 94 minutes of fees! Boring I should say so. No wonder he’s upset the blindingly obvious hurts! And he’s hurt! Well hurrah for that. Nasty little scumbag.
    And with that endorsement of the chavs tactics I bid you goodnight. I’m off out for the evening.

  53. rico says:

    I like both Ts.. Ings is going through a tough patch but I’m sure he grab a few goals with amount of chances we create….

  54. allezkev says:

    Ah, it seems that the Gremlins are no more…

    Thanks for all the positive comments on the post…

    Wavy ‘I thought it was Adam writing’ is a compliment indeed, thanks mate…

    Lee, strangely enough I seriously thought about going up to see the Hull game.
    Then I came to my senses… 😉

    Virg, some interesting comments there!

    Nasher, ‘young man’, ha ha, if only… 😀

  55. allezkev says:

    CG/Rico, I can see some interesting pruning of the squad this summer…

    Akpom will probably stay out on loan.

    But decisions might have to be made about Toral, Wellington, Campbell, Miyaichi, Jenkinson, Martinez and Sanogo…

    They won’t all go, but I suspect that the majority will…

    Decisions will have to be made over the futures of Podolski, Flamini, Rosicky, Arteta and even Szczesny…

    Coquelin and Bellerin have shown what hard work can achieve, so maybe Gnabry will be the next to force his way into the team next season?

    A big season for Gabriel Paulista as well…

    Night All

  56. Lee says:

    So the chav’s defaced Herbert Chapman’s statue outside the Emirates!
    Citeh to bid £30m for Wilshere…….
    We are tabling bids for Isco and Lacazette…… YES PLEASE!

  57. tsgh says:

    Potter, will be pleased with Lacazette rumours…
    I doubt AW will sell JW… English quota and all…
    Morning Rico and all

  58. Joe says:

    Morning all, someone was saying on Irish radio last night that when teams come to Arsenal it makes sence to park the bus but you have to wonder how Chelsea have become a more expensive version of Stoke City football club.
    At the moment I think he was being a bit hard on Stoke 😉

  59. Joe says:

    It is all ways the same with chav’s they are let in somewhere nice and they will always let themselves down.

  60. tsgh says:

    hi Joe, another oiler is going to join the epl next season. The Cherries play excellent football…

    Rico give us a sneak peek of the post… lol

Leave your comment.

Discover more from Highbury House

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading