Morning all.
So we still can’t beat Chelsea and Arsene Wenger still can’t get the better of Jose Mourinho.
Of course the howler committed by Carl Jenkinson/Jack Wilshere didn’t help matters – why didn’t one of them hoof that ball into row z. Did neither player watch and learn from the Ramsey gaff against Dortmund? Allowing Juan Mata the kind of time on the ball or the space to find a shot help our situation either but we did and we paid the price.
Last night proved just how lightweight our squad is, especially compared to Chelsea, and how we have no answer to a side which is set-up to nullify anything we try. It happened against Borussia Dortmund and it happened again last night and no doubt it will happen again on Saturday when we face Liverpool. Arsene Wenger needs to find a way to get by such tactics and beat them.
Without Giroud up front, we have nothing – even when the Big Dane did find himself in a position to turn and shoot, he chose another pass to Ramsey who thought he was in a better position. Instead of shooting first time, the Welshman tried a bit of fancy footwork, Chelsea closed him down and the chance was gone. Nik couldn’t win an ariel ball, he failed to shield or hold up play and for me, he brought nothing to our game.
The right-back situation is a worry too, not only do we have Bacary Sagna slowing running down his contract, we have an understudy who when he doesn’t play regularly, regresses. Maybe Jenkinson would benefit from a run of games, but all the time Sagna is fit, that isn’t going to happen so each time he is called upon, he’s going to be rusty. He did improve as the game went on but by then, we were 1-0 down…….
Ramsey and Wilshere playing deep in place of Arteta/Flamini simply doesn’t work, neither are strong enough, neither are ruthless enough but what else could AW do?
We still have the issue of pace and width, we had little of either again last night but then that’s like a broken record played over and over….
Of course we have Podolski, Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain to come back but none of those are true wingers. Admittedly, they will add depth and strength to the squad but we still need an out-and-out winger. A player who will get down the flanks at pace and terrify defenders from start to finish and of course add something very different to the way we play.
Arsene Wenger surely needs to sign at least a striker in January. Not the summer, we cannot afford to wait that long, not if we really want to be a true competitor in the Premier League, FA Cup and the Champions League if we are still in that competition in 2014.
Like most, I’m disappointed by last nights result, especially our performance but I’m not entirely surprised by it…
Next up it’s Liverpool……..
Lacked pace width and a decent striker lol………….
Morning all…!
I do not totally agree with this theses. AW got it right however, we lost it because of two mistakes. I think we played well but lacked a bit up front. I believe in our players and hope that they have a quick recover from the two lost. As AW, I will say we should not panick to much.
Didn’t we just Wath….
Morning everyone. Great assesment of the game. Giroud is a very good attacker. Besides him, who do we have? Niklas Bendtner? He once had the potential, he chose to throw it all away. Now, as you said, he’s worthless. For a club like ours at least. Yaya Sanogo? He’s a million miles off. What happened to the player, Barcelona wanted to buy? Benik Afobe?
We need a real winger. An attacker, who would have scored on Bendtners chance. I’m so frustrated now. We’re a laughingstock because we cannot beat the big teams… 🙁
Spot on rico. When you say ‘what can Wenger do?’, it is rather ‘what should he have done?’ And that’s not just in the last week in August but the last five years. Buy a quality DF and a proper winger. When you look at the difference Flamini has made, it makes me even more bemused that we have cried out for this type of player since Vieira and Petit but it has been mostly ignored. And an out an out wideman like Limpar or Overmars would be such a benefit.
That’s ok Chris, we’ll agree to disagree…
Akpom may have been a better option Adk, but had AW selected him and he had a bad game, he’d have been heavily criticised for his selection…
When asked about NB’s performance, AW replied someting like, ‘that will remain between him and me’ – mmmmmm
A striker in Jan is a must.
I agree Ah, guess I kind of meant last night but you are right, a striker and winger have been long overdue…
But, in his defence, we would normally have had both Flamini or Arteta to select…
Apparently, Frimpong was set to be included in the squad, but was sick yesterday..
good write up Rico
Thanks Oz..
Morning all,
Chelsea second goal no natural defensive midfielder in our team,
can’t work it out,
everyone and the mother-law will say,
flamini is our best signing and the reason we are up there,
two young lads on the bench both def/mids
yet we change the system to all out attack,
we can’t expect the full backs to bomb forward
with no cover,
football Harry Carry….sliced open in other words.
Agree AndrewH – good post, plenty of questions still unanswered but time will tell the story… it always does
Chelsea not worthy winners according to Arsene Wenger….
Still angry ,looked at the pictures in this
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1825388-film-focus-how-chelsea-silenced-arsenals-midfield-and-attack-in-cup-victory
and made me worse. Best I don’t get into it until I calm down.
Chris , it wasn’t up front we failed in last night it was in the manager’s office , we don’t know anything other than play into a trap set up by a more astute manager.
Sorry AndrewH Just read your bit,
very much agree mate
What about Dowd?
Missed an early booking on Essien for his pull back of Cazorla, who could/should have had a second yellow later in the game and Chelsea down to ten..
But, he was generous at the end when he didn’t book one of ours when others might have done…
I hear you potter
Potter, it starts there but surely after that we have to look at some of the players own performances?
A few from last night need to take a long hard look at themselves in the mirror.
Had Jack/Jenks hoofed the ball out, the score remains at 0-0. Had Ramsey, as you said earlier, shut down Mata, still 0-0…
Anything could have happened then….
But it didn’t, players mistakes cost us, just as much as anything surely?
I agree rico, but now NB had a bad game. What will people say? I read last night, before the game, in the danish press, that this could be NB’s last game for us. And after the performance last night, I would say that he has played his last game for us.
And as for the striker situation, surely even Wenger must now see how desperatly we are in need of a striker ?
But not another Park Chu Young. We need a Lewandowski/Rooney/Suarez.. A world class name, to lift the team. Like Ozil did…
fred – I guess AW believed that experience would win the day, rather than youth.
My own view is either use youth or don’t and make it clear to fans what this cup is about, then no-one will expect too much.
Bringing on Giroud & Ozil in the end shows he wanted to win so why not start with them…
Or simply leave them at home…
Good post Rico, the game was lost with the comical defending by Jenkinson, when you play against quality teams giving them a goal like that is only giving yourself a mountain to climb. Our squad lacks quality in depth in certain positions only at LB and AM we could argue of having quality competition. Jenkinson needs a loan, his kills are too limited to be playing in a ball playing team like afc. Ryo will not make it at Arsenal we need ship him out, people complain about age, age doesn’t hide your talent. Zelalen is 16 and you can tell he got ability.
Agree with the summary of the match and share your concerns, but I also think there was not a big diff between the two teams and we should not panic. Given the lack of depth we have at this point, this loss is not a disaster!
Lose lose situation Adk and hindsight is a wonderful thing…
I hope it’s Niks last game for us, I really do and totally agree re who we need to sign and he’s going to cost some serious money.
We have it, so pay it I say…
Thanks Gdna, but as pointed out by Potter earlier, Jack could have hoofed that ball out too but that’s just splitting hairs.. One of them should have got it right. Jenks took the lead and fluffed his lines big time…
I’d still give Ryo time, a loan for the rest of the season surely beckons now… Same with a few others now we are out of this cup..
hi Rico……..same old same old…….we always make decisive errors in the big games and I’m not just saying it because of yesterday…..its been happening for years…….wenger is not perfect all right but he tends to ignore the obvious……..for how long are we going to be outdone by stupid individual errors in the big games??? I’m not mad because we lost(not really thou) I’m just tired of seeing the same thing……as for bendtner nuff said already….I don’t expect him to come up with a moment of individual brilliance I just want him to show some efforts that’s what giroud basically does and look how far it has gotten……sorry for the long comment …..I’m just not happy with the performance yesterday
Don’t b surprised if JM ask afc for trade, Mata & another fringe player for Ozil, he is a sneaky MF.
Look again DNA was it just Jenkinson ? I know it’s not popular criticising him but what was Wilshere doing ?
Agree rico,but point is
wenger can see the problem..but decides other wise.
Were we that bad…. were they that good…. One very important point.. look at the fact that their team on the pitch and bench basically cost double what we had available… lets not forget the huge sums they have invested to have a 2nd 11 like that…! Money well spent…?
Hi snaparse, it is same old, same old…..
🙂 Gdna, JM has no chance…
Rico, Jenks is a defender and anytime the ball is in the air he seems clueless, it’s has become a habit by Jenks, Ryo is a lesser version of Gerv with straight hair.
I hope he sees them fred….
Good question Wath, they certainly dealt with what we had with ease. Simple football by JM..
Definitely money well spent, imagine having that kind of depth at Arsenal….
Potter, it was a bouncing ball, JW would b in problem to get it under control, when Jenks who is at least 6’2″ can’t head it back to the goalkeeper. There was a play earlier before the goal where Jenks try a header and it went for a trow in. He is a gooner, but for a team who is trophy less for 8 years we can’t wait for Jenks to develop, he got to do it elsewhere. I pray we beat Loserpool because if we loose we are fucked.
Actually, I’m not so sure because how much do they earn, how many times do they play – how many of the players are there just for money, how many would be prepared to quit for regular football?
Is that really money well spent, just for the CO Cup. maybe not…
I think you are being quite harsh Gdna, both are young and on the up…
But, that’s your view and you are entitled to it… 😉
Fabianski is no exception, he needs to go too. It’s so frustrating how well we start the season and things at the moment seems to be going the same route as the last 8yrs, when it’s not injuries its mistakes. Jesus Christ what have afc done, please remove the curse.
He’ll be gone in the summer, out of contract I think..
Surprised the Italian didn’t start last night…
Wenger needs to get his coat !!!!!
Some slightly OTT reactions this morning.
I knew you’d end up giving it a little more thought Rico….
Money well spent…? think not…. There is making the squad better and there is wasting money, no doubt we need extra quality in certain areas but when we come up against the Chavs or Citeh we’re never going to compete squad wise with that they have spent.
Thanx DG, I was waiting for the first Wenger out remark lol 😀
Wenger out this week!
Today in fact!!
Danish, one loss to Chelsea in the CO Cup hardly warrants a call for AW to go. We are top of the league for goodness sake and possibly have one of the best squads we have had in years…
That’s no excuse Rico. 🙂
Maybe it’s just raining where AW is… 😉
🙂 Wath, see I do think. Sometimes…..
I know Adam, I know 😉
hi rico…does anyone here see that if fabianski had taken a stride or two he would’ve beaten azpilicueta to the ball?.why didn’t wilshere deal with azpilcueta and jenkinson deal with the ball?
I know Rico. 🙂
*meant a stride or two before jenkinson header
What is it exactly that you 2 think that you know cos I don’t know….
You do Wath.
Yes, we know you know Wath.
🙂
Off out with the woofa for a couple hours before the rain comes – catch up later…
I’m with you gdna……they were not that good……we just tend to make silly mistakes especially in the big games……..imo
I said it the other day and will say it again. Wilshere is only good as a squard player. He is really over hyped. I know he has the desire and drive, but those are not enough. One major thing working aginst him is his height. For a player to be that short and still play very well, he needs speed. Unfortunately, Jack is not fast.
Well I’m in a tiz…. I have no idea what it is I am supposed to know cos if I know I don’t know I know……
Ricky, good call, I thought Flappy was very slow off his line and didn’t really come flying out which would of made the chav think twice about going for the ball maybe..?
Uzo… was Makalele fast….?
Good day all.
Made a trip to the Emirates last night, first time I’ve been where I wished I had watched it at home.
The lads didn’t look up for it at all, we played some nice stuff at times but on the whole we were outclassed, outmuscled and out thought. Against their midfield ours looked like kids at times just getting brushed off the ball, dare I say it Frimpong would have done a job last night, with the ball we were good (Wilshere and Ramsey in particular) without it we were clueless. No positional awareness leading to massive holes in the midfield. Why none of our players are prepared to give away a foul higher up the pitch rather than allow the other team near our goal is beyond me. Also Why Ramsey was even played is beyond me?! He’s played loads already this season, surely it was a perfect game for our best player of the year to have a rest.
Having bendtner and Jenks on the pitch was basically a hinderance, against a team as strong as that you can’t afford to carry players. You would think Bendy would want to make a statement that he was up for it to secure a decent move at the end of the season, but he was woeful, it was lke we had a sloth playing up front his reactions were so slow. Jenks was just poor. Again. Wrap Sagna in cotton wool!
Anyway, rant over. Being out that cup isn’t the end of the world, but we must bounce back on saturday.
Think it’s called horses for courses….!
Jack and Aaron are not to be played together as defensive midfielders…! Simple as that.
Morning all,
Good post rico,
I can’t fault the tactics v chav rather the personnel picked to execute the job. Flamini and arteta were really missed cause they are the only defensive minded players we have i the team despite the latter a bit slow. Ramsey and wilshere are CM’s/AM’s and are offensively minded players. The critical function of a DM is to cover those positions vacated by fullbacks/CB but neither rambo/wils were doing that. Their pivot doesnt work and that was what caused us d first league match v aston villa. Rambo has become too offensively forgetting his defensive duty Good teams will definitely punish us if we continue to be lakadiscal in our attitude in defending like d chavs and dortmund did
Where is Akpom these days?
I do not think that we were outclassed at all. However I agree that we did not approach the game with maturity. Again, I will insist that there is no cause for panic. For God sake we are top of the league; at least for now. Some of our best player are coming back from injuries. I am still optimistic this season something positive will happen. In AW we trust.
Chelsea had two important games in three days and won them.
Last three days show a few things od recent past. We must change our way of play against those teams who make a high pressure in our midfied.
Has anybody in doubts that we need anorher striker?
Blind faith Christopher , we were second best on and off the pitch. Men against boys came to mind . Outplayed and out thought , embarrassing really.
Wath, I always kinda thought that you ‘was’ In The Know.
Now I know different… 😉
Grandad… Now who said anything about “In The……” 😉 It’s that I just don’t know and they do…!
For afc to be successful some unpopular decision have to be made, cut the players who aren’t good enough, irrespective of their ties with the club. Can afc find back up players in the PL who are better than the ones we have on lower wages? For a top side we got too much players who aren’t good enough. Imo
Why are low wages a requirement ? We are a profitable club , it’s where the board / manager chooses to spend the money.
Its not a requirement potter, I was just implying that there are better squad players in the PL on lesser wages than the ones we have at arsenal. Sessagon/NB wages might be on par.
Afternoon all….
You still moaning Gdna? 😉
Rico, moaning??
Pulling your leg Gdna, hence the 😉
I think GDna is an imigrant……….from the state of Le Grove…….old habits die hard!
Keep on moaning just make it consistent, then we can all join in!
You know, I reckon we should sack all the first team squad as they are all over rated or over paid or both, and also they don’t fit my personal view of what makes a world class footballer, and seemingly we have none of them!
So, sack the squad, sack the manager, his knowledge, tactics and decisions are flawed, to the point of incompetency and whilst we are at it we might as well sack the Board as they haven’t the first clue of how to run a proper football club!
Come on, we lost two games. BvB outplayed us……just. The Chavs beat our B-ish team with their A-ish team. Sleep lost, none. Concern about the results? a little, but rock the boat? Don’t be silly. Panic when we need to, not when we do not! Well, not yet.
Now now Wavy. I too started my life at Le Grove, nowt wrong with that I’ll have you know!
And I do so hope your comment was tongue in cheek…
We’re doomed I tell you. Doomed.
Sadly though, the general moans are about the same thing, tactics, lack of players in certain areas, lack of width and no speed….
So in truth, the ‘moaning’ is very consistent….
🙂 Adam..
Three games lost Wavy, Villa beat us too…
Wavy r u seeking cheap popularity? Everybody else who are involved in football who criticize afc are from Le Grove, I won’t entertain u anyway because the truth hurts.
I too started at Le G sadly I had to leave, though I do ‘revisit’ occasionally, but I find ot too abrasive and cynical for my taste. It upsets my middle class upbringing!
Yes, tongue in cheek but there’s always a smattering of truthvin most of the stuff I post. Sometimes it may be hard to tease out but, the truth is in there! Somwhere!
Gdna, I do not do confrontation, so you can take it or leave it. Please yourself.
Forgot AV, conveniently = 1 defeat in each competition entered not bad for the Arsenal, almost as good as it gets in fact!
Where’s Grumpy???
In the Hawley Arms again no doubt… 😀
🙂 Wavy, I think most start on LG, I left for similar reasons.
Nights like last night cheese me off because we could have won, and when we lose it always seems to be an error, the ref or something silly which makes that happen…
I’ll be a lot more cheesed off if we lose on Saturday though…
Who is Grumpy Kev, there’s a few today 😛
Is Grumpy related to Dopey and Sneezy and the rest of the gang?
Liverpool, I have a deep seated and near psychopathic dislike of anything scouse. We MUST WIN. My sanity depends on the outcome. My hope is that Suarez scores twice, in his own goal, gifting us a 2-0 win and that Brenda will cry like a baby on live TV post match! After Louis has declared his goals were pay back for the dippers not selling him to Arsenal in the summer!
I wish!
Stopping him will be tough Wavy, someone needs to stick to him like wasps do jam and if we can cut out his supply, things will be a bit easier.
I pray that Flamini is back…
I really want us to come flying out the blocks against the horrible scouse, acert ourselves on them, not more of this passive shite against the better teams, we play our game at a high tempo, close them down high up the pitch, we should win.
Keeping their front two quiet will be a task but other than that I don’t see much else to them.
I agree with Wavy, WE MUST WIN!!! Let Suarez see what he’s missing.
Couldn’t agree more Lewis, when we start slow we really struggle to pick up the pace as the opposition are allowed to settle.
It’s a must win in front of our own fans, another defeat at home and things will start to get very negative around the stadium…
A must win at home Rico, They are two points off us at the moment, They need battered, put them back down the table where they belong.
You dislike them as much as me Lewis it seems….
I really hope we batter them but any victory will do me…
Doubtful whether Flamini will make it for Saturday, Last statement on Pravda was 2 to 3 weeks after Palace with a groin strain.
With a passion!
Your spot on though, 3 points at all costs.
Is Arteta suspended this weekend?
That’s not good then Potter.
No, Arteta is back for Saturday Lewis..
Back in a while….
Anyone home?
I’ll take that as a no.. 😉
Night all, catch up tomorrow….
going out now , pub quiz to run at my local . Still not happy and spitting feathers.
Not gonna beat myself up over last nights result, the Rumbelows Cup or whatever you wanna call it is over-rated anyway !!
rico, don’t freak out, there’s a rumour going about Flamini is just a poor man’s Frimpong, come to think of it where is tsgh anyway ?
Micko :- It’s not the fact that we went out, it’s the way we played to do it. Mourinho adopts this defensive tactic everytime we play them and we fail to break it down and yet do nothing to try and mix it up a bit and make him think and change things himself.
I heard that rumour Micko, I thought you started it 😉
Morning all…
Andrey Arshavin believes Arsenal’s fans are too quiet – and said playing at the Emirates was like a visit to the theatre.
The Russian midfielder, who quit the Gunners after four years at the end of last season, also claimed the atmosphere at the ground was so bad there was “no advantage” in playing at home.
Arshavin, 32, now back at Zenit St Petersburg, told The Sun: “It felt like the crowd was at the theatre – good seats, expensive tickets and they wanted to see a show, not to support the team.
“It was like there was no advantage in playing at home.
“Many of the players – the leaders that were left from the club’s time at Highbury – often complained that the atmosphere in the stands was so bad.”
Bring back terracing…
The draw for the League Cup has left the prospect of a all London semi-final (AVB vs Mourinho) and an all Manc semi-final…
It’s not gonna be easy to win the League Cup this season!
We might be well, out of it?!!!
Morning Rico
Morning All….
You have to laugh at Andrei Arshavin’s criticism of the home fans…
Having watched him, on many occasions, strolling around the pitch looking bored and uninterested, you would think he was the last player to criticise anyone for a lack of passion.
My God, if we’d had to rely on him to get the crowd going, we’d have all ended up in kip… 🙄
Morning Kev, there is talk of that isn’t there? Or at least a standing area.
I thought he had a darn cheek Kev, he hardly lit the place up did he..
New post is up now.