Daily Bits and Bobs

Wrighty a snitch, or is he breaking news gently?

Posted on by rico

Morning all.

It’s difficult to know what to make of all the managerial rumours surrounding Arsenal right now. Of course I’d like the one about Arsene Wenger hanging up his boots at the end of the season to be true but with so many different names being throw around relating to who could replace him, it’s not easy to tell if any are credible.

Ian Wright’s the latest person to spread the news surrounding Wenger. Having met up with him in the week, the ex striker said the Frenchman is tired and he hinted that his time was coming to an end at Arsenal.

Can you imagine if that was you eh? You met your best mate over dinner or a pint, spilled your heart out about something close to your chest and then the next day you wake up and it’s headlines. Darn you’d be well and truly cheesed off wouldn’t you? I know I would.

But what if it’s all a cunning plan? A little word in Wrighty’s ear with a wish that he’d break the news gently to us all so that knowing, or thinking he’s off in the summer, the fans get off his case and get behind the team for the last four months of his Arsenal career. Sounds plausible to me as why would Wrighty want to poop on a manager or man he seems to have so much respect for?

Anyway, either way, the thought of a managerial change in the summer has certainly brightened my morning. And with snow all around me and freezing temperatures, it’s much appreciated.

Just as everything Arsene Wenger has done for this club should be. Although I can’t listen to him these days because like most no doubt, I’m sick of hearing the same old garbage and excuses each time he’s interviewed, the first ten years of his career in north London was a joy to watch. Frustrating at times too though as looking back, we all know and Arsene will too, that he and his team should have won a few more trophies than they did. Champions League football every season is an incredible achievement and I don’t think there is any other manager who has achieved that in England but Arsenal are a club who should have done better than they have, certainly in the last few seasons when other clubs were struggling whilst swapping manager after manager….

Last year, when Man City announced that Pellegrini was leaving and Guardiola was replacing him with months of the season remaining, City’s performances nose dived. The fans were no doubt excited about the best manager in the world heading their way but perhaps in hindsight it was a foolish mistake as the imminent change seemed to affect the players, especially those who perhaps knew their City days were over.

At Arsenal though, I don’t think our performances could drop any further if such an announcement was made and regardless of many players publicly supporting Arsene Wenger, surely they’ve been wondering if things could and should be better than they are. Like us, they love the game and like us, they want to win trophies, well, most of them, so to see our chances go by year after year, they too must get frustrated, angry inside. So maybe these little whispers about change being on the horizon might just lift them a little. No, a lot!

Hull City roll up at The Emirates today and I reckon the place will be buzzing, not in anticipation of a wonderful display of football but the old Arsenal faithful will be chatting away about the future. Who should replace Arsene, who will stay in the summer, who will go and who will come in. Will it be Simeone, Allegri or someone else……? Will we sign Griezmann, Hart and a beast of a midfielder…… I

Knowing our luck, it’s all a dream and Arsene Wenger will soon decide to stay put….

He wouldn’t, would he?

Anyway, let’s give Hull City a pasting today. Elneny is back, Welbeck and Perez will hopefully start and Bellerin could be ok to play too. Still, if he’s not surely Gabriel will do a decent enough job in his place.

Have a good Saturday guys, I’m off to build a snowman……

rico

217 thoughts on “Wrighty a snitch, or is he breaking news gently?”

  1. Wavy says:

    I’ve heard from a mate of a mate who knows the agronomist at Colney that, the club are looking to re-instate Bruce Rioch or failing him LVG has been suggested, if not him Usminov has lined up Hiddink! Oh, the list is endless and full of has beers!
    As for the old wrinkly one leaving in June, I’ll believe it when I see it. In fairness I’ll be a little sad to see him go, despite the last ten years of no progress and seeming total inertia.

    Morning all. Sleet here, not settling though.

    Hull? City of culture 2017 and an ex port on the cold and bleak east coast. Not got a lot going for it really except the recent emergence of its improving football team!
    As,always, should win comfortably but will we?

  3. kelsey says:

    Morning all.

    The club are actively looking in germany and italy for a replacement if AW goes.

    So have we ever had a week like this.
    Hull H Bayern Munich A Sutton A

    He needs to get team selection and the players motivated for each game but all for different reasons. A defining week in so many ways.

    No I haven’t applied for the job, i am retired 😉

  6. Wath says:

    I think me and Lee should put in for the job, won’t be any lack of motivation aimed at the direction of the players… Most would hand in a transfer request by mid August I’d expect…!

  8. Wavy says:

    Watch = Wath!

    Sorry that’s with all due respect to the 7 managers they have appointed and sacked in the last 3 1/2 weeks!

  13. potter says:

    Petr Cech
    Hector Bellerin
    Shkodran Mustafi
    Laurent KoscielnyKieran Gibbs

    Francis Coquelin
    Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
    Theo Walcott
    Mesut Özil
    Alex Iwobi
    Alexis Sanchez
    Subs: Ospina, Monreal, Gabriel, Coquelin, Lucas, Welbeck, Giroud

  15. Wath says:

    Players agents would be told exactly where they are allowed Scott, the car park..!

    What a surprise the stubborn one picks more or less the same team that didn’t turn up last week….!

    Not like we didn’t expect the same ole same ole….

  16. frednerk says:

    Morning Rico and All

    Looks like a fingers crossed team
    from Arsene not many changes from last week
    Hull are not Chelsea thank god.
    He must think this team has it.
    No room for Danny yet…..

    Don’t like to have a go before a game..But?

    As that mouthy curly headed Yank would say.
    ……….He Cannot Be Serious……..

  18. Wavy says:

    Yes Scott, yes.
    What has he got to do to get a start?
    He is, perhaps an example of why Wenger should hang up his picking pencil.
    Stubborn old git!

  20. Wavy says:

    The old don’t like change, they can’t handle it! And I should know!

    Will it be the same result as last week? It could be you know. Heaven forfend.

  22. frednerk says:

    Just had me bet for the game
    Hull + 2=5/2
    Hoping not to many tourist in the crowd
    we need the players to get a bit of verbal
    from the real fans.
    Lets hope the players get an intense warm up
    for a change,not that half hearted fu*k about
    before a game.

  24. ScottfromOz says:

    Wavy, I really can’t work out why Lucas hasn’t had a crack yet.
    He’s done bloody well every time he’s been on the pitch.

  36. ScottfromOz says:

    Commentator says Hull player didn’t play at ball, so no penalty.
    2 minutes later, says Alexis didnt play at ball, but as it helped him, it’s a free kick.
    Sensational lol.
    We are all over them and deserved that.

  38. Kel says:

    Well a deserved lead at half time… should be more ffs… chamberlain playing well he turns defence in to attack a lot quicker which suits us….

  54. allezkev says:

    No Rico, it’s not on BBC5L, it’s all Wales vs England, Six Nations Rugby.

    I’ve got it on TalkRubbish now.

    17 minutes to hang on ?

  59. Meerkat says:

    If our little dancing queens don’t get their act together up front, we will get caught by Hull.
    I’m not too confidant when it gets near our goal either.
    Alexis now booked for diving, so get better not do it again. Where is Ozil hiding?

  61. ScottfromOz says:

    Rico, you’re entitled to be wrong 🙂 🙂
    Nah, we’d have to stuff up to drop points but we all know we are capable of that.
    If we keep the intensity up, we will win.

  71. hayseapl@gmail.com says:

    Solid win, and well deserved.
    Seeing as though we were all concerned about this game, I’ll give credit where it’s due.
    We had the better of the chances by far, imo, and were solid in defence.
    Good win.

  72. Wavy says:

    “Arsenal not at their best today,” now where have I heard that before and, how many times?

    3 points, sure. 1 out of 10 for performance!

    Not good. Not good at all. Cold not even boss possession today. The Manager’s seat is up for grabs, starting now!

  73. ScottfromOz says:

    Sanchez a brace, and a dive-I never saw a replay sto won’t comment on that.
    Also, a heap of turnovers he was guilty of.
    He really needs to tighten up his distribution as it’s awful ATM.
    An all important 3 points, whatever the situation.

  75. potter says:

    a heap of turnovers he was guilty of.

    Too many players trying the spectacular instead of just playing the simple ball.

  78. rico says:

    I don’t think it was just Alexis whose passing was dire at times, as Potter said, too many clever passes tried when the simple was a better option..

  79. Wath says:

    Wasn’t a dive Scott, ref got it wrong and would of mean’t a 2nd yellow for the defender.. he clips Alexis ankle…. Ball to hand from a cpl of feet away and it’s handball… oh do fuck off ppl… if it was against us no one would say a fucking word…! just like Bellerin wasn’t ironed out by a forearm last week in that oh so fair challenge….

  80. rico says:

    If Ramsey returns and Ox is dumped back on the bench, I’d be really disappointed. Ox improves each game playing central midfield imo..

  82. Adam says:

    Just got back from the game. In general it was awful. Ozil, Coq and A couple of others were absolutely dreadful. Freezing too and a very small crowd. Shit really.

  83. rico says:

    I noticed all the empty seats Adam. Agree re the match, really really awful. The only bright spark for me was AOC… The rest, well, average…

  84. Adam says:

    Yes Rico. Ox was decent but I’m struggling to think of anyone else who deserves a mention. You can just feel the air of resignation in the ground.

  87. micko says:

    Adam 3.48, almost as depressing as the herpes pamphlet I read the last time I was in the waiting room at the doctors.

  89. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Good performance, wasn’t it?
    Played without a central forward was the key to won the game, wasn’t it?
    Was nice watched Sanchez went back and appears only Bellerin, usually late but was there, in center forward, wasn’t it?
    We defended well in midfield, wasn’t it? Ozil Walcott, Iwoby, very concern is this chapter of the game, sincer the beginning, wasn’t it?
    Ozil has a special statute in the team, wasn’t it? It’s difficult to understand why he is never been replaced.
    ….

  91. Joaquim Moreira says:

    yes, very impressed indeed.
    won a game start to be an exception.
    11 v. 11, but who tactically, was better in the pitch?
    if we were down with 10, were be dramatically…

  93. Alex says:

    Afternoon Rico
    Ox is doing nicely there in that mid.Bravo even though some of his long passes where not accurate.A much better Ozil would have kept the ball though so not entirely bad.

    Disjointed attacking set..up

    Feo the usual embarassment of footballer

    Ozil …there is no footballing reason to keep him with the first team ….maybe his selling price will go down if they dont play him ?
    He is jaded physically
    Not winning any ball
    Loose the ball and no effort to recover.So the two flanks were basically empty threat.

    Sanchez …he lost a lot of balls but he is relentless
    Nothing much special.

    One thing that baflle mind is Lucas.He let him rot on the bench……what ?? To play Feo.

    Wenger is just arrogant thick.The sooner he goes the better.

  96. kelsey says:

    I thought it was awful as well and so did the thousands that didn’t bother to go.

    Why doesn’t AW just come out and say he’s staying or not.It reflects on the players,you can see it with their body language.

    Is he trying to turn iwobi into another Hleb.

    Take Sanchez out of the team selfish or not and we would be nearer mid table and to be so reliant on one man is very dangerous.

    Our longest serving player but hasn’t got the character or skill levels to be the third highest paid player at the club.This isn’t Walcott bashing but he always flatters to deceive .Perhaps after 11 years he chases back this season sometimes and he has had injuries (but who hasn’t at Arsenal) but Wenger persists and persists with him and will eventually lose out on any value he has.That is a good example of being loyal and not looking at reality and being brutal and dropping him.Last season he was a bench warmer for a while but IMO he really adds nothing to the team in most games.No other club would have kept him and at those wages. If he scores a hattrick at Bayern I might change my mind

  100. Alex says:

    Rico
    I believe they are professionals and would like to believe that they are given their best.

    AS usual the problem lies with him……… Wenger,
    Is not selecting players as per merit .

    The Spuds are down by 2 goals ……lol

  101. rico says:

    Why just pick out Theo though? There are plenty of our lot not putting a shift in and it matters not how long they’ve beenat the club surely?

    It’s not his fault he’s still at Arsenal after all….

  104. Alex says:

    If you ask me about Feo i do not consider him at all as a footballer.After a decade in Arsenal he still has to develop his footy brain.

    The first goal at Chelsky is enough to relegate him with the youth let alone with first team.It went unnoticed after what it happened to Bellerin but he played a big role on that lost.

  105. allezkev says:

    I only saw brief highlights on Arsenalist and it looked to me as if we had enough good chances to have won more comfortably…

    The radio (2nd 45) said that both Mustafi and Koscielny had good games, squeezing the play and playing a high line.

    I think the recent circumstances haven’t helped, morale among the fans understandably, is at an all time low.
    This was a big win today.
    If we’d lost then it would have been a disaster.

    Wenger has to accept the inevitable and it seems that he has, we need a new approach. I mean, even that Scum perv David Pleat said we were playing tippy tippy football ffs…

  107. rico says:

    Of course he’s a footballer Alex, odd comment to make imo. He came to Arsenal as a good player in the making… however, it seems to me he’s received little help going forward. Same for many others who have since left…

  108. allezkev says:

    Alex, I accept your criticism of Walcott, he’ll never be the player we’d hoped he would become, I agree with you.
    But his presence and his pace does have an effect on opponents and we have played many games over the last few years, when we have missed his pace.
    I doubt very much, that he’ll survive very long, all the same, if and when a new manager is appointed in the summer…

  114. kelsey says:

    If we were all neutrals watching today knowing what could be at stake for both teams if they lost,would you honestly have thought that was the case or it was a mid table game at the end of the season between two sides.

  116. Alex says:

    He came as a good runner and still is.Forget about the coaching……. ask what he did himself to improve his footballing Technics and all that.How much he learn from the likes of Henry or Cesc or etc,,

    Lucky him that he made a good money and life for himself

  121. frednerk says:

    Your right rico….. OX should now be given a run
    but will he play the next game?
    Wood/Tree’s

    The protest went on to-day lots of red seat’s watching the game.

    Kelsey to right Sanchez………even a below game from him
    is still different grade to we have.

  122. Alex says:

    By the way…i am not giving high rate to Sanogo but i do defend him when there is to much negative talk about him after we saw him play only handful times.

    My Point about him is there is no enough evidence gathered as a fan to judge him.
    Did he play for us what …12…13. times ? …….Nooooo

    Lets give him some run and then we can discuss,

    But if we talk about Feo, is been given an entire decade ,The only time he do not play was because of injury

  123. potter says:

    I wonder following Koscielny’s comments about wenger’s favourites that in the first 20 minutes on about 3 occasions Alexis took a difficult route rather than play Walcott in. Is this the area where the players feel that possibly Lucas or Welbeck should be playing.

  124. Ian Ure Face says:

    Evening all .

    Just finished watching the game and if like me you sometimes work when the game is on then record and do what I do, ask wife or other if we won and without knowing the score watch it in a stress free state !………. you can then watch the game and analyse it with ease and without the stress and in a relaxed state you see more ! 🙂
    Typical of me I watched `till the end without leaving to go in the kitchen for food or something else and didn`t miss the injury time penalty ! 🙂

    In these circumstances I not only watch our players but like to see which opposition players impress !……….Markovic(on loan from bindippers) looked a decent player and I thought Harry Maguire looked good composed and liked to bring the ball out !
    Arsenal players………….Ox !….always said he should be a first choice and given the run will deliver !…………………..Alexis, yes he gives it away sometimes, but he gets it back as well and ask the opposition who they would not want to face !……………….Ozil……….let him get on with it, not great today but he is class !……DB10 wasn`t great all the time and had plenty of games to forget when anomnymous but we forget that and think he was MOM every game !.
    Good win and well deserved……………..Alexis was fouled, no way did he dive, disgraceful reffing there !
    Let`s not forget that the Spuds lost…………..making it a great day and with England beating the Welsh aswell !………..what`s not to like !

  125. scottfromoz says:

    LC, I reckon Ozil is the best player in the League when on song, and by a mile.
    He’s a different grade it everyone else.
    Damn if he didn’t lose me in that second half v Chelski, though.
    Alexis on the turnovers-I keep raising it because he keeps doing it, and often 6-0 times a game,yet never cops criticism for it from the same fans who rip apart certain players if they turn it over once.
    Yes, he’s a great footballer, but he would be even better if he started playing with his team mates and not ignroing them.
    On Theo, well, I’m another who was sucked in a few months so, thinking he’d turned the corner but let’s be honest, he has little spurts every season.
    Wath, yes, there was contact so no dive.
    I hope Ox isn’t doing a Theo, for want of a better term, and having a little spurt, as there’s a world class player in there, so let’s all hope he continues this effort and performance level as he’s a ray of light atm.
    Decent performance for mine, and I think people are being harsh saying it was rubbish, as, according to most, we were uo against a very decent side and top manager, so to roll them 2-0 means we must have done ok.
    It’s nice rolling the big clubs :):)

  127. Wath says:

    Scott…. not a bad sheep throwing team team Sir Eddie putting together….

    Scott let get this right and at the expense of pissing ppl off you included….

    I am sick and fucking tired or reading Alexis this as Alexis that…. can you please look at the game, look at the vision, look at whats going on…. the fella is a proper proper player….. He runs around and closes players down when it matters yet i read ppl moaning he don’t run 15km per games… really..? is he our midfield engine..???? get real….. he closes ppl down from the front who else does that….
    He’s been poor last few games yet he has carries us the last 18 months and if you don’t agree go watch the games… he was awful last week yet the fella didn’t give up and still tried unlike most and lets be honest when you look around and see a team full of pussies at what stage do you throw your hands up and say fuck I give up….???? I cannot believe i am reading ppl slagging off our best player by a country mile… at the risk of pissing of my mates on here i ask are you actually watching the game or are you being drawn into the bullshit…?

    if i was Alexis I would be thinking what the fuck am i doing here………………. simple as that… I was fortunate enough to play really good football… I know really good players… you know who is good around you when playing… Alexis no different..! think about it…!

  130. Wath says:

    Scott. I love Ozil…. absolute baller… BUT he is a gutless cnut… in 98 we had only Overmars who turned his back on a tackle…. now we have a midfield of Ozil, Iwobi and Theo, three passengers yet who would you want in the side…? IF and its a big if you had players around him who could carry him you would want Ozil all day long… they guy is quality, world class, end off yet he has no bottle…
    We as a team have no bottle… so in my mind resolve that issue and allow Ozil to be the passenger as you know his input is world class if you not looking at him to make tackles get back and defend… the problem is when those who should defend and tackle dont and cant….. buy the right fucking players Arsene… for fuck sakes…. we are so close yet so far all due to the stubborn nature

  131. Wath says:

    O h and yes Scott, Alexis was fuckin awful last week at the chavs, gave the ball away countless times yet i never once saw the fella not try get the ball back how ever crap he was and as said having carried us for 2 seasons I’ll allow him a crap game…!

    you can only pass when other make themselves available.. pass and move, make space, make yourslef available and when did you see that last week at the chavs..? rest my case………….

    Easy to judge a game and a few games on stats yet I view a game with my eyes they seldom let me down… run all you fucking want if you in the wrong place at the wrong time all your running means fuck all… i can run 50% less and be way more efficient…. end of subject !!!

  132. Wath says:

    I know Micko runs fuck all but his efficiency in going back and forth to the bar is second to none…

    those stats would be sooooooooooooooooooooo misleading

    Who out of our current team would you lot want in the tranches stood next to you…?

    Very few i bet…

    I’d go with Alexis and Xhaka and maybe Mustafi… that’s it…. the rest.. dream on…!

    In 98 i’d go down totnum high road with 99% of the squad…. no one would run off and leave you… this lot………….. yeh right…………

  133. gnarleygeorge9 says:

    Wrath

    Re Ozil & Sanchez

    As soon as it became public via your ‘tabloid’ media, that contract negotiations had effectively stalled, The Club’s on field performances started to suffer. That sort of player management rarely, if ever, happens to a club that is on course to win a Title.

    Both players (via their agents) have not acted in the interest of putting Titles first, they should be given a fcuking rocket up them by the powers that be.

    As far as I’m concerned, Sanchez & Ozil can go now. They can be replaced, & should replaced by a new manager who can re-invigorate The Club. A warrior type manager, dare I say it, like Old Red Nose.

    The Arsenal needs to start acting like a footie Club with ambition to win big things. Down 2-0 @ Chelsea & the chavs are taunting the away fans with some song taking the piss about not winning the CL. The away fans sing their collective hearts out about Alexis & having Ozil, yet both are too piss weak to sign on the dotted line yet. Put the fear of God into them!!!!!!

  134. ScottfromOz says:

    Wath, some fair points, some not so much, imo but it’s his attitude that pisses me off.
    I’d you think abuaibg teammates for making a mistake is acceptable, then I say you’re wrong.
    He make as many errors as anyone, if not more.
    Now abusing players for bludging is something I have no problem with, but that’s not been the case.
    He seems to play like he’s a one man band and unfortunately, plenty of fans treat him that way.
    Why is he above criticism?
    I don’t look at stats, ever.
    I found the errors while in watching the game so don’t bother going down that path again-it’s wrong.
    In fact, during the Chelsea game, I offered up a running total lol.
    On your comment of only being able to make a pass when a player is available, well, again, other players get criticised when turning it over yet that same issue applies-nobody making runs.
    There are two sets of rules.
    One for Alexis and one for the rest, and that goes for him and the fans, imo.
    Why did Barca sell him again?
    Why was it only liverpool were interested?
    No question he’s a high class player, but imo he plays for himself and I’ll stand by that.
    You’ll not hear me defend Ozil again after last week.

  135. ScottfromOz says:

    Wath, I’d like to stand next to Kozzer.
    Arsenal through and through.
    There’s no shit in him at all and I don’t care what anyone says, Alexis is a pay cheque footballer.
    GG, I’m with you.
    Change manager, sell those two and let a new guy come in with a heap of cash to spend.
    It’s the way forward.

  136. gnarleygeorge9 says:

    BTW, the home fans sound more like an audience, not a crowd. It sounds like the current hierarchy has dulled the place down so much, they probably serve Dixie cup ice creams & glasses of wine @ intermission?

  137. Wath says:

    Scott if you think Alexis plays only for himself you and me ain’t watching the same game mate… I just said he was awful against the chavs but at the same time he is allowed to be pissed off with other players who don’t pull their weight and if you not been in that situation you not played decent footie…! We’ll argue and disagree all day long cos in my mind I want all the players on his level not him dropping to theirs..

    gnarley.. would you sign with a bunch of pussies around you..?????

  138. Wath says:

    Scoot, I love koz but he was also fucking awful last week at the Chavs along with mustafi, Koz was as guily as anyone for not taking out Hazard for the 2nd goal 2 to 3 half hearted efforts at a tackle to make but one… BUT i will say that exposure for me comes from a piss poor midfield…. also today koz got taken to the cleaners a cpl of times…! his heart in the right place but……………..

  140. Wath says:

    If you have a problem with the attitude of Alexis Scott then that’s what’s wrong with this team in my opinion…. he wants to win…. he fights he gets fucked off when we lose he gets the hump when others are piss poor and he wears his heart on his sleeve….! If that’s wrong then sorry but that sums up why we has beens…!

  141. ScottfromOz says:

    Koz ain’t perfect, Wath, but I’ve never seen him not have a crack.
    We will agree to disagree on Alexis mate.
    To me, he was never going to be a 6-7 Arsenal player, but I could be wrong.
    Damn, we miss Santi.
    We need to replace him badly.
    Arsene going will take players out of their comfort zone and they’ll sink, or they’ll swim.
    GG, no standing-that kills off atmosphere.
    No standing at a football game?
    It’s incredible.

  142. ScottfromOz says:

    GG, I do lol
    Wath, I’ll never, ever accept players abusing others for an honest mistake.
    That’s me, and I’m not saying anyone else should feel that way.

  143. Wath says:

    Sorry mate but if you think Alexis is a pay cheque player I have no idea what you watching…! everything that’s good in our team comes through him and that’s with his shit passes and dribbles into no mans land (wonder why) zero options…. zero runners… etc etc etc

    You think Santi as 1 player makes such a difference to a team.. the problem is attitude… passion, commitment…. to many passengers who don’t pull their weight….

  144. Wath says:

    Scott… honest mistake….??? try effort and commitment as said previous…. when you play the game you know the crappy players around you.. all you ask is they stick to basics… when they don’t and fuck it up they deserve a bollcking… he wants to win end of…. the rest seem way more happy to pick up that weekly pay cheque you on about

  145. ScottfromOz says:

    Passion.
    Effort.
    Pressure.
    Yes, we lack them all.
    Santi is missed massively, though.
    Wath, if you were playing, saw your star player make error after error, then tear you a new arseholes when you make one error, are you telling me you’d cop it??
    Sorry, but no man would accept that and I dats say some players would be sick of his attitude.
    Again, I’m not talking about bludgers.
    Alexis never abuses Ozil though, does he?
    There’s a man who needs a rocket more than anyone in the squad.

  146. gnarleygeorge9 says:

    Does Alexis want to win for himself or his team mates & the fans. I bet if you asked Tony Adams who he wanted to win for, he would not have said himself. Alexis has not set a good example. Doing what he is doing is worse, in my opinion, than what Xhaka has done. I applaud Xhaka for putting a bit of grunt back into the mid field, I do not applaud Alexis for his antics.

  147. Wath says:

    Why are we so complacent…? why do we let teams over power us…? why is it so easy for teams to easily over power us, no physicality no attitude no will to win….

  148. ScottfromOz says:

    Wath, we are complacent because Stan puts no pressure on Arsene, so he puts no pressure on his players.
    Sorry to raise his name, but that’s my honest opinion.
    Even with Arsene in charge, if we had a an ambitious owner, things would be different.
    I do believe that.

  149. Wath says:

    Scott, I think you’ll find Alexis was rather pissed off with Ozil at the Chavs despite being shit himself… I actually cannot believe ppl are actually moaning about Sanchez…. beyond belief actually… Think you’l, find gnarley Adams wanted to win full stop and thats exactly what Sanchez is about… winning, the fact we have ppl questioning him suns up why we winning fuck all… lets question why he moaning at players not pulling their weight….

  150. gnarleygeorge9 says:

    I will say this about Alexis. He has the opportunity to text his agent with something like

    “Take a week off, will talk soon”

    Then get the cameras & journos round The Club,of his own accord, & commit to The Arsenal for a minimum of 2 years.

  152. Wath says:

    Scott i agree I fucking hate Stan as well ‘BUT’ if i was manager i would make it abundantly clear play for the shirt… no passengers.. no feint hearts… no favourites…. team picked on effort and passion to win, we can all say what we want about Sta but in my mind the players all to comfy it’s a secure environment from top to bottom and a manager with a point to prove would put a rocket up this lots arse….

  153. ScottfromOz says:

    Wath, I always question what’s wrong with the club, but because nobody, or very few, agree with what I think, it doesn’t mean I’m not laying blame elsewhere, as well.
    My main target is Stan, bur closely followed by Arsene and the players.
    We have too many players that don’t love the club and will give that extra 5 percent for it, imo.
    That is, in part, down to Arsene, but it’s also on Stan and the player themselves.

  154. Wath says:

    yes gnarley he does lead by example shame the others don’t follow suit…. shame you can’t see it but that’s why we allowed to agree to disagree on here..! you must be happy with the pussies on the pitch that he pissed off with..!

  155. ScottfromOz says:

    Arsene is too comfortable, Wath, of that there is no question……so is Ivan, and the players.
    GG, Alexis as captain would be interesting.
    It would either be a genius move, or rip the joint apart.
    I like the idea.
    If he extends,That is.

  156. ScottfromOz says:

    Wath, this is where I get frustrated.
    When Gabriel tore after Costa last year, fans ripped into him for being naive, even though he was sent off incorrectly.
    Now, fans ask why he’s not the aggressive guy we bought.
    Now, if you can explain that mindset of fans to me. I’d be the happiest Gooner alive.
    Xhaka-same thing.
    We want aggression yet complain when our player is aggressive.
    What the fukk???
    Some will say they want players to be aggressive, but not TOOOO aggressive.
    People fondly remember Vieira, and rightly so, but what he could get away with then, Players can not get away with now.

  157. Wath says:

    Scot football these days is what it is… no one at any club rarely gives a fuck who they play for its merely a salary, for me it’s about a manager making it clear the shirt is important and if you do not give 100% then fuck off elsewhere….. we have a manager to loyal to players who let him down time and time again yet we then have an owner who doesnt hold the manager accountable due to purely from a financial perspective as he provides the minimum and keeps the cash cow fed. we as a business are successful as a football club we are second rate from top to bottom

  158. Wath says:

    Scott, Patrick got sent off what 9 times….. no one fucked with us… Him and Manu… then Edu and the Gilberto…. we had players who could not only play but first and foremost always won the physical battle… Gabriel may not be Bobby Moore but i agree why take away what makes him good, same with Xhaka we need aggression and fuck the red cards…. get stuck in…. we pussies and its sooooooooooooooo obvious… 98, 02.04, big physical, quick and we could play… now look at us…??? enuff said

  159. ScottfromOz says:

    Wath, now that is one hell of a comment and I agree with every bit of it.
    Sad that what used to be the people’s game is now all about cash.

  160. ScottfromOz says:

    Wath, but you have to admit it’s also fans who were highly critical of Gabriel and have been of Xhaka.
    Wenger may have told them to tone down and I’ll never defwns that, because the aggression was surely why we bought them, but those guys were thrown under the bus by their manager and the fans.

  163. Wath says:

    Scott the problem is what kind of fans slag off Gabriel and Xhaka… the ones at the game or the fucking experts on social media…?

    Wenger is supposed to be the psychologist so why take notice of anyone when he knows exactly what the team needs… why say we weak mentally, why say we need physicality why say we need attitude its so playing into the ‘enemy’s’ hands… for someone so clever he is so fucking thick…..

  164. micko says:

    Oh shut up Wath, until you’ve been enlisted into the HHBC (fcuk the curry club ) you ain’t got a clue what your talking about matey, I didn’t know it existed until I became an honourary member last month lol.
    Every top class club in the world has a selfish centre forward, it’s the very reason they get paid more money than defenders and score you more goals and win you titles lol !!!
    I honestly think Wegner has told Ozil to stay up front and if he loses the ball don’t bother tracking back but if we get possession back get the ball to him asap and create mayhem for the opposition , that’s my take on it anyway.

  165. ScottfromOz says:

    Wath, fair call and point taken as 99.9% of fans I speak to aren’t at games.
    Still, why anyone would criticise those guys is surprising to me as they also agree we lack aggression.
    Micko, if you’re right, then Arsene is hanging Ozil out to dry, because he’s been copping criticism for doing what he’s told
    Strange bloody tactic, if true.

  166. Wath says:

    Do you think the club give a fuck about you and I Scott…?
    They are so far removed from what you and i want it’s scary, you and i say fuck off Arsenal i am finished, they will say fine piss off we have others who want your seat and who want your season ticket we don’t care… do they care they loosing a family association… nope…. Wengers comments last week shows no one at the club has a pulse on what the fans actually think….. who in their right mind says you should be like others clubs fans…. shows his knowledge of his own club is also totally flawed as why the fuck is the bowl such a sanitized shit hole…. well it’s been policed by stewards only to happy to tell all and sundry to sit down shut up and behave or be thrown out and lose your season ticket… so reap what you sow Arsene the club has a bowi full of placid fans who not allowed to get involved because thats what the club wanted….! if you want intimidating and fans getting involved then let them get up shout and holla and make the atmosphere a little hostile… as it is it’s utter bollox but thats due to how the club have wanted it

  168. Wath says:

    Micko, you fancy a little walk in april…? fuck tkts ….. ( Lee said he leading the charge…………. to the bar…)

  169. Wath says:

    Micko the problem is if we only had Ozil as a passenger it;s not a huge problem but when you carrying Iwobi and Walcott then it’s pathetic and if we honest who do you want out of them 3 on the pitch to create… Ozil all day long…. so why not play Welbeck and Perez who at least seem to put in a shift

  172. potter says:

    Sanchez is the type of guy that wears his heart on his sleeve , he can’t hide his emotions , he is a great player because he has a few tricks and a work rate that very few have. It doesn’t surprise me that he screams at his teammates but it will be their relationships off the pitch that will define if it’s a problem. I have played with players that bawl you out but they happened to be good themselves . The only reason that nobody has a go at him when he fouls up is because it’s not in their character someone mentioned Adams he would have taken Sanchez to task as would Keown and Vieira but they would have come from a position of strength . Sanchez is so far ahead of his peers that none of them have the stature to call him to task.

  173. micko says:

    Wath, I said it to rico a few months back, I don’t think I’ve ever seen Perez start a game, unfortunately for him he has a lot to live up to having the same name as Bobby even if it is spelt differently lol.

  174. scottfromoz says:

    Wath, i would love to know why Perez isn’t playing.
    There is no reason I could imagine that would suffice.
    Potter, you do make a good point.
    I’m not sure who in the side has the character and has wanted no the right to have a crack.

  178. Obi says:

    Let’s not forget Hull ran over L’pool last week. Scott as said last week, having watched Sanchez since River Plate, get use to the extra touches and the turnovers it comes with the package.

    I am the only here that thinks if AW select the right team, we will beat Bayern EASILY? I have seen BM played about 16 League and CL games this season, stop Costa and Alaba runs and crosses, squeeze them in the middle, and don’t let Robben cut back in on his left foot as he does 100% of the time. Watch them against Freiburg, Darmstadst, Rostov, Atletico. BM has been average, just like Arsenal, in a 2 team league.

  179. gnarleygeorge9 says:

    Wrath

    I agree with you re ‘pussies’, but I think Alexis needs to show proper commitment to The Arsenal, not create speculation that adds to an already extremely frustrating Groundhog Day scenario. Sign so that the fans know he’s committed. I really do think the constant speculation from both he & Ozil has affected the campaign.

  180. scottfromoz says:

    Obi, a win v Bayern would do massive things for the players.
    It would not hurt us fans, either 🙂
    GG, no question that if we knewthe futures of Ozil, Alexis and Arsene himself, everyone would be far better off.

  181. Obi says:

    Am flabbergasted the level that some Arsenal fans put Alexis .. Wath even in the worst teams in the world someone has to score. Alexis is a Good player, let’s not make him great yet.

    I have watched Alexis since River Plate…and I watch every Arsenal game and tape every Arsenal game. It’s not a matter of players being available for the pass, he just doesn’t pass to certain players, he even does that playing for Chile. Watch the the Copa America final, that’s why he didn’t finish the the game and got sub. When a dude turns over that ball 10x in a game it’s hard to say that players weren’t available for the pass. Watch the Hull game when we are trying to close out the game he’s dribbling backwards, rather than make the easy pass, really? Sanchez has the ball more than anyone in any given Arsenal game, so why shouldn’t he do something with it?

    Granted Ozil and Sanchez have different personalities, but I have seen Ozil telling players about their mistakes but not being demonstrative about it. Besides the first Chelsea game this year, and may at City in previous season, what big game has Sanchez showed up since he’s been at Arsenal? Re playing with Pussies, big time players carry pussies, not complain about them. The nerve of his agent to want $250 to $300k per week.

    Some fans get on here, and makes statements such as, “where will we be if we didn’t have Sanchez”? The same place we have been in the last 20 years …. top 4.

  182. ScottfromOz says:

    Obi, your last comment is brilliant lol.
    Now, I must sound like a massive hater if Alexis but I really am not-I love his work ethic and passion, but I think he should be helping his team mates rather than berating rhem.
    I’ve always said I rate work rate and effort above all else, and I’ll never criticise any player who gives their all, but I think he doesn’t himself an injustice by talking to team mates like they’re shit-even if they are playing that way lol.
    I really hope he extends and shows some intent.
    It will shut a lot of people up and we can move on.
    If he doesn’t extend soon, I’d sell him.

  183. rico says:

    Re aggressive players, the showing passion and aggression and then there’s stupidity imo. I liked see Gabriel stand up to Costa but kicking out at him after the incident and much further up the pitch was stupid, we all know Costa winds players up, well he did under Mourinho. We also know what Dean is like and Wenger should have drummed that into the players on that day and any time he is the referee.

    Xhaka, love him too but he too should have been told that every PL referee will be well aware of his history and he’s an easy target. Go in hard but don’t go over the top or be off the ground when committing himself…

    Wenger should also know by now that PL referees are hopeless and quite often very unfair towards us, so don’t give them a decision to make I say…

    Morning all..

    Oh, and I love Alexis but I agree with those who suggest Ozil, Walcott and Iwobi cannot play in the same team as we might as well start with eight players….

  184. ScottfromOz says:

    Morning Rico.
    It’s a shame we need to warn our players about biased officials, but it’s true lol
    Yes, Arsene needs to balance things better-we can’t carry luxury players.

  187. rico says:

    As would I Scott, and Welbeck. No place for Iwobi and Walcott though. Maybe even leave Coquelin out and play Xhaka and Eneny/Chamberlain…

  189. Adam says:

    Morning Rico. Xhaka was an idiot by giving Moss the choice to send him off. You don’t measure how tough a player is by how many needless fouls he commits surely. He was annoyed that he gave the ball away, not for the first time, so he leapt into a tackle. Moss rubbed his hands together and a lengthy ban ensued. He shone briefly for a few games but he is much, much slower than I first thought. He may come good. We’ll see. Ozil is a much more relevant problem as he is playing really badly and giving the ball way far too often and when he fades out of games he is just a passenger. Alexis is a great player but plays instinctively. At the moment he is up and down. Overall the team is something of a mess as far as I can see and even the usually reliable Kos looks all at sea at times. I suppose it is all down to management and confidence. Yesterday was sheer tedium.

  190. rico says:

    Morning Adam. I think he’ll come good, I really do and hopefully he’ll learn to channel his aggression in the right way. Someone said overnight about Vieira and it’s a good point, he was far from a saint but a great player nevertheless. What cheeses me off though is many tackles which have been much worse than either of Xhaka’s two sending offs have gone unpunished. I know that doesn’t make it right but consistency is all I ask for.

    Many players look all at sea, it’s like there’s no direction from above, no-one seems to really know how the team are supposed to be playing. It’s often like watching Sunday league football but without the passion.

  191. ScottfromOz says:

    Adam, Xhaka was naive and left the gate open, but it was never a send off, but again, leaving a little baatatd like Moss with a chance is silly.
    Had he been told?
    Who knows?
    We are a rabble.
    Talent and luck is getting us by but that’s not enough.

  192. Adam says:

    Completely agree that there have been many, many worse challenges that have gone unpunished, but the Arsenal players should know that. Comparing Xhaka with Vieira is a stretch for me. PV was a great player, virtually from his first kick and he had attributes that I haven’t seen in Xhaka. But, as you suggest, he might come good. Let’s hope so anyway.

  197. ScottfromOz says:

    Rico, I’m sloooooowly starting to come around to the video ref in football.
    I still cringe at the thought, though.

  198. Adam says:

    Yes, technology would help but, as far as tackles like Xhaka’s are concerned, I sense a number of grey areas. When it comes it will surely only be for questions of fact like offsides initially and not for matters of opinion, like bad tackles.

  201. hayseapl@gmail.com says:

    Rico, it’s not…..not in all sports.
    Rugby League has had it as long as nearly any sport and it’s still a shamozzle.
    On objective issues, it’s fine, but when it comes to subjective calls, we sit and wait for a few minutes only for a call to be made that half agree with and half don’t.
    I guess it comes down to how it’s used.

  202. ScottfromOz says:

    On the Alexis handball-would a video ref help?
    We’ve all seen the replay and plenty will say it’s a fair goal, plenty won’t.
    That’s where I don’t like it.

  203. frednerk says:

    Morning Rico and All

    Danny’s been fit for over a month now
    just not match fit..Rocket science again.

    Ozil can look the Dog’s Bollo*k’s one day
    and a Flaky Pansy the next.
    He has to have the player’s around him,
    for his type of game..Free Role
    Sanchez know’s that..That’s why he tolerates him.

    How anyone can knock Sanchez playing for
    The Arsenal…..Cannot in my opinion be looking at the
    same player…Surely he must rate head and shoulders
    over anyone in this current squad,what’s Barcelona and Chile
    got to do with it.

    Yesterday’s very poor performance was discribed by
    Arsene as playing with the handbrake on again,
    for me playing Ozil,Walnut and Iwobi has not worked again.
    Hull had more of the the ball than us.

    Going by the Rhubarb’s he must be saving
    Elenny,Perez and Danny for the Munich game.

  206. ScottfromOz says:

    I don’t think Obi was criticising him too much, just staying that Samchez isn’t as good as plenty believe, in his opinion, but surely you can’t deny the fact he turns the ball over repeatedly, and often when he has simple options.
    It’s not just recently, either.

  207. rico says:

    Morning Fred. Ditto re Alexis.

    really don’t understand why Welbeck isn’t getting more minutes, after all, that’s the only way he’ll get match fit.

  208. ScottfromOz says:

    Lol Rico.
    Yes, most, but then, those sports who use it the right way make it succeed.
    Offsides,Goal line technology, Diving, but showing whether contact was made or not, or a few ways it can be used in football.
    Of course Goal line is already used.

  210. ScottfromOz says:

    Rico, if Wenger brings Danny back to quickly and he gets injured, it’s on him.
    Anyone who’s trained athletes will tell you they’re most prone to injury when NOT match fit, so the club is handling him perfectly, I reckon.
    Perez-no answer on that one lol.
    It’s a mystery.

  215. frednerk says:

    Danny Welbeck in line for return for Arsenal after eight months out
    Arsene Wenger says Danny Welbeck is in line for a return to action with Arsenal, on the day the striker was joined by Sir Mo Farah at training.

    Last Updated: 06/01/17 9:06am

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