Xhaka in the naughty corner already? Hull City show Arsenal how to do it!

Morning all.

Wow! What a strike that was from Granit Xhaka and from so far out too. We all knew he could do it but to see him do it in an Arsenal shirt is super stuff. Awesome! Arsene Wenger won’t be pleased though as he seems to prefer the passing game and I suspect he’ll be having a word in the Swiss internationals ear telling him that he must pass and not shoot….

I jest of course as I’m sure the Frenchman will have been thrilled to see him hit the back of the net with such precision.

The same can’t be said about Alexis penalty. Why does he even bother taking them, it’s clearly not his thing. This needs sorting imo – we need a guy to step up and rifle the ball home. A bit like Hull City did with theirs!

So a good and confidence building 4-1 victory which in all honesty was flattering for Hull. I think we had something like 24 shots on goal with just 9 on target which needs improving on imo. We won’t always get as many chances during a game but when they come, our boys need to be a bit more ruthless in front of goal. Sounds a bit picky maybe but goals win games, and winning games can make us league champions.

Another area which needs sorting out is Arsene Wenger’s reluctance to spot danger and react. Santi Cazorla, already booked, was very fortunate not to be sent off after committing further fouls, yet just like Francis Coquelin a few weeks ago, he stayed on the pitch. On another day, with a different referee, Arsenal won’t be so lucky as we all know there are certain officials out there who would love to send one of our players off and it could very well cost us points. Roger East did us a huge favour that’s for sure.

Francis Coquelin was unlucky not to get on the score-sheet and would have had it not been for Jake Livermore’s fine save, something which I suspect the defender regretted as soon as East dipped into his pocket to find his red card. Alexis as said above, fluffed his lines when taking the penalty. He did manage to score a couple of goals during the match though, one of which was stolen from Iwobi. The other goal was a cheeky little chip over the keeper from Theo Walcott.

It was only Hull City some might say, they were down to ten men others might mumble but so what? Arsenal can only play against whoever the opposition is and yesterday they did just that to secure three points with four good goals. Yes there’s always room for improvement and I’m sure it will come as the season goes on.

Next up is a trip to Nottingham Forest in the League Cup on Tuesday, then it’s Chelsea at The Emirates on Saturday evening.

Have a good Sunday guys…

302 thoughts on “Xhaka in the naughty corner already? Hull City show Arsenal how to do it!

  1. Micko says:

    Morning all,

    A real screamer from Xhata, reminded me of Reyes first goal for us against Chelsea in front of the North Bank back in the day !

  2. kelsey says:

    A fair report Rico.It’s often harder to beat 10 than 11 men but this is not the Hull City we knew last time they were in the PL,They came to play football and that suited us down to the ground,

    For me Xhata’s goal was similar to Sanchez’s in the Cup Final against Villa and it’s hard to believe he took such a meek penalty.
    As you say with the gods being kind to us this season we need to find a player to smash home penalties, in a different game against a different team that miss may have been crucial to the outcome of the game.

    Santi, straight down the middle works sometimes but he will get found out unless he varies them.

    I wish Ollie’s toe better 😉

  3. Tsgh says:

    Welcome back Rico.Goodread as well.
    Fred me being prawn cocktail man? Go was your mouth Sir… ??

    I think the core of the proper away fans have stopped going for whatever reason…
    Maybe the journey back is sometimes so negative or maybe austerity or maybe Brecht or maybe they are all procorbynistas.lol

  4. Micko says:

    Adam, I was sat in the East Stand, we all went mental, no matter how hard they tried they couldn’t beat us back then.
    Would love to see more of that from Xhaka.
    Rosicky, Podolski and Arshavin are just 3 players that spring to mind, all used to score for fun from outside the box before they joined us…..maybe the times are a changin’

  5. Tsgh says:

    Micko bundesliga encourages long range shots…
    Nordveit our old boy former team mate of xhaka use to attempt long range shots too…

  6. Tsgh says:

    It depends on the red Micko.
    Having a look at far east bets…I think an Arsenal won won’t be tolerated by the powers that be…

  7. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Buongiorno Lovelies and Hunkies

    Enjoying myself eating pasta with mushroom sauce…….and of course some red wine. Delicious

    And reading a very positive match report written by the Lady boss.

    Cockie……Ozil was quiet by his own usual standards. that was quite an interesting article posted by you.

    I guess there were some feisty words in the dressing room after that non event that was supposed to be a penalty. Cazorla looked pissed off…..and rightly so. that would have been his third goal this season…..a good return for a midfielder even if they are penalties. I guess that if Ollie and Xhaka had been on the pitch they would have been contenders as well. forget the penalty miss in the shoot out……those have different pressure than those during the match. pressure is less intense.

  8. Hell Raising Devil says:

    that is why its positive Rico…..because its not negative and judgemental. I can call someone a liar and also can say that he is not telling the truth…..same thing but with charm. You were realistic but also positive that ‘there’s plenty of room for improvement’

  9. allezkev says:

    Kelsey, regarding those flying pigs, yep, being sceptical about the ‘all new Theo’ is understandable given the many false dawns we’ve experienced with the mercurial Mr Walcott…

    But maybe, just maybe, competition for his shirt has seen the penny drop and he is, reborn again as our wing wizard….

    Or some old bollocks like that. ?

  10. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Kev….why in all honesty a player like Theo need competition to kick into gear? If it were for me I would never need competition as I hate loosing and also hate those who don’t give 100%. Does it need competition to give your all? I have always competed with myself.

  11. kelsey says:

    Indeed kev, miracles can happen. I made a huge mistake,i kept saying Theo was on 110K a week it’s actually 140K a week, thirty grand extra for loyalty 😉

  12. allezkev says:

    Just read your post Rico…

    Obviously the sea air did you a power of good, as that was a fine effort from your mighty quill…

    Ginge, you surely aren’t hinting that there could be some conspiracy afoot???
    Have you been going on Untold Arsenal again..?! ?

  13. allezkev says:

    Dev, it’s alm about a player’s character and Theo doesn’t come across as as driven or detirmjned as say Alexis or Xhaka, maybe it’s an English thing, because if Theo was playing abroad he’d have to toughen up pronto – new language, culture, food, football etc…

  14. Tsgh says:

    Kev…you know there is always a whiff of conspiracy about football… ?
    Reverend Micko believes otherwise but hey…

  15. allezkev says:

    Westfield, Shepherds Bush is going through a massive face lift/makerover, it must be growing by some 30% in size!

    Brexit doesn’t seem to be effecting people’s desire to shop…

  16. Tsgh says:

    Jose is so envious of Wenger he is determined to copy Wenger’s defensive inefficiency.lol
    Where is all of Jose’s tactical prowess?

  17. allezkev says:

    You gotta laugh as some of those shit sites on NewsNow…

    Like the ones banging on about Gnabry scoring a ‘wonder goal’….

    Btw, what is a wonder goal..?
    How does it differ from a, a goal…
    Is a wonder goal worth two goals?
    Had it got anything to do with super agents.

    Ginge, I’m confused, help…. ?

    Anyway, back to Gnabry…

    So he scored…
    Big deal.

    His team lost 4-1… ?

  18. Obi says:

    Said it and will keep saying Jose is done as a manager the signs goes all the way back to Madrid. Anyway on a more important note, did any noticed, and I have watched yesterday’s game 2x, that although there was rapid movement, how unstructured and indisciplined it was? Guys were all over the place at one point Sanchez was the attacking mid. I think Theo was good yesterday because they was no structure and likewise Ozil struggled.

  19. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Buon Pomeriggio Lovelies and Hunkies

    Obi….you are partly right…….i have been saying it for years now…AW wants to create a fluid attack system in which there are 5 attackers in the team who can switch positions at will. …..as you said….rapid movement which is unstructured. but although it may seem undisciplined it is intentional.

    The most important thing is that all 5 defend when it is needed.

  20. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Perez must play more minutes. 11 v. 10 the game over and only play 5-6 minutes?
    He must win confident and the team needs him like everyone in the squad.

  21. Meerkat says:

    Is it just me, or did Sanchez look a bit miserable yesterday? Even when he scored, his celebrations weren’t exactly full on.
    Could it be he wants away to Juve?

  22. Micko says:

    Obi, I watched it a couple of times as well and found myself enjoying it even more the 2nd time around !

    ‘We give people what they want to see, pace, commitment, attacking football and sometimes if we go overboard I’m sorry’

  23. rico says:

    Re Alexis looking grumpy – have to say I disagree as after one of his goals, he thumped the Arsenal badge etc in front of the fans……

  24. kelsey says:

    While Arsenal wait for Alexis Sanchez to put pen to paper and extend his stay at the Emirates, Manchester City are ready to make an offer for the Chile international in January.

    Sanchez’s current contract runs out in June 2018 and Wenger is desperate to give him a new deal. According to The Express, Sanchez wants around £200,000 a week making him the highest paid player in the squad.

    He is adamant to see the Gunners ambitiously challenge for major titles this season and needs proof the club are focused enough on their attempt to become champions in order to decide his future with Arsenal.

    Failure to do so would mean City will get their hands on Sanchez as they wouldn’t have any trouble paying his demanded salary. Neither will they have problems convincing Sanchez about their ambitions seeing they haven’t lost a single game in the Premier League so far and have a perfect record under their new manager Pep Guardiola.

    The former Barcelona man scored two goals on Saturday taking his tally against Hull to six goals in a total of five games. Wenger has been playing the Chilean as a striker which is slightly aggravating for Sanchez who prefers to play in a wider position.

    The 27-year-old was seen playing more freely and comfortably when he was moved from a centre forward position to the wing following the arrival of Olivier Giroud on the pitch against Paris Saint-Germain earlier this week.

    Despite witnessing a positive change in Sanchez’s performance when he was moved out wide, Wenger started him in the striker role again against Hull. Growing frustration over his position in the team can also influence Sanchez’s decision over a contract extension and Wenger would be wise not to test him further.

  25. Le Coq Monster says:

    Cant see Alexis going there either as he could end up a bench warmer………….Aguero, DeBruyne, Sterling, Iheanacho, Silva, Sane, Navas etc etc etc etc etc

  26. Micko says:

    Obi, it’s one from a good few years back……..a case of we can score more goals than you !

    Malaga, if Mayo have any sense they’ll stop off in Knock before coming back down again, they need all the help they can get lol.

  27. ScottfromOz says:

    Thumbs up, or down after 5 games, guys???
    Evens, for mine.
    Would we have taken 10 points from 15 if offered that a month ago?
    We need to improve plenty, that stating the obvious, but I reckon there’s plenty in the tank, as long as Arsene can find the accelerator 🙂

  28. Obi says:

    Rico @ 6:54, not only did he sold him after that Pep said he let him go because he slows down the attack because he holds on to the ball. And we all know that hasn’t changed.

  29. allezkev says:

    Rico, I really don’t believe any of that rubbish linking Sanchez to Man City…
    Isn’t there discussions over a new contract for him, and surprise surprise there’s links to Juventus and Man City…
    It couldn’t be his agents behind those stories, perish the thought…

    Watford looked really good on MotD, either that or Manure are really crap. Maybe a bit of both?

    After Arsenals awful start to the season, 1 point from a possible 6, we now sit above both ManUre and Chelski..!

    But before we get too carried away, below Everton and the Scum, so it’s all up in the air.

    Hopefully we’ll still be above the Chavs n Mancs this time next week….

  30. Obi says:

    I think it’s a good start Scott, because we threw away the first game basically. So I will take it. I also think that we will beat Chelsea. One Conte is going through a bad spell that he would need to stop, so he will play a strong side against LC. Two, I don’t think they will be able to keep up with us. This team has pace and strength everywhere that Chelsea can’t match. I have said for a long time that Coq is better than Kante…..we shall see it.

  31. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Buongiorno Lovelies and Hunkies

    Going through some blogs I was finding it astounding that they were proposing Holding as RB while Mustafi and Gaby play as CB. I hope not. I want to see a CB partnership of Gaby and Holding. I don’t care who plays at RB whether it is Jenkinson or Debuchy but it would be criminal to put Holding as RB and destroy what he has done so far. Gibbs is natural for the LB spot.

    its important that today Xhaka and Elneny play in the centre of midfield as well. That would make the defensive dept solid and reliable……

    Ospina
    Debuchy, Gaby, Holding, Gibbs
    Xhaka Elneny

    it is in the AM and CF department where its all up for grabs. I think that Perez will surely start as will OX and maybe Iwobi. There might even be a place for Reine Adelaide today as well

    So it is possible to see Perez at CF with Ox, Iwobi and Reine Adelaide behind him. Iwobi looks composed and the perfect number 10. That is if Aaron is still not available. If Aaron is available I think Iwobi will be dropped to the bench so he can play against the chavs.

  32. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Scott, I would not yet say a top class squad. A real squad with depth is more likely…..where you have two players for every position and not shift and shunt players like putting square pegs into round holes.

    a top class squad would see us having two top players for every position.

    Cech, Ospina;
    Bellerin, ???
    Mustafi, Kos, Gaby, Holding;
    Nacho (?), Gibbs(?); {I will replace both imo}
    Xhaka, Coquelin, Cazorla, Elneny;
    Ozil, Aaron;
    Iwobi, Alexis, Theo(?), OX(?);
    Giroud, Perez(?)

    Bellerin has no WC replacement, while both Nacho and Gibbs are good squad players who need a WC LB in front of them. The AM and Forward position are not bad but while the jury is still out on whether Perez is ok or not I still think that both Theo and Ox need to improve vastly. Theo has shown big improvement this year and last game was in the running for MOTM behind Iwobi and Alexis. He still remains a player who can become a very good player but will always lack the brains to become a footballer imo.

    AW needs to think for next season as well….Nacho, Cazorla and Kos are all out of contract and with all of them over 30 I don’t think all three will be here next season. I feel both Nacho and Cazorla will go back to Spain to see out their last few years. Maybe AW will still keep Kos but he would better offer him a 2/3 year contract. Per will also go in Summer as a free agent. So next season AFC will have to find/promote a new RB, LB, CB (chambers), Winger and maybe another forward.

    As KEv points out this season will see the breakthrough of players like Bileik, Reine Adelaide may make the step up…….but I do not think Bielik will play against Forest tomorrow seeing that we have Gaby and Holding as CB with Xhaka and Elneny as CDM

    bdw……with regards the CF I think if Ollie’s big toe is ok he will play tomorrow. Forgot about that….and he needs minutes as well. So it might be Ollie as CF with OX, Reine Adelaide/Aaron and Perez behind him.

  33. Tsgh says:

    Scott it appears my response to your question yesterday did not appear. The manager is villas Boas.he joined debit won titles but left this summer.
    Morning Rico and all

  34. Tsgh says:

    Dev you know I am a fan of 3-5-2 dev. My layman’s reason is that we don’t have proper wingers to play in a modern 4-4-1-1 or 4-5-2/4-2-3-1.
    In my view when we meet teams who let us play our current set up works but when the opposition is organized we struggle as too much demand is placed in our full backs.

  35. Tsgh says:

    Someone could bring something new to Arsenal but I am not sure if he will fit into epl.
    Keoman,Emery,Tuchel for me…
    Ideal short replacement has to be Carlito of course…
    Saying that Wenger as frustrating as he is,is still one of the very best imho of course. ?

  36. Hell Raising Devil says:

    I agree Ginge. Many people want AW out but don’t consider the fact that he is still one of the very best. Not many consider the fact that he moved stadiums and kept the ship afloat through difficult times. Yes he is frustrating at times and lost many chances of silverware due to his stubbornness but he is way much better than many others as well

    Ancellotti would be the ideal short term replacement but I would like Simeone or Tuchel as well. Koeman is good but imo the above three are superior to him

    What am I enjoying of Mourinho’s plight atm???? not his losses although long may they continue, but the fact that having lost at least one game that means that he will never do an unbeaten season. SAF found it very disturbing that for all his trophies (fair or unfair) he never managed to do it and it will be the same with Josay.

    and the fact that Watford managed to put him in his place is just one of the cherries of the cake as I have a feeling that more cherries are yet to come above the icing which is not yet spread on the cake

  37. frednerk says:

    Morning All
    More chance of getting Nina Simone Ts
    The Syrup will look for someone with
    an american connection.Micky Mouse…. Maybe.

  38. Tsgh says:

    Lol Fred.Stan might do something innovative and appoint an American football coach….lol
    There will be a perfect reason prepared of course. ?
    Dev-Ditto above re Jose’s plight. Is Pogba worth 80mpounds?
    Jose for the first time in his career has taken over a team needing improvement and rebuild.from Porto to Chelsea he always had Ranieri 2x and others before him who had already built the team for him.

  39. rico says:

    Morning you lot… 🙂

    Obi, I don’t see how Alexis slows our attack down tbh..

    Kev, spot on, all silly bollox re Alexis and City.

    ‘Arsene still one of the best’ – well that’s started my day off with a big chuckle because imo, he’s old, pass it and all out of fresh ideas. Oh, and he can’t motivate for toffee, nor does he react to things going on the pitch during a game…

    Sooner he’s gone the better….. imo of course….

  40. Tsgh says:

    Lol Rico…I knew that comment would get you spilling your morning beverage.lol
    Fred- is it not odd that for the 8 or so times that Jose beat Wenger we were the better team but drogba always scored after touching the ball less times than anyone on the pitch.Jose never said he was lucky.
    I never thought Jose believed luck played a big part in football. ?

  41. Tsgh says:

    He is frustrating Rico i admit but there ain’t many Pep’s around and I bet Wenger will finish above the likes of klopp,Ranieri and co. come end of season.

    One can’t say he does not buy the right players and then say another manager can do better with our current squad…

  42. Adam says:

    Morning Rico and all. Aha, the Wenger paradox again. A simple question then and one that has been asked before.
    Why didn’t Arsenal win the PL last year?

  43. rico says:

    Why not Ts? Wenger should have won the league with the squad he had last year but failed spectacularly with his lack of motivational skills and team selection, not forgetting he couldn’t be bothered to sign at least a striker that summer. He still hasn’t really bought a striker imo although that’s not me knocking Perez.

    Starting the season with Holding and Chambers in defence was always going to be dangerous…

  44. rico says:

    As for Pep, he could have been the Arsenal manager if Wenger had only walked away and any decent human being should know when enough is enough and it’s time to stop what they are doing because they are spent…

    Morning Adam…

  45. Tsgh says:

    Adam you know top 4 is a trophy too… ?
    On a serious note,if Wenger was in some other profession he will be done for negligence.

  46. Adam says:

    Morning TS. As Arsenal supporters we are perhaps fickle. Up after a victory and down after a defeat. But the board must have a more strategic way of looking at the future. As fans we can afford to be reactionary because we know that we will never be in a position where we will be called to make those judgement calls that Arsene so often gets pillioried for. Usually after a defeat.

  47. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Adam….the league last year was bent. If one is to look at the league table without the ref’s mistakes in their control of matches, that is, correct decisions, Arsenal would have won the league with an 8 point advantage. I have said it all along the last year……the league was totally bent.

  48. Tsgh says:

    Rico, an interesting comment!
    Not sure why the club can’t sack wenger if his employers deemed he failed the club last season.
    Not sure how you think pep would have joined us either. …
    You will say you can’t remember but how long after pep joined Bayern did I post a link which said Rumeinege believed pep was gonna join man city?

  49. Tsgh says:

    Dev ditto above.considering the number of points leicester won from penalties…
    Adam- unfortunately our club is being run Luke a small family business but with the greed of a FTSE company…
    There is no apparent strategy being flowed down at least from a footballing point of view.
    The club has decided to follow the bundesliga model but even if we were in the bundesliga we will be finishing 2nd behind FC Hollywood.
    Point in case is how long ago Bayern appointed Ancelloti when it became apparent to the footballing heads at Bavaria that pep was never intending to stay long term.

  50. rico says:

    Devil, every year the league is bent….

    One could say that this year it’s bent in favour of Arsenal after both Coquelin and Cazorla were allowed to stay on the pitch having been booked but continued to commit fouls…

  51. Adam says:

    TS. I was talking to someone just the other evening about whether it is best to have a football-savvy board or a group of detached, bottom-line businessmen. Owners too.

  52. Tsgh says:

    Even RM and barca being ruthless had ex pros in waiting to replace aging existing managers.
    If club want some form of continuity we should be learning from what happened to RM,barca,monaco,yanited,bayern after they lots long serving managers.

  53. Hell Raising Devil says:

    when you put everything in balance and look at it, the fact that Coquelin and Cazorla stayed on the pitch pales into insignificance when compared to last years atrocious decisions. Leicester got so many dubious decisions that it was incredible. We got so many decisions against us which in the end lost us many points.

    Now I do not justify that we should get decisions in favour simply because we got so many against. Two wrongs do not make a right and I am all in favour of refs controlling the game fairly even if decisions are against us…..but at least fairly according to the rules. MAnure had so many decisions taken in their favour when they were winning league titles that to me it was incredible no one thought it fit to mention.

    At least it evens out a bit when decisions go in our favour.

  54. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Scott…rephrase that mate….if Eddie Howe takes over we will be lucky to finish 10th.

    depends who we get. If we get someone who is out of his depth we will flounder. but if we get someone who knows how to handle big time stars we will flourish.

  55. scottfromoz says:

    Rico, I say that because, thogh we often complain about it, we also underestimate how much influence Wenger has at the club.
    When he goes, who do we have at the club with football knowledge??
    Why does Arsene have so much power, right now??
    Because nobody else there seems to have a clue about the game.
    I’m not scared of change, not one bit.
    What I’m scared of is how fans will react, and who they will blame, when Arsene goes.
    At the same time, I say he needs to go at seasons end.

  56. goonster says:

    And yet we wonder why we haven’t won squat in eons. Wenger one of the best?? Yet can’t muster a single shot on target against chelshit in 3 years. Can’t beat a manure team everyone else steam rolled. Lost to Zagreb Monaco and threw away a 3 goal advantage against clube brugges. The same brugges leceister just wiped the floor with. Some people just don’t get it. Morning everyone. How’s it hanging??

  57. goonster says:

    Pound for pound our players can hold their own against any opposition. Look at that defense, with the acquisition of mustafi we look immense. Add per (whom I still think is a top class defender) holding and gabby to it and see the depth of resources we have. The midfield is a thing of joy. Santi ozil Rambo coquelin xhaka my main man elneny and the list goes on. Yet we ll come 4th again and some ll still say we were lucky to have wenger. Give that same team to koeman (whom I hate by the way) and see the difference. Wenger one of the best is the biggest joke of the century. Best my ass.

  58. scottfromoz says:

    Rico, and whys that?
    Because nobody else has the balls to have ANY influence.
    That’s why I blame the bastards behind the scenes.
    Stan, we finished second last season, so that “4th again” really is lazy.

  59. goonster says:

    Yet you said give the team to another manager and we’ll finish 10th. Seriously I wait for the day a new manager takes charge and wins the league in his first season. I wait for all your excuses. We finished 2nd behind who??? Yeah I thought so.

  60. Hell Raising Devil says:

    I am not blaming officials Rico….I am stating the obvious…….against the dippers Aaron had his feet hacked from behind in the penalty area…..no penalty given, that would have given us 2 more points. That is not blaming officials but saying it as it is.

    There were other issues in the past season which saw us loose points when we should have won them.

    And this is not my argument seeing that I read an article a few weeks ago which analysed every game and whether it was fairly controlled by refs.

  61. scottfromoz says:

    Devil, Leicester get 15 penalties-plenty were dives-we got 2.
    Have someone neutral and knowledgable decide the merit of those decisions.
    As Ginge says, work the difference in points those penalties offered, and we see where we end up.
    Most would be surprised, but would never openly admit it.

  62. Le Coq Monster says:

    Morning all.

    See something on the news today that said we will have driverless cabs in 5 years time !……………..will Kev have a blow up doll Kev sat in the front seat whilst he relaxes in a Pie&Mash shop ?, not much change there as the tourists will still be ripped off !. hahaha

    Who will replace Wenger ?……………lets hope it isn`t the same as driverless cabs where a blow up doll Arsene is in charge !………bet the blow up doll Wenger would spend more money !.
    Personally I would like Koeman .
    It wont ever be Maureen or Pep . Simeone would be interesting, but I think it will be an ex- player, but Koeman for me, to have someone who has done it all as a player and made average teams better in a short time who has football inteligence having more than a plan B.

  63. rico says:

    That’s my belief Scott. The body language of the players tells me something….

    And you know I detest Kroenke and co for not moving the club on with a different manager but regardless of what they do or don’t do, Wenger’s stuff on the pitch leaves a lot to be desired…

  64. goonster says:

    Adam we re both doing great. She’s a handful lately. I barely have time for anything else. Wants to play princess all the time. Which by the way I have to dress up as princess sophia. Lord God help me. That little rascal had me put on make up. Wish I could share the pictures but I can’t. Lol

  65. Le Coq Monster says:

    Where`s Goonie been hiding ?……………………………Not surprised by it as he came out with some terrible transfer predictions from his “Source”…………… thought he might have been doing time for silencing his “Source” and ended up as someones bitch in solitary !…………………….”pick the soap up Stan ” !

  66. rico says:

    It’s still an attempt to justify not winning the league Devil. What about the matches we lost in spectacular fashion because we couldn’t defend?

  67. Lee says:

    We’ve played two good teams already this season and got 1 point to show for it, yep it’s early in the season but….
    We’ll know where we stand after playing the chavs, Utd, citeh, spuds & the toffees….

  68. Hell Raising Devil says:

    the article I read took every wrong decisions into account even during games in which Arsenal were not involved…….and the final league table saw Arsenal finishing first and it also showed that Arsenal were the team which suffered most from wrong decisions.

    Every team suffers from wrong decisions. some suffer more than others.

  69. Le Coq Monster says:

    It will happen that sometime in the future there will be reviews on all game changing decissions……….goals, offsides, penalties, yellow cards, red cards……….it will happen and only then will Manshafter Std`s dominance dwindle !.
    It may add a couple of mins to the game , but they could take the half time break back to ten mins instead of fifteen mins !………………….anyone remember watching BBC grandstand back in a day when the teleprinter had results coming in around 4:42pm ?……………..now the results are more than ten mins later !.

  70. Hell Raising Devil says:

    who are the two good teams Lee??? the dippers I agree but honestly……do you think Leicester are a good team???

    imo they are not. and in 5 games they have already lost 2/3 of all the games they lost during last season.

    this season they will finish lower than 12th position imo….maybe even fight to avoid relegation.

  71. rico says:

    Says it all Devil, if you don’t think Leicester are very good. They should have beaten us and would have if the ref had rightly awarded them a penalty at the end. And we could beat them despite them not very good…

  72. scottfromoz says:

    Rico, we beat them twice last season, when only one other club did, yet they won the league, and we were shit according to most.
    I can’t explain that, and I doubt anyone else can lol

  73. rico says:

    I’m talking about this season though Scott. Devil said Leicester aren’t a good team, so what does that make us after playing so badly against them?

    Can’t have it both ways….

  74. Hell Raising Devil says:

    going through some stats……
    Against the dippers we had 51% possession and 5 shots on target. They had 7 on target
    Against Leicester we had 61% possession and 5 shots on target. They had 1 on target
    Against Watford we had 55% possession and 7 shots on target. They had 6 on target
    Against Southamton we had 57% possession and 2 shots on target. They had 5 on target
    Against Hull we had 61% possession and 9 shots on target. They had just 2

    So imo against Leicester it was a case of being stale in front of goal not because they were better than us. we outplayed them and allowed them only 1 shot on target.

    yes we will comment better against the chavs but that would be the 6th game not the first or second game when many teams are nearly on the same conditioning level. its as the season goes by when we can comment. check the possession stats……we never went below 55% after the first game.

  75. rico says:

    All that proves is Arsenal pass a lot but don’t score enough, but at the end of the day, we dropped 3 points against Liverpool and 2 against Leicester, a team which is considered to be not as good as Arsenal, even though they won the PL last season…

  76. scottfromoz says:

    Rico, let’s be honest, we all use stats and certain points in our own way, to suit our own argument.
    We do want it both ways, and that’s an absolute fact.
    How can we criticise Mike Dean, then say officiating is not an excuse??

  77. Tsgh says:

    Jeez it just occurred to be the goon is a double for Trump…lol
    How you doing bud.you must be the most miserable Dutchman that is why you were shipped over to the us of flipping A…

  78. allezkev says:

    Stan, the thought of you in a dress, wearing lipstick, especially with that pout, is something I find a little, er, disturbing… ?

  79. Tsgh says:

    Scott admit it Wenger is rubbish.reason most teams want to be like us but after going through as many managers as goonies creaming they have rarely been as consistent as us.
    Even the mighty yanited would take top 4 if it was offered now.

  80. scottfromoz says:

    Rico, we are nowhere near as dire as people like to make out, and that’s disappointing.
    Plenty said how shit we were last season, yet we finished second.
    When I say that, the usual reply is “but Leicester beat us”.
    As I said, we twist things to suit our argument.

  81. Tsgh says:

    Kev,when Boris and Goldman get their way cabbies’ will be lined up against the walk and shot for not confirming to the ever evolving definition of capitalism.lol

  82. Tsgh says:

    Who will admit saying Moyes was a better manager than Wenger and wanted Moyes to replace Wenger before fergie highjacked Moyes as his replacement?
    Moyes took over a team that had ran away with the EPL a season before and the rest is history.
    How many motd expects have succeeded in management after giving their expert opinions on TV?

  83. Adam says:

    Apart from a few notable exceptions, our home play last year was poor. We picked up points playing that way but, to me, the actual story of last season cannot be told through stats or articles on refereeing. You had to be there to feel the games, the player’s levels and the way we set out to win them. Those I know who go to the away games told me that we were very up and down there too. I will forever remember the Southampton away game on Boxing Day as it embodied so much of what we needed to come to terms with last season and presented the type of challenge that we often seem to fall short of.

  84. kelsey says:

    Morning

    Did you know that Bournemouth have payed us 3 million and are paying all the 80K a week for Jack.he is moving down to live there with his new girlfriend and will have Gascoine as a neighbour.

  85. rico says:

    I think we are Scott, I really do. Second, well yes, better than usual but as someone here said, our points earned were similar to what we normally get, if not less.

    But I guess it’s all about what fans exceptions are and how good they think Arsenal should be….

  86. Tsgh says:

    I agree they would want to finish above us but you must also admit even the pundits who favour yanited were praying to make UCL last may.

  87. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Scott, it saddens me whenever I see people making us that we are so shit we are lucky to finish the last 3 seasons in 4th, 3rd and 2nd position.

    yes we are not playing at the top level but at the same time we are not as shit as people make out

    our greatest achievement was going through the season unbeaten. not even if we win the CL will it be so great. yet I just feel that it would have been better had it never happened as it is like a millstone around our necks and its weighing us down……as deep down people keep comparing every Arsenal side to that one.

  88. Tsgh says:

    So why didn’t he sort it out Rico?
    Apart from not being the chance…
    And if he was not given the chance then his bases must have seen he was not good enough and sacked him…
    From what we all read Moyes did not walk away from the goodness of his heart.
    It simple the club hierarchy must have the bottle to sack Wenger if he is not the right man…

  89. Hell Raising Devil says:

    yes Rico….where we end up in May is more important where we are right now. And for all the talk that we were so shit its important to remember that the last 3 seasons saw us finish 4th, 3rd and 2nd.

  90. scottfromoz says:

    There we have it, Ginge.
    The hierarchy are bloody useless, and they have an easy scapegoat-Wenger.
    Yes, he brings plenty of criticism on himself, but as I said last week, HE spent 90 million, which is what everyone was talking about, so suddenly, nobody wanted to talk bout transfers, it became all about tactics.

  91. Adam says:

    Rico. That must be why I can’t forget it. 🙂
    Koeman was down and out, along with his team, at that time. We gave them and him a free lift that day and in a bizarre way, probably set his managerial career back on the straight and narrow again. And now his new team are looking good and some mention him as a future Arsenal manager.

  92. rico says:

    Agree there Adam, Southampton were awful before we played them.. Still, we are the gift that keeps on giving sometimes…

    Perhaps he’ll be ready to move in three years time, when Wenger finally retires…

  93. allezkev says:

    Ginge, it’s all a damned conspiracy, as you said yesterday, like you I blame the neolithics…

    There’s only one answer Ginge, with all gotta move to Cornwall and lay low…

    They’re a a bit odd down there, but they make nice cheese…

  94. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Scott, you can rest assured that even if by chance, luck or whatever, we end up winning the EPL or the CL, we will still have those people who will complain…..and I can be sure that if these people were tasked to find a needle in a haystack they will manage to do so.

    even if we manage to win all four trophies in sight. There will be those who will find something to complain about.

    Once, the Milan of Gullit, Van Basten etc dismantled RM at their own ground by whacking them 5-0. even if that scenario happened and AFC manage to repeat that scoreline in the final of the CL I can safely bet anything that there will be those who will still complain.

  95. Adam says:

    Rico. That’s an interesting one. As you know I am a Pep fan but surely they must lose an away game to a fluke goal at some point. (He said through gritted teeth).
    Have to say though that they look great this season so far. Sterling has really impressed me, to say nothing of de Bruyne who makes Mourinho’s petulant decision to sell him look very poor.

  96. allezkev says:

    Adam, I thought I was quite conservative that day, until I saw you and Mrs Adam in the rear view mirror, clinging to each other with excitement, which I now realise was really in terror… ?

  97. rico says:

    I like the look of him Scott but he seems more of a player who could do a great job on the left but with a clinical striker ahead of him.

  98. Adam says:

    Kev. I think it when you overtook that Porsche on the inside, on full opposite lock as we turned off near Reading that I began to wonder. 🙂

  99. allezkev says:

    Sanchez to ManCity yesterday…

    Bellerin to Barcelona today…

    Why don’t those jokers in the Press, give it a rest until January…?

  100. frednerk says:

    5 Points dropped first couple of games
    Arsene says ..”We were not ready”

    Wonder if by the end of season
    and we are 4 Points of the top
    but come 4th.

    Would Arsene be the Dogs Bollox
    or the Cats Whiskers.

    Anyone know The Syrup’s preferences

  101. rico says:

    Agree Adam re Sterling and de Bruyne – both look very different players. Amazing what a change of manager can do. I wasn’t overly fussed about Pep but right now I wish we had him at Arsenal.

    Saying that, there’s absolutely no reason why another manager couldn’t replace AW, put an arm round a few of the players and turn them into much better players..

    City’s defending looks a bit suspect, like ours really but going forward they are incredible. But they too will face tougher tests over the next few months so fingers crossed they lose at least one…

  102. goonster says:

    Howdy kev LC ts dev and rico. Been really busy that’s why. New job, Brianna and yes a new gf??? so hey I ve got my hands full. Can’t even find time to moan about the arse. Hey LC you know my “sauce” never lies 😀 yo dev I thought I told you am off that. Retired. Hung up my grooves er in this case my condoms. Rico rico rico what ll I do without my mama bear?? Ts you meathead I miss you buddy. Lee my man ?what else can I say??? Keep fighting your corner compadre. We ll be rid of lefraud soon. Scotty Oz ?you don’t give up do you??? Gosh I miss you lot. Lol

  103. goonster says:

    Rico I was going to say the same thing maam. That kid iheanaco looks a beast lately. We ve had afobe akpom Jay Emmanuel Thomas jeremie alladiere and most recently nketiah on our books yet none has ever turned out good. You think it’s a talent thing?? I don’t think so. It’s shitty management. How can we still have a man who disregards the opposition and comes up with “we have no special plan for Diego costa” as our manager. My dead pet frog knows you prepare according to what’s in front of you. I gave up on this dude a long time ago. Even if he wins the treble this season I still want him gone. Sterling KDB et al looks the dog bollocks lately. Shit players?? Ozil Sanchez RVP fabregas nasri old adethewhore tr7??? Nah. It’s the managers fault. He’s a bloody incompetent. A man that looses 6.0 on his 20th anniversary to a hated rival needs to be shot. 6.3 6.0 5.1 8.2 those are but few of the humiliating defeats we ve suffered over the past 5 years. Yet ts Scott and dev thinks he’s one of the best around!!!! Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

  104. Le Coq Monster says:

    The only position that counts is 1st !………anything else is means you won fcuk all !
    2nd last season an improvement on previous season ?……………….the three previous seasons we had 75, 79, and 73 points against 71 points for getting second, Rocket Science tells me that we didn`t play as well last season in 38 games compared to previous 3 seasons !.
    Rocket science also tells me that Wenger only buying Cech last summer lost us the title……………infact !….. if Wenger had a degree in Rocket Scientist instead of having a degree in economics we would have won the league !…………………..Rocket Science also tells me that if Wenger had the football wisdom of an armchair supporter he would have bought the blatantly obvious smacking you in the face with a Rocket Scientist players we needed last summer and we would have won the league !.

    Now for some stuff to pull on the heart strings…………No Rocket Scientist needed !.

  105. Le Coq Monster says:

    PS……………………I can confirm that as Kev said………we are a little odd down in Cornwall !.

    😀

    Mind you !…………………..they are a little odd up there in London………………look at our manager for an example !…………………..not exactly a Rocket Scientist is he !

  106. Le Coq Monster says:

    Seems like Goonster was away making Frogs Porn !……..unless he ate him how does account for his dead pet frog ?. hahaha

    Win or lose, Wengerball or Bolloxball !………..goonie your blogginng style is infectiously entertaining ! 🙂

  107. Le Coq Monster says:

    Thanks Micko !………………………some part of this van driver thinks he is a Rocket Scientist !…………probably the part of me that says T Minus 10 seconds till I pull away at the traffic lights when driving !…….the rest of me is only interested in the scantily clad women on the beaches around Cornwall !……….then I`m thinking if only I could have T Minus 2 mins with them !. 😀

  108. Marshall says:

    Oh snap! Goonster yeah he is! Why did it look to me like he scored with a ‘weaker’ foot.

    Is it me or Wenger bought a striker just to shut us up? Probably he had thought of solving it ‘internally’ by converting Sanchez into one. but us fans we had to have a striker come in 🙂

  109. Obi says:

    Am just totally flabbergasted that some of us think that no other manager can do better than Arsene. And on the idea that he has far greater influence than just managing, maybe that’s the problem. He needs to concentrate on being a manager rather than CEO of AFC. Ever noticed the more power he has gotten the less trophies we have gotten? And on tactics and selection, Scott people just didn’t start to pointing that out. I remember, I think is Kev/ Adam saying that they don’t trust the man to spend any money on any players because his tactics will still be wrong. The point really is that at his advances advanced age AW really needs to go, the club is stagnated.

  110. rico says:

    Couldn’t agree more Obi. Just some people fear change and believe it’s better the devil you know. I can’t wait for change, it’ll be exciting and new…

  111. frednerk says:

    Arsene told the world he needed
    a striker.
    He thought he could nick Vardy for peanuts.
    What his doing now is typical WengerWorld.

  112. Adam says:

    But it’s not all black and white is it? It is perfectly feasible to appreciate Arsene yet still think it’s time he went. Even acknowledging all he has done for the club. Some people just cannot see that point of view.

  113. rico says:

    The old Arsene was superb, he has done an awful lot to take the club forward but sadly, he’s now taking it backwards…

  114. Marshall says:

    Not in any particula order.
    1.Pep (he sits atop this league),
    2.Klopp
    3.Don Ancelloti
    4. Tuchel. I’d Mention Simeone too before I got to the current Arsene.

  115. Le Coq Monster says:

    Me, you, Goonsters dead frog, anyone who would have bought a striker ( decent one ) last summer ……………….actually, it will be easier and not take up much space if I ask this question to everyone on the planet !…………………….how many of Earth`s population would have not bought a striker last summer ?

    Come on dont be shy !………….there must be someone out there !

  116. Obi says:

    Right on point Adam @ 3:18. Since 1996 that’s too long in any organization as the CEO, especially as a manager of a sporting franchise, who refuses to adapt to changing times and is very stubborn. Here’s is a list of a few managers to consider, keeping in mind that some are off the board:
    – Known and Safe – Koeman , Allergri, Emery, Enrique, Low, Ancellotti, Simeone, Jorge Sampaoli
    – Can do job/ worth taking a chance – Jorge Jesus, Tuchel, Marcello Gallardo, Cocu, Edgardo Bauza,

    And there are others. People forget no one knew Arsene “who” either.

  117. Le Coq Monster says:

    The only reply I expect is Obi saying ……….” Why do we need a striker when we`ve got Sanogo ! ” 😆

  118. kelsey says:

    The worst scenario is say we finish outside the top four which is feasable,nothing will happen unless fan power makes him walk as we all know he wouldn’t be sacked.

    If we win the PL we will be pleased,he will get another bonus to go with the bonus he is already getting and he signs the thing.

    But if he goes or stays he shouldn’t be allowed to interevene as to who eventually follows him but in that scenario tell me who on the board knows anything about football and would be able to appoint a new man

    it’s a very complex situation but let’s see first how we deal with de costa and Co on Saturday,

  119. Adam says:

    Let’s see how Arsene does this season. If the team make a serious Challenge for the PL and go further in the CL then who knows what might pan out.

  120. Le Coq Monster says:

    Goonster`s dead pet frog turned down the job !……………….he just couldn`t Kermit his future to the club !.

  121. rico says:

    None Kelsey although Ivan probably has the most knowledge and I’d imagine he’d want a top man to follow Arsene but whether Kroenke would listen to him or not is another question. I suspect that’s why the club would want Arsene upstairs and to have his say…

  122. kelsey says:

    Does anyone think there has been a fallout between Wenger and Giroud. He trained on friday didn’t make the squad Saturday and is not included tomorrow. A stubbed toe ?

  123. Le Coq Monster says:

    Ok Lee, I`ll make out that I dont know and ask you……………….what`s green and smells of pork ? 😀

  124. Le Coq Monster says:

    Actually, I reckon there`s about as many people who dont know the punchline to that joke as there are people who didn`t think we needed a striker last summer !. 🙂

  125. Le Coq Monster says:

    Reminds me of the joke Paulie tells in The Sopranos which goes along the lines of………………” A blind man walks past a Fishmongers and says ………good morning ladies !”

  126. Le Coq Monster says:

    Just read this on newsnow…………………………” Exposure to bright lights might help men with low sex drives, scientists have found “……………………hold on a sec`………..” will you get that torch out of my face woman ! “………………sorry about that !…………………”No !……..I wont go and lay in front of the car whilst you flash full beam , go and pester Poldark !”

  127. Le Coq Monster says:

    My wife loves him, Rico !
    As you know I deliver all around Cornwall and in Charlestown they do some filming for Poldark there.
    The head Chef at The Pier House which overlooks the harbour there is a mate and Gooner, he has me on speed dial for the next time they film there !………..I put this on facebook and guess how many woman want to now be my friend ! 😀

  128. Le Coq Monster says:

    Damn it Rico !………………I didn`t realise facebook would give out my address !…………….there`s hordes of frustrated women bearing torches coming up the lane ! hahaha

  129. scottfromoz says:

    Morning all.
    I swear, some of us are speaking different languages here.
    For 2 years I’ve said Wenger should go, it’s time.
    For 2 years, I’ve at least shown the man respect, which plenty here are incapable of.
    For 2 years I’ve stated the problem is Stan, and when Wenger does leave, he will not be replaced with a top class manager, because a top man will demand things that Stan won’t allow.
    I’ve never stated there’s nobody out there who can’t do better, I’ve said those guys will not join Arsenal.
    Rico, you say it’s about being realistic where the club is, and for some, maybe that’s true, but I say too many on the net that just can’t accept the fact we aren’t winning the League, as they seem to thing it’s a God given right, so turn on the players, manager and even other fans.
    They need to get a life, really, and a translator lol.

  130. scottfromoz says:

    Now that’s off my chest, who do we realistically see as potential replacements for Wenger?
    Half of the guys regularly named are as much chance of taking the job as I am, so realistic is the key word here.

  131. Obi says:

    Scott I remember and have not forgotten that you have said AW must go before, heck you remind people every week…. I just disagree with the idea that whoever follows AW will not be as successfull. I think that realistically several managers can do the job well – even if you took the usual suspects out – especially now that, give credit when it’s due, AW have assembled a very good squad.

  132. Wath says:

    Ooops, I see the U23’s did well again tonight, many players missing but still to lose 5-0…. Did the coach not “set-up’ the side to keep things tight knowing they were young and inexperienced ? As many have said before makes you question the coaching and is it doing these lads any good what so ever.

  133. ScottfromOz says:

    Micko, I was being quite polite but not staying how bloody ignorant people can be, but I’d love to hear your theory-I’m sure it’ll be laced with your normal “wit”, aka sarcasm.
    Obi, you may well be right if we get the right guy.
    My fear is not Arsene leaving, but who these geniuses at the club choose, though Kelsey could be spot on.
    Arsene what’s up stairs, maintains control and the stalemate continues.
    So if he does stay, but upstairs, chooses the next guy, what do people think will happen-success, or more of the same?
    He must go, a clean move leaving his successor the chance to do his job without Arsene looking over his shoulder.
    We saw with Fergie that a manager choosing his replacement is not that successful.

  134. Micko says:

    Wath, tomorrow we have Forest away, this time last year we had drew the scum at the lane, tsgh’s all time favourite Flamini put them to bed, with 10 minutes to go the the stadium was emptying fast, every man to a Gooner was singing ” Is there a fire alarm, is there a fire alarm, is there a fire alarm” will always live long in the memory and naturally we re-arranged their stadium afterwards lol.

  135. ScottfromOz says:

    Wath, is there anyone at the club with tactical nous??
    Seems we have plenty of coaches, but no real managers.
    Incredible.

  136. Wath says:

    We didn’t rearrange it enough Micko, nothing a few howitzers wouldn’t of put right…! For me nothing touches 87 over there the replay on the Wednesday night although Kev will say 71 Dbl win and i suppose when we had 2/3rds of the whole ground then that would of been something very special, shame those days are long gone.

    Tactical nous is an order from the top “apparently” Scott, the teams set up and play the same way as the first team so it’s easier for all the players to step up….. so the script is said to play out..!

  137. allezkev says:

    Wath, Arsenal are supposedly one of the best gigs in U23/U18 football, so you would imagine that our coaches at that level, are among the best available…

    But I have to question if they are?

    Gatting knew he had a weak squad, so why not prepare?
    Why not organise his team for damage limitation, as surely that approach is also educational as you’re not always going to be in a position to outplay or beat a better side…
    You therefore prepare accordingly….
    But know, it was as if Gatting was trying to ape Wenger in his finest manner, you know, that unforgettable disgrace at OT by 8-2 or the equally spineless 6-0 at Stamford Bridge….

    You know Rick/Fred, I suspect that there are some amazingly naive and stupid people on the Arsenal coaching staff at all levels, nicking a living and being absolutely fcuking useless on the training ground…

    Apparently we not only have any half-decent central defenders at all levels but also NO defensive midfielders…

    What total failure by our scouting network…

    They all should be considering their positions…

    It’s like a fcuking holiday camp at the club…

    No discipline, no desire, no organisation, no plan…

  138. ScottfromOz says:

    Kev, so you’re suggesting we do have a scouting network 🙂 🙂
    I dare say Arsene is that network,
    Another case of him being given/allowed/taking too much responsibility.

  139. scottfromoz says:

    It’s just you and I, Adam…bet you’re regretting jumping on lol.
    If Arsene does leave at seasons end, who do you think we have a reasonable chance of appointing?

  140. Marshall says:

    Hi all, we meet Lord Bendtner today. I wonder how our scouts sleep or feel when they look at themselves in the mirror. How could one suggest such a player to come an be our striker?

    A win will be good, to keep our big squad (finally we have a big squad) occupied and match-fit.

  141. rico says:

    I thought Nik B was decent Marshall and had he not had such a big head, he could have done good things. Especially if he’d been played as a striker more often…

  142. Adam says:

    Morning Scott. I’m really up and down with this one. I think, in craving change, we often overlook the positives that Wenger brings. Looking around at what has happened to other clubs in similar situations I would say that stability is often overlooked and Arsene brings that. I admire so much about him and it can’t be easy to mIntain the standards he has set. But I believe he is nearing the end of his tenure now. Add to that the fact that he is a very decent man and I believe that is important too.
    Arsenal manager is one one of the biggest and most prestigious jobs in football and I doubt many would turn it down. I see football, in this country anyway, as moving into a new era where tactical fluidity will be king and second only to money. The question is whether the board will want to take a chance on someone like Simeone or would they prefer a Koeman. I suspect the latter.
    As you know I think the club missed the boat with Guardiola.

  143. scottfromoz says:

    Adam, fair assessment-thanks.
    I hope the club bring in a well credentialed, experienced guy, and allow him to do his job.
    If Arsene does move upstairs, it could be fantastic, or terrible, depending on how he handles the change.

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