So Arsene says it was the worst week of his life, good, it was mine too, so at least he was feeling the same as we all were, difference is, he had some kind of control and we didn’t.
He kind of said that he wasn’t planning on buying Villa, but he wasn’t planning on buying anyone yet, so that could mean he may buy him.
I met with our ‘Eddy’ last night, and again a top man, he said to me that if big Tone was in the side in any of those games he would have said, you go there, you go there and you shut the fuck up! He said that Tony Adams would always shut up shop and make sure everyone else did.
On that basis we should have him back as defensive coach, either that or sign Micah and a few others.
He also hinted at the captaincy role and reviewing it but I really believe the issue is bad defending and not bad captaincy.
Anyway I think he’ll play Theo up top with Robin, and we’ll stuff them 5 zip, all us, too little, too late, but nice to see all the same!
Have a good ‘un Grovers.
Pedro
Geoff
April 19, 2008 at 9:41 am
have you seen any man city games this year micah was only good in the first 10 matches he’s made more mistakes than richards hes just another overhyped english talent i’d rather have mertzer or whatever that german fellows kids name is
April 19, 2008 at 9:43 am
is there a glitch on this site cause it keeps coming up weird
April 19, 2008 at 9:43 am
its fixed now
April 19, 2008 at 9:48 am
I posted this on another blog - keepers/defence/forwards - my view, and hopes
We dont need a keeper, unless he comes in on a free -
Our defence has sometimes looked like headless chickens, really disorganised - and with that, how can any keeper look that good when he has no clue what those in front are doing - if we sure up our defending in the summer which the boss has said HE WILL DO - then thats the perfect start, Jens will be gone, Fab and Almunia will then work hard TOGETHER and we will see two very good keepers come to the fore with a third, Mannone not far off….
The boss has now said he expects to buy two players - this was one a few weeks ago, so thats progress = 1 good defender, and hopefully a winger, i could reel off some names of who no doubt we would all like to see come in, but i expect that the deals are already going on, and he will tie them up asap - and we probably wont have heard much about the players…. Arsene knows though..
Also, a positive thing, the boss has kicked Flamster up the bum and given him the end of April deadline for a decision, this can only be because he possibly has in mind a target to replace him if he goes, and wants to get in before the russians, mancs, spuds etc who will as usual spend spend spend…
Where i think he may suprise us all is up front, he has said that we need no-one, we score freely, we are good up front and the defence is the issue…. To me, i think about the opposite that Arsene says, he KNOWS had we have scored as freely as he quotes, we would have thrashed Brum, L’pool (hate them) Man U and Chelsea - just those few fixtures, had the chances been converted we would be cruising to the EPL title - I think he will buy Villa, he has often expessed his respect for the player, and this year I think it just maybe the year he signs for us
So…. all we need to do is get behind the boys for the run in, pray that the mancs and russians lose their last few games, pray we win all of ours and then, once the season is over, follow NNA and get stressed ….. then we can all smile when THREE players are doned with our precious club shirt on their backs….
ARSENE KNOWS………………
5-0 today, if not more -
April 19, 2008 at 9:54 am
Arsene Wenger will buy only 3 players.
Amauri-Zapata-Diego
Lehmann
Toure-Song-Gallas-Clichy
Walcott-Gilberto-Fabregas-Hleb
Adebayor-
April 19, 2008 at 9:55 am
yeah im not keen on richards at all….
April 19, 2008 at 9:58 am
Rico… why the ‘Arsene Knows’, that was a nice piece till you threw that in there!
Agree with your score line though.
Nr790… I haven’t heard to much about micah in a while! He has been injured, but I think he is back now?
Maybe he is a flash in the pan? I wouldn’t be comfortable shelling out £24 mill on him anyway… a bit OTT!
I’m off out now! Have a good one grovers and anyone going today! GOOD LUCK! I’ll be in Camden cheering the boys on telepathically today!
April 19, 2008 at 10:00 am
Wenger will buy only 3 players,
Amauri-Zapata-Diego
Lehmann
Toure-Song-Gallas-Clichy
Walcott-Gilberto-Fabregas-Hleb
Adebayor-Van Persie
Subs:Fabianski-Hoyte-Bendtner-Eboue-Senderos
Arsenal 4-Reading 0
April 19, 2008 at 10:04 am
LEHMANN
EBOUE TOURE GALLAS CLICHY
WALCOTT CESC SONG HLEB
BARAZITE RVP
April 19, 2008 at 10:17 am
richards is very raw, their is poential but he needs huge guidance and continous instruction - and their is nothin wrong wit that, in a role where mistakes are way more punished then anywhere else, it can take 3/4 years to be completely assured.
We need a talker now - richard dunne does it in man city.
kolo and sol went unbeaten because of this interaction, which is lacking at the mo
April 19, 2008 at 10:22 am
I had a dream last night that I wrote an email to wenger that he needed a new centre back and winger cum striker and tht he wrote back and agreed and said he would see to it with 2 quality signings. great!
April 19, 2008 at 10:51 am
its obvious that this 1 player who we will sign , and what arsene stated yesterday leads me to believe he is looking for a defender!!!..
obviously..
No villa no ben arfa - benzema etc..
Oh great ! someone as backup to toure - gallas !
well thats really plugging the holes arsene !
fuckin unbelievable !
we cant score week in week out , so lets buy another defender !
score some fucking goals ! and our defenders will get some CONFIDENCE BACK !
April 19, 2008 at 10:54 am
yes gazzup
then you woke up right ?
April 19, 2008 at 11:14 am
Wenger really have his phyisology & I doubt he will change that much. I am beginning to believe he will only invest in one centre back & one other….not sure on the position (it will depend on who leaves)
April 19, 2008 at 11:17 am
im of the same opinion stevie ..
April 19, 2008 at 11:20 am
wenger is to set flamini deadline !
well think we should of done that in november ??? arsene !
then we still might have diarra !!!
Id like to see how wenger will put that down to back luck also !
April 19, 2008 at 11:24 am
“At the moment he (Gallas) will be my captain until the end of the season,” said Wenger.
“I believe he has learned a lot this year and I can only say that his commitment and desire to do well was exceptional.
“I made that decision and I have to stand up for that decision, I have to protect the team and the individuals as well at the moment.
“They get criticised and maybe we deserve critics at the moment but overall the team has made good progress this year.”
WOT PROGRESS ?
STILL QUALIFYING FOR C.L FOOTBALL ?
STILL SILVERWARE-LESS !
STILL CANT GET INTO THE TOP 2 !
HMMMM WHATEVER MAKES YOU SLEEP AT NIGHT BOSS !
April 19, 2008 at 11:24 am
To be fair, when your in the heat of the battle challenging for trophies the last thing on ur mind is signing a new contract….its getting to the end of the season now, Im sure we will know one way or the soon.
Looks like Reading have left out alot of players…….will have to see!
April 19, 2008 at 11:32 am
the players i think arsenal need are Barry (if flamini leaves) , Per Mertesacker and a right winger like ribery (i know wenger wont buy him ) or samir nasri this is all arsenal need
April 19, 2008 at 11:32 am
i thought the flamini deadline was april, so when is it actually?
April 19, 2008 at 11:35 am
@ Evo yer its the end of April apparently.
April 19, 2008 at 11:53 am
Stevie you say that in the heat of the battle that the last thing on your mind is signing new contracts………….WRONG I hate to say this but if utd can do this fighting on two fronts then why can’t we. They have just signed or agreed to sign new contracts with three players. Wenger’s problem is that he is often too soft on his player’s and a good kick up the back, both privatly and puplickly, could do wonder on focusing player’s mind where his loyalties lie, with the club and fans not with his agent and his wallet.
April 19, 2008 at 11:56 am
Well to be fair theres no right answer….it depends on the player. Ronaldo signed about a month ago & Brown has waited most of the season until they won the league to sign.
April 19, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Brown has been holding out for more money. I read somewhere that Arsene has told Flamini to sign or go. Arsenal don’t want to pay what Flamini wants.
April 19, 2008 at 12:18 pm
30 mins till kick off, just about beer oclock
April 19, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Wenger is now saying 1 or 2 real quality players, i hope he follows through!
April 19, 2008 at 12:26 pm
I read that too! Maybe (hopefully) it means 1 or 2 quality players plus a couple of others that no one else think about
April 19, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Eboue has finally been dropped
April 19, 2008 at 12:33 pm
I’m at work watching sopcast
April 19, 2008 at 12:43 pm
What is Arsenal using? 3-5-2? thats what it looks like. Lehmann in goals (again
) and Mannone his backup. Whats happened to fabianski?
Michael re: Eboue, I think everyone can breathe a sigh of relief now!
April 19, 2008 at 12:45 pm
WALCOTT IS STARTING!!!! YAY!! And Finally Denilson is back - he is on the bench tonight.
April 19, 2008 at 1:02 pm
what the fuck?
perfect example of why adebayor cannot be our lead striker next year, the guy is NEVER EVER EVER EVER going to be clinical.
clincial strikers ( wrighty, henry, smudger et al ) are born clinical, if he can fluff a simple header like that in a pressure free game, wtf will he do in a big champs league game?
maybe miss a sitter from half a yard?
April 19, 2008 at 1:02 pm
a sitter into a empty net btw
ffs
April 19, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Is that 2 headers now that Ade has missed?
April 19, 2008 at 1:20 pm
I Take that back, Ade just scored…
April 19, 2008 at 1:38 pm
prophetic words ollie?
another 3 more goals and we can all feel a bit better
April 19, 2008 at 1:41 pm
And Gilberto…. 4/5-0 wasnt a bad call really…
April 19, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Well, Im not a prophet, but ill take it anyway! Now, if we could get RvP to score… Ill get to work on it!
April 19, 2008 at 1:43 pm
positive vibes dude!
April 19, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Did you see how everyone celebrated with Gilberto?
April 19, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Uh oh… here comes trouble…
EBOUE!! I THOUGHT HE WAS INJURED!!!!
April 19, 2008 at 2:13 pm
so looks like everyone is happy and we can look forward to next season
And as usual Wenger will come out saying that the result today shows that the team has great potential and we dont need to change much…..and as usual the arsene wenger knows brigade will lap that up…..and as usual come next year we will be in the same situation yet again….. and it will go on and on and on and on….
April 19, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Dev - Correction, we are happy at the moment, until the next Wenger press conference where he will probably say that the whole Villa thing was a joke, and we will bring in some unknown 14 year old…
I Want to see denilson on the pitch.. Ill add that to the RvP goal on my list ofthings to organise!
April 19, 2008 at 2:19 pm
AARGH!! I nearly had that goal for you guys, Sorry!
April 19, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Ollie……i just have a funny feeling that Wenger’s “super quality” player this time around is going to be Mputu from Congo…….
April 19, 2008 at 2:39 pm
I cant help you with that one, but if there is a bet out on it, wager it. Wenger seems to sign at least one african or frenchman alternately. We just signd Giles Sunu, so it is an Africans turn..
April 19, 2008 at 2:39 pm
A good game for us to build on, they only managed two shots on target (and it took them 75 minutes to get the first one!) throughout the entire game, good possession, we could have scored more but a clean sheet and most importantly a win, we were definitely worth our 2-0 win. Good luck to Reading against Derby.
April 19, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Van Persie adds so much to our game.
Can’t believe people are calling for him to be sold
April 19, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Im disappointed with today, not with the perforamce but with the result. Should have been 5/6-0. We are not clinical enough.
April 19, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Finally a clean sheet !!
April 19, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Wenger will get top quality in, I have no doubt, but there is already plenty of positive stuff out there on show, this win is the start of something good, Song shows he’s a capable and useful player, Denilson and Bendtner did well today as well, kept with the flow, lots of positives from this game.
We’ve got Derby up next…..they might as well send the youth team out.
April 19, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Finally a win! Awesome football, RVP and Theo are amazing, shame Robin’s form didn’t come back sooner.
April 19, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Yeah … Van Persie, Walcott, and Fabregas all should have scored.
I thought it was funny that Hleb had a powerful shot, only the whistle had gone a second before. He only shoots after the ref’s whistle?
And he hit one guy in the face, off the ball, might get in some trouble for that
April 19, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Well, I couldnt get RvP to score guys, Sorry! I think Im sacked as the teams future-predictor-5-minutes-after-it-happened guy.. If not, i resign! Im off, Have a good one!
April 19, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Yup Trindad, Ade and RVP together are a top combo, we more often than not score when both of them lead the line.
April 19, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Although after the game Wenger would say we don’t need David Villa, but if he was out there with RVP we might have had 6.
When a top player like that says “come and get me” it feels like a wasted opportunity not to do it ….
You can never have too many good players. It’s what the teams like Barca and Madrid adopt. Look at what barca has up front … Bojan, Messi, Eto, Ronaldinho, Henry, Gudjonsen.
Compare that to RVP, Eduardo, Adebayor, Walcott, and Bendtner.
A surplus of quality is not a bad thing, and if anyone wants to leave for more playing time, no hard feelings, because you bought, and you sold. (Instead of breast feedig them till they are ready to play with the big boys)
April 19, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Oh and Eboue played as RB today … Wenger has found his marbles.
Eboue didn’t do too bad did he? Didn’t see him cock up in defence and gave Cesc a good chance.
April 19, 2008 at 3:01 pm
We’re a top striker short, Eduardo is out for the year so a striker is needed.
I don’t believe it’s Amauri, Wenger says he’s not up for Villa so it must be someone else.
Besides, Gallas is having his captaincy reviewed, I’d be surprised if he kept the armband, but it was a bit of a surprise that he got it in the first place. Be prepared for the un-expected, but I fully believe Wenger when he emphasises that he’ll get the best quality available to us. Two more world class coming to Arsenal real soon…
April 19, 2008 at 3:04 pm
RVP had a lot more service 2nite!!!!
ALOT !!!
finestcuts whilst i agree ade played better , he still didnt do enough !
we became far more attacking in the 2nd half after he left ! should of been 5-0 !
Gilberto’s goal took a lucky deflection or the keeper would of had it covered !
He isnt a bad goalie (reading’s)! he looks short .. but i think yanks are good goalies !
the scoreline could of been far worse for them !
RVP played well ! and if theo could just partner him im sure we would of seen more goals!
I think to myself well done lads..
then i have to say this is READING …relegation bait material !
3 points on the board ! i mean we should expect it really !
Jens did well ! gotta give credit where credit is due , but then again reading doesn’t really have ANY class at all , and especially upfront ..
We still got Everton to go ?? correct ??
that will be a test …
But on reflection the score line should have been far greater !
still failure to convert chances .. they just looked a bit more clear cut against a crap team like reading .. CLINICAL FINISHER NEEDED !
STILL !
April 19, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Eboue should not be played anywhere but RB for Arsenal., putting Eboue on Right Wing is putting a square peg in a round hole. A wingers job is attacking…..look at the best Right winger in the world, Ronaldo.
Eboue isn’t going to menace keepers, he was put on right wing because he kept going too far forward on RW, but he’s still useful at the back on RW when Sagna is not about, although if we swapped him for Samba I wouldn’t complain.
April 19, 2008 at 3:08 pm
ronaldinho looks certain to join inter !
so maybe Hleb will stay with us !!!
thats sort of good news …
maybe good news for flamini too !
i mean for us !! …
April 19, 2008 at 3:11 pm
I’m hoping that Wenger means that he is not up for Villa “at the moment”
Which could mean, between our game against Sunderland and Euro 08, he could be in the market for him.
April 19, 2008 at 3:13 pm
guys, look at ade he is working so hard. you don’t like him,though 21 goals isn’t bad, also he scored in last 5 games.
today eboue on the right back looked well, with some skills and i can’t remember his incorrect pass.
this ARSENAL was incredable, however we make many moments and scored only twice, also 2 crossbars, it’s a poor result!
April 19, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Yeah we have bigger fish to fry, but this is the first step of a winning journey.
Ade needs to improve sure, but with RVP next to him he’s a much better player. Same with Eduardo. RVP won’t be available for every game, neither will Ade, so we need someone else.
We’ve had this problem for two years, we’ve been a quality striker short……last season we had Baptista and Aliadere filling those roles. We also have to think of giving players a chance to re-couperate, we can’t keep playing RVP and Ade, with Bendtner still under development we need someone already at top level to take over those duties.
Wenger’s other possible option, keep the order we have now and put Carlos Vela at the back of the line and buy a right winger.
Wenger himself brought up 3 names when talking about goals missed, RVP, Eduardo, Rosicky. We should be thinking along those lines, and maybe just maybe Wenger will bring in a 3rd quality olayer to strengthen the back line.
April 19, 2008 at 3:16 pm
im sure someone else would move on him trinidad …
Plus with wengers comment , i think id preferred it if he just said nothing !
can you imagine RVP and villa !
nice combo !
April 19, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Even if Flamini leaves, we can deal with it, Wenger’s had a long time to think about what move he’ll make shoudl Flamini decide he prefers to play for another team.
April 19, 2008 at 3:19 pm
He will be in the market at least for a CB and a midfielder …. but we want a quality striker to add to that.
He’s always added a few quality players though, if not household names.
Eduardo, Sagna, Rosciky, Hleb
Rosciky was the only well known player out of that lot.
And we could count Gallas in there.
April 19, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Do they make any CB like Jaap Stam anymore? Some to make attacking players wet their pants.
April 19, 2008 at 3:26 pm
come on guys..seriously….and i mean seriously…do u think wenger and his merry band (the freakin board) will buy the likes of Villa……..just calm ur nerves and welcome Mputu to the team of losers………..it would do wonders to ur health
April 19, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Serie A is a good place to fish for defenders outside of the PL, but Rolls Royce players require Rolls Royce transfer fees.
April 19, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Any thoughts on Man City getting Scholari next season?
April 19, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Finestcuts
yup i can see sven getting the boot .
taksinnn wont mess about next season ..
providing he isnt locked up ..
Id prefer him to be locked up and with all the hype here in thailand i can imagine him coming unstuck here soon ! hes a bloody criminal ! But a wealthy one ..
If the UK turn a blind eye to it and his money , i can see him really spending over 100mil
next year .. He came back to get 7 billion baht or 1 billion pounds in frozen assets here
And with the muppets he paid for to put in power here , it seems he will get all his funds back! He also planted some of the money from the new bangkok airport in men mar.
That has just magically appeared then disappeared ! the guys amazing …
So yes i can see him getting the best management/players available to give the top 4 a shake next season…
corrupt S.O.B !
April 19, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Denilson is so slow.
April 19, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Shin’s a wealthy corrupt individual, but there are plenty of them funding football clubs. It’s very rare that someone who is so rich didn’t have to step on someone’s shoes to get there.
Shops like Tesco, Sainsbury, they accept cash from anyone, they don’t know where the customer got it from. Dirty cash flows throughout the economy, all over the world.
April 19, 2008 at 4:08 pm
too true but taksin is one shady individual ..
ive got some great stories about him !
or should i say shocking stories .. Thats the problem being a free thinking westerner you have to just shake your head… .. Corruption is a part of life here in Thailand .. from coppers upward ! .. He tells everyone he’s out of politics but then funds the latest PM’s political campaign so he can get all his buddies in power here and get away scott free !
to release all his assets which where a mixture of land deals - fingering government spending and his shin corp satalite money which was all frozen by the former court , who the new PM has just ousted ! ..
It goes to show you the ruthless nature of the man ! And how he will stop at nothing to get what he wants .. Im sure he will do the same in the EPL next season, he didnt have a clue this season about running a football club . Now he’s got his sea legs im sure next campaign will be more fruitful for the wanker !
April 19, 2008 at 4:15 pm
hw abt Scholari at Arsenal?
guarenteed champions league success…
April 19, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Ye he’s a tosser, no doubt, but corruption is open in Thailand, in the UK there are bent coppers, dodgy handshakes….if you’re like me Ethan and you grew up in London, you’ll know cash is King, there’s always a diamond geezer that’ll “sort you out”.
April 19, 2008 at 4:19 pm
RVP played well today almost back to match fitness for the Euros!! Bet he comes back injured!
Was good to remember what winning feels like. what where them clapping things all about though?
April 19, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Gooner7…….yeah why not….Scolari would be worth the risk
April 19, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Just got back in from the game, and I have to say the 2nd half epitomised our season! Rotten luck or what!! RVP ht the bar, Theo hit the bar, we should have won 5-0.
Cant complain too much seeing as we’ve just won our first home game since fuck knows when!!
Theo was just outstanding today, so was RVP, Hleb infuriating as usual with 50 touches instead of shooting, and I have now come to the conclusion that Ade doesn understand the offside rule, on more than one occassion he was way ahead of the defenders and just stood there!!
Anyway, day for positives, we won. 3 points, job done.
April 19, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Me too thinks RVP will be fresh, and firing Netherlands to win their second Euro. I strongly suspect dutch to win this time, they are perenial under achievers (like Arsenal), but I got a strong feeling that after two decades (EXACT), the man who won as a player will get another as a coach. Oranjes have style, and substance. Imagine RVP-Sneider-Van der vaart-Huntelaar-Robben.. Exciting times ahead for Oranjes.
April 19, 2008 at 4:38 pm
And French has got Ribery and Benzema (our good ol’ Titi looks worn out at Barca)
Spain have got Torres, Villa, Iniesta, Cesc, Xavi, etc..
Overall, these three teams have lot of options.
Portugal will be strong with fat Scolari controlling his team with CR, Quaresma, Deco,etc and using his age (g)old tactical maneuver…
But I still think Dutch would win this year…Though they’re defensively poor…
April 19, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Yeah money on the dutch me thinks, france and spain will self destruct as usual, italians havent got a strikeforce worth worrying about, and the croats will miss dudu.
April 19, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Ah yes the diving cheating portugal will also have a say in things!! Did Serbia qualify btw?
April 19, 2008 at 4:41 pm
The dutch are like the current Arsenal squad…good to look at but not a a trophy winnng team…..it wll eventually go to either the Germans or the Italians……EPL equivalent of MU or Chelsea
April 19, 2008 at 4:41 pm
@dev,
“Scolari would be worth the risk”
Nope, he’s not a risk. We’ll be guarenteed for consistent results. At least more consistent than Arsene. But I think we’ll be bloody darn bored about how we do it. BUT We’ll be celebrating WHEN we do it. When we get trophies, and get massive status…
April 19, 2008 at 4:43 pm
The first thing the Dutch need to do is make it out of their group safely.
A group of:
Holland
France
italy
Romania
Their defense is weak .. people like Melchiot and Ooijer are in there.
But their attack … the best in Europe (when fit)
April 19, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Italians might have won with Lippi, but not with Donadoni.
Germans could win it too. But I reckon Czechs have an outside chance to win it. but they need Rosicky, and Cech…
April 19, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Van Basten likes Huntelaar more that Ruud in the middle, with RVP and Robben on either side, they switch all the time so you don’t know which one is going to be on which side.
And with Sneijder and Van der Vaart coming down the wings, Seedorf through the middle.
The only experience at the back is Van Der Sar
April 19, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Does Luca Toni impress anyone?
Not me
April 19, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Well, even Czech are in a tight group as well. Switzerland have the home support, so anything could happen in that group. I still think Czech, and Portugal will do OKAY, and go to the next stage..
April 19, 2008 at 4:50 pm
“Does Luca Toni impress anyone?
Not me”
Not me either…
April 19, 2008 at 4:54 pm
yes the dutch squad are impressive but it counts for nothing because eventually the big tournaments will always belong to teams who have the winning attitude in them…again the Italians or the Germans………………Arsenal are slowly becomng the Dutch of Epl……
April 19, 2008 at 4:55 pm
“Their defense is weak ..
But their attack … the best in Europe (when fit)”
Absolutely!
They can imporve their defence greatly, more so if they don’t play Seedorf as the holding midfielder…
April 19, 2008 at 4:58 pm
of course Luca Toni wouldnt impress anyone…untill he pops up with the winner in the Final of Euro 2008……he is a big game player unlike the s**t we have in our squad now
April 19, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Dutch are always unlucky in penalty shootouts.
And, I can’t believe they haven’t won 98′ world cup, clearly the best attacking side that time, but oh, they lost to Brazil in shootouts again..
Euro 92′ (Semis, Schmeichel’s Euro that year), 96′ (quarters, France got lucky with shootout), 00′ (Semis, Italy this time)…
AND they have a weakness against Portugal..lost in both WC06 and Euro04 to the tactical scheme of Scolari…
April 19, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Yep, Not just Toni, even ex Manc boy Rossi is better than you know who…
April 19, 2008 at 5:10 pm
its not that they are unlucky….they just do not have the winning psychology in them…..they are a bunch of defeatist…thats what they r……….unfortunetly we The Arsenal slowly becoming one too..
April 19, 2008 at 5:13 pm
Yeah the Dutch can’t take penalties at all … WC 98, Euro 2000 … Euro 00 at home, they had 2 penalties during the game, and missed. Then lost in the shootout.
They did win a shootout against Sweeden though, either in 04 or 06.
April 19, 2008 at 5:15 pm
yeah, you got a point.
And I also suspect Wenger’s philosophy has crept to our younger players.
RVP says footballers are like actors, “style” more important than victory, etc and what not! Surely that’s not “winning mentality”, and thats why we got 0 UCL trophies in last 12 years under the same Manager, who is apparently the best in europe. Unbelievable!!!!
April 19, 2008 at 5:17 pm
” Euro 00 at home, they had 2 penalties during the game, and missed. Then lost in the shootout.”
Yes, De boer, and Kluivert…
April 19, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Yeah they don’t have the winning mentality … Arsenal and Holland play well and lose, Germany and Italy play badly and win.
Somehow Germany and Italy always find a way to come up with a goal and esp italy can defend with 11 men.
The only team that plays with flair and style and consistently wins is Brazil
April 19, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Also in that Semi against Italy, apart from the missed penalties, they also hit the post once or twice, at least once with Bergkamp
April 19, 2008 at 5:21 pm
“The only team that plays with flair and style and consistently wins is Brazil”
Like Real madrid? :-p
April 19, 2008 at 5:22 pm
Italians AC Milan ?!
April 19, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Truth be told. We’re like Czech republic (I would think so). Barca are more like the Dutch…
April 19, 2008 at 5:27 pm
have u ever seen the Germans lose in a penalty shootout……thats what I call a winning psychology…….
again as an Arsenal fan…i plead to all of u out there , install this in our team….not fancy football…………..remb the Great Hebert Chapman….how he made us proud to become ……………THE ARSENAL……….
April 19, 2008 at 5:35 pm
even the Brazilian only started to win trophies in the modern football when they they ditched fancy football by introducing the Defensive midfielder in 1994..remb Dunga….he was critizied by he Brazilian public….but eventually they wont the World Cup ..didnt they…
April 19, 2008 at 5:37 pm
dev,
Yep. Remember Mr.Joga bonito neva won a trophy. LOL
April 19, 2008 at 5:41 pm
The Dutch have a great chance of winning the Euro, but they can only do it by winning games 2-1 or 3-2, their defence is penetrable and they play pure Dutch attacking football, so there’s always a price to pay. Huntelaar will score at the Euros, the question is, how many times.
Romania don’t stand a chance, but it’ll be interesting to see which of the heavyweights DON’T make it through. In every competition you have a surprise underdog that does better than expected, like Ghana at the World Cup. And because it’s all cup stuff, strange things happen. Greece rode their luck last time….all the way to the end.
April 19, 2008 at 5:48 pm
the dutch will not win the Euro 2008…fancy a wager anyone………finestcuts???
April 19, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Depends on your odds dev….
Blackburn are winning at Ewood park, c’mon Blackburn!
April 19, 2008 at 6:33 pm
the odds are simple…either the dutch win or not……. i say the dutch wont…..what say u
April 19, 2008 at 6:39 pm
They have an outside chance, so the odds are stacked against them, they do have claims to it through, in the Euros you need a bit of luck as well…
April 19, 2008 at 6:46 pm
my word, nikki b must simply be sold in order to maintain team spirit, did you see the way ade looked at him when he came off? total disgust, then he got hammered by jens and cesc for not defending properly at the near post on a corner.
they totally hate him. clear as pie.
April 19, 2008 at 6:56 pm
my moneys on the Spaniards 4 EURO 08 ! i know they’ve had a supposed dream team thats failed repeatedly ,in the past ..but i think they’ve got too much talent on fire .. currently
Ps … Manure are 10 minutes away from dropping 3 points .. bloody typical !
who’d of guessed it !!! WANKERS !
April 19, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Blackburn need another one, come on Santa Cruz. Maybe we should try and swap Bendtner for Santa Cruz, he’d come in handy.
April 19, 2008 at 7:11 pm
1-1, Manyoo didn’t win though….
April 19, 2008 at 10:10 pm
I went to the game today, behind our dug out, 25 rows back.
Yes, we won 2-0 but we should have scored 2 or 3 more in the second half.
Lehmann did well, he commanded the penalty area better than Manuel does.
Clichy was as brilliant as ever - Kolo a little ropey but got better, especially going forward later on. Gallas wasn’t really put under pressure so it wasn’t really a test for him.
Song, now don’t laugh, looked quite good too.
Cesc - out of his world as usual but Gilberto had a good game - I feel he should maybe stay one more year as his reward for his attitude and pofessionalism if he can deal with being a squad player.
Adebayor looked as ungainly as ever, but he took his chance well enough and scoring meant a lot to him - he way he looked at the crowd, over in my direction, showed how much it meant to him. Despite his faults I’m starting to warm to him again.
I noticed the Reading number 22 was on a mission to hack Robin to pieces - dirty b***ard !
April 20, 2008 at 1:57 am
yeah RVP was on fire in this game, so was Theo!
our corners are so much better when van persie is available, the new way they take the short kicks first and then kick it into the box, are so much better than what we did before!
Gilberto will stay i reckon and so he should, it was only that stupid copa america shite that stopped his season from being succesful!
April 20, 2008 at 2:12 am
If chavski beats Man U and then both Man U and chavski lose every game after that and we win all our games, we will win the league by 2 points over Man U in 2nd and Chavski in 3rd on goal diff.
hahahah…fat chance of that id say!
April 20, 2008 at 2:15 am
what does everyone think of Balde from Celtic, would he be any good in our side?
April 20, 2008 at 2:41 am
charybdis1966
Yes jens should be commended .. He distributed well , That was my gripe with alumina .
instead of retaining possession and just feeding it to a defender he would kick it up field and pray ade is strong enough to battle for it .. which we knew 90% of the time he wasn’t ..
Jens definitely fed the ball to gallas -toure- and eboue well .. It was the reason we had so many chances ! Yes ade got a goal - but still looked like a chip of granite amongst the diamonds !
I think everyone looked good last night, like you said even song .. But then you have to remember who we are playing and at home ! .. Not many threatening players in reading ..In fact they are 1 point shy of being relegated ..
That 86th minute tevez goal probably won them the title !
I spose id rather see a london club get the title than Man Ure .. I think chelsea could beat them at home .. If so level on points .. and the title will be sorted by goal difference !
Could this mean that arsene is going to come out and say we are back in it !!??
please don’t arsene !!!
One things for sure if your going to try for 2nd spot , you might as well try and win it now ?
right ? Arsene don’t disappoint me .. come out and say we are still in it
April 20, 2008 at 6:25 am
well it seems TH14 wants to come back to the UK
Chelsea would be runaway favorites to sign Henry, as owner Roman Abramovich seeks to overhaul his squad in the summer. But Manchester City and Newcastle United may also be in the hunt, as it is possible they would allow Henry to commute from London.
but it seems we wont sign him as he let slip him and arsene don’t see eye to eye !
great now we have to get beaten by one of our former family members !
April 20, 2008 at 7:21 am
Th14 is most likely to sign for liverpool. He has a crush on Gerrard, and a fetish for the kop.
April 21, 2008 at 11:22 am
Yaa Gooner7 you got it right…Ex-king Henry will probably go to Livpool..he has always admired their supporters and their tradition…I dont know how he can play for Benitez, whose philosophy is to play 4 defenders and 5 defensive-midfielders after they score a goal…anyways if he can score more goals for them than what he is doing at Baca, Scourers will go mad….as far as Wenger signing big names is concerned, Pls stop dreaming….Me thinks, he has searched a player from Togo or Ghana or Lebanon whose price tag is 0.1 million and will compete with Eboue and Adeb to be the ugliest player in the league…