Daily Bits and Bobs, Match Preview

Zigic flying in for medical? Pace Arsene, go for Pace!

Posted on by rico

Morning all.

Transfer gossip:

And according to reports in Serbia free agent striker Nikola Zigic has emerged as a shock contender to join us. The paper, Zurnal, suggest that the 33-year-old former Birmingham striker is scheduled for a medical as early as today.

What a load of poppycock… Isn’t it?

Danny Wellbeck is another name in the papers, some of which suggest we have made contact with Utd already about him and the Edison Cavani stories rumble on…..

There has been a lot of discussion on here lately about how many players Arsene Wenger could sign, if he really wanted to show a bit of ambition. Should we beat Besiktas tonight and progress to the group stage of the Champions League, we will have to submit to UEFA a list of players for the competition on the 2nd September. That is list A.

List A

No club may have more than 25 players on this list and two of them must be goalkeepers, and these players must be over 21.

The number of foreign players permitted is 17 and the remaining 8 places are reserved for club trained players or home produced players.

Where a club is unable to produce 8 C/T or H/P players the squad size is reduced . I E. If a club has only 4 C/T or H/P players the the Squad is reduced to 21 they cannot make up the shortfall by increasing the number of foreign players.

List B

Each club is entitled to register an unlimited number of players during the season on this list and it must be submitted no later than 24 hours before the match in question.

Player Eligibility – Players who are 21 or over on 1st Jan 2014 must be included and registered in the 25 man squad for the 2014-2015 season.

Players under the age of 21 on the 1st Jan 2014 do not have to be registered for the 25 man squad and can play in the C/L for the 2014-2015 season as a list B player.

Sanogo was 21 on 27th January 2014 and Oxlade-Chamberlain was 21 on 15th August but as they were under 21 on 1st Jan they do not take up a place in the 25 squad.

We have 24 players over 21 on our books and of these only 21 can expect to be in our squad after 2nd sept.

There are 6 C/T H/P players namely Szczesny, Martinez, Gibbs,  Wilshere, Ramsey and Walcott.

There are 15 foreign players, namely Ospinia, Debuchy, Monreal, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Rosicky, Cazorla, Arteta, Flamini, Diaby, Ozil, Podolski, Giroud, Campbell and Sanchez.

The future of Ryo, Coquelin and Miquel is still unclear and should all three depart over the next few days as expected that will leave further places in the squad to be filled.

Arsene is in the position to bring in 2 foreign players and 2 home produced players if he can find them.

Will he do it? Foreign players I still think he will, the home produced, no, I don’t think he will.

That was from Rick.

Of course, we have to qualify for the group stage first and that can be done tonight if we can find a way to beat Besiktas. If we don’t, it’s Thursday/Sunday night football for us and we really really don’t want or need that!

We have no Ramsey, Giroud (no ‘d’ Carragher!) Arteta and Walcott. Not good but we do have exciting, gifted and world class players amongst the rest. We have Ozil, Alexis, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Debuchy, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Rosicky, Cazorla and Chambers to name a few who could win this match for us tonight.

There’s plenty of pace there and add Joel Campbell into the mix, we have players who are prepared to get back and fight for the cause if we need to. We have Sanogo too……

As much as a couple of key players are missing, we have enough as long as Arsene Wenger picks the right players for the task ahead. Hit them with pace and hit them hard, none of this hogging the ball but doing nothing with it because Besiktas will be up for this game, they’ll want our scalp and they’ll fight tooth and nail to get it.

It’s up to Arsene Wenger and the players now and if they want to progress, they all need to step up their game and make it happen…

Arsene Wenger has said he won’t panic buy after injuries have hit us early this season. My answer to that is it’s not panic buying, it’s about addressing the needs of the squad, it’s about being ambitious and showing some intent this summer.

It’s about wanting to win the league and having a squad capable of doing so…..

COYRRG’s, get the job done tonight!

That’s it for today, have a good one….

 

rico

658 thoughts on “Zigic flying in for medical? Pace Arsene, go for Pace!”

  1. ArsenalDK says:

    Morning everyone.

    Ha ha ha. Zigic? He couldn’t even improve my local club here in DK.

    Where are these stories coming from??

    Big night tonight. Let’s hope we get another year with CL. (Before we get the KO right after the group stage)

  2. George says:

    Good morning HH troopers…

    Big game tonight, alot more than money riding on this one.

    We should get past Besiktas, but given the way they play, i expect us to scrape through and add to the injury list. We will be getting our moneys worth from Shad Forsythe thats for sure.

    Nice to see Benik Afobe insulting United last night. I know he will never play for us, and will go the same way Jay Simpson did, scoring on loan everywhere, only to end up in league 1.

    Seeing Manure spend all that money and play the way they are is a reassuring consolation for what we , the Arsenal are going through.

    Is it me,or is anyone else thinking about the last big money signing Manure did and how well that went? Anyone remember that clown Juan sebastian veron looooooool….

    I’d take a 1-0 nervy scrape , cazorla free kick or mert header from a corner and a 2-0 at leicester and a new striker and Central defender coming in before tw as a good 2 weeks. I’m sure most of you will….

    Anyone got the inside story as to why someone upstairs has abandoned our ship and buggerd off to Randy Lerner tight arse Villa?

  3. Scott From Oz says:

    You know what?
    We will should belt Besiktas, with or without Giroud and Aaron.
    Look at the players we have available…..plenty of quality, so for the next twelve hours, let’s get behind them, then resume the dissection of Wenger 🙂

  4. Nickie says:

    We were linked with Zigic years ago lol. It’s usually these players that come back to haunt us and we sign them.

    Throw 10m at Everton for John Stones
    Throw 24m at Lisbon for William Carvelho + loan for some dross

    Morning everyone…

    All this “we can only sign players if we’re in CL” is nonsense, if the money is there players will come and we certainly have money to burn.

    PS…Good post Rico 🙂

  5. BT62 Gooner says:

    Morning all, good post Rico, pace,pace, pace all the way tonight, Zigic ,do me a favour. If that’s true, that’s what i call ambition..

  8. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Arsenal 2 Besiktas 0.

    We should have very little problems in putting them to the sword with or without Giroud or Ramsey.

    As stated yesterday – if we can’t turn over these, we don’t deserve to be playing in the Champions League.

    Morning all.

  9. frednerk says:

    Morning All,
    If we sign Zigic at least him and the BFG can have a conversation about the weather up there.

  15. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Sorry Freddy I was embellishing…. He was always crap …
    I try not to be too negative……

    Sanogo deliver my mail …? Come on Lee – it’d end up on the floor after he’d missed the letterbox

  16. rico says:

    Thanks Nickie, Bt..

    I am not for one minute suggesting Afobe is the man, but having showed good footwork and finishing last night, why is he being overlooked for Campbell and Sanogo, especially Sanogo…?

  17. goonster says:

    If we end up signing zigic I ll cry. I bet you. Morning HH. Like bt said last night I don’t think we ll be getting any striker. Le screw up ll tell you we have sanogo sanchez theo campbell poldi and akpom. Sorry to burst your bubble but it’s not gonna happen.

  22. henry says:

    Giroud’s injury is a blessing in disguise for Arsenal, I was never a fan of this lazy CF. Arsenal would do alot better using Campbell or Pod in this position. What Arsenal fans should realise by now, there will be no more new additions to the team. When Wenger procastinates you should no that there will be no more new additions, he only make it seems like he his trying desperately to target and bring in quality players to disillustion the fans. The mere fact is that Arsenal seem to have limitations, unlike Man City and Chelsea who get their targets. With this current team we should not expect silverware, last seasons flouck in the FA will not be repeated, if it was not for the luck of the home draws, we would have been knock out of this competition.

  25. rockyrocastle07 says:

    I’m going to dust my boots off. If these Zigic rumours are true, it can’t be long before I get a call up….

  26. rico says:

    Ha ha rocky. You know there’s something about Sanogo I like, but he certainly shouldn’t be starting ahead of Giroud or Campbell.

    I’m surprised he’s not out on loan, he should be and we should have Falcao or Cavani leading our front line…

    .

  27. Nickie says:

    David Ornstein ‏@bbcsport_david 9m
    #AFC unlikely to sign striker despite Giroud injury. Not definitive but current plan is existing options rather than buy/loan #bbcsportsday

    David Ornstein ‏@bbcsport_david 6m
    #AFC still want CB/DMF (maybe someone who can do both) but likely to be squad player not big name as (esp CB) will be back-up #bbcsportsday

    I’m broken

  28. southyorkshiregunner says:

    There’s some truth in the Falcao and Cavani rumours, Stan.

    Unfortunately it may be true that there is also some truth in the Welbeck rumours, which are being possibly fuelled further by both Alan Smith and Martin Keown in the press…

    ..Fortunately Man Utd lost last night and Welbeck never scored – Thank God

  35. rico says:

    henry, you don’t know there won’t be more additions. Perhaps it’s best to wait until 11pm on the 1st Sept, then you can come back and tell us you were right…

  39. Hell Raising Devil says:

    I agree partially with Henry. I think that if something was going to force AW’s hand was an injury to OG12. We were crying out for an extra body (if not a marquee striker than at least Wellbeck) and this might force AW to get one.

    However, mate, I do not agree that OG12 is lazy. He does his job well and AFC’s tactics revolve around him. Getting someone like Balotelli in would have forced AW to change his tactics.

  41. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Wenger is obstinate, stubborn and he dithers …. It is well documented..

    His faith in Diaby and now Sanogo holds no bars… He will not be proved wrong…. well he will but he won’t admit it..

    We have bought well so far. Give him until deadline day to see where we are. The Carzorla and Monreal deals were done within hours….

    I still think there’s a marquee signing to come …

  43. Wavy says:

    Davor Suker has just been spotted in The Armoury buying a pair of boots……NEED I SAY MORE!

    We are in for a nun!
    None today, none tomorrow, none this season, my boy!
    Nope no new men in, I wonder if AW believes he has found a new Terry ‘enry in the woodwork of the new Highbury flats?
    I think he believes he has a player he can convert to become another Arsenal scoring legend………but who is that player, and is he fit? Or is it the guy who puts up the nets on match days?
    Who know what goes on in his mind? Sure as he’ll he’s got me baffled.

    I hope we have enough tonight, I really do, but if we haven’t and we end up playing Thursday football I hope he picks the youth team and rests the proper players! And gets us out of this worthless cup asap.

  44. George says:

    SYG

    fifa doesnt like is as a club becaise we do not pay bung money like the rest of europe. we are the yanks profit earner. kroenke n co don’t even like football, or ‘soccer’ as they call it.

    Rico, was thinking the same about Afobe, we give lesser players more chances

  45. Nickie says:

    lol

    I hope this is Wengers twisted way of thinking “if I let fans believe we sign no one and I sign someone of above average quality I will look like a hero”.

    Probably not reality though.

    and it’s Arsenallllll….

  49. Luznic says:

    top top post Rico and thanks Rick for that explanation, you were on fire with the post if the players were to read this post they will be fired up ready to become Spartacus slaying Theokoles in the Arena, but did you leave Wilshere out intentionally? Morning everyone

  52. Sammy Nelsons Pants says:

    Clearly, AWs top priority here is to manage/manipulate fans opinions on the blogosphere, because all the negativity keeps him awake at night. The Cavani/ Falcao stories ( never mind the injuries/fees/wages issues ) are planted to keep us quiet. I saw Ivan in a wig and glasses disguise posting to le Grove from an Internet cafe. It must be true.

  53. ozgunner says:

    i said in the summer Wenger would do nothing to replace the playboy – now he has no choice or does he? He’s run this one striker gauntlet so many times its about time he’s been put in this position IMO – Will he act or could he possibly sit on his mates stash again? The squad is sooo thin and time is running out – for someone who declared he was looking at STRENGTHENING the squad before the FA Cup Final had even been played, haven’t done very well have they, lets be honest here.

  55. southyorkshiregunner says:

    LG (Sorry Rico. again)

    Falcao is available on loan for a season and we’re sniffing around a dog average striker who Birmingham let go. Typical Arsenal. We have an absolute stack of cash in the bank. We could afford to offer £50m for Cavani, we could afford whatever the loan deal would be for Falcao… we could hound pretty much any club in Europe for one of their strikers if we wanted to… but no… not Arsenal, they’d prefer to give the hapless Sanogo a go for three months. I mean, outside his lack of experience, he’s an injury calamity just like Diaby.

    Oh, Danny Welbeck… shoot, me, now.

    —

    If you know your football, you can see where he is coming from.

  57. ozgunner says:

    remy sticks out like a sore thumb to me, mind you been saying that for quite some as well ha! I see the CB wondered off to Roma

  59. rico says:

    Thanks Luznic, I did. I don’t want Jack to start tonight as we need pace and directness and really get at their defence.

    Ches

    Debuchy Merts Kos Monreal

    Chambers Flamini/Rosicky

    Ozil

    OC Campbell Alexis

    Something like that would do wouldn’t it? 🙂

  65. Scott From Oz says:

    SYG, because someone tweets we are after a 33 year old never was, doesn’t make it so.
    Rather give an 18 year old than that bloke…he was useless at his best lol.
    Falcao…20 million for one season?
    Sorry, rather spend an extra 10-15 million and buy a quality striker….they’re must be one out there /)

  67. rico says:

    Hi oz..

    Syg, I think most Arsenal fans can see what Pedro is saying, and I would say you don’t have to know too much about football either….

  68. Scott From Oz says:

    Oz, Let’s hope so.
    Let’s hope it’s the Pod of late last season…..they guy who rarely stopped running, and tracked back like a demon.

  69. dublingunner says:

    morning, nickie that sounds about right, they,ll bring in 1 player that can play both centre half and defensive mid, and play with what they have up front till giroud returns. ” honestly we are not close to signing anybody “, sounds like last january. bring in a loan signing at the last minute. I,d say 2-1 tonight, with a nervy last 20 mins.

  70. rico says:

    Oi, Pizza boy, leave the rust stuff off of here, burger off back to Lg, it’s clear you picked that off of Spectrum….

  71. captain pizza says:

    Wenger out senile old goat give the job to someone who wants to win the league !! We wont win league under the senile frenchman! Too many akbs about worshipping wenger like hes a god !

  76. ozgunner says:

    agree BT62 – i think he’ll score for some reason – this team is ordinary at best, we should have little trouble here, seriously.

  77. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Football (not soccer) has rarely been run as a ‘proper’ business, Scott. Even Arsenal.
    Which business would persevere with the shite we have persevered with. None, I doubt.
    The £20M ‘loan fee’ for Falcao is way off.
    Monaco want shut and will cut their losses. There was no due diligence taken prior to his signing and Falcao went there solely for the money. It was a bad move from the start.
    There is some truth in the rumours … ‘Some truth’.
    There is a ‘loan fee’ but it won’t be £20M – nowhere near.
    Let’s see how the window pans out. Wenger knows he needs a marquee signing, and I feel a South American coming on…..

  78. frednerk says:

    Watched Podolski upfront leading the line against Qpr last year,he was absolute garbage,wenger took him off,never touched the ball.

  83. rockyrocastle07 says:

    Hang on folks – we have a keyboard warrior here….. Someone’s parents don’t know their child is using the computer today…

  86. Luznic says:

    Rico – that’s a nice line up, Flamini should be on the bench in comes Rosicky, lovely line up, we will win 3-1 Besiktas would score first, Stop calling Arsene a goat Captain Pizza

  88. ozgunner says:

    i’ve seen that United score three times now and still don’t believe it, i mean come the MK Dons?? and 4 goals!!

  89. rockyrocastle07 says:

    BT – I’d give Falcao anything he wants for a year long loan. But that clown is happy with Sanogo. And you can bet anything you like we will rush Giroud back before he’s fully fit, meaning we’ll never get 100% out of him, and will be likely to break down again. It’s what Wenger does.

  90. southyorkshiregunner says:

    The kid who writes the blog for LG isn’t that far away, Scott.

    As for their blog and bloggers?
    Bloggers are bloggers and both you and I know you can be who you want to be behind a the mask of the internet. Half witted sheep?

    You can’t knock the author for the actual content which has been posted by the bloggers or the conversations that are partaken between them…

    Same as Rico cant’t here really……

  93. Gonerjoe says:

    Morning all just back from the doc’s done me back in he’s put me on 2 types of horse tranquillizers.
    Off on holidays tomorrow the wife will now be stuck with the suit cases. 🙂
    Good post, Zigic does the rest of the world think Arsenal fans are stupid.

  95. rockyrocastle07 says:

    We must be to put up with the constant ticket hikes and lack of investment / success in recent years!

  97. frednerk says:

    Watched that Giroud injury a couple of times,
    not sure the ball could break a bone in his foot from that angle,
    impact on the ankle joults the jount and feels like a break,
    would be very unlucky for us if it was a break.
    Doctor Fred

  101. rico says:

    Thanks Joe, good job you have a couple of weeks on a sun bed looming.. 😉 Hope yor back recovers soon and doesn’t rruin your holiday..

    fred, I couldn’t believe so much damage could be done to Giroud, really unlucky…

  105. Scott From Oz says:

    SYG, funnily enough, I and one or two other Aussies do actually realise the game is called football, but thanks for the clarification, though I understand the confusion, as we’ve only even known Arsenal existed since the club signed Thierry and Dennis and won a few trophies lol.
    Seriously, I thought we are all past that crap!!
    Half witted sheep…..well, yes, people have to be, otherwise they block you.
    Say hello to them for me……banned for abusive language, yet I never called a single person a name.
    No, my error was simply defending Wenger, and being called every name under the sun.
    Don’t ever try to tell me they are anything but the scum of the earth.

  109. Nickie says:

    This Zigic stuff has got to be a wind up. Apparently his agent has said Wenger has enquired about his client lol

  111. ozgunner says:

    Nickie – more likely the club putting it out there to see if the fans would go for it haha – big money saver when all said and done 🙂

  112. Hell Raising Devil says:

    now listen captain Zizza…..you are entitled to your opinion and can trust it somewhere you feel happy with. However do not insult P.I.Z.Z.A by putting it as your name.

    Hai capito pezzo di merda schifosa????

    we have heard all that before…..here we discuss. if you slag Arsenal off than we will be down on you like a ton of bricks.

    Good post Rico and thanks for the help Rick. That clears many things up.

  122. rico says:

    Scott, Syg didn’t mean ‘too far away’ in distance, he meant Pedro isn’t far away with his thoughts 😉

  123. Scott From Oz says:

    GJ, I haven’t bothered for a looooong time.
    I mean, after a few thousand “Wenger out” posts, it’s just not fresh anymore 🙂

  125. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Zigic….heaven help us. yes he may be free and similiar to OG12 but unless he puts in a shift with a good attitude he will be another Bendy

  126. Scott From Oz says:

    Rico, I know, but why would I show people respect who ban you for simply not saying Wenger out?
    Seriously, that was my crime lol.
    We don’t need to hear their thoughts……we can get on and read them, if we are interested.
    I get on HH because i want decent fans views…..even when we disagree.

  128. Scott From Oz says:

    Roger, I agree.
    Rather someone better than all of them, but of the three, he’d do.
    Yaya needs to go on loan, IMO.

  129. frednerk says:

    Breaking news from the groundsman at the Ems,
    It’s about time we had someone to clean the top of our crossbars.
    Thanks Arsene.

  132. ozgunner says:

    what we do know Wenger will go to any lengths to prove himself right, in the striker department look at the money thrown away on Bendtner and to the very end Wenger was still trying to convince us he was good enough. I see him now doing the same with the likes of Sanogo and/or Campbell even though neither of them have any history to prove they’re near good enough. Fall in your sword time? We better hope not. Wasn’t hat long ago 2 other key players were injured and in to the January window we went, what did we do then besides declare.. oh we could of won the league… yes Arsene and not for the first time, you could have.

  133. George says:

    pizza got stuffed crust lol

    I reckon we should swap our loanees with the dross we still have here.

    afobe and jenkinson, for sanogo and miguel.

    send diaby on loan (let someone else pay his wages) and loan a midfielder that is not getting game time to plug the gap.

    Buy a proper Centre half and We should be ok. This CDM is never coming to us, the boss likes the skillful midgets unfortunately.

    Maybe , as other have suggested Chambers IS that CDM we have been crying out for.

  134. Hell Raising Devil says:

    According to Italian media (Italia Uno) Arsenal and PSG are in advanced talks for Cavani. Fee of 50 million English sterling

  135. Gonerjoe says:

    Scott
    what a site I once got accused of try trying to intimidate people because I was using large words.

  138. potter says:

    I don’t mind anyone taking a pop at Wenger or the board as long as they put in an erudite intelligent way. That of course is where the one line protest posters fall down.

  141. frednerk says:

    David Beckham has just made a comment on Zigic,
    how can he be taller than the BFG when he is 6ft 6ins tall and
    Zigic is only 5ft 19ins tall.

  143. rogerbij says:

    I love the way you write ‘english stirling’ devil. Sounds quite the superior currency 🙂 50m? Im keen.

    Another thought, would you rather spend 20m on Bony to be fully signed on, or 20m on Falcao for loan/wages for one season? I think I would take Bony you know…

  144. Scott From Oz says:

    Rico, I promise you that’s exactly what happened, and what their excuse was.
    Anyway, that was a few years ago now, and unfortunately, you are stuck with me 🙂

  145. rico says:

    🙂 fred

    oz, I think he likes to think he can win the PL by spending the least amount of money but so far it’s not worked..

  146. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Overmars, Viera and Petit made an impact straight away. The needed no induction as such. As is true with Gilberto and many others.

    A good player needs little introduction or induction to the EPL, as although it is more fast and furious than the other foreign leagues, more than half the players are now foreign. It is more a ‘getting to know your team mates and system’ kind of thing.

  148. rejoice says:

    Arsenal fans like the manager and management have not learnt from the past transfer windows. I have learnt never to get upset with the decisions of the manager whether it has to do with transfers, tactics and who gets played.
    I got myself upset for years and it didn’t change the manager’s ways of doing things. Why should I then continue to waste useful emotions every season for something over which I have no control. I don’t spend my emotions-worry, anger etc on what I cannot control.
    The tactics, who gets played and why, who’s to be bought and why is the manager’s call, not mine. He sees it different from me. And won’t listen to me because I am not a member of his crew. Whatever tactics and players he deploys I would cheer and hope for the best. And if it fails, let him try again.
    I have stopped trying to view football as a fan because the fans view of football is never respected. I now want to see football from the manager’s, management and player perspective.
    Seeing football as a fan leaves you angry most of the times and I don’t want anymore. Had enough.
    I will judge Arsenal, Wenger and the players in May.
    Lest I forget, I saw Grrig chest a goal against Man u last night. My best night in the season so far along with Jovetic scoring his fourth against looserfool.
    Easy guys.

  150. Scott From Oz says:

    Lol Adam…cheeky bugger.
    If only you hadn’t sworn your undying admiration for the man, I might have taken you seriously 🙂

  151. Joaquim Moreira says:

    How old is Gnaby? and Zelalen?
    Kalou didn’t play yesterday and Lille is now out of the Champions League. Besides, the danish central back said if they not go to the group stage, he leaves. Lille coach (was that one who won the title for Montpelier a few years ago and where Giroud played) said then now expect changes in his team.
    For central forward and face of the circunstances, i prefer Wellbeck.
    But our target must be a central back or central/full back and a DM.yesterday, everybody talks about the dutch defender who were played in A. Madrid last season. and in Carvalho (very expensive for me and very inflated). Gignac was a possibility too.

  152. rejoice says:

    I think Solomon maybe on his way to Sunderland cause Poyet was livid that someone in the board revealed to the press

  154. Adam says:

    Scott. I have been steadily losing faith for 10 years now. Bit by bit my admiration has drained away. To date I have heard no completely sound argument in his favour as he seemed to be happy to drop back on the old “We had the Emirates to pay for” excuse when there was no money but now we have heard that we are on an equal financial footing and “There are only 2 players in the world we couldn’t afford” has been uttered I cannot see what his excuse will be if we don’t win the PL this year.
    As far as I can see, his remaining supporters are either gripped with fear as to the disasters that MAY await us if a new manager came in or are armchair supporters who are just plain weird.

  155. Joaquim Moreira says:

    If we win today we are in the cup 1 with Real and atlético Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea, Bayern,Porto e Benfica … and Arsenal!
    come on Arsenal!

  158. Scott From Oz says:

    You don’t say that everyday, Rico hahahaha.
    Adam, he’s on his last legs with me…….a few days and counting.
    I’ve said it all this TW….absolutely no excuses……

  163. Woody says:

    Ooooooooooooooooooooooooh shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit

    that sums up my feelings today and pretty much covers everything Arsenal, from transfer dealings, to tonights game, to injuries and Sanogos finishing.

    To be fair I only wanted a centre back and holding midfielder, but now I think we need a striker as well.

    #nochance

  164. kel says:

    Actually Adam tonight would be a great opportunity for the supporters to let wenger/gazidis know not all is well.. After the 90 mins of course..

    A shot across the bow!

  165. Scott From Oz says:

    Rocky, as i have said all along, when I don’t see legitimate excuses.
    He has 4 days.
    Just because plenty disagree with me, doesn’t mean I’m wrong.
    I do see the stadium as a legitimate excuse.
    I remember Ivan saying quite recently that we can finally compete with the big spending clubs.
    The money is there AND available, and in my opinion, that hasn’t been the case until the last 12. On this, and in that time, we have made our two next expensive purchases.
    It’s clear we still have cash to spend, and we need players.
    If he doesn’t spend to give us what we need, then I will lose all faith.
    He has some time left.
    Better to keep faith a bit too long than lose it a bit too soon, I reckon.

  170. potter says:

    Scott , Joseph is sorted , all he has to do is go to the box office 1 hour before kickoff and get his paper ticket and then send me the money. He has the details , I told him that if he doesn’t I will make your life hell , even at this distance. If you speak to him remind him to take his membership card and identification . The box office opens 3 hours before the match so if he goes early gets his ticket and then he can pop down Holloway road for a drink.

  173. Joaquim Moreira says:

    1 – R.Madrid,Barcelona.Bayern,chelsea,Benfica,Porto,a.madrid, Arsenal ?
    2 – Schalke,Dortmund,PSG,Juventus,Donetsk,Basileia,Zenit e m.city
    3-Leverkusen ?, Olympicos, CSKa moscovo,ajax, Naples?, Liverpool, sporting e Galatasarya
    4 – Anderlecht, slazburgo ?, Roma, Steua?, Apoel, Bate Borisov, Maribor e Monaco
    with “?” those who much confirm the presence today

  174. rockyrocastle07 says:

    Agreed Scott. Not knocking you for what you said at all. So basically if Wenger doesn’t address the issues in 4 days, that’s you done with him. That’s more than fair. The upshot of that is you will be safe to browse Le Grove again without fear of being called an AKB!

  179. Scott From Oz says:

    Rocky, I’d never drop to their level mate…ever.
    They’re a disgrace.
    Yes, I believe I’ve been absolutely fair with my opinion of Arsene, but I just can not see any justification in not spending on at least two, and maybe even 3 quality players.
    We need them….we can afford them.
    With them, we can win the League.
    Right now, if we spend not another cent, and missing Giroud, we’d probably miss top 4.

  183. Scott From Oz says:

    Potter, I just sent Joseph a message…..he’d better sort you mate….and thanks again for helping.

  185. rockyrocastle07 says:

    I make you right Scott. 3 is the minimum to strengthen and add depth. The squad as is, is too weak. As you say,. we aren’t short of a bob or 2 so there’s no viable reason why we aren’t buying.

  190. Scott From Oz says:

    Anyway guys, it’s been a pleasure, as always.
    Sleep time, then a win….hopefully.
    Night all.

  195. rockyrocastle07 says:

    Haha!! Sorrt BT – I’m an eternal pessimist. I don’t mean I always think bad things about the 90’s girl group that Louise Redknapp was in….

  200. BrainwashedKev says:

    I’m good thanks Rock, we’ll have to have a cuppa next week…

    Busy today…

    Where is Colonel Saunders….?

  202. rockyrocastle07 says:

    Kev – Not unless you come out to the sticks! C-Section booked in for 3rd Sept mate. I’ll be doing half day Monday, then working from home Tuesday. Then off for 2 weeks

  203. rico says:

    Headlines on NN suggest 5 months out for Giroud, so that would mean the season with our medical staff..

    Don’t need a striker Arsene? You darn well do!!

  205. southyorkshiregunner says:

    BETTING (Current)

    Julian Draxler 1/2 fav
    Edinson Cavan 1/1 fav
    William Carvalho 1/1 fav
    Loic Remy 5/4 fav
    Karim Benzema 7/4 fav
    Paul Pogba 3/1 (Chelsea 6/4 fav)
    Sami Khedira 7/2 (Munich 4/6 fav)
    Hulk 4/1 fav
    Marco Reus 5/1 (Ath Madrid 4/7 fav)
    Fernando Torres 6/1 (Milan 1/4 fav)
    Danny Welbeck 6/1 (Everton 1/1 fav)
    Wilfried Bony 6/1 (Liverpool 1/1 fav)
    Jackson Martinez 6/1 (Milan 4/6 fav)
    Daniel Agger 7/1
    Pedro Rodríguez 7/1
    James Milner 7/1
    Morgan Schneiderlin 8/1 (Spurs 1/8 fav)
    Salomon Kalou 8/1 (Wolfsburg 2/1 fav)
    Gonzalo Higuaín 12/1 (Barca 3/1 fav)
    James McCarthy 14/1 (Man U 1/3 fav)
    Mats Hummels 16/1 (Barca 1/1 fav)
    Radamel Falcao 18/1 (Real M 2/5 fav)
    Daley Blind 20/1 (Man U 1/5 fav)
    Arturo Vidal 25/1 (Man U 1/10 fav)

  206. rejoice says:

    Real Madrid are to spend the majority of the money they received for Angel Di Maria on Monaco striker Radamel Falcao. (Le 10 Sport)”
    That means no loan for Falcao.

  207. rejoice says:

    Arsenal are ready to make a £50m bid for PSG striker Edinson Cavani as Olivier Giroud faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines. (Express)”

  215. southyorkshiregunner says:

    A few places offering 25/1 for a Sanchez hatrick … that will mean we go through and not forward purchased.

  217. rogerbij says:

    Thats great Syg, with the bookies prices there its hardly worth reading the rumours (except for the pleasure and pain). Just follow the money!

  218. rogerbij says:

    Buy Remy for his buyout clause, 2 year contract, option to extend. Low risk, decent emergency buy. Move on to defensive targets.
    If, miracles of miracles, Benzema or Cavani come on the market, buy the available one too. They are there for the long term project.

  219. frednerk says:

    I know we have 4 days left of TW but it’s been like a soap opera,
    we’ve had:
    happy days,
    we signed him,
    we’er after him,
    his having a medical,
    his agent seen in north London,
    we had the hairdresser,telling us,
    we have a young lad who can play in 3 postions,
    we have had the football experts,telling us who we need,
    I bet it’s been great entertainment for every football fan,

    Other than us Gooners.

  223. Ben says:

    Wonder why we are no longer being linked to Benteke. He’s much better than Bony and Remy, better hold up play, movement, finesse, finishing and has outscored Giroud in the 2 seasons he has been in the Premier League. He is a tad injury prone but maybe Shad Forsythe can sprinkle some of his mythical magic dust on him.
    When is Gnabry back from his rather mysterious injury. Its been like 6 months already!!

  225. bondex says:

    Good afternoon all… Breaking News! Louis van Gaal is in for highly rated Chinese player – Win One Soon 😀

  226. Lee says:

    FFS am I the only one that wanted Zigic at Arsenal? He’d make sanogo look ok and he’d even the team photo out with BFG!

  227. BrainwashedKev says:

    Maybe a ride out to the ‘sticks’ is a good idea Rock…

    I can have a look around….

    Will be in touch mate…

  232. BrainwashedKev says:

    I suspect that we’re gonna be in for 90 minutes of diving, play acting and all sorts of simulation…

    Tonight is a night for experience and patience…

    Rosicky to start, for me!

  235. esxste says:

    You guys are good for summarising the latest transfer gossip, but man, some of you are so negative about Arsenals chances this year. We’ve every reason to be optimistic. You’re all quick to highlight supposed failures in Arsene’s transfer policy, his tactics etc, but don’t credit him nearly enough for his actual successes. We won the FA cup last season, were only a few points away from winning the league and in two seasons we’ve raided Real Madrid and Barcelona for world class players in Ozil and Sanchez. Chambers is clearly something special, and Debuchy has been an upgrade on Sagna.

    Yes we need to bolster a couple areas of the squad, especially now after early injuries, but can’t you at least wait until the transfer window is over until you get your voodoo dolls and pins out. Wenger said he’d replace TV, so we can expect a signing there at least. CDM and ST… I’m hopeful for the CDM now Arteta is injured, but I think Wenger will place trust in Sanchez to lead the line, earlier in the guys Arsenal career than I think he wanted to.

  244. rico says:

    Afternoon guys.

    Vidal to Utd then, ouch, I’d have liked us to sign him, but not for what they’ll have to pay….

  245. goonster says:

    Captain pizza you re a man after my heart. God bless you son. We need more fans like you and less AKbuttheads. Morning all.

  250. goonster says:

    Howdy rocky….Am still sore man. This old man ll be the death of us all. Sign a striker dammit or just fuck off. I can’t stand his gaelic accent more I can stand rooney around brianna.

  251. rico says:

    esxste – do feel free to tell us all how we can win the PL with the squad we have right now?

    After all, that is what we do here, talk about the here and now, not what might be ‘if’ AW signs further players.

  252. rockyrocastle07 says:

    Still sore? What you do in your spare time is your business mate!

    Know what you mean… He won’t sign a striker because he’s a stubborn mug. Please god, let me be proved wrong…

  253. rockyrocastle07 says:

    Thanks Rico… I really didn’t have the energy to try dodge numerous expletives in a suitable response….

  259. Woody says:

    esxste – I think you have a point my friend.

    I’m never one for over reacting and I agree with most of what you said, We have won something – that has been our aim. This time last year it was just win something…anything.

    We have bought some good players and Wenger has built the core of a very good side, despite what some neggy views say.

    My problem, on this occasion, is that it’s been a very good Summer mainly, but when you break it down only Sanchez has been a proper signing.

    Debuchy replaced Sagna
    Chambers is for the future really
    Ospina replaced Fabianski

    Ok, we have Campbell in from loan so thats an extra body, but he didn’t look ready for the Prem against Everton for me.

    We are so close, I think most people are frustrated because it’s so close but no cigar. The view is that a DM and a Striker would put us in the challenging bracket.

    I’m not going to agree with that, but I do think that people should just hold off until after the window shuts.

    Some people wanted us to sign Mario for £25m, yet waiting a little while Liverpool managed to get him for £16m – why waste money.

    The worry is that no one comes in, but I can’t believe that is going to happen…is it?

  263. Adam says:

    I am afraid the old lowered expectation syndrome has kicked in again. Ffs, we are one of the biggest clubs in the world. We have a hundred million quid in the bank. We have lost players and bought new ones to replace them. Sanchez is an undeniable step in the right direction and the only extra body. We are underachieving terribly while charging the highest admission prices in world football. Yes, the window hasn’t closed yet but will Wenger sign the players we need? Of course he won’t.

  264. rico says:

    Woody, I actually think we are nowhere near being able to challenge the likes of Chelsea, Man City, Liverpool and even Man Utd once LvG gets things sorted.

    And as you say, break down our transfers and we have added just two players, one is world class, the other looks the mutts nuts so far.

    But, we seriously lack in defence, midfield and up front and unless the club sign three players in 5 days, we’ll always be chasing top 4.

    Having gone from signing players early, Wenger appears to yet again be faffing around thinking he can work magic….

    But still we have around £100 – 150 million sitting in the bank..

    And we all wonder why so much negativity is in the air.

  265. rockyrocastle07 says:

    I agree Woody, We all did want to win anything last year, which we achieved. But some people seem to think Wenger has been vindicated now, and the past 9 years of dross are forgiven. Great, we won the FA Cup. I’m chuffed we did. But it wasn’t the league (way off) and not the Champs league (nowhere near). We need to add to Sanchez ASAP. I know Wenger can have a few irons in the fire, and I hope he does…. But he stated earlier in the year he wants his business done early, not on the deadline day like he does every fucking year. Why wont he learn? Does he not expect them to need to bed in?

    Henry and Bergkamp both took a LONG time to find their feet… and they were Bergkamp and Henry! Occasionally you get lucky and they hit the ground running. More often than not, they don’t. But giving them extra time to gel with the current squad should be paramount.

    I can’t understand why people are so happy to accept the mediocrity again because the trophyless years clock has been reset. We aren’t (in theory) a Mickey Mouse club. Players should be falling over themselves to join us. Instead, we have the humiliation of a Greek defender snubbing us. How far have we fallen?

  272. esxste says:

    Rico, We had a nearly good enough squad to win the league last season. Injuries to key players knocked us out. That could happen to any team, even Man City or Chelsea. Why didnt chelsea win the league last season? There’s no denying they had the potential. Or Liverpool? No pundits were seriously thinking they would win the league at the start, but they played like true dark horses.

    I can respond to your other point in conjunction with a reply to Woody; you’re right in that Sanchez is perhaps only the biggest name to come in, but Chambers has already proven to be a capable deputy for Kos/Mert. We need buy a 4th DC to ensure we have sufficient cover. Debuchy has proven to be an upgrade on Sagna. So we’re better in that small way. Ospina is unknown in an Arsenal shirt, but should provide good competition/cover for WS.

    Campbell needs to settle. Yeah, he’s been an Arsenal player for ages, but its only now he’s actually been with us.

    I’d say we’re stronger than we were last season. Even with current injuries.

    Maybe I’m just too optimistic though?

  274. goonster says:

    Now not signing balotelli looks really stupid. I mean how do this guy sleep at night? Am really hurting guys. 3 players are all we need to turn this team into a championship winning team but noooo he had to be all “arsene” about it.

  276. Adam says:

    What do you mean that Debuchy has been an upgrade on Sagna? That is absolute nonsense. He has only played three competitive games for us so far. After he has played 100 at a higher level than Sagna then you can make such a statement.

  277. rockyrocastle07 says:

    is “nearly” good enough acceptable? No, its really not. Chelsea were definitely good enough to win, but didn’t. to be “nearly” good enough is the same as “Not being good enough”. Which we weren’t. For 9 years on the bounce. You may be able to stomach that and think its ok. I on the other hand, cannot.

  280. goonster says:

    I ve never been a player basher. I believe in the players we have. Folks who bash OG are low lifes. I believe the problem lies squarely with le prick. He’s so inept I wince when I watch arsenal play. Every dog and their mother knows arsene never makes a substitution until the 75th minute even when the team is playing like crap. He’s so predictable he makes me look like captain marvel. What a wank.

  281. rico says:

    esxste

    Injuries didn’t help us last season but, if we had a deeper and stronger squad we would have coped. And yet again, we had players in the squad but clearly AW didn’t have faith in them because he either didn’t play them to allow rotation, or use them when injuries struck.

    Also, I think City did have injuries, as did other clubs but the difference is they had players who were good enough to call on.

    You say we were close last season and all the time we sat up the top of the table, fans thought we had a chance, but then we crumbled against sides with such ease, it made us wake up and realise that despite the 7 point margin between to place and us, we really weren’t at the races…

    If we had have been, why did we go from top to just about scraping into 4th place?

    I’m not being negative, I’m being realistic. To win this league we need a lot more than what we have now, and we need our manager to stop playing his golden boys and start playing the players who will win games….

  282. Gunnerdna says:

    Adam, give it up bro, you can’t convince AW supporters that water is wet. If we were more ambitious we wouldn’t be playing tonight, with our wage bill and resources 4th place is not for us, we are underachievers. But Rico always said wait until 02 Sep 14, so there is still time.

  286. Adam says:

    Rico. He has only played three times and Sagna was one of the best RBs in the league for years. He might turn out to be better but give the bloke time.

  287. rico says:

    Goonster, AW is not a ‘wank’ as you put it, he may get up your nose with all the things you think he gets wrong, but come on….

  289. esxste says:

    Rocky,

    I think everyone needs to read transfer rumours about Arsenal with a pinch of salt. Wenger gives nothing away, and the media hate it. They’ll get all worked up on agent talk, regurgitate stories about how the selling club want x amount of money, Arsenal always want to negotiate for less, then a couple days later it’s all about how the player wants x money, and Arsenal want to pay less.

    Then when the mysterious deal falls through its because Arsenal were cheapskates, or the player snubbed us. Never is it that the media were played by the agent, or that the story was based on pure fiction in the first place.

    And when the likes of Sanchez and Ballotelli, Serge Aurier would rather join us, to name a few just this TW, then I take reports of snubs with all the salt in the dead sea.

    I’m not happy to accept mediocrity, but I’m realistic about the toughness of the challenge, the myriad of factors that affect our chances.

  290. rico says:

    I get that Adam, but let’s not forget that some of us on here were suggesting AW should sell Sagna a year or two ago. I know I was one of them.

    Perhaps the word ‘upgrade’ was not the best way, but Debuchy is a very good replacement….

  292. rico says:

    Gdna, my suggestion to wait until the transfer window closes is getting very near to biting me on the backside….

  293. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Debuchy is a very good replacement and he is the player who has ousted Sagna from the national side.
    Only time will tell, but first off we must put the Turks to the sword … or kebab….

  294. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Giggs has just pointed out to LVG that Soon Win Wan has been saying the name of a new player.

    Giggs to LVG, “Boss am sure I heard him say Sam Ting Rong immediately I started training.”

  295. goonster says:

    Rico could you just stop please. You sound like the transfer window lasts forever. It ends in 5 days and we ain’t got squat! If we have no leads now 5 days to go how on earth are we gonna sign a player on deadline day. Come on now.

  296. Woody says:

    No one knows if we have any ‘leads’ though. Wenger will never say when he is talking to other clubs, he is Mr Under The Radar…or tries to be.

  297. Woody says:

    One thing for sure is that I don’t think us fans are going to be happy when the window shuts, even if we do some business.

    When Ozil arrived he said that he was told that there would be more ‘World Class’ signings, so let’s hope it doesn’t stop with Sanchez.

  298. rico says:

    Doh! Stan, have you not read what I have typed? I said to Gdna, my optimism about signing players before the end of the season is looking likely to bite me on the butt…

  299. rico says:

    Woody, I will as long as we sign a DM, CB and a striker and I don’t care if the latter is a 6 month loan….

  300. goonster says:

    Woody when le screw up comes up with lines like “we have sanchez poldi Sanogo and theo” what does that tell you? We won’t buy Squat probably a cb/dm type of player but a cf??? No chance.

  301. esxste says:

    There are about 88-89 clubs in the English league who would disagree with calling Arsenal’s performance over the last 10 seasons as mediocre. Champions League places every season might not be silverware, it might have been underachieving, but it’s simply disrespectful to call it mediocre.

    AW for sure can frustrate the hell out of us, but its ungrateful and disrespectful to slate him.

    Do you really think the likes of Mourinho or Pellegrini would have stuck with the project that was paying off the stadium debts for so long? No. They’d have swanned off and left us in the shit.

    You can argue about the rights and wrongs of how the stadium was funded, or whether we should have become Usmanovs little toy club, but you can’t fault Wenger for guiding us through without truely falling to mediocrity. Man Utd’s fall from grace should be a good example of what might have happened – and what might still happen when Wenger does eventually go.

  303. Gonerjoe says:

    We ain’t got squat how about four new players one player that has been ours for years but has returned to arsenal to play this season.
    So that’s 5 players that did not play for us last season Wenger has also said Arsenal will still buy extra players ie CB.
    Goonster you are entitled to your point of view but not your own facts.

  305. goonster says:

    Joe am not even gonna go there with you. 4 players you say huh? We ve only just replaced the players we “sold” chambo for tv5 debauchy for bac sagna ospina for fabianksi joel for lord pink boots. A part from sanchez who else have we bought? ? Yeah I thought so.

  307. rico says:

    esxste

    The other 87/88 don’t bother me. All I care about is the club I love.

    Personally, I totally understand that when we built the new stadium, money was tight and what AW achieved during that tough time was remarkable.

    Let’s move forward to 2014 and £100 million plus in the bank….

    Isn’t this meant to be the time we really go for it in the transfer window and build a fantastic squad?

  309. Gunnerdna says:

    We will see signings from tomorrow to end of the window, if we wins tonight its another 40 mil to play with, if we loose its 1 less competition so the hold on new players are based on tonight results. It surely cant be any other way. imo

  313. rockyrocastle07 says:

    Este – I think Mourinho and Pellegrini have been too busy winning leagues, Champions Leagues etc.

    Bad examples, kid. You think we are good enough with the squad we have… fine. It’s clearly not strong enough.

    Gonerjoe – how many times are uou going to spout that incorrect crap about us have 5 extra bodies? 2 were replacements, one a backup. That’s 2 new bodies.

  315. rico says:

    Gdna – where do you get £40m from? Last season we earned just over £6m from the qualifier to the group stage…

  316. rockyrocastle07 says:

    Nearly at my stop so I’m off. Perfect timing as I’ve seen enough utter horseshit for one day. Night all. Goonie – be good!

  317. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Szczesny, Debuchy, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Wilshere, Ox, Flamini, Cazorla, Ozil, Alexis

    subs….Martinez, Chambers, Coquelin, Rosicky, Podolski, Campbell, Sanogo

  319. rico says:

    Joe, sorry but you have got your maths wrong.

    Sagna – Debuchy
    Fabianksi – Ospina
    Vermaelen – Chambers…

    So we have made one signing, Alexis. Add Campbell, that makes two.

    So the reality is, we have added two players to our squad this summer.

    Meanwhile, Tomas and Arteta grow older, Diaby is still Diaby, Sanogo is unproven and unless anything changes, we are in the mire….

  320. rico says:

    Rocky, my figures came from SS’s this morning. Based on last seasons progression from play off to group stages..

    Maybe I wasn’t listening properly but I really can’t see that £40m would be the reward for the win tonight…

  322. frenchgunner says:

    evening rico and all

    its no secret we played better on two occasions this season when wilshere was subbed!

    why we keep starting with him in his current form!while we have someone of Thomas calibre…buzzling….i hope he does better tonight.

  327. BT62 Gooner says:

    Rico, had visitors, trying to get the grub in, Got Nowtv on the go,looks all good at moment. Running behind though..lol

  331. Rick says:

    Evening Rico and the House
    Late getting on today and I have just read your very good post. I think I have seen something like that before.
    So pleased Dons 4 Donkeys 0. Robinson the Dons manager has said Afobe signed an extention to his contract just befor he joined them , so we may have not said goodbye to him.
    See you latta.

  339. Scott From Oz says:

    Morning all.
    Stan, so not only do you actually appreciate the moronic ramblings of Pizza, but you then label some of us regulars AKButtheads.
    Cheers pal…really.
    Also, you carry on as if you watch games but do you?
    I mean, last time I watched Arsenal play, Wenger made a substitution at half time, which is a tad earlier than the 75th minute.
    In short, criticise all you like, but do it with a little respect and even a dash of logic for a change.
    Fancy waking up to that shit…….sometimes I wonder why I bother!

  345. potter says:

    Scott have you heard from him ? I asked him to let me kno but not heard . Mind signal strength in the stadium is crap.

  347. goonster says:

    Scotty oz come on man….Am just frustrated. I don’t mean you buddy. You re ok with your “wengerite” views and don’t go overboard but some guys just irk we with their blind support. Am sorry if I hurt your feelings pal. My apologies. Are we still cool 😀

  350. rico says:

    goonster, Scott doesn’t have a ‘wengerite’ view, if you recall, he wanted AW to walk away with the FA Cup in hand.

  357. Scott From Oz says:

    Rico, I was just thinking the same thing…….it will take time….there got 10 minutes hahahaha.
    Stan, all good…..we are all Gooners 🙂

  360. Micko says:

    Evening all,

    Having a bit of a wobble about tonite, think Demba Ba may have a say in proceedings, 2-1 to the Arse.

    Wenger ain’t helping on the side lines, makes our stan look laid back…..calm down Arsene !

  363. potter says:

    I have just rang them they ant him to go back if he does he might get the second half. If he doesn’t next time i am don there I ill be looking for blood.

  366. goonster says:

    The game is burning a hole in my head….we look totally out of ideas lack cohesion and bereft of a final ball. God help me. This arsenal side is cringe worthy. Yikes.

  374. Micko says:

    Funny you should say that rico, only player on the pitch to score for us this season……Kozzer, might need to get a few corners !

  376. Scott From Oz says:

    Did Jack make contact?
    I’ve see a few angles and can’t see any, but it’s inconclusive…..
    If he did, how isn’t it a penalty?

  383. Scott From Oz says:

    Was it ever in doubt hahahaha.
    Damn, we made that look hard.
    Glad Sanchez broke his duck….neat finish.

  386. Hell Raising Devil says:

    at the perfect time for me…..either before half time or just as the 2nd half begins.

    That goal is worth its weight in gold.

    now they turks have to come out to try and score.

  389. Micko says:

    Lesson we have to take from tonite, as much as Arsene loves the 4th place trophy it comes with too much baggage, top 3 only from now on, much less stressful !

  390. goonster says:

    Phew…I almost farted when that went in. Yeeeeeeaaaaaah. Come on you fucking gunners but don’t give me a heart attack though.

  391. southyorkshiregunner says:

    No penalties – the last one was fckng play acting. Debuchy got the ball on the first.

    Sanchez took the goal well but Wilshire has been a bit wasteful.

    Ozil on a different wavelength to Sanchez at the moment – but it will come.

    Chamberlain and Debuchy have been playing well.

  397. rico says:

    I actually think this is one of Jacks better games, yes he missed a great chance on goal, but he looks a lot more lively…

  398. goonster says:

    Dna are you watching on Fox soccer too? This guy makes Micheal Owen look like thr Pope. He’s so biased it’s embarrassing.

  402. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Jack was trying to re create that goal vs Norwich. Same position, same game play….and he created the goal out of nothing in the smallest possible area of space.

    AW should rotate Jack and Aaron. not play them together.

  403. goonster says:

    DG I was saying the same thing to my cousin last week. We need to keep them apart. Ramsey and Wilshire don’t go together better still play jacky boy on the wings if you really must accommodate both of them.

  406. Hell Raising Devil says:

    JAck on the wings???? lol

    Not even Red Bull will give him wings.

    no …… only Jack/Aaron rotation will do.

  413. Micko says:

    Beat me to it rocky, ox stepping up and showing he really wants a berth in this starting eleven this season.

  431. Hell Raising Devil says:

    it was a foul. and since it was his second booking it was obvious he was going to be off.

    Aw did the right call…..he subbed Ozil for Chambers. now we go 4-1-3-1. Flamini needs to keep up now. Jack is doing fine. I feel he will benefit more from Ozil’s absence.

  434. Scott From Oz says:

    Devil, it was soft, mate…very soft.
    We see worse every game go unpunished, and ths issue….the lack of consistency.
    Then, to card Chambers?
    He’s lost it.

  447. Hell Raising Devil says:

    phewwww. we are in.

    Now go and spend some fekking money Arsene. And on good players not has beens, freebies or cast offs.

  451. Gunnerdna says:

    Time to hear, Diaby lans, Sanogo is WC & we have a huge squad with z mental steeeength. Bring on the pres.

  453. Wavy says:

    Anyone got a defibrillator handy?
    Fm that was close, too close for comfort!
    Giroud out this calendar year! So do we need another striker or not?

  456. Gonerjoe says:

    Bloody hell whether they where bought as replacements or not they are new players to Arsenal who where bought in this transfer window.
    Facts 4 where bought in this transfer window I know this doesnt fit some strong beliefs.
    But like I said early in life and on this blog you are entitled to your opinions but not your own facts.

  457. Joaquim Moreira says:

    uff!
    I wrote this at the weekend:
    a) Debuchy is crazy. He could be sent off against Everton because he assault after suffer a lack. His first yellow card today is stupid and was very early. then we was sent off. We will arrive more problems with this player for us (when we played at Newcastle he has been sent off sometimes)
    b) Wilshere and Ozil at the same time doesn’t work. It’s a evidence. One strip space to another. Two left foot players at the same time.
    And now the game:
    c) Again without a central forward. AW haven’t confidence in what he has in the bench. Sanogo, Campbell and Podorskky. another fact: alexis play much better when he is on the rigt. His normal place.
    d) 94 minutes without a replacement. The players are exausthed and we have players and 2 subs in the pocket. We can put for instance, Sanogo “to tie” the two central backs and Besicktas schema will be broken.
    e) Let’s wait for the repercussion of this game next sunday in those players.
    Now, I can complete the “cups” and we are in the cup 1 🙂

  460. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Replace the word cup for pot.
    So, here it’s my favourite teams: Arsenal – pot 1
    pot 2 – Basileia
    pot 3 – Ajax
    pot 4 – Maribor

  465. Gunnerdna says:

    Its obvious this dude is crazy – AW told Sky Sports: “Olivier Giroud had surgery today. It went well but he will be out, for maybe top competition, until end of December or beginning of January.
    “We will look around but we want quality. We have quality, we have Walcott coming back soon, Podolski, Campbell, Sanogo. To find players better than we have would be very difficult.
    “Any time you have a problem you can’t always buy. I bought Sanchez to be a striker, Walcott can be a very good striker, Sanogo is a very good striker, Campbell if you ask him what he is he says a striker. All players of quality.”

  466. goonster says:

    Am never constructive joe never claim to know more than anyone but one thing is clear wenger knows squat!

  467. goonster says:

    Dna why do you ever bother…that guy needs a psychiatric analysis. He’s beyond redemption I tell you.

  469. Gonerjoe says:

    So I am free to believe that the insults that Scott was complaining about my not been aimed at Scott but the likes of me people who support the club,players and manager.

  471. Gonerjoe says:

    I know I don’t know everything but the one thing I do know is that Wenger knows far more about football than anyone who posts on this site or any site.

  472. goonster says:

    Joe my insults was never aimed at any particular person. Am just sick and tired of seeing grown men support a dictator blindly without reason. It beggars belief. He can’t be right all the time. Plus I ve been here for almost 5 years now and I ve never had any altercation with any blogger. That tai fella had it in for me me thinks. Take a load off joe. Get a beer. We won. Wenger is the enemy not you 😀

  473. Adam says:

    Evening Goonie and DNA. I just got home from the game. Tense affair. As many questions as answers. Tepid atmosphere though. Glad we are through though.

  474. goonster says:

    Dna he’s got issues….serious ones. I mean who thinks sanogo ll score 20 goals this season? Who except le screw up.

  475. Gunnerdna says:

    Adam, did you do a number 2 after Ba miss that header, I had to rush to the restroom. Lol. Why AW can’t buy the players the squad need.

  477. Gunnerdna says:

    Goon, Its a waste of time to discuss anything about Sanogo until he scores for the club, right now he is in the dumpsters for me. He lacks basic football abilities, he is only at the club because he fits right the manager ambition. #averagespacefiller

  479. Adam says:

    DNA. Yeah, I did really. But at that time I hadn’t quite realised that it was enough for them to win it. Only afterwards did that dawn on me.
    As for Wenger? Honestly mate, I really can’t be bothered anymore. Things stopped making sense years ago. The lack of squad depth is all anyone was talking about tonight over there. I heard many theories but……I just dunno. :). What I will say is that enthusiasm is low in the ground and there aren’t many Wenger fanatics left.

  480. BrainwashedKev says:

    Well now we’re into the Group Stage let’s see if Wenger has had a couple of deals on hold or not…

    Personally, I think he’ll bring in a couple of cheapo/loan deals to save money and give him a couple of extra bodies…

    Failing that it could be Miquel, Miyaichi and Coquelin filling the gaps…

    Yep, that’s how a big club operates isn’t it???

  483. Micko says:

    Stan / Gjoe, lets not turn this into a willy waving contest, besides rico is probably clutching her hot water bottle right now and wath is probably telling his best mate he still loves him, lets leave them in peace, you know it makes sense !!! Up the Gooners.

  484. Adam says:

    Hi BT. Sort of. The atmosphere in the ground is up and down. It’ll be buzzing for the bigger games I imagine.
    Just unwinding for an hour now. You?

  485. BrainwashedKev says:

    Hi Adam, just watching the MK Dons game… 🙂

    Arsenal vs Southampton in 3rd round…
    Nice game…

    Night All

  488. Micko says:

    Kev, heard a funny one this morning, they won’t be milking their cows in Milton Keynes for the next week or so ! They now how to celebrate.

  491. Adam says:

    BT. I’d love to drop round for an hour but I have to slope off to bed soon. The excitement has been too much. 🙂
    One day soon we’ll hook up. Night mate, Micko, Goonie and DNA.
    Sleep well.

  492. Gonerjoe says:

    Another tough draw in a cup competition just wait tomorrow it will be Dortmund again plus Bilbao wait and see.

  493. Micko says:

    Nite adam, looks like you got your monies worth on your season ticket this campaign !!! Only time will tell.

  494. Scott From Oz says:

    Sorry Rico, I, not wasting any more time putting up something that will be torn apart by some on here.
    DNA, why don’t you do it for a change?
    You’ve always got so much to say…….put it to good use for once.

  499. kel says:

    Delighted at the result to close for comfort imo… but job done,

    Still wondering why wenger never brought on sanogo or Campbell around 75… Sanchez, cazorla & ox ran themselves into the ground, fresh legs really could have helped, those 3 players might feel it come Sunday imo..

    Anyhow great result for the club, but wenger really needs to pull the finger out now and sign a player that can play cb/dm along with a striker.

  502. Scott From Oz says:

    Hahaha DNA, you are a good man, and big one behind a keyboard.
    As for Orlando….why the hell would I go there??
    Isn’t that the crappy part of Yankland?
    I’m heading to Anaheim champ, and I never said otherwise.
    No get typing, you can do it….I have faith……I’m sure it won’t take long.
    I mean, how hard is it to copy some tweets and say Wenger out??
    Damn, I just wrote your post lol.

  503. Scott From Oz says:

    Kel, I’m hoping some of those boys get a rest v Leicester….they will need it.
    Big effort.
    Average performance, but super effort.

  504. Scott From Oz says:

    Watching the replay, and one thing stands out…no surprise to most.
    Forget Ox as a striker…..I concede defeat there 🙂
    Forget Sanchez as a striker…..Wenger must concede on that one.
    If we had a Cavani! we win 3 or 4-0.
    Of the three positions we need filled, striker is number 1 for me, right now.
    DM no. 2
    CB no. 3.
    We need all there filled, but as far as the quality of players req’d, a world class striker could potentially slot straight in to what we already have and win us the League.
    To make a good thing of it, sign a WC DM and a decent CB.
    No excuses.
    Money is there.
    If he doesn’t, I will certainly stop defending the man.
    So bloody close to being as squad as good as any we’ve ever had, it’s not funny,

  506. Adam says:

    Morning Rico and all. Lots of endeavour last night. Very little quality. Four for me with no chance of getting them.

  507. Lee says:

    Fucking hell there’s some blinkered arsenal supporters out there!! It’s fucking embarrassing!
    Anyways, no excuses now Arsene address the squad deficiencies and make us contenders there’s no reason not to!

  513. Adam says:

    Morning Brudder. Santi was good for sure and Jack was ok in parts, a bit like the overall team. Sanchez put in a hell of a shift. The shape is shocking. You could drive a tractor through our CM with no fear of hitting anyone.

  514. rico says:

    From what Rick said yesterday, we can sign 2 overseas players and two home grown, unless I have misunderstood.

    I’m not sure why Miquel, Ryo, Coquelin and Diaby are still with us…

    And, I’m far from convinced that both Campbell and Sanogo are going to stay.

  517. potter says:

    Going to war today Scott . I feel terrible about it. I know that I did everything but it was still my ticket that let him down.

  522. Lee says:

    17 seasons in a competition that we won’t win with the current squad….still the revenue stream is good!

  527. kel says:

    Scott @6:13 last night has left me thinking that to If we had of had a cavani/Falcao it would have been 4-0.

    Teams are walking through us tho, thats why yesterday I was in favour of putting chambers in the pivot in def mid.

    I’m still of the opinion tho wenger won’t sign anymore than 2 players, imo he’s looking someone to slot into cb/dm two birds one stone and all that… just my thoughts, hope he signs 4 lol

  528. Lee says:

    kel, it’s so frustrating as we are so fucking close….three proper additions and we’d be ready to rumble!

  529. rico says:

    You seen the Falcao story, apparently he wants to join us on loan for a season..

    Sorry if that’s old news…

  531. kel says:

    Every transfer window under wenger is frustrating Lee. .. lol..

    Your right a few additions and we’re ready to rumble, think Scott fancied us signing micha Richards, I’d go along with that cb/rb covered, allowing chambers to slot into dm/cb.. suddenly we would have options at the back.

  533. kel says:

    City, Chelsea, Liverpool, spurs, utd fans… They all wanna see one thing from wenger do… rely on sanogo!

    The last thing they wanna see is Falcao or cavani etc.

  534. rico says:

    Hmm, don’t need to think too much about what the answer is Lee….

    kel, Richards is a bit of a crock though these days, we have enough of those…

  537. Adam says:

    But the fan base is confused. Wenger’s recent reign has become a divisive element. It seems that those for who Wenger can do no wrong will go to any lengths to defend him. They accuse others who do not share their love of him as being negative and they are so incredibly dumb that they cannot see how it is possible to admire the man yet believe that he is not doing a great job. There is nothing wrong with feeling negative when things don’t add up and at the moment they don’t.
    Last night was our 4th competitive game of the season and I haven’t seen one convincing performance from a team that look like they are making it up as they go along with 11 individuals trying to scrape together a result. The whole balance is just not right and there are very few match winners on the pitch. Playing so many players out of position seems crazy to me. Quite frankly, if you are looking for width on the left, then buy a left winger or an attacking left sided midfielder. Don’t stick a guy like Ozil who used to be world class out there. The poor bloke is dying a death match by match. His career is literally being destroyed by trying to fit him into a slapdash system which is unbalanced. Giving players like Ozil the freedom to destroy defences surely means constructing a proper midfield balance to allow them to do just that and we haven’t had that since Cesc left.

  540. George says:

    ….a very nervous and scrappy affair as i predicted.

    Rather than blame Wenger 100%, the board and staff need to take some sh1t too.

    On the whole we are financially sound as a club, have a decent stadium and a rich history. We could be worse, a few clubs would kill to swap places.

    The boss has cut down on the dross we have had over the past 9 years. Every club has these donkeys…kleberson at utd and djemba djemba anyone lol…Its good that he is taking measures to clean up the squad.

    Now he has secured another season of Champions league where we are going out last 16 at best, again and a cup run and fourth to look forward to , again…It would be nice that everyone at our club sees us make a bigger effort to address our shortcomings.

    Everyone knows we need 3/4 good players this season. This last minute lark is not nice and disrespectful to all who pay top dollar to support us.

    Just as I suspected (much to my disdain), Campbell and Podolski did not feature as it would depreciate their value/ chances of going out on loan to another champions league club. Wenger , I fear is going to ship them out, without bringing in replacements we have been crying out for. As Kel mentions earlier, the boss could have rested a few players and had 2 subs . why not rest sanchez at 70mins and play either of the 2 fwds, or both? Kroenke didnt want them cup tied.

    This is what we get when money taints the beautiful game.

    Also thought the ref was a total bellend. Even Besiktas did not deserve that many yellows.

    Agreed on what an earlier poster said about Debuchy, while I thought he had a hgood game , its 2 yellows and the guy is a hot head with a stupid haircut , which will irk most refs. He will cost us and get sent off again im sure.

    We got to take the luck when its on our side(re Wlshere blatent foul on Motta)

  544. bradster says:

    Morning all,

    I still wonder if Wenger actually wanted Ozil at all. Wasn’t it Stan and Ivan that sorted out the deal? Perhaps they wanted to cool the ire of the fans.

  547. kel says:

    Maybe that’s what is happening George podolski/Campbell not coming on leaving them cup tied makes sense to me.

    Frustrating again tho last night’s game was huge for the status of the club, and we have players on the bench we don’t wanna play, so we run 3 or 4 players into the ground.. not very smart imo…

  548. rico says:

    Adam, you should know that playing players like Ozil out on the left is all part of their education. Ramsey is living proof.. lol

  550. Adam says:

    Rico. For every Zidane there has to be a Deschamps.
    I was talking to some people at the game last night as there was a huge discussion going on about Cesc from before kick-off. He said that we have too many midfield players.
    I laughed.

  551. rico says:

    George, I totally agree re the owner and board, they should be doing a lot more to force the signings to be made. After all, they gave the man the extra 3 years…

  553. Scott From Oz says:

    Morning all.
    Potter, I guarantee you there are no issues with myself or Joseph towards you, so don’t stress.
    Joseph managed to get a ticket so caught the game anyway, and was certainly not upset with you in anyway.
    Nett spend zero…..well, I said what I’m thinking earlier, so it really is all on Wenger now.
    Kel, Richards would be a nice signing, if he comes in alongside two others 🙂

  555. Adam says:

    Rico and George. You both know, as well as anyone, that Wenger stopped being a manager years ago. I believe he is an institution now. They are more afraid of losing him than he is of leaving. Quite simply and from everything I have heard, he runs everything that he wants to run and becomes very terse if anyone tries to interfere. Never again will an Arsenal manager have the power that he does. And you know what they say about power.

  556. Nickie says:

    lol i’m sure there were loads of people waiting for that 90th min goal to go in!

    They didn’t have a shot on goal did they? We completely dominated them for 80 minutes. Ox should have scored to kill the game off

  557. Scott From Oz says:

    Rico, that’s why I ultimately blame Stan….he allows Wenger to do as he pleases.
    If it’s true he forced the Ozil purchase, then let’s hope he steps in again now.

  558. Adam says:

    Nickie. We beat an average Championship quality side 1-0 at home and probably should have conceded a penalty. We were enthusiastic but tactically naive and Debuchy was an idiot. The result was everything though

  561. Adam says:

    Scott. As far as I can see, buying Ozil was actually a waste of money. A great player no doubt but playing him out of position like Wenger does with most quality players has killed his enthusiasm for the game. He looks dejected, out of place and totally pissed off. He should be making the difference and winning us games. Is he doing that?

  563. Nickie says:

    From where I was sitting we dominated and put in a passionate and mature performance. They’re far from a championship side more like a mid premier league side imo. It was a great win, we restricted them to 0 shots on target and Debuchy didn’t deserve the red. The penalty and red card evened themselves out.

  568. Scott From Oz says:

    Adam, my opinion of Ozil is he is never going to destroy a side singlehandedly, but with players in motion offering him options, he will find them.
    He desperately needs Ramsey and Theo to show his best.
    Until he gets these guys offering him somebody to runs, it doesn’t matter where he plays.
    It’s no coincidence his best period for us was before Xmas when both these guys were up and firing.

  570. kel says:

    I agree with debuchy being an idiot Adam tho I think besiktas is more like wba/villa level imo…

    I think if Giroud,Ramsey had have been playing we’d scored no problem…

    But as you say the result was everything, which probably affected are performance, nerves etc..

  573. Scott From Oz says:

    On Debuchy….if deserved that second yellow, some opposition players deserved straight reds!!
    He was bloody naive, akin to Aaron in the first leg, but damN, they got away with some.
    Adam, hope you caught the N 🙂

  574. Adam says:

    Scott. You are probably right but people expect you to track back in the PL and offer some cover for your full back. That is not Ozil’s game so we need a really solid midfield to allow him to do his work. Last night our midfield was not that.

  576. George says:

    Adam, Your onto something about Wenger becoming an Institution, the man knows he can do no wrong as long as the books look good. Anywhere else , in any other job, you are rewarded for your performance in the job. Lets say I was saving the compnay I am working for thousands of Dirhams here in Dubai, but it wasnt my job, and I actually negelcted my job to do that. I’d be on my arse selling ice creams in the desert and camel rides in no time.

    But Rico is with me on this , the board are too canny and push their luck to unbeleivable limits.

    Lee, I saw that article on Lady Nina…I bet she was a right sort in her day lol…Can’t blame her for bolting to save a few bob. She should have sold her shares to the Uzbek imo

  577. Adam says:

    Kel. They had no final ball. Crystal Palace gave us more problems. The final third is often what discriminates Championship from PL sides. They are Championship level. Because we were average it probably made them look better but we should be putting teams like that away easily. As for Debuchy. Whether he deserved it or not, why give an awful ref like that the chance to make that decision? He was silly and coming onto the pitch after the whistle to berate the ref was even sillier. If he includes it in his report Debuchy could get an extra match. Dumb.

  579. Scott From Oz says:

    Adam, I agree on that.
    He is what he is, and he is pure quality, so I do agree we should never try to change him.
    If he were just a decent player, fine, try and improve him, but there aren’t too many better than him, so just let him do his thing, I say.

  584. Adam says:

    Rico. I know how you feel Rico. I can’t see Kroenke going as long as Wenger is there but I can see millions going into his sky rocket later in the season. After Wenger, who knows?

  585. Scott From Oz says:

    Adam, I didn’t see him come back on……I was straight to the shower and work….silly boy.
    Rico, you know I always say it……..nothing changes until Stan leaves.
    Wenger can go….nothing changes.
    Stan goes, everything changes.

  586. kel says:

    Couldn’t agree more on debuchy Adam your spot on there tbh I expect a few more reds from him this season…

    I disagree on besiktas m8, they are not chapionship level imo 1-0 over 2 legs tells me that.. So Each to are own on that.

  587. Adam says:

    Scott. Yes mate, he came on and started kicking off at the ref as if he was going to admit that he shouldn’t have sent him off. The sending off was harsh but it happened, like Ramsey’s. Don’t give these blokes the option to send you off in the first place by making tackles like that when you already have a yellow card and you have seen how useless he is.

  588. Scott From Oz says:

    Besiktas are a decent side, but we should have made lighter work of them.
    Then again, with a great striker, we would have 🙂

  589. Scott From Oz says:

    Adam, as I said, they were naive….even just plain dumb.
    What were Wenger and abound doing when he went back on?
    Surely they should have seen he was riled up.

  591. Adam says:

    Kel. I hear you but I think we are in danger of judging them against our own poor performances. Looking at them as a unit with their lack of quality in the final third but doggedness through defence I will stick with Championship but agree that it’s purely opinion and I totally respect yours.

  593. BT62 Gooner says:

    Discussion with mate, at half-time, Debuchy red card waiting to happen, Chambers will come on to shore things up, what the fcuk has become of Ozil, not just last night, midfield to open and not clinical enough….Good result, will the team/squad get the reward, they deserve for their efforts?, the clock ticks away, on that one.

  594. Scott From Oz says:

    Ozyakup…. one of their best, couldn’t make it with us…..it really should speak volumes of the difference.
    We can play much better though, and we’d want to pretty soon.

  597. Scott From Oz says:

    Not that he should have to, Adam lol.
    Still, if I were manager, and I knew his frame of mind, he’d have not got near the pitch, let alone referee.

  600. Scott From Oz says:

    Tell ya what, imagine the mood today if Ba had shown some balls and attacked that late header hahahaha

  603. Nickie says:

    If Chamberlain had scored Debuchy wouldn’t have had to make that tackle.

    I like Debuchy and thought he was outstanding. I won’t condemn him for a challenge that looked messy but was 100% clean, he battled all night for the team, worked his socks off and didn’t deserve a red card.

    We should be blowing Besiktas a side but on another night we may have converted more chances. We didn’t concede, we got the job done. What more can you ask?

  606. Nickie says:

    Also to suggest Besiktas are the same standard as Burnley is silly. Crystal Palace caused us more problems? where? from that 1 set piece. Haven’t Besiktas turned over Man U at OT?

    Sorry but credit where credit is due, VS Besiktas is our best 90 minutes this season.

  609. BrainwashedKev says:

    Rabiot is a classic Wenger signing, and based on what I saw in the WC, probably a better option to Carvalho…

  612. Lee says:

    Ho hum, we are in the knock out stages of the cash cow and for the 17th time! Good work Arsenal, by really nice if we had a good enough squad to win the thing, wouldn’t it?

  613. kel says:

    But chamberlain didn’t score nickie, so debuchy should have been more careful, i like the guy to, but he is a bit rash or messy as you say coming back on to the pitch at the end was silly.

    Scott lol @9:55 HH would hit the 1,000 mark in comments lol…

  621. rico says:

    You lot still moaning, did they get an equaliser and I missed it or something.. 😉

    I’m chuffed to be that we won, i really am, but I know Wenger needs to have a very active five days in the transfer market….

  622. Nickie says:

    It seems some people on here aren’t happy with the win Rico. I came here today happy wanting to celebrate qualification with HH….I’m now feeling miserable.

  623. rogerbij says:

    Good call Nickie. Actually, that is a big weakness in recent seasons: lack of utter ruthlessness in front of goal.

    Sanchez has it, Ramsey has developed it – But Wilshere, Ozil, Rosicky often look afraid to hit a shot. Maybe Ox is in that box. My point is, that if fewer goals are coming from a #1 hitman, those midfield players have a responsibility to score.

    Im just talking about the contributions that players like Lampard, Gerrard, Yaya and Fabregas etc make for their teams, often contributing 10+ for the season.

    Im not sure how much shooting training is done with them, but that is absolutely fundamental to familiarity and confidence when finding yourself in that situation. Its something that can be learned, worked at in training if its not natural. But we must be more incisive with our shooting. Rather than trying to walk it in sometimes, fear of rocket shots bring out defenders to shut down and make blocks, which in turn, opens up more space behind too…

  624. Scott From Oz says:

    Well said Rico, and that is the truth of the situation.
    Come on, Arsene………restore the faith….even a bit of it.

  626. rico says:

    I know Bt, sadly….

    I don’t recall Ramsey getting a battering for his silly sending off last week.. Just saying..

  627. Scott From Oz says:

    Roger, I believe the goal scoring instinct is something a player is born with.
    Watch any player standing over a penalty….that will tell you if it’s there or not.

  628. kel says:

    I’d luv to know who these people are who arnt happy Arsenal won…

    I was delighted & exhausted after the match..

    Really looking forward to the draw today.

  630. rico says:

    Don’t be Nickie, I’m thrilled to bits too. Some of the players have tweeted that it didn’t matter how they qualified, the mere fact they have is enough…

    That’s how I felt when the final whistle went…

    Yes we can improve and just a DM would have done so last night, but I thought a few of our players gave a hell of a lot to get that win…

  632. rogerbij says:

    Oh I was big time happy with the win. I called it ‘excellent excellent’ which is quite high on the excellence rating. And very happy for Sanchez. Its wonderful to get the monkey off the back too. Debuchy’s red card was a tad harsh, and I wouldnt call it reckless or stupid. And then we defended pretty darn well.

    Im only left holding my breath that we get some reinforcements in because we have the making of a wonderful side this year, but the glass is still half full!

  633. Nickie says:

    Kel, I wasn’t having a dig at you or anyone.

    Just can’t understand why there is so much negativity around a win.

    Plus, i’m not sure how to take the “If my brother was female she’d be my sister” comment. Is it implying I’m an idiot?

  637. Adam says:

    Nickie. Not at all. Just affirming that what actually happened in thematch is the fact. The ifs don’t actually count. So, saying that if someone had scored then Debuchy wouldn’t have made the tackle is firstly an unknown and doesn’t actually exist. It’s like saying that if Henry had scored when clean through in the CL final, we would have won. That may be but it didn’t happen. The fact is that Debuchy did get sent off.

  638. kel says:

    I understand that nickie, it’s not negativity imo it’s constructive criticism that’s all I intend it to be altho ya called my comparison of besiktas silly.. lol and that’s fair enough.

  640. rogerbij says:

    Agree Scot that the is a certain instinct to scoring, but totally disagree that this is not something that can be taught to top players with application and practice. The thing about instinct is that you do it nearly without thinking, familiarity through practice can bring about the same feeling – a confidence that the situation is familiar and knowing what to do without thinking, backing yourself.

    I guess I think too of my own experiences, not professional but decent amateur leagues. When fit and playing well its second nature, but when youve been out injured, or a new season these things have to be learned again.

    Im not asking JW or MO to be Thierry Henry, but I am asking them to work on this weakness and back themselves, because Im convinced they can improve greatly in that respect.

  641. Scott From Oz says:

    Nickie, Adam meant no point worrying about ifs, buts and maybes.
    I guarantee you have misunderstood that one.

  642. Scott From Oz says:

    Roger, I didn’t mean to suggest it can not be improved upon, but some just pull the trigger when others think about it.

  643. Nickie says:

    When you focus greatly on the negatives and not the positives after a win like that it does give off the impression you’re not happy…is the point I was making Lee.

    Not trying to have a go or cause disruption lol. I’m just super happy and thought others would be because for me it means there’s no excuses in not making signings now, for me it means there’s a greater chance of better signings due to CL qualification

  645. rico says:

    I know Lee, but you can only beat who is in front of you and we did. Ok it wasn’t pretty at times and only signings will make us better, so now it’s down to the club to make sure they plug the gaping holes…

  647. Adam says:

    I love the way that Wenger says he will not be ‘forced into making panic buys’ because of Giroud’s injury. His spin is laughable these days.

  648. kel says:

    Exactly how I feel nickie, but we did scrape through last night…
    And as Lee says some of us are just putting the win into context

  652. Adam says:

    I just want to say that I will not be forced into making a panic buy of a sandwich for lunch because my wife is out visiting friends.

  653. Scott From Oz says:

    One thing I will say is this……..maybe 12 months ago but DEFINITELY 24 months ago, we’d possibly have lost all 4 competitive games played thus far.

  655. kel says:

    I laughed at wenger last night after the game during the interview he was calm and assured…. but when asked about replacing Giroud he started scratching his neck lol getting all fidgety lol

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